Does it Make You Happy? Who: Finn and Audrey Where: Their house When: late evening
Finn had spent the rest of the afternoon, having a couple of drinks at the pump, then sneaking away for another make out session. It was getting late when he left and even then Finn didn’t want to go, but he couldn’t stay the night away from home. It was well past dark when he slipped into the house, heading towards the kitchen first to find something to drink before heading to bed.
Audrey was feeling off, though couldn't put her finger on why. Maybe it was Liam's disappearing act. She didn't know. She didn't want to bitch about it or anything, but it hadn't felt good. She was in the kitchen, cleaning, for once not humming or singing to herself, as her thoughts were too deep to allow for it. She barely noticed when Finn arrived, but did at the last second. "Hey." she greeted. She noticed he looked a little disheveled, but that was all. “Hey,” Finn greeted when he spotted her, smile a little lazier than usual. He headed towards the fridge, stopping once he’d removed a container of juice, looking around. “Isn’t it late to be cleaning?” It felt late. But maybe that was due to having been sucked into the sort of time warp that came with kissing Avery.
Arching an eyebrow, she watched him, now thinking he definitely looked different to her. More relaxed, perhaps. Something. "Isn't it a little late to be wandering in?" she countered, with a light half smile. "Where were you?"
Finn got himself a glass and poured out some juice before putting the container back. “I was with Avery.” He met her smile, but not because of Avery, just because Audrey was smiling.
"And were you having a good time, I take it?" she asked. Last she'd checked, they hadn't been getting along so well, but if Finn's appearance now was any indication, that had really changed. Which she knew was a good thing, even if it kicked up protective instincts in the back of her mind. Among other things.
Finn leaned back against the counter, looking into his glass before nodding. “Yes. I like...kissing her.” Which was strange to say and the point of his hesitation. And it seemed an odd thing to tell Audrey, but it was the truth. He was enjoying the physical aspect of his relationship with Avery. Their conversations were good as well, though the questions she’d asked earlier had left him struggling with things. That they’d ended the night on the physical note, he was feeling better about it, provided he didn’t think too deep into it.
There was a sharp internal twinge, but she ignored it as best she could. This was what she'd wanted, the guys moving on with their lives, doing normal things. Kissing girls was a normal thing. And if he was happy with it, if he liked it, then that had to be a good thing. "That sounds promising." she said. "So, you guys are doing better then."
He sipped at his juice before nodding. “I believe so? Sometimes I wonder. She says things that lead me to believe it’s not quite what she wants.”
Frowning, Audrey watched him. "What does she say?" she asked. Because that was Not Good. That had her hackles rising, even if she still managed to keep it from being obvious.
Finn should have been watching Audrey, but he was trying to remember the specific moments that had given him that feeling. “She references our first date...event…” Finn struggled with the right word, not sure which it was for a moment. “And wonders why we tried again. Or is surprised. And I often wonder if she feels like she doesn’t know me.” Which had weighed heavy on him since Audrey had said the same thing.
"Well, maybe ask her if she's happy you did try again?" Audrey asked. "If you guys are doing kissing things, then maybe just the simple question of if she wants to date you or whatever would be in order. Then you'd know if she wants you or not. And if she doesn't, then..." she trailed off. If she didn't, then maybe Audrey would dump red kool-aid in her locker. Which was a bad thing to think but it happened anyways.
“She seems pleased and she seems interested in spending more time together,” Finn offered feeling like that was useful information. “I’m just not sure she’s a very happy person. Not like you. I could ask though. If you think it would be useful.”
Lately I'm not sure I fit that description either. Audrey thought. "Why don't you think she's happy?" she asked. "And I think it would. If nothing else, you'd be able to not be stuck wondering anymore."
“She doesn’t speak as if she is. She doesn’t like her cousin, doesn’t feel close to anyone and doesn’t want to live in her home any more.” All things that Finn had trouble relating to considering his close relationship with his crew. “It would be good to not wonder.” Though if the answer wasn’t good, wasn’t that Avery wanted to date him, Finn wondered how that would feel. He had a guess of not very good if the pang in his chest at the thought was painful.
"A lot of people have a lot going on." Audrey said, even if she internally had to hold back an eyeroll at the description. Yep. People had it soooo hard, getting to have family members who weren't all slaughtered during the zombie invasion. Tough fucking life, that.
Finn didn’t think that was a good answer either and it showed on his face. While he wasn’t offended by Avery’s answers, he had been thinking on them to see if they made more sense. “I’m not sure if I always help with her sadness.”
"Not everyone can, Finn. That's just how life is. Sometimes, even if you want to help, you can't. Sometimes, even if you want to receive help, no one can really do it but you. I'm sorry she's sad, but maybe she'll get better in time." Audrey offered. It was about all she had on that score.
He wrapped his arms around himself, frowning. “That’s a sad thought,” Especially when Finn wanted to help.
"I know. But maybe she'll pull out of it. Concentrate on that." Audrey advised. "Maybe eventually she'll allow you to help, too. Never know."
"She doesn't give herself much credit," Finn said, shaking his head. It bothered him sometimes. "Maybe. If she still enjoys being around me." He looked over at Audrey, finding that smile again. "How are you doing?"
"Hey, don't sell yourself short." Audrey said, drumming up a smile for him. "And I'm alright." she said, her fallback, automatic answer. It was easy for her to say even if it wasn't actually all that true. For the guys? She was okay. She was always okay.
Finn shook his head. “I’m realistic.” He knew he was difficult. He was seeing it more, just not sure how to fix it. He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “You’re always alright.”
"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" she asked, again giving him a smile. "It's Eli we should be worried about, though...he's looking remarkably good." she said, changing the subject. "I really can't believe he's already up and walking around."
“It is, I’m just surprised,” Finn shrugged a little. At mention of Eli his features shifted, shaking his head. “I’m not sure what to make of it. He was...very badly hurt.” And yet now their friend was more than back on his feet.
"I know." Audrey said. "...I'm not sure what to make of it either. I'm really happy, but I do wonder what's going on. I wish I knew. But I don't think he does either." she admitted. Eli would have said something. Then she paused. "...do you know where Liam was the other night? He was gone all night."
“It is good news, but bizarre news. We’ll have to listen for other things going on,” Finn agreed, already making a mental note of that and what he could do to gain more information. He didn’t know the answer to her question about Liam, frowning slightly. “No. Perhaps with Darcy?” It seemed a likely suggestion given the way Avery spoke of Darcy and Liam.
Darcy. Right. Because Liam had a girlfriend now, or...something. Which she also had to get over. It was with a sinking, hollow feeling that she realized that all three boys had someone else now. They were all paired off...except for her. Stretching, she faked a bit of a yawn. "Good to know. I'm tired, Finn. Think I'm going to go lie down. Talk to you tomorrow?"
It was habit, or maybe something else as they weren’t always so close, but something had Finn reaching out for Audrey’s arm, guiding her towards him for a hug. “Rest well.”
She hugged him back. It was just slightly tighter than it normally would have been, and she didn't let go immediately, holding him for a beat longer than usual too. "'Night, Finn." she said, holding back emotion at the simple gesture. She'd needed it. And she was grateful he was there and would do so, unbidden.
He noticed that it went on longer than usual, but Finn didn’t mind lingering, or the strength of the hug either. It felt good to him too, something right, something that brought him back to center. “Only sweet dreams,” he instructed her, mouth closer to her ear as he leaned into her before she pulled away.
Audrey shut her eyes for a moment. Keep it together. she told herself. "Always." she told him, giving him a smile. Then she turned and headed to her room, to go put on music and try not to feel like she was adrift, alone.