⋆

“ the   bus, ”   she   murmured.   her   lungs   felt   tight   as   she   watched   the   massive   metal   frame   screech   toward   the   curb.   mind   immediately   ran   through   the   grime   of   the   interior. the   hundreds   of   damp   coats   that   had   dragged   across   the   vinyl,   the   grease   left   behind   on   the   metal   poles,   the   heavy,   stale   air   of   public   transit.   irritation   started   to   prick   at   the   back   of   her   neck.   “ thanks,   babe, ”   she   muttered,   her   voice   dropping   into   a   softer,   rhythmic   tone   as   she   stepped   forward   into   his   chest.   she   wrapped   her   arms   around   his   middle,   burying   her   face   into   the   fabric   of   his   jacket.   the   proximity   hid   her   expression   completely,   letting   her   roll   her   eyes   into   the   dark   of   his   shoulder   without   him   seeing   the   line   of   her   mouth   flatten   out.   the   air   brakes   hissed,   a   loud,   wet   sound   that   meant   the   doors   were   opening.   she   pulled   her   arms   back,   her   palms   landing   flat   against   his   chest   to   give   him   a   firm,   forward   nudge.   “ go   first, ”   she   said,   gesturing   toward   the   steep   rubber   steps.   she   climbed   up   right   behind   him,   the   smell   of   damp   carpet   and   old   heaters   hitting   her   instantly.   she   looked   over   his   shoulder   at   the   rows   of   low,   blue   seats,   her   jaw   tightening.   “ can   i   sit   on   your   lap   instead ? ”   she   asked,   her   fingers   hooking   into   the   belt   of   his   pants.  “ please ? ”

eyes scanned the bus closely. not many people out tonight so there was enough room for them to sit together. he walked forward and felt her tug at him. soft smile etched on his lips as he looked over his shoulder. " of course baby. " it only made him happy that she wanted to be near him. that she found comfort in him. he sat down and pulled her hand to get her down with him. arms wrapped around her waist and he exhaled slowly. breathing out the night they'd had. " i'm proud of you. " she stood tall all while her parents hated her for it. " you stood up for yourself. that's ... impressive. you looked hot tonight. " a soft chuckle muffled by her hair.

turned   on   her   heel.   spotted   another drunken body.   slid   a   folded   bill   onto   their pocket,   her   fingers   touching   the   man's   sleeve   just   long   enough   to   fully get   his   attention. “ the   man   who   just   took   a   shot   from   the   bottle, ”   she   murmured,   her   face   neutral,   voice   barely   carrying   over   the   bass   rattling   the   floorboards.   asking the stranger to call aurelio with his real full name. stayed   by   the   wall,   shoulder   pressed   against   the   cold   plaster   as   she   watched   the   stranger   weave   through   the   dense   thicket   of   bodies. if   the   name   didn't   snap   his   chin   around,   didn't   make   his   blood   run   cold   enough   to   drag   him   back   to   her,   then   the   evening   was   about   to   get   intersting   for   him.   a   house   full   of   cheap   liquor   and   loose   tongues   was   the   perfect   incubator.   with   enough   alcohol   rotting   their   filters,   the   guests   would   do   the   work   for   her.   all she has to do is  drop   the   seed.   they   would   cultivate   the   rumor   until   the   truth   was   entirely   misshapen,   bloated,   and   irreversible.   a   wildfire   is   always   much more   efficient   when   someone   else   supplies   the   timber.

". get the fuck away from me dude. " he replied with a shove and the guy disappeared in the crowd again. it had been a year since he last heard it. then name he decided to remove himself from. fuck fuck fuck. dark hues scanned the crowd and he turned. was she baiting him or was she telling the truth? he hoped his name was the only thing she knew. gaze found hers and a fire ignited in him. only a spark for now but if she kept playing around then ... it might grow into a forest fire. he b lined toward her. " what the fuck was that? " voice low to make sure no one else heard. " who else have you told? " her empty threats might've been more than he initially thought. " tell me. "

Finn Bennett as Bobby Backrooms Trailer (2026)

the guy that just dumped her was the only guy she'd been with . he was a distraction more than anything . just a warm body to keep her bed from being empty . to be honest , every guy reminded her of him ; a memory of what she left behind . ❝ okay , cool . ❞ kimora says , hands sinking into the pockets of her hoodie . a silence fell between them for a moment , eyes drop from him to the ground and back . ❝ oh . i just asked cause my mom said some new shops opened up downtown . . . ❞ was he tired of talking to her ? was he mad ? she couldn't put her finger on it . him bringing up the parade flashed memories before her eyes . they'd always gone together , been at the front to catch all the candy and stuff that was thrown at them . ❝ i was thinking about it . are you gonna go ? i could tag along if you are . . ❞ she says softly , hand moving to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear .

wyatt met her gaze finally, surprised that she asked to go with him. when he first saw her, he had tried to convince himself that the best approach was to be dismissive. careless about her return to town. though that tough exterior seemed to melt more and more the longer he stood there talking to her. " yeah, i'm probably gonna go. " if she hadn't asked to go with him he wouldn't even have considered going. " get there late maybe ... " he said with a shrug as hands were shoved in his worn out jean pockets. " only going for mr. ramirez hot dogs of course. "

he   left   the   gruesome   details   completely   unsaid.   he   didn't   mention   the   explicit,   written   order   currently   sitting   in   his   email,   the   command   that   dictated   her   permanent   silence.   he   didn't   tell   her   that   he   had   been   sent   into   her   life   as   an   executioner,   not   a   lover. he   bit   down   hard   on   his   bottom   lip,   the   physical   pain   a   necessary   anchor   to   suppress   the   remainder   of   the   truth   before   he   finally   forced   his   gaze   back   up   to   meet   hers. “ that’s   why   i’m   asking   you   this,   juliette.   to   just   disappear   with   me. ”

" what the fuck are you talking about? " never had he said anything about being involved in the case. she had relied on him when she spoke about how hard it was going to be to testify. he'd consoled her when nothing else could calm her. the blonde shook her head as gaze moved away from him. " no no ... you knew it was me all along? you ... you had some twisted plan to get me to not do it? to not tell the truth? " chest ached. " anything to get the verdict you wanted? did you get some extra cash for sleeping with me too? something to sweeten the deal? " eyes couldn't look at him without tears wanting to fill her eyes so she looked away. " god ... i have to give it to you — you've been a good actor. playing your part perfectly. " feet take her back and away from him. " or are you gonna pretend that it turned real for you? to get me to play nice and drop my testimony? god, you really think that lowly of me. " can't stop talking for a second when she's upset.

the   surprise   is   genuine.   she   stands   still   for   a   moment,   her   eyes   tracking   the   dark   lines   marking   his   ribs   before   she   moves   toward   the   closet. “ unlike   you,   im   not   disgusting.   i   like   being   clean   before   going   to   bed, ”   she   says. opens   the   bathroom   door   and   goes   inside.   she   closes   the   door   behind   her.   the   light   under   the   mirror   is   bright   and   white.   she   completes   her   routine   without   rushing,   washing   the   city   dust   from   her   face   before   she   reaches   for   a   piece   of   black   silk   from   the   hook.   it   is   a   thin   thing,   the   kind   of   lace   reserved   for   when   she   has   a   special   gentleman   spending   the   night   in   her   place. she   walks   back   out   into   the   bedroom. “ you   look   awfully   comfortable   on   my   bed, ”   she   notes.  slides   beneath   the   heavy   white   quilt,   her   bare   legs   shifting   against   the   smooth   sheets   until   her   hip   rests   an   inch   away   from   his. “ what's   that   supposed   to   be ? ”   she   asks,   nodding   toward   the   dark   ink   on   his   pale   skin. reaches   out,   her   fingernail   lightly   tracing   the   edge   of   the   design. “ intentional   or   product   of   a   drunken   night ? ”

eyes rolled back as she continued into the bathroom. maybe she'd be in there long enough to change her mind and end up sleeping on the couch. it would've made things easier for them both. he reached for his phone and mindlessly scrolled for a while as he heard her move around in the other room. pictures pop up from the night and their engagement is announced to the world. great. eyes doesn't move from the screen as she entered the room again. it seemed like their friends had gotten her heartfelt proposal from every angle. " it's a nice bed. " dismissive words falling off his lips. " tell me your interpretation. " it wasn't worth explaining to her out of all people. chills traveled down his spine at the sensation of her touch. " you think i'd do something on a whim? " maybe she hadn't quite figured him out as well as she thought. nothing in his life was done unplanned. well, until she walked into his life.

she   didn't   just   see   the   potential   for   a   different   version   of   him.   she   believed   in   it   with   stubborn   certainty.   a   slow,   deflating   sigh   passed   her   lips,   the   tension   in   her   shoulders   dropping   as   a   subtle,   small   smile   touched   her   mouth.   wasn't   going   to   push   him   any   further   into   the   light   than   he   was   ready   to   walk.   she   knew   the   mechanics   of   these   conversations.   she   knew   how   much   friction   it   took   for   a   tongue   like   his   to   move   around   words   like   redeemable. “ okay, ”   she   said,   her   head   nodding   once   to   seal   the   admission.   “ and   i   don’t   just   see   it.   i   know   you   can   still   turn   your   life   around.   you   know   what   they   say. as   long   as   you’re   still   breathing,   there’s   hope.   it’s   never   too   late   for   you,   marco. ” the   smile   remained on her lips. “ does   this   mean   you’ll   stop   disappearing   in   the   middle   of   the   night ? ”   she   asked,   her   voice   dropping   into   a   lower,   lighter   register   that   didn't   quite   hide   the   ache   behind   the   question.   “ or only   showing   up   at   my   door   when   you’re   beaten   down   to   the   bone ?   would   i   actually   get   to   be   with   you   even   when   you   don’t   need   me   to   tape   your   skin   back   together ? ”

she said all those sweet words one would want to hear. about how hope was the only thing that mattered to turn things around. none of it was reality though. he could get out, get off his lease and look for a normal job ... but then what? he'd be labeled as a quitter. the only thing worse than being a quitter was being a snitch. a lot of time would have to pass until they would forget that betrayal. " that's not why i come here. " it hurt to know that was what she thought it was. he nodded slowly to her questions. " can i stay? tonight? " if she expected perfection from now on she would be disappointed. " would you still like me if there was nothing to save? " now it is his turns to ask the questions. " would you want this if i was someone else? someone normal? " he was the lost dog looking for a home. finding that sense of belonging without having his hands stained red in the process.

though she doesn't dare to stop, feet picking up the pace as she heads towards the shadow of trees at the bottom of the street, hoping she can lose him in the small acre of woods — competitve spirit shining through since she wants to win whatever sick game the two of them are playing.

" you're ahead, aren't you? " he yelled back as he took a turn down the other street. it meant he lost sight of her ... momentarily. then he would intersect her in just a moment. beat up converse hit the concrete as he pushed on and boom ... like expected she appeared and he reached out for you. arms wrapping around her body as he pulled her in. " gotcha. " mouth by the shell of her ear. " i thought you'd outsmart me. "

she didn't know how hard it was for him to move on . it had been easy for her . new city , new life . but he was stuck here and memories haunted his every move . childhood sweethearts are a hard thing to forget . . . no matter how hard she tried . the facade she was giving him was for a reason . feelings still lingered for her . she had tried to hide them by being under another guy but they never faltered . this is what was best for him though . what they were was not something they could be again . at the mention of his father , she offered a soft smile before breaking his gaze to look at her twiddling thumbs . ❝ no , no its fine . i'm over him anyway . ❞ that as a lie but it made her feel better to say it out loud . the break-up had been over text . didn't even have the dignity to tell her to her face . she as a bit bitter about it . ❝ y - you don't have to . i mean , i've been gone for so long that i bet things have changed around here . ❞ if she was being honest , she didn't want him to leave .

" around here? " a scoff slipped between his lips. " you know nothing changes around here. " it was still the same people, same shitty burgers at the diner and the same small town gossip. " are you going tomorrow? to the parade? " another thing that hadn't changed in town. wyatt used to like it. maybe he liked it because he did it with her. it seemed like when she went ... all his happiness went too.

Franz Kafka, The Diaries of Franz Kafka

he   pushes   the   remaining   hash   around   the   rim   of   his   plate,   fighting   the   sudden,   heavy   ache   behind   his   ribs   before   letting   out   a   long   exhale   that   smells   of   tobacco.   “ if   you   can   wake   up   early,   i   can   drive   you   there, ”   he   says,   the   words   falling   out   half-hearted   and   careless,   like   an   afterthought   he   might   take   back   if   she   takes   too   long   to   answer.   he   sets   his   fork   down   with   a   small   clatter   that   makes   the   coffee   in   her   mug   ripple   against   the   ceramic   rim.   “ you   pay   for   the   gas   of   course. ”

hope ignited in her gaze when he spoke again. " can you? seriously? " or is he messing with her one last time before he drives off into the night? god, she hoped not. " i can be up early. " there weren't really anyone else she could ask. sure, the waitress looked sweet but she doubted she could get a ride from her. eyes rolled at his dramatic ways before she picked up her mug. coffee tastes better than expected. gwen leaned back in her seat slowly and another sip moved down her throat. " of course. " wouldn't expect him to do anything just for the kindness of his soul. " tell me a time and i'll be up. " would he be? she could imagine the hangover would hit him. or maybe he just drank like that always? maybe this was his normal state.

“ if   i   have   a   savior   complex,   i   will   be   doing   this   from   the   goodness   of   my   heart, ”   he   says   with   a   short   chuckle. he   is   no   prince   charming.   he   knows   the   dirt   on   his   own   shoes   too   well   to   pretend   he   belongs   in   a   fairy   tale. “ your   husband   has   some   unfinished   business   with   my   family, ”  eyes   staying   on   the   dark   line   of   her   collarbone. the   statement   is   only   half   of   the   story,   but   the   other   half   is   something   he   keeps   tucked   behind   his   teeth.   doesn't   want   to   think   about   the   way   his   kitchen   feels   empty   when   she   isn't   sitting   by   the   kettle. “ taking   you   away   from   him   and   you   being   free   from   him   seems   to   be   a   win-win   for   everyone   here, ”   he   says,   his   mouth   turning   up   at   the   corner   into   a   familiar   smirk.   “ we   no   longer   have   to   sneak   out   and   you'll   be   free   from   him. ” he shakes his head. “ if i get bored of you then   i   will   give   you   a   new   name.   a   new   identity.   a   chance   to   start   over   away   from   him, ”   he   says,   his   hand   reaching   out   to   steady   her   shoulder. “ seriously,   viv.   its   a   no   brainer.   i   dont   see   why   you're   hesitating. ”

she's surprised that her husband doesn't know about him — about them. even after just a few minutes in his company ... she was changed. maybe a certain glow that only grew after they'd been together. her husband would be a fool to not notice. " if you get bored of me. mhmm ... what if i get bored of you? what happens then? " lungs are filled with air as she felt his touch. head turned to look into his dark hues. she could only imagine what secrets lingered there. “ i need time to pack a bag. ” it was obvious he thought she was staling but she was going to go through with it. he was giving her a way out and she’d be a fool to not take it. no matter her feelings for him. but her mind had been cloudy for long. years of hearing that she was destined to accept the life she had. the first time her husband ever got violent had been after a dinner party. the femme thought it had been a great night as they made it home. as soon as the door shut she’d been slapped across the face for laughing at a joke. one his friends had said something he didn’t like and she had laughed. he never corrected her in front of people though — that wouldn’t have been classy. at home though? then he wouldn’t hold back on. “ tomorrow? ” suggestion lingered between them as she turned to him completely. “ can you pick me up tomorrow? ”

“ home, ”   she   says,   the   word   hanging   between   them   with   a   heavy   tinge   of   hesitation.   the   syllable   feels   awkward   in   her   mouth,   like   a   shoe   that   does   not   fit.   she   would   rather   be   completely   alone   in   a   sterile   hotel   room   where   the   sheets   are   crisp   and   unfamiliar   than   at   his   place   where   the   wallpaper   is   peeling.   “ but   only   tonight.   i'll   figure   out   where   i   can   stay   tomorrow.   i   don't   want   to   bother   you   too   much, ”   she   says,   her   voice   smooth   and   careful   as   she   attempts   to   conceal   the   truth   that   she   does   not   want   to   be   with   him   at   all.   looks   down   at   her   designer   flats,   already   imagining   the   grit   of   his   floor.   “ i   don't   want   to   take   the   bus   home, ”   she   says   immediately,   her   fingers   tightening   around   the   strap   of   her   leather   bag.   “ or   the   subway. ”

he took a step back and reached for her hand, pulling her with him down the street. " you could never bother me. " having her close was the best thing he knew. " come on, calling a cab would take way longer than the bus. look — it's here in two minutes and we'll be home in no time. " he explained as if he thought she would reconsider. gunwoo stopped when they reached the bus cubicle. " you don't have to talk about what you feel tonight, you know? i know it's a lot. we can talk tomorrow. no pressure. " but he was there for whatever she wanted to do. " i'm here for you baby. " distance is closed between them and he placed a s oft kiss against the top of her head. scent of her shampoo filling his nostrils.

“ no,   i   don't   want   a   drink, ”   she   says,   her   voice   a   low,   honeyed   blade   that   cuts   through   the   noise   of   the   party.   “ i   don't   want   to   enjoy this party. i   don't   want   to   be   anywhere   that   forces   me   to   share   you. ”   she   leans   into   him,   her   presence   becoming   the   only   thing   that   exists   in   the   air   between   them,   her   smirk   dark   and   triumphant.   “ let's   go   home.   we   have   so   much   to   discuss. ”

" i'm flattered jeni. i really am but you don't want me. " he starts, clearly trying out the old ' it's not you it's me ' spiel. that was a classic way to get a woman who's a little too into you to cool it down. " it's a party. we were both invited and we're supposed to enjoy it. " he continues as he looked down at her. she's a pretty girl, no question about it, but she's not enough for him to decide to settle down. that was laughable. even if she had some dirty little secret on him. " we'll you might not want one but i do ... " he shrugged and turned away towards the drink table. different bottles of liquor and seltzers scattered. hand grabbed the neck of the tequila and he took a shot straight from the bottle. " you do as you like princess. " a glance her way until feet moved him to the living room filled to the brim with bodies.

she   takes   a   bite   of   the   pasta,  and   it   tastes   significantly   better   than   the   stuff   she   buys   at   the   corner   bodega   after   her   late   shifts.   she   swallows   the   food   quickly,   keeping   her   eyes   down   so   he   doesn't   see   how   relieved   she   is   to   have   a   hot   meal.    “ so...   you   cook   and   can   fix   stuff, ”   she   says,   her   left   hand   coming   up   to   cover   her   mouth   while   she   finishes   the   noodles.   “ any   girl   i   should   be   worried   about   coming   here   and   completely   misinterpreting   this   whole   thing?   because   i   just   had   my   extension   and   i'd   rather   not   have   it   be   pulled. ”

" uhh ... not that i know of so i think you'll be fine. " charming smile taking place on his lips. " what about you? do you have a guy that'll be pissed off if he hears i helped you? " he knows she doesn't. not since she broke up with that prick ... whatever his name was. he studied her face closely to get her reaction. hope was that he could slide in smoothly soon and fill the void. food disappeared off his plate and hers too. " i can take a look at the thing later this week if you want? until then you're welcome to drop by whenever you need it. " he would make her love him — it was that simple. patience would be used until she could imagine a life with him. he wanted to consume her the way she consumed him. joey would be his, one way or the other.