// tithemi. //

[ ✪ ] our muses are stuck in an elevator together.

@toddwilson

“I don’t like this.” Abi muttered turning to look at the male. Of course they had to be stuck in the only lift in Asphodel Meadow’s to get stuck. The once-goddess didn’t like feeling trapped, confined.  It was one of her main anxiety stresser’s - though she would never admit it. “How long has it been now?”

Teddy glanced down at his watch with a groan, his back sliding down the wall until he hit the floor. All he was trying to do was make a quick getaway from a one night stand after Valentine’s day, but now of course the elevator was stuck. He looked up at Abi, ❝ Like an hour, I think ?? The guy on the phone said he’d be about two hours, so hopefully we’re half way. ❞

The security guard shoved Teddy out of the door with an unnecessary amount of force, causing him to almost immediately fall to the ground outside of the club. He flipped them off weakly; he’d had so much to drink and taken one too many hits to be able to walk properly anyway, why did they have to be so forceful ?? He groaned, already feeling his eye starting to swell shut and his knuckles beginning to burn like fire. Trying to stand, he made it a few steps before he stumbled and collapsed at someone’s feet.  ❝ You, uh...don’t happen to be an Uber driver, do you ?? ❞

Teddy didn’t usually have a problem with Zain, in fact the opposite was true. He was one of Teddy’s most capable clients and therefore one of the most interesting to train. But now, outside of the professional setting of the gym, Teddy seethed with anger when he saw the man trying to chat up a girl he had romantic history with, even after he’d told him to back off. Ever the possessive jackass, Teddy stormed over towards them and pushed Zain roughly against the bar. ❝ I won’t ask you again, pal, ❞ He practically spat out through gritted teeth,  ❝ Back. Off. ❞

Teddy had only been sleeping for an hour or two when a knock at the door awoke him. He sat up in bed, bleary eyed and confused until he heard his dogs start barking, a telltale sign that there was definitely someone on his doorstep. Not even bothering to get dressed, he padded out into the hallway in just his boxers; surprise was evident on his face when he opened the door to see Alex, but it was quickly replaced with a smirk, ❝ Couldn’t sleep all alone without me, hey ?? I’m flattered. ❞

Preston pulled his back his arm the minute Teddy started to shove him off, unamused by how angry his friend got so quickly. “Girls don’t really go for guys with temper problems, do they?” Watching the girl retreat (probably to go gossip about this encounter with her friends), he shook his head. “You just love to twist the story, don’t you? All you want to do is pin something on me so you don’t feel like such a sleaze for cheating on Amy…and whoever else you’ve stepped out on.” Tossing his head back, he looked exasperated up at the stars. “You’re never going to learn, are you?”

❝ They don’t exactly swoon over hypocrites with hero complexes either, but here we are. ❞ Teddy stepped back out out of Preston’s personal space, trying to hold himself back from taking a swing at him. The alcohol coursing through his system was heightening every emotion, his anger brimming to the surface faster than it would if he were sober. ❝ Nah, unlike you I’m not so insecure that I need to bring others down to feel better. ❞ It was ironic, considering that he had done just that throughout High School; but bullying was one of the few things he’d grown out of, so he felt comfortable taking the moral high ground in this particular situation. He was fed up of Preston being so blind to his own flaws and simply projecting onto him. At his question, Teddy scoffed loudly, ❝ Learn not to keep hoping you’ll stop being an insufferable dick ?? I’m beginning to. ❞

Alice chuckled at the other. “I think you would.” She hummed, turning to see her friend. “The question is if you’re going to invite any of these lovely single ladies and gentleman with you.”

Teddy smiled goofily at her, ❝ Hell yeah I would !! If anyone’s gonna do it, it’s gonna be me. ❞ His smile became more lopsided, a sort of open mouthed smirk that served as a clear indicator that he was rather drunk, ❝ Why Alice, was that a hint ?? ❞

Alex wasn’t the biggest fan of dances, at least not ones he wasn’t playing at, and with the commotion from his recent move into the new apartment he wasn’t able to get booked to play the ball, so he just settled for drinking the night away and watching the others around him. “Really? well I think you could manage it, mind I come along? This isn’t really my thing.” he laughed a little, “Hey can I tell you something kinda weird?”

Teddy grinned at his friend’s confidence in him, ❝ Well duh, you weren’t going to let me go alone, were you ?? ❞ He took a sip of his drink before he spoke again; he was already feeling pleasantly buzzed, but of course Teddy always had to push things to the limit. It was highly likely that he wouldn’t be able to walk in a straight line by the end of the night. ❝ Is it that female kangaroos have three vaginas ?? ❞

“Not even to the shoreline.” She teased shaking her head at him. Anna looked down at her clipboard scribbling down a few notes. “They don’t want any accidents, mostly because people will be….well, are drinking and people will be streaking and skinny dipping - worst case scenario…a drowning.” 

❝ You don’t believe in me ?? I’m so hurt, Anna Banana. ❞ He clutched his heart as if she’d just shot him in the chest before he let out a laugh, too tipsy to even pretend to be serious, ❝ But best case scenario, a night to remember !! ❞ Frowning down at her clipboard, he cocked his head at her, ❝ Why on Earth are you taking notes at a party, are they not letting you have any fun ?? ❞

   She hadn’t really expected anyone to approach. Her dates (yes, multiple, fuck you and your decisions Lil) were far more social than she and had found others to converse with for a bit, and Lily feeling like an awkward middle schooler, stood off to the side on her own.

   As Teddy approached, she exhaled slowly; one person was better than standing on your own and feeling once again trapped in a version of yourself you never wanted to revisit, so she immediately jumped in the conversation, realising too late maybe she’d done so in the wrong way, “I think I’d like to go for a swim and not make it, you know? Get eaten by a shark and then no one will realise how fucking terrible this was for me.”

   Shut up, Lily, you’re talking too much. She was adept at playing these things off, though; easy breezy, “Though I’m not sure who’d want to eat me after the amount of chemicals and sugar I’ve put in me from all the drinks and treats.” And she lifted her glass, complete with its helpful little plate around the stem to hold a cookie.

Teddy quirked an eyebrow at Lily’s response – that was definitely not what he was expecting. But he loved conversation, and it became all the more interesting when things took unexpected turns. Intrigued, he tilted his head at her, ❝ Why, you not enjoying this super fun party ?? Though it would be pretty sick to see a shark attack, you could take one for the team. ❞

He chuckled, hoping that the joke in his tone was evident. His sense of humour got him in trouble far too often and he really didn’t fancy getting a drink thrown over him at yet another public event. ❝ I’m sure you could find someone who’d want to eat you, ❞ a wink accompanied his words, practically a reflex at this point, as his gravelly voice lowered with the innuendo.