BAD HABITS

location:old town ale house

status: closed to @atticusxmcclain​​​​​

date: january 6th

“Okay — I am so sorry I’m late. Our last job for the day ended up being on the complete other side of the city and my new temp partner drives slower than my grandmother on a bad day.“ Isabella explained upon her arrival as she offered the other a smile in greeting. “If Brandon isn’t back soon I might just loose it.” She added, though she knew better than to take out her own frustrations on someone that was attempting to fill boots far too big for his own feet. Exhaling a sigh she settled onto the barstool next to him, hands encircling the bottle of beer that was already awaiting her before she turned somewhat to face the other. “But enough complaining from me. You looked rather cozy with a certain mystery woman before everything went to hell on New Years Eve — have you been holding out on me, Ace?”

...

"How is Brandon doing?” Atticus had only heard bits and pieces around the compound about the two of theirs who had been shot in the whole New Years Eve fiasco. “Also no one likes a grandma driver. Maybe you should tell them that.” He chuckled as he held his glass of whiskey between his fingers as he brought it up to his lips, taking a sip of it as he let his eyes drift over towards her. He tilted his head to the side for a second at Isabella’s question, thinking back to New Years Eve. He had not only been close and cozy with Brielle but he knew he had been a little too cozy with Ezra on the dance floor. His head turned to look away from her as he remembered seeing her in a certain Vronsky’s embrace. “Could say the same about you, Marino.”

Violet’s gaze sweeps the ballroom before they locate the tall blonde immersed in what seemed like a lively discussion. She juts her chin that direction and smiles, “Blonde with the glasses, his name’s Dominik.” she answers smile growing a bit. It was nice seeing him in his element sure he was charming those in his presence with ease. Vi sighs at the thought, “It does I feel like I’ve aged a hundred times over in that time.” she’s exaggerating of course. Although the events of the past year have made her more worried, wistful for a time before, and overall weary where she felt it at the centre of her bones. If that didn’t translate into growing up in a short amount of time she didn’t know what did. Atticus’ words bring back a smile once more, was she really that convincing? Only a couple months ago her life felt like it had fell apart and she wasn’t sure if being able to hold it all together was something she should be proud of. “Of course,” she nods easily, resolutions were something she’d done for years now. It was a way to try to structure her year, have things to improve on or be hopeful for. “Number one, make it to the end of the year.” she was going to add without any injury but apparently those things were out of her control. The building almost collapsing in on her at LITE and then the fire on Halloween flashed into her mind before Violet shook her head. “Two, try to get enough pieces for my very own exhibition.” she continued listing the the third finger wiggling. “And three is still up in the air. Hoping to find inspiration from others.”

...

Atticus glanced over towards the direction her chin tilted, finding his gaze to land on none other than Dominik Vronsky. What was up with the Marino sisters and the damn Vronsky boys? He pressed his lips together as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.  “Hot,” he muttered as she turned his head back towards her. “Honestly, everything does feel like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?” He brushed his tongue along his lower lip as he turned his head towards the bar. Suddenly a drink sounded more and more appealing.  He let his eyes rest on her as she started to list off the resolutions she had planned, his head tilting to the side when she mentioned making it to the end of the year. “If you think I’d let anything happen to you, Vi. You’re sadly mistaken.” He said as he gave her a soft smile. “I also think you’ll get enough pieces into your own exhibition. You’ve always been crafty.”

On account of knowing Atticus for more years than most he knew her all too well to read through the lie she’d told. Violet didn’t hide the wide grin as she shook her head in answer, “I have not, but I plan to and that has to count for something!” She needed to find Dominik  some point soon, having left him to talk to some important looking people earlier. “Worked so well for us,” she joked nudging him playfully and regarded him with a watchful gaze. “That’s exciting though, you look…it’s nice seeing you happy about someone.” she smiled nothing but sincerity in her tone as they reached the bar and quickly ordered when they snagged the bartender’s attention. “So make up your resolutions for the year?”

...

Atticus knows that there isn’t a single person who knows the real him. Each person in his life believes what they want to see about him and the only person who is fully aware of the real him is Fletcher but that’s because the both of them had to do things to remain loyal, to keep the wheels of their lives turning without anyone knowing better. His eyes lift up to look past Violet towards Brielle, clearing his throat as he drops his gaze back down towards her. “Who is your date?” He asks even though he fully knows who her date is along with Isabella’s date. He shakes his head with a low chuckle as she nudges him. “That feels like a lifetime ago.” He thinks back to their relationship as he nods his head. “You look happy too,” even though the last thing he wants is for Violet to be in the hands of a Vronsky. He shakes his head as he leans against the bar, turning his head to look over at her. “Not a single one.” He knows better than to make promises he can’t keep. “What about you?”

“Well you might’ve just missed me!” Violet responds although she hadn’t hit the dance floor yet. Dominik was making the rounds and she’d figure she’d do the same. “Don’t think you’d notice anyway with that brunette on your arm,” she quickly added grin widening as the walked turning  to face him. “Sooo,” she trails with a slight nudge against his side. “Tell me all about her!” she says excitedly approaching the bar and ordering.

...

Atticus chuckled. “I think you’re full of it. You haven’t touched the dance floor at all tonight, have you?” He mused, arching a brow at her as he turned his head to look over his shoulder in the direction of Brielle, a lazy grin coming along his features. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?” He cleared his throat, turning his head to look back at Violet. “It’s fresh... We’ve been friends for a while and I’m pretty sure there are feelings... I figured why not try.” He tilted his head down to look at his feet. Although Atticus had never been good at determining what he was feeling or not and if someone was fully aware of that it was Violet.

This sucked. Ezra’s sisters were keeping her out of any plans since the incident happened and when she tried to prove herself, show them that she was as good as new and ready to spring back into action all she ever received were cautious stares. The truth was that it infuriated her and that wasn’t something she ever thought she’d feel towards family. And then there was also the whole situation with Atticus and her best friend. Ezra didn’t want to think about that but she knew where her loyalties would lie and that’s always be with Brielle, and they looked good together at the party. Not that she was staring, she’d only stolen a glance at them a few times. Or maybe a bit more than a few times… where were they now? “A-Atticus.” Ezra chocked out in surprise. What’d he just say? “You and Brielle, too. Look, uh, beautiful I mean.” What? She propped up a smile and then stared at his palm for a moment. She needed to be less obvious about her feelings. “I am.” She claimed, still staring at his hand. “A blast actually.” What? It was funny how the woman could go from cool, calm, and collected while training others or on a mission but the second he was near her all of her guards dropped. “But I suppose a dance wouldn’t hurt.” She took his hand after realizing that it looked like she was leaving him hanging.

...

In his entire life, Ezra had been a friend for as long as he could remember. His dad had worked for her dad and the two of them had even been friends. It's how he had met the Marino and even the Williams. He knew the relationship he had with Ezra was one he cherished and that he'd never let go of. A low chuckle left his lips.  "Brielle and I appreciate the compliment." He mused as he started to walk them towards the dance floor. Her hand in his, the way it somehow jumped started his heart and it was a feeling he had to ignore because he was dating Brielle. Someone who had been sweet, funny, kind. She didn't deserve to be led on which was why he started their relationship. He stopped in the middle of the dance floor, turning himself to face her as he settled his arm around her waist as the other hand held hers. "Anyone catch your eye tonight?" He asked, hoping his normal tone was heard instead of an unsteady one.

While it isn’t something she was born into, life with her brothers had taught her that some things simply couldn’t be spoken about - it was easier to let secrets lie, and neither of them undertook the kind of responsibility that Atticus did as an assassin. She’d yet to even mention anything to him about her last conversation with Fletcher, hadn’t brought up that maybe.. maybe she’d want to walk down the same path one day. Something about his question twists the organ tightly in her chest, for all the things that surprised her most about Atticus, how unbelievably vulnerable he could be was one she’d never forget. “I know what I’m getting into,” her hand rises, cupping gently at the edge of his jaw, “I wouldn’t be here with you if I didn’t.” Perhaps, she wouldn’t be here at all, if it weren’t for all that she was tasked with. Lips purse and she catches her lesser lip between her teeth, mulling the sound of her laugh as she follows his gaze, “Awww, well..” A sharp inhale and doe hues turn back up to him, “I guess that depends on what I end up telling him about you, doesn’t it?”

...

There is no telling where this night will go and it’s impossible for him to feel completely relaxed walking into uncharted territories like this. His hands rest easy on the woman’s hips because he knows the second they walk through those double doors and the world sees them hand in hand, the speech from Fletcher will come, a big brother speech from Tommy and an noticeable shift between him and Ezra which was not something he could think about in that moment, not with Brielle in front of him looking as beautiful as she did with her heart on her sleeve for him. Shifting the dynamic of their relationship to a romantic one was going to come with complications and he’s aware of how badly it could blow up if it doesn’t pan out the way he’s hoping it will. His gaze resting on her face as she lifted her hands up towards his face, nodding his head a little. “I hope you mean that,” he has always been the type to keep his thoughts and feelings on the inside. It’s nearly impossible for him to speak his mind and even try to explain things. He cleared his throat. “I’m sure he’ll notice us. He’s been keeping an eye on you since Halloween,” at least a better one.

How quickly he stopped pulled her arm taut and stepping back from the first few steps, Brielle casts hues up at the extravagance of the building before her and feels something shifting uncomfortably within her stomach. Nerves. For everything that should take place tonight - everything that she could fuck up. Yet, his question struck her as one that encompassed everything she found herself so unsure of lately. Due hues flicker between him and the cacophony spilling from the doors, “Yeah.. I think we are.” She states softly, drawing herself back towards him enough to look closely at his features, “We said all in, right?”

...

Atticus places a hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him. This stuff isn’t exactly something he’s good at and Violet Marino is a prime example of it. “You know what you’re gettin’ into, right?” It’s a soft confession. She knows him as a friend, being a friend is much easier for him than being a boyfriend because there will always be something he can’t tell her or won’t. He slips his other hand onto her arm, nodding a little at her words about the both of them talking about being all in. “Your brother is not going to ya know... cut off not so little Atticus.” He tilt his head down a little to gesture below. “Because I kind of like having him attached to me.”

There was still so much about this that she simply wasn’t used to. When she’d confronted Atticus one night in the studio, she hadn’t really expected a question of what is this, to turn into their shot at being something more. Not that she was anything other than elated about the choice they’d made - but as it stood, the feeling of his hand entwining with hers sent her stomach hurtling into a twisting dive. “Ground rules? Uh oh, here we go.” Brielle sought to make light of it; maybe he felt as uncertain about going into this party as she did - it wasn’t as though her record was fairing all that well. When Dilara had specifically asked for her, the urge to refuse had surged through her, but it was a chance to prove herself, and now knowing that Atticus had little intention of leaving her on her own, it seemed a little easier to swallow. Her hand in his, Brielle pulled them back down between them, leaning in to press a kiss against his shoulder, “I’d expect nothing less than any of that, and you’re not the only one watching out for Ez. So, it’s a deal.” 

...

Atticus glanced over in her direction when she leaned in to press a kiss against his shoulders. Oddly, the display of affection was both welcomed yet something he wanted to keep a secret. All he knew was the look Fletcher would give him the second the two of them walked through the double doors hand in hand. How do you date a woman after you played a hand in his death? He knew what he felt towards Brielle was confusing and dangerous especially since she was not the only person he held a torch for. He cleared his throat as he stopped in his tracks, glancing towards the doors before looking back at her. “Are we doing this? Like... Really doing this?”

Atticus promised himself he would keep an eye on Ezra tonight and he would never admit his eyes found her in the crowd more times than it should have when he had someone else has his date. He muttered to Brielle about going to check on the Ozdemir woman before separating from her to close the distance between him and the other woman. He walked up to the bar, letting his eyes glance down her then back up to her. “You look beautiful tonight, Ez.” He gave her a soft smile as he extended his hand out. “How about a dance? You should be having fun too.”

where: nye event | dance floor

who: @atticusxmcclain​

Violet had only been there for close to an hour now and she was glad that she’d come out. Granted it didn’t take much coaxing once Dominik asked to be her date, and with a dress she’d been eyeing for far too long, she was finally given the opportunity to splurge. Obviously the chaotic aftermath of her families truths surfacing still lingered in the back of her mind, but as Vi stood at the edge of the dance floor it wasn’t anything she’d worry about tonight. Fixing her hair she heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Atticus. “Hey, nice moves out there!” she teased before dropping her hand. “Want to grab a drink with me?” she asked.

...

Atticus had muttered to Brielle about how eh was in desperate need of something to drink so he separated from her, moving towards the bar. He turned his head when he heard a voice. Giving Violet a dashing grin, the male put his arm around her shoulders, turning her to walk along side of him. “How come I haven’t seen you out there yet?” He asked, glancing over towards the bar. “A drink sounds wonderful. I’m desperate for one.”