니키

“There is freedom waiting for you, on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, ‘What if I fall?’ Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”

✧｡ Jeon Jungkook, 23, male . ｡✧ is that NICOLAS RHEE living at THE LINKS in APARTMENT #102 ? i heard the TWENTY-THREE year old has lived there for FIVE YEARS now. every time you pass by you can hear Bullet With Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins playing. maybe they play it because they’re friends would say they’re the FIGHTER. it could just me assuming things. even if they would say they are (+BRAVE) and (+OUTGOING ) that doesn’t mean they can’t be (-STUBBORN) and (-WRATHFUL). let’s just stop by and ask them sometime. considering they’d describe themselves as (cuts and bruises with no rhyme or reason; iced coffee running through his veins; and clever jokes that mask the secret pain of a wound that will not close.) that’s if they’ll actually answer the door. good luck. (ooc: skelly, he/him, 21+, cst.)

This is a pinned post.

Nicky pretending he’s not eavesdropping on the hottest tea in town right now.

...

Bonus: When the tea ends up being about HIM!

“  whaaa  …  ”  is this some kind of prank  ?  eyes flutter in confusion for a moment, before they widen in understanding. she’ll bite her bottom lip, pushing down the giggle and playing along.  “  right, exactly  !  because ‘m a … a responsible adult who cooks all her meals. and … and ‘ve never even heard of this applebees before in my life  !  what’s a mini quesadilla, anyways  ?  let’s find out.  ”  it’s a good thing she lets her dance do all the acting, otherwise it’d be time to start looking for a new passion. odette moved aside, before closing the door behind him, dimples nearly popping out as nicky fumbles before continuing the charade. luckily for the theatrical pair, lang’s soft meow indicates her presence from under the coffee table.  “  you’ve got a good eye for cat people, umm, delivery … guy  ??  ”  odette winced, golden waves brushing along shoulders as she shakes her head.  “  no, no, okay,  je me peux pas faire ça,  ”  she laughed softly, taking the bag of food and placing it on the coffee table before heading to the kitchen for drinks.  “  ‘m so sorry but it was starting to feel like a porno from the 80s. the people of this complex can mock me all they want. i accept my fate.  ”  the french beauty sighs dramatically, a cute pout to accentuate before opening the fridge.  “  is water okay  ?  or i have chocolate milk  …  peach tea  ….  andddd   —-  ew, was this a milkshake  ?  ”  she’s pretty sure that must have been either sena’s or eun’s and they’d forgotten all about it. days ago, it would appear. 

Happily welcoming his friend into his home, Spencer made sure to shut the door behind him before opening up the meal that would undoubtedly been plenty of food for the both of them. “Well you’re gonna love it. Everyone that I’ve told about this place so far has been ready to go back pronto.” As he was pulling everything out of their boxes, he had to admit he was a little confused at first, not sure what exactly Nicky was speaking of but with the touch of his cheek, plus an additional wince and a quick little “ah!” from the pain, he was reminded once more from earlier. This in itself made the man chuckle at his antics with the small shake of his head, knowing just how lame he would sound even before the words came out of his mouth. “Oh no, more along the lines of something like me beating myself up on the desks because I learned my lesson not to stand on them,” he gave a sheepish smile as he scratched the back of his neck. “What’s worse is this isn’t even the worst I’ve hurt myself before. You’d be surprised I don’t transport solely via bubble by now.” Taking a breath to calm himself from his own dad jokes, Spencer cocked a brow at his friend with his own question. “You encounter any interesting customers today? I’ve heard some pretty interesting horror stories before..”

Nicolas laughed when Spencer admitted he’d hurt himself falling over a desk. “Oh my god, what were you doing standing on a desk?” he asked curiously. When Spencer said it hadn’t even been the worst he’d endured as far as injuries went, he raised his brows. “Whoa, that sounds like a story I wanna hear,” he mused, resting his face on his chin as Spencer laid out the mini feast before them. Even if his dad jokes bordered on being lame sometimes, Nicky found them funny in an endearing way. “I’m always running into ‘interesting’ customers. And by that I mean insane. I had a dude order some Pad Thai and answered the door wearing nothing but a harness and a dog collar. Like... NOTHING else, and I’m pretty sure he was like three times my weight, bro. I have never been more fuckin’ mentally scarred. You’re welcome for the mental image.”

“I’m Mave.” He introduced himself as he tore open the food bag to see what August had ordered and decided she didn’t want. “Do you want the shrimp fried rice or Mongolian beef?” He asked the boy, reading the labels on the containers. “Or…something with mushrooms?” The apartment was a little fancy, the entire apartment was open and airy, filled with his horror movie memorabilia and prop replicas.

"Nice to meet you, Mave,” Nicky replied. It was always fun meeting new people, especially during his work routes. “I’ll take whatever you don’t want, man, I’m good with either one,” he said happily. Both seemed like great choices, and he’d be hard pressed to choose! “No mushrooms tough. They wig me out,” he admitted with a soft chuckle. “Texture thing,” he said, finding a seat and glancing around as he spotted the different horror movie decor and props. “Dude, you got a sick apartment,” he said with a smirk. He didn’t really have much of any kind of decor in his own.

gianna backed away from the washing machine and held her finger close to her lips, the throbbing pain causing her eyes to well with tears. “i just had this goddamn manicure done.” she whined. she glared at him at his question, using all the willpower she could muster up not to completely lay in on this guy. “it’s…it’s stuff you use for laundry. it says so on the bottle. fabric…oh…” she trailed off, realizing that she had picked up fabric softener instead. what was the difference anyway? in gianna’s opinion both got the job done. “i guess i don’t have ‘actual’ detergent.” she finally answered in a mocking tone. “i’m hurt, please leave me alone.” gianna turned away from him and tried to carefully peel away the snapped piece of acrylic. she’d just book herself another nail appointment in the morning and make this the last time she tried doing laundry for herself again.

Nicky cringed when she said she’d just had her manicure done, and actually felt sorry for her. He could tell his quiet snickering got on her nerves and he was thiiiis close to getting slapped probably, so he decided he’d help her out. He wrinkled his nose when she admitted to not having actual detergent, and walked over a few machines down to grab his bottle of off-brand Tide. “Here, this will help, cause otherwise your clothes won’t get like... CLEAN clean,” he mused, ignoring the mocking tone as she nursed her busted acrylic. He poured the detergent in, trying not to gawk at her delicates, then closed the lid and walked over to sit a little closer. “How do you manage to have something to wear if you never do laundry?” he asked with a teasing hint in his voice, despite a good poker face.”Are your fingers okay?”

august was lucky to be able to have food brought to her when she didn’t feel like going out. she wasn’t feeling the greatest that day since her cravings were wild and her symptoms were making her feel ill. she wanted to just eat and sleep the rest of the day away after feeling so exhausted and having her morning sickness. so when the delivery guy arrived earlier than expected, she was very thankful. “thank you for being patient with me,” she told him with a smile. motioning for him to wait in the kitchen, she disappeared into her bedroom and came back with a good tip for him. honestly, august wouldn’t have been surprised if she had ordered something the previous week and he had to deliver it as well. come to think of it, it was him. “oh really?” she handed him his tip before grabbing the bag and pulling out the crazy amount of food and smiled at him. “would you like to try it? i don’t mind.”

Nicky smiled at her when she thanked him for being patient, and shrugged his shoulders lightly. “Ah! You don’t have to thank me, don’t even worry about that,” he mused, flashing a big, warm smile. He hadn’t been in any kind of rush anyway, and understood that pregnancy took all kinds of tolls on the body, not that he’d ever really been around very many pregnant women. But he’d known a few over time. He thanked her for his tip, tucking it into his back pocket when she took the bag. He glanced around to see if anyone else was home, not wanting to interrupt anything or get in anyone’s way, but then replied with a happy nod. “Yeah! Sure! That sounds really good, actually,” he said, his stomach starting to grumble and wondering what she’s decided to get. Maybe she could use a bit of company, and honestly? So could he.

ky nodded as his response. he used to train all the time. when he took over the shop it took most of his time. well that, and of course taking care of eun. he became a full time parent in his opinion. it was why he had taken over the underground boxing scene. it gave him a sense of familiarity. even if it wasn’t something he needed to be involved in. he was really thinking of getting more fighters for his underground business. that way he could bring in more competition. “i’m actually thinking of hiring more fighters. maybe it’ll bring in more how do you say profit without sounding greedy?” the tattooed man chuckled as he handed the other a water. taking a seat across from nicky and eun he picked up rice with his chopsticks. “that’s my boy. always making the competition think they’ve actually got a chance,” a sense of pride came off ky as he put the rice into his mouth. “i’m anxious though they’re supposed to start bringing in guys from out of state. they’re saying plain old california is getting boring,” the main reason ky was anxious was the fact his father’s men had fighters of their own. not that he didn’t know the risk he took being in this business. as he took a few more bites he shot the other a grin. “it’s doing great actually. i’ve done more piercings lately though. i think i’ve pierced more noses in the last week then i have sold a vape,” simply rolling those brown hues as his shoulders shrugged. “oh yeah, i’ve got some new flavors in for the holidays too. i might have taken most the sugar cookie juice,”

Nicky raised his brows when Ky admitted he was bringing in more fighters. “Will I still get as many fights as I get now?” he asked curiously. He didn’t want to lose any income to newcomers, but if it helped make business thrive, then maybe he didn’t have anything to worry about. He loved being Ky’s secret weapon. The hidden one-two punch that took an opponent and put them out on their ass. Most took one look at his baby face and assumed he couldn’t throw down, and left slack-jawed and nursing their egos when he did. It was a good feeling. He began shoveling some rice and chicken into his mouth happily, catching sight of Eun watching him from the corner of his eye. He worried a bit when Ky admitted to being nervous about the out of state fighters, but brushed it off as it just being mere competition. He’d be ready for them... hopefully. “Mm!! Sugar cookie oil? Sign me up. That’s one of my faves,” he said happily, stuffing his mouth with more food to hopefully forget about the possibility of having more formidable opponents soon.

“hey, maybe they’re just geniuses. they got a free cart, and the landlord doesn’t even bother looking for it. we all know mrs. rose is blind as a bat,” chuckling she shook her head. the older woman who owned the building was super sweet, but she really didn’t care. as long as you paid rent the woman didn’t complain. it was one of the main reasons bree moved in. yeah the links might not be in the best part of town, but it had character. it just felt like fate for her to be here. which was something the astrologist believed in with all her heart. “yes, i might have become an extreme couponer. i got a whole closet full of laundry detergent i only paid like 10 dollars for. so, if you ever need any let me know. some of the teachers at my work got me into it. now it has become an obsession,” she admitted with a smile before nodding. “yeah, and when i get a wagon we can just both use it. that way you’re not breaking your back carrying my groceries,” the blonde chuckled while slipping some drinks into the fridge. pulling out two waters that were already cold. she held one out for nicky. “hmm, i could see a tabby cat. those are pretty cute in my opinion. maybe i’d be a black cat the cats be are a bit wary of, but end up loving. oh, oh, or those long haired white cats those are adorable,” 

"Not geniuses, assholes if they’re taking stuff and not putting it back,” Nicky replied, wrinkling his nose a bit and smirking slightly. “Especially if Mrs. Rose is doing it to be nice. This is why we can’t have nice things,” he mused. If lazy do-nothings stole carts, people who actually needed them were fucked, and Nicky didn’t like that. Nicky listened as Bree told him about her extreme couponing. “You know I’ve heard a LOT about people being able to coupon so hard they get stuff practically for free, but I’ve never done it. I don’t have the time or concentration for it, but if you know how to do that? Definitely power to you, man,” he mused, raising his brows. He happily took a cold water from her and cracked the lid open, chugging down a few long, cool gulps. He hadn’t realized how little water he’d drank that day. “Mm! I definitely see you as one of those like... cats with the long hair, but with a pink bow on the top, like that little kitten from the Aristocats,” he mused jokingly.

usually it was a quiet night in the apartment, if the ravishing blonde was home at all. she’d be curled up on the sofa, sipping wine and rewatching how to steal a million dollars, reciting some of the lines from heart. but miss lang had different plans as a head pops up from behind her kitchen counter, triumphantly shouting a quick,  “  ha !  ”  while reaching for the snowball kitten squeezing herself between the sugar and creamer mason jars. alas, she’s too slow again as the coy creature looks her mother up and down  (  that’s how it looked to odette, anyway  )  and bolted off.  “  no, no  !  s’il te plait mon amour. i just wanna get you clean,  ”  she was begging, probably sounding like a lunatic when in reality she was just a very tired new mom to the world’s fastest furbaby. a knock on her door stopped odette in her tracks, switching directions to answer.  “  you again  !  ”  a pleasant tone punctuated her surprise, as well as a friendlied smile.  “  if i didn’t bribe your silence with food, i’d be so embarrassed to get you the last two nights and now.  ”  teasing, of course, but then again it wasn’t a lie. this week, like most weeks, left her ordering door dash’s pricey service for the sake of conserving energy, rather than cooking because it was cheaper. it did smell good, as he’d said. but that’s not really the point. she throws one last exasperated glare at lang snuggled up on the back of the couch before turning curious eyes towards the other.  “  ah, is this your last stop  ?  if so, do you want to share  ?  ”

“oh my gosh, just like that except it’s got a seat on one side. i thought they had one downstairs? someone must have stole it again. every time mrs. jones gets another one someone ends up taking it,” she chuckled while shaking her head back and forth. “maybe we should both invest in one. sounds like we both have a need for them,” bree mused before grinning at her toddler giggling at nicky as she ran off. it was actually kind of cute. “i think she likes you,” and that spoke highly for the sake sena didn’t like just anyone. well if they had candy or things she likes the girl made an exception. having someone in her apartment made her conscious of how it looked. it looked like bree really needed to take a day to actually deep clean. even though it would last maybe twenty four hours, and then be back to messy once more. the feel of accomplishment though is what motivated her. her hand came over her mouth as she giggled. “i’ll keep that in mind. i do take trips to the grocery store quite often. actually may just invite you to go if you’d be up for it,” that way she wouldn’t have to go knocking on his door every time she needed help. it was a some what thought out plan. her giggles turned into an actual laugh as she tried not to be too loud. “a stray cat huh? can i ask what breed?” she teased playfully as she began working on putting groceries up. “i think i can live with you eating up my left overs. they usually go for the trash anyway. so they’re all yours cat boy,”

Nicolas laughed when Bree said there was supposed to be one downstairs, and he shook his head, scrunching his nose. “I’ve definitely never seen one, so I bet you they DO get stolen all the time,” he said. He was happy when Bree said that the little girl liked him. For some inexplicable reason, Nicky seemed to have a good way with kids. When Bree said she’d invite him to go grocery shopping with her next time, he nodded. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea. You can help me find deals, and I can help you carry stuff back. Sounds like a mutually beneficial deal here,” he mused happily. “Hmm... If I were a stray cat, I’d probably be a Maine Coon. They’re so cool looking. Or a ragdoll cat, cause those are super cute. Maybe a tabby. I dunno! What kind of cat would you see me as?” he joked, happy that she would offer up leftovers. There were nights when he was just way too tired to even try and call for food delivery, so he’d go to bed hungry. Maybe having something already prepared in the fridge would be a nice change.

after reading a wikihow page on doing laundry, gianna stared at the large basket filled with her clothes. she hated doing laundry. most of the time, she just went out and bought new things, or left ky to do it, but ky was on this new trip where he was now making her take responsibility for things and eun was talking around their apartment in a part of pajama pants and rainboots. which meant that he also needed clean clothes. “shit.” she mumbled under her breath. she looked through their cleaning supplies for what she assumed was laundry detergent and after tugging on a simple, yet very short sundress and a pair of wedged heels to match, gianna was leaving the apartment to start on this much dreaded task. she groaned softly at the sight of someone else being there. great, how she’d have an audience watching her as she failed at something that might’ve been easy for anyone else. “unfortunately, you’re not the only who needs clean clothes.” she spoke back, in a very dry tone. she approached the washing machine and started to pick up a few pieces, loading them inside, her hand placed against the opening of the machine. it was just her luck that she hadn’t realized she actually needed to move her hand unless she wanted to lose a few fingers and lid of the washing machine came falling down onto her freshly manicured nails. “ow, fuck!” gianna cried out, quickly jerking her hand away, her eyes welled with tears as the pain set in from breaking not one, but two of her nails.

Nicolas finished putting his clothes into his washer, pouring in his detergent and glancing at Gianna from the corner of his eye. But then, he watched the whole thing happen in slow-motion after her dry reply to his pseudo-greeting. He watched the peculiar way in which she loaded the clothing in little by little, and slammed the top shut while her hand was still on the edge of the basin. He tried so hard not to laugh, although his cheeks puffed up and he had to look away for a moment to keep himself from bursting out. Karma! He straightened his face as best as he could, pressing his lips together. “You okay? That looks like it hurt... You also forgot to put your deterg-- Wait, is that fabric softener? Do you have actual detergent to use?” he asked. Maybe she’d grabbed the wrong thing at the store? He couldn’t fathom anyone not knowing the difference, after all.

“really? remind me, and i’ll come join you. i need to start training again i wont be fighting, but it doesn’t hurt to still train,” he mentioned with a grin. ky used to train every day since he was sixteen. it was apart of his father’s request for him to become the leader. he had to be ready for everything most certainly a fist fight. he’d find himself training with his fighters, but lately he had the shop distracting him. it was his main cover so he had to keep up appearances. his chest heaved as he laughed from the other saying he was a growing boy. eun who didn’t know what was going on joined in. which only made the him laugh harder. “i’ve never seen someone eat so much in my life. yet, i’ve never seen an ounce of fat on you,” rolling his eyes he picked up eun setting him on the stool next to nicky. ky went for noodles for the toddler before setting it in front of him. along with a glass of juice. smirking he shook his head as he made himself and nicky a plate. they looked about the same except he gave the other more portions. careful to set the plate in front of the other without dropping it he nodded. “nah, the dude from fresno chickened out. he saw your last fight, and didn’t even want to try,” chuckling he set his plate down before opening the fridge. “there is a few guys coming from la though. you know those rich assholes love spending the cash,” grabbing a beer he looked at the other. “beer or i’ve got a few bottles of water?”

Nicolas nodded when Ky said he wanted to train with him. The messy-haired delivery boy didn’t have much of a fancy training. He hit up the local boxing gym for tips on technique and ways to keep himself from getting knocked out int he first round, but it was largely first-hand experience with fighting that prepared him for the ring. It didn’t hurt to be in shape, tough. “Next time I go, I’ll give you a heads up if you’re not at the shop,” he said. He smiled as Eun was sat beside him, and the smile only grew when the plate of food was set right in front of him. Ky was right about him eating like a black hole, and having to ride his bicycle around town all day long was a great way to stay in shape on top of his weekly gym visits. He nodded when Ky said that there were a few deep-pocket spectators from LA coming to watch, and got his interest. “Hmm... Looks like I’m gonna have to give them a good show, then. Maybe I’ll start off easy on the other guy so they think they’ve got nothing to lose by betting against me. Then before you know it, wham-bam! I got him KO’d,” he mused, chuckling and digging into his plate. “Water, please. Beer makes me thirsty, plus it’s too filling with this,” he mused. “So how’s the shop doing? I gotta get a new vape soon.”

Maverick set the bag on the counter, leaving the door open so the other could come in. “I’m not gonna eat it all. Do you wanna smoke?” He nodded to the bong sitting on the coffee table that was litered with the papers he needed to grade.

Nicky came inside and raised his brows when the other guy just up and asked him if he wanted to hit the bong. A part of him wanted to say yes, but he was still techhhnicallyyy on the clock, and didn’t want to get fired just YET. “I’m gonna have to take a rain check on that, but nice,” he mused. “I’m Nick, by the way,” he said, taking a look around the apartment for a moment.