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Vyncent huffed as they stepped into the gas station, watching Dakota tug down xer scarf and drag William over to the chips.
His nose twitched as he smelt the air. Hotdogs, for sure. Cigarette smoke—he gagged a bit at that—and a lot of cold.
He adjusted the headphones he wore to cover his ears slightly, suddenly warm out of the snow. He shifted in his spot, turning to the aisles and idly playing with the nail polish bottles on a shelf.
And—he didn’t really mean to, but—his eyes drifted to Will.
Will, grinning wide, stood next to Dakota while the cashier took a hot dog out of the… spinny thing… he swears there's a name for it. Either way, Vyncent feels a smile tug at his lips looking at her like that. She’s bright.
He gnawed at his lip and clicked his claws against the metallic shelves. His eyes darted away until he heard a small giggle—yes, from Will. Yes, that drew his attention—and glanced up to see her looking at someone he didn’t even recognize.
Weird. Dakota glanced at Vynce and shrugged.
He slid back one of his headphones—not to show his ear, just to hear easier—and cautiously eavesdropped.
“What’you doing in this cold, little lady?” Vyncent scrunched up his nose as he heard them talk.
Will raised an eyebrow. “Going somewhere, what else would someone be doing?” A smile quirked at her lips. Dakota shuffled over closer to Vyncent.
“Fuck’s she doing?” He mumbled to Vyn.
He replied with a shrug. “I have no clue. I don’t like it though.”
“Well, you’re such a small thing, I figured you’d be freezing cold out there.” They grinned at her. Down at her.
“Oh, you think?” And Vynce could swear she batted her eyelashes.
“Can you hear what they’re saying?” Dakota whispered.
Vyncent sighed. “Yes of course I can. They’re flirting with her!” He felt his face heat up as Dakota’s cheeks filled with air. “Don’t fucking laugh at me, dude! They could be like, a villain! You don’t know!”
Dakota snickered as Vynce continued listening.
“You sure you don’t need anyone to er… warm you up?”
Okay. That’s the last straw.
Dakota grabs Vyncent’s arm and stares at him with serious don’t do it eyes. And, he’s stupid strong, so yeah there’s no way xe’s not winning this battle.
Will hummed and tilted her head at them. “Last I checked I didn’t even know your name. You’ve just been buttering me up.”
“Didn’t mean it that way, but… if you’re interested—“ And they were cut off by Will pushing a piece of paper into their hand.
“Shit.” Dakota grinned and stared at Vyncent.
Why’s she that fucking dumb sometimes?
Vyncent groaned and fixed his headphones as William walked back over. Dakota had eaten half of the hot dog already.
“Really, man? I want some. Gimme.” She shoved at his shoulder and started wrassling him for the hot dog.
She looked to Vyncent—with something near concern—and mumbled. “You good, bugs?”
He couldn’t really contain himself. “What are you thinking, Will? We can’t just—give randos our numbers! That puts potentially them or us in danger!”
“Dude!” Dakota huffed through clenched teeth. “Cut it out.”
Will looked taken aback. “Why do you care? I kind of wanted their number anyway, it’s not a big deal, Vynce.”
“It is! You’re not thinking.”
“Vyncent. You’re making a scene.” She huffed.
“And you’re making mistakes! Didn’t you warn me about this with Cantrip anyways? It’s—Dakota what’s the—“
Dakota glared at him.
“I’m not being hypocritical, Vyncent. I’m being reasonable! We knew she was bad news. We don’t know with a random we find in a gas station! You’re being unreasonable.” She ran her hands through her hair. “Can we just go?”
Vyncent frowned. “Will. You’re not li—“
Dakota groaned and pushed himself out of the chokehold Will had xer in. “Dudes! Quit! Will, you’re just egging him on, and Vyncent, you know this isn’t about safety. So just! Quit, please!”
Will scrunched up her brow. “What’s it even about, then?” She looked at Vyncent.
Okay. Two options.
Lie his way out of this, and get his ass kicked later.
Or, he fesses up. And gets his ass kicked emotionally.
“I… uh—“ He felt his face heat up. “It’s nothing. Dakota’s being stupid. Let’s just go—“ He started walking past before Will pushed an arm in front of his chest.
“Vynce. You can talk to me.” And he frowns. She looks actually concerned and this is the most stupid problem he could ever have.
Dakota looked at him and stepped back over to the counter to pay for the snacks he grabbed.
Vyncent sighed and rubbed his face. “Will, I just didn’t like that they flirted with you. I don’t—want you getting hurt.”
Will almost laughs. “Yeah?” She looks amused.
His face flushes. “Stop.”
“Oh my god.”
“William.” His voice cracks slightly.
“Holy shit.”
“Don’t.”
Will grins. “You were jealous.” Vyncent grimaces in shame. “How’s it feel, big guy? Bad? Yeah.” She elbowed him and walked to the door.
“Is that how you feel when I’m around Cantrip?”
“Excruciating, yeah!” She opened the door, flinching slightly at the cold and leaning out as Dakota walked past.
Vyncent covered his face and walked out as well.