dahliayoung

[dahliayoung]

Dahlia gave him a considering look, trying to keep her expression light. It made her heart ache, the way he tried so hard to make it all sound like he was fine. Maybe he even believed he was. But even if a decade had passed, Lia knew him well enough to catch the cracks beneath the surface. “I think some people would say that’s the universe just trying to keep you humble,” she teased with a playful smirk. “And my dad…” Dahlia trailed off, trying to find the right words. The truth of the matter was that not many of Dahlia’s friends that knew her back then were Liam’s biggest fans – her father least of all – but she couldn’t help but feel protective of Liam.  “I’ll put in a good word for you, convince him you’re not the villain of the story anymore.” She laughed awkwardly, trying to force some humor into the conversation to keep it light. His comment about staying threw her off, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. Of course, he’d been in town months at this point, but Lia had been clinging to the statement he’d made. He wasn’t going to be in town for long. The notion that he might stay had her chest filling with what felt dangerously like hope, and she refused to go there. There’s nothing to be hopeful for. Maybe if she repeated that to herself enough times, her heart would get the message. Realizing she’d been silent a moment to long, Dahlia cleared her throat. “That’s your call, Liam,” she replied with a wry smile. “Blue Harbor isn’t the worst place to hang around. And, uh–” she hesitated, her next words suddenly feeling more vulnerable than she wanted them to be. “I wouldn’t be the one telling you to leave.” A moment of silence and then she shifted awkwardly, looking away. “But, like I said. It’s whatever you decide. Do what’s right for you.”

"are you kidding me ? i'm a delight. have you seen me ?" it was easier to pretend his disability was fine with him, as if it hadn't taken away his career, passion and most of the joy he'd had in life. he had learned to live with it. for the most part. he knew he would probably have an easier time if he didn't fight it with every fiber of his being and actually tried to get the resources available to him. "maybe he thought i was too charming and decided to bring me down to earth ?" the reasoning wasn't unbelievable. "good, that's good. i'm glad you're doing alright." was that a weird thing to say ? it was the truth. liam remembered her dad, knew he was one of the most, if not the most, important people in her life. "i don't know if i'm still on his good side, but if i am tell him i said hi." liam waved her worries away without pause. "i know, i said i was gonna leave the minute it got sold. it hasn't and at this point i feel like it might be a sign to stay a little longer." he gave her a wary look. "if that's alright, i mean. i mean i did give you a promise."

[dahliayoung]

Dahlia’s fingers pause as they fidgeted with the edge of her flannel, Antonio’s reassurances making her hesitate. His warmth and understanding felt a bit sudden, but resulted in her heart tightening in a way that was both comforting and a little painful. Most of her tattoos were incredibly personal, but her Amethyst tattoo was among the most significant. His words settled over her, and she returned his smile, her head tilting to glance at her shoulder where the tattoo lay hidden beneath the fabric of her shirt. 

“It’s special,” Dahlia began, glancing at Toni hesitantly before continuing her explanation. “When I heard it for the first time, it was like someone pulled out words from my heart that I’d never been able to vocalize. Like someone out there understood something I hadn’t even wrapped my brain around.” Dahlia laughed a little, feeling embarrassed by the intensity of her own words, but if there was anyone who would understand it’d be Antonio. He’d helped create those words, after all. 

Antonio’s smile grew more genuine, and the tension between them gradually eased. She exhaled, feeling her shoulders relax as the topic of conversation shifted ever so slightly. “Amsterdam? God, I wish. I’ve never been out of the country.” Dahlia’s eyes lit up at the thought, curiosity sparking in her eyes and overtaking her initial shyness. “It’s on my bucket list, though. I’ve always wanted to go.” She hesitated, debating asking a question before it tumbled out of her. “What was it like for you? Is it as magical as I’ve imagined or am I overhyping it?”

Dahlia hoped she wasn’t overstepping with the question, but she genuinely wanted to know. She’d gotten to learn a lot about Toni as a musician, but she was just as curious about him as a person.

Antonio watches as Dahlia slips her flannel back on, hiding the tattoo as if she’d shown him something private and regretted it. The instinct to reassure her flares up almost immediately, overriding the ache that had briefly taken hold of him. This tattoo — it’s not about Eli, not really, not in the way it was for him. It’s about Dahlia, and maybe others like her who’d found something of their own in a song that had once felt so — so specific to him.

Clearing his throat, he shifts his weight from one foot to the other, aiming for something warmer, something that might make her feel proud of it, as she should. “Hey, no, don’t — don’t cover it up. It’s really cool. I mean it.” And he does; the words are soft but carry a strange finality. “I just think — sometimes I forget that the songs belong to people like you now. Not just me anymore. Or — or any of us,” he adds quickly, alluding to Amethyst as much as he can without naming specific names. He half-smiles, trying to bring himself back to the present, where it’s Dahlia standing in front of him, not memories of someone he’s already let go of.

“And if it’s helped you in any way, then—” His voice hitches, and he forces himself to laugh, an attempt to keep things light. “Well, then I think that song’s done something pretty good with itself, you know?” He’s grateful now, that the song went out into the world and impacted people like her. That’s what it was meant to do, from the moment the words touched notebook paper to the second they played its very last note live. And in any case, it’s probably high time he stops tying himself to everything in the past. Elijah made his choice, after all. He took their memories, their history, buried it all somewhere he clearly doesn’t want to find, and Antonio doesn’t have it in him anymore to keep visiting that graveyard.

Maybe his words are better, on foreign skin. Maybe that’s the way they stop haunting him, when he looks back.

Antonio meets her eyes again, that familiar, easy smile making a slow return. “I’d say you’ve got pretty good taste.” He nods. “Ever been to Amsterdam? Still don’t think there’s any place quite like it.”

[dahliayoung]

At some point in the night, Dahlia lost track of her friends as tended to happen with her. It resulted in her costume giving off more school girl than Powerpuff, but a costume was a costume nevertheless. She was just enjoying her time on the dance floor when she heard her name called out and spun around to see Sylvia rushing over. She could help but giggle at her friend’s excitement and unmistakable tipsiness. “Aw, Sylvia, thank you!!” she cooed, striking a playful pose at her compliment. “But look at you! Death Becomes Her, right?” Dahlia asked, giving the costume a once-over, thoroughly impressed by the level of detail and effort that clearly went into it.  “You look awesome!” Dahlia grinned, extending her palms out to sign ‘awesome.’ She wasn’t anywhere close to what anyone would call fluent, but since she and Sylvia had grown closer, she’d taken it upon herself to learn a few signs to enhance their conversations. She accepted the two shots Sylvia handed her, raising them with a mischievous grin. “You don’t even have to ask. Here’s to…insane sound systems!” she clinked her glass against Sylvia’s. “Are we doing both in one go or what?”

closed for: @dahliayoung

where: phantom rave

Despite the effort that it took for her to be part of conversations, Sylvia was having a blast at the party. The brunette was dancing the night away and downing one too many cocktails. Who had to hear the music when you could feel it? The sound system was definitely insane here. Somehow she convinced the bartender to give her four shots, instead of the two-drinks per person that typically held at these places. Were they even following it? Who knew! She was on her way back to her wife....she could've sworn they had been standing by the Ghoul prop....or perhaps not? She looked around for a face she'd recognized until --

"Dahlia!" she grinned, speeding over to her friend, who luckily was not wearing a mask. "Oh my god, first - you look absolutely gorgeous! I love the sexy, school girl vibe. And second, have some shots with me! I can't down these all by myself." she said, handing her two.

[dahliayoung]

It was obvious how much Cal loved his brother. The grin that sprouted onto his face at the mention of Ruairi was evidence enough alone. His invitation had Dahlia responding with an easy grin of her own. “Yeah, of course! I’d love to check it out,” she nodded. “That place has been long overdue for a makeover.” There was something unspoken in Calahan’s words that gave Dahlia the impression that The Pour House was more than just a bar to the man. His presence carried something grounding and comforting, something that she recognized from the time she spent with Ruairi. It just further endeared him to her.  “You’d be surprised, but this crowd tends to be good for testing out material. I’ve done that plenty myself – Not all of my songs are winners, mind you,” Lia joked, leaning in conspiringly. “I’d love to join you. I’ve got my drink all set to go.” She raised her mug of tea and tilted her head towards his table. “Grab something for yourself and let’s have a seat. I’m a great listener, and equally as good at yapping.” Dahlia couldn’t help but feel a sense of kinship with Cal, and wanted to help and encourage him on this mission of his.

calahan always assumed that he was a stranger, a ghost, floating through life without making much of an impact. it was his brothers that were brighter, that had lives of their own and families, friends, colleagues. he didn’t remember the last time he had received a birthday card outside of his family ( and, of course, a certain somebody ). dahlia making the connection had cal’s eyebrows raising, his head cocking to the side. “yeah, yeah, he’s my little brother,” the man beamed, “and the pour house is my project, yes. you should stop by sometime, see what i’ve done with the place.”  the bar was his expensive excuse, an investment that was yet to start earning its keep. he had never shown a desire to own a bar, to coddle drunks and turf them out at final orders, but the pour house kept calahan in illinois. it kept him a stones throw away from his brother, away from his nephew, away from the life he had always wanted to live. the man was standing on the precipice — all he needed was that final nudge over the edge. “i was thinking of a cover,” he breathed, “an old irish song. it might not get the crowd jumping, but it’s something familiar . . . something i know.” an old song, something safe, something he knew. he wouldn't have anybody singing along, he wouldn't raise the roof, but it was a start, a step in the right direction. throughout his life, calahan had only ever made decisions that were right in the eyes of god, in the eyes of his mother — never in his own. he braced himself and offered dahlia a wide, white-toothed smile. “maybe i just need a few minutes to compose myself. any friend of my brother is a friend of mine. come and join me. would you like a drink?”

[dahliayoung]

“Whoa, hey, hey, hey, it’s okay,” Dahlia reassured the girl in front of her, her hands hovering up in the space between them, hesitant to actually touch the other. The last thing she’d expected on her way home from work was to have her car get bumped by a car that frankly looked like it was just being held together by bumper stickers. The flood of apologies and tear-streaked confession were so chaotic it was almost endearing. “It’s just a scratch, and lucky for me, my dad’s a mechanic. He’s had to deal with worse messes from me.” Her eyes glanced down at the other’s fingers smudged with mascara yet her eyeliner still intact. “Sidebar, that eyeliner of yours is really good. All these tears and it’s still perfect – what’s your secret?” Dahlia asked with a teasing grin, hoping to lighten the mood. She leaned back against her car and her eyes flickering between the cars and the other. “I can give you a ride to work if you want? Or at least help get your car out of the way so you’re not totally stranded.” She wasn’t one to hold a grudge and it really was just a scratch. Lia was honestly just relieved that no one was hurt.

FOR:   everyone! it's open!. DETAILS:   one of the roads... we have a bit of a fender bender situation here... harmless! but annoying...

"oh my god i'm, like, so sorry -" it's the third time babe's apologized in the span of three minutes, a whopping apology per minute. a new record, surely; her words are watery and drowned out by her own tears, mascara streaking down her face as if it's not just a scratch that adorns both of their cars now. "- i didn't mean to! i swear, i mean like, once i put sugar in someone's gas tank but that was like - an accident! someone told me that it helps the car run faster, and like, they were a mechanic so i thought they'd be like, totally impressed by my car prowess, but apparently that like, ruins the car? ugh -" somehow, her eyeliner is perfectly intact. it's kind of impressive; her fingers stained black as she wipes away her tears. "- i'm sorry -" four in four minutes. "- i was trying to finish my makeup, because i'm like, totally late to my shift and like, the dressing room always smells kind of weird on monday nights anyways -"

[dahliayoung]

Dahlia held on to Ash tighter as their words continued to come out in shaky breaths. Every broken sentence felt like a stab to the heart, and all she wanted to do was absorb their pain and take it away. She rubbed soothing circles on their back, trying what she could to keep them grounded and in the present moment. “It’s okay,” she whispered, careful not to be too loud or move too suddenly. “It’s okay to feel all of that, Ash. It’s human.” She could feel Ash trembling in her arm – sadness, fear and anger swirling within them – and just held on tighter. Dahlia was genuinely surprised they hadn’t protested yet. She pulled back just enough to look into their tear-streaked face, her hands still gripping them by their arms. “You don’t have to make sense of any of it right now. The important thing is I am here with you and I love you. I will protect you because you’re my family,” Dahlia whispered fiercely. She studied their face, taking in their features and thinking back to when she first met them. Ash had come so far, and no one, not even some estranged sister of theirs was going to take that away from them. Not if Dahlia had anything to say about it. She offered Ash a small, encouraging smile. “We will figure this out together. I’m here. You don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll come up with a plan and take it one step at a time.”

[dahliayoung]

Stepping out of the bathroom stall, the last thing Dahlia expected to see was the bartender from Aurora looking like she’d just seen a ghost. She hesitated, hovering behind Jeanie as she tried to figure out how to best ask to use the sink for a second. In the end it was unnecessary as Jeanie finally noticed her in the reflection of the mirror and stepped aside with an apology. Dahlia waved away the apology as she set about the task of washing her hands. “Literally don’t worry about it. It’s not a bit deal.” 

She feigned a dramatic wince as the other seemingly remembered her and not for her finest moment either. “Ah, that night. Guilty as charged I’m afraid.” She reached for a couple paper towels to dry off her hands and tossed them in an almost overflowing trash can. Lia managed to offer Jeanie a sheepish smile. “Can’t say I was expecting to be remembered for that, but at least I’m memorable?” she laughed with a shake of her head. “I usually go by Dahlia, though. You’re Jeanie, right?”

The strain in Jeanie’s expression was evident and had Dahlia lingering. “You doing okay?” she asked, giving her a quick once-over. “You look like you could use a little distraction. Want me to buy you a drink? Or I’m also rumored to be an excellent listener.”

➥ location: phantom manor ➥ event: haunted rave, 2024 ➥ status: closed starter for @dahliayoung

Stumbling back into the basement was a surreal experience. Music thudded through the room, a rhythmic heartbeat of excitement that just an hour ago Jeanie had been so in tune with she felt like she'd been in a trance. Now it was discordant, jumbled, disconnected from her such a way that she might as well have been in the next room over. She headed for the bathroom on autopilot. Where better to pull herself together? Maybe someone in there could offer her a line. She could just put Hunter out of her mind and forget the run-in ever happened.

When she got in there she had to lean against the sink for a moment, trying to swallow down some of the rising sickness that came tangled with a mess of unwanted feelings. It took her a moment to realise there was someone behind her, waiting to use it. “Shit, sorry.” She scuttled out of the way with an apologetic look, then did a double-take. “Hey, I know you! You were at Aurora a while back, right? Broke the glass?”

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA: omg annie hi!! DAHLIA: um, YES, i would love lessons. <3 only if you'll have me!

* 📱 → Dahlia 🌻

monday, october 28th, 2024 at 6:34 pm / @dahliayoung

ANNE-LOUISE: Hi Lia!! ANNE-LOUISE: Did you still want some bartending lessons from little ol me?? Haha

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA: I mean, yeah, he can take care of himself DAHLIA: But he's also a blue collar man that would sustain himself on beer and takeout if no one called him out on it DAHLIA: Besides, it's nice to hang out with him -- we don't have a lot in common DAHLIA: You're absolutely pleasant -- you're just not one to throw compliments around, is all.

ROMAN: Is your father not an adult? ROMAN: It isn’t your responsibility to make sure a grown man is taking care of himself. ROMAN: People are always surprised, but I think I’m rather pleasant.

[dahliayoung]

CLOSED STARTER for @eclvpses ( leo fowler ) !! WHERE: fowler's flowers

Lia approached the front door of Fowler’s Flowers and took a steadying breath before reaching for the door handle. She hadn’t seen Leo since that night at Aurora, and neither of them seemed too eager to bring it up. It was a dance that they’d done a hundred times before – a push and pull that had become a part of whatever was left between them. Maybe it was all that was left. But the purpose of Dahlia’s visit wasn’t to hash out some meaning out of whatever kind of relationship she and Leo had. She was here because Leo was fiercely protective of his friends and once Ash let it slip that they’d talked to him about Grace, she knew exactly how Leo would feel about it. They would have a plan. She could already picture the smirk on their face, and the way he’d be itching to stir something up.  Her eyes scanned the shop as she stepped in, the scent of plants and flowers almost overwhelming before she spotted Leo back towards the counter. Casually, Lia walked up to him, tucking her hair behind her ears and came to a stop in front of them. She placed her hands on the counter and leaned in. “Hey babe,” she said with a hint of a smirk. “Okay, so I know you’ve got something cooked up for Ash’s sister. So spill it. Whatever it is you’re planning, I want in.”

[dahliayoung]

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA: Pretty much. I try to be consistent with it DAHLIA: It makes my dad take better care of himself if he thinks that I'll be scolding him at the end of the week DAHLIA: I'd rather not take my chances DAHLIA: Aw, Roman! I think that might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me!

ROMAN: Is it a weekly tradition? Dinner with your father? ROMAN: I believe you're right. A mouth breather who knows the concept of locking and unlocking the door then. ROMAN: If not I would still give you a good reference.

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA MAE YOUNG as BLOSSOM 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺.

a group costume with @ashvvilliams and @ariortega !!

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA MAE YOUNG as MIA THERMAPOLIS 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺.

[dahliayoung]

DAHLIA MAE YOUNG as MONA LISA VITO 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺.

[dahliayoung]

Dahlia had been looking forward to celebrating Jasper’s birthday with them for weeks. There hadn’t been a lot of time lately for private singing lessons, especially not since she started working at Re-Chording, but Jasper and his friendship meant something to her and she wanted to dedicate time for them. She walked in step beside Jasper as they walked into the theater. “A jukebox musical? Wait, that sounds so fun!” she grinned, sticking her hands into the pockets of her jean jacket. “I hope you’ll forgive me if I start singing along. I’m assuming that’s not a taboo with this particular show, right?” Dahlia recognized the employees on shift, waving at one of the usher’s directing the crowds towards their seats. It was weird to be back in the theater and purely be a patron this time around. “Juliet without Romeo, though. Honestly, I kinda love that. She deserves her own story. I’m sold.” Their tickets were scanned and they were making their way to their seats when Jasper revealed that they were in a box. “What?? Jas, this is so cool! Have I thanked you enough for picking me to do this with?” She nudged him playfully, clinging to their arm as they walked. “Snacks and space – it’s the royal treatment. Love the way you think.”

@dahliayoung       /       community theater — 7th october 2024   ,     with     dahlia.

it had been planned for weeks, that dahlia and jasper would spend a slither of their birthday together. for the last twenty-six years, his birthday had been a shared affair — it came with being a twin, that cakes were cut in half and parties were populated with two sets of friends. this was something that was all for them. he clutched two tickets in his hand — the community theater was home, for that week, to the touring production of & juliet, and there was nobody else jasper knew that would enjoy it quite as much as dahlia would. “i don't want to spoil it,” they spoke as the two approached the door, “but it's a jukebox musical, so you should know all the songs. i didn't, but then i don't really listen to this sort of music. it's the story of juliet's life after romeo if she never died.” they were ferried through, their tickets checked, funnelled into the foyer with merch tables, programmes, and other excited patrons. “we're sitting in a box,” they spoke excitedly, “so nobody will sit too close . . . we can eat as many snacks as we like.”

[dahliayoung]

Lia crouched down next to Ren, her eyes scanning the bike in front of them. The appreciation in her gaze was evident; she was a sucker for a fun project like this. Growing up with a mechanic single father meant that often times bonding came in the form of tinkering with cars and other machines in her dad’s shop. Ren was very similar to her in that, but while music would always be her first love, she still had space in her heart for the automotive world. Her fingers lightly traced the lines of the frame, already imagining what the bike could look like once it was fully restored. A small grin snuck it’s way onto her mouth and she shook her head. “I cannot believe someone had this beauty just sitting around and collecting dust. You hit the fucking jackpot,” her hands ran down along the worn metal. “Honestly, you’ve done a hell of a job getting it to this point. It’s looking really good.” Lia sat back on her head, eyeing the bike thoughtfully. “As for the color, are you thinking something more classic or a little more wild?”

» ren's parking space at his apartment. with @dahliayoung !

"I thought about just asking you to come by the shop but I figured there was still enough space to work down here," Ren said, glancing at Lia as he wiped his hands on a rag and sat cross legged in front of his nearly restored motorcycle. He still couldn't believe his luck finding the bike in the first place― it had needed a lot of work when he'd bought it but he knew how to do it― could find all of the parts himself and work on it in his spare time; he was still baffled that anyone in Blue Harbor had had a 1960's Triumph hanging around to begin with but thank God for small miracles or whatever the fucking saying was. "What'cha think so far? I'm still trying to figure out what color I want to paint it since I'll probably have to strip whatever's on there right now but it looks almost serviceable." He'd bonded with Lia over their shared love of all things mechanical when they were kids― trusted her over just about anyone else to help him with projects or give him advice when he needed it and he hardly expected that to go anywhere no matter how much time passed.