fly away

Hi everyone! I’m Eliza and I’m bringing in Easton Adler. I’ve love to plot and get connections for him so feel free to message me at elizaaaaaa#0191 on discord or IM’s on here! @tupeloextras

► basics; Full Name: Easton James Adler Age: 36 Birthday: May 22, 1984 Sexual Orientation: Bisexual Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Veterinarian @ Paw + Claws Animal Center Place of Birth: Tupelo, MS Education: Notheastern University

You can do this, Frankie. You can tell him how you feel now. It’s not like you’re still that stupid kid, you’re a woman now..

Her inner monologue speaking with such intensity; almost too much for her haze tequila mind. Frankie feet sloppily bounded off the steps to his place as her knuckles rapped noisily along the wooden frame of the door. The monster sized butterflies fluttered in her chest at the climbing anxiety of her drunken thoughts begging to be utter like sober truths. 

She wanted for a beat before feeling the rush of cold air down her spine. Nope. “Not tonight,” she muttered to herself as she turned away from the door. 

Coward. 

@eastonadler​

Though his day was uneventful, Easton still felt exhausted. Bone tired and desperate for good lazy night on the couch and Chinese take-out. Bruno was following him around his apartment, tangling between his long legs while he worked around his kitchen for a cold bottle of beer while he waited for his food to be delivered. The knock at his door caught him off guard, a tilt to his head as he wondered who it could be. Most folks he knew didn’t come around without some sort of heads up and he motioned for Bruno to follow him, cursing the fact that he didn’t have a peep hole to check first. Surprise colored his face as he wanted Frankie turn away, leaning against the open door. “So, was this a ding dong ditch thing or?” He called out, a teasing tone coloring his voice.

“You know gettin’ more friends just means more of us givin’ you shit, right?” Lou couldn’t help but nudge her friend. “Darlin’, I’ll make you that promise right here and now. This will be our thing forever, pinky promise.” She hoped it was true, or as close to true as possible. Her friendship with Easton was one that she knew could stand the test of time. They’d survived a breakup and growing up through high school, college and beyond. “You’re too kind to me, really. Okay, so what do you like? Are you wantin’ a certain kind of girl?” 

“Not if I purposefully find friends who I mean sure won’t be mean to me,” Easton said matter-of-factly in a childish voice. The whole conversation was putting a silly smile on his face, bringing back old memories. “The pinky promise is not something to be messed with, Dunn. I hope you take it as seriously as I do.” Easton knew in the back of his mind that there would have to be some sort of earth shattering moment to break up the friendship he had with Lou. It had stood the test of time through their break-up in high school and throughout being apart for college. “Someone nice,” he laughed, knowing how generic that sounded. “No but really, I dunno. Someone who can make me laugh.”

Frankie hummed a victorious tone at the way he folded to her logic. “You live to baby talk anything tiny in scale to you; which is everything.” Easton was built like a fucking house. She would deny the depths of her innocent glances over his physique over the years. He had filled in so nicely; it was normal for friends to acknowledge that, right? The fondness that she held for little ones were immense. She loved her bright eyed little students with every fiber of her being. Not because it was a paycheck but because their wonder in this world fueled hers. No matter the obstacles they faced, they showed up to the theatre and shined like little stars. Neither Easton or Frankie breeched this conversation about deep seated desires for families because that wasn’t their place in each other’s life. That was a private conversation between two people who wished to invest in the same future. Plus, she didn’t think she’d be much of a mother considering the example that preceded her. “They are not excuses! You’re hurting my little heart here by attacking my main man.” Frankie bowed her head bashfully at the thought of him brandishing himself with one of her poorly constructed doodles; a piece of her forever engrained in him. “This is true but do you really want my crappy art on you forever?” Scoffing, she rolled her eyes at brushing off the dress comment. “I think you’d look fabulous in a dress.” Taking the space in stride, she busied her idly hands with a small task. If she focused hard enough, she would be able to drown out the hammering sound of her heart. Frankie tossed back a look at him now comfortably seated on the couch. There is was, the other shoe dropping right in the middle of the perfect little bubble. “I was going to tell you, Easton. You know I’d never hide anything from you. Things have been hectic and I didn’t want to dump my indecision on you because you’ve got a business run.” Liar. Frankie didn’t know what portion of his life she was slipping back into. Who he spent his time with and if that person was the one she’d have to smile at and hate all at the same time for the space they filled in his heart. “I am sorry for being a dumb diva and not calling. One hundred points deducted from the puffs. My house would be ashamed.” 

Easton was quick to shake his head, “I do not.” At least he didn’t think he did but come to think of it, any animal that came through the vet did get a special voice and god, she was right. “Fine, fine. You’re smaller than me. Should I baby talk you?” He teased, their size difference something that Easton had always been aware of- even when they were younger. Frankie always seemed to fit right against his chest when they hugged, no matter their ages and it was one of Easton’s favorite things. How well she just fit. Her head tucked in right under his chin and the lengths of his arms hitting right around her waist to pull her in tight. “Your art isn’t crappy,” he immediately interjected, frowning. He hated the subtle way she put herself down, knowing the clear talent she had. Hell, he’d even thought about asking her to design an actual tattoo for him to get at some point. Friendship tattoos, that’s a thing right?  Easton sighed, rolling back the sleeves of his hoodie into place around his wrists and he slipped off his shoes to get more comfortable. “I’m gonna be blunt here, Frankie. That sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. We’re best friends. I tell you what I eat for breakfast most days. My mom told me you’d basically been here for 2 weeks,” he frowned, the upset clear as day in his voice. “I just wanna know if it’s something I did? Or if something is up with you? Is everything okay?”

“Oh? A little partnership. Ya knockin’ boots with dog washers, East? Never in my life would I have thought you’d do something so scandalous.” Wyatt snorted. “EASTON ALDER SLEEPS WITH THE HELP! CLUTCH YOUR PEARLS AND OPEN YOUR BIBLES FOR HIS SOUL.” He shouted into the void. His voice echoed off the pallid waters of the lake. All of the tipsy mumblings held no actually weight in their’s life but it felt good to sully someone else’s name for a moment; his had been soaked to the bone with filth that couldn’t be cleared off. “You’re the golden motherfucking goose, East. You literally could piss out a fucking egg and everyone would praise it like the second coming of Jesus. You’ve got all that good breedin’,” he poked the man in the chest with a deflated sigh. Wyatt leaned into his embrace noting the ridges of the man’s muscular build. Well hot damn, I can see why people don’t fuck with this man. They only want to fuck this man.. his thoughts elicited a deep chuckle. “Oh shit, you wining and dining me? Whoa I ain;t got my frilly undies on–hope that’s okay.” 

“What? No? The hell are you talking about?” Easton felt thoroughly confused, peering over at Wyatt until he started yelling across the park. “What the fuck, Wyatt?!” Easton cackled, shoving him in the shoulder as they continued to walk. Grateful that not too many people filled the park in the middle of a weekday afternoon, Easton tried to catch his breath from laughing too much. “You’re terrible, man. I can’t even try to make sense of what you’re saying. A golden goose? Good breeding? The hell are you drinking man and how much have you had?” Easton pointedly glanced at the bottle Wyatt had been clutching. He really did wonder how much Wyatt had drank with the way he was leaning into him, wondering if he needed the clutch to steady his feet. “Wine and dine you? Let’s sober you up a little first and we’ll talk about wine and dining,” Easton grinned, pulling them towards Red’s.

“of course.” she paused, laughing a little and shaking her head. “isn’t that what all parents want once their kids are grown up? i know my parents bother davis for grandkids all the time.” they wanted another athlete in the family, one that could carry on davis’ legacy before he’d gotten hurt but dixie definitely didn’t see her brother settling down any time soon. that wasn’t who he was. davis spent more time flirting with any attractive being in sight than he did anything else. and dixie, well, she had extremely bad luck when it came to dating. so there weren’t any grandkids coming from either of them any time soon. “aw, i’m so glad your mom loves it here so much. i definitely love seeing her when she comes in here. she’s so sweet.” she appreciated anyone that supported her business. it was such a big things for dixie to open the boutique that she was really grateful for anyone that even came in to look around. “i’ll keep that in mind. don’t worry. i’ll find some help soon.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I figured maybe I’d be safe but I think since I’m the only one she’s like, holding on to it.” Easton sighed softly, wanting nothing more than to make his mother happy. With his father gone, Easton knew it was his job to fill in all that space left behind with things to keep his mother happy. Despite her harping him for kids, she’d also told him time and time again that he if he didn’t want kids, it wasn’t a big deal to her. It was easy to call her bluff though, the yearning clear as day. “They’re not getting them anytime soon, huh? Kids something you want?” Easton wondered if this was a weird conversation to be having but it was just always something he was curious about, to get different perspectives and views on possible parenthood. Shaking his head, Easton apologized. “Sorry if that’s weird to ask, you definitely don’t have to answer that Dixie.” Easton tugged out his wallet from his back pocket, handing over a few bills across the counter. “I’ll have to pass along the message that the feelin’ is mutual. Don’t be surprised if she brings you in something next time. She’s been on a baking kick,” he grinned sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Make sure you do, yeah? You deserve some time to yourself.”

When they were outside, Hunter took a deep breath of the fresh air and smiled up toward the sky. A soft laugh escaped at Easton’s comment, and he raised a brow at the dark-haired man. “Hey, that’s not my fault, I didn’t ask to have the night off. I can’t help it that I’m a good fuck, man. People want me, I’m just here to give them what they want.” It certainly didn’t help that Hunter was equally invested in getting laid as he was in being pursued as a good lay. Filling his time and avoiding the pain that came from his life was hard enough to do on his own. If he could pass the time in good company having fun, then he’d do it. “Anytime, pal.” Hunter looked down at Easton’s hand and then flashed him a smug grin. “Hey, you know I’m always willin’ to help out if that hand of yours needs a break.” He was only sort of kidding, too. Easton was attractive as hell, and Hunter wasn’t blind. “Pretty much any bartender I’ve got is a good choice, now that I think about it. I mean, they’re all really good and understand no strings attached. Really, I sound like a pimp. The bar’s just a front, don’t rat me out to the cops.” 

“Alright, alright. I get it. You’re havin’ loads of sex and I’m not. Understood,” Easton laughed loudly, “So humble, Hunter. God, dunno how I forgot that about you.” On some level, Easton wished he had the confidence that Hunter clearly had. Not just his clear sexual confidence but also his outlook on life in general, a go with the flow attitude that Easton envied. “Can’t disappoint the people. What would they do?” Easton teased in mock horror, slapping a hand against Hunter’s chest. Easton was glad the streets were fairly empty, knowing their loud voices were carrying and god forbid anyone hear what they were actually talking about. Hunter’s offered surprised Easton and he was sure it was clearly written across his face as he peered over at the other male with a raised brow. “Huh. I’ll have to remember that,” he nodded, taking his hand back to stroke his chin thoughtfully. It surprised Easton mostly because he’d never seen Hunter as someone who’d offer and he tucked away that piece of information for a rainy day. “A pimp huh? Should’ve know,” Easton cracked a smile, the thought terribly funny.“Brooklyn and I’ve hooked up a few times,” he tossed out, the irony of the fact that she was a bartender at Hunter’s bar. “Not sure it’s for me though, you know? Hookin’ up. Every once in a while is nice just to relieve the tension but it feels like I’m runnin’ out of steam sometimes for just hook-ups.” Easton hadn’t meant for the conversation to turn so serious and he shook his head, holding open the door to the diner for Hunter. “Come on, let’s eat man.”

“I’d make a joke about none of my clients understanding me either, but I feel like that would be just a little too dark for polite conversation.” Turning to follow, Ivy glanced back over her shoulder at the retreating women. “Do you know, I’ve never seen any of that group alone? There’s always at least 2, usually3, it’s like they can’t be seen apart from each other or they don’t know what to do with themselves.”

“I mean, yes,” he paused with a low laugh, shaking his head at the thought. “Though I’m always down for a little more than just polite conversation. I love a little dark and dirty discussion.” Easton shrugged, turning with Ivy to give the group a second glance. “I haven’t either, honestly. They’ve been friends for as long as I can remember, think they went to high school together and had kids at the same time and married friends and all that. Which now that I think about it, sounds a little sad.” Once they reached the coffee shop, Easton held open the door for Ivy and walked in behind her.

“Mock me all you want! You can’t even disagree with me on this point because it’s true. Men are putty when it comes to little humans.” Frankie scrunched her nose up at the joy that had been elicited from him solely base on his mockery of her logic. Easton with a kid? Our kid. They’re beautiful… oh my god. Frankie get yourself together, Jesus Christ. Her mind spiraled out of control for a moment delaying her response. “Do you ever button that lip of yours? I swear…” she grumbled. “It’s because they were press on tattoos that no one was supposed to pay attention too.” Frankie leaned forward along his forearm tracing out the bold black lines that only seemed to brighten the outlying colors. “Yours were artfully done. Although, I swear neon pink lady would have been killer.” Frankie bit back the smirk that threatened to curl up on her lips. That evening had been spent with far too much wine and the intoxicating scent of highlighter fumes befuddling her focus. “You will always be a growing boy, Peter. Isn’t that motto for most of the lost boys? Wendy’s the one who grows up so you’re in the clear. Unless you wanna prance around in a blue frock. You’ve got the calves for it,” she winked. Frankie paced the counter whilst opening each of the cabinets in search of something for them to munch on. She had purposely stuffed the oreos at the highest point to cut temptation and gluttony. “You’re always looking out for me, my hero.” She held the package of cookies out to him before jumping down from the counter. Frankie’s gait wobble as she chuckled. “Ay, ay captain.” She mockingly saluted him and scurried back into the living room. The space gave her a moment to think about her options. Feed him, put on his favorite movie, talk about puppies. He’ll never notice that you’re sitting on the opposite side of the room. Frankie slowly began to roll up the loosely bound fabric and tucked the needles back into the pin cushion. 

“Alright, I’ll give you that. I love kids and am guilty of the baby voice when I’m around them,” Easton acquiesced, hands out in front of him in surrender. He’d never really been one to want kids until a few years ago when a friend from college had come to visit with his two little ones. The kids were great and it had him longing to be a father. In some recess of his mind, he wondered how Frankie was with kids. They’d never really had that talk before for some reason and he wondered why when they’d talked about literally everything else. “Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me,” he sang, noticing the smirk hiding on her face. It was one of his favorite things, the fact that he could read Frankie so well but he supposes that’s what happens when you’ve known someone for a good portion of your life. The hair on his arms stood up at Frankie traced the visible tattoos below his elbow, tilting his head at the sensation. It wasn’t something he could ever remember feeling before, his thoughts now curious. “It’s not like I don’t have the room,” Easton pointed out, pushing up the sleeve on his right arm to show off the blank arm. With his entire left arm filled, he thought he was done with tattoos but a few more couldn’t hurt, he knew. “Not sure a dress would be a good look on me,” he laughed, sorting the papers on the counter into a neater pile and tucking them against the wall. Taking the cookies from her hands, Easton held them against his side while his other hand pulled out his phone to order their usual pizza along with breadsticks. He almost hadn’t noticed Frankie practically running away from him back into the living room and he turned to find her trying to clean up. Once he was sat back on the couch, a few Oreos deep, Easton patted his hands on his thighs and focused his gaze on Frankie. “So. Wanna tell me the real reason you never told me you were coming back?”

Sierra looked over at the guy and nodded, “Well that is really all you want really right?” She laughed a little looking over at the guy for a moment, looking over the guy for a moment before running a hand through her hair for a moment, and shrugged for a moment, “I have considered it but if I am honest I am so busy i have to look after my little girl and myself and work that I don’t really think trying to even look after an animal is a good idea right now.” 

Easton nodded in understanding, knowing how chaotic things could get with kids. He’d seen enough from growing up that once you had kids, they took up all of your time and having a job on top of that would be even more time consuming. “Yeah, I hear ya. Just a suggestion,” he shrugged, leaning against the tree and Bruno lying at his feet. A cool breeze swept through the park and Easton shivered, rubbing his arms and glancing down. “You guys got any other plans for today or just hanging out here?”

“Now that was mean! I think farmhouse hawk was cute because he was full on dad mode. There’s something so endearing about the way men lose all their gruff around kids. It’s like all of the BS melts away,” she shrugged. Frankie’s bias laid with her unbridled love for Jermey Renner. “You have to admit that when he went all dark sauce and broody he was pretty cool?” The more she focused on the levity of their conversation, the less she could revel in the feeling of his skin on hers. His scent suffocated any lingering motive for her to avoid him. They were bound together by some invisible string. One that withstood the test of time and all of the turbulent waters that laid between them. They continued to hold onto each other even with more than three state lines between them. Frankie knew one day she would need to swallow the feelings that she felt to keep him. Easton was destined to love; and she knew he’d love hard. The hard reality was that she would never know what felt like because she wasn’t the one. For good reason. “You’re one step away from a garbage disposal, pony boy. I gotta make sure that I squirrel away from food for soda pop.” Nudging aside her project, Frankie leaped up onto the counter to open the cupboard. “That depends on how hungry you are. I know we can pound out a dough in no time but if you’re ravenous, we can call our usual spot.” Frankie chewed on her bottom lip momentarily at the over hanging conversation that would need to be addressed. Easton wasn’t one to blissfully ignore the elephant in the room. 

“Ah,” he nodded, writing down into thin air to mock like he was taking notes. “Got it. So all I have to do if I piss you off is bring in a kid to the equation and I’m off the hook. Noted.” Easton lived to tease Frankie, the shit eating grin on his face a clear indication that he was clearly enjoying himself. “Eh. The fauxhawk he had was cool but his tattoos were messy. Mine are clearly better,” Easton shrugged, pulling up the arm of his hoodie to expose the brightly colored traditional sleeve on his left arm he’d gotten years back. One of his favorite memories of him and Frankie involved his tattoos, a drunken night of her coloring in any empty spots she could find with highlighters he’d had laying around his apartment from his college days and studying. Easton had thought about it more than once, to have her drawing tattooed on him permanently but he’d always shook it off thinking it might be too much. “I would use the excuse that I’m a growing boy but I think that ship has sailed. Probably 10 years ago,” he grimaced, watching her jump on the counter and shaking his head at how reckless she was. “Yeah, might as well order it in. That way we don’t have to make more of a mess you’ll have to clean up,” he agreed, knowing it would also give them more time to figure out this slight weirdness that was clearly happening between them. “I’ll order on the app and you start cleaning up your arts and crafts so we have room to spread out. Is Max coming back tonight? Should I order extra?”

“it sounds like you spoil her but i’m sure she worked hard at raisin’ you and all, so she must deserve it.” dixie smiled. she worked as hard as she did for herself and she almost felt selfish but she had to make a name and a living for herself if she wanted to survive. she knew that and she hoped she was doing a decent job. everyone seemed to enjoy the boutique and that was enough for her. “i’m sure she’ll love it either way and appreciate it more than she’ll ever tell you. you’ll have to get her reaction on tape or at least tell me how it went. gift giving honestly makes me so happy because i like seeing the looks on peoples faces.”  she shrugged her shoulders, almost waving off his comment. “i wasn’t sure about hiring anyone until my boutique really kicked off and obviously…it’s kicked off. i just, i guess i’m nervous about leaving my business in the hands of someone else when i want a day off.” she admitted, chewing on her bottom lip. she gave him a short nod, “thank you. you’re more than welcome to though. i wouldn’t be upset if ya did.”

“Yeah,” Easton nodded in agreement, thinking over all the things his momma had done for him growing up. “Kinda feel like I owe it to her, you know? She doesn’t see it that way and she’s been askin’ about grandkids and I’m not delivering on that part anytime soon so I figure a house might deter her for a couple years at least. I hope.” Easton could gush about his mother for hours and he knew not everyone had that same relationship with their mother so he pursed his lips in an apologetic smile and leaned against the counter. “Definitely. I’ll come back with a glowing review I’m sure. She’s always talkin’ about how much she loves the things in your shop so I figured it was time to finally get her something and I’m terrible with stuff like jewellery.” Sure he could’ve ordered something online but he tried not to, despite it’s convenience. Shopping small and local kept the town running and he’d do his part anyway he could. “I get ya. It’s hard to give up that control once you have it and not wanting someone to mess up your hard work. Just think about it, alright? Don’t want ya running yourself into the ground before I can buy you a beer as a thank you,” he nodded with a smile. “Nah, this is all you. I’ll take credit for the flowers I’m bringing her though. Picking them out counts, right?”

The thunderous sound of her heart drowned out the doubt that rolled through her withering armor. Frankie couldn’t deny the joy that blossomed between them. Both had spent many evenings learning new ways to set the other ablaze or melt down into a fit of wild laughter. She swooned mockingly at the rolling sound of nickname. At least he wasn’t too angry to horse around with her. Heavy emotions bogged her down for too long; she gave up on that sinking feeling that tried to strangle her spirit. Instead, she rode the wave of life with a smile; so long as his hand continued to hold hers. 

Frankie popped up from the confinement and sprang into his arms. Her gangly limbs curled successfully around him with a chortling chuckle. “That’s mean,” she fired back. “You’re not entirely wrong. I mean I feel like I’d be a solid Hawkeye. Not Ronin Hawk but like farmhouse Hawk. Don’t you agree? Plus not all of us can have amercia’s ass okay. Not fair,” she huffed. Frankie’s hold on him lingered as she soaked her bones with the feeling of his body against her. Her touch starved frame begged for the snug curve of his body intertwined with hers. “I know if my puns didn’t work, I’d have to use your stomach and love for garbage sitcoms to my advantage.” Frankie buried her head into his neck “I missed you more,” she whispered before slithering down his body and skipped into the kitchen. “Please excuse the mess. I can’t have you and Maxie raging. I’m never going to get all the glitter out of the carpet.” 

Easton realized he must’ve tugged her up too hard, Frankie almost colliding into his chest. As her arms were throw around him, he pulled her close and basked in the familiarity it brought him of being close to his best friend. There was truly nothing like being close to her again- someone who knew him inside and out, never judged him and made his childhood something he fondly thought about. “Not mean,” he pointed out, glancing down at her. She was half a foot shorter than him with her feet bare and the size difference brought him back to when they were younger and she’d hang off his back, demanding piggy back rides. “Just honest. Farmhouse Hawkeye was lame. Hawkeye in general is lame.” The conversation with fun and light and he pinched her hip to drag her eyes up to his. “You know the way to my heart, funny face. Food and terrible tv.” It was a tradition of theirs. Their first night together after not seeing each other for months was junk food and bad television while they caught up, his head usually cradled in her lap. Easton didn’t get a chance to respond before she was escaping his arms, the warmth instantly gone and he watched her prance over to the kitchen where he leaned against the breakfast bar to watch her. “I’ll let it go for now but I’m not letting you sleep until it’s cleaned,” he told her pointedly, hating a mess more than anything and even more in a small space like their apartment. “You makin’ pizza or are we ordering?”

“Is that what it feels like when you’re a parent to a straight-A student? Cause I think  a vet praising my dogs on his off time has got to hit close to that experience.” Jo really loved her dogs, they were her solace at any hour. The day she picked them up from Lou’s rescue really changed her life for the better and while she loved to babble about them, it was a nice refresher to hear the person across from her tickle the topic. “Your mama’s absolutely right. It’s pretty cool. Not saying you should embrace it but I think a little eagle pin could be a nice addition to that coat of yours. Who doesn’t appreciate a subtle nod, huh?” When he picked up her little reference which she was sure would slip by, she couldn’t help but chuckle, getting more invested in the topic than a grown person should. “Well, that wasn’t my intention. Besides, if I wanted to truly insult her, I would find a way to compare her to Cruella. Every sane person knows that she’s the worst villain.” Shaking her head, she waved her hand to dismiss him for a second as she leaned forward, trying to process what he had just told her as she began to laugh. “Hold on. Is there a written guide for this? You’ve just said a lot of words and to be perfectly honest, I feel like I should empathize with the characters of Jumanji a bit more now. Though you’re one sentence away from convincing me turning into a monkey-kid wouldn’t be as bad as Mr. Bleecker’s interrogation.”

“Well,” he started, tilting his head to the side while he thought about it for a brief second. “I don’t have kids so I can’t tell you for sure but I’m sure it’s gotta be somewhat similar. Maybe I’ll invest in bumper stickers or magnets to hand out so everyone gets the full experience.” The thought had him smiling to himself, the idea not terribly bad and it could maybe be a Christmas thing he could work on for the clinic. It could be a nice thing for all of their clients while they shut down for a few days during the holiday, though they were never truly shut down but just on call for emergencies. “Oh I’m definitely gonna have to embrace it now,” Easton nodded, pursing his lips with a finger to his chin. “Might have to browse the internet to find something now that you’ve mentioned it.” The surprise was still coloring his face, he was sure. He’d been a practicing vet for years now and no one had made that connection until now, the new not-so-stranger anymore the best conversation Easton had had in weeks. “You’re absolutely right. Cruella was the worst of ‘em. Though I’d tie her with Scar maybe. Killing your own brother is brutal,” Easton scoffed. His knowledge of Disney movies was usually embarrassing but he was feeling comfortable enough to show a little. “Nah, you’ll figure it out. You stay around long enough and you’ll meet the town crazies that hang around. They’re mostly harmless, just been here too long and know how to push everyone’s buttons. Should give you my number just in case you run into someone questionable,” Easton suggested, watching Mrs. Stratford pull someone over to her table and he kicked the leg of Joanna’s chair to get her attention and nod towards them. “Now that is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Part of Max’s job was catering to the locals and though she certainly wasn’t a people person there were a few patrons who frequented the bar she could tolerate without too much lip. Admittedly she was a little less despotic than was typical whenever Easton paid her a visit and she wouldn’t be able to explain the reasoning behind it. Even through her blatant aversion to making friends she could acknowledge it was possible to just click with someone. Platonically or otherwise. Regardless, he didn’t irritate her and he wasn’t put off by any of her snarky remarks so the camaraderie was welcomed. It also didn’t hurt he was a looker and she was definitely guilty of making a few passes at him when she was in the mood. Though there weren’t many of her friends she hadn’t hit on at some point or another, it was almost a rite of passage. 

Max let out a derisive snort at his comment about the number of anal glands he’d expressed that day, just thinking of the process made her twinge in disgust. “Is that what that fancy medical degree is for, cleaning up dog shit? Doesn’t seem worth it to me” she joked, tilting the bottle over an empty glass before retrieving the makings for a Tequila Negroni. Her brow quirked at the slant of his grin not in the least bit fooled by his chipper tone. Had it been anyone else she wouldn’t give two shits about their emotional state. She wasn’t a fan of sentiment personally and drunkenly babbling your tales of woe at the barkeep was a surefire way to get on her bad side. “Why does it look like someone pissed in your fruit loops, do I really have to do that whole bartender thing and ask what’s wrong or are you just gonna tell me?”

Easton’s eyes crinkled around the sides at Max’s snort, his smile wide. It would never fail to amuse him anytime he could get an unexpected reaction when he spoke about the more rough parts of work. “Nah, that’s just almost always a daily thing. I had no idea as a kid that was something that a dog needed to have done regularly,” Easton shrugged, watching as she skillfully worked behind the bar. It was mesmerizing to watch Max work, knowing where everything was and not having to worry about grabbing the wrong thing. It surprised Easton that she’d caught on to his mood, wondering if his emotions were really that visible. “No one pissed in my fruit loops, Max,” he chuckled, finishing off his beer in anticipation of the hard liquor coming his way. “Just lost a dog on the table early into my day. Been waiting on a text and haven’t heard anything. Mom hasn’t called me back so I’m worried about that. Shit, there’s a list of things sorry.” Easton hadn’t realized how many things were weighing on his mind, chewing at his lower lip as he tried to compartmentalize everything.

Only guilty cowards avoid people and their ever flowing problems.

Frankie’s conscious happily reminded her of the fallacy of her actions. It wasn’t like he deserved it. For as long as she could recall, Easton had been nothing short of Prince Charming. That’s part of the problem. Everything about him had continuous tethered her flighty heels to the earth like some humble Adonis outfitted with the strength of any god. That alone should have been enough for her but Frankie’s little childish dream of something more hung heavier than the world that balanced on Atlas’s struggling shoulders. Her knees buckled and she feared she could no longer hold onto the burden of the torch she held for him. 

Recalling the last perfect moment they shared, Frankie cradled him head in her lap as they watched horrible b-rated rom coms; her choice of course. No matter the whim or insane ploy, Easton supported her through the fire. How could she deny the way he made her feel knowing that she would never be good enough for Tupelo’s golden boy. Instead, she clung close to her cowardice and hid from him. His schedule hadn’t changed and she took to hiding in the alcoves of the alleys if her times were off. It wouldn’t be long before he figured her out. If anyone knew her better than she knew herself, it was him.

Peering up at the sultry rasp of his voice, Frankie felt her cheeks flush with a rosy warmth. She jerked up to pry herself from beneath her self imposed prison to avail. “Pony boy,” she cooed as she bobbled back and forth like some hopeless buoy. His laugh had been the most delightful sound that reawakened the mirth that had dimmed in her soul. Frankie’s brows pulled together at the defensive stance that coiled in his broad frame. “Funny story,” she purred. Frankie wiggled her fingers out before him for some help out of her heap. “I have been terribly busy putting together the new show with the kids and I took another project by making them costumes for our halloween thing. It’s not an excuse but….no it’s an excuse. I’m sorry. I promised to be till the end of the line Bucky Barnes but I’m being more Winter Solider Barnes, huh? How about slightly cooled cinnamons rolls I picked up and pizza as an apology.” 

Seeing Frankie in person after only a few months was like a breath of fresh air that Easton hadn’t realized he needed. There was nothing like the presence of being around your best friend, even if they had avoided you the last few weeks. Now that he thought about it, it should’ve been weird that he hadn’t gotten even a text in the last couple of weeks from her. They talked almost every day, even if it was just a simple ‘good morning’ text. Easton had chalked it up to her being busy in the city, knowing she got consumed by her work sometimes but now it only made him sad, upset.

Not one to hold a grudge, even more so over Frankie, Easton let it go for the time being but remembering to grill her about it later when they were better caught up with each other. “Funny face,” he shot back, their nicknames for one another bringing a smile to his face. Easton’s demeanor instantly relaxed at the familiarity of being around Frankie again and he dropped his arms from his chest, stretching his hand out to help her stand up from the piles of fabric surrounding her. Letting the excuses fall from her lips, Easton listened. He knew how time consuming working at the theater was, his mother a first hand account to how busy they could get during the fall season so he nodded, watching her. “You’d make a shitty Bucky,” Easton deadpanned, looking at her with his eyebrows raised. “Feed me and put on some shitty tv and we’ll talk about an apology. I’ve missed you too much to be mad at you.”