#cruz.

[miserableuntil]

" don't look at me like that. " it's a quiet plea as he glances down at aching knuckles sure to bruise and swell by morning. " just because we don't talk anymore doesn't mean i was gonna sit there and listen to some asshole talk shit about you like that. "

[dreamfound]

" is this a thing now ? you only come around when they're out of town ? " he's trying to play it off, tone teasing, but the look on his face says it all. he's tired of being the secret, of feeling used. only blames himself for letting it get to this point in the first place. " i'm busy. doors that way. "

muse \ cruz lomax, twenty6, mechanic / motocross racer, sad boy who is constantly getting high to numb his pain, but it only makes it worse. open to : m, f, nb.

[scgarhigh]

" i made dinner, " he declares, half-lidded gaze, lazy lopsided smile. " or, well, i attempted to, but then i got distracted, so . . . " words are drawn out, chuckle following. high. he'd gotten high, and then all of his actual plans had gone out of his head, resulting in some poorly made attempt at something edible. " hope you like cremated grilled cheese. it's my specialty. " @littlcfreaks liked for a short starter !

[miserableuntil]

open to m / f / nb.

" because i still — " words physically hurt on their way out, chest aching with the need to protect himself, to keep his feelings in so he doesn't wind up hurt. but he can't hold it. can't pretend it isn't true anymore. a whisper, broken. the reality is set free. " — i still love you. i always have. "

[b1ackovt]

@emildelcastillo

LOCATION: la madrugada, back offices FOR: emiliano del castillo

DESPITE THE DEMENOR THAT cruz wears somewhat like a scar -- sarcastic and with skin like worn leather, they do have the occasional soft spot every now and then. emiliano del castillo just so happens to be one of them. having seen each other through over a decade of time with the mob -- cruz had always believed his assertion was imminent ( even if they'd never say something that fucking soft out loud ). thus, she gives him a bit less lip than one might expect from him. thinks a bit longer before making a choice -- wondering if it would potentially jeopardize the deal he had sent them on.

friendship, somewhere along the way, seemed to happen naturally. somewhere along the way nods of approval turned to occasional jokes. and as some would say -- the rest is history.

on this particular evening in time -- their focus is on the offices as they enter the club from their outside post, knowing exactly where she was going. some may have hesitated, but not cruz. they don't knock as they enter ( which again, may shock some people -- but cruz has always had the subconcious tendency to demand to be aknowledged ), before slowly sitting in a chair across from him -- far from the picture of elegance. removing multiple wads of cash from the inside pocket of their chore coat, they place the money on his desk like it was the most precious thing in the world. " it's all there. " they finally speak. " every single bill of daddy's money -- let's just hope that nepo baby douchebag doesn't get himself into some bullshit and end up on tmz. "

[b1ackovt]

@noxmourners

LOCATION: a neutral hotel, late night FOR: augustine bell

OF COURSE, CRUZ KNOWS what they're doing -- sleeping with someone who shares a different loyalty than them. and yet, there's a part of them that can feel their brain melting out of their ears the moment their eyes fall on a beautiful woman. augustine bell is one such particular case -- leading to frequent visits to hotel rooms that were likely a far cry from the contingency leader's stomping grounds. and yet, cruz prided themselves on making sure the other woman soon forgot about her surroundings -- making them worth her while.

the room smelled of cigarette's and lavender detergent, the dealer's body wrapped in well-loved white sheets. there she was -- the other woman poised elegantly across the room. cruz rarely ever found themselves unable to keep their cool -- and their head was still level. they release an exhale as they adjust, a cocky smile on their face.

" come back t'bed, darlin'. " they say lowly -- head coming to rest on the headboard. women really were just gorgeous human beings, specifically this one. " or i may just have t'come get ya myself. "

[b1ackovt]

@softstcps

LOCATION: la madrugada. FOR: rüya nacar.

OH, WHAT A NIGHT IT had already been. frankly, cruz wasn't suprised at all by the audacity of people -- particularly grown men. although they weren't phased, they were particularly annoyed. and yet, they would go on with the rest of their evening knowing that emiliano would cut them another check. that was what all this was for -- right? another check, so they could pay for their overpriced shithole they called an apartment. and yet, they had always been like a fucking cockroach -- always landing on their feet.

eyes were scanning the area around them, watching for anyone familiar amongst the sweaty bodies and pounding bass. that is, until their eyes fall on rüya, engulfed in the club lighting. cruz was familiar enough with the woman, considering that nico had the tendency to peak in on their work every now and again. thus, they find themselves comfortable enough to approach her.

" well well. what brings y'in here? " cruz hums, elbows resting against the wood as their back faces the bar. there were certain fronts on which the night had been quieter than they had anticipated ( which was puzzling, considering everyone seemed to be looking for an escape route ), so they had a restless morning and an obnoxious amount of time to kill. " please don't tell me nico's somewhere in the walls. i can feel him watchin' me everywhere. "