AN: Hello readers! This is the first story of a huge bind up of little fics I've made for my gay aliens ship, Stohn. The order as of right now is an established one with 'alternate scenes' first and in order by book, than drabbles with two parts, and it ends with my two current favorite pieces though these alternate scenes are also among my favorites I've done. You'll see the perspectives change from first person to third person and back again... most of my stories started off first person but some I went back and reworked into third person and have started to regularly write in third person just because I feel like I can put more into my words with it so enjoy!
An alternate Rise of Nine Stohn scene after they get off the train and are heading towards the John Hancock center.
John
"Wait here, this'll only take five minutes." Nine had said before rushing off after two thugs in the calm Chicago night. We caught them pushing around some guy for extra cash; naturally, Nine got up in arms about it. I tried my best to make him ignore them and get us out of the open but he nearly snapped my neck instead of theirs. Now I'm by myself, just a few blocks from the John Hancock center. I doubt I could just stroll in without him.
We were so frickin' close too.
I let out a loud sigh and lean my back against the cold brick wall of a small pub. Both chests lay at my feet with Bernie Kosar padding back and forth in front of me, like he's keeping guard. My hood is pulled up, hiding as much of my face and blonde hair as possible while I keep my head down. I can only imagine how many people have my face and the amount of money it's worth memorized by now, especially in a big city like this.
Where are you, stupid?
The pub's door suddenly opens and I raise my head to make sure it isn't a threat. It's a trained reaction. To my relief, it's just two younger women stumbling out, laughing to each other. I try to block their laughter out. The first girl, the shorter of the two, yells out to someone inside, probably a waiter, while the other shouts a cheeky "call me sometime." I roll my eyes. The shorter girl turns towards me and I quickly avert my gaze and act like nothing happened. If only it worked that way.
"Hey you, do you like what you see?" She calls out in a shrill voice while her friend just cackles besides her. I don't look up and hold my tongue. Getting sassy with pedestrians will only get us in more trouble. I try to ignore them. Especially since if I try to get sassy with a pair of girls, it won't go over so smoothly. "Oh, a silent type, huh? I like it." She continues and I begin to panic as the sound of her voice moves closer.
Shit. Of all the times Nine had to vanish, THIS was one of them.
A face moves into my view and I pull back my head in alarm. She laughs again and I can feel my face beginning to redden. I won't lie, she's very pretty with short blonde hair girl, warm brown eyes and pale skin. She's no Sarah, but she's nice looking. Her friend walks up next to her; her friend is also nice looking with tan skin, similar dark eyes and long dark hair. Both of them are dressed for a long night out on the town. I can't believe I'm even looking at them. I can already feel myself beginning to sweat under their stare.
"You looked lonely, so we came over." The blonde girl smiles. BK wonders closer the chests and my leg. He's on the defensive.
"You're actually really cute, what's your name?" The second girl asks with a sweet toned voice. I swallow nervously and look away, causing them both to laugh. What the hell does she mean by 'actually?' "Shy, huh? I've got time."
"Uh..." I start, trying to think of a name, anything that wasn't "John" but something not as ridiculous as "Donald." Just as I remembered the name I used in Florida, 'Daniel', I heard a familiar, low voice call out.
"There you are, Jake, I've been looking all over! Who are your friends?" I look over to watch Nine as he approaches with that stupid grin on his face. He doesn't look as ruffed up as I had expected, with the Cubs hat still keeping his hair in place. If he was at least a little bloodied from his fight, we could have gotten out of this sooner.
I can tell what he's thinking and have a hard time containing a groan. Jake? At least it's a step up... It's more than a step up actually. I sort of like it, though I won't ever admit it to Nine.
The tall boy offers his hand to the first girl, the blonde. She takes it and gives it a small shake, a sly smile across her face. "Oh wow, can I meet the rest of your friends, Jake?" Nine lifts the girl's hand to his mouth and gives it a quick peck. She giggles and pulls it away.
The other girl whistles. "It's kind of rare to find good men in Chicago now a days." She turns to me. "You need to step it up, Jake." I want to fade away.
I can't believe what I'm seeing. This is the same dick hole who just told me he's bad with women. Bullshit.
"My name's Brett, we're visiting in from out of town, hoping to find a gallery to drop these bad boys off at." Nine puts his foot on one of the chests." Not sure how rare they are, think I've seen them before on an infomercial but here's to hoping." BK ducks under his leg and quietly moves closer to my leg. They look down and inspect them for a second, but don't ask questions. I think the infomercial tactic helped wane their curiosity.
"Well we're from the area and our night just got started... maybe we can show you around a bit? I'd love to talk more." The girls look at each other, then back to Nine. I look at him myself. He looks like he's actually considering it. Just like on the train.
That's it. I don't care if I'm a buzz kill, we have to go before things get bad. I let my anger through and elbow him in the rib. He just smiles in response to me then directs his attention back to the two.
"Maybe another time, because well, you see," Nine's voice draws out his answer and I can't help but wonder why. His smile only grows and his voice goes softer as he adds, "Jake's actually my boyfriend and we really need to check into our hotel soon. We've been on the road all day and I think we're both a little beat."
What did he just say.
"Oh my, I hadn't realized-" The blonde begins a little flustered but Nine waves her off. He steps toward me, leans closer, and kisses me briefly. On the mouth. I can feel his tongue lightly graze my lips even. He pulls away and I'm left to stare at him. The blush returns to my face. I have no words.
Dammit, he's a good kisser too.
"J has a hard time telling people he's not into women. I like both honestly but Jake is cute so here we are." He smiles at me. For a fake smile, it's good. It even has me fooled. If I didn't know the insufferable Nine for what he was, I would be believing this act. "Well, enjoy your evening, ladies." He winks at them for good measure, then picks up one chest and starts walking away. I just hastily nod to them, then pick up the second and hurry after him with BK beside me.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" I snap at him when we're about two blocks away. Nine's laughing loudly like usual.
"You should have seen your face! I had that planned out from the start as soon as I saw them swarm you, Johnny boy. It'll keep the ladies off in the meantime." He stops and turns to face me, his usual smirk on his face. "They would have eaten you alive, don't trust the Chicago girls so easily. I'll teach you how to flirt the right way in do time."
"I know how to- that's not the point! I don't need to flirt with everyone. I don't need you kissing me either!" I sigh sharply. It takes a second thought to not throw my chest at him. We've stopped just a block from the center. Nine is standing between me and a long night of sleep I desperately need.
"Yeah yeah, you kiss everyone you talk to, I get it." Nine complains. A wicked smile stretches across his face and he leans a little closer. His fingers brush my cheek. "Wanna do it again?" I stumble backwards. He laughs wildly at my reaction.
"You're such an asshole." I hiss, the feeling of red once again returning to my cheeks.
"Tell me something I don't know, babe." Nine draws out the word 'babe' and gauges my 's enjoying this far too much. I bite my lip to keep from engaging him further. "But you do admit we've been flirting then, hey Four?"
"Just shut up and keep moving, Nine."
"What, I can't let Sarah have all of the fun with you. I know you liked kissing me." He turns around and starts walking again like nothing happened.
"Knock it off, this isn't funny!" I shout after him. BK whines at us to stop fighting besides me.
I will never admit aloud that Nine's a good kisser. Or that it was a good kiss at all. Dammit.
