An Unexpected Encounter: Part Three

Fan fiction prose by: Katlin Moak © All rights reserved 2021

“Before we go, we’ll need this.” He walks over to the living room and picks up a throw blanket that was folded on top of the ottoman. His place was tidy but extremely quiet. No pets, not even a fish tank. Guess he wasn’t kidding about not being here very much. He offered me his arm and escorted me outside. Yes, he was indeed a true gentleman. The backyard was just as glorious as you might imagine. There were tall green plants boarding the enormous swimming pool. Not one, but two waterfalls, including a grotto style hot tub. Off to the side of the pool area was a fancy looking bar with pool tables and tv’s. There was even a greenhouse. “Check this out.” He said as he opened the door and took me inside. The place was full of all sorts of different flowers and plants. Long vines with purple leaves outlined the window sills. The place was full of so many colors. It was a bit surreal, kinda like this entire experience so far. “You keep up with all of this? By yourself?” I asked curiously while walking around. He let out a deep sigh and replied, “Yeaah, it looks better when I actually put time into it. I’ve been so preoccupied with work lately. It’s been hard to focus on stuff that isn’t ‘work related,’ ya know?” He gazed off, while lightly tracing his fingers along a bed of petunias. It was almost as if he was lost in thought. I couldn’t help but stare in wonderment. Could Evan Peters be lonely out here in LA?

Still browsing around, I came across a familiar looking plant. “Is this… what I think it is?” I asked, taken by surprise. He came walking over, “Ah, you found my stash. You must be a user too.” He said mysteriously, plucking off a few buds and putting them into his jacket pocket. “This will be of good use to us later, what do ya say?” With his piercing eyes looking back into mine I respond, “Well, I couldn’t agree more!”

We left the greenhouse and started to walk toward what appeared to be a courtyard. This wasn’t the typical courtyard you’d see in your apartment complex. It was similar to what you would find at the Stanley Hotel. As we continued, we entered through a little hedge maze. Yep, you guessed it, just like the Stanley Hotel, only a tad smaller and less creepy. “This is giving me some Steven King vibes.” I mentioned. “That’s what I got too when I first saw this house. Always thought I’d spend a lot more time out here, well, at least that’s what I intended anyway.” He responded drifting off a bit again. “It must be hard to live in such a big place by yourself.” I said, rubbing my arms from the chill of the cool wind. He walked closer to me while putting his arm around my shoulders and said, “It’s the loneliness that makes it difficult for sure. I mean, I have friends out here, but I tend to get pretty self consumed with my characters. That sometimes makes me exclude myself from normal things.” There I was again, wrapped up in his arms. I could definitely get used to this. We shared a brief moment of silence before getting to our final destination.

“We have arrived!” He shouted with excitement. “Now, this is where I try to spend most of my time when I’m here. Just be careful on the way up.” He jumped up onto a tall platform and extended out his hand to help me. After we climbed up, there it was. Propped up by itself and guarded by a safety railing with nothing else surrounding it. “Oh my stars! You have a telescope?” I asked with full excitement. “It’s a catadioptric telescope. AKA, a compound telescope. My dad and I built one once when I was a kid. Ever since, I’ve always made sure I had access to one. Come here, check this out.” He made some minor adjustments and within a few short seconds, he said, “There, got it.” Gently taking my arm, he pulled me in to take a look. Closing my left eye, I leaned in to discover Saturn. I could see all seven rings surrounding the planet. They almost resembled a pale paper cutout with hints of marble shading. Now, I have to be honest, I haven’t looked through a telescope since I was in grade school. This was pretty cool. I could understand why he would choose to spend most of his time here. It was so peaceful and quiet.

As I was staring through the lense, I could hear some shuffling happening behind me. “This is the perfect place for a doobie.” He says, pulling out rolling papers from his pocket. I continued to peer through the lens while attempting to locate the North Star, since it was the only thing I was familiar with. “I bet I can find it!” I said with full determination. “It doesn’t count if you can see it without a telescope.” He chimed back while laughing at my sneerful facial expression. Upon finishing, he laid the throw blanket on to the floor of the platform and pulled out a green lighter. He sparked the joint and began to puff. He walked over to me coughing lightly and said, “For you, M’adam.” “Oh, why thank you, sir.” I replied with an attempted British accent. With my pinky in the air, I begin to inhale as elegantly as possible. After a few short hits, I was already starting to feel the effects. “Before we sit, there is one more thing I want you to see.” He says as he readjusts the scope. “This sounds promising.” I replied eagerly, with my lungs full of smoke. He steps away and lets me scoop in to take another look. Then suddenly I was at a loss for words. “That is the Andromeda Galaxy. It’s over 2 million light years away from us. Pretty sick, right?” He asked, waiting for my reaction. This was unreal. A majestic spot in the middle of outer space and Evan Peters is showing it to me. “It’s mesmerizing.” I replied. Stepping away, staring directly at him, I started to pinch my arms. Confused, he asks, “Are you alright?” “I just had to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.” I replied as we laughed in unison.

Taking a seat on the blanket, we cozied up next to each other to keep warm. I was starting to get comfortable with him by my side. He has this gentle and humbling presence about him. It was undeniable that I was becoming more curious about who he is. In between hits, we laid back and looked up at the sky. It was almost like it was radiating with an abundance of beauty. Or, maybe I was just high. “Tonight has been the most unexpected night I’ve ever had, without a doubt. And I mean that in the best way possible.” I said to him, still admiring the stars above. I could see his head turned towards me in my peripheral vision. I waited a second before meeting his gaze and added, “Thank you. Really, thank you for a wonderful time.” “You’re just stoned!” He said with a drawn out tone. I could feel my eyes shrinking by the second. I’m sure I resembled Cheech Marin at this point. “Wait, so am I.” He continued, as we both cackled. “It’s my pleasure, Kat. You’re good company, hopefully this won’t be the last time.” He responded casually, while turning his head away from me. “Are you subtly asking me out?!” I asked with enthusiasm. “Uh, what? No? No way, not at all.” He replied bashfully and then carried on, “Yes, yes I am.” His smile was illuminating with nervousness. “And here I thought I had to let you down easily.” I replied sarcastically before adding, “I hope it won’t be the last time either!”

With our eyes locked, he sits up and slowly raises his right hand up to my cheek. He brushes my hair back behind my ear while his fingers softly graze my skin. “Good, then it’s set. This won’t be the last time.” He responded in a soft whisper. “You should find something you want me to show you next time with the scope.” He added. “Looks like I have some homework to do then.” I say smiling, widening my eyes, while also trying to remember to breathe. He stands up and offers me his arms to help me up and says, “Let’s head back.”