Chapter Text
Doing this out of senseless fun, simpery, and boredom. Please don’t take this seriously. I’m just curious...^ warning: Is just a simple pairing between a character of mine. Paired character’s are out of character...* P.S. Would this count as fluff?
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Sparrow’s Spray N’ Pay -- Five months ago
11:09 PM
“Sparrow’s Spray N’ Pay. The best paint and repair place you’ll ever find in Liberty City.” Catalina’s voice replayed in Claude’s head. That same exact line. He had just gotten free from a shootout, fifteen bullets left and just three punches away from death’s door. Claude’s listened to Catalina’s numerous rants about Sparrow’s place. He had no clue who Sparrow was or what he looked like. This made Claude a little jealous.
During his injured getaways with Catalina his girlfriend. She’s never let him come in or near Sparrow’s place. Unless it was to be unconsciously patched up. To him, Sparrow just fixed cars and had long chat’s with Catalina. So long that, Claude would usually be stuck waiting outside the joint while his hatchback was getting fixed. Catalina said she wanted him to meet this Sparrow fella for the first time. They’d be preparing for a huge heist. This is his chance.
Claude needed a moment to himself. He didn't know what picture of Sparrow he wanted to be disappointed about. Catalina never did make it clear what he looked like. Claude was lost. He thought Sparrow would be some fat fuck who’s good with his hands or just any figment of what “Mr. Steal Your Girl” would be. Either way, he thought. Claude was ready to throw hands. But for what reason? Catalina was an unexplainable woman. Switching up last minute, fast movements, recklessness, being the second set of pants in the relationship.
For a mute, you sure do have a lot on your mind. Too bad, you never say it. Claude thought to himself. Sighing as he entered Sparrow’s building.
“Who this Claude fella you keep speaking about?” A woman had asked, Claude didn’t know that voice, could it be that, Sparrow had a lover? “Ah, I haven’t told you? He’s my new main squeeze... I swear you try touching him, I’ll cut your tits off.” Telling by what Catalina just said, she doesn’t. Then who’s Sparrow then? Claude walked further into the workshop, this wasn’t even close to being the location of the two women. They sure do speak loudly. He listened to the unknown woman’s voice again. She had a European accent, it was raspy, and her emphasis on the word “fella”, she sounded Irish or something. He started to picture a short redheaded woman, blue eyes and some of the same spice as Catalina, his girlfriend.
There was another door coming, then as he reached out to it. A brunette hair done in a messy pony, hazel eyes, and lightly tanned skin, sporting a black leather jacket and tank top. It wasn’t anybody different, just Catalina. She had a smirk on her face, laughing and giggling. “Claude, right on time! I wasn’t sure if you’d come in or not. Come meet Sparrow!” She dragged Claude in by his arm. This didn't seem like an auto shop, it looked more like a shack. Tight and cozy like a cabin with the interior of a bar.
“Sparrow! Get your eyeless ass out here!” Catalina barked, as she placed herself onto a barstool red nearby a tabletop, dressed with various glasses and alcoholic beverages. Rushed footsteps came from another side of the house, might there be stairs? It wasn’t very important to Claude. The brunette scratched his head as he waited for this Sparrow character to show up. The images he’d painted for himself were flashing in his head. He lets out a quiet sigh, closing his eyes, and well, just waiting.
“I’m sorry that took so long. I got scared. Ohh! You must be Claude.” He opened his eyes to see a young girl. Curly hair, one brown eye, tanned skin freckles, and that raspy voice he heard at first. She didn't look like a Sparrow, she looked like a flower. If you don’t count the scar on her face.
Sparrow smiled nervously as she held her hand out to Claude. “It’s great to-...” He reached to take it, but she switched to a fast wave. She was visibly shaking. “Mhmm...” Catalina hummed. “Don’t touch what’s not yours.” She added. Sparrow chuckled. “erm...” She stopped talking and frowned. Shortly remembering why the couple was here. She didn’t it bother saying anything or eye Claude.
The energy she had before made it seem like she was ecstatic to meet Claude. After seeing him now, she didn’t want to upset Catalina or him. Knowing her aggressive behavior and his silence. Sparrow ran behind the counter the two sat at and poured multiple drinks, setting out a few sticky notes of what was what and who had this. She then kneeled down and pulled up a toolbox, pointing at Catalina for approval. “Go right on ahead. I’ll count up your cash.” She asserted. Sparrow nodded and ran out of the room. Claude’s view on Sparrow was completely different now.
“What did you think of Sparrow? Is she annoying? Flirty? Too nice?” Catalina asked about their encounter as if she didn't witness it. Staring down at the now half-empty glass in her lap, she eyed Claude. Sparrow was obviously cautious, and shaken up. As always he never answered. “...”
“I didn’t need an answer anyway. I’d like you to know, Sparrow reminds me a little bit of you. She is selectively mute. Sometimes she’ll shut down and quit talking or just not say anything at all.” Why did he have to know that? “…” Sparrow came back four minutes later. “Something the matter, Sparrow?” Catalina asked. Sparrow shrugged. “What do you mean, you don't know?” Sparrow shook her head at Catalina’s guess. Clearing her throat to speak. “Stay the night.” Her voice was shaky, did she always talk like this or was it Catalina’s doing?
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1:09 AM
“Is that so? All that matters is that you're alive and she won't be headhunting me.” That was just a memory. What did Sparrow mean when she said that? Catalina was dead. She and Claude had almost fleed swiftly after successfully robbing a bank. Oh boy... That took its turn.
Blam!: Shot right in the chest and left for jailbait. See why you don’t trust wild bitches with daddy issues, kids?
From scattered bits of information that Claude knew of Sparrow before then led him back to her. He knew they were close friends. Even though he didn’t want to, Claude wrote out what happened to her. It wasn’t shocking. As a previous partner of Catalina’s, Sparrow has been backstabbed like that before. She didn’t care much, or have hard feelings about both situations.
These two had been smoking outside. Claude was typing out messages from his phone. Sparrow was smoking a cigarette. “I shouldn’t be smoking... Because I’m too young for that.” She read out loud. “Aww... I’m only twenty-eight. Wrinkles and yellow teeth are the least of my worries, with a scar-like this over my eye?” She snickers, putting out the cigarette and tossing it away. “It’s cold out here... I’m inviting you inside, I can’t fix a vehicle overnight...”
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“Do you need anything? I’m more than happy to cater to your needs.” Some time had passed. Sparrow returned from her handy work outside. Claude was getting used to his temporary surroundings. He would simply, drive home, but he’s under police radar. Waiting to be cleared of searching. Sparrow had given her phone number to him so that they could chat. She was now ready to cleanse herself free from oil and paint. Waiting at the end of her staircase that led upstairs.
“That’s not needed, thank you very much...” She mumbled the text. “You’re very welcome. Don’t hesitate to ask.” She fled upstairs.
An hour passed.
Claude was laying on the bed of a spare room, Sparrow had offered. He couldn’t find a way to sleep, drawn to eyeing the ceiling and breathing anxiously. This little room was nice. It wasn’t some tacky mansion, it wasn’t a simple garage with a crummy mattress and blue blanket, it was a normal old bedroom. The man sat up against the headboard of the bed, not minding the pillow. He got up and paced around the room. Wondering what was keeping him up. For some reason, he was anxious. He couldn't breathe right. His chest was compressed.
Sparrow was the only thing that came to mind. His late reaction to her offerings and kindness, that struck something deep. It went deeper than the bullet Catalina tried killing him with.
He sat at the edge of the bed, trying to calm down. He was suffering the two stages of love. A stage he had a tricky path to with his previous girlfriend. There wasn't any denial, he was just interested in her. He admired her personality, how it snuck up on him, how she took him by surprise... What did he like about Sparrow? She was very kind and helpful on many occasions. This was different. Claude didn't think anyone cared for him like this. It shook his core. She’s not sick of him? Or tired out?
Claude left the room and wandered around the house. From the room next to his, he could hear the bed creaking, alongside constant groaning and some sort of wailing. It didn’t sound pleasant. He crept up on the door from which the sounds came from. Arming himself to be ready for some type of strike, the door crept open slightly. He was embarrassed. There was no struggling or horseplay beyond the door. Sparrow’s just enjoying a small game on her phone.
She set down her game and got off the bed. Looking around for whatever it was she needed. She turned to the door. Not making it obvious or giving a warning, she went to the door. “I’m sorry for being too loud, I didn't mean to wake you. I’ll try to keep it down, I’m playing a fast game of chess...” She grinned. Claude reached his hand out to her. “Oh? What, did you need a drink or a late-night snack?”
~~~ 5:05 AM - Sparrow’s.
“Hey, there sleepy head...” Another memory... He needs to stop getting fucked up like this. “I patched you up again. All your things are on the table downstairs, as always. Be glad I found you before the cops did.” Sparrow stood over Claude, blushing a little bit. Claude sat up from his bed, holding his knees to his chest. He was getting that sense of unease and crushing in his chest again. Sparrow, nearly ready to walk away. He took her arm. She turned back fast, with her phone ready in her free hand. Claude was typing out a message onto his. Message has been sent.
Sparrow looked down at her phone, smiling lightly. A quiet confession. “I admire you, Claude. Very much... If anything is ever needed, I’ll be around to provide what I can. See you another time, sweetheart...”