junebughastings

[junebughastings]

FROM (2022-) Rewatch S01E01 ✦ Long Day's Journey Into Night

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Feyza

"With how much delight you get from doing this, evil genius is correct." June laughed. "Fine, I'll handle the poor saps, but any hot women I'll be sending your way. Hell, maybe even some straight ones that will realize they never were to begin with and were just taught that being straight is the norm." June couldn't hold back her laughter at the thought of Feyza pulling this off. "Alright your wish is my command, evil empress of free stuff. I mean if anything I have my father's card that has no limit so let's have fun regardless."

“Evil genius? I'll take it," Feyza whispered back and winked. She felt a rush from pulling off their little scheme. "Now you're talking my language," she replied at the mention of free food. "I'll leave the mission for hot waiters to you. My gaydar's on high alert for any cute waitresses." She elbowed June lightly as they followed the host to their table. "Here's the plan. We order something ridiculously expensive, then I'll start sobbing about how it reminds me of my late grandmother's cooking. You just nod and look sympathetic. Think we can pull it off?"

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˙ ˖ ✶ Axel

"Good, because when you have someone that makes you happy like that, you hold onto it, plus it's really nice to see you happy for a change." June teased him, rolling her eyes playfully at his comments. "Shut up, it's been a killer but yeah at least there's no drama. Listen men that are up to the task are scarce so I'll just be happy to be alone rather than in bad company. Exactly, might as well put my killer moves to good use Axe man."

He chuckled at June's comment about him being a guy. "I'll do my best not to screw things up. Shivi means a lot to me." His expression softened as he thought about her. “Celibate? That's rough. But hey, at least you're avoiding drama. And thanks for the offer to kick ass at the council. Might take you up on that someday." Probably not though. He wasn’t trying to get into anymore trouble than he already was.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Ethan

"Yeah, but I can't really pass up such a good opportunity. You're gorgeous and you'd definitely make my campaign ten times better." June was sure that what was posted was just some menial throwaway job that she could truly task anyone else to do, and sure this random guy could very well do the job but she could see so much more here. "I'm a great art director, and I've got a ton of modeling experience so you're in good hands if you say yes." Clapping her hands together she came closer to the man and pleaded. "Please, you're truly a godsend since my other male model backed out because...let's just say he ate at rainforest cafe." she sighed. "If I quadruple your pay will you do it?"

It was hard to miss the woman that stepped into the room, authoritatively declaring that she would be giving him a completely different assignment than what had been slated. Looking up at the woman, he tried to immediately categorize her in his head as corporate or not. There was an aura of confidence around her that commanded respect. At the same time, Ethan wasn’t the biggest fan of the people who worked in offices like this. So he reserved his judgment for the time being, standing to greet June, the woman who was for all intents and purposes his boss. “I was told I’d be doing some copying,” he began, finding that the task was just mindless enough that he would be able to pass the day. The new assignment however actually had him raising his brows. “Excuse me? I’ve never modeled before.” Which was true, except for the few photos he’d sat for when they were touring. “You have the wrong guy for the job.” / @junebughastings

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Axel

"It's done then, they'll be getting a little something from me. After that ordeal it's literally the least I could do. " She raised a brow at his comment and smiled. "Better not, you've got a really good thing, don't ruin it by...well being a guy." Rolling her shoulders she felt a sudden tinge of annoyance at the way trouble did seem to follow her, and she sighed, exasperation leaving her. "Honestly, I'll be fine. I'm pretty much on train celibate thanks to work anyway so no drama should follow me. If you need me to kick their ass at the council just let me know."

"Yeah, it's been crazy here. A care package would be nice for them." He rubbed his arm where she hit him. "Thanks. I'll try not to mess things up with Shivani." That was something Axel would try not to fuck up. She was too important to him. "Sounds tough. Need any help? Even if you're avoiding drama, it finds you here." They all did. "There's weird stuff with the city council. They're questioning my business. It sucks, but I'm focusing on the good stuff." He looked at her, thankful. "Like having friends who've got my back."

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˙ ˖ ✶ Axel

"You bet your ass I am," June was taken aback by the mention of what had transpired during her time away. "You're kidding...What the actual fuck is wrong with this place? Kidnapped during a blackout, I'll definitely be sending them a care package of some sorts." She smiled at the mention of him and Shivani going stead, smacking his arm. "About damn time that happened. I'm happy for you both, now don't fuck it up." Shrugging, she really didn't have a lot going on for herself. "Just keeping myself out of drama and my head above water."

"Thanks, June. I know you're always there for me," he said with a smile. "It's been rough. Benji and Kim were kidnapped during the blackout. They're safe now, but it was terrifying." He hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "And things with Shivani—well, we're dating now, and I’m really happy." Still, with Gwen and some people questioning his motives, he couldn’t exactly say he was content. "I appreciate you checking on me. It means a lot, especially with everything going on in the city lately. What about you? Keeping your nose clean?”

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˙ ˖ ✶ Mahi

"Why thank you, I'm glad we agree on the matter." She grinned nudging Mahi back. "Thanks, and thankfully I'm not the Drew Barrymore and have to have a weird romance that then turns out to only be a villainous scheme for the purpose of attacking the voice in the little box." Giving her friend fake pout, June sighed as she karate chopped the air. "Sigh, I'll save my skills for another time I guess. And yes I am, ready to be just like Beyonce in gold member, but that's Austin Powers, anyway, let's get started."

She cracked up, her eyes squinting with laughter. "Oh, you're definitely a badass. Can't argue with that," she said, giving June a nudge. When the other mentioned self-defense classes, she paused for a second. Memories flashed through her mind, and her face darkened briefly before she shook it off. "Charlie's Angels? Digging your style," she joked, plastering on a smile. "But we probably won't need to bust out any karate chops. It's all fake, you know?" She looked at the entrance, feeling a bit queasy. What was she getting herself into? "Ready to unleash your inner James Bond?" she asked, waving towards the door.

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˙ ˖ ✶ Feyza

"Your powers of manipulation never cease to amaze me, and how you came up with that story on the fly, I don't know if you're a genius or an evil genius." June chuckled after seeing her friend get them into the restaurant so quickly instead of having to wait in the dauntingly long line. "Pretty sure you might just have them serve us free food for a year with this act you're putting on, but hey if the waiter's hot I might just cry to so he can take me home himself."

CLOSED STARTER

LOCATION: Sapphire TIME: Saturday afternoon FOR: @junebughastings

Feyza wiped her eyes, trying not to laugh as she turned to June.. She couldn't help feeling pretty happy with herself. "And you say tears won't move him? I got us in, didn't I?" she said, sounding just a bit smug. She dabbed her eyes carefully - no way was she messing up her makeup for this. The whole thing gave her a buzz, like she was back in college pulling off some crazy stunt. As they walked into the packed restaurant, she got all secretive and leaned in close to June. "Now, let's see if my acting skills can score us a free dessert," she whispered.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Ethan

June definitely didn't have the easiest of times in her department, usually having to step in whenever they had a shortage of bodies. She never minded the grunt work, it let her get to know the staff and the people who all made it happen behind the scenes. If anything she sort of preferred to get her hands dirty if anything else. As she stepped out to meet someone that had been assigned to her as a temp, she smiled, grabbing her phone as she had an immediate reaction to seeing Ethan. "Cancel whatever plans I had for our temp from earlier, I'll be assigning him to something else entirely." she mused over the phone as she approached him. "Hi, I'm June and whatever you heard you had to do, scratch that cause I think I might have you model for our new campaign, and I'll double whatever was offered to you at first."

WITH: @junebughastings LOCATION: her company

The temp agency gave him all sorts of random tasks and for the most part, Ethan preferred those that fell more in line with blue collar work than white collar work. But today was one of the rare exceptions where he stepped into an office building, told that there was a shortage of staff for the week and they needed him to fill in. Ironically, because he had a business degree as a compromise with his parents, this might actually be something that came more naturally to him than being a mechanic. Dressed somewhat more professionally than usual, he waited to speak with a Ms. Juniper Hastings.  

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Nikhil

"The best thing here is currently asking me a question," June simply replied as she smiled in his direction. "Sadly I'm also not on this menu, but if you really want a sweet treat then I suggest their snickerdoodles, and maybe their red velvet cake with white chocolate ice cream. Pretty divine if I do say so myself."

closed for @junebughastings location: tasty treats

Nik glanced up at the menu board for the fourth time, trying to decide on what to take over to his older cricket coach's home for a visit. The man had a very big sweet tooth but all the options here looked so good that he was confused. He glanced over at the door when it opened and caught sight of a familiar face that he'd seen around and approached her, "sorry to bother you--any idea on the best thing here? I'd ask the staff but they look pretty preoccupied." He chuckled as he gestured to the workers who were busy dealing with a lot of patrons.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Elena

"Definitely recommending it, and you'll get to meet a fun little group, there's a really feisty little thing that refers to himself as Ducky, he'll most surely make you smile." June said remembering how she could not stop laughing at the younger male's antics during class. "I'm being a little dramatic, it's mostly because that person I just mentioned is very competitive and he was apparently a cheerleader and gymnast so he uses that to his advantage." She shrugged a little solemn about spending yet another holiday season alone but she was never truly alone. "Eh, I have my best friends if anything, they're more family to me than some of my own blood."

“Oh yeah? I’ve done spinning back in New York but never thought about trying out a class here but if you’re recommending it, I’ll have to do it.” She grinned as she put her phone back in her pocket before chuckling at the other's words. “Oh god—wheelchaired back home? I don't know if I'm ready for that…maybe I'll stick to my yoga classes for now.” Elena looked up at the other and smiled. “Oh well I come at least twice a year but recently decided to move back…this used to be home,” she expressed before listening as the other spoke about how pretty they made the trees look with the lights and let out an almost hollow laugh at the other’s words. The idea of picturesque Hallmark movies used to be her most favourite thing until she caught her ex-boyfriend and former best friend together. “Well I hope you find someone to enjoy the holiday season with.” But she was looking to steer clear of all that—at least for now.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Axel

"Good, and oh god Kim too. Jesus what happened? I'm just glad they're both alright. This is the last time I leave town and come back to pretty much to the set of the last of us." June sighed a bit exhausted from her travels. "A little but nothing's ever really calm for little miss upcoming CEO. Trust me I can believe it, but whenever there's another issue, text me, call me, anything really. Or else I'll put a plunger on your head and drag you around until you tell me. You know I'll always be here for you, right?"

"Benji's… he's okay now," he said, still worried for his best friend. "He and Kim are still recovering. It was a nightmare, not knowing where they were or what had happened." Axel still felt guilty for not being able to find his best friend, and considering how things ended between them the last time they spoke, that guilt couldn’t easily be eradicated. "Sounds like things have calmed down for you then." His gaze drifted momentarily, lost in thought. "But I'm glad you're doing well. It's been… a challenging time here in Wilmington."

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Mahi

"No comment cause you might use that power of yours against me," June chuckled. "Thanks, and I guess you're right since I am one of the youngest heads of a company ever so that pretty much makes me badass." Hearing more details about the escape room, she got a clearer picture of what Mahi was getting her into. "That's very one theme for time crisis, the old arcade game. Yes, but I'm wondering if I'll get to use my self defense classes in any of these scenarios. Would be kind of fun to be like one of the charlie's angels."

“Please, I’m too adorable for you not to,” Mahi winked, "Oh, I know you wouldn't," she replied with a playful wink. "I'm just glad you made it. And don't sell yourself short—I'm sure you've got plenty of brains to contribute too." She peered down at the ticket in her hand, her excitement building as she considered June's question about the theme. "For all we know it's a bit more intense than Back to the Future. It's called 'Hostage Crisis'. We have to escape from a simulated terrorist hideout." A flicker of something—perhaps unease—passed briefly across her face, but she was quick to mask it with a smile. "Should be quite the adrenaline rush, don't you think?" she asked, keeping tone light despite the slight tension in her shoulders.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Mahi

"You are so lucky I adore you," June laughed giving Mahi a hug as she greeted her friend. "I haven't done one of these since I was like sixteen, so it's definitely been a while. Hey, I'd never stand you up, I was just held up in a meeting for far too long and I had to end it because I had plans with you, and they were annoying me." she mused. "I think you'll probably be the brains of this operation and I'll be the brawn. Is there a theme to this escape room? Last one I went to had a back to the future theme."

closed starter @junebughastings

location: escape artist

Mahi leaned against the wall at Escape Artist as she watched June approach—a fond smile tugged at her lips. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside her. It had been a while since she'd done something just for fun, and the prospect of tackling an escape room with June was exciting. "About time you showed up," she called out teasingly. "I was starting to think you'd stood me up." Pushing herself off the wall, she produced a ticket. “Are you ready to do this?” She asked.

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Elena

"You're totally fine, I should've been looking." June said waving off any concern as she smiled at Elena. "That was me, and honesty it really was, usually I just go to spinning, Winona and Gregory are great in that class. You should stop by sometime, but you will need to be wheelchaired back home." she teased. "Has it been long since you've been here as I see you taking a picture of the leaves. I also love the fall here, it's honestly mesmerizing. Now when they string up lights around all the trees and make it look like a picturesque hallmark movie, I'll cry about how single I am."

closed for @junebughastings location: balance and breathe, carriage falls

Slinging her yoga mat over her shoulder, she made her way out of balance and breathe and took a few moments to look around the street. She loved one thing the most about Wilmington but specifically Carriage Falls where her mother still lived—the way the leaves would change in the autumn and how absolutely picturesque it would look. She couldn’t help but snap a few pictures on her iPhone, knowing that it would definitely not do the real life image justice at all.

“Sorry was I in your way?” She asked as she felt someone’s presence behind her. She moved slightly before looking back at the other. “Oh hey—were you just in Trudy’s class right now? I think I saw you in the second row? That was a brutal session, don’t you think?” 

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Axel

"You know you can talk to me right, we're practically family." At the mention of Benji she felt her cheeks go red, not really aware of the particular reason but she cleared her throat. "How is he? Benji I mean, and um I'm fine I've just been keeping busy with work, you know the usual. My life's definitely not as crazy as it was when I was running around in West Hollywood."

Looking up from his untouched plate of food, Axel’s eyes met June's concerned gaze. He felt a pang of guilt for ignoring her texts, but recent events had left him feeling isolated and withdrawn. "Sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind lately." He reached for one of the snacks, more out of politeness than appetite. "I’ve been worried sick for Benji and dealing with a lot of things. I hope things are good on your end, though.”

[junebughastings]

˙ ˖ ✶ Layla

June found it slightly hilarious how the only one feeling awkward in this situation was Layla. They'd hooked up and June might've caught some small feelings, but there was no ill will there. June could simply move on as she had taught herself many times growing up in LA. "You know it's okay between us right? It doesn't have to be awkward and you really don't need to be making small talk about squirrels." June said with a laugh playfully rolling her eyes. "Besides, this doesn't have to be a thing we can just chill."

continued from here.

Layla's stomach did a little flip as June got closer, where she fidgeted with her camera. God, could things be more awkward? Plastering on a smile, she managed to get out, "Yeah, it's been pretty hectic lately. Photography helps me unwind. Keeps my mind off things…" She stood there, unsure whether to join June on the bench. In the end, she decided to sit down. "Paris sounds nice. But yeah, jet lag can be a real pain. Lincoln Park is a good alternative, I guess. Plenty of… squirrels to keep things interesting." A nervous laugh escaped her lips, and she mentally kicked herself for that lame attempt at humor. The whole situation was about as comfortable as a bed of nails, and she was itching to bolt. But her politeness kept her glued to the spot, trying to figure out how to deal with this awkward run-in.