midnight.

[wtfhennessey-blog]

the list ( scented and colour coded ) that had been shoved in hennessey’s hands earlier that morning was three pages front and back. to add insult to injury she, and the person she had managed to drag along, had to trek to a bakery an hour away just to inquire about a damn frosting technique. shock registered on her face when the baker gushed about how they were such a cute couple. “— oh,  we’ve been waiting for this day for just about forever. right, honey bear?” her arm slid around the other’s waist, a silent urge for them to play along. “we’re young but when you know — you know.”

[ofbecketts-blog]

              annika had little to do today, and when hennessey asked for company whilst shopping, she agreed with mild enthusiasm. it wasn’t the same as shopping with her best friend, but shopping alone was a bore. at the bakery, she clicked away at her phone, arm draped at her side, waiting for her friend to be finished. there was an element of shock when the baker commented that they were a cute couple. aj looked up with raised brows, then to hennessey who obviously wanted to troll. aj was game.    “ we’ve had our hardships, especially when i went off to fight the war in liechtenstein. i might have lost my leg but i didn’t lose my love for this gorgeous peach. “    she moses a hand to brush some of her dark locks from her face.    “ bless her heart. we wrote letters every day. “

[ofbecketts-blog]

[ TEXT ] → loml 🔥💖

ari: u r the dirty soil

ari: https://66.media.tumblr.com/bd6da2811d640705855de363f6b35473/tumblr_ocsk94oRqR1vd3tl4o1_540.jpg

aj: that's hot

aj: i'm saving that

aj: when do u have time to make those ???

[ofbecketts-blog]

[ TEXT ] → loml 🔥💖

ari: lookin fresh beckett

ari: dirty soil ;)

aj: u kno me always 10/10

aj: am i the dirty soil or is that in reference to smth else ??

[andrewshill]

andrew eyed the girl and scoffed, “yeah, okay. whatever you say.” he really wasn’t in the mood to argue — for once, he wasn’t going to start unnecessary shit with people just because he could. something told him that this girl would push his buttons, though. “and it looks like i care? i woke up an hour ago, give me a fuckin’ break.”

[ofbecketts-blog]

        at least if he barked at her, she would have something to work with, but people who didn’t do anything were a bit boring. she respected it though. to have the strength not to fuel the fire was impressive.    “ alright, champ, you get a pass. “    she leans back with a raised brow, studying his obvious tired stature.    “ coffee’s a pretty good cure for that. “

[ofbecketts-blog]

[ TEXT ] → loml 🔥💖

aj:[ IMAGE ATTACHMENT ] http://66.media.tumblr.com/0185c29a9db5fdb54dbda39f9613b7fc/tumblr_mmdl162I041qdwygho1_400.jpg

aj: would u like to buy some turnips ??

[galenahq-blog]

drew’s bright smile only grew as she used her high heel to push out the chair across from her, “i always could too, why’d you think i asked you to join me ? ” she replied, then picking up another of the frosted cupcakes and setting it infront of the seat she’d pushed out for the other. 

[ofbecketts-blog]

        aj smiles coolly, sitting down in the seat presented.    “ you’re cute. “   she hums, taking the cupcake in her nimble fingers, licking a strip of frosting from the edge. her mother used to yell at her for eating too many but one was a gateway, and not only to her stomach, but to the wonder of annika and her talented mouth.  something she took pride in.    “ almost as sweet as you. “   she looks from the dessert to her pray, eyes glowing with obvious intentions. there was no hiding for aj.

[galenahq-blog]

drew sat down the wrapper of the cupcake she’d just eaten, licking the remnants of icing off of her finger as she looked at the person standing above her. “ ’d you want one ? ” she inquired carelessly.

[ofbecketts-blog]

          aj watched carefully, raised eyebrows and a glowing smirk.  “ sure. i could always use a little more sugar in my life. “   cupcakes were a delicacy in her home. they were like actual cakes but smaller and easier to eat. a lady’s treat.

[arifilter-blog]

                everything they already know goes unspoken between them: aristotle is batshit crazy about annika; he likes boys, too, and she doesn’t; aristotle is, despite his best intentions, very good at breaking hearts; and the years they’ve spent curled up under blankets together, whispering secrets and quotes from alien into each other’s skin, ari’s fingers splayed over aj’s ribs, have made it very, very hard for either of them to relate to other people now. aristotle loves her in the same way moons love the planets they orbit, and the stars love the sky when it’s cloudy and blue, coating them in a milky overcast, hiding them in plain sight. without even trying, she’s wrapped him around her little finger and made herself the centre of a galaxy ari hadn’t known existed, and she’s done it all just by being herself. the perimeter of his worlds end at the petals guarding her mouth, and this is simple.

    aristotle hums, listening to his friend, with emphasis on the friend. there’s a wall that exists between annika and the words she says, distance between l.a and ri, and aristotle and the throat of the woman aj stuck her tongue down.     “ oh ? ”     he quirks an eyebrow, hands pressing down on the kitchen counter, palms flat. they move to her thighs, separating them, so he has a better place to stand. there’s a joke about the red sea parting here, but it’s one he’s made before, and aj hadn’t appreciated it then. period cramps have a way of dampening a person’s sense of humour, or tamponing, as aristotle had worded it. he’s smirking at his own inner voice because, frankly, everyone, he’s hilarious and worth a damn with annika. self-love is refreshing.     “ better than spanish ? ”     it’s a joke, and it’s simple, until aristotle’s thumb is pressing down, and it isn’t anymore. 

[ofbecketts-blog]

           still living in the pristine white walls of her parent’s mansion, she’d spend nights twisted in sheets and blankets laughing about that new episode of parks and rec. where annika was comfortable being a true form of herself. untangled from the lies and the deceptions, the requirements that made a good woman. aristotle never asked anything from her; she was perfect in the way she glowed naturally. and laying on a thousand dollar mattress, fingers laced, her toes running up and down his calves, she could feel her chest warm and it’s the only time her home felt just like that; home. but she remembers her mother approaching her, brushing back a strand of her platinum hair, telling her how happy she was that annika had found a boy she loved. the blush on her cheeks turned cold and the flutter in her stomach churned. none of it was to please her parents.

sitting on his kitchen counter, watching hooded eyes, and the setting sun infecting his already beautiful complexion, she was captured. he was stunning at all hours, with all light. he held her in a grasp no one else did. in a world where the idea of being in love was the most overrated thing in life, ari was all she ever needed for it. without him, aj imagined she would be a carbon copy of her mother, always hiding her real self. he was her better half. the sun to her moon and the mastermind behind her foolery.     he was now close and aj felt his hands move.   where she was in his kitchen, hearing smooth sounds of some indie band the sit-in dj played. aj didn’t let her skipping heartbeats go unnoticed but she ignored it. her skin bubbled when he touched her thighs and his musk was overtaking her senses. fingers danced on his collars, singing a silent song she’s belted for years, but never had the courage to admit herself. a song her mother tried to convince her of. a song annika covered with screams. violent, boiling, troubled screams of want and freedom. to be different than what mommy-dearest wanted. the song her fingers sang, one that was harmonized with the tint in her cheeks and thick breaths, contradicted all that she made herself to be. truly horrific.    “ i didn’t say that. “     her words are quiet, trying to cover anything her fingers might have told him. 

[andrewshill]

“who says i was staring?” andrew countered defensively, arms crossed. he wasn’t staring - really, he wasn’t. or he didn’t mean to, anyway. getting three hours of sleep meant that he reflexes were a little slow today, and he might have zoned out more than once already.

[ofbecketts-blog]

         “ i did. and i’m always right. “    not exactly true, but she was pulling andrew’s leg and not being serious at all.  taking a bite of her salad, she smiled through her chews, twirling her fork.    “ you look dead. “    her words being said threw chews. an unattractive trait her mother always scolded her for. her eyes had scanned over andrew and took note of his stature.

[adamdevinson-blog]

“ Wait what?” Adam blinked focusing back into reality and to the girl that just called his attention. “Oh- I’m sorry… I wasn’t- I guess it looked like I was, but I wasn’t actually staring… I was lost on thoughts, I didn’t mean to- sorry” He easily started rambling an apology, this was what the lack of sleep of the past week was causing. He looked like a sleepwalker, if it wasn’t the fact that he had food whatsoever at home he wouldn’t be here, but before finally having some sleep he needed to have something to eat. 

[ofbecketts-blog]

       annika’s eyes focused on the male stammering before her. amusing, to say the least. making people struggle was a favorite pass time for her. call it mean, maybe. but they’d live.  twirling her fork in her fingers, she looked him over before finally rolling her eyes, smirking wildly.   “ my mother always told me rambling was extremely unattractive. shows weakness and gives the other person the upper hand. "    she closes her comic, turning her body more towards him.    “ my mother might be a bitch but she’s the smartest woman i know. “    tilting her head, she batted her lashes at him.    

[arifilter-blog]

            aj has a bite harder than teeth can handle, but when her lips curve they’re a kite that’s gotten away, escaped into the night. aristotle wants to know what a struggling, wears her mother’s flower blouses ironically, poet from wayne, nebraska would name her. love, probably, or gunpowder. as if annika doesn’t exist as both; sulphur, saltpetre and charcoal all powdered over one ashen heart. aristotle shakes his head, snorting, and takes her hands in his to do something useful like hoisting her up onto his back.     “ you know, if i pulled something like that, one of the air hostess’ would probably try and have me sent to customs, or some shit. ”    his steps are full of intent when he knocks aj’s elbow into the door-frame. on the other side, both of their heights are scratched into the wood. there’s two radios in the kitchen, one never leaves her station. 

    aristotle drops her onto the counter besides his mam’s roses, blonde hair and familiar cat lashes now blocking the view of his father’s painting. in twenty or less years, he’s going to marry her. by then, the concept of marrying anyone isn’t going to feel like an open wound with salt pressing into it’s edges.     “ pa’s making enchiladas tonight, ”     which translates as aristotle is making enchiladas later, and abelardo marez is going to watch with a pensive and pleased tilt to his mouth. ari places his hands on either side of aj, his meme queen and confidant.     “ go on, ”      he prompts, leaning in closer for the dirty details.       “ what was the fruit like out there ? don’t hold back, hit me with the full fantasy. things have been dry as fuck around here. ”      

[ofbecketts-blog]

               in nights of china plates and swarovski smiles, aristotle held truth between the fines of his teeth and the dirt under his nails made her feel less like an alien. or maybe, he made being an alien okay. they could dance between the stars in their bare feet while the rest of the world was bound to the soil. aristotle was a philosopher, and in a life only filled with suits, lies, and hidden objectives, he was fresh water in her polluted life. clinging to the threads of his shirts and staining him with salt water tears time and time again, he is a sanctuary. a testament to true friendship, annika growing thinking to sit straight, speaking punctually, and yet, aristotle took her by the hand and lead her down the meme whole. a girl who felt a boy under her touch and felt silence, a girl who whispered lines of spider-man in times of weakness. a girl wanted nothing but her friend, and to be herself.

her small frame was lifted from the floor and her charriot guided her further into the house.  like the romans going into a battle of wits and terrile jokes, she’d let him take her anywhere. sit in a trojan horse for hours upon hours if the outcome meant victory. they were a two person empire. he was all she needed to live and breath. her arms locked around his neck and her cheek rested against his head, breathy laughs filling his ear at his jokes. he sets her upon the counter and she’s looking at the flowers beside her, taking one in her hands to gently run over the soft petals. her attention is once against grasped by him and she grins, tilting her chin up to look at him with a glow.     “ succulent, and juicy. everyone is attractive but being that there’s nothing good here, i let myself indulge in many sorts. “    she brought the rose to her nose to hold her mystery.    “ there was a woman who didn’t speak any english but her native tongue sure didn’t let me down. “ 

[teddyrutherford]

teddy couldn’t wait for aj to get back. he’d talked to her the night before, right before she got on her flight, and they’d agreed to meet up for lunch. teddy, as per usual, was running late because of work. he’d expected aj to go on without him, though, and as he saw a salad in front of her he knew that she had. “it’s hard when you’re so damn gorgeous.” he smirked before pressing a kiss to her temple and sitting down beside her. “started without me?” ted pouted out his bottom lip. 

[ofbecketts-blog]

          aj probably could have stayed in calfiornia for another week, but she knew her friends would probably die if she did. the sun was hot and so were the women. in comparison, rhode island only hosted old, soggy fruit. it was rather dry here, and it was the same for her southern region. looking up at teddy, she breaks out into s smile, tucking away her comic and adjusting in her spot.   “ consider it a consequence for being tardy. “   she mocked the sounds of her mother and grinned, leaning back in her chair. thankfully she had a salad, and it would not grow cold, or become unpleasant if she waited for teddy to order his food.  

[arifilter-blog]

           on the opposite wall, near his father’s chair and one of aristotle’s first pottery projects, there’s a framed painting of an orange house against a blue-skied mountain range. aristotle’s gaze has been periodically glancing from it to the roses spread across the kitchen draining board, his heart beating steadily, slow. he’d picked up the flowers for his mamá after she’d been called into the hospital on her day off, a sort of apology and thank you gesture from the universe via her only, beloved corazón. the dimples in aristotle’s smile hold her affection and the stars, a pool of unconditional love that burns, and burns, and burns. a petal comes loose in his hands, the lock on the door is unlatched, and aristotle’s phone buzzes with an alert from his contract provider all at the same time. annika is home, her voice catching him through the open doorway, and even the lights can’t keep up. he sweeps the stems he’d clipped in a bag for composting later, before stepping out into the sunlight.

her skin has been kissed by the l.a sun, and aristotle follows, lazily, placing one onto her cheek.   “ welcome home, brat, ”   his hand moves from where it briefly rests on her arm to take her suitcase, wheeling it the short distance from the front door to the bottom of the stairs. he’ll take it up to his room later, where her futon is waiting with fresh sheets.   “ you should have texted back, i’d have come to the airport and picked you up on my bike. ”    it’s a joke, but it isn’t. aristotle would take any excuse to try a piggyback on the highway.     “ did any babies throw up on you during the flight ? ”

[ofbecketts-blog]

             many of her days were spent at the festival, or by the beach. either way, if she wasn’t working, she was gracefully resting fingers on the sweet curves of another woman, speaking in swift tongues and hosting dazzling eyes that just seemed to dull in providence. she was fit for the west coast, and she’s known that for a very long time. however, providence is her home and she can’t leave. not yet, anyways. and definitely not without aristotle. but it's always a little sad coming back, where her family is disappointed, and the women are nothing short of distasteful.  she has friends, but she can always get new ones. aside from her best friend, and her job, her life was growing increasingly more boring and she should be having the time of her life. she’s at her prime age. it’s all just a shame.

    but she's home now, and ari’s kissing her cheek and her boring life feels a little more tolerable while standing in his home. she smells something floral and imagining riding his bike, but with her shit,t hat wouldn’t have worked and she just shakes her head.    “ next time, buddy. “    but next time she plans to take him with, so he wont need to pick her up. she tilts her head up to look at him, holding a smirk that is so classic she never leaves without it.   “ no, turns out, if you complain enough, they’ll just give you a business class ticket to get you to shut up. “   truth was, some creep was harassing her and she grew so uncomfortable she asked very nicely to be moved, but that was not a story to tell ari. she would not allow a sour mood so early in the evening.   “ what’s for dinner ? “    she chimes, hands on his shoulders.  

[ofbecketts-blog]

        flying from coast to coast might have been long and true, she’s been back for a day, but she’s still tired and, frankly, aj is always tired of everyone.    she was enjoying her lunch, having the day off from all the work she did in los angeles (though is it really work when she’s interviewing great bands ?). flipping the latest issue of the new avengers. her zen moment wa s stompped on when she felt a gaze her way, and she looked up, crossing her leg over the other, arms folding.   “ it’s rude to stare. “

[ofbecketts-blog]

// @arifilter

            there was absolutely no desire to go back to her apartment. aj didn’t want to travel the four blocks further it was to get to her place from aristotle’s. she hadn’t seen him in twelve days and frankly, that was more important than dropping off her suitcases. so she directed the cabbie to his place and began to dig out her keys, pulling out the one specially for his lock. aj didn’t need to knock, didn’t need to call. she texted him before her flight that she was coming home but hadn’t decided to come over until she smelled the providence air and had a numbing conversation with the barista at starbucks. los angeles was beautiful, trendy, and she always has a good time when she visits. next time, she’s have to bring him along so they could enjoy it together. 

pushing through the door, she rolls her suitcase in, purse hung at the crooks of her elbow as a mango tea lemonade rested in her grasp. she looked around, not noticing ari front and center, so she made her presence known.   “ stop everything you’re doing because in no way is it more important than me. “   she places her sunglasses in her purse, setting her case aside and her purse on the table, awaiting ari’s entrance.

[evahmades]