* 𝒖𝒏 ╱ 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄 .

                    𝙃𝙀𝙍  𝙃𝙀𝘼𝘿  𝙏𝙄𝙇𝙏𝙎  ,  𝙋𝙊𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂  𝙏𝙃𝙀  𝙊𝙋𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎  𝙃𝙀'𝙎  𝙇𝘼𝙄𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏  𝙁𝙊𝙍  𝙃𝙀𝙍   ,  though  it  doesn’t  take  much  thought  to  know  the  answer  .  cool  points  aside  ,  a  smile  upon  river’s  lips  was  a  sight  she’d  do  just  about  ANYTHING  to  be  able  to  witness .  it  after  all  was  a  rarity  upon  the  naturally  sombre  male  ,  which  made  every  time  it  appeared  just  that  bit  more  noteworthy  . “ sea  turtles  &  smiling  a  lil’  more  — but  only  if it’s  GENUINE  — would  help  ,  you’re  right .  ” she  doesn’t  linger  to  long  on  the  thought  before  a  laugh  leaves  her  lips  ,  “ i  mean  .  i  CAN  tell  you  all  about  my  awful  time  management  &  dismay  at  not  living  out  a  mamma  mia  fantasy .  but  just  remember  i  gave  you  an  OUT  . you  only  have  yourself  to  blame  if  you  regret  provoking  me .  ” she reaches  for  the  offered  spoon  ,  a  brow  raising  as  he  wiggles  at  him  slightly  ,  “  you  want  another  way  to  gain  cool  points  ?  better  have  a  recycling  bin  in  here  or  else  . ” it’s  all  she  says  on  the  matter  of  the  single  use  spoons  before  she  lets  out  a  small breath  ,  “  who  said  i  disagreed  ?  i  just  said  no  GIFTS .  plus  ,  we  can  consider  this  here  ,  you  &  me  sharing  your  gumbo  the  celebration of  me  being  back . it’s PLENTY for  me  .  ”  as  the  container  is  pulled  from  the microwave  &  he  moves  to  settle  in  the  seat  next  door  ,  her  position  shifts  as  the  knee  to  her  chest  falls  to  allow  the  sole  of  her  shoe  to  come  in  contact  with  the  solid  ground  once  more  &  she  shuffles  forwards  towards  the  edge  .  her  eyes  switch  between  the  steaming  gumbo  &  the  darkened  hue  of  his  eyes  as  her  lips  crack  into  a  grin  ,  her  pointer  finger  of  her  free  hand  coming  up  to  tap  the  tip  of  her  nose  before  pointing  toward  him  ,  “ you  know  me  so  well  because  i  CAN ,  in  fact  , find  the  excitement  in  rock  gardens . even  though  i  wouldn’t  say  excitement  . it’s  more  an  —  APPRECIATION  .  i  can  appreciate  them  because  have  you  SEEN  how  gorgeous  they’re  capable  of  being  ?  even  the  most  unassuming  ones  have  something  to  them  .  ”  eyes  lingered  upon  him  for  a  moment  ,  lips  pressing  together  for  a  moment  as  she  ,  for  once  ,  turned over  the  words  that  threaten  to  leave  her  lips  .  a  careful   judgement  of  how  far  is  too  far &  how  much  is  too  much  . but  when  has  she  ever  not  commented  on  his  apparent  lack  of  confidence  in  EVERYTHING  he  has  to  offer  the  world  ?  no  filter  was  a  given  with  her  .  tapping  the  edge  of  her  spoon  against  the  table  to  shift  it  in  her  hold  ,  a single  shoulder  gives  a  gentle  shrug  as  her  spoon  dips  into  the  gumbo  .  eyes  thankfully  diverted  downwards  as  she  finally  spoke ,  “  but  you  don’t  give  yourself  enough  CREDIT  .  you’re  much  more  exciting & interesting  than  a  rock  garden .  plus  , unlike  with  rock  gardens  , i  don’t  have  to  be  QUIET  around  you  .  ”  her  eyes  lift  along  with  her  head  as  the  spoonful  passes  between  her  lips , leaving  her  no  other  choice  but  to  only  give  him  raised  brows  at  his  pointed  spoon  . but  those  raised  brows  quickly  shift  to  furrowed  as  her  eyes  narrow  at  him  as  she’s  free  to  speak  once  more  ,  “  i  forgot  to  add  —  you  can  only  get  me  something  when  i’m  finished  ALL  of  my  study  &  when  is  that  you  ask  ? ”  there’s  a short  pause  as  her  eyes  drift  upwards  to  the  ceiling  in  deep  thought  before  her  focus  is  upon  him  once  more .  “  in  around  15  YEARS  when  i  get  certified   in   zoological   medicine .  ” saying  it  out  loud  sounded  about  as  incomprehensible  as  most  found  it  when  she  talked  about  the  path  she  was  on  ,  but  15  years  was  nothing  when  you’d  wanted  something  your  whole  life  .  though  the  corners  of  her  lips  had  evened  out ,  it  was  long  before  they  were  curling  into  a  grin  again  as  a  bout  of  laughter  fell  from  her  lips ,  “  i  don’t  know  what  the weird  twin  thing  is  but  i  CAN  confirm  that  mason  &  i  have  reunited & the  world  is  once  more  spinning  on  its  axis .  ” she  goes  in  for  another  spoonful  of  gumbo  as  she  continues  ,  “ &  as  for  plans  .  cannot  yet  confirm  just  how  many  people  want  a piece  of  me  BUT  i  do  know  that  this  week  ?  i  have  planned  to  do  a  total  of  ZERO  things  other  than  catch  up  on  sleep  &  spend  the  other  remaining  hours  on  the  beach  or  exploring  with  rafie  —  poor  baby  only  had  jona  to  keep  him  company  , he  missed  his  mum  — before  i  start  my  volunteering  at  n.e.s.t.  next  week  .  ”  she  tries  not  to  focus  too  much  on  the  way  river’s   tone  seems  to  change  as  he  talks  once  more , but  between  the  gumbo  &  the  teasing  remark  ,  it’s  an  easy  distraction  .  “  oh  ,  don’t  you  go  joking  about  that  kinda  thing  with  me  ,  river  carducci  ,  because  you’ll  have  me  bounding  up  the  front  steps  of  your  front  porch  since  you  could  give  my  MUM  a  run  for  her  money  with  this  gumbo  .  ”  there’s  light  teasing  in  her  words  but  as  her  eyes  lift  to  him  once  more  ,  the  smile  upon  her  lips  soften  .  “  speaking  of  the  pogue  palace  crew  —  aiden  &  kai  good  ?  ”  there’s  a  pause  before  she  gives  a  little  gesture  of  her  pinky  towards  him ,  “ & you  of  course  —  have  you  been  good  ? ”    

               𝐢𝐟   𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬   𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠   𝐢𝐧   𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬   𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝   that   river   could   attest   to   ,   it   was   the   terror   that   reigned   through   him   at   the   prospect   of   finley   bauer   being   his   undoing   .   namely   ,   the   way   he   finds   himself   willing   to   bend   backwards   to   whims   she   notes   even   unwittingly   ,   making   a   mental   note   to   ensure   his   facility   had   proper   recycling   capabilities   the   moment   she   comments   on   it   .   the   way   his   chest   threatens   to   collapse   on   itself   the   way   her   eyes   meet   his   and   the   words   leave   her   mouth   ,   you      know      me      so      well      ,   the   way   his   own   come   this   close   to   spilling   from   his   own   ,   yes   i   do   ,   yes   i   do   .   but   forever   to   stuck   in   his   own   overthinking   to   ever   take   a   step   forward   ,   he   leaves   it   at         ❛   you’re   predictable   —   ❜   punctuated   by   a   muted   grin   ,   and   that’s   that   .   but   she   returns   with   the   earnest   humor   he’s   grown   so   comforted   by   ,   and   it’s   as   if   he’s   stuck   between   the   risk   of   a   miscalculation   and   the   impulse   of   their   easy   conversations   ;   perhaps   not   the   worst   place   to   be   stuck   ,   if   it’s   with   finley   bauer   .   ❛   fifteen   ,   ❜   he   parrots   ,   letting   out   a   low   whistle   as   if   to   emphasize   the   point   they   both   recognize   in   the   expansiveness   required   for   her   to   do   what   she   cares   so   deeply   for   .   ❛   you’re   a   tenacious   one   ,   firefly   ,   and   that’s   coming   from   someone   who   didn’t   even   finish   what   the   government   requires   for   school   .   ❜   he   says   it   as   a   joke   ,   but   there’s   the   obvious   sting   left   of   their   vastly   different   circumstances   ;   as   little   as   river   wants   the   pity   of   others   ,   most   pogues   in   his   circle   know   the   reality   of   his   circumstances   and   the   family   life   that   forced   him   to   grow   up   much   too   quickly   .   refusing   to   let   the   mood   dip   ,   especially   with   someone   so   naturally   bright   as   the   companion   he’s   sharing   the   meal   with   ,   he   points   a   near   -   accusing   finger   in   her   direction   ,   waggling   it   in   a   way   he’s   sure   finn   is   all   too   used   to   at   this   point   .   ❛   you’re   probably   sick   ‘a   hearin’   this   ,   but   i’m   honored   to   be   in   your   corner   .   lord   knows   you’re   gonna   do   incredible   things   .      ❜      his   eyes   pull   from   hers   as   he   emphasizes   the   sentiment   he’s   sure   all   of   coston   shares   (   though   he   might   be   a   little   more   passionate   about   it   than   most   .   )   though   he’s   quick   to   assume   she’d   keep   her   days   chocked   full   with   whoever   would   want   a   piece   of   her   ,   river’s   always   pleasantly   surprised   to   recall   finley’s   ability   to   slow   down   beyond   what   he’d   assume   of   her   .      ❛   ah   ,   perfect   ,   i’m   glad   life   can   now   resume   with   you   being   back   in   it   ,   ❜   he   teases   ,   a   lightness   coming   to   his   warm   hues   as   he   finally   musters   the   calm   to   bring   his   gaze   back   to   hers   ,   something   painfully   magnetic   about   the   way   he   can   never   find   it   in   himself   to   look   away   for   too   long   .      ❛   might   as   well   invite   your   momma   along   ,   i’m   no   stranger   to   dinners   with   the   both   of   you   .   can’t   say   the   others   in   your   house   will   be   too   happy   if   we   don’t   send   an   invitation   their   way   .      ❜   the   mere   idea   of   mason’s   scathing   text   to   the   two   of   them   (   and   a   likely   unbothered   nate   )   is   enough   to   bring   a   laugh   out   of   the   male   .   his   smile   admittedly   fades   at   the   mentioning   of   his   roommates   —   kai’s   temper   is   a   constant   liability   ,   and   the   mess   of   whatever   his   situation   is   with   aiden   enough   to   sober   him   for   the   moment’s   being   .      ❛   they’re   good   ,   i   think   .   i   haven’t   seen   too   much   of   either   of   ‘em   with   work   schedules   all   bein’   flipped   around   ,   but   we’re   all   in   one   piece   ,   which   i’ll   take   as   a   victory   ,   ❜   he   rolls   his   eyes   with   a   playful   fist   in   the   air   ,   taking   on   the   accomplishment   with   feigned   pride   .   ❛   it’s   the   little   things   ,   right   ?   ❜   he   chuckles   .   his   gaze   peeks   through   his   lashes   to   follow   the   direction   of   her   finger   his   way   ,   as   if   transfixed   by   her   gesture   ,   though   he   quickly   breaks   from   this   to   redirect   his   focus   onto   another   spoonful   of   gumbo   he   shovels   into   his   mouth   .   it’s   so   quintessentially   her   ,   to   have   surely   all   the   stories   in   the   world   to   tell   but   still   be   genuinely   invested   in   knowing   how   the   other   person   is   doing   —   a   quality   river   never   ceases   to   be   in   awe   of   .   he   gives   a   faint   shrug   ,   gaze   now   locked   on   the   container   as   he   fidgets   with   the   spoon   in   his   hand   .      ❛   i’m   alright   .   keepin’   things   as   together   as   i’m   given   the   chance   to   .   ❜      it’s   an   honest   answer   ,   perhaps   one   that   teeters   too   close   to   anything   too   sentimental   :   so   he   makes   quick   work   of   nodding   in   the   blonde’s   direction   with   an   arch   of   his   brows   .   ❛   i’d   rather   hear   more   about   the   excitement   of   city   life   while   i’ve   still   got   the   time   with   you   .   what’s   the   best   thing   about   being   back   ?   ❜

☾   `   𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃  𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑   :   ft .  @carduccitm·   .

𝑰𝑻  𝑾𝑨𝑺  𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬  ,  but  nate  was  still  running  on  shift  hours  so  his  eyes  felt  no  where  near  heavy  ,  despite  the  fact  that  the  sun  had  set  hours  ago  .  around  him  ,  pogues  danced  and  laughed  as  music  blared  from  a  speaker  set  up  on  the  back  porch  of  whoever’s  house  they  were  partying  at  —  but  nathaniel  was  content  lounging  in  a  torn  lawn  chair  with  a  bottle  of  beer  dangling  from  his  grasp  .  several  feet  in  front  of  him  a  campfire  blazed  and  his  eyes  were  mesmerized  by  the  dancing  flames  ,  a  vision  he’d  grown  all  -  too  familiar  with  in  recent  years  .  with  a  sigh  ,  nate  brought  the  beer  bottle  to  his  lips  and  took  a  swig  ,  the  movement  causing  the  sleeve  of  his  hoodie  to  fall  down  around  his  right  elbow  to  reveal  the  creeping  tendrils  of  his  scars  that  creased  his  skin  .  he  frowned  at  the  sight  and  tugged  the  sleeve  down  with  a  grunt  ,  not  keen  on  dwelling  on  them  tonight  ,  and  he  glanced  to  his  left  ,  where  river  lounged  beside  him  .  “  what  a  lively  bunch  we  are  ,  ”  he  teased  with  a  forced  chuckle  ,  eager  to  fill  the  comfortable  silence  that  sat  between  the  best  friends  —  anything  to  entertain  his  mind  .  “  what  time  were  we  getting  up  for  that  morning  surf  ?  ”

                    𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡   𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫   𝐰𝐚𝐬   𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲   𝐨𝐧𝐞   to   enjoy   such   a   loud   outing   ,   it   was   infinitely   more   bearable   when   sharing   it   with   his   longtime   best   friend   .   ❛   i’m   sensin’   some   insincerity   in   that   tone   ,   son   ,   ❜   river   clucks   in   his   usual   monotone   ,   though   there’s   an   inherent   dry   humor   to   the   affect   he   takes   with   nate   .   even   the   inside   joke   of   calling   him   son   ,   despite   being   the   same   age   ,   reflects   the   mutual   family   -   like   bond   the   two   share   between   them   .      ❛   what   ,   you   don’t   reckon   supervision   duty   is   the   most   excitin’   part   of   these   whole   get   -   togethers   ?   we’re   two   real   wet   rags   ,   i’ll   tell   you   that   much   .   ❜   he   lets   out   a   humored   exhale   and   brings   a   red   solo   cup   to   his   mouth   to   spit   into   —   a   god   awful   habit   of   his   to   use   chewing   tobacco   ,   but   the   southern   boy   in   him   will   die   hard   .   ❛   i’m   at   the   shop   at   nine   tomorrow   so   i’ll   be   hittin’   the   sand   at   the   crack   of   dawn   ,   on   the   dot   .   if   you   can   rise   that   early   ,   i’ll   try   not   to   give   you   too   hard   a   time   when   you   eat   shit   and   deck   off   your   board   ,   ❜   he   teases   ,   a   grin   taking   lightly   to   his   features   at   the   back   and   forth   he   and   nate   fall   into   so   easily   .   if   there   was   anyone   river   could   sit   next   to   in   silence   and   still   feel   content   ,   it’d   be   the   bauer   boy   .      ❛   you   still   use   that   same   ole’   raggedy   one   ?   let   me   at   least   sand   and   wax   it   up   for   you   ,   yours   is   lookin’   more   like   a   chew   toy   every   time   i   see   it   .   ❜

𝐤𝐚𝐢 :  uhhhh  𝐤𝐚𝐢 :  i guess i’m not really. i mean i spoke to her last night at the bar but thats all.  𝐤𝐚𝐢 :  didn’t wanna. she’s changed now.  you can do what you want man  𝐤𝐚𝐢 :  why would i be talking to her ? 

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 firefly   bauer   🌼☀️

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i’ve had the time of my life - bill medley & jennfier warnes

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。· . ˙ ☀ ⌈ jack   gilinsky + cis   male + he   /   him   ⌋ yo , have   you   meet   that POGUE , 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫   𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐢 , yet ?   — no ? well , to   give   you   a   little   heads   up   before   you   do , they’re   a TWENTY   -   THREE    year   old, CARPENTER ,   and   have   been living   in   coston   for 13   YEARS. since   i’ve   known   them , they’ve   reminded   me   of 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝   -   𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝      𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬   ,   𝐭𝐡𝐞      𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥      𝐨𝐟      𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐩      𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐲      𝐨𝐧      𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫      𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡   ,   𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤      𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬      𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬      𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠      𝐚𝐧𝐝      𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠         ,   𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠      𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫      𝐨𝐰𝐧      𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫      𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦      𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡      ,   𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝      𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬      𝐚𝐧𝐝      𝐚𝐧   𝐮𝐧𝐲𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠      𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤      𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜    .   usually   they’re   quite 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑   &   𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑡 but   just   make   sure   you   keep   an   eye   out   for   them   around   town   because   i   heard   can   be   quite 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛   &   𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐    as   well   so   here’s   hoping   they   aren’t   the   ones   to   undo   this   whole   peace   pact   they   have   going   on   this   summer . but   just   between   you & me , i   kinda   hope   it   all   falls   apart . the   rivalry   keeps   this   whole   boring   town   interesting   . ✏ ooc   steven,   18+,   she   /   they,   pst

tw   :   drug mention  ,  neglect mention  ,  addiction mention