Parler Tout Bas—Chapter Seven

by taitofan

Rated G

Disclaimer: I don't own Randy Cunningham 9th Grade Ninja or its characters.

Prompt: Julian destanks Theresa with his love. (tumblr)

If you have any CC, please share and I'll listen. Please read, review, and enjoy! Finished 09-06-15


Julian—despite popular opinion—wasn't stupid. He knew when to play the fool, and the knowledge he'd learned about the ninja was just the sort of thing he kept to himself. When he'd been asked if he remembered how students got stanked? He'd lied and said it was the underwear thing. When he, Howard, and the ninja returned from the Land of Shadows and he reunited with his evil self? He pretended that he couldn't remember much of it, and he certainly never let on that he knew that Randy was the ninja. After all, no one was that buddy-buddy with Howard Weinerman but Randy, and Randy had brought the Sorcerer's ball to his birthday party, and...

And none of that really mattered at the moment, because the ninja wasn't there. But it just served to show that Julian understood things better than most, because he knew that if the Sorcerer was gone, students shouldn't be getting stanked anymore. And yet, there he was, watching Theresa's monster form smashing lockers with her baton.

He'd overheard her telling Debbie that she was going to confess to Randy how she felt about him that day, and judging by her appearance now, he guessed it hadn't gone well. But Randy was the ninja, so shouldn't he be stopping her now? Of course, if she'd run off and he hadn't thought she could get stanked, maybe he hadn't thought to follow her. If so, Julian thought she was much better off without him, as he could be quite inconsiderate—

Julian jumped as a locker door went sailing past his hiding spot. Maybe, he considered, now wasn't the time to think about Randy and why Theresa was this way. Maybe he should just run instead. But the moment he stood and started to move, Theresa ran towards him, sticking out the arm holding her baton and tripping him. He began to fall, until she reached out and grabbed him, bringing him up to her deformed face. Despite being his best friend, he still shook as she roared.

"Randy," she groaned out, her voice mournful. "Randy!"

"T-Theresa, please…" He gulped as she roared again, still calling for Randy. He knew she'd liked Randy for a while—she wasn't the only one, though Randy was very oblivious to those sorts of things—and he couldn't blame her for being upset. But still, it was odd. He could have sworn Randy had returned her feelings. Unless his status as the ninja had caused him to turn her down to protect her… "Perhaps there is a good reason Randall can't be with you?"

Though it made sense to him, Theresa didn't know about the ninja, and she was not placated by his words. She kept up the sorrowful groaning, swinging her baton around wildly. Julian flinched as bits of metal flew around them, knowing that he had to do something or one of them would get hurt.

"You don't need him," he insisted, but she didn't even acknowledge him. Scared and frustrated—and honestly hoping that he didn't get stanked himself—something within him, something that he tried to ignore, snapped. "I'd be better for you than him!"

That got her attention. She stopped moving, and her grip on him loosened, just a little.

"Julian?" He chastised himself for ruining everything, but there was no taking it back now. If nothing else, maybe he could stop her until the ninja could get there.

"I realize there are many reasons why I shouldn't, but I do care for you, Theresa. Much more than someone such as myself should. And if Randall can't see how lucky he is to have your affection, then he is a fool."

Not as foolish as he felt at that moment. There was no way Theresa felt the same way he did, but at least she had calmed down. He expected her to start laughing at any moment…

But instead, a swirl of pink smoke rose up from her, and they fell to the floor in a heap as she returned to her normal size. For a moment, Julian couldn't believe it. He'd destanked her? She wasn't laughing? Or angry? Or disgusted? But then he was abruptly pushed on his back to the ground, Theresa leaning over him.

"Sorry," she mumbled, lowering her arm, which held her baton. "It was going to hit you…"

"It's fine," he assured her, wondering if his face was as red as it felt. She was so close. "Do you… Do you remember what just happened?"

"Um, you mean how you sort of just told me you like me?" He nodded slowly, and a small smile formed on her face. His heart beat wildly as she leaned down and gently kissed him. It only last for a moment—it couldn't be any longer when they were in the middle of the hallway where anyone could see them—but it was possibly the best moment of Julian's life. "Well, I like you too. I mean, I can't say I don't still like Randy, but I've sort of liked you for a while, and—"

They were cut off as the hallway filled with smoke, a cry of "Smokebomb!" accompanying the terrible smell. The ninja stood in the middle of the hall, looking around for the threat, only to freeze upon seeing them. Julian, knowing who hid under than mask, flushed even more.

"Oh. Um, I can see I'm not needed here, so… Smokebomb!"

And with that, the ninja was gone in another burst of smoke. Julian quickly scrambled to his feet, holding out a hand for Theresa. She accepted it and allowed him to lead her away from the destruction. Her hand was warm, and he felt a little thrill when she didn't make a move to remove it from his own. When they were at an equally deserted but less destroyed area, Theresa urged him to stop.

"Julian, what now?" What now indeed. The two of them were picked on enough as it was. If they were together… "Can we be, you know, boyfriend and girlfriend? Even if no one can know, I really would like to be with you…"

Julian's breath caught in his throat, and he knew—he knew—this was a bad idea. If anyone found out they were dating, Theresa would get teased even more than she did just for their platonic relationship. He didn't want to hurt her, but she looked so hopeful…!

"I would like that as well."

Perhaps this wasn't a good idea, but as Theresa's smile grew and she hugged him, he couldn't really bring himself to care.