sunliights

[sunliights]

noah shrugged, she didn’t see the need for them to make a big thing of it. after all, she wasn’t sure that this was something that had bothered teagan up until now as she tried to move on from whatever grey area the two of them had ended up floating in. “i mean, why should i feel any sort of way about it when we’ve never said that there’s anything more going on here?”

teagan swallowed, hearing noah say they were just friends. along the years of their friendship, the lines ended up blurry. the longing glances, the touches, the flirtiness. "i mean, of course we're friends." teagan answered carefully. "but do you really believe that we're just friends? you honestly wouldn't feel the way i do right now if the roles were reversed? if you saw me with someone else?" there was no way teagan was the only one feeling this way, she wasn't ready for her heart to break if noah gave her an answer she wasn't ready to hear.

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“i know how i feel but how the fuck was i supposed to know how you felt? don’t pin this on me as if you haven’t kept just as quiet about it until this point,” amaris sighs out tiredly. while the content of her words suggests something like irritation, her tone falls a little flat. a little lacklustre. she doesn’t really have it within herself to be angry about this. especially not when zaria starts to finally give her some answers. “i don’t… i don’t know.” her gaze shifts, looking away. “i thought we agreed that we wouldn’t do anymore in case it got complicated? are you saying you don’t care about that anymore?”

zaria watches her, quiet at first, but there's a flicker of something—hurt, disbelief—that passes over her face anyway. "you didn't have to guess," she says softly, but there's an edge to it now, sharper than before. "you knew. don't stand there and tell me you didn't feel it too. you don't look at someone the way you look at me if it's nothing." her hands curl into fists at her sides, like she's holding herself together just barely. "but fine. if you really didn't know—if this really is news to you—then you know now. i want more. i've wanted more. so what are you gonna do with that, amaris?"

[sunliights]

“booty calls?!” amaris splutters, cheeks burning a hot red at the implication that that’s what this is. even if he’s right. still, she shuffles in closer. “this isn’t — i’m a woman, mateo. i have needs. adult needs. is that so wrong?”

"hi, mateo. how are you doing? i'm good, amaris. how are you?" mateo raises his beer to his lips, takes a sip, and sits it behind him on the counter. a crooked grin cracks across features and he motions her forward with his finger. "you treat all your booty calls this way or am i special?"

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"she did?" mitzi feigns a small pout, as if this isn't all working out a little bit too well for her. she knows that she shouldn't jump at the chance to spend more time with asami considering even introducing herself is dangerous enough but this is just too good to pass up. "well, my friend and i actually just wrapped up for the evening," she muses, glancing around the bar as if checking to see that her friend is actually gone, "but i'd be happy to keep you company for a little while if you want to stay out for a little longer? i could probably use another drink too so if you don't mind... we could get to know one another a little better?"

"thanks," she smiles at the compliment, while it's not unusual for people to comment on her beauty, especially not in a bar, compliments always carry more weight when they're from pretty girls. "i think i'd have remembered if we'd met before as well." she repeats the name, before complimenting, "that's a cute name." her phone buzzes in the pocket of her jeans and she excuses herself to check the text message, before sighing softly. "well, i was going to meet a friend, but she just ditched me since she's caught up at work." there's a faint tone of disappointment, but not overwhelmingly so, as she's heard how busy her friend has been lately.

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“so that’s why you keep me around?” rowan teases, knowing that of course her ‘stupidity’ had little to do with it. it was probably more to do with the sweetness that they liked to highlight and it made her soft to have them mention it for no real reason. she’s not really the kind of person who goes out of her way to receive compliments. she likes them, sure, nothing makes her feel better than knowing someone likes her. it just makes her feel bashful to be on the receiving end of any sort of positivity. “sounds like we’re watching something scary then…” as if she needs some sort of excuse to be cute, or to be any closer to grey than she already is. of course it doesn’t feel close enough given their time apart but she knows they’ll rectify it. curling up together watching movies followed by a night in one another’s arms? it sounds like everything that she needs and from the sounds of it, exactly what they need too. she never wants to be without this embrace again. if that means being patient and having hard conversations then she’ll do it. she isn't sure that she's the kind of person that people think capable of the serious, hard stuff. most people wouldn't probably associate her with any of the big, bad because she doesn't tell them about her own. grey knows though. clearly that hadn't been enough to prompt their opening up the first time around and she can't blame them for that. she just hopes how she reacted today and everything else that they know might be enough to reassure them that she's ready to stand the weather. no matter what storms that they might have to face. rowan wants to be there. "mmm, sure. you say that until the winter comes around and i'm leeching off you in bed and you're wondering just why you ever agreed to let me stay because how are you ever going to be able to stretch out again?" her light-hearted dramatic monologue is mainly for the benefit of stopping things becoming too heavy just yet. things feel good; the best that they have in a long time in fact and she doesn't want do or say anything that could ruin it. after weeks of feeling like she's been carrying weights around on her shoulders she's finally experiencing a reprieve. not naïve to the fact that the following day might be a challenging one. it isn't the following day yet, though. it's now. so, she heaves out an exaggerated sigh and reaches for the controller. "i always have to do everything myself, hm? wear a sweater for your attention, pick the movie..." she's muttering to herself but not at all actually complaining as she flicks through and decides what to put on for the two of them. this seems like a more natural state anyway. grey as the perfect place for her to longue on and her finally picking something out. "here we go. stupid-scary, i hope you're ready." her head turns a little bit so that she can let her lips graze their cheek. she feels an overwhelming wash of contentment. this is what rowan has been yearning for so badly and now that she has it, she'll do anything to keep it.

grey can't help themself when it comes to rowan. being apart felt so WRONG like they were missing something foundational. the walk to the clinic had become a routine, and calling rowan on the walk had become part of it. it had become one of many things they did that kept them grounded. and sure, they never told her what they were doing. oh, i'm just going for a walk, you know how it is. i'm gonna pick up some coffee, i'll call you back later babe. the lies had been so easy. but disrupting all of that routine felt like it put them on shaky ground. and the home they had built in her embrace had come crashing down around them. "i LOVE stupid." they laugh, "i think you're so sweet, y'know." sure, it was unprompted. and sure, their head was starting to pound from their earlier mental breakdown. but who were they to stop the joy that they could feel coming off of rowan. she was always such a light, and these last few weeks had felt so dark without her. “but if we watch something scary—“ a light pause, “you’re always so fuckin’ cute when you’re scared.” they’re sure it’s self serving to want that, but something in them felt like they couldn’t let go. they needed her pressed up against them, needing them for something. they knew it was selfish, but after baring all their wounds for the world to see (or at least some of the big ones) they felt like such a BURDEN. being needed for something, even if only to hold rowan through the scariest parts of some thriller, felt so incredibly enticing. when they’ve settled down into their usual seat on the couch, and they’ve pulled rowan as close as she can get without being uncomfortable, they lean forward to rest their chin on her shoulder. grey loves the closeness, the proximity. they felt so broken, and slowly this contact could the the thing that puts them totally back together. after all, without rowan they had spiraled. they weren’t even sure which way was up anymore, their sense of stability crushed under the weight of their dishonesty. they were glad to be getting some semblance, no matter how small, of that back. you don’t have to anymore. just a few words but they held everything that greyson was hoping for. because they didn’t want to have to wait any longer. they didn’t want to keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, to have her realize that there was so much happening; so much turmoil and strife, within them. her delicate fingers running through their hair hits them with the exact right combination of comfort and intimacy, like it was the most romantic thing she had ever done; even if there were a million other things that she'd done in their time together. "i wouldn't complain if you did, y'know. you could stay as long as you wanted and i'd probably still be shocked i got lucky enough to see you." it's just another statement drenched in their sincerity, and they're not sure which is worse. how much time they spent not telling her things, or just how incapable they feel of ever hiding something again. the threat of honesty– of being SEEN – always feels so deeply terrifying. like they're always going to have to wait until she decides it's too much. and right now, despite that looming threat, they can't imagine choosing to be alone again. "ugh–" they laugh, "i'm TERRIBLE at picking movies." it feels so easy. and in about six hours they're sure it won't, the closer the day draws to mickey's birthday, the more they expect themself to fall apart. but maybe now that rowan's here, it won't be a rerun of last year. because sitting under the spray of their shower in all of their clothes sobbing sounds just as unappealing as it has been grounding.

[sunliights]

"i think ahra would become a nun if someone sold it to her enough." and then instantly regret it but yuri doesn't think that she has to say that given the picture she's painted of her sister to atlas. she hopes so, anyway. she probably ought to paint her sister in a bit of a better light to a stranger but he doesn't strike her as the type that will do anything with the information that she gives him. thankfully. "your TA?" she laughs, "does that not require some sort of... degree? or knowledge, perhaps?" both of which yuri lacks but he also has to know that by now. "if you ever fancy being an extra on set then you should just let me know."

"elope? excuse me but i didn't think someone with the lifestyle you claim she has to be... interested in something like that. or is it all just driven by impulse?" all hypotheticals, of course, and he would argue that maybe that's better than knowing something sexual is happening in the background instead? who knows, even though he should probably stop feeding her makeshift situations to chew on. atlas isn't sure if yuri is the type to overthink but in the event that she does... "mmm, yes, just based on what you've told me so far, it sounds like everything can be so staggered that you won't have a proper gap unless you force one yourself. whether that's by taking on less projects or some other means... if you ever want to try your hand at being my TA, i could always use another one."

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"you think i'm going to tell my future spouse that my affinity for cuddling came from the time i let a certain fuck boy rail me once?" emery's eyebrows raise as if she seriously expects dowoon to answer that. of course she doesn't. in actual fact, she shakes her head in the hopes that he won't. his next question is a little surprising if only because they've never really touched upon her dating history before. it feels as though that should tell him all he needs to know about it. "not often," she muses plainly, "i go on dates, sure. if someone asks me and i think they're hot or whatever. i figure what's the harm? i haven't really been on many that i've seen going anywhere recently. hence why, you know, this. i'm not sure that i'd say often either though. just... whenever."

all she gets as a response is a baby glare, one betrayed by the tiniest of smiles on his face. little shit is what he wants to say but like hell was he about to give up the position they were in for a stupid remark. starved of casual affection like this, he's going to milk it for as long as he can. it won't hurt them, after all, with the lack of expectation for anything more. what a strange symbiotic relationship. "hey, i just want credit! i don't want some asshole out there to 'stake their claim' or whatever. one day, when you're good and married, i want you to remember that i was the one who started up all of the cuddling for you. your future husband or wife can thank me for that," even though the line was drawn at friends. doubtful that she's leaving her SO high and dry. "do you... date often?" he asks, no ulterior motive in his voice as he continues to brush her hair back, occasionally scratching her just beneath her cheek.

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open to anyone. muse: daphne luther. bisexual. she/her. statistical analyst. plot: "you’re very wealthy and i grew up poor and now we’re buying furnishings for our first house together, and will you PLEASE put those back, we DO NOT need $900 bed sheets!” au

"okay, i'm willing to compromise." setting her hands on her hips and levelling her gaze with her partners, daphne does her best to offer a sweet smile like this isn't killing her. she's used to getting her own way but she knows any good relationship has a little give and take. "we get the 'too expensive' sheets but i will find a cheaper alternative for our bedroom lamps. to be honest, i'm not sure i like them so much now anyway..."

[sunliights]

open to anyone. muse: harin kim. 28 years old. bisexual. she/her. radiographer. plot: harin agreed to be a ‘fake date’ for your muse (whether they were already friends, fwb, met on tinder or something dumb like that) to some sort of event for whatever reason. the evening is drawing to a close.

“so…” balancing herself back on her heels, harin does her best to seem nonchalant. casual. cool. everything that she doesn’t feel inside. her pulse is racing and her cheeks are warm but she can’t not say anything now. it would just come across as weird. “how about we do this again some time? like… for real?”

[sunliights]

open to anyone. muse: alanis tanner. bisexual. she/her. business student/dealer. plot: she is a toxic ex-girlfriend, i fear.

“imagine seeing you here.” the simper on her lips is indicative enough of the fact that the two of them running into one another is no coincidence. “you know,” alanis lowers her voice, “you should probably unshare your location with me on find my friends. makes it pretty easy for the two of us to have a run in—"then, at a normal volume, "is this a date?”

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“if i am a princess, that means you have to treat me like one!” though at this point, bella thinks that is going to be unlikely with how much he seems to be enjoying teasing her. it’s just a good thing for him that she doesn’t mind it. “i can see you’re already thinking up ideas…” which she definitely shouldn’t encourage and yet she finds herself curious about the things they could get up to. fleeting moments when her boyfriend is in the shower already seem like a prime opportunity. she lets out an easy laugh, glad that he is apparently not over her just yet. “it is working,” she sighs, as if she’s disappointed to be so easily won over by his charm. she isn’t. "but if we are going to do this, we're going to be careful, alright? i would never live it down if he broke up with me."

“definitely a princess, until proven otherwise.” the blond teases, amusing himself. a smirk curls his devious features when she tells him to shut up. “maybe. we'll have to be quiet. especially if we get up to any kitchen antics,” because wouldn't he love to take her from behind on the counter, get her stupid boyfriend back for a few reasonings while adoring the idea of how attractive the idea of her underneath him again but in a different position would be. “well. guess i'm not over it.” which was dangerous, but at the same time, what was he supposed to do to resist the tempation and desire to explore again. “oh, is it working?” another smirk at her saying it's only going to make her want him more, figuring he will be sure to say things like that more. “just a little.”

[sunliights]

❀ MADELYN CLINE via instagram ( marcmena )

[sunliights]

"i guess so," noah muses, though part of her feels confident that she won't be caught out. apparently she's changed more over the years than she realises. "my story? there really isn't much to tell. i work for my family business and i like to have a good time, hence why i'm out tonight. my life usually revolves around those two things." she keeps her job vague enough; isn't sure how many noah's work as morticians and doesn't want to give jia too many clues. "tell me about you."

Again, a flicker of something flashes through her head at the name now. Now that sounded familiar to her too. Jia's sure it would bother her more if she didn't already have the woman's attention and a drink in her hand. But it's a bother she can easily brush aside for the time being. "Guess it'll give me a good reason to stare at you while I try to figure it out then, huh?" she smirks. "So, Noah, what's your story then?"

[sunliights]

a continuation of here for @svnsetblvd

“i was! seriously, amazing show. i think it was the best i’ve ever seen you.” eden often tried not to gush too much. she didn’t want to seem insanely uncool but considering the way she followed the group around like she had nothing better to be doing, maybe she’d already done that anyway. at least ophelia always gave her the time of day. “are you going to the party?” they’d mentioned the other guys but not their own plans and something about that felt… pointed. either they were trying to palm her off or they didn’t realise that she didn’t care about the others. she supposed she’d figure that out for herself soon enough.

[sunliights]

a continuation of here for @svnsetblvd

“right,” thea muttered, since truthfully she didn’t know what she would’ve done if someone hadn’t come to her aid. ran, most likely. though her affinity for never wearing sensible shoes probably would’ve meant that she wouldn’t get very far. “am i okay?” the question made her laugh, for a moment her actions coming to a pause because she had to cover her mouth with her hand. “you just got all beat up for me, and am i okay?” the hysterics died down soon enough and she looked a little bit sheepish, giving a small shrug of her shoulders. “a little shaken i guess but i’m fine really.”