nothing really matters

Harvey Montgomery Vance Junior Deputy ❝ it's all about the little things all about the memories all about the way you make me feel 'cause no matter how hard we try life will always pass us by nothing really matters then we die ❞

[juniordeputyvance]

bryce-evans​:

***

As a dealer, Bryce got to manage getting along with various types of people if only for a few minutes to make the sale. He’d sold to just about everyone from uptight test takers to stoners who were somehow still passing their classes. Diversity seemed to be the name of the game when it came to pot in their school – everyone wanted some. No more was that realized until the first time Harvey had decided he needed to make a little purchase. Bryce hadn’t meant to get him that high the first time. The boy had just seemed so on edge and everything was getting worse. He had figured a little gummy and Harvey would be right as rain. Then the idiot popped the whole thing into his mouth and from there it had all gone to hell.

Though, apparently something had been right with the choice, considering Harvey had started returning for more. Just as Bryce had thought, everyone needed to relax, but especially Harvey. The boy was barely a graduate, yet he acted as if he were a sixty-year-old man ready to yell at kids to get off his lawn or something – far too uptight for Bryce’s tastes.

Opening the door, Bryce took in the sight of the boy and really had to force himself to not start laughing. Harvey looked so out of place and Bryce wasn’t even sure why. The drugs hadn’t come out yet. There was something sketchy about someone coming over to a classmate’s home. So why was it that Harvey looked as though he had blood on his hands from a crime? “Dude, chill.” Bryce backed away from the door then, expecting Harvey to follow him as he retreated further back into the house. “You look like you’ll jump if a I say boo. Guess you really do need this stuff, huh?”

***

He had to fight with himself to not be so irritable in response to Bryce. Jaw set, he stared back at the other male when he’d spoken up. In truth Harvey knew he should listen to him. They hadn’t even done anything and he was acting so tense. Of course he chalked it up less to what he was there to purchase versus the fact that he just wasn’t all that great at socializing and talking with others lately. Not when it came to people in the Scooby Gang. 

Hands balling into fists at his sides, he tried to even out his pulse and relax his tense muscles. Just breathe. In and out. In and out. In. Out. There was a small pinch at the middle of his forehead where he could feel his brow furrowing tightly and he silently cursed himself. Rubbing his forehead in an attempt to release the tension, he shook his head at the other male. “No, I don’t need it.” A lie. “I just... Whatever, let’s get this over with.” With that, he followed Bryce inside the house. 

When he heard the click of the door closing behind him, Harvey could feel a bit of relief wash over him but not enough to calm his nerves entirely. Still, he rolled his shoulders back and tried to shake it off. His expression smoothed out to something more neutral as he tried to take in his new surroundings. He’d never been there before. He wasn’t sure he really socialized with any of the underclassmen during his time at Normal Secondary but he knew for a fact he’d never been around the Evans residence. So instead of focusing on why he was there, he tried to just take in the environment as a way to distract. 

“Nice place,” he said dully. It probably sounded not genuine, or perhaps just awkward, but he’d meant it in a way. It kind of just felt like the right thing to say in that moment. As he looked around, a thought dawned on him which caused his heart rate to spike suddenly. “Er, your parents aren’t here, right?” He couldn’t fully remember if the other said they’d be alone or not. Did Errol or Margaret socialize with Bryce Evans’s parents? He couldn’t remember but the last thing he needed was for word of his visit to get back to them. 

Looking around nervously, trying to make sure there was no one lingering nearby and listening in, Harvey reached for his wallet and began fiddling with it. He had set aside the exact amount he would need for the product, just enough to help him get by for a little bit longer before he’d have to ask again. Though he had mentally told himself this would be the last time. He’d only done this a couple times, he didn’t want to become a stoner or something. He would take it this last time and then be done with Bryce and what he sold. Simple as that. But he had thought the same thing the last time he’d met up with him to buy. Maybe he didn’t have as much control as he wanted. “You don’t have any other guests or anything... No one from the ‘club’?”

[juniordeputyvance]

Fingers drummed rhythmically against the steering wheel, completely off tempo to the song playing on the radio. In that moment Harvey was not paying attention to the dulcet tones of Doris Day emitting from the speakers. If he had been, he would have likely switched away from the throwback station he’d been tuned into to whatever depressing mixtape he’d recently pieced together. Currently his mind was occupied with other things. He’d been parked on the side of the road for a solid four minutes now, still debating whether or not he should be doing this. Whenever that doubt crawled into his mind, he was quickly reminded of the never ending grief he’d had since winter break and the only sort of relief he’s gotten from it since. And there was only one place he could find that release. 

Checking his phone one more time to be sure he had the right address, his gaze wondered back to the house before him. He’d never been to the Evans residence before. Of course, he’d never had a reason to be there. Up until recently, he couldn’t say he’d ever really spoken to Bryce Evans before. In truth he wish he could say that was still the case, but their “acquaintanceship” had taken a rather dramatic shift recently — one that would periodically result in random house calls. 

Taking the key out of the ignition, Harvey slipped his phone into his pocket and let out a breath before climbing out of his vintage off roader. it wasn’t like he was out of place in North Normal — between his neatly tucked in polo shirt and nicely pressed chinos he was practically a clone of every other white boy who lived in this part of town — but he still felt a little uncomfortable out in the open like that, to the point where he kept his head low and his gaze averted even as he walked up to the house where he’d been expected. The last thing he wanted was to be recognized and linked to anyone in the murder club outside of his duties for the sheriff. Of course he couldn’t just ask Bryce for a joint while they were “investigating” or whatever, so... This was kind of his only option.

Running a nervous hand through his thick hair, Harvey pushed it away from his forehead as he neared the door, taking a moment before he knocked. There was no sense in dilly dallying, Bryce knew he’d be there around then. He was just still pretty new to this whole thing, the recreational smoking. Deep down he knew if his dad or if the sheriff found out what he was up to then he’d be in a world of hurt — literally where the former was concerned, and perhaps reputation wise (and emotionally) with the latter. Chill out, Harv. You’re the one who spies on people’s kids for them, remember? There’s no way that the sheriff or Errol has sent anyone to keep an eye on you. Relax. Even with those thoughts, his jaw still sat clenched. As he heard someone approaching from the other side, he silently regretted not running. It wasn’t even like he particularly liked Bryce, it’s just that he was the only person in town who had ever witnessed Harvey under the influence and he felt more comfortable asking the guy who accidentally fed him an edible for more weed than going to anyone else in town. 

So when the door opened, he bobbed his head in a sort of “bro-nod”, hands sliding into his pockets. “Hey, man,” he said, bearing a casual tone that was kinder than he’d ever greeted anyone in the Newspaper Club. There was no sense in being a self righteous prick to the guy who dealt to you, right? He bit his lip. “Should I come in or is this like a quick exchange type deal?” He cringed inwardly at himself, but who could blame him? This had been Thad’s thing. Where procuring slightly illegal things were concerned, Harvey’s only experience was grabbing some alcohol at a dodgy convenience store with a fake ID, and that was mostly dumb luck at the time. He was terrible at this, not nearly as cool and charismatic as he used to be. But he swallowed his nerves, swerving a bit on his heels as he waited to be let in or to be handed what he’d come for.  @bryce-evans​

[violet-matthews]

“You sure know how to be dramatic.” @juniordeputyvance​

To think that Vi had been hopeful when she’d opened the door that evening, optimistic about the idea of paying the pizza delivery person before a couple of hours of uninterrupted dad time.

Little did she know what the night truly had in store for her. Harvey Vance had invaded the station, he had invaded the club, and now, pizza in hand, he’d officially invaded movie night. Movie night. The last of the sacred father/daughter time. Absolutely not.

Narrowing her eyes at his comment, Vi didn’t regret what her reaction to seeing him on the front porch had been. Vampires can’t come into your house unless they’re invited, and the longer Harvey was stuck outside, the less time he had to suck away any remaining affection her father had for her like the desperate little demon he was.

She’d cracked the door to respond to him, but her dramatics had her sure to keep the chain on. Protection, really.

“I’m sorry. Was me slamming the door in your face me coming on a little strong? Thank you so much for your unsolicited opinion, Harvey. I’ll keep your preferences on how I react to things in mind but while we’re on the topic, you sure know how to pop up places where you don’t belong.”

[juniordeputyvance]

If this had been a year ago, then Harvey Vance would have likely been camping up in the Afterwood, or fishing/goofing off down at Sticks, or probably huddled in the bed of his Scout while watching a movie at the Sunset Drive-In. He would be doing any one of those activities, in the wonderful company of his five best friends. It’s a thought he tries not to have, because try as he may to brush it off thoughts like that just come with an overwhelming sort of melancholy that you just can’t shake. It was the kind of thing that was weighing on his shoulders heavily all day. Ever since graduation there had been little to occupy Harvey’s mind from what was missing in his life that summer. Not even the newly acquired habit of smoking weed could help him forget that. It could make his mind clear of it for a little bit, but inevitably the high would go away and he’d be left with that overwhelming sadness that filled every waking minute of his life lately. 

He had no friends. He had no one to enjoy the long summer days with. 

This must have triggered the invite. That was the only real logical explanation for it. He knew that he and the sheriff were close ─ why else would the man buy him a fancy watch as a graduation gift? His own wealthy parents hadn’t even bothered to celebrate their son’s most recent achievement. Of course to Errol it wasn’t an achievement when he didn’t graduate as Valedictorian but that was besides the point. The point was that the sheriff seemed to notice Harvey more than anyone else, enough to have pride in him and enough to see how desperately lonely the boy was. 

He hated to admit to the joy he’d felt when he’d gotten the text message inviting him to a movie night that evening at the Matthews residence. A few months spent slaving away at the Sheriff’s Department and then following around a group of weird teenagers hardly constituted a healthy social life. Hell, going to your employer’s house for a movie night probably wasn’t the ideal hang out, but it had felt nice to be seen and for someone to actually want you around. The Newspaper Club clearly despised his presence, it wasn’t like any of them were giving him social calls (if you didn’t count his date with Mariana as one), and he didn’t mingle with anyone else in all of Normal. So he’d meant it when he said he’d be happy to join them that evening ─ he’d even meant the overly excited smiling emoji. 

That feeling of course vanished when the door had been slammed in his face. Harvey stood there for a solid minute, one hand in his pocket and the other one turning warmer and greasier by the minute. He had hoped that the pizza would serve as some kind of peace offering, or that maybe Charlie Matthews would have warned his teenage daughter of the guest they were having that night. Looked like neither panned out. Rubbing his free hand over his face, he let out a deep sigh before he went to knock on the door again, waiting with an agitated expression for it to open. He had hoped it would be the smiling face of Normal’s sheriff on the other end this time, but once more he was met with the equally annoyed expression of one Violet Matthews. He hadn’t meant the words that slipped past his lips. The wounded puppy in him wanted to snap his jaws back. Her’s was perhaps a warranted response. He did pop up a lot in her life, and most of the time unwanted. It hadn’t stopped him from feeling a little defensive, though.

Schooling his expression to be emotionless and smooth, he resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her. “’Places where I don’t belong?’” Harvey scoffed, “What? You mean like at the school, the sheriff’s department, Marie’s? Last I checked, none of those places belong to you. And besides─” He pulled out his phone, swiftly navigating to the text thread between himself and the blonde’s father. The screen came alight with back and forth text messages about lunch orders from Marie’s, tasks finished, and then finally the invite for that evening’s activity, followed by Harvey’s acceptance and promise to bring food. He angled the screen towards Violet so she could see for herself. “I was invited, so I think that constitutes ‘belonging’.” Sliding his phone back into the front pocket of his chino shorts, Harvey took a step closer to the door, not breaking eye contact with the girl as he neared. “Are you going to move aside so I can come in? The grease is leaking through the bottom of this box and I would really like to wash it off before it gets on my clothes.” 

[dark-soul9]

i’m tired of saying i’m okay because i’m not fucking okay

[hilariesjeffrey]

I just need somebody to help me. I just need somebody to help me. I just need help, please. I just need somebody to please help me.

[tveitz]

David Corenswet as River Barkley in The Politician (Season 2)

[juniordeputyvance]

screamqveen:

“More like a secretary.” Barrel chimed in as he stuffed his face with a donut. Lockstock threw his head back in laughter as he applauded Barrel’s remark. Edwina’s lip magically stopped trembling and she put her hands on the counter to hoist herself up higher to meet the men’s eyes at their desks. “Hey pea brains, you heard the man! Get back to those cases collecting dust on your desk!” she barked (well, more like yapped considering her size) in an attempt to get them to lay off of Harvey. The two just exchanged smirks and not-so-concealed chuckles as they went back to looking over their work. “Yeah, that’s right, turn around!” Eddie said, slightly jolting herself forward as if to say ‘come at me, bro.’

When Edwina was done trying to rumble with the two cops, she went back to looking up at Harvey with sad eyes. “It’s not just the bike. It’s what it signifies.” she explained, her hand raising and punching her fingers together like she was an Italian mobster. “Bike riding with your friends in summer is like the closest thing to freedom you get to taste before moving out of your house.” And the Clussy parents were a little less generous than the average parent with the freedom they gave their kid. It’s not that they didn’t trust her (which, maybe they shouldn’t considering the girl was so prone to peer pressure), but she was their only child and it took her parents a pretty emotionally draining series of events to have her and bring her home.

“You sound just like Jamie.” she commented regarding the MCR thing. It was meant more as an observation, but it definitely could be taken as an insult. Either way, she made a mental note that Harvey listened to My Chemical Romance. He could deny it all he wanted, but Eddie knew that he was probably a lil fucked up if he knew the ‘do or die, you'll never make me!’ verse of Black Parade by heart.

“I want you to ride the bike for me.” Edwina didn’t give Harvey a chance to respond before bouncing in place as she looked at him with desperation. “Please please please please please? C’mon, Harvey, what about protect and serve? I need you to protect me from being sad and serve by helping me out.”

Harvey’s lips parted to speak up in response to the officers’ snide comments, but suddenly Edwina was using the desk between them as leverage to make herself taller so she could shout at them. He could feel the tips of his ears and cheeks burn with embarrassment, though it was overwhelmed by a bit of surprise. Despite how mildly pathetic (or maybe adorable) the action was, Edwina had somehow managed to get the pair to shut up, which in turn caused Harvey’s jaw to close. Still, he shook his head and laid his hands gently on her shoulders, urging her to settle back down. That couldn’t have been good for her injury after all. “Settle down, Bruiser,” he commented quietly in an even and calm tone. Once she was settled down, Harvey watched as Edwina’s attention turned back towards the “matter” at hand.

He’d been quietly following along with her and words, not expecting the route she would take. He couldn’t stop himself from wincing at her ‘friends’ comment, and he was sure she noticed the shudder that went through his entire body. Glancing away, he crossed his arms tightly across his chest and thought about her words. She was right in a way — last summer before college and adulthood was supposed to be about hanging out with friends, right? Making final memories of adolescent bliss? He’d involuntarily frowned as his mind wandered. If the gang was still around... Harvey would be off camping or on an impromptu beach trip with them right about now. It broke his heart to realize how far from the usual his reality had strayed. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you bother any of your ‘Newspaper Club’ friends? I’m sure Violet or Holly would have been more than willing to help you out,” he said flatly. He fought to hold back the emotions which threatened to leak past the surface, embodying a stoic statue instead.

His reserved persona quickly melted into a scowl when compared to Jamie Ward. That seemed worse than being tortured eternally and the junior deputy did not hide his displeasure. “I’m nothing like him,” he murmured through gritted teeth, the sound like a low rumble in his throat. His eyes shifted away, brows furrowed angrily. The expression melted into confusion when Edwina finally revealed what she wanted. With an incredulous look, he fought against instantly refusing. Mostly because she kept going off. He had to resist all urges to roll his eyes even, shaking his head lightly instead. “I am once again obliged to tell you I’m not a cop,” he quipped dryly, rubbing his temples. It wasn’t even a ridiculous request it was just... an odd one.

Heaving a sigh, he ran a hand through his floppy curls and leveled a softer but still confused look at her. “Edwina,” he started, pausing as he gathered his scattered thoughts. “Look,” he started, pausing for a breath, “I am really sorry that this summer isn’t panning out entirely for you. Trust me, I get it. Metaphorical or not, you’re not the only one missing their bike rides. But... First, the Protect and Serve thing doesn’t apply for Junior Deputies — we don’t do anything other than office work. And second, I don’t even see how that’s going to make you feel better.” Unless it was some elaborate joke to get pictures of Harvey on a bike with a basket and tassels just for the ‘Murder Club’ to make fun of him with. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. “I think watching me would just create envy which may just make it worst. Maybe you should just wait until next summer when you’re more recovered,” he tried to keep his voice kind as he spoke. He had a feeling this wasn’t the end of the conversation, and a stronger feeling that he wasn’t gonna let her down when they were through.

[jonas-brothers]

#me @ me

[campmiasmas]

David Corenswet in THE POLITICIAN (2019- )

[sharry-arry-odd]

“Now go wash your face. A gentleman cries too, but he always washes his face.”

— The Reivers, by William Faulkner

[siriusscratch]

oh, if we could go back to when the pogues were happy…

[juniordeputyvance]

mariana—diaz:

Mariana stood back away from the ticket booth as Harvey paid for the bundle. It was a date, so naturally she’d come with all of ten dollars in cash with her, enough to offer to pay for a funnel cake or something. But knowing Harvey and the picture perfect gentleman he definitely was brought up to be, she had no doubt he’d be more then happy to pay for the tickets and the food. And she hadn’t been wrong about the tickets. So while she waited, she leaned up against the waist high metal fence, that was put there to no doubt make sure little kids didn’t wander too close to any dangerous rides, and began to pick at any split ends. It was kind of rude that the glass shard that had made her like the best version of herself hadn’t stopped her hair from breakage. The bright lights from the carnival were reflecting off the glossy surface of her red nails with every move of her hand, a soft smile pulling at the corner of her lips. It might be childish but she did love the carnival.

Hearing Harvey speak, Mariana lifted her head and her gaze away from the ends of her hair and locked onto the man in front of her. She tried not to scowl at his outfit, this was the first time she had gotten a close enough look at it, because boy did he look like a total tool. Like, she got he was from the north side and he had a shit ton of money but he didn’t have to dress like he spent his Sunday’s drinking bloody mary’s with dad while hitting off the back nine. Pulling her gaze away from the whole get up, she sent him a bright smile as they started to walk through the fair grounds. What was her favorite thing to do at a carnival? In the past she really only came to the carnival with a boy who treated her to some shaved eyes before taking her in the fun house or tunnel of love, his pants already unzipped before they could find a dark hiding place. When she’d come with Muffy, back when the two still spent time together, she did enjoy the rides. Head whipping from side to side as she took in the options, her brows rose as she pointed to the one that looks like a giant crane, swinging side to side while also spinning the occupants around in the chairs they were strapped to. “I like to ride something fast. Ya know, to get your adrenaline pumping.”

Noting the way he button up his polo, jesus christ, she let her head fall to the side. “But if that’s not your speed we can start with something else.” She then pointed to the ride that look like a collection of rollercoaster seats that just spun around a circular track at high speeds while playing blaring music. It went fast but it wasn’t going to leave the ground or anything, which she knew was a full stop for some people. “I’m not really hungry. But if you want to eat something we can check it out.”

As Mariana looked around, searching for their first activity for the evening, Harvey watched her pensively. He really didn’t get it — why she’d asked him to do this. Or maybe he just hadn’t bought her reasoning. What was it she said? He was cute? Had he really become that dense in the past six months that he’d no longer had the ability to recognize when a girl had been flirting with him? Somehow he’d been completely obtuse and had not picked up on any flirting from the girl. Though, had he ever really had that ability? He figured he wasn’t ‘bad looking’ — in the stereotypical Caucasian definition of “classically good looking” anyway. But Mariana Diaz belonged in a different realm of people all together. Alluring teenage vixens and responsible junior deputies just didn’t make a natural pair — in fiction or otherwise. I’ll probably bore her within five minutes. At least then he could call it a night early. Wistful thinking, maybe, but he figured it wasn’t out of the realm of plausibility. Not for him anyway.

Upon noticing the raise of her brows, Harvey followed her line of sight to the ride in question. His own brows rose, though his expression was in response to the surprise at what she’d chosen. He knew it wasn’t very kind of him, but he’d assumed that Mariana would have suggested the Tunnel of Love or Ferris Wheel instead. Weren’t those the obvious first choice for ‘date night’ rides? Admittedly he found it kind of cool that she’d chosen a thrill ride to start with — and one that got off the ground no less. He’d bit back the insult rising at her comment on liking to ride something fast. Any other guy would have hurled some suggestive flirtation at her, but Harvey had to remind himself to be a gentleman and not be rude to her instead. “And here I thought we’d slowly build up to the thrill rides,” he said instead, watching the crane tilt back and forth and hearing the screams from the current riders. He followed her point to the other equally fast ride, some top 40 hit screeching from the cheap speakers by it. Okay, so maybe this date wouldn’t be totally boring after all. “I’m fine with either,” he said, though he nodded in the direction of the first one she’d mentioned. He shook his head at her offer to look at food first if he wanted, “No, it’s fine. I’m not that hungry either.” Sliding his hands out from his pockets and relaxing his posture, he leaned over to bump his shoulder against hers before motioning towards the first ride she’d responded to. “Ladies’ choice. We’ll go with what you’ve suggested first,” he said, a semblance of a grin making its way over his lips. “Let’s get on the Claw first and then the Music Express. Shall we?” He stepped aside and motioned for her to lead the way, falling into step beside her as they approached the line for their first ride.

Saturday night had probably been the worst night to go to the carnival, considering how packed it was. The line wasn’t moving slow like at Disney World, of course, but it still was a bit slower than any other night the carnival was open. Leaning against the metal gate and watching the ride zip back and forth, Harvey stayed silent. The other people around the pair spoke animatedly, laughing and screaming over the sounds of the carnival. For any other pair on a date, this would have been ample time to get to know each other or — for heaven’s sake — to flirt. Instead Harvey stood there awkwardly, looking anywhere but at the girl next to him. He’d noticed how lots of the boys from town eyed Mariana from all across the faire grounds, and didn’t hide an eye roll at the look the rather distracted carney gave her from the control stand for the ride. Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, he figured she’d noticed. She probably likes the attention. Clearing his throat as they inched closer to the front, he leaned away from the gate and stood at his full height. “So... how’s your summer going?” He winced at himself. Really? That’s what you decide to say to break the ice? ‘How’s your summer going?’ You might as well have asked her about the weather. He moistened his lips. So much for potentially fun date. “Kind of nice to not spend all your free time in that stuffy newspaper club room, I’m sure. At least I think so.”

[juniordeputyvance]

bryce-evans:

Watching him pull out his wallet, Bryce let out a bit of a groan. Coming to this thing was supposed to be fun, or at least it wasn’t supposed to annoy him even more. Stupid Felix and his fucking dumbass suggestions. “Don’t worry about it. I can get the food. You should be cool if you just make sure stuff is on your stomach, makes it less intense.” He’d sobered up faster than he should have enough times to know the tips and tricks, though really the only one they had access to right there was food, so food it was. If he had known that Harvey was going to get all bent out of shape about it, he wouldn’t have offered the candy, though, looking back on it, Bryce guessed he should have known. The guy didn’t exactly seem the type to be a secret stoner. Hell, he probably thought spicing up his food was too much too, but whatever. He had been trying to help and he wasn’t going to feel bad about that – nope, no guilt at all.

“People are different but I guess maybe ten minutes or so? You’re new to this shit so don’t really have a baseline for you. I don’t need too much, Felix can go pretty hard and be okay so he’s just a fucking chimney, you’ll probably hit soon.” Which brought them to the next point – something Harvey really wasn’t going to like hearing. “Again, wonderbread, I could tell you the truth or I could lie to you and say that nope, one gummy isn’t anything. Most people with that shit take half of it their first time. You took the whole thing, so it’s going to be a surprise inside sort of deal here.”

Okay, maybe he was feeling a little guilty as he looked at how stressed this was obviously making the guy. “Sorry, okay. You seemed on edge and it helps chill me out, so figured it could chill you out. It’s not bad stuff, could still chill you out you just have to relax. No one is going to come arrest you for having a gummy because no one is going to know. Santiago and I have been hanging out here for a little bit now and we spent most of the afternoon smoking at my place. We’re still here, no handcuffs or anything. No one is going to hop out of the bushes and slap some cuffs on you. If you’re that worried, we can just get some food, hide away somewhere, and ride it out.”

It wasn’t what he wanted to do – at all really – but he had been the reason this was happening and without him, Bryce feared the boy really would lose his shit. Then something would happen and Harvey would get into trouble, then it would be all his fault and he didn’t need that sort of shit. There were enough things going on in his life, Bryce didn’t need to get into trouble and his parents called only for everyone to have to go through the awkwardness of Mr. and Mrs. Evans not actually answering or coming to get him. That was one bonus of being an adult now, he supposed. No longer did he have to sit there and wait until he got looks of sympathy from those who moments before had been ready to punish him.

“Stressing about it isn’t going to make it go any better. If anything, you’re going to make it worse. Let’s just grab some food. What do you want to eat?”

Of all the people to be stuck with and in this type of situation, Bryce was probably the worst. At least that’s what Harvey thought. As he tried to calm the anxiety rising within him, his temper was only riled by Bryce’s response to everything. He figured the kids in newspaper club for irresponsibility but considering Bryce was just walking around a carnival with edibles on hand and giving them out to people as some stress reliever, he kind of figured him for the worst. Maybe it was just his mixed anger and nerves talking, but he was growing more frustrated as the other male spoke. Shaking hands curling into fists within the confines of his jacket’s pocket, he allowed his eyes to close on the flashing neon lights around them, willing himself to calm. He was typically more even tempered but this evening had gone from being an annoying typical patrol of the crew to being something out of one of the straight laced boy’s worst nightmares.

The only thing keeping him somewhat relaxed was the promise that eating could make the situation less intense for him. While he didn’t want to load up on greasy carnival food, there was an odd comfort in the idea. Didn’t they say the munchies were common with marijuana intake? It seemed like a better alternative to any horror story he’d heard and focusing on something else, like maybe counting his chewing, seemed like a better idea that standing around stressed out. He eyed the booths around them, looking for the first appetizing thing that he’d rather chow down on then listening to Bryce talk. Corn on the cob sounds alright about now, he thought as his eyes landed on a brightly lit stand up ahead. His stomach growled involuntarily and he closed his eyes momentarily. Yeah, definitely sounds good. “I can get my own food,” he grunted, walking towards the line forming at the stand. His anger was receding, probably just at the prospect of a snack, but his brow still furrowed to the point he was giving himself a headache. He had nothing but anger and blame for his reluctant companion. He should have just said no to the sheriff about coming that night and stayed home with Sassy.

As he waited in line, he flashed an incredulous look at Bryce. “Ten minutes?” He blinked. That didn’t leave him a terribly good amount of time. He wasn’t prepared for whatever was to come. Willing his expression to be neutral as he approached the front of the line, he fought a groan of annoyance. As much as he disliked Bryce in that moment he was right about something - he needed to calm down. Biting into the corn seemed like a good way to calm his mind down, but it was still a moment before he’d have it in his hands. He moistened his lips and tried to keep his breaths and pulse even. “Why didn’t you tell me to just take half?” He asked, and for once his voice was calm and gentle, despite how tense his body was. He was actively trying to calm down, to relax, and more importantly to not put off his company. As annoyed as he was with Bryce, last thing he needed was for him to disappear and leave him alone. Especially since the other had experience with this where Harvey did not.

Pausing the conversation, he quickly ordered and paid for his food; silent until he had the beloved corn in his hands, slathered in butter and looking more appetizing in his stressful haze that he recalled it ever being. He began meandering back into the throng, eyes darting about the grounds for a place to sit and ride this whole thing out. When Bryce began to explaining that he and another friend did this kind of thing and were never caught, he snorted. He didn’t look at him, instead craning his neck to find an unoccupied bench or something, as he replied, “It’s not handcuffs I’m worried about.” In reality, Bryce was right — even if he was caught high by the police, nothing majorly bad would come of it. Sheriff Matthews liked and valued him too much to make a deal out of it. A simple warning, a slap on the wrist, and maybe a couple days suspension from the station would be the worst of it, that much he was sure. It was the likelihood that Errol Vance would be notified of it that stressed him out.

Letting out a sigh, he looked at Bryce. In his anxious haze he’d almost missed the boy’s actual apology and possibly genuine attempt to maybe help him out. Expression softening involuntarily, he shook his head at the other. “It’s fine,” he said in a more relaxed tone that he’d used the entire interaction, “I see what you were trying to do, obviously it wasn’t malicious so... Yeah, it’s whatever at this point. Let’s just... get past this.” With a deep breath, he began walking again, not sure exactly where he was headed but trying to remain level headed as suggested. He silently kept repeating to himself to stay chill and calm, focusing on that thought as he moved along. Slowly but surely... it felt as though it may have been working, finding his pulse steady and his muscles relaxed as he nibbled on his corn. His eyes remained glued to the grass, green in some areas, patchy and yellow in others, following the blades back and forth as he stepped forward. It was almost nice, almost fine.

Almost.

[juniordeputyvance]

mariana—diaz:

Mariana bit on the inside of her cheek, trying desperately not to look annoyed at the questions and comments thrown at her by Harvey. The boy really liked to put up a fight, didn’t he? She couldn’t go to the hospital, not when she knew the bite marks on her shoulder and wrist looked more like a puppy snapped at her. Her body was healing, she knew that was for sure with how drowsy and completely exhausted she felt. And nothing was going to help with that except for one thing, blood. The faster she got away from Harvey, the quicker she could find some pathetic skeevy man hanging around the south side she could feed off of. If she went to the hospital, it would just delay that. On top of that, her mother would be there, and there was no way she was going to explain this to her. Oh and there was just the issue of having to explain to a doctor why her wounds were nearly as horrible as she’d have to say they were. Normally she’d lie, but she had a strong feeling that Harvey would probably be by her side there as well. So no, the hospital wasn’t an option, and she had to make him aware of that.

“Listen Harvey, it’s really sweet that you’re so concerned, but I promise you I’ll be fine. I… I don’t do great in hospitals. Plus, my mom is a nurse and when she gets home tonight I’ll make sure she looks everything over.” Lies, that was definitely not going to happen. Actually, Mariana was pretty sure her mom was working an overnight tonight, and if she wasn’t, she’d be passed out in a drunken haze in her bed. Mariana had no interest to even speak to her mom. “So please, let’s just go to the bus station.”

When she offered up the three ways he could pay her back for his dog so viciously attacking her, she wasn’t surprised in the least by his surprise at her asking for a date. He didn’t want her, that much was obvious. But he wasn’t immune to her charms and she knew a date would be exactly how she catch him. But he seemed to think he have some kind of control over his attraction and feelings towards her. Silly rabbit. he didn’t know anything. “You’re surprised?” She faked a laugh, her brows raising as she looked at him with humor. “I mean, I thought it was pretty obvious I was flirting earlier but maybe not. You’re cute Harvey, you can’t blame a girl for wanting to be on your arm for a night.” She wasn’t completely lying. Objectively, Harvey was a hunk. And she knew any acting she’d need to do in order to get him to completely fall for her would be made easier with due to his features. Shaking his hands, her smile only grew at the way his body responded to her own. She could feel it, the transfer of energy. The way she only further broke down those walls. Soon he’d be eating out of the palm of her hand.

Following Harvey down the stairs and out of his house, she joined him in the front seats of his car and sat back as he began to drive to the bus stop. She got that he wanted to drive her to her house, but there was no way in hell she was allowing him to see where she lived. Not when he lived in a neighborhood like this. She had to at least make it seem like her home wasn’t as fucking pathetic as it truly was. And the only way she could keep that facade up was by making sure Harvey didn’t see her home. “I’ll be fine on the bus. Don’t worry. I know Eddie,” he was the driver, “and he’ll look out for me.” As they pulled up to the bus stop, Mariana saw the bus to South Normal coming up the street. Getting out of the car, she gave Harvey another sweet smile. “Thank you, for taking care of me. We can talk about the date at school.” She waved at him, her fingers wiggling as she walked away from the car and into the bus that had just stopped behind it.

END.

[juniordeputyvance]

Summer time was typically the highlight of everyone’s year. The break from school, the lax atmosphere of vacation, and the many trips out of town that broke away from the ‘normal’ Normal routine was always a welcome joy for most, and Harvey was no exception to the rule. Prior to this year summer meant cramming with his friends in his Harvester and taking road trips to the coast, going camping along their favorite hiking trails, hitting up Marie’s daily for the best burgers around and — of course — nightly visits to the carnival when it rolled into town. What was more thrilling that a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl after scarfing down funnel cake with your favorite people in the entire world? He never even regretted the nausea that crippled him after each thrill ride — nothing mattered where Ginny and the crew was concerned. 

Summer was their time to goof off and forget about responsibility, an act that now seemed completely foreign to the junior deputy. Unlike before, he didn’t want to loaf around at the pool or the carnival. Especially not with the group who now took up the majority of his free time. The further he could get away from the ‘Murder Club’ — while still fulfilling his duties as outlined by the sheriff — then the better his ‘vacation’ could pan out. And the carnival was the last place he ever intended to follow the crew around... Until it proved to be a good setting for the one thing he had an obligation to fulfill before the summer was up.

Pulling out his wallet, he laid bills down in exchange for a long chain of colorful tickets, a small smile offered to the sales person in the ticket booth. Carefully folding them up, he slid the bundle into the pockets of his shorts before finally turning to face the girl who had been lingering behind him. It was an odd predicament he’d found himself in, but if Harvey was one thing then it was a man of his word. And he’d given Mariana Diaz his word that he would take her out on a date. How she’d reached the conclusion that that would be sufficient recompense for the accident between her and his dog was beyond him, and quite frankly he wasn’t interested in questioning it. Since Sasquatch had hurt the girl, he’d been expecting someone to show up to take him away and put him down. It had been the thought that kept him up for nights, anxious and scared for his best friend. But nobody ever showed up, nor was anyone made aware of what happened. It seemed Mariana wasn’t in the business of putting down animals when they made one simple mistake, and that was enough to convince him to fulfill his side of this odd bargain they came down to. 

So when he’d turned to face her, he willed his expression to soften to a point that made it look almost friendly despite his awkward tight-lipped grin. One date. That was all this was. Just be a gentleman and make sure it’s a good one and then you don’t owe her anything anymore. Then you’re even. He nodded behind them, towards the crowds and the flashing neon lights. “So,” he started, attempting to keep his tone light and even. “Shall we?” And with hands sliding into his pockets, he fell into step beside the blonde and followed her into the merriment and throng. Sounds of laughter and music filled his ears as they made their way down the wide grassy lanes between the games, booths, and rides. The aroma of carnival foods — half sweet, half savory, and all greasy — wafted towards him. Harvey kept closely beside Mariana as they began meandering through the faire, though he hadn’t spoken for a long moment. 

His eyes darted around, trying to figure out what was the best way to break the ice and awkward tension and to kickstart this date so it didn’t drag too long. “What’s your favorite thing to do at the carnival?” He finally asked, gaze shifting to her momentarily. That was a mistake. Mariana had made sure that her strongest assets were on display when she’d dressed up for the date, and even Harvey would have to acknowledge the sheer top she was wearing was a little distracting. He’d begrudgingly admit that since the day she jogged down his lane he’d come to notice Mariana a bit more and more and every single time he’d been caught off guard by how gorgeous the girl actually was. Any other guy would probably feel incredibly lucky to be taking her out on a Saturday night, but Harvey felt like this was a trap in the making. Relax, it’s not like you’re gonna want to do this again after tonight. 

Subconsciously buttoning his polo shirt up to the collar, he cleared his throat. “I’m more of a fan of the bumper cars. Nothing like driving full speed into a pink buggy with a toddler in it to make for a fun evening,” he chuckled, an amused grin sliding over his features. He’d looked less like the stern shadow following the kids around and more like an actual teenager for a moment there. The look did not last long as Harvey quickly sobered up. “Unless you’re hungry? We could grab some food first if you’d like.” He nodded towards a booth where they were selling cotton candy, kettle corn and funnel cake among other confections. Somehow he couldn’t imagine her eating any of those, but he still shrugged and added, “The funnel cake they serve here isn’t so bad.”

@mariana--diaz​

[screamqvccn]

Organizing files might have been a pain in the ass, but at least it was better than the days where Sheriff Matthews ordered Harvey to babysit. It was a relatively slow day (which was a pleasant surprise considering someone was dead or vanished every week), but when the carnival rolled around everything weird in Normal seemed to be taking a hiatus. Officers Lockstock and Barrel had been musing over doughnuts and coffee how nice it was to not have the phones ringing off the hook for once. Just when it seemed like Harvey might even be able to get the work done early and go home, Officer Barrel opened the door to the filing room. 

“Vance, you’ve got a kid here requesting your services.” he feigned serious before the other officer behind him broke with laughter. Officer Barrel was now unsuccessfully holding in snickers as he motioned Harvey to go see what was out there waiting for him.

Behind the main desk in the office stood Edwina. She was crying, but that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. What was weird was that she had her pink bicycle at her hip.

“Harvey, I have an emergency.” The girl’s eyes were swelling like she had just witnessed some kind of freak accident, if not much worse. “I can’t ride my bike.” Well, this constituted as ‘much worse’ in her world. “Harvey, I’m still in this cast for another month and I’ve been waiting all winter to go riding and show off the really nice ribbons I put on the handles. I’m cooped up in my house. I couldn’t take it anymore so I sat on the seat and just slowy pushed myself all the way here. It wasn’t the same, in fact I lost balance and tipped over twice. I just need to live vicariously through someone. Everyone else is busy and cops are supposed to help people!” she begged, still ignoring the fact that Harvey was not a real cop. An earth shattering lesson in police brutality from Kaz and Jamie had her not entirely trusting the police department’s oath to protect and serve, but if anyone was going to give benefit of the doubt then it’d be here. “If I can’t have bike riding this summer then I’m going to go into my senior year grumpy and miserable and then sooner or later I’m going to start doing depressed teenager things like listening to My Chemical Romance or join the drama club.”

// @juniordeputyvance​

[juniordeputyvance]

Summer afternoons at the sheriff’s department were turning out to be a lot more boring than Harvey had originally expected. The only concern for the workers as of late turned out to be the growing heat and humidity instead of troubles in Normal. Of course it was fitting - a small, sleepy town like Normal shouldn’t be brimming with crime on even the worst of days. Still, Harvey had to admit the slowness kind of killed the joy of working with the sheriff. Slow days typically meant two horrid things - First, the potential of going home earlier than typical which meant being hounded by his parents over whatever little thing about his life was bothering them as of late. Second was the company of Officers Tweedledee and Tweedledum. While Harvey would sing the praises of any of the personnel at the sheriff’s department, he had a particular distaste for Lockstock and Barrel. Something about the pair rubbed him wrong. Perhaps it was their unnerving laziness whenever the phones weren’t ringing, but likely it was how they had a tendency to pick on the junior deputy. Which was exactly what he assumed was up when Barrel burst into the office where Harvey was currently filing paperwork. Glasses sitting low on the bridge of his nose, he gave the officer an annoyed look — one only made sour as the other laughed in the background. What stupid mischief are you two up to? He wanted to voice his thoughts but instead set aside the last file he’d been working on with a sigh before making his way out of the office. Just humor them for a moment, then you can go back to work. Hurry and finish, maybe grab some Marie’s on the way home, or even dine in and plan that date with Mariana... “Alright, go on, have your laugh and make it quick. I’ve got work to do—”

Harvey had trailed off at the sight of two rather large and sad eyes staring back from the main area. He’d had very little compassion for the subjects of the side job he’d been given by the sheriff, but even Harvey’s stone cold resolve was melted at the sight of Edwina Clussy crying. And why wouldn’t it be? It was basically the same as watching a puppy get kicked. Shoulders slumping, he frowned as the girl began bumbling off about her bike of all things — Officers Dumb and Dumber snickering and chuckling behind him. He couldn’t even feel annoyance at their presence — he was too busy trying to make sense of the fast paced words tumbling out of the girl’s mouth. “Not a cop,” he inserted quickly when she suggested it was a police officer’s job to help people. Harvey was pretty sure she’d made that same mistake before — lots of people did, which he couldn’t understand. But she carried on, Harvey becoming more confused by the second. Rubbing his chin, he’d waited until she was finished to finally speak up on the actual “issue” at hand.

Pausing momentarily when the girl finally stopped, Harvey raised a single brow. “Okay, let me get this straight... You came all the way to the station because you can’t ride your bike?” He could hear the officers’ snickers get louder. Hands on his hips, he half turned to them with a steely glare. “Hey Bert and Ernie, how about you go do your actual jobs? Unless you want the Sheriff to know you’re dawdling?” And really he would rather deal with this humiliation without Lockstock and Barrel eavesdropping. Turning back to Edwina, his expression softened. “You’re not going to become a teenage delinquent because you couldn’t ride your bike for a few months, Edwina. Believe me, you’ll survive. And for the record — My Chemical Romance is a great band. You can enjoy them without having a phase.” Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his eyes narrowed slightly. “But all that aside... doesn’t fully explain what you’re doing here. What is it exactly you want me to do...?” His confusion was evident, though in the back of his mind he figured he had an idea where this was going. And his mind was churning through just how he was going to help this girl get at least one good bike ride in this summer. Definitely not the kind of excitement he expected upon signing up for the junior deputy program, but it was part of the job description to assist those in the community right?

[juniordeputyvance]

🙃- For a lighter, slightly embarrassing secret

“I try not to be embarrassed by many things, but uh... Well, I guess this tidbit is kinda embarrassing. The first, ahem, ‘below the belt hand action’ I ever received was in a church and done by the Pastor’s daughter. We sat in the back, ‘sharing a hymnal’, while her dad gave a sermon on the ‘sins of the flesh’ if I’m remembering correctly. It was a really weird experience and the gang never let me live it down.”