Summary: Violet and David have been together for two years and just got engaged, seeming happy enough on the surface. And everything is going wonderfully until Fred Bugg's old friend comes to America for a long visit and befriends Violet, the friend being Brion Markov.
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AN: Here we have the (Un)Happy engagement of Violet Harper, the more I actually thought about this story the more I have planned for it and trust me I have big plans for this. Something I wish to make clear before starting this story, David Tluc is a character I didn't make up per say, in the original outsiders comics at one point, Halo is engaged to a guy named David. They break off their engagement later I am not quite sure why but they do, so I thought it would be nice to have Violet's fiance in this be named David, his last name I came up with on my own. For those who have read 'Matchmaker; Forager' will notice similarities in the living arrangements between the stories, in that they are exactly the same. If it ain't broke, don't fix. And to preference, Merliah, Bart, and Roy are 22, Violet, Forager, Harper, Rocky, Jaime, are 23, Brion, Vic, and Goliath are 24, and David is 25. These are the main characters and who we will see the most, as more characters are introduced I will state their ages and such to make it clear. Merliah, Rocky, and Goliath are original characters of mine, the rest are owned by DC. Without further ado, on with the show.
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[Gotham City]
[January 21, 2018 22:18, EST]
It is a beautiful snowy Friday night in Gotham, snow gently falling and covering the ground and everything in a thin layer. There are people walking about and enjoying the night, but many are also inside whether it be in their homes or in an establishment of sorts.
In one apartment a group of friends are hanging out, all in their early to mid twenties. The group consisted of Rocky West, Merliah Moon, Harper Row, Victor Stone, Roy Harper, Jaime Reyes, Bart Allen, and Goran 'Goliath' Knight. There are two other members of the group that aren't present at the moment, Violet Harper and Fred 'Forager' Bugg.
(AN:This is the same description of the apartment from Matchmaker; Forager so if you read that you don't have to read this again.) The apartment they are in is Rocky and Violet's, unofficially Merliah's as well. The apartment was very nice, in a good neighborhood in a nice building, even had a doorman and one of the buildings that you had to buzz to get in if you didn't have a key. They were on the fifth floor, the apartment a two bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and an extra little space by living room that was it's on small room, though there was no door they simply used a curtain to seperate it from the living room. The layout of the apartment is when you enter you are in the living room with the kitchen directly to your left, an island and two different floors essentially being the only thing separating the two rooms. The kitchen was a little on the small side but still spacious, just best to have no more than five people in there if cooking is in progress. On the living room side of the island there are chairs so people can sit at the island. The living room is more than triple the size of the kitchen, very large and spacious with a large couch, a large coffee table in front of it, a recliner on one side of the table and on the other a loveseat, the tv opposite of the couch and perfect for the two side seats to watch comfortably, the tv atop a dresser. The extra little room apart of the living room that they cut off occasionally with the curtain was going to have a table in it to eat at, but instead a mini couch is there that is a pullout, the room a mini guest room that most dub Merliah's room as she typically sleeps there. There is a mini hallway a fair distant behind the couch, going down the hallway will lead to on the left a closet on the side and at the end Rocky's room, opposite of the closet is the bathroom and to the right of Rocky's room is Violet's room. The apartment was very quaint and homey, the furniture very mismatched but that gave it a nice charm.
Rocky is in the kitchen getting snacks for everyone, Merliah is sitting on the island with her feet in one of the chair, Roy next to her on one of the chairs, in the seating area Vic is in the recliner, Jaime, Bart, and Harper are on the couch, and Goliath sitting on an ottoman that goes to the love seat.
Rocky is a Caucasian girl, petite, blue eyes and bright red hair reaching her shoulder blades with a pink cloth headband tied around her ears the knot above her left ear. She is in bright pink dress, corset like top with three black buttons on the front, at her waist the skirt flares and puffs out reaching to her mid-thigh, thick straps holding the dress up, her legs covered in a pair of black leggings. At the moment she is wearing no shoes as they make her feel uncomfortable.
Merliah is a tan skinned girl, slightly muscular, waist length brown hair in a braid with the hair around her head slightly puffed, pale green eyes. Her outfit shocking many, she in a white tank top, dark blue jean shorts with a pair of black leggings under them at the urging of her friends, red sneakers, a maroon midriff jacket with the sleeves rolled to under her elbows.
Harper is a Caucasian girl with gray eyes and short hair dyed blue with the sides shaven. She wears black ear piercings and lipstick. Her outfit consists of a black leather jacket, a brown top underneath, black leggings and boots.
Jaime is a Hispanic male with light brown skin, short black hair, and brown eyes. He has a thin, but fit frame. He is in a gray sweatshirt with a black t-shirt under it, jeans, and sneakers.
Bart is a Caucasian male with a slim physical build, brown hair and green eyes. He is in a baseball style shirt with white as the main color and the sleeves yellow, jeans, and sneakers.
Vic has deep brown skin, brown eyes, and a lean, muscular build. His hair is black and kept in a buzz cut with a surgical line that begins on his temples, runs slightly upwards and then bee-lines around his head, coalescing at the back. He also has a widow's peak hairline. He is in a sleeveless silver hoodie shirt, black jeans, and a pair of sneakers.
Roy has auburn hair in a buzz cut and blue eyes, slim and muscular figure. His right arm below his elbow is a mechanical prosthetic arm as when he was a team he lost his real arm in an accident. He wears a black blouson jacket, a dark red t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Goliath is a tall, lean, muscular man, rather handsome, dark brown hair styled very nicely, hazel eyes. He is in a brown dress with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, beige eyes, beige dress pants, and brown loafers.
The group all lives more or less close to one another. Jaime and Bart have an apartment right next to Violet and Rocky, Fred lives in an RV that he usually keeps parked a block or two away from the building. Vic lives in the building as well but he is on the third floor, he has a roommate as well, Gar Logan. Harper lives 5 blocks away in another apartment with her roommate Cassandra Cain. Roy, Goliath, and Merliah each live on their own but the group never goes to their places or really knows where they live, and in the case with Merliah she spends so much time at Rocky and Violet's many think she lives there.
"Ugh! I'm starving! Where's the food!" Bart cried in agony, many of the other's chuckling at him.
"Almost done." Rocky called back from the kitchen.
"Y'know Rock, with how great of a cook you are you should try cooking meat sometime." Vic suggested offhandedly, but everyone knew what he was doing. Out of their whole friend group, Rocky truly was the best cook, she made great meals, even just setting up platters as she was doing now, just tasted best when she did it. The thing about Rocky is that she is a vegetarian, she doesn't like to eat meat and as an extension doesn't like to cook meat. Her friends did understand that and accepted it, but if they ever wanted any they had to go somewhere else as Rocky also didn't want the apartment smelling like meat. They also knew that if she ever did cook meat it would probably taste great and have tried convincing her to do so but she refuses.
"If you guys are really itching for some meat, I'm not keeping you here." Rocky replied with a smirk, entering the living room with a vegetable platter in one hand and the other a tray filled with various kinds of nuts and even had some cookies on it.
"Don't listen to Vic, we all your food no matter what and wouldn't want to leave you alone." Jaime smoothed over, Rocky sitting down next to him on the couch. Rocky had a crush on Jaime, all but him were aware of it. They did encourage her to tell him how she feels but didn't want to ruin their friendship so decided to not tell him, the other's agreeing not to tell for her sake.
"Besides none of us can really cook or feel like it." Harper added, taking some almonds from the nut tray.
"And we could just order out or go out but all are too lazy." Merliah interjected as well, taking a bite out of a carrot from the kitchen as from her perch she was far from the table but there was still extra fixings in the kitchen that she could easily reach.
"Yea, some of us are so lazy we don't even go home most nights." Roy remarked, earning him a little kick from the brunette to the side of his leg, he reaching back and getting a cut up piece of celery.
"Rocky this is divine, we all greatly appreciate your efforts." Goliath interjected, he has a heavy english accent that makes him sound like a medieval knight. Part of how he got his nickname, it came from Merliah since he was rather tall and acted as if he were from medieval times, Merliah joked that he is 'Sir Goliath' or 'Knight Goliath', and he liked it so it stuck.
"Anyone else find it sad that we are a group of young adults staying in on a Friday night eating assorted veggies and nuts?" Vic asked, everyone seeming to take a minute to actually think on this.
"Don't forget we got cookies too!" Bart corrected, stuffing one into his mouth.
"Just means we don't need to be out with a bunch of strangers to have a good time." Harper countered.
"Amen to that!" Merliah cheered, popping a pistachio into her mouth.
"It is not like we are all in tonight." Goliath pointed out, dipping a cherry tomato into ranch dressing.
"Well we all know that Violet is out with David, anyone know where Forager is?" Rocky asked.
Violet is out on her two year anniversary date with her boyfriend David Tluc. The two met in college with David asking Violet out upon their first encounter, she was slightly reluctant at first but did agree to a date. They for the most part have a stable relationship and seem quite happy together. The friends weren't exactly David's biggest fans, especially Merliah and Roy, Merliah just doesn't like him and Roy and Violet are family so he is defensive of her. They all thought he was perfectly nice guy, at first and on the surface, but learning about him and interacting with him kinda brought their opinions on him down. Mainly in that he was a man quick to anger, he often tried to get Violet to do things she didn't really wish to and took him forever to take no as an answer,
Tonight the gang decided to all hangout at Rocky and Violet's as they usually did hangout there and David had been acting rather odd lately so they thought it best they be there for when Violet got back for if she needed comfort. But it seems that for some reason Forager hasn't been able to show up yet. He was given that nickname by Merliah as the first time she saw him he was foraging through Rocky's fridge for a snack, another nickname that stuck.
"What do you think is gonna happen with Violet and David?" Jaime questioned the group.
"Maybe Violet will come to her senses and dump him." Roy suggested in an annoyed tone, he really not like Violet's boyfriend. The two of them grew up during their teen years in the same house and they did grow close, he may be younger but he felt like a big brother to Violet and just didn't think David was right for her.
"We all know she is way too kind for that, it would be a soft break up and not on their anniversary. But if she did dump him tonight, I say more power to her!" Merliah voiced pumping her fist at her statement. Roy raised his hand to high five and she proudly did, the two of them the captains of the "Hate Dave" Squad.
"Could the two of you be a little more polite about Violet's relationship. She is our friend we need to be more supportive of her." Rocky chided in annoyance. She wasn't exactly David's biggest fan herself but she still wished good things for the two of them.
"We are supportive of Violet, we just don't support David." Harper countered jokingly, causing all but the redheaded girl to chuckle. A knock came at the door that brought the group out of their chuckles.
"Who is it?" Rocky questioned.
"Fred Bugg." Came from behind the door politely.
"Come in." The redhead called back, their friend coming through the door and closing it behind him.
Fred is a short, stout man with dark skin, short black hair spiked up on the top, brown eyes, a few freckles adorning his cheeks. He wore a deep red long sleeved hockey like jersey lined white and orange with a black short sleeved shirt under it, deep green cargo style pants, and black sneakers. Around his neck he wears a necklace, a blue thin crystal held around his neck with a black cord necklace.
"Fred Bugg thanks Rocky West for allowing Fred Bugg to come over." Fred thanked, taking one of the stools from the island and pulling it into the seating area.
"You know you're always welcomed here." Rocky assured, handing him a carrot as they are one of his favorites.
"That extends to not having to knock. There is a reason you have a key." Merliah reminded in a slightly snarky tone.
"Plus, the door is usually open." Bart added as well.
"Amazes me that a robber hasn't come yet." Vic joked, another round of chuckles from the room.
"I only leave it unlocked when I am home." Rocky defended, sinking into the couch.
"Relax Rock, it is just all in good fun." Jaime assured, patting her shoulder comfortingly causing the girl to slightly blush.
"So, what are Forager's friends discussing before Forager got here?" Fred asked. He often shifts between his two names when referring to himself, usually depending on where he is and who he is with.
"Wondering how Vi's date is going." Roy informed.
"Forager hopes for Violet Harper's sake, that Violet Harper's date is going well." Forager voiced. Out of the entire group, he seemed to be the most supportive of Violet's relationship to David. The order in which the most to least supportive of the friends is Forager, Rocky, Goliath, Bart, Jaime, Vic, Harper, Merliah, and Roy. It seemed Forge never had a bad thing to say about Violet's boyfriend, always so supportive of the two and happy for them. Violet and Forager have been the best of friends since high school and super supportive of one another no matter the scenario.
"Is there a reason why you are late Forge?" Harper asked in curiosity as the aforementioned male was usually punctual.
"Why yes! Forager was talking to a friend of Forager's who is coming here tomorrow. Forager must go pick him up at the airport tomorrow. Would one of Forager's friends here be so kind as to go with Forager?" Forager asked politely.
"Sorry bud, got football practice tomorrow." Vic informed sadly. He is a player on Gotham's minor league football team, their star quarterback(AN: I know nothing about sports so I am sorry if I am wrong about their being a minor league but for the purposes of this story there is.)
"Got class, sorry." Bart told, finishing off the last of the cookies.
"Same." Roy added too, he, Bart, and Merliah all still in college. Roy is learning all about archery, Bart going for mechanics, and Merliah in for marine biology.
"I got a job shadow at the aquarium." Merliah informed.
"I am already helping out Cassandra, sorry." Harper apologized.
"Me and Jaime are going to be at the soup kitchen tomorrow. So sorry Forager." Rocky said sadly.
"I am working a double shift at the diner tomorrow. Oh I do apologize." Goliath tacked on, he works at a medieval themed diner, they all wondered if he became the way he is from working there or has always been like this and started working there because it fit him.
"Perhaps Violet Harper will be able to join Forager." Forager hoped aloud. As he finished speaking, the door to the apartment started to open.
"Speak of the angel, and she shall appear." Merliah joked with a smirk, but it fading seeing that not only was Violet coming in, but David as well.
Violet is a slim, olive-skinned girl with brown eyes and medium-length brown hair, though she wears a hijab to cover her head. For the date she is in a dark purple dress with a rounded collar, the sleeves reaching to her mid forearms, the skirt is long and slim reaching past her knees, a pair of black tights adorn her legs, and purple flats on her feet. At the moment she also has on a violet covered coat, and is wearing only one of her mittens and that is the one for her left hand.
David is a Caucasian tall male, lean and somewhat muscular, he had short blonde hair that he kept nice and combed, dark brown eyes that nearly looked black. He is currently wearing a black tuxedo.
"Evening." David greeted kindly. David was quite aware that the group didn't like him, but there were plenty of things he didn't like about his girlfriends friends as well.
"Evening." Everyone replied, not sounding as happy, all but Forager.
"How was Violet Harper and David Tluc's date?" Forgaer asked, his arms outstretched for a hug from his friend, she happily complying.
"It was wonderful, and I have great news." Violet started, this catching everyone's attention.
"Anyone wanna guess?" David tried in an attempt of friendliness.
"I would but my idea of great news might be different from yours." Roy told, causing some silent chuckles, glares, and a subtle fist bump from Merliah.
"And any of my suggestions will get me yelled at." Merliah added, getting the same result.
"Why don't you just tell us?" Harper requested.
"Well, we are engaged!" Violet revealed, taking off her glove to show her left hand, on it a 14K white gold 2mm knife edge solitaire engagement ring.
"Definitely different ideas." Roy mummered, Merliah patting his shoulder sympathetically. Everyone else was cheering and happily clapping, Rocky and Harper getting up to hug to hug Violet, Goliath shook hands with David in congratulations. The two were somewhat friendly with one another, more so than anyone else in the group was with David.
"Congratulations, I am so happy for you two." Rocky proclaimed in glee, the two sitting down in the love seat.
"Did he do some cheesy proposal with hiding the ring with your food or in the champagne?" Bart asked, attempting to make small talk.
"I don't get why people do that, I mean, how can one be sure the ring will come out when it's poured, could get stuck in there. Then the ring is all wet and sticky, that is so silly." Merliah chimed in, earning agreement from her fellow friends.
"Well I didn't do the champagne cliche, after our meal I asked them to bring over a dessert I called in about earlier, it said marry me in icing, I got down on one knee, and asked her if she wanted to marry me." David informed.
"Sounds nice and simple." Jaime commented, not in a criticizing manor, just stating what it sounded like to him.
"I think that's nice personally, I mean I would want to be proposed to romantically, but a simple ask would suit me just fine, I don't need a big, flashy proposal." Rocky elebaroted, her tone getting dreamy as she imagined getting proposed to by a certain hispanic.
"It was nice, I liked it." Violet agreed, giving David a peck on the cheek.
"What I'm getting from this story is that you two had cake and didn't bring any back for us." Victor said, Merliah and Bart agreeing with him in this realization.
"Fred Bugg is very happy for Violet Harper and David Tluc on Violet Harper and David Tluc's engagement. Though Fred Bugg does have a favor to ask, are Violet Harper and or David Tluc busy tomorrow?" Fred asked, slightly nervous as he was down to his last friend for help and her partner. When David is around he refers to himself as Fred and not Forager as when they first met David mocked his nickname.
"Sorry Fred, my tv is broken so I got to wait for the repairman to come tomorrow." David revealed.
"I don't believe I am doing anything tomorrow." Violet informed, Fred lighting up at the news.
"Wondrous! Fred Bugg is picking up Fred Bugg's friend at the airport, Fred Bugg's friend will be staying with Fred Bugg while Fred Bugg's friend is in America. Fred Bugg hope's it isn't too much trouble to ask Violet Harper to accompany Fred Bugg as Fred Bugg is quite nervous." Fred revealed. Unbeknownst to the aforementioned boy, Merliah and Roy had a drinking game they played involving Fred. They would take a drink whenever he referred to someone by their full name, usually alternating with one person drinking when he says his name, the other doing it for saying other's names. They also don't just use alcohol, any beverage they are drinking. Tonight is Merliah's turn for when Fred says his name, Roy for when he says anyone else's.
"Sure, I would love to join you." Violet confirmed, Fred cheering in joy.
"Yes! Fred Bugg and Violet Harper shall pick up Fred Bugg's friend tomorrow at the airport." Fred cheered.
"Y'know, you never really have mentioned this friend before, who are they even?" Harper asked, making everyone realize that indeed Fred hadn't revealed much about this friend. He has talked about a friend from Europe that he messages before, but anything about this friend specifically alludes.
"Fred Bugg's friends will learn about Fred Bugg's friend when Fred Bugg's friend gets here." Was all he would provide.
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The next day around 11 in the morning, Violet and Forager are at the airport waiting for Forager's friend to show up. Violet is now dressed as she normally does, a dark purple top with a wide round collar the sleeves going to above her elbows with a belt around her waist, the shirt actually reaching past her but mostly making it seem like a dress, a dark camo green jacket over her shirt that is the same length as her top with the sleeves rolled to under her elbows, blue jean capris, and black ankle boots. She also did have her engagement ring on, those who have noticed it complimented on it.
The plane just touched down, Violet and Forager waiting at the gate as that is what he promised his friend. They were standing near one of the many rows of seats for people to wait in for the plane, a little ways away from the gate so they could see it but not be in anyone's way.
"I know you are being mysterious about this friend of yours but, I don't suppose you could tell me what he at least looks like a little so I can help spot him?" Violet asked politely. Fred is still stuck in not letting anyone know anything about his friend, not even Violet just to help point him out so they don't miss him.
"Don't worry Violet Harper, Forager will be able to spot Forager's friend." Forager assured with a bright smile, Violet couldn't help but return it as the two turned back to watch people come off the plane. For a few minutes they just stood there watching, the crowd slowly thinning down. Violet started to get anxious about this, she did trust Forager but he was being so secretive about this it made her wonder just what the friend was like. The two had met in an online chat group and became friends from there, they started chatting around the time Forager and Violet started college. The only information Violet truly knows is that they come from a good family and is a year older than Violet.
This left Violet to wonder just what he was like, the entire group even. They all had a theory of sorts, some were pretty tame and made sense, others were outrageous and very far fetched. They did know nothing about him so even the crazier theories weren't completely discarded. Perhaps the craziest came from Merliah, that he is a high school dropout that has been to juvie and jail, body covered in piercings and tattoos, and that he had a peg leg.
"Forager just got a text, Forager's friend is about to come of the plane." Forager stated, bringing Violet out of her musing's.
"That's good to know." Violet chirped happily.
"Oh, there is Forager's friend, Brion!" Forager called, waving his hand to catch the attention of this Brion. Violet looked to see just who he was, eyes going wide in shock at the sight of the man walking towards them.
Brion, to state it simply, is a very handsome and attractive man. Fair skinned with short ginger brown hair that was slightly messy with one particular strand laying in front of his forehead and sideburns down his face, deep brown eyes, slim but muscular figure that is quite lean, very athletic. He is wearing a gray t-shirt with a black long sleeved turtleneck with a zipper on it but he has the sleeves pushed up his forearms and the zipper slightly down, blue jeans, and white sneakers. He also has a black messenger bag slung across his body.
"Brion, Fred Bugg is so happy to see Brion!" Fred cheered as Brion reached the two, both men embracing.
"Likewise, sorry I took so long, nearly forgot my bag on the plane." Brion explained as the two released their embrace. He then noticed Violet standing next to his friend, she looking rather shy and timid at the moment but a smile ever present on her face. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Violet Harper, it is very nice to meet you." Violet greeted, extending a hand for the two to shake.
"Likewise, Fred has told me much about you." Brion revealed as he shook the girls hand, she couldn't help but blush slightly at that, but immediately shook it off.
"I wish I could say the same but he has kept anything on you a secret." Violet informed, Brion couldn't help but chuckle slightly at this.
"He did inform me that he didn't share much, but I also asked him not to." Brion stated, the two finally releasing hands.
"Violet Harper and Brion will have much time to get to know Violet Harper and Brion respectively. For now, we must get Brion's luggage." Fred reminded, the two nodding in agreement and started to head towards baggage claim.
Violet couldn't deny that Brion was a very handsome man and so polite as well. The entire journey through the airport the two did converse, not revealing too much about each other but did indeed know one another better now. She learned that he came to America as he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do for a living and came for more options. She also learned that he has a twin brother and a younger sister, and apparently that Fred and Brion met before in their teen years, but had reconnected in college. He will be staying with Fred in his RV while in America, and is planning on looking for a job which Violet offered to help him find.
She shared that she works at a pediatrician's office, that she lives with an old friend and even included Merliah living with them-though did state that she was more of an overstayed guess-, and that she just got engaged. She nearly forgot that she was engaged actually, only bringing it up as he noticed her ring, and she swore that for a second he looked sad when she told him. He did ask about David and she shared some info on him but quickly changed the subject. For whatever reason she didn't wish to talk about her engagement with Brion, not that she didn't trust him, just felt odd to her. She half felt as if she was getting a crush on Brion, but shook that thought away, she is happily engaged to a man she loves.
At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.
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AN: In all honesty this should have been posted earlier but yesterday for some reason my internet stopped working late yesterday and until now I haven't been able to fix the problem, turns out it got disabled somehow and I just re enabled it. And here we have the first chapter, I liked how it came out and honestly really excited about this story. I do have much planned for it and considering on this story being my main focus for Briolet. What do you all think so far, and how do you think this engagement is going to go, especially with Brion around. Also I would like to give a shout out to my friend, on archive of our own they are undertaleuniverse and on are ANewStartForMe, a great briolet writer, check out their works, very amazing, trust me. Until next time, let me know what you think, vote, enjoy, have a good day, stay whelmed and feel the aster!