Maria DeLuca (readyourpalm) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-09-26 13:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, alex manes, maria deluca |
Who: Maria and Alex
What: Going for a walk to get dessert
Where: By their place
When: Recently
Rating: G
Status: Complete
A walk to a dessert place was the best way to get Maria to get out there and go on an actual walk. She had looked up online if there was a dessert place nearby that they hadn’t tried yet and found a cute bakery that had pastries and ice cream, which was perfect. It wasn’t so far away that they would die during the walk, so that was perfect for Maria. Alex had made it very clear that he was normal and the loss of his leg was not something to make a big deal about and Maria was more than happy to support him with that. The craziness of the dreams didn’t change Alex in her eyes, he was still her best friend.
She grabbed her wallet, pulling out the few cards she would need, and shoved them into the small pocket of her shorts, and grabbed a water bottle. “Hey, you ready to walk? I’m hoping to burn enough calories to not feel guilty when I stuff my face,” Maria asked as she approached the door to his room, knocking gently, and waited for him to answer.
Alex absolutely did not want to be treated differently because of his leg. Or lack of leg. It was a weird thing, to have lost a limb due to his dreams, but it was the kind of thing he had to accept. Refusing to accept it wasn’t an option, because the proof was right there in the stub just below his knee.
He got up and went to the door, opening with a smile. Maria had been his best friend as long as he could remember. “I am so ready for this walk. Or at least, ready for the destination.” Alex had a sweet tooth, and he wasn’t shy about it. There was no point, not with Maria.
He nodded toward the door, telling her to head out, and he was right behind her. He was still using a single crutch, the kind that had a brace that gripped his forearm, to give him stability when he walked, but he’d been using it for a while now and it was just like an extension of his arm, he didn’t really even think about it.
“Yeah, the destination is way more fun than the walk itself,” Maria agreed with a laugh as she reached up to brush a braid behind her ear. She decided to go with some box braids for the moment and it was taking some getting used to to feeling them moving around her face.
She gave a nod when he indicated that she should head out and she knew she would end up moving a little slower so he could catch up to her anyway. Maria thought the brace had been working really well for him lately and she was impressed with how quick he had adapted. She moved slowly as she made her way down the front steps and waited for him on the sidewalk, checking her phone while she did so.
He’d adapted because he had no choice. If nothing else, the abuse he’s suffered under his father’s thumb had trained him to adapt to most any situation. Losing his leg, especially the way he had, had been a hard blow. But he’d dealt with it because the alternative was to sit around and wallow in his misery, and that was too much like letting his father win. He wasn’t going to do that.
“It’s a nice day,” he commented. It was warm, but not stiflingly hot. He could deal with that.
“It really is, thank god,” Maria was definitely over all this heat. She liked a more comfortable temperature and today was perfect. Hopefully they wouldn’t be completely sweaty when they finally got to the dessert place. She waited for Alex to join her and they began their walk, “How have things been? I feel like I’ve been stuck in the backroom of Mom’s shop forever so I’m missing tons of stuff.”
Alex rolled his shoulders. “More or less, status quo,” he told her. “I’ve been spending a lot of time working on the music.” He was actually starting to think he might make a career out of it. He’d been uncertain, after the loss of his leg, but once he’d gotten back on stage, that seemed to be a non issue.
As long as he was wearing pants that covered the prosthetic no one really needed to know he was injured. He hadn’t even informed his family, he didn’t really see any need to tell them. His father definitely didn’t need to know.
“This is nice, though. Taking a day to just be here with you.” He leaned his shoulder into her while they walked. She was his best friend, after all. And she would always be his best friend.
“That’s great, Alex. I know you’ve always enjoyed making music and you’ll be great at it. I can probably try rooting around for some contacts for you if you wanted to make a go of it,” the nice thing about the band back in New York was that a lot of those people knew people who also lived in LA, so it wouldn’t be too hard for Maria to find at least one contact for Alex. She would do whatever she needed to do to help him out and achieve his dreams.
“Definitely nice and we should probably do more of this. Don’t go moving to Guerin’s airstream on me,” Maria teased with a grin as she lightly pushed her shoulder against his that was leaning against her. She didn’t mind if he was off spending time with other people as long as he was happy and their friendship didn’t get messed up because of it. She wouldn’t be able to handle life without Alex in it.
“Nooooo,” Alex shook his head. “I don’t think either of us is ready for that step.” Sure he spent a lot of time at the airstream with Michael, but that didn’t mean he was ready to move in with him. Hell, they were still figuring things out. There was no guarantee they were even going to last, though Alex felt like Michael was the real deal. He just wasn’t sure Guerin felt the same about him.
“As for the contact thing, only if you’re comfortable doing it. I’m pretty content with Alex and The Dreamers.” Even if they never broke out beyond the local scene, that would be okay. Alex didn’t feel the need to be a pinup boy in teeny bopper magazines and such. He just wanted to make music.
“And I vote we do this one a month, minimum.” He was never going to forsake Maria. She’d been his best friend for as long as he could remember. He loved her like family, like family should be, at least. They were family, the best kind because they chose each other.
“Yeah, life’s too short to shack up with someone so quickly. As long as you’re enjoying things that’s all that truly matters,” Maria had her fair share of failed relationships and she was taking things a little slower in that department now that she was back in California. It was time for a fresh start and she had to keep her mom at the forefront, “And I’ll keep an ear out. Alex and The Dreamers is pretty fun though at least.”
“I think I can make once a month happen,” Maria grinned as they walked. It was absolutely beautiful out and such a change from New York, “At least in the winter it won’t snow here so that means we can keep up our walks and not be wearing a parka.” Chosen family was Maria’s favorite kind of family since it had just been her and her mom for so long.
Chosen family worked best for Alex, obviously, because the family he’d been born into was not ideal. His mother had turned a blind eye to his father’s abuse, and his brothers were no better honestly. Alex was much happier with his chosen family of Maria and Mimi.
“That’s definitely a plus,” Alex agreed. “New York winters are harsh. I’m not going to miss that this year.” Other things about New York, sure. But not the weather. “Besides, the best of New York is here with me.” He grinned at her. He could be a sap, when he wanted to be.
“Oh god, Alex, hush or you’ll make me tear up,” Maria commented with a laugh as she playfully shoved his shoulder lightly. She made sure not to push too hard, but she wanted to get her point across. She knew she would miss some of New York, but she was happy to be back here with her mom and her friends. “So, what else has been going on in your life? Where are you at for dreams?” Maria was quite curious to find out what he was dreaming about for those 10 years she didn’t see him.
“I haven’t dreamed much at all since,” he said and gestured vaguely into the air, referring to his leg. He’d dreamed once, maybe twice since then, but it was hardly significant after the dream where he’d lost his leg.
“I dreamed about a welcome home parade, when I went back to Roswell.” He shrugged. “More crap with my dad that I’d rather ignore.” Another shrug. He had the rotten luck to have a shitty father both in his real life and in his dream life. The one in his dreams was a real piece of work.
“I really wish you didn’t have to deal with him in your dreams too. I’ve been dreaming about life in Roswell after everyone left. I mainly have to deal with Guerin while running the bar, obviously. Isobel is around a bit, but she’s kind of an obnoxious ice queen in the dreams so I don’t go out of my way to spend time with her. I’m ready for you to come back, but I certainly didn’t want you to come back because of what happened,” Maria loved Alex dearly, but she didn’t want him to have to suffer in any way and that even meant in their dreams. She reached over to squeeze his hand and gave him a look, “Hopefully we’re there for each other in the dreams as well.”
“I think we are,” he said. “I mean. I’m stuck with my dad. Now that my dream self is back in Roswell,I’m sure we’ll hang out and reaffirm our friendship in no time. Because honestly, I can’t imagine it any other way.”
Maria was his best friend. She knew him better than anyone. Maybe they weren’t quite that close in the dream world, but they were friends. And he couldn’t fathom life, even his dream life, without her right there by his side.
“Thank god. It’s really boring there without you,” Maria commented with a smile. The conversation had made the walk go quickly and Maria could see the dessert place in the distance, “Oh awesome, we’re already here. I am seriously ready to stuff my face with deliciousness and don’t let me forget to bring some back for my mom.” Maria knew that she would be drawn and quartered if she didn’t bring back any desserts.
“What do you want to get? I’m not sure what all they have, but may end up with one of everything.” which honestly, wasn't the worst thing in the world.
“One of everything and we share it all.” That sounded like the best idea. Best of all the worlds the place had to offer. Alex didn’t indulge in a lot of deserts, but when he did, he went big. “I mean depending on what they have. I’m not a big fan of things I can’t pronounce.” Which would happen with deserts.
“One of everything? Oh man, you’re expecting a lot from my stomach, Alex,” Maria teased, “but I think we might have to do that. And come on, sometimes the things you can’t pronounce are the best thing. I usually just ask to find out what in the world the item is.” They probably would be able to eat more thanks to the walk and whatever they didn’t finish she was going to suggest they just bring it home and get more room in their bellies from the walk home. The restaurant was now just across the street and Maria couldn’t wait.
“That works too,” Alex laughed a little. He bumped her shoulder as they made their way to the front doors. He hopped ahead of her to pull the door open like a gentleman.