Prickle

Date/Timing: 19 April 2006
Setting: Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Inspired by this Tumblr post.
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Edan and Rhys shuffle one spot closer to the counter.
"I don't think we'll make it in time," yawns Edan. "I'm gonna collapse without caffeine."
"You had coffee at lunch."
"That dishwater was a slur upon the name of the noble bean."
"Dramatic much?"
"Desperate's more like it." Edan yawns again, wider. "I was up 'til fuck-all o'clock trying to get my head around maths so I don't fall behind."
"Still working with Justin?"
"Still working with Justin."
"Sounds almost like you've got a new man in your life."
Edan hunches his shoulders as they take a step forward. "Not me, but Hermann's got a new pen pal."
"Ooo~. Someone sounds jealous."
"Can you /blame me? His dad actually /wants him to talk to this kid," grumbles Edan. "He's apparently some kinda /genius, too: Hermann's age and /already at a big American university. Not to mention he's a /musician." Runs a hand through his hair. "I'm an average student at a middling uni—"
"You're understating a bit on both counts, I believe."
"—/and I can't even properly /talk to him. How'm I s'posed to compete?"
"You think his dad actually suggested he write to someone /decent, let alone a soul as charming as yourself?"
"I'm worried, alright?"
"I'm sure it'll work out for the best."
"Is that a warning he's gonna dump me?"
"I was trying to be hopeful about the situation, but take it how you will."
Edan huffs, curls up tighter.
They creep nearer as another patron departs with something with a whiff of chocolate.
The hairs on Edan's nape prickle. 
He glances—locks eyes with a girl on the other side of the cafe.
A girl trapped between the wall and a bloke leaning /way too close.
"Help me," she mouths.
Edan pokes Rhys, tilts his head. "I'm gonna do something about that."
"It's not your problem."
"I'm gonna make it mine."
"Gingersnap ...."
Edan strolls over, puts on his best sheepish expression, says, "Sorry I'm late, sweet. You ready to go?"
She nods, shoulders softening, and fumbles her stuff together.
The bloke glowers at him.
Edan smiles as non-threateningly as he can.
"Excuse me, 'scuse me." She squeaks past the still-scowling bloke.
Edan links their arms, heads the out the door.
"Thanks," she whispers.
"You're welcome. Sorry I didn't notice sooner."
"Not—"
She jumps.
"—to interrupt the moment," says Rhys, bracketing her, "but matey-boy's in pursuit. I'll escort the lady to while you handle him, Gingersnap, violence being more your expertise."
Edan rolls his eyes, extracts himself, turns.
Rhys keeps himself and the girl moving away.
""Will he be alright?""
""He'll be /fine: he's from Glasgow.""
""What's that—""
Matey-boy stomps into Edan's space, looks him dead in the eye, growlls, "You're not her boyfriend."
"Neither are you."
"You made sure of that, ay?"
Edan shrugs.
"Where d'you get off messing with another bloke's chances?"
"That was more like harassment—or assault—than flirting."
Matey scoffs. "They /like it when you're aggressive."
"Not the ladies I know."
"A ginger nonce like you wouldn't know shit about girls."
"I left my rainbow at home this morning, so how'd you know I'm gay?"
Matey snarls, cocks back his arm—
Edan spins on his toes and /runs.
""I'll get you, ye ginger fuck!""
"Ye have t'catch me first!" He turns the first corner, hops a low fence, monkeys over a garden wall, and cuts into a lane that'll take him back to campus.
He arrives at the residence without taking a deep breath, lets himself in, skips to the lounge for a well-deserved gloat.
And gloat he does until Rhys says, "I suppose you're proud of yourself," and flops into an armchair.
Edan laces his fingers behind his head, glows. "I /am rather chuffed with my performance. The girl got away from the creep, no one got hurt—"
"You owe me ten pounds."
Edan sits straight, drops his hands. "I what?"
"Ten pounds for the cab fare required for her to make complete her escape."
"Why do /I—"
"You're the one who wanted to play hero, so you're the one who gets to pay."
Edan sulks back into the cushions. "You'll have to wait until the end of the month. I'm broke."
"How were you going to buy fancy coffee?"
"I thought it was your treat."
"You would've gotten a nasty surprise if you'd made it to the counter then."
"Seriously? You would've let me suffer?"
"Without feeling the /slightest twinge."
Edan yawns, pushes to his feet.
"Where're you going?"
"The free alternative to coffee."
"Iggy's emergency stash of instant? Again?"
"/No. Bed."
"Don't you have a lab in a quarter-hour?"
Edan freezes mid-step. "/Fuck!"
"I'll put the kettle on for you."
"Thanks," sighs Edan.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Manchester (setting)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan's POV
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Rhys
Category:Rhys (ficlet)
Category:Justin (mention)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Newt (mention)
Category:Hermann (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Iggy (mention)
Category:Celestial Mechanics