Finding a Better Way

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Mandy#9140

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❖   Bio Post 

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Phoebe flipped her long waves away from her face, blowing unruly locks back and tucking them behind her ears. “As in from the fall or in generally speaking?” Phoebe smiled, a small wrinkle of her nose before she waved her hand about. “I’m sorry. You’d think by now I’d remember where the steps are and- but titos and the high of such a stellar performance,” She shrugged her shoulders sucking in a breath. “You gonna sing- you look like a man who could make someone weep with the sound of their voice.”

☈

Laughing lightly, he crossed his arms against his torso lightly. “Until I’ve been proven otherwise - both.” He answered, simply joking with the other. Though he was sure that she had too many drinks to care if he was sincerely insulting her, which he wasn’t. Chuckling, he switched the weight between his feet, wishing now he could hear her sing again and pay attention to her voice instead of his drunk friends’ high pitch laughter. Though when she asked if he was going to sing, another huffing laugh passed his lips. “Well, thank you - I think, but I will leave the singing to those who can sing.” He answered. “Though you should probably redeem yourself and get back up there.”

☈

After walking Rover, Aidan was too exhausted after his shower to do anything for himself - at least his Keurig, it didn’t take him long to get his regular cup of coffee. Though as for his food - he just decided to go to the nearby diner. Considering Aidan knew it would be slightly dangerous with driving on how tired he is, he just decided to walk over to the diner instead. At the very least, it woke him up a little, but he was so excited for food than anything. As he walked past the doors, he passed a girl at one of the booths sketching, and it caught his eye. More times than not, Aidan tries to take breaks at Bethany’s Place, giving his brain to restart a bit, and one way he spent that time was doing a few sketches of his own.

“Uh, sorry for staring.” He eventually said when he realized he was borderline staring. “Your sketch is just excellent.” He complimented, being 100% sincere.

WHO - open @villagestart​

WHEN - right now 

WHERE - Karaokee club in Hells Kitchen 

Going up to the stage Phoebe sang her song of choice- a classic that was decided on thanks to three Titos with lime and water and a lot of inflated confidence. Dancing Queen, by Abba ended and Phoebe hoped off stage nearly stumbling over another person. “Oh woops-” She was tipsy, a giggle pushing past her lips. “Sorry just trying to slowly take out all the competiton.”

☈

Again, Aidan wasn’t sure why he allowed his friends to talk him to weird ideas, but there he was, getting ready to spend time with his friends at a Karaoke Club. Maybe it was because his drinks weren’t strong enough, or his friends were just lightweights - could be both truthfully. Either way, Aidan took his last sip of his Jack & Coke, got out of the booth, and walked towards the bar. However, he accidentally ran into a woman coming off the Karaoke stage on his way to the bar. Instinctively, Aidan’s arms stuck out just in case he needed to catch her - but when it seemed like she was settled on her feet, he tucked his hands in his pockets. 

“Well, sorry to say you have bad aim.” He lightly joked with a small smile. “Are you alright, though?”

—

The benefit of having more money than sense, as Finn liked to put it, meant that no one in his orbit would go without. In Aidan’s case, it meant that he was more than happy to put in a significant amount into back the research center where they currently stood. He knew how much this meant to his friend. The Mr. Harrington made him scoff a laugh, although they did have to keep up some pretence of professionalism with the other board members around. “It’s nice to see where all my money is going,” he teased, knowing that it was more to see a friend than to take inventory. “I do, actually. Lots of big medical words I don’t understand. Perhaps we should discuss them in your office,” his last statement was leading, hoping that they could get out of this stuffy boardroom and talk casually. 

☈

Laughing at Finn’s light joke about where his money is going. “There were times I thought about using some of that money into opening up an open bar right across from the lab.” He joked with a settled laugh. Even though the inheritance money started his research center, he put the rest into a savings account - he knew that he would need some kind of finical help to ensure this place stays afloat and not crush in the middle of his mission. Some parts of him hated the support he was ‘pleading’ for, but the other parts knew without Finn’s help, Bethany’s Place would crash and burn just on his inheritance alone. “Sure. I just have to say goodbye to a few more people, but my office is your office - make yourself at home.” He said, lightly tapping his shoulder. “Oh, I do have to warn you that my German Shepherd, Rover is in there. He’s friendly - he won’t bite, I promise.” He warned before he made his way over to the few more businessmen and women waiting for him.

It only took a minute or two to get everyone out of the meeting room and the research building. One of his scientists offered to clean up the room so he could attend to Finn Harrington - grateful he finally made his way to his office. Rover immediately greeted him when he walked into the room. Once the door was closed over, he sighed a little. “Sorry about that - so, what are the questions you have?” 

♡ 

she smiled bright shaking her head, “and you two are my favorite too.” she said looking from the male to the pup laying not too far away, “especially you Rover, i don’t think i’d be able to survive a trip without you.” she teased before glancing back to aidan a teasing smirk on her lips before she shook her head, “you’re really not going to stop hearing thank you from me anytime soon then…” she laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around herself tilting her head to look up at him. she was truly grateful for aidan always being there no matter even in their current type of relationship. even with no strings attached he was someone she was always going to care for no questions asked.

she laughed shaking her head a bit was they slowly walked to her kitchen, “see i knew rover loved being here. i’m keeping that promise to keep him away from your office as long as i can… after the movie is done.” she said clasping her hands together a light chuckle passing through her lips. once in the kitchen she turned to him eyes wide and a smile on her face before she took his phone into her hands mouth dropping slightly, “this is like pasta heaven… can we try to do this? this is the way to my heart and soul right here.” she question scrolling through the recipe to make sure she had everything needed before lifting her eyes to look at him handing back the phone, “i mean if we fuck it up we know never to try again and chinese will be on call.” she smiled wide swaying from side to side to show her excitement. “but again if this is a no we can accept defeat right now and just take the easy way out.” 

☈

Aidan laughed when she looked over at Rover; shaking his head - he shrugged his shoulders lightly. “I can’t even be offended by that.” He joked, continuing to give his attention to the other. “Well, then you will never stop hearing the phrase and welcomes.” He said, softly cupping her cheeks and kissing her forehead. Smiling over his shoulder at her, he nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure Rover would want to move in with your movie is finished,” He joked but was also being somewhat sincere in his words. Chuckling, Aidan nodded and took his phone back after she was done. “Your wish is my command.” He said, looking through the ingredients himself. Luckily Aidan knew his way around Alessandra’s kitchen, at least enough to cook her a proper meal. Thus he began to grab the pot, a cutting board, and a knife. “I mean, if you like my omelets - I think I can handle a pasta pie.” Or so he hoped, one thing he didn’t like was wasting food - but suppose that was part of their fun as well. “Besides, I don’t either of us will accept defeat so easily.” He said with a grin and slight wink over his shoulder at her. Once he was set up, he looked to see if he was missing anything before looking over at Alessandra. “Alright, how about I can be your chef for tonight, and you be our DJ?” He offered and waited for her response.

starter: open location: a boxing gym in brooklyn

in the downtime, kai had taken up his coach’s request to try something new — to train. far used to being ordered around himself. a slightly confusing request, kai was never really known for being much of a people person. but after weeks of being nagged, he finally relented. todays client was brand new, kai didn’t quite know their name. he got a call earlier in the day from his coach requesting ( if you asked kai it was more along the line of a demand ) to come in and work with a newbie in the gym. sauntering out of the changing rooms, kai latently unravels the boxing gauze encasing his wrist, palm, and thumb, after his own short sparing session with a banging bag in the corner. he glances up to an unfamiliar face, promptly assuming the was the individual referred to by his own coach, “you here for the class ??”

( @villagestart​ )

☈

The few friends Aidan does have, are the ones who never blew smoke up your ass - they told Aidan like how it is, and even though there are times Aidan didn’t want to hear it - they wouldn’t allow him just to block them out. In the long run, he is grateful for, and after recent endeavors with his research, he needed to blow off some steam, which prompted his friends to tell him to take up boxing since running wasn’t doing the trick anymore. At first, he was opposed to it, saying he didn’t have time - but eventually, he budged and sketched out a day to check out a boxing gym in Brooklyn. Changing into some gym shorts and a tank, he drove over to the gym. He reminded himself to open his mind to possibly and eventually take classes here, considering he could already tell his mind was forming some excuse about not taking classes here. Walking into the gym, he glanced around and couldn’t lie - he was impressed. However, a male pulled his attention away from his surroundings. “Not here for the class, but just checking it out to see if I would want to take a class here.” He answered.

♡ 

the smile on alessandra’s features was easy to stay in tact as she stared up at aidan, she even let out a small laugh as she shook her head, “don’t you worry we can’t let rover or you be confined to small spaces just to escape with me.” she said before she bit the inside of her cheek lightly nodding her head as she listened to him then, “thank you really, and i’m always going to mean it when i say you believing in me helped a lot.” she the corners of her mouth lifting a bit as she listened to his advice. he was right not everyone was going to love it but it would help her though she didn’t really think one movie was going to change her attitude about life.

letting her hands fall to her side as he turned toward her kitchen she shook her head, “nothing’s weird i just didn’t know… i dont want you to have to take rover all the way home after dragging him here in the first place,” she shook her head again brows furrowed before letting out a breath, “i did some light shopping so it all depends on what we’re in the mood for? we can go simple and make some sort of pasta? or go all out and find a recipe that will wow us but we’ll potentially screw up. and just have to order takeout. ” she laughed at her own thoughts of doing that before she shook her head again in thought as she followed behind him only to stop short when he turned to face her again, “okay okay we’ll make something here, it’d be easier to celebrate if we’re in one place.” she smiled softly looking up at him.

☈

“This is why you’re our favorite.” He teased through a small laugh. Although, Aidan wasn’t kidding when he was referring to Alessandra being Rover’s favorite. If they ever did that challenge of who would your dog follow - he didn’t doubt Rover would follow Alessandra. Not that his pup didn’t love him - there was just some kind of ‘bound’ that male dogs and female humans share that males can’t interfere. Nodding a little, the smile never dimmed. “Anytime - I’ll always believe in you enough for the both of us.” And then some. The least Aidan could do, is be her support system as much as he possibly could. After all, she has always meant more to him than just a simple friend with benefits - and probably always will. 

Hummed, he bobbed his head to the side a little in thought. “You’re right. Plus, I’m sure Rover would throw a protest the entire way home.” He said and is being completely sincere in his words, listening to Alessandra’s suggestion of throwing together something they could find and make it. Laughing at the last thing she said about them messing up and having to order in instead, only because it will more than likely happen. Aidan is a somewhat good cook, but he’s far from being a gourmet chef.  Nodding at Alessandra’s decision to stay in and cook, he turned towards the fridge while pulling out his phone. “So, I heard about this one recipe called The Ultimate Pasta Pie.” He started pulling up the recipe and glanced it over before giving the phone to Alessandra to get her thoughts on it. “Or should we just jump the wasting food part and order some Chinese or something?”

@aidanhaydcn​​

The bi-annual board meetings at Bethany’s place were not necessarily boring, but more unnecessary. At least for Finn. They always wanted to make sure that the benefactors would continue on for the next financial year but Finn had no interest in pulling his funding. The only he came was to see what progress had been made with the various research endeavors they supported. But as the meeting wrapped up, lots of hands were shook and various other meetings made. Finn looked around for the familiar face that started it all. “There he is,” Finn walked up with his usual demeanor. “My favorite neuroscientist.” Aidan was the only neuroscientist he knew, but that seemed irrelevant. 

☈

Business meetings were the one thing he hated about owning a Neuroscience Research lab - he understood their importance to an extent. Still, Aidan much prefers to be in his lab where he felt like he was doing something rather than stuck in a room with men and women in suits more expensive than his car. Ergo, when the meeting was finally over, and he had to shake a few more hands before the majority of the board left, felt somewhat relieved when a friendlier face walked up. Grinning at his ‘benefactor,’ he offered his hand towards the other. “Mr. Harrington - I’m glad you were able to come around today.” He said sincerely before tucking his hands in his front pockets. “Did you have any questions about the presentation?”

No, Aidan wasn’t sure how long it’s been since the last time he saw Jamie, though he knew it was about time the two saw one another. Since the last time they saw one another, a lot has happened - sure, they would text each other, but there are only so many things you can text your close friend instead of dishing it out face-to-face. Telling a good friend any kind of news has always been better face to face, and he was confident that that wasn’t ever going to change - at least not for him. Ergo, the two made plans to meet up at the coffee shop. Aidan is pressing pause on his mission/project at Bethany’s Place and trying to get a fresh start, a hopefully new perspective on how to tackle his mission of perfecting depressants. Though another reason why he pressed paused on his neuroscience mission is because of Freya and Morgan. Both have reminded him/showed him that one of his greatest fears is dying alone. Once he was at the coffee shop, the barista already knew him and his order by heart - thus, when they saw him, all he had to do was pay and wait for the coffee. Although Jamie came before the coffee - Aidan beamed, “Jamie - hey stranger!” He called out, getting up to hug his longest, close friend.

-

she let out a laugh shaking her head a bit “dont worry you dont have to figure out ways to sneak both you and rover into my suitcase. i’m still going to be around to bug you like crazy.” she said through her laughs. as they stood there and the thoughts swarmed around how she actually felt a bit freer than the last time they hung out her smiles now were real they didn’t seem to be forced, she could breath (though that could be because they were in her apartment rather than an old building) as her smile grew. she was never well with compliments so when aidan began to say he was proud of her a small pout crossed with a smile formed on her lips, “thank you for believing in me… i dont know if the world will like it but i hope so..” she said softly 

her hands clasping together behind his head she looked over her shoulder at the pup laying just inches away from the two of them before shaking her head before she looked back to aidan, “you know you can leave rover here…” she suggested only because she knew the pup had been here many times before, “or we can celebrate here? either cook or order out i mean unless thats weird…” she furrowed her brows as she rambles a bit shaking her head. she knew what they had wasn’t normal only because he had somehow slipped through the cracks of making her care more for him than she would have any other friend with benefits sort of person in the past. she let out a soft breath, “i’m okay with whatever you want to do…” she spoke quietly again.

☈

Huffing an entertained laugh, Aidan’s expression turned dramatic. “Thank god - because I would not be able to squeeze into any kind of suitcase that didn’t look suspicious. Not to mention Rover hates confined spaces.” He joked as his features fell into a settled smile. Though his eyes narrowed when he saw the small pout form on her, he was just about to say something, but Alessandra beat him to the speaking stick. “I will never stop believing in you.” He stated sincerely. “Well, if not the whole world - I’ll be there to knock some sense into them. Although, some say it’s healthy to have some ‘haters’ to keep you grounded.” Only in the last part of his words did he hear his mother’s comforting words of, not everyone in the world will love you, Aidan.

Aidan’s eyes followed hers to Rover but fell back on her just a second later as she started to speak up. Rover wasn’t the kind of dog to tare things up around the house whenever he was left alone, upset, or simply playful - plus, he’s been here with Aidan more times than not. Though it was the last thing Alessandra said that made his brows furrowed in thought. “What’s weird? Leaving Rover here, the cooking for you, or ordering out - because we’ve done it all before.” Reaching up to her hands, he softly grabbed them and pulled them away just so he was able to turn slightly towards the kitchen. “Well, do you have anything I can cook up? Or do we need to hit the market?” He questioned. 

Spinning around towards the other, he shook his head. “Not how it’s going to work. We’re celebrating you, Alessandra. So, you get to decide what you want to do.”

𝒜𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓃  𝒫.  𝐻𝒶𝓎𝒹𝑒𝓃'𝓈  𝒯𝒶𝓈𝓀𝓈  𝒪𝓃𝑒 - 𝐹𝒾𝓋𝑒

                                                      //

                                         𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 "𝐎𝐧𝐞"

@villageinspo