#chapter: 001.

[williamsatlas]

Since they’d broken up, Atlas hadn’t heard much from his best friend. His brother had mentioned that she’d gone to New York for a week and while he’d wanted to reach out and check in, he didn’t. Instead, he put in extra hours at the rescue and spent his nights working on the spare room in his place. It’d gone untouched for years, but he needed a project to focus on and that seemed better than making more mistakes. For the night though, he’d headed to the jagged yard in hopes of a good night. All he wanted was to let loose, have a few beers, and maybe even play pool like he used to. It wasn’t a big ask, but then again, nothing was ever that simple for him.

He was a few beers in when he saw her. She looked happy. She was also talking to someone else; another guy he hadn’t seen in the bar before. A spark of jealousy was ignited within him and before he knew it, he was walking toward their table top with a grin. “I didn’t know you were back in town,” he hummed, cutting the male off that was speaking across from her. He didn’t even bother introducing himself. “Guess that’s my fault for not reaching out.” Of all places, this probably wasn’t the best to do it, but he didn’t care. He was happy to see her again and truth was, he just needed to know that the guy across from her wasn’t an option.

[hudsonsnyc]

What the actual heck? It was after midnight, which meant he should’ve been at home with his son, catching up on the latest news of professional and collegiate football. Instead, he was at a local hospital with a drunken and disorderly asshole who had refused a blood test not once, but twice. It was like anytime a nurse came in to administer the screening, the dude forgot how to function. “C’mon, man! We’ve been here for almost two hours. Just let them take a sample and we can both get some rest. Everyone knows you’re wasted. You can smell the booze before you even walk in the door. I don’t know why you’re doing this. Seriously, just give it up.”

He’d already contacted his Sergeant, which by the way, had been absolutely no help at all. Man up and stand your post, Hudson. You signed up for this, deal with it. Sure, he’d signed up to keep his community safe, not babysit a drunken jerk who was clearly afraid of needles.

Unable to leave his spot at the doorway, Finn had politely asked a passing nurse if she could grab him a cup of coffee. "I’d go get it myself, but I can’t leave him, y’know, incase he tries to leave,” he explained kindly, thankful the woman didn’t mind to do him the small favor. A few minutes later, she came back and handed off the drink before dipping into another room. Glancing back at the half-passed out man, Finn took a gulp of his coffee, forgetting not only was it fresh, but it was hot.

Struggling for a few short moments, Finn swallowed down the scalding liquid, eyes catching a passing nurse as in embarrassment as he straightened up, mouth burning and eyes watering. “I uh,” he paused, swallowing hard before holding up the cup of coffee in defeat. “Didn’t think it was going to be that hot. I’ve been awake for awhile now and I’m supposed to be at home, but I uh,” he paused once more, head nodding toward the man behind him. “I have to stay here until someone can make this guy give a blood sample. Know anyone that can like, sweet talk him into it or something?”

[longhornberry]

break from quarantine

Quarantine. All it took was one word and Rachel knew what had to be done. If she wanted to avoid the sickness at all costs, she had to abide by the strict rules handed out to her by every news outlet known to Texas. Don’t mingle and don’t forget to wash your hands. Which, she’d been doing great at both until her own dose of cabin fever hit hard. She needed fresh air, and as long as she didn’t interact with the masses, she had to be fine, right? The brunette tugged her up into a loose ponytail, something she normally would’ve never done had it been a normal day. She preferred her hair down and straight, simple and classic, just as her act. Today wasn’t normal though, nor would the days to follow be either. She was supposed to be home with her dads, baking and singing every line to every Broadway hit known to the Berry name.

Instead, she was wearing a hoodie with jeans, a poor fashion choice, but easy all the same. It was only when she saw Finn Hudson that she’d regretted her entire day’s look, but she put on a smile and greeted him as if nothing was astray. “Finn!” She was excited to see him, more so because she’d missed hanging out with him, and partly because she was tired of the isolation. “Does this mean you’re staying here for Spring break? I am. My dads didn’t want me traveling with everything going on. Which is fine, it’s just different.” She’d never mixed a visit home, but she’d be fine. “What were you doing? Don’t let me interrupt.”