( &&. titanium. )

“Well I’d never steer anyone wrong when it comes to alcohol....or food, really. Seriously, great experience. I’d love to go to Amsterdam or any other place that has a festival like that. It’s good food and good beer, you can’t go wrong with that. Really?You’re seriously missing out on all this stuff.”

“Well, I appreciate that,” he truthfully noted. “Next time I think about disappearing you’ll be the first to know. And I promise not to wuss out and do it over text,” he joked with a small laugh. “Yeah, it definitely has this weird mental hold on a lot of people, it seems. I mean, I‘m trying not to, I swear. I got a good job, a girlfriend and some great friends, like you, just this time I couldn’t control it. It was really important for me to be there.” He nodded, “Yeah, she’s just had her own knack for disappearances, too. We’ve got a weird relationship and understanding of each other.” He scrunched up his nose, “Enough about me, Mai’ -- I’m boring.”

The female who sat besides him didn’t utter a single syllable, instead offering him a nod to back up his question. Finn took another sip of his beer, glancing over at her once again. “You’re new, right?” He already knew the answer to his question, figuring to continue to face the bar as he just figured it’d make her more comfortable to speak. Finn knew everybody in and out of this bar, so he could just figure she was new to Lanford ---the first newcomer in a long while, that he could remember. “I’m Finn.”

“Just don’t kill me and we should be fine,” the grin still planted on his face. It had been a while since he had actually taken the time to relax and laugh with friends, so he could admit, he was pretty glad to be here. “Besides... you know me by now, I’m not the kindest guy out there.” Finn made a face, shaking his head, “---Ooooh, that sounds boring. I think I’ll still with science then, though it was worth a try.”

“Not horrible, just bitter,” he joked, his grin giving him away. “Difficult? How? I’m an angel, you know,” he paused in pretend thought, “----your hair, eyes, smile.... all come together nicely?” He acted as if he was straining to get the words out at first, “--Kidding. All that stuff really is nice about you. See, not that hard to compliment people.”

Feeling her here with him, it made him ecstatic, it made him happy and it just made him want to go crazy. All of this was real and he was just filled with so much passion for her. Finn had waited for this moment ever since she stuffed them both in that hospital closet a few weeks back. She had fled that day and he hadn’t seen her ever since then and God, it was such a let down. Back then, he really thought that she was going to give him a chance. But now, it was really happening... and yet he still couldn’t help but feel a flash of fear erupt in his head. He couldn’t help but think she might leave again... After all, they both were so afraid of what was to become of them. But fr some reason, it felt different this time. Even through his worries, he couldn’t help but think that this time, she would stay. There was no chance of her fleeing, or running away, he could feel it. Honestly, in this moment, Finn didn’t care what protests or sweet nothings she was about to utter, all he wished to do was kiss her. Just let their kisses do the talking for once, instead of always uttering their affections. A lot of times, he felt hard to believe all of this was real.... their relationship, their love, everything. But kissing her now.... he felt really damn good about this and for once.... he couldn’t be happier. It was a mix of sweet kisses, soft kisses, sloppy kisses.... he just wanted to be held up against her form. He missed it so much and all he could do was let out a breathy laugh, nodded his head in agreement, “I fucking love you too.” The feeling of her lips on his neck made him want to jump out of his skin... or just attack her with his own set of kisses once more. Replaying all the memories she uttered made him feel sick but as her hands scrawled across his skin, it was almost like his antidote....it brought him back to this very moment in time. She was here. And this time she wasn’t going anywhere. Phoebe’s last note surprised him and he almost went to question it, almost. But as her lips rushed against his again, he had no choice but to savor it. He grinned sloppily into the kiss, his hands roamed down her back to the midst of her thighs, picking her up with sudden ease. He loved her and he wanted to show her once more, making his way down the hallway to his room, a path all too familiar with her. Especially a moment exactly like this.

“Apple ale ---my favorite for the fall. I know you don’t like beer but you should try and go  to Oktoberfest festival... it’s not like the real thing in Europe, but it’s pretty close,” he laughed, “---no, no.... no frog legs. Though, those do taste just like chicken. What.... you’ve never heard of poutine fries?”

Finn was cooped up in the bar, the rain having been a total turn off for the walk home and taking a taxi was always just out of the question for him. So, he did what he did best ordering another beer to sip on in hopes the weather would clear up soon. He could always call Phoebe, but at this time of the day, he figured she’d have quite a few drinks in her system as well. He heard the door swing open, a gust of wind following and the sound of wet boots squished across the floorboards and to the stool next to him. He peeked over at the girl, letting out a small chuckle as he took another sip of his beer, “--It looks like you’ve seen a ghost. You okay?” He had never seen her before and seeing as he was a regular he would have been sure to remember if he had.

“Ouch, at least I know where I stand,” he teased. “Your fault not mine! And I meant on land that isn’t uphill, dumbass,” he retorted playfully.

“Jeez, dude. You’re terrible.”

“Mind you, I’m adorable, but I really don’t see how that’s relevant here. C’mon, you know I’m a literal lab rat at heart, fresh air might as well just kill me now. But, I can try and suck it up for you, your royal highness.”

“I mean.... I’d assume so. Wouldn’t they have to have some pharmacy license or something to sell pills with their coffee,” he laughed along with Adam. “I’m just guessing it is, but maybe when I’m tired of all this science crap, we should look into it,” he joked. “I’m down.”

Finn smiled sincerely, it felt good to know he’d be missed if something happened to him. “Well.... thanks, really. Didn’t know I’d be missed had I actually disappeared,” he chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t know how,” he shook his head in his own disbelief, “I never see what’s so special about this place, yet here I am ---returning.”

“You’re a lot of things,” he teased simply, as he sat in the passenger seat. Having been without Phoebe was hard. Sure, he could always pretend but now seeing her here with him, it made him realize just how much he had really missed her. Without Phoebe, there always seemed to be this giant hole in his chest and no matter what he just could never fill it. No amount of alcohol. of partying or even working could distract him from the painfully numb lack of her in his life. Finn needed her and it was just as simple and as complicated as that. Maybe it was just the fact that Phoebe was Finn’s first real serious girlfriend or maybe it was just the fact that he was just so undoubtedly and restlessly in love with her, but being without her for him, was next to impossible. Finn had always had a bit of a flirtatious charm about him, but commitment was just never in the picture ---at least, not before her. In the elevator ride up, a constant sloppy grin was splashed across his lips. His face even hurt from all the pep and confidence he pushed upon his face. Inside, he was surely a nervous mess but him and Phoebe were pretty damn good and hiding how they always felt, though he was never sure if that was more a good or a bad thing. He scrunched his nose at the thought of the pooch but let out a sly chuckle, “---It’s going to work because you fell in love with this face,” he retorted playfully. But just as soon as she was gushing over Lincoln she was just as quickly dropping him down onto the floor of Finn’s apartment, her attention all too focused on the blue eyed blondie. Hearing her giggle, he could relax for a little, smiling truly just in her presence. As she came closer, he almost thought that he stopped breathing, feeling the heat rush up to his face. “Trust me....” he exhaled out, “---I missed the way you helped create all the empty beer cans and the messy bed and the couch.... and how you’d eat all my leftovers in the fridge and clog up the shower...” he laughed, but was then silenced with her tender kiss. It was sweet and laced with uncertainty and as she went to pull away his hand came up to grasp the back of her head to pull her in again. He missed her taste and the way her lips felt against his. God, he just fucking missed her.

He rolled his eyes with a laugh, “--Look, my logic has been working for me so far. So, that, is enough to prove it wrong,” he wagged his finger at her. Finn then raised both of his hands up as if in defense, “Well, actually, I may have thought that. But that’s also because I have a terrible concept of time.” He clicked his tongue, “I can’t help it,” letting out a dramatic sigh, hiding his joking smirk, “--god, I should have been an actor.”