Even Now

Chapter 22: Different Strings

Awww look how cute this is! Ik in real life they were just friends but the way he smiles at Layne... this is why us shippers exist lolol
I think imma do a cuteness chapter after this one, just to show some cute pics of them 😊

And now, on to the story...

***

January 29, 1994: Seattle, WA, USA

Layne stands with Demri in the blistering cold outside the rehab centre.
They'd checked themselves out early, and Demri's mom was supposed to be picking them up. Supposed to. So why've they both been standing there in the slush and snow for the past 15 minutes?

"We should've just called a cab," Layne grumbles, arm around Demri as he shivers.

"She'll be here," says Demri, teeth chattering. "I literally called her an hour ago. She said she was on her way."

As if on cue, a car pulls up in front of them. But the person driving that car is not Demri's mom.
And as the tall redhead steps out of the car and makes her way towards them, Layne feels intense jealousy burning in his chest. He tightens his grip on Demri's shoulder.

Rosheen. Of course it's fuckin' Rosheen.

Demri looks at Layne, concerned. "You okay?"

"Of course I'm not fuckin' okay," Layne seers. "Why is she here?"

"I'm here because Demri's mom got a flat tire," Rosheen chimes in, eyes narrowed at Layne.

Fucking bitch.

"Hey, Dem," Rosheen smiles at Demri, ignoring an intense glare from Layne. "Missed you."

"I missed you, too," Demri gushes, looking nervously at Layne as if asking for permission. Layne just pulls her closer to him.

"Hey! You're showing! Can I-" Rosheen glows, walking towards Demri with the clear intent of touching her stomach. Layne quickly interrupts her.

"So wonderful to see you again, Roshe," he says, voice drowning in spite, his face donning a fake smile as he raises his shoulders for a moment.

Y'see, Roshe kinda sounds like 'roach'. It's a clever play on words... good on ya, Layne, takin' the high road!

Rosheen just rolls her eyes, her pocketed hands gesturing towards the car. "Shall we?"

Demri looks pleadingly at Layne again.

Fuck.

"Okay. Fine," he mumbles, removing his arm from around her. "I just thought we-"

"Yeah, Layne," Demri sighs. "But we can talk later, okay? I mean, we live together. And we just spent three months holed up in this place. Just let me spend a bit of time with her right now, please? Just for the drive home?"

Layne ignores her, walking angrily to the backseat of the small car. He watches in disgust as Demri sits beside Rosheen in the front, kissing her and being all mushy and shit.

You're literally being cuckolded right now. And you're okay with that?
You fuckin' weak shitbag.

He feels stupid for thinking things had gotten a bit better with Demri, somehow, when they'd been staying in rehab together.
They'd even bonded over their baby.

Demri was sure it was a boy. Layne didn't really know how he felt about that, considering he'd never had a good relationship with any father figures in his life.
If the baby was a girl, he'd have a much better chance raising her than he ever would a son. He'd practically raised his little sisters. But how would he handle having a son? No fuckin' clue.
But if the baby did end up being a boy, Layne and Demri had both decided on the name 'Prince'. Y'know, after Prince, one of their favourite artists. Demri also suggested they name their baby 'Robin', after a member of the Cocteau Twins, a group she really liked.
Layne was more for the order of 'Robin Prince Staley-Parrott', as it sounded less douchey than 'Prince Staley'.
After all the boy-talk, he had made Demri agree that if their baby was a girl, they'd name her 'Sadie'. Demri liked the name. Layne prayed that they'd eventually use it.