sclfish

[sclfish]

when the mug is given to him, harley takes it but he doesn't sip from it, instead leaving it on the table 'to cool' -- primarily an excuse to put off having to consume it. besides- this conversation feels bitter enough on his tongue as it is. "not yet. but i'm sure you'll come around to it. being his... perfect little housewife." the words make him visibly grimace, as his mind flashes back to the man he'd seen outside with her, creating images of the two of them standing together under an alter, in a home, in a nursery... it's all too much, and, quite frankly, making him feel sick.

"convenient." his anger doesn't come from her having had someone to help her get through these past sixteen months -- it's not like he would have felt any better about the situation if he'd known she'd have to suffer alone - no, he's upset that she had to deal with this at all. a stupid mistake, getting caught up with people from his past, ones who were more than happy to let him take the fall in the end... one night, and he'd lost everything. he lifts his head then, somehow finding the courage to look at her, guilt sinking in deeper. "...i'm sorry." they're not words he says often, always too damn stubborn to let them come out, but he does now, gently, allowing his guard to slip for the briefest of moments. "i know i'm not always... the easiest to talk to. i get why you didn't want to tell me. i just-... i wish that didn't have to mean you cutting me off completely."

she never imagined that things would be like this between them. it made it hard to believe how easy it had once felt whenever she was with him. she tried to ignore it, busying herself with making the coffee so she had something else to think on. rory didn’t expect it to feel like that. expected it to be hard, sure, but she couldn’t have imagine how crushing it would be. knowing he was hurting, knowing it was all her fault. because she was … weak? pathetic.

“ i can imagine that did help..” she responds, swallowing as her hands took the mugs by the handle but still couldn’t quite find it in her to turn around. rory had already lost him, she knew that. knew that from the moment she decided to turn to someone else for comfort when he wasn’t available. far too guilty to even write a letter never mind look him in the eye. “ I’m not about to marry him.” rory knew that was beyond the point though, still chose to clamp down on it.

she turned, coffee in hand as she towards him, offering the mug to him. “ i never really figured out how to tell you. i know i usually have an answer for everything but just not this. not this time. and it’s not like i went searching for it, he was just there and … then he just kept coming around. ” it was hard to be this close, struck with how much she missed him. how she wished she could touch him, hug him after so long. to have the real comfort she had sought and never quite found. “ i just didn’t want to tell you through letter or there and I didn’t know how to speak to you and lie about it.” anyone else? she’d lie through her teeth. just not to him.

[sclfish]

"that's weird, 'cause i slept like a baby." lux brags, pouring himself a cup of orange juice. "must have really worn myself out." his gaze remains on her as he leans back against the counter, watching quietly while sipping from the glass, until curiosity takes over him and he simply must seek out some clarity. "...what stuff? and- kinda sounds to me like i've already got your attention. you can't stop thinking about me even to sleep, said so yourself."

"i'm sure they did." or some tiktok reel he'd scroll past. what he does on his phone in his spare time, she actually isn't privy to, but she likes to think she's worldly enough to fit that bill. "me? mad? well, excuse me for being a little grouchy when i didn't get much sleep last night." surely he's doing this on purpose at this point, right? to share a wall with your roommate and not warn your partner that someone's sleeping in the other room just seems like a strange oversight on his part. at least he's managed to get the hint that the berries won't be amiss next time. "you know," cecilia starts back up again, finishing up the rest of her breakfast before hopping up to rinse the dishes in the sink, "sometimes i feel like you do that stuff on purpose. don't tell me you're trying to get my attention, lux. that won't help your case."

[sclfish]

"point is- life moves pretty fast. if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. a great philosopher said that." lux informs cecilia on his way into the kitchen in search of something to eat, since apparently what was on her plate was no longer an option, making a show of rubbing his arm like she's actually wounded him. "you sound pretty mad- would you like me to call her up, invite her back over?" he bluffs, with zero intention of actually going through on that suggestion, "i bet she'd be down for a little trio action, if you asked nicely." despite his relentless teasing, he does, however, take a second to jot down 'blueberries' on the grocery list -- he's not a total monster, after all.

cecilia doesn't even warrant him an answer to that, finding there's no need to pull out any sort of list to convince him. he'd like brush it off as 'fake' or something anyhow. "oh wow, you mean you grew three inches during a period of time where boys are supposed to grow?? shocking!" the sarcasm is thick at the end of the suspended spoon, capping off with an eye roll as she slips another bite into her mouth. "you're dishgushting —" it's the best she can do while chewing as politely as possible, which apparently is the perfect time for him to harass her again! a groan rumbles at her throat, muffled by her still-closed mouth as she hops up from the barstool and walks over to lux to smack him right on the arm. "she's not here right now, you are because believe me, i would. you're buying me a whole container of new berries the next time we go shopping."

[sclfish]

it would be oh so easy to just take over the whole project and do all the work herself, leaving him to just smile and wave to his adoring fans on the due date -- but why should she do him that favor? this guy probably was used to people volunteering to take over and do all the hard parts while he got to reap the rewards of their labor. no. she wasn't just going to go easy on him, prince or not. "i'm not asking for your help, i'm telling you to do your half of the assignment." her response is blunt, expression unfazed by his attempt towards charming her - surely to get out of any work on his end. ripping out a scrap of paper from her notebook, she's quick to scribble down her room number, as well as a the time for him to meet - four p.m. sharp. "come or don't, but i'm not letting you take the credit for my work."

fiyero   didn't   look   up   right   away   —   boots   kicked   out   under   the   desk,   chair   tipped   just   far   enough   back   to   toe   the   line   between   casual   and   reckless.   he'd   heard   her   sigh,   heard   the   approach,   and   he   was   already   grinning   like   he'd   been   waiting   for   this   all   day.   " well   hey   there,   sunshine. fancy this,, "  he   mused,   finally   letting   the   front   legs   of   his   chair   thud   back   to   the   floor.   he   leaned   forward,   resting   his   chin   in   his   hand,   eyes   dragging   over   her   with   lazy   amusement.   " nice   of   you   to   ask.   and,   for   the   record … "   he   plucked   the   rubric   from   the   corner   of   the   desk,   waving   it   like   it   meant   anything   to   him.   " i’m   great   with   presentations.   real   talent   for   standing   there   as a treat for the eyes   while   someone   else   does   all   the   talking,   y'know, "   shrugging   one   shoulder,   he   winked   and   let   the   paper   flutter   back   down   with   a   dramatic   little   flick.   " but   hey,   i'm   flexible,, "   he   added,   voice   lower   now,   teasing.   " if   you   want   me   to   help,   you’ll   just   have   to   ask   nicely,   hm ? "

[sclfish]

OPEN TO: @mo0nstrucks

there they were, finally, stopped for the night in the back parking lot of the designated hotel, after a long day on the road. honestly, he didn't mind it - the pay was decent, and he got to spend his time hanging out with an awesome band -- and their publicist who just so happened to make his palms sweaty and knees feel like they were going to collapse at any moment. but he'd been playing it cool so far - basically, almost, with a few tiny exceptions - and it had been nice getting to know her over these past couple days. wasting no time in getting a chance to move his legs, eric hops out, doing some of the stretches he remembers his mom teaching him from his speedy growth spurt in junior high - until he notices someone in the doorway, watching him. dang it. one more note added to that exceptions list. "oh, uh... hey, donna. you wanna go grab something to eat?"

[sclfish]

OPEN TO: @mo0nstrucks PLOT: linked in source

ow, fuck. it's a struggle, getting her bearings in order, but one thing's for sure -- her head is killing her. not even berry was able to have this affect on her, and that was saying something. but then- everything finally starts to fall into place; memories stitching together, flashing through her head at the speed of their helicopter crashing down into the ocean below - now laying in pieces over by the shore. the panic inside her temporarily numbs the headache as she shoots up from the sand, shouting out a name that's so familiar to her tongue. "brittany! brittany, where are you!?" if anything had happened to her-.... no. she couldn't let her mind go there. not until she had a reason to, one she desperately hoped wouldn't present itself. "brittany, can you hear me!?"

[sclfish]

OPEN TO: @mo0nstrucks PLOT: x & x

this had to be some sort of cruel punishment - no, a practical joke from the universe, because the last thing she needed right now was to babysit while being left to do all the work on this so-called partner-project. before she has a chance to try and ask their professor if there's any possibility of a partner reassignment, they're scurrying off, leaving elphaba with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. it's no use, she's stuck with him. ugh. with a long, deep sigh, she turns around and reapproaches his desk, fidgeting with the book bag resting on her shoulder. "is there even the slightest chance you actually plan on participating? or are we going to be showing up on presentation day with a half-complete assignment?"

[sclfish]

okay, reece had a point there, though naomi's not thrilled about it being revealed to her. this was all definitely going to take some getting used to. "well... i'm charming too." she argues, hopping up onto the counter top, continuing the conversation from a more elevated position. "maybe if we worked together, like put together a pitch and all that, we could convince them. they'd have to listen to us then, right? if we prove how willing we are to work as a team?"

reece lets out a laugh, "they won't give us name brand but you think they're gonna swing for a housekeeper? i doubt it." though, it's not something he would be opposed to. he's not necessarily the most organized person in the world. by a long shot. "don't get me wrong... i would love to hire someone," they shrug, "but i think we'd have to be really convincing. and listen, i'm charming as fuck," according to some sources (mostly himself), "but i don't know if i can sell them on all that." he pauses then, grinning, "at that point, might as well request a private chef too!" if naomi isn't going to be doing household tasks, reece doesn't want to be required to either.

[sclfish]

it all feels so spooky - a home he'd once called his own, now feeling like a place he was stepping into for the first time, even though, physically, not much had changed. a few new items here and there, a little rearranging of furniture, and, of course, the disappearance of his own belongings, but the only big difference was between them. which is why it makes sense, of course, why it no longer feels familiar to him - his home was never this apartment. his home had been her.

"always gotta be ready to leave in a hurry." harley reminds her, a habit he picked up in his unstable childhood, that he'd kept until this day. "if nothing else... it helped prepare me for being locked up in there, i think. had even less stuff in that place, if you can believe it." the chair squeaks as he drags it away from the table, a glaring reminder of how quiet the air around them seems to be. brushing off the temptation to help her, he instead simply sits down, acting like the guest he's become.

at least he has his stuff to comfort him. it's not much, but, if nothing else, he's grateful she's kept his things safe. she could have easily just discarded everything - he knows plenty of people would have - and it's a gesture that means a lot, even if it can only bring him the smallest bit of solace. once again, he responds with a silent nod - an act that doesn't make much sense seeing as her back is turned anyway - and rests his hands on the table, struggling to keep his composure. "and how exactly did you want me to find out? were you planning on dropping the hint via a save the date card?"

rory nodded, heading straight to the small kitchen to start on the coffee. a small laugh came from her lips, almost forgetting everything leading up to right now. remembering back to just how minimalistic his collection once was. " there's minimalistic and then there's ... you. " the small smile that had formed with the laugh faded, her gaze dropping as she turned around the face him. " it's not like i had a fun time doing it. " she just couldn't keep the reminder of him around, no matter how cruel it may have been.

" it's pretty much all in there, yeah. " she nodded, thinking back to the few items she had kept out. the shirt she liked to wear, couple things that reminded her of him and she could get away with pretending had nothing to do with him. " i haven't thrown anything out, i wouldn't do that, you barely have anything as it is. " rory grabbed a couple mugs, and now that her back was to him, she finally found it in her to at least start apologising. " so, uhm ... about jack. i didn't plan for any of this to happen and i wanted to tell you i just didn't know how. obviously that isn't how i wanted you to find out. "

[sclfish]

like this if you would like me to dm you about writing something with any of my canon muses (including oc x canon, crossing over canons from two separate fandoms, or two ocs set in a fandom-related verse). more information can be found at the bottom of the page in the source link !

[sclfish]

"are you saying i should acquaint myself?" the smirk on his face is only briefly covered by the glass in his hand as he takes a sip, feeling like the party's finally begun. "so... that's a yes, then. there's no way you'd waste an opportunity to tell me i'm wrong." with a click of his tongue, he shakes his head in mock disappointment - like that wasn't the outcome he was rooting for. "poor guy. cuck, and he doesn't even know it."

if the two of them had been in private, she would've already swatted a hand against his bicep. maritza vouches for the opposite, hands planted firmly against her hips. "he doesn't know that. he doesn't even know your name. and i'd like to keep it that way." jolts back at his gasp, as if she hasn't caught herself in her own web. "i'm not telling you, freak. why do you care about what he and i do?"

[sclfish]

it's almost like their emotions are on some sort of attached system - the more annoyed maritza seems to get, the more pleased with himself lux becomes in return. "stranger? we're practically second-degree fuck buddies." "unless-..." he fakes a soft gasp, like his previous statement hadn't been simply a set up for the question he'd been dying to get an answer to, "wait... don't tell me. have you still not done it with him?"

" go away, lux. " maritza leans the other way, arms crossed over her chest. " is this what you've been doing all night? waiting 'til he left to come taunt me? " head turns to watch her partner get lost in the crowd. a tight smile as she reunites with lux's gaze, insincerity evident in her features. " you know what? i'm tired of this. go ahead and tell him. he won't believe a stranger. "

[sclfish]

harley is visibly surprised when she actually invites him in, having expected more of an argument over the matter, and he's forced to relax his shoulders, redirecting the path he'd been expecting this conversation to take. "...coffee's fine." he hated the stuff - a result of always forcing himself to take it black, bitter, gross. but it was the tough way, and god forbid he allow himself a little pleasure every once in awhile. if nothing else, at least it'd help distract him from the unpleasantness of all this -- of losing the place he'd finally thought he could call home.

"you know, everyone always gives me shit about my... minimalist ways, or whatever-" that was one way of putting his life-long habit of living out of a beaten up old backpack. ...at least, until rory had managed to convince him to add a few more items to his collection, "-but i bet you finally got it when you had to pack it up. count yourself lucky you didn't move in with a hoarder." the tiniest hint of a smirk tugs at his lips, before the thoughts of what her new guy's possessions were like, and it falls just as quickly. with a small, silent nod of thanks for holding the door, he follows her in, stuffing his hands into his pockets so he doesn't instinctively try and reach out for her. "you didn't-... it's all in there, right? you didn't throw anything out, did you?"

guilt eat her up inside, months of it that she had pushed down deep was resurfacing, threatening to destroy her from the inside out. her mouth opened to respond, to explain but she feel short. rory wasn’t sure there was anything she could say that would make it any better. sorry, i found it difficult while you were incarcerated. sorry, i got lonely while you were away. sorry, i didn’t know how to tell you so decided to just ignore you instead. they all sounded pathetic, non excuses trying to hide she was the one thing she never wanted to be - a coward.

“ no… it’s, fine, come in. don’t have lemonade though so you’re going to have to settle for water. ” rory had tried to move on, forget about him completely. that’s way the majority of his stuff was boxed up, as if putting it away and making it small could erase him from her mind. the apartment held too many memories of its own and short of redecorating or moving, there wasn’t much she could do for that.

“ or i could do coffee? ” rory suggested, stepping into the building, hand out stretched to hold it open for him. “ it doesn’t really get much better than that though.” unless he wanted a shot of something, which rory was seriously considering at this point.

[sclfish]

"of course." the friendly smile on her face remains, but it no longer fully reaches her eyes. just as expected. a total cliché, honestly, but that was hollywood. "why don't we have a seat," pausing briefly, she gestures towards a small lounge area nearby, "and get started? the faster we begin, the faster we can finish up. i promise to keep it brief- and... yes. i kept those in mind while putting together these questions." there were a few that maybe skirted the lines, of course, but... not in direct violation. "your team's already given their approval."

"ravi evans, but i'd hope y'know that." he gave her a little sarcastic salute in greeting. this sort of thing bored him and he had no hesitation in showing it. even when the person interviewing him was as stunning as yasmin — he remembered her name. for now. "all good. i got this already." he held up the half-empty gatorade he'd been using to nurse his hangover. he ran a hand through his messy hair, lifting an eyebrow at her, "so how long is this supposed to take? just wondering." he didn't technically have anywhere to be, but there were a lot of places he'd rather be. "also did ya get the list of questions you're not allowed to ask? because that's been a fucking problem in the past."

[sclfish]

"maybe- but you would be the first who didn't fall for me." a bold lie, laughably so, really, considering his dating track record had been far more failures than wins - a result of becoming enamored with guys just like dante. time after time he'd fall for a guy not just in spite of their apathy towards him -- but maybe because of it. after all, it made winning them over - when it actually did happen - so much more satisfying in the end. "but, hey, one thing about me? i'm patient. i can wait. just... carry on, take your time, you'll figure it out eventually." for someone trying his hardest to appear unaffected by the conversation, ace sure does beam at the compliments sent his way. "you know, i never thought it was my face they were running back for, but i guess it could be two things."

he snorts at the others words, a little in disbelief and a little in admiration. “ look i’ve heard this before. you wouldn’t be the first person who thought they were different. i’m not trying to be a jerk. i’m just trying to spare your feelings. ” dante looks at him again, it's the same thing every time. someone thinking they're the one who can get him to finally fall in love but thats just not who he is. he's never been the type to do that type of thing — feelings, relationships, waking-up-in-love mornings. that’s never been his story. he’s not trying to rewrite it now. “ i can see how they failed, you're funny and it's hard to turn away from a face like that. ”

[sclfish]

"like you could do any better?" she probably could -- definitely could, and he knows it, but he's quick to move on. no sense in getting stuck in the past. "exactly. ages ago. you know how much can happen in a week? back in junior high, it took me a week once to grow like, three inches. no joke." slight exaggeration, maybe, but close enough. "don't ask me where i stored 'em." with a smirk a wink, and an inability to help himself, he swipes one last berry from her dish and quickly backs away from the table before cecilia has a chance to enact her revenge. "believe it or not, it's not usually me who's the one taking it out. i don't see you blaming her for all this - hardly seems fair."

"your metaphor flopped. do better," not that she thinks he's entirely capable. one could argue that she should be a little kinder to him but can anyone really blame her when he's... like this? "we live in the same timeline, that grocery trip was a week ago." couldn't be anything longer or else they'd both be eating rotten berries. eyes roll and she brushes long hair over one of her shoulders before getting back to her breakfast, one that now no longer tastes as good since he's disrupted the peace. well, him and his... person. "no, it's because you can't keep your dick in your pants," cecilia responds flatly, finding that the yogurt bowl in front of her is worth way more of her time. "you should get that checked."

[sclfish]

OPEN TO: @desirespeaks PLOT: linked in source

maybe he was just paranoid - it was a common state for him to be in, after all - but it was starting to feel like one of his classmates was around a little too often to just be coincidental. then again... maybe the only reason he'd taken any notice was because, admittedly... the guy was hot. a jawline like that was pretty hard to miss in just about any crowd. regardless, there was only one way to solve this- he was simply going to have to introduce himself. "i don't think we've met." pushing his seat back a little and turning around, wesley gives his full attention to the aforementioned student, sticking his hand out in offering. "i'm wes." most likely something they were already familiar with - news of his arrival had come to the school even before he'd stepped foot on campus, but a little bit of manners never hurt anyone. "pretty sure we have some classes together... english comp, maybe?"