connorxrose

[connorxrose]

Connor followed her and looked down himself as fear trickled down his spine. It all started to click in his head just how fucked they were. If he had been alone, his anxiety would have gotten the best of him and would be frozen up there on that roof as a fire raged below. He looked at Celeste and suddenly the idea of getting her out of there safe was all that was running through his head.

"Forget you hate me for a minute. We have to get the hell out of here."

He took her hand and went for the door, rushing to get them out. The door opened and they were greeted by smoke. It seemed the farther down the stairs they went, the more the smoke engulfed them. He waved some away with a cough and racked his brain for something. All he could think to do was take off his hoodie and handed it over to her quick. "Put this over you. Cover your nose and mouth with the hood. Try not to breathe too much of this in."

He gave her no time to protest before continuing down the stairs. When he realized they were at his floor, he patted his pockets and knew his phone was inside. Maybe the adrenaline or smoke inhalation had clouded his mind, because he suddenly thought he could make a mad dash to go grab it along with an important journal of his. He reached for the door handle and pressed it open, the metal immediately burning his hand - not a great sign. He let out a hiss and pushed the door open with his arm to see the flames were right there. The flames brushed up against his left arm and he let out a yell before retrieving back into the stairwell, patting his skin to make sure the flames were out. "Fuck, we gotta keep going." he grumbled through gritted teeth.

With his right arm around Celeste, he ushered them further down the stairs while fighting off the coughing fit in the back of his throat.

"Then what is it like? Because from where I'm standing, it's exactly that. It's.....it's you stringing me along for months and finally making me feel like I could trust you just for you to fucking vanish and make me regret everything I allowed you to do." And dammit, she felt a pressure growing behind her eyes then, a lump forming in her throat, and Celeste had to bite the inside of her cheek in a feeble attempt to keep her emotions in check because she didn't do this. Celeste wasn't the emotional type, and she sure as shit didn't let anyone see her cry, or let anyone in. And this was exactly why. Because it left her feeling vulnerable. And weak. And she refused to seem weak.

"Get out of my way and leave me alone." The words were said through gritted teeth, and she was ready to all but shove him aside too when he spoke again, and it made her pause for a second because why the hell would she smell smoke--

But then as she opened her mouth to speak, she realized she did smell smoke....and then she realized that, louder than her heart pounding, she was starting to hear sirens..and then alarms going off inside the building..

Celeste walked away from him then, but she instead went off to the side of the building and she looked down, her eyes widening as she saw firetrucks all piling up at the ground- and dark black smoke billowing out from below them. "Shit."

[connorxrose]

It was a nice car, but at that moment, it was a piece of crap for all he cared. He looked back at the smoking car that had clearly seen better days and then glanced back at her with a small sarcastic nod. "Yeah, my taste must be the problem here."

The more she talked to him, the less he wanted to help. Between the little jabs and the obvious rich people problems she was going through made him want to keep walking. "Far from Aurora Bay Drive," he answered and then added, "My throne is at the apartments in town." Reaching into his pocket for another cigarette, he lit one quick before saying another word and took a drag. "Why don't you just call your brother then?"

"Hey, uh, excuse me... this is not a piece of crap." Madison didn't hide it that she took offence to his comments about her car. Her nose wrinkled and she took a step closer to the vehicle in some sort of defensive manner. Although, she doubted very much that this man would start scrapping with her Lexus. "Maybe you just don't know taste."

It probably wasn't her wisest choice to insult the man offering to help, therefore she tried to move swiftly pass her previous remark. "I'm from Palm Springs originally, and like, I'm used to... space." It wasn't the time to boast about what was ultimately her parents' wealth, but in her own head, she was trying to justify her decision to move to the flashier neighborhood. "My brother also lives there, so there's that." She shrugged. "Where do you live then, Prince Judgy?"

[connorxrose]

Confrontation was something he actively avoided, yet somehow always found it. It was one of the many reasons why he inevitably left behind those who got too close, but it always bit him in the ass. He lost everyone he cared about most. Past relationships, his best friend and practical brother, and now Celeste. He was tired of running and tired of giving in to fears that lurked in the back of his mind. For once in his goddamn miserable existence, he needed to be brave.

So, there he stood in front of her ready to say everything that failed to escape him these past few months with Celeste. "It's not like that," he tried to defend, though there wasn't much to defend. He completely ghosted her and she had every right to be furious at him. Soon as his lips parted to explain everything she needed to hear, his senses were suddenly overwhelmed. For a second, he considered he was having a stroke right then and there as a burning smell engulfed them. The sirens below became louder.

"Do you smell smoke?"

Celeste hated how her heart was hammering painfully in her chest and she just...needed to get out. Needed to get away. And that need just duplicated as he called out her name, making her try and walk faster back to the roof door. But before she could reach for the knob Connor was suddenly there, in her path and in her way, her hand brushing against him and she pulled it back as if she'd been burned, the air puffing out of her in a rush as she stumbled back a couple steps from him, her expression going from shocked to upset in a matter of a seconds.

"Oh, now you want to talk? When you made it very fucking clear that you wanted absolutely nothing from me for weeks?" It was a wonder that her voice didn't shake- even as her fingers trembled at her sides and she had to curl them into little fists to keep them as still as she could. She was so stuck in the moment too that the sound of sirens in the distance were barely a focus for her- the sound of her pulse rushing in her ears all the more prevalent as she looked up at him, her brows furrowed and an angry pout on her lips. "What could you possibly have to say to me, Connor?"

[connorxrose]

He ruined it. That’s what he always did. Connor shouldered the burden of neverending abandonment issues - so much so that he often sabotaged himself. Celeste was no exception, though he wished she was. Somewhere in his mind he had convinced himself that this was for the best. Ghosting her, keeping her at an arm’s length meant no room for true feelings. It meant that when she inevitably left him, it wouldn’t hurt him. He had to leave first. 

But seeing her there in front of him and the pain on her face was enough to snap him back to reality. He was a fool with the inability to just let himself be happy. She turned away and he let out a sigh. A part of him knew he had no right to stop her, but he had to. He couldn’t let her walk away, even if that’s exactly what he had done to her. 

“Cel,” he called out to her and jogged over in an attempt to stop her from opening that door. Boldly, and maybe stupidly, he stepped in front of her to block the door. Of course he’d let her leave if that’s what she chose, but he had to try. “Can we talk? I know… I don’t deserve a second of your time right now, but let me just explain. Please.”

This was why Celeste didn't let people in. This was why she didn't let herself get close to anyone. Because she finally, finally fully let her full guard down around Connor, after months of...whatever the hell this was between them..and then he disappeared. She should have never accepted the little flower gift he'd given her (which was since a burned pile of ash in the trash), she should have never gone with him to that stupid flower festival. She should have never cared about him at all. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that she'd gotten too comfortable here and had started having things of her own, Celeste probably would have already packed up her shit and left, be gone without a trace.

Instead she felt kind of stuck here- not sure of where to go or what to do and she hated it. More than that- she hated him (except she didn't) and she hated how she'd let herself have feelings for someone when she always knew it'd be safer not to. No- she didn't hate him. She hated herself for letting this happen to her.

God she needed a drink. And some fresh air, which was how she ended up walking the familiar path to the roof. It was late enough at night that it was rare for someone else to be up there. So when someone was, and when she realized it wasn't just someone but it was him...Celeste kind of froze on the spot.

She stood there for a second, just looking at him, hating the way her heart lurched and fluttered at the same time, but when she heard the little word, the simple hi, Celeste swallowed hard and just shook her head before she turned so she could head towards the door again, feeling a lump already forming in her throat as she turned away from him, clearly trying to just make a run for it.

[connorxrose]

“Cold fajitas,” he interjected and followed it with an aggressive bite. Despite the constant bickering, Connor wasn’t at a loss by having Aiden around. Sometimes it was nice to have company, though Connor led the persona of all people are horrible. Aiden wasn’t the worst, even if he was a drunken sweaty mess. 

He knew he needed to let him get some sleep, but Connor was selfish and wanted to hang around longer than necessary. Just as he was about to shove his legs some to create more room on the couch, he stopped when Aiden expressed gratitude. “Now I know you’re drunk,” he teased. “Only nice when you’re inebriated.” He got up from the couch and went to a nearby closet before pulling out a blanket. He set it by Aiden and gave a half smile. “I’d say ‘you’re always welcome here’, but that’s pretty much a lie… But, y’know. You’re welcome.”

Taking his almost finished plate to the kitchen, Connor briefly cleaned up before leaning on the wall to look over at him. “I guess I’ll let you get some sleep. Maybe we can go to the diner for breakfast in the morning. Your treat.” He flashed a little grin.

Aiden nods to the trash can brought out. A wise decision on Connor's part even if he is certain his stomach won't be revolting against him that night. Besides, he has enough sense in him to make it to the bathroom. "Yeah yeah, I'll get you a new couch." Aiden waves a hand dismissively up to Connor. "You're really demanding even after I got you fajitas, you know." Again, he sips at the water, barely anything as it feels like the world's greatest challenge after taking the pain killers.

Maybe the trash can is a good idea.

"Guess if you don't got reason to get up early, why be an early bird?" Aiden sighs. He drags a hand down his face then gets to untying his laces. "Everything? I'll let my artist know you're thoughts. He's a bit of an asshole, but I think he might take the criticism in stride." Aiden gives Connor a look, tired but the attitude isn't absent, and kicks off his shoes. Then, his shoulders slump, and he keeps his mouth shut for a long pause.

There is an apology at the tip of his tongue, one he swallows down before it escapes, but the softness of the moment he feels doesn't elude him. "Thanks, man…" slips out, followed with, "I… do appreciate you letting me crash here. And all the other times you have." The few compliments that was to follow after are successfully barred from doing so - Aiden's hard shell closing him back up from being too generous with the compliments and all his appreciation.

[connorxrose]

It was nice seeing her out and about like this. The night was transporting him back to when they were younger, barely old enough to drink and still dumb kids in love. “You do look great,” he complimented. “This night is much deserved.” While it may have been deserved for her, it wasn’t much for him. If anything, he didn’t deserve a carefree night at all. He took a much needed swig of his beer and licked his lips in thought. “Oh, I’ve been… Y’know.” A dry laugh escaped him. “Fine. I’ve been fine.” It wasn’t entirely the truth, but he could’ve been worse. He knew Logan could often see through his bullshit, so he further explained. “I’ve been doing that thing I do where I push people away. I don’t know why I do that.” Logan was one of those people back in the day. He gave a soft smile and cleared his throat. “I don’t really wanna think about it, so tell me more about you. Give me something juicy.”

Logan laughed softly to his words, knowing well that he was joking but a part of her did want to have a wild mom's night out. "Olivia is at her grandma's tonight so this is a wild mom's night out indeed," she said, wiggling her eyebrows before wrapping an arm around his shoulders to pull him in for a hug. "Always good to see you," she said, smiling at him as she took a sip of her beer and nodded. "That's because it has been years. I can't remember the last time I had a night out like this," she admitted with a chuckle, obviously happy though as she had her daughter in her life. "I put on a tad more makeup as usual and did my hair, so not only am I feelin' great but I'm lookin' great too," she grinned. "How have you been? Get me all caught up."

[connorxrose]

Her fiery sarcasm thrown his way didn’t scathe him too harshly. It was all a little amusing, though he knew she was likely stressed from being stranded on the road. Connor was the farthest thing from a knight and shining armor - something she probably figured out quick. “Sorry to shatter your world,” he played into her sarcasm. 

Connor reached for his phone in his back pocket to call his friend, but hesitated over that call button once she said where she was going. Aurora Bay Drive. God, Connor hated that neighborhood and couldn’t help but pass judgements to those who lived there. Growing up with nothing to his name had instilled that idea in his head that wealth was evil (or at least disgustingly annoying). “You drive this piece of crap but live in Aurora Bay Drive?”

"Ha." Madison wouldn't admit it candidly, but she was surprised to not find him completely intolerable — or this conversation for that matter. However, she'd put it down to tiredness that she was able to find his attempt at humor not totally repulsive. "Oh, you don't know about cars? I'm absolutely shocked," she feigned, placing a hand to her chest for dramatic effect. "You just look like the type of guy that knows everything. I'm positively distraught that image has been shattered." The corners of her mouth slid into an amused smirk.

Although she'd been enjoying the banter, she was glad to actually receive some assistance with her problem. She walked around to the front of her car, inspecting the hood once more. "Who's the guy? I'll go bang on his door right now and wake him up, because I'm not leaving my baby here." She huffed. It may have sounded theatrical, but she was impulsive enough to do it. "How long's the walk to Aurora Bay Drive anyway? Because that's me."

[connorxrose]

He was right. Did Connor expect he'd be tattooing for his career? Not exactly. Sure, the man used to bring a tattoo gun to parties and give his drunken friends tattoos before he knew a damn thing, but that didn't mean he viewed it as an actual option for him. Somehow it stuck.

There was a point in time Connor considered he'd be spending the rest of his days in the band, playing the drums with calloused hands and making music with the people he was closest to. That dream felt dead and gone.

He didn't expect any of this just as much as Silas probably didn't expect to be thrown into prison.

"You can say that again," he mumbled and forced a thinned lip smile.

Connor looked at the crooked flyer on the lamp post and the rest he had thrown into the trash before looking back at his friend. He was expected back at the shop for walk ins that day, which was always his least favorite thing to do.

"I've got nothing going on," he lied and nodded toward the street. "Let's go. I might even buy the first round if you make the details juicy."

"Not doing it anymore?" He repeated, his right arm raising so he could punch Connor's shoulder in a light tap, disbelief the driving force behind the action. He had been to a few of their earlier gigs before his extended trip up the river, and it was plain to see that they were on the verge of something.

Plus, he liked that one song about balaclavas.

"That's fucked, man. Guess no one's ended up where they thought they would." It would be a lie to say Silas had ever had a five year plan, a five minute one was more his speed, but losing out on five years to a jail cell hadn't even entered his mind as being possible. No wonder it had all gone to hell.

"I'm asking myself the same fucking question." On a loop since the second he stepped foot back in the place, and there still wasn't a good answer to come from it. At the heart of it was what was at the heart of him -- Jordan. As always. He would have had to be waterboarded at the aquarium to readily admit that though.

"You busy or rushing off anywhere?" He glanced to one of the tacked up fliers again, wondering how pressing that could really be. "You wanna get a drink and catch up? Don't know if I can summarise the last seven years without some Henny."

Plus something stronger, if that could even be found there these days.

[connorxrose]

who: @thecelestexzhao

where: apartment's rooftop

It was late at night and Connor was anything but asleep, just as he always was. He found himself on top of the apartment's building with a cigarette between his lips and one too many thoughts running through his mind. He went up for some fresh air, which was never fresh considered he was clouded by smoke. He thought the night would clear his mind, but if anything, being up on that rooftop made him muddled in memories and contemplation.

His mind kept going back to her. Connor knew what he was doing and he knew it wasn't right. He always got like this. Soon as someone felt too close, he pulled away. Soon as someone felt important enough to lose, he let them go before they could inevitably leave him. That's what he was doing with Celeste. He dodged her messages and made it a habit to take the long path out of the apartment complex so he didn't pass her place. He was removing himself from her life before he got too wrapped up in her completely. He was, in all sense of the word, an idiot.

Finishing his cigarette, he smashed it out under his shoe and tucked his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. Being up there wasn't helping, especially considering it was where they had first really met. It just made him miss her and face the fact that he was incapable of just letting himself be happy. Connor turned to go back to his apartment and then stopped mid-step. There she was walking out to the rooftop, almost as if he willed her existence by thinking of her too much.

"Hi." It was the lousiest and lamest one word he could get out.

[connorxrose]

weed is cool but have you ever had someone care about you? me neither, pass da blunt

[connorxrose]

She matched his smart ass energy and gave him a taste of his own medicine. Connor was stuck between being annoyed, impressed, and amused. A conflicted smile appeared on his lips and he nodded at her playful assumption. "Not in another life. Just this one," he teased right back in his self deprecating nature.

He stepped closer and watched the smoke roll from the hood and grimaced at the sight. Whenever she asked if he was going to help, he couldn't help but look at her and then look around him as if she must be talking to someone else. "You're asking the guy without a car to help you with your car," he informed her and then added, "I don't know shit about cars. But I do know it shouldn't be smoking like that." Connor then attempted to stop being a little shit and offered some real help. "I know a guy who might help, but he's not very reliable at this time. You'll have to take it to Pitstop in the morning. I doubt a tow truck will even come tonight." Though Aurora Bay wasn't exactly a tiny town, it definitely had the small town mentality. Everything seemed closed at night - besides the diner.

It was too late in the evening for Madison to care about making a good impression on the locals. She'd been in Aurora Bay less than ten minutes and she'd already succumbed to some bad karma — and instead of some helpful hero she'd envisioned rescuing her and her dearly beloved car, she was met with a wise guy. At least, he didn't seem like a threat and she could let her guard down.

"Oh, you're funny. Were you a clown in another life?" She retorted, although not her best crack at sarcasm. There was an eye roll after he stated the obvious and she huffed, folding her arms. "Oh my god, really?" She said dramatically, with an audible gasp. "Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. Are you going to help me or not?"

[connorxrose]

@vanessagable

Somehow there were times when being in Submergence felt like it was just yesterday, yet in the same vein, it already felt like a lifetime had passed. That was the Xavier Effect, Connor liked to joke. Time didn’t make much sense when chaos was all blurred into strings of incidents of extreme highs and the lowest lows. 

Condensation formed on his glass and he focused on the drips as she talked some sense into him. She always talked sense into him. 

“I just wish I could move on from it all. Two years is short, but god, feels like fucking decades. He was like a brother to me, y’know. Y’all were the only family I had and now it’s like he died or something.” He supposed he held onto the grudge just as tightly as X did. Especially considering all the grace Van had shown X. All the grace he didn’t deserve.

He sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to apologize to him. I know he wants me to. But, I will apologize to you.” It was long overdue, really. He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. It was always hard for him to admit his faults. “I put you in a shitty position. I wasn’t really there for you either. I know you were going through a lot. I hope you know I am sorry for that.”

Van leaning forward as he did, placing her elbows on her knees and matching his body language with eye intent on his face.

It reminded her of the days backstage and little covert check-ins with each other -- he seems keyed up tonight, did you see him take anything, is this going too far?

"I think we all just...kind of all forget how fresh all of this is, you know?" Van thinks out loud slowly, letting out a heavy breath and punctuating it with a drink.

Connor leaving the band, X overdosing and rehab, Van's divorce -- everything had gone so fast and furious, hit after hit, that it was easy to feel like they'd collectively lived lifetimes in a matter of months.

"It's only been two years. Like, if all of this was some conceptual baby it wouldn't even be walking right yet, you know? It makes sense that there's so much still just under the surface for all of us."

Like her near religious amount of guilt that is always just a crack away from rearing it's ugly head.

"And you know him -- he holds a grudge like a vice. And you shoot from the heart. I don't think you're the bad guy from not being able to resolve this right now, Connor. I mean, fuck, I'm not over everything yet either."

[connorxrose]

He really needed a new bike. Walking around town to get to anywhere he needed was becoming a nuisance. Although, his legs were particularly happy with the extra exercise. He closed down the shop after finishing up with the last client for the night and headed out into the town. Instead of heading home, he decided to go towards the diner to grab a much needed bite to eat.

Finishing off his cigarette and blasting music a little too loudly in one ear, he almost didn't hear the person speak out to him. Connor looked over and stopped in his tracks, suddenly aware of how sketchy he probably looked. It didn't help that he had the hood of his jacket on his head. He put his hood down and then put up his hands in playful defense. A small smirk formed on his lips and he refrained from laughing. "Shit. You had potential? You should take up professional fighting and that be your slogan. Because it's terrifying." It was then he noticed the car and the misfortune she was in. "I don't think your car's supposed to be smoking like that." No shit.

location: anywhere

open: @aurorabaystarter

It was almost typical that her car had to break down on her first evening in town. She hadn't even picked up the keys to her new residence yet and her car already couldn't stomach the move from Palm Springs.

She was stood on the sidewalk under a dimly lit street lamp, watching the smoke escape through the cracks of her hood with pursed lips. After a few minutes of contemplating her next move, her eyes caught sight of a stranger heading in her direction. "If you're going to rob me or something, you should know who you're messing with." She recited, dramatically, while instinctively shuffling her car keys around until the metal intertwined her fingers. "I took a self-defense class at UCLA once and they said I had potential, so... back off."

[connorxrose]

who: @xoimani

where: pool, the apartments

It was after hours at the apartment’s pool, but those rules meant nothing to him. He was starting to come down from the high that he and Imani put themselves in. Floating on his back in the water, he stared up at the sky a little too introspectively. Instead of that happy calm high he normally got, he seemed to be looking a little too inward. 

“I think I fuck up anything good that happens to me,” he suddenly blurted out loud. What a mood killer. He moved in the water to look over at Imani and shrugged his shoulders. “Why the hell do I do that?”

[connorxrose]

@aidenxstevens

Despite being an inherently messy person, Connor’s apartment was always quite tidy and put together well. It’s half the reason why Connor dipped away for a moment to retrieve the bathroom’s trash bin. He placed it by Aiden’s feet and nodded towards it. “If you’re going to spew, spew in there. Or you’ll owe me a new couch.” Again, more of that tough love. Though, he was being honest - he really loved that couch. 

Connor went to heat up the plate he made of fajitas, still chewing on some of the cold meat he took a bite of before. He added some more on his plate in case Aiden could use a bite to eat, though he wasn’t so sure how sick he likely was of eating the food of his workplace. 

“I’m usually awake at this time,” he explained, talking to him across the room. “Creature of the night.” Or, also known as, a glorified insomniac. He wasn’t ready to admit that. Once the microwave beeped at him, Connor took his plate and moved back into the living room, plopping down on the other end of the couch. “I was working on some tattoo ideas, but everything’s been shit tonight. Like your tattoo.” Of course had to add a playful jab in there somewhere, though the jab was half at himself.

"Liquor store's closed." Not that he checked. Did he have to? It's about three, or passed it. Something. And he can't walk around with an open container from the cantina especially while trying his best to appear sober enough to avoid any WUI's on his trek over. "If you're looking for o booze tax, I can get you somethin' in the mornin'-" Aiden groans and takes a seat in Connor's living room on the aforementioned couch. "M'not white girl wasted - won't be pulling an exorcist in your living room." A pause. "I think."

He can already feel himself coming down from the buzz, that dopamine dump fading and the headache threatening to set in. It's as if Connor reads his mind. Or Connor just knows well enough with the years he has under his belt that easily surpasses Aiden's life experience. "Ah, thanks. You know how to make a guy feel better. It's what I come by for - the gentle words of reassurance." Words laden with heavy sarcasm, but Aiden really doesn't mind. Of course he looks like shit.

Hair dried with sweat from the kitchen and then drinking after shift, tired, having walked several miles - he can appreciate not being given a pity party for his decisions. An arm stretches out for the Advil and water, both of which he holds in his lap while swallowing dryly. "Thanks… this is what I get for eating nothing but a breakfast burrito yesterday. Huh. What are you doing up so late, anyway? Not that I'm complainin'.'" @connorxrose

[connorxrose]

@cherryxkoch

His face was stone cold. The images of tattoos he had begrudgingly done in the past swarmed his mind as she listed off the average tattoo artist’s nightmare. Finally, he couldn’t help it. He rolled his eyes at the sheer mention of it all. “Okay, don’t be ridiculous. Next you’re going to tell me you want a damn dream catcher, too.” 

Connor thinned his lips and held up his hands while attempting to ground himself. “But… stroke or not, I’d do whatever tattoo you want. Even if it’s ridiculously shitty.” He smirked and could tell she was already beginning to think of what she could create for him. “You have to admit making something completely creepy would be fun, right?”

Her eyes narrowed cheekily, finding his slide across the floor towards her both childish and hilarious. A small exhale of laughter escaped her despite trying to keep a straight face, like a stubborn child. "Creepy, huh?" Anyone could see the cogs in her head turning, inspiration taking hold as she did a mental inventory of the materials she'd recently acquired. A few ideas came to mind, but she wouldn't reveal anything too soon. It would have to be a surprise after all.

"You're saying that even if I asked you to tattoo live, laugh, love across my ribs or god forbid, an infinity symbol, you'd find some way to make sure that your eyes didn't roll back out the back of your head?" Her eyebrow quirked, to challenge him. "Somehow I think you'd sooner give yourself a stroke," Cherry joked, shaking her head. But a promise was a promise and if she was going to make him art, she wanted confirmation of a deal well struck.

[connorxrose]

@loganxday

Connor's relationship with The Reef came in waves. There was a time in his life where he used to frequent it with Logan by his side, a time when he avoided it at all costs, and now as of late, it was yet again a place he was at more often than not. It seemed like every bartender there knew him, his order, or knew he was just there to be a nuisance and to bother one of the bartenders. To be back there with Logan felt a little nostalgic, or maybe just a quiet reminder how damn old he was getting. Had it really been that long? He smiled when he walked in and saw her there. It had felt like ages since he saw her without Olivia by her side - a small bittersweet fact. He loved spending time with Olivia, but he had realized he missed nights like this as well. "Aw shit, someone better call the law. Logan's about to have a wild mom's night out," he joked as he approached. He took the beer she offered, clinking it against her own before taking a swig. "Thanks. Sounds like a good deal." He pulled up one of the stools and sat down, happy to be off work and in good company. "When's the last time we've been here together? I feel like it's been... years."

( closed starter for: @connorxrose ) location: the reef

Logan couldn't help but chuckle thinking about all the times her and Connor came here to the reef to get drunk together. They always had a fun time here, anywhere really, when they were dating and when they weren't as well. Already ordering them a beer to start, Logan sat at the bar looking at her phone, so badly wanting to pick it up to call her mom and ask how Olivia was doing. Shaking her head, she put her phone back in her purse and leaned back in her seat as she remembered that she promised her mom to not call tonight. Logan rarely got a kid-free night to herself so she was going to make the best of it. Turning her head towards the doors, she saw Connor walking in and she couldn't help but grin. She immediately felt that warmth in her chest as he approached her. "Connor! I'm so glad we're doing this tonight!" She said, trying her best not to obviously check him out. Thankfully, their beers appeared in front of her and she thanked the bartender before turning back to him and handing him his beer. "The second round can be on you."