Sugar Rush

Roman’s become a staple, a good friend, a sunbeam in her life. They got each other; the need to love and be loved, the need for touch and affection, the near constant some days debilitating hunger to connect. And so she invited him over at least once a week. Some days the vibe was more platonic, talking and talking and laughing and watching movies and playing board games. Other times they were ravenous, feasting on sweets and on the feel of her bed sheets against their bare skin. And it didn’t matter what kind of day they had, they were always good. Everything with Roman always felt good.

She’d gotten the feeling that he’d been strained lately. Growing pains, the stress of trying to juggle all the hearts in your world that you wanted to protect, it could wear down at the soft smushy centers of people like her and Roman. So she wanted to do what she could to give some light back to her friend. When the knock on the door sounds she’s got bright happy music playing, the kitchen heavy with the scent of bread and butter and sugar. “Come in come in,” she greets, taking her friend by the hand and leading him in. “You are just in time to have the first bite of a still warm chocolate eclair.” 

The bartender came by with his whiskey, placing it on the bar in front of him. Amber liquid swirled as he lifted the glass to his lips, raising his brows and giving her a small smirk. Somehow, she knew him. Of course, he was pretty well known in the world of theater but that’s where it ended. No one ever knew who the writers of plays were, only the actors and in some cases, the director…but the writers? The ones who actually created the thing, they went unnoticed. Adrian didn’t mind though. Just meant that he could go anywhere and not be bothered. But somehow, this woman knew him, claiming she had auditioned for a few of his plays…and never got any parts.

“Sorry to hear it–” “Yeah, it sucks! I know it’s not your fault or anything but I would’ve loved the part of Angeline. I mean I look like her, don’t I?! The dark hair, the big sad eyes?” No, she was definitely not what Adrian had in mind when he wrote Angeline, but he agreed nonetheless. “Sure, the eyes, hair, all of it.” “Yeah, I just don’t get why they didn’t like me for the part. I don’t know if I’ll get over it, to be honest. The director was an asshole though. I guess you have to be in show business but I mean, take it easy with some of us, right? Anyway, enjoy your whiskey, it’s on me.” “I don’t mind pa–” “Nah, don’t worry about it!” And with that, she made her way to the opposite end of the bar and Adrian enjoyed his drink, removing his notepad and pen as he watched the commotion ensue around him.

It’s rude to eavesdrop, except at the bar. That was the conclusion Sadie had come to reach  as she aged.  In a bar close proximity meant nothing was private. People were either there because they wanted the whole world to know they were miserable, or they were there because they wanted the whole world to know they were celebrating. Sadie was somewhere in the middle this evening, though the conversation she was overhearing to her left made her smile. She’s three tequila sunrises in, which means she’s gone into rambly social butterfly mode. As soon as the bartender leaves the male to sip at his whisky and look perplexed, she can’t help but lean in.

“What do you think the chances are that she’s convinced if she plys you with enough whiskey on the house you’ll become inspired, claim her as a muse, and write a part that is just for her?” She’s not a writer, but she considers baking as a kind of art. And she knows enough artistically inclined friends to know that everyone wants to be somebody’s muse. 

“It’s rude to stare.” Richie says through his signature shit-eating grin, sniffling a bit and pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment. “…What? Are you going to judge me, or ask for a bump?” He twists a small vial of white powder closed, car keys jingling as he tucks both items into his back pocket with ease, rolling his shoulders. “I’d prefer the latter.” He murmurs, eyes wandering about in an almost paranoid manner. “You can piss off, if you’re done snooping.”

There’s something so pretty about watching people take a line. They go for it so hard, like the answer to every ailment is in that first inhale. Sadie knows from experience that sometimes it is. His aggression is noted and she’s quiet until he’s done, her head tilted as she smiled. “Is it though? Rude to stare? I always thought that was a weird thing to tell people. I mean obviously staring at someone for like an hour straight is weird but...we’re humans; curios and social and interested in the world around us. We stare. We all stare.” She shakes her head, letting out a laugh. “Noooo, I had an edible, I don’t like to mix my highs.” His hair looks so soft, it’s what she’s been staring at, wide eyed and fascinated. “Okay but like...what shampoo do you use? Cause your locks are so shiny. You look like you’re in a garnier fructise commercial.”

He’d only been in Dayton for a couple days, and he was already at the gym working. He’d planned for it to be this way, to hit the ground running, so to speak- he already spent half his day at the gym regardless, so he might as well get paid for being there. The place was nice, a lot nicer than he’d expected for a random city he hadn’t heard much about before the job offer. Big and spacious, filled with rows and rows of machines with more than enough floor space left over- they even had a section designated for the workshops he was to run, blocked off from the rest of the gym to allow the clients some privacy. And to give him some space. In the few days he’d been at work, the gym was already seeing a hike both in traffic and membership sales- but that’s what they paid him the big bucks for, and he definitely didn’t mind the attention when he wasn’t in the middle of a class. 

Finished with his last workshop for the day, Adonis moved back into the larger gym space for his own workout. His routines were the same regardless of where he went, but the gym layouts, however, were not. Usually he’d do a walk through to try and memorize the new set up when he arrived at a new gym, but with how busy he’d been, he’d never gotten around to it. 

Looking around for the chest press, Don was distracted as he was turning around and nearly mowed someone over in the process. “Oh fuck, where did you come from,” he said with a short laugh, an arm darting out to grab the person before they toppled over. “Sorry, that was definitely my bad, mate. You good?” 

This particular gym had been under construction when Sadie first moved to town. Renovations, a facelift, the banners outside promised an improved experience soon! Soon had stretched out for so long that she’d forgotten about it, had started going to another gym which she was not at all pleased with. But yesterday she’d heard coworkers talking. Under her nose the place she’d walked past time and time again had opened and apparently it was nice. Including a trainer that could help you figure out how to not kill yourself misusing machines and offer workshops. From what she’d heard he also was not hard on the eyes at all.

All that information combined was more than enough incentive. Normally Sadie was a loyal customer, but in this case she gym hopped without a second of regret. The bigger weight machines intimidated her, so she normally stuck to cardio on the treadmills, listening to baking podcasts as she ran till her legs quivered. The problem with quivery post workout legs was that you were easy to topple over. Like a tree that had been mowed down by an axe till just that last little sliver was left and you could topple over with the slightest touch. 

This wasn’t a slight touch though, it was a muscled mass, and avoiding colliding with him had her gracelessly stumbling directly into the trash can she’d been about to throw her wipes out in. “Fuuuuck.” She winced, oh she’d have a bruise on her thigh in the morning. “I’ve suffered worse,” she managed. “Ask me about the time I thought it would be a good idea to close my eyes the treadmill and ended up flat on the floor.”

     ellie let out a giggle. “yes !! that sounds just ideal.” the young blonde said. she loved sadie’s baked goods and she couldn’t wait for that basket. she asked the waitress for a coke as she approached them, quickly turning back her attention to sadie. “it’s amazing, yes. and that is a great idea, i’m sure she would love that. she’s the cutest, actually.” ellie gushed, taking a sip of her drink as he waitress brought it. “what’s new with you ?”

Sadie mirrors Ellie’s request for a coke. At home she loved her iced tea, or hot tea or coffee, but when she was out she craved the carbonation of sodas. “I bet she adores you. Do you watch her every day?” The question comes, as it always does. What’s new. What’s going on. “You know that guy I told you about?” she murmured. “Alec? Left town to try and connect with estranged family, it was like...weird and uncomfortable and neither of us were sure where that left us and then he kind of fell off the face of the earth?” She unravels her utensils from her napkin, sighs, and is unsure whether its a happy sigh or a sad sigh. Maybe both. “He’s back in town. And our first run in was disastrous, or second was out right debilitating. But I’m dumb enough that I’m probably gonna try to text him tonight and ask for a third.”

     “i definitely will, especially if you insist.” the blonde agreed, smiling at her older friend. she honestly couldn’t wait to taste those pastries she had mentioned – they sounded heavenly, just as everything they made at the bakery. “hm… i don’t know, i really am in the mood for, like, cookies. i love cookies.” ellie admitted with a chuckle. “but anything you want to grace me with is good.” the young blonde grinned as she began asking about her new job. “yes – i’m a nanny to one girl, she’s a delight, she’s five and i’ve been friends with her dad for years, so she’s not really testing my authority.” the girl explained, smiling. “it’s a fun job, i have to admit.”

Sadie’s eyes lit up at the mention of cookies. “Oooo perfect. I’ll make you a sampler basket! A little of this, a little of that, some staple classics and some new flavors for you to try.” She can picture Ellie being absolutely amazing at nannying. Fun and sweet and caring but not afraid to lay down the law when necessary. “Damn that sounds like a perfect setup, Ells. You should bring her by the bakery sometime for a treat.”

Sadie has a point. All things in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone was going to love the same things as another person, but there was beauty in those differences. Beauty in not being the same as someone else and she appreciates Sadie’s view of the world. She’s never known anyone else who’s able to see the world with such light and optimism, it makes Ryleigh long to have the same view of the world. Or as close to it as she can get, being as jaded as she is. There’s a chance it’ll never happen, but she can pretend. She’d already made a choice not to be a victim any longer… a step in the right direction? “I’ve always admired you for that, Sadie. This completely open view you have of the world, how much love you have to give back to it.” Ryleigh’s lips quiver with a small smile, her fondness for Sadie unparalleled. If she had to name her relationship with Sadie, she’d say the woman is the mother figure she wishes she could’ve had. Someone completely unselfish and willing to love others unconditionally, no judgement, no expectations. A knot of emotion swells in her throat, but she’s quick to swallow it down as Sadie gives her instructions for the morning. “You got it, boss,” she says after she clears her throat and gives Sadie a small salute, shuffling off to do as requested. “What about… something fun but spunky today?” 

Her cheeks flush at the compliment. “It takes time,” she answers softly. “To learn what you want from the world and what you want to give it and like...learn to love the way you exist within it. No two people love the same, your view of the world matters to, you give more to it than you give yourself credit for.” She wants to wrap Ryleigh up, take all the doubt that lingers in her mind and fill it with reassurance. She was young, so young, and she had so much growing left to do, so much learning about herself. And Sadie wanted to be there to shower unconditional support upon her. “Fun and spunky, sold,” she shot back with a wink and wave of a rolling pin. There’s flour on the counter, most of the morning wares are baking and almost ready to go, but she has to get started on the lunchtime batch of desserts and sweets and breads now. “You know why I love baking so much?” she calls over her shoulder. “It’s an art that takes your whole heart but not your whole mind. Like you have to love what you’re doing while you’re doing it but there’s room to handle the task and talk, sing, think, connect with yourself and the people around you. Baking is social.”

Alec: my b, i didnt really know how to answer

Alec: yeah, i dont liek how we left things. id love to get coffee

Sadie: Is coffee now an option?

Alec: sorry i think you have the wrong number

Alec: jk its me. whats up

Sadie: my blood pressure is up after you played me like that.

Sadie: I was...I was just, I don't know. I woke up thinking about you today. I didn't like how things felt the last time I saw you.

Sadie: Hey....Alec? Is this still your number?

     ellie smiled at her friend. her relationship with her father was infamously complicated, but she really did celebrate the occasions were it leaned more to the happier side of things. “of course, thank you – and i might just take you up on that.” she said, giggling at the boop of her nose, really tempted to take her up on the offer. sadie’s baking was delicious. “oh my god, i’d love that !!” elle exclaimed, sitting down on her side of the booth. “what else is new ? well, you know, some boy drama as usual. but i did get a new job, i’m, like, a nanny now. it’s cool.”

“You better take me up on it,” Sadie warned, though her voice stayed playful and friendly. She was a known supplier of free sweets to all her friends, the neighborhood carbohydrate dealer, the place you went for your sugar fix. She beamed when Ellie excitedly accepted an offering for the weekend. “Are you in the mood for more cupcake/cakey kind of goodies or do you want more bready sconey/pie type delights?” They settle in the booth and Sadie is all ears, brows raising at the mention of a new job. “A nanny, oh my gosh. How are the kids? How old are they? Did you just start, are they testing your authority with a little extra mischief?”

“So, how exactly does it work?”

Stevie mused aloud as she hoisted herself onto the counter, her eyes following her friend as she bustled about the kitchen. It was almost eerie how much it reminded her of the days she’d spent lazing as Ryleigh darted around like a little pixie covered in flour, icing and only god knew what else. Watching Sadie was like…watching a older version, one she didn’t at all mind. Mostly. The comparison itself made her feel a bit odd, so she pushed it away and instead focused on whatever Sadie was mixing up. This wasn’t the first time she’d been over to the baker’s apartment. She enjoyed Sadie’s bright personality and her life…it was incredibly intriguing. She’d heard of poly amorous relationships, but had dismissed the idea of them being something that actually worked. That is until she bumped into Sadie and could see one up close and personal. Up until now she’d kept her mouth closed, not asking questions that she didn’t want the answers to just yet. Curiosity had finally gotten the best of her, though. “Do you both have specific rules for who you can and cannot invite in?” she asked, scooting slightly into the warm light pouring in through the kitchen window as her black boots swayed in the air. “Or is it more a play by ear type of thing?” @sadieremington​

This is an inevitable conversation. Every time she makes a new connection, sooner or later her poly existence in this world has to be spoken of. And at first everyone just quietly nods their head and say “oh cool” but eventually the questions come. And that’s okay with Sadie. She’s spent years doing the work to feel good about her body, her heart, the way her soul needs to connect with people. The questions are welcomed, they don’t make her feel shamed. She’s gazing down into chocolate cake batter she’s mixing by hand while she ponders Stevie’s question. There’s already two trays of cupcakes cooling on a rack, piping bags ready with orange and yellow swirled sunburst shades of icing. “It can be one or the other or somewhere in between,” she answered finally, glancing up at the girl. “Poly relationships are just like monogamous relationships. Everything changes depending on the people involved. I’ve been in relationships where my partners and I very much play it by ear. I’ve also been in relationships with very structured needs and boundaries. Sometimes all my partners are very much separated from each other, their own distinct relationships. Sometimes a few of my partners may also be seeing or engaging in intimacy with each other. No matter how much structure there is I think the thing that makes it work is constant checking in. Cause feelings can change and things that were okay one month in may start to feel not okay a few months later. Right now I’d say I’m in a very open play it by ear space. Marisol is my only very committed emotionally and physically intimate relationship. She’s exploring her sexuality and her preferences and her heart right now so we’re leaving room for her to figure out what her boundary lines might be in the future, but right now I’m free to connect with whoever I connect with. We talk about people we’ve slept with when we hang out, we go on our dates, our time together is our time together and so far she’s been telling me she feels secure and happy. But we do a check in once a month to make sure that’s still the case you know?”

“Definite game changer,” Ryleigh agrees, her own mouth watering because caramel swirls are definitely one of the few reasons to make that little extra trip in the morning. Ryleigh isn’t sure where she’d be without Sadie. Whether she would’ve made her final decision to come to California or if she would’ve ended up in some nowhere, midwest state because it was the last place anyone would ever look for her. She hadn’t given her now boss any specifics, but Sadie knew enough to know Ryleigh needed somewhere she could lay low for a little while. What better place than the town Sadie consistently gushed bout? “Are you sure? I haven’t seen anything that impressive so far, but it has only been a month, so I guess we’ll just have to wait ‘n see,” she shrugs as she’s tying on her apron, getting herself ready for the day ahead. Smaller footsteps carrying her in the same direction Sadie heads in, toward the kitchen. “Also true, but maybe people are just enjoying that somethin’ different this time of year?” When the seasons are changing, sometimes different is a good thing. “Oh, I’ll ice the cupcakes when they’re ready! Do we need to set up anything out front still or did you beat me to it already?” 

The truth was, she’d almost asked Ryleigh to come with her to California. But to ask at the time had felt like an overstepping, something that might make her friend feel forced or persuaded. This had happened by fate, by chance, because Ryleigh had needed a change, needed to lie low. Sadie was more than happy to help her friend and also help herself to the presence of a person she loved dearly. “Well I guess all things are in the eyes of the beholder,” she admitted, though she hoped her friend grew to love this place. She’d hate for something so wonderful in her eyes to be a disappointment to the younger girl. “I just...I love the freedom here. People don’t take their drugs unsafely in the back alley filled with shame. They do it with friends they’re safe with. They drink with people for the fun of it. People kiss, they explore, they feel safe to test their boundaries and figure out what makes them feel good. All of that is heaven to me.” At the question she turns her head and juts her chin in the direction of a few trays. “Those blueberry scones and bagels can go in some of the front window display cases. I trust you to make them look pretty. Ooo and you can pick the playlist for today.”

“You do have the cutest pouty face in the history of adorable pouts,” she mused, happily kissing her cheek while giggling at their joking. “Okay, okay! No mercy at all. Got it, Lollipop.” Her smile softened. Her hold on Sadie tightened, but she made sure she wasn’t squeezing her too tight. She just didn’t want to let her go. “I know, baby. I just… I want to see you two happy again. I promise that I’m not going to try to Nathan this or anything.” She laughed slightly at her joke. While his sudden disappearance had hurt at first, she was doing better now. And she was able to joke about his failed attempt of being helpful without it hurting. “Sorry, bad joke. What I’m trying to say is: I got you. And I love you so much and if there’s anything I can do to make you happy or help, I promise that I’ll do it. I want to support you with any and all decisions that you make and to be in your corner, cheering you on.” She was so serious about them, and she wanted to make sure Sadie knew that. She was doing better this time. She loves her and wants to make sure that she knows that, that she is by her side throughout everything they may experience. And she wanted to make sure that things were good with Sadie and her other lovers, that she was rooting for Sadie’s other relationships to last and be happy. She sighed happily into the kiss, melting at her touch. God, she is so in love with this woman. Laughing, Sol nodded. “I had a little snack about two hours ago, but I should be good! Oh god, painful memories! So, so painful.” She was joking, of course. While that experience hadn’t been the best, they were overall really good memories with the woman she loves.

“I’ll remember that the next time I want to lure you into giving into my wants,” Sadie mused with a grin. “Turn on the pout and make you melt. You’ve just given me a secret weapon Macaroon.”  She feels Sol’s panic at the Nathan joke but...but it’s okay. She can actually laugh about it. “And I’ll promise I’ll keep you posted on what I need, how you can support me,” she vows, twining their fingers for a moment and going in for another kiss. It matters, how hard Sol is trying, the effort being put forth. But she didn’t want her girlfriend to feel like this was a test, like she’d be given a failing grade the first second she didn’t go out of her way to be a peacemaker and a hearthealer.  God that laugh....fucking hell Sol’s laugh is soprano, it’s musical, but if you make her laugh really really hard for a while it gets a wheezing husk to it. She’s obsessed with that sound, with her laughter. “Didn’t we end up going home, like stopping at a bodega for peptobismal and stomach settling things?” She shook her head at the memory. “Not this time. I want a full day of shenanigans before I bring you home and get you naked.” Sadie grabbed her keys and her purse, shoving her feet into a pair of sandals nested under the coffee table. “We taking your car or mine, baby?”

@sadieremington​

Marissa had always been an early riser, but after the events of the opening night, it had gone midday before Riss finally returned to her apartment and brushed her appearance together for the rest of the day. It wasn’t until her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number with an address that she remembered her Aston needed collecting. She smirked as she saved the number to her contacts and then set off towards the address. Heeled boots carried her through the streets of Dayton, Max Mara coat flowing eloquently behind her as her fingers were loosely slotted into the front pockets of her jeans. 

The ‘fresh’ air of the city was a welcome change to the hookah and weed smoke she had spent so longer consuming yesterday and she decided, as she rounded the last corner, that today was going to be a Sunday spent on the highway ridding her lungs of all those toxins from TC&BH. She was flexible with that choice, of course, should something more… Enjoyable… Come along.

Her eyes fell upon the beautiful car and she smiled gently, glad to see it as she left it. Riss pulled a hand from her pocket and ran it along the curves of the car delicately as she passed it and turned to walk down the pathway to the stylish apartment block with a smirk already striking her features as she reminisced over the initial moments of her night with the blonde. Pressing the buzzer to the first-floor apartment her text said she waited for the front door to open and then made her way down the corridor to the right number and knocked again, dropping her weight over one heel, hip sticking out and forwards as she ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “Hey there Blondie.”.

closed starter for @sadieremington​

It could definitely be said that Sadie took the long way home in that Aston. Not to any nefarious or questionable destinations, just the roundabout streets, a quick stop for some drive through In-N-Out, comfort food needed to soak up alcohol and awkward sorrow when she finally got home and stripped to her pjs and a messy bun. The food had been devoured, a movie watched, an hour long phone conversation with Marisol was the only thing that finally helped her turn her mind off enough to go to sleep.

The morning was better. There was a moment of panicked fear. What if the car had been tampered with, stolen, a racing of her still asleep body to the window where she clutched the windowpane till she saw the car was safe and sound. Marissa struck her as an early riser, so she went right for the coffee, made a pot just in case the brunette needed some. And well...once she lingered in the kitchen too long she just had to cook. Did Marissa like breakfast? A plate of stuffed french toast was made, in between donning some choice lingerie under a slip of a dress. Blush, a touch of tinted lip balm, a little mascara. She didn’t want to look like she tried too hard, but oh she wanted the woman to want to stay a while so they could pick up where they’d left off in that bathroom.

She hears the buzzer, lets Marissa in, fusses with the cleavage of her push up bra, hopes that the smell of freshly made sweet breakfast is alluring. The way Marissa greets her, that tongue against her lower lip, Sadie isn’t sure if its her outfit, or the scent from the kitchen, but she steps aside to invite her in. “Here you go,” she offers, the keys dangling from her fingers. “But I hope you weren’t in a hurry. Do you like stuffed pancakes?”