devil's work

alex verhage ____________ i'm just a soul whose intentions are good. oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.

[the-composer]

❤ ▬▬ emotional starters to kick you in the feelings.

“What am I to you?” “If you could be with me, would you?” “Do you still think about (___)?” ”Do you want to be something more?” “I need to tell you how I feel.” “I miss how we used to be.” “Is it okay to say that I’m jealous?” “I’m so sorry I’m jealous… It’s such an ugly feeling.” ”I can’t help the way I feel.” ”They all want you, but they don’t even know you.” ”Is it okay to want you for myself?” “You’re mine. I don’t want to share.” “I want to be the only one for you.” “It’s you. You’re it. You’re the one I want.” “If you want me, you can have me.” “You can have others, but I will be your priority.” “Let’s talk about what you want.” “Let’s talk about what I want.” “I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait until you’re ready.” “You’re my friend. You didn’t know that?” ”I don’t think I know how to love…” ”Can I trust you?” “I forgive you.” “I only play around because I don’t have you.” “Name it. I’d give it up for you.” “You play so hard to get. Will I ever catch you?” “How can I get you to like me?” “Is there some secret to winning your love?” “Are you available?” “Are you afraid of commitment?” “If I agreed to be exclusive with you, would you do the same?” “Do you feel anything?” ”Why are you pushing me away?” ”The instant you start to feel something, you turn tail and run.” ”He/she/they love you, you know…” ”Don’t. I’m not good for you. Don’t even think about falling for me.” ”I will hurt you. That’s just a fact.” “You’re so wild that I want to be the one to tame you.” ”If you love them, then I want to as well.” “Your heart is safe with me.” ”You’re the type who wants to have your cake and eat it, too.” ”You’ve got me wrapped around your finger.” ”I’ve missed you so much.” ”Your happiness comes before mine.” ”I don’t mind sharing, as long as I’m with you.” “I am so sorry for hurting you.” “Can we start over?”

[a-joyfuljourney]

[chvrliehunnam]

petergadiot A #behindthescenes shot of my life. Yeah I’m being lazy, don’t judge me! Actually judge as much as you like, it matters not the slightest to me. I find it fascinating that so many people seem concerned by the words and judgement of others. As if it held some tangible, physical power.  News flash: it doesn’t.  Obviously we should live and let live. But if people want to be #judgmental, let them. Who cares? Why does it matter? It doesn’t.  As the wise woman said ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent’. That’s right, words only hurt you, if you allow them to.  When #words are spoken, the only thing that happens to you, literally, is your ear registers a small vibration. That’s it. Anything else is 100% of your doing. Your #choice. Any reaction or emotion is all you.  That’s obvious right? So then why do so many people allow them selves to be upset?  🤔  As the wise man said ‘most pain is created by the mind’. I see that all the time. People feeling anxious and miserable when they simply don’t have to. I see people suffer in chains of their own making.  Oppressed by their own minds. It doesn’t have to be that way.  People need to take #responsibility for their own feelings. Blaming them on and misattributing them to others is a wholesale fallacy. . There’s a tremendous amount of self suppression, people are fearful of being labeled weird, different or ‘other’. Just be you and let them be them. We should all stop worrying about opinions and conformity.  Radical, unashamed expression of our true selves is what is needed. .  You hold all the power to determine your state of mind. Why choose pain, when you can choose peace?  🎤  Thanks for coming to my #tedtalk 😄 Please grab a goody bag on your way out 🍭

[alexverhage]

stclla‌:

that was more than enough. in one swift movement, stella turned over her shoulder and picked up a nearby microphone. swinging one leg over the bar, she positioned herself so that she was on her knees on top of it. “everybody, we have a special guest at the bar tonight,” her voice rang out over the bar. “does anyone here know alexander?” a series of shouts and hollers came from the crowd. it came as no surprise that, while many customers were loyal to one or the other, many more went back and forth between the two establishments. “well, it’s xander’s lucky night, because he’s just asked for a body shot from yours truly.” more shouts met her ears as she reached down and began to grab the things she’d need. “now, i’m going to explain the rules.” at this point stella’s eyes met xander’s, fulling enjoying her control of the situation. “i’m going to tie a bandanna around your wrists, so go ahead, turn around, and put your arms behind your back like you’re getting arrested. practice for later tonight.” a round of laughs echoed from the other customers, a reminder that coyotes didn’t need to be the funniest—they just needed to be smart. and fast. once she’d tied a decent knot, stella put a hand on xander’s shoulder and motioned for him to turn back around. “now i’m going to place a lime in your mouth. i want you to suck yours, spit it out, take the shot, then take my lime from my mouth.” her gaze left his, momentarily looking down to pour the shot. she then held it up in the air. “if you kiss me, i will shove this microphone so far down your throat, your boyfriend will be upset. we don’t want that. coyote ugly, are you ready?”

once again, the music got louder, base practically thumping the walls. american woman. stella ran a hand through her hair and placed a slice of lime in her mouth. she then leaned forward, as if to bring it towards xander’s… but dodged at the last second. she teased him like this for a few more seconds before letting him have it, only after placing the shot between her legs, laying down on the bar, and putting another lime in her mouth. game, set, match.

    he knew, he knew the whole thing had bad idea written all over it. the minute she picked up the mic, his head dropped, a defeated sigh falling from his lips as his name was spoken. xander couldn’t help but pick up the beer he ordered and drink it in it’s entirety before getting up from the chair.  hearing the hoot and hollers from those around the bar, xander looked up, turning slightly towards them before giving a half-assed wave, only then turning to look at stella and shaking his head at her. he just wanted some fucking pancakes. the man did as she said, turning around and allowing her to tie his hands up. “you’re going to pay for this...” he mumbled, only for her to hear, a smirk on his lips. he wasn’t sure how yet, but he knew he was going to get payback one way or the other before the night ended.  his head lulled back, his jaw tight as he listened to her go on with the rules and whatnot. finally, the man arched an eyebrow at her final words, nodding yes and watching as she laid out on the bar, his eyes focused on hers for a second before they travelled down her body as he walked towards the shot, ignoring the obnoxious noises that were coming from those who watched. the man leaned forward, pressing down on the lime she had given him, no - teased him with, and pressing down with his teeth, the juice dripping down her thigh. he blew the lime away, before his tongue met her thigh, taking a swift lick of the lime that was dripping down her thigh, a small smirk on his lips. was it his fault there was no salt?  xander through the shot back and  blew the disposable shot cup away before walking up towards the lime. the man looked down at her, shaking his head in amusement before bending over and coming just inches away from the lime and her lips. with his teeth, he pressed down, allowing for the juice of the lime to run down stella’s own lips before finally wrapping his lips around the lime altogether and coming back up, blowing the lime from his lips and watching it land on the floor. xanders eyes found hers, focused on them,  the half-smile remaining on his lips. he stepped away from her slightly, licking away the remainder of the lime from his lips and turning towards the crowd. “give it up for your coyote stella skelton, everyone!” 

[alexverhage]

shilohreid‌:

a pout formed instantly across her features as shiloh felt herself being physically dragged from claddagh’s – she hated that. being forced. anywhere really. she’d been so small her entire life that people had always assumed they could pick her up as they liked–throw her around like a rag doll just because–it had to be one of her biggest pet peeves.. and alexander knew this. he knew this far too well and that annoyed her even more. “let me go!” she demanded. shi tugged her arm from his grasp, practically pulling the joint from the socket in an attempt to free herself. “i don’t consent to this man touchin’ me! hello.. do you hear me world? let me go!” she yelled, looking around the street for bystanders–anyone really–who could witness the pure abuse of power being held over her (and all because he was bigger and taller than she) but it was no use, the streets were as empty as ever. everyone already inside their bar of choice enjoying a nice, calm night. 

once he’d finally let her go, her hand of the arm he hadn’t been holding went to rub the sore spot his hand had been. shiloh mumbled under her breath–something about the idiot standing before her–as she collected herself. she took a step forward, closing the space xander had created between them. “i’ll go to whatever fuckin’ bar i please, alexander. who’s goin’ to stop me.. you?” she rolled her eyes. “i ain’t scared of lil’ ol’ you, never have been.. don’t think i’ll start now.” she took another step towards him, and once she was close enough, she shoved his chest with both her hands roughly. “and don’t man handle me ever again, ‘lright?” she shoved him again, just for good measure.

     “stop being fucking dramatic,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes at the petite brunette, continuing to listen to her as she kept her bratty act up.  who’s goin’ to stop me...you? his eyes narrowed down on her lip, hands on his hips now as he watched her. did that really deserve an answer? did it? because, as far as he knew, yes, he could stop her from walking into claddaghs. he wasn’t the owner, but he was the manager and all he had to do was tell one of his security guys, perhaps ryan, to keep her out. “when the fuck have i said you have to be afraid of me? when the fuck have i ever wanted that? what the fuck are you ever talking about now?” he questioned, before finding himself taking a few steps back due to her shoves. “stop...” he warned, and then she did it again and as soon as her hands came into contact with his chest, he clasped his hands around her tiny wrists, pushing them down and off of him, still around his grasp. “what the fuck is wrong with you?” he questioned, letting go.  “hmm? why the fuck do you do the shit you do? what goes on through that head of yours? i fucking wish..” i could understand. the back and forth, the outbursts, granted they both deserved it sometimes, but shiloh? you never knew with her. they were fine one minute and the next, she was being a pain in the ass all over again. she enjoyed this. xander shook his head, “how about mess with people your own fuckin’ size if you don’t want your ass to be dragged out the bar. lucky i didn’t just throw you over my shoulder and took your ass to a fuckin’ day care cause you’re actin’ fuckin’ childish.” 

[theavengers]

[alexverhage]

@shilohreid !

[alexverhage]

forsylvians‌:

she hums and shifts in his lap, leaning all of her weight against him. “i get so bored sometimes,” she says as she plays with the ends of his hair, never looking him directly in the eye. he was warm, and she’d deny it but she liked how being near something warm made her feel. she could just curl up and feel a little safer. “thanks for the drink,” she winks and takes a sip of the negroni, pressing the cold of the glass against her cheek. “where’s the fire? we’re just getting started.”

    he straightened up as she shifted in his lap, the more she moved, the friction,  bringing awake another part of his body that he was sure she would feel any moment. “mhm..” he replied, his eyes never fixated on her face, watching as she pressed the cold glass against her cheek,  taking in her features. she was so effortlessly fucking beautiful and he wasn’t sure she was aware of that. sylvie had these big round blue eyes that could drive any man wild, drove him wild every now and then, and the more he stared into them, the more he knew how lost he could get in them -- if she allowed him to. they were both so tug and pull sometimes, it was hard to believe that they could actually have something real, something more than what they had ongoing. the truth was simple and so evident sometimes, they were fucked beyond measure, they weren’t good for one another.  “i’m in no rush,” he replied, all of a sudden not really wanting to leave, aware that once he left they would go back to acting like nothing, just good ol’ regular fuck buddies, even this intimate moment was too much for them. something new in a sense. “so, uh, ya come ‘ere often?” he chuckled slightly, “this seat comfortable enough for you?” 

[alexverhage]

stclla‌:

stella caught his eyes from across the bar and, right in that very moment, the opening chords to “you shook me all night long” blared over the speakers. a cheeky grin made it’s way across her face, eyes lighting up as she set the bottle in her grasp down and stepped up onto the bar. she was slow to start—swaying her hips and taking it easy until she was sure she’d gotten most of the crowd’s attention. then, in time with the beat, she kicked it up a notch. the next three and a half minutes were full of hips, kicks, grinds, and at one point an open bottle of liquor that she freely poured into some customers’ eager mouths. and if by the time to song was over she’d made her way across the bar to where xander was sitting? well, that must’ve just been good luck.

“i’m offended you asked someone else to serve you,” stella remarked after she’d hopped off of the bar and slung a towel over her shoulder. shaking her head, she reached for the nearest spirit (which turned out to be vodka), spun the bottle about a bit, and took a shot before setting it back down. cheers. half the time customers asked her to do shots with them, she pretended to immediately chase it when she was actually spitting it out. but, what the hell, she hadn’t had much to drink tonight. “you sticking with beer all night or could i interest you in a body shot?”

  every now and then his eyes would find her, and he would try to avoid staring far much longer than he should have,  although quite frankly, xander was aware that these dances were made for just that -- the attention and as his eyes glanced around the room, the steady gawk of assholes around her on her, he noticed how she grabbed it. xander brought his beer to his lips, his eyes now focused on the label that adorned it, almost as if he had never fucking red a beer label in his life before.  the music blared loudly around him before again bringing, he brought his head up, eyes one’s again, almost instantly finding her. fuck. his index finger scratched as his nose, before he sighed and straightened himself up, only to find the girl right in front of him again. she was a devilish little thing, hidden in the body of an angel, he should have known that the first minute he laid eyes on her.  a smirk decorated his lips as he heard her voice, “i guess i just took too long to come in...” he replied, “pardon me, miss. won’t happen again.,..” he chuckled lightly, his eyes narrowing down on her, head tilted just slightly.  “i don’t normally do body shots...” he was doing his best to stay away from hard liquor at all times, for the sake of his daughter. “but seeing as how i’m staying for the next three hours with the fucking hopes of some delicious pancakes at the end of this long and daunting road.. hit me with your best shot, friend.” 

[alexverhage]

/ @billiemarquez​ /

where: outside of claddagh time: 7:00pm

    lifting his helmet from his head, the man jumped off his bike before ruffling his hair, his helmet going back down on the seat, as an exhausted sigh fell from his lips. xander had been up at six in the morning, waited at the court house since 8am for them to call his name -- of course, he had to wait for them to call all names that started with a letter that came before the letter v --  and then deal with his bitch of a soon to be ex-wife for the following two hours, discussing settlements and custody, how she wanted money that he himself had saved up for so long. he was so determined on keeping equitable distribution off the table and away from a marriage that did not last more than 5 years. he stopped for a second, leaning against his bike. the exhaustion was evident, finally undoing his tie with one hand and slipping his bike keys in his pocket with the other. he needed to get to to work. the man rubbed his face, turning all too suddenly that he found himself bumping hard against who he now knew was billie, a frequent customer, friend, if you considered those that frequented that. “fuck -- sorry, sorry..” he cleared his throat, he just needed this fucking day to be over. “i wasn’t looking, billie.. xander shook his head, refraining from rubbing his face again. “are you okay?’

[orpheusdrinkinga40inadeathbasket]

[alexverhage]

blaircamp‌:

blair had been making her way towards coyote ugly when she heard her name being called, her eyes rolling when she quickly recognized who it was, making her way towards him. “you know, xandy, it’s not very polite to yell in the streets.” blair teased, using an old nickname she had for him. the two went all the way back to grade school, and blair always considered him a close friend. “you know, i like a little zest in a bar, some dancing, some fun. besides, we both know you’d never make me a sangria.”

    “what have i told you about xandy, blair? what?” fucking stupid ass nickname he could never get rid of, he should have never called her in the first place. “yeah, well, these aren’t just any streets, are they?” no, they held coyote and they held claddagh, and that meant they were rowdy, from the music to the customers that often walked out trashed. “because that’s not a real fucking drink, blair..” he almost sounded disgusted, “you want a real drink get a michelada, get a beer, get some fucking wine if you have to. why would you put more fruit inside a a drink that’s already made from fruit -- fucking dried grapes! the fucking spaniards, i swear to fucking christ..” 

[alexverhage]

stclla‌:

tossing and turning and the wondering… for the final time, stella took a long sip of her drink, eyes locked in on xander’s. “promise i’ll make it worth your while,” she reassured with a playful smile as she began to step back, suddenly looking forward to the rest of the night a whole lot more than she had been. “see you inside.” did she wink? yes. did she feel a bit stupid for doing it after she’d turned around and gone back inside? not a sliver. 

  he licked his lips, a chuckle fell from them as he watched her walk in, shaking his head at the young woman in amusement. fuck, he was in trouble. as she disappeared from view, he debated on the following two things: one, to go watch a movie and hopefully it’d be long enough to come back at 3:30am (long shot, but worth a thought) or he could walk in behind her, say fuck it and just see where the night actually went. he never really stayed at coyote longer than he had to -- because he didn’t want to -- but seeing as he was in the “mood” to mend “friendships” he figured, why the fuck not?  he had fuck else to do. the man walked past the security guard and straight towards the bar, eyes scanning the room for familiar faces but they were nowhere to be seen. sitting down, he quickly asked the bartender for a beer, his knuckles tapping against the bar as he waited, a deep sigh falling from his lips before finally the beer was placed in front of him. brown eyes then found stellas, eyebrows raising slightly before  lifting his beer and mouthing cheers, and then bringing the bottle to his lips. 

[alexverhage]

shilohried‌:

“do you mean good ol’ sergeant samual?” she rolled her eyes, often disgusted over the unnatural relationship those two men shared – seriously, was it necessary to grocery shop together? shiloh had to bite her lip to stop her tongue from rolling out of her mouth, followed by what she could only assume would be an extremely realistic gagging noise. she was better than that – not a child like the man standing in front of her was underneath that grown up disguise. “i dare ‘ya to call him, alexander.” there was an edge to her words, a challenge. “i’d sure love to see that man put those handcuffs of his to good use. maybe he’ll send one of his officers instead.. if god’s looking out for me, he’ll make sure it’s that matty boy. he certainly does know how to use that tongue of his..” shi grabbed a drink from an on-looker, a man watching the scene unfold in front of him–probably waiting on the promise of free shots–she smiled sweetly in his direction before bringing the glass to her lips and taking a sip. “on the clock.. of course, i won’t even mention the fact that that’s never seemed to stop ‘ya before, cranky pants but to each their own, i suppose.. only god can judge ‘ya and all that jazz.” she waved her hand between them, dismissing his words. “if you’re not interested in a shot, why don’t ‘ya step outta the way and let all these wonderful people have their turn then?” she laid down on his bar counter, the cool surface sending a shiver down her exposed spine. she knew he would stop his, of course. claddagh’s was no coyote ugly. she was going to win this battle and eventually, the war. the thought alone brought a sinister smile to her face. shi’s hands tugged on the loose fabric of her shirt, exposing her stomach to the bar. “alright, who’s up first? don’t forget y’all.. little blooms is just around the corner and i’d be more than happy to help each and every one of ‘ya put together a pretty little bouquet for that special someone in your life.. ain’t that right, alexander? whoops.. i forget, can’t exactly bring flowers to a court room, can ‘ya?”

      his eyes narrowed down on the brunette, moving in front of those that had lined up for a free shot. he was angry, more so at her comment about the court room than anything else. she had no right, no right at all to mention his relationship at all more so because the only reason he was fighting was for his daughter and she knew that. there was a constant struggle in that room for his daughter, that was all he wanted. grabbing her by the arm, he picked up her purse and walked straight towards the door. “that’s it...” he was used to her antics, sometimes, he’d go head to head with her, hell, he was ready to go head to head with her tonight, but after that?  no, tonight he’d walk her right back to where she actually wanted to be. “you have no fucking right to mention shit that’s none of your business,” he spoke through gritted teeth, crossing the street with the petite girls arm still in his hand, dragging her belongings in his free hand. “you want something to drink? you want free tequila?  you get it from your friends here. i’ll send your credit card over later with talon or something.” xander handed her belongings right back to her, the dark glare remaining on her as he let her go, taking a step back from the brunette altogether. “and shi, before i go, stay the fuck away from my bar..”  

[alexverhage]

fatherafferty‌:

darcy scoffed. “please, don’t call me father. i didn’t have the time to change out of this clown costume, but i’m off the clock. god isn’t watching.” he grimaced, and looked up at alexander as she scanned the bar. “i’ll take the maker’s mark for now, it’ll have to do. the bishop frowns on drinking to excess, but maybe i can have some real whisky imported or some shite like that.”

    a snort fell from the mans lips, mostly to the ‘god isn’t watching’ comment. he wasn’t wrong, god had left claddagh and him a long time ago. xander truly thought he’d seen it all, fucking heard it all - until now that was.  the man took in a deep breath, light chuckle falling from his lips before turning around and grabbing a makers mark, pouring it in the glass and placing it in front of him. “on the house er -... what the fuck do i call you then?” 

[alexverhage]

forsylvians‌:

she loved his brooding stare, almost as much as she loved making fun of it. those dark, drawn eyebrows accompanied every single movement he did and she thought it was downright hilarious. and security was boring now, the flair for the dramatic and the fresh air gone. it wasn’t like it was her real job, anyway. sylvie snaked her way inside, leaving the door duty to a different member of security, and easily located xander at the bar. he was the only one not interested in the coyotes.

“howdy partner,” she said with a grin as she swung one leg over his, straddling his lap as she mounted him. her arms looped around his neck. “didya wait long?”

   he watched how instead of answering the brunette left, aware of why as soon as he heard her voice, sylvie.  who quite easily found her way to him, about just as soon as he thought she would.  “d’ya missed me already?” a smirk formed on his lips, leaning himself back against the chair, his hands falling to her waist without a second thought. the position they were in entirely natural for them.  “careful, darlin’ you’re going to give people somethin’ to talk about...”  not that he cared in the slightest and she had to know that. xander moved slightly, reaching forward for her drink, his body and lips dangerously close, closer than before.  “how about ya finish this so i can take you outta here, yeah?” 

[alexverhage]

/ @blaircamp​ /

where: claddagh time:  10:00 pm 

       the man stood outside of claddaghs, placing a cigarette stick behind his ear when he noticed the blonde walk right beside him, preparing to cross street and probably heading to coyote “blair!” he called out towards her, his eyes narrowing down on her. “you know, every time i watch you cross the street and enter those doors, it’s like a stab to our 28 year old friendship..” they went to school together, childhood friends (pretty sure he had stolen a couple of oreo’s from her in grade school, probably stuck gum in her hair every now and then) and had remained close since.  “when you want to enjoy a real drink, a real bar,  doors are always open. think about it.” 

[alexverhage]