A Cursed Pair

Hi. I'm Marcus and that over there is Reed. We were both cursed members of the zodiac. Thankfully, that part of our life is over now. ((OC Rp blog based off of the Fruits Basket manga. No gifs or images are mine unless otherwise stated.))

[museofskaro]

jeremy.irvine Anyone else just become the life guard for bugs when they sit round a pool?

[thecatandtherat]

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

Marcus laughed and shook his head. “No, definitely not. I keep some of the better ones in a folder on my computer as kind of a portfolio, but that’s it.” He glanced at her. “If you ever want to read one… maybe then I’ll print something out if you’d like.”

“Oh you’ll have to let me read both your best and your worst.” Blanche grinned. “At least, in your opinion. Because I’d be interested to see how hard you are on yourself.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Oh, I don’t know. That’s asking a lot.” He chuckled softly. “Maybe. I don’t really keep the stuff I really don’t like, so I guess maybe I’d be okay with sharing the worst of what I have kept.” Marcus grinned. “And then I get to sit there awkwardly as you read them because I don’t want to leave and come back I have to know right away what you think.” 

[quietandsweet]

“I won’t read them right then and there.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t put you through that. Plus I am a very slow reader. You’d be sitting for hours waiting for me to read it all.” Blanche poked his shoulder lightly. “We’ll do an exchange. You can walk around my studio while I read, so we’re both anxious for each other’s opinions.”

[thecatandtherat]

“That sounds like a fair deal to me.” Marcus rubbed his shoulder with a laugh. “We’ll have to keep in touch. Figure out when is good for both of us.” He smiled at her as his hands returned to his pockets. “I have a pretty flexible schedule, so whenever is best for you should be fine.” 

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

Marcus laughed and shook his head. “No, definitely not. I keep some of the better ones in a folder on my computer as kind of a portfolio, but that’s it.” He glanced at her. “If you ever want to read one… maybe then I’ll print something out if you’d like.”

“Oh you’ll have to let me read both your best and your worst.” Blanche grinned. “At least, in your opinion. Because I’d be interested to see how hard you are on yourself.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Oh, I don’t know. That’s asking a lot.” He chuckled softly. “Maybe. I don’t really keep the stuff I really don’t like, so I guess maybe I’d be okay with sharing the worst of what I have kept.” Marcus grinned. “And then I get to sit there awkwardly as you read them because I don’t want to leave and come back I have to know right away what you think.” 

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

Marcus laughed softly. “Why? I’m very happy with that piece. I like it.” He grinned a little as he caught sight of the blush on her cheeks. “I don’t have any ideas, but I will happily hang whatever you give me right next to the other one. I’m sure it will be beautiful.”

“It’s a little embarrassing. I was so naive then.” Blanche clicked her tongue. “I’m glad you appreciate it however, it’s just a little silly to think about now.” She clasped her hands together as she walked. “I’ll figure it out. You will have something more interesting to display.”

[thecatandtherat]

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about! It’s good!” He continued to laugh happily. “You want to talk about embarrassing, you should read some of the short stories I wrote when I was taking a creative writing class. They were… well they were something.” Marcus snorted and shook his head. 

[quietandsweet]

She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t that the point? To get the embarrassing stuff out now so that when you start seriously writing, it’s better?” Blanche shook her shoulders out. “And at least it’s something you can delete. You didn’t print any physical copies, right?”

[thecatandtherat]

Marcus laughed and shook his head. “No, definitely not. I keep some of the better ones in a folder on my computer as kind of a portfolio, but that’s it.” He glanced at her. “If you ever want to read one... maybe then I’ll print something out if you’d like.”

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

Marcus laughed softly. “Why? I’m very happy with that piece. I like it.” He grinned a little as he caught sight of the blush on her cheeks. “I don’t have any ideas, but I will happily hang whatever you give me right next to the other one. I’m sure it will be beautiful.”

“It’s a little embarrassing. I was so naive then.” Blanche clicked her tongue. “I’m glad you appreciate it however, it’s just a little silly to think about now.” She clasped her hands together as she walked. “I’ll figure it out. You will have something more interesting to display.”

[thecatandtherat]

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about! It’s good!” He continued to laugh happily. “You want to talk about embarrassing, you should read some of the short stories I wrote when I was taking a creative writing class. They were... well they were something.” Marcus snorted and shook his head. 

[thecatandtherat]

quietandsweet​:

“It is never too late to get it together, at least for yourself.” She tucked her arms behind her back as they continued to walk. “I will agree with you there, it does feel like it has been much longer than two years, I’ve done so much with the time.”

“Maybe that is the case, but still… better sooner than later. More time to be my best self.” He laughed as he lightly nudged her. “I’m not surprised you’ve been so busy. Do you still take time to paint?” 

[quietandsweet]

“Not nearly as much as I would like. I have a travel set but I do need to use it more, I will admit.” She blushed lightly, thinking about the paint set that still resided in the pocket of her bag that had been there for months. “Maybe I will pick that back up while we are home.”

[thecatandtherat]

“That’s a good idea. It’s always good to set aside time for something you love to do when you can.” Marcus grinned at her. “I still have the painting you gave me, actually. I know you’re not a big fan of showing your work to people so I have it on the wall in the spare room I use as my office.”

[quietandsweet]

Her blush deepened. “Oh I will have to remedy that and get you a new piece.” Her nose wrinkled. “Give me a month or so. It will be my new mission.” She began to recognize her surroundings a bit better than before. “Any ideas of what you might want?”

[thecatandtherat]

Marcus laughed softly. “Why? I’m very happy with that piece. I like it.” He grinned a little as he caught sight of the blush on her cheeks. “I don’t have any ideas, but I will happily hang whatever you give me right next to the other one. I’m sure it will be beautiful.”

[thecatandtherat]

quietandsweet​:

“It is never too late to get it together, at least for yourself.” She tucked her arms behind her back as they continued to walk. “I will agree with you there, it does feel like it has been much longer than two years, I’ve done so much with the time.”

“Maybe that is the case, but still… better sooner than later. More time to be my best self.” He laughed as he lightly nudged her. “I’m not surprised you’ve been so busy. Do you still take time to paint?” 

[quietandsweet]

“Not nearly as much as I would like. I have a travel set but I do need to use it more, I will admit.” She blushed lightly, thinking about the paint set that still resided in the pocket of her bag that had been there for months. “Maybe I will pick that back up while we are home.”

[thecatandtherat]

“That’s a good idea. It’s always good to set aside time for something you love to do when you can.” Marcus grinned at her. “I still have the painting you gave me, actually. I know you’re not a big fan of showing your work to people so I have it on the wall in the spare room I use as my office.”

[thecatandtherat]

quietandsweet​:

“It is never too late to get it together, at least for yourself.” She tucked her arms behind her back as they continued to walk. “I will agree with you there, it does feel like it has been much longer than two years, I’ve done so much with the time.”

“Maybe that is the case, but still... better sooner than later. More time to be my best self.” He laughed as he lightly nudged her. “I’m not surprised you’ve been so busy. Do you still take time to paint?” 

[thecatandtherat]

achangeinthewinds​:

Marly smiled softly at Reed and as she watched him work his charm her smile took on the shape of a sly grin. “Yes, it would be fun to work with you. But what would be most fun is to stay a free agent. Free to pick and pester at both my fiancé and my best friend. It’s only fair that I get to show my affection to both of you thusly,” she snickered. 

“If that is how you show your affection,” Reed let go of her hands and held his up as a show of surrender. “I will happily grin and bear it then.”

Marcus laughed as he watched them. There was the smallest twinge of envy, but it passed quickly. “I’ll just have to go traveling again before you can really start pestering me. That’s the advantage of being the best friend rather than the  fiancé.”

[achangeinthewinds]

Marly laughed happily and relax back into the bench. Though, she did not untangle her leg from Reed’s leg. “Good. That’s the answer I wanted to hear.” She suddenly lunged over the table to poke Marcus in the arm. “That is a privilege you have as the best friend. But just remember if you stay gone too long, I will mount a rescue party and come find you. Regardless of whether or not you need any rescuing. Just keep that in mind. And you can’t leave any time soon. I’ve missed you too much.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Well, that will get you out traveling, so maybe that is my plan anyway.” Marcus laughed as he rubbed his arm where she poked. His smile softened. “I’ve missed you too, though. And like I said, I’m ready to settle in for a bit.” 

Reed happily settled in against her once more. “Well, if you want some work, you can always go in for me and I’ll just start taking days off. It’ll be great.” He laughed and pressed a kiss to Marly’s shoulder. “Especially since I have a wedding to start planning.” 

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. And you can always talk to me.” Marcus smiled at her before looking up at the sky again. “It might be good for us too. And it’s an excuse to catch up more. When we’re not hanging out with my drunk cousins.” He chuckled a little.

“The drunk cousins just make it so much fun.” She snorted. “You were all having a lot of fun before I popped in, weren’t you?” Blanche followed his gaze towards the heavens.

[thecatandtherat]

“They do, but sometimes you just want to have a conversation.” Marcus laughed happily. “We were having fun after you popped in too. Don’t worry.” He chewed on his lip for a moment. “It’s weird, isn’t it? There was a time Reed couldn’t even be mentioned without me bristling. Now…” He gestured back the way they had come from. 

[quietandsweet]

“I very much remember the time of No Reed.” Blanche shrugged her shoulder. “I think I like this time much better. It’s weird to see how much we have all grown, how much has changed. I like it quite a lot.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Yeah, me too. I like this a lot better.” Marcus rubbed at his chest. “I’m glad I got my shit together before it was too late. Before I wasted too much of my life being...” His hand moved from his chest to gesture. He didn’t need to say the words. “It is weird though. Like it feels like it’s been so much longer than two years but at the same time not.” 

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. And you can always talk to me.” Marcus smiled at her before looking up at the sky again. “It might be good for us too. And it’s an excuse to catch up more. When we’re not hanging out with my drunk cousins.” He chuckled a little.

“The drunk cousins just make it so much fun.” She snorted. “You were all having a lot of fun before I popped in, weren’t you?” Blanche followed his gaze towards the heavens.

[thecatandtherat]

“They do, but sometimes you just want to have a conversation.” Marcus laughed happily. “We were having fun after you popped in too. Don’t worry.” He chewed on his lip for a moment. “It’s weird, isn’t it? There was a time Reed couldn’t even be mentioned without me bristling. Now...” He gestured back the way they had come from. 

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

“When have you ever seen me eat a salad?” Marcus laughed and shook his head. “I know I’ve changed a lot, but that has not. I can promise you that.” He grinned. “Lunch is a good idea though. I’d say… just give him my number and if he’s interested he can text me and we’ll figure it out from there. If he’s not… well, I wouldn’t blame him.”

“Oh salad is where you draw the line? Salad.” Blanche had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. “You’ll at least get some sort of meeting. What you two talk about at that meeting is up to you boys. But I’ve taught Zeb a few things while you’ve been away. Like to not be rude and accept a lunch and hear someone out.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Well, he’s going to be married to royalty, he has to have the basics of diplomacy down.” Marcus said with a slight chuckle. “I’m sure it will all work out then. I’m not the hot head I once was and I’m back…” There was a slight hesitation in his words, but he soon was finishing the sentence. “I’m back in therapy now that I’ve settled in for a bit. All about the expression of emotions in a healthy way and having more… civil conversations.” 

[quietandsweet]

“Therapy is definitely a favorite of mine.” Blanche smiled. “Everyone should be in therapy, I believe. People who think differently should definitely be in therapy. Possibly several types.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Yeah, I think you might be right.” He grinned at her and relaxed a little more. He hadn’t really expected her to judge him for it, but it was nice to get to relax. “Obviously there are things I can’t tell my therapist, but the family trauma, the abuse… those are all things that can be talked about.” Marcus scratched the back of his head. 

[quietandsweet]

“Even talking generally is good though. It helps you process, and then you can extrapolate to the other things you can’t talk about.” Blanche clicked her tongue. “You know you can always talk to me, of course. Even if I don’t quite understand.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. And you can always talk to me.” Marcus smiled at her before looking up at the sky again. “It might be good for us too. And it’s an excuse to catch up more. When we’re not hanging out with my drunk cousins.” He chuckled a little.

[thecatandtherat]

achangeinthewinds​:

Marly smiled softly at Reed and as she watched him work his charm her smile took on the shape of a sly grin. “Yes, it would be fun to work with you. But what would be most fun is to stay a free agent. Free to pick and pester at both my fiancé and my best friend. It’s only fair that I get to show my affection to both of you thusly,” she snickered. 

“If that is how you show your affection,” Reed let go of her hands and held his up as a show of surrender. “I will happily grin and bear it then.”

Marcus laughed as he watched them. There was the smallest twinge of envy, but it passed quickly. “I’ll just have to go traveling again before you can really start pestering me. That’s the advantage of being the best friend rather than the  fiancé.”

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

“When have you ever seen me eat a salad?” Marcus laughed and shook his head. “I know I’ve changed a lot, but that has not. I can promise you that.” He grinned. “Lunch is a good idea though. I’d say… just give him my number and if he’s interested he can text me and we’ll figure it out from there. If he’s not… well, I wouldn’t blame him.”

“Oh salad is where you draw the line? Salad.” Blanche had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. “You’ll at least get some sort of meeting. What you two talk about at that meeting is up to you boys. But I’ve taught Zeb a few things while you’ve been away. Like to not be rude and accept a lunch and hear someone out.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Well, he’s going to be married to royalty, he has to have the basics of diplomacy down.” Marcus said with a slight chuckle. “I’m sure it will all work out then. I’m not the hot head I once was and I’m back…” There was a slight hesitation in his words, but he soon was finishing the sentence. “I’m back in therapy now that I’ve settled in for a bit. All about the expression of emotions in a healthy way and having more… civil conversations.” 

[quietandsweet]

“Therapy is definitely a favorite of mine.” Blanche smiled. “Everyone should be in therapy, I believe. People who think differently should definitely be in therapy. Possibly several types.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Yeah, I think you might be right.” He grinned at her and relaxed a little more. He hadn’t really expected her to judge him for it, but it was nice to get to relax. “Obviously there are things I can’t tell my therapist, but the family trauma, the abuse... those are all things that can be talked about.” Marcus scratched the back of his head. 

[thecatandtherat]

achangeinthewinds​:

“Point or not, it was still adorable and amusing for me. They’re not mutually exclusive ideas, you know.” Marly pulled her feet up to sit cross legged in the booth. She brought her drink closer and fiddled with her straw. “I’ll have to document it if it ever happens again.” 

“They aren’t mutually exclusive, you’re right.” Marcus chuckled before taking a quick drink. “I’ll see if I can put him in anymore situations that makes him awkward and nervous just so you can have a chance to capture it.”

“Nope. It’s never going to happen again. I’m onto your tricks now.” Reed laughed as he shifted to accommodate her movement. “I’ve decided I still don’t like you two as best friends. Way too ready to conspire against me.”  

[achangeinthewinds]

“Perfect plan, Marcus.” Marly smirked at Reed. “You haven’t even seen the best of our tricks yet.” She took the moment of laughter and settling to run her fingers up his side as visual aid to her argument. “If I can sneak up on you while sitting at your side, imagine what our minds will come up with together. You should be in fear and in awe,” she snickered.  

[thecatandtherat]

“Hey!” Reed jumped to the side a little and took a quick hold of her hands. “I can’t believe you would betray me like this.” He laughed softly, not letting go of her hands. “I thought I could trust you, but I guess I was wrong.” 

“If you didn’t know to expect this from your fiancée, then it is definitely on you.” Marcus chuckled happily. “I think Marly has always made it clear that she loves to cause trouble.” 

[achangeinthewinds]

“Exactly. What my very smart and clever best friend just said.” Rather than try to free her hands she shifted in the booth to hook one of her legs over his. “You really think you can save yourself from me? I am chaos and I have Marcus on my side.”

[thecatandtherat]

“I don’t have a problem with the trouble and the chaos. Just that it is being directed at me.” Reed brought her hands up to press a couple of kisses to her fingers. “Wouldn’t it be more fun to work with me since I am your fiance after all?”

“Don’t listen, Marls. He’s just trying to turn you against me.” Marcus laughed before focusing on his drink for a moment. “You can’t let him do that. He won’t be as fun to cause chaos with.”

[quietandsweet]

thecatandtherat​:

“When have you ever seen me eat a salad?” Marcus laughed and shook his head. “I know I’ve changed a lot, but that has not. I can promise you that.” He grinned. “Lunch is a good idea though. I’d say… just give him my number and if he’s interested he can text me and we’ll figure it out from there. If he’s not… well, I wouldn’t blame him.”

“Oh salad is where you draw the line? Salad.” Blanche had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. “You’ll at least get some sort of meeting. What you two talk about at that meeting is up to you boys. But I’ve taught Zeb a few things while you’ve been away. Like to not be rude and accept a lunch and hear someone out.”

[thecatandtherat]

“Well, he’s going to be married to royalty, he has to have the basics of diplomacy down.” Marcus said with a slight chuckle. “I’m sure it will all work out then. I’m not the hot head I once was and I’m back...” There was a slight hesitation in his words, but he soon was finishing the sentence. “I’m back in therapy now that I’ve settled in for a bit. All about the expression of emotions in a healthy way and having more... civil conversations.”