Stories Playing Out

[madimpossibledreamer]

another side story I've been hanging on to.

Main Points:
Shadowed Suspicion, universe optional
Summary: It's so uneven, what Johan gets to know about Josie.
Word Count: 360
Rating: Teen

         Charlie and Josephine lazily make out on her bed. Sleeping Xander takes a moment to thank anything listening for small mercies that they’re both dressed, because that really would be too wiggy for words. He’d be scarred for life.
         “You know I hate leaving like this. When I return, you’ll probably be married.” It doesn’t take much prodding to get that this guy is actually a good guy, the kind of guy Xander would’ve been proud to have as a dad. He’s reliable and kind and he really cares about Josephine, but he has a sense of humor.
         “Oh, you don’t know that. I could’ve been too busy having adventures without you.” He admires her strength. He’s not worried about that, or about her independence. He sees her as a woman, but also as a person, the kind of friend he can fight alongside. And his mom really likes him, too.
         He’s quiet. Not insecure, but it is a war. He might die. She breaks the silence again. “I have my own war to fight. Look me up in five years, after you’ve served.”
         “I’ll do that,” he says quietly and kisses her hand. He’s a gentleman, and it makes her giggle. “But in the meantime, poor Mercia…”
         “She’s nothing more than a spy, or maybe a babysitter. She’s there to make sure I’m not thoughtlessly poking my fingers into light sockets.” This again. Wouldn’t Charles leave the topic alone?
         “That may be, but I don’t think she sees it that way.” He forestalls further remarks with a gentle finger. “She means well. She practically worships you. The entire family does. Just promise me you’ll give her a chance.”
         “I can’t promise anything,” Josephine states petulantly, but Xander, experiencing all of this as if he was there, knows that she’s started thinking, and it seems Charles knows that too.
         “Just promise me you’ll think about it.”
         Josephine answers with a kiss, and they both understand it is a promise.
         There’s no happy ending, not for them. Even if he returns five years later, she’s gone, and he might never even hear what happened. Too depressing. He’s leaving this part alone.