Chapter 1: The way that it started
Chapter Text
The first time they kissed, it was on a dare.
-
Empires High School’s LGBTQ+ Support Club was Scott Smajor’s pride and joy. The club had only just been started two months ago, but there were already twelve members including himself, and he felt closer to them than any other friends he’d ever had.
Scott had entertained the thought of a support club for several years prior, but there was always something in the way. Long dance practices, theatre club meets, his twin brother being arrested yet again. The biggest barrier, certainly, was Scott’s own confidence.
But finally, this year, his junior year, Scott managed to find the time (and the mindset) to actually start the club, and it had taken off.
The twelve of them had become wonderful friends, even outside of school, partially due to similar or shared experiences, since most of them had nothing in common otherwise. Despite this, all twelve of them were sitting in a circle in Scott’s bedroom, playing Truth or Dare as their chosen sleepover game, talking and giggling like ten-year-olds.
Fwhip Tay dared his twin sister, Gem Tay, to insult him in the dullest way possible. A safe one, Scott thought, and easy to keep your teacher’s pet sister from getting revenge.
“Fuck off.” Gem muttered dryly. Shelby and Katherine giggled, high on sugar and anticipation.
While Fwhip pouted, Gem turned to Joey, who had up until then been minding his own business and whispering to Sausage.
“Truth or dare, Joey?” Gem said, still maintaining her dry tone. Gem often sounded like she didn’t want to be there, like you were wasting her time (except at school, of course). Everyone well knew by now that she wasn’t bored, she just sounded like that.
“Truth.” Joey said, a bit caught off guard.
“Okay, why were you giving Scott’s brother adoring looks at school before they hauled his ass off to juvie?”
Scott let out a choked laugh. Both Pix and Lizzie gave him sympathetic looks.
“Next question.” Joey declared, shooting a look at Scott, as if this was his fault.
“Goddamn you, Joey. Answer the question.” Gem, if possible, sounded more bored.
“Were you and Xornoth daaaaaaaating?” Jimmy batted his eyelashes, acting like a fourth grader. Joey smacked him and Jimmy slumped dramatically onto his sister Lizzie’s lap.
“Okay…maybe we were dating. But not anymore! He didn’t tell me he was doing illegal things.” Joey whined. “What if I wanted to join?”
Scott had about reached the end of his nerve with this boy. Pearl, reading his mind, placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him down.
“Alright, moving on.” Joel declared, pushing Jimmy off of Lizzie’s lap in order to sit with her. “Joey, your go.”
“Okay.” Joey’s eyes scanned menacingly over the group. They landed on Scott, whose heart began to beat faster. This could only end badly.
“Scott.” Joey half snarled. “Truth or dare?”
Of course. Scott stares into those cold blue eyes and makes a stupid decision.
“Dare, how about.”
Joey’s face lights up, just for moment, but it’s enough for Scott to realize; he made a mistake.
“Alright, then.” Joey smiles, face betraying his malicious intent.
“Kiss the cutest guy in this room.”
Externally, Scott freezes, a shocked look on his face. Internally, though, his heart is going a million miles an hour and his head is spinning, and, when no one can see, he glances at Jimmy.
But he’s seen the way Jimmy looks at Tango.
Tango Tek, president of the school technology club at Hermitton High. The man that Jimmy would stare at for hours straight, just watching, a soft smile on his face betraying his affection.
Jimmy would never love him. Scott knew that well.
But what if?
Fuck it, Scott realized.
He stood up, walked over to Jimmy, and kissed him.
Scott felt alive, more than he had in months, filled with a beautiful sense of euphoria, of denial, of hope. Jimmy’s body went rigid in shock before he relaxed, sinking into the kiss with Scott’s arms around his shoulders, before both seemed to realize they’d been there for a bit long.
Scott pulled apart. He could feel his face heating up, and he quickly mumbled “Um, Sausage, truth or dare?”
The game continued, everyone seemingly moving on, until almost all of them went to sleep.
Except for Scott.
His mind still couldn’t slow down, running around one little thing. Jimmy didn’t pull away.
-
That occasion eventually faded from the forefront of Scott’s mind, but it was always back there, a little reminder, a beacon of hope.
-
The second time they kissed, it was on a date.
-
A few months had passed. Winterfest was in about a week, and the Smajor household has brimming with excitement-Scott especially- until one small comment Scott’s parents finally mentioned two days before Winterfest.
“Oh, and your brother’s coming home for the holidays.”
Scott, upon hearing this devastating statement made so casually, burst into tears and stood up. He ran to grab his coat and left, only realizing after he had run out into the cold, snow-filled air did he actually remember that he had nowhere to go. At a loss of what to do, Scott grabbed his phone and opened up the Support Club groupchat.
Scott: Anyone taking refugees
Fwhip: Can’t, sorry
Fwhip: Sausage just dragged me somewhere
Fwhip: To do something completely and totally legal
Lizzie: I’m scared. Am I the only one who’s scared?
Gem: Why do you need refuge Scott
Scott: I’ll tell you all once I’m not freezing to death three blocks from my house in the snow
Scott: Is anyone free
Lizzie: Jimmy is
Lizzie: But I’m not home
Jimmy: I heard my name
Shelby: Scott are you ok
Scott: Yeah shrub I’m ok. Jimmy I need to hide at your house for a couple hours.
Jimmy: Okay
Jimmy: I won’t ask questions
Scott: Thank u you’re a livesaver
Scott breathed a sigh of relief, veering towards where Jimmy and Lizzie lived. As he was walking down the snow-dusted sidewalk he passed the bakery Niki worked at. Before Scott could change his mind, he walked inside.
The bells above the door rang, a familiar sound that made Scott smile. The cafe was almost empty, save for a few regulars sitting at the booths or the tables, talking in hushed voices. Classical music played in the background, and the lights were their usual dim glow despite the growing dark outside.
Scott made his way to the counter. No one was there, but he could hear Niki and Jack in the kitchen, yelling to each other over the din of coffee machines that are for some god forsaken reason still being used at six thirty in the afternoon.
Scott didn’t even spare a glance at the chalkboard menu, instead yelling “Niki!” and hoping she could hear him. Sure enough, a college age girl poked her head out of the kitchen doors and spotted Scott.
“Hey, Scott.” Niki took one glance at his face and could see that something was wrong. “What happened?”
Scott stared at her, messy pink hair falling out of its bun, white apron splattered with a manner of different colors, soft brown eyes full of quiet curiosity.
So Scott tells Niki. Of course he does.
“Xornoth’s coming home for the holidays. I just needed out of that house for a while.”
“Where are you going? You can stay here if you like.”
“No, Jimmy’s waiting for me. Just get me two cinnamon rolls and a vanilla latte.”
Niki senses that the conversation is over. “Coming right up.” she replies.
Scott leans on the counter, staring off into space. About a minute later, Niki shoved a small box and a cup into Scott’s hands.
“I expect the full story tomorrow.” Niki smiled, and Scott mumbled goodbye and waved.
Back out in the snow, Scott continued walking towards Jimmy and Lizzie’s neighborhood, sipping his coffee and thinking.
Scott’s brother was a legend, and not in a good way. Before he ever did something that led to him being arrested, Xornoth had often claimed hearing voices or seeing things. This had always been normal to Scott; ever since they’d been adopted Xornoth said strange things. But in the last year and a half, things had escalated. Xornoth started terrorizing random people, trapping them in hallways or locking them in rooms-mostly Scott’s friends. He’d still never done anything illegal, just immoral.
Finally, on an afternoon in February, he had attacked Gem and Sausage on their way home, leaping on top of Gem and beating her up. Gem had been admitted to the hospital and Xornoth had spent the next five days in jail. After he was released, Scott refused to speak to Xornoth, even after he continuously claimed that “the voices told me to do it.” This stayed the same for a few months until Xornoth went missing for a few days. This was nothing out of the ordinary for the Smajor family, as their parents had grown tired of trying to keep Xornoth from doing whatever he wanted and barely even noticed-until the cops showed up at the door one night, informing two very concerned parents and one outraged twin brother that Xornoth had been reported robbing a cafe-the same one Scott’s friend Niki worked at. This time, Xornoth one spent one night in jail because he didn’t actually take anything, just scratched strange runes into the walls.
His parents weren’t sure what to do. They had a son who claimed that phantom voices were telling him what to do and a son who was trying to not be weighed down by all the rumors surrounding him and his family, had just broken up with his girlfriend, and seemed to be drowning himself in theatre practice and schoolwork.
So, like any good parents, they sent both of them to therapy, even though their dad had to take a second job to afford two therapists and to keep the lights on and water running.
Both of the therapists ended up needing therapy by the time the summer had ended. Which was fine, because Scott’s theatre club schedule had finally cleared up enough for him to start his own support club, which was less expensive than the therapy anyway, and Xornoth just kind of… drifted away, somewhat. Scott knew that he was seeing Joey, but decided that that was Joey’s problem, and that wasn’t connected to the situation anyway.
Scott decided to not worry about it. His life was too busy to worry about his twin brother who could deal with his life on his own. Scott was wrestling with the school play auditions, the support club, and the extra dance classes his theatre teacher recommended. He barely had enough time to do his homework, let alone stick his nose in his brother’s life.
Then it finally peaked.
Xornoth attempted to murder Shelby in the middle of a crowded street. He’d gotten a knife from somewhere and ran up behind her, screaming like he was in immense pain and pressing the knife to her throat. Scott knew all of these things because Shelby told him, crying profusely and shaking violently in Scott’s arms while Xornoth was being arrested.
As soon as Xornoth came into the house, escorted by several police, Scott had screamed at him, calling his own brother all sorts of horrible things and promising that he would kill him if he ever returned. Scott almost tried to murder Xornoth on the spot, but settled for screaming himself hoarse at the slightly stunned sixteen-year-old, whose eyes were wide in fear and shame. After Scott finally lost his voice from yelling, Xornoth stared at his feet and mumbled, “But they told me to do it. The ghosts.”
And now, four and a half months later, Scott’s brother was being put on temporary parole (under house arrest of course) to spend Winterfest with his family. One member of whom threatened his life.
Scott shakes himself out of his thoughts, because he was nearly there.
The entrance to Jimmy’s neighborhood was nothing fancy, as were the houses within. The whole place seemed to have a homey feeling, despite the bitter cold.
The Solidarity-Shadowlady household sat towards the end of the street, two stories all but covered in snow. The bushes and flowers out front flourished, unbothered by the cold-Lizzie’s work, no doubt. Scott walked up the empty driveway. He’d barely knocked on the bright red door when it flew open, nearly smacking Scott in the nose. Jimmy pulled Scott inside and out of the snow.
“Hey Scott!” Jimmy seemed like he was trying to keep his excitement under control.
“Hi Jimmy.” Scott said, keeping his voice small.
Jimmy appeared to realize that this was serious. “Let’s go to my room. We should talk.”
Scott nodded. “I brought some cinnamon rolls from Niki’s.”
Jimmy, despite his seriousness, smiled brightly and hugged Scott. “You’re the best! I was craving those.”
As both entered the house and Jimmy launched into the official tour, Scott couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Chapter 2: Renchanting
Summary:
Scott opened his mouth to tell Pearl about his destination change, but Pearl put a hand up to stop him. “I already know. Lizzie called me half having a panic attack and saying that her brother was going on a date. I put two and two together. Where are you going?”
Notes:
I have, by some miracle, managed to have this chapter ready by the time I said I would. Hope you enjoy this second chapter!
Chapter Text
Eventually, the two made it to Jimmy’s room. Even though both of Jimmy’s parents were at work, they didn’t want to have this conversation downstairs in case Lizzie got home early from her agriculture club meeting.
Jimmy’s bedroom was certainly a sight. Not in a bad way, though. There was a fully functional sewing setup in one corner, which appeared to be organized in a way that would only make sense to whoever made the system. Several racks of both half-finished and complete outfits covered one whole wall, and there was a separate rack for different fabrics. An enormous cork board was covered in different sketches of varying quality and completion. Any remaining wall space was taken up by ballet and theatre posters with several arrows and notes pointing to the costumes, detailing the designs.
Scott stopped and stared for a moment at this beautiful mess of a bedroom. He had had absolutely no idea Jimmy was into sewing, let alone able to make outfits of this high of design and quality.
Jimmy gestured to his bed, which was the only surface not covered in fabrics. Scott sat down, still in shock.
“You made all this?” Scott tried-and failed-to keep the excitement out of his voice.
“Yeah.” Jimmy mumbled, a blush creeping up his face.
“Wow.” Scott said, awed, as he continued to look around. “Do you make your own clothes?”
Jimmy’s blush deepened. “Yeah.”
“That’s incredible! Could you make me something?”
Jimmy looked surprised. “Sure.”
“Actually, we’ve been needing a new costume designer for the theatre department. I think you’d be great.”
Jimmy’s expression was elated-but only for a second, before he remembered something. “Scott, what’s wrong?”
At that moment, Scott crumbled, and he started crying. Jimmy hugged Scott, making his breath catch, but he kept crying into Jimmy’s shoulder.
“Xornoth’s coming home for Winterfest.” Scott managed between sobs. “I’m not sure what to do.”
Jimmy hugged Scott tighter. “I have an idea.”
Scott perked up noticeably.
“Maybe just avoid your house. That’s what I do with my problems, avoid them.”
The two of them laughed a little, before Scott’s expression turned serious again. “I don’t want to tell Shelby. Like, this is the guy who tried to murder her. Her parents already had to get her a therapist, and she’s almost mentally recovered. I don’t want to ruin that.”
Jimmy nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense. But if she asks, you need to tell her.”
Scott sighs. He knew this was coming.
Jimmy stared Scott down. “You need to promise me, Scott.”
Scott relented. “Okay, I promise.”
Jimmy smiled again. “Do you want to come over again tomorrow?”
“Can’t, I have dance class. I could meet you for dinner somewhere though.”
“Sure! You want to go to that place that Ren and Martyn own? What’s it called?”
“I think it’s called Renchanting. I’ve heard it’s good. Meet there at seven?”
“Okay, sounds great!”
“See you then.”
-
After Scott went home-Lizzie had graciously offered to drive him-he ran to his bedroom, ignoring his parents in the kitchen and flopping on his somewhat made bed. Scott’s walls were plastered with various different posters for a variety of plays and dances, and he had a ballet barre in one corner and a desk in another overflowing with random papers. His closet was full of old costumes and such and fairy lights decorated most of the walls.
Scott had managed to calm his friends down after he’d left Jimmy’s, telling them essentially nothing except that he was fine. Gem sounded especially suspicious, but Scott was able to shake her off the trail. He would have to tell them eventually, but he couldn’t say it in the groupchat.
Instead, Scott decided to think about the play auditions in January. But eventually, his mind wandered to Jimmy, still wondering if he could get him to fill the empty costume designer position. Jimmy didn’t seem to be doing much else anyways. The only place Scott had ever seen him (besides school of course) was at the support club meetings.
The thoughts soon turned sour. Jimmy didn’t like him-he was just being friendly. Jimmy has better things to do than use his incredible talent on costumes for a high school play-even one as high-standard as Empires High’s.
Scott snapped himself out of it, shaking the negativity from his head. Jimmy was not the main issue right now. He’d have to find a way to get out of the house all day for the next two weeks. That didn’t sound hard, because he hardly ever saw his parents anymore after the whole Xornoth-being-arrested-again thing. Scott often went days without seeing the both of them.
All things considered, Scott would definitely need to talk to Shelby about his brother when he left. Just not now.
-
As soon as Scott’s dance lesson was over, he grabbed his things and ran out the door. Pearl’s silver Nissan was parked right beside the entrance.
Now, Scott could drive, mind you. He had a driver’s license. He just didn’t, and for two reasons:
One, he didn’t have a car. Scott would never be able to fit a job into his already packed schedule, and he didn’t want to ask his parents. So, he usually rode his bike (only when it was warm outside) or got a friend to drive him.
Two, the last time Scott had tried to drive he had rear-ended someone. So, yeah, he may or may not have been scared of driving a still took driving lessons from his friends every once in awhile even though he had a valid license. Just maybe.
Pearl say in the driver’s seat, scribbling away in her sketchbook as Scott opened the door and sat in the passenger’s seat.
Scott opened his mouth to tell Pearl about his destination change, but Pearl put a hand up to stop him. “I already know. Lizzie called me half having a panic attack and saying that her brother was going on a date. I put two and two together. Where are you going?”
Scott was floored, but managed to speak anyways. “Renchanting.”
Pearl nodded, a small smile on her face. “That used to be my favorite restaurant. Still is, but it’s kinda lost the sentiment. I went there every weekend because Martyn was happy to listen to my problems, and Ren was happy to give he advice. We made it a whole thing.” Pearl chuckled. “The Broken Hearts Club, I think we were called. After… you know, our breakup, you remember…I wasn’t in a good place. They helped me out of that pit. After I came out of the closet, I finally felt better, and I thanked them both for free therapy. Anyways, I still go over there for a drink every once in a while. Those two are some of the best people I know.”
Scott listened silently, feeling a little guilty. He and Pearl dated each other when he was fifteen and she was sixteen-those had been the worst two and a half months of Scott’s life. Not because of Pearl herself-she was lovely. But the two of them just weren’t romantically compatible, and the fact that both of them were going through a whole ton of shit right then probably didn’t help-which was ironic, because that was also why they got together in the first place.
Pearl’s parents had been undergoing a really nasty divorce, and Pearl ended up caught right in the middle. She also had had to cope with her best friend of five years, Cleo, ghosting her out of nowhere and eventually just cutting off all contact. She let Scott lean on her for almost three months, before both of them, tears filling both of their eyes, realized that they were only holding one another back.
Scott had been fighting with his family a lot, mostly with his brother, over every trivial little thing. This was also when Xornoth was arrested for the first time and Scott started spending most of his time at friends’ houses which led to Scott losing almost all of his friends. His and Pearl’s relationship sent him even lower, and the therapy really wasn’t helping, although he’d never have the heart to tell his dad that. Scott, by this point, had spiraled into overworking himself and feeling burnt out all the time.
When Scott started the LGBTQ+ support club, he remembered one of his old friends mention that he and Pearl had come out at almost the exact same time. Scott had contacted Pearl for the first time in the better part of a year, asking if she’d like to join.
Scott was glad they had been able to fix their friendship, overall.
The rest of the drive to the restaurant would have been spent in silence had Pearl not decided to ask a very weird question.
“So, are you dating Jimmy?”
Scott did a double take. “Of course not. Jimmy’s in love with Tango.”
Pearl’s eyebrows shot up. “You sure?”
Scott nodded, suddenly self-conscious. Was he misinformed?
“If you say so. Anyways, what are you doing for Winterfest?”
Scott perked up, grateful for the change of topic. “Well, my theatre teacher decided to hold the winter play auditions on Winterfest Day, for some reason I can’t comprehend. Are you still trying out?”
Pearl shook her head. “No, I’ll be sitting in the lighting booth this year, asking Sausage how everything works again because I forgot, making faces at the people actually doing something, and inevitably screwing up the entire show.”
Scott laughed. “Well, good luck with that.”
They finally arrived at Renchanting. Scott got out of the car, starting to say goodbye, but Pearl got out as well. “I’m coming in. I need to talk to my old friends.”
Scott and Pearl walked inside. Renchanting was a small, slightly rundown place, but the inside made up for the outside. The lighting was dimmed, and loud music played from hidden speakers. All the booths were made of a dark wood, and the bar was full of people. Scott sat at the bar next to Pearl and ordered an iced tea.
The bartender was, strangely, not wearing any sort of uniform; instead, he wore what appeared to be a suit jacket with the sleeves torn off. He gave them both a side-eye. “You can’t sit at the bar.”
Someone placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Leave it, Skizz. They’re my friends.”
The bartender, Skizz, continued to side-eye the hell out of the two before leaving to be productive.
Scott looked up. Standing behind the counter was a man in his twenties. He wore suspenders and hid his eyes behind a pair of shades.
Pearl sat straighter. “Scott, this is Ren. Ren, this is Scott.”
Ren shook Scott’s hand, smiling. “Are you the same one she dated?”
Scott nodded, a little intimidated. “Yes, sir.”
Ren paused for a second, then laughed. “Call me Ren, silly. I’m not mad at you.”
Scott laughed with him, lightening up a little.
“My little brother’s having a first date.” Pearl says a little teasingly.
Scott huffed indignantly. Okay, so maybe Pearl was a year older than him, drove him everywhere, and spent more time with him than any of his friends. That didn’t give her the right to tease him…Scott chuckled a bit. Maybe it did.
“For the goddamned last time, Pearl. Jimmy is not my boyfriend.” The seriousness in Scott’s voice was kinda killed by his smile.
The three of them laughed until Pearl was practically wheezing.
“Well, who do we have here?” yelled a cheerful sounding voice. Scott turned to see another man striding towards them. He wore a bright green jacket and had messy blond hair barely tied up by a black headband.
“Martyn!” Pearl cried jovially. “I’ve missed you.”
“How have you been, Pearl? The Broken Hearts Club has missed you.”
“Been doing better. You?”
“We’re holding down the fort.” Martyn replied. “Is this the Scott I’ve heard about?”
Pearl smiled. “Yep, this is Scott. He has a date.”
Scott slapped Pearl on the shoulder. “I’m done arguing with you. You’re so stubborn.”
Both Martyn and Ren laughed at that, and Scott and Pearl did as well.
Pearl started to talk to Ren and Martyn, leaving Scott to wonder where the hell Jimmy was. His watch read seven fifteen. Was Jimmy just going to ghost him?
Scott just sat with his thoughts for another two minutes before the door flew open and Jimmy walked through.
“Jimmy!” Scott exclaimed, throwing his arms around him.
“Hey, Scott. Sorry I’m late, Lizzie had a date with Joel tonight and I had to cash in a lot of favors to get her to drive me.”
“That’s okay. Now come on, I’m starving.”
-
Chapter 3: Auditions
Summary:
The theatre teacher, Ms. Blossom, got up on the stage and called for everyone’s attention.
“Hello, students of Empires and beyond! Welcome to the auditions for our winter play!”
Notes:
If this chapter sucks, it’s because I’m sick and have barely had the energy to write. But I have persisted. Hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
Three hours later, Scott had had a few to many drinks (no one said this establishment was legal) and was giggling like a four-year-old with a sugar rush as Jimmy sat next to him, practically the same. Pearl stole a glance at both and decided it was time to go home.
“Ren, why are you serving sixteen-year-olds alcohol?” she asked, pulling out her wallet to pay the tab.
“Hey, I did it for you, don’t forget.” Ren laughed.
“Fair, but we’re going home. C’mon, Scott.”
“No. If my parents saw me like this, I’d be grounded forever.” Scott’s speech was half-slurred, but he still managed to sound firm.
Pearl sighed. “Fine. You can go to Jimmy’s house for tonight. Jimmy, is Lizzie coming?”
Jimmy lifted his head. “Yeah, soon.”
“Good. Now, I would take you both to Jimmy’s, but if either of you threw up in my car I would flip.”
Scott laughed deliriously. “Yeah, no shit.”
The last time Scott had thrown up in Pearl’s car was late last year. He had gotten a two month car suspension and had to clean the car himself (never again).
Scott and Jimmy spent a few moments talking to Ren, saying their thanks and goodbyes. Eventually Lizzie’s car pulled up outside and the pair stumbled towards the door. Lizzie greeted them, not in the least shocked by how drunk they were.
“You two get in the car. I want to talk to Pearl.” Lizzie commanded, striding past them. They got into the back of Lizzie’s car, both still giggling a little and leaning on the other for support.
Once the two made it inside at shut the doors, Scott’s drunkenness finally overcame his sense. “Hey, Jimmy?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re pretty.”
Scott then wrapped an arm around Jimmy’s waist and kissed him.
The first time, Scott hadn’t truly realized how soft Jimmy’s lips were, how easily he gave in to the touch, the way he relaxed when he noticed what was happening. Scott hadn’t thought to enjoy the moment, however short, never knowing if it could be the last. He hadn’t thought to put himself on the line, because what did he have to lose but his heart? And what would he do then?
Well, he’d pick himself up, dust himself off, and move on, these moments little more than dents in his armor.
Soon enough, both pulled away, overpowered by the need to breathe, both of their faces flushed to the neck. Scott briefly wondered if that one moment made this a date, but decided against it.
Lizzie made her way out to the car. She gave them both a look, like she knew exactly what they’d been doing, but said nothing.
-
Scott awoke in Jimmy’s bedroom. Judging by his position on the bed, he had flopped over and fallen asleep. His head was pounding with a fresh hangover, and he didn’t even bother with trying to stand up because he could already feel the dizziness.
Jimmy groaned next to him. The shorter man had passed out beside him, his position looking just as uncomfortable as Scott’s.
Scott nudged him. “Hey, Jimmy?”
Jimmy slowly awoke, groggily lifting his head and looking at Scott. “Yeah?”
“That was amazing.”
Jimmy smiled. He may look exhausted, barely awake, and disheveled as hell, but he still looked beautiful in Scott’s eyes.
-
The auditions only worsened the future.
-
Scott showed up with Pearl, both mildly annoyed by the timing of the tryouts. For Scott, it was okay; he wasn’t about to go home anytime soon anyway. He had managed to avoid his brother through a combination of sleepovers with the support club, making up excuses, and camping out at Niki’s bakery whenever she had the late shift. Just because it was Winterfest Day didn’t mean anything would change.
Grian, one of Scott’s friends, would be hosting a party tomorrow night, with everyone-and, with Scott as his organizer, that really meant everyone-invited. Grian had made a great choice with who he sanctioned to organize the party, because there was hardly a high schooler in all of this town that Scott did not know or at least have the phone number of.
But back to the task at hand. Scott led Pearl into the backstage of Empires High’s auditorium-but there was something strange. Several students from Hermitton were there, along with a few people Scott recognized but hadn’t talked to since middle school.
The theatre teacher, Ms. Blossom, got up on the stage and called for everyone’s attention.
“Hello, students of Empires and beyond! Welcome to the auditions for our winter play!” a ruckus rose, students asking questions blurring into applause. “Now, I bet you all have questions. I have answers. So, as you may have seen, this year’s winter play we are opening auditions to all high schools in the city. Our own theatre club was to small to formulate a large enough cast for this play. So, in collaboration with Hermitton’s theatre teacher..” Scott and Pearl both gasped a bit as Ren stepped onstage. “Let the tryouts begin!”
-
“Who are you auditioning for?” Pearl asked.
“Well, I don’t know his name, but probably the elf guy. Ms. Blossom did say the character would be named after whoever got the part.”
The play was one that Ms. Blossom had made up called “3rd Life”. There were only fourteen characters, so lead spots were practically impossible to get. Almost a hundred people had showed up, despite the tryouts’ placement. Scott eventually found Grian in the mess of people getting lined up by character and said hi.
“Who are you doing?” Scott whispered.
“You’ll see. You’re up.” Grian said back.
Scott, in his humble opinion, crushed it. Five minutes after his audition he spotted someone he hadn’t expected to see.
“Jimmy!”
Jimmy was standing, talking to the costume department manager, Ms. Puffy, and showing her something on his phone. The woman looked shocked, before breaking into a smile and nodding.
Jimmy finally saw Scott and dashed over. “I decided to try for costume designer!! I think I got the part, Ms. Puffy seemed pretty impressed.”
“Then you definitely have it. Ms. Puffy usually looks excited, but never that excited.”
Jimmy smiled, and his whole face lit up beautifully in a way that made Scott want to kiss him and never let go-
“Is that Tango?” Scott asked, to pull his head out of those thoughts.
“Yeah, I think he said he’s trying out. He’s never done theatre before though, so my expectations are low.”
Scott guided Jimmy to the back row of seats, away from all the other students, to watch the auditions. As soon as Ms. Blossom took to the stage along with her daughter Katherine, who was one of Scott’s close friends, Jimmy mumbled, “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I also auditioned for a part in the play.”
“Okay.” Scott whispered back. “Which one?”
“Um, the guy that dresses like a superhero and dies first.”
Scott’s heart all but stopped. Jimmy, if he got the part, would play Scott’s platonic husband.
But those thoughts aside. Scott put an arm around Jimmy’s shoulders and listened to the cast.
After the non-performance roles were called (set designer, student director, assistant student director, tech operators, etc.), the fourteen acting roles were called.
Grian, for the role of overprotective avian man who indebts himself to another man, played by Grian’s boyfriend Scar.
Ren-Scott’s eyebrow shot up, as did Jimmy’s, apparently Ren was an extra-for the role of incredibly self-absorbed, self-proclaimed king of the group, with Martyn, yes the one from Renchanting, as his Hand.
Cleo,for the role of-Scott couldn’t hear, because all he could see was Pearl searing a hole in the back of Cleo’s head with her glare. All he could tell was that she was supposedly allied with Bdubs, some junior from Hermitton.
Impulse and Etho, two juniors from Hermitton who began as allies before Impulse became a mole for those against King Ren’s rule.
BigB, a senior from Hermitton who was once rumored to be the guy that Grian cheated on Scar with, a loyal soldier of King Ren.
Tango Teck-Scott’s eyebrows rose again, somehow Tango got his part-the tech-savvy trap maker that works for the resistance.
There was one guy that Scott couldn’t hear the name of, but he looked suspiciously like Skizz the bartender.
Joel, Lizzie’s boyfriend, got the part of the troublemaking loner that is eventually trapped into an alliance.
Then finally come the last two.
“And for the second to last part, which will go to… Scott Smajor!”
Scott was a little surprised, but was still waiting for the verdict of the last part.
“And finally, the very last lead part will go to… Jimmy Solidarity-Shadowlady!”
Scott cheered and squeezed Jimmy’s shoulders. Jimmy appeared shocked, an elated expression quickly becoming pure joy.
“Scott, you’re my husband!”
Scott giggled excitedly. “You bet I am!”
Ms. Blossom called for everyone to settle down. “Remember, everyone, your scripts will be passed out as you leave. And your character will be named after you. Happy Winterfest, everyone!”
Scott and Jimmy found Grian and Scar, who seemed just as excited as the other two that they would be together.
“I knew it Grian. Your role fits you perfectly, except you’re part bird.” Scott said, sauntering up with Jimmy in tow.
“And so does Scar’s-and we get to be allies! This is great.” Grian replied, finally noticing Scott’s hand holding Jimmy’s. “Oh yeah, you two are husbands!”
Scott blushed. “Well, platonic husbands, but close enough. Doesn’t Scar, like, get to scam people out of valuables?”
Scar, who had been quiet this whole time, piped up. “Yeah, I do. It’s going to be great!”
The four walked over to all of the other cast members, but then heard yelling.
“Cleo, WHAT is this that I’ve been hearing from Pearl! She said you were friends! You know that Pearl’s my friend, but you just cut her off?!”
Scott recognized the voice as Bdubs. He knew that Bdubs and Pearl were friends, but the yelling still surprised him.
Scott pushed through the crowd, still holding Jimmy’s hand. He got close enough to see short Bdubs practically lording over Cleo, who was nearly six feet tall compared to Bdubs’s five feet and four inches. Pearl stood back, unsure of what she’d created.
Cleo’s face was arranged into a fragile mask of indifference. “Bdubs-“
“NO! I DON’T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES ANYMORE!”
Everyone seemed surprised that one tiny little Bdubs could hold that much anger.
The Bdubs in question grabbed Pearl’s arm and stormed off. Scott ran after them, still dragging Jimmy.
“Bdubs, can you drive me and Jimmy to his house? Lizzie isn’t here.”
Bdubs turned and smiled at the two. “Sure.”
The drive to Jimmy’s was nice. Bdubs filled the silence with simple conversation, telling stories about his theatre experiences at Hermitton. Scott and Pearl often piped in, and Jimmy sat back at listened.
Later that night, Scott was texting Grian about last-minute preparations for the party tomorrow, and Grian sent him a weird text.
Fluffy Bird Man: Do you like Timmy
Blue Haired Bitch: Why
Fluffy Bird Man: No reason
Blue Haired Bitch: That isn’t your business, then
Chapter 4: Almost perfect, but not quite
Summary:
Shelby stormed up to Scott, an angry look marring her usually pleasant face.
“Why didn’t you tell me Xornoth got released?!” she half-screamed, middle finger pointing directly towards the doors.
Time slowed down. Scott watched Xornoth, who was definitely not invited, escorting Joey, who definitely was, into the room.
Notes:
Hey guys! Sorry that I’m slightly late on the update, I was super busy yesterday because my roommate dragged me all around town to go Christmas shopping. I’ll probably still post on Saturday for lack of anything better to do.
Hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
The party was Scott’s breaking point.
-
Grian’s enormous house sat right at the entrance to his neighborhood, making it easy for Pearl to find as she drove Scott there extra early to help with preparations.
“Are you staying, Pearl?” Scott asked as he got out of the car.
“Yeah. Bdubs said he wanted to hang out with me and bitch about Cleo. You know I’m always down for that.”
The two of them laughed about that as they walked inside.
Grian’s house may have looked enormous from the outside, but inside it made up for the soaring ceilings and crystal chandeliers by having a homey, warm feeling. All the decorations were already set up in advance, and Scott strolled over to where Grian was standing with Scar and quietly talking.
Scott came over, gazing at the decor in awe (Scar really did have a knack for it).
“Is everything set?”
Grian rolled his eyes playfully. “Yes, Scott.”
Scott stuck out his tongue. “You two look great, by the way.”
Both of them blushed just a bit in their red faux tuxedos.
Soon after, the guests began to arrive. Scott stood in a corner for a while, saying hi to a few people but not much else.
He had really loved the idea of this party, but now that he was here he just wanted to leave.
After the better part of a hour spent people-watching, something happened.
Shelby stormed up to Scott, an angry look marring her usually pleasant face.
“Why didn’t you tell me Xornoth got released?!” she half-screamed, middle finger pointing directly towards the doors.
Time slowed down. Scott watched Xornoth, who was definitely not invited, escorting Joey, who definitely was, into the room. Scott saw the way Joey was looking at-no, no, he wasn’t about to call that monster his brother, that horrible lowlife murderer. Joey, for all his faults, deserved a million times better.
After staring for probably far too long, Scott reacts in the only way his mind will let him.
First, it’s just a few tears peeking out, then, far too quickly, it’s a torrent, and not Scott was ugly crying in front of everyone. The music stopped, and Xornoth turned and seemed to notice him for the first time, his mouth fell open, head swiveling around to look at Joey.
Shelby, upon seeing Xornoth’s reaction to Scott, immediately went into supportive best friend mode, hugging Scott tight and pretending not to mind when she noticed that he’s getting makeup all over her sweater.
“Can we go somewhere else?” Scott mumbled, trying not to topple over. Shelby led him out of the room, glaring at anyone who dared to look, leading her friend to a small niche in the wall that was mostly hidden from view.
Scott, by this point, had stopped crying and now was sitting deadly quiet, head in his hands, explanation on the tip of his tongue.
Shelby put up a hand, and Scott paused; Shelby mentally prepared herself before lowering the hand and saying in a voice soft enough to be a whisper, “Explain.”
So Scott did. He told the whole story, his voice never wavering, sounding so sure yet so full of apology. Scott had to stop twice because he couldn’t take it, but managed to tell the entire story. After he finished, he hugged Shelby tightly and mumbled, “I’m so sorry.” into her shoulder. Shelby pulled him off of her and looked into his eyes, her expression soft.
“Scott, I understand. You hate your brother, and believe me, I do, too. It’s not everyone’s business. I know you did it to help with my mental state, but I’m better now than ever. You don’t need to worry so much.”
Scott smiled, relief flooding his face. “I-just-thanks.”
Shelby smiled warmly in return. “Now come on. I wanna dance with Katherine, and I wanna see Xornoth go off on Joey.”
Scott laughed aloud, some small secluded part of his mind clocking that that was the first time someone could say his brother’s name without him freaking out in too long.
The two emerged into the makeshift ballroom where the party was set up-and froze. The music was still off, but the main attraction was Xornoth. You could almost see the steam coming out of his ears as Joey cowered before him.
“You said Scott wouldn’t be here!” Xornoth practically screamed. “Grian said he organized this whole damn thing! Of course he’s here!”
Joey winced. “Xornoth-“
“No! I went through all this trouble to sneak out, and you have to ruin it by lying to me! You’re just a fucking snake!”
“You’re one to talk.” Scott scoffed, and Xornoth seemed to finally notice him. “Scott, can you please not tell our parents?”
Scott gave him an incredulous look. “What the fuck? Of course I’m snitching! You are literally breaking the law by being here! I don’t wanna deal with that shit.”
A collective laugh rose from the crowd.
Twenty minutes later Xornoth was being led into a cop car in handcuffs, glaring at Joey like all this was his fault. Grian’s parents, who were two relatively famous business owners, managed to shoo the reporters away so the party could continue, which it did.
Scott actually managed to enjoy himself for a while, being careful not to have too many drinks and chatting with everyone he could. The music had started up again, and couples, throuples, and everything in between were on the floor Scott smiled as he watched Shelby and Katherine dancing, Katherine whispering something in Shelby’s ear that made her blush. He also noticed Pearl talking quietly to Bdubs, who was smiling.
Up until now, Scott had mostly just been standing to the side, not really doing anything, and planned to keep it that way. Taking a sip of his drink, Scott looked back out on the dance floor and saw the very last thing he wanted to see.
Tango was dancing with Jimmy, both laughing and smiling, Jimmy stepping on Tango’s feet and Tango stepping back as revenge. They looked so happy, two people who ought to be together, if it weren’t for one thing.
Scott.
Upon thinking this, Scott stopped, realizing he was tired of this, of this feeling like a barrier, of this feeling like a failure. He just couldn’t take it anymore.
Jimmy looked over his shoulder to see something that scared him out of his mind-and rightfully so. Scott was storming up to him and Tango, who suddenly stopped and looked at Jimmy like he found this ridiculous. The look on Scott’s face told Jimmy that he had about four seconds to live, so he didn’t even bother fighting it.
“Jimmy, come with me for a minute.”
Jimmy wordlessly let Scott grab his arm and drag him away from Tango, shooting an apologetic look at the man, who stood relatively confused on the dance floor.
Jimmy allowed himself to be dragged into a small but empty coat closet, resigned to his fate.
Scott flicked the light on. The closet was entirely bare, not even a rod to hang coats on.
Scott turned. Not for the first time tonight, time felt slower, mistakes magnified, decisions more vital. As he glimpsed Jimmy’s face, he could read every feeling like a book-confusion, anticipation, slight annoyance at randomly being dragged into a coat closet-and suddenly, Scott’s common sense just said fuck it.
He leaned in to kiss Jimmy, curling an arm around him tight, and this time, for the first time, Jimmy reacted instead of just relenting, kissing back harder and somehow managing to pin Scott to the opposite wall despite the fact that Scott was nearly three inches taller. Passionate and fueled by love and rage, a dangerous combination when in the hands of two gay teenage boys that probably need to breathe but decide it can wait.
After what feels far too short but was probably like a solid minute, they break apart, before Scott pulls Jimmy in again, softer this time but still passionate. The two finally separate, staring at each other, unable to say anything for a while.
“You look beautiful in that dress.” Jimmy says, a blush creeping up his cheeks that was undoubtedly identical to Scott’s, as he suddenly became very aware of the long teal dress that he wore, nearly matching his eye color and a perfect match with his hair.
“So…should we go back to the party?” Jimmy asked, running his fingers through his hair.
“Yeah. They might ask questions if we don’t.”
The two of them walked back to the party, holding hands and smiling brightly. Many people pretended to not be staring as soon as they were spotted.
Scott led Jimmy to the dance floor, still clutching Jimmy’s hand. A fast-paced song started to play, and Scott beamed as he twirled Jimmy around.
The rest of the hour was the only hour Scott actually had a good time, just dancing and talking and laughing with Jimmy. Scott didn’t care what anyone else saw, he just felt all of his problems evaporate in the moment.
Scott didn’t really care that nearly everyone had stopped talking and were watching them stalkerishly.
Scott’s mind barely registered Jimmy’s whisper of “Wow, you’re much better than Tango.” as Scott pulled him close, their lips so close they were nearly touching. Scott wants to pinch himself, check his pulse, make sure he’s not dreaming or dead, the only two plausible explanations for why this is happening, why Jimmy hasn’t ripped out his heart and crushed it yet, why no one had broken his fantasy yet.
These wonders still swirled in his mind when Jimmy finally got tired of Scott’s indecisiveness and kissed him, right in front of everyone.
…
Chapter 5: Nobody likes a wake-up call
Summary:
Shelby smirked, just a little. “Okay, fair. Anything else?”
“Not really.”
Shelby gripped Scott by the shoulders. “Well, here’s the answer, bitch. You two are making up excuses for not asking out the other, trying to avoid rumors and gossip directed at you, and are hardly talking despite obviously wanting to. You two love each other, Scott, but you both can’t seem to accept it.”
Notes:
Hey guys! This chapter’s a bit shorter because I wrote over half of it waiting in the airport because my flight keeps getting delayed, and I was sleep deprived. I hope all of you have a great holiday, and I hope y'all enjoy!
Chapter Text
“They have to be dating.” Pearl declared to Bdubs as they drove towards Jimmy’s neighborhood, the two people in question sprawled out on the backseats, both sound asleep. “They have to. There is no way in hell these two do not love each other.”
Bdubs shrugged. “You never know. Impulse and I danced circles around one another for a year and a half before we realized.”
This comparison made Bdubs wince.
“Well, I’m less looking for the realization. I cannot believe that asshole-“ she points in Scott’s general direction-“still believes that Jimmy is still in love with Tango.”
Bdubs chuckled to himself. “I don’t know. Impulse once told me that love is a stupid, twisted thing, sour enough to make you recoil but sweet enough to keep you coming back.”
“Yes, but then he dumped you over legit nothing.”
“Yeah, and don’t expect me to not break character mid-performance and give that dickhead something he deserves.”
Pearl laughed hard enough to lighten the slightly awkward mood. “Let’s just get these two to Jimmy’s, then we can go home.”
-
Scott opened the door. This was the first time he had been back to his real house in nearly two weeks. With Xornoth back in juvie with another three months added to his sentence, Scott was free to finally come home. Funnily enough, Jimmy’s parents had become accustomed to Scott being there, hanging out with their son and staying almost every single night.
Neither of his parents were home and today was the last day of winter break, so Scott decided to grab his script and go practice in the auditorium. This was a fairly common occurrence for Scott so Ms. Blossom had just given him a spare key to the back door.
Scott got on his bike, shivering against the worsening cold, and rode to the school.
…
The auditorium felt even bigger with no one in it. Scott stepped onto the stage, looking out on all the empty seats, before deciding to be productive and reading over his script.
Scott remembered being a little surprised when he had first read over the script with Jimmy about how close they were in the play. Jimmy had just laughed and said, “We’ll manage.”
Scott’s mind wandered from the play. Did Jimmy really mean what he had said the other night, about Scott being better than Tango? Jimmy had been at least a little drunk, so he probably didn’t even realize what he was saying. There was absolutely no way that Jimmy loved him back.
Scott ended up spending the rest of his time at the auditorium practicing as he replayed the night over and over in his head.
-
The next morning, Scott dragged himself out of bed and tried to remember what would be happening today as he got ready.
There would be play practice today, which Scott was kind of dreading, but at least he would get to see Jimmy and pretend like nothing was wrong, which was exactly what he’d been doing at home.
While he waited for the bus, Scott caught up on the drama in the support club groupchat.
Scott Smajor: What did I miss
Shelby Shrub: Nothing, unless you’re particularly interested in Joey bitching about Xornoth
Shelby Shrub: Or Katherine and Gem making up rumors
Scott Smajor: About what
Scott Smajor: Oh
Scott Smajor: Shit
Gem Tay: Yeah, Scott
Gem Tay: What did you think we would possibly make up rumors about
Pearl Moon: Shut it, Gem
Gem Tay: WHAT DO YOU FUCKING MEAN, ‘SHUT IT’?! YOU WERE DOING IT TOO!
Jimmy Solidarity-Shadowlady: You all realize that I’m here too
Katherine Blossom: umm..
Jimmy Solidarity-Shadowlady: I’m not stupid
Jimmy Solidarity-Shadowlady: I know you guys were at the party
Scott Smajor: I feel attacked
Jimmy Solidarity-Shadowlady: Welcome to the club
Joel Smallish: This is entertaining
Lizzie Solidarity-Shadowlady: Joel, I love you, but keep your goddamned nose out of this mess.
Joel Smallish: Okay
Joel Smallish has notifications silenced.
Pix Riffs: Why are you guys making such a big deal out of this
Katherine Blossom: He has a point guys
Gem Tay: umm..
Scott Smajor: Oh no
Gem Tay: I may have spread aforementioned rumors around Empires
Scott Smajor: Damn it
Gem Tay: And Hermitton
Scott Smajor: i hate you all
Sausage J. Mythical: :(
Scott Smajor: Not you Sausage
Shelby Shrub: Anyone know where Joey is
Sausage J. Mythical: Sulking
Sausage J. Mythical: And idk about Fwhip
Gem Tay: With me
Gem Tay: He is just ‘too tired for drama today’
Sausage J. Mythical: Funny, considering he starts most of said drama
Scott looked up to see his bus pulling up. He scrambled inside and sat next to Shelby.
“Are you dating Jimmy?”
Scott burst out laughing. “Subtle much?”
“Never. Now answer the question.”
“No.” Scott looked out the window wistfully.
“So, you want to, then?”
Scott slapped her. “Is that your business? Everyone else has been spreading rumors, I can’t have you doing that too.”
Shelby giggled a little, then stopped and turned serious. “You know how me and Katherine met, right?”
Scott stared at her. “Yeah. Joey had been obsessed with Katherine for months and she said that she liked you, but you didn’t believe her and you two danced circles around each other for months until Katherine finally asked you out for real.”
“Exactly. Now, explain to me in detail your relationship with Jimmy.”
“What are you, my teacher?” Scott teased. “Well, we met through the support club. We’ve been good friends and not much else. Recently I’ve been spending a lot of time with him to avoid my house, and we got a lot closer, I think. Oh, and Ms. Puffy gave him the empty costume designer position.”
Shelby nodded. “Okay, so do you notice any consistencies between these two?”
“Um, all four of us are gay?”
Shelby smirked, just a little. “Okay, fair. Anything else?”
“Not really.”
Shelby gripped Scott by the shoulders. “Well, here’s the answer, bitch. You two are making up excuses for not asking out the other, trying to avoid rumors and gossip directed at you, and are hardly talking despite obviously wanting to. You two love each other, Scott, but you both can’t seem to accept it. I don’t want any more of my friends having my to wait and wait for the other’s validation like me and Katherine did.”
Scott blinked. He wasn’t expecting that.
The bus stopped at Empires, and everyone hopped off, including a very stunned Scott and a very pleased Shelby.
Scott managed to wave goodbye to Shelby and run halfway across campus to his class.
…
Scott spent the whole day thinking about it. Shelby had never been wrong, ever. But this time she was. She couldn’t be right. She couldn’t.
Scott walked to the theatre building. Play practice wasn’t for another twenty minutes, but he assumed being early was fine.
The backstage was full of people getting ready, reading scripts, yelling orders, talking and laughing. Scott found the costume department’s room and stopped.
He has never really been here before. The walls were covered in designs drawn on paper, each clearly labeled and beautifully intricate. There was a whole closet full of old costumes in pristine condition, each one more beautiful than the rest.
Jimmy sat in the middle of it all, talking to Ms. Puffy and showing her a notebook.
“Hi, Ms. Puffy.” Scott said. “Jimmy, practice is starting soon, you need to come.”
“Oh, okay. You can keep the book, Ms. Puffy.”
“Call me Caroline, Jimmy. Thanks for the book.”
Jimmy turned back to Scott as Puffy walked away, preparing to be led elsewhere, but Scott just stood there, mouth open in shock.
“What?” Jimmy asked, slightly exasperated.
“Ms. Puffy never tells people her name. Never. You have to be a stalker to know her actual name, and she just told you right off the bat.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, just different. Now come on, practice is about to start.”
Chapter 6: I’m tired of people making decisions for me. Yes, they’re better than the ones I make. That’s why I hate it.
Summary:
Scott whipped his head around so fast it would probably bruise. “Did you do what I think you did?!”
Pearl couldn’t hide the smirk on her face.
“Oh my fucking god.”
Pearl smiled. “Switch seats with Bdubs. You and your boyfriend have a lot to talk about.”
Notes:
I have a love-hate relationship with this chapter. Not sure if anyone else will think that it’s any good, but oh well. My roommate beta read this (and only this chapter) and said it was good. Anyway, I hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
Scott looked out the car window. Another day of backhanded compliments about him dating Jimmy, along with a few genuine ones that really made Scott want to hit something. Shelby’s words from earlier that week played in his mind over and over.
Pearl nudged his shoulder. “You alright?” she asked, her Australian accent prevalent in her speech.
“No, I’m not.” Scott said, effectively ending the conversation. Or so he thought.
“You know we’re sorry.”
That was Scott’s breaking point. “Oh, fuck off. You all can say that you’re sorry, but that will never fix the fact that Jimmy will never love me back now.” Scott then burst into tears and hid his face in his sweater.
Pearl seemed taken aback. “Oh, Scott.” she said, wrapping him in a hug. Scott only then noticed that they were parked in front of Bdubs’s house. The man in question was standing on the front porch steps, waving.
Scott dried his tears quickly. “Are we picking up Bdubs?”
“Yeah, we’ve got a double date with some friends. We’re getting them next.”
“Uh, okay.” Scott was confused at how Pearl’s little five-seat car was going to hold five high school students comfortably.
Bdubs got in the backseat of the car. “Hey, Scott. Are we getting-“
“Shush if you know what’s good for you, Bdubs. And yes, we are.”
Scott was slightly perplexed at this, but ignored it just like the rest of his problems.
Pearl continued driving, chatting happily with Bdubs. Scott kept looking out the window of the car, thinking about nothing. The car finally came to a stop, and only then did Scott notice where they’d come.
Jimmy’s house.
Scott brushed it aside at first, thinking they were just picking up Lizzie, but when Jimmy appeared on the doorstep Scott realized what Pearl had done.
Scott whipped his head around so fast it would probably bruise. “Did you do what I think you did?!”
Pearl couldn’t hide the smirk on her face.
“Oh my fucking god.”
Pearl smiled. “Switch seats with Bdubs. You and your boyfriend have a lot to talk about.”
…
The first few minutes were awkward. Neither of them said anything, and the only sounds were Pearl’s and Bdubs’s voices.
Scott finally broke the silence. “Do you hate our friends as much as I do right now?”
Jimmy laughed, which made Scott smile just a little. “Yeah.”
Scott felt braver. “Did you know anything about this?”
“Not really. Pearl just told me to come, so I came. You?”
“Personally, I had no idea. I didn’t even know about it until ten minutes ago.”
Jimmy chuckled and grabbed Scott’s hand, making his heart skip a beat. “Pearl has her ways, I suppose. Not always good, not always bad.”
Scott marveled at how poetic that sounded, before asking a much needed question. “Hey, Jimmy?”
“Yeah.”
“How drunk were you that night?”
Jimmy instantly knows what Scott meant. “I wasn’t. Lizzie said that she would tell our parents if I went out and got drunk again, so I didn’t.” His face softened a little. “Did you think I wasn’t thinking straight?”
Scott’s face began to somber, but then he started to crack up.
“What are you-oh.” Jimmy started laughing too.
“It doesn’t matter whether or not you were drunk, you definitely weren’t thinking straight.” Scott said between laughs.
“Oh, shut up.” Jimmy aimed to smack Scott but missed by a mile, both of them collapsing into giggles.
Pearl looked over her shoulder, smiled, and continued talking to Bdubs.
Eventually, the topic of conversation between the four became the play. Pearl congratulated Jimmy on his new costume designer position because she knew just how selective Ms. Puffy was with that. Bdubs fantasized aloud about smacking Impulse right in the middle of the play. Pearl was at the end of her best story about pushing Sausage onto the lights panel during the performance when she pulled into the parking lot of Renchanting. The four of them got out of the car and walked in. Pearl dragged Bdubs away to meet Ren and Martyn, and Scott and Jimmy immediately went to sit at the bar. Skizz the bartender reluctantly let them sit.
“Hey, Skizz. I saw someone that looked like you at the auditions. Was that you?” Scott asked.
Skizz stared at him before answering. “What do you mean?”
Scott frowned at him, but said nothing. He ended up staring off into space, deep in thought. Jimmy slapped him. “Hey, dreamworks. What do you want to drink?”
“I don’t care. Something alcoholic.”
Skizz rolled his eyes but went to make it.
“Will your parents get mad at you for underage drinking?” Jimmy asked.
“What they don’t know can’t hurt them. You?”
“Same.”
Scott grinned. “In that case, wake me up if I black out. We’re gonna be here all night.”
…
At three AM the four finally had to leave because Renchanting had officially closed an hour ago. Scott and Jimmy were so drunk that they were the only things holding each other up, and Bdubs was giggling so hard he could barely breathe. Pearl managed to get everyone into her car, being the responsible on of the group, and Scott was kind enough to throw up into the storm drain rather than on the seats.
Scott and Jimmy talked, albeit somewhat incoherently, with each other, laughing for no reason and yelling random things. Bdubs fell asleep in the passenger seat despite the noise. Pearl just drove, laughing occasionally and hoping that she would be able to stand these two long enough to get them home.
Finally, they arrived at Jimmy’s house. Pearl snuck them to the front door, and Jimmy unlocked it. Pearl was able to get them up to Jimmy’s room without being seen by Lizzie, with only a minor complication that both of the people being snuck were drunk.
After Pearl left to get Bdubs home, Scott and Jimmy sat on Jimmy’s bed. It was obvious they weren’t going to be able to sleep anytime soon, and Scott wanted to talk.
“How much do you want to bet that Sausage is going after Joey because Xornoth’s out of the question?” Scott asked, swinging his feet and kicking the side of the bed.
Jimmy picked up on something. “Scott, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say Xornoth’s name without the mental breakdown.”
Scott was surprised that Jimmy noticed. “Yeah, Shelby talked some sense into me.”
Jimmy smiled. “I’m glad.”
They sat there in awkward silence for a minute, as Scott remembered something else that Shelby had said.
“You two love each other, Scott, but you both can’t seem to accept it. I don’t want any more of my friends having my to wait and wait for the other’s validation like me and Katherine did.”
Scott turned to Jimmy. Jimmy looked at him, hesitant.
“Damn, and I thought I was indecisive.” Scott said, and closed the gap between them with a kiss.
When they pulled apart, Jimmy’s head whipped around to look at the door that had definitely not been open a second ago. Lizzie’s pink-haired head poked through the opening, a knowing smirk on her face.
Jimmy remained calm, simply saying “I have a video of you trying to explain asexuality to Joel.”
Lizzie frowned. “Damn it, I didn’t think to video that kiss.”
Scott looked confused. “Wasn’t Joel already asexual?”
Jimmy answered. “Actually, Lizzie explained the concept to him and he realized then.”
Scott laughed. “Were Pearl and Bdubs the same?”
“Not Bdubs, he realized and came out on his own, but Pearl was. Lizzie is very persuasive.”
By now Lizzie had walked in and sat on the bed. “I don’t regret anything.”
Scott laughed again. “Truly. Anyways, how have you been? I haven’t seen you in a couple weeks.”
“I’ve been good. Joel’s been really busy with the play and all that. I have, too, but I’m only the head set designer, so I’m not quite as busy, but I’ve been having a lot of fun doing this.”
They three times of them talked for a while longer, about anything and everything, occasionally laughing at Lizzie’s comments and Scott’s retorts. Scott had always liked Lizzie. She was a great friend and always had the best advice for almost any situation. She had also helped Pearl realize that she was asexual and had been her part-time therapist, which Scott forever would admire her for. Anyone that patient and that influential was bound to be a great person.
Lizzie’s amazingness aside, eventually she went to bed, and both Scott and Jimmy just lay on the bed in comfortable silence. A while later Jimmy kissed Scott on the cheek and whispered, “Goodnight.” despite the fact that it was almost five in the morning. Scott smiled as he drifted off.
Chapter 7: Nothing really changes. At least, that’s what we’re gonna pretend.
Summary:
“So… I assume you want an explanation?” Not-Jimmy said, sounding just like real Jimmy.
Scott nodded and sat down. He managed to sputter, “Who are you?!”
Not-Jimmy smiled, placing a hand on Scott’s, smiling broader when he didn’t flinch. “I’m just Jimmy. Let me explain.”
Scott nodded again. “Please do.”
Notes:
I am actually pretty happy with this chapter, for several reasons. I can’t say without spoiling anything, though, so um. Happy New Year, and I hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
-
Scott had barely knocked on the door when it flew open, revealing a smiling Lizzie.
“Hey Scott. Jimmy’s in his room.”
“Hi Lizzie, what’s up?” Scott responded.
“Pearl’s taking me, Joel, and Bdubs clubbing. She said that you and Jimmy probably need a little time before she brings you two again. You know how she is.”
Scott nodded. He did indeed know. “I’ll see you later, Lizzie.”
Scott went up the stairs quietly, wanting to surprise Jimmy. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise-Scott had been over every day for the past four days since the double date.
Scott crept up outside of Jimmy’s door and threw it open without warning, smiling broadly-but the elation quickly became disbelief.
The man sitting on the bed wasn’t Jimmy. Hell, he didn’t even look fucking real. He looked normal except for two long, sleek, beautiful yellow wings attached to his back.
They didn’t look fake.
The thing slowly turned around as if he could not believe what was happening. He looked like Jimmy, like his friend was just sitting shirtless on the bed like everything was normal, but this couldn’t be Jimmy. Jimmy was a human, and besides, where would Jimmy get wings that looked so real?
He could have made them, but still.
Not-Jimmy opened his mouth, closed it, and then gestured for Scott to sit on the bed. Scott did, still in shock.
“So… I assume you want an explanation?” Not-Jimmy said, sounding just like real Jimmy.
Scott nodded and sat down. He managed to sputter, “Who are you?!”
Not-Jimmy smiled, placing a hand on Scott’s, smiling broader when he didn’t flinch. “I’m just Jimmy. Let me explain.”
Scott nodded again. “Please do.”
“Do you remember those myths we were told as kids? About avians?”
“Yes, but I thought those were just myths.” Now that he thought about it, Maybe-Jimmy’s wings did look like those of the avians in stories.
“Well, they aren’t. I’m an avian.”
Scott’s mind slowed a bit. Nothing was impossible, he knew that, but this still surprised him-obviously.
“Who knows about this?”
Jimmy sighed. “Just Lizzie and my parents. Oh, and Grian, because he’s one too.”
Scott slammed his open palm on Jimmy’s wooden nightstand, making both of them jump. “Grian’s an avian too?! Why is everyone else hiding things?!”
Scott buried his face in his hands.
He felt a warm body, followed by an equally warm pair of wings, wrap him in a tight hug. Scott instead buried his face in Jimmy’s shoulder.
Eventually, Scott regained his composure and mumbled, “How do you hide them?”
Jimmy sighed. “It’s not easy. They’re almost to big to hide now, but they’re fully grown anyways, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Scott snuggled closer. They were lying down now, Jimmy’s wings still wrapped around Scott, the taller man almost falling asleep.
“Just so you know.” Scott declared, sounding sleepy. “This changes nothing.”
Jimmy chuckled. “Nothing?”
“Well, you get extra boyfriend points for being a great cuddler. Happy?”
Jimmy seemed shocked for a second at being so easily called boyfriend-but then he laughed, stroking Scott’s hair. “Couldn’t be happier.”
Scott asked, “What do you want to do?”
“I’ve got no plans.”
Scott sat up. “Let’s go to Grian’s. We’re going somewhere.”
Jimmy laughed again. “Can’t say no to you.”
…
Scott texted Grian to warn him.
Blue Haired Bitch: Get Scar over at your house. Me and Jimmy are coming
Fluffy Bird Man: Why
Blue Haired Bitch: We’re going out. To the bar. Now
Fluffy Bird Man: This came out of nowhere
Blue Haired Bitch: No shit. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes
Fluffy Bird Man: okay?
Scott put down his phone and turned to see Jimmy staring into his closet, trying to find something to wear. Scott walked up behind him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Wear the blue jacket. It goes well with your hair.”
Jimmy laughed. “It’s kinda hard being someone who loves fashion yet has no fashion sense.”
Scott laughed with him. “Well, you have me.” he said, and gave Jimmy a quick kiss before turning around to get ready. Scott’s face felt flushed, and he had no doubt that Jimmy’s was as well.
Twenty minutes later Jimmy had convinced his mom to let them take her car for the night and they were driving to Grian’s house.
“What did you say to convince her?” Scott asked.
“I told her we were just going to Grian’s. He better let us go in his car.”
Scott smiled, and they spent the remainder of the ride in comfortable silence.
…
They burst through Grian’s front door at the same time, Jimmy falling over laughing with Scott almost on top of him as they half collapsed in a heap in the fancy people foyer. Grian rushed down the staircase, Scar right on his heels, to find the lovebirds giggling deliriously despite it only being eight thirty.
“All right you two, get it together.” Grian snapped, a smile at the corners of his mouth. “We’re driving in my car. I need to know where we’re going.”
“The bar where Shelby works. She told me she has the night shift.” Scott answered.
“How did she get a job at a bar? She’s only sixteen.”
“Almost seventeen, and her parents own it. They let her work whenever she wants.”
“How will we actually get something to drink, though? None of us are old enough.”
Scar smacked the side of Grian’s head. “I’m eighteen, bitchface! You’d think you would know that.”
“You’re barely eighteen.” Grian grumbled affectionately, kissing Scar on the cheek.
Jimmy smiled. “Come on, it’s late. Let’s actually go.”
…
Grian drove. Everyone hated it, even Scar, and he’d been subject to Grian’s driving for years.
“WATCH THE FUCK OUT!” Scott screamed as Grian almost hit a third car. “You know what, Scar’s driving on the way back.”
Jimmy was gripping the seat so hard his knuckles were turning white. “Yeah.”
Scar sighed. “How this man got his driver’s license is beyond me.”
Grian didn’t even argue.
Finally, ten nerve-wracking minutes later, they arrived at the Undergrove, the bar Shelby’s parents owned.
Scott bounded inside, dragging Jimmy by the hand, as he threw the front door open with Grian and Scar close behind. Shelby’s head popped up from behind the half-full counter that was covered in overflowing plant pots. “Hey, Scott! Did you bring the whole circus?”
Scott laughed and sat down on a barstool. “Yeah, sorry, I did. How are you?”
“Bored. But that’s okay, it’s why I like the night shift.”
By this time, Grian and Scar had walked in and Grian was struggling to sit on a stool.
“Come on, birdboy. It isn’t that hard.” Scar laughed as his 5’5” boyfriend tried and failed to get onto the seat.
“Shut your mouth.” Grian hissed as he toppled over, and then gave up and let Scar lift him onto the seat. “It isn’t my fault that I’m short.”
Scott and Jimmy laughed, and Shelby said, “Well, you aren’t the only one.” This was true. Shelby barely brushed the five-foot mark.
Shelby left to get their drinks, and Jimmy immediately started making small talk. Scar was also into design so the two had a lot to talk about. It was almost the same with Scott and Grian, because they had known each other since middle school when they had met through the theatre program. Scott didn’t know Grian even knew Jimmy until today.
“How are you liking your role?” Scott asked.
“It’s fun, but it’s hard. I have one of the biggest roles, so I need to do a lot more than I’m used to.”
“You’re doing it really well, though.”
“Thanks.” Grian looked at Scott and did a double take. “Are those Jimmy’s clothes?!”
Scott immediately looked down and realized that yes, he was wearing Jimmy’s shirt-he hadn’t had anything presentable to wear, and Jimmy had let him borrow it. “Yeah, so what?”
Grian stared at him, muttered something, then said “Nothing, just surprised.” and then asked Jimmy if they could talk. Privately.
Grian led Jimmy outside, and Scott followed behind them, trying not to be seen.
He heard muffled yells from Grian and equally loud retorts from Jimmy. Scott couldn’t catch every word, but he got the gist: Grian was afraid that Scott would find out about his wings.
“-Irresponsible!” Scott heard Grian yell, and he decided to step in.
“I don’t know what this argument is about, but I want it to stop.” he said firmly, walking up behind Grian and making him jump. He turned around to see Scott Smajor towering seven inches above him, and made the very wise decision to stop.
Scott dragged the two inside, Jimmy still glaring at Grian, and sat back down, where Shelby was just serving their drinks.
…
The rest of the night went smoothly. Grian would cast side-eyed glances at Scott every so often, but Scott ignored him. Scar, as it turns out, was a very interesting drunk. He would go up to other people at the bar and try to scam them out of their things until either they caught on or Shelby yelled at him. Scott and Jimmy were falling over with laughter.
Several hours and almost as many drinks later, Grian had to call his friend Mumbo to take them all home because, well, copious amounts of alcohol and driving a car do not mix very well. Mumbo showed up a few minutes later, sighing and informing Grian that he would owe him one, before getting everyone in the car and leaving.
“Wow, you’re a better driver than Grian.” Scott said loudly, slurring his speech.
Mumbo glanced at Scott and Jimmy in the rearview mirror. “How old are you two?”
Scott straightened. “Almost seventeen.”
Mumbo whipped his head around to look at Grian, who seemed to have shrunken in on himself. “You let minors have alcohol?!”
Grian sighed. “I would argue, but I know that one, I don’t even know what you are going to say and already know you are right, and two, you’ll forgive me.”
Mumbo sighed. “I need friends that don’t know me so well.”
Scar laughed.
“Scar, please tell me you returned everything you stole from those people.” Mumbo said, side-eyeing the man.
“I did, I swear! I didn’t keep anything this time.” Scar said defensively.
“What did he steal last time?” Scott asked.
“Well the last time I had to pick these two up, Scar had scammed some guy out of his phone and his wallet, and had been too drunk to remember to return them.” Mumbo said, a smile forming on his face at the memory. Jimmy cracked up.
They eventually got back to Jimmy’s house. They snuck in through the back door. Grian and Scar decided to stay the night as well, because Mumbo’s parents were going to get suspicious if he wasn’t home soon.
Up in Jimmy’s room, Jimmy took off his shirt and removed the bindings from his wings, much to Grian’s horror-until he saw no reaction from Scott, and he relaxed a little, taking the bindings off his own parrot wings.
“Now I see why you said to call you birdboy.” Scott said teasingly. Scar laughed and Grian retaliated by smacking them both.
They all fell asleep at around four in the morning, each lost in their own dreamworld.
Chapter 8
Summary:
Pearl glanced at him. “Just… Tango’s going to be there, okay? Just be smart.”
Scott sighed. “I know, Pearl. I can handle it.”
Pearl gave him a doubtful glance but stayed silent.
Notes:
I’m not sure what to think about this chapter. I had to rewrite several parts of it so many times to get something that worked, and I wanted to get this beta read but didn’t. Anyways, I hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
Scott ran to Pearl’s house. It was Thursday morning, a week after the date, and she had texted him twenty minutes prior that she wanted to talk.
Oh, and she offered to drive him to school. That certainly felt like a bribe.
Pearl was sitting in her car, heat on full blast, clearly waiting for him.
When he got in, Pearl gave him a death stare. “Where the hell have you been.” she grumbled, not really expecting an answer.
Scott explained. “I’ve been at Shelby’s house all weekend. Her house is farther away from yours than mine.”
This was true. When he’d turned up on Shelby’s doorstep, she and her parents had gladly let him stay. Katherine had come too, and the three of them had a great time together, primarily just talking to each other in the middle of the night about their problems.
Pearl seemed relieved, but easily slid back into older-sister mode. “You should’ve told me.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You’re horrible at excuses. You really should stop.”
That got them both laughing, until Pearl turned serious. She kept driving, not looking at Scott.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
Scott grimaced. “Is this about Jimmy?”
Pearl stared at him. “What? No. Grian’s having a party tomorrow night, and the whole theatre troop is invited-both schools.”
Scott nodded. “Okay.”
Pearl glanced at him. “Just… Tango’s going to be there, okay? Just be smart.”
Scott sighed. “I know, Pearl. I can handle it.”
Pearl gave him a doubtful glance but stayed silent.
They pulled up next to the school, and Scott got out, thinking about what Pearl said.
-
Come Friday, Scott had decided to not play it smart, and to just do exactly as he would at any party: stay sober enough that he was still coherent, but get drunk enough that he could blame all his mistakes on the alcohol. Nothing could possibly go right with this plan. It was tried and tested.
Shelby had offered to pick him up from school and take him to Jimmy’s house. Which was why Scott was sitting on Jimmy’s bed, staring into his closet, trying to decide what to wear.
He heard Jimmy come in behind him. “Wear the teal skirt and the leather jacket. It’ll match you hair.”
Scott laughed. “We seem to be thinking the same.”
“Was that your idea?”
“Yeah. Come on and get ready. We wouldn’t want to be late to this random-ass party your birdbitch friend decided to throw.”
That had both of them laughing, before Scott pointed out that they really were going to be late, and they ran off to get ready.
…
The party was… interesting, to say the least.
They arrived in Jimmy’s car at around nine pm, with the party already in full swing and most of the guests there. Scar was trying to crowdsurf, and doing a pretty good job too, and a group of people sat in the back, playing Never Have I Ever, by the look of it.
Scott and Jimmy went towards Grian, who was telling a story to Joel and Martyn, who was here for some reason.
“Grian.” Scott deadpanned, smile on his face. “Can we talk? Privately.”
Grian nodded and walked away with the two.
“What was this party for?” Jimmy asked.
Grian opened his mouth, but Scott interrupted him. “And if you say some shit about ‘bringing the people together’ I will smack you upside the head.”
Grian sighed, defeated. “Scott, can I talk to you? Privately?”
Scott rolls his eyes but allowed Grian to drag him away from the party.
“Are you dating Timmy?”
“OH MY FUCKING GOD!” Scott screamed, throwing his hands in the air. “WHY is that everyone’s first fucking thought when they see us together?!”
Judging by Grian’s face, he knew the answer. And Scott wasn’t gonna like it.
Scott sighed. “No. I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
Grian grabbed Scott’s hand and squeezed it tightly. “I don’t think it would.”
Scott shook his head. “I’m just paranoid.”
Grian laughed, which made Scott smile. “You are. But don’t let that stop you.”
Scott stood straighter. “Let’s go back to the party now. I need to make sure Pearl isn’t blackout drunk from playing Never Have I Ever yet.”
Grian laughed. “Timmy might just stay with you for your sense of humor.”
…
Scott returned to the party, and went over to the group that was playing Never Have I Ever. He took a full shot glass off the table-earning an incredulous look from Pearl-and sat on a chair next to Cleo, who was side-eyeing Bdubs.
Lizzie was sitting next to Katherine, who was at this party for some reason, and it appeared to be her turn.
“Okay… never have I ever broken into a business for any reason.”
Almost all of the eight people (besides Lizzie) downed their shot. Lizzie looked unsurprised.
Katherine was next. She seemed a little nervous since she didn’t often hang out with the theatre kids outside of practice-and even then, she only went to those because her mom was the teacher.
“Umm, okay… never have I ever lied to my parents about whether or not I was drunk.”
Every single person in the group drank their shot, no exceptions. “Uhh…wow.”
Everyone laughed at that.
Bdubs came after Katherine. He snapped out of death glaring at Cleo and saw everyone staring at him. “Oh! Uh, never have I ever…” he smiled mischievously at Cleo. “Never have I ever snuck alcohol into school, gotten drunk, and started hitting on the English teacher during third period last year.”
Cleo rolled her eyes, glared at everyone, and downed her shot before reaching for another one. “And I’m not gonna talk about it.”
Bdubs giggled. “But it was hilarious.”
Cleo got up and walked across the circle of people to slap him.
Scott eventually got bored, so he got up and left the group without a warning. He wandered around for a couple of minutes, not really doing anything, just watching the crowd and thinking nothing.
But then Scott saw something, somebody-or rather, two somebodys-that caught his attention.
They were dancing, again.
This felt like a bad dream. Scott pinched himself-nope, not a dream-and just stared.
Tango was leading Jimmy, laughing whenever he stepped on a foot and correcting him when he misstepped, in some sort of complicated waltz-like pattern. Jimmy smiled, moving with Tango’s body and looking happier than Scott had ever seen him.
This was the last straw.
Scott’s adrenaline kicked in and he half sprinted, half walked over to where they were standing. Jimmy pretended not to notice, even when Tango’s face twisted in shock and confusion. This time, Scott wasn’t going to play nice.
Tango was trying to tell Jimmy, but he appeared completely unconcerned-until he saw that Scott wasn’t dragging him away his time. He turned around and saw Scott looking incredibly pissed-but Jimmy could see the tears in his eyes.
“So this is how you wanna play, is it?” Scott whispered, only loud enough for Jimmy to hear. For everyone else, he began to scream at Jimmy.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU! YOU FILTHY FUCKING BASTARD! YOU DIDN’T EVEN TELL ME!”
The entire crowd was watching now, invested in this twisted interaction.
Jimmy’s mouth opened, then he realized that would serve no use, and he shut it.
Scott continued to shout. “IF THIS IS HOW YOU’RE GOING TO BE, I’LL FUCKING LEAVE.” He then turned around and stormed off. Jimmy’s gaze bore holes into his back, but Scott didn’t care. Grian, Lizzie, and Shelby ran after him, but Scott waved them all away and they thought better of it.
Scott’s friends were mostly at the party and would want to talk to him, so he messaged Niki.
Scott Smajor: Can you pick me up
Niki: Sure, why
Scott Smajor: I’ll tell you when you get here
Scott texted her the address of Grian’s house and sat outside. No less than five minutes later, Niki’s car pulled up to the curb. Scott ignored the fact that Shelby Shrub was watching him from the front window of the house and slid into the passenger seat.
Niki was at the wheel, staring at the house, then at Scott, who shrugged.
Once Scott was settled, Niki started to drive, glancing at Scott every minute or so.
“What happened? And don’t even try to dodge the question. This is my payment for dropping everything to come get you.”
Scott sighed, defeated. “Jimmy, that’s what.”
Niki gave him a look.
“Please don’t tell me you believed those rumors.” Scott groaned.
Niki winced and gave a small, “Maybe.”
“Well, we were. Until tonight, when I saw him with Tango, without sparing me a thought.”
Niki looked about ready to slam her face into the dashboard in frustration. “Did you talk to him, or did you just yell?”
Scott sighed. “Umm, I yelled. A lot.”
Niki gave Scott a glare. “We’ve talked about this! Just because Jimmy was within twenty feet of Tango doesn’t mean a thing. Or it didn’t, until you started yelling at him.”
Scott sighed again, tears in his eyes. “I know. I didn’t think.”
Niki smiled. “That’s okay. I usually don’t either. Jack was about to throw hands yesterday because I forgot to lock the back door at the end of my shift at the bakery.”
Scott smiled back. Then he saw that they had arrived at his house, and he stopped. “I’ll see you soon, Niki. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t mind being a free therapist.”
Chapter 9: Joey gets what he deserves. Well, actually, only about half of what he deserves, the bitch.
Summary:
She dropped Scott off at his house, and made sure he got inside safely before driving off.
Anyone in the car with her would point out that she passed her neighborhood and kept going, towards the outskirts of town.
She would tell them they imagined it.
Joey would get his justice tonight.
Notes:
Well, I’m not quite sure what to say about this chapter. The title kinda says everything that’s important.
Also, just to clear something up: the reason all of the texts in this story are spelt correctly is that I can’t stand to see it any other way. Just in case anyone was wondering.
I really enjoyed writing this chapter, and I hope y’all enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Thankfully, neither of Scott’s parents were home. Scott locked his door and sat on the bed, then swore when he remembered that the LGBTQ+ support club was meeting on Monday, and the play was on Wednesday. Two things that he didn’t want to do. Two places that Jimmy would be.
Two places where he couldn’t hide.
Scott realized he was still wearing a traitor’s clothes, and took them off before angrily tossing them into his closet. The bundle hit the wall with a satisfying thump.
Scott eventually fell asleep, head full of ideas and plans of escape.
-
Monday came too fast. After class was finished for the day, Scott ran down toy the art room that was commissioned for the support club today. He normally would drag his feet, but he had to get the room ready (ie, turn the projector off and clear the tables) because Scott knew from past experience that everyone else would arrive relatively quickly.
The art room door glided open without so much as a squeak. That satisfied Scott for some reason, a little bit of contentedness when nothing seemed to go his way.
After everything was ready, Scott sat down at a table and stared off into space while he waited.
Soon after, Joel and Lizzie arrived, Lizzie was picking on Joel and Joel was getting defensive, all in their silly couple-like way. Lizzie sat down at the table next to Scott, and said “Jimmy’s going to be late. Hope you don’t mind.” and went back to talking to Joel, who gave Scott an apologetic look.
Everyone else showed up a few minutes later, except for Pearl and Jimmy. Scott wondered a bit where they were but waved it off and proceeded to start the meeting.
Not ten minutes later, Pearl shows up, dragging Bdubs behind her by the hand. Bdubs awkwardly said hi to everyone and sat down at the table.
“Scott, can Bdubs join for this meeting? He asked about it, and I kinda-“
“What she means is she took that idea and ran with it. Can I stay?”
Scott nodded at Bdubs. “Sure. Is everyone okay with that?”
The reactions were about the same, mostly shrugs or welcoming smiles, and Bdubs instantly appeared more relaxed.
Jimmy, despite his sister’s reassurances, didn’t show up for the meeting. After introducing Bdubs the group spent the rest of the meeting vibing to random music and talking about everything.
Around five, they began to leave, saying their goodbyes and see-you-soons. Scott left with Lizzie and Joel, the former of whom had promised to drive him home.
Scott wondered if his parents were home, but brushed off that thought in favor of talking with Joel and Lizzie about the play and tomorrow’s dress rehearsal that Scott had somehow entirely forgotten about. Another place that he’d have to avoid Jimmy, though he didn’t tell Lizzie that, yet the look on her face said that she understood.
When Lizzie’s car arrived in front of Scott’s house, he got out, waving goodbye as he went, and went to open the door. Strangely, the door was still locked even though there was Scott’s dad’s car in the driveway.
Once the door was unlocked, Scott cautiously stepped into the house, before running to his room. He caught a glimpse of his father sleeping on the sofa, likely waiting for Scott’s mom to get home.
Scott laid down on his bed, and his thoughts wandered to a familiar corner of his mind: his birth parents.
Over the past sixteen years, Scott had come up with several scenarios, most of them unlikely to impossible, as to why he was put up for adoption. He loved his birth parents, despite their nonexistent presence in his life, but he still wondered sometimes.
With this still on his mind, Scott fell asleep.
-
The next day, Scott’s phone buzzed in his Earth Science class. Making sure the teacher wasn’t looking, he checked it. The screen showed a text from Shelby.
Shrubbery: So you know how I’m the assistant director of the play
Scott smacked his forehead, hissed a swear word, and shook it off. Shelby had told him that she would let him know about any changes to the play.
Theatre Kid: yeah
Shrubbery: Well the director decided that you and Jimmy should have a kissing scene
Scott slammed his palm on the desk and swore. The teacher glared at him and went back to the lesson.
Theatre Kid: What the actual fuck?! On the day of the dress rehearsal?!
Shrubbery: yep, they just put it in a scene that already had you and Jimmy being questioningly platonic
Theatre Kid: Completely unrelated, who is the director again
Shrubbery: Joey
Scott, once again, hit the table with his hand and practically screamed “Fuck!”
Ten minutes later, he was back in class with one detention added to his schedule.
Thankfully, mandatory dress rehearsal cut twenty minutes off of his hour-long detention.
Scott immediately began texting Shelby again.
Theatre Kid: Sorry, got detention. Anyway, that bitch needs to fuck off. What happened with Xornoth wasn’t my fault.
Shrubbery: I know that. He doesn’t. We’re gonna have to fix this.
Theatre Kid: How?!?!?!
Shrubbery: I don’t know. You might just have to deal with it.
Shrubbery: If you do, just do it for the audience. Only do what it says on the script, then give him the silent treatment after
Shrubbery: I’ll try and fix this
Theatre Kid: okay thanks, see you later
…
Scott was still fuming at Joey as he half-ran down to the disciplinary hall, which was conveniently on the opposite side of the school from where he’d been. He was almost late so he barely made it there in time, and handed the teacher his detention slip before sitting down and pulling out his script to practice.
Not ten minutes later, Shelby texted him.
Shrubbery: GUESS WHAT
Scott rolled his eyes affectionately.
Theatre Kid: what?
Shrubbery: have you seen who else is in there with you
Theatre Kid: No
Shrubbery: Well Lizzie just texted me saying that Jimmy’s there
Theatre Kid: Wait really?!?
Scott looked around discreetly. There were three others in detention that day-two kids Scott had never met, and-lo and behold-Jimmy.
Theatre Kid: She wasn’t lying
Theatre Kid: Ask her what he’s here for
Shrubbery: …
Shrubbery: Apparently he attempted to tackle Joey in the hall
Shrubbery: And started cussing at him
Theatre Kid: Damn. Jimmy doesn’t seem like the type to do that
Shrubbery: I know!!!!!
Scott check the time and realized that detention would be over in ten minutes. He scrolled through his contacts and found Joey’s number.
Scott: bitch why’d you change the scene in the fucking day before.
He’s having a breakdown: damn chill
Scott chuckled. He had forgotten that he’d saved Joey’s contact as that.
Scott: I mean, you were doing illegal things. You’re still on probation. Why do you need revenge?
He’s having a breakdown: You want a list?
Scott: Actually, no. I have no intention of seeing what is inside a psycho’s mind.
He’s having a breakdown: Get over yourself
Scott: Then why can’t you
He’s having a breakdown: stfu
He’s having a breakdown: Xornoth was the love of my life and you had no right to take him away from me
Scott: So… your idea of a healthy relationship is one where one person helps the other one, through anything, no matter the consequences…and the other one profits from it, while the first one gets nothing?
He’s having a breakdown: my mind melted trying to read that
Scott: So I’m right.
He’s having a breakdown: huh?
Scott felt a tap on his shoulder and Jimmy’s voice saying, “Scott? Why are you here?”
Before Scott could tell him to fuck off, the teacher on detention duty looked up and said, “Solidarity-Shadowlady and Smajor. You two can go.”
Scott stood up swiftly, rushing out of the room and leaving Jimmy.
…
The backstage was a flurry of people, set pieces, and yells sent back and forth. Scott pushed through the crowd, looking for his dressing room, which he spotted out of the corner of his eye. Scott ventured into the room, Dressing Room Twelve, that had his and Jimmy’s names on the door. His costume, as well as Jimmy’s, were in the closet, and Shelby sat on the floor, rapid-fire texting someone on her phone.
When Scott came in, she looked up. “Joey’s been going off on me for telling him that he’s being a selfish brat. Ms. Blossom had to remove him from the director’s groupchat.”
“Jimmy won’t be long. You should probably leave.”
Shelby nodded. “I need to. I’ve just been procrastinating.” She got up and left. Before she was out of sight, she yelled, “You’ll be fine.” over her shoulder.
Scott ran over to the closet. They were supposed to practice before the actual dress rehearsal. A quick glance at the clock told Scott that he had about thirty minutes to get ready.
Scott pulled out his makeup bag and got to work, sitting on top of the counter and trying not to be blinded by the vanity-style lights.
After Scott finished the makeup, he brushed his cyan hair and gave it a half a bottle of hair spray to make it stay in place.
Scott noticed that Jimmy was still missing. He had only been a few hundred feet behind Scott; how could he be this late? Scott brushed it off and went to put on his costume.
The outfit consisted of a soft blue flannel, a white t-shirt with sunset colors on it, and jeans. Scott fondly thought of the hours he and Jimmy spent in the costume room, planning this simple outfit and getting distracted by the smallest disturbance.
As soon as this play was over, Scott planned to actually wear the thing. It reminded him of Jimmy.
Who, speaking of which, still wasn’t there.
The costume, of course, wasn’t just the normal outfit. Obviously. During the fourth scene, after Scott’s first “death” (he spent far longer than he would care to admit practicing dying) he would finally get to wear the yellow and red crystal circlets that Ms. Puffy had handmade for both his yellow and red transitions.
When the five-minute warning came over the intercom, Jimmy threw the door open and ran into the room. Scott, who was sitting on the counter practicing his lines, looked up, saw Jimmy, said “Good, you’re here.” and went back to practicing.
Jimmy mumbled something and ran to the closet, them started to put on his costume.
…
The dress rehearsal went smoothly. Ms. Blossom, clearly feeling bad for both Scott and Jimmy, said that they didn’t have to do the kiss until the actual performance day, which Scott happily accepted. Jimmy seemed a bit put out, but got over it and did really well.
After the dress rehearsal, it was nearing eight o’clock and Bdubs announced that he would be going to the Undergrove, asking if anyone could come. The bar was only a quarter mile or so from school, something which no one could explain the reason for, and there was a sizable group wanting to go-Lizzie and Joel, Grian and Scar, Mumbo (who was just there to drive Grian and Scar home), Pearl, Sausage, Shelby and Katherine, Tango, Impulse, and another junior from Hermitton named Zedaph, who was one of the tech guys, Gem and Fwhip, and Skizz-who, as it had turned out, was a senior at one of the high schools in the next town over, and not an adult. How he had gotten a job as a bartender was concerning, but Ren and Martyn weren’t the most law-abiding of people.
Scott, having nothing to do, decided that he would come, if only for a little while.
He noticed Jimmy trailing behind the group as they walked, but decided that he wouldn’t let one person ruin his night.
By the time the group arrived, it was nearing nine o’clock, but the Undergrove was fairly empty for a Tuesday. Scott sat at the counter, as everyone else split into their little friend circles and took a seat. He saw Shelby dragging Katherine into the back, presumably to have her help serve everyone.
Scott stared off into space for a moment, until he heard someone sit down beside him.
Gem was next to Scott, and gave him a tight hug. She knew he needed it. As the head scriptwriter, she had fought Joey about adding several things. This was the worst thing she could’ve lost the argument on.
Shelby sent a glance their way and met Gem’s eyes. The emotion in those deep green eyes was unlike anything else she’d ever seen on Gem. Her usually cold and sarcastic vibe was gone completely.
Gem felt Scott shake a little, and realized he was crying. She let Scott cry for a bit, enough to leave a tear-soaked spot on her sweater, before gripping the back of his shirt and yanking him up to look her in the eyes.
“I will not have my friend crying over a boy who clearly doesn’t care enough for you to waste your time on him. Get it together.”
Scott looked at Gem. She always gave the best, albeit harshest, wake-up calls, which you never really knew you needed.
Gem smiled at Scott, and called Shelby over to order a drink.
Scott didn’t think about Jimmy the rest of the night.
…
Gem ended up driving Scott home. She honestly felt bad for him. Gem knew how it felt to have someone you cared about not reciprocate the feeling.
She dropped Scott off at his house, and made sure he got inside safely before driving off.
Anyone in the car with her would point out that she passed her neighborhood and kept going, towards the outskirts of town.
She would tell them they imagined it.
Joey would get his justice tonight.
-
Notes:
Anyone else happy to see Joey get his just desserts?
Chapter 10: And ‘cause you said sorry, it helped all the hurt
Summary:
“What the fuck do you want?” Scott spat, his anger at his friend flaring up once again.
Jimmy’s face fell, but only slightly, before he regained his composure.
“I need to tell you something.” he said, expression steely.
Scott shook his arm off. “No, asshole.”
Notes:
Sorry for the shorter chapter, I was just really rushing to finish this so I split this chapter in two so it isn’t annoyingly long. Anyway, I hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
When Gem showed up to school with a bandaged cheek and bruised arms, anyone who didn’t know her would be worried.
But Scott knew her. So he wasn’t surprised.
When word came around that she had gone over to Joey’s house and beat him up, Scott just thought, “Well, I’d feel bad for Joey, but I think I know why Gem did that in the first place.”
And, better yet, Joey looked a lot worse.
It was nearly four-which was when school ended-the teacher announced that all the members of the play were to leave to get ready. Scott grabbed his things and left, and joined Shelby in walking down the hall.
“Do you think it’ll be alright?” Scott asked, trying not to sound worried.
Shelby looked up at Scott, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “You’ll be fine.”
Scott looked at her suspiciously. “Why are you smiling like that?”
Shelby’s face went white as she realized that Scott was better at reading people than she thought. “Nothing.” Her features relaxed back into their smile.
Scott rolled his eyes. “You’re finally asking Katherine to marry you?”
Shelby’s face went white again. “Do we really look that in love?”
Scott laughed. “Maybe.”
Shelby sputtered for a moment. She finally settled on, “I hate you.”
Scott smacked her playfully on the shoulder and the two walked into the auditorium, and gave their names to the lady at the backstage doors. They were let in and Scott waved to Shelby as he ran off to his dressing room.
The room looked exactly the same, except this time Jimmy was already there. He was even dressed in his superhero suit that he wore for the first few acts.
Jimmy ignored Scott, which was completely fine by him, and the two got ready in near-silence. The twenty-minute warning came over the intercom, and Scott nearly jumped out of his skin when Jimmy grabbed his arm.
“What the fuck do you want?” Scott spat, his anger at his friend flaring up once again.
Jimmy’s face fell, but only slightly, before he regained his composure.
“I need to tell you something.” he said, expression steely.
Scott shook his arm off. “No, asshole.”
Jimmy appeared to be at a loss. He likely hadn’t expected Scott to just refuse. Before he could say anything, Scott turned and bolted.
He ran down the hall, past Cleo, who gave him a strange look, and towards Scar and Grian’s dressing room.
When Scott got to the door of Dressing Room Seven, Scar threw it open and pulled Scott inside.
Scott found himself sitting down on a small couch on the opposite wall. Grian sat across from him, face clearly serious.
There was a knock on the door, and Scott mumbled “Don’t” but Scar opened the door anyways.
Jimmy stood there, looking hurt. Scott’s heart softened, but then he remembered that Jimmy had wanted Tango, not him.
Grian made Jimmy sit beside Scott on the couch.
“Alright, you two need to talk. I’m tired of Scott refusing to listen and jumping to conclusions and Jimmy making mistakes but thinking he can’t fix them.”
Scott opened his mouth to argue, but the fifteen-minute warning came over the intercom, calling all actors backstage to get ready.
Scott sighed and turned to Jimmy. “I guess we do need to talk.”
…
They met in the crawl space above the lights booth. It was a not-very-secret secret among the theatre students and was well known for hosting heated arguments, heart-to-hearts, and minor illegal happenings.
Scott sat on a wooden beam in the half darkness of the drafty attic, and Jimmy sat beside him.
“Explain, please.” Scott mumbled. Jimmy looked into his eyes and saw genuine hurt brought on by him and his actions. He felt guilty. So he explained.
Jimmy explained how he’d been talking to Tango. How Tango had told him about his two new boyfriends, Impulse and Zedaph. How Jimmy had suggested a double date, and how Tango had agreed. How Jimmy had asked him if he wanted to dance. How Tango said yes.
By this point, Jimmy has tears in his eyes. “I asked him. I should’ve thought about if you would think it was fine. I didn’t think. Tango already has boyfriends. I couldn’t date him even if I wanted to. You didn’t overreact-“
Scott snorted. “You can’t honestly believe that.”
The two stared at each other before Jimmy broke down laughing, and Scott soon followed.
“Okay.” Jimmy said between giggles, “Maybe you overreacted a bit. But still. I never thought about what you’d see.”
Scott hugged Jimmy. He’d been so caught up in his own feelings he’d never thought about what Jimmy was going through.
When Jimmy finally pulled out of the hug, Scott asked him a question.
“I forgive you. But why did you attack Joey in the hallway?”
Jimmy laughed. “Well, he was talking shit about you.”
Scott laughed as well. “That makes me feel bad.”
“Why did you have detention?”
“When I found out what Joey did, you know, with the kissing part in the play, I ‘made a disturbance’ as the teacher said.”
Jimmy nodded. “To be honest, I almost did the same.”
Scott went silent for a minute. Then he said, “You know what, Jimmy? I really like you.”
Jimmy burst out laughing. When Scott looked confused, Jimmy said, “You think?” which made Scott laugh too.
When they both settled down, Scott moved a little closer to Jimmy, who responded in kind.
“Jimmy?” Scott asked.
“Yeah?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Jimmy nodded, a bit stunned, but allowed Scott’s lips to touch his.
Less than ten seconds, far too short for their first kiss in a while, later, there was a loud banging on the attic door. “Hey, I’m no snitch, but the play starts in five minutes and we need you two to come.” It was Lizzie.
Scott mumbled something Jimmy couldn’t hear but he stood up-or tried to, because Scott’s six-foot stature did not work well for the small attic. “Come on. We need to actually perform the play we’ve been practicing for almost three months.”
-
The
Performance
Went
Smoothly.
And
Scott
Would
Never
Forget
When
Jimmy’s
Lips
Touched
His
In
Front
Of
The
Crowd
Of
People
And
They
Kissed.
-
“And that was… The End.” Grian and Scar shouted into the microphone in unison as the rest of the cast took a bow.
Scott looked over at Jimmy. His smile was radiant, and his eyes shone with happiness. Scott leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, and the left-hand side of the auditorium-reserved for students of Empires and Hermitton alike-erupted in cheers. Jimmy’s face turned bright red, and he kissed Scott back. Grian heard the cheers and looked over his shoulder to see both of the self-proclaimed “Flower Husbands” bright red in the face and smiling so hard it must’ve hurt. Grian wished he could take a picture, maybe to give to them at their wedding. But he had to turn back around as the curtains closed and Ms. Blossom started herding the students towards the dressing room hallways to grab their things and leave.
Scott and Jimmy held hands as they ran to their dressing room to pack up.
Ten minutes later, both the of two were finished with most everyone else still packing. Shelby ran down the hallway outside, yelling a five-minute warning.
Scott turned to Jimmy. “You know what we should do?”
…
Chapter 11
Summary:
Zedaph sighed. “Tango, get the door.”
“Fine.” Tango grouched. He figured it was probably just Shelby or someone checking if they were done and ready.
The surprise must have been apparent on Tango’s face when he opened the door and saw Scott standing there, with Jimmy right behind him.
“Hey, Tango. What about that double date?”
Notes:
I’m kinda proud of this chapter, and there really is no reason why. I guess it’s because a lot of it was written really late at night, and somehow it’s still good. Anyway, we’re almost done! Hope y’all enjoy!
Chapter Text
Impulse heard a knock on his and Tango’s dressing room door.
At the time, Zedaph sat on the chair in the corner (he was technically not allowed to be here) and Tango was grabbing things off the counter and stuffing them in random duffels. They all knew they’d eventually have time later at somebody’s house or other to sort out what belonged to whom-due to incredible amounts of procrastination, they only had five minutes to be ready to go.
“Tango, get the door.” Impulse yelled, arms full of the entire contents of the closet, which was about six different costumes.
“No, Zed will get it.”
Zedaph sighed. “Tango, get the door.”
“Fine.” Tango grouched. He figured it was probably just Shelby or someone checking if they were done and ready.
The surprise must have been apparent on Tango’s face when he opened the door and saw Scott standing there, with Jimmy right behind him.
“Hey, Tango. What about that double date?”
…
Impulse perked up when he heard Scott’s voice. He rushed over to the door, almost throwing his armful of costumes onto Zed, who yelped.
“Hey, Scott! Your performance was great, by the way.”
Jimmy’s blond head popped up from behind Scott. “Yours was great too, Impulse.”
Scott stepped forward. “As much as I’d like us to keep complimenting each other all night, Jimmy has told me that one of your boyfriends requested we all go on a double date.”
Impulse’s brain short-circuited for a moment. “Umm, I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Scott laughed. “Impulse, you smile when you lie. I don’t believe that for a second.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy was trying to talk to a shocked Tango. “Remember? The night Scott went ballistic on me? I asked if we could go on a double date.”
Tango nodded. “Yeah, I remember. I thought you and Scott were over. You know, since he screamed at you like that.”
Jimmy shook his head. “Well, he forgave me, and now we want to go and have fun with you guys. We just performed an amazing production. Come on.”
Apparently, Jimmy was very convincing. Tango turned around and said, “Guys, we need to finish packing up. Zed, go get the car. Jimmy, did you bring your car?” Jimmy shook his head no. “Alright. That’s fine. We’re all going out tonight to Renchanting. Impulse, we’ll need you to carry most of our stuff.”
…
Twenty minutes and one stern lecture from Shelby on being ready on time, the five of them left Empires in Tango’s car. Tango had commissioned Jimmy to drive, and put Scott in the shotgun seat so that himself, Impulse, and Zedaph could share the back. The trunk was chock-full of the latter three’s things.
Since Renchanting was all the way downtown, the drive was nearly thirty minutes long. Thankfully, both Scott and Impulse were amazing storytellers, and they filled the silence with random stories from middle school.
During one of the few lull points, Zedaph spoke up.
“Did anyone else hear about Cleo and Bdubs’s argument? Etho told me about it.”
Scott practically turned all the way around in his seat. “What?”
Impulse spoke up. “Yeah, I saw it. Yesterday Cleo and Bdubs got into a fight. Bdubs lied about dating Pearl, I think, and Cleo accused him of lying. They got into a huge argument. That’s why all the Hermitton people were ten minutes late to practice yesterday.”
Jimmy, who had been silent, nodded. “That adds up, I guess.” His shoulders kind of twitched in a way that Scott now knew was his wings puffing up.
There was an awkward silence, but soon Impulse and Scott filled it with talking about previous plays (from both schools), and Tango and Jimmy and Zedaph soon joined in, all five of them laughing at the memory of last year’s debacle when Sausage had fallen asleep on the lights panel after reassuring Pearl that she didn’t need to know how the lights worked.
They finally arrived at Renchanting, and Jimmy somehow managed to screw up trying to park the car, but Tango didn’t mention it. All five of them got out of the car and went inside.
Martyn greeted the group from behind the bar. “Hey, Scott! I see you and your boyfriend are here. And who are these fine gentlemen you have with you?”
The three of them stood silent for a second, before Tango spoke up.
“Weren’t you in the winter play? I think I remember seeing you."
Martyn examined Tango for a second, but quickly realized. “You’re Tango Teck, right?
And Impulse Essvi?”
Scott nodded. “Yeah, they are. I remember seeing you there. Weren’t you King Ren’s Hand, or something?”
Martyn laughed. “Scott, how do you somehow know every teenager in this town, but you failed to notice me acting in the same play as you?”
Scott shrugged. Martyn laughed harder, before calming down. “Yeah, I was in the play. Ren’s the theatre director for Hermitton, and was able to give me a chance to audition.”
Tango and Impulse nodded understanding. Jimmy and Zedaph had already left the rest of the group in favor of sitting at the bar. Scott came over and sat next to his-boyfriend? bestfriend? he really wasn’t sure-and Tango and Impulse followed, sitting on either side of Zedaph.
Skizz the bartender came to take their orders. Once he saw who it was, he rolled his eyes affectionately.
“Is this a celebration?” he asked. “You did really well, all four of you-and Zed, I have no doubt, as well, but I never really saw him.”
“Good.” Zedaph said, inciting a few chuckles from his boyfriends.
They all ordered their drinks and soon received them. Ren showed up towards the end of the first round, congratulating them on their performance in the play and getting into a very dramatic argument with Martyn over whether or not they should allow Grian and Scar to return to Renchanting.
“I’m telling you, Ren, they rose against you! They do not deserve your hospitality.” Martyn declared, theatrically slamming a palm on the table and grinning when Jimmy and Scott burst out laughing.
“I have had a talk with myself, Martyn, a heart to mind, if you will, and while these bloody rebels may have incurred my unceasing wrath, we should still be cordial. No need to die again in another war, especially when we have only one life to live, in this world.”
Martyn cracked up. “Your theatre degree is very obvious, right now.”
Ren attempted to swat at Martyn but missed, making them both laugh even harder. “You son of a-“
Impulse cleared his throat. “You two had better come to a conclusion on that argument of yours, because Grian and Scar are waiting at the door, whispering to each other.” He pointed at the entrance, where Scar and Grian were indeed standing.
Scott leaned over to whisper to Jimmy. “Have you ever seen Grian showing that much restraint?”
Jimmy promptly shook his head. “Nope.”
Martyn dramatically sighed and waltzed towards the door, and threw it open. “My King has graciously allowed you heathens back into his inner circles. I suggest you take this opportunity.”
Scar stared at Martyn for a second. Then he looked up to glance questioningly at Ren. “What qualities of this man compelled you to make him your business partner? I’m dying to know.”
Grian chuckled and attempted to wrap an arm around Scar’s shoulders. He ended up giving up because he was too short. “Come on, Scar. Let’s enjoy our celebration.” Grian glanced up and pretended to just now notice the other five and Ren who had just been watching them. “Oh, hello!”
Jimmy and Scott burst into giggles.
Scar dragged Grian over to sit beside Scott. Grian sat next to Jimmy. “Timmy, tell me I didn’t see you and Scott kissing in front of both of our schools.”
Jimmy smiled and kissed Scott and n the cheek. The taller man turned bright red. “And I’d do it again, you birdbrained bastard.”
Grian erupted in laughter, doubling over with the force of it, and shaking so hard he nearly fell off if his barstool. Scar gave him an inquisitive glance before grabbing Grian’s shoulder and pulling him upright. At this point Grian was wheezing but slowly started to regain his breath and composure.
Impulse, Zedaph, and Tango were looking at him, and Martyn was giving him worried glances. Ren, however, said, “Grian, I literally called you the same thing three months ago and you called me a bitch.”
Grian waved his comment off. “Not sure what you mean.” he said, the lie trying to come out smooth but still it was somehow ruined by his full-face grin.
…
About two rounds of drinks later, and everyone was starting to feel it. Impulse and Tango were bickering good-naturedly like a married couple, and Zed was egging them on. Scar made some offhand remark, “No, avians are real-we have one right here” And if looks could kill, Scar would be six feet under with the glare Grian was giving him. (Everyone pretended to not notice.)
Despite his insistence that he did drink sometimes, and that Scott had seen him drink, if only once or twice, Grian had opted out of any sort of alcohol consumption tonight. “You all will need someone to drive you home,” being Grian’s defense. Nobody was particularly inclined to argue with him.
Jimmy was a very giggly drunk, as Scott had known for a while (ever since Joel had snuck a bottle of vodka into a support club meeting back when it had just started)-and Scott cherished this knowledge, saying things to make Jimmy laugh, every chuckle making Scott smile wider than the one before.
…
Martyn and Ren ran off to close up Renchanting, leaving seven drunk teens alone. Not their brightest idea, but this time, nothing bad happened.
Grian was currently playing mom of the group, making sure Zedaph was sober enough to drive his intoxicated boyfriends home (he was). Ren returned with their tab, and as soon as that was paid (with only a small amount of attempted bribery from the drunk people) and the usual casual reminder from Ren to not tell anyone about tonight. He hardly needed to worry, Grian thought with equal twinges of annoyance and affection, nobody except for maybe himself would remember any part of tonight.
Grian managed to get Scar, Scott, and Timmy into his car, and on the drive to Timmy’s house (he hadn’t agreed to this arrangement beforehand, but Tim’s mom knew him like her own son and wouldn’t question anything) Scar, sitting in the passenger seat, chatted Grian’s ear off about the most random and ridiculous of things (he heard something about elves and flying squirrels), to which the avian man replied with nods and hums. Scott and Timmy sat in the backseat, talking in hushed voices and occasional giggles.
The ten minutes or so of the drive passed in this manner, until Grian somewhat recklessly pulled into the driveway, almost knocking over the mailbox.
Silently, Grian appreciated the fact that drunk people care much less about his relatively unsafe driving and don’t scream when he almost crashes into other cars or trees.
They four managed to get out of the car and into Timmy’s house, with Grian guiding Scar and Scott and Tim holding one another up. Grian was able to sneak everyone upstairs and into Timmy’s bedroom without waking either of his parents.
Scott helped Grian clear the bed of random fabrics and old design sketches (even drunk, Scott had no idea how Jimmy slept) before collapsing onto it and dragging Jimmy under the covers with him.
Scott looked up to stare at Grian. “You two can take the floor. We’re taking the bed.”
Grian rolled his eyes but opened the closet, presumably to find blankets. He frowns at the mess of garments all clearly made by the same person, in various stages of completion. “Did Jimmy make all of this?”
Scott nodded a bit proudly.
Grian’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. “Wow.”
Eventually, Scar helped Grian find the blankets and they both fell asleep on the floor.
Scott tried to sleep. He really did. He actually did, though it was only for an hour or two.
But Scott still was lying in bed, surrounded by his favorite people (minus Pearl and Shelby), staring at the ceiling.
Scott’s brain desperately wanted to sleep off the alcohol from earlier, but every time Scott closed his eyes, his mind wandered back into a familiar corner.
Did Jimmy love him?
But just because that was the only thing Scott’s mind would let him think about didn’t mean that he would think about it.
Scott looked up and realized that his boyfriend (?) had somehow, in his sleep, turned the bedcovers into a shape exactly like that of a nest, with himself and Scott lying next to each other in the middle. On the floor, Grian had done the same thing.
Scott finally felt himself drifting off, just as Jimmy snuggled closer to him with a sleepy smile on his face.
Chapter 12
Summary:
Scott laid his head on Jimmy’s shoulder-which somehow worked despite Scott being taller. Jimmy blushed scarlet in return.
“Hey, Jimmy?” asked Scott, with soft edges to his words.
Jimmy looked at Scott, his blue hair and pretty face bathed in moonlight. “Yes?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Notes:
IT’S FINALLY FINISHED, PEOPLE!
I really loved writing this story, and seeing all of the comments that people left. Thank you everyone for reading, and I hope y’all enjoyed this story!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Scott awoke in the morning-or, more accurately, at three PM-feeling nauseous and dizzy. Scott also had a piercing headache and realized his arms were freezing cold because he’d somehow thrown off his jacket while asleep and had been sleeping in his undershirt. Scott sat up and noticed that both Grian and Scar were still asleep, cuddling in the blanket nest Grian had arranged.
Scott felt a tug on his shirt and looked down to see Jimmy, half-asleep and with a cute little smile on his face, pulling Scott back into the bed. Scott obliged, slipping back under the covers, and Jimmy moved a little closer to Scott’s warmth.
It was by the coziness, by the warmth, by the happiness that Scott fell asleep once again.
…
It was nearly midnight when Grian woke up and realized he slept through the entire day. He sat up and craned his neck in order to peek over the end of Timmy’s bed, and is more than a little alarmed to see that neither he nor Scott are in the bed.
Grian moves to stand up, but is quickly yanked back down by something-or someone, be realizes, when he sees Scar’s face, with a little smile softening his face.
“They’re alright, Grian. Now stop worrying about everyone else for once.”
Grian stares at his boyfriend for a moment. He’s right, obviously-Grian takes his job as the mom of the group very seriously. Even as an only child, he’d grown up feeling like the buzzkill of any group-the responsible one, the safe one, the cautious one.
Scar had made it-not exactly worse, per se, but… yeah, he made it worse. Maybe that was why the man was so endearing. He was like a breath of fresh air for Grian, a much-needed dose of fun. He brought out a different side in Grian, the less uptight side, the less worried side, the mischievous side.
As much as Grian wants to tell Scar all of this, he simply kisses the taller man on the cheek and lies back down. “Okay, Scar.”
…
Jimmy awoke at nearly nine thirty. He ignored the fact that he’d slept the entire day away, and rolled over to see Scott still asleep, fitfully so, but asleep.
Jimmy slowly wiggled his way out of bed and quietly stepped over the nest of blankets on the floor where Grian and Scar slept. He had an idea-something special for Scott.
It was relatively easy to sneak to and down the stairs-this was Jimmy’s home, after all, and he’d long since memorized which stairs squeaked and which floorboards creaked. But when Jimmy made it to the landing where the stairs turned, he heard people downstairs, at least two. He perked around the corner just enough to see, and his eyes widened and he pulled out his phone that he somehow hadn’t lost while drunk.
Lizzie was sitting on the couch, talking to and occasionally kissing Joel . Nothing suspicious to Jimmy, Lizzie snuck her boyfriend in the house all the damn time, but anything could easily be used against your sibling if you were creative enough, and Jimmy certainly was. He managed to stay completely undiscovered for nearly five minutes-coming close to his personal record-before Joel thought to glance towards the stairs and his brown eyes locked with Jimmy’s.
“Umm, Lizzie… I think we have a problem.”
Lizzie’s bright blue gaze snapped to Jimmy, hyperfixating on his face and his ‘oh shit’ expression. Her lips curled into a grin, one with a less-than-friendly look and even less friendly intentions.
Lizzie tilted her head back slightly under the guise of examining her nails. “I know you’re hiding your boyfriend upstairs. Oh, and Grian. And his boyfriend.”
Jimmy wasn’t too surprised. Grian’s attempts at sneaking were almost worse than his, and that was really saying something. So he began walking down the stairs to come sit beside Lizzie. “Do you have proof?”
Lizzie nodded.
Jimmy shrugged. “Well, too bad, I guess.” He shoved Joel away from Lizzie to make room for himself, earning a few not-so-idle-sounding threats from the former.
“Can I talk to you about something?”
“About what?” Lizzie asked, letting Jimmy whisper in her ear. She nodded.
“Okay. Joel, go away and leave us alone.”
Joel threw his hands into the air like a madman as he stood up and walked towards the kitchen. “Well, fuck me, I guess! Nobody needs my advice!”
The two siblings giggled.
Lizzie cracked her knuckles. “Alright, I have an idea. Let’s get started.”
…
Scott was shaken awake-or, at least, something close to it. Scott never was able to wake easily, and he wasn’t about to start now, he thought, as he sat up slowly and let his eyes adjust to the dark. Scott managed to see Jimmy trying to wake him up, and he smiled.
“Jimmy, why are you waking me up at-” Scott stole a glance at the clock at the nightstand. “Ten PM?”
Jimmy grinned at him. “I’ll explain later. Come with me.”
And Scott didn’t protest at being dragged out of Jimmy’s bed late at night, even when they both knew full well that Scott wouldn’t be fully awake until after his fourth cup of coffee. He didn’t protest at being pulled through the house and out of a skylight that lead to the roof. Scott’s face lit up, though, when he saw the red-and-white checkered picnic blanket laid out on the roof, covered in various different snacks that obviously came straight from the pantry.
Jimmy sat down on the picnic blanket and smiled sheepishly. “Do you like it?”
Scott beamed at Jimmy as he sat down as well. “I love it, Jimmy.” Scott kissed him on the neck, making Jimmy blush profusely.
Jimmy opened the wrapper of a Pop Tart and broke it in half, gently passing half to Scott, who took it with delight and bit into it. Scott’s face lit up even more, if that was possible, as he realized what flavor it was. “Is this s’more?”
Jimmy nodded and took a bite of his own Pop Tart.
They stayed this way for a while, with both of them eating and talking about anything.
“Have you heard about the summer play that we’re doing? I’m going to audition for the lead.”
Jimmy laughed, a loud, boisterous thing. “Scott, we literally just finished the first play, and now you’re thinking about another one?”
“Yep, I am.” Scott grinned at the laughably incredulous look Jimmy gave him. “I can’t help it! And, you know what, just for looking like that, I’m making you audition, too.”
Jimmy feigned shock. “How could you?!”
They both collapsed into a laughing fit, with both of them play-shoving the other, until Scott pointed out that a fall from this roof would be greatly unpleasant. They both stopped after that, making sure to not put the other in potential danger, and settled for sitting next to each other in the dead center of the picnic blanket.
Scott laid his head on Jimmy’s shoulder-which somehow worked despite Scott being taller. Jimmy blushed scarlet in return.
“Hey, Jimmy?” asked Scott, with soft edges to his words.
Jimmy looked at Scott, his blue hair and pretty face bathed in moonlight. “Yes?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Jimmy stared at Scott for a few seconds. Then he burst out laughing, folding his body almost in half trying to stifle it, and Scott just sat there, the most confused look on his face that Jimmy had ever seen, which somehow made him look prettier. “What’s so funny?”
Jimmy managed to compose himself. “You never bothered to ask before.”
“Yeah, well, those were I-want-to-be-your-boyfriend kisses. This is a I’m-done-asking-and-now-I’m-demanding-to-be-your- boyfriend kiss.”
“Then, of course.”
Their lips crashed together, soft and rough at the same time, and it feels like heaven and hell, but in the best way imaginable. Jimmy can only imagine how it feels for Scott, so he doesn’t even try. Maybe he can ask him sometime, but for now, all of his attention is on Scott, when both of them finally pull away he can see the slight blush dusting both of his lover’s cheeks, and it feels like the home he always wanted, but never knew he needed.
Scott felt like he was flying. No love that he’d ever had before could compare to this, even in its most beautiful and delicate moments. This time was…different. Not bad, just different, and in the most wonderful way, too. Pulling away from Jimmy was one of the hardest things Scott had ever done, and it was rewarded almost in full by the smile on his face, and Scott can feel the blush creeping up his own.
The moment was made all the more memorable when they both heard the skylight open and saw Lizzie’s bright pink hair pop through, followed by the rest of her and she started, “Hey, guys, how’s it goin-”, before she noticed that they both were staring at her, fighting off laughter and blushing profusely. “Is this a bad time?”
Jimmy couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore and launched into a giggling fit, soon joined by Scott and a very confused Lizzie.
After a moment or so of this, when Jimmy had stopped laughing and was simply wheezing, and the other two had stopped, Lizzie slowly backed down back into the house, closing the skylight as she went.
Eventually Scott and Jimmy were alone again. Almost by instinct they turned to look at each other.
“Jimmy?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you be my boyfriend? You know, finally make it official?”
And Jimmy beamed. “Of course.”
Notes:
P.S. I didn’t have time to get this chapter beta read like I hoped, so don’t judge too hard :p
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