Chapter Text
They didn't fight. After Ava sent them to stand outside, even after they both came, they didn't resume their fighting. They just... Awkwardly angrily glared at each other.
Until Mason sighed.
„This isn't worth it.“
„It really isn't.“
Mason's stare suddenly pierced him through more then ever before, then Mason replied:
„I didn't mean the fight.“
„What did you mean, then?“
„I tried. I wanted to rebuild our friendship, and with you agreeing it for eventually, I thought something was happening. And it did. I thought we were reconnecting, or something! And then, you said this. I KNOW my dad isn't a good person, you idiot! I'm still not going to let him die!“
They were reconnecting. Both of them knew. When they were at the cabin, before the whole drama went down, it all felt... Right. But neither of them would say it. Noah just doesn't tend to be too emotional, and Mason was just too angry right now.
And yet...
„Sorry, I just don't get how you can be so worried about him,“ Noah said a bit bitterly.
„Which I don't get,“ Mason said, „I get why you hate him so much - he shot you, and apparently, you know something I don't, which is the only thing stopping me from just deciding that you're a shitty person - but I thought you'd understand. That you'd know how important family is.“
Family. Of course. He did this too. Elijah only ever let him down, and yet he didn't give up on him and let him let him down again.
But why would Mason do the same mistake? How to word that?
„... I get it now. I did the same thing. With Elijah. But Elijah didn't abuse me. You deserve better then this," like this? Does that work? Noah wondered.
Abuse? Mason thought Noah was probably right... But still was surprised, because no one before him called it by it's name. He stood opposite to Noah, staring into the ground, arms folded on his chest, and unsurely said:
„I know. Once I leave for college, I'm not planning on looking back too much. Still doesn't mean I want him dead.“
„I get it now. I got carried away. I'm really sorry. I...“
„You what?“
God, is he really going to spit it all out? About how he feels about their friendship?
... If it's for it's sake, then alright.
„I've figured out that I don't want to fuck up what we were repairing again. The moments this year ever since we reconnected and got along, together with Tia, and even Ava were the best of the whole year. I want to be your friend, I don't want to go back to what it was, and this feels so dumb to say, but if it helps, hell, I'll do it. So... Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I should've just shut up.“
Mason looked him up and down, and those few seconds were one of the longest in Noah's life.
Until he spoke up:
"You should've. Someone in my family nearly died, and when I want to chill a bit after days of stress at a New Year's Eve party, someone I consider my friend sort of acts like I shouldn't be relieved that my dad is alive? You might not care about his life, but I hoped that at least you won't say anything.“
This gave Noah a perspective. A perspective of how Mason must've felt last two days, and how betrayed must be.
And of how throughly he fucked up.
„I... I screwed it all up. I don't even understand how I could...“ he was staring into the ground.
„I forgive you.“
Noah titled his head up to look at Mason with pure awe.
Mason was almost refusing to look at him, arms still on his chest, but he said something more:
„I guess I can see it from your point of view. Even though I have to try really damn hard. Don't ever fucking do anything like that again.“
Noah wasn't this close to tears in a really long time.
He smiled, and moved closer to Mason, not even knowing what he's planning, but Mason put his hand in front of himself, gesturing him to stop, and said:
„But I have a request.“
Noah stopped, and asked:
„What is it?“
He was surprised at himself when his mind was saying „Anything you say, it's yours.“
„Even Tia?“ he asked himself, and found also himself replying, „Okay, that's a good point...“
But any internal monolog he had going on stopped when Mason spoke up:
„You know something I don't. You're implying that my dad is in something shady. And thinking about it... I can entertain the thought. How much can you tell me?“
„... Probably not everything. And I'll have to think through how to do it,“ so Jennings senior and co. don't find out anything.
„Okay, I'll wait. All I want to know is what is it that you know.“
„I'll try telling you soon.“
Mason nodded, and then walked a bit to the side and sat down on a sidewalk opposite to Ava's house.
„Oh, yeah, and one other thing.“
Noah sat down next to him.
„Yeah?“
„Stop calling me „Jennings“. Can't you call me by my first name by now?“
Noah chuckled as he sat down on the sidewalk next to Mason.
„Guess I can do that, Mason.“
„Good, Noah.“
They both looked up at the house.
„Guess we're uninvited now,“ Mason noted.
Noah looked at the house - he thought he caught a glimpse of Tia on the balcony - and then back at Mason.
He sat down next to him.
„Take it positively. At least we're not uninvited and alone,“ he said, „I know you still must be hurt, but...“
Mason turned to him.
„But I can see you're sorry, and I'm glad I'm not alone. Starting the new year by a fight and walking home alone isn't my preffered way to start it.“
„Mine neither,“ Noah grinned.
And Mason smiled back at him. He really is a saint, huh? Noah said what he said, he robbed him and all it took for Elijah to convince him to do it was some cheap coercion, and Mason is sitting next to him, smiling.
He forgave him, again.
And Noah knew he'll try hard to but mess anything up again. Because then, Mason will understandably cut him from his life.
Looking at him, Noah knew he doesn't want that to ever happen.
They were only interrupted from their little silent moment when they heard people yelling the countdown from the balcony.
10!
„We both wanted to kiss Tia at midnight, huh?“ Mason noted with a smile.
„Yeah. And neither of us can,“ and Noah found he doesn't really mind.
5!
He really didn't care, it even drew him to...
„I don't really mind,“ Mason said.
„Me neither.“
Noah was looking at Mason, realizing he did the same for him Tia did. Just longer time ago. Why didn't he fall in love with him like with her?
3!
A little smirk appeared on Mason's face.
„What are you looking at like that?“
1!
Or maybe...