𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍 ╱𝑺𝑳𝑨𝒀𝑬𝑹.

Devon peered around as she stood in the waves of the crowd. A silver tray. Exactly what she wanted to see. She grabbed Derek’s arm and headed over towards the little bites being offered. “I need one bite,” she explained as she pulled him approaching the waiter with a smile and grabbing a mini-plate. 

Her attention back on his last few words as she put the personal beef Wellington in her mouth. “Dude,” she said, eating in between words. “Do you really think you’re going to become an uncle through me?” She asked him, raising an eyebrow. She was genuinely curious, to be honest. “The first key to being a good host or hostess is having a normal bite sized food, not grandeurs in tiny forms,” she said, grabbing a glass of champagne off a tray. “So. Do you think you’re going to stay the whole time? If anything, I’m in full support of you leaving early and getting me a burger.” 

tonight he was just an accessory to devon or at least that what he needed everyone else to think. his orders was just that he needed to be present and follow orders as followed and as a good soldier he always listened. feeling devon once again drag him around like a rag doll, it made him smile. it reminded him when she used to swing him around their back yard. ❝ just one ? I was literally about to get the whole tray. ❞ a small chuckle escapes his lips as he looks at her and a roll of his eyes follow suit. 

her inquiry was followed by a shrug of his shoulders ❝ you are the one that needs to keep the skater name going because do you really believe that you’re going to get one out of me, I always wrap it up, sis. ❞ it wasn’t ideal to have a mini him walking around the place. ❝ I don’t know honestly, I think I might step out for a while but I’ll definitely door dash or uber eats to your place. whatever  you want, on me. ❞  grassy hues scan the space around them, cautious. 

It was a voice she hadn’t heard in months. Not since she left him before he was put away. Honestly, Jules didn’t even know he got out, though she should have known. But she had been so caught up in work that she was able to put him in a little box in her mind and forget for just a little bit. But now that he was here, standing in front of her, all those feelings came rushing back and it almost took the wind out of her. her mouth was dry and Juliette was trying to find the words to respond to him, but all that came out was “Hey..”

Monroe didn’t expect to see her neighbor at the gala, so much so that she had to do a double take when she spotted him. And even then she had to watch him move through the crowd for a minute before she really believed it. She waited until she could catch his eye, and then waved with a grin before making her way towards him. “Hey stranger, never expected to see you at one of these.” She reached out for a brief hug, unwilling to admit how much seeing him here put her at ease. She always felt out of place under Crystal lights and in expensive label clothes, and seeing someone from her walk of life made her feel more secure, protected.

—

“No, political talk has kind of…always gone over my head, honestly,” she admits with a light laugh, and it’s the truth, even if her family name and job position might suggest otherwise. Then again, upon closer inspection, one might see that, in both capacities, Arabella was often little more than a well-trained bird, repeating words taught to her in a beautiful melody of her own. That was the role she’d taken up in the interior of the hall, practiced and restrained, but here, in the gardens with blooms just as bright as the flashing lights of the press, she’s more than content to slip into something more comfortable, relaxed. “‘Interesting’ is a rare adjective to my ears,” the brunette sighs. Arabella shrugs into her next words as she responds, properly this time, “When I was a kid, I’d follow my sister out here once we both had enough of listening to politics we didn’t understand.” At the memory, there’s a delicate laugh like a ringing bell. “I suppose it’s nostalgia that’s brought me out here. Plus, this jungle is almost definitely safer than that one,” she offers, gaze cast towards the bustling hall for a moment before returning to the other’s grassy green hues. “Have you seen the fountains yet? They’re stunning. I could show you, if you’d like.”

sa small chuckle escapes past his brims ❝ for some reason you don’t look like the type. ❞ he wasn’t calling her a liar but more specifically pointing out. ❝ you have that whole thing ——-  ❞ he gestures with his hand all over her frame ❝ like you know, like you know how to talk to people and shit without cursing ——- like I just did. ❞ it seemed that he couldn’t get a sentence out without it involving at least two curse words. thank devon for teaching him how to swear like a damn sailor by the age of ten. he nods his head as he listens to her tale about her memories with her sibling, it reminded him of when he was smaller and devon used to take him to the beach to collect sea shells. to this day he was a few jars in his home ; memories, those were eternal. ❝ I guess I prefer this jingle , from that one. ❞ he emphasized that being outside was way better for him, he had always been more street wise than anything. ❝ lead the way, lil mama! ❞ 

his mouth is dry and he doesn’t know what to say, she’s tender and her smile always brightens his day as it did in this very moment. ❝ hey, baby girl . ❞ 

–

David wasn’t exactly afraid of Derek, not in a physical sense. He’d known the other long enough to take his threats of violence seriously, but that wasn’t what bothered him. It was the knowledge he harbored that made him a threat. If Derek wanted to, he could make a pretty penny off of a Slater-Stoll tell-all television special, complete with insider knowledge of David’s less than admirable affair. Luckily, he knew Derek would never bite without a command from Devon first – and, past be what it may, Dave was fairly sure that her brother hated him far more than she did. 

Two hands raised in surrender, his demeanor still neutral and relaxed. “Hey, I never claimed to be the good guy. Not to her, at least.” To the rest of New York, maybe. “Devon’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.” His eyes scan the crowd over Derek’s head. Now was not the time to be hashing this out. “And,” he adds, “I’m sure she’d rather you be networking right now, rather than harassing me.”

it’s not that Derek didn’t like the man ( lies, he really hated him ) but it’s not like he could bust his kneecaps here in front of a bunch of witnesses, so he did what he did best and let the fueling fire within him stay at bat my as he listened to the older man speak. he just couldn’t respect a man who had done what he did. 

a scoff leaves his brims ❝ oh, we both know that. ❞ at this point, his shoulders are relaxed and he doesn’t feel the need to punch him into a pulp, so for the time being ; he lets the anger simmer down until it’s just a faint fire. ❝ I have no doubt in the world that my sister could cause some damage on her own without getting physical but you see the thing is that she doesn’t have to and I would gladly go back to jail again if that meant that Devon got what she wanted but then again why waste my time with you ? you are careless and will always be careless, glad it happened when it happened and not along the road when I actually considered you family. ❞ 

because anyone who knows Derek knows that family is the most elite thing in his life. ❝ harassing you ? ❞ a chuckle escapes his brims ❝ I don’t need to harass you. ❞  he let’s grassy hues divert to where Devon was putting a whole shoe full with laugh and smiles ❝ true moment with no judging ——- if you can do it. ❞ he wasn’t sure Dave had an honest bone in his body ❝ why go through the humiliation ? why not just end it properly and save you both the embarrassment ? ❞ 

›››

Her eyebrows furrowed at him as he spoke. As much as Devon loved her family, sometimes she just wanted to get up and leave. She wondered what her life would have been like if she chose her first career in the long run. She knew being an accountant could guarantee her the stability she sought but modeling opened up an entirely different universe for her and her family. She was glad she was able to provide for them after everything they had been through. 

She pinched his arm this time, quickly pulling away before she added an extra pressure. “When are you going to actually hit the gym? Instead of… you know, people?” She offered as a counterpoint. She shook her head, ignoring him as she ushered him through the crowd. All she wanted was something to sustain her for the next couple of hours. The olives at the bar were suddenly looking very appetizing. “Listen, if there’s no food… I’m about to leave and come back. Who’s the bad host to this clown circus? Having food at an event is one of the most important parts to being a good hostess.”

His image of family didn’t have no boundaries and maybe that’s why he kept them so close, even after doing those three years, he still missed her and everything about the outside world, so yeah he promised that he would be on his best behavior tonight, because having Devon on his bad side was not on the top of his list anytime soon. 

he soothed his arm again ❝you know whenever you’re ready to make me an uncle, you have the whole motherly down pact.  ❞ part of him was joking about the kid thing but the other part made him somewhat joyous to have another slater running around causing havoc. her next inquiry causes a chuckle to escape his brims ❝ I do both, I am an amazing multitasker. ❞  he teases her back as they walk side by side to the grand hall. ❝ and of course you would know all about being a good hostess wouldn’t you ? ❞ 

as he leans on the counter, he looks over to his right to see a very familiar face. the one that was one of the main reason why he got five years instead of probation and he’s sure that she would have aimed for much more if the judge had allowed it, he had no records ; no felonies. his lips quirk into his usual smirk and his left brow quirks up as he tilts his head toward her ❝ well well well, Ms. Galan, don’t you look ravishing. ❞ 

At his own compliment, a blush tints her cheeks rosy and warm. It’s the bubbly, she’s certain of it; it’d be silly to think she’s seen as anything but pure decoration in the eyes of handsome strangers and familiar faces alike, but perhaps, surrounded by an abundance of blooms under a champagne-colored moon, she could do what she did best and pretend. She smiles softly, and offers, “I promise, I didn’t mean to pull the classic politician move of giving a compliment just to get one back.” It’s an unintentionally candid admission, one that separates her from the majority inside the hall simply by acknowledging their two-faced nature — but there’s a small truth to it, too: for all her pretending, Arabella wasn’t a liar. If anything, she deflected more than fibbed, eschewing attention in favor of molding herself into whatever someone else expected from her so as to appear present, but only just so. It’s a talent and a trouble, particularly now that there’s nowhere and no reason to hide, but most of all, because there’s no known expectation placed onto her by the man and therefore nothing to which to conform. Fingers study the delicate edges of a flower as she inquires, genuinely curious, “What was it in there that made you need a breath of fresh air?”

he has to tell himself that this isn’t his people, he can’t be so vocal just about everything. he’s told Devon that he would be on his best behavior and he would comply with thy request. he sees the the blushing on her cheeks and maybe this conversation wouldn’t be so bad, he could linger for a while more. ❝ oh no worries ma, I don’t care much for the political talk. if you do I think you have the wrong slater. ❞ devon would be a better person, while she could make an insult sound good, Derek would say what he meant holding no kindness behind them. his digits touch the petals and as she speaks, grassy hues move back to her ❝ not really my scene. ❞ it wasn’t a lie, if it was up to him ; he would be at home watching a movie with a pizza box and cups of coke near by but he had duties and a job to do, so why not ? he remains quiet but then turns to look up at her ❝ what about you ? I’m sure your fat more interesting than I am , what brings you out here ? ❞ 

While the two never got along, he’s never actively disliked Devon’s brother. Not even now. David has to bite back a small smile himself at the last question, recalling the times in the past that he had helped Derek get out of trouble – though that was largely unbeknownst to the latter. Cliché as it may be, David has always seen versions of himself in the younger man. A version where he hadn’t gone to college, a version where he’d never learned to control his temper, and so on and so forth. No matter how much money he made or how ‘ successful ’ he became, Dave was coming to realize he’d always feel that pull of rebellion that often plagues neglected children. That inherent empathy, if he had to guess, has never been returned on the other end – as Derek would go on to convey with his veiled threats – but he can’t blame him for it. 

“Look,” he starts with a sigh, sparing a hasty glance around them. Thankfully, no crowd. “Your sister and I get along just fine these days, right?” If sporadic booty calls and drunken texts count as just fine. At the very least, they were able to inhabit the same room without a fight. That was something. “So you can save your threats –– actually, considering where we are right now, I’d strongly advise you to do so.” Another glance, this time to look around for the woman in question. “Where is she, anyway? I’d love to say hello.”

the only thing that he ever truly cared about was seeing his sister happy, she had spent all her life that he was alright, it was certainly the least that he could do but right now standing in front of the man that caused her so much pain, he simply couldn’t help not taking him seriously. to him this whole conversation seemed just as fake as dave was and as his hands dig in his pockets , trying to catch what the older male was saying ; the joke from devon talking about the old man causes him to smile. 

a scoff leaves his brims ❝ just fine ? I mean devon seriously shows some growth but  it’s you and me know that I am not my sister and I don’t mind going back to jail. ❞ he wasn’t afraid of anything, emotionally he had already been through the worst and honestly he didn’t care. ❝ you troncho y advise me ? ❞ he inquired the male and shakes his head ❝ how about this ? how about you leave my sister the fuck alone because we both know you don’t have a sincere bone in your body because if you did, you wouldn’t have done what you did. ❞ 

he knew that it was none of his business and devon was a grown ass woman, who could fight her own battles ❝ stop trying he the good guy, when we both know no such thing exist. ❞ 

“I’ll mark my calendar,” she quips with a grin, pulling out her phone to mimic the action, narrating aloud. “March first - compliment 1 of 2.” Setting her phone down again, it was her turn to roll her eyes. “I’ll do my best. But you just make it so hard not to,” she jokeds, feigning a momentary swoon against his shoulder.

Brushing a hair from her face, Tima turns her eyes out over the crowd. “That would be easier if I even knew what the job was,” she muses aloud. After a sip of her drink, she sighs. “Well - if we have to waste time until something happens, do you wanna go smoke or something?” She grins. “I’m sure this place has a back door.”

he nodded his head as he hears her ❝ see, this is how our relationship works and remains good. ❞ though it was a complete lie, tima was the closest thing he had to a sibling within the brotherhood. he treated her as such and didn’t really care about hurting her feelings because at the end of the day it was all tough love. ❝ what can I say ? when you look good, you look good.  ❞ he jokes around with her as hr finished the last of his drink before him.

he shakes his head as he looks at her, grassy orbs never leaving the crowd ❝ you need to stop asking questions, whatever needs to be done out of us will get done. no questions asked. ❞ derek himself didn’t know what he was walking into either but he trusted whatever izaak wanted and right now they all had a roll to play. ❝ you don’t have to ask me twice. ❞  he stands up offering his arm out to her, she wasn’t in her usual attire and he promised devon, that he would be a complete gentleman tonight. ❝ there is a door that leads to the garden, you got a light right ? ❞ 

“Hey - we can’t all be models,” she insists, of course teasing about his own sibling’s occupation. “But thank you. I do think I look good. Even if I hate these shoes.” She gestured down to the heels on her feet that were currently pinching her toes. “I don’t get the girls who wear heels every day. Can’t do it.”

She smiles, shaking her head. “She’s got a good eye. I’m not much of a fashion girl myself, but I think earrings are kinda hot on a guy.” She grins then, biting her lip. “Don’t worry. I’m not hitting on you.” Toying with her clutch, Tima sighs. “Believe me, I know. It’s… rich people shit,” she says, trying to keep her voice low. “D’you have any idea why we’re here?”

a roll of his eyes as he hears her comment ❝ oh believe me, I agree with you . ❞ he didn’t understand how this was all that devon deals with day in and day out, he would have seriously hanged himself by now but then again they both had things that they were good at. ❝ you certainly do, though don’t get used to the compliments, you get two annually.  ❞ he teases her with a small smile, turning back to look at the people who the liquor was starting to get to them. 

he nods his head as she makes the observation of his ew style thanks to his sister  ❝ don’t fall in love with me tima, it might be hard once I’ve got you hooked. ❞  he jokes around and nudges her in the arm playfully ❝ honestly I could care less, whatever happens by the end of the night, all we have to make sure is that our peoples are good and we get the job done. ❞ 

“You’re a far braver soul than I am,” Arabella starts with a smile, eyes studying the fine lines of his suit. Her position within the inner world of fashion was short-lived, but she can still appreciate a fine garment — and his is not only well-tailored, but also far more interesting than the sea of black tuxes and matching black bowties. Truthfully, it’s the very reason she’s picked him as the person to approach in her attempt to prove to her mother’s ever-watchful eye her ability to socialize ( ahem, network ). Even if the man is a veritable stranger, his suit suggested he’d at least be interesting — or, that’s her hope as she explains, “I was hoping I’d blend into the background tonight, but you’re making a very good case for attempting the exact opposite.”

if there was anything that he missed about home, it was certainly the vivacity of the flowers and life that Hawaii enchanted him with. after a few hours being devons arm candy he makes his way outside and walks through the garden. thinking that he’s completely alone, he lets his fingers run through the various of bushes that were around him. the voice startled him from his thoughts as he turns around to see the brunette ❝ braver soul ? ❞ he didn’t know where that came from he takes it. ❝ and somehow you aren’t ? ❞ he inquired with a tilt of his head, grassy hues scan her from head to toe. another chuckle escapes his brims, ( this time a more bashful one ) he can feel a sudden what I’m his cheeks but he dismisses it. ❝ I could say the same thing about you, a divine feminine. ❞