fezco pinkman.

Heat crept into her cheeks at the line of questioning, feeling desperate to protect whatever reputation she’d earnt herself so far this year. Her and Luke’s relationship had only gotten worse since moving, and she’d had to stand alone, try and forge connections. It was near impossible when everyone around her was seemingly better at everything, some not even human — but still, crying at parties couldn’t end up being what she was known for.

“Flowers?” Fez’s eyebrows raised in disbelief. He’d passed the kitchen on his way in, and whilst he hadn’t taken the time to observe the decorations, he was almost certain he hadn’t seen a vase. She seemed desperate to defend herself though, so Fez didn’t question it further, not wanting to cause any upset as she scrambled for another lie. “Yeah, man. ‘Course I would,” he replied with a nod, glancing around as though the perpetrator was already present. It was his whole reason for attending in the first place, out of defence for his friends. Campbell needed to be taught a lesson for the way he was treating Sam, and it had to come from Fez, because he could handle the consequences. Coming from someone on the outside would scare him too, into stopping. “I can handle messy, yo. ‘Been doin’ that for life. Ain’t nothin’ I ain’t seen or dealt with before. What’s on your mind? I promise I won’t tell nobody nothin’, it stays between us.” He meant that, too. She was safe to confide in him if she wanted to. 

For a few moments, she gaped at him. On top of everything else, Chloe felt stunned. She hadn’t expected a total stranger to take interest in her for one, especially considering how gross she must’ve looked right then, but also to contradict her. He’d called her out, and he’d been incredibly considerate about it, which left her feeling confused. The more her walls were lowered, the more defensive Chloe got, trying to save face; but she also felt a stronger sense of comfort because of it. It was like he’d gotten through before she’d managed to block him out.

Fez would be lying to claim he wasn’t confused by her response, unsure what the actual problem was, considering she’d only half admitted it. The rest of her answer was covered by what appeared to be an extension of her first lie. “Yeah, what kinda’ allergies you got? ‘Cause last I checked there ain’t no cats in here, and you ain’t eatin’ nothin’.” He raised his eyebrows, pursuing his attempt at getting her to open up. “Boys can be boys, fo’ sure. Don’t mean they have to be assholes. Someone said somethin’ to you or what? ‘Cause if they have… I can do somethin’. Have a word, or whatever.”

“Oh, really?” She raised her eyebrows at Ash, who looked away, before turning back on Fez. “Then why is it I just spent the last twenty minutes of my life tellin’ the chief of goddamn police that y’all ain’t home, you’re out plantin’ flowers or some shit, but that I swear on my daddy’s life neither of my dumb cousins know shit about some dickwad gettin’ glassed at a New Year’s party? Hmm?”

“Oh… that shit. The fuckin’ feds came round for that? Damn. I can’t believe he a snitch. What a pussy.” Fez paused for longer than usual, wondering how or if he could talk his way out of this one. Although he’d done it for the right reason, his act had been violent, and not caused by a need for self defence; he should’ve expected this outcome considering the amount of witnesses.

“Alright, what the fuck did y’all do?”

“’What you mean, man? I ain’t done shit.” Fez frowned up at her from where he sat, wondering what she could be referring to. He had recently assaulted Campbell, but there’s no way she could know about that, unless one of the classmates had been running their mouth. “You ain’t got nothin’ to get up in my case for, Ruth. Chill.”

Chloe nearly leapt out of her skin when she realised she was being addressed, and watched. So much for subtle. How had she not noticed the hot guy on the couch? Immediately wiping away stray tears, she tried to laugh it off, insecurities raging now that she’d been caught at her most vulnerable; and by an attractive stranger, of all people. The silver lining is she was sure he wouldn’t press her, even if the lie was obvious. She just had to stifle the urge to sob. “Oh, absolutely, it is, yeah. But I’m totally fine, thanks for askin’. Just allergies, y’know? Kinda embarrassin’ when it hits at times like this.“

Fez shook his head in disagreement, not satisfied with her response. “Nah man. I know I don’t know you or nothin’ but I can tell this ain’t allergies. You look hurt.” It wasn’t any of his business, but he hated seeing anybody upset. If he could at least make her smile, genuinely smile, by the end of their conversation, he’d feel better. He hoped that she would, too. “I’m sorry I ain’t got like a tissue or whatever. If you wanna’ use my sleeve or somethin’ it’s cool. Don’t be embarrassed though, for real. You feel what you feel.”

Chloe had always worked hard to appear the most confident person in the room, but it was hard to keep up a façade when the other parts of her life she’d so perfectly curated were openly falling apart. Lucas had stood her up again, and after waiting for him for an hour, she was no longer able to save the pain for later. She’d done most of her crying in the bathroom already, before Aimee helped clean her up. Now feeling tired and vulnerable, Chloe planted herself on a couch surrounded by groups of people she didn’t know. It was ideal camouflage, the blonde able to subtly wipe the remaining tears away whilst no-one was watching.

Fez had only attended the party to settle a debt with Campbell, but he had to wait for the right time. He’d finally had enough of him hurting his friends, which included Campbell’s own brother Sam. Fez couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so cruel to their own family, and he’d decided a lesson needed to be taught to avoid further insult. It wasn’t until the blonde sat down beside him that Fez realised he hadn’t planned a way to pass the time, but perhaps this was it. She seemingly didn’t notice him, but he certainly saw her, and the hand that wiped a damp spot off her cheek. “Yo, hey. What’s wrong? Ain’t this suppos’ to be a party?”