The Black Rose Season

24

(This chapter was translated from a russian version of the book. I couldn't find the original version of it since Anna Green removed The Black Rose Season from her ao3 account. So if the writing is a bit different than the other parts that's why. I had to correct most of theses two chapters myself after translating them so if I missed something just let me know. Also if you want to read the original version of this chapter norhterndownpour has it on their version of the fic.)

In New York, I just follow Brendon because I have no idea where we are. We take the subway and change lines twice, and I love the fast flow of people around us. Nobody here knows us, so Brendon and I can touch each other as much as we want. Okay, a few judgmental looks fly in our direction, well, to hell with them. My boyfriend is hot and you can't seriously expect me to not kiss him about once a minute. Especially when Brendon has a mouth with those fucking lips of his. I kiss him furtively again and Brendon laughs. When we finally get to our destination and return to the surface, the sun is already below the horizon. Brendon leads us, obviously knowing which way to go. A change of scenery is good. For once, you won't have to think about Sigma Chi Beta.
- Where are we? I ask, looking around.

— "Greenwich Village. Trav's house is right around the corner", Brendon tells me. "You said he was the leader of Jules before you, right? I ask, and Brendon nods.

- He graduated last year. We were having great parties at the Sigma house until Patrick started complaining," Brendon laughs.

- The first time I got drunk as shit was with this dude. I hope he doesn't tell his stories about drunk Brendon... He has a couple.

— Oh, seriously? I ask. "I'll have to ask him for them. It's my right as your boyfriend.

Brendon returns my grin with his own. "Well, then, as your boyfriend, I will ask your mom to show me all your childhood pictures someday. "I was still an adorable kid," I tell him as we pull up in front of a multistory red brick building. We go to the door and Brendon finds the right button on the buzzer, getting an answer right away. Loud music and muffled voices can be heard in the background.

— Hello? Travis, bro, we're here.

- Get up! Get up! he says in a joyful voice. "By the sounds of a party," Brendon smiles at me as we enter the building. Travis lives on the fifth floor. He is waiting for us at the open door of his apartment, with a big grin on his face and two cold bottles of beer in his hands. The first thing I notice is the ring in his nose, which he can convincingly turn. His cap sticks out from under the hood of his sweatshirt, and I can literally feel his gaze darting down at me as we approach.

— Brendon! he chuckles, pulling Brendon into a one-armed hug.

- What's up bro? Over his shoulder, I see that his apartment is full of beautiful people drinking and dancing. So that's where we're going to spend our weekend. Interesting.

- Excellent! Travis, this is Ryan. Ryan, this is Travis," Brendon introduces us. "The same Ryan, huh?" Travis says, twitching his eyebrows. I extend my hand to him, but he comes up and hugs me, saying:

"Come on, we are all Sigmas!" I think the Sigma mentality doesn't weaken even when you leave the university. Travis hands us a beer and lets us inside. We dodge drunken New Yorkers when Travis shows us where the guest room is. His spacious apartment is decorated with light wood, glass and silver metal. He mentions something about a carpenter who makes him custom chairs and drawers, and another guy he made a deal with for some fine Norwegian wood. "And you guys will be stationed here," Travis says as he opens the door, and turns a dial on the wall that adjusts the light in the room.

- Installed one of these cool stuff; girls love to set the mood," he grins. "Make yourself comfortable, the bathroom is right down the hall. But don't stay too long, Marissa said she's already so drunk that she's ready to dance a striptease on the table!Travis winks at us before returning to hosting his party. The guest room is not too big, because most of the space is taken up by a huge double bed, which looks more than attractive. I sit on the edge, slightly testing it. Brendon stays at the door and watches me, looking like he's waiting for something. I go to the window and put my backpack on a wooden chair before looking outside."Wow, what a view we have of a beautiful brick wall and... a dirty alley you can throw yourself in in case of a fire," I remark.