𝙹𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳༉‧₊˚. ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀɴᴇʟʟ

𝘀𝗶𝘅.

NOVEMBER, 1990
SEATTLE ࿐ྂ

DELIA SLOUCHED IN THE OFFICE CHAIR,
pulling one of Jeff's hat over her eyes as she listened to the instrumental beginnings of Temple of the Dog. She was sat in the control room of London Bridge Studios, besides Rick, the producer, as well as Eddie and Chris, who were waiting to record vocals.

Eddie was still pretty quiet and reserved around everyone, which Delia found odd due to what she'd seen at Mookie Blaylocks first gig. But she understood, he was new in a group of people who'd already known each other for years.

She got up from her spot and went out to find wherever the bathroom was, forgetting she was wearing Jeff's hat, and laughing at her reflection in the bathrooms mirror.

Eddie was standing in the small kitchen of the lounge area of the studio, grabbing a beer from one of the mini fridges. She smiled at him as she passed, and he offered her a beer.

"Want one?" He said, voice soft.

She slowed, "nah, I'm sober."

"Really?"

At this Delia laughed slightly, "you don't believe me?"

Eddie looked embarrassed, and looked downwards as he put the second beer back away, "no, no I mean you're a bartender..." he trailed off. "Sorry. I didn't-"

"You're good. I wouldn't believe me either." She smiled once again, and he returned it. "The songs are sounding really nice." She offered, wanting to change the subject.

"Yeah, yeah they are." He agreed, and wished he could come up with something more interesting to talk to her about, as she seemed to have interest in him, even if it was slight. But he didn't want to fully flirt with her, as it seemed that her and Chris were possibly something, though he didn't know for sure, that's just what he saw.

With that, she went back into the control room, Eddie watched her through the wide windows as he sipped his beer, observing how she interacted with Chris. They were obviously close, he could tell by the way they talked and joked together. He knew they weren't a couple, but couldn't help but wonder why not.

He finished his drink and went back into the crowded control room, standing near the back as Chris recorded the first vocals for Say Hello 2 Heaven. Eventually, after he'd finished a few different songs, the room had cleared of the other musicians, only Delia, Rick and Eddie remained.

Delia was getting tired of sitting there, though she still stayed, knowing Chris wanted her to. Afterwards the three decided to get dinner, going to a small diner near the studio. Chris walked behind Delia and Eddie, who talked while walking side by side, he could tell he was beginning to feel comfortable with Delia, as most people did.

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"I just love third wheeling."

Delia turned to look at Chris in the passengers seat, a smug look on his face. They sat in her pickup outside of Jeffs place, where they'd just dropped Eddie off.

"Third wheeling?" She asked, shaking her head. He nodded. "There was nothing to third wheel on."

"You liar." He still had the same grin on his face. It was hard to tell if Delia actually liked someone, but Chris could easily tell if she was attracted to them. Or, he thought he could.

Delia shook her head again as she began to drive back to their place. "No, he's cute and all-"

"Uh-huh."

"Fine, he's hot."

Chris laughed, knowing that was not what he meant for her to say. "You eye-fucked him." He pointed out, matter of factly.

"What, so you're like an expert in eye-fucking?"

He sarcastically sighed, "all kinds of fucking, actually."

She laughed as they slowed at a red light and turned to look at him, "sure you are."

The light turned green and they continued on the short drive through the misty streets, Chris turned the radio on and sung along quietly.

She parked and shut the engine off, they walked up the five flights tiredly. Chris watched Delia from behind, his eyes trailing down to the tattoos that sat on her waistline, revealed by her baggy jeans. He then remembered who he was looking at and directed his gaze back to his boots.

They sat on the couch, both tired though not enough to return to bed. Chris flipped through channels, eventually giving up and instead putting a movie on. Delia didn't seem as interested in it as he was, she played with her rings and seemed to look past the television, distracted.

In the past two weeks, he had consistently thought about how happy he was to have her back, especially since she was now living with him. He knew he'd be happy even if she hadn't decided to move in, but secretly, it gave him peace of mind knowing she wasn't on her own.

"I know I've said it before but I'm really glad you're back," Chris told her, his thoughts becoming words.

"Me too." Delia smiled slightly, continuing, "you don't regret letting me live with you yet?" She asked, jokingly.

"Nah, not yet. Im sure it'll happen eventually though."

The sound of the television was drowned out by their own conversation, talking about everything from music to Delia's 'crush' on Eddie, as Chris had put it. In their long talks, such as now, Delia always brushed over topics of relationships. In the past when Chris would ask why one of her relationships ended, she would always give a simple response, like 'it just didn't work out' or, 'I didn't want to be in one,' which Chris never understood. She seemed like she'd be a good girlfriend, being that she'd been a great friend for five years.

He didn't persist, just continued talking about other things until both their eyes were tired. He shut off the movie which had been long since ignored and bid Delia a quiet goodnight before returning to bed.

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