Courtney, Shayne, and Shelby set up base in the kitchen, leaning on the counters and laughing uncontrollably as the hours pass and the drinks start to accumulate. Courtney, who was sitting on the edge of the island, hops down and excuses herself to use the restroom. Nearly the second she leaves Shelby turns her full attention to Shayne.
"Okay I already asked Courtney, what's your side?"
Shayne knits his eyebrows together.
"Of what?"
Shelby sighs, exasperated by her oblivious friends.
"When are you going to ask them out dummy?"
Shayne, who was mid-sip of his drink, nearly chokes.
"Shelby jesus!"
Shayne frantically double checks that Court is far away and out of earshot.
"God you two are either completely oblivious to all the flirting going on or you're both over-thinking this. Courtney is gorgeous, yes?"
Shayne runs a hand through his hair nervously.
"Obviously they are very beautiful."
"She's funny and smart and cool, yes?"
Shayne shakes his head.
"Obviously she is all of those things."
"You enjoy spending time with them, yes?"
Shayne tries to look anywhere but Shelby's eyes.
"I mean who wouldn't, Court is amazing, you know that."
"Of course I know that Shayne, but we're not into each other like that so the only person who's opinion on those things that matters is yours and hers."
"I know Shelby it's just-"
"Don't make me fight both of you tonight," Shelby throws her hands up in frustration just as Courtney reappears. Shelby is buzzed enough that she decides to give them a little push. She casually announces,
"Shayne, Courtney is into you. Courtney, Shayne is into you. You're welcome," before leaving the kitchen to join a new conversation. Shayne and Courtney are both a little stunned but the three or four drinks they've had add a little courage. Courtney speaks up first.
"Is that true? That you, you like me Shayne?"
The directness is still new for him but it is also nice because it allows him to be direct as well.
"Yeah, I may have some feelings."
A smile creeps up on Courtney's face.
"I also have those, the feelings. For you. If that wasn't clear."
"Oh don't worry, Shelby made sure that was clear."
They erupt in a fit of giggles.
"So these feelings, I should do something about those, yes?"
Shayne asks. Courtney smiles wide.
"I would very much like if you did."
Shayne looks down for a moment.
"Could I take you out to dinner this week?"
Courtney grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze.
"I would really like that Shayne."
○○○
Damien gets a call from one of his agents and steps out for a bit. Saige's friends waste no time. Her friend Gina turns to her the second Damien is out of earshot.
"Okay details now."
"Details?"
Kailey chimes in.
"Saige you are not subtle, I think we are all picking up on this, thing you two have going on."
"Guys there is nothing going on, he's just a really good friend."
Anthony chimes in.
"Nothing going on because you don't see him that way or because you haven't been honest with yourself?"
Saige looks down to avoid eye contact. Apparently her poker face is not as good as she once thought.
"It's not that simple, I've know Damien for YEARS. And him being this nice is just his personality, it is not unique to me."
Kailey waves a hand dismissively.
"At this point Saige, it all comes down to whether or not one of you makes a move. He's too polite and you are over-thinking it. Don't miss out on something incredible just because you are too afraid to admit this to yourselves and each other. Life's too short. He is a sweet golden retriever gamer boy, he will not be single and in love with you forever." Saige throws her hands up to cut off Kailey.
"Woah woah woah, I'll concede that I do have feelings, maybe possibly even had them for a few years now. And there's a possibility that those feelings could even be reciprocated. And I would be very happy, ecstatic even, if that were the case. Because obviously he is very sweet, and funny, and charming, and handsome. But in love? A little extreme Kailey. I do love him, obviously, the way I love all my friends. Do I have romantic love for him? I- maybe. Just because I like him so much and who's to say I even know what that kind of love feels like? Most of my exes have been cautionary tales. Maybe I'm not in love with him, maybe I just think I am. Maybe I am just romanticizing the one person who has always been there for me, who's never let me down. Maybe I want him to be in love with me because he's my safe space. Maybe the way he makes me feel is love, maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Shouldn't I know what I am talking about before I unload this word vomit onto him? Should I really subject him to this mess?"
Kailey is silent, and strangely, all her friends seem to have been lulled into a stunned silence as well.
"See? If this is how you guys react how do you think he will?"
"You love me Saige?"
Damien's voice pierces their silence. Saige whips her head around to see Damien stood behind her, arm partially raised as if he stopped mid stride over here. She freaked him out. She totally and completely ruined everything.
"Damien, uh I-"
She wills more words to come out but her mouth is suddenly dry and her head is spinning. Before Damien can say anything she hops up and makes a bee line for the balcony door, quickly taking in the cool night air trying to process how this moment got away from her. There is a soft tap on the glass and she hears the sliding glass door open and shut once again.
'Kailey I need a sec while I die of embarrassment real quick."
"So being in love with me is embarrassing now? Eh that's fair I guess."
Damien's voice is soft and comforting but still takes her by surprise.
"Oh god Dames you must think I'm a freak I'm so sorry." Saige slumps down onto the ground. Damien walks over to her side and slumps down next to her.
"Saige I don't think you're a freak, if anything hearing that made me feel like less of a freak."
Saige finally manages to look in his direction.
"In what world do you feel like a freak Dame? You're amazing."
Damien reaches over and gives her hand a squeeze.
"What a coincidence, this chronic overthinker thinks you are pretty amazing yourself Saige."
Saige lets out a sigh and lays her head on Damien's shoulder.
"Can we just forget that I word vomited like a maniac and go back to before it happened?"
"Nope."
Saige whips her head towards him.
"What do you mean? Can't you forgive the birthday girl for her neurotic ramblings?"
"You see, I'm not going to forgive you because there is nothing you did that needs to be forgiven. I am- honestly kind of glad you said it. Because if you hadn't I wouldn't be able to do this."
Saige looks in his eyes, puzzled.
"Do what-"
Saige is cut off by Damien's lips on hers, his hand finds its way up to rest delicately on her cheek. Her face breaks into a smile and she can tell he is also wearing a matching grin. After a minute or so he pulls away.
"That."
●
○
●
○
●
○
A/N
That's all she wrote, if you made it this far, thank you and I hope you enjoyed this au! As always, this is pure fiction and meant to be fun, always respect everyone involved <3 much love
YOU ARE READING
where are they now? (shourtney/damaige)
FanfictionAU: Saige and Shayne are siblings who grew up as child actors. Along the way, Shayne met his best friend Damien and, in adulthood, Saige meets her roommate, Courtney. Now in their 20s and 30s, this story is about them navigating the world as four fo...
