Chapter 5

chapter 5

When in Antwerp

A VDS Mini Series

previous chapter

That’s it! Sorry it’s all a bit rushed but I couldn’t go through the week without doing one :) Hope you enjoyed reading ❤️

fanfiction was such a good idea. like put those guys in situations

I just imagine Jens being very clumsy when he sees Lucas or when he realizes that their eyes meet

things like...crossing their eyes and falling off the skateboard.

At lunch looking at him and getting stuck on something he's eating or drinking.

He would be clumsy and Lucas would make fun of him

i’ve been resisting the urge of checking out wtf f1 racing is and then i saw someone tag #vanderstoffels so now i’m intrigued

Buried Boxes and Bashful Booths.

a vds one shot. you can find more on my ao3.

( @ apolloswords )

feel free to comment/message me any suggestions for one shot ideas!

Despite the amount of weeks Lucas had spent in Antwerp, it still feels a little weird to call it home. Maybe he just needed a bit more convincing. 

Continuation of “Fluttering Fingers and Flushed Faces.”

It had started to become a routine.

Lucas didn’t think he could ever enjoy waking up on a school morning. And most times, he still didn’t. A lot of his time at school was spent alone, not having any classes with his step-sister Jana or hardly seeing her during the lunch break either. The only time he did see her was before the first bell and after the last bell, and it felt like an eternity in-between.

But he found himself waiting down the minutes of the school day for a different reason. He didn’t expect the whole thing was going to become a routine, but it slowly did. It started of gradual, once every week, twice every week and now, almost three times every week. Lucas questioned Jana about it once, before they went to bed one night. But she only gave him a mischievous smirk, ruffled his hair and winked.

“Night Luc,” She said before closing her bedroom door. “Sweet dreams.”

Lucas didn’t think he would get any other answer, so that was the last time he asked. Instead, he tried not to question it so much and allowed himself to be apart of it. This so called routine that resulted in the cute boy he had met on his step-sister’s floor hanging out in his room multiple times a week.

“You still have some boxes you haven’t unpacked.” Jens noted, gesturing to the boxes Lucas had shoved in his closet. From where Jens was sitting on the bed, it was in his direct line of sight.

Shifting on his chair, Lucas took his attention away from the English homework on his desk and over to where Jens was looking. He was right. About three boxes were stacked to the side, his sweaters and jackets just briefly hanging over them.

“I guess I do.” He replied, without much indication of a tone and shrugged.

Jens narrowed his eyes on him, as if he was trying to find an expression on his blank face. There was none.

He watched him bounce off his bed and towards the boxes, dragging them out and staring down at them. They weren’t sealed, but the flaps were closed as if Lucas intended for them to never be opened. He watched as Jens’ eyes narrowed in on them, like he had on Lucas earlier. Only this time, it seemed like he had more of a reaction from some inanimate cardboard boxes rather than Lucas’ own face.

“I could unpack them for you if you wanted.” He suggested.

He raised a brow and gave a light chuckle. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Jens shrugged, pouting his bottom lip out. “Schultz’s homework sounds like a problem for another day.”

Lucas had no idea which teacher in the school ‘Schultz’ was, and he had no idea what they taught either.

“Besides,” Jens added. “I unpacked all of Jana’s boxes in a days work. How hard can three boxes be to kill some time before she comes home?”

“Where is she anyway?” He asked, puzzled.

Shrugging again, Jens responded. “Not sure. I think Amber had something after school that required all the girls to tag along.” He looked at Lucas again, a small smirk on his face as he came a little closer. “So, can I? I’m pretty good at it. Even sorted through all of Jana’s jewelry.”

“Was that what you were doing on the floor?” Lucas felt the corners of his lips turn up into a grin.

Jens warmly chuckled, which ironically ran a cold shiver down Lucas’ spine.

“Are you teasing me Luc?” He said with a smirk. “Do you know how long I waited to be a victim of your torment?”

“Sorry.” His face flushed pink and he tried to hide it by looking down. “I think Jana is rubbing off on me.”

“No, don’t be sorry.” Jens’ voice was warm, just like his laugh and it felt like a tickle down Lucas’ back. “It’s…”

“Nice?”

“…Nice.” He smiled at him, before pointing at the boxes again. “So, may I?”

Lucas shrugged. Maybe if Jens was doing it, it wouldn’t be so lonely to be emptying those specific boxes in the first place.

“Sure go ahead.” He said, before turning around to try to focus back on his homework.

He felt Jens sit down in the floor, picking up the first box and opening it. Lucas tried to focus on the rough draft of the essay he was supposed to be doing, but he couldn’t help but think about what Jens would be unpacking. It wasn’t like it was anything embarrassing, but he didn’t have an explanation as to why he was putting off the unpacking.

“Are these your friends in Utrecht?” Jens asked, and Lucas had no choice but to turn around and look at him.

Jens didn’t lift his head from looking at the multiple photos he had in his hand. He must’ve found one of the many envelopes Lucas had kept them in.

“Yeah.” He responded softly, as Jens began to look through them. He could make out some of the photographs, seeing some of the familiar faces he had come to know and love being admired by the new face he was starting to feel a love for.

“You must have been popular.” Jens teased, showing off a large group photo from some party. Lucas smiled sadly, realizing it was actually from his going away party.

“No, not really.” He shook his head, trying not to feel the yearning for his old life in his heart.

Jens flipped through some of the photos again, before wrinkling his nose at one of them. It wasn’t of disgust but after living for a few weeks with Jana, Lucas had come to know the familiar look teasing very well.”

“Is this your boyfriend?” He asked, holding up a photo.

Lucas smiled upon recognizing it. It was of him and Kes, an arm wrapped around him and slightly on his chest, Kes’ hand even holding his wrist gently. They were caught in the middle of a laugh, the bright sun kissing both of them and allowing a golden glow to emerge through the photograph. Lucas had always loved that photo. It has been one of his favourite memories.

“No, not my boyfriend.” Lucas rolled his eyes and snorted. “He was just my best friend back home.”

Slowly nodding, Jens put it towards the back of the pile before looking through some more photos. Lucas tapped his fingers in his leg lightly, thinking about his old and new life. He was trying hard to adjust, he really was. But he wasn’t exactly in the best mood about the whole thing, especially at the start of it. He had a lot of angst, having to leave his mom, his friends and the one city he knew behind. He sulked for weeks. Of course, starting to get close to Jana and slowly befriending Jens had helped, but he still felt like a stranger in this new home.

“You must miss it, don’t you?” Jens asked softly.

“I do.” He looked past Jens’ head and through his window. “Antwerp just isn’t home yet.”

Before Jens could reply, they heard some excited footsteps down the hall. Jana skipped into the room and instantly went over to sit on the edge of Lucas’ bed, close to where Jens was sitting on the floor. Her hair was a tousled mess but the bright grin on her face was radiating, and Lucas almost forgot the conversation him and Jens were having beforehand.

“Okay guys, guess what!” She exclaimed with a chap of hands.

Jens snorted and shook his head. “What are you about to drag us into?”

“Well, I just heard from Zoë that Senne is hosting a party this weekend and she says we should definitely go.”

“At his place?” Jens asked, raising his brow. Lucas had no idea who this Senne person was, but he did remember Zoë. After Jana introduced him on his first day, she was nice enough to show him to his first class.

“He got access to it for the weekend. Some family plan to get him to move back in with them but he still refuses.” She explained. “Anyway, we have to go. Senne’s friends are ridiculously cute.”

“Luca isn’t all that.” Jens snorted again.

“Luca?” Lucas asked, thinking it was probably the only thing he could contribute to the conversation.

“Oh my gosh Luc, you’ll think he’s so cute.” Jana said.

He wrinkled his nose. “No thanks, his name is too similar to mine. It’s kind of narcissistic.”

Jana rolled her eyes while Jens had to hold back from laughing. “Fine whatever, but you have to come.” She pleaded. “It’ll be your first ever Belgian party. Nobody parties like us.”

Lucas laughed and leaned back a bit. “I truly beg to differ. Have you ever been to a Dutch party?”

“No.” She crossed her arms in a playful defence. “But I’m sure it’s not as good as our parties.”

“You sure about that?” Jens asked, grabbing both of their attention. He held up a photograph from pile he was still sorting through. “Because I think Lucas knows what makes a real party.”

Lucas’ eyes widened as he recognized the photo Jens was holding up. It was from his second year in high school, passed out on someone’s random couch with glitter all over his face as he hugged a bottle of vodka. Kes and Jayden, were hovering over him, joints in their mouths as they held up peace signs, clearly making fun of the boy who had blacked out in front of them. To make matters even better, or worse, Lucas noticed he was wrapped up in Isa’s fluffy white jacket. He had no idea who took this photo or who’s party it was, but his face flushed red in horror.

“Oh my god Jens.” He cried, getting up from his chair. “Give that back!”

He lunged forward, but Jens was quick. He bounced on his bed and threw Jana’s body as an obstacle between them, creating a diversion. Lucas acted quickly, and chased Jens down the hall and into Jana’s room, while she tried to stop the both of them, all of them unable to keep in their laughter.

-

Lucas felt congested.

The party was full of people and he held a half empty bottle of beer in his hand, not even remotely interested to drink it.

He felt a little awkward, standing in the corner of the room just watching everyone. He had tried to oppose coming in the first place, but Jana was very persistent and practically dragged him out of the house to come along. He felt a little better when they met up with Jens half way, to which they stole glances at each other not so discretely. Lucas couldn't help it. Jens looked good in the grew crewneck sweater he had, despite the late autumn chill to the air. His hair looked softer than usual and fell a bit more in his face, and Lucas wished they were just in his room talking as opposed to a room full of people he hardly knew or had any interest in knowing.

Sighing, he took another sip of the beer. His head started to spin and it wasn't from the alcohol. Lucas needed to step outside, for a moment or even, long enough until he figured out a way to get back home. It wasn't so early into the party or so late at night. He could easily have said he went as easily as he could go home without looking like a complete loner.

Besides, it wasn't like anyone knew him anyway. Nobody would miss him. The only people who even knew he was here were Jens and Jana, and they were well gone with other people. Downing the last of his beer, he tossed it into a recycling bin, hearing its glass clatter against others. Lucas hadn't bothered to take off his jacket since coming here, so he had everything he needed before heading out.

It took a bit, but he eventually found the front door. Lucas took one last look over his shoulder, wondering if he could see anyone, more significantly Jens, before he headed out. But just as he was about to step out of the doorframe, he walked right into someone.

He had walked right into Jens.

Wincing, Lucas rubbed his forehead, the one that had took a hard hit from Jens chin, as Jens was trying to regain his balance from Lucas walking straight into him. They both groaned, recollecting themselves, before looking at each other. Confused.

"Luc?" Jens asked, in a hoarse voice. "Were you leaving?"

Busted. He thought.

"Yeah," He admitted, looking down at the ground to avoid eye contact. "I'm not really feeling it tonight."

By now, Lucas was familiar to what it felt being underneath Jens' studying eyes. He knew he was crouching a bit, trying to get a good look at the expression he was hiding.

"Would you," Jens began to say, a little hesitantly. "Would you like to head out with me?"

"You want to head out?" Lucas asked, surprised as he furrowed his brows at him. "With me?" The last part came out more like a squeak and he hoped the warmth on his face was from the alcohol.

Jens seemed to take an amusement at his reaction, chuckling lightly. "Yes, with you."

"Wouldn't you want to stay behind?"

"Am I supposed to?"

"No." He paused. "Why?"

"I'm not really feeling it tonight." His lips turned up into a small smile, and Lucas instantly knew that the warmth on his face was not from the alcohol.

He didn't really know what to say. But that didn't seem to bother Jens. He did a motion with his head, an indication to get Lucas to follow him. Lucas shrugged, and figured that even if he didn't want to, he would follow anyway.

They walked away from the house, and Lucas was at least grateful that the alcohol in his system managed to give him a warm fuzzy feeling. But he knew he didn't have just the alcohol to thank. He side-eyed Jens a little, watching as he tilted his head up to the sky, hands in his pockets and an almost permanent smile resting on his face.

"It's awfully warm out tonight." Jens noted, his voice sounding airy and light.

“Awfully?” Lucas asked, with a slight smirk.

Jens grinned at his attempt at teasing, and he nudged Lucas gently with his elbow.

“Fine. Gratefully warm out.” He dipped his head a bit, to grab Lucas’ attention. “Better?”

“Better.”

They smiled at each other, Lucas feeling so much better than he had at the party. Jens just had that effect on him. It was almost impossible to feel even the slightest angst with him and Lucas actually found himself feeling rather grateful for that.

As they continued walking, Lucas noticed they seemed to be heading into a small square, with shops lining up and cafe tables sitting outside, empty. He frowned. He may not be super aware of where everything was in Antwerp, but he knew for sure that this wasn’t the way home.

“Uhm, Jens? I think we’re heading the wrong way.”

He only shook his head. “No, I meant for us to go this way.”

Lucas paused. “Why?”

“Remember what I said to you the first week we met? I told you I could show you around.”

“Yeah but,” He tilted his head and looked at him weirdly. “Nothing is open. Everything is closed. There’s nobody here.”

“Well that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it?” He gave him a wide grin, and Lucas couldn’t help but be rather intrigued by it. “Come on, I want to show you something.”

Just like he had earlier, Jens made the little indication with his head to follow him. And figuring he had no opposition in doing so, Lucas did. They walked past a few shops, their display windows too dim and dark for Lucas to even make out what they were selling. In any other setting, it would’ve felt as though they were walking through a ghost town.

Jens lead him to a small booth, covered by a red curtain beside what appeared to be camera store, judging by the sign. He pushed the curtain aside in a singular swift motion, revealing a photo booth.

“Ta da!” Jens sang out, dramatically showcasing it to him.

He let out a light chuckle. “You brought me to a photo booth?”

“Sure did.” He sounded rather impressed.

“Why?”

“Well I noticed you didn’t have any photos of Antwerp just yet. I figured maybe I could be in your first set.” Jens said this rather shyly, much different from the confident pride he has on just a few seconds ago.

“Really?” Lucas asked, feeling his face blush as he grinned softly at Jens.

“Yeah, come on!”

Jens hopped in first, before taking his hand and pulling him in. The seat in the booth could’ve easily fit two people, but with the way he had pulled Lucas in, he ended up leaning over top of him. Very close to be sitting on top of him in general. Lucas felt himself squeal and giggle against Jens, taking in the affection of the other boy. He didn’t know how intoxicated Jens was, but the funny thing was, Lucas didn’t even smell a hint of weed or alcohol off of him.

He didn’t let go of his grasp on Lucas, only fiddling around with the coins in his pocket before dropping them in the little slot. The little screen stated that they had three pictures to take and they began frantically adjusting themselves before the camera’s countdown.

They hardly had time to position before the first pose. It was more of a candid shot if anything. Jens had both of his arms wrapped around Lucas’ waist, pressing his head against his arm as Lucas was still in a burst of giggles. His eyes were shut tight but Jens smiled cheekily at the screen.

The second one was a little more organized. Lucas brought his hand to the bottom half of Jens’ face, squishing it slightly as he felt him smile against it. Lucas was a bit too distracted to turn his face towards the screen, so the camera captured him looking at Jens, smiling widely and completely smitten.

Lastly, Jens and him faced the screen, smiling widely at it. But at the very last second, right before he heard the shutter go off, Lucas felt the softest of lips touch his cheek, capturing a kiss that definitely had him turning pink.

-

When Lucas woke up the next morning, he brushed his fingers against Jens’ soft hair. The other boy was still sound asleep, softly snoring in the soft glow of the morning and covered by his blankets. He didn’t really remember much from last night after his and Jens’ little adventure. What he did remember was Jana calling them as they pocketed their photos, sounding completely wasted. They must’ve rescued her and brought her home, where Jens decided he was just going to crash. Probably due to their parents’ wishes, Jens was told to sleep in Lucas’ room.

He wasn’t sure if Jens was supposed to take the floor or the bed, but something must’ve convinced them to both take the bed and sleep together. And in any other situation, Lucas would’ve be probably felt weird to share a bed with his crush. A crush who had in fact, kissed him last night. He wasn’t sure where there friendship went from here, but he knew that wasn’t something he really needed to worry about.

Gently slipping out of bed, and careful not to wake Jens up, Lucas headed over to the other side of the room. The boxes Jens had been unpacking still laid on the floor, photos still scattered within them. Rummaging through a bit, he picked a few of them out and picked up a few picture frames from the other box. Quietly, he sat on the floor, finding peace within the early sunshine and quiet of the morning.

When Lucas was finally done, he placed the photo frames on his dresses. Most of them were filled with photos from Utrecht, all of his favourite and loved people filling up this new little corner of his life. He knew they always had a place in his heart, no matter where in the world he was.

But now, sat another frame, in the midst of it all. The frame held three pictures, taken only a few hours ago, with the boy who had made every part of his new life just as good as his old one.

Because sometimes, home wasn’t just a place you could point at on a map. Sometimes home was made up of the people around you.

And as Lucas climbed back in bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy who pulled him in closer to his chest, he realized that he could get used to his new home.

re-reading my own fics is acc insane because i don’t recall my brain sounding that coherent at 4 am