Red and Black – Chapter 3
I have finally been released from school for Easter! *Parties for 24601 years.* So for the next 3 weeks I can update much more, although do bear in mind that I have revision and a job to hold down, and I'm hopefully going to start some programming training too, and I'm learning more languages at the same time but this is one of my priorities.
Thanks for all the reviews so far! BestUsernameEver54321 and typicalRAinbow, you guys are real bros and thanks for the support!
I've also had some ideas for fics somewhat related to this one primarily concerning the other brothers so I might start those this holiday.
But anyways, on with our story!
"So, Azure or Aegean?" Penelope questioned, holding up two ties at the level of Gordon's shirt collar; interchanging them with a concentrated look on her face.
"Penelope, they're both blue; why do we need to be pretentious?" Gordon said.
"Gordon, we're on Savile Row; you'll get nowhere without being pretentious. Now, Azure or Aegean?"
"Aegean, and only because of the sea; I suppose the sea is lucky for me." Penelope began to tie the tie around Gordon's collar to see how it looked with the final piece, she screwed her face up slightly at Gordon's odd remark; but only to disguise her questioning as her way of steering the conversation in the direction that she wanted it to go.
"Luck of the sea?" She asked,
"Yes, luck of the sea; not good luck, not Irish luck,"
"Gordon, have you ever picked up a history book? The luck of the Irish is absolutely terrible." They both laughed heartily at Penny's joke, now she knew that it was the perfect time to strike with the questions on the subjects that she so desperately wanted at least an insight on the answers to. After all, she didn't expect Gordon to simply tell her everything, that would be too easy.
"What could you possibly need luck for?" she asked as she left the room to let Gordon change, smirking at the thought of getting a good answer.
"For hope of finding someone there that I actually know, I mean, someone specific." Gordon stuttered in his mind, and pursed his lips tightly while decided if he should continue, or if he had already said too much. In the silence he could hear her waiting for more, and knew that somehow she would get more; this sort of thing was her job. Gordon's heart was racing, his body was practically buzzing from fear and excitement; excitement of getting a confession off of his chest but fear of losing a true friend.
"So who is this specific someone?" Gordon heard a small ding in his head, his time was up, time to take the dive.
"Penny, you would never judge me, right?" Gordon felt as if his whole world was being held up by a single pin, waiting to topple over.
"Gordon," she began with an honest and serious tone, looking around to check that the tailor was not around before continuing.
"Scott used to think that photosynthesis was a disease, and Alan once said that Justin Beiber was 'not that bad.' I am firstly, literally unable to judge you even if I wanted to; and secondly, I know that there's something on your mind, and by the sounds of it it would probably be better if you got it off." Gordon giggled slightly, his nerves still driving his course. He would have to let it go now, it was Penny, and where Penny's involved, there's no going back.
"You remember that British swimmer I up against? The one who got bronze? He's the specific someone." Gordon quietly breathed a sigh of relief, forcefully making sure that it wasn't load enough for Penny to hear; despite this, Gordon that this wouldn't be the end of the questions, but at least he felt that he could trust Penelope.
"I'm going to assume that in light of the rest of the conversation, 'specific' doesn't quite mean the same as 'friend' to you, does it?" Penelope knew that she should probably end it here, she was cautious of turning a perfectly calm conversation into an uncomfortable interrogation. She knew that none of Gordon's brothers knew and Jeff sure as hell didn't know, if she couldn't be the first source of acceptance and confidence to Gordon then she doubted that he would ever leave his shell behind to tell his family. Penny knew the feeling of hiding large secrets from friends and family, in fear for them and oneself. She didn't think she could say that she knew what Gordon was going through in his mind, but she had a good idea and certainly wasn't going to be the one to make Gordon lock himself in a cage and throw away the key for the rest of his life. Silently, she waited for her answer;
"You would be right, it's complicated though, I mean; we're not not friends, but even I'm not sure if it's anything more if it's just awkward or wrong. I don't even know if I could call it love, to be honest."
The tailor returned with the altered garments, and the pair left Gieves & Hawkes with far more than they had bargained for when they went in; certainly more than just a suit.
"Does it feel right to you?" Penny asked once they had reached the end of the street.
"Yes," Gordon replied, questioningly.
"Then go for it."
They both turned the corner with glorious smiles, with a genuine sense of liberty and achievement.
Sorry it was so short, I've been out shopping with my sister today; she's getting her wedding dress so it was pretty crucial, and I got to look at the suits for other fic ideas. If we're lucky there might be another chapter either tomorrow or on Monday, if it's later then that it will probably be Wednesday as I'm flying out to the Middle East. But hey, it's a seven hour flight and I can write for as long as my battery lasts!
Please R&R for free virtual llama plushie.
See you later, peasants!