TIME WARP: You Keep Making Me Weak (closed)

[Jared Park]

Happens on 2018.

It’s been almost a year.

No matter how hard the twenty-two year old says it to himself, he still can’t wrap his head around it.

It’s been almost a year since he moved back to Vancouver, forced to go back and take care of his aging grandparents (both pairs) since he’s the youngest. (Normally it’d be Jeraiah, since she’s the female grandkid, but she just hit big on Hollywood and they can’t just let it slide). While he’s pretty sure he still looks like the same guy he was six months or so before – same cooky smile, same built, same height, maybe a shade or so lighter hair – everything else had been different. Transferred into a new university, even into a new major altogether (he’s sort of regretting shifting to the applied sciences though now). Got a new job as a waiter in one of the busiest pubs downtown (the pay, and tips, is good; the hours, not so much). Bought a new car (because even if he’s on the other side of the continent, being subtle still doesn’t suit him).

But at least he can say that one thing remained the same: his girlfriend, Dani.

Or at least he’d like to think that distance did nothing to change what they had between them.

Nobody said having being in a long-distance relationship was easy, but nobody said it would be this hard. The first few months were the worse, with Jared having to restrain himself from calling every hour lest he appear like some obsessed control freak. While he’s had better self-control now than ever, some unwanted feelings are slowly creeping in on him as well. He keeps on telling himself that it’s not Dani, but rather him. That it’s unfair feeling like that, to Dani anyway. That they’d work it out, they always do.

In any case, Jared had more urgent things to think about at the moment, as he just moved out of his grandparents (again) and is busy getting his apartment ready. Boxes upon boxes are scattered all over the place, furniture and décor completely out of whack. He was just taking a break, sitting on the counter with his sleeves rolled up and his shirt unbuttoned halfway, when the doorbell rang.

“Dani?” he said, eyes wide with surprise, almost dropping the water bottle on his hand, “What’re you doing here? I mean, you didn’t tell me anything? Does Matt know?”

[Danicca Waylan]

[D]A[N]I[C]C!?

_{Outfit
And yes, this too.}

It's been almost a year.

Dani couldn't believe it had been so little time. It feels like so much longer.

It has been almost a year since Jared had to go be a man and take care of his family, almost a year since Dani carried on with her life trying not to call every fifteen minutes for fear of seeming a little too psycho-obsessive. Also, she had studies, and a job that she was at far too often for it to be called part-time. She could distract herself. She could make the time fly until he called in the evening.

Hey, she could.

Everything went on the same as it was, but nothing was holding a lot of interest. Classes were classes. She wasn't much for girls nights out, or the way girls were, so she mostly spoke with people at work. She had taken to running in the morning and in the evening. Going to the gym and standing in front of the punching bags for a few hours. Calling mom. Texting Matt. Everything kind of picked up a feeling of sameness and she got kind of bored and she was having a bit of a hard time, in her words, keeping her shit together. Honestly the day Jared left, Dani threw her radio because it played a certain song. She had never gotten around to replacing it.

She always told herself that he hadn't actually, you know, left her, but it was still kind of upsetting, not being able to have him there. In general, long-distance relationships never work. Dani believes this to be true. But she tried to remain positive, for the sake of not crushing herself Jared. In the end, it isn't working, and Dani doesn't want to lose what she had completely.

So she's doing something stupid.

She knows it's stupid, and so she doesn't need her brother yelling at her over the phone that it's forever the absolute most idiotic thing she could do. (Which, for one thing, it's kind of scary when Matthew yells, even not in person, and for another, scaring her isn't the way to get her to do or not do anything.) And yet she called Matthew to tell him what she was doing, mostly so he would make sure someone watered the plants while she was gone.

Yes, while she was gone. Because she was headed somewhere too far away to pop in every day and water the plants, and wasn't entirely sure how long this trip would last--anywhere from two days to a few years was possible. Thing is, she'd called Matt when she was already on the plane so she could use takeoff as an excuse to only tell him what she needed him to do and then hang up. Which was probably a great idea, since he started yelling the instant she told him where she was going.

Matt had never liked Jared much, as far as Dani knew, but after Jared left Matt had wanted even less of him. Her boyfriend was a subject to be avoided at all costs unless Dani wanted to fight with her brother. Which was why this was something seriously risky--but, it was Matt. He'd never be far when she needed him. In fact, if Jared outright sent her home, Dani's plan didn't go much farther than "go home, call Matthew, sleep for a month".

Which was sleep she probably needed, she realized as she ran her hand through her hair, looking at the apartment door in front of her. She probably got what, an hour a night, two? It was starting to show in the light purple-blue shadows under her eyes. She likely should have gotten more sleep; she knew they'd see each other face-to-face again at some point sooner or later.

Dani smiled when the door opened, and her first feeling was relief that she had copied down the address correctly when she'd asked it of him on the phone earlier. Her second feeling was attraction with a thought along the lines of God he's attractive. She raised her hand in an awkward little wave of greeting. "Hey, love. I thought I'd surprise you." Yes, she'd thought of the fact that it might be bad timing. No, she still wasn't going to call first. She tilted her head to the side and dropped her smile, though, when she realized the last part of his question. "And why does everyone act like he's my keeper? I'm twenty-two, for Christ's sake." It was getting really annoying, everyone asking her if Matt knew she was doing this or Matt knew she was going out wearing that. You'd think that at least her girl friends would comment on the boyfriend, but no. Everyone sees Dani doing something--"Teeheehee, Does Matt know?"

[Jared Park]

So maybe that wasn’t the best welcome a boyfriend can give to his newly-arrived girlfriend. In all of history. But can you blame him? Jared insists that firstly he was in shock, so he’s really bound to say tons of stupid shit; and secondly, he still remembers how terrifying the giant of a brother Dani has. And as much as he’d love to spend time with Dani, incurring the wrath of the Matt (it rhymes!) is so not part of his agenda.

Time has improved his recovery though, taking only a split-second to note that he’s crossed a line with his girlfriend instead of his usual minute or two. Blushing slightly in embarrassment, he quickly moved forward and wrapped his arms the grumpy twenty-two year old, sneaking in a kiss on her lips and her forehead as he squeezed her tight to his chest. “Well maybe because you don’t act like a twenty-two year-old most of the time? I mean, I don’t think there’s anyone out there that I know who has a brother that still looks out for them,” he teased, his grip never loosening for one moment, “You should tell, what’s that guy’s name again? Was it his boyfriend or best friend? You know, the bum that stayed on your couch for so long?” The boy was never good with names. Still forgets his lab supervisor’s name from time to time even. “Tell him he didn’t succeed in making grumpy ol’ Matt fun.”

Instinctively he buried his nose on Dani’s hair. Oh how he’s missed her scent. (Even though she smells like someone straight out of the airport).

Releasing his grip for just a bit, he put an arm over Dani’s waist as he looked over from behind her. “Any bags that need taking care of?” he asked helpfully as he led his girlfriend in, “You did remember that I told you I’d be moving in today right? You didn’t realize how bad of a timing you are in?” Not that he wants her to go, no. (He’ll ask about what happens to her plants, her apartment, her job, her schooling and all other stuff nagging at the back of his head later; no need to go all ‘motherly’ on her right now). He means that because he’s still in the early stages of arranging his flat, stuff are all over the place. He doesn’t even remember which box contained the bed sheets and which contained the drapes. “I can only offer you the couch right now. My uncle setup the cable and WiFi yesterday, so that’ll work, I think.”

Making Dani sit on the couch, he promptly ran over to his still empty fridge and tried to look for anything of value. “Long flight eh? Hungry? I have to call for takeout though, but they’re really fast around these parts.” Perks of being around downtown. Rent’s crazy high though. “I have orange, apple, cranberry and chocolate milk. Though I think the milk’s about to go bad. Want coffee instead? Haven’t setup the coffeemaker my aunt sent me, but I think I have a few instant ones over at this box.”

And he’s talking way more again. It’s his own way of coping with the surprise and releasing all that pent up energy inside him. He doesn’t know the ‘protocol’ for these kinds of things after all. How he wishes he had those pamphlets the guidance councillor had in Glee; he’s betting she’s got one exactly for his situation too.

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[Danicca Waylan]

[D]A[N]I[C]C!?

Gods, Dani had missed him. It wasn't even the kind of missing that she expected to feel. She knew the separate coasts would be a bit of a problem, but figured she would have the vague thinking-of-someone-when-they're-not-there-and-smiling-about-old-times missing. It never occurred to her that missing him would mean a pressure in her chest that wouldn't quite go away and increased its weight when she actively thought of him. It wasn't painful, but it was very uncomfortable, and on top of that it came with emotion. Emotion, she could do without.

Emotion was what lead her to do stupid things.

Like surprising her boyfriend.

She forgot anything she had been irritated about when he wrapped his arms around her. She released a small contented sigh at his touch, wrapped her arms around his waist, and listened as he spoke, not even bothering to try and form a response. She was only thinking of how much he smelled like him still, and how he felt so much better to be hugging and leaning into than the pillow that had come to be her companion at home, in bed, with her computer playing music from when she was still in her teens. If anyone dared call her existence a pathetic one, she would tackle them to the floor and beat them with her curling iron--

She dismissed the thought and went to her calm blue beach image, then focused back on her boyfriend.

"Nope, I got this." She waved vaguely in the direction of beside her where the one small suitcase that was deceptively compact sat. She could wheel it along, but try and lift it more than five inches and it was a major challenge: she had crammed more into the case than was supposed to ever be possible. Dani had grown so accustomed to living her life out of a suitcase in her high school years, though, that this wasn't much of a big deal for her. She smiled up at him. "Yes, well, I'd have waited another week or two but tickets to get here were more expensive then. And I figure you could use some help.That is, if you want it." She shrugged.

When he sat her on the couch and scrambled over to raid whatever small bit of whatever was in his fridge, Dani's smile wavered while his back was turned. He was rambling in that way of his. She knew this was a bad idea. She kept her tone light, though, just trying to let that bit of exhaustion and irritation that would be normal in her situation into her voice. "Long flight. I thought I'd never get here. I was stuck next to the kid that kicks people's chairs. Bet you didn't know, that's worse than being the person whose chair is being kicked?" She sighed, leaning back against the back of the couch. "And anything works. I'm not too hungry. Just... get over here. I haven't touched my boyfriend much in the last year, I'd like to not wait much longer." She didn't look at him when she said it, instead taking interest in the wall, the ceiling, the couch next to her. She wasn't one to worry like this, but dammit if he didn't want her anymore he needed to say it and get it over with. And if he did still want her... Well, they had a lot of catching up to do.

Dani caught herself thinking about the damn destructive ifs and decided to focus on other things. "So, how're you doing? I mean I know we talk every day, but you know." And by "you know" she means "it's a whole different story in person".

[Jared Park]

[/IMG][/right]

It’s not that Jared doesn’t want Dani around; he might sound a bit rattled, worried and panicked, and while he might not completely be ok with what he perceives as an incredibly impulsive action by Dani, he’s not complaining. At all. As far as he knows, only those who cheat on their partners would not want them around. And Jared can pretty much say that he’s stayed loyal to Dani despite their long – time and distance-wise – separation. (And that’s not just because he knows hulk!Dani isn’t to be messed with at all costs).

Give him time, Jared says, and he’d be ok in no time. Just a little breathing room, a bit of time to reshuffle his schedule, and he’d be able to function as if Dani’s been there ever since he moved back to Vancouver.

After a few more minutes of fumbling through his still bare kitchen, Jared suddenly yelled a loud ‘AHA!’ as he found a bowl of almost untouched fried rice, as well as some chow mien and a few Korean barbeque slices. “Give me a minute to heat this up Dani,” he said with a grin, throwing a bottle of iced tea towards his girlfriend, “Thank goodness Cindy – you know that girl who I always tell you about, the one who practically throws herself on me every time despite knowing I already have a girlfriend – stopped over last night and brought food. Said she cooked them but I know better; I saw the supermarket sticker she threw away in the trash while setting the food up.” Yes, Jared sees nothing wrong in serving food brought over by a girl who likes him to his girlfriend. In his mind, they’re all food after all. And besides, he ate the same thing last night so he’s sure there’s no poison in it.

Once the heating’s done, Jared grabbed a couple of utensils and promptly brought the bowls to Dani as he sat just beside her. “Ahh. Spring break’s coming in two weeks, that’s probably why. Though I don’t know why people would go to Vancouver. I mean, I’d love to travel someplace else during that time.” Someplace sunny would be nice. California or Miami. He’s also game for a Euro-tour, but he doesn’t have the funds at the moment. “You still around by that time? How long are you staying here anyway?” She still has a life back in the West Coast after all, does she?

“We’ll snuggle after you eat,” said Jared playfully, wrapping his arms around Dani as he pulled her close. Oh how he missed feeling her around his arms. “You’re just jealous that you haven’t done it before when you’re a kid and people could just pass it off as you being bratty.” He gave her a little kiss on the forehead before forcing her to take a couple more bites. “You need to eat. How can you help me around my apartment if you’re all weak and flimsy? And I tell you, you’d need the energy. We have a lot of catching up to do after all right?” A sly wink to tell Dani exactly what he’s thinking. What? It’s been a year! He says he’s actually being nice that he’s not jumping on her already.

He tilted his head on the side as he tried to remember what new things he can tell Dani about, since he practically tells her everything anyway. “Well, there’s this frat party Harold and Kier invited me to. No drinking for me since I’d be the DD.” As usual. “You think you’d want to come with?” He could always say no if Dani says she’d rather not, but hey, why be negative when asking for permission right? “Oh, Gramps’s biopsy on his throat nodules came back today; thank god they were positive. Grams was so worried. I don’t know what would happen to them if one goes away earlier really.” It’s a thought Jared doesn’t want to entertain, but with his grandfather’s deteriorating health, well, he has to start thinking about how to handle his grandmother should that happen. “Oh, and Cindy says she’ll be stopping by again later. She says she’ll bring in curtains and some new bedsheets I can use. Oh, and cupcakes. She just texted me three minutes before you came that she just baked a new batch.” Jared grabbed his phone and proudly showed Dani the text message. “Isn’t she the best?”

Oops.

[/justify]

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