Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER NINETEEN: Vista

"Wake up already." Hearing Ash's voice just made me squeeze my eyes shut tighter. Barely out of the realm of sleep, I wasn't ready to deal with his attitude today. "Get your lazy asses up! We're here!"

I was still curled up with Shorter, and I felt him flinch, just as I had when a strong stream of light chased away the pleasant darkness.
"My lazy ass hurts..." He complained, stretching out, though mindful of my head on his shoulder.

I don't wanna get up...That means I'll have to face a shitty Ash, and Shorter's reaction to what I did...

Despite the cons of rejoining the world of the living, I sat up, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands before crawling out of the back of the truck, the burst of light temporarily blinding me. Wherever we were, it was windy, and I could hear the crash of gentle waves.

I had driven through Cape Cod before, but had never actually taken the time to stop and take it in. Once my vision returned to me, I couldn't help but stare in awe at the incredible morning vista.
"Home sweet home, huh?" Max gave Ash a pat on the back, only to be shrugged away.

It's probably really hard for him...

"It's so beautiful..." Eiji came to stand beside me, and I nodded in agreement, amazed by the glittering sheen upon the surface of the distant water.
"I wish I could paint it." I breathed out  taking a few more steps until I could step up onto the lookout railing. "To think, this is only a few hours out of the city..."

As the others began to discuss what our next move was, I just lost myself in the scenery. It was as though, just for a few moments, all worries and cares drifted off in the wind, out to sea, never to be seen or felt again. Of course, they came right back home again the moment I felt a tap on my shoulder, but it was a good feeling while it lasted.

"Back in. We're going to my place." Ash gave me a curt nod, waiting to make sure I stepped down from the wooden barrier. I still had a lot of questions I wanted to ask him, but I knew that it wasn't the time. He was on edge, and piling on more stress just didn't seem like the best thing to do.

For the rest of the trip, I hung my head out the back of the truck, uncaring that the tarp continuously flapped back, smacking me in the face. Watching the world pass by was helping me process the past few days just a little better, but it was also a way to avoid any awkwardness with Shorter.

He hadn't acted weird at all, but then again, we hadn't really interacted. I knew I had been out of line with my actions. Kissing someone out of the blue like that, especially when they had been half asleep, was a bad move. Still, I couldn't bring myself to regret it.

When we had arrived at Ash's fathers place, things got tense. Their exchange had left a bitter tang in the air, and I was sure I wasn't only speaking for myself when I considered busting the old man in the nose. With the house key in our possession, we ventured up the hill, and I stayed by the truck as they all approached the front door.

It's so calm here...but it's all fake. Ash's stress is starting to become infectious...

"Here, some food and water, as well as come lanterns. The power has been cut for a while." Jennifer, his father's partner, had followed us, handing a box over to Ash, who seemed grateful. She then turned to me, a kindly smile on her face. "Would you perhaps like to borrow some clothes, sweetheart?"

Looking down at myself, I could understand why she'd offer to help. The trousers I had been forced to wear reached up to my chest, and they only stayed up thanks to a bulky belt I had fastened around it. It was anything but comfortable.
"I mean, if it wouldn't be any bother..?"