#˗ˏˋ ˢᶜᵉᶰᵉ· ﹙ we're all in the mood for a melody ﹚.

[greenelight]

❝   are   you   sure   this   costume   suits   me   ?   i'm not exactly debonair disney hero material ❞   in   a   rare   turn   of   events   ,   mason   suddenly   feels   self   conscious   of   the   tight   outfit   he   wears   ,   constantly   looking   at   himself   in   the   mirror   &   adjusting   &   readjusting   every   little   thing he sees.   he   wears   costumes   for   a   living   thanks   to   the   theatre   ,   but   halloween   costumes   are   a   whole   other   avenue entirely.   this   was   for   fun   ,   but   it   also   speaks   about   your   tastes   &   what   you   enjoy.   &   while   yes   ,   he   is   a   fan   of   most   animated   disney   films   ,   he's   not   so   sure   if   he's   flynn   rider   material.   he   feels   a   little   too   lanky   for   the   part   ,   but   hey   ,   at   least   he   can   sing   like   him   .   .   .      kinda.

eliza   however   ,   looks   perfect   as   rapunzel   ,   donning   the   infamous   purple   dress   with   a   frying   pan   in   her   hand.   mason   reaches   for   the   pan   ,   thinking   it's   a   prop   ,   but   he's   surprised   when   he finds it   has   some   weight   to   it   &   then   his   face   falls   when   he   realizes   that   it's   an   actual   fucking   frying   pan.   ❝   eliza   ,   babe , you   can't   bring   a   real   pan.   people   are   gonna   get   scared   if   you   lug   that   thing around the party all night.   i   know   you're   committed   to   being   in   character   , but   .   .   .      that's   a   bit   much.   ❞   he   laughs   ,   maybe   feeling   a   little   less   silly   about   his   costume   now , all while slowly trying to pry the weapon pan out of her hand.   ❝   we   should   stop   by   spirit   halloween on   the   way   ,   i   think.   let's   get   you   a   plush   pan   &   stick   this   one   back   into   your   cabinet.   ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᶤᶰᵗ·     eliza's apartment   ﹕  🧛‍♂️   go   to   a   costume   party.   co   -   starring   @strnza   as   eliza   kardel.

[trainedactor]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·      ﹙      aesthetic   sideblog   tags      ﹚      ﹕      part   three.

[greenedoorbye]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·      ﹙      n.sfw sideblog tags      ﹚      ﹕      part   one.

[stagelight]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·      ﹙      aesthetic sideblog tags      ﹚      ﹕      part   two.

[greenelight]

life    has    certainly    taken    a    turn    for    the    better    ,    especially    now    that    he    uses    his    piano    talents    to    perform    in    jazz    bars    for    those    seeking    a    peaceful    moment    while    they    nurse    a    beer.    a    talent    he    once    hated    due    to    his    mom's    exploitation    of    it    is    slowly    healing    now    as    he    plays    songs    he    actually    enjoys    ,    the    reaction    from    the    crowd    not    always    met    with    applause    ,    but    no    one    seems    to    dislike    it    ,    so    that's    a    start    at    least.    it    also    helps    that    he    has    a    partner    in    crime    in    eliza    cecelia    who    often    will    join    him    on    vocals    from    time    to    time.    amazing    how    they    both    were    sort    of    pushed    to    work    together    by    the    owner    one    random    night    &    they    managed    to    improv    a    song    together    despite    never    having    performed    before.    they    did    well    that    night    &    every    night    ever    since    ,    &    it's    nice    to    have    not    only    someone    with    amazing    musical    abilities    to    join    him    on    the    stage    ,    but    someone    he    can    talk    to    in    between    their    sets.    with    the    bar    filled    with    very    few    people    &    most    of    them    focused    on    their    drinks    versus    the    stage    ,    it    seemed    as    good    a    time    as    any    for    the    pair    to    take    a    break    ,    allowing    them    to    vent    about    their    personal    lives    &    maybe    about    their    current    frustrations.    mason    has    been    currently    struggling    with    the    concept    of    possibly    dating    again    now    that    it's    been    a    few    years    since    things    with    brad    disintegrated    ,    but    he    keeps    telling    people    he    isn't    interested    in    relationships    right    now    ,    more    focused    on    his    work    &    with    spending    time    with    friends.    it's    alright    to    not    want    to    date    &    to    focus    on    yourself    for    a    little    bit    ,    but    he    knows    people    worry    that    maybe    he's    trying    to    run    away    from    something    ,    &    he    isn't    !    or    at    least    .    .    .    he    doesn't    think    he    is.

he    opens    up    to    @strnza    &    she    merely    looks    at    him    with    that    same    winning    smile    that    seems    to    always    win    over    even    the    rowdiest    of    patrons    at    the    bar.    somehow    she    seems    so    wise    despite    being    a    bit    younger    &    she    prompts    mason    with    a    question    that    simplifies    everything    for    him    with    amazing    ease.    ❝    you    need    to    ask    yourself    ﹕    in    this    moment    ,    are    you    letting    yourself    be    led    by    fear    or    by    love    ?    ❞

anyone    who    knows    mason    well    enough    knows    he's    a    hopeless    romantic    ,    even    if    he    claims    he    isn't    one.    he's    always    dreamed    of    finding    that    perfect    love    one    day    &    would    do    anything    to    fight    for    it    &    keep    it    ,    even    if    it    isn't    easy.    it's    part    of    the    problem    &    why    he    stuck    around    in    his    previous    relationship    for    so    long    ,    &    he    is     working    through    that    in    his    weekly therapy    sessions    ,    but    .    .    .    eliza's    words    seem    to    really    hit    him    in    that    moment    &    there's    really    no    way    for    him    to    avoid    an    answer    or    spin    this    in    a    way    that    he    can    dismiss    it    fully.    is    his    decision    to    not    date    because    he    wants    to    find    the    perfect    love    ,    or    is    he    still    afraid    ?    is    he    afraid    of    making    another    mistake    &    getting    hurt    again    ?    a    part    of    him    knows    he    can't    possibly    get    hurt    to    the    same    degree    as    he    did    last    time    ,    but    what    if    he    did    ?    what    if    it    is    worse    &    he    comes    out    worse    than    he    did    the    first    time    ?    all    these    thoughts    come    crashing    down    on    him    &    all    because    of    one    single    question.    mason soon    realizes    he's    been    quiet    for    a    little    too    long than he should be    ━━    eliza    surely    will    want    to    hear    him    say    something     in    response    to    her    question    ,    but    he    can't    bring    himself    to    admit    to    the    obvious.    he    can't    admit    to    the    fear    ,    he    just    can't.     admitting to it will make it true , will unveil more issues with himself than he wants to deal with. instead    ,    he    just    puts    on    a    smile    as    he    stretches    out    his    long    fingers    ,    hovering    them    by    the    piano    keys    so    that    they    can    continue    with    the    next    song.    ❝    guess    i    still    have    a    lot    to    think    about    ,    huh    ?    ❞    he    says    with    a    laugh    ,    though    deep    down    he    is    still    thinking    &    he    knows    the    answer. & judging by awkward his reaction , eliza probably knows the answer too.

[greenelight]

mason   used   to   think   of   himself   as   being   way   too   mature   for   one   night   stands   ,   assuming   that   only   those   insecure   in   their   own   lives   would   ever   dabble   in   such   a   messy   &   often   times   confusing   situations.   well   ,   clearly   the   universe   had   different   plans   for   him   the   moment   he   made   that   statement   &   after   he   covered   a   rather   perfect   rendition   of   ❛   how   deep   is   your   love   ❜   by   the   bee   gees   ,   he   found   himself   meeting   a   very   interesting   man   ━━   a   man   who   is   well   known   as   starlord   to   many   ,   but   to   him   ?   he's   just   peter   &   maybe   the   most   infuriatingly   charming   man   he's   ever   come   across in a long time.   mason   thought   he   was   strong   enough   to   resist   any   sweet   words   or   compliments   this cassanova   would   try bring   his   way   ,   but   before   he   could   even   realize   what   was   happening between them   ,   they   found   themselves   rolling   around   in   bed   together the   same   night   they   met   ,   the   evening   filled   with   maybe   the   best   sex   he's   ever   had   in   his   whole   life   ﹙   although   compared   to   his   ex   ,   it's   not   too   hard   to   beat   ﹚.   he   didn't   think   this   would   become   a   regular   thing after the first night   ,   but   it   happened   it   again   a   few   weeks   later   ,   then   again   &   now   it's   a   constant   thing   whenever   peter   finds   himself   back   on   earth   again.   strangely   enough   ,   mason   is   actually   content   with   this   thing   they   have   going   on   ,   never   once   thinking   he   would   ever   actually   be   okay   with   this   but   .   .   .   it's   actually   kind   of   nice.   there's   no   stress   ,   no   expectations   ━━   just   good   company   ,   sex   &   sometimes   good food   if   they   end   up   hungry   enough.   nothing   wrong   with   indulging   in   some   fun   with   someone   you   really   like   &   he   shouldn't   look   down   at   it   simply   because   it's   a   one   stand   arrangement.   besides   ,   at   least   he's   doing   it with   a   good   guy who   he   knows   would   never   intentionally   hurt   him   &   honestly   ?   that   really   helps   a   lot   with   him   remaining   comfortable. peter in general is a very safe & comforting person to him.

mason has   lost   count   over   how   many   times   they've   found   themselves   sharing an evening together   ,   but   to   be   honest   ?   he's   not   really   keeping   track   anymore , mostly because there is no need to.   he   stretches   a   bit   after   having   put   on   a   fresh   set   of   clothes   for   the   day   ,   watching   out   of   the   corner   of   his   eye   the   starlord   struggle   to   shimmy   back   into   his   jeans.   he   chuckles   lightly   ,   maybe   a   little   amused   by   the   struggle   ━━   you'd   think   a   man   who   can   so   quickly   get   out   of   his   clothes   can   get   back   into   them   just   as   easily.   ❝   when   can   we   meet   again   ?   ❞   peter   breaks   the   silence   ,   already   looking   eager   &   excited   at   the   prospect   of   meeting   up   again.   it's   actually   kind   of   adorable   &   it   makes   mason's   smile   grow   even   larger   ,   so   much   so   he   walks   over   to   the starlord   as   he   struggles   with   his   jeans   ,   distracting   him   with   a   soft   &   tempting   kiss   ,   the   kind   that   makes   you   almost   want   to   go   back   to   bed.   almost.   ❝   already   counting   the   days   ,   are   you   quill   ?   ❞   mason   teases   ,   hands   reaching   for   the   hem   of   his   pants   &   buttoning   the   top   for   him.   ❝   isn't   your   crew   expecting   you   by   now   ?   i   don't   want   them   mad   at   me   for   keeping   you   down   here.   you   have   stuff   to   do   as   a   guardian   ,   right   ?   busy   hero   work   &   all   that.   ❞   this   is   another   reason   why   mason   is   more   than   okay   with   their   arrangement.   peter   has   a   responsibility   as   someone   whom   many   people   depend   on   consistently.   no   way   would   mason   ever   want   to   interfere   with   a hero who is beloved & needed   ,   so   their   relationship   is   really   perfect   right   now   ,   though   he   won't   deny   that   he   actually   does   wish   they   could   meet   up   even   sooner.   ❝   go   do   what   you   gotta   do   &   when   you're   done   ,   you   know   where   to   find   me.   ❞   mason   winks , another kiss pressed to his cheek.   ❝   now   get   your   mind   out   of   the   gutter   &   into   the   kitchen.   we   have   enough   time   for   some   breakfast   before   you   gotta   jet   ,   right   ?   ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᶤᶰᵗ·     mason’s   apartment   ﹕   prompts   for   a   secret   rendezvous   with   your   lover.   co   -   starring @interplanet   as peter   quill.

[greenelight]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·      ﹙      tags      ﹚      ﹕      part   two.

[greenelight]

here   she   was   ,   cooing   out   gentle   words   of   encouragement   &   reassuring   him   he   was   dashing   enough   to   look   good   at   her   side   &   now   it's   all   taken   back   the   moment   mason   takes   the   skillet   away   ,   her   face   now   scrunched   into   an   adorable   little   pout.   mason   has   no   clue   what   had   her   thinking   that   lugging   this   heavy   ass   skillet   to   a   large   costume   party   would   be   a   good   idea.   there's   being   in   character   &   then   there's   whatever   this   is.   last   thing   he   needs   is   eliza   to   accidentally   use   this   thing   on   someone   &   then   get   jumped   or   worse   ,   thrown   in   jail.   he's   really   not   in   the   mood   to   be   bailing   anyone   out   regardless   of   how   close   they   are   ,   so   best   to   just   leave   the   pan   home   ,   just   to   be   safe.

despite   her   pouting   face   ,   mason   smiles   sweetly   at   his   friend   &   gently   boops   her   nose   with   a   finger   before   leaving   the   room.   ❝   i'm   loads   of   fun   ,   babe   ,   &   you   know   it.   my   middle   name   is   practically   fun.   ❞   actually   ,   it's   anthony   ,   but   who's   asking   ?   ❝   what's   not   fun   is   bringing   basically   a   weapon   to   a   party.   i'm   not   sayin'   you're   gonna   use   it   on   anyone   ,   but   with   the drinking   &   the   energy   being   all   over   the   place   ,   either   you   might   bonk   someone   on   accident   ,   or   someone   else   might   take   it   front   you.   let's   just   avoid   all   possible   scenarios   &   leave   this   in   the   kitchen   ,   yeah   ?   ❞   he   sets   the   pan   down   on   the   counter.   phew   .   .   .   they're   safe   for   now.   ❝   now   quit   pouting   ,   eliza.   you   still   look   amazing.   &   you'll   look   just   as   amazing   with   a   fake   pan   from   spirit   halloween.   c'mon   .   .   .   don't   be   so   sad.   you're   acting   like   i   put   you   in   time   out   or   somethin'.   ❞

"i'm  positive  -  you're  the  perfect  hero,"  that  sentiment  is  cooed  with  enough  sincerity,  mason  would  be  hard-pressed  to  deny  eliza  the  promise  that  she  believes  so  wholeheartedly.  in  truth,  she  hardly  knew  exactly  who  she  was  dressed  as  until  mason  had  sat  her  down  to  watch  the  film;  of  course,  given  her  newfound  knowledge,  she  is  all  the  more  eager  and  excited  about  the  prospect.  she  leans  into  his  space  to  fix  his  jacket  before  moving  on  to  nonchalantly  brush  some  of  his  hair  back  in  place.  "my  hero,"  she  adds,  smiling  something  fierce.

though,  she'll  turn  on  him  as  soon  as  she  realizes  that  he's  trying  to  dismantle  the  authenticity  of  her  costume.  (see:  taking  away  her  socially-acceptable  weapon  of  choice.)    "why  not?"  one  may  think  that  mason  had  insulted  her  very  core  the  way  she  reacts;  eliza's  lips  turn  to  a  downward  pout  as  she  pulls  the  iron  skillet  out  of  his  grasp,  reluctantly  allowing  him  to  take  the  object  from  her.  "you're  no  fun."

[greenelight]

there   is   a   relief   that   spreads   through   his   body   when   eliza   doesn't   press   any   further.   he   knows   he   can't   keep   hiding   from   everything   despite   how   desperately   he   wants   to   ,   but   she   let's   him   have   his   peace   for   now   ,   smiling   as   he   kisses   her   cheek   back   in   return.   what   a   great   friend   eliza   is   .   .   .   it's   been   so   long   since   he's   had   someone   who   is   very   much   his   equal   in   many   ways.   they   have   a   similar   care   for   the   people   in   their   circles   &   will   always   put   others   before   they   ever   take   care   of   themselves.   its   what   makes   this   friendship   they   share   all   the   more   special   ,   &   to   think   ,   they   may   have   never   met   if   they   weren't   booked   accidentally   one   night   by   the   bar   owner ages ago.   eliza   seemingly accepts   his   answer   &   they   go   back   to   work   to   entertain   their   small   little   audience   ,   pouring   the   same   level   of   passion   &   energy   they   always   do   when   they   sing   together   ,   encouraging   others   to   dance   &   enjoy   what   life   had   to   offer.   i   should   be   enjoying   life   too   ,   he   thinks   ,   but   he   pushes   that   thought   away   for   now.   he   is   enjoying   life   ,   he's   just   not   completely   opening   his   heart   to   everything.

after   a   long   period   of   songs   &   a   few   duets   ,   they   are   granted   with   another   brief   break   in   between   their   sets.   finally   ━━   the   home   stretch.   just   another   hour   &   then   they   can   wrap   up   for   the   night.   eliza   comes   over   to   the   piano   bench   &   he's   quick   to   make   room   ,   smiling   as   she   settles   down   with   her   glass   of   water   in   hand   &   then   .   .   .   the   topic   returns.   ugh.   acting   prowess   briefly comes   into   play   here   ,   his   smile   never   faltering   but   there   is   so   much   dread   hidden   in   his   heart.   scared   ?   of   course   he's   scared.   being   hurt   by   someone   he   thought   he   could   trust   was   both   the   most   horrifying   &   humiliating   thing   he   could   have   ever   experienced.   it's   not   something   he   likes   to   talk   about   openly   ,   but   he   did   manage   to   tell   eliza   one   night long ago.   opening   up   to   that   part   in   his   life   showed   just   how   much   he   trusted   her.   mason   sighs   ,   fingers   resting   on   his   lap   ,   shaking   slightly   from   nerves.   he   begins   to   wring   his   right   wrist   to   hide   his   shaking   ,   pressing   over   the   light   scars   he   keeps   from   his   friend's   view.   ❝   i   know.   ❞   he   whispers   softly   ,   turning   to   look   down   at   the   keys.   ❞   i   know   i   have   to   .   .   .   live   life   &   enjoy   it   for   what   it's   worth   ,   but   i   feel   like   i'm   still   haunted   by   the   past   ,   you   know   ?   the   reminders   of   what   happened   back   then   make   the   uncertain   stuff   feel   so   .   .   .   difficult   to   handle.   ❞   he   hopes   he   doesn't   sound   too   ridiculous   ,   the   grip   on   his   wrist   growing   tighter.   ❝   i   don't   think   i   could   survive   it   if   made   a   mistake   like   that   again.   it's   dramatic   ,   i   know   ,   but   it   was   .   .   .   it   all   happened   so   suddenly   &   so   fast.   i   wanna   say   i'm   a   stronger   person   now   that   i   could   see   the   signs   &   leave   before   the   cycle   began   again   ,   but   what   if   i'm   not   ?   ❞

she  regards  him  with  a  perpetual  honesty,  earned  in  an  all-encompassing  love  and  admiration  of  mason  that  makes  the  weight  on  her  shoulders  feel  lighter  when  he's  around.  all  things  considered,  eliza  feels  like  he  understands  her  -  her  ambition,  her  drive,  her  desires  ...  and  all  the  messy  bits  that  come  unhinged  on  the  path  to  success.  (making  art  is  inherently  chaotic,  but  that  doesn't  diminish  the  beauty  created  along  the  way.)

her  chin  rests  in  the  palm  of  her  hand  as  she  watches  him  -  ever  patient,  ever  present.  eliza  doesn't  push  him  to  answer  her  question  before  he's  ready,  nor  does  she  force  any  sort  of  honesty  out  of  him;  he's  safe  with  her,  and  she  wants  him  to  know  that.  an  avoidant  answer  is  answer  enough;  his  kind  dismissal  moves  her  to  shift  into  action,  placing  a  gentle  hand  on  her  friend's  bicep  as  she  presses  a  quick  kiss  to  his  cheek.  vulnerability  never  ceases  to  be  difficult,  no  matter  who's  on  the  receiving  end  of  it  -  she  nods  and  smiles,  keen  to  continue  prodding  after  the  next  few  songs.

they  continue  through  the  motions  -  him  on  the  keys,  her  on  vocals,  overlapping  some  when  it  suits  them.  they've  been  on  the  gig  for  some  time  now,  and  only  when  it's  time  to  stop  does  eliza  catch  her  breath  and  sit  on  the  piano  bench  beside  mason.  she  alternates  between  sips  of  water  and  something  just  as  clear  and  much  stronger,  inhaling  deeply  through  her  nose  before  speaking  again,  "everyone's  scared,  baby,"  she  coos,  doing  her  best  to  meet  his  eyes  head-on,  "me,  you  ...  everyone  in  this  place.  but  -  ...  you  can't  let  it  control  you."