WHEN THE RAIN STOPS- Scrutinized [TANNER x LUNA] 2 IN 1

SIDE STORY PT. FORTY ONE

|LUNA|

When I walked out I found Tanner in the car. He looked a little stressed but when he saw me coming to the car he put his smile on and helped me with the stuffed bears. "You ok?" He nodded. He started driving as I laid my head back and let the air go through my hair. At the stop sign Tanner stopped and went on his phone. Playing our playlist. I smiled and started singing along, with him smoothly following my lead. Soon enough I noticed his stress fade away. Seemingly out the window. I put down the volume before asking if he talked to Laurence and Layla. "Yea, they're worried about you. They want to see us tomorrow. But.. for tonight, I thought.." he tilted his head to signal me to look out the window. When I did I noticed we were driving near town. It was beautiful from up here and the lights lit up the night sky. "Why don't we have a night out? There's a play at 10 and we Can catch it after we eat." I excitedly nodded "Yes!" He hummed a laugh and started heading down to the ground level. Once we finished parking he held my hand and led me to my favorite Italian restaurant. We laughed and caught up. The three months have been rough, with Cole, Val, the fake baby, and other things.. it was nice to unwind and not be anxious all the time.

"Tanner," he looked up to see my confused and kinda scared face. "I-is that... Vincent?" He lifted an eyebrow and looked over to where I was looking. He stared at the person for a while before turning back to me. Shaking his head. "No. Besides.." he whispered to the point where I only heard him. "He's dead..." I exhaled through my nose. "Yea, you're right." We finished eating before heading to the play. Once we made it outside the restaurant the music from the speakers on the street filled our ears.

Out of no where Tanner grabbed my hand and started running with a playful smile on his face. We laughed as we chased each other throughout the streets. He teased me by little nothings in the air while we raced to the play. Once we got there we were out of breath and still laughing. "So I guess that's how I caught you in my yard so many times." He cocked and eyebrow. "What do you mean? I beat you." I nuzzled my nose at him before heading in. The marble hallway met our eyes while he held my waist to lead me to the seating area.

~Time Skip~

The play was almost over, we were at the part where Juliet kills herself. I side smirked and leaned over to Tanners ear; "That would never be us." He gave me a smile back and whispered. "We would survive." We pecked a kiss and went back to watching the finishing moments. Soon enough it came to an end. We got up and started walking out when Tanner grabbed my hand one final time. Taking me away to the street outside. He had a different smile on this time. Like he knew something I didn't. Once we got to the open aired streetcar Tanner lifted me up by my waist and spun me aboard. I was gonna ask why he was so happy when he gave me a kiss. "I gotta do something, I'll meet you at the next stop." He kissed my forehead before the empty car started moving. I didn't even get a word in. My smile was stuck on while I admired the towns fairy lights and plants. I leaned on the pole when I noticed people I knew were in town, staring at me with the same smile Tanner had. I waved to them when I noticed they were scattered around. Forming some sort of line. People from my job, old friends, family, all gathered and were on both sides of the street as I passed them. Curious on what was happening.

The ride was almost over when I saw Layla and Laurence. Standing proud. She was cupping her mouth and almost looked like she was crying. The wind came and blew my casual baby blue dress and hair at the same time I waved. Laurence tugged on his smile and Layla leaned onto his shoulder. I looked a little over to see their parents. Almost the same as their kids. August was next in Line, pursing his lips while holding flowers. I wondered who they were for when the ride came to a stop with everyone hurrying over to follow me. They weren't close to me but they still moved in the same direction. I was faced with fairy lights hanging above me in a yellow and welcoming haze. The green plants helped with the atmosphere, I felt like I was in a scene from princess and the frog. Even the smell was comforting, like some sort of nostalgia and protection just looked over me. I walked to the center, where the trees circled a fountain. I met with fountain and poked a ripple in the water.