Alla the babes

[andromachewrites]

P E T E R   H E N R I K S O N :

As Peter looked down at the small woman in front of him, he had to wonder exactly what she was gaping at.  After a quick check behind him to make sure the Queen wasn’t behind him or anything, he suddenly worried if it was him.  Was there something on his face?  Too many times had he passed out in places other than his bed only to wake up with something stuck to him.  Ink was the most common culprit.  He had once arrived at school only to be told by a fellow teacher that his grocery list had made it’s mark on his cheek.  

But she soothed his worry as she spoke up, after what seemed like ages.  He was also relieved to see she didn’t seem too upset about his clumsy ways and her scattered papers.  It was only as she offered a smile did Peter realize that she was…Well, she was quite pretty.  Sometimes it took a minute for Peter’s brain to catch up to reality, or other times it was too far ahead and he needed to slow it down for a moment.  

With the realization, Peter could feel a heat creeping up past his wrinkled collar, and unconsciously, he tugged at the fabric there.  He thanked whatever God there was that he had spent the weekend out hiking with friends, and he doubted a blush could be seen through his sunburn that was fading into a tan on his skin.

“But what if I was?  That’d be a sight to see, eh?” He asked, no real point to his question, but these were the things he pondered.  “Might be a bit disconcerting, actually.” he commented upon thinking on it for a moment.  “Would people talk to their fellow commuters, or do you think everyone would just be silent, and stare straight ahead?”  Some might’ve considered that a rhetorical question, part of a joke or sarcastic comment, but that wasn’t the type of person Peter was.  He loved pointless, pondering conversations, ones that could go on forever as they had no logical end.

He shook his head slightly as he offered a chuckle to her subtle comment about their heights.  She was….very tiny, that was for sure.  And while Peter wasn’t too out of the ordinary in height, people often told him he looked taller than he was, something about his build.  “Well, I may not be able to play professional basketball, but grabbing flying papers out of the sky is the next best thing, right?”

“Didn’t realize people who weren’t students took notes anymore, anyways.–Anything important or is it just a very extended grocery list?”

It took almost constant reminders to herself to not stare at him too much despite how much everything in her was begging to map out his face. She longed to compare it to her memories and find all the ways that this life had altered it and how much had stayed exactly the same. But she restrained herself, making the normal amount of eye contact and nodding along to what he was saying as she occasionally allowed her eyes to drift.

Brown eyes lit up slightly at his musings and she hummed lightly to show that she was taking it seriously. “The realist in me would say the latter, I think it would take a lot for people to begin to break that polite, unspoken understanding all us Brits have to mind our own business.” Her nose wrinkled slightly, not entirely in distaste when she did like her own privacy, but in a sort of ruefulness that they were all so set in their ways.

That expression soon faded as she indulged in a more fanciful reality for them all. “But the idealist in me would love to believe that it would make us all more open and engaged with one another. Perhaps it might lead to people finding more joy in life, noticing the little things more.” After decades on earth over the years, Emilia had found her own appreciation for the small details. It was the fleeting things that always seemed to mean the most to her.

“And if that were the case and if you were the only one and the rest of us spent our commute smiling and exchanging pleasantries then I suppose I’d have no choice but to think you strange - or worse, rude.” The words are said lightly, teasing tone cloaked in levity, but her face remained poker straight as she played at seriousness. It breaks almost instantly though and a light laugh leaves her lips at how easily she failed. “But I assure you that’s far from the truth, at least in this version of events. You’re practically my knight in shining armour for rescuing my notes from a blustery end.”

Hugging her notes closer to her to prevent anymore mishaps, another easy smile touched her lips. “No, I suppose I’m one of the few that still prefers them handwritten. But I’ve always been a bit old-fashioned that way.” Lips curled up at the corners, forming something of a self-deprecating smile but there’s a private joke in the words that she knows he’s got no way of picking up on. An ‘old soul’ was what she’d been called throughout her life - when she had memories of countless lives it was impossible that they didn’t influence her thoughts and actions - and she’d often wondered if people knew how close to the mark they were when they’d made that observation. 

[andromachewrites]

O L I V I A   P O T T E R :

Hazel eyes fluttered open to greet the day.  Usually they would slam shut at the first hint of sunlight, but it was the first morning in a very long line of mornings, that she hadn’t been woken up by an alarm.  She had two weeks off from her current movie as production geared up to film in Italy.  Which meant no early call times, no two hour drive to set, and best of all, it meant she got to feel his warm chest pressed against her back, and his arm around her waist.  They hadn’t fallen asleep like that, they never did, but Olivia had a tendency to burrow, and when he was around, instead of blankets she burrowed against him.  

She tried to stifle a large yawn, and her body trembled with the effort, which may not have woken him otherwise, but he must’ve already been on the edge of consciousness already, and Olivia could feel him stir against her body, pulling her closer, which earned a dreamy, sleepy smile from her.  She wasn’t usually this much of a sap, in fact she had been told she was heartless many times, but it was just so good to see him.  She had been staying in Vancouver while they filmed out in the middle of butt fuck nowhere British Canadian wilderness, and while they both tried to slip in a weekend now and then, her flying back down to L.A. or wherever he was, and vice versa, it had been difficult.  Even if they did manage to sneak more than 24 hours together, it was often spent lazing around out of fatigue, needing to take a break from the constant ‘go, go, go’ of their lives.

With some effort she turned around in his arms which still encircled her, and she gave him a quick peck on the chin (unable to reach his forehead), not wanting to subject him to any possible morning breath.  “Good morning, sleeping beauty.” she teased.  

                                                            _______________ 

After weeks of waking up alone in a trailer he’d been counting down the days until he’d be waking up next to Olivia. He’d never made any secret of being the affectionate type but he’d stop short of describing himself as needy - more like he made his needs and wants know. There’d been a time when he’d reined some of that in with her and he did even now to a point when they were separated, if only because an endless stream of ‘I miss you’s wouldn’t do either of them any good. But the instant he’d picked her up from the airport he’d dropped all pretences of being able to have any kind of restraint around her. He’d pulled her into his arms and scarcely dropped contact with her the entire journey back home.

Despite him having tried to fight off sleep to make the most of every minute they had together, it had inevitably won. Now he was slowly drifting awake, becoming more and more aware of the warm and familiar form tucked up against his chest. Arm wrapped instinctively around her more tightly as she stirred, pulling him further out of his slumber. With the kiss pressed to his chin he’s fully awake, unable to keep himself from gazing at her with eyes full of adoration. Eyes crinkle as a chuckle at her words leaves him, following it with some teasing words of his own. “And here was me thinking that I was Prince Charming.” God, he’d missed this. The simple, quiet moments were what he always ached for the most. The waking up together followed by the lazy breakfasts. Evenings curled up with no intentions of leaving. Those seconds where he heard something and wanted to tell her immediately to see the look on her face. To catch it all in person instead of through a phone. He knew they were lucky to be getting work so steadily, their industry was tough and work could be hard to come by, but that didn’t mean he resented the time that they had to spend apart any less. 

Shifting slightly, Marius pulls her closer once more and presses a kiss against her lips hardly caring if there’s any trace of morning breath between them. It was a price he’d pay when he was greedy for any contact and affection between them. Eventually he pulls away to ask a question he’s fairly sure he already knows the answer to. “How did you sleep?” 

[andromachewrites]

DANNY   PARK:

Danny had always been pretty easy to get along with.  He was an easygoing guy with a goofy streak, with a dash of people pleasing tendencies, making him pretty damn agreeable.  People always said it was hard to hate Danny, even when his attention seeking behavior got away from him, because in the end, it was always going to make everyone laugh anyways.  But despite the fact that Danny could be friends with everyone, and generally was, he didn’t have a best friend until he met Laila.

Danny had ripped his pants straight up the ass while trying to do something stupid to cheer the cast and crew up during one of their many late nights filming the pilot, and Laila was the only person in wardrobe still around.  And the rest, as they say, was history.  Danny’s face always lit up when he realized Laila was on shift and not the other stylists.  Joking between takes while she adjusted the cast’s clothing for continuity turned into joking in his trailer when he wasn’t needed for a scene which turned into eventually grabbing breakfast after a night shoot.  And just like that they were friends.  He didn’t think he would’ve survived the madness of the pilot picked up and the ensuing craziness if it wasn’t for Laila.  

And then of course, Laila herself got promoted from crew to cast, and everything changed.  But only for the better, in Danny’s opinion, he got to spend all of his time with someone who was quickly becoming his favorite person.  She also was fantastic at reigning him in when he was getting to be a bit too much.  She had a naturally calming energy about her.

Although, sometimes Danny liked to mix that energy up, just like now.  As she screamed, Danny guffawed and held onto his stomach, his abs quaking with the effort.  As she cussed him out, all he could offer was one of his infamous cheeky grins while opening the door for her.

“I was just trying to be helpful, you looked like you were falling asleep at the wheel there, Wright.  Plus, gotta make sure you bright eyed and bushy-tailed for the sunrise scene we’re filming this morning.” he teased.

                                                    ________________

There were still moments when she had to pinch herself when it came to the life that she was now leading. It was so far from what she could have ever predicted for herself and while she truly did love it, she knew that it would have been far too daunting for her without the neverending support from Danny. Navigating the maze of her new found status would have been enough to send her back home if she didn’t have him by her side. Everything was just that much lighter and endlessly more fun when she was with him. No one else managed to get her out of her own head quite like he did.

Even in that moment, with her heart practically beating out of her chest and fond frustration felt, she knew she couldn’t be without him. Acting was new to her and after being thrown into the deep end she’d tried to cope with it as best she could. But that more often than not meant a lot of anxiety and endless nights fretting over whether she had her lines down or if she was playing the scene out in the right way. This morning had been no exception and she’d have likely still been wrapped up in her own worries if Danny hadn’t quite literally jolted her back to reality.

With her head cleared she decided to focus more on the lightness of shoots, the fun side that she loved so much that made all the pressure she put on herself worth it. A little back and forth with her best friend was just was she needed to keep her mind from running endlessly through the lines again. Lips pressed together in playful disapproval, a dryness to her tone as she speaks again. “Helpful, huh? Does your version of helpful come with a health warning?”

But even when it’s only in jest her frustration at him never lasts long, smile already on her lips as he opens the door for her. She slides out quickly before turning to dig around in her bag once more, pulling out a cereal bar. “Here, I brought you breakfast.” It’s tossed his way quickly, hoping to catch him somewhat off guard in a mini act of revenge. “Not that you deserve it for nearly giving me a heart attack.” 

Pulling her bag out she puts it over herself before linking her arm through his in an act of casual closeness. The type of contact they’d fallen into so easily. “You know, I never thought I’d be so reluctant to see a sunrise. One of these days I’ll stay up to see one just because. Not because I have to remember lines.”

[andromachewrites]

SANTIAGO  MENDOZA:

With her eyes trained on his boy, Tiago knew she wouldn’t see him in time, and with an expression that clearly read ‘yikes’, he watched her take a big ole bite of the cookie.  He barely saw her face falter, as she took it like a champ.  He was impressed.  He had barely been able to keep up the façade, and Danny was his own son.  But he appreciated it, Danny didn’t have a lot of confidence in…Well, anything.  He had always been the runt of the litter when it came to his classes, and was often bullied.  Danny and Santiago had also run into a surprising amount of horrible teachers, who much preferred to tear the kid down rather than build him up.  So this baking teacher was a breath of fresh air.

No one would ever be able to say that Tiago didn’t love this kid, he did with everything he had in him.  Everything he did was in service to Danny, because maybe he was bias in his thinking, but he was just so special.  He was gentle and sweet and generous, being mean or rude or unpleasant was a foreign concept to the child, even when he was just a toddler.  He had always been quiet, even right after he was born, although that could be due to being such a sickly baby.  Up until the day Danny was born, Santiago said he didn’t want to be a father, but when he finally arrived, and he saw Danny’s little face and there was a chance of losing him…Santiago couldn’t bear the thought.

Sure, at first it may have been an evolutionary thing.  Santiago had heard that somewhere once, that kids looked like their father’s when first born so dads wouldn’t leave as much.  But he followed through on the initial love he felt when he first saw the kid, having to make a lot of hard decisions and sacrifices along the way.  Most of Tiago’s paycheck went to Danny’s doctors bills, still carrying over some shit from when he was younger and sick, or extra classes like this, knowing he wasn’t getting the attention he needed in school.  Santiago desperately wished he made enough money to send him to one of those bougy private schools that boasted small class sizes and farm to table lunches and shit, but he couldn’t, so this would have to do.

Obviously, in this case, he had made the right choice, he could tell as the teacher offered to go through the recipe again. Looking at Danny he could tell he wanted to stay, but Jesus Christ he was tired.  It was a nice gesture, but Santiago didn’t think he could make it, having just gotten off an 18 hour shift.  A tough shift.  All he wanted to do was grab Danny, go home, and fall asleep on the couch as they watched cartoons.

“You don’t got… other classes or somethin’?” He asked, hoping that it would save him from having to say no to Danny.   

                                              __________________

It had never been the case that she couldn’t imagine a future for herself that involved a husband, their children and maybe a dog too. Hell, she wasn’t even entirely opposed to the white picket fence that would add the sprinkles to her slice of the American Dream. But what she had begun to oppose more and more vocally was how her parents’ keenness for it to happen seemed to come at the expense of her own choices and wishes. Part of her knew it was all out of love - or at least their version of it - but that didn’t make their constant questions about her personal life any more easy to hear. Or their not so subtle hints that she should think about getting back together with the ex they had loved so much.

Maybe she was dragging her feet when it came to dating but only a tiny portion of her reluctance to get back out there was that she was getting her own back on her parents. She wasn’t the type of person to let pettiness ( not that she possessed all that much of it ) get in the way of her own happiness. Instead she’d been hesitant to start dating because it meant letting someone else into her life. She’d carved out the career that she’d dreamed of and everything else had fallen so nicely into place. There was a reluctance to let someone else change the life she led when she was so content with almost every aspect.

Most of all she had her job that she adored and she couldn’t imagine letting anything come between it and her. She got to do the thing that she loved every single day and she knew that she was good at it, even if she’d be too modest to regularly blow her own trumpet. But all she had to do was look at her students’ faces. Whether they were adults or children like Danny who were always so rapt when she taught and filled with an endearing desire to learn. She loved all her students but it was impossible not to have her favourites - the ones who managed to make her that little bit fonder of them without really trying.

Danny was easily one of them with the way that he was so keen to learn and the determination he had no matter how many times his dish didn’t turn out quite like expected. It’s why she was breezily declares herself free for the evening. “No, no classes - “ But before she can finish she takes one look at Danny’s father and spots the reluctance on his features as well as the tiredness lingering on them. It only takes her a moment to put two and two together and she quickly decides to spare him from having to chose between his son and some rest. Small gasp slips from her lips as though she’s just remembered something. “Oh god. You know, I think I do have something on tonight after all. I’m so sorry, Danny” Apologetic smile is given to the little boy, a hand briefly placed on his arm. 

Blue eyed gaze drifted back up towards his father, gentle question in them as she makes a warm offer hoping that she wasn’t putting too much pressure on him. “How about tomorrow or I think I could move stuff around to do the next day too? Only if you want.”

[andromachewrites]

[text] I want you to be happy. ( sabina and jacob )

JACOB: Don’t you go getting soft on me, O’Connor JACOB: I want that for you too so would coming over for some Thai make you happy?

[andromachewrites]

HARLEY  WOODS:

He had caught the way her eyes dropped and he cursed himself inwardly.  Even now, sober as a priest on Sunday morning, his words seemed to hurt her.  He swallowed hard, hands balling against the once rough but now worn soft fabric of his jeans.  He found it sardonically funny that the one person he had been the most comfortable with suddenly made him the most uncomfortable.  But then again, maybe only a person who knew you like that could cause such a reaction.  He just couldn’t seem to do anything right when it came to her anymore, and he cursed his tongue as he started his sentence only to end it abruptly a syllable later as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say.

“That’s not–I just…”  He sighed in frustration, before deciding, damn it all to hell, he was just going to speak plainly.  “–Well, I just figured with, well, with all the shit I put you through you’d want to make quick work of this.  I wouldn’t blame you.”  He could feel a lump in his throat as the words were finally out in the open.  He had tried to atone for his sins in church, in meetings, in meetings in church basements, he had gone on at great lengths owning up to all his mistakes and wrong doings.  But never once to her, and those words hung in the air like a cloud over a picnic, and he tried not to let the feeling of wanting to take those words and stuff them back into his mouth overwhelm him.  He needed to feel it without actually doing it.  No walking it backwards, because he couldn’t walk what he did backwards either.  

He knew that sometimes the step of making amends was more for the one apologizing than the one being apologized to, and he didn’t want to do that to her.  He didn’t want to selfishly rehash all the hurt he caused just so he could progress another step in his recovery only to end up hurting her more.  He wanted to give her what she needed, if she needed anything from him at all.  God, it was enough to give him a headache.  And want a stiff drink.  Looking down at his black coffee he knew that was the best he’d get for now.  

But as she let him know of her travel plans, or lack of plans to travel back as of the moment, he felt both relieved and nervous.  He had been fairly sure he could get through a quick visit from her with minimum damage.  An extended visit…Well that was a whole other ball game.  He could feel that itch to push down those feelings rather than, well, feel them with a beer or two.  Well, more like a six pack or two.  

Harley swallowed again before answering, “Couple weeks, huh?  Must be makin’ a killin’ out there in tinsel town.—Well, actually pretty sure I heard a Rosemary Kelly original on the radio the other day, so obviously you are,” he began to ramble and he hated that he couldn’t make himself stop.    “–Well, I’m sure the old faces will be glad to see you ‘round.  Definitely more excited than when my ugly old mug shows up, that’s for sure.”  He tried to smile, although wasn’t sure how convincing it was, but he just so badly wished for the way things were, despite knowing it’d never be like that again.

                                                     _________

She knows him well enough that he’s being hard on himself and she chides herself for letting her emotions play so openly across her features. Seeing the tension take hold of him she longs to reach out to him. To lay a gentle hand on his arm or even take his hand in hers. Anything to reassure him that she was fine, really, and that there was no real harm done. But that wasn’t her role in his life anymore ( part of her wasn’t sure she really had one in the present, just a permanent fixture in his past ) and she figured that she’d lost the right to be able to comfort him the day she’d chosen to walk away. Of course, it was all much more nuanced than her simply abandoning him but the more she reflected on it all and the further away the bad times seemed, the more she placed blame at her own feet. What ifs plagued her, their accusatory tones making her thinking about the life they could have had now if only she’d stuck it out. 

Her hand moves toward him instinctively, muscles forgetting what her mind knows. But she catches herself just before her hand goes past her drink, wrapping her fingers around her teacup instead of him. With touch out of the question to comfort him she instead has to settle for words, grateful that she’s generally gifted when it comes to finding the right thing to say. The only catch is he’s the only person who’d ever been able to leave her speechless or at a loss for words. She finds some though this time, as quiet as they might be there’s no doubting the sincerity of them as they leave her lips. “I’m happy to stay, really.” Small smile touches her lips to emphasise her point that little bit further. 

There’s so much more that she wants to say, more that she wants to declare to him but she’s not sure that it’s things that he needs to hear. Maybe it was best if they just danced around their history, half acknowledging when it couldn’t be entirely ignored given how it was woven so thoroughly through them both. Their relationship had shaped and impact her, she could only imagine that it had done the same for him. She wanted him to know that in her mind the good times were what she remembered most and Nashville was only painful for her in that she was reminded of the times that they couldn’t get back. But instead she settles for something safer, leaving out some of the sentiments and emotions that were tumbling through her. “Working with you again, however briefly, is something I’m looking forward to. You’re still my favourite writing partner.” 

As much as she’d adjusted to life in Los Angeles and had even grown to like it, she still preferred her time in Nashville. It suited it more, even without taking Harley into account. And when she did take him into account she knew it was where she’d felt most at home, most herself. Even still, she’d had plenty of talented songwriters to work with and others that were maybe less talented but no less enjoyable a situation. She drew upon her own experiences to help them write a song to reflect theirs and more often than not when she wrote about heartbreak or love it was Harley that was still her inspiration. That was why her cheeks flushed at the mention of him hearing one of her songs, knowing that more likely than not there was at least one line that had been inspired by him. “I don’t know about a killing but I do pretty well. Steady.” Shoulders shrugged slightly, trying not to make a big thing of her quiet but secure career and how it was the opposite of what she’d left behind.

For the most part she was proud of the songs she wrote, their meaning generally remaining in tact despite how much the production might divert from what she’d initially imagined herself. “Oh you did? I don’t always recognise them first time around. As long as it didn’t make you want to change the station.” She knew that listening to any of his songs had a tendency to bring out conflicting emotions in her. Head shakes slightly as he’s so quick to downplay himself, still so self deprecating. “I don’t know about that. And if they do I’m sure it’s just because they get to see your face more often than mine - I’ll be a novelty.”  

[andromachewrites]

New York had never truly felt like home despite her having lived there for longer than she had lived in Turkey. It had always felt as though there was something missing. To begin with she had just assumed it was homesickness but as the years passed and she created countless new bonds and relationships, she realised that it just maybe wasn’t quite the city for her. Over the years she’d thought about leaving countless times, always sending off job applications to other corners of the country though she had little intention of actually making the leap. Not when she had the friends that she loved and the boyfriend that she couldn’t imagine life without. She’d wanted to keep them and so in New York she had stayed, convincing herself that those dynamics were irreplaceable. 

Maybe that was why she’d felt a small sense of relief and freedom as well as heartbreak when Sean had blurted out that he didn’t love her anymore. She finally had the excuse to live the life that she wanted and it seemed that fate was on her side when one of those jobs she’d applied for on a whim actually made her an offer. Her flat had been packed up in under a week, helped along by the fact that she donated most of her belongings for a truly fresh start. It seemed like the best way forward when almost everything had too many memories of Sean tied to it and the last thing she wanted was to be reminded of the man who decided that she was no longer loveable to him.

It had made her transition to life in Denver pretty seamless, being able to travel with just a couple of suitcases ( although at least half of her clothes would meet the same fate as her other things as soon as she had chance to buy some new ones ) and not worry about moving items of furniture across states. She chose to look on it as a good sign, that living there would be simple and just what she needed. Maybe even just what she’d always wanted.

Work had certainly had her off to a good start and she enjoyed the freedom that freelancing gave her but with the stability of being tied to a local paper. The best of both worlds and she’d been free to take anything that was offered to her, including one at the local firestation. Arriving more than a little promptly, she’d made her entrance with confident but obviously excited steps, but only moments later she realised she had no idea exactly where she was supposed to be. After a quick glance around the room she zeroed in on the man nearest her, smile flashing over her lips as she introduced herself. “Aylin Yener.” Hand was held out in greeting, trying to seem as professional as possible without revealing that she had no idea if she was in the right place or not. “I’m here for the photoshoot?”

@maura1x1​

[andromachewrites]

HARLEY  WOODS:

After his first words, his mouth had gone dry, and he felt much like a fish out of water, and was sure his floundering must’ve been clear to see.  He excused himself to grab her tea and took the moment to steel himself, to catch a breath, as it suddenly felt as if all of them had been stolen from him.  He hadn’t thought it was going to be this hard.  But that was when he was under the assumption all he was going to receive was contempt.  But here she was, as sweet and beautiful as ever, and it was yet another punch to the gut, a reminder of what he had lost in search of escape which he thought he’d find at the bottom of a bottle.  

He knew from all the many meetings he had gone to, it wasn’t useful looking back unless it was to apologize for your sins.  The ifs and buts were of no use to him, because he couldn’t go back and fill all those liquor bottles back up, couldn’t take back cruel words he had said or fix those opportunities he had fucked up.  And that was all good in practice, but as she looked at him with those wide brown eyes, how could he not?  How could he not imagine what their lives would be like if he hadn’t continued down that wrong road, because he had no doubt they’d still be together.  Hell, if she would have taken him, he would’ve definitely dropped down on one knee by now.  

But the most overwhelming feeling was guilt.  He had done her wrong, that was for sure.  So wrong that he was still stuck on the step of ‘making amends’ because he couldn’t even put it into words.  And selfishly, he didn’t want to, because it felt final, the severing of the one thing that kept them connected, his ability maybe finally give closure.  Of perhaps it was conceited of him to think that she even needed that from him.  

Her tea was ready all too soon, and he knew he needed to quiet the thoughts in his mind if he were to get through her visit without turning to old vices.  Live in the moment.  One day at a time.  Or rather right now, one minute at a time.  He took a deep breath before returning to the table and setting her drink down in front of her.  

Ever the gentleman, he took off his hat as he sat down, putting it in the chair beside him before wiping his suddenly sweaty palms on the thighs of his jeans.  he was about to open his mouth–to say what he wasn’t sure–when she mercifully spoke up first.  

“One of the only places, truly.  Nashville is startin’ to get bougie on us.” He replied with a small smile.  The city he now called home, spent half of his life in was changing, it was now not the only place one could go to make it in country music, and while less newcomers making their was to music city would seem like a good thing, competition only seemed to grow stronger.  Which is why he had been fairly excited to hear a big label wanted to option one of his songs.  Excited enough that he hadn’t thought to ask which one until he was told he’d need to have Rosemary sign off on it as well.

“I know you must be wantin’ to get back to L.A., back to your life, so we can cut right to the chase if you want.  Wouldn’t wanna keep ya.” He couldn’t imagine a world in which she didn’t have someone eagerly waiting for her return.  And figured with the way everything had gone down she’d want to spend as little time as possible with him, and he couldn’t blame her.

                                                    _________

It would be a lie to say that she’d never thought about seeing him again, knowing somewhere in her heart of hearts that the day she’d walked away from him wouldn’t be the last time they were ever face to face. There was far too much tying them together for them to ever be permanently severed and when losing him had felt like losing part of herself, she’d suspected that fate would pull them back together again.

But she’d never imagined it like this. It had always been a brief, fleeting thing to her. One last look at him so she could convince herself that she did the right thing. That he was happier and healthier without her. She’d imagined eyes meeting at music awards, flickering smiles and a slight nod of acknowledgement. Or catching sight of one another from across the street, that same look of recognition but the rest of their emotions unreadable when there would have undoubtedly been so many to be felt. Even a conversation where they’d both want to linger, far too much left unsaid so they’d end up hovering for just a moment too long as responsibilities tugged them elsewhere.

A planned meeting though she had never expected, it had always been something by pure accident or chance in her mind. Part of her had been convinced that having some time to prepare would have been better, given her a chance to not be knocked sideways by just seeing him. But it seemed pretty obvious to her now that something more casual that caught her off guard would be better than having walked in feeling as though she could handle being around him only to be proven wrong the instant that their eyes had met.

Her grandmother had always told her she had a quiet grace about her. A gentle air of composure that seemed to help people feel at ease around her even when she wasn’t the most loquacious of people. Some would chatter away to strangers to make them feel more comfortable but she’d always been more of a listener, her soft smiles and kind eyes the things that she used to achieve the same end. But for all this supposed grace was meant to come to her natural, be an innate trait of hers, she found herself grasping for it now when the sight of him had left her so off kilter.

She tries and fails not to let her eyes drift over to him as he goes to get her tea, knowing if she was smart that she’d have looked away and seized those few moments for herself just to calm her heartrate. But she never had been that smart when it came to him, always heart before head and never once stopping to think twice. At least, not until he’d given her no choice when she’d been unable to ignore the ache in her chest that had been him slowly breaking her heart every time he chose the bottle over her. Then the knowledge that love wasn’t supposed to hurt like that had slowly sunk in and she chose with her head to protect what she would have left of her heart without him.

All too soon he’s back at the table and she’s grateful for the small smile he gives her and the touch of humour when it gives her the chance to focus on something lighter even just for a moment. “Oh yeah?” Eyes flicker with amusement as her mouth curl up slightly. “Nothing is sacred these days.” Head shakes as a quiet laugh slips from her.

Eyes widen slightly as he seems so keen to get it over with as quickly as possible and she tries to ignore the way that her heart dropped in disappointment. “If that’s how you want to do it.” Gaze dropped slightly, unable to force her eyes to meet his despite having been unable to take them off him only moments earlier. But the last thing she wanted was to make him feel guilty for her feeling disappointed that he wanted it all over so quickly. Maybe it was for the best to keep it all short and sweet. It might hurt less when she’d inevitably have to leave him behind to get on that plane back to L.A.

She busies herself with stirring her tea a moment, taking a breath before she decides that she’s got nothing to lose by making it known that he doesn’t have to rush through any of this for her sake. “I did take a couple of weeks off though so I don’t need to urgently get back. I thought I might get a bit nostalgic while I’m here. See how much has changed, maybe try to catch up with some old faces.”

[andromachewrites]

a kiss on the side of the neck + laila/danny

When she was sober affection came easily between them - it was impossible for it not to really when Danny loved everyone and everything so freely that it flowed into every move he made - she was able to compartmentalise the contact between them. It didn’t matter that every hug or casual brush made her chest tighten when she knew she wanted it to be something more, instead all that mattered was their friendship. She had taught herself just to be grateful for what little moments they did have. To be glad that she had a friend who cared about her so much and was willing to express it so openly and without question or strings. 

Being drunk was another story though. The lines that she had carefully constructed in her mind seemed to blur along with her vision the more she drank. It didn’t help that her usually reserved personality slowly grew more and more uninhibited with every drink. A dangerous mix when it came to the two of them. With every shot they tossed back and every song they sang along to loudly ( their offkey vocals miraculously drowned out by the music ) and every bad dance move they did together, she felt the space between them growing smaller and smaller.

Usually she allowed him to initiate contact between them, more than willing to accept whatever he offered and returned it, but more and more she was the one reaching out for him. As Danny twirled her around in one of their exuberant moves, she found herself clinging to him at the end of it to steady herself. Forehead rested on his shoulder as her own shook with laughter that found itself a home in her chest. Another time she might have tried to compose herself but there was no need for it now, all she wanted was to show him what a good time she’d been having. It wasn’t hard to miss when she looked up at him, eyes alight with enjoyment as she raised her voice so that it could be heard over the noise. “That was beautiful.” 

Hands move to rest on his shoulders, holding herself still before she shifts to plant a kiss of playful, friendly gratitude  ( or at least that’s what she has convinced herself it is ) on his cheek. Except one or both of them shifts before she can achieve it and instead her lips end up brushing off his jaw and onto his neck. She’s grateful for the darkness of the club and the way she can only hope the dim lighting hides the blush that she can feel creeping up her cheeks. But there’s no time for embarassment when she has a friendship to salvage and she wrinkles her nose in self deprecation, head shaking slightly as she tries to smooth it over as just the drunken faux pas that it was. “I think I maybe need to slow down a bit or grab some air. Or both” 

[maura1x1]

[drunk text] AND I UNFOLLOWED YOU ON INSTAGRAM TOO, BITCH (reece & anika)

REECE: and i’m sure i’ll miss your ever so predictable ‘😍’ on every post

[maura1x1]

[text] How the hell did you get my number, stalker? (aiden & talulah)

TALULAH: i got it off the paperwork for the restraining order, i hope that’s okay?

[andromachewrites]

[text] I’ll be there in five minutes. ( arlo and maite )

MAITE: About time.  MAITE: Do you know how many cars I almost go into just to get out of here?  ______ MAITE: Kinda looking forward to seeing you MAITE: But only because it’s freezing out here

[andromachewrites]

[text] I would gladly watch Netflix and eat Thai with you any day. ( fiona and theo )

THEO: Sounds like the perfect evening to me, my love. Almost makes me want to clear my schedule so we can do it. I can make sure that there’s an evening next week where we have the opportunity to do it if that suits you, Älskling ?

[andromachewrites]

[text] Let me take you out, please? ( evelyn and beau )

EVELYN: I’d really like that so no protests from me. What day works best for you? I can do any day but Thursday :)

[andromachewrites]

[drunk text] Can you pls remind me tomorrow of how much of a fool I made myself tonight ( cris and ayana )

AYANA: Are you sure you really want that? I think most people would want to forget, haha AYANA: But for the record I didn’t think you made a fool of yourself. Or at least I found it pretty endearing. I’ll be sure to stop you next time though if that’s what you want

[andromachewrites]

[text] Let me make you dinner tonight. ( peter and emilia )

EMILIA: I thought you’d never ask - I’d love to. EMILIA: I’ll come round at eight?

[andromachewrites]

There’d been a fixed goal in her head for her life for as long as she could remember. One thing that her heart had been so entirely set on that she’d built her whole life around it. She had her dream and it had been the main motivation in her life. The reason behind her two degrees and endless hours poured into any kind of experience she could get her hands on. Successful and devoted, it had only been a matter of time before she’d reached the peak of her ambitions. Finally she was where she wanted to be and yet as always fate had a way of twisting things around her and leave her standing precariously on the shaky summit of her lofty achievements.

For all she’d had her vision, it hadn’t been the easiest of roads. Not when her father had always had his own picture of the future - one that painted the two of them together, father and daughter completely interwoven leaving her feeling stifled and suffocated. She’d tried his path or at least pretended to humour him but her heart had never been in it. He’d known that and taken it as a perceived slight that the business that he’d built up himself supposedly wasn’t good enough for her. 

She found it hard to feel guilty over her choices, especially when her brother had stepped in to fill the void that she’d left in her father’s plans. Noah was far more of a natural with people than she was and she knew that his way with others had provided endless connections for their family winery. It was what had made the bars he’d invested in after the death of their father so successful too and it seemed obvious that they’d go on to be hotspots in Adelaide. What she’d never have been able to predict was that a car accident would leave her having to step in to help her sister in law steady the ship.

Juggling the bars as well as her day job was hardly easy but then again she’d never been one who ever really struggled. Besides, it was just what you did for family. 

After a long day at work she’d wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up with a bottle of wine in the privacy of her own apartment but she knew that market research had to be done. The competition to her brother’s legacy had to be assessed. Confident steps had carried her over to the bar, eyes skimming down the menu before a slight satisfied smile flickered over her lips upon seeing one of her family’s bottles on it. A glass of red was ordered for herself before she scouted a place where she could interact with someone. Ideally a regular but she’d settle for someone’s brain to pick, first impressions counted.

Swift movement plucks her drink off the bar but before she can meander through the room a comotion catches her attention and she shifts just in time to see an intoxicated man stumble hard into one of the barstools. A soft “Ooh” escaping her as she winced somewhat playfully. Sense movement out of the corner of her eye she let dry words leave her lips, head tilting towards the man who was now being escorted out. “I bet he’ll be feeling that in the morning.” Lips pursed together slightly to prevent a smirk from settling too easily onto her features when she knew it was hardly a gracious trait to poke fun at others. Even if they did make it so easy.

With the ice now broken her gaze slipped back to the person who she’d joined, head tilting to the side as she considered them before allowing leisurely words to drip from dark painted lips. “You come here often?” She was well aware it sounded like the cliché bad pick up line, her curious gaze fixed on them over the rim of her wine glass hardly helping it come off anything but flirtatious. But she wanted to suss out her competition and in her experience there was nothing quite like a promise of undivided attention for pulling someone in. 

@maura1x1​