It was definitely questionable how safe this bus ride would be. Despite the interior looking relatively new, the driver seemed confused, murmuring quietly to themself as if they were in a daze. The bus swerved gently from side to side as if that daze were drunken, and occasionally, the bus would slow to a stop (not that it wasn’t already fairly slow). But Ivan, though slightly on edge, wasn’t really questioning anything. He’d experienced worse bus rides, this would be a walk in the park. Actually, being inside the cramped place was bringing him back to those…worse rides. But before he could immerse himself in a sour memory, Aidene spoke, making the whole bus seem brighter somehow. He wore a bit of a smile on his lips as he turned to the girl next to him. He widened his eyes, nodding knowingly. “Does she even have a license?” He joked, a bit too loudly, nodding his head towards the direction of the driver. Her chin rested on his denim-clad shoulder, poking him lightly, dark eyes meeting his. ”Any suggestions?” His cheeks pinkened, was she always going to act like this when they were sitting together? roller coaster flashbacks ”What do you tend to do on long bus rides anyways?” The question marinated in his head.
[color= #495997]Ivan didn’t know what time it was. He hadn’t had time to check. He’d been shaken awake by the rough hands of an agency staff member, told to get dressed and get his -ss to the back of the building in two minutes. He was to take nothing with him. Too tired to even grunt, he complied. He found Axel and Indigo near the back of the crowd, dressed similarly to him, black pants, black turtleneck, black sneakers. Everyone wore black at the agency. No matter what the item was-a crop top so tiny it could pass for a bra, or a fur-lined puffer jacket, there was a ninety-nine percent chance it was entirely black. Of course, they owned clothing and costumes of all colors and patterns, but mission costumes weren’t to be worn on normal days. Either you’d get in pretty bad trouble, or you’d just look ridiculous. And looking stupid in front of your peers was sometimes just as bad. The two boys, hands intertwined, barely visible under the cloud of darkness, quickly released each other when Ivan whispered a greeting to them. [/color] ”Do you know what’s up?" Indigo seemed on edge. ”I’m finally used to five hours and then they pull this sh-t,” Axel added dryly. Ivan shook his head. He was just as out of the loop as they were. A whistle blew thrice, and the group outside slowly began to pile into the black bus. The headlights were broken, or at least they weren’t turned on.
[color= #495997]When he finally sat down, he’d been separated from both Indigo and Axel. A quick scan of the surprisingly large vehicle led him to locate them sitting together near the front. Unlucky sons of b-tches have to sit behind Martinez. There was something else surprising about this bus, the seats were like booths, two on each side, facing each other. Ivan had the window seat, though the windows were covered so it didn’t matter. His seat-mate was a girl whose hair blended in with the darkness of the dimly-lit, freezing bus. She wore a black sports bra and biker shorts. Goosebumps were raised on her light skin, but she seemed ignorant to the fact. When her eyes met Ivan’s, she looked away quickly. Opposite them were two other girls- one with short, dark locs, and a girl Ivan kinda knew-Kehlani, with a shaved head. No one was talking, but it didn’t really feel awkward. The bus made a few sputtering noises, and Ivan could tell it was moving. [/color]
[color= #495997]An hour later, voices could be heard, nothing higher than a murmur-no one was that brave. Ivan’s sleep on the bus had been spotty and inconsistent, he’d woken up several times due to nerves and bumps in the path, which slammed his head into the window. Kehlani and the girl next to her were some of the chatters, speaking quietly with their hands held out a bit in front of them. When they noticed Ivan’s gaze, Kehlani spoke in his direction. [/color] ”Join us. We’re playing never have I ever.” The girl with the locs was looking at the half-unclothed girl next to Ivan. When Ivan turned, she was surprisingly awake, a transparent black shawl draped over her bony shoulders. “Sure. How do you play?” Ivan had never heard of this game, it didn’t seem to be a thing in Wonderland. And he didn’t often play games, he preferred conversation or silence, no in between. The girl next to him raised her perfect brows but only said quietly, ”I’m in.”
[color= #495997]After an explanation, the game was in motion. Each player sat with ten fingers held up-the goal, to get everyone but yourself to have closed hands because you’d done less sh-t than them. The locs girl, Octavia, took the opportunity to speak first. [/color]“Never have I ever…had a crush on someone here.” Here obviously meant the agency. Ivan rolled his eyes, keeping all fingers up. Octavia met him with surprised brown eyes. Mostly everyone Ivan knew had at least had a fling or hookup, if you could call that a crush. Ivan didn’t. Meanwhile, Kehlani and the girl next to Ivan put down one finger. Her hazel eyes seemed glued to Ivan and his hands, as if she were especially curious about his answers. He ignored this, not really into the game. He just didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun. Besides, he was really, really bored. He didn’t care about spilling his secrets. He didn’t feel he had any, and everything else had already been stripped away. The questions that followed seemed basic as well, hardly scratching the surface of things Ivan would rather keep to himself. “Never have I ever gambled.” “Never have I ever broken a bone. Never have I ever…colored my hair.” The game was nearing its end. And Ivan was down to just two fingers. This meant he would probably lose, but was it really a loss if this game ended? Secretly, it wasn’t the worst. In fact, he used to be a bigger fan of playing games, but that was when he was in diapers. Still, learning the secrets of people he’d never met and flaunting all the stupid sh-t he’d done was kinda interesting. Not that he wanted a second round.
[color= #495997]It was the girl next to Ivan’s turn. He couldn’t really remember her name, Ivy…Avery…? [/color]“Never have I ever…kissed a guy.” She spoke delicately, eyes darting around hungrily to see everyone’s reactions, especially Ivan’s. He looked indifferent as he put another finger down, leaving only his thumb. But no one else did the same. Ivan looked at them suspiciously-he couldn’t possibly be the only one…He would have sworn he’d seen Kehlani with her lips on one of his “friend’s” multiple times. He wasn’t about to correct her, but… “You’ve never kissed a boy, Ava?!” Kehlani probably broke the record for “loudest speaker on an agency bus” in that moment. Her eyes were wide as she leaned towards Ava (that’s right, Ava). Ava shook her head, black bob so stiff it didn’t budge. “Aren’t you bi though?” Octavia piped in quietly. Ivan’s hands slowly rested in his lap, figuring the game was over. Ava nodded, “Yeah, I am…it just never came around, I guess. I mean, a kiss with a guy.” Ava spoke as if she were hinting at something.
[color= #495997]Kehlani apparently understood the hinting. [/color]“Ivan’s a guy.” Octavia nodded, but didn’t say anything, and neither did Ava. “Ivan, you should kiss Ava.” Kehlani suggested determinedly. Ivan raised his eyebrows- had he heard that right?? Ava tucked her hair behind her ear, looking embarrassed. At his silence, Kehlani spoke further, “C’mon, it’s not like you haven’t kissed anyone before. Ava shouldn’t have to go into the mission without having kissed a guy. ” Kehlani sounded as if she were offended, though Ivan hadn’t even voiced his opinion on the whole situation. Who gives a sh-t?! Ava had lasted this long not having kissed a guy, and she didn’t even seem like she wanted to. she did Whatever. It was just another obstacle in the way of silence and resting his head against the window, closing his eyes, and thinking of home. He turned to Ava, who was staring back expectantly. “Your call. It’s no difference to me.” Ava’s eyes widened hopefully. “Yes!! I mean…if you…” His hand rested on her bare back, slipping underneath the shawl. He’d slipped into one of his personas, the Ivan who didn’t care about how many people he kissed or what would happen afterwards. The one who had flings in his free time, the one who’d spent a few too many classes in the janitor’s closet with another agent. He could practically feel the girl’s greedy, hungry eyes on him. “It would be my pleasure.” Under this persona, it wasn’t a lie as his eyes scanned her body hungrily. He supposed he should make it kinda “romantic”, as his other hand rested on the back of her neck, pushing her lips into his.
Make out sessions and silly games…those were the things Ivan did on bus rides. He found himself snapping out of the dim memory, staring at Aidene’s lips as he did so. He bit his lip lightly-it was unlikely he would get a repeat of yesterday evening, and he didn’t want a repeat of the short kiss with Ava on the agency bus either. But at least an idea came out of it. “Have you ever played ‘Never Have I Ever’?”
also my color scheme is atrocious here, but we will ignore that 
ani : we need Ivadene content. ethie : makes a stupid ava flashback 
Cafeteria 