Misplaced
Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as age gap, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.
This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.
Summary: You have big plans for spring break but it all goes off the rails.
Characters: Nick Fowler
Note: This is a one shot and the first of several for Sebby characters that I'm planning. Thank you!
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Do one kind thing for yourself today and take care.💖
Sometimes the fates align. Maybe that's too romantic but it has to be a sign. Why would the world keep bringing you and Jake together if there wasn't some reason?
The whole plot blossomed as a girls' trip. Your typical Spring Break getaway, but then it just so happened that Kelly booked the airBNB attached to another group of coeds, and those rowdy leaders happened to include the one and only, Jake Jensen.
It's like all year you've been circling each other. A shared elective, run-ins at parties you didn't want to be at, collisions in the campus cafe. It could be your steady diet of romcoms and cheesy novellas but you can't help but hope this is it. The perfect opportunity for him to confess the same feelings fluttering in your chest everytime you meet.
That same giddy bubbling brews on your stomach as you battle your reflection. You wish you'd thought to buy a new swimsuit. This old black one-piece speckled with little white daisies is so amateur. It's too safe. Too simple.
"So," Zoe leans on the door frame in a sheer sarong and blood orange bikini with strongs cross crossed at the back of the top and around her hips, "the guys texted. Said they got us a good spot at the beach."
"The guys..." You murmur as you pull on your crochet cover-up.
“It’s gonna be awesome! I know you were expecting it to be just us girls…”
“Totally cool.” You assure her.
“We got the cooler loaded up. Did you have anything to put in it?” She asks.
“Erm, oh yeah, just uh, one sec.” You abandon your efforts to turn your pumpkin into a royal carriage. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be.
You slip past Zoe and grab the four pack of organic sodas from your room. The blackberry tonic is zero alcohol but the glass bottles could fool anyone. You tear through the cardboard and slip them in with the cans. You’re sure to bury them in the ice to hide the labels.
You help Shella, the fourth of your group, carry the chest out of the house and haul it up into the back of Kelly’s tiny Kia. You squeeze into the back seat and hug your beach bag as you try not to jitter with nerves. Be cool. This is your chance. You and Jake on a beach. You try not to think about him without a shirt…
The drive is interminably long. You squirm as you rehearse your lines in your head. Don’t be too obvious. Be like Zoe. Be chill. Be nonchalant. Aloof, if you will.
Finally, you get to the beach. Well, the parking lot. It’s packed with SUVs and cars with bicycles strapped to their rooves and fenders. You help Shella with the cooler again as Zoe and Kelly shoulder their bags and gab about their fresh manicures.
You make your way down the narrow path between scruffy patches of roots and leaves and come out into the open swathe of sand. Kelly holds up her phone and squints, flicking up her sunglasses. “He said they’re around here… somewhere.”
A frisbee flies in your direction and Zoe yipes as it skims her sunhat and hits you in the shoulder. You wince and scowl. She turns to pick it up as her name wafts through the air.
“Colin!” She turns and flings it at him meanly.
“How else was I gonna get your attention?” He scoffs as he approaches, the hair on his chest speckled with sweat and his nose slightly sunburnt.
“Maybe don’t,” she sneers. He chuckles.
“Come on, babe, I got a strawberry kiwi vodka with your name on it.” He purrs.
“That won’t work on me.”
“It did last time,” he snickers.
“Shut the fuck up!” She exclaims.
He winks and turns, hooking his arm through hers. She lets him as he saunters forward. You follow with Shella as Kelly waves at the rest of the group. Your feet sink into the sand with the weight of the chest.
You catch sight of Jake as he grins at Kelly. Your heart flips. You slow, lost in the haze of the sweltering sun, or maybe your ridiculous crush. Shella huffs.
“They never do the hard work,” she grunts.
“Oh, sorry,” you hike up the cooler.
“It’s heavy as fuck,” she gripes.
“Hey, ladies, need some help?” A deep voice startles you as someone appears behind the chest.
Shella squeaks and you look up at the man. He’s older; there’s silver glimmering in his short hair and speckled through the thick stubble on his chin. He doesn’t wait for either of you to answer as he catches the handles, his knuckles pressed to yours.
“Oh, thanks, dude,” Shella says with a glint in her tone. “That’s like, so… valiant.”
The man chuckles. “That where you’re headed?” He gestures ahead to the group of guys with your companions.
“Uh, yeah, that’s us.” You answer.
He glances at you, his brow tweaks. “Really? You hanging around those chumps?” He easily holds the cooler. “Can’t even carry a heavy load for pretty girls like you?”
“Yeah, they suck,” Shella rolls her eyes and lets go. She turns and struts ahead. “Zoe, you bitch–”
You slowly detached from the cooler. “Um, thanks. That’s… nice.”
“No problem.” He starts forward and you walk awkwardly beside him. “What’s your drink of choice, huh? Tequila? This thing full of rose?”
“Aha, er… blackberry tonic.” You drone as your eyes stray ahead, clinging to Jake as his gaze finds yours.
“Tonic? Interesting.” The man remarks.
“Uh huh,” you utter mindlessly as you near the group, waving at Jake with a dumb grin.
The man grunts and sets down the cooler on the blanket spread out beneath another, a pair of sandals, and several crumpled towels. He stands straight and stretches. You turn as his shadow casts over you.
“Oh, well… thank you. I’ll let you get back to your own… er fun?” You sway nervously.
“Sure, doll face. And you can start yours.” He winks and stares at you. You squirm and chew your cheek. “Nick, by the way.”
He holds out his hand. You look at it; his fingers are thick. You hesitate at the old fashioned gesture but accept and murmur your name.
“Almost as pretty as you,” he smirks and lets you go. “Don’t get too wild on that tonic.”
He backs up slowly then finally turns. You watch his broad corded back as he retreats. His body doesn’t betray as much as the grey in his hair.
You quickly spin around as you hear Jake’s voice. You quickly slip in between Kelly and Shella. You smile at him. “Hey.”
“Hey. Didn’t see you earlier.” He drawls and pauses to sip the foam from a fresh cracked can.
“I was unloading the car.” You say.
He stares at you, silent for a moment. His throat bobs. Is he just as nervous as you?
“Oh, so, how’d you do on that Lit exam? I totally bombed.” He intones.
“I did okay.” You hide your disappointment. You don’t want to talk about class. “Er… how’s baseball?”
“Season’s over. Training won’t be for two months. Not much up.” He shrugs.
“Oh…”
“Jake!” Zoe trills as she skips over. “You said you were going to show me that butterfly paddle.”
“Did I?” He turns away from you.
You deflate, just slightly. Well, you can’t expect to be the main character. You’ll get your chance. You just need to shake your nerves off.
Jake strides off with Zoe towards the water. You turn as Shella digs out a can from the cooler. You’re tempted to bum some vodka off her but you’re not one for drinking. It just makes your head hurt. You just need to breathe and get yourself together.
You grab a tonic and struggle with the metal cap. Right. You didn’t think of that. You look around; Colin’s getting handsy with Kelly, his eyes darting out to Zoe in the water, and Shella’s shaking her head at Chase as he flexes, and Hayden smacks his arm to make him stop. Somehow you always end up the odd one out.
You swallow and near the group still ashore. No one notices as an argument breaks out between Chase and Hayden about the barbeque back at the airBNB. Shella blows a raspberry and tells them they’re both stupid.
You chuckle and Chase sneers at you. “Oh, you’re here.”
You wince. “Sorry, I–”
“And what’s that you’re drinking?” He snatches your drink before you can back up. “Horse piss?” He pretends to read the label. “Lame. Soda?”
“Hey, give it back.” You reach for it and he drops it past your grasp. It spills on the blanket beneath your feet.
“Fuck, now look what you did.” He spits.
“No, you–”
“Chase, you’re a dick.”
“She fucking laughed at me.” He kicks the bottle and turns his attention on Shella. “Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about you, baby.”
You pick up the bottle and frown at the dregs left in the bottom. Hayden ignores you as he pretends to be distracted with the strings on his swimsuit. Colin and Kelly get closer and closer to each other at the corner of the blanket. Great… maybe you can go out and hang with Zoe and Jake.
You lean the mostly empty bottle against the side of the cooler. You toy with the tails of your cover-up and eye the water. You search out Zoe and Jake. They’re splashing each other out in the tides.
You lift your coverup over your head and put it on your beach bag. You cross the blanket and stop short. As you step into the sand, you watch as Zoe and Jake tangle up in each other.
Time slows down as they sway around and your chest pits as they get closer and closer. Their lips meet and your breath is crushed from your lungs. Your eyes sting as Colin snarls loudly.
“The fuck, Zoe?!”
Kelly squeals as Colin throws his can in the sand and shoulders past her. She scoffs and watches him. “Ew. Fuck off, dude. Ugh!”
Chase cackles as he drapes his arm around Shella. “Amateurs.”
Hayden looks up from a book and sighs. You swallow tightly and look down. You quickly flick away your shock and horror with your lashes. You force a smile.
“Is… there a bathroom around here?” You croak out.
“I saw one on the way in. Out in the lot.” Kelly says. “What a fucking douche, huh?”
“Not really. Zoe is objectively hotter.” Chase snorts.
“Fuck off, micro dick.” Kelly retorts, earning another laugh from the jerk.
“Dude,” Shella pushes his arm off her. “You’re a dick.”
“Big one,” he taunts as he grabs his shorts.
“Um… gotta go.”
You flee quickly across the beach, forgetting your bag and coverup for the flurry in your stomach. You don’t think anyone realises or cares about your heartbreak but you can’t sit and stew in it with them. You hurdle up the jagged path to the lot, sandals clapping under your feet, and barge into the bathrooms.
You hide in a stall. You grip your head and focus on breathing. You can’t be upset over something that never was. The whole thing with Jake was never really anything. It was all in your head. Yet, it hurts so bad.
You should’ve known. You’re not good enough. You’re not a TikTok hottie like Zoe or a breezy blonde like Kelly; you’re you. Plain, unassuming, nothing special about you. But Jake isn’t like those other guys; he’s sweet and smart and… too good for you.
You shudder and stare at the stall door. Someone knocks. Dang.
“Sorry, uh…” you flush the toilet then open the door.
You squeeze past the impatient beach body and stop to wash your hands at the sink. You step out and head back to the path. You can see them on the blanket; Jake and Zoe are back and still all over each other. You can’t make yourself go back.
Just walk it off. You get to the end of the path and head in the opposite direction. The smell of greasy fries and onions tug at your nose. There’s food trucks parked at the other end of the sand. You clomp through the sand in your flip flops, running from the reality behind you.
Shoot. You left your bag behind. You can’t even treat your lovesickness with a dose of fried carbs.
You stop between the lines, resisting inevitability. You’ll have to go back eventually. Not yet. You’re still too frazzled. You have to play it cool. You can’t let anyone know how stupid you really are. Deluded, even.
“Hey,” you’re startled by the same deep voice as before. “You again.”
You turn to that man. Nick. He has a shirt on but it’s unbuttoned and shows off his muscles. You bat your lashes and try to smile. You can’t.
“Do you like strawberry?” He offers.
He has two cups in his hand; some sort of slushy.
“Um…”
“I asked for cherry but they made the wrong one first time so I got a freebie.” He says. “But I can take the strawberry if you’d rather cherry.”
“Hm, oh… don’t you…”
“Here with a buddy. He’s got kids. I needed a break and he’s into keto or whatever. No sugar.” He explains. “Hate for it to go to waste.”
“It’s nice of you but…” you stare at the cup. A thousand times on campus they warned you about taking drinks from strangers but they meant fratboys and their raging hormones. This guy’s older and he’s there with a dad. He could even be a dad himself. “Okay, that’s… sweet.”
“You seem like you need it. Doing all the work.” He holds out the light pink cup. “You look sad. Your friends got you like that?”
“It’s really not… you know, college drama.” You shrug. “Really. I’m sure you have bigger problems.” You accept the cup. It’s so cold it hurts your hand. “I’ll let you enjoy your alone time.”
“Nah, it’s all good. I just didn’t want to be around screaming grade schoolers.” He says. “I don’t mind a pretty girl.”
You shake your head. “Right. That’s…”
“Coming on a bit strong, huh?” He smirks. “I get it. I saw the way you were looking at that guy. He’s real cute. Totally you’re type.”
You move out of the way as the lines around you shift. He gestures you out from those waiting for their orders. You slowly retreat as he follows.
“I’m not his…” You mutter.
“Really?” He asks. “Doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“You…” you stop and face him. “You don’t even know me.”
“Not for lack of trying.” He insists. “It’s Spring Break. College goes by fast. Live while you’re young. All those cliches.” He stops to suck on the straw. “Trust me.” He licks his lips. “It really does pass you by.”
“Maybe it’s not a bad thing.”
“Not too late to turn it around.” He looks around, “hey, there’s shade.” He points. “Sit, drink, it’ll help.”
“I…” you glance down the beach. “Sure.” You turn and follow his finger to the shady spot beside the tree. The sand is cooler there. “Thanks, again.”
“No problem. Maybe some of my luck will rub off on you.” He says.
You turn and he offers his hand. He helps you sit before he settles in next to you. This isn’t how you expected this vacation to go but it seems like you expected too much. You bend your legs, leaning your forearms on your knees, and cradle the cup.
“Gonna try it?” He asks.
“Oh, uh… yeah.”
“Cheers.” He holds up his cup.
You move stiffly. You tap your cup off his then drink. He does too. It’s so sweet your cheeks pinch. You blink.
“Oof, sugary.” You say.
“Just a little,” he agrees. You peek over and find him watching you. “So, college girl, what are you studying?”
“It’s lame. Ugh… infrastructure planning. You know, city streets and whatever.”
“Huh, interesting.”
“Not really.”
“No, it is. That’s good work. I mean, imagine the chaos if there was no one doing it? No stop signs, no street lights… no rules.” He stops and hums. “As much fun as that can be, there has to be some order.”
You push your shoulders up. It’s like he’s insinuating something but you’re not sure. You think you’ve learned your lesson. You won’t read into things. They’re not that deep.
“I guess. My dad said it will get me a good job. Good retirement plan. So… that’s life. Always trying to figure out how to pay the bills.”
“You’re not far off.”
“What… do you do?” You ask.
“Security.” He says. “Boring stuff.”
“Oh, like… a guard or something?”
“Or something.” He says. “Really, not very interesting.”
“Right,” you nod. You take another drink. You examine the cup. There’s layers to it, the ice separating from the liquid.
“My buddy didn’t really think this out when he picked the dates. Place is crowded.” He says. “But I can’t complain. Meeting pretty girls and all.”
“Yeah, lots of them around here.” You drone.
“And yet, there’s only one I’m looking at.” He muses.
You look at him again. You drink nervously, draining all of the sugary liquid. So fast, it clogs your throat. You cough and cover your mouth, planting the cup of ice in the sand on your other side.
“You see, the young ones don’t get it. Boys. But a man, a real man sees exactly what you are, doll face.” He touches your shoulder. You flinch and turn back to him. “You’re the prize. Sweet thing like you.”
“Oh, um…”
“Smile for me. Please.” He pets your skin.
You stare at him, stunned by his forwardness. Moreso, burning in your own flesh. You gulp and smile. He bites his lip.
“You really are something, doll face.” His fingers follow the strap of your swimsuit. “This is… nice too.” You look down at your swimsuit. “Daisies… so innocent.” He growls. “Can I pluck your flower, doll face?”
You blink at him and a gloss softens your vision. You furrow your brows and try to flick away the glaze. You rub your eyes.
“Um, I should… go.”
You get up to your knees and waver. You fall back onto your bottom. You grab your head as it bobbles on your neck. “Oh…”
“Shh, honey. It’s so hot out here, sweating and all. You shouldn’t be drinking so fast.”
“Was there… alcohollll.” Your voice drags on your tongue.
“Not much. Not enough to…interact with the good stuff.”
“Inter… inter…” you babble.
He hushes you again. He gets closer and stretches his arm across your back. He hauls you up but you can’t stand on your own. You have no choice but to lean on him.
“Better get you somewhere safe before the beach police see you. Public intoxication is more than a ticket.” He drawls.
“Wh-what?”
“I got you, doll face.” He purrs as he ushers you away from the beach and past the shady tree.
“What are you–what’s going–” You slur. “Something’s… wrong.”
Your feet are heavy and clumsy. He’s quiet as he urges you on. As you get to the parking lot, he’s as good as carrying you.
He takes you to an SUV. The locks click loudly. He pops open the hatch. The seats are folded down. He peers around then scoops you up. He puts you in as you gurgle, eyes rolling under your lids.
“It’s alright, doll face.” He coaxes as he brings your wrists together and uses a bungee cord to secure them. “I know how to treat a pretty thing like you.” He ties your ankles too. “I know better than to let a good thing go so easy.” He shoves a folded cloth in your mouth and wraps another strip around your head. “I’m gonna make all those dreams you had about that silly boy even better.”
He pulls a tarp over you and the car jolts as he shuts the hatch. You grunt as your head thrums and the blackness pulses in your eyes. The cold sensation of the plastic and rough felt of the interior fades into a prickly void.