He’s lucky I hadn’t fallen asleep yet. Amalia adjusted the straps of her backpack as she walked down the empty street toward Aaron’s condo. His call came to her only fifteen minutes before, the same one that always came at the oddest of hours. It was always brief and more or less was the man listing his injuries before hanging up. She only brought what she had to before leaving, grateful that she didn’t live too far from where his building was. There was something unsettling about seeing the city this quiet.

The doorman recognized her as she walked up the steps, giving her a brief nod before opening the door for her. Her feet took her the rest of the way, her mind wandering toward the man she would be seeing very soon. One day she will ask him how he always managed to get into these messes. One day she might even be brave enough to ask how the other guy looks. But not tonight. No, tonight she was too tired to push at his buttons. 

Tyler was working out; lifting weights on the grass outside of the beach. Close enough to watch the crashing waves and to smell the cold ocean but far away from the rough sand. Tyler, hated sand. It was rough and grainy, it got everywhere. 

He worked over the weights, taking a breath. Tyler tossed them onto the ground and grabbed his water, guzzling the bottle before he put it back and tilted his head; seeing another man working out. Tyler gave a slightly nervous smile. He’d never been able to make real friends and he wondered if he’d be able too now. 

olyvar had spent the next morning just walking around checking in on friends and acquaintances. having soleil at home was easier because he wasn’t so worried about soleil not making it out. they were fine and unharmed. his first to check as his closest friends, aaron. the pair had spoken at the party but things changed fast and oly wasn’t sure what to expect. he knocked on the other’s door, sighing out in relief when he answered looking alright. ‘good, i could use some scotch. so you’re okay. me too, obviously. got any highlights? who the hell started the fire?’