falling fates [a rwby fanfic]

episode viii: disruption

"Everyone! Please stay in a single file line, hold hands if you'd like!"

"Gavin, we're not twelve," Rannaska muttered behind him, and Gavin whirled around, hoping he wouldn't crash into anyone as he addressed the group.

"No, but I am the tour guide, so my rules only," he gave Rannaska a suave grin as he spoke, getting only an eye roll in return. He then turned on his heel, looking out before him down the streets of Valet.

"Who said you were the tour guide?" a firm voice came up behind him. Gavin held his breath as Eve whisked past him, giving him a knowing glance. "You haven't lived here in seven years. Things have changed."

Gavin could only open his mouth to silence, the words lingering on his tongue. Maybe if it wasn't for how his heart started beating against his ribcage as Eve tauntingly grinning at him he could have said something, but for once he couldn't protest.

"That's what I thought," Eve stated, and then she skipped down a different street, calling the group along. "I want to show you a new shop that opened up just last year, come on!"

Gavin willingly obliged, following the girl down the street. She was right- the city had changed since his family had left those years ago, however he was still able to feel the nostalgia of his childhood years running along the sidewalks. He looked back at everyone behind him- his brother, his three friends, and several of his new ones. A small part of him was slightly annoyed that it wasn't just the five of them and Eve like it had been planned, but he supposed it would have been rude to leave their new teammates out. Besides, Taryn had declined the offer since he was meeting with his parents that weekend, so it wasn't like it was everyone.

And then he turned forward, Eve immediately catching his eye. She was smiling at him as she led them towards the shop, the same smile Gavin had fallen for those years they could only video call. He remembered Gustin's words from the airship when they arrived- when are you going to tell her?

Gavin shook his head. He couldn't- not yet. He had to wait for the perfect moment, orchestrate it exactly how he'd imagined it over and over in his head. And now, with so many people surrounding them, it wasn't that time yet.

"Come on, it's right here!" Eve called after them, and Gavin jogged up to her as she stood outside the shop. It was a bakery- and Gavin could feel his mouth watering as he gazed into the shop's front window, a display of delicacies making his stomach rumble.

It also didn't help that Eve was extremely close to him, however he knew it was just because they had been such good friends. She didn't know yet.

"I can't believe we missed this," Gustin said as the group began to crowd outside the window, gazing in like children.

"I know, they're so good, do you guys want some?" Eve straightened up, placing her hands on her hips. "It can be my welcome-back-home gift, if you want."

"Really?" Gustin's face erupted into a big smile, and Eve nodded her head eagerly. She then turned to Gavin, who had shamelessly been staring for too long. He quickly looked away, though he was sure Eve could hear his heart pounding. Had she seen? Did he expose himself? Did she-

"What about you, Gav?" she asked him, giving him an encouraging smile. He could feel the tips of his ears turning red at his old nickname, however he shook it off.

"Sounds great," he boasted, crossing his arms. "Only if we treat you to something later, though!"

Eve scoffed, shaking her head. "Please. You've treated me plenty of times before."

Gavin opened his mouth to protest, but Eve quickly shushed him, placing a finger over his mouth teasingly. It worked, much to Gavin's embarrassment- he shut up, pursing his lips as she laughed at him a bit. It was true, they had been the ones who had taken Eve out more often before they moved, since his family certainly had more money to spend than hers. However, he couldn't just let her pay for everything- how was a girl supposed to like a guy who never paid?