Ahh guys, it's been too long, hasn't it? Sorry about the delay, but you know me and my general updating failureness… It was hard for me to decide how I actually wanted this chapter to end up and how it would tie in with the progression of Marley and Buck's relationship… This whole thing is turning out to be more difficult than I though, keeping all the details consistent, as well as having a coherent timeline… With that being said, I would place this chapter around the same time as the last chapter… It becomes relevant later, I swear! Or at least I think.

Yeah, and I think the shift in this chapter is kinda obvious, as I wrote half of it, then stopped before picking it up like a month later. ;

Anyway, thank you to all my reviewers last chapter – I would thank you all individually, but it was a lot last time! O.o :D We're nearly 50 now, something I never expected! Will this make it to 100? Hn, doubtful, but I still appreciate that people are reading and enjoying this fic!

Without further ado, here is the 7th chapter, featuring the oh-so-awesome Flint and Volkner (and Buck too!)


They Scheme

Life was fun if you lived in a van.

…Well, if you actually had something entertaining to do.

Flint leaned lazily against the inside of the van, propped up on top of a mattress and a mound of blankets. He absentmindedly drummed on his knees to a non-existent beat. Volkner sat across from him, guitar strewn across his lap. He strummed a few strings, sound resonating through the van. They both sat, torpid, as the frigid air chilled their bones.

Suddenly, a loud metallic pounding could be heard from outside, the back doors rattling. Flint and Volkner started apathetically at one another.

"…Fine, I'll open," Flint finally said, withering under Volkner's piercing gaze. He stood up, acting as though it took a great effort just to get to his feet. Unlatching the back door, Flint swung it open, coming face-to-face with his little brother, Buck.

"Found you a bassist," the younger redhead said curtly, not bothering with a proper greeting.

Flint's eyes lit up and Volkner peered out of the van with interest. "Really?!"

Buck stepped aside wordlessly, only to reveal Aaron, standing there and looking overjoyed. "Hiya Flint!"

The afro'd man slapped his forehand with his palm. "Didn't we already tell you no?" Flint groaned. "I mean, we appreciate your enthusiasm and support and all – it's totally cool – but you barely know how to play!"

"But I'm learning and practicing everyday!" Aaron pleaded. "Even though Lucian disapproves, I'm still doing it just for you guys!"

"Look Aaron," Flint said, placing a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder. "That's great but…"

"Fine, I get it. I'll just go then…" Aaron slouched off, feeling thoroughly dejected.

"…You didn't even give him a chance," Volkner remarked.

"Yeah well…" Flint chuckled nervously. "He didn't even have his bass with him! Now close the damn door Buck; it's freezing!"

He growled and climbed inside the van, shutting the door behind him to block out the cold air. "How the hell do you guts live in this dump?" Buck asked, slumping down next to Volkner.

"You're just upset you're still going to school and living with Mom," Flint retorted.

Volkner rolled his eyes and began to play his guitar, humming to the melody of the song. Silence fell between the bickering brothers as they listened to the rhythm.

"…So, Buck…" Flint finally said as Volkner ceased playing. "Are you ready to spill the beans?"

"I already told you a thousand times over – nothing happened!" Buck crossed his arms childishly and looked down at his feet, a slight blush smearing across his cheeks.

"Now Buck. Remember that I am your older brother, and that means I can always tell when you're lying."

"And the blush on your face is evident enough as well," Volkner added in.

The pink coloring on Buck's face deepened at the blonde's observation. "Fine," he said, reluctantly giving in. "You wanna know what really happened? She rejected me, that's what."

"WHAAT?!" Flint roared, leaping to his feet and hitting his head on the van roof in the process. It was a good thing he had his afro to cushion the blow… "No brother of mine gets rejected! Didn't you listen to my girl advice? Use my smooth moves?"

"…If he did that, it's not wonder he got rejected," Volkner commented dryly.

"Ahh, what would you know Volky?" Flint snapped. "I can woo all the ladies." He smoothed back his afro suavely to accentuate the statement.

"You guys…aren't exactly helping," Buck said, looking rather annoyed. The redhead stood up and headed toward the door of the van.

"Wait, Buck…"

He paused, turning around to face his brother. "If you say anything stupid," he warned dangerously, "I'm outta here."

"Oh c'mon man. You're my little bro. And I just wanna help you win her over," Flint said sincerely.

Sighing, Buck plopped back down on the mattress. "Well, what do you suggest I do? Just waltz right into the café and kiss her?"

Flint raised an eyebrow, grinningly mischievously. Buck's crimson eyes widened with horror, and he shook his head, realizing what he had just gotten himself in to. "Oh no… oh no, oh no."

Flint nodded once, slowly. "Oh yes…"


"Damn that Flint. Why should I listen to him anyway?! He hasn't even had a steady girlfriend in forever. Hell, he's probably too into Volkner for that matter…"

Buck continued to grumble to himself, hunched over in his red winter jacket. The sky was overcast with thick, gray clouds, further dampening Buck's mood. He hated living in a place where it was always so cold, and couldn't wait to graduate high school and move some place warmer. And he wouldn't be a bum like Flint, living in a van.

Speeding across the busy intersection, Buck passed by Riley's Café. He took a side-glance inside, never breaking his pace, but there was no Lolita girl in sight, meaning Buck had no intention of actually going inside.

'Must be off today,' he thought grimly and continued on his way. It was a Sunday afternoon, so the streets of Veilstone were practically deserted, save for a few early holiday shoppers. Buck's thoughts began to drift and he paid no attention to where he walked, letting his instincts guide him the right direction home. It was then he heard the tingled of a bell above his head that managed to snap him out of his reverie – someone had just exited a bookstore in front of him, one that Buck would occasionally frequent to read the latest installment of his favorite comic. Glancing at his watch, Buck realized he had plenty of time to waste.

'Might as well see if the new issue is in yet…'

Buck lazily entered the store and headed straight toward the graphic novel section, turning the corner sharply around a bookshelf, only to come to a complete halt. Standing there in the aisle, nose stuck in a book, was none other than Marley. The redhead stood there, gaping stupidly (and quite resembling a fish) for a moment before approaching her.

"Hey, Marley!"

Startled, the girl dropped her book and glanced up, deep blue eyes widened in fear.

"Oh sorry; let me get that for you!"

"No, I got it!"

Buck strode forward, snatching up the dropped book before Marley could stop him. Thoroughly expecting it to be a book of gothic poetry, Buck was surprised to see it was a picture book…filled with images of kittens!

"Uh, here…" Buck awkwardly handed the blushing girl the book, who accepted it graciously.

"…Thank you Buck…"

"Hey!" the redhead exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "You remembered my name!"

"…Well you aren't that hard to forget…"

Buck winced, unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing… "So, do you come here often? I usually see you with a book at Riley's Café, so it only makes sense I guess."

Marley nodded. "Yeah I do…" She glanced at the old clock hanging on the wall of the store and frowned. "Well it looks like I need to get back to work… Break's over…" The dark haired girl placed the book back on the shelf and started to side step around Buck, toward the door.

Forgetting all about the comic, Buck followed her out the door. "Hey, mind if I walk with you? I was just heading that way anyway." …An obvious lie on Buck's behalf. Riley's Café was the opposite of home, but if it meant he got to spend more time with Marley, he didn't mind the extra walking.

"…I guess…that's okay…" Marley began walking, without bothering to check if her companion was still following. Buck had been too busy cheering inwardly and had to rush to catch up with her.

"So…you like kittens?" Buck asked, breaking the awkward silence between them with an equally awkward question. Out of the corner of his eye, Buck saw her blush slightly.

Marley nodded meekly. "…They're…pretty cute." She glanced down timidly at her black boots.

"Yeah they are!" Buck agreed. "I always wanted one, but Flint's allergic… I like dogs too though!" The redhead surprised himself. Never did he expect to find himself revealing his secret affection toward cute animals to the girl he liked. But girls, they liked those sensitive types, didn't they? Maybe this information would earn him some extra points in Marley's book.

But the raven-haired girl said nothing in return, only nodded. Buck wasn't sure what else to say at the moment. But Marley clearly wasn't a girl of many words anyway…

"…We're nearing the café now," she pointed out, finally speaking up. "…Uh…I appreciate you accompanying me…just a bit."

"No problem!" Buck grinned widely, flashing a thumbs up. Marley cracked a small, almost undistinguishable grin, face flushed. "Hey, would you like to hang out again sometimes? Maybe we could go back to the bookstore together!" He tried to appear as confident as possible, but on the inside he was a nervous wreck. He really didn't want to get rejected again…

By now they had arrived at Riley's and were standing outside, visible to all the café's occupants. "…I guess…that would be okay." Marley bowed her head slightly before making a move toward the door.

"Awesome! I'll see you around then!" And with that, Buck practically skipped off, whistling merrily. It was time to go rub it in Flint's face – he had success without following any of his brother's lame advice!

Meanwhile, back at Riley's Café, Marley had taken her position at the front door, Cynthia sneaking up behind her.

"Was that Buck I saw you with?" the blonde asked, smirking.

"…Yes, it was…" Marley shuffled her feet nervously. Sure, she knew Cynthia meant well, but sometimes when she got involved in relationship matters things could get a bit…messy.

"It seems to me that he's into you," she stated bluntly. Marley took a step forward, startled, a heavy blush on her face.

"N-nonsense!"

Cynthia shrugged nonchalantly. "Just my intuition… Which is usually right." She winked, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"…I think, for now…I'll just try to be friends with him…" Marley said.

"Suit yourself." Cynthia shrugged again headed back to the counter, actually using the proper door to get behind it, to Riley's relief. The blonde honestly saw no more need to meddle, for now at least. Even if Marley was just focused on friendship at the moment, Cynthia knew the dark haired girl would come around eventually, and something more would develop between her and Buck. Once again, it was time for Cynthia play the waiting game...


Meh, don't like the chapter ending too much, but oh well. …By the way, has anyone caught the running gag? It's been mentioned in I think every chapter so far…except the last one. ;P It's not like it's even important, but I just thought I would ask.

Man, MarleyxBuck interactions are hella awkward, which is probably why I had difficulty with this chapter at first. They'll overcome the awkwardness, I promise. As for Flint and Volkner overcoming apathy and actually doing something with their "band"? Uh yeah, they'll get on that eventually as well. XP

I'm excited to get all the kinks for the next chapter worked out – it's already half written (and has been, even before I finished this one...but that doesn't exactly mean anything in terms of when I'll update again…), but it's gonna be Coldcoffeeshippy and relatively revealing (Damion backstory?)… And maybe Paul and Damion will stop hating each other? It's just funny how differently Damion (or should I say Barry? ;/) views Paul in this fic in comparison to the anime, but it's fun this way. I should write a fic with fanboy!Damion though. Eh, I'm ranting about nothing pertaining to this chapter and should probably stop.

Oh, did I mention that yesterday marked my 5th year as a member on this site? lol, what have I been doing with my life?

Reviews or anything else you feel like throwing at me are much love!

Until next time~