Vermont Baby

· Scandal ·

"Would you... by any chance like to go on a walk together?"

Zain was dusting his booty off but immediately stopped when the question was asked, his eyes growing large. "I- I would love to!"

Phil gestured forward and together, they walked.

It stayed silent for a moment. Awkward on what to say to each other.

"Do you have a significant other?" Zane blurted out. His cheeks grew warm once more.

"N-no. Do you?"

"No!"

Quickly looking away from one another, they change the topic. Their conversation flowed easily. Questions and comments flying between the both of them. Sparks grew.

As time passed, the stars slowly brightened in the night sky. Turning to the sky line, Zayn voices his thoughts. "Everything is so beautiful."

The older man looks down on the other. "It is."

Smiling, the walk finished. They ended up right outside the city, beside the sea.

"I.. hate ending this, but it's so late and I have work to finish up." Zayn glanced at Phil, his brown orbs twinkling like the stars.

"Can I have your number, baby girl?"

Zahn bites his lip, nodding.

They exchange information, the night coming to a close.

"When can I see you again?"

Phil bends down to his knees, cups the younger man's cheek. "Text me when you have time."

Stepping away, the say their goodbyes; neither knowing who the other really is, but wanting to.

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Zayn needed Ellen back.

Writing a letter to the Turn-About Ranchers, the gang who took his assistant, he sent one of his workers to deliver it.

Within the same day, he received a response; but it wasn't only a letter. It came with a small box. The guards checked it beforehand and unhappily gave it to him, claiming it wasn't dangerous but threatening. Opening the folds, an open piece of silk spread out underneath what appeared to be a bloody mess.

His hand twitching, he gripped it between two fingers, bringing it close to his face. The smell radiated off of it, filling the room.

In Zane's palm laid Ellen's severed finger.

Setting it back, he opened the letter. It was written in neat cursive, sprawled out on the crisp white paper. Reading it once over, he scribbled a quick reply, accepting the invitation for a meeting the next week.

Throwing the box in the garbage, a knock comes from the door.

A balding man comes in, reminding him much of Phil. Hands holding a pile of paperwork, he sets it down gently. "I'm Bertram," he introduces himself.

"My new assistant, yes?"

He dips his head in a nod. "Call me when you need. I put my number on the stack." Bertram exits, closing the doors behind him without another word.

Breathing a tired sigh, Zain plops into his chair, getting back to work.

Though, while shuffling through it all, the muscly man's attention snags on what one says.

His box hair dye business was getting quite a few complaints. Thousands, to be exact. All of them saying the same thing; they used it and after three days, they all went bald.

Flipping through more, he finds multiple news article about it.

Grimacing, he mentally notes that he'll need to visit his dad for some advice on this.