Time Warp: My Boston Boy (Rowan)

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

January 2021
One month prior to; February Air

Lucy sat across the table from her proverbial male-soulmate. He was all smiles, as always. He was making a myriad of jokes about the fact that she'd just ordered a second cup of coffee, and she was volleying back with a dumbed down laugh. Even with important significant others in their lives, they still made time for each other. Years ago she'd promised him she'd always have time for him. She couldn't go back on that even if she wanted to.

Today was different. The start of the year was bringing hectic changes for the eldest Serrano. She and her British counterpart weren't struggling by any means, but making ends meet was difficult. From what little she knew, there was always enough money, but it made living a little tight. Lucy had always reasoned that she didn't really care how comfortably things were going. They had a good thing going, and that was all that mattered.

But an opportunity had been on the phone barely a few days ago. What Dom's company was offering was... Astounding. But it meant leaving, at least for a while.

"Listen. Something big's happening." Lucy said to him, going so far as to catch his hand in her own over the table. But as she held a pause, she couldn't stop the grin from forming on her features; "I'm getting commissioned, Ro. Sixteen pieces in this massive gallery." Lucy instinctively squeezed his hand, her grin widening to something much more elated. This was bigger than big. This was it.

[Rowan Booker]

One who hung out with the amazing Lucy Serrano was simply happy all the time. How could they not be? Okay, Rowan might have been biased in his thought process, but he couldn't ever think of a reason not to be happy around her. After years of being together, through thick and thin, the only time he ever found that he was not happy was when they spent time apart. Be it fighting or simply just not having as much time as they'd like, either way, he was miserable without her.

So spending time with her this way, he couldn't help but be all smiles around her. There were only a few people that he found that he was consistently happy around. A good handful of women at that. Lucy had always been at the top of the list until feelings for Sawyer developed, but even then, he never really had to choose which he cared for more because they had such a good relationship to begin with. At this point in his life, Rowan couldn't say that he would have changed anything. He'd do it all again, to end up right here across from his beautiful Australian babe.

As she made it to her second cup of coffee, he got suspicious, but masked it with plenty of jokes as only Rowan would do. Until she flipped that serious switch and caught his hand, speaking in a relatively intense tone, but not the kind that made him uncomfortable. One that made him excited to know what she had to tell him. Juicy stuff! Something big. His heart dropped suddenly as a thought crossed his mind briefly, but it slowly was pushed back as she continued.

His eyes widened as did his smile. She squeezed his hand and he stood up suddenly, tugging her into a hug. "Lucky! I'm so proud of you! That's amazing, baby!" He let her go and slid back in his seat, hardly able to contain his excitement for her. "What gallery? I can't wait to see it!" Because he'd always been the biggest fan of her artwork. Yup, the biggest, so much bigger than a certain woman with a stick up her ass.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy, at no point, worried about his reaction. She knew her man; he was going to be more outwardly ecstatic than anyone else she was going to tell. Or had already told, for that matter. She didn't expect the way he jumped up and hauled her into a hug - a move that caused the Australian to burst out into laughter. She wrapped her arms around him anyway, squeezing him for good measure before she managed to slip out of his embrace.

When she made it back to her seat, she couldn't stop smiling at him. It lacked the usual overtones of amusement and sarcasm. She was all genuine. And it was obvious that he was too.

"It's uhh-" She paused very briefly, looking a little unsure towards him before she shrugged the notion off. "Okay, it's in Paris. So... You can't see it. But-" She waved the mere negative feelings away with a few flicks of her hands, pressing them back down to the table. "It's happening, Ro. Second week of February!"

[Rowan Booker]

Rowan couldn't help but be excited for her. This was his Lucky after all and he was so proud of her. She was going to be huge! Everywhere! Her art would be sold all over the world one of these days and in all of her fame, she'd leave the little people like him behind her. Nah, he didn't really believe that last part, but he knew she was going to be super famous one day.

His smile faltered the slightest bit when she admitted that it was in Paris, but he tried his best not to let it stay that way. He smiled again, though it appeared to be a little forced this time as he listened to her. The second week of February. He was going to be without Lucy. She was going to be gone again....

"I'm really happy for you, baby. And super proud of my girl! How long are you going to be in Paris? You better bring me back a hot French maid," Okay, not really. "How's Penelope taking the news of you being gone so close V-day?"

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

It was difficult not to catch the way his smile faltered. Lucy had known him long enough learn how to pick up on his minuscule quirks, just as he had done with her. It was why she'd launched into the explanation with such force. She was hoping to diminish any worry he felt, though she knew that was impossible. His smile had returned within moments anyway, so it didn't feel worth mentioning.

"Dom says a few weeks. Maybe a month at most." She replied, refusing to glance at the waitress as she placed another coffee before the Australian. But instantly her hands circled around the glass and she looked into it. She knew it was going to be a pain to leave for so long. As much as she didn't want to, she knew she had to.

Lucy glanced up at his question about Penny. A hint of a frown tugged at the corner of her mouth; "We don't really do shit for it anyway." She replied with a small shrug. In fact, they always made a personal point of not celebrating. "But y'know, she's like you. She's happy about it." Lucy searched those familiar eyes for some kind of recognition. Yeah, Penny was happy. So was Rowan. But she knew they both harboured something more towards the fact. "She's just... Yeah. Freaking out... A bit, I think." Lucy cringed at her words slightly. A bit was an understatement. Something this detrimental to a routine carried more weight than that. Penny's innate moves to hesitate around the conversation or be the worlds most successful distraction was proof that part of her wasn't comfortable with it. Lucy couldn't say she really blamed her for feeling that way, either.

[Rowan Booker]

A month. A whole month without her. What was he going to do for a whole entire month? Sit around and sulk? Sawyer was more than capable of keeping him busy, of course, but a whole month without his best friend brought back memories that he wasn't sure he wanted to relive. The circumstances were much different at this point in time, but it was what it was. He was going to have to live without Lucy again and the first time had been hell enough.

Rowan simply couldn't help himself but ask about Penelope. After all, she was a factor in this equation whether he wanted her to be or not. And to be perfectly honest, since the first time he heard Lucy say her name in a positive context, he hadn't wanted her anywhere near his best friend. He'd been proven right a time or two as to why, but love was a fucked up thing and in turn, made Lucy blind to everything he saw wrong with the Brit bitch. He didn't say anything in regards to the fact that they didn't do anything for V-day because he knew that, but when Lucy said that Penelope was like him, his muscles tensed along with his jaw.

He was not like her and she was not like him.

"I'll just bet she is," He said with a roll of his eyes. Rowan was not secretive in his dislike for the girl that captured Lucky's attention for so long. He couldn't be even if he wanted to. That being said, he recovered from his irritation and instead decided to take a less bitter approach to things. "You gonna at least be able to call and stuff? Maybe Skype? Taking our Sawyer/Lucy/Rowan threesome to the net," He smirked half-heartedly.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

It was impossible not to notice how his jaw clenched, his muscles giving up the game he was trying to offer to her. It was no secret that there was... Tension, between her best friend and the proverbial love of her still young life. Lucy struggled to know what to do about the fact. She reached out anyway, patting his hand a few times with her own.

He needed to calm down.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, bitch." Lucy replied, lightly despite how harsh the statement could have been. He knew it hurt to see him react that way about Penny, but she couldn't forget where the resentment was coming from either. She never could. She likely never would.

Her eyes narrowed on him, an amused smirk playing onto her own lips; "Duh. I mean, I'll be pretty busy but I'll always have time for you." Lucy raised her eyebrows, her face questioning whether or not he even believed such a statement. He was a sceptic at the best of times. "Yeah?"

[Rowan Booker]

The physical contact calmed him the tiniest bit, but he held back all of that frustration. He was with Lucy now and she was going to be gone soon. Why should the very thought of Penelope ruin his time with the beautiful dark haired girl in front of him. He wasn't about to let her ruin things without even being present. Oh but just her name sent him into a fit.

Rowan stuck his tongue out at her and broke into a small smile, "I do what I want, Lucky. You should know that by now." After all, they both did whatever the fuck they wanted. It had always been that way, whether the other like it or not. Lucy started dating Penelope after all. And Rowan hated it.

"Will you though?" He asked seriously as he looked down at his hands folded on the table in front of him. Rowan was always super worried that things would turn for the worst again. That he'd lose her the way he had years ago. "Lucky...I am happy for you, but don't make me any promises if you can't keep them..."

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

It was no secret that Rowan... Disliked her choice in counterpart. It was difficult to defend her against him when Lucy wanted to. He never listened. He took it too far. So she resided to the inability, even if it killed her.

"Yeah, don't I know it." She replied a little sharply, rolling her eyes in response.

Pressing her hands together against the table, Lucy stared back at him as she breathed a slow sigh. She felt a little unsure of herself - she always did when he questioned her, regardless of the topic. She willed him to get over himself long enough to see how good Penny was for her life. She willed him to care for her like Sawyer so clearly did. But she knew it wouldn't happen.

And so, she felt torn. She likely always would.

"Don't." Lucy replied, pressing her lips into a line. She unfurled her hands and ran her fingers idly through her hair. "Not today. You know I can't change anything." And she likely wouldn't even if she could. "When I get back, it'll be how it is now. A few weeks won't change anything."

[Rowan Booker]

"Don't roll your eyes at me, babe. It goes both ways," He said levelly, his eyes lifting to hers.

The whole situation between them was full of hypocrisy. He hated Penelope the way that she had hated Alex, the first real relationship he'd had. She threw insult after insult about the boy, yet Rowan took it every single time. He had been ready to leave Alex if Lucy had said she wanted him to. But never had he ditched her for him. Not once. She knew that it was a sore subject, that it had left a very large scar. He wouldn't be able to ever forget about it no matter how much time passed. If she was going to stay with Penelope, he'd always have that fear of history repeating itself.

"Fine. Whatever," He leaned back, distancing himself from his best friend as he folded his arms across his chest. He wouldn't bring it up again. Not to her. He'd be a good little boy that was supportive of everything, even if it hurt him. Why? Because he loved Lucy more than himself. He loved her more than he could express.

He nodded mutely. A few weeks had changed things before, what made this different? Every free moment she got, she'd probably spend it making sure the whack job was okay. The question formed in his mind again, as it did so many times after the time he'd been without her. She'd once said, she loved him more than herself. How many times had she said the same thing to Penelope?

"I hope you have a great time, Lucy. And I'm sure everyone will love your show. I should probably head out though," He said quietly.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

As much as Lucy wanted to argue that no - it didn't go both ways - she didn't bother. It wasn't worth it.

Her eyes briefly narrowed on him when he dismissed her. Forcing distance. But she couldn't do that either. Almost immediately after she did, her gaze softened. This was supposed to be about good news, but it was weighted by whatever the hell this was. She fell back in her seat, her fingers running across the cup in front of her. Its contents were warming, now. She didn't even realise.

And she knew that despite her best efforts, if he wanted to go, there was little she could do to stop him. Lucy kept her eyes away from him, his hollow words seeming to shake her more than they probably should have.

But she slid her free hand across the table anyway. Halfway.

"Keep an eye on her while-" Lucy started, but she cut her voice dry before the rest of the words could flow. Like he'd ever do a thing like that. "Forget it." The ink manipulator recovered, tapping her fingers against the surface. She didn't sound upset or hurt. Her voice was flat. It was too difficult to ignite the spark he once had; "I'll ask Sawyer."

[Rowan Booker]

Rowan glanced at down at her hand that looked as though she was trying to keep him from leaving and he closed his eyes briefly. Why weren't things easy anymore? What happened to it just being the two of them against the world? It bothered Rowan that things had changed so much between them without either of them realizing it until recently. Of course he had Sawyer, whom he adored and loved. But there was a different kind of need that he had for Lucy. One that couldn't be filled again.

He offered her a half smile, taking her hand and squeezing her fingers to show that he wasn't upset with her. That he never could be. And that he was sorry for being such a jerk. That's what it all meant with one little handle hold.

But his hand released hers after she cut off and her voice went flat. What she had been about to ask him, he already knew and honestly he wouldn't have wanted to keep an eye on Penelope. But the fact of the matter was, if Lucy asked, he'd do anything. "Lucy...do you realize how much I love you? And that because of that feeling I'd do anything you'd ask of me? If you want to ask Sawyer fine, but you should know that I would have done it," He said with a frown as he stood up.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy glanced across the table as she felt a familiar hand touch against her own. Instantly she shifted, twisting her wrist slightly to settle her hand in his. She squeezed his back in return. As messed up as this whole thing was, at least he'd know she still loved him.

She felt his fingers slip through her own, and she didn't bother chasing after him. If he let go in such a hurry, he likely wasn't going to come back no matter what she did.

"Oh, I realise." Lucy replied with a definitive nod. Her voice showed no sign of ill feelings or sarcasm. It was a fact that he loved her. More than he could explain. It was reciprocated, too. But she felt no need to point that out. "And I know you would have." She started again. But his reaction was just... She couldn't see it being more helpful than harmful. "But I can't ask you to do that. I shouldn't have brought it up."

[Rowan Booker]

Rowan wished things weren't quite so fucked. It was frustrating, this situation he put himself in, but it also wasn't entirely his fault. It wasn't his fault that Penelope had a giant stick up her butt that was not easy to remove. If she kept sitting on it, he figured it would eventually just be stuck up there forever, with no hope of ever being removed. It was like she purposefully kept it there and was extra uptight whenever he was around. Though, he was no better, he always acted like the biggest jerk in the world when she was around.

He sighed and looked down, "If you can't ask then I'm the world's suckiest best friend." Because he should at least be able to put his feelings aside and do something for her that he'd want her to do for him if he ever went away. It shouldn't be so clear that he hated Penelope, but Rowan wasn't subtle and he wasn't going to lie about it.

"Anyway, I...I guess I'll just see you when you get back or something," He was shit with these things. Telling her what he wanted wasn't going to happen. Telling her exactly what was on his mind wouldn't happen either. He wanted to stay, he wanted to be there when she left, but he wasn't sure it would happen because he was stubborn and didn't want her to be left with a reminder of him sulking. So in turn, he placed a smile on his face and bent down to press his lips to her cheek, "Congratulations again, baby. I'm proud of you." He stood back up and offered her a small wave before turning towards the door, taking a step and letting his face fall into a frown.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy raised her eyebrows at his reply. The way he talked down about himself. She felt her lips press into a hardened line at the declaration. She didn't say that. He knew she never would, and he chose to use the words against her - and by proxy, himself - anyway.

Living in a world where one of the most important people in her life didn't like another was... Toxic. There were three imperative individuals, and it hurt to know that one of her best friends adored her love and the other simply couldn't. In her mind, it all drew back to a singular mistake. An accident. One he couldn't seem to forgive, and she wasn't allowed to forget.

Her eyes went a little wide when he reiterated that he was going to leave. His sad smile worked in tandem with the way he leaned in, pressing his lips to her cheek. Her eyebrows furrowed at the hollowed words he offered. The way he waved at her. He turned to the door and walked. She didn't speak up. She didn't follow. He so rarely ever wanted her to do either when he made a call like that.

And in this world, there was only one person she actively chased.