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everytime pete kissed patrick in front of her she would just get a little more heartbroken, because patrick had told her he wanted her and he had told her that she was special, really, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her goddammit! pete just lacked boundaries sometimes but he really meant no harm. yeah. right.
so there she was for the umpteenth time tonight, watching from across the kitchen as they made out beside her fridge. pete was all over him, tongue and everything. patrick was just standing there, as if only humouring him for the sake of it. hell, his hands weren't even on pete, they were on the counter behind him, supporting his weight. if anything, he actually looked as if he was leaning away from pete, while pete desperately tried to get closer.
it was embarrassing, honestly. but it was even more embarrassing that she just stood there and watched. not an ounce of self respect, huh? she really did have to give it to pete though. at least he was chasing patrick, trying to get his attention. she was just standing there. she was, to her credit, at a disadvantage here. she barely knew patrick, and pete knew everything about him. she wouldn't have been surprised if pete won him over. he was, simply put, patrick’s person. they knew each other. they liked each other's company. clearly they didn't mind getting physical either. and who was she? just some random girl he met less than 3 days ago, whom he promised to get to know.
she really hoped he would keep that promise.
because at this rate… it didn't look like it.
at some point during the kiss patrick had opened his eyes, and he immediately pushed pete off when he realised that she was staring (or rather, trying not to). in the split second that he saw her, he couldn't help but notice how… disappointed she seemed. or was it sadness? either way, he knew the cause of it. he knew she didn't like it when pete got all touchy with him, especially when he'd promised her his companionship. if he was being honest with himself, yeah, he didn't like it either. matter of fact, he'd stopped liking it right about the time when pete cheated on him that final time before the break up. but for some reason he could just never bring himself to push pete away.
he'd definitely tried setting boundaries before, but really. there was just no line that pete wouldn't cross. and he had this way with words… or manipulation… that just made it so hard to say no. but this time, patrick had something to fight for. someone he wanted to love, that wasn't pete. so this time, he ignored what pete had to say. he took a step away, then another, and another, and soon he found himself walking towards her. she was already trying to escape, but he wouldn't let her go, not just yet. he broke into a light jog, catching up with her just as she was about to slip away.
“hey, hold on,” he called out but she ignored him, refusing to turn around. “i said wait,” he called out again, reaching out to grab her arm. she finally turned around and shook her hand free.
“what do you want?” she asked. at this, patrick froze. if he was being honest with himself, he didn't know why he stopped her. what did he want? that was a very good question, probably one that he should have asked himself.
“you,” he blurted out.
she scoffed. “and you expect me to believe that? 5 minutes ago peter fucking wentz was eating your face off, and you just let him,” she snapped back. “how many times are you gonna tell me that you want me then run off with pete, hm? i can't just wait here forever.”
he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. he knew what he was supposed to say. he was supposed to assure her, and tell her that he was never going back to pete. that he wanted her, and only her. not his good for nothing, emotionally manipulative, shitty ex. and yet… the words wouldn't come out. instead, he just mumbled a half assed “sorry”, like the coward he was.
she looked almost stunned at his response. she shook her head and muttered, “you're a dickhead,” before turning around and leaving.
and he let her.
it was only a matter of days before they saw each other again, because there were just that many parties you could get invited to, and that many mutual friends you could have. so, that's where she found herself that friday night, sitting on a shabby, collapsing couch, wishing she was anywhere else. that was when patrick “bisexual” stump showed up and sat down beside her.
they sat in silence for a while, though the quiet spoke more than words ever could. eventually, he turned to her, finally willing to address the elephant in the room. “i should have said something that night,” he stated. she kept quiet, but turned to face him, so he took it as a sign to continue. “i shouldn't have just given some half assed apology. i shouldn't have just let you walk away.
“you know i like you. i want to love you. it's just… pete's hard to get rid of. there isn't a single boundary he won't cross. i've tried telling him to stop, i really have. but he won't listen. he thinks… he thinks he owns me.”
she sighed as she listened, as if she almost expected him to say just that. they both knew he was just making excuses. if he wanted to get rid of pete, he very well could have. sure, he was clingy, but he'd definitely listen to patrick. he just needed to let pete know that he wasn't interested anymore.
“you know, you should tell him what you told me,” she pointed out. “i'm sure he knows very well he doesn't own you. that's why he can't get you back. you're just humouring him, aren't you? you should let him know, cause he doesn't. he thinks you still want him. he just can't figure out why you won't be his boyfriend again.”
“i… don't wanna talk to him tonight. he's pissed that i just shoved him off and he thinks i'm leading him on… which i guess i am. but he wouldn't wanna talk to me either anyway. he's in one of those moods again.” he paused, before adding, “i just wanna talk to you.
she visibly melted. that line was stupid. lazy almost, if it weren't coming from him. but man, it did something to her. it finally seemed like patrick was choosing her over pete. after so long, he finally chose her. “... well, when did you learn to flirt?” she teased, cracking a smile for the first time that night.
he chuckled softly, a light pink dusting his cheeks. he looked away for a moment, flustered, before looking back at her. he shrugged, playing along. “yesterday. i figured if i wanted to kiss you i'd have to make you blush first.”
he kept going with his stupid pick up lines and gross romance, pausing to laugh at himself before he would continue. she rolled her eyes playfully. he was being such a cliche, corny idiot. and yet, she couldn't help but let her smile grow wider. because yeah, he was corny. but also… he was adorable. the way he knew how absolutely disgusting he was being, and yet continued because it made her laugh. the way he had to look elsewhere because he knew how ridiculously cringey he was. she wouldn't rather have it any other way.
that was how they spent a majority of that night. not interacting with anyone else at the party, because no one else was really as interesting. and with every passing second he spent with her, it made him realise bit by bit… this was what love was supposed to feel like. this was what a true, healthy connection was supposed to be. it wasn't possessive or filled with jealousy. it wasn't painful or manipulative or just downright heartbreaking.
it made him happy. and more importantly, it made her happy.