! SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL !

░░ all this t i m e ░░ the saint was a sinner the JOKE'S on me a → stone cold killer ×demons× in my head the demons in my head oh, oh

[carteravery]

nadia-donovan‌:

Nadia furrowed her brows at him, “You don’t know that.” She said, twisting one of the bottles into the sand some more mindlessly. “No, only at ones who creep up in the dark like you did when i’m alone. You don’t know who you can trust here in this town.” She answered. “Or maybe you’re just too creepy and quiet like a stalker.”  she joked back, this time with a smile cracking at her lips. “What are you doing out here anyways?”

“Have you pissed off that many people around here? I wouldn’t be surprised. You’re always challenging everyone and trying to show ‘em you can kick their ass and I don’t doubt you can — but most people don’t like getting their asses kicked,” he chuckled. “I’m not even a little bit creepy or stalkerish. ...Am I?”. He settled in the spot next to her and sighed, looking at the remaining people peppered around the beach. “I don’t know. I’m not usually fond of staying out late but I guess I .. felt like it tonight. You? What’s with drinking by yourself?”. 

[carteravery]

noblcsse‌:

The noise around them continued, but all of it was drowned out in how hard Lina focused her attention toward Carter. There was an unease that trickled through her veins, one at the thought of missing something were she to pull away for even the briefest moment. Her smile remained throughout his curt greeting. The only change came in the instant that he looked away— her brow furrowed as she eyed his movement. 

“Right,” she replied, nodding again. “I, uh— yeah. I hope so.”

Although one part of her felt washed by relief over the thought of having avoided anything as rash as their encounter at the Halloween party weeks prior, something still felt off. She took the next moment of silence to mull over their exchange quickly. The admission that she had been intent on divulging earlier rose back up, this time with an extra force to actually allow it to be spoken. She moved quickly when it became clear that Carter was excusing himself.

Before he could step away, her palm met his arm once again, her fingers gripping against fabric in a near-pull. The touch was gentle, something that she wished to relay in her in her speech as she finally spoke up. 

“You mean ‘around’ as in… Dinner, right? I hope the ‘maybe’ isn’t your way of retracting your suggestion.”

He had every intention to turn and leave, walk as far as possible, go home — anything that secluded himself so that he didn’t feel so exposed; especially in front of Lina. Though not one to ever have much of an ego to pride over, ergo none of it bruised in this moment, this had been uncharted territory. He wasn’t entirely sure how he was supposed to react. “Hm?” he hummed as he felt a gentle tug of his jacket and arm and halted in place, gaze travelling from the hand on him back up to Lina. “Oh —” a nervous chuckle filled the few seconds of gap it took to come up with something to say. “I mean, no. I mean, yes. Around as in dinner, if you’d be up for it. No, I’m not retracting the suggestion,”. His eyes squeezed shut at just how painfully terrible he was at this before he blinked them open once more. “What I’m trying to say is — I would really like to take you out. And you might not have been ready for it last year but last year was a whole .. four minutes ago and I think we’ve come along way since then, so if you’re interested ... ?”. 

[carteravery]

heynaomi‌:

“I’M SO SORRY,” naomi apologized again, shaking her head at herself more than anything. when the knife was once again tucked away and out of sight, naomi looked up at him with concerned eyes. she couldn’t believe she’d done that. in a way, she was glad it was only carter, not anyone else. for instance, someone oblivious to the mob. “i – “ naomi stammered, pushing her hair from her face slowly. “i’m just paranoid. i’m sorry. i thought you might be someone else.”

Carter shook his head, reassuring the blonde that there was nothing to be sorry for. It hardly fazed him that a blade was pressed to his flesh only moments ago. Rather, what bothered him more was the fact that Naomi felt the need to do such a thing. “Someone else,” he repeated with a single firm nod. “As proud as I am you’ve really honed your skill with that, who might it be that’s pissed you off enough to be on the receiving end of it?”. 

[carteravery]

nadia-donovan‌:

Closed Starter // post event: @carteravery 

Nadia sat on the sand of the beach, sipping at her what seemed to be her third bottle of beer. The sound of the ocean waves was relaxing to her and the feeling of the cool breeze hitting against her skin gave her goosebumps but settled comfortably with it. Trying to sip from the bottle, she realized it was finished and sets it into the sand along with the others. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure approaching. Slowly, she reaches for the gun that was held in the holster around her thigh under her dress just in case. When she noticed it was Carter, she sighed quietly and dropped her hand. “Fuck sake Carter,  say something so i know it’s you and not some random stranger, I almost pulled my gun out on you.”

Carter’s eyes trailed along the line of empty bottles before they settled on the girl sitting beside them. He instantly recognized who it was and shook his head, approaching Nadia silently. He hadn’t meant to creep up on her, but it was easy to do so when he was walking on the soft sand. “You know, not everyone here is out to get you,” he commented as he saw the relief in her expression and hand drop from what he assumed was a hidden holster. “Do you pull your gun out for every stranger you meet? You’re the second person tonight to think I’m here to attack them or something. Maybe I just have one of those faces,” he joked to lighten her mood.

[carteravery]

noblcsse‌:

“You didn’t look like a complete goof then,” she replied, scoffing at the thought. Lina shifted to meet his gaze again, and something in his suggestion weighed her attention down. Maybe it was the way that the stars looked behind him— how his expression shone warmer compared to those sights, even in the lack of proper lighting around the pair. Her next words drew out softly and were nearly lost in the wind. “Definitely don’t look like one now…”

Although interest lay at the tip of her tongue, it remained unvoiced; the chant from the nearby crowd had begun to spread its claim of authority over the moment. 

Three… 

Lina refrained from looking away. Whatever else was present, from the partygoers to the mere activities themselves, seemed inconsequential.

Two… 

Her lips parted, but no words came. 

One…

A collective cheer resounded. Although it was louder and more sprightly than any other that could be found throughout the rest of the year, its echo was subdued by the cracks and pops that came as the multi-colored illumination above. Lina could have — perhaps should have — focused on the festivities than ran abundantly, but her thoughts remained elsewhere. She was frozen in place, unsure of how she would greet the reason for her current, narrow thinking.

She nipped at one corner of her lips before nodding once and patting him on the arm twice. “Happy new year, Carter.”

At first, Carter had been eagerly waiting to hear her answer. Considering that asking someone out was a sentiment he hadn’t relayed to anyone for as long as he could remember, nor was it something he was ever good at, it took a mustering of almost all of his courage to do so. But the moment their gazes locked, that wariness for a ‘yes’ fell away. It felt as if there was something on the tip of both their tongues, words yearning to get out but couldn’t make it past either of their lips when both were evidently treading unfamiliar territory together. And then before Carter knew it, he heard the count down. With every passing second, his heart thumped harder in his chest. What was he supposed to do? The dramatic image of men pulling women into a fervent kiss like those in movies flashed in mind but Carter had never been that type of person. Hell, it took every bit of him to so much as ask Lina to dinner. So instead, he stood, his stance only wavered by the hearty couple of pats against his arm as shouts of ‘Happy New Year!’ filled the air and Auld Lang Syne began to play. “...Thanks,” he finally snapped out of his trance long enough to conjure up audible words to go with his own single nod of his head. “Happy New Year to you too. It’s — it’ll be a good one. I’m sure,”. A half step back was all it took for the regret to slip between, but standing so near to Lina was almost unbearable at the moment when he missed acting on such a crucial opportunity.  That, along with doubt being cast in his mind of whether or not the brunette was even remotely interested caused Carter to shift his gaze to the sand; a hand sheepishly rubbing the nape of his neck. “I guess — ..I probably ought to go,” he offered an out with a meek grin. His heels turned to leave. “Maybe I’ll see you around,”. 

[carteravery]

noblcsse‌:

“Who said I was joking?” Lina hooked her thumbs against her jean pockets as she inched forward. “Maybe I genuinely think you’d do a great job right at the front. You gotta act quickly, though— I think they’re gonna start soon.” A sly smile spread widely across her features as she raised both hands and mimicked checking a wristwatch. She had been wearing one, but hardly any attention was paid to reading it properly; she was too preoccupied with how conscious she was growing, standing closer than before. “Any minute now,” she muttered to complete her facade, before looking up and meeting Carter’s expression. He wore the kind of smile that could’ve sent her a step back, and all she could do was avert her eyes as she continued, “Was the dinner not good enough for 2019 too? Or is that your subtle way of admitting that you’d like another one?”

Carter licked his lips to curb the laughter that threatened to escape. It wasn’t like him to fall victim to a smile that made him feel a little weak in the knees, but he certainly wouldn’t admit it aloud. Instead, he simply relished in how amidst the bevy of party goers drinking, cheering and laughing all around, they still managed to find their own niche with each other. “Unfortunately, my New Years resolution was not to look like a complete goof and I think I already filled a lifetime quota for that one when I was all wrapped up in bandages so I’ll pass,”. Giving a hum of his lips to feign an actual long thought, Carter grinned. “Dinner was plenty good. It’s more like my not so subtle way of saying I’d more than love another one. Or.. maybe, if you’re interested, we .. — could go out for dinner some time,”. 

[carteravery]

noblcsse‌:

( @carteravery​ )

The closer time crept toward midnight, the longer and harder did Lina ponder on heading back to her apartment.

It wasn’t to say that she hadn’t enjoyed her time. The evening was the first lull in her schedule in weeks, its timing was all too appropriate in coinciding with the end of the year. The soft aches throughout her body let her know that her time at the celebration had been well-spent, but there was a final matter at hand… A certain someone that she had spotted a handful of times throughout the evening— the same someone that she had barely spoken with since their dinner weeks ago. 

The lack of contact didn’t necessarily make for a lack of thoughts; this was the driving force behind every step that she took in the present. 

“I heard they’re looking for someone to lead the countdown conga line,” she started as she drew closer, every syllable sprightly. “Figured I’d give you a heads up given — y’know — you being out past your usual bedtime and all.”

The sight of Lina brought an unknowing yet easy rise of the corner of his lips, one that could almost be dubbed a smile when she cracked a joke at his expense. Carter expected nothing less from her, even though a while had passed since they last saw each other. He supposed absence did make the heart grow fonder because he had every intention to find the brunette some time this evening, when he mustered up enough courage to match just how corny he felt for being sentimental for the first time in such a long while. “I’ve got the perfect New Year’s resolution for you — better jokes,” he returned with a boyish smirk. “That and be a better neighbor, but you’ve already come a long way with that one, making dinner that time and all, so I’ll give you a pass for 2018,”. 

[carteravery]

heynaomi‌:

NAOMI WAS PARANOID. everything was good. everything was too good. when things were good, they were bound to go wrong eventually. time and time again it had proven to happen sooner before later. so, when naomi felt someone grasp her arm from behind and tug at her without saying a word, naomi panicked. in a matter of seconds, naomi grasped the butterly knife from the small thigh holster, opening it quickly as she turned around, placing it against carter’s neck. wait, carter? “jesus christ,” naomi huffed out when she reached this realization, pulling the knife back only to realize that she’d nicked him. “don’t you know you’re not supposed to sneak up on someone like that?! what if i would have hurt you – more?! dammit,” she finally huffed out, tucking the knife away before she began searching for a napkin. when she found one on a nearby table, she lifted it to his neck to stop the bleeding, “i’m sorry.”

Perhaps it was his years of work that made him light footed — quiet, like he usually was. But that was the least of his intentions here in greeting Naomi. What work did teach him was how to react, and with anyone else it would have certainly been a hostile comeback. Instead, his hands raised as if in surrender, to show that he meant no harm as his head tilted away to add an extra bit of distance from flesh to blade. “Well, for one, I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. That and I didn’t know a New Years Eve party was a place to watch for ambushes,”. His hand replaced hers in holding the napkin to his neck, pulling it away now and then to take a look to see small drops of blood. It didn’t hurt, and even if it did, Carter wouldn’t pay any mind to it. Instead, his brows furrowed as he looked at the blonde. “Is it me, or are you just really excited for the New Year? ...You alright?”. 

[carteravery]

CLOSED STARTER FOR @heynaomi​ !!

 Carter would always swear under his breath for being pulled into events like these yet find himself at another not too long after. This time around, he didn’t mind too much. Not when the holidays and one gift in particular had put him in such a great mood. And he had every intention to thank Naomi for it as he spotted the blonde and weaved his way through the crowd to make it to her.  A hand reached to grasp her arm from behind when he was close enough, a meek grin on his lips to greet her as he tugged to gain her attention and turn Naomi around.

[ivyharperhq-deactivated20190215]

open!

“ Shit, shit, shit! “ Ivy groaned as her Christmas list fell on the ground, soaking wet from the snow. “ I knew I should’ve used my phone for this. “ The redhead complained, shaking her head as she tried reading the list- in vain. 

[carteravery]

Carter had every intention to ignore her, as he did most people. But she had been standing close, and the small piece of paper fell right by his shoe, so he had little to no choice. “...It’s still legible,” he gave, eyes focused on the words. “Looks like it says .. two bottles of red wine and ...Christmas underwear. ...Whoever’s getting that is lucky, I guess?”. 

[ofcxterina]

“ah..uh…hello?” lydia’s voice spiked up in surprise as a dog ran up to her, from seemingly out of nowhere. bending down to pet it, she scanned the street in confusion, picking it up to give it a cuddle. “hi baby, what’s your name?” she cooed, stopping when she spotted a person down the street. “hi! uh yeah, is this your dog?”

[carteravery]

Carter almost took a half step backwards when the girl approached him with a dog that seemed intent already on licking his face. A quirk of his brow as he wondered why she would even ask him (did he look like a fuzzy pet sort of person?), he gave a slight shake of his head. “No. I uh, don’t do pets. But do you always just .. pick up random dogs on the street?”. 

[atticusjfc]

ATTICUS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HOLIDAYS. no, that wasn’t right. atticus had never had a problem with the holidays before it all happened. now? the thought was enough to cause a feeling of uneasiness to settle into his stomach. one thing was certain: he’d never realized how much the holidays catered to families until now. now that he no longer had one, really. he just hoped the season as a whole could go as fast as it came, though. 

yet, as he found himself working on one of the cars that had been brought in earlier, the christmas music that echoed throughout the shop was becoming unbearable. it was all awful. all of it was awful. how many times did someone have to listen to frosty the snowman before they just snapped?

 “ y o u – yeah, you. will you turn that shit off? the radio right next to you. i’m begging.” he called out after catching a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye.

[carteravery]

Carter raised a brow at the voice that called out to him. He recognized it and gave a smirk, knowing full well Atticus, like him, had a slight disdain for the holidays. With a light click! Carter turned the dial and shut off the music.  His arms crossed in front of him as he leaned his shoulder against the wall. “What’ve you got against Frosty? He’s a jolly happy soul. Something you should definitely learn to have, you know,”. 

[carteravery]

josiemoustafa‌:

“Finding a nice place to live for a couple of weeks here has been tough as hell. Like, where are the nice hotels or the bed and breakfast places?”

“Well there’s Google. But other than that, I’m not sure because I live here and haven’t had to look up the local hotels..” he gave with an ounce of cheekiness. 

[carteravery]

This caught my eye and I instantly thought of you. Thought you’d look pretty badass on a motorcycle. BUT ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET OR I’LL KILL YOU MYSELF.

Anyways, hope you like it. Merry Christmas.

-Nadia

[carteravery]

heynaomi‌:

NAOMI STARED AT HIM AS HE SPOKE. if anything, she’d wanted carter to say exactly whatever it was that he was thinking. whatever it was that he thought she should do. she needed all the input than ever before. she would need it if she wanted to reach a decision, honestly. carter was one of the few that knew naomi the best. she hadn’t changed. she was still the same naomi that he knew. she valued his opinion for this very reason. more than he even likely knew. she nodded slowly at his words, holding his gaze regardless of how difficult it was for her to do. it was still harder for her. it was then that a thought crossed naomi’s mind. she would likely have more clarity if her dad were still around. he would know what to do. he’d always known what to do. that was just the harsh reality of it all, though, he was gone and he simply wasn’t coming back. she swallowed hard with this in mind, nodding her head slowly. “yeah, i’ll keep that in mind.” she let out gently. she felt like either way, she was going to disappoint someone. that wasn’t sitting right with her. “thank you.”

It wasn’t just that Carter was a man of few words. When two people knew each other the way they did, linked like they were, there didn’t need to be too many words exchanged. Their understanding was a silent one as Carter gave a small grin to her thanks. He knew that ‘keeping it in mind’ meant her mind was still running a mile a minute with a bombardment of thoughts, and nothing could be done about it until a decision was made. “It’s the holidays,” Carter stood, rasping his knuckles against the wood of the desktop as if to pull her back out from her thoughts. “Try to take it a little easier. Or at least give yourself a well deserved break,”. Moving to her doorway, he gave a lingering last look before finally leaving.

END.

[carteravery]

nadia-donovan‌:

Her smile dropped and her brows furrowed together. Her arms crossed over her chest at his words, “I can actually Carter.” She said. “It’s my job. It requires taking risks to help people to stay alive instead of leaving them behind to die and she’s my best friend on top of that. If i hadn’t gone back in to try and help her, I would never forgive myself for it. And since when did you care about me risking my life?”

He was silent for a moment, as he often was before he spoke. Carter’s brows furrowed as he looked at her. In part, he understood what she meant. Hell, he did the same thing the same time she did, risking his life for someone else. Yet for some reason, when it came to someone else, someone he actually cared about, it didn’t seem to sit right in his chest. “I’m just saying you should have been more careful. And of course I care. Did you think I didn’t or something?”. 

[carteravery]