Fated Marks

Hayley’s POV-

It was a beautiful day to be alive… Seriously. I walked out of the subway stop and walked down the street. The sun was shining. Birds were chirping. If life could be a Disney movie, this would be pretty close.

I walked down the street close to Will’s favorite bagel place. Picked up something for Will and Nate and some extras for them to eat tomorrow. I walked up the street, said hi to a few familiar faces before I reached the building. I smiled as I headed up the stairs and got to the right floor. Everything was exactly the way I remembered it being. The hallway walls were still that faded dark green. The floors were still light hardwood.

I smiled as I walked down the hall and opened the door.

“Will I got you your… Ah!!!” I screamed.

“Fuck!” The foot model shouted

“Hayley!” Will screamed.

“Ah!” I shouted dropping the box of bagels and turning around. “I’m going to the bar!”

I heard Will laughing loudly while I ran out. Why did I keep forgetting to knock? I ran downstairs and walked into the bar.

“I need a beer.” I said as I walked in. “I need it bad.”

“Hayley?!” Carl and Nate said.

“Hey guys.” I said Nate got up and hugged me.

“Thought you’d be in the hospital or at home?” Nate said letting me go.

“I’ve been home for a few days and I’m fully recovered. Thought I should come check in one Will and…” I started shivering at the memory of what I’d seen.

“Walked in on him and the foot model.” Nate said. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Uh I hate that guy.” I said.

“How do you know him they only started hooking up a few months ago?” Nate said.

“You mean they started hooking up again.” I corrected as Carl put a beer in front of me. “Thanks.”

“They dated?” Nate asked.

“No.” I said. “They met and hooked up at a club a few years ago. They hook up whenever Will has a bad breakup. When he has an itch he needs to scratch but doesn’t want the strings. Guy is a total douche.”

“No kidding.” Nate said drinking his beer as his stomach growled.

“I brought you a breakfast sandwich but I kind of dropped it when I saw… that.” I said.

“Might be time for me to move out.” Nate said. “Been thinking about it for a while, just wasn’t the right time. Couldn’t leave him alone.”

“Thank you, for looking out for him.” I said.

“He’s done it for me.” Nate said. “Just don’t…almost die again. Losing Josh destroyed him but losing you… that almost killed him Hayley.”

“How bad?” I asked and Nate just shook his head.

“It was bad. Leave it at that.” Nate said before he got quiet and looked at the entrance. “Is it safe to go up now?”

I looked over and saw Will walking over.

“Yup, apartments clear.” He said. “thanks for breakfast Hales.”

“Yeah, could have gone without the show.” I said finishing my beer.

“Should have knocked.” Will retorted.

“I’m going to go shower. Good to have you back Hayley.” Nate said. “Will you better disinfect the apartment when you get back.”

“We don’t even use the dining table.” Will answered.

“Will.” I groaned.

“I’ll see you later.” Nate said before walking out.

“So what’s up?” Will said.

“I have a husband now.” I said.

“What?!” Will exclaimed. “I don’t see you for a day and you eloped without me?!”

“Technically I’ve been married for almost 2 years.” I said.

“You and Clint eloped in Aruba. I fucking knew it.” Will said.

“I didn’t elope!” I shouted.

“But you just said…” He started.

“Yeah. In Asgard completing the bond is equal to marriage and last night Thor asked for permission to refer to me as his wife making it official… in Asgard.” I clarified as I waved my hand and Will saw the ring on my right finger.

“Looks a little more than Asgard official.” Will said brushing some hair off my shoulder to look at the hickey on my neck.

“Honeymoon.” I said pulling my hair back. “But I didn’t come here to talk about them, I came here for some one on one time with my number one guy. So what are we doing?”

“I didn’t really have any plans besides…” Will said with a weird look.

“Ew…” I said. “Still trying to get that image out of my head.”

“Don’t be a prude.” Will said before smirking. “You know if you’re married, I technically owe you a bachelorette party.”

“Okay you do understand I didn’t actually elope.” I said.

“You have a husband.” Will said.

“Nothing’s changing. We were technically married before its just that now it actually means something… on Asgard.” I said. “You want to go?”

“Sure.” he said as I put some money on the bar and headed out. “But it means nothing on Earth.”

“No.” I said.

“So you are married?” Will said.

“Okay Will, we’re married on Asgard. On earth we’re only married to each other.” I said. “Hence he calls me his wife and I call him my husband.”

“That makes no sense.” Will said.

“Yes it does.” I said as we got to the batmobile. “Oh I missed that car.”

“Guess its time I hand these back.” He said tossing the keys to the car. I caught them and I thought about it.

“Actually I have a better idea…” I said.

One Hour later-

“Are you sure about this?” Will asked me for the tenth time.

“I can afford it.” I said.

“I know you can afford it but really?” He said.

“Yes.” I repeated.

“Hales this isn’t the same as me borrowing the batmobile… this is… this is something Tony would drive.” Will said looking at an Audi Spyder.

“Do you want a Porsche instead? BMW?” I suggested.

“No.. No It’s just… Is this like a PTSD thing…from the coma?” Will asked.

“I’m fine.” I said.

“You’re buying me a sports car, you didn’t even want the batmobile when you got it and it wasn’t nearly this expensive.” Will said.

“Hi can I help you…” One of the salesmen started.

“Just a minute.” I said before turning to Will. “Will, I don’t care about the price.There’s more money in that bank account than I’ll even be able to spend in my entire life. So stop worrying. Do you like the car?”

“Yeah.” Will said.

“Do you want the car?” I asked.

“Yeah but…” He started.

“Yeah, so we’ll take two of these.” I said pointing to the car.

“Wha…” He said shocked. “You want two?”

“Yes please.” I said.

“Would you like to test drive it before…” He said shocked.

“No, you’ve driven Tony’s before right?” I asked Will.

“Yes but…” Will said.

“Yeah no test drive.” I said.

“Is this the one you would like or would you like another color?” he asked. ‘We have it in red, white, black, silver…”

“I’ll take it in black and Will…” I said.

“Uh I’ll just get it in white.” Will said and I arched an eyebrow at him. “Okay grey. If I get it in red I’ll get pulled over all the time.”

“One in black and the other in grey.” I said.

“And you would you like financing to pay for…” he started.

“Just charge it to this card please.” I said handing over a card.

“Uh okay.” He said running to the office before I’d change my mind. After filling out some paperwork and giving them the address to deliver my car we headed off the lot.

“Ah that new car smell.” Will said.

“You know what we need to go with the new car?” I asked.

“A cool pair of shades?” Will suggested smiling.

“A cool pair of shades.” I nodded giving him a smile. “Head to fifth Avenue.”

We stopped by and picked up two pairs with Saint Laurent along with some other stuff we probably didn’t need but we liked it and bought because why the hell not.

“Okay we have new shades, leather jackets for when it gets cold later. Where to now?” Will asked as we go back in the car.

“If you could be anywhere right now where would it be?” I asked him.

“Hawaii.” Will asked.

“I’ll look at flights.” I said.

“We’re not going to Hawaii.” Will said sighing before tapping his fingers on the steering wheel leaning back. “There’s this place that… Josh took me for our six month anniversary.” Will said tearing up. “It was this beach in the Hamptons. Haven’t been there since. It’s nice.”

We stayed quiet for a while.

“It’s a good day to go to the beach.” Will said slipping on his glasses before starting the car.

“You sure? We could always go down to jersey?” I offered.

“We’re treating ourselves, No crowded tourist traps. A nice quiet hidden beach.” He said pulling out of his parking spot. “We can pick up lunch on the way.”

“Okay.” I said noticing that Will was biting his lip to stop himself from crying. I connected my phone to the car’s Bluetooth and played Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us”. I remember Will playing this a few times when I was in the coma. “No road trip is complete without a sing along.”

Will smiled and we started singing. The top was down and the wind was blowing through our hair as we sang our lungs out.

We drove for a few hours only stopping to pick up some food from a little bistro in town and some ice cream. We drove back onto the highway before it turned into a dirt road and then he just stopped. I looked around and there was a path in between two grassy patches with a bit of a wooden fence.  

“Have to walk the rest of the way.” Will said as we got out of the car.

“How’d Josh even know about this place?” I asked.

“Said something about picking up his boss after a party once.” He said.

“That sounds like Kol.” I said following Will down the path. “This is a great spot.”

“Great sunsets too.” Will said half heartedly.

We picked a spot and sat down. I handed Will his sandwich and iced tea before grabbing mine.

“I think the last time I was at the beach was… December 2013 when I went to go visit Tony.” I said. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Back when things were a lot more simple.” Will said. “Just the two of us against the world.”

“It wasn’t really simple so much as I didn’t really tell you anything.” I said.

“Ignorance is bliss.” Will said.

“It is, until reality knocks you on your ass and you can’t run from it.” I said.

“And boy did it knock us on our ass.” Will said sipping his iced tea. “I used to think my family disowning me and kicking my ass to the streets at seventeen was the worst thing that would ever happen to me. The past year and a half… a million times worse.”

“I almost married Nate.” I said.

“Okay Hales, I think you’re confused.” Will said worried. “You married Thor not Nate.”

“No dummy in the coma.” I said and he just stared at me. “I lived another life. Hadrian was dead, my mom was alive but she was... the worst. I was raised by my dad with Rebekah and Kol and I moved to New York for school at 15. We met at a café and were attached at the hip since. You moved in and Clint was living down the hall from us. I introduced you to Josh because he used to work in my dad’s office. I was your maid of honor at your wedding. You picked out a wedding dress for me to wear to your wedding because you said that someone had to wear a white dress and you looked better in a tux so it had to be me. You didn’t want to move out because you were worried about me becoming a hermit so I had to tell you to stop being an idiot and go but you and Josh always stocked my fridge when I was at work so I would eat something other than pizza. You introduced me to Nate again. He was the prince charming every girl dreamed about when they watched Disney movies but he wasn’t my lobster. You and Josh were goals but I was so damn stubborn and blind that I couldn’t realize that I had my guy right down the hall. I had the perfect life but it wasn’t perfect for me and it took me almost marrying Nate to realize that. Turns out Josh was trying to teach me a lesson.”

“Fake Josh?” Will asked.

“Real Josh.” I said.

“My Josh?” Will said tearing up.

“Your Josh.” I said tearing up myself. “he was… He had some interesting… methods.”

“Why do you say it like that?” Will said.

“He made me have freakishly bad sex with Nate for a year.” I said.

“What?” Will said.

“In my coma there were no soulmates. I mean they were there just that the whole soulmate thing didn’t exist in coma world.” I said. “So I had all my firsts with Coma Nate and he was bad… like never had an orgasm until I cheated on him with Tony…” Will just stared at me with his jaw dropped.

“Okay in hindsight that should have been a huge giveaway that I was in a coma but not important. Josh wanted me to see that my ass of an older brother and the dragon lady didn’t shape me into who I am. I am my own person. Even if I was raised right, that wouldn’t make a difference because I would always, always choose you and them. Maybe it’s not us against the world anymore but I’ll always be on your side.” I said giving his hand a squeeze as he sobbed.

“I-I almost pulled the plug on you!!!” Will cried out.

“I know.” I said patting his shoulder.

“I had to watch Josh die. I put him in the ground and you went out and faced a freaking brainwashed assassin!!!” Will shouted as he cried. “I had just buried the love of my life and you went and got yourself shot and thrown off a fucking cliff?!!!  You were going to make me pull the plug on you? I was going to kill you!? What the hell is wrong with you?!!! Why would you do me?!!!”

“I didn’t want to do that to you! You’re my brother, my best friend, my ride or die.” I cried. “I thought I lost you. I was on the edge already. I was barely holding it together and then Josh died. You pushed me away and Nat got taken and… And I went over the edge… literally.”  

“We’re a freaking mess.” Will said giving me a teary smile.

“We’re the worst.” I said laughing through my tears.

“We really are.” Will cried as he started chuckling. “I’m so glad there’s still a we.”

“Me too.” I cried. “Uh… there’s one last thing. Josh… h-he asked me to tell you that he loves you and that he wants you to be happy.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be happy again.” Will cried.

“You will.” I said. “We just… have to take it by day.”

Will just leaned his head on my shoulder and we stared out at the water. Watching the waves.

“Hales.” Will said.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“I think I got sand in my pants.” Will said.

“And that’s why I don’t go to the beach.” I said before we both got up and headed back.

Three Hours Later-

We made a few pit stops in Brooklyn and Midtown to load up on all the best donuts, cannoli, ice cream and all of our favorite treats.

“Do I have to?” Will said and I glared at him. “I think it looks good. Give me a tweed blazer with suede elbow patches and I’m a hot law professor.”

“You’re twenty five.” I deadpanned. “You’re not in hot law professor age to pull that off, you’re in hipster that wants to look like a drifter hobo age and I know you. I know you hate that beard. It itches. It itches bad.”

“I can handle it.” Will said twitching as he tried not to scratch his chin.

“Don’t make me say it Will.” I said.

“I look good.” He said.

“You look like your Dad.” I said and Will glared at me and hesitated before looking at the mirror. He stared his reflection before putting his hand out.

“Give me the damn razor.” He said and I put it in his hand. I sat on the toilet and watched him until he was done. He dried his face and took a look. Will looked rough before but now I got a better look at how bad he was really doing. He lost weight. The circles under his eyes were dark and he looked older. Not physically just the look in his eyes.

“How do I look?” Will asked me.

“Like a million bucks.” I said forcing a smile.

“I feel like stuffing my face with cannoli and donuts.” Will said.

“Sounds like a plan.” I said.

“Shouldn’t you be heading home. Hubby’s probably missing you.” Will said.

“He knows I’m with you.” I said as we headed to the living room. I was about to sit down when I remembered what I had walked in on that morning.

“You going to…” He started.

“No.” I said. “I just… The foot model Will?”

“Don’t go there.” Will said. “I needed a distraction and I ran into him.”

“He’s a douche.” I said.

“You think everyone’s a douche.” He said.

“I don’t think everyone’s a douche. Just douchey people.” I said. “The guy takes advantage of you when you’re at your lowest. He leeches off of you. Treats everyone around you like crap and when he’s done with you he kicks you to the curb. He is the textbook definition of a douche.”

“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.” Will said. “I had an itch he helped me scratch.”

“You ever think that he’s not just scratching your itch?” I said. “He’s scratching half of New York’s itches and leaving trails of his doucheness all over New York.”  

“Hales butt out. He’s a good guy.” Will said.

“Really. So you actually talk?” I said.

“Course.” He answered.

“What’s his name?” I asked and Will shifted awkwardly.

“His name?” Will said.

“Yeah. If he’s a good guy then he probably asked why you were so sad or why you were requesting his services again.” I said. “So what’s his name?”

“Of course, his name is….” He said not looking at me. “Jack. Jack Daniels.”

“Jack Daniels?” I said before looking around and seeing the bottle of whiskey foot model was not names after. I picked up the bottle. “Jack Daniels?”

“It’s a…” Will said struggling to hold his laughter back. “It’s a strong name.”

“Yeah.” I said trying to hold back my laugh. “Very strong.”

“I met the one Hales and he’s gone. No one will ever match up to him.” He said. “The only way I can make it through the day is to figure out a way to keep going. No one will ever be Josh but they can at least distract me for a while.”

At that my phone started ringing. I picked up the phone and answered it without looking.

“Hello.” I said.

“Hey, where are you?” Natasha asked.

“I’m at Will’s.” I answered. “Guess who finally shaved off their beard?”

“Did you drug him and shave it off while he was asleep?” Natasha teased.

“Nope,” I said. “Just gave him a new perspective.”

I heard someone in the back ground. It sounded like Tony.

“Tony wants to know if you already ate dinner.” Natasha asked.

“Not yet.” I said.

“Hayley.” I heard Tony say in the background.

“Come on.” Will said standing up. “I’m taking you home.”

“No.” I started. “We were going to watch a movie and eat ourselves into a sugar coma.”

“Hales. I’m going to pig out hard. Like really hard and then I’m going to get lonely, I might cry a bit and ask footsy over to scratch an itch.” Will said. “See where I’m going with this.”

“Unfortunately.” I answered before talking to Nat. “Nat I’m on my way.”