After the Tapes AU Chapter 2 ft @voidwritesstuff Jerico!
As the afternoon sets in and Lucas tossed all the gear into the van.He checks his list of what he packed.While he did that Desmond was still in bed asleep."Alright that's everything,what else am I forgetting...."Lucas paused before a devious smile crawled on his face.He goes to his drumkit in his room and loudly plays Reveille.Desmond jumps out of the bed and falls face first into the floor."Rise in shine maggot get into the uniform I nabbed from the hospital and let's go it's gonna be awhile till we get there so we can make a pit stop at Homa Mart.I'll be waiting in the van."He walks off.Desmond gets up and takes a quick shower.He quickly slips on the lightblue shirt,black pants and white labcoat.The labcoat belong to Rosemary,it still smells of a sweet plum perfume which calmed the anxious man."Hey Lucas,I'm ready what do you think?" Lucas exchanged a small smile."You look like Rosemary's twin,I think she would be proud of what your doing.Helping the people of Milton Haven."Desmond nods as he hops in the passenger side of the van carefully.The ride to the hospital was gonna be long.But first a pit stop to Homa Mart.And from where the cabin was it was a long ways away.
The silence was unbereable after a while,all that could be heard was the sound of the city, the humm of the van and the noise of the stray pebble that ocassionally scraped against the vehicle's wheel.
Lucas pats the steering wheel a few times.Not nervous,just bored. Theres a slight rythm to his patting, not a discernible tune or song, just vaguely musical, it reminded Him of his drums,he should really play more often.
Regardless,he shakes his head and snaps out of his thoughts. The Seat creaks and groans as he shifts his weight, his eyes flicker briefly to the little green vynil charm tucked in the pocket of the Van's sun visor, that was currently in use.
Then, something came to his mind. Desmond watches as a big smile appears on his Friends face, its loopy but warm,followed by a few chuckles that fall from his lips. --Did I tell you I have a girlfriend?-- he asked casually.
--No, I did not-- The other Man answered,fixing his glasses-- how did that came about?
--Well...--Lucas starts, tilting his head to the side briefly as if trying to recall something-- it all started in a record store
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It was a warm summer day, skies clear with a few clouds scattered in the blue mantle above. And with the gentle breeze blowing past, Lucas enters the record store with a list tucked into his flannel's pocket.
The record store was quaint, a mix of retro architecture And modern aspects like tvs with MTV on, music blares from some speakers scattered around the place. Music in a record store, it was like fish in an aquarium, you couldnt expect less.
Lucas, always a retro Man in music taste,goes Straight into the vynil section. He inspects some of the records,checking his list for the albums he wants to get, "kind of blue" by Miles Davis, ella fitzgerald, "Abbey road" by The Beatles. Hes about to reach for AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds,Done Dirty cheap" another hand beats him to it.
Their eyes meet, A beautiful forest green eyes that look at him surprised and flustered. They belong to a young woman, probably a college student judging by the Messenger bag she was carrying alongside the binder with a few stickers on it that was resting under one of her arms. --Ah, sorry-- they say pulling the vynil close to her chest, not quite wanting to hand the album over.
--Ah its nothin'-- he replied scratching the back of his neck-- you beated me to it, its fair play
They chuckle and nodd--Thanks, its uh...a gift for my dad-- they explain--you saved my Bacon,honestly
"Oh" Lucas thought, feeling a little relieved he let them Keep it-- oh thats good then, please do Keep It
They nodded and Turned to the boxes with the vynils-- maybe theres another one for you? Let me help you check, its only fair
--Thanks,I still gotta get a few --Lucas commented checking his list,sort of showing it to his companion, who reads it and thinks for a moment.
--The power of love by huey Lewis and the news-- they muse Reading one of the items of a list-- good choice, I loved it in back to the future
--Thats a great movie too,the last one of the triology was good, cant Belive its been seven years since it came out--He added.
--Yeah...-- then they seemed to realize that its been seven years since the movie came out. They blink for a moment and add-- Dios, has it been that long?!
--Yeah-- Lucas chuckled skimming through the vynyls-- the passage of time-- he adds and gives them a soft, warm look with an apologetic smile-- you get used to it kiddo,you have your whole life ahead of you
--Yeah, I sort of get freaked out about that...feels weird,Like a haze you know? Years pass by fast and the mix
--Advice? Just take it easy-- he says Gently, using the same tone Alphonso used with him when he was scared or overwhelmed-- easier said than done, I know. But, live your life and make memories, thats the things that matter, dont see the passage of time as a pressure,but rather an opportunity, yknow?
They nodd, pulling out the single of Huey Lewis and The News-- here it is-- their hand hands it to him-- 'n thanks for the advice
--Thank you-- Lucas emphasized the *you* part-- always happy to help
Theres a brief silence as the person beside him check for other albums. A few people pass by talking about the discharge of a soldier because of insubordination, Lucas thought he recognized the story but he wasnt sure. Something about disobeying a direct order that wouldve caused a lot more harm than good.
--Damn suits-- he breathed hoping his companion wouldnt hear-- even if youre in the right ,the moment youre a liability or question them youre thrown out like a wasted battery...
They steal a few glances to the Man beside them at the comment, the way his hands grip tight and mutter something about knowing how that felt like. Their gaze scan his eyes, the way he smiles when he finds one of the albums hes looking for,forgetting the unpleseant situation he just Recalde. In their eyes, He was really,really handsome-- Im jerico,by the way -- they comment trying to light up the mood.
It takes Lucas by surprise, he turns to them and says--Nice to meet you,'M Lucas
--Nice to meet you too-- jerico replied, handing him another album. "Rage against the machine" by the band with the same name as the album-- here, good choice too. A rebel recognizes another -- they wink and he chuckles, his cheeks warming up.
He takes it and says-- What gave it away?
They tap their chest two times,like a rythm without a discernible melody-- The dogtags, my adoptive dad is ex-military so I know a few things, and the way you talked about that soldier that got discharged...the rage in your voice...the impotence, you sounded pretty anti authority
Lucas chuckled--Nothing gets past you,huh?
Jeri laughs nervously--Yeah, I'm very observant...hope you dont mind
--Not really, its fun to talk with ya-- he admitted a little flustered-- I have everythin' I need but id love to Keep talkin'
--Ah damn...I cant I have to get this for tonight...its the birthday party-- they confess with a bit of sadness-- But..we can see eachother later?
He smiled and nodded--Alright, I like that idea
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--'n then I asked them for their number and took 'em out the for a date the Next day, a coffee n' a walk in the Park--Lucas explained-- And then I met her again at your Office,they're a patient of yours...guess the world is very small huh?
Desmond did a double take,they couldnt be...-- Wait...Jerico Castro? Green eyes, Brown hair...under dye...-- he gestured at the lower part of his head as if he had short hair like jerico did.
--nice voice and very talented? Yeah-- he finished what his friend trailed off,his voice soft and warm, adoration and love dripping from his tone as his body relaxed.
--Where are they now? -- the other Man asked concerned
--Safe,out for the summer. Another country...Argentina maybe?--He hesitated-- Havent been able to reach 'em...but they knew about mayer so I think they know calling is dangerous for me...and for them...-- his peace is short lived as his fists grip the steering wheel. Anger,fear, impotence, all mixed in one glass--if those bastards even lay a finger on her purdy hair...ill--
Desmond Puts a hand on his Friends shoulder, patting it--They wont,Jerico is safe. You know their parents dont you?
--A lil-- he admitted,relaxing slightly-- Raymonds a tough one
--He is. And a good father too. They are safe and youll see 'em again-- He promised-- you two sound very in love,im happy for you
He chuckled and nodded,relaxing once more--Thanks, doc
Desmond deeply signs,and rubs his neck."I mean I knew a local girl.her name was Magdalena.She would always make it right on time for her appointments and well she was pretty." Desmond took a deep breath,the plum perfume on the lab coat was calming."She had these beautiful midnight blue eyes,midnight black hair and a nice soft accent,and I never could forget she always worn a pastel that would show her skin or her eyes more....But that was in the past." He looked out the window with a melancholy expression on his face.Lucas pulled the van into the Homa Mart parking lot."She must have been a kind hearted and very heartbroken to have to let you go." Lucas's expression was a worried one."She had to,I was so caught up with my own problems she did the right thing.She wrote me a letter and that was it.I never heard from her again." Desmond's voice shook as the memories flooded back.Lucas pulls him into a hug."We all loose something, and sometimes it's good to let go and let things be a thing of the past." Desmond quietly sobs into the worried ex military man's arm."Don't cause a scene now Desmond,deep breaths and let's go pack up snacks and stuff for the road and remember,it's ok to cry." Desmond gave him a are you serious look as he wipes his face."I wasn't crying I got something in my eye."He hops out of the van.
As they both browsed through and got what they wanted Dave stands infrom of Desmond."Hey Desmond,I want to apologize for last time,remember the while I'll kill you threat,I msorry about that I was upset loosing....you know." Desmond was tensed up and waiting for Dave to kick his ass,but he quickly relaxed."Hey It's ok,we all loose someone that we love or was close too,Virginiawas a good patient and a friend." Dave nodded and quickly remember."Yeah nice small chat but I forgot I let the new trainee alone with the forklift and I got to go,stay chill Desmond." Dave ran off in a hurry.Desmond shivered at the word chill,it gave him a bad memory of being locked in a freezer til the mannequin showed up with the key."Hey Desmond found anything yet." Lucas had five packs of family sized beef jerky,kid cuisines,sugar snacks,juice pouches,and a case of beer."Lucas what is all of that!?" Desmond was baffled at what he brought."Hey some of this is for me and the kid cuisines is for the kid,you rold me hes getting sick and tired of sea food and probably hospital food so why not start him off small with these." He had a large grin."Fine,I guess." Desmond got afew snacks and a case of Dr pepper.As they payed for their items and packed it to the van with help from Sammy and Inez and thanked them both,Desmondclutched his head."Doc you ok?" Lucas quickly ran over."Yeah the lights was giving me a headache I get alittle dizzy when in stores." Lucas helps Desmond I to the passenger seat."I did get some stuff for headaches if you want one,or maybe go back to sleep,if I get tired I can pull over and rest for a small bit." Desmond nodded,putting his seat seatbelt on as he drifts off to sleep."just take deep breaths,I'll wake you as soon as we get there." Lucas started up the van and headed on the road to the hospital,which having a shortcut drawn on a map they should get their before nightfall for it was around 9:57pm and would probably arrive around 11pm.Lucas was also quietly eating some beef jerky and taking small sips from a juice pouch."Huh I didn't know this was grape flavored juice,it's kinda interesting." He talked to himself quietly so he didn't disturb the sleeping Doc.
Allen's Poem:
"I watch as the moon chats along with the stars and watch as the shadows lurk at my door.I wish for hope to walk in soon and not that fanged bastered who wants me gone.If I was on a boat as of now and I was the captain.I'd be a bad one indeed.Steering myself into the darkness and crashing the ship in the dark and fall into the dark vast ocean down into the bottom of the sea.Watching the stars and moon laugh at me as I'm dragged deeper and deeper to my demise."
The heart monitor beeps steadily as Allen trys not to flinch.The male nurse was at his bedside.He injected some kind of liquid into his iv bag and left.Allen wished for them to get here quickly so he can eat actually food and not be fed from a feeding tube."please hurry guys,I don't know how long I can fake still being in a Comatose state,the male nurse is catching on." Allen closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
(I'm gonna cry if it doesn't post)
