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31_days2007-02-05 11:50 pm
inaqui.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2007-02-05 11:50 pm
[February 5] [Original] Fifth Column part 5
Title: Fifth Column part 5
Day/Theme: February 05: the golden apple
Series: Original
Character/Pairing: Original
Rating: G
It took him three tries to get a date with her. They’d told him it would be hard, and contingencies had been planned for. She was a tough nut to crack, and it took the entire bag of tricks to succeed.
***
She liked sports.
“You go to the game often?” he’d asked one Saturday night when he’d managed to finagle a seat next to her during a match.
She’d smiled and made eye contact. “I guess. I’ve got season tickets for home square-ball games in Atalan.” With that she had turned away and not spoken to him again for the rest of the game.
***
She played in the cruiser’s square-ball team.
“How do I join?” Chaser couldn’t throw a ball to save his life, but his reflexes were lightning quick. Maybe he could pull it off.
“No spaces. Waiting list as long as your arm.”
Shit. “Referee?”
He’d done it, and been punched out no less than six times by angry players. Once by Branner herself.
It was progress, he’d thought.
***
Her team won the premiership.
The wind-up party was big and rowdy, with alcohol flowing liberally and the players high on success.
“I always seem to see you around,” she’d slurred, quite far into the party, and even further into the drink. “Why is it whenever I turn around, you’re always there?”
“Maybe you want me to be.” A cheesy line, maybe, but it worked. She’d kissed him, and things went on from there.
The next morning, he could barely think through the guilt. His wife’s face stared up at him from a photo, and Chaser cried.
***
Weeks later, the picture of his wife went missing, and Chaser didn’t panic. Branner rolled over every morning and smiled at him, and he forgot to hate himself for it. He was sure someone would remind him soon enough anyway.
Day/Theme: February 05: the golden apple
Series: Original
Character/Pairing: Original
Rating: G
It took him three tries to get a date with her. They’d told him it would be hard, and contingencies had been planned for. She was a tough nut to crack, and it took the entire bag of tricks to succeed.
***
She liked sports.
“You go to the game often?” he’d asked one Saturday night when he’d managed to finagle a seat next to her during a match.
She’d smiled and made eye contact. “I guess. I’ve got season tickets for home square-ball games in Atalan.” With that she had turned away and not spoken to him again for the rest of the game.
***
She played in the cruiser’s square-ball team.
“How do I join?” Chaser couldn’t throw a ball to save his life, but his reflexes were lightning quick. Maybe he could pull it off.
“No spaces. Waiting list as long as your arm.”
Shit. “Referee?”
He’d done it, and been punched out no less than six times by angry players. Once by Branner herself.
It was progress, he’d thought.
***
Her team won the premiership.
The wind-up party was big and rowdy, with alcohol flowing liberally and the players high on success.
“I always seem to see you around,” she’d slurred, quite far into the party, and even further into the drink. “Why is it whenever I turn around, you’re always there?”
“Maybe you want me to be.” A cheesy line, maybe, but it worked. She’d kissed him, and things went on from there.
The next morning, he could barely think through the guilt. His wife’s face stared up at him from a photo, and Chaser cried.
***
Weeks later, the picture of his wife went missing, and Chaser didn’t panic. Branner rolled over every morning and smiled at him, and he forgot to hate himself for it. He was sure someone would remind him soon enough anyway.