valencia

At her words, he couldn't help but let out a sheepish laugh. "You're right, you're right. What are you drinking?" He asks, trying his hardest to keep himself together. Pretend that in the years that she had seen him that he had undergone some amount of growth. "Once an idiot, always an idiot, I suppose." While the joke is made in jest, he knows that deep down, he genuinely does believe it. That he's not the man that everyone believes him to be. Not even close.

"Moscow Mule.." she stated plainly, looking over at her phone and praying someone would call her to get her out of this situation. Nothing like seeing a man who essentially left you still being the same coward he was years ago. Most would get a thrill out of this, but it simply made the tall brunette.. disgusted.

He stares at the bottom of his fresh glass, wondering if a man has ever drowned in his whiskey before. And if he could be the first.

"If you're going to stare at me.. at least buy me a drink.." she teased the man with a soft smile. Her approach to most things had always been... gentle. She never wanted to be the aggressor unless she had to. And when she had to... it would get ugly.

remy never thought he would wish to love someone so hard. why did the universe have to laugh at him and give him two people he could never truly obtain? "i know i joke and say you're my soulmate but i truly mean it," just maybe not romantically. he gave a soft smile, leaning forward to kiss the side of her head. "you're amazing valleycat. i hope you know that." he took a drink of his drink and chuckled, "if i ever get married i hope it's to you. i wouldn't even make you sign a prenup."

"We're tethered together for life, and I will always be here to remind you just how great of a person you are.." she informed him with a warm smile, tilting her head to one side as she gave thought to the true complexities of their lives. That little kiss to her head was met with another gentle squeeze to Remy's arm. "You too, are an incredible human being. I hope you truly feel that when I say it. Don't let anyone make you feel as though you are less than.." but she wanted to be clear with her words. "You're not entitled to anyone's time.. or love... but don't let their lack thereof make you feel as though you aren't worthy.." her words followed by a chuckle. Hearing him say he would marry her was slightly funny to her. They were simply friends after all. And she knew about the rich marrying other rich people for financial gain but figured it was when both families were loaded.. not just one person who made it out of the trailer park like herself. "I do declare that I, Valencia Gomez would make a lovely addition to the Atwood family." obviously a joke, tossing her hair behind her shoulders with her words.

𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 the actions of a fucked-up band of few. These would be words that would describe the wayward town of Hidehill, Tennessee all too well -- as much as Max wished he couldn't admit it. But there were people like the woman in front of him who made the choice to stay easier. The married couple were included in his thoughts, eyes soon turning to them. Something in her words causes his face to soften even further, clearly affected by her words. Some of the fear is relieved. "Thank you." He says rather quietly, eyes locking with hers once more to show his appreciation. He was so lucky. To love the woman he did, to be surrounded by people who showed a care for him, his girlfriend and his son that was far too rare in the world. "I just... Adriana and I both have our things here. Our people. Affairs that need to be in order, all that. We are both bound here." Perhaps, it's what The Shadow wants them to be. Unable to leave. "But we consider ourselves... so lucky. To have our people. To have had this town bring us together." A pause engulfs the air as he wrings out his hands. "And I consider myself very lucky to have met you. I mean that."

Many wondered what could possibly keep Valencia Gomez tied to such an unworthy little town. She was larger than life, once known to get awards for her work on adult films. Now, she owned a hair salon in her disturbing hometown. She carried herself with such a high level of confidence that fear wasn't something she would be known for. Often times she would say that if she was to leave this Earth by the hands of the Shadow, she would go out fighting. Of course, she did put in the proper security measures at her home to ensure that just maybe she wouldn't have to worry about that, but she wasn't going to let the fear of dying keep her down. "And I trust that you all will get it together. Adriana is a lovely woman and you are going to be a great father. Just remind yourself of that when those doubts dare to sneak in.." she hoped to reassure with a gentle smile on her face. "And I appreciate you as well, Max."

remy gave a slight shrug. he was sure scarlet did have a reason but he had a right to be mad at her. if she didn't want to go with him she shouldn't have said yes, instead she made him feel like he didn't matter. he moved to sit up, sighing before grabbing another drink. "it doesn't matter anyway. she wants brody and percy doesn't want someone with bra-kids." he gave a shrug. "i fit playboy trust fund kid better anyway."

There was a pain she thought she'd never witness when it came to Playboy Remy. He was known to break hearts and now she was watching him piece together elements of his own that he didn't even know he possessed. "You are... a great guy. Sure, you have a lot that you could work on.. but don't we all? If Scarlet can't appreciate that... then move on." she informed him with a smile. "And you're a father... that's something you can't change. Find someone who will appreciate you and all of your baggage. At the end of the day, it's what makes us who we are." She just wanted to be supportive, her smile warm and inviting as she spoke. "And just know that I'll be here for you throughout any journey you have to embark on. I mean it."

𝐌𝐀𝐗'𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐓 the sight of the woman, flashing her a gentle smile. He had always had a soft spot for Valencia, cared for her. "I'm excited to be a dad again. I really am." He nods, meaning so with all of his heart. The thought of starting a family with Ana was exciting, but with the current climate of Hidehill -- daunting. "I'm doing okay, Vale. One day at a time, you know?" He lets out a sigh, looking out to the people on the dance floor. They all looked so happy. And yet, Max wondered if he could ever truly let his guard down in this town. "I just... I'm scared. The shadow's getting bolder. Burning down someones home... how could he possibly go bigger? Are we ever going to be safe? Well.. will my baby ever truly be safe?"

There was a looming sadness over the town of Hidehill. Why didn't people just abandon it? If they all agreed to migrate together, the Shadow would grow bored. They seemed to only attack within the town, copying the weirdos who came before them. If she had known that living in such a place would determine the fear instilled within her, she would've never returned from Atlanta. She wouldn't have made the choices she did. "Look... I'm no expert on why people do the things that they do... but I do know you'll have all of us taking care of your child... not just you.. so we've got this.." she tried to be reassuring, but she wasn't sure exactly how helpful it was.

remy hated weddings, love was just a facade. he was only there because kit was a friend. he was nursing wine when he heard valley's voice. "hey gorgeous," he greeted, taking a drink before turning to face her. "i did. she practically called me a hypocrite and then said never talk to her again," he was still pissed off, he only spent most of his time with percy because she had ditched him the whole night. he was oblivious to the fact she was actually mad that he compared her to his dad. "percy dropped me too - but that is more because of them," he indicated to the twins that was leaving the reception with the other kids. he sighed, finishing off his drink and putting his head on her shoulder. "why didn't i fall in love with you instead? you're literally perfect."

Valencia had daydreams of her dream wedding... wanting to fulfill the vision of her younger self. She'd always seen herself as some beautiful veiled princess, being married off the Prince Charming of her dreams. However, reality had set in after her last engagement failed and now she was standing before her friend who seemed to be losing hope in love. "And did you take into consideration why she may have felt the need to ask you to leave her be?" She had to think about Scarlet's perspective as well, even if she wasn't the closest with the other woman. "Well... I can't tell you why you didn't fall in love with me, but I can say that the heat wants what it wants... and that wasn't me. So.. you should chase your heart.."