Theodore Rhodes

At the end of the day, it's all just a backyard game...so pick up your ego and go home.

[ashesofcaptivity-a-deactivated2]

Your father didn’t love you , so you assume no one else would either.

Caroline Forbes (via ashesofcaptivity)

[theoxrhodes]

oliviarcmero:

         “Thank you so much,” she smiled widely, taking the cup from him. “You certainly did your good deed for the day.” Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she looked up at him and added, “If we run into each other here again, it’s on me.”

“Oh no, please don’t worry about it.” He smiled just as widely, Theodore had no intentions of letting her pay the favor in return even if they had met again. He opened the door as they walked towards the exit, “What’s that phrase, just ‘pay it forward’?”

[theoxrhodes]

sophiavanderbilt:

           “It’s probably better that way. Coffee isn’t good for you, it only gets you addicted and ruins your blood pressure – or so I’ve heard.” Tucking her hair behind her ears, she laughed softly. “Cappuccino does sound amazing right now. I hope they make a good one.”

“There could be worse addictions—or so I heard.” He laughed as he cooled the cup of tea wrapped in his hand, patiently waiting for her order to be finished.” Oh—Is this your first time being here? Or first time ordering a cappuccino here? I usually stop for a cup of tea, can’t really go wrong with a tea.” He had a tendency to ramble during small talk.

[theoxrhodes]

athenawclker:

Far too invested in her own world, reading deeply into emails and text messages on her iPhone, Athena was rather glad for the holiday’s ending. All of the unboxing and ‘thank you’ messages she needs to send to people due to the kind presents were on her to-do list. Every part of her wondered if she could’ve stalled on it but having physically gone off the grid once the holiday’s passed over. There was one present, one from her father, completely unaware of how he had gotten the address in the first place. It made her feel uncomfortable. Seeing his name on the box, the untouched box in her apartment was a haunting and a cruse than bittersweetness. For someone who had no proper emotions about his existence, now suddenly things came surfacing around. Ever-so caught up, a voice instantly caused her to pull up from her phone and sliding it in her coat pocket. Clearing her throat, forcefully smiling toward the cashier before ordering a cappuccino before stepping off to the side. It took her moments longer to see who spoke in her direction before suddenly widening her eyes, “Oh, Theo, hi. Literally took me by surprise there but thank you for that.” Athena kindly replied to the surprise, furthermore taken back, a forced smile endured her lips before tucking a strand of hair and sighing deeply. A few moments later, just due to her thoughts and the silence, her brows pinched together before shaking her head - for own sake and speaking up, “I hope you were able enjoyed your holidays.”

He’d seen her focusing on her phone from within the line prior to offering to buy her drink, it seemed a kind gesture. Her features seemed contorted in a different kind of thought than her usual business-like concentration. Theodore passed on the cash as he thanked her, taking the cup of tea, the cashier offered. “It’s no problem.” He smiled warmly at her thanks, before she silenced once more. Something seemed a bit off, but he felt too far off to pry before she spoke up once again. “Oh,” He breathed out a bit of a sigh. “They were good. I spent some time with my mom, and Silas. The usual. Did you enjoy your holidays…?” He didn’t wait long before continuing. “Are you okay, today?”

[theoxrhodes]

reiddcwson:

Christmas was Reid’s favorite time of the year. God, he went over and beyond for this time of the year. Seeing how he happens to have two young daughters, he couldn’t help but to give them nothing but memories from their youth. Especially since quite a bit was happening in their lives too - now seeing how Asher was included in the picture again. Through it all, this holiday was one of his favorite - evident of feeling like things were somehow piecing themselves in his own life. The girls were out, instant to drag Asher with them, knowing they wanted to spend as much time together did allow Reid to relax and grab some coffee for himself. It was something he was detaching from due to being on holiday work break. Plus, it felt nice beyond the whole cold winter of Georgia starting to settle around. Reid didn’t even notice Theo was standing in front of him till hearing his friends word and catching a glance at his friend. A deep chuckle escaped, shaking his head but stepping forward nonetheless to give his order, “Hi, just a mocha would be great.” Speaking through a smile toward the cashier, now turning toward Theo. “Way to make my entire day. Also, Happy Belated Christmas and New Years. How you’ve been?”

Theodore found a joy in surprising his friend with the coffee he paid for. He found it even funnier when he saw the surprise develop in his features and the laugh come through. “Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year’s.” He added back, taking out his card to pay the cashier. “I’ve been good, and you?” He felt lucky to have made a friend so quickly in Westbrook even if it was through Silas’s odd rule of bonding with elder gentlemen. He never quite understood his cousin’s need to maintain a reputation. “Actually, how was your New year’s? What did you end up doing?”

[theoxrhodes]

shaycampbell:

“You’re an easy man to please, Theo Rhodes. Probably about as much as the paper it’s made from, don’t try to sell it to the Louvre anytime soon.” Her grinning attempt at self-deprecation still held far more kernels of truth to it than she let on, but Shay wasn’t about to twist this into some kind of unwarranted therapy session. “Pretty sure everybody in town did— they’re not shy about hosting big parties, especially during the holidays.” The waitress’ family had been lower middle class at best growing up, so she never experienced the major importance of brandishing wealth for all to see. She could, however, support Rory and Lila to the best of her ability during it. “Yeah two of my friends are the big shot’s daughters so I’ll be there. Normally I spend New Year’s at home with my mom, but… I dunno, this year is different.”

He could have continued, an innate need to be supportive. To instill the kind of positive backing he didn’t quite receive growing up; but he didn’t want to cross a line; project his childhood trauma. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand fancy small-town traditions.” Theo would never get use to it, no matter how much time he spent in the spotlight, or attended extravagant dinners. The lifestyles of the wealthy were strange, foreign; and if there was one gracious thing to come out of his retirement it was leaving that stress behind. “I know what you mean—Er well, I mean, usually I go to a friend’s annual party but I guess I’m sort of obligated to go to this one so I guess I’ll see you there.”

[theoxrhodes]

maverickxcallahan:

“You’re not? Shame,” he bumped shoulders with Theo just lightly as he walked past him, shoving his hands into his pockets. “To be alone,” he said flatly, though he didn’t fault the other for wandering as well. “Or really just to complain. And now you’re stuck listening to me.”

The playfulness of the other made him feel a bit more comfortable now, if only a little. “Why don’t you head home then?” Socializing wasn’t much of Theo’s thing either, but ironically he didn’t mind being someone to confide in. “Well, you’re lucky I’m a sucker for complaining.  Bitch away.”

[theoxrhodes]

cassidyxblackwell:

Needing to warm up a little bit from the cold…and because she was a coffee addict, Cassidy walked into the cafe and got in line. She was busy scheduling dates on her phone when she heard what the man in front of her said. “Oh, thank you, but you don’t have to do that,” she says giving him a small smile back. “My order can get a little expensive.” 

Her comment brought a laugh to the surface. “It’s not a problem.” He made the offer without a second thought; his politeness extended past the point of stinginess. “Get whatever you’d like, even add a muffin or a bagel if you’d like.”

[theoxrhodes]

sophiavanderbilt:

          Sophia was happy the New Year had finally come around, the holidays a thing of the past. They had been rather depressing for her, and she was ready to get back into her own little routine, even if it was still rather lonely and not exciting at all. She found herself standing in line at the café to get something hot to drink against the cold weather outside after finishing her shift at the bakery, mindlessly scanning over a few texts from her sisters as a voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up in surprise, not having expected anything like that. “Are you sure?”, she asked, unsure whether the man was really talking to her. “Thank you, that’s really nice. Um – I’ll take a cappuccino please.”

“Of course,” Her uncertainty was brushed away with a hand as the cashier took notice of the order. He handed him cash in turn for the cup of steaming peppermint tea. “I’m not big coffee drinker, but a cappuccino does sound good right now.”

[theoxrhodes]

oliviarcmero:

            Part of Olivia’s plans for New Year was to go buy less food and drinks at stores, and do more at home. Yet here she was, standing in line at the café for a coffee to go. She was really starting the way out right, wasn’t she? But she couldn’t help it when her coffee machine had given up this morning, and she was too lazy to fix it, have it fixed, or buy a new one. Staring up at the menu, she turned her head in surprise as the man standing in line in front of her offered to pay for her order as well. “Oh, thank you. I’ll have just plain black coffee with some sugar, please.”

The orders were simple enough. Theo’s tea and a black coffee, the cups being placed in front of them before Theodore’s card was even swiped for payment. He smiled as he handed the coffee over to the woman. “It’s no problem,” He slipped his wallet back into his pocket before grabbing his own cup. “I hope you have a great day.”

[sbstianstan]

January 7, 1983 | Happy birthday, Brett Dalton!

[theoxrhodes]

maverickxcallahan:

“If you’re looking for the best place to bang, it’s upstairs. No one goes up there,” Maverick tried not to laugh, pushing his hands into his pockets as he walked by Theo, “I’m always hiding from someone. But no one, today. This way to the bathroom, man.”

“To bang?” The question slipped out before he took notice of the meaning. “N-no, No. I’m not looking for anywhere to bang.” He almost motioned to the fact he’d been alone as a quiet blush crossed his cheeks. That type of boldness was something Theodore would most likely never indulge in. “Why are you down here, then?”

[theoxrhodes]

maverickxcallahan:

“Were you really? Isn’t that the excuse everyone gives?” Maverick gave a half smile, pushing his hands into his pockets as he walked towards Theo. Though a part of him slowed because he knew who Theo was related to. “It was a joke, babe. Don’t worry about it. Bathroom is on the other side, though.”

“Uh—yeah. No definitely just looking for the restroom.” He smiled sheepishly, it was always weird being in someone else’s home whom you had no outright connection too. Especially when the guests were to stay in a designated area. “Oh, just over there? Thanks.” He turned in the direction pointed to him but stopped midway. “You good, man? You’re not—like, hiding from someone are you?”

[theoxrhodes]

Reflection

“Oh—this is cheesy.” Theodore wasn’t quite sure how he ended up in the line of the video booth, but he’d follow the masses and taken a seat. His hand awkwardly gripping his knees as he took a deep breath, squinting at the questions listed to the side. Maybe his new years resolution would be to revisit the optometrist for new glasses. The first question already caused his heart to drop, the previous year had been spent in a hospital bed waiting for his leg to heal enough to begin rehabilitation. An exaggerated breath left his lips. “Uh—last year…um, it was nothing special; really just spent the night in bed watching the ball drop.” A few friends had moseyed in and out of the hospital room, a quick visit to drop of a card or flowers pressured by their significant others to purchased. Not many stuck around long, and eventually he was left to spend the New Year count down alone.

“I don’t think I had a resolution last year, or well—any since making the team. I guess that was what I was working towards the whole time, so there was no point in making another since…” Though now it’d been taken away, and for the better part of the year his recovery consumed his thoughts and feelings. Each time his leg and knee ached, it was a reminder that he’d still yet to shake away.

“God, I guess I’m lucky I ended up finding a job here. It’s nice, I still get to be part of the world I grew up in to an extent. And I guess I should mention that I’m lucky I had family to tell me about it and give me an extra room.” He paused, brows heavy. “This isn’t going to be shown to anyone, right? ‘Cause I’m not letting him have that leverage. He’ll hold it over my head for months.” A smile broke as he thought about the potential of Silas teasing him about his debt. Anytime he’d make a quip, he imagined the older male would gently remind him rent was due. “Disappointments? Other than the obvious?” The question struck him far deeper than the surface appearance allowed. If there was one thing that left him hung up more than his ultimate removal from the professional world of baseball, it was the haunting thought of his father’s opinion of it all. If his childhood had ingrained one thing inside his mind, it was that his father would never miss a game on the television. Despite not speaking to him for years, he never doubted the fact that his father had seen his downfall being aired live; just as he’d finally succeeded in reaching his goal. The letter he received months later still sat tucked away in a drawer, he hadn’t found the courage to open it. A part of him naively wished it read ‘It’s okay, you made it.’; but he suspected that wasn’t the case. “Nah, no disappointments really.”

“A catchphrase?” He was laughing again, there was something about the feelings wrapped around this task. He found it almost cringing, but something continued to pull him to confess. An innate need to participate in the giddiness that others seem to feel exiting the booth. “I don’t know, maybe something like ‘Sometimes it takes a while before you know what you want, and that’s okay.’ Is that good? Yeah? Can I go?”

[kingmackie]

“Early morning dance party…of one.” [x]

[theoxrhodes]

becca-lawrence:

“Coffee, black.” She quickly told the barista, the smile over her features remaining in tact. As silly as it might’ve been, it was things like that— a stranger offering to pay for her drink— that made the small town all the more charming. After all, never in a million years would someone have done that for her back in the city. Rather, people were impatient and snippy, as all the workers behind the counter looked like they were on the brink of a nervous breakdown. “Well, when you put it like that, you almost make it sound like a good thing.” Becca chuckled, shaking her head. “And no, really, coffee’s more than enough. Thank you.” 

They needed not wait long as their orders came to the counter, simply and easy compared to the lattes and cappuccinos being order before and after them. He welcomed the warmth of the cup in his hand, still chilled from the weather outside the café. “You can spin almost anything to sound good—just have to find the right tone.” And oppositely, anything could be spun negatively. A trait his own mind has taken a habit of in the past few months; anything could sound convincing if it was said enough times. “It’s no problem. Are you uh—heading to work? Or just enjoying the holidays?’ He felt the need to continue the conversation, rather than just leaving, it felt rude to just walk away after their exchange despite its original intention to be short.

[theoxrhodes]

shaycampbell:

“Well now I feel bad since I didn’t get you crap. Maybe I’ll paper machete something for you— you’re cool with diner menus right?” Were she in better financial straits, Shay would have liked to believe that she might subscribe to the notion. And even if the person she helped didn’t pay forward to the next, at least somebody’s day would be a bit more positive. “Nah, they gave me off till after New Years. I think I might actually do something this year, apparently the Callahan’s are throwing a big to-do or whatever.”

A laugh escaped at her words accompanied by a shake of his head, he always appreciated the humor she brought during their encounters. “Diner menus, newspaper, whatever the medium I’ll take it. You never know how much an original piece by Shay Campbell might be worth one day.” He’d taken notice of the paint that stained her clothes and inquired at the diner, perhaps overstepping his position as a customer. “Oh, yeah. The Callahan New Years party. I heard about that. Everyone at work got an invitation,” Some wealthy attempt at buttering up connection with the local news source, he assumed. “No idea who they are though. Are you planning on going?”