#biteburdened

the laughing is involuntary and certainly not at vic's expense. if anything, it's out of endearment rather than amusement. the way she looks is obviously attractive—a hex girl from scooby doo, a real rocker chick—but it's also... cute. it causes tyler's heart to flip and his stomach to flutter. the laugh was simply a reaction to those feelings rather than the intent to mock her. "no, no," he quickly backtracks, reaching out his hands to takes hers. "i didn't mean to laugh. you look awesome. i promise." anyways, it's not like she's in stupid tan corduroy pants and a dumbass green v-neck. why did he agree to go as shaggy again...? "if anyone looks funny, it's me."

tyler glances at her phone screen, eyebrows furrowing with concern. he was sure he followed the directions correctly, but it seems they're being led down another course into the middle of nowhere. that's what they get for choosing an affordable airbnb instead of another motel room. "huh," he mumbles, eyes returning to the road that seems to be leading down a long path that seems to be off the grid. that could be good for him considering he's a fugitive now, but it does worry him to a degree. "should we turn around? cancel the booking?"

“i was digging your grave — do you want to watch or shall i lower you in myself?”

—

"  you  should  be  flattered  .  "  her  gaze  finally  broke  away  ;  focusing  ,  instead  ,  on  smoothing  her  skirt  out  .  “  i  don't  waste  this  level  of  scrutiny  on  people  i  plan  to  forget  .  ”

"  change  is  inevitable  .  the  only  thing  people  can  depend  on  in  this  life  is  transformations  and  death  .  "  she  finally  spoke  .  her  voice  low  like  a  hymn  hummed  at  a  stranger's  wake  .  whether  she  felt  what  fled  victoria's  system  ,  she  wouldn't  reveal  what  churned  beneath  her  coffin  lid  of  composure  .  "  you'll  need  to  be  more  specific  if  you  expect  me  to  take  your  ramblings  seriously  .  "

pulling up to the nevermore gates, tyler shifts the car into park and turns off his headlights. once he pulls his cellphone from his pocket, he shoots her a quick text: I’m here. moments pass as he waits for her to arrive, scanning the campus for any sign of her small frame. he soon sees a faint glow of blonde hair in the moonlight moving towards him at record speed. with a grin on his face, he hops out of the car and leans on the open door. “somebody’s eager,” he teases her playfully.

tyler pouts, just a little, at the idea that vic needs a hug at all. truthfully, he could use one as well, so her timing is pretty impeccable. "i can't promise broken ribs. bruised, maybe," he chuckles, wrapping his arms around her small frame and giving her a firm squeeze. "tell me if it's too much."