spin the bottle in your brain

She’d taken a couple of days off after the Blood Moon, citing that she needed to take care of things at home. She’d wanted to do her crying in private, the loss of Nik stunning her and she was at a loss of what to do, or to think. It was the one person she’d thought she wouldn’t have to lose, and he was gone just like that. She’d sent messages to the Greysons and offered up her help if they needed it before she had tried to get back to normal. Curled up in a corner booth of Java the Cup, her laptop open in front of her she had one earbud in as she watched reruns of Charmed and sipped her coffee. “Am I the only one that never really grew fond of Prue?” she muttered to no one in particular, huffing a little as she reached for a bite of her muffin.

“I kinda always hated her.” Scout admitted, looking up from his own laptop as he did so, glad when he realised he hadn’t just butted into someone else’s conversation. He’d been doing it quite a bit recently, so happy to have emotions, and trivial opinions, back that he acted on instinct a lot now, occasionally wishing he hadn’t in the aftermath. “She annoyed me.”

“Not many people can,” she retorted with a smug grin, revealing one leg through the slit of her dress as she seated herself on the stool. It was far from hard to get Phoebe to drink with someone, the problem was usually whether her choice of company could keep up. Though, from the many times she’d drunk with Scout in the past, he’d never been one to disappoint. Perhaps that was why she fished him out of the crowd. Or maybe she just wanted to be showered with compliments. “Consider it mission accomplished,” Phoebe teased, helping herself to a shot when they were placed in front of them. Lifting it in his direction before knocking it back, she draped one arm across the bar with a mischievous gleam twinkling in her eyes. “Do tell, what trouble have you gotten yourself into since arriving? Please tell me at least one of us has had a sneaky fondle in the toilets.”

“Can’t blame them there.” He chuckled, letting his eyes flick down to her leg, knowing full well that she wanted him to see, and relishing in the fact that he now wanted to. “My life is complete, I managed to get you to check out my junk.” He joked in a faked wistful tone, looking out to the middle distance to complete his overdramatic act, before cracking into a laugh. When the shots were placed down, Scout followed her lead, picking up a shot and throwing it back, before following it with another. He knew that as a human for the night this would probably lead to trouble, but he really didn’t care at the moment. “I’ve gotten myself in that trouble.” Scout smirked, pointing down the bar at a bartender pouring people shots. “Or rather he got in my trouble.” He added cheekily, enjoying that he could be so crass with Phoebe. 

There was a little squeal of delight as their lips pressed together, Holly had a delayed reaction to the whole thing but it wasn’t long before she leaned forward just a bit and placed her palm against the side of this face. She wasn’t sure what had possessed her to ask the question, maybe it was the freedom of it all, and she wasn’t sure what the answer would be– though she held herself in such a high regard that she might have been a bit miffed at facing too much rejection– but it wasn’t there and she was ready to enjoy every second of it. She pulled back a bit, taking a moment to take a breath before she realized who it was that she was kissing. “Scout?!” Part question, part exclamation, she pushed forward once again, giving him a quick peck on the lips. “That was lovely.”

He couldn’t help but smile into the kiss, his hands instinctively going to her waist, encouraging her slightly closer. He couldn’t help but relish in the moment, in him acting without thinking, that where he placed his hands and how he kissed her were instinctual rather than things he had to actively think of doing when he had his humanity off. “You know me, I could never say no to kissing a beautiful woman.” Scout replied after she broke the kiss with a cheeky grin before grabbing her hand and placing a kiss to the back of it like some gentleman of old, while looking up at her throw his lashes, throwing her a wink as he did so. 

Joslyn watched him as he spoke, a critical expression on her face as she tried to feel him out. Then it occurred to her, stepping forward she took his face in her hands and she kissed him. She’d been far to caught off guard initially to be able to tell the difference but kissing him now there was no odd sensation of kissing a stranger she might know. No she had no doubt in her mind now that this was her Scout. Pulling back she looked up at him with a wicked grin, remaining close still. “Yeah, you’re definitely my Scout. God, love why don’t you lead with that next time.” She teased him. “It’s good to have you back.”

He was taken a little by surprise by the kiss, he’d been expecting her to continue to quiz him and test him but he hadn’t expected her to do this. After the seconds hesitation caused by the surprise, Scout leant into the kiss, falling into it, his arms wrapping around her waist to pull her closer, his arms only loosening when she pulled away. “So you definitely only like me for my body then, not my personality, since that was your tip off.” Scout teased back, a cheeky smirk on his lips. “I literally did lead with that.” He defended, exaggerating the word literally in an overdramatic fashion. “It’s good to be back.”

He rolled his eyes, “Don’t spread that around I have a reputation to maintain.” he replied playfully, though he was pretty sure that his ‘reputation’ wasn’t anything special, and he was losing it day by day. “Well duh, that’s obvious,” he added, before he moved towards the bar and grabbed a couple of drinks for them both. Rolling his eyes once more at the other man’s reaction, “She’s something. Most definitely gorgeous though.” he replied as he sought Delilah in the crowd, nodding his head in her direction to point her out.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. After all, who would I be to ruin the reputation of someone who so clearly loves me.” Scout mocked with a shiteating grin. He couldn’t help but maintain some form of a smile, and relished in the fact that he wanted to smile, that it was no longer a forced reaction. He didn’t know how long this would last, but he was going to enjoy it while he could. “I’m sure that dress would look great on your bedroom floor.” He smirked, before clapping Nick on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you, brother.”

This was everything she’d ever hope for. Christmas and her birthday all rolled into one, the same feeling she’d imagine she’d get from winning a Tony, Holly was so incredibly alive that she swore she felt even better than she ever did as a vampire. Extra powers be damned. She knew it was for one night, though she wasn’t letting that damper her mood, and almost as if this was her last day on earth she was making sure to enjoy, everything. Even the lowered alcohol tolerance didn’t seem to bother her as she’d had more than her share of drinks and was twirling all over the damn place. feeling more graceful than ever when she landed on a chair. “Hi–” her eyes were glazed over by now, lazy smile on her face that was interrupted by a burst of happy laughter. “Beautiful evening, no? You wanna make out?”

He was very drunk, and he loved it. Scout had danced until his feet hurt, enjoying every touch and bump against him as he did so. He’d never been against being a vampire, he enjoyed his undead life, but he loved being himself again, loved having his emotions and not being some emotionless husk of a man. Feeling a little lightheaded, Scout made his way over to the tables to have a seat momentarily, his attention very quickly being caught by the other not-so-vampire. “Yes ma’am.” Scout said with his charming small town smile at her words, before leaning down to bring their lips together. He couldn’t help but enjoy this, being himself again, kissing a beautiful woman and actually enjoying it, rather than just doing it. 

Joslyn stiffened as he chuckled, her face contorting in concern before he started to speak. Watching him skeptically for a moment unsure of whether she could trust his words, some of the things he was saying felt very Scout-like, that was for sure but there was still doubt. “I don’t know, could be all talk for all I know and let me tell you that other inferior Scout was really good at the talk. So how do I really know it’s you?” Joslyn said staring up at him skeptically wanting nothing more than for it to be her Scout. 

“What proof do you want? I can flirt with a bartender, do the electric slide, start a conga line, try and do a handstand? Aside from the bartender, I wouldn’t do those without my humanity I don’t think.” He offered, unable to stop himself from grinning, both at all of the ideas, and at the fact that he wanted to prove he was himself again, that he wanted anything. “Look, I don’t know, the moon is doing its thing and messing us all up, so it makes sense that’d mess with my whole lack of humanity thing; so you can either enjoy it with me, or keep giving me the fourth degree.” 

Alcohol was an easy coping mechanism for Isabelle, one she was quite familiar with, after all, tonight certainly was the perfect place for it. Without her magic Isabelle felt helpless “I feel like for science sake I need to test out my human alcohol tolerance. How else will I know how it compares. Would you like to make any hypothesis on how the experiment ends?” Granted witches didn’t have heightened senses so really she already knew it was going to be exactly the same, but hey, maybe she could tricker another species into being drank under the table. 

“Aren’t witches physically basically human? I mean you do have a superhuman alcohol tolerance, but I don’t think that has anything to do with your magic.” Scout replied with an easy smile at the other blonde. It was weird being human again, but it was nowhere near as foreign to him as it would be to other vampires; and he was just happy he was himself again, even if it was only for the night. “Regardless, I’m here to join in the experiment, and I reckon it’ll end up with us drunkenly dancing.”

“Oh I know, that doesn’t stop me from being proud.” he replied with a grin, patting Scout on the shoulder as he lead the other man to the bar. “First rounds on me.” he replied, indicating for the bartender before leaning his elbow on the bar. “One of my bartenders is here tonight, he always manages to get his hand on some.” he replied with a chuckle, before he sighed a little. “Delilah Reyes.” he finally managed. Somehow, since their talk at the cabin, he felt a little more open about his feelings, at least to the point of admitting she was usually the one he was preoccupied with. 

“Aw, you big softie.” Scout cooed teasingly at the other vampire, a strong temptation to try and pinch his cheek, figuring if he would ever survive doing it it would be tonight with them being human and his humanity being back. "I’d never say no to a free drink.” He chuckled, his smiling faltering for the briefest second, thinking about how he’s managed to get drinks without his humanity. “Nick and Delilah sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g.” Scout sang softly with a cheeky grin. “Good for you, Adler, she’s gorgeous and if she puts up with you she must be a saint.” 

“Hooly fucking dooly aye? This thing is fucking fancy.” In spite of the wine sticking his shirt to his chest, Patto hadn’t even really had a drink. The last remaining sips of his wine was nothing, really.  “And not gonna lie, I’m kind of loving the no powers thing that’s happenin’ here.” His steps felt lighter, his shoulders relaxed. Although he missed his wind powers a little bit, not having to worry about having an agonising and generally unpleasant vision was most certainly a plus. Knowing nobody else was supernaturally stronger than him was an added extra. “Like, not havin’ to worry about a magic induced fit? Fucking rate it. What about you?”

“Yep, Hollow Grove certainly knows how to put on an event.” He agreed, fiddling slightly with his mask. He enjoyed things like this, the chance to dress up; it wasn’t everyday he got to wear a green velvet jacket. “I was an emotionless, humanity-less, douchebag and now I’m back to being me; so I’m fucking loving this.” Scout answered with a cheeky grin, before throwing back a shot. The lack of vampire tolerance was making the alcohol hit him rather quickly, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world right now, he was just glad to be himself again. “We need more drinks.”

Joslyn hated the idea of the blood moon, the very idea of being human had her on edge but you’d never be able to tell it from an outsiders perspective. No, no to the outside world she was working the room as if she owned, in reality, she was casing the place, assessing every exit and potential threat as she came across it. The facade was easy to come by, she’d had a millennium of practice after all. When someone suddenly grabbed her first reaction was to put them down, however, she recognized those lips on hers instantly. It was hard to resist, despite the fact that she knew this wasn’t her Scout. When he pulled back Joslyn looked confused at him as he cracked a joke, studying his eyes for a moment her mouth fell open ever so slightly as if her mind was catching up to what was happening. “Scout?” Her head fell to the side as she tried to gauge if her theory was correct and then the next words just came out of her mouth. “Briar’s in trouble we have to go?” Joslyn tested the waters to see his reaction knowing whichever way he went would tell her the truth of his current state.

Scout couldn’t help but chuckle as Jos said his daughter was in trouble. “That’s mean and uncalled for, she’s fine I just called the person looking after all the kids; and there’s no way you’d know if there was something wrong, you were too concerned with casing the place like you’re expecting a ninja attack.” He pointed out with a cocky smirk. “But it’s me, me me not douchey me; if you want proof, I'm constantly thinking about Briar, I’ve flirted with three bartenders, done the electric slide and the sprinkler, and kissed you cause I’m overdramatic.” Scout said as though he were presenting serious evidence to the original, before chuckling at the notion that the aforementioned things were character evidence for him.

“Oh you’re going to get me in trouble. I’m so proud.” he replied with a grin, pretending to wipe a tear of pride and he reminded himself to seek out Joslyn later to have a small celebration with the original. He wanted to broach how Scout was feeling, and whether this view of him would be gone once they got their abilities back. “It’s probably around somewhere, there’s a few people wanting to take advantage of it.” he replied, before chuckling, though the thought of what happened to Scout at Halloween brought him back. “I prefer Venom, my bad.;’

“Oh you think this is your influence? I was a troublesome little shit well before I met you, when I got to town that might be the most responsible I’ve ever been. But yes, we’re definitely getting in trouble, brother.” Scout laughed; he’d cleaned up his act when he found out about Alex being pregnant, but tonight he was going to enjoy himself with abandon, because he didn’t know how long it would be until he was himself again. “Guess we’ll have to get some before it all gets brought.” He said. “Eddie Brock is blonde, I’m blonde. Where your girl that you’re snubbing me for?” Scout asked with a chuckle. 

@scout-matthews·

Of the few people Phoebe enjoyed the company of in the small town of Hollow Grove, Scout was definitely one of them. So when she saw the familiar fair haired male on the dance floor, seemingly having a good time, she immediately wanted in. Shimmying towards him, she pulled him aside from his latest conquest with a devious grin. “Buy me a drink?” Barely giving him enough time to muster a response, Phoebe tugged the corner of his sleeve as she guided him through the crowd and towards the bar before releasing her grip with a look of approval. “Green suits you,” she complimented, almost with common decency before she ruined it by adding, “Enhances your bulge.”

Scout smirked at the guy he was dancing with, biting his lip slightly as the other man got closer, only for his attention to be snagged by a hand on his arm pulling him away. “You know I couldn’t say no to drinking with you, Stone.” He chuckled, not protesting as she drugged him away, taking a second to shoot a wink over his shoulder at the guy he was leaving behind. Once at the bar, he waved down a bartender and ordered them some shots. “Well I had to do something to get your attention.” Scout replied with a cheeky grin that screamed bad intentions. He couldn’t articulate the joy he was feeling in this moment, in the fact that he wanted to flirt with the brunette, and that he had a thousand flirty remarks running through his head.  

“Yeah but …. the tolerance was all part of the fun of making the night epic.” he replied with a soft sigh, the fact they had fallen back into this easy talking making his heart actually happy, so pleased that his brother was back. “Brother, do not take this the wrong way but I was thinking a more stunning brunette rather than you. It’s okay, I still love you.”

“Think of this as an opportunity, there’s plenty of new fun drugs that weren’t around before you died, may as well have some fun with this whole thing.” Scout grinned, the thought of Nick high as a kite amusing him. “There’s a real temptation to find some MDMA, it’s very college to me, but it didn’t quite work the same after I turned.” He shrugged. “That hurts, Adler; and just FYI I looked particularly fuckable with the black superman hair at halloween.” 

He hadn’t known about the effects of the Blood Moon until it had happened, it was like he’d blinked and he was himself again, shedding how he had been without his humanity like he was shrugging off a coat. It was amazing to smile and laugh; to not go through the ball like a hollow shell. He’d wanted to see Briar more than anything, but when he found out the effects of the night were temporary, he realised how selfish that would be. So he’d stayed, committed to enjoying himself, drinking and laughing with people he’d been so cold to in the past months. Making his way through the crowd he couldn’t help but smile when he saw an unmistakable woman in red, someone he’d recognise regardless of the mask. Without a word, Scout went up to her and kissed her, breaking the kiss to flash her a smile. “This mask thing is throwing me off, you’d not believe how many girl’s I’ve kissed thinking they were you. On the plus side, Mrs Henderson is just as good a kisser as I always dreamed.”

The familiar voice was one that he was beyond grateful to hear, and he felt a smile tug at his lips without much thought. “Well, I have a few, but still… I miss the damn alcohol tolerance.” he replied with a chuckle as he indicated for another drink. “Well there’s that. But the only person I’m interested in having sex with seems to be, not here.”

“Makes for a cheap night though, and the tolerance stuff isn’t all bad. It kinda sucks with alcohol, but drugs are more fun human.” He countered, unable to stop the smile on his lips, relishing in being able to talk like this with Nick, being able to be himself for the first time in months. “But I’m right here.” Scout defended with a grin, shooting the other vampire a wink from behind his mask.