flowers grow out of my grave

...things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.

[silasthompson]

Savannah felt her stomach flip excitedly as Silas’s eyes caught hers. He had the sort of smile that was impossible not to smile back to. It made her excited to think about seeing it again. About seeing him again. She really hoped that he was as excited about that as she was. “I think that is exactly what kind of friend that Floyd needs. His cousin has so much energy. I think she makes him sleepy with how much playing she does,” Savannah laughed. “I have gone to some of the other beaches here,” She nodded. “They get quite crowded. Especially during the very tourist-y season,” Savannah agreed. “You are welcome to use it any time you will like!” She promised, flashing a grin. She thought she could scream with how excited she was after he asked to see her Sunday. “Not busy at all,” She replied. It was so nice to not need to read between the lines with Silas. “There are things much worse, yes,” She chuckled. Savannah smiled proudly as she watched Silas’s expression change at her compliment. “There is no need to thank me,” She assured him. “I am just saying what I am sure everyone else is,” She giggled. “But thank you anyway,” She added with a grin. “I think that I will have to be the judge of this,” She replied. “You say this like I will not enjoy hearing the twang,” She said, trying her best to parrot his accent back to him. “I think there is a rule in our house that you have to sing something to come in the front door,” She laughed. “So if I carry the tambourine, then I will need to have a dance to go with it?” Savannah asked, then tapped her chin. “I think I can do that!”

“See, this is how I know that you are too modest!” Savannah exclaimed. “Many people can not do art so special as this,” She said, gesturing around the room. It was almost impossible to believe that Silas thought that anyone could make the things that he did. “And even less can teach people to make this kind of art,” She continued. “If I am going to tell you to go somewhere, of course I will tell you the best places to go,” Savannah giggled. “I want everyone to know what I love so much about my home,” She said with a happy sigh. “I would not be me if they were not them,” She shrugged. The combination of her hippie family and the vivacity of the city helped to shape the person she became. “You must really love them if you were willing to use your passport to get them,” She laughed. Savannah understood the feeling. If she could, she’d get on a plane right now for paella or real churros and chocolate. “That is okay, you can just wear it on Sunday and show me,” Savannah said with a wink. The thought of Silas shirtless and with a cowboy hat on was almost too much to bear. She wasn’t sure how she was going to survive on Sunday if she was feeling tongue-tied just imagining it. “I think I would lose my mind without my family here,” Savannah said, then giggled. “Well, lose it more than I have already!” She joked. Savannah didn’t like to think of the state that she’d be in without people like Sam looking out for her. She couldn’t believe how much positive karma had swung her way. She hardly thought that she had earned it. “I do not know why people are so against it!” Savannah laughed. “If you know how to cook, most people do not even know the difference,” She smirked. “I make things for my roommate and I all the time! And I think he only lies about liking them sometimes,” She laughed. “You can thank me after,” Savannah joked, giving him a quick wink. “I can show you Sunday,” She offered, hoping that her offer sounded more innocent than she wanted it to be. 

“Exactly! You get it,” She laughed. “And now that I know some of the sellers at the farmer’s market, I like to go even more. I visit my friends and get fresh fruits and vegetables. I mean—“ She shrugged. “What more could you ask for?” Savannah asked with a smile. It felt so good to feel like home here. “I am already thinking of what I’ll make with them,” She grinned. “I promise to only use them for the most delicious recipes,” She laughed. Maybe she’d even bring something to him here as a thank you for such a great first date. It seemed only fair, considering he made this lunch for her. “It is a great idea,” She agreed. “I think I can trust your opinion, since you grow a garden of your own,” Savannah cheekily replied. She was buzzing with excitement at the thought of taking Silas home with her. As Silas cleaned up, Savannah texted Sam the code word for I’m bringing someone back to the house. This date was going even better than she could have hoped for, and things seemed to only be going up. “When you go to the light, you will make a right. Then you turn left on Honokala Road,” She explained. “And we are the house at the end of the road.” 

“His cousin?” Silas asked with a chuckle. “You’ve got siblings that live on the island?” he asked. He thought she was an only child, or maybe she was just referring to a close friend that had a dog too. “Ziggy was pretty crazy as a puppy, but he’s mellowed out quite a bit now. He’ll be seven in two months,” he said with an affectionate smile. The first thing he did when he moved into his house was get the puppy. He missed their family dog, who was the hardest goodbye of all when he and Maggie escaped all of those years ago. He was the only one in their family that wasn’t poisoned with hatred, like their parents, their uncles and aunts. “Good, then I’ll come by in the morning? I like to wake up with a swim when I can,” he said, giving her a smirk. “You’re much too kind. Or that sandwich was really good and you’re just basking in a nice full belly,” he chuckled. Though it was always nice to hear that his art wasn’t made for nothing. That people liked it, especially people like Savannah, who walked about the world as living art themselves. “I’d need a lot more moonshine for you to get to hear me sing,” he said, rubbing a hand over his face and laughing, then laughing harder when she tried to mimic his Texan accent. “Woo-wee we’ll have to work on your cowboy, little darlin’,” he said in the most exaggerated speech he could. “Is that so? I think I’ll just meet you outside, then,” he joked. “Especially since your roommate is a musician. I don’t want to embarrass myself like that.” He scanned his eyes over her quickly and imagined her dancing with a tambourine like Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and smirked to himself. “I bet you’re really a natural, Savannah,” he said in a low voice. 

“I—well,” he stammered, then shrugged his shoulders. Once Silas had the freedom to create the art that he’d always wanted to, it felt necessary. He imagined that given the chance, anyone would have something begging to be created within themselves. “As a teacher, I know anyone can do this. I just had to learn the business end of it to make a living. But anyone can mush some clay around in their hands and make a bowl. That’s how I draw my students in, anyway,” Silas explained. It was nice to hear how Savannah spoke of Barcelona. He was so happy for her that she had a home to think of fondly. Whenever Silas thought of that little rural town, a sourness filled his body that didn’t leave for days, and he felt the sting of his father’s belt on his back while recited psalms after he’d stolen one too many cookies out of the pantry. He envied her, really. Not that he’d ever say so out loud to anyone but Maggie. It was too sad. “Ah, yeah, well. Mexicans really know how to cook,” he said, though his laugh was slightly uneasy. Silas didn’t even have a passport. He was only ever crossing the boarder discreetly, often in trunks to go undetected. He had to push his mind away from it now, because the present was so much sweeter. “Alright, I’ll make sure I dust her off for you to wear on Sunday,” he promised, then shot her a little wink. “I won’t lie, I really do like myself some good old fashioned barbecue and at those times the tofu just doesn’t cut it—“ he smirked, “I’ll make sure that’s just for when Ziggy and I have our quality time,” he chuckled. “Well now that’s how I know you’ve been a vegan forever. Maggie says the same thing but I just can’t get behind that cheese stuff she likes,” he said, sticking his tongue out and laughing. 

“It’s incredible to have it considering everything else they have to import is so expensive,” he said with a grimace. Silas had more money than he ever had in his life and he still couldn’t help himself but to be frugal. He supposed it was just how he was programmed now, when there was a time he and Maggie had to squat in abandoned houses, praying not to be caught by police or worse, other people like them. “And you’ll promise to share them, of course?” he said with a smirk, excited by the prospect of seeing her again. As they drove to Savannah’s house Silas was trying his best not to look at her while he was meant to keep his eyes on the road. She was so beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight, and as they pulled up to her house the only thing he could think about was carrying her inside right to that swinging bed she mentioned earlier. But he was going to be smart about this. Do this right. Especially since she was friends with Maggie. Once he parked, he quickly hopped out and rounded the car to open Savannah’s door for her and give her a hand down. He felt like a boy again, really, with how excited he was getting. It was nice. “I’ll let you know how the first firing of your mug goes, and then you can come back to glaze and decorate,” he said with a bright smile. “And I had a real nice time today,” Silas said, stepping closer to her and putting an arm around her waist, his eyes raking over her face.

[silasthompson]

Savannah felt her stomach flip excitedly as Silas’s eyes caught hers. He had the sort of smile that was impossible not to smile back to. It made her excited to think about seeing it again. About seeing him again. She really hoped that he was as excited about that as she was. “I think that is exactly what kind of friend that Floyd needs. His cousin has so much energy. I think she makes him sleepy with how much playing she does,” Savannah laughed. “I have gone to some of the other beaches here,” She nodded. “They get quite crowded. Especially during the very tourist-y season,” Savannah agreed. “You are welcome to use it any time you will like!” She promised, flashing a grin. She thought she could scream with how excited she was after he asked to see her Sunday. “Not busy at all,” She replied. It was so nice to not need to read between the lines with Silas. “There are things much worse, yes,” She chuckled. Savannah smiled proudly as she watched Silas’s expression change at her compliment. “There is no need to thank me,” She assured him. “I am just saying what I am sure everyone else is,” She giggled. “But thank you anyway,” She added with a grin. “I think that I will have to be the judge of this,” She replied. “You say this like I will not enjoy hearing the twang,” She said, trying her best to parrot his accent back to him. “I think there is a rule in our house that you have to sing something to come in the front door,” She laughed. “So if I carry the tambourine, then I will need to have a dance to go with it?” Savannah asked, then tapped her chin. “I think I can do that!”

“See, this is how I know that you are too modest!” Savannah exclaimed. “Many people can not do art so special as this,” She said, gesturing around the room. It was almost impossible to believe that Silas thought that anyone could make the things that he did. “And even less can teach people to make this kind of art,” She continued. “If I am going to tell you to go somewhere, of course I will tell you the best places to go,” Savannah giggled. “I want everyone to know what I love so much about my home,” She said with a happy sigh. “I would not be me if they were not them,” She shrugged. The combination of her hippie family and the vivacity of the city helped to shape the person she became. “You must really love them if you were willing to use your passport to get them,” She laughed. Savannah understood the feeling. If she could, she’d get on a plane right now for paella or real churros and chocolate. “That is okay, you can just wear it on Sunday and show me,” Savannah said with a wink. The thought of Silas shirtless and with a cowboy hat on was almost too much to bear. She wasn’t sure how she was going to survive on Sunday if she was feeling tongue-tied just imagining it. “I think I would lose my mind without my family here,” Savannah said, then giggled. “Well, lose it more than I have already!” She joked. Savannah didn’t like to think of the state that she’d be in without people like Sam looking out for her. She couldn’t believe how much positive karma had swung her way. She hardly thought that she had earned it. “I do not know why people are so against it!” Savannah laughed. “If you know how to cook, most people do not even know the difference,” She smirked. “I make things for my roommate and I all the time! And I think he only lies about liking them sometimes,” She laughed. “You can thank me after,” Savannah joked, giving him a quick wink. “I can show you Sunday,” She offered, hoping that her offer sounded more innocent than she wanted it to be. 

“Exactly! You get it,” She laughed. “And now that I know some of the sellers at the farmer’s market, I like to go even more. I visit my friends and get fresh fruits and vegetables. I mean—“ She shrugged. “What more could you ask for?” Savannah asked with a smile. It felt so good to feel like home here. “I am already thinking of what I’ll make with them,” She grinned. “I promise to only use them for the most delicious recipes,” She laughed. Maybe she’d even bring something to him here as a thank you for such a great first date. It seemed only fair, considering he made this lunch for her. “It is a great idea,” She agreed. “I think I can trust your opinion, since you grow a garden of your own,” Savannah cheekily replied. She was buzzing with excitement at the thought of taking Silas home with her. As Silas cleaned up, Savannah texted Sam the code word for I’m bringing someone back to the house. This date was going even better than she could have hoped for, and things seemed to only be going up. “When you go to the light, you will make a right. Then you turn left on Honokala Road,” She explained. “And we are the house at the end of the road.” 

“His cousin?” Silas asked with a chuckle. “You’ve got siblings that live on the island?” he asked. He thought she was an only child, or maybe she was just referring to a close friend that had a dog too. “Ziggy was pretty crazy as a puppy, but he’s mellowed out quite a bit now. He’ll be seven in two months,” he said with an affectionate smile. The first thing he did when he moved into his house was get the puppy. He missed their family dog, who was the hardest goodbye of all when he and Maggie escaped all of those years ago. He was the only one in their family that wasn’t poisoned with hatred, like their parents, their uncles and aunts. “Good, then I’ll come by in the morning? I like to wake up with a swim when I can,” he said, giving her a smirk. “You’re much too kind. Or that sandwich was really good and you’re just basking in a nice full belly,” he chuckled. Though it was always nice to hear that his art wasn’t made for nothing. That people liked it, especially people like Savannah, who walked about the world as living art themselves. “I’d need a lot more moonshine for you to get to hear me sing,” he said, rubbing a hand over his face and laughing, then laughing harder when she tried to mimic his Texan accent. “Woo-wee we’ll have to work on your cowboy, little darlin’,” he said in the most exaggerated speech he could. “Is that so? I think I’ll just meet you outside, then,” he joked. “Especially since your roommate is a musician. I don’t want to embarrass myself like that.” He scanned his eyes over her quickly and imagined her dancing with a tambourine like Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and smirked to himself. “I bet you’re really a natural, Savannah,” he said in a low voice. 

“I—well,” he stammered, then shrugged his shoulders. Once Silas had the freedom to create the art that he’d always wanted to, it felt necessary. He imagined that given the chance, anyone would have something begging to be created within themselves. “As a teacher, I know anyone can do this. I just had to learn the business end of it to make a living. But anyone can mush some clay around in their hands and make a bowl. That’s how I draw my students in, anyway,” Silas explained. It was nice to hear how Savannah spoke of Barcelona. He was so happy for her that she had a home to think of fondly. Whenever Silas thought of that little rural town, a sourness filled his body that didn’t leave for days, and he felt the sting of his father’s belt on his back while recited psalms after he’d stolen one too many cookies out of the pantry. He envied her, really. Not that he’d ever say so out loud to anyone but Maggie. It was too sad. “Ah, yeah, well. Mexicans really know how to cook,” he said, though his laugh was slightly uneasy. Silas didn’t even have a passport. He was only ever crossing the boarder discreetly, often in trunks to go undetected. He had to push his mind away from it now, because the present was so much sweeter. “Alright, I’ll make sure I dust her off for you to wear on Sunday,” he promised, then shot her a little wink. “I won’t lie, I really do like myself some good old fashioned barbecue and at those times the tofu just doesn’t cut it—“ he smirked, “I’ll make sure that’s just for when Ziggy and I have our quality time,” he chuckled. “Well now that’s how I know you’ve been a vegan forever. Maggie says the same thing but I just can’t get behind that cheese stuff she likes,” he said, sticking his tongue out and laughing. 

“It’s incredible to have it considering everything else they have to import is so expensive,” he said with a grimace. Silas had more money than he ever had in his life and he still couldn’t help himself but to be frugal. He supposed it was just how he was programmed now, when there was a time he and Maggie had to squat in abandoned houses, praying not to be caught by police or worse, other people like them. “And you’ll promise to share them, of course?” he said with a smirk, excited by the prospect of seeing her again. As they drove to Savannah’s house Silas was trying his best not to look at her while he was meant to keep his eyes on the road. She was so beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight, and as they pulled up to her house the only thing he could think about was carrying her inside right to that swinging bed she mentioned earlier. But he was going to be smart about this. Do this right. Especially since she was friends with Maggie. Once he parked, he quickly hopped out and rounded the car to open Savannah’s door for her and give her a hand down. He felt like a boy again, really, with how excited he was getting. It was nice. “I’ll let you know how the first firing of your mug goes, and then you can come back to glaze and decorate,” he said with a bright smile. “And I had a real nice time today,” Silas said, stepping closer to her and putting an arm around her waist, his eyes raking over her face.

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

When he smirked at her, all Savannah wanted to do was grab his face in her hands and kiss it right off of him. But since they’d gotten this far into their date without so much as a lingering touch, she was having trouble getting a read on him. Maybe he wasn’t actually as into this date as she’d believed. Or maybe he was deciding that he wanted to see her again as a friend. The unfortunate truth was that Savannah knew she’d eat up any excuse to see him again. She smiled at Silas’s laughter, then looked back at her mug. “I think that they’ll like it in there. Maybe even make some friends,” She laughed, turning to Silas with a grin. “You and Ziggy can come to the beach by our house,” Savannah grinned. “It is usually not so crowded with tourists because it is so residential,” She explained. “And then when Floyd decides that it is flop time, he will not need to be carried so far,” She said with a laugh. “It seems that way,” She replied, nodding her head slowly. “I think that there are worse things, though,” She added with a smile. His generosity was amazing to her, knowing that he had given so much if his art to a relative stranger, she could only imagine what he gave to the people that he knew. “I appreciate any art that someone has made,” She began. “I just appreciate the art that is good even more,” She added, giving him a smirk. It was undeniable that Silas had real talent, and the way he taught her made it clear that the passion he had ran deep. Another reason that Savannah knew she was in trouble. “Thank you,” Savannah replied softly, then bowed her head. She felt like she would never get used to hearing kind things said about her. She wasn’t sure that she would ever really feel like she’d earned them. “I am sure that you are being modest,” Savannah said with a knowing smirk. “I would never ask you to stop singing!” She exclaimed. “Or anyone, for that matter. It does not matter if it sounds right, just that they are enjoying themselves,” She added with a shrug. After being the source of people’s misery, Savannah was now determined to be a spot of joy whenever she could. “If their lead singer is picking, I think he will pick someone else,” Savannah said with a laugh. “But now, I feel that I should carry my tambourine around with me,” She laughed. “I will make sure to ask before I sign up,” Savannah replied with a chuckle.

“She did. We got to talking about dropping out of school one of the days that I came to the store,” Savannah explained. “I also did not finish school. I did not have such motivation to go back,” She chuckled. “That is amazing,” She said with a slow nod. “I am amazed by anyone that can leave school and come back. It cannot be easy,” She added. “I like that I can feel connected to my family from the past,” She agreed with a smile. “There is so much to see there,” She nodded. So much of it that Fernando had promised her and never followed through on. “I have friends here from Europe, too. I will ask them where to go there as well,” She promised. “But, of course, I will want you to give extra love to Barcelona,” Savannah said with a laugh. “I think the city has earned it!” She grinned. Even if it did make her feel a little sad to think that Silas could cross paths with her mother if he went to the right museums. And more sad to think that he might see a woman who looked enough like her to strike up a conversation that could possibly mention her. Maybe she would “forget” to mention the ones she once worked at. Savannah had no way of knowing if she was still there. “You must like it a lot if you were crossing borders just to eat!” Savannah joked. Something about Silas felt so mysterious, but Savannah knew better than to ask questions. If there was information to be earned, she could wait it out. They were only just getting to know each other, after all, and Savannah knew that she would cement her cards to her chest before laying them out on the table. “Because you are her brother,” Savannah said, as if she needed to remind him. “I, however, have not met any cowboys in my life. So I have nothing to tease you for,” She chuckled. Savannah nodded when Silas said that he and Maggie didn’t talk to their family anymore, and she could understand why. “And the family you make is just as, if not more, important that the one you are born to,” She said, giving Silas a gentle smile. The family that she had made in Hawaii was the only one she had now, and she feared where she’d have been without it. Back to old habits, maybe even running again. “I do!” She enthused. “It was called Toro. And it is not all vegan, so you may have something there that you like,” She chuckled. “King oyster mushroom,” Savannah said, smirking and giving a decided nod. “I like it when sometimes it rocks,” She explained, and leaned slowly from side to side. “It feels like being in the water. A very good thing for that, very gentle,” She added with a giggle.

“I will know better because I have not lived here forever,” Savannah explained, flashing Silas a grin. A jolt of excitement shot through her at the way he was looking at her. She wondered if he was thinking what she was. “You are just so used to it by now,” She laughed. “I will make sure to bring it home next time I go grocery shop,” She promised. “I like to keep the fresh fruit in the house. I mean, we have so much of it here!” She shrugged. “I will make sure to get a watermelon, too,” She added with a definitive nod. “I would like that,” Savannah grinned. She watched him wipe off his hands and felt a growing impatience to have them on her. “I think—“ She began, trying to force herself away from the place that her mind was so desperate to return to. “You will have to come to see the yard before so you can help me pick what’s best,” She added, then wondered what Silas might make of the offer. 

Silas studied Savannah’s face for a moment when she looked at him and his smirk settled into a soft grin. He’s sure that it was already implied that they’d see each other again—making pottery was a multi-step, multi-day process after all. And he could pat himself on the back for thinking of a date that ensured he would have to see her again. Of course unless, she didn’t want her mug. But he was pretty confident that she did, and that Savannah wanted to see him again without the mug at all. “Ziggy’s honestly a real friendly dog, doesn’t bark much or anything like that. I think he’ll get along great with Floyd,” Silas said with a grin. “Oh yeah? The beach nearest to here has gotten a little more crowded over the years since I started living here,” he sighed. “So I’ll definitely be taking you up on that,” Silas said as he leaned a little closer to her. “How’s Sunday for you? Are you busy?” he asked, because Silas was not in the business of gray areas or loose ends. It was tiring to play those games now. “Yeah, I think there are worse things than two compulsive gift-givers,” he said with a bright laugh. Silas thought his cheeks might have flushed just a little as she complimented his work, and he hoped that it was subtle enough that he could blame it on the heat of the room. “Thank you, Savannah, I mean it. You clearly have a sharp artistic eye, after all. I don’t take a compliment from you lightly,” he assured her with a low voice, regaining his composure. It’d been a long, long time since a woman had made him lose it. “I promise I’m not,” he chuckled when Savannah insisted he was being modest about his singing voice. “And forget it if it’s a country song, then you’d have to suffer through a pretty bad twang,” he said in his exaggerated Texan accent before laughing again. “Oh, I agree. I sing regardless, but usually not long before Maggie is telling me to shut it,” he said with a smirk. “I don’t think anyone would question if you carried a tambourine around. People might ask you to do a little dance if they see you with it, though,” he laughed. 

Silas nodded. He made a mental note to visit Maggie and Vivi later that day to ask what they’d talked about. He knew Maggie wouldn’t reveal much about him beyond the help that he gave her, but Savannah was so easy to talk to. Something about her felt very safe, and he wouldn’t be surprised if his sisters got carried away over colorful rocks and trauma. It was kind of their thing. “I don’t blame you. I did night school to get it. It sucked but I’m glad I have it. Not that it helped me much here. Anyone can do what I do,” he said, gesturing to the studio. “I didn’t know I’d get to have an itinerary crafted by the locals, that sounds amazing,” he joked with a little laugh. “If the people in Barcelona are anything like you, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble spending a lot of time there,” Silas said, catching her gaze and smiling. What would be even better is if she went with him as a personal guide. But this was only their first date, and he didn’t want to say anything that made him look completely insane like suggesting they take a long-haul trip together. “Y’know, you really just can’t get menduo or tortas anywhere else in the world that taste as good as the real stuff in Mexico,” he chuckled. That was much easier to say than the real reasons he was in Mexico. Truthfully he hardly ever enjoyed any pit stop he made because he was so terrified. It was hard to enjoy anything when he didn’t know what was to come of him on his trips. “Well, little lady, you’ve met one cowboy now,” he said with a hearty laugh. “I sure wish I had my hat on right now so I could’ve tipped it at ya,” he joked. “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” he agreed quietly with Savannah’s sentiments about family. Maggie was the only blood relative he had, and the people who have helped him along the way meant a hell of a lot more to him than anyone else he was related to. Without them Silas was sure he couldn’t have survived. “Hey, I’m not opposed to vegan food,” he reminded her. “I couldn’t ever eat with my sisters if I was,” Silas said with a playful eye roll. “Ah, noted. I’ll get some at the farmer’s market next time I go and recipe test,” he mused. “Yeah?” Silas said, his eyes moving over her while she swayed a bit. He swallowed a bit. “I’m sure it’s relaxing, yes,” he said distractedly as visions of Savannah rocking on a bed danced across his mind. He was really getting warm now and just wanted to dunk his face in a bowl of ice water before he went and ruined their date. 

“When we live in a place like this it’s hard not to eat a diet of pretty much only fresh fruit some days,” he agreed with a chuckle. “And whenever I see you next I’ll give you a nice bunch of mangoes from my tree. When they ripen on the branch they’re unbelievable,” Silas offered. He grinned wider when she said she’d like to see him again to visit the flower market. “You think so?” Silas said when she said he should come see her yard. “I think that might be a good idea.” Silas… he chastised himself. He needed to take things slow with her. Even if he’d only known her in passing before, Silas could tell that he was interested in pursuing something real with her. And to sleep with her now and throw that all away—he’d kick himself for it until the end of time. “I’ll clean up and then we can strap your bike to my truck, okay? I’ll give you a ride home,” he said with a smile, even though he knew he was playing with fire following her to her house, where she had that nice little outdoor bed. God. Once he finished cleaning up their lunch he led her outside to his truck and secured her bike in the back before rounding the passenger’s side and helping her in. “You’ll just have to navigate for me,” he said as he started up the engine. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“Next time, I will try to have an answer,” Savannah promised, though she was sure that she would still flip flop until the very moment that he asked. It was hard to decide when both options felt equally exciting. Or maybe it was just the knowledge that she’d see Silas again that made everything feel more exciting. She didn’t care to know, instead just reveling in the feeling of being excited for a date again. “It is very exciting to think that my little mug is going to join the chorus,” She laughed. Savannah hoped that Silas was having as much fun with this date as she was. Hell, she’d even settle for half as much. The only other thing on her mind was how excited she would be to tell Sam all about it later. Hopefully tomorrow morning, she thought, and then forced herself back to center. It was hard enough to focus when Silas was smiling like that, she didn’t need to put herself at even more of a disadvantage by letting her mind wander. “Floyd has the heart of a grumpy old man, I really do not know where he gets it from,” Savannah laughed. “But, even still, he will always be a sweet baby to me,” She grinned. Getting Floyd really cemented the feeling that Hawaii could be home to her. Caring for an animal, especially a rescue, made her feel like part of her was still at home in Barcelona. The good part of it. “Silas. I understand,” She giggled, placing a hand gently on his forearm. “But I also cannot accept gifts without giving something in return,” Savannah argued with a grin. Now that she was able to, Savannah tried to do everything she could to make people happy. The feeling she got when she knew that she’d made someone’s day better was more addicting than anything else she’d ever tried. And it was a lot better for the soul. “You have been sharing it with me longer than you think!” She grinned, thinking about all of the art she’d bought from Maggie up to now. “But it is more exciting to see it from the artist himself,” She grinned. “It was,” Savannah said with a wistful smile. It was bittersweet to think about the picture-perfect life she’d lived with her parents. “I mean, there had to be some explanation how I ended up like this,” She laughed, then gestured to herself. “I will before I see you next,” Savannah promised, grinning playfully at him. “Will you sing it if I learn to play?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow. “They do, but I wouldn’t want to cramp their smile,” She laughed, shaking her head. “But maybe I will find an open mic somewhere,” Savannah shrugged. “I think that would be fun,” She shrugged. “I do,” She nodded. “I hope it is as much fun as I remember it to be,” Savannah said with a smile. 

“I do not really remember much from when I was in school, but I think I remember learning about the United States,” She nodded. Her days in school felt like a lifetime away, though on some level maybe it was. School often felt like a fever dream, or like she’d only been there in a different lifetime. She supposed that it was one. “I think it is important to the city. I mean, it must be if they still teach us to speak it. And in history,” She chuckled. Savannah started to grin when he did. He had such a beautiful contagious smile. “That is why I thought you might know some of what I said,” She chuckled. “No need to thank me,” Savannah assured him with a small shrug. “I was only saying the truth,” She added, sparing a glance down to his lips and hoping the universe could hear her mind screaming kiss me, kiss me, kiss me! “You should visit!” Savannah enthused. “Barcelona is one of the most amazing cities in all of the world,” She grinned. “And there is plenty of art,” She added. “I can tell you the best museums to see, too,” She promised with a small wink. “Did you go to Mexico a lot?” She asked. “I have never been,” She said with a small shrug. “Hawaii feels like a place that I have made up in my head most of the time,” She giggled. Having a house, living with her best friend, on a beach front property and spending all of her time practicing yoga and being in nature was really all that Savannah could have ever asked for. If this was just some hallucination, she really hoped that she’d never come out of it. “And you do not wear this cowboy hat because…?” She trailed off, quirking an eyebrow at him. “You know now that you said it, if you are not wearing it next time, I am going to be so disappointed,” Savannah chuckled, though the image of him in the cowboy hat made her mind want to wander again. The hat wasn’t the only thing she wanted him to whip out. “They may have been calling you that with affection still,” She replied with a smile. “Well, if that is the case, then I will not hold back my volume,” She laughed. “It is,” Savannah nodded. It was the most difficult thing she’d ever done, but that wasn’t something she could say now. Maybe not ever, though she liked the idea that she might get close enough to Silas one day to have that sort of conversation. “But I have also been doing it for so long now that it feels more normal,” She shrugged. “You must know, your family is in Texas, yes? That is a different time, too,” She added. “Absolutely,” She agreed. “But there is a place not too far from the hotel that has vegan paella that may have come from someone in Spain,” She said, her eyes widening in amazement. “I was really shocked when I tried it!” She laughed. “So it is very special, then,” Savannah grinned. “I will be even more excited to try it,” She said. “That does not surprise me when you are this handsome and so easily charming,” She replied with a smirk. “Sam and I have this bed on the porch that swings—“ She began as a smile spread across her face. “I like to use it when it starts to settle in,” She explained. “It is especially nice to use when you are tripping in the rain,” She chuckled. 

“In my experience?” She asked. “Very much. And I think I am an expert by now,” Savannah said with a decided not. “I am having a very nice afternoon,” She assured him. “And I hope that you are too!” She added with a grin. She hoped that she’d made all of his planning and effort feel worth it. Savannah wondered if now, or at the end of the date, was the better time to tell him that this was the best date that she’d been on in a long time. “I usually like to make lunch for the week on my days off,” She agreed. “Then I do not wake up my roommate with a blender or something when I am getting ready for work in the morning,” She chuckled. “That’s the uh—“ She began making a sprinkling motion with her fingers. “The red spice, right?” She asked. “There is a man that sells it sometimes on the side of the road between my house and the resort. I have stopped there a few times and he talked me into it. It is very good!” She agreed, grinning at him. “Another reason to be happy that I am vegan,” Savannah said with a nod. “Oh, it is the best feeling in the world,” She said, feeling the smile creep back up her face. “I feel lucky every time that I put the key in the door,” She said, and felt her heart swell as she thought about it more. She knew that it would lead to her giving her roommate a great big hug whenever she walked in the door. “They really are so beautiful,” She nodded. “I think that is what I want to start growing in our front yard. Maybe some hibiscus, too.”

Silas smirked when she said next time. Of course, he was not ignorant to the fact that Savannah was having a good time with him. Even if he was pretty confident in her affection towards him before this, when they formally met at Maggie’s shop, it was obviously nice to see that she was enjoying herself. “That’s real cute,” he said, and he couldn’t stop himself from laughing when she expressed excitement over getting her mug in the kiln. Everything about Savannah was so vibrant, so excitable. It was refreshing and invigorating to be around her, and the longer that he was the more excited he was to see her again. “Maybe next time we see each other we can take the dogs out for a walk on the beach or something?” Silas suggested with a muted smile. Of course, he was pretty sure the idea would be met with a resounding yes from Savannah, but life had humbled him one too many times for his ego to go rearing its ugly head again. Especially after all the inner work he’d done putting that ego to bed. His brows gently rose when she placed her hand on him. It was so gentle, like a butterfly. “So it seems that we’re at an impasse,” he joked, though he liked that she was just as generous as he was. Not that he didn’t already know that with the things she gave to his sisters. “I’m happy you were already a fan of my work before you were biased because we’re on a date,” he said with a chuckle. “Well, I think you ended up pretty special,” Silas assured her, giving her a warm smile. He almost didn’t believe that she wasn’t taken by anyone at all (he’d asked Maggie before, naturally). “Oh wow,” he chuckled when Savannah asked him if he would sing. “I sound a little like a wounded coyote, but I can try,” he joked. “You might ask me to shut up, though,” Silas added with a little wink. Truthfully, he could hold a tune well enough, and had learned a bit of guitar here and there, but nothing impressive beyond a campfire. He couldn’t help but laugh again as she misspoke the english phrase and shook his head. “I don’t think you’d cramp their style, I think you look like the woman a lead singer would give a tambourine to to bang around on stage and look sexy,” he said with a little smirk. “Well, when you find a place to go I’ll be there to cheer you on. So long as they’ve got good coffee,” he teased. 

"I don't remember much either," he said with a chuckle. "I don't know if Maggie had mentioned it to you, but I dropped out when we took off. I made her finish school then but I got my GED a couple of years later," Silas explained. He was so proud of himself when he finally managed to get it between working his ass off to keep himself and Maggie alive. "Of course it's important," he smiled. "And it's a unique language to know," he added with a shrug. Savannah seemed so worldly to him. "One of these days I would love to backpack across Europe. I'd spend a good amount of time in Barcelona, of course," he said with a little smirk, grinning wider as Savannah gushed about her home city. "There's nothing like getting travel tips from a local, especially one who grew up in the art scene," he said, and he thought he just might have actually barked like a dog when she winked at him. A younger version of himself would have had her on top of his desk in the back room by now, but he had played that game one too many times to be so stupid again. He was an adult. He knew how to practice restraint. He thought so, anyway. "Ah, yeah, I went there a lot for a few years," he said, and wished he just lied and said he'd only been once or twice as a tourist or something. He didn't even have anything nice to say about it other than he'd get to have some pretty excellent food when he was on a run. "They do really great food in Mexico," he said with a shrug, and just hoped Savannah didn't ask anything further. The parts of Mexico he saw was not the shiny resorts or rich historical sites. Most of his memories involved feelings of fear and trauma that he was still working to heal himself from. If he had it his way, he would never set a foot in Texas or Mexico again. Everything that happened there could stay there. "Because Maggie teases me within an inch of my life every time I put the thing on," he laughed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't want to do that, then, would I?" Silas said with a smirk when Savannah said she would be upset if he didn't wear his hat the next time she saw him. He nodded sympathetically. "Sure, I get that," he agreed when Savannah said her life felt a little more normal now. "Ah, well, I have my family here. Maggie and Vivi. We don't speak to anyone from our family anymore. I don't think they wanted to after we ran away anyway. It's been a long time now," Silas said. Half of his life, literally, had been spent not speaking to his family. He had no idea what they were up to and now he didn't care. They'd fucked him and Maggie up in more ways than he could count, not including everything they had to do to survive after them. "You remember the name of the restaurant? I'll pass it along to Mags," he asked with a grin. "It is special. Maybe I can figure out some kinda vegan pulled pork--that would be a perfect way to try it," Silas offered. "I bet it's real nice to trip on, yeah," he said, though his mind started to wander to everything else they could use that outdoor bed for. 

"Alright, then if you say so," he chuckled. "Of course I am," Silas said, raking his eyes over Savannah's face and smirking. How could he be having anything other than a great time here making art with a beautiful woman? It was a good feeling to actually be excited about dating someone, really excited. Silas didn't think he'd really felt like this since he and Marisol first started dating. There were a few hopeful women here and there, but none that made him feel as enthusiastic as Savannah. It was a little nerve-wracking, not that he'd ever show it. "Yeah, it's a red spice. It's chili and lime. Stuff's killer on a bunch of difference fruits," he said with a little nod. "Give it a try on some watermelon next time you have a really sweet one and thank me later," he chuckled. Silas smiled when Savannah gushed over her house. Just watching her light up over the smallest of things was amazing. He didn't think he knew anyone else like that. Even if he was only just getting to know her, it didn't seem like she had even a drop of cynicism in her body. He wondered what that was like. If it made her feel as free as she appeared to be. "So next date we'll go to the flower market on Conch Street to pick out some nice starters for your yard, yeah?" he asked with a sly grin as he wiped his hands on a napkin when he finished eating. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“Okay—“ Savannah said, her eyes excitedly scanning over the walls. She wanted to test her intuition, and then see if she was right when they went to his friend’s show. “Right now, I am going with surprise. But maybe that will change,” She said with a giggle. Savannah found it unbelievably sweet that Silas would promote his friends’ work in his studio. And it excited her to think that there might come a day where she would know these artists, too. She hoped that it might make her feel a little more connected to home, and to the person she was back when her mother was taking her to art shows to meet the newest talent in the city. It was also exciting to think that she’d be doing it as Silas’s date. “They are always a baby, no matter what age they are,” Savannah agreed with a grin. Floyd would always feel like her child, and she knew that Sam felt the same way. The dog was good for them both, she thought, especially in the times when sobriety had been difficult for them. Savannah knew that she owed it to Sam and to Floyd to keep herself healthy, and that was some of the best motivation that she could think of. “You have given me something beautiful every time that I have seen you. I think soon that it will have to become stealing,” She laughed. “It’s not like you are always giving your art away for free,” She smirked. Of course she was happy to accept them, and eager to decorate her home with them. “Especially when I have nothing nearly as lovely to give you,” She added, smiling at him. “Maybe it is you who has to follow their lead,” She replied with a giggle. “It was,” Savannah smiled. She knew that she had more privilege than most in that regard, especially after being on the opposite end of the spectrum. “My parents were both involved in art, so it would have been hypocritical of them to not let me explore art in my own way,” She shrugged. “I will be happy to!” Savannah promised. “Is there something particular you want to hear?” She asked him with a smile. Even if she didn’t already know it, she would make sure that she did before she played for him. “I don’t know, actually. I used to love it very much,” Savannah shrugged. She remembered days in Barcelona, after she’d stolen a guitar from a tourist she stayed with for a bed and a shower, where she’d busk on the street. It was bittersweet to think about how miserable she was until she started to play. “It has been so long since I have played for an audience that isn’t Sam and Floyd,” She laughed. “I don’t know if it will be like getting on a horse or whatever the phrase is,” She explained, srunching her nose in confusion. 

“Maybe you learned it in school?” Savannah asked. “Do they teach you about Europe in American schools?” She added. “It is definitely still alive. It is the first language of a lot of people in Catalonia. Barcelona is one of the provinces,” She explained. “Sí, bueno!” Savannah exclaimed, clapping her hands together excitedly. “Look at how well you do when you are only just guessing,” Savannah said with a grin. “And for the record, I was complimenting you,” She replied, smirking when he winked at her. God, he was almost too hot for his own good. Savannah knew that she didn’t stand a chance. “I think it will depend on where you are in Spain,” Savannah began. “I think the more tourist areas have more English speakers. I lot of people that I know in Barcelona also spoke English, just not that often,” She shrugged. “But I think when you are in the countryside, you will find that it is less,” She continued. “That is the same, I think. Sometimes I struggle to understand people on my tours when they speak a different Spanish than I do. Dialects are confusing,” She said with a sympathetic chuckle. “I like that you still have it,” Savannah replied, smiling softly. “I like to listen to it when you speak. It is quite charming, even if I picture you and Maggie with a cowboy hat sometimes,” She added. Savannah smiled and gave Silas a nod, though she sensed that she may have accidentally hit a nerve with her question. She knew better than to ask, especially if her suspicions were wrong. “I am sure that it helped you to make more friends,” She said. “I can get louder, but just remember that you asked me to when I start giving you a headache,” Savannah joked, laughing warmly. “You don’t have to be sorry,” She said with a little chuckle, and almost wished that Silas knew just how right he was. Home was definitely a topic that Savannah knew that she had to navigate like a trapeze artist, since it was something she barely even talked about to Sam. There were just too many secrets, and even talking about the good things gave her a twinge of sadness. “It’s about eleven hours ahead,” Savannah nodded. “Which makes it quite difficult to find time to talk,” She added, because she wanted Silas to believe that she’d left a normal life behind. “It is a technique that’s special?” Savannah asked. “Or just the essence of it?” She added. Having been raised mostly vegetarian anyway, it was a completely foreign concept to her. “I will love to try it!” Savannah said with an excited grin. “I will make something good to go with it then,” She promised. “Do you come up with the recipe just the two of you? Or was it a family recipe?” She asked, giving him a smile. “Everything I see is positive, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” She laughed. “I do not imagine that sexy pottery artists often struggle to find a date,” Savannah said with a smirk. “So my ego is doing good to be here,” She chuckled. “Fine,” She grinned. “No more protest,” She promised before he mind started wandering off to some pretty things she’d happily let Silas send her off with. Pretty little hickies…pretty little handprints on my… “I will be happy to,” Savannah replied with a grin. “Do you usually like to trip at home? Or do you like to be outside?”

“You Americans are so generous, you make it easy for us to feel at home here,” Savannah noted with a laugh. “I really do appreciate the effort that you put in for this,” She smiled. Savannah wondered if he knew how unnecessary all this work was, and that she was ready to take her clothes off within minutes of walking in here. “I don’t think you should shake it,” Savannah said, smiling softly at Silas. “It’s charming,” She added softly. “Thank you,” She replied. “I think that it will become a regular recipe at my house,” She laughed. “That’s what I say!” She agreed, grinning at Silas. “It’s like a vegan paradise here with all the fresh fruit and vegetables here,” Savannah said with a happy sigh. She was grateful for every meal that she was able to cook in her own kitchen. It still felt like a dream sometimes, to live in a house with her best friend and to spend so much time just having fun. “Our house is just—really it’s perfect, so I do not mind having to follow some rules,” She laughed. “We break some rules when I am growing a secret garden,” She smirked. “I’m okay,” Savannah promised, giggling as she brought the back of her hands to her cheeks. “It is good to be busy,” Savannah agreed with a short nod. “But it is also good to stop for the flowers too, yes?”

Silas smirked as she admired his friends’ art decorating the walls of his studio. “Alright, next time you’re here I’ll ask again. You’re sure to be back for we see her show anyway, we’ve gotta get your mug glazed and fired of course,” he said, flashing her a grin. It was nice to be hanging out with a girl who seemed to appreciate the visual arts as much as he did. Even though it had been some years now since Silas settled into this new life, this good life, he sometimes felt like he didn’t really belong in it. Though he knew that his tumultuous past only helped make his art better. It was therapeutic before it was anything else, and Silas was grateful every single day that he was able to make it a career for himself too. “I’d have to agree with you on that,” he chuckled. Having a dog was something that Silas missed a lot for the years where he and Maggie were struggling to survive. It wasn’t until he moved here and got Ziggy that he could even take care of a pet again. “Savannah,” Silas said, a small smirk curling up on his lip. “I don’t give people gifts expecting something in return,” he assured her. Silas had always been that way. In fact in his experience, people rarely returned kindness to him, save for Maggie and Vivi. But they were family. And he knew that Maggie felt like she could never repay him for what he did for her, even if Silas did anything he could to assure her she had nothing to repay him for. “I like sharing my art with people that I like anyway,” he added with a sly smile. “That sounds really amazing,” he said as she explained that her parents were artists. Silas couldn’t imagine how different his life would have been if his parents were remotely sane at all. Even if he excelled in his art classes at school, it wasn’t until he was out of the woods with the cartel that he really leaned into practicing his art at all. “Do you know any Willie Nelson?” he asked with a grin. “Well it’s never too late to pick it up again, is it? Especially since your housemate is in a band you said, right?” Silas said. “Especially since you love to do it,” he added. He knew exactly how she felt. “I’m sure you’ll be able to pick it back up easily enough,” he encouraged her, then chuckled at her misremembering of the english phrase. It was just so charming he could hardly stand it. 

“Yeah, probably. They teach basic geography and stuff,” he said with a shrug. Since he dropped out of school at sixteen to run away with Maggie, he barely remembered it now. He’s sure it was a combination of time and the fact that he now recognized a lot of his childhood as traumatic. “That’s good, it’s important to keep the culture alive,” he said with a nod. A proud grin came to his face when she confirmed that he’d figured out what she said. Mostly, at least. “They sound a little like the words in Spanish,” he shrugged. “Ah, well then I’ll have to thank you,” he replied. Silas could kiss the smirk right off of her face, and a large part of him wanted to do it. But the more rational part of his brain reminded him that he wanted to take things slow with her. “Sure, that makes sense. Why would they need to speak English if they’re not interacting with too many tourists,” he said. “I’d like to visit someday I think. I’ve never traveled out of the country except for Mexico, but that’s right by Texas. Even though Hawaii feels like it’s another country sometimes,” Silas chuckled. Often it felt like his life had only just begun, even though he was thirty-two. Other times he felt like he’d already lived a hundred lives. Traveling was something on his bucket list that he’d only just allowed himself to have now. He smiled and ducked his head bashfully when Savannah complimented his accent. As much as he reviled home it was still sort of nice to have a piece of it in the way his spoke. “I do have a cowboy hat, actually. Maggie hates it,” he laughed. “I’ll whip it out next time I see you,” he promised her with a cheeky smile. “Oh, sure, it definitely did. When they weren’t calling me gringo,” he said with a hearty laugh. Silas usually kept mum in more dangerous situations, and when enemies were being careless and stupid they would speak Spanish in front of him with the assumption he didn’t know the language. “It’s alright, I think I’ve got enough Tylenol in my office if that’s the case,” he teased. “Oh, no of course,” Silas said, furrowing his brow when she talked about her family. He knew better than to press on it when his family history was so grim. Surely he wouldn’t want to spoil the date by getting into all of that. And Savannah carried enough emotion on her face for him to gather that her family situation was less than perfect too. If he got to know her like he wanted to, he was sure that conversation would happen eventually. “Yeah, of course. I can imagine it’s hard being so far away,” he said with a gentle nod. Silas laughed. “The essence, I think? I’m sure you feel the same about the food from Barcelona, no? Just having it there is different than if you get it anywhere else,” he said. “Ah, um, it was our grammy’s recipe,” Silas explained, and felt that tug on his heart that always happened whenever he thought about the people in his family that he did actually miss. Sometimes. It was still hard to grapple with the horrible things the people who raised him, who he thought he loved, believed. “I didn’t say I had trouble getting dates,” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “But I might feel particularly proud when they’re with a woman as beautiful as you,” Silas added. He wondered if he was coming on too strong, but Savannah seemed to be just as interested in him as he was her. “Oh, outside for sure. On these beaches the trips are amazing,” he smiled. 

“Are we?” he chuckled. “Of course. I wanted you to have a nice afternoon,” Silas assured her. He’d gotten very good at planning dates, he thought, and he would never admit it out loud, but having Maggie and Vivi’s advice to help him was always welcome. This was all him, though. And Maggie’s intel being Savannah’s friend was certainly helpful when he began planning it. “It’s really good to make in a big batch too just to have for lunch for the week if you’re busy,” Silas said with a smile. He was so happy that she liked what he made for her, and even happier about how well this entire afternoon was going. It’d been too long since he had a date so good. “Have you ever tried the mangoes with Tajin on them? That’s a real popular seasoning in Mexico, it’s great on watermelon too,” he said excitedly. “Feels like fruits and vegetables are the only things that don’t cost an arm and a leg at the grocery store,” he chuckled. “It’s nice that you have a house that you love,” Silas said with a soft smile. He felt the same about his place now, after living in awful places for so long when he didn’t have any money. “Sure,” Silas said with a shrug. As hard as he tried to practice being mindful, it was difficult sometimes when all he could remember was all of the pain he’d been through. So it was easier to have projects and students and hikes to keep his mind occupied. “As long as the flowers are the plumerias that grow all over the island,” he chuckled. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

Savannah smiled when Silas started to talk about the upcoming art show. It was so exciting, she thought, to both get into the local art scene and to do it with Silas. And it felt so good to think that he already wanted to see her again. It was hard not to be optimistic when things were looking up like this. “Part of me wants to ask to see a preview of her work, but the other part of me wants to be surprised,” She said with a laugh, then clasped her hands in front of her chest. The longer this date went on, the more Savannah found herself hoping that later became tomorrow morning after she left his place. It was just so attractive to her that Silas didn’t keep his interest a secret. She never cared for the guessing games, and she didn’t feel any shame about making her feelings known. It was harder now, nearly impossible even, for her to try to conceal them. Savannah could sense something in his smile, and despite how curious it made her, she knew better than to ask. It would be hypocritical of her, when she had so many cards to hold to her chest. It was almost strange to think she could get close enough to someone again that she might tell them about herself. It scared her too, thinking about how it changed things with Caleb. He didn’t have to say it for her to feel it. “Ay, I have to make sure my boy knows the classics,” She laughed. “Well, that’s because he is,” She replied with a grin. “As far as he is concerned, anyway,” She laughed. “Yes, but at some point it has to become stealing, no?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow. “So you and the art can have a duet,” Savannah grinned. “I am sure that they love that,” She joked. “I have played guitar since I was very young. I remember begging my parents to let me take lessons after my first Shakira concert. Though, I don’t know why I thought I had to beg for it, they’d never given me any push about creative pursuits,” She laughed. “And then I finished my secondary schooling at an arts school. So, I took voice lessons and music lessons and now I can play piano and sing, too. I do not perform anymore though,” She said with a shake of her head. “I play for myself when I feel that I need it. You know?” She laughed. 

“I don’t expect most people to have even heard of it,” She said with a shrug. “A lot of people in Spain don’t even speak it. I learned it in primary school, and I think that was just because a lot of people in Barcelona speak Catalan as a first language. It sounds like you take French, Italian, and Spanish and you just—“ She explained, then pushed her hands together like she was crushing something invisible between them. “See, escuchas. I might say, crec que ets molt maco i m'estic divertint molt en aquesta data. And there might be some things in there that sound like Spanish?” She asked with a smile. “I didn’t even start to learn English until I was in secondary school,” She explained. “I barely could speak it by the time I came to work on the cruise ship. This, now,” She paused, pointing to her mouth. “Is so much better than I used to be!” She chuckled. Eden had helped her some, when they were living together. But it didn’t feel like nearly enough once she was out on her own. “So you can imagine what it was like for me to meet my first friends there, and they were from Ireland and Scotland,” Savannah said with a laugh. “So it makes even more sense why you got so good at Spanish,” She said, gesturing to him with a grin. “They probably really liked that you tried so hard to connect with them. I know it always means a lot to me,” She smiled. “Is that your polite way of asking me to speak up next time I say something to you in Spanish?” Savannah asked with a giggle. “I think you should! I think that they are very fascinating,” She smiled. Some of them were so creative that she had to think about the person who might’ve made them up. “No,” Savannah said with a small shake of her head. “I haven’t been back in a few years,” She added, and then immediately realized she needed to come up with some sort of explanation as to why. She didn’t like it, but talking about the real reason would snow ball into conversations that she could barely have with people she’d known for much longer than Silas. “Barbecue is different everywhere?” Savannah asked. “Or is it all the same, but just not as good?” She added. Savannah had been vegetarian for as long as she could remember, and vegan for nearly the entire time she’d been on her own. The closest she’d come to barbecue was the smokehouses she drove passed on her way to the hotel. “You don’t have to apologize,” Savannah assured him with a laugh. “I am not going to judge you,” She smiled. She thought that he could tell her just about anything if he kept smiling at her like that. “Not in the city proper,” She shook her head. “I believe you, don’t worry,” She giggled. Though, she had to imagine that women were hitting on him constantly. She was still having trouble wrapping her head around the fact that he was even single to begin with. “Well, I was looking up the shop to get the address again and the reviews were popping up. You don’t read them?” She asked. “Your ego might shoot through the roof if you do,” She chuckled. “You share your art, and I share my garden,” She replied with a proud grin, then felt herself melt a little when he winked at her.  “It sounds like a fair trade to me,” Savannah added. “Jasmine,” She said with a grin and made a mental note of it. “That’s a good choice,” She added with a smile. “I’ll have it for you next time, I promise!”

“Very,” She nodded. It really was amazing to think that their day had started with just a lump of clay and a spinning wheel. She felt warm at the thought of being able to pour her friends a cup of tea out of something she made with her own hands. That felt like the ultimate expression of care. She wondered if that was what made Silas love it so much, too. “What’s wrong with that?” Savannah asked with a shrug. “I’m very flattered that you did. And appreciative so I don’t have to pretend to eat what you took the time to make,” She laughed. “I’d love that, actually. This is definitely something I’d want to eat again,” She said, smiling back at him. “I think that is a great selling point! A new home and fresh fruit, it’s like having the most giving roommate of all time,” She laughed. “I might be able to get away with it. And I’m sure Sam would like having the fresh mango,” Savannah mused, shrugging her shoulder. “You know, I have thought about it before,” She said. “But I can’t tell if he would really love it or if he’d send Sam, Floyd, and I onto the streets. And I love our little house too much to gamble,” She explained, shaking her head. She also knew that she was already playing a dangerous game by growing what she did, she couldn’t dive all the way into the fire. “I think so!” She laughed. The burn in her chest settled, but she could feel her face getting warm already. “Do you often make this? Or just from time to time?”

Silas chuckled softly. “Well, then I won’t point to which piece is hers here in the studio,” he said. “Unless of course you decide you want me to.”  He raised his brows as he looked around at the various art hanging on the walls of his studio. Decorating with the artwork his friends created was something that brought him so much joy. He still could hardly believe how many talented people were in his life. It was such a stark change from the company he used to keep. And it was particularly exciting to think about having a date to bring to these parties and events so that his friends would stop bugging him about getting a girlfriend. Usually he didn’t like to bring a woman he was seeing around his friends until things started to progress. Savannah, of course, was a little bit of a different case since he wouldn’t have met her without Maggie and Vivi, and their stamp of approval was already one thing off of his shoulders in pursuing something with Savannah. “He’s getting kind of old since he was already three when I got him, but he’ll always be a little baby to me,” Silas chuckled. Ziggy was Silas’s impulsive, self-pitying gift to himself after things fell apart with Marisol. He and Maggie had a dog, a beagle named Snoopy that they both said goodbye to when they ran away from their parents’ home. He was probably long dead now, and even years and years later it made Silas a little sad to think of him. “Do you consider gifts stealing?” he asked with a playful smile. It was his greatest pleasure to gift his work, and actually have people enjoy it. And he’d won a woman or two over with a personalized piece before. He was no fool. Silas laughed at her suggestion that he would duet with the tinkling ceramics from the kiln. “They’re not very good at following a melody, but I can try,” he joked. Silas nodded when she talked about her musical endeavors as a child and her family. They sounded so wonderful, and he hated that he felt a little jealous because of it. “That’s real cool,” he said with a gentle shake of his head. Silas could hardly wrap his head around a childhood like that. “Well you’re going to have to play for me sometime now, you know that right?” he said with a little smirk. “Did somethin’ turn you off to performing? Or you just decided it wasn’t for you?” he asked. 

“You know I’m not sure how I even knew Catalan existed. Probably from movies or somethin’,” Silas chuckled. “It’s probably important to keep the language alive, though,” he said with a nod, chuckling at her explanation. She was just so very charming. He scratched his head a little when she spoke Cataland then smiled back at her. “Okay you’ve stumped me here,” he laughed. “But I’m gonna guess that molt is probably very or something like that. And divertint is something like fun or funny? So either you’re saying you’re having fun, or that I’m funny, so I’ll just take that as a compliment,” he finished with a grin, shooting her a little wink. “Do a lot of people in Spain speak English? I’ve never been to Europe but I heard a lot of people know English over there,” he shrugged. “Ah,” he said with a little laugh. “I don’t even know if I’d be able to understand someone from Ireland or Scotland, and we’re all speakin’ the same language. My accent used to be a bit thicker before I moved to the city, and now that I’m here I feel like he’s mostly mellowed out except for a few words here and there,” Silas mused. He never really minded his accent, especially since Maggie had it too, but since moving out of Texas plenty of people have told him he really sounded like a cowboy. It mostly just made him laugh. “Yeah, well,” Silas said, scratching at the back of his neck. Talking about Marisol was not first date talk. So he had to just attribute his linguistic skills to his friends, who really did also speak Spanish. But he mostly learned to speak it fluently for her. And to make sure he was never caught off guard when he was dealing with business. Knowing Spanish only made him stronger, more of an asset. Especially when he appeared to be clueless, and people would speak it in front of him assuming he didn’t understand. “A lot of Spanish speaking people live in Texas. It was practical, really,” he shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt,” Silas teased when she suggested that she should speak up. “Oh no? That’s a shame. I’m sorry,” he said when she seemed to be upset at the fact she hadn’t visited her home in a while. Of course he was curious why, but then he might have to talk about why he and Maggie hadn’t looked back to Texas since they left. And that was also not first date talk. “I bet it’s a real hassle. That’s like on the other side of the world,” he said sympathetically. “I guess you can say it’s the same, but it definitely is not. Texas barbecue is just different. People know what they’re doin’ with a grill there unlike anywhere else,” he chuckled. “Maggie’s actually perfected some faux-meat type of roast on the grill, I bet she’d love to have you over to try it soon. We have our own barbecue sauce recipe and everything that’s just outta this world,” he explained. “And of course she makes it with the vegan stuff, so you’re good there,” Silas assured her with a grin. It was strange to feel proud about anything from his former life. But it was nice in a way, to remember that it wasn’t all bad. “Oh, god no,” Silas said waving a hand when she asked if he’d read the reviews for his studio. “Kaipo handles the online stuff mostly. As long as my students keep coming back I just assume I’m doing a good job,” he chuckled. “I’ve got you here on a date with me, my ego’s doin’ pretty good at the moment,” Silas said with a smirk before dropping his head and letting out a breathless laugh. “Exactly, so no more protest if I send you off with something pretty, alright?” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “As long as you’re sharing some with me,” Silas grinned. 

Silas felt a little bashful under Savannah’s praise. What he could say is that it was not his first rodeo in the dating game, and he’d been at it for long enough now that he knew how to do it with some expertise. Learning a little bit about his date was the least he could do, especially since she was a friend of his sisters’. “Well I’m the one hosting you, right? I gotta make sure you can eat,” he said. “That’s another thing about Texas, southern hospitality,” he said with a chuckle. “Don’t know if I could ever shake it.” Though Silas was hardly considered to be warm by anyone other than those closest to him. But that was out of necessity. Any sight of weakness could have gotten him or Maggie killed. “You got it. I’ll text it to you,” he assured her. It felt good to know that he’d done something she enjoyed without even really knowing her that well. Yet. “Who wouldn’t love fresh mangoes? It’s like the most delicious fruit,” he laughed. “So frustratin’ dealing with landlords. I feel for you,” he said with a little sigh. Being able to buy his place was amazing, even if the money he’d earned wasn’t the cleanest. “I don’t need you going cross-eyed on me, darlin’,” Silas chuckled, watching as her cheeks tinged pink. He could pass out over how pretty she looked. “Eh, every now and then when the mood strikes,” he explained, and squinted up looking around his studio. “I like havin’ a bunch of random projects to keep me busy.”

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“It is like nothing else,” Savannah nodded. It was hard to believe sometimes, that she got here from where she had. The further away from it that she got, the more it felt like some sort of distant nightmare. But it was hard to forget the fear that followed her when she and Fernando were working, and the shivers that wracked her body when she was near starvation on the streets of Barcelona. But what she could appreciate was the way that those things made her even more grateful for what she had here. “Yeah?” Savannah asked, feeling her stomach flutter at Silas’s suggestion for a next date. “I think so too,” She agreed with a smile. “Of course,” Savannah replied with a short nod before laying her other hand on top of Silas’s. She understood the need to keep difficult things close. There were only a few people on the planet that knew everything about her. And the only one that had remained in her life after was Sam. She could sprinkle some pieces here or there, like when she and Maggie would talk about their sobriety, but she kept most of her cards to her chest. She’d do the same now, considering how strange things had gone when she tried to approach the subject with Caleb. Even if she knew that Silas and Caleb were nothing alike after just two interactions, it still didn’t feel like a first, or even fifth, date conversation. “I like to think that he is!” She laughed. “I know that he likes the Spanish music. Maybe he is learning,” She grinned. “We do our best. He’s part of the family, too!” Savannah smiled. “You cannot!” Savannah exclaimed. “I cannot keep accepting this art for free!” Savannah argued with a shocked laugh. “I hope so,” She said with a smile. “Do you sing? Or play anything?” She asked. 

“Ay, look at you!” Savannah exclaimed, clapping her hands together and grinning at Silas. “Mucha gente tiene problemas con mi acento. Puede ser por el acento catalán,” Savannah said with a laugh. “I assume you learn Mexican Spanish because Texas is so close?” She asked. “And I will be happy to help you learn,” She grinned. “Am I too quiet? I do not know if I have ever heard someone say that about me,” She giggled. “It is not easy to learn another language, so knowing how to do anything is something to be proud of,” She said with a smile. “And, of course, I can help you with the writing and the grammar. If you want to text me in Spanish, you’re welcome to,” She offered with a chuckle. “I think I need all the help that I can get. Especially since I’m in America now. It might help me and Sam if one of us starts picking up on these American phrases,” She grinned. “And it is just funny to hear the things that don’t translate,” She shrugged. Savannah was fascinated by the tourists that she would see every day, how different they could all be. Even people from the same state could be completely different and sound nothing alike. “I miss Barcelona every day,” Savannah said, with a sigh that she hoped sounded happier than her admission felt. She was sure that it would never stop hurting to think of home. “Is there anything that you miss about Texas?” She asked. She assumed that she knew the answer, but if she could still miss Barcelona after everything that had happened to her there, surely Silas could still miss Texas. “I know, everything about me just says the opposite,” Savannah laughed, then gave her head a little shake. “I did still dress like this back home, though,” She admitted, smiling at Silas. The longer she looked at him, the more she realized that she was trying to picture him naked and that was not productive when he was talking. She could have easily gotten lost in that daydream for the next hour and let her body go on autopilot. “I hope everyone can. There’s no such thing as too much joy, yes?” She laughed. “You might,” Savannah smirked, shrugging at him. “Maybe that is why you have such good reviews,” She teased with a giggle. Savannah was sure that the charm just rolled off of him, and she couldn’t blame someone for feeling as powerless to it as she felt. “Thank you,” Savannah softly replied. “I think you will be amazed by the positive change you feel,” She grinned. “If you are ever interested in growing your own, I can definitely help you. I’ve got it down pretty well now,” She said with a laugh. “If not, you can just get it from me. For free, of course. Since you keep giving me pieces of art for free, really, it’s the least that I can do,” She insisted with a smile. “If you like, I can brew it into tea and bring it to you next time I see you,” Savannah offered. “You’ll just have to tell me your favorite tea so I can brew it right,” She chuckled. “I like it too. It’s relaxing. Especially when you sit outside and hear the ocean. Sam and I have a perfect porch for it.”

“Amazing,” Savannah said with a grin. She knew that it was probably not that impressive to Silas, but she was happy with the result. Even if it had been leaning at forty-five degrees, she would have liked it because she got to make it here with Silas. “I can’t wait to make someone a cup of tea and pour it into a mug that I made,” She said with a laugh. “That was very sweet of you,” Savannah said, and her smile grew wider once she caught the look on Silas’s face. “Thank you for making this for us. It’s great,” She chuckled. “I may have to bother you for the recipe,” She added with a smile. “That is amazing! You must take from them all the time,” She grinned. “I think I’d want to grow something in my front yard, but I don’t know if our landlord will let us grow trees,” She said, furrowing her eyebrows in thought. “Though, I don’t know that he would like some of my garden, either,” She added with a laugh. Savannah took the teacup from Silas and nodded at his instruction. After she took the shot, Savannah’s whole body shuddered. “Dios!” Savannah exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest, which suddenly felt like she’d swallowed fire. “You were not kidding,” She laughed. “That was fun,” She grinned. “And you made this yourself, yes?” She asked. “How do you do that?”

Silas recognized the enthusiasm in Savannah’s voice when he suggested he take her to an art show for his next date. Not that he doubted she was just as interested—but having it confirmed like that was always reassuring. And he would never complain about an ego boost. “I’ll check my calendar and let you know when the next one is coming up. I have a friend who’s a painter—she’s putting on a show here in a couple of weeks, I think,” Silas mused, running his datebook through his brain. “I’ll take a look later then shoot you a text or something to make sure you’re free,” he smiled. Now that he was older, he wasn’t really in the business of playing games. Especially not after how astronomically heartbreaking his fall out with Marisol was. He wasn’t sure if he even had it in him any more to play those kinds of games. Even though he was only thirty-two, he felt too old, surely because he’d already lived more life than he ever wanted to. But now that he was out of the darkness he felt a sort of re-birth within himself. Maggie and Vivi certainly said so in so many words, in tarot cards and aura readings he didn’t really understand. He glanced down at Savannah’s gentle hand atop his and gave her another soft smile. He knew that whenever he did recount his and Maggie’s story he would have to leave much of it out. Silas considered that person behind him now, and he wasn’t ready to face a day where someone might reject him for something he wasn’t anymore. “Well, a lot of Spanish music is really great so he’s got good taste,” Silas chuckled. “Of course he is. I consider Zig my little baby boy,” he joked as he spoke of his dog. “But it’s my art. Pretty radical to give it away for free, isn’t it?” he countered with a little smirk. “I can play a little guitar and I know how to hold a tune, but I’m not like a Freddie Mercury or anything like that,” Silas chuckled. “Do you?” 

Silas felt a wave of pride at her praise for his Spanish. It was always much nicer when a native speaker was encouraging rather than making fun of him for his accent when he was really trying his hardest. “Yeah, I don’t think I’d even recognize Catalan if I heard it,” he chuckled. “Most of my friends were Mexican, yeah. I knew a few Columbians, Puerto Ricans, and Venezuelans too, I’m pretty sure,” he mused. At least that’s what he could remember. Marisol was half Mexican and half Puerto Rican, and there was a point in their relationship that he’d gotten so used to speaking Spanish with her he’d go full days without speaking any English at all. It’d be nice to be able to do that again. “Not quiet, I guess. But Spain Spanish doesn’t sound as clear to me, I think. Whenever I’d watch a movie or something like that they just sounded like they were whispering,” Silas shrugged. “I’ve been trying not to say the more ridiculous niche Texan phrases because I mostly just sound kinda like a rube when I do,” he explained with a chuckle, scratching at the back of his neck. He really felt like one when he and Maggie had made the move into Houston from their small, rural, evangelical town. “You don’t get to visit much then?” he said, furrowing his brow at the tone of her voice. “I miss barbecue, but I think that’s about it if I’m honest,” Silas laughed. Too many terrible things had happened to him in Texas, even after he’d managed to escape from his involvement with the cartel. As long as he had Maggie and Vivi, he truly didn’t care where he landed anymore. He kept in touch with the friends he wanted to, but couldn’t bear to be there in the memory of the ones he’d lost anymore. “And even that’s not a big deal because they really know how to do pork here in Hawaii,” he chuckled, then winced. “Er—sorry, I’m only a part-time vegan when I’m with my sisters,” he admitted, flashing her a grin. “I can’t imagine you’d look too out of place in a city like Barcelona dressed like this anyway,” he smirked, taking the opportunity to trial his eyes along her subtly for just a moment. “Well I’ll tell you now I usually don’t,” he said, huffing a little laugh. Sure, Silas had entertained a fling here and there with women who came to his classes, but on the whole he didn’t ever really find himself flirting when he was so caught up in trying to teach. “Where’d you hear these reviews from, huh?” he teased, wagging his eyebrows. He nodded when Savannah went on about her crystal—even if it wasn’t really his thing it was easy to let a woman who looked like Savannah make him believe in it. “Well, I’m teaching you how to throw pottery, so I guess it’s only fair you give me a few gardening tips,” he said with a little wink. “That’d be real fun,” Silas said with a grin as she suggested to bring him some mushroom tea. His mind already wandered off into how nice it’d be to trip with Savannah on a secluded beach, with a big blanket and plenty of canvas to paint on. “Ah. Jasmine,” he said when she asked him for his favorite tea. 

“It is, isn’t it?” he said with a proud grin. He was happy that Savannah seemed to share the same appreciation for the medium that he did. There was something so satisfying to him about crafting things that were not only beautiful, but practical. After his hands were used for pain and destruction for so long, it felt like a sort of cleanse to be using them for something good. “Well, my sister did know you first. I’m not above getting a little inside intel for a date,” he replied with a little smirk. “You’re very welcome,” he replied, taking a bite from his sandwich. “I’d be happy to write it down for you, it’s not too complicated at all,” Silas offered with a smile. “Oh, I definitely do. The trees were there when I bought the place, and I’m pretty sure that was part of the selling point,” he chuckled. “Since we’re in Hawaii what are the chances he’d even notice if you planted a mango tree or two?” he shrugged. “I think he’d like your garden if you gave him a goodie bag with your next rent payment,” Silas joked. He let out a loud, hearty laugh at her reaction to the moonshine and gave her a sympathetic grin as she rubbed her chest. “Glad you enjoyed it,” he said, shooting her a little wink. “Well, I didn’t make the alcohol myself, because that’s a real long, involved process. But I used to have a friend who made it right from the corn maize and everything, it was crazy,” he said. “But this is some high proof grain alcohol simmered in a slow cooker with some sugar and pineapple, which is real easy to do,” he explained. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“I bet,” Savannah grinned. “There is so much amazing art here. Though, that is not so surprising. How can you not be inspired just from when you look outside your window?” She laughed. Sometimes, Savannah would find herself sleeping on the swing bed on her and Sam’s back porch and she would marvel at the fact that she even got there. Sure, things weren’t always perfect, but it was hard not to be happy when she’d spent so long convinced that she’d never even have a roof over her head again. “Please do! I would love to go,” She said, grinning. It made something warm flower inside her to think that Silas might already be thinking about seeing her again. It excited her to think that some of what he might showcase could be in the room with her now. She caught the look that Silas gave her and she smiled back at him. “For what it is worth, I think it is very brave, what you two did,” She said softly. Savannah was older that Silas and Maggie were when they left home and she’d been terrified. She could hardly imagine what it must have been like for them, but it broke her heart to imagine them on their own for so long. “Thank you,” Savannah grinned. “It’s a good life. And I feel very lucky to get to life it. It’s only fair to show the universe the gratitude when I can,” She said with a little shrug. It was easy to be grateful here, when she knew how dark it could have been, and how it could have stayed if she hadn’t gotten so lucky. “I just worry that Sammy and I might be doing a number on poor Floyd. He might know a little bit of English and little bit of Spanish, so I think we confuse him when we talk,” She joked. “Though, I get the sense a lot of the time he is very tired of us,” She said, giggling into her clay-covered hand. “He may not be so old, but he has the heart of an old man,” She smirked. “You’re welcome,” She chuckled. “I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for it at Maggie’s shop,” Savannah said with a smile. “So make sure you leave a good selection for me there,” She added. She started to grin when Silas said that she might be able to see some of his art fresh out of the kiln and put a hand to her chest. “Do you think they will be too shy to sing for a stranger?” She joked. “Make sure they know that I’ll be a good audience,” She added, scrunching her nose at Silas.

“Silly, or maybe just optimistic,” Savannah laughed. “I have many guests come for tours that tell me when we get to the falls that they don’t know how to swim. I never understand why they choose to go somewhere that they cannot really enjoy,” She shrugged. “At least not all the way,” She chuckled. “I will be happy to teach you any time!” Savannah enthused. “If you are feeling especially brave, then I can just speak Spanish for the rest of the day. I think I will like hearing you speak Spanish with your American accent,” She laughed. “Do you read and write as well? Or did you just learn to speak?” She asked. “I can bring you books too, if that is something you want,” She offered with a slight shrug. “But you will also have to help me when I say things wrong in English. I do not worry so much about the vocabulary, but sometimes your phrases get lost to me,” She explained, laughing. It felt good to think that Silas might learn something from spending time with her. And if this did blossom into something, he would be the first person she dated that cared enough to learn. It was a nice thought. “Of course! I tried to keep my mind open to messages from the universe, why should I ignore them when they’re written?” Savannah asked. “I keep what resonates and leave the rest,” She chuckled, as though it were obvious. It was, to her. “I grew up in the city, so I think I will always have a special place in my heart for it,” She agreed with a nod. “But this life feels a little more my speed,” She laughed. “If you could not already tell,” She joked. “I am glad you agree that this is whimsical,” Savannah said with a knowing smirk. Maybe if she’d had a less handsome instructor, she might have been able to focus a little better on making something better, but who could blame her when he looked like that. “If you give all of your students such sweet feedback, it is no wonder that they return so much,” She laughed. “And less surprising that they bring a friend,” She added, eyeing him up with minimal subtlety. “It suits you,” Savannah grinned when Silas put the crystal around his neck. “Give it a week to prove itself to you, then you can tell me all about it,” She enthused. “The beginning is so fun!” Savannah grinned. “I am so excited when I get to plant something new. I try to have a colorful garden,” She explained. “Of course it tastes better. You can taste the love,” She laughed. “And much cheaper to grow your own, definitely,” She agreed with a nod. Savannah let out a loud laugh when Silas mentioned some of what she gardened. “Oh yes, lots of that. The cannabis grows really well here,” She nodded. “I’ve gotten to experiment with a few strains, too. It’s a lot of fun!” She laughed. “I don’t know if she mentioned, but I also grow mushrooms if you want those,” She smirked. “I know some artists like to use it while they work,” She added with a shrug. “Me too,” Savannah said, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. 

“You think?” Savannah asked, clapping her hands together excitedly. She leaned slightly to the side, getting a look at the mug from a new angle. “All from a slab of clay,” She added with an amused smile. “I see why you love this so much. It is so exciting!” She enthused. Savannah nodded at Silas’s instructions and got herself cleaned up before going to the table. She sat the table, resting her chin in her hand and grinning to herself. She only hoped that Silas was as happy to have her here as she was to be here. “Oh wow, this is perfect,” She chuckled, and sent a silent thank you to the universe that she didn’t have to skirt around the plate because it wasn’t vegan. “Do you grow the mangoes on purpose? Or are you just lucky?” She laughed. “I don’t know if I have ever had moonshine,” Savannah said, looking at the jar with furrowed eyebrows. “But I think I can handle it,” She said, smirking up at Silas. “There is only one way to find out, anyway.”

“It’s extraordinary to live on a tropical island. Texas is nothing like it,” Silas agreed with a warm smile. Some days he had to pinch the inside of his arm when he woke up to the sounds of the Hawaiian breeze rustling the leaves of the palm tree outside his bedroom window to remind himself that this was really his life. It was such a stark contrast to waking up with cold steel pressed against the side of his temple and someone shouting get the fuck up now into his face. “Yeah, you got it. That’d be a perfect date,” he said with a little smirk at her excited reaction. His breath hitched a bit before a small smile came to his face at Savannah’s words. He wondered what it was like when she and Maggie talked about what happened. Maggie spoke about running away in an awfully poetic way, describing her desperation so eloquently. She gave him too much credit. What he did for his sister never felt heroic or sacrificial. It was just the right thing to do. Because she was his baby sister and he loved her more than anything in the world. After that it seemed the only things he could do were the wrong ones. But Maggie wouldn’t divulge any of that to anyone save for Vivi without his permission. “Thank you,” he finally said, then took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I can talk about it with you more sometime. But not today, okay? Today I just want to keep making you smile and you won’t do that if I tell you the whole tragic tale,” he said with a half-chuckle, squeezing her hand again and dropping it. It was comforting, he found, that Savannah already knew a little bit about him and his story. It was less terrifying to bring it up, which was inevitable in these sorts of romantic endeavors. “Or maybe he’s just a bilingual dog now, which is really pretty impressive,” Silas said. “He seems like he’s really well taken care of, so I doubt that,” he chuckled when she said her dog might be tired of her. He couldn’t imagine anyone being tired of Savannah when just watching her be was so interesting to him. He laughed, shaking his head. “Savannah, you know I’m going to send you off with one today, don’t you?” he asked with a coy smile when she talked about the match strikers being in Maggie’s shop. He compulsively gifted his work to his friends, and he was especially powerless to beautiful women like her. “Oh,” he sounded, laughing again. God, she was so sweet he could practically feel his teeth rotting. “I’m sure they’ll be real delighted to sing for you. Anyone would,” he added with a grin. 

“Hmm,” Silas hummed as he thought for a second. “No se si es buena idea, tu español es muy, uh—diferente a lo que estoy acostumbrado,” he replied to her offer with a little chuckle. He was definitely rusty. He didn’t nearly use Spanish as much as he used to when he lived in Houston. Maybe there were days when he didn’t speak any English at all, he thought. “But trust me, I’m excited to get to practice again. Though your Spanish is real whisper-y,” he teased with a wink. “I can probably write a little, my grammar is terrible. But it also isn’t really great in English either. And reading is probably even harder since I learned mostly from hearing people speak to me,” he explained with a shrug. Silas never thought of himself as particularly intelligent since he didn’t finish high school and he’d made a plethora of stupid decisions in his lifetime. But he did work hard to earn his GED and he guessed he was a fast and dedicated learner. That’s what Maggie and Vivi always said, anyway. “Well, yeah, stuff like that is always the hardest when you’re learning a different language. I’d be happy to help you out, but if your best friend is Irish I might be a little lost on some of that stuff,” he laughed. “You ever miss Barcelona?” he asked. Silas was already prepared to answer her with a resounding no when she posed the question back to him about Texas. He missed some things about it, but there was far too much pain tucked away back home to ever make him miss it fully. “Ah, no, I couldn’t tell, witchy woman,” he teased, taking the opportunity to rake his eyes over her, her bohemian fashion sense and again, of course, her lovely face. “I do think it’s whimsical. I could always do with a bit of whimsy,” he chuckled with a shrug. Silas knew deep down he wasn’t so serious by nature, not really. But what he’d been through had hardened him. Though his artwork, though, he felt like he was able to start undoing some of that. So whimsy was good. Necessary even. Like Savannah’s laugh. “Savannah, do you think I treat my students like I treat my dates?” he asked with a smirk, catching her eyes as they moved over him. Every part of him was screaming at him to just grab her up in his arms and take her to the back office right now. But he wanted to see her again, innocently an otherwise. He needed to take things slow if he wanted to foster something real with her. And he did, especially after how much he was enjoying being with her now. “I’ll give it its very best chance,” he said, mostly to appease her, grasping her crystal around his neck again and giving her another little wink. “You know, I knew there was a reason Maggie and Vivi were always saying we’d get along,” he joked when Savannah talked about her cannibas plants. “If you’re offering, I’d be a fool to say no,” he said with a nod when she talked about her mushrooms. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had them fresh,” he mused. “But I definitely love to paint while I trip,” he agreed with a grin. 

“All from a slab of clay,” he echoed with a proud smile. Silas liked that Savannah could share his enthusiasm for something he loved so much. His livelihood now, really. It was sometimes still hard to believe when he used to make money in such deviant ways. “Once you get the finished fired piece in your hand it feels like your child,” he laughed. “I know. Maggie told me you were a vegan. She and Vivi are too. I’m not, but we eat together a lot, so I learned to make things for them and eat anything they make so, you know, this is one of my favorites,” he explained with a bashful shrug. Silas had played a more coy withholding game with women when he was younger, but it didn’t serve him anymore. And he didn’t peg Savannah as the type to respond to that sort of flirtation anyway. He wanted to make it clear that he liked her. “Lucky as can be. There’s a lemon tree in the yard too,” he grinned. “Ooh, you’re in for a treat. Hold your nose though,” he chuckled, pouring her a shot into the tiny Japanese teacup he’d made himself some years ago and sliding it to her before pouring one for himself. “Cheers,” he said, clinking his cup to hers before throwing the moonshine back. It stung, like it always did, but he’d made it himself and for that it was always much sweeter. “What do you think?” he asked with a laugh. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“That must be so exciting to meet other artists on the island!” She enthused. One of her favorite things to do when she was living at home was to go to the art shows with her mom. Getting to see the artist that made the work was always so thrilling to her. She would sometimes make a game of trying to guess which artist made which art, though she could hardly ever beat Lucía’s expertise. “I would love that,” She agreed with a smile. She’d happily agree to do most things if it meant a chance to see Silas again. “I know it is,” Savannah said with a nod. She heard stories from Maggie about what happened to them as children, and it broke her heart to think of the two of them having to go out on their own like that. It was hard for her to imagine being that young and alone. She was just so happy that both of them were doing so well for themselves now. “It is good! All we have in this world is each other, it is good that we take care of each other, however we can. Whether that is through art—“ She said, gesturing around to the various projects around them. “Or just by showing up,” She nodded. “I am sure that Ziggy would love to respond, he just doesn’t speak the language,” She giggled. “Sometimes, I think Floyd actually is listening when I tell him things,” She said. Savannah leaned over to get a better look at what Silas was showing her and smiled. “Those are so great!” She chuckled. “And much better decoration than a bunch of half-used matchboxes,” She added with a nod. “If it is anything more than that, then I feel very lucky,” She said with a humble smile. “I am happy just to do it,” She added. “Two of my friends are brothers, and I think if I ever see a day where they aren’t fighting like puppies, I will be concerned,” She laughed. Savannah felt her stomach flutter when he winked at her and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “Good,” She quietly replied. “They sing for you,” She replied with a giggle. “How thoughtful of them.”

“Maybe we should start with just a waterfall then,” Savannah laughed. “You can swim, yes?” She asked. “And then maybe when your Spanish is better we can work to a volcano tour,” She promised with a smirk. “Good,” She replied, turning her chin to her shoulder and smiling at Silas. “That makes me happy to hear,” She said. Savannah had thought to ask after Silas to his sisters a few times, but after experiencing how weird it was when people asked after Sam, she thought better on it. She was just glad that he’d asked her out, so she could stop sneaking glances at him when she’d see him in the shop. Her jaw dropped in amazement at his compliment and she quietly gasped. “That is so kind of you to say!” She exclaimed with an amazed laugh. “There is a lot of guidance to be found on those cards,” She smiled. “Thank you,” She replied. “It is much easier to do when you live somewhere like this,” She added with a small shrug. Now wasn’t the time to talk about how hard she had to work to get back to this person that she was now. Every day was a gift when you had to fight tooth-and-nail to get to it. That much, she knew that Silas and Maggie must know, but it wasn’t a necessarily fun topic. And certainly not bright enough for such a nice first date. “That is true,” She laughed. “I think this would look more like it was from Dr. Seuss if I had been spinning it myself,” She admitted. She couldn’t tell if this was what her mug was supposed to look like, but in reality she didn’t care. She was just happy to be here with Silas. “I am sure you get many regulars,” Savannah said with a smirk. She knew that if she had met him as her pottery instructor, she would’ve come back for every class he offered. “Here,” Savannah said as she reached for the fluorite around her neck. She swiftly tugged it over her head, careful not to get any clay on herself. “Why don’t you take this one out for a spin?” She offered as she handed him the necklace. “And next time you see me, you can tell me how much you love it,” She smirked. And just when Savannah thought that she couldn’t be any more attracted to Silas, he started talking about his home garden. Easy, she warned herself as she listened to him. “It sounds beautiful,” Savannah said with a smile. “I do! I started it when we moved here, since we have so much space in our backyard,” She explained. “It is nice to be able to cook with what you grow yourself. It feels like adding an extra layer of love to it,” She smiled. She wondered if now was a good time to mention the small batches of cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms she started growing in her spare time. She was proud of how they had developed, after all. But maybe it was too weird. Savannah laughed at his question and nodded. “A very good job,” She assured him. If he did any better of a job, she was sure that her clothes would’ve fallen off on the spot.

Savannah was amazed when the sculpting finally came together to make an actual mug. “You think so?” She asked with a smile. “It is not too Whoville?” She laughed, leaning over and eyeing it up again. Savannah washed up and dried her hands with the rag Silas gave her. “What’s for lunch?” She asked, giving him a grin.

“Oh, it’s amazin’” Silas agreed with a warm smile. Though sometimes when he sat at his booth, greeting local artist like him and discussing the perfect temperature for a kiln or the technique used to make Chinese teapots, he could hardly believe just some years ago the same person was strapped with bricks to his back and a handgun digging between his shoulder blades. “Next time I’m going to one I’ll be sure to let you know, okay?” he promised. He was sure that Maggie and Vivi would be clobbering at him for the chance to take Savannah to somewhere he was showing his work—they were impossibly proud of him. And the feeling was completely mutual. Silas shared a look with Savannah for a brief moment as she expressed her sympathy. It affirmed that she’d learned from Maggie about how he needed to run away from their parents with her after what they were threatening to do in regards to his sister’s sexuality. Even if he’s now lived almost half of his life without them in it, they still arose a very pointed disgust within him. A wound that was still struggling to scab over. Then he listened to her speak—he could do that for hours with the way she described her feelings in her oh so adorable Barcelonian accent. “You’ve got a real sweet way of thinking about things,” he mused, then gave her a gentle smile. “Of course they’re listening. I have to believe Ziggy is listening, it’d break my heart otherwise,” Silas joked. “Thank you,” he said as she complimented his work again. “You know, you might need one of those to light the incense you’re putting in that burner I gave you, no?” Silas asked with a little smirk, knowing he’d now be sending her off with a match-striker to go along with the burner he’d already given her. He let out a chuckle when she described what he’d told her about the pottery right out of the kiln. “They do, yeah,” he smiled, then squinted his eyes as he peered at the kiln. “And lucky for you that batch should be finished firing by the time we finish up lunch and you can hear it,” he explained with an excited smile.

“Woulda been pretty silly to move to Hawaii if I couldn’t swim,” Silas teased with a smirk, then nodded. “So you’ll be giving me lessons then sometime?” he asked. Then a pang hit his chest when he thought about a younger version of himself asking Marisol the same thing when he’d first met her. This was the worst part, he thought, of navigating dating after his tremendous fallout with Marisol. His brain finding ways to squash any happiness he might feel for a fleeting moment. Though he shook it away as quickly as he could, which was easier when Savannah turned her head to smile at him. “I can tell you’ve taken much of it to heart,” Silas said with a warm chuckle as she cooed over his silly compliment. It was nice how she seemed to light up over the tiniest things. Refreshing, really. “You know what fair enough. Houston looks like a dump compared to Hawaii, and I always liked the city enough,” he said with a little shrug. Even if Silas regretted so much of what he’d done there, he still considered it home. The first sixteen years of his life in the tiny, tortured town of Oakwood would never feel like home to him. Not anymore at least. “Dr. Seuss has a pretty distinct and desirable aesthetic though, doesn’t he? So even if it was a little more wonky I reckon it would still look just as charming,” Silas said with a reassuring smile. “I have a few students who’ve been coming for a while now, sure,” he chuckled. Silas cocked an eyebrow as she removed her necklace and smirked. “For you, I’ll give it a whirl,” he promised, taking it from her and slipping it over his neck, hearing the faint clink of the crystal hitting the pendant he was already wearing, given to him by his sister. “It was a lot of work, but I think worth it,” he said with a proud smile, thinking about his garden. “It tastes about a million times better too. And since everything has to be imported to Hawaii it’s really just economical to grow as much food as I can,” Silas said. Sometimes he imagined what it would have been like if he could’ve had a garden of his own when he and Maggie were starving for days on end in their tiny studio in Houston. Before he’d found the most efficient way to make tons of money fast. “My sister tells me you also grow some pretty fun stuff,” Silas said with a cheeky grin. Maggie and Vivi didn’t smoke anymore, but instead passed the little gifts from Savannah on to him, which he greatly appreciated. “Glad to hear it,” he replied, his eyes moving subtly across her face as he smiled. 

Silas shook his head, then examined her mug again. “It’s perfect,” he said. “We’ve just got to let it dry a bit before I can remove it from the wheel, so I’ll do that after we eat. Go have a seat at the table over there, okay?” he said, pointing to a work table he’d thrown a cloth over. Silas quickly moved to his office and pulled their lunch from the mini fridge, as well as a few of his handmade mugs, plates, and a jar from his desk. “Chickpea salad sandwiches, mangoes from the tree outside of my house, and—“ Silas popped the jar filled with clear liquid down on the table. “Homemade moonshine if you can stomach it,” he chuckled, handing her a plate with a sandwich. “Or just some pinot grigio I have in the back if you’d prefer,” he chuckled. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“Do you only go to shows for pottery and sculpture?” Savannah asked. “Or do you like to go to others too?” Getting back to art felt like going home to Savannah. When she painted, or drew, or walked through a gallery, she somehow hoped that her mother might just know that she was okay. It was one of the many bittersweet hobbies that Savannah had picked up since finding a home. “That is what I always say!” Savannah exclaimed, her face splitting in a wide grin. “I think that the sooner everyone realizes that it is an okay—and even good—thing to need people, then everyone will be much happier,” She smiled. “Isn’t it?” Savannah asked with a happy sigh. “That is always what I like to find when I look at someone’s art. Where they are in it. Sometimes, it is more obvious than others,” She nodded. “Will I get to see a sneak peek of something that you are working on?” Savanah asked with a hopeful smile. Her cheeks started to warm when he called her beautiful and she slowly shrugged. “If that is all they say, then what do I have to complain about?” She laughed. “I think I have to agree. All the siblings I have seen bully each other around are closer than most people,” She nodded. “And the intelligence to pay someone else do the boring parts, so you can do the good bits,” She chuckled. She started to grin when Silas mentioned a second date. She thought it would be insane to not want a second date with him. “And that depends on whether or not you will want one after the first one,” She countered with a smirk. “Which bit is your favorite to do?”

“I’ll give you the tour in Spanish if you really want to learn something,” Savannah laughed. “I’ve been looking forward to it,” She said softly. She’d hardly been able to keep Silas and this date out of her mind since they first planned it. “I definitely think so,” She smiled. “We have so many good things in life, I think it is a disservice to the universe to not enjoy them,” She concluded with a short nod. Savannah also felt like she owed it to her younger self, who shook with hunger on the streets in Barcelona. She had to enjoy everything that she fought to get to. “Ah, so that is why you are controlling the wheel,” Savannah joked with a giggle. “I understand why,” She shrugged. “When you have such a handsome instructor, it is easy to forget that you’re actually supposed to be doing something here,” Savannah replied, raking her eyes over his face before turning back to the project in her hands. “I know that you are still a non-believer but-“ Savannah began as she grabbed the crystal dangling off of her neck. “I didn’t pick fluorite just because it matches,” She laughed. “I won’t try to sell you on it right now, don’t worry,” She giggled. “Do you still garden? Or did you just do it then?” Savannah asked with an excited smile. Surely, she could talk for hours about the plans she had growing all around her and Sam’s house. “And I’ll keep that in the kitchen like a trophy for my terrible pottery skills,” Savannah laughed, biting down on her lip. “I don’t imagine that you have to really try to charm anyone,” She said, looking at him with a smirk. “It seems to come quite naturally,” She smirked. “I like it.”

“I go to all sorts, sure. Most of the ones I’ve been to around here aren’t necessarily dedicated to one medium. All sorts of local artists come together,” Silas said. “I could bring you to one sometime if you’d like,” he offered with a grin. He let out a soft laugh as Savannah got excited, his eyes following her smile. “It’s a hard thing to come around on when you’re used to taking care of yourself,” Silas said with a small sigh. From what Maggie told him, Savannah knew that he and Maggie were out on their own when he was just sixteen. That wasn’t necessarily something he was trying to hide, but it definitely didn’t feel like first date conversation. “But don’t worry, I know I need people now. As much as I love Ziggy he’s not much of a conversationalist,” Silas joked with a laugh. “All of you have to do to get that is look over my shoulder there,” he said, pointing a clay-covered finger over to the wall where a set of newly designed match strikers sat drying that he’d thrown yesterday. Silas gave her a proud smile. “I got the idea for a match holder and striker when I saw Vivi fussing with a matchbox,” he chuckled. “And somehow I don’t think that’s all they’d have to say,” Silas added. With how often his sister mentioned Savannah it was obvious there was so much about her that was worth talking about. He laughed at her assessment and nodded. “That’s for sure. I’d be real worried the day Maggie steps of my neck,” he chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry about that,” Silas assured her when she talked about another date, throwing her a wink. “Probably throwing and shaping. But I really look forward to opening the kiln after a final firing. The pottery makes a magical kind of tinkling noise,” he explained with a smile. 

“You can definitely give the tour in Spanish, no promises I won’t get lost on the side of a volcano, though,” he joked. “Me too,” Silas quickly agreed. He now only wished he’d asked her out sooner from their brief encounters at his sister’s store. Either way, he was glad things finally fell into place—or rather, he took the chance on the gut feeling he’d gotten the first time he saw her pop her head into the shop while he was making a delivery. “You sound like those little meditation cards Maggie puts in her customer’s bags,” Silas teased, flashing her a smirk. “That’s a real nice way to look at life though,” he added quietly. It was a way of thinking he’d only recently started to lean into. “Well you said yourself you might be a little excited, didn’t you? Best if I take the reins here,” Silas teased, looking down at his foot on the wheel then back up to Savannah with a playful grin. “Oh, yeah. I’m quite the hit with the sixty plus crowd of ladies who come to my classes. Pottery wheels are going crazy left and right,” he said with a hearty laugh, even if something hot twisted in his belly over her compliment. “Fluorite, calming, got it,” Silas said with a smirk, tapping the side of his head. He also wasn’t immune to nodding along with a woman as beautiful as Savannah either. “I’ve got an amazing garden at my house,” he said with an enthusiastic smile. “I like growing vegetables, some flowers, and a bunch of plumeria bushes,” he explained. “Do you garden?” Silas asked. “So I’m doing a good job then?” he said, a smirk pulling up the corner of his lip. He had half of a mind to grab her up into his arms and take her into his back office right then and there, but he came back to his senses and coughed a little. 

After a while longer of laughing and touching and sculpting, Savannah had a mug sitting on the wheel before her. “Not too shabby at all,” he smiled, washing his hands from most of the clay in his basin. “Why don’t we wash up and have lunch?” he suggested, holding out a rag for her to dry her arms and hands. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“Absolutely,” Savannah agreed with a nod. “I am sure that being around other people who create what you do helps to inspire you, too. And maybe learn some new ways to do things,” She smiled. “I can agree with that,” Savannah nodded. “It’s good to be able to be alone with yourself. But I think people need people, too,” She said. After having been forced to be alone for so long, Savannah knew it with more confidence than she knew anything. “It must be very exciting to see someone go from not knowing how to do anything, to making art on their own. And even more when they develop their own artistic style,” She grinned. “It is fun to think that people might go home with a story about their little adventures with me,” She laughed. “I am starting to think brothers are all the same to their siblings,” Savannah replied with a playful tut. She smiled wider as Silas spoke more about his work. “It doesn’t feel like work because you so clearly love it,” She nodded. “I mean, you cannot make art like that if you don’t,” Savannah added with a shrug. “So today is just for part of it?” She asked, then suddenly felt giddy at the thought that he chose to teach her something that might require seeing her again. “What part are we making right now?” She laughed. “Me too,” Savannah quietly agreed, and felt her cheeks warm as she noticed him look at her.

“It seems fair that you teach me something and I maybe teach you something,” She said with a laugh. “I am not in a rush. Just maybe a little excited,” Savannah replied. “Most of the good things in life are the ones you want to take your time with,” She replied, then felt an excited jolt when he winked at her. Surely he knew that sitting this close and being that handsome was just one long tease. “So, what I’m hearing is that I might be the first,” Savannah joked. “How does a person get rowdy in a pottery class?” She asked with a laugh. “Yes! I did that on the cruise, and then part-time when I lived in California,” She explained. “The cruise was my first job,” She laughed. It was her first legal job, anyway. Though, getting a job with a fake passport may not really be considered legal. “It just happened to be that I liked it. I like being able to go home at the end of the day and know that people are happier, or more relaxed—spiritually and physically—after they spent some time with me. You know?” She asked. “What was your first job?” She asked. “I am sure that there will be many mistakes. I think I will just be happy if it is actually able to hold tea in it,” Savannah joked. When Silas reached over to help her, a chorus of please, just kiss me rang through her head so loud she started to worry that he might hear it—but then he pulled away again. Relax, she scolded herself, maybe he’s just serious about teaching. “Am I actually getting the hang of it, or are you just being nice and having mercy on me?” Savannah asked with a smirk.

“That’s the best part about getting connected with other artists. Going to shows and fairs and stuff like that,” Silas mused. It was so strange to think that Silas had gone from living practically on the streets with his sister, doing anything he could for money, to galavanting around art shows and tending to his vegetable garden. It was hard to believe he was the same person sometimes when he looked at his tired face in the mirror. “Everyone needs people,” he smirked. Even if he didn’t want to believe it was true. He was so used to being needed that when he realized he needed someone too he didn’t want to believe it. “It’s amazin’ how talented and creative folks are. Pottery’s deftly something that reflects a lot of personal expression once you get the construction basics down. And even then there’s so much room to experiment,” he said with a soft grin. “I’d wager more than a few guests would be talking about the beautiful tour guide from their vacation,” Silas commented. “People who are actually nice to their siblings don’t actually love them,” he explained with a chuckle. “It started out as just a hobby. I just had a good enough business sense to help make it a job,” he said with a shrug. Even if working with the cartel was traumatic, he was grateful for some of the things he’d learned. Like how to make a sale. “Well, yeah. We’ve got to let it dry, then there’s a first firing, a glaze, letting that dry…” he said, then a flirtatious smile came to his face as he looked at Savannah. “‘Course all dependin’ if I get a second date,” he said confidently. “This step is called throwing. That’s the sculpting bit,” he explained. 

“I’m still gettin’ a tour of some of these mountains on the island, aren’t I? Surely you’ll have something to teach me then,” he replied. “Oh, well that’s good. I’m glad,” Silas said when Savannah expressed her excitement. It felt good to have that reciprocated. “Isn’t that the truth?” he agreed with a gentle nod. Savannah’s temperament was impressively positive. He needed people like that. Maggie needed it too. He was more than grateful she’d found it in Vivi, especially when Silas had melancholic tendencies sometimes. It was hard to outrun some things. “I think you’re safe. I’m controlling the wheel’s speed,” he chuckled. “I guess not rowdy—but mores some people not paying close enough attention to how to work the wheel right,” Silas shrugged. He listened with a gentle smile on his face as Savannah spoke. “I’m sure people feel that way after talking to you pretty often,” he mused, giving her a smirk. “You’ve got a real calming thing about you,” he said thoughtfully, his eyes scanning her very pretty face for a moment. “My first job…” he hummed. “I got paid to garden for my elderly neighbor when I was around twelve or so. I think my first official job was Dairy Queen,” he laughed, scrunching up his nose. “Got that after school in eight grade or something for pocket money.” It was so many lifetimes ago. Or at least it felt like it to Silas. “If it can’t I’ll send you home with a teacup and saucer,” he assured her with another wink. “I’d tell you if you weren't doing a good job," Silas said with a smirk. "Even if I am trying to charm you. I don't lie about stoneware," he teased. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“It is very rewarding,” Savannah agreed with a smile. “It feels good to give the gift you have been given to others,” She nodded. “And really, what better way is there to thank your teachers than by becoming one yourself? Then you can spread their good teaching on. Paying it forward, yes?” She asked. “I like that I am able to give back to people. Even if it is only a footnote of their holiday,” She said. “I am not just saying it!” Savannah argued with a laugh. “Sounds like Maggie has many good ideas,” She said with a smirk. “Maybe I should start going to her for guidance from now on,” She added. “It definitely helps when you like the person you spend so much of your time with,” She agreed with a nod. One of her favorite things about the resort was that she could go just about anywhere on it and find a friend. She felt lucky that so many of them had stuck together for this long. “I will be happy to meet her next time,” Savannah said, smiling back at him. She felt her whole body buzzing with excitement that he had thought about seeing her again after this. “Oh, so then this is a special occasion?” She asked, flashing him a playful grin. “It makes sense. There are many breakable things in here. It is best that people are not tripping over themselves.”

“I am very excited to!” She enthused. She felt a certain warmth every time she looked at him smiling in her direction. It was impossible not to want to smile back. His was infectious. “I am sure you don’t need the help, but I will be happy to show you anyway,” She laughed. “I will do my best to learn it quickly then, so I can make the most of using the good wheel,” She joked. Her eyes grew wide and she laughed when he told her about the worst-case scenario. “Does that happen often?” She asked and laughed again. “I used to do that for a living,” She explained. “I worked on a cruise ship a few years ago. That is where I met my friend Sam and his brother Scott, actually,” She smiled. “I haven’t done that for some time, but I think I remember well enough to help me here,” She said. Savannah moved swiftly away when Silas prompted, and she studied his movement intently. Watching his fingers press into the clay, Savannah felt her mouth drop open slightly and felt slightly caught when he smiled at her. “Okay, I think I can handle that,” She replied as she leaned over the wheel again. “If I am doing it wrong, will you tell me? Or will I end up with a Dr. Seuss mug?” She laughed.

“Once I started working so independently I realized I missed being around other artists, other people who did the same work I did,” Silas mused. “Don’t get me wrong I really like my solitude, y’know, not always,” Silas chuckled, flashing her a bright grin. “And it’s really nice to get a beginner who finds their stride. Especially since I didn’t get into making pottery until I was older too,” he explained. It was strange to talk about something that was now his entire life, his livelihood. Even stranger when it was his date asking, when the real story was that his ex-fiance had urged him to take his first classes with her. “Oh, I’m sure you’re not just a footnote of people’s vacations, Savannah,” he said with a warm smile. He couldn’t imagine not thinking about her all day after just getting to talk to her for a moment. There was something other-worldly about her. “I’ll cut my arm off before I agree to anything like that,” Silas joked when she suggested his sister had good ideas. “It makes it feel like it’s not work at all. Which for me—it never feels like it. Kaipo does all the tough stuff with the financials and all of that. Dunno what I’d do without her,” Silas said. “Well, making a mug is a process that takes some time, so you’ll catch her soon enough,” he said, feeling himself grin a little wider at Savannah’s enthusiasm. “Yeah, I think it is,” Silas said, pausing to look at Savannah’s face for a moment before he huffed a laugh and ducked his head.

Savannah’s excitement felt so real and genuine that it was hard not to be enraptured by it. “I could always stand to learn something new, can’t I?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow. “What’s the rush?” he chuckled, leaning his elbows on his knees while he watched her. “It’s best to take your time as a beginner, anyway,” Silas said, shooting her a wink. “No, not very often,” he laughed. “In fact in my classes it never has, but I’ve seen it happen before with rowdier students. I mostly get retired rich folks who’re pretty calm,” Silas explained. “Oh, you were a masseuse?” he said, a little distracted, then had to redirect his mind back to the present situation again. “I remember you saying you worked on a cruise. Do you just like working in hospitality?” Silas asked. He bit his tongue when he wanted to tell her that she could refresh her massage skills with him any time she wanted. He wanted to do things right with her, didn’t want to rush. He couldn’t, despite his attraction to her. “I’ll be sure to help you patch up any mistakes,” he assured her with an encouraging smile. “Not bad at all,” he enthused as she started to shape her mug. “But—here,” he muttered, leaning in so both of their hands were on the clay. Silas’s hands rested over hers and she guided her to apply the right amount of pressure. “Like that,” he explained, taking his hands back with a cough. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“That is really amazing,” Savannah said as a grin shot across her face. “And you are enjoying teaching?” She asked as she met Silas’s eyes. “Really?” She asked. “I feel like you have the energy of someone that would be good at this,” She replied. “You must be very patient to want to teach beginners,” She added with a nod. “I think that meeting people is one of the best perks about my job, too. The other is that I work with most of my friends,” She laughed. “If this is what it looks like when it’s a mess, I can only imagine how pristine it is in here any other time,” She smiled. “But I am happy you had a good start to the day,” She added optimistically. With any luck, this date would only make their days even better. 

“Well, in that case then I do have a little experience,” Savannah giggled. Her cruise ship days felt so far behind her now. Back then, she was struggling to figure out what sort of person she was going to be. It felt so crazy now to think that she could have ended up any way but this. “Yes,” Savannah said as a new smile crept across her face. It felt good to know that he’d been paying attention as much as she had the last time they saw each other. She wondered if he’d been thinking about her as much as she’d been thinking about him. “Though we are mostly painters,” She added with a laugh. “You are putting a lot of faith in me to put me on your wheel,” Savannah joked. Sitting this close to him, she knew that she would have to work a little harder to pay attention and not just stare at him. She gave him another quick smile before following his instructions and dipping her hands into the basin to wet them. She then started kneading the clay before starting to laugh. “I feel like I am just giving a tense person a massage,” She joked.

"Thank you," he said, ducking his head bashfully. "Surprisingly, yes. I didn't think I would have the patience for it. But I find it kinda rewarding. Reminds me of the teachers I had when I first started learning, how much I looked up to them," Silas explained. "I think you're just saying that because you've seen my highly perfected work that goes to Maggie and Vi's shop," he chuckled. "It was Maggie's idea for me to start teaching, actually." Silas might not have thought he was a very patient person, and maybe there was a time where he wasn't. But Maggie reminded him that he was more than patient with her for years and years, and as Silas got older, he was able to recognize it. To control his once vicious temper. It was rare that he raised his voice at all these days. It was nice. "Working with your friends is the best," he agreed with a smile. "The studio manager, Kaipo, is one of my best friends. She's not working today since she only works part time, but uh, you know, next time you're here," Silas said with a small grin. At least he hoped Savannah would want to come back again. "Usually I don't have buckets of glaze just hangin' around," he chuckled. "But I like to keep it tidy best that I can. And it gets real messy real quick," he said. 

"Either way, the only thing you need is the desire to learn," Silas said with a warm smile. He felt like he couldn't stop grinning, and felt a little silly for it. But Savannah smiled too—it lit up her entire face. "Well when it comes time to paint your mug maybe you can give me a few pointers," Silas said with a smirk. "Well this wheel is a little better than the ones my students use. I wanted you to learn on the best. Besides, it's not like you'd break it or anything," he chuckled. "Worst that happens is a glob of clay goes flying and it wouldn't be the first time," he assured her, then watched as Savannah started to work with the ball of clay on the wheel. "Yeah, that's a good comparison, actually," he said with an encouraging smile. Even though the thought of Savannah and massage started to conjure an image in his brain that he quickly tried to shake away. "Now that the clay's got the right moisture level and size we can start making the hole for the mug's opening. D'you mind?" he asked, then they shuffled so Silas was at the wheel. He took the clay in his hands and pressed his index and middle finger into the center to slowly start shaping the clay. He looked up to Savannah with a soft smile. "Like that," he muttered, taking his hands away and gesturing her to follow where he'd left it. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

Savannah gave Silas a wave and immediately grinned back at him. She tried to ignore the way hearing her name with his American accent made her stomach flip. “Have you had this since you moved here?” She asked, and followed him into the studio. “Or is teaching the island about your passion a new thing?” She smiled. “My morning was good!” Savannah chuckled. “I had a few excursions early in the morning that were a lot more lively than usual. They must also be morning people,” She joked. “How was your morning? Were you very busy here?” 

Savannah watched Silas move around his studio with a smile on her face, though she had a growing fear that she wouldn’t be able to pay much attention to what he said. Especially when he was so close to her. Her eyebrows raised attentively at his question and she started to guilty smile. “When I worked on a cruise ship, I would sometimes steal clay from the kid’s club,” She giggled. “I do not know if that counts. Other than that—maybe when I was in school?” She added with uncertainty. It was hard to remember those days through the fog in her mind. “Simple is good to start,” She agreed with a chuckle. She tied her hair up loosely as she took the seat at the wheel. “So, how do you normally start your classes?”

“Oh, no. I bought this place about two years ago,” Silas explained. “And I’ve only just started teaching classes a few months ago, when I got the extra wheels,” he said, gesturing to the set up of six wheels at a long table where his students sat. “I didn’t really think teaching would suit me, but it’s been nice makin’ some extra money and meeting people who’re eager to learn,” he explained with a smile. If a former version of Silas could meet himself now, he surely would have laughed his lungs out. But Silas liked the gentler person he’d become, even if the grit of his past was still beneath his fingernails. At least now he could just say it was clay. “Good,” he quietly replied when she said she had a good morning. “Oh, mine was fine. I had two classes, and we were glazing today, so that’s why there’s the mess there,” he said, pointing to the buckets of pottery glaze he’d yet to clean up. He left the part of his morning out that had spent thinking about Savannah and their date, the consideration to make sure it was going to be nice. 

“Sure it counts,” Silas assured her with a chuckle. “And you said your family is artistic the other day, right?” he asked, recalling their conversation at the cafe the other day. It’d been hard to think about anything else, admittedly. But Silas had a feeling on the back of his neck when he spoke to Savannah that he wanted to trust. And he didn’t want to get ahead of himself and ruin everything. “Well normally I’d have my students over their at their own stations, but you’re going to be using my wheel here,” he said, pulling his stool beside her and pressing on the pedal to get the wheel spinning. “So take some water on your hands here—“ he said, pointing to the basin beside his wheel, “and honestly just—get in there,” he chuckled. “Just get used to how it feels in your hands,” Silas instructed, offering her a soft smile.  

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

Savannah was grateful that the morning of her date with Silas was a busy one. It helped distract her from the nervous excitement that started bubbling when she woke up. It had been a long time since she’d gone on an actual date, and even longer since she’d felt this excited for one. Once she finished her last tour of the day, she all but ran out of the hotel to go home and prepare herself for the date. She showered quickly, but had to stand in front of her closet for a little while to decide how someone was supposed to dress for a date that would get messy. She decided on something relaxed and casual and something that she wouldn’t mind getting covered in clay. 

She decided to bike to the studio, since it wasn’t too far from her house and it was such a nice day out. On top of the fact that it would make Sam worry about her even a smidge less. The ride was good, she thought, because it gave her time to soak up this giddy feeling. Since their impromptu coffee had hardly left her mind since that day, she thought that maybe this could be a good thing for her. There was something so exciting about a hopeful unknown. Once she arrived at the studio, Savannah swiftly parked her bike at the bike rack and waved to Silas. “Hello!” She chirped, grinning at him. “This place is amazing!” She exclaimed as she took it all in. 

“Hey there, Savannah,” Silas said, immediately striding over towards Savannah and greeting her with a wide grin. He wanted to lean in and kiss her cheek—they did that in Spain? He wasn’t sure. And Silas wasn’t necessarily a very touchy person. But he would argue that when a woman as as beautiful as Savannah, it was hard not to want to touch her. Silas stepped out of his head and back into the present. “Oh, thank you very much,” he said with a bashful shrug. Silas looked around at the overcrowded studio and tried to look at it with the same fresh eyes that Savannah looked at it with. It was easy to feel proud of everything that he built when the physical evidence was sitting in front of him. “How was your morning?” he asked, then took her bag for her and waved her to follow him towards his wheel. 

Behind the wheel was a coat rack with smocks. Silas brought her bag into his office to keep it safe then handed Savannah a smock and took one for himself before pulling a stool for her to sit with him at the pottery wheel. “Have you ever worked with clay before. I mean, like any sort of clay, even if it’s polymer or somethin’,” he asked, grabbing the clay he’d prepared earlier and walking it over to plop onto the wheel. “Either way, I was thinkin’ I’ll just start off showing you how to throw a simple mug,” Silas said, pulling a stool up beside Savannah and smiling. 

[silasthompson]

The afternoon he was to have Savannah at the studio, Silas was grateful that his last class of the day was over at eleven. He cleaned up and made sure the desk where he usually ate his breakfasts and lunches was extra tidy since he was going to eat there with Savannah. He set the desk with plates and cups that he’d made himself, and placed silverware for them to use too and smiled proudly at his set up, putting his hands on hips. The tools were placed next to his wheel, and he’d already had fresh clay prepared from his earlier class for her to work with while he was teaching her. 

It’d been a while since Silas had been this excited for a date. It’d been a while since he’d asked a woman on a date. But talking to Savannah, it was hard to do anything other than imagine talking to her more. Over dinner, while making art, while walking on the beach. He was wary of these feelings though. Because in these very exciting, addicting beginning stages, he never knew how long it would last. If he would ruin it, or if Marisol would. While he waited in his back office, he settled into the large, ancient leather loveseat he bought at a flea market when he first moved to Hawaii with a glass of whiskey straight up, even if it was barely past noon. As the time Savannah was supposed to arrived neared, he finished off his drink and waited in the studio with the door open to let the breeze roll in, and waved when he saw her figure in the distance. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

“It is not a bad thing!” She grinned. “I think it is very charming,” Savannah added. “Oh, I know that one!” She said with a proud grin. “Do you do the same do you feel lucky, punk?” She quoted with a laugh. “Maagie, is this the first thing we disagree on?” Savannah asked with a giggle. “People who want to be a morning person” She replied. “Or people with friends who are that roped them into a sunrise activity,” She added with a laugh. “Yes yes,” Savannah said, then waving her hands like she was a conductor. “I know, very silly,” She smirked. “Your english phrases are hard, they make no sense! Why would the dog eat the dog?” She asked with a shake of her head. Savannah’s eyes grew playfully wide when Silas explained his previous mistakes and she covered her mouth to conceal the giggle. “They do sound quite close, it is an easy mistake!” She said, and tried her best not to giggle again. 

“Yes, you are singing to the chorus,” Savannah replied with a laugh. She was grateful for the ways that she’d figured out to correct some of those past mistakes, as if covering those mistakes would somehow undo all the things that she had done. “I will like to hear all about it,” She replied, then started grinning. It felt nice to think that he might want to talk to her again after this. “Ay—“ She began, then started to smirk at the way he grinned at her. “Do you care to give an example now? Or will I have to wait and see?” She giggled. “It is quite good, I feel, for the body and for the spirit,” Savannah agreed with a smile. “And it feels good for me to end the day knowing I have helped someone’s physical and spiritual wellness, even if only in a small way,” She said. “That is true,” She laughed. “And I will have to tell you whether or not the person at the smoothie bar is worth your time,” She smiled. “I mean—“ She said as she looked around them and took in the foliage. “I live here, of all places, with my very best friend in all of the world. How can I ever be annoyed?” She asked. The anger was the first thing to go when Savannah first got on the cruise ship. She was sure that she had spent up all of it that she had in her body when she was on the streets, because these days, it was impossible to even feel the need to raise her voice. “And besides, the alternative would be to live alone, and I do not think that would suit me very well,” She laughed. “Would you not say that about yours?” She teased, putting her chin in her hand. “If you do end up coming to the resort, you may see him! He works there. But not right with me, he is on the security,” She explained. “A farm would mean that we planned for it,” Savannah laughed. “Most of our animals were impulse—we would see adoptions on the street, or a stray by the gate,” She said. “Though, you would be the expert on farms, verdad, vaquero?” Savannah giggled. “It was,” She said softly, then felt that familiar ache start to settle in again. She wondered if it would ever get more manageable, or if the time was only making it worse. Spain felt like a foreign concept now, like she was recalling another lifetime. Maybe she was.

“I am sure that you do not need all the frilly equipment anyway,” She replied. Savannah bit down on her bottom lip when he smiled at her and let out a giggle. She wondered if it would be too forward to ask him to take her back to his place and show her his tequila stash and old moves. But she didn’t know if this impromptu latte was actually a date, or if it just felt like one because she really wanted it to be. Who could blame me? She thought as she looked at him. “This will be a new medium for me,” She explained. “So I am hoping that what I already know will help!” She enthused. “I do think your confidence will help,” She laughed. “What better way to learn something than from a lover?” Savannah asked with a grin. “I am sure it helped you to pick up on when you were in trouble,” She teased with a giggle. She could tell by the quiet shift that he made that he probably didn’t want to talk about his ex much, which she more than understood. “Not just for sculpting,” Savannah quietly repeated, then smirked gently. “I am sure you can find many good uses for them,” She murmured as she stirred her drink. Perhaps she was starting to toe the line, but until he flashed up the wall, she supposed there was no harm in it. “That is what older brothers do, no?” She laughed. “Even if she pushes back, I am sure that she knows you love her very much,” She nodded. It was always so sweet to her to see how siblings acted together. It always felt novel to her, since she had grown up without it. “He is!” Savannah enthused. “I think he is a good friend to everyone he meets. Like I said, I am sure that the two of you would be very good friends if you ever get to meet each other,” She smiled. “He will definitely hit on you first, though,” She said, giggling. “It is very nice,” Savannah smiled. “I do have to admit it is hard to imagine when she is always so sweet to me.” 

Silas furrowed his brow then chuckled quietly. “Preaching to the choir?” he asked. He was quiet for a minute while he tried to think of an example of the differences between himself and his sister and her wife. There were tons at face value, like how he didn’t entirely subscribe to all of the things that they believed, or that he still ate meat and drank and smoked while they preferred to abstain from it all. But the biggest differences lied in the things Silas had seen and done that he was thankful neither of them ever had to go through. “Well you already know they have a little more faith in the rocks than I do,” he said with a smirk. “That’s a notable difference, apparently,” Silas chuckled. “That’s a real sweet sentiment about your job,” he joked. Though he always liked to think about what someone felt when they bought one of his pieces for their home. If it made them feel anything. Silas didn’t even realize he could make money doing something he actually loved until someone at a studio he frequented in Houston asked if his pieces were for sale. "I would have to agree with that," he said with a warm chuckle. This was the first time in Silas's life that he actually felt really, truly calm. "Oh, now there's where I'd disagree. I love living alone. Well, with my boy Zig, but I've lived with someone else my whole life up until I moved to Hawaii," he said with a shrug. "I think Maggie and Vivi are my best friends, and I already told you we're always on each others' nerves," Silas said with a chuckle. "Okay, so maybe your home was more of an animal sanctuary," Silas smiled. "It's been a while since I've been on a real farm. But my best friend as a little kid grew up ranchin'. I spent a lot of time with cows," he laughed. Silas almost inquired further about her family and her childhood, but the forlorn look on Savannah's face was too apparent for him to feel comfortable with continuing the conversation. The last he thing he'd want to do was upset a woman he was interested in.

"I worked at one trendy club that had us playing with fire," Silas said with a smirk. "But I bet I could flip around a bottle of Patron and make it look real exciting," he joked. That club was the one he ended up dancing at once he learned how much money the dancers were making. Sometimes he couldn't even believe half of the things he'd done just to get himself and Maggie by. "Oh, I'm certain it will. You've got an artistic spirit, you know?" Silas assessed, his eyes subtly raking over her. Her bohemian style was one that he saw plenty of people sporting in the circles he ran in here in Hawaii, and people who came to be students in his studio. "Everyone starts as a total beginner. And I'm not really a tough love type of teacher anyway. Even though making ceramics requires some particular attention it's still art, and breaking rules is what art is all about, don't you think?" he mused. Silas's breath caught for a moment when Savannah called Marisol his lover. He wondered when it was going to get easier to think about her. "Yeah, I'll say," he replied and left it at that. "Oh," he laughed at her joked. "I think I actually learned the language so she couldn't talk shit about me to her mom on the phone and get away with it," Silas chuckled. Then his brows gently rose at Savannah's comment and he watched her idly stirring her tea. A rush of confidence washed over him. "I'd consider myself pretty skilled, sure," he replied with a smirk, rapping his fingers against the table. "Givin' Maggie a hard time is a full time job," he laughed. "Yeah, she does, the nut job," he said with a proud smile. Though Silas's family was small, he was very proud of it. "Maybe you can bring him to a class at my studio sometime?" Silas offered. "He--huh?" he said, barking a laugh when Savannah said her friend would hit on him. Maybe all of that prior suspicion about their relationship was for nothing if he was gay. "Maybe you should warn him I don't swing that way," he said, making sure to catch her eyes when he said it. "I know this is a bit last minute, but I have some free time tomorrow afternoon. Think you'd want to come by the studio for lunch and a first lesson?" he asked before he even thought too long on it. Though he did find his mouth often liked to move without his brain thinking about it when he was talking to beautiful women like Savannah. And with how much fun he was having now, he was excited to arrange something a little more formal with her to see where it could go. Things like this were always exiting, always made him hopeful in the wake of his heartbreak. 

[silasthompson]

savannah-cruz​:

Savannah grinned guilty and brought her clasped hands to her chin. “But you do sound like a cowboy,” She admitted with a giggle. “All of the American movies that I saw, when they had a cowboy, it sounded like you!” She said. “I always see the women in big floppy hats, and then the men wear the baseball hats or those straw hats,” She chuckled. “Though, I think your cowboy hats are better when people take the expeditions with me—to cover their necks,” Savannah said, her eyebrows furrowing in thought. “A lifetime of catching people looking will do that,” She joked. “I think sometimes that friendly before 6:30 in the morning is not always as welcome as I like it to be,” She replied, smiling as she caught Silas looking her way. “Dialects and slang,” She said with an exasperated sigh. “I wish you could see Sam’s face when he explained to me that a doggy dog world is not a thing,” She chuckled. “Dog eat dog,” She added before they could ask what she’d meant. “I will bring him here next time I come,” Savannah promised. “Which means I will probably not be here so early,” She joked. “Oh, I think he would like that very much.”

“It is still art,” Savannah assured him with a smile. “Whether or not you realized it at the time,” She chuckled. “And maybe now you might love them even a little more,” She added optimistically. Having this time with Silas made Savannah wish that she had gotten to meet him sooner. But then, she thought, who wouldn’t want to meet a handsome artist as soon as they could? “That is exactly what I would have said,” Savannah replied, smirking up at Silas before handing back his phone. “You do not sense it because you are not trying to,” She argued with a giggle. “I think, if you sat with them quietly and asked yourself what felt right, you would get the sense for which to pick,” She nodded. Savannah had been made aware of how hokey these things could sound, and she knew a look of disbelief when she saw one, but her faith was concrete. Sometimes, she would swear that it was the only thing that kept her grounded at all. “I think it would be very difficult to not pick up at least a little bit when you are spending so much time with Maggie and Vivi,” She smiled. “It was,” She nodded, and felt a similar homesick pang that seemed like it would never go away. She missed her family a lot these days, even if she didn’t talk about it much. Talking about it would only breed more misery for the fact that she couldn’t go back there. “There are lots of reasons to be thankful for it—tranquility, mindfulness, flexibility—“ Savannah trailed off as she brought her matcha to her lips. “I think the routine of it is nice,” She nodded. “When you save that time you can shake off any bad energy from the day before that still clings in the morning,” She explained. “I will be happy to see you,” Savannah smiled. “Though, I do get some regulars that may compete for a spot in the front,” She laughed. “He does not get on my nerves,” Savannah laughed. “Though, I think I get on his nerves sometimes,” She admitted with a giggle. “He is,” She nodded, then smiled affectionately. “I think I would be quite surprised to meet someone who did not instantly want to be his friend,” She said. Savannah laughed when Silas asked if she grew up on a farm. “Well, my father used to joke to others and say so,” She said with another laugh. “But we just raised a lot of animals around the house. Sometimes, we would take in strays or adopt a pig from a slaughterhouse,” She explained. “But we had birds, cats, dogs, a pig,” She added. “If it was alive, it was welcome in the house,” She chuckled. Savannah tried to live her life the same way now, in the hopes that she could be a person for her parents to be proud of. She hated the thought that they could only know the girl that left, because this—the Savannah that she was now—was all their doing. 

Savannah smirked as Silas ducked her head, taking in the pride that she got any time she could catch a man off of his toes. “And do you still have these tricks?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow. Savannah let her eyes quickly rake over him and tried not to let her mind wander too far off with the thought of the kind of tricks he might have. She snapped back just in time to hear him say that he wouldn’t mind teaching her and she wondered if she’d be able to watch him in front of a pottery wheel and be able to pay attention to anything he said. “I hope so, I do not want your faith in my skill to be wasted,” She laughed, and felt her face growing warm as she caught his eyes move across her. “I will be happy to tell her when I see her next,” She offered with a laugh. “No, it is!” She quickly agreed. “Even more hard when you are learning as an adult. You seem to know it quite well even though you had less time,” She encouraged with a warm smile. “I think so too,” She said with a smile. “It’s a good medium, I think. Not enough artists use it,” She laughed. She felt like she couldn’t stop, but it felt so good to meet someone who just got her. “That is what we think! Floyd will sometimes do a little howling back, and it is very sweet. The struggle is to get him on pitch,” She joked. “But I think I will try to give him some extra practice,” She smiled. It was sweet to hear how much Silas cared about his sister. “I would not feel so bad about that. I think that is what siblings are supposed to do, no?” She laughed. “I do not have a sibling, but I do have a Sam. And even though I think he babies me sometimes, I know it is because he cares,” She smiled. “I am sure that is how Maggie feels, even though she may give you a hard time.”

“Hey, I didn’t say it was a bad thing, just funny,” Silas assured her, flashing her a grin. “Yeah, Maggie calls me Dirty Harry when I’m being grumpy,” he said, and Maggie confirmed with a guilty smile and a nod. “See, not only does the hat look cool, it’s practical,” Silas said to Maggie who rolled her eyes. She always said that his cowboy had made him look like a caricature. But if he didn’t excavate the good things about their home, all that would be left is painful memories. “Who’s signing up for a 6:30 yoga class or tour if they aren’t a morning person?” Silas questioned with a chuckle. “Doggy dog?” Maggie repeated, and she, Vivi, and Silas all could not help but giggle. “That’s so cute,” she added with a grin. “I was pronouncing miedo as mireda for far too long before I got corrected. A charming mistake, I know,” Silas said with a shrug. “

Silas looked down again at his tattooed arms and nodded. “I agree with you for sure now. And I put a little more thought into what I get these days,” he said. Silas supposed he got the tattoos what he did at the time to made himself look tougher. To get used to pain. Though he’d take his entire body getting tattooed all at once over some of the violence he’d experienced working for the cartel. Some of the tattoos worked to cover up evidence of that violence. “Next time I’m working with them for my pieces I’ll give it my best go and report back to you, okay?” he said with a smirk. Savannah was so sweet and sincere, which made it pretty difficult not to entertain her. “As much as Maggie and Vi and I are the same, we’re pretty different people,” he mused, then added with a flirtatious grin, “Which I’m sure you’ll come to find.” Silas certainly didn’t want this to be the last he saw of her. When she fell quiet for a moment Silas studied her face. He didn’t know what she was thinking but he was excellent at picking up on subtle expressions—a skill he needed to survive for so long—and noticed Savannah had gone away for a moment. And he understood the gesture all too well. “I actually think it’s the best core workout I’ve ever gotten. And I like quiet places,” he said with a smile. “Hmm, I’m more of a back of the class type of guy anyway. Besides, I’ll have to stick around after class anyway to get something for breakfast after,” Silas said, smirking and cocking an eyebrow. “I don’t think you can live with anyone without them bugging you at one point for another, though,” he laughed. Silas very much liked having his own space now, as much as he loved his sister. He went straight from living with Maggie to living with Marisol, so Hawaii was the first time in his life he lived truly alone, and he found that the peace that came with it was quite necessary as he worked on healing. “Sure you’d say that about your best friend, wouldn’t you?” he teased. “I’m sure he’s great,” Silas added. “Well that’s sounding a lot like a farm to me,” he chuckled. “I grew up around a lot of farms in Texas. We only had a dog though,” he said. Savannah’s words rolled around in his head for a moment. “Sounds like a beautiful place to grow up,” Silas said. It actually sounded like a fairytale to him compared to the cripplingly religious and traumatic house he grew up in. The one he and Maggie had no choice but to escape. Welcome wasn’t a word he ever associated with his childhood home.

He laughed again and poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue while giving Savannah a wry look. “Yeah, I’ve still got ‘em,” he replied, his eyes subtly raking over her face. “I don’t have all that frilly bar equipment anymore though. But I do have a pretty nice stash of bourbon and tequila at home,” Silas added. He shook his head and waved a lazy hand towards Savannah while he sipped his matcha. “Your skill level doesn’t matter. You can learn anything. And you already said you’re artistic,” he laughed, because looking at Savannah she couldn’t be anything but, “so I just have a gut feeling you’ll take to the wheel no problem,” he finished with a nod. “Ah, yeah, well,” Silas said, scratching the back of his neck as he looked away at the street for a moment. “I was with a woman who spoke Spanish for a pretty long time. It makes it easier to learn as an adult that way,” he explained. He didn’t want to elaborate about Marisol any further, but it was so easy to talk to her. And it grew harder and harder to squirm around the truths of his life in conversation. And honestly, he didn’t want to. To try was tiring. “I use my fingers for my work all of the time, not just sculpting. They’re the first tools an artist has,” Silas agreed with a smile. His earliest medium was notebook paper and graphite pencil, with the pads of his fingers to shade. He couldn’t seem to stop grinning—Savannah’s stories and her enthusiasm so enchanting that it made his head spin. It was a while since anyone had made him feel like that. “Oh, yeah, she can try to get me to stop babying her all she wants, but it’s never going to happen,” Silas said with a smug grin. He liked that he could protect Maggie. Everything he ever did was to protect her. Even when he felt like he failed to do so. “Sounds like he’s a real good friend to you,” Silas said, even if he was still silently trying to piece together the makings of her relationship with her roommate. He barked a laugh. “Oh no, she knows she couldn’t go at it without me,” he said. “She can give me a hard time all she wants, and trust me, she does.”