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junkomc · 2 months ago

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Cod x OC【title：Afterglow】第1章

（NSFW/18+ / MｘM / bottom oc）soap x oc/ghost x oc/price x oc/ Pierson x oc / oc x oc

>>>１・２・３・４・５・６・７・８・９・10・11・12・13・14・15・16 ・17・18・19 (Part 1 scheduled to end)

※英語は母国語ではありません。主にGoogle翻訳を使っていますので、読みにくいところがあるかもしれませんが、ご容赦ください。翻訳版の後に日本語版の小説を載せています。

※English is not my native language. I mainly use Google translation, so please forgive me if there are some parts that are difficult to read.

The Japanese version of the novel is posted after the translated version.

――――――――――――――――――――――

Chapter 1: Encounter/Jet and TF141 meet.

Captain Price spread the documents on his desk, looked around at everyone and said.

"About the new recruit, his name is Jayden Haruka Gray. His call sign is Jet. He's a mix of Japanese and American. He's good at close combat, and in Japan he studied psychology, science, and about weapons at the National Defense Academy. His expertise may be useful."

"Why him? Why was he chosen from so many candidates?"

Gaz, who was standing next to Price, muttered.

"Indeed. After graduating from the National Defense Academy in Japan, he spent four years in the US Army, then two years in the PMC. It's a unique career, but I don't know what makes him so special. Also, he looks like... a minor, and doesn't look like a soldier at all."

Soap picked up the documents on his desk and looked closely at the attached photo of Jet's face. Ghost, who was next to him, also looked at the documents. Then he sighed lightly and looked at Price.

"You really think he's worthy of TF141?"

Price took Jet's file from Soap and slammed it on the desk.

"Hey, guys, stop being negative before you've even met him! He passed the selection test. He's got talent. Anyway, we're going to need all of his skills at some point. By the way, Soap, he's older than you."

"Seriously!"

Soap picked up the file again and looked closely at the new recruit's photo. Ghost was also looking at the photo in silence.

A young man with short, neatly combed black hair and jet black eyes reminiscent of the midnight sky.

He doesn't look like he's in his late twenties, probably because of his Japanese DNA.

Price looked at the two of them, who had been glued to the photo for a while, then took the newbie's file from Soap and sighed.

"He'll be here tomorrow morning. Don't bite him."

-The next morning-

Seeing the newbie step out of the car that arrived at the base, Soap again questioned his age.

"He's 29? He looks like he's around 20... I know Asians tend to look younger than their actual age, but even so... he looks ..."

"Is he gorgeous?"

Ghost mocked Soap, and he snorted, then lightly poked him in the arm. Gaz watched the two of them with a smile.

"Enough joking. Behave, boys."

The newbie "Jet" reached Price, held out his right hand, and smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Captain Price. I look forward to working with you."

Price shook his hand firmly and looked into his black eyes.

"It's an honor to work with such a talented person. I've heard a lot about you from Laswell. Now, from the left, this is Gaz, Soap, and Ghost."

As Price explained this, Jet politely shook hands with each of them, looking each of them in the eye as he greeted them.

Jet knew how important a first impression was. Humans make judgments about others in the first few seconds. Especially TF141, which is famous for being bound by strong bonds. Even if they were to accept a sudden newcomer willingly, it may be unlikely that he would be able to fit in with the group after that.

Jet is not a pure Westerner. Although he had lived in the United States for about six years, he spent most of his life in Japan, so there are many differences between them, such as his way of thinking and lifestyle. Also, since his mother is American, he may be physically blessed compared to the Japanese, but compared to the four people in front of him, he was embarrassed to call himself a soldier.

Jet sighed in his heart when he saw how thick Ghost's arms were.

They must be twice as thick as mine! How envious. Plus, he was very…

His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, giving a clear view of his tattoos with various designs, which made him even more attractive.

Worried that he might notice that Jet was gazing intently at Ghost's strong arms, Jet shifted gaze to the mohawk man next to him.

According to the documents, he was two or three years younger than Jet.

Really?？

Jet was almost drawn into the beautiful blue eyes of the young man who was looking at him with a refreshing smile. Though not as strong as Ghost's, his strong upper arms peeking out from his short-sleeved shirt, his large, rugged hands, and his calm aura and maturity made it hard to believe he was younger than Jet. His face was calm yet wild.

Ghost and Soap both had something that Jet could never have, no matter how much he wanted it. He was jealous.

Jet was gay, so when he met men with amazing bodies and good looks he couldn't help but worship them, but at the same time he felt a mixture of complicated emotions, including jealousy towards them for having something he couldn't have no matter how hard he tried, and disgust for himself for thinking that.

"Well, I'll show you to your room first."

If Gaz hadn't called out to him, Jet might have stood there forever in front of the four of them. Not only Ghost and Soap, but Gaz and Price also had things that Jet couldn't get even if he wanted them. They had strong bodies, fearless faces, and beautiful eyes. They had low, sexy voices.

Jet was tormented by feelings of inferiority for a while after that, but he quickly changed his mind.

What is needed to be a soldier is tactics, experience, and physical strength, not the size of the body, the beauty of the voice, or the appearance. I have the ability and knowledge.

Don't be servile...

Jet slapped his cheeks with both hands to motivate himself. Price was surprised by the sound and looked into Jet's face.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Oh... I was just giving myself a pep talk."

He didn't notice that Soap and Ghost were staring at Jet, whose face was red with embarrassment.

After being shown to his room, Jet put down his luggage, took off his boots, and collapsed into bed. Gaz said he would come to invite him to dinner in about 30 minutes, so he stretched out on the bed to relax until then.

Jet had read through the documents before coming here, so he thought he knew about the members of TF141, but when he met them in real life, he was overwhelmed by their presence.

Jet's father was over 180 cm tall, which is rare for a Japanese person, and was blessed with a good physique, so Gray himself was 179 cm tall, but no matter how much he trained, he never had a body like Ghost or Soap because his bone structure was naturally slender. But he also thought that maybe that was a good thing. Because men like them were very conspicuous.

Jet hated standing out more than anything.

If you don't attract attention, you won't be resented or envied. I don't want to get involved in trouble. Relationships should be kept to a minimum. Everyday life should be ordinary, without ups and downs. That was Jet's motto. Until his parents divorced, he was living such an ideal life, but after moving from Japan to the United States, his life changed drastically.

Jet joined the US military and was satisfied with his life as a US soldier, but due to certain reasons, he was discharged and enrolled in a PMC. Jet's life plan was already ruined when his parents divorced, so he wasn't particularly disappointed, and after that he somehow joined a PMC and became a mercenary, and was satisfied with the simple life of completing the missions given to him and getting paid. So, even when he quit the PMC because of his relationship with his boss, he calmly looked for a job as a means to make a living. He was thinking that he might use his experience to work for another PMC, or stop working as a mercenary and do something else...

So much has happened in his life so far that it might be nice to just take it easy and do nothing for a while and just live.

That's what he thought, but a sudden phone call from his father in Japan changed everything.

They hadn't been in contact for years, so why now...

Just like that time, Jet's life was once again being influenced by his parents. He was introduced to a mysterious woman named Laswell, then brought to England, forced to participate in British Army training, and finally made to take the SAS selection test, joining a mysterious special forces unit. This kind of thing doesn't usually happen. Jet thought his father must have done something to this.

Jet's father is a senior officer in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He explained that he had met Major General Cameron, commander of the US Army in Japan, a few years ago and that he had been introduced to Laswell by him, but Jet's father always tells lies as if they were the truth, so he didn't know how much of it was true. Jet had no idea what conversations had taken place between Laswell and his father, what kind of relationship they had built and maintained since then, but he thought that his father was definitely involved in his participation in TF141.

Jet got off the bed with a disgusted look on his face, thinking of his father's face. He took off his sweaty shirt from the long journey and reached into his unpacked bag to find a new one, when there was a knock on the door. While he was thinking about this and that, he looked at the clock to see if 30 minutes had passed, but only 10 minutes had passed, so Jet opened the door curiously.

"Oh... sorry, are you changing?"

There stood Soap, with a guilty look on his face.

"It's okay, I'll put it on right away, so wait!"

Jet hurriedly put on his shirt to avoid making the atmosphere any more awkward.

"So, what do you want from me?"

"Does that mean you shouldn't come unless you have something to do?"

Jet was at a loss for words for a moment at the unexpected answer, but he thought that the only option for a newcomer to get along in a new environment was to invite him in.

No... but in reality, there's no reason for him to come if he doesn't have something to do, right? ?

Jet was a little wary, thinking that Soap had come to keep him in check.

No matter how you look at it, he was a different breed, an alien presence who had suddenly broken into the group. There's no way everyone would welcome Jet with open arms.

Is he going to be "Newbie tinkering"...? What is Soap going to say?

Don't get too cocky? What connections did you have to get here? Did he suck someone's dick?

As Soap gradually closed the distance between them, Jet instinctively stepped back. His heels hit the leg of the bed, and the momentum caused him to end up sitting on it. Soap immediately sat down next to him, and Jet instinctively tensed his shoulders.

Please give me a break...

Don't mess with me... I don't want to cause any trouble from day one...

When he looked at Soap with such a weak feeling, he was looking at Jet with a calm face, contrary to his expectations.

"Price only told you my callsign earlier, but I'm John McTavish. You can call me Soap or John, whichever you prefer."

Jet was staring straight into Soap's bright blue eyes, and he couldn't help but choke up. His thick, long eyelashes and strong nose were so beautiful that he was barely able to reply after a few seconds, "Ah..."

"By the way, why is your callsign Jet?"

Jet hurriedly looked away from Soap, but he could see that Soap was still looking at him from the corner of his eye, and he felt uncomfortable all at once. Hoping that he wouldn't be disturbed any more, Jet opened his mouth.

"...I'm mixed Japanese...so my eyes are black, right? So, Jet is the name for the black jewel."

Soap made a face that said "I see," then tilted his head and asked curiously.

"Who named you?"

"Well, actually, my call sign when I was in the US military was Jay....My boss at the PMC gave me Jet..."

Jet didn't know why Soap asked him that, but his next words nearly stopped his heart.

"It's romantic to name something after a jewel....I bet your boss was in love with you."

...Not far from the truth.

Jet doesn't know if Jet's boss at PMC was seriously in love with him, but at least Jet was in love with him. Jet and his boss had a physical relationship for about a year, but they broke up when Jet's boss got engaged to a woman. No one knows that Jet quit PMC because of the shock of being betrayed by him.

Jet's memories of his ex-boss came back to him, and he almost forgot about Soap next to him. Jet laughed and said, "That's not true! My boss is a man, and he's a natural womanizer!"

Soap said quietly, "Huh..." and then whispered to Jet.

"Can you show me your jewel-like eyes a little closer?"

Jet didn't understand what Soap was saying. He said something so sudden and strange that his brain couldn't keep up with the processing, and he ended up staring at Soap unintentionally.

Soap's face approached him, dangerously close.

"...It's true, it's a beautiful black, like a jewel."

Soap narrowed his eyes in ecstasy and met Jet's gaze, so Jet looked away from him, not knowing what to do next. Jet thought Soap's blue eyes to be many times more beautiful than his own. He could stare into his eyes forever.

"Are your shyness due to your Japanese blood?"

Is he mocking me after all? Is this a Newbie tinkering? Is he trying to expose my gayness by pretending to seduce me like this? What on earth does he want to do?

Jet couldn't think of a clever reply, so he could only mutter "Maybe..." with a shy smile. As Jet scratched his neck in the awkward atmosphere, he heard another knock.

"Jet, it's almost time for dinner, I'll show you around."

It was Gaz.

Jet was grateful that he'd come at such a good time. He had been so relieved to be able to escape this awkward atmosphere that he didn't notice that Soap looked unhappy.

In the dining room, Gaz sat next to Jet, Soap in front of Jet, and Ghost diagonally across from him. Gaz explained that Price was out on some business and would be eating late.

Considering what had just happened, Jet felt a little uneasy with Soap across from him, but Gaz's casual questions and small talk helped Jet. Jet knew that if he raised his head, his eyes would meet Soap's, so he decided to look at Ghost diagonally across from him...

Why...?

Jet froze as Ghost's eyes met his.

Lieutenant Ghost, why are you staring at me so much? Do I look like a rare creature? Is it just curiosity? Or is he a person of interest who wants to get rid of me?

Jet felt like he wanted to run out of there right away, but somehow he suppressed the urge.

The ghost just looked at him, but didn't say anything in particular. What was strange was that his gaze wasn't glaring at Jet, and he didn't feel any malice. It wasn't like he was looking at him with love either...he didn't feel any discomfort, but he couldn't feel any emotion in his eyes. That in itself was frightening.

The ghost only nodded or chuckled to Gaz and Soap's small talk throughout the whole thing, without actively participating in the conversation. All the while, the ghost would occasionally stare at Jet, and when Jet noticed his gaze, he would slowly look away without panicking. Jet felt uncomfortable with this repeated behavior, but he endured it desperately.

That night, when Jet returned to his room, he had no memory of what he had just eaten for dinner.

Below is the Japanese version

　プライス大尉は手元の資料をデスクの上に広げ、皆を見渡して言った。

　「新しく加わった新人についてだが、名前はジェイデン・ハルカ・グレイ。コールサインは"ジェット"。ちなみに彼は日本人とアメリカ人のミックスだ。彼は近接格闘術に長けていて、日本では防衛大学で心理学と科学・兵器について学んでいる。彼の専門知識が役に立つ事があるだろう」

　「なぜ彼なのです？沢山の候補の中から彼が選ばれた理由は？」

　プライスの側に立っていたギャズは呟くように言った。

　「確かに。日本の防衛大学を卒業後に米陸軍に４年、その後PMCに2年。ユニークな経歴だけど、彼がどう特別なのか今の所まったくわからないな。それに、まるで彼は…未成年に見えるし、とても軍人に見えないな」

　ソープはデスクの上の資料を拾い上げ、添付されているジェットの顔写真をじっくりと眺めた。彼の隣にいたゴーストも資料を覗き見る。そして軽くため息を吐いた後、プライスに視線をやった。

　「本当に彼がTF141に相応しいと思ったのか？」

　その言葉を受けてプライスはソープからジェットのファイルを取り上げ、それを勢いよくデスクに叩きつけた。

　「おい、お前達。会う前から否定的になるのは止めろ！彼は選抜試験にも合格している。実力は確かだ。とにかく、いずれ彼の持っている全てのスキルが我々には必要になるだろう。ちなみにソープ、彼はお前より年上だ」

　「マジかよ！」

　ソープはふたたびファイルを取り上げ、じっくりと新入りの写真を見つめる。ゴーストもまた同じように、黙って写真を眺めていた。

　短くキッチリと調えられた黒髪に、真夜中の空を思わせるような漆��の瞳の青年。

　20代後半に見えないのは、おそらく日本人のDNAの所為だろう。

　プライスはしばらく写真に釘付けだった2人に目をやると、ソープから新入りのファイルを取り上げて軽くため息を吐いた。

　「彼は明日の朝到着だ。くれぐれも彼に噛みつかないように」

―翌朝―

　基地に到着した車から颯爽と降りてきた新入りを見て、ソープは再び彼の年齢を疑った。

　「あれが2９だって？どう見ても２０歳前後だろ…確かにアジア系は実年齢より若く見えるけど、それにしても…、彼は写真で見るより…」

　「イケてる?」

　ゴーストに揶揄われ、ソープはフッと鼻で笑った後、彼の二の腕を軽く小突いた。ギャズはそんな2人のやりとりを微笑みながら見ている。

　「冗談はそこまでだ。行儀よくしろよ、息子たち」

　新入り“ジェット”はプライスの所まで辿り着くと、右手を差し出してにっこりと微笑んだ。

「初めまして、キャプテンプライス。今日からよろしくお願いします」

　プライスはその手を力強く握り返し、彼の黒い瞳を見つめる。

　「君のような優秀な人間と一緒に仕事ができるなんて光栄だ。君の話はラズウェルから色々聞いているよ。さて、こちらは左からギャズ、ソープ、ゴーストだ」

　プライスがそう説明すると、ジェットは1人ずつ丁寧に握手し、それぞれの顔をしっかりと見つめながら挨拶をした。

　少しでも感じを良く、好かれるように、早く打ち解けられるように…。

　ジェットは第一印象がいかに大事かを知っている。人間は最初の数秒で相手に対して判断を下す。ましてや強い絆で結ばれていることで有名なTF141だ。百歩譲って彼らが突然の新入りを快く受け入れたとしても、その後このグループに馴染める可能性は低いかもしれない。

　ジェットは純粋な欧米人ではない。6年ほどアメリカで生活していたとはいえ、人生の大半を日本で過ごした為、考え方や生活様式など、彼らとは違う部分は沢山あるだろう。また、母親がアメリカ人ということもあり体格的には日本人よりも恵まれているのかもしれないが、目の前にいる4人に比べたら、自分が兵士と名乗るのが恥ずかしいくらいだった。

　特に、ゴーストの腕の太さを見てジェットは心の中でため息を吐いた。

　自分の2倍はあるんじゃないか？！なんて羨ましい。それに、彼はとても…

　シャツの袖が肘まで捲られているせいで、様々なモチーフがデザインされたタトゥーがはっきりと見え、それがさらに彼の魅力を引き立てていた。

　ゴーストの逞しい腕を美味しそうにじっと見つめているのがバレないかハラハラしながら隣のモヒカンの男に視線を移した。

　彼は確か資料によれば自分より2、3歳年下だ。本当に？

　爽やかな笑顔で自分を見つめている青年の綺麗な青い瞳に、ジェットは吸い込まれそうになった。ゴーストほどでは無いが、半袖のシャツから覗く逞しい上腕、ゴツゴツした大きな手、自分より年下とは思えない落ち着いたオーラと渋さ。穏やかながらワイルドさを持ち合わせた整った顔。

　ゴーストもソープも、ジェットが求めても絶対に得られない物を持っていた。羨ましかった。

　ジェットはゲイなので、素晴らしい肉体と美貌の雄に出会うと崇拝せずにはいられなかったが、それと同時に、どれだけ頑張っても得られないものを持っている彼らに対しての嫉妬や、そのように思う自分への嫌悪感など、複雑な感情が入り混じっていた。

「とりあえず、まず先に君の部屋を案内するよ」

　ギャズが声をかけてくれなければ、ジェットはその場で4人の前に永遠に突っ立っていたかもしれない。ゴーストやソープだけでなく、ギャズもプライスももちろんジェットが望んでも得られないものを持っている。逞しい肉体と精悍な顔つき、美しい色の瞳。低くセクシーな声。

　その後もジェットはしばらく劣等感に苛まれたが、すぐに気持ちを切り替えた。

　兵士である為には必要なのは戦術・経験値・体力等であり、身体の大きさや、声や外見の美しさではない。自分には実力も知識がある。卑屈になるな…。

　ジェットは自分を奮い立たせる為に両手で己の頬を勢いよくパチンと叩いた。その音にびっくりしてプライスがジェットの顔を覗き込む。

「どうした？大丈夫か？」

「あ…自分に喝を入れただけです」

　恥ずかしさで顔を赤らめたジェットをソープとゴーストがじっと見つめている事に、彼は気付かなかった。

　自分の部屋に案内されたジェットは、まず荷物を下ろしてブーツを脱ぎベッドに倒れ込んだ。30分ほどしたら食事に誘いに来るとギャズが言っていたので、それまでリラックスしようとベッドの上で伸びをした。

　ここに来る前に資料に目を通していたため、TF141のメンバーについて知っているつもりだったが、ジェットは現実の彼らに対面しその存在に圧倒された。

　ジェットの父親は日本人にしては珍しく180cmを超えており、体格に恵まれていたので、グレイ自身も身長は17９cmあったのだが、やはりどれだけトレーニングをしても元々の骨格が華奢なのでゴーストやソープのような体系になることは無かった。でも、それはそれでよ��ったのかもしれないとも思っていた。なぜなら彼らのような男はとても目立つから。

　ジェットは何よりも目立つ事が嫌いだった。

　注目を浴びなければ、恨まれることも妬まれることもない。厄介事に、巻き込まれるのはゴメンだ。人間関係は必要最低限。浮き沈みのない平凡な毎日。それがジェットのモットーだった。両親が離婚するまでは、そのような理想の人生を歩んでいたのだが、日本からアメリカに移り住んだ後、彼の人生は大きく変わった。

　米軍に入隊したジェットは米国軍人としての生活に満足していたが、とある理由により除隊しPMCに在籍することになった。ジェットの人生設計は両親が離婚した時にすでに台無しになっていたので特に落胆することもなく、その後何となくPMCに入り傭兵となり、与えられた任務を遂行し報酬を得るというシンプルな生き方に満足していた。なので、上司との関係が原因でPMCを辞めた時にも、淡々と"生きていく手段としての仕事"を探した。経験を活かしてまた別のPMCで働くか、傭兵として働くのを止めて何か他の仕事をするのもいいかもしれない…とのんびり考えていた。

　今までの人生色々ありすぎたので、しばらくはのんびりと何もせず、ただ、生きていくのもいいかもしれない。

　そう思っていたのに、日本にいる父親からの突然の電話がすべてを変えてしまった。

　何年も連絡を取り合っていなかったのに、今さら…

　あの時のように、またしてもジェットは親に人生を左右される事になった。ラズウェルという謎の女性を紹介されたと思ったら、イギリスに連れて来られ、イギリス陸軍の訓練に参加させられ、ついにはSASの選抜試験まで受けさせられ、謎めいた特殊部隊に入ることになったのだ。このような事は通常ならあり得ない。これは父親が何かしたに違いないとジェットは思った。

　ジェットの父親は日本の陸上自衛隊の幹部だ。数年前に在日米陸軍司令官のキャメロン少将と知り合い、彼からラズウェルを紹介されたと説明されたが、ジェットの父親はいつも真実のように嘘を語るので、どこまでが本当なのかはわからなかった。ラズウェルと父の間でどんな会話がなされ、その後二人がどんな関係を築き、それを今まで維持していたのかジェットは知る由もなかったが、今回のTF141への参加には確実に父親が関わっていると思った。

　ジェットは父親の顔を思い浮かべながら、うんざりした表情でベッドから降りた。長旅で汗ばんだシャツを脱ぎ、新しいシャツを探そうと荷解き前のカバンに手を伸ばしたその時、ドアがノックされた。あれこれ考えている間にもう30分経ったのかと時計を見たが、まだ10分しか経っていなかったので、ジェットは不思議に思いながらドアを開ける。

　「あ…ごめん、着替え中だった？」

　そこにはバツの悪そうな顔をしたソープが立っていた。

　「大丈夫、すぐ着るから待って！」

　ジェットはこれ以上気まずい空気にならないように慌ててシャツを着た。

　「で、俺に何か用？」

　「用がないと来ちゃ駄目かな？」

　思いもよらない返答にジェットは一瞬言葉に詰まったが、新入りが新しい環境でうまくやっていくには彼を招き入れるしか選択肢はないだろうと思った。

　いや…でも実際、用がないと来る理由なんてないだろう？？

　ジェットはソープが牽制しに来たのかと思い少し身構えた。

　どう見ても毛色の違う自分、突然群れの中に割り込んできた異質の存在。皆が皆、両手を広げてジェットを歓迎するわけがない。

　自分は"洗礼"を受けるのか…？ソープは何を言うつもりだろうか？調子に乗るな？どんなコネでここに来たのか？誰かのナニでもしゃぶったのか？

　少しずつ距離を縮めてくるソープに思わず後退りしてしまう。踵がベッドの脚にあたり、その勢いでそのままベッドに腰掛ける形になった。すると、すぐにその隣にソープが座ってきてジェットは思わず両肩に力を入れた。

　勘弁してくれよ…俺に構わないでくれ…初日から面倒は起こしたくない…。

　そんな弱気な気持ちでソープに視線をやると、予想に反して彼は穏やかな顔でジェットを見つめていた。

　「さっきプライスは君にコールサインしか教えなかったけど、俺はジョン・マクタヴィッシュだ。ソープでもジョンでも好きな方で呼んでくれればいいから」

　ジェットはソープの明るいブルーの目に真っ直ぐ見つめられ、思わず声を詰まらせた。濃く長いまつ毛にしっかりとした鼻梁、あまりにもその顔が美しすぎて、数秒遅れて辛うじて「ああ…」と返事をする事ができた。

　「ところで、なぜコールサインがジェットなの？」

　ジェットは慌ててソープから視線を逸らすが、彼の視界の端ではまだソープが自分を見つめているのが分かり、一気に居心地が悪くなった。これ以上自分の心を乱さないで欲しいと思いながら、ジェットは口を開いた。

　「…俺は日本人とのミックスだから…目が黒いだろ？それで、黒い宝石のジェットが由来なんだ」

　ソープは「なるほど」と言った顔をした後に首を傾げ、不思議そうに尋ねた。

　「名付けたのは誰？」

　「ええと、実は米軍にいた時のコールサインはジェイだったんだ。…ジェットと付けたのはPMCの上司で…」

　ジェットは何故ソープがそんな事を聞くのか分からなかったが、彼の次の言葉で心臓が止まりそうになった。

　「宝石の名前をつけるなんてロマンチックだな。…その上司はきっと君に惚れていたんだろうな」

　…当たらずとも遠からず。

　PMC時代の上司がジェットに真剣に惚れていたかどうかは分からないが、少なくともジェットは彼に惚れていた。ジェットとその上司は一年ほど肉体関係があったが、上司に女性の婚約者ができた��がきっかけで破局した。彼に裏切られたショックでPMCを辞めたという事実は自分以外誰も知らない。

　別れた上司との思い出が色々と思い出され、隣のソープの存在を忘れそうになり、ジェットは慌てて「それはない！上司は男だし、彼は生粋の女好きだよ！」と笑い飛ばした。

　ソープは「へぇ―」…と静かに言った後、囁くようにジェットに尋ねた。

　「君のその宝石の瞳、もう少し近くで見せてくれないか？」

　ジェットはソープが何を言っているのか意味が分からなかった。あまりにも突然不思議な事を言うので、脳が処理に追いつかず、意図せずソープを見つめる事になる��

　ソープの顔が目の前に迫り、危険なほど近くなる。

　「…確かに、宝石みたいに綺麗なブラックだ」

　ソープがうっとりと目を細めて自分と視線を合わすので、ジェットはこの後どうアクションしていいのか答えがわからないままとりあえず彼から目を逸らした。ジェットからすれば、ソープのブルーの瞳の方が何倍も美しいし、ずっと見つめていられる。

　「シャイなのは日本人の血のせいか？」

　やはり自分は彼に揶揄われているのだろうか？これは洗礼なのか？こうやって誘惑するふりをして、ゲイを炙り出すつもり？一体彼は何をしたいの？

　ジェットは気の利いた返事が出来ず、照れ笑いしながら「そうかもね…」と呟く事しかできなかった。気まずい空気にジェットが首筋をポリポリ掻いていると再びノック音が聞こえた。

　「ジェット、そろそろ晩飯の時間だ、案内するよ」

　それはギャズだった。

　彼がいいタイミングで来てくれた事にジェットは感謝した。この気まずい雰囲気から逃れる事ができると安心していたせいで、ソープが不機嫌な表情をしていることにジェットは気付かなかった。

　食堂ではジェットの隣にギャズが座り、ジェットの正面にはソープ、斜向かいにゴーストが座った。ギャズ曰くプライスは用事で外出中の為、遅れて食事をとるようだ。

　先程の出来事を思うとソープが向かいにいるのは少し落ち着かなかったが、ギャズからの他愛のない質問がジェットを助けた。視線を真っ直ぐ上げるとソープとぶつかりそうだったので、あえて斜向かいのゴーストの方に顔を上げると…

　何で…？

　ゴーストと視線がピッタリと合い、ジェットは固まった。

　ゴースト中尉、なぜそんなに見つめるの？珍しい生き物に見える？ただの興味？それとも彼こそが自分を排除したいと思っている要注意人物なのか？

　ジェットは今すぐここを飛び出したい気持ちになったが、何とか衝動を抑えた。

　ゴーストはただ自分を見るだけで、特に話しかけてくる訳でもない。奇妙なのは、彼の視線はジェットを睨んでいるわけでなく、悪意を感じる事はない。かといって愛情の籠った目で見つめられている訳でもなく…不快感こそはないが、その瞳には何の感情も感じられない。それはそれで恐怖だった。

　ゴーストは終始ギャズとソープの世間話に頷くか、軽く笑うかで積極的に会話に参加することは無かった。その間��、ゴーストは時々ジェットをじっと見つめてはその視線にジェットが気付くと、慌てる事なくゆっくりと目を逸らす。ジェットは繰り返されるその行為を不快に感じながらも必死に耐えていた。

　その晩、部屋に戻ったジェットは自分が今さっき夕食で何を食べたのか、まったく覚えていなかった。

～to be continued～

#call of duty oc #original male character #cod original character #omc #ghost x oc #soap x oc #simon ghost riley #john soap mactavish #captain price #kyle gaz garrick #[OC] Jet

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eirist · 3 years ago

Text

Little Bits and Pieces of Heaven

OTANJOUBI OMEDETOU!

One-shot #: 28

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T

Note: This was supposedly for Nami’s birthday last year but I didn’t get to finish it on time. Not that I did as well this year. But I don’t want to drag this for another more year or so. And since it’s still July, I figured I can still make it work. Better late than never right?

This is for @redpakwan. AU setting. College zeitgeist. Yet super late. Forgive me. I hope you still enjoy this.

The omedetou in the last part actually has two meanings. In case you are familiar with the Japanese language, you’ll get the implication. *winks*

Summary: All of their friends are present at the party tonight! Even those who she barely knows and acquainted with her only through common friends. Yet Zoro who was supposedly close to her, wasn’t here!

“Ssshhhh! Quiet now!”

Usopp shushed the fidgeting and whining Luffy beside him.

“Quit squirming like an ant is biting your butt!”

“But Usopp…” the black-haired lad bemoaned. “It’s taking too long. I’m starving!” His stomach made a rumbling sound and a horrified expression crossed Usopp’s face.

“Shut up. Just wait for a few more minutes!”

“I can’t! I can smell all the meat that Sanji cooked!” A drool dropped down the side of Luffy’s mouth. “I can’t resist anymore!”

“Oi! Can somebody put a fucking gag on that moron’s mouth?” Sanji hissed somewhere from behind them. He had pushed the swinging door leading to the kitchen (where he was hiding) open to glare at them. “He’s gonna ruin our surprise!”

“Sanji! I can’t wait anymore!” Luffy shouted from his hiding spot.

“Aho! Don’t you dare move from that spot or I’ll tie you to a chair and make you watch us eat all the meat you specifically requested that I cook!”

“Demo…”

“Uruse!”

“Shhh! Quiet down guys!” Franky called out from beneath the bar counter. “She’ll be here any minute now!”

“Usopp,” Sanji drawled, throwing a handkerchief at the curly-haired lad. “Gag him if needed.” He nudged his chin at the boy beside Usopp, who was pouting at being denied food.

“But he bites,” Usopp complained even as he caught the hanky.

“We all have to make sacrifices...”

“Damn you!”

“She’s already here.” Robin announced from her position at the bar’s window. The raven-haired woman was acting as their lookout. “She’s about to cross the street,” she added before sauntering away from her location to join Sanji in his hiding place.

“Robin-chwan,” the cook greeted suavely as he opened the door wider to let the older woman inside. Then he turned and barked at the others. “All of you quiet down now! Anyone who makes any shitty noise will not be allowed to touch any of the food!”

“But, San—mmph!” Luffy opened his mouth and Usopp promptly shoved the small cloth inside.

“Everybody shut up and get ready!”

The bar door opened with a soft tinkling sound.

“SURPRISE!!!” They all shouted simultaneously as they popped out of their respective hiding places… well except for Luffy, who had to spit out the handkerchief in his mouth.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAMI!!!”

The sound of confetti poppers exploding alongside the hoots of party horns and lots of clapping and cheering immediately followed the greeting.

It was Nami’s birthday. And they had planned a surprise party for her at their group’s favorite bar. It had been a real challenge to pull it off since everyone was busy preparing for the university’s ‘hell week’—those torturous days before the summer break officially starts.

Plus, it was kind of hard to keep it hush-hush since some people in their circle are terrible secret keepers (namely Luffy).

But somehow they did. And Nami—as sharp as she is—didn’t have any inkling on what was going on, given the way her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

“Ah ma cherie!” Sanji crooned as he twirled across the room, kneeling down on one knee in front of the newcomer. He presented a heart-shaped cake with flourish—with all the candles lit up. “Otanjoubi omedetou!”

Nami looked genuinely astounded as her brown eyes wandered at the grinning faces of her friends.

She blinked a few times and her lower lip quivered slightly. “You guys…” she whispered, bringing a hand to cover her mouth.

For a moment, she looked like she was going to cry.

Then her face broke into a largest smile.

“Minna! Arigatou!!!” She squealed, clapping her hands together delightedly.

The loud hoot of the party horn filled the room as Franky blew on it again before bellowing, “Supeeer Happy Birthday Nami!!!”

That signaled another round of applause and shouted greetings as the well-wishers approached Nami to greet her up close.

Sanji—who remained kneeling on one knee before her with her birthday cake—nearly got shoved to the side by Luffy and Usopp as they both sprang towards the orange-haired girl to give her a hug.

“Oi temee you idiots!” Sanji shouted. He was barely able to save the cake from the two morons.

But the two were oblivious to his swearing as they launched into a rather off-key happy birthday song, which the others soon followed.

Nami winced slightly as Usopp and Luffy belted out the song just right at her ears. They were saved from her punches by Robin approaching and placing a party hat around her head.

“Happy birthday Nami!” The older woman greeted and Nami grinned at her, holding the party hat with one hand and trying to shove Luffy and Usopp’s faces away from her.

“Thank you Robin!”

The birthday song ended rather exaggeratedly high and Nami tried very hard not to wallop both of her idiotic friends who had made it a contest to see who can sustain the last note longer.

“Enough! Both of you!” Sanji roared as he stood up and kicked Luffy and Usopp out of the way. He presented the cake to Nami again and said charmingly, “Nami-swan if you please.” He motioned to the cake he was holding. “The birthday girl has to make a wish first before blowing the candles.”

“Arigatou Sanji-kun,” Nami smiled at him and leaned forward, tucking a strand of orange hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes, silently stating her wishes before blowing the candles out.

“I hope you wished for your prince charming to—ooof!”

Luffy excitedly elbowed him out of the way to greet her again, almost toppling the cake off the blond’s hand again.

“Nami! Happy birthday!”

“Damn it Luffy!” Sanji desperately and comically tried to save the cake before it falls flat on the ground… and luckily succeeded.

Luffy ignored him and the ever-enthusiastic lad yelled. “It’s finally time to eat!!! Sanji serve the meat!”

“Aho!” Sanji bellowed and hit him in the head. “You nearly made me dropped Nami-san’s precious cake!”

“Ooops sorry!”

Robin giggled as Nami smiled wryly. Even during her birthday these morons just can’t stop themselves.

“Alright you guys!” Usopp suddenly hollered from her side. “Start calling the others! Nami’s happy 23rd party’s about to start!”

Nami whacked him on the head… hard.

“I’m just twenty you idiot!”

-------------------------

It hadn’t taken long for the bar to be filled with guests. Almost all of their friends and colleagues from the university attended the celebration. Not to mention, those friends also brought their own pals to enjoy a night of overflowing free food and drinks.

Not that Nami minded. She knew most of them anyway. If not, her friends definitely knew them.

Plus, you can bet she’s gonna charge their freeloading asses anyway.

Her eyes roamed around the room, noting the individuals who were present. She was enjoying her beer at the bar counter and taking a break from all that socializing and thanking her birthday guests.

Usopp had taken the responsibility of acting as the DJ for the night. An upbeat music was now playing and Luffy’s attractive older brother Ace had taken over the dance floor with his buddies.

Brook has just arrived from his band practice and Luffy ran off to greet him. Sanji was busy flitting around the female guests, crooning and spewing praises at them while Robin and Franky were sitting near her and was chatting with the bar owner, Shakky.

She gave a small wave at Kid and Killer when she spotted them. Both raised their beer bottles at her—a sort of silent birthday greeting. She mouthed thanks just as Luffy’s attention went to them and he launched himself at the two men much to their chagrin. She wasn’t really that close to the two seniors students but they’re both in the same fraternity as Luffy and Zoro.

Speaking of Zoro… is he still not here?

A frown suddenly appeared on her face and it deepened when she noticed the beer coolers stocked near the kitchen doors.

“Hey,” she turned to Robin, Franky and Shakky who stopped talking. “Why do we still have so much booze?” Nami pointed towards the large, still filled with beer coolers. “Considering we have a lot of guests tonight and most of them are drinkers… I’m surprised we haven’t broken the fifth one yet.”

“Huh?” Franky lifted his sunglasses and gazed at her curiously, before shifting his eyes to where she was pointing. Nami really doesn’t get it why he still wears them indoors. She just dismissed it as one of his idiosyncrasies… they all have one after all.

“Is there a problem Nami-chan?” Shakky inquired with a smile.

“Nothing. It’s just that… it’s nearing midnight and we still have that many,” Nami observed. “Hmm… never mind,” she waved her hand dismissively. “It’s probably just a slow night.”

“Maybe those guys are still warming up.” Robin observed Ace’s group and the Luffy’s fraternity acquaintances, who were all shouting and hopping on the dance floor. Good thing Luffy and Ace’s other brother, Sabo, is out of town. Or there’ll be chaos in that floor now.

Shakky leaned down the counter and propped her chin on her hand looking at Nami with a glint of amusement in her dark eyes. “It’s probably because Zoro-chan’s not here to start a drinking competition.”

Nami’s eyebrows disappeared behind her bangs. So that confirms it.

“Oh? He’s still not here?” she asked, trying to be casual about it—even if she already noticed that her green-haired friend was nowhere in her party. “Really? Of all days to be M.I.A?”

“He’s probably late just like Chopper,” Robin said with a soft smile, refraining from teasing the younger woman since it was her birthday. She had seen the disappointment flashed across Nami’s brown eyes earlier. It was for a fleeting moment but it is there.

“He better have a damn good reason why he’s not here,” Nami grumbled, folding her arms across her chest. The nerve of that guy, missing one of the most important days of her life.

“Just relax girly…” Franky winked at her as he handed her another bottle of beer to replace her empty one. “He’ll be here. This party’s compulsory and has booze after all.” He guffawed, opening another beer bottle for himself and taking a drink.

“Compulsory?” Nami repeated, cocking one eyebrow.

“Yep,” Franky nodded. “We made it mandatory for all invitees to attend so we’d have more heads. As we promised Shakky when she let us use her bar for your party’s venue.”

Shakky winked at her. “Once the supply beer runs out, you have no choice but to buy here.”

Nami snickered. “I’m surprised you even let them bring beers from outside.”

“Not really,” Robin chuckled. “Those are from Shakky’s as well.”

Said bar owner winked at Nami again.

“Damn,” Nami just shook her head disbelievingly. Shakky’s negotiation and money skills are way beyond awesome!

Franky grinned. “So let’s just wait for him. Besides, what’s a party without any drinking competition started by Zoro?”

Nami nodded her agreement even as she huffed. “He has to get his ass here first before anything else. Or I’m gonna start charging by the minute.”

Franky winced at that while Shakky and Robin giggled. Nami was notoriously known for her habit of charging outrageous amount of belis whenever she thinks the situation calls for it. Almost everyone in their circle owes her a certain amount that just keeps increasing as time goes by.

“Hey!”

Usopp suddenly appeared near them. “Got any more beers?”

Nami eyed him warily. “Weren’t you supposed to be on the other side playing songs and entertaining us?!”

Usopp made a face at her. “A guy could use a break you know. You’re not exactly paying me for my services.”

“I thought you said you’d do it free for Nami since it’s her birthday,” Robin reminded him as Franky went to the coolers to get him a drink.

“I did?”

Nami narrowed her eyes at him. “You still owe me my gift you idiot.”

A sheepish laugh escaped Usopp. “Well consider my dj-ing skills your present then.”

“Cheapskate.”

“Oi!”

“Here ya go long-nose,” Franky handed him his request.

“Thanks Franky!”

“Aren’t you going back there?” Shakky inquired as she lit up a cigarette.

“Nah. I’ll take a break.” Usopp answered. “I just auto-played a playlist. It’s not like those guys really care about what’s blasting on the speakers.”

He shifted his eyes towards the dance floor where the crowd was getting louder and rowdier. “Besides… I swear I’m not gonna be surprised if a fight breaks out in a few seconds.”

“Why?” Robin queried with an amused smile. “Too much testosterone?” As unruly as the guests may get… they wouldn’t dare or lest they acquire Shakky’s wrath and forever be banned in the place.

“More like too much Luffy.”

Everyone nodded in understanding.

“Thank Kami Zoro’s not here.” Usopp gushed. “One less of a headache.”

“You do know if he’s here someone can actually rein Straw Hat in?” Franky said matter-of-factly.

Usopp waved his hand dismissively. “I know that of course. Anyway… Zoro’s like really, really late isn’t he? Has anyone tried to call him?”

Both Robin and Franky shook their heads.

A horror-stricken expression crossed Usopp’s face. “Oh shit wait! Did someone inform him about today?!”

Nami eyes were sharp as they zeroed in at her curly-haired friend. “You didn’t tell him about today?”

Usopp looked guilty. “I think I forgot,”

Robin raised her hand. “I did tell him. And I’m pretty sure Luffy did as well.”

“Whew! Thank heavens for you Robin!” Usopp sigh in relief as Nami punched him on the shoulder.

“Ouch!”

Robin just smiled. “Luffy wouldn’t let Zoro miss Nami’s birthday of course.”

“Yeah. That’s why he isn’t here now. That moron.” Nami complained, glaring at Usopp who flinched under her gaze.

“Hey I said sorry,” Usopp rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s just been kinda busy lately it’s hard to catch him. Honestly, I haven’t seen him for like a week now.”

“That’s what cellphones are for you idiot,” Nami groused. “So you can send him a message to remind him of important stuff!”

“Like your birthday party?”

“Yes!”

“But Robin said she already told him,” Usopp whined. “So he should be getting his ass here by now. He’s a grown man after all.”

“Unless of course he got himself lost…” Franky reminded them. “Anyway well know if he’s here. Sanji’s been blissfully happy all night. Let’s just wait for his—”

There was a noise coming from the entrance as another group entered the bar. The sound of Chopper’s voice excitedly calling for their names got their attention.

From the looks of it, the medical students had just been released from Dr. Kureha’s clutches and they all headed straight to Shakky’s bar for the party.

“Oh wait there’s Kaya!” Usopp perked up when he spotted his girlfriend just right behind Chopper. “I’ll talk to you guys later.” And just like that he ran off.

Nami sighed inwardly. Of all days not to show up and it looks like Zoro will chose this one which means a lot to her. She had been looking forward to this day too. It’s always fun to see her friends try to make it fun and special for her in their own clumsy ways.

Especially Zoro.

Ever since they’d known each other, he never missed her birthday. It doesn’t matter if he had no gift for her… he always make it to a point to be one of the first to greet her.

And sometimes the last as well.

But today… she still hadn’t heard from him. No call… not even a message!

It wasn’t easy to miss. Not when you’ve been waiting for that particular person to greet you.

Nami squared her shoulders. Now is not the time for the birthday girl to be down in the dumps.

There’s still time before midnight after all.

------------------------

The party was already in full swing. The sixth beer cooler was already opened. There was a lot of drunken shouting, singing and dancing happening inside the bar. Nami was pretty sure that they’ll be seeing Luffy’s brother Ace dancing on one of the tables along with Franky any minute now.

Yet no tall, scowling, green-haired man made an appearance.

She glumly stared at the sprinkle-rimmed birthday martini in front of her. Shakky made it for her birthday. But neither the cute-looking, celebratory beverage nor its taste can make the sinking feeling in her stomach disappear.

It was past midnight. And Zoro is no show.

No calls, no messages… no anything!

Idiot probably forgot her birthday!

All of their friends are present at the party tonight! Even those who she barely knows and acquainted with her only through common friends.

Yet Zoro who was supposedly close to her, wasn’t here!

Nami clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. He’s gonna owe her for this big time!

She didn’t realize that Shakky was just right in front of her, chin resting on the palm of her hand, watching her.

“Don’t worry about it Nami-chan,” Shakky suddenly spoke up. Her eyes were still glinting with the same amusement as before. “I’m sure he’ll show up.”

Nami instantly turned red at that. “It’s not…. that’s not…” she stammered. But then she gave up. No use trying to hide it. The look on Shakky’s face clearly tells her that she knows what’s in her mind (or who, to be exact).

A determined look crossed Nami’s features. “If he doesn’t… I swear I’ll charge him so much, he’ll sell his soul to the devil just to pay me!”

That made Shakky laugh out loud. Luffy’s friends are always so interesting. That is why she is fond of them.

“He wouldn’t miss this for the world. Late he may be,” Shakky stated in a mysterious tone and smile like she knows something that Nami doesn’t.

Nami just gaped at her.

Then Luffy was suddenly hollering at the other end of the room.

“Zorooooo!” He was bellowing loud enough to drown the already deafening noise in the bar. There were shouts of protests and swearing as the young man pushed his way across the crowd to greet his friend. “Zoro’s here!!!” Zorooo! Oi did you got lost again?”

“Shut up Luffy and get off me!” A voice growled.

Nami perked up at the familiar gruff tone.

“Better late than never you dumbass,” Sanji was saying from somewhere. “Thought you got lost and ended up dead and decaying on the other side of the town. Tch! Too bad.”

“You wanna go cook?”

“Unfortunately I’m busy and don’t have time for you. Go scat.”

“Temee…”

“Zorooo!” Luffy whined, pulling the taller man away from Sanji and towards the bar counter where Nami was. “Why are you’re sooo late? Come on! You have to greet Nami or she’ll be mad at you and charge you so much money it’ll break you!”

A vein popped on Nami’s forehead as Shakky chuckled.

“Nami! Nami!” Luffy all but dragged Zoro towards her as Nami schooled her face into a neutral expression. “Look who’s finally here!”

“I can see that Luffy,” she huffed and narrowed her eyes at Zoro. “You’re late.”

Zoro scratched the back of his head as Luffy released him and started pestering Shakky for a drink like the one she has. “Sorry… got tied up.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. He was still in his after training ensemble—track pants, zip up hoodie, sports bag. It looks like he just came from Mihawk’s dojo or his gym workout or both.

“I just needed to take care of something,” Zoro was saying. “Anyway, happy birthday.”

“It’s already past midnight idiot! Technically my birthday’s done.”

Zoro glanced around him. The party is still at its height. “Apparently the celebration is not.”

She pursed her lips at his observation. “You better have a good reason why you just got here.”

“Shit. I’m gonna owe you big time for this aren’t I?”

“You bet your ass you already do.” The grin on her face was so evil that Zoro couldn’t help but think she really is the devil incarnate.

“Hey Zoro!” Luffy suddenly appeared between them. “Jaggy’s looking for you. Come on! Come on!” He was referring to Kid whom he fondly calls by that nickname. He hooked an arm around Zoro’s and pulled him towards where their other friends are and away from Nami—much to the latter’s disappointment.

-------------------------

“So why are you late?”

Zoro flinched slightly as Nami surreptitiously appeared beside him. He was standing outside Shakky’s bar, enjoying a few minutes of silence while drinking his beer. He had sneaked out of the party to get away from an already sugar-high and tipsy Luffy and the boisterous, smashed guests as well.

“Thought I already told you I had something to take care of.”

“Important enough to miss my party?”

He paused halfway to bringing the bottle to his lips. From the corner of his eyes he saw a displeased expression appeared on Nami’s face.

Zoro sighed inwardly. He should’ve known she was not going to let him off the hook that easy.

“Hey if it’s that important, then I have no complaints.” Nami raised both of her hands in mock-surrender.

He didn’t answer and instead took a swig from his drink.

“Just thought you were out busy with a date.”

Silence.

“WHAT?!”

Zoro had sharply swiveled towards her that Nami took a step back, hands still raised up in surrender. He was practically snarling at her.

She was teasing him of course. It was always fun to rile him up. Besides, he deserves it after making her wait for such a long time… intentionally or not.

Plus… she kept hearing snippets all night from their friends about why he’s been so busy recently (to the point that nobody has actually seen him) and why he was constantly absent at their recent group gatherings.

He’s dating someone. Stupid Usopp has whispered to Kaya and Chopper just as she was passing them on her way out to answer a phone call from their friend Vivi.

It made her insides twist and turn when she heard it.

To think he’d pick his date over her—his long-time friend?

What a jerk. She will wring his neck. Definitely.

She was so distracted with what she heard that she wasn’t able to enjoy Vivi’s enthusiastic greeting. And when she saw him stepped outside the bar to quietly enjoy the beer in his hand, she decided not to let the opportunity slip.

Zoro’s face was scrunched into a frown as he glared at her. “Where did you even get that idea?”

Nami bit her lower lip. “Usopp.” She unapologetically throwing her friend to the sharks… or shark.

Zoro’s face darkened. “What did he say?”

“He said you were dating someone. So I assumed that’s the reason why we weren’t seeing much of you lately and also the reason why you are late for my birthday. And not just because you were running around in circles again.”

The green-haired man studied her for a moment. His lone grey eye fixed intently on her. “Is that stupid long-nose making fun of me again?”

Nami blinked dumbly at his question. She’s not really sure what he meant by that.

This time Zoro’s frown had turn into a full blown scowl. “What the hell is that idiot up to now? I’m not dating anyone!”

And Nami’s face brightened at that. Good thing they were outside and the entryway of the bar was dimly lit or he will see it.

So Zoro was not really dating anyone? She fought the urge to smile. She’s gonna choke Usopp’s neck so hard later.

“Nami,” Zoro growled out. “Is that idiot making fun of me again? Because I swear I’m gonna hang him by his feet and we’re not talking about a tree this time!”

“Uhm… I don’t think so Zoro,” Nami’s lips trembled and she threw back her head and laughed. She recalled how Usopp spread a gossip about the older lad’s dating his ‘bokken’ before and Zoro literally strung his feet together and let him dangle from one of the trees lining up the front of their complex.

Zoro let out an irritated ‘tch’.

“So you’re really not out with someone?” Nami probed when she finished laughing. Of course she had to be sure. She still doesn’t know the reason why they’ve been seeing less of him lately or why he was late for her birthday party.

“No,” Zoro muttered. “I don’t have time for that.”

“Oh good,” Nami folded her arms across her chest, eyeing him sternly. “Because it that’s the reason why you showed up late for my birthday, I will raise your current debt amount so high you will be serving me eternally.”

He just smirked at her threat.

“And I’ll never forgive you.”

That made him glower at her. An unforgiving Nami is hard to appease after all.

She gave him a cheeky grin before swiping the bottle from his hand and taking a drink from it.

He glared at her, unimpressed with her antic as she childishly stuck her tongue out at him.

“Be glad it’s your birthday witch.” He muttered as he grabbed the bottle from her.

“Like I said Zoro, it isn’t anymore,” she reminded him. “That’s how late you are. You missed the whole day of it.” She was still peeved at him for that. Just a bit though.

She watched him as he exasperatedly rubbed the back of his neck.

And she smiled.

She was still glad he was personally here for her birthday. She can live with that.

There was a sound of pitter-patter coming from above them. And it didn’t take long for them to realize that it started raining.

They remained silent, watching the rain splatter on the street and on the pavement. Inside the bar, they could hear someone hooting. Probably Franky as he was on his eighteenth bottle when Nami stepped outside. And that was minutes ago. He’s most likely on his twentieth or twenty-first.

"Oi." Zoro nudged her shoulder with his own, prompting her to look at him. He was suddenly standing a lot closer to her than before.

"What now Zoro?"

He pulled his hand away from the pocket of his jacket and almost shoved it in her face. "Happy birthday," he mumbled, diverting his gaze straightaway to avoid looking at her.

Nami was taken aback at the object in his hand. It was a small light orange box with a silver ribbon tied around it prettily.

She stared at it, then at him. Even in the dim light she noted the blush that appeared on his cheeks. Truth be told… a blushing Roronoa Zoro was gift enough for her birthday.

But of course she wouldn't say no to the present he was handing her.

She made a grab for it before he decides that she's taking too long in accepting it and retract his hand.

"Aawww... you didn't have to," Nami cooed and laughed when the blush on his cheek deepened and spread all over his face.

Cute.

"Shut up witch and just open it!"

"I’m really surprised you’re able to get me a present to be honest," she giggled. "And a fancy one too I might add."

Zoro grunted something that she didn't quite catch. She was far too busy untying the ribbon to pay any mind to whatever it was he's grumbling about.

When she opened the box, she didn't fight the gasp that escaped her lips.

Inside was a necklace. With a dainty thundercloud pendant.

She took it out… and a warm feeling suddenly washed over her making her cheeks tingle.

It was beautiful. It was perfect.

Nami lifted her eyes so she could look at him. Zoro was still engrossed on the empty street across them, watching the rain splash down on the ground with the droplets exploding everywhere.

It was really thoughtful of him. "Thank you Zoro."

He gave her a flinty side-glance. There was a smirk on his lips as he turned his attention back on the road. "It's nothing witch."

She glanced at the necklace again. She recalled they have a private joke back in high school that started one afternoon while watching an animated series on the old television set in Luffy's house. Nami loved one of the characters who had a knack for predicting the weather and whose weapon can conjure thunderclouds that produce lightning which the character uses to electrocute her enemies. "It'll be really handy to wield that. I can use it to electrocute your asses whenever anyone of you pisses me off. Especially you," she recalled poking his cheek harshly. "You're so goddamn hard to wake up whenever you are asleep." That had been so long ago. She honestly forgot all about it.

But Zoro remembered. She blinked rapidly as she felt herself tearing up.

Such a sweet gesture. And on her special day too!

Maybe she’s not gonna raise his debt and damn him into eternal servitude to her after all.

She lightly punched Zoro on the shoulder, earning a surprised glare from him.

"What the hell are you hitting me for?” Zoro hissed at her, rubbing the abused part. “I already gave you a present!" "That doesn't mean you get a ticket away from my knuckles!" Nami countered. “That was for being late today of all days!”

"Oi! Gratitude you wicked witch!" He complained. "Do you know how many nights I've stayed behind to clean up Mihawk's dojo just to get you that?!"

Nami's eyes widened. And so did Zoro’s when he realized his slip.

She finally understood now… the real reason why he was not hanging out with them lately.

Why no one had seen him these past few days.

“Sooo…” she intoned as she glanced him mischievously, loving the expression on his face when as he realized that he just idiotically revealed what he was supposed to keep a secret from her. “You actually went to such lengths just to get me this?”

She almost burst out laughing when Zoro’s face turned so red and he stuttered his objection.

"N-no...I... ju-just..."

"Hmmm..." Nami hummed teasingly. "That's what you said."

"Fine!" He bit out. "Thought that gift would be good enough to cover three more future birthdays."

Nami chortled and tried to ignore the way her heart was doing cartwheels inside her chest from too much happiness.

"Do the honors Zoro," she requested as she handed him the necklace, turning around and pulling her hair over her shoulder so he can clasp it around her neck.

He didn’t protest and did what she asked. His fingers felt warm as they brushed her nape, as warm as the heat that was spreading on her cheeks and sending shivers running up and down her spine.

“There.”

She immediately whirled to face him. "So? How does it look?"

Zoro rolled his eye at her as she tried to dish out a compliment from him. "It looks... fine."

"Fine?!" Nami snorted in disbelief. "I swear Zoro, you can do better than that!" She looked down to check the necklace, touching the pendant while a pouting.

When she tilted her head up to look at him to chastise his lack of aptitude when it comes to flattering women… Zoro was smiling at her in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

“It really suits you.”

The way he was looking at her right now made her want to kiss him.

Just like she always wanted to do.

Suddenly the bar door burst open and Luffy and Usopp ran out, excitedly (and drunkenly) shouting that the rain finally let up. Zoro immediately stepped away from her to prevent them from barreling into him.

And just like that… the one, rare moment between the two of them disappeared in an instant.

They both turned to watch the two hopped and danced in the middle of the street like a pair of lunatics. Chopper hurried past Zoro and Nami to join them.

“Oi get back here you dumbasses!” Sanji was shouting from inside.

Nami sighed. It was finally time to rein in the inebriated ones.

“I got it,” Zoro said nodding at her. The corners of his lips quirked up to give her a small smile, then he stepped out on the street to restrain the three before they can create anymore disturbance that might get them all in trouble.

“Oi Nami!” Franky called out to her from the bar. “You and Zoro both get your asses here! There’s a lot more to drink!”

Nami nodded as she glanced again at the green-haired man who was now effortlessly hauling up Luffy, Usopp and Chopper by their collars back to the bar as they whined and griped.

"Nami-chan?"

She looked back to see Shakky standing on the doorway. "Problem?"

"Nah." Nami grinned. “Zoro’s just trying to contain the troublemakers.”

Shakky chuckled. “Zoro-chan’s really handy.” The woman paused momentarily, as if she was studying her. Then she said, "What a pretty necklace."

Nami’s hand automatically went to touch her necklace again.

“Omedetou.” Shakky gave her an insinuating smile. “Now come on. You and Zoro-chan’s still got a drinking competition to start.”

#zoro x nami #ZoNa #zonami #zonalove #zona one-shots #zona fanfiction #zona prompt requests #zoro nami fanfiction #roronoa zoro #nami

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twomoonstwosuns · 4 years ago

Text

dinner.

back to you [series masterlist]

previous part · next part

pairing: professor!poe dameron x reader

warnings: swearing, mentions of alcohol, age gap (reader over 18), things aren’t fluffy anymore.

word count: 2.8k

a/n: i really appreciate the love for the last chapter, i am truly glad you enjoyed it. i am my own worst critic and sometimes i feel unsure about what i write and need some validation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Heels were not fun to wear in the middle of winter.

Heels plus invisible ice equaled a disaster waiting to happen, even to the most experienced heel-wearers. You tried to avoid getting dressed up during the winter as much as you could for that very reason. However, dinner at Calrissian’s required a little more effort than a nice pair of pants and a nice top, which is how you found yourself in a fitted dress with heels, hair curled and makeup intricately done, sipping on a glass of wine that cost way more than it should.

You were practically counting the minutes until you could leave. You were going straight to Poe’s afterwards, a newly bought surprise for him hugging your body just underneath your dress.

“How’s my niece or nephew doing?” You asked as Tallie sat down on your right. She was four months pregnant and just beginning to show.

“I am hungry all the time and I have the weirdest cravings, so don’t judge whatever I choose to eat tonight. You know I actually had Chris go get me pickles and ice cream last night?” You gave her a disgusted look. “I’m a walking pregnancy cliché.”

“Are you guys going to find out the sex?”

“We haven’t decided. Chris and I keep going back and forth on whether we want to know or not. I have an appointment next week and I’m hoping we’ll make a decision right then and there.”

“If you do find out, promise me you won’t do an over-the-top stupid cheesy gender reveal. Just get cake or something.”

“I promise.” You clinked your wine glass against her glass of water to seal the deal. Your mother suddenly standing up from her end of the table with an excited gasp caught your attention.

“Leia, it’s so good to see you!”

She greeted a woman with graying hair done up in an intricate braid. You recognized the woman immediately. You were too blindsided at the coincidence of running into her to question how your mother knew her. The two women hugged before your mother beckoned you and Tallie over.

“Tallie, Y/N, this is Dr. Organa.”

You shook Leia’s outstretched hand, an awed smile on your face.

“I know,” you said dumbly. “I mean, I go to your school.”

“I thought I’d seen you around campus before. Lots of students, but I’m good with faces.” Leia gave you a kind smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too, ma’am.”

“Are Ben and Han not coming?” Your mother asked, looking around towards the entrance. Leia chuckled.

“My husband and son are late, as usual.” You furrowed your brow.

“Wait, you’re—you’re Ben’s mom?”

“Why did you think she was here?” Tallie asked. You shot her a glare before looking back at Leia.

“I’m sorry, I—you go by Organa not Solo, so I didn’t realize—”

“One thing I learned is that you don’t need your husband’s last name if you don’t want it. Doesn’t mean I love him any less. But I’ve got the doctorate, not him.”

She sent you a wink and you smiled nervously. You took a giant sip of wine as you came to an unsettling realization: you were about to dine with your ex-boyfriend’s mom who also happened to be the president of the university your current boyfriend, who you weren’t supposed to be dating in the first place, taught at and who would be interviewing for a promotion with very soon.

You had a feeling it would be a long night.

“There they are!”

The booming voice of Han Solo caused many heads to turn, yet he didn’t seem to care. He was just as roguish and scruffy looking as you remembered, a look that worked quite well for him. His graying hair didn’t slow him down.

You practically did a double take when you saw the man trailing behind him.

He was taller than his father now. The freckles and moles that marked his face were as prominent as ever and jet-black hair had grown out to brush the top of his shoulders. He smiled as he greeted your mom, his dimples deep. He was no longer the tall boy with big ears that stuck out and a goofy smile.

Ben Solo was a man.

Your breath caught when he looked at you, memories of high school flooding back. Deep brown eyes looked you up and down, like he was trying to remember what you looked like the last time he saw you.

“Hi,” your voice was breathy, nervous. Ben gave you a shy smile, feeling the same awkward tension in the air. You stared at him, still not believing how much older he looked after four years. Han interrupted your moment by patting you on the back and giving you a short hug.

When they were seated, a waiter came around with the wine list and menus for the newcomers. Conversation stalled as everyone looked at the menu, starting up again when the waiter came and left with his or her orders. A toast to old friends was made before Han launched into some story about a trip to Africa he was planning, with Leia, Tallie, and your mother listening intently. You turned your body towards Ben.

“Tell me about Europe.”

Ben leaned forward onto his elbows, his broad frame taking up a lot of space.

“I dropped out of school.” He admitted, his voice deeper than you remember. You tilted your head in a concerned way. He waved it off like it was nothing. “I thought I knew what I wanted to do but after last year I realized I had no clue. So I dropped out and I’ve been traveling ever since. I’ve been all over, not staying in a place long enough to get attached but long enough to get to know some of the locals, the best hide away spots.”

You were joyfully envious of him. “That’s awesome, though. I hope I get to travel like you have someday.” You nodded your head in the direction of his parents. “How’d they take it?”

“Upset at first.” He shrugged with a small grin. “Dad not as much.”

“He’s always been a ‘oh-you’re-going-somewhere-count-me-in’ kind of person, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah, he hasn’t changed much.”

You smiled politely. “So what’re you going to do now?”

“I’m not sure. Travel more. Do an internship. I haven’t decided.”

It was nice to catch up with Ben on the last four years. You had always loved talking to him, even before you dated. Ben was very passionate person, always gushing about something he loved when someone expressed interest in it. He saw the beauty in things; the tiny, unique details that a lot of people didn’t bother to look for.

It was one of the things that initially drew you to him. Coincidentally, it was one of the things that drew you to Poe as well.

“How’s Chewie doing?” You asked, remembering the brown labradoodle that the Solos had had since Ben was a child.

“He’s---”

“Y/N, are you seeing anyone these days?”

You were so caught up in conversation with Ben that you didn’t hear the other conversation switch from travel stories to Tallie’s relationship and pregnancy. Your eyes snapped up to Han and then to your mother and to Ben. You cleared your throat uncomfortably. Were you really about to tell your mom, sister and ex that you were in a relationship? You saw Leia looking at you with the same interested look as your mother and you knew you couldn’t say anything.

“I’m just trying to make it through the semester so I can graduate.”

“That’s technically not a ‘no’.” Tallie pointed out. You glared at her. Ben placed his hand on your arm.

“Chewie’s old but still good.”

You smiled appreciatively as the food came, and not a moment too soon. As you ate, Ben asked about you, how school was going, what you chose for your major, and your plans for the future. You reminisced about high school, the good and the cringey moments. He avoided asking more questions about your dating life and you had never been more grateful.

Dessert was to go, the opportunity to sample it too good to pass up but stomachs full from the delicious meal you had just eaten. You snagged a few bites of your dessert before deciding to give the rest to Poe. You practically pushed your mother and sister out of the restaurant. Despite having a nice time, you really just wanted to go see Poe.

“Hey,” Ben put a hand on your forearm as you stepped into the chill of the night. “I just wanted to say I heard about your dad. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” You gave him a tight-lipped smile. “It’s been…it’s been weird.”

“You can always reach out if you want to talk about it. I’m a good listener.”

“Yeah, I know you are,” you said. “It was good to see you, Ben.”

You opened your arms for a friendly hug. He stepped in, towering over you as you gave him a couple friendly pats on the back. Ben lingered into your touch a little bit and you cleared your throat awkwardly as you pulled away.

“I’ll see you around,” you yelled back as you found your car, getting in before you could see the way Ben watched you leave with a small smile and an optimistic look on his face.

》》》

“I brought you cheesecake!” you sang as you entered Poe’s apartment. He looked up at the sound of your heels against the hardwood floor of his kitchen. “It is phenomenal. I did sneak a few bites but the rest is yours and you are going to love it.”

You leaned over to give Poe a quick kiss hello but he quickly grabbed the lapel of your coat before you backed away. His hands slid underneath your open coat to rest on your waist as he softly pecked your lips several times. After five months worth of kisses, he still took your breath away like it was the first time. Poe smiled contently as he pulled away, keeping you close to him. He kissed the tip of your thumb as you wiped the away lipstick that was smudged on his face.

“How was dinner?” You shrugged.

“Not as boring as I thought it was going to be.”

“Well, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you. I froze my ass off wearing this though.”

“Then you are a very beautiful popsicle.”

“Well if you think I look beautiful now, then you are going to love what I have on underneath.”

Poe practically growled as his head fell onto your shoulder, his lips finding where your neck met your collarbone. It was exactly the reaction you were hoping for, but you needed to talk to him first. With a light chuckle, you gently pushed him towards the counter and held the fork out to him.

“You need to eat this cheesecake first,” you said, the tone of your voice becoming a little less light-hearted. “And there’s something I have to tell you that’s kind of important.”

Poe stepped away from you and grabbed the fork, taking the box with the cheesecake in it and leaning against the back of the counter. You wrung your hands nervously and cleared your throat as Poe took a bite of the cheesecake, his brown eyes looking at you expectedly. You took a deep breath. Truth time.

“First of all, the family I went to dinner with tonight, the Solos? They’re family friends but their son Ben and I were in a relationship in high school.”

Poe froze mid-chew and was still for a moment before nodding slowly. He kept looking down, like he didn’t want to be bothered by what you were saying but couldn’t help it.

“Ben’s mother…is Leia Organa.” Poe finally looked up at you, his brow furrowed.

“President Organa?!” He asked in disbelief. You nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know.”

“How could you not know?”

His curt tone surprised you. It honestly felt like no big deal to you. In fact, you thought he’d welcome the information even if it wasn’t good news, but instead you felt judged; like you were dumb for not knowing something so general about the person you were dating.

“I never met her.” You kept your voice calm. “She was teaching somewhere in Europe when we dated. She goes by Organa, not Solo, so I never made the connection.”

Poe nodded in understanding, stabbing the cheesecake unnecessarily hard. You flinched. “Is that it?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

An awkward silence filled the apartment. Neither of you said a word and neither of you so much as glanced at each other.

“So Ben…” You looked back at him and stared with eyebrows raised, waiting to see where he was going to go. “Did you tell him you’re dating someone?”

“No.” It was Poe’s turn to stare at you and wait for a response. “I couldn’t tell my mother, my sister, my ex, and my ex’s parents I was seeing somebody. They’d press me for information and…Poe’s not a very common name. Leia would’ve made the connection, she knows I’m a student here.”

“So, your ex still thinks you’re single.”

“It’s not like he’s still in love with me after four years.”

“You don’t know that.”

“And even if he was, who cares? I’m with you. I’m in a relationship with you.”

“But he doesn’t know that, so he thinks he still has a chance. If he wants it.”

You crossed your arms over your chest. “I was just being honest with you, Poe.”

“I appreciate it.”

You scoffed. “Yeah, I can tell.”

Poe scoffed right back, a hand going on his hip. You recognized this stance. You hadn’t seen it from him but you’d seen it before. He was bracing for a fight. “You’re being honest, but it doesn’t mean I have to like what you’re telling me.”

“Would you rather I have not told you?” When Poe didn’t answer, you sighed heavily. “Not that my life is any of his business anymore, but I’ll tell him if that’s what you want. And I’ll tell my mom and sister even though I’m not ready.”

“Don’t do that,” Poe said, frustration starting to rise in him. “Don’t act like I’m telling you what to do. I’m not telling you what to do.”

“No it’s fine, I’ll tell them. I don’t know how my mom will take it given what she’s gone through, but I’ll tell her. It’s clearly what you want.”

Poe ran a hand through his hair. “Y/N, she’s going to deal with it with the rest of her life. There may never be a perfect time to tell her something she might not be happy with.”

“My parents were married for twenty-eight years! Twenty-eight years and my dad up and left, knowing that he was breaking her heart. He willingly broke her heart.”

“I understand—“

“No, you don’t. Your mom didn’t willingly leave you.”

Poe clenched his jaw. You quietly gasped at your own words and your eyes cast downward in shame. Your lips rolled in as your ears picked up the sound of a heavy sigh.

“Poe, I didn’t—“

Poe shook his head and walked into his bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. Your chin dropped to your chest and swore under your breath. Calling his name, you walked towards his door. The only sound that was heard was the sound of Beebs’ collar jingling as he looked up at the sudden noise. You hung around for a few minutes, not hearing anything on the other side of his bedroom door, before walking back into the kitchen.

There were a million things you wanted to say, but you didn’t know where to start. You wanted to apologize and chastise him for walking off at the same time. You wanted to barge into his room and make him talk to you. But him ignoring you was a sign that you both needed time to cool off before you said something you’d regret.

You reluctantly walked out the door with tears swimming in your eyes and a heavy weight in your chest.

tag list [open!] - @ah-callie @darksideofclarke @gloomygoregirl @leilei-draws @imaginecrushes @i-ievu @brianamaree @yeeintensifies @spider-starry @krazykatkay456 @fanfiction-trashpile @afootnoteinyourhappiness @easterncryptid @my-child-gaara @myrandom-fandomlife @onebatch--twobatch @the-cry-of-youth @p3nny4urth0ught5 @porgiez @umchrisevans @galaxy-of-stories @seeking-a-great--perhaps

#poe dameron x reader #poe dameron x y/n #poe dameron #poe dameron fanfiction #poe dameron angst #poe dameron x reader insert #modern au #modern poe dameron #back to you series #angst

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echo-three-one · 4 years ago

Text

Hey guys. If you don't mind. I'll drop another fic I made last year. It's a one-shot I made after watching a ton of Christmas movies and being alone despite having family over the holidays.

Enjoy.

December 24, 2020

6:34 PM

They say you'll never feel the Christmas spirit if you've never bought a gift at the last minute. I always told myself not to buy at this time but I had to. Earlier today, I made the biggest mistake of posting something on Instagram. A post that sends me to a situation I'll never understand how to feel.

"Even though I can't make it home, they really brought home to me." I posted along with a photo of my family on a zoom meeting doing Christmas preparations. It was supposed to be a post detailing how I was going to be busy for the night and actually skip the celebration, but it caught the attention of the person I least expect it to reach.

"Hey, I just saw that you're still in town. If you're free you could have some Christmas Eve dinner with us, Ellie probably wants to see her godfather. :)" Cassandra messaged.

I gulped . Cassandra once again haunted me. It's been three years since she's married and five since we broke up but she still has this effect on me. You wouldn't understand my next actions but as a person who's been with her for almost 5 years, it'll be much clearer. Plus, maybe seeing her happy with her family will make me move on, because even though she's married and all, I still can't get over the fact that she slipped right out of my hands and went to a person she just met. And I'm not mad, Elliot is a great guy, I just don't know what happened. Maybe I took it too far when I told her I'd do anything just to make her happy.

And now, here I am, on a road off to their home. With Ellie's gift on the back, and my whole self trying to finally move on with my first love. I'm not sure if I'll make it out while sober, but it's of best intentions not to drink as to set an example to my dear god daughter.

In our five years of being together, we almost talked about a lot of stuff, one of them was that we were supposed to live in a suburban area out of town with all the white picket fences and hosting house warming parties for newcomers. I'll always say that I don't care where we live as long as we're in the same bed together, everything's perfect for me. Then she'd just laugh at me for having such simple dreams, and I'll just smile.

Guess her side of the deal felt accomplished.

I carefully parked just outside her car behind a cool scooter, guess I won't be alone with the family and I guess that's great. I glanced over at her house and saw Cassandra by the door, all dolled up for Christmas while Ellie was hugging her leg bouncing up and down excited to see her Christmas Guests. I took a deep breath and looked at myself on the mirror, I've been doing this for years now and I still get nervous when she's around. It's like I'm always finding a way to flee quickly from reality but today is the day I want it to stop, for my own sake. I quickly texted her that I have a "surprise" and it requires Ellie to not see me just yet and as soon as she got the message, they went back in and closed the door.

I donned myself with a santa outfit I bought last year and took Ellie's gift out and slowly make my way into their home. It was extra hard to walk because I really put an effort to make my body santa like with all these pillows inside my costume.

"Ho Ho Ho" I laughed as I knocked on the door, I heard Ellie scream from behind and Cass telling her to go see who it is.

The door burst open and Ellie was already bouncing up and down. "Santa! Mommy! Daddy! Santa is here!" She then hugged me and It felt wonderful, like all my fears we're drained by this little girl.

"Santa gets to sit next to the reindeer!" she said, pulling my hand to their living room. I carefully waddled my way while she pulls me excitedly and settled in their couch beside a reindeer.

"Hey Nate, nice touch on the santa belly." Raquel the reindeer said. Ah yes, of course the godmother also has to be here.

"You too, Vixen" I smiled awkwardly, but behind this thick santa beard, she'll never know.

Raquel is Cassandra's best friend, I've known that long enough that they're inseparable because we'd always go eat out together back then, she'd bring a boy sometimes, she'd bring a girl, sometimes she's alone, but one thing for sure is she's always there.

"Mommy! I wanna sit on santa! I have so much questions for him!" Ellie interjects as she makes her way toward me and I happily accept her and let her sit on my lap.

"Ah. Ellie! You know I've been watching you all year! You've been a very good girl, that's why I have you this gift! Merry Christmas!"

I said as I hand over her gift.

"Santa, won't you be late to deliver other gifts from around the world? and why do you like milk and cookies so much? How do you fit inside chimneys?" She asked as she hugged my pillow belly.

"I-uh" I stammered. wow this girl asks a lot!

"Ellie, you know thats not the real santa. It's your godfather Nate!" Cassie interrupts, knowing full well I'm in a pinch. That's one thing I like about her, she saves me from the pressures of social interaction, she balances me out.

"Really?" Ellie squeaks more excitedly as she pulls off my beard! "Nate! it's been so long!" she hugs.

In fact it wasn't, just last week we bumped into each other at the mall, but hey, kids have different orientations on time.

"Ho ho ho. You got me Ellie!" I say as I take off my costume and handed over the pillow to the reindeer. "I kinda assumed you were gonna be here too." I chuckled. She also handed me a gift.

"Likewise. You literally sent a beacon of sadness with that Instagram post" she laughed.

"Okay! Dinner's ready!" Elliot called us over as we all took dinner.

Dinner was specifically awkward for me. The four of them felt like they always know what's up with each other and I'm literally the odd one out.

"Nate, come here." Ellie said, as she pulls me in and we both sneak out to her room.

Cassandra and Elliot both nod at me and smiled signaling me to go along with her.

"What is it Ellie?"

"I have a doll house here!" She said, as she pointed on her toy.

"So, who are the people living on your house?" I ask, looking for persons inside.

"No one. Mommy keeps the tiny stuff so I won't eat them." she smiled as we both talk about her house.

Then it dawned on me. This may be the actual chance. I reached for my pocket and brought out a miniature statue of a groom and a bride. I bought this years ago as a joke if ever Cassandra and I ever want to get married but I never had the chance to give it to her back then.

"I have here a happy couple. It's big enough that you can't swallow it. Perhaps they can find a home here?"

Ellie excitedly grabbed and looked at it. Just like Mommy and Daddy's photo. I smiled. My heart slowly eases itself on reality. A truth I've been evading for so long.

"You know what? Let's just put them here and head back to dinner, shall we?"

Ellie places the figurine in front of the house and rode on my shoulder.

"Yeah! Let's go eat Daddy's cooking!"

With a smile on my face, We both bolted back to the Dining room, with a promise that I'll be a great godfather to this precious child.

#horRAYfic

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sepublic · 4 years ago

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You know, I really like Amelia’s design. Also she seems pretty chill.

I love her, I remember specifically pointing this girl out after Hooty’s Moving Hassle aired as a very obvious reference to Saria from Ocarina of Time (which is a game that Dana Terrace herself loves), and that just made her instantly lovable to me! I love her pointy little nose, it reminds me of the beak of a hummingbird, which ties in with the motif of the Plant Track she belongs to!

I’ve got some headcanons and speculation about her in the past… Specifically, it’s worth noting that Amelia seems to have been playing Grudgby with Boscha, longer than anyone else! We see her playing on the team during the flashback, during a VERY important Island Championship… And we see her continue playing, even now! Meanwhile, Skara seems to be a reserve player, and Cat… Well, either she was a reserve player back then, or she joined recently to fill in the space left by Amity’s absence! Probably the latter, we know Skara has been hanging out with Boscha since they were little kids.

And given how much Grudgby means to someone as competitive as Boscha, you KNOW she’d only prioritize having the best of the best on her team! She seems like the kind of person who’d put aside friendships to have the most skilled players with her… Which leads me to believe that there’s lowkey a certain trust between her and Amelia, as both are talented players! Hence, my headcanon as Amelia having been a sports kid who introduced Boscha and Amity to Grudgby.

Even if Boscha and Amelia aren’t exactly close because it’s Boscha we’re talking about here, there’s still a special comradery between the two as veteran Grudgby players who have been around since the very beginning… With Amelia being by Boscha’s side on the field, longer than anyone else! Not to mention, her and Skara were hanging out with Boscha at the Treasure Shack when Cat wasn’t… Which doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything, but considering what little content we have, and the Grom photos- I like to also see Cat as a relative newcomer to the friend group. The way I see it, Boscha met Skara first, then Amity, afterwards Amelia, and finally Cat!

Similarly, I like to think that Amelia was one of the first to reconsider her stance on Willow; Given how Willow moved into her track, Amelia would’ve likely been the first to see just how skilled Willow actually was! Especially after Willow saved her from that carnivorous plant in Episode 9… While it could just be Willow being kind to a bully, I like to think that up until then, Amelia was someone who never directly bullied Willow, or at least quietly went along with it because that’s what Boscha did! Otherwise she had no ill will towards Willow, and Willow recognized this!

Of course, then comes Wing it like Witches… Boscha takes Willow ‘stealing’ her fame as a very personal threat, and so Amelia’s internally remarking “Here we go AGAIN,” as she decides to just shut up and not say anything, and let Boscha do her thing and get it over with. Amelia’s not particularly a fan of this, but Boscha is likely the kind of person who forces friends to ‘prioritize her’, saying that friends should support one another no matter what, especially if the alternative is picking the side of some lowly stranger! Boscha is likely someone who’s made it clear in the past that taking someone else’s side, even if Boscha is in the wrong, is tantamount to betrayal…

Plus, with how threatening Boscha is, I imagine Skara (who we already know can be kind and sweet in her own way), Amelia, and Cat just sort of went with it. Not outright against the bullying, but if left to their own devices, would just let people like Luz and Willow happily exist. On another note, I’m not sure if Amelia is necessarily from an upper-class family or not… Given what I said about Boscha prioritizing victory in Grudgby above all else, she seems like the kind of person who’d ignore class barriers if it meant recruiting a skilled player! Especially since she’s already a troublemaker, doesn’t seem to care much for academics, and is clearly irreverent towards her own mother and is even able to say no to her!

Also, Amelia being VERY obsessive about fictional book series, to the point where she swears on trashing anything that remotely disappoints her, because she’s staking THAT much of an emotional claim onto it… It’s low-key something I can relate to, albeit not to the same extreme extent as Amelia! I like to think that she developed a grudge against King after he failed to deliver on the Ruler’s Reach sequel… So when King showed up to tell jokes during Grom, Amelia was VERY vocal in her booing of him, and had half the mind to get vengeance for her heartbreak. Luckily, her friends convinced her otherwise.

I like to think Amelia and Boscha also went to Grom as each other’s dates! I know people have pointed out Amelia talking to the Mouth-Headed girl, and while that IS cute… Technically speaking, we see the Mouth-Head girl intimately close with some other kid beforehand, and I’m pretty sure we see kids who have dates with other talks to different classmates as well. Plus, I think it makes sense- Amelia is likely Boscha’s second-closest friend, and Skara and Cat already have confirmed dates! Boscha cares about social status, so going to Grom without a date would probably be unthinkable… And when Grometheus escaped, Cat and Skara went outside to follow, but Amelia stayed behind to wait for Boscha, who was late, and who she did NOT want to disappoint!

...Then again, Boscha going with Bo and Selene is also an option, especially since she takes photos with them before Mattholomule interrupts! Either way, it’s fun to speculate on the lives of these various side-characters and students… There’s not a lot to work with, but it coincidentally leaves a LOT of room and space to make stuff up! And what little we DO get, forms a minor, yet cohesive, narrative! I like to think that Amelia plans to become a professional Grudgby athlete like Boscha in the future…

Whether or not Cat will join them, I can’t say for sure! Of course, given my past headcanons… Maybe Amelia is also considering NOT doing that, and just getting to play Grugdby on her own terms, for fun! But she’s not exactly fully-considering this idea, it’s mostly a minor thought in the back of her head that sprung up after Luz’s good sportsmanship helped Amelia reconsider things… But Amelia would STILL be throwing an entire future she had already planned for and worked towards for years, and she may not be willing to dedicate her life to some random job in the Plant Coven.

As far as Amelia is concerned, she’ll probably keep with her original plans to become a professional athlete, and maybe fine time in-between matches and training, somehow, to just have good old-fashioned fun in Grudgby. Like a lot of people in this show, Amelia’s life was lowkey changed when Luz came into play, and like many other students, Amelia has a lot of anxieties and indecision over the final choice she’ll make before graduation. Like I said before, the Coven System is pretty messed-up in how it forces kids to decide the rest of their lives from such a young and formative age!

(Not to shamlesssly self-plug, but I have a fanfic that includes Amelia as a minor character. Basically it serves to implement my headcanons about her into Amelia’s role in Boscha’s life- It was written prior to Agony of a Witch, and later I edited her name from the placeholder Sarya, to the one Dana confirmed!)

Amelia is also present during the field trip to Belos’ castle, and she’s present in the crowd during Eda’s petrification… Her and Skara were vouching for Eda’s freedom alongside the rest as well, and cheered when her, Luz, King, and Lilith got away! Given all of the other stuff I mentioned before, I imagine Amelia might have SOME issues with the Coven System… Especially amidst past speculation on its potential impact on Grudgby as a professional career, not to mention how it’s forcing her into that complicated situation I headcanoned about! I don’t recall seeing Cat in the crowd, but I DID see Bo…

It’d be interesting if Amelia and Skara brought up their stance against Belos later in the future, and how that might affect their friendship with Boscha and Cat respectively. Bo is in the same track as Cat, so maybe Cat would also be convinced to take an anti-Belos stance as well… And Boscha is already pretty anti-authority and ALSO could have thoughts on the Coven System, given my speculation on its relationship with Grudgby. It’d be fascinating to see, but at the same time, I could also see Boscha not wanting to defy the ‘natural order’ and be labelled an outcast and a loser by defying the Coven System.

Kids like Amelia, Skara, and Bo definitely come across as more compassionate, or at least considerate of others, than Boscha… Hence their more vocal opposition to Belos! And hey- If Luz, who was a total rookie to Grudgby, could wound Belos… Then is this guy really so invincible? Obviously Luz and her team beat Amelia and the others (not counting the Rusty Smide), but it was a narrow victory, and ultimately the point is that Emperor Belos isn’t such an invincible witch, after all. Maybe a successful revolution IS possible…!

Regardless, I really hope we get to see more of her, Skara, and Cat in the future! Who knows, maybe like Skara, Amelia and Cat will get a little extra spotlight later on... Although given how Dana mentioned how the names were from the crew and not necessarily set-in-stone, we’d probably have to wait until Season 3 for anything extra or substantial, assuming the crew would even prioritize in that in favor of other more important characters and plot threads!

Also I like to think that Amelia had a close friend named Alrick who died in a horrific dirtbiking accident and now she’s low-key considering necromancy and other morally-questionable means in order to bring him back please watch Infinity Train

#the owl house #owl house #the owl house amelia #the owl house boscha #the owl house skara #the owl house cat #the owl house bo #speculation #headcanons #ask

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chasseurdeloup-retired · 4 years ago

Text

Gimme Gimme Gimme || Otto, Nadia, Dot, Nic, Alain, and Kaden

TIMING: Current LOCATION: The docks SUMMARY: A deal gone wrong

Otto glanced at his unfamiliar reflection in a broken pane of glass double-checking the glamour runes carved into his collar bones were still functioning correctly. Sunken eyes, a thicker jaw and plain brown eyes looked back at him. Different enough from his day to day appearance that he could pass without someone recognising and the spell would hold for a few hours now that it was in place. Hand-offs were always tricky businesses even more so when you didn’t know the other parties you were involving yourself with so precautions had been taken. Namely in bringing Nadia along as back-up along with a trusty shot-gun. Spells were useful in a pinch but if things went sideways little beat the pure destruction the end of a shotgun could bring about. Unfortunately, tricky business was simply the life of a newfound criminal trying to find their footing in a small town full of strife.

He glanced over at Nadia who carried the delivery in a nondescript brown box padded and covered in protective runes as an extra layer of precaution as they made their way into the boating house on the docks where the arranged trade-off had been arranged. Boats bobbed silently, crusted sea-salt clung to several surfaces and the splosh of water was broken by the occasional bay of a seagull outside. They’d scouted the perimeter already, checking their entrances and exits before heading inside and even then Otto kept to the pillars as cover. He checked his watch and when he spoke his voice was an octave lower, “they should be here soon. Not met this person before…” in other words, he didn’t trust them at all. But then again, you didn’t live in this job if you truly trusted anyone

Adjusting the box to one hand and pulling her hood up a little more, Nadia grinned. This was what she really needed. A good job, the potential for a bit of action, a shotgun on her back, and a revolver at her side. And she was back to being more connected with her body again. She’d been hungry that morning. Hungry. It might’ve been because she’d forgotten that she even had to eat, but it had gnawed at her stomach in the most pleasantly painful way. Even better was that she’d been able to go somewhere and grab herself something without worrying about someone looking for her. Plus, Nadia wasn’t fighting, and she was back to being the one in charge. So she was ready for whatever Otto’s job managed to throw her way. Part of her wanted something easy, a quick drop off, nothing major, maybe a bit of smooth talking if need be. But another part of her wanted some action. She’d be thrilled either way.

As Otto caught her eyes, Nadia gave him a wink. He was a fun guy, from the jobs they’d run together before. Almost as good with his words as she was for a guy who didn’t have a built in lie detector and emotional radar. Plus, his magic was wicked cool. Following him in, she leaned against a pillar and waited. “Cool, cool. Well, don’t worry, as long as they’ve got a pulse, I think I can figure them out.” She could read his distrust like a magazine at the dentist’s office, so she wasn’t feeling quite as blase as she might have seemed. If Otto was worried, she should probably be a bit worried, too. But being a little worried was always healthy. She took out her revolver and opened the chamber, making sure it was loaded. The shotgun was double-barrel, two bullets in. Everything looked good to go.

Everyone had a secret talent. Some people could juggle or burp the alphabet backward. Dot’s secret talent was getting involved in the shadier shit a town had going on. Her other secret talent was being able to do a really fast crab walk. She didn’t like that one as much as she liked getting involved in crime though. She loved that. People would ask her to do jobs and most of the time she didn’t care if she was getting paid or not, though she didn’t tell people that part. She liked the thrill of it. Breaking rules was fun and she liked when she made things inconvenient for other people. She wasn’t a career criminal, not even close, but she never said no to a job. It hadn’t taken long after she moved to White Crest for someone to approach her doing something for them. After doing a couple of jobs, she proved that she wasn’t a complete imbecile and then this job was given to her. It was simple, a hand-off, nothing she hadn’t done before.

Walking to the meeting spot, she was glad that she actually took her gun and knife with her this time. She relied on being a siren far more than she really should. As she saw the two in front of her, she popped her lollipop out of her mouth. Grinning at them, she spoke in a cheerful voice,“Hello, lovelies. Are you here waiting for me?” She might not have been an idiot, but she was never professional. “It’s like we’re all having a little secret party,” She shook her shoulders at them. She considered asking them if they wanted a lollipop, but she only had green apple left and those were her favorite.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Otto lifted his head to eye the newcomer. He didn’t recognise them, but then again he didn’t recognise most people in town on first meetings considering most of them weren’t really memorable enough to truly warrant him paying them all that much attention. But this sort of situation demanded a new sort of attentiveness for a lack of it could cost you so much more if you made the slightest misstep. Yet, that wasn’t the vibe he got from the woman he saw approaching; lollipop and all. It was… intriguing to say the least, her grin was infectious and brought one of Otto’s own about. Cocking his head his eyes sparkled with newfound mischief.

“Seems so darling,” he greeted pushing off the pillar “and it does, doesn’t it? Little rave is just what everyone needs… Let off some steam, have some fun. Shame we don’t have music to set the mood.” He knew Nadia had his back in this, it was one of the few constants he actually trusted in this situation which was saying something, “now as much of a sweet-tooth as I happen to be, I’m curious to see the sweetener to this little party hm?”

Looking at the girl walking towards them, Nadia grinned. Good, a pulse. The other woman’s emotions weren’t nearly as easy to read as Otto’s, but that wasn’t a problem. Nadia only needed a sense of what she was feeling to make sure nothing the wrong sort of shady happened here. Not that there really was a wrong sort of shady. Shady was always fun, even if it went to shit. But, taking in the girl’s appearance, her laid back nature as she had a lollipop of all things in her mouth, Nadia couldn’t help but feel that this was going to be nothing but the good kinds of fun.

“I’m all up for parties,” Nadia said. She jerked her head towards Otto. “This guy throws some of the best, I swear. He might not look like it now, but he’s a fun guy. Isn’t that right, Kelly?” She gave him a wink. She was glad that he trusted her still, even after all that she’d told him. Maybe not completely, maybe not the same way that he had before, but the trust was still there. She could feel it, after all. She hefted the box with their delivery into her arms. “Maybe when all this is said and done, we can actually have a party, to celebrate. Music and everything. And booze. So much booze.”

Maybe she would offer these two her lollipops… They seemed like fun and Dot loved some good fun. She had expected a bunch of people with sticks up their asses who would tell her that she’s too immature to be in this business. The type that took themselves way too seriously. Those people were exhausting at the best of times and she wasn’t doing this to be exhausted. Based on the grins these two had, she liked them so far, but she wasn’t naive enough to forget that this was still a job.

It took quite a bit of self-control to stop herself from beatboxing right there and tell them to dance to the music. Slipping the strap of her bag off her shoulder, she waved it slightly at them. “I think this is the sweetener you’re looking for and that’s what I’m looking for,” She nodded to the box. She liked this part a lot, the anticipation right before a handover. “I know a guy who can get us more than booze,” Dot told the woman, a sparkle in her eyes. Sighing, very dramatically, she continued, “But I guess the job comes first. What was agreed to is in the bag.”

Kaden didn’t know much about the situation at hand, but he knew Nic asked him to be here. That was enough. No matter how weird his relationship was with hunting right now, he wasn’t about to drop his loyalties. If a hunter was in need, one he trusted, he was there. The place by the docks looked sketchy enough, seemed appropriate. “You know what it is we’re looking for, Nic?” he asked, making sure for the fifth time tonight that his gun was loaded properly and ready to go. “Probably a little late to ask for details but if you need all of us here, I’m guessing it’s something big and bad.” He wondered if this was some big monster take down, something like the bounty Montgomery had made a call for a while back. Shit, hadn’t thought about that fucker in a while. The thought of the trophy room sent a shiver down his spine. But he trusted Nic and Alain, despite any differences of ideals they had, would never chop off someone's head and keep it. Which was good enough for him. His brow furrowed as he picked up a sound off in the distance, closer to the boathouses on the docks. Looking in that direction, he saw a small flash of movement and a figure headed into one of them. “Hey,” he whispered, nodding over towards the boathouse. A quick glance back and it was clear where the hunters were headed. Whatever shady shit they were looking for, pretty sure they found it.

While Nicodemus still couldn’t quite wrap his head around what a turn it had been with the Bossman, now known as Roy Chambers, he didn’t question Erin when she told him she might have found a way to figure out what the fuck he was. All he did was agree, make a few calls, then pack up what was necessary before making his way to the agreed upon meeting place. It was gonna be a long night. Shit, it had been awhile since he had worked with one hunter. Let alone a whole gaggle of them. That was just the bounty way. He worked his jaw as he double-checked the edges of the knife he carried. “Reckon it ain’t somethin’ that’s gonna be easy-breezy,” he muttered as he slid it back into its sheath. “But hell, it ain’t ever is.” His fingertips lightly tapped against each other as he cocked his head. Looked toward the same place Kaden had heard the noise. A short nod and a quiet grunt of agreement followed. The calm that settled over him before most hunts began to run its course. “Ain’t no time like the fuckin’ present,” he whispered as he started to move, boots quiet. “We goin’ in quiet or goin’ in loud?”

While Alain was still unsure of why it was that Nic had asked all of them to come here, he was relieved to see that he was not the only clueless one here. It was reassuring to be with familiar faces, and with people he knew he could trust, but some details would have been great. On the one hand, he doubted that she would put them all in mortal danger without warnings, but on the other hand, if the hunter needed back up, this could not be good. “Going in loudly when we have no idea what’s in there, that sounds like a really shitty idea, Nic,” walking beside him, the hunter repressed a yawn. He had managed to get a bit of sleep lately, but he was still having too many nightmares to get rather proper rest. Tired or not, he still would help, because while he never signed up for anything, he had always acted like it was the case. With no idea of what to expect, he had left his sword home and gone for shorter blades, and probably for the best, all things considered.

“Stop yawning, slayer,” Kaden said, giving Alain a small nudge. “Isn’t this your normal hours, anyway? When all the creatures of the night come out and shit?” He was giving the other hunter some grief, sure, but he did kind of hope he wasn’t too exhausted to be here. One mistake on a hunt, especially one like this where the details were sparse and the threat seemingly high, well, that could be deadly. Kaden nodded at the suggestion to keep it quiet as they headed in. There were a few entrances and it was best they split up if they were trying to go for a surprise attack. A few gestures and nods and it was figured out. Kaden creeped up to the side door, listened a moment, and heard voices inside. They seemed occupied. For now. Good enough for him. He did his best to slowly and silently open the door, sneaking through and hiding behind a crate near the entrance. With his pistol in hand, he leaned around the corner to get a better look at what was going on. Three people as far as he could tell. None of them werewolves as far as he knew, either. One guy, didn’t recognize him, two women. The one was also unfamiliar, but the other... Was that… “Nadia?” he found himself saying out loud. Or rather, whoever was in her body. Shit, he didn’t mean to do that. He also didn’t mean to keep walking forward. But he had and he fucking tripped and stumbled over a rope on the ground. Putain. So much for his stealth approach.

They were in the middle of the transaction, the briefcase being opened and the requested black-steel music box embossed with silver images of graeco-figures deifying some strange entity revealed, nestled within a bed of foam to protect it from any harm. “As discussed, acquired and undamaged.” Though not tested, Otto didn’t know what this thing was meant to do but the less he knew the more deniability he had regarding it. Closing the lid once more and clicking it shut the runes engraved across its surface glowed a bright purple before fading from sight once more to prevent anyone untoward tampering with it. “Wonderful, in that case let’s exchange and maybe after this we can all go cele-” but any further remark was cut off, by the sudden intrusion of another voice from a stack of crates nearby. Shit. His eyes cut to the man he didn’t recognise who tripped over the rope in judgemental frustration.

But this stranger’s focus seemed to be on Nadia, recognising her - or recognised the old her most likely. But there were perks to this being the Nadia he’d worked with for so long and on so many occasions. A silent language that a subtle look or expression could convey a thousand messages. So the curious look between Nadia and this stranger and the thin smile that followed spoke volumes. Play him, buy us some time. In the interim, Otto subtly scanned the nearby vicinity for options they could run, but who knew how many more people this dude might’ve brought along. The warehouse might be surrounded.... They had their guns but a firefight was never ideal if it could be avoided.

His eyes passed a few of the boats moored nearby. Maybe if they could rig one up it’d be a decent means of escape… Otto glanced at the other woman unsure if he could trust her or if she’d staged this whole thing. What he did know was he wasn’t going to die because of some fucked over job.

Things were going good. Easy, even. And then Kaden fucking Langley literally tripped his way into the meeting. Nadia pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to maintain her control. But, hey, things were still going well. Just not easy. Well, she didn’t care for easy, anyway. She made sure the box was with the others, and she gave Otto a wink. She knew what to do here. “Heya, Kadie!” she said with a sweet smile, letting it reach her eyes. Nadia Diaz had a great smile. Very charming. Easily disarming. Perfect for getting people to let their guard down, even if they knew they were locking eyes with a rattlesnake. The problem with Kaden was that he knew. He knew what she was, had looked at her and really seen her. He wouldn’t be fooled again. Not for long, at least. But she still had the advantage. He didn’t want to hurt her. Well, actually, he probably wanted to hurt her really, really badly. But he didn’t want to hurt Nadia Diaz. She gave him a wave. “Been a minute, yeah? How’s it going? What are you and your friends doing skulking around the docks at such late hours?” She walked a little closer to him, attempting to block Otto and the other woman to give her partner time to think. She knew the bastard would still be quick on his feet. She just had to play distraction. In a stage whisper, she said, “You know that dangerous people hang around the docks, right?”

For all the things Dot had done, she had never been caught before. Sure, she had gotten in trouble with the cops before, gotten a slap on the wrist for trespassing or some community service for fighting, but this was different. Had he been alone, she would have just gone for her gun, but as Nadia pointed out, he had friends. Her lips pressed as she looked over at Otto, trying to hide the rising panic she felt. She was no professional at this and she knew it. She began to inch towards the door she had come through, bag on her shoulder. The deal wasn’t happening with company. Kaden being here was no good sign. Blanche had liked him, but Dot had never really been around him enough to form an opinion other than ‘fun to make fun of on the internet’. “This is a closed, invite only party,” She chirped, popping her lollipop back in her mouth. “Very exclusive rave you just wandered into and partycrashers are no fun. Unless they’re me, but you’re not me, so no fun,” She rambled around the candy. “So. Shoo.”

Alain had a point and Nicodemus nodded in agreement. “Yup, you got a pretty good fuckin’ point there.” He muttered to Alain as he crouched himself and followed behind Kaden through the door, his own gun drawn and a hand over the knife on his belt. Better to survey the area, get the lay of the land, and--Goddamn it, Kaden. Nicodemus pursed his lips and breathed in sharply. That’s alright, he thought. The rest of them could go around, surprise. And then that was also shot to shit at the word friends. He nodded to himself, resigned. “That’s fine,” he grunted quietly. “Knees gettin’ tired anyway.” The hunter stood and worked his jaw as he walked beside Kaden, pistol resting against his shoulder. He glanced at the briefcase between the three of them. The way it looked, the three of them were all talkers. Time wasters. He sucked at his teeth. “Could save us all some time and fuck off,” he said with a tilt of his head as he took a small step forward. Mediation wasn’t a skill he spent time or money on. “Chattin’ ain’t what we’re here for.”

Alain’s eyebrows raised as he gave Kaden an Italian salute. Of course it was ideal to him for things to be happening at this time of the day, but lately he had had to skip a few cemetery trips in order to rest a little. It would be fine, it had to be fine. Besides, even if he was not at the top of his form, he had to be here for these two hunters. Although that did not mean he would agree with everything they did. Are you fucking kidding me? Breathing out loudly, his eyebrows furrowed as he recognized Nadia. What in the goddamn hell was she doing here? He did not suppose that now would be the time to question her life choices, but from the look on his face, you could get an idea of how disappointed he was. The other two, he did not know, but he was not impressed. “Cute,” he said with a sucking sound of disapproval. Now that their plans of being quiet had gone down the drain, he supposed that the least they could do was not to waste their time trying to have a conversation with these people. “Yeah, let’s get this over with,” he agreed.

Shit. There went the stealth approach once and for all. And it was painfully clear which Nadia he was dealing with. At least he didn’t have to worry about this being some weird hostage situation “Hello Janet,” Kaden replied, using Blanche’s nickname for the ghost with disdain as he stepped out from the shadows, properly this time. He kept his fingers ready on the trigger of his pistol just in case. Nadia was no danger to him, but the ghost, Janet or Cordelia or whoever she was, would kill him without a single remorse. He knew that much. “Funny I could say the same to you. Dangerous and all that. Good thing none of us are out here wandering all alone.” The other hunters had seemingly given up the pretense of stealth as well. He peered around Nadia’s body to get a better look at her cohorts here. “Hey. No one move,” he said, holding his gun up, aimed at the woman trying to make a break for the door in the back. “My invitation is right here so how about you show us what you’ve got there.” Kaden wasn’t sure if these were the calls to be making or what exactly they were here for but if it was to break up something or extract something, it was going to be a lot harder to do if anyone fled. “You wouldn’t want to ditch the party early. We’re just getting started.”

Otto had hoped he could slink away to at least get on board one of the boats, having made it several steps backwards though mindful not to blindly signal his intent or direction with his body language. But as another burlier man stood up behind Kaden holding a pistol he knew this evening was likely very soon going to go to hell in a handbasket. What was it with people and guns? They were so… primitive. But it didn’t change the danger they posed either way. His magic ebbed near to the surface, practically urging him to throw the first shot at these intruders and yet he bided his time. No need to give away his game just yet. He’d purposefully not tapped his reserve at all just in case, always just in case. His leather clad grip tightened on the briefcase handle, shifting it out of the line of sight of these assholes while running through the list of options that were fast running short. Think Nova. One thing they did have in their favour was positioning. These guys were too closely spaced and that tipped the balance in their favour. Maybe if they could carall them some density spells would be enough to immobilise them where they stood. Give them enough time to get the hell out of dodge. The guns were trained on the others for now, that counted for something at least. He took a few more steps, nearing some crates stacked up. Just in case things went sideways, cover never hurt. “Sorry, I was taught better than to hang around and talk to creepy men following me at night. Avidazen.”

“It’s cuter when the kid calls me that,” Nadia said conversationally, one hand on the strap of her shotgun, the other resting near her pistol holster. “Speaking of, let her know I said hey, and I want my gun back.” She pretended to think a bit before she perked back up. “Oh! And tell her next time I won’t fucking miss, ‘kay?” She checked on Otto and the chick that was with them, hoping that the two of them would get out before she had to do anything serious. She took a step towards Kaden as soon as he pulled a gun out. Like second nature, she smoothly pulled her own revolver out and leveled it at him. “Sorry, babe. Put the gun down. I think we both know which of the two of us is more likely to shoot someone, yeah?” Could they not just fucking leave? “Party’s over, folks!” she called out to the people with Kaden. “If you could let us be on our way, that’d be so fucking nice.” She tried to avoid the look of disappointment on… Alain’s (she thought that was Alain’s) face. She needed to stay calm. She needed to keep her cool. She… really fucking wanted to kill Kaden, still. She’d take the shot as soon as they all lowered their guards, and then she was making a break for it.

Bro, Dot was not fucking into this. She was so not into this. “Listen, Kandy, Blanche wouldn’t be happy if you went around shooting her ex girlfriend so like what if you put down the gun and I head out.” Dot loved fights, she really did, but she liked them when guns weren’t drawn. She was pretty out of her fucking depth here. “I don’t want to fight, ‘cause we all who’s gonna win and it ain’t these two,” She nodded toward Otto and Nadia with a shrug. “I mean unless you want me to fight with you guys, would that get me off the hook? I might not be too much help, I’m literally a TA, but I got a gun.That wasn’t a threat to clarify. What do you say Mr. Thickness? Kandy? Tall Napoleon?

Nicodemus wasn’t in the mood. These people talked too fucking much. He sure as shit wasn’t Kandy. Tall Napoleon? Nope. That only left one option. Jesus fucking Christ. He glowered but didn’t move his eyes from the one near the briefcase. He shook his head. “This ain’t a conversation.” His stance shifted and the dirt under his boot crunched. They weren’t going the easy route of just handing off the briefcase, were they? Fine enough. The three hunters had a job to do and they would sure as shit see it through. One way or the other. He spat to the side. His hand tightened around his gun, finger under the trigger guard. A second passed before he took off into a dead sprint. Straight toward the briefcase.

“Blanche? What the fuck does pipsqueak have to do with this? Leave her out of--” Before Kaden could finish, it looked like Nic had the briefcase covered, for now. And he was getting shit started. Great. Fighting was better than talking anyway. “No one leaves til we get what we came here for.” Kaden took a shot at the door, hoping to scare the obnoxious TA lady. Catching Alain’s glance, he gave him a quick nod to her. If he had the TA covered, then that left him free to deal with Janet. He knew Nadia had a gun trained on him and while he had a feeling Nadia would do what she could to save him, bullets fired real fast. He ducked behind a box briefly before taking off towards her. Maybe if he could get there fast enough, disarm her, he could help Nic. If he needed it.

Well shit. Those were the initial thoughts that went through Otto’s mind as Popeye McGee took off in a sprint straight at him. Shoving his hand into his pocket and drawing out a pile of iron filings these were dusted over the briefcase, there was a moment of concentration before an aura of purple seemed to circle the briefcase and seep into its essence with it suddenly becoming heavier in his grip. Backing up towards the dock he extended his arm back fighting against the significantly increased weight “hey now, back the fuck up or I drop it and then nobody gets their due!” With the weight of it now and the water finding it again would be a job for anyone. Not impossible, but more work than whatever this job was worth.

Well those were some crappy nicknames coming from Iago - yes, he had read Othello a while ago - Alain deadpanned as she approached them, probably hoping that she could switch sides like that with no consequences. Considering that she was a skinny woman, and that it didn't take too much to knock someone out (much to most people's surprise), it didn't take much for Alain to get rid of the betrayer and leave her down. Glancing over at the drama queen with the suitcase, the hunter tilted his head to the side and looked over at Kaden to communicate his fed-up-ness with someone, then back at the magician. "You do realize that even if you drop that suitcase, you still have to deal with us next? This doesn't change much for you. Or... Well, it does. It gets things a lot worse."

This was all going to shit. Nadia could see that clearly. Fuck the briefcase, fuck the payment, and fuck that bastard charging at her. It wasn’t particularly smart to run at the woman with a gun trained on you, but Nadia had to give Kaden credit. The guy had balls. Too bad that wasn’t going to save his life. Finger on the trigger, she smiled as he got close and, as she pressed down, gave up control for a brief moment.

Nadia always seemed to be around for the inevitable unhappy ending, and her eyes widened as she watch the bullet from her own gun connect with Kaden’s chest. It was like the cabin all over again. She tried to drop the gun, tried to step forward, but she couldn’t move. She wasn’t really in control at all.

Even though Nadia wanted to gloat, there wasn’t anytime. “Too fucking slow,” she told Kaden before she turned on her heels and started running. “It’s not worth it!” She yelled at Otto, hoping he’d take the hint. They needed to fucking leave.

Kaden was running full out, eyes on Nadia. The gun was drawn, she looked ready to shoot, and Nadia might, but Nadia would never let her. He had to count on that. He had to. He kept running at her. He was sprinting, he almost reached her. Until he didn’t. Something hit him. No. Worse. Something shot him. Putain. Kaden dropped down and screamed out in pain, hand clutching to his chest. Fuck, fuck. Where did it hit? Upper. Near the collarbone. Not heart. Fine. He’d be fine. He hoped. But fuck it hurt. “Fuck off, Janet! I’ll make sure your soul is banished to fucking hell!” He curled up by one of the boxes, hand pressed against the wound, blood spilling out. Aw shit, he saw black at the corners of his vision. He tried to fight it off but he was slipping. He looked around for something to press to the wound, hold it together, so he could hold himself together, too.

The tides were turning fast, one person choked out and a gunshot that echoed across the warehouse with two individuals advancing on his space. Apparently not deterred by the notion of losing the thing they came for. Otto’s eyes slid across to Nadia and then to the pile of cash in the backpack the woman had brought along, with her out cold it was there for the taking. So Otto abruptly dropped the case which hit the ground with a dull thud, shoved his hand out in the direction of the bag and curled his fingers muttering the simple summoning incantation. The bag jerked as if tethered by some unseen force before it arrived in his hand leaving him standing there with the two men making ground fast. His hand shoved once more into his pocket and a scattering of iron filings were tossed out in an arc through which Otto pushed an open palm. The magic radiated in a sudden conical shockwave, reverberating around normal air suddenly growing denser and slowing those that moved through it. Giving him enough time to turn and hightail it after Nadia towards one of the boats. “Unhook the rope! I’ll get the engine!”

Nicodemus breathed in sharply through his nose. If the case went into the water, then the fucker holding it wouldn’t be far behind. He moved with an intensity he hadn’t carried with him before. An intensity that if they didn’t get this fucking job over and done with, there was a lot more to lose. A hell of a lot more. Langley was shot, Alain had knocked someone out, and the two left behind were scrambling. Something slowed his progress and he strained against it, sweat gathering at his temples and the back of his neck. It didn’t matter, he thought, as he continued to brute force through it, muscles and tendons bunched as he worked to push through it. The case had been dropped and as far as he was concerned, he didn’t care if any justice or whatever other asinine bullshit happened. The case was what they came for and it’s what they would leave with. He pushed further, stepped closer. Fuck, he hated magic. Vurals withstanding. Blood gathered between his teeth but it didn’t taste like copper when he managed to get closer to the case. Just a few more steps and his hand would be able to wrap around its handle.

With quick fingers, Nadia untied the rope from the dock, more than anxious to get the hell out of Dodge. But the anxiety, the stress, it wasn’t really hers. She wished she could get rid of it, for good. But at least she had control for the time being. She gave a smirk and waved at the men still left on the docks. Win or lose, it didn’t fucking matter today. She turned around and sank down into one of the boat seats as they drove away, running a hand through her hair and laughing breathlessly. “What a fucking shitshow, huh?” She closed her eyes, not even paying attention to an answer. What a fucking shitshow. She never seemed to get paid enough for these things.

#wickedswriting #writing #chatzy #otto #f #gravityfissure #nicodemus #bountybossier #nadia #notia #humanmoodring #dot #dotdotdottie #n #alain #carbrakesandstakes #Gimme Gimme Gimme

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writingsoftheunderworld · 5 years ago

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Ok I’m so happy someone taking requests. It’s take place season two where Bonnie and Damon hate each other but there daughter comes from the future to help them fight Klaus but no one knows she’s there daughter. Thank you 😊

Hey! So glad too! I’m always up for some Bamon so it’s come at just the right time. Ok, so I’ve definitely done as requested, but I’m really enjoying this and would love to maybe turn it multi-chaptered so if there’s demand I might add onto this story, it was soo much fun.

Anyways, @barkingbullfrog here you go! Hope you enjoy. Sadly the Bamon is not too romanc-y what with the setting though I went with later season two so they are at least reluctantly working together.

Damon propped his feet up on the arm of the loveseat he found himself laying down on, an air of nonchalance mere facade to the turmoil he was feeling inside. Elena and Stefan sat opposite him, poetic really, he thought, talking about what there was to do now that uncle John decided to fuck up again. He couldn’t understand how some people could be this stupid. Why would anyone trust Isobel was beyond him, the bitch had tricked him into turning her, had tricked Elena just a few months ago, had fucked up Alaric good and proper and had been working with Katherine. He listened to Stefan try to propose they use their house as a safe-house and Elena shoot it down immediately. Figures. Was there no one around who used their brain?

There’s Bonnie, his mind helpfully supplied as he heard Elena wrack up another complaint. He answered this one, thoughts of the little witch in his head. He didn’t like having to revisit one of his greatest failures. Because he knows allowing Emily Bennett to burn could only be catalogued as nothing other than failure. And now Bonnie wanted to absorb all that power. Hence, she was definitely the intelligent one here. More power was exactly what they needed, not drama with bio-mom from hell.

“To the Lockwood luncheon.” he heard Elena finish her sentence, followed closely by his brother’s knight in armour agreement.

“Not me, I’ve witch stuff to attend to with Bonnie” he quipped, watching Elena’s warm gaze shifting to him again. He also paid enough attention to Katherine lurking about just then. He knew she’d been listening to the whole conversation, she wasn’t subtle about it, which only served to annoy and baffle him. Why wasn’t Mistress of Bitchdom pretending to hide anymore? Oh well, question for another day perhaps, bigger fish to fry.

“Does that mean you’re taking her to the -” he shushed Elena before she could give them away, a stray thought of Bonnie would’ve known not to say anything worming its way into his mind, and he almost scoffed at himself. Since when was the witch at the front of his thoughts? But before he could dwell on that particular annoyance, Katherine saunters her way over and he hears footsteps outside in the walkway. He’s about to answer the she-demon when the front door’s lock turns and the door swings open suddenly. He’s up on his feet and with his hand around the uninvited visitor’s neck before Stefan even has the chance to get up and plant himself in front of Elena. Katherine of course does nothing, simply turns to stare at him and the young woman he’s holding against the wall, a mild shock flitting over her features almost too quick to see. He doesn’t get more than a few seconds before he finds himself doubled over in sudden pain, clutching his head as stars burst behind his eyelids. He almost thinks he’s misstepped and Bonnie herself was standing there, the wave of magic bringing him to his knees and the smell of blood so very similar to hers. Bennett blood for sure.

“Ack!” He cries out and waits for the ringing in his ears to subside, then he casts a customary glance around at his brother and his ex, surprised to see Katherine herself on her knees, still in apparently a lot of pain. Whoever the Bennett witch that just stepped inside their house like she owned it was, she didn’t stop until Katherine was unconscious on the ground.

“Sorry for the aggression, but I don’t respond to threats well and I really don’t like her.” a soft, but confident voice has Damon turning back to inspect the newcomer. She’s petite, in all senses of the word with her barely up to his shoulders height and lithe physique, but her own shoulders are squared and there’s an air of knowing all around her. He almost sees the Bennett witch they’re all too familiar with in her stead again. It’s disconcerting to say the least, especially with the very bright, and very blue, eyes staring at him with a small smirk. She’s cocky too, he realizes, and she’s certainly powerful enough to back it up if Katherine’s unconscious form on the ground like a sack of potatoes is anything to go by.

“And who exactly are you?” he readies himself for another aneurysm as he speaks, but to his surprise, her whole demeanor shifts suddenly upon looking back at him, if he didn’t know better he’d say she’s just… seen her favourite person. But it snaps back in place so quick he blinks to make sure he didn’t imagine it all.

“I’m Sheila-Rose Bennett.” She begins and he nods slowly, he’d already figured she’d be a Bennett, but how was it possible he didn’t know of her he couldn’t explain, it was strange. He might’ve not known how Lucy looked like when she showed up at the Masquerade a few weeks back, but he had remembered her father and her being born. He happened to have been near the hospital at the time, like he tried to be whenever a new Bennett was born. Hell, he still remembered Rudy, Bonnie’s dad, pacing in the small hospital hallway with Sheila there telling him to sit down and not wear the floor out when Abby was giving birth. He made good on his promises he thought, unlike Emily. “I’m here to help you with Klaus.” she continued.

He straightened out, pushing to his feet as soon as the words were out of her mouth. “And what exactly do you know of Klaus?” And how don’t I know you? His mind screamed at him.

“I’ve had some … experience dealing with him” there was a smile on her lips, wry, as though laughing at an inside joke that only she was in on. The witch was odd.

“Ok, Sheila-Rose-” he began, but was cut off just as fast.

“It’s just Rose, only mom calls me Sheila-Rose, and that’s usually when I’m in trouble.” another one of those wry smiles. It was slowly making him lose his mind. There was something so very familiar to her that was frustrating him beyond reason.

“Sure, whatever. What can you tell us about Klaus?” He noted that Elena was shifting her weight from on foot to the other, impatient, when he remembered she needed to go. “Brother, why don’t you and Elena get to that luncheon, I’ve got Baby Blues here covered. Plus our very own Wicked Witch of the East is bound to show up in, oh, five minutes or so? I’ve got this.” Stefan and he shared a quick look and then baby brother was walking past him and the new Bennett, briefly breaking their staring contest, to pick up his coat and then he and Elena were out the door and driving away. Damon turned and poured himself some bourbon, taking a sip and letting it sooth the nagging pounding that always remained behind after that particular witch’s spell. The witch came fully inside the house now, bypassing Katherine’s body and laying herself in the same loveseat he’d previously occupied, swinging her legs up and over the arm of it, and lacing her fingers around her knees to keep herself upright, looking at him expectedly.

“Should I wait for … whoever you said was joining? Or should I just spill the beans right now?” she certainly had attitude, he thought, matching his tone to a T and he wasn’t sure whether he was impressed or annoyed by it.

“How do I not know you?” he couldn’t let that question go, and he also didn’t want Bonnie to know just how much he cared about her bloodline. She might actually burn him again if she did, he had a feeling.

“You don’t know every one of us, we scattered too much to keep track, so let’s not poke through generations. I’m here for something else, not the past.” she smiled again, that same damn smile that was slowly making his skin itch. There was something there, she knew something she was hiding, something that was about him or regarded him at least. It was driving him insane, and still she wasn’t saying anything.

“Fine, keep your secrets. How old are you anyways, Witch-y?”

“I just turned 19. Why does it matter?” defensive. Fun! He can poke at that.

“Kinda on the young side to be dealing with Big Bad Klaus, aren’t you?” he began and saw her wince. Double fun, he could really dig here. “How come mommy and daddy let you come here? Or do they not know?” he saw her shift in her seat and knew he’d hit the nail on the head. “Oh, so they don’t know then?”

“Not any of your business old man. I’m here and I’ve got info you guys will want, trust me on that.”

“Old man? One, don’t nickname, two, so you’ve said but I’m not convinced. See, if you’re 19 then how come you know anything about Klaus?”

“I know about him from my parents, they’ve fought him before. But haven’t been able to stop him. But they didn’t have the knowledge they do now, I have that and then some and I have you trying to fight him. I can help, that I promise.” She certainly was convincing, but Damon hadn’t survived so long and gone through the shit he had to just believe any nutso that strolled into his house. Just as he was about to answer her, Bonnie burst through the front door, Jeremy a few steps behind her, a flurry of righteous annoyance around her. He barely listened to her begin to berate him being late when he saw her gaze turning to their guest.

Speaking of, the littlest witch suddenly swung her feet back to the floor, sitting up properly and a grin growing on her lips as she stood up, hand outstretched and introduced herself as though to her celebrity crush. God, why was everyone coo-coo in this town?

“Sheila-Rose Bennett! Very nice to meet you, know a lot about you, Bonnie.” She rushed through suddenly. To say that Bonnie was overwhelmed was an understatement. So he did the nice thing for once and patted the place next to him on the couch for Bonnie to take a seat. She did so in shock and even took a sip of his bourbon when he extended it to her, only to chock and sputter once the taste hit her. Small mercies seemed to exist after all, he figured when she didn’t do so much as glare at him, though with how she kept staring at the other Bennett he figured it had less to do with him and more to do with her.

“Now now, Rosie-Posie, let’s not overload Bon-bon here.” He was smirking as he spoke, looking from Bonnie to the newcomer when confusion hit him again at the genuine shock and delight on her face seemingly at his words. He was dying to know what could he have possibly said to warrant that look, but before he could, the woman began speaking in earnest. She hadn’t been lying, he realised quickly. She definitely had information they needed and power they could use, if Katherine’s still unconscious form on the ground was anything to go by.

Quick note, my head-canons about this are that:

- Sheila-Rose went behind her parents backs cuz she just wanted to help since she’s heard all about how Klaus hurt them, though she and Hope happen to get along pretty well and even Klaus and Bonnie and Damon are alright now.

- Her dad calls her Rosie Posie.

- While I see her as a daddy’s girl, she adores her mom with everything in her, like aspired to be her

- The wry smile is her thinking about the future and amusing herself with the references. like the “dealt with klaus” thing or the “not here for the past” being very ironic to say the least.

#barkingbullfrog #bamon #bonnie/damon #Damon x Bonnie #Bonnie x Damon #ask #my asks #My writing #request #timetravel #time travel #future daughter #tvd 2x17 #tvd #vampire diaries #tvd fic #tvd drabble #bamon fic

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churning-the-sea-of-milk · 5 years ago

Text

What Doesn’t Kill Us, part 1

T, angst, fluff, Sean x Finn, self-indulgent piece of garbage, can you believe I actually wrote a fic for the first time in forever

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Smoking at gas stations is always a bad idea. That was what Finn was taught and that was the exact thought that crossed his mind when he lit a cigarette, staring right at the freshly painted “no smoking” sign. Finn never gave too many shits about rules.

His car was parked near the exit route from the station, away from everything that could potentially blow up. Yet, someone felt really keen on decorating this place with signs with crossed cigarette as if they were Christmas decorations. Finn shrugged and sucked in the smoke, his gaze wandering along the highway.

A really old looking car pulled into the lot, stopping near the bright red fuel tank. Somehow Finn thought about how ridiculous this piece of metal looks among shiny new cars he saw passing by him for the past ten minutes. Still, a small smile tugged his lips: someone is as into retro as he is, His own car was to be considered junk by more sophisticated car nerds but he didn’t care. It did its job and for that Finn was grateful.

A tall man stepped out of the old car. Bearded, short haircut, lovingly knit sweater - apt for the slightly chilly weather of late September. The guy was no older than Finn himself yet somehow had a feeling of an entire life past his shoulders. An eerie feeling, Finn noticed. The guy started walking towards the little minimart to pay for his gas and, when he came close enough, Finn noticed that his left eye is completely white. Wall-eye, thought Finn, and smiled. He knew a one-eyed fella once. A long time ago.

Their eyes met and Finn smiled at a newcomer, saluting him with his cigarette. The man frowned and changed direction. Now he was walking toward Finn.

“Hey man, it’s a gas station. Mind extinguishing that thing?” he said.

Finn didn’t reply. The moment the stranger came close enough to make out features, his heart sank. This face - more weather-beaten, more tiny wrinkles around sunken eyes, but it was a familiar face. The voice - harsher, deeper - was familiar.

“Sean Diaz?” Finn whispered in awe. “Is that you?”

Judging by the man’s flabbergasted expression, he recognized him as well.

“Finn?”

It took them a second of pure shock before they embraced each other so tightly that both of them grunted.

“Holy fuck man! How long?” Finn’s face started hurting from the widest grin but he didn’t care. He stared at Sean’s face and realized he has a hard time breathing.

“Too long.” Sean said quietly and smiled. His eye was moist and reddish, as if he was about to burst into tears. “Fuck, I can’t believe it’s you.”

“That makes two of us.” Finn dropped the cigarette and stepped on it. “Where were you going anyway?”

“Mind if we go inside first? Don’t feel like standing in the wind. Plus, I’ve a few gallons to pay for.”

Finn chuckled.

“Sure thing, sweetheart.”

The minimart was empty - not counting a very bored-looking cashier tucked behind the counter. They waved at the greeting Sean threw in as a courtesy, making it obvious that should this place be crushed by a meteor, they wouldn’t give a damn. Finn poured himself a cup of cheap coffee from a beaten-up machine and sat on the opposite side of the table Sean took after paying for gas. The coffee was terrible, making Finn cringe at the first sip.

“Must you drink this piss?” Sean asked.

“Hey man, I need my fine arabica to stay online. Even if it tastes worse than balls. I’ve a road ahead of me.” Finn retorted and took another sip. Cringing, he set the cup aside. “Okay, maybe you are right.”

Sean didn’t reply. Finn noticed that he looks uncomfortable.

“All cool?”

“Yeah, I just…” Sean closed his eyes and took a breath. “It’s just… so strange. I feel like I’m in a totally new world, yet the people are the same. Different, but…”

“I get you, man,” Finn said and outstretched his arm to reassuringly grip Sean’s shoulder. “Fifteen years, it’s… A fucking long time. I can only imagine how it feels. You know I’ve been in jail myself so I can see how it might feel weird but never for that long. I…” He paused, noticing the pain on Sean’s face. “I’m not helping, am I?”

“It doesn’t even feel like you’re real, Finn.”

“Oh ho ho, dear, I’m definitely real. Trust me.” Finn smiled gently, letting go of Sean’s shoulder. “Hey, listen. I get it if you’re on an important mission to make an express delivery to Wyoming or something, but what if I invited you to my man-lair? For as long as you wanna. I just… really fucking missed you, Sean.”

His heart warmed when he saw Sean’s face lighting up.

“I’d love to.”

And then it was settled. Finn couldn’t help but feel a pinch of youthful glee. Sean looked happier too, although his posture was still tense and his eye was darting from corner to corner, as if he were looking for an escape. Finn sighed contently, trying to ignore the slight feeling of unease hanging in the air, and finished his coffee. Sean actually cracked up when Finn stuck out his tongue, trying to get rid of the strong aftertaste of crap mercilessly stuck in his mouth. Snorting and spitting, he finally managed to utter a verdict:

“This coffee is shit.”

Sean sniffed loudly, stifling a laugh.

“Noted.”

Read the rest on AO3

#life is strange 2 #sean diaz #finn mcnamara #sean x finn #fanfiction #hey y'all this one knows how to write

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marshmallow-phd · 5 years ago

Text

Open Wounds

Genre: Boxing!AU

Pairing: Yixing x Reader

Summary: You practically lived at the fighter gym, taking your anger and frustration out on the punching bags as a form of personal torture. Because you also hated that place for taking away the person you loved most. But when a new trainee shows up, showing that he’s different from the boxers you’ve met in the past, your wall begins to crumble. But is history doomed to repeat itself?

Netflix Teaser

Part One I Part Two

The sound of skin hitting worn vinyl and the grunts and groans of grown men trying to beat each other up surrounded you. No matter how high you turned the volume up on your headphones, you couldn’t drown out the distractions. You hated this place. You shouldn’t be here. Over and over again, you told yourself to leave and never come back. When you were covered in sweat and your muscles were sore, crying out for relief, the first part was easy enough to do. It was that damn second step that was impossible.

“Now, what did that poor bag do to you?”

Taking one last swing at the punching bag, hard enough to put some momentum in its swing on the rusty chain, you turned around to face the only person who dared approach you while you were attacking the defenseless bag of sand and pulled out your headphones to hear better.

Han, the old man who owned the gym, smiled at you with wrinkled, sun-weathered eyes. He was still wearing those ugly Hawaiian shirts over baggy khaki shorts after all these years. But despite his appearance, he could still move around and jab like any of the middle-weight boxers around here. You’d known him for years - since you were a teenager – which meant he knew exactly what the punching bag had done to you.

Deciding you’d had enough for today, you started unstrapping the Velcro of your gloves, your hands breathing in relief at the release. “Hey, Han.”

“Tough day?” he guessed.

You sighed. “Tough week.” More like a tough life.

In all honesty, it probably wasn’t that rough. You had a roof over your head, heating in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, food, a bed, a job that you thrived in. Really there was only one dark cloud hovering in your otherwise ordinary sky. A blank spot in your life that could never be filled no matter where you searched for a substitute.

“I’m sure things will get better,” Han said encouragingly. “They always do.”

“No, they don’t.” There were too many examples in the history of the world to list of where things did not eventually get better.

Han huffed at you. “If you keep that up, I’ll ban you from my gym.”

You smirked. “You could never ban me, Han. You love me too much.”

He started to grumble out something along the lines of “watch me” but he couldn’t hold on to the façade and soon he was smiling at you. “Are you going to join us tonight for dinner? There’s a new recruit that joined a while back and you know the boys. They have to initiate. He’s very promising, could be the new lightweight champion. Reminds me of-” Han caught himself before he mentioned one of his old students. The one that brought you pain, the one that brought you here over and over again, never letting you go. Coughing to cover his slipup, he went on, “Well, anyway, I’m sure the boys would love it if you tagged along.”

“No, I think I’ll skip on it,” you said non-too-surprisingly. You never joined in, but that didn’t stop Han form offering, hoping one day you would change your mind, like how you used to. “Thank you, though. I’ll see you around.”

Han nodded, understanding completely. You kissed the old man on the cheek before gathering up your things and heading for the showers.

Once cleaned and refreshed, you weaved through the boxers and MMA fighters training for their next big fight before making it to the front entrance. As you pushed on the door to exit, someone called out for you.

“Hey, wait!”

Rolling your eyes, you turned around to what this person wanted. Most of the boys here knew to leave you alone. Only the ones who’d known you for years would stop and talk to you, but they knew better than to try to chat when you were trying to leave.

The man didn’t seem familiar at all as he jogged up to you, careful to avoid a weight that had rolled into his path.

“What?” you snapped. You’d been here too long and you needed to get out, not be chatted up by some brave newcomer who thought it’d be fun to hit on the only female within this testosterone factory.

The man bowed his head sheepishly, his cheeks taking on the slight hue of pink. In his outstretched hand was a worn red glove that had certainly seen better days. You snatched the glove out of his hand, not out of maliciousness, but out of a rush of relief. If you’d lost that glove….

“Thank you,” you said gratefully as you secured the glove back into its normal pocket. “Sorry about… being rude.”

He smiled at you. “It’s okay. Although, I thought exercising was supposed to make people happier?”

“Depends on the environment,” you countered. That was probably a lie. The chance of your body deciding on how much endorphins to release based on where you were exercising seemed slim. But maybe you would be a bit more cheerful if you worked out at one of the bigger chain gyms than this small training facility.

“Understandable,” he nodded, thinking that you were making a joke, based on the smile he was giving you. He held out his hand, “I’m Yixing, by the way.”

You looked down at his hand for a few seconds, not sure of what to do. Yes, you knew the social norm was to take his hand and introduce yourself as well, but you tried to avoid any interactions with the boxers that you weren’t already friends with before….

Sighing, you stuffed your hand in your pocket. “Nice to meet you, Yixing.”

And that was it. No handshake, no giving of your own name. You simply turned on your heels and left the gym, not looking back as you reached your bike, throwing one leg over the seat and slamming your helmet on before taking off down the road, putting as much distance between you and the gym as possible.

Yixing stood there, dumbfounded. Had he done or said something wrong?

“Don’t take that too much to heart,” Han sighed as he came up and clapped Yixing on the shoulder from behind. “Poor thing had it rough a few years back. Put a wall up after that. (y/n) only tolerates a few of the guys here and that’s more out of respect since she’s known them for so long.”

Yixing frowned, watching as you peeled out of the parking lot on an old motorcycle. “Did something bad happen to her?”

The distrust and the avoidance of physical contact coupled with her working out in a gym designed for fight training… the picture made Yixing’s stomach churn.

Han seemed to know where his thoughts were headed. “No, nothing like that. She just lost someone close to her.”

A strange relief washed over Yixing before the guilt set in. You’d still lost someone you cared about. How close the two of you must have been….

“Come on,” Han ordered as he slapped Yixing’s shoulder again. “You’ve got more jabs to throw before you can leave. Also, it’s your turn to clean the mats.”

Yixing cringed, but laughed nonetheless. “It’s always my turn to clean the mats.”

“That’s what you get for being the newbie, kid.”

Yixing shook his head. He knew all this work would pay off in the end. Every fighter had to pay their dues before stepping into the ring. And someday, he’d be the king.

You clutched the stencil steady as you carefully drew the brush over the slick surface of the gas tank. No air escaped your lungs while you kept yourself still, afraid that even the slightest breath could knock everything off course. The line needed to be perfect or else you’d have to start all over. And get lectured for wasting expensive paint.

As soon as the line was completed, you refilled your lungs with fresh air, sitting up and loosening up your shoulders.

“Nice work, kid,” Don commented as he inspected the paint job over your shoulder. “Line work’s getting better.”

“Thanks,” you smirked proudly. These days, it was the only thing that made you really happy. Putting a brush in your hand and letting the image in your head come to light on the polished metal for the world to see was the best job you could have ever asked for.

You weren’t sure exactly how you ended up in the garage. Art had always been a major part of your life and identity, with faint dreams of entering the institute for your degree. Your brother swore up and down that your works would be displayed in museums one day. Back then you’d laughed at him, called him crazy. And maybe he was.

Even now you still loved to paint and draw on canvas, creating your own worlds with a few simple ingredients. But those works stayed in your apartment, away from the public eye. The images you made on motorcycles and car hoods were the only ones allowed to be seen. You were more comfortable that way. This world of gears and grease was one you knew all too well, even if working here hadn’t been the plan. Being here made a little more sense than being the dressed up featured artist being adored by patrons with large checkbooks, anyway.

Well, the checkbook part sounded nice.

“I think I’m going to finish this one and head home,” you told Don. It was getting late and your hand was beginning to cramp.

“Sounds good,” Don nodded. “And you’re coming in late tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m going to hit the gym first,” you said, turning around on your stool. You had skipped out on your personal torture yesterday and today, so it was time for a recharge. Plus, tomorrow was Han’s birthday. If you didn’t at least stop by and see him, you’d never hear the end of it.

“Alright, sounds good. Have a goodnight.”

You waved to Don as he walked away. “Good night.”

When you were alone again, you stretched out your hand and got back to the next set of lines to finish out the tank in peace.

The next morning you went about your normal routine, fixing that too-sugary cup of coffee and yanking on paint splattered clothes before throwing your gym back over your shoulder and heading out the door.

At the gym, Han was already there in his usual spot by the main ring a few hours early, leaning on the ropes from the floor while yelling out punches and jabs at the trainee who was up on the platform working with Jack. You didn’t want to be, but you were actually impressed by the speed of the trainee’s hands. They were nothing but blurs, following Han’s barking orders without hesitation. Mesmerized, you stood a little ways away, arms crossed over your chest as you watched the session.

Han noticed you after a few minutes and brought the training to a halt. “Alright, get some water you two. We’ll pick it back up in fifteen minutes or so.”

The trainee took off his protective gear, revealing his identity to be Yixing from the other day. He must be the one Han was gushing about. His next golden boy.

Pulling a thin rectangular present from your bag, you held it out to Han as you approached him. “Happy birthday, big guy.”

Han smiled broadly as he took the gift. “(y/n), if this is what I think it is, you’re going to make an old man cry.”

“That’s my goal in life,” you teased. To your relief, he didn’t open it right away. You hadn’t expected an audience to be around when you gave the present over. Things like this you preferred to be kept private. Usually, Han spent his mornings watching old fight reels, studying the different methods or just reliving his old glory days in the ring. If he was skipping out on that tradition to train this guy… he must really be something.

“So, how are you doing lately?” Han asked.

You shrugged. “I’m fine. Things are going good at shop. I’ve got a lot of projects going so there’s plenty to keep me occupied.”

“Good, good,” he nodded. “Are you still making time for your own work, though?”

You scoffed, pointing to the gift. “What do you think that is?”

“I know what it is,” Han grumbled. “But you also know what I mean. Your own work deserves attention, too.”

“Look, between here and the shop, home is where my hands get a rest.”

Han raised an eyebrow, no hint of playfulness in his eyes. “Then maybe I should ban you from my gym.”

Your jaw dropped. “Han, are you serious-”

“Is everything okay?”

You sent a death glare towards Yixing that he probably didn’t deserve. It was just instinct. Your connection was being threatened and that put you on edge.

“Everything’s fine,” Han chuckled, showing you that he wasn’t serious after all. You relaxed a bit, but now you really needed to hit something.

“I’m going to go change,” you mumbled. Swiping you gym bag back up from the floor, you headed for the locker room.

When you came back, Han and Jack were gone. The former had most likely retreated to his office to hide from your wrath. Jack probably had some errands to run during his short break and Yixing didn’t seem to be sticking around, leaving the gym mostly empty for you to go about your business. As you wrapped up your hands, however, you learned that you weren’t completely alone after all.

“Need a sparring partner?” Yixing offered, wiggling the punching pads at you when you looked up from your seat on the bench.

You shook your head. “I kind of want to be the one throwing the punches right now.” You weren’t here to just be his target.

“That’s what I meant,” he chuckled. He slipped the sparring equipment over his hands and walked back up to the ring, easily stepping up and through the ropes before stopping in the middle of the platform.

Fine. He wanted to be the punching bag, let him.

Sighing, you stood up to your feet and headed on over, ready for him.

“I won’t go easy on you,” he warned.

“If you did, I’d have to kick your butt,” you taunted. The giggle he let out took you off guard. Then the smile slipped away to make room for a hardened glare and he started barking orders at you in a tone that rivaled Han’s.

“Cross! Jab! Hook!”

Over and over again, he shouted out combinations almost too fast for you to keep up. Every few punches, he’d swing out on his own, making you duck. It didn’t take long for you to be covered in a sheet of sweat, breaths coming out short and raggedy as you fought to keep going. Too soon, though, your arms grew weak. You threw in a few more punches before stepping back, giving in.

“You’re good,” Yixing complimented. He unstrapped the gloves from his hands, tossing them down on the canvas out of the way. “Do you want to get something to eat?”

Well, that didn’t take long. You rolled your eyes. “Just because I work out at this gym doesn’t mean I want to date a boxer, okay?”

Yixing knitted his eyebrows, confused. “I wasn’t asking for a date. I’m hungry and I don’t like eating alone.”

That made you stop and reconsider. Because even though you did it every day, you, too, hated eating alone. It was too quiet. It gave you too much time in your head.

“Okay, then,” you nodded. “I’m going to go change real quick.”

“I’ll meet you at the door.”

You threw him a lazy thumbs up before jogging out of there. Even though your morning workout was cut short, you were slightly thankful for the change up in your routine. Besides, he seemed nice and – boxer or not – you could use a new friend.

Part of you worried if you were being more open to him because he reminded you of- no. They were very different. He didn’t giggle, among other things.

You didn’t bother to shower since you weren’t trying to impress anyone, just slipping back into your knotted up t-shirt and jeans before throwing your bomber on and heading out of the locker room.

Yixing was already at the front door, awaiting patiently for you. He’d somehow managed to change faster than you, now sporting skinny jeans and a matching black shirt. For a very, very brief moment, it’d thrown you off guard. You’d grown used to ignoring anyone in athletic gear, immune to what it was supposed to be showing off. But seeing the new fighter in streetwear was making your head spin. The hardened concentrated look was long gone, softening his features to be more open and inviting. Before you could fight it, the corners of your lips were turning up.

“Ready?” he asked. You nodded and followed him out the front door and to his car.

It was a short drive to the little breakfast dinner, only a few blocks away but you’d never noticed it before. Yixing seemed to be a frequent visitor given the friendly waves from both the wait staff and the cooks visible through the kitchen window.

The first few minutes were spent in silence while the two of you mulled over the menus provided at the table. After the waitress took your orders, you played with the pink sugar packet, flipping it back and forth to occupy your attention. You hadn’t been in a situation like this for a long time so you weren’t sure how to proceed.

“Have you been going to the gym for a long time?” Yixing asked, breaking the silence.

You nodded. “Yeah, since I was a teenager.”

“But you don’t train to fight?” he guessed.

“No, I don’t,” you half laughed. “Fighting was never my thing. That was-” you caught yourself just in time. “No, I would just go to hang out with friends who were more into the boxing thing. I liked the workout better than others, so it just stuck.”

“And you know Han pretty well.”

You snorted. That crazy old man had been a huge part of your life. He was there for you when you were alone and basically gave you a second home to run to. But you didn’t need to voice that out loud. “Yeah. He has a soft spot for me, I guess.”

Yixing smiled crookedly, revealing a dimple in his cheek that just softened his features even more. “He doesn’t seem to hand those out very easily.”

“No, it takes a lot of buttering up,” you agreed. “If you’re training under him and he sees potential in you, you’ll never get that treatment.”

“You seem to speak from experience,” he pointed out.

The waitress arrived then with the large plates of food. You immediately dug in, much hungrier than you realized. Plus, it gave you an excuse not to continue the conversation. The hot-off-the-grill meat tasted savory in your mouth and for a few minutes, you forgot that you were sitting across from someone.

“So, what do you do for a living if you’re not a boxer?” Yixing asked suddenly.

You swallowed the food in your mouth and washed it down with a few sips of water before replying, “I work in a customs shop. I do the detail painting and sketch ups.”

“So you’re an artist?” he dug, excitement flashing in his eyes.

“Uh, yeah, kind of.” Shyness, while not a typical character trait of yours, was making you shrink over your food. Being called an “artist” was making you feel awkward.

Putting his fork down, Yixing folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Did you do the work on your motorcycle?”

“Yeah, I did.” Your cheeks were heating up. What was going on? You never reacted like this.

“The line work is really incredible.” Sincerity – not flattery – was more than apparent in his tone. “I noticed it a few times while coming in, but I could never figure out who it belonged to until I saw you drive away on it a few days ago. You have real talent.”

Now you couldn’t even lift your own fork. “Thank you.”

“Did you paint something for Han?”

You cleared your throat, unsure of how to answer. A reply of simply “yes” should have been easy enough. But once buried memories bombarded your inner thoughts.

You’re amazing and someday they’ll put you in the Louvre.

I wish you would stop lying like that.

I’m not! You’ll be this world famous artist and I’ll be the Lightweight Champion across the globe. You can’t paint everywhere I go to fight. We’ll be the greatest team the world has ever seen.

Sure. If that happens, then I’ll paint myself green and dance in the gym.

Deal.

“(y/n)?”

You jumped, pulled from the fuzzy memory. “Sorry?”

“Is everything okay?” Yixing’s face was pinched with worry. Somehow you’d even missed the waitress dropping off the check. He was already signing off the receipt and putting his card away.

“Peachy,” you nodded. Changing the subject, you frowned, “You didn’t have to pay for my meal.”

He waved your protest away. “It’s not a problem. Maybe you can get the next one?”

You knew what he was doing, opening up the conversation of another meal together without outright asking. This wasn’t a date, he said it himself, but it appeared he might want to change that in the near future. And honestly, you weren’t as against it as you thought you might be. Even though he was bring up memories you’d locked away, you found his presence… soothing the hurt rather than multiplying it.

“Sure,” you smiled. “I’ll get the next one.”

Now he was the shy one as he ducked his head. “Good.” Composing himself once again, he stood up. “Let’s go. I have to get back to the gym or else Han will have me on double cleaning duty.”

“That would terrible,” you agreed with a laugh. You weren’t sure the last time you felt this relaxed with a person, this open. It was a scary feeling, but one you were more than willing to further explore.

Yxing watched you speed away on your bike, a smile stretch widely across his lips. You’d promised to have dinner with in a few days and he was on cloud nine. This time, he was able to declare it officially a date before you headed off to work.

Each step he took to head back inside the gym was light and cheery, practically skipping as he headed for Han’s office.

“I’m back,” Yixing announced as he stuck his head in, finding Han staring intently at the small TV he used for fight reviews.

“About time,” Han grumbled. He didn’t pause the TV or look away. “If you weren’t out with (y/n), I’d be making you do suicide runs until you threw up for skipping out on training.”

Surprised, Yixing came all the way inside the office. He’d fully expected to get the third degree, declaring to himself that the short meal with you was worth it. You’d intrigued him when he first saw you. No one was willing to explain who you were or why you came to the gym and left without interacting with anyone. Everyone else seemed to just know already, but refused to let him in on it. “Why do you say that?”

Finally pausing the TV, Han sighed. His eyes drifted over to a painting that was leaning up against the large window that gave him access to the open gym space. It was new, something Yixing hadn’t seen before. That must have been your present you’d given him earlier.

The colors were beautiful. Everything blended in with the fake light that gave it a touch of hyperrealism. A fighter’s robe made of shiny green silk laid across a short wooden stool in the corner of a boxing ring. With the folds of the robe, he couldn’t make out the name embroidered on the back, just bits and pieces of the silver letters.

“She’s a good kid,” Han sighed again. “Watched her grow up within these walls. She painted the murals in both of the locker rooms in high school. She was happier back then, livelier. If she wasn’t here with her friends, she was at home with her dad, helping him on his side business fixing up cars, making them beautiful again. She always needed to be creating something. Then she lost that spark.”

Thinking back to the diner, Yixing could see that clearly. You were fighting to hold back something when he complimented you on your work, like you were embarrassed and didn’t want to talk about it. Then your eyes lost focus because what he could only assume was a memory coming back to the surface. Treading carefully, he asked, “What happened?”

Han pointed to the fighter on the small screen. “Him. She lost him.”

Yixing’s eyes widen. Because he knew who that was. And the more he stared at the footage flickering on the TV, the more his heart sunk. Because he knew this fight.

He was there the night that fighter died.

#exo #exo boxer au #exo boxer!au #yixing x reader #zhang yixing #lay #exo scenarios #exo fanfiction #exo fanfic #exo series #exo imagines #exo lay

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azylamolap · 4 years ago

Text

Obedient

(by azyl00 for Mr. Love Dream Date Fanfic Contest)

You asked me to wait,

I told you not to;

But you smiled at me

As if you heard nothing.

<<Flashback>>

“Wait for me.” He said.

“You know I can’t, Lucien.”

“Distance doesn’t matter, as long as we love each other, right?”

“But I’m afraid. I’m scared. You know I’m not ready for a relationship. I need to focus on my studies; I don’t want to lose my scholarship. With the dad getting fired, I have to work part-time to afford school.”

“But I’ll be here supporting you. I won’t leave you alone. I’ll help you pay.”

“I don’t want to be selfish, Lu. You’re the kind of person who gives 200%; you’ll be busy with your internship at the hospital. I don’t want you to drag you down nor want your money. You know how I feel about that.”

“You are stubborn as hell. How can you be selfish when you know I could afford it, the money and the time?”

“I want you to prioritize your patients rather than thinking about me, not eating or not. Plus, the US is not as cheap as here.”

“Even if I’m your boyfriend or your friend, I’ll still be concerned. You look like a stick!”

“I don’t want to fight today, anymore, Lu.” She sighed. “Today is the last day I’m spending time with you face to face; you’re flying to the US tomorrow.”

“Okay. Okay. No more fighting?”

“I’ll miss hanging at this Peach Grove with you.” She said while looking at the flowers around.

“I’ll miss you more.” He whispered while looking at her.

She just smiled sadly at him.

An awkward silence surrounded them as they walked home.

“Lu…”

“Why do I feel like you’re breaking up with me?”

“It’s not breaking up when you haven’t even started.”

“M…” He said but was suddenly stopped as she hugged him.

“Please, let’s stay like this.”

“…”

“I guess this is goodbye, for now, Lu. Take care of your flight to the US tomorrow! Send me chocolates, lots of them when you ever visit.” She said as she lets go, wiping her tears as they slowly fall from her eyes.

“Wait for me, M.,” he said as he helped her wipe her tears away.

“Don’t, Lu.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. He bid her goodnight as she entered her house.

I wasn’t supposed to hope;

To be with you someday

Unconsciously, I did.

And perhaps, I was obedient.

Lucien arrived safely in the US and started his career while she continued her studies.

They would talk every night; he’d asked her what she has eaten, she’d ask him how many lives he saved. They’ll do it for hours until one of them is asleep or off to duty.

This was their routine

For a Month…

For a Year…

Until both of them were too busy, he was focused on his career; she in her studies.

Talks for hours became missed calls.

Messages sent.

Messages read later.

She graduated while he was awarded one of the best doctors in his hospital.

100-word messages became shorter and shorter.

From stories, they became greetings. “Happy Birthday.” “Merry Christmas.” “Congratulations.”

Messages seen.

Messages unanswered.

On her mind, she dreamt of scenarios seeing him again. She’ll hug him harder than the last time. She’ll wait for him this time. She’ll be much better.

But years passed, and she started her career. They’ve never met.

No more messages.

Just unsent ones.

Then time passed by,

I saw you again,

And you smiled at me

As if you were to say something.

“I hate these kinds of conferences,” Kiki complained. “Why does the boss always assign boring ones to us?”

“What’s boring about a doctor finding a cure to cancer? Surely, it’s worth the headline.”

“There are no handsome guys here, MC.” Her companion sighed. “As per research, Dr. Freeman is a genius, but he looks like a crazy old dude with no sleep. How can I listen to this four-hour conference?”

“There, there, Kiki. That’s why you have me. We’re in this together. Just don’t forget to take lots of photos, okay?”

“Aye. Aye.”

The program started, “Good morning, we welcome you all to this conference on ‘A Step Closer to Curing Cancer.’ We are afraid that Dr. Freeman is unable to come with us due to an illness, but he will be substituted by his assistant.”

“Oh, that’s probably another old guy. I want to bail out.” Kiki whispered. “Why do we always choose to be on the front? It’s hard to stand up without getting noticed.”

“Shh… keep quiet, Kiki, I’ll need to take note of the name for the article.” She answered her colleague back.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce our speaker, Dr. Lucien.”

…

“Ten Million people per year die because of cancer. It might be strangers, our friends, our loved ones. Ladies and gentlemen, you may have to worry no more. On behalf of my mentor, Dr. Freeman, this is Dr. Lucien, not only saying to you good morning, but we have found a cure.”

“On second thought, I thank you, Madam Boss, for the assignment and you MC for the front row seats. This guy is gorgeous. And his voice, don’t get me started with his voice.”

“…”

“MC, hey.”

“…”

“Earth to MC!” Kiki whispered again as she looked at MC with confusion.

He was here in the flesh. Her friend, is he still her friend even though it has been years since their last message? Exactly 999 days?

He saw her.

Their eyes met,

for one

two

three seconds.

And a smile crept on to his lips.

Did he wait? Did he still love her? All those questions were on her mind as he was speaking to the audience. They were mesmerized by him like she was. Lucien was still Lucien, but he was brighter than ever.

You were supposed to wait;

To be together, you and I,

But then you didn’t.

And sadly, you were obedient

“MC, you were so spaced out during the whole conference. Are you okay?”

“Yes, Kiki. I was just a bit shocked.”

“Did you get star struck? Or fall in love at first sight? So that’s your ideal guy, MC. I’ve never seen you dating since we started working.” Her friend pondered.

“Uhmm.. he just looked familiar.”

“Oh, wait, there he is!” Kiki said as she dragged her through the people who were crowding the star.

“Lucien!” Someone shouted, and a woman suddenly was in the middle of the crowd hugging the doctor.

“Jade! I didn’t know you’d be here,” he said as she smiled at her and kissed her cheeks.

“Wow! What a beauty!” Kiki said as both of them got shocked by the newcomer. “I want to see them closer, I want a picture. They look cozy.”

“You can go to them, Kiki. I’m going to go ahead.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m hungry, and I need to go to the office so that it can be printed tomorrow.” She said to her friend as she bid her goodbye.

Thoughts run on her mind as she was walking away.

In the end, he fulfilled her wish;

Not to wait, but to move on.

In the end, she fulfilled his wish,

To wait, even though she told him not to.

Months have passed since that meeting.

Her article was a hit earning her praise.

He flew back to the US to continue the research.

She was sad, but that didn’t stop her in life. She still worked, went out with friends, and thought of him less and less.

Maybe they were not just meant to be?

No other guys she has met ever piqued her interest.

Maybe she was meant to be single?

Maybe?

Maybe not?

Maybe?

Maybe not?

She said as she plucked the leaves on the fallen flower.

She was alone on her sanctuary, at the peach grove, until she hears footsteps.

Until she saw him.

“Hey.” He said cautiously.

“Lu… Lucien?”

“I was looking for you everywhere, I almost forgot we hung out at this spot.”

“You were looking for me?”

“Yes. I’ve tried going to your house, but the tenant said you’ve already moved.”

“Oh yeah. You could’ve messaged me.”

“I wanted to see you.” He said as he looked at her. “At the conference, I was looking for you, but your friend said you were back in the office. I forgot to ask your number from her; you changed your’s way back.”

“Yes, I was busy writing the article about the cure for cancer.”

“I read it. It was an amazing article.”

“Your research was marvelous, how’s it by the way?”

“We are actually on Phase 2 of testing, we are conducting one in the US, and I’m assigned here.”

“Oh,” she was shocked. “So, you’ll be staying here?”

“For good, hopefully. We can conduct researches and coordinate them online.”

“That’s good. I’m happy for you.” She said as she smiled at him.

They spent a few minutes of silence together, admiring the beauty of their peach grove.

“M?”

“Yes”

“I missed you, you know.”

“You’re not the only one who did, Lu.”

“You were right.”

“About what?”

“That forcing it back then would have destroyed us. I would’ve been busy with the patients, then the research, I would have no time for you.”

“And you would’ve blamed yourself for not putting me first and pushing me away. That’s why I did it first.”

“I understand that. I guess it’s the perks of being an adult, yes?”

“True. I would probably hide from you forever if we broke up back then.” She laughed at the notion.

“Six years, and you still laugh the same.” He told her.

“Six years, and you are still as observant as ever.” She countered back.

“And single as ever.”

“You never dated?”

“Too busy with the research.”

“I thought you were dating that pretty girl at the conference?”

“Do I smell jealousy there?”

“No!”

“It was Jade. Her husband was one of my colleagues at the hospital. Both of them were actually there at the conference.”

“Oh.”

“I’m actually waiting for this stubborn girl, but she told me not to.”

“Oh.”

“M … I’m still waiting for you. The moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were the one. But that time, back then, wasn’t ours. I hope now is the right time.”

“We were best friends back then, Lu. Right now, we barely know each other.”

“We’ll take it slow. Let’s hang out like we used to, start being friends again. Then go on dates, adventures, more dates?”

“What about work?”

“The perks of being head researcher means I have many people I can delegate my work to. No more late nights. How about you?”

“No worries on my side. Ever since I started working, everything went well, Dad’s job is stable, and I guess we have no more financial problems.”

“You in? Slow and steady?” he said as he extended his hand to her.

“I’m still scared, Lu.”

“We’re always a good team, M. We can do this together.”

“I know.”

“So? You and me?”

“Yes, you and me.” She said as she held his hand.

They both hugged each other.

Harder than the last.

Harder thinking it was their last.

But actually, it was one of their many firsts.

Their first hug as a couple,

Their first date,

Their first kiss.

He asked her to wait,

the stubborn girl he loved.

To be together, she and him

And he thought she didn’t.

Time has passed

And fate let them meet again

Luckily, she did

The stubborn girl was obedient.

#mr love #mr love dream date #mr. love lucien #mr love dream date fanfiction #mrlovedreamdate #mrlovedreamdateofficial

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ravenbrenna09 · 5 years ago

Text

Unattainable - Chapter Five

AO3

...

You guys know what's coming 😏😏😏

I apologize for such a long wait for this chapter. School started back up this week and I'm TRYING to be a good student/get ahead and keep up on my homework so I won't be completely overwhelmed by homework later on in the semester. I'm going to try and get the remaining chapters written, at least roughly, before the end of this three-day weekend or later this week, but I want to write the best that I can for you guys so I'm not going to stress myself out about it.

But, thank you guys for being patient with me. I'm so glad that all of you are enjoying this story and can't wait to see more.

I love you all. Enjoy!

...

bold = sending; italics = receiving (in terms of texts)

...

“You lost miserably!” Robbe teased, elbowing Jens roughly in the side. His black-haired best friend rolled his eyes, shoving him back in the shoulder as he drew Lucas closer against his body with the harsh winter wind blowing them in the face.

Of the group’s significant others, Lucas had been the only one interested in going to play a round of mini-golf with the rest of the group and Noor had decided to hang out at the apartment, waiting for their arrival. Robbe isn’t sure why Amber hadn’t joined them. Jens’ birthday wasn’t for a couple of weeks but, after Moyo had let it slip about possibly mini-golf, he had exclaimed that he didn’t want to do that on his birthday, he wanted to do it now. So, they had spent the better part of Saturday morning at an indoor, blacklight minigolf place, laughing at the way that their teeth glowed purple and going through a second time when Jens and Moyo tied the first time around.

Though all of them played, Moyo had a higher score of the two (Robbe had technically won the second set).

Lucas drew his arms tighter around Jens’ shoulders, pressing a kiss against his jaw. “Well, you’re my miserable loser.”

Jens laughed, and so did the others, as he turned to press a kiss against Lucas’ lips, gripping his shoulder with one hand as he reached to slap Robbe upside the head with the other. “Thanks, babe.”

“Gross,” Aaron spoke. The comment was light-hearted and he was laughing through it anyways. Both Jens and Lucas shoved him away, causing him to nearly fall over. Of the bunch, Aaron was definitely the most clumsy of them all. “Save it for the bedroom later. This is guys’ night!”

Robbe laughed, moving off to the bench that had long since been claimed as theirs. “As if,” Robbe replied, jumping up to sit on the back of it. Lucas sat between Robbe’s ankles, letting the smaller man drape his arms over his shoulders. “Don’t lie, Aaron. You would have your tongue down Amber’s throat if she was here!”

“It’s true, bro,” Jens replied, hovering on the side of the bench as Aaron flopped down beside Lucas.

Lucas nodded his head, patting his shoulder.

Moyo laughed, nodding his head and wrapping his arm around his chest. “Seriously though, the two of you are physically linked. I’m surprised that she didn’t go with us.”

It’s true. In the four years since Aaron had first started dating Amber, in which the three months before he harbored a seemingly one-sided crush on a girl who refused his affections, the two of them had both grown as people and as a couple. What the rest of them had believed to have only been a high school fascination had quickly grown into something more. Aaron had met most of Amber’s family and vice versa. In all honesty, it was only a matter of time before they went further, taking the next step like Senne and Zoë.

(Unbeknownst to Aaron, they all had a bet going on about when Aaron was going to pop the question. Robbe had his money on next December 20th, which was the anniversary of their first kiss. Moyo was betting on sometime in the summer and Jens was saying next October, back when they went to the beach house. Lucas tried to remain impartial and out of the bet, but Noor had willingly jumped in, saying Valentine’s Day.)

“She wanted to,” Aaron replied.

“Why didn’t she?” Robbe questioned, raising his eyebrows.

“Something is going on with her cousin,” Aaron informed them, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know a lot of the details, but they’ve always been pretty close. She’s pretty worried about him so she wanted to be with him today. She didn’t want to leave him alone so she decided not to come.” Robbe nodded his head and Jens pulled a joint from behind his ear. “But, she did want me to tell you that she’s completely down for another round of mini-golf like next week or whenever her cousin gets better.”

“Hey guys,” Moyo spoke up. The group turned towards Moyo, who was looking off in the distance. There was a slight smile growing on his face, of shock or something completely else. His eyes darted between all of them, before landing on Robbe. “See anything familiar?”

Aaron glanced, letting out an exclamation of “Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”

Jens turned too, his mouth falling open in shock.

Lucas stood up from between his ankles, giving Robbe the freedom to fully turn around.

Across the river, there stood an abandoned building. The building had always stood across the river from their hang out spot and it had always looked the same, remaining static in their otherwise hectic social and school lives. But, it was different now. And, Robbe’s face was plastered on the side of it, inside of a heart-shaped explosion of the brick wall.

Robbe recognized it instantly from the sketch that Sander had shown him in the apartment.

Chernobyl.

Robbe’s breath caught in his throat.

Imagine it on a big wall with these intense colors.

While Robbe had been flattered at the implication of Sander spray-painting his face on the wall for the world to see, kissing him in the middle of his kitchen, he had never expected the blond Instagram artist to actually do such a thing. But, there it was, for the world to see, in all its bright, intense colors and the implications that strung in Robbe’s core.

If Robbe hadn’t known any better, the entire thing read like a confession of love. It felt like an I love you, but the implication was quickly consumed by the image of a brown-haired girl in the club, her lips on his and his hands on her waist as she pulled him into the dance mob.

“Robbe, did you do that?” it was Moyo, pulling him from diving further into his thoughts.

Robbe gave him a look, knowing that it was a joke. Robbe’s art skills were minimal at best. All he could really do was make a really, really good stick figure and a handful of molecules when he needed to. In fact, he could name a handful of things that he could do better than drawing. Skateboarding is the only one among them that he would ever admit to. As if knowing, Moyo grinned at him.

“That’s absolutely insane,” Jens mumbled, glancing at Robbe. He looked like he was about to say something else before he was cut off by one of the others.

“Who do you think did it?” it was Aaron.

“Looks quite sexy,” Lucas admitted.

Jens looked at his boyfriend with an eyebrow raised. “Is there something that I need to know?” Lucas grinned at him, shaking his head, but Jens didn’t seem convinced. Robbe rolled his eyes. Lucas could play Jens like a fiddle and they all knew it.

“It is sexy. I think it’s something in the look, man,” Moyo agreed, holding up his phone in an attempt to take a picture. To his right, Aaron nodded his head. “I got to send it to Noor. She loves dragging me around the city to look at all the spraypainting.”

Jens sent a curious glance towards Robbe.

“We’ve got to get closer. I’m only getting blurry images,” Moyo announced, tugging on Robbe’s shoulder and gesturing for him to follow. “Let’s go.”

…

“Woah!”

It was Noor, moving towards them and staring at the mural with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Robbe was setting on the edge of the pier, blatantly refusing to be in the photo that Moyo, Jens, and Aaron were taking (Lucas was holding the camera, not wanting to be in it either). It was likely going to be on Instagram within the hour, being tagged in the photo was a definite thing that was going to happen, but Robbe couldn’t stop staring at the mural. From across the pier, it didn’t seem as big as it did right now, looming over the group of them and staring out at the river and the skatepark across the way.

But, it was huge.

The mural easily covered the entire wall and Robbe didn’t want to think about how long it had taken in the cold temperatures that had been hanging around lately because it certainly hadn’t been here last week.

Noor glanced towards Robbe, squatting down beside him. “I feel like I don’t have to tell you that Sander did this?”

For a brief moment, he had forgotten that he had told her and Jens about Sander, about everything that had happened between them. It caught him off guard, but then, he let out a sigh, turning back towards the mural which the boys were still admiring. “Yeah, I know,” Robbe replied, waving at Jens who glanced over. “He showed me a sketch and said something about it, but I didn’t think that he would… Wait, how do you know?”

“I recognize the tags,” Noor admitted, gesturing around vaguely. “We used to spray together back when we were at the Academy. Plus, he was there when I was finishing up the mural.”

“He was?” Robbe questioned.

Noor nodded her head as Jens approached the two of them, his hands in his pockets. Aaron, Moyo, and Lucas were talking, looking over the wall still. Noor continued, smiling at the newcomer, “He walked up to us but you had to step away because your mom called.” Robbe nodded his head. He remembered. If that man had really been Sander, he didn’t have a clue at the time, would’ve noticed. But, he did an excellent job of hiding his identity, wearing a black mask and being surrounded by shadows.

“Yeah, I remember,” Robbe mumbled, running a hand through his hair as he stared at his friends.

Jens glanced at Noor, who returned his gaze.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, spit it out guys,” Robbe spoke up.

“How do you feel with the fact that your face is on a gigantic wall across from the skatepark that you always hang out at?” Jens spoke up.

“Self-conscious,” Robbe admitted.

He had never done well in the spotlight, having all eyes focused solely on him. Even if he genuinely had a good time, the vlogs that they did in high school, and for the first couple years of their college career before they rarely got the chance to do them, were mostly to hang out with his friends and have a good time. Plus, the only people who really saw them were their friends and about a thousand other people that they didn’t really know enough for Robbe to feel that self-conscious.

But, this was something different.

It felt like something intimate, something that should only be reserved between Robbe and Sander, but it was on full display, on a wall plastered for the world to see. Despite Sander’s loving touches and gentle words, he seemed to … love so loud that it was deafening and unwavering and unable to question the sincerity of his words. But, Robbe couldn’t stop thinking about Sander’s actions, both with the mural in front of him but also the texts, the girl…

It made Robbe…

“Confused,” Robbe spoke up. Noor glanced at him. “I’m confused…”

“About?” Jens prompted.

“Everything,” Robbe admitted. “Just everything that’s happened between us. One minute, he’s with me and treating me like… like… I don’t know…” Noor patted his shoulder, sitting down on the concrete, and Jens stood still, listening. “And, then, I get a text saying that we’re moving too fast and that we need to take a break. But, less than a week later, he’s kissing a girl in a club.”

“Maybe he’s afraid,” Jens questioned.

“I don’t know,” Robbe admitted, running a hand through his hair again. “I don’t, I really don’t understand what’s going on or even what his feelings for me are. If I don’t even know that, how is any of it going to work?”

“Robbe,” Noor spoke up, wrapping her jacket tighter around his shoulders. She gestured to the wall in front of them. “No matter what happened, I think Sander just told you how he really feels.”

Glancing at the mural, Robbe knew that she was right. He could feel it in his bones, down his spine, as the other boys moved to leave, pulling Robbe with him. However, before he left, he pulled out his phone, taking a picture of the mural and ignoring Moyo’s comments. Once the picture was taken, he shoved the phone back into his pocket before walking off ahead of them, ignoring his friends’ shouts to wait up.

…

earthlingoddity has posted to his story.

Without even hesitating, Robbe pulled it up.

As his friends moved around him, trying to decide on dinner because they hadn’t gotten that far, as Aaron sent a message to Amber about the mural, he pulled the phone to him, hoping to hide what he was doing from his nosy friends. Robbe didn’t know what he was hoping for in terms of the story. Maybe he was hoping for some sort of indication that he had done it, that he had taken so much time to do it, but Robbe didn’t find anything involving the mural.

Honestly, even though he was slightly disappointed, he shouldn’t have been surprised.

Spray-painting the side of a building was a crime.

There’s a photo of Sander, a croque hanging from between his mouth, and a caption in white letters.

My cousin knows me so well

Robbe swiped to his messages.

He was going to write to him about the mural, ask Sander what he meant by the mural, to get some clarification. But, Robbe paused, his thumbs hanging above the keys, unable to type even a hey. Robbe locked his screen, shoving his phone in his pocket and burying his face in his hands, running one through his hair.

“Hey,” Noor spoke, pulling things out of the fridge. “Is Amber joining us for dinner?”

“No, she and her cousin are having dinner already,” Aaron replied, glancing up from her phone. “But, she might be coming over later. Or, I might be going over there. It depends.”

“Alright,” Noor replied, nodding her head.

“Dinner for six it is then!” Lucas responded, moving to help her.

“Everyone out of the kitchen,” Noor demanded. The Broerrrs all hurried out of there, wanting to avoid Noor’s cooking frenzy. When she was in control of the kitchen, she tended to be mean and she was not opposed to hitting one of them with a spatula if they got in her way.

…

At the top of the messages with Sander, there was a greeting, a “good morning?” from last Thursday, before he had seen Robbe with Senne in the tuxedo shop. Despite everything that had happened, despite the fact that he knew Robbe had been at the club, he had still made the effort. Though Robbe had been angry, and still slightly angry, though the anger had since melted into confusion, it was touching that Sander still reached out to see how he was doing, to wish him a good morning, even when Robbe had not been responding back.

Below that, the messages that he had finally managed to type out and send about an hour ago were hanging beneath his good morning message from last Thursday.

Hey Sander.

Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you yet

But that wall…

That was the drawing you showed me right?

Could you come by?

Or… I could come over to your place, to talk?

The longer that he stared at it, the longer he felt a little desperate to hear back.

But, in all honesty, Robbe wasn’t even certain that he would hear back from Sander.

Robbe had seen the mural on Saturday afternoon, spent the better part of Saturday night staring at the photo he had taken, at Sander’s public, loud declaration. On Sunday, he had spent the evening at the clinic with his mom, but he didn’t want to trouble her with such things so he kept the photo to himself, keeping it from his mother, and trying to pass off the anticipation and stress as something else, stress about a test, or something anything else, trying to remain present with his mom.

“Promise me that you’ll talk about it when you’re ready,” his mother had spoken, mumbling as he started to leave. She had reached out to take his hand, squeezing it gently. “You don’t have to carry the world on your shoulders just become I’m in here. You’ve got Jens and the boys and Zoë and Milan.”

Robbe smiled, kissing her forehead. “I know, Mama,” he replied. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“But, I’m going to,” his mother replied, staring up at him from her bed. “You’re my son. I’m always going to worry about you.”

Finally, on Monday, as his brain wandered to Sander in his afternoon class, he finally managed to work up the nerve, opening his laptop and typing out the messages in rapid succession. The anxiousness and anticipation were bubbling in his chest, squeezing him on the inside as he tried to focus on the same paragraph that he’s been trying to read for almost thirty minutes, maybe an hour. Whatever productivity had fostered in his chest last week had vanished, leaving him paralyzed, flat on his back and unable to focus outside of one, singular thought that ran through his mind.

Sander.

The texts.

Robbe ran a hand through his hair, discarding the textbook to the side so he could roll over, burying his face in the sheets. They didn’t smell like Sander, he had never been over here, but, as irrational as it was, Robbe couldn’t help craving his scent right now, wanting to bury his face in the crook of his neck and hold him as tight as could, like he desperately wanted to. He let out a groan, resting his chin on the crook of his arm as he tried to calm his thoughts.

Maybe, Sander was busy.

Maybe, he had a project or a commission that he needed to work on and that was why he hadn’t responded back yet.

But, Robbe might’ve waited too long, trying to figure out what he had wanted for himself, if he was willing to risk giving his heart to someone who had awoken it then stepped back without releasing his heart fully back to his chest. Maybe that’s why it took him so long to reach out, so long to figure out if he was willing to risk it all over again, because Robbe didn’t know if he would be capable of Sander breaking his heart a second time around.

It had taken him days to send the text, to tell Sander that he had seen the mural.

And, at the end of the day, there was only one reason that it all boiled down to why it took him that long to send those six text messages: he was a coward, unable to handle the prospect of Sander rejecting him.

…

“Sander?”

Robbe doesn’t know how he’s there, because he could barely open his eyes and it was hard to tell if they were open or closed, but he could just vaguely see the trusts of platinum-blond hair and the outline of a leather jacket before his lips are on his, his body hovering over him. Robbe clung to him, pulling him against his chest and wrapping his legs around his waist. Sander sunk against him, putting more of his body weight on Robbe, and his long fingers dug into Robbe’s hair, tugging lightly and causing him to sigh into the kiss.

There’s a mischevious smirk on Sander’s face as he pulled back. Robbe doesn’t know quite how he knows that because it’s still hard to tell whether his eyes are open or closed, but he does, and he cranes up to chase his lips, finding them briefly, pressing featherlight kisses against them that should really only be counted as brief brushing of their lips, before Sander was pushing him back against the bed.

Sander’s lips were on his neck, slowly traveling down along his before latching onto his collar bone, as his free hand pushed up his shirt.

Wait, his mind screamed at him. This wasn’t right.

Robbe shot up in his bed, the textbook that had been on his chest falling onto the floor with a loud thump that resounded through his bedroom. There’s movement from across the hall, Jens must still be awake, and Robbe ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply, and blindly reaching for his phone as it dinged. Jens.

You okay?

Yeah, just had a bad dream and woke up.

Must’ve fallen asleep with my textbook.

Okay.

Get some sleep.

You too.

Robbe let out a sigh, running his hands through his hair, the dream rushing back to him in an instant. The path of his neck that Dream Sander had followed lit up like a flame, burning beneath his skin. Robbe’s cheeks and chest flushed and he was thankful that the dream hadn’t gone any further or else he might’ve woken up to something else. Yet, at the same time, Robbe had wanted it to be real.

It had been days since Robbe had sent him those messages, asking him to come over and never getting a response back. He still hadn’t heard from Sander and he knew that Sander had seen them, from the bubble of his face beneath the message. If it hadn’t been obvious to him on Monday, it certainly was now as Robbe flopped back on his bed, ignoring the piles of notes that were surrounding him.

Robbe had waited too long.

He squeezed his eyes shut, pinching his nose, as he rested his phone against his chest.

With each passing day, he was more and more convinced that he should’ve gone straight to Sander’s apartment. He didn’t have a key to get into the front gate, but Robbe was nimble and quick enough (and daring enough) to climb the fence, and if all else failed, he could always ask Nick or Clara to let him in. He should’ve gone up to Sander’s apartment, knocked on the door until he answered or waited until he got home from wherever he had been, because he needed answers and needed to see him, to hold him, to kiss him, to know that it was all real, that painting a gigantic mural of his face meant something and wasn’t something of a thing that he decided to do just because.

He needed to know.

But, because Robbe waited too long, it might’ve been too late for him to get the answers that he needed.

Without thinking, he switched to his messages with Sander, staring down at his own words and the six messages that he used to get it all out. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering if he should say something else, but three bubbles popped up.

His heart thumped.

The bubbles were there, indicating that Sander was, in fact, trying to figure out something to say, and they stayed there for several minutes, floating above the keyboard, before they disappeared completely. Robbe waited a couple of minutes for the message to come through, but it never did. Whatever it was that Sander had been typing, he had deleted it.

Robbe let out a breath that he didn’t fully realize he was holding, locking his phone and putting it against his chest. As he sunk further into the sheets, trying to relax enough to go back to see before his class in the morning, Robbe’s mind wandered to Sander, which wasn’t that much of a surprise because it frequently did as such lately. But, now, Robbe couldn’t help wondering if Sander was just as conflicted as Robbe was.

…

At the sight of the mural, Robbe let out a sigh.

It was still there, bright and beautiful across the water, but Robbe couldn’t help noticing the number of stares that were focused in his direction. There were the skaters that they would normally see, parents who had brought their children to the playground to run around and scream to their heart’s content, and even the old man that was always feeding the birds seemed to be staring at him now.

“Why are people staring?” Robbe groaned, kicking his skateboard beneath their normal bench and flopping down on it.

Jens picked up his board, laying it across on his lap as he sat down beside him. “I don’t know, Robbe,” Jens admitted, his face impassive and straight. “It might have to do with the fact that there’s a giant mural across the water with your face on it.”

Robbe snatched the joint behind his ear and placed it in his mouth. Jens let out a muffled protest as the smaller one of them pulled out the lighter from his pocket and lit the end of the joint expertly. Robbe inhaled deeply, the smoke filling up his lungs, and he had no protests when Jens snatched the joint, rolling his eyes at his friends. Robbe exhaled, the smoke pouring from his lips.

“Have you heard from him?” Jens questioned.

“Huh?”

“Sander,” Jens clarified, gesturing across the water. “Have you heard back from him yet?”

Robbe shook his head. “No,” Robbe admitted, not liking how sad his own voice sounded. “But, he’s opened the messages and I thought he was responding back on Wednesday. I saw the bubbles pop up like he was texting but he didn’t send anything.” Robbe let out a sigh, burying his face in his hands. “Then, he randomly liked two of my Instagram posts yesterday. I don’t get it, Jens.”

“Which ones?”

Robbe pulled out his phone to show him and Jens scooted closer to see.

The first photo had been a group photo with the guys at Zoë and Senne’s engagement party, before Lucas had been such an intricate part of their flat dynamic, before Noor had dragged Robbe off to the abandoned warehouse. It was weird to think about, Robbe realized, how quickly Lucas had gone from barely being there, sneaking away before Moyo and Aaron woke up, to always being there.

The next photo was one from years ago, back when they were high school and back when Robbe was still firmly in the closet. Robbe in the picture had his mouth wide open with his head tilted back, two beers in his hand. He remembered the dare, vaguely, to try and pour both of them in his mouth without spilling it. The photo captioned right before he failed miserably, spilling it over his chest, and his friends had laughed out loud, teasing him.

“That’s suggestive,” Jens mumbled, handing him the joint.

Robbe scoffed, inhaling. “You’re the one who took the photo.”

“Did I?”

“Yeah,” Robbe replied, shaking his head. Jens looked at him and Robbe stared straight ahead, unable to look at him. “I don’t get it. I don’t get any of this. I don’t understand him and what’s going on anymore.”

“Do you still want to be with him?” Jens questioned. Robbe opened his mouth but quickly closed it, unable to figure out what exactly he wanted to say. He turned around, looking towards the graffiti that was plastered against the side of the warehouse, his face in all those intense, bright colors, as he inhaled another drag. Jens gained his attention by lightly slapping the back of his head. “Do you?”

Robbe let out a sigh, smoke still falling out. “Yeah. I want answers.”

“Then, you’re going to have to make him choose,” Jens spoke up, propping one foot on his knee. “You can’t keep going like this. It’s too painful, he’s going to have to make a decision. Either he talks to you or he doesn’t talk to you anymore. It isn’t good for anyone. No, you know what, tell him that.”

Robbe glanced towards him. “Huh?”

“Text him. Now.”

“What? Why, now?”

“Yes, now.”

“Weren’t you just paying attention? He didn’t respond to my last texts asking to meet up. Why would he respond to this one?”

“Because, if he doesn’t, then you have the answer that you need,” Jens spoke. “Robbe, you’ve been constantly waiting for him to respond back and it’s painful and he’s fucking with you. If he doesn’t respond back, then that’s the answer that you need. And, if he doesn’t respond back to you, you deserve someone better in your life, someone that actually tries to be there.”

Robbe let out a sigh, knowing that he was right. Despite all the silence and the no-responses, Robbe wanted Sander as much as he did in his apartment, talking about their favorite actors and parallel universes and eating pizza. It hadn’t changed one bit in the two weeks since it all went down. Jens patted his shoulder. “Pull up your messages.”

Robbe did as told.

“Just tell him: I want clarity,” Jens started. Robbe quickly typed the message, following along with what his best friend was saying. “Either, you choose me or it ends for me here and now.”

I want clarity. Either you choose me. Or it ends for me-

Robbe stopped typing.

Jens noticed, waiting.

“And…” Robbe trailed off. “What if he…”

It was in moments like these that he was thankful that Jens knew him so well.

“If he says that it’s really over?” Jens questioned.

Robbe nodded his head.

Robbe didn’t want that to be an option for him, for either of them. It felt ridiculous to Robbe’s logical mind that he would be feeling this way about someone that he had only been involved with for about a week. But, Robbe couldn’t imagine his life without Sander, both as Sander, kissing him and wrapped up in his arms, and as earthlingoddity, through an Instagram profile, who made him laugh in times where he thought it was impossible and made him wait eagerly for his next piece of art that he wanted to share with his fans.

Without even realizing, the intense crush that Robbe had on the guy behind a famous Instagram profile had become such an important part of his life that he couldn’t picture a point in the future where Sander wasn’t involved.

He wasn’t for sure he could handle the heartbreak if Sander didn’t feel the same way.

Jens gave him a sympathetic look. “Then, it’ll be painful,” Jens replied. “But, it’ll be a lot less painful than this shit going on right now. Come on Robbe,” Jens turned, using his board to gesture to the gigantic mural that was hanging behind him. Robbe turned towards it, taking in the bright colors like it was still the first time that he had seen it all over again. “Someone who does something like this for you… He loves you so much.”

“Yeah,” Robbe mumbled. “But…” he trailed off, remembering a conversation that he had with Milan his first year of uni, back when Robbe got in a relationship with a closeted man and had ended it when he didn’t want to come out to his friends, to anyone. “Does he want to admit that?”

Jens didn’t have an answer, holding out the joint between his fingers to place it in Robbe’s mouth. Robbe opened his mouth to take the joint, inhaling deeply, before letting Jens take the joint away. As he exhaled smoke out of the corner of his mouth, he finished typing out the message and pressed send.

I want clarity. Either you choose me. Or it ends for me here and now.

“It’s sent,” Robbe mumbled, sticking his phone in his pocket. Jens nodded his head. “When are you heading over to the Netherlands?” Robbe questioned, eager to change the subject.

“After this,” Jens replied. “My stuff is already at Lucas’ apartment. I told him that you and I were going to go out for a smoke then I would head that way.” Robbe nodded his head. “Tell me if you hear anything from him okay? Just because Lucas and I are in the Netherlands for the weekend doesn’t mean that you have to give me radio silence.”

Robbe laughed. “I know, Jens,” he replied. “I promise to tell you the latest thing that Noor and I have to stop Moyo and Aaron from doing before they burn down the kitchen curtains and you can laugh and tell us that we should’ve recorded it.”

Jens laughed as Robbe stood up. “Tell Mom hi for me.”

“I will,” Robbe spoke, pulling his board from beneath the stone bench. “You should come with me next week. She’s always asking about you and I’m pretty sure she wants to meet your boyfriend too. You know that you’re the second son she never had.” Jens shook his head as Robbe pushed off, shouting behind him, “Have fun in the Netherlands. Text when you guys get there.”

“I will!”

…

It was past nine by the time that his apartment is insight.

His body was tired, his mind even worse, and he felt ready to crash. It was one of his mother’s off days. She had spent the majority of the visit scribbling into a journal and Robbe had watched her, fascinated with the way that her mind worked. She had been resistant to taking her meds, but the doctor managed to convince her to take them. In their meeting, while his mother was in group therapy, her doctor had told Robbe that she thought that his mother would be able to be home by Valentine’s Day.

Robbe had smiled.

He was thankful.

His mother had been upset for missing Christmas (Robbe had spent the holiday with the boys and later the members of their old flatshare), but she would’ve been extremely upset if she would miss Valentine’s Day as well. Since his father had left them, they had a running tradition of going to a restaurant and spending the evening watching movies. It was always just the two of them. Sometimes, Jens and his little sister and father would join, the five of them lounging on the floor as they bickered and argued over which movie they wanted to watch. But, it always ended up the same way, surrounded by friends and family.

But, at least once Robbe got home, he had the place to himself at least until two.

Jens and Lucas had already arrived in the Netherlands, having arrived home at Lucas’s mother’s house while Robbe was with his mother. Jens had FaceTimed, eager to talk to Robbe’s mom and introduce his boyfriend to his “adoptive” mother, and she had relished in the thought of him thinking of her. As a result, Robbe was also introduced to Lucas’ mother, who had been curious about who they were talking to.

As for his other two (three, technically, four if you counted Amber), Noor had an art gallery showing which was taking place a few towns over. Moyo was with her to support her and they were spending the night in a hotel so they wouldn’t have to race to get on a train late at night. On the other hand, Aaron was going out to have some drinks with some of his uni friends that he had met in his various classes. Robbe wasn’t for sure if Amber was with him, but it was likely that she was. She got along with everyone and Aaron loved having her around.

So, he was alone for the night.

Good, his mind spat at him as he stared down at the opened and the read text message on his phone screen.

I want clarity. Either you choose me. Or it ends for me here and now.

Robbe let out a sigh, lowering his phone as he moved across from the lobby.

How was he going to move on?

At least he could wallow in silence.

As Robbe stepped towards the elevator, the door to the lobby swung open, letting in a light burst of winter cold air, but he didn’t pay attention to it, sticking his phone in his pocket, holding onto it, and reaching to press the up button for the elevator.

“Robbe?”

His breath caught in his throat as he turned to the entrance where the bleach-blond had his head poked in the entrance to the lobby, his eyes trained on Robbe.

Sander.

At the sight of him, Robbe was certain that his heart did gymnastics in his chest and he wanted nothing more than to rush at Sander, kiss him as though his life depended on it, but he stopped himself, watching as Sander stepped inside, letting the door shut behind him. The sound seemed to cut off the rest of the world, the rush of the street outside silenced with the slam of the door, and Sander’s eyes were trained on Robbe as he moved closer, his leather jacket creaking as he walked.

Robbe supposed the obvious question would’ve been how did Sander know to come here and it had taken him a second to remember that the blond had hand-delivered Moyo and Noor’s anniversary gift. Plus, Robbe had mentioned they were roommates. So, he guessed that he didn’t need to ask that question.

Robbe stared up at Sander, who was an arm’s length away, within distance for Robbe to reach out and wrap his arms around. His green eyes were staring at Robbe intensely, looking dark and clouded in the dim light of the lobby at night, and Robbe watched him, trying to figure out what he was going to say or do. Was he going to tell Robbe that he wanted to be with him or had he come to end it once and for all?

Sander’s eyes flickered down, to Robbe’s lips, before he was leaning in, their lips slotting together as easily as breathing. It was gentle and sweet, nothing too heavy or frantic on either end, but Robbe could feel the heat pooling through him like an inferno that was ready to burn him down. Sander’s hand was at his jaw, his fingers in his hair, and Robbe pressed his lips back against his.

But, then, Robbe reached up, his hands fisting in Sander’s black t-shirt and pushed him back.

Robbe had texted him because he wanted clarity, about Sander and his feelings, not because of this.

Sander let out a sigh, his exhale brushing lightly over the skin of Robbe’s face. He doesn’t have to open his eyes to know that Sander understands what Robbe wants.

Glancing at him briefly through his eyelashes, Robbe saw the broken expression on Sander’s face as he leaned against Robbe, his nose pressed against the space between his eyebrows. Sander’s head was heavy on Robbe’s shoulder, gripping onto him tightly, and Robbe let out his own sigh, cursing his own mind and his own uncertainty, but unable to waver. He needed to know.

But, if Sander decided that he had come here to say goodbye to him, give him one final, haunting goodbye kiss, then, at least, Robbe had the moment here, their foreheads pressed together and Sander’s hand on his shoulder, their noses brushing together purposely. Sander’s forehead moved against his, his nose pressing further against Robbe’s and Robbe felt himself mirroring the action.

Inhaling, Robbe opened his eyes fully, training them on Sander’s lips and taking half of a step back. Sander’s eyes were already open, trained on him, but Robbe couldn’t bring himself to look him in the eye. Not right now. Not until he knew.

“You and I,” Sander whispered, catching Robbe’s attention. Robbe glanced up at him, his brown eyes connecting with Sander’s green ones. “One hundred percent, forever.” Robbe searched his eyes for any sign that this was a lie, like his mind was expecting it to be, but, no matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find any sign. Sander was telling the truth. “In every universe.”

Robbe felt his eyes fall briefly down to Sander’s lips before he glanced back at his bright green eyes. Sander was watching for a sign, his hand still on Robbe’s shoulder. Robbe felt his heart accelerating a little bit as his racing mind caught up with Sander’s declaration. Sander was here, right here right now, choosing to be here with him, and… There was a look in Sander’s eyes as he watched him, half-lidded and cautious, waiting for Robbe to react.

Robbe swallowed, asking the question that had been on his mind for about two weeks now. “Who was the girl, Sander?”

He could’ve scoffed, told Robbe that he had nothing to worry about and dodged the question, but Sander didn’t do any of that. Instead, he stared at him with a broken expression. “Her name was Laura,” Sander replied. “I thought that… if I was kissing someone, it would make it easier to forget that I had hurt you and pushed you away. But, it didn’t. It just made it worse.”

“Why did you?” Robbe whispered. “Push me away?”

“I didn’t want her to hurt you…”

“Laura?” Sander shook his head. “Britt?” Sander shook his head again. “Then, who?” Sander shook his head for a third time, a pained look on his face. Robbe understood the look. His mom used to give it to him all the time. He didn’t want to talk about it and Robbe hoped that Sander knew that he would be there when he wanted to.

“I mean it, Robbe,” Sander spoke up. “You and I. One hundred percent-”

Before Sander could finish, Robbe closed the distance, pressing their lips together like he had wanted to since he saw Sander last Thursday. Now that Robbe had closed the distance, pressed their lips together and clung to his shirt, Sander reached out, gripping tightly on his sides and holding onto his brown jacket, pushing him back towards the wall. Robbe expected to feel his head collide with the tile on the walls, but Sander’s hand was there, stopping it before his hand cupped his face.

Robbe blindly reached for the elevator button, grabbing onto the lapels of Sander’s leather jacket. When it let out a ding, signaling that it had arrived on the first floor, he pushed the blond in the elevator, separating briefly only to make sure that he hit the right floor number before returning to kiss him desperately.

…

The elevator was empty, thankfully, because Robbe would’ve been embarrassed that Sander pressed him flush against the wall and him, slotting one of his legs between Robbe’s two, and attacked his lips as his life depended on it, his hands fisted in Robbe’s hair, pulling just hard enough to be pleasurable. Once they had reached the floor of Robbe’s apartment and the elevator doors opened, Robbe pushed Sander away, only to guide him out of the elevator and down the hallway so he didn’t run them into any corners or persons that were out in the hallway.

By something of a miracle, the hallway was empty too.

There was a bright, smug look on Sander’s face before Robbe connected their lips back together again. Their kiss was becoming more and more frantic with every passing second and Robbe needed to be inside his apartment with Sander, now, or they wouldn’t make it all the way. Robbe searched for his keys in his pockets, never breaking the kiss. Through his eyelashes, he spotted their apartment number and blindly inserted the key into the lock, pushing the door open and shoving Sander inside. Robbe followed, pulling his keys from the lock and slamming the door.

Once the door was locked and Robbe’s keys were discarded somewhere, Sander’s hands dropped lower to his waist, gripping tightly.

Standing in the threshold of their apartment, Robbe reached up, shoving Sander’s jacket off his shoulders. It slipped down easily, down his arms, but got caught on his wrists. “Off,” Robbe mumbled into the kiss before pressing his lips tighter against the other’s. He heard a laugh in Sander’s throat, felt the coldness on his waist as he reached back to fully take it off, and Robbe took it from him, placing it on the empty hook on the far right which had long since been unanimously Robbe’s. “Shoes,” Robbe ordered, lightly, kicking his sneakers off in the direction of the foot rack.

Sander chuckled, stepping back from him. Robbe whined at the loss, but he spotted that Sander was wearing his Docs. As Sander kneeled down, his fingers frantically and crudely moving to undo the laces, his gaze flickered up to Robbe, who was taking off his own jacket. “Bossy Robbe is hot,” Sander spoke, his voice deep and gravelly which was affecting Robbe more than it should’ve been. Once the Docs were completely and placed with the rest of the shoes, Sander was back in Robbe’s arms, kissing him feverously and gripping at his hair again, as the smaller man pushed him back towards his room.

Robbe waited until his bedroom door was fully shut before he shoved his hands beneath the fabric of Sander’s shirt, running his hands over the warm flesh of Sander’s stomach. His roommates weren’t home and it wouldn’t really matter, but it was more of a personal preference for anything else. But, Sander didn’t seem to have the same hesitations, as his hand had been brushing across his abs even in the elevator. His hands were going higher and higher on Robbe’s chest, pulling at the clothes with the other.

Sander separates their heated kiss only to pull the fabric over his head. Once Robbe’s hoodie and shirt pass over his nose, Sander’s lips are back on his again, his hands still pulling the fabric up Robbe’s arms and discarding them somewhere over his shoulder. Robbe gripped tightly at the hem of Sander’s shirt, pulling it up and over his chest, exposing the wolf tattoo to him once again. Robbe reached out to touch it, running his hand down his chest. Once the fabric of his shirt was high enough, Sander ducked out of it and Robbe tossed it aside, feeling the brush of Sander’s tongue dragging along his lip before their lips officially met again, Sander’s tongue slipping into Robbe’s mouth.

Robbe wrapped an arm around Sander, gripping at his shoulder tightly, as he led him towards the bed.

Once they were close enough, Robbe pushed Sander onto the bed and climbed over him, his hands on either side of Sander’s face and his knees on either side of his hips. A glowing smile crossed Sander’s face, the kind that might’ve broken his face in two, and lit up his entire face by several notches. It was one of those smiles that Robbe hoped was reserved only for him and he only had a couple of seconds to stare before Sander was reaching for him, pressing their lips together and dragging him back against the bed and against Sander.

They both gasped when their hips rolled together.

Dragging his mouth away from Sander’s lips, Robbe trailed his lips against his jawline, pressing kisses and biting down on the skin as he went. Robbe pressed a kiss behind Sander’s ear, left a few marks against the flesh of his neck, and bit down on the flesh where his shoulder met his neck. Sander let out a sigh, his fingers working through Robbe’s hair, gripping tightly at the nape of his neck. But, Robbe didn’t stop, pressing kissing down his chest, pressing one against the bump that he had felt that afternoon beneath the tattoo of the wolf (Sander let out a straggled breathed), and briefly traced the ink as he pressed more kisses along the length of his chest.

It’s only when Robbe hooked his fingers on Sander’s belt, moving to undo it, that he paused.

And, Sander noticed.

“What is it?” he questioned, concerned but not sitting up. Robbe let out a sigh, resting his forehead against Sander’s stomach. “Robbe,” Sander spoke, sitting up and forcing Robbe to do the same. The brunet left his fingers on Sander’s belt and settled down on Sander’s thighs. “What is it? We can stop if you want to...”

“No! No, that’s not it,” Robbe replied, shaking his head. “Um, it’s just that… will you be here in the morning?”

For a moment, Sander was quiet. Then, his hands were on either side of Robbe’s face, pulling him to look up at Sander, into his bright green eyes that were looking at him fondly, and heatedly, if such a combination was even possible. “Of course, I will,” Sander replied, pressing a kiss against Robbe’s lips. Robbe leaned into his kiss, his lips moving with Sander’s, and let out a breath of relief. Sander pulled away, pressing a kiss against Robbe’s cheekbone, whispering. “I’ll be here for as long as you want me.”

“And if it’s forever?” Robbe questioned.

There’s a watery look in Sander’s eyes now, their lips barely touching against the other but not kissing, not yet, and Sander smiled, “Then, it’s forever because from now on, it’s just the two of us.” Robbe smiled and Sander kissed him again, his breath hitching sharply as Robbe undid his belt and pulled it from the loops.

...

I hope I managed to portray Robbe’s confused thoughts during this time justice.

#wtfock fic #rosander fic #sobbe fic #rosander #sobbe #robbe x sander #robbe ijzermans #sander driesen #jens stoffels #lucas van der heijden #vds #van der stoffels (background)#moyo x noor (background)#aaron x amber (background)#if you squint you can see my favorite wtfock crack theory before i reveal it next chapter #enjoy!#i love you all #also sorry it took so long lol

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omgjasminesimone · 5 years ago

Text

The Hot Exchange Student Part 2

Logan x MC (Ellie)

Previous Part: Part 1

Next Part: Part 3

Author’s Note: Happy RoDAW Logan Day! Let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist! (Hopefully the tags work)

Summary: Logan is an exchange student from Detroit a few weeks into his exchange program in L.A. He’s adjusting pretty well. He’s even going to parties and sideshows with a cute girl who’s technically his host sister, but their feelings are quickly becoming far from familial.

Word Count: 3,400

“Soak it all in.” Riya commands, smiling at Ellie as the four of them enter Brent’s mansion.

“And I thought your house was nice.” Logan says after glancing around at the sheer size of the place.

“The Vandermeers are loaded. Brent is probably the richest kid at school.” Darius explains to the group newcomer.

“So, what do you think of your first high school party Ellie?” Riya prompts when Ellie does nothing except look around the room with a wide-eyed stare for several long moments.

Ellie’s turns her stare to her friends. “This is absolute chaos! I can’t hear myself think! How does Brent even know this many people? Are they drinking alcohol out of those red cups?” Ellie’s stream of consciousness flies out with no filter.

Logan smiles fondly at her. “I like how you say exactly what you’re thinking. It’s refreshing.”

“Speaking of refreshing…” Ingrid sidles up to Logan, brushing against him flirtatiously. She’s holding two red solo cups. She offers Logan one. “Jungle juice?”

“Sure, thanks.” Logan responds, sipping on the alcoholic mixture.

Ingrid trails her now free hand down his toned arm to his hand. Ellie grits her teeth and looks at her rival murderously. “I’m the Mar Vista Prep Unofficial Welcoming Committee, let me show you around, introduce you to some people.”

Ingrid doesn’t wait for a response before pulling Logan away.

“Has she always been that aggressive?” Darius asks when the two are out of earshot.

Ellie tears her gaze away from Logan as Ingrid introduces him to Brent and the rest of the popular kids. “Let’s check out the food. Or the corner.” Ellie suggests.

“No way Ellie. We’ve never been able to drag you out with us before. You’re getting the full high school party experience.” Riya insists, tugging Ellie over to the jungle juice.

Darius pours glasses for the three while Ellie looks around worriedly, almost convinced her dad is going to burst through the door in full uniform to break up the underage drinking. “Relax Ellie.” Darius says, handing her a cup.

“Easy for you to say. I don’t think your dad owns a breathalyzer.” Ellie retorts, but she takes a sip anyway. She’s never had alcohol before, and she kind of just wants to know what all the fuss is about. Hmm…this is actually pretty good. It mostly takes like juice, but there’s definitely an added alcoholic tang.

Before she knows it, Ellie has finished her second cup of the concoction. And her alcohol tolerance must be pretty low, because she’s definitely feeling it. After all, sober Ellie would have never allowed Riya and Darius to drag her to the dance floor, sober Ellie would have been worried about looking stupid in front of everybody. Tipsy Ellie is more fun.

Ellie sways to the loud R&B song blaring out of Brent’s expensive sound system, sipping on a beer now since she figured she should try other types of alcohol. She doesn’t like it, but at least she’s drinking it slowly since the taste is terrible. Ellie spins, and when she looks up her gaze locks with Logan’s. He’s dancing with some redhead, but his eyes remain locked on her.

Riya pushes her towards him. “Go, cut in.”

“But-“ Ellie tries to interject.

“Go.” Riya says insistently, pushing a little more firmly this time. “Logan is staring at you. He clearly wants you to.”

Sober Ellie would have protested more, but tipsy Ellie decides maybe he does want her to, especially if she’s reading that hungry gaze correctly. Ellie taps the girl’s shoulder. When she turns around, Ellie realizes her name is Lisa and she’s in their Spanish class. “Can I cut in?”

Lisa looks like she’s going to say no, but Logan grips Ellie’s hand and pulls her to him. Sober Ellie would be blushing furiously, but tipsy Ellie just drapes her arms over his shoulders, almost like she’s done this before. Logan’s smile widens, and he pulls her as close as he physically can with his hands on her waist, leaving them thigh to thigh.

Oh. There’s the heat of the full body blush he’s so good at getting out of her. For a moment, she had thought tipsy Ellie was immune. “I’ve barely seen you all night. What kind of host are you, leaving me all alone?” Logan teases.

“You weren’t alone. Ingrid was hanging all over you.” Ellie reminds him. Ellie had watched them while she drank, ate, danced, mingled with Tim, or was it Josh?

Logan tilts her chin up so she’s looking at him. “Are you jealous? I kinda like when you’re jealous.” Some of her hair has escaped her ponytail, so he tucks it behind her ear. And when he does, she spots his watch.

“Oh my God Logan, it’s 11:00!” Ellie exclaims, pulling herself out of his arms. He doesn’t seem to understand her alarm, so she clarifies. “Our curfew! It was 10:30! And I’m still kinda drunk and my dad will definitely notice, and Riya probably can’t even drive right now! I just saw her down a beer, and-“

“Hey.” Logan interrupts, rubbing her bare arms comfortingly. “Breathe.” Ellie does what he says, and immediately feels a little better. “It’s just curfew.” Logan adds flippantly.

“My dad takes curfew very seriously. We’re going to be grounded for the rest of the time you’re here.”

Logan smirks. “No one has ever tried to ground me before. This should be interesting.”

Ellie frowns, he’s never been grounded? What’s the deal with his parents? But there’s no time to get into that now. Logan takes her hand and winds his way through the crowd to where Riya and Darius are drunkenly grinding on each other. It seems they were just keeping it G-rated before for her benefit, their perennial third wheel.

Logan clears his throat, and the pair reluctantly pull apart. “Can either of you drive right now? Ellie missed her curfew.”

They both shake their heads no emphatically. “I can drive then. I stopped drinking a while ago. Do you trust me with your car, Riya?” Logan asks.

“Well, I’ve only known you for two weeks, but so far you seem pretty trustworthy. And I really want to go home and go to bed, so here’s the keys!” Riya drunkenly tosses the keys high, but Logan manages to catch them anyway.

Logan drops Darius off first, and then parks the car in Riya’s driveway.

“Are you sure you don’t want to just drive to Ellie’s? I can come pick up my car tomorrow.” Riya offers.

“I don’t know how I would explain that to my dad without letting him know about the underage drinking. Besides we still have time to catch the last bus.” Ellie replies.

“If you’re sure. Night guys! Thanks for driving Logan!” Riya drunkenly stumbles into her house, and Ellie and Logan set off for the bus stop.

“Why don’t you have your license?” Logan asks. He’s been wondering for a while, she can’t possibly enjoy riding the school bus. He sure doesn’t like it.

“My dad says driving is too dangerous. He sees a lot of crazy stuff out on the streets.”

“And the fact that it’s almost midnight and we’re walking through downtown Los Angeles to the bus stop isn’t dangerous?”

“Well, to be fair my dad never wanted us out this late.”

“He’s really controlling.” Logan notes.

Ellie frowns, automatically defending her father. “He’s very protective.”

Logan sighs, letting it go since they’re obviously not going to agree. “Well, you told me what your dad thinks. What about you? Do you want to learn how to drive? Because I could teach you.” He offers.

“You could?” Ellie has been wanting to get her license since she turned 16 several months ago, despite her father’s objections.

Logan smiles at the hopeful look in her eyes. “Sure, everyone should know how to drive. We need a car though. My cousin Vaughn lives in LA. I bet he could get me a good deal on something used. He travels a lot for work and he’s currently out of town, but when he’s back we should see what he can do.”

“Looking forward to it.” Ellie responds, eyes widening when she sees their bus coming from around the corner. They’re still a little far off from the bus stop. “Run!” She instructs, waving down the bus.

…

“The European Union was formed by the….” Ellie tries to think of the answer without flipping over her yellow flashcard, looking to the ceiling as if she’ll find the answer there. “…Maastricht Treaty!” She recalls, smiling when she flips the flashcard to check and discovers she’s right. “WWII started on…..”

Logan knocks cheerily on her door, opening it when she gives him permission. He flops down on her bed, narrowly avoiding her open textbooks. “Vaughn invited me to a sideshow in West LA. Want to come with?”

Ellie frowns, she has a test on Monday. Plus, they’re grounded.

When they got back from the party two weeks ago, her dad hadn’t been home. He was working an overnight shift, but he’d left a note saying he wanted to speak with both of them in the morning. He had gone on and on about how disappointed he was, and then grounded them for three weeks.

“What’s a sideshow?” She asks instead of reminding him they’re not supposed to go out. Her dad is working another overnight tonight, so he’ll be none the wiser. Plus, Logan hasn’t really respected the grounding thus far anyway, coming and going as he pleases. Her dad is getting really irritated with him.

“People bring out their cars, show off a little, race, there’s food, drinks, it’s basically a party.” Logan explains, hands behind his head. His shirt is riding up, exposing that sliver of skin between his jeans and his t-shirt that she finds so enticing. She forces her eyes back up to his face.

“And I’ll get to meet Vaughn?” Vaughn is the only family Logan has ever talked to her about. He’s always very tight lipped about Detroit when she asks questions.

Logan smiles. “You would, and he’s a trip. You don’t want to miss that Ellie.”

“I think my dad changed the code to the alarm. He’s trying to make you respect your grounding.”

Logan rolls his eyes. “I can’t be grounded, I’m a guest. Are the windows alarmed?” Ellie shakes her head no, and Logan grins, hopping off her bed and opening her window. “Then window escape it is troublemaker.”

The sideshow is different than anything Ellie has ever experienced. She feels very out of place in her Langston sweater and jeans. Logan is definitely in his element though, and people keep calling out to him and greeting him.

“How do you know all these people? You’ve only been in LA for a month, yet somehow you’re way more popular than I am.” Ellie teases.

“That’s not hard to accomplish, since you do things like respect that you’re grounded and never leave the house, while I’ve been exploring all the L.A. car scene has to offer.” Logan teases back, taking her hand and tugging her towards the food trucks.

“Vaughn!” Logan exclaims when they reach a food truck covered in street art and lights. The owner of the food truck steps out, and hugs Logan tightly.

“Logan! It’s been a minute!” Vaughn says when he releases his longtime friend. He notices Ellie. “And you must be Ellie. Logan rarely brings girls around, so you must be special. What’s going on with you two?”

Ellie blushes and Logan rubs the back of his neck nervously. “Nothing. She’s technically my host sister, so that would be inappropriate according to the program rules.” He nudges Ellie. “And your dad. Did I tell you he took me out to dinner when you were at Riya’s and basically told me not to touch you? He was pretty threatening.”

Ellie’s jaw drops in mortification. “He didn’t!”

Vaughn laughs. “You’ve never been popular with parents Logan. You’ve got to stop playing this whole bad boy persona.”

“Who says I’m playing?” Logan retorts.

“So you guys are cousins? Does that mean you have more family here in LA Logan?” Ellie asks.

“We’re not really cousins, but we’re close. Been through a lot together back home in Detroit.” Vaughn clarifies. “Well that’s enough sentimental stuff. You guys have to try my new wings! They’re going to be a top seller.”

They spend a few more minutes chatting with Vaughn before taking their wings to go, exploring more of the sideshow.

An hour later, Logan is admiring a Lamborghini while Ellie admires Logan when shouts suddenly fill the air. Ellie just makes out the sound of Vaughn’s voice over all the yelling.

“Come on Salazar, that wasn’t fair and you know it!” Vaughn exclaims, following after a tall man who looks to be in his mid 20s.

Logan quickly takes off after them, and Ellie follows behind him.

“Logan!” Vaughn says, some relief in his voice. “This is really bad.”

“What happened Vaughn?” Logan asks.

Salazar smirks, leaning against a 2005 Devore GT. “Your boy is calling foul because he bet his truck on a race, and lost.”

Logan turns to Vaughn. “Why would you do that?!”

“Fuck, I’m screwed! That thing is my livelihood man. I’m so stupid.” Vaughn knocks himself in the head a couple of times before Logan reaches out to stop him.

A crowd has started to gather around, joining Salazar and his goons in laughing at Vaughn’s expense. Logan’s face darkens as he gets angry. He turns to Salazar and gets right into his face. “You feel like a big man, beating a food truck? Too scared to race against anything less than 8 tons?”

Salazar scoffs. “What, you want to go double or nothing for your friend here? What are you driving?”

Logan seems to deflate a little, before glancing at Salazar’s Devore GT. “Let me race in your car. When I win, I get the Devore and Vaughn’s truck back. Unless you’re afraid of getting your ass kicked by a kid driving your own car.”

“Why would I do that? You don’t have anything I want, and I already have your friend’s food truck.” Salazar taunts.

“I don’t know boss, we could use a new guy to try to smuggle drugs through LAX. Trevor got locked up, he’s looking at 8 years minimum.” One of the goons chimes in.

“Logan, no.” Ellie immediately protests, gripping his arm and attempting to pull him away from Salazar.

“Ellie, it’s fine. I won’t lose.” Logan promises, shaking her off.

Salazar thinks it over. “Well, I do have three Devores. And it’s getting so hard to find people dumb enough to smuggle.” Salazar shakes Logan’s hand. “You’ve got a deal kid.”

“Logan, don’t.” Vaughn tries to interject, but Logan ignores him, heading over to the driver’s side door of the Devore GT. “I can’t let you do this cuz, please.” Vaughn tries again.

Logan smiles. “You can’t stop me either, so relax and enjoy the fireworks.” Logan opens the door and gets into the car, the keys are inside, so he revs the engine.

Ellie crouches by the driver’s side window, imploring Logan to look at her. “Please don’t do this. You could get serious time for smuggling Logan. And I don’t think Salazar and his goons are going to race fair, you could get hurt.”

“They probably won’t, but Vaughn is the only one who has always been there for me. I can’t let him lose his truck when I know I can win. Hey, why don’t you come with me? You can be an extra set of eyes, keep me safe out there. And Ellie, it’s quite the adrenaline rush. There’s very little else like it.”

Ellie bites her lip nervously. If her dad knew she was even considering this, he would ship her off to a nunnery, and it would probably be for her own good. But one more look into Logan’s penetrating brown eyes and she finds herself hopping into the passenger seat.

Logan smiles at her, squeezing her hand briefly before grabbing the gear shift and putting the car in drive. They roll up to the starting line and wait. “Seatbelts.” Ellie reminds Logan, buckling her own. He smirks at her and mirrors her action. A scantily clad girl steps out in front of the cars, a racing flag raised in her hand. “Now that we’re about to have a car, we can get started on your driving lessons.” Logan says before slamming on the accelerator as the flag goes down.

Ellie is thrown back into her seat at the speed. She glances side to side and doesn’t see anyone, Logan has taken the early lead. The crowd’s cheers die out as they race out of view of the crowd, entering an alley.

Salazar and his goons take this as their chance, attempting to ram Logan. “Incoming on the left!” Ellie warns, and Logan manages to avoid the collision at the last second.

“Thanks. I’m glad you’re here.” Logan admits with a smile, eyes still focused on the road. Ellie’s heart beats quickly, both from the adrenaline of the race and that damn smile. She didn’t know it was possible, but somehow he’s even hotter when he drives.

With Ellie’s help, Logan manages to cross the finish line in first place, just ahead of Salazar.

“You were incredible.” Logan praises as he parks the car in the middle of the cheering crowd. Vaughn’s cheers are the loudest and most jovial. Logan pulls Ellie from her seat and into his lap, hugging her tightly. “Thank you for helping me.”

Ellie pulls back slightly to look at him, and slowly, their lips get closer and closer to each other’s. Just before their lips can meet, the door is suddenly open, light streaming into the dark vehicle.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Vaughn exclaims, pulling them both out of the car and hugging them tightly.

Logan laughs, clapping Vaughn on the back. “Don’t do something that stupid ever again.” Logan warns.

“Right back at you.” Vaughn retorts, ruffling Logan’s hair fondly.

Mutters rise up from the crowd as a man walks through, the crowds parting reminiscent to when Moses parted the Red Sea. Their respect, or maybe it’s fear, of this man is obvious.

He’s tall, has long black hair, and is covered in tattoos. “I haven’t seen you around before.” He announces when he makes it to Logan.

“I’m new in town. Name’s Logan.”

The man sticks out his hand for a handshake. “I’m Teppei Kaneko. That was some impressive driving Logan. I might have some work for you, if you’re interested.”

“What Kaneko? You said me and my boys were going to be getting that work.” Salazar angrily interjects, slamming his car door and stalking over.

“You lost to a kid driving your car Salazar. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that you’re the best man to bring into my operation.” Kaneko retorts, looking at Salazar derisively.

“He got lucky. It’s beginner’s luck.” Salazar insists.

“Well, maybe that’s something I can use then. You can go Salazar. Don’t bother showing up to the garage tomorrow. You’re no longer needed.” Kaneko says dismissively.

Logan is looking at Kaneko as they continue to talk, but Ellie catches the throat slicing motion Salazar makes in Logan’s direction before he gets into his car and drives away.

…

They park the Devore around the block from the house, since Detective Wheeler would definitely not be a fan of how they obtained it. Or of Ellie learning to drive. Logan took her to a parking lot on the way home and taught her the basics. He insists she’s a natural, that she’ll be ready for her test in no time.

Ellie gasps when they walk around the corner and she sees her father’s patrol car parked in the driveway. “Oh no, he’s home early.” Ellie mutters, speeding up her pace back to the house.

“Well, at least we don’t have to try to sneak back in through the window now troublemaker.” Logan jokes.

Ellie glares at him before opening the door.

Detective Wheeler is waiting on the couch. He looks very angry. “Ellie. Logan. Have a seat.”

…

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#ride or die #logan x mc #logan rod #choices fanfiction #rodaw #playchoices #choices

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pug-bitch · 5 years ago

Text

That’s not why I’m going (34)

Worth fighting for

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Drake Walker x Amara Suarez

Rating: some foul language, some extremely suggestive. This is absolutely NOT appropriate for people under 18.

Word count: about 4,350 (let me know if the ‘keep reading’ cutoff isn’t working well!)

Notes: This picks up pretty much where we left off, except on the next morning, while the gang is at Ramsford the day before the rehearsal dinner! We’re starting with Amara’s POV. This is a bit filler, but it sets up important moving parts for the next chapters, where shit is really gonna go down!

*****

Amara slowly opens her eyes, to see Drake sitting up in her bed, reading a book. She glances at the clock. 9 AM. It’s been a while since she’s slept in so late.

Crazy how, when she was a bartender, not so long ago, 9 AM was the earliest she ever got up, since the night shifts took a lot out of her, and so did the nightmares. But last night, no nightmares for her, at least none that she could remember. All she remembers is having a great time at karaoke, and going up to bed with Drake. Making love lazily right before falling asleep.

‘Morning baby,’ Drake whispers. ‘I brought coffee up from the kitchen.’

Her savior. She sits up next to him and he opens up his arm for her to nuzzle in the nook of it. She wraps her arm around his waist, pulling him closer, and leaving a trail of kisses on his chest. ‘Thank you,’ she says, her voice raspy.

‘Someone sang too much last night,’ Drake chuckles. He kisses the top of her head. God, she loves his smell. His puffy eyes in the morning. His sweet smile that he keeps only for her. His kisses, always the right amount of tender, or sexy. She closes her eyes again, to try and retain as much as she can from the moment.

‘Guys, are you dead?’ Maxwell shrieks through the door.

Drake and Amara both burst out laughing. ‘No, Max, we’re alive, just chilling,’ Drake yells out.

With no warning, Max walks in. ‘Good morning beautiful people!’

Amara rolls her eyes and thanks God that she’s covered up by a sheet. ‘Morning, Max. We were about to get up.’

He sits on the love seat by the bed. ‘Great! Hana is making pancakes and we were thinking of spending the day by the pool. We need to enjoy our life before--’ he stops himself and pauses. ‘Before we die, dammit!’

They both chuckle and Drake finally says, ‘If you let us actually get ready, I promise we’ll be downstairs very soon.’

Max smiles excitedly and takes his leave. As soon as the door is closed, Drake turns his head to capture Amara’s lips in a deep kiss. ‘Let’s hop in the shower, Suarez. Get your sexy ass in there.’

*****

Drake’s breath catches as soon as he sees Amara remove her beach wrap, and reveal the stunning bikini she’s wearing underneath. Dammit, this swimsuit looks like it was made for her. He’s completely enthralled in her, even after they just spent half an hour having sex in the shower before breakfast. But still, he feels a twinge in his own swimsuit at the sight of the beautiful woman he loves. He takes a deep breath, tries to cool off, and takes a sip from his lemonade glass. Amara takes a seat next to him in a chaise longue after kissing his cheek.

‘Hey handsome,’ she says excitedly. ‘Beautiful day to be by the pool. I can’t believe we’ve never used it for all the times we’ve been at Ramsford.’

Drake smiles at her. ‘I know.’ He lowers his voice. ‘You’re so fucking hot, I’m gonna need to chill a little.’

Amara cracks up. ‘Yeah take a chill pill, Walker, our friends are joining.’

Maxwell comes out of the house running, in his blue swimsuit with squids on it, and without stopping for even a second, jumps into the pool and splashes both Drake and Amara.

‘How’s that for cooling down?’ Amara asks jokingly.

Drake shakes his head.

Liv comes out, wearing a giant sun hat, sunscreen in hand, lathering it in thick layers on her arms. She sits down under the umbrella, and settles into her seat, a frown on her face.

‘You ok, Liv?’ Amara asks.

‘Yeah,’ she replies, annoyed. ‘The sun is blasting already. Not good for me.’

Maxwell emerges from the pool and makes eye contact with Drake and Amara, before saying: ‘You know, Liv, if you wanted, you could tell Rashad to join us. Plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Right guys?’

Drake nods vigorously. ‘Of course. I like Rashad, he’s fun to be around.’

Amara and Hana nod as well, bright smiles on their faces.

Liv rolls her eyes. ‘Guys, you’re very transparent. And pains in my ass. What tells you I want to see Rashad right now?’

Amara sits up and slides her sunglasses off her nose. ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you’ve been staring at your phone and moping all morning.’

Liv scrunches her nose. ‘I’ll have you know, Suarez, that I’m not like you. I don’t need to be romanced at all times.’ She gestures at Amara’s hand in Drake’s. ‘I’m fine on my own. Better than fine, in fact, I’m grand.’ She pauses and returns to her sunscreen application.

Maxwell lets out an exaggerated sigh. ‘Oh, so you want us to insist, huh? Alright, fine by me. Pleaaaaase Olivia, tell Rashad to come! We are desperate to see him in a swimsuit. Pretty please?’

Olivia snorts. ‘How would it even work, huh? He doesn’t know about these two,’ she gestures to Drake and Amara.

Drake shrugs, ‘We can keep it in our pants for a day, Liv. We’re not animals.’

She snorts again. ‘Tell that to the bar bathroom last night.’

‘Seriously, Liv,’ Amara insists. ‘We’ll play it cool! Plus, Drake and I might go to a little restaurant tonight for dinner, so we’ll be out of your hair.’

‘It won’t work,’ Liv replies. ‘He’ll see right through you.’

‘Um,’ Drake brings his hand to his ear, ‘is that an excuse I’m hearing? Look, Rashad is sneaking around with a suitor. He has no reason to rat us out, even if he suspects something. He doesn’t care. And tonight, you and him can go out, and Amara and I can go out, too. No one will be the wiser. Come on. Stop making excuses, Nevrakis.’

Amara nods furiously. ‘Come on, I’m with Drake and Max. Specifically on the swimsuit front.’ Drake nudges her with his elbow and feigns shock. ‘Oh please,’ Amara continues, ‘I’m kidding.’ She turns to Olivia and mouths ‘No I’m not.’

Olivia lets out a throaty laugh. ‘Ughhhh guys, this is torture. You’re trying to turn me into one of you sensitive types, who sneaks out on dates and bones in a bathroom because she just NEEDS to have him right here right now--’

Drake interrupts, ‘Please stop talking about the bathroom.’

‘Yeah Liv, get over it,’ Max adds. ‘They celebrate each other’s bodies and it’s beautiful.’

Drake makes a disgusted face. ‘Alright, let’s all calm down. And Liv, text him to come over. Say we all invited him because we wanna hang out.’

Olivia rolls her eyes, but grabs her phone again.

*****

Bastien walks into the King’s study and curtsies. ‘Hello, Your Majesty. You called for me?’

Constantine sighs painfully. ‘Yes, thank you, Bastien. I wanted to know how things were going with the plan for tomorrow.’

Bastien nods and hands him the file he brought with him. ‘I figured you’d want to know, Your Majesty. I brought you the ticket, as well as a full report on him.’

Constantine takes the file and peruses it, nodding. ‘Great. Are we still on for hitting the nail on the head during the Decision Ball? I want nothing left to chance, Bastien. I cannot afford for Liam to make the biggest mistake of his life.’

Bastien gulps down. Maybe he’s the one making a mistake. Still, duty first. He nods. ‘Everything is in place, Your Majesty.’

*****

‘Hello? I’m coming in!’ Rashad announces through the main door. Amara walks back from the kitchen, where she was preparing a pitcher of margaritas, and comes face to face with the newcomer.

‘Hi Rashad! Welcome to Ramsford,’ she says as she gives him a one-armed hug, the other hand busy balancing the pitcher. ‘So glad you came!’

‘Oh,’ he says, running his hand through his hair. ‘Thank you guys for inviting me. I’ve never been here during daylight, or um...without any peacocks around. It’s awfully quiet.’

Amara laughs. ‘Well, Max and Bertrand sent the staff home until they figure out who snagged Liv’s phone, when, you know…’

Rashad nods understandingly. ‘Oh, I wasn’t complaining. It’s nice to have some peace and quiet.’

Amara leads him to the pool area, where everyone else is either swimming or sunbathing, except for Olivia who is safely under her umbrella. Amara notices that Liv sat up a little straighter upon noticing Rashad. It makes her smile. ‘Rashad’s here, guys!’

‘Hey everyone, thanks for letting me crash! I brought some whiskey.’ He holds up the bottle for everyone to see.

Drake predictably lights up. 'Thanks, man! Good to see you.’

‘Is it good to see him, Walker, or is it good to see the booze he brought?’ Liv asks sarcastically.

Drake rolls his eyes and smiles at Rashad. ‘Obviously both.’

*****

Two drinks in, Hana and Amara are waddling in the pool, enjoying the sunshine and relaxation. They chat together about everything and nothing at the same time, and observe the people around them. Drake and Maxwell on one side, chatting excitedly, and on the other, Liv and Rashad, talking intensely and having a drink. They look sweet and bashful and all the adjectives Amara never thought she’d use to describe Olivia.

‘Jeez, they look cute together,’ Hana whispers, before taking another sip of her margarita.

‘I know, right? Liv’s features actually relaxed when she started talking to him. It’s almost magical.’

Hana giggles. ‘Are you guys ok spending our last free day pretending not to be together?’

Amara shrugs. ‘I’m having fun with everyone. I’m not gonna avoid Drake, we’re just going to avoid PDA, that’s all.’

Hana nods. ‘You know...you two are also very cute together.’ She nudges her with her elbow. ‘Something tells me everything is gonna be ok.’

Amara sighs. ‘I hope so, Han. I’m so nervous about tomorrow and Saturday’s events, you have no idea. I feel like something’s gonna happen, or maybe Liam will find us out and throw us both out of the country. Either way…’

Hana raises her eyebrows. ‘Look, you’re too in your head. You need to take a step back. Remember what I told you a while ago? Don’t lose sight of what’s important. Of love.’ She lowers her voice. ‘Of what’s worth fighting for.’

Amara chuckles. ‘How can you always stay so positive?’

‘Well hun, I know both you and Drake by now. I know you’ll be fine, if you keep your eyes on the prize.’

‘Woooo!’ Maxwell yells out behind them, suddenly jumping in the pool again. Hana and Amara cover their faces from the splashes.

Drake seamlessly slides into the pool next to them. ‘Hey ladies,’ he whispers. ‘Look at these lovebirds. This guy is the Nevrakis whisperer. I swear I saw her laugh.’

*****

Amara gets out of the shower after a long, fun pool day. She dries her hair with a soft towel and moisturizes her face. As she’s about to take off her towel and put on some clothes, her bedroom door bursts open.

She jumps up, ready to pounce on the intruder the way she destroyed Tariq at Applewood, but as she gets out of the bathroom, she realizes it was Olivia.

‘Fuck,’ she yells, ‘you scared me, Liv! Ever heard of knocking?’

Olivia shrugs and sits on the bed nonchalantly. ‘Don’t be dramatic.’

Amara rolls her eyes, tightens her towel around her chest, and sits by Olivia. ‘What’s going on?’

Olivia stares at her nails, not making eye contact with Amara. ‘Nothing. I wanted to catch you before you’re off with Walker, that’s all.’

Amara nods and plays with a strand of her hair. ‘And?’

‘And I wanted to catch up, that’s all.’ Liv sighs. ‘Also, um… I wanted to clear the air. I didn’t mean to chew Drake out last night. For telling me that Liam knew.’

Amara exhales slowly. ‘Liv, that’s no problem. He knows you didn’t mean it. You scared me, you know, I thought something was really wrong. In case you didn’t notice, I’m a tad on edge these days.’

Liv gives her a sympathetic smile, which sends a shiver down Amara’s spine. ‘I get that, Suarez. It’s just new for me.’

Amara raises her eyebrows. ‘What’s new for you?’

Liv takes a deep breath and says, ‘Human interactions. How to talk to other people, people who are not Liam. He’s the only one I let in, in the past what, 23 years. Now--’ she interrupts herself, stares at her nails again. ‘Now you guys have weaseled your way into my life, and I don’t know how to act.’

Amara can’t contain her smile. ‘Aww, Liv, that’s so sweet!’

Liv turns around briskly and frowns. ‘Don’t you dare, Suarez.’

Amara throws her hands in the air. ‘Fine, sorry.’

‘I’m not used to it. People having my back. Like all of you last night, about the Rashad thing. And Max inviting him over today. No one ever thinks of me like that. So, I just wanted to say that.’

Amara bites her lip to make her smile disappear. She knows what Liv means, and she decides not to push her any further. She gets up from the bed and says, ‘So, since you’re here, do you wanna help me pick an outfit? Drake and I are going to a little pub in town, for fish and chips. Something casual.’

Liv rolls her eyes, but can’t hide the seed of a smile. ‘Fine. I guess you need my help. I noticed that there’s been an awful lot of color in your outfits lately. What’s up with that?’

Amara shrugs, ‘It’s sunny out, why not wear color? What’s wrong with wanting to be cheerful?’

Liv stares at her blankly. ‘I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that. Go with jeans, and oh, this blouse.’ She picks up a white, flowy top, with a plunging neckline. ‘It’s classy, yet casual, and it will show off the goods.’

Amara chuckles. ‘Thanks. Shoes?’

Olivia stares at the closet intently. ‘Maybe these tan sandals. I like these.’

Amara nods and grabs the outfit. ‘What color nails should I go with?’ She gestures to her massive nail polish collection.

Olivia’s eyes widen. ‘What? Last time I was in your room, you had like half of this. When did you go out and stock up on nail polish?’

Amara shrugs. ‘I have an addiction. My friend Mia says it’s better than buying drugs.’

Olivia cocks her head. ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ She pauses. ‘Light gray. Go with light gray for your nails.’

Amara changes in the bathroom, and gets out triumphantly, showing off the outfit curated by Liv, who nods in approval. Amara sits at her vanity to paint her nails, and notices that Liv swiped a light red polish from her collection, and is starting to do her own nails. Amara smiles, and decides not to comment. They sit in silence for a couple of minutes, both paying attention to their manicures.

‘Rashad asked me to dinner tonight,’ Liv finally says.

Amara smirks. ‘Oh, that’s so nice! Where are you guys going?’

She shrugs. ‘I think we’re going to this tapas place about half an hour away. Quiet spot that Rashad knows.’

Amara nods. ‘That’s awesome. I’m glad he’s here, Liv. He’s really fun to be around. We all had a great day with you guys.’

Liv flashes an awkward smile. ‘Yeah, yeah, he’s great. Should I fuck him?’

Taken aback by the bluntness of the question, Amara shakes her head in disbelief. ‘Oh, um, I’m not gonna tell you what to do with your body, Liv. Do you want to sleep with him?’

Liv snorts. ‘Have you seen the guy, Suarez? Of course I want to sleep with him. But um--’ she blows on her nails to dry them. ‘I’m still feeling a bit...vulnerable,’ she says with a grimace.

‘I get that. Maybe you can take your time, until it feels right.’

Liv chuckles. ‘I’m not in high school, waiting to lose my virginity, Suarez.’

Amara admires her nails. ‘Virginity is a construct, Liv. You can feel like you need to wait at any point in your life, not just when you’re inexperienced. So take it easy if that’s what feels right. He sounds like a really good guy, he knows what you’re going through. You can talk to him about it, if needed.’

Liv nods. Amara notices that she is blushing slightly. ‘Right. Well, no one expects a three date minimum with the bitch who rode her bodyguard in the car, though.’

Amara makes an offended face. ‘Excuse me, Liv, you owe nothing to anyone. This is not Liam we’re talking about, with his entitlement and his warped view of women. This is Rashad, a guy who’s actually grounded in the real world. His formalwear does not consist in a sash like Prince Charming. He’s a real guy. He will not equate you to your past.’ She catches her breath and starts her second layer of light gray. ‘Plus, there’s nothing wrong with riding someone in a car, you know.’

Liv smirks. ‘Right. It’s not like it’s the bathroom of a cop bar we’re talking about.’

*****

Drake waits for Amara in the living room, a cup of tea in hand. Maxwell was keeping him company but Bertrand just called him in the study to discuss tomorrow’s statement about their dad. Drake finds himself get a bit nervous. It’s silly, because it’s not their first time going on an actual date. They’ve been to the cop bar together before, way back when they were barely an item. But now...it’s different. It feels official. It feels real. Drake is waiting for his girlfriend to come down so he can take her to dinner; a casual dinner, but dinner nonetheless. He wonders if he’s overdressed. He ditched the denim shirt tonight --well, he’s still wearing jeans, baby steps-- and, following Max’s recommendation, opted for a white linen shirt that Amara had commented on, on a different occasion.

Rashad walks into the living room, holding a cup of tea as well. ‘Hey Drake.’ He raises his cup. ‘Great minds think alike.’

‘Heh,’ Drake replies. ‘Cheers. How are you doing?’

Rashad nods, ‘Good, thanks. Just um… waiting for Liv to come down. We’re gonna go get tapas.’

‘Oh good! Are you going to Matador?’

Rashad smiles brightly. ‘Yeah! I can’t believe you know the place! It’s so small.’

‘Yeah, I’ve been a couple of times with--’ he cuts himself off. He went with Savannah, back in the day. ‘With my family,’ he finally says.

Rashad nods. ‘Nice. I love that place. I’m glad Liv texted me today, I’ve had an awesome time with you all.’

Drake smiles. ‘We did too. It was fun to spend time with you, so thanks for coming.’

‘I honestly couldn’t be happier that she texted me.’ He runs his hand through his hair. ‘I um… at the risk of sounding pathetic, I had been sitting at a café, pretending to work, but really I was checking my phone every two minutes.’ He chuckles. ‘I didn’t expect this to happen, man. We’ve known each other for a long time, but I guess something changed, and now…’ he throws his hands up. ‘I don’t know. I’m kind of in disbelief. She’s a little too cool for me.’

Drake laughs along. ‘Eh, you’re cool enough.’

Finally, Liv makes her appearance. Drake notices that she’s wearing her hair down, which softens her features. Rashad’s face visibly lights up at the sight of her.

‘You look great, Liv,’ he says, holding out his hand for her to take.

She smiles. ‘Thanks, so do you. Have a good night, Walker.’

Rashad smiles and waves at Drake and they’re on their way. A few minutes later, Amara comes down, wearing a white blouse that highlights her tan skin and her beautiful figure. ‘So sorry babe, I didn’t mean to make you wait, but my nails weren’t dry.’

Drake smiles broadly and gets up from the couch. He wraps her in a tight hug. ‘You’re so beautiful.’ He kisses her tenderly. ‘Let’s go?’

*****

‘That is SO cute,’ Amara squeals.

Drake had filled her in on his encounter with Rashad, and on how he had been gushing about Olivia right away. ‘I know right? I really hope that--’ he interrupts himself and shoves a French fry in his mouth.

Amara frowns. ‘What? You hope what?’

He rolls his eyes. ‘Fine. I didn’t want to say anything anxious tonight, but… I really hope that Liam doesn’t shit all over Liv’s new thing with Rashad.’

Amara nods. ‘I know, right?’ She takes a sip of her beer. ‘He better not ruin things for these two.’ She pauses, and looks at Drake, at his intense expression. The expression of a man who’s completely involved in his friends’ lives. A completely different man from the one she met in New York City, and yet a lot of him is the same. He’s just more open, less impervious to the world around him.

‘What?’ he asks. ‘Do I have something on my face?’

She shakes her head. ‘No. You’re perfect.’ She eats a fry, and continues. ‘You know I’m all in, right? I’m completely, utterly happy with everything that’s been going on between us. All in.’

Drake’s lip twitches, and his face lights up in an emotional smile. ‘Me too, Amara. I’ve never been so sure of anything my whole life.’

‘Whatever happens this weekend, Drake. Whatever shitstorm comes our way. Even if it takes work, time, and energy, even if we lose sight of things for a while, you have to know I’m not giving up.’

She sees Drake’s lip quiver some more, and he swallows hard. ‘I’m not giving up on us either.’ He grabs her hand and brushes his thumb against her knuckles. ‘Fuck, Suarez. Don’t make me cry in public.’

She smiles. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you, too.’

*****

Liam is sitting on the grand patio, a cognac in one hand, and a cigarette in the other. He never smokes, but he figures, for his last night of free time, he can do something a little stupid. So, he sent his chauffeur, Thierry, to fetch a pack. He doesn’t even like the taste, but it keeps his hand busy. It keeps him from grabbing his phone and texting Olivia angrily. Like, ‘How could you do this to me?’, or ‘I was considering picking you!’

No no, smoking is a lot less damaging. To his ego, at least. He takes a big swig of his cognac, then picks up the bottle, and refills his glass to the brim. Who cares about serving sizes? Not him, not tonight.

‘Your Highness?’ a butler disturbs his peace.

‘What is it, Thomas?’ he says a little too abruptly.

‘Lady Madeleine is here to see you.’

‘Ok, thanks.’ He takes another big sip.

He hears her walk out to the patio, but he doesn’t turn around. He’s not sure how he feels about her visit. She’s been more than sympathetic and understanding over the past few days, ever since she was the only one to notice his absence, and she finally opened up to him a bit more. But still, Leo’s warnings resonate in his head like big, red flags.

‘Good evening, Liam,’ she murmurs.

‘Good evening, Madeleine. Take a seat, if you wish.’ He gestures to the seat near him. Does he really want her to sit? Maybe. He likes that she cares so much. About him, and about Cordonia. She may be a less than stellar person in her human interactions, as Leo pointed it out repeatedly, but… she’s kind of trying to redeem herself, right?

‘I didn’t mean to interrupt your quiet moment,’ Madeleine says softly. ‘I just came back from having tea with the Queen and she mentioned that you looked wistful when she saw you earlier. I wanted to see if you needed company.’

Liam smiles faintly. ‘Thank you. I just have a lot on my mind, with the Decision Ball approaching and all.’

She nods. ‘I know. I’m not going to bother you with that. I just wanted to offer my company, that’s all.’

Liam nods weakly. But then, something shifts in his mind. Why not just talk about it bluntly? After all, Madeleine had been the only person who made her intentions clear with him. So, he says, ‘Actually, I’d like you to tell me what you’re hoping for. For this weekend and the end of the competition.’

Madeleine’s eyes widen. ‘What...I’m hoping for?’

He turns towards her. ‘Yeah. What do you want out of this? The King and the Queen are certainly on your side. What is your dream scenario?’

Madeleine smiles elegantly. ‘I think it’s quite clear, Liam. My dream scenario is for you to pick me. I have been at court my entire life, and have never caused any type of scandal. I care deeply about this country and would rule it fairly, by your side. Your brother had chosen me during the last competition, and I know he probably would tell you that he was pushed to do it by the King, but the truth is, before he left court, he truly understood how beneficial our betrothal would be for Cordonia. Except that he and I had no chemistry whatsoever.’ She pauses and eyes his glass. He picks up on the cue, and slides it over to her. She nods gratefully. ‘Us, on the other hand, I’d like to think we would make a good team.’ She takes a sip. ‘I’m realistic. I know there’s no love as of right now. I wouldn’t expect you to give up on your social life…’

She falls silent. Liam nods. ‘Thank you for being candid with me, Madeleine.’

*****

Madeleine has trouble keeping her lips from curling up in sheer satisfaction. For a second there, she thought she’d talked too much, but he seems to eat it up. He’s obviously still reeling from the whole Olivia situation, and he may still be into the Mexican one, but this will change very, very soon.

*****

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Thank you for your encouragements, everyone! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

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allthings-fantasy · 6 years ago

Text

See You Again - Part One

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Word Count: 2900-ish

Warning: underaged drinking, minimal language, flirty teen!dean

Summary: From the second Dean Winchester walked into your life, he completely turned your world upside down. The love the two of you shared was fierce but left the two of you heartbroken. When he waltzes back into your life years later, it may just be to late for him to make amends.

A/Ns: GUESS WHO’S BACK - this is loosely based off the song Springsteen by Eric Church --> Check out my bio for my MASTERLIST

August 25th, 2009 (Present Day) - Dean POV

Oklahoma was a success. It was an easy enough hunt, just a simple salt and burn. With all the shit going on in our lives right now, all we wanted was a guaranteed win. Now Sam thinks he may have found another one. “Where did you say this is again?”

“Uh..” Sam's eyebrows furrowed as he scrolled back to the top of the article on his laptop. “It's in Indiana. Fairfax, Indiana.” A sinking feeling settled in the center of my chest. This had to be some kind of sick joke. “Didn't we use to live there? Yeah! It was like… your senior year of high school when we moved there?”

And I haven't been back to that stupid hick town since ‘99. I don't know why I'm stressing out, she probably doesn't even live there anymore. She was always smart, no doubt she got outta that town as soon as possible. I don't think I'd be able to look her in the eyes even if she still did live there. Not after what I did to her.

Those voicemails she left me still replayed in the back of my head after I've had one too many. It's been ten years and one of my biggest regrets in life. “Dean? Are you even listening to me?” My head snapped in Sam's direction as his voice finally pulled me from my thoughts.

“Huh? Yeah, sorry I was just trying to think the last time we were there.” I cleared my throat and turned the engine over, Baby roaring to life. The music blared from the speakers, prompting Sam to stop talking about this dreaded down. I was finally doing something I should've done 10 years ago, I was coming back.

August 17th, 1997

The sound of your phone ringing pulled you from the pot of boiling pasta on the stove. Without looking at the caller id, you flipped open your phone and wedged it between your shoulder and ear. “Hello?”

Your ears were met with a squeal. “Are you excited for tonight?” Sarah’s voice sang through the line, you could practically see the smile on her face in your head. With a small chuckle you stirred the contents in the pot and shook your head. “Oh, c’mon Y/N! You know the Jones’ throw a big banger every year before the summer is over. This is the last hoorah before we start junior year!”

With a sigh, you turned off the burner and switched the phone to your other ear. “Of course I’m coming, it’s just the same thing every year. Someone gets in someone else’s face and drama starts, or there’s one too many noise complaints and we’re stuck running through the woods again.”

“Yeah, but you still have fun though?” Sarah was your best friend, sometimes incredibly annoying, but she was your best friend nonetheless. Every year she looked forward to this party and every year you got stuck holding her hair back over the toilet. “Plus, apparently there’s like this new kid in town. He’s going to be a senior and I think he has a younger brother going into 9th.”

New kids were something of a rarity, the small town usually had newcomers running towards the private school two towns over. “And how did you hear about this?”

Sarah paused for a second, “Jason and Tyler ran into him out by the park. I guess they started chatting him up and they invited him tonight. I don’t remember his name… something with a D, I think.”

You let out a dramatic sigh, “You know you don’t have to keep trying to convince me to go, I’m already coming. I’ll pick you up at 9, okay?”

She let out another squeal and agreed before saying her goodbyes. You weren’t sure why she was so excited over this new guy. He’d only be here for a year, plus why would he go for a junior when there are plenty of senior girls?

The next few hours went by quicker than you had anticipated. Before you knew it, you were standing in your bathroom putting finishing touches on your hair and glancing at the clock. You had five minutes before you had to go pick up Sarah. Slipping on your sandals and securing the buckle around the ankle, you made your way downstairs. “Hey, mom. I’m going to pick up Sarah okay?”

She turned and gave you a sweet smile. “Sure thing honey, I know you go to that party every year but be careful okay? And call if you need me to pick you up. Be safe!”

“Of course, mom.” You gave her a quick goodbye and grabbed your keys and wallet before heading out your front door. Luckily Sarah only lived right about around the corner from you and the party was only another twenty minutes down the road from that.

Sarah talked your ear off the entire drive over to the fields of the Jones’ property. You could see the silhouettes of your peers shining from the large bonfire. “Let’s go!” Sarah hopped out of your car with extra pep in her step.

Music flooded your eardrums as you hightailed it behind Sarah, she really was eager to get her eyes on the new guy. Beer and smoke filled your nose the closer you walked to the center of the party. You spotted Jason by the keg, refilling his solo cup. “C’mon, let’s go say hi to Jason. Maybe he can point you to your new mystery man.” The two of you fell into a fit of giggles before making your way over.

“Y/N! Well, if it isn’t my favorite girl.” Jason smirked at you, extending his arm to wrap around your shoulder. “I was getting a little worried you weren’t gonna come this year.” He put on his fake pout before sipping his drink. Jason was cute and has been your friends since fifth grade. Even when he became the star running back for your high school football team, he never treated you any different. His shaggy blonde hair and baby blue eyes had the freshmen girls falling at his feet.

Taking the cup from his hand, one of your eyebrows arched in his direction. “Me? Miss one of your parties? Jas, I would never.” You innocently batted your eyes at him before taking a sip of his beer. “Plus, Sarah is just dying to meet the new kid you invited.” You laughed as she nodded eagerly, no shame in the glint in her eyes.

Jason’s eyes widened before he nodded. “Ah, well I’ll introduce Sarah, but I’m not introducing you.” He gave you a pointed look before stealing his cup back.

Your nose wrinkled while you arched your neck to look up at him. “And why the hell not?”

He simply shrugged. “Because in the words of Tiffany he’s like so totally dreamy and I can’t have him sweeping my best friend off her feet.” Jason sent you a wink which caused you to roll your eyes.

“You know that will never happen.”

“Mhm…” He looked at you skeptically and handed you his cup. “This way, he’s over here.” Jason kept his grip on your shoulder as he directed you and Sarah over to the beer pong tables. You could tell which one was the new guy just from looking at the back of his head. No one around here wore leather jackets, plus it’s like 80 degrees. How is he not sweating? “Hey, Dean! Got someone I want you to meet.”

Dean turned his back on the girl he was currently talking to. She seemed upset as she turned and walked away, back towards the fire. So maybe Tiffany was right, he was kind of dreamy. Not that you would ever admit that to Jason. Dean’s lips twitched into a smile as he glanced across the three of you. You would be fixated on his mouth if his eyes weren’t so damn distracting.

“Dude, this is Sarah.” Jason used his free arm to point to the strawberry blonde beside you.

She instantly perked up and held her hand out, which Dean eagerly shook. “Nice to meet you, Dean.”

He flashed his teeth in a drool worthy smile and quickly glanced across her face. “Trust me, pleasure’s all mine.” After he dropped her hand, Dean turned his attention back towards you. A question in his eyes as he looked at Jason’s arm wrapped around you. “This your girlfriend?” The question was aimed at Jason but he kept his eyes on you.

You cut Jason off before he had the chance to speak. “He wishes.” Taking a step closer to Dean, you allowed Jason’s hand to drop from your shoulder. “I’m Y/N.” You sent him a sweet smile while extending your hand.

Dean’s fingers wrapped around yours and gave your fingers a quick squeeze. “It’s… very nice to meet you.” He held your gaze longer than you thought he would. You shivered under his stare before dropping your hand.

Jason cleared his throat in an annoyed manner and you could feel him shifting behind you. “I’m just uh, gonna go get another drink. Y/N, find me later okay?” He gave your arm a quick squeeze and a glance before walking back towards the crowd.

You gave him a nod before turning your attention back to the guy in front of you. “So you guys go to Truman High?” He glanced between the two of you, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah, we’re both going to be juniors this year.” Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, pushing a little extra cleavage out of her crop top. “What about you, Dean? I heard you’re going to be a senior.” She carefully chewed on her bottom lip and you had to resist the urge to snort at her attempt at flirting.

He smiled and nodded, a small blush coming across his cheeks. It was funny, you didn’t picture him as the type of guy who blushed. “You heard right. My family and I move around a lot, usually a couple times a year, but Dad said I can finish out my high school career here.” He shrugged and sent you another smile.

Before Sarah could say anything, Laura came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey girl, sorry but uh, Jamie said she needs to talk to you… She didn’t say what it was about but it seemed important.” Laura stole a glance at Dean and blushed. “She asked me to come get you.”

You almost felt bad because of how disappointed she looked. But Dean said it himself, he’ll be here all year. Sarah pouted and looked between you and Dean before nodding. “I’ll be back.”

“And then there were two…” Dean chuckled to himself and shifted his weight between his feet. “Uh, do you want to get another drink? I’m sure that beer in your cup is warm.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” You smiled at him as he shifted one of his hands out of his pocket and onto your middle back.

“Lead the way, sweetheart.” His words shouldn’t have made you blush, but they did. And he saw it too, that damn smirk coming across his lips again.

You had to bite your lip to keep the grin off of your face as you lead Dean back towards the kegs. Along the way ignoring Jason’s questioning glances. “Here, I’ll get that for you.” Dean took your almost empty cup and threw it in the trash before grabbing you a fresh one.

“Such a gentleman, Dean.” You teased as he handed you your fresh cup before grabbing his own. “Making a great first impression.”

He chuckled and nodded his head. “I sure hope so, would hate for you to get the wrong impression of me.” Dean’s eyes flashed down to your lips before back to your eyes. “Why don’t we go sit on one of those hay bales over there? Getting tired of standing.”

Dean picked a bale a little further away from all the noise, making it easier to hear each other. More people were beginning to file in and you were grateful you found a place to sit. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, slowly sipping on his beer. Your eyes watched his lips form around the rim of the cup, to his jaw clenching when he swallowed. “You know, it’s not polite to stare.” He smirked and looked at you over his shoulder.

Your shoulders shrugged and you smiled, “You got a problem with it?”

“Not at all, sweetheart. Look all you want.” The boy practically oozed confidence, it was almost infectious. You let out a laugh and shifted in your seat, trying to keep the hay from irritating your thighs too much. Dean seemed to notice your shifting. “You alright?”

“Yeah, they hay just itches my legs a little.” You lifted your leg slightly to run your hand over the backs of your thigh.

His brows furrowed as he glanced down at your legs. “Stand up.” Before you could respond, he gently gripped your elbow and pushed you to stand. Dean shrugged off his leather jacket and laid it down where you were sitting. “There… you should’ve said something.”

You could feel your heart flutter in your chest and your cheeks become warm. “You didn’t have to do that.” As soon as you sat down your legs instantly thanked you for the soft material beneath you.

“All about making that first impression.” He winked and fiddled with the watch on his wrist.

“And what impression are you trying to make?” You hid your smile behind your cup, downing what was left in it.

Dean shrugged and leaned back on the palm of his one hand. “The type of impression where you realize I am ridiculously handsome, incredibly kind and charming, and you just can’t help yourself from falling in love with me.” His head turned to the side and he gently licked his bottom lip. “How am I doing so far?”

It was impossible not to laugh. Dean’s face screamed seriousness but you just had to laugh. This guy was completely out of his mind, but you couldn’t see yourself not talking to him. He was adorable, funny, and already nicer than 95% of the guys who lived in Fairfax. “As sweet as that laugh is, it’s kind of hurting my ego a little bit.”

You bit down on your bottom lip and took a deep breath to calm yourself down. “No, I’m sorry. You’re doing great so far.”

The two of you were interrupted by Sarah, carrying three shots in her hands. “Guys! Guess what Lucas brought.” Her singsong voice filled your ears as she passed two of them to you and Dean. You knew your best friend, she was trying to figure out just how cozy the two of you were getting.

She cleared her throat and held her glass up a little bit. “Cheers!” You mocked her glass lift and threw the amber liquid down your throat. A cringe ran through you as you felt the taste linger in your mouth, warmth flooding through your veins. “Aw, Dean. You didn’t take yours?”

Looking over at Dean, you noticed the little cup still in his hands. You weren’t one to judge someone on their choice of drink. Plus, he was new, he probably didn’t want to get wasted at his first party with these people.

Apparently, Sarah didn’t have the same thought process as you. She stepped closer to him until her knees were pressing against his legs. “C’mon D, it’s not thaat bad.” Sarah nudged at his elbow. From the slur in her voice you could tell that wasn’t her first shot of the night. Dean cleared his throat and shifted back slightly in his seat, looking a little uncomfortable.

“Sar, back off a little bit okay? He’s been drinking beer, he probably just doesn’t want to mix alcohol.” You shrugged and reached over to take Dean’s shot from his hand and downing it yourself. “See? Now it didn’t go to waste.”

Her eyes glared at you before setting her lips into a frown. Sarah grumbled something under her breath and turned on her heels, stalking away. “I’m sorry about her, she gets really forward when she drinks.”

Dean went back to his relaxing position. “It’s not that I don’t like liquor, I just have to drive home after this so… can’t really get plastered.” You nodded in understanding and the two of you fell into a comfortable silence. “So uh, who’s your ride home?”

“Huh? Oh, uh I’m not sure. My mom will come pick me up if anything, she’s pretty laid back as long as she knows where I am.” You shrugged and moved back on the bale, crossing your legs. “Why’d you ask?”

“Well I can’t really let you drive home now, can’t have that pretty face getting into an accident…” He paused for a moment, as if debating on saying his next words. “I could always drive you home.”

You smiled at him, squinting your eyes slightly. “I don’t even know you.”

It was Dean's turn to laugh and you tried denying the butterflies you felt in your stomach at the sound of it. Blame the alcohol, yeah that's what it is, the alcohol. “Then get to know me, ask and you shall receive.”

“Who says I want to?”

He scoffed and nodded. “Oh you want to. I can see it in your eyes, sweetheart. You want to know me.”

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