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@hvrtbroken
𝔥𝔳𝔯𝔱𝔟𝔯𝔬𝔨𝔢𝔫 . 𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔶 𝔤 . 28 years old . aest tz . she / her pronouns . woc . click the source link to find out more .
OPEN TO PARTNERS . smut and mature themes will be present on this blog . medium - high activity .
rules :
mun must be 23 +
i do not write m x m
i do not write with people who only have white characters
i am a tumblr and discord baddie
i will not write or rp with characters under 23 years of age
jonah’s eyes drifted across lena’s face as she briefly spoke about her family, knowing the implication behind her words and to leave it be. he itched to ask if she was okay being around her father and brother, wanting to know if anything had changed despite already knowing the answer. lena had to know that she could still tell jonah anything after all these years, but more than anything he wanted to hear her say it. sometimes he thought he could die at the possibility of lena telling him how he made her feel safe, that it was still them against the world despite time and distance and any other obstacle life threw their way.
moving at her pace, jonah stayed close by and smiled fondly at lena’s slight staggering, moving away from the empty bar and into seclusion. “nice try! i may be a little drunk, but you could never convince me that i’m the bad influence between us,” jonah laughed, taking lena’s outstretched hand. “i loved those slippers,” jonah recalled the time lena dragged him outside right after it had rained. “no fucking idea why i decided to have them on in the mud. did i ever tell you i tried to convince my mom that we should just wash them and still keep them?” god, now he was babbling. it was like jonah felt the need to entertain, to keep the conversation flowing no matter what the cost to hold anyone’s interest. he felt like if he shut up lena would disappear, move off in the opposite direction only to become a memory to him again.
“you remember,” he replied back simply, almost in disbelief. his breath caught in his throat as he watched lena on mission to help find the carvings, admiring how beautiful she looked hiking up her dress just a bit so she could crouch, look of concentration on her face. suddenly they were twelve and messing around in this same spot while their parents had dinner and drinks in the building behind them. he would pretend to flick a bug on her and they’d end up rolling around in the grass, giggling and watching the summer sun dip behind the trees that blocked the bustling highway.
“holy shit, you found it?” jonah’s heart felt light, moving to crouch next to lena and shine his own phone flashlight at the tree. “you’re gonna break your ankles. can you sit?” he asked the stupid question, wondering if lena could maneuver to sit in the grass. “i wanna see if i can take a picture of it…” his voice drifted off, squinting a bit as he zoomed in on his camera.
" this is you ' a little drunk ' ? " lena teases . she feels tipsy , but she also feels giddy . feels like it could be because she's on an adventure with jonah and feels like a dumb teenager , rather than a girl who's lived twenty lives . " we need to get you way drunker . maybe then you'll have some actual game . " although she likes jonah the way he is . namely , game-less . namely , always like a faithful dog lapping after her . it's inherently so selfish of her . but she swears jonah is hers .
lena is very aware of her shortcomings , is the thing . she's very aware that she's let down people , that she hasn't always been the best friend , or even a good person . that jonah has always done the heavy lifting , meanwhile lena spins in circles and refuses to be held . BUT SHE DOES LOOK AT HIM , face balking , briefly , as he repeats : YOU REMEMBER . lena feels a flash of something within her . an ache . a pain . a hurt . because jonah truly has no idea that OF COURSE SHE'D REMEMBER . and why would he ? she's never outwardly told him how much he means to her . how she remembers everything , even the way that she fell off her bike , when she was 12 years old , and scraped her knee , so jonah tore off a bit of his shirt to wrap it around . so she wouldn't have to look at the blood anymore . LENA REMEMBERS . " of course i remember . " she says instead , voice softer . she gives him a classic lena style nonchalant shrug .
it's dark , and a little cold . the dress and shoes aren't the best choice of outerwear for this occasion , but lena senses the excitement fizzling between them . the warmth and happy flush that THIS WAS THEIR SPOT . THIS IS THEIR THING . JONAH AND LENA . LENA AND JONAH . " i found it . " lena sing - songs , with a unrestrained laugh , almost as impressed and surprised that she did find it as jonah is . she glances at him , at the way he moves so easily , yet still so unsure . like a baby deer . she holds out her hand for him , even though she's the one in heels and a dress . even though he's asking her to be careful . " i can sit , dad . " lena jokes again , voice sarcastic , before she does just that , sitting awkwardly cross legged , limbs too long . she keeps her dress hiked up , runs one hand over her humidified hair . " you really wanna take a photo of it ? " lena asks , after a pause . her voice catches , just a bit , and she keeps her gaze on jonah . her hand on his . an anchor . she swallows , thick , and suddenly feels like . . . like it should have always been them . that she never should have bothered with anyone else . it's always jonah . it always comes back to jonah . " you're my best friend . " she says , quietly , barely louder than the bristle of wind around them . she looks at him , while he looks at the tree through the lens of his camera . " you've always been my best friend . " and she doesn't know what to do with that . she hopes he does . she prays he does . " do . . . " she begins , then stops herself . shakes her head in light amusement . " do you ever think we should have done things differently ? " lena finally says . she'll blame it on the alcohol , a small smile playing on her lips , although it aches .
"he's got a few good qualities you can highlight." dj teases with a chuckle, "mine is mostly just embarrassing stories that he might kick my ass for — we'll see." he pauses for a moment, a grin on his lips as he asks, "if you've got time later, wanna hear it? i could use an edit or two probably." not to mention, that would mean he gets to be alone with maya. away from isaac and her brother and the rest of the noisy party. he's a social guy, but it's even a little overwhelming for him, "i think i'd just have to push him back onto his shell, get him rolling back and forth helplessly." he explains as if there would indeed be some blowout fight between him and the teenage mutant ninja turtle, "fists only. no weapons. a respectable fight."
then dj blushes — actually blushes, "i missed talking to you too, maya. but i already knew that i missed you," he quips, "when we first talked the other day so... i win." he teases, wide grin still on his face. the grin disappears, though, as isaac interrupts again and dj's back stiffens as he stares down the other man, already missing the closeness of the woman. isaac says something about there being a really long line and dj holds himself back from making a snarky comment. he doesn't want to come off like an asshole. even if the jealousy rising in his stomach makes him want to be a bit of one. he's not some childish frat bro anymore. so he sidles a bit closer to maya and pastes the grin back on his face, "dom just asked maya and me to go check if the hors d'oeuvres are ready to come out." he hooks his hand gently under maya's elbow, "so we'll catch ya later, bro." he winks at isaac, leading maya in the direction of the supposed food tables, really just wanting to be anywhere but here. he feels a little bad as they leave his fellow groomsman behind, but he's also quite satisfied with himself and his clearly genius diversion.
it's not easy to not be completely enamoured by dj . even his stupid ( albeit genius ) plan to fight a hypothetical ninja turtle for her . maya stays grinning at him , almost toothy and too wide . she knows if dom looked over at her right now , he'd give her a roll of his eyes and remind her that dj is so not interested . but , it doesn't feel like that , right now . it feels like dj could be interested , actually . if it was anyone else , she'd 1000% write this down as flirting . it's hard to really determine because . well . dj is dj . he's like this with everyone . but then , dj blushes and he looks even more charming that it makes maya straighten up . she's never made dj blush before . she'd very much like to keep doing it . she opens her mouth , but of course isaac is back . she gratefully takes the drink from him , although maya knows her smile looks lacklustre at having been interrupted . it's nothing compared to the way dj seems annoyed . genuinely annoyed . it makes maya deliberate , internally , as she looks at him , over the rim of her cocktail glass .
she could either be really right or really stupid . and she keeps thinking that , brain ticking , as dj gently navigates her away from isaac . she offers half a wave to the guy , with his crestfallen face , but all she can truly focus on is dj's behaviour . what it means . " hors d'ouevres ? no offence , but i didn't think men even knew that word . " maya teases , although her voice is slightly breathless , cogs working in her brain . " i - hey . you said you want me to maybe hear your speech right ? " so she's doing it . maya is jumping in . diving . absolutely saying fuck it . she takes two big swigs of her cocktail , for luck . lets it burn down her oesophagus . " i mean . i don't know about you , but i feel like tonight's winding down a bit , and i've got some energy to kill . " her cheeks flush at the implication , but she keeps herself steady . maya glances around , finds a half open bottle of champagne left on a waiter's tray and snatches it up , precarious with her cocktail glass in hand too . feels too risky and bold ( thank you cocktail for the enthusiasm boost ) . she looks at dj , almost daring , mainly nervous and unsure . " should we just head to your room maybe ? "
random starter: @hvrtbroken !
" you don't understand . " there's an exasperated huff that leaves him , the clock ticking later and later but the coding , or at least what he was trying to pass off as coding wasn't working . something wasn't adding up and it was throwing off the whole design . " there's a deadline , it needs to be done . tonight . "
“ oh yes , please mansplain this to me . ” olivia sighs , long sufferingly . “ i know when it needs to be done by , but you understand that coding isn't the only thing that exists , right ? ” god , she hates how coders always think they're the most important person in any room . she's trying not to completely snap at him , which is impossible because charlie is really good at pulling that out of her . “ the story is meant to divert into two paths right now , after the character's asked to pick a weapon . and you've got them both coded going into the same place . which isn't according to the script . the script that i wrote , by the way . ” how many times does she have to explain this ?
random starter: @hvrtbroken !
rubbing at his temples , elbows lean against the desk top , light blues flickering over . " c'mon you know i can't give out that sorta information . " shaking his head . " confidential . hell you shouldn't even know that it's been reopened . "
pari offers him a deliberate smile . the one that she knows is equal parts flirtatious , sweet , and enough to melt butter . she leans over , enough to let an eyeful of cleavage in her low cut ribbed tank to show . men are so fucking easy like that . “ come on . it's just me . ” precisely the problem , not that he should know that . but her heart is thundering in her ears , feeling like she's so close to the information she desires most . pari knows she has to be careful with it . her eyes carefully examine him , before offering another stupendously indulgent smile . voice smooth and gentle in the way she's learnt to perfect. “ i'm just asking if there's any new evidence . your job is important to you , right ? and . . maybe i want to get to know you . ” she doesn't , but a little white lie is worth twisting in , if it means getting what she wants .
random starter: @hvrtbroken !
she stands in the fridge , a hoarse cough escaping her throat as a scream , only concealed by the thick cooler doors is released . it's therapeutic and of course , happens at least once a shift . with a sigh , eleanor straightens her uniform and steps back out into the kitchen . " before you say anything , table eight wants their steak burger redone , says you over cooked it . "
emir lets a beat of silence fall over them . swears that silence is louder than the rest of the kitchen clanging around them . he stares at eleanor for a long beat , jaw working . “ you gotta be fucking kidding me . ” he hisses it out , more to himself then anything . his pulse jumps , irritated . “ overcooked ? ” emir repeats , yanking open the fridge to grab out another steak patty , and slamming it harshly onto the metal countertop to temper out . “ over - fucking - cooked ? ” fuck this fucking place . he can't help the annoyance that creeps its way over to the waitress in front of him . “ read me what you put in for that man's docket order . and i swear to fucking god , eleanor , if it's anything but well done - you and i are gonna have a problem . ” as always , emir refuses for this to be his problem . must find someone else to blame . and who else , but the woman right in front of him ?
random starter: @hvrtbroken !
" anyone ever tell you , you have no rhythm ? " she questioned , brows raised as she watched the other sway to the heavy beat .
“ anyone ever tell you the tough girl , grumpy cat persona is overrated ? ” portia replies , with an easygoing grin . an eyeroll . UNDETERRED . she holds out her arms , making a few exaggerated sloping movements to the other girl . “ come on . try move your hips a little . or bob your head . you can hold onto me and i'll lead , if you can practice being nice. ”
random starter: @hvrtbroken !
" i mean , truthfully , it's not my favourite piece . " she admits , stranger standing to her side as she has one of the taller workers help position the new piece . " it feels unfinished in my opinion . " like it was the raw copy before the final .
ash's face goes blank , almost lax . it's almost amusing , actually , if it hadn't been something he'd worked painstakingly over for hours and days . days , then weeks . months , really . he clears his throat and keeps his face neutral . “ really ? i - well . i think the colours are quite nice . ” ash may be biased . “ the sliced orange's are meant to represent ethnic identity and home . parenthood . ” he glances at the admittedly exceedingly beautiful woman , then looks right back at his painting again . “ or so i've heard . maybe that's why it feels unfinished to you ? ” ash straightens his shoulders . tries to act nonchalant . “ maybe that's the feeling it's trying to evoke from you . ”
— 𝐨𝐤 𝐢 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭 ! after putting it off for yonks and yonks , i'm ready to go public . if you're into writing smut , angst , and characters of colour , you may be my next perfect writing partner ! please click the source link to find out more . you'll find general info , fcs i wanna play / play against and current open muses , or dm me and we can create smth new and fresh together !
closed : @hvrtbroken
monster mash was drowned out by the sound of loud laughter and spattering pumpkin guts . so much for a quiet night in . santos should've known that with the other over , any plans previously made would quickly go awry . unlike his dim flickering the person beside him was a beam of light : easy to follow , but blinding if he looked directly at them for too long . “ did you want to come over just to make a mess in my kitchen ? ” the laughter slowly went quiet , but the smile remained on his lips . “ i'm going to have you sign a waiver next time before entry . ” santos picked up another handful of slimy seeds and tossed it in their direction , chuckling as it made connect .
" stop . " she flushes almost immediately , pausing mid way through her work on the pumpkin in question . she's never really done this before , because her mother always said it was a waste of time and effort ( ' never do anything unless you're paid for it ' ) . but it's nice to be with someone like santos who always lets cindy just . . be . " is it that bad ? " she knows it is , just as he tosses the slimy innards over to her . a quiet squeal tumbles from cindy's lips . " santos . " it's meant to be reprimanding , but a laugh tumbles out . she scoops up some innards from the pumpkin leaking all over his kitchen bench , and throws it right back . grins when it hits the side of his face . " lucky for you , i don't come over much . " for a lot of reasons , but namely because . . . they're not in public . cindy was glad though that tonight ? she could make sure a few paps photographed her entering his building and apartment .
closed : @hvrtbroken
“ do you think this is okay to wear tonight ? ” the polite smile on her face as she asked was in active combat with the worry in her eyes . aislin may have left the iron grip of her mother , but her walsh family values had embedded themselves so deep within her it would take an excavator to get it out of her . “ it's just , the costume is so . . . ⸺ different . ” she knew all about the price of being different . proud as she was of her lisa from weird science costume there was no denying it was a deep cut . without seeing the movie the hermer h.s. phys ed crop top would go unnoticed due to the leotard and tights . a fact she was all too aware of with the breeze she felt too close on her skin . “ i mean everyone's probably going to be drunk by the time we get there so i shouldn't even waste it on them right ? what's the chances at least one person has seen weird science ? should i pick out something else ? throw a sheet over myself and call it a ghost ? ”
he's not surprised by her questions or her anxiety , but is slightly surprised when he looks up from his phone to see her standing there . and . well . he's a guy . he has eyes . aislin always looks pretty , but the crop top and tights look really , really good on her . meanwhile , tucker's done the laziest costume in the world : messy hair , vaguely paler complexion . fake vampire teeth . is calling himself edward black-man ( instead of edward cullen ) . he spits the fake teeth out so he can talk , still looking at aislin . grins at her , easily . " you look good . don't change . " she can always talk herself out of anything . if it was a sport , she'd win gold . she's incredible at it . " really good . " tucker adds , then clears his throat . looks briefly at his phone but finds his text now very unimportant . locks it and pockets it , before looking at her ( not her legs ) again . " halloween's all about looking sexy , or something . " at least , that's how he remembered it . it was always just a chance to hook up . and tucker was not immune to the girls in their short skirts and cleavage . " ghosts aren't sexy . " tucker knows he shouldn't say it , but it's him . so he does : " you look sexy like this . " sue him . his teeth bare ( his real ones ) , as he gives her a sneaking grin . " or should i make you feel guilty and mention my dead mum , and how seeing a ghost might possibly trigger me and spend me into a depression spiral ? " it's good he can vaguely joke about it right now , because he certainly couldn't the other day when an older woman walked past him , wearing his mother's perfume which sent him into an almost panic attack .
she lifts an eyebrow, soft snort leaving her lips, "of course, i remember you. not many famous people come from around here. i'm gonna give tmz a call and let them know you're a pomegranate guy." what sid is famous for? tala's not at all certain. but that was what people around town said anyway. "it's been a long time." she nods in agreement, "probably since graduation." he looks different from how she remembers him then. he's not that lanky teenager she sat in front of in physics class, he's grown into himself. he's even, if not out loud she can admit as much to herself, handsome now. she sets the cantaloupe back down, deciding against it for now, asking, "so... what brings you back here?" she usually wouldn't ask, but she's admittedly a little intrigued. "wedding or funeral?" she jokes in a deadpan, folding her arms over her chest as she looks up at him. there's something so strange about seeing someone who knew a much different version of you. in high school, tala had been so many things — homecoming queen, student body vice president, co-captain of the volleyball team. and now, she feels so much different. she is so much different. she hesitates to use the phrase 'peaked in high school,' but now her life is overwhelmingly normal if not sometimes dull. she wonders, briefly, is she gives off the same sort of air of importance or if sid can see the change, see how average she feels.
sid immediately feels like the stammering idiotic guy he knows he always is , but tries to artfully hide during press ( by not talking much at all ) . he grins maybe a bit too big , although the mention of tmz makes him want to look around nervously . he never really knows what to say about his quote unquote fame , without sounding like a douche , so he expertly dodges the statement . wants to focus more on her anyways because wow - it's really TALA . " pomegranate's and oranges . just love messy fruit that gets everywhere . " he jokes lightly . the mention of a funeral or wedding makes sid shake his head , floppy hair from under his cap moving with him . " nah . no . i . . just kinda decided to take a break . and what's a better break then coming home ? although . . . it . . you know . feels a bit different than what i thought it would . " he admits , with some unease .
he wants to ask if she's stayed here the entire time , but tala always had a way of making conversation feel precious . like she could take it away at any point . he remembers the one time she asked him for a pencil and he stuttered for 40 seconds before giving her his . she'd looked so unimpressed with him . he'd swore to never let her get that look on her face when talking to him again . plus , he gave her his only pencil and then had to scrounge around trying to find another . " graduation makes us sound old . " sid wants to keep the conversation light , but is aware they're still by the fruit aisle . he clears his throat , straightens up instead of hunching . " hey , this might sound weird , so tell me to totally fuck off if so . but . . it's really good to see a friendly face . " can he call her that ? " would you . . . wanna get a drink or something ? " inwardly , sid winces at himself. it sounds like a date . god , he's still so bad at this .
"and i'll step forward and say 'as you wish,' and we'll run out runaway bride-style, but no one will care since we're not the bride and groom." yet, anyway. but considering he hasn't done all that much besides act jealous to make his feelings clear, he's probably getting ahead of himself a little bit. "sounds like a great way to get out of saying my speech at the reception." he jokes, flashing her a teasing grin. he feels so much more at ease now, with isaac away for now and their normal sort of back-and-forth seemingly back. when she hands back his beer, he takes a sip before switching it to his other hand and lazily draping his arm over her shoulders, leaning in as if what he has to say is secret and very important, "you'd really pin me against donatello? that guy's my favorite one! how dare you!" dj shakes his head, "it's really gonna be a shame when i have to take him down to win your heart."
as she looks out at the crowd, he keeps his gaze on her, emboldened by their conversation and their current closeness. plus, she's just cute as hell and he doesn't want to stop looking at her. he clicks his tongue, shrugging, "i think the maid of honor is hooking up with the officiant, actually. and he's not a priest, i checked, so i guess that's... chill? and one of my fellow groomsmen has a crush on the one brunette bridesmaid... i think her name's kelly? the bride's cousin. but she's out of his league for sure." he chuckles then, "and we both know who isaac is shooting for. also out of his league." he winks at maya.
she shouldn't be surprised that he knows princess bride , but she's still stupid happy when he works with the reference . when he's happy to play along . and again , that warmth and affection towards him builds inside maya because it's so dj to always be so . . . likeable . he never shoots down anything . has always been so accepting and charismatic . it makes her dizzy for a second ( or maybe it's the beer ? she really needs her own drink ) . maya does laugh though , at his words . grins up at him , not by much though , thanks to her heels . " oh my god , the speeches . " maya puts a hand to her face , playfully . " finding something nice to say about my brother is , like , mission impossible . how's yours coming along ? " she bites back asking : maybe we can work on them together ? in my hotel room ? because .. down , girl . this is DJ you're talking to . not just some random dude at a pub . goosebumps arise on her skin , delicately , as dj drapes an arm over her , pulling her to in to whisper . she didn't think it was possible for him to sound sexier but - well . here it is . " you're confident . " maya says , turns her head and is a bit distracted by how close they are . her eyes dart to his mouth very quickly , then back to his eyes . " to think you can beat donatello . "
maya goes for the beer again , but knows isaac is now working through the crowd , nodding a few hellos as he walks back to them . she ignores this , instead beaming at dj's gossip . someone has trained him well , maybe a past girlfriend , or maybe this is just how dj is . probably is . because he knows how to divulge . how to actually talk instead of the way men usually shrug and mumble ' i dunno ' . maya looks at him , and grins far too big . her heart thuds a bit differently . this is why she's always liked him so god damn much . her cheeks colouring and maya isn't embarrassed about it . can't be . " you're really . . . " she shakes her head , enamoured wholly by him . " i never realised how much i missed talking to you , until right this moment . " and then of course , isaac is here , as if dj just summed him right up . maya startles , and puts some distance between her and dj , with a guilty look to him . gratefully takes the drink from isaac and hurriedly drinks half of it . needs it .
A GIRL LIKE YOU. it's a phrase that would've normally made her bristle. but there's something about his voice; the way those words come out softer than any of the the other ones he's spoken to her. instead of rolling her eyes — instead of running away — hannah straightens, lowers her chin in acknowledgement. her attention follows his back while he maneuvers towards the front of the bar, clinging to where his shirt strains over his shoulder blades with each step. she notes which way he turns after pushing the door open, before settling into the booth, opposite his now vacant seat. she gets her phone out to check the clock on her home screen. eight minutes. as if on cue, every ' based on a true story ' cautionary tale her dad has ever told her presses to the forefront of her mind. she ignores them — reminds herself that the chances of this particular man being a murderer are miniscule. practically non - existent. still, when she finds herself contemplating downing what's left of her drink, she instead pushes the glass to the side. gets the attention of one of the staff and motions that she'd like to close out her tab. hannah shuts her eyes, draws a breath. dangerous brown eyes and broad shoulders and taut muscles under tan skin flash behind her lids. she exhales, and there's a keenness to the way her lips curl in a privy smile. eight minutes. eight minutes, which feel like forever, but pass in the blink of an eye. upon exiting the bar, she turns the same way he did. gaze going to the cars lining the street as she walks, eventually finding a recently familiar face behind a windshield. a thrill runs down her spine, heart kicking. bending at the waist as she approaches the passenger side, she taps the glass thrice, a playful glint to her eyes when she pulls the door open and gets in. seconds ago, there'd been a myriad of potential ways to greet him right at the tip of her tongue. she could've asked him why eight minutes, or if he managed to move the body of the girl before her from the backseat to the trunk without issue. but being this close to him again, in such a tight space, is immediately overwhelming. his presence in the bar had been heavy — now, it's downright gravity shifting. the world tilts, and hannah realizes after it's already happened that her entire body has turned in the passenger seat, centering him. his scent, hard to discern in the turmoil of the crowded bar, hangs thick in the close quartered air, deliciously dizzying as she draws a breath, lashes fluttering. all remnants of sensible apprehension ease from her mind, ease from her body, and is replaced by tense coils of anticipation; of promise. drinking in the sight of dangerous brown eyes and broad shoulders and taut muscles under tan skin, she exhales; her breath taking the shape of a single word — " hi. "
omar leaves so swiftly from the bar that he swears he might have dreamed up the entire interaction with hannah . sex is something so far removed from his mind most days , but he's still human . still very much a man . as soon as he saw a photo of hannah , he internally mumbled ' she's pretty ' to himself , and then promptly left it from his mind because . . . because the only way omar gets done what he needs to get done is by not knowing his marks . by not thinking about them as people . but then hannah came bounding over in the bar , all curls and fuck-me-eyes and it's thrown him through a very unprofessional loop .
he sits in his car , with his head hunched over . knuckles white on the wheel . he could leave. he should leave . surely she's not going to meet him in the car park , and surely he doesn't want her to . his thumbs tap out a senseless pattern against the wheel as he inhales deep enough to fill his sternum , then exhales . surely he was rude enough in the bar that she won't come out to the parking lot . she's a pretty enough girl that she could be with any other bozo in that bar , no problem . omar reminds himself of that . reminds himself again as he fumbles for his keys yet stills the movement because he can't put them in the ignition yet . he prides himself of never being a guy who hesitates . he's heard people beg for their lives . cry about all kinds of siblings , children , parents , sick dogs yadda yadda they have . of course a beautiful girl , and his stupid dick , would be his downfall .
so . omar waits . and his eyes follow her , hooded , as soon as he sees her leave the bar and skirt over the lot . a part of him wants to reach into his glove compartment and pull out his gun . maybe that's how this should end ( it's how it's going to end ) . finish the mission early . but omar just . . . doesn't . instead , he watches her , almost in shock . just as she opens the passenger door and slides in . the car air suddenly feels too thick and tense . feels too expectant . omar's eyes skirt over her heart- shaped face . her shorter strands framing it . he gives her a disbelieving look because what the hell is she thinking ? what the hell is he thinking ? her soft ' hi ' makes one side of his mouth twitch up . as if he's just another guy , on just another date , with just another girl . but if that's the case , then this is the part where he'd kiss her . so . . . he does . omar reaches over , cups her face in one hand , and meets his mouth to hers . immediately lets his mouth carve against hannah's , nose nudging against hers . he feels like he drinks her in , tasting the faint sting of alcohol , but underneath it - something so distinctly woman . so distinctly her . omar exhales delicately , then gently pries her mouth open with his . kisses her deeper , and almost with a hunger , as his fingers slide up along her cheek , before finding their way into her hair . tangles them into those curls that feel infinitely softer than he could have ever guessed they would .
for @hvrtbroken
it's one of those days where she does not want to be seen in public. and yet, she has no choice but to leave the house and go get groceries, the look of her fridge is getting dire. everyone in town knows tala, so it's not like she's going to have the chance to be incognito. pretty much everyone in town also knows her business, knows about her recent broken engagement, her dad's third divorce, the prescription her sister picks up from the pharmacy — there's not much chance of not running into someone who will want to chat. so tala considers it a miracle when she gets through most of her errands without much more than a friendly 'hello.' that is until she's inspecting the fruit outside the market, deciding whether or not she should get a whole cantaloupe. she sees someone out of the corner of her eye and does a double take, turning fully to look at the man coming down the sidewalk. she knows him, but it takes a moment to process, to realize exactly who she's looking at. she blinks, eyebrows raising a little, "sid?" she barely recognizes him. if not for his familiar posture, she may have just let him pass without saying a word. but now they're face-to-face and she's sure it really is him, "what are you doing here?" last she heard, he was somewhere becoming famous or something.
SID HASN'T GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO FEEL INCOGNITO IN YEARS . yet , as soon as he touched down in his hometown . . . it felt like he was back in time . to a place that maybe had forgotten him . it stung , a bit , to walk around the first few days and realise some of the local shops he remembered fondly had changed into big chain somethings . that not everyone stopped and said ' how's your mum going , sid ? ' . in fact , they almost looked at him with suspicion , as if he was an outsider himself . one of those tourists zapping around , like a mosquito on off-season . but it's home . that's the main thing . and god , he's needed it after the years of touring non-stop , screaming press , overly energetic fans . it's nice to be somewhere sleepy and calm and home-like . he stands in the grocery store , examining pomegranate and considering if he knows how to cut them , when he winces at his name being called . he looks up with a grimace , expecting a camera flash . expecting a fan asking for his signature . it's why he still dresses with oversized sweaters , and baseball caps pulled right over his eyes . has grown out his hair and beard ( after being told no for months by his pr and manager ) . although he doesn't look as discrete in this town as he'd hoped . but instead , he sees . . . " tala ? " sid almost chokes on the word . on her name . it's been YEARS , but the voice , the stance . the way she says his name is all engrained within him ( after years of longing after her in his teenage years ) . he almost drops the pomegranate , tries to straighten up at the same time . " shit - - tala ? i mean - you remember me ? " sid can't help but add , surprised , because she always seemed so otherworldly to him back then . he tries to offer a smile , " wow , what's it been ? 10 years , at least , right ? " and she's still just as . . breathtaking to look at .
"good enough. mutual." he shrugs. none of his breakups have really been that bad, save for the one girl that cheated on him with his frat brother in college, probably due to dj just going with the flow most of the time. it takes a lot to bother him, which is why his behavior with isaac, and now, could be perceived as a bit much. he has no plans on toning it down though, not now that he's opened that door a crack.
dj grins, "we can talk and i'm taller than isaac — not that that matters, all for the rise of the short kings." as long as said short king didn't rise higher than dj on maya's list of eligible partners. he hands over the beer, chuckling, "battle? i'd love to see you throw down in my honor. i think your brother would really like it too. especially during the wedding." he teases, unable to stop the slight smirk from slipping onto his face as he thought about maya getting territorial. especially after he just tried his best to scare isaac off (and he'll do it again if he has to). "you don't have anything to worry about, though," dj tells her, "there's no one else i'd rather hang out with than you." his voice loses a bit of the playful edge, he's serious and he wants her to know that, especially as isaac starts making his way back through the crowd. "it'd take something world-ending to turn my head. or, like, if julia roberts circa 1991 suddenly time traveled and walked over here. otherwise? no one you've gotta fight." maya has his full attention. best man duties? even those are secondary to being maya's date.
she feels a tug within herself at dj's easy response . she wants to know so much more . wants to know everything , really , about his ex . partly because it'll sting , but maybe in a good way . maya finds herself pulled away from that thought though , a laugh escaping her at dj's dig on isaac's height . " yeah , that's exactly what i'm missing from my dating life . a tall dude. " she is exactly average in height . but dj . . . there is something there . something that thrills her when she looks at him . and no , it's not just his height . it's kinda just him generally . " they'll ask : does anyone protest this wedding for any reason ? and i'll say , yes i do . because of the best man . and the random guest flirting with him . it'll be very princess bride of me . " maya flushes red , feeling kinda like that nerdy little sister again for saying that . why can't she ever just be more charming and witty around dj ? she has no trouble in her usual day - to - day life .
maya opens her mouth , probably to say something else accidentally dorky , but finds she has no words . she's left with her cheeks red , dumb smile on her face because dj said he'd rather hang out with her . she takes his beer again , and this time takes a few big swigs . she needs to relax , anyways . needs to remember who she is . she's a grown hot woman . she can flirt , and charm . she can deal with dj . " julia roberts circa 1991 is a phenomenal choice . " maya agrees . " for me , it'd have to be like . . the purple ninja turtle . " she pretends to sigh . " if he enters this wedding , you're so screwed . " she playfully bumps her shoulder against his . hands his beer back , but this time . . . lets her hand linger . just an extra moment . brushing against his . wants to see what he'll do , if anything . maya clears her throat and pretends to look out amongst the other guests . " so , best man . do you think there's anything saucy going on among any of the bridesmaids and groomsmen ? "
bennett huffs out a laugh, one hand lazily draped over the steering wheel like this was just any other drive. “ word of advice ? you might want to dial back the cop-on-a-sting energy. feels like if i answer wrong, you're gonna slap cuffs on me. which… i don't mind a little roleplay. ” he shoots her a look, mouth quirking up into a grin before another laugh sneaks out of him, a genuine one. “ but, yeah… i still hit up that mom-and-pop gas station on palm street. some old smokes. look— i don't… go through ‘em like i used to, been trying to quit. ” he says it like a confession he doesn’t want to admit.
he flicks on the turn signal, pulling onto the main road, and there's a shift in the air. his grin fades just slightly as she talks, and for once, he actually listens. there's a flicker behind his eyes that isn't surprise, but something closer to pride. she'd done it; actually lived outsideof this dinky little town they'd sworn they'd escape from years back. the thought of her in costa rica, tanned and free underneath some waterfall hits him harder than he expects. “ you'll have to show me pictures sometime… tell your old man i said hi. still haven't, uh, had the chance to check the place out. ” he sounds like an idiot, like he could just swing by nepal on a weekend. even he wants to smack himself for that one.
his thumb taps the steering wheel in a steady rhythm before he finally speaks up. “ you want the real reason i quit ? ” he's stalling. his smirk slips, replaced by something more muted, almost embarrassed. “ it stopped feeling like mine. after the hospital, after… everything, the high didn't feel the same. started to feel fake. ” he shrugs, reaching to scratch at his beard to lessen the raw edge of his words. “ sponsors, social media. people who saw me like a walking brand deal instead of a person. shit, i didn't realize how far gone i was ‘til it was too late. ” the silence that follows is thick, suffocating him with a memory of what once was. but, true to form, bennett barrels right through it by cracking the tension with something stupid to say. “ guess i just got insecure about having ‘bud lite' printed where my dick should be. ” it's classic of him to do in moments like these, never quite letting her see the whole thing, just enough to feel like maybe he is tough shit.
HER SCOWL DEEPENS , annoyed at even the insinuation that she could be an undercover cop . gross . although , she does let some of the tension leave her body , because she doesn't want to seem as wound up at dolly's . a place littered with memories . laughter . fun , and late nights . a place that was basically a second home . it only makes sense that she'd return there with bennett . she ignores bennett's sentiment about her father . and nepal . remembers the nights they'd spend together , before , with her tracing bennett's bruises , whispering about all their would - be adventures around the world when they had the money . it seems even more farcical now . ridiculous for those two dummies to think it would ever work . of course not .
tara keeps her gaze fixed , but out of the corner of her eyes , she can see bennett's hands on the wheel . his broad shoulders that he's filled out into even more . the tap of his thumbs . she keeps her gaze steady , front facing . her face impassive . although it does hurt to hear the way bennett's tone changes . the slight weariness there as he admits socials , media , pr , training . . all of it took a toll on him . the ring was never a place made to last . for a couple years after they broke up , when people would ask tara about her ex , she'd say he was an addict . it felt easier . but in many ways it was true . the ring intoxicated bennett . called to him . she never understood it the way he did . it shouldn't be surprising to hear him talk about it now , but it is . maybe because it aches a little to know what could have been . how it was all for nothing , really , in the end .
tara shoots him a vaguely annoyed look at his added on joke . knows he's doing it because he feels too vulnerable . “ you don't have to do that . ” she says . because around her , bennett never did the whole charade thing . sure , he'd quip and joke . but he let the moments between them be moments . “ make a shitty joke . ” tara clarifies . gives a small shake of her head . it devalues it . feels almost like a devaluation of her , of him . of what he fought for . of what they were . she gestures up ahead , even though she knows bennett knows the way . “ there's a park there . ” the car is too much . she needs more space and distance from the ghost beside her . clears her throat and readjusts the sleeve of her blouse . “ so , what do you do now ? and don't say professor . ” tara doesn't want the dumb jokes . but she doesn't want him overly saccharine sincere like he was on the beach either . neither feel like the bennett she knew , and it feels both worse and infinitely better .
