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tryskomys · 3 months ago

Text

Wet Sand

Stone Gossard x OC

Chapter 7 - Bloodshot Ruby

Summary: i am her. it’s her fault.

masterlist

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

notes: working title: Stone and His *Day* of Wonders.

it has come to my attention that the haters said i will have seven OR more chapters without a proper and thorough Stone POV. pft, excuse me?! not in this household, haters, not on my watch. i max out at six.

minors - naughty, watch out. bet you’ve read much much worse (maybe even on yours truly, tryskomys blog) and will definitely laugh at my disclaimer.

(a tiny note for those reading from the start - i proof-read the past chapters again and changed up a few words, such as kiki’s nickname now only appearing in the dialogue bc keeva is a rly pretty name and i want it to be seen ok?? <3 to any keevas out there ily and i gotta put some respect to your name lol)

jesus, these chapter notes of mine will soon reach the word count of an average tryskomys chapter. and that’s saying something.

tws: news flash - the actions described in this text are not a healthy way to deal with emotions. nothing too explicit but alluding to the word that ends with the same five letters as ‘situation’ and the bad word that sounds suspiciously close to…‘snacks’? whatever !!!SAFE SEX RULES EVERYONE!!!

ok bye enjoy

songs:

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

“Stoney? Stone. Stone, tell me you’re joking.”

“I forgot to call him.”

“You forgot?”

“Yes, I did. I’ll call him as soon as we leave, I’ll take care of it.”

“But -”

“Let’s move on, we gotta end in half an hour. Take it from the top - Stardog. Everyone ready?”

As winter faded, February and March seamlessly blended together. Not that it was any less cold or damp - it was still Seattle.

But - much to Stone’s annoyance - the afternoon sun was already growing way too bold. It was ruthlessly tickling his eyes as he stomped through the streets, alone.

His boots splashed against the melting snow along the way home from rehearsal.

It was fruitful, until both guys from Malfunkshun - meaning Andy’s brother Kevin and Regan - walked in on them practising with both Andy and Greg, the drumming legend of the Seattle underground.

Stone had already played a couple of house parties with Jeff, Keeva, Bruce, Andy and Regan. They just went in, got drunk for free, covered a bunch of songs and had a grand fucking time doing it, too.

To him, it felt amazing. Besides Andy’s larger-than-life voice, the booming sound of the triad of guitars was just magical - Keeva’s psychedelic and experimental tinkering and Bruce’s soulful-yet-edgy solos fit so well with Stone’s dirty funk riffs.

And he wanted to have a band with Regan ever since they were pimply preteens.

But Jeff, apparently unable to skip an opportunity to be a thorn in Stone’s side, just didn’t click with him. And that was always an immovable problem when it came to a bassist-drummer relationship.

So Stone was, as always, tasked to give the hard and stern announcement.

Yeah, sure, leave it to Stone.

The calculating Stone. The level-headed Stone. The pragmatic Stone. The emotionless Stone. The ‘nomen est omen’ Stone.

He was sick of it.

Frowning, he harshly chewed on his bottom lip and huddled himself deeper into his scarf.

How could you forget something that important, you -

No. No, no, it’s her fault. It’s her fault.

Stone rubbed off a damp drop at the tip of his freezing nose and adjusted the guitar case that hung on his shoulder.

He knew precisely what was wrong with him.

That night, he had a nightmare. He was trapped in a maze of tapestries - they surrounded him from all sides, each one of a different shape and size. At first, it seemed like they were vignettes of some strangely shaped landscapes and woods.

Only after Stone took a closer look at the biggest one, the blood in his veins curdled as he realized that all of the embroidery depicted his friends - many of his friends, all lying dead in grotesque positions like battered rag dolls.

Surrounded by heaps of dirty drug paraphernalia, taking their own lives...so many.

Mountains upon mountains of bodies - and at the very top sat a lone crying figure, delicate like a porcelain doll about to break. She was the only one moving.

Pale, naked, shivering. She was extending her shaky hands as if she was begging him to free her. He reached out, but she was stuck in the tapestry, crying louder and louder as he desperately clawed on the fabric in an attempt to rip her out of the horror.

That’s when he woke up - deep into the night and drenched in cold sweat. Her fading screams were still ringing in his ears.

After a few moments, he realized that something dragged him out of the terror. His hazy mind caught the faint sound of a muffled tune coming from upstairs.

Suddenly, Stone was convinced that he’d just woken up in a different, prettier dream - everything seemed so cloudy and unclear. He got up and walked over to the stairs. He felt like he was floating through the room, light-headed and weightless.

Her curtain was nearly closed, but he caught a peek of her through the small gap between the fabric and the frame.

Her silhouette was enlightened by the faint warm light above her bed - it made her rosy curls glow like a halo.

The way her fingers danced around the fretboard was hypnotic, producing sounds that he didn’t even know a guitar could make. The melody was entrancing, like something you would only hear in - well, a dream. That only solidified Stone’s deluded belief.

Closing her eyes, her lips parted as she quietly started humming a harmonic second line to her strings.

She moved in a way he’d never seen her do before - as if she was floating on waves, her body flowing from side to side like in a trance. And, knowing her, it occurred to him that she definitely did not want to be seen.

There was something incredibly erotic about the scene.

Somehow, Stone knew that she was imagining him there with her, obediently playing the part she was humming. Like a puppet with its maker. It drove him mad.

His ears burned so harshly it caused him pain. Her voice was as soft as pure silk to his ears. Always breathy and wonderfully deep - truly a contrast to her small figure. And when she sang, it transformed into an irresistible siren call.

For a split second, he was determined to invite himself in and listen from up close. Let her sing him to sleep, fade away into blissful oblivion while resting his head in her warm lap. Feel her fingers running through his hair.

Maybe even let her place a head-spinning kiss on his lips. Just this once. Why not - it was just a dream, after all.

But then, just as the wooden stairs faintly creaked under Stone’s feet, she abruptly stopped with a frustrated headshake.

She was always like this. Forever dissatisfied with her musical abilities. Come to think of it, generally anything that had to do with her skills.

She put her battered guitar away, rubbing her eyes. She stretched. Her baggy t-shirt was cut off just short enough to lift above her ribcage and -

Stone shook his head with an annoyed huff, now seriously pissed at himself.

She’s fucking with your head. It’s her fault.

He wasn’t used to being this careless. This project was incredibly important to him and Regan was one of the best friends he’s ever had. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not like this. And the blame was on him.

It’s her fault.

Keeva angered him. The whole concept of her pissed him off. A tiny flickering will-o’-the-wisp floating around his safe space. She always just appeared wherever he happened to look.

That’s how often she occupied his brain - sometimes it felt like she could be in two places at once.

Stomping around in fuzzy socks. Faded pink curls that bounced when she hopped up on the kitchen counter. All the needless jabs and how she had an answer for everything.

Her tired eyes were bordered with dark purple circles, always twinkling with tears and slightly out of focus. Brown irises speckled with blue that seemed to glow from within while scanning the indecent thoughts in his head like an X-ray.

As if she realized the effect she had on him and smugly rubbed it in his face with that stupid little smirk.

Whenever she forgot to act like she hated his joke and broke into joyful laughter, little dimples appeared on her blushing cheeks - her canines were protruding and sharp, like they would draw blood if she kissed his neck. Worst of all - he’d risk that, given the chance.

Stone had vowed to never feel like this again. But somehow, Keeva managed to drag it out of him and make it more excruciating than it had ever been.

Bullshit. It wouldn’t hurt like this. The ‘in love’ thing, surely it wouldn’t. Fuck. I don’t even remember.

No, definitely not.

You’re just a horny asshole.

He’d hoped that if he stomped through the snowy mud hard enough, he might let some of the steam out. To no avail, as he just got the rims of his jeans even more wet and annoyed himself further.

Keeva was caustic, cynical and bitter.

I am her.

It’s her fault.

When Stone arrived home, she wasn’t there. After the argument they had while locking up the rehearsal space, it wasn’t too surprising to him. They were supposed to see Soundgarden play The OK Hotel, but it was still early for that.

He was pretty sure that she was either at Andy and Chris’s place or roaming around Discovery Park to calm down like she always did.

“I can’t believe you forgot to tell him. Stoney, it’s okay to divide the responsibilities a bit, you don’t have to do everything alone. You insisted even when I offered to do it, but -”

“As far as I know, I didn’t ask for your help.”

“Oh. And where did that get us, exactly?”

“He’ll live, Baby, don’t worry.”

“What the - did you see the look on his face? He was devastated.”

”Might be a surprise to you, but I am, in fact, not blind. I’ll call him as soon as I get home.”

“Is that tone of yours really necessary?”

“I don’t know, is it?”

“You’re fucking insufferable.”

“Good thing you live with me, then. Birds of a feather or something.”

“Watch your fucking mouth, Stone.”

“Or what, you’ll bite my ankle?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Stone’s throat tightened as he rummaged through his clothes drawer. He didn’t even know what he was looking for, it just felt good to mess up all the folded laundry.

After a few minutes of mindless ransacking, he decided that his nerves needed a hot shower before calling Regan with the apologetic news.

What if she doesn’t come back?

He banged his head against the bathroom tiles in an attempt to shut down the childish thought and turned the faucet on.

Idiot, of course she’ll come back. She lives here.

You brought this upon her. She’s stuck with you.

It’s your fault.

Boiling water harshly splashed against Stone’s naked skin, leaving angry red marks on his back.

And as a thick mist spread through the tiny room, he didn’t even try to battle the image of Keeva’s stretching body that crept back to the very front of his consciousness.

It spilt into every corner of his brain and pulsed through his veins like a fever - until the only things he could see, feel or touch were her nude pale breasts, illuminated by the dim glow of her lamp.

● ● ● ● ● ●

The phone beeped while Stone impatiently waited for his friends to pick up at the other side. He was supposed to leave in a few minutes and she still hadn’t come home.

“Hello?” a female voice answered the phone, making Stone jump out of his dissociation. It wasn’t Keeva, though.

“Heeey, it’s Xana, right? Stone here.”

“Hi, Stone!” Xana, Andy’s new girlfriend, called back. She was really nice, although slightly overwhelming - sometimes a bit too opinionated for Stone’s taste. He, too, was opinionated.

In fact, they had different opinions on a lot of things, something he faced every time she hung out with them for the past month. Andy seemed to be on cloud nine, though, so who was he to judge?

She took care of his friend and that was what mattered.

“Hey, uh, any chance Keeks is around? We’re supposed to be at The OK in, like, fifteen minutes. Could you put her on the phone for a second?”

“Oh, Kiki isn’t here. Chris already left for a soundcheck about two hours ago and Andy is staying in tonight,” she said. In his head, he scoffed.

Does Andy know that he’s staying in tonight?

“You mean she wasn’t over at all?”

“Nope, not that I know of. She’s your girlfriend, shouldn’t you know where she is?” she teased.

Stone rolled his eyes.

When Andy and the others joked about the two of them, it was still annoying, but he was used to it by now.

With Xana, he had a nagging feeling that she hadn’t earned the right to do it yet - she just parroted it after Andy, who was allowed to poke fun only because he had to put up with their antics.

“Very witty,” he snapped and then took a deep breath to calm down. “Ugh, okay, thanks. She’s probably already there.”

“I’m sure Kiki’s fine, she’s a big girl,” Xana giggled and Stone couldn’t wait to put the phone down.

“Only about five foot one. Anyway, say hi to Andy. See ya,” he said and waited for her to stop giggling.

“Sure, he says hi right back. Bye, Stoney!” Xana replied when she stopped laughing and ended the call.

He loudly sighed.

God dammit.

Fine. She’s a grown woman, she can do as she pleases. If she wants to play divorce, I’ll play divorce.

What the fuck do I care.

Stone ran his hand through his matted mop of hair. By now, it had washed out to pinky orange and the brown roots were growing more extensive every day.

He grunted in frustration as he stomped through the room - when he walked past the wooden stairs, he gave the bottom step a thorough, childish kick.

After checking his watch for the final time, he grabbed his keys and denim jacket and stormed out of the door.

I don’t care.

● ● ● ● ● ●

The set was electric, as always. Stone decided to stay in the pit this time, instead of looming behind the speakers at the side of the stage. He had to get it out of his system, fast. Whatever it was.

He tried not to wonder if Keeva was around as he screamed incoherent lyrics back at Chris.

Because she wasn’t around when he came in. She still wasn’t around when he searched for her during the third song and by the eighth song, he gave up and decided to focus solely on the feeling of sweat beads running down his temples.

It was so uncomfortably hot in there.

The OK always had a problem with the heating system, but this time it didn’t bother Stone. Even though he felt like he was going to faint by the end of the encore, it did not bother him.

He was certain that if he kept himself feeling as uncomfortable as possible for long enough, it would truly not bother him.

He happily kicked back a tequila shot that Chris bought him.

“You looked like you needed it. Where’s my little greenie? I know she doesn’t like the pit but I haven’t seen her at all.”

“Probably at the playground playing hide and seek with the other children or something.”

It was nearly midnight and she still hadn’t shown up.

“Yeah, so I had a lot to handle there, but you know, survival of the fittest!”

A girl around their age stopped by him. Stone had seen her around before, a tall brunette who was a part of Mel’s friend group. They were at almost every show he’d attended and he was pretty good at remembering…let’s say faces. This one was Betty, a psychology major at U-Dub.

“Yeah. I didn’t even get through the first exams, so there’s a scoop for ya,” he replied, not sure how to keep the conversation going.

I dropped out. That’s it. Can we move on?

“Oh, what a shame. They say smart is the new sexy,” Betty shrugged with a sultry smile while re-applying her lipstick.

“Do they?” he asked and let himself break into a condescending grin. She seemed to like that.

There we go. See, Baby would tell you to get fucked, Gossard.

“You don’t agree?” Betty pouted and leaned against the wall. Stone followed her movement like a shadow, resting his palm next to her head.

“I think sexy is what it’s always been,” he said, slowly took her beer bottle from her hands and wrapped his lips around it, brashly taking a drink. Betty nodded, humming.

“Hm. Enlighten me.”

Stone nonchalantly reached out and brushed a stray strand of her silky brown hair out of her eyes, gently tucking it behind her ear.

“You’re smart, aren’t you?” he mumbled, letting Betty lean closer to him. Her eyes fluttered closed and she sheepishly nodded. He was so close he spoke against the skin of her neck.

“You can figure it out on your own, then. You’re a big girl, no need for me to hold your hand through it.”

When he pressed a fleeting kiss under her ear, she let out a tiny gasp.

“I need to go powder my nose,” he said when he pushed himself away from the wall, smirking. Betty knew what to do when he turned his back on her and disappeared into the crowd, somewhere in the direction of the restrooms.

“You gonna take me back to your place?” she softly sighed when he dragged her into one of the stalls and locked it behind them.

“Can’t,” Stone muttered, secretly plotting. He’d hoped it would put her off sooner or later. “Uh, my roommate’s home.”

Rejection, that’s what you need, Gossard. Uncomfortable. Keep yourself uncomfortable and it will be fine.

“Oh, Miss Bitchy Mary Poppins? The little one?” Betty raised her eyebrows, clearly aware of their ‘hip-attached’ reputation.

“There’s more than one kind? Good grief,” he huffed and firmly grabbed her waist. He brushed away her hair and briskly started kissing her neck, leaving wet red spots behind as he moved along.

Through soft gasps, she giggled without realizing that it wasn’t a jab at his friend, but a real sentiment.

“She’s a bit stuck-up, isn’t she?” Betty chirped and shivered under Stone’s hands when he accidentally bit down.

“Fuck, sorry.”

“No, no, do it again,” she shook her head and pulled him closer, but he was very focused on keeping himself in line. “I’ll be much more fun than her, I promise.”

Stone smirked, satisfied with his plan.

That’s it. Stay uncomfortable.

“I wouldn’t know.”

“No way you didn’t sleep with her,” Betty chortled again and pulled on his hair when he unbuttoned the top of her blouse.

Okay, that’s a bit too uncomfortable.

“Can we change the subject, please?” he mumbled as he snaked his clammy hand under her lace bra.

She hummed and returned the favour by reaching under his t-shirt. She ran her finger down his abdomen.

“I mean - oh - I know she’s not the sweetest and that her eyes are a bit too far apart -”

Fuck. Why am I not enjoying this?

“Still the same subject, Betty.”

“- and her front teeth are pretty big and her nose is a bit flat at the top -”

Why am I not having fun? This was a shitty plan.

“Betty,” he said a bit more sternly.

“- fuck - and she kinda looks like she’s never had a good night’s sleep in her life -”

“Betty.”

“- and if you see her from afar, she kinda looks like a funny little gnome - oh, Stoney - but if you squint really hard, she’s kinda cute, I gu-”

Betty gasped when Stone suddenly dropped his hands and stepped away from her with an annoyed frown.

“Do you want me to fuck you or not?”

Short awkward silence filled the stall as she stared at him, a bit startled at his tone.

Yeah, this isn’t working. Good riddance, asshole.

“Uh, yes. Yessir,” Betty nodded - which was not the answer he wanted to hear - and a wild blush filled her tanned cheeks.

Stone tried to force a smile, but it must’ve come out quite insincere. Because it was.

“Good. Then let me, please. Sorry. Thank you,” he muttered and inched closer to her again, but she took a tiny step back, the blush burning even brighter.

“Wh- you wanna do it r-right here?” her voice cracked a few octaves higher. Stone had to bite his lip to contain the joyous smirk.

Eureka! Here we go!

“Something wrong with that?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, but his cocky attitude withered as soon as Betty shook her head with a loud giggle and took his face in her palms.

“Oh my god. The girls told me you were a good time,” she breathed out and tried to go in for a kiss.

“Charming,” Stone deadpanned and - thanks to years of training - swiftly dodged her and played it off as bending down to kiss her nipple.

A vignette of Keeva’s room from the night before flashed in front of his eyes. The way she swayed side to side, perky breasts moving against the fabric of her baggy cut-off pyjamas.

Isn’t this what you wanted, dumbass? Is this uncomfortable enough for you?

He frantically searched his pockets - all empty - and suddenly thought of a way out.

Sorry, Betty, you’re a nice gal. But this is my Golden Ticket.

“Shit. I forgot a wrapper,” Stone slapped his forehead and rose up, trying to sound bothered. Betty just took his shoulders and tried to push him down again.

“I don’t care,” was her breathy answer. Stone’s eyes popped open and suddenly, his resolution to stay uncomfortable flew out of the window.

“Oh, okay then. Skirt up,” he stepped back and folded his arms, motioning her to lift her flowery dress. Betty eagerly did so right away, making him sigh as he hurried to put her hands back down along with the skirt.

Baby would’ve told you to go fuck yourself, Gossard.

“That was a joke, Betty. I don’t do it raw,” he said matter-of-factly and stepped away again.

“But I’m on the pill,” Betty said, nearly moaning.

“I don’t care,” Stone mimicked her cool girl attitude from earlier. By now, his tone was bordering on rude, but she apparently didn’t mind and had a clear goal for tonight.

“Well, there’s a CVS down the street. I can go get some, what do you think?”

“No, it’s -” he started, but then he realized something.

If I go now, I can act like they were out of stock and tada!

You wanted uncomfortable, now you can drown in it, dumbass.

“Fine. You stay here, it’s cold outside. Go have a drink or something, I’ll be back in fifteen.”

“So Stoney Gossard is not only a good time - he’s gentleman, too? That is not something you hear every day,” she giggled, twirling her finger around a strand of Stone’s hair as he put his jacket back on.

“Some say I’m generous as well,” he said bluntly and wrapped the scarf around his neck. Betty’s excited giggle pinched his ears.

“Do they?”

“No. See ya.”

● ● ● ● ● ●

Stone was walking down the street as slowly as he could, kicking rubble out of his way with way too much strength.

He was slightly shivering, one gloved hand buried deep in his pockets and the other one squeezing a half-smoked cigarette.

Christ, the jacket wasn’t the brightest idea.

If Baby was there, she would’ve told you to wear something warmer, Gossard.

He cursed under his foggy breath, staring at the three packs of condoms tucked inside the pocket on his chest. He was planning to hide them somewhere before coming back.

At least they were on sale.

Passing a record store, Stone had to walk back and double-check the window. He caught a flash of his woollen beanie in one of the listening booths.

No way.

When he glued his face to the glass, he let out a relieved sigh. His eyes didn’t fool him.

You little shithead.

It was Keeva, sitting on a small stool and nodding her head along to whatever was playing in her headphones. He couldn’t tell what was spinning on the record table in front of her, but he didn’t really care.

Oh, you’re getting it.

The bell hanging above the door shrilled as Stone walked into the empty store.

“‘Sup, Mick,” he called on the way past the disinterested teenager that sat behind the counter, reading a comic book.

“Hey, Stoney.”

Stone had no patience for small talk, though, so he beelined straight to the two improvised listening booths. Only one was occupied, and the listener didn’t notice right away that he stepped in front of her, arms crossed.

I’ll carry you out in my teeth, lady.

Keeva’s eyes were closed and she was softly wiggling to the rhythm. The curls that stuck out of the beanie obscured her eyes. Stone had to knock on the chipboard table to get her attention.

As soon as she looked up, all his hopes of being stern and upset faded.

Her eyes were a bit red, like she’d just recently stopped crying. Her freckled cheeks were still flushed from the cool breeze outside, so she must’ve arrived not too long ago. In a split second, she recognized him. There seemed to be a little light that switched behind her irises.

He was - once again - powerless.

“Oh. Hey,” she said as she took off the headphones, her voice slightly raspy.

She must’ve been in the cold for some time.

Stone had to restrain himself really hard so he wouldn’t jump over the table and give her a bone-crushing hug.

“Whatcha spinning?” was all that came out of him, arms still stubbornly crossed at his chest. It was like Keeva knew that he wanted to say something else, so she smirked before putting on a nonchalant expression.

She always knows.

“Just some local band I rummaged out of the gutter,” she lifted the album sleeve that was lying on the floor. She showed it to him with a sarcastic smile. “They’re fucking wank.”

It was Green River’s first EP.

Stone couldn’t help but snort.

“Heard the guitar player was a hack,” he said, basking in the feeling that always came to him when the two of them got into bickering.

“Big time. The riffs are so sloppy I feel violated,” Keeva said and theatrically shivered. “Filthy.”

Stone took a moment to think about his next words.

I can’t just say sorry. I’m not sorry. I’m not. Why should I be? I didn’t do anything.

“Funny thing, he called me up earlier and asked when you were coming home. Said he was worried or something. So I thought I would help out and go looking.”

Keeva nodded, biting her bottom lip to stop herself from smiling.

“What a Good Samaritan without any ulterior motives,” she said and scratched her forehead. “I planned to roam the downtown and drown my sorrows in cheap alcohol - but now I’m tempted to come with you, not gonna lie.”

Silence.

“Kim was asking about you.”

Stone just couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of justice when her face dropped, red with embarrassment.

“Oh. Oh, shit. The gig,” she whispered and dragged the rim of his stolen beanie over her eyes.

“Yup,” he added. The good feeling didn’t last long, though. When Keeva lifted the blue wool again, she looked crushed.

“Fucking hell. I promised him, too. He got some new humbuckers and wanted to show me,” she whined.

Okay, I’m done grilling.

“I think they’re all hanging around, we’ll still catch them if we hurry,” he said and looked at his watch.

What Stone hadn’t realized was that the chest pocket of his denim jacket wasn’t sown in mind with three boxes of Trojans stuffed inside. One of the boxes peeked out just where the logo was.

Keeva darted between it and his face and slowly broke into a smirk. It took him a few moments to realize what was going on.

“Hm. Bet we will,” she hummed and let him simmer in the moment before pointing at his pocket. “Saw the two plus one ad on the way. Good deal.”

Now it was his turn to look at her as if she dropped boiling water on the top of his head.

“What’s that face for, pretty boy?” she mused as she got up from the stool and started packing up the record. “I’m glad you’re responsible, Stoney. The world has way too many fathers.”

Then, she patted his chest and snaked around him to get to the counter. She handed the album to the teen, along with a few cents for the listening booth.

“Ta, Mickey. Have a good one,” she mumbled and looked back at Stone, waving at him to come with her. He had to take a deep breath before following her outside.

Do you feel uncomfortable enough, you idiot?

When they stepped out, Keeva hooked her arm in his and huddled closer to Stone before setting off.

The silence was overwhelming for him.

“You hungry? I’ll make pancakes when we get home,” he chimed in. If his tone came out awkward, Keeva knew better than to comment on it. She just gasped.

“Oh, no.”

“Oh, no?” he repeated with a chuckle.

“That will erase any progress you’ve made in charming me so far,” she explained, shaking her head. Stone gasped as well.

“Oh, no.”

“They tasted like a trampled chunk of a tyre last time,” she muttered and scrunched her nose.

“They might be delicious today, you’ll never know unless you try ‘em,” he giggled. Keeva poked his side.

“You think your skills have evolved?”

“Only one way to find out,” he shrugged.

“Alright. I will trust you but only because you have that fancy first-aid course certificate on the shelf,” she said with a barely straight face before breaking into a cackle. “Christ, you’re such a nerd.”

Stone huffed.

“At least I don’t have a replica of that stone from Dark Crystal next to my bed. You know, like someone,” he softly pushed her and she staggered.

“It’s a crystal, not a stone. Not everything is about you, stoner.”

Keeva didn’t plan to cause another wave of silence. He shrugged.

Yeah. It’s not.

“You slept well?” she said after a few minutes of walking, carefully tugging at his arm. “I heard you tossing and turning all night.”

Stone shuddered and closed his eyes for a second, hoping that she wouldn’t notice.

Fuck, how do you even word that?

‘Yep, had a nightmare where all my friends were dead junkies. Your playing woke me up so I climbed up to stare at you through the gap in your curtains like a creep. Yeah, and I saw your nipples. Cranked off to it later, too. Oh, and the song was beautiful, by the way.’

“Yeah. I guess I had a bad dream or something,” he replied, content that he managed to keep his voice from shaking.

Keeva nudged him again and her eyebrows knitted into a worried frown.

“Hey, stranger,” she said sweetly. “You know that you can tell me anything, right?”

Stone couldn’t help but scoff.

I can’t even tell that shit to myself.

“Okay, tone the therapist act way down, sweetheart,” he nudged her back. He immediately felt bad for being crass, because Keeva just shook her head and mumbled a barely audible apology.

“Thanks,” he added into the deafening silence. “I’m fine. Really, I’m fine. Fine.”

“One more time and I’ll believe you,” she squinted at him. Stone snorted.

“I’m fine.”

“Sounds like you’re fine,” she shrugged and squeezed his arm. He sharply exhaled.

Do it, coward. Stay uncomfortable.

“I heard you play last night, it was really pretty.”

She hiccuped and he could see her cheeks flooded with red again, even in the dim night.

“Oh shit, did I wake you up? Stoney, I’m so sorry. Fuck, I’m such an idiot -” she rambled, but he interrupted her.

“No, no. I woke up on my own.”

Bullshitting your way through life - revolutionary.

“I’ll try to be more quiet next time, sorry,” she lamented.

“No, it’s okay, Baby. I barely heard you. In fact, you better turn that shit up or I’ll have to crawl up there,” he raised his index finger and poked her cheek.

Keeva’s embarrassment was quickly put on hold as she spotted a moment to take a jab at him.

“What, to peep at me through the keyhole, you perv?” she snickered.

Shit.

“You don’t have a keyhole,” Stone deadpanned.

“Irrelevant. Any hole of mine is a pay-per-view affair, pal.”

He tried to swallow, but his throat was too dry.

“You can put a little piggy bank on the stairs. I’ll make sure to throw in a few coins before I come up next time.”

Oh, fuck. Oh, no. Oh fuck, oh no.

Keeva looked at him with a triumphant grin.

“I knew it.”

No the fuck you didn’t.

“I knew you were an A-grade freak under that careless punky coat of yours,” she added, tugging at his denim jacket. Stone couldn’t hold back a shaky exhale.

Oof.

When they walked a couple of feet without a word, she cleared her throat.

“This is usually the point where you’re expected to laugh at the punchline.”

“Have you ever considered that you just might not be funny enough?” Stone shot back, rubbing his nose.

Nailed it.

“Not funny enough to you? No,” Keeva shrugged and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Ugh, I can’t believe I forgot,” she grunted after a while. “Looks like you’re not the only one with a sieve for a brain, so that’s a good thing for you.”

“You really never fail to be a ray of sunshine,” he scoffed, jumping when she let out a loud gasp and squeezed him even closer.

“Oh! Hot and annoying?”

“Exactly,” he said with a wide smile and enjoyed the view as she closed her mouth and started blushing again.

“He was really good about it. Regan, you know,” Stone said as another few moments passed. “Understanding. He wished us luck and said that he hopes we’ll still get to play together sometime. He wanted to let you know that he’s alright so you wouldn’t worry, but you weren’t home.”

Keeva nodded. Her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, but he knew that she wouldn’t let it go until she talked to Regan face to face.

Stone hesitated to continue. His throat burned as he tried to push down the tequila shots he’d had. This day was making him sick.

Leave it to Stone. Perfect.

“And, uh, he asked if he can stop by tomorrow night, wanted to talk about Andy. Something’s up with him again.”

“Oh.”

The cold facade that suddenly hardened her features was somewhat familiar to him.

Oh, don’t you learn this from me. Don’t learn anything from me, actually.

“I’m sure it’s just something silly. Might be about that new girl of his, don’t worry,” he tried to save the situation, but she just scoffed.

“Yeah - girl problems or smack problems? Pick your poison.”

Keeva’s frigid tone sent chills down Stone’s spine as he opened the door of The OK Hotel for her. Before he could say anything to soothe her, she put on a brave face and gave him an unassuming smirk.

He hadn’t noticed that a few feet behind him, Betty was waiting at the bar, having a beer.

She wildly waved at them.

“Well, lookit here,” Keeva mused and waved back. “It’s Mel’s friend. The one you didn’t fuck yet, too, how convenient.”

When Stone turned around and didn’t say anything, she knowingly chuckled.

“That’s my cue. Have fun, Stoney. And make it quick, I beg you. I’m not gonna wait in front of the bathrooms for an hour like last time.”

You’re not gonna what?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he questioned with raised eyebrows.

“I needed to wash my hands but you were too busy fucking someone’s brains out in there,” she nonchalantly shrugged as Stone froze.

He recovered pretty quickly, though. At least that’s what he thought.

“They didn’t teach you how to knock?” he shot back, harshly knocking on Keeva’s forehead.

“They did,” she shrugged again and then broke into a sly grin. “You were audibly enjoying yourself, though. What kind of a friend would I be to spoil a good time for you?”

Oh, don’t do this to me.

“Or I could’ve been having a terrible time and you failed to save me,” he tried to wiggle out of it with his best silver-tongued tone, but Keeva didn’t budge.

In fact, she laughed in his face.

“I’m not a stupid child, Stoney. Just a mentally ill virgin,” she said and gave him a moment to laugh. When he didn’t and continued to blankly stare at her, she delivered another blow.

“Plus, it’s encouraging to know you’re not always being a sarcastic prick. Never expected to hear such nice words leave your mouth.”

Stone wanted to speak. He wanted to shoot her down with some stupid acidic remark, give her a disarming smirk and drown in the deliciously victorious feeling of seeing her flustered, but his mind was blank.

Numb.

He just allowed her to pat the condom-stuffed pocket and snicker as she was leaving.

“And I kinda liked all those sighs of yours - you know, from afar. Makes you more human.”

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

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