“You know you need to buy that, right?” Sidney nodded down at the outfit they’d bulled Syrus into trying on, grin continuing to widen. They raised a hand, spinning a finger to try and convince them to twirl. Sid loved shopping with Syrus, flitting between the gendered sections of thrift shops on either of their whims. “It looks fucking amazing on you. And you need more colour in your wardrobe.”
HUMMING TO HIMSELF , micah walks the length of his living room , waiting for sidney to answer his call . eyes cast back at his coffee table , at two tickets to a new art exhibit set for tonight — one he’s completely forgotten about until said tickets fell out of his binder when he was looking for something else . now he was in panic mode because he didn’t have a plus one — and damn , those tickets were expensive . so he panic dials and calls the person he knows would — ‘ hey sid ! ’ he chirps , hearing the beep and sid’s greeting . ‘ uh yeah so ! you got any set plans for tonight ? ’
They hear the ringtone muffled from inside the house, and cursing, set the joint to balance on the edge of the ashtray to wait while they rushed inside.
Micah. It isn’t the name that he expects to see flash up onto his screen. The selection of people that call him is slim, and Micah is not typically one of them. Sidney doesn’t hold any grudge against him; he’s taken Ollie’s side because that’s his only option as his best friend, but as for what he did... but they were never all that close really. Normally he would have texted.
“Hey man, what’s up?” He says brightly, shifting the phone against his shoulder as he opens the door back outside, picking up his joint, fishing for his lighter. “I do now. Why, where are we going? What’s the dress code?”
‘ i think you’re being a little too light on yourself. ’ kat purred out, breath trickling over their neck. she unzipped their pants, fingers splayed over the elastic of their boxers. she pulled it back, letting their cock spring free. instead of letting her gaze roll towards the reluctant driver, she focused on them. she spat between them, letting a line of saliva dribble onto their twitching cock. her fingers wrapped around them, stroking their cock as she bit into the skin of their neck. she meant to leave marks, hoping the bruises would serve as a reminder at the bar.
she pressed down a little harsher than she should have with her teeth. her plump lips cushioned against the sore skin as her hand stopped suddenly. she could feel their hips jump up. instead of giving them more, she slapped their sack. the slight pop could be heard through the car.
Kat already had the game in mind. Their whine of protest cut into a soft, near silent moan as her hand wrapped around his cock. Sidney let their head fall back, giving Kat the space, throat bobbing as they swallowed. Her teeth were a counterpoint to the pleasure of her hand, completing the current between them, electric and alive.
The slap wasn’t expected. Sidney bit down on a yelp, and jumped in their seat, lifting a hand to their mouth as their eyes shot open. Colour flushing over his skin, Sidney exhaled a breath and leaned against her to watch Kat from under his lashes, pulling his lip between their teeth. “Please, m’am. Give me a chance to make it up to you,” they breathed, almost sing-song and soft enough to be barely overheard.
Jamie leaned into their touch, a subconscious, natural reaction to a comforting presence. “Lover, you know me so well.” He snickered, baring his teeth at Sid. “I’m just a little critter! A little creature!” Jamie buried his head into the crook of Sid’s neck, nipping at him before looking back up. It was sweet, in a way Jamie was still getting used to — being thought of, in this way. He’d spent so long just… not making it into people’s central spheres like that. It’s not something Jamie had ever been unhappy about — in fact, most of it was deliberate. He was more an annual than a perennial; something pretty, to last a season, but never anyone’s person.
If he was being honest with himself, this kind of closeness scared him. But not enough to scare him off. Not yet, at least.
“Nooooooooope.” Flat-out lie. Jamie had two classes, and slept through them both — it didn’t really matter, though; even with this absence, he’d probably still pass them. Probably. He was just… up too late the night before, deep-diving into Twitter and starting his fifth re-watch of Psych. It was all bullshit, but he needed that bullshit more than he needed air: any moment not spent dissociating into fantasy or fiction was a moment spent drowning on land, lungs crushed under the weight of their secrets. “They got cancelled. What did you get up to? Let me live vicariously through you, O great not-goblin.”
Jamie slotted against Sidney like a missing piece, arm curling around him. Fondness bubbled up warmly in their chest. They laughed, winding a coil of Jamie’s hair around a finger, tugging just lightly enough to pull him closer, and then let go. Sidney had never had anything as soft as what he shared with Jamie, and he feared that made it fragile.
“Lucky bastard,” Sidney huffed, pout exaggerated for effect, and then gone quickly as the title sequence flashed up onto the screen. They turned to it with a beaming grin, eyes wrinkled at their edges, and sliding just as quickly back to Jamie.
Raising a hand, they began to tick down their fingers. “Well, for one I actually went to class. But then I had to wait out that flash typhoon this morning, so I was still like fifteen minutes late. It wasn’t even worth going to, the lecture was just...she kept getting distracted with stories about her cat’s arthritis,” Sidney waved a hand, eyes rolling. “Then, Ollie met me for lunch; hey did you know they closed that pizza place around the block? The one that always had the man standing out front twirling the pizza sign? The pizza sign man place? Did we ever try ordering from there? Place was sketch...There was giant health code violation sign on the door...”
“Anyways, after lunch Ollie had to pick something up from the dry cleaner, and I convinced him we should stop into the thrift shop. Where I came across this masterpiece!” Their story finished with a flourish towards the tv, and a laugh, nuzzling their nose affectionately against Jamie’s shoulder.
He stayed home tonight. After years of having to maintain a GPA above 3.5 to keep his credit cards open Ollie’s learned some tricks. Papers can be bought, notes purchased from classmates, but there was no way around a professor that checked ID during tests. So while Kat, Jamie and Sid had ducked into the night Ollie had locked the door, tucked Jonah in and spent about two hours with Riemann and Trapezoidal Sums for company.
Now he’s done showering, hair damp and skin pink from running the water too hot and god–he loves his bed. Lets out pleased, quiet huffs as he pulls the sheet over his shoulders and thumbs through snapchat, and he’s got the right filter picked out when the bed dips.
“If you’re going to be like this all night, just go home.”
Sidney wasn’t sure Kat had actually meant for them to take the suggestion, but she hadn’t stopped him leaving. A drink too many, and their night had spiraled sharply downwards, and Kat had only been able to last through so much of their foul mood before she snapped back, and Sidney decided he would rather be at home.
Of course, that didn’t mean they wanted to be alone. Without a word, still in their outfit they’d picked to go out, Sidney had cracked the door to Oliver’s room and climbed on all fours onto his bed, pausing when addressed. He lifted is head, watching Ollie through slightly narrowed eyes.
“Just tired,” Sidney shrugged, lingering on Ollie’s expression another heartbeat. Before, with a sigh first, they closed the rest of the distance and wormed their way into place beside Oliver in his bed. “How did studying go?”
what do you know about your character that they don’t know yet?
They should be appreciating what they have now more. It isn’t going to last forever.
what are your character’s major flaws?
Sidney seeks attention, even negative attention. They often act out, occasionally just as the typical class clown, but they can take things too far. Especially on someone else’s behalf, and were something of a bully in highschool. Sidney is also deeply irresponsible, and always wants to take the easy way out.
what is your character’s greatest asset?
While their personality isn’t always to everyone’s taste, they have an affable and playful energy and it draws them a certain amount of fond affection and leeway, even from relative strangers. They’re also think quickly on their feet, and are a good judge of character, meaning they can often talk themselves out of situations that might have otherwise been much worse.
What would completely break your character?
If Sidney were to completely lose their support system, they would be likely spiral into a dark hole of drugs & alcohol and destructive relationships. Sidney doesn’t handle rejection well, and feeling betrayed or abandoned by the people they trusted, would be what broke them. Having never actually lost anyone close to them before, the death of someone close to Sidney would also have the same effect.
describe your character’s family.
Sidney is the youngest of four, his older sister bracketed between their two brothers. By the time Sidney came along, both of their parents careers had just begun to pick up and they could afford to hire nannies to shuffle their children between extracurricular. Their father, Landon Daines, came from money. He met his wife, Isabelle, when she was 16, and he was 23, seven years older. By the time she was that age, they were expecting their eldest.
Though some sense of obligation (or reluctance to use birth control), kept giving them more children, neither of the Daines had particularly strong parental drives. As long as they were behaved, the kids were allowed to their own devices. Sidney acted out instead, disruptive and destructive in class and at home. It had some short term effect, the anger and frustration were at least attention. However, soon it only landed them enrolled into private school, to be at home as little as possible.
Sidney’s middle brother was only three years older, but he was always closer to their eldest brother than Sidney and their sister shared too much in common with their mother for them to ever really be close. Out of anyone in the house, Sidney’s relationship with their mother was always the most volatile. Around the time they were enrolled into private school, Sidney changed their name and started wanting to avoid their parents attention instead of attract it. Of course, this was when their mother hyperfocused in on Sidney’s behavior, and wardrobe, and the people they were hanging around with.
Their parents were unable to see Sidney’s exploration of their gender and sexuality as anything but another form of rebellion. To them, it was an attempt to stir up ire and cause embarrassment, and Sidney’s refusal to hide it was just an extension of that. Frequent screaming matches made their household a chilling and uncomfortable place for Sidney, and drove a wedge further between them and the rest of their siblings, who hated the horrible atmosphere that suddenly followed them.
Sidney’s only places of refuge were school and the Kim household. Their families might have been friends, but the Kims never seemed to question why Sidney showed up at their place to change outfits. Sidney appreciated it more than he can express, but always makes sure to send Olivia Kim flowers for mothers day. For most of their life, Ollie has been the only family that’s really mattered to Sidney and so by extension, any of Ollie’s family is also his own.
Kat was the first person that has been expanded to in a long time, and then Jonah by default. Sidney’s never been particularly fond of children in large doses, but he loves his friends enough to adore their kid. Jamie rounded out their little family, and being surrounded by people he loves, has made the last few years the best of Sidney’s life.
name your character’s favorite person and why.
Oliver Kim has been Sidney’s favorite person for a long time. They’ve been a step behind him and at his right hand for most of their lives, and wouldn’t trade that place for anything. However, in the last few years, both their horizons have broadened to included others into their world, and often Sidney isn’t even sure if they’re jealous or happy about it.
what seemingly insignificant memories stuck with your character?
An early memory, one of their first. A day at the playground, and they become the type of instant friends only children can be. She introduces herself as Sidney, leads him up to conquer the jungle-gym, long dark hair streaming behind her. They part ways to go home that night. Sidney’s nanny quits a few days later, and they never go back to that park.
Elementary school wasn’t kind to Sidney. They hadn’t figured out yet how to weaponize the jagged edges of their personality. The bullying is relentless, until they stomp on one’s hand and break one of their fingers. After that, it tapers off. Sidney makes friends. They’re suspended for a week, but their parents take turns working from home to be with Sidney, and it’s still the most individual time he’s spent with either in his life.
They are sixteen, the first time someone wolf whistles from a passing car. Their hair is long, and they’ve borrowed a classmates skirt. Shopping that afternoon, Sidney buys another skirt, and a backless dress.
what is your character reluctant to tell people?
As much as Sidney likes to been seen, they prefer to only allow a specific, carefully constructed version of themselves to shine through to the outside world. Treating life as a performance is easier than facing it with their entire truth. There are very few people that Sidney is entirely honest with. Even those closest to him, he may only let down some of his walls, and not all of the time. Around strangers, Sidney prefers to talk a lot and say little.
what makes this character angry? what calms them?
Though Sidney is occasionally prone to tempers and foul moods that are largely disconnected from real cause, they’re otherwise fairly friendly and personable. They desperately want people to like them, though they’ll still give a big fuck you to anyone that doesn’t. The real hot button for Sidney, is disrespecting their friends or being any kind of bigot. Calming Sidney can be as fickle as they are. Sometimes there’s nothing to it but letting him work through to the meltdown’s conclusion, and tire out their anger. Others, a gentle hand or a sharp word are all it takes to snap them quickly out of their pique.
how does your character really feel about sex?
Sidney’s relationship with sex has been long and complicated. They started young, with an early boyfriend a few grades older, and then when they started to party in highshool, drinking too much and taking drugs, they often found themselves waking up in unfamiliar beds. Sidney has used sex as an instrument of self harm in the past and currently, and it is often less about seeking physical pleasure for Sidney than it is a deep longing for connection. While they certainly enjoy the act, they often go into it uncaring of their own enjoyment or safety. Sex is also a heightened point of dysphoria for them, especially with women, though Sidney is attracted to all genders. They are also a submissive, and like to be taken out of their/heady body during sex, especially by an experienced Dom, though they’re almost as happy having fairly vanilla sex with someone, as long as the person is still attentive with them.
how does your character really feel about love? do they want it?
Sidney has always been overflowing with more affection than they know how to share. They love love. They love romance, and to be in it, and the sappier the better. However, Sidney’s honeymoon adoration isn’t sustainable, and they’re often quick to bore themselves of relationships once that spark has begun to fade. Those people that do work themselves deep into his heart, Sidney is incapable of ever letting go.
what is your character’s most noticeable trait and most noticeable physical feature?
They choose for the day. Some it’s bright red lipstick and others an understated silver pin, keeping their hair up in place. Their fashion is also often enough of a statement to draw the eye, and make it linger, from long outlandish coats to croc skin belts.
plot specific questions ;
how does your character feel about their major and school in general?
Poorly. They like school because gotten them away from home, but Sidney is bored with their major but can’t make any decisions about what they want to switch to. They don’t take school nearly as seriously they should, though so far they’ve managed to keep their grades from flagging to far by buying tests and other ‘work arounds’
what is your character’s plan for after graduation? does that scare them?
They’re terrified of it. Sidney has no plans at all for what they’ll do after graduation, and frankly are pretending that isn’t a possibility. Frankly, they’re considering switching their major and starting over, stretching the years out.
what was your character’s relationship to manon and how exactly did they feel about her?
Sidney met manon at a party not too long before her death, and they hit it off. Sidney enjoyed her larger than life personality, and they’d started to hang out even outside of parties. However, they weren’t particularly close, the relationship was shallow and mostly based on partying and gossip, and Sidney was shaken by her death but not that broken up overall.
what is your character’s opinion on the pact as a whole? do they think they should just tell, are the willing to do what to take to keep other in to keep others in line, etc.
Sidney thinks the pact might have been stupid at first, but now it’s far too late to back down. They’re terrified of facing consequences for their actions, and barely remember the night well enough to say what those actions were. They’re trying to distance themselves from it as much as possible, but also keep an ear out for what’s happening and if anyone is going to spill.
are there any secrets your character is scared the west bridge liars blog might leak?
It would probably be bad for Sidney if anyone knew they were cheating on their school work and rarely going to class.
how is your character handling the stress of keeping the secret?
They’ve been trying to pretend it’s not happening, and going about life as usual. However, it’s led to an increase in their nerves, and they’re drinking/smoking more to cope, and going to class less. They have started to get jumpy, as though convinced things are going to come crashing down any moment.
𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐔𝐏. she knew every bit of what made them twitch and moan. her fingers sunk against the outline of their slacks. she wanted to show that they belonged to her. it was a sudden spring of possessiveness that made it unique to their entire housing situation. it wasn’t hard. all it took was the line of her tongue along their neck, thick lips cushioned against the skin. ‘ and damn, you look good. what do you think your punishment should be – for stealing? mm? maybe, i shouldn’t let you come at all tonight. ’
Their breath escaped in a sigh, edged with a whine. Sidney shifted, trying not to look up and meet their driver’s eyes in the rear-view mirror. He watched Kat’s hand instead, the indent of her nails along the inseam of his thigh, and swallowed around the tightness in their throat, where her lips were pressed.
“Baby, I’m sorry. Please, it won’t happen again,” they muttered the promise into the skin behind her ear, hand at the top of her thigh and thumb messaging a slow circle. “If you think I need to be reminded, use a belt. And then I’ll be reminded ever time i try to sit down tomorrow.”
𝐈𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐇 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍. he curled in bed with the hopes of ollie sitting in the living room, hands sunk over his cheeks as he cracked through another book. she could relate, but blissfully ignored her problems until the summer semester rolled around. she took sid’s hand in hers, pulling him along as they made it outside in the dark. the necklace that adorned his chest was the only thing she could make out. squinting through the shade, her head turned towards the flash of light. the car rolled before them with the window rolled down.
‘ is this a ride for kat? ’ the driver asked. kat slipped a twenty over towards him, eyes drawn to the backseat.
‘ pretend you don’t hear or see anything that happens. ’
the driver rose his brows before throwing both hands up. it wasn’t as if they could make a difference in what they were doing. kat slipped into the side, letting sidney roll in last. her hand suddenly grazed over his crotch, eyes hooded as she turned to bite down on their neck. ‘ don’t ever make me wait again, you got that? ’
While Kat was occupied with Jonah, Sidney wrestled with their choice in outfit, pinned back their hair, painted their lips. She was waiting when they finally emerged, inspecting the dark wings of their eyeliner in the hall mirror on the way past. It was just in time, the glare of headlights outside announced their ride, and Kat dragged him along behind her out to the car.
He climbed behind her into the backseat, eyebrows risen with the exchange of money, but kept silent. If Kat had something planned, who was Sidney to disrupt. Obedient, their head tipped back to give Kat space at their throat, a small groan breaking it with the scrape of teeth. “I didn’t mean to make you wait,” Sidney pouted, tone edging onto a purr as their hand rose from her knee up the inside of her thigh. “I just wanted to look good for you.”
“not that it’s, like, any of my business,” nothing that sidney and niko discussed ever was, “but i’m pretty sure i saw my ethics professor go into a spare classroom with my ta. she left looking a little disheveled if you know what i mean. think she’ll give me a passing grade if i bring up the ethics of hooking up with your colleagues?” he turned to ask the other, swinging his legs against the stone ledge that he sat on.
“You know, it’s worth a shot isn’t it?” Sidney hummed, dissolving into a laugh hidden behind their hand. “I wish I could manage that kind of dramatic irony in all my hookups. Was the ta worth it? Better question, know if your ethics professor is seeing anyone? You could really turn around your grades this way.”
Jamie was had drifted off, but the clattering of the ladder woke him up. He jumped up from bed, a couple stray Cheese Balls™ rolling off his chest. Thank God it was just Sid; not that any of his housemates would care much about how Jamie chose to live, but he’d probably been the most pathetic-stoner around Sidney, and they were well past the point of judgement. “Never for you, princess,” he drawled, voice still low from sleep (and smoke). “Oh. Dope. Animal print belts are in — just don’t get paint thrown on you.” He dropped back onto his bed, into the mess of pillows and blankets that made up his little pothead nest, motioning them over. “Movie? Oh, yes. It’s cozy time, motherfucker — get over here.” Jamie pulled the case from Sid’s hand as soon as he was close enough, inspecting it carefully. “God, I hope so. This is, like, how I’m trying to be.” He motioned to the so-called critters on the DVD case, and crawled halfway off of his bed, arms dangling until they reached the DVD player. He slid in the disk in, and waited for Sid to settle, so he could slot himself in beside them. “Busy day?”
If they’d woken Jamie up, he didn’t seem disturbed. The rasp of his voice was comforting, and tantalizingly intimate. An unguarded piece of Jamie to hold against their chest, and light darker times. Sidney pulled themselves the rest of the way up into the attic, drawing the ladder back up behind them so they couldn’t be followed. “I’ll keep an eye out. It’s old as hell, I think the crocodile that died for it would be geriatric by now anyways.”
Grin breaking with delight, Sidney quickly slid into spot Jamie invited them into, settling comfortably into place as they handed over the DVD. “Oh, man, you’ve got the energy down,” Sidney assured them seriously, and reached out to grab the back of Jamie’s shirt, to catch them if they leaned too far forward off the edge of the bed. “That’s why I knew I had to get it, and watch it together.”
Sidney sighed, arm outstretched to invite Jamie in beside him. “Kind of. How about you? Did you have class?”
𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐊. 𝐆𝐎𝐃, 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐊. a soft whine left her lips as she felt his arm drape around her waist. she leaned forward. her stomach sucked in even though she knew they didn’t care about her weight. they liked her, stretch marks and all. maybe that was what was so damning about it. she hadn’t liked someone like this since roy. it twisted something ugly in her stomach, feeling as if it was all going to collapse in the matter of seconds. just like last time. just like every time. it was going to fall apart, but she was enjoying their housing arrangement so far.
‘ jo. ’ kat said, clapping her hands together. ‘ put the ipad away. it’s bed time now. ’
jo removed half of his headphones, looking sulkily through the air. ‘ do i have to, mama? ’
‘ yes, hon. get ready for bed. ’ kat swiped a hand forward, feeling a chill run down her spine as their breath grazed over her neck. she moved her pointed finger to sid. ‘ don’t turn me on right now, princess. jesus. ’
She leaned into the touch; it was all Sidney needed to know. They could see Kat’s mind made up, but a wide grin still cracked their face when she clapped. They banished it quickly as Jo’s head swiveled. It was too bad their fun meant Jonah couldn’t stay up, but Sid would make it up to the kid. He just wanted to borrow his mom for a few hours.
“I’m sorry. I’ll behave,” Sidney promised, stepping back and drawing a cross over their heart. Then, grinning took another step, towards their room, “Just let me finish getting ready, I’ll meet you in a few minute. Uber?”
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