𝙹𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳༉‧₊˚. ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀɴᴇʟʟ

𝘀𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻.

FEBRUARY 1st, 1991
SEATTLE ࿐ྂ

DELIA WORE THE HANDMADE SHIRT STONE HAD MADE HER,
sporting his bands name, Mookie Blaylock in bold patches.

It was the first night of the Alice In Chains with Mookie Blaylock tour, the latter band about to begin their set.

They begun the set with Release, a long, slower song. The lyrics made sense to Delia due to what Eddie had shared with her the previous month.

It was hard for her to look anywhere else other than Eddie when the band was playing, and not fully in an attraction kind of way, but more in bewilderment of his voice and presence.

She had decided that the kiss they'd shared wasn't anything serious, though on the other hand the kiss with Chris did feel serious, for some unknown reason.

She stood near the bar, near a few of the Alice guys and Ellis, partially distancing herself from Chris, though still could see him in the corner of her eye. It's not that she was avoiding him, because that would be nearly impossible due to the fact they lived together.

She didn't regret kissing him, of course. It was a good kiss. But it sparked thoughts she didn't want to think. She also knew being too close to him would just make her want to kiss him again, possibly do more than that. So she settled for glancing at him using her peripherals, through the cloudy smoke of the bar.

Chris was not nearly as bothered as Delia. He seemed more calm, comforted by the fact he was not alone in his feelings for her. She had to at least feel something towards him, he was sure.

Once the few Alice In Chains members had left Delia's side to go backstage and Ellis had gone to the bathroom, Chris walked over.

"You alright, Del?" He asked, sporting his normal warm smile.

"I'm alright." She returned his smile. "You alright?"

He nodded. "I'm good. Tired, but the guys are great." He turned his attention to the stage, behind his eyes was a lingering look of sadness, and Delia knew why.

"It is weird though." She pointed out. "Seeing them up there without Andy." She looked at the band sadly, though knew Andy would be happy for Stone and Jeff.

Chris pulled her into sort of a side hug as they watched the stage, "I know." He murmured quietly.

His hand traveled to her waist, warm fingertips grazing her skin slightly before dropping to his side.

Delia tried to ignore this, but so badly wished he'd pull her close once more. She got her wish when they walked near the stage, the crowd of people pushing the two closer.

Once again, his hand rested on her waist. She wasn't sure if he did that by a means to not lose her in the crowd, but for whatever reason it was, she was thankful. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, he was wearing an almost-smirk. She wondered if he knew what his small touches did to her mind.

She turned towards him and her hand went up to his jaw, pulling him closer to her mouth to shout over the music. "I'm gonna grab some water! Want something?"

He shook his head no as response and turned slightly to watch her walk to the bar.

Delia got her water and instead of going back to Chris she made her way to the back door, leaning against the wall of the small club as she breathed in the smoke-less air.

Chris had been watching her, he saw her leave and wondered if she was actually leaving, or only getting fresh air. He followed her a few minutes later, hoping she'd still be there.

She was, much to his relief.

"You followed me?" She asked, her lips forming into a grin.

Chris returned the smile, "didn't want you leaving so early."

"I'm not leaving, don't worry."

"Good." It seemed with every word, he got closer to her. "We ever gonna talk about it?" He asked, bringing up their night in her truck for the first time since it happened nearly two weeks ago.

Delia looked up at him, now allowing herself to truly admire his features. Each of them seemed to be perfect for the next, and she couldn't help but stare at the man in front of her.

Chris did the same with her, though Delia had always been beautiful to him, but in a different way now.

"It's not a-" she paused, only for a short moment. "-one time thing?" She finished, and Chris tried so hard to ignore it, but her words hurt.

"Sure, yeah. One time thing." He repeated. The last thing he wanted her to be was a one time thing. The very last thing.

"Okay." She said, her voice a soft whisper. That's what he wants, right? She thought anxiously. No man had made her think that way, worried, actually caring. Delia wished she wouldn't have taken a pledge to sobriety. She could use a drink so badly.

"I need a drink." She thought out loud.

With one swift movement, it seemed somehow Chris had gotten even closer to her. And once more, his lips were on hers.

Eventually, she pulled away first. "Two time thing?"

He nodded. "Just to distract you from that drink."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Chris looked smug, just like he had last time.

Delia turned to go back inside, he followed.

He kept glancing at the side of her face, liking how the stage lights illuminated it in the crowd. On the short drive home, he thought the same though with the traffic lights.

Once they got home, he realized that the lights had nothing to do with it. He simply liked her face.

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