be kind

RORY: Willing to make some time for your best friend this week?

RORY: Lunch date at the usual place?

PEYTON: Always! 💖💖

 “Yeah, because that’s you. Peyton Nichols, huge ass imposition.” His gentle tone had no chance at masking his natural sarcasm. Peyton never had been, nor did he think she could ever be, an imposition. He stepped forward then, hand moving to her back to guide her toward the bar, navigating them both through the little cliquish groups. 

Waving over a bartender as they arrived, he ordered a beer and let Peyton order for herself. Soon, beer in hand, Buzz leaned against the hard wood, “So what do you think of the new shows? Met anyone of the new casts?”

Another smile his way, because there truly was no way to reply to him without coming off as someone playing off their modesty, and then there was the immediate comfort of his touch, the gentlest hint of guidance. She didn’t particularly know all of the people in the crowded room, but she wasn’t necessarily looking to make more connections for the rest of the evening. Spending time with Buzz would be more than valuable enough to her.

PEYTON: Do you think you could spare a half hour or so for lunch one of these days?

Buzz listened as she spoke, looking over her head at the people gathered around them. It was a great turnout, he supposed, but there was a reason he was behind the camera rather than in front.  “You want me to be honest with you?” he asked, smiling softly as his eyes came back to hers. “I am enjoying myself a lot more since you came around.” Looking down, he didn’t know what else to say, instead opting to gesture toward the bar, “You need a drink?”

He hadn’t had anything better to do plus he’d heard there was going to be a s’mores station at this event. He’d yet to see a s’more but it wasn’t a half bad time. It was only made better by the sight of Peyton, her energy already elevating the party. “You know how it goes. The party don’t start ‘til I walk in.”

He paused, briefly looking away to bro nod in acknowledgement of a fellow writer passing by. “No moreso than usual, maybe it’s me who hasn’t seen you around?”

“No party is a real party unless we’ve got Buzz Davidson on the scene.” Peyton smiled again, her gaze warm as she focused on the writer, then nodded as if to concede his point. “That could be right. I haven’t been seeing much of anybody outside of my co-workers lately. Shooting schedules.” She shrugged slightly, still in good humor, and tilted her head in the general direction of the rest of the party. “Are you enjoying yourself now, though? I’ve recently realized there’s no use in staying somewhere you’re not comfortable. No matter the work perks.”