PROPHETIC DREAMS

" i wear sunscreen. wanting to be home, home, home on the range isn't exactly a problem for me. you sound like a farmer. "

 〝 so? it's a respectable profession. pays damn well, too. 〞

a small, defeated sigh escapes him before he can stop it. it's not that he's mad at stefan, he understands where he's coming from, he just wishes it wasn't such a hostile confrontation every time. it's different for maverick, of course, out since high school, very obviously in love with stefan the whole time, but he knows there's a reason they hardly ever leave the apartment. he wouldn't ever break stefan's trust like that, but in turn, he feels like he's lying to his own people. this big thing of his behind closed curtains. "so you want me to tell them i'm dating some old guy from school or something ? " it comes out with a bit more bite than he means for it to, but it seems like a dumb idea neither of them would ACTUALLY want.

 〝 yeah, 〞 he responds, spitefully insincere. the thought of it, as if a small fib would cause it to materialise, aggravating in ways he cannot describe. something akin to jealousy albeit more defeatist, apathetic almost. 〝 makes no difference to me. 〞

eating his protein bar, he nodded, listening to her words. leaning down, he kissed the top of her head, ignorant to her worries. he hadn't met someone's parents before either. unless his own parents came to visit, mj wouldn't be meeting them until their wedding day—if that were to come. he supposed this wasn't the time to ask about their future. "it'll be good," he says, confident. "in and out and on my best behaviour."

 〝 thank you. 〞

an addict can spot an intoxicated individual from a mile away, and it didn’t take much to notice the drunken state of rome. from the stumbles, the little wrinkle of his nose when he denies, the way he spoke more with his hands. it causes a twitch of a smile to ghost along features, warm sensation in her stomach. guards down, no longer masking or tip-toeing around her.  “   you’re drunk.   ”   it’s no longer a question but a statement, and the smile now evident as she crosses her arms. body leans against the closest wall, watching him with ease.   “   yes, i was snacking in the kitchen and didn’t want to get caught.   ”   head tilts.   “   c’mon, i’ll help you get to bed. lucky for you  —  i know a good hangover remedy.   ”   it’s her first attempt at a joke, silent prayer the humour will land.

 〝 forgot i was speaking to the expert, that's my bad. 〞 approaching, he lacks the sobriety to gauche appropriate distance, winding up in her space, head dipped. 〝 alright, doc, lead the way. 〞

"i don't know," he says, feeling smaller already. "because we like to talk about things going on in our lives and mostly i get the feeling they just want me to move on from... y'know... my crush. wouldn't be so bad to go back to them with some good news."

 〝 then tell them you've moved on. leave me out of it. 〞

"i bet he'd be ready if you told him that. hey, even i'd step up if you needed me. y'know... daddy maverick." he giggles at his own words, but can really imagine himself with a baby on his hip. not one to take home, no, sawyer and lou can take the sleepless nights, but someone to hang out with. some little guy that doesn't know what the world has to offer just yet.

 〝 pretty sure that'd just freak him out. 〞 absolutely certain being more like it, and the fact conjures anxieties of her own. she pivots. 〝 daddy maverick. sounds to me like you should be getting one for yourself. 〞

"Wouldn't it be the other way around? You'd be warming my cock up. You want that?" He coos back, reaching down to jerk himself off a little.

 〝 i need it, baby. 〞 she fusses, words goading.〝 need my husband taking care of me. need it so bad it hurts, baby. 〞

" i'd rather drink my coffee alone, thanks. 'cause i have like, my phone, and a bunch of people to text back. which is something i'm in the habit of doing. " @cotiere

 〝 i deserve that, 〞 he acknowledges, hoping it would defuse the situation. part of the whole spiel anyhow. accountability.〝 i was just coming over to apologise. it's been a crazy couple weeks and i've had a lot going on but that's no excuse. i should've reached out, let you know. shitty of me not to. 〞

 〝 kind of want to test this out now. see how far you'll go. 〞 she admits, a comment to be made in jest although none is found. leaning in, her voice is lowered. 〝 don't think you have it in you, though. too much of a chicken. 〞

" because we have the option for it to be. accepting second best is the first slippery step on the staircase of mediocrity. do you want to break your neck falling down that, claire? "

 〝 it's an alumni brunch fundraiser, not brain surgery. i think we can afford phoning it in on the decorations without any spinal injuries. 〞

"i just—i want to know if i'm allowed to mention this," he motions between the two of them, eyes anywhere below stefan's shoulders, "to sawyer. or like, your sister. they're my friends, stef."

 〝 why, 〞 curt, arms folded. 〝 how's that any of their business? 〞

"what you think is mediocre might not be the same to someone else. god makes us all great in our own ways."

 〝 ... seriously? 〞

he thinks for a moment, pauses, and tilts his head like a curious dog, thinking about the situation at hand. he's not a fan of meatloaf in the first place and— "most people don't like talking about medicine at the dinner table, m. i'm not sure how i could start that conversation."

 〝 i didn't mean actually— 〞 never mind, she decides. saving explanations on hyperbole for a later date.〝 i've never brought somebody home before, and like yeah, they're assholes, but … 〞 but she wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, and she wouldn't ask him if he wasn't, either. 〝 it's whatever, i'll just come up with something else. 〞

" way worse people than me have killed themselves. hitler killed himself. "

 〝 you're comparing yourself to hitler? 〞 florence knows he's not but his theatrics are annoying.〝 either way it's not the same. hitler killing himself was the equivalent to a fox in a bear trap, chewing its own leg off. you're an idiot who dropped his keys down the drain, not a wild animal fighting for its life. give me your earbuds. 〞

He smiles against her touch. "My face? What about your face? You could have anyone you wanted." He taps her temple. "Must be a screw loose up here. Choosing me. But hey, I'm not complaining."

 〝 i've spent my whole adult life wanting you, lou. ever since the parakeets. 〞 it's too sentimental. digging any deeper and it'll surely set off more waterworks, so she keeps it light. 〝 you were being so sweet with 'em, and i remember thinking it was a shame i'd gone and messed it all up because i just wanted to jump your bones all over again. 〞

He blinks at her. Opens his mouth then clamps it shut again. "Right..." Jack processes, narrowing his eyes at her. "You know your daughter taught me a term the other day. Situationship? It seems quite applicable to whatever you two have going on."

 〝 you're too old to be using words like that, or to be hanging around twenty year olds. 〞 deflection. 〝 and it's not, actually. it's a relationship. 〞