Summary: Jack was never good at leaving him alone.
Characters: Vlad, Jack, and Maddie
Prompt: Picture Day

Day Thirteen

Vlad tried to make his escape, though unfortunately his plan was rather unsuccessful.

For such a large man, Jack had the uncanny ability of sneaking up on a person with the stealth of a cat, light on his feet and hardly making a sound. Vlad tried to keep low and stay hidden, but at every turn, Jack reared his large body to block off the escape route. Gritting his teeth, Vlad hunched down behind one of the dumpsters, praying that he wouldn't be found, yet again, by the other man.

"What are you doing down there?"

Vlad jerked his head around with a gasp of "M-Maddie!" that made his voice crack embarrassingly. He flushed, feeling silly after the woman, his crush, found him like that. Rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck, he stood. "I was just-"

"Where'd ya go, V-man?" Jack's shout came from somewhere nearby, far too closely.

Vlad knew he needed to get moving, to find a new hiding place, but this was Maddie, standing right in front of him, with a smile on her lovely face. He already felt humiliated enough with the way she found him without having to make up some lame excuse that she probably wouldn't buy before rushing off to get away from Jack.

"Ah," Maddie said, nodding her head in understanding after hearing Jack's voice. "Picture day, huh?" She smiled as she patted him on the shoulder. "I think it's great that you two get along so well together."

"What?" Vlad spluttered in shock. Sure. He and Jack were roommates, but that generally meant Jack dragging him around despite any and all protests.

"Well, you know, Jack isn't exactly popular either," Maddie explained as a frown appeared on her face. "It's nice to see that he has someone to hang out with. And you're such a good guy, Vlad."

Frowning, Vlad realized he hadn't really given much thought to that point, though he did remember seeing some of the big names on campus teasing Jack a few times since the first day at college.

"There you are, Vladdie!" Jack appeared suddenly, drawing Vlad into a crushing one armed hug that made the thinner man cringe as his internal organs felt like this were being squeezed to the point of bursting. "Oh, hey, Maddie," he greeted, receiving a smile from the woman. "Come on, V-man! Everyone's waiting on you to take the picture." He dragged his roommate off toward where they were holding the photo session. Vlad caught Maddie giggling behind her hand before they turned around the corner of the building.

DiscordianSamba: Thanks! =) It took me a while to think it up, so I'm glad people liked it. 8)