Midnight River

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Gemma's pov
Song inspo - Celestial by Ed Sheeran

The week had gone by fast with work. I kept myself busy, more than normal so I wouldn't think about him. Wouldn't worry about him.

If I started now it would never end and I couldn't do that to myself. I couldn't put myself through that again. Why couldn't I be interested in someone normal, with a normal job? Why did I continue to let myself be surrounded by people that would inevitably leave me, whether it was their choice or not?

"I guess it's just you and I, Beans." I said from where I crouched on my balcony, watering the small flower box I'd managed to keep alive so far while Beans lounged in the sun.

A cigarette dangled from my lips as I balanced myself. That was something I needed to quit too. It was the first since he left but this time it was more so because I was bored. The day before was my last day before my vacation started. Two weeks to do absolutely nothing. I would have rather not taken it, but they made me.

Maybe I needed a break, I just didn't know what to do with myself now that I actually had it.

"Oi, bonnie lass!" His voice suddenly called out from below and it snapped me out of whatever day dream I had been in, the flower box more soaked than it needed to be.

Pushing myself up to stand I then moved to lean my arms on the railing. The cigarette still dangled from my lips as I looked down at where he stood in what shouldn't have really counted as a front yard but did.

He was still in military clothes though without all the gear. He looked tired but there was a smile on his face.

"Aye." I said back, taking the cigarette from my lips and outing it in a nearby ashtray. The smile grew in his lips and it was hard not for me to mirror it. John had caught me in an okay mood, and I was of course happy he made it home. From what I could see, without injury too.

"What are you doing here?" I called down to him.

"I just wanted to let you know I made it home, like you told me." He answered and I felt something in my chest flutter.

"When did you get in?"

"Just now." My chest fluttered again. He'd come right here? I could only imagine how tired he was. Of all the people he could go see or things he could be doing instead, he'd come to see me because of one thing I said.

"You gonna invite me in for a drink?" Soap asked as he crossed his arms.

"Fine, meet me at the door." I answered before turning to head inside and let him in. A drink couldn't hurt, and it wouldn't be alcohol. I think he needed a coffee instead.

Beans was at my heels as I opened the door to let Soap in but he didn't run to hide this time. I think it was because I was a bit more relaxed.

"You weren't at work." Soap said as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him again. Here he was, the man I wanted to avoid but we were alone again.

"My vacation started today." I explained as I led him to the kitchen.

"Oh, going anywhere?" He was curious and it was cute. Fuck.

"No, I haven't planned anything really. I'll probably just do a whole lot of nothing." I admitted, turning to watch him as he took at the small table for two by the window. "Coffee?" I asked and he nodded.

"I'm so glad you didn't say tea."

"I'm American." I said and he laughed, propping his chin in his palm to watch me as I started a pot to brew.

"So you're really going to just stay home the entire time?" John asked.

"Wouldn't you?"

"That's different. But the answer is no. Got to make the most of time." He answered. I knew it was the truth but there were only so many things I could do alone before I got bored or lost motivation.

"Do you have any family here?" I asked, curious what he would do with his time off.

"Nah, they're all back in Scotland but I go visit when I can." He answered and I wondered how big of a family he had. "What about you?"

"My mom still lives in Montana, I haven't really seen her since I left."

"Montana? So you're a country lass?" His curiosity came through in his voice again as I leaned against the counter to face him.

"What do you know about Montana?" I asked with a laugh. Had he ever been to the states? With his job, maybe.

"Hmm. Mountains, wide open spaces. It's pretty." He said, thinking about it.

"It is." I agreed. Sometimes I really missed it there and the ranch I grew up on. "So, a lass is a girl. What's a bonnie lass?" I questioned as the pot beeped letting me know it was finished.

He looked a little shy to answer and a light blush found his cheeks. "You don't know?"

"No." I said, raising my brow at him.

"Bonnie is like beautiful." He finally answered and it was my turn to blush. What was I, Sixteen? I kind of wished I didn't know what it meant, especially since it wasn't the first time he'd used it.

"Oh." I muttered, pouring us each a mug. "How do you like your coffee?"

"Sweet." He didn't miss a beat. I liked mine the same so I added sugar and cream to both of them before joining him at the table, leaning over to open the window. Beans took the opportunity to jump up and lay in the sill, anything to make him feel like he was an outside cat.

He'd never survive, he was too spoiled.

"And who's this?" Soap asked as he reached out to offer his hand to the cat.

"That's Beans." I answered.

"Beans? What kind of name is that?"

"What kind of name is Soap?" I said in defenceman, though I did wonder how he got his codename.

"Fair."  He said with a laugh as he brought the mug to his lips. Why did this feel so easy?

"How's your shoulder?" I asked as I watched him.

"Aren't you off duty?"

"I can still care." I scoffed and regretted the words the moment they left my lips. I didn't want to care, and I didn't want him to know I did. I seemed heartless but caring meant feelings and I didn't want those.

"I'm fine, it's fine." John said, his voice going softer. Don't do that. Don't reassure me.

"Okay." I answered, looking down at my coffee before bringing it to my lips.

"So, if I hadn't shown up, what were you going to do today?" He asked, the curiosity back again. How was it so easy for him to switch it up like that?

"Hmm. I was thinking of going on a long ride."

"On your motorcycle?" He sounded too excited about that.

"..Yes." I said carefully, eyeing him.

"Take me?"

"What?"

"I'll ride bitch." He said and I couldn't stop the laughter that escaped me at his comment.

"What? Isn't that what you call it?" John laughed too and I had to force myself to stop.

"It is but.." It bubbled up again, the laughter. I didn't know why it was so funny but I couldn't stop.

"Your laugh is really pretty." He muttered with a smile and that managed to make me stop. Not in a bad way, just wasn't expecting it. I should have, I knew he was a bit forward. I wasn't good with compliments so I took a sip of my coffee while I waited for the blush to go away.

I should have told him to leave, should have never invited him in. But I could how I turn away that face and the gentleman behind it. Was I just lonely, or did I actually enjoy his company? Probably both.

"Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?" I asked then, not believing I was seriously considering bringing him along.

"Not legally." He admitted with a mischievous grin.

"Okay, you can come." I told him, though a little unsure of if I'd be able to hold both of our weights on top of the bike. Guess we'd find out. "Just let me change."

"Aye."