☆♬○♩●♪✧♩
(don't play the song yet)

𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡

⋆two weeks later

You and Connie haven't talked to each other in weeks, but you've seen him once or twice at meetings for Esperanza's fundraiser.

But since the whole incident, he hasn't been to the shop. You weren't mad, the both of you could use this time a part. Still doesn't dismiss the fact that you missed each other though.

Speaking of the fundraiser, everyone was now setting up for it since tomorrow was finally the big day. That is, everyone except for Connie.

You were now in the empty space outside, behind the salon, watching over everyone, making sure everything was just right, since tomorrow would also be the first day Esperanza will be at the shop since her hospitalization. Everything had to go perfectly.

"Gabi go help Armin hang those lights up. Shawn go help Papi set up the turntables and Falco carry some tables out for Edna." The three nod and go do what you told them to do as you feel a hand touch your shoulder.

"Hey (y/n). Can we talk ?" It was Eren. He had sorry eyes and a weak, half smile on his face.

You nod your head.

"Listen I'm sorry for not telling you anything and I'm sorry for believing the story without clarifying with you. I just wanted to have Connie's back because he looked so hurt-"

"It's fine, Eren."

"No but it isn't. I should've did everything different."

"Eren. I'm serious, it's okay. I accept your apology but if you ever do some shit like this again, I'm snatching you by your man bun," you laugh.

He pulled you into a side hug before speaking again. "So are you and Connie gonna-"

"I'll talk to him when I see him. Speaking of, is he coming today ?"

"He said he'd be at dinner later." Eren gave you one more side squeeze before walking over to Papi and Shawn to help them finish setting up.

You scanned the "backyard", now bustling with people moving in tables, games, and equipment. You decided to go over to Sasha and Denise to check on the kids area, you guys set up.

"How's everything going over here ?" you ask the two.

"Everything is good in the hood, (y/n). Oh but should we do face paint after the games or before ?" Denise asked, before picking Marcus back up into her arms so that he doesn't dig into anything.

"Before so that we don't interrupt them playing," you answer.

"Alright sounds good."

"Hey everyone !" You turn to see Niccolo coming into the back carrying a small bag of snacks in his hand. Probably for Sasha.

Everyone greeted him except for Papi, who has been quieter than usual. "Hey Nic'," Sasha greets him as she gives him a kiss on the cheek.

"How's the food department ?" you ask him.

"It's good. I'm making a special punch for tomorrow."

"It's probably dumb to have that 'special punch' near kids," you hear Papi say in a monotone voice.

"Well we'd have it somewhere only adults can get to it. I'll make sure to watch it," Niccolo responds, maintaining a smile on his face.

"You okay, Papi ? You seem a little off today," Sasha asks with genuine concern.

"I'm cool," he digs his hands into the pockets of his shorts. "I should probably go check on Shawn and Eren," he grumbles, walking away.

☆♬○♩●♪✧♩

Later that night, you went home to start preparing dinner for everyone coming over. To celebrate how well you guys all managed to pull off the fundraiser in such a short amount of time, you guys were going to have a dinner party.

Mikasa and Sasha were helping out in the kitchen along with Gabi to make cajun chicken alfredo, following your mom's recipe. Falco and Shawn were setting the table, since you didn't trust them around a stove.

"Miss (y/n). The noodles are done, what now ?" Gabi asked, looking up from the cutting board.

You peek over your shoulder, while stirring up the sauce on the stove. "Strain them and rinse them off. Then your job is done," you smile at her.

When you first took Gabi in to work for you, she definitely had a defense up. You didn't know why and you still don't but it was apparent that she was beginning to trust you.

Same for Falco and Shawn. Falco wasn't as timid around you and Shawn would end up cracking jokes with you, being careful to not go too far.

You then hear a knock on the door. Shawn runs to let the guests in. It was the boys, including Connie who staggered behind the group, almost hesitant to walk into the house.

"Oh shit what's up man ?" Shawn says about to do his little handshake with Eren.

"Language !" you call from the kitchen, only to hear Eren snicker.

You looked back at the group, accidentally making eye contact with Connie. You quickly turn back around, and go back to adding the right seasonings to the alfredo sauce.

"What's up guys ? What smells so good ?" Armin comes into the kitchen and peeks over your shoulder .

"Oh shit is this the pasta your mom used to make ?" Jean wrapped his arm around Mikasa's as she continued to cook the chicken in a separate pan.

"Yup. See I helped." Sasha pointed to a little bowl full of diced up green onions.

"Hey um (y/n)." You turn around to see Connie, his hands deep into his pockets and looking off to the side. "Can we um. Talk ?"

You chewed your bottom lip before tapping Armin on the shoulder. "Armin stir this for me and Gabi, you're in charge of the kitchen."

"What ? But Gabi is literally a child," Armin pouted.

"Yeah but I trust Gabi in the kitchen." You turned back to Connie. "C'mon."

(play the song now)

The both of you walk up to your bedroom, to ensure that you both had privacy, just in case this talk went south. You closed the door behind you.

Connie stood against the wall, fiddling with his fingers while you sat down, criss cross apple sauce on your bed.  "So.. how are you ?" he asks

"What did you want to talk about ?" you ask cutting straight to the chase.

"I messed up. Big time."

"Yeah. You did." You crossed your arms over your chest, looking around your room so that you didn't have to look at him in the eye.

"I should've talked to you before. I shouldn't even have taken her word for it."

"I just want to know how could you trust Trixie before me ? Do you still have feelings for her or something ?" You didn't mean to ask the last question but it, for lack of better words, slipped out.

"Of course not."

"So why was she on your lap ?"

"She did that once she heard someone coming. I didn't get her off fast enough." You sucked your teeth lightly at her answer. "I don't expect you to trust me. I fucked up and I just want you to know that I'm sorry and I miss you more than words can say."

You stayed silent and played around with individual curls, looking at the floor. You didn't want Connie to be out of your life forever but you couldn't see yourself dating him. Not right now, anyways. Lord knows you wanted to but maybe now wasn't the right time.

He was your person. 100%. Without a single doubt in your head. But it's clear that there was a lot of.. healing that needed to take place.

"I miss you too. And I believe you-"

"Great !" He ran over to where you were on the bed and tried to place a kiss on your lips but you softly pushed him back.

"But."

"But ?"

"I'm more than willing to be your friend but we can't be together right now. But who knows ? Maybe we'll try again someday."

He looks down and away from you for about a minute or so, still sitting next to you on the bed.

"I'm fine with that," he lied. "But (y/n) I swear I'll work my ass off for the possibility to try again one day. Okay ?"

You give him a small smile, knowing that he was telling the truth. "Okay Connie. Now if you excuse me, I have to make sure they don't set something on fire."

When he went over to talk to you, Connie half expected you to get back together, acting as if nothing happened. But he hurt you. And he knew that he probably gave you unwanted memories of you and Jay. Last thing he wanted to do was end up like him to you.

But because of his selfishness and impulsiveness he did. He wishes that he could change everything you were probably thinking in her mind. He hopes that you don't think anything less of yourself. And he prays that you know that you were more than enough for him.

Even when you said that you guys should just stick to being friends, he still had a little bit of hope. Connie knew that he would follow you to the ends of the earth if he had to, which meant that he really will do everything it takes. Whether it's in this life time or the next or perhaps the one after that, you two will be together, according to him.

You get up from the bed and start walking towards the door but Connie gently grabs your hand before you left. "Wait ! One more kiss for the road," he says, pointing to his cheek that was covered in freckles.

You sigh before letting out a little laugh. You willingly obliged and gave him one small peck on the cheek before walking back downstairs.

Apparently the other guests had got their while you and Connie were upstairs hashing everything out.

"Damn where ya'll been at ?" Denise calls from the kitchen table. "We've been waiting for ya'll to eat."

"My bad," you laugh, taking a seat next to Papi who was eyeing Niccolo and Sasha, across the table.

You gently slap his leg to get him to cut it out just before Connie plopped himself right next to you.

Everyone shortly started to dig in, with Falco getting hella pasta sauce on his face. "Falco bro you have a napkin for a reason," Shawn side eyed his friend.

Falco swiftly flipped him off, thinking nobody would see but everyone did, which made it ten times funnier.