this was the hardest part of it all: pretending this meant nothing. mia had never been good at being ‘just friends’, but for ezra she was willing to try — he truly was magnetic and she wanted him around in any way that she could have him. so things hadn’t worked out quite as planned, but wasn’t that unpredictability part of life, after all? was it possible to stay friends with someone she had at some point seen a whole life with ( even if maybe he hadn’t ) ? she chuckled at his comment and looked down at him with a beam. ❛ it depends, will you behave? ❜ he knew her well enough to know she’d never turn down the opportunity of company and that was one of her many flaws.
A BURST OF LAUGHTER erupted from his chest; short, but genuine. “ C’mon — as if there’s ever a time when I don’t. ” Ezra got to his feet after giving Romeo one last scratch under his chin, then — instead of simply falling into step next to Mia — he hesitated. Though he’d joined them on their walks many times, there were things he couldn’t do now that had been almost like second nature to him at the time. His arm around her shoulders; their fingers intertwined —... None of that was allowed anymore. He could feel his hands begin to tremble, and shoved them into the pockets on his jacket as his gaze flickered. Realizing he’d been holding his breath, Ezra exhaled and willed a pleasant smile onto his face. “ You still take the usual route around town? ”
━ A LOUD LAUGH LEFT RILEY’S LIPS at the statement ( even though mrs johnson had told them multiple times that it would disturb the guests ) and they clapped their hands together excitedly. “you’re so funny,” they said fondly, even though riley welcomed descriptions like that more than anything. “and today i think it might be our mini strawberry tarts ! they looked so cute this morning that i couldn’t help myself and annoyed mrs johnson the whole time she was preparing them !” a slight pout gracced their features. “black coffee ? ezra, that’s not fun. though i suppose you won’t listen to me even though i’ve told you that a thousand times !”
RILEY’S GENUINE EXCITEMENT about the little things was one of Ezra’s favorite thing about them. No matter what mood he was in, their laugh never failed to make his day even just a bit brighter. He’d found a home in St. Clementine, and in Riley he’d found the closest thing to family he’d known in years. “ Don’t give me that face — at least I asked for a pastry as well. ” Despite his defensive tone, a fond smile made its way onto his face as he let out a sigh of defeat. “ How about this — ” Ezra held out a coin he’d gotten out from his pocket. “ Heads, and I stick with my order. ” Absentmindedly rolling the coin over his knuckles, his eyes stayed on them as he talked. “ Tails, and I’ll have the mini strawberry tart and a drink of your choosing, no matter how sweet and milky. ” With a flick of his thumb the coin spun in a high arch in the air until Ezra caught it on it’s way down. Turning that hand over, he glanced down at his empty palm where the coin would’ve landed, then instead held it up between them over the counter with his other hand. “ Deal? ”
more than a few times the girl had burned herself on friendships that hadn’t quite been friendships at all. she always went in heart first, head second, but with ezra that had felt right — and she had never once doubted where she stood with him. they were an odd pair, but they made it work anyway, and maybe that was the beauty of it after all.
she had pitched an idea about going out of the little town for a day and maybe hit the big city, and so they had, but once the sun went down the magic of everywhere else but st. clementine seemed to go down with it. maisie was eager to head back to their little hometown, and that was why she now grabbed onto ezra’s hand with a chuckle leaving her lips. ❛ come on, we’ll miss the train! ❜ she laughed 𝒿𝑜𝓎𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁𝓎 and without shame.
SOMETHING ABOUT MAISIE and her benevolent nature had been drawing Ezra to her ever since the first time they met. Her laughter always claimed his full attention, and there was something beautiful about the kindness she so willingly gave to every person she crossed paths with. He knew envy was an ugly thing, but he couldn’t help the sting of it he felt every now and then at seeing her so effortlessly win people over with her genuine ways.
But right now he was looking up from their joined hands to see her face bright with joy, and could only feel happiness swell in his chest as his lips curled in a wholehearted smile.
“ Told you we didn’t have time for another stop to window-shop for furniture, ” he teased, nudging her side gently. Glancing around when he didn’t immediately recognize the area they were in, Ezra fell into step next to Maisie; trusting her to have a better sense of direction than he did. “ How late are we talking? I mean — should we already be running? ”
THIS RIGHT HERE HAD BECOME THE SAFEST space griffin had found himself in for quite a while. there was something about his work that felt familiar and secure, his gregarious self indulging in the many stories that were told in costumers’ drunken stupor. he was never required to give much of himself in his work — there he was griffin, a bartender, and many would be okay with just that. if living was this easy, the boy thought he could grow to enjoy it.
but voices had long died out and the last visitors had left a while ago, and all that was left was to close the place. counting the pounds in the register quietly, griffin turned to look at his co-worker and friend. «if anyone threw up in the toilet it’s all yours, my guy,» he said with the faintest idea of a smile lurking on his lips.
closed starter ⤷ @elvnch.
EZRA REALLY LIKED HIS JOB. Sure — there were other jobs that would’ve paid better, and instead of going out most weekends, he was sober and poured drinks for other people to have. But despite the long and sometimes exhausting shifts, there was always a hum of leftover energy in his veins when he left the bar. It was his perfect scene; surrounded by people, most of whom were desperate to unload their thoughts onto someone, and therefore did so to him.
“ Dude. ” Having just finished wiping the last table on the floor, Ezra furrowed his brows at his co-worker as he approached the bar; spray bottle in one hand and a rag in the other. “ You think just ‘cause you’ve got that smile thing happening on your face, I’ll let you skip out like you did on the aftermath of that bachelorette party last weekend? ” Shaking his head, but unable to hold back a grin, he aimed the bottle in Griffin’s general direction. The spray landed on the bar top, and with movements that’d many months ago become ingrained in him, he began wiping it down. Chuckling, he gestured with his head towards the bathrooms. “ Head in there, maybe you’ve gotten lucky. ”
shy smile made way onto her face as she looked up at ezra, always unable to tell just how she was supposed to act around him. maybe especially now she found herself baffled with how strong his presence was — how strongly she still felt something for him. ❛ he probably does, you know, ❜ she agreed truthfully. romeo had a tendency much like mia to grow attached easily. ❛ you’re really something, ez, ❜ she chuckled. ❛ i guess i can’t. you did always bribe him with his favorite snack, after all. ❜
THE TWO OF THEM had agreed when they ended things that it was for the best. Even though Ezra knew letting whatever had been going on between them fade out meant their relationship would change, he hated how being around Mia was no longer as effortless as it once had been. Even though he knew she deserved someone better than him in so many ways, he missed having her around. And he knew that made him selfish. A soft chuckle rolled out of him at her words, after which his eyes turned down to the dog in front of him. “ I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything for you, buddy, ” he confessed to the corgi, giving him an apologetic smile. Still with his little face cupped in his hands, Ezra glanced up at Mia, leaning closer to Romeo as he stage-whispered, “ Do you think she’ll let me join you for your walk to make up for it? ”
━ IT HAD BEEN A SLOW DAY so far at the bakery, only a few of the regulars sitting down at their tables and ordering their afternoon teas and whatever pastry they preferred. riley was currently on their knees behind the counter, trying to reach more takeaway mugs and lids. there were a distinctive ding from the bell above the door as someone entered, but riley waited until the last possible second to jump up, arms now filled with said mugs ( that were quickly dumped on the counter behind them ). “sorry, didn’t hear you enter,” they lied smoothly, but it was said with a smile so riley didn’t think they’d notice. “it’s so nice to see you here ! have you considered what you would like to order ?”
A SMILE BROKE OUT on Ezra’s face when Riley popped up from behind the counter. He hadn’t been sure if they were working, but had come in for a takeaway coffee. Seeing they were though, and also noticing the bakery wasn’t particularly busy at the moment —... He might hang around for a bit. “ I’ll take whatever was made with the most love, ” he said, one hand braced on the edge of the counter as he glanced at the pastries on display. “ And a black coffee. ”
☾ ╱ fairylights shone upon their heads, faint enough to let the moon cast its light on the darkness that surrounded the bright patch up in the middle of the square – there wasn’t darkness at all, then; it was a sweet summer night in st. clementine – and warm, too. sweat prickled via’s brow as she moved the tenth box out of the way, the bottles of lavender and rose water making it’s bubbling noise with every movement of hers. it was a night for celebrating, but she was working, still. ( she never stopped working, it was only her reality. ) but the flavor of satisfaction after some work done barely came when she heard her aunt say violet, those boxes were supposed to be behind the tent. she sighed, half in annoyance, and more than half in the tiredness that was to come. “ hey ! ” she didn’t discriminate, help was help, and she was needing some right at that moment. “ come here do me a favor ! ”
HIS FIRST MISTAKE had been to think it’d be cooler in the evening, and therefore postponing his morning run. His second mistake had been going through with it, even though he’d clearly been wrong. Ezra was sweating by the time he reached the town square, and headed straight for the water fountain to soothe his parched throat. A few seconds later he was wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket — he would never underestimate the St. Clementine heath again — when he swore he could hear someone call over the music still blaring from his ear pods. After turning his head to the source, then glancing around the square to see if she could’ve meant for someone else to help her, he somewhat hesitantly approached her. His eyes shifted between the tent and the boxes as he bundled the white cord in his hand and stuffed it into his pocket. “ Uh, yeah? ” A somewhat uncertain smile spread on his face, but a smile nonetheless. “ What can I do for you? ”
❛ romeo! ❜ and what a sight she made. somehow her corgi had managed to wrestle his leash out of her hand, and mia was jogging after her pet with an embarrassed blush to her cheeks. ❛ hey! ❜ she blurted out again, slowing down to a walk as romeo stopped by a by-passer, tail wagging excitedly. ❛ sorry about that, ❜ she muttered defeatedly with a sheepish smile, grabbing onto romeo’s leash. ❛ he doesn’t usually do this. ❜
“ IT’S ALL GOOD. ” An amused smile made it’s way onto Ezra’s face when he glanced up to see Mia come trailing after her dog — her cheeks flushed with color. He’d just stepped out of his building just in time to hear her shout. Then the corgi had been at his feet, and he’d immediately dropped down into a crouch to greet him with a scratch under his chin. “ I haven’t seen the little guy in a while; he probably just misses me. ” His smile grew wider as the corgi rolled over onto his back for Ezra to rub his stomach. Still smiling, he looked up at her; squinting slightly against the sun. “ And, I mean — can you blame him? ”
me waving at all of u from a safe distance bc i’m.. terrified,, askdfjghs jkjk !!
hi there !! i’m maren – nineteen, she/her, from the gmt+2 timezone. uhm,, i’m hyperaware that this blog is,, unfinished and empty (( yeet )) but i am Working On It !! in the mean time i’ll put the template thingy from his app and some bullet points abt my mans ezra under the cut, and link his BIO and his STATS (( this page isn’t done,, soz abt it )) disclaimer though; his bio is long. n i know you’re reading this, thinking like ‘ huh...... ok ’ but belieb me – it is long and it is a Mess... ajhfda u may now consider yourself Warned. but enough of this !! i cannot wait to get to know all of u and your amazing muses, so pls don’t hesitate to hmu on here or on discord !! n if you’re like ‘ naah dude, too much work ’ but you still wanna plot n be friends, then like this post n i’ll slide right into your dms !!
triggers: death
hey, i didn’t know NICK ROBINSON had moved to st. clementine ! oh wait, that’s just EZRA LYNCH. the 23 year old CISMALE is a BARTENDER and rumor has it that HE dreams of MAKING A NEW LIFE FOR HIMSELF. i heard a tarot reader once claimed their card was THE MAGICIAN, which makes sense considering their CHARMING yet DELUDING ways. wonder what this town has in store for them ?
so yeah, this is ezra – his parents figured that mayhaps a child could save their marriage n that’s why he,, exists ?? asjdfa (( spoiler alert; didn’t work out n they got divorced when he was like,, fourteen ))
ig you could say he was spoiled as a child; his parents never let him want for anything. but they fought a lot, and neither of their hearts were really in it to bring up a child, so ezra never got the attention he wanted or the affection he craved, i.e. no one tucked him into bed, no one helped him w his homework, no one held him when he was scared or sick or tired etc.
so what did lil attention starved ezra do, you ask ?? he used his bright head and his charismatic personality to charm people to their knees. once he started school he made friends w all his friends’ parents, and had standing invitations to dinners and family game nights and the like. the attention he didn’t get at home, he sought out elsewhere.
he was like twelve or smthn when he got into sleight of hand magic after falling in love w it while at a magic show, seeing how mesmerized the audience where. he too wanted to drawn people in like that, and make magic happen before their eyes.
in high school he made friends w everyone by telling stories that weren’t lies, just twisted and tweaked to make them prettier and more interesting. he also made a name for himself by pulling out some coins or a deck of cards at parties, making it a side hustle to let people who were sure they’d figured out how he did his tricks put their money where their mouth was.
ezra scored a scholarship to an out of state university and peaced tf out of his hometown. at college his stories got bigger and more golden and felt more like lies, but he earned his in w every crowd and even if someone didn’t know him, they knew off him.
the first term of his third year, both his parents passed away. none of his friends could recognize the boy he became over the span of those months. they were used to the flashy and eccentric ezra, always smiling and cracking jokes and making light of every situation. so when he didn’t reach out to them, they didn’t reach out to him either.
after the aftermath of his parents’ deaths were sorted out, and he’d declined his university’s offer to come back, ezra decided that he wanted to disappear. his vanishing act took the form of using a chunk of the substantial amount of money left to him by his parents to buy an appartment in an old beach town in england, and a one way ticket out of america.
in st. clementine he got a job as a bartender, and slipped into his old ways of drawing people in w a smile and then wrapping them up in shining stories that weren’t really lies.
tl;dr: ezra lynch is a fake ass hoe w some cheap magic tricks up his sleeve who runs away from his problems and he is in desperate need of a hug !!!!!!
this sucked fr just like,, skim through his stats and bio asdkjfa i’ll see myself out
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