closed starter for : @theocannon !!
It’s two minutes after closing time, and (despite their protests) Nora and company have been unceremoniously shoved out into the night by the bar’s owner who had been pleased, but overall unmoved by the group’s extravagant tipping. The shockingly fresh breeze taking the edge off her warm glow; but it’s still an effort to remain completely upright. Flushed and unable to smother the soft laughter bubbling inside her chest. (A lightweight these days, much to her own dismay and the amusement of her companions. Her wild youth long gone.) And she stumbles slightly, concentrates hard on continuing to put one foot in front of the other, following the lead of the group as they travel to the next destination. Truthfully, it’d been an effort on their part to convince her out in the first place; Nora often preferring the solitude of her apartment (and some good company) to the hot, dark, glitter-drenched bars people her age prefer to occupy. Though, now pleasantly buzzed (her love of tequila rekindled) and more alight than she’s felt in months, Nora is grateful for the outing.
“I need to fuckin’ pee!” someone calls out, and the group is forced into an abrupt standstill. Brief words exchanged as half the group disappears inside after their friend; “Are you coming?” someone asks, and she shakes her head; her phone produced from her pocket. “Go. I’ll be alright out here,” She assures them with a slight shove in the direction of the door. A light chuckle passing her lips as she takes the opportunity to scroll through a pile of missed notifications; a text from Nate, a few likes on instagram, an email from her assistant. It seems lively inside, at the very least; the brief opening of the bar’s door allowing the sound of pulsing music and the roar of conversation to filter through. Though, she barely registers that thought before she’s suddenly being thrown off balance; her phone toppling to the cement below as a shoulder connects with her own. The tequila dampening the sudden rush of irritation; however, as she turns to protest (and perhaps mutter an apology. a terrible habit she posses to apologize for other’s mistakes) the moonlight illuminates Nora’s brief flash of panic and turns her widened eyes iridescent; the cold night air hitting her like a slap in the face. The vivid, sobering image of Theo before her eyes causing her stomach drops through the floor; an incessant prickle of nervousness refusing to be ignored. She pales. And Nora stands unmoving for a few seconds, trying to make her mouth wet enough to swallow; a single word, “— Theo…?” spoken into the night air as she urges her voice out from the hard knot which it has become.
it was a regular night for theo in which he probably won’t remember. they all start to blur together anyway. a bar. the drinks. the fake friends for the night. it became a tradition, though the bar always changed. he never wanted to become a ‘regular’ because then that might form bonds and friendships- the very things he didn’t want, because he would only let them down. in the beginning, theo would go out with group of friends, that way, there was an excuse. oh my friends dragged me out. oh we’re celebrating a birthday. this one got a promotion. but eventually it wasn’t enough. theo could pretend he had friends waiting on him inside, but the truth was he was going in alone. he was always alone.
his cheeks were flushed, both from the heat and the liquor coursing through his veins. he somehow felt alive without feeling anything at all. the only thing theo felt was warm. sure, it was a misdirected warmth- not one that came with an embrace or cup of tea- but it would have to do. stumbling out of the the bar, the cool air momentarily burning his skin. theo lost his balance when he walked onto the street, his shoulder colliding with the nearest person. “oop- sorry ‘bout that” he murmured, soft voice muted with a slur. he bent down to pick up the girl’s misplaced phone, almost falling over until his hand reached out for the building wall. standing up, he waited for the world to stop spinning before focusing on the person. “whew, stood up too fast. here’s your phone,” theo said, holding the phone out in front of him. dazed eyes focus on the figure in front of him. shiny hair. floral perfume. beautiful eyes. he grinned, though large, it did not entirely meet his eyes. “nora, nora, nora. how are you on this fine evening?”
