gold rush

"Hey, hey, no.." Nadia shook her head immediately, reaching for Maya without even thinking about it, hands taking the blonde's own as concern flooded her features. "You are not a bad person, Maya." She said it firmly, with not a single doubt in mind, because Maya needed to hear it. "Seriously. Just because you liked and enjoyed something you probably shouldn't've, doesn't make you suddenly evil. Sleeping with a married man doesn't erase everything good about you. You are so fucking far from that." Her heart genuinely ached hearing the way she spoke, like she'd already decided she deserved to carry this around forever. Nadia had known bad people, truly selfish people, Maya wasn't even close. "I don't think the worst thing in the world is that you wanted to feel something. People do reckless shit all the time." A small breath left her then, her faze flicking away briefly before returning to Maya's. "I haven't.. really told you this I guess, but I had affairs during my marriage. I fucked up my relationship, and the only home my son ever knew." The admission was heavy but oddly relieving, like maybe she'd needed to tell someone outside her marriage.. someone who wouldn't judge her, someone who might.. even understand. "Do you think I'm a horrible person because of that?"

Dropping Nadia's hands, Maya ran her own over her face before pushing them through her hair to get it off of her face and away from her. It was a heavier night than she had expected, the two usually just drank and laughed, but as she looked at Nadia now, Maya was reminded at what having a true friend really felt like. Listening to her, it was Maya's turn to take her hands and give them a little squeeze. "No, I don't think that." There was nothing but sincerity in her voice. Nadia would've had her reasons and there was no doubt in Maya's mind that she was a damn good person. "You don't have to answer this and I'm not asking out of judgement, because I really am not judging you, but can I ask why you did it?"

Maya looked back to her empty wine glass for a second, willing it to fill itself up so she didn't have to get up but as Nadia spoke once more, Maya's eyes widened. "What?" The blonde instantly shook her head, standing up and grabbing her wine glass. "No, I don't, that's insane. I don't do feelings, it was the whole point of carrying that on. Of course I don't have feelings for him, that's insane." Except.. why was she denying it so much? Why were those butterflies back in her stomach? Why could she now just see his annoying, smiling face in her head? "Fuck." Instead of pouring herself another glass, she simply took a long drink straight from the bottom. "Gonna need you to be a worse friend going forward because people knowing me this well is turning out to be real bad for my liver."

"You don't seem injured so apologies that I'm not bending over backwards to make sure that you're still capable of walking." While she was trying her best to keep it together, she knew that any act she had left was starting to slither away and she could return the snark tenfold. "I can assure you that if I was trying to hit you, then I wouldn't have thought twice to ram over the woman who's likely been sleeping with my husband." Estranged, but those were just details.

Taking another bag of pasta off the shelf, Maya tossed it into her cart, glancing to the side at the woman as she did so. God, where did she know her from? "Did I say I was? I'll answer that for you, it's no." Sure, her hip was a little sore and she'd probably have a bruise because she bruised easier than a piece of fruit, but that wasn't what she was annoyed about. "Oh, so you did mean to do it then? Classy." Rolling her eyes again, Maya's usual defence firmly clicked into place whilst she quickly ran through the possibilities in her head. It wasn't exactly against her MO after all. "Bless your heart, you're hitting the wrong person. If he's the married one, babe, hit him with your cart and not me. Would you like me to tell him you're planning it?" It was a dick move, but that was Maya. It was then the recognition finally clicked into place, as well as the mild relief that it wasn't a real affair she needed to worry about. "Do you always jump to such wild conclusions or is this new for you?"

whenever luke needed a change of scenery especially at night he tended to go to the nearest bar which just so happened to be where maya worked --- not a coincidence and while on any other day he would have hoped she was working he was actually needing to finish his work. however , upon entering he could see the all to familiar blonde being her usual pleasant self with the patrons. he ordered a beer and sat down , backpack on his shoulder before sitting. he was already focused when he saw her slide into the seat next to him. he hadn't heard her comment fully but had somewhat of an idea of what she said. " no , i'm not boring , " he just said off general assumption. " i just have work to do -- at a bar -- on a thursday night , " he leaned in , " a school night. " he took a sip of his beer suppressing a chuckle.

She had spotted Luke when he'd come in but as she set about pretending to listen to stories whilst people ordered and waited for their drinks, she hadn't yet been over to him, although she saw him pull out his work, as always. As soon as her shift was over and her apron was off, she was sliding into the booth next to him, reaching over to grab his beer from him and take a sip. "You're sitting at a bar in a hot club grading papers, you are being fucking boring." Handing him the beer back, she used the opportunity of his hands being away from his work to grab it and pull it into her arms. "You're young and hot, babe, we need to stop this whole 'does homework at a party' vibe."

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of character analysis/headcanon questions to learn more about your character and your partners'! writing/headcanon prompts requested by anonymous. feel free to edit these as you see fit.

location: sullivan's grocery

Kiraz didn't know whether or not she should acknowledge the woman who she had seen cuddled up with her estranged husband during the valentine's day speed dating. She likely wouldn't have if it had been any other day... but then she'd recently found out that Jacob had intentions on divorcing her.

"Do you actually want to know or shall we just acknowledge that you sound like you don't give a fuck?" Grabbing a bag of pasta, Maya tossed it into her own car before she turned to look at the woman, a flicker of recognition in her mind as she tried to recall if she had ever seen this person before. "You know the aisle is big enough to just go around? You don't need to ram people out your way."

Roman's gaze flicked to her almost immediately after the admission left her mouth, something in his expression flickering before he could smooth it over with his usual, well practised ways. The smirk on his face lingered, but his eyes said something else completely. The two of them always hid behind teasing comments and jokes, as though if they kept everything wrapped up in banter, neither of them would ever have to say what they actually meant. 'Til now. "That's where you're wrong. I never stopped minding."

But moments later, they were back in their groove, Roman's eyes holding hers for a second too long before he finally looked away with a low breath of amusement, shaking his head. His head tipped back briefly like the memory alone was enough to ruin whatever self control he'd been attempting to hold onto tonight. "Christ. You are a menace, Russo." He shifted in his seat now, the swallow in his throat a dead giveaway that she was already affecting him, as per usual. "You can't say shit like that and then expect me to act normal."

It had been like that with them the times they had seen each other since Roman had returned to Sedona. They were playful, bantery, a bit flirty, as if they weren't saying anything serious and then every so often, one of them would drop a line, something honest and true and Maya would stop breathing for a few seconds. But as fast as the moment was there, it was gone again and her smile was back in place. "You started it, it's not my fault I'm naturally competitive and took it to a different level." She watched him, unable to stop her smile from widening at his reaction, the proof that she was getting to him, even a little. "Who says we have to act normal? Come on, Romey, it's me."

She took a couple of sips of wine as she listened to him, a little surprised he had actually opened up instead of just playing it off as if he was fine. It was something she wasn't sure either of them had really done before, but it made the butterflies in her stomach flutter a little. "Bad shit you've done? Like what?" Looking down at her wine glass for a few seconds, she traced her finger over some condensation on the side. "Like me?" She was sitting on his couch after all.

Looking up at him again, Maya couldn't help but roll her eyes. Not one to ever really make the sensible decision, she simply stood. "You did this the other night as well, it's like you can't bear to be near me anymore." Walking over to the couch he was on, Maya dropped down to sit next to him, placing her glass of wine on the coffee table. "I'm always cute." She could guess why he had tried to keep distance between them, especially as she could feel his warmth from where she was sitting so closely, smell the fresh scent of his shower gel, even the fresh laundry smell of his fuck, grey sweatpants. How had she not noticed them before?

Not even noticing that her eyes had dropped again, Maya snapped her head up to look at him, her hand reaching out to gently rest on his wrist for a few seconds before she pulled it back. "You don't have to hide yourself with me, you know that." For a second, she just looked at him, the fluttering getting stronger but as she spoke, her voice was almost a whisper. "I missed you, you know?"

He leaned against the edge of the doorway into the kitchen, crossing his arms loosely. “Water’s fine, thanks.” he said easily. “Yeah. I know what you mean.” He glanced toward the window for a second before looking back at her. “I think people are used to Sedona feeling… predictable, in a good way. Even when weird stuff happens, it still usually feels safe.” He shrugged one shoulder. “It feels like this reminded everyone how easily and quickly that could change.”

A small smile tugged at his mouth again, gentler this time. “Honestly, though, I’m glad it didn’t hit closer to here. And I’m glad you, your daughter, and Honey are okay." His lips quirked up in a teasing simrk as he considered her, "Even if it did mean an extra wash daySmoke-filled hair on a non-wash day is a pretty acceptable worst-case scenario all things considered.”

Filling two glasses with water, Maya handed one over to Jacob before opening the cleaning cupboard and pulling out an old money box, opening it to reveal the secret pack of oreos. "Tell no one." Gesturing to her couch, Maya settled herself at one end, placing the oreo packet between the two of them. "I know it's not a small town, but it does feel like that sometimes. Don't get me wrong, the church doesn't hold anything for me but it's just uneasy, right?" Taking a sip of her water, Maya gently shuddered. "Like it's the intent more than the actual thing for me."

Nodding, Maya smiled at him before her eyes moved to glance around her little living room. She was usually a person that saw a lot of negatives, but for the first time in a while, she recognised just how lucky she was to have what she had. "And I'm very glad you're alright. I'l take the extra wash day if that's the worst really to come of it. Thank you again for coming over, it's really good to see you."

"I won't, I promise... I'm sorry, I just. I didn't realize." The woman's brows furrowed with concern as she watched Maya try to calm herself down. "But I'm not bullshitting you. Even without warming up, you sounded incredible. I haven't seen the crowd light up like that for any of our performers in weeks."

Just on time, the bartender returned with a tall glass of tequila and some limes, which Summer quickly handed over to Maya. She would have given her the whole bottle had she needed it to calm her nervous system.

Maybe it was the memory of a dream lost or the realisation that it wasn't a dream lost or taken away, she had thrown it away. She had wanted bigger stages, but not that long ago, nights like tonight were all she had ever wanted. As soon as the bartender appeared with a tall glass of tequila on ice and limes, Maya's eyes widened. "Oh yes." She made grabby hands for the glass, quickly taking a sip as it was placed in her hand. "Would you worry if I asked for a straw?"

Sliding slowly down the wall, Maya took a seat on the floor, taking another sip of her tequila once she was sat down. "I'm pretty sure this tall of a glass full of tequila is when we should start worrying about someone's.. issues." Maybe it was adrenaline, the anxiety, something, but all of a sudden she couldn't shut up. "I mean, I'd never serve something like this so maybe the bad thing that happens when I sing this time is I become an alcoholic, do you think we need to worry? Maybe we need to worry." Taking a sip, Maya's eyes twitched a little at the strength of the drink and the burn of the alcohol. "How is it so good and so bad all at once?" Looking up at her friend, Maya's eyes were wide. "Summer, am I losing my mind right now or am I just already drunk? Don't tell anyone else about this, I like people thinking I'm a bitch."

What do you think you'd be doing with your life if you weren't who you are?

Turning her head back to look at Lake, Maya glanced over at the women timing the dates before she took another sip of her drink. "Look, we don't have long and you've already established that you're flipping a table rather than falling in love, so I am more than happy to, as a fellow little sister, listen if you want to talk, or.." Raising her glass to Lake, Maya downed the last of hers, only making a face at the end at the settled alcohol at the bottom of the glass. "We can make drink away some of the worries."

He let out a sigh, she probably wouldn’t be able to appreciate the sincerity with which he spoke, but he really did mean it when he said,  “I enjoy hanging out with you, Maya, you’re good people.” At her question, he let out a chuckle, raising his hands in the air, “And okay, fine, so maybe I am a little obsessed with you and making sure you’re okay.” 

But his teasing attitude quickly disappeared as she explained. It was a vague explanation, and yet, Dre could find himself relating even more. His shoulders slumped a bit, hating the thought that she was possibly going through anything even remotely similar to what he was. “I’ve done some pretty horrible, fucked up things myself,” he admitted after a moment. “I screwed up and now thousands of people are suffering the consequences of my choices, so I think between the two of us, I’m definitely the more shitty person.” His eyes sought her out again, “So, for what it’s worth, from an actually bad person, you don’t have to be alone.” he paused to point to himself, “You've got me for as long as you want me.” 

She wasn't often really honest with people. Maya kept a lot of people at arm's length, not wanting to get in a position where she cared what they thought of her or that their judgement if they found out about her deep, dark secrets would hurt. But at he once reassured her of his belief that she was good, Maya could only shake her head. Maybe she did bad things to help keep people at arm's length, but she wasn't sure what good was left anymore. "Only because you don't know what I've done." Glancing over at him, she couldn't help but smirk a little, her eyes rolling as if she was sober. "Knew it, I'm writing "Dre is obsessed with me" in my journal tomorrow."

She stayed quiet as she listened to him and despite her alcohol induced, solo pity party, she couldn't help the way her heart ached for him in that moment, at the look on his face. She could hear the pain in his voice, maybe even some regret there and she hated it. "Dre.. did you mean for any of that to happen when it did? Maybe if you did, you can join the bad person club, but I don't really think you did." It was the most sensible thing she'd been able to say all night. Shuffling up the bench, Maya gently rested her head on his shoulder, not even noticing a lone tear running down her cheek. "I think it's the tequila talking but if I ever tell you why, please remember that you said that.. I'm not sure I could take watching you walk away in disgust. Not when you knew me before."