Finally asking me questions that don’t pertain to my mental status or personal life? I’m impressed. But let’s see. Hottest people in town, just to please your sick and twisted little fantasy...
@offrankies will always be my number one, and if you think that’s ever going to change, you’re shitting yourself.
@letsbenditlikebennett We did kiss after all, and I only kiss people that I think are hot.
@walker-journal He’s an asshole, but he can be sweet in his own perverted way I guess.
@harlowhaunted She’s kinda hot when she’s angry.
@3starsquinn He’s got that adorkable sort of thing going. Plus, he did save me those two times, I guess.
@caraitaliadolcemeta No comment.
@chasseurdeloup He’s kinda hot, even though he’s bitter and old as fuck.
@grahamstoker Another asshole, but not bad to look at.
@corpse--diem Kinda hot, even though she’s straight up Tales from the Crypt.
@deathduty She’s a little out there, but why not? She’d be even hotter if she could get my name right.
[pm] Oh good, glad she’s graduated to public vandalism instead of just breaking MY shit. It’s good to share the wealth.
Yeah dude, fuck it. Let her be mad or whatever, just come home and eat toquitos and watch movies. She’s a wolf, she can take care of herself.
[pm] She was like... growling at costumers and shit too. Is that normal? For werewolves? Do they go a little bananas after the full moon? Wait never mind- I’m gonna ask an actual wolf that.
I didn’t actually work a double shift I was just too angry to go home so I’ve been sitting at Al’s eating french fries like a madwoman.
The Kids Aren’t Alright || Graham, Frankie, & Layla
timing: Friday (5/29), after the stuff with Celeste (RIP) goes down.
parties: @grahamstoker, @offrankies, & @laylacooke
summary: Layla finds a temporary new home with Frankie & Graham, after Ulf texts her.
As soon as Frankie had given Layla the okay to come over, she grabbed some clothes, turned off the lights at Ulfs, and locked up. With one of Ari’s old backpacks, she took off running through the woods. With what Simon had told her, the phone call from Winn’s mother, and now Winn being back in the picture, Layla’s mind was racing. As she reached Frankie and Graham’s place, she stopped to take a breath. Climbing the stairs, she found her way to their door giving it a good swift knock. Tears lingered in her eyes, and she just wanted to hug her girlfriend.
Unusually for Graham, he was a little… nervous wasn’t the right word but it was a mingling feeling of irritation and what felt like a memory repressed under a heavy weight. Uuuugh. He took another swig of his tasteless beer, lounged in his familiar position on his couch similarly to when Frankie first knocked on his door when, sure, enough, he heard knocking again. Guh, he really wished she was here so he wouldn’t have to deal with whatever drama was sure to follow the redhead, like a parasite clinging to a family of seven in a haunted house or some shit. He lazily got to his feet and went over to answer the door, bright blue eyes quickly falling on the shorter girl who honestly looked like she’d had a tough time; hair frazzled from the wind, tears on her face. “Uh…” He faltered right out the gate for a moment before recovering and he stepped aside to allow her entry. “Hey. Frankie said you were coming.”
When the door opened, it wasn’t who Layla had expected to see. It had slipped her mind that Frankie was probably still at work. Right. She was at work. She had even mentioned it. But with Graham standing there, a knot had tied itself in her stomach. She knew how he felt about her, and the feelings had been mutual. However, right here, right now, was her only option, and instead of hesitating, she stepped inside, “Look, if I could’ve stayed back home, I would have, but apparently it’s not safe, and Frankie was the first person I could think of. I won’t bother you, and we won’t make any noise tonight, because I’m not really in the mood for anything, just a bed.”
To his relative relief, she had entered so Graham crossed out “dragging a teenage girl kicking and screaming into his house under the pretense of making sure she wasn’t out on the street for the night” off his list. Jesus that was a mental mouthful. “Yeah, I have no idea what’s going on,” He remarked as he closed the door behind her with enough grace that it didn’t appear as though he were trapping her inside - young wolf. Probably skittish. Emotionally compromised… be nice. “But I imagine it sucks if you’re here.” He replied, going over to his kitchen as he motioned towards Frankie’s room. “Her room’s over that way if you wanna go straight there - it smells like her so you might feel better,” He said without thinking so he added “ER do you want anything to, like, drink?”
Layla’s eyes went towards the direction of the room when he had motioned to it. She could smell Frankie’s scent all over the apartment, and it was already calming her nerves. His question drew her attention back on him, “Water, if you don’t mind. Thanks.” She quietly walked towards the girl’s bedroom and tossed her backpack down in a nearby corner. If Frankie didn’t insist, she sleep in the bed, Layla was going to her safe space. Going back into the other room, she met Graham in the kitchen, “Uh, thanks for letting me stay here.”
While Layla became familiar with the environment, Graham pulled out a plastic cup - he wasn’t sure if her uncasted hand would have enough strength to break a glass - and filled it with cold water from his fridge. He honestly had no idea how it came to this, specifically. “Ain’t no big,” He replied casually, offering out the cup of water to her. “You can get comfy wherever,” He motioned to the couch. “You hot, cold? You run hot, don’t you?” He asked, knowing she wasn’t in the mood for small talk, but he would be damned if he was going to sit in awkward silence until Frankie got home. “I knew a girl with red hair; she ALWAYS complained about it being hot and I’m like ‘woman it’s 66 degrees in here’,” He chuckled - she was probably emotionally heated up, too. Looked like he wasn’t getting that warmth tonight. “Y’know, I don’t actually think I caught your name,” He mentioned from down the hall as he adjusted the thermostat.
She accepted the cup of water and walked back to the living room, where he had suggested. Taking a seat, she took a sip of water as she listened to Graham continue to talk. It was surprising not hearing him bitch her out and call her a moody teenager looking for attention. The last thing she had wanted to do was argue with the man - er vampire. She had smelled one other person like that not too long ago, “Layla. It’s Layla.” She bypassed everything else. And instead of looking at Graham, she looked at the tv, “Is this that doctor show where everybody says seriously all the time?” She took another sip of water.
“Huh? Oh, I don’t fuckin’-- Maybe,” Graham gave a small shrug, noting her name. “I was just flipping through the channels. One day. ONE day… there might be something different on.” He said with that tone of obvious longing. Maybe someone could curse his cable to give him exciting shit to watch. “Doctor shows are nnnot my preferred method of entertainment,” He admitted. “God the ol’ hemophobia; blood squicks me out,” He lied. “You can change it,” He suggested, getting another beer out of the fridge. “I also got, like a shit-ton of DVDs over there. I dunno when Frankie’ll get back but… Well, whatev’s.” He opened his beer and leaned against the same wall he had when Frankie came over, almost feeling as though this was a parallel. It was odd.
Layla took another slow drink of water as she listened, “I haven’t watched much tv, so I don’t really know what’s on anymore. I think the last time I watched something was with my friend Celeste.” Her mind lingered on the howl and the way it had carried all the way out into the woods and to her ears. It was heartbreaking, and she was worried it had been Ariana, even though Simon had told her otherwise. “I don’t think I’ll be up long enough, but thanks. If you want your couch back, I can go to Frankie’s room.” She looked over at the man, before looking down into the half full cup of water.
He gave a half-assed wave. “Nah girlie, you’re good. I have a chair--” Graham pointed off to a wicker chair that sat comfortably in the corner with a modern bookshelf next to it. “But it’s fine. Am I hovering? My bad.” On that note, he took another drink and went into the kitchen once more, pretending to look through his fridge and cabinets like he was looking for something, but none-too-urgently. “Man, when I was your age, I’d have been out drinkin’ and have a GOOD ol’ time with friends,” He explained into his cabinet-- WELP, found the garlic. He recoiled and slapped a hand over his mouth as if it would stop the fangs from coming out but… “But, uh… I’m guessing you and Frankie are a little short on drinking buddies right about now,” He said, still facing his kitchen though with a slightly more recognizable lisp.
Frankie hated lying. It was probably one of the few things that she struggled to do as she spoke, and damn, she talked a lot. And even though she thought she had nailed faking a fever to convince Al to let her leave work early, deep down she knew that the man just didn’t care enough to force her to stay. The girl drove back to the apartment as fast as possible, rushing up the stairs and fumbling when she took the keys off her jacket, a slightly difficult task since her bike helmet was under her arm. She managed to open the door, and the first thing she noticed was Graham rummaging through the fridge with… were those his fangs? Her eyes opened wide and lips parted, partly to yell in excitement and partly to yell at him to leave her food alone, but she stopped herself when she noticed her girlfriend from the corner of her eye. Frankie’s mouth hung open for a moment, her brain processing what to do. “My two loves!” A smile decorated her expression as she gave Graham a look- they were definitely talking about this later- and then walked up to Layla. “He didn’t bother you too much did he?”
Layla hadn’t been paying any attention to Graham, except for maybe the random lisp that started happening, but even then, she shrugged it off. What she wouldn’t do for a drink right now. Or those two random pills that creepy Blaine guy had left for her just a few nights ago. But what she had really wanted was answers. Was Ariana okay? Was Celeste okay? Ulfric had clearly been fine since he was the one that had been in touch with her. Layla hadn’t even noticed when Frankie came through the door, and when she spoke, the teenager jumped, sending water flying everywhere. Covered in room temperature water, she blinked a few times before looking over to Frankie, “What? No, he’s been nice.” Sighing, she started to brush the little drops of pooling liquid off of herself, “How was work?”
He had picked up Frankie’s steps rapidly ascending the stairs and Graham turned his head slightly to regard her when she entered but felt himself frowning when he caught the look she gave him. Loves? Nnno no no-- Aaaand Layla just got water everywhere. He inhaled deeply though he didn’t have to, remembering that was a human way to calm down. It’s fine, she was just surprised. It’s water-- EXCUSE HIM? “Yeah!” He exclaimed in agreement to how Layla responded to Frankie’s question, all but abandoning the idea of hiding his fangs as he turned and leaned against the island in his kitchen pointedly. “I’ve been an ANGEL,” He remarked hotly though his tone conveyed the clear message that he wasn’t actually angry. “Wow, you been home for nine and a half seconds and you’re already being sassy,” he flipped his hand as if flipping long hair that wasn’t there and he snatched up his bottle. “Fine. Fine, I can see when I’m not wanted. Welcome home, brat.” He turned to look between the two of them as he paused at the entry of the hall. “It’s okay to be emotional or whatever but don’t be breakin’ any part of my house,” He pointed from one to the other. With that, he gave the two of them a wave. “I didn’t BITE her!” He called before closing his bedroom door behind him.
She had to press her lips together to avoid giggling at Layla’s surprise, and instead of joining her at the couch, she turned to wiggle into the kitchen with Graham, taking the dish towel so her girlfriend could use something to dry herself with. “I’m only sassy because you make me sassy, Grammy.” If she could say the emoticon “:/” out loud to him, she would’ve done it, but instead Frankie just stuck her tongue out to him as he walked to his room. “Love youuuuu~” She managed to yell at him before he closed the door, and a soft sigh escaped her lips immediately afterwards. She tried to play it as if things were okay to try to get Layla into a happier mindset, but with the man out of the room it seemed impossible. The black that replaced her girlfriend’s usually light blue with yellow splatters scared her; not in the way Dr. Kavanagh’s screeching aura had scared her days before, but rather because it had been so long since she had seen Layla sad she just... didn’t know what to do; what to say. Silently, she made her way towards the other girl, her hands playing with the fabric before she sat down next to her, softly drying the drops that had landed on her face. The sound of leaves distracted her a little, but doctor tv shows were dumb and she wasn’t about to question the producer’s choice of ambience sounds. “Work was okay.” She replied, trying not to look too distracted with the colors dancing around Layla. “I, uhm, already can tell, but-- How are you feeling?”
The cup was pretty much empty, but she downed the last little sip and sat it on the floor. The banter between Frankie and Graham hadn’t gone unnoticed. It appeared she was happy here and that gave Layla some relief. Frankie deserved to be happy and to live somewhere where she had felt safe, especially considering all the darkness that seemed to loom over White Crest. Darkness that seemed to follow her around since she had gotten here, except for the occasional enjoyable memory she had made. Watching Graham leave the room and Frankie return, Layla tried to perk up some, but couldn’t. And she leaned into the towel as Frankie dried off the drops of water. Swallowing thickly, she spoke up, “Scared. I heard a howl like that one other time, since I’ve been here, but this felt different. And then some other stuff happened today. Stuff...I can’t talk about. Sometimes I just think I should’ve kept running, instead of trying to make a new life for myself here. But then I know I probably never would have seen you again or met Ariana, Celeste, and Ulf. And the other wolves.” She had opened up to Frankie more than she had realized, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...I feel like we haven’t just had a moment to ourselves, since that day in the park. How’ve you been? It feels weird not seeing you every day knowing that you’re just across town.”
Frankie silently listened as her girlfriend rambled, softly pressing the towel against her neck and eventually clothes once her skin was dry. It was hard to keep eye contact with her, which had never been an issue before. It made sense since their lives in Nashville weren’t a tenth of exciting (or terrifying, for that matter) as they were here; but now, Layla’s aura swirled around her with a sea of colors - predominantly black, but now that she was close she could distinguish a soft purple and a deep red that flowed around her like almost invisible veins--- and just as she had discovered them, they were quickly washed away by a sudden blue which made Frankie stop her chore, a worried look on her face. “Hey hey hey-- Don’t apologize.” Her hand with the towel dropped to her lap, and her free hand cupped her face like she’d done it so many times. Her tone was soft, trying to stop Layla from shutting herself in. “I’m okay, and I’m here, and that’s all that matters. We have our whole lives to have moments, but right now I just want to make sure you’re okay.” A sad smile tugged the corner of her mouth, and she leaned forward to place a small kiss on her nose, her forehead now against hers. It was easier to ignore her aura that way. “You know you can tell me anything. What happened?”
How did she deserve this woman? She knew Frankie had to have been tired from her shift at Al’s, and here Layla was, sitting on her couch in a daze. She definitely wasn’t the same girl Frankie had known in Nashville. Being on her own, which should have made her tougher in theory, had made her weak. Her eyes focused on something other than her girlfriend, she spoke, “Everything. Leaving home. Leaving you. Coming here. And now, when I start to open up my heart again, everything feels wrong.” She let her eyes shift and focus on Frankie, “I’m so grateful you’re here, but maybe sending you that video was a bad idea. I-I can’t lose you too.” The howl she had heard earlier had felt like a warning of death. It echoed in her brain, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of it. “Is it okay if I go lay down? I’m just tired, and I think once I sleep, things will be better.”
“Don’t say that. Opening up is hard and especially now that it’s… hard to know who to trust.” Frankie’s tone was soft as she cupped her face, her brows slightly furrowed. The deep blue around Layla pushed her to ask more - She needed to press further and know what was bothering her, otherwise her aura wouldn’t go back to its usual color. But she couldn’t. So, distracting her it was. “I’m not going anywhere, and you’re sure as hell not going anywhere either, because now that I know that you wolves are a thing, I can track you down even more easily.” Her lower lip was softly pressed between her teeth, a few seconds passing before she nodded in defeat, moving away from the red-haired girl. She felt useless, and even a little frustrated, but if Layla needed space to clear her head, that’s what she was getting. “Yes, sure, you don’t need to ask. I’ll just... eat something and take a shower before I join you in bed, yeah?”
She cherished every moment spent with Frankie, even if it didn’t seem like it. The way her hands felt on Layla’s face. The way she spoke to her with a gentle tone. Everything she took in praying she would never lose it again, “You’ve got a point. Those wolves do have pretty good noses.” She tried to offer up a sense of humor and a light smile, but, she just wanted to lay down and sleep all her problems away. She could tell Frankie was frustrated though, and she wanted to be a better girlfriend. The girl that Frankie had come to know over the years, but it was hard, at least at that very moment. Gently grabbing her arms, she pulled Frankie’s hands down and laid a soft kiss on her lips, before giving them a small squeeze and getting up from the couch. Going to the girl’s room, she shut the door and found her place in the darkest, tiniest corner and snuggled up pulling the hood up over her head settling in.
Silently, Frankie watched Layla leave the room, letting out a shaky sigh once she heard go down the hallway. Realistically speaking, there was nothing she could do if Layla herself had no idea what was happening, so maybe a night cuddled up together was the best way to comfort her girlfriend. Several minutes passed, if not a whole hour, and the teen hadn’t moved from her seat, not really in the mood to do all the things she had told Layla she’d do. The least thing she felt right now was appetite, and a fresh shower could wait til the morning. Eventually, Frankie reluctantly stood up, not before wiping her hands on her face, mostly to clear her mind off things, and turned off the lights of the living room. She dragged her feet towards her room, but instead walked past it, standing outside Graham’s room. One of the things she had learned the bad way was that vampires didn’t sleep, and that they had supernatural hearing, so she didn’t need to open the door to talk when she didn’t want to. “Please wake me up if you hear anything weird.” The thought of Layla suddenly leaving during the night terrified her, and even though she had joked about now being easier to find her, she couldn’t put herself through that heartbreak again. Without waiting for a reply, Frankie walked back to her room, stopping on her tracks when she saw the other girl sitting on the floor. Tears flooded her eyes as she approached, kneeling to her side. “Babe.” Her voice was soft, and she didn’t touch her to not scare her awake. “Babe. Come lay on the bed with me.”
Layla had finally fallen asleep. It had taken a while, but her body, exhausted emotionally and physically, allowed her some relief. Her dreams hadn’t been pleasant though, taking her on a journey through her mind, leaving her flinching and kicking like a dog in its sleep. It was the smell, followed by Frankie’s voice and touch that woke her up, “Huh?” Looking around, she saw the women kneeling next to her. With heavy eyes and grogginess plaguing her body, she slowly moved to the bed and climbed into it. The floor had been her safe place for so long, but with Frankie by her side again, she was hoping sleep would come easy, if she wasn’t kicking or moaning like she often did.
Frankie helped Layla climb on the bed, not bothering to put on pajamas before she snuggled behind her, an arm under her head and the other wrapped around her waist, playing big spoon like she’d had so many times in the past. The heat radiating from her girlfriend was new and made her decide against covering themselves with a blanket. She hoped this would be enough to, at least, make Layla forget about everything for as long as she slept. The uncomfortable fabric of her jeans could wait, and without noticing when, surrounded by the smell of Layla’s hair against her face, Frankie dozed off.
grahamstoker replied to your post: streetharmacist: So, since all the hot weekend...
Have you tried not being a moody teenager on main? Just a question.
here we go again. i’m guessing you were never my age and struggled with life? everything was just peachy keen and went the way you wanted it to? or you were fine with suppressing all of your inner thoughts and feelings because you liked having them eat you alive?
[pm] So I dunno if your girl's werewolfing outside the full moon or because she's a lady wolf or whatever but she pissed me off and I told her not to come back unless she sorted her shit out. So if that's why you weren't wanting to come home, it should be good now. This is YOUR space, not hers.
[pm] Are you sure you’re not my long lost dad? Thanks. She trashed Al’s last night. Like, the parking lot but still. I had to talk him out of calling the cops on her. Can you believe it?
I’m worried but at the same time I’m so damn pissed off. Can we watch a movie tonight while eating taquitos or something? I need some normalcy.
