#adrianhcndrix

Rick would never admit to this openly, but his eldest daughter was a prominent stressor for him. His love for Fiona never decreased, not ever, but sometimes he wonders if anything he does will ever truly impact her, as her path toward rebellion only widens by the day. He knows she’s most likely stressed and confused about what happened to Reina and that was something he couldn’t quite patch up. Not entirely, anyway. Club business has always been a very lock and key thing and there were no real exceptions to that, especially fourteen year old daughters who don’t know any better.

And like clockwork, drugs enter the picture. Weed, mostly, but all Rick can think of is how that drug always leads to another and then another and then another. The gateway drug, he thinks to himself as if he’s some Say No To Drugs advocate visiting a gymnasium of bored pre-teens. Still, he can’t shake the thought, which is what leads him here. He seeks out Adrian and Rick approaches him, “Hey, do you have a minute?”

OLIVER: Jesus Christ please call me

OLIVER: Or text me I don't know

when + where thanksgiving day, late afternoon, just outside reina’s home

The day went off without a hitch. There’s no denying he’s proud of himself and how dinner went. Andy and Harper had spent the day in the kitchen, and once the food was eaten and the clean up was handled -- He snuck off for a smoke break. Though admittedly, he mostly did it for a chance to talk with Adrian privately. While Andy’s life had been chaotic the last few months, Adrian’s certainly wasn’t calm in comparison. He hadn’t been able to see the other man much in the last weeks given the obvious, but now that he was an unexpected plus one to dinner -- He had a shot. Honestly, he just wanted to check in and make sure Adrian wasn’t self-destructing. Andy can’t help but feel an obligation to the man, one that reminds him of his own kids, despite the fact that he and Adrian are practically the same age. Once he’s outside, he doesn’t bother with a greeting, electing to nod at him before lighting up his cigarette. Andy takes a drag, enjoying the slightly cooler November air. “Good to see ya ain’t become a hermit since I last saw ya.” Andy starts with, giving Adrian a look before letting out something between a scoff and a laugh.  “You holdin’ up?”

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to put together that Adrian was most likely avoiding Ford. To put it simply, Ford was getting a taste of his own medicine and it completely fucking blows. It could have easily been his own fault and that’s instantly what Ford’s mind goes to without a doubt. But Ford wasn’t aware that Adrian was actually just getting sober. 

The skinnier man has always been one of his most loyal customers, so much so that even Ford worried about his well being more often than not. That thought alone earns a new sense of urgency to coil within him. Adrian wouldn’t go to some new dealer and get himself killed, would he? He might, Ford didn’t know him that well.

Ford goes looking for him by impulse. The Dive wasn’t extremely lively at this hour which Ford was silently thankful for. He orders himself a beer just for the hell of it, which would aid as a crutch if he runs into someone he knows but hasn’t spoken to in quite some time. Ford has only been back for about two years, so these occurrences have been springing up on him more and more. Once he finally spots Adrian walking out from the back, Ford walks over to him, “Jesus, I thought you were dead or something.” He says, knowing that might not be the best thing to start with but it was better than nothing. “You avoiding me? ‘Cause I think I’m the only one allowed to do the avoiding around here.”

Oliver: Hey I just wanted to see if youTHE STORM RUINED THE LASAGNA HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO EAT Riley oh my God I'm speaking into the phone stop it, please.

Oliver beams tonight, hopelessly filled with too much love. Valentine’s Day might have been his favorite holiday but that probably comes as no surprise to the people who know him. All he does is love love love so to have a day practically dedicated to the whole thing was enough to make him burst. He’s spent the majority of his evening mingling and betting on different women. Anika and Nova, mostly. It’s been fun but before he goes broke, he retreats from the scene and goes for another flute of champagne and another tastefully decorated Valentine’s cupcake.

Once he’s settled, he hunts for Adrian since he hasn’t seen him yet. It’s not hard to spot him, always dressed to impress. “Hey!” Oliver calls out for him, as giddy as can be. When he’s close enough, he plants a kiss on his cheek, careful not to drop his champagne and cupcake while doing so. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetness.” He says, licking a bit of frosting off the side of his finger. “Where’s your Valentine? Off causing trouble and losin’ money? Mine might be doin’ the same.”

The reception went so well that Oliver fears something bad might be lingering around the corner. But with every passing second, he becomes happier and happier, giddy become compare. Everyone he loves being there was certainly another thing, Adrian being at the top of that list of people. He became teary-eyed while being their officiant which made Oliver weepy too, something he could never quite control even if he tried and the world knew that very well. 

With music blasting and everyone mingling, Oliver feels an immense amount of pride. It’s one of those moments where he’s just happy to be there. Everyone could have shown up dressed in trash bags and already shit-faced and he would have been happy. He searches for Adrian in the crowd of people, spotting him and Riley dancing away together before she bounces over to her cousins and Maddie who all start dancing in a little ring. “Enjoying yourself?” Oliver asks with a smile so wide and genuine that it hurts his face, “Thanks again, by the way. You were perfect even when you made me cry, you jackass.”