Lockwood and co shorts

Arguing

LOCKWOOD

"George!" I hollered down the basement steps.
"What?" He yelled back.
"Case count?"
"One for tonight, two for tomorrow." I groaned.
"Why not get them done tonight?"
"Why not come down here and talk to me instead of yelling from the stairs?"
"Dont tell me how to live my life." I heard a chuckle as I closed the door. I took a deep breath. I could one of the two tomorrow. Tonight I was far too tired. I looked around our cluttered kitchen. Kettle on the stove, dishes piling up, table covered in plates and cups.

Did I role up my sleeves and get to work like a good person, cleaning till it looked like a house for sale.... no of course not. Lucy or George would do that... eventually.

I started for the stairs, mid yawn I heard a curse and some yelling from above. Slowly, carefully I climbed up, feet making no noise. I got to the landing but still heard the voice from somewhere above. Lucy. She was yelling at that damn Skull again. I slowly made my way up, my foot pressed down on the third to top step and made a horrible squeaking noise. I paused, adrenaline pumping in through my veins. My heart almost stopped. If Lucy caught me eavesdropping I would be as good as dead. But the voice inside the room didn't stop. It didn't notice me at all. I climbed the rest of the way up and leaned one ear on the door, listening. It was quiet, the Skull was probably talking now.
Then Lucys voice retorted
"No, he's not like that. He's sweet."
....
"Oh I don't believe that for a second."
....
"No, he's looking out for us."
....
"Look, say what you must, believe was you feel is the truth but I know Lockwood. I know him better than you do. He's sweet and caring, brave and... No I don't think he's hot.... ok well."
....
"Theres nothing going on between us. Were just friends."
....
"So what if I hate it, so what if I wish he liked me back, that will never happen."
....
"Oh why am I telling you this... y-yes. I like him."
I stood there. Lucy... Lucy actually like me back! She does! She does! I almost whooped out in joy but then remembered where I was
I kept listening.

"Its called figure studies! Im not purposely drawing him naked!"
Umm what?
"Well, a few times he's come down with an unbuttoned shirt, or no shirt, or..."
....
"Did you just call Lockwood, Mr. Sex?? First off that's Moriarty, second he's not like that."
....
"NO!"
I jumped back. There was a very long silence.
"He's here?" I heard her whisper
Oh no. It sensed me. How could I have been so stupid? I tried to back up, to head for the stairs, but I only got an inch or so from my spot when I door opened. I froze, staring into her dark green eyes. She was fully red in the face and I bet I was not different.

"Lucy, I can explain."
"No need," he voice was small " what... how much.. you heard."
"Umm, well I." No one moved. No one spoke.

Lucy hurriedly shut the door. I heard the little click of the lock.
"Wait, Luce-"
"Please go away..."
I didn't answer. I just took one last look at her door before sulking away.

I lay down on my bed, wondering, how should I actually go about this? Should I let it go, should I tell her how I felt, which seemed to be the right choice in my heart, but my head screamed no! Dont you dare! You know what happens when you let people in. This is your mind, and you should never let your heart control it. On the other hand my heart screamed, yes yes let her in. Wouldn't it be nice to feel her curl into your side at night. Or maybe, to feel those soft lips on yours.

Jessicas face shown like a beacon in the dark. In the hollow darkness of my head.

No, I couldn't let her in. I wouldn't let her in. I would keep her safe by keeping her away. The less she grew on me, the more I could keep my emotions in check. Yes, I had to get a grip on my emotions. Those little feeding things. How utterly useless they were.

I heard a knock on my door. I was prepared for it to be Lucy, to tell her that we couldn't be, I was really. In pain, but ready.

But it wasn't Lucy. It was Quill. Quill Kipps stood im my door way, staring at me like I grew nine heads.
"What?" I growled.
"Are you ok?" I flinched, this was a new for both of us. Seeing if I was ok. Like he... cared.
Lucy cares my heart said. I nodded.
"Yes im fine. Why do you ask?" I stood straighter. I was talker than him, which secretly gave my pride.
"Your crying." He said blankly.
I quickly wiped my fingers under my eyes. Sure enough, they were damp from tears. I hadn't even realized it.
"Ughh...."
"Well, I just came to tell you that George wants you. He called but you didn't come."
"Uhh, yeah. Thanks." I was staring at the floor.
"Oh ok." He started to leave.
Oh damn me "Quill!" I said at last.
"Yeah?" He turned around.
"I... have a... question for you..." I winced. This wasn't going well.
"Well, get on with it then." He crossed his arms.
"Nevermind." I went back in my room.
"No," he grabbed the door, opening it more as I was shutting it. "Finish what you were saying Tony." He smirked.
"What should I... how should I.... how do you ask a girl out?" I drew away from his growing eyes.
"Never in my days did I ever think you would ask me for advice-"
"Im not-"
"You are." He smiled triumphantly.
"Tell her how you feel. I was told girls like chocolates and flowers. Though I suppose it would depend on the girl. Like, for example, if you were to ask out Julie, maybe not the flow... its Julie, isnt it?" I didn't respond. I just looked at him sadly.
"Oh god, it is." We didnt say anything.
"I knew it." He said finally.
"Well, go on. You said Lucy wouldn't like flower or chocolates..."
"Well I didnt say I knew for a fact, im just saying she doesn't seem like that type of girl..."
"Then what?" I asked
"I don't know... ask Holly, she's a girl. She would know." He was walking out the door, then he stopped. He took a couple glances around my room. Then he looked directly at me.
"You know, I dont think I actually ever thanked you, for the job. I would probably be in some sandwich shop right now, asking, would you like any thing else?, thing is Tony," he turned towards me, "you have a nice set up here, good people working for you... and Cubbins." I laughed.
"Typical of you to exclude George."
"Yeah well old habits die hard. I see you in a bit Tony. For now, you need to talk to Holly."
He was walking again, down the hallway. He had reached the stairs before I gave my silent answer, "yeah." And I flopped back down on the bed.

Later than evening I headed down the stairs, ready to talk to Holly, but instead I ran right into Lucy. As I was stepping off the last step, she turn to go up, and we landed on the floor. I jumped up, lending her my hand, which she rejected, then raced up the stairs, head down.
I watched her go up. She hated me, and its my fault. I shouldn't have spied in on her conversation.

"Holly? You down here?" I called down the basement stairs.
"Yes Lockwood, whats up?" I bounded down the spiral stairs.
"I need your help." I said when I reached the bottom. She looked up at me.
"Anything."
"Im in need of your advice." She looked puzzled.
"Im flattered, the great Lockwood coming for my advice?" She smiled.
"Err, well yes. You see..." I looked back towards the stairs. Nothing had changed.
"Lockwood?" I stepped very close to her. So close that I could smell her lemony perfume. She blushed.
"I have... feelings for someone," I started, voice low and quiet "and I don't know how to tell them I do."
"Ohh, who is this someone... do tell." She smiled, but wasn't like her previous smiles. "Because." She continued "if Im correct on my suspicions, I believe that someone likes you back." Yes this I already knew, Lucy confessed to the skull she liked me.
"So how do I ask them out?" I pressed. She giggled.
"Flower, chocolates, sometimes little plush bears. Ive seen that before. Although, if you want to surprise a girl, take her out somewhere where she will feel comfortable, like a nice restaurant, or," she reached up and fixed the collar of my coat " your room..."
"For a first date? Holly, thats hardly romantic." I disapproved of the idea of that activity on the first date.
"Well, you know, you want to wow the girl." She smiled again.
"Alright, thanks Hol." As I left the room I could swear I heard a collective sigh.

So off to Speedys I went, the shop down the road. As I was turning left onto Baker street I ran into a man about my height. I cursed, "so sorry, I keep doing that today." He didn't respond, he just looked at me. The man next to him, short blond hair and black jacket replied for him "its alright." I nodded and was off. What a strange man. Black curly hair, long overcoat similar to mine. Oh well, another time then.

I stepped into Speedys, bell chiming, people eating. They didnt look up at me. I walked over to the sweets isle.

"Oh, is that for a special someone?" I turned to see an old woman wearing a flowery dress.
"Oh, yes." I could feel my cheeks burn red.
"Oh how lovely!" She pointed towards a small, red heart shaped box, "thats the one you'll want then, our best seller for people like you!" She smiled, showing a smudge of lipstick on her teeth.
"Thank you, thats very helpful." I smiled my Lockwood smile, grabbed some flowers, paid, and was off.

My plan for that night was to take her to the docks down by the river in the park. We could watch the sunset and just talk. The thought of asking Lucy out both scared the living daylights out of me, and sent a jolt of warmth through my veins. A slow churning was fluttering in my stomach as I entered the house. It was quiet. I removed my boots with my toes, careful not to destroy the flowers. I entered the kitchen, flowers and chocolates behind my back. Holly was in there. Wearing a different outfit than before, she turned towards me. I smiled.
"These ok?" I asked showing her the flowers.
"Oh Lockwood, they're perfect!" I came forward inspecting them.
"Oh good. I was worried to go with red roses, seemed to cliche you know?"
"Oh yes of course."
"What are you doing?" That was Lucy. I hadn't noticed her come in yet. I smiled at her. She winced.
"Oh, hello Lucy!"
"Lucy! Wonderful to see you, I haven't seen you yet today!" Holly smiled.
"What are you doing?" She asked again. She looked sad. Holly opened her mouth but I already started.
"Well you see..." my voice died in my throat. Where do you go from here?
"Well, ummm, yeah so... hi." My face was red.
"You know what, never mind, I'll let you continue your date. Sorry for interrupting." She wasnt mad, no her tone was angry. She was sad, I could hear it and see it in her eyes.
"Thank you." Holly said.
"What?" I looked at her. Oh no....
"No Lucy wait!" I ran after her. She stopped, watching me. Before I could chicken out I thrusts the flowers at her.
"These were for you. Well I mean they still are, they're yours, I bought them for you, for our dat- that is if you want to go on a date, if you dont we can plan another night... or ughh." I looked at the ground. She hadn't accepted the flowers yet so I just held my hand out, flowers towards her. Very gently, she reached out taking the flowers and box of chocolates from me. She lowered to the step above mine, kissed my cheek.
"Id love too." She smiled. I couldn't stop myself. I flung my self into her arms.