melancholy

[alexandertcte]

Wyatt. 

closed starter for @alexandertcte​ & @benholdcr​

Standing near the entrance with one hand in his pocket and the other tipping a bottle of beer back so he could finish it off, Wyatt surveyed the building he was considering pitching to Nora for them to buy and convert into their restaurant. It was old as hell and had fallen to pretty extreme disrepair, but with some, well, more like a whole lot of renovations, he thought he could imagine it taking shape into the kind of establishment he and Nora were dreaming up. 

But before he did that, before he brought her here, he wanted the opinion of his two best friends. Plus, it was a Wednesday night in Mystic and it wasn’t like there was much else to do. So he’d bought a six pack, picked Ben & Alex up and brought them over to the dump that could maybe, possibly, potentially be part of his next career move. “So what do y’all think?” he asked, calling out after his friends who had moved further into the building to check it out. “I know it’s nowhere near as glamorous as The 401,″ he scoffed, looking over at Alex, “but I think it could have potential.”

       Alex was just the right person to be taking along, considering everyone had attempted to talk him out of the warehouse he’d purchased, thinking it’d be too much trouble. But he knew it had potential, and truthfully, there was potential in this building, too. He could just see it. Beer bottle in hand, cigarette in the other, he finds a nearby seat, weathered and unused. The place was a mess, but once cleaned up.. it could be a hell of a restaurant. “I say you go for it,” he says, before sucking in a sharp breath, inhaling the smoke that aided him in keeping a constant cool. “It’s got potential, dude. Do you remember what the warehouse looked like before I transformed it? You’ve got the room here to do whatever the hell you want. Just gotta clean it up, and envision what you want out of it. What kind of restaurant are you two thinking?” 

[estherdenham-deactivated2020121]

i am. about to fight god over this man’s bone structure

[alexandertcte]

Josie. 

                           “Busy? Too busy for your best friend? I definitely need to know what you’ve been up to now.” Josie relaxed her stance, and allowed her gaze to settle on her friend. She knew all about being guarded, but Alex was downright secretive. With evidence of how exhausted he was written plainly on his face, Josie couldn’t help but worry—and wonder—about whatever it was that was going on that had him absent, and stressed, and tired. “Okay, so, right now? We leaving right now? Otherwise, I’m just going to hang around here until you get off work. I’ll order a beer and wait. All night if I have to. What’s it gonna be, Tate?”

        “Never too busy for you,” he manages to smile, beaming somewhat at the thought of actually having someone to wished to refer to him as their best friend. It was nice, and completely unfamiliar.. but that’s how Josie was. She never seemed to do what one would expect. “I mean, yeah.. I’m.. uh, not busy now. Or we can order in here? But you’re gonna have to excuse the mess that is my office.” And luckily enough, being as obsessive as he was about cleanliness, it meant that it was all clear.. for the most part. Until the poker game, of course. Decidedly, he opens the door, hoping to alleviate any suspiciousness Josie was surely enduring. “Come on in.. we’ll order Chinese. Unless you’re feeling something else?” 

[alexandertcte]

Olivia. 

-

               “It’s okay, reasonably, it’s only believable if one of us is the good child. Nobody gets lucky enough to have two.” With a playful wink, Olivia nudged her brother’s arm in jest. She knew she wasn’t the angelic daughter their parents had hoped for or made her out to be, but she tried. For them, if no one else. “Mom was saying that they could come here instead, but… I know they’d want to see the club if they did. Marvel at your accomplishments. Do you think it’s a good idea?” Alex had been good about keeping a rather low profile and it wasn’t that she doubted him, more that they’d find a way to tear things apart or put him under a microscope. While he was quite a successful business owner, this wasn’t the path they would have chosen for him, and she knew their mother had her suspicions. 

                “Let’s not worry about that tonight, though. Tonight’s about us. I’m proud of you, you know? You’ve done really well for yourself and you have a lot of people who love and support you. Me included.”

       “That’s for sure,” he grins, all knowing that he’d never been the ‘good’ child. Case in point in his life choices; but still, somewhere deep down, it stung. Of course, Alex being Alex, chose to cover it all up with humour and sarcasm.. it was easier that way. Warning lights flashed in his eyes suddenly, at the realisation of his parents coming to town, lips parting in panic. “I mean, I don’t.. know if that’s the best idea, but I think not letting them come could be worse.. hold that thought. We’ll uh.. figure it out.” If he could be careful, bring his parents past during the day.. it couldn’t be a problem, right? 

       To hear the words from her lips, however, meant more to him than she could ever know. Obviously, he’d never gone about things the right way, but he’d gotten somewhere, and it made him feel almost bashful to know she’d noticed and cared enough to say so. “Thank you. It goes without saying that I’m really proud of you, too. I’ve always been proud of you.. always will. —Thirsty? I know the owner. He’d be happy to oblige with free drinks, on the house, for your birthday.” 

[alexandertcte]

Rose. 

-

Despite the darkened light of that busy room—the club that all but pulsed around them, Rose couldn’t help but catch the heat that found his features. A bonus of their close proximity, and one that had her head tilting ever so slightly—unconscious in its movements as she watched him. Dark hues finding his. Smirk etched deeper into place. In such a light she didn’t look like herself, or at least the self she allowed the world to see. Those shadows—the playfulness that found her features then, brought a vibrancy that cool girl so often tried to hide. To disguise beneath a mask of propriety. “Dangerous for whom?” she asked him, all but drawled out after the playful hum of thought had left her lips. She was not naïve enough to not have understood his point, yet she wanted to hear him say it. Wanted to know what he was thinking—was it simply her brothers, or was there something more that had cross his mind. Danger spoke to more than simply circumstance, it whispered of want—of slippery slopes. As he spoke, the hand at his shoulder would slip upwards along his throat, delicately moving his face at the chin so that she could get a better look at what had been done to his face. An amused sort of slant found her features then, cutting that smirk of hers deeper into her cheeks at his question. “Someone thinks highly of himself,” she chimed, turning his face back to hers—meeting his eyes, “And what makes you think that I needed you at all?”

        “Dangerous for us both,” he replies, his features conveying the seriousness of the sentiment. After all, she was sister to two of the most important people in his life, people that would squash him if they thought he was messing around with Rose. “They’d have my head, you know. If they.. found out,” Alex dares to test, trying to gauge whether this could be something they’d keep between them, since it was.. well, relatively innocent. And it surely wouldn’t happen again, so what was the point in entertaining the thought any further? In telling Ben and Roman who would surely get angry as hell.. was it worth the upset? Still, he peers over at her with mischievous eyes, curious about her stance on things. Rose was like an enigma, a mystery; there was so much more to her, he bet, than she was willing to let on. Intriguing, to say the least. “So you didn’t? Need me, that is.” 

[alexandertcte]

Roman. 

The pair had met during his small stint back home, prior to when his father had decided to drive that wedge between them further in. That was when the deal had been made, when the contract had been signed, and Roman became something of a private investor in the business. He’d taken a chance on Alex, and thankfully, he hadn’t been disappointed yet. Which is precisely why, since his recent return to the town, he’d found himself showing up on his steps. He wanted to be certain that his investment, and continued interest in the establishment wasn’t becoming any sort of regret. “No, it really wouldn’t do you any good,” because who was Roman Holder without that ego of his. He knew what he was worth, and wouldn’t sully it just because. The question comes, but for a brief moment, Roman wonders at the blockage to the room that Alex had just come to. Surely it was his office, but he questioned why he would be barred from such a room if it was his money that had paid for it. But he allows the curiosity to drift to the back of his mind, settled there for further inspection at another time, as he follows after Alex. Upon reaching the bar, Roman can’t help but to step further, drawing himself closer to the other man, “I assure you, my tastes have hardly changed.” The words are spoken lowly, followed quickly by a deep chuckle as he steps around the other, drawing himself to the selection of bottles on the back wall.

       A small smile crosses his features, admittedly nervous beneath his cool and composed facade. There was something about the man that unnerved him a little; something he’d felt even when they’d first met. But the way Roman held himself now signified just how sure of himself he was, in comparison to back then. After all, being a major investor mogul, a CEO of his own company.. it was quite the achievement, and Alex could only imagine the kind of thrill that came with such a power. What Alex needed was a fucking drink, in the hopes that it would at least settle whatever was going on within. It was a feeling that wasn’t welcome by any means, one he wished to squander as soon as he could. Alex liked being in control of himself, in having control. In knowing no one could mess with him. He figured the investor’s sudden presence in town would likely be a potential threat to such a stance. As Roman leans in, Alex’s lips part in a bid to respond, but he was suddenly lost for words, shaking his head some as the other motions towards the bar now. And there he was left, momentarily stunned. Upon catching his breath, Alex raises his brows and turns to Roman now, clearing his throat some. “So, what, uh.. what brings you to Mystic?” 

[karazorel]

[pinardenizs]

[rose-holder]

@alexandertcte​

[chuckhansen]

[alexandertcte]

Olivia. 

STARTER: CLOSED LOCATION: THE 401 TIME: 9:48 PM

                   Birthday parties were something the twins had always had to share, and although it had been a nuisance as children, Olivia had grown appreciative with age. After all, why wouldn’t she want to celebrate the life of her favorite human? The person who had been her best friend since childbirth. This year in particular was special. Not only because they had reunited in Mystic, but because they hadn’t been able to celebrate together the year before. 

                   Courtesy of Alex’s staff, The 401 was decked out with balloons and confetti, and a two-tiered cake waited centre stage as their guests began to pour in. Admittedly, more than 75% of them were Alex’s friends, but Olivia didn’t mind. She felt just as special for being included in the madness. “God, this is nuts. Even crazier than our tenth birthday party at the waterpark. Do you remember when your friend ran off and mom had a mental breakdown? Speaking of which, she keeps trying to FaceTime me. We’re definitely hearing about this at Thanksgiving.”

@alexandertcte​

         It was almost like she’d read his mind — a common feeling, considering they’d practically done so since birth. It was uncanny, the connection he held with Olivia and just how easily they understood one another without needing to express it. But when she did, Alex couldn’t help but feel complete in some way, knowing that they shared one mind sometimes. “Was about to say the exact same thing. It’s.. definitely wild.” And not at all his kind of party, but alas.. what better way to celebrate than in their own club? The people of Mystic had come to know Olivia quite well since her arrival, especially since her affiliation with The 401. The guests were there for them tonight, and as much as he was appreciative, he was also, admittedly, somewhat shy at the notion of being a part of the spotlight. It’d always made him nervous. “Oh yeah, I remember. It was the day mom almost killed me.. that look in her eyes. Just like she’s going to murder me for not replying to her calls, either. So we’re heading up for Thanksgiving, yeah?” That alone also made him nervous. 

[alexandertcte]

Rob. 

“Dude. Alex. It’s me.” As if that alone should convince him. “I’m not” — a stifled hiccup, and Rob closed her eyes. The world spun even worse without her anchoring gaze, head lolling before she stood upright once more. After a beat, she opened them. — “I’m not going to puke.” Another labored swallow, her voice stubborn; solemn. “I haven’t… even had that many.” A weary hand came to rest on her forehead, which felt inexplicably cold. “I just need a bathroom or some water — maaaaybe both.”

       Alex felt stumped at the sight of a drunken Rob before him, something like relief simultaneously washing over him that it wasn’t anyone else. Amusement starts to colour his features, his lips turning upwards some, brows raising.. and at the same time, he felt a little concerned. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did, considering our last encounter.” More so to himself, really, as he quickly motions to the bodyguard by the other doorway. Alex gives him a stern look, a ‘we’ll have to talk later’, to which Rafael responds with a shrug of his shoulders, his features screaming ‘I couldn’t stop her’. “Can you get us some water, please?” It’s then that Alex turns to Rob again, decidedly wrapping an arm around her middle in an attempt to help keep her upright as they headed inside the room towards the lounge. He had no other choice.. and it wasn’t like she’d notice anything peculiar, right? “Let’s get you seated over here. If you need to use the bathroom, there’s one just over there, ‘kay?” 

[alexandertcte]

Josie. 

                            “Well, I mean, I would be fine if you’d ever texted or called me back. I feel like we’re glossing over that part a little too quickly, here,” Josie responded in jest, shortly before her lips parted to release a chuckle. Alex had always been a little gruff, but she’d been lucky enough to wear the guy down to the point where they could become friends. Besides Oliver, Alex was the only person Josie felt like she could really talk to. So, while he’d been busy in the past days, she’d greatly felt his absence. That, and she’d been unable to keep her worry at bay, after how morose he’d seemed at the beginning of their last conversation. But, she knew, by now, that being straight-forward with Alex would likely go over better than asking him to talk about his feelings. She’d earned enough sideways glances any previous times the subject of ‘mushy stuff’ had been broached. Besides, she’d never pass up an opportunity to give him a hard time, even as a joke. “How are things going with your sister? I meant to ask you when we met up for coffee this week, but someone flaked on me.” 

       Releasing a breath, Alex lowers his gaze. He’d never been too good at responding to texts and calls, especially when he was busy as hell.. curse his Sagittarian nature. He did make a point to respond to the people he cared about, but in recent times, things had certainly been all consuming over at the 401 with one of the investors visiting, in addition to the usual influx of happenings. “Sorry,” he breathes out, knowing sorry wouldn’t cut it as he looks up to give Josie an apologetic smile. “I’ve honestly been real busy. One of the, uh, investors have recently come back to Mystic, so uh.. it’s been a little hectic.” Well and truly, though, he’d missed his best friend; he tries to shove the rising guilt right down, but when he looks over at Josie with her arms folded across her chest, he couldn’t help but be consumed in it. “Want to order some takeaway and hang out?” As though that would fix everything. “And then I can update you on all things Tate family.” 

[theojamesunofficial]

[alexandertcte]

Rose. 

-

Men are such babies, she thought at that wince. Eyes yearning to roll yet too preoccupied with the matter at hand. Pressing closer with the ice that sat cool and wet within that napkin, those slender digits gingerly pressed it to his face. Free hand steadying herself on his shoulder—the place where that broadness met his neck. Without flinching Rose dared to be that close, failing to angel or shift herself away. Unconcerned and far from being embarrassed—self-conscious. No, Rose hadn’t thought twice about their proximity. Such concerns lost as his gaze found hers. She watched as that brow of his would lift, his amusement pulling at her own, though it would be his next words that cut that smirk deep into her cheeks. “Agree to disagree,” she mused then, mischief finding the darkness of her eyes. Yes, Rose had decided rather quickly that their kiss hadn’t been a mistake. That buzz that lingered still within her lips telling her that she’d do it again, if he could manage to get over himself—to get over her brothers. “I’m tougher than I look,” she countered plainly at his concern, that twist within her features growing more amused. “Though would you like a parade, or a suit of armour maybe?” her brow arched, challenging—teasing him.

       Alex hadn’t the time to process everything that had just happened, but in the slowness of their current situation, he was able to glance up and Rose and remember their.. well, interaction just minutes earlier. It was hard to forget, let alone think clearly, with her close proximity.. his cheeks heated with a little more than just blood rushing to the impacted spot on his features. He slows his breathing some, glancing up at her.. and as much as he wished to succumb to certain ideas, he recognised her brothers in her features, one of which being one of his best friends. This was a bad idea. What in the hell was he going to tell Ben? Was he going to tell him at all? “—You’re veering into dangerous territory, Rose,” he warns, decidedly reminding her of their predicament. It was just a moment, just a kiss. There was nothing more to it, or so he wished to convince himself. A smirk of sorts appears on his features at her latter response, avoiding rolling his eyes no matter how much he wished to. “Anyone can see that you can handle yourself. I’m not denying that. But what I find particularly amusing is that for some reason.. you needed me?” 

[alexandertcte]

It had come with the rest of the mail. A nondescript white box tied with a black ribbon and a soft satin bow. That deeply coloured thing, the only marker of it being a gift. Such packaging failed to speak to what that box truly held. Its weight, overall size and shape had been chosen on purpose to throw him off. For nestled beneath those pieces of black tissue paper sat a joke that would have been sent regardless of the day. Yes, when he lifted the lid he would know who sent it. That catcher’s mask starring back at him a reminder in its own way.  

Nonetheless a note had accompanied—one she had purposefully forgotten to sign, or to provide anything beyond six playful words. 

For the next damsel in distress. 

[alexandertcte]

Josie. 

               “In my defense, if you’d called your best friend back, I wouldn’t have to barge in here like this.” Josie was perhaps presumptuously claiming the title of Alex’s best friend, but he had certainly become hers. Even with all of his… secrets. “That little entourage of yours is… cute, though you should consider hiring me instead.” Admittedly, she’d become a little worried about Alex after having not heard from him in a solid few days, so maybe she’d threatened men twice her size to ensure that her friend was okay. They’d let her through, so there wasn’t really a problem, right? In the hopes of assuaging his clearly fraught nerves, Josie flashed Alex as innocent a smile as she could muster, then leaning against the doorframe he was standing on the other side of. “You good?”

       “Hey, in my defense, your best friend over here is a little preoccupied dealing with an influx of newcomers ‘round here,” a grin surfaces, his taut features softening some at the realisation that it was just Josie. “Might have to think about firing that little ‘entourage’ considering they let you through.. although, can I blame them?” Alex leans against the doorway now, a brow arched as he smirks over at her. “I’d be terrified of your determination, too.” There was always an underlying fear that he’d be found out — how could he not? He worked so hard to maintain such a facade, what if everything he’d built shattered in an instant? “I’m good. ‘Course I’m good. I’m fine. You?” 

[alexandertcte]

Roman. 

“And for a moment, I believed you were calling yourself the money maker.” A teasing edge to his tone, Roman reaching out to clasp Alex’s hand with his own. There was something of a budding friendship there, for even Roman could feel it growing. But trust was something that came hard earned, even despite having put a good chunk of his company’s money on the line. Call it a family trait, or a family curse, if you will. “Sure, a drink sounds great.” Because who was he to refuse such a thing.

       The tension causing every part of his being to be taut with something like fear of being found out dissipates all of a sudden, relief soon making itself home in its place. Alex looks into Roman’s eyes, then, knowing he had no choice but to put on the very same facade he had with everyone else. “Well, I wouldn’t say that around the money maker himself,” he deadpans, a smile even crossing his features as he takes the mans hand. Strong, firm; not in a means to assert dominance, but to assure the other he still had some sort of place in all of this. Even if The 401 could not have been possible without him. “Still into whiskey?” Alex questions as he shuts the door behind him, instead guiding Roman towards the bar and away from everything that had, seconds ago, had his stomach churning with all the possibilities.