#c: jadedviews

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 ; @jadedviews )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    "augs, you say that but the way you're behaving doesn't make it seem like they were WRONG." the way auggie is acting is a stark difference to the words she's saying, which is detrimental to his understanding of the situation thanks to the buzz he's feeling. she's the males best friend, and has been for years now... even before lines of their friendship began to blur. but even with those smudged boundaries, marcos has always stood firm on his views on relationships. his aversion to them being nearly hardwired at this point. "aug, i don't UNDERSTAND what you're saying. 'GIRLS LIKE THAT...' that's not even a complete sentence. i don't understand." the second time he's stating that there's a firm genuineness in every syllable, trying his hardest to make her understand how lost she has him right now. feeling her tug her body away from his grasp, marcos finds himself letting her go --- he's not a jerk, if she doesn't want to be near him he wont FORCE her... regardless of how he'd much rather her stay until they're on the same page. "i don't want you upset, just help me understand... please." (continued)

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    "okay, fair..." words come out in an amused tone as his head drops, looking down at his hands for a second before returning his gaze to the other. "i mean, i fear it's probably far less interesting than you're hoping." their romance was fairly transactional... but it looked good for his public image and it made his daughter happy. "shockingly, the overlap between where we met and where she and i met is virtually non-existant." a curt laugh as he pauses, a deep breath being sucked in his chest. it feels weird to relay this information, but it's far too late in virgil's life to start getting a conscience. "it was a little over a year ago. i was fulfilling fundraising obligations, there was some big banquet for the investors of the team so i had to be there... unfortunately." arm reaches down to go for the bottle, refilling his now empty glass as he continues with the story. "which apparently her father is huge on soccer, met him a million times before actually, but she had joined him that night... a reason she chalks up to fate but..." he trails off, rolling his eyes slightly as he waves his hand in dissmissal. "in reality it was because her mother was out of town and her father had bought two tickets. but alas, it ended up being she was at our table. i barely talked to her during the dinner, i think my daughter talked to her more, curious about the lipstick brand she had been using... which, bit me in the ass 'cos why the hell am i buying a thirteen year old hermes lip oil?" he sighs, a laugh spilling out of his mouth. "while the two were in the bathroom at one point, her father started a conversation with me and invited me for golf the following week. which was apparently celeste's doing, and she essentially asked me out. the rest went down as much as you can imagine. manufactured romance solicited by a socialite family." he takes a drink from his glass before letting a long breath out from his chest.

margot lets out a laugh, low and amused. “that was the big guns? please. that was a gentle nudge at best. i could've asked how meeting her parents went. i bet that's a story on it's own.” she teases, eyes glinting. she’s curled sideways on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, the tv mostly background noise now - her focus clearly on the far more interesting company next to her. "oh, i’m definitely up for it,” she says, lips quirking. “i mean, it has to be a hell of a story, right? celeste is all.. ironed clothes and five year plans. she once spent half the night cleaning the bar at a grimy little place i took her to for drinks.” she pauses just long enough to be smug about it. “in fact, it was same bar where you and i, you know... got acquainted. so, yes. color me curious on how you landed her. ” if she was going to spend an entire weekend pretending this dynamic wasn’t weird, margot figured she might as well enjoy the little jabs while she still could.

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔; @jadedviews​ )     ⋅ ⋅     first thing first— pacey is in no way breaking the cardinal ‘text before you call’ rule, having send the other a quick ‘I’M GONNA CALL U IN A SEC’ with several starry-eyed emojis. a rare occasion to be frank as the red-headed girl rarely possesses that much self-awareness, very much accustomed to the act now, think later mindset. she’s currently sitting on the back porch of one of her friend’s houses, a few hits deep on her pipe, and lost in her thoughts. or was lost in them prior to the idea that has her texting  &  dialing her boyfriend’s friend.   “clyde—!”   voice is coming through his phone as chipper as ever, accentuated by a relaxed edge.   “i had an idea and i think you need to be the first one to hear it… OKAY so…”   yes, pacey is, in fact, pausing for effect.   “i’ve decided that when i become a grandmother, a granny if you will, i’m going to exclusively wear green. like thegreenlady from brooklyn! just an elderly lady that never wears any colors other than green. and you know what my grandkids will call me?”   by this point, in which she’s pausing for effect once more, the woman is sitting on the edge of her seat as the excitement dripping from her words has been radiating throughout her.   “GREENY!”   and while it may not be the coolest thing to do next (she never has been considered cool anyways), lip gloss lacquered lips part in a smile as a series of giggled radiate out her mouth.   “do you get it?!”   she’s sure he did, which is why she called him rather than anyone else she knew— clyde seemed to get her weird antics  &  the thoughts that came with them.   “i thought you should be the one to know my plan first.”

[rosyviews]

            fingertips   dance   along   the   collar   of   his   shirt   before   curling   into   a   grasp.   standing   outside   a   fancy restaurant,   in   weather   FAR   too   cold   to   be   waiting   for   a   cab   in,   claire   naturally   finds   herself   seeking   warmth   in   his   embrace.   there’s   a   comfortable   silence   that’s   fallen   between   them...   one   that   has   her   thoughts   wandering     (a   bit   farther   than   the   ‘other   woman’   should   allow   them).     “may   i   be   bold   ---   ?”     teeth   entrap   her   bottom   lip   as   her   mind   buffers,   wondering   if   these   thoughts   swirling   in   her   head   are   even   worth   saying.     “perhaps   i   ought   to   not...   it’s   may   be   too   bold;   even   for   me.”     the   rarely   seen   anxieties   in   her   gaze   disappear   shortly   after   claire   finishes   her   sentence   ---   a   adoring   smile   takes   place   on   her   face   for   the   few   moments   before   she’s   looking   away.   the   brunette   lets   her   cheek   rest   against   seth’s   chest,   PRAYING   that   he’ll   just   assume   it   was   something   sexual  &&   not   something   romantic   (see:   IDIOTIC).   ( @jadedviews )

[rosyviews]

     ( 💔   ;   @jadedviews​​​ )     ⋅ ⋅           “DON’T be a little shit.”   getting off their bed, she’s pulling highlighted braids into a ponytail. seeing their shirt on the floor it’s quickly picked up before the girl is throwing it over at them.   “UGH--- if i had REALIZED you were lying & feelings were still right under the fuckin’ surface... i wouldn’t have COME OVER.”   kasey’s voice spikes with aggravation, hating that she allowed herself to be FOOLED like this.   “though... you realized that, didn’t you? god DAMN it.”   there’s a groan fluttering out as she speaks, continuing to pull her clothes back on her frame. typically they’d hang out afterwords---or at least BEFORE the other made their big ‘i want more than friends with benefits’ declaration a month and a half ago. now she’s simply tugging on her jeans & buttoning them with a huff.   “this isn’t some fuckin’ rom-com where i’m going to suddenly realize i am misunderstanding my OWN feelings, i told you i don’t do that shit.”   aforementioned ‘shit’ being relationships.

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    there's a sob stalling in her chest --- every part of her working towards keeping it suppressed. his rambles heighten her anxiety; the teeth gnawing on the inside of her cheek grow tighter as the taste of copper finds its way into her mouth. her body fights back a flinch at his laugh, her mind coming up with a million ways he could jokingly write off what she just said. what she just confessed. except he doesn't... he's divulging feelings back to her, telling her that the feelings that kept her up a night were mirrored in his own mind. hands raise so that fingers can wrap around his collar --- no move being made to pull him closer, no... the goal is to simply keep him there. "i don't even know who i am anymore, i haven't for a long time... but, if it's anything like the person i am around you? i want so desperately to be her." eyes fill with tears as she meets his gaze, moments before his final statement has the aforementioned sob begin to spill from her. claire leans forward the final centimeter that separates them & presses a kiss against his lips. it's a MESS of an embrace --- unsteady breaths falling between the tears down her face.

sean goes still. completely. like her words just pressed pause on the world. he doesn’t move — doesn’t even breathe — as they sit there, foreheads resting together, the air thick with everything unsaid. his fingers stay at her jaw, thumb brushing slow, like if he’s soft enough, he can soothe the anxiety spinning inside her. he squeezes his eyes shut for a second, jaw tensing, her voice looping in his head. so different from the teasing tone he’s used to. more real. “claire,” he breathes again. “i don’t know what ‘asinine’ means, but i’m pretty sure it’s not this.” it’s not funny, but he laughs anyway — soft and strained, almost like it hurts. “you know," a pause, sean shifts in place. "i’ve spent so much time being the guy people expect. husband. reliable. put-together. agreeable. and for a while, i thought it was working. i really did.” he swallows hard, eyes flicking to the night sky, searching for the right words. “but then i met you.” he looks back at her, gaze steady now. “and suddenly… i don't want to be him anymore. with you, i feel like me. not the one who smiles through a life i got warped into. just me. just this stupid, fucked-up guy who got lucky enough to find you, and unlucky enough to do it too late.” behind them, gravel cuts through the street. the cab. reality. his hands slip down to her shoulders, fingers gripping tighter now, like maybe holding on harder could keep the moment from ending. he’s quiet again, eyes locked on hers, voice low and rough when it finally comes. “i don’t want to pretend anymore.”

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    there's a coy smile evident on his face as he drives, glancing over at her every so often. "that's what you think of me, huh?" a laugh, shaking his head. "yeah, i'm sure you would have made it very far... granted you'd have to drop your typical 'damsel in distress' act, which from what i've seen might not be something in your skill set."

she rolls her eyes so hard it’s a miracle they don’t get stuck. “ugh, fine. congratulations on your one good deed of the year.” she gestures vaguely around them, eyes darting towards him. “you want a medal or something? maybe a parade in your honor?” her tone drips with sarcasm as she shifts in her seat, arms crossed tighter before she glares out the window. “i would’ve just walked, by the way. if i wasn’t wearing heels that cost more than your car.”

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    "that's a role i take with grave responsibility," she laughs, easily playing into the banter. "we'll have to go to the drive-in sometime soon. it's my go-to given the closest mom-'n-pop theater is like an hour away." perhaps it's ambitious of her to suggest they hang out again before they even spend time alone for the first time... but based on the way they've interacted thus far, she's sure more hangouts are on their horizon. "i am both terrified & intrigued to hear that story." another laugh slips from her lips before she's walking back inside, closing the door of the patio behind her. pacey looks at herself in the mirror, eyes narrowing in on various points of insecurity. "take your time, cly. i'm not plannin' on going anywhere." he could finish at three in the morning and she's pretty sure she would still come over... far too much time is spent in solitude as it is, any chance to coexist with someone is appreciated-- let alone someone she enjoys as much as him. "i'll give you a couple hours and then head over, yeah? that'll give me time to get ready & everything." despite the platonic nature of the hangout, she finds the same amount of jitters running through her body as she does before a big date. yet, there's no thought given to that just yet-- that's a level of digger deeping she'll have to do another time. "see you soon, cly." lingering on the call for a moment, pacey hangs up the call. eyes glued to the screen for a second, mind torn between what she should do, before she's sending a quick "???" follow-up text to her boyfriend.

clyde chuckles under his breath, the sound low as he toes the bathroom door open wider, glancing towards the mirror. he’s definitely not in any condition to host someone -- let alone her. any other night, he wouldn’t think twice -- wouldn’t care about the mess or the fact that he looks like he’s been dragged through a paint factory. but knowing she’s on her way? yeah, that hits different. gets under his skin in the weirdest way -- makes him all tense and excited at the same time. "i know, the horror of modern day technology. but, if you’re offering to educate me on the classics, i’m open. i mean, if anyone could convert me, it’s you." not that he knows anything about anything, hardly ever has the tv running unless it's to tune out the sound of his roommate and his girlfriend. even then, he usually has some random over-done movie on. clyde groans the second she mentions mrs. harbor, tipping his head back against the doorframe like the weight of that name alone just added another hour to his day. another hour added until he see's pacey again. “god, her car,” he mutters, pushing himself off the doorframe and back out the bathroom. can't really shower then mess with oils. "thanks for reminding me. if i let it sit and rust in her garage another day, i'm afraid she'll beat me with her cane." a pause. "again. but, that's a story for another day. anyway, i’ll handle it quick and shower right after. just head on over whenever you're ready, i should be done by then. if not, well, i'll leave the door unlocked."

[rosyviews]

   ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅        several moments pass before tace finds herself within her body again. chest taking in ragged breaths, she tries to figure out what has her in the position she is currently in. what on earth could have her in a crouched position that she so frequently used for protection as a child? then, just as she's asking herself this question, her mind lulls enough for marley's words to break through the roaring white noise of her blood pumping through her body. tace doesn't dare move, not when the memories of the previous few seconds return to her. "please, just step away from me." words shake & voice cracks as they're spoken--- head not moving from it's current position just yet. she can't see the other girl, not with the way her chin and knees are both tucked into her chest... but she can feel the other's proximity, one that is doing nothing to help her deescalate her mind. after enough time passes for marley to move, tace finally lets her arms drop from the way they were wrapping around her neck; palms flattening against the wood floor. an action that helps her continue to ground herself, reminding her own mind that she is SAFE. that despite the aggression displayed by marley, she isn't going to be hurt anytime soon. finally moving her head, eyes dart towards the girl in front of her --- eyes that exemplify her feelings as tears pool & pupils remain dilated. it's a glance that barely lasts a second before she's looking down at the floor.

marley’s still fuming, fists clenched so tight her nails dig into her palms, but under the rage there’s that same damn heat -- vibrating low in her gut. every time she looks at tace, it gets worse. and maybe that’s why she lashes out, why the sharp words come so easy, because it’s easier to hate her than admit what’s really going on. so she argues, bites, claws out with every sharp - witted words that screams from the back of her throat. for a beat, marlene thinks maybe it’s working. she’s in control again, vibrating with leftover adrenaline, and she thinks tace is about to fold under pressure and leave. but she doesn't. she folds. suddenly everything inside marley screeches to a halt. what the fuck just happened? she watches tace’s body curl inward, and suddenly the heat in marlene's face is gone, replaced with something cold. “uh -- fuck,” she mutters, her voice small now. her hands feel wrong at her sides, so she rubs them against her jeans, awkward. “tace,” she tries, crouching down slowly, awkwardly, like she’s approaching a hurt deer on the side of the road. “hey, i’m not -- i didn’t -- i wasn’t gonna…” words fall flat, feeling useless, so she pauses, swallows hard instead as her gaze drops down. "i'm sorry, that was shitty." the apology feels strange in her mouth, too honest for someone who’s usually all edge and deflection, but she means it. eyes lift to look at tate again, head tipping sideways, eyes narrowing. “can you just… say something? or look at me? i don’t know if you’re okay, and i don’t -- i don’t know what the fuck i’m supposed to do right now.”

@rosyviews continued from here.

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    it's been a long time since kacey has felt this level of annoyance & anger surging through her frame. she's used to strangers becoming too attached, trying to turn one-night flings into something more. but for her BEST FRIEND to do this to her? it sent a level of betrayal through her body that STUNG. "i'm NOT afraid of anything... there's just NO REASON for us to 'give it a chance'." there's an irritated sigh being propelled past her lips, head shaking slightly as she continues to speak. reluctant eyes fall onto the other as their fingers loop around her jeans. she just wants to go, to try and fall into her own bed & forget that this happened. "i'm not going to change. i've always been this way. it doesn't make sense to go through the motions as if there's light at the end of the tunnel. i'm a bitch, jamie, i'm not a complete jerk, okay?" another sigh is spilled out--- only this time it's one of disappointment and a slight layer of hurt. this time when her eyes meet jamie that same hurt manifests as the twinkle in the corner of her eyes. "just, let me go."

“i’m not TRYING to be.” soft murmur as hands grip into blue sheets, balances herself as she pulls herself to sit up. “i wasn’t lying, okay? i THOUGHT i could do this. the whole… non committal thing.” thought feelings could be SWEPT beneath her fuzzy rug — anything to keep kacey from putting an end to their lonely nights spent together, bodies intertwined as shared mews fill the apartment. but, buried hopes became surface level once again, resulting in jamie’s lips pulling into a frown as she clenches the fabric of her shirt to her chest. “don’t leave, kace, please? FORGET i even said anything.” slowly, does dark haired girl slip t-shirt on before she’s scooting to the edge of the bed, trying best to keep neutral expression despite the PAIN wrapping around her chest. still, delicate fingers reach to loop around lacey’s jeans, attempts to tug her closer as head tips to glance up. “why are you so… AFRAID of this, though? i’m not asking for a marriage proposal, i’m just asking for a CHANCE.”

[rosyviews]

   ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅        he's quiet for a moment, letting the other speak as she seems to be processing out loud. marcos does not enjoy seeing her in this state, the anxiety evident in her form that seems to be lashing out in ways atypical for him to witness. it doesn't seem as anything he could think to say would actually help the situation... despite how much he wishes he could just fix it all (not that he's wrapped his mind around everything going on just yet). "okay." tone remains soft as he nods, patting his pockets to find his keys quickly. "i can do that, sure." marcos agrees despite his hope for them to hash things out at a second location, to find some sort of common ground that could salvage the foundation their friendship rests atop. habitually, he reaches out an arm to wrap around her shoulders, to lead her through the crowd, but it's a movement that stops dead in its tracks as he instead puts his hands in his pockets. "i parked around the corner, it's not too far."

“michelle,” she says, slower this time, the name feeling dirty on her tongue. “of course she is.” her mouth twitches like she might laugh, like she wants to make light of it, but it dies before it ever gets there, her head dropping with a quiet, embarrassed breath. “fuck me.” she rakes a hand through her hair, rougher than necessary, frustration and panic knotting beneath her skin. hates the way she sounded. bitter, jealous, small -- it makes her cringe. that’s not who she is, or who she wants to be. she doesn’t talk down on women she doesn’t know, doesn’t pick them apart just to feel better about herself, but michelle had been an easy target for all the feelings she couldn’t face -- but now she just felt gross. heavy. her shoulders slope inward like she’s trying to fold into herself, eyes locked on the dirt like maybe if she stares hard enough, she’ll disappear. “yeah,” she says, quieter now, steadier, even with her fingers still trembling when she tucks her hair behind her ear. “can you just take me home?”

[rosyviews]

   ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅        "the ultimatum?" a quick laugh splits his words, "seems pretty fit for the course." he raises his eyebrows to accent his words, smile dancing along his lips. virgil lets himself get comfortable on the couch, long legs outstretched in front of him. he pours himself another ounce or two of the whiskey in his glass before letting it rest against the floor. he reclines in the chair before orienting his body to the other as she speaks. margot's words cause a playful scoff to bound out of his chest before his hand goes to rub over his face. "god, you're pulling out the big guns already, huh?" it takes a moment for him to start to speak again, trying to formulate the best possible way for him to answer this question in a way that is honest to his friend, but also respectful to his soon-to-be wife. "it's quite the story, you sure you're up for it?"

            margot doesn’t even glance over when she hears virgil drop into the couch -- she can feel the weight shift, can smell the whiskey clinging to him already, and if she closes her eyes for too long, she’ll remember nights a lot like this one, except she was probably in his lap. “i picked the ultimatum,” she says when she finally speaks, voice breezy and just on the edge of a laugh. "i figured this show was appropriate. just your classic ‘we’re trapped in a house with people we shouldn’t be sleeping with’ plotline. very relatable.” she nods slowly, eyes drifting to him, that wicked little grin still playing on her lips. "so, you and celeste. how the hell did that happen? i barely survived her version -- think i slipped into a mild coma. hoping yours has a little more EDGE. if not, well, i think you're the one whose gotten boring."

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    "not to rain on your parade or anything, but remind me... who is helping who here?"

OPEN TO   : all genders. PLOT   :  source  link-ish,  but basically autumn was left on the side of the road by her jock bf and your muse offers her a ride. could be an enemy, ex, or just someone she doesn't like cause she's.. a b word :/

“ hey, if you tell ANYONE about this, i’ll make sure your social life goes from slight to NON-EXISTENT. got it? “

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    for years, if not decades, now claire has had a wall up around her that remained impenetrable despite numerous attempts. it was a defense mechanism that was required in this line of work... though it could be argued that she's taken it all a little far. most of her 'colleagues' still have friends, still date, still live life. claire doesn't let herself do that-- not really at least. she has a few neighbors she's friendly with, but no relationships that are anything more than superficial. until sean that is. SEAN. an exception to all of her rules & she struggles to find an ounce of her being that is bothered by this. except now the woman's realizing she isn't sure if she's let him know anything real about her... perhaps that's the way she's reasoned their relationship. as long as he doesn't really know her, it's okay... right? the massage-like caress against her cheek snaps her back to reality-- pulling her from the way her mind has been racing. seeing him come down to her level, to meet her where she is at, makes everything come bubbling up. causes her to suck in a deep breath before leaning forward to rest her forehead against his. eyes flutter shut before she has to meet his gaze, chewing on the inside of her cheek for a second. "sean." all of claire's emotions find their way into the utterance of his name: sadness, adoration, love, FEAR. "i just wish this could be our everyday. which, i know, is assinine but i---" she choses her next words carefully, worry already littering her frame her admission thus far, let alone any that go unsaid. "can't help but keep thinking how much i love... this." with that final word she opens her eyes, both dreading & anticipating his reaction. maybe she's blown it, maybe he'll let them act like it never happened. and maybe, just maybe, he'll agree (even if her mind is sure it will never occur).

“well, right about now i’d frame you as silly.” he tells her with a coy smile of his own, those light colored brows of his raising. sean’s never been real good at reading people, the kind of yes guy that was kinda too much in his own head to read between the lines. but with claire, he finds it easier to size her up. she was different than any other girl he’s met, any other woman he’d been into. stereotypical frat boy, finding himself attracted to the cliche of an air - headed bimbo, until he had met her. older, self assured, real. and if it was anyone else, he would’ve let this go, would’ve shook it off and continued their night without a care in the world. but he can’t, not with her. hand glides to lay flat against the side of her jaw, thumb brushing over the peak of her cheekbones, soothing, trying to coax her tenseness into ease. “it’s bothering you, so it is something, and it’s not stupid.” sean nudges, lips curling into a deep frown. now, he’s bending his knees, meeting her to her height to make sure she knows she can’t avoid his gaze forever. “claire,” he exhales, tilting his head. “talk to me.”

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    he can't help but let a laugh tumble from his chest at her words --- eyes rolling. "y'know, i've heard the rumblings but thought surely it was just gossip." to be honest, he really had just figured the margo kruger his fiancee was talking about was a different woman. "hey, you stick to whatever you want. i am just wanting something a little MORE than a wine buzz tonight." though by the time he finishes she's already gone from the room. letting another laugh fall to no audience, virgil shakes his head at the situation. as much as he isn't in this marriage for the right reasons, sleeping with the maid of honor --- that's a little on the nose, even for him. it's a thought that's getting ahead of them both, who knows where the night will go. perhaps it will just be two friends catching up. "so, what did you pick to put on?" virgil asks as he enters the room, letting himself fall onto the other side of the couch margo occupied.

“oh yeah, haven’t you heard? i’m a good girl now.” though, margo hardly doubts that thinking about propping herself on the counter, lifting her dress up and telling virgil to put his money where his mouth is, was classified as good girl behavior. but hey, she’s trying here, really. it’s been years since she’s been involved in this crowd, forced back into it after some independent financial trouble. it’s going to be a hellish and boring road to adapt to the pristine lifestyle again. hand curls around the corner frame of the wall, fauxing a pleased gasp, clutching her bottle of white wine to her chest. “oh, breaking the rules for little ol’ me? now you’re just after my bitter little heart.” she teases, disappearing behind the wall for a split second before her back bends, peaking back over. “though, maybe it’s for the best to stick to my wine. whiskey does make me frisky…” with the bait on the line, margot grins before she’s off again, all but skipping towards the in-home theater to prop herself onto one of the front sofas.

[rosyviews]

            ( 💔 )     ⋅ ⋅ ⋅    "girls without a br---" eyes widen with a feeling of surprise as he continues to speak. "you mean michelle? the new adjunct professor in the doctorate program?" very rarely does he see this side of the other, and it weighs heavy on his shoulders. sure, marcos enjoys his share of gossip like anyone else --- but to be cruel? that's just a little bit farther than he tends to go. "we were just talking-- maybe flirting, but no where near whatever you're trying to say." . "no, i DON'T." an exasperated sigh, "which is why i'm asking you to help me understand." there's honesty in his words... before anything else she's his best friend, and he wants nothing more than to know what's going on with her. eyes glint with concern as he's tuned into her body language --- watching her hands run through her hair. it takes him a few moments after she finishes speaking for him to fully process what she said. he sits with it for a second, trying to decipher how he feels in regards to it. "okay." words come out soft, like if he talks any louder she may just break. "okay. you just needed to tell me." he swallows hard, hands hanging heavy at his sides. "do you want to get out of here? talk somewhere a little less, chaotic?" marcos worries that him not saying it back is detrimental to their relationship. but he also doesn't want to say it back when he means it in a different way.

            her body feels flushed with heat radiating from her nerves. she's always been abrasive, loud - mouthed. every syllable landing with confidence that left little room for second guessing. she was sharp, self-aware, a little jaded when it came to so called life, something she found to be quite a joke. so, she lived day by day with ease. it's the reason why she's never had a boyfriend, didn't see the point in being tied down when you only have one life to live, refused to miss out on opportunities out there just because of love. it's the reason why being with marcos was so easy. two sides of the same coin, they agreed on nearly everything, and the things they didn't... well, augustine always enjoyed a good debate. "girls without a brain between their ears, i don't know. i sound pretentious as fuck, but i always thought you had a little more class when it came to the girls you stick your dick in." has to remind herself that they were just talking, but she knows marcos well enough to what it was leading too. he lets her go and her open palm swipes across her face towards her forehead, pushing her mousy hair back and going into her hair, fingers pressing hard into her scalp like she could physically claw the feelings out of her. "you really don't see it." wants it to come off as a question, but it comes out flat, silently defeated. warm brown eyes glistening with threatening tears, aching with all the words she hadn’t said until now. "i love you, marcos." stated, more intently than the quick little LOVE YA! she's thrown at him plenty of times through their friendship. "i love you, and it kills me. and i - i know, it shouldn't. both of us... we don't want anything more than what we're already giving each other. but," she sniffles, laughs even, before swallowing hard, eyes falling away from his.. "it kills me to see you with other girls."