Chapter Text
Five months went by in a blur for Chip. Along with work, weekly dinners with the albatross crew and lunches with Jay and Gill, he had almost no time to squeeze in a date. As soon as Lizzie had told him Price would be there, Chip panicked. He couldnt help it, the guy just set something off in him that sent his mind spinning a million miles an hour. He wasn't desperate, no matter what Jay said, he just knew he would feel more secure if he was going to Lizzie and Ava’s wedding with a date. Preferably a date that he knew for more than a day or two.
So, Chip signed up for every dating app he could and began swiping.
The first date went well, at least he thought so. Chip brought her to a nice bar and grill in the city, the Dunk Tank, and they chatted for about two hours. He had studied her profile beforehand and researched a bunch of topics she had said she was interested in, so he felt the conversation was good and that they would get along well, but when he sent her a quick, “That was fun, we should do that again!” text, she never responded. When he went to find her profile the next day, she was simply gone.
So Chip tried again. He went out with a yoga instructor who worked down the street a few times, and felt it was going great until she, too, just stopped responding. Same with a barista, a very nice woman who worked at a hair salon, and a local musician, who also stopped showing up to play once a month at the Albatross. Earl had chewed him out for that one, and Gryffon hadn’t let him live it down for weeks. He just didnt get it! He put in the work, he dressed up nice, took them out to good places, was the proper gentleman in all respects, but most of the time, Chip never made it past the third date before they just stopped replying. It's not like he was a bad conversationalist. He learned everything each date was interested in, made sure he knew good topics to cover on a few of the things he liked, and even threw in a fun question or two just to see what they’d say, but it never worked. Each date would say good night with this look in their eye, like Chip was a kicked dog they were just taking in because they felt bad.
“Jay, I don't get it!” He complained one night to her over the phone as he got ready for yet another date, this time to a local arcade he’d recently found and enjoyed. “What am I doing wrong?”
“Are you talking about yourself?”
“No? You told me not to!” Chip exclaimed as he pulled his hair back into a half-up ponytail.
“No, I mean like… are you also sharing personal things, opening up to your dates, stuff like that.”
“Jay, this isn't a therapy appointment, its a date. No one wants to hear me whine about why I moved here or what my childhood was like after my dad died. That sucks. That's a mood killer, and Chip ‘Mr Suave’ James is no mood killer.”
“Please tell me you have not introduced yourself as “Chip ‘Mr Suave’ James” to these women,” Jay groaned.
“No! Please. I saved that for my dating profile.” Chip grinned, knowing Jay would probably be pretending to strangle him through the phone at his response.
“God, I hope you stay single forever.”
“That's mean, Jay! I need this.”
“No, you dont! You are doing just fine without a girlfriend, Chip. And you dont need to prove anything to Price. Dont you want to be the bigger person?”
“No, Jay,” Chip sighed, giving himself a once-over in his bathroom mirror. “I dont. I want to be the one on top for a change, not the one taking it on the chin. Now, I've gotta go, my date is in 30 minutes.”
“Oh, before you go, are you gonna be able to make this week's lunch date?”
Chip groaned, dragging a hand down his face. He completely forgot about that when he scheduled his third date with Catie, the girl he was seeing tonight. “I can't, im sorry.”
“Yeah, I figured. Hey, I hope this date goes well, Chip.”
“Thanks. I’ll text Gill to let him know, too. Sorry again, Jay.”
“I get it, Chip. I’ll see you the week after, then?”
“Yeah,” Chip sighed, nodding even though she couldnt see him. “See you then.”
***
“So, you restore paintings at the museum of art here?” Chip asked his date as they finished out the evening grabbing a drink in a bar next to the arcade.
“Yeah!” Catie smiled at him, sipping her drink. “I do. It's a really cool job, actually, really time-consuming.”
“I can imagine.” Chip smiled back, fiddling with his napkin. His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket to see a text from Gill.
Fish: I take it ur not coming to lunch in a few days?
Frowning slightly, Chip quickly texted back.
Chips: No, ossry. I forgot to tell u?
Then he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“- tend to spend most of my day very carefully ‘unpainting,’ so to speak,” Catie was saying, eyes bright in excitement.
“Oh, really? I didnt know that's how it worked.” Chip nodded, only catching the tail end of her statement.
“Mhmm! Most people assume it's painting over it, but actually, we have to reverse the damage, not cover it up.”
“So how many paintings have you- sorry, hang on one second.” Chip gave her an apologetic smile and pulled out his phone again, seeing another text from Gill.
Fish: yeah. Jay let me know. Hows the date going?
Chips: good, I think. Tho ur not helping with ur interruptions
Chips: shes an art restorer, tho. Cool stuff.
Fish: good luck then
Fish: and sorry (ᵕ - ᴗ -)
“Sorry about that.” Chip slid his phone back into his pocket and had some of his own drink, noticing the ice had begun to melt in it. “Friend from work.”
“Oh? Mother hen?” Catie laughed, playing with the umbrella in her glass.
“No,” Chip smiled, shaking his head. “He was just wondering if we were still grabbing lunch. I forgot it would be teh same day we planned that movie date.”
“Oh, we can cancel then! I’d hate to interrupt if you already have plans!” She leaned closer, eyes wide with apology and sincerity.
“It's ok, really. He understands. We meet up every week, so it's fine. We’ll just catch up next week.”
“Wow!” She leaned back, looking impressed. “Every week? And you already see him at work? That's some serious dedication.”
“Yeah, but it's nice. We meet up with one of our other friends, and all grab lunch together, its really fun! Actually,” Chip pulled out his phone again, opening his group chat with Gill and Jay. “I could ask them if they would mind me bringing you, so instead of our movie we could all grab lunch, and you could meet them! I think they’d really like-” His sentence was cut off with a hand on his wrist, and he looked up to see Catie shaking her head, that look in her eye. He tried to ignore it, he really did, but the second he noticed it, he felt his gut turn.
“Chip,” She said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That's really sweet, but… we've only gone on our second date, and it's just casual, remember? You said so yourself. Casual is fun! Casual is spending your weeknights going out somewhere with someone else, or hooking up, or maybe grabbing a bite after a movie, but it's not meeting friend groups that go out for weekly lunches. Maybe… maybe next time, but not… not now.” She let out a breath, looking a little worried.
“Oh.” Chip took in her words like a blow to the head, nodding slowly. “Right. Sorry, I don't know why I asked.” He laughed awkwardly, placing his phone face down on the bar top. “Im sorry, that's… that's so rude of me? We already had plans, and I canceled on them, so- sorry. Yeah. I just… sometimes I just decide to do stupid stuff, I guess.” he anxiously ran a hand through his hair before remembering he had it pulled back, so it got caught in the band at the end, which he fought with for what felt like an hour but was maybe only 30 seconds. Then he gulped down the rest of his drink.
“Well,” Catie took one last sip of her drink and stood, pressing down invisible wrinkles on her dress. “It was nice, and im so glad we had this second date, but its getting late, so i think im gonna head home.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Chip nodded, standing up with her and walking her to the door. “Um, see you for our next date? It can still be the movie theater, promise.” He gave her a weak smile and a pitiful chuckle, and she just nodded, returning it with a tight smile of her own. “I’ll have to double-check my schedule, but I should be free. I’ll let you know if anything changes, though.”
“Yeah, sounds good. Have a good night, Catie.”
“You too, Chip.”
He turned back to the bar before he could see the look that he knew would be on her face, and ordered another drink. He’d gotten another text from Gill while he had been saying goodbye, and he read it sadly as he gulped down his newest drink in two shots.
Fish: Oh, and dont feel too bad about missing the lunch, it happens. Im sure ur gonna have a great time at the movies!
Chip just sighed, resting his head against the bar top for a moment. He wasn't anywhere near drunk enough to do anything stupid, but he still felt like he could anyway, and that was never good.
Chips: yeahhhh…
Chips: about that date
Chips: it didnt work out.
Fish: oh no! Im so sorry?
Fish: what happened?
Chips: I blew it.
Chips: ofc.
Fish: i highly doubt that, Chip! I bet youd be a great date.
Chip groaned, now wishing he was a lot more drunk just to process that text alone.
Chips: haha thats a good one, Gill
Chips: i invited her to lunch with us instead of going to the movies so she could meet you guys
Fish: oh
Fish: wait which girl is this?
Chips: CATIE
Chips: THE ART RESTORATIONIST
Chips: you make it sound like ive dated the entire cityyyyyyyy (╥‸╥)
Fish: sorry!!
Fish: its just hard to keep track
Chips: well… now im dateless
Chips: aloneeeeee
Chips: at a barrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Chips: im gonna be single forever i think
Fish: chip, are you drunk?
Chips: not enough, no. just sad. Being single sucks.
Fish: idk, i dont mind it i guess
Chips: lucky
Chips: i feel so lonely. It fucking sucks, man.
Fish: chip, do you want me to come get you?
Chips: noooooo im fineeeeeeeee
Chips: i’m not to far from my house, and i didnt drive, so im not gonna crash or anything. Really.
Fish: ok
Fish: i just feel bad about leaving you alone when you seem sad
Chips: bro ewveryone feels bad about me, its nothing new. Im used to it by now i tnink. Its all in the eyes, gill. Its in the eyes.
Fish: where are you?
Chips: why do you care?
Fish: Chip.
Chips: uhgggggg fine
Chips: im at the bar next to the arcade
Chips: the, uh…. The Anchor.
Fish: The Glass Anchor?
Chips: yeah,. That place/
Fish: alright, ill come keep you company.
Chips: alright, whatever bro. Sure.
***
Chip woke up with a slight headache in an unfamiliar room, neatly tucked under covers. Sunlight peeked under a curtained window in the corner, filling the space with a warm, butter-yellow haze in his bleary-eyed state. A single voice drifted quietly from past the closed door, and Chip blinked as memories of the evening swam into focus from the depths of his foggy mind. A failed date, two or three glasses of alcohol while waiting for Gill, then… then Chip was pretty sure he pathetically talked his ear off. And he probably cried. Chip groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as his face flushed in embarrassment. He remembered Gill bringing him to Gill’s apartment, and them staying up super late talking while the TV played something quietly in the background. Then that means… Chip’s eyes suddenly popped open, and he sat up, ignoring the protest from his aching brain, to see a room that was definitely not his.
Oh, gods. Chip was in Gillion’s bed. In Gillion’s house. What happened last night? He searched around, looking for any evidence of a hookup, but the other side of the bed remained fairly intact, and no clothes were strewn about the place. It was just Chip and his guilt and his stupid feelings. So with a sigh, he pushed himself out of bed, ran a hand through his hair, and headed to the door, towards the sound of Gill’s voice.
It was like a scene straight out of a rom-com’s one-year-later domestic epilogue. He opened the door to see Gillion leaning against the counter, back to him as something sizzled on a small stovetop beside him. His hair was loose down his back and a little all over the place like he hadn't bothered to brush it yet, and it seemed to glitter like ocean waves in the morning sun. Sweatpants hung invitingly around his hips, and an old shirt covered in paint splatter sat crooked on his shoulders, revealing the peeking eyes of his octopus tattoo staring sharply at Chip from his arm. Chip knew he should leave. He should stop entertaining the ideas playing on loop in his head and walk out right now, thanking Gill for taking care of him for the evening, but he couldnt. Instead, he stood in the doorway, watching him as he pulled at a green-to-white curl, nodding along with the person on the other end of the phone he was holding to his ear.
“Yeah, Mom,” he was saying, a smile hinting in his voice. “I will as soon as I can. You know how busy I am, though. Between work and- yes, it does get busy! You will not believe the rush we fall into around the holidays, everyones darting around like a hooked fish, but yes, I will try to get home as soon as I can. Maybe around the summer, i dont know. It depends on when they let me get some time off. Uh huh. Yes, yes im eating enough. Yes im making friends! Really, Mom, I've been here for about seven years, I think I know how to- alright, alright. Yes. sorry. Alright, love you too. Say hi to Dad for me! And tell Eed I love her! Ok, bye, Mom. Goodbye.”
Chip watched as Gill pulled the phone from his ear and placed it on the counter, sighing heavily. Feeling like he had intruded enough, Chip cleared his throat, offering a small, “Concerned family?” not expecting how high Gillion jumped at the sound of his voice.
Clutching his chest, Gill turned around with wide, startled eyes to stare at Chip, gasping slightly.
“Sorry!” Chip held up his hands hesitantly, somewhat startled himself by the reaction. “I thought you knew I was there.”
“No, I… I had no idea.” Gill took a breath and placed steadying hands on the counter, gathering himself. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you if I did.”
“I think I should be the one apologizing for that,” Chip replied with a crooked smile, earning one in return from his friend. “I dont think ive ever seen you jump like that before, I guess I just assumed you couldnt be scared. You always seem so aware at work.”
“Yeah, well, ive gotta be on my guard at work, so.” Gill shrugged, now steadier. “Here im just relaxed. I dont typically get scared by people standing behind me in my own home, so.”
“I am sorry for that,” Chip apologized again while Gill actively waved away his words with a spatula he had picked up. “And for taking your bed, im assuming.”
“It's fine, Chip. Really.” Gillion gave him a small smile. “I didnt mind sleeping on the couch, and you seemed too tired to head back to your place, so.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course.” Gill gestured with his spatula to a seat at the tiny dining table across from the counter where a cup of coffee sat. “Sit. I can get you new coffee if you want it hot, and breakfast will be done soon. I hope you like eggs and toast.”
“Who doesn't like eggs and toast?” Chip asked, sinking into the chair and wrapping his fingers around the lukewarm cup, taking a sip of lightly sweetened black coffee. Just how he always drank it.
“Eh, I'm sure someone out there doesn't.” Gillion smiled absently, and Chip watched him glance at his phone on the counter again, but stopped himself from nosing into Gill’s business any more than he had already. Instead, he turned his attention to the sketchbook sitting in front of his coffee cup, nosing into that instead.
Chip flipped open the book to the first page and saw a collection of sketches, mostly noses, lips, and eyes just scattered across the textured paper. Next was a portrait of Gill, then one of a strange-looking octopus creature. There were landscape drawings of a small neighborhood, a sprawling city, libraries, and what looked like a classroom, and then sketch after sketch of one woman with bright eyes, a splotchy birthmark across one side of her cheek and down her neck, hair curling its way down the opposite side like a wave breaking on the beach. Drawings of her smiling, her frowning, looking down at something, her laughing, her posing and looking directly ahead of her. She was everywhere in the sketchbook.
But then, slowly, he saw sketches of Ollie and Gryffon too. Some of Queen laughing brightly, their eyes crinkled in mirth, one of Earl looking very stern as he told off a cartoon looking gryffon, and one of Alphonze twirling his mustache very seriously. Then there was one of Chip, eyes bright, mouth pulled into a lopsided grin, hair curling around his neck and shoulders. Another of Chip, a side profile this time, as he frowned at something in front of him, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Gryffon smiling while holding an oversized knife, Ollie dressed as a pirate, nearly drowning in the red jacket he had been drawn in, and Queen singing under a spotlight.
Then one of Jay, eyes sharp, tongue poking out slightly as she concentrated on something not sketched out. Chip and Jay laughing. Another drawing of the woman with wavy hair. The last page was a sketch of Chip tucked into his arms and slouched over a table, eyes closed and mouth slightly open. It took him a moment to realize the decor in the background of the drawing was the same things hanging around Gillion’s tiny apartment.
Gillion suddenly appeared, as if summoned by Chip’s thoughts, placing a plate beside his elbow that was neatly set with two slices of toast cut into triangles, sausage, and a heaping scoop of eggs.
“Thanks.” Chip smiled up at him, watching as Gill moved to sit down to his left, clutching his own coffee cup. His tail brushed back and forth slowly on the floor, making a dry shifting noise, like a straw broom on tile.
“Enjoying the art?” Gill nodded with his chin to the book, a tiny smile curling up on one side of his mouth.
“Um,” Turning his attention back to the sketchbook, Chip turned to a page that was not filled with drawings of him. “Yeah, sorry.”
“It's fine, I don't mind.”
“Theyre really good!” Chip offered, feeling awkward now for poking through the book. Gill just chuckled. “Thank you.”
Looking down at the page he flipped to, Chip’s fingers hovered over the picture of the girl with wavy hair smiling, eyes sparkling mischievously at the artist. She looked so familiar, but he couldnt place it. “She’s really pretty,” he blurted before he could stop himself, blushing slightly at his stupid mouth.
“Yeah, Edyn is quite lovely.” Gill nodded, looking almost wistful, and suddenly Chip’s embarrassment turned to jealousy as he looked back at the girl in the drawing. “Everyone always said my sister took after our mother, but I never thought so. She was the perfect mix of both.”
“Oh.” Chip coughed, nearly choking on his own frustrating emotions. “That's your sister?”
“Yes.” Gill smiled, looking at the sketch fondly. “ Edyn’s my older sister. The much smarter, much kinder, much more diligent sibling between the two of us.” he let out a wry chuckle and took a sip of coffee, not tearing his eyes from the drawing. Then, in a soft voice, almost as if he were talking to himself, he murmured, “It's been seven years since ive seen her.”
Chip just stared at him in shock. “You haven't seen your family in seven years?”
“No.” Gill shook his head, lips pressing together in a sad, firm line. “I haven't.”
“Why?” Chip gave him an incredulous look, and in an instant, Gillion’s brows drew into a deep frown, jaw setting in irritation. “Because I haven't.”
They were both silent for a few minutes before Chip awkwardly broke the quiet. “Sorry. I didnt mean to pry, i just- i dont know. Im nosy. Sorry again.”
Gillion sighed, gathering the sketch book in his hands and taking one last look at it before snapping it closed, pushing it away from him on the table. “No, im sorry. It's not your fault I haven't gone home, I just… I can't right now. Not yet.”
“Ah.” Chip nodded, completely confused. But Gillion didnt seem to want to talk about it, so Chip let it go.
They fell silent again, and Chip pulled out his phone just to have something to do, absentmindedly checking his messages. The last person he texted besides Gill was his date last night, Catie. He read the last thing he sent with a groan, cringing at how desperate he sounded. It was left on read, not a response in sight, and it was like the final dagger to Chip’s heart. As silly as it was to admit, Chip was really hoping it would work out, at least long enough for the wedding. Weddings sucked when you were single, and they sucked even more when one of the bridal party was your ex, and they were dating the guy who ruined your life.
“Are you alright?” Gill’s voice pulled Chip up from where his head was buried in his arms, and he let out a sigh, propping his chin up on one hand. “Yeah… I guess I was just hoping Catie would text me back about our next date.”
“Chip…” Gill pursed his lips, frowning slightly as he drummed his fingers on the table, seeming to be searching for specific words. “Why do you want a date so bad?”
“Because it's nice to not be single?” Chip deflected with a shrug, but Gillion’s piercing blue eyes bore through him, and he couldnt help spilling his guts at the little table of his friend's apartment.
“I just, I don't know. I dont want to turn up to the wedding single? I mean, I want to prove to Price that ive moved on, that he didnt ruin my life, you know? And I can't bring my new job to the wedding, but I can bring a date.”
“Wait, this isn't just about your ex being there?” Gillion asked, suddenly looking confused, which made Chip smile slightly. “No, no, she and I actually split up on pretty good terms. It was… it was a mutual agreement.” Gill just hummed, not really saying anything else as he waited for Chip to continue.
“So, if I bring a date to the wedding, one that knows me, one that looks like its been pretty long-term, or could be heading in that direction, it won't seem like im just desperate so I can prove myself, but that im actually settled into a new life! It's the perfect plan.”
“So… you're lying to make Price think that you’re better than him now?”
“Yes! Well, not lying, not really. It would be awesome if one of these dates worked out well enough to actually end in a long-term relationship, but yeah, I really just need to prove that I've moved forward and that he isn't holding anything over me anymore. He’s…” Chip took a breath, frowning at his nail beds as he admitted the hard truth, the words like rusted daggers pushing out of his throat. “He’s already taken my old job, my ex-girlfriend, that scholarship I worked my ass off to get in highschool, im just… im done with him thinking he can get to me. He won't, not this time. I won't let him!” Chip gave Gillion a fiery, determined look as he pressed a curled fist into the table, determined to keep that promise. Gillion simply nodded, silent support in his eyes.
“Is there anything I can do to help then?”
“Not off the top of my head,” Chip sighed, deflating a little from his admittedly absurd announcement. He knew that no matter what he did, Price would always be there, lurking somewhere in the back of his mind, taunting him. “But if something comes up, you’ll be the first one I reach out to.”
“Good.” Gill smiled, and Chip could see the tiny points of his fanged canines poking out under his lips.
***
Ollie grinned ear to ear as he sidled up to Chip while they washed their hands before prepping for the evening.
“So, how’s the dating going?”
Chip just groaned. “I don’t even want to talk about it, kid.”
“Kid?” Ollie raised an eyebrow at him indignantly. “I’m not that much younger than you.”
“Yeah, but when you’ve been kicked around the block like I have, anyone with youth and light in their eyes is still a kid,” Chip replied with a rueful grin.
“Uh-huh. If you keep calling me kid, though, I’m gonna call you an old man.”
“You wound my old, decrepit heart.” Chip sighed dramatically, bumping Ollie with his elbow, earning a grin from the younger man.
“Im sure your broken old man bones will survive. But,” Ollie dried his hands, turning to Chip with a more serious look. “In all seriousness, are you ok? I mean, I don't know, this seems like a lot?”
“What, finding a date?” Chip brushed the looming anxiety rising in him off with a casual grin. “That's easy for Chip, 'I'm suave as hell' James.”
“Gods, you’re weird.” Ollie rolled his eyes, but smiled slightly. “But really. I mean, you seem a lot more stressed recently. Have you had a day off recently? One that isn't filled with hanging out with us or going on dates?”
“Uh…” Chip frowned, knowing he didnt even have to think that hard to know the answer.
“Do you really need a date for this, man?”
“Yes! I do. I dont expect you to understand.” Chip muttered, moving towards the kitchen in an attempt to avoid wherever Ollie was going with this.
“Chip!” Ollie followed after him quickly, voice rising slightly. “Im serious! Im worried about you, man!”
“Ollie,” Chip turned, nearly running into the kid as he stared him down. “Please. Im fine. Stop.”
Ollie just sighed, shaking his head as a disappointed frown settled on his face. Chip hated hurting him, but he couldnt admit the reason to anyone else, it was bad enough Gill already knew part of it.
Ollie pressed his lips together, trying to hide his pained expression, but refused to back down. “I just… I think there are other alternatives.”
“Like what?” Chip sighed, moving to rub his temples before remembering he had just washed his hands.
“Why not… ask a friend to play the part?”
“Like who, Jay?” Chip scoffed. “Price w- everyone there would know we wouldn't date.”
“I mean like, someone they didn't know yet. Don't you have other friends besides just Jay?”
“I mean, not…” Familiar green hair tied back into a long braid moved through the kitchen, tiny pink coral pieces poking out like a crown along Gillion’s forehead. “Not really, no.”
But an idea began to form in Chip’s mind, one that could end badly for everyone involved.