(Writer's note: special mention to RD for help on this idea.)
"You're an idiot." Skye laughed and rolled her eyes. Jake couldn't believe the change in her: ten minute ago she was irritable, cold and surly, despite him taking her on the date that she had demanded. But now that she'd had a couple of garlic and chilli prawns washed down with some sips of wine; she was playful, affectionate and happy. If he'd ever had a doubt that 'hangry' was a real thing, his time with Skye had eradicated it. But he couldn't stay mad at her, not when she was looking at him like that: her features soft, her genuine smile and that look in her eyes made him feel more loved than he thought possible. Plus, getting pissy with Skye was never worth it, she'd either get mad or sad. If she got mad, she'd tear him a new one, and if she got sad, he'd feel guilty then apologise and feel crappy for upsetting her for longer than she'd stay sad.
Jake reached across the table, took her hand and started stroking his thumb over her skin.
"I love you too." he smiled back at her, Skye's smile grew. She knew she'd been a pain tonight and hoped Jake knew how grateful she was for him, even if she could be difficult.
The couple sat, looking into each others' eyes, the squabbles of earlier gone.
"Fucking fags."
The tender moment had been ruined. The man at the table to Skye's right, with hate and anger permanently etched onto his rotund face, appeared to direct his comment at his dinner guest, an ashamed and run-down looking woman, but it was clearly intended to be heard by the two young men at the table directly in front of him.
Skye's green eyes darkened, her features hardened and Jake felt her grip on his hand tighten. Oh no. Jake began to pray that the one vile comment would be the only one. Just don't say anything else. Please. Just leave it.
"Skye, sweetie, ignore it. You know he's looking for a reaction. And the guys aren't letting it get to them. Can we just get back to our evening and not let a prick ruin it?" He could see Skye looking over to the two men, checking to see if they were OK. The shorter of the two was leaning over the table and affectionately tucking his date's shoulder-length, shaggy blond hair behind his ear. Neither seemed at all affected by the homophobic comment, it was like it had never been said. The couple shared a kiss and then settled back into eating there meal.
"They shouldn't have to deal with it. The fact that they've learned how to cope well, doesn't give anyone an excuse to just let it happen. And you know it." Jake had no argument and definitely none that would work.
"Do you have to do that here, where there's people? Some of us are trying to eat."
Every muscle in Skye's body tensed. Jake knew what was coming. One more comment would probably do it. And he wasn't going to stop it, there was no way in hell he'd get in the way of what was to come.
"I mean, they can do whatever they want behind closed doors, I just don't want to see all that homo shit."
Skye practically launched herself out of her chair, walked a couple of steps and stood, towering over the man.
"Shut the fuck up. You think that what's bothering everyone while they eat is a happy couple on a date? No. It's you and your close-minded, judgmental and fucking prejudice bullshit. So how about you quiet the fuck down, focus on your own meal and business and leave the rest of us to enjoy our nights without having to put up with you proving what a pitiful excuse for a human being you are over and over again?"
The man stood up, his facial expression and stance screamed intimidation. He looked down at Skye, all 5"3 of her. Not a good move. Will not work.
"Why don't you mind your own fucking business, bitch?"
"OK, first of all, that macho, bullshit pose isn't going to intimidate me so how about you sit the fuck down. And secondly, 'mind your own business' is what I just suggested you do. And third, what are you hoping all these insults will achieve? Putting us down isn't going to make you look better than us. In fact, it makes you look like an asshole."
Jake knew trying to stop her wouldn't work, it was actually more than likely make things worse, but that didn't mean the impulse to do so wasn't there. He wanted to stand between the woman he loves and the man threatening her. But Jake knew better than to treat Skye like she needed protecting. This was her battle, and he had to force himself to let her fight it.
"LISTEN HERE YOU BITCH..." the horrendous human was now screaming in Skye's face. She didn't even flinch.
"Back. The. Fuck. Off." Skye stared the man down, showing dominance and the huge mass was taken aback momentarily, not used to his tactics not working, especially on women. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the men kissing. He stormed past Skye and was on his way to confront them, maybe they'd cower to his intimidation.
He couldn't work out how, but suddenly the tiny bitch was in between him and his targets.
"Don't you fucking dare. Don't you think you've been enough of a prick already?"
"Jim, please sit down." the meek voice had come from his wife. She seemed more wearied by the second and Jake got the feeling that this type of scene was something she frequently had to deal with, and knew what she'd deal with for speaking up.
"Shut up. You don't tell me what to do. And you..." Jim turned and pointed his dirty finger at Jake, "control your woman."
Before Jake could utter a syllable, Skye erupted.
"Control me?! You do get that I am his girlfriend not his pet. He doesn't own or control me." Oh god, if he pisses her off anymore, she might hit him.
"Get out of the fucking way." With that, Jim the Goliath shoved Skye out of the way, just as the blond pushed out his chair to stand up and to come to Skye's aid. As she stumbled from the force exerted against her body, Skye's foot caught on the chair leg and she fell. Skye's head collided with the next table, she feel to the ground and her head received another blow.
She heard Jake's voice saying her name and asking if she was OK; could feel his touch one her face and arms.
"Jake. What's happening? Jake, I can't see you. Jake. Jake, I can't see."
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