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blaithinwrites · 6 years ago

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May the Best

Summary: A year ago Bucky lost his arm and his memory in a motorbike accident. Somehow his journey back to normality involves pretending to date the rich and troubled Tony Stark.(loosely, so loosely, inspired by to all the boys I’ve ever loved with a lot more angst)

Chapter 5 (AO3)

Bucky turned up the next day with an assortment of pastries, some of them still hot from the oven. Tony made a little breathless sound of delight as he opened the car door, sniffing the air like a puppy.

“You can ditch me more often if this is the apology I get,” Tony mumbled, lips dark pink and wet as he stuffed another Danish into his mouth. Bucky suspected he should have been disgusted. He tried to reach for Tony’s coffee, only for to Tony to lurch away from him, batting his hands away with a cry of “mine!”

Bucky laughed and did it again just to see the betrayal written across the other boy’s face. Tony’s oversized jumped slid up his arms, flashing bony wrists as he tried to wrestle his coffee to safety. Bucky easily held him off; it times likes these it paid to have an impossibly strong, unfeeling metal arm. His eyes flickered down, catching on the unexpected shock of colour on the narrowest part of Tony’s arm. An angry purple and red bruise.

Before Bucky could process it, Tony had snatched his coffee away and was curled up in his seat, his jumper curled over his fingers and his knees brought up high to make himself small and snug looking on his chair. He grinned victoriously at Bucky over his steaming cup, gesturing imperatively at the steering wheel.

“Well come on then. We’re going to be late.”

Bucky rolled his eyes, and put the car into gear, “Yes, I know you’d hate to miss a single lesson.”

“I would cry and cry and cry,” Tony replied without an ouch of sincerity.

Bucky smiled at him, the bruise was probably nothing. Still, he couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy. He wondered how Tony had made it home last night without him. Tony often made jokes about not wanting to take the school bus with Neanderthals like Brock Rumlow but what if it wasn’t exactly a joke. Or maybe Tiberius Stone had escalated from whispering nasty rumours.

Bucky glanced over at Tony. Tony often seemed to fill whatever space he inhabited, his personality overwhelming and his tongue razor sharp. It was easy to forget that he was a slender, shorter than average teenage, a year younger than all his peers. Bucky suspected that snakes like Rumlow and Stone never forgot.

In homeroom, Bucky gave into his unease and leaned across the desk to poke Jan. “Hey.”

She blinked at him, one delicate arched eyebrow raised.

“You’re in Tony’s classes, aren’t you?”

“Some of them.”

“Think you could keep an eye out for him?”

Jan looked intrigued, resting her delicate chin in her palms and smiling at him. “And why do you want me to ogle your boyfriend?”

“No reason.”

Jan waited, one eyebrow raised patiently.

“Just worried, he mentioned Rumlow and…”

Jan held up a hand, “say no more. I shall shelter your boyfriend like a baby bird from a storm.”

“Er, thanks?”

“No thanks needed. Besides,” Jan grinned wickedly. “I’m guessing plan B was breaking Rumlow’s nose again.”

Bucky’s eyes narrowed, “I never said that.”

Jan patted his arm, “You didn’t need to, frankly you’re getting a little predictable Barnes.”

Bucky shook his head, at least Tony would have someone who could match his constant talking.

“So tell me,” Tony started as he threw his bag into Bucky’s car that evening. It hit the floor hard, the dull echo of metal hitting metal reverberating through the cabin. “Why you decided to sic Van Dyne on me?”

Bucky blinked in open panic, “I didn’t?”

Tony smiled: a strange sharp-toothed expression that made Bucky think of sharks. “You’re such a liar, Barnes. What the fuck are you playing at? I didn’t agree to this so you could start manipulating me. If this is some weird sort of joke with your friends…”

“No,” Bucky interrupted quickly, seeing the pulsing vein on Tony’s forehead. He was pulling out on the main road and he didn’t fancy their chances if Tony tried to strangle him in a moving vehicle. “It’s not that, I was just worried about you.”

Tony stared at him blankly. “Worried about me?”

“With Rumlow?”

“Rumlow?” Tony repeated slowly.

“You had a bruise on your arm and I figured it must be Rumlow, I’ve seen him shoving people around.”

Tony’s hand curled around his wrist, fingers tight around the dark mark Bucky had seen that morning. His cheeks were faintly pink and his mouth wide open in a little perfect ‘O’.

“Look.” Tony said stiffly, “While I’m sure this is a very nice gesture in whatever weird chivalrous land you and Rogers live in, I do not need you or anyone else to protect me OK?”

Bucky frowned, a familiar impatient edge creeping into his voice. “You were hurt.”

“Barnes, if I needed your help, I would have asked for it.”

The use of his surname was a slap in the face, they had stopped calling each by their surnames weeks ago. Bucky bit back a sharp retort. He remembered how prickly Steve got when he got involved in those fights and told himself that it was probably the same for Tony. Pride had a way of being easily bruised.

Bucky sighed in frustration. If Tony didn’t want his help then there was nothing he could do. Besides just because Tony didn’t want Bucky’s help didn’t mean Bucky was going to tell Jan to back off. “Ok, fine. I’m sorry.”

Tony smiled, forgiveness grated in one blink of an eye. He slumped back into his chair, throwing his feet up onto the dashboard and ducking at the hand that Bucky sent towards him with practiced ease.

“It fine, you can make it up to me.”

Bucky snorted, “Oh and how will I do that?”

Tony grinned, thrusting a piece of brightly coloured paper into Bucky’s face. “Take me to this”

Blinded, Bucky pushed Tony and his paper away. His car swerved and the vehicle behind them honked loudly in protest.

“Sorry,” Tony said, not sounding very sorry at all. He was gently smoothing out the crinkles in the paper. “The Exhibition on Astronomy: It’s only in town for this weekend. No buses go there, but since you can drive it won’t be a problem. Maybe you’ll even learn something. Although I’ve seen your science scores so I won’t hold my breath.”

“OK.”

Tony went silent, blinking at Bucky dumbly. “Huh?”

“I said OK. I’ll give you a lift.”

Tony squinted at him, “You did hear the bit where I indicated it was an hour away right?”

Bucky shrugged, “I’ll pick you up at 10. Although I’m surprised that someone like you is into horoscopes and all that rubbish.”

Tony squawked in indignation and made to protest before seeing the twinkling amusement in Bucky’s eyes and falling back into gaping silence, eyes darting around Bucky’s face as if he was trying to find something. “I don’t get you at all.” Tony huffed finally.

“It’s part of my charm, I’m a sexy enigma.”

Tony’s disbelief hadn’t seemed to have lessened when Bucky turned up at his house on Saturday morning as arranged. It was the first time they had seen each other outside of their journeys to and from school and their conversation was awkward and stunted, despite the easy repertoire they had cultivated recently.

“Here,” Tony said as they arrived at the museum breaking the lingering quiet between them. Bucky blinked at the crisp piles of notes that was suddenly forced into his hand.

“What?”

“For driving me,” Tony said stiffly.

Bucky frowned and dropped the money back into his lap. “I didn’t offer to do it because I wanted your money.”

Tony had twisted his fingers together into a twitching, awkward knot. “Then why? We’re not really dating you know.”

Bucky licked his lips. Why had he offered? Because he felt guilty about the day he’d ditched Tony alone or because despite his jokes he could see how much Tony had wanted to come to this exhibition and some part of him had pitied the boy?

“Because we're friends.” He said at last.

Tony was looking at him again, his features wavering into an increasingly familiar expression of wary uncertainty and faint trembling want. Bucky sometimes thought Tony looked like a man starving from want.

“Well, I’ll at least buy your ticket,” Tony said finally, full of bluster even as his eyes slid away to avoid Bucky’s gaze. “I’m not letting you just wait in the car, you need the chance to study.”

“Oh Captain, my Captain,” Bucky said, hand pressing over his heart.

Tony rolled his eyes but there was a smile on his face, softer than the shark-toothed grins Bucky was used to Tony flashing in his direction.

The queue to the exhibition was long, snaking its way outside and along the chilled pavement. By the time Bucky and Tony entered the museum they were dehydrated and sweating in their winter layers. Tony got his second wind once the tickets were in his hand, bouncing excitedly on the spot. Bucky grabbed him by the collar before he could dart off, dragging him towards the café.

“Water first.” He demanded.

Tony waved sadly at the exhibition but let himself be manhandled away without complaint. Bucky offered to get the drinks which was mostly just a ploy so he could also get sandwiches and cakes. At Tony’s questioning look Bucky raised an eyebrow, his mouth stretched around one half of a ham and cheese panini and defensively explained that he needed fuel to maintain his growth.

Tony narrowed his eyes and slurped noisily on his coke. His lack of comment was, Bucky suspected, out of self-preservation more than anything. Tony didn’t seem to be having the growth spurt that Bucky or many other boys in their year were going through and remained an increasingly long hair beneath average.

Bucky nudged a thick, pink icing encrusted donut into the middle of the table as a peace offering.

“Bucky?” Bucky glanced up to see Bruce Banner shuffling towards them.

Bruce was more Steve’s friend than his, a quiet intelligent guy who had surprised them all at the start of the semester by getting into a massive fight and pounding the shit out Rumlow. Proving yet again that people really did punch Rumlow a lot when they first met him and that punching Rumlow was enough to make anyone automatically one of Steve and Bucky’s friends.

“Oh, hi Bruce,” Bucky croaked, feeling himself freeze as Bruce looked at him and Tony and the shared donut between them.

“I didn’t know you liked astronomy,” Bruce said politely.

“Tony does,” Bucky said automatically. Tony waved in Bruce’s direction, uncaring of the increasing awkward atmosphere.

“Oh, yes. Steve mentioned you two were dating.” Bruce smiled. Bucky had to bite back the automatic denial that rushed to his tongue, reminding himself that as far as everyone knew he and Tony were dating.

Bucky smiled back awkwardly, the expression uncomfortable on his face, like a mask ready to slid off at the first hint of movement. A long moment of silence strung out between them and Bucky could feel nervous energy coiling up through his limbs, a familiar fight or flight reflex in the face of confrontation.

“Err, well,” Bruce said finally, eyes shifting towards the door. “I’ll leave you two to your date then.”

“Ok, bye.” Bucky held his smile for only as long as Bruce was in sight, sinking down to rest his face in his hands with a groan.

“Way to make a man feel good,” Tony joked, his tone sharp. He was slumped in the worn wooden chair, fingers ripping and twisting the napkin before him.

“Sorry, it’s not you.” Bucky sighed, unsure of how to explain why Bruce’s innocent question had made him feel like he wanted to run away and hide. For a moment he had forgotten about his and Tony's deal; the reminder that they weren't friends, that Tony didn't even like him, that all of this was fake had stung somehow. “I’m just starting to feel that this lie is growing out of my control.”

Tony dropped the napkin onto the table, slowly pushing the shredded paper into an unstable hill. “We can always stage a breakup.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Not yet."

“Right.” Tony pushed his plate away and stood up, his smile stretched wide across his otherwise unmoving face, “I want to go to the exhibition now, you’ve made me wait long enough.”

The exhibition was more interesting that Bucky could have imagined, the evolution of stargazing equipment was laid out, spiralling around the room in neat black exhibition stands. Having Tony explain everything helped, he seemed to know the history of every telescope and their creators.

“How do you remember all this?” Bucky asked impressed.

Tony shrugged, peering at him through one of the old inverted lenses. “I have a photographic memory and I’m just really smart.”

“How come you haven’t skipped grades?”

Tony shrugged, “Well I skipped one but my mother wants,” Tony’s speech ground to a halt. He coughed before continuing. “My mother wanted me to have friends, peers my own age. And well my dad can’t stand the thought of not being the smartest Stark anymore.” The last sentence was quieter, sharp with bitterness.

Tony suddenly grabbed Bucky’s wrist, his hand curling tightly around Bucky’s arm. “Come on, let’s go look at the stars.”

The final centrepiece of the exhibition was a grand dome-shaped room filled with padded reclining chairs. Tony shuffled Bucky along until they were in the centre of the room. Bucky couldn’t help but smile: of course, Tony went for the best seats in the house, uncaring of the glares sent his way as people struggled to inch around them.

Slowly the stark fluorescent lights around them faded and the dome above them was transformed into a skyscape. The blue sky melted to yellows and oranges stripes, darkening through a rainbow of brilliant shades of reds and purples: a sped-up sunset playing out just feet above them. Finally, the fake sky settled into a velvety purple night, dotted with distant, twinkling stars.

“Wow,” Bucky said, unable to hold back his awe.

To his right, Tony glanced over, his body slightly turned towards Bucky, and they shared a smile. In Tony’s dark eyes Orion’s belt was reflected, a chain of silvery shimmering stars shining back at him.

“Wow,” Bucky whispered, his voice lost beneath the audio which had started playing.

It had taken Bucky longer than he liked to admit to realise that Tony was, for all his prickliness and aloofness, desperately lonely. Bucky recognised it in the way Tony reached out for Bucky when they were laughing only to pull away, uncertain wariness in his eyes like a dog waiting to be told off. It made Bucky sad to see and made him grateful for Steve’s friendship. Bucky had been a lot of things but he’d never been lonely.

Bucky was thinking of Tony and loneliness the next Monday as he approached his friends for lunch. A familiar slender figure was sat sandwiched between Jan and Dugan. Tony was unusually mute, his eyes moving between the other students. If Bucky hadn’t become familiar with Tony’s minute tell-tale mannerism, he would have said he looked relaxed but he recognised the tightness around Tony’s eyes and the forced, strain of his smile and felt a surge of heated protectiveness.

“Alright, what is this?” Bucky demanded.

“We got tired of waiting for you to introduce us to your boyfriend,” Gabe said, eyebrows wiggling on the word boyfriend.

“We were being friendly, ain’t that right Tony?” Dugan elbowed Tony hard enough to send the smaller boy wobbling over.

Tony rubbed his side, “Friendly like a spider to a fly.” He muttered and Dugan roared with laughter.

“He’s alright. You should have brought him along sooner.”

“Well he’s here now and I think he probably wants rescuing,” Bucky held out a hand and Tony eagerly grasped it, letting himself be pulled up and pressing himself as close as he could get to Bucky without touching. Bucky could feel the faint quiver running through him even with the distance.

“Come sit with us again Tony!” Dugan called, the sentiment echoed by Jan and Gabe.

Bucky put his hand in the small of Tony’s back leading him away. As soon as they were out of sight, Tony released a big shuddering breath.

“You OK?” Bucky asked.

“Oh, yes, they’re nice.” The word sounded strange in Tony’s mouth as if he wasn’t used to saying it. Or, not used to saying it and meaning it.

Bucky snorted, “Sure they are.” He felt light as they walked back to class, the school bell ringing behind them. “Nice like a bunch of braying Hyenas are nice.”

Tony laughed, nodding in agreement.

Yet, somehow it didn’t surprise Bucky to find Tony already sat with Bruce and Jan the next day when he came for lunch. Or every day that week.

#winteriron #winteriron fanfic #bucky barnes x tony stark #tony x bucky #fanfiction #may the best

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fulloflesbeans · 7 years ago

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Hazel Eyes & Cake Pops [Ch. 15]

Read on Ao3 here

When the last episode ended, Chloe and Rachel got ready for bed and then went into the room. As for me, I also changed, brushed my teeth, got comfy on the couch, and left the TV on. I haven't text Kate back, but I called instead.

"Hello?" She answered after four rings.

"Did you finish the interview?"

I shifted around on the couch; it was running out of comfortable spots. I held my blanket closer and more cocooned around me to gain more comfort and warmth.

She awkwardly laughed, "Yeah, it started great and then it became very... very bad."

"We didn't. Rachel didn't even want to watch it."

"Lucky you, I wish my roommate did the same thing."

"Sorry about that, we could watch a movie tomorrow to make up for it."

"If that's what you want to do."

I let out strangled laugh, "You're making this difficult."

"I just want to know what you'll choose. No matter what, I think I'm going to like it."

"I have a couple ideas, but you have to promise me that your friends won't need you. Would you like to be together all day?"

"I would love to and I'll tell them, don't worry. Does eight sound good?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna start looking for places now. If you can't sleep, just hit me up, okay?"

"Thank you. Goodnight, Max."

"Goodnight Kate, sweet dreams." Then we hung up.

I lied in bed, searching for places on my phone, but I kept doubting myself. I find one place that I think she'll like it, then change my mind after. I was feeling really scared and nervous to choose anything. She said she'll like it regardless, but I didn't want to just take her to small places. I listed the day out: cafe, museum, travel, museum, ice cream, and outlet. I had to borrow some money from Rachel or Chloe for sure, but I hope they don't give me everything they got. I found all the places I wanted to take her, turned off the TV, and went to sleep before I could change my mind.

In the morning, I woke up around six. Judging by how quiet and dim the room was, Rachel and Chloe were still sleeping. I fixed the couch, stretched my arms and legs, and plugged my phone to charge. There were no messages or missed calls, so that was a good sign. I decided on a long shower to rid of the anxiety I was feeling. I became more relaxed feeling the hot water around me, filling with a small amount of confidence for the day. When I was done, I brushed my teeth and left the bathroom in my pajamas again, bumping right into Chloe.

"Dude, change, what the fuck." Chloe raised her eyebrow.

"I don't know what to wear yet." I walked around her and went into the room. Rachel was sitting up, lap still under the blanket, and yawning loudly as she stretched her arms up.

"Good morning Maxie." Rachel mumbled.

"Morning," I greeted, "Can you help me with what to wear today?"

"Of course!" She suddenly perked up and jumped out of bed to my side. I felt myself jerk from her outburst, holding my hand to my chest from it happening.

"What colors are you thinking?" She asked.

"I'm not sure. I was just gonna go with black-and-white."

"Alright, super simple, I can dig it," Rachel nodded her head, "Then, this shirt... these pants... those new shoes... and do you want a flannel or not?"

She handed me a black shirt and khaki pants, "It's hot today, so I think I'll pass."

She added a black-and-white flannel, "Try wearing it in a different way and then show me."

"Will do," I take the clothes with me and left to see my phone, "Oh, she's awake."

Hey Max, are we meeting at school?

Yup!

Bravely, I changed my clothes in the middle of the living room. I could hear Rachel walk in and open the fridge, wolf whistling from the kitchen. I could only laugh as I put on my new outfit. This whole outfit was a favorite of mine, especially the shirt because of the little Vans skateboard on the front and the bigger one on the back. I wrapped the flannel around my waist last.

"How does it look?"

"Fucking awesome, that's a look," Rachel complimented, walking up to me and folding the sleeves again, "Just in case you need to show off more of how gay you are."

I chuckled, "Thanks, that's just what I need."

"So, what are your plans for today? What special places are you taking her?"

"I found museums and places to eat, and I'm going to take her to the outlet. I just hope to walk around with her and take the metros. I hate to ask for some money."

"Don't feel bad! It's fine! Let me get some tens and twenties from my suitcase." She left right away. Chloe then came out of the bathroom, back in the uniform she hated so much. Chloe was swinging her arms and looking off into space.

"Are you okay?" I started to tie my hair up.

"Since Rachel put the picture up, I'm preparing for people to recognize who I am. Are you ready yet?"

"I'm waiting for Rachel to give me money. Isn't she coming with us?"

She walked back into the room, holding a bundle of cash in her hand, "This is five-hundred."

I nearly choked on my spit, "Isn't this a lot?"

"I don't want you to run out! If you have any left, just give it back." She grabbed my hand and placed the money in it.

"Rache, are you coming along?" Chloe folded her arms.

"I said I would, but I'll just stay here for today. You guys text me if you need anything, alright?"

She looked disappointed, but she was for sure staying because of what happened with the interview.

"No problem." Chloe grabbed her keys from the dining table.

"I'll keep that in mind."

On my way out, I grabbed the newer Polaroid camera I owned but never used. I loved my vintage one, but I was running low on film. It was a white one, and the case was plain black and has a shoulder strap. It was convenient and I still had plenty of film for it. During the drive, Chloe tapped her fingers against the wheel.

"Why are you using that camera?"

"My other one is low. Plus, it's good practice."

Chloe hummed, "Nice. Are you scared?"

"I'm hella scared. I don't want to disappoint her." I took a shaky deep breath.

"I doubt she's going to hate it. She doesn't look like she's even capable."

"It's a lot of pressure."

"You'll be fine, TJ Max."

When we arrived at school, there was no one there. I checked my phone and noticed I was ten minutes early. I stared at the curb, thinking whether I should sit and wait there or in her car.

"Do you wanna stay in here or nah?" Chloe asked.

"I'm thinking."

My foot tapped and my fingers fidgeted together, I then said, "Yeah, I'll wait there. You just get to work."

"Alright, have fun on your date."

I got out and left to the curb, hearing the car leaving behind me. It was the same spot Kate was sitting at when I met her on that Wednesday. Now here I was, sitting with my phone, fully charged and looking through my dashboard as I waited. I hate to admit it, but I really wanted to run away. I was becoming really scared and nervous and felt like I was better off staying away than even trying at all. I even stood up for a second, but sat back down again, sticking myself to the curb as much as I could.

As I continued to go through my phone to distract myself, a pair of hands covered my eyes from behind, "Guess who?"

I chuckled, "I hope it's Kate."

"Correct!" She took them off my face and then sat next to me. I was going to joke around with her and tease her a bit, instead I was speechless and all that came out was an inhumane squeak. She had a black skirt on and it had suspenders, she had a white shirt that fit snug on her body, she had converse sneakers on, she had a beanie on, and her hair was down. My breath completely left my body and I couldn't blink anymore; it lasted for so long, Kate had to shake me and snap her fingers in front of my face to get me back.

"Max, come on, speak to me." Kate continued to snap her fingers at me.

I finally breathed again, hyperventilating, and rubbing my eyes. Was this reality or was I making this up? Putting my hands down, I was sure it was completely real.

"Sorry, but... wowser, you're beautiful!" I finally gasped out.

"Oh, stop it you!" She playfully pushed me. Her cheeks became very pink and she smiled from ear-to-ear.

"Did your roommate do this?"

"Nope, I chose and did everything today. It has my roommate seal of approval."

"I need this as a picture!" I stood up and kneel down again, readying my camera at her. Kate didn't know how to pose, so she just sat there and continued to laugh. It was perfect to me.

"Is that a new camera?" She asked after I stood up again. She stood up too, dusting off her skirt.

"No, I don't remember where I got it, but my other one doesn't have enough film."

"It's nice. One of my friends has one and she uses it all the time," Kate then touched my face, "Do you ever let someone take pictures of you? You're pretty too."

I dropped my camera, thank dog it was on a strap, "I usually take pictures of myself. Selfies and whatnot."

She put her hand down, "You should let someone do that. Now, what did you plan for this day?"

"I have plans until the night, so I hope you could keep up. Do you like walking?"

"I love it. Where to first?"

Our first destination was a bit far. On our thirty-minute travel, Kate held onto my arm as we walked along the sidewalk, talking about ourselves, and learning more about each other. I learned her middle name and last name was Beverly and Marsh, she owns a pet rabbit named Alice, she was born and raised in Oregon, her favorite color is yellow, her favorite food is anything sweet, and her favorite genre of films and shows to watch are animation, comedy, and slice of life.

“Beverly Marsh? Like, in that horror movie?”

“You would know that it was the same. I never asked my family about that.”

“You should. Maybe they actually like those kinds of movies.”

“Then they’re hypocrites, because I was never allowed to watch rated-R.”

I burst out laughing and she hits me on the arm. It was pretty hilarious; I had to take her to a horror movie now.

"What about you then?" She asked me.

"In that order?"

She held onto my arm tighter, "Yes."

"Uh, I don't have a middle name, but I'm Maxine Caulfield. I don't own a pet, I'm from Oregon too, I guess I like all colors but green or brown is pretty cool, I like food in general. I say I like horror, but to be honest, I can't pick a favorite genre, but I can say that I love Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and Donnie Darko."

"We have quite a few things in common. You don't like Maxine?"

"No, it doesn't fit me... I don't think."

"Then I agree. You look more like a Max."

We arrived to a cafe in a busy area. Ironically, it was called Max's and Kate laughed immediately after hearing the name and seeing the sign.

"You didn't pick this place because your name was in it, right? We were just talking about this."

"I didn't I swear... Okay, only a little bit."

Upon walking inside, we were greeted with the smell of breakfast foods and lively atmosphere. Many colors that filled the room were either brown or beige. It was early and not many people were in the seats just yet, but the room was filled with chatter. We were greeted by a host, seated us at a two-person table, and given menus that were a single piece of paper. I looked around at the tables that had people and the portions of food were very big. That was the real reason why I chose this place.

"Do you maybe want to share?" I asked her.

She put her menu down, "Sure, you saw the plates too?"

"Yeah, even I couldn't finish that," I laughed, "Is there anything you want?"

"You choose."

We both ordered green tea and my food choice was an omelet that had ham and four cheeses. Kate didn't complain or laugh about it, so I think I made a good choice.

"You know, I used to never finish any food I ate." I mentioned. It lasted all my high school years; my plates would always have a handful of leftovers on it. Why I left any was a mystery, even to myself, but I suspect it had to do with my social anxiety in some way.

"Why is that?"

"It was just something I did a lot," I played with the spoon I left in my cup, "Since Rachel has been here, I’ve been eating more real meals!"

"That's good. If you still did that, I would be really worried about you. I wouldn't want you to be sick or anything."

"I'm trying to balance it out. But, I can’t help that I just drink coffee for days."

"Maybe I should look after you too." She shook her head and continued to drink her tea. She was looking off towards the kitchen; I took that moment to take another picture, her eyes twitching when she saw the flash. She only giggled; it was expected at this point.

When we get our meal, we placed the oval plate in the middle of the table. The food was definitely enough for two people. Kate started to eat first, smiling and nodding upon first bite.

"What do you eat at your apartment?" I took one bite and melted from the taste. I think I actually moaned from it, because Kate's reaction was giggling and shaking her head.

"My roommate just buys really expensive food. Restaurants with Michelin stars and places like that."

"Does it actually taste good?"

"There have been times when the food didn't taste good at all," Kate sipped from her cup, "To the point I couldn't eat it, but I still finished it because she did buy it."

"What's her name, by the way?"

"Her name's Victoria. Oh my gosh, I need to show you her reaction!"

She took her phone out; I would have never guessed she had a single pocket on her. On this particular day, her phone case was pale pink and covered cartoon possums and roses.

"That's an interesting case you got there." I said after swallowing.

"It was a gift." She then showed me her screen, handing me her phone showing a video. I pressed the triangle in the middle of the screen, playing a video of Victoria throwing pillows and screaming at the flat screen TV. It was mute, but did I really need sound to know what was going on?

The video was getting progressively worse as she started to hit the TV with her fists and attempting to lift it up. It ended when she threw one more pillow. I was laughing throughout the whole thing; Rachel has to see this.

"Can you send that to me?" I gave her phone back.

"Yeah! It was all happy sounding yelling at first. By the end, she was just shouting for the host to shut up."

I groaned, "I know, she's the reason we stopped watching."

I checked my phone as I continued to eat. I got messages from Chloe and Rachel wishing me luck on my day. I got the video from Kate, sending it to Rachel right away. I snickered to myself just thinking about it again.

"Is she like that a lot?"

I put my phone away and noticed the omelet was down to the last few bites.

"That's the first time I've seen her react so much. She's more aggressive through her words. Even then she doesn't become so over the top."

There was one bite left and Kate and I just looked at each other. I pushed the plate towards her, awkwardly and wordlessly. I watched her as she stabbed it and then lifted it to observe it. She then reaches over, fork in front of my face, and then hummed "ah." I wavered for a second, taken aback, but I happily ate it off her fork. She smiled and then put it back on top of the plate.

"I brought some cash just in case." Kate said as she reached into her skirt pocket.

"No need. I'm paying for the both of us today."

After paying, we left again, Kate's arm around mine once and went off to the next destination. My heart skipped a beat every time she did that, but I happily accepted it, dreaming about actually holding her hand.

"This place is delicious," Kate sang, "Where to next?"

"I have a couple of museums in mind. Maybe they could inspire us for school."

"Great idea and I do quite enjoy museums."

On this walk, I felt Kate's arm slowly snake down towards my wrist, which I paid no mind to because she goes back to her original position every time. My hands were clammy, from being so nervous. I hope she couldn’t see how all of this was making me feel.

"When's your birthday?" She was still walking a hair slower than me.

"September twenty-first," I replied, "What about you?"

"That's crazy, mine is September twelfth!"

"What a coincidence! We would definitely have like parties on the same day."

"Yeah, somewhere in between. Why do you walk fast? Or am I somehow shorter than you?"

I then stopped and stood in front of her. I used my hand and tried to measure if there was a difference. I was just slowly waving my hand above us, which looked pretty stupid after a moment. I couldn't tell, to be honest.

"We have to ask later," I walked off again, holding onto her wrist, "Maybe I'm just happy to be here and excited to take you places."

She pressed her head against my shoulder, hugging my arm, only releasing a sigh.

We arrived to the Museum of Modern Art, which I felt was the perfect place to go first. It was a large brown building and it was also not busy yet, so we were able to go in without waiting for so long. I nearly passed out from the twenty-five-dollar entrance fee (fifty dollars for two), therefore I paid for it and rushed away. Kate and I didn't talk much throughout our viewing. We were actually more apart than together and we always had to find each other after a couple minutes.

We ended up being separated for about thirty minutes and we met again at a series of aerial photographs of rivers and cities.

"Enjoying yourself?" I continued to observe the photos.

"I'm loving this place. I haven't been able to go to places like this because I never had someone to go with."

"Then I'm glad I took you here."

There were multiple floors and plenty of exhibitions taking place, eventually the museum was filling with people. We decided now to stay together, walking side-by-side with our hands behind our backs, looking at sculptures and large descriptions on the walls of the art and what they mean. She stopped once in a while to look a little longer; I waited for her.

There were quite a few times that I backed up and took pictures of her standing and looking, her back towards me. They were my favorites so far and she agreed that they were her favorites.

I ended up being the one locking my arm with hers near the end. As we continued to go through the rooms, we were stopped by a person tapping on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was a girl close to our age. A jolt went through my body and I froze there.

"Hey, I just wanted to say that you two are cute together."

I had to repeat it in my head a couple of times. I was so stuck on it that I nearly missed Kate saying "thank you" and the girl left with another girl.

"B-but we're not a thing." I finally choked out.

"It was easier to say thank you than explaining why we're super touchy and matching colors." She pulled me by the arm and started to look again. I was rendered speechless the rest of our viewing.

When we left, I finally cleared my throat.

"Whoa, it's noon already." I checked my phone. I got a text from Rachel, Holy shit I need to meet her!

Kate chuckled slightly, "Were you okay? You didn't talk that whole time."

"I'm fine!" I answered way too fast.

Her eyes looked at me, up and down, then said, "Alright, but I'm watching you."

Shit, I fucked it up again. But damn, she said thank you and was okay with being complimented as a couple. I felt my heart race and my hands were shaking, but I took deep breath and reassessed myself. We stayed in front of the museum, sitting at the artsy fountain with a statue of copper abstract twists and turns.

"Has that happened to you before?"

"Has what happened?"

"You were with another friend and someone said you guys look great together. You answered her pretty smoothly."

"It has never happened before. I just saw you freeze up and that was the first thing I said."

I just nodded. My hopes were up in space now, but I just need to open up more, way more... or maybe she was just really touchy and whatever about this stuff?

"How's that film going?"

Kate fiddled with her fingers, "It's good, though they still need to find another actress. We already tried acting ourselves, but it wasn't that great."

I gasped, "Maybe Rachel could. She was in drama when we went to school. I don't know about Chloe, but it doesn't hurt to ask."

"It would be great, but neither really look like or are shy types."

"Shy types?"

"Yup, because both characters are very timid together. Though they know and suggested you, I declined just in case you didn't want to."

"It's more like I just can't. I never got into acting or anything." A pain in my chest hit me just at the thought of being a part of that.

It was quiet and we were listening to the water behind us. I thought about what Kate said, my mouth curling at the ends into a small smirk.

"Do you talk about me with your friends?" I crossed my arms.

"I do because recently, when I go to see them, I'm either with you or I'm going to see you. They ask a lot of questions about you."

"Like?"

"Just your personality or what you look like, stuff like that."

"I hope I don't sound way cooler than I actually am."

"You are cool!"

"You're way cooler than me."

"No, I'm not," she pushed me kind of hard, "I don't compare to you!"

I pushed her back, "I should be saying that to you."

After I said that, we continued to push each other back and forth, pushing a little harder than before, until we forgot why we were doing that at all. I grabbed her into a tight hug with one arm around her shoulders and we both laughed hysterically. Her head rested my shoulder and I could feel her hand holding me on my back.

Our laughter stopped, but we stayed in that position.

#life is strange #max caulfield #kate marsh #marshfield #my fanfiction

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catty-words · 8 years ago

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lose your heart and your head (1/?)

summary: Now that they've both graduated, Annie convinces Jeff to join her on a cross-country road trip. Word Count: ~4,500 Author’s Note: Shout out to @bethanyactually for being the best beta any writer could ask for, always helping me create better, more IC scenes. I was hoping to post this all at once for the classic trope day, but the idea has already gotten away from me. I hope the story carries you away, too.

(ao3)

~~~

“I’m not going to take no for an answer.”

Apparently, in their time apart, Annie’s lost her ability to hold a conversation because Jeff doesn’t understand what the hell she’s talking about.

“First of all, yes, please come in. So glad you could stop by.” She’s not fazed by his sarcasm even a little, too busy unfolding a map across his kitchen counter. “Secondly, no for an answer to what?”

She waves him closer with a grin, and despite the warning signals going off in his head—it’s a trap and giving the inch it’ll take to hear her out will have her snagging a whole damn mile out from under your feet—he takes a seat on the barstool next to her.

“We’re going on a road trip.”

Jeff raises his eyebrows, waiting for further explanation.

Annie lets out an exasperated sigh, like she can’t believe he isn’t caught up yet, and fixes her bright, manic-with-the-promise-of-a-big-project eyes on him. “You know! A cross-country road trip to celebrate the fact that we’re both college grads now. A final adventure before we have to put our whimsy aside in the face of adulthood and corporate America!”

“Okay, Britta. You know I’m thirty-five, right? I’ve pretty much already faced adulthood.”

“That doesn’t mean you’ve outgrown the need for an adventure! Come on, I’ve already planned the route and booked the first couple hotels. All you have to do is pack, show up, and drive some of the way.”

His eyes drift to the map. Annie has circled several cities in red pen, and he wouldn’t be surprised if she had a twenty-page itinerary all typed up and ready.

He has to admit, it’s an appealing proposal. But…

“We’re both broke. How would we afford this?”

When she doesn’t jump at the chance to talk away all his worries, he looks back up at her curiously.

The expression on her face is a complicated mix of guilt, determination, and some other emotion that he can’t discern.

“What?” he asks. “What is it?”

She hesitates for a second, then says, “My mother sent me a check. A gift for graduation.” She pauses, swallowing hard before squaring her shoulders. “But I don’t need or want her money.”

“So? You’re…what? Trying to burn it all up as fast as you can? I can think of more productive ways to do that.”

She frowns at him. “I already made my choice. And I’m going with or without you. I’d just happen to prefer having a travel companion.”

At the same time a new set of warning bells go off in Jeff’s head, he feels a delighted tug in his heart.

“What about the rest of the group?” he asks.

She ticks them off on her fingers. “I could never ask Shirley to leave her kids for that long, Troy and Abed have already decided their summer is going to be dedicated to developing some app, Britta already has travel plans, and can you even imagine what Pierce would be like on a road trip? I love him, but…he can barely sit through a single Star Wars movie.”

“So you asked everyone else already?” Jeff checks, feeling ridiculous for the way his stomach flops over at the thought.

Annie picks at the curling edge of her map, diverting her gaze. “Well they were actually around to ask.”

“I’ve been busy,” Jeff says evasively.

“Well then you’re probably ready for a bit of a break, huh?” She fixes a smile back on her face and raises her eyebrows expectantly. When he hesitates, she says, “Not gonna take a no, remember?”

Jeff glances around his apartment. It’s not like he’s got anything going on that he can’t walk away from for a couple weeks. And he’s never been out of the state before….

Annie’s smile brightens when she sees that she’s winning him over.

“Fine,” he says, rolling his eyes when she squeals.

“Great! We leave on Saturday at eight in the morning. I’ll pick you up here.”

~~~

The sound of the car door banging shut startles Jeff awake. It takes him several disoriented moments to remember where he is and what he’s doing, but as soon as he does, he glances around in worry, looking for Annie.

He catches sight of the messy bun sitting lopsided on the top of her head through the back window, realizes she’s pumping gas, and lets out a relieved breath. He can’t even begin to imagine what the group would do to him if he brought Annie home in less than pristine condition.

She must feel his eyes on her because she looks up, then waves and flashes him a dazzling smile.

Heat pools in Jeff’s cheeks for some reason and he salutes her before ducking his head. They’ve only been on the road for—Jeff checks his watch—four hours, and he’s already coming face-to-face with all the reasons this trip is a bad idea.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” Annie says, sliding back into her seat. “I hope you got enough rest because we’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

He groans and rubs at his stiff neck. “Yeah, it was great. Your decrepit hatchback is basically a five-star hotel.”

She shoots him a dirty look and then pats the dashboard of her car. “Don’t make her angry. She’s all we’ve got for the next couple weeks.”

Ignoring that comment, Jeff says, “If you wanna trade seats, you too could experience the resort-style lumpy upholstery.”

“Nuh-uh, I’m not letting you behind the wheel until you’re ready to be nice.”

“You might wanna rethink your punishment. That lacks punch.”

Instead of answering him, Annie tilts her chin up and puts the car in gear. As soon as they’re merging back onto the highway, she hits the power on the stereo and hums along to a Barenaked Ladies song.

Jeff narrows his eyes at her profile. “Seriously?”

Without taking her eyes off the road, she swats his arm. “You were asleep. Consider it part of your punishment. The driver gets to pick the music.”

“Oh, you are so going to eat those words later.”

Annie shrugs, clearly unthreatened.

They ride in quiet for a couple songs, till Jeff, antsy with nap energy, pulls out the map. “Albuquerque’s our first stop, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“And what fun activities do you have planned for us there?”

“I have a list in one of my bags of places I’d like to visit,” she says.

“Of course you do,” Jeff replies.

“It’s mostly the usual kinds of touristy things. A couple parks. The natural history museum.”

“Why am I not surprised that a road trip with you is basically an extended high-school field trip?”

She scoffs. “Well, excuse me for wanting to complete this trip as a more cultured person than when I began.”

“All I’m saying is we’d better have some fun, too.”

“You’re welcome to pick some of our activities,” she says haughtily.

“I’m glad that you’re acknowledging I’m the only one here who knows how to have fun.”

In response, Annie turns up the music and sings along.

~~~

They make it to Albuquerque around 4:00. So far, Annie hasn’t relinquished the wheel, so Jeff suggests they stop at the hotel before sightseeing. She insists that they stop by the Albuquerque Museum first, since they only have an hour before it closes.

Visiting a museum with Annie, Jeff quickly realizes, is boring. She spends her time carefully reading every plaque and taking occasional notes in a five-subject notebook she apparently bought specifically for their trip.

Jeff’s approach is much quicker—get in, spend a few seconds looking at whatever catches his eye, get out. He spends most of his time trailing behind Annie and playing Tetris on his phone.

Still, even though they’ve barely done anything, he feels the fatigue of travel weighing him down as they finally exit the museum.

“Should we grab dinner before or after we check in?” Annie asks as they cut through the crowded parking lot toward the car.

“After,” Jeff answers, already craving a hot shower.

Their reservation is at a Comfort Inn. They arrive after a short fifteen-minute drive, and take their time stretching when they step out of the car.

After grabbing their suitcases from the trunk, they make their way inside. The wave of air conditioning that hits them as soon as they step through the sliding doors is very much welcome.

“Can I help you two?” the front desk attendant asks.

“Yes, I have a reservation under Edison,” Annie says. While the attendant looks it up, Annie turns to grin at Jeff.

Though he shakes his head at her nerdy excitement, he can’t help but grin back.

After Annie hands the clerk her ID and a credit card, and signs some paperwork, he slides a small paper envelope across the counter. “Here are your keys. You’re in room 236. Please enjoy your stay.”

Jeff doesn’t think much of the exchange until they get to the second floor and Annie’s unlocking the door.

“We’re sharing a room?” he asks, and suddenly his palms feel kind of itchy.

“Well, yeah,” she says. “It’s the most economic use of our money.”

“I’ll bet you double-checked the math,” he teases, mustering a tight smile.

She continues as if he hadn’t spoken, pulling her big suitcase through the doorway. “As it is, I think we’ll have to stay at more basic motels in a couple cities to come in under budget. Don’t worry, though. We don’t have to share everything.” She nods at the two full beds on the far side of the room.

“Right,” is the only response Jeff can come up with.

The space isn’t cramped, exactly. But Jeff does feel a little too warm, like the room is too crowded.

In addition to the two beds, there’s a modest desk, a television, a large window overlooking the stretch of patchy grass behind the building, and a bathroom.

Annie claims the bed closest to the door, flopping her luggage down on the bed. He watches for a moment as she methodically checks the mattress for signs of bed bugs. (He can tell that’s what she’s doing because she sent him an email about conducting inspections that morning before they left.) When he starts to feel a tingling under his skin, he clears his throat. “I’m, uh, gonna shower…unless you need the bathroom?”

“It’s all yours,” she says, not even looking at him.

He lingers a second longer before grabbing his kit and retreating.

It’s not until after he’s finished showering that he realizes he never picked any clothes to change into. Shaking his head at his foggy reflection, Jeff ties the towel—which is probably a normal size for an average person, but which seems way too small to him—as securely as he can around his waist and steps out into the room.

The cool air outside the bathroom feels nice, but it’s also a shock to his skin, raising goosebumps along his arms and bare torso.

Annie’s sprawled out on the bed—which must be bed bug-free—with two notebooks in front of her. She’s already in pajamas and she’s let her hair down.

Jeff gulps.

“Even more notes?” he asks, using one hand to hold his towel in place while unzipping his suitcase with the other.

“Mm-hmm. I thought it would be worthwhile to journal about this experience,” she replies, way too chipper about this self-imposed assignment, and then glances up. Her eyes widen as she takes in the sight of him, gaze crawling slowly from his shower-messy hair to the sliver of his thigh that’s peeking out from the towel. Jeff smirks inwardly at how long it takes her to recover. “I…um, I ordered a pizza.”

Jeff tugs on a blue t-shirt and awkwardly tries to put on pajama pants without flashing Annie. “What kind?”

“One half without cheese, just for you,” she says, turning her attention back to her notebooks as Jeff settles down on his own bed.

He grins at her before turning on the television. “You know what I like.”

Annie goes downstairs to retrieve the food when it arrives, and she climbs right onto Jeff’s bed when she gets back, setting the pizza box down in front of them and leaning against the headboard.

They watch a rerun of Friends in contented silence, her knee resting on his thigh. He’s hyperaware of the contact, his brain full of nothing else but that gentle pressure. Too full, in fact, to come up with the appropriate reaction. Does he put his arm around her? That seems too forward. Maybe something more casual, like a palm resting on her thigh?

By the time the first episode is over, they’ve eaten most of the pizza and Jeff’s still waffling over what to do. So he doesn’t completely freak her out and do something unacceptable, like kiss the top of her head in his panic, he stands up, grabs the pizza box, and walks it over to the desk.

He ends up settling in a little closer to her when he sits back down, chance making the decision for him, and then waits to see how she’ll shift to get comfortable.

When she snuggles in, letting her head droop against his shoulder, Jeff sighs in relief and, in turn, lets one of his hands casually fall onto the her cool skin of her knee.

“I think it’s finally starting to sink in,” she says during a commercial break, startling him.

“What is?” he asks, taking and deep breath and watching as she idly traces the curve of his wrist with her pointer finger.

“That we’re really doing this. Traveling the country. Going through with this adventure.”

He nods. “I don’t know that I’m there yet. It still all feels a little strange, like I’m only imagining myself here.”

Annie hums in understanding and then sits up. “Well, imaginary Jeff is good company.”

“Even when he sleeps through the first leg of the trip and makes fun of your car?”

She grins, and her eyes have this sleepy droop to them that makes her look extra cute. “Even then. It feels…I mean, I’m glad that you could be here. Thanks.”

Jeff forces himself not to look away from her as he says, “I’m glad I could be here, too.”

She sucks on her lower lip as if to keep a wide smile from blooming on her face, but she doesn’t quite stop it.

“Okay, good.”

Guilt twists in Jeff’s stomach when he realizes she really needed the reassurance that he wanted to do this.

“I’m gonna…” she says after a moment of prolonged silence and gestures to her own bed.

“Of course. Good night.”

She gets up to move to her bed. “Sweet dreams.”

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” he says as he turns off the lamp on his nightstand.

“That’s not funny.” Annie’s reproving voice comes from across the darkened room.

He falls asleep with a grin on his face.

~~~

He’s woken up the next morning by the sound of Annie bustling about the room.

“Oh, good, you’re up,” she says when she notices him stirring. “They’re going to clean up the complimentary breakfast any minute, and you really should eat something before we head out for the day.”

He sits up, rubbing at his bleary eyes, and watches as she folds her pajamas neatly and packs them back into her suitcase. Since they’re staying in the city for another night, she’s wearing a much nicer outfit than her tank top and worn capris from their day of travel. Her hair is damp from an early morning shower and falls in waves around her shoulders.

He swallows down the comment about how pretty her dress looks and slips out of bed. “I knew you’d be way too perky in the mornings,” he says instead.

“It’s barely morning anymore,” she says, nodding pointedly at the clock on his nightstand that displays a bright green 10:12. “You’re burning daylight, Winger.”

As he grabs his toiletries and heads for the bathroom, he grumbles under his breath about how they’re supposed to be having fun. He just manages to close the door before the paperback book she’s thrown slaps him in the face.

After grabbing a banana and a cereal bar for breakfast, they head to—surprise, surprise—another museum. Or cultural center or whatever.

Jeff complains the entire walkthrough, pestering Annie to promise him that their next stop is cooler. She purses her lips and pointedly ignores his comments, but he can’t decide if it’s because he’s offended her and her love of museums or because she knows he’ll hate the next item on her itinerary.

“Come on, Annie,” he says as they make their way through the last room. “You can’t keep me in the dark forever.”

With a sigh, she finishes making a note and looks up at him sheepishly. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to think it’s lame.”

“If the plan is to spend another three hours doing nothing but reading, then you’re right. This is only marginally cooler than school because of the visual aids.”

She turns her attention back to her notebook with a frown. When she speaks again, it’s so quiet that Jeff has to lean in to catch it. “We’re going to a zoo.”

“Huh,” he says, raising his eyebrows.

“Go ahead, judge me,” she says, already pushing past him and moving for a large tapestry hanging on the wall. “But I’m really excited, and I promise I don’t have anything scheduled after that.”

“A zoo would be agreeable,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning next to the informational plaque Annie’s reading.

Her eyes immediately shift to his face, her brow furrowed with suspicion. “You wanna go to the zoo?”

“I’m not heartless, Annie, and looking at cute animals is way more fun than reading about the history of some random pot.”

“Pottery is an essential part of the—”

Jeff shakes his head. “You’re not going to convince me it was interesting. You’re just not.”

She harrumphs and turns her attention back to the art. He watches her face as she takes it in, her eyes sliding carefully over the details, alert and engrossed. She’s clearly getting something out of it, but her concentration is baffling to him, and makes him feel kind of jittery in response.

“The only time I’ve ever been, my dad ended up leaving me there,” he blurts out without making the conscious decision to speak.

She gives him a questioning yet patient look.

“At the zoo,” he clarifies.

“Oh.” A beat. “That’s horrible”

He nods his head. “If I remember correctly, he was following around some poor woman, trying to get her to go home with him, and forgot all about me.”

She processes that, making a soft, almost pitying noise in the back of her throat. “I can’t believe…we have to go.”

“Good thing we were already planning on it,” Jeff says, cocking his head at her.

“No, now. We have to go now.”

“But what if you miss learning something totally interesting about local whittling or something?”

“That’s not as important,” she says, earnest despite his sarcasm. “C’mon.”

~~~

“So?” Annie asks as they sit down at a patio table at the Cottonwood Café. To their left is a stunning view of the Rio Grande, but the lingering stench of animals helps balance out what would otherwise feel like a too-romantic setting. “What did you think?”

“It was…probably something I would have enjoyed more as a kid.”

She nods, accepting this. “Admit it, though, you still had fun.”

He narrows his eyes at her, but when her smile doesn’t waver, he says, “The polar bears were cool.”

Her smile widens. “What about getting to see them feed the seals?”

Jeff tries, and immediately fails, not to grin back. “Fine, it was all disgustingly adorable and good, wholesome fun. But I’m not gonna write about it in my diary.”

She clucks her tongue. “I guess this means I shouldn’t save a spot for you in today’s journal entry as I’d planned. Darn.”

He picks a slice of pickle off his bun-less burger and tosses it at her. She dodges it, but lets out a squeak loud enough that they attract a couple of judgmental stares from the people at surrounding tables.

“Gross, Jeff!”

He only shrugs in response.

After lunch, they make their way over to the botanic gardens, and Annie chooses the Japanese trail for them, which apparently features a waterfall-inspired fountain and plenty of pretty foliage. They’ve only just started out when Jeff realizes that most of the other people walking the path are holding hands or pausing by blooming trees to nuzzle up to each other for pictures.

Judging by her ramrod straight posture and sudden stiffness, Annie’s noticed all the couples, too.

They walk in tense silence for a while, and he can’t help but sneak regular glances at her profile. Her skin somehow looks extra soft in the dappled light, and a gentle breeze keeps sending tendrils of her hair fluttering around her face.

Jeff clenches his fists by his sides, and takes a deep breath.

The pleasant smell of flowers is thick in the air, but it does little to calm his spiking heart rate.

When the atmosphere between them becomes too thick to breathe, Jeff says, “So.”

At the same moment, Annie offers a forced-cheerful, “Well!” and they both laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

The next second, a butterfly lands on Jeff’s temple, tickling him with its fluttering wings.

“Oh my god,” Annie whispers excitedly. “Jeff, don’t move.”

His brows pull together, wrinkling his forehead as he gives her a disbelieving look, and the butterfly shifts. She purses her lips in warning and pulls out her phone.

“Smile!” She instructs, but Jeff rolls his eyes as she takes the picture. The butterfly’s gone a second later. She frowns at him, but says, “I guess that’s a more authentic way to remember the moment.”

He snatches her phone from her. “Your turn. For every goofy picture of me, there’d better be one of you, too.”

“That picture’s not goofy!”

“Whatever. We’re still taking one of you.”

Annie acquiesces easily and steps in front of the picturesque pond before flashing a bright grin at the camera.

He lines up the shot but doesn’t take it.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“There’s something missing,” he says, glancing around. “Ah-ha!”

He plucks a cluster of pink cherry blossoms from a nearby tree.

“Jeff! I don’t think you’re supposed to do that,” she protests, but he hears the way her breath catches in her throat when he steps into her personal space and tucks it into her hair.

“What? It matches your dress,” he says, smiling down at her as warmth starts to pool in his chest.

She licks her lips and nods ever-so-slightly.

“Right, um, I think that’s better,” he says, hurriedly turning away and lining up the shot again.

There’s a soft, pleased smile on her face when he finally takes the picture.

They continue along the trail without a word—the silence is still tense, but it’s a familiar tension that Jeff has come to associate with being alone with Annie, so it’s nothing he can’t handle—and seconds later, Jeff feels his phone buzz in his pocket.

Annie sent the photos to their friends’ group message, and the responses are already rolling in.

Shirley: Oh, that’s nice!

Abed sends a thumbs-up emoji.

Pierce: Gay butterfly, man.

Britta: where r u guys?? u better not be wasting this trip at tourist traps. in my experience, it’s better to converse with locals to really get a feel for the town and find out what places are worth visiting.

Troy: aw, annie, you look pretty.

Troy: so does jeff

Jeff ignores the twist of his stomach when he reads Troy’s message, and types out: thanks, britta, we’ll be sure to take your advice the next time we want to get arrested in a strange place.

After hitting send, he saves the picture of Annie.

~~~

They get up before sunrise the next morning. Since their next stop is San Antonio, they’ll spend most of the day driving, but Annie insisted they get an early start anyway.

After checking out, they load their luggage into the car.

The parking lot is quiet, the world still all around them. Jeff takes a deep breath of crisp, early morning air and laughs.

“What?” Annie asks, slamming her trunk closed to make sure it sticks.

“It’s finally hitting me,” he says.

“Your morning coffee?” she guesses.

“No,” Jeff says. “That we’re doing this. A real road trip.”

A slow smile spreads across her face, and they both take a second to appreciate the periwinkle-colored dawn sky.

“Let’s get a move on, then,” she says, clapping her hands together. “We’ve got more adventure ahead of us.”

#communityaw17 #jeff x annie #my fic #communityaw17*

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