not_an_oreilly (not_an_oreilly) wrote in the_dome, @ 2013-11-19 19:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | #group-scene, 04-14-2017, avery, darcy, noah |
Three's Company
Who: Avery and Darcy, Then Noah
Where: Avery and Darcy’s house
When: Just after school
The storm had hit in full force by lunch time at school and just before the last bell rang, the lights started to flicker. Darcy had figured out that the lights were out in her dash home in the pouring rain and sleet because the houses along the way were dark, including hers. “Aves?” she called out when she got through the door, soaked to the bone and shivering. Hopefully her cousin wasn’t home, but Darcy had noticed Avery wasn’t in school which was probably a bad sign. Though for what outside of Avery being home and something she had to deal with right now, Darcy had no idea. Darcy didn’t wait for an answer, peeling out of wet clothes in the foyer before starting towards her room to find something warmer to wear.
With the electricity out, Avery was out back, gathering as much firewood in her arms as she could manage. It was cold and she was already soaked, but there was no way she wanted to hang out inside with only candles to keep her warm. Edging her way back into the house, Avery shut the door behind her with her shoe, then started for the fireplace.
She caught sight of a few articles of wet clothes in the foyer, and she sighed softly, since they belonged to Darcy. Kneeling at the hearth, Avery began to stack the wood, wanting to get a fire started as quickly as possible. Maybe Darcy would run off to Noah's and be out of her hair for the rest of the day. Avery got the fire going and killed to her feet before hurrying down to get bedroom to change out of her own wet clothes. She spotted Darcy and bit back another sigh. "Are you staying?"
Darcy had thought she was alone until she heard Avery's voice and turned around before pulling on a dry, thick sweater. "Um, yeah." That was a weird question considering it was sleeting and this was her house too.
"Oh." Disappointed that she wouldn't have the house to herself, Avery should into her room to change into a dry hoodie and pajama pants before wandering back to the fire. "I figured you would be with Noah, unless he's planning on sneaking in after I go to bed." Though that wasn't going to happen for awhile since it wasn't even time for dinner.
"How do you know about that?" Darcy asked grabbing a pair of socks and following after Avery. "And he was planning on coming over soon I guess."
Avery rolled her eyes and plopped down in front of the fire to warm herself. She would light candles in a minute. “Seriously? I know he stayed the night last night, seeing as how I heard plenty of your enthusiastic sex while I was trying to sleep.”
Oh that. Darcy grinned to herself, going into the kitchen to find a lighter and the candles. "Right. That makes sense. Didn't think you were home." Which was a lie, but Darcy didn't care. She lit two candles and set them on the coffee table. Served Avery right for trying to break them up.
"Where else would I be?" Avery asked, trying not to roll her eyes again. This was her home too, and she had heard them fairly late. Of course she would have been home. Avery leaned back on her hands, shoving her feet a bit closer to the fire and staring, wishing again that Darcy had run to Noah's instead of coming home.
"Finn's?" Anywhere else. Darcy curled herself into one of the chairs near the fire. She kind of wished Avery wasn't here now. That would make life easier. She was still mad at her cousin. "Surprised you aren't at Noah's either. Since you two are best friends." That was bitter but it was how Darcy was feeling. Why did she have to share Noah with Avery and Sylvia? Wasn't one enough? What else would Avery tell Noah?
"We broke up," Avery said simply, as if it didn't matter to her. Then she swayed her feet back and forth in front of her fire, already feeling toasty. If only she had a fireplace in her bedroom. "Noah's not my best friend, but he's my friend. I'm actually surprised you're not at Noah's, since you're his girlfriend. I'm sure he wouldn't mind it if you wanted to go over." God, please let Darcy take the hint and go. Avery didn't want to fight. She was already feeling crappy, and tired and Darcy would only make everything feel that much worse.
Darcy made a face. “You broke up? When did that happen?” Didn’t Avery just have a good night with Finn? Why had they broken up? She hated it, because she was still mad at her cousin, but that made her curious. She shrugged. “He said he’d come over and I had to come back here to change. Why go out again?” She liked the girlfriend part, that was a good thing and it made her smile.
Oh fabulous, so Noah was coming over? Avery got to witness them in all their happy-couple glory? Maybe she would sneak over to Fiona's, if things got to puke inducing. Avery didn't look over at Darcy, but continued to watch the fire. "It happened last night. He likes Audrey. So that's that."
Darcy made a face. “Did he say that? Did he hook up with her?” she asked. “I thought he liked you.” That was just complicated.
Sighing, Avery finally looked over at Darcy, just waiting for her to start gloating. "Yes, he said it. I don't know if he hooked up with her, okay? Something probably happened. But I guess she likes Finn. And Liam. She's trying to decide who she wants more. Finn likes her, he never liked me, so we broke up, all right?"
Darcy ran her tongue along the inside of her lower lip. “So he broke up with you because he liked her?” And Audrey liked Liam? Darcy didn’t know how she felt about that, since she didn’t have a say in things, but at the same time...that was weird. Why would someone like both of them? “Did he say he never liked you?” Because that was sort of dick of him.
She really didn't want to talk about this again. Especially not to Darcy. "I broke up with him because he likes her," Avery corrected swiftly. "He wasn't going to tell me he liked Audrey unless she chose him. And I think his words were... I was happy with him, so he liked making me happy. How self sacrificing and noble of him, huh? Dating a girl he couldn't care less about because it made her happy. A real white knight, that one. Perfect guy to lose my virginity to." And now she was getting angry again. Because anger was always preferable over tears. Avery sat up and brushed her palms together. "I don't want to talk about it, Darcy. Not with you. If you want to gloat, or tell me I deserved it, just get it over with."
“I wouldn’t say he could care less about you if he wanted to make you happy,” Darcy said with a shrug. “But he’s a dick for liking someone else and being with you. Especially if you did it with him. But figure, you got the awkward part out of the way. Now you can find someone worth your while.” She smiled at her cousin and shook her head. “Nothing to gloat about. Sucks all around. We should kick him in the shins.”
Avery shook her head. "No. If you care about someone you don't lead them on. And you don't have sex with them when you want someone else. And guess what? I wanted my first time to mean something. I get that you view sex differently than I do, but I didn't want to just get it out of the way. I certainly didn't want to have sex and barely a day later hear he liked someone else." Avery paused and swallowed hard, turning her gaze back to the fire. She worked the hurt back, until she could just be angry again. It wouldn't have sucked so bad if she hadn't actually liked Finn. But the assholes were probably disguised as nice guys all the time. "Yeah, the dome is just crawling with guys wanting to take me out. Didn't you see the line outside when you got home? And personally I'd rather kick him in the balls. Then maybe next time he'll use his actual brain before fucking around with someone's feelings. Selfish ass."
Darcy wouldn’t have thought Finn was like that, but apparently every guy was a little bit of a dick. “Sounds fair. You kick him in the balls and I’ll kick him in the shins.” She paused then grinned turning to look at Avery. “Or better, we sick Aidan or Lochlan on him, just like old times. When was the last time our cousins got to beat up a potential boyfriend? I’d say Patrick, but then you’d have to tell Patrick you had sex with Finn and that might make Patrick’s face melt off like in Indiana Jones.” She shrugged and went back to her seat, nestling in and reaching for a blanket. “There’s plenty of guys. You’re prettier than I am. You’ve just got to relax a little. There’s got to be someone you think is cute.” Provided it’s not Noah.
Avery managed a faint smile. "Patrick already volunteered to kick his ass, but I'd rather do it myself, if that's what I wanted to do. Sometimes when I get really angry about it, I wish I would have at least bloodied his nose. But... he can't help who he likes and doesn't like. It just sucks for me, that's all." Releasing a breath, Avery glanced at Darcy. She was crazy if she thought Avery was prettier than she was. For one thing, Darcy had already had sex more than Avery had, and she had a boyfriend who was clearly beyond smitten with her. Avery was just floundering, and always had been. "No, not really. And if I think they're cute, they've already got girlfriends, or they're too old, or it's not going to happen. It's fine. I don't need a boyfriend."
"Yeah well he should have liked you." Darcy didn't like her cousin much, but that didn't mean there were other people better than her. She was just Darcy's least favorite person. But just like how Eily deserved a date, Avery deserved a guy who's eyes worked. "Too old isn't as much of an issue these days." Especially considering Aidan and Sylvia and no one doing anything about that. "So leave out too old. Who's cute?"
Avery shrugged her shoulder, pulling her feet back from the fire now that they were warmer. She had no idea why Darcy was being nice about it, and it put her on edge a bit, like she was waiting for the joke. She snickered softly at the thought that 'too old' wasn't an issue. Maybe not for some people, but Avery wasn't sure she wanted to date a guy who was several years older than she was. Twenty, maybe, but anything more was maybe creepy. Shooting Darcy a wary look, Avery shook her head. "I'm not telling you who I think is cute. For one thing, there are a ton of cute guys in the dome, but that doesn't mean I want to date them." For another thing, she didn't trust Darcy, and Avery didn't want anything from this conversation being used against her later.
"Why not tell me?" Darcy made a face. They were stuck here weren't they? That was more interesting than sitting in silence. At least until who Avery might think is cute dawned on Darcy. "It's not Noah is it?"
Avery's head fell back, a sound of exasperation escaping her as she stared at the ceiling. So that's why Darcy wanted to know who Avery found attractive. Did she honestly believe Avery would have the hots for a boy who had already had sex with her cousin? No, thank you. Turning her face to look at Darcy, Avery shot her a mildly annoyed look. "You're kidding me, right?"
Darcy just looked confused. "Uhh no?"
All Avery could do was hope Darcy wasn't asking because she thought Avery wanted to try and steal Noah. Maybe she just wanted to feel smug that she had a good looking boyfriend. "Noah's cute, sure, but he's not my type, and I'm not interested. Obviously."
"Obviously?" Darcy didn't feel like it was obvious. She knew Noah and Avery were friends and Noah didn't get how annoying Avery was. Darcy sank more into the chair, quiet for a moment. "Well that's good I guess. Who is your type?"
Honestly, Avery couldn't do anything about Darcy's doubt. She felt no inklings of attractive toward Noah, and even if she had, the fact that Noah was with Darcy made him completely off limits. She liked having Noah as a friend, and she wanted it to stay that way. "Who's my type?" Avery shook her head. "I don't know. Whoever I find myself attracted to, I guess."
Darcy was still quiet wishing she didn't doubt Noah, but she had her own host of issues related to Avery. "That's not really an answer. No one recently has made you go 'ohhh'?" She asked, steering the conversation away from Noah.
"Yeah," Avery said with a nod before looking away. "Finn. I wasn't really paying attention to anyone else. It doesn't really matter, does it? I don't think I want another boyfriend right now. Anyone I meet I'm going to assume they're going to fuck me over too."
Darcy frowned, thinking that kind of made sense and it sucked. "Then for the next one you be the tough one. You broke up with Finn before he could break up with you. I think you can do it. Find some cute dude to rebound with."
"What do you mean, be the tough one?" Avery asked. She didn't want to have to be tough. She just wanted a guy who liked her the way she liked him. Why make it more complicated? "I don't want to rebound. I'd rather just wait and see if I meet someone. If I don't, I don't. Besides, like I already said, it's not like there's a lot of guys to choose from. I'll survive."
"Be the one to fuck him over," Darcy said with hint of a smile. "Just thought a rebound might be better than watching Finn get with what's her face."
For a moment, Avery thought Darcy was kidding, but then she figured, probably not. Avery couldn't imagine going after a guy just to screw him over, and hurt him the way Finn had hurt her. She knew how it made her feel. Why would she want to do that to someone else? The mention of Finn and what's her face stung a little, and Avery was silent for several moments. She hadn't really thought about having to see them together. But maybe it wouldn't be so bad. They didn't hang out with the same people, and Finn wasn't in school. As long as they didn't bring their love connection into the pub while Avery was working, she supposed it wouldn't be so bad. "Maybe she'll pick Liam," Avery said after a moment, though it was more to just have something to say, because her stomach was hurting all over again.
Darcy looked at her cousin. "And then what? You get back with Finn?"
Despite feeling low again, Avery barked out a loud laugh. "No! For one thing, even if Audrey picks Liam, Finn still likes her. For another thing, he's not going to try and get me back because he didn't want me in the first place. So no, there won't be any getting back with Finn. Like. Ever."
"Right answer." Darcy had been worried for a moment there that her cousin was a total pushover. "Doesn't deserve a second chance."
A small part of Avery felt like everyone deserved a second chance. But it was different with Finn because he wouldn't want the second chance to begin with. So it felt easier to spout confidence in her decision because Avery knew she would never be forced to make the choice anyway. "Yeah." She nodded once and then sat up and drew her knees up. "Can we talk about something else? I'd rather just forget about him."
"Sure. Whatcha want to talk about?" Darcy was open to suggestions, because the fire was warm and moving seemed stupid.
Avery didn't really want to talk about anything. But if she retreated to her bedroom, she would get cold. "I don't know," Avery admitted. "Why don't you gush about Noah or something."
Darcy was actually at a loss for what to say. "He asked me to be his girlfriend," she tried, even if it wasn't entirely accurate. He'd not asked, they'd just decided.
"So? That's gushing?" Avery asked incredulously. "I assumed you were close enough to being his girlfriend, given how loud you guys were last night."
"Loud has nothing to do with being his girlfriend," Darcy pointed out, blushing a little. She glanced at Avery and shrugged.
Noah had finished up school, pleased with the text he'd gotten from Darcy saying dinner was postponed. He had a heap of homework thanks to all the skipping he'd done this week, but he didn't care about it right now. It was Friday and he was going to spend some time with Darcy. He looked up at the sky uncertainly then sprinted across the street from the school, up onto the porch, and knocked as he'd been requested to do. He would've done that anyway given the fact it was the middle of the day. Though considering the storm it was pretty dark. It didn't help that the power had also gone out just as he was leaving school.
Darcy looked up at the knock, thinking she knew who it was. It could be anyone she supposed, but Noah was probably the best guess, which meant, despite it being warm where she was, she got up to open the door. Smiling at him she moved so he could come in quickly and leave the cold outside. "Did you get drenched?"
He stepped inside quickly and nodded. “That I did,” he said as his hair dripped down his face. He pushed it back and shivered. Though it felt toastier in here than it did outside. His eyes fell on Avery just before he was about to kiss Darcy hello. He paused, not wanting to make the blonde feel worse about her recent breakup by enjoying some PDA with his girlfriend. “Hey, Avery,” he said lightly before turning his attention back to Darcy.
Avery sort of figured it was Noah. She gave him a small smile when he spotted her. As nice as it was to see him again, she sort of felt like she would need to retreat to her bedroom, because she wasn't sure she wanted to hang around while they played happy boyfriend-girlfriend. "Hi. You should come dry off." She got to her feet to move to the couch and out of his way so he could get closer to the fire.
Darcy had expected something. A kiss, a hug, something, but instead Noah was talking to Avery. She swallowed hard, watching Avery make room for him with a frown. "I can...get you a towel." It was the best she could do and honestly she turned back towards her room a little too quickly.
Noah blinked at the abrupt way Darcy left the room. He took off his jacket nevertheless and tucked it near the fire so it could dry. He settled down with his back to the fire, further away from Avery than he might have sat if it had been only the two of them. “Thanks,” he said in a friendly tone. Then he gave Avery a confused look and pointed in the direction Darcy had gone with his thumb, asking with his eyes if he’d run off her cousin.
Avery watched Darcy go and then turned her attention back to Noah with a shrug. It was probably better not to start speculating what was going through Darcy's head. At least not out loud. "How was school?" she asked, because that was a safe enough topic to walk in on when Darcy returned from grabbing a towel.
Darcy came back a few moments later with the towel and one of Noah's shirts she'd borrowed, so he'd have something dry to wear if he wanted it. Handing the things over, she stood awkwardly for a moment, then went to sit back in the chair she'd been in, away from Noah. Maybe that as how it's was supposed to be.
“Long and boring but necessary,” he answered Avery with a smile as Darcy came back in. He looked up at the redhead and half grinned at her. He took the towel and the shirt. “Thank you,” he said though his tone fell toward slight disappointment when she moved away. Well, this wasn’t awkward. He stood up. “I’ll be right back,” he said and walked down the hall to change his shirt. He didn’t want to do that in front of Avery. She had yet to see the scars on his arms and part of him didn’t figure Darcy would like it.
Avery wasn't oblivious to the sudden weirdness, and she rolled her eyes as Noah ducked into the hall to change. Leaning over, Avery lowered her voice. "Sit with your boyfriend. It doesn't need to be all weird just because I'm here. If you want me to go to my room, I will."
Darcy was still new to this, not sure how to act. They hadn't done the public thing yet and this wasn't even that public. "You don't have to go anywhere," she said, shaking her head, but not moving yet. Not until Noah came back.
Noah came back shortly, his hair dryer thanks to the towel and feeling warmer for it and the dry shirt. He'd folded his shirt and set it beside his jacket near the fire, having stuck the towel in a hamper he'd seen. Then he settled down with his back to the fire again though this time closer to Darcy. "So much better," he said. "How long do you think the power will be out?" he asked no one in particular, glancing between the two girls.
Avery would definitely take off if things started to feel too awkward. She didn't want to cause problems between Noah and Darcy just by being there. Her gaze shifted from the fire to Noah. "Uh... three hours and twenty two minutes," she said, deadpanned. "The power and I are pretty tight. We talk often."
Darcy stared at her cousin like she was an alien. Was Avery making a joke? That couldn't be. Avery wasn't funny. And especially not in Aidan or Eily like funny. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, hand reaching towards Noah, though only managing to brush his shoulder. "Probably as long as the storm's going."
Noah laughed at Avery’s statement. “You and the power, huh? Can you get him on the phone and get this fixed?” Not that he didn’t mind sitting here by firelight. He caught Darcy’s hand with his as he felt it brush his shoulder. He smiled up at her and gave her hand a kiss, keeping hold of it as he scooted a bit closer to her.
Avery grinned, not minding at all when Noah and Darcy started to touch one another, even in a subtle way. Maybe that was a good sign. "Nah, he gets really pissy when I try to tell him what to do. I'm sure he's got everyone else in the dome cursing at him right now anyway. I think we just need to be patient." It just really sucked that they didn't have heat throughout the whole house yet, because now they were all stuck together.
The only saving grace in that moment was Noah. Avery was just being weird and apparently she and Noah had a banter, one that seemed so much more comfortable than the one that she had with him right now. So Darcy stayed quiet, leaning so she was closer to Noah, still holding his hand, trying to figure them out.
Noah snorted, something he rarely did. “Yeah but you could threaten to junk punch him. I bet he’d listen. Not that I’m trying to escape. This is kind of nice here.” Sort of romantic in a way, he and Darcy beside a fire. Even if she was being quiet. He’d have to tease her a little about that later. He looked up at Darcy again, his smile shifting from the amused one he’d been giving Avery to a softer one, silently expressing that he was pleased to be able to be here with her in a more open setting than just her bedroom.
It was nice here because she and Darcy weren’t bickering with one another. Yet. Hopefully they wouldn’t. Darcy wasn’t saying much of anything, actually, which under any other circumstances would have been a godsend, but Avery didn’t want her cousin getting pissy because she was talking to Noah. “Pretty sure if I junk punched power, he’d electrocute me in retaliation,” Avery said dryly. She looked at Darcy. “Do you want me to get the tea pot? We could make something hot to drink over the fire.”
So this was apparently their thing. Noah and Avery made jokes. Avery was funny. Darcy was at a loss and feeling more than a little self conscious about her relationship with Noah. Maybe he'd rather be with someone he had fun with. The way he was looking at her helped ease some of the concerns, but not all of them. When Avery spoke to Darcy, Darcy wasn't expecting it and stared at her for a moment before uncurling herself and shaking her head. "I'll get it. You two keep on about...whatever." It wasn't like she was part of the conversation anyway. Getting up, she let her fingers fall from Noah's and started towards the kitchen.
Noah chuckled and shook his head. "I think you underestimate your ability but okay," he said to Avery. He didn't realize that laughing with Avery was making Darcy uncomfortable. He figured that they must laugh together too when things weren't sour between them. He wasn't understanding why Darcy was so quiet though and turned, opening his mouth to pull her into conversation when she decided to get up and leave again. He sighed, frustrated.
Avery watched Darcy get up, and she had to fight to keep from sighing out loud. Once Darcy was in the kitchen, Avery unfolded her legs from beneath her and got up from the couch. "I think I'm just going to go to my bedroom," she told Noah. "That way you guys can spend some time together, and she's not going to get pissy because we're talking."
Noah looked away from where he'd watched Darcy disappear when Avery spoke. He got to his feet himself, shaking his head. "No, I should probably go. It's pretty clear she's not interested in spending time with me. Sticking around will just be more awkwardness. Stay, be warm with the fire." He was confused and thinking that probably leaving wasn't the best idea but he wasn't sure what else to do. He gathered his shirt and jacket, taking his time in case Darcy came back so he could at least say goodbye.
"That's not going to go over well," Avery warned Noah. She didn't want him to have to leave. "Really, just stay. I actually had plans to go over to see Fiona a bit later, and Darcy shouldn't be here by herself. She'll be herself again once I'm somewhere else. Seriously, I'll just be in my room for a bit. You guys should talk. It's really fine." She gave him a small smile, nearly adding Enjoy your handful, but there was no call for it, so she bit her tongue and started for her bedroom.
Darcy tried to be speedy in the kitchen, but she did take a moment to text Aidan, because really Avery was being weird and it was too shocking. Then she grabbed three mismatched mugs, the teapot, and some tea before starting back into the living room in time to see Avery leaving and Noah with his things. "I...where are you going?" She asked Avery then looked Noah confused. "I thought you were staying." She went back and forth between the two of them her mind going to the worst. "Did something happen?" Were they really together behind her back and it was too awkward to be around her?
Noah wanted to protest at Avery leaving but she maybe had a point that the problem was whatever issue the two girls had between them. "Okay, but come back if you're cold," he said as she left. He was still taking his time with this things. Shaking out his jacket in front of the fire. He looked to Darcy as she entered then glanced down the hall at Avery's retreating form and back again to his girlfriend. "No," he replied because nothing had really happened. "I was getting the impression you weren't interested in spending time with me but Avery decided to take herself out of the equation and see if it helped. I can stay if you want me to still but honestly, if you don't, say so. Okay?"
"What? No! Of course I want you to stay. I invited you over." She looked back down the hall. "Why did she leave? Avery! Get back over here. Oh my god I didn't even say anything!" Why would Noah think she wanted him to leave?
Noah turned fully toward Darcy and looked thoughtfully at her for a moment. "She left so I could stay," he said evenly. He was picking up now on some of what Avery had said about Darcy and he wasn't liking it but then he didn't like that Avery left either. He wished there was some way for the both of them to get along so the three of them could have a good time together.
Darcy looked at Noah with utter confusion. "What? Why? Is there...something going on with you two?" Darcy hoped not, but what did she know? "I thought...you didn't do anything. Do you not want to be here? You don't have to stay. I get it." She sighed and looked away from him, going to set the things for tea down on the coffee table. "I didn't even say anything."
Noah's expression darkened slightly when she asked if there was something going on between him and Avery. He didn't even dignify it with an answer because this situation hardly warranted that question. "I don't think you want me here. You don't have to say anything to communicate, Darcy," he said, his tone still even, patient.
"Why on earth would you think I didn't want you here Noah? Why? Of course I want you here. You're my..." She got hung up on the word and felt herself flail for a moment. "I do. I didn't have anything to say. You and Avery were joking and I've never seen her tell a joke ever and you barely said hi to me so I just kept quiet. It seems more like I should go not you or Avery." Horrible. She was a horrible person. Her presence ruined everything. She went back to the hall to yell down it. "Avery, come back. You'll freeze to death back there!" Then she looked at Noah and took his jacket, hanging it back up where it had been to dry. "Look, I'm an awful person. I get it. But you two get along really well and I'm just messing things up. So I'll just sit here and be quiet and you two have fun. I want you here and if she gets sick it'll be my fault."
Noah breathed a silent sigh, finally understanding. "The only reason I wasn't more dramatic about my greeting was because I know Avery just got jerked around by that guy. I didn't want to make her feel bad. I didn't want to make you feel bad either. I'm sorry I did. You've found every reason to leave the room and you didn't seem to want to be close. I figured I'd done something wrong and that you didn't want me here. You can't even say 'boyfriend.'" He watched her flailing and wondered where this version of Darcy had come from. He'd never seen it before and it was like watching a child having a tantrum of sorts. He suddenly understood even better how she'd managed to get to the point of punching Sylvia. His brows were raised by the time she was finished, a look of incredulity on his face. "You're joking with this right?"
"How do you know about Finn?" She hadn't told him. She hadn't even known herself until just now. "I didn't think you wanted to be close Noah." He was angry at her or something and her voice went soft as a result. She hadn't even been yelling or anything before, just panickly trying to fix things. "I was trying to help. I didn't know what to do. And I can say boyfriend I'm just not sure what it means now or how I'm supposed to act. And I'm not joking I want you to stay."
"Avery and I talked this morning," he said simply in answer to her question. "Yeah, I'm sorry because that was my fault. I do want to be close. I just don't want to rub it in Avery's face, you know?" He wasn't angry; his tone still gentle. "I don't see how it helps anyone to call yourself awful and say you'll sit there and tolerate us while we have a good time and you're miserable." He paused. "What it means now?"
They'd talked this morning. And Darcy didn't even know. She had no idea how to even come close to processing that so she didn't. Later. Maybe. "I get it. Don't be jerks. Since she's upset." And going to Darcy's boyfriend for comfort. Or something. "It's just something I've been thinking. It's nothing." She hadn't told Noah about the therapy her cousin insisted she go to. She was probably supposed to be there now, but the weather had gotten her out of that too. "I've never had a boyfriend before Noah. So I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. I'm worried what I thought I was supposed to do and be weren't right."
Noah lifted a brow at Darcy's seemingly clipped assessment of how they were supposed to behave around Avery. "In a nutshell, I guess. I'm sorry it came across as cold to you." It was the third time he'd apologized for it and he wondered if she would acknowledge that he hadn't meant to upset her. His brows furrowed as she mentioned contemplating being an awful person. He didn't like it. He wanted to shake it out of her but he let it drop rather than continue focusing on it at the moment. The only thing he could do about that was treat her how he thought she deserved to be treated. "Yeah, I've never had a girlfriend either. I think we're just supposed to be together and enjoy each other's company whenever we get the chance."
"It's okay. I just...panicked. I should have thought of that." Darcy watched him for a moment, then went for his hand, pulling him towards her and hoping he came. He liked her. She knew that. She just worried and just this second she needed the reassurance. "Then come enjoy my company and stop trying to leave. Please?"
Noah hadn't been sure she wanted to be touched yet. With her panicking, he'd stayed where he was and let it play out. But when she reached for his hand, he took hers and moved toward her willingly. "Maybe we could start this over?" he asked. He gave her the hug that he would have given her when she opened the door had Avery not been sitting there, his arms wrapped around her for a tight squeeze before letting her go again. "Hi," he said with a small smirk of amusement. "I've come to enjoy your company."
The hug alone made her feel better, wrapping her arms around him and holding on as long as he did. "Hi," she said with a soft smirk, then leaned up to kiss him lightly. "Good. Sit by the fire. I'll make tea and get Avery back."
Noah liked the feel of her there in his arms and he was happy to hold onto her as long as she wanted. He returned her kiss with a smile, happy to feel like there was some peace between them again. "Yes, ma'am," he replied with a salute and dutifully resumed his position on the floor in front of the fire. He hoped she'd join him when she was finished.
Darcy smiled at him and that salute then left him there to go find her cousin, wandering down the hall to Avery's room.
Avery had no desire to go back to the living room and deal with Darcy's issues, so she ignored her cousin when she called for her. She sat in bed, a book open in her lap, though she was barely reading the words. She heard Darcy's footsteps, and glanced up for a very brief moment. "I'm fine where I am. You and Noah should hang out."
"Yeah, well...it's freezing in here and he and I are hanging out. And you too." It wasn't easy for Darcy to say it, but maybe it was what everyone wanted. And maybe there was nothing to make of Avery's friendship with Noah. "Come on there's tea and the fire and whatever else you want."
Avery sighed and looked up at Darcy again. She wasn't sure she could call it hanging out if she sat there silently. But she was cold, and didn't want to argue. She brought her book with her, just in case Darcy and Noah started with the PDA, or stuff Avery didn't really want to witness. Avery sat on the couch, unsure of what to say or do now. She hated that she felt stifled around Noah because her cousin was insecure, or whatever. But she would rather stay warm, so she would deal.
Noah looked up as Avery re-entered and smiled at her. He gave a little wave and carried over the joke he'd begun with Darcy. "Hi. I've come to enjoy Darcy's company," he said in stilted way that made him sound like the big dork that he was. He was glad she wasn't going to sit in her room and freeze. He hoped the two girls could relax and enjoy all of the company really.
Darcy rolled her eyes to cover the blush and set about making tea before sitting next to Noah by the fire. "You're silly," she told him, poking his side. She wasn't used to silly Noah. She wasn't expecting silly Noah, but she was determined to run with it.
“Well, it is enjoyable,” Avery said, her tone casual before she smiled. She didn’t want to start feeling like a third wheel, so she opened her book, at least to look as if she wasn’t feeling awkward and out of place.
Noah smiled over at Darcy, giving her a poke back. Then he scooted a little closer to her, put his arm around her waist, shooting a glance to Avery and then back at Darcy as though they needed to keep it a secret he'd done that. Still being silly. So they were all getting to see different sides of each other today. Noah was glad Darcy was getting to see the silly side she didn't usually get when they were holed up in a bedroom late at night. He cleared his throat. "It certainly is," he said, working on a straight face. "I'm enjoying the hell out of it."
Darcy gave Avery a bit of a look until she saw the smile, but part of her was still surprised at all of it. The silly, the way Noah pulled her closer. It wasn’t like them. She was used to intense and serious Noah, but here he was poking and playing. “I don’t think she’ll agree,” she said softly, smiling at him because she couldn’t help it. She did touch his cheek for a moment before resting her head on his shoulder. “That book can’t be that interesting Avery.”
"It's interesting enough," Avery said, glancing over at her cousin. "Unless you have something more interesting to talk about. School, the weather. We could talk about how relieved we are that Noah was spared our family's dysfunction for another night." She grinned at Noah.
Noah chuckled a little at Avery. "I, for one, am glad I don't have to go up against the firing squad yet," he said with a nod, leaning his cheek against Darcy's head for a moment. "Facing two werewolves is a little scary, let alone the entire being in the spotlight under scrutiny by a whole family's worth of eyes thing. But I'll do it. Whenever they want to set it up again."
Three werewolves, Darcy thought but didn’t say. “Eily said she’d try and keep them in check.” She ran her fingers over his knee closest to her. “I’ll keep trying to get you out of it, but I’m worried the alternative is Patricks showing up and interrogating you somewhere where I can’t step in.” The kettle made a noise and she turned around, pulling out the mugs and tea to pour them each some.
Noah wasn’t optimistic about Eily keeping werewolves in check. He didn’t know her. And he wasn’t sure but it almost seemed like having Patrick corner him privately was better than a whole family dinner. “Maybe that’s a better idea? If he’s the one that’s driving this thing?” he asked, even as he glanced at Avery for confirmation of that idea and took a tea cup in his hands to warm them.
“Any idea is a better idea than sitting you down at a dinner table surrounded by everyone of blood relation,” Avery said. She had wanted Patrick to meet Finn one on one too, because she knew meeting everyone all at once could potentially be nerve wracking and overwhelming. But maybe Patrick had his reasons. Maybe meeting a new significant other was the only way he knew they would all get together for dinner. But Avery remembered telling Noah everything would be fine, and she didn’t want to start building a cloud of doom and gloom over his head. “Maybe Patrick will talk to you a bit, one on one, but other than that, you’ll be fine. I think it’ll be more chaotic than uncomfortable.”
Darcy frowned. "You'd rather take him on one on one? You know he alternates between acting like my dad and acting like my older brother right?" She'd had a brother Patrick's age which was probably why he fell into that role easily.
"That doesn't mean he's going to be a dick," Avery pointed out. Yes, sometimes she forgot Patrick was actually her cousin, given how he seemed to have shifted into some kind of father figure to them, but Avery didn't always find that to be a bad thing. "It's easier to focus on getting to know someone when you don't have a bazillion conversations going on around the dinner table."
Noah nodded at Darcy. "I would rather do one on one. I tend to do better with one on one. But I guess I need to break out of that if I eventually want to get into politics, right?" He chuckled at himself, genuinely hoping no one would be a dick during dinner, including himself. "I'm really not used to dinner conversations like that. I've never had big family. So maybe that aspect might be interesting."
"I can always ask Patrick. Though I think he's dead set now. I still don't think you'd want to be interrogated one on one but that's me. It's far more likely someone distracts him from the awkward questions." Darcy shrugged. She could always ask her cousin, just to see what he'd say. She didn't like it, but at this point it felt out of her hands.
Avery grinned, since she had already promised to be distracting if it came down to that. Hopefully it wouldn't, but how fun would it be to do something ridiculous out of nowhere? "I'll sing into my fork if he starts asking awkward questions," Avery said. "Don't worry about that. Call it tableside entertainment."
Noah brushed his arm against Darcy's arm affectionately. "Don't worry about it. I can man up. You're worth it." He caught Avery's grin and remembered the dude with the blue hair. "I think you should bring a date personally," he told her with a breath of a chuckle.
Avery singing? Who the hell was this person? An alien. Again, even with Noah's affectionate touch, Darcy felt like she was being left out. Swallowing she nodded, focusing on being worth it. "It'll be fine."
Avery shook her head. "Nah, they would see right through that if I showed up with some rebound dude, especially one with blue hair. Besides, I don't want all the attention on me. Only if you guys absolutely need it." She glanced at Darcy. "It could actually turn out to be fun enough, if you go into it with the right kind of attitude."
"But it would be a hell of a distraction nonetheless," Noah said lightly. He nodded at Darcy. "It will be. We'll be together and there isn't anything wrong with us liking each other. I'm not going to do anything other than possibly look like a total dork but maybe they'll appreciate I'm a dork over you." He gave her a lopsided smile.
"Blue hair?" Darcy asked looking at Avery confused. She felt like she'd missed something, especially with Avery being against a rebound when they talked about it. "No there's nothing wrong with it. And you aren't a dork." It wasn't easier to focus on Noah, kissing his cheek lightly.
"Oh. Well, there was a guy I saw in the dome with blue hair and a lot of piercings in his face. I thought it would be funny to bring him to the family dinner. More as a joke, but then I figure Patrick would not be able to handle it." She grinned, eyes dancing with amusement.
Noah chuckled at the memory of the guy. "He checked out Avery so I figure she's got options now." He smiled at Darcy's kiss, literally enjoying her company. "So dork and silly aren't the same things to you?" he asked, and gave a strand of her red hair a light pull.
So that was a thing between them. Not just a joke they were bouncing off each other. That didn't sit well with Darcy it she made an effort to power through, focusing on Noah. "No. Not the same. You are silly. You aren't a dork."
"She has a point," Avery said. "You can be dorky and silly, but I think they're two different things too." She nearly pointed out that Noah could totally be a dork sometimes, but that sounded too much like they spent enough time together that Avery would know, and she didn't want it to come across wrong, so she held her tongue.
Noah was really enjoying this. He had two of his favorite people in the same room and they were all talking. He really wished both of the girls felt the same way and that all of this could be fun. He wasn't so sure it was though for either one of them but that was aside from appearances which seemed to say everything was at least okay for the time being. "Cover your eyes, Avery," he said and leaned over to give Darcy a kiss.
“See?” Darcy said, surprised Avery was agreeing with her, but it was nice in its own way. When Noah kissed her, she hardly cared about Avery, just focusing on kissing Noah back, fingers finding their way into his hair and tugging just lightly.
Avery diverted her eyes back to the book still open in her lap. She was glad Darcy seemed to have loosened up a bit, but that didn't mean Avery wanted to sit there awkwardly and watch them suck face. It was kind of like a bitter reminder of her own 'relationship' failure. "I'd say get a room, but I'm afraid that would just mean you'd get noisy," Avery said, turning the page in her book slowly.
Noah smiled against her lips, her fingers never failing to ease the constant headache he had. It felt so nice that he didn't want it to end but Avery's voice pulled him out a bit, reminding him to be a bit more considerate even though he really wanted to kiss his girlfriend. "I made an appointment for Monday after school," he said quietly to Darcy. "Do you still want to come with me?"
Darcy had decided Avery was annoying again, for that comment alone, but decided not to say anything to her. Instead she just nodded at Noah. "Of course. I told you you didn't have to go alone." She let go of his hair and took his hand, squeezing it tightly.
Since Avery wasn't sure what they were talking about, and it wasn't her place to ask, she kept quiet, flipping through her book some more just to distract herself.
"Thank you," he said and kissed Darcy's temple, eyes lingering on her face a beat. Truth be told he was more worried about the doctor visit than the dinner. He squeezed her hand in return. He was dry now and kind of wishing the power was on because he'd like to have a conversation with Darcy about it but it would wait until they were alone. Seeing Avery had gone back to her book he asked, "What are you reading? Tell me it isn't schoolwork."
Darcy caught that lingering look and it made her blush slightly before she settled against Noah, looking back at Avery. "Might be, knowing Avery."
"It's a novel," Avery said, finally looking up from it to glance at the two of them. "And I'm not sure what you mean by that, since I have never once read school books when I haven't absolutely had to."
Noah slipped his arm around Darcy and cringed slightly at Avery's response to Darcy. The tension between the cousins, or at least what he was perceiving as tension, was wearing at him. He might have otherwise asked more questions about Avery's book but he stayed quiet, closing his mouth.
"Just saying you're a better student and you'd be doing your homework despite the power being out." And Avery was boring but Darcy didn't go into that. "Which book?"
Avery almost laughed, but bit her tongue a kept it to a grin. "Actually, no I wouldn't. I barely get my homework done when we have power." It was amusing, and a bit sad, how Darcy didn't really know her at all. She went to school, but she skipped plenty. She somehow managed to get homework done skin of her teeth. She slacked off at work just as much. But the two of them never hung out and barely spoke so Avery couldn't blame her too much for having no idea how Avery really was. She just had more fun with people who weren't Darcy. Flipping to the cover, Avery shrugged. "Wuthering Heights."
It astounded Noah how little these two seemed to know about each other. It was no wonder they disliked each other. They both seemed to have misconstrued ideas about who the other one was and her motivations. It incited the diplomat in him. He took a breath, riskily stepping in where he hadn't been asked to be and poking at the elephant in the room. "You know... I like both of you. A lot. There must be a way for you both to like each other."
Darcy didn't believe that for a second. She felt more like Avery was trying to sound cooler becuase Noah was there and not that she really was that interesting. "I liked that book," she said instead, not looking at her cousin. "Everyone's bad." She glanced at Noah, not liking the way he seemed to lump how much he liked both of them in the same level. "Don't think that's going to happen just this second Noah." Darcy said, shifting away from him and taking the empty tea mugs. "No matter how much you like her."
Avery wasn't terribly bothered by Darcy's perception of her. At this point, she had resigned herself to the fact that Darcy only saw what Darcy wanted to see. She was a bit surprised at Noah's comment, but it wasn't off putting. She had just tried to find common ground with her cousin before, but Darcy just had no interest in being friends, or even liking Avery. There wasn't much Avery could do about it. Darcy's answer wasn't at all surprising, however, and she gave Noah a slightly apologetic look. She hadn't wanted ot make him feel uneasy. "There's not much I can do about it," Avery told Noah before she unfolded her legs from underneath her again to stand up from the couch. "I'll be in my room." At least maybe he could salvage the evening with Darcy.
We'll he'd tried, he supposed. It was going to bug him that they couldn't all three hang out without it being an utter minefield or simply ending in one or both of them waking away. He sighed as Darcy moved away and Avery stood to leave. "Okay I'm sorry I said anything," he said, his tone contrite. "It wasn't my place. I know. But don't go be cold because I opened my big mouth." He didn't know what to do or say at this point. He supposed he'd sit still and wait for the power to come back on.
This time Darcy didn't try and stop Avery. Instead she just looked at Noah, thinking for a moment before kissing his cheek. "I know you want us to. But ti's not that easy. It's a long story. I'll tell you sometime." Plus Avery had broken quite a few girl rules lately and Darcy wasn't sure she trusted her. That was that.
Avery paused, looking back over at Darcy. "It's not a long story, Darcy. It's not even a complicated one. If it is, fill me in sometime because I'd love to know the details too." Avery gave Noah a small smile. "I'll be fine. And it's ok that you opened your big mouth. I'm as in the dark about why she hates me as much as you are. But you should spend some time together without me hovering. Or pretending to read a book."
It seemed easy for Noah, you spoke to each other nicely even if you didn't feel like it and eventually you got to see the good side of the other person. But then that was because it wasn't his life. It was always easier to think you could fix someone else's life. He had his own problems, he knew. He smiled at Darcy's kiss and then winced again at Avery's response. He felt like he was on the verge of seeing a cat fight at any second and that was the last thing he wanted. He wouldn't protest Avery leaving if she wanted to at this point. He looked at Darcy, still at a loss for words.
Darcy was slow as she cut her eyes over to Avery. "You want a list Aves? Cause I don't hate you, but I can make a list of things you've done in the past here days that have countered every nice thing you've ever done." She looked at Noah, then shook her head and got up. "Either leave Avery or I will." Noah would probably be fine with either one of them.
There was no list. She knew Darcy was angry that Avery told Noah about Liam, but that was the only thing she could think of. And Darcy had disliked Avery for far longer than that. But if she thought that was enough to 'counter' everything else, so be it. Avery was done trying. "I'm leaving," Avery said, then turned to go back to her room. She'd get dressed and go to Fiona's. Maybe her sister wanted a roommate because the faster Darcy was out of her life, the better.
Noah felt supremely uncomfortable as he watched the two girls go back and forth. That look on Darcy's face when she turned toward Avery had him grateful he wasn't on the receiving end. He opened his mouth to try to say something but then thought better of it. Avery started off to her room and he looked back up Darcy. He felt responsible for what had just happened in a way. He wanted to leave but he stayed sitting. "So that happened. Now what?" he asked stupidly.
Darcy stared at her cousin’s back until she couldn’t see it, then turned to look at Noah, not sure what to do with him either. “What do you want to do Noah?” she asked, hoping to hell it wasn’t going after Avery.
Noah wanted to lock those two in a closet until they made nice. He thought a moment and then said quietly, "Something that involves more smiling and more staying from you. Any ideas?"
Darcy watched him again, trying to weigh her feelings. She wanted to ask him again if he liked Avery, as more than just a friend because they seemed too friendly, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Instead she just sat down with him, resting her head on his shoulder. “We could just...do this. Something else…” Darcy glanced up at him before kissing him. Maybe that would help.
Noah slid his arm around her middle when she sat beside him. He could do this and sit quietly being warm and together. Except he would get lost in his thoughts and begin overthinking things as he usually did. So it was probably good that Darcy kissed him. Touching her cheek, he kissed her back softly.
The kiss definitely helped her too, leaning into it until it drew out to a natural end. “Maybe just more of that,” she suggested softly. “And we could camp out here, where it’s warm.” And eventually she might even stop thinking about how her cousin seemed determined to ruin things for her and Noah.
"More of that, yes," he agreed, not letting his gaze leave her as he focused in, not letting thoughts of the recent past creep in. Camping out in the living room sounded good too especially when the sun started to go down, not that there was a whole lot of light outside at the moment anyway. He touched her hair, his thumb brushing her cheek as he nodded at camping out.
Darcy sighed softly, leaning into his hand. “Sounds like a plan then.” She leaned in to kiss him again, letting her own focus shift to Noah and being them instead of worrying about everything else going on around them. She could deal with that later.