strcinedhecrts

[strcinedhecrts]

CELESTE DALLA PORTA photographed for Collectible DRY Magazine (summer 2025)

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@bcrntbcnes

LOCATION: hells gate, the bar. FOR: caelan o'brien.

JUST ANOTHER NIGHT IN the life of aurora grasso, sneaking from the compound for a night on the town. somehow, at twenty-eight years old -- here she was thinking about what her father would think, even if quite frankly, she always found herself inevitably never giving a rats ass. the stress certainly sits atop her shoulders, even if she's not the one making the decisions. she is standing by her father, visibly complicit in his choices for the sake of her own security. perhaps it's why she comes here, to play a game of pretend. perched on her usual seat like a siren perched atop a low-hanging cliffside, calling sailors to their demise. tonights number is purple, the color of royalty. perhaps she needs the extra armor -- but it certainly doesn't look like it as her eyes fall upon a familiar face: caelan o'brien. that's right, she knows who he is. she's made it a point to pick out each one of them in the illustrious family, but he piqued her interest the most. she can spot the glowing gaze in a crowd, hell -- she's felt it on her all night. while the woman is usually collected, confident, somehow she leans a little more on the liquid courage she's been nursing for the past twenty minutes. once her glass is finished, her eyes find his own. just as she expected. watching her.

her eyebrows are raised as if to say two simple words: your move. and yet, it's like he beat her to the punch. he's coming closer.

" if you're going to enjoy the show, tesoro -- the least you can do is buy me a drink. " she hums, brushing her fresh curls over her shoulders as her gaze continues to fixate on his own. " you've been planted in that chair for quite a while, no? i'm sure it can't be that comfortable. "

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@bcrntbcnes

LOCATION: jamila's place. FOR: fallen carter.

THERE HAD BEEN A time when jamila thought she would never tell a single living soul what she had went through. was it an isolating life? of course it was. and yet, the woman found ways to find fulfillment. she threw herself into her work in the diner, pouring coffee, slinging plates -- before going home to do it all again the day after. she was kind to everyone she met, without question. she had heard the young woman's story through whispers. even before then, she had seen fallen around town. there was a story behind her eyes, something that gripped to her -- no matter how touch she appeared. what mother tries to drown her daughter as a form of clensing? and then another tries to cut out her only daughter's tongue? ever since she had first approached her, they had become a solace for each other -- survivors to look out for each other if things went south. checking in when they could, even if it was at odd hours. jamila was hiding in plain sight, after all.

" you weren't followed, were ya darlin'? " jamila questions once she quickly ushers the younger girl inside. her paranoia had been at an all time high since harley had joined the staff. since she learned his affiliation. " theres... there's been a development. i have tea waitin' on the table, if you'd like some. "

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A HEART SO KIND, as lorelei knew, also had the capacity to be taken advantage of. she feared it not just for him -- but it had been the reason why she had initially been cold in her youth. but, hadn't he taught her so much about the simplicity of having a good heart? her nose grazes his own as she listens, hands caressing the skin of the back of his neck. it still amazed her how smitten she was, exactly the same as she was all those years ago. " well, well. " she teases, her own exhaustion clear in her smile as her forehead rests against his own. she never thought she'd look forward to sleeping next to someone so much. even if there had been a time when she fought it, a time when she believed her mind and body were lying to her -- she could never deny how relaxed she was when she was in his arms. no longer the scared girl she had once been -- but a woman who made a life with the man she loves. " if you're superman, does that make me... lois? " she hums. " all that world saving and how lucky am i -- to have you coming right back home to me? "

she feels it, in the way he sinks into her. it's a trait that's always aligned with the two of them, the way their bodies somehow react to each other. without either of them intending them to. " just.. please make sure you're taking care of yourself, okay? " she whispers, her tone a bit more serious.

" i love you. "

she hadn't quite known just how powerful love could be back then. lorelei had always been taught love was supposed to be violent. what her husband offered her was gentle to come home to, a safe place to land.

her eyebrows raise at the mention of a girl. " does frankie know? hell, i feel like we'd know if there was a girl. she'd chattering about it like an excited mother hen. " frankie truly was the closest thing she had to a sister-in-law, let alone a sister. the boys were odd, sure. but then again, who was she to make the declaration, when she had been called a few croissants short of a bakers dozen? " oh, i forgot to mention -- jamila did mention to me about helping out with the office... she does have a point. she may stay after her shift on thursday so we can go through some papers. " lorelei had always considered herself grateful for jamila, helping damien keep things in place throughout the day. " we can never be too careful, yeah? " she whispers, shaking her head. she'd never forget the sight of the swarm, wizzing past the door of the sewing room. how quickly she had dashed for the basement -- then for the phone. " i just... hope that's the last of it. but you'll keep doing what you're doing, right? offering them a safe place to come back to. "

he can't help himself but to lean down and kiss her. it's a quick peck, but it's something that damien will never pass up the opportunity to do when given the chance. besides that, it's an extra moment to think, to come up with an answer, to volley back her thought at her, despite the fact that he knows that she's right. he can absolutely let her be right, but he has to give a little bit of pushback, otherwise he simply isn't damien, the guy who can concede to anyone if they make a good point, but will always look for every loophole being giving up so easily. "you don't know that for sure. i could be superhuman. for all anyone knows around here, i might have some rare mutation that makes me a literal superhero who can do it all and still look good doing it." and even though he's dogged down with exhaustion, there's still something playful in his smile and in the tone of his voice.

but she is right. he's tired. he's ready to hit the pillow and call it a night, even knowing that it'll be a short time before he's up and moving again. he'll get there, he won't hold out for long, but he needs a few moments of time with his wife first. he is, after all, at his best around her.

pathetic as it might be to think or to say. damien knows himself. he knows where he gets his real power from.

"you are better than me if you didn't laugh in the guy's face immediately." he may not be cruel, but the man laughs when something's funny to him. it's definitely gotten him in trouble before. "ah, everyone was fine. you know milly, she's the best and i don't think i could have made it without her. the boys are... well, they're the boys. dmitri's been a little down lately, grumpy." and then, a twinkle in his eye, a little stage whisper as he leans down. "i think he's having girl trouble. but you didn't hear that from me." as if it wasn't obvious to anyone who looked at the poor kid. he loves his nephew, but the kid needs a clue. "same regulars comin' in to eat and grab some coffee. and then everyone else, lookin' for a quick bite or a place to be around other people that's safe. ya know? i think it'll start slowin' down again now that they've got that antidote, but i dunno what they're gonna do about the bug problem in general."

[strcinedhecrts]

@exmcrtis

LOCATION: the mad scientist. FOR: cole cerulli.

WHILE AROURA IS RARELY seen outside of the compound, at least, by most -- she goes to great lengths to have her time outside the grounds. remember what a life could look like, should she have a reason to make one. on the compound she had security, an idea of what her future could look like -- but the last thing she would ever admit is that she had the capacity to be scared. the mad scientist was one of the spots she more often frequented, when she was seeking a quieter night. hells gate was the usual spot she found herself on the prowl, feeding off the energy of everyone around her -- not a single worry in her mind. however, tonight, a quiet night she would not get.

the drinks that were flowing were just too good that you had to have another, at least that's what some of the putzes at the bar would say. one such idiot nearly went flying off the front steps as aurora was taking a smoke break -- causing glossed lips to turn upward into a smile. her eyes soon turn to the bartender who followed him.

" men. " the brunette chuckles, slinking in her direction as she watches the drunkard stumble off in the direction of the trees. shaking her head, her eyes return to the blonde. " oh mio -- i do hope you were not hurt. "

[strcinedhecrts]

@apocafics

Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

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CAMILA IS WELL AWARE of what she's gotten herself into. that by entering his bedroom, laying herself an untitled place in his life -- she's walked right into the belly of the beast, hasn't she? and yet, she knows damn well where his heart is -- that he has one, even. buried beneath the fighter's exterior. even if he fights to keep it hidden, until the moment the door is closed behind them.

she nods, her shoulders easing as she knows he has some form of clarity. something palpable to hold onto, until the swarm had at least quelled enough for them to walk outside without getting seriously hurt. " not everyone is invincible, but you're right... finn does come close. " she does not comment on dara, having noticed a certain amount of tension over the years that she just couldn't quite place. camila had no siblings that she knew of -- having been abandoned shortly after she was born. was it the fact that she was born with scales? she didn't quite know. the very same ones catch the smallest amount of light that peaks through the cracks in the nearby door. " at least you have that peace of mind. "

it's then her eyes turn to the nearby crowd, before turning to feary again. had he known that people would hide out here? that she could fufill the call that had taken residence in her chest -- to make some amount of good out of the gift she had been given? it's a thought that makes her heart beat just a bit faster. " i'm... i'm going to need an extra set of hands. " removing the button down she had thrown on over her tank top, she ties it around her waist, well aware that they'll need to use it where they can. wraps. makshift slings. " are you up for it? just to help me keep them stable, should it come down to it. " eyes soon scan the room for supplies. " we've gotta get some supplies out here, if we can. " after a moment, she kneels beside the first patient.

" hey... hey.. it's alright. i'm a doctor. i can help. "

It's the people who have known him for longer than a business meeting who know where his priorities lie, and he knows who they are by the questions they ask him. Your siblings? That's the labour of his life, isn't it? Two words so simple for the most complicated thing in his fucking life.

Feary lets out a sharp exhale through his nose at the mention of them, the question of their whereabouts. "Yes'n no. Finn's here, just fine, even the feckin' Devil can't kill the bastard, ye know it." He guides her up several floors to where the community had been invited to shelter. "Dara, I ain't seen him but I got word from him he's alive. Again, radroaches are hard t' kill, ain't they?"

He hadn't gone to see Dara, and likely wouldn't until everything outside died down—literally. It's not that he doesn't care, if Feary has a heart at all, it's reserved exclusively for his siblings, but it's also not the smart thing to do. Not going to see Dara isn't a signal to his younger brother that he doesn't care, it's a signal that he trusts him to be able to take care of himself; Kiran would've given him word that his brothers had been informed of his well-being, after all.

Feary stops at the floor filled with people, injured or otherwise, those who don't trust Afterglow, or who were turned away from the clinic due to overcapacity. "Wanna do somethin', love? These people need ye."

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FRANKLY, ROSALEEN WAS PLANNING on not going when tahdg had initially extended the invitation, a clear effort to integrate her with the rest of society. and yet, given their circumstances, she wasn't exactly inclined to leave him be very often. rosaleen had seen quite a bit in her lifetime: blood, gashes, severe injury, even death. and yet, the sight of him was enough to make her knees buckle underneath her. of course she knew of beau, another vendor at the market who possessed a kindness she used to be nauseated by. however, she had come to understand why -- growing up in a cruel world makes you desensitized to goodness. especially when you've been treated like a machine nearly all of your life.

" that's me. and ye must be the birthday boy. " her tone may still reflect her usual manner -- but there's a genuine joy to her words. baby steps. " here's t'another year. "

as he extends the drink, she takes it. " that's kind o' ya. thank ye. " she nods. had anyone ever actually made an attempt to make sure they were saying her name correctly? not that she could remember in recent years. " yes, that's right. think rosa, an' thin leanin' on a table. " rosaleen's brows furrow as he makes it clear there must be some kind of unknown substance in it -- happy to be the guinea pig. her face soon contorts as she tastes a ridiculous amount of vodka. " there's enough vodka in this t'put down a horse, christ. " she laughs, taking another sip now that the surprise is out of the way. " ah, all good things, i hope? can’t be havin’ anyone spillin’ me secrets, now. "

who : rosaleen quinn ( @strcinedhecrts ) where : beau's surprise party, duh

❝ hey there! y'must be tadhg's cousin! ❞

the exclamation is made with a fair amount of confidence for someone who's never met the cousin in question, but call him crazy, beau could be standing backwards with his eyes closed and still see the family resemblance. ( of course, he might have to crane his neck a little... ) the cups in his hands are carefully rearranged so he can swoop in for a hug without spilling anything on her, and when he steps back, beau is beaming. he's not sure there have ever been quite so many people on the farm, but goodness gracious, ain't there just something so undeniably heartwarming about being surrounded by your loved ones and their loved ones?

❝ it's rosaleen, ain't it? am i sayin' that right? ❞ one of the two drinks in his hand is extended to her in an offer. ❝ i've heard so much 'bout ya already. here, i think it's, uh ... well, i know it's lemonade but i cain't remember what kinda liquor dix said she was puttin' in here. it's good, though. and that's comin' from someone who don't drink worth a dang.❞

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CONNIE IS NOT THE kind to be very easily intrigued by another human being. she often has so much around her to focus on -- her family, the militia, raising her daughter, that she rarely ever thinks of a stranger in any light at all. hell, probably why her dating life has been essentially non-existent, alongside several other factors -- but that was most certainly a prominent one. that, and the trust issues that come from the father of your child breaking every single promise he ever made you. as if it meant nothing. of course she ponders on the subject from time to time -- but she certainly isn't now as she continues to examine his face. he's handsome, most certainly. kind, brown eyes. it appears that the assumption comes when an individual owns a motorcycle that they are innately rugged -- but the stranger appears to wear it effortlessly, and is it... with a badge of pride?

so he could laugh. connie is certainly pleased with herself, perhaps more so than she cares to admit. at least, out loud. " i haven't been a partier in a very, very long time either. i donno if things changed. i must have been... eighteen? the army certainly turned me into a recluse. " connie shakes her head, forearms coming to rest on the desk in front of her. because of partying, first had come prison -- and then the army. then retirement, before joining the militia. even if she most certainly didn't have the desire anymore after the hardship it had caused her family, she most certainly didn't have the time. another bout of surprising, girlish laughter takes hold as he continues. "now now, está bien, don't be doin' all that. that's a lil' too much effort for my sake. and besides... " she pauses, adjusting in her seat. " i quite enjoy talkin' to ya. upright. " she couldn't quite believe how quickly nora had grown up. it was like she blinked, and she wasn't a baby anymore. " she's thirteen. in my family... we've got a lot of means to protect her. but i know she ain't as little anymore. it's a fine line, keeping her safe and letting her exist in the world as a human being. i just wanna give her all i can. " it's a more vunerable statement than she's used to, but he doesn't seem to mind.

she nods as he thanks her, even when he doesn't need to. polite. " well, if you're so attached to it -- i don't mind callin' you that. " the woman hums, extending her hand at the introduction. " nice t'meet ya, logan. or, as it seems you prefer to be called, stranger. " of course it's a light tease, which she does have it within her to do. something that would certainly surprise her siblings. usually she's far more uptight, a combination of army training and a protective sensibility. " and i was startin' to get pretty bored before ya walked through that door. " she releases his hand, moving slowly back to her previous position. " y'did me a favor. "

The eye contact made him feel a certain way, that was for sure. It wasn't one that meant they were about to rip each other apart nor even rip each others clothes off but it seemed to be more one out of curiousity. Everyone around here seemed to have a story and although some he couldn't give much of a hell about for some reason this felt different. Wether it was the quiet motel or the fact that he could see she had something behind her eyes that intrigued him Logan found himself wanting to know her story more than he had anticipated. Eventually the eye contact broke, who broke it first he couldn't tell but he usually at this point he would try to look anywhere else but into her eyes again yet, surprisingly,, this time that wasn't happening.

At her sarcastic reply Logan turned his head slightly and let out a small chuckle. He wasn't one to let out a laugh but to even get that reaction out of him showed he thought what was said was pretty damn amusing. When he looked back her the smile from the reaction lingered. "Parties can be overrated... If I remember correctly." It had been an age since he had been to anything resembling a celebration or even a get together. "Well," he started as he looked around, a playful little grin appearing, "looks like there won't be any threat of that tonight. Although, I can always take one for the greater good and pretend to roll an ankle if it'll make things more exciting for you." He raised a brow slightly when she mentioned taking care of her girl. He knew that feeling. "I get that, got to make sure she's protected in every way you can."

He opened his mouth reply but closed it. In his earlier years we wouldn't think twice about butchering a language he knew nothing about but now it just seemed rude as hell. Instead, he simply grabbed the chair and sat down with a slight tip of his hat. "Thank you." Again, the cheeky grin appeared as she told him is name. "I have to admit, Connie, the thought of keeping my name a secret is pretty enticing, I feel like The Stranger would be a badass nickname, but since you were kind enough to put your book down for me. Name's Logan." He leaned forward and extended a hand.

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IT WAS NOTHING PERSONAL, of course it wasn't. it was her job, even if she knew it was so much more than that. it was how she had survived the journey from bray to the united states, how she had gotten tadhg here. through literal blood, sweat and tears. every methodical hit, every attack -- you'd know when it was personal. and when she was doing nothing more than engaging in action, like a well-trained, well-oiled machine. " oi, fightin' can't pay every bill. " the blonde chuckles to herself, watching him closely before she takes another drag. sometimes, she forgot her own power. " what.. wantin', a rematch, are ya? there's a queue, darlin'. "

maybe she would let him cut the line. but she certainly wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. the chase was far too much fun. even she had her vices that extended beyond the cigarette in her hand. rosaleen may have not been the golden goose of the customer service industry, but she knew when to keep her head down. do her job. she could keep the mask on long enough to get through the night, that is -- until the wrong idiot told her to offer him a smile. she'd break his instead. as usual, she did what she had to do to keep her head above water.

of course, she sees him watching her. taking her in, in all of her glory. while rosaleen often makes quick work of the shameless types -- this one's different. her smirk is coy, her gaze locked like a loaded gun. " what is it, colt, tryin' to patch up yer bruised pride? " she hums, turning to face him. is this the closest they've ever been? maybe. if there's anything the enforcer enjoys, it's a power play. even if she's used to winning, there's nothing like a little push and pull to keep things interesting. lips more closer to his ear before she speaks again. " or are ya just a wee bit jealous that someone else is gets a turn? "

while her smirk had been nothing more than a whisper before, it grows larger the longer she listens to him. they just never know when their time is up, do they? if anything, she admires his persistence. they had gone round after round now, played the same game. lured him into a false sense of security, made him think he had the upper hand -- but she was always two steps ahead. every. single. time. he had landed quite the bruise on her collarbone, the oversized button up shirt doing a great job of covering it. the cut to her lip wasn't exactly obscure either. brushing her blonde tresses behind the respective shoulder, half of it tied up in a messy knot, her eyes soon return to him -- the cigarette now forgotten.

she makes a show out of undoing the buttons near the top of her shirt, just enough to toy with the imagination -- but also enough for him to see the mark.

" there. proof me skin bruises. happy now? "

she knows she's not invincible -- but likes making people think she is.

"No fights, just gloatin' today, huh?" Colt raises an eyebrow at Rosaleen, the pain itching at his swollen socket even as the cooler night air sooths the bruised skin. It was true, it was one hell of a shiner, even now that it was halfway done healing - he hadn't been able to look out of that eye for the past couple of days. Which had actually netted him a couple of days off - depth perception was pretty important when some of the guests felt like compensating for one thing or another.

Colt casts her a glance as he pulled out his own pack of cigarettes. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her get behind the counter, serving drinks. One helluva different sight than her in the cage, that was for damn sure, one that'd surprised him so much the first time he wondered if she'd fucked up so bad that she'd been put on customer service duty. Who the fuck liked dealing with drunk fucks yelling for drinks all evening? But she'd seemed to actually enjoy herself whenever he saw her there, and hey, he wasn't gonna say shit about the drinks she made.

Not because he'd mind another black eye, though. A grin spreads on his lips. "What's the matter with you today, Rosie? Not in the mood making some poor sucker pay you to get the crap beat outta him?" He doesn't bother with getting his lighter out, instead pressing the unlit tip against the faint glimmer of hers until a second set of smoke curls into the night air. Inhaling, he lets his eyes roam shamelessly over her form, making no effort to hide it as his eyes settle to a spot at her side.

"Don't want other people to see that someone got to land a hit on you?" Their latest match hadn't turned out well for him. They never did. Whenever they fought or sparred, it was common for Rosaleen to put him down on the concrete floor. He didn't mind that much - these weren't fights he was picking to win, even if he was gonna. Someday. He nods at the spot between her ribs. "You gonna show me your bruise too, or do I gotta walk 'round all exposed on my own? My shiner's lonely, Rosie."

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BARTENDING ON THE LUST floor certainly never ceased to entertain, in more ways than one. for someone who had a distinct dislike for people -- she somehow finds herself entertained by them all the while. their choices, their actions. how some of them can be so goddamn stupid. bright blue eyes watch as a very young man makes an attempt to approach dizzy, who's eyes quickly widen as they begin to speak. she's addressing him? really? somehow the attention alone is enough to satisfy him, or he's far too scared to make anything else of it. of course he runs away, metaphorical tail between his legs.

while rosaleen is usually stoic as can be, the sight certainly makes her laugh.

men. weren't they supposed to be the strong ones, according to the bullshit spouted off by the patriarchy? that was the one element of the world before them that somehow refused to die.

now dizzy is addressing her, something that does finally cause her to smile. while rosaleen has fought the idea that people could matter to her outside of her flesh and blood family, there are a few people who manage to break through her armor. dizzy is one of them.

" i t'ink ye look beautiful, dizzy. " rosaleen nods, leaning against the bar. the only time rosaleen finds herself wearing any makeup is when she's bartending -- with little knowledge on the subject. just an individual with two eyes and admiration for beautiful people. " that young fella wouldn’t have a clue how to deal with ye. i can tell ye that much. " the flesh of her cheek soon comes to rest against her hand. " ah, the poor fella nearly collapsed when ye spoke to 'im. "

where: the lust floor with: anyone

"i'm gonna have to start chargin' extra if those eyes keep doin' that up and down thing, sugar." as she speaks, she's touching up her lipstick, eyes firmly planted on her own face, admiring, taking it in, enjoying the same little thrill that always graces her when she's at work. she likes being looked at, likes being noticed. people have every right to gawk and she has every right to preen about it like a peacock.

it is, after all, the most attention she gets on a daily basis.

and what is dizzy if not an attention hog?

eyes cut to the side, and she offers a somewhat sticky smile, that fresh lipstick smooth now and absolutely perfect if they do say so themselves. as the cap is replaced on the tube, her attention finally turns away from her own stunning face. "what do you think? i went a little darker than usual, but is it my color?"

[strcinedhecrts]

@eatabug

LOCATION: afterglow research center, felix's office. FOR: felix estrada.

AS EXPECTED FROM ANY individual residing in the compound, especially those at the top of the heap, raven is on high alert. but then again, when is there a time where she isn't? they were an individual with something to prove -- not only with a new shiny title under her belt, but during a time when tensions were high. while their walls were impenetrable, something leadership had made sure of, there had been no distinct reason to test it. not until now. perhaps it's why she's also been given the order to keep an eye on some of their valuable assets -- something, in their mind, that they had fought. and yet, she knew better. an order was an order, and she was trained to take it. without question. it certainly raised alarm bells, how easy felix's office had been to break into. that would be something in need of imminent rectifying, she was sure of it. she had taken a position within a darker point of the room, draped over a pristine leather armchair in a manner that could only be described as feline. waiting for him to return.

of course she has no intention to startle him, but raven can't lie -- there's a small amount of thrill in ths idea. not that her face would show it. raven had been an individual made of stone for as long as they had lived behind the walls of the compound, even in her youth. the time soon does come, fingers curling around the arm as he enters, turning to a more proper seated position -- as if she was seated atop a throne. of course he doesn't notice them. she was trained to find comfort in the dark, in it's shroud. to attack when the unsuspecting victim least expects it.

" hello, dr. estrada. "

her voice is as blunt as a hit to the head, emerging into the light before crossing her arms over her chest -- face, of course, unchanging. waiting for his reaction.

[strcinedhecrts]

GRIEVING WAS A FAR from linear process. it was up and down, an overwhelming roller coaster. before her, he had never allowed himself to love -- something he had once believed he had control over. and she had been taken away from her. he had sat in the anger for a while, the urge to break every piece of furniture in his path nearly all-consuming. but he knew he had a child to fight for, to break through the discomfort, his own anguish. he'd have to show jordan what the world could be, the good he could have. all the while, he'd take every moment that he could to show jordan how much his mother had loved him. he had been so used to fighting through life alone -- believing that it was what he had to do. he was made to take down those the shamrocks saw as targets, thus, had he believed that everyone in his universe would likely become one too? why he felt the urge to push them away? " eh, y'know. i haven't exactly been known t'be the most compliant either over the years. but i pick my battles. " he laughs, hands buried deep within his pockets. " that's the way kids are, sometimes. or so i've been told. "

fuck, did he know overcompensating all too well. when he had known he was going to be a father, his first thought had been -- i have to make up for everything i've ever done, every death i've caused. be the man that his boy deserves. " i've been tryin' to keep everything i can. pictures, things with her handwriting on it... he has a couple of her sweaters. even got her uniform... if he's curious, i donno. i just don't wanna regret giving something away. in case he wants to know about that part of her life. " atlas and gloria had both been sure that they wanted their son to be raised away from the local governance, despite her involvement. they wanted him to be able to make his own choice. if he decided to join the army like his mother, he wanted it to be on his own terms. while atlas himself believed very little in their mission, whatever it was, the last thing he was going to do is push his son away -- but he wasn't going to keep what he knew from him either. it was a fine line, he had to walk. a hand comes to rest on ashton's shoulder before he speaks. " and you do a damn good job, man. "

atlas had always been a survivor. always able to tread through. sometimes, however, it still shocked even him -- how lucky he was. to have individuals by his side who he didn't force to carry his life with him. they wanted to be there.

i could have asked her to leave with me. the thought causes atlas to stop in his tracks for a moment. " no... no. hey. " he mutters eventually, shaking his head. they had a plan. all she had to do was finish out the next two years, and she'd be untouchable. her contract would be over, and they could raise their child in peace. maybe atlas could have gotten another job, but they never would have hurt for a second in their lives. for anything. " we thought we knew what we were doin'. you had to get out. plan and simple. the last thing either of us would want is for you to start blamin' yourself for somethin' we can't change. " but what they could do is get benny the hell out of there. he knew the expertise benny provided was a rare one, likely causing them to cling to him all the tighter than most. just like the explosives benny built -- one wrong move, and they were fucked. " we do what we can, right? i'm sure santiago's been sittin' on some kind of plan. wouldn't put it past him. "

his smile is soft at the mention of his mother. atlas had grown up with the knowledge that she was far capable of protecting her damn self, but there were very few people in this world for whom he would drop everything for. his mother was one of them. " she would love to see you. " he nods. his mother had always been very complimentary of him, a rare occurrence in her patterns. " it'll be good for him, to get away from governance schooling. gloria and i always wanted him to have the space to make his own choices. "

his face flushes as he continues. you know her, ashton. sera had come hurtling into his life when he had least expected it -- making him even further inclined to believe that gloria had sent her. " i... i think you know her, actually. " he chuckles. it was still a new feeling, being so enamored by another human being again -- after all this time. wrestling with the fear that he was trying to forget the woman who had given him such a gift in jordan, in their married life together. when in reality, that couldn't have been further from the case. " when... when i came by the compound, i met her. she was helping out an older guy who had tripped and fallen and i just... found myself watchin' her. couldn't really look away. y'know that sinkin' feelin' in your chest when you look at somebody? when you know that they're gonna be important to you? "

he pauses, as if trying to collect himself.

" it's sera. benny's sister. "

it was good to hear his friend's laughter, especially today, Ash knows how easy it is to fall into that pit, with no one to pull you out, he's glad to be able to something even the smallest thing for the grief today. "Me too, it's almost mocking us." Ash chuckled with Atlas at the idea, as the wind did blow and rustle in the moment. The fresh flowers by her memorial jostled petal by petal, in ways nature could laugh. He stayed quiet, a solid pillar as he watched Atlas take that moment, staring at Gloria's memorial. This was between him and her. Laughter bubbled at the idea of Jordan being just absolutely stubborn. Ash knew that very well through the kid's mother, both of them stubborn as hell together only made most of their youthful defiance worse for the EAA. "I might've enabled the stubbornness, sorry." It was a bad habit, Ash was told but it wasn't something he could really help.

Ash looked down to the ground, partially glancing in the direction of his parents own memorial somewhere in the distance as Atlas spoke, he somewhat understand the want to keep his son from that pain, but Ashton understood that the pain of not knowing was worse. "He certainly does, as much as she deserves to be known." He knew the foreseeing anger, and rage that a kid could feel from loss, but he's learnt to focus on the good the dead have done. Atlas seemed to have figured it out himself and didn't really need Ashton to tell him otherwise. He rubbed the back of his neck, perhaps in the discomfort now that the topic shifted to him. He couldn't help but shake his head instinctively, though meeting his friend's genuine smile, he knew he meant it. "..I try," he lightly sighed, he knows he can't actually be there for everybody, but he damn well will try. One could say that perhaps he's trying to overcompensate for all the bad that's been done in the EAA.

Atlas was certainly wiser in getting out of that quicksand of guilt, Ashton still feels himself stuck in it on the worst of days. "I could've asked her to leave with me," Ash chimed in between as they talked through their what ifs, knowing Atlas was right that they couldn't sit in them for too long. Ashton left without saying anything to most people, most of his EAA comrades would have had no idea what happened during his absence to Afterglow in his... recovery. Asking Gloria or Benny to leave with him without reason would've sounded crazy. But in hindsight, perhaps he should've tried. Ashton sighed feeling his jaws lock at the thought of one more of them stuck there out of his own will, "he's trapped there," Ash murmured, having a feeling that from Ashton's own exit, they couldn't afford to so easily lose another specialist in their ranks. "Yeah.. he'll be able to get out one day, and till then.." Ash would've dropped almost anything to help Benny out, as with all the important people in his life.

He had a small smile to hearing about Atlas' mom, glad to hear at least things were good with her, "no problem at all, I'll come over to bring them one day and help her out with a syllabus." Ash had helped out some of the kids around his residential building, not as good of a job as his mother, but he was doing his best, trying to remember how she used to do it.

Ash assumed their conversation had come to a slow down, facing the memorial as they own took their moment of silence, until Atlas spoke up again. He met someone. A quirk of an eyebrow as Ash turned to his side was a cheeky grin, "oh?" Letting his friend elaborate before Ash could jump in to tease, "who's this new lovely person you've met?" If Gloria was here, she's be resting on Ashton's shoulder as they listened in intently to the new exciting tea, genuinely happy for him. But his joking smile faltered with the admission, in a sense knowing what Atlas meant, "what are you terrified about?" Ash could only offer being a sounding board, certain that Atlas would've known the answer to whatever his problems were, he was just here to let him talk it through with someone.

[strcinedhecrts]

LOCATION: the sound factory, adonis' office. FOR: open!

IF THERE WAS ANYTHING adonis wasn't, it was a sound engineer. but maybe he should put in the time and energy -- a thought he has, but he knows he won't do. and yet, the thought grows longer as he sits there, standing at the broken speaker. this is what happens when your sound engineer has fallen ill, and he needs this part of the evening. there were so many fucking wires. so many different colors. he touches one, a spark of electricity appears, nearly causing him to jump out of his skin. " mother fu -- " he sits back, having some amount of intelligence to step back. maybe he can get his hands on something on short notice. eyes soon turn in the direction of the door, nearly jumping out of his skin as he takes in the figure. it takes a moment for him to process who it is, a hand coming to rest on his chest. " shit, you scared the hell out of me dude. " he mutters, unfurling into laughter. was this a business visit or a fun visit? he slowly stands from the floor and makes his way in their direction, gesturing for them to enter. " saved me from nearly fuckin' eletrocutin' myself. "

[strcinedhecrts]

Lakeith Stanfield

[strcinedhecrts]

WHILE OCCASIONALLY GETTING MESSY was all part of the job in medicine -- perhaps the last thing camila had expected was the sight of her coworker covered in god knows what, but she could certainly make out the distinct combination of dirt and... bodily fluids? it's clear that she's analyzing the situation as her head cocks ever so slightly to the left, but she's quick to jump into action.

" is that... your blood? someone elses? "

the question is asked with a certain amount of care in her voice, having never been the kind of person who wants to see anybody hurt ( with a couple of exceptions -- that is ). " christ, you look like you dove headfirst into a mud pit. " the statement is met with her usual small, understanding smile, followed by a gesture for them to follow her in the direction of where they can find him some clean clothes, scrubs even. it's certainly better than being covered in god knows what. " things are... moving forward, i suppose. i've been in and out of meetings all morning, and then seeing patients in between. " after a moment, she continues. " and you? i feel like we've been ships passing in the night these days. "

where: somewhere in afterglow compound with: anyone

"i can absolutely explain this." the normally pristine creature is covered in filth, some mix of blood and dirt and muck, and honestly, it's starting to make their skin itch a little bit, but it's not their fault that on the way into work that morning, they had stumbled upon an absolutely harrowing scene of someone practically dying on the side of the road and it is their solemn duty as a doctor to stop and help.

or some shit.

really, it had been the fact that the weird growth on the person's arm had intrigued them, given them pause, sparked that intellectual curiosity enough that they had stopped and offered assistance, but had, in fact, had to get down in the mud to give it, and now they desperately needed a shower or ten and perhaps a healthy chug of something stronger than water. "anyway... how are things?"