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the excitement at their shared heartbreak maked cecil grin in spite of himself. "how'd that happen? sharing a cat?" he leaned over to look at the picture, smile widening at the sweet little creature. "i don't know if i could do it. maybe it'd be easier with a few years difference, i don't know." he took a deep breath. "not easy readjusting your life when you had all these... plans."

at the question, cecil checked his phone, pensive. "i'm on 70%. benefits of getting stuck on my workplace, i guess." his eyes find the fast food bag. "though i guess in a way we both are, huh?" he grabs another fry. "if you've got time to kill you can plug it in at my desk and hang out for a while. once we're free from this tiny steel prison." he looked around. "eventually..."

"they sure do." privately, he thought his dad had done more of a number, but theo couldn't help but echo cecil's chucke with one of his own. "wait, no way, me too!" he jabbed his thumb into his own chest and thought about caroline even though he was trying not to do that so much anymore. "well, a couple years ago, actually. and then i ran into her in town here and now we're sharing a cat." he shifted to sit cross-legged, elbow on a knee and cheek propped against a fist. "that's not a euphemism, by the way. it's a real cat." he showed cecil his lock screen, which was currently a photo of the orange tabby dozing on top of a penguins jersey. when he pulled the phone back, theo's forehead wrinkled. "my phone's on eight percent. how about you?"

[ceasil]

where: fearless gym who: open @corneliastarters

cecil had taken to working out before work, lately. what they always said about endorphins was true; when he was too overwhelmed, it helped him take his mind off things, the emptiness of his apartment, the feeling of not knowing who to tell all his useless thoughts to.

it helped. it just... switched his mind off, in a way; got him thinking about how nice the sunshine was, or what he'd have for lunch. and fearless gym was nice; the music was just the right volume, no one paid attention to anyone else - unless they needed help. he'd had a few helpful tips or spots when he hadn't realised he'd needed it. and now he saw someone looking a little lost, examining a device in search of the instructional sticker - it seemed to be missing. cecil approached.

"you just set the weight here," he gestured, "and then sit down facing that way and pull the bars down. it's great for your shoulders."

[ceasil]

Wordy by aavfvl

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cecil had no answer; he'd never had much of a clue what was rude and what wasn't these days. but he didn't mind, so he certainly didn't stop theo from downing the shot. he waves his hand in rejection of the second one, looking away and taking a slow, deep breath. "sorry to hear that. parents really have a way of doing a number on you, huh?" he grinned but couldn't maintain it for long.

after a moment, though, a dry laugh escapes him. "and stuck elevators, damn. wanna keep sharing more trauma? i got dumped by the person i thought was the love of my life a few months back. just trying to bury myself in my work rather than process anything... as is tradition."

tw: parental death theo tilted his chin downward, answering the question without saying anything at all. he just listened, brows furrowed and lips pressed together. he fumbled around in his jacket pocket for a moment before finding what he was looking for. he procured a small bottle, airplane sized, that he'd snagged from the corner store and planned on laughing with his roommate about later while they each took a shot. he paused with the bottle halfway to his mouth as he gave cecil a sidelong glance. "is this rude?" given the story cecil'd just told, it was probably rude. theo let his hand drop slightly. "glad she's doing good." he picked at the label of the bottle and said "my mom's dead." he blinked, cleared his throat, and decided to take the shot after all. it burned slightly going down but he ignored it. "not drugs, though. just cancer." he held up the second shot as an offering to cecil, but if he didn't take it, theo probably would. he didn't know why he'd said that about his mother. it just seemed...right to share something after his companion had been so honest. hopefully he hadn't made things too awkward. and, if he had, hopefully they wouldn't be stuck here for too long.

[ceasil]

cw: parental neglect, drug abuse

cecil listened attentively, genuinely interested. he was thrown off by the question being brought back on him, felt himself getting a little more somber in an instant. the itch to push it away, get into working, shove the subject back onto theo... but you know what?

"can i be brutally honest?" he smiled. "most of my childhood was spent being a little shit. then after that, keeping my mom from ODing." he paused, considering his words, maybe overly intensely. "didn't really get the chance to get into baseball. i probably would've liked it, though." he leaned back. "she's better now, by the way."

theo shrugged. "i think most of us play more than one instrument. it's hard to get kids to focus on just one." theo'd done piano first. his mother had played and she'd wanted him to do concerts and things. he talked his way into guitar lessons when he was eleven because he'd seen school of rock and wanted to be the lead guitarist in a band when he got older. and he picked up a little bit of drums in high school when he'd joined his first band and they'd already had a guitarist and keyboardist. piano was probably still his best -and the one he'd had most fun with. but you couldn't beat the portability of a guitar...and, sure, some small piece of him still wanted to be the frontman.

but there'd be time for that later. for now, he was having the best time playing music with his friends...and making new fans every gig. "it's not so bad. once you get used to the chords and stuff." he mimed playing the guitar and wished he'd had his on his back when he'd been running around today. it'd at least give them something to do. "what did you do growing up?" he gave cecil a long look. "you look like a sports guy. baseball?" theo'd never been good at them. he loved watching them, but his lack of coordination in an athletic sense kept him on the sidelines.

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"careful with tinder? noted," cecil laughed gently, doubtful he'd ever use the app, but it's good to know. "what should i be careful of exactly? scammers, freaks?" he raised his eyebrows.

meeting jo's eyes on that implicit question, he forced a miserable little smile. "right. i guess it is different, then." he looked down, heart aching in a way he'd been fighting for an awful long time. "things ending like this, makes me feel like maybe you had the right idea." he stared towards his glass, eyes focusing on nothing. "getting dumped when you thought you'd found the one, finding out it's your fault... it feels pretty bad, honestly."

jo nodded, expression almost solemn. "when you're ready to get back out there, you might want to be careful with tinder." she had a couple of stories there, but figured if he wanted to know, she'd asked. she sipped her drink glanced at his friends again. "it's good you have them." she was thinking about herself, how she'd essentially left her support system in california because she didn't want to deal with the fallout of friends having to choose between her and her ex-husband in the divorce. it didn't seem fair. he'd been there first. hopefully she'd find a few more confidants here...though that would probably require putting herself out there.

she couldn't help but smirk. "well," she stirred the ice in her glass just for something to do with her hands. "i wasn't married for love, so i think it's probably a little different." she gave him a look, the question hanging unasked between them. did you love your ex? she loved her ex as the father of her son and as a friend and confidant, but her love belonged to another. ironically, she was in the same state as that person now. funny how that worked out.

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cecil had been absolutely lost in a podcast, doing the dishes and forgetting about space and time (as one does). the buzzer felt like whiplash, as he was transported out of the world of legal conundrums and he looked around his miserable, empty kitchen. he grabbed a teatowel and dried off his hands as he walked to the door, opening and feeling his stomach drop when he looked into dahlia's face.

the seconds felt like an eternity as she stumbled through her words. "oh," he managed, standing dead still. "i didn't realise. uh - where is it?" he didn't know how to be normal about this, and it seemed he defaulted to being casual. he stepped back to let her in. all that mattered was he didn't convey any emotions, and then everything would be fine.

dahlia had so many moments on her way to cecil's place to turn her ass back around and text him. let him know she's coming, like a normal person would do. but something about that felt official. like, if there's no text message proof that she chose to go to his place, then maybe she can pretend it never happened. not logical. but a thought she was clinging onto like a lifeline as she hit the buzzer. she counted in her head the seconds before he pulled the door open, trying to look way more nonchalant than she actually felt. one. two. three. four. 'oh god- why didn't i fucking text?' five. six. seven. eight. as soon as the door opened she looked up, her heart in her stomach as she realized that now she got to see the authentic reaction to seeing her across his features. she smiled, a couple of beats passing before her voice box pulled its shit together. "hi ! hey ! i'm just here to pick- i mean, i think i left my passport." @ceasil

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"you sure? i wouldn't want to invade." but he knew she wouldn't make the offer unless she meant it; he appreciated that about her. always so sincere, no questions raised. "it'd be good to meet them. i've been trying to broaden my social horizons lately, anyway, and anyone you like is someone i like."

he finishes his coffee, turning back to the playground. "and maybe i'll have to head out this way on my lunch break more often if you're likely to be here, huh? it's definitely a nice breath of fresh air out this way."

her face broke into a fond smile when he laughed, teeth worrying at her lower lip as she took in the way his posture moved with the sound. she suddenly realized how long it had been since she'd heard his voice, much less a laugh like that. she considered the heartache he'd been dealing with and couldn't help but wonder just how rare that sound was anymore. how lucky she was to be the cause of it.

❝ i could never get cecil cuddles from anyone but you, ❞ she replied with a giggle. ❝ you're probably the only cecil i'll ever meet, and you're definitely the only one that would matter to me. you're always welcome to come by for cassie cuddles, you know. we're a pretty scattered bunch with a lot of different schedules, but if you pop by enough at random you're bound to run into all of them eventually. ❞

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"oh, that too," cecil laughed. "god knows i can drone on. it's always nice to have an excuse, though," it made him grin - honestly, he wasn't much of a talker, not unless he was passionate about something. some of the people who had spent a lot of time trying to get him to open up would be beyond exasperate to hear the joke.

the guitar subject fascinated him a little. "yeah? i might be interested in that. seeing guitarists at work, it's hard not to want to be in on that a bit too. it looks really fun, once you get past the... unbearably difficult part." cecil rubbed his chin. "i think i'll take you up on that. just no elevators."

he kept quiet as cecil answered the question. he found himself nodding along. theo hadn't really thought about it like that. he kicked one leg out in front of him and drew in the opposite knee, chin propped on top of it as he studied the other. "i kinda thought people who became lawyers just liked to hear themselves talk, so i guess both things can be true." theo shot him a playful smirk.

theo's eyebrows headed back towards his hairline. "wait. you're the ex-boyfriend?" he couldn't help but laugh. there'd been a couple of late night conversations between the band about their relationships...or lack thereof. "she is a good friend. guess it was mutual, then?" he shook his head. "anybody can learn an instrument with the right teacher. piano's kind of my thing, but i play a little guitar. i can teach you if you want." he wished he'd had the spaare guitar with him now. it would help them pass the time.

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it was always good to have someone who understood. he lifted his own empty sprite glass in commiseration. with the common ground established, he felt more comfortable relaxing; being himself, in a way, quieter. letting the mask drop. though he did offer a smile hearing about the legos; poor thing.

"oh, it's..." he tilted his head, processing the question. "i don't know. we were on and off for a while. had a few rebounds, don't think i want to try that again any time soon." grimly, he smiled more properly. "think it's time for me to just accept that it's over. let my friends drag me around places," he shrugged. "i gather you're a little further ahead than me, if you're looking for emotionally available women."

jo hummed and lifted her glass in a sort of toast. "just finalized my divorce this week, so i know the feeling." it hadn't exactly been a marriage of true love, more of convenience. he'd been the father of her son. she hadn't wanted to do it alone. he'd asked and who was she to say no? granted, she didn't really like him that way, but...well he knew her now. she hoped he understood. maybe she should call him. she should. right?

or maybe she was just drunk. she was probably just drunk. "oh, he does. and those videos about stepping on them are very true." she'd almost had to go to the hospital when one of those little bricks nearly impaled her bare foot. jake had done well picking them up for about...two weeks after that. then the carpet was littered with them again. "that's true. i mean, i couldn't ask for a better office to spend my evening in." she sipped at her drink and zeroed in on his friends. "so what's the deal with your relationship status? do you need a wingman or are you just here to enjoy their company?" because she was a great wingman, if she said so herself.

[ceasil]

Upgraded (2024) dir. Carlson Young

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cecil could just watch her talk for hours. her presence meant a bone-deep comfort that he'd forgotten he was even capable of. she was so stubbornly independent - cecil would never get rid of the urge to make sure she was alright, but he respected that. "well, i'm glad they'll be there if you ever do need it, at least."

"good! i think i'd be a bit confused if any of them were me," his laughter rang around the park. "if you got your cecil cuddles elsewhere - well, that'd be a shame." still. he smiled. "i'd love to meet them. if i haven't already - feels like i have a history with half this town lately."

she hummed and nodded at the comment about stability; come to think of it, it was the most stable she'd probably felt. part of that frightened her, and the compulsion to run stirred somewhat within her. still, as cecil lit up and turned to face her, the idea was forgotten. how could she disappear when all she ever wanted was suddenly here?

❝ we're in woodvale! ❞ she replied, shifting to face him as well. ❝ 203. i'll definitely come visit. all the time. could use a patented cecil cuddle. ❞ her nose wrinkled at the idea of being taken care of. she shrugged and released a soft sigh. ❝ you know i like to take care of myself, but. we are like a family. i love all of my roomies. none of them are you, though. ❞

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omar! cecil breaks into a grin at seeing his friend, even despite his - well, chaotic entry. that's just half the fun of the man. "i don't know, omar," he stretched out his arms. "what are you going to try?" he actually doesn't object to dancing at all; the mild headache is there, but that's just a staple of going out like this, right? "i think i could be convinced, if you really wanna try."

it's a rare friday night off for omar, an even rarer saturday off following. so omar had gone out, desperate to let off some of the restless energy that always seemed to follow him. it was nice, dancing with whoever wanted to and letting the music take over. he was slowly making his way over to the bar when he noticed a familiar face and diverted his attention that way. "cecil, my man." the words are loud, even with the music thumping overhead. it takes everything for omar to not actually run into the table his friend is sitting at, but it's close. "what will it take to actually get you out on the dance floor and not cooped in the corner?"

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woof, that's a real question. cecil had to take a moment to think through his answer. "i like doing it. y'know, i try to believe in the system - when i can. it's not always about proving the client innocent, but showing the underlying shit that caused it. some crimes are just unforgivable, but some people are starving and angry and in pain." he paused. he'd rambled. "i just wanna make sure the judge or jury knows it, when that's the case. sometimes that's all you can ask for when you screw up." after a moment, he laughed. "how's that for answering it? sorry. i actually kinda love my job, weirdly enough." for all the stress it caused.

he was glad to talk about mimi instead. cecil nodded in understanding to theo's joke. "every band needs its face," he supplied, smiling a smile that dropped at theo's next joke. "no, actually, it wasn't an elevator." he shook his head - he'd never live this one down, huh? "actually, we dated a little when i first moved here. didn't get too serious - we were both growing through a lot of shit. but we kept in touch. she's a great friend." he gestured to the phone. "good musician, too. i can't string two notes together if it'd save my life."

theo gave him a grave look even as he shook his head. "i'm just saying it's a possibility." once was a fluke. twice was a coincidence. he hoped he wouldn't be around for a third time cecil got stuck in an elevator. he hummed thoughtfully as he finished off the soda, pressing in the little buttons on the plastic lid like he used to do when he was a kid. "do you like doing that? or is it hard when it seems like your guy did it?" theo wrinkled his nose apologetically. "you don't have to answer that."

a burst of pride welled in his chest. "yeah, i know mimi! she kind of discovered me, actually. i was doing solo stuff, one my band and covers 'til she showed up." and theo was so glad she had. the band meant the world to him. he'd stopped playing for a while after his mom died and he'd only picked it up again when he'd gotten that job at the piano bar, but music was fun again with electric touch. he owed mimi a lot, actually. "no shit? guess this town's smaller than it looks." he mimed playing an invisible keyboard. "and," he said with a charming smile. "i'm the eye candy." he was nothing if not humble. "where'd you and mimi meet? don't tell me. you got trapped in an elevator with her, too."

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"yeah. i hate being home alone too, lately." cecil felt himself getting a bit more somber, and he fought it as best he can. "just came out of a - well, a long relationship. one of those things that makes me appreciate my dumbass friends even more," he smirked, glancing over at those friends, who were now dancing ineffectively. he was grateful to hear about the little man instead.

cecil's heartstrings were firmly tugged. it was those mother-son relationships - they always got him. "i'm sure he'll be back in no time," he said warmly. "sounds like you love him a lot." it was clear on her face - and it was comforting to see it. "he must be a happy kid. hope he doesn't leave those legos lying around." cecil's face scrunched up for a moment as he imagined it. "but hey, we all need breaks from our favorite people sometimes, right? try and enjoy your last night." he nudged jo a little. "he's safe and sound."

jo followed his line of sight to the friendly group of drunks she'd passed on the way to this seat and lifted her glass in a greeting. "everyone loves a guaranteed dd." and, really, there were a million reasons not to drink. she respected that, even as she took another sip of her own beverage. she nodded as she finished off the cherry from her drink. "honestly, though? i hate being home alone." she was apparently drunk enough to be honest jo instead of sarcastic jo. "so a place like this is the perfect place to hang out after work, until i'm ready for bed myself."

the patented smirk melted into a genuine smile when he asked about jake. other than true crime podcasts and the weird stuff she saw at work, he was the one thing she could talk about all day long without getting tired. "he's twelve. plays baseball in the spring but he's all about hockey right now. my dad would be so disappointed he never really enjoyed football." a beat. "soccer." jo rolled her eyes. "but he's really into legos. loves museums and going to the zoo. and he's halfway through the percy jackson books and makes me put the audiobooks on every time we have to drive out to visit family." she sighed heavily. "he's actually with my aunt right now. i miss him." she didn't have to split custody -at least not right now- but once they returned to new york, her father's family had all but demanded to see jake. and when he didn't hate their first visit, who was she to keep him away? she already felt bad enough about separating him from his father. "but he'll be back tomorrow, so." she shrugged. all the drama for twenty-four hours. she'd live. probably.

[ceasil]

EVERWOOD (2002-2006) — 1x17

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"you think i'm cursed, huh?" cecil had to consider this. "you might be right. certainly feels that way sometimes." he looked around, as if wondering for a moment if the lift would spring back to life. it didn't. "as a criminal defense lawyer, it's not all too uncommon for me to lose cases, actually. it's just about trying to get the lightest outcome." honestly, it was always one of two responses when he shared his specific career: some form of judgement, or a complete lack of interest. given the circumstances, he was hoping more for the latter, and was glad to instead talk about music when the opportunity arose.

he lit up when he heard the band, listening attentively. after a moment, he pointed at the phone. "that's mimi's band, right? you know mimi?" he grinned. "she's a good friend of mine. guess it's a small world, huh? electric touch, right?" he leaned back. "nice. it's great music. what's your part?"

his eyebrows furrowed. "i've never been stuck in one until now and i used to live in some pretty shitty apartment buildings." granted, some of those didn't even have elevators, but the place he'd lived before moving to cornelia street had a tiny elevator that could fit three people, max, and that creaked and groaned with every floor it climbed. he'd had a neightbor who insisted on bringing her st. bernard onto it when three people were already on it. it'd been a tight squeeze. "so you're the common denominator here." he pointed a fry at cecil. "remind me to take the steps next time i see you in one of these."

theo blinked. he hadn't even realized that was the name of the firm. he looked up, as if the name might be found upon the elevator ceiling (it wasn't) and shrugged. "sure, i guess so. that's kind of a funny name for a law firm, isn't it? like are you trying to be the good karma for your clients? if you lose a case, it's pretty bad karrma, right?"

he shook his head to get that thought out of his head. the band was way more interesting to talk about. "indie...alternative...rock? sort of? here. it's easier if i just..." theo chuckled softly and clicked around on his phone until he found them on spotify and let their most popular single play. it sounded a little bit off echoing off of the walls of the elevator, but he loved the way charley's base beat sounded, how mimi's lyrics told the perfect story, how his keyboard melody helped bring it all together. a fond smile turned his mouth as their music filled the small space. when the song ended, he exited the app. "so?" he tilted his head. "you don't have to lie, but we're good, right?" he knew they weren't everyone's cup of tea, but electric touch was something special. theo just knew it.