#thread: audra

[davestoll]

CLOSED STARTER: @audrasmythe​ LOCATION: audra’s apartment

“You’re... blonde?” It’s the first thing that comes out of his mouth, a bit too concerned to be convincingly masked as pleasantly surprised. “It looks great!” he’s quick to reassure, taking a step forward but then stopping short. “I— hm.” David holds up his hands, a smile of surrender creeping from the corner of his mouth. “Hold on, this threw me off. Let me recalibrate for a second here.” 

He closes the door in her face, then reopens it, this time prepared to give a reaction of David Stoll-level believability. “My god— is that Pam Anderson?” He whistles lewdly and finally steps over the threshold, collecting Audra into a tight hug.

“It really does look great. You look good, Auds.” Though he’s smiling, his brow furrows slightly. In his arms, she feels noticeably thinner. David sweeps his gaze around the room before releasing her from the hug, all traces of concern erased by the time their eyes meet. “Where the hell have you been?”

[davestoll]

CLOSED STARTER: @audrasmythe​ LOCATION: gotham hall fundraiser gala

Perhaps the first person he’d been genuinely excited to see all night. As soon as Audra enters his line of view David heads straight for her, encircling her in a tight hug – quite a difference from the formal handshakes and pats on the back that he’s been doling out all night. “She lives,” he laughs into her hair, pulling back to give Audra a wide smile. “And you look gorgeous. I know we said we’d catch up tonight, but I don’t have much time before Julian goes on again– ” he’s already looking at his watch as the words leave his lips. “What did you think of his first speech? Good? Awful?” In the comfort of her presence David can already feel his exhaustion threatening to creep back, like a stranded swimmer passing out as soon as he heaves himself onto a lifeboat. He waves Audra over to his table, farther out of the public eye, and plops down onto a chair. “Christ, I hate wearing bow ties – but do I look handsome, or what?”

[davestoll]

CLOSED STARTER: @audrasmythe​ LOCATION: audra’s place

It was extremely rare for David to leave work at a reasonable hour, and rarer yet for him to make any sort of social plans during the week. Whenever he tried to enjoy free time he always found himself drifting back to work, anxious about getting behind. For once, though, he found himself looking forward to getting his mind off of things. Audra was one of the very few people he considered himself close with. The excitement that came with seeing her also brought on a strange twinge of guilt – another thing he didn’t feel often. Her husband, and his dear friend, was sat in jail while David enjoyed the company of his wife. He helped them both out however he could, but he would be lying if he said his continued involvement wasn’t more for Audra’s sake now than it was for her husband.

The closeness between them wasn’t something he expected, nor was it intentional; she just seemed to get him, as cliche as it may sound, and he valued her greatly. They had so much in common (in terms of interests, at least). When it came to life experience they were on fairly different paths, and always had been. That never seemed to matter. If anything, it made his admiration for her even stronger. She had been through hell many times over, which he knew – and he wanted better for her.  

And so he was leaving on time, as he’d promised her that he wouldn’t show up too late. After a short knock her door swung open, and he smiled upon seeing her. Not the fake smile he always had plastered on his face for interviews and press conferences, but a genuine one – even if it was a little tired. “See? Told ya I’d be on time.” He held up the bottle of wine he brought and sidled past her through the door, giving her a greeting kiss on the cheek as he did so.