Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER TWENTY: A Mind Made Up

(***just a quick note, I'm extending the Cape Cod stay, for development purposes. I'm sure y'all won't mind me delaying the real angst***)

"It's got pockets."

"Yes, you mentioned that already. Pockets are fascinating..." Max heaved a sigh, chin on the dining table as I dramatically shoved my fists into the material pouches.
"Hey, let me have this one glint of hope in my existence, Maximillien. Us women are overcome with joy when our clothing is fitted with authentic, functional pocket technology." I huffed, sticking my nose into the air.

"Good for you. It's Maxwell, by the way... " He grumbled as I passed by him, off to continue keeping my mind away from dread. It had been two days already, and the truck wasn't able to be fixed until new parts arrived, so Cape Cod was our indefinite home base.

It was kind of regressing, actually. I spent most of my time out in the sun, scribbling on old scraps of paper I had found laying around the house. Shorter and I had shared a kiss or two since our heart to heart, but nothing major. He was wary, and I was respectful of that. The ball was in his court.

"Going out to draw again?" Ibe smiled at me as I wandered out onto the porch, and I gravitated over to him, rocking back and forth on my bare heels.
"Actually, I wanna talk to Ash. He around?" When I said 'talk', I actually meant hound him for answers. Sleep had been somewhat escaping me since he had dodged me a few days before, and I was sick of it.

"He's off with Eiji somewhere. Probably down by the beach." Ibe lowered the book he was reading, having to squint up at me due to the sunlight. "They really seem to get along, those two, despite being like water and oil. It's nice to see him acting like a kid instead of a hardened adult."

Well, I can't go and ruin that for him, now can I?

Taking a seat beside him on the edge of the wooden decking, I kicked my legs off the side, tilting my head back.
"Then it can wait, I guess. He just owes me some information." Glancing down to the book in the man's lap, I noticed it was an old Salinger novel. The Catcher in the Rye.
"Oh? Must be important." He mused, offering the book over for me to look at once he realised I was peeking.

Politely declining, I shooed a fly away, only for it to buzz right back into my vision.
"Just my past. What's another few days without it, right?" I chuckled flatly. In reality, it was going to keep eating at me, making me lose sleep, but a few coffees and brisk jogs up and down the beach would battle that for at least a little while.

"Ash seems to be the type to be brutally honest, so if he's staying quiet, then he must have his reasons. I'm sure he'll speak to you when he's ready." Ibe used the book to imitate patting me on the head, and I couldn't help but smile. He definitely gave me father figure vibes, with the way he always tried to give advice, or voiced his concerns for us younger people.

I quietly agreed with him as Shorter emerged from the house, giving my hair a heavy-handed ruffle as he passed.
"I'm gonna go for a walk. If I stay here, I'll end up sleeping the day away." He announced, hopping down from the porch and stretching his arms over his head.

"Mind if I join you?" Standing up, I chose to use the steps, a small skip in my step as I tried to catch up.
"Sure, if you don't mind getting a little sandy. I was gonna check out the rockpools." Ibe bid us a farewell as we set off, and I kept my hands clasped behind my back as we walked along, my steps longer so I could stay in step with my companion.

I'm not fond of sand...but I can spend some time with him...

After the house had disappeared from our view, Shorter's hand found mine, fingers lacing between the gaps, and boy, did my chest flutter.
"You seem more relaxed the last few days." He pointed out, leading me down towards the walkway, which would take us to the beach. "You like it? Being out of the city?"

Humming, I stepped over a dandelion, some of the florets catching in the breeze my passing created and drifting away.
"It's more like I enjoy being away from the drama." I explained. "City life is fine, but out here I can't help but feel a bit calmer. Plus, the company is mostly pleasant." I gave his hand a squeeze, and he returned it, flashing me a smile as we reached the sand.

It was hot on my bare feet, but not in the worst way. Still, I knew I'd be finding it everywhere, even after a thorough brush-down and a shower. As we neared the rocks, seaspray hit against my skin, and it felt amazing. Refreshed. Almost happy.
"Watch your step, my dear. Tis a touch slippery." Shorter put on a terrible British accent as he helped me up, and I snorted behind my hand.

Outside of his roughian element, he was just a normal, goofball boy in the tail end of his teens, and it suited him perfectly. His laugh, his smile, his entire demeanor was different to when he was in charge. It was a whole new side to him that I was really enjoying.

"Low tide smells like an entire ass..." I complained, scrunching my nose as Shorter wandered ahead, stepping carefully across each rock.
"Still, not half as bad as that damn bay." He pointed out, squatting down to inspect one of the small pools. "Eh, just some funky seaweed."

Passing him by, I focused more on the vast ocean, the surf creating mesmerising ripples that travelled right up to where we were, lapping at the rocks. I loved the sound it made. Yet another thing that helped wash away the fears of the outside world.

Glancing down, I perked up, quickly waving Shorter over.
"Hey, come look at this!" Crouching, he came to join me, and I pointed into the clear pool of water. "A starfish." It sure was a pudgey little thing, and the punk beside me snickered, leaning in closer.
"It looks like it's got a chunky ass." He was right, and I started to laugh along with him, having to hold onto his shoulder so I wouldn't fall backwards.

It took me a while, but I eventually realised that he was staring at me, and I felt my cheeks begin to heat up.
"Wh..what..?" Shorter quickly stood up and took my hand, carefully leading me back the way we had come, until we reached the walkway again. I allowed him to maneuver me until I was backed into the wooden fence, then he proceeded to lift me up to sit upon the planks.

"Last chance to change your mind." Shorter's voice had turned serious, and I could almost see his eyes through his tinted lenses, staring into mine. Holding onto his shoulders for balance, I tilted my head, raising a brow.
"I'm not going to..?" I had already made myself clear before. Whether it was a good decision or not, I was going to stick by it.

His kiss was sudden, but welcomed warmly, my legs curling around his middle for extra security, even though he had a firm hold on my waist. It was far more passionate than our previous encounters, and my skin began to tingle.
"Dammit, I can't even wrap my head around it..." He mumbled softly, touching his nose to mine. "You're either really stupid, or insanely brave..."

Six to one, half a dozen to the other...

Initiating another kiss, I melted into his arms, falling even harder for his existence. I felt secure with him. Happy. Loved, even though it was far too early to even consider that as a legitimate feeling. His tongue met mine in a slow, sensual curl, and I was done for.

"You know..." Murmuring against my lips, Shorter's hands slipped down to where my dress caught up by my thighs, his fingers tracing the material squares. "I have the perfect use for these pockets you're so unbelievably obsessed with..." Swallowing back a squeak, I couldn't help but let the tone of his voice lead my mind astray.
"Wh..what would that be..?"

"Let's collect a whole bunch of seashells and take them back home with us!"

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***Short, sweet filler chapter.

It's so cold here, I wish I was somewhere sunny and warm right now.

Next Time: High Noon***