chaos of stars;

Glancing down at his phone one final time, Elliot shook his head, exasperated. He could kill whoever had the nerve to begin leaking the news that he and Selene discretely and successfully kept under the radar for months. And now, that very news of their marriage was on a brink. But at least, not for them. He still didn’t regret for one moment to make the mutual agreement with her to put off the papers process. Getting through this night however? A different story. He’d be accompanying Selene for the first time at a public event since the word broke. And as much as Elliot was looking forward to shutting down every mainstream Hollywood actor’s desire to be with the actress, he’d sworn off any semblance of limelight such as this for years. Yet, no doubt with Selene looking as stunning as always, it’d surely be rather easy for him to only focus on her. The faster this red carpet ordeal could be over with, the faster they could end the night in private as usual. His fingers clenched around the railing’s banister, eyeing the crowd below beginning to flow in at the bottom of the staircase as he awaited Selene’s arrival, having agreed to be transported separate to at least attempt to keep fooling everyone. And like clockwork, Elliot began to shift as the prominent clicking sounds of heels echoed closer.

         How?! She’d been so careful.. she’d always been careful, having made it a habit since the get go. The prospect of pregnancy, a child, being a mother.. all concepts she’d never mulled over for too long ‘cause she knew what she wanted to do with her life. After her shitty childhood, the brunette swore she wouldn’t bring a child into the world to suffer the way she did, with shitty parents.. after all, how far could the apple fall from the tree? Her heart was pounding so fervently in her ears, she almost didn’t hear Talan enter, the hand holding an object quickly flying behind her back instinctively, almost like a reflex. A look of terror remained on her face regardless — that, she couldn’t do much with the time she had. “Uhh.. well, uhh.. I almost.. dropped my eyeshadow palette..” Why did that statement sound more like a question than she intended? Nice save, idiot.

As Talan approached the bathroom in swift steps, expression ridden with concern and ready to provide any additional help as he had earlier, her actual answer had his arms falling to his sides. After knowing Sawyer for years now, he’d became apt at reading her features, sensing when she was telling the truth or not in situations such as these. And right now, something was glaringly telling him that it was the latter. “Uh…ok…let me pick it up, ok?” He decided to state, glancing around every which way for the makeup item that had supposedly fallen to the ground. After all, he did tell her to stay in bed and rest for the day. “Were you thinking of going somewhere? Are you feeling better?” Talan continued to gauge. Nothing on the ground that he could see. “I brought you some medicine, you know, in case you’re not..” 

         Trying to hold back inevitable tears, Natalia twisted her features in attempt to keep them at bay. But she knew exactly what was coming, she knew that there was a weighted risk, but there was no choice now. Their friendship had already crossed boundaries they never should’ve gone near. Always fearing losing him, Natalia had hidden her feelings from everyone, including herself. But now, she had no choice but to either tell him the truth, or lose him anyway. And yet, a part of her felt terrified she would unveil her true feelings and then.. lose her greatest rock. Her best friend. The guy who had fathered her daughter better than the one Noah shared DNA with. The man she needed, the man she loved so unequivocally. There was no choice but to take a chance, for she was to fall either way. 

        The brunette merely shook her head as he spoke, brown hues filling with tears as she fought with herself over just spilling her true feelings right then and there. “Tanner, Tanner.. listen to me,” blinking away the tears that struggled to keep at bay, she took his wrists in her own and searched his eyes — whatever he managed to show her anyhow. Her heart was pounding so prominently, she feared it might fly out of her chest. This is what their thirty or so year friendship came down to.. the heart. “Tanner, I love you.” And somehow it was easy to say it.. as though she’d been yearning her entire life. Why hadn’t she tried it before? “I’ve always loved you. From that very first day in the sand pit.. through high school when you hung out with me even though I was ridden with pimples and fears about the future.. through every heart break and challenge, you’ve been there. And with Noah,” the brunette paused, her voice breaking at the mere thought of how he’d treated both her and her daughter. “You’ve treated her like your very own from the get go. You’ve shown us more love than we’ve ever gotten from anyone else.. every single day you’ve ever stood by me and been there for me, I have loved you. Even when I didn’t know it, I did. I should’ve known when I saw you with her, with anyone.. those feelings of jealousy. They weren’t there because I was having to share my best friend with someone else. They were there because.. because the man who held my heart didn’t even know it, and I couldn’t admit it to myself. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, and I never knew if you felt the same. So I was scared. I was terrified of losing you. But I’m admitting it now.. and I feel kind of stupid if you don’t feel the same and I don’t.. I don’t know where to go from here but I do, I love you.” 

Remaining entirely engrossed in the notion that he’d surely ruined everything with the one person that he’d truly wanted everything with for years, all Tanner could coherently comprehend was that he should run. This was it. How could Noah and Natalia not be his life? And that was the very reason his feet didn’t take him anywhere. Though he still ended up hating himself even more for it, only continuing to be humiliating in front of her. This was nowhere near how he’d wanted to confess his feelings to Natalia, and now that chance was lost...though, just as her voice soothed him no matter how ugly any situation could get, he found his head lifting upwards again at the sound her stating his name. No way could he resist her. The touch of her hands on his wrists only had his eyes pick up again, meeting those brilliant, dark hues. His jaw had to have gone instantly slack at those four words. Words he’d never imagined Natalia saying or reciprocating. Did she? Did she love him? What if it was just always as a friend? As he’d always believed. Before he could attempt to speak in return, he let Natalia continue. That was best anyway before letting himself react again to jeopardize the situation any more.  instead, Tanner listened intently to her explanation, a grin unable to help itself from spreading at the mentions of many memories they shared together over the years, to how impressed Natalia had been at how he’d taken care of Noah. A silent promise he’d vowed to himself ever since getting the chance to hold her in his arms as a baby. The continued confessions of jealousy floored him, astonished that Natalia harbored the same amount of envy as he towards the guys she had been involved with. And now, here he was, ridiculously going through the motions in a romantic relationship he certainly wanted nothing to do with anymore. He’d only wanted this, Natalia and him. His hands found themselves maneuvering at her final admissions, cupping either side of her face, an indication of solace that those same fears of losing her ran within him, in effort to halt the tears that were a crime coming from her eyes. He’d been wrong, just as she’d been all along. “I never wanted to lose you either, you know? Or Noah. I shouldn’t have kept this from you for so long..I’ve always felt the same, I’ve always had feelings for you, Natalia. You..you’ve always been the strongest, the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known. And...I don’t care about where we go from here, I just..I just know that I love you too..” 

         It wasn’t that she never knew her feelings for Tanner over the years, it was just that she’d tried to bury them a million times over. After all, how could she not absolutely love him for everything he was? For the way he treated her daughter like she was his own, for the fact that he’d undoubtedly been there for every single school play or every time Noah fell off of her bike or every time she faced a bully. For the times he’d cooked them dinner and taken them to festivals and water parks and undoubtedly been a better father than Noah’s own ever was. How could she not love him for the way he was there for her thought everything, through her father’s death with a shoulder to cry on, through her divorce with countless bottles of wine and company. Or the way a certain green feeling seeped into her very core every time that obnoxious blond threw herself all over him. How could she not, with the heart that he had and those ocean blues and.. just for the way her heart skipped a beat every time she’d laid eyes on him over the span of their friendship. 

         Nat’s brown eyes filled with tears as she locked onto his gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably as she found herself lost in his words. He was.. going to end it? He didn’t want to leave. Tanner didn’t want to leave. A small wisp of relief soothed her soul as she watched him quietly. Her lack of breathing became apparent when she took in a lengthy sigh, eyes filled with emotions she couldn’t even comprehend — but one overpowered everything. Guilt. Guilt over the way she’d made him feel now as he cowered into his own hands, knowing he’d bared a little of the inner workings of his heart. And here she was, making her own best friend feel ashamed? “It does.. it does matter.” Natalia was teetering on the edge of disaster, she knew she was. She wasn’t one to break up another couple for her own benefit; the likes of that was reserved for her ex husband. But the way she felt right now, in this very moment, overpowered any logical or rational thought as she captured his wrist gently in her own, moving his hand slowly away from his face. She was about to expose her own heart in just a few words, hoping he would catch on with such desperation in her eyes.. “I don’t want you to leave.” It was too late. Their ‘platonic’ friendship now seemed like a distant thought, a foreign memory.. instead, they were left with the possibilities and change, however it ended up. All she knew, was that she was in love with her best friend. “Don’t.. don’t leave, Tanner. Don’t marry her.”

Tanner had waited years to finally confess even an ounce of his all en-compassing feelings towards Natalia. Hell, he loved her since they first began play time as kids, how she easily became more and more strikingly beautiful as their years in high school came and went, to how she eventually became a perfect mother he knew she always would be, him considering himself the lucky one to essentially be another member of the solid family her and her daughter established between themselves. And all up to now, where he’d selfishly let his relationship that had run its course only continue for the mere fact of waiting until maybe he’d get a chance if Natalia ended up not being with anyone. Now that this apparent moment had come, of course he only screwed it up, only likely losing her, his very best friend, for good. The only thing Tanner could think of at the moment was to leave, and let her be. Without him. It’d be for the best without making a mess, a further confusion she didn’t need. Or Noah. Though before he could inch forward any at all, her words rang through his mind. It does matter. Did it? “How?” Tanner questioned more so in frustration at himself, yet his heard surely halting a moments in baited breath. “How can it matter when I just ruined it all?...I understand if you don’t feel the same, if you never did or will...” He shook his head, though he couldn’t help picking it up when Natalia’s soft touch gently moved his hands away, getting their gazes to meet once again. God could he never deny those eyes, and paired with the words she uttered that followed? Maybe...just maybe everything wasn’t all lost. She didn’t want him to leave. “You don’t?” Glancing down at her hand soothing his wrist, his chest heaved in preparation. “Nat, I — I never really wanted to leave. But I..guess...I was holding on to something at that point that just wasn’t going to be there anymore in case you were seeing someone else! It’s selfish but..” He trailed.  It was the truth. Going through the motions only to try and force himself to find some semblance of happiness elsewhere as he always had, to try and do his best to move on from the fact that he and Natalia likely wouldn’t be an option. Tanner had reached a breaking point to know whether or not he’d only ever be a ‘best friend’ to her. “If I did or didn’t marry her...I just I had to know before , Nat...if there was, could be any possibility of ..us..” He’d already dug his hole this far in. Now he had to lie in it, prepare for the very worst of receiving denial, despite what she genuinely felt in return. If that was really it for them altogether.

        Andy was mad at herself for allowing memories to seep into her mind, for allowing feelings to get in the way of the matter at hand. Could she even really trust Cal? Her brain fought a hard no, but her heart, a small part of her heart knew that she could. Riccardo was their only mutual, and if not for her, she knew Cal would do it for him. Somehow, a part of her believed he was speaking the truth. What she didn’t believe, was that the Jesters were innocent, whether Cal would get on board or not. Each were loyal to their own.. or so they believed. “Of course I will,” the brunette nods, lowering her gaze as her still attractive ex-husband continues. “Well, you’ve got my number, so..” 

If Andy had only berated him for a death the Jesters caused, Cal would have every ounce of disbelief remaining raging through him. At the same time, there was still unnervingly a prominent part of him that no matter when they would run into another, he still liked seeing her. Even after everything and what could certainly never be again. And the fact that this was about a close friend, quite possibly the last link of their years-ago destroyed marriage, Cal wanted to help, how this happened right under them.  “Alright. Done deal then.” Cal nodded, her mesmerizing gaze still resonating a genuine one to him that he couldn’t forget. “— Do you still have my number?” He found himself asking more out of mere curiosity.

(  — ♔ starter for @celestialskied. )

        Moving in together after two years of dating was a no brainer. Talan and Sawyer spent every waking moment together when they weren’t consumed in their own careers, and there wasn’t anyone she trusted more. Life was working out in the most unexpected way, knowing that somehow, she’d fallen in love with the French Quarter’s most eligible bachelor. But sometimes living with another presented it’s own challenges, like the fact that she’d been ill for the past few weeks. After much consideration, knowing that her nausea was on and off for some time now, she had to rule something out. And there just wasn’t a chance in hell it could be true, but her only options were to have a pregnancy test, or admit herself into the hospital for a deathly bug. And she sure as hell wasn’t going to put herself in the latter situation any time soon, knowing she hated hospitals. 

       Sawyer sat on the edge of the bathtub, awaiting a surefire impossibility. She faltered to register the sound of the front door to their apartment opening, her heartbeat pounding in her ear a surefire way to silence the outside world. That, and the fact that she’d never been more panicked in her entire life. “No… no, no, no, no!” Her chest was heaving, eyes zoned in on an answer she wasn’t ready for whatsoever. “NO!”

To say that Talan was living his best life lately was honestly an understatement. He’d never been happier. His job at the shop had only been gaining even further exposure under his management and his relationship with Sawyer had only grew more and more strong since taking a major step in living together. And of course she was killing it on ensuring New Orleans streets remained safe for everyone. His feet only picked up the pace as they normally had after a day at work, knowing she’d be there to come to. No other feeling throughout his life amounted to this, no doubt in his mind that Sawyer was it, she was his future, there would be a ring on her finger in time. Also the fact that he knew his girl had been under the weather on and off over the past week or so.

Swinging the shopping bag containing some aspirin that he picked up to one side, Talan proceeded to grab his keys and open up the door to their place. Never got old. Though the serene though instantly got interrupted by Sawyer’s distressed shout. The plastic bag dropped to the ground and Talan began darting without thought, swinging the door harshly shut behind him. Following her voice, he halted right outside the bathroom, worry ridding his own expression. “Babe? What? What? What is it?” Talan urgently asked, kneeling down beside her.

       Sawyer wasn’t normally one for chances. She liked cold, hard facts and practicality and being objective. The unknown terrified her, mainly ‘cause it meant taking a chance could bite her in the ass, and she preferred to keep herself safe. But Talan threatened all that, he threatened the way she’d always thought her life and world would go. He threatened everything she’d ever thought about dating someone, being with someone. In running to Florida, the gaping hole that had formed knowing she’d left him behind and she missed him more than anything gave her a chance to think. And maybe that was her greatest curse — thinking. Over thinking, over analysing. Not succumbing to the desires of her heart. But with him standing before her now, running away was no longer an option, for she no longer had the strength. 

        She wanted to be with him. “Right,” amusement lit up the entirety of Sawyer’s features as she tugged him toward the door, quickly manoeuvring to slide his bag off of his shoulder, desperate to go on a Floridian adventure with the man who was slowly worming his way into her heart. “C’mon, smart ass. Let me show you around.”

That prominent upturn of Sawyer’s expression as she welcomed him in only made his ecstatic demeanor heighten. This had worked out, taking this chance was worth it. And Talan had never been more certain of going all out for a risk before. This cop had easily made an impression on him, and no matter what it would take, he did want to pursue her, what their relationship maybe could eventually become down the road. There was no better way to set some ground than a surprise getaway, right? He didn’t care how much detective work she had to still get done, he’d wait regardless. Talan gave a laugh and an anxious nod as he happily bounded through the doorway of Sawyer’s Florida living arrangements. His eyes instantly widened, taking in the surface of the place, hardly containing himself for a full on tour.

“You bet!” He expressed, hardly registering that she had slid the bag off his shoulder before he got stop her. “Holy shit, so are you by the water? It’s cool if you’re not, this if Florida, there’s lots of it. But damn, the police station does really know how to put you up, huh?” Talan playfully smirked, sliding an arm around her free shoulder. “You better show me around, don’t leave anything out! Fingerprints and you know, all that you do too.” He nudged her.

       Like a moth to a flame, if Andy stepped any closer, she could cave to muscle memory. To falling into his arms and allowing their love to consume her whole all over again. Strange how such experiences could leave such an imprint on her heart, enough for the mere memory of what used to be to have such a powerful effect over her. A magnetising one at that. But she wasn’t stupid about fickle things like love — at least, not anymore. “I know you wouldn’t,” she admitted, bitterness finally leaving her mouth as she, too, lowers her gaze. It doesn’t mean that turning down the past wasn’t painful. She wipes at her eyes roughly before taking a weighted breath, as though trying to get her shit together before meeting those sky blues once more. “It’s not like we haven’t pulled it off before..” she smirks, the slightest bit of amusement radiating from her core. “I just—I have to know who did it. I need to know why.. he didn’t—” She pauses, looking away as tears threaten like prickles at the backs of her eyes, determined not to let them show — at least, not again. After all, showing emotion was a sign of weakness. “We gotta know. Whether it’s your people or not.. he was our friend.” 

I know you wouldn’t. It only took those four words coming from Andy for his stature to straighten once more, shoulders relaxing slightly. That’s all that mattered. Even after all this time, going their separate ways years ago, she still trusted him. He gave nod of appreciation, of acknowledgement while a slight hint of a momentary grin hinted at the corner of his lips at the notion. After all, delving for answers in this tragic situation meant a great deal to the both of them, potential attacks and side wars aside even. His own smirk didn’t falter at Andy’s following remark, they sure didn’t lose any of the abilities to meet up behind everyone’s backs. Some things never did change. “I know. I just...wanted to make sure you were still ok with that I guess.” They’d essentially be working together on this and it would mean seeing one another more than they had been over the past years, more than just run-in encounters that they took advantage of to speak to one another around the city.  “You know I’m in. I want to know what happened just as much as you do. I’ll scout around the Jesters and you’re going to do the same, right? We might want to set up different meet locations though, keep throwing them all off.”

       There was absolutely no way that she was remotely sober and hearing the very word she thought she heard spilling from Tanner’s lips. No way. Not a chance. Had she misinterpreted? Was she so caught up in the ring situation, and admittedly the undeniable pull she felt words him and insane jealousy she felt towards his ‘girlfriend’ that.. she’d heard what she wanted to hear? As she peers up at him with parted lips, signifying the very shock she felt inside, Natalia couldn’t do anything but stare. Stare at the way his features softened with such candidness, such raw emotion, words simply failed her. Thoughts failed her. This was the moment she could bare it all — he’d left the perfect opening. Could she finally be honest with him, and with herself, about her feelings? Could she really make what she’d always wondered about a reality? This was her chance.

       And yet, nerves overcame her, spilling out a brief “What?” before turning away and breaking the hold of his gaze, focusing instead on tugging at the ring on her finger desperately. “Tanner, you’re.. you have a girlfriend. You—you’re about to get engaged if I can get this damn ring off of my finger.” The heat had risen to her cheeks, and for more reasons than one. Liquid had formed in her eyes, something like tears prickling at the backs of her eyes. Why was she crying? Why did she suddenly feel an onslaught of emotion, as though it were going to consume her whole?! Her heart was pounding in her chest like never before, barely filling the silence that fell between them as she dared to turn around and face him, the ring finally slipping off. But that was no longer her main concern. “Do you mean what you.. what you just said? You’ve thought about us?”

This was more than likely the worst possible time he could have attempted to express pent up-years long feelings for Natalia. And Tanner just had a glaring hunch that he’d regret this for as long as he lived. He probably just lost her. He lost their friendship. The wide-eyed expression of shock ridden upon those gorgeous features was more than enough of an answer for him. Of course this was how it would turn out. Natalia would never and had never felt anything, no potential at all between them. What the hell did he expect? And yet even with all their other relationships growing up, Tanner had to be the foolish one that even though he took the “best friend” title seriously, he still somehow held out for one day maybe, just maybe, she’d look at him in a different way. It was a stupid risk to take. No amount of humiliation could match this very moment. Better to just get the ring off her finger so she could leave and never have to see him again.

Tanner merely shook his head through a scoffed laugh at himself. What in the actual hell had he just done? How could he really continue life without her when she had always gone through it right by his side, and vice verse? And yet, her words did warrant an answer. “Nat — I...I didn’t propose yet! I..I was questioning all of it, I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t want to leave here!” Leave you. His eyes anxiously conveyed. “I was working on ending it with her!” Tanner exclaimed, noticing the ring almost symbolically for the moment slide itself off of her finger, the tears welling within those deep eyes searing through his heaved chest. The last thing he wanted ever was to see her cry. By his doing of all things. “Yes! I have, but it doesn’t...it won’t ever matter will it?! Just forget it.” He huffed, burying his head in his hands.

“It’s almost half past one in the afternoon.” Kian declared, making herself comfortable on the empty space next to him after being satisfied with how bright the room had gotten. “What did you do last night?” she questioned. In all honesty, they didn’t have anything planned but Kian knew that she missed her best friend and wanted to spend some quality time with him. Especially with how busy she had suddenly gotten at work, it was a miracle that she even got out of bed today. “You’ve never missed any of my shows, I have high hopes you won’t ever miss any.” Kian chuckled before tugging on the blanket. “But no, I’m off for the rest of the week. Which is why I’m here bothering you, now get up.”

“One?!” Elliot exclaimed absent-mindedly, finally reaching his phone from the nightstand and nearly falling off the bed in the process. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d even sleep this long. “I —“ He halted at his answer, having to think about what he did the previous night entail. Though it was rather quick to recall…”I had a post-production meeting. For that one movie I told you about.” Elliot covered, which wasn’t a total lie. It was for business…just not things he wanted to pull her into. Especially with all the catching up on hanging out they had to do. “I know, I’m still pretty annoyed I never received any perfect attendance award from your dance company.” He jested, finally shifting to move upwards. “Good, you know you’re allowed. We going to uh…lunch?”

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       "Yes,” Natalia breathes, momentarily lost in the fact that the bathroom suddenly felt very hot, the air around them causing palpitations within her chest as she struggled to breathe. But it took her a second to realise he wasn’t exactly referring to that.. “I mean, no.. no it’s perfect. It’s fine.” And there it went again, that look they held between them. The lingering look that signalled to her that maybe, just maybe she wasn’t completely crazy to think that he perhaps felt the same way she did? And how did she feel? If she wasn’t willing to exactly admit it to herself, how could she admit it to anyone else? If Tanner felt the same, then he was surely deliberating as to whether to make a move. As to whether he should admit his feelings for her. But then, was he, too, held back by the fact that he could possibly ruin their friendship? That, she could potentially be ruining a relationship, no matter how disastrous she believed it to be? No matter how much she believed Tanner’s said girlfriend was wrong for him? Was he, too, terrified of losing his best friend knowing the other might not feel the same? Was she willing to risk it?

       All of these thoughts whirling around her mind as those blue hues fixed on her own. It almost felt like she was living a dream — was he really saying those words and meaning them the way she assumed? Did he just move towards her? Her chest began to move a little quicker as she dared to ask, “W-what do you mean?” 

Amongst the bathroom suddenly heating beyond the running water from the sink, and that lingering, profound gaze of hers on him while near to no space remained between their frames, Tanner didn’t register what he’d exactly began to reveal after years and years of holding it in until Nataila questioned his words.It was a make or break. They surely couldn’t go back to the usual routine, with his mind running a mile a minute as to how to even start to attempt admitting how he felt. But no way did he want to just keep keeping it in and lose a possible chance again. Natalia did tell him recently that she was absolutely single after all. As long as he did lose her either way, that wasn’t something he could handle. It was a risk that apparently had to be taken, a question that Tanner finally wanted to acquire the answer of. Whether there might be feelings for him in her case too.

For so long of thinking this through, it all went out the window as this moment came. A lump instantly formed in his throat, yet insisting his eyes remained on her mesmerizing doe ones. “I mean..” Tanner began, a huff heaving from his chest. “I mean, that I’ve been there for you for so long, I don’t regret one second of it..and as your daughter came along, me helping you guys out, it only made me think about it more. Think about you more that maybe...I..we could finally have a chance too..” 

       God, she felt like a total and utter mess. No — she was a total fucking mess. Crying? In front of her ex? Was she insane?! Showing emotion was something she fought against, the weighted words of her father ringing in her ears… emotion is a weakness. Emotion only brings you pain. And at the same time, she was at war with herself knowing how much Cal used to be a shoulder for her. Knowing that their very confidante, the very person who had accepted their relationship and had always strived to keep them same, was dead. But as she stared down at the hand he offered, the support he was undoubtedly willing to give her and the support she admittedly wanted, Andy felt suddenly afraid that somehow he would reject her, or he’d make a fool out of her. And so, she wrapped her arms around herself and furiously wiped away at her tears, willing them away. 

       “This morning. I can’t—” She sighs through her nose, pressing her lips together as she peers out at the desert. A place she once found comfort in, knowing it was so quiet. Knowing it was once a place that she had found an escape, with Cal. “I just wanted to see if you knew anything.” And.. I wanted you to know it was him. And I wanted to tell you. And I just.. “I know we’re on different teams here, but if you find out.. you don’t owe me anything but, Riccardo. It’s Riccardo.” Do it for him. 

As she rejected his attempt of comfort, Cal’s hand fell slack again, lips pursing together, glancing back outward to the spiraling desert. What was he even doing? Mere years ago, he’d know exactly what to do. He could provide Andy the comfort she was seeking, but now? Where to begin? How cold and distant their usual run-ins had been lately become a custom, resorting them back to their early days before falling for one another, it was mandatory after all. For both the sakes of their legacies, they’d have nothing to fall back on if they both ended up failing their families, their respective gangs, yet again. This sort of vulnerability they used to confide in, share between one another once marrying long ago had been left deep along and alone in the sprawling, ever-dissipating sands the moment they crossed those borders to make a pain-stricken return to Nevada. But then again, Cal couldn’t not appreciate his ex-wife coming all this way to come and tell him. Ricardo had essentially been the last, thin string left of their past relationship.

His eyes fell back towards the ground, his feet hastily kicking a bit, letting her grieve how she needed to. “ I was on a shift. I didn’t go, I heard of a hit going on, but that’s the honest truth, Andy. I wouldn’t — you know I wouldn’t. I didn’t know it’d be him…” Cal found himself swallowing hard, trying to find Andy’s gaze. They both wanted answers for Ricardo’s sake. “That means we’re going to have to keep meeting up you know..”

private starter for @celestialskied.

“Rise and shine!” Kian announced, barging through the doors of her best friend’s room. The ballerina spent a lot of her time in Elliot’s home if not her own, so it was safe to say that she knew how to get in on her own. Going straight for her curtains, she swung them open, welcoming the morning sunlight in Elliot’s once dim-lit bedroom. “Did you forget about our plans? Come on – chop, chop, look alive!”

At first, Elliot merely groaned into his pillow at being woken up. However long he’d been sleeping. Thought it only took a few seconds for his frame to instantly shift upwards, knowing his best friend’s voice anywhere, shock causing his eyes to widen. “What — What time is it, Ki?” He muttered groggily. “I didn’t miss any of your shows did I? Or dinner?” His hand then lamely reached for his phone still resting on the nearby nightstand.

        Whatever had previously been in her hands had now fallen to the ground once Luke stepped forth and claimed her for his own. Completely zoning out from the rest of the world, reality feeling so distant now, Indi found herself complete the instant their lips met. As though she’d been waiting for this for so long, and finally, everything had fallen into place. The way his desire spoke through the very movement of his lips, the way they moved so effortlessly. The sparks she felt within her very core were unmatched by any other, overwhelming her in ways that were totally unfamiliar. How had she never felt this before? As though, it were all so new to her? And as she slowly pulled back for air, a smile eased all too easily along her features, a sudden shyness overcoming her. “I’ve wanted you to do that for such a long time..” 

As Indi reciprocated the kiss with matching heated vigor, Luke knew that any lingering reservations dissipated in that very moment. There was nothing to truly be concerned of anymore. The past barriers preventing him from displaying his long-known affections for Indiana were crashing down and would continue to. Lost time would all be made up, starting with tonight. Pressing Indi against the back elevator wall, Luke began to hoist her long legs upward around him, not breaking the increasingly rough, steady movements of their lips, tongues intertwining, displaying how much he’d missed her. Indiana’s coy words and the sudden bell resounding from the hotel elevator halted him though, an easy grin that always appeared around her spread upon his expression. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that..” He stated, still mere inches from her lips.

        If she allowed herself to think, even for a second, Sawyer feared she might run in the opposite direction. Her only choice was to immerse herself in this moment, in Talan, however long it lasted. Loyalty wasn’t hard for the likes of this young cop, it was, in fact, a trait she held herself and valued in others — which further propelled her dislike for the general population knowing disloyalty was on the rise. However, giving one’s heart to another was too hard for her to even fathom, the sole factor that kept her out of any serious relationships. For now, her only option was going with the flow. If anything, Talan had taken the first step in proving to her that maybe he wasn’t like the others by rocking up here, all the way in Florida, just to let her know he was missing her. That her exit affected him. That they were taking baby steps towards something completely unfamiliar to her. And for now, she could afford just that — first steps. “Really, the best day of his life? Why’s that?” Could Sawyer truly believe all of the words that he offered her? She sure as hell felt they matched his very actions. But what terrified her most was the unknown, that time could rip away everything in an instant. “Well, I was going to go over them.. the initials. But I guess they kind of grew on me over time..” she smirked, insinuating far more than the literal meaning of her words, caressing the soft of his neck with her fingertips. Sometimes Talan had the uncanny ability of making her nervous. “Do you.. want to go get a drink or something? Maybe go out.. dance?” 

Talan was well aware that he’d taken a major risk at what he’d done, hopping on a bus from New Orleans to come find her on detective work. Sure, Sawyer had every right to turn him away, but that was the way Talan lived, his mantra. Why not take a chance? Especially from the fact that this cop had already made quite the major impression on his life so far, one that he didn’t want to see just fade away this time. She was intriguing in every way, in a way that he never known before. And now that she’d began to give him a chance by letting him stay around in Florida with her, it gave him the impression that maybe he’d made an impression on her in a similar manner. At least he certainly hoped and did want to prove, however Sawyer wanted to take it, his shot was one he wanted to go for. When Talan’s mind was set on anything, nothing would unyield him. His work at the shop was the only other time that truly occurred.

“Because a certain cop came in and rocked his world.” Talan instantly replied with a widened grin, though it formed into a moçk offended expression as she spoke of the drunken tat he’d given her. “But yeah, I know. I was right in that crossfire of you supposedly saying you wanted to have it removed. Kind of knew you were going to keep the ink though.” He teased, his eyes catching hers eagerly, that maybe, her words meant that he was growing her too. “You know it, that’s why I came here, to be with you. Can’t wait for a grand tour.” Talan instantly nodded in acceptance. “I guess I..uh..should put my bag down first though?”

        Not even the tightness around her ring finger, conveniently donned with an engagement ring that definitely did not belong to her, nor the lukewarm water running down her hands could distract her from the nervous flutter within her chest. Or the fact that the proximity between them was all too much to bear. When had that all changed?! Yet his words had given her some confidence to question it further without worrying about probing too much into his private business which.. friends would normally ask but, again, when did that feeling change? When did she feel like she suddenly couldn’t press him about what was going on in his personal life? Then again, she had tried on an engagement ring meant for his girlfriend. That would surely be a start. “Doubtful, why? Not sure you want to leave your very best friend behind, perhaps?” Natalia dared to tease, the slightest bit of cheek tugging at her lips. “God I hope so because I’d hate to pull out the old chainsaw.” 

For the next few moments, Tanner’s gaze stayed trained on his fingers carefully continuing to adjust the stuck ring on hers, mixing soap, water, and repeat. The thoughts that raced through his mind at the time seeing an engagement ring on her finger, a ring that he bought on her finger only was pressing him closer and closer to revealing the truth. This was a pent up reality he’d wanted to happen for years, but one that still could more than likely never be. “Sorry, too hot?” He questioned in a matter once realizing the water increased it’s warmth some, his arm unmoving on Natalia’s frame. His lips upturned unto a small grin at her jest for a few moments, the previous question sinking in. The always could easily joke around with one another, and they could stay as they always were, or this was a chance to shift everything. With the ring on her finger, and those words of ‘best friend,’ he would be choosing the latter. “Best friend, yeah. I mean, that’s -- is that all this is ever going to be?” He revealed exasperatedly, shifting slightly towards her.