{*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*]*~Multiverse Mysteries~*[*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*}
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Pseudo Psychic Verse *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
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Chapter 7:
Friends, Family & Feels…
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*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*{****************}
Okay…good…one crisis down. Heaven only knows how many to go but at least one down.
And oh wow, was this was a big one…One he never even imagined.
Good lord….
He was absolutely dreading confronting Desi this morning. It scared him even more than potentially running into his parents. I mean yeah coming here seeing them had been his biggest concern and it still ranked somewhere between a root canal and attending a funeral on things he wanted to do but at the very least that was something he was somewhat prepared for.
About the only 'good' thing about his parents is he knew exactly where he stood with them. He's known from the moment they found out about him not being straight.
Hell, even before that.
He'd heard the comments, repulsion and utter vitriol whenever anything even remotely came near the topic of homosexuality. On some level as soon as he realized he was something other than straight he also realized the second they found out that'd likely be all there was to it. Yeah at times he'd toyed with the idea that maybe that'd actually be the thing to shake them out of their backwards, close-minded views, that maybe they'd see it differently when it was their own kid but deep in his heart of hearts he knew that was about as likely as his flaily, clumsy, hyperactive ass becoming Prima Ballerina for the Bolshoi Ballet.
He may be an unyielding optimist but he's never been stupid. He never had too many illusions about the type of people they were. To put it bluntly they were close-minded, hateful, sanctimonious bigots. They hid the hate and vitriol behind religious beliefs and 'good Christian values' and all that other crap but it didn't really fool anyone, least of all him. He'd seen the writing on the wall from a mile away.
They were who they were. Their beliefs came above all else; including their own son. He knew this. He'd known since he was fourteen. Since the day he came home from school to changed locks and his things out by the trash bin.
That was one of the worst days of his life and it hurt like hell, but at least with that he knew on some level it was coming. He may not have known exactly how it'd go down or wanted to believe it and it may have been far earlier than he'd have ever willingly chosen but that at least he'd near always on some level known was coming.
Now this with Desi? Totally different can of worms.
This just completely blindsided him. Being rejected and abandoned by his parents was one of the worst experiences of his life but the idea of being rejected by Des? By one of the best friend he'd ever had? The closest thing to family and stability he had managed to find in his adolescent and teenage life? Likely the only thing that got him through the worst, darkest, bleakest time he has ever experienced?
The idea that all that time he's just subconsciously been using Des for a place to stay and a shoulder to cry on? That he was somehow leading him on. The idea that the one person he truly trusted and confided in and platonically loved more than anyone else was in reality just circling, waiting for an opening. That all of their time together was Desi playing some long game, just biding his time, waiting for his chance?
God, that was a gut punch like he's never experienced.
When he'd woke up this morning he felt lost, nearly physically ill. Everything felt like a complete mess and he was flooded with a near overwhelming typhoon of complicated, conflicting emotions that sent his head spinning and had him dragging out the old breathing techniques he learned back in high school to stave off panic attacks.
He simultaneously felt totally betrayed and like a total betrayer. Like he'd let Desi down. Like Desi let HIM down. Like he'd used Desi, took advantage of him and his feelings. Like Desi was doing the same thing to him.
God it was like he didn't know which way was up. He's never felt so off-kilter, so conflicted.
Thankfully they got it dealt with. Desi was good, he was good, they were on the same page- for real this time- and they both knew exactly where they stood.
Thank goodness they got that sorted…at least he sure as hell hoped they did. He didn't think he could handle another round of that. Even so it feels like they got to a good place. He knows Desi had plans to propose to this Tyler. That definitely says he's moved on. H-he thinks…
Though going by his track record since coming back he could absolutely be missing something. But he's probably not…
God he hopes he's not.
He paused, swallowing, taking a deep breath, trying to stop his brain from spiraling.
Alright, okay dude, enough of that. It's sorted. It's done. You guys had your talk and you're just gonna have to believe him unless you or one of the others sees something that tells you otherwise. If that happens you cross that bridge when you come to it. No use stressing yourself out on some random unverified possibility.
Not when there's so many OTHER things to stress and spin about here.
The Desi Drama's done, now onto the rest. Gotta admit, after dealing with that unexpected emotional rollercoaster a nice missing person's case seems downright pleasant.
He hesitated a moment as he got to the top of the landing steadying himself before continuing on, passing by the open door to his room, heading across the hall to the guest bedroom. They'd all agreed to get an early start on the case, planning to all be up and downstairs by about seven as he knew Desi would likely be up and about by then and they didn't want to waste any time. However that was decided very much before all of the Desi Drama (well before HE knew about all the Desi Drama).
While Simon headed downstairs to deal with THAT Raphael headed across the hall to tell Magnus and Alec to hold back so Simon could have his talk with Desi in private. At the time it'd seemed like the best move but Simon's only just now realizing that also means for as long as he's been downstairs dealing with the Desi thing the three of them have been up here making idle chit-chat while they waited for him to deal with the Drake thing...though he got the feeling the chit-chat might not have been quite so idle.
If anything he had a pretty good idea what the topic of conversation would have been.
Raphael knew the whole story but the guy's a fortress. He wouldn't share anything Simon didn't specifically tell him he could. Even so Mags and Alec were some of the sharpest people he had ever met. They have to of picked up on the Desi flirting and romcom nonsense pushed by the townspeople and Simon's complete obliviousness to it all.
Actually now that he's momentarily shook his family facing fear induced tunnel vision and he's able to look back at their arrival and trip about town he can pinpoint several times when they were actively running interference for Raphael. The two of them subtly slipping between him and Desi, changing the subject when the whole 'high school sweethearts/long lost love' crap came up, countering the cute, funny Simon/Desi stories with even cuter, funnier Simon/Raph stories.
Oh man, thank god he had them there. At least someone had Raphael's back yesterday.
He's very grateful for them supporting his boyfriend when he was too distracted to notice he needed the assist and he does know they'd never think he was just ignoring it or brushing Raph off for someone else. He's glad they know him well enough to realize that but even though that's a fair bit better than them thinking he was just waving off Raph's discomfort to connect with an old friend at the same time he really doesn't want to have to explain to them exactly WHY he was so distracted.
They're gonna assume it's something pretty big as while he can be kinda forgetful or scatterbrained about certain things Raphael is most definitely not one of them. He's usually hyper aware of his boyfriend and his level of comfort, especially in social situations and large groups as he knows even if he has a hell of a poker face and can cover it flawlessly the guy can get overwhelmed quite easily with that.
This is a totally new town, in a totally new- wildly different state- full of new, overly nosy, far too familiar people and they're staying at the house of a total stranger. If this was anywhere else or dealing with anything else Simon would have been totally focused on Raphael, watching for when he needed an assist or a break from the bombardment. It had to have been hell for the guy. It should have been glaringly obvious Raphael was very far out of his element and every last bit of it totally went over Simon's spiraling, spinning, flailing head.
They're definitely gonna know it's gotta be pretty big to distract him from Raphael anytime but especially in a situation when he'd so clearly need the assist. Doubt they're just gonna believe it's something as simple as nostalgia and the 'thrill' of being back in his hometown. They're not gonna believe that and even if he could get that to fly he wouldn't feel right lying to them, especially when they spent half a day running interference for him while Simon was totally clueless to it.
Yeah, pretty much inevitable; they're gonna have to get into this.
I mean he's not naïve, he knew it was more than likely gonna come up during the trip. He may have been hoping they could get this sorted super quick and avoid it but realistically the idea of getting something like this by two of the sharpest detectives he's ever met was gonna be a pretty big longshot. Even so he really wasn't wanting to get into it before 9am on their very first day.
Well…he supposes if it has to happen maybe getting it out in the open quick is the best.
Besides logically Magnus already knows. Simon knows his gears started spinning on the plane. Raph stopped it, distracting him, shifting the focus but Simon has known Magnus long enough to know once the gears start spinning there's really no stopping them. Add to that his Desi stories, the total, complete lack of any familial mentions and all the little touches still around the house that clearly show he'd lived here for a pretty significant amount of time and they can probably connect a lot of the dots.
Mags probably already knows at least the gist of it…which means Alec likely already knows. Which….well…he doesn't know if them knowing without his outright telling them is better or worse but if that's where they are then that's just where they are. Just have to go with it.
And he needs to stop the mental babbling and spinning and stalling and just get it over with.
Simon paused a moment, closing his eyes, taking a deep, centering breath to steady himself. He swallows, blinking his eyes open, raising his hand, knocking lightly to signal his entrance before opening the door. The three are scattered about the room; Alec sitting on the foot of the bed, Raphael with the desk chair pulled over beside it, Magnus standing, leaning against the dresser. They all look somewhat tense, speaking quietly.
At the door opening the three go silent, turning as one to look at him, freezing. Three sets of bright, wide, very concerned eyes land on Simon and totally freeze like a deer in the headlights.
Simon just barely manages to stifle an affectionately exasperated sigh and head shake.
Gee…can't imagine what they were talking about…
Simon freezes a moment himself, blinking somewhat rapidly at the unintentional stare down, brow quirking, awkwardly raising his hand, giving a faint little wave and a slightly spooked almost smile.
"Uh…H-hey guys…"
"Hey…" they echo back in a falsely half cheery, somewhat too high tone, mirroring his awkward wave and frozen, nervous smile.
Well…this isn't awkward at all.
Raphael is the first to snap out of the accidental stare-off, starting faintly, quickly standing, crossing the room. His deep, soulful brown eyes shift over Simon, flashing a soft, wonderfully compassionate little almost smile. He comes to a stop in front of Simon, hesitating just a moment before reaching over, gently resting his hand on Simon's arm, head tilting in concern.
"Are you okay Amor?"
Simon swallowed, nodding kind of shakily, instinctively shifting closer, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend, hugging him tight. Simon swallows, feeling a little shiver slip through him, hugging Raphael even tighter.
"Y-yeah…I'm good, we're good." He mumbles into Raphael's neck, nodding faintly.
Simon sniffles slightly, taking a deep, shuttering breath, squeezing Raphael tight once more, leaning over, brushing a soft, lingering kiss to Raphael's cheek, nuzzling lightly.
"I'm really sorry I d-"
Raphael shook his head, hugging him back just as tightly, one hand slipping up his back, coming to rest just between his shoulder blades, rubbing slow, soothing circles.
"You have nothing to apologize for Amor. I told you the last thing I ever wanted was for you to feel guilty or like any of this was your fault. You did absolutely nothing wrong. You had no idea."
Simon nodded, sniffling again, giving a somewhat helpless half shrug.
"I-I know but I should hav-"
"But you didn't and that is okay. You had no reason to catch any of it because from your perspective there was nothing to catch. He was your best friend- your Mags. Magnus hugs and kisses me all the time; it doesn't even register to me because it's…it's Magnus. That's just what he does.
The only time I ever really notice it is when he specifically doesn't do it because it usually means he's either really upset about something or really mad at me. You didn't notice anything off because as far as you knew there wasn't anything off to notice.
As far as you were concerned you knew exactly where you stood. He's the one who flipped the script here. That is on him.
You're not responsible for other people's actions and your past with him makes for one hell of a blinder. You said yourself you never really saw him that way. You thought he was on the same page…" He hugged Simon tight once more, leaning in, brushing a soft little kiss to his lips before pulling back faintly, flashing a soft, gentle smile, gesturing over towards Magnus, shrugging.
"You said he was your Magnus. Hell, Magnus acts flirty with me all the time. Like I said he hugs and kisses me; he's always putting his arm around me or leaning against me, making little comments and whatever else. I don't give it a second thought because I know it's not any kind of interest or move or whatever; he's not 'making a move', he's just Magnus-ing like he always does."
Magnus gave a soft huff of a laugh, brow quirking, slipping closer to them.
"You know whenever you use my name as a verb it always seems like an insult or a synonym for foolishness."
Raphael sorted right back, gaze slipping briefly from Simon over to Magnus, brow raising to match Magnus's perfectly in playful challenge.
"That's because it usually is."
Magnus laughed, the sound near perfectly echoed by Alec. Magnus gasped faintly, whirling, animatedly pointing at Alec, mock glaring.
"Hey! You're not supposed to agree with that!"
"I did-"
"You nodded!"
Alec blinked, in surprise, beginning to stand up, looking around in faint confusion.
"How did you…"
Magnus shrugged.
"My amazing psychic powers."
Three perfectly in sync disbelieving scoffs echoed throughout the room, Alec moving over to the rest of them, folding his arms, brow quirking at his boyfriend expectantly. Magnus stood his ground for a moment before kind of deflating, looking around at the three of them before huffing, near pouting, shrugging, slumping faintly, half-heartedly waving.
"Okay well my amazing psychic powers…and I could see your reflection in the mirror."
Simon gave a surprised burst of laughter, feeling something inside unclench at his best friend's antics. Magnus turned at the sound, shrugging, dropping the false insulted act, his attention slipping from Alec over to Simon. Those bright, deep brown eyes flicker over him, taking in everything. Simon catches the hint of worry and sadness nearly completely hidden behind the practiced ease and bright amused spark.
Magnus starts lightly, seemingly catching himself, the somewhat false, playful light sparking brighter effectively covering the bleaker, deeper emotions, smile tugging into a teasing little smirk, flashing a faint, impish wink at Simon, conspiringly leaning in.
"Think this means we need to make 'Raphael-ing' a thing."
Raphael snorted.
"Pretty sure it already is. That's me running around putting out the fires the Magnus-ing causes."
Alec chuckled, glancing over at the shorter man, head tilting.
"Really? I thought it was whatever the hell you said to Raj back at the bank that had him so scared he nearly smacked into a wall."
Simon snickered, shaking his head, flashing a faint smile, squeezing Raphael's side, tugging him close.
"No it's flirting someone into a tizzy regardless of their preferences or orientations…like with poor Alice." Simon grinned, nudging his shoulder, catching his eye, teasingly rolling his eyes.
"I swear you were some kind of vampire or a succubus in a past life."
Raphael chuckled, giving a totally unconcerned shrug and a playfully smug little smile, head tilting.
"So 'Raphael-ing' is basically just being equal parts impressive and intimidating? Kay I can work with that." He hummed, arm slipping up, settling around Simon's shoulder, squeezing his arm lightly, catching Simon's eye, flashing his patented flirty, dangerous smirk, gaze flickering slowly over Simon appreciatively, brow quirking invitingly.
"Hola..."
Simon snorted, giggling brightly, shaking his head, affectionately nudging his shoulder.
"Alright smarty, no need for that. Think by now it's pretty clear you got me under your spell and then some."
Raphael hummed, gaze flickering slowly over him, shifting all the way down then back up, pausing pointedly on his lips, giving a soft, near wistful hum before shifting back up, catching his eye, an adorably impish little smile tugging at the corner of his pretty lips.
"Ditto."
Simon laughs softly, feeling the heat blooming in his cheeks, unable to stop a near moony sigh of his own, glancing away, feeling his head spin and that exciting, buzzy, thrilling flip in his stomach. He gives a soft, breathless little giggle, swallowing, nodding, holding up a finger, lightly tapping his shoulder.
"O-okay…THAT is Raphael-ing at its finest."
Raphael chuckled softly, leaning over, brushing a soft, tender kiss to his lips.
"Well makes sense. Save the best for the one who actually matters. You only deserve the best."
Simon swallowed, smiling, leaning over, lightly kissing his cheek, nuzzling softly, lingering, giving a soft, happy little sigh.
"So do you."
Raphael smiled, tugging him closer, squeezing his side.
"I have it."
"Me too…" Simon mumbled, nuzzling closer for just a moment, leaning into him, feeling himself relax against the other man, closing his eyes, just kind of reveling in the moment.
He stood like that for a few moments, just breathing, taking in his comforting, heady, wonderfully familiar scent, just settling into the moment, everything else falling away. He feels his body relax, feels himself all but melt against Raphael. The tension and stress tying him in knots from the moment he woke up this morning just melts away and he feels his mind slow, still and calm the same way it always does whenever he was this close to this wonderful, amazing incredible women.
God how did he ever get this lucky?
Finally he took a deep breath, slowly pulling back just the slightest bit. He sighs faintly, blinking his eyes open, gaze lingering on Raphael, flashing a soft, warm grateful smile.
"Hi…"
Raphael chuckled softly, deep gorgeous eyes warming all the more, reaching up, gently brushing a few wayward curls behind Simon's ear, thumb trailing down, tracing along his jaw.
"Hi…"
Simon couldn't help a soft little laugh at the oh so familiar exchange, feeling more like himself then he has since he stepped foot on the plane yesterday. He smiles softly, gaze lingering on Raphael for a few more moments before sighing, pulling back a little more, gaze shifting from his boyfriend over to his two best friends, flashing a soft, somewhat sheepish smile.
"Umm…h-hey."
Alec and Magnus chuckle lightly, raising a hand, giving oddly in sync waves.
"Hey."
Simon laughed lightly, feeling his cheeks warm, shifting faintly, pulling a bit away from Raphael, turning more to face the other two.
"Hey, um…I really want to thank you guys for having Raph's back yesterday. You guys were awesome; I don't know what I'd do without you. I know I should have seen it but I jus-being back here is real-"
Magnus sighed, shaking his head, moving closer, giving a slight wave.
"Darling no; please. You don't need to explain."
Simon started, shaking his head.
"B-but I do. I owe you guys an explinat-"
Again Magnus shook his head, moving closer, coming to a stop about a foot away, catching his eye, flashing a soft, gentle smile.
"No sweetheart. You don't."
Simon swallowed, taking a deep breath, nodding faintly.
"B-but I do…We're working a case. If I'm gonna be distracted and off my game the-"
"-Then that just means the rest of us have to be sure we're on ours." He smirked, shrugging, nodding towards Raphael and Alec.
"Not really much of an issue with this group."
Simon huffed out a faint laugh, glancing around the three of them, nodding, smiling gratefully.
"It never is. Still I should-"
"Is it something you want to talk about?"
Simon faltered, giving a halfhearted little shrug, reaching up, scratching nervously at his arm, fidgeting a bit.
"I-w…well…no b-"
"Then we don't need to." Magnus cut him off, flashing a soft, sad, gentle little smile full of warmth and compassion.
He reached up, slipping his arm around Simon's shoulders, squeezing, tugging him in for a tight, comforting hug, patting his back gently.
"If you ever wish to talk about it we can as much as you want for as long as you want but don't think for even one second that you are in anyway obligated to. We're here to help you and support you, with the case or the oddly LGBTQ friendly townspeople or the idiotic, overstepping friend drama or whatever else you need.
No matter what, we got you. We love you."
Simon sniffled, hugging him tighter, nodding against his shoulder.
"I love you guys too…"He paused, pulling back, catching Magnus's eye, shrugging, flashing a faintly exasperated, half joking smile, rolling his eyes faintly.
"In a purely platonic-totally, totally non-romantic, family-ish kind of way of course. You know since I apparently need to be sure to specify."
Magnus gave an exaggerated gasp, pouting melodramatically.
"Damnit! And here I was thinking this was the perfect opening to finally bring up the whole swinging thing! All those months of planning down the drain. Well, there goes my plans for the rest of the visit."
Simon snorted, rolling his eyes again, playfully pushing him away, shaking his head exasperatedly. Magnus smirked, waggling his eyebrow suggestively.
"Hey, just saying we do work very well together…"
Raphael scoffed, shaking his head, brow quirking, totally unimpressed.
"Yeah…if there was ever something that could actually somehow make me MORE asexual- that would do it."
Alec snorted, nodding animatedly, pointing towards Raphael.
"Not gonna lie; pretty sure that pushed me a few steps towards asexuality too."
"Wha-" Magnus sputtered, eyes wide.
Raphael and Simon burst out laughing, Raphael settling closer to his boyfriend's side, opposite Magnus. He shook his head, slipping his arm around Simon, shrugging, leaning forward, glancing around Simon at Magnus, flashing a teasing smirk and eyebrow raise.
"Hmm…sounds like your Magnus-ing kinda Magnus-ed things right up for you there."
Magnus glared, sputtering again, pointing accusingly.
"Alright now that one I know what it means."
"Think we all do." Alec chuckled.
Simon giggled, nodding animatedly, flashing a bright smile at the taller detective. Magnus gasped looking around the lot of them. He huffed faintly, folding his arms, exaggeratedly pouting.
"You know what I take it back; I wouldn't want to swing with you guys anyways."
Simon snickered, brow quirking, head tilting curiously.
"Isn't that kinda like 'you didn't dump me, I dumped you'?"
Alec laughed, nodding, Raphael mirroring him. Magnus glared heatlessly at the two of them before turning back to Simon, clicking his tongue, shaking his head.
"So snarky…" He shifted forward, looking around Simon back to Raphael, pointing admonishingly.
"You are rubbing off on him way too much."
Raphael smirked, brow quirking pointedly, head tilting.
"Well you know…boyfriend…" he shrugged, unable to stop the faint hint of a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, gaze flickering over to Simon, catching his eye, winking flirtatiously.
"He seems to enjoy it."
Magnus sputtered, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks, blinking waving that away. Alec nose scrunched, shaking his head, covering his eyes, groaning. Simon giggled, shaking his head, glancing over, brow quirking in amusement.
"Careful there- that was dangerously close to being cheesy enough to qualify as a pun."
Raphael smiled, shrugging, squeezing his shoulder.
"Thought you'd like it."
"Well that makes one of us…" Alec muttered.
Raphael shrugged, totally unconcerned.
"But it's the most important one." He huffed out a faint chuckle before sobering faintly.
He shifts, arm settling around Simon's waist, tugging him closer, the playful smirk slipping faintly, shifting to a somewhat concerned smile. Magnus's playfully exaggerated irritation slips away as well, he smiles gently, nodding, bright, deep gaze flickering over Simon. This time the look is completely open, all the emotions clear as day. He sighs, reaching over, lightly resting his hand on Simon's arm, squeezing, giving a faintly apologetic shrug.
"I'm sorry you're having to deal with this darling. I cannot imagine how uncomfortable this would be."
Raphael nodded, squeezing his side, gesturing towards Magnus.
"Yeah, same. This was really screwed up of him. I mean I get that you can't control your feelings and I can hardly blame him for having good taste or falling for you- I really don't know how anyone could NOT fall for you- but even so you'd made it perfectly clear that you just saw him as a friend.
You can't help crushes but when they're not reciprocated you move on and put it behind you. He's had nearly a decade to deal with this and he is theoretically in a serious, committed relationship. He called you for help locating a missing person. A missing person he is in love with who he is convinced is in danger.
It should have never been an issue."
Simon sighed, nodding, giving a faint shrug.
"I-I know and he did apologize. He said with not knowing what was going on with Ty and then suddenly seeing me after so long and seeing me happy and in love with someone it just kinda threw him."
Alec scoffed faintly, shaking his head, brow quirking.
"That's no excuse. You flew yourself, your boyfriend and two best friends halfway across the country to help him find his missing boyfriend. You went totally out of your way and came back to a place that it sounds like you never wanted to come anywhere near again just to help him because he called you scared something happened to someone he loves.
So he panics and his first instinct is to try to sabotage your relationship because…what if he doesn't have a good, functioning relationship then you shouldn't either?"
Simon sighed, shrugging kind of helplessly.
"I don't think he was trying to sabotage my relationship. Maybe testing it, seeing if it was solid or whatever but I don't think he was actually trying to ruin it." He shrugged, head tilting concedingly.
"When he talks about Tyler I can hear how much he cares about him. I can hear that he's genuinely worried and I really do think he called me because I was the only person he could think of that might be able to help.
I really do believe he's genuinely in love with the man and I really do think when he called me for help he was genuine. I think he was scared and I think he was desperate."
Magnus tilted his head, gaze flickering curiously over him.
"And the clinging to you like a koala and pushing every button of Raphael's he could find?"
Simon faltered, shrugging, reaching up, tucking a few wayward curls behind his ear, head tilting concedingly.
"I-yeah…that…that was a real crap move. It was way out of line and he did say he owed Raphael an apology- which he most definitely does and it had better be a real apology not some half-assed excuse or placating, face-saving gesture." He glanced over, catching Raphael's eye.
"I really am sorry about that. I did say he likes to mess with people, and he's never been one to turn down a challenge. Even so if you-" He paused glancing over at the other two.
"Any of you get so much as a hint that he's starting this back up just say the word and we're out."
Raphael blinked in surprise, head tilting, dark, intense gaze shifting over him in concern.
"You mean that…"
Simon swallowed, nodding.
"Yeah I do. He was the best friend I'd ever had for most of my life. I loved him platonically with all my heart and I know he's the only reason I made it through my years here but all of that is in my past. He's my past…the best part of it…but even so, he is my past.
You're my future.
I do love him and I do feel for him and I want to help him. I think he loves this guy and I think he truly believes he is in danger. Desi means the world to me and in so many ways he's the only reason I am who I am today. There is very little I wouldn't do for him but I'm not going to put what we have in jeopardy.
That is not something I'd willing to risk."
Raphael shifted closer, flashing a gentle smile, shaking his head, catching his eye.
"Simon? You're not. Nothing could. Whatever happens on the case, whatever he does or they say or whatever else? At the end of the day none of it matters. None of that changes what we have. None of it could ever come close to even touching it. None of it will ever make me even begin to question our relationship…okay?"
Simon shifted closer, nodding, settling against his side, slipping his arm around his waist, squeezing.
"Kay…thank you. And me too. Still if he pushes anything or anything he does feels out of line just give me a heads up and we'll be out of here. Okay?"
Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, shaking his head.
"Thank you Amor, but it's not necessary. He called you for help and I know you meant what you said with all your heart but I also know it would absolutely kill you to have to just turn your back on someone who came to you for help."
Simon swallowed, head shaking.
"I-b-but if he stil-"
"If he still insists on pushing people buttons and screwing with them then…well…I guess I'll just have to respond in kind..." He smirked, flashing that teasing, dangerous little wink.
"Pretty sure I'm up to the task."
Simon huffed out a faint chuckle, nodding.
"Understatement of the year."
"Of the decade…"
"Or century." Alec muttered, bright hazel gaze shifting from Simon over to Raphael, unable to stop a faint chuckle, head shaking.
"Man, for his sake I hope he cuts it. Guy has no clue the kind of fire he was playing with."
Raphael smirked, head tilting, brow quirking curiously.
"Neither do you, Detective…"
Alec froze a second before huffing, glaring faintly, waving exasperatedly at the shorter man.
"Yeah, yeah, save the intimidation shtick for your boyfriend's cocky, moony eyed pre-ex."
"Eh I have plenty to go around." Raphael chuckled, flashing a playfully impish wink Alec's way before his gaze shifts back to Simon.
He sighs, the smirk shifting to a more genuine smile, gently squeezing his side.
"Don't worry Amor, I'll play nice…unless of course it's decidedly NOT warranted. And I know it's not just the Drake Drama that's gonna be a lot for you here. I'm hoping that's all worked out but if it's not or if for whatever reason you get to where this case is too much drama for you you're welcome to just set this one out.
We can work the case, question the townspeople and corral the irritating country album escapee.
You just focus on you. We got the rest."
Simon blinked, glancing between them, head shaking faintly.
"I'm why we're here. It's my friend-"
"And the break in was at my parent's house with my baby brother…" Alec cut in, catching his eye, shrugging.
"Sometimes when the case hits too close to home it's best to step back a little. To let people with less of a personal stake and clearer heads take the wheel, at least for a bit." He smiled head tilting towards Raphael.
"He has a point. I don't know what I'd have done if I didn't have you three to lean on during the investigation into the break in. Pretty much all I did was fight with my parents and try to comfort Jessie. You guys handled nearly all of the actual case type aspects…which allowed me to deal with the personal crap I had to deal with…" He gave a faint huff of a laugh, shrugging, head tilting concedingly.
"Admittedly I'd probably have much preferred to focus on that part but it did need to be dealt with and that specific part I was the only one who could deal with it.
This with Drake was on hell of a curveball for you. And don't for one second think you're in any way in the wrong here. None of the issue was on you.
You came back to your hometown after nearly a decade to help a friend in trouble. To help a friend find his boyfriend. You're working a case and processing dozens of reunions and catch ups and a million other things all at the same time. No way you could catch everything."
Magnus shifted closer, nodding animatedly, flashing a faint smile.
"Hell I have an eidetic memory and even I'd have trouble keeping up with all of it. You're juggling a case and a last minute trip to a new-old place and dozens of other things and you got blindsided by something that should never have even been an issue to begin with.
You thought Drake was a purely platonic friend. A purely platonic friend you loved dearly and hadn't seen in nearly a decade. Someone I might add that you specifically came to help find their current boyfriend.
Why would you even begin to think you should be watching for overly familiar or inappropriate behavior from someone like that?"
Raphael nodded quickly, gesturing towards Magnus.
"Mags's right. Of course you're not going to rebuff playful flirting and physical affection when you think it's purely platonic and just a standard part of someone you know and loves' personality. You thought you knew exactly what your relationship was. You never questioned it because in your eyes it had never even been a viable possibility.
And like you said the stuff with the town gossip mill and looks and cutesy stories and trips down memory lane and all of that external crap? Your only move is to tune it out. That really is all you can do. You have no chance in hell of corralling it. The more you deny it or get worked up about it the more they're gonna believe it. Trust me, I know.
Me and Mags got that all the time growing up. Hell we still do. I can't tell you how many times we'd get knowing looks and that annoying as hell 'uh huh sure' type reaction when we'd insist we were just friends. How many romantic endeavors floundered or crashed and burned because someone got jealous or insecure about how close we were and they just knew there was something more between us than just friendship..." He scoffed, rolling his eyes in irritation, shrugging, head tilting exasperatedly, giving a flickering little wave.
"And there is something more there. We love each other. It's just not 'that' kind of love. Some people just cannot understand the concept of platonic love. Especially when it's platonic love between people who could objectively fall into the category of potential romantic interests.
It's the same reason why a lot of people don't think men and women can be friends. Or why every other idiot thinks all gay friends are constantly hooking up with each other. Or why the same group of idiots think bisexuals are just really desperate and will jump anything with a pulse. Because they basically believe any chance of a sexual relationship eclipses anything and everything else.
It's narrow minded, obnoxious and flat out insulting more often than not and the more you try to explain it the more they just assume you're covering or in denial or whatever else.
The only difference here is only one of you was being honest about what you felt for the other. You thought the entire time you were both on the same page, that everything between you two was purely platonic and that both of you saw all the rest as just an annoyance of small town life and well-meaning busybodies. You never gave it any thought because you assumed it was just the usual blabbering and chatter.
Because to YOU that's all it ever was." Raphael trailed off, glancing up, catching Simon's eye, giving a faint shrug and a bit of a wave, pretty deep brown eyes warm and compassionate.
"I really am sorry you had to deal with this Amor. I can't imagine how unsettling and disconcerting it would be to have such a stark shift in something you felt was completely solid." He swallowed, head tilting faintly, gorgeous brown eyes shifting over him in concern.
"Was it a complete mess like you thought?"
Simon sighed, swallowing, nodding faintly, head tilting.
"Pretty much, yeah. It was awkward and uncomfortable and I felt like my stomach was in my throat the entire time and like I wanted to cry and I really, really didn't want to deal with it but I couldn't just leave it cause clearly it's been left alone way too damn long and unless we dealt with it I knew I'd never really be able to feel comfortable with him again."
Raphael nodded, squeezing his shoulder soothingly.
'More than understandable. Did y-were you able to get it sorted? Are you guys good? Or at least good-ish?"
Simon sighed, shrugging faintly, giving a somewhat unsure nod.
"I-yeah…at least I think we are. It was a really deep, really draining talk. We got into all of it and I told him exactly how this made me feel. I told him that it made me feel like I'd been using him, leading him on. That I felt like he was doing the same thing to me, like he was just circling, waiting for an opening.
I told him it made me question everything we ever had, made me second guess everything, wonder if any of it was even real or if it was just some kind of long game he was playing. I-" He trailed off on a faint breath of an almost laugh, head shaking, reaching up, tucking a few wayward curls behind his ear, glancing up, shrugging faintly.
"I-I really did NOT sugarcoat it…any of it. If anything everything is out in the open now. He knows exactly where I stand. He knows I just see him as a friend and that anything more than friendship between us isn't an option…was never really an option."
Magnus blinked, dark eyes flickering over Simon, head tilting curiously.
"And he seems to be okay with that?"
Simon took a deep breath, nodding.
"Y-yeah…he said he was and I didn't see any signs of deception. I think I believe him…though if you see anyth-"
"I'll let you know the second I see it." Magnus assured, giving a quick, sharp nod.
Simon nodded, flashing a grateful smile.
"Thanks Mags…" He paused, glancing from Magnus over to Alec and then to Raphael.
"And the same goes for any of you. Seriously- I'm gonna probably be pretty off my game here and there's a lot that I'm trying to process and deal with and it's gonna take up a lot of my focus so if you notice anything about the way he's acting or anything else just please give me a heads up. I might really need the backup here, okay?"
"Sure Darling, whatever you need." Magnus smiled.
Raphael nodded.
"Of course amor. Although I really think you're giving yourself far too little credit here. Drake was a blind spot for you, but now that you know about it I don't think anything will get past you…but just in case we got you. All three of us…" He paused, glancing over at Alec, brow raising expectantly.
"Right?"
Alec blinked, giving a faint shrug, gesturing towards Raphael and Magnus, flashing a faint smile Simon's way.
"Well I'm not really the right back up for this- remember the whole accidental boyfriend thing? And honestly if something makes it past all three of you I don't really see me catching it when it's something like this…but yeah. I'll keep an eye out. I'll just be like the backups, backups backup."
Simon laughed, nodding.
"Good I'm relived…and hey don't think I really have room to talk. You led a guy on for a few months…I apparently did it for half a decade."
Alec chuckled, shifting closer, reaching up, resting his hand on Simon's shoulder, squeezing gently, lightly shaking his head.
"Well thank you for that but this is totally different. Me and Jamie just got our signals crossed. This with Drake was something else entirely. It's not your fault he had an ulterior motive. You loved him and trusted him and genuinely thought he was being honest with you.
You're not responsible for someone else's actions and you shouldn't have to feel like you have to second guess and cross-examine the words and motives of a loved one. It was flat out wrong of him to put you in that position and to push it the way he did- especially right in front of your boyfriend and especially when the only reason we're even here in what sounds like about the last place you ever wanted or expected to be is to help him find HIS boyfriend who he seems to think is a missing person." He huffed, shaking his head, shrugging, glancing over at Simon, head tilting concedingly.
"Quite frankly I'm kinda leaning towards that Bobbi-Ann's theory. He had it up to here with feeling like a runner up and being made to feel like he was some home-wreaker in a non-existent relationship that never even really began and any chance of ended nearly a decade ago. He got fed up with playing second fiddle to the ghost of some fantasy and the constant running commentary from the peanut gallery and split.
Can't say I'd blame him.
And while I may be kinda oblivious to romantic signals and that kind of thing I am a head detective. I know how to read when a person is trying to play me or being shifty. I see anything out of sorts I'll give you a heads up but you'll probably get it just as easily as I do. You're one of the best detectives I've ever worked with."
Simon blushed, smiling faintly.
"Thank you Alec."
He smiled, shrugging.
"It's just the truth. And you know no matter what we always have your back."
Simon swallowed, nodding, flashing a soft, grateful smile.
"Thanks Alec, and same."
Alec smiled, shrugging, giving a bit of a wave.
"I know."
"We all do sweetheart." Magnus added, shifting closer, lightly squeezing his shoulder again.
Simon nodded, reaching up, resting his hand on Magnus's squeezing, flashing a grateful smile.
"Thanks…A-and again I really do appreciate it. I can't believe I missed all of that yesterday. I'm so glad I had you guys here so you could have Raph's back when I didn't-"
Raphael shook his head.
"I was fine Amor-"
Simon shook his head right back, flashing a faintly apologetic smile.
"I know you were- you always are. And you really were amazing. You had the patience of a saint. No way I'd of been able to keep such a cool head. You were amazing and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it but you shouldn't have had to work so hard to keep your cool. You should never have had to put up with that.
A-actually you really didn't have to. Like at all. You'd of been totally justified in calling him and the rest of them out on so blatantly running down and belittling our relationship…
Exactly like I should have d-"
Raphael shook his head, smiling gently, waving him off.
"Simon, amor? Like I said you had no reason to suspect his flirting and comments were anything other than just his normal personality and with the rest of them the more you try to argue the point the more they'd of dug in."
Simon sighed, shrugging.
"Yeah but still they w-"
Raphael shrugged, smiling.
"It doesn't matter. The only opinion about our relationship that really matters to me is yours. I know we're good. It may have been a bit of an annoyance but as I said; none of it affects our relationship. None of it is a threat to it. It was an annoyance, nothing more.
I wasn't going to waste your time and focus or my energy on a mere annoyance."
Simon shrugged, head tilting.
"Still you didn't have to put up with it."
Raphael smiled, shrugging dismissively.
"You are more than worth it Amor."
Simon smiled, leaning in, brushing a kiss to his cheek, nuzzling lightly.
"Thank you, but just FYI? I know this being my hometown and all that you feel like you need to like be on your best behavior or whatever but you really, really don't.
Like at all. Especially on this."
Raphael blinked, head tilting.
"You sure about that Angel? You still give me grief about the thing with Raj-"
Simon huffed out a faint laugh, holding up a finger.
"Raj had no clue we were together. He'd never even seen up anywhere near each other and he had no real way of knowing we even so much as knew each other much less that we were a couple. That was an honest mistake.
This is blatantly disregarding and dismissing my real relationship in favor of some random decade old pie in the sky fantasy. For me it's just an annoyance but to constantly bring up all this crap in front of my actual boyfriend? It's just flat out rude.
I'm telling you. It comes up, shut it down. Hard…okay?" He paused, brow quirking expectantly.
Raphael blinked, gaze flickering over him, flashing a dangerous little smirk.
"Okay…just remember you said that."
"Oh believe me, I will." Simon murmured, gaze flickering over him, feeling that dizzying little thrill that excitingly dangerous smile caused, unable to stop a little smirk of his own.
Alec gave a faintly exasperated groan, head shaking, glancing over at Magnus, brow quirking.
"So I don't know if your 'Amazing psychic powers' are transferrable or anything but I'm pretty sure I just had a vision; something with angry townspeople, torches and us scrambling for the airport."
Magnus chuckled, nodding.
"Yeah…I got that one too. Hopefully we can this this whole mess sorted before that point." He smiled glancing around the others before nodding towards the door.
"If we're gonna head off the Raphael-drama I'm thinking we'll want to get a jump on it. Faster we get this done the better and this irritating little hiccup has already cost us far too much time. The quicker we can get this dealt with the better, yes?" He paused, glancing over, catching Simon's eye.
Simon scoffed, nodding animatedly.
"Oh my god yes."
Magnus chuckled, smiling, nodding back, gently patting his arm.
"Exactly as I thought; quicker the better. So far I haven't really seen anything to convince me this is anything more than a case of someone getting a more than justifiable case of cold feet and leaping for an exit. If he just decided to throw in the towel than sorry to Drake but that's his prerogative. Even so there is the matter of the voicemail and his exit was worryingly abrupt.
Devil's advocate Drake does seem to be a bit much and I can see that coupled with the overly involved townspeople getting the best of someone and them finally just cutting their losses and running for the exit. That being said I don't know if he's quite to the 'fake your own death/kidnapping' level of annoyance.
But then again, I've known the man a matter of hours. This Tyler was dating him for nearly two years so there is that.
A sudden windfall could be a hell of a wakeup call and it could very well send someone's mind spinning with the possibilities. Even so there's a big difference between taking a spur of the moment opportunity of an exit and fleeing into the night/faking your own disappearance.
There seems to be a lot of possibilities to sort through here so probably best to work this as quickly and concisely as possible. Thinking multitasking is gonna be key here.
Drake said he had the voicemail and he still has a key to his place. I'm thinking we head out to his place and listen to the voicemail there. If we can listen to the call in the place it happened we can likely track his movements and get an idea of what exactly went down. Think that will go a long way in sorting this out..." He paused, glancing over at Simon, head tilting questioningly.
"How's that sound Sweetheart?"
Simon took a deep breath, glancing from Magnus over to Raphael at his side and over to Alec before shifting back over to Magnus, nodding.
"Sounds like we got this…
Let's go get started."
{*_**_**_**_**_**_**_**_*}
*****EndOfChapterNotes*****
{*_**_**_**_**_**_**_**_*}
Aaaand as always anymore sorry for the rather abrupt scene ending but it couldn't drag on any longer.
I'd actually had every intention of having them go talk/snipe/quasi confront/snark at Drake but they just wouldn't shut up and I ran out of time.
We're over 8k words on what I thought was gonna be a quick little half a chapter! Guess they're not the only ones who'll have to multitask…they'll just have to snipe and snark while they work the case.
Not like that's out of their wheelhouse lol.
Ugh…sorry…got lost in the feels.
I just really love the connection these four have. You all know I'm a sucker for the sappy Xanic/Evijah cuteness but my biggest weakness is the love and strength you feel in the platonic relationships. I think that far too often gets tossed to the wayside in favor of focusing on romance and sex and all that other crap. And yeah, yeah I get it but one of my favorite things about the stories is making the platonic bonds just as strong and just as durable as the romantic ones.
I know there wasn't a whole lot of progress here. We did get a clearer idea of Simon's parental drama and background though so that's something! And we got a lot of good, fluffy family/friend kind of love so I think I'm happy with it.
Here's the ever-present update list:
The Guy/Demon In The Mirror (Verse 4)
Nosey Neighbors (Verse 9)
A Study In Chaos (Verse 6)
A Start Of Something New (Verse 7)
You Can't Go Home Again (Verse 1)
A Start Of Something New (Verse 7)
Picture Perfect (Verse 8)
A Start Of Something New (Verse 7)
Love Bug (Verse 2)
A Start Of Something New (Verse 7)
Death Was Just The Beginning (Verse 3)
As you can see next up is again V7…and you can also see it's kinda a running theme. There's a really good reason for that: Those three updates are the last ones we need to have that story complete so yay!
I'm really excited to get that one done. I absolutely adore that story (it's my favorite verse by far) and I really can't wait to really get the verse going.
I really can't wait for all of them. I have SO many plans. And I know we've been on this round of updates forever- I can't believe I'm still just on story 2 for so many of the verses but I promise this was just an anomaly. Once we get past the 2nd round everything will go much smoother- precisely BECAUSE I took so much time.
The reason It's taken me so long on this round is because I had a ton of behind the scenes type things to work on for the verses- not necessarily in this verse- I have it established after 11 full stories but even so there were plenty of times I had to scramble and try to move things around to where they fit the already set verse. Same with V2 where we're 6 stories in. There's a lot I had to push this way or push that way to ensure that things still aligned with the verse as it was shaping.
I have 9 other verses I had to be sure I had everything set up as much as possible pretty much right from the get-go so going forward I know what I'm doing and I don't have to go back and retcon things after the fact.
I mean I'm sure there'll be some things like that to come up but figure the more I have worked out beforehand the less I'll have to fix later.
In any case what did you think of THIS chapter?
What do you think is up with Tyler? Did he run or is there something more at play here?
Stay tuned to find out…
(I swear next chapter we will totally have ACTUAL case progress instead of just personal drama and fluffies lol)
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