---- x | oh lord.

             “Brave, you say?” Brows rose and his lips curved cocksure, the two falling into that challenging banter he wasn’t unused to, “More like a calculated risk, Dyl. Buffet’s are my element, my home game–” His playful smirk dissolved into a laugh at their self-musing, a string of nods spurring his canted head as he found a correspondence in Dylan’s words, “I could say the same thing. Least we know now we can be gluttons together,” His smile set, warm as his eyes, “We got a deal, Carter.” 

              When their conversation took its stygian turn, boyish mirth had been swapped with something more rugged and grave. He came from penury beginnings and had endured hardship to hardship throughout his three decades, but he still knew where his privilege remained on the spectrum of intersectionality, for the man just that–– a man, and enduring what the women around him had to wasn’t something he’d know; the contrast between his seethe and Dylan’s acclimated expression proof of that, “Christ,” He grimaced, shaking his head as it travelled to Travis, “––You ever need help knocking some sense into that brand of asshole, let me know,” The tic in his jaw flickered, clenched, “I’m not half bad back-up when it comes to lewd, debauched producers. It’d be my pleasure,” The raven male was only half-joking, but the dryness of his tone made it hard to read. Though it caused the shit storm it did, to this day he didn’t regret knocking the lights out of Zoe’s ex two winters ago, and with the producer’s wretched words said and the suffering he endowed onto the umber-eyed fox, he’d do it again. In a heartbeat. 

             Dylan’s tacit nudge at Adrian’s own career choice left him momentarily at a loss, the male calm and still, simply regarding them, regarding words he knew to be true without growing uncomfortable or defensive, like a fragile male ego would; just sad. The waitress arrived then and placed the meal in front of him, capturing his attention for a second in the effort to relieve a cordial smile and a ‘thank you’, before his gaze returned to the brunette thespian before him. He leaned forward slightly on his elbows, lip tucked under incisors, “Like law enforcement,” He finished for them, aloud, “… Like being a cop––” A hand rose to rub at his jaw, unsure of what to say, so he blurted out– “You know, if I ever caught wind of anyone on the LPD pulling shit like that–”

“Brave.” Dylan remained firm, not detouring from their original thought process. “While you might feel comfortable, and it’s a home game for you, O’Hara, you haven’t met me at an all you can eat buffet.” If there was anything more unladylike for Dylan, it was the way they could down a whole buffet. “Like I said, my friend, day and time, and I’ll be there with sweats and my ‘all you can eat’ t-shirt.”

There was one thing no one could really take from Dylan Carter, and that was that they were a fighter. They had fought their whole life, and despite being as successful as they were, they still found themselves fighting. Mainly because it hadn’t helped that they female reproduction organs, and that they were of color. Both things had definitely added extra pressures in the career path they had chosen, as well as coming out pansexual as non-binary, but never once, did they regret their decision. No matter how often men who thought they had power thought otherwise. They had shaped themselves in their own, and most days then not, they were proud of that. Dylan smirked as Adrian mentioned his experience in high strung producers, more then aware of just who he was speaking of. “Oh, I’m aware. And I appreciate that, Adrian. You’ll be the first one on the list if I ever need help with one of those bastards, especially if that particular bastard comes prowling around again.” That would definitely always be something Dylan was incredibly thankful about. That Zoe had Adrian, someone who was by definition a man. Who they knew would never harm or pound into the ground, a beautiful bright star, that was Zoe Foster.

                 “Who?” Jason asked, “You mean… ––You got hot sisters?” His attention was suddenly spiked and honed at the mention of Dylan having sisters like the dog he was. Considering how attractive present company was, the thought of younger sisters who actually might buy into Jason’s spurious brand of charm had him wetting his lips, shamelessly, “Fuck, you couldn’t have told me that an hour ago? This suede is probably ruined forever. Thanks a lot,” He huffed, turning to walk back to the barn where they got their current ‘Farm Wear’, waiting for Dylan to walk in stride with him toward a better choice of boot, “If I want to see a tit as saggy as that, I’d just go to the GILF category on PornHub, thank you very much. I’m here, ain’t I? Listenin’ to me complain is just roped into the deal, aight? So deal.” 

As he stood there taking in the features of the brunette, it was apparent they might have been as uncomfortable and unsure of the present situation as he had been. Though their response to his offer to call someone had come with a bit of a bite to it, he hadn’t taken it to heart. Instead he defaulted to apathy mode and tried to put himself in their shoes, deciding that he most likely wouldn’t want to drag anyone outside of his close knit circle into any given situation of the like either. “Oh, I see…should have guessed. I suppose I’m the only one running around shirking my responsibilities.” Fuck, fuckety fuck, he mused with a beat of a pause. “Um, on purpose I mean, sorry,” he said, yielding to an uncomfortable and unintentional chuckle. A hand raised to reach for the back of his neck and the pads of his fingers stalked up his trapezius, rubbing at the tension there as he thought on something useful to say or do, rather than just standing there gawking at them like a deer caught in headlights.

Then as the brain freeze began to melt, Gavin started to ask if her ‘NO’ also included his offer to give her a ride home when she spoke up again. “Oh, yea, that’s it, just trying to be a decent human. I’m not some creep, I promise,” he said, finally thinking to pull out his FBI stamped gold shield, hoping they’d be more at ease, but at the same time, was keenly aware of the general public seemed to have equal disregard for law enforcement and criminals, at least that was his perspective most days. His eyebrow quirked and lips turned up simultaneously at their ‘what a gentlemen’ comment, eighty seven percent certain they were being sarcastic. “Alright so, it’s pretty clear you don’t trust me and I don’t blame you, believe me…so, I will give you an easy out…one, I could disappear. Two, I can call you an Uber to wherever you want to go, or I can give just you know, give ya a ride…I’ll even let you drive. I mean, as long as you can manage a stick shift and some horse power.” He grinned, head canted to the side a bit. “So, what’s it gonna be? I’ve got like, all day,” he said, earnestly. Meetings were done for the day and all he had left to do was some research, with which his insomniac ass would be preoccupied  through early morning.

Maybe it read a lot into their character, by the way they couldn’t help but simply stare at the male. As if had they stared long enough, then maybe his hidden motive would present itself upon his forehead. “You know---” They began, as they finally broke their glare on him, now flickering dark hues upon the mess of loose papers, “--- that’s exactly what a creep would say.” Didn’t they know it, then again, couldn’t there still be nice people in the world? Not everyone was out to get them, right? Yeah, that was pretty hard to believe. Clearing their throat, they forced their attention to remain focused on the mess they had made before them. Now gathering up their disastrous script, sure they looked even more disheveled then they had before. “You just contradicted yourself there, you know that right?” They began, “You told me that you know I don’t trust you, and then you told me to believe you. Contradictory.” Looking up at the blonde, the brunette held the sternness in their features like the professional actress that they were. Giving the impression as if they really cared about his choice of word play, for a moment longer then necessary, before cracking a small smile at him.

             “You’re right, I do know that,” She replied in a tender voice, sentence dipped in something honest and laced with genuine adoration. “I guess I just needed a little reminder, but now that I have it… Thank you— thank you Dylan, for always being there for me whenever I need it.” Olivia’s confidence had taken a few hard knocks over the last decade, but maybe over the last year especially, which was why she was unconditionally grateful to have such loyal friends around.

She chuckled and nodded her head, visage laced with a beaming smile, “Yeah, you are. And you’re like… an amateur therapist whenever I need one, so you’re pretty much both of those things,” She concluded. 

Stopping when Dylan did, Olivia grinned deeper than before and nodded before she laughed, infatuated by the very obvious excitement on Dylan’s visage now. “Sounds good. I’ll get you a special phone just for bodyguard-related emergencies,” She japed teasingly.

Dylan was always one to empower those around them, especially their friends. In their mind, their closest friends were absolutely wonderful people, and Liv was no exception to that. “No need to thank me, babe. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure your head never deflates from that beautiful size.” They commented, with a wink as they began to move again. Strolling along the pavement, taking in the warm weather, and nice breeze.

Well, I’ve been to one for many years, so I should be a pro by now. They thought to themselves, making sure to keep the smile wide upon their features. “Anytime, doll. Gotta use the talents that have been given to me, clearly.”

          Apparently the brunette before her had lost sight of the day ahead of them, including even what time of the day it was, as evident by their scrambling around on the floor. Soon followed by their obvious question, determined the blonde was in fact right about the circumstances. “It’s about 12:15 in the afternoon. Not sure if that’s going to ease your mind, or make your heart drop though. Can’t tell by what’s going on right now.” She muttered in response, her eyes fixated on her company, still curious as to what had caused them to grow increasingly concerned.

“Since when have you know me to turn into a babysitter? Totally not my style… come on,” Rhys chuckled very softly, shaking his head, and then reaching for a second shot which he downed immediately. “Don’t hassle me…” Another laugh and he glanced their way, eyes narrowing playfully. “Regret, though?”

“Okay. No. No, no, no. That is definitely not my order. What is that?” Lily’s eyes widened and she looked to the person beside her at the counter, slightly embarrassed by her display, seeing as she’d spat the drink back out into the mug. “Sorry if that was yours…” she added, then looked to the barista, raising up the drink in question. “We’re going to need another of those! I’ll pay.”

“So here’s a question..  If an old lady fondles my butt  when  I’m in the queue at the grocery store and I fart in her hand.. am I in the wrong or is she?”

15.) what is their vice? (wrath, greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, envy)

pride and wrath, definitely. although the wrath isn’t as heavily noticeable, but pride most definitely is. it comes a lot with just feeling like they’ve gotta always prove themselves.

25.) do they have allergies?

the normal spring time stuff. pollen, dust. i’m also allergic to bees.

29.) do they enjoy coffee or tea? hot or iced?

i love both, but if i had to pick between them, it’d be coffee, and personally prefer it cold. but coffee’s coffee, so either or.

32.) if they could have any superpower what would it be?

it would definitely be between teleportation, and/or the power of healing.

     “Right, no…didn’t see anyone else lurking around so no worries. I don’t think anyone else saw you here,“ he commented. Gavin’s head tilted when they began to speak, his hazel-eyed perplexed gaze landing on their features. Smile fading, his lips parted with a soft intake of air. Judging from the others demeanor, he’d misjudged the serious of the situation at hand, though he’d not yet discerned what that was precisely. "Um, sorry, didn’t mean to make light of your circumstances, whatever they might be. Offer still stands. Let me know if I can do anything to help here…" 

     There weren’t many scenarios where someone would fall asleep to the extent they had, in a public place at that. He could have relied on deductive reasoning to draw whatever conclusions, but there just wasn’t enough buy in here for him to put that much energy forth, given his presence there seemingly wasn’t that beneficial to them. He would have gladly moved on, but leaving them there in their present state didn’t seem like the right thing to do. "Oh, I see…can I call someone you trust to help you out, or maybe give you a ride then?” Gaze dipping to where their reach had extended, he instinctually went to help gather the papers, placing them in a neat pile without even as much as a glance. “Uh, no, I managed to reach around you to get what I need,” he replied, fingers flexing around the binder of the book he’d retrieved from the shelf, a discontinued criminal procedure manual. “Only stopped hoping I might be of some use,” he said, starting to feel more awkward as the seconds ticked on.

Dylan was not used to this kind of chivalry. In fact, if anything, they were usually more weary of it then anything else. A lesson learned from an early age, no one was ever really nice to you without a price. It was quite rare if you were to come across someone who was, especially a man, and especially in the line of work they were now in. They did their best, however, to remain unaffected by the gesture. Although, there was no real hiding the suspicion. They gave a nod as he told them that he didn’t believe anyone else saw them, something they were more then banking on. This was the last thing they cared for anyone to really see, they were supposed to be passed this part in life.