Don't Follow Me

"The future isn't a path. It's like an endless sea..." - Hajime Hinata from Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

[bcckmcskcd]

"Of course Trixie and I are still here, we aren't fucking idiots," Chandler mumbled, pulling her knees up to her chest. Yoel had seen her cry a handful of times, and she could barely hold back the floodgates even now. "Trixie is scared of lakes. She had her Bambi boy. Fox just went in without thinking about anyone else as usual."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel moved his arm fully wrapping it around her shoulders before tugging her into his lap. "He worked with that guy, I think he was thinking about someone, just not himself," he mumbled softly. He brought his hand up to play with her hair. "You're still allowed to be mad at him, or just upset in general. I got you either way."

[thirtecnth]

Art smiled as he turned back to look at the pair for a moment and then returned his glance forward. He was about to protest when JJ spoke up for him. “See! That’s my best friend up there, he knows I’m capable of greatness!” He called then immediately noticed that the crowds watching had become much larger. He knew it was a bad idea to do this— it was a terrible idea actually— but he was going to do it anyway.

Letting out a shaky breath, he went forward without thinking and swung up and down, garnering tremendous speed as he did. He tried to remember what his stunt coordinator said years ago about flips but like many of those memories from that time, it was hazy. Still, he just jumped, pulling his knees in and getting about a half-turn in before he landed flat on his back and sunk slowly beneath the surface. He could hear the collective gasps from the crowds even while he was in pain beneath the water… Though, that was not nearly as bad as the laughter when he stood back up again and approached both of them again. “It was the second one,” he said, taking the beer back for a big gulp.

[maskedyoel]

"Greatness!" JJ repeated pumping both fists up in the air as the pair followed along after Art. He was still bouncing on his dad's shoulders excited to watch Art jump into the water.

Yoel winced in sympathy when Art came crashing down onto his back, letting out a soft hiss of pain. He could feel his son's grip on his hair tighten until Art resurfaced moments later. Handing back his beer he gave a soft chuckle, "Think we might need to get you some moonshine for the pain. How's your back? Could try and find you a cute nurse to help you in your recovery."

"You got good air though!" JJ cut in trying to be encouraging, "And it was still a pretty big splash, so like 6.5? Or a 7.3!"

[bcckmcskcd]

She had gone rigid again, but it wasn't from anything Yoel had done. Her breath had started to be more shallow, and it was clear whatever adrenaline that had been fueling Chandler before was now completely depleted, and she felt like a scared kid who's brother had just gone missing again. "I'm so mad at him," she mumbled, which wasn't really a response to Yoel's question. "I can't believe he would still do something so reckless and stupid. After everything that's happened."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel nodded, keeping close for now, she'd never been subtle about when she wanted to space from him. "He's still here for you to yell at him," he replied. A crying Trixie and a yelling Chandler had been part of Fox's reception, he'd looked guilty but had mostly just let them get it all out before everyone was fully tired for anymore verbal lashings. "He's still here, Trixie's still here, you're still here," he mumbled, "You're all in this house."

[bcckmcskcd]

Chandler had to focus on what she could control. In the moment, she could control getting Yoel and JJ to safety. Never mind that Trixie's scream caused a shiver to go down her spine, and she had immediately tried to punch Fox when he walked in the door. All the same, there wasn't any space in her room for JJ to sleep, and there was no way Yoel - or JJ - wanted to be away from the other. Her head was swimming, and she barely heard the question as Yoel wrapped his arm around her.

"What?" She blinked a few times, looking at him, though it was clear she was a million miles away. "I'm not tired."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel leaned his chin onto her shoulder, his eyes flickering to JJ for a second before back to her. "Lay down with me?" he asked softly fingers running up and down her side. "You took care of us today, let me take care of you for once." A small part of him worried over pushing too much, but it been a long day and at the very least he wanted to try.

[bcckmcskcd]

"I'm sure he'd appreciate it, thought you didn't date Essie," Chandler pointed. She let herself smile at the kiss before tilting her head slightly. "Um - I don't know. I guess this is the first time it's ever really happened. I wasn't dating anyone when Trixie and Ven were together. Fox, maybe, but the time line is blurry since he was here for so long." She shrugged. "It's kind of helpful though. Even though I think Fox is maybe the only one of us who had any sort of healthy relationship with the diner chick."

[maskedyoel]

As much as Yoel hadn't wanted to just rush out without knowing her family was ok, he'd followed Chandler's lead. There was relief when her siblings rolled in with their partners, the conversation short as exhaustion had hit all of them. They'd called the Commune before dark fully, checking on Essie and her family. Now here he was on the pull out couch with JJ passed out on the left side, shifting to sit on the other end next to Chandler. Wrapping his arm around her waist, "He doesn't move much in his sleep but I get it if you'd rather sleep in your room solo," he mumbled softly.

[bcckmcskcd]

"Reid," she clarified for him, but nodded. "And I did. We talked a little bit about him when I was still in crisis mode because that was easier than talking about myself. He seems nice enough, though he clearly has no idea what to do with her. I think that's good, though. She won't feel too pressured or anything. Cuz I'd kick his ass," Chandler allowed herself to lean against Yoel's shoulder again. "Oh look - Lance got Trixie to go in the water. That is not an easy feat."

[maskedyoel]

"It's funnier to call him, her boy, she get's all red about it," Yoel said grinning. His eyebrows rose, tempted to ask about the crisis mode talk, but there were times where he was aware he was the guy friends with two girls and how that dynamic went. "Nothing can prepare you for Essie, maybe I should snag him to trade notes," he quipped. He shifted slightly to wrap his arm around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Glancing where she mentioned he chuckled, "Guy might actually be a miracle worker," he said before chuckling again this time to himself, "So was it just a coincidence or do you and your siblings only date at the same time?"

[cryptidkeepp]

his ex had taken malakai somewhere to change him so jett was just stuck on the beach waiting for them to come back. staring at the water and reminded how much he missed the ocean. he hadn't heard yoel come up till he spoke and jett snapped out of his daydream to smile at him. ❝nah he's mostly landlocked, but I did dip the little dude in there a couple times to see what he thought.❞ it wasn't saltwater but it was the next closest thing he had available to show him. ❝you ain't wrong there though, all this bending over has made me spend way more time sitting on the ground.❞ he chuckled. ❝your little guy out here groovin' in the sun?❞

[maskedyoel]

"Oh yeah, and what he think? Saw someone else with their kid and they screamed bloody murder, really thought something was up with the water for a second," Yoel said shaking his head. JJ had always been a fairly even tempered child, something he was grateful for. Nodding his head over to where JJ was being dragged along by a girl while her twin chased both with a water gun, "Fighting for his life by the looks of it," he said chuckling.

[bcckmcskcd]

"I'll take the fall for that," Chandler took a moment to stretch out and try to relax a little as Yoel went to go get her a treat, trying not to psyche herself out. She accepted the snow cone from Yoel, snorting a little. "The theme?" She gave him a quizzical look, pausing for a moment before leaning in an pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Thank you. That was nice."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel had taken a bite of his own snow cone, getting bits of red ice on his nose. He had a small grin at the kiss, reaching over to brush some of her hair back, "Red theme," he said simply. Taking another bite of his snow cone he gave her a curious look, "You see Essie and her new boy? I saw them grabbing a tube together, think she might've blue screened him."

[bcckmcskcd]

"He's pretty high up there; but there's other things I like about you," Chandler murmured, reaching up to playfully stick her finger in one of his dimples. "Like that." She wasn't expecting another kiss, but it was nice. Was this what it was like to just enjoy being with someone without having your defenses sky high? "Oh, um - yeah, I could go for a snow cone right about now. But you should probably make sure JJ gets one too or he'll give me puppy dog eyes til I give him mine."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel felt his face flush, glancing down and chuckling nervously, "I blame you for the reason they come out so much," he mumbled. Glancing up at her, he laughed, "He's with his friends and ducks, if he's not completely wiped by the time he comes back to us I'll get him whatever he wants." The Cruz-Duttons seemed obsessed with feeding people, he didn't doubt JJ might come back half out of it from a food coma. "Be back in a few," he said, pausing before kissing her again. He was grateful the line went fast, half afraid it melt before he could get back, "Hey grabbed you cherry," he said moving next to her and holding out the snowcone, "Gotta keep the red theme going."

[thirtecnth]

Art shrugged. He was very quickly becoming convinced by the idea of it. "Well, I mean, you're right. If I land it, I might get to be the coolest guy for the day... And if I fail, then at least someone will have a good laugh, right? At my pain and suffering?" He let out a deep sigh. "...Alright, Hold my beer."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel took the beer, using his free hand to keep a hold on JJ who was tugging on his hair, "Dad come on I wanna see," he said bouncing a bit on his shoulders.

"Ey, I'm going I'm going, got me feeling like Ratatouille," he grumbled as he followed after Art. "Maybe try going for a cannonball, feel like a belly flop gonna end with a paramedic call," Yoel said watching in amusement.

"Do a flip," JJ called out garnering the attention of a few onlookers.

[bcckmcskcd]

It was weird, but not bad, all the affection she was being given. Chandler wasn't sure how it looked to anyone else, but she tried not to focus on that, because then it would make her back off, and she was really, really enjoying being close to Yoel. "You're stupid," she mumbled, but pressed another kiss to his jawline. "I have met your mini me. Many times. I'd say he's my favorite thing about you, but that's not entirely true." She reluctantly backed up, meeting his gaze again. "This is kind of nice."

[maskedyoel]

"I wouldn't blame you if he was, he's my favorite thing about me," Yoel replied chuckling softly, he could feel a flush forming from the attention she was giving him. Meeting her gaze he smiled, "Yeah it is," he agreed, closing the gap to press his lips against hers. Pulling back he took his hand out of her hair, "Did you want me to grab you anything to eat or drink?" he offered.

[bcckmcskcd]

Her entire body stiffened when he started talking, but as he continued, she relaxed a little, turning so that her head was resting on his shoulder now. "You did a practice run before flirting with me? No wonder I'm better than you at video games. I don't need a practice run for anything." She liked the feeling of him playing with her hair, but said nothing. "I don't know. It feels like a shitty thing to insist when you're giving me free reign." Though really, it was just the one person she was already seeing; it's not like he said she could sleep with the whole town (and she didn't want to sleep with the whole town anyway). "You're so weird," Chandler laughed a little, leaning in to press a kiss to his jaw. "But I guess you'd have to be pretty weird to want to be with me."

[maskedyoel]

When she turned her head Yoel pressed a kiss to her forehead, he didn't think he was one for PDA, but considering how hot or cold she could be at times, he was taking full advantage. He kept his hand in her hair, she hadn't said anything and it was helping him keep from being completely nervous. "Yeah well, if I only got one shot I didn't want to fuck it up," he mumbled. He shivered at the feeling of her lips on his skin. "Well quit it, I keep telling you I'm fine with it. You shouldn't have to feel shitty about something I'm agreeing to," he said tugging lightly on her hair, "Have you met my mini me? Course I'm weird, poor kid got the weird genes in spades now. Just lucky you're into weird."

[bcckmcskcd]

The silence between them wasn't unusual. Unlike her family, Yoel always took the time to consider what he wanted to say and how to say it, since Chandler was such a feral cat in any situation involving feelings. "You don't?" She looked up at him for a moment, doubtful. Her shoulders sagged though as he kissed her fingers, a wistful look on her face. "My Yoel," she murmured, sighing and allowing herself to relax enough to press her forehead against Yoel's shoulder. "I don't want anyone to take you from me. That's why I don't want to fuck this up by saying you can't sleep with someone else but I can. But I also don't want you sleeping with anyone else."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel turned his head to press a kiss to the side of her head, using his free hand to run his fingers through her hair enjoying having her close to him. "Full disclosure I have flirted with one person in town and it went absolutely nowhere," he said as he played with her hair, "Mostly did it just to see if I even could or if I was just gonna embarrass myself when I tried with you." It been easy to do but part of why was there had been no real stakes, he had nothing to lose as opposed to with Chandler where it felt like he had everything to lose. "You're not gonna fuck it up by saying that," he pressed another kiss to her head, "Like I said find it kind of hot that you're staking your claim." Considering the past maybe that was concerning, but it was different with her, something about knowing he was specifically hers made him happy in a way he couldn't completely vocalize.

[thirtecnth]

Art laughed and stuck his hands into his pockets, smiling to himself. He always wanted to be a Dad. He was good with kids. It just wasn't in the cards for him. Shaking himself from the thought, he smiled at Yoel and shrugged. "Well, I wasn't planning on it but if you say there's a rope swing, I might be just dumb enough to try it... Wouldn't be bravery but that works, right?"

[maskedyoel]

While the relationship had left more than a bit to be desired, the one thing Yoel had never regretted was having JJ out of it, playfully squeezing his son's legs again to make him laugh. Looking at Art again he chuckled, "Eh depends if you get hurt or not, if you don't it's brave, if you do then it was dumb," he quipped, "Might be able to catch someone's eye though if you're looking. Playground tricks still work right?"

[bcckmcskcd]

"Shut up," Chandler mumbled, letting out a soft, delighted squeal as Yoel lifted up his shirt. As he shifted to face her properly, she set her jaw. "You've never said anything just because I want to hear it, Yoel." As usual, her defenses seemed to go up immediately, and she was still picking at her split ends. "I don't want to give you the green light for that. And I know that makes me a bad girlfriend or whatever since you said you don't care if I still sleep with Mo or not. But the thought of you with someone else makes me feel like I have heart burn, and I don't like it."

[maskedyoel]

Yoel had a small flush on his face at her reaction, it was hard to be self conscious over himself and any scars when she reacted like that to him. He bit back a sigh when he heard the familiar tone, before he had a grin tugging at his lips when he heard the word girlfriend. A part of him wanted to point it out, but she was defensive enough without him being overeager. He was thinking of what to say before slowly shrugging, "I don't think it makes you bad, I just think the two of us have different comfort levels." He was watching her hands before taking it and bringing it over to himself and lightly pressing his lips to her fingers. "I'm just your Yoel. No one's taking that from you."

[thirtecnth]

Art was in line just waiting to eat away his feelings and nerves when he heard the very familiar laughter of his new friend from way up high. "You are, kid! Wow! Make sure you don't go down a slide like that. Learned that lesson the hard way." He tucked his hands into his pockets, giving Yoel a smile to say hello before his attention went back to JJ. "Mmm, no! Funny enough, it made me admire the big guy more! He's tubbier than me and still makes it through those chimneys like it's nothing."

[maskedyoel]

JJ glanced down at his dad, patting him on top of the head, "Dad I like you but I don't wanna be stuck with you like that."

Yoel snorted and nodded, "Love you too buddy," he said. He gave his son's legs a small squeeze before turning his gaze back to Art. "Got any other inner child things you're gonna be trying today? They got a rope you can swing off, if you're brave enough for it."

[bcckmcskcd]

"Yoel!" Chandler pushed into his shoulder again. "Stop, that is not even hot! It's embarrassing." All the same, she couldn't help but feel some kind of way about how she got something all to herself. "You're hot; you're allowed to flaunt it, you know. Just don't go kissing anyone else or we're gonna have a problem." She paused for a moment, going back to picking at her hair. "I was talking to my siblings the other day. We have like. Weekly catch ups. You said you didn't care if I kept sleeping with Mo. Are you going to be sleeping with other people then, too?"

[maskedyoel]

"You're hot, thems the brakes, take it or leave it," Yoel replied shaking his head. Glancing at her before looking around, taking a second to tug his shirt up for her to then tossing it back down. "Flaunted it, and didn't kiss anyone else," he said giving her a playful wink. His expression turning curious before he blinked in surprise and then confusion. "Um...," sitting fully up to face her now, "I want it on record I'm not just saying this cause I think it's what you want to hear or something. No I'm not, even if you give me the green light for it, no one else I want like that."