Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for this idea, everything else belongs to Rob Thomas and the excellent team that produced Veronica Mars.
The next morning Weevil woke up by the smell of coffee and bacon, momentarily confused when he opened his eyes.
"Good morning, sunshine." Veronica looked over at him briefly on the couch, while holding a frying pan full of scrambled eggs. He got up slowly, rubbed his eyes with his hands, before he put his t-shirt back on.
Weevil made a quick stop by the bathroom before sitting down in the kitchen, where there now were rolls, scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee and various other breakfast foods on the table.
"Wow," he muttered, smiling up at her and grabbing a cup of coffee.
"I can do eggs, at least. Nice to not eat alone for once." She smiled and shrugged.
"How long ago did… you and Logan break up? I just heard about it a few weeks ago."
"A month ago or so," she shrugged. "I ate alone most of the time before that, too, for the record. He actually texted a few minutes ago, asking if he could come by today to pick up some things." She shrugged. Weevil couldn't help his response.
"To… pick up some things? Or to pick you up?" Weevil's tone made it more than clear what he was suggesting. She rolled her eyes at him, and his brain suddenly had flashbacks to high school, to all those times she would roll those beautiful eyes at him.
"To pick up his things. I have a box ready and everything. You're welcome to stay, you can see for yourself," she stated matter-of-factly, taking a sip of her coffee. He nodded at that, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
They continued the breakfast mostly in silence, but it was the comfortable kind. A twinge of something had stirred in his stomach as she mentioned Logan coming over, but it was remedied quickly by her response. She had invited him to stay for a little while longer.
"You took your ring off," Veronica suddenly remarked, breaking the silence. He looked up to see the expression on her face, but it gave nothing away. Weevil just nodded, not breaking their eye contact. His left ring finger had a faint lighter band around it, not having gotten any sun in the past years.
The silence enveloped them again for a few minutes, and he was itching to ask her about the kiss, but he couldn't make himself bring it up.
"What are your plans for the day, except for meeting up with Logan?" he asked instead.
"Thought I might get some work done on that case I've been having trouble with. Probably do a stake out tonight," she shrugged, finishing off her breakfast.
"How do you usually spend your Sundays nowadays?" she asked, tilting her head. He let out a small laugh at her usual mannerism.
"Usually, with Valentina or Felix, or both. She loves him. Sometimes we spend time with extended family in the old neighbourhood." Veronica nodded, looking thoughtful.
"Did I hear something about Felix and Molly having a baby?"
"Yeah, Molly's pregnant."
"Can't believe we're at that age. Everybody's having children, on purpose."
"I know, even I have one," he smiled at her, their friendly banter-mood in place again.
"I can't deny, I was a bit surprised at the reunion," Veronica replied, not mentioning the wife he had introduced her to.
"The "making"-part ain't that hard once you get some practice," he said and winked at her, earning a smile for his innuendo.
After they finished eating, they started clearing off the table and put the leftovers back in the fridge. It felt strange, how comfortable this was, like they had always had regular sleepovers.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Veronica's brow furrowed.
"That was… sooner than expected," she mumbled, making Weevil understand it was Logan at the door.
He stayed in the kitchen, leaning on the counter and observing as she went to open the door still only wearing her tiny pyjamas.
"Hey."
"Hi. Come on in." Veronica opened the door for him to enter. Logan barely walked inside, before he stopped next to her and stroked her cheek with his finger. Weevil could see Logans true intentions then, making his stomach drop. He looked down, uncomfortable watching them by the door, and cleared his throat to make his presence known. Logan looked up immediately, clearly surprised.
"I didn't know you had company. Weevil, or is it Eli now? Long time no see."
Weevil nodded, not sure what to say. Veronica pointed Logan in the direction of his ready packed box, and walked over to the kitchen while he went to fetch it. Weevil gave Veronica a knowing look as she approached him. She shrugged, clearly not wanting to comment on it while Logan was still in the apartment.
Weevil couldn't help but notice the disappointed look on Logans face as he walked away. He had to know they weren't like that. Even if Logan could believe they were something, the couch being made up should remedy some of it. Weevil felt the dread take place in his stomach again.
About a minute later, Logan came back to the living room, carrying a box and a book.
"Thanks, I'll let you get back to your Sunday." Logan nodded and gave them an unconvincing, weak smile. His eyes were radiating hurt. Veronica just nodded and smiled politely back at him, not moving an inch before he was out the door. As they were left alone again, she drew in a jagged breath.
"So… just here to get his stuff, huh?" Weevil could hear the vulnerability in his own voice, but he wasn't sure if she could. Veronica bit her lip, thinking a second before she replied.
"Well, good thing you were here then. That way I didn't have to shut him down myself." Veronica gave him a small smile, seemingly willing him to believe her. Weevil exhaled, relieved at her response.
"Do you want a lesson in bike riding then? It's parked right out front." Veronica looked at him incredulously, a grin slowly coloring her features.
"Really?"
"Really. I said I'd teach you. Just, do me a favor and change into something with a little more… coverage," Weevil couldn't keep his grin back as he obviously gazed at Veronica's tiny pyjamas. She smiled back, slightly blushing.
"Will do. I'll just be a minute."
A few minutes later, Veronica emerged in slim fit jeans, a sweater and a leather jacket. Weevil couldn't deny having fantasized about just such a look.
He whistled at her as she came towards him, earning another small blush of her cheeks.
"Lesson one: dressing for the part. Done." She snickered back at him, though clearly a little self-conscious.
Weevil opened the front door for her, and they walked the few feet over to his bike in silence.
"It looks bigger when I know I'm going to ride it myself," she grimaced, and Weevil had to laugh.
"Not like that, you dog!" Her tone was accusatory, but her laugh was genuine.
"You have nothing to fear. I'll be right here, and we'll take it slowly." She shot him a look, but Weevil tried to keep his grin off his face this time. He failed miserably.
Weevil placed himself so he could steady the bike as she mounted it, and instructed her of what the different pedals, switches and cables were.
Veronica tried turning the start switch, holding down the break and carefully releasing the clutch cable at the same time. The engine stalled immediately, making her jump.
"You almost got it! This is the hard part," he tried to reassure her.
Veronica bit her lip in determination, focusing solely on the task at hand. When she tried again, the engine revved. Weevil had to admit, the bike looked bigger and more powerful between her legs. The picture was possibly even hotter than he had pictured it.
He applauded and shouted when she got it started, making her smile. Veronica let the bike glide forwards, taking it slowly. Weevil followed next to her on foot. She had a bit of trouble steering, and as the bike was much heavier in a slower pace he could understand why.
Veronica pulled the brake lever, and the bike came to a complete halt halfway down the street. She put her leg out when the bike stopped moving.
"You looked like a pro!" Weevil exclaimed. Veronica didn't look like she believed him, but she smiled back at him nonetheless.
"It's much heavier when you're going slowly. It'll get easier." Weevil took over driving the bike, Veronica more than happy to sit behind him again.
They went for a ride around the neighbourhood before Weevil parked outside her condo again.
Veronica got up from the bike, handing him her helmet.
"I better get going to the beach, I'm meeting Felix and Valentina there," Weevil explained then, trying to hide the fact that he didn't want to leave.
Veronica was quick to nod and smile at him.
"Of course, of course. Have fun. And thanks for the lesson." She quickly pecked his cheek.
"You just let me know when you want to learn more," he winked at her, putting on his helmet again.
"Thanks for letting me crash, V," he said, the sound slightly muffled by his helmet.
"Anytime."
As he drove away, his heart was beating slightly unevenly.
"So… it's over." Weevil had just finished telling his best friend about Jade and him. Felix shook his head, not wanting to grasp what he'd just told him.
They were at the beach, and Valentina was playing with her bucket and shovel in the sand a few feet away from them. She was out of hearing range, so Weevil thought it as good a time as any to come clean about the last few weeks.
Weevil told him he had plans to move out, and that they were just beginning to tell people. Felix asked a few follow-up questions every now and then.
"Who's the dude?"
Weevil shrugged.
"Don't know. Haven't cared to get the details." Felix looked at him incredulously.
"How come you're so calm about this, Weevs?"
Felix stared right at him, and Weevil had trouble meeting his gaze.
"It's just done, man. It is what it is."
Felix shook his head and mumbled "whatever you say, man" back at him. His best friend knew him better than that, but he was also clever enough not to push when he knew he wouldn't get more out of him.
When they were heading home from the beach, Weevil and Valentina were asked to dinner and a sleepover at Molly and Felix's house.
Felix had brought Valentina in his car, where he had even installed a car seat for her. He took his uncle duties seriously. Weevil gladly accepted the invitation, knowing how much Valentina loved to hang out there. And, as a perk, he didn't have to go home.
Molly had made Valentina's favourite food and gave them both a big hug as they entered the house. Felix and Molly had recently bought a small house on the outskirts of town. It was in need of some love and care, but it had room for them, family and friends, and there was even a nursery ready for when their baby would make it's arrival.
As Weevil hugged Molly, he could see she had grown in the two weeks since he'd last seen her.
"Hello, baby," Valentina chirped at her stomach, and Molly was glowing with happiness. Weevil couldn't help but smile. He was so happy for them.
They ate their meal while chitchatting about day-to-day stuff, and he could see Valentina's eyes start to droop as her bedtime was fast approaching.
He lifted her up from her chair, thanking for their food before going into the guest room to put her down for the night.
Weevil tucked her in and kissed her forehead, watching her for a second before he left the room. She was already fast asleep, looking content after their day at the beach.
He texted Jade where they were, so she wouldn't worry. As Weevil sat down at the table again, his phone rang. He quickly picked up, his heart beating a little faster when he saw the name on the screen.
"Hey. Any chance you could help a girl out?"
"Do you need my help with anything in specific?" He couldn't help his flirty tone.
"Kind of in a jam at the stake out. I'm at club Z." This time he detected the urgency in her voice.
"I'll be right there." He locked eyes with Felix across the table, and he nodded, understanding that they were to stay here and take care of Valentina. Molly had not missed his tone, and she looked confused.
"You might want to catch Molly up on things," Weevil said as he picked up his jacket and bolted for the door.
"Call if you need me," Felix shouted, getting a nod from Weevil before he left the house.
He was speeding the entire way there, internally cussing that Molly and Felix's house was further away from club Z than his own home. What had she gotten herself into now? Weevil shook his head, trying not to think of her as the only girl in the world.
A/N: Thank you for reading!