#privacyplease

[Let’s follow father and son outside now. Horchata and Lucy are still inside, and alas, it is too dark outside for them to be able to see what’s happening out there. 

But, yes, outside they are, and it’s v dramatic, because Maddox is facing away from Waldo, and it’s chilly, so you can see their breath, and if you asked Maddox why his arms are across his chest, he’d say it’s because, IT’S COLD, but no, it’s more of a defense mechanism, because though he’d never say it in front of that bastard otherwise known as his half-brother, he’s feeling huRT. 

Papa Waldo is approaching, though. There is a sigh that swirls around the chilly night with that v dramatic fog.]

Maddox, I’m sorry.

For what? Not being as much of the shitty guy Mom made you out to be? Not quite shitty enough to only care about yourself, but shitty enough to completely ignore a son you obviously knew about while having another son, and another family. Sure. You’re totally forgiven.

No, it’s not like that. It’s not that I was ignoring you, or didn’t care, or didn’t want you even. Because I did. But, clearly you know your mother. You’ve known her a lot longer than I did. ‘Cause, you see, the thing is-- I did love your mother. 

Bad taste.

[A sigh.] I was ready to marry her-- to start a family, for us to raise you together. But, truth is, she wasn’t ready to make a commitment. She said no when I proposed. She wanted me to have nothing to do with you, and I think it was mainly out of spite, because the way she made it out-- she didn’t want a kid. 

Damn straight she didn’t want a kid. She still doesn’t. I haven’t spoken to her in months. I’ve been disowned, essentially. And it’s because you listened to that bitch when she said she wanted you to have nothing to do with me. I spent eighteen fucking years living with her-- being told you didn’t want me, or her, and you bailed.

That’s not true. 

True or not, she’s spent my entire life holding that shit over my head. Telling me I was like you, and hating me for that reason... I’ve been treated like her second-rate problem all my life, and now you’re going to try to tell me that you wanted me all this time? Now? After all the shit I’ve been through in my life, I get to find out that I could’ve so easily had a chance at having a decent fucking life, but because you were too much of a coward to stand up to my mother, I spent my life runner-up to my dead fucking cousin. [I regret to inform you his voice has broken, and he’s got the misty-eyes.]

I never wanted that. And had I known any of that was going on... I wouldn’t have let it happen. But there was no use fighting Kelly. 

So, I wasn’t worth a fight?

I didn’t mean it that way. If I thought I had a chance of winning... But you already said she told you I wasn’t a good person, right? She would’ve told that to anyone, and it’s a lot easier for mothers to get custody. She... She practically disappeared after we broke it off. I figured... maybe you be better off without that kind of fight going on around you. But if I had known she was treating you any way other than amazing... 

But instead, you got married and had another son, and you never looked back. Because why give a shit about the kid with the crazy lady, right? 

It’s something I regret... Giving up as easily as I did. Hayden listened in on a conversation with his mother. You can ask him if you don’t want to believe it. I have thought about you every day for nineteen years. I didn’t forget about you. But I guess I figured, after all this time, there was no reason to interrupt your life. But now that I’m here-- now that I’ve met you, I want this to be made right.

How are you gonna change nineteen years? 

I can’t change nineteen years, but I can make the next nineteen different. If you’ll let me. I can’t make you believe me when I say that I regret things. I can’t force you to want anything to do with me, just like I couldn’t force your mother to let me have anything to do with you. But, just know, I want that. Just like I’ve always wanted it. I won’t push myself into your life if you don’t want that. But I am here. And I don’t want anymore regrets in my life. 

I’ve made it through all these years of shit without you, you know.

Yeah. I know. You’re a strong kid. That much I can tell. But I’d like to be there... If you’d let me.

[Pausing. Real quiet. Like, aside from the rumbles of the cars on the street, you could hear a pin drop. And, it’s clear by the few sniffs, poor Maddox is still feeling the hurt. There’s a shaky exhale, punctuated by him rubbing at the corners of his eyes, and he’s turning to his FATHER for the first time since he’s walked outside.] What’s your name?

Waldo [um last name... uh, i wrote ‘bennet’ for Hayden I think. uh. I don’t think where’s waldo has a last name. let’s go with Hayden’s for now ok.] Bennet. People call me Wally though.

[A quiet snort.] My fucking dad’s name is Waldo.

Not as cool as Maddox, I’ll admit.

Not even close. 

[A nod.] That girl inside... That your girlfriend?

In a matter of speaking, yeah. 

In a matter of speaking? 

[Not telling stranger father about engagement. Nope.] Yeah. She’s my girlfriend. Lucy.

Hm. [Another nod, probably thinking about what Hayden said, but isn’t gonna mention it, because that appeared to be a sore spot.]

It’s fucking cold out here.

It is, isn’t it?

I’m gonna go back inside now...

Alright.

[He starts walking, but oh boy, he’s gonna turn back with an eyebrow raised.] Ya coming in too, old man? Or are you gonna catch a cold out here?

[A snort.] Yeah. I’m coming.

[Okay, hi, hello. It’s been about two weeks since the children have seen each other last, and, obviously, it’s been a dang sad two weeks, but since I’m such a lazy procrastinator, I never managed to write a post where Maddox was telling his fIANCEE that he would be coming through town, so here we are. 

Maddox has come through town, bringing along all his lovely band folks with him, and all that good stuff, even though he’s already informed them that, yet again, they better stay out of his business while he’s with his lady, because he’s got more important things to worry about than some speakERS that needed moving around. That more important thing is his FIANCEE. And, yes, that is how he keeps addressing her to everyone in the band scene. Lucy, my FIANCEE. My FIANCEE is coming around, guys. Ah, look. Here comes my FIANCEE. 

Everyone hates to hear him talk even more now. 

Love my idiot son. 

But, here we go. Yes, Maddox is in town, and Lucy’s on top of the world, because two weeks felt like an eternity, and their ‘hello’ was about ten times longer than their ‘goodbye’, much to Corey’s discontent, but, as Maddox told her, her ‘opinion doesn’t matter. bye.’. 

So,  the children have been out-and-about, and they’ve had a great time, catching up, laughin’, smoochin’, probably more than smoochin’. Who am I to say what they’ve gotten up to? I am no one. 

But they’re at the venue, now, and I’m guessing that Stove and Sage are coming to whatever show is happening tonight (Sage is coming with a frown, because she doesn’t want to engage with the show hooligans, but she’s gonna be S U P P O R T I V E.), but it’s only still slightly early, so they aren’t there yet. There have been people milling around, trying to get things ready, etc. etc., and people could easily slip by without anyone else noticing, though, so no one could be too sure that Stage wasn’t already here, and they’d just gotten lost in a sea of roadies. 

Maddox and Lucy weren’t paying that much attention anyway. Nope. They figured Stage would text one of them once they arrived, so they were huddled in a corner together, probably doing some canoodling of some sort. Why aren’t they canoodling backstage? Well, that’s a good question. One that I won’t answer. Sorry to tell you. 

I’m here to tell you, that they’ve been canoodling long enough that the doors are open now, and Maddox should definitely be backstage at this point, as per what he was instructed by Corey, but he only half-heard her because of the canoodling that was going on. 

buT, again, very close to time for this thing to start, so Lucy figures, hey, I need to go to the bathroom or something before curTAIN, sO--. She’s just gonna get up from Canoodle Corner without even trying to tell Maddox where she’s going, tbh.]

Hey-- where are you going?? [Confused at this fact of just getting up without saying anything. Don’t play him like that, Luce.]

The bathroom??

Oh. [He gets up from Canoodle Corner too.] I’ll go with you~~.

No you won’t, crazy. You’ve gotta get backstage.

I still have time. [:C]

Corey’s gonna end up murdering you, me, or both of us if you keep neglecting your duties~. 

I’ll fight her. 

[A sigh.] So clingy~~~.

I’m not clinging nearly as much as I could be.

I’m so sorry I have to miss that. 

You won’t have to if I sneak to the bathroom with you~.

Trying to stop you from doing what you want to do is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube, so just come on. [She’s rolling her eyes in a totally loving way at her dumb future husband.]

Scooooore.

[Off they go to the bathroom, or, they’re trying their best to wade through all the people, but they do finally make it out into the outer area where there’s the entrance to the bathrooms, and the crowd out here had started to thin out, for sho, but there were still a few people around. 

And, right before the kiddos could get into the the bathroom door, there is a calling of Lucy’s name. Just Lucy’s name, and that was rather weird because the only people that would know Lucy here weren’t here yet, that she knew of, and the voice sounded like neither Stove, nor Sage. 

Both she and (an annoyed) Maddox turn around, and oh buddy, you’ll never guess who it is. Because Lucy’s eyes have definitely gone wide.]

Hayden?!

Hayden??

[Okay, so Hayden’s been approaching, and he’s in front of them, and he’s looking weary af, but he’s looking.] I know-- I should probably... explain why I’m back here...

A better question is why are you here here?

[It’s safe to mention Maddox is probably shaking over there next to Lucy. A nice hard shake. Like he’s holding back, you might say.] It’s about my... brother that I told you about. [A look to Maddox.] And I figured I should... probably clear some things up.

I’ll fucking say.

[Lucy’d never heard him sound that pISSED at one individual before. Not even herself the last time that she was at his show, ya feel?] Maddox--. [It’s like a warn of ‘not here, please’.]

No, I mean, he’s right, Lucy. I-I kissed you, so--... [Lucy can feel Maddox tense beside her oh dear.] I just thought she was such a great girl, I-- couldn’t help myself.

You knew she had a boyfriend, you little shit. [There is no gif in existence to show how pissed he is, so just use your imagination.]

I did know. And I didn’t care, because I, you know, kinda liked her, but then I--...

OH. Didn’t care? Of course you didn’t care. Holy shit. I cannot listen to you for one more second. [HERE WE GO.]

MADDOX. STOP. [Lucy has to interject because there are STILL PEOPLE OUT HERE.]

No, I-I deserved that.

[Maddox honestly has him by the shirt rn.] See? He knows he had it coming. So tell me why I shouldn’t push his shit in??

Because he’s sixteen, and I don’t want you getting fucking arrested. That’s why!

Honestly, Luce, it’d be fucking worth it.

DON’T SAY THAT.

Look, just-- let me explain things first, and then you can beat my ass, okay?

I’ll hold you to that. [Has he let go of his shirt? Nope.]

Lucy already knows this part-- I was in town because I’d never met my dad, but I found out that he had another kid-- a son-- someone who lived in this town. I came here to try to find him, but I couldn’t. I went to his address, and all I found there was some grumpy-ass lady. So, I went home after I kissed Lucy. [Maddox’s grip gets tighter on him, tbh, because he doesn’t even like to hear that sentence uttered.] But what I found out... that same night was that... my brother was out of town then. He was out of town... with his band.

[I don’t think Maddox has quite grasped what he’s saying, mainly because he’s too busy steaming from the ears to actually listen with them. Tbh, he’s just waiting for Horchata to finish so that he can make good on beating his ass. 

However, Lucy was listening. And Lucy’s definitely grasped what he’s saying. Her jaw is almost to the floor.] Oh my god...

Lucy never mentioned your name when she talked about you... Not until after...  And when she said your name was Maddox...

Are you... saying... Maddox is the brother you’ve been trying to find? 

... Yeah.

Bullshit. You’re just trying to save your own ass.

[To Lucy.] You never told me his last name, right? You just called him Maddox. [Lucy nods. He turns back to Maddox.] Your name is Maddox Bravo. You’re nineteen years old, you were born on May 22nd, your mother’s name is Kelly, and you have no siblings-- other than me.

[Maddox is EVER SO SLIGHTLY SHOOK, but this news does not make him any less murderous.] What? And this is just supposed to be some happy family reunion??? I’m just supposed to drop the fact that you kissed my fucking girlfriend because you’re my brother??? Don’t you think that bit of information makes it a hundred times fucking worse???

If I had known she was your girlfriend, I would’ve never done it in the first place, alright? She said her boyfriend’s name was Maddox, and I bolted. I’m not a fucking bad guy, okay? I just-- I wouldn’t go around kissing my brother’s girlfriend.

... Why the hell did you come here?

To meet you? To talk?

What did you think would happen? That we’d become best friends, and start having family dinner together every weekend??

No, I expected you to beat the shit out of me. 

Hey, maybe we are related, since you’ve read my fucking mind. [He’s shook the kid just a little bit, and suddenly, fiancee’s got her hands on his shoulders.]

Maddox, don’t.

Like hell ‘don’t’, Lucy.

I’m sorry for kissing your girlfriend. I would never even try again. The only reason I even came back was to clear the air. And to let you know the truth.

Well, I don’t give a shit about the truth, so...

You know it now whether you give a shit or not.

[Maybe Lucy’s actually succeeded in pulling this steaming boy away just a bit. Maybe she’s gotten his hands off Horchata, and she’s trying to get him backstage before Maddox can do anything else, but honestly, Lucy, Maddox is like a foot taller than you, and he can swerve outta your grip as easily as anything, SO.]

And that’s for coming here and reminding me that your stupid ass shit actually happened!

MADDOX. That was SO fucking unnecessary. [Her hands are back on him immediately, tbh. They’re right on his shoulders.]

I. Don’t. Care. 

[Alas, in the distance, someone’s manager has finally caught up.] BravO! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? SHOWTIME’S IN LIKE FIVE MINUTES. GET YOUR ASS BACKSTAGE.

[His jaw is clenched tight, and he shakes Lucy’s hands off his shoulders, and there’s one final look to that cinnamon-y half-brother of his.] Just... stay the fuck away from me and Lucy. [And off he goes to follow his lovely manager.]

[And there is Cinnamon Rice standing there, probably wiping blood away, I’d bet, and Lucy’s just looking at him like ‘sweet fuCK’.]

Don’t look at me like that.

Why the hell would you try to casually introduce yourself as his brother??

Just a crazy guy, I guess~. [Saaaar~casm~.]

You should’ve just left it alone. 

If you knew you had a sibling-- something you’ve kinda wanted your whole life, wouldn’t you take a chance at it?

I’d recommend listening to him. I’d rather not have to bail him out of jail for assault. 

... Of all the girls I have to run into at the mall... it has to be his fucking girlfriend.

[Lucy doesn’t know how to respond to that. She’s not even sure how this situation makes her feEL, because YIKES, how Maddox had just walked away from here. OH BOY.

But, luckily, she doesn’t have to respond, because there’s the familiar voices she’d been waiting for, calling her out. Hi, Stage.]

Luce, there you are. You would not believe the traffic. We got here just in time. Are you ready to go inside? 

Uh, yeah. Let’s go.

[I said pt 1 last night, and I meant it. Hopefully this will be a QUICK ONE, because I have Merry’ing to get to, fingers crossed for me. 

It’s the next morning, right? And you know what that means? It means it’s the day Lucy’s supposed to go back home. I can guarantee you that there was quite a little amount of sleep that has happened in this room. And I quote my son, ‘a shit-ton of time’ had been wasted, so no more time wasting, you feel? Make the most of your short time, kids. God love ya. 

I reckon there was at least a couple of hours of sleep on Lucy’s part, but I have it in good faith that the boy got no sleep. Not even a little. An AEROSMITH song is brought to mind. Alas, the light is coming through those curtains, just a little bit, because hotel curtains are ridic. But, it is enough to wake Lucy up. She’s awoken to that BOYFRIenD of hers. Yup, he’s just watching her. Probably messing with her hair or something. You get the picture. He’s bein’ dumb.]

Mornin’~. 

Ya watching me sleep, Edward Cullen~?

Can’t help it. 

Did you even sleep? 

Don’t think so. 

Maddox.

I can sleep some other time. Like, on the way to the next stop, or something. I’m fine. But I’ve already missed enough chances to look at your face while you’ve been here, so I’m making up for lost time~.

You’re dumb. [It’s said with love, though.]

I know that. S’your fault though. 

It’s not my fault at all.

Nah, you made me dumb. Pretty sure. I wasn’t dumb before you. 

Uh-uh. You were already dumb when I met you~.

Why do I put up with this abuse?

‘Cause ya love me.

Too damn much sometimes, I think.

Is there such a thing? 

Dunno. I don’t care if there is though.

See? Dumb~. 

And you’re rude~. [Again, said with love. Any, hey, what’s this?]

[I’d say they’re probably getting far too deep into this for someone who has a flight in probably a few hours. I believe Lucy probably realizes this, because little miss draws back.]

I love you too~. [Alas, Maddox is just looking at her with this doofy, half-grin kinda thing on his face. Lucy raises an eyebrow at the goof, because stop just staring you cute moron.] Earth to Maddox~. Don’t zone out on me~.

[He will oblige this request. But how? There’s a breath out.] Marry me.

[There is a face an awful lot like this one.] Come again, honey?

I want you to marry me. Once you’ve graduated. 

... Is this an official proposal?

Yeah. It is. When ya know, ya know. That’s what they say, right? I just-- I already know. 

An interesting proposal location, the bedroom~.

I’m sure it’s not the first time. 

... Okay. 

Okay? 

Did you expect me to say no? I’ve known for awhile now. -- Since you gave me this. [She holds up that ring as usual.] Me. You. June 2074. Wedding time. Mark it on your calendar~. 

I’ll circle it and everything. 

... Does this make me your fiancee for real now?

Abso-fucking-lutely.

I’ll be sure to keep it from Carmen so I don’t have to be badgered every day.

Fuck Carmen~.

Be nice. She’s gonna be in the wedding.

Eugh.

Deal~.

Yeah, yeah. Fine.

[And they’re probably gonna go in for another kiss, but OOP open goes the door. It’s Corey. Oh, yay.]

Fucking... Yup. Good. Thank fuck. 

Corey, could ya knock?

Could you tell me you’re leaving the party? Jesus, we looked for you two for half an hour last night. After awhile, I just assumed the two of you had made up. And, again, thank fuck. I won’t have to deal with you being a bratty ass anymore. 

Nah, I’m still gonna be a bratty ass. That’s my right as the vocalist.

You’re lucky you’ve got some kind of talent, Bravo. [Maddox gets a prideful, smug grin on his face.] Now, if you two could manage to get up and get dressed, Lucy’s flight is in a couple of hours.

[The return of Maddox’s :C] Skip it.

I have a feeling her mother wouldn’t appreciate that.

[:CCCCC] Fiiiiiiiiiine.

[I’m honestly trying to make this as little set up as possible. SO. What happened after where I left off yesterday is not quite of consequence. Corey took Lucy back to the hotel, Lucy cried a snot-ton, and she managed to stop by the time Maddox rolled back around. And really, for the first time since she’d been there, the room seemed dead quiet, even after he’d returned. Before, any time he came back in, he’d be kind of loud about it. (Perhaps not intentionally. But maybe so?) Not this time, though. She heard the door open, and that was about it. She fell back asleep too easily. 

This morning was filled with the same as yesterday-- too much sight-seeing accompanied by the lady who was always on her phone. How many business calls could one person get a day, honestly? ‘It’s the last show in NYC,’ Corey said. ‘I have to make sure everything’s set at the next venue.’ 

Lucy really didn’t care about the nature of the calls, but dang it if it wasn’t completely unfun to look at tourist attractions with no company. 

It all seemed to last too long, and she seemed all-too bored by it, but the time to return to the venue had finally arrived, and Lucy wasn’t sure what she was going to do when she got there, but she figured it was going to involve sitting in a room backstage again.

And, as if she could tell the future, yup, that’s where Corey sent her. ‘Sorry, kid’, she was told. ‘~Orders are orders, so don’t leave’ with an eye roll thrown in. 

Okay, so, again, Maddox had told Corey to keep Lucy away. If anything, that only served as more proof that he thought things were over. Why wouldn’t he just say it to her? It wasn’t fair to her. (Not that she really thought she deserved any sort of fairness, but ya know.) 

Night falls, and sets start, and Lucy can only hear garbledness, but it’s there. And so, Lucy wonders, if things are as over as they appear to be, why is she following rules set by him? Because maybe she hoped things wouldn’t be too easy for him. It’s not like he would notice her in a crowded room anyway, right? Not being blinded by stage lights, and through a swarm of sweaty people. Ew.

So, our child here, with her adventurous self, decides fuck the law, and she’s gonna go out there. She’s gonna stand out there, and she’s gonna listen to some mind-melting music, and she’s gonna let her sorrows drown in the sounds of dumb electric guitars, and drums that are surprisingly not busting from the intensity with which they are being played. Yay and all that stuff. 

Maddox’s set is already over by the time Lucy is trekking on out, and she automatically assumes he’s gone backstage anyway, so she doesn’t even begin to search through the sea of people for him. She just starts walking through, looking to see if there’s a good corner she could hide in. The answer was a solid ‘no’, because most of them seemed to be occupied, and that left poor Lucy swaying like an idiot somewhere towards the side of the room. 

And she stayed there for a few minutes, letting her brain bleed through the music, and then she’s suddenly being spoken too. She barely noticed because, again, how can anyone hear when this music is being played, you feel me? But, she turns, and it’s some unknown fellow thing that looks like he’s been going far too hard in the pit. AKA, he’s sweaty and gross.]

You look lonely swaying over here by yourself.

[Lucy raises an eyebrow, because did she even ask.] I’m not.

You’re by yourself though. [He says it like he’s had the greatest revelation of all time.]

I’ve noticed.

Want some company, pretty lady~?

No thanks.

Don’t be that way. 

What way? A way with standards? [Lucy ain’t haVING THIS, SON.]

You’re being pretty rude, ya know. I came all the way over here to check on you.

I bet that’s what you were doing. 

You could at least talk for a little while. 

Could I?

Conversation never hurt anyone.

I get the feeling you don’t have conversation on your mind. 

Whatever you’re down for.

I’m down for you fucking off. 

You don’t have to be a bitch about it, you know. 

You didn’t have to come over here either, and yet, here you are. 

Alright, ya know what--... 

[Maybe he was starting to step into her space, but before Lucy knows it, there’s someone in between sweaty guy and herself. Guess who that someone is? Nope, it’s not Corey.]

Back off, meathead.

And who the hell are you? 

The guy who was on stage ten minutes ago. Fuck off. 

You think you can order me around just ‘cause you’re ~with the band?

I think I can order you to do whatever the hell I want to. 

White knight over here saving random concert chicks, I see. 

She’s not a random concert chick, asshat. She’s my girlfriend. Now back the hell off before I get security to kick you out.

[The guy raises his hands like ‘wHATEV’, and he backs off. Lucy is looking at him, because did he just refer to her as his girlfriend????? whAT? Maddox looks at Lucy like she’s in trouble tbh, and he starts pushing her back towards backstage by the shoulder without a word.

Once back there, Lucy is looking at him like ‘df’, and she’s super confused, even. He’s shut them both in the same room. What? wHAT?]

-- Girlfriend?

[Maddox just looks up at her, and he does a bit of a sigh, and, tbh, he ignores that.] I told Corey to keep you back here.

I didn’t listen.

Damn it, Lucy. I had a reason for that.

I know. I get it. You don’t want to see me. 

I don’t want you surrounded by a bunch of wasted punk assholes. That’s what I don’t want.

Why do you care what happens to me?

[He gives her this look that says ‘how is that even a question?’.] Nothing’s happening to you on my watch, alright?

[Okay, so she’s gonna mention the gf word again.] -- Why did you tell that guy I’m your girlfriend?

[Another deeper sigh comes from the boy.] Can we-- Can we talk about this at the hotel please?

Are you gonna to actually talk when we get there?

Fu- Yes, I am. That’s why I’m asking.

Then, fine...  

Fine. 

[And so, out the room they are going now. And are they actually going to ride to the hotel in the same car? Bet. Are they going to be completely silent in said car ride? Bet. Are there going to be no words spoken even walking up to the hotel room and getting in there. Bet. Did they not even tell Corey they were leaving? BET. 

In they go, and down on the couch goes our Maddox, but Lucy takes a seat on the bed that’s just slightly across from where Maddox is, yup. They’re sitting on their beds. Mhm. 

She looks at him, and she waits for him to say something first, but tbh, he’s just staring at his lap. Come on, my boy, you’ve had all car ride to stare at your lap. Say something.]

I’m still here, you know...

I know, okay?? Just--... [A huff, and a look up to her.] I’m having trouble thinking about what to say. 

You could start with what I asked you before...

I called you my girlfriend because... despite-- everything... I-- I’d find it hard to call you anything but.

Does-- that mean...?

[A sniff even.] We-We need to talk about this. Because there are a few things that I want to know. 

... Like what?

For starters... this guy’s name, age, birthday, address and social so I can look him up and beat the shit out of him.

[Breathy, humorless laugh #753.] I don’t think I know all of that.

I hope you know his name, at least. 

... Hayden. 

[Does his lip curl? Yup. How is it that that name sounds so close to ‘JORDAN’?] Where’d you meet him?

The mall. He-- took my phone and put his number in it. [An eye roll.]

[A jaw clench.] Did he know about me? [A nod from Lucy.] Fucking--...

I wasn’t gonna do anything with the number. Really. I was gonna forget all about it, but... everybody got so... busy. And I needed someone to talk to. It was a stupid thing to do. I know.

If you’d just told me that you felt that way, rather than pretending like you were fine, I would’ve done something about it, you know. I would’ve told everyone to fuck off, and said screw it to the damn meetings. You kept insisting you were fine. Why did you do that??

I didn’t want you to feel bad. 

Yeah, well, I’ve felt pretty fucking terrible the past couple of days, so lot of good that did.

... Do you hate me? I already told you I’d understand if you did.

Lucy... You’re infuriating. You’re compulsive, and you don’t think shit through, and you have a tendency to be selfish as hell. You seem like you’ve picked up all of my worst damn traits, and you’ve learned the other half of the shit you do from one of the shittiest people in the world. But, fuck, I could search my whole damn life, and I’d never be able to find anyone who makes me feel the way you make me feel. And none of that goes back to hate.

And what does that mean??? 

It means that... I love you. Come what fucking may, right? 

So--...

But, damn it all, Lucy, I have to know that I can trust you. I have to know that this shit isn’t gonna happen again just because you’re lonely. Because this tour isn’t gonna be the last one, and if I have to think that this is gonna happen every time I’m away--...

It won’t. I swear. 

I don’t want to be worried that you’re kissing people, or who knows what else, just because you’re lonely. Because... I never thought that shit was possible-- being, ya know, faithful. But being faithful to you is the easiest thing I’ve ever had to do. I need you to tell me... promise me, even, that it’s not too hard for you. 

It’s not. I swear. It was one stupid mistake, and it’s never gonna happen again. I’ve never hated myself more than these past few days. I just want us to be able to start over-- I want to forget it ever happened. I-I can do that, if you can do that.

[Sigh #762. He stands from the couch, and he grabs her hand and pulls her to stand in front of him.] I definitely want to. Believe me.

If I have to prove every day that you don’t have to worry about me-- that you can trust me, I’ll do that, Maddox. I will. Just don’t make me have to lose this. Please. 

... Tell me you promise. 

I promise, Maddox. You’re the only person I’ve ever loved, and I will never put what we have in jeopardy ever again. I mean that.

[There’s another pang in his chest. Another lil twinge. And maybe the whole time since he’s grabbed her hand, he’s been looking at that lil ring right there, and contemplating it, and contemplating the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, and ~how wonderfulll life is~~~, and just how ~miiiiiserable life had been thinking that he might end up losing her... It wasn’t something he wanted to be reality for him. He didn’t want life to be like it was before her. He didn’t want to be who he was before he loved her. Because she gave him a reason to be a better fucking person, and that was just one thing in a list of many things why he loved Lucy Warner. 

So, he takes one more step forward, and he rests his forehead on her forehead, and tbh, he’s probably finally had one tear escape his eyeballs that had been misty all throughout the weekend. And, God, you just couldn’t stop Lucy, as it had been throughout the weekend. 

And so, the forehead-resting very quickly becomes a big hug, and they’re probably squeezing the dang life out of each other, because it’d been far too long since they’d been able to hold each other like this, and perhaps they were re-storing the feeling to memory.]

I’m so sorry.

I know-- I know. I’m-- I forgive you.

And I love you.

Lucy Warner, I love you too.

[For the first real time since forever ago-- here we go. God bless.]

[And it’s stupid full of the love, bro. Because, lbr, that kiss on her first day didn’t count, because she could hardly kiss him back for all the guilt eating her alive. But here, now, it was real. Too real, even, and it’s TOO BEAUTIFUL, AND I’M CRYING. 

They stay that way, RE-STORING MORE MEMORIES, until the boy pulls back, and he’s breathless, ya know, because they had probably been in that emBRACE for a long time, and, well, no breathing. 

But, there’s a heavily-lidded look to Lucy, and there’s a couple of breaths in even before he speaks, but here he does now.]

You’re not tired, are you?

[Lucy raises an eyebrow in confusion.] No?

[A nod.] Good, because we’ve wasted a shit-ton of time already.

[And then he’s back on her, and THIS HAPPENS EVEN.]

[Which SHOCKS Lucy, because WHEN HAS HE EVER? She’s too into it, however. Way too into it. She’s gotta say something about it. Off she goes.]

Since when are you able to do this??

Carrying sound equipment for a month does a body good.

Mm, yeah. I have a feeling it’s gonna do my body good too.

You bet.

[TO THE BED.]

You know how you said you’re willing to forget any of that shit ever happened?

Mmmm-hm.

I’m gonna make sure of that. It’ll be like that little shit never existed. What was his name? 

Who the hell cares?

Right answer.

[Okay, so we temporarily leave Mucy. This is it. The filler. How about the guy no one actually really cares about? Because that’s all he’s ever been. Filler. Yup. 

So, he’s regained his wind, yes? He’s moved on. He’s annoyed, and eye-rolling, and he’s still SUPER-BUGGED that Maddox Bravo gets to laugh in his face, but get used to it, Harper. You’re gonna have your face laughed in for the rest of your life. 

ANYWAY. He’s here with the bros now. He’s scooted on over to them, and maybe they hadn’t noticed at first because he just slid on over silently without adding anything to the conversation, but eventually, they did notice he was there. (Probably smelled the failure.) And, yes. They are here to roast. Are you ready for more no-gif soccer bros??]

The hell are you doing over here, bro?

Yeeeeah. Shouldn’t you be with your Summer Lovin’?? [Eyebrow waggles of evil and teasing.]

Could you guys drop it, please?? [Irritated af, clearly.]

Don’t brag about how much you supposedly got it in the past month if you don’t want people bringing it up, Harper. [A nonchalant shrug.]

There is no supposedly, jackass.

If you slept together so much on vacation, why isn’t she up your ass right now, hm???

Does she have to be up my ass all the time for it to be true??

It definitely makes it more believable. 

What doesn’t make it believable is that you’re here, and she’s up some footballer’s ass. [Bro #1 points towards a general direction, and yup, there’s Birthday Girl having the time of her dang life, chatting it up with a footballer. Yes, indeedy.]

[And yes, this does annoy Jordan. But what can ya do, butthead? Nothing. Instead, we must play it cool.] So? It’s not like she and I are exclusive or anything. There’s no reason she shouldn’t be talking to some other guy. 

Sure. Except that if Rivera sleeps with someone that many times, she usually only sleeps with that person for awhile.

Oh, and you know that for a fact, do you?

Uh, yeah. I do. I was in that position once. [Eyebrow raise, and probably cocky arm cross.]

[Jordan has those ‘ffUcCDDKCHCHCHC’ noises of ‘df’.] Excuse me?

What? Did you think you were the first person in the school to have sex with her?? [Eye roll.] Get real, Harper.

[Annoyed again.] Well, congratulations. Maybe we should get shirts. [WOO-WOO. SARCASM TRAIN.]

D’ya want me to tell you what you’re doing wrong??

I have a feeling you’ll tell me anyway.

You’re acting too interested. I mean, you told her straight from the get-go that you had feelings for her, right? 

Look. I fucking get it. Carmen has sex for the sake of having sex. Tell me something I don’t know.

She thrives off attention. Can’t you tell?? If you stop giving her attention, you’re suddenly a project for her to perfect. All she fucking cares about is being in a position of power so she can manipulate people into doing what she wants them to. Don’t give her that power, and you’ll be the hottest item on the menu.

[Jordan raises an eyebrow.] Uh-huh. And if that’s the case, and you know so much, why aren’t you the one Carmen’s in a corner with, huh?

The fun ran it’s course. [A shrug.]

Who’s to say five times isn’t the fun running it’s course?

Oooh~ Five times~~~. [Bro #1 has to chime in there. Sorry. Jordan just gives him a look of ‘fuck off brah.’]

What’s the harm in finding a different girl to latch onto and seeing if it works?

Oh, you want me to do what my ex did to me. Right. Sure. Good talk.

I think there’s another option we’re missing here.

Do tell, bro.

You could do that. The sneaky shit. Or you could just be assertive? 

[Eye zoom.] What do you mean by ‘assertive’?

Who can resist angry sex, right?

[Jordan was gonna say something, but honestly, his mind goes straight to that argument at the condo which definitely ended in sex. Yup. Maybe Bro #1 is on the right track here.]

Not bad. [To Jordan.] S’worth a shot to start with, if your morals and your dick are keeping you from giving her the cold shoulder.

Who said I even want to keep sleeping with her??

Is that a fucking joke, bro? All you do is talk about her. [Nobody’s buying that, Jordan. NO ONE.]

What are you suggesting I do then?

Why don’t you just get creative, and find out a way to keep her attention. [S H R U G.]

[There is a glance to the corner with the footballer and the Carmen.] Yeah. Fine. Whatever. Creative.