ARCHIVED

inquisitive   gaze   is   quickly   deterred   ,   corrupted   by   vexation   at   the   others   unbidden   entry   ,   though   concentration   does   not   falter   at   what   he   was   previously   doing   ;   an   attempt   to   distract   from   the   true   problems   he   faced.   grim   reality   twists   its   tale   ,   when   didn’t   they   find   themselves   in   difficult   situations   where   people   were   left   looking   at   him   for   answers  ?   first   instinct   would   have   been   for   quicker   route   out   of   this   ,   temper   still   burning   deep   within   core   but   experiences   ,   mostly   bad   ones   kept   him   from   doing   so   this   time   and   was   left   with   his   thoughts   but   what   else   were   they   supposed   to   do   ?   her   words   remind   him   of   the   situation   he   finds   himself   in   ,   forced   breath   slipping   out   between   lips   before   he   could   mask   it.   rick   wished   to   be   elsewhere   ,   the   weight   of   responsibilities   pressing   down   on   shoulders   ,   it   felt   like   a   losing   battle.   genuine   contentment   was   hard   to   find   ,   presented   occasionally   in   moments   of   solitude.   bitter   taste   lingered   upon   tongue   as   hum   left   lips   before   he   breaks   the   brief   silence.   ❛    what   exactly   would   you   do   ?   is   that   why   you’re   here   ,   to   give   me   advice   ?   ❜   tonality   ,   delivered   a   little   harsher   than   he   expected.   he   tried   to   calm   down   inner   turmoil   once   again   ,   not   allowing   oneself   to   give   into   the   feeling   at   his   very   core.   hues   ,   they   conflict   and   contradict   and   for   once   he   desires   for   things   to   be   easier   than   they   currently   were.   ❛   sorry   ,   it’s   been   a   long   day.   I   have   people   pulling   me   in   all   directions   and   nothing   seems   like   the   right   thing   to   do.   ❜

a   mere   smirk   captures   jester’s   sentiments   ,   a   lingering   silence   following   ;   thoughts   become   devoured   by   ways   this   interaction   might   go.   it   captures   a   spark   of   tease   ,   her   perseverance   was   admirable   but   he   would   not   fall   that   easily   ,   could   not   let   her   have   the   upper   hand.   ❛   you   know   ,   I’m   usually   not   one   to   turn   down   such   a   request   from   a   beautiful   lady   such   as   yourself   BUT   I   have   the   slightest   inclination   that   you’re   trying   to   distract   me   from   what   you   really   don’t   want   me   to   find   out.   ❜