He's Quick To Feign Insult, Hand Coming Up To His Chest As Though Wounded. But The Smile On His Face

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 ?"

" the one and only, " he mockingly chimes, as if he's talking about some old friend. and in a way, it feels like he is. insomnia has been a looming shadow for so long it feels like his longest companion. one he never really invites in, yet it always shows up. like some kind of clingy ex who can't take a hint. kai watches her work, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, slouched posture, tired eyes trailing the movements of her hands as she gathers the herbs. it’s kind of impressive, the way she seems to know exactly what he needs with little explanation. " sooner ? ah, come on, where's the fun in that ? relief doesn't feel as good if you don't suffer first, " he responds, typical sardonic humour paired with a half-smile. he notes the soft expression, and it almost threatens to lower his defences, but he isn't so sure how to fully do that anymore. then she mentions talking and he almost laughs. kai isn't known for talking, not about the deep shit anyway. that comes out in his music, in lyrics often so easy to dissect no one ever really does. a talent of his, apparently. to be so obvious it's not obvious at all. " yeah, talking . . . not exactly something i'm known for, is it ? " chuckle is low, huffed out as he reaches to take hold of her concoction. doesn't voice how much he's going to be relying on it. if it brings him even one night of decent sleep, it'll be worth this small moment of vulnerability. " thanks, " adds, genuine curve of his lips as he slips the item into his pocket. " how much ? " card is already being pulled out, gaze diverting slightly. he takes not of how dark it seems to be outside now. " you heading home now ? i can walk you, if you want. 'm already heading that way. " he can mask with sarcasm, a cool exterior. but behind it all there is still some semblance of a good guy. just a lost one.

she  pauses  once  she  reaches  the  cash  register ,      a  knowing  look  crossing  her  face  as  she  listens  to  him .     the  shop  smells  of  lavender  and  sage ,     the  air  calm  in  contrast  to  the  tension  she  senses  radiating  off  him .     she  straightens ,     giving  him  a  warm  but  slightly  concerned  smile  as  he  admits  his  struggle .     "     insomnia ,     huh ?     "     she  echoes  softly,     wiping  her  hands  on  a  cloth  before  walking  the  isles  quickly  and  grabbing  just  what  she  needed  to  help  him  and  putting  them  in  the  basket  she  picked  up  along  the  way .     “     you  know ,     you  really  should've  come  to  me  sooner ,     ”     she  teases  lightly ,     but  there’s  no  real  reproach  behind  her  words .     she  studies  him ,     her  eyes  sharper  than  her  usual  playful  self ,     catching  the  fatigue  etched  into  his  features .

with  a  hum ,     she  heads  behind  the  counter ,     starting  to  pull  out  jars  of  dried  herbs  and  tinctures  from  the  basket .     "     lucky  for  you ,     i  do  have  something  for  that .     no  smoking  required .     "     her  hands  move  swiftly,     mixing  a  blend  of  valerian  root ,     passionflower ,     and  chamomile ,     setting  it  down  on  the  counter  in  front  of  him .     “     this  should  help  you  get  some  decent  sleep  without  knocking  you  out  too  hard .     ”     she  glances  back  up  at  him,     her  expression  softening  as  she  adds ,     "     but  maybe...     you  should  talk  to  someone  about  whatever’s  keeping  you  up .     "     her  tone  is  gentle,     giving  him  the  space  to  deflect  if  he  needs  to .     "     but  for  now,     this  will  help .     take  it  with  some  tea  before  bed ,     and  if  it  doesn’t  work ,     i’ll  come  up  with  something  else .     i  promise  you’re  not  fucked  ,     not  with  me  around .     "     she  offers  a  small ,     reassuring  smile .

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."

                " 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.

" okay, and what's your point ? surely you can pick up on peoples auras, you know, their vibe ? i know i don't radiate any kind if ill intent. i'm as positive as they come. " if there's one thing about noa, it's that she'll somehow manage to find an argument to everything. a talent, some might say. " you chakra could use some clearing, honestly. maybe you should look into that. it could give you a clearer perspective. " her eyes roll, and it's not subtle. " don't get all scientific on me, i'm fully aware that your heart is the organ that keeps you alive, but come on, do you really think that's the only reason we're given one ? people literally die of heartbreak. that's the power of the human heart and how deeply it can feel for another person. " she smiles again, like she knows something no one else does. and she doesn't, either, not really. " so your missing a few talents, big deal. i'll tell you one major thing you both have in common, and that's how utterly uncompromising you are. "

"just a reminder-- i don't really know you, so how am i meant to know what your intentions are?" he's deflecting, trying to make it a noa problem instead of an apollo problem. he's been paired off numerous times since he was eleven, whether it be with dance partners or girlfriends, but they all had a ninety-nine percent fail rate. besides, he's not really interested in sharing his life story with NOA BRAUNSTEIN of all people. the girl who couldn't seem to leave things alone. let her catch wind of his history and he fears he'd never hear the end of it. "and you know what? my heart does just what i need it to do. pump blood around my body and keep me alive." he couldn't ask for much more than that. "i believe my mother was going for the whole MUSIC AND DANCE aspect of him more than anything else." perhaps love could be his weakness, if he believed he'd ever felt it. "not really good at archery or poetry, so, him and i don't really have that much in common."

nova’s gaze softens at his sheepish smile, a hint of empathy flickering in her eyes. often times things come out of her mouth in ways she doesn’t intend, years spent not quite knowing how to navigate connections with people, especially not friendships. until a certain age, all she knew was competition, comparison. this all still feels new to her. “ the auditions are closed, but you can definitely come to opening night, if you want, ” she responds, her voice gentle, quick to offer an encouraging smile in attempt to lighten things. when he shows her the email, her heart sinks for him. nova is never quite sure if ballet is what she would have chosen to do if things had been different, but it was her thing and without it ? well, she dreads to think. can't fathom how it must feel for him to essentially be told he can't compete until further notice. " wow, that . . . i'm sorry, miles. that must be a lot to come to terms with. " nova pauses briefly, another spoonful of soup. " have you been yet— to a therapy session ? "

mostly herself is good enough. miles can sense that there's an unspoken comfort. it's a feeling they share. most times, around nova, it feels like all of his edges are softened. but that's mostly because she shows up with a sense of grit that is beyond his own. “ dope. can i come to the audition or is it more private?  ”  while her words initially make him feel like he striked a nerve, she's quick to reassure him.  “ of course, never meant to overstep.  i guess for me, luck hasn't really been on my side. but it's also my own fault...  ”  a sheepish smile appears. his right hand reaches for his phone. there's an official email from his coach. “ i'll be around for another minute. a good while.  ”  miles doesn't mean to sound disappointed but the way his brows furrow fail to support his forced smile. nova understands him in the sense that they're both competitive. they have things they're great at and things they do to support their livelihood. miles however, always finds that his temper is his greatest flaw.  “ no games for me until i do like... 'x' amount of therapy. they're put me on a hiatus but the internal paperwork called it a suspension. so... i'll be here and i'll be able to show up for anything.  ”