Pavement Rose Part 3 - TV Time
Fandom: The Boys (Amazon Prime TV Series)
For the first part: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/cheelieve7/686962414693040128?source=share
For the second part: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/cheelieve7/687694097503420416?source=share
I opened my eyes. At first i wasn’t sure of the place but every time i woke up, it gave me this feeling of security. Peace. I liked my new apartment. I wasn’t sure if it was the green around the building maybe it made me wake up fresh but whenever i woke up, i was feeling at rest. And i liked this feeling.
I was actually starting to gain a sort of a routine. I’d wake up, wash my face and go for a small run. Really small because i was no where near being fit. Then i’d come back home and take a shower. After dressing up with whatever i have, which my closet was starting to feel like more of a closet. Make some pancakes, then regret making them instead of something quicker and just stuff two of them into my mouth and rush to my room to leave at once. Till afternoon, the work would be nothing but running around. Lunchbreak was my favorite part of the day. I’d mostly spend it with my new best and only friend Paige. Oh i’m lying. Paige isn’t my only friend. I actually made friends with this lady called Marta too. She was this ukranian woman in the beauty parlour i went with Paige after work one day. I didn’t know much about myself, i was still figuring it out but i wasn’t one of those glamorous girls i could say. But it was fun tagging along with Paige and just watch them do miracle with couple powder and whatever else they use. Although i didn’t like how much stories they took while they were doing the most random tasks without asking first. I don’t need your million followers to know how i feel like when you’re curling my hair i mean. That’s exactly when i met with Marta. She was sitting by herself on another room and patiently waiting for a customer. All the others were sort of famous apparently due to their stories on instagram and their style and everyone seemed to want to book them. Ever since that day, i liked visiting Marta and i liked nail polish she’d offer me better than all the make up i could get.
What else got into a routine was the gifts as well. It’d keep surprising me with the things i’d mention during the day or if i didn’t mention anything at all, it’d simply be this nice pretty thing any girl could have wanted. I’d have a plan to welcome someone for a dinner and i’d find a bottle of expensive wine. I’d mention i didn’t have anything to wear which i really wouldn’t despite just making a vague complaning and i’d find this lovely dress waiting for me. Sometimes a small note would follow it as well. I didn’t mind taking advantage of this possible sociopath that was pouring his money down at me. As crazy it sounds, i still lowkey believed i somehow brought this upon myself. Partly because i liked to think i could bend universe, or some people at least it seemed like upon my needs. Or maybe i was paid back with some good karma. Either way, they didn’t harm. I liked second possibility even more than the first one considering i always suspected if i was a some sort of a criminal that was in trouble. Everything was good till i started finding some of the gifts and notes inside my apartment.
‘‘Glad you liked the dress.’‘ was left on my counter. I wasn’t sure what was the logical approach on this situation so i’d just let it be. But i could say wearing the same dress today again couldn’t even be expressed good enough by saying not logical. It was outright silly. But i actually liked the dress too and i really didn’t know what else to wear. So i just putted in a t shirt and a belt over it and it was good enough. Maybe i could wear it again tomorrow with a different t shirt and a jacket.
I dragged my feet to our usual table. I wasn’t happy that Paige would taken a day off today to help out his brother to settle in to the city. I’ve gotten used to her so bad, despite it’s been only a week since i know her i was all sour about being alone again.
I didn’t even feel hungry so i wrapped my sandwich to the paper it came along for later and just took out the poptart i had on my bag. Then i saw him again. I got used to living with full of secrets since it wouldn’t be so wise to spread what i knew little about my past like that and draw away the only few people i had but i had another secret as well. After my lunchbreak, i’d take a shake shack to A Train and a cold brew to Ashley and variety of drinks to Black Noir as well. Different one each time because i wasn’t sure what he liked. Only thing was, he’d have never asked for a drink. I just felt bad no one seemed to make a contact with him. Not just they didn’t, they didn’t even attempt to. It must have been hard spending a lifetime when everybody pretended like you don’t exist. Maybe that was the path he’d have chosen. Maybe it was because who he was. I didn’t know but i simply had a taste of that life style and it made me feel like a shit so i didn’t care.
He’d never answer or even move a muscle before. But i’d try to peek as sneaky as i could before i left the room and saw him take a sip couple of times. He didn’t seem to dig whipped cream. But definitely liked the refreshers. When i realized i was lost in thoughts again, i took out my agenda and turned the blank pages on the backside. He looked almost like a cartoon with that suit on. How hard could it be to draw? And i really didn’t have much to do on my list at the moment. After i was focused on the small area of the paper for who knows how long, i was brought back with the voice behind me.
‘‘I see the obsession isn’t one sided.’‘ Queen Maeve. How long she has been watching me?
‘‘Excuse me?’‘ i asked not understanding.
‘‘Nothing. Good job with the eyes, brings out the killer in his eyes.’‘ now he looked back emptily to Black Noir for a moment.
‘‘Errm thanks. Weell, he’s very still.’‘ i tried to defend myself. He really was to be honest. It was like drawing a mannequin. Although i didn’t expect it to be this challenging for me to draw. But i didn’t understand her hostile tone. I thought we had a good start. I kept talking when she kept staring and didn’t look like was gonna say something else.
‘‘I can’t draw well without a reference in front of me it seems.’‘ i said while trying to explain.
‘‘Well, you know what they say. True creativity comes from enjoying the moments.’‘ she said almost spatting. What was this now? I couldn’t help but wonder what went down between those two.
When i finally finished my small piece i quickly scribbled a small note. I think it was acceptable after spending all my lunchbreak on this little art piece. At first i had a doubt to passing it into him but well, it seemed it only wasn’t creepy to draw people when you gifted it the drawing to them. Then it’d count as a gesture. Plus, Maeve would have already seen me draw him. I had to get rid off it.
‘‘It is actually hard to draw you! But you’re a great model. x’‘
After a short second, i erased the ‘’x’’ away. Come on Rose, this isn’t your highschool flirt. As soon as i had my quick fix, like a real pro i disguised the little piece of paper on top of the papers i’d get from analytics that was the weekly data of the city. With the drinks and my paper clip i walked to the meeting room. Only problem to my plan was, there were also Queen Maeve sitting down and Homelander standing on the middle. He gave me chills everytime we’d come across. Which i tried my best to avoid such encounters. I slowly but sternly walked over to A-Train without breaking my cool and set down his drink. I felt all the eyes on me. On the corner of my eye, i saw Maeve tilt her head to the side and watch me with a great amusement. I slowly set up the strawberry lemonade with mint leaves for Noir along with the paper clip and i felt him take the clip to his hand to look better. My heart could stop any moment. When i turned on my heels i saw Homelander was staring at me.
‘‘Anything i can fetch for you, sir?’‘ i automatically asked when i felt like he wanted something from me. He wasn’t happy. Although i never recall catching his mood as so. At that moment, i did something. I didn’t exactly know how but he seemed to calm down a little.
‘‘No. You can leave Rose.’‘ i could feel the change in his demeanor. Now Maeve was looking at me curious because she also felt it.
Just when i set a foot to the hallway and let out the breath i didn’t even realize i was holding, a hand caught my arm.
‘‘How did you do that?’‘ i could feel she was highly confused, not actually angry. A pinch of jealousy even.
‘‘Maeve. May i ask you to be a tad more direct and explanatory, please?’‘ i asked calmly despite the encounter i had not 2 mins ago. When i looked at her blankly she dragged me further into the hallway.
‘‘How did you make him let you go like that?’‘ she asked again.
‘‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’‘ i said. I wasn’t sure i could trust her. She seemed to be very unstable with how she acted towards me.
‘‘Look, Rose. I know him. He was very aggravated. He would have never let you go off the hook like that when he was in such mood.’‘
‘‘Let go off me.’‘ i said directly looking into her eye now and she instantly let go off my arm. Almost like a reflex. Now she was looking at me as if she just woken up a dream.
‘‘Now, if you don’t need me with anything else, Queen Maeve.’‘ i said and quickly got inside the elevator. Hopefully this wasn’t gonna cost me.
The rest of the day went by rather fast. With how cloudy my mind was, i simply complied with everyone’s need like a robot. Now i was walking home with slow pace. I’d pass up on subway to get a fresh air and think a bit but now it was slowly getting dark and i still had a solid 15 minutes till home. A sharp yelping sound i heard snapped me out of my thoughts.
It really wasn’t smart of me to go towards such distressed call but i couldn’t help and think what if that was me. When i finally caught the action it was this young girl that was caged on the side of a car and was being pushed around three men like if she was a toy. I didn’t know what came over me but i yelled, ‘’Leave her alone!’’
I was gonna suffer a horrible death. That was decided. It was only matter of time.
‘‘Ooo and would you like to take her place instead?’‘ the guy who was in front of the girl said while glancing over me. Under his amused facade i could feel him weighing me up to see how much of a trouble i could be. But i stood my ground.
‘‘I said leave her alone.’‘ i said this time making an direct eye contact with the guy. And as if he went into a trance, he left the scene with unconscious steps.
‘‘Hey, Mark where are you going man?’‘ said the guy to far left. With the opening the girl got, she sprinted to the opposite direction and before the other two could overcome their confusion, she got away. I was filled with adrenaline. It was almost like if my body was tinkling with a spark all over.
‘‘Okay, now you’ve done it. Since you want to meddle with our business so bad, meddle away.’‘ the last guy broke his silence while they were both turning to my way now and then he took out a gun. He was pissed off. I wasn’t sure what to do now. I didn’t have a drop of courage left i felt a second ago. Just when i was about to accept the situation and surrender, i felt someone behind me. Ah great, the third guy i drew away must have came back. But unlike who i thought it was, the two guys in front of me froze for a second. While one of them simply fleed, the other started slightly shaking and his pupils got as big as if they’d pop out any second. And then he dropped the gun to his feet and took off as well. Maybe i should make a run for it too. Who was even standing behind me? I slowly rose my hands as a proof that i was harmless and start to turn around.
He was directly looking at me again. But in the dark, he looked threatening. And he was breathing rather ferocious.
‘‘H-iii Black Noir.’‘ i looked up on him. No reaction.
‘‘I owe you again. Thank you.’‘ i continued. No reaction again. His silence was making me nervous. Then he did something that surprised me more than if he’d draw a knife. Took a little box out of one of his pockets with a note attached. No way. No way he was the one who was leaving gifts. But weirdly everything also made sense. I mean, how gullible i had to be to not figure out the B.N. was the initials of Black Noir? Maeve’s comments... Oh god. He was still helding out the box for me to take it so i slowly took it without breaking the eye contact. I unintentionally smiled to the rabbit doodle on top of the box. Unlike mine it had a bit crazy looking and was holding out knives on both hands...or paws. I pulled the glittery ribbon loose and opened the small box. Inside, there was this gorgeous bracelet with three stones shaped as a clover and beamed green under the moonlight. It was simply so delicate. But what did he want? A friend? Did he fancy me? Or maybe he was just gesturing back to the drinks. Oh god. How idiot i am. I have been indeed giving him gifts too. How did i not figure this out? Granted, mine was so much more basic but he was simply reciprocating.
‘‘It’s very pretty.’‘ i said not sure what to say. He kept staring.
‘‘Would you like to walk down to my place with me, perhaps?’‘ i offered and i started walking. When i slightly turned to check if he was coming i saw him following silent enough that i would have doubt he was there if i hadn’t looked. I wasn’t really sure of my next step after here, i just prayed to get home as soon as possible. Because no matter how fast i tried to walk, this one mile felt like it had no end. I could have swear we were walking for an hour and still couldn’t arrive yet.
‘‘So, did you like your drawing?’‘ i asked. ‘’I mean my drawing.’’ ‘’Of you.’’ I couldn’t contain my curiosity since i was pretty proud with my work. And not getting a solid response just made me anxious so i just kept rambling about insignificant details i could swear he didn’t care about. Potato patato. He looked over and did a simple thumbs up. He did a thumbs up. Out of my short happiness of the appreciation i got from him, or any sort of response really, it finally danged to me and i stopped with the realization. He stopped and looked at me as well.
‘‘You were also the one who texted me when i got that phone.’‘
‘‘Did you spy on me?’‘ i asked. He just stared.
‘‘That was way before i made any contact with you. What do you want from me?’‘ i was aware he wouldn’t be able to answer this with a small gesture but i couldn’t help. What this man wanted from me? Then he pointed to my chest and to himself then made a small heart shape with his hands. Oh. Okay. He really did fancy me. I was stunned at the gesture and just kept staring back at him. He simply held my arm and kept dragging me along with him like nothing happened.
I just complied with his actions till i finally saw my garden that was just the sight i’ve been dying to see. What was it now? What was i supposed to say? When we both stopped dead in front of the small gate and silence started getting too loud for me, i couldn’t help but blurt out.
‘‘Would you like to come on in?’‘
‘‘I didn’t really cook though.’‘
I kept talking and he gave small gestures in response while i climbed on the steps, trying to face him as i’m talking to him and do my best to not fall.
‘‘I don’t think i have straws though.’‘ with the question that popped in on my head, i quickly turned back to him,
‘‘Would you mind drinking without straws?’‘
He caught my arm when he realized i almost slipped and kept me on the spot. Was this a warning? I didn’t dare.
After we finally reached to the top of the stairs, i took couple of steps to the left and he followed. I took out my key and turned it to the left to meet comfort of my house.
‘‘So this is where the magic happens. Go on.’‘
He walked in silence with long, strong steps towards my old sofa across the TV and sat down. He looked so contrast to the living room. All the pillows and my little blankie just looked ridiculous around him. He just sat down, his hands resting on his thighs and as straight as an arrow that was about to bolt on the smallest sound.
‘‘Not so comfortable, Noir.’‘ i joked.
He just kept staring at the blank TV that was across him. I went to sit down next to him and immediately made myself at home. I stretched my legs to the small coffee table in front of the couch and took the little blankie on my legs. Could he be cold as well? In doubt, i tried to casually give him a piece of my blankie over his legs as well. Still no move. Then i turned on my TV with the remote i fished that was buried between pillows. I managed to get a small glimpse when i was diving my hand to the space next to him though.
‘‘So nice to see your pretty face again!’‘
‘‘We need your name and address at the bottom of the form. The kennel’s back this way.’‘
Ah Lilo and Stitch. It may have been my newest comfort movies. I must have left it on when i decided it was time for me to sleep anymore last night.
‘‘Do you mind watching this or would you like me to put on a different one?’‘
Lilo yelling in hopes of figuring out where were all of the animals funnily matched the situation.
But he kept still and watching what was in front of him. That must have been mean sort of ‘’It’s ok.’’
It would be a fair guess if i said he liked it. Ha. Who would have thought. I slowly curled my legs as if i’m laying to my elbow but instead, i rested my head on his shoulder. I kept it still for a moment to see his reaction. Nothing. I tried to adjust my position for something less stiff. Still no complaints.
Well, this wasn’t so bad after all.
‘‘Oh yes. All of our dogs are adoptable.’‘
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