no ghouls allowed

🔪 mumu blog penned by jenna for shrikehq 🔪

CLICK HERE for cherry’s bio !

CLICK HERE for teddy’s bio !

****

hector loved watching the way their expression lifted when they started to talk about wyatt and it made him wish he had asked even earlier. “crushing it in class and a social butterfly? is it weird to say i’m like wild proud of him or..? and no, you definitely got the annoying and clever part,” he teased with a wink but of course it wasn’t long before he had his own goofy grin when cherry mentioned that wyatt had asked for him. “he asked for me? shit, that..makes me even happier. maybe i should go out and visit him, or we could go together. either way…when he comes back we’ll definitely hang out. we’ll make sure of it. i uh, i’ve missed him too. been a long time since we’ve had a h & w boys night, you know? no cherry allowed,” he teased, the question about his family a complicated one. “yeah, we’re okay. my mom and step dad still going strong, he’s not as much of an asshole as he used to be. my tio is still the stereotypical single uncle who always has a new girlfriend but my cousins are good, growing up fast, luis just started high school, more of the grew up and had babies so i’m like on constant babysitting duties. you’ll meet all of them, i’m sure of it. they’ll love you. my uh sister moved to vegas with her boyfriend and the little man, felipe, he’s a fucking full teen now, about to be taller than me. so we’re hanging in there. still hear from my dad here and there but uh..i kinda stopped answering his calls a while ago.” it felt good to give an honest update, freeing almost. he hadn’t realized just how much time he was spending holding shit in. 

“yeah, i guess lonely together is a lot less lonely, you know? so doesn’t sound too bad.” hector couldn’t help the laugh, if only to mask just how much cherry’s words meant to them. in fact there was a part of him that knew he could survive if it was just cherry who was his fan. but he wasn’t at all in a place to admit that out loud, he never had been. it had always been his problem in high school. always focusing on whoever wasn’t cheering for him. “you know i think i may still have one of those hector for prom king shirts, you know as the head of my fan club, if you want it i’ll give it to you.” hector watched them for a second longer before finally sorting what he needed. he knew he had to get back to the bar soon so he tried to force himself because he knew if given the chance, he’d stay down there catching up with her all day. 

“you got your own place? oh now i have to see this, carpet and all.” it was a comfort to know they both had their own places, not only because it was what they needed but it also meant that they’d have plenty of space to just hang out on their own. when they spoke about their mom, hector got closer, unable to resist reaching out to brush his fingers along the scar that had been left there. “of course you still check on her, because you’re the fucking best. but i’m glad you got yourself out of there like…really glad. and you know i’ll come be your handy man at the house if you need it. the tool belt aesthetic is a really hot one for me. but also i’m…i’m sorry i haven’t been here. for all of it. to get through it with you, i should have reached out the moment i was home. i know..we gotta stop having this apology off that we’re having but it needs to be said.” hector moved his hand from her arm to her hand, holding it for a longer moment. “you can’t out me as a softie because i’ll just do the same so how about we just keep it to ourselves, yeah? and i already said i’m visiting so i’ll be there next week. shit i’d be there tomorrow if i could,” he admitted, glancing at the box. “i’ll bring you some nice glasses. i promise.” he gave their hand a squeeze and before he could think about it too much he brought that hand to his lips to kiss it softly. “enjoy the rest of your shift, yeah? i’m gonna try not to go wild on any annoying drunks today.” he finally dropped her hand and went to pick up the boxes he had come for, including the glasses and turned towards the door. “you know, think this is the first time i’ve felt like i’m actually home. i’ll see you next week, okay?” 

hearing hector talk so openly about wyatt made them smile and even let out a genuine laugh, deep, the kind that shined all the way to your eyes so you knew it was real. just the talk, even it the plans fell through or were just that: all talk, cherry still appreciated the effort. the little bit of hope attached. “ i’ll go if you let me drive. you know i don’t trust anyone behind the wheel. you can pick the tunes and the snacks and keep us both awake. ” again, even playing around with the idea of it, visiting wyatt at his school, it made the feelings that for the most part laid quiet suddenly spring to life. something like hope, which was hard to come across these days.

despite the amount of years that passed, cherry could recall most of the reyes clan, if not from personal experience, from stories that hector had shared that had basically formed a presence in cherry’s mind, a wide range of emotions as he went through the key family members. “ some of your cousins have come into the shop, i’ve done a bit of my work on a few of them. tio sometimes tags along, and the place springs to life the second he walks in, ” cherry muses with a smile, fond if only for the other, and to pass along what they hoped was okay news, frowning slightly when the mention of hector’s dad came up. “ if that’s what you think is best, then you gotta do it, hec. can’t listen to anybody else.. even though you have a lot more voices in your ear than i do. ” cherry imagined it was never boring, but welcoming all the same. maybe it felt more like an actual family. “ bet your sister hits the jackpot and becomes the star of the family. she always was my favorite, ” cherry teased, pushing down all the sap that hector was somehow managing to harvest, like they were a goddamn tree or something.

“ oh, gag, come on.. no you don’t! ” they exclaimed, hitting him in the arm at the very idea that those shirts were still in tact on this planet somewhere. “ i never want to see one again! you and your cheerleader girlfriend flaunting those things... ugh. i feel sick at the idea. ” cherry couldn’t remember her name now, but that was likely a product of their own doing, purposely wanting to forget. 

emotions were a bitch, and it was hard to try and come to terms with the fact they felt anything at all when hector softly brushed the still healing scar, and offered a kind word all in the same minute, practically same breath. it was too much to take in, cherry’s eyes darting around the other’s face the entire time he spoke, looking for holes or lies or deceit and finding none. it was probably better not to say anything, and accept his genuine emotions at face value, rather than ruin it with a typical sarcastic remark, even though they’d be replaying this conversation over and over for the rest of the day, and into the night. “ you’re right, no more apologies. we’re cut off. ” they nodded in confirmation at the plan, next week, definitely, flushing under the dingy lights of the storage room at the brush of the other’s lips, a smile spreading across cherry’s features, for the last and final time that day.

“ being down there turned you into a southern sap! next week. be there, be square, reyes,” were their parting words, still feeling the heat on their cheeks and they booked it from the employee only space, climbing the staircase two steps at a time to race back to skin deep, wondering if time had slowed down for the rest of the mall, too.

      truth be told there were countless other places that would be a better hangout spot at night than the skate park, whoever, ophelia would disagree.

technically speaking the park was closed past sundown, technically. but ophelia would argue that closing a public space, an outside place, should be illegal. what was the harm in letting people skate past sun down? how was that a crime? what wrong could come of it? and why was the police so interest in that when they should be using their time to focus on the real issue the town was facing, not skaters walking around past midnight. that, was what ophelia would say to defend herself in case she ever got caught. in truth, she was glad the skate park was closed, it meant there would be no one around, and that’s how she liked it: completly empty and all to herself.

ophelia liked coming here whenever she couldn’t sleep, which was almost every night of the week. she liked walking around the ramps and laying on them looking at the stars whenever her body got too tired to move but not to sleep. occasionally, someone would leave behind a skate board and those were the days ophelia would go back home with a bruise or two.

she was walking to the other side of the park when she was suddenly taken back by someone else’s presence. startled she jumped on the spot, she took a quick glance back, thinking for a moment that there might be a ghost behind her, but there was no one around. she looked back at him and if looks could speak hers would simply scream a question mark.

it actually took her a whole minute to process what he was saying, and even then she was still trying to understand what was going on. “i– uh– what??” a realization suddenly struck her. “oh my god! are you okay? how bad did you hit your head?” she asked stepping closer to him, trying to get a good look at his head to see if he was bleeding or not. she was certain he had fallen and injured his head. a concussion maybe? perhaps, something was definitely wrong with him.

there was plenty wrong with teddy, since he’d ollied out of the womb basically, but definitely not in the way the person in front of him suspected. sorry, ghost demon, suspected. “ hey... what.. are you doing..? ” he questioned as she stepped closer, unaware of the obvious inclination any sane person would have, given the details and circumstance. no, it was him to take on the role of mad person here, never considering the possibility that it could just be a simple coincidence, seeing her here on more than one occasion. still, this place had a way of making anyone a little on edge, even the one’s who would handle a bit of goosebumps, and almost anything seemed possible these days.

“ i didn’t hit my head.. is that happened to you...? however many years ago? ” he inquired, his hand reaching out to test, the age ol’ test, of sensing if someone was a ghost or not: if your hand passed through them, then clearly, you were dealing with a spirit. teddy was far from shy, poking a finger into the top of the other’s shoulder, frowning when it didn’t go as planned. there was no big moment, no tv screen graphics... nothing. it took another two solid, sadly solid pokes to realize that this was not some ghostly being. boo. 

“ ugh. how bogus. i was really hoping that was gonna work. ”

location: skate park in old shrike

was the skate park technically open past sun down? no. did that fact stop people from hopping the locked gate and skating at night? absolutely not. one of said people being teddy. he found that late at night was sometimes more fun than skating during the day, the thrill of doing something wrong mixed with having the place all to yourself. the streetlamps (the ones that were still functioning) provided enough light, and teddy every once in a while either a) had too much energy to sleep, or b) found he could practice things he wouldn’t normally try with fewer people around. he also had no fear of getting caught, and assumed if he did it might even liven things up. what was he going to get arrested for, being awesome?

tonight was one of the nights where he felt restless, it could’ve been the three slurpees he’d consumed all day and nothing else, and found himself jumping the rickety gate well past midnight, board in hand. it was seemingly empty, as it usually was when he got here. he didn’t care if anyone else was there doing the same thing as him, as long as law enforcement stayed out of it, and they were on a mutual agreement that they both wouldn’t say anything.

this, though, was different. he rarely saw other people here when he did come here late, and more than once he’d seen the same person. if they even were a person... teddy was starting to think otherwise, with how pale they were and how this was starting to happen more than once. their sudden appearance out of seemingly nowhere made him jump, pointing a finger at them... or it, speaking far too loudly for how late it was. so much for being sneaky.

“ hey, you! not again! go away, haunt somebody else!! this is me saying no and releasing you from the mortal plane.. or whatever... get lost! ”

☻

“yeah no- she’s fine. just a little worse for wear but it seems most around here are the same.” monty didn’t want to delve to deep into the subject, he and his nan were both stubborn enough to deny her worsening condition. “actually, she did a cartwheel as soon as i got home. i have yet to see any such theatrics from you.”

he grinned widely at cherry, snapping his hand back before they could reach and sticking the lollipop between his own lips, “cherry flavored? really? you’re a goddamn cliché, huh?” though his face read like they were speaking utter blasphemy, he couldn’t help but agree. as long as this rivalry remained, monty found he didn’t really want to change. “you know, i did change. i actually found myself more than ever back in straya- i found that annoying the ever-living shit out of you is my sole purpose and i intend to never falter.”

cherry snickered at the other, genuinely amused, always happy when they didn’t have to fake it. “ so sorry, you’re right! i forgot my circus getup at my place, i can run and go get it, if you want? my routine won’t be complete without it. otherwise a twirl will have to suffice. ”

they eyed monty, shaking their head softly at his antics, knowing they had to concede on the lollipop at this point. “ shit.. i sort of missed your wit around here. could really use it, with everything going on. ” cherry appreciated when people understood that sarcasm was their number one choice of coping, and few spoke it as well as monty. “ everyone’s so tight all the time. understandably, but still. ugh, you’re annoying. tell me, could i keep a bearded dragon alive? their little faces are adorable, but you saw me through science class. ”

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

At first, Tilly wanted to greet her coworker. Having just finished the halfpipe, she sat with her legs dangling over the edge. Though the young woman barely had a care to give to the world, even after the recent attacks, her face seemed to falter watching the other wipe out in front of a few individuals. Granted, they seemed to be busy with their own skating to really take notice, but of course the brunette saw everything unfold. When asked, an awkward laugh managed to weasel out of the corners of her lips. To lighten the blow, she formed a smile that seemed to be a bit forced, but she was trying to alleviate anything that could make the other feel any worse.

“So…. Good news is that I don’t think they saw. Bad news: I saw the whole thing.” A little bit of laughter came out, making her have to hold her side as her frame shook. Taking a deep breath, she calmed as she fixed the beanie on her head. “I think you might have out-spazzed me. Would you like a crown for that?”

hearing a mostly familiar voice was somewhat reassuring, almost, pride more hurt than anything. a scuffed knee could heal much faster. “ crap. oh well. i’m fine by the way! thanks for asking! and for the help and all!! ” he complained far too loudly, able to easily stand on his own and dust himself off, flashing his coworker a quick look of fear, spinning on the spot. “ DON’T tell anyone at work you saw me eat concrete! it’ll end up all over the mall, i don’t need my rep damaged. ” as if he even had a rep to conserve. he gestured towards tilly’s board, “ i’ll take my crown now. how long have you been here anyway? ”

location: the skate park at town center

teddy found that summer time was one of the happiest times of the year for him. longer days, more sunlight, and even with the recent attacks and feeling like any corner you turn could mean your last day on earth, teddy found skating always helped to clear his mind and the adrenaline him feel more at ease. he was on the happy-go-lucky side of life as it was, but even he couldn’t entirely shake the feeling of dread looming in the air after the recent attacks. so skating seemed like the best medicine for a day off, and he decided to check out the newer park in town instead of sticking to the one in old shrike like he usually did, his newest board he’d bought from his job under his feet, sun high in the sky.

“ shit.. do you think those teenagers over there saw me majorly wipe out? shit, they’re laughing, they totally did. on a scale of 1 to 10 how dumb did i look? 1 being not so much and 10 being a lame-o who can’t show his face around here again. ”

***

“i was gonna ask..about your mom. mostly about wyatt, honestly. how’s he doing?” hector’s smile slowly grew as they thought about the younger boy, remembering all the times he had helped cherry babysit. even during the off times when they weren’t talking, hector would still come around just to drop a gift or see him, to let him know he was there for him he way he was for his own siblings. trying to do right by their younger siblings had always been something they had bonded over and agreed on. hector hated to think about all the things in their life, moments big, small, good and bad that he had missed out on and he found himself wanting to know everything. 

“yeah well i don’t know if making it out to texas is really making it out, cher. it’s kind of just barely making it. i mean it felt good for a while but honestly…” he paused, always unsure of how to be honest but it felt easier around them, “it was all kind of lonely. kind of made me wonder what i had spent all that time dreaming about, you know? i dont know, maybe it would have been different if i actually made it.” he laughed at their words and shook his head, “shit, you wish. fucked up knee and all and i could still run circles around you. you can bet your ass on that. but uh, i wanted the same for you, you know? always have. i don’t know if it was buried as deep as yours but i was pretty pissed when you called me a blockhead before i left,” he added with a laugh, no wanting to re-hash their fight but he had been slightly stunned at just how angry they had been. how scared they had been of being apart. 

hector could still feel the touch of their arms buzzing on the back of his neck and he almost wished he had held them longer, not sure he could remember the last time he had hugged someone just to hug them. to feel the comfort of their touch. god, seeing cherry was really fucking with his head. making him all soft. “fancy? try like living in a museum of my tio’s shit. he just kept all his shit there and always was coming in at all hours. it was like living in someone’s living room,” he joked, suddenly wishing he had talked to them sooner and she could have experienced the entire past year with him. but maybe it was better this way. he was slightly less bitter than he had been a year ago. “ah well if you can swing it, should i have my people call your people? would that make it easier for your calendar?” he pulled a face as he thought about the bugles and skittles but he would definitely buy plenty to have at his place so they would always feel comfortable there. not that he wasn’t going to try to widen their food groups. he winced at the memory, seeing it clearly as he thought about it. “yeah and it was during practice! i was running through those drills all twisted. you couldn’t stop laughing at me. called me a lightweight for weeks.” 

hector moved towards the box with julio’s name on it, letting out a sigh of relief when he realized they were just extra glasses and not decorations. “gotta keep looking! though these are some pretty dope glasses, i might snag some for my apartment. where uh, where are you living now?” he found another box and tried not to hide his disappointment when it was indeed the decorations but he didn’t say anything at first. “i’ve…really fucking missed you, cherry, i think i didnt realize until right now just how much. got me out here acting like a big softie.”

of all the topics in the world, few could make cherry smile like talking about wyatt could. the mention of his name brought one on instantly, a rare one that went all the way to their eyes, nodding, “ he’s doing great at his university. making a ton of friends and hopefully still going to class, but you know how he is.. annoyingly smart and clever. those genes skipped me, but he’s smashing it. ” cherry rubbed her arm, hoping the gushing wasn’t too much. “ thanks for asking. a while back he asked if i’d spoken to you, and if i knew your address. think he wanted to send you a letter and hear how things were going. he’ll be happy to know you’re back the next time he comes home. ” it wasn’t often enough for cherry’s liking, but they also didn’t blame their brother for staying away. visits back home to their mother’s house felt like marching right into the line of a firing squad. still, they had each other and that was all that mattered. “ everybody okay on your end? ” cherry always liked how important family, no matter how broken, was important, a commonality they shared.

hector’s response made cherry roll their eyes, resisting the urge to shove him. “ that’s just like you, to downplay whatever you do. thought you would’ve grown out of that by now. ” not that they had any room to say anything when they were exactly the same way, self deprecating to a high degree. they were both experts, and yet always made sure with a little bit of ribbing and teasing that they supported the other, reminding each other that they were better then they thought. “ well... you are a blockhead, sometimes, hello? the proof is right here,” they said with a grin, but it fading at the other’s admission. “ but.. i’m sorry you felt lonely out there. at least now you can be lonely in shrike with the rest of us. texas sounds lame anyway, way too hot, ” they add with a soft smile, trying to make hector feel better about the whole thing. cherry never even attempted to leave shrike, so they can’t imagine the feeling of leaving and failing. “ ugh, your face is making me want to say something totally lame like ‘i’m still your fan’ or something. barf me out, you’re making me soft. i don’t like it. ” and yet the smile on their face was evident, stuffing their head inside a box to get their features back to a neutral scowl.

“ next week... shit i’ll have to look at my schedule. i don’t remember what i’m working and what days i’m not, but um. next week? maybe, if that works for you. ” feeling old feelings wasn’t super convenient right now, still having to get through the remainder of a shift, but cherry still felt happier then they had in a while. also not convenient. they checked the side of another box, pulling out a mannequin arm from a box marked macy’s, examining it as they spoke. “ it’s just a crappy, tiny house in old shrike, some older woman was selling it cause she quote ‘wants to get the hell out of here and head to florida’. it’s super 70′s with a bright orange shag carpet and reeks of cigarette smoke, but it’s kind of awesome. ” anything to be away from their mom was also the implied appeal to the place. “ she freaked out, hec.. when she caught me moving some boxes one afternoon. i didn’t even know she was home, she’s always been freakishly quiet. ended up in a screaming match and she threw a freakin’ lamp at me, cut my arm, ” they said with a tired sigh, lifting up their shirt sleeve to show hector the faint mark that was left, a reminder. “ such a psycho. i go home once a week to check on her and make sure she hasn’t drank herself away. ” hearing ‘i miss you’ made cherry feel like this wasn’t real at all, maybe they’d been hit in the head when they got in here and now were just hallucinating, shaking their head at the other, taking small steps towards him. “ shut up. i still have to go upstairs and work, and so do you. keep it up and i’ll tell everyone just how much of a secret softie you really are, i’ll write it on the bathroom wall. that you care and have feelings after all, head isn’t just full of baseball and being a hot shot. ” cherry realized it way back when, but the reminder was nice. they gestured to the box with the glasses, “ steal me one, too. my place is so weirdly empty. if you ever come by, you’ll see. ” 

location: skin deep

to say cherry was curious about hen wen was putting it too simply. it was odd, to see someone in the shop so often and never exchange one word, let alone barely even a glance, and yet know something as specific as what tattoos a person had. it was a slower day in the shop for piercings, cherry making rounds around the rest of the shop, curious and always interested in what types of art people were willing to put on their body forever. another on the list of reasons of why cherry put up working at the mall, when skin deep felt like its own little protective bubble.  “ never thought about getting a piercing? ” cherry asked the other, finally ending whatever weird stalemate they had of exchanging zero words, cocking their head slightly, “ can’t even tell you how many septum piercings i’ve done in the past two weeks. ”

Ian’s life felt like it was at a standstill. He watched the world pass him by from his window. People still went out, they worked, they went to the mall. Life went on just like it always did after an attack. People moved on faster and in ways Ian knew he never could. He was changed forever and no amount of time would return him to the person he once had been but he was finally starting to come out from the fortress he’d built around himself to protect him as he figured out this new direction his life had been forced to take. “Well that’s good, I haven’t missed much about the place,” he told Teddy. It was the understatement of the year. Ian loathed the place with a passion he didn’t know anyone could possess towards a giant hunk of reinforced concrete. The mall had taken nearly everything from him twice. He’d wanted to burn the place to the ground or blow it up with dynamite and never look back. He’d felt so venomous towards the mall after it’d nearly claimed the life of his partner almost a year ago but now having faced a similar fate himself in the same venue he felt nothing but fear. There was no fight in him like he’d once felt when he’d still been whole and without being scarred both mentally and physically. No, Ian didn’t miss much about the mall at all. He never would and it killed him knowing eventually he’d have to return to the place, to face the scene of the crime but now. He wasn’t ready yet. 

Even though Ian wasn’t getting anywhere near the mall he was making more efforts to leave his apartment without his partner by his side. The man had become a bit of a crutch for Ian during his recovery. Ian had to rely on Bo for just about everything for so long that it took some nudging to remind him that autonomy was important and eventually he’d have to feel comfortable by himself and in the presence of others without his security blanket. Ian had friends and Teddy was quickly becoming one… at least he had been prior to this whole mess. Nearly dying usually throws a wrench in making someone’s acquaintance and exploring a budding friendship took a back burner to all the other bullshit he had to prioritize.  He was glad Teddy still wanted to hang out at all now that Ian felt like a different person– he supposed Teddy didn’t know that though. “You know, I never pictured you much of a basketball person,” Ian admitted as he took the cigarette offered to him. Personally, he was a lot better at smoking than he was shooting hoops. Still, he did agree to getting some fresh air and the basketball court was walkable from his apartment and that was quite the selling point for Ian these days. He went out…just not far. 

teddy didn’t really know the full extent of what happened to ian. sure, he knew at surface level, he’d heard from others, and of course what the other has been willing to share (which wasn’t much, understandably.) it had taken teddy a lot of self control not to pry and ask the other a billion questions, nosy by nature and wanting the full details. still, he was raised to be respectful and therefore had held back, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t curious. it was obvious in the way the other looked and even moved, how physically withdrawn his friend seemed, teddy couldn’t imagine what he would be like if the tables were turned. a small smile graced his features when ian accepted the cigarette, tucking the ball under his arm, cocking his head at the other. “ what, i don’t scream amazing athlete? i know i’m not tall or built like Magic but come on, give me some credit man! ” to emphasis his point he tossed the ball into the hoop and missed, watching it bounce pathetically off the headboard. he turned slowly back to face the other, shaking his head, “ don’t you dare say a word. ”

moving to a town with so many scary incidents definitely wasn’t the experience teddy has been hoping for when he’d moved, and it was taking some adjusting. his childhood had been simple, and here he was, having to dodge his mom’s calls about moving back in with her and his dad because they were worried about his safety every day. but teddy refused. he was willing to take the risk of being out on his own. “ i assumed the place would be quieter or even empty, but nope, still as bustling as ever. people need their deals, ” he said, abandoning the basketball for now and hoping up on top of the metal table, feet on the bench. “ you would think they would revolt, but sadly i guess people are more shallow than that. it’s bogus, man. ” he cast the other a look, “ how’re bo and everybody doing? haven’t seen all those guys in a minute. m’sure bo is taking good care of you, the major heart eyes you two always threw at each other, ” he teased.

☻

he almost felt a sort of excitement. when it came to monty and cherry-  boring was never an adjective used to describe their conversations. well, more bickering. so needless to say, monty was excited. he found a competitiveness that differs greatly from that needed in his athletic endeavors- a need for wittiness that he usually only uses with the very individual that stood before him. 

“do ya think so? i’m trying out ‘golden retriever’. it’s new so you probably wouldn’t get it.” he ran a hand through his hair, shaking out globs of yellow fur that he swore weren’t there a few minutes ago, “it’s my nan. i’m grandma-sitting and someone needs to play bodyguard for the crazy lady with all this chaos going on.” monty offered a half-hesitant grin, it failing to meet his eyes, “well, i’m just bloody ecstatic. i was just thinking about how my wonderful day could get better… and there you were.” 

monty reached forward and snatched their sucker, his grin growing devious, “oh, cherry, don’t you dare tempt me with a good time.”

a shriek turned laugh escaped them as the dog hair went flying, using their arms to shield themselves from the attack. “ i guess i deserved that... oh. ” it was an unexpected response, not wanting to ask any follow up questions, but they could tell that it personal either way. and the two of them never really delved into personal territory, tending to stay on surface level topics. “ copy. well, i’m sure she’s glad to see you. not as glad as i am, of course,” they teased, mouth opening in shock as their sucker was pulled right from their hand, attempting to grab it back over the counter with no avail. “ hey! ugh, you haven’t changed a day, swear you’re still seventeen in study hall. i thought when people leave their hometown to go abroad they go through some spiritual awakening and growth? did it skip you? ” but cherry couldn’t deny the thrill, eyes sparkling deviously. they lived for this. “ or is this you changed? ” they couldn’t deny they were curious how monty’s time away was, unsure if asking now while he was clocked in would be bad timing.

**

he could sense the shift in their demeanor after his words, part of him hating the pity and part of him grateful that he didn’t have to fully explain just how much this outcome had broken his heart. the first summer that they met, cherry had been a witness to all the dreams he wanted to speak into existence, all the uncertainty about starting high school and making friends. and throughout, even when they weren’t talking, hector knew that every now and then he’d glance at the stands and he’d see them sitting there. they knew more than anyone just how much his dreams had meant to him. especially if it meant being more of a provider for his family than his father had been. he was supposed to be the star that made them proud and now he was just some washup. at least that’s how he saw himself. “yeah. i..” he paused, wondering if he should say the thought that came next, “i almost called you, when i was laid up with my busted knee. i just…i didn’t know how, you know? didn’t even know what to say or like, i dont know, if your number was the same.” 

it was easier to be honest with his back to them, not sure he could stand seeing the pity on her face. the question and the apology felt loaded but it finally forced him to turn to look at them more fully. “my knee? i mean it’s alright. i can still workout, you know gotta keep this body in check,” he added, if only because he needed a laugh to break up the heaviness. “but i can move the same way i used to. especially laterally so you know, no one wants a short stop who’s gonna fall out just trying to stretch for a ball. plus, it was already hard trying to be a fucking dominican kid from colorado trying to get on a squad so. i don’t know, some days i convince myself it’s for the best but it all just kind of..sucks.” 

it was easier to be honest with them, always had been and it was a relief to be both at peace and able to not have to pretend that everything was good. it was easy to smile at their words but hector hadn’t expected to feel…emotional? he was sure that in the year he had been home, it was the first time someone had expressed actually being happy to see him as opposed just kind of disappointed and surprised. he paused at the boxes he had been looking through and moved towards where cherry was. “did you say i look better than ever? damn, you’re so right. it’s the new workout routine i’m doing,” he teased but when he was next to her, he took a moment to look at her before pulling her arms gently out of the box so he could wrap his arms around them in a hug. it was an impulse and clearly something he needed, holding tight for a moment before he pulled away, meeting her eyes for a moment. “yeah, i uh, i missed you too.” he cleared his throat, feeling weird now that he had done that and his cheeks flushed so he just quickly turned back to the box, trying not to silently curse himself for being a weirdo. “i uh do have an apartment now, after spending a year in my mom’s poolhouse but uh we could hang out there some time, catch up for real if you want? i mean i’d like that,” he admitted, sighing when he spotted one of the boxes towards the box but he pretended like he didn’t see it for a moment. “i’ll even buy all your favorite snacks, unless those have changed.”

hearing that hector wanted to reach out all those months ago was encouraging, and yet cherry couldn’t help the sting that came from it also, wondering just how many missed opportunities the two of them had. maybe in some twisted way this mall storage space could be a second chance. “ if mom was actually home, and sober, i’m sure i would’ve eventually gotten your message, ” they scoffed, shrugging it off like it was a regular statement, “ so it’s probably best you didn’t. ” both of those instances were rare for their mother anyway, and cherry doubted they would’ve even known what to say back then. it likely would’ve been the wrong thing, laced with anger, and would’ve ended up making things worse between the two of them.

cherry would never downplay the other’s struggles, knowing their face was likely giving away how they felt. with other people their poker face came in handy, but not right now, just hoping it wasn’t reading as pity. “ shit, hec, at least you got the hell out, ” they said pointedly, looking away, pretending to be preoccupied with all the surrounding boxes. “ even for a little while, to try and accomplish something big. we always knew you’d be the one to make it out of here. ” unlike them, who was likely stuck here forever. not that it was necessarily bad, but cherry had given up on trying to have big dreams a long time ago. they left that to their brother, who cherry would rather see go off to college and succeed and have a better life than what they were given. that’s what being the older sibling meant, taking the most sacrifices. “ even though i was so mad at you, i still wanted the best for you. deep, deep down.. past all the anger and resentment and stuff, ” they added with a dry laugh, hating how it all felt sort of sad all of a sudden, switching tones for a second. “ so what you’re saying is i can finally kick your ass in one on one? we’ll have to test that out soon. ”

it took a second to register what was happening, and cherry couldn’t remember the last time someone had been the one to initiate something as simple as a hug, some sort of physical touch that wasn’t intended for something more. “ you’re gonna crush me with your giant muscles, gym rat, ” they teased, but were already pushing up on their toes, arms wrapping around hector’s neck to hug back. only when they broke away, as brief as it was, cherry let out a sigh they didn’t know they were holding. and any time they got to see hector showing a bit of rare softness and embarrassment, they loved it, biting their lip to hold back a grin or something equally dumb like that, turning to continue their quest. “ pool house? fancy living, shame you got out of there. m’sure the new place is a downgrade… but i could stop by sometime. somewhere, in my super hectic schedule and busy life. just for you. ” something about a sincere moment made the sarcasm even greater. “ can pencil you in. ah lucky for you, nothings’s changed much in the snack game. still the same, cheap taste, living on bugles and skittles. only i don’t have to sneak vodka in water bottles anymore, and i switched to whiskey, ” they mused, grinning at the memories. “ i’ll never forget the day you took a giant swig from my water bottle and coughed for at least ten minutes thinking it was really water. ” out of the corner of their eye did they finally see a box labeled for julio’s, nudging the other and gesturing to it, wondering if it was what he needed, secretly hoping by some chance it wasn’t. today was, apparently, full of surprises and unexpected emotions. “ um, lemme see if there’s a pen somewhere in this mess and i’ll give you my new number. i moved out of the house only recently, so you can call me there instead. ” she hoped this time he actually would.

☻

the smile hit his face even before they fully stepped into lapaws. his not so casual once-over  of his old… what would you call it? frenemy?.. his old frenemy sent him right back to highschool. monty cant lie, cherry brought out a side of himself that made shrike heights almost bearable. he never cared much for school but the competitiveness between the two only helped his grades- swearing he’d never let them get ahead of him. he’d never admit out loud that cherry was probably the smartest between them and he’d most certainly wouldn’t admit that he admired the hell out of them because of it.

“mon cherie,” monty smirked as he pulled out the old nickname, “what? you didn’t think i’d miss you enough to come crawling back? and hey, you even came to visit me in my workplace because you missed me so bad. truly honored. humbled, even.”

cherry couldn’t really explain the pull that monty had over them, but it had been there since freshman year: the bantering and bickering, the natural back and forth, always having to one up the other. if anything it was free entertainment, and around here getting some free entertainment was hard to come by.. they would take this any day over some cheap thrills, a slow grin spreading at the old nickname. 

“ you caught me. missed you terribly, mon. it’s nice to see you back here, dog hair and all. always suited you, ” they responded with a grin, a delighted look on their face as they leaned forward on the counter. this was a much better way to spend the time before work. “ seriously though, what the hell are you doing back here? you booked it, and now’s not exactly the best time to be making a grand return, as i’m sure you know, ” they gestured to the general space, before pointing a chipped black polished finger at him, “ not that i’m not happy to see you, cause i am. should i break out those multiplication charts and we race, for old time’s sake? ” cherry found it ironic that two people from their past had magically found their way back into their life, but with very different presences. “ if you lose, i pierce something. ” 

***

“lie? i wouldn’t do that, especially not when it comes to your looks, i mean i think you have like ten more tattoos and piercings since i last saw you but you always make it work so.” hector shrugged, wanting to look at her to take her in but not wanting to come off as a total creep. seeing her brought up feelings he hadn’t thought about in ages, especially regret, over having ruined one of the realest connections he had ever really known. “yeah, i know, shit labeling system but two heads are better than one, right? though i’m not sure how many brain cells i have left,” he joked. 

“and god no, we keep the stock in the back of some dudes truck,” he added with a smirk before shaking his head. “nah just some decorations and shit. they said there were two boxes so, i’m assuming they say julio’s decorations but who knows how lucky we’ll be.” hector nodded along, wondering just how fine they were, finding himself actually wanting to know every detail which wasn’t something he was used to. just seeing them was seriously starting to trip him up. “fine? that’s a pretty basic adjective you’ve got there but i’ll pretend to believe you.” their words had him laughing truly this time, and he was a little annoyed at the college boy bit, his mind going back to their fight and he tried not to seem bitter. “college boy? you think of that one all by yourself? for your information i am…fine,” he finished, meeting their eyes for a long moment before going back to the boxes. 

he moved towards one of the boxes, looking it over before pushing it to the side. “i fucked up my knee a few years back. basically got kicked out of the minors, fucked up all my chances for the majors. no more baseball. no more dreams. no more..anything,” he explained, unable to look at them as he did. “and now i’m back here. stuck in this fucking place where people are literally losing their minds and limbs. cleaning up dishes and entertaining stories from every drunk mom and dad who need to be in therapy and living in an apartment that is half taken over by my cousins who i babysit like weekly and now i’m here, in a basement, with you and honestly that may be the highlight of the year so,” he took a breath and looked back at her. “like i said, i’m fine.”

his comment about the stock made cherry smirk, a tiny laugh escaping through their nose. the two of them had always seen eye to eye with their humor, slightly dark and jaded, and honestly cherry missed having a genuine connection with someone around here. lately everyone had been so tightly wound, the conversations inevitably leading back to the attacks no matter who you spoke to, it was somehow both monotonous and terrifying. an odd combination. so having someone know you, and not having to fake nice and pretend, well. it was nice, and he could still see through her bullshit lie about being fine, another glaring difference, unafraid to call her out on it. it felt good, having someone like that back. for a moment, and then..

guilt. that’s what feeling sat like a lead balloon in cherry’s stomach as hector continued on, relaying his past to current situation, mentally kicking themselves for having to always get in tiny jabs, especially when they landed. “ shit, hec i’m- ” sorry? cherry hoped it wasn’t too late, hoping hector would know well enough after all these years that if it was said, they meant it. “ that sounds.. like a hell of a lot to deal with, wow. ” and that was putting it mildly. the cigarette that was nothing but filter now landed on the concrete ground of the storage space, getting crushed under red converse, meeting the other’s eyes sympathetically. “ i didn’t know about the baseball thing, or your knee.. that majorly bites.” after their fight and hector leaving, cherry hadn’t thought to ask anyone about him, not wanting to know how great he was doing, especially after leaving on such a sour note, and now they were starting to regret that. not the first time, and not the only regret between them. “ is it okay now? ” they asked, eyes darting down on instinct, biting their bottom lip, voice low. “ fuck, i’m sorry. ” for the college boy comment, for their not so amicable departure.. all of it, they wanted to add, but didn’t. 

her eyes darted away, resuming the search for the lost julio storage boxes, if only for something to do in that moment. “ i’m.. happy to see you, despite what… may be coming out of my mouth,” they admitted with a bitter laugh, “ and you’re right, this place is going off the rails, every other goddamn week it seems, and i know this wasn’t part of your original plan, to be back here getting paid minimum wage searching for bar decor, but… i’m.. happy to see you. ” moments of true sincerity never came easy to cherry, yet right now it seemed a little easier, but still couldn’t help the anxiety, twirling a piece of faded pink hair between their fingers. “ if that’s any sort of consolation. and you look better than ever, bum knee and horrible storage room fluorescent lighting and all,” they teased, throwing a look over their shoulder at the other, arms buried in a box. hopefully it would take a little bit to find what he needed. “ you know what they say.. misery loves company. and i may .. have missed your company. ”