Blossoms of heat radiated in her cheeks, pink and warm, as the alcohol rolled around in the pit of her stomach. She nudged her empty glass forward, a silent gesture to the bartender that she was ready for a second round. Rose was happy. Though whether that was life or the alcohol, she wasn’t entirely sure, but as she turned around, casting her gaze about the bar littered with people all minding their own business, she couldn’t help the overwhelming feeling of love she felt for all of them. She choked back a soft laugh, resisting the urge to go hug someone. Yes, it was definitely the alcohol. Not that she was drunk. Heavens, no! She was from Scotland and no matter her boarding school education, she could drink with the best of them. Still... it had been perhaps a bit too long since she had eaten proper food, and that first glass of whisky had burned ever so good. Happy with just the faintest glimmer of a buzz going on. After a long period of working constantly - jumping from one project to another - the redhead was enjoying a break. No 4 am alarms for 4:30 am hair and make-up calls. No sword or archery training. No lengthy courtroom scenes. No flubbed lines or pauses to fix the camera or nights filming in either freezing or stifling temperatures. Though she loved it all, Rose was reveling in the knowledge that she didn’t have anything planned for tomorrow - so the night was hers. And tonight she wanted to go out. It didn’t matter what she did or where she ended up, Rose was content to let life take her wherever it wanted, and hopefully she’d have some fun in the process.
IT WAS BENEATH the twilight moon on the first Monday on campus that James found himself in the gardens writing music. It was quiet out here in a way he could not describe. No background noise of students who explored new parts of campus, no partying nearby, no hum of traffic- he was alone. Between the mountains hugging campus in that small space, it was surreal. Each year he found himself here without ever meaning to find himself here but it was the one place that visitors were rare, especially at night, and as he wrote the last line to a song he’d been trying to perfect all summer, James was left with familiar satisfaction in his gut.
He packed up, slung his bag around his shoulder, and emerged from between high bushes that fenced in the small garden space to begin his trek back to upper campus where resided the Art House- his home for the year.
Halfway there his feet came to a sudden and abrupt halt as shivers so violent and chilling gripped his spine and caused the hairs on his arms to stand erect. It was that feeling. That eerie, eerie feeling that someone was watching him. It happened occasionally but never so intensely as this moment. So tightly did terror grip his liver, his stomach, his bones that nausea rose from stomach to throat and he had to physically stop this need to throw up by swallowing non-stop because making any kind of noise, any kind of movement right now would only draw attention to himself. It was just his eyes that shifted now, slowly to the left and then to the right and--
JUST THERE.
Just beyond his periphery, a figure. Whether it was bravery or stupidity or curiosity that’d gotten the better of him, James’s head pivoted but what he saw then could not be explained even if he tried in the days to come to explain what he’d witnessed. The figure, all black and tall, thin and nondescript-- it could have been a trick of the eye, perhaps- a bush or tree merging with a trashcan or distant bench creating the vague silhouette of a human-like being- morphed quite suddenly into but a distant, black ball on the ground and he swore it was moving-- IT WAS-- towards him? It was difficult to tell in this lighting, as day turned to night and shapes appeared more sinister than reality. But whatever it was, James could not move even if he tried. Breath caught in his throat, his gaze fixated and watched and watched as-- oh shit! It looked like it was crawling? Not rolling. C-r-a-w-l-i-n-g. What kind of demonic---
---all at once, a snap just behind him, to the left, caused his entire body to jump so visibly he might have released a yelp but it was so quick and alarming that he couldn’t be certain. When he looked, it was a man several years his senior. Non-threatening, this man was beside him in just a moment and James’s focus returned to the thing he swore he’d seen but it was gone now. Goosebumps shrunk back into his skin and the chill in the air lifted. Anxious though he felt, the absolute dread consuming him just moments before had lifted as quickly as it’d come and he turned back to face the man.
“Did you-- see that?” James asked, wondering if he sound as crazy as he felt. “Over there?” And he pointed for effect, directing the others attention to the spot in the grass he’d witnessed whatever it was he’d witnessed.
Meeting Mama || Sophia Duval, Joey Duval & Ryan Sterling
Involved: Sophia Duval, Joey Duval & Ryan Sterling
Time: Friday morning, 10/24
Place: Sophia's hotel room
Notes: none
Ryan didn't feel all that ready to meet his mom, but nodded all the same. "Ready as I'll ever be." It was the best he could do, and he tried to relax as he took Joey's hand and made their way to the hotel. A walk that seemed far too short and seemed to take almost no time to make. As Joey knocked on the door he fixed his tie again for the umpteenth time. Logically he knew it was fine, but the nervous tick had him adjusting it once more so he could look his best when he met Joey's mom. Looking at his boyfriend he gave him a soft smile and squeezed his hand back. It wouldn't be so bad, right?
Sophia was not a quiet woman. If she loved to pieces, she would hog all of your personal space and stuff you with well prepared food. If she disliked you, she made sure that you knew it. Sophia had reason to dislike Sterlings. Luckily for Ryan, she also believed in allowing someone to make his own first impression. She busied herself with her famous batter now, making sure everything was ready so that it would just need to poured into the pan. The knock on the door came right on time. "Cookie!" Sophia opened the door with a bright smile, pulling her son into a big hug. She glanced up at Ryan, not liking how much taller he was than her. "Introduce me to your new arm candy."
Joey laughed and smiled as he hugged his mother back. Seeing her look up to Ryan, he rolled his eyes a bit. Joey knew she would be a bit set off from what had happened with Isaac but Ryan was different. "Mama, this is Ryan Sterling. My boyfriend." Pulling Ryan in a bit closer so he could met her. Joey looked between them, hoping it would all go well.
Ryan took in a breath as the door opened, waiting to see what would happen. He didn't know much about Joey's mother at all except that she liked to bake, was an alumni of Roselle and really loved her kids. Overall, she seemed like a great person so he hoped he didn't screw this up. He'd never met the parent before so this would be an interesting experience for him. As Joey pulled him closer, he gave the woman a smile and held a hand out for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Duval. I know Joey has been really looking forward to this, and I have too."
Sophia: "Mrs. Duval is my mother-in-law," Sophia interjected as she shook the boy's hand with a firm grip. "Call me Sophia." Her first inclination was to say 'Mama,' but the Switch decided that was something this Ryan Sterling should have to earn first. "Well come on in boys, I hope your appetites brought appetites!" She flashed them both a smile as she ushered the couple inside. The hotel room was a nice little suite, and she led them to the kitchen area. "So what will it be? Plain? Chocolate chip? Banana? All of the above?" Sophia looked at them bot expctantly.
Joey was happy to see his mom was smiling still. Following her in, Joey took a seat at the table that was there in the small yet home feeling kitchen area. "Well you know how I eat mama and Ryan is a lover of food so we've got room for all you want." Chuckling a bit as he smiled to his boyfriend for a moment. "Whatever you want to make mama. Everything you make is perfect and delicious you know that."
Ryan nodded as he pulled his hand away from the hand shake. "My apologies then, it's a pleasure to meet you, Sophia." He corrected himself, then followed Joey inside the suite. He took a seat at the small table next to Joey, listening as he spoke to his mother. Their relationship seemed so free and loving, he had to admire it a little bit. "What Joey said, I love all food and I'm sure whatever you make will be fantastic." He added, though not really contributing to the conversation in terms of what pancakes they'd have. He saw the cooking club was having her make pancaked for them too, so he knew they had to be seriously something. The cooking club here was no joke.
Sophia grinned. "A dozen of everything," she chirped and was only half joking as she did so. She separated the batter into proper bowls to mix in the added goodies before putting nice sized dallops of it into her pan. Soon the room filled with the smell of cake. "So--" Sophia started as she took out a spatula. "How long have the two of you been together?" She looked more at Ryan than Joey as she asked, wanting the boy to speak up so she could get a better read on him.
Joey chuckled. "Sounds good mama." Dipping his head again and leaving it down for a moment. He had seen this part before, the part where she liked to size the boyfriend of girlfriend up. So when she questioned about how long they had been together, Joey looked to Ryan and didn't say anything. Taking his hand under the table though, he gave him a reassuring hand squeeze.
Ryan smiled again and agreed with Joey, "Yes, definitely sounds good." He watched Sophia move around the kitchen, which soon enough filled with the smell of deliciously made pancakes. His mouth was watering already. At the question, he saw the glance directed at him and felt Joey's hand under the table. Oh, so he had to answer that one. Okay then. "We've been officially together since last Monday, though we we've been more than friends since about a month before that."
Sophia hummed. "More than friends," she repeated. Children were such horny bastards these days. Sophia considered interrogating him further, but often doing so meant having to acknowledge that she was a Switch herself. Sophia Duval only liked to acknowledge her role to one man; and then she liked to have hardcore sex with him. "Well I knew it was only a matter of time before my little cookie bounced back. All Duval men have a voracious sexual appetite once it's awakened, you know." Sophia flipped the pancakes over with ease. "I hope you're a satisfactory lover."
Joey was proud to see his mom was approving so far. She didn't look or sound upset about any of it. He was also proud of Ryan. When Mama started to talk about his sexual appetite, Joey looked to her slack jawed. "MOM!" he cheeks finding a new shade of red to turn then ever before. "I can't believe you just said that...but yes mama, he's a great lover."
Ryan couldn't tell if it was good or bad that she repeated the more than friends part. She didn't ask for an elaboration though, so he supposed that part was done and past. His eyebrows raised at the question, though he was still smiling and amused. Joey on the other hand was turning a shade of red he'd never seen before. "I'm certainly aware that Joey does." He replied, looking over to his boyfriend at the compliment. He gave his hand a small squeeze under the table and smiled.
Sophia laughed at Joey's expression, amused that her son wasn't used to her antics by now. There was nothing wrong with a healthy and open sex life. In fact, having such a thing was probably why Sophia was such a happy person. "Well good. But boys, unless you're getting screened I expect there to be wrapping before tapping." She fished through her purse and threw a few condoms on the counter before plating the now finished pancakes. Sophia served several of each flavor onto two plates, offering a side of maple syrup and butter. "Dig in boys. Especially you, Ryan. I think I could pinch your collar bone in half."
Joey shook his head some, smiling to Ryan. "You're enjoying this aren't you?" knowing how much Ryan loved to see him blush. As his mom laughed then threw condoms at them, Joey laughed as well. "We do wrap it mom but thank you for the condoms. Roselle does to screening though." He pocketed them, still so red from his mom's words. Pancakes now there, Joey leaned in to kiss his mom's cheek. "Thank you mama." Already diving in.
Ryan was starting to get that Joey's mom was really, really open about sex. Which was fine with him, he was pretty comfortable talking about sex himself, Joey on the other hand made a really amusing tomato. "A little, yeah." He admitted with a small laugh before leaning back as condoms were thrown on the counter. "Yeah, always." Even though Joey was the only person he'd been with since he got to Roselle, but he didn't know if this was the appropriate forum to share that information. As the pancakes were placed in front of him, Ryan grinned. "Believe me, you don't have to tell me twice. Thank you so much, these look amazing." It didn't take him long to start digging into his pile as well.
Sophia watched as the boys dug into her food with a pleased smile on her face. Mama knew how to whip up some pancakes. She let them finish their first servings, already piling on seconds whether or not Joey or Ryan planned to ask. "When you're with Mama, you eat until you drop. I don't know what they are feeding you here, Joseph, but it is absurd how thin you have gotten." She pouted the way only a mother could. Then she glanced at Ryan. "He was the most precious little child. Look, my hubby showed me how to put old photos on my phone." Sophia flipped open her mobile and scrolled through her favorite photos of a much heftier Joey. "I can barely see your dimples when you smile now, Cookie." Another pout.
Joey hadn't ate like this since he left home. But he didn't mind it right now, not with his mom's pancakes. As she spoke of him losing weight, Joey shook his head. "Its just because I'm getting older mom and I'm more active now then I use to be. But I do eat, I eat a lot actually." He had to bring that out as he was about to say something, Joey's face turned back to the deep red. "Mom...what picture did you put on there? Is it the tub one?"
Ryan was completely bewildered both by how good these pancakes were and how much she was feeding them. He imagined this was somewhat what heaven looked like. At the mention of a childhood Joey, he perked up, stuffing the bite of pancake into his mouth before leaning over to look at the photos she was scrolling through. A huge grin spread across his face as he looked at the pictures. He was still wearing it as he glanced back up at Joey who looked like he was about to die in his seat. "You were an adorable kid." He chuckled, leaning over to kiss Joey's cheek. "I especially liked the dimples."
Sophia felt that she had properly embarrassed her son now and felt content. This was what the boy got for not calling home enough to make sure she didn't need to worry. "Thirds, boys?" She certainly had enough for them. "Oh Ryan. Tell me, are you parents here this weekend as well?" Sophia hadn't thought of asking but it seemed like a worthwhile thing to know. An easy way to assess a child was through his parents after all.
Joey smiled at the kiss, returning it to Ryan's cheek. "Thank you baby." He commented. It seemed his mom had had enough of embarrassing him as the pictures were put away. "No thank you mama, I need to have room for cooking class today but I can take them with us back to school and have them for later." The question about Ryan's parents came up, it was Joey's turn to softly squeeze Ryan's hand as he knew this was a loaded question.
Ryan placed a hand on his stomach and shook his head while looking up at the woman. "No thank you, I think I might actually be stuffed. Those pancakes were delicious." If he ate anymore he might have to invest in a new uniform, his certainly wouldn't fit anymore. "I am definitely up for bringing some back." Leftover pancakes were still pancakes after all. At the question he shook his head again. Feeling Joey's hand under the table, he gave him a soft smile. "It's alright," He directed at him before directing his attention towards Sophia again. "My mom couldn't make it out this time, otherwise I'm sure she would have been here."
Sophia tilted her head, a bit confused. Ryan had only mentioned his mother. It seemed intentional, given that Joey was behaving oddly as soon as she asked the question. Sophia turned to lookat Ryan again.She silently asked about his other parent with a cocked eyebrow before finding something suitable to put the extra pancakes in. Once packaged, she gave one container to Joey and even set a few extras aside for Ryan to take along with him as well. It was her simplest form of near acceptance. "Pancakes to go, order up.~"
Joey nodded a bit. He wasn't going to be the one to say what was going on with Ryan's parents. He was glad though to have Ryan be the one to explain even when he left his father out. The silent question was brought up, Joey looked to his mom. "His dad isn't around." He offered as an easy explanation, again leaving the details to Ryan. With his container, Joey kissed his mother's cheek again. "Thank you mama."
Ryan realized he wouldn't be getting away with that one. Joey offered and easy explanation, but that just made it sound like his dad was dead or something. While his siblings may have preferred that, it wasn't the truth, so he thought he'd clarify. "My parents broke their claim. Since then we haven't had too much contact with my dad, and he wouldn't be the type to want to see us anyway." He'd never been one to sugar coat the truth, though he did appreciate Joey trying to help him out. "Thank you again for the pancakes. I can see where Joey gets all his great culinary skills from."
Sophia concluded that most Sterling men were in fact not worth trifling with. Fortunately, she had also concluded that it was for now only most. "Thank you for your honesty, Ryan." She left the conversation at that, deciding the prying would feel more necessary after it seemed like the couple might last. Young people were fickle like souffle. Sophia smiled at the thanks. "His skills and his appetite." She winked at that, obviously once again eluding to something other than food. "But I don't want to be responsible for having you boys be late for classes. Come give Mama a hug and be on your way."
Joey smiled loving to Ryan. He was even more proud of him now then he had been and he was really going to make it up to him later that night. Chuckling finally, Joey nodded. "yeah mama, I do have your appetite." Giving in to her. "And your need to do things on my knees." He had seen the clock and knew they had enough time to get their things before class if they left then. Getting up, Joey hugged his mom tight. "Thank you again mama, I'll call you next weekend okay? I love you."
Ryan smiled, amused to see Joey finally giving in and playing along with her mother. He also mentally added that to the list of things he needed to keep in mind for tonight. He got up, watching as Joey hugged his mom. Funnily enough he found himself still smiling at the exchange, it was sweet to watch and a pretty rare sight for him to see. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Sophia. I hope we get to see you at the game."
Sophia held Joey close to her for a moment, kissing the side of his face. Before releasing him, she glanced at Ryan behind them and offered an accepting smile. "Hold up now, pudding. One for you too." Sophia walked around the counter, taking the taller boy in for a quick hug as well before patting them both away on their rear ends. "Now shoo. Go Thorns, etc. I will see you both at the game! Dress warmly...but accessibly.~"
Brent sat on the step outside his cabin checking his backpack a final time to be sure they had everything they might be needing. "Bugspray, sunscreen, work gloves, water bottle, map, camera, and list. Check." He muttered to himself. Brent pulled the backpack on and clipped it at his chest. He was ready to win today, he might have lost the hike because of Jack's little detour, but it wasn't going to happen again. Brent jumped up off the step and placed his sunglasses on his face, waiting for his partner to come outside.
Hunter couldn't help but chuckle as he read over the messages that both he and Ryan were sending back and forth. Ryan would be the only Anderson that he had yet to argue with, the only Anderson that hadn’t threatened to punch him in the throat several times, and considering that both he and Blaine had started to being civil with one another, he had only hoped that he wouldn’t end up one yet another Andersons’ bad side. Letting his fingers brush through his mousy brown hair, his eyes fell onto the screen before him, before his attention turned to the male beside him – Blaine now fast asleep. Hunter couldn’t help but smile as the short male slept, he was somewhat peaceful, quite and as much as he liked being in the company of the other male, he much preferred him like this, It meant that Blaine couldn’t sit there and insult Hunter every change he got.
Standing from the seat he had occupied for the last few hours, he turned to press a light kiss to the short males forehead before muttering a small sleep tight before exiting the hospital room, and making his way over towards the boys dorm, his eyes falling onto the numbers that were plastered on the wooden door, before he came to the room occupied by the younger Anderson, his hand forming in a small fist. Before knocking against the door.
Ash had been happy the past two days. She had been utterly happy talking to Vera, playingwith the babies, and making cookies with Scarlett. She was slightly surpised she hadn't seen Ryan around since Christmas, especally since she had seen him so much recently, but she hoped he was off doing fun things with Gage. But then, she had heard about his present to James, and she couldn't believe it. She was in shock, both good and also confusion. But with growing agitation she couldn't find Ryan to yell at him like she wanted to. It was only after looking for him all over the school that she heard what had happened with him and Zeven. Her heart dropped, and she began to feel hot. Not again, she thought, and she sprinted as fast as her legs could take her to the infirmary.
She ran into it and then saw him. She was hidden from the corner she stood, but she could still see him. Her heart lurched at the bandages, but she calmed herself down. The last thing he would want was her to be more upset, and she knew it. Her heart was pounding, and she felt close to tears. Maybe it was just from the memory of being here last time but her vision almost felt blurry and her body felt hot again. But she ignored it. Now was not the time for that at all.
She rounded the corner, hands on her hips, and looked at him. "You! YOU MASSIVE PERVERTED IDIOT!YOU ARE SO DISGUSTING I CANNOT EVEN..." her words cut off and then she just flared her nose before continuing. "THANK YOU FOR JAMES'S PRESENT YOU DISGUSTNG PERVERT!"
Ash was feeling warm and comfortable. She had had an amazing day so far. In fact, more than amazing, and the day hadn't even hit evening yet. After hanging with scarkett and eating a hefty amount if breakfast and seeing most of the people she loved, she felt whole and happy instead. But there was one person she hadn't found yet. She was back in her and Scarlett's shared room, digging the present shed made for ryan out of one of the corners piled with clothes. When she finally retrieved it she smiled in satisfaction and then made her way out of her room, with one last distasteful look at the jumper vera had bought her. She wandered around trying to figure out where he was, then decided to head towards his room. Everyone seemed so happy and a sincere smile was on her face as she travelled the halls. Finally she got to his door and pounded on it. "Oi, mr. Idiot are you in there? It's your white nosed baker with a Christmas present!!"
Kieran had managed to avoid Ryan and Gage since the... incident that had happened earlier. Not on purpose necessarily, just because he didn't feel like going through the effort of confrontation. He'd seen them kissing like lovestruck birds after the fact, and if anything he felt Ryan would just attempt to be 'nice' to him again. Kieran rolled his eyes. The boy was like the epitome of a puppy dog who didn't get it when people wanted to be evil. Not like he was evil... he just liked screwing with things. Kieran had no regrets about what he'd done, though he did feel a slight twinge of some sort of emotion whenever he remembered Gage's face flushed red with anger. But he pushed that into the recesses of his mind. He didn't feel like dealing with any thoughts related to her at the moment.
But he knew he had to go back to his room at some point, so after classes he headed back to his room, dimly hoping he wouldn't have to see the pest he lived with but realizing that was probably unlikely. He pushed open the door and breathed a sigh of relief at the empty room, before plopping onto his bed. He hadn't been sleeping very well, and he never slept well at night, because he loved the dark too much to waste it. It was only 3pm now, however, and he could feel sleep gripping him, closing his eyes, which were sore from being open so long, and soon he was in a deep sleep that only broke when he heard the doornob open. He looked around in confusion, seeing the clock and realizing three hours had passed, and rubbed at his face, trying to wake himself up quickly. He could tell based on the feel of the shadow on the other side of the wall that Ryan was the one approaching.
