Useless Phrases

“Between you and El asking me for furniture advice, I hope you realize that I expect I’m allowed to crash whenever I want.” Art nudged his best friend with his elbow, a grin spreading across his face before he turned his attention back to the desks in front of him. Though the selection wasn’t huge, there was a wildly different vibe with each one and he hummed softly to herself. “I think it depends somewhat on where you’re gonna put it, y’know? Like if you want it to face a window so she can look out at the view, I’d go minimalist so it doesn’t distract from it, but if you’re throwing it up against a blank wall, going whole hog and getting one with a hutch or whatever could be good. Though I have no idea what she’d do with all those compartments, I’m sure she’d find a way.”

“Wait she asked you too? God, our minds, we just know you have taste,” he replied with a smirk. “I mean yeah, as long as you don’t mind possibly running into us fucking on the couch, cause it will happen and we will be buying a couch based off of how comfortable it will be to watch movies on and to have sex on. We like to prepare for all scenarios.” Carter nodded along as he thought about it, trying to think up all of the scenarios, especially since they hadn’t actually bought the house yet. “I want a big boss one so the bigger the better and some compartments don’t hurt, she could have a snack drawer and then everything else for paperwork. I’m not sure if the office will be where the widest windows are, depends on which house we get, I mean wow, fucking listen to me dude, do I sound like a grown ass man or what?” Carter let out a laugh but he wasn’t disgusted by it. “So uh, I also wanted to tell you about something, some..pretty big news,” he added before clearing his throat. “Turns out I have a sister. An older one. And I think you might have met her before.”

Eleanor: SO I'm dating a bad ass actor, and his sister is also a bad ass actor. WOW I really love life AHAHHA

Eleanor: to be fair your dad has only created two good things in life - That was you and Georgie.

Eleanor: I'm so excited for you!!!! This the best news!!

Eleanor: We have to celebrate!

Carter: Basically, yeah. Omg Andrea is gonna lose her shit

Carter: okay, some points were made for sure. guess he's only good for his sperm???

Carter: Thanks, babe, I'm like..pretty shook but pretty happy about it, yanno? Like idk it's good to know that I wasn't making shit up and yeah it's upsetting that we both went all this time not knowing but i'm taking a page out of your book and looking on the bright side. so i'm really happy about this

Eleanor: Ok Lizzo

Eleanor: This is so.. WOW oh my god

Eleanor: Are you happy about it? You have an actual sibling omg

Carter: LOL you gotta admit that was good, did it make you laugh?

Carter: I have a sibling. And not just any sibling. Georgie freakin Banks, man, that's..wild.

Carter: I am happy about it, yeah. I mean it's sad that she also has to have my fuckhead of a dad as her biological dad but you know I always wanted siblings and she seems to like really want to be a part of my life and I think that would be awesome

Eleanor: Yeah, why?

Eleanor: Wait. What? THE Georgie Banks? How Do you know?

Eleanor: holy shit

Eleanor: ....HOLY SHIT

Carter: THE GEORGIE BANKS

Carter: She came to see me, showed me literal DNA results

Carter: Like she took a DNA test, turns out she's 100% my sister

Georgie wasn’t sure if she was surprised by the comment about moving. After all, she could understand the desire to move out into a smaller space; it was a large place for a family of three to live and she knew how lonely it could be with her own experience of living in her own house in Kings Park. As she followed him further into the house, however, she noted how quiet it was, wondered if her father – their father – was anywhere inside. “No, I’ve got my own place, actually, but this is really nice. I’ll pass the word around to anybody who may be looking,” she said with a light laugh, taking a seat on the couch as she ran her fingers over the edges of the folder in her hands. “Um… I wanted to talk to you about something that I discovered recently. It’s a little tough to talk about and probably to hear, but…” Opening up the folder, she pulled out the DNA results from the test she’d taken, the one that had connected her family tree to that of the Crane family, that showed Carter Crane and her as having the same father. “I’m adopted and… I had some medical things happen recently and it made me realize I should maybe look for my birth parents so I could know my history better. When I took a DNA test, it connected my family tree to someone else’s… Yours. I had my results under a fake name because I didn’t want just anyone to know they were related to me in case they… y’know, tried to take advantage of our connection.”

Carter was quiet as she spoke, whatever joke he could make or sarcasm he could use dying on his lips when she handed him the paper. It all triggered something he hadn’t thought about in a really long time, something he had been forced to push to the back of his mind and never speak of. He had discovered that he had a sibling by accident, a party in the Crane household turned into him drunk and in his father’s office, flipping through boring papers with lots of numbers until he found something else. Letters upon letters, requests for money, responses from his father denying but results from a DNA test that proved it all to be true. When he presented it all to his father the following week, his father told him it was disrespectful for him to be snooping, that it was nothing, that he should forget, that he should never mention this to his mother. But holding this now, he knew there was no denying it, he just never guessed that of all people, his sister would be one of the best actors of their time, one of his heroes. “I..” he opened his mouth but stopped himself after a moment, taking a deep breath as he tried to find his words. “My dad...o-our dad, uh, his name is Keaton, and I hate to break it to you but he’s the biggest asshole in the world. I wish he wasn’t your dad, because I wouldn’t wish him on anyone, he’s self-absorbed and he’s never around.” He cleared his throat and sat up, finally looking at her, his expression softening for a moment. “I always wanted a sibling, an older sister kind of seems like winning the lottery but an older sister that’s you? That’s...” he set the paper down and ran his fingers back through his head. “I found out when I was 17 but he told me I was crazy and to forget what I saw. I figured it was best to let it go, I used to be a lot more afraid of him. He’s not..violent just..a real dick.” He took another breath, his smile widening slightly before he held out his hand for her, “Georgie Banks, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Carter Crane, your little brother.”

Carter: So you remember when I was really drunk senior year and I kind of spilled to you that I found out my dad had another kid he never told us about? and then when i told him he told me i was a dumbass and to never mention it again?

Carter: Well turns out, and I'm not fucking around

Carter: That kid is Georgie fucking Banks

“Oh yeah? What scene was it?” Eleanor smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and letting him whisk her away of the moment - even though it was only for a second. At the sound of him calling her baby was something that she didn’t think that she would ever get used to. That simple word falling from his lips was one that could still make her heart flutter at any given moment. “I cannot wait to watch this movie in whole. I’ve been harassing everyone at work  to buy tickets when it comes off.” handing over the bag, Eleanor quickly discarded her coat and laid it on the back of one of the spare chairs. “Using it to work.” She gave a small eye roll at the thought. “It’s a case that i’ve been working on - well me and Brandon, but we haven’t gotten anywhere with it really. So I thought a break would be nice for the both of us, and now i’m totally living the life in this trailer. It’s huge, holy shit. ” 

“The one where I completely get my ass kicked but still somehow manage to make it out alive. Check it,” he lifted up his shirt to show the bruises that the makeup team had put all over him. “I wiped the shit off my face afterwards but I took pictures,” he added and handed her his phone with a laugh. “Look at you, my biggest hype person, I’m all about that, seriously. The premier is going to be amazing, Thalia is going all out.” Carter raised an eyebrow as she spoke and he reached for a few fries. “Working on your day off sounds counterproductive, babe, did you at least sleep in? Can you talk about the case or is it top secret?” He wiggled his eyebrows before laughing. “I know, right? It’s kind of amazing, you’re welcome to hang out for the rest of the day if you want, maybe see me in action, we have to shoot some night scenes once the sun goes down.” He grabbed his burger and leaned back in his chair, moving his legs into Eleanor’s lap with a soft laugh. “Still kind of like...blowing my mind that this is all happening, yanno? Like yeah I auditioned and I worked and I’ve been reading my ass off with these lines but..guess I spent so long hearing everyone tell me I’m a poser I started to believe it,” he admitted with a slight shrug. “But turns out I’m pretty fucking good at this. I mean El, my first gig and it’s gonna be in fucking theaters. How cool is that? And then it’ll be on Netflix which is ten times cooler cause we can watch it whenever you want. You can see me get my ass kicked whenever, Benji is gonna love that.”

Location: The Crane Mansion With: @carter-crane​

Georgie had put it off for too long; she knew that as soon as Thalia had told her that Carter was going to be playing a major role in the movie she was in town to film and she still had yet to approach the younger boy – her younger brother. Half-brother, but brother nonetheless. She’d been on set a few times and gotten the chance to watch him up close, to observe him and decide what may be the best way to deliver the news she had for him, but she was adept at finding excuses to avoid talking about something that was undoubtedly going to be a difficult conversation. Her hands were shaking as she made her way up to the front door of the mansion, and she tucked one away into her coat pocket as the other pressed the doorbell, putting a smile on her face as the door swung open. “Hi, is Carter home by any chance?” she asked, assuming the person who had answered was a member of the house staff. “My name’s Georgie Banks, if that helps.”

Carter didn’t frequent the house in Kings Park as often anymore but with it going on the market soon he was spending a considerable amount of time going through his things, deciding what he was going to put in storage, what he’d sell or give away or just simply leave behind. So when one of house staff members came upstairs to tell him that Georgie Banks was at the door he was surprised to say the least. He had a million questions but figured it had something to do with Thalia and the movie so he made sure to fix his hair before making his way downstairs, confusion clear on his face but he was definitely happy to see her. He had met her a few times already but it was never not surreal to have Thalia and Georgie so casual in his life, two actors he had admired for a long time. “Well this is a pleasant surprise, to what do I owe the honor? Wait, are you looking to buy my house cause it is for sale? Do you uh, want some water? Sparkling maybe? Diana can we get some sparkling water, please?” He called out into the other room before leading Georgie to the living room to sit, looking at her expectantly.

Tagging: @griffinholloway

"Hey Holloway, you gonna stand there holding up the wall or are you gonna accept your official welcome back?” Carter had just emerged back into the party after some help from a little white powder in the bathroom, sure it was the only thing standing between him and being completely honest with Eleanor. But he felt like he was maintaining it okay, it wasn’t like it had fucked up his work life yet and he was really only indulging on the weekends. Or at least that’s what he told himself. He rubbed at his nose as he spotted Griffin, still a little taken aback that the guy was back in town. He held up two shots and handed one to Griffin with a wide grin. “Time to play catch up for all the years you missed. Ready to get no sleep tonight?”

Tagging: @party--arty​

“So which one would you pick, hm?” Carter knew that he should have been doing furniture shopping with Eleanor but when they did pick a house he wanted to surprise her with a desk for a home office, a place where she could come back to at night during big cases and when she eventually made chief. It was crazy to him how natural it was all coming to him, a guy who used to balk at the idea of being tied down. But being with El was a hundred times better than any one night stand or crazy party. “Like should I go with a big boss desk or something more minimalist and aesthetically pleasing, yanno? I’m starting to lean towards making her home office look like it’s straight out of the Godfather.”

where: kings park

with: @carter-crane​

          “If you’re gonna light up this cancer stick, do it outside,” she imitated her mother’s nasally voice as she blew smoke into the air. As if she was going to endure a whole dinner with the Porters without stepping one foot closer to death. Her mother had already asked of her to cover up her tattoos, which she always did when she came to visit anyway and wanted her on her best behavior, but as soon as she brought up Caleb and Christian, she wanted an out, so she excused herself for a smoke, which earned twisting noses from the couple that was sitting across from her and a grin from their daughter who almost thanked Caroline for defying something. She groaned louder than she anticipated, but at least, save from a man not very far away, she was alone, it was easier to excuse herself from one person than a whole crowd. “Annoying family,” she said with a small smile, taking a final drag and flicking the bud away before taking another stick and placing it between her lips, lightening and taking another drag. “I could have three hundred packs worth of these and it still wouldn’t be enough. I need somethin’ stronger.”

“I would totally lobby the town for a Kings Park smoking session. Or like escape your family section.” After this meeting with Kendell, Carter had made his way over to the Kings Park house, perhaps to finally settle with the fact that he was going to sell it. After enough hours inside, he had decided to get some air and smoke the rest of a joint that he and Art had rolled earlier. It was weird to walk around and think that this wouldn’t be his day to day view but he was ready to get away from it, feeling so far removed from the Kings Park life, fully ready to spread his wings and try something new. The move to Amber Valley would be a fresh start for him and El and it was also a place where they could help each other grow, personally and professionally. When his movie was released he wanted to come home to her, in a house full of their love, a kind of house her parents had built, nothing like the one his parents had. “You want a hit?” He held out the end of the joint towards her, “How bad is it in there? Want me to crash?”

@carter-crane​

“Carter Crane - your face is the only face I look forward to seeing this early in the morning.” Kendell grinned before she stood up from her desk, and walked over towards him. The two had talked briefly over the phone about him wanting to sell his house, and she promised to set an appointment with him to go over everything in detail. “Come in, and make yourself comfortable.” She told him after she shook his hand, and she headed back towards her own chair. “So you’re ready to sell you house, Huh?” She asked with a smile as she loved over at him across her desk. 

"That’s the name, yeah. People usually feel the need to say the full name all the time. I get a kick out of it. But starting with a compliment this early? You already get me,” he replied with a smirk. He was pretty calm despite how much shit he knew he was going to get. The minute a for sale sign went up he knew his dad would be calling so he was just prepping himself for that. He nodded as he took a seat and stretched his legs out. “Yeah, the one in Kings Park. It’s been in my family for generations but my parents recently put my name on the deed and the mortgage and I’m gonna be getting a place with my girlfriend so, it only seems right. I would like most of the profit of it to go to the staff that works there though. If there’s like an easy, streamlined way to do that, that would be great too. Oh and if you got any exciting listings in Amber Valley, I'd love to check those out.” 

@carter-crane​

Eleanor had the next two days off from work, and aside from packing all her things up in her apartment - she wanted to surprise Carter with lunch on set. After an hour long conversation with Andrea, and being scolded for not telling her the moment the two decided to make a life changing decision. She was finally able to hang up the phone and make her way over to the movie set. Eleanor couldn’t deny the fact that she was excited, and that she could only see herself doing such a huge step with Carter. Also, the fact that he was wanting to start fresh by selling the house in Kings Park was something that Eleanor hoped would make him heal more from his parent’s sudden divorce and the way they handled the entire situation. After being led to his trailer, she knocked on it. Her hands held burgers and cheese fries from Anna’s dinner. A smile grew on her face as the door swung open. “I hope you have time to eat?” She asked and held up the bag. 

Carter had been in the middle of reviewing his lines for the next scene when his door opened and he expected Thalia or one of the PA’s to walk through. But seeing Eleanor instead with food was perhaps the best surprise. “I always have time to eat but not without a kiss,” he told her as he got to his feet and pulled her in for a long kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist, “Hi baby,” he whispered against her lips, sure that there was no situation where he wouldn’t be in a great mood whenever she showed up. “I am in the best mood today, we shot this really intense scene and they said I totally crushed it, I mean I kind of fucked up my lines all of yesterday so I wanted to redeem myself.” He took the bag from her and pulled the food out before pulling seats up for the both of them. “What have you been doing with your day off?”

“I’d have more cereal left in the box.” Taking her bottom lip in between her teeth as she listened to him talk about his parents. She hadn’t wanted to push it out of him, but she was glad that he was at least talking. “You’re not a burden Carter, regardless of what your grandfather thinks.” Life hadn’t been easy for him, and that was something she knew all too well since he had been one of the people she knew the longest. “Start over, and get a clean slate - we can have that in a new place.” She paused for a moment. “Our place.” She grinned before placing her lips on his. “We’d be so extra. Amber valley is a good place - new neighborhoods. Maybe our neighbors won’t be as loud as the ones I have now. Like seriously, they’re so loud. I’m living beside a sorority.”  A year ago Eleanor would have never thought about anything other than her job, and now she was sitting her wrapped in Carters arm and talking about their house. It seemed normal, as if this was supposed to be all along. “Do you remember that time in like fourth grade I told you that I wanted to live in a pink house? I change my mind now that I know how terrible that would be.” 

“Our place,” he repeated with a nod, his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink as he did. “God, we’re so cheesy,” he added with a soft laugh and pressed his lips to her jaw, smiling softly against her skin. “Yeah I mean we’ll have a backyard and shit and thicker walls, we can be the loud ones this time,” he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows and gave her waist a slight squeeze. “Oh yeah I remember, I mean it depends on the shade of pink but I think something a bit more subtle would be good for us. Then again being that couple who stands out in Amber Valley could be nice, everyone will know it’s the couple without kids who lives there.” Just the mention of kids had him widening his eyes a bit and it was a conversation he wasn’t nearly ready for and only spoke about when forced to, like when Andrea brought it up. “But let’s start looking, I’ll set up a meeting with Kendall, we’ll sign the paperwork to put the Kings Park house on the market, and then we’ll start hitting up open houses like it’s a party. Sound like a plan?”

          “Bro, I’m sorry to be the one pointing out to you, but you’re in fuckin’ denial—” Jess rolled her eyes playfully at him before taking a sip of her coffee along with another bite out of her pancakes and bacon. “Movin’ to Amber Valley is number one tip that you’re growin’ up— sorry Carter, but there is probably no goin’ back,” she joked with a chuckle while feeling a small pang on the pit of her stomach. She was overall happy and slightly jealous at what was happening, she was so damaged beyond repair that she was a little bit aware that something like so was never in her horizon — and truth be told, Eleanor had always been the most sound one of the two of them, it always made her wonder how they were friends for so long — Jessica let out a small sigh, leaning on her chair and crossing her arms in front of her chest. “She’s happy, yeah— and that’s what matters,” Jess smiled genuinely at Carter, “well, doesn’t take off the fact that you’re already actin’ like a married couple, though.”

Carter rolled his eyes at her words, not really one to gush about his relationship. Eleanor knew he loved her, he told her everyday and when they were together he was more okay with being vulnerable, okay with letting her wrap him up in her arms and hold him. But to everyone else, he didn’t really feel the need to talk about it much or to be so cheesy that it felt like his relationship was all people wanted to talk about when it came to him. But he recognized that Jess was also having to work through this shift, to see her best friend build a life with her partner and he respected the difficulty if only to make sure that Eleanor kept the people she loved close. And he and Jess had always had their own weird little friendship, one built on honesty and mutual disdain for the better things in life. “Hey you sit here now telling me I’m gross with all this grown up shit but just you wait, your day is nye, I’m telling you. But can we stop talking about me and El and talk about the fact that I’m almost done wrapping on this movie? Are you ready to see this gorgeous face everywhere?”

@carter-crane​

“I know your domesticated now, but I need someone to help me scam people in beer pong. You in?” Kate asked as she took the booth across from him. Kate had been busy since she had gotten her own place, and coming back from seeing her dreadful family - she was ready to get back into her old self again, and that included winning a couple hundred from some losers who under estimated just how good she was at a drinking game. “C’mon, Benji said Eleanor was working late anyways.”  

“Domesticated? I didn’t get my balls cut off Kate, I just started dating my best friend but thank you for making it sound like I got neutered and feeding into the heteronormativity of this world but please, continue.” Carter looked up from his phone and raised an eyebrow before following her line of sight to the pong tables in the bar. “Weird that you know El’s work schedule but fine, if only because I love a good scam and I love a good game of pong but you totally owe me a coffee,” he added as they both got up from the booth. “Glad to see you and Benji survived the larger Bronson gathering. Bull and his chiseled jaw too, I assume?”