Title: Regaining a sense of Normalcy
Description: Tag;; Bambam
steve johnson - July 19, 2007 11:29 PM (GMT)
A small smile pulled at his lips, one of those rare few that actually looked genuine and warm.
They're back, was all he could think. All of them. They're back.
It was a miracle he could even hear himself think with all the shouts and the screams, which eventually turned into laughter, that filled the place. Then again, you kind of got used to all that after a while, right? And even though he used to silently wish they would be a little quieter right now he was perfectly content with his loud surroundings. The Frost Manor just wasn't the same without its noise, and it had been awfully quiet when they'd gone off to war. Now everything just felt normal again.
it was how it was supposed to be.
From his comfortable place in the over-stuffed arm-chair he was lounging in, Steven could make out three voices from upstairs. The twins and CJ. Apparently, from what he could gather from the almost muffled shouts, Jared and Rastis were having a fight of sorts, and CJ was trying to put a stop to it. Really .. he knew better than to do that. Burn Boy was willing to bet that the twins would end up turning on their brother and forget their previous fight in order to get him to butt out. Funny how things worked ..
For once, he didn't mind that he was sitting alone, happy with just hearing them all again ... Though that didn't mean he wouldn't mind some company. Bambi namely. He hadn't seen her in a while and he was, for some odd reason, starting to think that she was avoiding him- but that was just ridiculous .. unless, of course, she'd caught wind of his infatuation, then he couldn't really blame her for wanting to avoid the awkwardness.
Emotions could be so complicated sometimes.
At those thoughts Steven's smile faded a bit and he suddenly felt quite uncomfortable, starting to squirm in his seat to restore the previous comfort, but after a few seconds he just gave up, settling down again with a sigh and resting his head on his palm.
bambi pratt - July 20, 2007 03:10 AM (GMT)
Bambi had just woken up. Sure it was like two in the afternoon and she was such a lazy bum that she had gone to sleep at four in the morning. She dwelled in CJ's room even after he got engaged. So there she was lying on the ground of CJ's room with his stolen pillow. Of course she had no idea that he was up already and yelling at the twins. She twitched at the sound and looked up.
Getting up she heard Jared and Ras's screams at each other and CJ trying to pull them apart. Of course this would soon turn to the twins telling CJ to butt out. It was a vicious circle. She rolled her eyes and pulled down her Ramone's t-shirt and her Sophies as she pushed her way out the room. It was a full fledged yell match. Rolling her eyes she shoved past CJ as she started her way down the stairs. She saw who was at the bottom in the squishy arm chair. Steven. Suddenly an uncomfortable feeling came into her heart. She'd been on shakey terms with Steven.
When she was trying to confront her emotions when she realized she loved Steven, CJ and Ras. Not just loved but she wanted them. Wanted them more than anything. And since she'd known Steven since they were kids she wasn't afraid of his burns or of him skin. She was more afraid of what he might say when he found out. She knew he felt the same way, but sometimes, emotions change.
However just a few emotions couldn't change years of feelings. Bambi smiled and took a few steps down the stairs before jumping onto the couch across from Steven. Grabbing the water bottle from the table she smiled at Steven with a warm smile. "Hey Stevey Wonder. How are you doing? Have the twins and Peter bugged the crap out of you yet?" She tried to be nonchalant and carefree Bambi but she hated how her heart was telling her to say the truth. The guys had just gotten back and she was wanting drama. What a freak.
steve johnson - July 20, 2007 12:00 PM (GMT)
Miraculously, he could still somehow hear someone coming down the stairs in the midst of the racket. It made him start with a sharp intake of breath and sit up straight, setting his feet back on the ground again. If that was Ronnie and she saw him with his feet propped up on the coffee table, she'd probably whack him on the head with a rolled up newspaper or something. If his mother did that, why not Ronnie? Of course, that never really stopped him, but that didn't mean he was about to go and get himself caught. Not to whine or anything, but rolled-up newspapers hurt!
But none were destined to fall on his head this time, thankfully, because the footfalls didn't belong to Jack's sister, but to Bambi. Well, speak of the devil!
"A bit, yeah." he chuckled, sinking into his chair a bit more. They all knew that was downright lie; he was just glad to have everyone back. Todd, CJ, the twins, Cody .. Heck, he was even glad to have that Bones guy back if it meant things would be back to normal. They could all just go back to hating Jacob Jr's homophobia and keeping him away from CJ and Jared, just in case that Scott guy got any ideas. No more worrying about war or whether they'd be coming back or not for at least another three months ..
Of course, after those blissful months were over everyone would be going overseas again. Even Cordell. Leaving him and Jack alone with the girls .. How pleasant.
..Wait- why was he thinking about that?
A few blinks and a shake of his head was all it took to get Steven focused on the present again, on that smiling spunky girl sitting opposite him.
Judging by her disheveled appearance and the fact that she hadn't slapped on any make-up yet, Bambi had just crawled out of bed. He could never get how she could sleep so soundly, and so late into the day. "About time you got up, Bams."
bambi pratt - July 24, 2007 08:15 AM (GMT)
Bambi smiled as Steven sinked into his chair. He always seemed so tense now. She remembered when it was the other way around. As a kid she knew that Bambi and Steven had the weirdest relationship. She loved to mess with him, but was terrified of his scars. Of course, curiousity got the best of her and she checked it out, it wasn't bad. But she understood why he never went to pool parties and how he always wore more clothes than he needed to in the summer. In a way she pitied him in the beginning, but it became more of a love later. She didn't know why she'd fallen in love with him, but it was something that she realized getting up in the morning. She'd always had a thing for CJ, Ras and Steven, but it always leaned a little towards Steven. And now that CJ was getting married and Ras had probably given up, she realized her emotions. She didn't want Steven to know.
"Aww you know you love them back. It's so active now." She pondered the idea of him going to war. It was scarry and she was glad, and selfish to have him stay with her. She couldn't live without Steven, and if he went to war she might just die. "Ugh, it's going to be a long summer." She scratched at her long hair, trying to comb out the tangles in them. Of course it was too late to attempt to look nice, but still, no harm in trying. She straightened her white wife beater and her sophies. "Hey I'm a night owl. You know that." She smiled and winked at him. Then she got up and jumped onto his couch. "So what's up with you? Doing anything?" She leaned on his shoulder and yawned a little to get away the feeling of exhaustion.
steve johnson - July 26, 2007 12:33 PM (GMT)
That trademark lop-sided grin of his made its appearance, coupled with a quirked brow that always seemed to suggest that he knew something but didn't want to tell. It was odd that a peaceful fellow like him would have such a mischievous look, but what could he do? Well, it was mostly hidden anyway, by the fingers he put infront of his mouth. She knew him too well, though, and would probably be able to spot it.
It was because of that reason, because of her extensive knowledge in 'The Ways of Steven' -his mother said they should make it a subject and teach it to kids, with how mysterious he could be- that he allowed himself to admit it, "Fine, yeah, I am glad they're back. Tell Ras and I'll kill you." Though his voice was perfectly serious, the deepening of the scar on his cheek, indicating the widening of his half-hidden grin, was a dead giveaway to the fact he was laughing inside. And, sure enough, he soon let out a soft chuckle.
Long summer? He doubted it. Good times always passed by so quickly, it seemed, while only the horrible moments seemed to drag along. But who said life was fair?
Now that he was sure that Ronnie wouldn't be scurrying in, Steve found it safe to prop his boots up on the coffee table again.
"Night owl?" he repeated, cocking his head to the side. "Well, if you were nocturnal, wouldn't you wake up at night and sleep all through the day?" Glancing at his wrist watch, he noted that the day was pretty much over, but it still wasn't dusk so that meant his point was still standing.
"So what's up with you? Doing anything?"
God, why was he put in such situations? No, not the question, the question was fine, it was the position she was asking it from; seated beside him, leaning on his shoulder. Bambi hadn't been in such close proximity since ... since ... since the day they left, when she was crying in his arms because the guys had all gone to war. But he hadn't noticed a thing then, being much too preoccupied with his feelinga of depression and inferiority- now, however, was a different story, and he tensed up a bit, though thankfully he was still able to control his voice and stop it from wavering or anything of the sort, "Nope. Just listening to the twins quarrel, waiting for your highness to wake up."
bambi pratt - July 29, 2007 07:14 AM (GMT)
Bambi smiled proudly as he said he was glad to have the boys back. "Oh come on. Ras won't give you THAT much crap on being glad their back. I mean no doubt he'll laugh a little, but he ain't that bad." Snorting at the thought of it, she curled her legs into her stomach. Being closer to Steven suddenly made her realize how small she really was. I mean it was worse with Ras, but Steven was a good size too. Hell she felt small even with Jared. Tucking her feet under her butt and one
hugged her knee closer to her chest, the whispers of sleep making her drowsy.
Turning to Steven she smiled serenely, as the light his his face the shadows of scars were show more deeply than ever. It'd been years since she would shudder at this appearance, since they spent so much time together. "Well then I'm partially nocturnal," she chuckled at his words. All ways a technical. "Plus, it looks like it's almost dusk anyways." She pointed outside, the sun was not quite as high as it was during noon. Upon hearing he had nothing to do, she brightened up. "Then do you want to go out or something?" Getting out of the house was definitely something she wanted to do, and even with the boys back, she still loved to spend time with Steven the most. "Maybe the beach, or go out to eat something?" Her stomach growled loudly, picking her answer for her. Dinner was a while away, ok it was a few hours away, but she was starving.
steve johnson - July 29, 2007 08:38 AM (GMT)
Steven lowered his head and pursed his lips, giving her a look that clearly said he wasn't very happy with this. "Oh, please, I've known that boy since you were taller than us; Rastis will do more than simply laugh."
As he looked down at Bambi and her small form, he couldn't help but marvel at how times had changed. To think there had actually been a time when he looked up at her rather than looked down, but that was about nine years ago or something. Wow ... Nine years. He'd known them for that long?
He followed her finger as she pointed to the window and noted that, yes, indeed it was almost dusk. But that's where he was right. Almost wasn't quite dusk, now was it? Always depend on Steven to point out technicalities and loop-holes. His gaze was only brought back when he heard the growling of her stomach and he let out a soft laugh. "Alright, let's go out to get something, " he started, adjusting the glove on his left hand. Then, with an afterthought, he quickly added, "But don't fill up or else Ronnie will kill us both because you don't have an appetite for dinner."
bambi pratt - August 1, 2007 02:00 AM (GMT)
Bambi laughed as Steven spoke. As he spoke about Ronnie she looked up. "Let's just skip dinner with them. I'm really tired of eating with everyone." It was hard to believe but she wanted a quiet dinner. She didn't want it to seem like a date though. Even if it felt like it. Getting up she pulled her sophies straight and pulled a jacket from the couch. It was her dad's. "So where do you want to go?" She grabbed her car keys and yawned lazily. Getting up from her spot she slipped into her flip flops. She threw the keys to Steven as she walked out the door before him to get into her new mustang. Opening the door she sat down in the car. Where do you want to go? She knew he had to choose. She loved food too much to pick something that she loved.
steve johnson - August 2, 2007 02:36 PM (GMT)
The rising of his brows and the surprise that was etched across his rough features were more than enough to express how odd Bambi's request was. Wasn't she just saying that it would be active now? Wasn't she crying her eyes out when they left, and was practically jumping around when they got back? So why did she suddenly want to get away from it all? Steven would've asked, but she most probably didn't really know herself and so there wouldn't really be a point. Bams often did things on a whim, simply because she felt like it, and this probably wasn't any different. He simply shrugged it off.
It was a good thing he didn't dwell on the idea for long because if he had the whole concept of this being very similar to a date would've formed in his mind, and that was really the last thing he needed, especially after she'd been so close to him only seconds before. He'd decided early on that he wasn't going to try anything with her, and what strengthened his resolve was the fact he sensed Rastis has a thing for her as well- Really, he's not about to lose his best friend over something like that.
Getting out of his seat rather lazily, Steve just barely caught those keys in time and for a few seconds he simply gazed at them, something of a mixture of hatred and horror swirling in those narrow optics of his before he snapped out of it and followed her. Having keys thrown at him where what had given him that scar on his cheek, except it was in an entirely different situation and with a much more violent intention. Bambi hadn't meant anything, his father had.
He slipped into the mustang, noting for the millionth time that little Miss Pratt here most definately had taste when it came to cars, and also that it was best for him to drive since it wasn't a very good idea to have a tired Bambi behind the wheel. Actually, it wasn't a good idea to have Bambi behind the wheel at all; she got a little crazy on the roads, just like she did with everthing else.
And then he was faced with the normal question and daunting decision of deciding where they should go. It seemed she always left the deciding to him, for some strange reason, and yet in the end they'd still go to where she wanted. It was a bit pointless, really, but they'd always done it nevertheless.
The first place that popped into his mind had been Red Robin, but then he remembered that Christina Bones worked there and having her anywhere near Bambi was like placing fire beside gasoline. In other words, it was just plain disastrous, so that choice was ruled out. After a few moments of silent thinking Steven shrugged and turned to her, "You're the one who's eating, you decide what you want."