Imagine That: Multifandom Part Two

moving on【four】| alicia clark

And even though I was certain she couldn't feel the same – I didn't even know if she liked girls – I was content keeping this crush to myself and enjoying it. Eventually I'd get over it. At least that's what I told myself.

"So, since we've established my presence is irresistible, I'm going on a supply run in a few days," Alicia said after a moment of quiet. "D'you wanna come with? There's room for one more."

I considered it, pulling a face. "Ah, I dunno..."

She patted my arm encouragingly. "Oh, c'mon, it'll be a change of scenery."

I glanced at her. "It sounds like it's my presence that is irresistible."

She grinned, her eyes twinkling under the moonlight. "You caught me. Now, are you coming?"

I sighed dramatically, unable to say no to her even if I tried. "Sure."

"Wow. Don't sound too excited."

I cracked a small smile as I looked ahead into the darkness. "It's not that. I just... I wonder if it'll ever be safe enough to do other things. Like a day out. Something that doesn't mean supply runs are what we do to have a change of scenery."

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged, leaning back into my seat. "I don't know. It's just like before the world turned upside down, if we were bored or something, we could go out. Go to the park or watch a movie or play bowling. There were sources of entertainment. Or art to appreciate, like a museum or something. A treat, y'know? Now there's nothing."

She hummed thoughtfully. "We can kind of still do that. Luci bought some DVDs back on her last run and we found that DVD player."

"I suppose... It's not the same though. The experience of going somewhere new and enjoying the moment."

I exhaled softly, wondering why that was suddenly on my mind. I should have been grateful for what I had now, not dwelling on what I didn't. Shaking my head, I glanced over at Alicia with a small apologetic smile.

"Never mind me," I said. "Just daydreaming again."

She watched me with a softened expression. "No, it's okay. Maybe one day, right? We thought we wouldn't have a home and we have this. Who says we can't have fun days out, too?"

I appreciated her effort to make me feel better, flashing her a grateful smile, before looking ahead again.

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It wasn't a conversation I expected her to remember. I barely remembered it myself, it being a result of the nighttime atmosphere making me comfortable enough to reminisce. And yet, she'd remembered it alright, and gave me something that nobody ever had.

"Can I take it off now?"

Alicia sighed from beside me. "Did I say you could take it off now?"

I groaned petulantly, continuing to step forward slowly. She'd insisted I go out with her – a very unusual surprise considering the only times we'd left the stadium were for supply runs or patrol shifts – and had me blindfolded since we'd left the front gate. I'd been in a car for about twenty minutes and then she'd led me outside, presumably to the surprise location, but hadn't given me even the slightest of hints as to what it was.