gambleddesires

[gambleddesires]

"It's really good to see you." She told him with a smile and she meant it. "I'm glad Los Angeles was silly enough to let you go, are you here for a while then?" She asked him before thinking about what it was like to be back in one place for a while. "It's been taking some getting used to, tour life is nothing like a normal schedule — everything's always so fast paced, I'm trying to fill in all those gaps." It was hard for Henley to take her eyes off of him, the attraction still so strong from the moment they met til now and it was hard to ignore them having his entire house to themselves. "See I knew I liked you for a reason, you're always prepared." She laughed, a light playfulness filling her words as she followed him into the living room. "You've got drinks and the main snack covered, I should be okay for now." The brunette told him before sitting down against the couch cushions. "For now all I need is you to join me."

"I've been pretty good.” His place was much more put together than before the storm a few months ago. There was nothing he could complain about.. “I just got back from Los Ángeles so I’m to be home.” Despite his initial nerves in moving to Aurora Bay—it was a good decision that he needed. "How's that been?" Daniel was curious about the transition that she was living currently. The initial attraction could still be felt in the air and he couldn't help himself. She looked as good as the first night they had met. "I always have chips and dip.” He mused as he led her towards the living room though he couldn’t forget her favorite snack that she seemingly munched on their one night together. “Let me know if you want anything else too.”

[gambleddesires]

"It's been pretty hard to miss." Henley sighed. She didn't mean to stare, but there was something about the apartments catching fire that she couldn't tear her eyes away from. "Did someone really set this on purpose? Or is that still a rumor?" She questioned, peeling her eyes away from the commotion to put her attention elsewhere.

Starter for: everyone & anyone // the city park

There wasn't much Jackson could do or wanted to do. The apartments were on fire and well, shit happens. All he could do was get the word out and hope that people were out in time. He did end up finding himself watching the smoke rise from the city park. He had been sitting on a bench as others either passed or were rushing to get to their destination. It was was weird witnessing the chaos that was occurring, but it wasn’t like that town hadn’t had it’s fair share of it lately. He stood as he needed to head home to check on his mother. Just as he was about to walk towards his car, he noticed another person watching the smoke as well. “Glad to know I’m not the only one watching the show.” He said as he approached them.

[gambleddesires]

She let out a sigh as she shook her head, honestly Henley couldn't believe what she was seeing. "All the people they've hurt and could of hurt...how could someone be so careless?" She questioned, looking back at him. "I'm glad you're safe from all of that."

henley's place w/ @gambleddesires

Chase picks up his glass and raises it up to his lips, shaking his head as his eyes rest on the television screen. "Can you believe this shit is happening?" He asks, glancing over towards her. "They are sayin' it was set on purpose..."

[gambleddesires]

SOFIA CARSON 💜 as Cassie Salazar in Purple Hearts (2022)

[gambleddesires]

Henley shook her head. "I didn't know you were into seeing me all fired up, Chase." She looked back at him, unable to hide the smirk displayed across her face. "I like the way you think, why shouldn't I be simple and to the point?" She continued, raising an eyebrow as her eyes traveled down his appearance. "Then I want you...what are you going to do about that?" The curve in her lips didn't waver as she turned her head toward the bar, giving herself a break of eye contact. "I've tried a lot of margaritas and a paloma is another great choice, but never a sunrise. I kept meaning to get around to it, why not do it tonight? That sounds perfect."

Chase laughs. "I won't lie, Hen... I would love to see you fight your little way through this crowd." He tilts his head down to look at her, a small smirk curving his features as he shrugs his shoulders. "Sometimes, the simplest things are the answer." He winks at her as he turns his head to look over towards the bartender, waiting for their turn to get their orders in. "Have you ever had a tequila sunrise? I heard that drink is one of the best ones."

[gambleddesires]

After the first run in with Daniel, it was hard for Henley to get the man out of her head. With their history she never would of thought that she'd run into him again, though she had to admit she was glad to be wrong. "I've been getting readjusted to being home, how have you been?" She asked before walking into his home, feeling that the spark that was once there still remained a she looked at him. "If you remembered chips and dip you might just become my favorite person."

closed starter for: @gambleddesires // location: daniel's place // catching up

It was about time Daniel had the chance to catch up with Henley after running into the brunette last month. Who would've known that she was from Aurora Bay, but it's not like he had asked the night he saw her perform a few years ago. There had been other things on his mind that night. He was excited to see her again and see how she was doing. She was an artist he kept tabs on as he felt that she deserved the success. She was talented and he loved that. "How have you been doing?" He asked her once he opened the door to her.

[gambleddesires]

Henley was still getting used to being around again, being about Rhett and the knew hardened expression that came with him. "You're right, honestly I've had the same coffee order for as long as I can remember...It'd feel odd switching it up now." She was doing her best to keep their conversation flowing, at least this one was more pleasant than their last. "There were a few that needed some tweaks before they were ready to be recorded, that one had no possibility for revival." She laughed softly, offering the man standing in front of her a smile as they spoke. "That's the plan, my agent's been working to give me more down time at home and I've been on board with the idea." She paused. "Do you want me to leave?"

Harris was still mad. That was never going to change, but in a public place where no one else in the coffee shop asked to be brought into their drama he wasn’t going to act like a jackass. He was just going to save the thoughts swimming in his head for another day. He held them for years one more week wouldn’t kill him. “ sometimes it’s good to stick with something like that. It’s comforting “ Harris noted, trying to not sound like his dialogue was pointed. “ I never forget anything. I remember the first song the band ever wrote still and that thing was garbage.” He nodded softly with some humor to his voice. “ So you’re staying in Aurora indefinitely? “ he asked. Not in an accusatory way, but if she was staying they would have to hash out everything soon.

@gambleddesires

[gambleddesires]

Nights like tonight the bar was always crowded and Henley didn't have any shame working her way into the crowd. "If I can't fight my way to the front, I'm never going to get a drink." She shouted back, her lips curling into a smirk at the tone of his voice. "All I had to do was ask? Why didn't you tell me it was that easy...I would of asked a long time ago." She teased. "Anything with tequila and you'll be my favorite person ever."

oasis nightclub w/ @gambleddesires

Chase leans against the bar, picking up his shot glass and raising it up to his lips, tossing it back. He places the empty glass back onto the surface of the bar as he turns his head to look over at the raven-haired woman who slides up into the space next to him.

"Not a fan of personal space?" He shouts over the music, clear in his tone that he's only fucking with her.

"Henley, if you wanted if you wanted me... All you had to do was ask.?" He smirks as he drifts his gaze to the bartender. "What are you drinking? I'll buy your first round."

[gambleddesires]

The pair seemed to have the same taste, that was one thing that didn't change after all their time apart. Henley spotted Rhett out of the corner of her eyes, though she kept them forward to not have a repeat of the night at the club. His voice was something she'd always remember, the familiar sound startling her a bit as it was directed to her. "Uh, yeah...why switch up what isn't broken, right?" She questioned softly, slowly turning her head to face him. "I didn't think you'd remember something like that..."

Closed for @gambleddesires

Harris didn’t know if he had bad luck or he just tended to frequent the same place as Henley did. But the moment he saw her again after their very awkward first meeting, Harris was unsure what to do. He couldn’t exactly just walk away from the line he was standing in to go grab coffee. It would only draw more attention to himself, instead he swallowed the nerves that were bubbling up and gave her a small nod of acknowledgment . “ still have the same coffee order.?” he asked, trying to keep the calm inside of him.

[gambleddesires]

[gambleddesires]

henley ✶      ┈      event      :      spring garden festival.

@aurorabayaesthetic

[gambleddesires]

Yeah this went a lot better in her head, months of planning this conversation over and over while she packed were washed down the drain along with the smile on his face that faded away from existence. His emotions were valid, the choice still haunting her to this day that she left the man she loved in the place she dreaded the most. It was the price she bared to make her father proud of her, finally doing something for herself rather than taking care of everyone else around her, but she'd always adored Rhett.

The look on his face was haunting, the tender one she was used to seeing seemed like a dream even more when he couldn't look her in the eye. The brunette never wanted to hurt him and wished she never did, but that nagging feeling in her gut couldn't let her dreams slip through her finger tips.

"What happened in the storm?" She asked knowing he didn't owe her an explanation. "It wouldn't be like you to not survive, I wouldn't expect anything less." Henley wasn't expecting to find him here tonight and figured she'd have more time to get settled back into town before having to face him. "I've been wanting to ask you for a long time now, honestly I wasn't sure what I was going to say." She sighed. "I heard about the storm and wanted to come home, the tour ended at the right time — it was like something was telling me it was time."

Fuck.

As soon as Harris heard the familiar voice his entire demeanor changed. He had been more playful and calm as he was basically put on door duty, but as soon as he heard that all too familiar voice his entire body tensed. He felt a bit trapped in that moment cause he had essentially invited her for conversation and now he wanted to be anywhere else cause he didn’t want to cost him his job by immediately arguing with his ex. Cause the last five years he had planned what he wanted to say and now that was all going right out the window as he stood there and couldn’t will himself to act calm.

“ Yeah well it was the arm I had left after the accident. So it probably felt like it needed to be screwed up for the rest of my life now too” Harris replied. A little too agitated for such a casual conversation. “if a car couldn’t kill me then the storm wouldn’t. I’m fine. “ He added looking anywhere but Henley’s face. It was too hard and he wasn’t prepared to have this conversation. “ It’s been a long time Henley. Why are you asking me if I’m okay now ? “ he hadn’t been okay for a long time and only started to come out of it because he had began to pull the wall down he put up after Henley’s exit. “Why are you back?”

[gambleddesires]

"I think that classifies it as more of a favor, don't you?” Henley questioned unable to hide the smile on her face. “I feel bad that you had to suffer like that, everyone knows without sexual chemistry your relationship is doomed to fizzle out. It’s safe to say you’re better off.” The brunette let out a laugh before her eyes went back to the shelves, “What kind of books are you usually interested in? I know I’m a sucker for a good mystery.”

Thea knew it wasn't the nicest thing to ask a stranger, but she really wasn't in the mood for diplomacy. She ran her hand through her hair and chuckled gently, "I definitely think she'll find it helpful... if she's living any sort of a miserable bed life like I was with him, she might need some of these erotic novels too."

Thea ended up putting the book back, though a part of her sincerely wondered about buying it for the laughs and keeping it herself to intimidate any of the male guests she brought back to her apartment. She looked over at the other woman and asked, "I am running low on books to read -- you got any recommendations?"

[gambleddesires]

The minor damage to her home wasn’t going to slow Henley down, though it did provide her with an excuse to want to brighten up the place and there was no better way than with flowers. Against her better judgement she started scrolling through different floral arrangements on her phone as she began her walk toward the shop, figuring it’d be safe on a straight path. Soon she was sent stumbling backwards, blinded by a brought bouquet as she reached forward to grab onto the stranger’s forearm. Luckily for Henley they also went to steady her and it was enough to prevent the girl from landing on her butt. “I’m alright, thank you, it could of been way worse.” She said with a smile as she peaked around the flowers. “I should of been paying more attention.” She continued, getting a glimpse of a face that didn’t belong to a stranger at all. “Danny?”

closed starter for: @gambleddesires // location: somewhere near flora & fauna // picking up flowers to put in the shop

Ever since the storm, Daniel had been buying flowers for the shop almost every day. It gave the store some life and the brunette who worked at the shop was right - flowers do make people smile. He was leaving and waving at the woman before he stepped out onto the sidewalk. It was a nice day today and the bouquet he bought was quite colorful in a good way. He started to walk towards Tidal Wave when his phone went off, he went to look at it hoping that no one was calling out today that he hadn't realized someone else was on the sidewalk and almost knocked them over from the blatant lack of his surroundings. "I'm so sorry." He was quick to reach for the persons arm to help balance them out. "Are you okay?"

[gambleddesires]

Getting back to normal in a town you left for five years was proving to be anything but easy for Henley. There were a lot of things she didn’t factor in, the major one being what she was going to do when fate threw Rhett back in her path. The club was supposed to get her mind off of it, little did she know that the man in question picked up a job doing something new, and now they’d locked eyes and there was no turning back. “Looks like you’ve got everything handled, even if you’re down an arm.” She told him softly. “Are you alright?” The words almost seemed too easy, but she’d been trying to pick them out of her brain since the moment she first stepped into line 5 minutes ago. “I—um, it’s good to see you in one piece.”

Location: Oasis Night Club

Status: Open

@aurorabaystarter

Harris’ injury had been a bit worse than he had expected, but considering his last on he had; he had a tendency to undersell how bad things were now. The doctors had recommended he rest and be gentle with his left arm and shoulder as it healed. And yet there he was not long after standing in his usual spot in front of Oasis. His arm in a sling as he leaned against the wall. He still wanted to go to work cause he liked being out of the house, but he was still gonna take it easy. “ Don’t get any funny idea’s. There’s bouncers with two working arms that can handle any bullshit in there. I’m just manning the door tonight “

[gambleddesires]

Henley scanned the shelves of books with nothing particular in mind. It was something she did often, letting the book titles capture enough of her attention to get her wanting to read the blurb on the back cover. She wasn’t paying attention to much, brightly colored books standing out among the rest of the titles but it was a voice that won overall.

Glancing at the title brought a smile to her face, amused at the other woman’s plan. “It might be a mix of the two.” She shrugged. “Definitely funny, who knows, maybe she’ll find it…helpful.”

[o p e n] | @aurorabaystarter

Thea wasn't all that keen to 'adult' that day. She was annoyed that her client had cancelled on her last minute as it left her with nothing much to do for the entire morning. So, in search of something to occupy her time, Thea began to wander down the street away from the tattoo shop. Finally deciding to duck into the Oceania Bookshop, Thea thumbed her way through some of the titles, stopping at a section that seemed dedicated to self-improvement.

Picking up a particularly amusing title, she turned to the person close to her and held up 'Better Sex Through Mindfulness' as she asked, "If I were to give this to my ex's new girlfriend, is that funny...? Or am I being mean?"

[gambleddesires]

Sofia Carson as Cassie in the trailer for Purple Hearts (2022)