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oracle0422 — The Future Chapter 1: Fun in the Sun
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#fanfiction #maximoff #orginalcharacter #speed #wiccan #xgen #xgeneration #xmen
Published: 2015-04-09 22:44:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 491; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 0
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Since last year Blaire had spent a lot of time thinking about Rose’s cowboy friend Tristan. Sure she’d only spent seven days with him, but it wasn’t often that she found someone who was as equally a flirt as her. Before he had left she’d exchanged contact info keeping in touch via text, emails, occasional phone calls and the rare Skype chat. She hadn’t mentioned to her parents much about Tristan because after all he was on the other side of the country so really no reason for them to worry. She wasn’t planning to date him and deal with that kind of long distance. She also didn’t want to get the ‘talk’ from her dad about how even innocent flirting could lead to trouble and then of course being compared to her Uncle Azriel. She saw nothing wrong with being compared to Azriel. In the grand scheme of things Azriel came out of things ahead. He got married to Sadria and had Darren Jr. So what if it took years of flirting and seeing other women to find the right one, as the saying goes you gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. So she kept the fact she was having contact with Tristan to herself. Well not completely to herself. She had talked about it with people like her best friends Rachel, Hope and Bianca and her cousin Ashley.
None knew the details about their communications, just because that was personal. They just didn’t think she was overly serious about him given that in his absence she still flirted with boys from school and at the club. But she never was serious about any of them. They were all so bland to her. They were all cautious with her. Between being afraid of her mutant friends and then that her mom is a judge and dad a police captain most seemed to think they needed to handle her with kid gloves. The best she ever got was the occasional making out. But between them being a little timid and that she wasn’t that into them she never went further than that. It’d gotten her the reputation of being a tease. Though it was something people whispered when she wasn’t around. The one time she did hear it she at least countered thanking the person and acknowledging she was a tease because she was fine with flirting and kissing but she wasn’t going to just screw any boy. Plus why bother with the oatmeal type boys in town when she could just go home and Skype with Tristan? She’d actually offended one boy while making out at the club. Her cell had gone off and it was the song ‘it’s raining men’ that she’d assigned to Tristan. As soon as she heard it start to play she pushed the boy away and answered the phone walking away.
She enjoyed flirting with him via phone, text, email and even more so on Skype when she got to see his face. She also was a bit of a tease to him, generally any time she bought a new outfit she happily took a ‘selfie’ and sent him the photo of her in the outfit. She at least had a policy about the pictures she sent, never were they shots of her in just her underwear or less. No that was something he’d have to be in person and work hard to see. And when she found out that he was able to convince his dad to take three days of R&R in Bayville, missing one rodeo show but then meeting back up with the rodeo of the one after, at the end of summer she decided to make some secret plans. It was all falling into place. He would be there while her parents had planned to have their second honeymoon in Hawaii and she was being left home alone, trusted at long last. Alright so Uncle Azriel and Aunt Sadria were supposed to check in on her to make sure she was eating things beyond junk food and whatever. But still three days of Tristan with no mom or dad interruption. Sure it wasn’t an extremely long amount of time, but she planned to make the best of it and give him as little rest as she could. She just needed a way to make sure her cousins Ashley and Atif and the others didn’t impede her decision.
As luck would have it her cousins had actually, unknowingly, helped her with her plan. As the summer was coming to a close Landon and Lily were going to be moving to Manhattan to live in a rather nice house that Lily’s step-dad insisted they use while attending Columbia University and then Xavier was returning to Tokyo to go to college. So as a final effort to get everyone together before school started and everyone went on their own paths Ashley had insisted everyone come to the Delaney’s private beach for a day of fun in the sun leading to the traditional end of summer bonfire. It didn’t take much convincing for Ashley to say it was okay to invite Tristan to join them. Everyone already knew him from last summer when they helped at the rodeo. So when that was decided, Blaire made sure to text Tristan about the party plans so he knew there where and when details. She didn’t give him the details or even a hint about her actual plans. She left it at face value that it was their end of summer beach party/bonfire. The only things left were a killer bikini and condoms for if the night went how she intended. The bikini was easy; she hit the mall and found the perfect one. It was a small red string bikini. It covered the essentials leaving some, just not much to the imagination. And she was after all trying to maintain the attention of a bull rider, red seemed fitting. The condoms was going to be complicated part. She couldn’t just go buy them, too many people knew who she was and it would get back to her parents. So she lucked out being left alone in Ashley’s bedroom at her Uncle Azriel’s beach house and came across a new box of Trojan ribbed for his and her pleasure. She obviously didn’t want to ask Ashley, her cousin would talk her out of it, so she just stole several and hide them in her nightstand.
Finally the day of the party had come. Blaire had been meticulous in making sure the beach house was spotless, especially her bedroom. She also made sure that all necessary areas had been waxed so she was 100% bikini and beyond ready. She slipped into her little red bikini and picked out a pair of dark denim cut off daisy duke style shorts that really didn’t cover much more than her bikini bottoms and a black tank top which she’d made with an iron on decal that was a cowboy riding a bucking bronco in the middle of the phrase ‘Save a Horse’ above the image and ‘Ride a Cowboy’ printed below in white. She spun in front of her full length mirror just to make sure she had the look she wanted. She brushed out her long ebony hair and pulled it back into a simple pony tail that she then covered with a red bandana before leaving her house. She walked out onto the back deck, slipping her feet into her sandals and looking down the beach waving as she saw her cousins Ashley and Atif already out setting up. “Hey guys!”, she called rushing down the steps and across the hot sand to them. Ashley and Atif were busy setting up beach chairs and umbrellas for people to sit at on the beach and they’d save a few of the chairs to take over to the mouth of the cave just down the beach where they’d have the bonfire to close out the night.
Ashley was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a white tank top, which the straps to her navy blue bikini could be seen through. Atif was wearing his blue swim trunks and a gray tank top, it was easy to see that he’d put on probably a lot of sunscreen, though despite this his shoulders were starting to freckle already from the summer sun. Ashley raised an eyebrow at her cousin shaking her head, her blonde hair shifting with the movement. “Seriously Blaire? God you’re lucky Uncle Colby is in Hawaii.”, Ashley teased. Blaire looked down at herself and smiled. “What? It’s just shorts and a tank top. Not like I’ll be wearing this long.”, Blaire commented. Atif paused as he unfolded a chair to look at her. “And that means what?”, he questioned raising an eyebrow. “That I’m wearing my bikini under this and plan to swim.”, Blaire said giving at least one meaning behind her words. Atif’s green eyes seemed to be contemplating if he believed her before nodding. “Alright, just try and not get in too much trouble tonight. Ashley is going to be far too busy enjoying her remaining time with Xavier to play den mother. And I’m planning to be enjoying Billy, so I’m not babysitting.”, Atif explained.
Blaire sighed shaking her head grabbing the umbrellas starting to set them up. “Please I’m fifteen. I don’t need a babysitter. Plus we are hanging out with friends today, how much trouble could I really get into?”, Blaire countered. Ashley sighed shaking her head. “You invited Tristan, so lots.”, Ashley said setting up a second umbrella. Blaire smiled a devious sparkle in her eyes. “True. But everyone will be around.”, Blaire said shrugging. “That grin and glint in your eyes worries me. But I’m going to ignore it and hope the others keep you in check.”, Ashley said. “Good luck with that…”, Landon said walking up to the trio carrying a cooler that he dropped near Blaire’s feet. “This is my last day with Rachel, I’m not babysitting Blaire.”, Landon stated. Blaire rolled her eyes. “Seriously does no one trust me?”, Blaire asked. “No.”, Ashley, Atif and Landon said in unison before laughing. Blaire spun and stuck her tongue out at Landon shaking her head at him. As normal he had black swim trunks and a heather grey t-shirt on, his Celtic tree of life sleeve on his left arm and on his right another sleeve which was a flowing design of the Chinese zodiac animals (dog, pig, rat, and ox) were visible along with just the tips of the wings at the base of his neck of his crow and raven shoulder tattoos. “So do we get to get a good look at your back tattoo? Or the new tattoo you got for your birthday?”, Blaire asked with a smile. Landon rolled his eyes. “I haven’t even gotten a good look at his back tattoo and he won’t even tell me what his new one is and I’m his girlfriend.”, Rachel teased walking up behind Landon carrying a small cooler.
It was easy to tell even with the white twill/lace shorts and cobalt blue lace insert button down tank that under it all she was wearing a pearl white halter top one piece. Which it wasn’t surprising she was wearing a one piece her dad probably wouldn’t even let her buy a bikini. “We aren’t usually in situations where my shirt being removed would be appropriate and/or not get a set of bone claws in my chest.”, Landon commented. “And what was your excuse for all the years before you dated her and we spent at the beach?”, Blaire countered. Rachel smiled and nodded. “Yes what Blaire said.”, Rachel said looking up at him waiting for an answer. “I’m Irish. Sun + Irish = Lobster. But I promise I’ve put on 100 SPF before leaving the dorm so under the right conditions I might actually remove my t-shirt.”, Landon replied. “I’ll accept that answer.”, Rachel said leaning up giving him a kiss on the cheek. Blaire rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Today I’m more interested in a certain kind of eye candy.”, Blaire said shrugging. Landon raised an eyebrow looking at Blaire then read her t-shirt. “Tristan in town?”, Landon guess. Blaire grinned. “Oh yes and not for a rodeo, but for a little rest and relaxation. Though I’m not sure how much rest I intend to let him have.”, Blaire replied that sparkle returning to her sapphire blue eyes. Landon laughed shaking his head. “And this is why your cousins think you need a babysitter.”, Landon said. “Oh please. As if any of you are going to be on your best behavior today with your other halves.”, Blaire countered. Landon raised his hand. “I will be. But I was apparently raised right.”, Landon said. Blaire raised a brow questionably. “Uh huh and the fact she has a dad who has a sharp set of bone claws has nothing to do with you not getting hot and heavy with Rachel?”, Blaire questioned. Rachel blushed a little looking down. “That might have something to do with it.”, Landon admitted.
“What has something to do with what?”, Cora Lee asked walking up behind them a set of metal volleyball posts floating along behind her. “Oh just discussing that the reason your brother doesn’t try to get past first base with Rachel.”, Blaire stated. “Umm gross..”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. Landon shook his head looking over to Cora Lee. “You just echoed my opinion of you with Malcolm.”, Landon commented to his sister. Cora Lee stuck out her tongue as she walked by to set up the volleyball net, extending her hands out and up the posts of the net spreading out to full length as she brought her hands down they slammed deep into the sand. “Volleyball net all set.”, Cora Lee said a smile on her lips. Looking from her to Landon the Bryant features were easy to see. They had the same nose, ears, and then of course the deep ocean blue eyes of their father. Cora Lee however had inherited her mother’s face shape and general body type. Cora Lee didn’t have any tattoos like her big brother, instead she opted for piercings and not just her ears but her nose, tongue, eyebrows and lip not to mention that her ears weren’t just pierced but had size 0 gauges. The straps to her purple, almost matching her hair in color, bikini top were visible under her black tank top with a skull printed on it that was cut slightly short sitting just above the top of her jean shorts. She had let her purple hair just hang wild down past her shoulders.
Not far behind Cora Lee was her cousin Lily carrying a volleyball under one arm and a beach bag under the other, no doubt filled with towels and sun block. She may have been half Bryant but she had a lot of the Shadow side her appearance. With the dark red hair, green-yellow eyes, nose and ears of her half brother Demitri Shadow but with the Bryant face shape and her mother’s thin frame with slightly wider hips. It was easy to see the green strapless top of her bikini through her white tank top that was tied off to show her toned stomach and her fair skin was easily countered by the khaki colored shorts she’d chosen. Lily waved to the group smiling as she did. “Hey guys!”, she greeted setting her things down and kicking off her sandals to feel the sand between her toes. “Where are the others?”, Ashley asked. Landon pointed up to the parking lot. “Rose is still in the van getting her windsurf board off the roof. The Maximoffs and Malcolm are coming over from the Haven after getting some drinks. I warn you now they may or may not be bringing Merrick.”, Landon advised. There was a visible dropping of shoulders amongst the group and audible sigh. “Seriously guys. We have to cut him some slack. I know he’s a jerk...most of the time, but if we keep shutting him out he’s going to keep shutting us out.”, Landon urged. Cora Lee rolled her eyes. “You don’t know how to accept ‘no’ do you brother? Merrick had told you to fuck off and leave him alone how many times since moving to the Haven?”, Cora Lee countered. Landon shrugged. “More than I can count. But you’re right I don’t like being told no. And I’m too stubborn to give up on family. He went to the Haven which means somewhere inside him family means something to him. And better or worse and like it or not he’s family.”, Landon admitted.
“Who’s family?”, Rose asked walking up to the group setting her windsurf board into the sand holding it with one hand.. She had a beach bag over her shoulder with a change of clothes and a towel. She was already dressed to get in the water in a color block blue, white and black set of retro board shorts and a matching tankini top. “Oh Landon’s just telling us if the guys bring Merrick along we should try to play nice because he’s family.”, Cora Lee said with another eye roll. Rose shrugged she really didn’t give two shits about Merrick personally. Her blue eyes glanced briefly to Landon who was holding hands with her cousin Rachel. It’d been since last October that Landon had made his choice to date Rachel and not her, one would think that after nine months it wouldn't hurt her to see them together. She put on a smile and as Rachel’s cousin and Landon’s friend she was happy but as a girl who’d loved Landon it still hurt that it wasn’t her holding his hand. She tried to avoid being around them, just to save herself the pain. But she chose to come today because it was the last time everyone would be together. Her nephew Xavier was flying home to Tokyo in just two days time and Landon and Lily were taking the train to Manhattan in the morning. Plus as she understood it Tristan had been invited to the gathering to. So she refused to let a little heartache stop her from spending a day at the beach with close friends and family. As Rose looked around mentally doing a head count she didn’t see Xavier or Tristan yet or the guys from the Haven. By coincidence behind her she heard a familiar voice.
“Blaire I think I found someone you were possibly looking for!”, Xavier’s voice carried from the parking lot as he waved down. Xavier was older than Rose and was her nephew but of course there was no family resemblance because his mother Amiko was adopted by her father long ago. He of course had dark black hair and deep brown eyes and the general features one would expect from a Japanese young man, as he smiled down to them Rose could easily distinguish that he got his smile for her adopted sister including the subtle dimples that formed when he smiled. He had a slim build like his father but it was easy to know that behind his blue t-shirt his body was toned from his years of training with swords back in Tokyo. Ashley smiled brightly looking up hearing Xavier’s voice. Blaire turned her attention as well since he was calling her name. She smiled brightly as she saw Xavier’s right hand pull forward Tristan in his hunter green t-shirt and brown trunks which was of course topped with his black Stetson cowboy hat pulled slightly forward to shield his eyes from the blazing sun. “Aww why thank you Xavier. Worried he’d lose his way.”, Blaire teased. She could just make out a bright white smile spread across Tristan's lips as he and Xavier started to walk down to the beach. Ashley put down what she was doing and ran over to Xavier being greeted with a hug and spun around a little in greeting before Xavier kissed Ashley softly. “You seriously go all out of this party.”, Xavier commented looking around. “Well it’s the last one you’ll be here for...but let’s not think or talk about that because I’m going to get depressed.”, Ashley said taking his hand and heading over to the others.
Blaire casually walked over to Tristan, biting at her bottom lip a little stopping just short of him. She folded her arms and tilted her head to the side looking him over from bottom to top before reaching the few inches up and grabbing his hat from his head and placing it on her own grinning. “Welcome to the party cowboy.”, Blaire greeted. Tristan’s smile was just as wide as before, a small dimple in his left cheek. He ran a hand through his short chestnut brown hair a twinkle appearing in his shamrock green eyes. His eyes looked from the top of Blaire’s head, now covered with his hat and moved downward. It’d only been a month since they’d last been able to Skype, but seeing her face on a computer versus seeing her in person had very different effects. He saw a hint of a red bandana peeking out from under his hat then his eyes focused on her sapphire eyes, they had a devious glint in them which in his mind held great prospect for the day. His eyes moved further down, stopping briefly at her soft lips it’d been over a year since he’d gotten to kiss those lips but he held off that ambition for just a little longer as his eyes moved down further. He stopped at her black tank top reading the words before he laughed. “Save a horse, ride a cowboy huh?”, he questioned. “That a suggestion or a request?”, he asked flirtatiously. Blaire’s eyebrows both raised in a rather devious manner. “A request…”, Blaire replied wrapping an arm casually around his neck and pulled him to her. She leaned up slightly and did what both had thought about for the last year, and kissed him. Tristan more than happily put his arms around her to press her up against him one hand steady on the middle of her back while the other casually grasping her well rounded buttock a small smile on his lips at the tiny squeak sound she made. “Ahem…”, Rose coughed. Blaire sighed and Tristan frowned as they pulled back from the kiss to look at Rose. Tristan’s lips returned a smile as he looked to Rose. “Rose nice to see you too. Were you feeling left out?”, he greeted with upbeat sarcasm.
Tristan released his hold on Blaire who in turn brought her hand from around his neck. “Oh not in the least. I just wanted to make sure you two remembered you aren’t here alone.”, Rose commented. “Like we could forget..”, Blaire muttered hooking her arm with Tristan’s walking closer to the others. Tristan smiled and gave a nod to everyone his mind trying to put names to faces he hadn’t seen in a year. He of course knew Xavier who’d saved him the trouble of wandering the beach trying to find the right place. “Hi Ashley, Atif, Cora Lee, Lily, Rachel, and of course Landon.”, Tristan greeted proud he remembered all the named. From keeping in touch with Blaire and the occasional email or call he had with Rose he was up to date on all the happenings since he’d seen the Bayville group of kids last. They’d taken down a rather nasty person which had allowed for, Malcolm, Cora Lee’s secret boyfriend to no longer be a secret and get out of the group he was part of. But the capture of this person also meant Landon had a choice between Rose, Rachel or neither. He knew that it had broken Rose’s heart that he’d picked Rachel, even if Rose didn’t want to admit that. But as he looked at Landon with his fingers entwined with Rachel’s the two seemed to fit and looked happy so that was good. “So is this everyone for the party then?”, Tristan inquired. “No still waiting on the Haven boys.”, Landon stated casually. Tristan wasn’t familiar with this term but Blaire seemed happy to explain. “He means Billy, Tommy, and Malcolm. Though rumor is they might be bringing Lily’s triplet Merrick along.”, Blaire explained. Tristan nodded remembering three of the names though hadn’t met Merrick or Malcolm during his last visit.
Tristan found his way to one of the chairs nearby taking a seat and pulling Blaire down onto his lap. “So what does one do at your beach party/bonfire?”, Tristan inquired. “Well as you can see we have volleyball as an option. Then there is going to be hotdogs and burgers on the grill. Just laying in the sun, and of course swimming. Later we’ll head down the beach to the opening of a cave for our bonfire before dark.”, Blaire explained. Blaire leaned a little closer, lifting the brim of his hat from her face to whisper in his ear. “Then of course there is always ignoring everyone and just making out or more all afternoon.”, she whispered extremely softly to not even let Rose eavesdrop. This suggestion made Tristan smile pulling Blaire tight to him and kiss at her neck. “That I like the sound of.”, he replied quietly. Blaire felt a shiver go down her spine caused by a combination of what he said, the kisses, and his warm breath against her neck. Atif sighed. “I’d tell you to get a room, but that’s probably the worst suggestion I could offer.”, Atif stated shaking his head. Blaire giggled a little and Tristan pulled back from her neck to look at her cousin. “I like the suggestion though. Is there one nearby?”, Tristan asked jokingly. Atif rolled his eyes as response.
“Oh don’t worry about my cousins. Ashley is already distracted and Atif will be too when Billy gets here.”, Blaire said nodding her head to Ashley and Xavier who were exchanging whispers and smiling unaware that anyone had taken notice. “Did someone say my name?”, Billy called as he walked down to the beach carrying some bags from a grocery store in his arms. Atif’s expression changed from annoyed to glee within the first syllables Billy spoke. Atif gave a brief stern look to Blaire and Tristan before going over and giving his boyfriend a kiss and taking some of the bags from him. Tristan smirked it was nice to see the happy couples and now Atif would be distracted so one less set of eyes trying to keep an eye on him and Blaire. Tommy followed down behind his brother but once out of sight of the parking lot he was barely a blur as he zoomed down the beach and scooped Lily up as he came to a stop giving her a kiss. Lily giggled a little into the kiss. "You're something else you know that Speedy.", Lily teased. Tommy grinned. "I know. Some day science will figure out what and then you'll explain it for me.", Tommy said grinning.
Cora Lee looked to the parking waiting to see her boyfriend now that his cousins had arrived. A smile spread across her lips as she saw Malcolm appear at the top of the stairs wearing his swim trunks a black tee that on someone else wouldn't fit so right but with his broad shoulders was rather snug. Even seeing Merrick following behind him in his swim trunks and a baggy shirt wouldn't deter Cora Lee's grin. Merrick didn't look happy to be at the party. He didn't consider himself part of this crowd. It didn't matter that he was Haven like the other former Acolytes or that he'd helped out in secret ways, he just didn’t want to fit in. Merrick had a towel and a case of hard lemonade under his arm. Malcolm elbowed Merrick. "Come on cheer up. It's a party, man. Try having fun.", Malcolm suggested before heading down to the beach and to Cora Lee. "Hey there beautiful.", Malcolm greeted giving Cora Lee a kiss. "Hey Sparky. So did you have to bring Merrick? ", Cora Lee questioned in greeting. Malcolm sighed. "He's my friend, Lily's triplet and your cousin. Give him a chance he can be cool.", Malcolm explained.
Merrick grumbled but walked down putting the drinks in a cooler. "So what do you guys do at this thing?", Merrick asked. "How about we play a four on four game of volleyball. Institute & Human boys verses Haven boys.", Landon suggested picking up the volleyball and spinning it on his index finger. Landon figured if anything would get Merrick maybe having fun it was competition. He remembered how Merrick actually got involved in the game of football at Thanksgiving so why not volleyball. Merrick folded his arms across his chest and smirked at his cousin. "You're on Landon.", Merrick agreed snatching the volleyball from Landon. "What do you say guys? Xavier, Atif, Malcolm, Billy, Tommy, Tristan?", Landon speed looking around. "Could be fun, sure.", Xavier agreed. Tommy set Lily down walking up to the volleyball area. "I'm in.", Tommy confirmed. Atif and Billy shrugged. "Sure. ", they agreed. Landon looked over to Tristan who was busy kissing Blaire's neck. "Ahem. Rodeo clown you up for a game?", Landon asked with a laugh. Blaire sighed hearing Landon. Tristan looked around Blaire at Landon. "I suppose...", Tristan agreed. Blaire shrugged and got up from his lap so he could join the other guys.
"So we playing shirts verses skins? Anyone got a coin to flip to decide?", Tristan asked. Cora Lee extended a hand and a bracelet pulled from her slender wrist and became a coin. "Heads Malcolm's team gets first serve and is skins, Tails Landon's team gets first serve and is skins.", Cora Lee says flipping the coin letting it land in the sand to avoid being called for tampering. Malcolm and Landon looked down at the coin. Malcolm smiled a little. "Haven serves first and is skins.", Malcolm said. Tommy and Billy shrugged pulling off their shirts and setting them down with their towels. Neither of the twins had the broad shoulders of their cousin, that wasn't a Lehnsherr genetic. They were however toned from the years of training. Lily and Atif were both smiling looking at their other halves. Malcolm took off his shirt handing it and the coin back to Cora Lee who couldn't help but grin at him shirtless. She gave him a quick kiss taking the items. "Shirtless suits you babe.", Cora Lee teased. Merrick grumbled at being skins. "Come on Merrick, we get first serve so off with the shirt. You're not exactly the shy type, or at least there are a number of townies that wouldn't describe you as shy.", Malcolm said. "Whatever. I'm not shy.", Merrick said before pulling off his baggy shirt, holding the volleyball between his knees. He tossed it aside and grabbed the volleyball again.
Most had not seen Merrick without some baggy shirt on that didn't really give him much definition. And it took the girls by surprise what the amount of toned muscles and definition to his body was hidden by his baggy clothes. So as Merrick looked around with a raised eyebrow he found Blaire, Rose, and even Ashley and Rachel were staring at him blinking. Ashley and Rachel were the first to look away. But Rose and Blaire continued to look at him. Both had raised brows and their heads tilted slightly like they were sizing him up. Tristan even was looking with a smile. "Note to self beach volleyball can be interesting...", Tristan commented before looking to Blaire realizing she was looking at Merrick. "Holy shit! Why the hell do you wear baggy clothes? Suddenly understand why so many townies have been with you....", Blaire exclaimed. "Umm. Okay I'm not generally shy but please someone make the jail bait stop looking at me like that.", Merrick requested. Rose blinked realizing she was starting at Merrick of all people and in those moments her blue eyes took in the sight the animal in her wanted to pounce on him.
Tristan frowned a little folding his arms not liking the way Blaire was looking at Merrick. Sure he'd been looking too and jealousy wasn’t usually an emotion Tristan had but right now he was feeling it. "Blaire eyes to yourself, didn't you invite the cowboy as your eye candy?", Landon said snapping his fingers in front of Blaire's face. Blaire stuck her tongue out at Landon but shrugged. Tommy laughed noticing the look of annoyance on Tristan's face. "Hey guys, how about we forget the shirts in general and just give the girls what they want.", Tommy suggested. "That's a plan.", Tristan agreed. Tristan pulled off his shirt tossing it into a chair. All the years of working the rodeo had given him some definition but also scars from various bull horns. Blaire's attention turned when his shirt was thrown and she lifted the brim of his hat to look at him a devious grin on her lips. "There's the eye candy I ordered..", Blaire commented. Tristan smirked and gave her a wink Atif and Xavier took off their shirts which got a smile from Billy and Ashley. Atif had a slightly broader build than his boyfriend, but similarly from years of training he was defined. Xavier was slender and toned not as defined as the others but he was training in martial arts where extra muscle wasn't important. Landon shrugged. "Alright. Good thing I used my sunscreen...", Landon said taking his shirt off and setting it aside. In a rare moment his tattoos were all visible. The zodiac and tree of life sleeves, the raven and crow shoulder piece, the meddling kids drumsticks, bass, and guitar back piece, and his newest tattoo on the left side of his chest over his heart was a simple Arabic word meaning Joy. Rachel hadn't gotten a good look at his back piece before and certainly hadn't gotten to see his new tattoo. Rachel and Rose both found themselves looking at Landon. He had broadish shoulders, similar to Merrick, and was toned and from his training was rather defined from his time training with Logan.
Rose looked away reminding herself she wasn't supposed to look at Landon that way. Instead Rose decided to sit down in a chair and grabbed one of the hard lemonades Merrick brought popping the top and taking a swig. "Hey, don't drink all my lemonades little wolf. Not wasting good booze on a Howlett that can't get drunk.", Merrick warned. "Oh whatever. I'll pay you back for whatever I drink, if you want to keep complaining.", Rose said. “I'm keeping a tally. And if asked I didn't bring those. Already have one Howlett brother who would like to skin me, let's not add.", Merrick replied. Rose rolled her eyes. "Please, my parents own and live above a bar. I've got access to the liquor so really who do you think they'd believe would have brought alcohol.", Rose said finishing off the bottle before grabbing a second. Merrick growled a little. "That's two. And the fact you have access but didn't is what makes you the good little wolf. Where I'm the big bad wolf who did illegally obtain alcohol to tolerate this party.", Merrick countered. Rose glared and extended a middle finger as she drank the second. "You wish little wolf.", Merrick quibbed. While Rose agitated Merrick Rachel walked over deciding to get a closer inspection of her boyfriend's tattoos. Rachel smiled first looking over the full sleeves of his arm tattoos then looked to the chest piece and blushed a little. "Aww…joy. Very sweet Landon.", Rachel said tracing the Arabic word with her index. Landon smiled ignoring everything his Crow voice was suggesting he do. "Glad you approve.", Landon said placing his hand in on hers before leaning down kissing her softly. Rachel smiled. "Oh I approve of more than the tattoo..", Rachel said biting a her lip a little. She took her hand from his, running it down his chest before walking around to look at his back tattoo running her hand along his body as she did.
She looked over the piece he had for the band. She traced the drumsticks that represented his part of Meddling Kids that was positioned over his spine. Landon clenched his teeth a little trying to fight back the volume of the Crow voice screaming in his mind about forgetting the volleyball game and forgetting the party just find somewhere secluded to be with Rachel. He felt a shiver down his spine as she traced the drumsticks. "Your tattoo artist is rather impressive. I have always liked how all your tattoos tell something about you.", Rachel said walking back to stand in front of him her hand now resting on his abdomen. Landon nodded. "Yes they do. From my parents always watching over my shoulders, the tree of life to remind me of my roots, the zodiacs to always remind me of the bonds I share with my friends despite our differences, the band because forever I'll know my best friend and sister have my back, and the joy over my heart because you put the joy I feel in my heart.", Landon explained. Rachel smiled brightly then leaned up giving him another kiss. "Sorry to break this up, because god you two are too damn adorable, but we've got a volleyball game.", Atif interrupted placing a hand on Landon's shoulder. Landon pulled back from the kiss with a smile. "He's right. Volleyball game now kissing later.", Landon said before heading over to the volleyball net to get in position with Atif while Xavier and Tristan took positions in the back. Rachel nodded and sat down by Rose along with the other girls to watch the volleyball game.
Tommy and Billy and taken positions in the front. Malcolm went to stand in the back but realized Merrick and still having words with Rose about drinking the hard lemonade. Malcolm walked up and slapped Merrick on the back of the head. "Heel. Leave Rose alone and serve the fucking ball.", Malcolm said. Merrick growled a little under his breath but turned his back to Rose and the other girls to serve the ball. The game was a lot of back and forth both sides not willing to lose. Rose drank a couple more of Merrick's hard lemonades while the others drank waters as they watched. Blaire was greatly enjoying watching Tristan and the others, excluding Atif since that's family, run around building up a sweat in the hot summer sun. Points were finally starting to be scored as Landon's team took the lead. The volleying becoming slightly tense when it was Merrick and Landon hitting back and forth. Landon smiling finding the game enjoyable and a light workout compared to the training he'd been through with Logan or even Aurelia. Merrick however was taking the game seriously. "Alright guys. Final point and then this can be over.", Landon said as Xavier tossed him the ball. "You're serve Landon.", Xavier said. Landon nodded and served the ball again. There was some back and forth till Xavier set the ball up and Tristan jumped up and got the spike landing the ball right between the Maximoff twins as they both dove for it. Blaire smiled getting up from her chair glad the game was over watching the guys sweating and running around shirtless was getting a bit too much. "Nice set.", Tristan said with a smile giving Xavier a high five. "Thanks. Good spike.", Xavier replied. "Nice game guys.", Billy said ducking under the net to give Atif a side hug. Merrick grumbled not happy about losing. "It's just a game cousin.", Landon said with a smile. "If we could use powers this game would have ended differently.", Merrick stated.
Lily rolled her eyes walking over slamming a cold bottle of water into her brother’s chest before handing another bottle to Tommy. "That wouldn't have been fair Merrick. Xavier and Tristan don't have powers.", Lily commented. Tommy nodded drinking the water. "Yeah we mere humans are just ordinary compared to y’all.", Tristan agreed. Blaire took off the cowboy hat setting it down deciding a point was going to be proven and that she wanted to go swimming. So Blaire pulled off her tank top to reveal the little red bikini top then shimmied out of her daisy dukes to reveal the small red string bikini bottoms. "Speak for yourself, cowboy. There is nothing ordinary about me.", Blaire said as she took the ponytail from her hair and her bandana off shaking her ebony hair loss with her right hand. Tristan and Merrick's attention turned to Blaire. Merrick raised an eyebrow looking at Blaire but then shook his head basically reminding himself 'jail bait' before looking away and just drinking the water his sister gave him. Tristan smiled brightly his head tilting slightly to the side his eyes wandering up her body from her feet, to her shapely legs, he lingered a moment at her hips but moved higher over her trim stomach, then lingering longer at her chest before forcing himself to look higher to meet her gaze. "Oh there is nothing ordinary about you gorgeous... nothing ordinary at aaalllllll.", Tristan finally answered still smiling. Blaire smiled. "More like it. How about a swim you look like you need to cool down.", Blaire suggested walking past Tristan letting a hand lightly brush against him as she headed for the water. "Yes, swimming... good idea.", Tristan commented turning to watch her walk away and into the water before following after her.
Landon shook his head walking away from the volleyball net and grabbing his towel and a bottle of water. He used the towel to dry the sweat before sitting down in front of the chair Rachel was in and leaned back against her legs drinking some of his water. He glanced up and over to Rose who was in the next chair. "So how many of the lemonades have you drank on Merrick?", Landon asked trying to make conversion. He didn't like how things still felt off between him and Rose. Yes he had been attracted to her and held feelings for her, but they weren't as strong or quite the same as for Rachel. He just wanted his best friend back. "Um…four.", Rose answered. She didn't like it being weird between them but she was still trying to get past that her level of feelings weren't returned. "I'm going to hit the waves. Later guys...", Rose said finding her escape getting up to grab her windsurfer and heading to the water. Landon sighed as she walked away. Rachel reached down gently rubbing at his shoulders. "She just needs space and time Landon.", Rachel said softly. Landon nodded. "I know. I just, I miss my best friend.", Landon said taking another swig of his water. "Do you…think you made the wrong choice?", Rachel asked apprehensively. Landon leaned his head back onto her lap looking up at her. "Not for a millisecond. I love you Rachel Farah Howlett. So I know I made the right choice." Landon said with a smile. "Aw. I love you too.", Rachel said leaning giving him a kiss. "Where's your sunscreen? I'll reapply some for you.", Rachel offered sitting up. Landon learned grabbing the bag Lily had brought and pulled out the sunscreen handing it over for Rachel to put some on his back.
