Hard work pays off (Vance x OC)

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Just wondering how many people are still reading? I'm aware that this is already a pretty small fanbase and all my hiatuses are not helping my engagement, but I'm really excited for this story. Also as always constructive criticism and tips are always welcome.

You guys are the best :)

[[VANCES POV]]

Life had gotten pretty boring since Vance fucked up possibly the best thing going for him. He wasn't entirely sure how her. She wasn't his friend, he wasn't hers, but they got each other in a way he never thought anybody ever would.

If I could just talk to her. He thought, maybe if I could explain it?

But he knew he couldn't go back to the grab n go, at least not for a while.

He walked down the street. Toby had asked him to go get some stuff from the store, and when you live in some ones house for basically nothing, you do what they ask. It wasn't that far of a walk. Vance had decided to take a couple of detours, missing the main streets. Cars rolled by, windows down letting the cool breeze and sun in. Vance put his hands in his pockets and kept walking.

He could see the store's giant sign from around the corner, the smiling cow staring him down. There were more people than he thought there would be. They swarmed around him, making Vance fidget with his fingers in his pocket.

Over the noise of people, he heard a voice. Her voice. Vance could recognize it even now. He turned to where the sound was coming from.

And there she was. She had a blue tote bag over her shoulder, her red hair tied back, small pieces falling into her face. Vance caught himself staring. These were thing he would never had noticed before. Maeve smiled, shoving her elbow into some ones ribs playfully.

That might be why I feel burning, he thought. Vance met the eyes of the man next to her. Vance looked away. The man must have caught him staring. A shiver ran down Vance's spine, and he half ran into the store.

***

It wasn't until he got inside that Vance realized he'd forgotten the list at home, so he just randomly wandered the aisles, grabbing things he was pretty sure they needed and could afford. He had a loaf of bread, a carton of milk and a can of instant coffee that Toby couldn't stand.

Vance couldn't shake the burning feeling on his face. It hadn't faded since he'd seen Maeve and that man. With his strawberry blonde hair, and piercing eyes. He looked...Familiar, definitely not the kind of person he would see Maeve hanging out with.

But then, neither was I, he thought. He didn't really know her that well, and obviously she could handle herself. The burning had moved to the back of his head, Vance sighed and turned around. He heard a startled whisper as he did and when their eyes met, Vance wanted to crumble into himself.

"Hey Hopper," she said softly.

"I Fucking knew I knew you!" the man said. An expression crossed Maeve's face, embarrassment he thought.

"Wilson, Vance." she gestured between the two of them, seemingly already tired of the interaction.

"Oh yeah everybody knows this guy!" Wilson said bitterly. Vance gulped. he could count on one hand the number of people who genuinely scared him. Wilson had just made the list.

Vance was several inches shorter than Wilson and there was something in the eyes. The way Wilson looked at him made Vance want to climb out of his skin. It was at this point that Vance realized he had been silent for a few moments too long.

"Good to meet you Wilson," he said trying to form a normal expression to hide his fear. Wilson hummed in response, eyeing him up an down.

"Well, this has been great," Maeve said, stretching out the word. "I'll see you around, yeah?"

"Yeah..."

And then they were walking away. A few steps and Vance decided that he wouldn't let this just disappear from him life. If he wanted friends, he had t o try.

"Actually me and Toby are headed to Cherry Creek Park next weekend, it'll be a quick daytrip if you wanna come?" he asked.

She turned back to him, so did Wilson who had a disbelieving look on his face. Vance saw her consider.

"I'd love to, but there'd be no one to look after the littles," she said looking at the ground.

"Bring 'em with you!" God he sounded desperate. "I mean, it'll be a good day out for all of them, everybody needs to get out of Denver every now and again,".

"I'll think about it and let you know," she smiled and continued walking. Wilson glared before doing the same.

Vance wrapped up his shopping and walked out of the store, with about half of what he actually needed.

Great! He thought, now all I have to is convince Toby to come to Cherry creek with me!

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792 words :)