CYOA Page 247
Sep. 10th, 2013 04:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lumy12Danny may be an asshole... but storming in there to tell him off probably isn't the prudent or mature thing to do. After all, he didn't do anything to you. If it was Joel in there... Oh my God I WOULD DIE. I would be dead right now.
...unless maybe it was Danny and Joel, not Joel and some skank. That might not be so bad.
... ...UNLESS that means Joel is gay and he doesn't love me like that... anymore, or he never really did?
...Nah, he can like both. Like I do! Or DID. You don't know if you're actually bisexual now that you're in love with Joel, because you're not attracted to anyone but him. I'm Joelsexual!
And you hope that he is Elliesexual. You watch Danny continue to thrust and wonder how long this is going to go on. Your mind wanders a bit... why am I not devastated at the thought of Joel getting it on with another dude? Is it because... I don't have a dick so I can't take it personally? Or because it's so fucking hard to imagine it?! And you really can't imagine Joel taking it up the ass. He'd have to be the one in Danny's position. But then... could Danny actually sit on the counter like that? It seems like he'd have to contort himself in an odd way to give Joel access to--
"Enjoyin' the show?"
"Fuck!" You nearly jump out of your skin when you hear Joel's voice behind you (fortunately, the woman is moaning loud enough that they don't hear you). "What are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?" you grumble, reluctantly pulling away from the door.
"You should see your face," Joel smirks. "You are... red as a tomato."
At least the fact that he's amused keeps him from being mad at me for leaving our spot? You and Joel have backed away from the door, but you still keep your voice low, just in case. "You know who that is in there, Joel? It's Danny. That bitch is probably the only reason he's sticking around -- and we risked our lives for that?"
"How do you know she's a bitch? She might be a perfectly nice young lady."
"She doesn't look very young." Of course, to people as old as Joel, everyone looks young! "And she can't be very nice if she's fucking a married man."
"Maybe she don' know he's married. Are you sure it's him?"
"Yeah -- go look for yourself."
"No thank you." Joel shakes his head. "I can't believe you were standin' there watchin' people havin'--"
"I only just barely got here, I swear!" you defend your perversion. "She's so fucking loud, I heard her all the way down the--"
"Then you should've known what was goin' on over here an' respectfully kept your distance. And... it's quiet now. Maybe they're done."
"Oh shit -- you think they'll come out here? -Of course they will. There's only one door. What should we do?"
"Don't panic. I'm sure they still have to get dressed an' whatnot."
"Well, should we leave? Or..."
Joel shrugs. "Depends how awkward you wanna make things, I guess. He is who we're lookin' for... I say we may as well stick around. Spare him the trouble of makin' up some bullshit story about stayin' here for his mom."
"Spare him? Fuck him, Joel -- he has a family, and he's in there... acting like a single guy!"
"All right -- spare us havin' to hear a bullshit story, then," he amends.
"Are you even annoyed with him at all?" you ask -- and you can't help feeling annoyed with Joel, too, because he's clearly not.
"Why should I be? It's none of my business. Or yours, I might add."
"What about Layla?!"
"Don' know her that well. Hell, maybe she's cool with it."
You stare at him. "Wow. Really, Joel? Maybe she's cool with it?"
"That prob'ly ain't the case, sure, but it's none of our business anyhow. After all the shit I've done in my life... I ain't one to throw stones. To judge."
"But you've never done anything that bad."
He laughs softly. "You don' know the half of it. An' you think cheatin's the worst thing there is?"
"Yes! Of course!" You don't like how dismissive he's being right now. "If that was you in there..."
"It wouldn't be."
"What if it was me? You'd care then, wouldn't you?"
"...Are you sayin' I should be as upset about this -- Danny cheatin' -- as I'd be if it was you in there with some other guy?"
"So you would be upset. If it was me."
"Of course I'd be upset. I'd kill the guy."
You roll your eyes. "You should kill me. I'm the one cheating. Maybe I lied to him. Yeah -- since we have to hide our relationship, I probably did lie!"
"I wouldn't kill you. That ain't how it works."
"Oh yeah? Well, if it was you, I'd kill both of you."
Joel considers this, then nods. "That's fair."
"...What, you're okay with me killing you? But you not killing me?"
"Sure. I'd deserve it."
"And I wouldn't?"
"Nope."
You frown. You suppose you should be glad to know that Joel wouldn't kill you, but it bugs you. It's like... he doesn't care enough to kill you? This whole scenario is ridiculous, because you'd never cheat on Joel, but you're discussing it seriously, not jokingly, so... something about it just bugs me! "But... it would break your heart, wouldn't it? If I did that?"
"Of course," he replies. Too casually.
"You don't sound like you mean it... you don't even want me dead."
"...Because I don't wanna kill you means I don't mean it?" he answers, quirking an eyebrow.
"So what would you do? After you killed the guy, and not me."
"Well, I reckon... ...you'd be upset about me killin' your boyfriend. I'd prob'ly take off."
"...Take off. Just... leave? No... demanding an explanation? Wouldn't you be curious?"
"In that moment? No. I'd know enough without you sayin' a word. And... you'd prob'ly wanna kill me for killin' the guy so I'd best get outta your way."
You're not sure what you wanted him to say (...maybe something like "I'd beg you to give me another chance"? ...Why should he do that? You should be the one begging him)... but you're disappointed with his answers, for some reason. "What if I told you it was a huge mistake and I still wanted to be with you? Would you give me another chance?"
Joel eyes you suspiciously. "I know you like talkin' about this shit, in the hypothetical, but are you tryin' to tell me somethin' here?"
"What? No! Of course not. Just... would you?"
He shrugs. "I... think it would depend on the reason? But... if you want a yes or no, I'm leanin' towards no."
Okay... does that mean he DOES care, like it would hurt him so much he can't get past it? Or that he DOESN'T care, like he doesn't love me enough to try to work things out? ...Why can't I just ASK him that? ...Because maybe I'm being dumb? He's giving real answers, yes, but this is all like a big joke to him any--
"Why are we even talkin' about this?" he continues. "You're gettin' all upset over--"
"I'm not upset! Okay, so... what makes you say no? No, you wouldn't give me another chance, because... ?"
"Like I said, it depends on the circumstances, but in general... I think I'd come to the conclusion that we ain't s'posed to be together. At least not in that way."
"But we are supposed to be together! Nothing can change that. No matter what happens--"
"All right then. Don't cheat on me an' it's a non-issue."
You want to hug him, kiss him... reassure him that you'd never cheat, never want anyone else... but when you move toward him even a little bit, he crosses his arms over his chest and moves just as slightly away -- very much a rejection of the gesture. And you know why: Danny will be coming out any minute now (what's taking him so long, anyway? Are they going for round two in there or what??). You're okay with it. Besides, it seems that you are the one needing reassurance; Joel is being very cavalier about the whole thing. Not just cavalier, but amused.
"Now are you gonna tell me how I should've answered your questions?" he teases.
"There's no 'should have.' No right or wrong." You try to sound sincere; you know it's what you're supposed to say.
"How you wish I would've answered 'em, then."
"There's no... wishing. You answered fine." He did give decent answers. You don't know what your problem is.
And he doesn't seem to believe your canned words, either. "What, you want me to say that I'd... fight for you? Instead of givin' up?"
"You don't have to fight -- you just killed the competition, remember? Literally killed. And... I dunno... yeah, it might be nice if you cared enough to try."
He considers this... and you wait for him to assure you that yes he would care... "Well, when I'm the cheater, you just kill me. That sure ain't tryin' to work things out."
"I kill you because I can't stand it," you say defensively. "I'd prob'ly feel bad after. Maybe."
"That makes me feel loads better. You'd probably feel bad. Thank you for that."
You don't want him to be sarcastic right now! "Well, I'd be so angry that--"
"Sshh... they're comin' out now."
Finally! You have no idea what to say to Danny so you'll let Joel take the lead on that one. ...Is Danny gonna know I saw his bare ass? Yeah, probably. Fuck-- You feel the blush returning to your face; you stare at your shoes demurely.
The door opens. You can't resist sneaking a glance at their faces... which do seem to register surprise and shame at seeing you and Joel hanging out in the hallway there. You return to staring at your feet.
"Joel... Ellie," says Danny, by way of greeting. He doesn't introduce his fuckfriend. There's an awkward pause. "What are you two doing up here?"
"Lookin' for you, actually," Joel answers.
Danny mumbles something to the woman, and she starts to walk away.
What? No -- she hasn't been properly shamed yet! You lift your head. "What's the matter, Danny? Afraid we'll let her know that you have a family at home? A wife and two little kids? Who are all so worried about you -- cuz you've been gone so long -- that they sent out a search party?" You don't know if she heard the last part, as she started walking at a faster pace, but you're sure she heard you mention his family.
Danny doesn't meet your gaze. "She knows. ...I don't expect you to understand."
"Oh, we understand. We understand that you're a lying, cheating piece of shit! How can you--"
"That's enough, Ellie," Joel says in his warning tone.
"Enough what? Enough of the truth? Cuz I've barely even--"
"It's none of our business," he says pointedly.
Yeah, yeah, just like we talked about. But fuck that! And fuck letting Joel take the lead here! If he's going to be a pussy about it-- "Maybe it is our business -- we could've been killed, leaving Jackson to look for you," you tell Danny. "We ran into infected, you know."
"I'm sorry about that," says the piece of shit. "But I didn't ask them to send anyone after me. I was gonna go back... after Mom finishes her next round of treat--"
"Don't use your mother as an excuse!" you splutter with fresh rage. "Do you think that'll make us feel sorry for you, cuz your mother's sick? That doesn't give you the right to--"
"Look," Joel interrupts, putting a hand on your shoulder as if he's afraid he'll have to restrain you from attacking Danny or something. "Just tell us what you want us to tell 'em, an' we'll be on our way."
"You want us to tell Layla you're dead?" you ask nastily. "That way, you're free to stay here forever and keep fucking that slut -- all day every day if that's--"
"Ellie," Joel interjects... in more of a this-time-I-mean-it warning tone. "Knock it off."
"Please don't tell her about this," Danny pleads quietly. "It would only hurt her. And the kids."
"So now it's us hurting them?" Unbelievable!
"We won't tell her," Joel traitorously assures him. "But she's gonna want to know when to expect you back."
"In a few weeks," says Danny. "Mom really does need me."
"What about your family?" you glare at him. "Don't they need you?"
"Not in the same way, no. I'm sorry Layla sent you guys all the way here... for no reason. I guess I... didn't realize I'd been away so long. ...Have a safe trip back," he adds flatly.
And he leaves!
Joel silences you with a Look.
You sigh. "What? I wasn't going to stop him."
"You don't wanna go yell at him some more?"
"I don't wanna see him anymore. How could you tell him that we won't say anything? I didn't promise that."
"So you wanna be the one that breaks up his family?"
"I'm the one? What about him?!"
Joel doesn't answer... he just steers you into the sex room.
You turn your glare on him. "I can't believe you're gonna cover for him!"
He closes the door. "But he's right -- it would only hurt them. It's somethin' he needs to work out."
"Don't you think Layla has a right to know her husband's a cheating asshole? Who knows how many times he's done this! He could be sticking his dick in every pussy north of Jackson for all we know!"
Joel actually laughs.
"How is that funny?!"
"It's you. You're funny. So... vulgar, the way you put things..."
"Is it or is it not true, though. What I said."
"It's true. You may be right... about her havin' a right to know. But not yet. Not until he comes home, at least. Can't just drop a bomb like that when--"
"What if he never comes home?"
"Then... we revisit the subject. Best thing would be for him to tell her himself."
"And if he doesn't?!"
"How 'bout we cross that bridge when we get to it."
You turn away in a huff... and walk to the counter in the back of the room, where the fucking took place. "It was right here, where it happened. And you can't even tell."
Joel follows you. "Should there be neon lights or somethin'?"
"Yeah. Something." You wonder if there were stray pubes on the counter that they swept onto the floor. Eww! You're not going to examine the floor closely. And if he had to pull out...
Joel plants an unexpected little kiss on your neck that makes you smile in spite of yourself. "It's sweet of you to be so pissed off about this," he says.
"Being pissed off is sweet?"
"Yes. Shows you care." He kisses the top of your head. Squeezes your shoulder. "I'd kiss you right now, but..."
You twist enough to look at him. "Danny's not gonna come back here. He'll probably never talk to us again, right?"
"Don' know. Maybe he'll think of somethin' else he wants us to tell his wife."
You pull Joel's face to yours and kiss him softly... and he doesn't resist! You lean your forehead against his and grin wickedly. "Who cares if he sees us? We're keeping his secret..."
Joel snorts. "Blackmail?"
"Yeah! Why not?"
"Why not? Oh... maybe 'cause then you'd have to keep your mouth shut about his affair for two more years?"
Until you're ~allowed~ to make your relationship public. You groan. "Less than two years. But... still a long time."
Joel pulls you into a hug, tucking your head on his shoulder and petting your hair. "But this... I could just be comfortin' you... after what you saw. Could be innocent."
"Yeah! Cuz now... my faith in humanity has been shaken! I'm a wreck!" you giggle. You love being in Joel's arms; it's pretty much the nicest feeling in the world.
"Yes. I gotta... try to restore it, somehow."
"You do, you know. All the time. Cuz I know you'd never do that to me. ...right?"
"Right. ...I'd at least break up with you first."
"Joel!" You pull back and swat him playfully.
He smiles. "I won't do that, either. I love you too much."
"Thank God." You kiss him again -- and again, he doesn't protest.
But only for a moment. "Come on. Let's get outta here an' go home."
"Yeah... I guess we accomplished our mission, huh." Not in the most pleasant of ways, but yes, you did.
Your heart aches for Layla. You wish that she -- and nearly everyone else you know -- could be as lucky as you, and have a great guy like Joel. But they don't... because what you two share is truly special. Shit like this only serves to remind you of that. It's rare and precious and you'll do whatever you have to do to preserve it. We're going to be together forever!
If you'd like to start another adventure, return to page 1.
Carlos
Date: 2021-04-11 03:48 pm (UTC)RE: Carlos
Date: 2021-04-11 04:51 pm (UTC)Yep, I suppose you could say any end that involves Danny is a 'real' end? It was fun coming up with different reasons for him not to return to Jackson as expected. This was definitely the shmuckiest one!