Just drunken words
N.A: Okay, first: I need to give you some context. This one-shot was inspired by a deleted scene in the first Scooby Doo live action movie. It is (like the summary said) a scene where Velma gets drunk and sings a song while dancing quite ¨sexily¨ over the piano at the hotel's lobby. During this scene I thought two things: one, she gets drunk with really so little, and two, this scene fit perfectly to make a Shelma one-shot. In this fic, I wanted to explore one of my personal headcanons about their relationship (not only as a couple). To me, since Velma is the youngest and smallest one on the gang, Shaggy unconsciously tends to take care of her and protect her like a little sister (kind of a ¨bad habit¨, since he actually has a little sister). And what a ¨big brother¨ figure would do when he sees his little sister drunk and being so provocative? Heh, I just found the idea really funny…and so I couldn't hold myself to write it XD. Also, even though I ship Shelma in almost all their forms, because of the plot and actual situation on the movie, this turned into an ¨unrequired love¨ kind of story…but that also made things even more interesting to write OwO. Anyway, I won't keep you guys any longer, I just hope you enjoy your reading~!
Disclaimer: Scooby-Doo! is property of Hanna-Barbera, I cannot and will not make lucrative funds using their work, I only use their characters for mine and your entertainment.
-…And then I told him: ¨Thanks man, but I would prefer some meatballs instead of those tennis balls! ¨
Mary Jane burst out in laughs, and soon, so did Shaggy. The fun young adults had been having a nice time talking and walking around the beach house, but since it was getting late and more chill outside, they both decided to go back to the hotel and maybe hang out for a little longer at the lobby.
As soon as they got near the front door, both young adults started to hear…a song?
-Oh, I didn't know it was karaoke night-commented Shaggy.
-I don't think it is…But whoever is singing surely is pretty good! –added Mary Jane.
Without hesitation, the unofficial pair opened up the door…just to get dumbfounded by the scene in front of them. Velma Dinkley, the oh so known serious girl and smartest member of the gang (or well, when they were a gang), was the one who was singing…and doing a sexy dance while standing on a piano.
-V-V-VELMA!? –Shaggy couldn't believe his eyes.
-OH-MY-GOD…-Mary Jane covered her mouth with both hands, utterly surprised by this so sudden and unexpected scene-…I didn't know your friend could do…all that-she commented, still astonished by this turn of events and new perception of Shaggy's friend.
-SHE NORMALLY DOESN'T DO THAT! –he quickly explained, so shocked that it almost seemed like he was panicking…but soon, his face turned blank when a certain idea came to his mind in an attempt to try and make a sense out of this situation-…Oh no…
To confirm his intuition, Shaggy rapidly grabbed Mister Mondavarious (who casually was walking near them) by the shoulders and cautiously asked him:
-S-Sir, did Velma drink something with…alcohol in it?
-Oh! Yeah, she did. Though…her drink doesn't contain so much alcohol, actually-the old man responded.
-Ahhh, I knew it…-Shaggy couldn't help but let out a tired sigh-…She still gets drunk with so little alcohol-he simply mentioned, but the tone of his voice sounded slightly annoyed, like if he were saying a ¨Oh shit, here we go again¨.
After letting go of the old man and planning on his mind the ¨scold¨ he should give her (again) in some minutes, Shaggy turned around and said:
-I'm gonna stop her.
-Wait! –but before he could walk away, Mary Jane took him by the arm and stopped him-Don't do that. Can't you see she is having so much fun? –she calmly expressed and pointed out to her (who was still singing under the spotlight and moving along the music and the audience's applauses).
-Ah, yeah, I can see that. But if said ¨fun¨ means her falling into the arms of a stranger by the end of the night…no thanks, I prefer she stays bored-he declared quite harshly.
Mary Jane then let go of his arm, a little surprised by his reaction. This didn't go unnoticed by the tall man and almost instantly, his expression became softer.
-S-Sorry, it's just…-he tried to look for the best words. He just wanted her to comprehend how important his friends were for him…and how much he didn't want them to get hurt…since he couldn't do anything to stop them from breaking apart two years ago…But…no matter what he tried, he just couldn't find the words, so…he stopped trying-…I-I'll just like, take her to her room and be right back in a few minutes, okay?
-…Okay-she simply nodded and the slight sad tone on her voice made Shaggy's heart tighten for a sec.
He felt the need to apologize, he didn't want her to feel bad but…yet again: he couldn't find the words to do so, and like the coward he knew he was, he ran away from the tense situation. He would compensate her later, that's for sure, but right now: there were more important things in hand.
Shaggy arrived just in time to hear the end of her song…and catch her before she fell from the piano into a stranger's arms (literally). The guy next to him (who would had been the one to catch her if it weren't for him) had black short hair, looked like their age (maybe even a bit younger) and was…nice, not precisely ¨handsome to boot¨, but certainly not ugly either. If he had to say, he would call it ¨normal handsome¨…which means he was just as attractive as any people you could see in your daily life…but that didn't matter right now! Handsome or not, he was NOT going to leave a drunk Velma with a stranger!
-Oh, hey Shaggy! –she greeted him with a wide smile and a slightly high pitched tone.
-You're not alright, right? –he simply asked, just as usual on these situations.
-Pffft, what do you say! I'm PERFECTLY fine! –she answered with a laugh.
-Nope. You aren't-he simply remarked. He really was used to these kind of dialogues when she was drunk.
-Amm…-the stranger guy lifted a hand as if asking for permission to say something.
Shaggy then gave him a serious glare (which was kind of intimidating too) and harshly said:
-What? Do you need something?
The man quickly said no with his head.
-Then why do you keep standing there? –a very short silence followed before he continued to say-Come on. Shuu, shuu! –he made him a gesture like if he were scaring a dog or a cat away.
The guy just stood there for a moment, with a complicated expression on his face…and then left.
-Hey, I was talking with him! –Velma protested, in a very childish way.
-Yeah-Yeah, I know, and you can talk to him again later if you want. AFTER you sober up-he reminded her, using his typical ¨big brother¨ tone.
She growled and muttered and angry ¨Asshole…¨. He only let out another tired sigh.
-Come on, we have to get you to your room-without further warning, he readjusted her from his arms and into a piggyback ride.
-I can walk by myself, genius-she sarcastically remarked.
-Say that again when your glasses fall off and you end up touching half of the entire staff's butts while trying to find them-he quickly reminded her, with a knowing tone and expression.
-W-WHAT- O-OUH JUST, SHUT UP! –with no chance to win against that logic, Velma couldn't help but punch his arm and hide her face against his shirt, filled with embarrassment and a childish anger.
As usual, that made Shaggy laugh.
-Also, please don't move like that again while dancing over a piano. Your skirt is pretty short, remember? –aggh, there it was again: his ¨big brother¨ scolding.
Velma only growled again in response.
-Shaggy! –he turned his face to look at the person who had just called him.
-Fred, Daphne…-the brown haired guy pronounced their names with a knowingly serious tone (he sounded just like a mother who was about to scold her children)-…WHY DIDN'T YOU GUYS STOP HER!? You know how she can't handle alcohol!
-We didn't know, Shaggy! She was already drunk when we got to the lobby-Fred explained.
-And you didn't think to stop her when she started singing and moving like Marilyn Monroe? –he angrily remarked.
-She was enjoying it, Shaggy. Besides, everybody like it-Daphne commented, trying to calm his ¨overprotectiveness¨.
-Oh well, thank you! It's nice to have some recognition at least once in 10 years! –Velma finally intervened, marking her words with a clear irony at the end.
-I'm like, going to take her to her room. You guys take this for the time being-he then handled them the Daimonritus and started to walk in the same way they originally came in.
The blond and the red-haired only looked him go. When he was almost out of sight, Daphne then asked Fred:
-…Do you think something might happen between them?
-Something like what?
-Something like…you know, that.
-DAPHNE! –the blond almost jumped in shock by that ¨subtle¨ implication.
-What? –she only said.
-And I'M the pervert one here?
-HEY!
But before she could ¨defend herself¨, Fred continued to say:
-Besides, you know perfectly that he doesn't see her like…that.
-I KNOW! But she does see-! Agggh, nevermind.
Fred looked at her, curious to hear the end of her unfinished sentence…but no, he would not have the chance…yet.
-In the corridor-
-Your hair tickles-her sudden comment surprised him for a sec: he thought she was already asleep.
-Oh! Ah…sorry? –he could only say, not sure of what was he supposed to answer to that.
He heard her sniff it for a bit.
-…You smell like smoke…Did you got near a campfire or what? –she asked him with the typical curiosity of a child (or a drunk, in this case).
-I'm…not answering that tricky question.
-Tsch, booooring~! –he heard her mutter against his shirt.
Carefully, Shaggy opened the door to her room (with her own key, which he had requested on the way here) and put her on the bed.
-Okay, are you sober enough to change yourself into your pajamas or want me to go call Daphne? –he asked her.
-I don't want to sleep! –she childishly protested.
-Guess that's a no-he simply said and let out a sigh-Just…wait here a minute and don't make a mess, okay? I'll call her right away.
-AGGHH, I'm just SO done of you acting like that! –her sudden scream stopped him right in the act.
-Like what? –he couldn't help but ask.
-ACTING LIKE MY OLDER BROTHER! Or to be more specific: I'm done of you treating me like a little sister!
¨Well, sorry, I'm only trying to take care of my friend and make sure she doesn't get herself hurt or something! ¨-he was going to reply, angry about her answer, but before he could, she continued to say:
-Don't you see me as a girl!?
-Ah? –okay, that…was what now? –But…you're a girl-he could only say, clearly confused by that question and its unknown true meaning to him in this conversation.
Obviously, his answer only made her get angrier.
-AGGGHH, that's not what I mean! You're just SO dumb!
-Then, like…what do you mean? –he asked, curious.
Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was that she couldn't keep with all this anymore, but that something…made her decide to throw all through the window and finally say:
-…Like when you see someone you like. Like…when you see Mary Jane. THAT'S the way I mean.
It took him some seconds to process the information, but as his mind was ¨solving the puzzle¨, his expression slowly turned surprised and after a brief silence, he asked:
-Velm, are you saying that…you like me? –he pointed at himself, still completely dumbfounded.
-LIKED, as in…past tense, since…you know...there's no way for a present tense right now…-she corrected him, but as she talked, her words became more and more softer, she glared more and more away from him and her expression became more and more sadder.
-Velma…-oh no, that tone, and that face…yeah, just like she feared.
-AH-AH-AH-she quickly shut his words by placing a finger over his lips-DON'T say anything, I already know-she firmly remarked and the simply said-Don't worry. I just need some time to get over it.
-Velma, you don't have to-… -he sat near her in the bed and tried to comfort her.
-WHAT? Are you saying you can think about me in the same way you think about her? –she dared him, looking directly at his eyes and too much close to him.
-A-Am…-he couldn't answer, he just got tense by her extreme closeness.
-Come on Shaggy, imagine it: the pretty and funny blonde, Mary Jane…All the things you hope to do with her…All the things you want to do with her…-her voice was low and…¨suggestive¨…to say the least, and if he thought she was close before…now she certainly was, almost whispering to his ear-…Now replace her for me. How does that make you feel? –her voice became simple again (like if she were stating a fact) and she gave him his ¨personal space¨ back.
-AAAHH…
-…Weird, right?
He didn't want to…but he had to nod.
-See? There's no logic to keep ¨having a crush¨ on a guy who, I know, can't return my feelings.
-Velma-his ¨older brother¨ tone sounded a bit…different now-What I'm trying to say is that…you don't have to…get over it rightnow.
She looked at him, a bit confused.
-I mean…You have been feeling…that way for a long time, right? –she nodded and waited for him to elaborate-So…it's okay if you…still like me for a little longer.
-…Say what now? –okay, now she really was confused.
-Velm, I…can't reciprocate your feelings…but I know just how hard it is to try to get over someone…-he looked lost in his memories for a moment and then softly said-…So, until you do…it's okay for you to…show your feelings.
-…Are you sure? –she asked cautiously.
-Yeah-he nodded and simply smiled.
-Like, really-really sure? –she insisted.
-Yeah-he repeated and couldn't hold a little giggle.
-…Is it really okay that a friend knows that another friend likes them and still be friends without things getting awkward? –she asked, comically unsure about the reality she was living.
-Well…I think so-he gave her a comforting smile and slightly patted her head.
She looked at him for a moment, completely in awe, and then…smiled.
-Ah! Sorry…I forgot you don't like that-he moved away his hand when he finally noticed what he had just done.
-Nah, don't worry. I actually like it…sometimes-she confessed with a smirk.
Shaggy felt mortified for a sec, but soon, his expression turned into an amused one. ¨You evil being…¨-were the unspoken words on it.
-So…now that we're talking about it: how long have you been feeling…that way towards me? –he couldn't help but wonder.
-Nine years-she answered without hesitation.
He almost choked with his own saliva after hearing that.
-N-NINE YEARS!? THAT'S ALMOST ALL THE TIME SINCE WE MET! –he exclaimed in utter shock, almost falling from the bed.
-Yep-she simply nodded, but on the inside: she was having so much fun with his reaction.
-Wow…t-that's…surely something-he could only say-But still, I don't understand why would you fall for someone like me.
-ARE YOU KIDDING ME? –she raised her voice and got really close to him again-Putting aside your cowardice, gluttony and stupidity…
-HEY!
-…you're a nice, hot and funny guy who any girl would be lucky to date with.
-O-Oh…ah…-well, he certainly didn't expect to hear that compliment.
But before he could give a ¨Thanks¨, she continued saying:
-Your long messy hair is nice to touch and fun to play with. Your eyes and smile shine so bright that is almost blinding sometimes. You may seem weak and skinny at first, but you actually are pretty strong for a guy like you. You're so energetic that is annoying sometimes, but you also make me want to express myself more openly. You also-
-OKAY-OKAY-OKAY! I GET IT, NOW I GET IT SO PLEASE JUST STOP ALREADY OR I'LL DIE OUT OF EMBARRASSEMENT! –he exclaimed while putting a hand over her mouth to shut her, with his face so hot and red that he felt like if it had just combusted.
After she nodded, Shaggy then moved away his hand and started to gasp for air as if he had just run a marathon.
-…Wow…For someone who technically is the most romantically experienced on the gang…you sure are not used to girls liking you.
He couldn't help but let out a short defeated laugh.
-…Can you blame me? This is not precisely an everyday thing-he commented within a breath.
-Yeah, I guess you're right-she simply nodded and after a brief silence, said-Well, you should go back to your girlfriend. She might be wondering why it's taking you so long.
-S-She is not my girlfriend…yet-he sheepishly mentioned.
-Shaggy…-his nickname was said in a low, serious yet simple way, her expression became complicated to read and yet again, she got extremely close to him, almost in a…predatory way-…I hope you're not implying that I might have a tiny little chance for that~.
-N-NO! –he panicked and quickly got away to try to clarify himself.
But before he could, she laughed and said with a grin:
-Don't worry! I'm just messing with you.
The brown haired guy looked at her with his mouth wide open and a blank expression on his face…just to recover after half a minute and say with a ¨hurt¨ and slightly angry tone and expression:
-…You're evil, you know?
-Yes, I do, and I know that might make me seem cruel. But hey! I've been keeping my feelings for NINE years. Let me enjoy teasing you until I finally move on, would you?
-Yeah…I guess I didn't know what I just signed up for, huh? –he comically commented.
-Yeah, you didn't-she agreed with a ¨high class¨ tone.
They shared a glance and just like that…they both laughed heartedly, just like in the old days.
-Well…-he stand up once their laugh ended-…Like you said, I should go back. Mary Jane might be worried-but before he leaved her, he turned his head and asked her again-Now are you sober enough to change yourself into your pajamas or want me to call Daphne afterall?
-I think I can change myself just fine, thanks-she answered with a hint of sarcasm.
-Right…good to hear-he nodded but still left the door mildly open.
-Come on, go already before I decide to tell the police where you hide your ¨medicine¨! –she insisted while laughing.
-DON'T-YOU-DARE…-he ¨angrily¨ remarked, pointing at her with a ¨scary¨ expression that only made her laugh some more.
-…See you later, idiot-she simply said and smiled, like if a heavy weight had just been lifted from her life.
He returned the smile and said:
-See you later, demon.
And finally…he closed the door…and that would have been a nice ending for this night…if it weren't for the creepy monsters that just decided to come by and make them all almost die out of fright…But that's a story for another time!
THE END
N.A: Hey again~! Honestly, I really think that: if Velma had an unrequired love on Shaggy and told him about it, this would have been his reaction. Also, I enjoyed writing the little ¨adult jokes¨ more than I originally thought…and since the actual movie had some of them, that also helped me to recreate better the atmosphere of it XD. Anyway, without anything left to say: hope to read you soon!