"D'y' ever think about the future?" Finn asked as he watched Rae's hair slip through his fingers, her dark locks reminded him of the drink; Dandelion and Burdock - the drink of his childhood. Rae and Finn were all wrapped up in bed, limbs sweaty and tangled - three guesses into what they'd be doing a mere ten minutes ago. Rae looked up from the crook of his neck with a frown, "Y' wha'?" It was his turn to frown, his forehead and expression loosened as he shook his head; as if he were not meant to ask out loud and it was more of a thought, "Nowt, don't matter".
Now she was interested, she then turned onto her stomach; resting on her elbows as she looked at him - intrigued into what he was going to say next. He cocked an eyebrow, lifting his head to get a better look at her, "Wha'?" She half smiled, her eyes twinkling with cheekiness, "Tell me", He shook his head, "Forget it, Rae. It's nowt", She pouted, "Please", In which he replicated her pout as he sat up, placing hands on either side of her face before quipping, "No", He then threw the covers off himself, swung his legs round before scrambling the floor for his boxers. He threw them on and stood up before moving round to his bedroom door, he paused and turned to Rae - who was now sat up, covers tucked under arms and her hair flying in all kinds of directions. He then ran a hand over his face, letting out a groan to wake him up. He then raised his arms and rested them on the metal bar that he set up one Christmas ago, to use to do chin ups now and to get in shape for the new year... It was used twice.
He raised his eyebrows at Rae, an innocent and relaxed look upon his face as he asked, "Y' comin'?" Rae couldn't help but compare the look to one he once pulled when he asked her whether she was having a beer that one time she came round with Chloe, all that time ago... She drank Finn in, his hair all toussled and tiredness upon his features... Rae felt the wind being knocked out of her, he may have been Chloe's but he was still partly Rae's - and she had never felt so... Sexy? If that was the right word. He then rolled his eyes, playful, "Rae, wha' 'ave I said 'bout staring..." She snapped out of it before clicking on to what he said and scoffing, swinging her legs round before scrambling for her PJ bottoms, "Y' love it when I stare", He looked to the ground as he let out a shy laugh, he then looked up as she approached him, she then half smirked, "C'mon, food is callin'", She then playfully smacked his arse before walking off. He then bit his lip as he tried to hold back a grin, happiness bursting in his chest. He then banged a rythm against the bar before turning and following Rae; food the sudden occupant of his mind.
It was getting to just past eight, darkness coated the streets of Stamford and the only source of light within the living room was the light coming from the tv. Finn was now wearing his old and worn Avengers top and some flannel PJ pants, the heating in the house not enough warmth to let Finn walk around in just boxers. Finn and Rae were sat on the couch, stuffed and chilled out - watching an episode of Eastenders; Rae's request, of course. A frown was tossed between the pair as the buzzer went, Finn then mumbled a 'I'll get it' As he rose from the couch and made his way through the flat. Rae didn't think twice as she resettled back into the couch, her gaze back onto the TV. Now, after having sex you'd think Rae would leave and Finn would go back to whatever he was doing - but Rae and Finn didn't work like that. Finn and Rae both agreed they didn't want to lose the friendship, so, they made sure to spend time together after it and not lose what they had before.
A good few minutes passed before Finn returned, Johnny trailing behind him - the pair in mid conversation. Rae then looked over, worry setting in as she took in their expressions - both confusion and worry upon their faces. Rae then sat up, asking, "Wha's up?" Causing both lads to stop and look at Rae, their features so uncanny... Rae could swear they were related. In fact, when Rae first met Johnny; she thought they were related.
Johnny exhaled before looking at Rae and saying, "I think I'm in love", She took a moment, before she asked, "Tha's it?" He nodded, as if to say, 'Yeah, obviously' In which she shook her head and chucked a couch pillow at him, he put his arms up to shield himself before booming, "Wha'!?"
Johnny explained the situation to Rae, not mentioning Archie's name - not realising Finn and Rae already knew. Johnny simply explained in short but full detail of the situation, in which Finn and Rae offered their usual advice - which always turned out to be spot on. Although Rae and Finn were hopeless with their own situations, they were always good with other people's problems; they never knew why, they just were. Once everything was solved, Johnny decided the three needed a spliff.
High and happy, Finn laid on his couch, Johnny sat on the floor and up against the armchair where Rae sat. Finn had popped in season one of 'FRIENDS' And his, Rae and Johnny's lazy laughter bounced off the walls. Finn then sleepily said, "Ay, did y' hear about tha' man who's in hospital after gettin' six plastic horses shoved up his arse?" Johnny, fully concerned, sharply looked at Finn, "No way! The poor man, is he alright?" Finn, lazily grinning, then said, "Yeh, apparently his condition is stable", Johnny and Rae stared at Finn for a moment, sharing a look before they realised and the three shared a roar of laughter.
Once their laughter died down, their attention turned back to the tv; where Matthew Perry had just told a ridiculous but, somewhat, amusing pun - which only Rae got and laughed at. Johnny, took a pull of his joint and exhaled as he croaked, "Wha' time is it?" Finn checked his watch, "Quarter to eight", Johnny let out a groan and passed his joint up to Rae, "Mate, I'm gonna have t' go", Finn giggled and looked at Johnny, "Wha'? Why?" Johnny, now on his feet, shrugged, "Gotta be home, but listen I'm working in the caf' tomorrow so come down and I'll make y' a scran".
"Alright, man I'll ring ya later", Finn said as he extended a hand, which Johnny slapped with his own palm; typical manly goodbye. Johnny then nodded a 'Goodbye' To Rae before departing. Finn leaned over and took the joint off Rae, he then nodded and said, "C'mere", In which she didn't think twice about, she slowly flung her legs off the couch and moved over. He sat up, crossing his legs to make room for Rae as the pair sat; face to face. He took a pull of the joint and blew a perfect smoke ring in her face, their eyes grew heavy and their pulses raced. He then moved in and hoovered his lips over her's, the closeness slowly killing Rae. He then smirked and lowly spoke, "Someone's eager", Before he pulled away and sunk back into the couch. Rae playfully glowered but couldn't stop the stupid, lazy grin that appeared upon her face.
Johnny threw up his hood and shrugged his hands in his hoody pockets as he left Finn's flat, Rae and Finn always gave the best advice - only when they were together though. Finn always gave too much manly advice on his own and Rae's was always too femanine, but together was the perfect balance. Times like this he wished he had one of them Nokia phones, he could then ring up Archie and ask if he could come round... But instead, he had to actually go round and see how things panned out.
Johnny gave two knocks on Archie's door, nerves slowly setting in before they fully hit and regret soon took place. Johnny could swear all of his organs were about to be thrown up as the door swung open to reveal Brogan, he frowned with confusion before stuttering; his words tripping over each other, "Bro... Brogan? Wh-wha' y' doin' 'ere?" She went to reply when Archie appeared, "Johnny? Wha'...?" "I-I came t' see y' but y've got company, so I'll just go", He went to walk off when Archie called out, "Wait! Listen, my uncle's taken my nan out t' see a friend. So, I've got a free house for a couple of hours and y' can join us, if y' want".
Johnny then looked between Brogan and Archie;
1. Why was Brogan there in the first place?
2. How was he going to get Archie alone for longer than five minutes without Brogan suspecting something?
and 3. How was he going to get away with the fact he was completely stoned?
Brogan was Archie's cousin.
You read right: Cousins. But what confused Johnny is why didn't Archie say something when they were in the que at the funfair, turns out they had saw each other at one of the port-a-loos earlier that day and didn't feel the need to say another hello - how wonderful (That was sarcasm, if you didn't notice.)
The three sat in silence for a good twenty minutes before Brogan then clapped her hands together and rose to her feet, "Right, am goin' t' make a cuppa. Anyone want one?" Both of the boys nodded, in which Brogan then awkwardly rose to her feet and left for the kitchen; unsure why there was such tension between the three. A moment or two passed before Johnny then broke the silence, "So, y'-" "Wha' the fuck, Johnny?" Archie snapped, causing Johnny to pause before shifiting slightly and speaking in hushed tones, "Look, Arch. I've come round t'... God, 'ow do I say this... Look, I'm just gonna come out with it, tha' night when we... When we, y'know... Well, just know tha' it was just a one night thing", Archie scoffed, "And sayin' I love y', were tha' just a one night thing?" Johnny sighed, "Archie, y'know I said it cause I were dr-" "Drunk? Yeh, I got that", Archie snapped. The boys grew into a tense silence, sharing a glare.
The silence was broken by Brogan entering and asking, "Johnny, d'ya take sugar?" Johnny broke the eye contact between him and Archie as he rose to his feet, "Urm, no ta as I've gotta go. Mum's expecting me 'ome, s'y' later yeh?" Before she could reply, he quickly left the living room - Archie's burning stare following him. Just as Johnny went to leave Brogan followed him and called out, "Wait!" He paused, halfway out the door and turned to her. A shy smile appeared upon her lips as she nervously asked, "Listen, I were just wonderin' if y' were doin' anything tomorrow", He scratched his nose with his thumb in thought before replying, "Yeh, got work till six then nowt. Why?" "Just wonderin' if y' would like t' come for a drink? I mean, y' probably will be there anyway but just thought I'd invite y' cause Archie invited me and I didn't know whether y' comin' and... Am rambling, aren't I?" He scoffed a laugh before quipping, "I'll be there", With that and a shy smile, the pair departed.
On one side of the door, happiness.
And the other, sadness and anger.
As it were said that Stamford was such a small town, it wasn't shocking that most of the town was related to each other - one way or another. So, it wasn't that much of a surprise to Johnny that Brogan and Archie were related; leaving Johnny to ponder on the thought of whether Finn was on the side of relation that Brogan was on - and if Finn knew. Speaking of Finn, Johnny knew Finn and Rae were up to something... He couldn't pin point what, but there was something different. As Johnny walked home, he wondered that maybe Rae and Finn were sleeping together... Which Johnny let out an inward laugh, course they weren't - the pair were shit at keeping secrets and would let it slip after the first blow job.
Johnny entered his home to be greeted by warmth and the smell of Christmas - The smell of Cinnamon and Vanilla. He entered the hallway and slipped off his hood and shoes. He made his way through to see his little sister, Nina, sat on the couch in her PJs and watching Lion King on video. He gave her a kiss on top of her head before asking, "Where's mum?" Nina then monotonously spoke as her gaze never left the telly, "Office", Johnny nodded before jumping over the back of the couch and planting himself down next to Nina, he then grew engrossed in the Lion King before asking Nina, "'ow were school?" Nina shrugged, "S'alright, borin' though", He nodded, taking it in, "Fair enough, got any 'omework?" She shook her head, he gave her look before playfully threatening, "Nina...", She then looked at him, "I 'aven't!" He rolled his eyes, "Alright, alright, I believe y'. Y' hungry?" She shook her head before returning her gaze back to the tv, as did Johnny - the pair's features more uncanny than Johnny and Finn's or Johnny and his dad's.
Johnny loved his little sister, more than his mum. He and Nina constantly fought and argued, but Johnny would destroy anything that would try to harm her. She was the most beautiful little thing he'd ever seen and all he wanted was to wrap her in bubble wrap, keep her safe... God help her when she would get a boyfriend.
Johnny let out a huff as he looked around the living room, the Lion King unable to hold his attention. He turned his stare to the stairs, his mum and the office suddenly calling for his attention.
Although Chop was prepared for a child - of sorts - he wasn't prepared for the wrath of Izzy's parents, well, more her mother. It had been exactly three hours since her mum had found out over dinner and Jean had completely flipped her lid, Izzy and Chop were currently sat on the couch - whilst Jean was screaming like a banshee in Travis' office and Travis was trying to calm her down.
Out of nowhere, Chop blurted, "Y'know we're gonna be alright, don't y'?" Izzy then looked at him, her eyes puffed and sore from all the crying, she then sniffed, "Y' wha'?" He spoke as he stared ahead, "Me and y', we're gonna be alright. I know it doesn't seem it now but, it will get better. And if y' mum and dad can't see tha' then fuck 'em, s'all 'bout y' and me now, kid. Well me, y' and the little one. I know it's gonna be 'ard and it's gonna be scary but we'll do it, I promise", He then draped an arm around her and pulled her in, kissing the top of her head in which her head then fell into the crook of his neck. She then wiped away a stray tear before she sniffed, "I love y'", He gave a soft smile, "I love y' too".
The two's heads whipped to the direction of the living room door as they heard the doorbell, Izzy then rose to her feet and began wiping her tears as she mumbled, "I'll get it", Clearing her throat and trying to appear normal. She swung open the door and felt her heart stop, before heaving as it kick started once more as she drank the person in - it was her sister Tash. Well, an older Tash. Tash who's hair was blonder, eyes were bluer, skin was tanner and her style was more proper. She turned and gave Izzy a small smile, she went to speak when she was cut off by Jean roaring over something. Tash scoffed a laugh before quipping, "Well, I'm definitely back".