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his lips quirk up , amused as ever by a woman with a sharp tongue and silver embedded in her tone . damla was always more than the arm candy her husband used to show her off to be . beautiful and brainy . an awfully lethal combination . ricardo's favourite drink . " you're from redcreek ? " he asks , allowing the surprise to adjust his features momentarily . the thing about women like damla is that they always seem so destined for the stars , for big cities , bright lights . redcreek is none of those things , hence why he is finding it hard to mask his surprise . " and you're here to celebrate the holly jolly good season ? " ricardo smooths his tone back down , silky like his bedsheets ( though damla never quite made it to there ) .

ricardo allows a laugh to leave him , loud and boastful , as damla sneers at his commentary . he gives an easy shrug , before leaning back against the wall behind him , allowing his eyes to appraise damla . she looks as beautiful as ever , of course . damla has a timeless beauty to her , but now that he looks at her with redcreek in his mind , he can't help but wonder why she looks slightly so familiar . a strange prickling tickles the back of his neck , gaze turning more calculating as he tries to put his thumb on it , but can't . . . not yet .

he sinks his hands back into his dress pant pockets , watching her as she breathes in and out the smoke with a practiced ease . it's a habit he never picked up himself , but ricardo always played well with fire . always knew to keep a lighter handy , just like he always used to keep a rolled up $100 spare for whoever needed to bend over the sink mirror next and snort up whatever goodies they could find . it's such a strange twist to see damla here , of all places . but he supposes the real person who doesn't belong ( as usual ) is him . WHAT'S HIS ANGLE ? her words ring true in his mind . she doesn't know him , but she knows his type and she's right to : ricardo never does anything for anyone unless he gets something out of it . BUT HE WILL NOT GIVE IT UP EASILY . instead , he shrugs . " maybe i heard of this humdrum quaint little town and thought it'd be a nice break . " he offers , voice lilting with lies that easily spin off his tongue . ricardo chuckles , low and easy . " that may be my worst lie yet . " ricardo allows . " you must not have been in town for long if you haven't yet seen or wanted to accost me for my role in the register . "

SHE  ALMOST  LAUGHS.  the  first  retort  was  funny,  but  the  second?  so  far  off-base  it  didn’t  even  deserve  a  reaction.  but  the  reflex  kicks  in  anyway,  a  scoff  leaving  her  lips.  "i  wouldn’t  even cross  the  street  for  you,  ricardo,"  plucks  the  lighter  from  his  hand  with  a  movement  that’s  quick  and  efficient  —  like  she’s  handling  something  unclean.  "i’m  from  here,  if  you  must  know."

the  jet  flame  hisses  to  life,  and  for  a  second,  the  smell  of  burning  tobacco  takes  her  somewhere  else  —  back  to  marble  floors  (  and  counters  and  sinks  and  walls  and —  look, she’s  not  proud of it,  okay?  ),  whispered  deals,  to  nights  where  she’d  drink  just  enough  champagne  to  excuse  her  worst  decisions.  ricardo,  always  waiting  like  a  bad  habit,  dressed  in  a  smirk  that  felt  too  familiar,  too  easy.

her  eyes  finally  find  his,  narrowing  slightly  as  she  exhales  a  thick  cloud  of  smoke,  the  tip  of  her  cigarette  glowing  bright  in  the  dim  light.  she  looks  at  him  with  a  pointed  kind  of  disdain,  the  sharpness  in  her  gaze  unmistakable.  "jesus, i  forget  how  much  you  like  hearing  yourself  talk,"  she  mutters,  her  voice  low  and  cutting,  already  bored  with  this  pathetic  display.  lithe  fingers  hold  the  lighter  out  for  him.  

her  eyes  flick  over  him  once,  twice,  weighing  whether  he’s  even  worth  the  effort  and  deciding  that  he  is  in  the  same  moment.  here's  a  fun  little  game  she'll  play:  take  a  drag  every  time  he  gives  some  hackneyed  line  about  how  badly  he  thinks  she  wants  him.  "so  what’s  your  angle  now?  did  you  run  out  of  girls  in  new  york?  or  is  red  creek  your  latest  poor-man’s  playground  to  make  yourself  feel  important?"

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Taylor Zakhar Perez | One for the books @ gqchina | December 19, 2023 | 📷 IG

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ricardo tries not to recognise anything in her eyes and her movements . he tries not to draw the blatant connections that sit in front of him . they're so abundantly clear that he averts his gaze yet again , instead drums his fingers on the booth countertop and looks anywhere but at angela . the space is stifling . as she snaps at him , voice clipped and tone inflected harshly , ricardo can't stifle the quick grin that passes on his lips . SHE CAN BITE , TOO . he's moreso disappointed when she retracts it , the energy leaving her far too quick . " that anger you have ? " he finds himself saying , after a moment . " it's useful . if you know how to use it . " and nobody knows how to use it more than ricardo garcia does . he offers another shrug , eyes darting anywhere but to her . " yes . i suppose families can be strange like that . " ricardo's voice sounds peculiar even to himself , it takes on a hollow quality . he feels as if he is hearing himself speak , but isn't actually in control of them . " so many families seem to barely like each other . " he isn't missing out on anything . he reminds himself again . he isn't missing out of anything . " well , you're not sobbing on every corner and hysterically shaking randoms , so i'd say you're doing pretty well . " what would he know , anyways ? grief can look like anything . it can wear any clothing .

〔　🦇　〕　　﹕　　𝗮𝗻𝗱  𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀  𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁  𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱  𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.  she's  been  asked  over  and  over  again  —  how  are  you  doing?  are  you  okay?  what  do  you  feel?  do  you  miss  her?  —  the  answers  should  be  so  simple,  but  she  can't  bring  herself  to  answer  them  in  truth.  daniela  took  up  such  little  space  in  her  life  that  she'd  be  a  mere  speck  when  all  is  said  and  done.  but  things  have  changed,  daniela  is  gone,  and  the  speck  has  spread  like  spilled  ink  on  paper.  suddenly  angela  wasn't  fine,  and  she  began  to  regret  giving  her  sister  the  cold  shoulder  when  all  she  wanted  was  to  form  that  inseperable  bond  that  came  with  sharing  dna.  “  i'm  fine,  ”  angela  says,  snappier  than  she  intends.  guilt  takes  over  not  a  second  later,  and  she  find  herself  apologizing  for  her  tone.  it's  the  one  question  ricardo's  asked  that  feels  the  most  genuine,  and  she  couldn't  bring  herself  to  give  him  a  genuine  answer.   “  i  mean  ...  i  feel  like  i  should  be.  daniela's  my  sister  but  we  were  never  really  friends, so it's hard to say how i've really been doing.  ”

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ricardo lets out a wry chuckle , gives the man another quick once-over with his eyes . he's always naturally been able to determine other people's selfishness and terrible innate habits . terrible people are good at finding other terrible people , after all , it's the one time you don't have to wear a mask. " wow , lucky redcreek . they get a celebrity needing an image rehabilitation just so happen to stumble back in town and offer their condolences . " ricardo leans in slightly closer , smirk widening . " your pr team is good . i'll give you that . " he leans back in the stool and gestures to the bartender who probably spits in his drink every chance he can get . " so what are you really doing here ? " ricardo quizzes , curious . no bullshit . no layers . it feels good to breathe and sit in the truth for once . or what looks like the truth . " and what are you drinking ? "

shying  from  the  reputation  he  had  created  would  have  been  foolish  .  there  were  some  that  enjoyed  the  act  of  pretending  to  be  something  they  were  not  ,  wolves  in  sheeps  clothing  that  snuck  up  on  you  and  tore  their  way  through  your  arteries  when  you  least  expected  it  .  nick  had  no  loyalties  but  if  someone  looked  him  in  the  eye  and  really  wanted  to  know  ,  they  would  see  him  for  what  he  truly  was  .  "  i  don't  think  anyone  remembers  his  name  .  it's  a  shame  …  i  could  have  helped  him  out  with  his  story  …  "  a  joke  or  a  leer  ,  the  corners  of  his  lips  flicked  up  into  the  same  edged  grin  that  he  so  often  wore  ,  hidden  smirk  somewhere  .  "  now  ,  i  couldn't  let  you  buy  me  a  drink  to  celebrate  my  wickedness  .  i've  turned  over  a  new  leaf  …  i'm  really  passionate  about  all  these  missing  people  .  i  just  had  to  come  back  to  lend  a  hand  ,  "  and  there's  something  …  a  glimmer  in  his  eye  that  says  quite  the  opposite  but  before  it  can  be  elaborated  upon  ,  "  how  about  the  first  round  is  on  you  ?  "  

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○    NOW DELIVERING TO . . .    ⏤ @changelingz ! (STARTER LOTTERY)

" i must say , it's kinda refreshing to see someone who may be disliked more intensely than i am . " ricardo drawls out . it may sound like an insult , but it tastes like something of awe . ricardo's grin is lithe as it stretches across his face , akin to the cat eating the metaphorical canary . " now if i had leaked your story to the register ? THAT woulda made numbers . i gotta say , i'm unsure who i'm more jealous of . you , or the journo who got to take in the big bucks for exposing you . " he pauses . " you were really raked over the coals . " ricardo hums in amusement , gives a small shake of his head . " kinda feel like i should buy you a drink . it's rare to meet someone even more fucked up than me and it feels like a cause for celebration . "

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the recognition flickers in her eyes and ricardo knows he was too hopeful in thinking she wouldn't know about him . EVERYONE IN THIS STUPID FUCKING TOWN KNOWS EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING . he sees the exact moment her gaze shutters before she collects herself , smile still present on her face although they both know he is undeserving of it . " kindness and me don't always go hand in hand . " ricardo agrees easily , with a small shrug . " it's been that way ever since i was a kid . foster homes want you to act nice and kind and cute so you get picked , right ? but they keep you cramped in a small house with 20 other kids who all like to light fires and sleep pressed against each other across 3 mattresses . " his childhood , especially the foster homes , are not something he commonly ( read : EVER ) brings up . but ricardo knows that it can soften people up . he knows that women love the ' broken toy ' they watch and want to fix . he is a wolf in sheeps clothing , and he can bite like one , too . he gives one nod in return though , before sliding down onto the chair before her , handing the coffee to her . " yes ma'am . i'll be on my best behaviour for you . " ricardo promises .

his eyes run over her and catch the way she moves . it's comfortable but purposeful . ricardo recognises a bit of himself there and he finds himself blinking for a second , unsure and untethered . everything he has heard about selin yalçinkaya has been sugary syrupy sweet . but he notes the way she moves , journal open , pen in her hand . " are you writing down ' top 10 ways to tell ricardo garcia to go fuck himself ? ' . because i think it'd sell well . " he aims to tease , body relaxed against the chair , as if in his own living room . ricardo chuckles , eyes moving past her and over her shoulder . " threatened your life is a bit much , even for me . i mentioned your name . i don't think your brother liked that very much . " he shrugs in a throwaway manner , eyes readjusting to meet hers . " i have no reason to threaten you . and with everything else going on , that'd probably bump me up the police suspect list , which i'm not so keen to get hauled in for . " finally , he pauses , then sighs . " it was dumb . and the heat of a very bad moment . i'm not proud of it , but i promise the coffee is just coffee . we can even swap as proof , if you want . "

" hmm ? " the sound is barely a hum , a half - distracted noised based on instinct more than an actual reply . the page she's been doodling on makes her brows furrow — red creek on fire ; a more literal rendition of reality . it wasn't a comfort . neither was the face that looms above her , but selin realizes that half a second too late , her usual smile already plastered , features open and inviting in a way she knew ricardo didn't deserve . her friend , her brother , even her own name had been drudged up and weaponized by the man that stands before her , offering her a coffee like none of it meant anything . underneath the table one of her hands curls into a fist , nails digging into her palm in a way sure to leave a mark . for the way he'd taunted taylan about his accident alone , selin was sure she could kill him . and it wasn't unfamiliar , the rage bubbling just below the surface . she'd always felt it was inherited the same way the slope of her nose or the last name she bears was ; a gift passed down from her father . and while taylan wore his anger , gave into it with every smash of his fist , used it with every slam of his hockey stick , selin swallowed hers . her anger was given a leash , a cage , a safe place to rest its dark , feathery head against her sternum . her anger was patient , pointed , calculated . most of the time she was only hurting herself , but here was a new urge , one that begged to be heeded . " maybe they thought you could use an act of kindness . can't imagine you've been getting much of that , " she observes with the arch of a brow , lips pulling up in a way that's almost a smile , green eyes fixed on him a beat too long , as if she's weighing her options . " just for some kind company — think you can manage that ? " a gentle warning , one that's so very like her . there was nothing in the way her gaze softens that would seem disingenuous , nor in the way she gestures to the seat across from her , body angling closer , a disarming gesture . it was who she was at her core ; the little girl who wept for the villains of childhood bedtime stories , who wanted nothing more than to befriend the monster in her closet . she reaches for the coffee with the hand that had been shielding the pages of her journal from view , an innocuous movement revealing a part of herself hidden from most ; an accident , surely , to expose something so private to her current companion . the coffee's too hot , probably burns her tongue on the way down , but selin pays no mind . she leans into her seat , leveling him with another careful stare . " so — should i be scared it's poisoned ? i heard you threatened my life . "

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" god , and what ? the murdering didn't put them off this place ? " ricardo can't pretend to even remotely understand the allure of redcreek . he has no idea how or why people stay here , let alone for the entirety of their sad lives . he doesn't say that to mina though . for once , surprisingly , he bites his tongue . ricardo can be cruel , use his tongue like a knife , turn the blade once its inside you and relish with it . . . but he won't do it for no reason . and mina has never ever given him a reason . his grin turns ever wider at her reluctant applause . he lets out a whistle from behind his teeth . " see ? you speak my language , mina . " that's why i like you is tacked on silently , fizzing in the air between them . he leans back against the stool , eyes wandering up then down her . she's always been beautiful . not just for redcreek either , but for the world . ricardo has an affinity for beautiful people , it's how he knows who to remember . who's important . WHO'S WORTH TALKING TO ( mina ticks all the boxes ) . he pulls his gaze up though as she admits to knowing both daniela and alaina . " what were they like ? " he asks , trying to keep his voice from creeping with too much blatant greed and intrigue .

" ⸻ mhm, all red creek natives since... i don't even know, TOO LONG. " there was once a time where she could have probably recited all the yoon family history and be PROUD about it too but maybe all the drinking killed the brain cells with that specific information because she can't remember a SINGLE WORD about it. all she thinks about is how they couldn't pick a NOT so small, less murdery town to settle into. it's nothing he's interesting in though, and even if he was she wasn't inclined to tell so... MOVING ON. " oh, is that so? " she bites down the almost automatic sarcastic response only because his feat IS a little impressive, she can give him that at least. " maybe not so stupid then... bad publicity is still publicity, i guess. and you're still around so i assume the police couldn't really do anything against you either... " it's both baffling and a little funny how he managed to get away with it. " you lucky bastard... " she chuckles and shakes her head at the ABSURDITY of it all. her fingers drum against the smooth surface of the glass, head tilts to one side to look at him. " yep. i knew both of them, not too much though. i went to school with daniela, she's two years younger than me; i can't remember if i ever talked to her... and alaina probably babysat me a couple times, that's about it. "

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ricardo's entire face lights up in pure amusement . between kaz and darshan , they might have a singular brain cell - but at least darshan knows how to use it . although ricardo's jaw still stings with the reminder of taylan's fist in it , he can't help the goading that flows out of him . " my my , a police officer threatening me ? if i didn't know any better , i'd think you want to hit me , darby . " while the idea of leaving town is alluring , it's unfortunately not a realistic one for ricardo . NOT YET . " let's be clear . " he takes a step closer , imitating the distance between them that darshan just tried to protect . " i don't trust your department , and i don't trust you , kaz , demetrius kelly the fucking third , or whoever the fuck else works at your pathetic , shitty , dirt poor , stupid as bread police department . " he arches one eyebrow up . " got it ? or should i speak slower ? " he feels a heat , a tingle , within his chest at the next words leaving the officer . parasite . exploit . poor , terrified people . ricardo blinks for a second and almost lets the words properly wash over him . almost . almost . his life is filled with almosts . never quite finished sentences . words left off the page , ink dried and flaky . " are we done here ? next time maybe you and kaz can coordinate this . finish it off with some pom poms and ' go redcreek police! ' chant . " he shakes his head , takes a step back . " just remember that that source ? they came to ME . which means they might come to me again . and the chances of me ever turning it over to your donkey show were already low , but now they're at an all time zero . so great job investigating and policing . you sure showed me . "

“You’d leave this whole town a lot better off if you packed your shit and left town tonight.” The words slipped through his gritted teeth, and while he wouldn’t dream of explicitly threatening Ricardo himself, he wouldn’t be angry if that was how it came across. There was a roaring in his ears, his heart pounding, his muscles aching with tension, but the reminder that he still represented the department- even when off the clock, even if he didn’t want it- sobered him slightly. He took a step back, doing whatever he could to level himself. There was a unnamed disappointment that he couldn’t shake, and he hadn’t even realized that he’d hoped Ricardo held some hidden humanity, that his smugness was some mask for a softer, kinder side. But there was something deeper too, something without a name, something that made Darshan tremble at its intensity. “You know, if I thought you’d done this for some altruistic purpose, because you thought you were doing the right thing, or because you didn’t trust the department, whatever, I might actually have some fuckin’ respect for you. At least you’d have a goddamn backbone that way.” A weight lifted as the words spilled out, disgust and contempt dripping off his words, staining the concrete. “Someone’s gonna squish you like the parasite you are, one day. You don’t get to walk into town and exploit these poor, terrified people for your own financial gain without consequences. You better fuckin' remember that before you try to pull some stupid shit again.” 

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" your family ? " he asks , incredulous . he doesn't know why he's acting surprised . ricardo knows less about mina than he'd know about his own birth parents . he never bothered to ask her any questions whenever they'd bump into each other . he's wrong to assign any familiarity to her . to cling to her now , like a child on their first day of school . ricardo pauses , sinks in her words , watching as her throat constricts and moves as she delicately sips . then , he laughs . he's always enjoyed the way that mina has with words , even though he's inexperienced with it . there's nothing more ricardo garcia likes than a girl with wit . " maybe that's what it is . " he agrees easily , grin switching on his face like a light bulb . " but it got everyone talking , didn't it ? and it's gotten us triple in advertisements and sponsors . that's what we call smart money . " as the bartender puts a glass down next to him , ricardo holds it up to mina's and gently clinks it together . " did you know daniela ? " he asks , voice taking on a softer , curious tone . " or alaina ? "

for a moment she can only stare at him, almost in disbelief. leave it to ricardo fucking garcia to find a way to ask the most unpleasant question ever without even knowing; like he's a magnet for sore spots. " my family is here actually... " she breathes out, at the same time her fingers wrap around the glass he offers. accepting it despite the fact that she shouldn't be drinking, she's SUPPOSED to be in recovery still after all. her own well being has never been a priority though, and alcohol could be considered one of her vices so she brings the glass to her lips and relishes in the way it burns down her throat. " why would i be mad about that? don't get me wrong i do think it was crazy of you to publish it, but... if you have some sort of humiliation kink or get off of doing stupid shit. that's like your thing, you know? i won't judge you for it. "

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" my god , you're even stupider than i thought . " ricardo snaps . he crosses his arms over his chest , looking at kaz over his nose , like a mosquito irritating him . " why on earth would i come to this shithole and start murdering people ? if you're who's on the case and i'm your number one suspect . . . may god have mercy on the people of redcreek , because they're all FUCKED . " it was laughable , so that was indeed what ricardo did : a cruel noise twisting out of him , eyes narrowed . he notes the way the man reddens . a-ha . " oh is that what this is ? mall cop's got a little crush , huh ? cute . must suck that she'd probably prefer me in bed than your pale , lanky ass . " he shrugs . " shouldn't you be off eating donuts now , or wasting taxpayer money in some other manner ? "

he hated him. hated him in a way he didn't know was possible. he wasn't even sure if it was a man in front of him or if it was a statue. a statue with no heart and no soul. hands clenched at his sides, nails digging deep into skin. "i'm going to have my eye on you. i think you published that photo to distract from the real killer. you. i'm going to speak with demetrius, and we'll get a warrant. enjoy your freedom while you still have it." he smirked, trying to reflect an air of confidence he didn't feel. "i'm not trying to sleep with her," he said indignantly, cheeks reddening at the implication. "i'm not going to let you smear the reputation of my innocent friend."

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ricardo tries not to scowl or roll his eyes at the girl's defence of the podcast . he has to remind himself yet again that she's young . she's grieving . nobody has lost things like she has . " — how are you doing ? " he asks , after a long pause . the words sound as uncomfortable leaving his mouth as they taste on his tongue . he is not good with being genuine or caring . he was never given the ingredients . he doesn't know how to mix it together in a way that matters . ricardo clears his throat . " with everything ? and . . . your sister . " the words sound dull and odd . he immediately wishes he'd never asked in the first place . ricardo puts a hand up and rubs at his face . they deserve to be remembered . i just don't want the victims to be forgotten . here is a girl who is good . who is part angel . who cares so deeply . ricardo doesn't understand it . CAN'T COMPUTE IT . " sure . " he agrees , although he isn't completely knowledgeable on what he's agreeing to . " i doubt anyone'll ever forget them anytime soon . this entire town is only really known because of the whole murdering - kidnapping schtick anyways . if anything , it'd be fucking weirder if the shit hole loser town suddenly became normal , safe and happy . " ricardo pauses , realising he's retreated back into the safety of the asshole demeanour he wears so well . " i mean . . . yeah . sure . the victims . . they matter and — whatever . " he waves his hand vaguely , backpedalling only slightly and far too late .

𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼'𝘀  𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹  𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀  𝗮  𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲  𝗯𝗶𝘁,  but  there  have  been  worse.   “  it's  educational,  ”  angela  defends,  crossing  her  arms  over  her  chest  in  sudden  self-consciousness.  “  . . .  boogeyman  unmasked.  this  whole  town's  so  adamant  about  keeping  all  the  shit  from  1999  hidden,  and  i  just  don't  want  the  victims  to  be  forgotten,  okay?  they  deserve  to  be  remembered.  ”  it's  definitely  a  huge  understatement  of  what  her  podcast  really  entails,  and  perhaps  from  a  certain  angle  completely  untrue,  but  it's  hopefully  enough  to  keep  ricardo  from  potentially  making  further  criticisms  about  her  hobby.  she's  taken  aback  by  the  allusion  to  daniela,  confused  as  to  what  importance  she  has  with  her  request  (  despite  the  fact  that  there  is,  but  she  refuses  to  mention  it  just  yet.  )  was  she  that  easy  to  read?   “  next  week's  fine,  yeah  .  i  just  —  as  long  as  i  have  it,  honestly.  ”

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RICARDO FEELS A TAP ON HIS SHOULDER AND BRACES HIMSELF FOR ANOTHER YELLING MATCH . he has not known peace for what feels like years now , but that is the effect that deadcreek has . he almost sighs in relief as he hears the assertive voice asking for a light . ricardo would normally snap and tell them to fuck off , but for once , he's too exhausted to put on too much of his usual bravado . ricardo reaches into his jacket pocket and retrieves his st dupont . he extends it out just as he turns .

FOR A MOMENT HE THINKS HE'S BACK IN NEW YORK . he can smell cigars , hear the tinkling of expensive champagne flutes , see red designer silk dresses on marble floors . but when he blinks , he realises it's DAMLA . immediately, both sides of his mouth quirk up in pure amusement . it's only elevated once he sees how irritated she feels about this absolute coincidence . " i want to be here less than anybody else in the world . trust me . " he tells her , voice smooth like warm chocolate , but not quite as sweet .

ricardo allows his eyes to obviously run up and down her . his smirk becomes as arrogant as ever , smug as he'll allow it . at her prompted , annoyed WELL ? ricardo leans back , lazy and endeared all at once . " i'm adjusting . hm . you look different with clothes on . " he holds his hand out though , flicking the lighter with practiced ease , allowing the jet flame to catch and ignite . " don't tell me you stalked me here to profess your undying love . while i enjoyed our romps in many bathrooms , i'm afraid i don't feel the same way you do . "

@inadeqcies,　　OUTSIDE OF REDSTONE BAR,　11PM.

THE  NIGHT  IS  COLD  ENOUGH  TO  BITE,  the  kind  that  carves  its  way  into  your  skin  and  lingers,  but  damla  doesn’t  bother  to  shiver.  the  cigarette  between  her  fingers  is  unlit —  a  stupid  habit  she  picked  up  when  she  moved  back.  something  to  do  with  her  hands,  keep  them  from  balling  into  fists  or  clawing  at  her  hair.  her  heels  click  against  the  pavement,  sharp  and  deliberate.  she  pauses  near  the  edge  of  the  patio,  fishing  through  her  pocket.  nothing.  no  lighter.  

her  fingers  curl  tighter  around  the  cigarette  as  she  exhales,  sharp  and  annoyed.  typical.  of  course.  she  debates  going  back  inside,  but  the  noise,  the  crowd — it’s  too  much.  instead,  she  turns,  her  eyes  landing  on  nearest figure,  half-shrouded  in  shadow.  close  enough.  she  doesn’t  bother  with  pleasantries,  just  taps  his  shoulder  with  the  blunt  edge  of  her  knuckle.  “got  a  light?” and when  he  turns,  the  moment  fractures. 

ricardo garcia's face  is  the  last  thing  she  expects  to  see,  but  of  course,  it’s  him.  the  harsh  cut  of  his  jaw,  the  familiar  tilt  of  his  lips — it  stabs  at  her  like  an  old  wound  reopening.  the  air  bites  harder  now,  colder  than  before.

she  tips  her  head  back  with  a  groan,  glaring  up  at  the  sky  like  maybe  there’s  someone  up  there  orchestrating  this  cosmic  joke.  “oh  my  god,”  she  says,  words  dragging  out,  dripping  with  disbelief  and  exhaustion.  “of  course  it’s  you.”  no  point  in  softening  it.  no  energy  left  for  diplomacy.  her  eyes  flick  toward  the  street — options,  escape  routes — but  the  moment’s  already  sunk  its  hooks  in.  no  way  out  now.  her  gaze  snaps  back  to  him,  and  she  thrusts  the  cigarette  toward  him,  the  motion  casual,  borderline  dismissive.  “well?”  she  says,  the  single  word  cutting  through  the  space  between  them.  a  challenge,  a  dare,  a  sharp  little  jab.  she’d get her quick drag one way or another.

[inadeqcies]

○    NOW DELIVERING TO . . .    ⏤ @inlustre !

" selin , right ? " ricardo greets , with a wry , almost gentle smile . it feels wrong on him , but he pays it no mind . the bruising on his jaw is almost non-existent , yet the social bruising isn't going to go away anytime soon . part of him knows to not even TRY with selin right now , after the absolute flogging he's received , but when he spotted her luscious hair , sitting by the window of the coffee shop . . . RICARDO KNEW HE'D BE AMISS NOT TO TRY . he holds up one of the two cups of coffee in his hand . " want one ? they accidentally gave me two . " a lie . everything ricardo does is never an accident , always purposeful . always calculated . HE SHOULD LET THIS GO , but ricardo has never let anything go in his entire life . that's part of what brought him to redcreek in the first place . " or - sorry , are you waiting for someone ? " he gives an abashed laugh , reaching up to scratch the back of his neck . the word ' SORRY ' is scratchy on his tongue .

[inadeqcies]

○    NOW DELIVERING TO . . .    ⏤ @yoonmiina !

○    WHERE . . . redstone bar

" why the fuck would you return to this town ? " ricardo groans out from where he's sitting . it's his first public appearance in a while and for once , he's playing the more discreet card . even monsters know when to keep their heads down and lick their hypothetical wounds . " everyone here is insane . " he adds , albeit carefully not mentioning the part HE'S PLAYED in the insanity . ricardo's eyes run up and down the familiar figure . ricardo won't lie : he relishes in someone else who knows new york . who attended the same parties . who he vaguely recalls , despite the distance between them . FINALLY , someone who's seen the world outside of this tiny , murderous town . FINALLY , someone who understands . ricardo offers his whiskey to mina silently , gesturing for another one for himself . " don't tell me you're mad at me , too , over the stupid fucking front pager on the register . are you secretly in love with bronte , too ? does this girl have a vagina made out of gold and sunflowers or something ? "

[inadeqcies]

[inadeqcies]

this is getting tiresome , ricardo can't quite tell when bronte is upset , pleading , or angry . each emotion moves through her like somebody who might have an undiagnosed mental illness . he also doesn't care to keep feeding to her whims . " are we done ? did you come here to cry and stomp your feet , bronte ? i thought you were stronger than this bratty routine . " he stands up from his desk , to indicate that at least HE'S finished . ricardo doesn't bother rolling his eyes in response . he already knows the article is shit - he never said he was a writer , or a journalist - he just made do with what he had . his jaw moves , testing to see how much it still aches from taylan's hit . a bruising reminder of the damage he can cause . he looks at bronte and sees not a woman , but a girl who's maybe lost everything . HE DID THAT . it doesn't feel impressive or good . no , it's a third familiar thing : bite the hand . tear it off . pulverise it . pretend it was never there in the first place . ricardo's job is to make a bad situation worse , and he's done that today . " was she in love with you ? " ricardo can't stop the words from pulling out of him , like a thread . his eyes are focused on the register : the girls' faces , screwed up , argumentative . what isn't he getting ? what is he missing ? as soon as he asks , he wishes he hadn't . there is no world in which he wants to know the answer . there is no world in which the answer could fix anything . a missing girl is still a missing girl .

              the  dead  laugh  only  heightens  the  alarms,  reminds  bronte  that  the  man  before  her  will  never  be  someone  she  can  trust.  he's  selfish,  the  type  of  person  to  walk  over  a  body  on  the  street  after  kicking  it  once  more,  there's  no  real  heart  in  that  body.  it'd  be  easier  to  swallow  the  bitterness  if  he  was  honest,  if  he  flat  out  exposed  that  he  hadn't  thought  of,  nor  cared,  about  the  girl  when  publishing  the  article.  that  her  standing  in  front  of  him  was  just  a  waste  of  time,  an  embarrassing  act  committed  by  a  head  strong  girl.  she  could  take  that.  she  couldn't  take  looking,  feeling,  stupid  by  someone  as  little  as  him.  “  oh,  please,  spare  me,  “  words  spoken  through  a  clenched  jaw,  ”  the  entire  town  has  had  your  shitty  paper  in  their  hand.  congratulations,  “  a  slow,  mimicking,  clap,  ”  you  get  to  feel  important  for  a  week.  maybe  two.  i'm  sure  that'll  do  wonders  for  your  ego.  “  the  room  begins  to  feel  suffocating,  skin  uncomfortable  standing  before  him.  she  knows  the  anger  will  come  back  and  not  steadily,  like  a  river,  but  in  the  form  of  a  hurricane.  she  can't  let  it  get  to  that  point.  “  next  time,  let  anyone  else  write  this  article  up.  it'd  at  least  be  respectable.  ”

[inadeqcies]

ricardo feigns slapping both sides of his face , mouth opening in mocking shock . " oh no ! " he says , sarcasm knitted throughout him . " god . shouldn't you and darshan be running around in cartoonish manners like scooby and shaggy ? " ricardo takes another step away , looking at the man with nothing but disinterest . " by the way , this hero routine ? if it's your attempt to try and sleep with bronte . . . it's working appallingly . i don't think she sleeps with loser mall cops . "

he ignored the comments, his arrogance only affirming what kaz had already thought of the man. it would do the town a favor if he arrested him right now. if only he could expel him from town, rid the place of a leach on society. yet, he was bound to the law and would follow it, not stooping to the same level as ricardo. almost thankful for the distance between them, he didn't move to step closer, only placed his hands on his hips. "you're impeding a murder investigation. you're just adding gossip which makes it that much harder to do our job. the next death is on your hands."