#avapara

Auggie usually didn't go for baths. There was the whole sitting in your filth thing that he wasn't a huge fan of but shakey legs equaled paranoid nurses who only let you bathe standing if they were in the room pretending not to try and count his tattoos so when Ava suggested they take a bath together - that the offer of him washing her tits on the table, Auggie wasn't going to say no, the girl's place didn't have a shower so bath was the only choice. Running his hands over the running water, bubbles filling up the tub slowly, he walked back into the bedroom, "I just used whatever you have in there so I'm probably going to end up smelling like vanilla or wildberries or whatever fruity stuff you keep in there."

Ava: It had been nearly three hours since the two had woken up, and unfortunately, Ava knew just what that day meant. In less than six hours, she'd be on a flight back home and Auggie would be returned to his room at the Presbyterian and in all honestly, Ava hated it. They had simply laid in each other's embrace for the entirety of the morning and she knew the only way to get them both started was to wash up - and what other way would they have done it, not together? Sitting up against the brick wall behind her bed, she watched Auggie return into the room before crawling to the edge and off the bed towards him. Wrapping her hands round his waist with a smile aimed up at him, Ava kissed his chest. "It's vanilla and brown sugar," she informed him with a smack on his bum before walking to the bathroom, turn back to peak at him with a smirk.

Auggie: "Vanilla and brown sugar," he mocked playfully. "Why do you want to smell like a pie?" Thatcher was going to miss it, he almost felt normal again, he wasn't ready to go back to the noisy monitors and the crappy food, he wasn't ready to leave Ava again for no one knew how long. Shaking his head he turned around, holding back a smile as he followed her into the bathroom. Seeing the tub full of bubbles, Thatcher turned off the water and checked the temperature, flicking rouge water drops off his fingers in Ava's direction, "Get naked, Crowell."

Ava: Ava snorted at Thatcher's question on why she wanted to smell like a baked good as she bent over to put her hair in a bun, returning to her full height once it was tied and seeing his tall frame turning off the water. She laughed after he had flicked her with water, her hands lifting up to shield her face in a theatrical manner. "Ah! I'm melting! Melting!" she said in a high pitched tone before letting her face scrunch, similar to that of a little girl pouting angrily. "Get me naked, Reeves," she countered, closing the distance between the two and taking hold of the waistband to his sweats and pulling them down until they fell to gather round his ankles.

Auggie: "Bossy," he snapped, stepping out of his sweats, he grabbed the bottom of her oversized shirt, pulling it up her body, over her head, "What's the point of the bun?" He asked curiously, enjoying all the newly exposed skin between them. "It's going to get wet most likely."

Ava: Creating a fish face with her mouth, Ava looked at Augustus with her eyes wide open before smacking her lips. "You'll see right now," she simply informed him. Grabbing hold of the hem of his shirt, she pulled it up as far as her arms would reach, that is, until she climbed up atop of the toilet to finish. "Oh, I like being tall.." she thought aloud while still standing in all her glory for a few seconds before making guns with both hands and pointing at her underwear. "Ah, you're forgetting the underwear, Reeves!"

Auggie: "Still don't see," he intoned, laughing at her antics. Laughing even more when she stood on the toilet, "A built in step stool, how cool is that," he put his arms up to help aid get the shirt off, "Being tall is fun, the air is cleaner up here, just have to deal with the birds," the male mused. "The water is going to get cold..." he warned, pulling off her underwear, tossing it over his shoulder to go with the pile of clothes.

Ava: Leaning forward and placing a light kiss upon his lips, Ava hopped off the toilet before hooking her fingers around the band of his briefs and pulling them down. "Eh, I don't like birds, they scare me. What if one poops on me? Being short gives me the advantage to dodge it," she countered as she walked over to the tub, bending over to feel the water then shrugged. "Eh, still warm. You need help in?"

Auggie: "Scared of birds? Such a girl, birds can poop on you even if you're short - it'll just hit you harder on the head, I'd laughs so hard if you got bird poop on you, I'd probably laugh for days and never let you forget that one time you got pooped on," he stepped out of his own underwear and shook his head no, walking over, "I got it," Auggie murmured, stepping into the tub one leg at a time, carefully, "Will we both fit?" he questioned concerned about the logistics of them both getting in the tub.

Ava: "Hey, no fair," Ava frowned as she let her brown gaze watch the looming male gradually lower himself into the tub. "I'd probably just tell people about how you dressed up as an old lady to get out of the hospital, let's see when you'll hear the end of that!" Though he was nearly inside the water, Ava still stood by, ready for him to grab hold of her just in case. She knew he hated it, but she couldn't help it - it was like impulse, making sure that Thatcher was okay. "Of course, I think our proportions even it out," Ava shrugged as she waited for Auggie to situate himself before aiming her foot to step between his legs and lowering herself between his feet. Once inside, she looked across at him with a smile. "You know, Jack Dawson could have survived if Rose had put in the proper physics into how he got onto the door."

Auggie: "I did what I had to do okay!" He exclaimed with a shrug, "And I looked damn good in it, don't lie." He eased himself down, the warm water relaxing his muscles, getting situated he kept his legs bent giving her all the room he possibly could, "Or they could have both died out there together, she never loved him, and you're too far, come here," he reached out for her, "Don't leave me frozen, Ava."

Ava lifted her eyebrows in a sarcastic manner as her head nodded with flourish before she let out a laugh. "You're right, I was thinking about going lesbian for a second there, but then I took off your wig and remember just how much I love men," she chirped before taking on the demeanor that she was cold, "Ava.. Come back! Come back!" Ava laughed at her mocking of Rose before forming her mouth into an oh as the realisation hit her that she still had her hair in a bun. "Totally forgot..." Standing up and feeling the cold smack her skin, Ava had goosebumps running its course through her flesh but she ignored it. Pulling the rubber band from her bun, she whipped her hair so that it flowed down with a flourish before she turned and sat between Thatcher's legs, her back to his chest. "All the sexy women in the movies do that," she muttered innocently.

Auggie: was going to miss Ava's antics and dare he think it - 'quirky' personality. Not even the nicest nurses with the best bedside manner could reach the top of her personality in his opinion. "Are you going to dance for me?" He asked, looking up at her once she stood up, he was going to miss her hot body too, holding it, touching it, pictures wouldn't do it justice. He reached out, rubbing her legs as he watched her let her hair down, that was hot too, "I see why," he replied, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm going to miss you..."

Ava: Sighing a laugh, Ava slid backwards, making sure not to squish or making Auggie uncomfortable in any way in the process as she got comfortable against his body. "We'll save the dance for next time, I'll even go full out and watch Magic Mike, for your's and mine's sake," Ava teased before her face grew somber. Wrapping her own arms around Auggie's, she began biting at the inside of the corner of her mouth, before answering. "I know, I don't want to leave.." she murmured, taking hold of one of his hands and bringing it to her lips, kissing his knuckles. "But we'll be back together before you can say I finally get my Hogwarts letter, okay? And you'll get even stronger and I'll be closer to getting my finals over with.." However, even with what she had to say, there wasn't much strength in her voice. She didn't want to leave him - at all.

Auggie: "Life just likes making things a struggle." It was safe to say Auggie was distraught at the thought of not spending anymore time with Ava, it was why he didn't like growing attached to people, once he finally let them in, there was no getting out of it and he got needy and wanted constant attention, he missed her already and she was still in his arms. Whining he pressed his face into the back of her head, "That's too far way... What if I go back to Florida? I don't really want to but I could if it meant not giving this up."

Ava: "And with struggles, we learn to conquer them." Letting out a sigh, Ava couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of lonesome fill her. Two days wasn't enough. Ava couldn't even come up with a witty metaphor to relate what two days couldn't satiate. Feeling the hot air from Auggie's breathing in her hair, the youngest Crowell entwined her small fingers with his long digits, bringing his arms tighter around her frame as her eyebrows knitted together. "No, no.." she began, but grew silent. She didn't want to leave, and she knew just well that he didn't want to go back. Even though he didn't have to endure the time she spent having to face that he didn't remember their love nor that he, now, probably recalled the memories, this was Augustus - he was an all or nothing type of guy. "No, baby.. You have to get better. Stronger. Remember? And you know I'll never, ever give this up. Not in all my future lives.. We can skype, talk on the phone.. We can do this."

Auggie: "Did you get that off of a fortune left in a fortune cookie, you did have kung pao chicken last week." He had almost forgot about the gifts, he wasn't going to bring them up or allude that he had any inkling as to who was her secret admirer. "Can't you tell that us being together is making me better?" He really didn't like feeling that way but it was too late to try and push her away, he remembered it all and he needed her to live as sad as it sounded, "If you say so..." a part of him was still worried about the whole 'flame' business with Oliver but he didn't want to bring it up and ruin their last night together.

Ava: Rolling her eyes, Ava turned her head so that she could get a look at Thatty from her peripherals. "I don't need fortune cookies, I'm becoming wiser than the Chinese man that created kung pao chicken," she smirked, remembering the assortment of gifts she was given. Ava knew it was Thatcher, but being him, she'd allow him to keep going at his charades, that didn't mean she couldn't return the favour, though; she already had plans for the coming week. Hearing his net statement, Ava couldn't help the frown that pulled her lips down as she turned her brown gaze down towards the spheres of tiny bubbles. "I know it is, and I want.. More than anything.. Trust me, I do.. To be here with you and just.. Lay with you, kiss you, touch you, smile at you.. Watch you eat.. Hear you talk in your sleep about trees.. I want to be here, Thatty.." she spoke, turning her head just slightly to catch a glimpse of the contours of Auggie's face before continuing, "But I've got finals, and that internship, and the wedding for the Bridezilla.." With a sigh, Ava leaned back against Thatcher, feeling tired. "I didn't think you'd remember me, so I just piled my plate and now look."

Auggie: "I don't talk about trees in my sleep... Ava, I..." It was on the tip of his tongue, those three little words he hadn't really said to anyone since Juliette but it was there, making his mouth tighten up like he'd eaten something sour, he wanted to say it but he couldn't it was like some invisible force holding him back. "I can't talk about this with your back to me, turn around," he had requested, lean back against the tub.

Ava: "Oh, you'd be surprised about what you talk about in your sleep," Ava countered, but remained silent until Thatcher spoke again. "Aww.. I thought my back was nice," she muttered before turning her body, lifting her feet up and out of the water and hooking her calves over the rim. Looking upon his face, her finger went up to rub out the lines in his brow. "What's the matter, Thatty.."

Auggie: "I don't talk in my sleep, you're making that up." If he actually did talk in his sleep he'd deny it until he was blue in the face. "It is nice but I want to see your face," he smiled at her, green eyes scanning down to her chest and chuckled, "Among other things but seriously," he put her face in his hands , locking his eyes on hers, "Do you want me to come to Florida? Even for a weekend like you came up here for, I'm trying to break out again so I can show Erin the house and then I can go to Florida, I can't just let you do all the traveling in this whole thing, we're equals," he explained before pressing his lips to hers.

Ava: "Mhmm, entirely making it up, Mr. Cuddle Bear," Ava teased before kissing Auggie's cheek. Rolling her eyes as his own went from her face down towards her chest, and in return, she grabbed two hand fulls of bubbles to cover the area. At first, Ava was contemplating what he said, but immediately, upon hearing Erin's name, a groan of discomfort strained out of her. "Hold up, hold up.. Show Erin which house, the one in Miami?" she questioned, hesitation marked on her words as she quickly thought back to their unsettling meeting they had earlier that day. Ava let out a sigh as she churned the idea of Thatty returning to Miami, yet, for some reason, she didn't feel comfortable. Kissing Auggie back as he kissed her, there was a slight pout upon her lips, "Baby, as of right now, no. It's you that is the more important one. And just.. Miami isn't a good place for you right now.. But I mean.." Silencing herself, Ava began to think again. Would it be a good idea? "What would make you happy?"

Auggie: I'm going to assume from that groan you two don't get along yet, no the house in Rhode Island, I have to figure out a way to make everyone happy so I can see my daughter more often, Av, I'm just showing her the area, I think she's dead set on somewhere nice and winter free." He wasn't going to go into detail about how Erin didn't want him keeping Raleigh for weeks at a time without her being around, that Erin had asked well before his memory came back to keep Ava away from Raleigh which wasn't fair at all but he felt at a crossroads with. "What makes me happy is being around you, wherever that is," he breathed, brushing his lips against hers a second time.

Ava: With her lips tied up in a sideways knot, Ava merely nodded her head to what Auggie had to say. Despite the disliking for Erin, Ava loved Raleigh. Absolutely adored her in fact. Maybe it was because she was part Auggie, or the fact that she was just a brilliant baby, the girl couldn't quite pinpoint it. Closing her eyes as Auggie placed his lips on her again, Ava moved her's to the rhythm of his for a few seconds before pulling away, but just barely. "Okay, okay.. I know.. I had brunch with her today and it just didn't go according to plan, but we'll work something out to make it flow," she contemplated out loud before giggling, "You can hide me in the basement when Erin comes." Lifting her hand up to flick away some of the hair that had fallen, Ava leaned forward, kissing him once more before lifting herself up to kiss his forehead. "Well, I do want you happy.."

Auggie: tried to ignore the weird feeling that settled into his gut at her admission. He wanted his family, extended and close to get along but having secret meetings and stuff without him knowing before hand wasn't really cool in his book. "I wouldn't hide you from anyone, never, we're going to figure this out." The thought had filtered into Auggie's mind, just not telling Erin about certain things so she wouldn't try to keep Raleigh away from him but it wouldn't be far, he didn't want to lie to anyone nor did he want to make Ava a dirty little secret - he had did that before, denying the truth that they were fooling around she had went along with it but after some consideration, Thatcher deemed that as fucked up and promised himself he wouldn't do that anymore. "And you do, a lot..."

Ava: Looking at him, Ava could see the way a scowl formed at her telling him that she had lunch with Erin, but a smile graced her features at him telling her he'd never hide her. For the beginning of their relationship, they were an exclusive pair - the only ones that truly knew anything were really Ava's roommates and Lily. However, through the course of events that had played out during his coma, it was as if the family just knew, at least, knew Ava's side. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You had been asleep and she was still in town, I just wanted to clear some unwanted poisonous air, y'know? But.. Ya.. You chose a stubborn woman on that one," she laughed before wrapping her arms around his neck. "Good thing I just like making you happy, huh?" Peppering kissing sporadically around his mouth before placing her lips on his, Ava smiled into it before pulling away. "So next weekend, Miami?"

Auggie: "She wasn't stubborn when it came to opening them legs... That's all I'm going to say on the matter." He didn't feel like talking about looming drama on the horizon, he was going to think positive or at least try. "Next week? Maybe, depends, can I be a grandpa this time? You can give me an old man beard," Thatcher suggested, shifting his weight around, he pretended to take a bite out of her calf muscle. "We haven't really been trying to get clean have we? At least the bubbles haven't left us yet."

Ava: laughed at Auggie's comment on Erin, and she playfully shoved his chest, or at least patted it do be more specific. "Well, look at you, someone would be absolutely mental if they said they didn't want you." Lifting her finger up and towards his face, Ava traced the outline of a mustache and a beard to go with it. "Hm.. I liked Woodstock Wa- Babe!" she laughed, jerking her leg away and causing a wave of splashes to occur. "Not Carnivore Calvin, no!" Ava exclaimed before kissing him upon his lips, laughing as she pulled away. "Oh, never. We'd have to sue the Mr. Bubble.." Taking a hold of a scoop full, Ava placed it atop of Auggie's head, continuously laughing her laugh.

Auggie: laughed, hearing the water hit the floor, "You're going to make a mess and I'm not cleaning it up!" He was going to miss the kisses too, the list was beginning to grow abnormally long of the things he'd miss once back in the hospital. "Sue him for what? Abandonment and emotional distress? I know a good lawyer who's last name isn't Crowell maybe he could help you win the case and... there's bubbles on my head isn't it?" Thatcher deadpanned, the smirk on his face giving away his true stance on things, the soapy water started running down his face and he reached out to wipe it away.

Ava: "It's water, won't it like, evaporate or something?" Ava questioned half-heartedly, not even minding that she'd have to clean up after their little bathing rendezvous. This was going to last her throughout the entirety of the time she'd be away from him, might as well go all out. "Hey, my dad and brother and better than all your lawyers combined, thank you very much. Which reminds me," she began, but stopped to dip the ends of her hair in the water and formed it into a makeshift brush, "You should meet them someday." Watching his facial expression, Ava could help but make her lips very smile and eyes overly wide before she laughed genuinely from the spectacle. "No, no, no! You're ruining my creation!" Grabbing hold of more bubbles, the girl began to form a beard upon his face, doing her best not to laugh.

Auggie: "Um, who said it was my lawyer? I just said I knew one, you're bias, clearly..." Did he want to meet her dad and brother? That was a huge, step, she had already met his brothers and he was sure she spoke to family at the wedding but this was different, meeting the family was a sign of commitment, that things were at a place were the relationship could either break or become more permanent. "I want a real beard," Thatcher sighed wistfully, pouting at the girl. He didn't know if he was ready to meet the Crowell men but he wouldn't write it off completely.

Ava: Rolling her eyes and forming her facials expressions into that of a theatrical one, Ava huffed at his statement. "Clearly, but eh. I can give your lawyers a shot.. My dad might go all Mushu on me, 'Dishonour on you! Dishonor on your cow!'" she said, reenacting the red dragon from Disney, but then laughed to show that she was only teasing. After Ava gathered the bubbles and layered them upon Auggie, she let out a chuckle as she stared at her masterpiece. "Well, I only see peach fuzz on you, so.. These bubbles will have to do until you become a manly man."

Auggie: "They've done a lot of cases against Mr.Bubble, that's all," he futher explained, hands finding her sides partially underwater. "A beard is the true mark of a man, I feel incomplete without one," he complained. "Don't waste all the bubbles on my account now, it won't help you win the case." He blinked water still running down his face out of his eyes. "Everyone at the hospital will think I smell like a pie..."

Ava: couldn't help but watch Augustus - merely take in his actions, hear his voice. It caused a smile to erupt upon her face, but not one that would normally be place upon her tiers, no. This smile held an entity all it's own. Her nose was slightly scrunched, as were her eyes, but her lips were graced with a calm to them - natural. With the tips of her fingers, Ava began to scoop away the excess bubbles, clearing them away from Thatcher's face. Finally, when his face was rid from them, she looked at him, studying him. "Well, having a woman all to yourself is the mark of a man in.. Sweden," Ava said, pulling a country out of random, "And you should feel complete with one.. Besides.. I think you're pretty close to perfect without with." Letting a giggle rumble in her chest, Ava began to impersonate the sound Hannibal Lector did in Cannibal before taking the tip of Auggie's nose gently between her teeth. "I'm going to eat you."

Auggie: grinned at Ava, chortling, "Sweden? Really? Okay, so I'm a true man in a different country, I can work with that." He scrunched his face up, trying to focus his eyes on her biting his nose, "Are you going to eat me with fava beans and a nice Chianti, Ava? Or peas and a cold Dr. Pepper?"

Ava: "You know, the Swedish are ranked the most generous out of all countries?" Ava stated matter-of-factly before bringing her hand below the water and dragging her index finger across Auggie's stomach. "Hmm.. It's a tough decision. Plus, I mean, bowels in, bowels out?" A sigh of exasperation hissed through Ava's lips as she contemplated her options, then she shrugged her shoulders, "I'll just have you as you are," and leaned towards Thatty, peppered her lips up and down his shoulders.

Auggie: "Prague has been called The New Amsterdam because of obvious reasons, if we're trading random information now," Thatcher quipped, "Bowels out, always, those are appetizers," he stated, reaching into the water for the hand towel, he collected what bubbles were left using them to wash Ava's back, "You don't want to add any seasoning at all?"

Ava: Taking in this new found information and storing it into her mind for future fun fact moments, Ava grabbed hold of the shampoo that was on the glass table she had removed before their bath and squeezing a small amount into her hand, she brought it to Thatcher's damp curls before massaging it in. "Hm.. As your mother tells you, and my mother certainly told me, it is important, she always used to say, always to try new things." Hannibal had been one of her father's favourite movies, so this was an easy job quoting from it, then again, this was Ava so.. "Well, a scoop of sugar, some cinnamon, maybe a hint of vanilla extract?" She made sure to keep all soap away from his face in the process of washing his hair, and even as he washed her back, Ava couldn't help but close her eyes due to how good it felt.

Auggie: "My mom told me to do yoga to rid myself of bad chi and to drink green tea to flush the darkness out of my body," he retorted, continuing to wash Ava's back, moving up to her shoulders. "Why can't you be normal and just use salt and pepper, why do I have to be dessert? I'd make a great dinner dish, you on the other hand, you're the dessert," Thatcher intoned, "This shampoo won't mess up my hair will it? Because I won't hesitate to shave your head in return for you ruining mine."

Ava: lifted an eyebrow at the description of the Reeves' mother's advice. "You know, your parents remind me of Rhiannon's mom from Easy A.." she speculated aloud. A weak giggle made way as Auggie brought his movements upward, her own hands going slower as her body became more and more relaxed. "Hmm.. You sure you wanna do that? You won't have any hair to grab because all of mine will be donated to charity," she countered in a mumble, her head resting upon his shoulder as he washed her.

Auggie: "I was created by pot head hippies, plain and simple," he shrugged, "Turn around so I can wash your front," he requested, reaching for the real soap to lather up in the towel. He laughed, "I'll buy you a wig for every day of the week, how's that? You'll get to have your hair different colors and cuts, true chameleon."

Ava: laughed at Auggie's bluntness as she opened her eyes and leaned forward to kiss him upon his lips. "Don't worry, I was conceived in the woods," she confessed before contemplating a game plan on how to position herself. Bringing her legs down from where they had dried from being outside the tub, Ava held a face of concentration as she pulled her right leg towards her chest before dipping it into the water and in the empty space beside Auggie's torso. Doing the same with her opposite leg, Ava then leaned back, submerging her hair into the way before pulling herself back up. Flicking the drenched hair off her shoulder, the girl readied her chest to be washed by Auggie. "I want a Mia Wallace wig and three ginger wigs, please."

Auggie: "In a cabin?" he asked, watching Ava maneuver herself back around,"Nooo, no ginger wigs, Do you think you'd look nice with bangs like that?" He wondered out loud as he resumed washing her, dragging the soapy towel across her chest, proud of himself for not making it more than what it was. "I was thinking about leaving you with just a 'hawk or something."

Ava: 's face screwed into a distorted face as she heard Auggie's answer to her wanting for a ginger wig. "Yes!" she exclaimed with a pout before turning her gaze down and lifting one hand out of the water to begin walking her fingers up his chest. "Eh, wouldn't hurt to try, then we could have dance competitions and drink five dollar shakes." As Thatcher continued to clean her chest, Ava perked her chest forward, a smile pulling across her lips. "Definitely, I'll be the next Miley Cyrus," she mused before grabbing hold of his shoulders and pulling him towards her. "Here, let be baptize you to get the soup out of your hair."

Auggie: "Just don't overdose on me and we'll be fine." Was it too soon to make jokes about it yet? Oh well. If anyone could make light of the situation, it could be them. He dropped the towel and leaned forward so she would wash the shampoo out of his hair, "Don't get it in my eyes, I'm no use to you blind."

Ava: The look upon Ava's face became vacant as Auggie joked about what occurred in Mia's segment, however, she kept the smile upon her face alive. "Nope, you've already marked that off the bucket list of intensities," she said, leaning forward to peck her lips upon his forehead. "Plus, I'd probably being boring in a coma. Like a slug." Reaching outside the tub, Ava grabbed hold of the silver cup she had for rinsing hair and filled it before placing her pinkie upon Thatcher's forehead. "Lean back before the Avazing power of Crowell," she giggled.

Auggie: closed his eyes. "When's your spring break? I owe you a trip to Fuji." He didn't want her taking anymore time off from school, he didn't like messing with her education. "Or we can go back to Little Compton, or both," he suggested.

Ava: Pouring the water upon his damp curls whilst holding the back of his neck, Ava thought about exactly what she would do for Spring Break. Of course, she was going to spend it with Auggie, there was no doubt about it. But that didn't mean she knew exactly what. Over the recent span of events, she had also been thinking on what she would do with school, what with the catering business skyrocketing as well as the classes that were near wrapping up. But now, with Auggie being the sole thing that matter to her - and she didn't mind sharing that - Ava had been thinking about whether or not she should continue in Miami. "Why not both?" she questioned simply. Holding his head in the water, Ava looked down upon his face as she thought. "Actually.. I was thinking about changing things next semester.."

Auggie: opened one eye slowly, and then opened his other eye, looking up at Ava he smiled, reaching up to pinch her nose with a wet hand. "I can do both," he replied, "New York has ruined my tan," he pouted, a look of curiosity appearing on his features he waited for her to continue her statement, "Changing what?"

Ava: scrunched her nose as Auggie's wet fingers pinched it, a smile upon her face before she broke into a laugher. "Hey," she said, drawing out the word, "I heard albino was in. So grunge of you." Waiting a minute to process her thoughts, Ava let one of her hands trace Auggie's hairline before trailing down to his eyebrows. "I'm thinking Miami's had it's run," she spoke hesitantly before forming her lips into a straight line. "Like, yes, everything I'm doing is there, but I just.. You're in L.C. and I prefer New York way more.. I dunno.."

Auggie: "Albino is never in, someone lied to you," he laughed. "I'm soft grunge, I'll admit that." Huh? Really? Auggie didn't know how to process that. "So what does that mean? You're moving back here? I won't have an excuse to go back now..." He had a lot of reasons to go back to Miami, but he also had a lot of reasons to stay out of Florida all together. "What about school? What about work?"

Ava: "Oh, hold up, let me get a soft backdrop of a foggy beach for you," Ava giggled. "Maybe scrape your knee, blow smoke out of your mouth." The scowl of Auggie's brow told her that he was processing the information, yet, even then she felt uneasiness. For what reason, Ava didn't know. Putting a smile upon her face, she raked her thin fingers through Thatcher's hair in a soothing manner. "It's just change, go with the flow of things. That's if I do move, because I mean.. I'll be honest. I'll be closer to you. You know? And it doesn't have to be New York... Just.." Ava's lips pinched together and screwed to the left of her face as she quieted herself, simply staring at him. This was why she felt unsettled, because she didn't know how he'd react.

Auggie: "Where do you want to be? And be honest with me, I don't know how I feel about you not in Florida anymore because it's.. It's Florida, it's where we met, it's where I lived for twenty years, sometimes being up in the woods, it's surreal because I'm so used to Florida, I'm saying the word Florida too much but the bottom line is you need to do what makes you happy, not what makes me happy, I'm selfish I know but I don't want you disrupting your work and school..." he let the part where he felt like he didn't deserve it hang in the air as he sighed.

Ava: looked down upon Auggie, churning her thoughts over to what he was saying to her. It was true, Florida did have a grand impact on the both of them. However, with that being said, look at where they were now. In New York. Where had he nearly broken her? In California. Where had she figured out she loved him? In Rhode Island. Quickly, Ava thought about her parents, how they held the same streak of momentous destinations yet went with where life took them. "It's not being selfish, or you impersonating Nicki Minaj, repeating the same thing and calling it rap.." Ava began, pulling Auggie up out of the water and motioning for him to face her. "Like I said, I love you. And you shouldn't be apart from the person that your mind can't go more then five seconds without thinking about them. You make me happy, Thatcher. You're my home, remember? Heck, I'd even go rich again if that meant being closer to you," she laughed at the end, gathering herself before sighing. "I'll learn to go with the flow of wherever I am, as long as I've got you."

Auggie: "Okay first of all, Nicki Minaj is one of the best female rappers in the game right now, don't play, I will defend her to the end," he sat up, turning to face Ava, pushing his hair back so he wouldn't get water in his eyes. Ava had good reasons to leave, he had grown to need her presence constant as well but he was so used to getting everything he wanted but nothing he needed, he needed her but he was already switching to the mindset that they would spend the rest of their lives hopping on planes to visit each other for weekends at a time. "I guess I'm going to be corny and say follow your heart... You've got your mind made up for the most part."

Ava: stared at Auggie with wide eyes at discovering this new found information about his liking for Nicki Minaj. "Her butt is too much butt," she whispered in a fearful tone before a smile beamed across her face. Her small face grew serious as she created miniature waves with her hands before plunging them within the water and tracing the outlines of Auggie's knuckles. "I guess I'm going to be corny and say my heart follows your heart.. I'm respecting your boundaries, because if it were up to me, I would make a nice little treehouse in the woods by your house and live there. Throw parties for the squirrels," Ava sighed a laugh before looking up at Thatcher, taking in his features before continuing. "It's like my mind goes crazy and being away from you for a week drove me all popcorn in a microwave, y'know? I just need you close by, I'll feel less.. Froggy."

“I’m happy.”

“She’s the one.”

“I’m so at peace with myself and my demons.”

All lies, utter bullshit. Not even Auggie can escape the idealistic notion that falling love and forging a life with another human can make you a superior being. He’s Auggie Reeves, dammit – the fucker was born superior. He let himself grow yielding and pliant and everything he told himself he would never do.

Sober mind – sober thoughts.

Except the thoughts weren’t real, they were manufactured propaganda he let himself comprehend to get everyone off his back, it’s been a game since day one, when did Auggie lose his dice and place on the playing field? When did he believe that he’s honestly someone that does things the normal way? The one percent isn’t normal. Swathed in opulence and a chemical imbalance encompassing his mind, he didn’t think his life would end up here. Auggie is bored, Auggie is miserable. It was never a lie:  Augustus Thatcher Reeves is full blown human now, with genuine emotions and feelings, he cares about people. Auggie does care about people, he cares about the people closest to him on a basic scale but he will always care about himself the most. That’s why his hands don’t shake anymore and he never sleeps, the aches are gone, the residual ache that racked his body something of a sick memory. It’s safe to say he threw the wagon out of the equation.

Taking these familiar steps to a familiar door isn’t unnerving, there’s a sick comfort knowing she’ll always be somewhere within reach, maybe he has to take plane or drive a car but she’ll always be at the end. That’s loyalty on an infinite level. Auggie didn’t kiss Hana on the cheek before he left, nor did he pack a bag – he’ll figure it out when he needs to. The only thing on his mind is Ava, every time he reflects on the last time he saw her he wants to vomit. It wasn’t him, it wasn’t him and he’s never shown her a façade, he wants to apologize, he wants clarity, he wants to rip the ink off of his ring finger and tell her it was just a joke – a sick joke that he’ll never pull on her again. She’s always been understanding, broad minded, they can laugh it off and pretend it never happened.

The first time Auggie tried to stop using was when Fletcher got caught and sent to rehab. No one knew Auggie used, no one knew Auggie was at the party that got busted by the cops at ultimately knocked Fletcher down to low status he was at when he died. And the fact would die with Auggie. Not wanting his dirty little habit discovered he stopped cold turkey – and ended up consuming a lot of turkey. It was comical to the rest of his family, the random and sudden boost in his appetite but Augustus hated it, he hated how there wasn’t enough cookies or candy or pizza or sandwiches in the world to replace the high his body had grew accustomed to. But the sake of his own sanity he tried – and failed. He couldn’t sleep or he slept too much, the paranoia, the depression, he hadn’t realized how dependent he was until it was gone and it was like his body was sent into frenzy. He decided he wasn’t going to stop again – just to be more careful so he wouldn’t end up like Fletcher.

The second time Auggie tried to stop using, it almost worked, he shut himself off away from everyone except for Jules and ate a lot of food, cleaned his boat, but then Jules got drunk and bought him a gram of cocaine and he snorted it off her perfectly tan stomach and ruined five days of sobriety but Auggie thought it was worth it back then. He was so into Juliette, so under her spell he was blind, blind to everything else but her and them and the drugs and just – it didn’t work out, he ended up back at his six lines a day to keep him alert.

The third time he tried, it worked for the most part, it was a new town, he didn’t want Elliot sending things in the air and didn’t want to ask around for dealers, plus he wanted a fresh start, couldn’t do that high out of his mind with no one to party with. But then Ava came and it was fun, she was fun. Thatcher always felt this weird sense of clarity around the bubbly brunette, the air felt fresher, he felt lighter. It was the easiest two weeks of his life and the best birthday ever. But then he went back to Florida and it all went to shit, if he didn’t slip, if he didn’t seize up, everything would have fallen into place.

It wasn’t like the hospital was chomping at the bit to give him pain medication, he just needed anything, something to take the edge off, and it was affecting his recovery more than he let on, all those binges when he didn’t sleep for days? Coming back to bite him in the ass, he was so tired, he knew the worse was over but he still hated every second, bad enough he couldn’t get some type of personal chef and was stuck eating the nasty ass hospital food – it wasn’t enough, his appetite growing with a vengeance he was constantly hungry when he wasn’t sleeping or doing his physical therapy.

Thatcher knew he gave off… Vibes ever since he was a kid people just knew there was something off about him and he confirmed it when he would shove other kid’s faces in the dirt without apologizing at all for his actions and as he got older his unapologetic behavior just continued which should have been a red flag – people called Auggie crazy all the time, he was an intense guy but he liked it, he liked seeing the fear, the uncertainty and, the combination of the two people’s eyes when he was in the room but Ava… Ava, Ava, Ava. Auggie didn’t know what he was doing – she was a part of the catering team that was supposed to be it – he was running the show Lily and Dallas were just the people getting married it was Thatcher’s project and he wanted everyone to know he was in control and yeah – he wanted some people to cower and skit around him on tippy toes but Ava? She wasn’t scared; she looked him directly in the eyes she was always smiling and it was fucking weird – but he liked it?

He had gotten so used to getting off on the power and control, the best sex he ever had with Jules was when he choked her out first beforehand, maybe it was a sign? Because even though he was fifty percent sure she was on uppers or something (no one is always that happy) Thatcher actually enjoyed himself around her, her presence, her optimism and her pretty perfect mouth whatever it was – it worked on him and he found himself hooked – but she was just another distraction from the inevitable truth.

Elena didn’t really have much girl time any more; people were always busy or she was always busy but it didn’t stop her from missing it. Of course she had her hands full with Sassy, Jeremy and Damon but she knew that putting that aside she had to get herself out into the world again. She needed female company from time to time and Ava’s suggestion was too good to miss out on and therefore she found herself texting Ava with a grin on her face. It didn’t particularly take long for Elena to get ready because she wasn’t really the type of person to dose herself in makeup or fuss with her hair. Of course; it being girl time she made an effort but the natural look still flashed through her features as she checked herself over in the mirror one last time. It was good enough for her as she bent down to pick up Sassy who was playing at her feet, “yep; you are being left with the boys because I can’t trust you not be on best behaviour when we get there.” Despite the fact that Elena her issues with Sassy; of course she still loved her, it was strange because she hadn’t really been much of an animal person but Sassy was definitely one of the family now as she dropped her off in Jeremy’s room. “I’m heading out, I’ll be back later.” Elena called to him as she shut the door with a satisfied smile on her face; Sassy was his problem now as she picked up the Hot Chocolate set and headed out the door.