hope woods.

Yikes, was really the only thought that came to Anthony’s mind at the other’s sudden outburst. He was a fairly composed person so rather than snapping back, he simply waited on him to cool down. Once he apologized, he gave a nod and tilted his head at Bash. “Well, I know the scones at Starbucks are nothing special but when you’re hungry, it’s better than nothing,” he replied simply at first. “It’s quite alright. Listen, I know all of this… angst is not just over pastries. If there is something on your mind you would like to talk about, I am here to listen.” 

everyone in town knew of the mayor’s son and his anger issues. composure was only something he exhibited when pianist’s fingers were gracing keys and losing themselves in melodies. it probably was ridiculous. bash was a twenty-six year old man who still got so hot and bothered by his father and his offensive comments. “yeah uh that’s pretty true. still pretty expensive for a mediocre pastry...if you like scones though...have you tried the bakery on third?” more calm now and trying to extend an olive branch. he gave a shrug of his shoulders, “all good. nothing to talk about.” or rather nothing he COULD talk about. “so um...you mentioned you were recently back in town?”

he already felt lighter since the other night, finding that noah had that effect on him, making his head less dizzy from the dark and destructive thoughts that clouded his mind and dizzy instead from the unique effect that noah had on him. bash actually SMILED when he saw noah, a genuine smile, one that he felt like he hadn’t done in ages and it felt nice...if not foreign. with a cheeky raise of his brows, he leaned forward, that dimple of his ever so evident on his features, “you think i’m handsome? knew it.” with a dramatic sigh, a huff of breath emitting from pink lips as he ran a hand through ruffled raven curls, “you can’t resist me.” he teased. god. he couldn’t remember the last time he was in THIS good of a mood. “you’re the perfect height.” bash said honestly with the shrug of his shoulders, ordering their drinks from the bartender, “i’m glad you invited me. seriously. you always make these things way more fucking bearable.” he grabbed the drinks from the bartender and handed noah his bourbon before turning to face the other, “that’s exactly what i need.” well maybe he needed NOAH but this wasn’t a coherent, sober thought that bash knew. “what kind of trouble are you thinking of, huh handsome?”

Noah: So. There's a bar at this Carnival that's in town.

Noah: Wanna grab a drink later?

Noah: There's also food trucks, soooooo imma be hitting those up, too.

Noah: Emphasis on THOSE. As in more than one.

bash: i'd fucking love to

bash: i had fun with you the other night.

bash: well you're always fun

                          “ yeah yeah, we’ll see about that .. best behavior - you !! that’s funny. ” noah can’t help but comment. he honestly didn’t know what bash was like when he was on his ‘ best behavior ’. or if he was even capable of such a thing. when he hears though that he’s inspired some ‘ new pieces ’ noah spares a glance off the road & at bash. was he serious ? no, he definitely was. bash wouldn’t say something like that if it weren’t true. “ i inspired them ? ” he looks forward at the road again & he hides the fact that .. he likes that. had bash actually missed him as much as noah’s missed him ? he wonders now. “ yeah .. yeah. i kinda am, actually .. pretty interested in hearing it. ” that sort of thing would say a lot, wouldn’t it ? hearing what he’s .. inspired bash to write. he’s still looking forward, but a smile plays on his lips.                           noah can’t help but laugh when bash reminds him of just how much sex they had in his back seat. “ yeah fucking right. i scrubbed those out .. but .. we did have a lot of sex back there & i will have you know, i’m still just as flexible as i was then. ” he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth then. his memories are very vivid. maybe too vivid ? “ getting drunk & getting into fights, huh ? ” he turns to look at the other, eyeing him for a second before tearing his gaze away. he can’t help but wonder. he didn’t know everything involving him & his father, but he knew enough.                           another glance is spared at bash, his eyes linger a little longer this time before noah looks forward again. the hand on his bicep felt all too familar & was all too welcomed. he briefly wonders if the two of them hanging out again is a good idea - neither of them were ever on their best behaviors & thought with their dick a lot of the time. “ yeah, ” he looks over at bash again, offering a smile before looking at the where he was driving. “ i miss you, too .. ” he admits, “ a lot. ” the words leave his mouth before he can even think about stopping them. he silently curses himself for that. “ life’s not as .. interesting without you. ” he looks over at bash again ( he can’t fucking help it no matter how hard he tried ). “ glad to see you’re still the same ol’ bash though. ”

“yeah well…if i recall…you used to prefer me on my bad behavior. never got complaints before.” before…felt like a fucking life time ago. their time apart had felt like an infinity and bash knew that he’d never possess enough self restraint to completely stay away from noah. he needed the other in his life. even if it was just as a friend. a soft chuckle escaped from his lips once more, rubbing at the back of his neck nervously, “uh yeah, man. you inspired them. i’ve written a lot of pieces about you.” his heart felt like it was racing, hammering against his chest at the thought of noah rejecting his offer. but when he agrees, he’s cocking a brow, smile tugging on his lips, “okay. cool. it’d be nice for new ears to hear it.”

his nose wrinkled, “whoops…i was pretty messy, wasn’t i?” bash asked with a chuckle, shaking his head slightly, "i would have helped you to clean it!” the mayor’s son proclaims bright gaze watching the other before cocking a brow, “just as flexible? huh. i’ll believe it when i see it.”

the momentary heat of the other’s muscle against his hand was welcome, it was warm and he wanted his hand to remain. in some ways he wanted to hold on noah and never let go. his expression immediately brightens at the sight of noah’s smile. “you do?” his voice was a bit breathless, “you miss me too?” because bash thought about noah almost 24 fucking 7. he lifted his head to hopefully catch noah’s gaze, grin still evident upon his features, “life’s not as interesting without you either.” this statement felt heavy, weighted with the truth. and he shouldn’t. he really shouldn’t…he’s reaching forward to take noah’s spare hand within his own, sighing from the immediate comfort, running his thumbs over his palms. “i just…think about you all the time."

                         “ okay, okay .. that actually makes a lot more sense. i meant you were biased because you’ve seen me naked. ” noah clarify’s with a chuckle although, bash made a lot more sense spelling it out that way. his ex r e a l l y was vain as fuck. “ yep, you do that. ” noah presses his lips together. bash was relentless when he began flirting .. it makes him miss him more than he has already. while he & bash’s relationship a few months ago was messy, he couldn’t deny that he d i d love him. then & maybe now, still.                           noah wasn’t sure before, but now bash definitely invited him over & noah scratches at the scruff that covered his chin. he can’t help but think about his invitation though for a few seconds, looking up at him when he speaks up again. that makes him laugh. he wonders if bash could really keep his hands to himself. “ yeah, alright, we’ll see about that - i mean, you on your b e s t behavior ?  that’s sorta laughable. ” he teases, but he isn’t lying. “ you wanna play me something ? what do you wanna play me ? ” he can’t help but ask.                            when they’re in his car & bash mentions all the memories they had in it, noah huffs out a laugh, sparing a glance in the backseat - they really did have a lot of memories back there. “ yeah, no shit .. i don’t think i ever had so much sex in a car until i met you. ” he says as his eyes are on bash as if looking for a reaction. he puts the car in drive & heads off in the direction of bash’s dad’s place. “ huh, would’a thought you’d have gotten yourself into some stupid shit or something .. much like you did tonight. ”

his classic lopsided smirk preyed onto his lips, tilting his head as he looked at his ex, “why yes...i HAVE seen you naked and let me say...it’s a really lovely sight. definitely one of my favorites.” bash was a flirt but with noah it genuinely came effortlessly. their push and pull had been undeniable since the moment they’d first met. nothing but untamed passion and fire. which was probably one of the main reasons why their relationship burnt out so quickly. but this really was cute. noah trying to resist and all.

dimples are engraving into his cheeks once again, chuckling as he gave a nod of his head, “okay...fair point. how about this...i can TRY to be on my best behavior. i promise to try.” though in his defense...how could he practice any self restraint when he was around noah? the way he nervously scratched at his beard or ran a hand through his curls. it was all utterly adorable and such a fucking turn on. at the question, he gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, running a hand through his own raven locks, disheveling them further. “some new pieces. you uh...kind of inspired them.” pink tinted his cheeks, offering his ex a vulnerable and bashful smile, one that he’s seen a few times. noah knew his music was the only time he really showed his vulnerability. it was the only way he knew how to express himself and his emotions. “figured you might be interested in hearing what you were the muse for.” he chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood. was he being weird? god. probably. he was always weird. he tried not to be. 

another loud laugh escapes from his lips, “SO MUCH SEX!” he exclaimed, shaking his head, “you were always very flexible. it was impressive. bet i stained your backseats, huh? good luck getting rid of me there.” bash was joking but he did cast his gaze to the back. disappointed to find that he’d left no cum stain behind. “well i’m always getting myself into stupid shit. that’s nothing new. you’re used to that. still getting drunk and in fights.” to be clear, he was still getting drunk and letting his dad beat him. but they didn’t talk about that. they never talked about that. bash swallowed thickly, casting his gaze back to noah, “i uh...meant what i said by the way.” he offered noah a small smile, hand sliding to squeeze at the other’s bicep, “when i said i missed you.” but bash cleared his throat and dropped his hand back into his lap. be good. be good. be good. for noah he would be good.