A/N: So, I haven't done nearly enough Joaquin and Kevin so here is their emotional goodbye, I do love them as a couple but I don't have high hopes of their return in following seasons which makes me sad. Unfortunetely today will be my last writing day for about 2 weeks (possibly be able to fit in another chapter tomorrow but I wouldn't hold your breaths). I'm getting married on the 25th (exciting stuff!) and then I'm away on my honeymoon for the week following but I'll pick this story up when I get back. As always, read, review and hopefully enjoy :-).
Kevin felt the warmth of Joaquin's hand in his own, he was glad Joaquin hadn't just brushed off his hand. The moment was bittersweet as he knew this was going to be goodbye between the two of them, he had questions burning in his mind but he supressed the urge to ask them instead just keeping the silence between them and feeling the tension build as they walked slowly.
"I need to pick up some stuff." Joaquin caved first and he just nodded slowly to his remark, following his direction as walked them towards the trailer park in the southside. He couldn't think of any response and he knew if he started talking all the questions he had would spill out so he opted for the tense silence.
They walked slowly, taking their time, the tension building the closer they got the trailer park. Joaquin stopped as the first trailers came into view, he turned slightly with a small awkward look on his face, he understood that it would be better if the sheriff's son stayed away from the area for now.
"I'll wait here." His voice was harsh from the lack of talking, his hand slipping from Joaquins.
"I'll just be a minute." He nodded as he quickly walked away from him.
He stood on the outskirts and waited for him to return, Joaquin was true to his word and returned quickly offering him a small smile as he did.
"Bus station?" Joaquin just nodded lightly at his question and they took off walking again, slowly in the direction of the bus station. "Where are you going?" Joaquin sighed lightly at the question as if he was hoping he wouldn't be asked.
"First bus I can get on, I just need to get out of here." He nodded lightly, it wasn't an unexpected answer but he still felt the pain at his words. "I wish I didn't have to." Those words surprised him and his face must have shown it as he heard a small chuckle from Joaquin beside him, it brought a small smile to his own lips. "It's just..."
"I get it, two other people knew about that day, ones in jail and ones dead. Leaving town seems to be the better option." Joaquin nodded to his explaination.
The two of them fell into silence once again as the approached the bus station, they joined the small line for tickets. He stood to one side as Joaquin bought a ticket for the next bus he could out of town.
"So, a couple of hours to kill. Feel like Pop's?" He smiled at Joaquins question and nodded lightly, glad to have this time before he had to leave.
The walk to Pop's was quicker, both of them knowing they had plenty of time so they didn't have to stretch out the walk as they had been so far. Kevin walked to the counter to place their order with Pop while Joaquin walked to find a quiet booth away from any of the other people in the diner. The silence returned as he sat opposite him in the booth and they shared a small smile between them. The waitress appeared after a few minutes and dropped off their milkshakes and burgers with fries and onion rings.
"I'm seriously going to miss these milkshakes." He found himself smiling softly at Joaquins remark as he took a long drink of the milkshake in front of him.
"They are good." He couldn't think of a better response and rolled his eyes at his own blank mind, earning a small chuckle from Joaquin.
The tension built until it became unbearable, the need to fill the silence becoming too much.
"So..." He hadn't decided what he was going to say but he couldn't stand not saying anything anymore.
"F.P wanted me to get close to you, but I didn't plan to get this close." He was shocked by Joaquin's words, it was a question that had been in the back of his mind but one that he had refused to voice. He couldn't process a response to his words, instead just sat with a dumbfounded expression on his face. "I just didn't want you thinking this was all part of some plan, it wasn't." He just nodded slightly.
"Why?" Joaquin just looked at him with a slightly confused look. "Why did F.P want you close to me?" Joaquin shrugged slightly.
"He wanted to know what the sheriff knew, figured you were a good in. I'm the closest to your age, he thought I could find a way to fit in with your group of friends." He nodded, the logic was sound. "Not that I found out much through any of you."
"Was he the one that stole all my dad's files?" Now that he knew the lengths F.P was going to get information the memory of that night came to him.
"I don't know. I don't think so though, when I told him it happened he seemed genuinely surprised." Joaquin shrugged his shoulders slightly, it seemed the thought hadn't crossed his mind before this point.
A less tense silence fell over them then as they dug into their burgers.
"You've got to tell your friends to stay away from this, before they get hurt." He couldn't help the small burst of laughter that came forward at Joaquins words, he saw the seriousness in his face and just shook his head lightly.
"You really don't know them at all." Joaquin sighed at his words. "I guess none of us really know you either though." He heard the sad tone come to his voice at the realisation that he really didn't know who he was after all this time with him, the first boyfriend he'd really had and he was practically a stranger.
"Maybe they don't, but you do." He gave Joaquin a questioning look, getting a small sad smile in return. "I know you don't believe that but I've always been myself with you." He found himself believing his words.
Kevin watched as Joaquin sneaked a look to his watch and sighed deeply as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Time to go?" He already knew the answer to the question and got the expected nod in reply.
He stood up as Joaquin did the same and made their way towards the door, the walk was short to the bus station but the silence was more comfortable this time round. As the bus pulled up the realisation that he wasn't going to see him again, at least not for the forseeable future, hit him strongly and he felt all the things that were left unsaid. He heard the heavy sigh come from Joaquin as the bus stopped in front of them, they stood still as they watched the rest of the people waiting get on the bus before him. When he was the last one waiting he moved towards the door, but stopped short and turned to face him suddenly.
"There's something I should tell you, I didn't want to say it in front of your friends." He nodded slowly, slightly confused at the sudden change of heart and additional information. "There's a jacket, Jason's jacket. I don't know what's special about it but F.P told me it was some sort of insurance and to make sure it was kept somewhere safe and hidden. It's kept next to where the car was, by the maple syrup sign hidden in a bag behind a bush. I don't know how much it will help but it's worth checking out." He nodded at him.
"Ok, I'll look into it." Joaquin nodded and turned to get onto the bus. "Joaquin?" He turned with a smile on his face and moved closer to him.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Preppy." He smiled at his words. He was surpised by Joaquins lips being suddenly pressed against his own but it only lasted a moment before he was kissing him back in kind, both were left slightly out of breath as they pulled away from each other. They stayed close for a moment longer hands still on each other faces, sad smiles on both lips. Joaquin sighed lightly before pulling away fully, hiked his bag up higher on his shoulder and got on the bus without looking back.
Kevin stood and watched as the bus pulled out and left with Joaquin in a seat near the back, stopping himself from looking out of the window as the town of Riverdale and Kevin disappeared behind it.