Work Text:
September 2002
The stereo abruptly blares on an otherwise quiet Sunday morning; it almost scares KJ's soul straight out of her body.
"Turn it off, Mac!" KJ groans as she turns over, wrapping her pillow around her ears.
"Get your ass out of bed, and maybe I will."
It feels like ten hours pass, but in actuality, it's only two minutes that Wes Scantlin's agonizing voice is destroying her plans to sleep in, the speakers incrementally getting louder as the seconds go by until they reach their top volume. KJ releases the pillow from her grip, finally flipping back over to look at Mac.
"She fucking hates me. Trust, she fucking hates me," Mac sings along, her White Stripes t-shirt peaking out from underneath a black and white flannel, her air guitar shredding fake chords, "La, la, la, love."
KJ rolls her eyes, raising her voice over the music, "You're right. I do hate you. I hate you very much right now."
"Yeah, you wish," She moves to turn the music off before heading back to kneel at their bedside. "You have any idea what time it is?"
"Hm, too early to be listening to Puddle of Mudd?"
Mac doesn't laugh, doesn't even crack the slightest of grins, "It's almost 8:30, Kaje, which means we're not getting to the market 'til at least 9:15 by time you pull your shit together."
"Oh, my God. Surely the world is going to end now."
"You're stupid lucky you're gorgeous because your personality when you wake up leaves a lot to be desired, asshole."
"I believe you," she smirks, "as the leading expert in desiring me."
Mac's cheeks tinge red as she salutes, "Top of my field since '89."
"Alright." KJ giggles, combing her fingers through Mac's hair, "I'll get up, but not without what I'm due first."
"You are so fucking spoiled."
"And whose fault is that?"
Mac shakes her head but leans in anyway, pressing a kiss to KJ's lips. She sighs when they pull apart, "Now, get the hell up. If Wyatt and Nina are out of raspberries when we get there, I'm divorcing your sorry ass."
"I would love to see you try to divorce someone you're not married to."
"Hey, we would be married if we could, so my sentiment stands," Mac flicks her in the forehead before standing, "and I'd take the stereo."
"You can have it."
KJ pulls on her clothes for the day, Mac urging her to hurry up every five minutes and peering over her shoulder as she brushes her teeth. KJ moves in slow-motion to press on her nerves a little harder. It doesn't take long before Mac's hands are grabbing at her sides.
"Stop!" KJ screeches through gritted teeth, careful not to send toothpaste flying.
"You stop! You're being a dick on purpose now!"
"Okay, okay!" She grins as she comes up with a plan to shed her watchdog, "You want a kiss?"
"No, your mouth is full of toothpaste."
"So?"
"Stay the fuck away from me."
Mac spins on her heels, and KJ chuckles as soon as she's on the other side of the frame, swinging the door shut and locking it. She swears she hears a voice mutter, "evil woman," before footsteps fade down the hall.
As they hit the street, the late-September air is chill on her face. She treasures it while she can; their walk back is bound to be hotter than hell has ever been. KJ doesn't need an excuse to get close to Mac, not anymore, but the cold wind is still a good reason to loop her arm through hers for extra body heat. She catches Mac raising an eyebrow with a thin smile out of the corner of her eye.
They've made a home in the city, a really happy one, too. It doesn't have nearly as much clean air, but it awards them the freedom Stony Stream never did. There's no need to hide in a place filled with busybodies whose primary concern is to get where they're going. There are still assholes around, of course, but their neighborhood is friendly enough. They find that serenity lives in walking blocks upon blocks hand-in-hand and only receiving a few stares from people they'll never see again in their lifetimes. It's in being able to love each other outwardly and openly.
It's all they ever wanted.
The farmer's market is in full swing when they reach the park. People and shop owners bustle about with their homemade and homegrown goods. Vendors shout hello as Mac and KJ pass by on the way to their favorite stand.
"Ah!" Wyatt claps his hands together as they approach, "Here they are. Exactly like I told you, honey."
Nina throws her head back as she steps out from their booth, "I didn't say they weren't coming. I just said they're later than they usually are."
"Blame the coma patient over here." Mac thrusts a thumb at KJ.
She can't help but roll her eyes as the group trades long hugs. Spending time with Nina and Wyatt always feels great for the soul, no matter how little time it is. They're an older couple, and both epitomize kindness. Wyatt's beard has started to gray since they first met, and Nina's eyes crinkle at the corner a little more these days. Their fruits and vegetables grow between their backyard and rooftop in Brooklyn, but their talent for nurturing doesn't stop at produce. With her parents and Alice so far away and no kids of their own, Wyatt and Nina are happy to fill the open void. Mac and KJ are glad to let them.
Wyatt sighs, "Well, I've got some bad news for you, I'm afraid." He looks down, "We're out of raspberries."
"Oh, come on. Are you shitting me right now?" Mac brings her hands to her hips.
"Fortunately, he is." Nina snickers as she moves back into their tent, reaching under the table to pull out a package of fresh raspberries. "Do you think we would ever leave you without these?"
KJ gratefully folds her hands together with a grin, "You just saved our relationship. You have no idea what I would have been subjected to."
"She's right," Mac nods, "you would have seen me on the news later."
"None of that." Wyatt waves them off like he's trying to swat a gnat, "There's a fee for stored goods, you know."
"I'll pay it," Mac says firmly.
"You're going to eat those words, sweetheart, and I mean it," Nina reaches under the table again, pulling out a labeled jar and placing it atop.
"The Mystery Pickle?" KJ picks it up and turns it in her hand. She's no expert, but something about the almost fluorescent contents inside doesn't look right, "What does that even mean?"
"It's our new thing. We're having some fun with it," Nina explains, "Any brave soul who eats a Mystery Pickle gets something of their choice free."
Mac snatches the jar from KJ's hand, "Why the fuck are they so…green?"
Wyatt folds his arms, "If you really want those raspberries, that's for us to know and you to find out."
"You want me to eat one?" Mac cocks an eyebrow.
"You said you would," Wyatt shrugs.
"That was before I knew what you were talking about!"
"No takebacks."
"What are you? Six?"
"No, just a man of honor."
"Oh, please. You're a bozo. That's what you are."
"Okay, you two, enough." Nina steps between them, "It's just a little challenge, Mac. There's only three rules: don't smell it, no baby bites, and you can't spit it out."
Mac observes the container a little longer before shoving it back towards KJ, "You eat it."
"I am not eating that," KJ pushes it away.
"We're late because of you, numb nuts."
"Okay, but I'm not the one who's obsessed with these raspberries. Pick another fruit. There's a whole table full!"
"I don't want another fruit!"
"Then you eat it!"
If looks could kill, KJ is sure she'd have been disintegrated by Mac's eyes instantly. She groans before twisting the top off and tossing it to Wyatt, "Fine."
KJ watches intently as Mac takes a massive bite out of the thing. Her eyebrows come together quickly as she chews before her entire face twists up in a knot. KJ smiles as the expression paints Mac's features with youth. It reminds her of being seventeen. For a second, she almost is again.
Mac sputters after she gets her bite down, coughing uncontrollably, "What the hell, Wyatt? That's rancid!"
"You assume this was my idea?" Wyatt throws his hands in the air.
"I know it was." Mac glares.
"It's a Kool-Aid pickle," He's almost proud of the statement. "A Mississippi delicacy,"
"That one is lemon-lime!" Nina supplies.
Mac's face fills with disgust, "I don't care what it is; it's nasty." She turns to KJ, sticking the pickle towards her mouth, "Kaje, you gotta try this."
"You know, prefacing 'you've gotta try this' with the words 'rancid' and' nasty' probably isn't the best way to attain that goal," KJ turns her nose up.
"Just try it, you big baby."
"No."
"You owe me, and I'm cashing in."
"For what?"
"It took me forty-five goddamn minutes to wake you up this morning, KJ. Forty. Five. Can you say 'party foul?'"
"Party fouls don't apply to parties of two," KJ stares at her for a long while, "but you're not going to let it go unless I do this, are you?"
Mac smirks, "Now you've got it, babe."
KJ groans as she takes the pickle in her hand, holding it far away to stop herself from catching its scent. She uses a few breaths to steel herself before taking a bite; when she does, she remembers just how dramatic Mac can be.
"It's not bad," she says as she chews, "I think it's pretty good, actually."
Mac looks and sounds like KJ admitted to the highest form of betrayal, "What?"
"I knew it would be you! I like them, too. He hates them," Nina holds her hand out for a high-five.
"There's a good balance of sweet and sour." KJ looks at Mac, "You need to expand your palate."
"And you need to get your fucking head checked."
"Your prize for your reluctant bravery," Wyatt laughs as he hands the raspberries to Mac, "Take your pick, KJ. You earned it."
It's all a front; the couple never makes them pay for their goods anymore. So, KJ obliges by grabbing a few figs, and when Wyatt's not paying attention, Mac slips a twenty in his pocket like she always does, a maneuver she fondly labels "reverse pickpocketing." They spend some time catching up before they say their goodbyes with more hugs and a promise that they'll be in Brooklyn during the week for dinner.
KJ slides her hand back where it belongs, right through Mac's, as they walk the rest of the market. The bags in Mac's free hand end up filled with fresh ground coffee, honey, and bread by the time they're through. The sun eventually rears its head, and Mac pulls them to a stop, shrugging her flannel off to tie around her waist.
It's a quick and simple motion. One that KJ has watched her do thousands of times, but the sun is gleaming down on Mac's hair, bringing out the hints of deep auburn that hide in it. As she focuses on tying the knot, the trees and their changing colors compliment her so well that KJ wishes she could snap a picture to keep forever right then and there. It's a luxury, watching the person you love simply exist.
Mac pulls the raspberries from a bag as they head to their apartment to drop their things off. KJ rolls her eyes, "You know, if you didn't eat those so fast, you wouldn't be such a fiend come Sunday."
"You're right, but, I mean, in the grand scheme of things, eating raspberries isn't too bad." Mac shrugs, "Not when I could be shooting heroin."
"That's one hell of a comparison," KJ raises her eyebrows.
"A great one, though."
KJ laughs, "Can’t argue there.” She feels heat flood her cheeks as she loops her arm back through Mac's, "Have I ever told you how much I love this? You know, like, being with you."
Mac checks the watch on her wrist, “I didn’t realize it was already wuss o’clock.”
“You are such a jerk,” KJ chuckles through a scoff, “Be nice for five seconds. Just give it a try.”
Mac smirks back, “Alright, I’ll take a crack at it. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I love every second I get to spend with you. Especially when you’re dragging ass in the morning and I can’t get you out of bed. Really love that.”
“Very impressive. Surprised you’re not passed out on the ground right now.”
“I’m feeling a little lightheaded, actually. I think we need to go to the hospital.”
“Yeah, okay,” KJ bumps Mac with her hip.
Mac grins as they reach their stoop, "You know what sounds like a great idea to me?"
KJ shakes her head.
"We drop these and head to Starlight to a split Hungry Man."
"God, you're right."
"Look at that, I'm right! It's a fucking miracle." Before she realizes what's happening, Mac takes off running, "Race you up the stairs!"
"I refuse to race a cheater!"
Mac's voice echoes through the stairwell as KJ steps through the front door, "This cheater is kicking your ass!"
"I hate you!" KJ shouts after her as she climbs at a standard pace.
"No, you don't!" Mac sings back, and KJ is confident it's the understatement of the century.