Babushka ✔, Valkyrae

25. he offered

25. he offered

2 text messages from Xavier

Meet you at Starbucks? 10 am?

Cannot wait to see you! XoXo

'So Jimmy just called,' Toast said, eating a sandwich while Corpse helped himself with a glass of milk, 'we gotta leave tomorrow for the venue and then we'll be out there, accommodation and everything.'

Rae nodded, sipping her caffeine while Sykkuno readied his hair again, smiling. They were all ready to leave for the site but there was yet another day and since the three of them weren't streaming, Sykkuno decided it to be fair if he didn't too. Their last night's stream had already garnered a record breaking viewership on Twitch, and a lot of subs which Sykkuno was going to equally distribute to the four of them.

'Sykkuno, what you say?' Corpse asked, his deep voice a lot more tired. 'Let's go hovering around? Toast needed some supplies too.'

Where Sykkuno nodded excitedly, Rae shook her head firmly. 'No, I'm sorry Corpse. You cannot leave the house.'

James was seated on the sofa too, just towards the end while Rae was at the other. The three boys were on the breakfast table eating and James was on his laptop, Rae just warming her hands by the hot mug.

'Why?' Corpse asked, more like pleaded and Toast only smiled.

'Because you're unwell, Corpse. You need rest.' Rae said eyeing the 23 year old, 'And second, you can't risk exposure because Syk and Toast are known faces,' to that Sykkuno nodded and Toast shrugged when Corpse looked at them pleadingly. 'And lastly, you need rest. So yea.'

'You just repeated two reasons?' Corpse said, sounding more tired and less angry. 'Unfair, Rae.'

'That's because you do need rest. So get!'

Corpse and the others knew there was no point in arguing with the 29 year old stubborn woman. She was practically the oldest amongst them, although Toast gave them older brother vibes. Yet whenever Rae was firm about something, no one could mess with her.

It was decided then that Toast and Sykkuno would go shopping for few more things they'd all require for the trip and Rae readied herself to meet her ex.

She wore a red woolen comfy sweater over her blue jeans and left her long hair open. All she hoped was that she'd not grow weak and start crying in front of anyone out there and just get enough courage to tell Xavier to move on.

Bimbus was on his sweet small bed, and had refused to share it with Mika because of which Mika refused to enter the room. Both the dogs were at each other's throats when they encountered each other and hence Rae kept Mika out from Sykkuno's room and had occupied the roommate's room. One which James was residing in previously.

'Mika, Corpse is going to be alone here.' She instructed her dog while kneeling down to face him. 'You won't start another fight with Bimbus? Right?' She asked and Mika heard the name Bimbus and growled. 'No!' She said out loud. 'No. Mika.' She shook her head. 'No fights.'

Mika nuzzled his head against her long hair and Rae smiled, hugging the furry thing she called her best friend.

'Hey?' James knocked on the door and both Mika and Rae looked at him, 'Ready to leave?'

Mika left Rae's arms and jumped on James, wagging his tail and woofing in gleam. Rae furrowed her brows and looked at how Mika was comfortable with James, which was very strange. James bent down and patted the dog and Mika woofed in happiness again.

Rae shook her head with a disappointing sigh, she's never got such a good response by Mika ever and James just pats him and he's all barking and wagging his tail?

She stood up, dusting the white hair from her sweater. 'You don't have to do this, James.' She said, looking at him while Mika ran back to Rae. 'I can manage to go alone.'

Since Sykkuno and Toast were already off and Corpse was on the bed, asleep already, James offered to take Rae to the cafe which was a little further far.

James, who was wearing a white button down over his chinos, all tucked and ready. His hair neatly done like always and he looked at Rae with his black dark eyes, they were always stationed on her throughout her stay. 

Either that, or Rae thought she was overthinking.

Why would he keep staring at her?

And why would she keep catching him? Didn't that mean even she was staring at him?

Argh. Stupid ships. Her head was breaking with all the new ship trend on twitter and instagram. Why did people ship real life people? Isn't that gross?

'Rachel?' James asked, and Rae snapped out from her trance and stared at James. That did sound like her name and his deep cold voice made it even more different than the others. 'I am sorry, am I allowed to call you that? I... just... I can call you... you.. whatever you want.' He paused and hoped that Rae wouldn't mind.

That was such a Sykkuno thing, Rae thought, 'You can call me whatever. It's all good.' 

James nodded, 'Also, I do have some work at a nearby Insurance company which is just walking distance from the starbucks. So I'll drop you and head there and then if I'm done, I can pick you up. Um, if you, you don't mind, then...'

It didn't sound like a favor to her because James did have some work there. Also, she didn't wanna get lost in new city because clearly she never associated herself with maps and directions.

Rae nodded, a small smile and James nodded back, heading towards his car as Rae tied her wrist watch and bracelet on her hands and picked her sling bag and mobile. 'Mika, behave okay?'

Mika who was already cuddled on her bed gave a slight wuff and shut his eyes and Rae moved out of the car, sighing and steadying herself.

She didn't know what was more difficult.

An awkward half hour car ride with James or a meeting with her ex. She sat in the front seat of James's Tesla and they rode off the chilly lanes of Las Vegas.

'So what time are you headed for the trip tomorrow?' James asked, riding as Rae looked ahead.

'Um, we'll leave by morning. Return in 4-5 days, and then head back home.' She replied, nervously because the thought of seeing Xavier was making her anxious. She held her hands and rubbed them, providing herself some comfort. 'Sorry about the ruckus we're causing.' She replied polietly, 'And especially the shipping thing. It'll die down eventually.' She said, straightaway.

She may not like James, but it's not fair for him to be dragged into this.

'No. It's cool.' James said, looking at her, and Rae met his eyes. 'I know you're famous.' He said, Rae's mood moving from anxious to confusion and then the usual frustration. 'I just didn't know this much.' He said, a soft smile on his face and he looked ahead.

What did that mean? She thought, but shook her head. And all she hoped was to get this done with.

_

A/N

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Video: Fashion Week edit. Ft. Amigops.

I am planning to write a Tina Kitten fanfic. I've published it, check it out guys and let me know if you'll are interested in having a cute sweet Tina Kitten fanfic. Nothing intense as Babushka and not long either!