Falling At Your Feet

"So, what's up with you and Valentine?" Aaron called. "Are you guys a thing yet?"
"We're just friends." I shrugged. "It really irritates her that everyone is assuming that we like each other."
"What doesn't irritate her though?" Alan asked, chuckling. "I heard she used to have a thing with Ronnie Radke."
"No way!" Phil exclaimed. "I can't see them together at all."
"I mean, they're both grade-A assholes. And in Valentine's way, I mean that as a compliment." I said, smiling involuntarily. "But Phil's right, I can't see them together at all."
"Ask her." Alan urged me.
"That's so awkward! 'Hey V, I heard you used to fuck Ronnie Radke, yeah?'" I argued.
"I will. You know I will." He replied.
I rolled my eyes and decided on a subject change. "Do you know where she's taking us today?"
"Some tea house. I told her that none of us know French so she better hope we don't get mugged." Alan replied. "You ready?"
"Yeah. Who's all going?" I asked as we walked to meet Valentine.
"I actually have no idea. There's something weird going on with her and Vic right now so I don't think he's invited on this little excursion." He replied.
Then we heard that voice I'd recognize from a mile away. "-Dan darling, what ever do you mean you want to come, I asked you and you said no! I only made reservations for three and now you're making me feel awful!"
"It's fine, V. Go have fun. Kyle canceled on me so I was just wondering what you were up to." Dan Lambton replied. "Really. I'll go hang with Parker."
"Oh, alright." She sighed anxiously as he walked away.
I had to do a double take when we got closer. Words couldn't do the way she looked in that dress justice.
Alan elbowed me, his eyes full of lust as he gazed her. "You're a real idiot if you're just friends with her."
"Hello, boys!" Valentine clapped her hands together, delighted. "How are you this lovely morning?"
"You look great." I said, hugging her but letting my arm linger around her waist for a second longer.
"I'm so excited to listen to you speak French all day." Alan said. "Absolutely can't wait."
"I'm very honored that we're your guests of honor today." I laughed.
"You ought to be." She smirked.
**
"V, your driving is awful!" I cried from the backseat.
"No, it's fucking Montreal." She replied. "French people drive like idiots."
"Do you even realize what you just said?" Alan asked. Whether she didn't hear or rather chose to ignore him was a mystery.
"Here we are. Maison de Thé Cha Noir." She said. "My favorite little teahouse."
"You French women and your tea." Alan said, shaking his head.
"You American men and your. . . red meat." She scoffed.
"I'm going to find the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute." He said, elbowing me discretely and walking away.
I put my arm around her shoulder and squeezed. "You really do look amazing today."
She smiled, cheeks flushing pink. "Thank you."
"Speak French to me." I commanded while we waited in line.
"Je pense que vous êtes adorable, Austin." She replied, biting her lip.
God, that was hot. "And what does that mean?"
"That I think you're adorable."
"You know what I think?" I asked, laughing. "I think we should have left Alan and came somewhere this romantic by ourselves."
I felt her stiffen and saw the smile slide off of her face, confusion flickering on her delicate features. "Austin-"
"You don't have to say anything." I said, feeling terrible at the sudden turn.
"Oh, there's Alan. Why don't you two go and find us a table? I'll get you some tea." She said, pointing with shaking hands.
"What did you say to her?" Alan demanded once we sat down. "She looks like she's seen a ghost."
"I get the feeling that she has." I said, mind reeling. "Alan, do you remember what Vic said about the guy she used to date? The one who-"
"He didn't say much, did he? Only said what happened, said she blames herself." He replied.
I watched Valentine closely. Slowly the color came back to her skin and she stopped shaking. Hell, she even managed to act completely normal when she sat down, but I was determined to get to the bottom of this.
When we got back to the venue I headed straight for Pierce the Veil's bus to have a talk with someone who knew Valentine better than just about anyone.
"Hey, man. What's up?" Vic asked when I knocked on his door.
"I really need to talk to you." I said quickly.
"I thought you were with Valentine today. Oh. This is about her, isn't it? Walk with me." He said, stepping out and we casually strolled.
"Tell me more about this guy." I insisted.
"That's not really my story tell, man. If you're really trying to have something with her then don't you think you should ask her?" He asked. I recounted what had happened in the tea shop and Vic nodded. "Sounds like her. Listen, you definitely need to talk to her about this but I'll fill in the blanks for you. They were together for a few years. Very much in love. They got in a fight right before he died and she's felt guilty all this time. Now it's been almost four years and the. . . anniversary of his death really really bothers her."
"Wow."
"Why do you think she's so mad at me right now? I keep telling her that you're a great guy and she should give you a chance but she blew up a couple days ago, talking about how guilty she feels and how moving on would make her a terrible person and all this. Honestly your best bet is to talk to her." He continued.
"What was his name?" I asked finally.
"Scott." Vic said slowly. "His name was Scott."

Notes

Title lyrics: Berlin by RY X
If you're confused about who Scott is, it'll become clear pretty soon ;)
Chapter format/POV goes Valentine, Valentine, Austin. That's the pattern. . . just a little FYI.
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