Hook

“see, you still fucking got it,” slipped out his mouth while spotted his gym buddy. the entire night he had been giving Hook shit. absolute shit. all in a good spirit and mostly just to get him to shake off whatever the fuck he had going on in his head. Manu didn’t pretend to understand everything that went through the fellow elder vk’s head, but he knew it had to be something. he was, after all, hanging out with two women that definitely seemed like they were also hanging out together. he could only imagine the shit he had to think about on a daily basis. on top of living a fucking life. relationships were weird things. 

taking the bar and setting it up as Hook took a breath, he leaned against the warm metal. “seriously, you could still knock a guy and i feel like that is some solace you should take from it all.” of course this latest venture of them working out together had been because he poked him over losing in the first round of the fights to fucking Gaston of all people. Manu knew he had a good right hook but it wasn’t enough. of course, the other elder decided it was because of being emotionally compromised and Manu still wasn’t.. sure about that. “maybe you could find Josh and knock his ass out for good measure. i happen to know where he is staying as of late.” was added with a chuckle. he didn’t expect the other man to actually go for it. made it easier to joke about. @thejhook​

Hook rolled his eyes as he took a drink from his water bottle. He’d been hearing it all night from the other man. Not that it completely bothered him, but it was definitely getting annoying. “I already told you, I had shit on my mind during my fight. Or I would have knocked Gaston the fuck out.” he grumbled a little. To be honest, Hook still didn’t remember much about the fight. He had been so wrapped up in his worry for Willow he wasn’t focused. Which was never a good way to go when someone was trying to fight you. Shaking his head he set his water bottle back down on the ground. “Not all of us can be in such prime fighter headspace all the time.” there was sarcasm laced in every word that fell past his lips. “But you have to admit,” he rolled his shoulders a little as he spoke. “We are getting a bit old for pit fights.” 

pushing a stray curl behind her ear, Cleo made her way up to Hook’s apartment. it seemed like ages since she had been there. maybe it had been. since before fight night at least. after fight night she had found herself wanting to hide from people. it took a conversation with Willow that had really drilled in the urge. disappearing from everything for nearly two weeks before finishing up her exams before the break and then disappearing again was normal right? totally damn normal. she hadn’t made plans with anyone like she normally would. just quietly got her life back into some semblance of order. well, all of her clothes were clean and her apartment was semi organized once again. that was something anyway. 

sans her signature heels, she knocked on his door softly. one his shirts laid over her arm as she waited. of course, there was the other shirt of his that she had on her body with her dark wash jeans and burgundy velvet jacket on her body. at least he could have one back. hearing a come in, she did as she was invited. standing there for a minute, looking over the familiar place a smile tugged at her lips. she had missed him. seeing his familiar face coming towards her, she could feel a sigh easing the tension of her body. shit, she had really missed him. “hey,” she offered softly moving into the place and closing the door behind. per usual he moved to wrap his arms around her and she didn’t put up a fight. 

the hug turned into a soft greeting of a kiss and she melted into the affection before just looking up at his slightly taller form. “missed you.” @thejhook​

Hook couldn’t tell you the last time he’d actually seen Cleo. They’d talked a bit over text. But he was always working and she had her own shit going on. So when the women walked into his apartment he couldn’t help but smile. He also didn’t waste any time in getting up and crossing the room to pull her into an embrace. His whole body seemed to relax instantly as he held her. “Miss you too.” he offered, lifting his hand to brush his fingers against her cheek affectionately. Though his brow wrinkled a bit as he looked her over. “Are you wearing my shirt?” there was a chuckle laced around his words as he asked. 

Loosening his arms a bit he slightly stepped back. “that is definitely my shirt,” was added with a shake of his head. “Are you trying to start a new trend, or just stealing my hard-earned clothing?” it was very apparent that he was teasing her. He personally liked how she looked in his clothing. He’d figured that out a long time ago. But he figured that was normal for most men. 

Weren’t fancy schools supposed to have planetariums?

It was the one question running through Elle’s mind repeatedly as she trudged out to the docks, attempting to move as far away from the lights of Auradon University as possible so that she could actually do her homework. On a Friday night. Outside. In the cold.

But it was fine. All good. She’d made sure to layer up and had brought a blanket so she wouldn’t be straight up laying on the ground as she noted in her little journal everything she was supposed to be looking out for. It felt a little remedial to her, like the school hadn’t truly believed that she probably could have tested out of her Astronomy 101 class, but she also hadn’t shared with them that for the longest time the stars had been her only friends, so…

Again. Totally fine.

Reaching for her journal once she’d reached the place she intended on claiming for the night, Elle didn’t realize that she’d gotten decently used to the near silence (minus the sound of the water) until she jumped at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Oh!” she called out as she took a few steps further out to see if she could spot who it was. “I-sorry. I can leave if you need me to.”

If anyone would have told Hook that his adult job would be tied to security he’d probably have laughed at them. But that was exactly what he was doing. Tonight's gig happened to involve making rounds at the docks. He didn’t really mind it much. Being by the water was a nice change of pace and it was a pretty chill night. Not that Auradon was buzzing with an abundance of crime. Rolling his shoulders he adjusted the flashlight in his hand as he walked along his usual path. Noticing a figure up ahead he let out a sigh. He had been hoping he would just have to walk around in silence all night. 

It seemed he person noticed him just as he noticed them. “You don’t need to leave,” He shifted the light of his flashlight so he didn’t blind the person as he spoke. “I just need to know what you’re doing out here if you're not breaking any laws you can carry on,” he asked. His eyes taking note of the notebook in her hand. Her face was familiar, but for the light of him he couldn’t conjure up a name. 

When Willow saw the mysterious package outside her door, it didn’t take long to figure out who it was from. Aside from the fact that there was only so many people that would leave clothes for her, Willow had worn Cleo’s designs long enough that she was able to detect her handy work. For a moment, she considered sending the girl a thank you text, but decided against it. She had too much pride. She could admit though, that Cleo knew what the hell she was doing. The costume fit her perfectly, the maroon leather pants made her legs look incredible and the tight bodice was accentuating her curve. And it was definitely gaining some interest from those at the Snuggly Duckling tonight. Turning to look at Hook, she crossed her legs and leaned towards him. “Need a first mate?” She joked, a glint in her eyes. Not one of mischief, one that said she had been drinking since noon. It was kind of what she’d been doing lately, to help heal. Or self medicate. @thejhook​

After getting Cori all settled in for her set Hook took some time to mingle. Which really meant he got himself a drink and found his favorite fairy. He could tell by the slight flush of her cheeks that she was definitely a few drinks in. He was going to have to catch up. Eyeing her as she leaned forward, making not of just how well her costume fit her he grinned. “With an outfit like that how and I say no.” he brought the bottle of beer to his lips. as he leaned back in his chair. “You’d make a good pirate and you’d definitely keep the captain happy,” there was a flirty tone laced in every word. He knew that she’d been having a hard time lately. But he figured if he just carried on like they usually did, it would be better for her. He just wanted to keep her smiling. He’d seen her cry far to much lately.

cori and hook had a deal: hook always came to her gigs, helped her lug around some speakers, offered her someone sane to talk to amongst the hordes of the inebriated and the brainless– and cori made sure he actually left his residence and blew off some steam every once in awhile. the deal was kind of heavily in cori’s favor, but nonetheless, cori had yet another gig and hook was there again. halloween reminded her of home in a kind of way, the same way pet store puppies reminded one of feral wolves. still, she was nostalgic all the same, proud of the themed set she’d put together last minute, and kinda high, and that translated to exuberance as she spotted hook through the bar’s dim lighting. “welcome!” she greeted him with arms outstretched, throwing an arm around him once she got close enough. “i’m not sure what else you could’ve gotten up to tonight, but thank you for coming.” she withdrew her arm, never exactly touchy-feely, and scoffed as the motion sent a black feather tumbling to the floor. she was going to be molting all night. “do you like my costume?” @thejhook​

Halloween wasn’t really all that important to Hook. Then again he wasn’t really a holiday kind of guy. But he wouldn’t pass up a chance to help out Cori. If she needed him to help her set up then he’d be there. It also didn’t hurt that he could have a few drinks while he was at it. A smiled lipped on to his lips when he finally spotted her. He easily accepted the hug, she was one of the few people he let that close. “I would have probably just got drunk at home.” was offered honestly. “But you know I’d never miss a Cori gig, so here I am being social and ready to carry heavy things.” he chuckled lightly his eyes watched as feathers dropped to the ground. He narrowed his eyes for a moment before speaking in a playful tone. “Goth Chicken is a very interesting look on you.” a grin curled at the corners of his lips. 

TATIANA: Her fucking wings came undone during the fight, she knew the possibilities coming in but my goal coming into the ring wasn't to do that. It just happened. I know what I fucking did, what's done is done, so......?

TATIANA: I'm Tatiana FUCKING Beaufort. That's who I am, that's who I'll always be. I could waste my time trying to "become better" or "be good" but at the end of the day, it's a waste of my fucking time and breath around here obviously.

HOOK: Get the fuck over yourself. No one here give a fuck who you are. You may have been hot shit on the isle but here your just another Kid from the slums. And at this rate that's all your ever going to be. Some bitter bitchy little girl whose desperate to live up to mommy's shadow.

TATIANA: Great, here comes the guard dog. Look, it's not my fault she didn't bind her wings right. A fight is a fight.

TATIANA: Damn fucking right, why would you think I want the Isle taken out of me. Unlike MOST of our fellow VK's, I don't forget who I am and where I came from.

HOOK: You bet your ass I'm going to have shit to say. No tati it was a vendetta that led to that shit not it just being a fight. You could have just knocked her ass out not permanently maim her. Do you have any fucking idea what you did. She cant fix that. At least your fucking arm would heal.

HOOK: I just want you to know that if you weren't horribly important to Cleo. I would happily break your arm the way you broke Willow's wings.

Willow: What are we doing? Stealing some shit?

Willow: And I fucking feel that. I'm like two steps away from quitting Tiana's. These kids are assholes who really like to poke fun at the faerie who can't fly.

Willow: If half my income didn't depend on them I would punch em in the face.

Hook: At this point I will take any form of crime.

Hook: I can come down and rough them up a bit. My make me feel better. lol

CLEO: you're a sap..

CLEO: but it just so happens that i had an opening shift.

CLEO: did you have anything in mind?

HOOK: You love it.

HOOK: What are you doing tonight?

HOOK: Are you working?

Hook: Is it to late to go down the career criminal path.

smiling softly she watched how he played along until Aurèlie left the two of them alone. as she expected his attention turned to the real matter at hand. “i saw her.” she started with a soft sigh. the softness of her face betraying how the conversation had went she was sure. she was used to dealing with people that had a lot of emotions. that could sometimes boil over but she knew what to do when they did. with Willow she didn’t. she was at a loss. “she didn’t really want to see me which, makes sense.” it was her best friend that took something so precious it couldn’t be put back together. “but i bet you would be a face she appreciates. after she yelled and then gives in to the comfort that she needs because even she does.” Cleo rambled for a moment before taking his hand. “i just wanted to make sure you were okay too. but obviously, you need to check on her.”

He wasn’t surprised when Cleo spoke. Honestly, he was surprised the place wasn’t on fire yet. Given how upset Willow was. He offered a little nod. Not really having much to say on the matter. Though he smiled when she took his hand. Giving her a little tug, Hook pulled the girl into his lap. His arms wrapping around her as he spoke. “I appreciate you coming to check on me.” there was a softness to his voice. He was tired from the fight and worried about Willow. “I’ll go check on her in a minute. I wanna be right here for now..” he closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against her arm. “I’m getting too old for this shit.” left his lips with a sigh.