disenchanted

I’ve been playing a lot of among us, and its very clear, i’m the worst liar in my friend group. they always suspect me even when i’m innocent. 

What color have you been playing as? Is it red? ‘Cause red is sus.

“How long is too long to commandeer a table at The Lima Bean so that I can avoid actually going into the office?”

“I’d say like.. Two and a half, to three hours? That’s around the time we start looking at you like ‘okay dude, leave’.”

“life is getting to me, mase, the whole damn thing.”

“We could always toss a match in the place and then run off to Disney together.”

“for a second, i thought you were talking about me.”

“Lack of Jules and the excess of jerks getting to you, too?”

“Why are you so angry? Sounds to me you need to find a hobby or something.”

“Work. Which means I don’t really have time for a hobby. I feel like at this point, I just need to move into the stock room.”

Ricky raised an eyebrow at the younger Fabray when he mentioned that he was mad a lot lately and that he was talking about stabbing people. “Are you okay, Maison? You know you can talk to me.” He assured him with a soft smile, placing a hand softly on his shoulder. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“I’m.. Fine. Just- irritated with work a lot. That’s all.” He shrugged, arms crossing over his chest. Maison was just- well.... Exhausted. Summers at The Lima Bean were always hectic as is, but with Julien MIA due to tour and the main responsibility all on him and Penny? It got overwhelming. “I’m exhausted, man.”

Tom was never the best dancer, especially with his ankle injury from soccer. The pressure from himself to live up to his parent’s glory and the pills he took earlier to pump himself up kept him going on stage practicing for the next competition for his college glee club. 

He saw a figure enter the back of the auditorium. “I’ll get out of your way.” He ceased dancing knowing he didn’t reserve the space.

“Don’t bother, I’m just prowling.” Maison joked, waving awkwardly. It’d been a minute since he and Tom had seen each other- his work schedule chaotic since everything with Julien and the extra training he’d been having to go through. “Saw your car. Just.. Thought I’d come say hey, if you’re not too busy.”

“You know, I can’t even fight you on that.” Ricky laughed softly at that before nodding. “Yeah, you are pretty cute.” He admitted. “You are a smart man. I am telling you, only weirdos seem to enjoy the bar scene now in days. I mean, I’ll go to one every once in a while because I don’t like everyone at my place, but usually, I just say Skype me and we can toast that way.” Ricky hummed, shaking his head. “Yeah, man. That wasn’t the best move. Well, let’s hope you don’t get sick this time around.”

Maison’s face flushed a little when Ricky said he was cute. The little crush he’d had on him for years had never completely gone away, so it was nice to hear him admit it. “I facetime Gavin constantly, just to talk about dumb shit when our schedules don’t match up so I get that.” He laughed, nudging Ricky’s arm with his elbow. “I promise I won’t. I don’t even feel slightly gross.”

“I was practically a teenager when you were born.” He joked. Ricky sighed dramatically, mostly because he was always being a little extra. “Yeah, I know your brother. Trust me, we’re both children, I just cover mine up better with jokes about being old. You are lucky you are cute, Fabray. Saying no to cute guys has always been a weakness. Fine, but if we are drinking, we are doing this right and we will be at my place. Mainly because I don’t like bars, they are weird and the older gays there are creepy.” Ricky admitted. “Really? Did you puke?”

“Oh shut up.” Maison laughed, shaking his head. “I’m more mature than both of you combined, thank you very much. I- cute? Oh is that so?” Grinning, he was definitely down for a night of casual drinking with the older man. “You have a deal... Bars skeeve me out, too. Whenever I get yanked along with my best friend and his girl, it’s annoying as hell.” Green at the thought of all the nuggets he’d consumed that day, he nodded. “My mistake was mixing all the different sauces throughout it all. Ranch, honey mustard and barbecue? Rookie move.”

“You do know I’m almost thirty, right? I’m not contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” Ricky chuckled at the next thing before nodding. “See, you can never turn down nuggies. It’s like a golden rule.”

“Dude, stop acting like you’re ancient. You’re my brothers age and he’s still a whole ass child at times. Besides... I’m out of school, I have a full time job. I think that the drinking law is ridiculous considering I could join the army but I can’t do a shot.” Maison perked up more, pleased with the answer. “I did the hundred nugget challenge once. It was horrible.”

“So, I finally get my cast off next week and you don’t know how happy I am to get this thing off my damn leg. It’s itchy, it is heavy and I can’t sleep well with this thing. I could keep complaining, or we could go get a drink if you are old enough to drink. If not, we can go get some chicken nuggets and fries and I’ll make sure you get home to your parents at a reasonable time.”

“Not technically old enough to drink but hey, I won’t tell if you won’t. I’m over eighteen.. That should count for something. Right? Besides, we could always do a combo and get drinks and nuggies.”

penelope: shit went down.

penelope: can you handle the shop for a couple of days. i'm not going to be able to come in. im so sorry.

“Okay first of all, how do you forget about a shift? Secondly, do I need to send your brother your way or do you think a Riley hug would suffice?”

“I don’t even know. I’ve been late once or twice but I’ve never just not shown up and claimed to have forgotten. .. A Riley hug would be nice, actually.”

“why the hell didn’t you call me? i would’ve come in to cover the last half - or at least came in to help you.”

“Eh, I was already there and ruining both our days didn’t sound like a good option. You know I’m a glutton for punishment.”