Hometown Glory (2/4)
Title: Hometown Glory (2/4)
Author: coquilleon
Characters/Pairings: Cook/OC, Cook/Effy/ Effy/Freddy
Rating:R, Light NC-17
Warnings: Language, Limes
Summary: Effy has never seen this girl before, but the moment Cook walks into the shed with her, Effy decides that she doesn't like her. Raleigh doesn't think that Effy likes her, much. But that's okay, because after Raleigh feels Cook tense up slightly when he first sees her sprawled out on the ratty couch, she doesn't think she likes Effy much either. Something about Effy Stonem makes the protectiveness surge up in her own chest.
Spoilers: Series 3 - 4
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I just like to manipulate them.
Raleigh Cook is not stupid, or in denial, or oblivious, or any such thing.
She is quite aware of the fact that her feelings for Cook fall into the spectrum where friendship and romance overlap. But what Raleigh Cook is, is a commitment-phobe. She hates being tied down, hates letting others down, hates the overload of emotion, and sensation, and just pure, raw, feeling.
She's been in three relationships so far in her young life, one of which ended in Cook beating the shit out of the guy (but that was totally not her fault and in no way unrelated to her. It just turns out that when you're best friend beats the shit out of your boyfriend, your boyfriend doesn't 'feel safe' around you anymore. Pussy. He really shouldn't have burned his house in the first place), and Raleigh has decided that she's had enough of them, thank you very much.
But, there have been so many times when they've both had too much to drink, and realized that there are no other people in the room. So many times he's given her that look that makes her whole body catch on fire; the look so intense, and focused it seems like he wants to eat her alive. There have been so, so, many times their lips have been inches away from each other. So many of those times when his lips are so close to hers that they tingle when he breathes out. So many times where she's wanted to kiss him so badly it fucking hurts, and her world narrows down to her skin underneath his fingertips, and she's shaking, but she still turns away.
She doesn't want to ruin what they have. She takes pride in the fact that she's probably the only girl Cook knows the he hasn't snogged, or fucked, or whatever.
A big part of her brain tells her that things could only get better if they are together; that Cook is as loose and free as they come, that he would never tie her down because he hates to be tied down. But the smaller part of her brain causes her to bury her face into his chest, grip him tightly, briefly, and then let go, walking away before she can change her mind.
They spend days apart after these encounters.
And she doesn't want to be like everyone else. Like the other girls he's fucked, and left before his zipper is even pulled all the way up. She hopes that she will be different, that he'll stick with her afterwards, but Raleigh is a realist, and doesn't try to fool herself into thinking that she can change him. And she doesn't want to change him, because if she did, then... well... he wouldn't be Cook, now would he?
: :
(still)Friday
When Cook steps out of his complex after stopping by to get a change of clothes, he doesn't go to her right away. Instead he watches her for a few moments. Shes wearing a bright blue cardigan over a V neck shirt of deep purple, almost plum. Her tights are the same purple, but her shorts are brown and there is red everywhere-her nails, and shoes...
Her hair blows wildly in the wind, and she laughs, and tilts her head and spins. She hasn't seen him yet. He can see her take a deep breath and let it out, as she stretches her arms. She is like a splash of color in a grey world. It's like she's in one of those pictures where everything around is black, and white, and grey-scale, except for her.
She spins again slowly and her eyes, which are more slanted because of her smile, twinkle black when they fall on him. She does a little hop on her tip toes, and laughs, and puts her hand out, wriggling her fingers, and Cook smiles back, and walks forward to take it.
:
He wasn't kidding when he compared her to being a kitten on his front step. Cook doesn't know if anybody knows this about him, but he loves cats, kittens specifically. They're so fucking tiny, and cute, and fluffy, and helpless, and how the hell can you not love em?
Not that Raleigh is completely helpless, but still... and her hair is fluffy enough in the morning, isn't it?
Now they're sitting in the shed, where Freddie and Effy fight off hangovers, and JJ is telling Raleigh all about the party they went to last night, (Cook tries to send some non verbal signal to get him to stop mentioning it, but realizes that its too late by the knowing smile Raleigh shoots at him) and some collectable shit Cook couldn't give a toss about. His attention is all focused on the soft little body next to him anyway. He can't stop fucking touching her. As she talks, and nods, and smiles at JJ, his arms wind around her waist and pull her close, he rubs his nose into the crook of her neck and behind her ear, he kisses her temple and draws her into his lap.
Through all this she doesn't really respond, except to adjust her position so she's more comfortable and continues on with JJ. He likes that she lets him touch her all he likes. That three years apart hasn't really changed anything. That it doesn't even FEEL like three years. That her body just fits so well with his.
He laces his fingers through hers and kisses the back of her hand. She pays no mind and he moves his leg up and down quickly so that she bounces on his lap. She whips her head around, and seems startled at how close their faces are. She has a smile on her lips, and her eyelashes are so fucking long...
Cook wants to kiss her. He always wants to kiss her, but every time he tries she pulls away, and he's given up. He's not about to ruin... this... whatever this is... but damnit, he wants to kiss her...
His hand moves up to cradle the back of her neck and her eyelids flutter, but after a deep breath she moves slightly so his hand slides down her back, and he knows what that means. He blinks and smiles slightly and jiggles his leg again, and this time she mouths 'Stop it' before grinning and kissing his eyebrow.
: :
Freddie is confused.
He watches Effy while she watches them and doesn't understand.
They were together last night. She was all his, and it was prefect, and now in the light of day all she can focus on is Cook. Who is obviously distracted, Freddie notes as he watches the little communication between the two of them. JJ, who is usually uncomfortable with public displays of affection, looks on happily as the two cuddle and nuzzle in front of him.
Then the moment between them is over, and JJ is going on again about last night.
'Why didn't you two show?' Freddie asks. He knows why, he's sure, but wants Effy to hear it too.
JJ stops talking and Cook turns to Freddie. 'Ah, you know. Wasn't feelin it.'
Freddie raises an eyebrow. 'Since when are you not in the mood to get pissed?'
Cook opens his mouth to answer but Raleigh beats him to it. She turns, so she's sitting Indian style in his lap (and Freddie has to admit how cute it actually is, and feels his heart swell painfully. He really has missed her) and laces both her hands with Cook's. 'It's my fault. I asked him to take a night off to help me fix up my room. I would have asked you and JJ but I didn't want to keep all of you in.' She smiles and then squeaks a bit when Cook bounces his leg. 'JJ, we need to have a day together, you know. I've missed those...'
Freddie's eyes slide to Effy, and she is blowing smoke rings into the air as she gazes out of the dirty window.
: :
Monday
Raleigh wonders if that 'look' works on anybody. Fifteen minutes earlier she'd walked into Maths to find Effy Stonem ignoring a blonde girl with pigtails yammering in her ear. Five minutes ago the 'look' began, the I'm going to stare at you until it makes you uncomfortable look, and Raleigh has stopped paying attention to it three minutes ago.
Yes, she's stopped paying attention to it, but she can still feel it, and it kind of makes her want to laugh, but she's too tired. She begged off partying the weekend to help her parents fix up the house, and she didn't get any sleep that night.
She listens to the professor ramble on and on about her love for the movie 'The Cincinnati Kid' and is wondering how in the hell this pertains to maths, and what the fuck kind of college this is, because this is the third class she's been to today where she hasn't actually learned anything to pass her finals, when someone flops down besides her. She looks over and smiles, relieved.
Freddie smiles back. 'Missed you this weekend.'
'Did you really? Thought you would have been preoccupied. I was doubting you even knew I moved back.' She smiles to show him that she's kidding, but he still looks guilty.
'Sorry. Just... things have been odd right now.'
'It's okay.' And it really is. Even when she lived in Bristol, she spent the least amount of alone time with Freddie. She likes him enough, and does think of him as a brother, but that brother that moved out of the house when you were eleven and only comes back to visit every other Christmas. She was with Cookie the most then, and had her days with JJ, and when she did hang out with Freddie by herself, it was rarely ever planned. Not that it mattered. They managed to have quite a few laughs.
She remembers a time when Cookie was stuck at his mum's gallery for a showing and JJ was off on holiday, and it was just the two of them. She didn't feel like being around her girlfriends (there were just some times when she couldn't take the drama over who borrowed whose skirt and never gave it back) and he was having a tough time of it at home. They'd sat around the shed, not really speaking until she decided that it was too nice a day to do nothing. They ended up packing overnight bags, hopping a train to Oxford, and having the time of their lives, party hopping, and getting kicked out of their room at a hotel.
That was actually one of their bonding experiences, and the main reason why she can't get too upset at Freddie not being around much. He loves her, she knows, but in the same semi-detached way she loves him.
She leans in and says lowly, 'So, what's up with you and Miss Stonem?'
He bites the inside edge of his cheek and thinks for a moment, then shrugs. 'I honestly don't know. It's just...' He doesn't finish and his eyes slide away from hers onto his unopened notebook. Raleigh narrows her eyes, and watches him scrape the wood on his pencil. 'It's just confusing right now, yeah'
There's something he's not saying and Raleigh has a good idea of what it is. 'She's stringing Cookie along too, isn't she?'
He doesn't look at her, but he stops scraping his pencil. She thinks for a minute and then continues. 'Listen, I've just got here, and I don't know everything, but... look at me.' He does, and she notices his eyes flick up towards where she's sure Effy is watching their encounter. 'You are amazing Freddie. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Don't let her fuck you around. I'm not in the... position or right to tell you not to take up with her, but... just...' she doesn't know what to say to make him understand, and not let onto to the extent of her dislike for Effy. She doesn't know how devoted he is to this girl, and she doesn't want drama if he goes and reports back to her. She tries again. 'Just... if she makes you feel bad more than she makes you feel good, then, you know...' She reaches over and squeezes his hand, and he nods, almost to himself. But she knows he's heard her and is thinking about it.
'Hey,' she squeezes his hand and he looks up at her. 'I love you, yeah.'
He smiles at her. 'I know. Love you too.'
She smiles and lets go of his hands. Her voice is chipper again when she asks, 'can we leave now? I'm hungry and tired about hearing about 'The Cincinnati Kid'
He laughs and gets up, waits for her to pack her things away into her satchel. He takes it from her and swings it over his shoulder as they walk out. At the door he says casually, 'Can we rent it?'
She slaps his back.
: :
Effy watches her put her hand on his, and the way their heads are bowed together. She watches him relieve her of her bag as they leave the classroom, and is curious. But more than that, she's angry.
Effy didn't know how much she was running the show until this Raleigh girl showed up, and somehow started taking control.
: :
'You going to Thomas's night on Thursday?' Cook's attention is pulled away from Naomi to look at Effy, who's just sat beside him in the common room.
'Yeah, I always do, don't I?'
Effy smiles and shrugs. She places her hand on his leg, and he looks down at it. 'Just making sure,' her voice is low and Cook's body tingles when she traces little circles on his knee. The noise of the common room fades away slightly. He looks back up to look at her face. She gives that look she always gives him right before they're about to fuck, the one with lowered eyelids and smoldering eyes, and sure enough she rises from the chair, dragging her hand along his leg as she does. At the door, she turns and looks at him, urging, daring him to follow her, and then shes gone. His breathing is heavier and his heart pounds in his chest. She's barely out the door when he gets up.
: :
Naomi feels like she should be offended that Cook has just up and left in the middle of her sentence, but she can't muster up enough indignation. Instead she stretches out on the now empty couch and closes her eyes.
: :
'I don't understand, that trick has worked loads of times.'
Raleigh laughs but not in a mean way. 'S'alright JJ,' she says as she bends to pick up some more cards from the corridor floor. 'Happens to the best of us.'
JJ smiles and bends to pick up a few more cards. He figures his hands must have been too sweaty and the cards ended up stuck together because of it. It's a silly mistake. He straightens up and Raleigh hands him a stack of cards. 'Is that all of them, then?'
They look around. 'Yeah, I think that's all of them.' he says.
'Is everything alright with Freddie? At home I mean?' Earlier, The had been on their way to lunch when Freddie's phone had gone off. She assumed it was his father, because he looked irate when he hung up, and said apologetically, 'I've got to run. Home.'
'It's alright, tomorrow or something.' He'd smiled and given her a quick side hug before running off. That's when JJ turned the corner and Freddie ruffled the boy's curly hair without pausing. Raleigh had smiled up at him and waited for him to catch up.
'I guess,' JJ answers. 'Not any worse but not loads better either.'
Raleigh nods and her lips twist momentarily. 'Hold up,' she calls, and she walks back down to her locker. 'I need to grab my Lit book.'
JJ is waiting when he spots one more card. It's halfway under a closet door and he jogs over to retrieve it, and accidentally flicks it further under. 'I've found another,' he calls to her as he rises to pulls open the door.
'It's okay really,' she is saying, as she walks up to him, adjusting her satchel to accommodate the heavy text. 'I mean, it would be a lot worse if you, like, fucked up a trick with a live animal, wouldn't it? Or that one with the fire? Imagine...' she trails off as she looks up and realizes he's not paying attention. Her eyes go to where his are fixed.
JJ can feel the moment she sees them.
JJ figures he should close the closet door, and leave them be. He knows that he could have closed the door fast enough so Raleigh didn't see at all, but the truth... it has to come out some doesn't it?
Effy's legs are around Cook's waist and his pants are down by his thighs. The smell of sex is heavy, and JJ has never been particularly fond of the odor.
Cook looked angry when the door was first yanked open, but now he looks confused, and a little more than worried as he watches Raleigh standing there.
The moments of silence is deafening, and finally, JJ feels Raleigh move. She walks forward slowly, reaches down, and picks up the card. 'Here you go JJ.' She hands it to him with a steady hand.
JJ looks over at Effy, and the anger that flares up at her drunkenly proud expression makes him want to rage, but instead he looks down at Raleigh who's standing next to him, back facing the closet.
There's nothing for it, to keep the door open, and JJ doesn't really want to see them get dressed or keep going, so he shuts the door quietly, and walks down the corridor when Raleigh does.
'Where're we going?' JJ asks, when they step out into the heavy winds and grey sky. Classes aren't done for the day.
'We,' she says calmly, and a bit emptily, 'are spending our day together.'
JJ nods and stays quiet as they walk.
It takes him a few minutes to remember the card in his hand, and he looks down at it.
Seven of spades.
JJ wishes it was the four of hearts, or the king of hearts, or something.
You know, just for a bit of irony.
Part 3
Author: coquilleon
Characters/Pairings: Cook/OC, Cook/Effy/ Effy/Freddy
Rating:R, Light NC-17
Warnings: Language, Limes
Summary: Effy has never seen this girl before, but the moment Cook walks into the shed with her, Effy decides that she doesn't like her. Raleigh doesn't think that Effy likes her, much. But that's okay, because after Raleigh feels Cook tense up slightly when he first sees her sprawled out on the ratty couch, she doesn't think she likes Effy much either. Something about Effy Stonem makes the protectiveness surge up in her own chest.
Spoilers: Series 3 - 4
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I just like to manipulate them.
Raleigh Cook is not stupid, or in denial, or oblivious, or any such thing.
She is quite aware of the fact that her feelings for Cook fall into the spectrum where friendship and romance overlap. But what Raleigh Cook is, is a commitment-phobe. She hates being tied down, hates letting others down, hates the overload of emotion, and sensation, and just pure, raw, feeling.
She's been in three relationships so far in her young life, one of which ended in Cook beating the shit out of the guy (but that was totally not her fault and in no way unrelated to her. It just turns out that when you're best friend beats the shit out of your boyfriend, your boyfriend doesn't 'feel safe' around you anymore. Pussy. He really shouldn't have burned his house in the first place), and Raleigh has decided that she's had enough of them, thank you very much.
But, there have been so many times when they've both had too much to drink, and realized that there are no other people in the room. So many times he's given her that look that makes her whole body catch on fire; the look so intense, and focused it seems like he wants to eat her alive. There have been so, so, many times their lips have been inches away from each other. So many of those times when his lips are so close to hers that they tingle when he breathes out. So many times where she's wanted to kiss him so badly it fucking hurts, and her world narrows down to her skin underneath his fingertips, and she's shaking, but she still turns away.
She doesn't want to ruin what they have. She takes pride in the fact that she's probably the only girl Cook knows the he hasn't snogged, or fucked, or whatever.
A big part of her brain tells her that things could only get better if they are together; that Cook is as loose and free as they come, that he would never tie her down because he hates to be tied down. But the smaller part of her brain causes her to bury her face into his chest, grip him tightly, briefly, and then let go, walking away before she can change her mind.
They spend days apart after these encounters.
And she doesn't want to be like everyone else. Like the other girls he's fucked, and left before his zipper is even pulled all the way up. She hopes that she will be different, that he'll stick with her afterwards, but Raleigh is a realist, and doesn't try to fool herself into thinking that she can change him. And she doesn't want to change him, because if she did, then... well... he wouldn't be Cook, now would he?
: :
(still)Friday
When Cook steps out of his complex after stopping by to get a change of clothes, he doesn't go to her right away. Instead he watches her for a few moments. Shes wearing a bright blue cardigan over a V neck shirt of deep purple, almost plum. Her tights are the same purple, but her shorts are brown and there is red everywhere-her nails, and shoes...
Her hair blows wildly in the wind, and she laughs, and tilts her head and spins. She hasn't seen him yet. He can see her take a deep breath and let it out, as she stretches her arms. She is like a splash of color in a grey world. It's like she's in one of those pictures where everything around is black, and white, and grey-scale, except for her.
She spins again slowly and her eyes, which are more slanted because of her smile, twinkle black when they fall on him. She does a little hop on her tip toes, and laughs, and puts her hand out, wriggling her fingers, and Cook smiles back, and walks forward to take it.
:
He wasn't kidding when he compared her to being a kitten on his front step. Cook doesn't know if anybody knows this about him, but he loves cats, kittens specifically. They're so fucking tiny, and cute, and fluffy, and helpless, and how the hell can you not love em?
Not that Raleigh is completely helpless, but still... and her hair is fluffy enough in the morning, isn't it?
Now they're sitting in the shed, where Freddie and Effy fight off hangovers, and JJ is telling Raleigh all about the party they went to last night, (Cook tries to send some non verbal signal to get him to stop mentioning it, but realizes that its too late by the knowing smile Raleigh shoots at him) and some collectable shit Cook couldn't give a toss about. His attention is all focused on the soft little body next to him anyway. He can't stop fucking touching her. As she talks, and nods, and smiles at JJ, his arms wind around her waist and pull her close, he rubs his nose into the crook of her neck and behind her ear, he kisses her temple and draws her into his lap.
Through all this she doesn't really respond, except to adjust her position so she's more comfortable and continues on with JJ. He likes that she lets him touch her all he likes. That three years apart hasn't really changed anything. That it doesn't even FEEL like three years. That her body just fits so well with his.
He laces his fingers through hers and kisses the back of her hand. She pays no mind and he moves his leg up and down quickly so that she bounces on his lap. She whips her head around, and seems startled at how close their faces are. She has a smile on her lips, and her eyelashes are so fucking long...
Cook wants to kiss her. He always wants to kiss her, but every time he tries she pulls away, and he's given up. He's not about to ruin... this... whatever this is... but damnit, he wants to kiss her...
His hand moves up to cradle the back of her neck and her eyelids flutter, but after a deep breath she moves slightly so his hand slides down her back, and he knows what that means. He blinks and smiles slightly and jiggles his leg again, and this time she mouths 'Stop it' before grinning and kissing his eyebrow.
: :
Freddie is confused.
He watches Effy while she watches them and doesn't understand.
They were together last night. She was all his, and it was prefect, and now in the light of day all she can focus on is Cook. Who is obviously distracted, Freddie notes as he watches the little communication between the two of them. JJ, who is usually uncomfortable with public displays of affection, looks on happily as the two cuddle and nuzzle in front of him.
Then the moment between them is over, and JJ is going on again about last night.
'Why didn't you two show?' Freddie asks. He knows why, he's sure, but wants Effy to hear it too.
JJ stops talking and Cook turns to Freddie. 'Ah, you know. Wasn't feelin it.'
Freddie raises an eyebrow. 'Since when are you not in the mood to get pissed?'
Cook opens his mouth to answer but Raleigh beats him to it. She turns, so she's sitting Indian style in his lap (and Freddie has to admit how cute it actually is, and feels his heart swell painfully. He really has missed her) and laces both her hands with Cook's. 'It's my fault. I asked him to take a night off to help me fix up my room. I would have asked you and JJ but I didn't want to keep all of you in.' She smiles and then squeaks a bit when Cook bounces his leg. 'JJ, we need to have a day together, you know. I've missed those...'
Freddie's eyes slide to Effy, and she is blowing smoke rings into the air as she gazes out of the dirty window.
: :
Monday
Raleigh wonders if that 'look' works on anybody. Fifteen minutes earlier she'd walked into Maths to find Effy Stonem ignoring a blonde girl with pigtails yammering in her ear. Five minutes ago the 'look' began, the I'm going to stare at you until it makes you uncomfortable look, and Raleigh has stopped paying attention to it three minutes ago.
Yes, she's stopped paying attention to it, but she can still feel it, and it kind of makes her want to laugh, but she's too tired. She begged off partying the weekend to help her parents fix up the house, and she didn't get any sleep that night.
She listens to the professor ramble on and on about her love for the movie 'The Cincinnati Kid' and is wondering how in the hell this pertains to maths, and what the fuck kind of college this is, because this is the third class she's been to today where she hasn't actually learned anything to pass her finals, when someone flops down besides her. She looks over and smiles, relieved.
Freddie smiles back. 'Missed you this weekend.'
'Did you really? Thought you would have been preoccupied. I was doubting you even knew I moved back.' She smiles to show him that she's kidding, but he still looks guilty.
'Sorry. Just... things have been odd right now.'
'It's okay.' And it really is. Even when she lived in Bristol, she spent the least amount of alone time with Freddie. She likes him enough, and does think of him as a brother, but that brother that moved out of the house when you were eleven and only comes back to visit every other Christmas. She was with Cookie the most then, and had her days with JJ, and when she did hang out with Freddie by herself, it was rarely ever planned. Not that it mattered. They managed to have quite a few laughs.
She remembers a time when Cookie was stuck at his mum's gallery for a showing and JJ was off on holiday, and it was just the two of them. She didn't feel like being around her girlfriends (there were just some times when she couldn't take the drama over who borrowed whose skirt and never gave it back) and he was having a tough time of it at home. They'd sat around the shed, not really speaking until she decided that it was too nice a day to do nothing. They ended up packing overnight bags, hopping a train to Oxford, and having the time of their lives, party hopping, and getting kicked out of their room at a hotel.
That was actually one of their bonding experiences, and the main reason why she can't get too upset at Freddie not being around much. He loves her, she knows, but in the same semi-detached way she loves him.
She leans in and says lowly, 'So, what's up with you and Miss Stonem?'
He bites the inside edge of his cheek and thinks for a moment, then shrugs. 'I honestly don't know. It's just...' He doesn't finish and his eyes slide away from hers onto his unopened notebook. Raleigh narrows her eyes, and watches him scrape the wood on his pencil. 'It's just confusing right now, yeah'
There's something he's not saying and Raleigh has a good idea of what it is. 'She's stringing Cookie along too, isn't she?'
He doesn't look at her, but he stops scraping his pencil. She thinks for a minute and then continues. 'Listen, I've just got here, and I don't know everything, but... look at me.' He does, and she notices his eyes flick up towards where she's sure Effy is watching their encounter. 'You are amazing Freddie. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Don't let her fuck you around. I'm not in the... position or right to tell you not to take up with her, but... just...' she doesn't know what to say to make him understand, and not let onto to the extent of her dislike for Effy. She doesn't know how devoted he is to this girl, and she doesn't want drama if he goes and reports back to her. She tries again. 'Just... if she makes you feel bad more than she makes you feel good, then, you know...' She reaches over and squeezes his hand, and he nods, almost to himself. But she knows he's heard her and is thinking about it.
'Hey,' she squeezes his hand and he looks up at her. 'I love you, yeah.'
He smiles at her. 'I know. Love you too.'
She smiles and lets go of his hands. Her voice is chipper again when she asks, 'can we leave now? I'm hungry and tired about hearing about 'The Cincinnati Kid'
He laughs and gets up, waits for her to pack her things away into her satchel. He takes it from her and swings it over his shoulder as they walk out. At the door he says casually, 'Can we rent it?'
She slaps his back.
: :
Effy watches her put her hand on his, and the way their heads are bowed together. She watches him relieve her of her bag as they leave the classroom, and is curious. But more than that, she's angry.
Effy didn't know how much she was running the show until this Raleigh girl showed up, and somehow started taking control.
: :
'You going to Thomas's night on Thursday?' Cook's attention is pulled away from Naomi to look at Effy, who's just sat beside him in the common room.
'Yeah, I always do, don't I?'
Effy smiles and shrugs. She places her hand on his leg, and he looks down at it. 'Just making sure,' her voice is low and Cook's body tingles when she traces little circles on his knee. The noise of the common room fades away slightly. He looks back up to look at her face. She gives that look she always gives him right before they're about to fuck, the one with lowered eyelids and smoldering eyes, and sure enough she rises from the chair, dragging her hand along his leg as she does. At the door, she turns and looks at him, urging, daring him to follow her, and then shes gone. His breathing is heavier and his heart pounds in his chest. She's barely out the door when he gets up.
: :
Naomi feels like she should be offended that Cook has just up and left in the middle of her sentence, but she can't muster up enough indignation. Instead she stretches out on the now empty couch and closes her eyes.
: :
'I don't understand, that trick has worked loads of times.'
Raleigh laughs but not in a mean way. 'S'alright JJ,' she says as she bends to pick up some more cards from the corridor floor. 'Happens to the best of us.'
JJ smiles and bends to pick up a few more cards. He figures his hands must have been too sweaty and the cards ended up stuck together because of it. It's a silly mistake. He straightens up and Raleigh hands him a stack of cards. 'Is that all of them, then?'
They look around. 'Yeah, I think that's all of them.' he says.
'Is everything alright with Freddie? At home I mean?' Earlier, The had been on their way to lunch when Freddie's phone had gone off. She assumed it was his father, because he looked irate when he hung up, and said apologetically, 'I've got to run. Home.'
'It's alright, tomorrow or something.' He'd smiled and given her a quick side hug before running off. That's when JJ turned the corner and Freddie ruffled the boy's curly hair without pausing. Raleigh had smiled up at him and waited for him to catch up.
'I guess,' JJ answers. 'Not any worse but not loads better either.'
Raleigh nods and her lips twist momentarily. 'Hold up,' she calls, and she walks back down to her locker. 'I need to grab my Lit book.'
JJ is waiting when he spots one more card. It's halfway under a closet door and he jogs over to retrieve it, and accidentally flicks it further under. 'I've found another,' he calls to her as he rises to pulls open the door.
'It's okay really,' she is saying, as she walks up to him, adjusting her satchel to accommodate the heavy text. 'I mean, it would be a lot worse if you, like, fucked up a trick with a live animal, wouldn't it? Or that one with the fire? Imagine...' she trails off as she looks up and realizes he's not paying attention. Her eyes go to where his are fixed.
JJ can feel the moment she sees them.
JJ figures he should close the closet door, and leave them be. He knows that he could have closed the door fast enough so Raleigh didn't see at all, but the truth... it has to come out some doesn't it?
Effy's legs are around Cook's waist and his pants are down by his thighs. The smell of sex is heavy, and JJ has never been particularly fond of the odor.
Cook looked angry when the door was first yanked open, but now he looks confused, and a little more than worried as he watches Raleigh standing there.
The moments of silence is deafening, and finally, JJ feels Raleigh move. She walks forward slowly, reaches down, and picks up the card. 'Here you go JJ.' She hands it to him with a steady hand.
JJ looks over at Effy, and the anger that flares up at her drunkenly proud expression makes him want to rage, but instead he looks down at Raleigh who's standing next to him, back facing the closet.
There's nothing for it, to keep the door open, and JJ doesn't really want to see them get dressed or keep going, so he shuts the door quietly, and walks down the corridor when Raleigh does.
'Where're we going?' JJ asks, when they step out into the heavy winds and grey sky. Classes aren't done for the day.
'We,' she says calmly, and a bit emptily, 'are spending our day together.'
JJ nods and stays quiet as they walk.
It takes him a few minutes to remember the card in his hand, and he looks down at it.
Seven of spades.
JJ wishes it was the four of hearts, or the king of hearts, or something.
You know, just for a bit of irony.
Part 3