writing letters

Location: Saints and Sinners Party Closed for: @lucafieraru​

At some point she is hoisted to a table’s surface, and so it is there a willowy frame twists to the music’s pulse; half avoiding the solo cups that litter the surface, some already tipped over and prompting the marble slick. Lashes flutter open and familiarity blooms at the first set of features irises land on: “Luca,” its a saccharine holler, and full lips peel back to a wolfish grin as heat blooms crimson to the curve of cheeks at the sight of him, at the images that briefly muddy her thoughts: the ascent of his touch beneath a sundress, the bend of her silhouette over a counter, how she sends him off with an arrangement for his wife. Kit moves to the tables edge, palms extending to reach towards him, “dance with me!”

.

perhaps  slightly  out  of  place  ,  a  crowd  of  youth  dispersed  throughout  the  housing  cemented  across  the  street  from  his  own  .  luca  could  count  on  one  hand  how  many  times  he  had  stepped  foot  in  the  self-proclaimed  hype  house  as  he  heard  it  called  .  it  was  a  layout  similar  to  his  own  though  unique  in  ways  too  ,  easy  enough  to  navigate  as  he  walked  through  to  find  the  kitchen  for  another  drink  .  his  wife  and  he  had  lost  sight  of  one  another  though  there  was  no  concerns  to  be  had  about  her  whereabouts  ----  the  same  to  be  said  about  his  even  as  he  hears  his  name  drift  through  the  small  gathering  in  the  kitchen  ,  the  source  being  kit  .  “  little  flower  ,  ”  he  greets  with  a  subtle  curve  of  his  lips  upwards  .  a  hand  catches  one  of  hers  extended  ,  no  resistance  in  easing  his  way  between  her  thighs  which  has  become  almost  a  second  home  to  the  man  .  “  a  bit  hard  to  dance  sitting  on  a  counter  isn’t  it  ?  ”

“It’s not my roommates questions I’m concerned about.” She gave the ring a cautious glance, the way it glinted like Death’s sickle catching light. She’d dealt with the fallout before, jealous spouses with so much hatred they could spare none for the person she’d slept with. In every story they would tell she was the villain, she was the evil thing that had come to their garden and tricked the first bite of the apple into an unsuspecting mouth. In every story, she was always the serpent. “Which one’s yours?” Len asked, mind made up. Caution had awarded awarded her nothing, and good or bad she’d take the more exciting route. “Does your other half stay up late with binoculars? Will they see you drop me off and steal my cat and put a funny little letter made up of cut out magazine letters on my doorstep? ‘Leave my husband alone or this raccoon gets it.’ Chilling.” Her nose wrinkled when she laughed, “I do like that cat, but I think trying to kidnap it would make it go insane. Best of luck to whoever it is you have at home.”

.

luca  points  towards  the  suv  parked  in  the  lot  ,  one  of  a  few  options  of  cars  he  has  though  his  preferred  to  take  out  on  a  casual  evening  .  he  takes  the  keys  from  his  pockets  and  unlocks  it  before  they  reach  the  side  ,  taking  it  upon  himself  to  open  the  passenger  door  for  len  before  rounding  the  front  to  the  driver’s  side  .  “  she  prefers  watching  on  the  security  cameras  ,  more  convenient  since  she  doesn’t  have  to  get  out  of  bed  -----  i  wouldn’t  worry  though  ,  if  anything  she  will  be  said  she  missed  the  opportunity  to  get  to  know  you  better  .  ”  the  engine  comes  to  life  with  a  push  of  the  ignition  button  ,  both  buckled  in  before  he  eases  out  of  the  parking  space  and  onto  the  downtown  streets  .  “  she  is  uh  ,  a  special  cat  that’s  for  sure  .  kind  of  grateful  the  other  vet  made  it  her  personal  mission  to  befriend  her  .  not  that  i  mind  a  few  scratches  but  generally  from  other  people  and  not  felines  ,  ”  he  says  with  a  light  laugh  .

“Thought we’d catch you as a surprise.” She’d taken an Uber to work, and it had been her plan all along to steal a ride home with Luca. It was the quiet moments that she liked, ones where he hummed idly to the radio, his hand on her thigh, tapping to the beat of the song. When he was closer, she plucked the coffee mug from the top of the pile that he was toting around, “Ask her if she wants in, might be a bit of a wild night.” Humour glinted in her dark eyes, and she followed beside him towards the car. “It’s been slow, and Charlie was getting restless. I think that he might like your company more than mine, but I’m trying not to be too jealous about it.” Dilan tipped back the mug, taking a sip before her nose wrinkled at the taste of coffee grown long cold and bitter. “I might have to just be open four days a week, it feels silly to sit there doing nothing but teach Charlie tricks all day.” Her head tipped, and she laughed, “Wait, hold on. We mastered play dead today.” She put the mug back in his hands, gesturing to the dog to sit, before performing the command. Four white paws flung up in the air and she cooed in delight, passing off a treat that had been tucked away in her pocket. “Maybe we did get a lot done today, after all.”

.

“  ah  ,  that’s  only  because  he  has  other  dogs  to  play  with  at  the  clinic  .  his  bedside  manner  is  top  notch  ,  makes  all  the  other  dogs  feel  comfortably  .  ”  it’s  as  if  charlie  can  understand  the  praise  ,  a  proud  hop  in  his  step  as  they  reach  luca’s  car  in  the  parking  lot  .  he  turns  towards  dilan  with  curiosity  at  the  mention  of  a  new  trick  ,  laughter  ringing  as  he  watches  the  dog  collapse  onto  his  back  with  his  tongue  hanging  outside  of  his  mouth  .  “  impressive  ,  very  impressive  ––––  but  i  shouldn’t  expect  anything  less  from  either  of  you  .  ”  he  shakes  his  head  with  another  laugh  while  unlocking  the  car  ,  moving  to  the  passanger  side  to  open  the  door  for  dilan  and  then  the  back  door  for  charlie  to  jump  in  .  once  his  own  belongings  are  secure  on  the  floor  of  the  car  he  proceeds  closing  doors  ,  moving  around  to  the  driver’s  side  .  “  summer  means  tourism  picks  up  so  i  have  a  feeling  four  days  may  turn  into  five  and  six  .  have  you  looked  into  hiring  a  couple  more  employees  to  help  out  ?  ”

Len tugged down the fabric of her skirt over her bare legs, sweat pricked skin cooling as  sea-air pushed around dark corners. Her throat felt bruised as she swallowed, her mouth twisted into a lipstick-smeared contented smile as she steadied herself against the brick. His wedding ring flashed like torch light when he pushed a lock of his own dampened hair from his face, and she eyed it warily. He wouldn’t be the first married man she’d found herself entangled similarly with, and likely wouldn’t be the last Loneliness is undignified in its wanting. It feels no shame in the magnitude of its desire, or its all consuming nature. Loneliness, the clear-cutter of forests. Besides, she reasoned, reaching to kiss him one more time, pressing him close until there was nothing between them but that shared, secret sin, for a half-breath I can feel loved, and what is so wrong with that? Pulling away, Len stepped toward the blue light of the flickering street lamps, reaching for her phone. “I’m calling an Uber. You wanna share?”

.

“  𝐈  𝐂𝐀𝐍  𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄  you  home  ,  it’s  not  as  if  it  is  out  of  the  way  .  ”  luca  makes  the  offer  as  he  makes  himself  decent  ,  a  tug  of  his  zipper  upwards  and  a  hand  brushing  through  his  hair  to  neaten  what  she  disheveled  .  there’s  a  satisfaction  coursing  through  him  ,  one  only  offered  through  physical  intimacy  –––––  not  something  he  lacks  in  his  life  but  welcomed  regardless  .  he  reaches  into  his  back  pocket  to  pull  of  his  car  keys  ,  fingers  slipping  through  the  ring  as  he  spins  them  once  before  capturing  them  against  his  palm  .  there’s  no  hiding  the  wedding  ring  they  clink  against  but  len  hasn’t  asked  so  he  doesn’t  divulge  through  there  is  nothing  to  be  kept  secret  .  “  i  can  drop  you  off  around  the  block  if  you  don’t  want  your  roommates  asking  questions  ,  ”  he  jests  with  a  smile  .

The surprise is there on Laurie’s face, an “o” on his lips before it twists cruel, just another taunt to the vet, brazen with knowledge. “Oh? Why? Does it bother you?” He doesn’t back away, staring his once-friend down close with eyes dark and drunk. “That was the man I knew.  Good reliable Lu. Respectable man, quick as a whip. Fucking honorable.” He whistles inward than spits to the side, eyes never breaking off Luca. “She was worth more than this.  A year and change and you’ve gone and replaced her.” And three years where you left me behind. Betrayal burns up his throat like acid, but he swallows instead, patching the wound so it festers unseen.

.

“  𝐈  𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍’𝐓  ––––  ”  luca  catches  himself  as  his  tone  rises  ,  a  habit  from  working  in  the  clinic  .  so  often  he  has  come  across  people  who  don’t  deserve  to  have  animals  as  companions  but  he  has  to  keep  his  cool  .  and  the  same  goes  for  now  despite  the  anger  bubbling  up  at  laurie’s  accusation  .  “  you  sit  there  passing  judgement  on  me  without  knowing  what  i  went  through  ,  how  i  grieved  ari  when  she  died  –––––  and  you  don’t  know  anything  about  my  life  now  .  ”  partially  his  own  fault  ,  after  all  luca  cut  off  ties  with  anything  and  anyone  that  would  remind  him  of  ariella  .  until  he  realized  it  was  doing  nothing  to  help  him  move  on  .  his  pride  isn’t  so  large  he  can’t  admit  his  own  mistakes  but  the  verbal  attack  negates  any  rational  thinking  as  he  glares  at  laurie  .  “  quit  acting  as  if  you’re  better  than  me  ,  as  if  the  way  you  grieved  meant  you  cared  about  her  more  .  ”    

Somehow, foolishly, he’d forgotten the early days. He’d forgotten the doctor knew how to wield his own worded daggers, forgotten the way they’d bit at each others heels before Ariella had set them right. The sting of it burns and he chases it with whiskey, eyes hollowed flames that follow his gesture. “Not really one for empty promises, myself. Feel like giving me lessons?” His tongue whistles against his teeth as he downs his glass and gives a terse few shakes of his head. “Is it typically deemed a scene to let an old friend know how you’re feeling?”  The world feels bitter on his tongue, his jaw clenched tight as he leans in towards the vet. “If you want a scene, Lu,” his tone drops lower, deeper in his chest. “I can give you one.”

.

𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍  𝐈𝐒  𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘  𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍  𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌  ––––  the  rest  of  their  group  oblivious  as  they  focus  on  the  scantily  clad  women  dancing  on  stage  .  luca  can  understand  somewhat  where  it  comes  from  but  also  there  is  confusion  .  was  he  not  allowed  to  move  on  ?  to  find  a  semblance  of  peace  after  losing  the  woman  he  loved  ?  it’s  personal  for  laurie  ,  that  much  he  can  tell  ,  and  luca  is  prepared  to  walk  away  until  the  nickname  slips  past  the  other  man’s  lips  .  he  hasn’t  heard  it  in  some  time  ,  not  even  dilan  is  allowed  to  call  him  that  .  “  don’t  call  me  that  ,  you  know  damn  well  why  .  ”  luca  leans  forward  as  well  ,  eyes  narrowing  as  his  own  tone  shifts  .  “  what  the  hell  is  your  problem  ?  ”  

The rage that swelled up in his belly would have been strange years before.  Luca was a man Laurie had idolized, or as much as he idled any man.  The job, the wife, the love- it was such a perfect paragon of an all-american that he’d been forced to appreciate through his envy. But his wife was dead - or rather his old wife was dead. Laurie grit his teeth and nodded at Luca, his eyes sharp as knives where he sat beside at the bar. “You looking for wife number three?” he answered back, gesturing to the dancers and ignoring his question. “Seems like a poor place to drink for a newlywed.” 

.

𝐓𝐇𝐄  𝐖𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓  𝐎𝐅  laurie’s  hostility  is  crushing  and  clear  in  the  direction  their  interaction  seems  to  be  going  .  luca  cocks  his  head  to  the  side  as  eyes  drift  towards  the  dancers  on  stage  before  glancing  towards  the  man  beside  him  once  more  .  “  not  really  but  maybe  we  can  help  you  find  that  first  one  you  seem  trouble  locking  down  ,  ”  he  offers  in  return  with  a  subtle  tilt  of  his  glass  toward’s  laurie  .  he  doesn’t  blame  him  for  the  hostility  considering  after  ariella’s  funeral  luca  disappeared  from  any  connections  he  made  through  her  ,  and  now  arriving  in  what  was  her  hometown  with  a  new  wife  years  later  .  but  it  seems  there  is  no  room  for  explanation  and  so  he  chooses  to  give  back  what’s  given  to  him  .  “  you’ve  never  had  a  bachelor  party  so  let  me  give  you  some  insight  ,  causing  a  scene  is  usually  frowned  upon  .  ”

Len’s pupils were as wide as pennies when they parted and her eyes opened once more, the green traded for pitch-black, swallowed up in desire. There’s a buzzing under her skin, a current made live by cocktails and his lips against hers. What she craves cannot be satisfied with a kiss before a bartender and a room full of ogling strangers, and she bites down on her lip at the need for it. Her mouth, now pink, is close to him again, this time ghosting the space next to his ear with a curved edge like a sickle. “Take me someplace else,” she murmurs into it, her voice husky and on the verge of a quiet whine.

.

𝐍𝐎  𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑  𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒  need  to  be  shared  ,  the  intent  between  them  clear  as  luca  laces  fingers  with  len’s  to  lead  the  way  outside  .  perhaps  a  car  is  more  practical  ,  suggesting  they  go  back  to  her  place  ––––  but  luca  opts  for  neither  as  he  walks  a  short  way  down  the  sidewalk  until  they  reach  the  entrance  way  to  the  alley  .  in  a  moment  he  has  len  pressed  against  the  brick  ,  exterior  wall  ,  one  hand  pressed  against  the  delicate  side  of  her  neck  as  fingers  apply  pressure  all  the  while  their  lips  meet  to  pick  up  where  they  left  off  inside  .  easily  luca  guides  a  hand  lower  to  catch  underneath  the  curves  of  her  ass  ,  guiding  her  leg  around  his  waist  to  keep  her  pinned  between  him  and  the  wall  .

for: @lucafieraru​ location: outside of costa veterinary clinic

She had closed Nomad’s early, shuttering the door and flipping the open sign around in a single, deft motion. Things were slow as tourist season began, the slow trickle of curious visitors into the shop dried up at around three and she’d spent the last half hour of the work day cleaning up before she reached for Charlie’s lead and made the short journey to the veterinary clinic. Luca would be leaving soon, and the little white dog treaded happily beside her, tail whipping against a bare ankle when they both caught sight of him, balancing papers, his coffee cup and other various items while he tried to lock the door. Dilan stood there, unhelpful and grinning, one hand on her hip before Luca finally turned and she canted her head. “You’re cute, can I get your number?”

.

𝐀𝐍  𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘  𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐘  kept  luca  at  the  clinic  almost  an  hour  past  closing  ,  his  caffeine  high  gone  as  the  clock  ticks  towards  dinner  time  .  he  already  dismissed  the  rest  of  the  staff  ,  opting  to  lock  up  himself  so  that  they  could  all  get  home  at  a  decent  time  .  between  his  bag  ,  a  reusable  coffee  mug  and  a  stack  of  papers  it’s  a  miracle  he  manages  to  get  the  front  door  closed  ,  all  to  see  his  wife  standing  there  having  chosen  to  help  whatsoever  .  luca  shakes  his  head  with  a  laugh  before  shrugging  his  shoulders  .  “  i’ll  have  to  ask  my  wife  first  but  she  is  pretty  open  minded  .  ”  luca  closes  the  distance  between  them  to  press  a  chaste  kiss  against  her  lips  ,  a  coo  offered  towards  charlie  before  he  walks  to  the  last  car  left  in  the  parking  lot  .  “  did  you  finish  early  at  the  store  today  ?  ”

“I’m very agreeable to helping out,” Len murmured, her voice low and husky, “you’re so lucky to have met me.” She set her drink down, the beads of condensation that clung to the glass sticking to her fingertips, transferring to the stern line of his jaw as she reach out to cup it. Her head titled, bee-stung lips parted. She paused moments before kissing him, eyes heavy lidded and smiling— it’d be a lacking kiss, with that wolf-eating-a-star grin. The bar felt intimate suddenly, the world summed up to two people on bar stools inches apart. It’s been awhile since I let myself get into trouble. “Are you sure?” Len asks, and she almost laughs, daring him forward.

.

𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒  𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄  𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃  ––––  not  completely  subtle  as  len’s  hand  finds  a  home  against  the  sharp  edge  of  his  jaw  with  clear  intention  .  there  is  a  breath  of  hesitation  between  them  ,  a  wedding  ring  sitting  comfortably  on  his  left  hand  that  now  rests  against  the  edge  of  her  hip  as  the  distance  between  them  diminishes  .  perhaps  she  asks  because  she  noticed  ,  or  maybe  because  they  are  relatively  strangers  despite  the  proximity  of  their  homes  .  either  way  luca  gives  his  answer  with  a  closing  of  inches  between  her  lips  ,  another  hand  finding  its  place  against  the  side  of  her  neck  to  guide  her  closer  .  there  is  no  hesitation  on  his  part  ,  only  reassurance  of  the  desire  between  them  being  mutual  .  it  a  spectacle  for  anyone  else  at  bar  but  none  of  them  matter  ,  attention  devoted  to  the  lingering  taste  of  liquor  on  their  lips  .

               𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒖 –––––

with. LUCA FIERARU

where: luca’s home - the front door  when: wednesday, 6:30 who: closed for @lucafieraru

Since Ari had passed this had become something of a habit for Lo - or as much of a habit as something inherently random could be. If their texts chain had gone lax, if things were too quiet, or if Laurie had just grown bored he would stop by, takeout in hand, inviting himself over for dinner. Tonight, his peace offering was from Anchor - takeaway gourmet burgers and truffle fries. When the door opened, he held the bag up with the smile. 

“Looks fancy but it’s really just me cheaping out.” It’s all he gives as greeting and it’s lazy, holding the takeaway out like a gift from god. “I’m confident you’ll like the contents but, if not, there is always rum to save the day.”

.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑  𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏  had  a  rocky  start  –––––  more  so  on  luca’s  part  and  the  history  between  laurence  and  his  wife  .  but  it  was  the  other  male  who  luca  found  solace  in  after  her  passing  ,  someone  who  could  understand  (  even  if  just  a  sliver  )  of  the  pain  he  felt  .  and  so  this  had  become  a  norm  between  them  ,  dinner  and  drinks  without  making  plans  beforehand  .  it  was  the  best  way  to  catch  luca  before  he  could  give  the  excuse  of  too  much  work  to  take  time  away  .  

“Alone,” he said, resting his chin in his arms. The room spun as he set his head down, but if he shut his eyes, he didn’t mind it so much. “There was a thing I had to do today and then one thing lead to the next and here I am,” he said, peaking out from one eye, just enough to watch Luca glide across the foreign kitchen. “Are you making them from scratch? My mom used to do that too,” he said, and with the thought, curled his hand and dug his nails into his palm, though he feels nothing, too numb with the liquor that coursed through his veins. “How come you forgot to eat?” 

.

“  𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄  𝐓𝐎𝐎  ,  ”  luca  comments  .  and  she  still  does  when  he  makes  his  way  to  seattle  for  a  weekend  to  visit  his  parents  ,  spoiled  with  his  mother’s  home-cooked  meals  that  even  with  the  most  practice  he  cannot  recreate  .  “  ah  you  know  ,  i  was  watching  a  few  webinars  on  a  new  procedure  ,  thought  about  redoing  the  deck  out  back  so  made  a  list  of  what  i  was  going  to  need  –––––  time  just  slipped  away  from  me  .  ”  luca  finishes  the  batter  in  minutes  ,  setting  it  outside  to  grab  the  non-stick  spray  .  with  a  spritz  on  the  warm  waffle  maker  ,  he  adds  a  glob  of  batter  and  closes  the  press  so  that  the  first  one  can  start  cooking  .  “  is  the  thing  you  had  to  do  today  what  sent  you  out  to  drink  alone  ?  ”  luca  doesn’t  want  to  assume  there’s  something  bothering  oz  but  from  his  own  experience  nights  drinking  alone  have  a  less  than  cheerful  reason  .  “  we  can  talk  about  it  if  you  want  .  ”