petals for armor

Hunter Schafer as Hilda MOTHER MARY [2026]

her words, anyway, make len feel terrible, like she's taken advantage of something she herself has had for years and years. "george, it's gonna be so easy to have your back. you can't lose your humanity in this industry. if we don't have each other's backs, what's the point in being in all of this together?"

@dvstbvnnies

he opens his eyes, throat bobbing, and he almost smiles at what he says; he doesn't, but his mouth twitches like he wants to. fuck him, aksel says like it's the easiest thing in the world. i'll stay, like that's even easier. regan's head rolls, eyes half-lidded, peering up at him, soft and so... grateful, but confused. "...i'd rather it be you with me, honestly." maybe the pain meds are kicking in, maybe he's out of his mind for saying it, but it is what he's really thinking. "i don't know if he's coming. i don't think i care."

he'd meant to pull away, once regan's breathing had calmed. but how can he when regan had gripped his hand so desperately? how can he when it feels so good to have his fingers in his hair again? so aksel stays, breath steady and even, swallowing all the insults he has for regan's boyfriend. "i am glad it was me. and not him." it feels like too much, but it's true. "if he does show up, i am going to tell him that he is a piece of shit. will you care about that?" aksel quirks a half smile—a little joke, a moment of levity to hopefully distract regan from everything that's gone wrong tonight.

“Oh? I had no idea you also worked as a personal driver.” The joke is dumb and rings hollow even in her own ears but if she doesn’t do something to dispel the awkwardness, Tatum might actually explode. As silly as it is looking back, she used to revel in the spotlight, had enjoyed it when people gossiped about her because it made her feel important in a way. Even that is gone now, replaced by the desire to be left alone, to remain unseen and unknown. But that’s not possible for her, not really, so secrecy is the next best option. Precisely why Brody’s suggestion soothes her a little some of her resolve crumbling. And he does look awfully inviting, all messy-haired and probably very nice to cuddle with. “I mean I don’t have any plans or anything for tomorrow so I guess I could… if you’re really sure you want me to stay?”

"I can be. For pretty girls." It's instinct to flirt back, thoughtless the way breathing is, even if they're both cringing at their attempts to clear the awkward tension that looms between them. He never should have said anything. Brody should have let her leave, just like everyone else. "I'm not trying to, like, force you to stay," he says quietly, getting up and pulling on his boxers with eyes cast down. "It's fine if you don't wanna talk to me when we're not fucking. I just thought I'd....... offer."

i hate them so much / i don’t like them / i don’t trust them / they annoy me / they’re weird / I’m indifferent / meh / they seem alright / they’re growing on me / truce / I think I like them / I like them / I’m not sure if I trust them / I trust them / they’re cool / they’re genuine / I think we’re going to get along / I really like them / I think I’m in love / oh fuck they’re hot / I love them.

"why are you looking at me like that - like like.. i said something crazy." kenzie says to the other her voice growing softer the longer she feels the gaze of them on her. "would it really be such a bad thing if i had feelings towards you?" she asked them brows knitting together feeling smaller as each moment passes. like she made a huge mistake by saying something like this. "i just .. " she sighs and shakes her head. "forget i said anything 'kay?"

daehyun doesn't even realize he's looking at kenzie in any type of way until she points it out. he barely realizes how long it's been since she spoke, head simply spinning from what she'd said. "no! no, it wouldn't be bad at all. i'm sorry, i'm just...... surprised." dae's mind is running double time, going back through every interaction the two of them have had, looking for any hint he might have missed. he's always been like this, a little clueless when it comes to romance no matter how much he wants it. "i don't wanna forget, kenzie." he steps a little closer to her, fidgeting anxiously with his keychain. "i just feel kinda..... stupid for missing it, i guess. for never noticing."

@thelonelymvse

lily just nods, listening attentively, grateful that there's no one else in the store. "you have. you've told me a lot about it. your favorite horse is petunia even though you feel a little guilty about having a favorite when you should love them all equally." it's one of lily's favorite things about elowyn—how much love she has to give. she gently pushes the lamp back to her. "you should buy it. i don't have room for it. and it would make you happier." it's not really lily's style. it only makes her happy because she thinks of elowyn every time she sees it.

"dump him," kelsey says suddenly, his teeth grit, throat strained from how hard he's trying not to growl; which he doesn't, but it's close. he's facing them suddenly, a hand on their shoulder, his eyes as intense as they are wild. he's had enough of listening, of bearing witness of this trainwreck of a relationship, of picking up the pieces — and he's really had enough of the phrases he's not that bad, you don't understand him, and kelsey, that's not legal. "you have to dump him or if i have to kill him. do you understand? he did what? run that by me one more time. one more time."

finch flicks ash from the end of her cigarette. “it’s fiiiine. we never said we were exclusive.” they’d never said they weren’t, either. “she’s hot. i would have fucked her too if she weren’t straight.” no, she wouldn’t have. unlike some people, finch doesn’t go around assuming relationships are open until told otherwise. not that it was much of a relationship—dinner dates and club nights and lots of sex and not much else. it’s fine. it doesn’t matter. finch doesn’t care. there’s no sadness in her eyes when she tries to glare at kelsey. “kels, you cannot kill him. you’ll go to jail again and then i’ll have to sneak into jail to kill you and then i’ll go to jail for real.”