Title: Another Day in Paradise

Author: Cherry Vanilla

Fandom: The Faculty

Pairing: Casey/Zeke, Casey/Delilah (implied), Zeke/Miss Burke (implied)

Rating: Hard R

Time: 50 minutes on the dot.

Summary: “Leave this trap. Don’t look back.” – lyrics, “Alive” by SR71

 

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So, they’d defeated the aliens and everything returned to normal. Psych.  Things couldn’t be more different.  Casey knew it was the trauma of almost dying and a narrowly avoided alien take-over that caused the complete 180s their lives took.  But now, six months later, things seemed to be returning to “normal”.  Zeke had quit the football team and subsequently ended his relationship with Miss Burke.  And Delilah seemed back to her old vindictive self.  The first 3 months had been fine; Delilah had really changed, or so it seemed, and Casey was finally accepted as something other than a geek.  But as Pony Boy said: nothing gold can stay.  Delilah soon began criticizing Casey’s every move, ordering him around, demanding things.  And Casey took it, because she was Delilah Profit, his dream girl, and he thought maybe it was just a PMS thing. 

 

Three months later, he realized this wasn’t a phase and he couldn’t stand for it anymore.  Except he didn’t know how to get out.  So he went to Stan, who was lounging on the bleachers with Stokely.  Turns out they were the more normal than everyone and their relationship was still going strong.  When Casey told him his dilemma, Stan just shook his head and put his arm around Stokes.  “Casey, man, you gotta get out.  You’re trapped in Delilah’s web of misery, critique, and demands and it’s only going to get worse.”

 

“I know Stan, but she’s so hard to talk to! I can barely get a word in now, how can I dump her and not get my head torn off?!”

 

“Case, we fought aliens and survived.  I think you can handle Delilah Profit,” he laughed.  At Casey’s scowl, Stan sobered up.  “Look, man, I know it’s hard.  Believe me I do. But… it’ll be worth it,” he concluded, kissing Stokely’s temple in emphasis.

 

Casey knew he was right.  He looked out to the football field and if he squinted, he could still see Zeke in his uniform, all sweaty and Greek-god like.  Walking back into the school, he allowed himself to address his other issue, the real thing that had him tied up in knots.  After The Event, as they now called it, he and Zeke became close.  They talked often in school and would hang out at least one night a week, just the guys.  And if Casey were really being honest with himself, he’d had a thing for Zeke almost as long as he’d had a thing for Delilah.  Last Thursday, they were in Zeke’s basement, when Zeke took out some Vodka.  They downed some shots until they were giggling like school girls, sprawled out on the couch.  Zeke started talking about Miss Burke, and how he was happy he’d ended it, but he still missed the perks.  Casey had watched as Zeke had shifted on the couch, noticed Zeke’s jeans had started to tent.  “She had great hands, Case. God, I loved when she’d start fisting my dick, working it over, so strong, so.. god.”  Casey’s eyes had grown wide and he’d unconsciously licked his lips as Zeke begun absently stroking himself through his jeans.”  Casey didn’t know if it was the Vodka or the warmth of the basement, but he’d suddenly become dizzy with hunger and he’d reached out and put his hand on Zeke’s.  Zeke had moaned and dropped his hand to his side.  Casey began stroking him through his jeans, roughly, until Zeke’s head had dropped back and he’d arched up into his hand.  Casey had fumbled with the button and zipper, spit on his hand, and started stroking with feverish intent.  Zeke’s moans had increased in volume and frequency until his body tensed and shook as his orgasm was ripped from his body.  Casey licked his hand after, but he doubted Zeke noticed.  Then sudden realization hit him and he’d panicked.  He’d grabbed some tissues, threw them at Zeke and was out the door before Zeke even opened his eyes. 

 

That was one week ago now, and they’d barely seen each other since.  They had no classes this semester so they’d only see one another in the halls or at lunch and Casey had made it his life’s work up until recently not to be noticed, so he had no trouble hiding.  There was an unspoken agreement for him and Zeke to hang out tonight, but Casey doubted that was still on. 

 

He walked to his locker to find Delilah there, permanent scowl fixed on her face.  “Where were you?” 

 

“Just talking with Stan and Stokes.” 

 

Delilah scoffed.  “God, Casey, you had another interview today!  I’d set it up for 7^th period!”

 

Casey started opening his locker, not looking at her.  “I don’t want to do anymore interviews, Delilah.  I just want to put it behind me.” 

 

“But you’re a celebrity, Casey! Or you could be if you’d just stop thwarting my actions!”

 

Casey grabbed one of his books and felt himself getting angry.  “It seems that’s all you’re interested in, Delilah.  I had thought you were interested in me.” 

 

Delilah rolled her eyes.  “Oh spare me the kicked puppy dog trip, Casey. I gotta go. I guess I’ll just have to reschedule.  Call me when you get home.” 

 

Casey didn’t answer and watched her go.  He cursed himself under his breath and continued shoving his books into his bag.  When he stood up and closed his locker, he found Zeke lounging against them, to his left. 

 

“Jesus! Zeke, uh, what’s up, man?”

 

Zeke grinned at him lazily, maddeningly.  “You’ve been avoiding me.”

 

“Me? W-what? No-no, I haven’t,” Casey stuttered. 

 

Zeke’s grin widened, cocky now.  He leaned in and whispered in Casey’s ear.  “Come over tonight and I’ll return the favor.”

 

Before Casey could breathe, much less respond, Zeke was gone. 

 

When Casey got home, he threw his backpack down and picked up his phone.  “Delilah.  Look, I feel trapped… just hold on okay, let me talk.  We both know if we hadn’t gone through The Event you still wouldn’t want anything to do with me.  You’d changed for a little while there, but, people don’t change.  Not like that.  So, let’s just stop the charade.” 

 

Her voice pierced through the earpiece.  “Casey Conner, are you breaking up with me? Over the phone?”

 

Casey laughed to himself.  “Yeah, D, I guess I am.”

 

“Huh.  I wouldn’t have figured you’d have the balls for something like this.”  Her tone was disgusted, contemptuous, and Casey new the exact look she had on her face.  It was scowl #152. 

 

He shrugged it off and answered with confidence. “Me neither.  Guess people can change sometimes. If they’re given the right push.”

 

He hung up in the midst of her cursing tirade.  That night, he arrived at the outside basement entrance of Zeke’s house.  Zeke opened the door and grinned again. 

 

“You came.” 

 

“Yeah, well, I’m free from Delilah’s claws once and for all. Didn’t have to clear it with anyone.” 

 

Zeke put his arm around him and ushered Casey inside.  It was a very guy-like embrace, though, and Casey felt a pang of sadness.  “Little Casey Connor has grown up.”

 

“Shut up, Zeke,” Casey mumbled, scowling a little. 

 

Zeke then turned to him and lifted his chin with his finger, gently.  Casey shivered.  “Make me, Case.” 

 

When their lips touched, Casey groaned inwardly and kissed him like it was the end of the world all over again, like they’d die any minute.  When they broke away, they were both grinning.  When Casey pulled Zeke in for another kiss, tongues tangling with urgency, he thought freedom never felt so good. 

 

[end]