#clayjay

It wasn't supposed to rain today, AJ knew. She knew because she had looked outside and even double checked on her weather app before starting her journey on foot. And for what? Just for the opposite to be the case about two hundred yards away from her destination.

It had started out with small drops before the rain began to get heavier and just increased in volume ever since.

She had wanted to visit Clay, the new friend she made since she moved to Killmor. It was a spontaneous decision. The day had started out with a bright blue sky, the sun shining, birds singing outside her window. No cloud in sight for miles. She took the opportunity to bake, making blueberry pie. In her cheerful mood the brunette had made too much for her to consume on her own so she decided to share some of it with her friend.

Now the young woman ran through the woods, said pie sitting inside a basket that she was holding onto, desperate to escape the downpour. The rain had already soaked through most of the layers of her clothing, the different fabrics clinging to her body uncomfortably, hugging her curves. Her normally light and wavy brunette hair now flat and sticking to her face. It was cold and shivers were running up and down the expanse of her damp skin.

After minutes of running as quickly as she dared without slipping on the moist ground of the forest, Clay's cabin appeared in the distance, a few of the rooms illuminated by the lights coming from inside. A cry of unadulterated happiness escaped her lips.

Her legs carried her the rest of the way toward the cabin in a hurry, trying to escape the harsh rain. By the time AJ was standing on his porch she was dripping beads of water on the ground below her. Taking a few steps she came face to face with his front door.

Knocking on it the brunette waited anxiously. Standing in front of his house she realized something. What if he was busy? Or if he had company, someone over? Maybe his bandmates? Would he let her in?

A quiver ran through her as a gust of wind blew past her, her arms coming up to wrap around herself protectively, holding the basket to her chest. Damn this weather apps.

The sound of heavy rain hitting the ground around the cabin and the roof of it hindered AJ from hearing the footsteps that were approaching the door. Opening a moment later it revealed Clay, a surprised expression on his face. He saw the state she was in, clothes drenched while she was giving him a small apologetic smile. The redhead quickly pulled her inside to close the door behind them. "AJ? What are you doing here? You're drenched" His voice carried a worried undertone. Brows pulled together in concern. "I just wanted to visit you. I made blueberry pie" she answered, lifting the basket as a way of explanation, accompanied by a full-body shiver. It made Clay sigh and shake his head in half amusement, half disbelief, "You could have just called, you know? I would've picked you up". "I know, but the weather was nice and I felt like going for a walk", AJ raised her shoulders again, arms splayed away from her body as if to present the result of her journey, the excess liquid dripping from her fingertips onto Clay's hardwood floor.

A moment of silence followed as both of them took each other's appearence in. AJ, wearing a knee-length sundress in rose, a soft beige coloured cardigan, white ankle-length socks and pink, mud-caked converse. Clay, wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a worn-out band t-shirt, the logo of Slipknot having faded a long time ago, showcasing the defined muscles from years of training in his forearms perfectly. Taking the towel that was thrown lazily around his shoulders, having previously used it to dry his own hair, he placed it down on top of AJ's head. Stepping closer he began to gently rub her hair dry. Being this near to him she could smell the shampoo he used, the scent flowery and pleasant.

"Yeah, I can see that" he scoffed halfheartedly after a moment, no anger in his voice noticible. Taking a second look over AJ's figure he noticed her lack of response, quietly taking his gentle treatment. "How about you take a shower? Can't have you getting sick now, can we?" he suggested. The brunette nodded her head as best as she could. Taking her damp and cool hand into his warm, strong one Clayton led her down the hall to the bathroom, opening the door and letting her step inside. "I'm gonna bring you some of my clothes for change. Take as much time as you need" the readhead offered, which in turn the brunette thanked him for.

Taking the basket from her hand he closed the door to the bathroom. Turning around he made his way toward the bedroom in search of some spare clothes.

Opening his closet he rummaged through the neatly folded piles of clothing. Finding the smallest t-shirt he owned, a old band tee of Metallica, and a pair of gray sweatpants, he put the clothes near the bathroom door. Bringing the basket with him to the kitchen, Clay set it down on the counter next to him. Peaking inside, sure enough, was the blueberry pie, sitting in a medium-sized translucent box.

Opening and carfully lifting the lid of the box the redhead realized that the sweet treat smelled just as amazing as it looked and started pulling out plates, cutlery and two mugs for some warm tea.

The warm water coming out of the showerhead felt amazing against AJ chilled skin, warming her up in no time. She felt a bit flustered using her friend's shower gel and shampoo, her hair now smelling the same as his. Stepping out of the shower she toweled herself off. Changing into the clothes that Clay had left for her the brunette walked outside, wandering back down the hallway into the open living room. Clay had turned on the TV, busying himself with setting two mugs of steaming tea on the coffee table next to two plates holding a slice of her baked goods each. "I made some tea for us. I hope you like green tea?" he questioned. "I do, thank you" AJ answered, sitting down and began towel-drying her hair. Smiling at him she added, "Thanks for letting me use the shower". "No problem, sweets. Just didn't want ya to get sick after you made the effort to come all the way here to bring me homemade pie." he reciprocated her smile, sitting down on the other side of the couch.

[The two friends spend the afternoon watching TV, talking about different topics that both of them seemed interested in while the rain slowly but steadily subsided. By the time they noticed that the rain had stopped, just the raindrops being hold by the trees surrounding Clay's house occasionally pitter-pattering on the roof remained. The sun had already set, the clouds still hanging over Killmor concealing the night sky.

Clay had offered to drive his friend back home, which she greatfully accepted. The drive to her home was filled with light conversation. When they arrived at AJ's house both of them said their goodbyes and shortly afterwards AJ got ready to go to bed, falling contently asleep.]

A/N: I've had this sitting in my notes for the past month or two, originally the idea came to me when I was feeling down and I wanted to cheer myself up a bit, and so I though about a scenario for Clay and AJ and the result is this small comfort fic. So here we are.

The reason why the fic ended rather abruptly is because I didn't really know what to do with the ending. I haven't really planned what the end result should look like. I'm not very happy with it but yeah.. I also still don't know how to write dialogue, send help please 🙈

I'm also apologizing for any jumps between different types of tenses and if you find any typos please keep them or point them out to me.

Also, I made the distance between AJ's and Clay's home shorter for the purpose of this fic.

Thank you for reading and please let me know what you think in the comments or if you decide to reblog. I would appreciate it greatly 💖

--

Positive! ➕️✅️

Looking back at her from the edge of the sink, AJ didn't know if she should scream in joy or dread. The pregnancy test she took about five minutes ago was positive. Positive!

Knees weak, the young woman took a seat on the side of the bathtub. Taking deep breaths, trying to calm down her nerves. Mixed feelings whirling in her stomach. Feeling anxious, joyful, frustrated, giddy. She didn't know if she was feeling sick or excited. Definitely surprized and curious, that she knew.

Absolute silence filled the room, as if time stood still, waiting for her to make her decision. Should she tell Clayton that she was pregnant? That she was carrying his child? Or make an appointment at a gynecologist first, to find out if she was really pregnant? What if the test was just incorrect? Or what if it was correct? Would she want to keep the baby? What if she would be a bad mom? What is Clay's reaction going to be if or when she tells him? How should she tell him?

Blinking against the ceiling, a soft "Fuck" escaped her lips, followed by a huff of air and surprised laugher that quickly turned desperate. Shaking her head after a moment, willing her mind to form a blank slate. She was feeling stupid for her reaction. For her thoughts and feelings.

She sits there for a few minutes before standing up, drawing one last deep breath in, trying to push the inflow of thoughts to the side. AJ throws the pregnancy test a sideway glare. Walking up to it, taking it in both hands between her thumbs and pointer finger.

"It's going to be okay, right?" she asks herself, filling the space of the bathroom with her voice. It feels like time is slowly flowing again.

The glare slowly softens, turning into a gentle smile. She knew she was going be okay. They were going to be okay.

~~

Tagging some moots who might want to see this: @bluecoolr @rottent33th @slaasherslut @vincent-sinclair-deserved-better @the-pinstriped-hood @solmints-messyocdiary @myers-meadow @probably-a-plant-thing @damien-mlm @shonkgobonk @sketchbook-of-shadows @devil-doll13 @visceravalentines @flower-crowned-lady @tahlalilian

Moving in - Between boxes blooming feelings 📦🏡

In the next couple of days after AJ had signed the purchase contract for her cabin, located just on the outskirts of Killmor that she could now proudly call her own, she drove back to her previous apartment and packed the rest of her belongings, that weren't already in the cabin. Her friend Liam helped her load everything in the truck that was gonna bring her possessions to Killmor. He has been friends with AJ since she could remember, like some sort of big brother that she never had.

After the long drive back to Killmor, including a few pauses, buying fast food, catching up and sharing laugher and jokes, they started to unpack. It took them both about two hours until every piece of furniture and every box was unloaded and inside her new home. By the time they finished it was around six o'clock. Then came the time to say goodbye.

Liam pulled AJ against his chest. "Take care of yourself, you hear me? I want you to call at least every two weeks or so. I'm gonna miss seeing you. Come visit if you find the time.". AJ playfully rolled her eyes which he couldn't see, hugged him back and answered "Yes dad. Ya know I will. If there is anything, I'll call. And take care of yourself as well.".

He gave her one last squeeze before letting go. Accompanying him outside she called to him before he could get inside his car, "Tell ma, dad and Jace I love them when you talk to them or see them!". "Don't worry, I will!" he winked. The young woman waved as his car backed out of her driveway.

A couple of hours later AJ had already swiped off the dust from every surface of furniture, which had accumulated over the time that she had searched for a new home, and wiped the floors with floor cleaner that smelled like lily of the valley. Liam has helped her move and set up the furniture that was to heavy moving alone in each room.

Sitting on the floor surrounded by boxes she was currently nursing a bottle of passion fruit flavoured keg soda while'Thirty Seconds To Mars - Kings and Queens' was playing on her vinyl player. She opened two more boxes, one containing various books, another one movies and games. Behind her a chain of fairy lights was sitting on her coffee table, just waiting to be put up near the ceiling around the living room.

Around eight o'clock Clay was driving back home from band practice then he saw light gently shining through the curtains in the cabin that he knew now belonged to his new friend AJ. It seemed like she was back, having left a week ago to move her things from her old apartment. The cabin was located about five miles outside of town, nearly half the distance to Clay's cabin. He decided to swing by, parking his beloved rusty blue 1967 Chevy Impala in the small driveway next to AJ's ochre painted Opel Kadett C Caravan. Telling himself that he was just checking in on her, making sure she was okay.

Turning off the ignition he walks up the few steps, her front porch already adorned with a wind chime, swaying softly in the evening breeze. Her doormat welcoming him as he knocks a few times, hearing music from the other side of the door.

Light footsteps can be heard before coming to a halt behind the door. A moment later said door opens, revealing AJ. She was wearing a old washed-out band tee from Guns n' Roses, short pyjama pants and a pair of white socks that reached her shins. The beige knee-length cardigan he has seen her wear before, in the forest, was loosely hugging her figure.

"Clay? What are you doing here? Did ya missed me already?", her expression turned from initially surprised to something that came close to amusement. It made the corner of her lips pick up and her eyes shine, highlighting the inner golden ring encircling the iris of her eyes. The redhead scoffed halfheartedly, rolling his eyes in faux annoyance as his freckled cheeks coloured the tiniest tinge of pink and he couldn't help himself from instinctively responding with a genuine smile of his own. He did miss her. Replying "You wish darlin'. I didn't knew ya were back in town. I saw that the lights were on by chance." to which she answered with "Yeah, I just came back today. A friend of mine helped me pack and move the furniture. You want to come inside?". She held the door wider open, stepping aside.

The redhead thanked her, stepping inside. Letting his eyes wander over the room he found it was almost fully furnitured, about a dozen cartons still laying around on the floor.

He remembered something, seeing the open moving boxes containing the books. "I still have your tote bag in my car." he said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "Keep it. In case you need it, I have more than enough of these." was her response, waving her hand, the different rings on her fingers catching and reflecting the light at various angles.

[AJ recalled that they had decided to watch a movie that night after AJ had showed him around her new home, Clay commenting on different kinds of furniture and decoration. "I don't even know what movie we watched. I think it was some old classic." she shrugged.]

Clay enjoyed spending time with her, even while doing such mundane things like watch TV in the middle of the night. The light of the television illuminated the room softly, both of them sitting on her couch, a blanket wrapped around AJ's shoulders. He was about to lean over to her to tell her something when a weight gently set against his shoulder and he turned his head to see that AJ had fallen asleep, her breathing slow and rhythmical.

He took it as his sign to leave. Supporting her head he got up, pulling one of the throw pillows from the corner of the sofa before slowly laying her down on it. Rearranging the blanket he tugged it up to her shoulders and under her chin. Despite himself he reached out, tenderly caressing her rosy cheek with the back of his long fingers.

"Good night sweetpea, sweet dreams." the young man whispered before standing up and making his way to the front door, gently opening and closing it on his way out into the night.

Moving to Killmor would be one of the best decisions AJ ever made, she would come to find out.

Concert - Free drinks 🎤🍹

[serendipity -> the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way / finding something good without looking for it]

[epiphany -> a moment of sudden and great revelation or realisation / a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of something that is very important to you]

Pretending to be AJ's boyfriend has most definitely not been one of Clay's plans for tonight, as he and the other members of Carnal Messiah entered the stage, but he definitely wasn't about to complain about it.

AJ was currently sitting at the bar, sipping the rest of her first Piña Colada for the night, enjoying the music, cheering for the performing band with the small group of people that seemed to be fans. It may have been an odd choice for a drink but it was her favorite and she wasn't about to let anybody ruin it for her. What she didn't expect was the incoming trouble.

She ordered her second drink, about to pay for it as a hand reached out, credit card between pointer and middle finger. "Don't worry that pretty head of yours, I'll pay." a grating voice said. Looking over, a middle-aged man winked at her, wearing a three piece suit. Outgrown hair that reached just over his ears slicked back, stubbles around his chin and a smarmy smirk plastered on his face. AJ was trying her hardest to hold back the snarky reply that was sitting on the tip of her tongue, trying instead to smile politely.

"You come here often, pretty doll?" he asked, his hand moving in the direction of her skirt-dressed thigh. Little did he know what he had coming for him.

As their set was over and they were backstage Jay said his goodbye to the other band members, Clay included, having a shift tomorrow morning at the record store. The rest decided to stay there for a drink or two. Heading towards the bar the redhead spotted AJ, some guy sitting next to her.

Seeing how that creep's hand dipped down towards AJ's knee made before unknown jealous pump through his veins and his fists clench. Before the guy had the chance to rest his hand on her Clay was already making his way over to the bar with big steps, coming to a halt in front of them, throwing his arm in a protective manner around AJ's shoulder.

"That guy bothering you, sugar?" he asked instead, opting to play pretend, making sure it was loud enough for the guy to hear. It achieved the desired effect, the man retracting his hand as if he had burned himself. His eyes widend as Clay's hazel eyes turned to AJ and he gave her a charming smile. She immediately knew what Clay was doing and decided to play along. Shaking her head no, she answered "No. Actually, he was just about to leave, honey.". The redhead hummed in return, ensuring that the guy was looking and to get the message, that AJ's wasn't for him to touch, across, he softly gripped her chin and locked eyes with her to search for any sign of a 'no', which he found non, just a slight, aproving tilt of her head. That was all the sign he needed before he planted his lips on hers.

The quickly following stammered apology of the guy and his leave fell on deaf ears, the feeling of AJ's sweet and soft lips was all that Clay could think about. The cold metal ring of her lip piercing pressing against his lips. The mixed taste of rum, coconut and pineapple flodding his taste buds, getting drunk off the feeling of her lips slowly moving against his own. Before he could register what he was doing he had let her chin go, instead placing one hand on her cheek, the other one finding purchase at the back of her head, his fingers weaving into the silky waves of her hair, pulling her closer.

AJ gripped the front of his shirt with both of her hands, feeling Clay pull her closer. Tugging him against her closer still, she softly gasped into the kiss, unintentionally parting her lips in the process. Lost in the sensation of his lips, she tilted her head while one of her hands mimicked his own, finding it's place at the back of his head, the other still gripping his tee.

Taking the parting of her lips as invitation he let his tongue slowly graze her own, dipping inside her mouth for a second taste before pulling back, his tongue piercing making brief contact with the roof of her mouth in the process. AJ hummed softly at the feeling, almost as if complaining when he stopped. Parting slowly, way to soon, he leaned back. Oxygen being a bitch in that regard.

Opening his eyes he searching for any type of a hint on her face that he had gone too far. It took the young woman a second to open her eyes, still caught up in the moment. The second she did and they locked eyes again Clay was about to apologize but she beat him to it. "Why did you stop?" was the only thing she wanted to know, not why he had kissed her in the first place. Before he could come up with a response a voice from behind him chimed up. "Damn Clay, at least get a room if you're gonna fuck her!", turning around Griff was sitting next to Emmett, a few feet away from him at the bar, already nursing a drink, big cocky grin on his face. Of course.

Deciding not to deal with his antics more than necessary he flipped him off, followed by a quick "Fuck off, Griff!" in his direction before he turned back around to AJ, puzzled look on her face. He pulled out his leather purse and put some money on the bar counter while explaining "Just a friend. You want to go?", nodding towards the exit.

A hesitant "Sure" was her answer, more out of surprise than anything else. Clay noticed that she was wearing just a thin bolero over her top so he shrugged his black leather jacket off and helped her put it on, reasoning that it has gotten colder outside.

Enveloping one of her hands with his own, he helped her stand up from the bar stoll she had been sitting on. She thanked him, the awkward tension that had developed between them since he broke the kiss evident in the air. Clay knew he needed to fix this mess as soon as possible, to avoid further difficult situations like this one in the future.

["I thought I lost her that moment. Destroyed the friendship that had just started to develop between us.". Clay thinks back, a light scowl on his face, fidgeting with the silver band on his ring finger. A second later the scowl morphes and his face lit up, eyes sparkling, mouth smiling. "Turned out, it was one of the best choices I ever made." he laughs, the laugh genuine and full of adoration.]

They stepped outside, the night cloudless. The night sky a display of stars and different constellations like Hercules, peering down on the two of them from above. Walking a small distance from the bar, still holding hands, the awkward silence started to develop into a peaceful one. The warmth of Clay's hand pleasant, steadily holding onto her hand, the pressure reassuring. It was as if they needed no words, communicating just through touch alone, understanding one another silently.

The realisation seemed to find both of them at the same time. As if a silent voice whispered each others name they looked at one another, a smile curling both their lips. They knew that they were gonna be okay.

Whatever souls are made of, his and her were the same.

~~

Notes:

• Liam [name origin: irish; name meaning: strong-willed warrior and protector]: good friend of AJ since early childhood, like a big brother for her, is protective of her

• Jace Riley [name origin: greek, hebrew; name meaning: healer (greek); lord of salvation (hebrew)] AJ's younger brother who lives with their parents.

• honestly, because I have no idea whatsoever in which time this takes place, you can just replace 'Kings and Queens' (2009) by Thirty Seconds To Mars with 'I Was Made for Lovin’ You' (1979) by Kiss in Moving in - Between boxes blooming feelings 📦🏡 if you like

• between Moving in - Between boxes blooming feelings 📦🏡 and Concert - Free drinks 🎤🍹 is another small story that I cut out, maybe I'll write a third part and add it there instead

~~

Tagging some moots who might be interested: @bluecoolr @rottent33th @slaasherslut @vincent-sinclair-deserved-better @the-pinstriped-hood @solmints-messyocdiary @myers-meadow @probably-a-plant-thing @damien-mlm @shonkgobonk @sketchbook-of-shadows @devil-doll13 @visceravalentines @flower-crowned-lady @tahlalilian