[sage-durand]

Her head throbbed, and Sage clutched at it, letting out a small groan of protest. It was her own fault, really. She’d gone out with Grace the night before, playing drinking game after drinking game and ultimately losing. Now, the sun pierced her eyes, sending sharp spikes of pain through her temples. “Fuck,” she groaned, rubbing in vain at her eyes. They stung, and felt dry and swollen. “I drank too much alcohol,” she sighed to herself, stumbling along the path from Grace’s house. She stopped then, leaning heavily against the nearest bus stop, feeling her stomach heave at the movement. “Oh hell,” she groaned, folding her arms over her stomach. It was early, and she hadn’t wanted to wake Grace to have her take her home. So, she’d decided to walk…like an idiot. “Excuse me,” she called out to a passerby, squinting in their direction, “I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to bother you, but do you have any water you can spare? I feel like I’m dying a little bit.”

[harleylane]

Harley had missed this city in time she’d left it. The unbearable heat, the sand that she felt like was always somewhere on her, no matter how many times she showered – and even the city’s homeless population. More in theory than in practice on all counts. She turned, ready to tell the woman she had no change, but instead, blue eyes widened in surprise. “Holy shit.” She muttered, hand going to her mouth to hide her grin. “Baby Durand, were you kidnapped? Do I need to call someone?” She asked with a chuckle, fishing around in her bag before producing a (half-empty) water bottle. She extended it to the blonde, still fighting a laugh. “I’ve seen that look, pretty girl. That’s the ‘I let Grace talk me into something’ look. Blink twice if I’m right.” She mused.

[harleylane]

gracedurand:

Her nose nearly immediately wrinkled, an expression of pure distaste overtaking her features. “You serious? They wanted you to marry into money no matter what the…what, guy, girl? I guess it doesn’t matter. No matter what they were like?” She reached out, brushing her right hand through Harley’s hair, brow furrowed and heart lurching with an emotion she couldn’t quite place. “You’re too good for that.” She flexed her fingers against her scalp, before withdrawing her hand and placing it back in her lap. “At least my parents love each other. Sometimes too much.” She went a little pale at the memory of walking in on her parents. It happened enough that she was desensitized, at least some, but it was still not something she liked to think about. “You should always call Sage,” she laughed, reaching out and tapping Harley on the nose, “She makes me behave. Otherwise I’m this. A normal me is like somewhat less crass and annoying, but not by much.” Not by much at all, truthfully. She still had liberal use of the word fuck when alone at home with her dog. “Oh, no,” she groaned, pressing a hand over her mouth. “That’s just a travesty. I – I have an idea. What are you doing for Christmas?”

“What’s best behavior like for you, anyway?” Grace asked, smiling again as she reached out and tapped Harley’s thigh. “This seating arrangement is making me uncomfortable,” she joked, leaning forward and placing both hands on her thighs this time. “You look like a Girl Scout.” She didn’t, not at all, but prim and proper seating just didn’t fit Harley at all in Grace’s mind. She sat back a moment later, running a hand through her hair. “Fuck me, I have no idea.” She thought for a minute, brow furrowed as she picked at the label on her beer. “Okay. Sweden. Or no…no, Norway. It’s not like I wouldn’t fit in.” She lazily gestured to her appearance. “I just lack the height, probably. All those girls over there are tall as shit. But they’re blonde and blue eyed, I’d blend right the fuck in.” She breathed out a laugh, fingers tapping against her thigh. “No though, in all seriousness, it just seems like an ideal place for me. It’s cold, and I like the cold. There’s mountains in Norway and I like the mountains. Beaches too, but I think I’d like the lakes more. Plus it’s like…things are nice there. Relatively low crime rate, all that stuff. I don’t know, I just think I’d like it. What about you? I’ll ask you something when I get an answer.” She shot her a cheeky grin, eager to keep the game going.

“I am. Like, even before training I was good at talking to people. How do you think I got through high school?” she teased, shrugging. “No though, I don’t know. People can be easy. Sometimes. Just depends on the situation. I read things well, I guess?” She nodded, pressing her cheek into her palm of her hand, holding it up as she listened. “I bet you get all types in here, huh? People spill their guts to the bartender all the time. Never understood that. I mean…it’s just a person trying to mix you drinks, like…” She trailed off, before she snorted gracelessly, laughing a moment later. “I’m clearly a model example of following my own rules here. I’m spilling my guts to my bartender.” She reached out and tugged on the ends of Harley’s hair, smile crinkling the corners of her eyes once more. “Though, I think we’re a little more than bartender and client. Or, I’d like to think so anyway.” She sobered a minute later, a small, barely noticeable shadow passing across her face. “We do see mostly bad yeah. Really bad sometimes. It’s not all shit though. We see some really amazing things too. People go to great lengths to help other people sometimes.” She laughed, sudden and bright, and surged forward to press a kiss to Harley’s cheekbone again. “I’d hope I’m your favorite. The other two got nothing on me,” she teased, brushing her thumb over the small smear her chapstick had left behind. “You’re my favorite too,” she admitted, small, affectionate smile on her face.

“Oh yes,” she snorted, fixing Harley with a look that screamed disbelief, “I’m sure that was the very first thing on your mind when I arrested you the first time.” She took a sip of her drink, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “You don’t want those handcuffs,” she laughed, rubbing her wrists, “You need the padded stuff. The ones I have are designed to be uncomfortable, I swear. They slap us in them in the academy. Among other things.” She’d done a ton of relatively dangerous things during her training. “The worst is the pepper spray though,” she said quietly, recalling with perfect clarity her streaming eyes and pained scream before they doused her face in milk. She wasn’t stupid, she’d looked away quickly, but she’d seen the sudden flush and sudden glance to her mouth before she’d done so. She felt a sudden punch of desire low in her stomach and she had half a mind to reach out, snag Harley by the back of her head and press her lips securely to Harley’s. Predictably though, Grace chickened out, letting loose an audible swallow in the process. Her mind was buzzing with the possibility, and she glanced distractedly back in Harley’s direction as she started speaking again. She reached blindly for her beer, the new one sending a shock through her system as she wrinkled her nose. It was gross, truth be told, but she’d drink anything at all as long as she was still feeling like this. The words sort of registered, and Grace laughed in the appropriate places, but the sudden smile made the already drunken buzz in the back of her mind increase tenfold. Before she could stop herself, her hand was reaching forward, thumb dragging along Harley’s lower lip, eyes trained on the movement. “Mhmm,” she hummed, mostly to somewhat contribute to the conversation she’d missed most of.

Harley wasn’t usually one to talk about her family – in fact, the bartender couldn’t think of a soul she’d mentioned the Lanes to since she packed up her car and left the morning of their fight. She shifted in her seat, discomfort threatening to take root at the thought. The feeling ebbed as Grace echoed her own distaste for the two, and nearly dissipated entirely as she felt the gentle touch. She wanted to dismiss it – shrug it off. Instead, she felt herself lean just slightly into the touch, sad half-smile flickering across her lips. She was filled with a wave of affection for the other woman just then. She hadn’t realized a part of her had needed to hear those words for the better part of 15 years. Harley, for all her bluster and bullshit, stumbled on the sentiment. There was something so genuine about it. “I –” Her lips opened, but quickly closed. That soft smile lingered, expression bordering on bewilderment. “Thank you.” Jesus, who was she all of a sudden? As Grace’s fingers left her, she immediately missed that touch. She laughed, forehead creasing in question. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a story?” She asked, tone playful. It wasn’t much of a surprise the Durand parents were great, considering their children. She chuckled, wrinkling her nose as the tap. “Oh,” she pouted, looking down at her phone. “That settles in. I’m deleting her number.” She hummed, lips curving in that familiar smirk. “You’re perfect, darlin’. You should never deprive the world of full-force Grace Durand. My heart couldn’t take it.” She said. Harley tilted her head, green eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Hmm. The plan was to drink eggnog with whatever sad souls wander into the bar on the merriest day of the year. But,” she mused, shrugging in a terrible attempt of nonchalance, considering that ever-lingering grin. “I fall way too easily to peer pressure. Says so on my third grade report card.”

Harley laughed, expression going briefly contemplative. “Sleeping, I think.” She said with a chuckle. Her own fingers danced along the top of Grace’s hand, her touch feather-light as she glanced down, just barely resisting the urge to slide back down into the stool and further into the other’s hands. Another laugh passed her lips, head tilted back with the sound. “I was one, for all of a week. Turns out pocketing the cookies is kind of frowned upon if you don’t intend on doing that whole ‘paying’ thing.” She confessed, biting her lip. Harley then relaxed, leaning forward and in turn placing her hand on the blonde’s thigh. “Better?” She asked, glint of mischief in her eyes. “Norway.” She repeated with a nod, as if she were storing the information for later use. That smile danced across her lips once more as she tilted her head. “How are Christmases’ in Norway?” She asked, voice trailing off far too casually to be any sort of convincing as she glanced around the bar before letting her gaze drift back to Grace – too quickly, at that. She was having a terrible time letting her eyes go anywhere else for any actual length of time. “Norway’s close,” she said. “Always really wanted to go to Iceland.  Not as cold – least, far as I know. But. Mountains, beaches, hot springs. Great beer.” She added.

“Please,” she started, only removing her hand, which had begun tracing lazy circles along Grace’s thigh, to sip from her own drink. “Tell me there are photos of high school Grace I can bribe Sage or River for.” She said with a grin. “Yeah?” Harley asked, brow inching upward. “What’s your read on me? Night we met No bulllshit, I’ll totally know.” She warned, grin creeping onto her lips. She wouldn’t, but still. She was nothing if not a bullshitter. Harley was aware she often made quite the first impression – albeit, it was rarely a great one. She’d never aspired to be great – but she was alright with memorable. Of course, she’d never bothered to ask. Especially not her very charming, very attractive one-time arresting officer. Harley again tilted her head back in laughter at that snort. “It’s my favorite part of the job. Never stop.” She said, words ringing with surprising sincerity. She breathed a laugh, resting an elbow on the bar. “Course we are.” She said, only momentarily looking almost wistfully at the other. “Dunno whether I feel better or worse having you keepin’ Orlando safe. Couldn’t name a better person for the job but…” she trailed off, brows furrowing for a moment as she idly picked at a slightly frayed hem of her shirt, trying to find the words. “Kinda hate the idea of you bein’ in danger to keep the city safe. Nothing against Orlando but if I had to pick, I’m savin’ you every time.” She admitted. An airy laugh followed her words, an attempt to mask the seriousness of her words – but there was little question as her green eyes flickered back up to Grace that she meant them. Her smile came easy and her head cocked slightly to the side. “Don’t go spreadin’ that around, sunshine. You’re gonna break a lot of hearts.” That damned Southern accent that often tinged her words had found itself creeping in, and she’d hardly taken notice.

Harley laughed, putting her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “The heart wants what it wants, pretty girl.” She rationalized, as if that were all there possibly was to it. A surprised chortle escaped her. “That an offer?” She asked, brow raised and expression twisting into a teasing smirk. Her eyes widened. “Pepper spray? Fuck, why did they pepper spray you? Some kind of twisted hazing bullshit, or is it actually some sardonic training thing?” She asked, taking another drink. She almost laughed at the girl’s expression at the second bottle – she wasn't wrong, it had definitely not been her best blind choice. She returned her bottle to the bar, eyes scanning Grace’s features like she needed to be able to recite them perfectly from memory. She could, she was sure of that much. An almost startled breath passed her lips as Grace grazed her lip. Harley felt an almost unfamiliar spark – a sort of giddy nervousness that made her feel both on top of the world, and like she’d come tumbling down any second. She welcomed that fall, though. And Harley Lane had never been a girl afraid of jumping. She leaned forward, letting her worry about ruining this, whatever it was was, fall silent as she brought her lips to Grace’s. It was a gentle kiss, fingers creeping lightly up the other girl’s neck. She forgot, in that moment, that she was at her place of employment, a crowded bar, nonetheless. The world was full of static and a tense relief that she would gladly hang onto for a lifetime, if she could.

[harleylane]

rpmemes-galore:

Reblog and bold everything your muse has done!

broken a bone | gotten stitches | had a serious illness | had a near-death experience | killed someone | tried and failed to kill someone | invented something | been hungover | kissed someone | slow-danced | been in a long-term relationship | had sex | had sex and regretted it | had a one-night stand | had a threesome | experimented with their sexuality | had a kid | gotten married | gotten a divorce | self-harmed | traveled to another country | been in a play | received an inheritance | been in a car wreck | lost a loved one | been dumped | dumped someone | smoked | gotten high | been slipped something in their food/drink | won a contest | won an election | joined a sports team | gone skydiving | gone hunting | been in a band | had a job | been fired | been in a wedding party | owned a pet | seen a ghost | skipped class/work | learned an instrument | gotten a noticeable scar | sued someone | been robbed | been mugged | been kidnapped | been sexually assaulted | been brainwashed/hypnotized | gone more than one day without eating | had a recurring nightmare | been bullied | bullied someone | seen someone die | attempted suicide | been tied/chained up | shot someone | stabbed someone | saved someone’s life | cheated on someone | been cheated on | had a stalker | been betrayed | been in a fight | been arrested | been to a funeral | had surgery | broken someone’s trust | gotten a piercing | gotten a tattoo | used a fake name | been tortured | been abused | been blackmailed | had an attempt on their life | gotten away with a crime | gone on a road trip | been in love

[harleylane]

sage-durand:

Sage laughed, giving Harley a brief once over. “I think I can say that you don’t look like you’re dying.” For show, she reached over and pressed her fingers against the thrumming pulse in Harley’s wrist. “See? Your heart’s still beating. …a little fast, but we can blame that on the run.” Elevated heart rates after exercise were normal anyway. “Oh, come on,” Sage teased, mirroring Harley’s position, “Running’s not that bad. I mean…it probably doesn’t help that you picked arguably the hottest part of the day to do it, but you know.” In truth, Sage hated running, she hated most aspects of exercise, but lifting was her absolute least favorite. Even still, she felt the need to tease Harley about it. It was all in good fun. “It’s good for heart health…overall health, really,” Sage said with a brief nod. “Um. It helps with stamina, which is useful, it makes you stronger…all kinds of benefits, really. But, I agree…three hour naps do sound better than exercise.” She sighed, looking up at the sky and squinting against the sun. “I wish I could take three hour naps. That sounds amazing.” She looked over at Harley again, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. “I’ve got some water if you want it. If you’re dying, that is,” she laughed.

A loud laugh escaped Harley as she rolled her eyes. “I’m taking that as a compliment and you can’t stop me.” She said, flashing Sage a grin. She watched as the other took her pulse, making the face of a child who was definitely about to get a shot and there was nothing they could do to stop it. “Or the heart attack I’m definitely having,” she replied indignantly. Green eyes drifted toward the glaring Orlando sun, a sigh of understanding passing her lips as she tapped her temple twice with her index finger. “See? That whole logic thing. Not my strong suit.” She said with a chuckle. “Where were you when I was making terrible decisions?” Now that was a question that could arguable be applied at any juncture for the blonde, but she wouldn’t admit to that. Harley laughed, resting her forearms on her knees. “Cheerios do the same thing though, yeah? Or have I just been letting a little bee lie to me for 28 years? Because I’m totally thinking of adopting that plan instead of this. This one was bullshit.” Harley said with a grin. “Hey, don’t let anyone tell you can’t. You can do anything you set your mind to.” She asked, teasing lilt to her voice. "Imagine the hospital takes up most of your day, doesn’t it?” She asked, quirking a brow. At the offer, green eyes widened and she nodded. “Oh, fuck yes.” She exhaled, then smiled. “Please.”

[harleylane]

talliestucky:

Harley’s response brought a loud groan from Tallie as she rolled her eyes towards the blonde. “Oh, you poor baby,” she replied, exaggerating her words as she flashed a smile Harley’s way. “But, like, if you actually can’t feel your leg I can stretch you out or whatever.” It had been awhile since she’d stretched or massaged out any cramps, but it was something second nature to her. The story brought another sigh out of Tallie, head shaking in amazement. “You’re something else. Running isn’t that bad. Just…boring,” Tallie shrugged. It wasn’t her favorite thing in the world, but she didn’t mind it. There were few better ways to clear her head anyway. “How far off is your car? Because you’re a lot taller than me, sooo. Me trying to carry you would be an adventure and a half.” Standing at just over five feet, Tallie trying to carry anyone would be nothing short of a disaster. 

She couldn’t bite back the laugh that bubbled in her throat at Tallie’s absolutely intolerance for her antics. It was a quality to be respected. “Oh god, would you? As soon as I can kneel, woman, I’ll propose,” Harley said with a laugh. Her jaw fell agape at the brunette’s description. “Do you roll your eyes at torture, too? Maybe I need to revisit those books..” she trailed off, teasing lilt to her voice as she regarded Tallie from her peripheral. The blonde pulled a face as she fished her phone out of her pocket to look at the useless running app she’d paid a full 99 cent for when she decided to be athletic. “Just about a mile that way.” She said, nodding toward the way she’d come. “Think you’re up for it?” She asked with a chuckle. “If not,” she started with a dramatic sigh. “I suppose I can manage the walk. Just... slowly.”

[harleylane]

fcknfrannie:

Frannie’s head shot up when she sensed the sarcastic tone to the girl’s voice, a curious eyebrow quirking. She quickly realized the girl was nothing but harmless, thankfully, and clicked off her gun for a moment to humor her. “A ‘mom’ tattoo? C’mon, that’s so cliche,” she shook her head, wiping at her thigh with her thumb and furrowing her eyebrows. “I was thinkin’ more of a ‘daddy’s girl’ in a pretty cursive font,” she teased right back, enjoying the playful banter that came so naturally to her. She responded to the girl’s questioning with a simple shrug. “Why not? T’was bored, an’ the power’s out in my building. Y’got any other suggestions?”

Harley gave a regretful sigh and pulled a face, shaking her head. “No good, sunshine. Lower back when I was 16.” She said, trying to keep a relatively straight face. But at the last minute, her lips pulled into a grin. “Kidding. Mostly. Did get a real shit tattoo on a dare when I was 16.” She winced, shaking her head. She laughed, raising her brows as the other explained. “C’mon. Got a perfectly good apartment thirty feet away. And no one’s done heroin in it, far as I know. Can’t say the same for that spot right there.”

[harleylane]

gracedurand:

“You know,” Grace started, before her brow furrowed and she fell silent for a beat. “I was…I was going to say I agree with you, and – and I do. But it’s like…” She adjusted herself, clearly thinking hard about what she wanted to say. “I guess I grew up with my parents kind of pushing it? Like, they had this big fancy wedding and loved it, but…” She heaved a sigh, giving a helpless shrug of her shoulders. “It seems excessive. It’s pretty, but all people do is stress out and fight, and marriage is just…it never does seem to last.” She took a drink of her beer, waving off the topic. “I don’t know, maybe with the right person. Everyone says that, but fuck it. I’ll be normal for a minute.” Huffing out a laugh through her nose, Grace glanced over at Harley, eyes brimming with affection. “Living the dream, right? Tennessee mountains, fancy changing leaves and real cheap champagne because no one will know the difference anyway, right?” Grace felt her jaw drop, and she leaned back, pressing a hand over her heart. “No, winter is my favorite. You don’t like snow?!”

“Sometimes,” she answered honestly, smile crinkling the corners of her eyes, “But sometimes taking it easy is alright too.” Snorting, Grace tipped her head back, baring her throat to the ceiling, letting out a small groan. “Promise. We can take a sharp turn toward sex any time you want.” She shot her a teasing grin, quirking an eyebrow. “I have so many fucking stories about fuckboys making sharp right turns into nopeville during 20 questions, honestly.” Red made sense, if Grace were being honest with herself. Red was associated with things hot and fast, and vibrant, all of which, at least in her mind, applied to the woman next to her. “Red suits you, I think. Me though? God, I don’t know…I think blue. Like really light blue. Navy blue’s fine, I guess, but I like the lighter color. Your turn though. You can ask me something now.” She glanced over at Harley then, biting the inside of her cheek. “Ah, maybe. Don’t let me fool you though, they give us training. Connecting with people, especially like…domestic violence victims, robbery victims, all that mess, is really important. We’re supposed to be safe to people, you know?” She took another pull of her drink, letting out a short bark of laughter, “Maybe I was decent with people before all of that though, I don’t know. I got all the charm in the family, that’s for sure,” she joked with a grin. She tapped herself on the nose, winking at Harley. “Bingo. There’s all kinds of sociological reasons that go into why the South’s crime rate is so high that I won’t bore you with, but yeah. Poor areas, booze and  the heat. Three legitimate key cornerstones.”

With a snort, Grace rolled her eyes, tipping her head back again as she let out a brief chuckle. “I have in fact read you your rights, this is true. While you shamelessly flirted with me to try and get out of it.” She glanced over at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Ah, come on now, I could never be the prettiest girl in the room if you were in it too,” The compliment was edged with a raw sincerity that surprised Grace, and she blinked once, hastily reaching for her beer and taking a big gulp. It wasn’t…bad, per say, it wasn’t, she meant it. But Grace never was much good with raw emotion that wasn’t anger, and she felt a cold sliver of fear make its way down her spine. She didn’t want to scare Harley off, even as relatively innocent as the compliment was. Clearing her throat, she set the beer back down, fingers picking at the label, before her next words made laughter bubble up from her chest. “Well, he was an asshole. An asshole that just happened to hit very, very hard.” She brought up a hand to her nose, pressing at the sides of it at the remembered ache. “He got what was coming to him. Assaulting an officer charge is no joke. He had a filthy record anyway, so whatever.” There had been plenty of assault and battery, a couple stalking charges, and harassment galore. “Well,” she said, spreading her arms out to her sides as she grinned over at the blonde next to her, “At least you’d die happy, right?” She offered a lazy wink, genuine smile lingering.

Harley’s eyes flickered across Grace’s features as she explained, immediately nodding in understanding. “My parents only wanted me to marry into money. No one but the richest would do,” she said, making a show of rolling her eyes. “I think money’s the only thing they like about each other.” The bartender hardly considered herself a cynic when it came to love – but marriage toed the line of a different story. She chuckled, following suit with her companion and taking a long drink. “A normal Grace Durand?” She asked, looking nearly scandalized. “Have you hit your head, pretty girl? Should I call Sage?” She teased, nudging her shoulder. Her expression shifted into a genuine smile as she regarded the blonde. It was dangerously easy to let her mind wander to those mountains she’d never been to and go to a place her heart had never truly been. She felt a moment of  gratitude for Grace’s theatrics, not entirely trusting her own train of thought. She wrinkled her nose, chewing her lip and leaning forward. “I’ve never actually seen it. Not in person, in anyway. Drove up north for a while before I moved here, but I always found my way south for the winter.”

Of course Grace Durand smiled with her eyes. There were a million things Harley would list as her favorite physical quality in a person, but that right there was her biggest weakness. “Well in that case…” Harley trailed off, teasing lilt to her voice. “Best behavior. Scouts honor,” she vowed, that familiar grin threatening to curve her lips. She straightened, crossing her legs at the ankles, folding her hands in her lap. As if good posture was the key to making Harley Lane behave. She gave a little self-satisfied smile at the blonde’s answer. It’s exactly the color she would’ve picked for her, if she were asked to guess. And maybe a bit of that had to do with the bright blue that was the other’s eyes – but Harley was going to attribute it to her own skills. “Hmmm,” she hummed, considering the questions. “Okay. You get to live anywhere in the whole world, money’s not an option, you’re not too far from family, all that shit – where do you go?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Somehow I get the feelin’ you’d be good at it, training or not.” She shrugged, nodding back behind the bar. “We get people who barely last the day behind the bar because they forget the whole ‘people’ thing. Mixing drinks and opening beers is the easiest job in the world, once you get goin’. But that’s the smallest part of the job on a good night. You deal with people who are drinking because they’ve just been promoted, or maybe they just got fired. You get the best and worst of it, you know? Except. You probably just get the worst of it. I couldn’t handle it.” She mused, shaking her head. Harley chuckled, shaking her head. “Don’t tell Sage or River but,” she started, once more leaning forward like she were telling the blonde something top secret. “You’re by far the most charming Durand. You might, maybe, be my favorite.” Of course, that was more than obvious to anyone who’d seen Harley even in the vicinity of Grace – but she would pretend she was capable of subtle.

Harley leaned back, unable to hold back her laugh at Grace’s immediate reaction. “What? To get out of it? Grace Durand, who do you think I am? I’ll gladly climb back into that cruiser if it means more time with you. Handcuffs too, if you ask real nice.” She said, sticking out her tongue. The South Carolina native was almost sure she felt color flood her cheeks at the compliment, the heat surprising her too much for a proper rebuttal. Instead, she felt her eyes flicker to Grace’s lips. In a move to both partial conceal her face and occupy her lips, she took a drink. She, to both her relief and regret, wasn’t alone. As if there were any question that the two were cut from the same emotionally stunted cloth. God, she was in trouble. She reached across the bar, grabbing whatever bottles were lined up just below the bartop. Harley had a moment to hope none of the patrons who weren’t the regulars were watching – god forbid she set a sort of precedent that it was alright to take your service into your own hands. She twisted the caps neatly off both, sitting the second neatly in front of Grace. She laughed, shaking her head. “You better say nice things at my funeral. And hold off until after our wedding. Pretty sure my life insurance policy here is shit, but you might as well get somethin’ for losing the love of your life.” Harley teased, flashing her a grin that showed both her top and bottom row of teeth.

[harleylane]

cameron--bell:

Cam resisted the urge to laugh, and ultimately failed. She let out one short burst, which she tried to hide with a series of coughs. She kept herself stable though, to help Harley scramble ungracefully to her feet. “Hell might be fun?” Cameron chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t it supposed to be like…the worst place? I don’t remember, I went to church like twice when I was a kid. And I never paid attention when people prayed overseas.” Glancing toward where Harley gestured, Cameron laughed, spreading her arms out wide in a gesture of surrender. “Ah, come on. The trail’s at least pretty, right? Hell’s probably…I don’t know. Red and orange or whatever other colors fire is.” She took a moment to let the surprise pass, before she smiled crookedly at the other. “Ah, not a woman of many words, I’m afraid,” she said, teasing lilt to her voice, “Cameron though. My name’s Cameron.” She’d always figured Harley was just too busy to make conversation with some random girl sitting at the bar, but she was pleased to be recognized nonetheless.

Harley made an unsuccessful attempt to brush the grass off her legs once she was firmly on her feet, but, like her attempt to run, she abandoned the effort only moments after it began. She winkled her nose and narrowed her eyes. “Okay so maybe I went once and I cried and pretended to be possessed so my parents would never take me back. Totally worked. Also totally may have condemned myself at the ripe old age of seven.” She admitted with a laugh. “But I’ve seen Little Nicky and it didn’t look that bad.” She tilted her head. “Overseas, huh? Where’ve you been, darlin’?” Harley laughed, once again shooting the path a momentary look of disdain. “Red’s a good, solid color. You know what you’re getting. This serene green and blue shit, though – all one great big pretty lie.” She huffed before letting her grin take hold. She was being dramatic – but that was essentially her default setting. “You’re in luck, pretty girl. I love words. Real good at filling a silence.” She hummed, lazily looping her arm through Cameron’s. Half a gesture of camaraderie, half out of fear that she her legs would shake like a newborn baby deer the moment she started to actually move again. “Cameron,” she repeated with a nod and an easy smile. “It’s good to meet you officially, sunshine. I’m Harley. But I’ll answer to just about anything you wanna call me.”

[harleylane]

v-ginaxtonics:

This was the second time Gina had come across someone lying on the grass while she was doing her routine run, having already met Lex that way. Normally she wouldn’t be too friendly around people who were lying on the floor but Lex was a different case because she witnessed her fall. This woman, on the other hand, was just lying there on the grass when she was heading that particular path. She had initially intended to go around her when she heard her voice. “That’s oddly reassuring,” she slowed to a stop, looking down at the woman as she panted softly; she hadn’t run that far and was slowly building up her speed, “Well, they say jogging is bad for your knees so maybe it could be.” She hummed. 

Harley chuckled, reluctantly pulling herself into a sitting position. She hadn’t considered the possibility of being unintentionally trampled by a passing jogger – what a way to go out. At least partially upright, she was slightly more visible. She chuckled, looking up at the blonde. “You, darlin’, have just given me my new excuse to never run again.” She hummed. “So far I’ve just been working with ‘it’s stupid and I hate it’. Bad for your knees though – that’s practical.” She said with a nod and a half smile.

[rowanbtw-blog]

Frannie knew she probably looked like some high-tech heroin addict, but the power had been out in her building for days and the half-finished tattoo on her thigh was driving her crazy. So she’d gathered up her things and found a working outlet for her gun—it just happened to be in the alley behind her building. She was so caught up in tattooing the last of the leaves on her thigh that she ignored the footsteps approaching her. But when they didn’t pass through the narrow alleyway, and instead stopped right in front of her, she paused to glance upwards. “I’m aware of how ridiculous this looks,” she mused, turning her attention back to her work. “An’ if you’re comin’ out to yell at me for stealin’ your electricity or somethin,’ don’t bother. I’ve got two more minutes an’ I’ll be outta’ here,” she shrugged. “And I don’t think pissin’ off a chick with a needle is really a good idea.”

[harleylane]

Minding her own business had never particularly been a specialty of Harley’s – she was well aware that in a horror movie, she would be the one to leave the nice safe cabin and investigate the strange noise. She was a girl driven by curiosity. She’d been leaving the bar after her shift, just a bit tipsy and uncharacteristically aware of her surroundings. Brows furrowed as she neared her apartment and heard a metallic buzzing sound. Against her typically quiet better judgment, she followed the sound to the alley. The last thing she expected to find was a petite woman – it was enough to draw her up short. She tilted her head, studying exactly what the other had been doing. A surprised laugh escaped her. “Or what? You’ll tattoo mom across my forehead?” She asked, teasing lilt to her voice. Harley nodded toward the girl’s leg. “Don’t get me wrong – looks great, but why exactly are you doing it between an apartment building a pizza shop?”

[harleylane]

talliestucky:

Tallie herself was no stranger to the occasional jog. Though her fitness level wasn’t nearly where it had been back in college when she was playing soccer, her vanity kept her in the gym at least for the sake of looking good. She was well on her way to finishing a 5K run when she spotted a vaguely familiar figure lying on the ground looking…quite dead. Pulling her headphones out, Tallie came up to a stop in front of Harley, looking over with a concerned frown. “Jesus. You look like a corpse,” Tallie commented, letting out a sigh of relief when the woman stirred. “Possibly, though. But, I’d argue that sprint endurance tests are actually hell. Beep test, anyone?” Tallie made a gagging face at the mere thought of having to go through something like that again. 

A laugh immediately bubbled in Harley’s throat as she looked up at the familiar face. “That hurts, Tallie. Not as bad as this whole running thing – seriously, I don’t think I can feel my right leg, but it hurts.” She said, teasing lilt to her voice. She pulled herself upright, shaking her head. “Fuck, I forgot all about beep tests. You’re dredging up perfectly repressed high school memories.” She said, wrinkling her nose. “Played soccer once. Survived the tryouts and the beep test. Started the first match. I started running, ran off the field, kept running ‘til I got home. That’s the last time I sprinted. Until today. Just –” she started, finally getting to her feet. “Put me out of my misery. Or maybe carry me to my car.” She said with a chuckle. 

[harleylane]

cameron--bell:

Fresh from the gym, there were a few things Cameron currently wanted. One was a shower, which she’d opted out of since she’d have to walk home in the heat. Two was a tall glass of water, cold water, which she didn’t currently have. Three was an ice cream cone, which she knew she couldn’t have for the sake of being healthy. What she hadn’t exactly wanted was to be concerned about a girl, a girl she recognized, actually, flopped out over a hillside. Be that as it may, Cameron made her careful way over, eyes scanning to make sure nothing seemed amiss. She’d blame it on all the years in the army. With a laugh as the woman spoke, Cameron simply nodded at her, running a hand through her hair. “Good. Glad you’re not dead. Have to admit, I was a little worried when I walked by.” She held a hand out to help her up, unsure if the bartender would recognize her. She was a regular, but they hadn’t talked too much. “I don’t know though,” she said, tapping at her chin, “I don’t think hell’s jogging. I might be biased, personal trainer and all, but at least jogging ends. As far as I’m aware, hell doesn’t.” She smiled crookedly at her to show she was only joking…well, mostly.

Harley placed the place quickly, even through a haze of sunlight. A soft chuckle passed her lips, but her lip nearly jutted out in a pout at the prospect of leaving her carefully selected spot. Well, maybe not so much carefully selected as dramatically flopped to the ground when she quickly gave up her foray into athleticism. But, she took the girl’s hand, not so gracefully returning to her feet. Features shifted into a grin and she shook her head. “Oh, you’re definitely biased. Hell might at least be fun.” She mused, pulling a face. “That,” she started, vaguely gesturing to the trail, wearing an expression of absolute disdain, “was not.” She gave the path one last weary look, as if it were capable of rising and ensnaring her. She turned back to Cam, offered her a smile and tilted her head. “You know. I know your drink order, and I never got your name.” 

[harleylane]

jemmaham:

Jemma’s thumbs fiddled over the screen of her phone, moving it around and hoping that would somehow help her with the dilemma she was currently having. There was a Dragonite in the vicinity she was desperate to catch but it seemed as if she had been walking for miles. Mumbling incoherently to herself, she kept her eyes peeled on the phone for a while longer. There was nobody around at this time of the day, at least, she thought so. But then she came to a sudden halt, almost tripping over the other woman. It was right then her phone vibrated to let her know Pokemon were in the vicinity. “Shit. I’m sorry,” she mumbled out an apology. “Glad you’re not dead. But uh… looks like you’re the new Daenerys. There’s a dragon on your head… heh. Sorry.” She rolled her finger across the screen, catching the Dragonite before hastily putting away her phone. “Well,” she swallowed heavily. “Ann Perkins said jogging is the worst… I know it keeps you healthy, but God, at what cost? And I got to say… I’m with her. And you.”

For a moment as her forehead creased in confusion, Harley thought perhaps she was having a heatstroke. The brunette’s words made sense – mostly. Just not strung together and most definitely not in the context as the bartender knew it. It was only then that her gaze landed on the phone, easy laugh escaping her. “If I’m  suddenly the mother of dragons, we’re all screwed. I have terrible judgment and think fire’s pretty.” She hummed, teasing lilt to her voice as she sat up. “You catch it? Save Orlando from a mad dragon queen?” She asked, scooting over and patting the ground beside her in an invitation for the other to sit. The blonde laughed, shaking her head. “If this is healthy, I’m ordering fries and a beer on my way home. Because this, this hurts. I think my heart’s coming out of my chest and I’m not sure my leg should be... tingly.”

[harleylane]

sage-durand:

Sometimes, Sage decided to take the long way home from work. The outside was much more favorable than the too clean smelling air of the hospital. Sometimes Sage wanted to smell the flowers, and the grass, and really just nature in general. She was wandering back to her apartment, hair wet and dripping down her back, when she noticed someone lying prone against a hillside. She knew she should ignore it, sheknew she should, but Sage was also the worst, and couldn’t leave things alone. So, she wandered over, heart dropping into her stomach when she noticed who it was. She jumped a little when Harley spoke, but her smile was blinding in response. “Oh good,” she sighed out, “I was a little worried there for a minute.” She took a seat next to her, fingers steadily working at the grass, pulling it up blade by blade. “Hell isn’t jogging, I don’t think. I think hell is more weight training. That one’s the worst for me.” She peered skyward, wrinkling her nose against the heat, “But I mean…jogging’s not really fun either. Working out isn’t fun? Like…at all? I know it’s necessary, but god it sucks.”

Harley just barely bit back a laugh as the blonde jumped, but her grin was obvious, all the same. “Must be my lucky day. Doctor Durand. I’m not entirely sure I’m not dying.” She mused, wrinkling her nose. She sat, sighing as if the task would truly be the end of the dramatic little shit. She pulled her knees to her chest, angling her body toward Sage, grin lingering, even as she adamantly shook her head. “Lifting shit I can do. But this – god, this is a horrible idea. I’ve given up. If it involves running, count me out.” She chuckled, narrowing her eyes as she regarded Sage. “Define ‘necessary.’ Because I felt great yesterday, and all I did was take a three hour nap. And today I think I may die.” She teased. 

[harleylane]

She hated running – and ‘hate’ was quite possibly too light a term for the way Harley felt about it. Even if the bartender were being chased, she would seriously considering taking her chances and just go down fighting. But every few months, she got the idea in her head that she should really take it up, and ‘how bad could it be?’. A notion that the girl, who was now lying in the grass, scoffed at. In her defense, she’s managed a mile (well – almost) before deciding that the hillside was far friendlier than the path, and it was time to rest and remind herself that running was terrible and she should never do it again. She had just closed her eyes when she was sure she felt someone near. “Not dead.” She assured, squinting up at the other. “Well. Least I don’t think so. Is hell jogging? Hell could totally be jogging.” Harley mused contemplatively.

[harleylane]

★

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

[harleylane]

★ (same deal, free free to do both sage and grace, or choose lmao)

SAGE

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you (does having a massive crush on her sister count?) // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

GRACE

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better