It's about to go down
Marcus: FUCK my life. Be home. I need to talk to you.
Liam: Hey Marcus! What's up?
Marcus: Man, I don't even know where to start with that. Your girlfriend is a total four year old though, but anyway.
Liam: Well, you caught me kickin' at the creek, so if you wanna talk ...
Marcus: Don't let me ruin the end of your summer. You alone?
Liam: You're not ruining anything, and yeah, I'm on my ownsome.
Marcus: Fine, lemme find my pinpoint thingy and I'll see you in a few.
Liam: *contemplates how serious this must be for Marcus to want to pinpoint to see him*
Marcus: *finds the pinpoint in his sock drawer of all places and brings himself to Flint Creek, even if his math is a bit off and he has a short walk to the creek and his cousin* Why do you have to live in the middle of the wilderness, Christ.
Liam: *ignores this "greeting" as typical Marcus bitching. He's stretched out on a nice warm rock in cutoffs, dipping his feet* What's up with you, cuz?
Marcus: *flops next to Liam and eyeballs the cutoffs* Those are seriously gay, so you know. *clearing his throat and moving right along,* I am so boned, for serious.
Liam: *contemplates several wisecracks he could make about the juxtaposition of those two sentences, then thinks better of it* Why? What's happened?
Marcus: *loops his arms around his knees and leans forward, frowning* Ambria and I had a date last night--well, if you can call having her idiot sister tag along a 'date'. This rock is smarter than Tula, I swear. *sighs* Anyway, she stayed over, without Tula, and we got to talking about some stuff and then she...*clears his throat again* She said she loves me.
Liam: .......... oh. *takes a deep breath and lets it out while he considers this* And what did you say?
Marcus: *lowers his head to run his hand through his hair without having to let go of his knees* I...man, she looked like she was going to start crying. Said some junk about being stupid and that she should leave and me not wanting her because she's not made of money or something else crazy. *sighs again, thinking about it* Why is that always what people harp on? It doesn't even matter to me. At all. I...I told her I didn't want her to go and that she's not stupid--she isn't. I didn't say I love her though. I'm not going to lie to her. I like her and I care about her, right? You don't want my teal deer list about why I think Ambria's amazing but I told her. And I told her I don't love her. Yet. *looks like the embodiment of FML*
Liam: *sits up and rubs his face* Jesus, Marc. Rina's making plans to visit New York ...
Marcus: *nods, not even wanting to look at Liam* I know. And I want her to visit. I really, really want her to visit. *kicks the heel of his foot against the rock* I don't know what to do. I really just don't...I love her and I hate that I do because it's ridiculous, you know? Rina deserves a hell of a lot better than this shit but the idea of her with anyone else makes me want to put my fist through something--or someone. And Ambria...Bree's great, she is. And so totally not Rina. And she's in New York. And...I'm just screwed, aren't I? *doesn't really need that answered*
Liam: *gives Marcus' shoulder a sympathetic squeeze* So you've got the girl that you like who's conveniently located and the girl you love who ... isn't. *shakes his head* I don't know what to tell you that you probably aren't thinking right now, bro.
Marcus: I'm going to end up fucking this all to hell and hurting them both, that's what. *sighs* And they both love me. Great, right?
Liam: *quietly* Sounds like you've got some priorities to sort.
Marcus: *stares off into the distance* I should tell Rina that if she comes to New York, we're just friends. And I want to show my friend the city I live in. I'm not going to keep her from what she wants, Li. She doesn't want long distance. I know I don't either. I guess that's the smart thing to do, right?
Liam: *stares at his feet* Maybe. Are you really sure of what she does and doesn't want? Cause if you're not, I'd talk to her.
Marcus: *shakes his head* ...unless she's been lying to me. *knows he should talk to Rina, it's just not something he wants to do* I want her to be happy. Do you really think she would be...with me? Seriously.
Liam: *slight shrug* I don't know, cuz. I really don't. I do know that she cares about you and would probably be upset if you made a bunch of unilateral decisions.
Marcus: Fine. I'll tell her what Ambria said and let Rina walk away. What's the difference?
Liam: And if she doesn't want to walk away?
Marcus: *snorts* I guess we'll find out. *pulls out his cell phone and starts to dial Rina's number*
Liam: ... should I leave?
Marcus: *stops dialing and sighs* I was just going to ask her if she was working right now. *shakes his head* You think I should do this over the phone when I'm right freaking here? See? That's the other thing...how the hell am I going to explain this to her? Hey, Rina, want me to turn your world upside down and then inside out?
Liam: *sighs himself, he understands that conundrum all too well* No, I don't think you should do this over the phone. As for the rest of it ... I'm working on the same problem. Obviously.
Marcus: Dude. Bad idea. *cannot even image what Chuck's reaction might be*
Liam: I have to tell her some time. *rubs the back of his neck* But right now is about you and Rina.
Marcus: I don't want to do that to Rina.
Liam: *considers* And Ambria?
Marcus: *sighs* Her cousin is fucking a damned vampire. I don't know how much of the whole "the world ain't what you think, babe" she's going to be spared from. I sure as hell am not going to let her hang around that undead thing and end up his potential snack.
Liam: *can only agree with that* I just ... *chews on his lip a moment* It's hard. You're my cousin and best friend, and Rina's a good friend. I don't want to push you one way or the other because of that.
Marcus: I just don't feel like I have the right to bring all these complications into her life. Hell, you saw how freaked she was in Santa Barbara when that asshole started questioning her. Welcome to my real life, Rina. I don't want her dealing with that. And then there's...*he looks at Liam, yeah. Then there's the whole púca mess on top of it all*
Liam: She coped fine once she got away from him and calmed down. *crosses his legs and plants his hands on his knees* I guess I'm saying ... don't underestimate her. Da and I didn't have much choice but to tell Zach, but he's been great about the whole thing. Sometimes people will surprise you as far as how much they can deal with.
Marcus: How's she going to feel if it's a constant invasion into her personal life? You know how much I hate it. *leans against Liam* You like being my secret gay lover? *sobers* Yeah, Zach's...Zach. He's not in a relationship with you. I think it's sort of a whole 'nother ball park when you start talking about 'I wanna spend your life with you' and not 'hey, man...want to catch the game Friday?'
Liam: Yeaaahhh. *another sigh as Chuck comes to mind again. Shaking off his personal issues, Liam focuses on his cousin* So ... what's the worst-case scenario you can see coming out of all this?
Marcus: *rubs the bridge of his nose* I am so not telling her what we are. I'm not. No. Way. Worst case? Seriously? Rina and Ambria both think I'm the asshole Maggie says I am. Sucks to be me.
Liam: And the best-case?
Marcus: I get to date them both? *no, he's not serious* There isn't one. Someone's going to end up in tears and you know it.
Liam: Then maybe all you can do is be as honest as you can be. And try not to make any assumptions.
Marcus: Gee thanks.
Liam: *snorts softly* What, you were looking for a miracle fix-it? From the púca boy who's fallen for a girl with a horse phobia? Sorry, I'm fresh out.
Marcus: I don't know, man. *actually flails his arms*
Liam: *dodges flails* I just hate to see you selling yourself short, y'know?
Marcus: Am I doing that?
Liam: *shifts his hands behind him and leans back* This whole "I can't have who I really want because I'll ruin her life" thing? Yeah, sounds like it.
Marcus: I can't have her anyway. She lives here. I don't. *toys with his phone* What the hell am I supposed to say to her anyway?
Liam: *stretches his legs out, splashing in the water a little* Maybe tell her what happened and ask what she thinks.
Marcus: Gee, Rina, the hot woman I've been nailing in New York told me she loves me. Whatcha think about that?
Liam: *eyeroll* Marcus. There has to be a sensitive bone somewhere in your body. Find it and ask Rina what she wants. I mean really wants.
Marcus: *narrows his eyes at his cousin* I had it surgically removed. *shakes his head and drops the attitude* Fine, fine...and if what she wants is my head on a platter, what then?
Liam: *eyebrows lift* We are talking about the same Rina, right? Sweet, reasonable, always understanding Rina?
Marcus: Yeah, okay so she might not want blood.
Liam: *soft sigh* Cuz, you can hurt her by saying sorry, but this is how it'll be from here on out, or you can at least try to show that you care about her feelings. Which would you prefer if you were in her shoes?
Marcus: I know, I know. I just...don't want to hurt her. At all.
Liam: *hand returns to Marcus' shoulder* I know you don't, Marc. But maybe you can find out what would hurt her as little as possible.
Marcus: *nods* Yeah. I guess. Mind giving me a ride over there? I'd...*waves the pinpoint around* But she's not an idiot and might think something was up if I just appeared out of nowhere.
Liam: No problem. *pats shoulder and stands* Let me go get a shirt and my keys and I'll bring the jeep up.
Marcus: Thanks. *calls Rina just to make sure she is at home*
******
Liam: *pulls up a ways away in his Wrangler and leans out the window* Is she home?
Marcus: Yeah. Yeah...*doesn't sound so thrilled about that as he hauls himself off the rock and walks over to and around the Jeep to get in on the other side* She's home.
Liam: *gives Marcus a sympathetic look as he pulls out and heads for the Ashmullers'*
Marcus: *fastens his seat belt, sits back and has a death grip on the 'jesus christ' handle above the door and surprisingly, this has little to do with going to see Rina*
Liam: *understands the reaction and takes scrupulous care with his driving*
Marcus: *will possibly one day get over this fear. no he won't.*
Liam: *softly* It'll be okay. *might be talking about the drive, might be talking about Rina. Probably both*
Marcus: *nods, realizing this and trying to force himself to believe his cousin* Yeah...
Liam: *makes the turn to approach Rina's house* Where should I drop you off?
Marcus: Driveway's fine.
Liam: Okay. *pulls up* Just give me a call when you're ready to go. *has the idea that Marcus might want some company afterward*
Marcus: *looks at Liam for a long minute before unfastening his seatbelt. Takes another minute to actually get out of the Jeep* Right. I will. Thanks. *with that, he closes the door and walks toward the Ashmullers, hands in his pants pockets, his head down*
Liam: *watches him go for a while before heading out. He doesn't plan to go far*
And that's when it all hits the fan...
Liam: Hey Marcus! What's up?
Marcus: Man, I don't even know where to start with that. Your girlfriend is a total four year old though, but anyway.
Liam: Well, you caught me kickin' at the creek, so if you wanna talk ...
Marcus: Don't let me ruin the end of your summer. You alone?
Liam: You're not ruining anything, and yeah, I'm on my ownsome.
Marcus: Fine, lemme find my pinpoint thingy and I'll see you in a few.
Liam: *contemplates how serious this must be for Marcus to want to pinpoint to see him*
Marcus: *finds the pinpoint in his sock drawer of all places and brings himself to Flint Creek, even if his math is a bit off and he has a short walk to the creek and his cousin* Why do you have to live in the middle of the wilderness, Christ.
Liam: *ignores this "greeting" as typical Marcus bitching. He's stretched out on a nice warm rock in cutoffs, dipping his feet* What's up with you, cuz?
Marcus: *flops next to Liam and eyeballs the cutoffs* Those are seriously gay, so you know. *clearing his throat and moving right along,* I am so boned, for serious.
Liam: *contemplates several wisecracks he could make about the juxtaposition of those two sentences, then thinks better of it* Why? What's happened?
Marcus: *loops his arms around his knees and leans forward, frowning* Ambria and I had a date last night--well, if you can call having her idiot sister tag along a 'date'. This rock is smarter than Tula, I swear. *sighs* Anyway, she stayed over, without Tula, and we got to talking about some stuff and then she...*clears his throat again* She said she loves me.
Liam: .......... oh. *takes a deep breath and lets it out while he considers this* And what did you say?
Marcus: *lowers his head to run his hand through his hair without having to let go of his knees* I...man, she looked like she was going to start crying. Said some junk about being stupid and that she should leave and me not wanting her because she's not made of money or something else crazy. *sighs again, thinking about it* Why is that always what people harp on? It doesn't even matter to me. At all. I...I told her I didn't want her to go and that she's not stupid--she isn't. I didn't say I love her though. I'm not going to lie to her. I like her and I care about her, right? You don't want my teal deer list about why I think Ambria's amazing but I told her. And I told her I don't love her. Yet. *looks like the embodiment of FML*
Liam: *sits up and rubs his face* Jesus, Marc. Rina's making plans to visit New York ...
Marcus: *nods, not even wanting to look at Liam* I know. And I want her to visit. I really, really want her to visit. *kicks the heel of his foot against the rock* I don't know what to do. I really just don't...I love her and I hate that I do because it's ridiculous, you know? Rina deserves a hell of a lot better than this shit but the idea of her with anyone else makes me want to put my fist through something--or someone. And Ambria...Bree's great, she is. And so totally not Rina. And she's in New York. And...I'm just screwed, aren't I? *doesn't really need that answered*
Liam: *gives Marcus' shoulder a sympathetic squeeze* So you've got the girl that you like who's conveniently located and the girl you love who ... isn't. *shakes his head* I don't know what to tell you that you probably aren't thinking right now, bro.
Marcus: I'm going to end up fucking this all to hell and hurting them both, that's what. *sighs* And they both love me. Great, right?
Liam: *quietly* Sounds like you've got some priorities to sort.
Marcus: *stares off into the distance* I should tell Rina that if she comes to New York, we're just friends. And I want to show my friend the city I live in. I'm not going to keep her from what she wants, Li. She doesn't want long distance. I know I don't either. I guess that's the smart thing to do, right?
Liam: *stares at his feet* Maybe. Are you really sure of what she does and doesn't want? Cause if you're not, I'd talk to her.
Marcus: *shakes his head* ...unless she's been lying to me. *knows he should talk to Rina, it's just not something he wants to do* I want her to be happy. Do you really think she would be...with me? Seriously.
Liam: *slight shrug* I don't know, cuz. I really don't. I do know that she cares about you and would probably be upset if you made a bunch of unilateral decisions.
Marcus: Fine. I'll tell her what Ambria said and let Rina walk away. What's the difference?
Liam: And if she doesn't want to walk away?
Marcus: *snorts* I guess we'll find out. *pulls out his cell phone and starts to dial Rina's number*
Liam: ... should I leave?
Marcus: *stops dialing and sighs* I was just going to ask her if she was working right now. *shakes his head* You think I should do this over the phone when I'm right freaking here? See? That's the other thing...how the hell am I going to explain this to her? Hey, Rina, want me to turn your world upside down and then inside out?
Liam: *sighs himself, he understands that conundrum all too well* No, I don't think you should do this over the phone. As for the rest of it ... I'm working on the same problem. Obviously.
Marcus: Dude. Bad idea. *cannot even image what Chuck's reaction might be*
Liam: I have to tell her some time. *rubs the back of his neck* But right now is about you and Rina.
Marcus: I don't want to do that to Rina.
Liam: *considers* And Ambria?
Marcus: *sighs* Her cousin is fucking a damned vampire. I don't know how much of the whole "the world ain't what you think, babe" she's going to be spared from. I sure as hell am not going to let her hang around that undead thing and end up his potential snack.
Liam: *can only agree with that* I just ... *chews on his lip a moment* It's hard. You're my cousin and best friend, and Rina's a good friend. I don't want to push you one way or the other because of that.
Marcus: I just don't feel like I have the right to bring all these complications into her life. Hell, you saw how freaked she was in Santa Barbara when that asshole started questioning her. Welcome to my real life, Rina. I don't want her dealing with that. And then there's...*he looks at Liam, yeah. Then there's the whole púca mess on top of it all*
Liam: She coped fine once she got away from him and calmed down. *crosses his legs and plants his hands on his knees* I guess I'm saying ... don't underestimate her. Da and I didn't have much choice but to tell Zach, but he's been great about the whole thing. Sometimes people will surprise you as far as how much they can deal with.
Marcus: How's she going to feel if it's a constant invasion into her personal life? You know how much I hate it. *leans against Liam* You like being my secret gay lover? *sobers* Yeah, Zach's...Zach. He's not in a relationship with you. I think it's sort of a whole 'nother ball park when you start talking about 'I wanna spend your life with you' and not 'hey, man...want to catch the game Friday?'
Liam: Yeaaahhh. *another sigh as Chuck comes to mind again. Shaking off his personal issues, Liam focuses on his cousin* So ... what's the worst-case scenario you can see coming out of all this?
Marcus: *rubs the bridge of his nose* I am so not telling her what we are. I'm not. No. Way. Worst case? Seriously? Rina and Ambria both think I'm the asshole Maggie says I am. Sucks to be me.
Liam: And the best-case?
Marcus: I get to date them both? *no, he's not serious* There isn't one. Someone's going to end up in tears and you know it.
Liam: Then maybe all you can do is be as honest as you can be. And try not to make any assumptions.
Marcus: Gee thanks.
Liam: *snorts softly* What, you were looking for a miracle fix-it? From the púca boy who's fallen for a girl with a horse phobia? Sorry, I'm fresh out.
Marcus: I don't know, man. *actually flails his arms*
Liam: *dodges flails* I just hate to see you selling yourself short, y'know?
Marcus: Am I doing that?
Liam: *shifts his hands behind him and leans back* This whole "I can't have who I really want because I'll ruin her life" thing? Yeah, sounds like it.
Marcus: I can't have her anyway. She lives here. I don't. *toys with his phone* What the hell am I supposed to say to her anyway?
Liam: *stretches his legs out, splashing in the water a little* Maybe tell her what happened and ask what she thinks.
Marcus: Gee, Rina, the hot woman I've been nailing in New York told me she loves me. Whatcha think about that?
Liam: *eyeroll* Marcus. There has to be a sensitive bone somewhere in your body. Find it and ask Rina what she wants. I mean really wants.
Marcus: *narrows his eyes at his cousin* I had it surgically removed. *shakes his head and drops the attitude* Fine, fine...and if what she wants is my head on a platter, what then?
Liam: *eyebrows lift* We are talking about the same Rina, right? Sweet, reasonable, always understanding Rina?
Marcus: Yeah, okay so she might not want blood.
Liam: *soft sigh* Cuz, you can hurt her by saying sorry, but this is how it'll be from here on out, or you can at least try to show that you care about her feelings. Which would you prefer if you were in her shoes?
Marcus: I know, I know. I just...don't want to hurt her. At all.
Liam: *hand returns to Marcus' shoulder* I know you don't, Marc. But maybe you can find out what would hurt her as little as possible.
Marcus: *nods* Yeah. I guess. Mind giving me a ride over there? I'd...*waves the pinpoint around* But she's not an idiot and might think something was up if I just appeared out of nowhere.
Liam: No problem. *pats shoulder and stands* Let me go get a shirt and my keys and I'll bring the jeep up.
Marcus: Thanks. *calls Rina just to make sure she is at home*
******
Liam: *pulls up a ways away in his Wrangler and leans out the window* Is she home?
Marcus: Yeah. Yeah...*doesn't sound so thrilled about that as he hauls himself off the rock and walks over to and around the Jeep to get in on the other side* She's home.
Liam: *gives Marcus a sympathetic look as he pulls out and heads for the Ashmullers'*
Marcus: *fastens his seat belt, sits back and has a death grip on the 'jesus christ' handle above the door and surprisingly, this has little to do with going to see Rina*
Liam: *understands the reaction and takes scrupulous care with his driving*
Marcus: *will possibly one day get over this fear. no he won't.*
Liam: *softly* It'll be okay. *might be talking about the drive, might be talking about Rina. Probably both*
Marcus: *nods, realizing this and trying to force himself to believe his cousin* Yeah...
Liam: *makes the turn to approach Rina's house* Where should I drop you off?
Marcus: Driveway's fine.
Liam: Okay. *pulls up* Just give me a call when you're ready to go. *has the idea that Marcus might want some company afterward*
Marcus: *looks at Liam for a long minute before unfastening his seatbelt. Takes another minute to actually get out of the Jeep* Right. I will. Thanks. *with that, he closes the door and walks toward the Ashmullers, hands in his pants pockets, his head down*
Liam: *watches him go for a while before heading out. He doesn't plan to go far*
And that's when it all hits the fan...