Easy Come, Easy Go - A Snowbaz Story
Chapter 1 - What Comes After The End?
Baz
Today is my first day of University. I woke up early so I would have time to hunt before class, and also so I can go see Simon this morning. After draining four to six rats, I head back to the flat I share with Fiona to clean up.
My hair, still wet from my shower, is slicked back neatly, and I've changed into a navy suit with a pink v-neck underneath. I take the train to Simon and Bunce's place, and stop to grab sandwiches on my way, because it always makes Simon happy when I bring sandwiches.
After giving a light courtesy knock on the door, I let myself in with the key Simon gave me last week. He said he was tired of having to get up to let me in. Despite the horrid excuse, it still made my heart flutter.
When I walk in, Penny is in the kitchen bustling around. "Bunce," I say with a nod in her direction. I look around for the familiar mop of bronze curls I love so much, but come up short.
"Good morning Baz, would you like some tea?" Penny asks.
"Yes, thank you. I've brought sandwiches. Where is Simon?" I say as I take a seat at their small dining table, and Penny pours me a cup. She is wearing her classic short skirt and knee high socks with her hair pulled up into a messy ponytail.
Penny frowns and says, "He's still in bed. To be honest Baz, I'm a bit worried about him. He's been in such a funk recently, sleeping all the time, and moping around when he's not sleeping. I'm not sure if even sandwiches can fix this."
I nod dejectedly in response. I've noticed he's been a bit down as well, but I didn't realize it was becoming such a problem. "I'm going to go check on him," I say as I stand from the table, and Penny starts taking her share of the sandwiches.
I give a light knock on his bedroom door. "Simon?" I call out softly. There's no answer, so I open the door slowly and peek inside. He is curled up on his side with his red, leathery wings splayed out behind him. His hands are tucked under his cheek, and he's snoring softly. The dark green duvet is pulled up as far as his wings will allow, leaving his bare shoulders exposed. His curls are wild from sleep, and there's a bit of drool leaking from the corner of his mouth, dampening his pillow. He's so beautiful; watching him sleep takes me back to our days at Watford.
I close the door softly behind me as I make my way over to him. His hair has grown out quite a bit, and I can't help but gently run my fingers through it and give a feather light kiss to my favorite mole on his cheek. He stirs, breathing deeply and rubbing the drool from his mouth.
"Good morning, Love," I say.
"Baz?" Simon says, his voice rough with sleep. His blue eyes flutter open, and he gives a small smile. "Hi," he says, wrapping his arms around the back of my neck and pulling me down on the bed next to him. He buries his face in my shoulder and gives a sigh as I stroke his hair. My suit is definitely going to be wrinkled, but it doesn't matter. He's so warm, and these moments are all that I live for. "What're you dressed so nice for?" he asks, noticing my outfit choice.
"It's Bunce's and my first day at University, remember?" I say, pushing his too-long hair out of his eyes. His face falls slightly at the reminder.
"Oh. Most people would just wear jeans, ya' know?"
I raise an eyebrow at him and say, "Do you really think I am most people, Snow?" Besides, I really didn't go that over the top, compared to some of the things in my closet.
"Of course not," he says with a huff, "but I like you in jeans. I wish you would wear them more often."
"Yes, well, I like to give a good first impression. I brought sandwiches. Aren't you hungry?" I don't know why I even bother asking. He's already dragging himself out of bed and throwing some pants on.
Simon has eaten an entire sandwich before Bunce can say good morning.
"Simon, will you be alright by yourself today? I can spell your wings for you now in case you'd like to get out for a bit," Penny offers, already pointing her ring at him.
"No Penny, I've told you I don't want you to use magic on me anymore. I'll be perfectly fine, it's not like I'm a child for Christ's sake."
Penny rolls her eyes and says, "I know you're not a child, Simon. I'm just trying to help." She then crosses her hands over her chest in frustration, and Simon glares at his food stubbornly.
He shoves the last sandwich in his mouth and makes his way to the couch, flopping down face first so his wings will be comfortable. Bunce and I share a concerned look. Simon has been spending most of his time on the couch lately. He just doesn't seem to have a purpose anymore now that the Humdrum has been defeated and he's lost his magic. He didn't want to enroll in University with us, he says he wants to find a job but hasn't even tried looking for one, and all he does is sit around and feel sorry for himself.
"Simon, how about I come back later this afternoon and we do something fun together, yea?" I suggest. He really just needs an excuse to get his arse off the couch.
"Mm, okay," he agrees with some hesitation. He doesn't like to leave the flat because of his wings (and tail). It is a bit odd wearing a jumper to hide them in the summer, and he won't let us spell them away anymore.
I finish the rest of my tea, then stand and try to smooth my suit the best I can. It's not pristine, but I will still be the best dressed student today. "Well, I best be off. Don't want to be late," I say, glancing at Simon on the couch. He doesn't even lift his head in my direction. I sigh, and to Penny I say, "Are you coming, Bunce?"
"Yes, just a second," she says, grabbing her bag and sliding on her Doc Martens.
I walk over to Simon, and crouch down next to his face so I can make him look at me. "Please take care of yourself, Snow," I say. His blue eyes meet mine, and I would do anything to see him smile, really smile the way he used to, before everything. He looks so sad, it makes my heart ache.
"I will, Baz."
"Thank you," I say, rubbing my thumb across his cheek. I kiss the corner of his mouth and feel his face warm in my hand. "I'll be back later, then," I say, and then make my way out of the flat.
"Bye Simon!" Penny says, closing the door behind us.
I stare at my feet as we walk the first block in silence. "It's okay, Baz," Penny finally speaks up. "I really think he just needs time to process everything that happened. It's not the type of thing that someone can just recover from in only nine months."
"You're probably right."
"I usually am."
"I just can't take seeing him so sad all of the time. He needs something to give him purpose so he won't sit around on the couch all day."
"How about a pet? Maybe something small like a goldfish."
"A pet! That's a brilliant idea! Bunce, you're a genius," I say, beaming at her.
She smiles back and says, "Yes, I'm aware."
We arrive on campus, and it's time to go our separate ways. "Have a good class, Bunce," I say with a nod.
"You too!" she says, and she's off. Although Penny has entered my life as a side effect of dating Simon Snow, I've really come to appreciate and admire her. We do have a common goal, afterall, which is making Simon happy.
Simon
I rub the spot where Baz kissed me with my thumb, my cheeks warming at the memory. Baz chose me, and everything else that sucks in my life right now doesn't seem to matter so much. Because I've fallen completely in love with him.
But it's hard to be alone, like right now. I think a lot, mostly about the past and things that I shouldn't have done and things that I should've. I don't regret giving up my magic, but I do miss it. Despite the fact that I was always pretty rubbish at it, and I needed Penny's help most of the time even back then. It feels worse now somehow having to rely on them, though. How am I supposed to keep up now? I'm just a normal. A normal with dragon wings and a tail, but still a normal. I don't belong in their world anymore. I hug a throw pillow to my chest as tightly as I can, just to give myself something to hold onto while I feel my feelings. I'm so used to being the hero, the protector, but I can't save anyone from anything anymore. I can't even save myself from these depressing thoughts.
After a while of laying on the couch and thinking about things I have no control over, I decide to keep my word to Baz and try to take care of myself. A shower and fresh clothes, and maybe a second breakfast ought to do the trick.
Chapter 2 - Randy
Simon
I've been playing video games on the couch for the past hour or so when Baz arrives. He lets himself in with the key I gave him last week. I did that a bit impulsively, but I don't regret it. I just want Baz to know he's always welcome here, because it's better when he's around. I pause my game as he sits down next to me.
"Hi," I say, turning to face him. I've changed into baggy jeans to hide my tail, but I still don't have a shirt on. It makes my wings uncomfortable, so I usually don't bother until I have to.
"Hi," he says, smiling at me cheekily. He's plotting something, I just know it.
"How was class?" I ask, a hint of skepticism in my voice.
"It was fine, just your usual first day introductions. But nevermind that. Bunce gave me an idea."
I narrow my eyes at him and ask, "And what idea is this?"
"What do you think about adopting a pet?"
"I've always wanted a dog. Is that what we're doing today? Are we getting a dog?" I say excitedly, grabbing Baz's hands and bouncing like a kid on Christmas morning.
Baz blinks in surprise, and says, " Oh, erm, Penny mentioned a fish."
"I don't like fish. I want a dog. Can we please go get a dog, Baz?"
Baz hesitates, then says, "Owning a dog is a lot of responsibility. Are you sure you would be able to properly take care of it? It would need food, water, walks, baths…"
"I was the chosen one for most of my life, and I handled that responsibility well enough. I think I can handle a dog."
Baz sighs. He knows I'm right. "Okay," he says, "we can go to the shelter and look, but we shouldn't bring anyone home until we talk to Penny. We also need to buy all of the supplies and dog-proof your flat. I didn't even know you liked dogs."
I grab a hoodie from my closet and throw it on, tucking my wings in as tightly as I can. Once my shoes are tied, I'm grabbing Baz by the wrist and dragging him toward the door. "Let's gooo."
Baz chuckles at my impatience, and pulls me toward him using the wrist I'm holding. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me deeply. I bring my hands up to wrap around the back of his neck, holding him there. I haven't been this excited to leave the flat in months, and now he's making me want to stay.
Baz
We've arrived at the shelter, and it's obvious all the animals are terrified of me. They have better instincts than humans do. I approach one of the kennels to try and say hi to a German Shepherd mix, but she instinctively cowers in the back corner of her cage and barks at me. "Simon," I say, dragging his attention away from a fluffy thing almost as large as he is.
"Hmm?" he says, glancing at me for a moment before returning his attention to this absurd dog that Penny would never allow in her flat.
"I think I should just wait outside. I'm upsetting the dogs with my presence."
"What? That's ridiculous. You're not upsetting anyone. See, Fluffy likes you." I step closer to the dog's kennel, and he immediately switches from licking Simon's hand affectionately to growling at me and showing teeth. "Fluffy, stop that! Baz is nice, I promise," Simon says, throwing an arm around my shoulders and planting a fat kiss on my jaw. The dog stops growling, but still doesn't look very friendly towards me.
"I really don't mind waiting outside."
"No, this was supposed to be something fun we do together. I'm not letting you wait outside. Just stay back a bit and try not to make eye contact."
I roll my eyes at his stubbornness, but do as I'm told, following a few paces behind him and trying not to look at any dogs for too long. Simon crouches down in front of one of the kennels to examine a smaller dog. There's not much to see other than a small snout poking out from underneath a mound of blankets. The dog is snoring loudly. I glance at the info tag attached to his kennel. "It says here his name is Randy." The dog gives a particularly loud grunt, then emerges his head from under the blankets, ears raised inquisitively.
"Aww, he knows his name! Hi, Randy," Simon says, and the dog waddles out from his cocoon. He's a standard red dachshund who is clearly overweight. His belly nearly drags the floor as he makes his way over to Simon, and I notice just a hint of gray under his eyes.
I continue reading Randy's info card, "Randy is male, 45lbs, 8 years old, and heartworm negative. It says here his owner passed away, and there were no surviving relatives who were able to care for him.
"That's so sad," Simon says quietly, scratching behind Randy's ear through the kennel bars. "You're an orphan too, huh?"
Two hours later, we arrive back at Simon's flat with Randy in tow. We stopped at the pet store on our way back, and I'm holding two shopping bags full of supplies.
"Morgana, what is that?" Penny exclaims, standing up from her position on the couch and looking at the dog incredulously. You'd think we brought a numpty home from her expression.
"This is Randy, our newest roommate," Simon beams at her and removes Randy's leash. The dog starts furiously sniffing every inch of the apartment, then raises his short little leg on the accent chair. "Randy, no! Bad!" he scolds. Penny's eyes are wild.
"Don't worry, Bunce. We came prepared," I say, digging the cleaning spray out of the shopping bag.
"When I said Simon should get a pet, I remember specifically saying something small, like a goldfish."
"Simon doesn't like fish," I say sheepishly while spraying down the area Randy has christened. I could just Clean as a whistle! It, but I'm not sure if Penny would appreciate that. (Clean as a whistle! only makes it as clean as a whistle, otherwise magicians would never shower). She should know I can never say no to Simon, so in a way this is her fault. "Besides," I say softly so he won't hear. He's currently in the kitchen setting up Randy's food and water bowls. "He hasn't been this happy in months. How could I deny him?"
Penny watches Simon as he happily chatters away at Randy and shows him around his new home. She sighs, pushes her glasses up her nose, and says, "Fine, but I'm not cleaning up after it."
Simon
Later that night, I'm tucking Randy into his new bed and getting him all snuggled up under his blankets. I told Baz earlier that I've always wanted a dog, which wasn't a lie, exactly. I have always wanted one, but I wasn't aware I did until this afternoon. It's like when I realized that I wanted Baz, I just went for it without a second thought, because I knew it was the right thing to do.
Baz is splayed out on my bed and scrolling through his phone absentmindedly. I move to sit next to him, taking in all of his features. His raven black hair is shiny and healthy. It curls slightly just past his jaw. His pale gray skin is smooth and almost iridescent in the light of his phone screen, and the contrast against his thick, dark eyebrows is stark. His nose is long and thin and nearly perfect, except for the slight bend towards the end from when I broke it back at Watford. His pale gray eyes slide over and meet mine, and he raises an eyebrow inquisitively. "What is it, Snow?"
My cheeks warm in embarrassment from being caught staring. "S'nothing," I say, averting my gaze and tugging a hand through my curls in frustration.
"Simon," he says, taking my face between his hands. "Tell me."
"It's just…I.." I blubber.
"Use your words, Snow," he says, but it doesn't come out as snarky as it usually does. My cheeks are burning underneath his cool hands.
"Thank you for caring about me," I say quickly, forcing the words out. "I just don't want you to ever think I take you for granted."
His eyes are intense as they bore into mine. "Don't be ridiculous. You don't need to thank me for that, Simon. As if I could ever… you might as well thank me for breathing air."
I touch my forehead to his and say, "Now you're the one who's being ridiculous."
He pulls my face even closer and kisses me, as if trying to prove something. I melt into the kiss, taking in every inch of him.
The moment is soon interrupted by a high pitched whining which gets louder by the second. I pull away from Baz reluctantly and see Randy propped up against the bed on his hind legs staring daggers at us. He scratches at the duvet making it clear what he wants. I move to bring him up on the bed with us, but Baz stops me.
"Randy has his own bed, and it's really very nice. There's no reason he shouldn't use it."
"But…" I look from Baz to Randy, and the latter is giving me the most desperate puppy dog eyes, and he gives another annoying, high-pitched whine.
"Ugh, fine," Baz says, crossing his arms over his chest and grumbling incoherently. Something about how he shouldn't let me get away with so much.
I heave Randy up onto the bed. He's certainly hefty. The shelter staff told me his previous owner was elderly and couldn't walk him anymore. She also spoiled him with treats, clearly. Randy is starting a diet and a regular exercise regime first thing tomorrow. He manages to burrow himself underneath the blankets and curls up right in the middle of the bed, leaving Baz and I crowded on one side of him.
"You could at least scootch over some," I say, trying to push the big lump over a bit to give us more room. He just grunts in response.
"It's getting late. I should probably head back to Fiona's." Baz says as he sits up and starts putting his shoes on.
"Oh," I frown in response. "Is it because I let Randy on the bed? Because I can kick him off."
"It isn't that. I just have a long day tomorrow. I have to be up early for class, and I have football practice after. I also need to, um, you know," he taps his eye teeth so I understand.
"Maybe you could stay over tomorrow night, then? If you're up for it, I mean," I ask hopefully.
He brushes the hair out of my eyes (I desperately need a haircut. Maybe I'll finally do that tomorrow) and kisses my forehead. "I would love to," he says, then kisses my nose, and then my cheek, and my jaw, and finally my lips. My insides are melted butter by the time he pulls away.
"Good night, Love," he says as he stands to leave. "Sleep well, and," he pauses with one hand on the door knob. "Don't let the dog boss you around too much," he says with half a smile.
"I won't," I say, even though I probably will. "Good night, Baz."
Once he's gone, I curl up under the blankets, and Randy snuggles closer to me. I feel his paws dig into my back, and it's horribly uncomfortable. I doze off peacefully, feeling a sense of wellness. For once, I'm not dwelling on the past or seeking constant distraction. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow.