[the golden crown speakeasy's janitor closet, new york city–late thursday night]
FIVE HUFFED angrily and crossed his arms as Jordan collapsed onto a cot. "You are such a bitch sometimes!"
"Me? I'm the bitch?" Jordan seethed, getting to his feet. He swayed a bit and Five presses his lips together, hating how much taller Jordan was. "You're the one who–who doesn't let me in on anything, who forgets I'm there, who lets people call me a whore! If anyone's a bitch, it's you, Five!"
"I was trying to protect you!" Five said through gritted teeth. "Teegan and Suzie are dangerous. They didn't get fired just because they where going to try and kill Lincoln. They where trying to do so much more. They where going to do some Bonnie and Clyde shit. Their plan was to hunt down famous people—Julius Caesar, Hitler, Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Zuckerburg–"
"Who the hell is Mark Zuckerburg?"
"He's the guy that made–you know what, it doesn't matter!" Five stomped his foot like a toddler. "They where planning on fucking time up beyond repair. I found their plan and turned them in. I mean, sure, I wanna change time but not to that extent. Suzie and Teegan figured out that I was the one that got them exiled, and they've been pissed off since. It's been decades since then, Jordan, and I don't want them to have a reason to kill you. Because they already want too, Jordan."
"I don't care!" Jordan said, his voice cracking. "I just..." he trailed off, wiping tears harshly from his eyes.
"What, Jordan? You just what?"
"It's just that...I don't know," Jordan sighed heavily. "I don't know. I don't know. I don't know anything."
Five frowned. Shit. Oh, shit. Jordan was crying. Suzie was right, he was an angry-emotional drunk. Fuck. He needed to help, he's been to mean, should've done this lighter. But he had too, right, because Teegan and Suzie had to think that he wasn't important.
"What...do you wanna talk about anything?" Five said. Jordan looked down at him, his hazel-honey eyes covered in tears.
"No," Jordan mumbled, sniffling like a grandpa with a cold. "I don't wanna talk."
Fives skin crawled. Fucking Christ, did he need to learn how to comfort people. Maybe colleges taught a class. Could he even take college classes?
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I don't wanna talk to you." Jordan snapped, falling back onto the cot. He rolled to his side and faced the wall, sniffling.
Five sighed. Fuck. He fucked everything up. Shit.
"Jordan?" He whispered. The other boy made a small grunting sound. "There's only one bed."
Jordan huffed and scooted over. Five sighed again and crawled onto the bed, backs touching.
"I hate you," Jordan muttered.
"Okay."
"You're mean and rude and an asshole."
"True."
"And you have very pretty eyes."
"...thank you?"
"They're like meadows. Like in the movies, where people are always playing in valleys? That shade of green. All sunshine-y and loving. Except yours aren't super loving, they're colder. Like diamonds. But green."
Five rolled over so that he was facing Jordan's back. "You are a weird drunk."
"Thank you." Jordan said, pouty.
"How did you not realize that was alcohol?" Five wondered.
"I don't know, Five. It's New York. I'm from Sun Creek. I figured their water was weird."
Five laughed. Jordan rolled over to face him.
Hesitantly, Jordan lifted a hand and started running his fingers through Five's hair. "You're very pretty, Five."
"I think you're pretty too, Jordie."
"I'm not. I'm ugly."
"Why do you think that?" Five frowned, placing a hand on his cheek. Jordan pressed his lips together and continued playing with his hair.
"I'm fat. Like a–like a pig."
"What?" Five moved so that he was leaning on one elbow. Jordan's hand fell limp to his side as he stared up at the other boy. "You're not."
"I weigh 134 pounds. I'm fat."
"No you're not! Where'd you even get that idea?"
"There's no idea about it, Five. I'm fat." Jordan lifted up his rose tee, pointing to his skinny hip. Five felt his heart go cold; Jordan's ribs where prominent, sticking out like knives. Sure, Jordan hadn't eaten much lately, but they'd all been stressed out. Five figured that was it. He'd hoped that was it.
"See? Fat." Jordan pinched his minuscule amount of flab.
"Jordan Arthur Reel—"
"You remember my middle name?"
"Yes, now be quiet while I make you feel better. Jordan Arthur Reel, you are the farthest thing from fat. You're too skinny to be healthy, and I'm mad that I didn't notice it before. If–if you wanna lose weight, there are better ways to do it than just...not eating."
"They don't work for me, Five. I've tried them." Jordan whispered.
"Once we're back home, Jordan, we can talk about it more." Five said. "Allison was an actress, Diego lived in a gym; one of them can help. And if they can't? We'll find someone else. But Jordie, listen to me," Five took one hand and grabbed Jordan's face, running a thumb over his freckles. "You're not fat. And even if you feel fat? You're still beautiful."
Jordan smiled. He leaned up and kissed Five's nose. "Sure thing, babe."
Five flushed. Jordan giggled and then collapsed back onto the cot, closing his eyes. Five sighed in exasperation, laying back down. Jordan huffed and rolled around until they were spooning.
Five figured his face was gonna burn alive as Jordan nestled his face into his neck and wrapped his arms around his stomach, mumbling something he couldn't hear.
Eventually, though, he fell asleep.
~
Teegan rolled his eyes. Suzie leaned her head on his shoulder, staring down at the two boys.
"What d'ya think, Tee? Shouldn't we just get rid of 'em?"
"No. Five hasn't figured it out yet."
"He always was a dumbass." Suzie scoffed. Teegan turned his head and looked down at his sister, brushing an affectionate kiss on her temple.
"He just doesn't wanna see us as the enemy. But he will."
Teegan moved so that he was hovering right over the two cuddling boys. "I'm going to fuck you over, Five Hargreeves. You and your precious little boyfriend. Fucking fag."
"Hey now," Suzie scowled. "I'm a 'fucking fag' as well."
"Suzie. Shut up and go smoke a cigarette or something."
Suzie scoffed but left, already lighting a cigarette.
Carefully, Teegan stroked Fives face. "Soon, baby, you'll be dead as a doorknob."
Five shivered in his sleep and snuggled closer to Jordan, who, in turn, tightened his grip on the others waist.
Teegan got to his feet and stormed out.
A/N:
ayyyyyy more jive
gotta love that
the next few chapters are going to be very focused on Jordie and Five as well :) :)
AND i was wondering (mostly because of my friend who don't stop trying to get my writing out there – thx bro) would you guys be interested in a one-shot book? I've written a few Stranger Things and IT one-shots, and they're not super good but they exist so yeah
anyways, i don't wanna go to school (it's the first day of high school for me) but i hope you all have a lovely day!!!!!!!!!