call out my s i n s

you put on a faith f a c a d e think you're h o l y when you're n o t i h a t e to break it to you, baby but you're simply l o s t priest elsworth husher || 22 || simply singing out s i n s don't bring me closer to g o d i think that chest is h e a v y from that c r o s s on your neck you only wear because you're w a r y of what comes n e x t after your d e a t h

[prie-st-blog]

sierraxclarke:

He’d said not to worry, that there wouldn’t be any ER trips today, but that hadn’t stopped Sierra from grabbing their travel first-aid kit on their way out the door. It was better to be prepared and not need it than to regret not bringing it in the first place. They made a mental note to get a set to keep in their bag to save the trouble of having to dig through drawers to find it whenever they went somewhere. With fresh makeup and practical yet stylish shoes, they stepped up to the other’s door, checking their reflection in the screen of their phone just in case something was out of place. With a deep breath out, they put their phone away, trying to place their worry in their pocket along with it before raising a hand to the door. Knocking on their friends door still gave Sierra butterflies, even though they’d known each other for so long.

Priest hated the idea of worrying Sierra, moreso than worrying his own brothers, his grandmother, his mother-- It wasn’t the same when it was them. It wasn’t the same when it was a person who’d cared about him from the start, holding his hand through the hurricanes and keeping their grip tight and true through patches growing rougher and rougher. Sierra was not the person he wanted to let see him when he hit rock bottom, leading him to consider striking them from the emergency contact space in his information. 

But they would never forgive him, would they?

He was at the door in a moment to throw his arms around their shoulders, a bright smile at his lips as he quickly ushered his dear friend inside the minuscule flat. “I’m so sorry to drag you all the way over here-- You weren’t too busy, were you?”

[prie-st-blog]

Text -> rah-rah

Sierra: Thank heavens. I don't think I could handle another trip to the ER.

Sierra: I'm just going to finish up here and then I'll be over. That good with you?

Priest: don't worry! no more er runs this time i promise

Priest: i'm okay with anything

Priest: i'll just be in my flat, okay?

[norafairchildxo-blog]

♣ Won’t Forget The Good Times

[prie-st-blog]

norafairchildxo:

Nora took a deep breath and looked at Priest, smiling at him with a friendly expression on her lips. She absolutely adored him, because she believed that every part of him was good. He had a good heart and would always have one. Things had been pretty good between the three of them as the years had gone by, even when Nora and Alexander had dated. Usually, you would see a relationship messing up friendships like that, when there were three people involved but not them - with them things seemed to run smoothly. Things just seemed to work for them. Maybe it was because Nora understood that Alexander and Priest needed each other. Hell, she needed both of them too, even if her and Priest hadn’t been the closest to begin with. But that changed, once the two of them had gotten to know each other. Once they became friends too. 

She knew that a lot of things had changed since she left, and although she had come home and visited every once in a while, Nora knew she had been missing out on a lot. And it hurt. It hurt a lot, actually, but she tried to fix that. She tried to make things right, although her moving away hadn’t really been what she had wanted. She didn’t want to move away from Alexander, nor did she want to move away from Priest, but at the same time, she had experienced a lot of things in New York that she wouldn’t change for anything - and met people whom she adored. Nothing much has changed for the most part, Nora-Bear. The dark-blonde smiled brightly at the nickname that Priest had used for as long as she could remember. I think I got taller?

Nora chuckled softly and hummed, pushing the glass across the counter. “Uh-huh. You do look a little taller, I will agree to that,” she said and winked as she chuckled softly, lifting the glass to her lips and taking a large sip of the cold beer, feeling a sigh escape her lips soon after as her shoulders dropped. “Nothing else happened other than you getting taller?” she questioned and chuckled as she reached out and grabbed a piece of the pizza, putting it in-between her lips and teeth, taking a large bite of the cold dough but it felt amazing nonetheless.

“… And, how is your love life going, hmm?”

It was nice. It was nice to be with Nora. It was nice to be with someone who whole-heartedly believed in the shining golden mask that he held in place throughout all the hours of the day. It was nice to be with someone who cared to think that his happiness was beyond skin-deep, that it seeped through to his core and radiated out of him in the form of shining sun rays.

It was nice being with someone who didn’t know.

He shouldn’t dwell on that, honestly, but it was so good to know he needn’t worry of the barrage of questions about his health over and over, to get called out and lectured and worried over and to spot tears forming if the other person found out something they shouldn’t. Nora leaving had hurt him, sure. It’d hurt Alex, of course.

But something told him that her staying would end up with her just as hurt, if not moreso, as the rest that had to deal with him. And he wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy. 

He took a bite of his own slice, humming around the cold mouthful as he pretended to ponder this, as he pretended to sort through the millions of things that have occurred for something fitting. Which, honestly, would have taken him a century.

If he was going to be honest with her.

“Well, I’ve moved out. Y’know that. Just kinda cruising through the single life right now since, er.. My last relationship tanked. Y’know that, again.”

A long, long pause, a long, long cock of the head, a long, long moment to chew. “...I’m not good at this, am I?” Came the next reply, tinged with his laughter and sparkle to his eyes.

[norafairchildxo-blog]

♣ Won’t Forget The Good Times

[prie-st-blog]

norafairchildxo:

Nora raised an eyebrow at Priest when he said he’d get a head start, because it meant it would be less work for the both of them and more time for them to chill out. Shaking her head, the dark-blonde female jumped off of her seat and made her way towards where he was standing. Putting her hand on the mop, Nora stopped him and looked at him with both of her eyebrows raised. “You are not going to be mopping here on your own. Now, join me and eat this damn pizza, okay? You’re not going to let a girl sit down and eat on her own, now are you? That’s just rude,” Nora questioned quietly and smirked as she looked at the male with a playful smile on her lips. Pulling the mop away from his hands, she hummed quietly and grinned as she turned around on her heels, making her way towards where the food was waiting. “Sit down, and I’ll get us something to drink. The least we deserve is a cold beer with our pizza,” she said and winked, the grin on her lips widened quickly as she skipped over to where the glasses were. 

“… What do you want to drink? Oh! Do you want me to warm up the pizza for you? Because I totally can, if you want,” she said and smiled as she placed the mop at the end of the counter, letting it rest there until they would need it again. “Today was mental, wasn’t it?” she said and laughed as she was making conversation. “It was definitely the most hectic shift that we have had in a long time I’d say,” she said and rolled her eyes as she grabbed two of the largest beer glasses they had, putting them underneath the tap before she filled them to the top. Nora had known Priest for a while now - he was also Alexander’s best friend, and he had been the reason why Nora had gotten a job at Woodie’s Bar & Grill so she felt grateful over him not only because of that but because she knew that while she had been away, he had made sure that Alex was okay. “So, how have you been, P? I mean, I’ve been back and forth a lot the last three years, not really been here for long so we haven’t managed to catch up much.” She had a feeling that he probably knew about her and Alex’s throwbacks whenever she was in town.  

Wasn’t this a throwback? Wasn’t this a blast from the past? He could hear those very words echoing in a higher, younger tone, ringing in his ears from years and years past.  You’re not going to let a girl sit down and eat on her own, now are you? That’s just rude.

Of course it was rude. He was the sidekick to Alex’s protagonist, and she was the love interest that bantered with the sidekick and ended up opening him up to his fears and troubles without fear nor worry of judgment. She was supposed to be the one to bring the three of them tied closer together, to remind them all that they were allowed to feel the negative above the positive, to remind them to stay positive even through the negative, to hold both of their hands as the credits rolled. She was supposed turn to Priest for help when she and Alex had issues, and he was supposed to be able to turn towards her if he needed support that he knew would only stress Alex out. They were supposed to be the three that were thicker than syrup, and never once would anything awkward arise between them as she and Alex continued their relationship.

It was the picture perfect scene for a picture perfect trio of main character friends to a picture perfect film about life.

Why did she have to leave?

So, how have you been, P?

A lot had changed since she’d been gone, there was no doubt about that. There was no longer a Husher home for them to all cram into, but a minute Priest abode above the very bar they were working inside, just barely enough to accommodate him and an older version of Janice the cat. There was no longer a ‘Priest and his older boyfriend,’ but a ‘Priest and his lonely thoughts and bad decisions leaving in the morning.’ There was no longer a Priest with a grin to match what was inside, but a Priest with a grin that hid what was inside.

It’d been a long time, Nora.

And Priest was sure none of this was what you wanted to hear.

He made his way over towards the counter with a soft call that just a beer would be fine, don’t trouble yourself. He liked cold pizza, too, after all. It was a staple in his diet nowadays, just out of pure executive dysfunction to drag himself towards the microwave. A grin, a stretch, and he willed the darkened, tired thoughts from his mind, letting his eyes glitter and twinkle over at his old friend with a slow nod. “Nothing much has changed for the most part, Nora-Bear,” came the bubbling response, a hand raising to scratch at his cheek with another yawn to split his sides. “I think I got taller?”

[prie-st-blog]

aidcnharris:

Aiden didn’t flinch this time, giving the boy a small smile, reminding him of the morning after and just how lovely he had been. He didn’t understand what was happening at first, had it been how he was acting? Repelling the other? Why was he so horrible at social interaction? Everything happened so quickly, confusion dazing over him before he finally understood the situation. “Priest, wait !” the boy called out just before he stepped out of his room, “don’t go.” It was almost a plea, a beg. Aiden hated being alone, anyone who truely knew him, knew that. But even those people could get confused by Aiden’s body language and incapability of forming proper sentences. Everyone always thought he wanted them to leave, he had that affect on himself, the effect that always made him feel lonely. “I.. uh, could use the company. I’m sorry if it came off like I don’t want you here, I do, really. It’s just weird, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad.” Seeing Priest made him feel a lot of feelings he couldn’t identify, but despite everything that had happened, he didn’t hate him and that was the only case he would ever want someone to leave him alone. Priest was definitely one of those people you couldn’t hate. Just searching his eyes would make you forgive him, let alone fall in love with their hues. “I don’t think I.. thanked you for that night,” the boy continued, his hand ruffling his hair, retracing the steps of Priest’s fingers, “you were lovely.”

This was different. This was not what Priest was used to, what Priest was expecting. This was not how it was supposed to go, nor was it ever how this went.

Priest was told to stay.

Priest, the one night stand. Priest, the dirty little secret. Priest, the ‘good friend that just needed a place to crash after he came home drunk with your son.’ Priest, the one who was prepared to stand and leave and be stricken from the record, as though he had never been there in the first place.

Aiden wanted him to stay.

A surprised expression passed over his face, his eyes widening and his steps stilling as he caught the gaze of the man staring up from his bed. All he could hear were the words that fell from those lips, deafening the sounds of the hospital behind the door at his back. All he could see were those pleading eyes, begging for him to step forward and stay in place, not to turn away and break their shared hold. All he could feel was a heart beating faster and faster in his chest, pounding along with the loud sound of his blood in his ears, burning through his veins.

Aiden wanted him to stay.

And so Priest will stay.

He took his steps back towards the bed, less hesitant to take back his seat at the edge with a soft, shy smile spreading across his lips, highlighting the deep blush that flushed over his cheeks at the mere idea that the other wanted him around. It was a strange feeling, it was a strange revelation, to hear it straight from another’s lips that they wanted him to stay, rather than to leave. Wasn’t it refreshing? Wasn’t it revealing?

Wasn’t it nice?

“...we can call it even,” he murmured, a hand raising to gently fix the blankets about the other’s chest, fingers softly dragging over the other’s arms in a soothing motion before he brought them back to fall in his lap. “..in exchange for you letting me stay now.”

[norafairchildxo-blog]

♣ Won’t Forget The Good Times

[prie-st-blog]

norafairchildxo:

Nora absolutely loved working as a bartender; there was just something incredibly fun and interesting to see people were they’re intoxicated because they are more honest when they are. There was something about the atmosphere of people laughing with their friends, there were so many stories that were happening right in front of their eyes, and that was probably why Nora loved it so much. She took a deep breath and looked at Priest, who seemed to be somewhere else for a moment and a smile appeared on the dark-blonde’s lips. Nora absolutely loved working at Woodie’s Bar and Grill, but what she loved the most, was the fact that she got to spend time with Priest. Just the two of them. The two of them bounced off each other perfectly. 

She smiled and looked at her friend, who had a mop in his hands already. Do you want me to heat it up for you, babe? The dark-blonde chuckled and shook her head at the words coming from Priest’s mouth. “Nah, I like cold pizza. I know, weird. But, I’ll be right back, okay?” She giggled and ran to where the kitchen was, grabbing them the stuff they needed. The cold pizza in question first of course. Walking over to where Priest was, she smiled and chuckled as she put the pizza down on the counter. “Come on, let’s take a break. We deserve it.”

Nora was an angel, wasn’t she? All smiles and good intentions, a sugar-spun halo resting neatly against a cascade of darkly blonde locks that bounced off her shoulders like the sunshine that fell from her lips. It was always a relief to look over and meet her gaze after a particularly long night, a particularly difficult customer, a particularly bad moment..

It was good to have her around, again.

“I’ll just get a head start,” he insisted, turning back towards the mop with a suppressed yawn raising his chest, constricting his throat. “Less work for the both of us, yeah? More time to just chill out.”

Though he did sneak a glance back towards her, towards that pizza, and felt his stomach grumble and growl.

[norafairchildxo-blog]

♣ Won’t Forget The Good Times

[prie-st-blog]

norafairchildxo:

♣ @prie-st.

It had been a long day, so when Nora and Priest got to close up Woodie’s Bar and Grill, it was more than welcome to the two bartenders who had been on their feet pretty much all night. It had been a busy day, to say the least, with a lot of people wanting drinks and food - some of them were celebrating a friend and others were just out having fun, with alcohol involved. Adjusting the hem of her shirt, Nora walked over to the door and locked it, closing the curtains over the tiny window - although it didn’t do much. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her back against the door and looked in the direction of the bar where Priest was. 

“… I have seriously never been more happy about closing that door as I am right now,” she spoke and giggled softly as she pushed herself off the door, making her way over to where her co-worker and friend was. They now had to clean the whole floor, and make sure that everything was ready for the next day and although she wouldn’t have minded going to bed, she knew it needed to be done. “So,” she spoke as she walked over and started to take the many empty glasses and bottles from the tables located around the room. “How are you doing, Priest? I feel like we haven’t been able to do this in a while,” she said and chuckled softly as she carried them over to the bar counter. “Oh! I know there’s some left-over pizza in the kitchen… Do you want me to go and grab it?” she questioned, excited at the thought of cold pizza for some weird reason. 

Priest loved his job. He loved the atmosphere of friends laughing in groups and love blossoming between shared drinks. He loved the constant thrum of music that left his heart synchronising its beat to the melody, long after the player had been turned off. He loved the fact that he was able to keep busy with his work, that he was able to forget whatever clouded his mind in favor of being the sunshine to someone else’s. He loved being able to comfort strangers who sobbed on the counter, to draw a smile from their lips and leave them with good thoughts as he called them a cab home.

The bar was like a place of lost souls, really. One where he got to help those souls leave will a little more pep in their step, even if they were stumbling and he had to pay the cab out of his own pocket.

He loved his job. But what he loved more, was the special time he got to share with Nora afterward.

He smiled over at the girl with a twinkle in his eye, mop already in hand and eyes drooping slightly with his soft exhaustion. The prospect of pizza and a cold beer was one that he embraced at this point, even moreso than a waiting bed at home, and he can only nod at her as he slumped over his mop. Christ, it was a long night.

“Do you want me to heat it up for you, babe?”

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

chess: only if you don't ditch me

chess: i haven't been to a club in months

chess: ahh boy next door type of cute

priest: i wouldnt ditch you dont be ridic

priest: ill take you to one this weekend if you'd like

priest: even if we dont end up finding someone we'll still have a good time!

[prie-st-blog]

Text -> rah-rah

Sierra: Yeah of course babe! Right now?

Sierra: You didn't hurt yourself did you?

Priest: it's okay!! just whenever you're free

Priest: its nothing major i promise

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

chess: wow he was that cute?

chess: ugh, i need to meet a cute guy or girl.. just cute people

chess: have you ever seen him before last night?

priest: come clubbing with me sometime

priest: it'll be fun!!

priest: i dont think so??

priest: he wasnt memorable cute if you know what i mean

priest: like he was cute up close but he didnt stand out

priest: boy next door

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

chess: that is a great defence

chess: how cute is really cute?

chess: you didn't think of slipping him your number?

chess: doubtful

priest: well i mean

priest: ...

priest: i dont think i was thinking at all when it happened fdkjngfd

priest: maybe he'll come back sometime

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

chess: you fucked someone while you were meant to be working

chess: not sure your boss would be too happy

priest: in my defense it was a super slow night

priest: plus he was really cute

priest: plus i knew that he was going to leave soon and he wouldnt be waiting for after my shift

priest: she'll understand, right???

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

chess: who what why

chess: no you cannot!

priest: are you sure

priest: like will i get fired

priest: i probably wont get fired but like jic

[prie-st-blog]

text --> frosting cup

priest: quick

priest: if I banged a customer last night while i was on the clock can I put it down on my timesheet?

[prie-st-blog]

Text -> rah-rah

Sierra: I love you too babe

Sierra: Tbh I like both. I guess strawberry is more popular though, but both together is a great combo.

Sierra: Are you going to help me taste test everything for the menu?

Priest: I'd love to!!!

Priest: Can you come over, btw?

Priest: There's something I really need to talk to you about

Priest: Only if you're free, though!

[prie-st-blog]

aidcnharris:

Everything was sudden and quick and before Aiden could react Priest’s hands were already gone. Blinking at the boy he tried to recap what had happened in the last few seconds, a slight pain in his shoulder telling him just where the other had touched him. Giving his shoulders a small roll, the boy tried to shake off the tension caused by the sudden action. Priest couldn’t have known about the large cut all the way from his collarbone to his 4th rib, but Aiden couldn’t hide his reaction. “Yeah I-,” the boy started, adjusting himself in his new position, “I’m fine, Priest.” Aiden watched his hand move from his lap to his pillow, his forehead, to see it disappear but be replaced by a subtle touch on his cheek. Priest was the first and last stranger he’d ever slept with, the way he was acting confusing him. Was this normal? Weren’t they just supposed to forget about everything? Was this just more personal? Should Aiden even be worrying about such small things? Letting out a nervous chuckle, the boy ran a hand through his hair. “Totally. I thought that was the only vibe you had.. hospitals don’t seem like your territory.”

And of course, Priest noticed. He noticed the wince to Aiden’s eye as he rolled back the shoulders Priest had pressed against. He noticed the tension that held at his muscles, that grabbed at his skin, cooling the air about them. He noticed the way the other’s laugh sounded strained and soft, almost edged in an anxiety that Priest knew was his own fault for bringing along.

He should just get up, honestly.

Say ‘Get well, soon,’ and apologise for interrupting his rest.

Walk out before he gets attached to the man on the bed, only to find disappointment waiting for him at the end of the tunnel.

Ridiculous.

A soft smile spread across his lips at the other’s compliment, though it faded just as quickly at the mention of the institution they both shared. Christ, what was he doing? They’d slept together once, they’d parted ways, Priest had walked into the wrong room, and that was the end of it. So, why did he feel so cemented in place? Why was he so reluctant to stand and walk away? Why was he being like this?

Enough.

A sigh at his lips, Priest moved to rise up off of the other’s bed, moving once more to gently run his hand through those thick locks with a soft hum before stepping back. “I’ll leave you to rest, then,” He mused, the smile on his face spreading once more, though of course, with the brilliance of a mask too brightly polished. He took a step back, two steps back, before pausing with a press of his lips. “..it was good to see you, again. Though.. maybe next time, we could pick a nicer setting.”

[prie-st-blog]

alexshakes:

When Alexander lacked motivation, it seemed that Priest was a spring full of it, ready for him to bathe in and fill his thirsting soul again. A muse that gave it all to him, asking nothing more than friendship in return for new ideas and old laughs. Sometimes it lasted long enough for him to write again, to start a story, a poem, a new piece and maybe even get to the end. There were times, however, where the clouds in his mind would overshadow the sunshine that Priest would bring, and it’d start raining before he got far enough to fish out a pen or turn on his computer. Sometimes nothing in the world was enough, not even his friend, to make him finally get to work again.

“When I write for Hollywood, you bet the two of us will be like Burton and Depp! I want you to be the star in all of my creations. I want to write so you can shine!”

And in that, he hoped he properly conveyed just how much he returned this feeling of admiration. That he could make it clear how much their friendship meant, that he cherished their shared love of the craft.

And again, Alexander skirted over the implications of what Priest said to better fit his own-- Which, by no means, truly let the acting star within him shine through the dark. Of course, there were strong points and weak points, where one felt they could excel, where one felt they could fail. But Priest had seen him on that stage, exchanging lines with Priest himself, exchanging lines with many, with emotions twisting every expression to bring a character to life.

Phenomenal.

Amazing.

Radiant.

But when would he let himself say those words aloud about his own work, rather than taking away the credit that was so clearly his? A frustration of Priest’s, one harbored far back into high school, one that will continue to stay stagnant far into the future, until he can finally break Alexander into accepting the man of a thousand talents that he really was.

“So we can both shine, Alex,” came the soft reply, as his hands fell to take hold of the other’s, squeezing gently, squeezing warmly, squeezing lovingly. “Because there’s no sky I want to twinkle more than the sky you’re hung in.”