songfic! credit to all time low for the first two lines (poison - all time low)
You drank the poison and I, I let you in
Would you trade that heart of gold for a minute in my skin?
"Your fault, really," Patch said, smiling that gorgeous pirate smile.
"And how is it my fault, exactly?" I asked. I couldn't help but smile back.
"You drank the poison. I let you. Don't play with fire unless you expect to get burnt, Angel,"
We were in the hallway in my house, and no one else was in. My mom was on another business trip thing, down in New York, so I was home all alone – besides from Dorothea and Patch, who was round most of the time. We were arguing playfully again.
"Patch, you're really not good for me." I replied, shaking my head theatrically.
"I know, but you can't get enough of me." He winked at me, and grinned.
I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled him closer. "I know I can't," I whispered into his ear.
He slid a hand under my shirt, pressing it to the small of my back, arching me into him. His other hand went up to my jaw line, and tilted my head up. He softly pressed his lips to mine, just once, but that was enough to tempt me. I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, and went in for a full on kiss. I did all but stop myself from moaning as his tongue touched mine, exploring my mouth.
He broke the kiss suddenly. "We have a visitor," he said, looking over my shoulder, grinning, his hands still at my jaw and back.
"Nora Grey!" Vee was at the door, shaking her head.
"How did you get in?"
"I'm not sure actually, I guess the door kind of opened,"
No doubt your doing, Patch? I thought to myself, knowing he'd be able to hear it.
He looked back down at me and half smiled.
It seems I can never impress you anymore, Angel.
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.
You never need to impress me. You had me at hello.
He broke the kiss again, and looked deep into my eyes, searching for emotion.
I don't think I've ever said hello to you, actually.
I playfully pushed him away and turned to Vee.
"Am I missing something?" She asked, glancing between the two of us.
"Nope," I said, smiling faintly. I felt bad, always leaving her in the dark.
"Right, well. Let's break this joint and get to where the party's at!" She signalled for me to follow her.
"Wait, hang on, where are we going? I might need to lea-"
"Come on Nora, you're no fun," Patch said, grabbing me by the arm and dragging me out of the door before I could protest. I mumbled to myself on the way to the Jeep. Vee got shotgun, leaving me in the back and Patch driving. This was uncomfortable.
We were on our way to a party in Portland – this time, without Elliot or Jules. It was bucketing it down with rain by the time we hit the highway, and Patch could barely see out the windshield. I was drifting off to sleep in the back.
I didn't know how long it had been, but I woke up with a jolt. A familiar presence was nearby, and I had the cold feeling in my spine like I always did when Patch was around. Someone grabbed me by the hand, and yelled,
"NORA! GET THE FUCK UP!"
"Wha-"
"FINALLY!" Vee was leaning over my left side, with my hand in hers.
Patch was on the other side, leaning in through the car door.
"Good morning, Angel." He said, pirate smiling.
"Morning? What? I slept that long? It's still dark outside?"
"He's just kidding, Nora. You were out for about twenty minutes, we didn't notice until we parked the car up here,"
"Where exactly is 'here'?"
"Well, that jackass over there crashed his fancy Jeep, so now we're stuck in the parking lot of some 60's diner and motel." She said, looking accusingly at Patch, who looked innocent as an angel. Ha, an angel.
"What? You were the one shoving the freakin' map in my face! How was I meant to see the road sign?"
Vee looked away from him, and sighed. "Where did you find this one? Pick of the bunch, really, Nora."
"Stop arguing..." I muttered, still sleepy. "I guess we're not partying tonight then?"
"No," Patch said, a grin creeping onto his face. "But fortunately for us, there's a motel nearby." He rose one of his eyebrows.
"Ewww!" Vee squealed. "I don't wanna know the story! Tonight, I'm the responsible adult for you guys," She shook her head.
"Come on," Patch said, glancing at Vee, then looking back at me and smiling softly. He put one arm under my knees, and another around my waist, and lifted me out of the car. Vee backed out the other side, and slammed the car door shut with her butt.
"I can walk myself, you know," I said, glaring at Patch.
"Nah, it's more fun carrying you." He laughed. "I know it annoys you when I do stuff for you," He lowered his voice to a rough whisper. "But that's why I'm your guardian angel, Angel,"
I looked over at Vee to make sure she didn't hear. She wouldn't have taken it seriously anyway.
I don't know why Patch doesn't trust Vee – who's she got to tell, besides me? Patch trusts me, I trust Patch (to some extent). I trust Vee, Vee trusts me. Patch might not trust Vee, but he trusts me, and if I trust Vee, then it's all good, really, isn't it? She would easily betray Patch's trust, but because it involves me, she wouldn't dare tell anyone.
Maybe if I got to know her more, I mightt let you tell her. For now though, just forget about it.
We'd reached the reception of the motel by now, and Patch set me on the ground and reached into his back pocket for his wallet.
"Crap, I've left my wallet in the car. I'll be right back," He pecked me on the cheek and sped off back to the car.
Vee sidled over to me, her hands in her overcoat pockets.
"So what went on when we were crossing the parking lot?" She raised an eyebrow.
"We talked." She must have seen me stiffen, because she pried.
"About what? Me? I can tell you're hiding something, Nora."
"I'm not hiding anything; I tell you everything, Vee! I would have told you by now, you know I'm no good at other peoples' secrets." I tried to look innocent and offended, but I knew she saw right through me. Patch came bounding up to us, shaking the rain from his hair like a wet dog.
"Ready?" He asked, smiling. Vee and I both nodded at the same time. I guessed he probably heard what was going on because I was thinking about it so much.
We walked into the motel entrance, and shuffled our feet across the mat in front of the door.
"Hallo there!" The guy behind the counter said, taking his headphones off. He sounded pretty happy. And English.
"Three of us, please. One double, one single." Patch gave the guy a winning smile.
"Hey!" I began to protest, but Vee kicked me in the shins. I winced, and the guy behind the counter gave me a funny look.
The motel guy and Patch sussed out the prices, and Vee and I wandered off into our own conversation until he was done.
"C'mon," he said, and walked off down the corridor to the right.
"I don't like motels." I heard a scream of ecstasy from a passing room. "I definitely do not like motels."
Our room was right at the end of the corridor, away from the screaming. I can see why the guy at the desk had headphones on.
I shuddered as Patch unlocked the door, and he mistook it for a shiver.
"Cold, Angel?"
"No." I said.
Don't act like you didn't hear that scream back down there.
He laughed.
Afraid that's what you're gonna be doing later on?
I glared at him.
Hardly, Patch.
He flashed me the sexiest grin he could muster.
You never know, Nora.
