#gccdwitch (solo)

[eternclsunshine]

👯 + lucy/lance, duygu/trin, imani/nick, solo/kareen (or whoever you want sjhdsk <333)

send me 👯 + a relationship, and i’ll choose them matching halloween costumes!

Lance / Lucy - Romeo and Juliet, the 1996 movie! It's very understated but definitely their vibe. ( insp: 1, 2 )

Trinity / Duygu - Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf! Trin suggested this and wanted to be the wolf <3 ( insp: 1, 2 )

Imani / Nick - Princess and the Frog! ( insp: 1, 2 )

Kareena / Solo - Tinkerbell and Peter Pan! ( insp: 1, 2 )

Gemma / Sterling - Barbie and Ken in their cowboy outfits! I'm sure she begged him for this LOL ( insp. )

Theo / Sloane - Woody and Jessie from Toy Story ( insp: 1, 2 )

Luci / Astur - Bride of Chucky! Not them teasing their marriage lol ( insp. )

[likeswallowstosea]

@gccdwitch

“There’s my favorite lawyer.” Ches greets Solomon with a grin, standing on the tips of her toes in an attempt to press a quick kiss to the man’s cheek. “Did you eat yet? Because if you’re not too busy, I could buy you lunch. I got another letter for you.” Sure, letters were meant to be mailed, but if she was going to see him, she might as well hand deliver this one.

[likeswallowstosea]

How could Solomon remain so steady despite how completely unraveled Serissa was at the moment? How wasn’t he afraid? This was terrifying, fighting with him, knowing she had to fix everything before it fell apart, and yet he was talking as if he’d still be here after he took time to think about tonight. Would he resent her later for not fighting harder to talk things out now before he went to bed angry and everything fractured beyond repair? It felt like taking a card out of her parents deck, risking making the same mistakes they had. “You make it sound so easy.” And she was making things so much worse, lashing out at him like an animal out of fear. The realization hits her like a ton of bricks, the tears falling harder. “I know, you’re just uncomfortably perfect.” Why was it that despite the fact he made it exceptionally clear he wasn’t humoring serious conversations tonight, something completely lame was bubbling up on her tongue, dying to spill out of her mouth. “If I texted you ‘I had a rough day and I just want to watch Chicken Shop Date and make out,’ you’d probably come over. You wouldn’t even consider throwing a fit if we didn’t fuck. You buy me dinner without expecting anything in return, you don’t get pissed off when I hang out with Ches, and you’ve been standing out here arguing with me for how long now and you haven’t even called me a bitch once despite the fact I’m being one at the moment. We’re literally fighting, and you’re still perfect.” Did she really have to say it out loud though? How much worse was tonight about to become because she wasn’t shutting her mouth? She glances over to him, sighing. “It’s not fair, nothing about tonight has been fair.”

Serissa lets out a small laugh, “I think hell would freeze over if your mother was excited about anything. My da would be ecstatic though, you’d probably get invited to every family function for life.” And the worst part was it wasn’t a lie, her father would love Solomon, which only made keeping him from finding out about them even more crucial. Her father finding out meant Edward finding out, and Edward finding out would result in a massive headache for both of them. “You would have an issue with me opening my own door even after a fight.” She teases him, but there’s a genuine affection in the observation despite all of the conflicting emotions welling up in her body. She should be upset — she was upset — and yet there’s no hiding the way the tension in her shoulders ease the moment he climbs into the back of the cab beside her and shuts the door. 

“With pleasure.” Tonight absolutely wasn’t the night for it, even without the fight, they were way too drunk. But she can’t help the way her eyes immediately flicker to his lips the second he suggests getting on his knees later, mouth growing dry. “Good, because it’s going to be extremely relevant during our next lesson.” She whispers back, matching his discrepancy. Personally, if Solomon wanted to kiss her right this second, she didn’t care what the taxi driver ended up seeing as long as he kept going but Solo was a gentleman, and so instead of testing her luck and trying to steal a kiss, she rests her head on his shoulder and relaxes into him. “I’ll allow it, or you could stay the night. You’ll probably break Camille’s heart if you come in and leave but she’ll get over it if you bring treats next time you’re over.” It wasn’t Camille’s heart she was worried about, not really, but it wasn’t as if Seri could ask him to stay after picking a fight with him. They’d just spent how long arguing outside of a cab, the fact he was walking her to the door and trying to set her up with what she'd need when she inevitably woke up with a killer hangover in the morning was more than she deserved at the moment.

Oh fuck him. His eyes widen as Serisa’s voice rises in volume, darting wildly across her face. He’s done it again, he’s offended her for what feels like the millionth time tonight. How has Solomon not managed to get a single thing right in this whole conversation? All of his attempts to get them out of this unpleasant situation, diffuse the tension that keeps building, have ended with her getting rightfully upset. He could blame it on the drinks he’s had but, really, he’d much rather blame himself. “Well, neither do I.” The steadiness of his voice comes as a genuine surprise. Considering how fucking fragile he feels right now, Solo is surprised he even managed to get the words out. “So, we’ll talk about it when we’re both in a better headspace and we’ll figure it out, yeah? It’s going to be okay, we’ll be okay.” They have to be. If Solomon allows himself to even consider any other option (namely that he might have ruined yet another relationship all by himself), he might break down right here and now. It’s a good thing Seri’s still turned away and can’t see how he flinches. That probably wouldn’t help his case. At all. “Look, I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable. Ever. But I do care for you and I worry about you and that’s just… not something I can turn off on a whim, I’m sorry.”

Solomon manages a sort of amused snort and rolls his eyes. “Oh yes. I’m sure mother would be beyond proud and excited.” Except she wouldn’t care less even if he did tell her and, as it stands, he’s being extremely careful not to talk about anything that might have to do with Serissa around his mother. Actually, he’d be beyond happy if he never had to mention her name around Marianne. “I could have gotten that for you,” he protests, though his relief nearly floors him and he hurries to follow after her, giving her address to the driver and making a mental note to tip him generously later in an attempt make up for all the waiting the poor man had done.

“Rain check that, too, then.” Was piling jokes and bad flirting on top of their fight and his concern the best idea? Maybe not but Solo also didn’t know what else to do right now when they were crammed in a taxi. So he melts into the seats and smirks at Serissa, voice quiet enough so only she can hear. “I can just get on my knees later. Whenever you ask.” Walking her to her door had been the plan all along, honestly, for the sole reason that he was worried and seeing her make it home safely would soothe him. It hadn’t occurred to him that Seri running away was a possibility and now he’s even more worried, eyebrows arched in surprise. “Well, of course. You did just say I’m a gentleman. I’ll even come inside and make sure you have a glass of water and an Aspirin on your nightstand if you allow me to.”

[everseens]

"ok, give me your honest thoughts on this outfit..." lanie yelled out from the closet before appearing back in the bedroom in front of solo now. she did a quick twirl, dressed in a fancier pink dress, makeup halfway done and her hair in perfect curls. "do you think his parents are gonna hate me for wearing it? is it too revealing? or is it not revealing enough? like, do i look like someone who attends church every sunday or do i simply look like a presentable and sweet girl? because that's what i'm trying to go for." / @gccdwitch

[imaginc]

closed starter for @gccdwitch ( solomon ) !

extravagant galas and charity events were an all too common occurrence in kareena's life. while most children of wealthy families detested such events, kareena actually enjoyed them - they gave her the opportunity to dress up and to interact with friends from her social circle. though at the moment she was keen on finding her close friend solomon at this event, who she'd hardly seen recently due to their busy schedules. as her gaze fell upon the all too familiar male, there was an immediate twinkle of excitement in her eyes. as improper as it may have come across, kareena couldn't help herself from approaching solomon with an enthusiastic skip in her step. "solo!" she called out his nickname, hoping to capture his attention. as they grew closer and acknowledged each other, kareena held her arms out to greet him with a hug. "it's so good to see you! gosh- it feels like forever since I last saw you. it's like life happened all at once for the both of us and you know-" normally she would go on a tangent, but they both knew why there was a moment of distance between the two. besides, none of it mattered. "anyway - we need to catch up and talk one on one. should we maybe... sneak off?"

[likeswallowstosea]

@gccdwitch

A couple months ago, James would have known exactly where to sit during the town hall meeting. He’d be right next to Ches, his fingers intertwined with hers as they discussed what was going on between themselves. Now? Well, this was yet another thing he felt aimless with since he’d pressed the self-destruct button on his engagement. Life never seemed to cease reminding him of his errors, be it waking up to an empty bed or the hostility of Ches’s social circle. The only one who wasn’t outwardly hostile was Solomon; possibly because, out of everyone, Solo might be the only one who understood based on what James could piece together about his breakup with Amber. 

Maybe that was why, despite being well aware that Solo was close to his ex, James had no hesitation walking up to him when he spotted him in the crowd. “Hello Solomon; it’s great to see you. You look well.” He greeted him with a smile, a bit softer than his signature smirk. This certainly would be the least headache inducing place to sit, unless he’d already had plans with Ches. Lucielle had a point during their last run in that he only had a limited amount of people in Arcadia willing to tolerate him at the moment that weren’t related to him. While he’d certainly never give her the satisfaction of admitting it, he’d rather avoid making that list smaller tonight. “Would it be okay if I join you tonight?” The worst case was that Solomon said no, he apologized for imposing like his uncle would encourage him to do because a town hall meeting certainly was considered polite society to the Branwells, and he texted Serissa to get down here and suffer with him to preserve what little reputation he had left. 

Of course, he’d rather avoid that embarrassment, but he supposed it wasn’t the worst situation he could get himself into tonight.

[likeswallowstosea]

@gccdwitch asked: “i was just standing here, minding my own business.” from lucy to james or zander

“Bullshit.” James shot back immediately, rolling his eyes at the concept of Lucy ever minding her own business. Most likely she was trying to dig up some dirt to shit-talk him with Zander later, it wasn't like he was unaware of the fact that Ches's best friends hated his guts. And sure, it was warranted all things considered, but he wasn't about to admit to that out loud. “So what's this really about? I haven't spoken to Ches, so if she's upset it's not my fault this time.” Well, that wasn't entirely a lie. He hadn't spoken to her since she kissed him and ran out the door, at least. “Did you ask Theo or Zander what they did? Gods know she spends way too much 'quality time' with those two if you catch my drift.” Okay, was he a bit bitter that Ches had kissed him and ran out the door? Yes. Was this fair? No. Was he going to continue being angry about Theo and Zander being close to his ex when he couldn't even get her to sit down and try to talk things through? Yes. He was a child of Ares, when wasn't he angry?

[likeswallowstosea]

🎁 (wrapped meme) - from solo (@gccdwitch) The Last One - Maisie Peters

“Can I just say you’re on fire today?” Ches teases Solomon as she loops her arm around his. Was ambushing him on his way out of work fair? Perhaps not, but after that disaster of a town hall meeting she didn’t want to give him a chance to avoid her. “On Twitter, although I have absolutely no doubt you’re the best lawyer in the firm already. Come on, I’m kidnapping you for a couple hours. I got takeout, and I bought you coffee, so I think you should get in the car willingly. Well, unless you want to uno-reverse card this and kidnap me, but I left the goods in the car so we’re gonna have to grab them first if you’re driving.” 

[eternclsunshine]

Before Kareena could let out another word in teasing protest, she finds herself taken into an unexpected kiss with Solo. The kiss lasts as quickly as it was initiated and for a brief moment of time, she stands there in awe, only to come back to reality with a soft chuckle. “Wouldn’t that be nice?” She says, the corners of her lips turning into some semblance of a frown. As her bad thoughts and anxieties pile up in her mind, Kareena physically takes a step back and lets out a deep exhale in attempt to calm herself. “No, don’t do that. I… It’s actually not the public’s opinion that I’m worried about,” she begins her confession “It’s more like… our parents? Not that they wouldn’t approve… I think the problem is they’d approve of it a little too much. Perhaps even try to turn our relationship into a business opportunity or something for the press. Or am I just overthinking?” Clearly she’s had a lot of time to think about it, and nearly feels embarrassed that she poured all of that on Solo all at once. Kareena reverts her gaze down to her hands, which were awkwardly fiddling within each other.

Solomon remains as he is for a couple of seconds, head hanging in the air and eyes closed in anticipation of another kiss, maybe some other gesture of affection, until her words burst his bubble. He chuckles, smiling softly as he looks at her. “I’m not making fun of you. I just think you’re the cutest person who’s ever existed,” he tells Kareena. “You must be.” Then, as quick as lightning, he moves closer, pressing a kiss to her mouth before drawing back to his full height, clasping his hands together behind his back and whistling to feign innocence. “Next time you can just kiss me,” says Solo, dropping the teasing. “I don’t mind. Or you can tell me to kiss you, in case you’re still too shy about it. I’ll bear all the public's scorn.”

[everseens]

as upset as lanie was to the point of her not even thinking straight, it felt as if solomon was the one person in her life that she really could rely on and trust. he was her rock in the midst of all this chaos, and she couldn't express in words how grateful she was for him. she finally slowed down her tears, patting them away delicately with her fingertips knowing she looked a mess with her makeup all smeared now. solomon's words were reassuring, up to the point of him calling lanie his friend. she chuckled quietly at the word, nodding her head in agreement. of course they were friends, what else would they be? sometimes her mind had wandered and she wondered what life would be like if they were anything more. but the thought quickly shifted as she had other priorities in the moment. plopping down on the couch and curling up practically into a ball, she perked up at just the slightest once he set some paper towels and chocolate down on the table. grabbing one to wipe her tears and eventually a piece of chocolate, she chuckled quietly. "thanks, solo," she mumbled before sniffling a bit, taking a bite. "i know that whenever i'm going through boyfriend problems you'll be there to hand me a piece of chocolate." she nudged his shoulder with a grin so he knew she was just messing with him. / @gccdwitch

“It’s okay,” he repeats, tone soothing despite all the anger he feels boiling inside him, and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “You’ll be okay, I promise.” Seeing Lanie cry is heartbreaking. Knowing there’s no way he can comfort her might be just as painful. If there was a way to take on even some of her pain, he would without even hesitating. “Hey, no. There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Solomon shakes his head. “You’re my friend. You’re always welcome here.” His shoulders sag a little and he runs a hand through his head. “And, honestly, I’m glad you came. I’d be worried sick if you hadn’t.” Solo sighs softly and gestures towards his living room, his other hand gently setting on her shoulder so he could guide her there. “Let’s get you comfortable, at least. Before we talk some more.” He dips into his kitchenette for a moment, just long enough to grab the paper towels and the bar of chocolate that’s been abandoned on a counter. “Not the finest,” he says as he sets it on the coffee table. “But it’s still okay, I think.” / @vvhimsicals

[imaginc]

Usually Kareena adored Solo's playful qualities, but now that she was trying to have a serious moment with him, she could feel herself growing mildly frustrated. Kareena tries her best to conceal the frown that twitched at the corners of her lips, afraid of revealing her dejection. The smile on her visage is forced, "Uh yeah. That's definitely what this is. Just me messing around with you." with that being said, she lightly and playfully shoves his arm, as if to go along with this charade. But she was incapable of faking her emotions for far too long, which leads to her quickly falling into a brief awkward silence. The air between them feels strange and off... or at least it did in her mind, and she wonders if she should just spit out her confession right now. "Actually no I'm not-" she begins, letting out a deep breath. "Don't make a joke out of this, but I like you. Obviously as a friend but also more than that." / @gccdwitch

Solomon raises both his eyebrows, his attention snapping to Kareena like a magnet. He’s never felt as… uncertain as he does now, trying to read her. A stupid, reckless part of him wants to assume that she’s saying what he wants to hear. But he knows better than that. “Oh, I see what’s going on,” he says, forcing a smug smile on his lips. “Finally decided to get back at me for all the years of teasing and flirting, huh?” He crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Word of advice, you might try to sound a bit more, I dunno, playful?”

[everseens]

suri felt a sudden wave of embarrassment seep through once she noticed the backstage pass. facepalming momentarily, suri shook her head in disbelief. "oh my goodness, i am so sorry-- i swear i meant no disrespect." she said in a genuine tone, only to immediately reach their hand out to shake astur's with intent. "i'm suri, so nice to meet you. sit down." they directed the other to a chair next to her, even though nerves were running through their system now. not only was she cute, but she was about to interview them. "so, you liked the show? i'm so glad," she thanked the other with a quick head nod and bright smile, tilting their head to the side a bit. "what was your favorite part of it all? i bet it was the guitar solos, huh?" she nudged her shoulder playfully, this conversation almost seeming more informal than anything. suri realized she probably needed to be more professional, but it felt natural just talking to astur like normal. / @gccdwitch

Prior to tonight, Astur knew almost nothing about the singer on stage. She’s heard of them, sure, but she’s never really listened to them and she probably wouldn’t have if she didn’t have to cover for her sick coworker. Astur has done as much research as she could (and by that, she mostly means that she read her coworker’s notes, deep-dived into Suri’s Wikipedia page, and then listened to her top five Spotify songs on her way to the venue) with the time she had. But none of that could have compared to the real thing. Though she doesn’t know the other’s song, her energy is electrifying and the performance is so charming to Astur that she barely remembers to jot down any helpful notes. She’s close to the stage and she can hear their voice loud and clear, she can follow her movements and she swears their eyes lock a couple of times. Or she would if she were a delusional dedicated fan.

Still buzzing from the show and with her interest now successfully piqued, she follows security backstage and uses the free time she has to read some more about Suri. It’s not long before they make their appearance, though, startling her. The singer’s question brings a laugh out of her and she shakes her head before pocketing her phone. “Oh, no, no. Don’t worry,” she flashes her a smile and proudly waves the backstage pass with her name and credentials. “I’m Astur Jama. Here to interview you for Stars Daily.” A couple of steps toward Suri and she offers her hand for a handshake. “You were absolutely amazing out there, by the way. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun at a concert.” / @vvhimsicals

[likeswallowstosea]

Serissa wishes she could allow her expression to soften the moment he sighs and drops his arms, that she could allow herself to meet him in the middle instead of tilting her chin and shove down all the frustration coursing throughout her body. “Thank you.” The words are sharp, and for a moment she glances away from him and pretends that just for a second, this wasn’t Solomon she was fighting with. That he was some other boy, someone who deserved to be treated like this rather, that she wasn’t going to be staring up at her ceiling all night regretting every word that left her mouth, knowing she could never text him to apologize. Not that it worked, because he speaks again before she delude herself into believing she wasn’t at least partially in the wrong here. “I’m not being stubborn.” She snaps, her shoulders shaking as she shouts the words. “Fuck.” She takes a deep breath, “I just don’t want to ruin this, okay? And if we don’t talk about it, and it festers-” She hated being vulnerable, and yet she can’t help but let out a sigh of relief when his pinky interlocks with her and he gives her that smile that made her wish they weren’t in a middle of a fight. If only she hadn’t immediately ruined it by running her mouth. Before she can reach for his hand, he’s shoving them into his coat pocket, and she’s turning away from him before the hot tears welling up in her eyes roll down her cheeks. “Yeah, and I know how to keep it to myself instead of making everyone uncomfortable.” At least, she knew how to keep her emotions to herself sober. Tonight shouldn’t be held against her, he was doing this on purpose, getting reactions from her when she was too intoxicated to fully mask everything.

At least, that was going to be her excuse whenever this conversation came up after they sobered up. “A perfect gentleman, now that’s something you could brag about at the breakfast table.” The joke is forced, as is the smile that forms on her lips as she looks at him again. If she had to bet money, his likely was just as forced as her own. “Actually, I think being on your knees would be a look. I’m kind of tempted not to get into the cab now.” And before he can even respond to her attempt at flirting, she’s opening the door to the taxi. “You’re going to have to walk me to my door if you want me to actually go home.” Okay, that wasn’t playing fair - she could have asked, she should have asked, but asking left room for him to reject her request, and he’d have every right to do that at the moment.

That, he concedes, is deserved and a fair point. Solomon sighs and drops his arms to the side, clearly admitting defeat. On this, at least. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t have malicious intent but I shouldn’t have imitated you. Now isn’t the time for teasing.” Now is the time to get in the car and away from this shitty street and even shittier night. He presses his lips together. “That’s the thing, though. I’m not dismissing it. I’m trying to raincheck it and you’re being stubborn about it. I wouldn’t be doing that if I didn’t think it mattered.” Serissa rolls her eyes and, for a second, he thinks this plan, too, has failed and they’ll have to stay there, arguing next to a taxi for another half an hour. But then—a light at the end of the tunnel. His suffering, his worries, they seem to be so close to ending. Grinning bright, Solo wraps his pinkie around hers and shakes their hands. “Well, good thing I won’t be breaking it then.” There’s very little doubt in his mind that she’ll go through with it and there’s not a chance he’s risking that. Seri, as it stands, is one of very few people he genuinely looks forward to talking with, even when she stresses him out beyond belief. “Turn it off? What do you think I am? A machine?” Confused and annoyed, he shoves his hands in the pockets of his coat, scowling down at her. “Of course, I can’t ‘turn it off’. You’re my friend and I worry about all of my friends. It’s only natural. I know you do, too.”

Solomon grows still and quiet, her words settling over his skin like frostbite. He’s sure his expression has grown plain horrified, a perfect reflection of his feelings, and he’s sure Seri won’t like that but he also can’t really help it. This is… beyond concerning. “I am telling you up front what I want from you,” he says when he eventually gathers himself. “To get home safe. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Reasonable request, I’d think.” This isn’t the time, nor place for a more serious conversation as he already tried to establish. Solo’s shoulders sag in relief and he forces himself to smile. “Thank you. She really would. I appreciate you making sure I look handsome even in death.” He glances down at himself, though, truthfully he couldn’t care less about how he looks right now. “I was five seconds away from dropping to my knees and begging you to get in the car and… I guess that would have been a loss for my fashion, too. My pants would have gotten ruined. Anyway. Ready to go?”

[likeswallowstosea]

“Says the man mocking me.” Serissa huffs, rolling her eyes. He was the one who was turning this into a fight, if he’d just let her do what she wanted to and simply humored the conversation, they wouldn’t be in this mess at all. Who else’s fault could it be? “It’s not nothing, Solomon. But of course you would dismiss it simply because you think it doesn’t matter.” But he was right about one thing, they were simply going in circles right now because he refused to compromise on anything. Her grey eyes roll again the second he suggests a pinky promise - like they were children who didn’t know how easily such things would be broken. “I’m going to give you the silent treatment when you break it,” She informs him, but she extends her pinky to him in a truce. Would it be an effective punishment? Unlikely. Would it make her feel better turning off her read receipts to leave him to stew in his own decisions? Absolutely not, but it wasn’t as if that mattered. She tenses up when he reaches out to steady her, not commenting on the action despite her reaction. He clearly didn't want to acknowledge it either, not that what he did say was any less embarrassing. “Can’t you just go into emotionless mode like the rest of us and flip it off? I never asked you for your concern.” Sure, she knew it wasn’t that sinple but that didn’t make it any less uncomfortable to be on the receiving end of. Why was he acting like she actually mattered, and what did he hope to get out of it?

She bites back the urge to ask him the question to his face, and the bitter laugh on the tip of her tongue the moment he says he didn’t care if she’d asked, he’d care about her anyway. “Men don’t care about me, they care about what they can get out of me.” The words just slip out of her mouth, and she wishes she could take them back. Solomon didn’t need to know how she truly felt, nor did she assume he wanted to, so why did she tell him? “I suppose Chessie would have your head if she found out you were here and something happened to me though. Fine, just because a pike wouldn’t go with your outfit tonight.”

“I’m not doing anything,” Solomon insists. Aside from imitating her. That was a bit childish but it’s been a long fucking night and Serissa is seriously worrying him. He’s going to start graying in a month or two at this rate, with how much all his friends are stressing him out. “Okay but we’re not even talking about it right now. We’re just going in circles and you’re trying to get me to argue with you over absolutely nothing.” Solomon huffs. It’s not like he will entertain a conversation on the topic right now, even if she tried. He stands firmly on that one. She’s drunk, he’s tired, nothing good will come out of it. “What if I pinky promise it? Will you get in the car then?” Like he’s on autopilot, completely mindless, he reaches out for Seri, helping steady her even though he doesn’t think there’s any serious danger of her toppling over. This time around at least. Solomon frowns and lets go almost immediately, stepping back to give her some space. “I’m concerned. So it quite literally is my concern, actually.”

He presses his lips together, biting back all the words that immediately rise to his tongue because they’re pretty shitty and he doesn’t really mean them. Solo refuses to give in, take the bait, let the argument spiral into a whole another topic entirely. And anyway, this isn’t about him. “I know you didn’t ask and I really don’t care about that. I’m doing it anyway.” She can think him boring or disgusting or not talk to him tomorrow or ever again, it doesn’t matter as long as he manages to make sure she gets home. Well, he would very much care if she never talked to him again but still, her safety is a much bigger priority. “There are no tricks, Serissa. I’m just trying to get you home. I know you’re drunk but me caring for you can’t be that hard to comprehend.”

[likeswallowstosea]

“It wouldn’t be an argument if you’d stop turning it into one.” Okay, so it’d still definitely be an argument, but it wasn’t as if Solomon was completely innocent in this considering he was purposefully mimicking her stance right now. “No, because I don’t believe you. You’re just trying to avoid the conversation.” She stomps her heel against the pavement, wobbling a little at the force. Okay, so maybe she wasn’t as sober as she wanted to claim she was currently. “And it’s not your job to make sure I get home safely, so that’s none of your concern. Mind your own business!”

Maybe Solomon deflating should have been cause to seethe her claws, but her expression hardens as she watches his reaction. “Well, then you’re surrounding yourself with liars. You should make better friends.” She says coldly, raising her chin a bit higher. “And I didn’t ask you to take care of me. It’s disgusting.” But she never knew how to react to the uncomfortable sensation that went through her body every time someone tried to do something like this, it felt wrong, against everything she was supposed to expect. Sure, with France or Ches maybe, but those two had always been weird. “You forget my father is a lawyer too, I know your tricks.” 

“Really, Serissa? Because it seems to me like you want to argue about this now.” He raises one eyebrow. “Which is extremely unproductive, and it’s going to get us nowhere.” Solomon easily mimics her stance, crossing his own arms in front of her chest to tease her. “Then how do you plan to get home safe, huh? Don’t be silly. Get in the car, I’ll drop you off and then we can talk about this tomorrow. Or whenever you want. Just not now.” 

Her next words, though, feel like a punch to the gut. Solo deflates, arms falling limp at his sides. It takes him a couple of seconds to collect himself and try to hide the fact that she’s actually managed to hurt him. He was aware he’s been kind of miserable and spaced out after… everything, but he thought he was hiding it well. It hadn’t crossed his mind that it could be affecting the people around him. Sure, Parker bugged him to get out of bed or off of their couch and stop moping and Cece and some of his friends were clearly worried about him, but he’d never known it was as bothersome as Seri said it was. “No, actually,” he drawls, aiming for cool and collected. “I usually get the opposite. That I got more fun during college.” Solomon shrugs. “And how is trying to take care of you the same as being a buzzkill? I’m literally just being a good friend right now.” /@likeswallowstosea

[likeswallowstosea]

For brief moment, confusion crosses her features as Solomon jumps straight into it as if she’d been joking. Had he not realized that she’d been serious? No, it wasn’t that. She’d taken it too far, she realizes, but the conversation wasn’t beyond jumping back. He’d just shifted it right back to where he was comfortable, and she plasters a grin on her face as he teases her about buttering him up. “Anything?” She echos, her eyelashes fluttering as she leaned in a closer to him to drive it home. It’d be so easy to just twist it so he’d have to let her drive, or pay the bill, or even both if she told him to. It might be fun, just to see how quickly he’d backtrack. “But who said I was buttering you up? Maybe I just like stroking your ego. You’re pretty when you smirk.” She moves back, her expression softening as he continues. You’re my favorite too, if only she knew how to actually respond to those words.  “Of course not, we’d never hear the end of it if Parker ever found out you love me more. I’m so messaging Nick to let him know though.” She says instead, winking at him. Of course, she never would tell Parker or Nick anything, it wasn’t as if it could possibly be genuine right? It was just Solo returning her energy as normal, it had to be. Although all mirth fades from her expression when he tells her she absolutely wasn’t allowed to bring him lunch in a tone so firm, she knows it’s going to be a fight to get him to humor letting her do it. “Ensuring you’re eating enough is not a waste of my time or energy, Solomon. It’s the exact opposite, in fact.” She sighs, her hand moving to twirl a strand of red hair around her fingertip. Maybe this wasn’t the best approach to this conversation, she could feel that, but he surely knew that he was important to her, right? Of course he wouldn’t be a waste of her time, or energy. “But if you feel so strongly about it, let’s negotiate. We go out for lunch more often - I’ll even pay the bill if you let me - and you get...” She tilts her head, pressing her lips together as she tries to think of what would be a fair trade off. “well, I’ll echo your anything you want me to do offer. What would you consider a fair deal?” 

“You say that, but I’m not above playing dirty to get my hands on that bill, Solo. I think I’m going to enjoy whatever I come up with more then you are.” She winks, unable to hide her grin even if she wanted to as she said the words. Maybe she could reach out to Parker later, see if they’d help her brainstorm a way to win this game once and for all. That, or she supposed she could continue to enjoy playing with him until she eventually found a way to win on her own. “If you think I look pretty in the passenger seat, you should look at yourself in it one of these days; you’d look perfect in mine.” Her green eyes follow him as he moves to grab his car keys. Maybe she’d be able to trick him into letting her pay for gas at least, considering how insistent he seemed on driving and paying the bill, and while she could fight the fact that she’d said he could drive only if she got to pay the bill, if she wasn’t the one driving she had time to brainstorm ways to run away with the bill while they traveled. And as he reassures her he’s not nervous at all, she nods, watching his expression carefully as he devours the words. Did he enjoy it? Had she said the wrong thing? No, not if the way his smile seemed to keep growing wider the long he read the letter was any hint, and the tension in her shoulders dissipate. Her expression softens as he reminds her that he was proud of her. “I missed you too, you know.” She said, the easiest of the words to respond to as she pulled herself down off of his desk and walked over to press a quick kiss to his cheek before he could stand and became too tall to reach again. “But, thank you for being so supportive, and for being short enough to kiss right now.” Maybe it wasn’t the response you were supposed to have to someone telling you they were proud of you but those words always felt so foreign, even if she knew that Solomon meant every word he said at the moment. “If you want a chance to pay the bill though, we should probably head out soon. If we have to order in, well there’s no way I’m letting you anywhere near it, so..”

Solomon’s heart sinks at Ches’s words. Was he a better man than James, though? Was he really? Most days he thought he was nowhere even close to being a good person and he was sure that most of his old friends would eagerly agree with that assessment. Things with Amber, after all, wouldn’t have ended the way they did if he was a good person. He doesn’t want his best friend to be aware of such morbid thoughts, though, so he just smirks at her. “Now why are you buttering me up so much today? I’d do anything you ask me to even without the compliments. Feel free to do it some more, though. I’m enjoying myself.” That out of the way, his expression grows softer, more genuine. “You’re my favorite, too. Just promise not to tell Parker.” Solo just nods through her worried speech. It’s far from the first time he’s hearing some variation of it and it’s definitely not going to be the last if the way most of the people around him were determined to remind him how shitty his nutritional habits are was anything to go by. “Absolutely not,” he tells Ches firmly, shaking his head. “You have more than enough on your plate, you don’t need to worry about my diet on top of everything.” He sighs and barely resist the urge to run a hand through his gelled hair. “I appreciate the gesture, I really do, and don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get to see you more often but it’s just not something you should be concerning yourself with. You’d be wasting too much of your time and your energy and you need both of those things.”

He snorts at her, shrugging his shoulders. “I guess you will. I look forward to whatever you come up with eventually.” Ches’s flirting brightens his mood further and he easily slips into the familiar cocky grin he so often wears. “There’s no way I’m even half as pretty as you are when you’re being my passenger princess.” Solomon taps his fingers on the desk, a rhythm even he’s not sure of before he pockets his car keys from the desk. “Flattery will not get you anywhere near the bill, though. But I guess, it’s settled, I’m going to be driving.” He shakes his head, taking the letter out. “I’m not nervous, at all,” Solo assures her, beaming at her quickly before taking a seat in his chair. “Just wanted to make sure you’re not uncomfortable.” And with that, Solomon practically devours the letter, eyes drinking in every single word. He’s done in record time and quickly starts rereading it. He’s smiling so wide it hurts when he’s done and he puts it back in the envelope with great care before finding a good place for it in his briefcase. “You know I’m seriously proud of you, right?” Sure, he’d reminded Ches of that before almost every show and especially before the one referenced in the letter but it never hurt to say it one more time. “You’re seriously one of the most amazing and impressive people I know. And you deserve all you’ve accomplished and more. And I'd never try to 'get you out of my hair'. I love having you around and I missed you a lot.” / @likeswallowstosea