No Time To Die

[thehundred]

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

Asher shook his head as a grin came along his features. “Great. Just what I needed.” He teased as the two of them heated towards the exit. “I’m an open book. Ask me whatever you want the second we get out of here.” As the two of them began to start back up towards the exit, his gun pointed right at the three men. He tried not to focus on the fact her hand was squeezing his and more on the situation in front of them. It took him back to what happened more than seven months prior when he was jumped in the alleyway because of something his older brother had gotten into, the blood that was spilled on his hands that night. He nudged the brunette behind him, pushing her out the door before moving out with her. He shut it and turned around, moving into a full on sprint towards his car. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

...

“Please, I’ve barely gotten started.“ She countered, gaze continuing to scan the crowd in front of them as they moved. Who would have guessed that in the house that had lead to this, from the extravagant ceremony to the reception festivities that paved the way for what should have been a good night of dancing and drinking -- would instead end in such a tragic manner. Perhaps she would have expected it back in Culiacán, but not here in Oceanside. But perhaps it was the years that had passed that had faded her memory, forcing the brunette to forget the dark dealings on every street corner and the rising crime rate. “Don’t you fucking dare think about playing hero right now, Winston.” Maddison all but warned as he nudged her out the door, her own hand gripping his with every ounce of strength she had to ensure he couldn’t let go. And then they were running, sprinting as fast as her legs could possibly carry her, following his lead until he motioned to a black jeep up ahead. Slowing her pace she shifted to the passenger side before ripping open to the door to climb inside. Turning her attention to the rear window she watched as the three men staggered out, looking down the rows of cars as they approached. “Drive, Asher. Drive.” She yelled, only shifting to put her seat belt on as the car was thrown into gear and they were on the move. “Remind me never to wear heels again.” She drawled, letting her head fall back against the head rest as he drove.

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

“Do I want to know how you ran into my date? Tryin’ to gauge how serious it is?” Asher smirked. As he turned to start walking, the expression on his features had softened when she confirmed what he had been searching for when he scanned her over. Had he been that obvious with the way he was looking at her only a few moments ago. His eyes scanned the crowd, looking for the raven-haired woman and when she was no where to be seen. All he had to do was hope. After kicking the man on the ground’s face in. Blue hues lifted up towards the brunette when she grabbed at his wrist, brows furrowing in concern at the way she looked behind him. He turned his head to look over at the three men coming up behind them. He held up gun, putting his finger on the trigger, seeing all of them stop in their place. “That’s right.” He told them as he started to back up, taking her hand and dragging her along side him. “No one moves and if you do you’ll get a bullet between the eyes.”

...

“Probably best that you don’t.“ Maddison countered, failing to suppress the urge to roll her eyes at his next comment. Shoulders rising and falling in a shrug of indifference a small lopsided grin of her own danced across her lips. “Maybe I was. Not exactly like you’ve been forthcoming with filling me in on the last ten years.” She added, spinning the butterfly blade between her fingers as she spoke. With Zehra no where in sight, the only option they had was to leave as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Though with the three men suddenly approaching, the exit felt as though it was further away than it was. “Easy, easy now.” She breathed, words uttered under her breath as she gripped his hand a little hander, slowly but surely backtracking toward the exit behind them. Her other hand continued to grip the hilt of her blade, ready to shift into action should the need arise. Maddy knew that she could put one down, but with the other two gripping weapons of their own she didn’t like their odds. “Let’s not make any hasty decision here boys.” The brunette remarked, as she felt one foot slip over the threshold of the door. 

[maddison-campbell]

ROCCO SCORDATO​:

   The dessert table before him looked mighty scrumptious still, despite the how manyth time he had gone back for sweets. Between the booze and the dessert, Rocco was rather indulging himself silly on such day. Not that he could be blamed, but the male saw the celebration as fitting after all the turmoil he had gone through prior.

   So when she had come up to him with a whisper, Rocco’s rather festive mood only faltered slightly. And before a word could leave past his lips – he had recognized her from the beach that one time, playing with the knife – the woman had already spoken yet again, filling him further in the details as he complied with her instructions. 

   Turning towards the chocolate mousse by the side, he steeled his disposition, keeping his eyes anywhere else but on her. Picking up a macaron, he feigned heavy interest in the dessert, before shooting a glance over his shoulder, sweeping his eyes to the direction she pointed out without looking at the men directly; he needed to be discreet, too. Afterwards, he took a small bite out of the macaron, chewing quietly as he refocused onto the desert table. “I don’t know who they are. I’ve never seen them before.”

...

Maddison was no mind reader, but she could read others better than most. From their body language to the way others reacted to their presence. And it was clear that whoever the man was that had run into her at the beach that night, held an air of seniority, or perhaps importance. “All the more reason to be concerned.“ The brunette answered, as she turned her back to the desert table, picking at the food once her plate once more as she watched those close by pass before speaking up once again. “They’re both armed, judging from the way they’re sitting." She added, biting down on a macaroon before deciding the treat was far too sweat for her taste, only to discard of the plate and it’s remnants into the bin under the table. As she moved to stand once more she offered a careful nod to the male beside her. “If I were you, I’d spend some time figuring out what they want or find a quiet exit. Good luck, amigo.” Maddy added before making her way back through the crowd. 

THE END

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

Blue hues focused on the brunette when she muttered to the male in front of her about his humor. His head tilted to the side as he gave her a look that indicated that he was insulted at the fact she poked fun at his humor but before he could really say anything the male was down on the ground. His tongue brushed along his lower lip, dropping his gaze down to look at the unconscious body. “My timing is perfectly fine,” he retorted as his eyes lifted back up to look at her. He took a few seconds to scan her to make sure there were no marks on her, breathing out once he felt comfortable enough to move on. His head tilted to the side and turned himself slightly to stand in front of her. “We are getting out of here,” it was a statement, not a question or anything he was willing to bend on. He knew that their raven-haired woman and the paramedic would be perfectly fine. Somehow he trusted Z’s judgment when it came to the people she kept her around her plus he knew if he tried to go save a Scorpion that it would ultimately end badly for him and a part of him knew that wasn’t something Maddison would ever understand when it came to the side he chose and how that would interfere with his friends on the other side of it. Or the one friend that was on the other side of it. He turned his head to look over his shoulder to make sure the brunette was following after him when he noticed someone trying to come up behind her. He spun around her and smacked the butt of his gun against the man’s head, stomping down on them.

...

“Debatable, what was it your date was telling me... I think the word she used is premature?“ Maddison drawled, sarcasm thick in her tone as the ghost of a smile danced across her parted lips. Pressing back stray brunette tendrils from her face she gathered up her knife, ensuring the blade remained at the ready in her firm grip should she need to defend herself once more, before making the move forward to follow him. “I’m fine, for the record. Not even a scratch.” She reassured, noting the way he assessed her as if looking for any sign of injury. Maddy could only offer a nod at his statement, making promises she wasn’t sure she could keep had never been her forte, thus instead on the off chance that either succumb to a fate like that of the maid of honor, she remained quiet. Her gaze instead drifting over the crowd in between them and the exit, green hues desperately searching for a certain raven haired woman that they both cared a great deal for. But when she came up short all she could do was hope that the doctor had made her way out under the protective hand of her paramedic date. Because if anyone was a survivor, it was Zehra Demir. With her attention elsewhere she hadn’t even noted the male before her turn back, only alerted by the sound of a crack as she whipped around to witness the other beating down on another. For a few moments she could only stare as she attempted to steady her breathing and the sound of her heart beating rapidly in her chest, not our of fear but instead adrenaline and the rush that came with any fight or hand to hand combat. “Ash, Asher we need to go. Now.” She ordered, before reaching forward to wrap a hand around his wrist as she tugged, green hues flickering between her childhood bestfriend and the three men that approached him from behind, clearly seeking to help their buddy now on the floor. 

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHAOS August 22nd w/ @maddison-campbell​

Asher wasn’t about to pitch a fit for being kicked out when he knew he would be right back in there in the matter of minutes. Truthfully, it was kind of amusing to see the dark-haired male puff his chest out to kick him out of the wedding venue especially since he had no idea what was coming. As soon as some of his fellow members took control of the door, the male slipped right back inside and his only priority had been a certain brunette since he trusted the paramedic to take care of the other important person in his life. The gunfire around him seemed to be mute to him as his eyes focused on the situation ahead of him, his hand slipping to his back and pulling out his piece, turning the safety off and cocking it back. He walked around to come to the back of the male who had her in his grips, pulling his gun up behind him. “If I were you I’d let her go,” he started as he took a few steps closer, pressing the barrel of the gun against the back of his head. “Unless you want to end up like the maid of honor.” 

...

Maddison was mildly aware she hadn’t seen Zehra or Asher, for a good ten minutes or so leading up to the Volkov’s speech. Whether that was a good thing or not however, the jury was still out on whether that was a good thing or not. And until she tracked either of them down, the brunette was going no where. Pushing her way against the crowd that surged toward the exits she pulled her butterfly knife from her pocket, ready for whatever was about to come her way. As it would have it she wouldn’t have to wait very long, before splayed out before her was a woman on her hands and knees desperately trying to run from the man that pursued her. Flicking the knife out from within itself she wasted no time in approaching him from behind before pressing the sharp point against his neck. “I suggest you let her go, compadre.” She drawled, though her threat was practically as he lashed out catching the brunette with a wild elbow to her stomach, which she internally cursed herself for allowing to happen. Slashing out with her other hand she managed to slice into the thick flesh of his forearm, which bleed profusely. Still it didn’t seem to deter him as he grabbed the woman by the throat and she all but smiled as he squeezed. The familiar face of another appearing behind him, evoked a chuckle from the brunette as she remained firm in place, her knife clattering to the ground beside her. “You’ll have to excuse my friend here, humor isn’t his strong suit.” She wheezed, as the grip around her throat subsided and the man wheeled on the other. But before he could so much as make a move, she had picked up the nearest object that could be used as a weapon and brought it down hard against the back of his head, stepping back just in time as the lump of a man collapsed to the ground between them. “You need to work on your timing, Winston.” Maddy mused, flashing the male a lopsided grin before she shifted to collect her knife. 

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

All the male could do was muster up a tight lip smile as the two of the swayed together in the middle of the dance floor. His eyes did their best not to drift in the direction of hers because he knew the second their eyes locked that nothing else in the room would matter and he wasn’t exactly sure that was a feeling he was ready for. “Guess we have that,” the only two times he had ever let himself get drunk per say was the day he lost Maddy and the night of the Palooza. He pulled his head back a little, letting his eyes move towards his face as he moved to the slow rhythm of the music playing. “There’s nothing you need to thank me for. You would have done the same for me if the roles had been reversed and if she was still alive.” It was really the first time he ever talked about his mother, it wasn’t something he ever touched base on so when the words left his mouth it kind of made him remember how easy it was to just talk to her. Checking on her mother had been nothing in his eyes because whether the two wanted to admit it, they both helped each other out when it came to their mothers. 

He chuckled lowly as he rolled his eyes before letting his blue hues drop back down to her face as everything else in the background faded out of his mind. “Is that still something I can do?” He mused. He could remember when they were growing up there were different times throughout their friendship where he was able to make the woman in his arms fluster and blush but so much time had past and the two of them weren’t the kids they used to be. He swallowed at her next set of words as he nodded his head, his eyes lifting up from her face as his brows furrowed together as he thought about his brother, knowing he was just waiting for the phone call that told him he was dead in a ditch somewhere. “Can’t really change it now,” there was no getting out of the Vipers. He embedded in something he knew he wouldn’t get out alive and he made the sacrifices he had to in order to keep his brother safe even if it meant painting his own hands red. “You easily could have persuaded me,” the soft confession left his features as his blue hues dropped down to her face again. “Challenge accepted, Maddison Campbell.” His eyes locked with the brunette in his arms. “I think I can say the same thing about you.”

...

“Well not just that, granted we had a shitty upbringing. Not all of it was bad.“ After all had it not been for their mother’s meeting one another in the maternity ward of the hospital, they may never have met. Though Maddy chose to believe that somehow, someway their paths would have crossed at some point, if not in highschool then within their local community given they lived on the same street growing up. The Winston household fast became her second home and vice versa. Mother issues aside, they had each other and ultimately that would be what got them through their adolescence. “Ten years and you still can’t handle someone trying to say thank-you.. some things never change.” She mused, with a shake of her head though the small smile that played upon her lips remained present, only sobering some at the mention of his mother. “You know you could have called me when it happened, but I understand why you didn’t.“

The idea of anything being as simple as it once was back in the days of their adolescence was impossible. Nevertheless, there remained a sense of ease or perhaps comfort in the others presence. Like she was finally coming home. Though she didn’t allow herself to dwell on such a feeling that welled within her chest as a chuckle escaped her. “Don’t even think about trying to find out.“ She warned playfully, pulling back momentarily to shoot him a teasing glare. “It’s never too late you know, to get out.“ She breathed quietly, turning her head some as she capture his gaze once more. “It’s never easy or clean, but it is possible. I should know.” Words barely above a whisper as she met his gaze with what could only be described as an unspoken promise. “I figured as much. Nothing says, I missed you Maddy quite like being locked in a bathroom.” She drawled, sarcasm evident in her tone as she dropped his gaze. Green hues lifted to steal a glance over his shoulder and there sat at the bar alone she noted the blonde from earlier. Drawing back some as the song came to an end, her hands unknotted from his neck to fall back to her sides before she motioned to the bar. “Your date’s looking a little bored, you really should go remedy that.” She mused, feet carrying her backwards into the crowd. “Come find me later Winston, we should talk some more.” And with that she turned on her heel and dispersed into the crowd, gaze watching those as she passed by all the while her lips pulled into the smallest of smiles. 

END

[maddison-campbell]

DOMINIC SULLIVAN​:

all things considered, the wedding wasn’t as terrible as he’d originally thought it was going to be. the drinks were flowing, and as much as he hated being trapped in small talk with people he didn’t know and couldn’t give two fucks about, and as out of place he felt standing around in a tailored suit, he’d finally found a way to slip his way free and made a beeline for the bar. he was all but a few feet away when his head snapped towards the voice that called out his name, his features screwing together as his brain put the pieces together. “ maddy? little maddy campbell? i’ll be damned. “ he couldn’t recall the last time he saw the brunette but it had been years. “ you know, i keep hearing that, but i could easily say the same about you.”

...

The only saving grace for Maddison aside from the option of digging into the free flowing drinks, was the broad grin on Zehra that seemed ever present in the presence of her date. It brought her a great deal of comfort to see her friend happy, even if she had yet to suss the man out for herself. He had however, looked after Zehra when she and Asher couldn’t and that had to count for something. “Not so little anymore, but yeah.” The brunette answered with a nod as a small smile tugged at her lips. “Well, you’re not wrong. I could think about half a dozen other things that I’d rather be doing right about now -- but, I’m here to look out for a friend. So that’s what I’m doing. What’s your excuse?“

[maddison-campbell]

MARIA LUNA:

Maria’s brows rose in surprise that she’d missed it, “Damn I would’ve like to eavesdrop!” she laughed only partly joking. The last hour had been a bit dull and falling into someone else’s drama felt like the perfect distraction. “Glad to see you though! No fighting couple but entertaining still!” she grinned and nodded in agreement. “You know what I completely agree.” she turned to look at her fellow bartender who was flirting on the other end and she felt now was a good a time as any to slip away for a bit. “Let’s go!” she said once standing next to her easily looping her arm with Maddison’s. “You look very hot, who’s fawning over you tonight?”

...

“Yeah? And liven up your I’m sure already entertaining afternoon?“ Maddison returned, head cocked to the side as she offered her friend a knowing smile. “Come on now, I’m sure you’ve heard much worse over your years bartending.” She added, a short chuckle escaping her as the other approached before looping her arm through her own. “Well shit, had I known a compliment was all it took to get you out from behind that bar I would have tried hours ago.” The brunette teased as she lead the other away from the bar and through the crowd. “No one I hope. I’m here merely to observe.” She explained, gaze drifting from Zehra moving about the dancefloor with her paramedic date in tow to Asher and his own sat at the bar. If anything she was nailing being the fifth wheel. “You on the other hand I’m sure have been getting comments all afternoon in that number. If I didn’t know any better I’d ask if you were trying to make a certain blast from the past jealous?”

[maddison-campbell]

ZEHRA KAPLAN​:

“Well, I wouldn’t lie to you.” Just keep some truths close to her chest, which felt distinctly different than being outright dishonest. Perhaps they were much of the same in retrospect. Discussing anything beyond it felt more familiar and comfortable, thus Zehra easily latched onto the topic of Zane rather than herself or any associated demons. “Thank you,” the brunette smiled with distant fondness as she witnessed the paramedic chatting nearby. “Though I think I’d argue he looks good everywhere and with anyone. It’s those baby blues and angelic aura.” Inevitably Maddy shifted conversation back to the elephant in the room and Zehra swallowed, uncertain about answering what were no doubt trillions of questions. “As good as I can be. You know, all things considered.”

...

“I hope so.“ Maddison returned, though between both Zehra and Asher it felt as though there was a great deal the pair had yet to inform her of. Which wasn’t exactly their fault, nor did they owe her anything given her absences over the past decade. Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but feel to some extent that the woman before her had downplayed her battle with addiction over the years, if not out of some kind of self pride then because she didn’t want the younger woman to worry. Because that was exactly what she would have done. “Oh damn, you have it bad.“ The brunette teased, looking from the paramedic as her gaze drifted over the crowd; unable to miss Asher with yet another blonde, only a different one this time. “Do you trust him, Zane I mean?“ She questioned, tearing her gaze from the other as she turned to face her friend. “I hope for your own sake that that’s true Z. But you know none of us would blame you if you weren’t okay.” Clearing her throat some she met the Zehra’s gaze. “It was fucking awful and seeing you like that, in that state. If I could have done something, anything to prevent what happened which didn’t end up in either of you getting hurt, I would have. I’m sorry, really sorry that you were put through that.”

[maddison-campbell]

status: closed to @r-scordato​​​​​

location: dessert station

Noting the raven haired male was finally alone, the once Oceanside local made her way over to the dessert table, next to where he stood overlooking the crowd. Plucking a plate from the table she went about feigning interest in it’s contents before approaching the other. “You’re being watched, you know.” Maddison whispered, just loud enough for her warning to reach the others ears. “Do us both a favor and pretend you’re minding your own business as am I.” She breathed, using her fork to dig into something on her plate before raising it into her mouth. Taking a moment to chew and swallow, the woman turned momentarily as if looking about the room for a lost friends, when really it was to confirm the two men that had sat at the western end of the reception bar continued to eye the male beside her. At first she had assumed it was but private security, but from the faint whispers and shared glances. Not to mention the way they carried themselves, something was off. “Two men, sat at the bar. They’ve been tailing you most the afternoon. And they don’t exactly look friendly, nor like your own security.” She paused, stealing a glance in his direction. “Just thought you should know.”

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

“Yeah, some how it did.” Maybe at some point, Isabella had given him a little bit of hope in thinking that he would eventually have a chance moving on but the brunette came crashing into his mind making him realize that no one can ever replace the first love. Even thinking about it had his throat drying up and the pounding in his chest threatening to be heard. “We were.” He agreed as he swayed along the dance floor with her in his arms. He knew the risk of even being at this event and the possibility of shit blowing up but this moment right here was one he wouldn’t take back even if with every passing second it was getting more and more vulnerable. He smirked as his blue hues gazed around the venue as his hand rested on the small of her back, keeping her close to him. “Don’t try too hard.” He chuckled as the expression on his features softened. He turned his head, his lips gently brushing against her ear as he breathed out. “This city was always going to swallow one of us whole,” his voice was soft as if he was trying to convince himself that the two of them would have ended up like this no matter what. “Plus you know I never would have left him.” Him being his stupid older brother who couldn’t seem to get his act together and only kept digging holes for him to fix. “You’re here now though.” He whispered. “Maybe we can work on that last part.”

...

“Good to know.“ The brunette chimed back, lips lifted into the smallest of smiles as she spoke before her gaze returned to peer over his shoulder at the crowd of bodies around them. “So at least if our parents left us with anything it was that.“ Maddison mused quietly, despite her lack of presence in the city over the past decade she had done her best to keep in touch with her mother and Zehra. Vicariously living through them, it was almost as if she was peering through the keyhole into the life she lost, or the one she was missing out on. “So were you ever going to tell me about your little visits with my mom. You didn’t have to check in on her over the years you know. But I appreciate that you did.“ She said, voice quiet as she titled her head some to look up at him. “So thank you, for being there for her while I couldn’t. I owe you for that.“ Because despite his lack of admission, her mother had been somewhat forth coming on his tempts to keep an eye out for her and that was confirmation enough to know that deep down, Asher Winston still cared. And that spoke volumes, more than any words ever could. “Careful, I might start to think you want to get me flustered.“ She drawled, a short chuckle parting her lips as she cocked a questioning brow in his direction. “You say that, but Oceanside already claimed one Winston. It didn’t deserve a second.” Her words were quiet, somber even as if holding onto the weight of all they had lost. “Maybe. But I also never got the chance to try persuade you.” It went without saying that the brunette had never been a big fan of the oldest Winston, if not for how he treated his brother then for the sacrifices Asher had made that he seemed so ignorant toward. “I’m up for the challenge if you are." Maddy breathed, her own voice barely above a whisper as she turned her gaze some to meet his. “You won’t catch me saying this again, but I may have missed you Winston.”

[maddison-campbell]

CHASE ALEXANDER​:

“Hey, buddy. Are you an idiot?” Chase blinked, blanked, and missed the moment his feet started moving to close the distance between where he’d been and where the brunette and the other male were. His own hand had reached out after she had yanked hers free, but his fingers wrapped around the man’s wrist and gave him a taste of his own medicine before he could reach for her again. How he always managed to get himself involved in these types of situations? He’d never know. “Listen to the lady.” Chase registered the threat she spat, feeling proud of the near stranger but kept his eyes on the male. “You’re at a wedding pal, this is not the time to test your luck.” Despite what was unfolding at that moment, the scene was minimally scandalous. Too many others were focused on the couple, their dates, or the drinks in their hand to give the three more than a quick and curious look. “Relax.” He said, stepping in front of the woman to become the barrier in between bodies. Something about the way the two males were starring each other down felt primitive, and it almost filled Chase with unwarranted excitement. “I’m going to give you ‘till three to walk away before I step aside and let her break that hand of yours, every fucking bone. Your choice.” His tone was cool, collected. “One… two…” 

...

When another spoke up, the brunette didn’t move an inch instead listening to the mans words as she glared daggers at the man before her, as if to tempt him to make her follow through with her threat. Because if there was anything that Maddison Campbell stood by it was her word. And if there had been a way to follow through with her threat, without causing a scene or drawing any unwanted attention to herself then she would have done so in a heart beat. Just to feel the satisfying snap of his bones and watch the smug smirk instantaneously fall from his features to be replaced by a scowl of pain. “Or you could test your luck. But  it’s at your own risk.” She drawled, a second and final warning as she stood her ground, squaring her shoulders off as she stood to all of her 5′ft5 glory. There was something of a fleeting feeling of disappointment as the other shifted to step between them, evoking the woman to take an involutory step backward. Despite her own hope, the man begrudgingly turned on his heel and slunk back into the crowd before the other could reach the count of three. “Fucking coward.” She muttered under her breath, gaze following him before she lost sight amidst other guests. “You know I had him, didn’t need a knight in not so shining armor to come to my aid.” Maddy mused, finally turning her attention to partially familiar male that now towered over her. A thank-you perhaps would have sufficed, but asking nor needing the help of others was simply not in her nature. “His kind aren’t exactly a rare breed around here.”

[maddison-campbell]

status: closed to @dxminicsvn​​​

location: reception bar

Despite having only been back in her hometown all of a few months, Maddison had yet to run into everyone from her younger years. With many having up and left when they got the chance, there remained a good number of people scattered throughout the city. Some of which she too assumed had either left or moved inter state. Catching sight of a somewhat familiar face as he approached the bar to her left, she couldn’t help the slight chuckle that escaped her. “Dominic Sullivan?” She questioned, attention lifting from the glass in her hand to get a better look at the other. “You know of all people, you’re probably the last person I’d expect to run into at a wedding of all places.”

[maddison-campbell]

ASHER WINSTON​:

“I’ve learned we don’t really get to decide to give it away. It just goes.” Asher murmured as his hand rested on the small of her back. A low chuckle left his lips as his blue hues flickered up in the direction of the blonde across from them as he watched her talk to Gabriel. “I don’t do drugs so,” the first truthful thing to leave his mouth since the brunette had come home. His gaze pulled away from the blonde back towards the woman in front of him, a small smile playing on his features as he took in the features of her face. “I’m a lot better than the kid who kept stepping on your feet at prom, huh? Don’t be too impressed now, Campbell.” He knew he had been too hard on Isabella earlier but he knew one hundred percent that things were different now and even though he would probably never tell Maddison about the torch he held for her since the two of them were fifteen he knew in that moment why he never let someone else in and it was because he truly had nothing to give anyone else. He pulled her as close as he could as his feet slowly moved to the beat of the music as his eyes gazed to look around them, noticing more and more Vipers faces appearing but all he could focus on was the perfume radiating from the brunette. It was on the tip of his tongue, the desperate attempt to get her to stay but he knew with the way things were boiling down between the two gangs that she wouldn’t be safe here. “You aren’t the only one who thinks about it,” he whispered as his face tilted down slightly as he breathed slowly against the side of her neck. “I think about it all the time.” The confession left his mouth softly.

...

“I see. And does it ever come back?“ Maddison remarked, intrigued lingering in her tone as green hues looked up from his tie to meet those familiar blue hues. The brunette didn’t allow her stare to longer, not while he was so close, so easy to get lost in those warm depths. “That’s good to hear, you and me both. Though I guess we were somewhat warned off them at a young age.” She admitted, something akin to a sad smile pulling at her lips momentarily. It was often easy to forget the amount of times they both found their mothers in a delicate state growing up and for Maddison in the very least, that the very example of everything that she didn’t want be. Everything she refused to be. And somehow, someway instead she had landed herself on the other side of the fence helping launder more often than not, drug money. “I’ll try my best not to get too flustered.” She drawled, though the smirk that now pulled at her lips was testament enough to the sarcasm paired with amusement in her tone. Feeling the slight tug as he pulled her closer, she slipped her hand from his, both moving to knot at the nape of his neck as her gaze swept over the crowd once more. “Can’t help but wonder if we would have made it out of this city and perhaps you wouldn’t now be dealing the very thing that killed our parents, Zehra may have never fallen into her struggles with addiction... hell, maybe mom would still be alive. And we’d ---  still be close.“ She mused, tone soft as if to match his. 

[ohlexa]

“You’re a tough kid.”

[maddison-campbell]

status: closed to @zehraxkaplan​​​

location: outdoor bar

“Okay --- you weren’t joking, that actually has quite the kick to it.“ Maddison mused, as she set the strange cocktail of various spirits and mixers back down on the table before her. Having finally managed to get her friend alone, the pair had settled into one of the various empty tables with a drink in hand. While Maddison hadn’t anticipated she would end up enjoying herself, she wasn’t exactly rushing to take her leave and head home either. The afternoon had been seemingly pleasant and while she had learnt some new details about various people from her past, for the most part the brunette had yet to regret her decision to crash the wedding. “But enough skirting around the obvious, you and Zane look good together.” She mushed, bumping the others shoulder lightly before her expression sobered. “How’ve you been since, well, you know? That night at Asher’s apartment...”