butterfly [sal fisher x reader]

❸

We'd already made it to Charley's room by the time my brother showed up. Sal handed a pill to me, and I dropped it in. It quickly fizzled and dissolved. I gulped before Larry shoved me into the door, making a loud thud. I could hear Charley's panicking gasps inside.

"Who's there? I'm armed!" I could hear him yell. I backed up quickly before gathering up enough courage to respond. "C-Charley, hey, it's Y/N and the new guy, Sal Fisher. We just wanted to know if you wanted some Addison Tea!" I exclaimed, trying not to sound scared shitless. I could hear him hum in confusion, before a lock clicked open, and Larry disappeared around the corner.

"Why thank you Y/N! But I'm far too full of tea already, so maybe it's best you'd be on your way." He said, his stomach sagging. Charley didn't look like.. Charley. I looked down, nervous to respond.

"It's, w-wait! It's a new recipe that he made, and it's delicious!" Sal exclaimed, looking up at Charley with puppy dog eyes. Charley hummed again before finally agreeing in excitement. "Oh boy, really? I've gotta try this!" He remarked, taking the teacup and gulping it all down within seconds. In those few seconds, he fell over, knocked out entirely.

"Come on, Sally, let's go!" I whispered eagerly, lightly pushing him along with the bag to go get the pony. He quickly grabbed it without touching it astonishly, and dropped it in. I smiled in content and pulled him out as we quietly shut the door. He was still in my arms by the time we made it to the elevator.

"Great, the detective is down by the first floor, let's go get him."

I watched as they lugged Charley into the police car. "I'm innocent!" He screamed, trying to lunge out of the way from the police. Tears welled in my eyes. Charley may have been a little creepy, but I never expected this.

It was still raining. For once, I admired it. The drops splattering on the front steps seemed soothing as Sally and I sat out there, watching the entire scene as my brother talked it out with the officers.

"I bequeathe myself to the dirt, to grow from the grass I love;
If you want me again, look for me under your boot-soles."

Sally turned to me, his mask twisted from his brows furrowing in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" His voice said, muffled. I sighed, ripping the skin away from the sides of my fingers. He put his hand on mine, as if signaling for me to stop. I gently swatted his hand away and continued nevertheless.

"You will hardly know who I am, or what I mean;
But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,
And filter and fibre your blood."

Sal patiently listened, as if waiting for an answer. Plip, plop. I could hear the rain slow down and practically already smell the petrichor in the air.

"Failing to fetch me at first, keep encouraged;
Missing me one place, search another;
I stop somewhere, waiting for you."

And with that, the rain had stopped. I stood up, my yellow raincoat damp as my brother ran to the steps edge, soaked in rain. "What took you so long?" I joked, earning a scowl from Larry. Sally still stood there with those innocent eyes. "Who were you quoting?" He suddenly asked, breaking the silence. "Walt Whitman, Song Of Myself," I replied, to which Larry smirked at me. "She only quotes poetry when she's around someone she feels close to." I growled. "Shut up, dummy. Anyways, I'm just glad that sucker's put away." I said, to which Sal replied by humming in content. Larry nodded, but turned to face the door.

"Eh, let's just head back inside. I'll introduce you to the gang." Larry smiled, opening the door for us. "Yo, Y/N, you think Todd is tutoring Ashley right now?" I thought about it for a moment before responding with a quick, "yeah". He nodded again as I stepped inside to the cool air.

"Um, I guess I'll just go get Todd. And Ashley, if she's there." Larry said, rubbing his neck. We were in my room now, chatting about simple things, nothing too deep just yet. "Okie dokie artichokie." I replied, lightly plucking my electric bass to the beat of Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. Sally lightly rocked his head to the beat while Larry smirked and shut the door behind him.

"So, Sally Face, have any interests?" I asked, ignoring my brother completely. His ears got red and I only could assume he thought I was talking about who he was interested in. I smiled and giggled. "I mean, what do you like to do and stuff." He stared at my electric bass, seemingly zoned out on it. Suddenly, after snapping out of it, he struggled for an answer. "Uh- I, um- I-" He paused for a breath before sighing. "I've never really gotten interested in any hobbies because of, well," He proceeded to motion to his prosthetic. I nodded, but then my smile dissipated into a frown. "Sally, something like that shouldn't stop you from living a normal-"

"That's where you're wrong. Have you ever been called a freak for your face, considering how pretty it is? I'd suggest you watch your next words!" He snapped angrily. I stopped playing, shocked by his response. He turned away from me and crossed his arms like a spoiled five year old. Setting my jazz bass down, I came up behind him and began to massage his shoulders. He flinched before muttering some words along the lines of, "what are you- o-ooh, jeez." His shoulders loosened up again, and I smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Sal, I shouldn't have said that. I really don't know what you've gone through, but you know, no matter what, I'll always welcome you with open arms. You seem like such a sweet person, and whoever thinks otherwise can go fuck themselves." I said quietly. "You can always be yourself around me. I already trust you myself," I added. I could hear a hum of satisfaction escape his lips before a knock at the door could be heard.

"Hey Y/N, Sally Face, I've got them." I heard Larry's muffled voice say from the other side of the door. "Come on in!" We both exclaimed at the same time, making a giggle escape Sal's mouth. The door opened, and there was Todd and.. Ashley. I don't know why, I always felt as if she was out to take someone's boyfriend. And there's no way in hell I'm letting that girl touch Sal.

Wait. Did I just get jealous?