the ocean is calling.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

“Two point five tons. Five thousand pounds. Can you believe that?” The excitement was evident in his voice, Myles looking up from the photo displayed on his phone of the great white shark. “This girl is an absolute legend, I’d love to get the chance to swim with her. Wouldn’t you?” He questioned while turning his phone, showing the other the photo of the shark.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

julesxstark‌

“I thought I told you not to repeat that, mate. Otherwise you’ll find yourself single for the first time in what, a couple years?” He grinned a little to show his joke meant no harm, and he kept his gaze on Myles for a few more moments just to make sure he didn’t miss what was being said. Julian couldn’t help but already feel bitter; his sister, Elena, had already told him to get his act together and bite the bullet. Yet now that he had, that same feeling of anxiety was hitting his chest. “Myles,” he forced the other’s name out, worried that if he stopped, he wouldn’t bring it up again, and he’d let his fear get the best of him. “So I already knew that I was…losing the rest of what of I had,” he made a vague motion to his ear, like that would explain it, “but it’s just…it’s basically gone and now Elena has ordered me a new one that I’m not allowed to get wet. Ever. So if I just…can’t hear you, I’m sorry. I’m trying my bloody best.”

There was a wrinkle of his nose at the joke, Myles shooting a half decent glare at Julian, “That’s a low blow.” But his words didn’t stop the slight grin from forming across his lips, Myles turning to adjust the air conditioning, lowering it given their still wet states. His hand had just moved to shift the car into drive, when Julian’s use of his name halted it where it was. Casting his gaze up to the other, his brows scrunched together as he waited for what the other had to say. And as the words started to come, Myles moved his hand away from the gear shift, settling it in his lap as he rested against the seat. Every word tore into his chest, hating more than anything that Julian had to go through this, that he had to deal with the loss of his hearing. It was something that no one should have to deal with. “Hey,” he said the word slowly, his hand squeezing Julian’s. “You don’t ever have to apologize for that, alright? If you ever can’t hear me, you just let me know. I don’t mind repeating myself, writing it down, learning sign language.” He offered, a soft smile pinned to his features. “This new one, it better than the one you got now?”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

ximena-balles‌

“It’s a wedding, I have to look nice,” Ximena shouted over her shoulder as she finished zipping up the back of her dress. “She’s become one of those brides that you see on TV about how crazy they get about every little detail but as if it’s any consolation to me, I’m making the dress so I have to be there.” Her frustrations were let go on the person with her, even if they didn’t want to hear it. “This one or the one in yellow?” 

Dress shopping wasn’t anything new to Myles, not when he came from a town that talked up debutante balls as if they were the creme de la creme. He’d been dragged to enough shops in his younger years, forced to sit while girls tried on various dresses, to think himself something of a helper in these situations. “The yellow. It’s not too bright, or dull for that matter. A good color for a summer wedding.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

kadenwestwood‌

She’d missed the Fourth festivities, working on a case then dragged outside to be a body downtown to intimidate people from setting off more fireworks in the residential areas, trying her best to quell every single audible whine of agitation and envy that had wanted to cry out with each ‘boom’ in the distance from the beach. “You ever played Quarters?” Boredom prompted spontaneity from Kaden, ensuing her to offer a random game to the person next to her. “If not, I’d be happy to teach you.”

“Is that a drinking game? Cause if so, you’re definitely gonna have to teach me that one.” It was an obvious question to ask, given their current surroundings. But when it came to drinking games, Myles was only ever familiar with the ones played back in his hometown. Which, when he moved away for college, became abundantly clear were played nowhere else in the states.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

nathanxyoung‌

Drama. Nathan wasn’t in the mood for it, yet somehow it seemed to be following him around, even now when he’d been minding his own business and enjoying a quiet drink in one of the bars close to his home. He’d taken a step away from the bar to find somewhere to sit when the sudden fight had kicked off. The couple came charging straight through the crowds, succeeding in throwing numerous peoples drinks on the floor, on themselves, pretty much anywhere you could think, his own included. His eyes had closed for a moment, he’d taken a deep breath, told himself he wasn’t going to start yelling. It was just a beer, it wasn’t worth it. He did, however, turn to the person beside him who had also found themselves caught up in the lovers tiff, offering a smile and a casual, “Let me get you another one of those.”

It certainly wasn’t every day that Myles damn near had his own drink spilled all over him. Though, it should have been increasingly more common as of late. As it were, he’d just barely been able to swing his arm out, causing the drink to spill across the bar top rather than on himself. It was the combination of having had to perfect such a move and the words still coming from the couple as they barreled their way out of the bar. “Reckon that’s a common end of an outing for them?” He questioned to Nathan instead, barely able to hide the laugh that tugged the edges of his lips up. “Come on, you don’t got to worry about that. Not like I drink anything expensive.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

julesxstark‌

Jules rolled his eyes with a smirk, only holding on to Myles for as long as he could until they got to the car. He held out the keys towards the other, raising an eyebrow, “A decent view? It’s better than sleeping in those shark themed sheets you have. Hasn’t anyone told you that you have to grow up and now it’s just a little weird?” He grinned at the other, finally reaching up to remove the completely useless hearing aid he’d had on. He never understood how they could claim they were waterproof, yet too long in the ocean rendered them basically useless. Jules slid into the car after Myles, leaning back in the seat, “Plus…my shower is bigger. Much more room for extra curricular activities.”

“Oh, it’s weird now, huh?” He questioned after accepting the keys, hitting the button that would unlock the doors. “Last time, you were begging me to buy more. Even mentioned getting some cowboy ones.” It was easy to tease the other back, falling into the same pattern that they’d had since the day they met. Everything was easier with Julian. Pulling the towel up onto his head, he ruffled it around, hoping to dry his hair that much more. As they approached the car, he opened the door to drape the towel over the seat, before he slipped inside. “That’s the first good reason you’ve given,” he grinned, eyeing the other before he started the car, his hand automatically reaching over to take Julian’s own.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

skylerxdavis‌

“It was that easy. Listen, my relationships have always failed too, and I’m just saying, how long do you think this next one of yours will last?” Skyler leaned back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head, “You tried? How do you fail at telling someone something?”

“I haven’t had failed relationships. Not until now, at least.” They had never been at the top of his list, relationships that is. He’d been too focused on his schooling, his career that it didn’t leave much room for anything else. Sure, he’d dated, but they’d never gone past the first, or possibly second date. “When you can’t stand to hurt someone you care about.” But he knew how idiotic that sounded, given that he’d cheated time and time again, all while unable to bring himself to do what needed to be done.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

julesxstark‌

“God fearing boy, don’t make me laugh. I swear some lightning might come down and ruin your hair,” Jules pulled away, letting his hand linger on Myles’ arm before he distanced himself, picking up one of the towels they brought, “The Great Emu War – why am I not surprised that you remember that about Australia?” He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head and pushing some of his wet hair out of his face, “They’re too young for you – you’d just be the weird old guy hanging around.” He turned to look at Myles, flashing him a wink, “My place, love. It’s got the better view, don’t you think?”

“Oh, is that all I have to worry about? Well, you’ll still want me if I’m bald, right?” He questioned with a grin, watching Julian before he was moving, as well. Snatching up the other towel, he slung it around his neck, fingers curled around both ends. “I mean, is there anything else worth remembering?” He canted his head, playful smirk tugging at the edges of his lips. “The weird old guy, ouch. I was hoping for at least the weird guy with amazing shark facts,” he confessed, feigning a momentary frown. Stepping towards Julian, he hummed softly in the hollow of his throat, “A decent view, but I suppose it’ll have to do.” He returned with that seemingly ever present grin, soon starting up the beach towards the car they’d left in the lot.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

skylerxdavis‌

Skyler looked at Myles, mostly with disbelief. “You don’t have to lie to me. One gay to another and all – but you fucked up. Like – just tell someone you don’t wanna be with them. Instead you played house with like two different people.”

Myles knew that there was nothing he could say to make this right. Especially not to one of Jasmine’s family members. “It wasn’t that easy, Skyler. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be with her.” Not at first, anyway. “I did love her, and I always will. I tried to tell her, so many times. But I just --- I know I messed up, and I’ll have to live with that.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

heidistarks‌

Cocking her head to the side, she gave the male a once-over. He was incredibly good looking — she had to give her older brother props for having good taste in that regard. Too bad the only thing he was lacking was decent morals (or so Heidi assumed). “Or they’re taking the day to sharpen them,” she smirked, leaning back against the bar top. “So, you two are…together now. Is that correct?” Heidi quirked an eyebrow. “Lenny and I weren’t quite certain. You have met my older sister, have you not? She’s not as nice as I am.”

“You know, I really wouldn’t doubt it.” He offered, playing into her idea of a supposed mob. Although, given the amount of family that Jasmine had within the city, and those that thought ill of him since his dirty laundry had come to light, he was beginning to wonder if perhaps there was a mob after him. The thought hardly lingered, not when Heidi was pressing into further conversation paths. “We are,” he admitted with a quick nod of his head. It certainly hadn’t gone the way he wanted, but Myles was thankful to now be able to call Julian his. “Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her yet, but I don’t think it’ll be long until I do.” It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to meet Julian’s family, but the circumstances hadn’t exactly been right for it. Not until now, that is. Letting his tongue slip out to moisten his lips, Myles sighed softly, “Look, I know you don’t think all that highly of me. And I know I put Julian through more than I should have. But I do care about him, more than you could think."

[mylesbennett-blog1]

julesxstark‌

“And what about it? Sex is still sex. I just think you forget how much you love it,” Jules laughed a little more, easily slinging his arms around Myles’ neck as he was pulled closer again. “It’s…that’s right, it’s America’s birthday.” He said the words in the most American accent he could manage, wrinkling his nose. “We outed the British, too. But it had nothing to do with tea. I almost wish it had.” He looked back down at Myles, a smirk tugging at his mouth, “Better make it better than tomorrow’s sex. Otherwise, I might just have to trade you in for a younger model. They have plenty around here, don’t they?” He leaned in to press a kiss against his mouth, humming into it, “Let’s go before we get kicked off the beach for indecency.”

“Me, a good God fearing boy? Haven’t a clue what you mean,” he mused with a slight lift of his shoulders, moments before a smile broke across his features. He was, for the first time in a while, enjoying the simplicity of just being with Julian. With his arms around the other’s waist, Julian’s arms around his neck, he didn’t care what day tomorrow was. He wanted only to make sure that this day was everything the other hoped it could be. “Is that right? Now, was that before or after The Great Emu War?” He questioned with the tilt of his head, lips pursed as if he were considering the dates in his head. The feigned look only lasted a matter of moments, an audible scoff displacing it, “Oh yeah, I reckon there’s tons of cowboys running around here. Although --- I did hear there was a surf competition going on a few beaches up.” He cast his gaze in that direction, lips fighting off the smirk threatening to show through. As Julian leaned closer, he’d barely turned towards him before lips were capturing his own, “Like you wouldn’t love that.” He muttered the words against the other’s lips, smile tugging at the edges. “Your place or mine?”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

skylerxdavis‌

“So…are you gay or were you just like…pulling an Elton John and thinking you were going to get away with just dating a girl until you could break her heart and be with some guy?” Skyler had liked Myles…once. Jasmine had seemed happy, and he wasn’t about to worry about someone breaking about her heart when she’d tied down some sweet Southern boy. But apparently it was the nice ones who were the ones that fooled everyone else. 

The question was bothersome, there was no denying that. But he wasn’t going to fault Skyler for wanting to throw it in his face. He’d broken his sister’s heart, after all. Sighing softly, he collected himself for the inevitable, “It wasn’t like that, Skyler. I never meant to break her heart, nor did I anticipate any of it happening like this. I loved your sister.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

alinaldridge‌

“If I hear one more firework go off, I’m leaving Santa Monica.” Lina muttered in frustration, hands gripping her iced latte and nearly causing the lid to pop off. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy fireworks, but loud pops in general tended to give her the jump scares. And Lina thrived on coming across as calm and collected. 

“You’d really think they’d have exhausted their resources by now,” he mused upon hearing the latest firework and her words. He hadn’t minded the fireworks for the extent of the weekend, but the days since the fourth were ever growing, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. “Or at least realized it’s no longer the weekend of the fourth.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

themarleycallahan‌

“Got the best pie in all of Santa Monica…baked fresh every day and everythin’.” Marley held up a plate of the sliced pastry, as if to prove her point, waving it slowly in front of the man’s face with a smile. “And it’s free…all you gotta do is maybe promise us a vote.” She teased, leaning in closer, as if telling the man a secret, before leaning back with a grin. “Really, though. Take a slice. What’s more festive than a good ol’ American apple pie?” Laughing, she shook her head. “And if it ain’t the best pie you ever had, I’ll owe you one.” One what, exactly, was up for interpretation.

It was impossible for Myles to have been raised in the south and not love just about every kind of pie out there. It was especially hard not to when just about every ma in Brady made their own family recipe, bringing it to their own citywide bake off for all to enjoy. So when Marley came waving the plate in front of him, Myles felt like he was back home. He’d just be sure to not tell his own ma he cheated on her apple pie. “A pie for a promise?” He questioned mock skeptically, pursing his lips as he looked at the offered pastry. “I reckon I can manage that,” he let the smile curve across his features, lifting his hands to accept the treat. “Owe me one, huh? That’s a steep offer. You know, they say southern mamas make the best apple pie, right? You wanna reconsider?” He teased with a playful grin.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

ashaldridge‌

Eyeing the other person every couple of seconds while his pen worked on the piece of napkin, he finally held it up after about five minutes or so, basking in his work. “Had some trouble with the nose, but it looks just about right, don’t you?” He showed them his drawing, grinning as he waited for their reaction.

For the most part, Myles was able to work through Asher’s constant glances his direction. When the napkin was finally held up, he tore his gaze away from the latest report, scrutinizing the artwork presented to him. “Is this your way of saying my nose is too big?” He questioned with a glance up at the newest artist in Santa Monica, lips working to fight off the smirk wanting to etch its way into his features.

[mylesbennett-blog1]

julesxstark‌

“You’d do that for me? Wow. I love how special you make me feel.” His tone was teasing, and he kept his chin on Myles’ shoulder as he looked out over the ocean. Jules couldn’t help but grin, and he patted Myles on the chest before he released him finally. “The good seats. You know we could always climb on my roof and have privacy and a better view?” He hadn’t thought of that idea yet, but it seemed good enough to him. He didn’t even celebrate the 4th of July, but he didn’t mind all the benefits. “That way I can cash in on more birthday sex.”

“Anything to make your birthday memorable,” he mused with a smile, which was seemingly forever etched into his features for good now. It was the ease that came with their relationship now, when Myles wasn’t worrying over if someone was going to catch them and when. When the arms dropped away, he moved until he was now facing Julian, eyeing him closely when the question was spoken. He took a moment to consider it, until the true reasoning was quickly made apparent. “Oh, you think you get any more of that after today? You know tomorrow isn’t your birthday, right?” He paused with a soft smirk, stepping forward to wrap his arms around Julian’s waist, “It’ll just be back to regular sex then.”

[mylesbennett-blog1]

heidistarks‌

She’d been wondering when she’d run into him, her older brother’s little plaything-turned-boyfriend whom Heidi was less than enthusiastic about. Despite the fact that she was a self-proclaimed ‘man hater’, especially when it came to relationships, her resentment for Myles ran deeper that that. In her eyes, he’d been stringing Julian along for months while playing house with a woman who most likely deserved better, none of which spelled a ‘prize’ to her. Even so, when she spotted him across the way at the beach side bar, she couldn’t help herself from approaching him, devilish smirk and all. “Well, well, well,” Heidi mused, giving him a once over as she sipped her frozen mojito. “And here I thought an angry mob would still be following you around with pitchforks.”

It was inevitable, the moment when he would see one of Julian’s sisters after everything had come to light. To say he would ever be prepared for it was an obvious understatement. And the fact that it was Heidi who would be the first made him all the more nervous of what was to come. To say she scared him a little was also quite the understatement. “Heidi,” he responded in greeting, shifting until he was now facing the woman. He knew he needed to be nice, even despite their previous conversation, for she was still Julian’s sister. “I actually think they’re taking the day off, what with the holiday and all.” He mildly joked, fingers curled tightly around the drink in front of him.