AD ASTRA PER ASPERA

INTROS & INFO

Zach

Siobhan (Shiv)

Bronx

North

she watches the whole thing happened, an already-crooked mouth tugging into a half smile before she’s pretending that she wasn’t paying attention. but daphne has always kept her eyes on other people — other things — and the abrupt expulsion of the coffee back into the mug definitely has her attention. 

letting out a soft snort, the blonde gives one nod of her head, cheek falling to rest against her cheek. 

“the tea is pretty good. so is the juice, and there’s a smoothie place just down the street if you’re into those. there’s always a milkshake, too? plenty to drink besides the coffee.”

-

the diner was not the most crowded place at the time he left the gym, so it has almost become a habit to pass by to get a good breakfast before getting ready for work. he had never been a good cook. black coffee and sunny side up eggs with a double side of bacon- he didn’t even need to order. by that point almost every person in the diner knew his order. he usually sat by the bar- he felt bad to use a full table or a booth if it was just him, and usually nobody ever came around, but that morning seemed different. eddie felt almost embarrassed about the way his hair was all messed up by sweat and he could only hope his smell was not too bad to scare the other (or anyone) away. 

“i mean… probably,” eddie responded, taking a sip from his own coffee. “i don’t know that i’m the right person to ask, though. it’s all i order here. it’s good, if it matters.”

-

…

“a scotch man, hmm?” she took a moment to consider the idea. she could just blow this guy off and go about her day like it was nothing, but another look at him and made up her mind. this guy looked like money and that was exactly what emerson liked in a man. she left the phone on the table, it would find the original owner eventually, that was no longer her problem. she got up from where she was sitting and started towards the door, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk to make sure he was following her. “so what brings you to town? i’ve never seen you before.” though, em has only been here for a short amount of time herself, but he didn’t need to know that.

-

“Well, it depends on the situation, to be honest; but I suppose it is something I could drink even though it’s still... rather early”, Noah commented while looking at his watch. He followed her towards the exit, although big eyes looked back and forth between her and the phone on the table. “Hey, uh... your phone”, he commented while grabbing it. “Ah, a bit of a distraction”, he lied, “been everywhere, but the small mysterious towns of the US, so I said... why not?”, Noah laughed. “Although...”, and this was his ego speaking, “...I’m kinda surprised you don’t recognize me”. Please, bachelor of the decade, star on the red carpets, in the top 10 of the most influential under 30 by Forbes. Was Centralia this locked out from the rest of the world? They had to have at least a television, right?

           the first thing bowie notices is that she’s never see him before . he looks  cute  expensive . the kind of expensive you don’t talk to . you would think bowie would be the last person you have to worry about talking out of turn , but rather the words come more easily then , a form of subconscious and personal protest . when eyes turn toward the scene noah is creating , bowie hops out of the to - go order line and slides into the booth acroos from noah . ‘  hot chocolate …  ’ bowie replies as if he had turned directly toward her and picked her from the line up to aid his crisis . bowie adds , ‘  i get whipped cream on mine , but you can get it without .  ’

-

…

emerson turned to face the man who spoke to her, her attention was pulled away from the phone in her hand, a phone that may or may not belong to her. she set it down before anyone could get a good look at it and notice how the wallpaper had a picture that was clearly not of her family. her eyes raked over the new comer, taking stock of him for a second. “if you’re looking for a good drink, this is not the place. unless you like burnt coffee and flat soda,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “i could point you in the direction to a decent bar if that’s the type of drink you’re looking for.” sure, it was early in the day, but emerson was never one to follow social rules like when it is or is not okay to drink. 

-

He was cordial, maybe with a smile a bit too Hollywood™, but cordial nonetheless. Noah’s clothes were absurdly clean even after walking around town half of the day. He did not pay attention to whatever entertained her hands, it would be rude to not look at her face while she talked. “A bar...”, he repeated as if considering it, “I suppose it is never too early to drink a scotch”, he replied even though he would rather save alcohol for later in the day, but it was a good chance to know more about the town as a whole. “Please, lead the way”, Noah insisted before pulling his wallet out and leaving a bill on the table to pay for what he had ordered.

                “Oh. Uhm... yeah, no”.

Dae-Hyun Noah discreetly spit back the black coffee into the mug. In the best scenario it was toilet water and in the worst... instant coffee ( can you tell his priorities? ). He had just arrived that same morning and he thought about trying the local cuisine, but maybe entering the first diner next to the street was not the very best idea.

His attention was caught by someone nearby, though and with the brightest and most embarrassed smile he could give, the bachelor spoke.

⌠ Kim Mingyu . 25, heterosexual, cis male, he/him. ⌡ wait a minute, is Dae-Hyun “Noah” Moon still in town? i thought i saw a flash of (nonstop camera flashes at a red carpet, eerie whispers in your ear in the middle of the night, violent fires)! last i heard they were working as businessman and trust fund baby nearby. when it’s the (libra)’s birthday on 10/3 i forget that they’re idealistic and celebrate that they’re kind. i hear DON QUIXOTE by SEVENTEEN every time i think of them. 

Buckle up because this story is full of dirty money, disgusting fame and a bunch of ghost! Also, I think this is my first or second time writing a character like this so pls be patient with me.

Death tw

             since being back lake has been even less structured than usual . lake had given himself enough time in topanga canyon , and california in general . in a lot of ways life felt easier there . well , everything except driving , which was a bitch . it felt easy to be a non conforming human in a place with a population so big no one really sees you . lake kind of missed being seen . kind of missed feeling safe despite all of the ways centralia is obviously not safe . 

                they had been moving stuff in and out of storage by their lonesome because asking bribing for help is easier to do when you feel connected to people . being away was making lake feel seriously disconnected . zach , in all his poisonous flowered glory , is exactly the medicine the doctor ordered . 

                without hesitation , lake takes one long look at zach and then puts arms around him , holding him there . ‘  you have no idea how happy i am to see you .  ’ before pulling away from zach , lake lingers to press lips against his cheek in sheer gratitude and excitement . 

-

Zachary utters a giggle of ACTUAL happiness the moment they wrap arms around him. Big hands help to keep the hug steady and solid as he takes in Lake’s scent, something that had turned a little vague at this point, but never forgotten. His mind goes to blueberries, wet soil and drinking white wine during an everlasting sunset. Fierce and wild, yet delicate.

What a way to brush his ego, adoration, he loves feeling it and Lake’s kiss on his cheek just crowns the feeling wonderfully. Maybe this time, ( just this time ), he can be a little more... lenient and less Machiavellian. A big grin is on his lips as they both finally manage to pull back, but Zach keeps the touch consistent with one of his hands holding theirs softly.

lucifer knew the risk he was taking when he sat beside bronx. normally their relationship is silent understandings and requests that are usually asked in a polite tone. it’s not bronx’s fault that lucifer is in a sour mood, but as their response hits his ears, the male can’t help but release a prickly sigh. it’s directed at himself mostly, at his behavior and his attitude when it came to other people these days, but he can’t help it. the popping of the cap in bronx’s hands has nearly sent him into a mental breakdown, though it wasn’t like lucifer to let emotions pass over his features. without a word, he reaches over to pluck that pesky pen right out of his employee’s hand, immediately slipping it into his pocket and out of sight. if he can control anything right now, he absolutely will.

“you know you’re the only person allowed to insult me without repercussions, correct? anyone else tells me i have an ogre face and they get fired, but you? you get more slack than you probably should.” the fingers of his un-casted hand tap against the counter slowly, creating a rhythmic noise that provides comfort for only a split second before his head is whipping in bronx’s direction. he wasn’t sure if he’d heard them correctly, and after slow blinking just a few times, he finally musters up a short response.

“excuse me?”

-

Puffing their cheeks, Bronx surrenders the attempts with the marker once it is taken from his hands, although a pout can be seen for some seconds as if silently complaining. Still, they are satisfied Lucifer had enough patience to not cut his hand off out of annoyance. They pull the lollipop out of his mouth with loud pop as his sadness goes away immediately right after the boss speaks up.

A grin spreads over his face as he bounces on his seat and rests his face on his palms; elbows on the counter keep him stable as he sways softly while gloating on Lucifer’s words. Pointing out the boss’ kindness is tempting, but he’s not ( that ) stupid. “Yes, sir! And I appreciate wholeheartedly, believe me”, Bronx replies with a proud expression ---it was definitely something he would brag about at the dressing room later that night. “Besides, I always do a good job, don’t I?”, ah, there goes the need of approbation. Even if Bronx calls themself a rebel, he always needs the approval of those close to him ( if you can consider Lucifer someone close to them, of course ).