#DOWNFALL a.b.

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL | a.b.

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 6

got your hands at the back of my soul and the more that i show you the more i'm afraid that you're gonna wake up and realize i'm not the one — paranoid, lauv

——

Butthead's snazzy shirt stared at me for an entire week.

After the superhero moves I pulled a few days ago with my sidekick — or maybe I was the sidekick and he was the main hero, considering how he was saving me the entire time — I got back to work an exhausted wreck.

Levi — wanting to throw Dax in the back dumper, as he so beautifully put it — needed a good gossip fix to make up for the pain he endured the entire time I was gone. Like a whole reporter on the scope, he barreled every question he could think of, while continuously going on about how fucking tiny the world was. How it was crazy the universe just threw us back together like that — that it was a sign.

Superstitious Jeans.

He also flipped the fuck out when he realized I was wearing Austin's shirt. Of course, his mind quickly went in the gutter, assuming we fucked around to which I immediatly denied. Even when I tried explaining the whole coffee shabackle, his smirk and knowing eyes that really knew absolutely nothing — didn't buy a word I said.

It was like I was talking to an entire brick wall.

"You can say whatever you want." He told me. "But I saw the way that hunk so smoothly caught my keys and then caught you. Y'all were staring at each other for a solid minute."

I wanted to throw myself on the floor, roll over, and dissolve into the floorboards.

Seeing where Levi's perspective on the matter lied, I was grateful Austin had texted me first when I was in the lot. Saved me the trouble of ever bringing it up to Jeans and giving that boy ideas. With my luck, Levi — being the wingman he loved to be — would totally take my phone when I wasn't looking, pretend to be me, and flirt his head off with Austin.

Would be better off if he didn't know I had his number.

That night, I locked up, went home, and peeled off his shirt. I still had no fucking clue what kind of cologne he laced his clothes with, but my god that shit smelled good. The most devastating part was tossing it in the wash.

A part of me wished I never did so while another was happy I could finally breathe proper air that wasn't drugged up in his scent.

Now, it just sat there, perfectly pressed and hung up on the doorknob of my closet. Like some sort of blaring billboard, it flashed its lights at me every single time I walked in my room. The worst was when I sat on my bed. I couldn't focus on my book, my laptop, or even the television — which were my favorite down time activities — with that thing just sitting there, staring straight into my soul.

I felt like I was going mad.

Being that today was Sunday, the bookstore was closed and I was off from work — meaning I had nothing to do. Syd always went to the gym or surfing on the weekends. It alternated depending on her mood, the weather, and if she had a competition coming up. Something I was glad she did without me, considering me and any form of physical activity in an athletic-esce form did not go together at all. Let alone get along.

Definitely not all chummy.

My noodle arms could never keep up.

Apparently she decided on the gym today, bringing Brock along for the ride — which hinted that she'd be gone for longer than usual. That meant, I was home alone, but not really alone — chilling with my not-so-good pal, Austin's shirt.

I needed out.

Bad.

I came to this conclusion when I found myself reading over a particular page ten times over, not grasping a single word of my book. And I was sitting in the living room — for fucks sake! Nowhere near Butthead's shirt. It was then that I figured I really needed to get out of the house — even though I really didn't want to.

As if this wasn't already bad enough, this man not only weaseled his way into my two favorite places, but also managed to infiltrate his presence into my bedroom where my bed — who was my main squeeze and boyfriend — lived — without ever stepping foot inside! Now, I guessed it was the whole fucking apartment.

Fan-fucking-tastic!

Getting kicked out of all my homes. Now where would I live?

With a huff, I grabbed my keys and tossed my book in my bag before heading out for the day. Where? I didn't know. But I was sure it would be one of the two places I usually went to. The bookstore was obviously a no for today. So that left me with Sunshine Spot.

I could only hope for the best.

Popping in my earbuds, I began my descent down the familiar stairs and out the door of my complex. When I stepped outside I almost went blind from how sunny it was. I immediately fished for my sunglasses, placing them on the bridge of my nose.

Sometimes I wondered if I was a vampire from how sensitive I always got. Or maybe it was just my introverted side making up more excuses to not leave the house. Either way, I definitely pulled off the 'fuck off, leave me alone' look with my earbuds in and my shades on. Not having to listen or look anyone in the eye sounded perfect to me.

And it was.

Until I got to my destination.

But to be fair, it was completely my own fault.

My dumbass was actually looking at her cellular device, trying to change the song I was listening to — but of course being the old piece of shit it was, the thing decided to lag on me right as I was walking through the door. Robotically, I messed around with every app and button known to man trying to fix it, but it just kept playing this one song that reminded me way too much of my awkward teenage years.

Somehow I managed to get to my favorite booth in the joint without even looking up. Sliding into the seat backwards, my back hit the wall and my knees shot up to my chest like a fetus — sideways in the booth.

I couldn't sit like a whole grown human — at all.

When I went to turn and slam the side of my phone on the table to wake it up, I almost died right on the spot when I realized someone was sitting across from me in my peripheral vision. Shutting my eyes for a moment, I tried to brace myself for what I would come face to face with —whoever was on the other side. Trying to figure out some sort of lame excuse that wouldn't make me look like a complete weirdo for sliding right into a booth that was already rightfully claimed.

Taking a breath and finally opening my eyes, I shut them just as fast when I captured the image of the person in front of me. Either I was losing my mind, or it was in fact him who was sitting in the same damn booth as me.

Saying him, I meant Austin with all of his butt related names.

You've got to be shitting me right now.

Why was this always happening to me?

Was he fucking following me or something?

Did his shirt manifest his presence right in front of me? —saying, 'Ha! Jokes on you! You can't escape me no matter how hard ya try!'

Reopening my eyes, I ripped my headphones out of my ears and absolutely lost it. "You!" I pointed at him as if I was blaming him for something — which I mentally was.

"Me?" he questioned and apprehensively confirmed, bracing a hand against his solid chest that was clad in a simple white t-shirt— clearly not understanding where I was going with this.

My mouth decided to work on its own accord and not cooperate with my brain. "What the hell are you doing here?" I grilled him immediately.

For a moment, he just stared at me blankly, seeming equally as confused but also slightly amused with the way his lips curled up. "Nice to see you too," he mused. Biting his lip, he looked down at the table. "Um." I followed his gaze, noting a small black moleskine journal that was sandwiched between his hands. One was inside the book, serving as a bookmark for whatever page I assumed he was writing on while the other was braced on top with a pen firmly tucked in between his fingers. It looked like I had totally interrupted his journaling— or journalism, if you will. "I should be asking you the same thing." He said, tilting his head as he studied me.

"Right," I sighed, readying myself for my long awaited explanation. "I didn't realize someone else was sitting here. Sorry —I'll just go."

I was in the process of awkwardly maneuvering myself out of the booth — finally rearranging my legs to be in a normal seating position when his husky voice spoke up. "No," he stopped me. "I mean, you can stay if you want. I'm not waiting on anyone anyways. Unless you're waiting on someone yourself."

"I'm not. Thanks, but —I don't want to disturb you, if you're working," I declined his offer, already feeling like a total intruder. Even though he unknowingly intruded on my favorite spot to sit when it came to avoiding people and having my own personal space to breathe.

"It's fine," he reiterated, not giving up for some reason unknown to me. "I was just finishing up anyways." To prove his point, he opened his journal back up, tucking his pen inside before closing it.

Looking around, I quickly assessed the available tables, only to come up short with a place to sit. The lunch hour was already hopping, meaning the joint was in fact packed and there was nowhere to sit that wouldn't have me up in somebody else's grill — listening in on their conversations. If I had to hear one more lady discuss the latest hot gossip about her neighbor's affair like a true Soap Opera while I was trying to read my book — I was gonna lose it.

"Sure," I gave in, unslinging my tote from my shoulder and shoving my phone and headphones inside.

It wouldn't kill me to sit with him for a little bit.

Right?

"So..." he began, starting some sort of conversation. "Did you end up at that nightclub?"

Well that was one way to get my attention.

"I'm sorry?" I questioned, totally not catching on to what he was going on about. Suddenly feeling extremely nervous, I braced my hands together on the table, hoping he wouldn't notice that I was shaking as I messed around with the rings on my fingers."What nightclub?"

He cupped his hand over his chin, displaying his ring cladded fingers that bounced against the light from the lamp hanging above us. Today he wore a few different silver bands that I found myself staring at. "The one your friend behind the counter said he was turning your bookstore into." He explained shyly.

"Oh!" He remembered that? "No." I shook my head, laughing lightly at the memory. "He didn't — thankfully."

"Good," he said. " It would've been a shame if he'd done it. I'd never get a chance to go back there and scan the collection if a dance floor and bar replaced all the shelves."

Picturing Levi running an entire nightclub that had a Saturday Night Fever Vibe with a John Trovolta-esce dance floor that lit up and changed colors, simultaneously made me want to laugh and cry. Laugh because I knew Marlon would absolutely be beside himself, and cry because I would lose it if Levi fucked up my displays and let people destroy the vintage portion of the collection where our rare books could be found. If I could take in all those babies I would.

Trying my hardest not to make a smart ass comment, I agreed with him."That would be devastating."

Which then left me to immediately overthink it.

Devastating in the sense of the bookstore being destroyed or devastating that he'd never get to see it?

Oh god.

What if he thought I was flirting with him — thinking I'd be saddened not to see him again?

"Maybe I could just shove all the books in a back closet and hide in there while he parties," I tried to save myself. "Problem solved."

"As long as it's against a wall, so you could live up to your name," he replied, reminding me of the 'Wall Girl' title he gave me.

"Very funny," I threw out sarcastically, rolling my eyes as a busboy placed two glasses on the table — filling them up from a pitcher of water. "And I'd have to lock up my toothpick umbrellas in a safe. Wouldn't want you ruining my pretty drinks."

"Oh?" He perked up with that one, intrigue flooding in his curious blue eyes. "So I'm invited to this theoretical nightclub?"

Oh. My. God.

"Um." My cheeks heated at the implication, making it impossible for me to conjure up some sort of response. He had me cornered. "I-I wouldn't be surprised if Levi invited you." Volly saved. His brows confirmed to me that he wasn't sure who I was talking about. "Levi is my co-worker. The dude behind the desk," I confirmed to which he nodded in understanding once it all clicked.

"Hi. Welcome to Sunshine Spot. I'm Sherry, and I'll be your server today." My favorite lady came over to take our order, whisking us out of our conversation. Flicking through her order pad, she didn't realize I was sitting right in front of her. "What can I get —" She immediately trailed off once she caught my eye, surprise washing over her features. "My girl! I should've known you'd be sitting here. My intuition must've served me right and felt your presence."

"Hey Sher," I greeted her back, my nerves subsiding as my gratitude rose the moment she appeared. It must've totally gone over her head that I was right here since I normally always sat alone.

She smiled back at me, before she glanced over at Austin, giving him a hard stare. "Who are you?" She asked him, her whole demeanor changing as she took him in.

"Austin," he introduced himself, a picture perfect smile gracing his face — totally disregarding Sher's judging stare in an attempt to butter her the fuck up. "It's nice to finally meet you in person."

She looked even more taken aback, baffled that he could say such a thing to her — completely forgetting they talked the other day.

Good.

Humble him.

"Sher." I got her attention. "You spoke to him the other day on the phone." She still looked lost, so I elaborated. "You thought I was being kidnapped while I was ordering coffees for Syd's meeting."

"Oh!" She clapped her hands, piecing it together. "That was you?" He nodded. "Good. Now I can keep my eye on you. If you even try anything with my girl here I will not hesitate to —"

"Alrighty then!" I cut her off, reaching for a menu and shoving it across the table for Austin to look at. "Shall we order?"

"Mhm," Austin mumbled as he flipped a page, searching it over.

God, this was fucking awkward.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Sher's spirit to death, but this was not the time for threats especially when there was nothing between me and Austin. We weren't even close enough to be considered friends.

"The usual for you, dear?" Sher asked, making it blatantly obvious of my regular appearances here.

"Yep," I confirmed, popping the p in exaggeration while passing the menu back to her.

Taking it from me, she turned to Austin with absolutely no cheer presence. "And for you?" She was already flexing her hand for the menu like she couldn't be bothered.

"Um. Just a coffee," He said simply. "Black. No milk or sugar, please."

"God." She put the hand with the pen over her heart dramatically. "Is that it?

We both nodded.

"Interesting." She paused for a moment. "Do you kids ever eat or just feed off of coffee like it's a drug?" She inquired, but didn't wait for us to respond. "I'm sending over fries and gravy for you two so I know you're not starving yourselves, and I can sleep peacefully tonight." She decided, jotting that last order down before walking away with no argument.

"I take it that you just ordered a coffee too? Nothing else?" he weighed, clearly reading between the lines.

"Just the drug," I firmly stated. "Certified junkie."

A stupid toothy grin threw up all over his face at my words, his eyes crinkling as they tightened in hysterics. I couldn't help but join him as he laughed his ass off right in front of me. It was the first time I ever saw him completely lose it like that, and it was such a fascinating sight to see. Especially since he always tended to hide it in front me.

Swiping a hand over his face to compose himself, he unknowingly pushed a curl out of the expanse of his hair.

"Makes the two of us," he said once he could get the words out without cracking up again.

I couldn't help but stare at the blonde lock casually lingering against his forehead like Danny Zuko. I supposed it really was a Grease kind of day. "Hm," I teased. "I'm the top junkie. Let's see if you fit the qualifications for certification."

Somehow, I managed to cough up the confidence to look him in the eye as he said, "Wow. Big words for the bookstore girl." He held his hands up in defense. "I see how it is."

Bookstore girl.

"What?" I inquired, absolutely flushed. "Scared you're gonna lose to the reigning champ?"

Thankfully a server came over with our drinks, and his gaze was trained on our coffees right in front of us. "Nope. I'm ready for the challenge." He licked his lips as he anticipated the taste of the coffee on his tongue, preparing himself for our little game.

Oh fuck.

"Of course you ordered black coffee," I spat out, not thinking before I spoke — far too focused on his perfectly sculpted cherry lips.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He leaned over the table, sizing me up.

"I don't know," I sighed, messing around with the straw stabbed into the lid on my drink. . "Reminds me of my basic ex-bosses at the publisher company. Boring bitter drinks, boring bitter men," I recalled, the memories of fucking up drink orders at my internship permanently etched into my head.

"So you think I'm boring and bitter?" He scoffed, clearly offended.

Shit.

Fuck.

"No!" I almost yelled, my heart racing out of my chest as I tried to think of a good way to maneuver out of the grave I just dug myself in. "I mean — not that you are boring or bitter. Well, I — I get milk and creamer in my drink, but that doesn't make me cool or peachy. Just the opposite. Trust me, I'm known to be very boring and bland. It's my middle —"

"Rianne!" He called, a smile etching onto his face as he cut me off. "I'm only joking with you." It was then that I felt his thumb dig into the side of my hand where my thumb and pointer finger met as if he was trying to bring me back to reality.

Oh.

Hello?

The realization dawned over me that in the middle of my excitement, I must have reached across the table and trapped his hand under my own out of reflex to console him in some fashion.

My fingers immediately tensed at the contact.

"Right," I gulped. A wave of electricity shooting from my fingertips all the way up to my arms jolted me awake, and I pulled back sheepishly.

Wrapping my hands around my drink, I tried to cool my hand down that felt awfully hot. I took a sip, tasting straight up sugar and creamer with the perfect amount of bitterness as a means to distract myself from the obvious.

I watched as he did just the same, using his other hand — that was never locked in my hold — to pick up his drink and take a sip. My eyes traveled to his other hand that was still braced on the table — still and unmoving. I thought I imagined it when his hand flexed for just a moment before he pulled it away.

"Hm," he hummed in satisfaction, averting my attention back to his face. "Pretty good," he complimented the coffee before taking another sip.

"The best," I hyped it up, almost halfway done with my own cup.

"I now understand why you come here so much," he commented in between sips before going back to our previous conversation. "So you used to work for a publishing company?"

"Interned," I clarified. "Not my finest moment, but hey — guess it just wasn't for me."

"Do you like the bookstore?"

He wanted to know if I liked working at the bookstore.

He wanted to know something about me.

"Yeah, I love it," I answered quickly, before I could over-think it any longer. Taking one last big sip, I almost slammed my cup on the table. "Done!"

"No fair," Austin whined, completely stunned. "They filled yours with a shit load of ice."

"Are you accusing me of cheating, Mr. Butt-ler?" I exaggerated the butt part again, absolutely cheesing my head off as I fucked around with him.

Not actually fucked.

Just joking.

Busted his balls a little.

Welp, that didn't sound any better. Anyways —

"Not that again." He blew out a breath, his gaze training upward as he tried to remove the curl off his forehead in frustration.

My hand suddenly tingled at my side, itching to reach out and touch him — to move the curl from his forehead. I momentarily wondered if his hair was as soft as it looked from here.

Jesus.

Focus, Rianne.

Maybe Sher was right. Maybe coffee was a drug. Maybe one of those peeps at Syd's office infected me or doused their addictive stimulants into my beverage.

Shoving my hand under my leg, I settled. "It's not my fault you nurse it like a baby."

"Maybe we should've ordered espresso shots," he suggested, ignoring my comment right as another server placed a plate of fries and gravy on the table for us. "Could be a hit for Levi's party though."

"Don't give me ideas now," I warned him, pointing a gravy covered fry in his direction accusingly to which he just smirked at me before munching on his own stick of potato — if you will.

A strange silence washed over us as we indulged in the plate, my mind suddenly feeling cloudy and heavy with every intrusive thought imaginable. For some reason, I couldn't comprehend the fact that I was here with him, in my favorite booth, sipping coffee and munching on fries — looking like this was a normal usual thing.

Something we did all the time.

Together.

The thought lingered with me for longer than I liked, burrowing itself deep into my insecurities and worries.

Warning me to flee.

Warning me not to get attached.

"Good, you're both eating." Sher was suddenly there, leaning an arm against the top of Austin's side of the booth observing us. "Everything good, my girl?" She asked me, going back to ignoring him once she was satisfied that he was being fed.

"Great," I forced out — my smile feeling robotic as I attempted to stretch it across my face.

Everything was fine, and now it just wasn't.

She sent a strange look my way, suspicion written all over her face as her eyes scanned back and forth between us. Sherry knew me well – well enough to know when something was up with me. Well enough to pick up my social cues in a heartbeat.

Before she could even let out a single word, my hand ventured into my tote bag searching for my wallet. "I probably should go." I told Austin, placing some cash on the table to contribute to my share.

"Wait – Take it back," he urged, pushing the cash back in my direction and then whipped out his credit card, trying to hand it over to Sher.

Not again.

Rolling my eyes, I picked up my cash and shook it in front of Sher. "Who are you gonna side with on this one? The dude you just met or your girl?" I questioned her, narrowing my eyes as a test.

Shaking her head, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Neither of you." She surprised us both. "On me. I'm not gonna wait and watch you two argue it out. I've got orders to take and shit to do." She raised her manicured hands up in surrender. "Goodbye."

And then she just disappeared – leaving us sitting there confused.

In a quick attempt to stop him from even thinking about paying for me, I left some cash on the table as a tip for Sher since she didn't leave us a receipt before decking out of there. I ball parked what I thought the price would be and hoped and prayed she just took it. If not, someone else would. Either way it would go to a place I appreciated.

Looking back, I watched him leave his own wad of cash – which was definitely too much money at this point for two coffees and some fries – before trailing behind me – his steps urgent. On the way out, I thought I lost him, but heard the bell above the door ring the moment I stopped at the corner looking both ways to cross.

Damn it.

Long legs stopped right next to me as I went to click the button for the crosswalk. "You're walking?" he asked, surprising me when he dropped the 'I'm paying-no-I'm paying' game.

Guessed it was settled — more than settled.

I sure as shit thought he was gonna say something along the lines of — "Just let me pay, Rianne," or "You'll get me back next time, Rianne" — just to get his way. Or maybe I was just thinking that because a part of my subconscious selfishly wanted to hear him say my name again. Wanted him to see me again. I already knew another part was already shutting that thought down — canning it in the trash bin of my brain.

You're gone.

Deleted.

"Yeah." I replied, squinting up at his tall frame against — what would soon be — a setting sun.

His golden locks shone in the light, complimenting the rays and his eyes looked even lighter — like a light blue sky reflecting off the ocean. Seeing him standing up gave me the opportunity to notice that he had on a pair of jeans and scruffed up brown boots — that looked like they'd seen better days — and now a black leather jacket.

"It's getting late," he muttered. "And the streets are gonna be packed with people and traffic now that rush hour is rolling around." Leaning against the post he finally ripped off the bandage. "Let me drive you home."

"Oh, so you do drive?" I teased, being a complete and total smartass.

"I was away for a while," he explained, pulling out a key from his pocket to drive his point further. Ha— drive? Car? Alright. Tough Crowd. Awful joke. "And I left it here, so it had to go into the shop for a check up when I came back. That's why I couldn't drive myself."

"Is it good? You sure it isn't gonna break down on us during the journey back home?" I asked suspiciously.

"I was in your friend La— Le— sorry, what is his name again?" His hand shot up to his head, his fingers massaging into his temples as if it was physically paining him to figure out what he was trying to say.

I knew not telling him would give me the upper hand, but watching him struggle started to pain me as well. "Levi."

"Levi. Right." He brushed his hand across his face just as he did in the diner. I wondered if it was a habit induced by stress. "I sat in his — no offense — pretty old car, and I let you drive me." He pointed out.

"True." I mean I couldn't deny the evident point he made. Levi's car was way passed the drinking age and probably even surpassed me by a few years — probably flirty and thirty. "No offense taken but, you didn't have much of a choice now, did you? And I wouldn't be driving this time, would I?"

"Well." He kicked off the pole, standing up straight. "No, but —"

I advanced towards him, so close I ruined the little line I mentally drew between us, my finger poking his chest.

"Exactly!" I stressed.

I won.

Two out of three.

Take that—Toothpick Umbrella Thief!

"Scared of losing control?" He quipped, biting on that ridiculous lip for the a millionth time today — seeming completely unphased by my close proximity and more amused by my evident aggravation.

"How do I know you're a safe driver?" I avoided his question, whispering like it was some sort of confidential secret. As if we weren't standing on a busy street in Los Angeles, but in a library with a librarian shushing us across the way.

"You'll just have to find out for yourself," he breathed, his face towering over mine — so close I could feel his breath fanning across my skin.

Too close.

I shouldn't have done that.

I pulled away.

"Thanks, but I walk all the time," I attempted to deny another one of his offers, staring up at the stupid light stuck on green — waiting for the damn thing to turn. "I'll be fine." I assured him, sending him a tight lipped smile as I pressed the button again, but with a bit more umpt this time.

He sent a funny look my way, before lifting up his sleeve and sniffing his arm. "Do I smell or something to you?" He asked in all seriousness, his nose scrunching up as he tried to figure it out. "Is that why you want to get away from me so bad? Cause if so, you can just tell me straight up." He joked.

If he meant smell good — yes, in fact he smelled so good, I found it really hard to concentrate. Which meant I needed to get as far away from him as possible.

But, I knew what he meant.

And he sure as shit did not smell bad at all.

"No." I let out a short laugh. "I already intruded on your booth, your work, and your late lunch. You should be sick of me at this point."

"I'm not sick of you," he said just as fast, proving to me that he was truly trying to say whatever would please me to get me right where he wanted me. "In fact. If I remember correctly, you have a shirt of mine that I have to get back from you. So it's a win-win — I drive you home, you give me the shirt." He stuck out his hand, initiating to shake on it. "Deal?

Fucking stubborn.

Taking a long hard breath, I let the steam shoot right out of my ears as I reached out and shook his hand. My body immediately caved once his warm hand engulfed my small one— our rings clanking together. My mind screamed at me to pull away, but —

"Deal."

Electric.

If it meant giving him his shirt back so I could finally live at peace in my own home — so be it.

——

it's the way i was cheesing like a total idiot while writing this chapter —smiling at typed words on a screen. anyways, hope you enjoyed <3 —xanadu

[tarot-by-e11e]

Hi there, I would love to participate, so my initials are a.b.,♉, and for the fictional character, I feel like I relate to Henry Strauss from the novel The Invisible Life of Addie Larue.

Thanks✨🌻✨✨🌻🌻

Hi AB,

Thank you so much for participating in my Inner Demons ask game.

I have to do my research about that character and I apologize that I don't know who that is yet but I'll try to discover them after finishing the ask games.

So the cards I pulled are: Strength, Page of Coins, 5 of Wands

By any chance, were you ever teased for being aggressive, selfish, or arrogant/cocky when you were just being yourself? Like you know who you are, tends to trigger people around you? Were you pressured to dim your light and shamed into submission/subservience?

Based on the energy of your reading, it seems that your Inner Demon is known as Flame of Passion. What others perceive as arrogance is actually self-confidence in your identity. What others perceive as selfish is actually having a healthy dose of self-worth. If you might not feel it now, you might have been so conditioned to dim your light and force yourself to blindly follow without question, that it left you used, abused and mistreated.

You were pressured to be small and not question the toxicity of others because your being in your power scares those who benefitted from your seasonal depression. Now this may or may not resonate but the sign Leo has been oddly significant in your reading. Now it can either be having Leo placements in your chart, or you have or will meet someone with a prominent Leo that will aid and support you in your pursuits in the future.

Now what you desire the most in the world is to achieve your goals, these are big dreams you've always had when you were younger. You know well enough that overnight success has a tendency to end in a quick downfall. So if you're going to be persistent in your ambitions in life, you're definitely playing the long game. If you feel the need to get educated or undergo training for skills to achieve your dreams, you will not hesitate to find a way to fund for your education and skill building workshops.

You can incorporate your passion towards achieving your ambitions in life by putting yourself out into the industry you desire to excel in through competitions and as much exposure as possible. This could be either enrolling in schools/university that will give you an edge in your desired career after graduation. It can also be participating in as many local and international competitions to garner both exposure, acclaim, and experience first-hand.

TBH, you don't really need any in-depth suggestions from me regarding your strategy towards your ambitions because you're a self-starter that must have already done extensive research about what needs to be learned, done and acquired to be able to be one step closer towards your dreams everyday.

This concludes the end of your reading. Do let me know how this resonates with you. Feel free to show some support via my Buy Me A Coffee here (This reading is for entertainment purposes only.)

[inkveined]

immortally wounded ➳ — (h.g. & a.b.)

PAIRING: haurchefant greystone x gender neutral!wol (ft. aymeric de borel x gender neutral!wol)

GENRE(S): angst, hurt no comfort, drabble

WORD COUNT: 1.0k

CONTENT WARNINGS: heavensward spoilers, major character death, implied suicide

A/N: ...so the vault huh

ao3 mirror

You should’ve died.

With your fists trembling at your sides, you throw your head back, baring your throat to the heavens. The ache in your beating heart does not hold a candle to the ache left behind by the anguished wail that claws its way out of your chest.

It should’ve been you.

The heavens make no indication of hearing you.

If only…

A half sob follows, then–

Anger.

It settles deep, a blooming that reaches the apex of your next sorrowful cry to the skies of Coerthas above. You vaguely wonder if he can hear you from Halone’s halls.

To have your other half torn asunder so suddenly leaves you broken, a lance having pierced you straight through your heart much like his shield.

If only you weren’t in the way.

Saltine tears drop from your glassy eyes into the snow below, his gravestone and shield doing little to comfort you. Resting your forehead against the cold surface of the slab of stone, you can feel your soul yearn for what you’ve lost. From what Aymeric had taken from you.

The anger seethes, burns, forming an unyielding grasp around your quivering frame. It was Aymeric that had indirectly orchestrated the downfall of your beloved, it was Aymeric that tore, tore, tore away at what you thought was the inseparable tie that had bound you once to your beloved.

The bastard laid in bed with you that evening. His apologetic kisses left nothing but disdain in their wake. But you couldn’t deny what Count Fortemps had seen in the young commander. An uncanny resemblance to your dear Haurchefant.

You wonder what cruel trick of fate this was.

Looking past the dark curls and striking dual blue hues, you saw what you had once fallen in love with. And that was precisely what kept you tethered to the sheets, fists twisted in them as he whispered sweet nothings into your ear with remorse in deep blues that reminded you all too much of him. You moan and keen, but naught was for the man above you, this he knew.

But that didn’t stop him from loving you.

And love you he did— he was every bit the picturesque lover, attentive, kind, endearing with a heart of blinding gold. Haurchefant was no different. You figure if you closed your eyes, you could fool yourself into loving a man that you had once came home to.

You knew this would hurt him, but that pain would be nothing compared to the one you felt when a hand you had traced the palm lines of and tenderly squeezed many times before grew cold and lifeless in your own.

—

The sun sets in Ishgard again, and with it, your eyes did for one last time.

It was Aymeric that had found you.

Your hair sprawled on the ground reminded him so much of that of an angel’s halo. Your peaceful countenance was no longer streaked with the tears Aymeric had time and time brushed away with the touch of a sinner seeking repentance.

For the second time that waning moon, he felt despair and ice filled his veins. His mouth parted to call your name, to shout, to do anything other than gawk and tremble like the fingers that cradled your face.

The Lord Commander was not often rendered speechless and shocked to the core. Your name eventually emerges as a questioning whisper from the churning depths of his stupor, and the color drains from his complexion.

No.

This couldn’t be…

But there you were. Silent, motionless. Unresponsive to his screams and shaking.

He checks for any hopeful sign of a pulse before burying his face into the crook of your neck, sobs wracking his body as incessant apologies interspersed with hiccups and tremors tumble out of his lips while his worst fears are confirmed.

Why?

The inquiry directed towards Hydaelyn echoes within his mind but there is no one to respond. His gloved fists crumple into your clothing.

Whywhywhy?

It wasn’t supposed to be this way…

Aymeric couldn’t fathom it, wrap his clever head around it. It’d be a lifetime before he’d glean an answer, he reckons.

He stands, holding your fragile, limp body bridal-style, his expression a tumultuous display of emotion.

A familiar, blonde-haired figure awaits him at the foot of the Pillars, the descent feeling like an eternity without you. When Lucia catches sight of your cold body nestled within warm arms, she stands with eyes wide and mouth agape, realization dawning on her sharp features.

Aymeric’s armored footfalls come to a standstill at the bottom step. He raises his gaze to meet his subordinate’s.

“The Warrior of Light is dead.”

–

There was a unanimous agreement that you should be buried next to your true lover you had loved in your waking moments. Both of you overlooked Coerthas as Aymeric kneels, eyes shut. A fresh bouquet of you and Haurchefant’s favorite flora lies betwixt your tombstones.

There was no well in all of Eorzea that would hold all the grief and guilt the knight harbored for both a fallen comrade and the light of his life.

But alas, he couldn’t very well give into his heartsickness when the Dragonsong War remained at large and Nidhogg’s vengeance and thirst for Ishgardian blood still posed a threat. It was a Temple Knight’s duty to soldier on and carry out the will of the dearly departed that had died for the cause that had once united them.

These wounds of his would never truly heal in full, immortally afflicted as he was, but it is with honor that he continues the fight in both of your names. Aymeric just wished Eorzea’s two brightest lights weren’t snuffed out so soon and that the dolor doesn’t succeed in pulling him under.

“Come, Lucia,” Aymeric calls out. She nods in response, waiting for the commander to lead the way before trailing after him. The trek back was one of silence, rumination, and regret.

Ishgard felt darker and colder in the Warrior of Light and the Silver Fuller’s absence, he thinks to himself.

[weirdbitchich]

I remember a time I came home and found you there. I looked at you greeted you and went to my room as if you were a stranger.

We had a fight that day. That's how our relationship was. No peace.

Do you know our relationship set the path of so many downfalls in my relationships with men.

Do you know you instilled in me a pillar of not loving myself cause I wasn't good enough to be loved by you.

Do you know you instilled in me a pillar of self loathing. I can not look in the mirror and love myself as I am.

Do you know the damage you caused by never caring.

Honestly I don't hate you. You couldn't give something you never had.

Something I needed.

A father's love.

By A.B

[day0one]

Could A Slipping Economy Be Trump’s Downfall? | Deadline | MSNBC

167,420 views 1.7K 135 Published on Aug 15, 2019

Washington Post reporter Aaron Blake, Real Clear Politics associate editor A.B. Stoddard, veteran of the Obama State Department Rick Stengel, and American Progress Action Fund’s Juanita Tolliver on the economic turmoil that has Trump aides worried could pose a threat to his re-election prospects

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL | a.b.

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 3

and you're the only thing that's going on in my mind taking over my life a second time - ugh!, the 1975

——

Now, no I wasn't a runner, nor a track star — but damn did I sprint out of that place like a whole gazelle. I guessed I could check off another —'never in my life did I ever thought'— moment.

The fact that I had to retreat from the only location in Los Angeles I considered a retreat besides my job of employment didn't sit well at all. Well, at least I stood by my moto to never ever run for a man. Instead, I ran away from said man. So, it didn't break any of my morals.

Funny enough, Marlon — God bless his soul — barely batted an eye when I came barreling into the shop looking like a sticky tomato, drenched in sweat from all the running. He just looked up at me, nodded, and then went back to his work like nothing happened. That man knew me like the way I knew every word from the script of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. My best talent. So, this was simply normal for him. God, I hoped I didn't have any pit stains on my light button up. My outfit was too cute to be ruined today.

After breathlessly drawing out a hello, I ran into the back bathroom to check myself and fix myself up before I set foot on the floor and got busy with the shelves. My hair looked even messier than before — sticking up like Albert Einstein. I quickly went to work, brushing through it with my fingers to tame before twisting it back up in a clip.

Eh. Whatever. At least it looked a little better.

Once I exited the bathroom and dropped off my tote for safekeeping — I walked out the back and brought up the cart of books I was entering into the system to be shelved for purchase. We got a few loads of new shit yesterday, so I had to look through it all. I heard Marlon handling a customer so I didn't bother walking up to the front to bull shit with him. Had to make myself look busy when people were around and all.

Finest professionalism.

But, boy did I love this place. Besides Sunshine Spot — which always held the top spot on my list of favorite locations — this came to a close second. Most people out there probably thought I was crazy for saying such a thing. Like why not the beach? Or the fucking Hollywood walk of fame or whatever? Nope. Not at all. Sorry — I mean they were talking to a coffee-aholic rightfully mixed with a book-aholic. If coffee and books fucked and decided to have babies, there would be millions of little mes running around.

Introducing everybody's worst nightmare. Wow. Scary. Or the most boring person alive — as some people liked to put it. But whatever, I enjoyed it. How me and Sydney were friends when she was far from boring? I didn't know. I guessed opposites attract or whatever they liked to say.

"Rianne!" Marlon suddenly hollered between the shelves, completely taking me out of my train of thought.

I almost ate shit and dropped the book in my hands that I'd been holding for the past few minutes, aimlessly staring off into space at the shelf I was working on. "Over here!" I called out once I got my shit together. Ever since the diner, Ken-Apollo was truly taking up every inch of my brain. I was already regretting not getting a second cup of coffee to go.

"Rianne?" He called again, this time with a hint of a question. Sometimes I forgot the poor man was deaf. I hollered again, but that didn't seem to help. A few seconds later and some shuffling he finally came around a curve and found me. "Oh? There you are." He observed what I was doing — looking surprised yet pleased at my work. "I hope these books are worth the shot," he said with an eye roll. "I swear, I don't understand your generation. Books used to be so good back then. Now they just write cheesy Hallmark shit. Don't tell Mar I said that though. She'll kick my ass."

"I promise," I swore, sticking out my pinky and wiggling it around — but he didn't pay mind to my antics.

Instead —to prove his point —he picked up one of the books on the cart and examined it. "Like look at this." He said, while maneuvering his spectacles to observe the cover. "Raunchy? — wait sorry, I can't see." He moved the book back at an angle. "Red Velvet Roadhouse Romance. That's a mouth full."

Now, that was fucking hilarious.

It took every ounce of my will power not to burst out in laughter and throw myself on the floor in tears. "Blame that on my old dickhead bosses."

"Oh, I will," he chuckled, tossing the book back on the cart. "So, what's been up with you lately since the last time I saw you?"

"Eh, you know the usual. Nothing crazy," I began, rummaging through the books again as I talked to him. "Besides this work party Sydney dragged me too."

"Oh!" His face lit up. "Good, good. I'm glad she took you out. You need to get out of the house — Live a little."

Yep, welp. Everyone was always concerned I spent too much time in the house, but who would want to leave their boyfriend of a bed behind?

Not me.

I didn't say anything so he continued on, probably noticing that it was a sensitive topic for me. "Anyways — to catch you up to speed, Dax is coming in once he gets out of school. So just give him some simple run of the mill task to do. Levi's on an early lunch so he will be back soon to run the register and all. I gotta take Marilyn to a hair appointment, so I'm leaving early. I'm trusting you to lock up. But, that's never a worry."

Don't get me wrong. I was beyond glad Marlon trusted me enough to lock up on my own, but to handle Dax was a whole other fucking worry. The kid was a little shit. Excuse my French, or don't. Wi-Wi. Whatever. He didn't know jack shit about books and didn't want to be here. He worked against his will to pay off some cash he had to pay back to his school for pulling some dumb prank that set a whole classroom on fire. Why did we trust him here — I couldn't tell ya? Books and fire would be some Fahrenheit 451 crap.

What? Leave me alone. That was a book joke — for the love of Christ.

Now Levi was the polar opposite. Around my age, he worked the draw and all — making all our lives a whole lot easier. He did all the accounting crap and what-not. Bless him. Hella funny too. Always telling me to come to the club with him so we could pick up some boys and have a good time. I constantly declined his offers. But, I couldn't wait for him to come in so I could spill the beans about last night.

"You got it, my dude," I nodded, suddenly feeling a teeny bit better knowing Levi would be here soon so I wouldn't have to deal with Dax all on my own.

That would of been torturous.

"Hello! Hello!" Speak of the damn devil. His voice boomed throughout the store. "God damn. Did everyone have a stroke and die? It's so quiet here?"

Funny as fuck. Am I right?

Oh fuck — Marlon didn't look so happy with that one. Sensitive topic I suppose. The whole stroke part. I mean Marlon wasn't getting any younger. Not that he had a stroke before and Levi's words hit a soft spot or anything like that.

I should just shut the fuck up.

He huffed and rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Well it is a book store, kid." He spoke to Levi who was still nowhere in sight — but held an evident presence to us.

"But, it ain't a library," He pointed out.

Leaning closer Marlon whispered so only I could hear. "Remind me why I hired him?"

"Because he kicks ass when it comes to money-money-money and plugs hella numbers into calculators like a whole wizard." I ended my statement with a big ol' toothy grin for good measure.

Before Marlon could mumble so much of a word, Levi made his grand entrance to the runway as he turned the corner to the stacks we stood between.

In the words of Rupaul from Drag Race — which was the only prime time reality show and current entertainment I allowed myself to indulge in, besides 90 day fiance — because that show was awfully addicting — you better work, bitch.

With a gleaming smile on his face, he strutted like a whole model as he approached us with one of those tray things holding what looked to be three glorious cups of coffee— that he got for us without even checking in first. Which was understandable considering how much time we all spent together. I could have kissed the floor he walked on. "Got you your fav, big man!" Levi moved the tray in his hands awkwardly, attempting to balance it with one hand as he maneuvered one of the cups out of it.

Marlon's tense demeanor shifted once he saw Levi wiggling the cup in his hand like he knew exactly what he was doing. "Thanks." He sighed, taking it without a beat of hesitation. I mean, how could he not — it was fucking coffee for crying out loud!

"And for you, sweets." He pulled out another cup, my usual order — my baby.

I held out my hands like a mother being passed her child. "Come to mama." Levi let out a laugh before handing it to me. I immediately jabbed the straw in it like my life depended on it because it truly did and took a long swig — closing my eyes as I embraced the bitter yet sweet taste of my magical drink. "You're an angel. Thank you." I said once I finally caught my breath.

While I was practically devouring every ounce, Marlon went over some house keeping things with Levi and told him all the shit he told me only a few minutes before. "Alright," he affirmed. "That should be all. Be good —Rianne, you're in charge." And then he dipped out — like duces. Peace. without so much as another word.

"He's in-trusted me to manage his draw and not smuggle his money for years — but he won't let me be in charge?" He leaned a hand on his hip to emphasize his point and present a full display of sassitude — if you will. "Like what else does a gal gotta do around here?"

"I think he just enjoys messing with you as much as you enjoy messing with him," I vocalized. "He definitely trusts you — he'll just never admit it. Sorry, Jeans."

"You're right. Plus, you're like a fake family or whatever. So that gives you way more points over me. Welp, guess I'll go weep at my post. Are you coming?" He motioned towards the front desk. "Gotta tell you all about my side piece of the week!"

Tales of Levi were always such a treat. Man had stories up the wa-zoo — for the history books.

"Oh fuck, a new one?" I looked at him in surprise but not full surprise — like half surprise — because this truly wasn't surprising. It was nothing new. But I'd be a new story with a new face of a man I'd probably never see. A man I would not remember the name of as Levi would already be moved on by the time I semi-absorbed it — which led me to only remember them by the nicknames we'd come up for them that varied depending on said situation. It could be dependent on what initially happened and where it happened — giving them a location as their name of choice — or it could be a reference of what or who they looked like — like an animal or a celebrity. Or their personality.

Best game I could play.

He nodded — giving me a sheepish look that said this was gonna be a damn good one before sipping his coffee like he was sipping the hot gossip.

"Of course. How could I miss out on this? Stoked to add a new dude to the collection," I beamed. "Lemme just finish this up and I'll be right up."

"Perfect," he said, strutting off like the queen he was. "Don't take too long. I'll be waiting!"

No worries, your majesty.

The next few hours went just like that. The both of us worked, bullshitted for a few minutes, handled customers, and then bullshitted again — but then Dax came ruining all the fun. I had to watch him like a hawk as he worked. I felt like a complete stalker. But, I was rightfully terrified considering his track record. He almost knocked over a whole entire book shelf one day which would have resulted in a disastrous game of dominos throughout the whole store. How did he manage that? I had no clue. I guess he had the strength of a mule cause those shelves were hella heavy. I could never. But, I gave him a light task to do in the vicinity — right by the door behind the register that led to a staff's only room which gave me the perfect chance to catch up with Levi while keeping my eye on the kid.

"...and then he said 'that was awkward', and I was like 'how come?', and he was like 'well, I fucked the Uber driver!" Levi closed up the story he'd been telling me for the past half hour.

"No?!" I swore my eyes could have popped right out of my head. Good lord. "You're lying."

"Nope. I swear!" he said, holding his hand to his heart. "I can't make this shit up."

"Only you." I shook my head. "I can't believe this. So you're telling me mans looked like Brad fucking Pitt and fucked the Uber driver months ago who looked like Andrew Garfield. And said Uber driver was the man that drove you and the Brad Pitt lookalike home from the club?"

"Indeed," he confirmed while flipping through some paperwork on the front counter.

"And you two hooked up?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around this entire situation.

"Spot on."

"Lord Jesus." 

"Oh, and then the Uber driver came up to Brad Pitt's apartment with us and totally just clocked out of work for the night like it was nothing," he said, clicking the calculator and writing something down in a flourish. "And then proceeded to just knock out on Brad's couch and make himself at home."

"Wait so when did—"  I began, but a voice interrupted me — a voice of a certain teen who probably was too young to listen in on our conversation.

"What?" He was looking at us like we were nuts.

"Nothing." Levi waved him off. Leaning towards me so only I could hear, he asked, "can I close the door or ?"

I mulled it over for a minute — wincing at the memory of the domino effect that almost transpired. "Bad idea." I hissed.

Levi sighed, dropping the pen in his hand. "No fun," he whined. "This is why you need to come to the club and lighten up a little."

I pushed my hair back in stress, my lips blowing out a raspberry in frustration. "Absolutely not — but," my face lit up as I remembered what I had told him, "you'll be happy to know I went to a party and saw a Ken-Apollo, and he talked to me, Jeans! He spoke actual words and he seemed nervous like he didn't know a soul, and I kept a conversation with him."

For a moment, he just stared at me blinking a few times like he couldn't believe a word I was saying. "That sounds unreal. You. Party. Boy. Yep, nope. None of that correlates, girl."

"I know," I beamed. "I swore I made that shit up, but then I saw him again at the diner and —oh he stole my cute drink umbrella at the party when I wasn't looking, and I made him laugh — I'm pretty sure. At least I hoped I did."

"Oh my fucking god!" He slapped his own cheeks with his hands. "He totally was flirting with you!"

"No. No." I shook my head, turning redder than a whole tomato-tomato. "Don't say that."

"Rianne! What? Why not? And wait a hot minute — you saw him again today?" He looked like he was about to jump over the table, climb up one of the moving ladders, and pull a whole tarzan — swinging across the entire store. Making this conversation known to everybody or at least the five patrons that were mulling around. "Did you talk to him? What did you say? What did he say? Oh my god, it's meant to be. I'm gonna start crying." He waved a hand in front of me while covering his eyes with another. "Don't look at me. I'm processing. Wait, don't even tell me. Let me be happy."

"Um." I bit my tongue, trying to hold back my words — but god my mouth always decided to go against me when I didn't wanna speak. "I ran out." I blurted.

Same thing went for when I did want to speak, but would just sit there in shitty silence — too nervous to say a single word. Looking like I was completely disinterested when I actually was super interested.

Nerves were a bitch.

"Rianne!" Levi reprimanded me.

Bad fucking idea Rianne. Why'd you have to open your pie hole of a mouth?

"Let me live, Levi."

"That's not living." He shook his head in disappointment. "Can I ask —" A random buzzing sound chimed in like a whole sacada. "I think your phone is blowing up."

"Huh?" I furrowed my brows in confusion, reaching for my phone. Saved by the bell I guess.

Thank fuck.

I loved Levi to death, but if I had to hear his speech about my little move in the diner and how I missed an opportunity for my own hunk-a-hunk of burning love — I was gonna wreak absolute havoc.

Fuck that.

Guess it was a F word kind of day — cause as soon as I looked at my screen I was already flipping my shit while simultaneously instantly regretting ever looking at my messages all at once. Firstly because Sydney was blowing up my phone. A plethora of messages and three missed calls. I typed in my password quite frantically scanning the messages. I swear if bitch ass Broccoli fucking Rabe hurt her in any way I was gonna cut off his balls and sell them on the black market for emotional damage and financial compensation.

Syd the science kid ri! pick up your phone. 3:30pm

i'm freaking the fuck out. 3:35pm

please pick up. 3:40pm

i know you love the books and all, but can you stop sucking face with the pages for just a minute and call me. 3:41pm

it's urgent. 3:41pm

may fucking day. 3:42pm

hello! 3:43pm

ri! 3:45pm

How did I not hear the buzzer going off on the table for the last twenty minutes? Must have been a combo of Levi and I's endless cackling and snorting that tuned it out, and also the fact that my phone was practically an ancient artifact. But, I could care less. Why would I want to get rid of it when I could throw it across the room and it wouldn't break?

Hit a wall?

Still perfect.

Hit someone in the head? – Preferably a certain Broccoli- Dwayne-the rock man?

Golden.

I mean the real life actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson would probably be perfectly fine. It would definitely bounce right off his head, and he wouldn't even realize it.

Solid man.

Solid noggin.

But, Brock. That was a whole other story. Would probably leave a mark, and I sure as hell would not care less if I did. That man deserved it if he messed with my girl Syd.

I didn't say a single word as I walked through the threshold into the back room. Levi followed, hanging back against the door frame to watch over the store and make sure no one was fucking around with our merchandise — surely noticing the panic that washed over me and the urgency that took over.

I momentarily forgot Dax was standing in the room with me until I looked up once my phone was nestled against my ear listening to its raging ring. I was too nervous to care though — biting my nails as I tapped my foot impatiently waiting for her to pick up. I just hoped it wasn't something seriously personal because knowing this kid — I wouldn't be surprised if he shared our personal information with his need to eavesdrop and all.

After a few rings she finally picked up. "Ri! Thank fuck!" She sounded absolutely relieved and breathless over the line.

"What's the matter?" I said matter of factly, cutting to the chase — cause I sure as shit needed her to tell me what the actual fuck was going on so I could accesss the situation and attempt to calm down.

"It's work! I'm losing my mind, and I need you to do me a favor," she said without a beat, but then went quiet for a second as if she was trying to think about the best way to explain whatever she was about to spew out to me. "I know you're at work, but you're my last hope. I don't know what else to do. No one else is around and no one from my job can handle it because they called us in for an emergency meeting, and —" She sounded like she was about to pop a bitching blood vessel talking a mile a minute and all.

"Woah! Syd. Hey — calm down." I tried my best to slow her down so I could fully absorb her words. "It's alright. We will figure this out."

Levi caught my eye with the utmost concern, looking like he was this close to moving mountains and parting the red sea if he had to.

I put my hand on the receiver for a moment to mouth 'work' to him to which he simply nodded, but still stood there like Inspector Clouseau.

She took a deep breath before she went off on her rant again, this time a little more coherent for me to hear and understand over my crappy phone speaker. "So much for working from home today. They all called us in for an emergency meeting. Apparently someone fucked up for this month's issue so now we have to review the whole thing. It's a total mess. And on top of that they want me to rewrite a piece that's due in an hour and I am not even finished, but they also want me to go pick up this dude for another meeting that was supposed to take place between one of our reps and said dude at a restaurant nearby. Of course the rep didn't show cause now we are all in code- red mode, so I know this sounds crazy, but I need you to drive him and then stop to pick up a list of coffee orders!" She squeaked into the line.

Absolutely not.

Me. Driving. Car. Random man in vehicle. Conversation with said random man, and picking up coffees.

No.

My anti-social ass could never.

"Syd- I." I looked up at the ceiling, letting out a long breath while pinching my nose, wishing at this moment that the universe could throw me a bone to get me out of this mess. One thing I knew for certain was that I could not – out of all circumstances – ask Levi to drive this man even if I wanted to because he was the only one who knew how to correctly manage the register. Not, that I didn't know how to man a register, but I wasn't the best with cash and I really did not wanna fuck up Marlon's draw – especially when he was so specific about that kind of thing. But, leaving him with Dax. Fuck me. Wait! "I don't have a car. I walked. There is no way I can drive him," I tried to draw a solution. Truly anything that could work to get me out of this in my favor. "Can't he just take a cab or something and your company could just pay the driver off?"

Levi suddenly piped in like a whole saint. "You could drive my car." I guess the word 'him' struck a nerve with him and piqued his interest. Not the time to be a wingman. For all I knew this man was some corporate asshole twice my age.

Shut the fuck up Jeans.

"Nope. No. We have no time." She quickly debunked that offer and tossed it right out the window. "Was that Levi? If so, that's perfect. Any vehicle with four wheels that gets him from point A to point B will do. I could care less right now." Oh fuck, she heard him. Great. Also, what did the car have to do with anything? "And they really want him working with us, so if we let him wait even a little  bit longer, we will most likely be rightfully screwed," she explained. "Please Ri. I'll repay you with copious amounts of coffee and will give you free passes when I want to go out. You can stay in and snuggle with your boyfriend Bed for as long as you please, and I won't make a single comment or fuss about it."

Well, that sounded like a solid offer.

How could I pass that up when she blatantly appealed to me with my guilty pleasures?

"Deal," I clipped, already regretting this, but knowing damn well that I could not leave my friend in shambles – especially when I've never heard her sound this stressed before – at least what I could gather from being friends with her for this long. "As long as I can get back in time to lock up."

Seeming to pick up on the fact that I handled the situation with Sydney, Levi made his way back to the counter just in time to help our waiting customer. But, of course Dax still lingered, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it. I gave him a solid stare as if saying 'get back to work' but he just looked at me and shrugged before turning back to his phone.

Not my problem right now.

"You will. Perfect!" she squealed, making me pull the phone away from my ear for a moment so she wouldn't blow out my whole ear drum. "I fucking love you."

"Yeah, yeah," I drawled before asking the hot button question. "Now where am I meeting this dude? Where am I picking him up?"

"Um," she faltered for just a moment. "Don't kill me."

"What is it?" I choked out, mentally pleading that she wasn't making me drive to a whole other state or some shit.

"He's already on his way to you," she revealed. "He was shockingly around your area which worked perfectly, so I told his boss to send him over to the store. I also had to give him your number just in case they couldn't find you. I'm sorry!"

Fuck me. Fuck that.

What if I had said no?

She definitely did not think that part through.

Biting my lip between my teeth I stifled the array of cusses that were about to be spewed out. "It's fine," I settled even though I could have exploded.

"Okay, great. Love youuuuuu. Thank youuuu. I gotta go. Byeeeee!" And then she hung up on me.

Great.

I cannot believe I will be spending the end of my afternoon traipsing across the city with some random man to get him to Syd's job and also pick up coffee. Exactly how'd I'd like to spend my weekday. Nope.

I started tossing shit back in my tote looking over everything. Phone. Keys. Wallet. Book. Another book.

What I never knew when I needed good reading material? What if the one book I had was awful? I needed something to sefice.

Leave me alone.

"Girl!" Levi suddenly called, a weird tone laced to his voice that I couldn't translate. "Your Uber passenger is here."

Was this man a whole track star? How had he managed to get here so fast?

"Fuck," I murmured under my breath, once again forgetting damn Dax was right behind me when I turned around. He looked up at me again, the same face he'd been making at me all day. "What?" I threw my hands up in the air.

He just shrugged again, before looking back at his phone.

Alright. A man of many words.

"Hey," I called him, snapping my fingers in front of his face so he would look at me. "You listen to Levi, alright."

"Eh," He titled his head as if he was contemplating my request. Which he shouldn't. "We'll see." He graced me with a mischievous smirk.

This kid was going to be the death of me.

"Whatever." I threw my hands up in the air dramatically as I walked out from the back. This time going through the other side door that led out to the main floor. "Good luck with that one Le—" I attempted to send my warnings to my friend but trailed off the moment I stopped in my tracks, coming face to face with someone I least suspected.

Toothpick umbrella thief.

——

oh shit. next chapter is gonna be one hell of a ride ;)

all of us like:

me too red, me too.

— xanadu

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL | a.b.

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 4

keep it sweet in your memory I was just tongue tied and I don't wanna make you feel bad, but i've been trying hard not to talk to you - sunflower, vol. 6, harry styles

——

Toothpick Umbrella Thief.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

I must have said that out loud because suddenly a gasp came from my right, leading me to turn my head to an overly shocked and surprised Levi with his jaw practically hanging on the floor. He quickly covered it up, clasping a hand over his mouth, but his stare evidently kept his expression locked on his face – his eyes popping out of his goddamn head.

Could this get any worse?

I feared it could, and it did.

"What's going on?"I guessed Dax finally detached his eye sockets from his phone because there he was, his head peeking out the door frame in curiosity. "Oh fuck – aren't you that guy from –?" He started, but Levi quickly shut him up.

"Shhh!" Circling his hand in the air, he brought it to a stop with the sassiest – most dramatic – hand gesture I'd ever seen, flexing his fingers closed like one of those puppiteers that did hand puppets to signal him to shut the fuck up. "Don't  you dare ruin this for me." He hissed, shewing the kid away which brought out a classic eye roll from the boy before he disappeared again. Once he was gone he looked back at us who were both staring at him blankly. "Don't mind him." He said to Ken, and then proceeded to hold up a finger to tell us to hold our horses for just a second while throwing what looked to be a package of gummy bears on the counter and opened those bad boys up. "Proceed." He deemed it safe for us to continue as he leaned his head on his hand, popping a few gummies right into his mouth – munching on them as if he was in a goddamn movie theater excited to watch whatever this was unfolding.

If I wasn't too stunned to speak at this particular moment I would have absolutely laughed my ass off.

Taking the minimal percentage I had left in my social battery for the day, I turned to the man in front of me – locking eyes with him instantly.

Dressed differently than before — in a less casual and more professional get up. But still ridiculously casual. He had on a pair of black trousers with a white short sleeved button up — half buttoned up to expose his chest and that stupid gold chain, might I add — and those black boots from the night of the party. Curiosity washed over his face as he drank me in, recognition soon written all over his features.

I swore I could have melted to the floor when he reached a hand up to his face, his thumb brushing over his lip as if he was trying to stifle a laugh before holding his chin— looking like he was thinking something over. He failed when he dropped the eye contact, training his gaze to the floor for just a moment before looking back up at me and letting out a short laugh. "Toothpick Umbrella thief?" He finally spoke, a cheeky smirk taking over. "Do you think that low of me, Wall Girl?" He asked, while regarding me with my own game.

Nice one, Toothpick Umbrella Thief.

And there it was ladies and gentlemen. That silky smooth voice that weaseled its way right up into my memory. A voice that I figured I'd never hear again, but here we were.

Boy, did the universe have something against me.

Just when I was this close to avoiding my previous interactions with him and pretending it wasn't me that drunkenly laughed her ass off in front of him – I let my identity go with just three simple words.

Great – just great,  he remembered who I was.

"W-Well." I let out a shaky breath as my eyes darted over every inch of the store, refusing to drown in those blue eyes I already found myself getting sucked into. "Considering the record you set up for yourself, I'd say so." I felt Levi's eyes whisking back and forth between us as if he was a referee observing a sports game.

Biting down on his lip, he shook his head. "Guess I'll have to break it then."I didn't have a chance to digest the fact that it sounded like he was flirting with me before he completely changed the subject. Bracing his hands on his hips, he averted his attention to the store. "Nice place you guys got here."

"Thanks!" Levi pipped in energetically, watching him as he walked up to one of the displays. "Most of those are from our new releases." He pointed out, leaning over the counter as if he was ready to fall right over it and into the Greek god's arms.

Apollo picked up one of the books, observing the description on the back cover. After a moment of absorbing it, he asked Levi quite abrehensivsly like a shy school boy. "Do you have a music section?"

"Yeah! Of course!" The enthusiasm was expelling off of Levi as if some witch whored him over. "I could show you. It's right –"

"Maybe another time," I huffed, crossing over my arms in complete impatience. I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but we had places to be and people to see. I also couldn't stand one more minute of the full fledged model standing in my place of employment. "We'll be late."

"Right." Levi looked momentarily disappointed, but quickly covered it up with a sense of seriousness. "Keys." He ducked under the counter for a minute, grabbing his key chain that was littered with so many chains I had no fucking idea where the key was located. "Go long," he called before chucking them in my direction. My arms still crossed gave me a disadvantage, and I knew the moment I unfolded them there was no shot I'd be able to catch, but I attempted it for the sake of my dignity.

Of course Levi threw it too fucking high and I felt myself falter as the chunky chains whisked over my head. In that moment I cursed myself internally for even trying, feeling myself fall backwards.

Fucking great.

I was about to hit the floor.

Embarrassing as shit.

Right when I came to terms with my faith, my back hit a broad surface with a thud, stopping me in my descent. Turning my head and looking up to see what the fuck just happened, I found myself face to face with Ken. All up in my grill and all. It was then that I felt his hands holding my arms steady.

"You okay?" He asked, his warm breath fanning across my face, sending a shiver down my spine.

Opening my mouth to speak, I completely lost my train of thought and found it hard to even formulate a sentence – let alone speak words when he was towering over me like this.

Seeing him from this newfound angle was ridiculous. I now had the opportunity to drink  in every small detail of his features – taking in the beauty marks that were littered across his right cheek. His eyes looked even bluer – if that was even fucking possible and his lashes looked so light and perfect when he blinked, I wondered momentarily what they would look like with mascara. His stupid pink lips were perfectly plumped. I was positive they were sculpted from the gods themselves. And boy did he smell amazing. What kind of cologne was that?

Noticing my lack of a response, he lightly squeezed my arms that were still trapped in his hold. "I'm – yeah, I'm fine," I said, once I collected myself enough to fall right out of the little trance I dived right into.

"Good." He let go of me, leaving me stranded and cold as I suddenly became aware of the warmth he possessed and once provided me. "Um. Shall we?" he whispered the question right into my left ear, raising his hand to jiggle Levi's keys that he must have caught during my failed attempt in my peripheral vision.

That bastard.

Must be nice to be tall.

Swallowing my nerves, I nodded and let out a defeated sigh – finding it completely difficult to even utter a single response after all of that.

Fucking embrassing.

My social battery was deader than dead and needed to be recharged as soon as possible. How the hell was I gonna survive god knows how long forcefully interacting with this man?

He dropped the keys in my palm. "After you."

Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by this close proximity and his scent that was taking over my senses and making me dizzy,  I made my way towards the door with Apollo in tow, following close behind me. So much for being distant. This man's scent traveled like a skunk. Not that he was stinky or anything. Definitely far from that. Like a whole flower or whatever.

Alright, time for me to shut up again.

My mind scrambled, I almost completely forgot about Levi. Halfway out the door, I stopped in my tracks. "Hold on." Ken-Apollo almost knocked right into me, but darted around — letting me walk right under his arm like a limbo game as he held the top frame of the door open. "I'll be back soon. Don't do anything crazy."

"Don't you worry." Levi brushed me off. "I always wanted to turn this place into the hottest night club, anyways." He joked — or at least I sure hoped he was fucking joking.

I gave him a long and hard stare — warning him that this wasn't the time to fuck around with me.

"Kidding!" he confirmed, or at least said so for the sake of my sanity. "Now go. But before you do say I'm in charge."

"You're in charge," I unfortunately threw out, rolling my eyes as Levi pumped his fist in the air — clearly ecstatic by his new title in this so called kingdom.

When I turned around, Ken-Apollo looked even more like a chiseled statue or a whole damn model. His hand still leaning against the door, his head dropped low, his eyes screwed shut as he shook his head and chuckled — clearly phased by the shit coming out of Levi's mouth. I was more than positive that Jeans was gonna have a field day with that one later when we debriefed about this entire interaction.

"Let's go." I nodded at him, rolling my lips into my mouth to stop myself from grinning like a lun at the sight in front of me.

He motioned his other hand for me to play limbo again — not moving from his spot. Too tired and nervous to argue with him, I ducked under again, walking out of the store and beginning my trek at an awfully fast pace to stay as far away from him as possible. I was still trying to process how this was fucking happening. First, the party, then the diner, and now this? And two of those things were from today. My brain felt inclined to explode at the thought.

Of course — him being taller than me and all — his long ass legs met my pace effortlessly. Soon enough, he was walking right next to me when I reached the parking lot — a pair of dark shades sitting across his nose. He didn't say a word which was kind of funny in my mind. It was giving —'bodyguard'. Like I was in some movie as the secret princess or the president's daughter of some made up country, and he could only talk to me when it was deemed appropriate. It made me feel at least a little better walking besides his fine ass — like Jesus Christ, what was in his water? Cause I sure as hell could use some.

Thankfully, I remembered what Levi's little vehicle looked like. She was old and beat the fuck up, but she still kicked and that was what mattered. He inherited it from his mother who passed it down to him — a red beetle bug that he called his lady. Or — as he liked to say — the only lady he'd ever ride.

The Greek god continued to stay dead silent as we approached the car, didn't say a word as I struggled to find the key for a solid minute, or let out a peep as he tried his best to fit himself inside — his long legs truly making it difficult.

"You good?" I asked him, as I was adjusting my seat, once he seemed settled enough inside.

He nodded, adjusting his seat as well. Even when he put it all the way back, his legs were still crunched up.

A small part of me felt really bad, while another was this close to laughing her ass off at the way he looked right now. "Sorry it's a tight fit." I apologized, trying to make some sort of conversation since I always found it awkward as hell when it was dead silent in a car.

"It's fine," he finally said, his sunglasses still firmly tucked on the bridge of his nose.

Turning on the ignition, we both almost jumped out of our seats when the radio blasted so fucking loud — I swore I went deaf for a solid minute. Quickly turning it down, I pictured what Levi probably looked like while he was driving. I could see him rolling the windows blasting whatever the fuck he wanted for the whole city to hear.

Was that fucking Pitbull on the radio?

Good god.

Classic Jeans and his party anthems.

"You can put on whatever you want," I told him, too fucking scared to put on something I'd like out of fear of the comments I could potentially recieve. I already heard it enough from Syd every time I switched on the oldies station instead of putting on current hits. Not that I cared what he thought, but I just couldn't handle being nagged today with all the current stress that was creeping through my bones at the mere thought of pulling out of this spot.

I started pulling out of the lot when he started fiddling with the radio — praying that this trip would be smoother than smooth. I hadn't driven in a while since I didn't have a car, meaning I felt rusty even just sitting behind the wheel. I could only hope we'd get there without a scratch.

I couldn't even comprehend what we were listening to, let alone detect what station he picked when I turned the corner down a busy street. Levi's disco ball that hung from the rearview mirror was driving me crazy as it swung around every which way as we hit bumps in the road. For a small car it sure liked to bounce around. The light hitting the ball reflected across the dash — semi blinding me. I could already feel a headache creeping in.

The light was green, but no one was moving. This was just great. God, I really missed my coffee from earlier. I should have nursed that shit so I could have saved some for now when I really needed it.

Oh, fuck.

Coffee! Shit we needed to pick up coffee for Syd's douchebag bosses and co-workers. How could I forget?

Of course we started moving the moment I remembered this. "Shit." I hissed, remembering that my phone was still in my bag and there was no way I could retrieve it.

"What's the matter?" The greek-god —that I really needed to learn his name so I could stop tagging a different name to his face every time I referred to him —probed, clearly detecting my moment of stress.

"I almost forgot about the coffees I have to pick up for the meeting," I explained while grabbing onto the wheel in pure stress, my knuckles turning white. "Can you get my phone out of my bag?"

"Yeah, sure." Picking my bag off the floor, he went to work swiping my phone out in one go.

"Can you go to my messages?" I asked. "There should be a picture of the orders that my friend Sydney sent me. It should be under Syd the science kid. Don't ask questions." I quipped in all seriousness.

"Alright." He seemed amused. "What's your password?"

"Don't have one," I admitted.

Pushing his glasses off his face, he gave me a wary look. "That isn't safe," he said, before he started thumbing through my phone. I didn't say anything as he scanned my messages in concentration. I sure as fuck hoped Levi didn't text me something stupid in the span of a few minutes we'd been departed about said man in the vehicle I was in right now. "Got it," he confirmed, before I could get too worried.

Stopping at a light, I motioned for him to hand me the phone which he obliged. "Watch the light for me, yeah?" I requested before scrolling through my contacts, finding the number of the diner and pressing the call button. Placing it on speaker and then going back to the picture messaged to me, I tossed my phone into the center console.

After a few rings, someone finally picked up. "Sunshine Spot. How may I help you?" a voice drew out quite unenthusiastically.

In my peripheral vision, Apollo's eye lit up—quickly recognizing the place I was calling, "Hey," I answered back, ignoring him. "Can I talk to Sherry? Tell her it's her girl."

"Oh hey!" I soon recognized it to be one of the hostesses, Beth. "Yeah. Of course. Just give me a second." She put me on hold.

We came to a stop again, this time abruptly as someone totally forgot  to put on their damn direction signal before turning. "I fucking hate other drivers," I murmured under my breath. I could have rammed right into the back of them if I wasn't paying enough attention.

Soon enough my girl's voice registered on the line. "Hello?" She questioned. "What's going on my girl? You scared the shit out of me when you ran out earlier, are you okay?"

I winced, glaring at the road and held onto the wheel for dear life – hoping the man next to me wasn't catching on that I was the girl that looked like a menu maniac running out of the Sunshine Spot this morning. "Yeah. Sorry! I'm perfectly fine," I assured her. "Just forgot I had something to do," I added in a teeny-tiny lie for good measure. Completely rerouting the conversation and getting to the point, I explained the whole situation to her in under thirty seconds.

"How many orders will that be?" She immediately got into her work mode.

"Um." I honestly had no fucking clue. I barely looked at the list. Looking over between my center console and the wheel, I momentarily debated picking up my phone.

Ken-Apollo quickly caught onto what I was doing and reached out for my phone right when I was this close to swiping it – our fingers brushing for just a second. I drew my hand back, hating the way my skin lit up like it was on fire the moment he touched me. "Lemme look," he said, but it sounded more like a question. "You're driving. It's the least I can do"

Swallowing the lump that pulled its way up my throat, I simply nodded at him – giving him permission and thanking him all at once.

"Rianne?" Sherry inquired, probably getting nervous by my lack of response and hearing my phone being absolutely man handled by the two of us. "Hello? Are you there?"

"Yeah!" I hollered, while Ken-Apollo propped up my phone in his hand between us, but she couldn't hear me.

My speaker must have eaten shit and died again. It liked to bug out on me from time to time.

"Hello? Rianne?" she called out again — this time sounding way more anxious.

"It's the speaker," I explained to him. "You're gonna have to take her off it and read the orders back."

"Okay." Doing just that, he held the phone up to his ear. "Hello.....No, this isn't her," he said. "I'm Austin."

Austin.

So, he had a name and it was Austin

Like Austin, Texas?

Yee-to the-haw? Was Texas all country-esce or was I totally off?

Weren't all those old films that Marlon and Marilyn watched filled with Texan cowboys?

"No. No –I didn't kidnap her.....I promise...." He let out a laugh. "She's driving me.....Yeah, she asked me to read off the list......Oh, okay. Hold on." He looked over at me, blowing air out of his nose as he shook his head. "She's a stubborn one. She wants to hear your voice first."

Of course she did.

She watched way too much Law and Order.

Without a word, I leaned over – allowing him to nestle the device against my ear. "I'm right here, and I'm fine. Austin's gonna give you the orders because I'm driving." Saying his name for the first time felt odd coming out of my mouth, especially since I was so used to Ken-Apollo.

"Fine." She huffed. "Only because you're driving. But scream some code word if you're just telling me this because he told you to make it sound like you're fine. How about banana?"

"Sher," I assured her. "I promise you."

"Alright. Alright," she let up. "Guess I have no choice but to talk to him then."

Giving Austin the green light, he detached the phone from my ear drawing away his warmth once again. Why the fuck was I shivering when it was hot as hell in this vehicle? "I'm gonna send the photo to my number if that's alright to make this easier."

"Okay." I didn't argue that logic considering it would be pretty difficult to read from a picture on the screen and talk into the receiver without having the accessibility to utilize the speaker.

After maneuvering about the features on my phone, he pulled his own out from his pocket and started the order process. "Alright, um – are you ready?.....Okay, two caramel lattes....Sorry, yeah.....I'll repeat it —

Poor dude.

This was definitely gonna take awhile.

It was then that it all hit me that this was really happening. That this was my life at this very moment. Sitting in a red beetle bug, squished next to a man – that I was convinced practiced his model faces in the mirror – talking to my girl Sherry on the line, as we drove through the busy streets of Los Angeles trying to pick up the pieces of this so-called disaster and put it all back together. What shocked me the most was that he was such a good sport. If anything, I figured he would have been fuming the moment he stepped in the car over the fact that he was left waiting at a restaurant and now had to travel across the city to make it up. Instead he was calm – way calmer than me – helping me out as I panicked over something that wasn't even my problem to begin with but became my problem by default.  Either he really wanted to work with these people and pull off a good firt impression, or he took up a lot of fucking yoga or something – because he was ridiculously zen.

"Yeah...I think that's it," he concluded the order, whisking me right out of my mental run down. "Thanks.....We should be there in —" he trailed off.

"Three minutes," confirmed.

"Three minutes," Austin relayed the message. "Okay....Bye." And then he hung up the call.

I stopped at another light. "Thank you."

"Not a problem." He placed my phone back in the cup holder.

And then it went silent again, besides the radio that suddenly went staticy. We must have hit an area that had shit service. In response to that, Austin leaned forward, messing with the radio again. He mulled over a few stations before finally picking one — was that Elvis?

He leaned back in his seat once he was satisfied with his choice. "Love this song." He whispered so low I probably wasn't meant to hear it.

"Didn't take you as an Elvis dude," I said matter of factly, pretty surprised that out of everything he could pick he chose the station with a song that was an oldies love ballad that reminded me too much of an Italian restaurant jam — It's Now or Never.

"Guess I'm full of surprises then," he mused, leaning his elbow on the edge of the windowsill, his fingers lingering against his chin— what I figured at this point was either a cruel seduction trick or some sort of nervous tick he picked up. "What did you take me as?"

Great — here we go with the questions.

I shouldn't have said a word.

Those rings were staring at me.

Thankfully, the light turned green again — leaving me obligated to turn my attention back to the road — and Sunshine Spot was right around the corner. Making a right, I pretended to be concentrated and too occupied to answer  him as I turned into the lot and found a spot with ease. "We're here." I said once I got the bug parked, completely avoiding the question. "I'll be quick." I told him as I opened the door frantically and darted out.

For a split second I felt like I could finally breathe, but that second passed far too quickly when I heard a car door slam shut and feet padding across the lot.

Guessed he didn't get the memo that I wanted to be alone.

Fuck me.

"Might as well join you," he said when he reached up to me. "Gonna have a lot to carry anyways."

Well.

That was true.

But, what if I had some sick ass balancing skills and could carry numerous things without an issue or I could just juggle the coffees in the air like a whole circus act? Too late for him to find that out. Could of been really fucking cool too.

His loss.

Walking into the Sunshine spot, I looked far from sunny or shinny considering this whole situation. I thought maybe he was gonna say something about being here before, but he just tagged along behind me as I stepped foot at the side of the counter that was reserved for pick ups.

"Rianne?" The dude in charge of the take out orders asked.

"Yeah."

He was quick to place the two trays on the counter piled with the most extra looking drinks I'd ever seen. I went to pull out my card to pay for the order, but when I looked up after shuffling for a hot minute in my tote — I saw Austin sticking his credit card in the machine.

"You didn't have to do that," I whined, a hint of irritation laced in my voice.

"But I did," he teased back, biting his lip as he shoved his credit card back in his wallet.

Cheeky fucking bastard.

How could I be mad at him when he did that, looking like that?

Ridiculous.

In a fatal attempt to stop staring at his stupid lips, I looked over the trays in front of us. I had no fucking clue what half of these concotions were. Reaching out I grabbed the first tray, and of course — when I went to grab the second the first one flinched in my arms, leading one of the cups to pop open and spill all over my white shirt.

"Fuck," I cursed out, once I felt the coldness of the drink seeping down my blouse. At least it wasn't hot.

So much for my circus act.

Immediately, the tray was drawn out of my grasp and set in front of me. I was too stunned to even look up and see who was assessing the situation, transfixed by my poor white button up and how it was saturated in the dark brown liquid of the black coffee.

"I'm so sorry about that! We'll get you a new one — on the house."

Shaking my hands at my sides, I tried my best to get rid of the sticky droplets that etched themselves into my skin while someone — who I soon realized was Austin was shoving napkins into my hands, trying to help me clean up the mess. I watched as he drew one of them delicately up my arm. Hating that I was already getting locked in a trance thanks to his touch, I shook out of his hold and began to assess the situation — dabbing a few napkins to my chest to dry myself off as best as I could.

Once I handled a majority of the damage, I immediately regretted looking up.

"What are —" My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

Austin was mother fucking stripping.

Well not full on stripping, but he was taking off his shirt— undoing each and every button.

What in the Magic Mike was going on?

I squeezed my eyes shut out of instinct and slapped my hand over them for extra protection.

Was he fucking insane?

"Don't worry." I knew he was grinning based on the laugh he let out. "I'm covered."

Once I deemed it somewhat safe, I peeked through my fingertips. Noting the white tank that I didn't realize was under his button up before, I drew my hand away.

He dangled the button up in front of me. "Here." He motioned me to take it from him. "Wear this. You're gonna be all damp and sticky if you keep that on."

"I-I can't," I rejected his offer, already knowing that I would lose my shit if I put on his shirt.

"Why not?"

"Because," I tried to reason. "Don't you have an important meeting to attend to?"

"Um," He thought about it for a second, looking up at the ceiling as he grazed his hand over his chin again. "Something like that." He shook the material in front of me. Somewhat sternly this time, he pleaded. "Just take it, Rianne."

Something about the way he said my name had to completely throw me off and rewire every ounce of stubbornness I once possessed because I snatched that shit out of his hand so fast and made a dash to the bathroom in a flash.

My heart was racing out of my chest when I finally made it to a stall, locking myself inside. Leaning against the door frame, I took a needed breath replaying the way my name sounded coming out of his mouth.

Like pure silk? Velvet even? Something rich?

I suddenly felt tempted to dive my nose right into his shirt and take a big sniff like one of those Downey commercials, but I soon debunked that idea finding it fucking weird.

Rianne.

Rianne.

Rianne.

I always hated the sound of my name. Always thought it was the most irritating, annoying, and most uninteresting name in the world.

Until now.

When he said my name — he made it sound worth it, and that was what fucking scared the absolute shit out of me.

——

welp, this was a tough-y to write. i was soups self conscious about this chapter because i kept over thinking it — wondering if i got rianne and austin's dynamic down in the way i saw it in my noggin. anyways, i hope you enjoyed it and i hope it wasn't cringe.

just levi (the whole gang) watching rianne (donna) and austin (eric) interact:

all the love, xanadu

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.)

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ austin butler & oc: rianne solace ୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

WARNINGS: this story contains some heavy cussing. yes, our lead gal has a bit of a mouth on her. but rightfully so. taps into some heavy themes that revolve around adult-like shit — and to spice it up some sexual content along with some anxiety and depression. if that's not your cup of tea, this may not be the story for you, but if it is — proceed.

summary: Anyone who has met Rianne Solace can tell you that she has the most interesting sense of humor, you'll ever come across. But, it's honestly the only thing that keeps her afloat. Not even the stupid tooth pick umbrella in her drink at a party can keep up. Because Rianne is just Rianne. What happens when she unexpectedly meets, what she describes as a 'gorgeous-lifeguard-ken doll-greek god-super model?' The list goes on - truly. Only for her to find out he's not just some shy, random, and overly attractive guy she met at a party. But the one and only Austin Butler. Like child actor to grown actor actor Austin Butler. Who not only plays the guitar, but also the piano too. Will she push him as far away as the rain, or will he merely become her downfall?

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ LINKS ୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ ✎ da cast ✎ da playlist

✎ da trailer ✎ da chapters this is my first story on here, so please be gentle with me! trying to figure it out as i go :) is comedic angst considered a thing?

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ the iconic wattpad cover.....SLAY! ୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.)

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ da chapters ୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ ✎ chapter 1 ✎ chapter 2 ✎ chapter 3 ✎ chapter 4 ✎ chapter 5 ✎ chapter 6 ✎ chapter 7 ✎ chapter 8 ✎ chapter 9 ✎ chapter 10 ✎ chapter 11 ✎ chapter 12 ✎ chapter 13 ✎ chapter 14 ✎ chapter 15 ✎ chapter 16 ✎ chapter 17 ✎ chapter 18 ✎ chapter 19 ✎ chapter 20 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ TO BE CONTINUED ୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.)

read fic here ↓

main hub of all important thangs

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ THE TRAILER ˚ ୨୧⋆｡˚

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.)

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 1

I believe in miracles where are you from? you sexy thing, sexy thing, you. - you sexy thing, hot chocolate

——

RIANNE SOLACE

Never in my life could I ever imagine that I'd be standing in the middle of some randos house. Sipping some random ass colorful drink — that I can't recall ever being pushed in my hand — squashed against other party goers. Listening to — might I add — the worst music I've ever heard.

Might as well just pull off the bandage now, and let you know that I — commonly known by my friends as 'Miss. anti-social — was never a so-called 'party-goer', especially right now. But, Sydney, being oh-so herself, insisted that I lighten up a bit and spend a night out with her. So here I was, completely against my will.

To sum up my experience so far, I'd say it completely blows. I never understood why people in high school enjoyed this endless drinking and squashing out on the floor. Same thing went for college and still applies in my twenties. Sydney always got a kick out of telling people that it was just because I was an 'old soul.' I knew what she meant, but sometimes I was quite certain she was trying to imply that I acted like a grandmother. I mean, hey — it wasn't my fault that her grandmother always set up Rummikub every time we visited. That game equaled my weakness. Truly a competition whenever I'd be around. So, I enjoyed hanging out with Marilyn. Was that such a crime? In Sydney's book, it seemed to be so.

But, I seriously couldn't complain about Sydney. Especially when she'd been there for me in college — wedging her way into my life as someone I could call my best friend. Someone I could trust with the parts of me I hoped no one else could see. So in that respect, I could handle another hour watching Sydney get piss drunk just for the hell of it.

I'd been watching her for the past few minutes, dancing with some dude I never saw before — making sure he wouldn't take her away. I didn't mind it really. It gave me a good excuse to detach myself from the looming crowd and join the other anti-socials against a wall. Or so I thought. Instead I was met with a couple squashed up against the wall, practically hot glued together. I could vomit. So, I took a long swig of my fruity drink and hoped for the best.

The wall felt cool against my back and I readjusted myself to lean a bit more comfortably. The bass from the loud speakers surrounding what was supposed to be a house, but seemed more like a ritsy Better Homes and Gardens rent-a-mansion — truly lodged into my ear canals. So much, that I didn't even notice someone appeared next to me, clearly trying to speak to me but evidently failing.

"What?" I tried to annunciate over the blaring music, blinking my eyes numerous times, hoping I could catch a picture perfect glimpse of the person in front of me. The nauseating spot lights danced in colors against their skin, evading into darkness every beat. I already knew I was failing.

Their mouth moved again, and I paid close attention to their lips. God, it was like a television on mute. I couldn't help but tumble over in laughter. Jesus Christ. I was already hella drunk.

Served me right.

Was the liquid in my glass this bright pink the entire time? Like neon pink? Was I going insane?

Un-hunching myself — if you will — I stood back up, adjusting my hair as if nothing happened. As if I did not just have a laughing fit in front of a stranger. God, I sure hoped this wasn't one of Sydney's big corporate coworkers. I'd just about die on the spot. To sum it all up, Sydney got a pretty good fucking job after college — and when I say good fucking job I mean it. This bitch managed to score an internship that got her sent to the city for a real-adult job, and I ended up tagging along. I guess reading countless Cosmo magazines as a child really pays off because now she is Miss. Scratch-pad-pen-and-paper-journaling-connoisseur.

And then there was me. 

"Woah, woah, are you alright?" The stranger's voice suddenly boomed in my ears. Ah, guess they did work. "Fuck, I didn't mean to freak you out."

"Quite alright," I managed through a hoarse voice. How the fuck were my vocal chords dead when I'd been drinking straight up liquid for the past hour? A mystery to me. "Sorry." I started laughing, like a horse— might I add. God, that was fucking embarassing. "I couldn't hear you."

"You're good." This time I was able to make out that the voice was attached to a man. A very handsome man with a silky accent. Jesus, what the fuck did I drink? "Sorry. I just -" He began, staring off into the crowd. With his figure leaned against the wall next to me, I could finally take him in. He wouldn't look at me as he spoke, but I could care less. Not when I had full range to absolutely gawk at his side profile. He was, in what I could define, as beautiful — feature wise. Button nose, plump curved lips, delicious blonde locks. I was certain any girl would destroy him, absolutely devour him. Why was this beautiful, clean cut, half buttoned up, chest exposed, simple gold pleated chained man, standing next to me? I didn't know. "I don't really know anybody here." He admitted my suspisions quite shyly, his eyes darting all around.

"I don't either," I admitted back, taking another long sip of my drink. Man was I truly drinking this whole scenario in. I truly hoped I wasn't dreaming it all. "I don't want to be here. If you couldn't tell."

"I figured. Classic move." He turned to me, gazing off into the distance, biting on his lip. "Stand off to the side to avoid all the chaos?"

"Precisely," I said, tilting my head to get a better look at him, but he still wouldn't look at me. "Can I suspect that you are doing just the same?"

He adjusted his position, leaning an arm against the wall as he scanned the party. The music turned up a noche at this very instant switching songs, leading him to have to lean forward and ever-so-effortlessly answer in my ear. "You're right on target."

And if I wasn't leaning against a wall right now, I sure as hell would have fallen straight to the floor — my drink going right down with me. I swore his voice demoted an octave, shifting gears to intensify the silkiness laced within his words.

"So," I began, swirling the straw in my drink, fucking up the cute little umbrella that was plopped in there. "Why come?" When I say that was bold — that was bold. Sober me could never, and I mean ever, continue a conversation for the life of me.

His chest constricted as if he was letting out some left over tension. "Didn't have much of a choice."

What that meant, I didn't know, but who was I to ask? "Right." I nodded, chalking it down to that he had to be here just like the rest of us. Well besides me. But, sure did Sydney.

Oh fuck, Sydney!

I was supposed to be watching her, and now I couldn't locate her. God, I hated being short. Even these heels were insufficiante over the shit load of  heads swarming the place like a flock of a million birds or those big ass schools of fish. How did the party intensify in such a short period of time? Or was it longer? Christ, I didn't know. Of course this Greek-fucking-god-ken-doll distracted me from the task at hand. I could only hope it was her coworker Dwayne — nope wait that ain't his name. That was the made up name for him.

Fuck, what was his name? Think Rianne. Brock.

Right, like Broccoli.

I'm sorry, but who the fuck names their son Brock.

Every time I think about him I just see Dwayne the Rock Johnson — hence Dwayne. Sydney with Dwyane the Rock Johnson would be really fucking cool though. Their kids would probably be mini Rocks.

For the love of Christ!

I must have said one of these things out loud, cause Ken suddenly looked at me with complete concern. "What's wrong?"

Detaching myself from the wall, I became acutely aware of the bass that transitioned into my head— a blaring headache imploding from tonight's activities. "I gotta go." Nothing else seemed to matter as I dove into the crowd, but then I felt really bad for leaving Ken all lonesome tonight, so I abruptly turned back around and waved my drink madly. "Have a good night, Ken or Apollo or whatever!"

He looked at me questioningly like I had ten heads, but then his brows relaxed and he unfolded his arms. His finger grazed his lips as he tried to stifle a laugh. Was that a ring on his pointer finger? Yes, I feared it was. He looked like he was giggling like a shy school girl. He was ridiculously cute. With his little feet crossed at the ankles and all. From here I could tell he had on black leather boots and a matching suit — his undershirt drawing a more casual and sexy look. God damn. Wait a second! Was that my little drink umbrella tucked behind his ear? That bastard must have taken it when I wasn't paying attention.

"At least the umbrella will beat the rain!" I called out.

And then he smiled like actually fucking smiled, a laugh drawing right out of him that I could only decipher from the rumbling of his chest.

Focus Rianne.

And then I was whisking into the crowd for my bestest friend who I sure hoped was not being abducted at this particular moment. How would I explain it to Marilyn the next time we played Rummikub?

Hi-ya Marilyn! It is so lovely to see you. By the way, your granddaughter drove off to Vegas or something and got hitched, or maybe she didn't. The world may never know. Let's play!

Skin that I did not want on my body was suddenly there. Boy, did I need a shower. The sticky sweat from others bodies attached on my own like flees as I merged my way into the crowd. It was hot as balls. I already missed my perfect wall next to that suction cup couple and that handsome lifeguard-model. But, I had to stay on assignment. I must stay on assignment.

Like an FBI agent on a mission, I scoped out the area. Channel my inner Dr. Spencer Reid, why don't we? "Has anyone seen a blonde about yay-high! Anyone?" No one responded of course. How could they when they were saturated by the euphoric atmosphere of the party.

And there went my drink.

Right on the floor.

In a puddle, by my feet.

Just Lovely.

Paper towels. A sister needed paper towels, immediately. To the kitchen I went. Diversion of mission, but rightfully so. Where would a kitchen be in this place? I wouldn't know. The future threw up all over it.

After a few minutes of mindless trekking and ripping my heels off after practically being impaled by these ridiculous shoes, I found what appeared to be the kitchen. But instead of finding paper towels, I found Sydney. Thanking my lord and savior. I could have kneeled to the floor and praised Eric Forman like Fez and Kelso did in that one episode of that 70s Show with Midge's whole underwear-sitch.

Eric you truly are a god.

"Syd!" I called, approaching her figure and sat atop a table sipping some neon green drink. Her feet swayed to the music as she giggled and leaned her head on some dude's shoulder. Was that my guy Dwayne?

"Riri!" She hopped off the table. Any other time, my pissed off button would turn on at the nickname. But, drunk me could care less. With a pep in her step, probably from the alcohol and getting completely drunk off of Mr. Broccoli-Rabe. She enclosed me in the tightest hug. "I missed you so much!" Once she broke away, she observed me with utmost concern. "Where've you been? Where'd you go? Oh my fucking God!" Her hands braced my shoulders. "Have you been drinking?"

I shrugged in her hold. "Guilty as charged." I raised a brow. "Now, how'd you figure that out?"

"You're all glowy and shit," she said without a beat of hesitation, wiggling her eyebrows amusingly.

"I could say the same for you." I nodded my head towards the Rock. "Is he treating you well? Cause if not I will rightfully beat his broccoli ass up."

Of course I said that as she was sipping on her drink, and she choked. Bad move. "Broccoli! I can't with you." She vocalized once she was done hacking up a lung. At least her drink didn't shoot out of her nose. Small victories. "Where the fuck do you come up with this shit in that mind of yours?"

"I don't know. It's just in the noggin, ya-know?" Raising my fist to my head I knocked on it in good measure. "All up in that watermelon brain."

"Yep, yeah." She moved back to Broccoli, placing her drink on the table. She whispered something in his ear before latching her lips on him in a heated kiss. Her face flushed when she pulled away. Instead of detaching from him, she dove right back in as his fingers trapped her chin for one last longing kiss.

Disgusting.

I missed you, my umbrella drink.

Finally, she escaped his hold, lacing her arm in mine. "Looks like it's time for us to go home. I have never seen you this drunk."

"I am not thattttt drunk," I defended myself immediately, but didn't break from her hold. She simply nodded her head back and forth and began dragging me along. I turned back around abruptly, suddenly remembering Broccoli. In what world would I ever talk to him? I supposed it was this one. "Good night, Dwayne-Rock-Broccoli!"

"Ri!" Sydney bellowed, her eyes popping out of her head as she stared at me in disbelief. Guess I wasn't allowed to be brutally honest with him yet. Were they not that deep into the relationship?

Whoops.

Guess you could call me a friendly drunk.

All I heard was a 'What the actual fuck?' as we dipped out of the party scene.

"Alright, I'll go call a cab. Can you chill out here by the door for a minute while I go do that and say goodbye to my boss?" She looked at me sternly.

"Yeah, yeah. Of course." I waved her off, staring at the weird glass that was attached to the door frame. This futuristic shit was really fucking weird, but I couldn't lie that it totally mesmerized me.

I noticed now, it was raining. Practically downpouring. Some droplets of rain stuck to that weird ass glass, different specs of color shining against the water. Rain right now wasn't as odd as one would suspect in California. Especially after a long crusty dry drought. But, who was I to comment anyways? This night was weird as it was already. I shivered at the thought of walking through the rain, soaked from the trenches. Syd and I, of course, did not bring a single jacket.

One could have sephiced for the both of us if need be. Just toss it over the heads. Perfect. But, no.

Nothing.

Na da.

Maybe Dwayne had an umbrella or something.

Umbrella dude.

Umbrella dude still has my fucking drink umbrella. That shit would have been perfect. If I ever see that bastard again I will be wringing him a new one for stealing my only form of safety for the night.

But, I won't.

That I knew for sure.

That was all I could remember before everything went black, and I drowned into the trenches, dreaming of a man I just met.

——

oh.... yeah, okay Ri. sure....

welcome welcome to the austin butler whore house! welcome home friends.

i really hope you guys enjoy this. i wrote this in a complete spur of the moment, and i am honestly super excited about it. i hope you stick along for the ride. I hope ya love it <3

eric forman being a whole god for your reference purposes:

see ya soon, xanadu

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.)

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 2

had it been another day i might have looked the other way and i'd have never been aware but as it is i'll dream of her tonight - i've just seen a face, the beatles

——

Canada! Beer!

And.....

A girl woke up.

Nothing like good ol' Michael Kelso screaming on your television about smuggling Canadian beer while proceeding to press a loud ass blow horn — quite proudly, might I add —to stir you from your slumber. And people enjoyed proclaiming that the perfect wake up call didn't exist. I begged to differ.

Welp, that explained the weird ass dreams I had. Syd must have kept the television on while I slept. If she didn't go to bed — so help me God! I swore she drove me up the wall when she stayed up super late and then proceeded to go to work at the ass crack of dawn. How did she manage to stay awake? I wished I knew. I'd clock out if I was her — which now, as I took a good look at myself, I must have done just that last night.

Beautiful.

Finally getting the willpower to actually sit up in bed, I felt all the blood rush to my head. With a groan, I mentally scolded myself that I'd never drink again. Especially when I knew I dreamt up the whole night. For a moment, everything, and I mean literally everything came flooding back into my brain. I winced as I relived the interaction I had with Mr. breathtakingly-beautiful-Ken-Apollo. I cannot believe I actually cackled like a horse. Christ, I could already hear the familiar sound echoing in my ears which only made my head pound ten times harder. I pinched my forehead with my fingers and squeezed my eyes shut to dislodge the memory from my brain cells and excavate the pain.

Yep, he most definitely was not real. I imagined that shit. No one would ever just stand there — let alone stand next to someone like me and fucking talk to me deliberately— looking like that. Absolutely not.

Solid.

Good talk, brain cells.

At least that made me feel a little better, convincing myself that it never happened to absolutely get rid of every trace of embarrassment I unfortunately possessed. I'd never see him again, so none of it mattered, especially when he was a figment of my imagination. See what I did there?

It was absolute torture trying to remove myself from the safe haven I called my bed. Or my boyfriend. Whichever you prefer would be considered suitable enough. I could never pass up a date when it had the most deliciously comfortable comforter ever known to man. At least I believed so. I even had one of those stupid pajama sets you'd find on pinterest from my teens when mustaches were all the rage and all that keep calm shit. Fucking embrassing. But, man did I enjoy wearing that set in front of Sydney, especially when she dragged a guy in the apartment. Shit was funny. She unfortunately did not think so. Must be why she hasn't invited Broccoli Rabe over, but I could only assume, ya know?

I took my walk of shame out of my room and down the hall where the shower greeted my arrival. The tile was cold, and it spurred my eyes open to actually clean off the stench and sweat I collected from last night. How I managed to not notice that my body was still strung up in the simple black dress I tossed on, I didn't know. I was at least glad I made it to my bed in one piece. After showering, letting the hot water relax my tense muscles, and taking the time to thoroughly untangle the mess that became my hair, I dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a button up shirt, putting my hair up – because truly who wanted to deal with that friz ass mess of mine? I already took a billion years to get ready with the exhaustion still seeping into my bones and the headache I couldn't get rid of. I needed tylenol and coffee.

Coffee.

God, I could use a fucking coffee and not just from my simple Keurig machine. I needed real coffee. I needed the shit that lightened up my mood. Sunshine Spot was the place to be, and I sure as fuck needed to head there right now. Nothing was gonna stop me! Well, except for Sydney.

"The corpse has arisen from her ten year slumber!" I didn't even notice her at first, typing away on her computer at the island when I reached for my keys. "How are you feeling, darling?"

"Awful," I groaned, sagging my shoulders with extra emphasis. "Got any tylenol?"

"Already on the counter." She directed my attention to the water and pill on the counter with her pen grasped firmly with her hand. It was then that I noticed she was taking notes. Why wasn't she in the office? Would have been funnier if she did some Alice and WonderLand shit, I thought as I gulped back the pill. That whole eat me, drink me shit. But, it wasn't a good time to make a funky comment, especially when she was busy working. "Figured you'd feel a little funky this morning. Shocked you're up though. You wouldn't believe the shit I went through when I had to bring you home passed out and -"

"The fuck?" I almost spit out my water. What the fuck was she going on about? No, there was no way I passed out.

"Oh right." She stifled a laugh as she dragged the back of her pen across her bottom lip. Seemed like she figured this was common knowledge to me. "You kind of passed out honey. This stupid dude was walking down the stairs, tripped, fell on his ass, and knocked right into you while you were waiting for me to come back. To put it frankly, you went down."

"Oh good God. Don't tell me that." I held my head back, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Guess I couldn't say I dreamed it all when that happened. Jesus, I could only hope the flawless Ken doll didn't catch a glimpse of me hitting the floor. Maybe in some predictable fantasy I could imagine him sweeping me off my feet before I hit the floor, but even that sounded crazy. Guys nowadays would just watch you hit the floor. Sure could attest to that with William Williamson. A story for another time. But, again. Who the fuck was in charge of naming these people? William Williamson seriously. Stupid. Very unoriginal. Could they not think of anything else. I supposed not. Dude went by Billy Williamson, but that wasn't even better. Everyone knew where his first name derived from. Wouldn't need a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

"Sorry," she said meekly, raising her hands in defense before diving back onto her computer.

"Thanks for taking care of me. Hope I wasn't too much of a tassel hassle," I sing-songed for good measure.

"Of course." Her eyes looked blood shot as she stared back at the screen in full focus. How she managed to dive right back in on command was insane to me. I always needed to ease myself back into work when it came down to it. Took her a moment, but then she let out a snort. "Tassel hassle."

"Syd, please don't tell me you didn't sleep last night," I started sternly, reaching for my tote back on the coat rack, making sure everything I needed was still inside. I wore the shit out of this thing. I couldn't tell you how the seams stayed in tack this long, but they did. In other words, you could say I destroyed this poor thing, but she was still kicking.

"I won't then." She didn't dare look at me when I spun back around, almost dropping all my shit on the floor. "Doesn't matter anyways. Dr. Reignus told us we could work from home today. He figured we'd all be toasted. Are you going to the bookstore today, or what? What's on the agenda?"

Reignus. Again. What was up with Los Angeles and their inhabitants' names?

I adjusted my strap on my shoulders, trying to take in all the words Syd piled out of her mouth. How she had this much energy at 9am. A girl would never know. "You sound like a mother with all the questions. Don't worry I will be home before the clock strikes twelve. Wouldn't want to turn into a pumpkin or anything. Or maybe I do? You could make a damn good pie."

"Oh shut up!" She choked out, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. "It's too early for this."

"What's the dish on Broccoli Rabe?" I switched subjects effortlessly. "Since you're home today, why didn't you guys fuck around last night or something?"

"Well, I was taking care of you." She chewed on the top of her pen as she gazed at me furrowing a brow. "Plus, I have work to do."

"Uh-Uh." I wagged my finger back and forth like a whole dog. "Don't deflect. Way before I hit the hay — you were itching to get out of there as soon as I found you. I may have been drunk, but I have a solid noggin. Remember, watermelon brain?"

She sighed, dropping her pen on the table and ramming her fingers into her temples out of pure stress. "He's confusing. That's all."

Did I hit the wrong nail? I suddenly felt awful for bringing it up. "Brock is probably a rock. Might just take a little longer to crack him open, but don't give up."

She smiled, but it didn't fully match her face. "I won't. Thanks Ri. You always have such a way with words." She broke out a soft chuckle. "Now I gotta get back to work, can you fuck off for a bit? Rather not think of him for longer than I have to."

"Of course! Toodaloo." And then I was out the door, ready to start the day. Whoopie.

Coffee. Right. On a mission for coffee. How could I forget?

Thank my lord and savior Eric Forman once again that the Sunshine Spot was within walking distance from my job. Truly a delight — if I must say. Workers knew me by name and shit. It reminded me of Gilmore Girls — channeling my inner Lorelai Gilmore and all. I always wished I was as cool as her. A legend.

Welp to sum it all up to the best of my abilities, I did the whole internship shabackle that Sydney got wrapped up into, but my experience wasn't as peachy as her's was. I hated corporate America — I still do. Explained why I didn't want to be at that dumb ass party, but Sydney guilted me, claiming she was far too nervous. But basing a majority of the events that circulated during the night, she was all over the place — being the social butterfly we all knew and loved. Not once did she need me, but of course I'd go for her. That's what friends were for. Plus, I had to keep my eye out on Dwayne and his douchery. Gotta do my service as an American and all.

To put it frankly — remember that dude Billy Williamson — yeah William Williamson. That douche burger was one of those rat bastards that made my life a living hell. So much for being a woman in literature. Truly a drag. Especially when there were men dictating every move I made — totally debunking every manuscript I found interesting. This led me to send out the most boring pieces I've ever landed my eyeballs on, all to satisfy my big-buck-dick-head bosses.

Fucking hated that shit.

Not my feng shui — if you will.

So yeah, that was how I ended up at Marlon's book store. God, did I love that old man. Sweetest dude I ever met in my entire life. His store could be considered a national treasure — it carried everything. And I mean everything. One day I took Marilyn there. She was already gushing when she walked through the door at not just the books but the little cute old man himself with his old school glasses. She thought he held so much swag. I let her believe so.

And it sure became 'a hunk a hunk of burning love' as both Mar and Mar loved to describe it. Disgustingly cute. Jesus though, I rather not know what those old peeps do in their free time. I should probably start sanitizing the shelves. Or dust a little more frequently.

Drop that thought, Ri.

Yikes, I was feening for a coffee.

Badly.

I swore all the weight drifted off my body and my whole soul bursted out of me and flew up to the heavens when Sunshine Spot finally came into view. It normally wasn't the worst walk of my life — but today wasn't normal.

The cute little cheesy bell rang as I walked through my favorite place, meeting the face of my favorite work-a-holic. Wait, I might of lied about Marlon being the cutest cause who the fuck could forget about Sherry Blossom— people say it was her stage name back in the day, but when it came to Sherry there was no room for questioning. She was simply an enigma. This woman right here was eighty-fucking-five still working up a storm at Sunshine cafe. I swore she's been here since the day the doors opened at this little gem of a place.

Once she told me, "Never let people look at you like you're some old sack of shit that can't move a muscle anymore. When people drop their opinions all over the place — where they are surely not needed or even wanted — I just say, 'If you think you're throwing me in some old people's home, you got another thing coming for you. Yep, that's a threat.'"

Cracked me the fuck up.

Alright, alright. So, I had one friend my age and then some elders.

Leave me alone.

"There she is!" Sherry's cheerful voice that she only seemed to have reserved for me — as from what I was told by her coworkers — welcomed me. "My girl. How are you?"

"Howdy girl. Could be better," I sulked, tossing my tote on a stool and plopping myself on the one right next to it.

She stopped what she was doing the moment she took in that my 'howdy wasn't as enthusiastic as it usually whenever I saw her. "What's the matter?" She dropped the towel she was wiping the table with, giving me her full attention.

What an angel.

I adjusted myself awkwardly in the stool, my head leaning on my hand, my arm resting on the table — my body on a whole angle like I fucked some protractor. "Unfortunately I'm a teenie-weenie bit hungover." I maneuvered my other hand, eyeing it in front of my face as I measured the distance between my thumb and middle finger to emphasize my point. Her eyes lit up for a moment, taking in my words but I was quick to debunk her thoughts. "But, don't worry. I never wanted to go to said party in the first place, and nothing too awful happened. I just passed out but -"

Ah, geometry. A beautiful thing.

"You passed out?!" Lord Jesus, that woman had some real pipes. Every head under the sun turned. Just great. "Are you okay? Lemme have a look at your face." She dived forward, not even bothering to ask  before she was taking me all in — holding both sides of my head to dissect my face. She turned my head in every which way like some voodoo doll, but how could I complain when she cared so much for me? More than most. We were close enough so I didn't really mind. I'd come here for years. She helped me when I was sat here crying my eyes out over some stupid professor that was being a dick to me, and even helped me get the fuck out of that dick of an internship with her perfect convincing. "You poor thing. Hit up the coffee pot stat — my girl needs a glass!" She called out to no one in particular and shockingly everyone behind the counter moved — no one hesitated. She was that powerful. What a woman. Another human that was on the list of my legends — the same one as Lorelai Gilmore, and I supposed Eric Forman if you felt obligated to include him.

In two seconds flat, a beautiful iced coffee — just the way I liked it, sat beautifully in front of me. So pretty, I didn't even want to touch it, but man I needed a fix. "You're incredible." I licked my lips, staring right at the glass in amazement, mesmerized by the way the ice sat against the liquid.

"Anything for you." She blushed madly. "Going to work today or hanging out for a little while?"

Pulling out my phone, I checked the time. Marlon was way too fucking chill about scheduling. He honestly couldn't care less about when I came in, but I still hated not being on time. But, noting my current predicament, I figured I'd just shoot him a little text that I'd be late today. I genuinely did not want to deal with customers complaining. Not when my head was still pounding, and I was waiting for the tylenol to kick in. "I can stay for a tad."

"Good." She reached out, grasping my hand. Leaning forward she nodded at me to move forward as if she was gonna tell me a secret. "These customers today are already driving me fucking nuts. I'm sorry but who orders a burger at seven in the morning and complains about it being well done when they asked for that shit when they ordered. Not our fault. Idiot. Thank goodness you're here."

Don't get confused. The place is an enigma just like Blossom. It was everything you could imagine. A cafe/diner — practically a six piece restaurant all wrapped into one cute little place. Sometimes Los Angeles could be amazing, but only for this. Gotta love Sunshine Spot.

I forgot my lips were attached to the straw and I blew fucking bubbles in response. The bubbled up liquid shot out the sides and landed on the table, serving up a whole mess. "Guess you can add me to that list of f-" I got cut off by a bell from the back.

"Sher!" A girl called from behind the counter. "Could you take this one — I got my hands full." She wasn't lying. Two trays stacked with so much food for a whole army.

But, that didn't seem to please Sher. She just rolled her eyes. "I gotta do everything around here." She lifted up the rag in her hand and waved it madly. "Oh and look, I gotta deal with this schmuck staring at his phone. If the order gets fucked up it's not my probem. Pay attention," she whispered so no one else could hear.

I loved this woman.

I watched as she trailed off a few seats away, huffing as she proceeded to aggressively flip her pad to write down some dude's order. For a moment my smile was infectious, burning against my cheeks as I watched one of my favorite ladies do her thang. But then, as I looked over some more I became acutely aware of the dude she was serving. Why the fuck did he look so familair?

What was it?

Think Rianne.

Hmmm. Sandy blonde hair. Black Shades. Alright. Light denim button up. Black shorts. White sneakers. Button nose. Half buttoned top. Gold chain.

Wait a fucking minute?

Intermission.

Move your hand, you bitch.

I needed to know if it was him.

Dude's pointer finger was stuck behind his phone.

Whatever. Probably not who I thought it was anyways. Stop losing your marbles Rianne.

Nope. Nevermind. Act two. Holy fucking shit.

It was him.

Ken-greek-god-lifeguard-model-surfer-beach-boy-hot-shot extraordinaire.

Didn't need the ring to know when I once again had the full range of that glorious side profile I practically had embedded into my memory somehow from the night before. Thanks to the lords he took off his shades. Guess my drunken brain was quite fond of him — but how could I blame her when he looked like that? Jesus, he looked even better in the daytime, etched in the sun instead of those idiotic disco lights that could give you the worst headache of your life.

If only he'd look up from that phone, I could see his eyes — or that ring. Oh God, He put his phone away. The ring. There it is, confirming it all. Ding. Ding. People, I feared we had a winner! Now, his eyes scanned the joint.

I cannot do this right now.

Immediately, I panicked, stopping the first server in front of me that passed by. "Menu." I hissed quite lowly, keeping my head down.

"Huh?" They looked at me like I'd just emitted a noise instead of speaking a real word.

"Menu," I hissed again — a little louder this time, but not loud enough that it would draw any unwanted attention — keeping my head down.

Whatever you do, don't make eye contact.

"Didn't you already order?" They looked at me quizzically. I raised a brow. They didn't question me further.

Snatching the menu off the table, I held up the monstrosity up to my face like a whole shield. Perfect. Amazing. If I won't see him, he won't see me.

Solid logic.

"The hell you doing back there?" My girl Sher's voice suddenly boomed from behind my menu of shield, making me almost jump out of my seat. Her cute little wrinkled up manicured finger suddenly came into view — attempting to push down the menu so she could see my face.

I tried to come up with a good excuse, but it wasn't great. "Researching," I spat out.

"That's strange, but alright. If you find out what they put in the gravy, let me know. I mean I already do, but it would be fun if you found that out." She sounded a little distant, but I didn't dare move — my heart pounding a mile a minute. "See. Shouldn't have drank that alcohol. You don't only gotta worry about your liver, but your brain. Fucks it all up."

"Thanks for the advice," I murmured while trying to take a peak over the menu only to see eyes I never got a chance to see before taking in our interaction. Holy shit were they blue. He even looked confused as hell. Yep, I looked like a crazy woman again in front of him — lovely.

Abort mission. Abort mission.

"Bye Sher! I gotta go." And then I bounced right out. Dropping the menu, grabbing my tote, and sprinting out the door without another look.

That was a close one.

"I thought you were-" I heard her begin, but her words caught off as soon as the door swung close and that oh so familiar bell rang in my ears. God, that was gonna leave a mark on my brain now. Delish. Perfect. Amazing.

Nope, never again. Not gonna see him again, but damn that was kinda crazy.

——

anotha one for my peeps. you can run, but ya can't hide, riri ;)

citing my sources of course. just ri ri waking up to literally kelso being kelso:

- xanadu

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL (a.b.) DA CAST (you can picture them however you please. this is just how I see it in my watermelon noggin — to quote rianne)

zoey deutch as RIANNE SOLACE

austin butler as AUSTIN BUTLER

amanda seyfried as SYDNEY HAYES

josh kiska as BROCK

troy iwata as LEVI

sally field as MARILYN

sam waterston as MARLON

julie andrews as SHERRY BLOSSOM

(a character aesthetic thingy i forgot to make for my man TRIPP -- whoops!) joe keery as DANIEL TRIPPIER

[xxanaduwrites]

DOWNFALL | a.b.

main hub of all important thangs

chapter 5

i've been getting lost in translation trouble keeping up communication we were having fun, now i can't wait to be done it feels like i'm the only one that's sick of playing — lost in translation, the neighbourhood

——

"Hey." I tapped Austin on the shoulder, finding him in the same spot I left him as he waited for me to clean up in the bathroom.

Even though I knew we were on a time crunch — I had lingered around for a bit looking for Sherry for any form of advice I could get my hands on.

This whole trip was throwing me for a loop, and I needed some reinforcements. Of course, the staff told me they forced her to go on break. Apparently she wasn't a happy camper about it — especially since she knew I was on the way. She was far too stubborn when it came to stuff like that.

That woman always wanted to work.

Turning on his heel, he opened his mouth to say something, but closed it just as fast. Looking at me up and down like a gaping goldfish trying to inhale some fish food, he seemed surprised that I actually put on his shirt.

"W-What?" I probed abrehensively, wondering what the fuck was going on in his head, while trying my best to readjust to socializing. After having my first few minutes alone since earlier today, I already found myself comfortably drawn into my introverted behavior.

He also looked really fucking good in just a tank, which made it very difficult for me not to gawk and stutter when I got a frontal view of him.

He cleared his throat. "Nothing." He said simply, diverting his gaze and dropping the matter all together. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." I adjusted my bag on my shoulder since his shirt was sitting quite awkwardly against my figure. The material felt amazing against my skin. I genuinely had no fucking clue what it was made out of, but it sure as shit did not feel like anything I'd ever worn before. "Need a hand?" I asked, noting that he was holding both trays in his whole hands, literally balancing them flawlessly.

What the actual fuck?

He must have had huge hands or maybe he was Peter Parker who could just spider web that shit and stick anything to his hands like glue.

The mental image of him flipping his hands over with the trays attached to him almost made me laugh out loud, but I kept it at bay — wringing Levi's keys between my hands as a means to simultaneously distract myself and focus.

"Nope." The face he gave me definitely proved that he no longer trusted me when it came to holding anything that could potentially drop and make a mess. "I got it."

Understandably so.

He probably didn't want me ruining his fancy ass shirt.

Because then — noting how generous he was being today — he'd probably end up giving me the one on his back, and yep then he'd be shirtless Magic Mike-ing.

Never mind. You do your thing —Toothpick Umbrella Thief.

I sure as shit knew I'd absolutely die if I saw him shirtless right now, and I was quite certain they wouldn't let him in the building without one, or maybe they would — considering how vital it seemed for him to be there based on what Syd told me.

For some reason, I could only picture him walking around the fancy building with his shades on, throwing finger guns at the people he passed — full abs on display like some sort of action movie. Well, if he had any. It wasn't like I knew. I never saw him shirtless before, but a girl could assume or dream. But I mean assuming usually made an ass out of you and me so.

Alright, again. Must shut up.

Don't you dare laugh — I warned myself.

I didn't need him seeing me go insane and then question me for it.

Sending him a simple tight lipped smile instead, I walked to the door, holding it open for him since his hands were full. I brisked in front of him as he walked carefully and slowly to the car, doing just the same. I felt like a proper gentleman with all this chivalry crap.

Once again settled in the car, now with two whole trays of wack ass drinks — we headed off to our final destination.

For some odd reason, the both of us ended up sitting in complete silence.

I couldn't tell you what it was, but it definitely felt like something shifted between us. Even though we were practically crunched together in this car — we seemed so far away from each other — which I was completely fine with.

Considering the fact that I was wearing his shirt didn't help though. I became acutely aware of his scent quite quickly — some sort of sweet yet musky cologne that I couldn't decipher, but it smelt awfully fresh. It was hard for me to detect if I felt dizzy from my continuous hangover or if it was his cologne going straight up my nostrils and into my brain cells.

The traffic lightened up a little which I was eternally grateful for — meaning we'd get there quicker than I thought. The worst seemed to be over which calmed me down just a little, but I could only hope it would stay that way.

Pulling up to the building, I felt all of my muscles relax. I couldn't wait to get out of this car and away from him. I also couldn't wait to go home tonight and drown myself in a binge session of my favorite shows that I'd seen nine hundred times over to try to get over this entire day.

The security here was absolutely ridiculous. I had to stop at a teller to let us in, and of course Sydney didn't give me the password to move the dumb ass bar thing that was blocking my way in. I'd only ever been in here with her when she needed help bringing all her shit in to set up and organize her office — so of course, I didn't know the code.

"It's three four two five," Austin finally spoke for the first time since the diner.

For a second I thought I imagined it, but when I looked over at him he was studying me with such an intensity I knew he was talking to me.

I couldn't get over the fact that he was sitting here in a muscle tee, holding two trays of coffees. It was giving — 'I lift trays of coffee at the gym.' Instead of, 'I am an important business man, look at me rock and roll."

"Thanks," I managed robotically, before typing in the code.

The bar went up with ease. Of course it did. He'd probably been here plenty of times before. Should have just asked him. I figured it was a piece of my pride that left me feeling inclined to show that I could handle something so simple on my own after the key and coffee shabackles of today.

I probably looked like a total clueless cluts to him.

That's what I looked like to everyone anyways.

After parking in a spot, we both got out. I opened the door for him again to which he graced me with a nod. When we entered the building, the receptionist behind the front desk didn't bother to look up from what she was doing — practically entranced by her computer — typing away like her life depended on it.

"Um," I began. "Excuse me?"

"How can I help you?" She asked, looking like she couldn't be bothered — still staring at her stupid computer.

"I'm here to drop off drinks for a meeting on the third floor," I explained, my foot tapping impatiently against the tiled floor.

"Hm." She took in my words, but I could already tell she didn't believe me — suspicion etched into her brows. "I'll have to call up and confirm that."

What did she think I was poisoning them with? It was coffee for crying out loud. If anything they were poisoning themselves with all the funky flavors, syrups, and shit they were dowsing their drinks in.

"Hi." Austin materialized at my side, placing one of the trays down so he could lean an elbow on the counter. "I'm sorry," He apologized meekly. "I have a meeting that I'm unfortunately late to due to circumstances that were out of my control and under the control of your supervisors."

Here we fucking go.

Christ almighty.

In complete contrast to me, he sounded way too nice. If I said such a thing, I would've most definitely sounded like a total bitch right about now.

The woman immediately looked up at the sound of his voice. "Oh!" A wave of recognition washed over her once stale features. "Yes of course. We are so unbelievably sorry about that." She jumped out of her seat like she just won millions of dollars in the lottery, reaching for a clipboard and checking something off. "Mr. Butler, yes?" she asked.

Mr. Butler.

Goodbye.

"That would be me," he confirmed, doing that hand chin thing again—his eyes looking around the building. "and please, it's Austin."

"Right. Sorry, Mr. Bu —" Whisking around the desk, she looked absolutely flustered. Totally perplexed as she drank in the tray of drinks braced on his hand. "Austin," she corrected herself. "Right this way, sir."

Austin didn't move a single muscle as she began to try to lead him down the hall. "She's with me." He stated flatly, bracing a hand on my back out of instinct so I could step forward — bringing me to her attention.

I immediately gulped at the contact, wringing my hands together and sending her a smile that read — 'That is in fact right bitch.'

Why did this feel more like a nightclub — where Austin was some esteemed VIP member —instead of an office building for journalists, literary buffs, and gossipers?

The 'bouncer' — if you will — blinked her eyes a few times, judging me from afar, as if she couldn't fathom that we were a package deal who came here together. Let alone understand how she was giving me permission or access to go up with him. Yet, she didn't even bat an eye at Austin's strange attire that clearly became completely unprofessional with just one article taken off.

I figured he had to be some very important person — hence the VIP thing — around here, or she was just charmed by his looks and charisma — letting whatever he did slide. In her eyes and the eyes of everyone else in this establishment, he could probably do no wrong.

Once she was done gaping at this notion, she nodded her head, insisting us to follow her – trapping me in another confined space with this man.

Great.

Just lovely.

This time, I took the tray from the desk that Austin put down only a moment prior to look like I had a purpose — which I did, but of course Miss. I'll-bend-over-backwards-for-this-man-and-this-man-only, surely still didn't believe so. Austin didn't bother to stop me or take the tray from my hands — seeming to pick up the queue that we needed to look like a united front.

We followed the lady into a nearby elevator to begin our trip upwards to the third floor. With her back towards us, she fiddled with the elevator buttons, giving me the perfect chance to whisper something that had been on my mind without getting her attention. "Mr. Butt-ler," I choked out, emphasizing the butt part.

Biting his lip, he let out a light laugh before shaking his head and sending a smirk my way. "Don't," he warned.

I didn't listen to him."It's quite fitting you know," I murmured, egging him on — enjoying this far too much than I liked to admit. "Carrying those drinks and all like a true butler. Just need to get you one of those funny bow ties, and—" I stopped mid sentence, realizing that I was totally going on a full on rampage and needed to shut up.

Things like this were only qualified to be said in my mind, not out loud on an elevator between a man I only met last night and some random drooling receptionist.

He just stared at me, his cheeks flushing at my words.

Had I embarrassed him?

For a moment, I swore we froze in time just fucking looking at each other like we were in the midst of a very serious and competitive staring contest that depended on our livlihood. Like some survival of the fittest shit. I quickly closed my mouth, rolling my lips as I felt my own face go hot.

He must have thought I was losing my mind.

Good job, Rianne.

Another point for the books.

Third time's the charm, I suppose.

The moment evaporated all on its own when the elevator came to a halt. A random man holding a doughnut between his fingers wedged himself right between us, leaving me obligated to turn away to not look like a creep staring at him absolutely demolishing his dessert.

What the fuck just happened? — I thought as I tried to compose myself.

Something didn't feel right about the way he looked at me. I'd never seen such a thing before. Normally people would roll their eyes or completely brush me off — maybe even walk away or look at me like I had three heads. But, there was a strange glint in his eyes that I could not decipher — making it impossible to ignore.

I let out a much needed breath when the doors dinged open, thanking Eric Forman once again for finally taking me out of – what I hoped to be – the last trap of the day.

Everything after this was insanely chaotic.

I didn't even get a chance to say a single word to Austin – let alone say goodbye to him – before a whole swarm of people came barreling over, assessing him like a piece of artwork at an exclusive exhibit or some exotic animal that just moved into a zoo for a limited time only. They looked like they lined up outside days ago just to catch a two second glimpse of him.

Fucking crazy.

"Let me take that from you," someone said, ripping the tray out of his hands before he could even accept or decline the offer. It was the only thing I could interpret from the commotion and what sounded like ten people's voices talking to him all at once.

Christ.

I suddenly felt kind of bad for him, watching him trying to pick up on every form of question and conversation. If I was him, I sure as shit would have literally shat myself with all that attention. His head was turning in every direction possible. I wouldn't be surprised if his head snapped off or just did an entire three-sixty to scare all these fuckers away.

What actual choke hold did this man have over these people?

While I was taking a second to mull this over, he turned as if he felt my gaze training on him – catching my eye. He must have been thinking the same thing – well not the choke hold part – but the separation. He probably wanted to make sure the coffees got where they needed to be since he bought them with his own money and all.

"Hi," a small voice called from my side, breaking me out of my trance. "Are you Sydney's friend?"

"Hi – Yeah," I immediately confirmed, giving all of my attention and answering to some girl with dark hair I soon realized was holding the other tray of drinks.

Thank fuck.

"Let's go before they notice," she whispered, ducking out of the way, inviting me to follow her.

Without question, I did what she asked, stepping out of the crowd in what must have been the main lobby of this particular floor and following her down a corridor. "Are they always like this?" I asked about her coworkers once we turned down a hall that was particularly quiet.

"Depends," she replied simply, coming to a halt as we appeared in front of what I remembered to be Sydney's office. "Today's been one hell of a disaster though, so the fact that he's here is a miracle."

"So I've heard," I acknowledged what seemed to be the hot topic of the day as she popped the door open, revealing – what looked to be – a hypnotized Sydney staring dead at her computer screen, her fingers typing frantically on the keys as if she was practicing some sort of concerto– for a piano conservatory –like a whole professional pianist.

"Sydney," the girl called out, knocking on the doorframe to get her attention, but she just held up a finger — asking for a minute — keeping herself locked into the screen.

Man were people like machines here just running off these technological devices?

Don't answer that.

That just made me sound like a total elder.

She cleared her throat before announcing, "She's here. It's go time."

That seemed to hype her up because suddenly her eyes detached to the screen and met mine in an instant. "Hey! Oh my god! Thank you so much," she spewed out in less than a few seconds doing that whole mile a minute thing again. "Was it good? Was he nice? Please tell me he wasn't pissed off."

"Woah — No," I chirped out, passing her the tray. "He was fine. Everything was fine."

"Thank god," she breathed, bracing her hands under the tray. Her eyes looked even worse than before and her hair was all over the place with her glasses perched up and two number two pencils shoved into her bun like a school teacher. "I think it will go just fine." She regarded her co-worker. "Bring the cold foam cold brew to Antonio and then the rest go to the main corporate meeting. Oh wait — fuck." Her eyes lit up as she looked over the trays. "I think it's in mine. Wait here —"

"I got it," I said before she'd make a mess. I knew I didn't have the best track record with beverages as of late, but I sure as shit knew I'd handle it better than her at this particular moment — seeing how she was rightfully frazzled. Weaseling the drink out, I switched it without a drop of liquid. "Wait." I reached forward, pulling the pencils out of her hair and peeling off her glasses. "Perfect."

Success.

Now— if only I could have put on a show that good when I was traipsing across Los Angeles with Austin — or Mr. Butler — if you will.

Butt-ler.

Butthead.

Butt.

Mr. Butt.

Mr. Touche.

Mr. Ass.

Priceless.

"Thanks. For everything" She matched the smile that appeared on my face from my mental run down of every variation I could think of to totally obliterate his name. "Okay." She let out a shaky breath. "Wish me luck."

"Don't worry," I assured her. "You don't need it. Everything's gonna be fine now that the worst is over."

"I sure fucking hope so," she beamed. "See you at home?"

"Yep," I confirmed, watching her walk around me and follow her co-worker. "See you."

Before she went right back into her Miss. journalist-girl-boss-ness, she stopped the door with her hand quickly turning back to me. "Oh also!" She must have just remembered something. "Nice shirt!" She complimented in all seriousness, no ounce of sarcasm laced in her tone. "The oversized look is coming back, you know."

Momentarily forgetting what she was going on about, I looked down only to come face to face with my culprit. I was still wearing his mother-trucking shirt. I totally forgot to give it back to him, but what was I gonna do — have my own Magic Mike moment and put on a show for the receptionist and the doughnut inhaler?

And who could forget Magic Mike himself?

Play him at his own game?

Absolutely not.

I was good.

More than good.

Unfortunately, I'd just have to get in contact with him, but I'd have to figure out a way to do that.

Oh shit — Yep, I had his number.

I remembered then that he texted himself the drink order from my phone. All I had to do was search my messages and shoot him a quick text.

Fine. Perfect. No sweat.

Picking up my phone, I went to do just that, but halted the moment I clicked on what I assumed was his contact— finding our exchange under a random number. Leaning against Syd's desk my thumb hovered over the message icon, trying to figure out what to say, and how to properly say it.

I started typing.

hey, I have your shirt bro.

'Bro'— Seriously?

hey there, you kind of left your shirt with me. I got it, dude.

No.

Um.

Butthead, you forgot you left your whole shirt with me.

Maybe I'd make him laugh? —Yeah no.

Immediate no. Delete.

I tried something simpler and to the point —

do you want your shirt back?

That just sounded aggressive.

Getting frustrated, I completely debunked my attempts. I decided to just go back to the store and consult Levi before I made any sudden moves. With a huff, I shoved my phone in my pocket while exiting her office — trying my best to navigate out of this joint.

Rather not spend more time in this building than I needed to, especially when I was already worried enough about leaving Dax and Levi all alone. With just my luck, they'd both turn it into the night club Levi dreamed of if I waited any longer.

In a daze, I walked around the building on auto pilot, my brain plastering the image of his butthead at the forefront of my mind.

Was his gold-chain-white-tank-italian-mafia-boss-looking ass like some sort of drug that everyone became addicted too with just one glance?

Something had to be wafting in the air of this place, and I needed a way out. For all I knew, the people in here were all already infected. They sure seemed to be so.

Totally not paying any attention, too preoccupied thinking about you know who — I stopped in my tracks as I bumped right into someone. "Oh aye I'm walking here!" They pulled off a whole New Yorker kind of accent that was honestly so awful someone from New York would definitely punch them straight in the face without hesitation.

"Oh shoot. I'm sorry," I immediately apologized before looking up and meeting my victim that looked awfully familiar, but I couldn't place him.

He must have sensed how tense I got because then he said, "Only joking. No worries, little mama." Little mama? Seriously? Totally professional for the work place. "You're Rianne? Right?"

Welp, there was my name.

He definitely knew me.

Scary.

It took me a solid minute to register who the fuck I was talking too — but once I took in the one hell of a permed afro on top of his head it immediatly clicked.

Broccoli Rabe.

Holy shit.

Kinda ironic considering he had a broccoli looking head. I didn't piece that together until now.

Man was I good.

Broccoli was truly fitting all around.

How could I forget the dude I was trying so hard to profile just in case he tried anything with Syd and I needed to beat his ass? It was probably this newfound lighting and the fact that I was no longer drunk that completely threw me off.

"Yep. You must be Dw—Brocc— Brock," I quickly corrected myself. I didn't need to remind him of the nickname I left him with when I said my farewells last night. "I've heard a lot about you."

I obviously saw him with her last night, but we weren't properly introduced at the party — which I didn't really mind. From what I gathered, her and him were really lowkey so they didn't want to draw too much attention to themselves. That's why they were hiding in the kitchen, sucking face when no one was looking. I figured that out quite late in the game.

Risky.

"All good things I hope," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Pressing the button on the elevator, I tried my best to get myself out of this conversation quickly. "So far so good." Thankfully it listened to my request, opening with a glorious ring. "Welp, I gotta go. Good luck with the meeting."

"Thanks." He nodded. "Could be a bloodbath." He added before walking around me and down the corridor.

Lovely.

And this was why I didn't work for big businesses anymore — let alone publishers.

Once I got back down to the lobby, I decked right out of there — not even bothering to acknowledge the receptionist who was back at the desk, wishing me a good day.

Yeah, alright lady.

So now you decided to be nice after giving me a dirty look?

Back in the car, I closed my eyes once I shut the door behind me — basking in the silence. Even basking in the frying seats that were truly baking my ass thanks to the beating sun. As I went to turn on the ignition and kick up the air conditioning, I felt my phone ding in my back pocket. The seatbelt momentarily dug into my skin as I tried to retrieve the device.

So much for a moment of peace.

"Fucking hell." I talked to myself — a sense of worry shooting straight into my system.

It was rare for me to get a message since not too many people really texted me, and I barely used my phone half the time.

Finally, retrieving it — I stared at my lock screen that held a message from a random number, but it wasn't just any random number. It was his number. Austin's number. I soon came to that realization as I clicked on it, and it brought me straight to I guess what you could say now was a chain of two messages — now kicking in a new number — making it a whopping three.

Yippie!

Hey, thanks for the ride. Sorry I didn't get to thank you sooner. Hope no one gave you too much trouble.

Welp, there he was. At least I didn't have to worry about texting him first cause he already did it.

no problemo. they didn't. coffees landed just fine.

I texted back quickly, pressing send and tossing my phone on the seat next to me before I could overthink it.

Coffees landed.

What the fuck was that?

And then it dinged again, way too fast. I picked it up immediately reading his reply in seconds.

Good. I'm glad none of them decided to take off again.

Fucking Butthead.

I wasn't sure if I should have been pissed off by the fact that he was clearly referring to the drink literally taking off and landing all over me, or if I should just be happy that he picked up my reference and played along with it. All I knew was that I found it funny. I felt a smile paint itself on my face so tight, I swore my cheeks were burning.

Even though I really wanted to continue playing this game and throw a smart-ass comment right back at him, I refrained. Instead, I told him exactly what I needed too, adding a little thanks of my own since it only seemed appropriate and would be rude not too.

even though i'm still mad at you for paying for those drinks, thanks for helping me out today and saving my ass from walking around with coffee all over me. i owe you. i have your shirt still by the way.

After sending my response, I created a new contact — getting sick of staring at a random number. I quickly added Butthead into the first name prompt.

I had a tendency to come up with funny names for my contacts. Normal names were no fun and simply boring.

Very adult of me.

Butthead: I know. Don't worry about it. I'll just get it back from you next time.

Next time.

Next time?

What the fuck did that mean? There would be no next time. If anything I'd just give him back his shirt in a quick and painless transaction and we'd both be on our merry way.

Why wasn't he setting a time? Did he want me to figure it out or not? Should I've asked him when he was free? No then he'd probably get the wrong memo. Did he think he would just so casually see me around? Had things gone well with his meeting and he now would be working within that same building as Syd? Did he think I'd be driving him again — like some sort of personal chauffeur?

Because if he did, he had another thing coming to him. I would not hesitate to call Sher up so she could absolutely end his toothpick umbrella stealing ass. Maybe Marilyn too. Get the whole swat team together.

All the reinforcements.

Besides Levi of course. He'd probably recruit himself to Austin's team without blinking. I mean come on. I picked up pretty quickly that Levi found him insanely attractive by just the way he lit up like a Christmas tree in the bookstore.

Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Fucking Christmas.

A few different drafts of some not-so-sweet responses flew right out of my thumbs and straight into my phone in a matter of seconds, but as soon as I saw the length of it and how I sounded like a cursing-sailor I erased the entire thing before shooting him a simple 'okay.'

I was in no mood to assume things and jump to conclusions today. Absolutely beat, I dropped my phone and put my car in reverse to pull out of the lot — deciding to worry about it later.

Deciding to worry about him later.

If only I knew then what I was in for.

——

it's just the beginning.... looks like they'll just have to see each other again.

all the girly pops when austin walks into a room like:

see ya soon, xanadu

[xxanaduwrites]

˚ DOWNFALL (a.b.) ˚ attaching some good ol' tunes to each chapter. this will update with each chapter update. hope you enjoy it ;3

DOWNFALL (da playlist)

(re editing because I am so indecisive)

you sexy thing — hot chocolate i've just seen a face — the beatles ugh! — the 1975 sunflower, vol. 6 — harry styles lost in translation — the neighbourhood paranoid—lauv iris — the goo goo dolls can i call you tonight? — dayglow angel eyes — abba stand still — zayn compass — the neighbourhood one night — elvis presley golden — harry styles if you were here — thompson twins trouble — elvis presley let's hear it for the boy — deniece williams fall in love with you — montell fish cinnamon girl — lana del rey the archer — taylor swift impossible — nothing but thieves softly — clario intro (end of the world) — ariana grande