A.N. Hello! I'm really sorry this took a while. I wanted to upload this last week but my internet went down for the longest time… So yeah sorry.
Well anyway this is going to be a series of one-shots, so I can be as random as I want without having to stay within one storyline. However since this is getting to be longer than I wanted it to, this is probably going to have a part II. The funny thing is though is I was going to do something else but then everyone began to get more into Tsuyoshi-Chin's idea and I thought "crap that's so much better than I what I had in mind." So… here we are now.
Enjoy!
Special Thanks to Tsuyoshi-Chin for coming up with the idea! XD
I stood outside of the GameHole pulling out my phone, Danny should be here in a little bit. I thought with a sigh of relief, for once I showed up early without using the ninja mask. I smiled triumphantly to myself, before entering the building. Since both Danny and I have our own towns to take care of and if we ever get "caught up" in something, we always agree to meet up somewhere we can entertain ourselves while we wait. I looked around before gasping and immediately sprint toward a new game. Oh cheese! is this what I think it is. I thought eagerly, Oh cheese it is! I thought excitedly.
"The new Attack of the Zombies 4! This isn't supposed to come until next month!" I said happily barely comprehending as I shove my hands into my pockets looking for any loose change I might have. When I found nothing I realized that I forgot my wallet at home. At this I felt like doing what I see people do in movies, falling to my knees and screaming "no" to the world. I actually contemplated going home and getting some change before Danny came, he thinks that I get "too carried away," but I have no idea what he's talking about.
"Hey." I heard someone say, I felt my head shoot up before turning around to look for whoever called me. Standing in front of me was a black and green haired guy, he was shorter than I was, by maybe 3-4 inches, but who's counting, but that didn't seem to change the kind of "rebel" look he seemed to have.
"Hi, um sorry am I in your way?" I asked glancing toward the machine. He just shook his head.
"Nah man, I'm new. Jake." Jake said casually offering his hand. I took it, before smiling at him eagerly.
"Bruce! Where are you from?" He raised an eyebrow at my choice of words before dismissing it.
"I'm from New York, but I don't really know when I have to head back though, since I'm here with my Grandpa." He said still smiling.
"You're going to have such a bruce time here!" I said excitedly before continuing "After all, how many places do you know of that have a ninja?" I asked trying to contain my knowing smile. He furrowed his eyebrows, before shaking his head.
"I don't know any, but you're wrong. Dragons are where it's at yo." he said New Yorkers accent thick in his voice. I gaped at him.
"Wha? Nah, can a dragon use a sword, or smoke bombs?" I questioned. I saw him smirk slightly before he shrugged.
"I don't know… that all seems kind of pointless when a dragon can fly and breath fire." He said smirk ever so apparent.
"Noooooo. Ninjas are the brucest." I declared, determined to prove Jake otherwise.
"No dragons are." Jake responded.
"Nope!" I said staring him straight in the eyes. He laughed lightly.
"Okay, fine. I'll agree that ninjas are better than dragons-"
"Because it's true." I interrupted stubbornly.
"If you play some games with me." He continued ignoring my comment. I thought about it for a moment. I guess a new friend wouldn't be so bad. Plus if he's any good I could beat him and Danny at Grave Punchers. I thought smiling.
"Sure, but I don't have any money on me." I said glumly. He winked at me with a mischievous smile.
"Don't worry about it, it's on me." He said casually.
"Really?" I asked incredulously eyebrow slightly raised, he nodded. "Are you sure?" I continued hesitantly.
"Do you want to play or not?" he asked
"...Yes." I said slowly. I don't really want to take advantage of that though.
"Then what's the problem?" Jake asked, I stayed silent.
"I'm supposed to meet up with someone in a little while..." I said not really wanting to keep Danny waiting because I'm too into a game. I can just stop when he gets here. I thought. "Okay, but not for too long." I said attempting to make a stern voice. He smiled at me.
"Course, whatever you say." he said in a dismissive tone, but I instantly forgot about that as soon as he asked me another question. "So man, you know any cool games around here?" I smiled broadly at that before showing him around the GameHole, pointing out games I thought were the cheese, and sort of got a little competitive and kept this up until we got to SwordHunt 101.
"Randy what's this?" Jake asked staring at the main character with interest. I took a glance at the game Jake pointed out.
"Oh yeah I remember this one." I said remembering when Greg installed this around last year. "It's a game where your a hunter and you get to hunt down ogres, trolls, unicorns, and other stuff like that, and as the main character you know how wonk that is and ditches her old place and goes off to help them." He nodded still staring.
"Who's that?" He asked pointing to the character, she wore all black with a green scarf covering all the way to her nose, and a long blonde braid extending to her hip.
"That's um, Lilly I think. She's the bruce character you get to play as" when I didn't hear a response I waved my hand in front of his face. "Hello? Anybody home?" I asked, he looked up.
"How bout' we play another game?" He asked, Is he okay? I thought as I stared at him questioningly before shrugging it off, not pushing it. Being around Danny for so long taught me a little about when I should drop a topic, and man has it been useful.
"Sure what else do you wanna play then?" I asked smiling, he shrugged.
"Don't know, so you can go ahead and lead the way." He smiled a little, I smiled in return before walking off and playing a few more games. It was actually a lot of fun and I'm probably going to introduce him Danny and Howard sometime. Yeah they could all be friends! I thought happily, As I turned to see how Jake was doing in the game turns out he'd already finished it, and was looking in my direction. I looked around to see if there was something behind me that I didn't see, but when I found nothing I looked at him curiously.
"Hey Jake, what are you looking at?" I asked, he blinked a few times before looking away.
"Um yeah, I'm okay." I wasn't really sure what he was looking at with so much interest but it must have been something really bruce if he was acting the way he is. I was about to say something else until I heard the front door open, I took a quick glance out of habit, not that i've been looking at the door, waiting for Danny to walk through, cuz then that would be weird… and I am not weird. I saw a blob of black hair and immediately brightened, and like I hoped Danny was walking through. I smiled brightly waving him over, I saw him look up before his eyes landed on mine as he made his way over with a smile. I looked over to Jake, who was looking between me and Danny with a confused expression on his face. I smiled at him before grabbing his arm and pulling him earning a small yell on his part. Once I was within three feet of Danny I let go of Jake and clasped my hand around Danny's.
"Whoa, hey Randy, sorry I'm late, I had to-" He paused looking at Jake for moment before continuing "do something on my way here." Danny said smiling apologetically.
"It's fine Danny, who knows how many times, I've done it to you? So it's only fair." I said smiling at him reassuringly. He nodded slightly. "Besides I hung out with Jake, so I had a pretty bruce time." I said gesturing to Jake. Danny looked at the shorter, spiky haired teenager next to us.
"Oh right. Danny this is Jake, he's from New York. How bruce is that?" I said smiling. "Uh, pretty cool, I guess. I'm Danny." He said offering his hand, Jake took it, introducing himself.
"Jake. But uh not to be rude or anything but who're you?" Jake asked suspiciously.
"Um excuse me?" asked Danny raising an eyebrow. I felt my eyes widening in realization.
"Oh right I forgot to tell you, um… Danny is my boyfriend." I said happily while leaning in closer to Danny hands still linked together. Jake's eyes widened slightly before he smiled slightly.
"Oh cool, tha-that's great man, I'm happy for you." I smiled at him thankfully, not everyone was open to this kind of thing and I know that, so it was really cool for him to not be weirded out by this. After all, Danny and I are happy and that's all that matters.
"Thanks Jake." I said the sincerity in my voice apparent.
"So you ready to go now Randy?" asked Danny.
"Oh right, Danny before we go I forgot my hoodie. I'll be back in sec." I said separating from him, leaving him alone with Jake. Now they can be friends I thought smiling to myself as I ran to where I think my hoodie was.
I was on my way to the GameHole about thirty minutes late, as I flew toward my destination. It's a good thing, that Randy and I decided to meet up somewhere we can at least enjoy ourselves until the other shows up. I had to deal with the box ghost… for the fourth time this week. He's easy but persistent I'll give him that. I flew until the GameHole was in sight and went into a nearby alleyway to change back before walking in. When I came in I saw Randy wave me over immediately and I smiled, walking over to where he was. When I got to him he immediately rushed over clasping his hand on mine.
"Whoa, hey Randy." I greeted before continuing guiltily. "Sorry about being late, I had to-" I paused noticing the extra company. "do something before I got here." Randy just smiled dismissively.
"It's fine, I mean how many times have I done this to you? It's only fair you can do the same." I knew it was sort of true though Randy was never that late, but since I did change the time on his watch to be 20 minutes later, not that he knows I thought, it did make me feel a little better. "Besides I hung out with Jake so I had a pretty bruce time. He's from New York! How bruce is that?" Randy added joyfully gesturing to his new friend, I looked at the shorter guy with hidden suspicion, before I decided I was going to judge yet. I should cut the guy some slack, after all we just met. I thought reaching out my arm,
"I'm Danny." I said as he grabbed my hand.
"Jake, and not to be rude or anything but who are you?" He asked with what was almost a glare.
"Um excuse me?" I questioned. Okay something is definitely off here I thought as I heard Randy "Ohhhh" in realization.
"Jake this is Danny, my boyfriend." Randy explained leaning closer to me as if to prove this, I narrowed my eyes protectively watching "Jake's" reaction, there was a momentary look of shock on his face, before he congratulated us awkwardly. After that I put my guard down slightly, he was probably unused to the idea, which I thought was a little weird since Randy said he was from New York. With that many people there I'd expect him to see all kinds of different people, showing off different forms of PDA(Public Display of Affection). But I didn't question it further as I looked at Randy.
"Ready to go?" I asked, he nodded before getting out of my grip.
"I just have to get my jacket, be right back!" He said running off in some other direction leaving me with Jake. So now here we are in awkward silence, I didn't really know who he is but I figured I should at least attempt conversation until Randy came back, I decided clearing my throat.
"So uh, Jake. What's New York like?" I asked, that should be enough to get us talking.
"Pretty cool, actually. Lots of people to meet you know?" I nodded.
"I wish it was like that in my town, since there aren't that many new people. If something went on, everyone would know about it." I added, though I wasn't lying tourists is one thing but people actually living in a ghost infested area… yeah not too common.
"Cool man. Um how'd you meet Randy?" Jake asked stuffing his hands his pockets.
"Um I came here with my parents for… business" I paused not really wanting to explain that my parents are ghost hunters, "and I sort of roamed for a while and Randy showed me around." I said summing it up. Jake nodded a contemplating expression present on his face.
"...Good pick." He said smiling. I raised an eyebrow.
"Thanks… I think so too." I said slowly, he kept smiling.
"Though if I were you, I'd be careful." He said knowing smile in place, I gave a him a look.
"Why?" I asked this guy is beginning to weird me out… I thought. Jake shrugged.
"You never know when it could end." He said smirk in place, my eyes widened as I felt anger bubble up inside me.
"What are you talking about?" I asked raising my voice. He brushed me off before continuing.
"After all… you never know if he'll find someone else." He finished looking me straight in the eyes with an innocent smile. At this I felt anger my anger double as glared at him. I had to physically restrain myself from yelling, though if he kept this up I doubt I would care… including a few plasma blasts to the face to be sure.
"I don't know who you are, but you should take my advice and cut it out." I threatened glaring daggers at him.
"And if I don't?" Jake asked pressing on.
"Or I'll make you, and trust me it won't be pretty." I said stepping forward, Jake just laughed which did nothing to ease my anger.
"Besides... I bet Randy would be happier with me." Jake said stepping forward and now we were less than a foot away while I glared at him, until I realized his mistake and glared further.
"Didn't you just meet Randy?!" I asked incredulously.
"So what? I liked what I saw." He said nonchalantly. If looks could kill he'd be dead on the ground. Not that I would mind… I thought at the back of my mind.
"Listen you even think about taking advantage of Randy I will personally-" I was saying before I was interrupted by Randy, who had just glomped me from behind causing me to almost lose my balance. I felt a small yell escape my throat at the sudden action. I heard Randy laugh, before turning to us now wearing his familiar purple hoodie.
"Hey guys!" He greeted. "What were you guys talking about?" He asked obliviously. I felt myself frown before I opened my mouth to respond only to be harshly stepped on. I let out a small cry of pain as Jake interrupted.
"Danny was just telling me about how you met." Jake said with a charming smile. I was just about ready to destroy him as I got up, had Randy not interjected.
"How bruce! Then that means you're both getting along." Randy said blissfully unaware of what I really wanted to do to Jake.
"Yup, but remember if he ever does anything, feel free to come to me." Jake said in a what looked to be a joking manner, because I knew the meaning of he had said and I felt overprotectiveness burst from within me I wrapped my arm around Randy pulling him closer to me. Giving Jake what I now think are demon eyes, though Randy gave me a curious side glance seemingly still oblivious to the atmosphere and allowing me to hold him, as their conversation continued.
"Haha very funny Jake, but I doubt that I'd need it." Randy said looking at me with a smile. My expression softened slightly at that, and as much as I seriously appreciate the loyalty, I couldn't contemplate as much as I would have liked due to Jake still being here. In fact I would have happily beaten him by now had we not been in a public place, especially the Game Hole. Since they have a no fighting rule here, anyone who disobeys would be band, meaning anyone involved would become banned. But this is Randy's favorite hang out so I couldn't ever do that to him knowingly.
"Yeah funny…" Jake said trailing off before he continued. "but still though, if there's anything bothering you, feel free to give me a call." Jake says hospitably, handing Randy a piece of paper that most likely has his number. I'll burn it when I get a chance I thought viciously as Randy looked at it curiously about say something else before I decided to join in.
"Yeah, well. We appreciate the offer… but we've better get going." I said narrowing my eyes at him. Jake shrugged giving me momentary smirk that got my blood boiling as I continued to resist the urge to beat him up.
"Yeah, well have fun, after all you never know how long those moments could last." My grip around Randy tightened at that comment. Randy seemed confused by that as I heard him, but probably shrugged it off.
"Oh, thanks Jake! How Bruce! Now I can text someone from New York." I sighed you'll forever be optimist.
"Yeah well, we'll keep that in mind, but we should go now. Right Randy?" I asked as his smile noticeably brightened, I couldn't help but notice just how adorable he looked at that moment, which just made me want to keep Jake and anyone else that I find to be a danger away from him at all costs.
"Yeah! Bye Jake it was nice meeting you!" I didn't wait a minute after he said that as I went ahead and more or less lead Randy out the door, Jake said something else but I didn't really care enough to pay attention. I hate this guy, I hate how he's deceiving Randy the way he is, I hate how he's acting like he wants to get between us, and I especially hate how much confidence he has in accomplishing that. But that's not going to happen, at least not on my watch. I thought determined.