#ciitrustears

"don't start things you won't finish." chandler hid how flustered he was by june's words behind an eyeroll, throwing a decorative pillow from the couch in her direction. he liked to refer to himself as a victim of her flirting, the playful relationship between the two a source of amusement, he presumed. lately, it was getting to his head. "you like playing with me too much."

elias knocked before sticking their head through the dressing room door, despite how much of dove they saw on a regular basis. they shot her a smile as they stepped inside, thankful for another night finished up. "did you need a ride again tonight? you know i don't mind." the security job had been out of their comfort zone at first, but they'd quickly taken to it. it required less brain power than what they'd been doing most of their life and it came with the added benefit of being around beautiful women.

they hadn't actually spoken to each other for a while, but because they hung out in the same circles, it had been impossible not to run into her occasionally. they had done a good job of ignoring each other so far, but on this night it seemed like the room was filled with unspoken tension. aiden had found himself sitting on a counter in the kitchen, inhaling from an expertly rolled joint, when she'd come at him like an artillery squad, wielding words as weapons. the man was aware that cheating on her with her best friend had been fucked up, but they had both moved on. hadn't they? aiden assumed so, since he'd seen her wrapped around some guy at another party the previous week. despite the jealousy that had unfurled in his chest at the sight, he'd managed to leave her be. but there she was, standing in front of him like a woman on a mission. "you don't need to remind me i'm your worst fucking mistake!" he shouted in return, muscles in his neck straining at how loudly his words sounded. he'd finally had enough. people around them backed away, too drunk or high to actually care about their mutual outbursts. aiden pushed himself off the counter, moving so he pushed her against the wall with his chest against hers. "it's not like i wanted you anyway," he jabbed, "you were nothing more than a convenient way to pass the time." his words were laced with venom as he lied through his teeth, attempting to push her away enough that she'd leave him be. "so get over yourself!"

So as she passed by where he was seated with a few friends, he stabbed out his cigarette in the nearest ashtray and grabbed her hips, smirking at her surprise. When she grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands away, Milo nearly groaned at the feeling of her nails digging into his skin. "Just me, love," he cooed before yanking her forward by the hold she had on him and dragging her onto his lap. "There she is." He twisted one hand free and settled Charlie's legs on either side of his hips, running his free hand up her thigh and then back over the curve of her ass. His fingers pressed in. There was no regard for the fact that there were plenty nearby to see as he pressed her closer and lifted his hips into her with a hiss. It wasn't as if anyone would care, and these were his people, not hers. Nobody who mattered to her would see. "Wasn't sure you'd come. Did you miss me?"

she was simply gorgeous like this. sprawled out on their bed, not a single stitch of clothing, book in her hands, and not a care in the world. just whatever fictional one she was so thoroughly immersed in. dante's fingertips trail down the expanse of her bare back, smoothing over her skin. the computer in his lap where he had been working was long forgotten, attention fully focused on admiring her. the touch of his hand follows the line of sunlight on her skin, all the way down to her ass. it's not sexual, by any means; just admiring the woman he adores so thoroughly. he gives her ass a light squeeze before rubbing up her back gradually again. dante glances up at her finally, noticing her eyes move over to him. he gives her a gentle smile. "how's the book?"

these suburban people were wild. not literally—they were the tamest people azra had ever met in her whole life. but she thought everything in the movies was a myth: the barbeques, block parties, pool parties, the sense that a street was like a really large family. but there she was, in someone else's backyard while the grill was fired up and children was screeching in the pool. the only thing that made it more surreal was the ring on her finger and being married to them—a complete stranger until a couple months ago. and yet, after a long afternoon of being out in the sun and being bombarded with questions about them, their marriage, and their life, azra was desperately trying to get across the backyard to them for a moment of reprieve. with one hand on their shoulder, she settled in their lap as if she had done it a million times before. azra gives them a smile that she hopes is interpreted as being in love. "these people," she says through her smile, gaze roaming around the yard, "are crazy."

His head shot up when he heard the front door open, lips stretching into a manic grin because they were finally going to see his gift. With one last look at the tongue, he tucked away a few rogue strands of ragged flesh so he could close the box before disappearing around the corner. Enough to be out of sight but not too far to miss their reaction. Fuck, he couldn't wait to see it.

Until it all came crashing down. She'd just stepped to the back to check her phone, pulling open her locker to reveal a familiar sight. For a few moments, she couldn't do anything but stare at the white envelope. Her stomach turned. They'd been in here. Whoever wouldn't leave her alone had been in the club, had gotten past the employees only door. Just like that, her sanctuary was gone. "Fuck no," Theo blurted before turning and bolting towards the back door. Leaving in the middle of a shift wasn't going to do her any favors with her boss, but she didn't care. They were here, and she couldn't be. She didn't know where she was going to go as she flung the door open and escaped into the back alley. Her home had been stolen by the looming presence following after her. But if she could just get to her car, she could drive. Far away. Far enough that they could never watch her again.