|| 𝖘𝖓𝖔𝖜𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓭 ||

INDI: he's lucky, because i think we could probably work something out. all he's gotta do is look at me with those dimples & everything just ... melts away.

INDI: you've been family to me for awhile now ... you know that, right? for years you've taken care of me. even when i wasn't your responsibility.

INDI: you've got a heart of solid gold, ares byers. fucking gold.

INDI: you know you have me too? you & the girls ..

INDI: i ... yeah, the bonfire.

INDI: i was with him that night ... too...

INDI: that was the last time i was with him, i swear. it just ... happened. & then i talked to you after & we said all of those things & ... i meant every word, you know that, right?

INDI: he was a mistake.

INDI: he's always been a mistake.

INDI: but ... i don't want to think of this baby as a mistake.

INDI: because i think it's what i needed to save me.

INDI: i love you too.

INDI: i've always loved you.

INDI: do you wanna come over later? i mean, i get it... if you don't... because of the whole vince thing. but i... i think i need you right now.

INDI: i know i need you.

ARES: i think he should work harder than that. you're worth it. waiting...all this time.. these years.. will be worth it to be with you.

ARES: i feel the same way. you... came out of the blue, slipped right into my heart, my life. i never expected it, i didn't expect to see you ever again after that night. i did though and i think i knew it then you were going to turn things upside down for me. if you can do that in one night, what the hell could you do in a lifetime.

ARES: i always cared. doesn't matter whose you were.

ARES: thanks for showing me it was worth opening it up to someone again.

ARES: they've loved you for a long time too, and you know indi...i've seen you. with them, you know it in your heart you'll give this child everything, all the love. things they need, what.. maybe we didn't get. i've seen what your heart is capable of...

ARES: you'll do right by them, because you'll want everything for them.

ARES: hes... who you were with?

ARES: guess i have no right to feel anything do i?

ARES: you were free to do that

ARES: am i allowed to ask why? i just wanna know. it was him that first time too... when i came to you that night. remember? and it was him again this time too.

ARES: i just want to understand thats all.

ARES: they'll never be. truth be told, think i'll probably love them no matter.... who.. it is. because they're half you indi.

ARES: indi... all you needed was you to save yourself.

ARES: always?

INDI: a complete idiot, huh? he might have to do a little work, but ... yeah, i still think there's a chance it could work out.

INDI: no, it doesn't have to be ... but it's kinda nice when they are, y'know? i've got my aunt phe & ... a baby, i guess.

INDI: & you.

INDI: i mean. i've... never been good at math, so i could very well be wrong, but i can't be more than a few weeks along. which leaves you, the front runner ... & vince.

INDI: but that was after the bonfire.

INDI: & we were safe. i made sure of that, because... this is not something that we'd handle very well. me & him. our past is just... too rocky. too complicated. this would be the last thing we need.

INDI: probably shouldn't have brought it up over text, huh?

INDI: why ... are you like this?

INDI: this ... kind? accepting? loving?

INDI: most guys would be running for the hills. but, you're ... encouraging, almost?

ARES: definitely a complete idiot. i have a feeling... he'll be willing. more than. if he has a chance.. he probably doesn't even really deserve one.

ARES: yeah... it is kinda nice, knowing you have have family thats not only blood but... chooses you too. that.. means more.

ARES: you'll have me indi... always will and always have. but you know that dont you..?

ARES: you had me since the beginning.

ARES: i... dont understand.

ARES: what.... do you mean after the bonfire???

ARES: we... saw each other that night?

ARES: did something happen with you two??? recently...

ARES: are you saying... its me or him??

ARES: i wish it was in person...

ARES: i wanna see you.

ARES: like what?

ARES: because i love you indi?? i have for a while.

ARES: i'd stand beside you... always, god i just dont wan't you to think you have to do this alone. you wont. ever.

ARES: listen i never said i wasn't scared... but i'll take responsibility if... y'know. i'll love them.

INDI: i tell her the important stuff.

INDI: like, there's this dude that i've kinda been into but it's just like, really complicated. & things just seem to get even more complicated as each day goes on. but... i'm kinda into him no matter what?

INDI: she's the only real family i have. she means everything to me.

INDI: i just... meant it as...

INDI: you're the first person i've told.

INDI: that you're the one i think... is... responsible?

INDI: idk i was uber safe with vince & bas in the past & just... with you... it was like all care went out the window that morning. multiple times, apparently.

INDI: we've never been good at careful... so, it just makes sense.

INDI: you think i've processed the bomb?

INDI: at least there's a chance that you won't have to deal with the residual damage. this... is something i'm stuck with handling from now own. no matter what.

ARES: oh....? you think maybe you and him.. can work it out..? think it's.. still meant to be or? even if he's.. a complete idiot?

ARES: you know family... doesn't have to be blood indi. you.. kinda have family here dont you...?

ARES: do you... need to tell someone else?

ARES: are you going to..?

ARES: think.... i'm the dad..? that this baby might be..ours?

ARES: oh. so is bas... the other guy.....

ARES: vince is kind of out of the picture. my math is good enough to tell me that. a year indi is plenty of time.

ARES: no... we haven't have we..?

ARES: im usually.. somewhat responsible with that, but i guess not when it us.

ARES: i don't think sense is always the answer though

ARES: i.... know okay, i know this is probably harder on you than it is on me... i wanna make it easier indi.

ARES: i just feel blind-sighted.. with that last bit of information but... i guess i have no right

ARES: maybe this wouldn't be residual damage to me indi... ever think of that?

INDI: you... still wanna go?

INDI: she'd love to meet you. i mean, god... she already knows everything about you. because i can't shut my mouth, so.

INDI: i love them. it's MUTUAL.

INDI: ares.

INDI: i...

INDI: i didn't mean it like that.

INDI: i mean, if... it was yours.

INDI: hypothetically speaking.

INDI: what would you say? what would you do?

ARES: i think i do yeah..

ARES: oh you talk about me, what do you tell her then..?

ARES: shes important to you right... i can tell when you tell me about her.

ARES: and they love you... i know that. always will.

ARES: ok. how else did you mean it indi.

ARES: other than they might not be mine?

ARES: your not sure, kind of.. self-explanatory.

ARES: if?

ARES: god i... dont know.

ARES: i'd love them like i love y..... like i love my own siblings, like i raised them since they were babies god

ARES: I dont know, thats kind of hard to ask because i don't want to think.. they could be and then theyre not. don't want to picture it, i haven't even processed before that bomb hit me.

INDI: you know i love paris.

INDI: i wanted to see my aunt.

INDI: AHAH I KNEW IT. THEY LOOOOOOVE ME! aunt indi for the win !!!!

INDI: oh, my stubbornness is amusing? noted...

INDI: a courtesy.

INDI: because...

INDI: it might not be yours.

ARES: i know... we talked about it a lot.

ARES: maybe who knows, if i go i could meet heer too.

ARES: god i really let that one get to your head didn't i? They love you fine.

ARES: sometimes...

ARES: oh.

ARES: ok

INDI: i've got a lot to think about, ares.

INDI: yeah, yeah... i'd like that. i miss them. a lot.

INDI: shut uuuuup, she really is a mini-me, huh? i knew i raised her right.

INDI: would i be mentioning them if they were negative?

INDI: i'm at my place, but like...

INDI: ares, it's not a big deal. i'm only telling you as a courtesy. who knows what this could mean for me.

ARES: just want you to do... whatever makes you happy indi

ARES: they mention you all the time, really i kinda played myself they wanna see you more than even me at this stage.

ARES: she's just as stubborn too, so thats definitely from you, luckily it's amusing

ARES: right okay god i wasnt thinking

ARES: ??? thats... kind of a big deal indi

ARES: what do you mean.. a courtesy?

INDI: maybe, yeah... if i end up going.

INDI: tell her i said hi?

INDI: & orion.

INDI: you know orion is my mini best friend.

INDI: she is my MINI ME !!!!

INDI: um... yeah. i've taken a test.

INDI: like... five of them, actually.

INDI: ahahha...

INDI: shit.

INDI: sorry.

ARES: you don't think you'll go anymoree..?

ARES: maybe... you can come see them some time soon.

ARES: she is a mini you, she's picking up on all your habits.

ARES: and....? they're... positive?

INDI: did she really?

INDI: she's always been smart...

INDI: ...

INDI: i...

INDI: maybe?

INDI: i think...

ARES: yeah she did.. and i have a feeling shes right

ARES: maybe.... ill see you there

ARES: she misses you too.

ARES: oh...

ARES: maybe as in.... have you taken a test or..?

ARES: should... i come over?

INDI: no... no... i'd love for you to still go

INDI: are the girls okay with you spending a few weeks abroad?

INDI: we don't know what it means to be friends.

INDI: or how to say goodbye.

INDI: we're just... good at loving each other.

INDI: i...

INDI: i mean.... i'm... late, ares.

INDI: think about it.

ARES: i thought maybe i could join everyone.. even just for.. a little

ARES: funnily lea basically begged me to go, said if i.. didnt i was an idiot.

ARES: shes pretty smart

ARES: no we don't, but i don't mind never finding out

ARES: wanna keep doing that... not that i'd ever know how to stop..

ARES: thats why you asked....

ARES: you... weren't sure..?

INDI: aha... reminiscing, yeah.

INDI: you're... going to paris this summer?

INDI: we thought that was goodbye... then we thought last week in the library was goodbye... you need to come over later tonight to really make sure we've said goodbye?

INDI: no... i...

INDI: god, no. you don't have to remind me of everything we did... unless you want to?

INDI: i remember... i just... wanted to see if you remembered some of the details because... i....

INDI: i'm um...

INDI: late?

ARES: or is that not it..?

ARES: you've been.. off

ARES: do... you still want me to or is that revoked...?

ARES: guess we're not great with self control...

ARES: or saying goodbye.

ARES: or maybe.. i don't really want to say goodbye anymore..

ARES: i was hoping you were starting to remember

ARES: what.....

INDI: just wondering 😎

INDI: idk, ares. what do friends usually talk about?

INDI: seeing as you're the expert on being just friends...

INDI: first... OR... second?

INDI: i'm just... asking!!!

INDI: asking... remembering 😋

INDI: it's almost 1 a.m... forgive me for wanting to remember all the fun we had?

INDI: sometimes... those... moments...

INDI: are important?

INDI: idk. at least we had fun?

ARES: reminiscing or something..?

ARES: do friends.... ask their friens to go with them to paris...?

ARES: maybe im not as good as i thought...

ARES: yeah we kind of went at it that day... guess we thought it was goodbye....

ARES: is this... some kind of sexting thing... i tell you about all the things i did to you that day?

ARES: or is this a booty call?

ARES: okay then lets say.... i dont think i did.

INDI: sorry, um... that was kinda random, wasn't it?

INDI: listen..

INDI: fuck... idk.

INDI: i'm not pretending like i... don't remember that morning. because i do. i... haven't stopped thinking about it since.

INDI: i'm... just...

INDI: hold on.

INDI: i... usually... ask you to pull out?

INDI: what... are you saying?

INDI: did you... not... pull out?

ARES: yeah a little.

ARES: what indi, whats going on..?

ARES: is this what friendly conversations are like.

ARES: yeah...? i can't stop thinking about it too

ARES: keep waking up imagining it even if I shouldn't

ARES: your just what?

ARES: i mean yeah most of the time you except when we get carried away.

ARES: which time...? first or second..?

ARES: jesus i... don't really remember indi :\

INDI: hi.

INDI: aha um..

INDI: so... question?

INDI: a few weeks ago...

INDI: after the party....

INDI: did... we?

INDI: y'know... do it?

INDI: & like, were we safe?

ARES: hey.....

ARES: how are you..?

ARES: wasn't expecting this questioning

ARES: you mean the next morning indi..?

ARES: ouch okay, we pretending like it... wasn't some of the most intense passionate hot...sex we ever had.

ARES: yeah we did unless you're trying to forget.

ARES: um, i don't... really remember. i don't think so.. you usually ask me to pull out?

wouldn’t be fair of anyone to say that sebastian didn’t care about anyone. since starting at lex  ,  a few people have stuck their way into the small heart that he possessed. ares  ,  coming from such a similar background  ,  was one of the biggest reason bas was starting to realize it was okay to feel. for the longest time he just thought he couldn’t but slowly realized that he wasn’t letting himself. spent enough time with ares to start to allow himself  &  his first amount of care definitely went back to ares. would do anything for him. knew that this care was different from the care he felt for bren , so it didn’t scare him as much. but it was still a lot. it was a lot to let someone into his life to closely  ,  but they were special to each other and that was just a fact. wasn’t something that bas could really deny at this point. doesn’t think ares would let him.  “  disappointed  ?  you think i’m out here judging you  ,  ares  ?  i’m not. look at you. i’m not surprised you have that bottle i your hand.  ”  sits down with ares  ,  taking both the bottle and his phone from him and securing them out of his reach.  “  shut up. i’m here because i want to be. it’s not pity or disappointment. you’re my fucking friend so save it.  ”  voice isn’t harsh  ,  but serious.  “  yeah. you did. and tomorrow when you’re sober  ,  you’ll fix it.  tonight  ?  i’ve got you. okay  ?  ”

ares wasn’t surprise, knew what bas was capable of. a heart was bigger than he even realized and he hoped he was starting to figure that out. maybe even allow himself to care a little about him too, the way ares cared for bas. felt some inexplicable pull.. a connection that the pair had found some time ago.  hadn’t expected tonight to go like this, never planned on getting this out of control but didn’t have a choice as soon as the liquor slid down his throat drowned out the emotions he was trying to appease. he was like a moth to a flame and god was he ashamed of it. nothing... not a hint of judgement came from the presence beside him. without an explanation without a word just... knew what he needed, what led him here. ❝ maybe it’s because i’m actually disappointed in myself. yeah... not surprising huh. it’s what i always do. does... everyone know? ❞ knew bas didn’t mean it like that, ares had never truly explained it what one substance had meant to him, he’d hinted and at his mom too. he never truly had to say the words for him to know. fingers lingered a little too long on the bottle before ultimately giving it up. ❝ your friend? ❞ a sly smile curving up. ❝ can i savour that for a little? it’s nice to hear. but.. you’re a good one you know that. friend i mean. i... never asked you to come and yet here you are bas. you knew... i don’t know how you just always do. what i need.. ❞ hadn’t looked yet, wanted to but right now the soft glow of the night was dark enough to cover what he wanted to ignore a little longer. ❝ you believe in me that much hmm? why? always seem too. so did.... you come alone tonight..? ❞

VINCE: we can be normal? I don't understand

VINCE: I'm have no feelings about this, ares

VINCE: well, i think you're being dumb

VINCE: yeah, it's been a minute?

ARES: i dunno okay, i just was worried for a bit. even when you said we were fine i didn't know if you were just saying it for me.

ARES: i think i know that now

ARES: mmmm but you still love me..

BAS: you know what i shouldn't have.

BAS: he said he can't lose me. i told him to come over but i don't know what's going to happen

BAS: yes. caring. wanting. everything. he's so... god. he's so perfect. and i'm not. i'm a fucking mess.

BAS: because it felt different. everything about him is different. and i'm just going to ruin him.

ARES: i'm asking not what you should but what you want. are you just scared of letting yourself have it maybe, letting yourself really want him because how much it could mean?

ARES: do you wanna lose him...?

ARES: no ones perfect but hes good for you bas. honestly i believe that.

ARES: you've done everything.. all of it for everyone else for so long. you need to start doing things.. for you bas. it's not wrong to want something.. or someone. to try. and just so you know i've never thought so.. i've never for a second thought of you as a mess.

ARS: and i have a feeling he hasn't either. he knows exactly who you are, i think you're probably more real with him.. than maybe even me and he accepts who you are, maybe even brings out the parts you weren't sure you could.

ARES: because you think you've ruined things in the past or because this actually matters more than everything else?

ARES: he believes in you, even i see that. i think everyone does. trusts himself with you