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[thefvrious]

They're about as different as a pair of friends can be, Dara knows. Riaz is fast — always looking to indulge himself, and Dara like the monk uses things until there's no more use, eats just to fuel his body, and only really indulges in cigarettes because its the 70s and everybody's smoking. He's only human, after all, and they're highly addictive. Sometimes, he feels himself longing to be more like Riaz. When they're together, he relaxes... falls into that indulgence because he wants to make Riaz happy more than anything else. Ifaa nyone can get Dara to partake, it's Riaz.

Tonight's no different, Dara knows that, too. As Riaz reminds him of party rules, Dara — previously stone-cold-sober — takes the half full drink in question — warmed from being held by Riaz for so long — and downs it in a few long gulps. He winces after swallowing and sets aside the now empty cup. "Satisfied?" He asks, and there's the ghost of a smile on his lips. Oh, he's a sucker for this man and neither one of them is really aware of the severity of it.

"Maybe it's for the best?" Dara suggests as he tucks himself under Riaz's arm, right against his warm ribs like making a home for himself there. "You can have fun without banging everyone who makes bedroom eyes at you." He's smiling, though, no judgment here. Riaz is beautiful and even Dara fantasizes about being hi lover. Anyone should be so lucky. "You can entertain me. I was wandering around aimlessly before we ran into each other." He confesses, small laugh escaping his lips, hoping he didn't sound too pathetic.

Dara knows it's likely the booze and whatever rugs Riaz has taken to make him say these things, but it still warms him down to his very core, has him grinning that gummy smile. "That'd get a bit exhausting, don't you think? And I don't need all that. Maybe just entertain me this evening?" He asks, leaning closer, his hazel eyes locked on Riaz's. "As long a you're like this — like you always are — I'll never forget. No worries."

Riaz Romero is the kind of guy that likes to indulge himself, whether that be with drugs, sex, food, companionship, nice clothes... He likes what he likes and goes after what he wants. More often than not, his weekends are spent just like this: a big ass party at his place where anyone and everyone is welcome. As long as he's proper fucked up on something, he doesn't give two shits about who's there or what goes down.

Truthfully, it's easy for Riaz to be this person since he doesn't really feel like he has any other option. His future is a big ole' question mark. What does he want to do for the rest of his days? Is he even good enough to do anything other than what he does now? Since Dara entered his life, Riaz has found himself questioning, well, everything. His new friend inspires him in a way that he can't explain. He wants to impress Dara, make him proud, and prove that he's more than just some stupid party fiend - tonight definitely doesn't count.

His irritation with Pearl (who does she think she is, telling him to keep it in his pants? rude!) melts away the second he locks eyes with Dara. They're opposites, really, anyone can see that. Their friendship doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but since that first night when Riaz found Dara on the beach he's felt drawn to him, compelled to know all that he can, aching to protect him, hungry to amuse him.

"Nothing important. Apparently I'm not allowed to have any fun tonight, according to some people. How bonkers is that?" Riaz sways a little on his feet but it doesn't phase him. That megawatt smile is firmly placed on his lips, not faltering even when his drink is taken from him. "Hey now. You can't waste a good drink like that, Dara. If I can't finish it, you have to. Party ruuules and all that shit." He steps closer and drapes one of his arms around Dara's shoulders, pulling the slightly shorter man in so there's hardly any space between them. "I'm so glad you're here. You make all my days better, you know? I should tell you that every day. No! Every hour. Just so you don't forget."

[thefvrious]

Seven has known for a long time that his family is extremely unique. It's only been in recent years — months, really — that he's started to think they're special, destined for something. Being saved and, subsequently, loved by the angel and all the things that have happened since have him convinced of the matter. He wants to get to the bottom if it, but those burning questions can wait for all that time he's not in the company of his love. For now, Adriel consumes every thought. Seven's desire is like a hole cracked open in his chest, like a missing tooth — the wound hollow and aching without Adriel, only feeling right and whole when they get to indulge in moments like this.

"You definitely chose the kind of form to make a man weak in his knees. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" He asks, breathless and moon-eyed, as he regards the corporeal form of his angel in front of him. He's being wholly honest when he says he's never been more attracted to anyone in his life. Even when he's alone — perhaps especially so — Adriel's face is burned behind Seven's eyelids. He'll happily soak up as much time with them as he can get.

When Adriel deepens the kiss, Seven melts against him just slightly, his body slack and warmer than he's been since the last time they were together. He hums a delighted and satisfied sort of sound against the other being's lips then slings an arm over their shoulders like to keep Adriel close. "I never want to take more than I need... especially not from you." He confesses, his brow furrowing before another deep laugh rumbles u from his chest. He shakes his head, waves this statement away. "No way I'm anywhere near being the best man alive. Your bias is showing." Seven looks affectionately at Adriel then, warmth reserved for the angel dancing in his brown eyes.

Seven is amused by the sight of Adriel taking a drag off the blunt, even more amused at their bizarrely human response. It makes him grin widely before accepting the blunt back between outstretched fingers. He brings it back up to his own lips just to take what feels like the longest toke ever which he holds in his lungs as he tries to process what the angel is saying. It all makes sense, really. The big bad being upstairs can't be pleased with this brewing union, it serves to reason she's blocking the, but Seven doesn't really understand how it all works — why she's allowed it to happen in the first place.

"I'm grateful for the time we do have together." He confesses on the exhale, offering Adriel a languid little half-grin even as his arm hangs lazily off their shoulders. He leans in and presses his lips to the other's cheek, letting them linger there fora moment, relishing in all the sensations he's getting from all his senses. "What do you think happens when we continue to defy Her?" He asks, wincing because he's suddenly not sure if he even wants the answer. Then there are Adriel's questions to answer, too. "You don't need to apologize to me. I knew what I was getting into with an angel like you." Seven's grinning full on now, leaning in to steal another kiss greedily. "I think Six accidentally summoned the Devil and Three found another cat. Other than that, I'm afraid there's not much for me to report. We've just been up to the same-old-same..." As if the Devil thing wasn't a huge bomb...

Seven Devlin is not like other humans, that much has been obvious to Adriel for years. Prior to them actually having a conversation and beginning a romantic relationship, Adriel got to know Seven quite well while serving as his guardian angel. The man was a risk taker, he was wild, but he was also empathetic and understanding with the people he loved. The Devlin family, for all their chaos, criminal tendencies, and differing personalities, was a family full of love. Adriel felt lucky to now be on the receiving end of such care too.

Naturally this means that Seven never asks Adriel to come to him, he just desires it. He understands, as well as he can, that his angel's obligations are far bigger than he is, than their union is. He's patient and never gives Adri a hard time. They both wish for some more convention in their relationship but for now this will have to do. It's not like they have any other choice.

The sound of Seven's laugh is like nothing else Adri has heard before. It lights them up, fills them with warmth, makes them desire holding their human close and peppering kisses all over his body. This is love, true romantic love that Adriel will carry with him for the rest of his existence, long after Seven is gone. "I have told you many times that you can ask anything of me and yet you still do not. You are a good man, Seven Devlin, perhaps the best man currently living on this planet."

It's Adriel's turn to laugh at Seven's words, the sound light and delicate. "You are always surprised by me... I admit, it is quite flattering that you like this form so much. It makes me feel good to please you, even in a small way," he says before taking the blunt with a quirked brow. The angel stares at it, unsure whether they should engage in this behaviour or not. Before they can decide, Seven's lips are on his and it snuffs out all thought. Instinctively, Adriel moves his lips to deepen the kiss a little, then shifts his body closer once it breaks. It is at this moment that he remembers the blunt in his hand so he brings it to his mouth and sucks in a gentle toke. It's not what he expected in the slightest! It's harsh and foreign to their body, causing some uncomfortable coughing as they hand it back.

"There is not much to say. Everyone I care for has been in dire need of my grace and warmth. It feels... calculated, like a move from you-know-who, perhaps to keep me from you. I have missed you terribly," they answer once the coughing subsides. "I feel you at all times and know that you have missed me too. I regret that I have not been here as often as I would like to watch you. What have I missed in my absence? How is the family?"

[thefvrious]

There's always been some unspoken connection between them — Indy firmly believing that no one had ever truly seen him until Sage did. When the siblings had run away, Indiana's heart had been torn asunder. He ached and ached for the other man, feeling like sage was his sanity — the only thing tethering him to a planet he couldn't understand. The cities they were relegated to hiding in were all too loud, too much for Indiana. He needed Sage to hide himself in. In the absence of that, he turned to music constantly dialed up in his headphones and drugs to numb everything else — to make life livable.

They've fallen back into the same patterns as before — the love more obvious, growing between them, locking them together like the sun resting on the surface of the ocean. They're almost inextricable — the sky and the sea — and this is the best Indiana has felt since before. They're getting to know these new versions of each other — simultaneously so far removed from those innocent boys in the jungles yet still exactly the same. Their traumas have changed them, definitely, but there's a love, a light, a playfulness that's lain dormant in them until their reunion. Indy thinks everyone should be rejoicing. At least, for now, he can be somewhat like the boy from before — the boy they all love.

Sage has a darkness that threatens to consume him, but so does Indy, and those shadows inside them rise and fall, threatening to swallow each other, to consume both men in it even as they fight to keep the other in the light. It's an uphill battle, Indiana knows, but age is worth any effort he has to put forth. He always will be.

Indy leans into Sage, breathes him in and brings Indiana back down to earth. He's smiling soft and sweet and he nudges his nose against Sage's, their lips ghosting against one another when Indiana speaks. "I suppose I can spare some time for you..." He breathes and his eyes travel over that handsome face he loves so much. The affection in him swells like a tidal wave, threatens to crash into him and leave him breathless. Both arms are around Sage in no time and then their lips are pressed together and Indy's eyes are falling closed. He pulls Sage closer, closer 'til they can feel their hearts beating together, and he kisses Sage until neither can breathe. "That help at all?" He asks with a glitter in his eyes.

Back before either of them left home they'd been close. Very close. They had that once in a lifetime friendship where they were just in tune with one another, operating on similar wavelengths. They didn't even have to talk, they could just feel each other. Being alone together, away from everyone else was comforting. Safe. Things developed organically, with no need to question what it meant or what their feelings were called.

Now that they were reunited, things were dialed up to a thousand. Never one without the other; they were each other's shadows now. Sage was extremely uncomfortable with being touched and would flinch away from anyone except his Indi. Oh no, with Indiana it was the complete opposite. If they weren't touching in some capacity he felt uneasy, vulnerable, too easy to snatch away. He knew from watching those around him that this wasn't normal. Sage was fundamentally changed from all he'd gone through, he knew that too. So sometimes he tried his best to fight his need for closeness. It usually didn't last very long until he snapped right back to familiarity. Indiana needed it just as bad, so screw outside opinions.

Case in point. Sage doesn't even think before touching Indiana as gently as he does, it just happens. He'd stopped pretending to read his book ages ago and had opted for watching Indiana work instead. He needed more though, this wasn't cutting it. "No, you aren't," he answers with a sheepish little smile, his cheeks warming ever so slightly. Sage shifts his position to make room for Indiana to join him. He needs to feel the other's body against his, needs to breathe in his scent. The wood dust is no problem, he doesn't care about stuff like that. Needy hands reach for Indi, searching for the kind of comfort only he can provide.

[thefvrious]

Fenrir had to admit there were perks to having a trained wizard among their ranks, and was admittedly very pleased when Remus stopped relying so heavily on it. He was assimilating into the pack quite nicely. Accordingly, Remus had — thus far — been on Fenrir's good side. He was exceeding expectations, doing everything that the alpha expected of him. They already had a kinship, after all, what with all those letters, all that getting to know one another. Fenrir had maybe given more of himself than intended in those written interactions, though he'd never confess it.

It's easy to read the body language that Remus is presenting. There's a shared interest there, a curiosity that's been brewing to a boiling point as the weeks passed into months. Fenrir wasn't the type to deny himself his wants, his baser needs... so, if this was going to happen, the alpha was ready to welcome it with open arms.

"Showing off?" Fenrir repeated, a low growl of a laugh rumbling up even as he cocked one eyebrow at Remus, tilted his head like trying to figure out the younger wolf — or maybe just drink in the sight of him. Fenrir was definitely showing off. He wanted the others to know how physically powerful he was — he led by example — but no one had the balls to call him out on it. Everything Remus had to say was true and it tickled Fenrir pink that his fledgling would call him out like this. He wet his lips as Lupin's fingers tapped against his chest. "Not a tease — more like a preview. You can come bac to my tent for the whole show, if you want." He offered, locking eyes with Remus, his large hand wrapped around the other's wrist now.

In the beginning of his stay, he used magic, just like a wizard was supposed to. But as he grew as a werewolf, his wand laid untouched more often as time passed by. Yes, he was one hell of a wizard, but that was his human side that he didn’t like so much, not anymore. A lot of the pack feared Fenrir, rightfully so, but he didn’t. Maybe it was the connection he felt with him, that even though they had completely different lives, they bore scars of the same kind. And maybe Remus hadn’t given him a reason yet to become really frightening.

The young wolf let out a chuckle, clearly busted for lying and well, anyone would be lying if they said they weren’t distracted by him. Remus was unable to look away and unable to step away when Fenrir closed the gap between them.

He too could feel the heat coming from Fenrir, the smell of him. The smell of the leader of the pack, something masculine, unique. Remus closed his eyes for a short moment, inhaled lightly before opening his eyes again. “Hm… showing off… Distracting…” Remus lifted a hand and tapped his fingers against the alpha’s chest. “Tempting…” Not sure if his actions would be tolerated.

[thefvrious]

its nothing some ibuprofen and a blunt and 5 beers and a head injury and jacking off and killing myself cant fix

[thefvrious]

As the oldest, Javier bore certain burdens. Like remembering quite clearly when the police had come for his father, or the way things felt in the man's absence. Of course, Zaza was right there behind him — they all felt it — it just seemed Javi remembered it best. Or maybe held onto it most was a better way to put it? Either way, Javier was proud of his old man — happy to have this new stage in their relationship where they could be friends and talk about pretty much anything. He grinned at his father, shaking his head, "A whole lot of years — don't make me age you." He teasingly warned before leaning back on his seat, relaxing further, letting the crossfade hit him proper. "Of course he has broadened your vocabulary massively in the HALF CENTURY you have been together, but I'm bound and determined to get you..." Whether or not that was actually possible remained to be seen.

Cruz was a skilled man and had been all his life. He'd also accomplished a whole lot but if you were to ask him what his greatest accomplishment was, his answer would be 'my family.' The love he felt for his husband and their children was overwhelming at times but god he wouldn't be anywhere god if it weren't for them. Being a father was what he was meant for and he loved every single stage of parenthood. It was bittersweet to have four fully grown kids but that just meant he could be friends with them instead of just their Papi. Case in point? Drinking and smoking with Javi. "Hey, I sure fucking do, hotshot. I've been with your dad how many years now? You think he hasn't influenced my vocabulary?" Cruz laughed and shook his head at Javier, thoroughly entertained by his son's antics. "Don't you dare summon him. I thought we were bonding, just me and you. If you want to stump me with words you're going to have to try harder than that."

[thefvrious]

like laika, mona was in tattooing for the craft. they said if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in ypur life. that's what she wants, and it's mostly what she's gotten, but there are some hang ups, too, like how much your body can ache by the end of a long session. "thanks!" she says perkily, tearing off a piece of the granola bar before handing it to laika, licking the stickiness off her fingers before finishing the last bite. "oh, yeah, and he's particularly sensitive." desdemona continues with a wince, so he needs lots of breaks. come look i'll show you now... i'd value your opinion on it, anyway."

the money was a bonus, and the tips were even better when it came time to get her hair dyed once again or add to her own growing ink collection, but laika wasn’t in the job for the cash. instead, they were an artist. ever since they were old enough to understand body art she had been scribbling in the back of her school workbooks, doodling on the backs of their hands, offering other students ‘tattoos’ with safety pins and craft-store ink. her eyes glittered with intrigue. her lips curled as they listened to desdemona’s vision. “that sounds incredible, but gnarly for the guy. let me have a peek?” they thrust out their palm, a silent request for a broken chunk of granola. “sounds like a plan, mona. we can make a little game out of it.”

[thefvrious]

Mal's a saint, as far as Two's concerned, for putting up with him. He's ornery and stubborn as an old mule at times, but he's got a good heart, and it's as if Malachi could see straight through all of Twos' gristle and meat — his vinegar — to the gold center glowing inside. Anyone who got close enough to him could benefit from his selflessness, but he's still guarded, in a way, has to let you in first. He's pretty sure Mal's been "in", though, since they first met — always feeling strongly like there was something special about them. Something worth putting the effort into other than family.

Mal's earned his spot, Two thinks, as he feels their warm lips against his cheek once then twice. It's easy to smile when he's with Mal. "We're our own worst critics, or whatever it is they say." He says, rolling a ball of clay between his fingers as Mals' digits dig deep into the tense muscle of Two's shoulders. Two lets out a satisfied groan, brow furrowing slightly as he handles the clay and enjoys the feeling of the gentle massage at the same time. His brow quirks at their suggestion that he should throw something at the wall, but he says nothing, addresses the next comment instead. Because it's nicer. Because it's the sort of distracting Two needs right now. "Good together, yeah. I like the sound of that." He smiles again, something small and just for Mal as the other bounces off to the next thing.

"What the fuck?" Two asks, laugh burbling up. His eyes are glittering with delight. There's no one more perfectly chaotic, he thins, and he shakes his head as he slices off another small hunk of clay and worries it down until it's more malleable, more willing to take a new shape. "You keep acting like the absolute loon you are, and I'll keep smiling, that I can guarantee." He says, and when he looks up at Mal, it's with a glistening grin that lights up his whole face — joy apparent and infectious.

There are two creatures living under Mal's skin at all times, making their appearances depending on the situation. One is chaotic, thriving on mess and noise, ready to go no matter what. The other is gentler, more patient and sweet. It's the latter side that comes out when Mal's at work (most of the time) and it's the side that Two needs right now. Mal can already spot the signs that their partner's anxiety is building, so they know to step in and diffuse as best they can. It seems to have worked this time which is quite the relief.

"You're too hard on yourself, my beloved. You definitely know how to have fun so cut the shit, yeah?" He presses another kiss to Two's cheek and then one more for good measure. It's nice to see him smiling. "Oh, I'll be sorely disappointed if you don't throw anything at the wall. I welcome that energy, it means you're feeling something. There isn't a rule in place that says the feeling has to be positive." Malachi laughs, first at his own words and then at Two's joke. His fingers gently squeeze Two's shoulders, pressing into the tense muscle with care. "Do I? Hm, I could get used to that... I don't want to steal your thunder or anything but I gotta say, we feel right, as a unit. Something just makes sense here, it tickles the brain."

They stay massaging Two for another few minutes before stepping back. They get an idea, the chaos gremlin taking the wheel now. Mal grabs two bottles of paint, flips their caps, and proceeds to squirt the contents all over the nearest wall. There's no order to it, no thought out design, it's just paint on the wall. "See? Now you have nothing to worry about, the mess has already been made. Surely you can make something that looks better than that! Go buckwild, Two. My only request is that I get to keep seeing that beautiful smile of yours. Deal?"

[thefvrious]

Juniper felt like she could count on one hand the good or enjoyable things about being a superhero. Mostly, people just expected things from her — took greedily and thanklessly — and she felt like she had nothing left to give. Still, there were people who were worthy and what kind of piece of shit would she be knowing she could help them and then refusing? Blowing out an exhale, Juniper nodded. "You got it... I'll help you with this, but I want to be left out of the aftermath, if that's okay?" She'd never liked being on TVs or the front page of the newspaper.

⸻ PIPER UNDERSTOOD THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT CAME ALONG WITH BEING A SUPERHERO. everything was expected of them and even then people would still complain. some would find ways to still whine about how piper or juniper or any of the others went about saving. sometimes things just happened in the process that they couldn't control. piper just loved being able to help her community and keep the city she's grown up in her whole life safe. even if that meant dealing with the dumbasses that came along with it. "saving people is worth it, junie. that's what we need to focus on," she reminded the other, turning to glance around at the massacre left behind. "just . . . help me find anyone's that survived all of this, yeah? i don't wanna leave anyone behind that might still need to be saved from this."

[thefvrious]

The truth is that Bodhi would do anything Remi asked of him to the point that it's almost toxic. He's obsessed with his boyfriend, can perfectly envision their future together. He's already decided — deluded as it may be — that there's no one else for him... never will be. He just hopes Remi doesn't tire of him, doesn't push him aside. Drama queen as he is, Bodhi really has no clue what he'll do if Remi leaves — cease to exist, probably. And he wonders if Remi knows just how much he means to Bodhi, just how deeply he's burrowed himself into Bodhi's heart and mind.

Sitting on Remis' lap, most of Bodhi's worries melt away. He closes his eyes and squeezes the other man tightly as Remi reassures him, acts like nothing happened, and Bodhi can pretend — again — that they're perfect for each other and everything will be okay. They made it through this day, this fight — they can do anything. His beliefs are reinforced. Lifting his head, Bodhi grins at the other man then kisses him sweetly on the lips. "I'm happy to just be here with you." He confesses, rubbing their noses together now — insatiable for the close contact.

The ice they're skating on is thin, ready to crack at a moment's notice and plunge them both into freezing water. There are two wise choices here: commit to one another properly and give the relationship a real try, or end it now before things can get even messier. Of course, neither one has any interest in choosing just yet, so they'll just continue on as they have been since getting involved. Remi's been changed by Bodhi and he's not ready to let him go - maybe one day he'll be brave enough to give them something better.

"Ah, there it is. No teeth pulling this time, you just came out with it. Thanks, Bodhi." Remi's smiling now, unable to hold onto his bad mood from earlier. Just like that it's melted away, gone without a trace. He really does love Bodhi with everything in him, there's no denying that now if he even tried. "I'm not mad, babe, not anymore. I don't even remember what it felt like - like it never happened, yeah?" He tightens his hold, their bodies pressed as closely as possible. "My sweet, sensitive little American. You can let it all go, we're good. We're going to have a good night together... Thank you for coming over." This version of Remington is softer, more vulnerable. No one else has seen it except for Bodhi, for it started to emerge slowly after they first hooked up. It feels like Rem's himself for the first time and he really likes it this way. "Was there anything you wanted to do, or is this okay for now?"

[thefvrious]

"Listen, I don't know you from the next fuckin' schmuck, so how'm I s'posed to answer that?" Ziggy asked before taking another greedy drag from his cigarette. While Rafi had initially been getting on his last fucking nerve, now Zig was curious bout him, being a little less stubborn and closed off. "Bruv, how do you not know if your own siblings are twins or not?" He inquired with the amused but curious cocking of his eyebrow. The Brith laughed again — something high and shrill and wholly unexpected from a man like Ziggy Sallow. "Naw, man, that wasn't what we were doing, but I don't mind switching gears." He offered with a wink.

Raf scoffed. "I wouldn't be here tellin' you it was the wrong kid if it wasn't, don't'cha agree?" He paused for a moment, thinking back at what his siblings looked like and it seemed that maybe one could confuse Atlas and J.D., but to be fair, Rafael's memory of what anyone looked like couldn't exactly be trusted. Maybe they could be easily confused from afar? "No? I dunno, I'on't think they're twins," he shrugged, hands moving wildly to indicate that he wasn't fond of all the questions, "but they're still the one that got home all fucked up—you ever think maybe they weren't fuckin' aware they were 'bout to get jumped? Be fuckin' for real, man." And though Rafi's veins ran hot with anger, he was also filled with something else, slight disappointment in his features as the other laughed. "Is that... not what we're doin'?"

[thefvrious]

"The fuck does that mean?" Chase asks, setting his jaw defiantly, the look like he's ready to fight already etched into his young features. "Definitely a fighter, like you don't already know..." there's a certain level of respect Chase knows he owes the older man, but it's dwindling, and he's finding self-restraint more and more difficult to execute.

@thefvrious asked 📚for a line from a book! -

"Are you going to be a fighter like your father or are you just slow?"

[thefvrious]

Olive knew as well as Miriella that most people thought they were fakes — assholes taking money off the desperate. But that wasn't the case at all. In fact, if she had been given a choice, Olive wouldn't have her gift at all. She perceived it as a curse. It certainly hadn't ever brought her any joy. But she found a way to help people and that was enough to help her cope with it.

Grinning, Olive suddenly felt very proud of herself for having procured some personal items from the missing person. "Yeah, her twin is really cooperative." She confessed with a nod before shrugging at Miriella's question. "I honestly don't know...." She confessed before handling the necklace with her bare hands, practically being sucked into a horrible desolate feeling which ended with her dropping the jewelry with a gasp and silent tears running down her cheeks. "I think she's alive... but maybe not for long."

it would have been a whole lot easier to chalk their abilities up to delusional thought, to a desperation to take money off of those that were desperate. but if that were the case, would mariella be so torn up when she got things wrong, when she couldn't find the untethered spirits of those loved and lost? those days she kept it further under wraps, her worst-kept secret. "you managed to get some of her belongings?" whispered the blonde, running her fingertips over the head of the brush, picking at leftover strands of hair with her nails. "i don't have anything physical, but these will help... i can work with these..." a connection built on concrete rather than dominoes. "do you think it'll be good news?" the longer they worked, the less hope mariella maintained.

[thefvrious]

as felicity got closer, uzzi felt some of his worries and stresses melt away. it was easier to manage, he thought, when you had someone on your side. "sometimes i forget you know what this is all like." he confessed with a small smile as felicity draped herself over him. he put his hand on her forearm and rubbed appreciatively, turning his head so he could kiss the corner of her mouth. "if it's not too much on you on your days off? i could probably use the help — plus, in a way, we'd be spending time together."

⸻ AS A SERIOUS STUDENT HERSELF, FELICITY UNDERSTOOD THE TYPE OF STRESS THAT SCHOOL COULD BRING. especially in her own field where she's still moving up the ranks to be a nurse. work can pile up right in front of your eyes before you could even realize it's happening and then you're trying to power through all of it. "believe me, i get it. i don't miss having to study for finals or anything anymore. school was probably the most stressed i'd ever been," felicity said, scooting closer to uzzi on the bed and resting her head on his shoulders. "you could just ask me to help, you know. i have a few days off from the hospital. i can try to help you power through all this stuff."

[thefvrious]

He's such a handsome young man, Patricia thinks as her green eyes scan him. Her smile doesn't falter even when he does. She thinks it's cute, a good sign even, when Julian stumbles and has to start over. "Perhaps there is..." She says, taking a step closer, too. Now they're so close that Patricia can feel the heat rising off his body, smell his heady scent. It almost makes her woozy.

After a moment of appreciating the closeness, of adjusting to it, Patricia meets Julian's gaze again. There's a small smile playing at her lips and she sets her mug aside, both hands free now. "Of course I trust you, darling." Her voice is lower now, softer. "Maybe you can listen to me... and then can listen to you?" She suggests, touching his chest gently. "We can help ease each other's minds?"

"oh right, of course." he nods in obvious agreement, biting into his bottom lip as he tries to inwardly stifle the thoughts, but it's an impossible feat now. when stood right in front of her. his gaze naturally lingers, naturally travels. "is there - is there something i can do to help?" he asks, as casually as he can whilst having to clear his throat a quarter of the way through and start again.

he doubted he'd ever actually be able to force it back. his attraction, his desires so deeply-rooted now. keeping her at arms length doesn't diminish them. doesn't achieve nothing. if anything, it only makes him more eager, makes those fantasies he cannot ever obtain all the more potent. like his mind, his body was torturing him. like he was destined to live a half-lived life. he takes a step closer, finds some semblance of boldness in that thought, "you can...talk me through your thoughts, if you like. trust me, if anyone can understand having a lot on their mind...it's me."

[thefvrious]

Upon first glance, Dov and Severo were like oil and water. They just shouldn't mix. Dov was rich and selfish and spoiled — he was entitled, pretentious, condescending... he was all the bad things that Sev could never be. But... when they were together, he felt himself longing to be someone else, to behave differently, to soak up a little bit of that Moreno liveliness, that fight, that love. All the time they sent together, Dov was starting to see himself soften, and he didn't even mind for once. Dov was used to being the image people painted themselves after, but what had it really gotteen him? He was rich, sure, more than comfortable, but was he happy? That was something he'd begun to question, something he realized Severo was helping to change. Dov may not be happy all the time, but he was when he was with the other man. "What I mean to say is that family is exempt... they have their own set of rules. I'm sure you get it..." Dov knew how much of himself Severo gave away to his siblings, his children. He admired Sev for his selflessness but wanted to pour back into the man's cup, too, fill him back up the way he filled up those around him.

Frowning slightl, Dov nodded his head. He had to admit he had been a little out of touch where the finances of the majority of people stood. "Perhaps mine's a more niche example?" He suggested, smiling warmly at Severo. They were certainly in different tax brackets, but that didn't even matter a little to Dov — the man who once thought he knew everything was ready to learn a whole new way of living from this man who occupied nearly all of his thoughts. "You're incredible." He said with earnest sincerity as he looked at Severo with that smile growing, fine lines spidering out at the corners of the politician's eyes. "Good question..." He replied with the clearing of his throat and shifting on his seat. "The truth is... I don't know anymore. But I'd be happy for you t help me figure it out."

There are so many differences between them, Severo can't even begin to count them all. Everything from their upbringings to their native languages are different. But that's part of the fun, isn't it? He's experiencing something wholly new, so unlike himself and his previous partners. Sev's ready to buckle in and see where things go. "Family counts most of all but okay, I accept your terms. This transaction relationship is where you lose me though. I don't understand it and can't pretend I do, but I don't judge you either, Dov. Whatever has gotten you here has clearly worked well for you." Sev would give everything he had to someone if they needed it. Hell, just within the context of his family he's run himself ragged more times than he could count; drained himself trying to be there for some of the more troublesome siblings like Silvio and the twins. He was always the guy to offer help to his friends, to give change to people on the street. It was in his nature, there was no changing it now.

Severo listened to Dov speak practically with stars in his eyes. He was truly mesmerized, soaking in the information like a sponge. It was a tiny glimpse into the other man's mind, one Sev was grateful for. "That's only one way to mean something to someone. Not everyone has the same comfort around finances. It might not necessarily mean they do not care," he replied, not really looking to argue but just offer his own perspective. Seeing Dov's expression shift into something softer made Sev's shift too, the gentle smile lighting up his features. "There will always be something left of me to give, I make sure of it. After something big and heavy, I take a moment to, um--" there's a pause while he tries to think of the right word to use "--refill? The real secret is that even when there is nothing, there is still something. I keep backup juice for my people. I learned how to do that a long time ago, my family needed that." He finds that he likes talking so candidly. He likes being called sweet even more. Really he just likes Dov. For whatever reason he's drawn to him. "You don't need to be. The world works best with all kinds of people roaming around, right? It would be pretty boring if we were all the same in every way. You are important and good as you are. I just have one question for you... Is this real? Are you being your true self on a daily basis, Dov?"

[thefvrious]

Izzy knew, too, when she met Mac that there would never be another man for her. They'd laid eyes on each other and it was like something had clicked, like the universe shifted into place. The glee she felt presently threatened to lit her right up off her feet, have her gliding down the street and right into the courthouse. Leaning on him, she kissed the side of his face, thinking she'd never felt more in love before and how magnified the feeling was with each passing day. "Do you think we'll have to show proof?" She asked, leaning on him as they made their way toward the courthouse. All her nerves were aflutter like so many butterflies swarming in her belly and she was so happy that she laughed as they crossed the road together.

Mac felt it from the first time he laid eyes on Izzy that she was the one. He always thought that notion was silly until it happened to him and she was his Queen, therefore he wanted to give her every little thing that he could give her within his power. When she said the words, he blinked a few times before smiling. "Just think we can get a free dessert if we tell them we just got married too. It's perfect." Yeah, a big one could definitely wait and he wanted to give that to her, he just didn't know who the hell he'd invite.