Chapter 18: Getting Way Too Involved

-x-

Denny wasn't really sure of the odd atmosphere looming within Braden's home. It was murky. It was what we call, "not the greatest situation to be in at the moment" moment. And it was strangely enough between his two best friends (that are human; sorry, Kuu). He noted though, that it was mostly radiating off of the dealer, a thing called anger, while worry and uneasiness mostly emitted from the farmer. He really didn't know what to say in the current situation. The fisherman knew that he was poor in such positions. The man in the middle (who knew nothing of what was going on NOR what to do). He was clueless as to all that had went on in such few hours. He wondered what exactly HAD happened when he left the two alone.

Alone…

In the woods….

…..together.

It occurred to him that that wasn't a very exciting thought, also noting that the two didn't really like each other. But they were…

Alone… Together. In the woo -

Denny snorted, ruffling his hair in annoyance. What am I thinking? They're just both in a bad mood. Yeah, that was ALWAYS the case for the two… (no). But no matter, the fisherman didn't want to lead off to unwanted conclusions.

Thus he decided he should lighten up the mood. He was always good at that.

Starting with a bright smile, he chided, "I totally hauled in a huge king fish today. We were celebrating at the beach. Also, the fishing club got new members."

There wasn't an answer until a soft mumble from the farmer came out as, "Oh, that's great Denny. Really happy for you." The cowboy hadn't bothered.

Then, he frowned.

"What's up with you two? Why was it earlier it was all good and now it's like poop?" He huffed. "Sheesh, I dunno what to do with you two."

Then Vaughn finally spoke (since saying his last words in Chapter 17), "If she would answer my question."

"I don't have a heck of an idea what you mean by that question." Chelsea bickered back. "I don't even know how I made you mad in the first place…" So she lied (at the end of Chapter 17... Tsk tsk.)… What was so wrong with a smile? And how do you smile "differently"? Was there bad smiles? (smirks) Was there evil smiles? (sneers) Was there smiles you shouldn't do at all? (Yeah the one you did (apparently) and perverted smiles.)

And once again, leaden silenced.

It was about 9 o' clock that Chelsea decided quits on the "sitting and say nothing" challenge that she, Vaughn, and Denny played unknowingly and excused herself to her room. And once she did so, making her exit known to the world, Vaughn did the second thing from his last, sigh.

"Dude, why you sighin'?" Denny asked from his place on the coach. He was folding his clothes and stuffing them into his small duffle bag.

"That farmer is frustrating." Vaughn simply answered.

The fisherman decided to venture as now was his chance to have some understanding of the situation. "What did Bray do?"

Vaughn stared at him from the table, his arm against the table, hand propping up his lazy head. His lips were straight and thing, and he answered plainly, "Why would you need to know?"

Denny sighed himself. He observed for a long time now that Vaughn wasn't one to go to for a straight answer. Sure, he seems to be the type to bluntly throw out his answer to the table, but no. It was all lies. And appearance was just as guilty. So the fisherman groaned inwardly and considered to approach the matter in a different way, "Is Vaughn angry?" He hadn't realized that his tone was purposed for small young children who had yet to understand the ways of "badness".

A glower was returned.

"I take that as a yeeeess." Then he defended, "But Braden's not really one to make people angry, and the least I'd expect to be angry is you."

Cue raised eye brow. Denny takes the last statement back.

"Alright, so maybe I do expect you to be annoyed, but not angry."

"Who said I was angry?" Vaughn questioned, then by looking at the other's expression, quickly added, "I don't recall "I am angry" and any other form of that statement escaping my lips."

Denny blinked and remarked sarcastically, "My, what a predicament."

Both men were able to talk so naturally. It was at these times that both fisherman and dealer know that they have mutual understanding - very twisted, odd, screwed on levels, and uncommon - but yes, mutual understanding. Of course, Denny didn't really understand why it was so different when it came to Braden, and of course, the other knew why it would be different.

"It's weird for Braden to also act like this. What exactly did he do?" Then after recalling, "Didn't he want to meet with someone?"

Now it was Vaughn's turn to think. Why think, you ask? Because, for one, he wasn't sure whether he should explain, knowing that it would lead to many questions from the ever-so-curious curly brown cat in front of him, but not only that. This could lead to other unnecessary conversations as well, not needed actions, perhaps some really suggestive things. Ah, but he decided to take no heed to his well brought up intuition and decided to go ahead with the whole upcoming disaster anyway. As long as it could keep his mind a way for a little bit.

"Braden wanted to meet with a nun and a pastor. He seems to have taken a shine to the girl."

Denny coughed over nothing. "What? … She's a nun? And aren't nuns supposed to be like… not married?"

Vaughn nodded slowly, "Exactly, seems like a certain farmer wants to break the rules." He noticed he was being pointed at by the now standing fisherman with an obvious gawking face.

"Is that why you're angry?"

Vaughn frowned. "No, and keep quiet. He's probably asleep already."

Denny slumped back down to his cushion on the couch. He didn't really get it at all. "Sooo, after that?"

"I met with the girl too. She's quite some years younger than us."

"So, Braden likes a nun… That's why he wanted to go.. girl hunting…"

"…" Vaughn would've said something, but allowed the guy to fend for himself for now. He wanted his fellow to read in between the lines someday and it has yet to come.

"I met with a girl today too."

Vaughn raised his brows. "And how did that go?"

"She acts weird. She seemed so outward to the other members of the group and yet when I talked with her she was barely saying a thing, muffling her words and acting all shy. Perhaps I did something wrong." He scratched the back of his neck. "She's a pretty girl, and likes fishing too…"

Vaughn was amused to the slightest. It was Chelsea's idea for all of them to go girl hunting. Elliot was dragged away by his sister. Pierre has some matters to do with the old woman in the café. Vaughn himself was having an obscured time dealing with a cross-dresser. And now Denny was telling him about his meeting with a girl in his fan club.

That farmer never failed to scare him either.

"So are you saying that perhaps you like her?"

Denny blinked and chuckled. "No way, Braden's …" Then he stopped.

"What about that mushroom head?" Vaughn began musing.

"Ah…" The fisherman didn't really know why "Braden" had slipped through his mouth.

"Braden has nothing to do with you and your love life right?"

"Of course not."

And that's when the amateur writer of this silly little story on some random website for writing stories thought she made her most stoic character drunk.

"I'm pissed at you, Denny." Vaughn muttered. "It's ticking me off." He was in utter amusement. And he knew that his intuition knew that the upcoming disaster had just started. And nothing was going to stop it now. And it was least expected for this person to be the one to start it.

"Hunh?" He was so pitifully lost.

And it finally came out blunt. "You should really get out of that closet soon."

Now, Denny, though he fails epically at times, surely was not a dimwit to everything, and he knew exactly what that meant.

"Admit it. You like Braden." Vaughn stood from his chair.

"I do not." Denny defended. "I .. I have never said a thing."

Now a laugh came from him. "It doesn't matter if you say something or not. Oh, words mean nothing. It's the gestures. The body language. The thoughts. What's been running through your mind lately?" Vaughn now began walking toward him.

"I bet you wonder how he's doing during the day… the night." And closer.

"You probably get annoyed when those girls out there obviously has their attention on him." And closer.

"You worry about his health." And closer.

"You get fed up at the slightest things that cause him harm." And closer.

"You lose your mind when you know he's in trouble." And closer.

"You used "let's be brothers' to just compensate for not having the true forbidden love."

"I have YET to see a day pass by without you touching him."

And that's when Denny realized that both of their noses were just an inch apart.

Vaughn grinned, stretching his arms pass Denny's head to grip the back support of the sofa. "I've seen this all. I know what's running through your head. What. Are. You. Gonna. Do?"

Denny stood up. And ran. To the door… Wrong way of course.

And well, Vaughn… He frowned, shrugged, and plopped himself down on the couch. "More space for me…" He mumbled as he waited. "Ah, I knew it. It's not going to be long now…"

Denny's POV

"What the… what was thaat?" I breathed out. My heart was pounding hard in my chest. What the freak was he thinking? Was Vaughn drunk or something? I pounded against my chest and breathed. Well, at least I was away from him. I don't think I wanna go back in there. Standing up again and breathing more, I blinked. It was seriously dark outside. I couldn't see a thing. And the ground was flat - sounding as if I was walking on wood.

And when my foot hit something human, I realized I was NOT outside. I was supposed to be outside, but I wasn't. Instead…

It was Braden's room.

Well, I couldn't really deny the fact since there was Braden asleep on the floor. … Floor?

I walked over him and turned on the lamp next to his bed which brought a dim light to the room, enough to see at least. And turning, there was Braden again, on the floor, sleeping.

Bending down, I could hear his light snore. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was ruffled every which way. He was in a sitting position, his arms at his sides and his legs bent. And oddly enough, I noted how small Braden really was.

I bet you wonder how he's doing during the day… the night

I slipped my arm around his back and another under his knees.

You probably get annoyed when those girls out there obviously has their attention on him.

He shifted a little in my arms and faced me. His snore came out lightly.

You worry about his health.

Setting him down softly on his bed, I took a nearby blanket and covered him up.

You get fed up at the slightest things that cause him harm.

You lose your mind when you know he's in trouble.

I took another pillow on the far side and placed it next to him, seeing that he cuddled nicely with it.

I have YET to see a day pass by without you touching him.

I kneeled down on the side of the bed, seeing that there was a tuff of hair out of place. I lifted my hand fixing his bangs. His slight movement made me smile.

You used "let's be brothers' to just compensate for not having the true forbidden love.

His cheeks were still tainted red and my finger brushed over it lightly, feeling the warmth surround my whole hand now. Was he crying? Was he that angry? What exactly happened between the two who were acting so weird?

I want to know.

I want to lift that burden of your shoulders.

I'll do anything… to keep you safe.

He didn't move. He still snored slightly, and his lips moved apart. He looked so small. He was so light.

And as if he wasn't a guy… I -

His lips right in front of my own. I backed up.

No. No no no.

We…

We weren't brothers anymore.

-x-

No POV

Vaughn had already pulled out a book by this time, reading in patience. Well, he tried to focus on the wonderful story before him, but there was one already played out in reality to distract him. And he smirked when he found a certain fisherman come out of the farmer's room, eyes shadowed.

"Howdy," was all that Vaughn said.

This is what he got in return: "NO, I'M NOT GAY!"

And now Denny was bawling (well, not really), completely frantic.

"I dunno what's wrong with me. What am I thinking? There was that time when Lanna tried to woo Braden. And that time when I talked to Lance. And that time when I asked Braden to my brother. And that time… when he was… bathing?" He frowned.

Vaughn raised an eye brow, still trying to get a focus on his book. "What?"

Denny shook his head and heaved. "I Can't Be Gay! No, homosexuals are prohibited in the Fisherman Code! You have no idea what trouble I could get into for that!"

'There's such thing as a fisherman's code?' Vaughn thought, quietly amused. His focus for the book was still denied.

Denny trudged toward the cowboy and grabbed his face. "Look at me!"

Vaughn frowned. "The view is horrible."

Denny swatted him on the back of his head, but completely missed. "This is WRONG. Wrong wrong wrong." He then glared at Vaughn. "I blame you…"

Vaughn replied smugly. "For letting you realize what you were doing and being the whole time? Which means you basically are gay, my fellow." Then he frowned. "If that's true, then get away from me. It's scary to know you're a gay."

"I'm not Gay!" Denny refused more. "I like women with large boobs. I like them who are girly and sweet. And cook my fish the way I want it to be. And bake me cookies and pack me a lunch. A woman. A WOMAN, Vaughn." Vaughn was surprised at the lie. Was he really that desperate?

Vaughn's reply? "It won't be hard making Braden a woman. Make him wear a wig and a dress and he's all yours." An image popped into Denny's mind and he was phased for a moment. Then clicking out of La-La-Land, he snatched a pillow and smacked Vaughn with it.

By this time, Denny was worn out. He hates thinking. Thinking makes his head hurt. And he hates it when his head hurts. "I dunno anymore, Vaughn." He was already slumped down to the floor, playing with his shoe strand. "I don't know what to do."

Vaughn then sighed. "How about you get a girlfriend then?"

Denny ears perked up. "What?"

"Since you want a woman so much, it beats thinking. It could also help keep your mind off of him."

Denny continued the thought. "And if I don't think of him… Then that means I won't be Gay anymore!"

"So you are admitting that you are gay." Vaughn said after analyzing the statement before.

"I never said I was gay."

Vaughn sighed, hitting himself with his book. Why can't the guy just accept the fact that he likes her already?

-x-

Chelsea woke up, finding herself at a lost. She clearly remembered last being on the floor. She was thinking to hard and completely lost all her brain power and slumped to the floor last night. She hated thinking. Thinking made her head hurt. And she hates it when her head hurts.

She turned over and looked at her clock. It was already noon.

Noon?

She jumped out of her blanket to find herself still wearing what she wore yesterday. She frowned as she sprinted out of her room. She found that no one was in her home, but clearly, Vaughn's belongings sat neatly on the couch, Denny's things no where to be seen. She went over to her tool chest to find that her tools weren't there. She sighed, believing today just wasn't her day. She had probably left her tools outside.

She then quickly went outside and turned for her field. She found the axe and hammer sitting idly on the pale grass, then heard water flowing out.

Looking up from her tools, she spotted Vaughn in a white t-shirt and jeans, no hat to be found, standing up now, back facing her. And he was watering her crops. He looked liked he was in a state of peace, minding his own business with the crops, this alone being assumed by just looking at his back. It was quiet too.

"Good morning." Broke the silence.

Chelsea blinked, wondering how he knew she was there.

"I could hear you breathing." He answered.

She frowned. He can read minds too? Of course, that is not true. She sputtered, "Good morning."

He turned around, now facing her. "Afternoon really." He then walked toward her, watering can in hands. "You woke up late."

"Obviously." She retorted.

Vaughn handed her the watering can. "I already took care of the animals, the crops are watered now. All there's left is to clear the field. You could do that much, squirt."

Chelsea looked to see he was right. The chickens were grazing in the fence she made on her field. Flare and Aidan were amusing themselves with a nearby rock. And the crops glistened with water droplets, brimming under the sunlight. She sputtered out again, "…Thank you…"

Vaughn closed his eyes and turned for the field once again, quickly going on to the next task. He didn't really say a word after that. And Chelsea was doing the same, tending to her field with him. She didn't say a thing either.

That is until she realized that a certain fisherman was missing.

She looked around, throwing a rock to nearby pile. Then she looked the other way. She blurted out, "Where's Denny?"

Vaughn took a while a to respond, but he did answer straightforwardly. "He left early this morning. Don't know where he went."

"Oh…"

Picking up a nearby branch, she frowned. A sting was made on her finger and she set the branch down on the pile. Her finger turned red and swelled, quickly turning out to be a red puff ball. But she ignored it this time. Then after a while, it stung again, this time twice as painful, enough to let her drop a rock she was hoisting. She tried to ignore it again. The next time, it defeated her.

"Goodness, why does this hurt so much?" She muttered to herself angrily. "It's just a stupid blister."

A shadow came over her. "That's because you've infected it, stupid."

"Really?" She stood up, still inspecting her finger.

"Yes, really." Vaughn replied. "And that's not a blister. You just managed to let wood poke into your skin, rotting wood apparently." He was surprise to see how big it was too.

She gave him an odd look.

Vaughn sighed and began to walk toward her house. "The other end of the field can wait. Come on." He gestured for her to follow.

At first, she didn't want to. She felt like a five year old again, sticking out her tongue in a prideful and defiant fashion. But after seeing the look on his face - and a mighty scary one too, she sighed in defeat and followed him like a pouting child.

Once inside, he asked her where the first aid kit was.

"First aid kit? I don't have one of those."

"Tweezers?"

"I don't need tweezers. I could bite it off."

He looked at her as if she was mental.

She shrugged, sitting down on the couch, and began picking at the wood with her other finger. Every scratch hurt, but finally she got it out, now the hole spurting out with crimson. "Ahah! I got it."

"I can't believe you." Vaughn face-palmed himself. "Do you know what you've just done?"

"If by any chance, did the best thing in the world and became a hero?"

Vaughn sighed and flashed out a wet paper towel, but once he slammed it down on her finger, she winced.

"AGH! That freakin hurts!" Chelsea screeched, backing away from the paper. "What did you put in that?"

"Alcohol. Sanitizing Alcohol." Vaughn answered, lending out his hand for her to put her own into. "You and your dirty fingers made that wound worst. Now give me your hand."

She plopped down her hand on his and she winced again as the alcohol had collided with crimson once again. He began rubbing a few times, until no red was seen, then took another dab of alcohol to wrap around her finger. He began searching for a bandage within his own things.

"Wow, Vaughn." Chelsea chuckled. "You're so prepared."

He gave her a little shrug, continuing his search.

"Um… thank you.. Again." Chelsea rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "I would've been up late if it weren't for you."

He now faced her and brought out his hand again. Once her hand was there, he unwrapped the bandage and started sticking it on her finger.

"And I'm sorry…" Chelsea mumbled. She wanted to say it. And she thought this was the right time. "I'm sorry for … making you do this."

"You, farmer, need to start sorting out your prioritize. First being you." He said bluntly.

She blinked. "I'm also sorry for yesterday -"

"Why?" He finally looked up at her.

"Ah…" She withdrew her hand away, now scratching the back of her neck. "I just wanted to apologize for making you… angry."

He stared at her, then seemingly began to get it. "I wasn't angry."

"You weren't?" She asked hopeful.

"No, but you made me frustrated." Vaughn simply responded.

"But whhhhyyy?" She exasperated.

He then thought for a moment. Looking at her again, he said this,

"You never answered me. There's something wrong with you, especially with that girl." This time, there was no running away. He knew he was going to get his answer.

And it was odd to Vaughn too. Why was he so interested? He would never know. But something about the whole situation got to him, reminded him, and it was strange. It was like a mirror faced him and he needed to find his answers. He needed to find the answers behind the fogged reflection.

Chelsea brought her hands to her lap. She was silent for a moment. Her brows raised, obviously thinking, and then she gave her answer.

"My little sister. Melanie… That's who Alisa reminds me of… I … I never really got to talk to my little sister, though I would see her. I always wanted to talk to her. I always thought of ways I would treat her, and play with her along with my friend… who also lives with us."

She fumbled with her hands for a bit, but then continued. "I'm sure you know a little of my family and our untouched issues, considering that Jack was basically proclaiming it to the world… I didn't… My family… " Her eyes eventually hardened.

"My family is just not the greatest family on the whole world, Vaughn." Chelsea sheepishly made a smile. "So somehow, Alisa gave off that feeling that my little sister had. And I was able to talk to her. I guess I was sorta… at peace. It was nice. But it's kind of lonely since she really isn't my sister."

Now Vaughn stared at her, hard. And he reviewed everything, since then, until now. And oddly enough, he began seeing two.

He gave a loud sigh, dropping himself back on the couch too. It was an odd action from him since normally he was up tight and stoic, but for once, Chelsea could see was coming loose.

"Goddess, we really are alike huh?" He dryly said. "Too ironic to be a coincidence."

"Hunh?"

He rolled his lavender eyes toward her and said, "I wasn't angry. It was just frustrating and I blasted off on my own… but…" He thought over was he was about to say and decided it be best not to say the unneeded. Instead, he said, " I should be the one to apologize actually."

Chelsea felt a hand settle on her head, ruffling it a little. His hand was warm, and a small chuckle came from him.

"Heh, I'm sorry for giving you a headache too."

She frowned - deeply, took a pillow and smacked him.

Vaughn pushed away the pillow and smacked her back, lighter than he had expected.

This time the smile on her face was the one that she needs to keep. He knows this.

Never again a smile with regret.

He had finally wiped away the fog between him and his reflection.

And what he found was her, the one who was smiling that smile, the smile he could never show.

-x-

Humma, I like the last few lines. Heh, my impeccable ability never ceases to impress me. (From afar, "WHAT ABILITY?") Yeah, way to pierce the ego. Haha!

- DoJo