a mess and still broken

written by bree 27 || she/her multi-muse; multi-verse detailed, long, multi-para plots are my life may be nsfw present

[rcguereveries]

AS OF 1/9:

Canon muses: LINK HERE

OC Muses: LINK HERE

Open Starters

Wishlist

FCS played: (As of 1/9)

Phoebe Tonkin

Shailene Woodley

Emma Stone

Adelaide Kane

Margot Robbie

Lily Collins

Jamie Chung

Halston Sage

Zoey Deutch

Saoirse Ronan

China Anne McClain

Jenny Boyd

Danielle Rose Russell

Vella Lovell

Madelaine Petsch

Phillipa Soo

Sarah Jeffery

Alexa Demie

Anya Taylor-Joy

Ellie Bamber

Previously used:

Melise

Emeraude Toubia

Danielle Campbell

Maia Mitchell

Camila Mendes

Lili Reinhart

Dove Cameron

[biff--mcintosh]

Biff laughed off the curiosity. "I know it's strange. I had half the mind to ask my grandmother why this was the case, but—" he shook his head and shrugged, "—ah, well— I received my answer when she proved difficult to contact. The times of the year when apples are in most demand are also when we're the least likely to see one another." Buried in the thick of work— much like he often was, back when the Hotel McIntosh still stood. Had the rest of Penny's family known this, they would have thought — much like others — that workaholicism simply ran in McIntosh blood.

One had to admit, however: the Biff of today was successful in making plenty of strides since then. Sleepless nights were far apart and few, and with the good nurse's persistence, he was eating well and consistently enough to fill out his suits nicely. Those, plus other positive choices, made him stronger, and thus less likely to cave into his people-pleasing ways.

"Thank you for your kind hospitality, but I'm going to refrain from any alcoholic beverages for tonight." Besides, with the way that the bottle of wine on the counter looked, just about halfway-enjoyed, he was certain that there was enough of that circulating around.

Nikki was quick to pipe in with, "Are you sure? There's a little something for everyone. Even top shelf stuff."

Shaking his head once more, he answered, "I'm certain, thank you. To be quite honest, I don't drink very often." That probably came as little surprise to everyone. Still, he smiled back without a hint of embarrassment.

"Juice," Nikki announced. "We've got juice and even bubbly water." She looked as though she believed that the latter was the wealthy's most-popular choice, because they could afford the extra oomph. She wasn't entirely wrong, but... Well, Biff wasn't exactly like a lot of them.

"Still water is perfectly fine, but thank you again. I'll peruse the selection?" And when they waved him away, he wasted no time excusing himself properly and making his way toward the more-than-just-modest bar situated at the corner of the living room. Once he was close enough, he dropped his volume to a level where only Penny could hear. "What's your drink of choice?" Accustomed to her expertise, he took the time to scan the rest of the space for little Jackie O.. Then, he turned back and leaned a smidgen closer. "How are you faring?"

[rcguereveries]

As Penny started out of the kitchen, she could hear Nikki talking about all the different options that one had for a beverage. The conversation was so normal, from what she was hearing, that it also struck the brunette as she stood staring at the various top-shelf liquors. She had to be grateful for her sister, even if it was her fault that they were there at all. There wasn’t a moment that passed that Nikki wasn’t trying her best to make the former hotelier, the nurse, and their tiny shipmate feel like they were one with the family that was there.  

Of course that wasn’t true. The three of them were very removed from the whole Owens clan. Penny had only been really in touch with Nikki in the last 12 months and even that was only consisting of the older Owens occasionally answering the phone when her sister called. It was her doing that she didn’t really know anything about her adoptive family, and yet it was surprisingly upsetting to be there and have to acknowledge that estrangement.  

Her hand rose to grab a glass from the shelf as she felt someone’s presence near her. She glanced over at the other, smiling gently when she realized it was Biff and let out a small snicker at the question. It was the same question she was asking herself. It would be so easy to pour some whiskey and continue the night with the assistance of the liquor, but something was telling her that she was stronger than she was before. She didn’t need the crutch of alcohol to help her- she had her chosen family with her. 

A sigh came from her lips before she opened the small fridge that was housed at the bar area and opened a sparkling water bottle, pouring the bubbling liquid into the glass she had plucked from the shelf.  

“I am... getting through.” She finally replied after returning the bottle to the fridge and taking a sip of the water. “This is a little more difficult than I realized it would be. Or at least... more upsetting and less angry.” She shrugged gently. An abundance of giggles came from behind the couch and the nurse realized that the three children were hiding behind it. “Well, one of us is having a very good time, thankfully.”  

[biff--mcintosh]

There were certain things that came natural to Biff: his manners, a sense of decorum, a charming smile, and a knack for polite talk. All of this was why, despite the tension that materialized in the air before him, he seemed to continue along in stride. What else could he do? No matter how involved he’d gotten over the past few years — going from a total stranger supporting a work colleague at her father's funeral to that very individual's life partner — he was still very much an outsider.

But the reminder of McIntoshes being well-known? The implication that Penny and her family were 'riff raff?' No, that wouldn't do.

"On the contrary," Biff began, shaking his head and pressing his free hand against his abdomen, "I'm quite honored to be here tonight. My family isn't accustomed to celebrating anything together." Not birthdays, familial anniversaries, and not even Christmas. "—So it's, ahm—" he let out a gentle chuckle, "—this is very much new for me."

"We're happy to have you, Biff!" The same booming voice from earlier resounded, its source standing just at the edge of the entryway. "—Not just because I'm selling you on the better team!"

As far as teams went, however, Biff knew the exact one he was proudest to belong to. His hand slid up Penny's back, until he could give her far shoulder a squeeze. "My navigator's the finest I know, and I'm grateful for her, beyond all words." If there hadn't been a small crowd just now — including very curious, very ready-to-burst-in-awe eyes from Nikki — he would have leaned over and pressed a kiss on Penny's cheek. Instead, he turned toward the Owens matriarch. "Is there anything I may assist with?"

[rcguereveries]

Francesca peered at Biff curiously while Elena blinked at his comment. “A holiday that has a lot of involvement with pies and Apple people don’t celebrate? How odd.” The taller of the women voiced before taking another large gulp from her wine glass and subsequently turning around to refill it from the bottle on the counter behind her. A smile crossed the older woman’s face as she heard her other half speak. 

“Now, Joe, don’t get too involved! You’re going to have to get in here and work on your Surprise Casserole. That’s your area of expertise.” Francesca spoke a little louder so her husband would hear her.  

“Ugh... not the surprise casserole.” Nikki’s expression went from looking like she was ready to squeal at the displays of affection from the couple beside her to scrunched up in disgust. “We never know what he’s going to put in it and it... is literally terrifying. The first time he made it, there was spaghetti in it. Last year, it had lots of chicken and mushroom soup.”  

Penny- who had playfully rolled her eyes at Biff’s comment- now had her own features twisted. “And... Fra-Mom just lets him do that... every year?” She inquired in hushed tones back to her sister. “This really is bizarre...”  

Francesca shook her head in Biff’s direction. “Not at all, dear. You are our guest- you just enjoy this day. In fact, you need a drink.” She motioned to the pair of them. “You both do. What can I get you? We have a fully stocked bar in the sitting room, but we also have carbonated beverages in the fridge here and glasses in the shelf beside it. Make yourselves at home.”  

The comment was made so effortlessly that it stopped Penny in her tracks and rang through her ears repeatedly. “Make yourselves at home.” How ironic considering she had never actually been in this residence before. Clearing her throat, she finally spoke up.  

“I think I’ll need something stronger than a carbonated beverage. Excuse me,” she said, turning quickly and heading for the bar area.  

[biff--mcintosh]

Goodness! Biff couldn't remember the last time he was held by such strong arms. Perhaps a few months ago, when he had helped Fireside's Fire Department with opening their new facility, or even the time when his father congratulated him for 'finally making it official with the hot nurse.' At any rate, the gesture was as welcome as it was appreciated, and he laughed with enthusiasm that had only grown since stepping foot in this home.

"You're just in time," Joe declared. "We were talking about the big game on Sunday. You watch football?"

Biff shook his head. "My apologies. I'm somewhat familiar, but I'm quite — as others would say — 'out of the loop.' I'm happy to listen in, however. Given that I'm fairly neutral, well," he took to his charm as easily as he did expensive suits, "perhaps I can be convinced to finally pick a team to support."

And just like that, it was as though he'd cemented his place among the men. He finished exchanging a greeting with a younger fellow named 'Jack,' when he caught wind of little Jackie O. sailing by.

"Please excuse me for a moment," Biff said, bowing to the group. He promised to return to the concept of selecting loyalty based on color later, for he had to finish introducing himself to everyone present. When he arrived at the kitchen, he found the other half of the party, including his other half.

"Hello! I hope I'm not intruding." It was a rather silly thing to say, given the celebration of it all, but he was also never anything less than polite. Pressing a palm gently at Penny's back, he explained, "I met Joe and Jack, and I thought it most proper to meet everyone before sitting in on the most important presentation of the weekend." Picking a football team. Who would've thunk it? In this moment, however, it was rinse and repeat: Biff greeted everyone, adding toward Francesca, "You have a lovely home, ma'am."

[rcguereveries]

Nikki let out a laugh at Penny’s comment before looking over at Elena and Francesca who awkwardly let out their own chuckles. “Of course they were, yes. There aren’t any strange kids around here,”  her sister said as Elena muttered something under her breath that sounded like it could have been “well, there weren’t...” But the brunette willed herself to stay ignorant to the comment- for Nikki, Jackie, and Biff’s sake, punching anyone at this affair would not have helped anything.  

However ... maybe just one pointed comment couldn’t hurt, right? 

The nurse, who had narrowed her eyes at Elena, opened her mouth to speak but paused as she heard the familiar tone of her plus one’s voice. She turned, catching sight of Biff and immediately felt herself calm down as his hand made contact with the small of her back. Whatever she had been planning to say to her former(?) stepmother went to the wayside as her brow furrowed at the man.  

“...football? You’re... huh. Okay.” Her lips curled into a smile at Biff, glancing at Francesca who waved her hand in the air.  

“Thank you, dear. It’s small, but it suits us better than anything like the Lincoln home did. Though that was all Grant’s choosing than anything else.” Elena scoffed, rolling her eyes as she took a big gulp of her wine. “That house was the worst! He refused to sell up and then he went and died so who had to deal with that mess?”  

“The lawyers, I’d assume...” Penny’s comment came flying out of her mouth before she even realized it happened, causing Nikki to snort. Elena looked very unamused by the comment and sneered in their direction before Francesca cleared her throat.  

“Well, enough talk of him now. Biff, right? The pie you brought is homemade, I assume. Apple as well... seeing as you are a McIntosh, correct? They are rather well known.”  

“And yet he’s here with us riff raff.” Penny joked under her breath, glancing over at him with a smile. “Clearly, you need to hire a new navigator.”  

[biff--mcintosh]

Biff could only look back with his shoulders raised to ear-height and a his palms turned upward. "To be fair, it has been quite some time since you were in contact with everyone." He looked down toward the squirming little one, just in time to miss the flash of brown surprising them.

Ah! He kept a close eye on Jackie, ensuring that she wasn't knocked over by the energy. This must be the younger sister. And although he couldn't speak from direct, personal experience, there was satisfaction in having his reasoning be confirmed. The only surprise came from how, within five seconds, he turned from being a mere observer to a target for a hearty greeting. He let out a short laugh and reciprocated with ease. Nikki is the type of individual who makes you feel as though you've known one another for ages.

When the sisters took their leave — a generous way of describing how Nikki commandeered Penny with great ease — Biff simply placed a hand on Jackie's back and encouraged her to follow along with him.

It may have only been their first time here, but the floorplan was easy enough to navigate. It was, all things considered, a splendid home. Larger than their current accommodations back in Alaska, but smaller than some of the possibilities they discussed for the future. He knew more than most, however, that it was not a place's size that mattered as much as its energy. Right now? It was warm. Inviting... Even though he noticed a distinct lack of photos of Penny on the walls.

"Hey there!" a burly voice called out, the minute he stepped through the next doorway. This was an older gentleman, wearing simple garb and a bright smile. He wasn't the only one, however— a chorus of voices joined in, and it wasn't long before Biff was pulled into a series of introductions.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he repeated, over and over, all while keeping an eye between Penny and Jackie. He wasn't too worried about the former, for her resilience had never known any bounds, but he was quite curious to see the youngest member of their household grow more comfortable, little by little. It helped that one of the twins stopped to give their squeaky 'hellos.'

[rcguereveries]

Joe was making his greeting to Biff, hand extended and pulling him into a hug. The man was wearing some kind of punny Thanksgiving day sweater and looked ridiculous by all accounts... but also happy. Nikki had pulled Penny into the kitchen where Elena was pouring two glass of wine- presumably for her new beau- while Francesca was looking in the oven.

If Penny didn't know any better, she would have assumed that she was having some sort of Twilight Zone-esque nightmare. This was bizarre. Her mother didn't cook, hated the kitchen, and hated Elena. The look of utter confusion must have been clear on her face, especially as Elena handed Francesca the other glass of wine and they clinked.

"Yeah... I've been finding that weird too..." Nikki muttered beside her, shrugging gently. "Mom! Look! Penny's here!"

The taller of the two ladies with their wine glasses gasped while the shorter gave a small smile. "Penelope... I'm so glad you came." Francesca, the shorter of the two, said. "I hear you're not here alone either."

Penny blinked. "No. I'm not. I have my partner, Biff, and our daughter, Jackie. I think Joe caught Biff in the living room." She glanced down to see Jackie suddenly at her legs, motioning for Penny to come down to her height so she could whisper. "Mama... I wanna play." The brunette looked next to her daughter to see two kids that looked... well, identical to each other, and maybe a year or two older than Jackie. "Are you Marlow and Blossom?" The pair nodded in unison. "Well, then, yes. Jackie, you can absolutely go play with your... cousins." She smiled at the three before they took off together.

Her lips curved into a tiny smile as she stood back up and faced the three women in the kitchen who were staring at her.

"...What? ...Those are Benji's kids, right? I didn't just send her off with two strange kids, right?"

[biff--mcintosh]

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Biff replied, his firm hand and warm smile coming as naturally as day. What set him apart from the typical stuffy suits was that there was an earnestness in his gestures. Especially now. Penny may have had countless reservations about today — and plenty of negative commentary through the years — but this was still something important, with people who, at one point or another, mattered.

In proper encouragement, he gave Jackie another pat, gently coaxing her into a practiced albeit still-shy greeting. It was quite precious, really. On most days she had a fire like her mother, yet to see her grow into her own personality was a spectacle in and of itself.

If Biff became the focal point of curious eyes then, he didn’t notice; he was far too engrossed in the exchange before him— and then the sudden blur of the ‘distraction’ in question. He refocused on the little one. “Would you like to join them?” And after a small nod, “After we meet everyone.”

Toward Benji, Biff raised the pie in his other hand, as pristine as his own appearance and ready for enjoyment. “Where may I place this?” But before anything else, he set down the dessert on the nearest safe surface, then tugged on the back end of Penny’s coat. “Please allow me.” His sense of proper etiquette never failed.

[rcguereveries]

Benji's eyes went between Biff and his hand before looking at Penny with a small snicker. He took the other's hand though and shook it. "Benji. You must be the Suit." He commented before picking up the pie that had been placed down. "I'll take this to the kitchen, no problem. Don't want the tiny ankle biters to get into it."

Her brother disappear from the foyer of the home and Penny let out a breath that she had apparently been holding since the realization that Benji was... not as Benji as he once was. After Biff helped her with her coat, her hands reached down to cover Jackie's small ears.

"What the fuck? He has... He's a... Twins?????"

The young one squirmed away from the nurse's hands just before Nikki rounded the corner.

"PENNY!!!" Immediately, she was met by her sister's arms thrown around her.

"Oh-" The older brunette stumbled slightly, thrown off-guard. She paused for a second, unsure what to do, but knew the other would not let go of her until she hugged back. Her arms wrapped around her sister gently, patting her back. "Hey Nickel."

When Nikki finally pulled back, she tapped Penny's arm. "No more Nickel, please!" She pouted jokingly. "You must be Biff!" Her arms then threw themselves around the man at the nurse's side. "Welcome! And Jackie!" She dropped down to the little one's level and waved at her, smiling big. "I'm so happy to meet you. I'm Auntie Nikki!"

A small, shy smile came across Jackie's features and she unhooked one of her arms from around Biff's legs to wave.

Penny let herself smile slightly at the sight before turning to peer around the corner towards the kitchen and dining room. She let out a sigh before feeling an arm loop through hers. "C'mon, c'mon. It will be great." The sound of her ever optimistic sister came to her side as she gently pulled her further into the house.

[rcguereveries]

like a bad penny... i return.

[biff--mcintosh]

( @rcguereveries )

With a long-perfected apple pie in one hand and a tiny tot gently clinging to his leg, Biff McIntosh was perfectly ready for his very first Thanksgiving with the wider Owens family. Possibly also the last, if he was to believe Penny’s words, but he was always the more optimistic of the two of them. Besides, the mere fact that they had made it this far — that she had accepted the invitation to begin with — must have meant well. He knew all too well that a ‘perfect family’ was a fantasy, but there was always something to be said about effort. Surely this was a good step forward.

“As a refresher,” he said, following Penny’s broad steps toward the front door, “the code word is ‘peaches.’” Even speaking it sent a shiver down his spine. Damn their fleshy rivals. “You only need to say it twice and I’ll be halfway out the door.”

It was an over-exaggeration, of course, for he had the exact kind of personality that made it nearly impossible to leave without a five-minute goodbye. Still, his reassurance and encouragement stood their ground. It stemmed in the gentle pats he gave Jackie, after adjusting his coat.

“And yourself, Miss Jackie? Are you prepared to meet your kin?” Clearly still in a sleepy daze, she burrowed further into the side of his leg. “I understand. That was quite the peaceful ride. I have no doubt, however, that you’ll find yourself plenty entertained. I have it on good word that your dearest aunt may not leave you alone all evening!”

[rcguereveries]

"Yeah... still not sure how I'll organically work in the work 'peaches' to a conversation, but I'll figure it out," Penny mumbled, glancing down at Jackie. Something within her leapt as she watched the small brunette attach herself to Biff while she outwardly let out a tiny snicker at his comments. "And if all else fails, we'll at least have some pie."

The smile that was plastered on her face faltered somewhat as the door opened and they were greeted by her older brother, Benji. The pair had never exactly been close, and it didn't change much with Grant's passing, but they did share a mutual animosity for their deceased father figure. "Pen." He said with a small head nod. "I'm kinda shocked you came. I know this wasn't really something you vibed with."

"And you did?" Her eyes rolled. "I'm shocked they're letting you answer the door. What about the shame?"

A laugh came from Benji as he stepped aside to let the trio in. "Yeah, well, turns out Mom is way more chill about that than Grant was. ...Plus, I brought a distraction. Just like you did." He motioned at Jackie vaguely and the nurse paused as she entered the residence.

"You... brought a child? Is it yours?"

He scoffed as he shut the door behind them. "Yeah, they are mine.. You think I'd just rent a kid or two to keep people out of my hair?"

All Penny could do is shrug and nod. The Benji she remembered probably would do that... but there was something different about her brother. He seemed... happy in a genuine way and more put together.

"Well, I didn't. Naomi and I have twins - Marlow and Blossom."

"Oh wow, uh.. Congrats. That's crazy." She replied with a smile, hoping the utter confusion was not painted on her face. "Well, Biff- this is Biff- and I have Jackie- that's Jackie." Penny glanced at Biff, genuinely wondering if now was the time to say 'peaches.'

[rcguereveries]

“Do you think we’ve met in other lives?” ;)

Biff & Penny // @biff--mcintosh

The tips of her shoes buried in the dirt underneath the swing that she sat on, kicking it every few moments as they sat there in their respective spots. Silence filled the space between them, but it wasn’t the strange or uncomfortable kind- it was like they were at peace. Hearing his question fill the air, she turned to look at him, brow furrowed. 

“Do I think we’ve met in other lives? ...what kind of celestial bull is that?” She replied, rolling her eyes. “Why are you asking? Are you having some kind of weird deja vu or something?” 

It was routinely common for the brunette to make light of something that was heavy. She never really knew how to approach topics like that… but leave it to Biff to cause her to wonder. By no means was Penny a believer in such things, but there was something that drew her to him. When she’d been hired, she was convinced it was purely a physical attraction. There had been no denying that the man that ran the hotel was easy on the eyes, and Penny did not shy away from making that known.

Even with that though, she still felt something more- like a part of her had known him her whole life. The feeling in her bones was that Biff was not just another guy, but someone that wanted to know what her quirks were and could see into whatever soul inhabited her.

“I don’t know if we’ve met in other lives,” she started, her voice small. “But I know I’m glad we met in this one.”

[ravenxuscreature]

give me what started out as friends with benefits but it turned into not being able to stay the fuck away from each other. addicted. jealousy. cravings. nobody compares.

[chewbacca]

BLACK BEAR  2020, dir. Lawrence Michael Levine

[margoterobbies]

MARGOT ROBBIE The Late Late Show with James Corden (16/12/2022)

[steinfeldhails]

Hailee Steinfeld during her 26th birthday

[daenerystargaryen]

PHOEBE TONKIN Rolla’s Jeans (August 2022)

[rcguereveries]

heyy it’s your resident awful rper. 

crying in the club over another lost plot. overthinking about how obviously it’s my fault. i’m so tired of being the problem in every aspect of my life.

[rcguereveries]

alright i had like no wifi whatsoever during my vacation, but i’m back now. i’ve got like a week before i need to be back to hell. aka work. i’m gonna reply to my month old replies and look through the tags to see if i can reply to anything there. 

anyone interested in some back and forth - like this ? ❤️

[rcguereveries]

lia-rps​:

open for anyone | maddie wells | 23 | friend/co-worker/boyfriend/girlfriend/ex partner/roommate

“i just don’t want to argue anymore. is that so hard to do?”

“well that makes two of us. if i spend another minute furrowing my brow at you in frustration, i’m going to have wrinkles in my forehead... and i don’t have time for that.” natalie crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a deep sigh. “i don’t even understand why you’re here. i thought this was a one person shoot.”