" Climbing Out The Window Would Be Obvious, And I Fear Would Only Make Matters Worse In This Case. I

                " climbing out the window would be obvious, and i fear would only make matters worse in this case. i do that, she shows up at my door. i've done a good job of keeping her out of my space, i want to keep it that way. " because it finally feels like she can breathe, think for herself, figure out her own life plan. " she gets something spilled on her and has to sit there looking anything less than perfect ? she's out of my hair until the next time she passes through town. " there's a relief in being told she doesn't sound crazy, a sigh quietly escaping. already she can feel a familiar tenseness wash over her. can't wait to get the entire thing over and done with.

                “  climbing  out  the  window  wouldn’t  help  but  spilling  some  wine  on  someone  would  do  the  trick  ?  ”  growing  up  in  a  well  known  family,  elena  knew  enough  about  appearances,  however  the  de  lucas  were  vastly  different  than  most  families  —  supporting  their  children  no  matter  what.  allowing  elena  to  wear  a  crop  top  and  ripped  jeans  to  a  nice  establishment  because  they  were  feeling  confident,  or  going  to  a  family  reunion  in  a  stained  t-shirt  and  shorts  for  comfort;  never  having  to  worry  entirely  about  the  opinions  of  others.  “  no,  you  don’t  sound  crazy,  it’s  just  a  different  hierarchy  of  avoidance  that  we  have.  ”  they  state  with  a  chuckle.

she nods, leaves the conversation there. other topics now in discussion are much more interesting. sometimes she simply can’t help herself in a back and forth to argue a point, but never truly means to come off the wrong way. “ ooh, sushi. nice. i haven’t had good sushi in such a long time. you suddenly have me craving a spicy tuna roll. i might have to order some. what’s your favourite ? ”

"Really? I thought they were just beefy guys the owners hired randomly," she admitted, shrugging her shoulders. She hadn't really put too much deeper thought into that whole process, but she supposed it made sense. Still, she wasn't thinking too deeply about the bouncer or his job or any of it really. "I haven't really decided yet. Maybe I'll go bother my best friend and get some sushi or something."

she knows it's true, almost feels bad questioning it at all. he has no reason to lie to her, isn't the type to make empty reassurances. but sometimes she needs it. not often, not always with words, but sometimes. over the years there'd been a lot of growth within her, a lot of hiding behind a perfectly curated confident disguise. but beneath the surface was still a girl who'd spent so many years of her life being told that if she didn't almost destroy herself trying to be the best, she could easily be replaced. it's why she doesn't know half efforts, doesn't know how to partake in something without leaving a tiny little piece of her soul in it. and maybe that's the reason she feels so vastly incomplete. but he looks at her and it's like he sees her, really truly sees her. nova thinks he might just be the only person who ever has. how do you not cling to that ? " they won't get the chance to, " she insists, as if it's known fact. if he's forced to retire first she isn't sure what it'll mean for her, but it certainly won't be paired dancing. " i don't trust anyone else, " and she doesn't just mean in the world of ballet, but that she keeps to herself, " i only trust you. " he full names her and her smile grows, soft laughter sounded. but it threatens to catch in her throat when he leans in close, and she couldn't tare her gaze away even if she wanted to. " oh, you're full naming me now ? it must be serious, " she teases, and she dares for a moment to leans in further, let her forehead press against his for a few fleeting moments. it's supposed to be a playful move, but she feels betrayed by the way her heart rattles in her chest like a bird trapped in a cage, desperate to be set free. but again, it's pushed down. forces herself to keep her eyes on his despite the split second temptation to glance down to his lips. " i believe you, and i promise i'll never doubt you again. " with the words out, she pulls back. not too much but enough to ease some of the tension that she's convinced is only felt by her. " and what version of you do i get then if not the beast ? " there's a brief pause. " because you're stuck with me long past then. "

apollo rolls his eyes as nova seems to dismiss his comment. he knows her well enough to know she struggles with her confidence and the relationships she builds, but he'd hope that by now, she'd know him well enough to know he doesn't say things he doesn't mean. one thing apollo was really good at was KEEPING HIS MOUTH SHUT, so the idea that he'd lie, even to make her feel better, was almost insulting. he waves it off with his hand. "don't start that-- when have i ever told you something i didn't fully believe? in fact, some have called me too honest." perhaps he had enough arrogance for the two of them, because the next words to leave his lips are: "oh, i know. god bless the man who tries to take my spot next to you on stage." it's not even his fault. this many years in, he's seen nova attempt to dance with different partners, and it's never worked out. whether she'd like to admit it or not, she clearly found it EASIER to be with him as well.

"novella campbell," he starts, leaning in so their foreheads are mere inches apart. he makes sure he's looking into her eyes before speaking. "my life is EASIER because you are in it, and you'd really be pulling the rug out from under me if you left it." at the end of the day, nova was the only person outside of his family who really knew what was going on within his family. apollo didn't even want it that way, but when his mother came to surprise him at a performance, there was no avoiding the subject. nova had recognized her immediately for who she was-- song na-ri, esteemed dancer of her time and not the mother of apollo fairbanks. just the look on nova's face when she'd connected the dots was etched into apollo's memory. he felt he had no choice but to come clean. now, he can't imagine nova leaving his life. he had been open with her, and she had made it easy. she listened, she seemed to understand, and she didn't judge. why test the universe by admitting it again when he'd already hit the jackpot of responses? "you hear me? this beast is yours until his retirement."

he's quick to feign insult, hand coming up to his chest as though wounded. but the smile on his face that refuses to shift betrays the act. " low-grade, huh ? and here i was thinking i had a fallback career once i get too old to compete. guess i'd better find a new hobby fast. do my vocals fair any better than my comedy ? " no, the answer is most definitely not. but it had never stopped him from belting out songs in the car with her beside him, or getting up on stage at karaoke night to preform what likely to everyone else, was a cheesy duet. to them, it was fun. sometimes he thinks the most fun he's ever had was the time he spent with celeste. truly the most relaxed version of himself, the result of growing so comfortable with someone you didn't see the need to be anything other than yourself. when the food is passed to him, he looks down and smiles. comfort felt instantly. " i didn't clear my schedule for the food, " he states, glancing up, " this is just a bonus. " he begins to eat, enjoying every mouthful. " i'll take you out, " nods, tries to conceal the way he wants to beam. though he still fully plans to cook for her another time too. effort made should be reciprocated. he lifts his plate and without much thought, makes his way to her. and again, he doesn't think as he leans down to press a kiss to her cheek, an act he'd done a hundred times before, though granted then she was his girlfriend. " thank you, " he reiterates, wants her to know he's grateful she took the time. when he pulls back, he clears his throat. sudden realization that perhaps he shouldn't have done that. but friends could kiss their friends on the cheek, right ? he moves past her, cleans off his plate. isn't long before he's coming back behind her, careful now to leave a small distance as he attempts to read her. " movie ? we both know we'll talk through it anyway. may as well be comfy doing it. "

celeste lingers in the moment between her question and his answer, heat beat hitching in anticipation. it was normal to want your friends to miss you, wasn't it ? she assured herself that it was, smile growing at his 'always,' chest warming as she chose to ignore all of their previous implications of the word. "exactly," she hums in agreeance, "if it weren't for me you'd never have a chance at being a low grade comedian !" laughter had always been the basis of their friendship, something letty cherished deeply. if there was ever a time she needed to unwind, forget herself, and have a laugh, she knew she could always turn to kyro ( even if most of his offerings were corny dad jokes ). there wasn't a world where celeste could imagine herself giving that aspect up, her comfort personified. "no need to thank me," she waves him off, "i have to cook a feast, otherwise what would you be clearing your busy, busy schedule for ?" the meal she's made is simple enough, beef bulgogi with brown rice, and cabbage leaves on the side. she takes her time divvying up the portions, being sure to give kyro less rice and more beef. her brow arches, pushing his plate across the counter to him. "in the spirit of being fair," she's smirking, not backing away from his presence and noting the ways he's finding time to spend with her. "i guess you could cook me dinner. unless you were offering to take me out ?" she hears how it sounds right away, diverting herself by picking at her food. "you know i'll never say no to a free meal," cleaning it up, she nods beyond the kitchen. "couch, or table ? we feeling movie or chatty tonight ?"

there's something about the beach that's always called to kai. for as long as he can remember, it's been the one place he always finds himself returning to. spends most nights out of his week here, mostly when it's dark and all the other noise has faded away, leaving only the sound of gentle waves crashing. a sense of comfort found in the way all looks calm, but beneath the surface chaos could brew at any given moment. it was unpredictable, much like life he supposed. " that's me, " he shrugs, slight hint of sarcasm that always seems to be present, as a hint of a smile tugs at his lips " a regular mood setter. " kai rests his chin on his shoulder, lets his gaze drift towards the familiar face. " what are you doing down here so late ? "

she  brushes  a  few  loose  strands  of  hair  away  from  her  face  as  she  watches  him ,     the  faint  scent  of  the  sea  mingling  with  the  smoke .     she  lets  a  small  smile  tug  at  the  corner  of  her  lips ,     accepting  the  joint  with  a  quiet  nod .     "     don’t  mind  if  i  do ,     "     she  says  softly ,     sinking  down  beside  him  in  the  sand ,     her  gaze  flickering  between  the  fading  horizon  and  kai's  calm  demeanor .     she  takes  a  slow  drag ,     letting  the  smoke  swirl  in  her  lungs  before  exhaling  into  the  salty  air .     "     you  always  know  how  to  set  the  mood ,     huh ?     "     her  voice  carries  a  playful  edge,      though  there's  a  quiet  appreciation  beneath  it .

nova watches him for a moment, eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she considers his words. letting go isn't exactly in her wheelhouse. the idea of messing up for fun ? that's about as foreign to her as swimming itself. but dax has a way of talking that makes it all sound so simple, so easy, like none of it could possibly go wrong. besides, she supposed the act of trying alone would be a subtle f-you to her mother, something she finds rather exhilarating at this point in her life. soft smirk soon edges into the corner of her mouth. " do you always talk so poetically ? i'm starting to think you should reconsider your career path, you know. life-coaching may be your real calling, " she teases, tries to distract from the hint of tenseness that lingers in her shoulders. " but okay, i'll bite. but you won't see my laughing off any mistakes because i don't plan on making any. " nova steps closer to the water’s edge, her posture straight and sure, perfected act of confidence so strong even she barely notices the nervousness that lingers beneath. but it's there, like a small wave in her tummy. " so, what's the first step ? " she questions, toe dipping into the water. it feels nice. not too warm, not too cold. just right. with a quiet sigh, she moves further, stops and turns to face him when the water reaches her knees. " is this the part where i flop back, learn how to float ? "

he  leaned  back  against  the  weathered  wooden  railing ,    the  late  afternoon  sun  casting  a  warm  glow  over  the  water .     his  drawl  rolled  easily  off  his  tongue  as  he  replied ,     “     well ,     sugar ,     it  ain't  just  about  breathin'  and  strength .     it’s  about  lettin’  go  a  little ,     too .     i  promise ,     messin’  up  is  part  of  the  fun     —     like  findin’  a  hidden  treasure  in  a  pile  of  old  junk .    ”     he  could  see  the  playful  smirk  tugging  at  her  lips ,     that  competitive  spark  flickering  in  her  eyes  like  a  flame  eager  to  ignite .     “     and  who  said  i  didn’t  think  you  could  do  it ?     ”     he  continued ,     tilting  his  head  with  a  teasing  grin .    “     i’m  just  tryin’  to  keep  you  from  overthinkin’  every  little  splash  you  make .     the  water’s  meant  to  be  playful ,     not  a  battlefield .     ”     he  stepped  closer ,     his  voice  lowering  to  a  more  earnest  tone ,    “     how  ‘bout  this ?    you  humor  me ,     and  i’ll  make  sure  we  keep  it  fun .     i’ll  guide  you  through  it ,     and  you  can  show  me  how  fiercely  you  can  kick  and  glide .     if  you  mess  up ?     well ,     we’ll  just  laugh  it  off .     life’s  too  short  to  drown  in  perfection .     ”    his  eyes  sparkled  with  mischief  and  warmth ,     inviting  her  to  dive  into  a  new  experience .    “    so ,     whaddaya  say ?     let’s  see  what  kinda  magic  happens  when  you  let  loose  a  little .    ”