⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

"you know, i'm an artist," cressida hummed in response. a struggling one, mind you, but she had the skills to go far. "i could paint you one day," she teased, and the compliment she'd received in return made her blush and lick her lips. taking a drink to stabilize and recompose herself, she smiled back over at ilayda. "i'm really nothing special, you know?" she joked. "have you seen you? you're the beautiful one."

"are you now? well, now i'm very intrigued. i'm a wedding and event planner, so i've come across many artists, some a little better than others, but all do exceptional work," ilayda made note with a soft smile. "would you be willing to show me some of your art?" was then questioned before the heat in her cheeks rose once more. "oh, well, i think i'd allow you to paint me," she grinned before taking another sip of her wine. at the other woman's next words, a laugh slipped into the open as she shook her head. "nothing special? you're definitely joking, because darling, you are stunning," she bantered back. "and no, i'm not that egotistical to stare at myself in the mirror and think 'damn, i am seriously so good looking!" she joked. "i prefer the beauty in other people."

"you do know today's our anniversary, right?" she chuckled. she wouldn't have been mad if the other woman forgot. she'd forgotten herself a couple of times, and at this point they'd been together long enough for the days to start blurring together. "maybe we should, like, go out for dinner somewhere, or dress up and go somewhere nice."

destini hummed slightly as her girlfriend spoke, her eyes still glued to the notes she had taken earlier that week, but then the words finally caught up with her and her gaze snapped upwards. "wait, what?" she began as she quickly glanced to the calendar on her desk. "oh, darn it," she cursed lightly under her breath, an embarrassed chuckle followed. she had definitely made note of their anniversary a couple days ago, but the days had flown by quicker than she had realized. "sorry, baby, honestly lost track of the days," destini continued as she rose her gaze back towards kyla. "i would love that, and we can go wherever you want, darling. my treat."

following bela's gaze over to the other woman's teammates, jordyn snickered softly. "so? it's not like i'm still dating her. i dumped her," she gave a slight smirk, holding bela's eye contact. "it's not dangerous if i'm a perfectly free single woman in a free country," she remarked playfully. "i can talk to whoever i want. and i wanted to talk to you."

"i see your point," bela chuckled lightly as she reached for her beer, rose it to her lips and took a swig while her eyes had a mind of their own as they trailed down jordyn's figure, not at all hiding the fact she was absolutely checking her out, and definitely not being ashamed by it either. "okay, maybe not for you, but definitely for me. you know rules and shit about hooking up with teammates and friends exes and all that crap. could seriously ruin the teams dynamic, because honestly you broke her heart, she was devastated for weeks. probably still is," she admitted, but then a smirk of her own began to tug at the corner of her lips. "just talk?" her question definitely had a suggestive undertone to it. the alcohol was certainly spurring her actions.

“If I’m being honest, me too.” Henry chuckled. It had been awhile since he’d been out at all. He tended to go through these gazes where he becomes so hyper fixated on his work that everything else falls to the wayside, especially pursuit of romance. He always feels like he’s just going to forget how to interact with another human being, ironic given he spends his days and makes his money from writing compelling dynamics in his novels. “I think the last actual date I went on before this evening was…. God a year and a half ago. Which was a disaster.” He chuckled before taking a sip from his glass. “Thus far this one is going much better. Which yeah might have something to do with this place, this food and the fairly charming and beautiful company across the table.” He teased right back.

"damn, was it really that horrendous that it turned you off dating for a whole year and a half?" she couldn't help but question in a jokingly manner, keeping her tone light to let him know she wasn't at all being serious. "but wish i could say the same, over the past like four months i've been on like five or so dates, mainly because my best friend is a persistent stubborn mess of a being who likes to constantly set me up on them whether i like it or not, and they truly have all been an absolute trainwreck, apart from this one. so, i suppose she finally got it right," she laughed, her head shaking playfully, but couldn't help the way a blush started to form across her cheeks at the compliment. "well, aren't you a charmer yourself, and definitely handsome as hell."

"well then i guess that worked out," cressida snickered playfully as ilayda put two and two together and remembered her. "yup, that's me." she cocked her head, "you're welcome then. and if it's any consolation, i think you looked just as pretty soaked in your drink." she teased. it certainly helped that the other's wet top had clung to her figure and accentuated her cleavage, but cressida wasn't going to mention that out loud. "oh, well good." she smiled, "i am. so, what else do i need to know about you, ilayda?" she questioned curiously as she looked into the woman's beautiful eyes.

a laugh rumbled in the back of ilayda's throat as she began to shake her head in amusement, her gaze lowering to the table for a moment as she became a little flustered at the comment. "well, i am glad you think so," she spoke softly as she rose her gaze and offered cressida a smile. reaching out, she grabbed her wine glass, rose it up and took a small sip, just to give herself a little more time to compose herself. "hm," she hummed in thought at the question. "i absolutely love art, watching the sunrise and sunset, and i tend to get flustered by compliments a little too easily, especially when they come from extremely beautiful women," she answered the question as she kept eye contact with the other woman.

"Don't flatter yourself too much, it's a safety hazard," Isabela scoffed, though the edge of her words was entirely ruined by the amused twitch of her lips. She leaned her forearms against the bar top and allowed her chin to rest in her hands, tilting her head as she watched them take a sip. Her gaze lingered on the smug smirk playing across Alejandra's face. It was infuriating how charming they managed to look even while slightly slurring their words, a fact Isabela had absolutely no intention of admitting aloud. "I said I enjoyed the company, not that I was lookin' to join you in whatever hangover you're buildin' for tomorrow," they countered smoothly, their tone dripping with playful sarcasm. She gestured with her chin toward the glass in Alejandra's hand. "And as for your supposed high tolerance, we'll just have to see if you're still singin' that same tune when you're tryin' to stand up in a little bit."

"a safety hazard, mmhmmm," they let out slowly, amusement lingering in their tone to let isabela know that they didn't fully believe that that was the actual reason, especially when they noticed the way her lips twitched upwards, clearly not at all serious about her own words. raising the glass to their lips again, alejandra took another swig, eyes lingering on isabela as she spoke again, the smug expression only growing across their features as they lowered the drink, but kept it in their grasp. "not even if it ends with you at my place?" they questioned almost instantly, not at all attempting to hide what their true intentions were with how they wanted the night to play out. glancing downwards, their eyes fell to where isabela had gestured to, and they let out a soft chuckle. "please, i truly am capable of being able to hold my liquor," they commented again, and to prove their point, they placed the glass back on the bar top and stood up, held their hands out and gave a slight spin. sure, they may have had a slight slur to their speech, but they weren't completely wasted to not be able to control their own. "see, can still stand on my own two feet," alejandra laughed as they moved back to sit on the bar stool.

"you know, you might not actually remember me, but we've already met once. i was your server once, and i think you were on one hell of a disaster of a blind date at that restaurant i used to work at. i never forget a face, and i distinctly remember yours,.. mostly because i was new and i spilled your drink all over you." she laughed awkwardly. "so, nice to meet you officially, i guess," she snickered playfully. "only this time, it's in a different context. but i'm glad you're having a nice time, because i am too. and i'm sorry for spilling your order on you the last time we met." she laughed.

eyebrows flew slightly upwards in curiosity when cressida began to speak, but then they began to furrow as she tried to think of when and where she could have possibly of met her before. though that wonder was quickly cleared up with the other continued to talk to let her know and ilayda let out a soft chuckle. "ah," she began as she nodded her head slowly. "i do remember that date, and sadly, you spilling the drink all over me was definitely not the worst thing about it, in fact you actually gave me a lifeline to leave early. so, i guess i should say thank you," she spoke in amusement, this time her head shaking. "honestly, no need to apologise, it's in the past, and luckily for you, i tend to not hold grudges over a silly little mistake that you didn't mean," she reassured with a genuine smile. "i'm also glad you are having a nice time, too."

"it didn't feel like ' never ' last time." she took just a step or two closer to where darcy stood, the movement almost instinctive, a familiar magnetism pulling her in. "and it's not going to feel like it next time, either."

silence fell for a moment as darcy fought the urge to smirk a little bigger at kaya's comment, her eyes still locked onto her, not daring to look away. "all that was was great sex," she made note, but definitely couldn't stop the way her heart picked up a little when she noticed kaya take a couple steps towards her. "doesn't mean that we are going to end up together," she continued as she shifted from one foot to the other, this time fighting the temptation to take a couple steps closer herself. "also cute that you think there is going to be a next time," though who was she kidding? they both knew that they'd most likely end up in bed together again, it was kind of inevitable because kaya definitely had a hold on her.

"Y'know, I'm legally obligated to stop servin' you when I feel like you've had too much to drink," she said, narrowing her eyes at them before sliding another drink to them across the bar top. "But I can't lie and say I haven't been enjoyin' your company."

"that you are," alejandra began as they reached for the drink that was slid over to them, a small smirk also pulling across their lips. "but, you and i both know that i am capable of drinking way more than i've already consumed," they continued, a hint of smugness was mixed in with the slight slurring of their words as they raised the glass upwards and took a sip. a chuckle then slipped at the next comment to fall from isabela. "mmm, i knew it! you're totally into me."

muse: holden "fitz" fitzgerald. mid 20s. firefighter ( currently suspended for safety violations ).

the minute holden leaned forward, bela couldn't help the way her body tensed ever so slightly, though she also couldn't stop her heart from fluttering with the closeness either—she absolutely hated that. "seriously!?" annoyance still lingering in her tone as she let out a bitter laugh. "yeah, well... your therapist sounds like a fucking lunatic," was continued, finally allowing herself to take a step backwards, putting a little bit of distance between them. eyes then immediately rolled at the smile that started to pull across holden's lips—that stupid, fucking smile! why did it still have to make her heart race, and still have to make her go weak in the knees? ridiculous, that's what it was. bringing in a deep breath, she finally tore her gaze away, head shaking furiously. "you can have all the feelings you want, holden, but that doesn't mean you have to fucking act upon them and make other people feel like absolute shit. I'm sure your therapist doesn't tell you it's okay to ruin other people's lives just because you might not be having the best of days," her tone finally softening a little.

"But it's fine... I'm fine. He didn't hurt me." Maybe not physically, but he definitely did emotionally and verbally. That's how it always was with Lucas. But it was something Camila refused to admit, what was happening to her, because that meant she'd have an excuse to finally leave... But she was too scared to. She was terrified of the fallout, the headlines, and the crushing silence of being alone after he'd spent so much time making her feel small. As Shay spoke, Camila felt a shuddering sob escape her throat. Hearing her defend her with such unfiltered vitriol made the reality of her situation harder to ignore. It was so much easier to believe Lucas when he called her all the names in the book that she hated repeating than it was to believe Shay when she called her talented and gorgeous. "I... I don't know," she admitted quietly, feeling smaller than ever. "He's probably already been cheating on me for a long time, but if he knew I was cheating on him... I'd be the one that ends up six feet under." Camila took in a deep breath, trying her absolute best to steady her breathing and the tears that continued rolling down her cheeks, but it was almost useless. "I'm sorry, I'm such a mess tonight. I'm sorry—" She was cut off by the feeling of Shay's lips on hers again, but this time, it didn't feel like it was the desperate grab for air that Camila had initiated moments ago. It was deep and filled with a warmth that made Camila's knees weak. It felt like a promise she wasn't sure she was allowed to keep. After a few more seconds, she pulled back just a little, resting her forehead against Shay's as she looked into her eyes, seeing a devotion there that frightened her almost as much as it comforted her. "Make me forget about all of this... Por favor. I don't want to think right now."

not physically. is something shay desperately wanted to say, but for some reason it got stuck in her throat. maybe it was her brain's way of saying that camila could definitely live without that problem for the time being, she was already so distraught, why add to it? bringing in a breath, she held it for a beat while allowing her eyes to linger. contemplating about what to actually say. "you would tell me though, right?" eventually fell in a much softer, quieter tone — well, so much for leaving that topic alone. "if he ever did, that is..." was continued in clarification, not being able to hide the concern that crept into her voice. honestly, shay was worried for the response, though also worried that there was a possibility that he already had in fact taken things a step too far, but camila was too frightened to say anything, that thought alone drove shay absolutely insane. "please, i'll make it my personal mission to make sure he is the one six feet under if he did try anything, and okay, yes, i get that the media and the public eye can be absolutely fucking ruthless, because i have to deal with them too you know, but it can also be very... very surprising. though hey... if at any point shit does actually hit the fan, and you do go down, then i will be right there by your side, and i will also gladly go down fighting to protect and defend you. you're not alone." words completely sincere as her thumbs once again moved to wipe the tears that were trailing down mila's cheeks. letting out a small breath, shay shook her head. "don't apologize, okay," she murmured against her lips. "seriously, you never have to be sorry about being emotional, i'm here for you, no matter what," she absolutely hated the fact that camila felt the need to do so. eyes had remained closed as the kiss ended and their foreheads connected once more, her chest rising and falling a little more heavily as she was still trying to regain her breath. eventually they slowly fluttered open, looking at the other pair that were already glued to her. the shift in the atmosphere was almost palpable. it was intense and full of desire, and it caused her heart to pick up a few extra beats. without breaking eye contact, her hands began moving downwards, reaching her arms as she guided them to wrap around her neck, then she began ghosting her own once more lightly along her back before stopping to firmly grip her ass as she pushed their hips together, then she continued further, hooking her hands around her thighs and lifting upwards, guiding her to wrap her legs around her as she picked her up. "whatever you want, babe," she whispered softly as she began to carry her towards the bedroom. sure she could have easily spun her around, pinned her against the kitchen counter and fucked her right then and there without much thought or care, but shay knew that camila deserved better, she deserved something special that showed her that she was worth the whole damn world, showed her that she was completely and utterly loved — though shay could never bring herself to admit that bit of information to mila as she didn't want to ruin the relationship they already had. she also didn't want this moment rushed, she wanted to take her time to be able to touch, kiss and explore the other's body to the point camila was moaning her name, over and over again. reaching the bedroom, she used her foot to kick the door closed and then she pushed forward, pressing mila's back softly against it as she guided her feet back to the ground, her hands moving to grip her waist as a leg slipped between camila's, grinding upwards all while keeping her gaze fixated on her face, not wanting to miss any reaction from the other. however, it didn't take long before she was closing the gap, kissing her more desperately, more hungrily, hands roaming along her sides before coming to a stop at the bottom of her top, giving it a tug. "may i?" she whispered breathlessly against her lips, wanting nothing more than to get rid of the damp pieces of clothing.