#james rodriguez fanfic | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sadisticpussies · 9 months

Text

He’s in Las Vegas, exasperatedly laboring through hour three of his eight hour shift as a bartender at the Herbs & Rye restaurant — his tolerance for the day had already exceeded its limit after an unfortunate encounter with a group of white collar men who’d made a complaint to his manager about his poor work ethic and his uncanny sarcasm.

His boss, Thomas, had pulled him to the side to quietly reprimand him, sternly reminding Shawn that he was on strike two and if he were to get another complaint from one more customer that his employment would be terminated. It’s not like he necessarily needed this job because just like the others, they’d been temporary; sufficing him just enough for food and for him to save enough so he can move onto the next town.

But he’s only been here for a week; barely managing to save enough to survive off of anything except for microwaveable tv dinners and canned ravioli due to the lackluster minimum wage. He couldn’t afford to lose this job so quickly, especially considering that he was planning on going to Tijuana and already had an itinerary full of mischief that required at least $1,000 to indulge in.

He’s fixing a customer another drink; Stacy, who’d stumbled in an hour earlier solemnly confessing to him about her recent discovery of her husband’s infidelity, she’d chugged down to full glasses Smirnoff gulping them down without a burning wince as she continuously divulged about her marital problems when he heard Thomas beckoning his name in attention.

“Spencer, how many times have I told you about the rules against personal calls while on the clock?” He was sauntering up to Shawn, irritation’s evident across his face as he points a finger at him. “You’re treading on a very thin line here,” He forewarns, much to Shawn’s confusion.

“Personal call?” He wasn’t expecting anyone to call; the only person who knows where he currently is is his mother and he knows that the retreat she had gone to didn’t allow cellphones of any kind for her to make a phone call to him.

Thomas wasn’t amused by Shawn’s confusion, his irritation only accrued as he rolled his eyes and pointed his thumb over his shoulder where the kitchen was. “It’s some guy saying he’s your father. Said he needed to talk to you. Make it quick.” He avers, narrowing his eyes at Shawn before turning away to attend to a customer who has his glass raised midair and calls out for a refill.

Shawn’s confusion heightens as he ponders on why his father was suddenly seeking contact with him. It’s been four years since he’s last seen him; the communication between then was minimal with it being mostly brief exchanges of Shawn assuring his father that yes he is alive and no he hadn’t done something outlandish like join a cult as his father often presumed.

It was never long before their conversations transitioned into arguments — his father’s disdain about Shawn’s abrupt decision to leave after high school instead of attending college or enrolling in the police academy and Shawn’s disdain about his father ruining their family by divorcing his mother was always the reason. They’d bicker; spewing accusations and hurtful insults at each other until one of them got too tired of arguing and would hang up.

His mother would often call to check in, inquiring about his health and safety, avid to hear about what new sites he’s seen in his travels. And like always she’d try to absolve the tension between him and his father, attempting to convince Shawn to seek out contact with him first and have an actual conversation (that didn’t include arguing) but her efforts were futile because Shawn was always haste to refuse, still too upset with his father to even think about reconciliation.

He already felt drained from today, dealing with Thomas and the restaurant full of rude and entitled customers he doesn’t think he has the energy to argue with his father. He assures Thomas of a quick return before sauntering off to the back to retrieve the phone. He picks it up, pressing one hand against his ear to shield the noisiness ricocheting from the front.

“Dad, whatever this is about I can’t deal with it right now. I’m at work—” He peers up, seeing Thomas impatiently tapping his finger against his watch as he mouthed hurry up. Shawn nods, turning away as he rolls his eyes in frustration. “I’ve gotta get back,”

“Shawn,”

“Dad—I have to go,” He avers, removing the phone from his ear and preparing to hang it back on its hook until he hears something that makes him halt. He brings the phone back up to his ear, exhaling a trembling breath. “W-What did you just say?”

He’d heard him faintly, only hearing the end of his father’s sentence but that’s all he needed to be immediately drawn back into the conversation. Gus had emanated from his father’s mouth, it was a name that had solemnly become unrecognizable to him over the span of these few years. Just like his father, Shawn had ceased much of the communication with Gus as well; only sending emails, postcards and letters to him twice every month to fill him in on the current adventures in his life.

The strain in their friendship wasn’t intentional. Shawn escaped from Santa Barbara the day after graduating hoping to find some semblance of meaning in his life. His mother had just left and Gus was scheduled to leave for college afterwards, Shawn felt like he didn’t have a reason to stay in the place that took everyone he loved away from him. He’s thought about returning back, but he relented and succumbed to his fears of facing Gus again; knowing that it wouldn’t be easy to reconcile after leaving him for so long.

He hates himself for leaving like that; abrupt and impulsively, without even saying goodbye to Gus. He shudders at to think about what Gus thinks of him — how angry and upset and hurt he probably was to wake up the next morning and hear from his father that Shawn had left.

He’s never been good at goodbyes, he hates them. But he knows Gus at least deserved that.

There’s a lump that thickens and expands in his throat, his hands shake as he clutches the phone. He’s trying to settle his nerves but the pounding in his ears is so loud that it’s hard to hear what his fathers saying. He didn’t need to hear much because after the words “Gus” and “accident” were mentioned, Shawn was already hanging up the phone and untangling the knot from the apron that was tied around his waist. His hands were shaking so much that he fumbled with the knot, cursing loudly in frustration as he pulled and tugged at it.

He hears the heavy gait of footsteps approaching behind him that’s accompanied by the shrilly timbre of Thomas’ voice, “It’s been five minutes now, you need to get out there and…where do you think you’re going?” He questions, perching his hands akimbo as he watched Shawn toss the apron aside then hurriedly retreat to the break room.

He returns seconds later, his helmet and jacket in hand.

Shawn’s mind feels skewed; he’s panicking, can barely focus on anything at the moment and there are tears gathering in the back of his pupils blurring his vision. “I uh, I have to go. My best friend, he’s been in an accident and I have to go see him.” He shrugs his arms through the jacket, patting the right pocket and digging inside to retrieve his keys.

“Go?” Thomas inquired in bewilderment; completely apathetic at Shawn’s earlier sentiments. “We’re short staffed tonight and we don’t have anyone to cover your shift. You can’t go!”

And if Shawn wasn’t stretched on time and wasn’t desperately trying to hurry up to Gus he would’ve vehemently spewed a few derogatory remarks at Thomas for his lack of consideration and human decency. But instead, he only brushes past Thomas as he makes his abrupt departure out of the back door.

…

He’s certain that he’s broken every road law known to man; making illegal passings through lanes, squeezing past rows of cars stuck in traffic and accelerating the motorcycle to a speed he didn’t even know it could reach as he reeved up the gas and sped down the highway. He arrives outside of the hospital a few hours later, hurriedly turning off the ignition and climbing off of the bike after finding an empty parking space.

He takes off in a sprint towards the front entrance inadvertently pushing past a man that’s hobbling on a pair of crutches — who curses loudly at Shawn when he nearly loses his balance and stumbles clumsily.

“Jackass!” The man scolded; the screeching of his crutches dragging across the tiled floors ricochets throughout the room.

He absentmindedly disregards the man’s reprimand as he ran towards the nurse’s station. The woman behind the desk is occupied on the phone, alternating between typing on the keyboard of her computer and filing patient reports. When she looks up at notices Shawn, she holds her finger up in the air and murmurs “one moment,” before continuing her conversation.

Shawn’s impatience immediately wears thin, her conversation has been going on too long and she’s yet to bother acknowledging him again. He’s tempted to interrupt her conversation and demand that she attend to his needs, but he purses his lips in a thinned frown to prevent himself from projecting his anger onto her and continued to (im)patiently wait. After what felt like an eternity, the nurse’s conversation ends and she’s putting the phone back on its hook and greeting him in welcome.

“Hello, sir. How may I help you?”

“I need to see someone who was admitted a few hours ago; his name is Burton Guster. He was in an accident and I have to see him.”

The nurse nods as her fingers type deftly onto the keyboard again. “He’s still getting looked over so you’ll have to wait,” She informs him before directing him towards the waiting area.

Shawn slumps into one of the rigid-cushioned chairs, with his leg bouncing and his teeth nervously biting at his nails, he stares at the round clock that’s hung decoratively on the alabaster colored walls, heeding at the hands as they ticked with each passing minute.

He’s trying to focus: his mind repeats a litany of he’s okay, to distract himself from the possibilities that awaited. Gus is okay because he had to be — because Shawn knows that the universe wouldn’t punish him so cruelly like this, it wouldn’t take his best friend from him in such a macabre way. It wouldn’t do this knowing that Shawn hasn’t had a chance to apologize yet.

No.

Gus is okay.

He wouldn’t accept any other fate.

…

His ass has started to get numb from sitting in the chair for so long and his impatience starts withering again. It’s been nearly two hours already and there has yet to be any developments regarding Gus status. Shawn’s been getting up and walking to the nurses station every fifteen minutes asking if Gus had been moved out of surgery and into a room yet but every time she only tells him that she’s only allowed to disclose that information to immediate family. He understands that it’s hospital protocol and whatnot but he’s becoming more and more peeved.

He’s offered some sense of relief when he looks towards the front entrance and sees Mr. and Mrs. Guster trekking through the doors. The same worry and panic that paralyzed him was written all over their countenances as well, Mrs. Guster was sobbing as she held tightly onto her husband’s arm.

They exchange a few words with the nurse and before he knows it, he’s seeing the door towards the back being buzzed open.

Shawn hurriedly clambers to his feet and approaches the Gusters.

“Mr. and Mrs. G!” They both halt at the exclamation of their names, turning around to see who was seeking their attention. There’s a look of aghast when they see Shawn standing athwart from them.

“Shawn?” Mrs. Guster asks, voice gruff and scratchy from all of the crying she’d done. She brings the wad of tissue that was in her other hand, up to her red nose and dabs away the snot that spilled. “What are you doing here?”

He winces at the incredulity behind her words. It saddens him knowing that his parents are this surprised that he showed up. He knows he hasn’t been around much these past few years but surely they had to know that something as vital as this was going to incite haste Shawn’s return. But with the way they’re looking so perplexed at him, like he’s a stranger, instead of their son’s childhood best friend that they’ve known for years says otherwise.

(He’d dwell on this heartbreaking realization later. He had to make sure Gus was okay first.)

“My dad called and told me what happened. I came to see him. Did anyone tell you anything? Is-Is he okay?”

They share a brief look like they’re wary of disclosing the information to him. It fucking hurts that he’s suddenly become this outsider to them as if he wasn’t an intricate part of Gus’ life. He did leave but why did they act as if his existence hadn’t meant anything to them or Gus?

“He’s stable and awake,” Mr. Guster finally admits, thankfully easing Shawn’s concerns. “They said that it was okay to go see him,”

He nods, giving them a pleading look that begged them to allow him to accompany them to the back. Because he doesn’t know how much longer he can sit here waiting, and although he knows that they’ve assured him that Gus was safe, Shawn wouldn’t be fully content until he actually saw Gus and could confirm it himself.

Mr. Guster sighs, looking down at his wife before averting his eyes back onto Shawn. “You’re welcome to come back if you’d like.”

And that’s all he needed to hear before he’s following behind them as they lead the way down the corridor to Gus’ room.

Mrs. Guster approaches first, bringing her hand up midair and rapting a gentle knock against the door. A few seconds pass by before they hear a rasped, “Come in,” that she her pulling at the handle and swinging the door open.

Albeit relief calms him when he actually sees Gus, Shawn could also feel his throat baring and his eyes watering at the sight of Gus. It’s been four years and six months since he’s seen him; he still looked the same but his face has chiseled and he’s grown into his features. He’s got more hair since the last time Shawn’s seen him; hair that’s styled in a hightop boxed coif. Shawn sidestepped around Mrs. Guster and gauges a fuller view at Gus — he’s sprawled out on the small hospital bed, his legs are dangling off of the edge swallowing up the last inch of space that’s available. He’s got a thin wool blanket swathed across his lap, his arms wrapped in a cast that’s balanced on a small pillow that’s tucked underneath for leverage.

Gus is laid with his eyes fluttered close, nearly half dazed from the medication they fed him. Upon hearing the knocking and his mother’s loud sob of relief, he opens them, blinking rapidly trying to clear his fogged vision. He smiles sheepishly at his parents, but then his eyes wander behind them at Shawn and his smile is substituted for a moue, causing Shawn to recoil away slightly.

He lowers his eyes, abashed and chagrined, condemning himself for foolishly thinking Gus would be elated at his return.

“Shawn?” And it’s so pathetic but his breath hitches when he hears his name fall off of Gus’ lips, at the way he could practically hear the emotion through his tenor as he called out to him. It’s surprisingly tender and soft and Shawn can’t remember the last time he’s ever heard such affection in someone’s voice.

Maybe he hadn’t completely ruined things between them like he assumed.

He remains stood off to the side as the Guster’s bombarded their son with questions, inquiring about the accident and assessing his wounds. Gus repeatedly assured them that he was fine, stating that it was an accident that occurred after another car abruptly drove out into traffic. Shawn smiled adoringly as he watched as Gus’ mother attentively adjusted Gus’ pillows and maneuvered around the small room fixing things.

“Mom, I’m okay,” Gus reiterated for the fifth time that day after his mother tried to buzz a nurse in when Gus placed too much weight on his arm and yelped out in pain when he felt the throbbing pain shooting up his arm.

“It certainly didn’t sound like you’re okay!” She laments, frowning as her finger hovered over the big, red button, contemplating if she should defy against her son’s wishes and call for the nurse to look over him regardless of his asks.

“I just moved too quick that’s all. I promise.” She looked at him disbelieving, knowing that he was probably only saying that to alleviate her worries. Nonetheless, she conceded and had followed behind her husband when he led them out of the room to grab some coffee from the cafeteria.

When the Guster’s leave, it’s just him and Gus alone. Shawn’s still standing hovered by the doorway with his hands shoved inside the front pockets of his jeans and his eyes shyly meets Gus’. He wants to speak, to go over and throw his arms around Gus and tell him that he’s glad he’s okay, but he feels like his feet are cemented to the ground and his tongue feels so thick in his mouth that it causes his throat to dry and he’s suddenly struggling to form a coherent sentence.

It’s Gus that finally breaks the silence between them. He’s shifting on the bed again, trying to maneuver around to a more comfortable laying position and ends up inadvertently hitting his arm against the bed’s railing that has him wincing in pain again.

“I’m good,” He’s haste to assure Shawn whose eyes widened in worry and feet managed to miraculously find their strength to move as he was already at Gus’ bedside, reaching for his arm to help him. His hands quickly retract at Gus’ words and are being shoved back into his pockets again. Silence lingers between them again only briefly before Gus begins speaking again. “How’d you find out?” He murmurs softly in curiosity.

“My dad,”

Gus eyebrows furrow in an indiscernible gesture. He reaches forward, grabbing at the small cup full of ice water. “Right. Well, you didn’t have to come all the way back here. I’m sure you’re eager to go back to Washington or wherever you’re at now.” There’s no hostility or malice embedded in Gus’ words. It’s just a melancholic lilt that Shawn recognizes that has him guilt ridden and apologetic. His absence has made Gus think that he’s stopped caring for/about him when that was furthest from the truth.

“Gus—” He begins, but Gus is already interrupting him rebutting otherwise.

“It’s fine, Shawn. I’m okay. It’s just a broken arm, nothing serious.”

At this, Shawn guffaws in frustration because how could Gus trivialize this? He doesn’t know the sheer terror Shawn felt when he heard about the accident, how he was afraid that he would lose him and now here Gus was just brushing everything off in nonchalance and trying to push him away. And he tries not to but he does get angry with Gus, because how could he truly think that Shawn didn’t care about him?

“No, it’s not okay. I came here because I was worried about you, Gus. I was scared that you’d—” He shakes his head, swallowing down the remainder of that sentence. It was too painful to think let alone vocalize aloud. “I know that I haven’t been here but that doesn’t mean I stopped caring about you,”

He sees Gus’ mouth purse and his eyebrows furrow, like he’s contemplating on whether he actually believes Shawn’s words. He’s feeling defeated, already self deprecating at how he’d managed to single-handedly ruined the only stable relationship in his life.

He wouldn’t be Shawn if he didn’t fuck up good things.

But then, Gus is looking at him and his eyes soften as he murmurs, “Thanks for coming,”

…

Shawn stays in Santa Barbara for the rest of the week. He stays in a motel downtown, refusing his father’s offer to stay at home instead. That was one relationship he wasn’t as avid to reconcile with just yet, there was still unresolved issues that resided between them, issues that he held his father solely responsible for that he wasn’t ready to address.

He was here for Gus and wanted to focus on that not any other issues.

The first day, they’d caught up more with each other, telling the other everything that wasn’t mentioned in their emails or letters. It was bittersweet listening to Gus rave about his college experience, hearing about all the friends he’s made, all the things he’s done.

Shawn felt sad that he hadn’t been there with Gus to experience those things with. He remembers in middle school, they’d talk about all the parties they would go to whenever they got to college, how they’d be roommates (because they knew no one else could handle living either of them; Gus was too OCD and Shawn was messy and snored loudly, or at least that’s what he’s heard from Gus.) then graduate and get married and live next door to each other.

At the time of his departure, he didn’t consider his leaving as a blunder in their plan. He’d been too focused on running away from his problems to even think about that.

Gus then told him about a new job that he recently started as a pharmaceutical salesman that apparently paid more than all of Shawn’s minimum wage jobs combined. It paid enough for Gus to rent one of those luxury apartments with a gym and a pool that Shawn’s always wanted.

He was happy for Gus, really.

He was also really fucking sad that he missed out on so much.

On the second day, they spent the entire day playing board and card games — apparently time at college gave Gus enough time to learn how to gamble because he managed to beat Shawn in poker twice but Shawn redeemed himself in Monopoly and Candyland.

Shawn snuck in some Chinese takeout that they secretly ravished after Gus complained about the hospital food. The nurse stumbled in upon their slaughter and reprimanded them for it much to their amusement. Afterwards, they watched reruns of Three Stooges and it was so ridiculous and overly cartoonish in its comedy but they laughed at every single joke.

Gus ended up succumbing to his exhaustion a little later in the night, laying with his head tucked on the pillow as he breathed softly through his parted lips. Shawn looked over at Gus and felt his heart clench as he inwardly pondered how he could ever reconcile with the fact that he’d willingly gone four years without his best friend, without the person he cared for the most in the entire world.

It’s a question he thinks he’ll never be able to answer.

On the third day, things between them become familiar and normal. It starts to feel like they’re Shawn and Gus again as a whole not as separates anymore and Shawn doesn’t think he’s ever been happier than he is right now.

On the fourth day is when Shawn realizes a few things. They’re in Gus’ room again and he’s finally being discharged after being cooped up in the fight fitted room and barely surviving off of watered down meatloaf and stale bread for nearly a week. Shawn’s in the room, skimming through a magazine waiting for Gus to finished getting dressed so that they could go out into the front while they waited for his parents, when he hears the bathroom door being pulled open.

“Shawn?” He looks up to see Gus’ head poked out of the door, his expression flushed as his chest heaved. “I need your help. I’m trying to finish getting ready but this damn cast makes everything harder.”

Shawn set the magazine down as he clambered to his feet. “Are you sure you want my help because you wouldn’t even take off your shirt in front of me when we used to go swimming,” He teases lightheartedly, smiling at the flustered expression in Gus’ face as he says this.

“That was different. I was younger and still getting used to my developing body. Just come in here!” He avers, grabbing Shawn’s arm and tugging him into the bathroom as he closes the door behind them.

It’s not like he was staring per se, but he’d certainly taken heed at Gus body. He was standing in the middle of the bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs that complimented him fittingly, the material snug around his hips. He’d apparently started working out during some time in between his adolescence and early adulthood because Gus now had abs that were chiseled and taut; and when he turned around to pick up his shirt that had fallen to the floor, Shawn could see the muscles in his back flex as he moved.

His eyes appreciatively gauge at Gus’ seemingly fit physique wondering when the hell did that happen.

Shawn hurriedly averts his eyes, managing to look away just before Gus turns back around to face him. “I thought it wouldn’t be so bad with a broken arm but this fucking sucks,” He complains, extending the shirt out to Shawn who hikes up the hem and shimmies it over Gus’ head, tugging it down and over his torso.

He ignores the flutter in his stomach when his fingers brush over Gus’ stomach.

“Do you need me to stay over and help you for a while?” He offers, his mind only briefly wanders back on his job knowing that he would probably be unemployed by the time he returns which meant that Tijuana was going to be postponed for the time being but staying with Gus was worth it.

Gus smiles sheepishly, looking over at Shawn. “Thanks, but I know you’re probably ready to go back to Las Vegas.”

Shawn pulls the shirt all the way down over Gus’ abdomen, frowning a bit at his words. “No, I mean I’m not in a rush to go back. I can stay, I want to stay here for you if you need me.”

Please need me.

“Are you planning on seeing your dad?” Gus posits in curiosity, seemingly subverting the topic of conversation so quickly that it has Shawn wondering why Gus was so hesitant in letting him stay over. He knows that it’s still going to take some time to fully get all of Gus’ trust back but he thought that these past few days were showing some progress.

“Uh, no. I think it’s best if we stay away from each other for the time being.”

“It’s been four years. How much longer do you need?” Gus rebuttals; and okay, maybe he’s right but his relationship with his father was complicated and definitely something that he didn’t want to talk or think about right now.

Gus sighs, “The only reason I ask is because I’ve seen him around Shawn. As much as you think he doesn’t like you, he seems pretty miserable to me that you’re gone.”

Shawn guffaws softly at this, “Yeah, right.” He murmurs disbelieving, reminiscing on the fight they’d had the night before he left home where Henry explicitly said that he couldn’t wait until Shawn left because then he wouldn’t have to deal with the headache of him being around anymore. “He doesn’t miss me, Gus. He’s glad that I’m gone, trust me.”

Gus only shakes his head before eventually dropping the conversation, knowing that it was futile in trying to convince Shawn of otherwise. “Alright…this might be a little more complicated and uncomfortable,” He surmises, nudging his chin outwardly towards the pair of sweatpants that his mother had packed for him.

Shawn grabbed the sweatpants and stood in front of Gus. He extended the sweatpants out, making it easy for Gus to slide a leg in each pant leg. Gus nearly tumbles and instinctively reaches a hand out, resting it onto Shawn’s waist to anchor his fall. “Sorry,” Gus murmurs, fitting his other leg into the pant leg.

Shawn tugged at the waistband, pulling it further up Gus’ legs when he’s gotten them both all the way in the sweats. His fingers inadvertently brush against Gus’ cock when he’s adjusting the sweatpants around his waist and he feels his face immediately blush in a deep crimson color. He gauges a quick look up at Gus, peeking at him underneath the wisps of his eyelashes — Gus is looking up at the ceiling, biting on his lower lip as he avoided Shawn’s gaze.

“Sorry, I was—”

“No it’s—”

“—I wasn’t trying to—”

“—Shawn—”

“Gus!” Both Shawn and Gus pause at the shrilly shriek of someone calling out his name. They exchange confused looks until realization dawns upon Gus who’s now using his freehand to roughly pull his pants up the remainder of the way. He’s reaching for the doorknob and is making a haste egress seconds later, walking out to greet the approaching woman.

Shawn follows behind Gus out of the bathroom, barely making it halfway into the room before he’s blindsided with the sight of Gus and a woman kissing vehemently in the middle of the room. Gus has his arm around her waist while she’s got her hands on his face, pulling him closer as their kisses became more feverish. “What are you doing here?!” Gus asks, his sentences barely coherent between the woman’s kisses.

“You didn’t think I was going to not come see you, did you?!” She mutters, pecking his lips thrice before eventually pulling away to look him over. “Aw, my poor baby,” She coos, brushing her thumb over his cheek as he leans into her touch.

Shawn stood there quietly watching their embrace. Throughout the entire duration of the past few days, Gus has never once mentioned having a girlfriend or dating anyone. So, it’s a little surprising to see him with someone like this, holding and kissing her so affectionately. He harrumphed softly, capturing their attention because they’d gotten so enraptured in each other that they nearly forgot about his presence.

The woman peers over Gus’ shoulder and looks at Shawn. She smiles, wide and toothy, bringing her hand mid-air as she gestures a wave. “Hi, I’m Mira!”

The first impression of her is that she’s unnecessarily cheery (he knows he sounds like a grinch saying this, but how can someone be this enthusiastic all of the time even he has his limits and often broods to balance it all out.)

Shawn waves back, thinning his lips into a feeble smile. “Shawn,” His eyes linger downward to Gus’ hand as it descends to her lower backside. She giggles, playfully nudging at his shoulder before shifting her attention back into Shawn.

“Shawn! Do you want to see the ring my pookiebear Gus got for me?” She gasps, already making her way over towards him much against Gus’ dismay as he reaches for her to attempt to stop her with hushed exclaims of ‘no, no, no, Mira!’ but she maneuvers out of his reach and saunters up to Shawn, holding her hand up in the air and displaying a small diamond ring that’s decorating her finger. “He got it for me after the wedding. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Shawn looks up at Gus who gives him an apologetic smile and only shrugs in response.

His mind couldn’t even begin to fathom the fact that Gus is married. Not only did he neglect to mention the fact that he’d been dating, but that he liked the woman enough to marry her as well at a wedding that he didn’t receive an invitation to or have any knowledge about. Or the painful realization of Gus apparently not wanting Shawn to know about it either from the way he tried to stop Mira from telling him about it.

Shawn couldn’t believe that this is what their friendship looked like now; hidden secrets and minimal communication between them.

If you would’ve told younger Shawn that he would end up losing Gus as a friend when they��re older, he would laughed in your face at the ridiculous absurdity of that comment. Adult Shawn isn’t laughing, he’s heartbroken and upset. He swallows the thick lump that’s stuck in his throat, nodding his head as she masqueraded his heartbreak behind a false smile.

“Yeah, it’s, it’s really great.”

Mira giggles again before practically skipping her way back over to Gus, “Are you almost ready to go? I told your mom we’d go by the house for dinner tonight since she let me pick you up instead,”

He nods, “Yeah. I just have to sign a few discharge papers first.”

Mira nodded as she grabbed Gus’ duffle bag and slung the straps over her shoulder. “I’ll go take this to the car,” She informs him, pressing one last kiss on his lips before departing from the room.

When she’s gone, Gus turns to Shawn. “Sorry about Mira, I know she can be a little eccentric and an acquired taste to some people,”

That’s one way to put it. Shawn ruminates haughtily. “She seems nice. Where’d you two meet?”

“In Mexico last year. I was on spring break; me and a couple of friends took a trip down there for a few days. I met her at a bar, we got drunk and next thing I know were at a chapel with a donkey as my best man.”

“Wow. That sounds very…unlike you,” Shawn laments and Gus frowns a bit at this furrowing his brows. He knows he can’t argue against it because he knows Shawn’s right; Gus wasn’t as adventurous and spontaneous enough to do something like elope with some woman he barely knows. That wasn’t his Gus.

“Yeah, well.”

“And I’m assuming that your parents don’t know either? Because knowing your mother she’d probably have a heart attack if she found out that you eloped instead of having a traditional wedding,”

At this, Gus only smacks his teeth instead of answering with a verbal response which tells Shawn that he’s right. “Thanks for visiting and for staying here with me. I’m gonna head out. I’ll see you around, Shawn.”

…

It’s been two days since he’s last seen Gus. He’s been trying to give him time to settle in after the accident before going to confront him but Shawn had grown exasperated of waiting.

He needed to talk to Gus now, before it’s too late to salvage what’s left of their tainted relationship. He doesn’t know Gus’ new address to his apartment but he remembers Mira mentioning them staying at Gus’ parents house so he chances that as where he was in hopes that it would be true.

He drives through the city, making his way to his childhood neighborhood. He peers over at his house and notices his dad’s truck parked in the driveway, he looks away and drives up to the Guster’s house instead, parking his motorcycle on the side as he cut off the engine. He takes off the helmet and sets it on the rest before making his way up the driveway. Reaching the front porch, he brings his hand up and knocks on the door then stands there waiting patiently for someone to answer.

He’s standing there for a few moments before he finally hears the sound of the door unlocking. He’s relieved to see that it’s Gus who answers the door, but confusion stretches across Gus’ features when he sees Shawn standing there. Nonetheless, he pulls the door open and steps aside allowing Shawn entrance.

“I thought you would’ve been back in Vegas by now,”

Shawn shakes his head as he walks into the living room. He stands there waiting and watching as Gus locked the door then followed behind him. “No, still here. I came by because,” He shakes his head, sighing softly, “we gotta talk man. Everything’s weird and wrong between us.”

Gus folded his arms across his chest, “What do you mean?”

He wants to scream at Gus’ blatant obliviousness because how couldn’t he feel them drifting further apart? Was Shawn the only one who missed the closeness between them? Had his absence inadvertently pushed Gus away and into the arms of Mira instead, where she’s been acting as a temporary replacement in his life? All of his emotions are scattered around and has him beginning to panic. Did Gus really not care that they weren’t best friends anymore?

Running his hands through his hair, Shawn emanates a deep suspire. “I mean this, us!” He gestures a hand between them, continuing with his spiel. “It’s like I want to try to rekindle things with us but you’re pushing me away. We don’t talk. We don’t hang out, you didn’t even want me to know that you were married! I just don’t get how we went from best friends to now being strangers but I hate it because I miss you, Gus.”

“We aren’t strangers, people just change, Shawn.” He doesn’t know how many times he can keep hearing this. This trivialization that Gus is doing is infuriating him profusely. “And we aren’t as close as we were because you decided to leave. It’s kinda what you do. So, excuse me if I’m a little reluctant to let you back into my life,” Gus laments with a halfhearted shrug, that has Shawn’s heart closing in on itself.

Gus’ feelings were fair but couldn’t he see that Shawn was at least trying?

“I’m trying—”

“You don’t need to Shawn. It’s pointless. You’ll be gone again probably for longer next time and we’ll just be right back where we started.”

Shawn blinks, a little hurt by Gus’ apropos. “So that’s it? You don’t even want to try?”

Gus sighs, lowering his eyes as he shakes his head. “Shawn… Mira’s coming over any second now and—”

“I don’t care about Mira! I care about you and us,”

Gus scoffs, rolling his eyes at Shawn’s sentiments. “If you cared you wouldn’t have left me for four years! It took me being in a hospital to get you back here! And now you’re what? Trying to make up for abandoning me, that’s so like you.” His words are venomous as they emanate from his mouth and Shawn’s taken aback by the visceral haughtiness of it. They’ve argued before but it’s never been to this extent, never this real and scary.

“I abandoned you? You were abandoning me first! You couldn’t wait to leave here and go to college to meet all your new friends,” Shawn rebuttals, unable to contain the emotions that’s been stewing inside of him.

Prior to his leaving, he remembers the solemn feeling he felt when he would hear Gus raving about college, how excited he was to meet new people. All Shawn could think about was how easily his existence was going to be erased from Gus’ life the moment he met new people, how he and Santa Barbara would become a distant memory as he progressed into this new stage in his life.

Sure, it would only have been a few hours away, but he and Gus had never been separated before and his worries had gotten the better of him so he left because of his fear of losing Gus and because he’d already lost his mother.

“Don’t do that. Because I was only going a few hours away, you left the state! You didn’t even say goodbye you just left me Shawn! And you didn’t even have the decency of calling for a year afterwards.”

Shawn lowers his eyes, abashed. “It was too hard. I didn’t — I couldn’t—”

Gus throws his hand in the air in defeat, baffled by Shawn’s capability of turning this situation around and perceiving it like he was the one that got left instead of Gus. It’s always been this back and forth but Gus had grown tired of it; of sheltering his emotions when it came to Shawn.

“It couldn’t have possibly been that hard because you stayed away for four years,”

“You think it was easy being away from you?” Shawn accosts incredulously.

There’s no way Gus could even begin to fathom how hard it’s been, how much it’s killed him not being around. None of this has been easy, especially not now standing here and listening to Gus express his feelings of abandonment after he left. He wanted to make things right or at least try but Gus was adamant in his stubbornness, setting these walls that has Shawn kept at a distance.

His throat’s clicking and he can feel his pupils welding with solemn tears again. “I wanted to come back to you but I’ve been afraid of this, of you pushing me away. I don’t know what to do to prove to you how fucking sorry I am but I am, Gus. Please. I can’t deal with you hating me like this,” He begs so pathetic and desperate that Shawn barely recognizes his own voice.

“I don’t hate you, Shawn,” Gus clarifies; and for a brief moment, Shawn thinks that maybe they’ll be okay, that their friendship hadn’t completely demised like he assumed. But then, “I just don’t trust you anymore and I can’t have someone in my life that I can’t trust.” And he feels his heart plummeting to his feet as defeat and despair mulls over him.

…

On Saturday, he returns to Vegas.

He has to beg Thomas for his job back, picking up double shifts for the next two weeks to make up for walking out. He doesn’t go to Tijuana but instead drives down to Texas with a few guys he met at the restaurant who were heading there for a festival.

#shawn and gus #psych fanfiction #shawngus #dule hill #james roday rodriguez #fanfic #psych usa #writing more on a03 #decided to publish this bc it’s so angsty #angst #tumblr post #shawn x gus #burton guster #shawn spencer #writing psych fics in 2023 #unserious but oh well #hyper fixating on them again #send help #babies

29 notes · View notes

dothsexth · 1 year

Text

Shawn Spencer would lose himself if Gus died.

Yes, Jules is his other half but Gus is the one person who has been there for him since he was 5.

He's been there through every phase every happy and horrible part of his life.

He wouldn't be able to function. Everything he does he knows he's once done with Gus.

He's been very close to losing Gus like the times they've been held hostage but this. It's finally.

No more saying a weird name to his partner who plays along with every of his silly annoying shenanigans.

He waits for someone to tell him random facts about God knows what.

But really. He can't. No one else to go to random places act like fools. Eat at every goddamn place.

He might as well die because really what is the point of living with your best friend.

#authors #shawn spencer #burton guster #gus #shawn #gus × shawn #angst #fanfic #death #jules #psych #dulé hill #james rhodes #james roday rodriguez #maggie lawson #best friend #sad #psychmemes #psych fantic

11 notes · View notes

romirola · 1 year

Text

Headcanons for Redacted Characters’ Full Names

Some of these have come up in my fanfics. Others just live inside my head. Please enjoy.

David Gabriel Shaw

Asher James-Darragh O’Connell (credit to @floofdeloop)

Milo Anthony Greer

Marie Rose Campenella Greer (credit to @frenchiefitzhere for the middle name)

Colm Maxwell Greer

Gabriel Irving Shaw

Samuel Benjamin Collins

William Erasmus Solaire

Vincent Christopher Solaire

Lasko Francis Moore

Huxley Charles Goldman-Jackson

Damien Ibrahim Naoum

Geordi Plitzvarnivic

Elliott Ryan Wu

Aaron Lysander Blackshear

Oliver “Ollie” Tristan Castilla Rodriguez

256 notes · View notes

messinwitheddie · 4 months

Note

If you ever watch the movie *A bugs life* I can’t help but headcanon Lich’s voice as Hopper cuz he’s a bully and a boss man.😅 especially the last scene where the ants finally are fed up with him and face him for being a tyrant that he is.

That's awesome you have a voice you can hear for Lich. I haven't watched a Bugs Life in a long time, but I liked the movie as a little kid. I can see the parallels with the characters.

Originally, when I first came up with the concept of Lich's character (Can’t even remember what I originally named him. Maybe it was the same name. Can’t remember. Wow…

Either way, Lich's original backstory/ role in a fanfic [I won't name because I wrote it in middle school and it was AWFUL], was very different from what it is now. The plot of the fuc was a ripoff of the movie ,“Heavy Metal” so Ronnie James Dio or Alice Cooper were the two voices I usually associated him with. "The Mob Rules" and "The Black Widdow" are Lich's theme songs.

BUT Kevin Spacey's voice fits Lich very well, now that you pointed it out.

He is oozing with Hopper vibes.

If I had an obscene amount of money to spend, I would hire these voice actors/actresses/ singers (resurrect them from the grave if necessary) to play my ocs and/or Characters from Invader Zim that never officially were assigned hired voice actors.

At least most of my Irken ocs have voices picked out.

Pepperoncini: Sir Christopher Lee (?) Earle Hyman (?) Even those two would have to pitch their voices lower and more gravely. Cini's voice, especially in his later years, is very, VERY deep and ravaged by centuries of smoking pipe amber. I guess the contrast in his bright, lighthearted, bubbly personality amuses me.

I can’t think of a voice that perfectly matches the voice Cini has in my head. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I loosely based his personality on Phyllis Diller and Vincent Price, to give an idea of his mannerisms.

Spinch: Martha Kelly (so shy)

Hoola: Eric Bauza (His personality is based on Daffy Duck, though lacking in WB toon antics and the lisp.)

Mem: Bette Midler (first choice), possibly Kathy Bates or Meryl Streep

Some of Mem's swarm I have casted

Handoverfist aka Hof: Eugene Mirman

Ferocity: Betsy Sodaro

Skathe: Jenny Slate

Starboard: John Fiedler

Zee: Jillian Bell

Rook/ the Sage: Originally I imagined John Cleese playing Rook, at least in Rook's older years (because he was based on the Monty Python’s Holy Grail Tim the Enchanter) or Suzy Izzard.

But again, now that you pointed out the parallels, David Foley fits pretty well too.

Miyuki: I'm sure plenty of people would disagree with me, but I think Cher (or at least a younger Cher), Lynne Lipton (again, younger), or Cree Summer would make great choices for Miyuki.

Kii: Can't get Melissa Fahn's voice out of my head for her, but any suggestions are welcome. Maybe Doro Pesch.

Soxx: Percy Rodriguez (would have to bring him back from the dead)

Hitz: Richard Romanus

Spork: Lorenzo Music (I just do)

Commander Poki: Brooke Dillman (I love that woman's voice. Boss as shit.)

Frylady Soo-Garr: Kristin Chenoweth or Grey DeLisle. Either. Either or would pull off her vindictive personality perfectly.

Pielord Emis-Gee: Ron Funches

Brewmaster Shakkin: Christopher McCulloch

Yeet: Hong Chau (so spunky!)

Vroog: Billie Mae Richards or Maria Bamford for a living person to play her.

Irken Gir would be played by Rosearik Rikki Simons, just no synthesizers or anything.

This is not a complete list by far. If you’re curious about any of ocs that I didn’t list, you can ask about or make suggestions.

Hearing the voices helps develop the character for me

#invader zim #oc #fake voice cast #what is wrong with me???

12 notes · View notes

swaggypsyduck · 1 year

Note

sergio replaced luka with kylian and luka replaced sergio with alaba

im so sorry this is late it got lost in the fanfic asks im delaying to answer 🫣🫣

in my humble opinion kylian and sergio is more familial than besties uk?? so to me luka and sergio both replaced their eldest son james rodriguez with rodrygo and kylian respectively.

them w rm's (currently unemployed) baby boy:

them w their current sons:

#but i totally understand where ur coming from when u mention david alba #*david alaba #sorry i had to make a james is unemployed joke #speaking in my search i found a babyfaced varane and he's so cute #sergio ramos #luka modrić #real madrid #asks

18 notes · View notes

scuddish · 2 years

Text

KAYLEE, SHE/HER, 22 (JUNE 27TH), CANCER!

forever in my benicio del toro & norman reedus brain rot eras. vampires, werewolves, too many slashers, the color green, sweet & dark scents, psychological horror & crime films, people who reblog posts & talk in the tags (ferally, i hope)!!!

DISCLAIMER: multifandom. i have new hyperfixations/favs very often. i talk in the tags of my posts on tumblr. i’m inactive sometimes (most of the time). i love chatting with others but may quiet down often, dm me here on tumblr if my responses are slow or i don't respond lmao. i tend to block blank blogs & prefer to only be followed by 18+ due to mature content i may post/reblog!

CURRENTLY FIXATED ON/EDITING SCENEPACKS FOR: daniel brühl, tim roth, boyd holbrook, garrett hedlund, owen teague, sam riley, norman reedus, michael shannon, james spader, kiefer sutherland, & daniel-day lewis.

TAG ME IN: anything vampires, werewolves, horror, slashers, any of the men above, caleb landry jones, eamon farren, adam rodriguez, timothy olyphant, jeremy sisto, tommy flanagan, willem dafoe, donald glover, will poulter, lou diamond phillips, domhnall gleeson, nicholas cirillo, scott speedman & or anyone you see me reblog about lmao. i love women too i swear...

TRACKING: #USERSCUDDISH, feel free to tag me in edits, gifsets, fanfics, etc. even if we aren’t mutuals! you can also tag me on instagram if you post edits/fancams there!

SOCIALS — LETTERBOXD. INSTAGRAM. SPOTIFY. YOUTUBE.

8 notes · View notes

footballffbarbiex · 3 years

Text

Soulmates: tugging pt 2

Player: James Rodriguez Words: 1,329 request and warnings: Maybe something like the reader doesn't even know much about football and just watches very rarely and then they start feeling these crazy strong emotions whenever that person feels smth strong? Maybe when there's a huge win or loss

“I warned you what he’s like when watching this,” your best friend comments, rolling her eyes and giving her boyfriend a fake disgusted look. He sits anxiously, elbows on his knees, his hands in a praying motion over his mouth and nose as he watches one of the players line up for a penalty.

“But it’s-” you begin to say only to be cut off when he says,

“It’s not just game,” he replies, barely looking your way, eyes remain fixed on the screen as they wait for the ref to blow the whistle. Your ex used to watch football religiously, your social lives worked around what games were on.

“You don’t even support this team,” you’d complained to him as he’d sat glued in front of the tv one night, “why are we watching when you don’t care about them?”

“I don’t care about them, sure. But I care about this game. If they lose, we win the league. I need them t-THAT WAS A FOUL. Oh, fuck off is that not given.”

And so, though you didn’t have an active interest in the sport, you’d had to follow it in one way or another because of him. You’d learnt the basics, not enough to be able to discuss with others but enough to follow it roughly without needing to ask what was happening each time a player went down, a sub was occurring, or the ref was swarmed by players pleading their case. You knew some things, more than your best friend who didn’t understand, nor did she want to and had seen the anxiety that a penalty brought.

The ball hits the back of the net, her boyfriend is on his feet and though you don’t have any feeling towards either of the teams that play, not even the one who is now one goal up, you feel something churning within you. It’s a similar sensation that you’ve felt before, one that seems to burst from nowhere, spreading throughout your body like rapid fire. It’s an elation that takes hold, ripping through your body until you feel almost giddy with it which continues to grow for seemingly no reason.

You’re trying to work out what caused it this time when the until the camera pans to one player. His broad smile makes your own appear, your stomach flips and the excitement that had filled you moments ago now tingles with a heat that wasn’t there before. He’s cheering with teammates, arms around them, punching the air and shouting his happiness along with the crowd. Your body feels as though it’s alive, a true adrenaline rush all while you’re sitting still, frozen to the spot as you watch this play out.

You can feel it slowly melt away as the game resumes but not completely. Your mind works overtime as you begin to piece it all together. Only one other person you know in reality has had the same bond with their partner. Casey who you used to work with had been more than happy to spill the beans on how she knew Mark was the one. She’d told you how she’d begun to feel his emotions when she was in a relaxed state. She’d be laid in bed with either intense feelings of happiness or sadness out of nowhere, yet at the same time it felt as though her body was numb.

“Soulmates come in different forms.” Casey had explained, “how one person meets theirs may not be how you meet yours. Janet had her timer. Emma found herself with a new tattoo, not that she’d show us because it’s in an intimate place. But it’s always the same. It’s always them. And once you realise it, you’ll find you experience it more often.”

Needing to know if this was merely a coincidence or not, you’d watched a few more games when he was starting and tried not to get too excited when you found that the feelings would stir up. This morning though, you’ve woken up with a feeling of dread in your stomach. Last night was hard with wave after wave of sadness washing over you. You couldn’t place it. You’d had a good day at work for a change, you’d been paid and had been for a small but satisfying shopping trip and had looked forward to the weekend off.

The only thing you could think of was that something had affected James and you needed to know if this was something that you were overthinking or if it was true. You’d checked social media and seen that training photos were being uploaded, with the players, including James, padding towards the training pitch only an hour ago. It didn’t take long to find the training ground location and within 45 minutes, you were heading out of the door.

Other fans were dotting around, eagerly waiting for a glimpse of their favourites in the hope of a photo and autograph. You’d stood nervously here for well over an hour, wondering what you’d say or how to even bring up the subject. You knew the only way to really know was to ask if he was ok, but you also didn’t want to come across as insensitive or intrusive. But now you’re here, in close proximity to him, there’s no denying it. There’s a sensation, like an invisible rope pulling you closer to him bound with a warmth that you can’t shake. If there was any doubt that this hunch was right, it was disappearing by the second.

Your moment arrives ten minutes later as you’re still going over dialogue in your mind but it’s not until he’s smiling at you that you find yourself blurting it out.

“This is going to sound crazy,” you state after he’s signed your notebook, something you’d brought to try and lure him over. James gives you his full attention and you take that as a sign to continue, “it sounds crazy in my mind but, I had to come here today and see if you were ok. After last night.”

His smile falters, eyes now scanning your face as he tries to work out if he heard that right. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Never mind. I’m goin-”

“No, what did you mean?” His gaze is intense, stopping you from moving any further with your body half turned away from him.

“I felt something last night. And I think they’re linked to you.”

“What did you feel?”

“Sadness. Almost like a grieving. It just kept coming an-” you cut yourself off when you watch his expression and feel him pull you to the side and away from others.

“How did you know that?”

“I don’t know. I felt it.”

“But how did you link that with me? It could be anyone.”

“It could. And that’s why I said I might sound crazy. But it’s a long story.” You try to give a small smile but the expression on his face, the nervous way he bites his lip says you have the right person. “Are you ok?”

“I definitely could be better,” he gives a little laugh. “You didn’t have to come and check, but you did. Thank you.”

“It was mostly you, partly to know if I was making this up in my head.” James chuckles to himself and seems to stare off into space for a moment or two. “Two weeks ago, I felt something. Like an excitement that just wouldn’t go. I couldn’t place it. Was that...?” He leaves the unfinished question hang in the air as you grin. Was that you?

“My best friend found out she was pregnant.”

“You’re linked to me too.” He runs his fingers over his mouth as he considers this. “Do you want to go somewhere and talk? I can see if we can go into the training canteen.”

“Will they let me in?” You ask cautiously.

“It’s not every day you meet a soulmate. I think they’ll make an exception.”

If you’d like to be added/removed from my tag list, please let me know here

#james rodriguez one shot #james rodriguez imagine #james rodriguez blurb #james rodriguez drabble #james rodriguez fanfic #james rodriguez fanfiction #football one shot #football imagine #football blurb #football drabble #football fanfic #football fanfiction #footballer one shot #footballer imagine #footballer blurb #footballer drabble #footballer fanfic #footballer fanfiction

15 notes · View notes

aprincessdesigns · 5 years

Photo

#fanfic #fanfiction #hot fanfic #capas #capasspirit #capas fanfic #capas para wattpad #capas para social spirit #fanfic cover #fanfiction cover #Football Fanfiction #football fanfic #james rodriguez #james rodriguez fanfic #pedidos #pedidos capas

2 notes · View notes

footiefanficwonderland · 7 years

Text

Silver Lining (James Rodriguez OS)

Ever since he has moved to Munich, James Rodriguez has been nothing but miserable. However, a playful, perky blonde may make him realize there is a silver lining in all his misery after all.

A/N: I know I should be working on your requests right now instead of writing random fluff, bit this was just so cute to write I just couldn’t help it. My apologies. I hope you enjoy this and that you won’t hate me too much. Lots of love xo

James started at the invitation in his hand as the negative energy built up inside of him. It was the invitation for the annual gala dinner in honor of the beginning of the new season. Usually, black-tie events like this one didn't make him irritated nor angry. But usually, he wasn't the one who has just arrived at the new club, in the country whose language he couldn’t even begin to understand, let alone speak. Usually, he wasn't the one whose girlfriend has just dumped him 10 minutes ago because she had no intention of leaving her whole life just to travel across the continent to support his career choices. Usually, he had more than one friend and usually that friend wasn't an overly energetic German guy who seemed to have the ability to make friends with everyone, even a plant.

Yet, there was a first time for everything.

Angrily, James crumped the invitation in his fist, for it only reminded him at how lonely and pathetic he felt here, and as he was going through the hallway, he absentmindedly threw the paper ball to the right. In retrospect, James didn't have the last clue where he expected the ball to land. Frankly, he only wanted to get it out of his sight.

However, a split second after, a shout came out of the direction he threw it in. Stopping in his track, James took a few steps back. Of course, the door of one of the offices that were located down the hall was open and the paper ball flew right on the desk. His luck.

Behind the office desk stood a young blonde with a puzzled look on her face, holding his invitation in her hand. A flash of anger appeared on her face but disappeared as soon as her eyes met his. It seemed like she was going to scold him but changed her mind.

„Is this yours?“ she asked politely.

„No, I mean yes but-“ James stuttered. For some reason he felt nervous under her gaze even though he didn't know if it was the possibility of her being angry at him or something completely unrelated that was making him so nervous.

„It's mine but I've been meaning to throw it away. I didn't realize I was throwing it in your office, I'm sorry.“

When she smiled, James was able to pinpoint the reason of his nervousness. He was sure he hasn't seen such a charming smile ever since he arrived to Munich.

„Everything is alright,“ she said putting the paper in the trash can next to her desk.

„I'm Abigail,“ she smiled, extending her hand over her desk. „I work in the HR.“

James, who was still standing at the doorway, went inside and shook her hand. „I'm James. James Rodriguez. No. 11 on the pitch,“ he explained because, for some reason, he wasn't sure if she knew who he was, and he just wanted her to remember him.

Abby laughed a little bit at his introduction. „I know who you are.“

„You do?“ James asked, genuinely surprised and eternally happy that someone knew about him. He seemed to be invisible around here.

„I work in the HR, I know who everyone is,“ she giggled. „Also, you are James Rodriguez, of course I know who you are,“ she quickly added.

Her smile must've been contagious because James couldn't help but smile whenever she did, and his was that big goofy grin that he worried she'd find ridiculous. Also, he noticed that she was talking to him in English ever since she laid her eyes on him, and for that he was eternally grateful.

He wanted to say something more, to talk more, to talk with her for hours. He didn't know whether it was because she was very beautiful, or because he was just happy to make conversation with someone without it being awkward. Just as it happens in situations like these, he was of course unable to think of anything else to say.

„I hope I'll see you around James. If you need anything, please come see me. Even if its' just to say hi.“ Abby said smiling, as she sat back on her chair. James took this as his cue to leave.

He wasn't quite sure if she was just being polite or there was something more to it. But he caught himself liking the idea of coming to see her as frequent as possible.

….

„Is this seat taken?“

Sitting on the stairs in front of the club headquarters, James heard familiar voice behind him. He turned around only to see Abby standing there, in all the glory of her soft blonde waives falling over her breasts down to her waist and her Barbie pink pencil skirt with a ruffle just below her knees.

It has been a few days since he met her and even though he wanted to, he never found an excuse to come see her. At first he was excited about it, and it seemed like a marvelous idea. Finally making friends with someone here- especially someone that pretty- made him get up from bed in the morning with joy. But the more he thought about it, the more he questioned himself, until he finally convinced himself that she was just being nice and she probably didn't have any desire of him bothering her.

Thus, he smiled somewhat shyly at her, nodding his head. Abby flattened her skirt and set down on stairs beside him.

„Tagescafe Schwabing,“ Abby said after a short while, her eyes fixed on something in the distance.

„Huh?“ James asked in confusion, turning to face her.

„It is a small cafe in the Hohenzollernstraße. It's very cozy and cute, and what's best about it is the fact that it's not crowded with people. You can go there and sit for hours reading, working... even playing video games- no one will bother you.“ Abby explained. „Oh and their latte is heavenly!“ she added excitedly.

„Why are you telling me this?“ James asked confused.

Instead of answering, Abby stretched her arm out for him to shake. “I'm Abby.“

James was even more puzzled now. Almost offended. Could it really be possible that she has forgotten about him already?

„I know who you are. We've met the other day, remember?“ he answered calmly.

Abby looked him directly in the eyes, her emerald green ones sparkling in the sun. „No, you met Abigail from the HR. But after 5 o'clock, I'm no longer working. Then I'm just Abby,“ she said with a smile. Her smile seemed so warm and genuine. With the corner of his eye, James glanced at his watch. It was 5:30 now.

„So, who are you after work, James Rodriguez, No.11?“ she teased, using the exact same words that he used to introduce himself the other day.

James couldn't help but laugh. „Just James.“

„Okay James. Now that we officially know each other on and off work, I'm going to tell you something,“ Abby announced in a serious voice. He waited for her to continue.

„The other day, you were mad about something, am I right?“ She asked, but as he didn't answer, she continued. „But it wasn't just something. It was the invitation, wasn't it? It reminded you that you are all alone here. In an unfamiliar country. Whose language you don’t speak. It reminded you that all your friends, all familiar faces are miles away, and that you are all alone. In fact you weren't even mad at all, were you? You were just lonely.“

She was still looking ahead as she talked and James couldn't dare to look at her. His eyes were fixed at his hands resting on his knees. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This woman was reading him like an open book.

„How do you do that?“ he asked quietly after a while, the color of his voice indicating that he was half amused half scared.

Abby laughed at his expression. „I work in the HR. It's my job to know all of that. Besides,“ she continued, „I’ve been there. I've been you. I was one of the best students in my university, but there weren't many job opportunities in my city. So, when I got the offer to complete my internship here, I immediately took it. It was the best and the hardest decision I ever had to make. It was a good job. I knew it could be the stepping stone for my career and the opportunity to create the life that my family has wanted me to have. But i hated it. I have never been more alone in my life. I didn't speak the language so well, so it was hard for me to make friends with anyone at work. I lived alone, I ate alone. I spent every day alone. The highlight of my day was the evening when I'd call my mum and dad and lie to them that everything was fine. I would lie about how happy I was, how this job was everything I ever wanted, how many friends I've made. I even bought a cat!“ She exclaimed to emphasize her point. “I am a dog person, but I bought a cat because a dog couldn't fit in my tiny apartment.“

As if realizing she has gone too far, Abby chuckled and waived her hand dismissively. „Anyhow, it was awful. I tried to think positively, you know, motivate myself with those stupid quotes. But then I realized that if I wasn't going to quit my job- which wasn't an option- I had to suck it up and deal with it. So, I used the time when I felt completely alone, in the best way I could. I did everything I've been putting off for years. I read almost all of the books on my shelf. I enrolled in a program at the gym. I explored the city. I found so many cute places- Tagescafe Schawbing is one of them. They helped me realize that you could spend time alone and still have fun. You should visit it sometimes.“

When she was finished, James just looked at her for a few moments, processing everything she has just said. „Is that why you have been talking to me in English ever since we met?“ he asked after a while.

Abby simply nodded. „You were already struggling having to talk to everyone around here in German. I figured I didn't have to make it even harder,“ she confessed.

And for that, James felt the sudden urge to hug her. Not because she was pretty. Not because he could potentially like her. Not because he already liked the idea of someone like that existing in this new chapter of his life. Not even because he missed having someone to hug. He felt the need to hug her because that was the most considerate anyone has been towards him for a while. And that was all he needed.

He didn't hug her though. The scenarios playing in his head were usually much better when they stayed just in his head. So he just smiled and thanked her genuinely.

„As for the gala dinner, I'd love to go with you,“ Abby said all of a sudden.

James couldn't even explain it but he could feel his cheeks turning red. „That is really sweet of you, but if you're doing it because you pity me, please don't. I'll be alright.“

„Are you kidding? I've been rambling for at least15 minutes now and you didn't interrupt me once. You are a great listener, James, and I have tons of problems. By the end of the evening, you'll be the one pitying me.“ Abby joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

For the first time since she’s met him, she heard James laugh. Genuinely laugh. And it was a beautiful laugh indeed.

He pretended to think about her offer. „I think I'll risk it,“ he chuckled.

They sat in silence for a little while. It was Friday and the end of working hours, so almost everyone has already left the stadium. The parking lot was becoming more empty by the minute. James was dreading the moment when Abby would get up to leave as well. The Abby that she's told him about was a lonely cat owner. But that was from the time when she was still an intern. She seemed to have such a fun, outgoing personality, she probably had tons of friends now and much better things to do than get her pretty skirt dirty by sitting on the staircase with him.

James examined her as she raised her arms and gathered her blonde waives to tie them into a ponytail, and he wondered how old could she be now. Judging by her story she was probably around his age, maybe a bit younger, but he couldn't tell for sure.

„Do you have a navy blue suit?“ she asked out of the blue.

„I don’t think so,“ James answered, thinking.

„Well, let’s go find one. It'll go great with the dress I'll be wearing,“ she said picking up her bag.

„Wait, now?“

„Yeah. You don't have other plans do you?“ Abby teased and James narrowed his eyes at her good-naturedly.

„Okay, but under one condition. We'll also look for a dress for you to wear to our date after the gala.“

It was a statement more than a question, and this time it was Abby who was taken by surprise. To be completely honest, James took even himself by surprised when those words escaped his mouth. He wasn't quite sure when he realized he wanted to invite her for a date but apparently he did.

„What if i told you i don't date people from work?“ Abby asked.

„Then I'd have to remind you that after 5 you are not 'Abigail from HR', you are 'just Abby'. And I was planning on taking you on a dinner date anyway.“ He smirked.

Abby couldn't help but laugh. „Deal,“ she said as she stood up, extending one arm for him to take, so she could help pull him up.

„Wait, how come you already have a dress when we've only talked about the gala just now?“ James remembered to asked as they were walking towards the parking lot.

„Oh honey,“ Abby chuckled. „I am the head assistant of the HR manager, which means 'of the record'“, she said making the sign with her fingers, „ I'm running the HR. I got invited way before you did.“ She informed him, a gloating smile on her face.

James was impressed. „It's good I always had the thing for powerful women,“ he only half joked.

Abby threw her head back laughing and that laugh made James feel better about himself than he did in a long time.

62 notes · View notes