#desmond thread.

the initial urge to ask back 'what does it look like i'm doing' comes and goes in the blink of an eye but the way he's got his tongue halfway out should have indicated exactly what it was he was partaking in. ❝ n... othing? ❞ was all he could really say, knowing it's hardly convincing to the person who's watched him this whole time.

"what are you — how are you — i mean —" his fumbling terribly over his words, cheeks now totally flushed at the realization that his social skills have effectively been stunted due to his time in the slammer. he made friends in there, sure, but how does he speak to someone he's known practically his whole life? start by answering her question maybe. "i'm... i'm alright, yeah. free, so that's nice. and how — how are you?? god, jia, you haven't changed a bit..."

"are you sure you're great?? you seem scared of me," he laughs, immediately falling in step to how their friendship used to be as teens. doesn't blame the stuttering, really, when he's trying to control his own. suave isn't a term one usually associates desmond but now isn't really the time to fumble. accepting the hug, he's careful not to ruin the precious cargo, eyes inspecting the dress beneath. "it has! uh, technically i've never left. i guess the town is big enough not to run into each other, huh?" might as well keep the truth away from her for just a bit longer. "keeping busy?"

❝ how do you... not break your leg and stuff? ❞ his voice is quiet but with nobody else at the rink this close to closing time, he's just loud enough for his words to reach her. ❝ i've seen you around, um, sometimes. you do a lot of spins and stuff a-and go pretty fast. but you're really tiny so i guess that helps with speed? nyoom. ❞ / @cigvrettedvet

❝ he's not the one cooking — see? this is why you need an education. ❞ ironic coming from someone who never finished high school but if there was one thing he was good at it, it was disney trivia. his eyes squint at the challenge but he shakes the hand that pats him with much gusto. ❝ pft, please. remi could totally beat abu in a fight but alright. half an hour and when i win, you have to put on your instagram story that remi is the best. ❞