The Announcement (Flynn x F!MC)
This fic is inspired by VoSAW hosted by @vosaw and the Choices September Challenge hosted by @choicesseptemberchallenge!
Dedicated to @mariaoz my wonderful twin and to @itsbrindleybinch , who helped me so much with this fic!
Tagging also my wonderful friends @lady-kato @a-i-n-a-a-s-h @jlpplays1 @desiree-0816 and @ahumanmishap! Thank you for everything!
Ok so I know this is late but it was hard for me to find an idea, so... xD
Day 5 Prompt: Announcement
Pairing: Flynn x MC, slight hints of unrequited Kate x MC
Summary: The gang meets up to share what happened after a few months in which life moved on.
Brooke smiled at Flynn, Naomi, Grant and Kate. They were all seated in a small circle, as if this was just a simple meeting after so long apart. How was it possible that even when they lived so close to each other, they never had the chance to meet up?
A warm hand took hers and she smiled when she met Flynn’s dark eyes. Somehow, ever since she decided to stay, Flynn’s eyes became lighter. Maybe not literally, but the constant happiness shining from him made him so much more charming. He still managed to keep his bad-boy persona, but now he was much more open about his feelings. To her, to Kate, to the newborn Rachel.
Brooke turned to Naomi, who was casually sitting on her other side. She casually sat on one of the chairs, her gaze shifting between each and every one of her friends. She froze when her eyes fell on Kate. A smile rose to her lips as she nodded in her direction. “So it’s time. How have you been?”
“Oh,” Kate blushed, “Rachel and I have been doing fine. She’s a very happy baby, and I couldn’t be happier.” She laughed, but something changed in her once her eyes met Brooke’s. They softened with affection and a certain longing, as if there was more that she wasn’t letting on. However, before Brooke could say anything, Kate shook her head. “There are nightmares, sometimes. It’s hard, especially when I’m alone, but I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze and took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine.”
Flynn straightened himself. His eyes burned with cold anger and he clenched his fists. “I swear. Kate, if I could teach that-”
“Flynn.” Naomi stopped him, a warning lilt to her voice.
His eyes flashed with warning, but he complied. Grant frowned as he gazed between all of them before he cleared his throat. “I’m still looking into Senator’s Vega empty seat. I hope that the future will prove fruitful.”
“Hopefully,” Brooke said, and Grant gave her a relieved smile. Someone needed to ease the tension, if only a bit.
“How about you, Brooke?” Naomi asked.
Brooke shifted uncomfortably. “Well, since my previous job was in an office, I’m trying to find a paper that I can work for at home.”
She met Flynn’s eyes, and was stunned at the beauty of his smile. He squeezed her hand, sending warm tingles up her arm. How did she ever think of leaving him?
“What about you, Flynn and Naomi?” Grant inquired.
Flynn and Naomi met gazes. “Well,” Naomi started, “it’s hard. Getting better, but it doesn’t get any easier.”
Flynn’s face darkened. “It’s pretty hard stopping crime when you haven’t had a functioning police force for years. Especially in a place like Birchport, one that’s known very well for their crimes.”
“But at least I’m finally making a difference,” Naomi’s eyes sparkled, “instead of being forced to act like Walsh’s servant.”
Brooke smiled. “You deserve it, Naomi. We all know that.”
The chief of police beamed. “Thank you, Brooke.”
A silence settled between them, but instead of the heavy quiet from before, this one was light and comforting. Life moves on, and Brooke couldn’t be happier that their lives moved in the right direction.
“I have one more announcement.” Kate’s voice suddenly broke the silence. They all turned to look at her expectantly, and Flynn’s hold on Brooke’s eyes tightened. From the way Kate slightly fidgeted it was clear that there was something wrong.
Kate closed her eyes before releasing a heavy breath. “I’m thinking of going on a small trip to Europe. I- I need it.”
Flynn suddenly got on his feet. “Why? Haven’t you been through enough?”
“I’ll be fine,” Kate assured him, “I need this. The memories are haunting me, and I need a bit of time to figure everything out. I need to go, if only for now.”
Flynn narrowed his eyes. “Kate, this only happened a few months ago. Already?”
She nodded. “It’s what I need.”
“I’ll come with you,” Brooke blurted out.
Flynn stiffened beside her, but Brooke didn’t care. She needed to do this. For Kate.
“You can’t,” Kate uttered, “it’s something I need to do alone.”
“Please, Brooke. I need this.”
Not long after, the five departed. As they walked back toward the boat, Flynn and Brooke hardly spoke. What could they have said? Somehow, Kate’s news changed everything.