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ae-azile · 16 days ago

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Emergence: Chapter 3 Preview

Read entire series here:

By the time 4 pm rolls around, Style wouldn’t say that Bison and Kant are good, but they are…co-existing. That is the best word Style has for it. But still, it's progress. He wants to be encouraging.

“Hey,” Style says quietly, pulling Bison to the side, “Things seem a little bit better, yeah? You played video games together while Fadel and I cleaned out the pool.”

Bison doesn't directly answer Style’s assumption and rolls his eyes, “I still don't see why we need to fill up the pool in the back. The beach is right there. My parents barely ever bothered.”

“We’re doing it because I said so,” Style says, stomping his foot.

“Just because I had scrub brushes and a working pool vacuum doesn't mean I have everything else,” Bison says, “I can’t believe you got Fadel to do most of the work on that when we don't even have the supplies to make sure the water is safe.”

Style shrugs at that, “Fadel and I found a place that sells pool supplies on the coast. They are open until 9. We’ll take care of everything. We should probably check on the jeep anyway. You know how he is about his jeep.”

“Still a risk,” Bison says, his eyes narrowing as he crosses his arms. Before Style can answer, Fadel walks up in an apron, looks between them, then stands next to Style before putting a gentle hand on his back.

“What's the problem?”

Bison sighs, then gestures at Style, “You are seriously letting him drag you to the mainland considering how we left Bangkok?”

“He gets cooped up.”

“That isn't an excuse!”

Style holds back a smile as Fadel pulls him closer, “The jeep has different plates. I changed the registration tags, and we parked it in a secure area anyway. That being said, I want to make sure it wasn't tampered with. We checked every time we stopped for trackers, so no one would have been able to follow us down here. We aren't on any wanted lists-”

“Which is confusing and doesn't make sense!” Bison says, “Considering what they have-”

“Is circumstantial.”

As both Fadel and Bison turn to him in bewilderment, Style clears his throat.

“My aunt is a lawyer!” Style says, “I worked for her one summer that I stayed with her. I know a lot!”

“What the fuck, Fadel?” Bison says, “He has connections to law enforcement-”

“Oh, please!” Style interrupts, “She is a defense attorney! She is an advocate for clients who were manipulated, abused, and controlled from a young age!”

Bison’s face screws up, “That doesn't describe us!”

Style opens his mouth to argue that point. He wants to, he truly does. But Bison clearly isn't at that level of awareness yet. Style doesn't even think Fadel is, although he is a lot closer. Style doesn't want to push Bison too hard or speak ill of “Mother”. Despite Bison’s attempt at speaking ill of his aunt, Style isn't going to do the same thing.

“Whatever,” Style says, “But you should take comfort in knowing that she would be willing to be held in contempt of court in order to help you if she ever became your lawyer! So don't speak ill of my aunt. She's a bad ass!”

“He is on our side, Bison,” Fadel says, “He just wants the pool for Kant’s sake. To help him get used to the water again.”

“He does okay in pools as long as it isn't too deep,” Style says, “We thought we would get more groceries as well. Mainly things that we can store in the freezer in case we stay for a while.”

Bison stares at Style in a scrutinizing manner before letting out a huff, “Give your lists to me. I’ll send the neighbor to get everything. He's worked for my family for a long time and is loyal.”

Unlike you. The words are left unsaid, but Style still hears them. Part of him wonders if Fadel feels the same-

“Style is loyal or he wouldn't even be here!” Fadel snaps, “He would have run off back when I told him to leave!”

Nevermind.

“I will never betray either of you ever again,” Style says solemnly before putting his arm around Fadel’s waist, “I’ve already made it clear that I am proposing to Fadel as soon as I clean this situation up for all of us and we can all live normal lives. We already talked about this, Bison. Remember the plan.”

Fadel glances at Style before sending a sharp look to Bison.

“Don't you dare encourage the plan Style is talking about.”

“You don't even know what I told your brother!”

Fadel turns back to Style, “I can guess, and it's still a no. You aren't putting yourself in a dangerous situation like that.”

At least Fadel isn't saying Style is doing it to cheat on him. And more than that, Bison isn't confirming that was the plan they discussed at all. In this regard, Bison is reasonable. He realizes it may be the one true path to victory. Style just has to get dicked down by some manipulative cop old enough to be his father one time.

Or a couple of times, depending on if he finds any dirt on him the first time. If he has to go back again, he definitely won't enjoy it, but he will go back to make sure the fucker completely discredited and sent away for decades. Style is willing to do that for Fadel, and Fadel isn't appreciative about it at all.

But he doesn't want to argue about it now. Despite Fadel’s frustrations with the current topic, he has been very clingy and has had a desperate need to be in Style’s space. Style doesn't mind, but he wishes Fadel would express why he is feeling so vulnerable right now. Style doesn't want to push because that could be asking for a push right back. So instead, Style just had him clean the pool out. Fadel didn't even glare at him. He did it without complaining once.

“Are you going to give me a list or not?”

Style snaps himself out of his thoughts and sees Bison waving a notepad in his face. Style takes it from his hands and lists down the pool chemicals and supplies before moving onto groceries and clothing requests.

Bison takes it once he is finished before giving Style a fed up look, “You said pool stuff.”

“Amongst other things,” Style says, then gestures down at himself, “Look at me, man. I'm wearing Fadel’s stuff. It is too big on me, and I need at least a few crop tops anyway.”

“You don't need crop tops.”

“He does.”

The stern words come from Fadel as he steps towards his brother menacingly, “If you don't find a way to get him some, I will prep the boat and head out myself.”

Bison steps forward as well, “Are you threatening me over crop tops? Your own brother?!”

“I didn't threaten you,” Fadel says, his voice a dead calm, “It’s just a fact.”

“You're so fucking weird now! Why?!”

While Bison’s concern and question are both valid, all Styles can do is stifle laughter into his palm. It's an easy question to answer. Style brought out Fadel’s weirdness. They match each other's freak. Bison should be aware of this by now.

“Fine,” Bison says, then points a finger at Fadel, “But you of all people should know this is still risky! You would normally be the first person to point that out!”

“There is barely any risk,” Style says before Fadel can answer, “Even less, now that you are sending the neighbor. But even if you or Fadel went, there isn't a warrant out for your arrest.”

Style looks at Fadel at that point and tilts his head, “See what I mean? If this cop wasn't dirty, he would have put something out. He has filthy, ulterior motives, I know it. Just let me prove it or put him in a position that makes him even dirtier.”

“Stop,” Fadel says, but then pulls Style in for an unexpected hug. Style lets out a surprised sound at the gesture but puts his arms around Fadel until Bison grumbles about them being weird before walking away.

“Seriously,” Fadel says, lifting Style’s head just enough until they meet each other’s eyes, “I'm not letting you put yourself in a situation like that.”

Style finds himself briefly transfixed by Fadel’s intense, furrowed, sexy eyebrows before remembering that his future fiancé spoke to him, “Hmm?”

“It's too risky, Style. It's dangerous. He could try to arrest you for something you didn't do-”

“I would like to see him try!”

“He might be more dangerous than you think.”

“I don't underestimate how dangerous he is,” Style counters, “That's why I need to incriminate him and make sure he is no longer a problem.”

Fadel shakes his head before pulling him a little closer, “He could take the bait-”

“That would be the goal.”

“And then he could really hurt you,” Fadel finishes, “I would be pissed off at you if you…seduced him and went home with him. Whatever you say you're going to do. But I wouldn’t be able to handle it if he really ends up hurting you. I…never want you to get hurt like that ag-”

Fadel cuts himself off, before looking a strange mixture of anxious, protective, apologetic, hurt, and still betrayed despite Style not actually going through with this plan yet. He is obsessing. Style thought he was the obsessive one in this relationship. But here Fadel is, getting all worked up not only over something that hasn't happened (yet), but over the worst possible outcomes and over what Style told him. That shit is old news. Style is really fine and he wishes Fadel would stop fucking thinking about it. Style needs to make it clear it doesn't matter to him.

“Whatever,” Style says, standing up straight, “If something like that would happen, that's all the more evidence we could use against him.”

Fadel stares at him in disbelief, as if he can't even understand what Style just said. It takes approximately seven seconds for his face to turn red as he shoves Style away from him before he walks towards the back door.

Great. Style meant to make a logical point, not piss Fadel off. He should probably think of a way to apologize. Maybe he can write a love song, make a beautiful landscape painting of the beach, or build a life size sculpture of Fadel out of trash washed onto the shore, seashells, and old fishing supplies-

“Come outside.”

Style scoffs and sees Fadel sulking at the open sliding door, “I thought you were mad at me!”

“I am.”

“Okay, so I should wait until you cool off a little and find a way to make it up to you before joining you,” Style says, “How do you feel about sculptures built with recycled materials?”

Going by his expression, Fadel doesn't feel much about sculptures built with recycled materials at all.

“You can make it up to me by coming outside with me,” Fadel says, before becoming more upset, “And by never saying something like that again!”

“Hm,” Style hums, then gestures at him, “You still seem mad-”

“I want you outside with me!”

Bison is right. Fadel did get weird. But since Style is the main reason for this, he takes responsibility by following Fadel outside in order to help him clean and prep the grill.

#FadelStyle #fadelstyle fic #kantbison fic #thk fic #the heart killers fic #emergence 3 #emergence preview #from the dark depths #This should be a fun chapter overall #Clingy Fadel #Concerned-Amused-Taken Aback Style #I may even do bottom Fadel 😜#As for Kant and Bison #They are both taking steps in their own ways #but their pacing doesn't match up #which will lead to a big misunderstanding #some heartache #and eventually a desperate move

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