Chapter Text
This whole mess of a day started with Oona wanting to make it up to Ramona, after their mess of a breakup. Ellis's innocent self had been dragged into the mishaps of their relationship, much to his dismay.
“Plleeeeeaseeee!” Oona had begged Ellis again and again, standing near the dock, dressed in the simple Marina Crew uniform. Her hands were clasped In front of her, gingerly wringing her fingers.
He pretended to think, tapping an oil-stained finger against the line of his jaw. Oil-stained, because again, he was supposed to be working!“Hmmmmmmmmm.” Ellis mimicked her tone, dragging out the word longer than it was supposed to last.
“I don’t know if clubbing is the best apology, Oona.” He answered finally, looking up and catching a worried look flash across her tanned face. Oona immediately masked it, plastering on a smile.
“Nah, It’ll probably be fine.” She responded, but her voice was dryer this time. He groaned under his breath. Sure, he felt bad, but clubbing wasn’t the best way to apologize.
“Did I hear clubbing?” Teased a wonderfully familiar voice, the rising lilt of her voice immediately reminding him of the Friends characters.
“Annie, love!” Oona grinned, her British accent contrasting so strongly it made Ellis crack a smile. Annie appeared at the base of the dock, brown curls falling down past the blades of her shoulders. Her very nice, symmetrical face was more visable than yesterday, thanks to her pinned back bangs.
She strolled over, one hand digging into her jorts. Her amber eyes were highlighted in the late afternoon light, picturesque of a typical Canadian woodland. Hmmmm, would Annie be offended that he was comparing her to a tree..?
Anyway.
Annies gaze moved from Ellis to Oona, and for an embaressing moment he felt like he'd do anything to get it back. Her lips curved down into a nervous smile, holding out a hand to give a tiny wave before sighing.
"How uh, how have things been with Ramona?" Annie asked, shifting her weight. Ellis winced, giving a tiny shake of his head. Not the best topic.
Oona huffed under her breath, readying herself. "I can manage to talk about Mona, El." Oona schooled her face once again, giving Annie a half smile. "Its been radio silence, but I assume thats what I deserve."
Annie returned Oona's efforts with a flat-lipped tip of the mouth of her own. "Well." She let silence reign for a bit, light breeze playing with her hair. "Whats the move to return Mona Lisa and Ceaser?"
"What?" Ellis sputtered stupidly, wondering how any of that came into play. Oona looked just as confused, nose scrunched up.
Annie's jaw fell open, feigning a stagger. "Wow, I need to sit down." She practically melted to the floor, pressing a hand to her temple. "Let me get this straight. You guys havenet heard of Kayne West?"
Oona glanced over at Ellis, giving him another lost look. "No, I dont think we have." Ellis answered for the both of them, figuring poor British Orphan over here was most likely overwhelmed.
Annie gave them both another beweildered look. "I would play some for you, but this god forsaken island has no service."
"Is he like.." Ellis started, not wanting to just.. leave her hanging. "An american artist or something?" He tilted his head to the side, against the rapidly increasing wind.
Annie snickered, tipping her head up to meet his eyes. A warm glow spread through his chest at the sight of her amused smile. "He's like, extremely American." Ellis did the thing storybook character did; just zoning out in their ladies eyes.
Annie had very captivating eyes. Pools of swirling amber, that could burn with anger or look as soft and welcoming as a Russian Babushka. Wait. Ellis suddenly realized, a slight flush creeping up his neck. Annie was not his lady. Annie was his friend.
"Okaaay, guys!" Oona clapped her hands, drawing everyones attention to her and snapping Ellis free from his internal conflict. "We need to be brainstorming ideas to get Ramona to come back to me. Go!"
Oona jabbed a finger down at Annie, gesturing for her to get up. Ignoring her requests, Annie motioned for Oona and Ellis to sit down aswell. After a quick staredown, Oona groaned and sat.
"Alright." Annie started, chewing on her bottom lip. "I say, standing outside the cottage playing Baby Come Back by Player, with a supa' loud speaker and chocolate."
"Ramona likes vanilla better." Oona countered, crossing her arms over her grey tee. Annie wiggled her eyebrows at Ellis at that. He couldnt help but laugh, immediately clamping a hand over his lips when Oona raised a brow.
"God forbid I know my girlfriend." Oona grumbled. None of us told her she might want to start referring to Ramona as her ex, even if we wanted to.
Ellis thought of several, including various acts of service, but Oona shot them all down. Annie finally sighed, dragging a hand down her face. The sky was already darkening farther, the sun slipping inbetween the cracks of mountains.
"Okay." Ellis announced, mimicking the tones poloticians took up. "I hate to say this, but Oona's club idea might just possibly be the best thing we'll get." He hated to say it, but most suggestions had sucked.
And not to mention, whats a good dramatic apology if not alchohal-induced?
"I knew you were my fav!" Oona sing-songed, rising to her feet and grabbing her nearby tote bag. "I gotta get hot for Mona to see me! Meet you here at 10!" She called, voice rapidly fading.
Ellis turned his attention to Annie, the crickets chirping and ferns rustling slowly fading to a background soundtrack. "So." He started, mouth feeling unusually dry. Great timing!
"So." Annie responded, and thankfully her voice sounded nervous aswell. "I guess Oonas gonna do the thing?" She cleared her throat, glancing aside momentarily to break the intense eye contact. "Like, how she forces her former partners to interact with her by making them jealous or something."
Ellis laughed again, admiring her ability to figure people out despite being around them for a month or two. "She probably will." He sighed, reaching up to rub his neck. "Hey, Annie?" Ellis added after a few moments of silence.
"Hm?" Annie prompted, glancing up from where she had been wringing her hands together. Before Ellis could get a word out, Oona appeared from the forest, scaring the living hell out of Annie and Ellis.
Their screams echoed off the shallow cliff walls, sending birds into the sky as the squacked in alarm. "What the hell, Oona? Why are you back here?" Ellis grumbled, also rising to his feet.
Oona rolled her eyes. "Oh cmon! I thought you guys were following me, so I speant 4 minutes talking to myself and assuming you two were just staring into eachothers eyes again."
Annie rose to her feet beside me, a flush rising up her neck and painting her face with a slight glow. "Whaaaattt?" She gasped, feigning indeference.
"We never do that." Ellis added supportively, even though the side of his mouth curved up into a smile. Annie nodded convincingly, taking a stance up next to him like they were soldiers.
After a few more seconds of staring down by the very imposing Admiral Oona, she muttered something about horny teenagers (that was very hypocritical) and whizzed off.
"Well." Annie finished after a second, shifting her weight from the tip of her toe to her heel. A nervous habit Ellis had noticed a few days into her stay. Not that he was observing her or anything, of course.
"I"ll see you at Ramona and Oonas big reunion, Annie." Ellis cracked a small smile, feeling that familar glow when she laughed at his jokes.
"See ya." Annie responded, words twisting slightly in that honeyed American accent he adored.
A mere four hours later, Ellis was packed into the tight club. The music was so loud it made his teeth hurt, and he very conciously worried about his hearing. Was this even worth it?
However, a very valid and completly wonderful reason to stay came barreling into him, nearly knocking the shallow glass of vodka he had snagged. "Wooah," Ellis hooked his thumbs around Annie's belt loops, realizing it was her immediately from her wild brown curls.
"Wwwwwwhat?" She glanced up, hazel eyes reflecting the spinning stobe lights and glinting. Jesus, she could make a pastor sin. "Oh. Its you, Boat Boy." Annie finished before Ellis could respond, pretty face lighting up in a smile.
"D'nt realize it was you." Annie mumbled, blinking slowly and craning her neck to look up at him. The whole craning her neck thing was new- since their height difference was actually sane- which also drew his attention to how close they were standing.
Her midriff was a few mere inches from his own, and Ellis could already feel Annies breasts pressed lightly against his chest. A shiver ran down his spine, goosebumps immediately covering his skin.
Needing to regain control of his odd-acting nerves, Ellis instinctively let go of the soft warmth leaning against him. Air, seemingly cold even in the overheated club, chilled his skin.
"OW!" Annie complained, falling to the floor in surprise. But of course, managing to land annoyingly elegantly. Propping herself up with one hand, she rose to a slouchy sitting position and continued glaring at Ellis.
"Sorry." Ellis mumbled, voice uncharacteristicly soft. "I just.. um," He trailed off, racking his mind for a passable excuse for literally dropping her.
"Annie?" Another voice sounded, also somehow audible above the roar of the crowd. With a quick glance up, Ellis realized 2 things. 1, Almost everyone had all flocked over to the dj stand, since some popular song was playing. And 2, Rory fucking Whatever His Last Name Is was helping Annie up.
Ellis stood helplessly, shifting his weight as he watched Rory's fingers rest on her waist for far too long. He pressed his teeth together, resisting the urge to pick Annie up and force her to leave the club.
"Theyre playing Super Freak, Jacobsan. You gotta dance with me." Rory smiled estatically, eagerly shaking her hand over and over for some reason. His eyes were slightly glazed over, a faraway look in his gaze.
"I know you like 70's music!" Rory added with a more noticeable slur to his voice, and Ellis finally realized there was an entire bottle of vodka in the guys hand.
Ugh.
Toltal bastard of a guy. Not only was Super Freak a 90's song, (totally different!) and Annie preferred 80's music. Ellis scrunched his nose at the thick scent of vodka practically wafting off of Rory, fidgeting with the woven bracelet Annie got him.
"I think im gonna drive Annie home now." Ellis broke into the conversation, appearing from behind her and placing a hand on the small of her back. Rory's eyes narrowed, even when he was drunk he was territorial.
"But..!" Annie started, shifting free of his grip (to Ellis's dismay) to face him. "But im not even druuuunkkkkk!" She complained, bottom lip jutting out to pout. "In fact, I could probably take seven more martinis."
It was hard to take her seriously, despite her bold claim, due to her rapidly thickening Southern accent. Something about being drunk lowered peoples defences, so they usually exposed their accents.
"Didnt know you were a Southerner." Ellis couldnt help but add, feeling his mouth lift into an involuntary smile.
Annie huffed in offence at that, pointedly ignoring his question. "Whatever. Drive me home, boat boy." She mimed waving money, and he couldnt help but laugh. God, she was such a weirdo.
"Alright, alright. Follow me." Ellis carefully guided her past countless groups of people, watching the way her golden skin reflected flashing lights. Fittingly enough, some song called 'Flashing Lights' began to play.
Ellis tapped the pad of his fingers against her back occasionally, making sure she was headed on the right path and not into someone.
When they finally made it outside, cool air greeted his skin like a kiss. Like the sweet, minty herbal pastes his mother sometimes made whenever he got scraped up as a kid.
"Where is my chariot?" Annie grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. It finally dawned on him just what she was wearing; Jesus christ, no wonder she was immediately cold.
She wore a dark blue off-the-shoulder top with some asymmetrical lace contraption that draped over her right shoulder and just covered the curve of her breasts. The rest of the shirt was scrunched tight to her skin, showing off the delicate clinch of her waist.
And as if that wasnt enough, Annie wore a simple miniskirt that hung infuritatingly low on her hips. The only remotely warm thing she was wearing were calf-high brown boots, but they were probably more accessories.
"Annnniiiieee." Ellis heard himself groan in complaint, immediately shedding his corduroy jacket and wrapping it around her. He fastened the first button, leaving it like a cape trailing from her shoulders.
Annie did a quick twirl, trying to whip her head around and catch sight of it move. "Im like Serverus Snape." She announced, clearly delighted with her new jacket.
Ellis cracked another tiny smile, guiding her more calmly towards his boat. Their footsteps echoed lightly against the wooden dock as they walked, causing Annie to worry that it was going to collapse.
"Yes, I would jump in to save you." He responded to one of her many questions, finally reaching the boat and helping her on.
In seemingly seconds, they were off. The boat glided easily across the glossy sea, light reflecting off the water and making the dust particles in the air glow.
The foamy sea spray absolutely drenched Annie, whom had attempted to look for fish with her head over the side of the boat. "It went up my nose!" She complained whinly, immediately jerking her head back.
Ellis's laughter was lost to the wind, but this was the happiest he'd felt in a while. Actually, in quite a bit. It was ironic, Annie exposed the worst parts of his life but was, simultaneously, the best part of his life.
Hmmmmmmm. Was Annie the best part of his life? I mean, if he was being honest, she probably was. But, the real question was, was Ellis ready to put himself in that kind of.. emotional vulerability?
It was a big thing to commit to, loving someone. Even liking someone had taken a toll on his mental health. Ellis had a tendancy to onto romantic hold feelings much longer than anyone he knew.
For example, it took him a solid three years to get over a girl in middle school.
"What ho! Land! I see it!" Annie called, pointing out at the rapidly approaching dock and dragging Ellis back into the present.
"Youre so steriotypical." He called affectionately, having to raise his voice tenfold to be heard over the overlapping wind and sea. Ellis docked, bringing the boat up easily.
"UUUugh." Annie complained, reaching up towards the sky to stretch. "Thanks for the ride, Ellie." She mumbled, fumbling around to try and face him.
Ellis finished tying the rope and smiling coyly, nodding and feigning nonchalance. To be fair, that was his ideal fallback stategy. Nobody could possibly see through it!
Exhaling, Annie cleared her throat. "Tu es mon garçon de bateau." She commented, switching to her bubbly-accented French.
Ellis exhaled shakily, rubbing the tanned slip of skin on his neck. "Not sure what that means, but it sounds nice." He smiled hazily, feeling a familiar glow of warmth fill his chest.
Annie giggled, walking backwards through the foliage leading up to Gordies cottage. "Si mignon!" And from the exageratedly sweet tone of voice, Ellis guessed she was babytalking him.
Ellis ruffled her hair affectionately, dimples showing as he laughed. Again, something out of character. But he was trying! Annie liked physical touch, and he was willing to try.
The next few minutes of walking passed in comfortable silence. Annie and Ellis followed the now familiar stone-lined trail, listening to Mother Natures soundtrack.
The sounds of crickets chirping and nocturnal birds slowly faded to background noise as they reached Gordies cottage, Annie slowly turning around to face him.
"Thanks for the ride home, Boat Boy." She mumbled, dragging Ellis against her chest by his collar. Ellis's heart thumped painfully hair in his chest, skipping a beat as he gazed into her entrancing eyes.
"Of- Of course, Yank." His voice broke off as he attempted to speak, and he cleared it with a slight flush.
Annie finally lined her lips up to his, humming against his mouth. Her nose pressed lightly into his cheek, Ellis's eyes fluttering shut as he savored her taste.
Annie was consumed a strict diet of Cherry Martinis and some fancy Rosewater Vodka, causing her to taste like an addicting mix of candy and alchohal.
Though Annie Jacobsan was so addicting, no drug or drink could rival her.
Ellis mumbled something against her lips, pulling apart just long enough to breathe. He immediately pressed his mouth back against hers, lightly dragging his tongue across her lips to ask for permission.
Annie parted her lips, the tips of her mouth curving up into a smile that tickled him. Ellis adjusted their position, tilting his head down far enough to make them fit together seamlessly.
One of her slender fingers slid up under his shirt, grasping at the planes of his back with shaped nails. A shiver ran down his spine, groaning softly and letting his own hand play with her hair.
Resting the pad of his thumb on her hipbone, Ellis had to physically force himself to pull away from this gorgeous, gorgeous girl. "Annie.." He breathed, meeting her confused gaze.
"You sleep okay, alright?" Ellis shook his head for a second, attempting to shake off any lingering want for her. Annie was drunk, it wouldnt be fair to take advantage of her.
Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout again, crossing her arms over her jacket. Rather, his jacket- but it looked better on her anyway. "Coward." She muttered crossly.
With his final smile of the night, Ellis murmured "Au revior," in his barely functional French and made his way back down towards the dock.
He glanced back a whopping three times, always seeing the hauntingly beautiful sight of her standing on the wooden porch, dark curls blending into the night, smooth as silk.
"Goodnight, Boat boy." She called over finally, watching him dissapear into the foliage before sliding her key into the doorknob.
"Had a good night?" Ramona called from her positon the couch, legs thrown over a nearby pillow. Her brown eyes slid over to her, and Annie was delighted to see a shimmer of familarity in her sisters eyes.
"S'alright." She commented coyly, wringing her hands together. However, Annie was never good at feigning nonchalance.
Ramona snickered behind her book. "I saw you and Electrican Boy's little makeout session. Good for you, Annie." She teased, lighting a ciggarette and exhaling slowly.
Annie made a face, ignoring the fluttering feeling in her stomach. "Smokings bad for you. Let me make us some tea." She pointedly diverted the conversation, continuing to fidget with her hands.
"You cant hide it!" Ramona called as Annie dissapeared into the kitchen, causing the brunnette to peek back around and chuck a pillow at the blondes head.
"Ellis is a.. " She flicked a strand of hair around her finger, attempting to decide on a term for what on earth Ellis was to her. "..significant person in my life." Annie settled on, smiling convincingly.
With another epic eye roll, Ramona let her down easy. As Annie turned back into the kitchen to make tea, a worry crossed her mind. Was she taking things too fast?
This summer had been... unlike her, if she was being honest. Loosing her virginity to Rory, actually flirting with guys, drinking out at clubs.. even smoking! The thing she always scolded Ramona for!
What if Ellis didnt feel the same way.. and what way did Annie even feel about him?
Ugh, so many questions. Pressing a hand to her whirling and overwhelmed head, Annie forced her mind to relax. "Whatever happens," She murmured, "He definitely liked me tonight."
Sometimes talking to yourself helped.