These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends

                     OPHELIA fell quiet, arms still wrapped tightly around him. She had to admit, there was something relieving about not holding onto her pregnancy as a secret anymore, about her decision being final, and the people she supposed mattered accepting it. She nodded gently as he spoke; in response to both questions, before deciding the second needed a little bit of elaboration, “I– Yeah. This is more important than a fashion show, I can put that on hold. I want to – put it on hold, I mean. I’ve spent weeks thinking about this. You’re just gonna have to get used to bein’ a young grandpa.” She finished, a tone somewhat similar to her usual teasing slipping back into her voice.

He said it so casually, so matter of fact in his lack of care of how others viewed him and his business. Vivi wished she could hold even a fraction of his nonchalance- her life certainly would have been easier… Certain choices would have never been made. “ I told you it’s stupid. ” She turned away, setting up the coffee machine to make her boss some coffee. “ I just need to work through these… insecurities. ”

Celeste pulled her hands away, shaking her head. “Neither, gosh. You’re defensive today.” She picked up her cocktail, sipping on it. “Certain books that ‘aren’t wholesome’? Interesting. What books exactly?” She asked, crossing one leg comfortably. Her brow furrowed as he was honest about what was going on. Okay, so maybe he had a right to be a little defensive. “…Jesus, Jamie… I’m sorry.” She murmured, setting the drink down on the table. “I mean, a grandkid is a happy thing and you’re gonna be the hottest granddad ever. But it sounds like it’s a lot all at once.”

Benji didn’t feel like the other got where he was coming from. Excess wasn’t the issue, he thought. Just a symptom. However, there was something about being serious and looking reality in the face that bothered him. It was one of the few things that truly made him uncomfortable. Instead, he popped his grin a little wider. “I’m passionate about plenty. You just don’t value dick, my cats and weed as much as I do.”

                  MILENA, Mills - it could make sense, Jackson noted - a fact only reinforced when Jamie continued to speak. James, Jamie. It still seemed a wild coincidence, but he couldn’t help himself from putting it together in his mind. He nodded briefly at his words, “I am.” Perhaps he was jumping to conclusions, adding two and two and getting five - but God, he needed to know. However, he could understand that this wasn’t the best place for them to talk - at least, not in Jamie’s workplace. “That’s fair. Let me know where and when.”

                        JACKSON sighed softly, leaning forward on the counter slightly. What was he supposed to say? He was quiet for a few moments, trying to put his thoughts together in his head, trying to make sense of the situation. If Jamie had drawn that tattoo himself - and the only person Jay had ever seen draw that design was his brother; surely it couldn’t mean? He shook his head, more to himself than to the man at the opposite side of the counter, a frown deepening on his face, “Because–,” He began, uncertain of where to go, how to phrase it. “Because it was my name before–” Jay shook his head, waving a dismissive hand, starting again, “– Put it this way, I’ve only ever seen one person draw that design in my life before. And we shared the surname. So- if that means something to you, we need to talk.”

Benji felt instantaneous disdain at Jamie’s light critique. A nerve was struck, with Benji unknowingly sparking the first flame. “Money does ruin everything.  You’re conflating basic right to live conditions with wealth. The bottom tiers of the Maslowian hierarchy should be provided to everybody. Housing, food, and security. The income disparity between the rich elites and the lower class is more than enough to meet those needs. That’s exactly how ruinous money is.” It was out of character for Benji to snap the way he did, but it was effective in at least drowning out some of his guilt. He chewed his lip for just a second in an attempt to coax himself back to his normal. “Sure. That’s what Grindr’s for.”

                        AT his words, Jackson almost froze on the spot. He couldn’t say he was too surprised that Valentina had been the one to tattoo it - but he’d drawn it? Jay was sure that particular design would be burned into his memory forever, having seen his brother draw it over and over again when they were younger. “Weird question, but there’s a reason,” He muttered, shaking his head softly. This all had to be some kind of coincidence - had to be a design he’d seen somewhere and copied it. Then again, what about the familiarity he’d always noted about Jamie? He paused a few moments longer, a frown deepening on his face, “Does the name Milena mean anything to you?” Jay finally asked, mind frantically trying to connect the dots as to how this could fit together.

“What? Pay for sex? Nah, like I said, no need. When God made me, he gave me the hook up when it came to looks.” He pointed to his face, trying to minimize his smirk at his own perceived ridiculous grandstanding. “This is like, a triple seven. Bro, God hit that genetic jackpot like it was the best luck he had all day.”  Benji promptly shook his head; he knew he was being extra. “If you mean doing sex work? Probably not for me. I love sex. Money would ruin it for me, though. Money ruins everything.” His tone was considerably more serious as he said it. “That, my friend, is what friends with benefits are for.”

“Maybe not.” He shrugged, not really caring at all, then turned to the man who had spoken. Nash knew that this man was hiding something. He was intuitive like that, but only when all the stars aligned just right so that his mind was clear. “Sounds like she did you dirty. Snatch your hopes and dreams or something?” He raised his hand and motioned at the man.

“Witches can’t be tamed, but that’s why you need to be their friend. Like me, and make peace with ‘em.” A short laugh left him because he sounded stupid even for Nash standards. “Are you trying to hunt her down? Why else would you be in the forest on your own?” He could be asking himself that same question.

“Not really, all my hopes and dreams came true” more or less. But then all they had ever been was doing what was right for his daughter. Somehow he had managed that. Or at least got her out of their previous situation, and into a better one. He doubted he’d ever be fully done with that. “Why, she snatch yours?” 

                     JACKSON had often found himself in The Corner; either browsing books or just stopping in for coffee on the way to work. That afternoon, it had been the former, Grace’s newfound love in reading seemed to have him in the bookshop or the library more often than not these days. He shook his head slightly as Jamie spoke, offering a soft smile, “Don’t worry about it.” He began, until one of the tattoos in particular on Jamie’s arm caught his eye. There had always been something familiar about him, but being unable to put his finger on it had led him to believe it was just a coincidence. Until he’d noted the tattoo - something he’d seen his brother draw over and over again all those years ago. Seemed a damn big coincidence, and he paused briefly before speaking again, “Please don’t think I’m bein’ entirely invasive here, but who did your We’re all mad here tattoo?” He asked, curiosity clouding his tone. Was that perhaps what his brother had later made of his life? A tattoo artist?

“Your book shop’s not doing that bad, is it? Plus, the whole point of a drag show is tipping the performers. You know we don’t get paid for these gigs, right?” Celeste raised eyebrows at him but left his fries alone, placing her hands on her lap instead, respectfully. She always had a bit of a coy smile on her face, hair drifting over one shoulder. “Fair enough. If you want something, let me know. I can usually get a freebie from the bartender.” She pointed out, leaning back with a smile. “What’ve you been doing today?”

Benji raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Seriously? That would put weird kinks before sex in the timeline. For first-time sex? Damn, if you’re revealing kinks before first-time sex, that’s for like— paid sex. And you already know I’ve never had to pay for sex in my life. Honestly, I should be getting paid at this point.” Benji was rambling at this point, his mind hopping from thought to thought like a lightning bolt.

Celeste watched the other with a grin, raising eyebrows. “You certainly surprised me. Wouldn’t expect to see you in a place like this.” She pulled her hands away from the fries, meaning no harm. “I can get you more fries, handsome. I’ve been performing my ass off all night and I think a fry is a fair exchange since I didn’t see any tips come from you.” She grinned, picking up her cocktail and taking another sip. “You drinkin’ anything?”

The Corner was a cute place with an atmosphere that seemed to just invite a warm feeling of cozy safety. Ironic considering the true nature of it’s proprietor. “ Oh, I saw the sign. ” She removed her sunglasses, tucking them into her Armani suit. “ But you and I need to have a talk. ”

“Honesty is the best policy— or so they say. My imagination’s pretty crummy, though. That’s why I always had to steal my older brother’s playboy when I was in the fifth grade.” Benji simply nodded; his signature smirk had rarely left his face their entire conversations. “If it came from you? Super hot. But let’s not go down my list of weird kinks. I reserve that topic for pillow talk.”