#atticus 001.

[santiagodeleons]

"I would remain unmoved."

Try as he may, he couldn't help but be entertained by the man's antics, which was why he had little issue with Four Leaf being a stop on his birthday scavenger hunt.

His eyebrow arches in Atticus' direction, a good-natured warning soon following.

"I'd be careful about taking that name in vain in here," He says of Nora's, who had proven herself as a mainstay at the top of his regulars' affections, "She's got her own mini-fan club in here and some of them get less friendly on the Guinness."

Like Seamus, who he was always keeping an eye on.

He gives the birthday boy a one man round of applause for following the obvious breadcrumbs he had been dropping.

"I'm glad neither of us have to find that out."

( He wasn't looking forward to trying to find a way to work Any Way You Want It into his instructions and try to not make that sound odd. )

"Is this scavenger hunt something that's time sensitive or do you have time to have a drink with me for your big birthday? On me, obviously."

@atticuscortes

Every second counted, but Atticus takes the asked for minute to consider Santiago's point.

"What if I told you I had red?"

The best Jell-O flavor, as far as he was concerned, and clarified just in case the reason behind Santiago's lack of enthusiasm was tied to a fear he'd be stuck with the worst flavor (green). Atticus wouldn't even blame him for not wanting to help if that were the case. He sure wouldn't.

He doesn't even have to be given a name to know who must've gotten to his pseudo uncle first.

"Fucking Nora." Atticus groans, fists knocking gently against the countertop but stilling as Santiago's words catch up to him. Eyes narrowing suspiciously, he slowly tracks the man's line of sight over his shoulder to the jukebox in the corner, where he could just make out the top of his head peeking out from behind.

(Fucking Nora, he thought fondly.)

Part of Atticus considered bee-lining it for the machine, but he forces himself to turn back to Santiago, resting his forearms atop the bar.

"I think I got it, but now I'm just wondering how long you could've kept going with the references if I didn't."

@santiagodeleons

[nomadjones]

closed for: @atticuscortes

"Have you got eyes on Angel?" Dallas says to his other coworker as he cranes his neck to try and spot their mutual friend in a sea of stetsons and the odd cow print. He had made a mental note to keep an eye on him but that note had floated right out of his head when he had been hooked into a round of shots with a group of tourists who had no idea what was going on but were doing their best to vibe any way.

"He's milling around being a little awkward, you know how he is."

[solaadisa]

closed: @atticuscortes

location: the arcade

"Hot firefighter!" Sola called from across the arcade when she spotted the familiar face down the way. She was standing in front of Street Fighter, her large slushee placed protectively on the console to stake her claim on it for the time being. She'd been getting her ass handed to her by the computer and figured having a real person to play against might actually better her odds, and hot firefighter — what the fuck was his name again? — seemed like a better opponent than any of the brats milling around. "You down for a game? I need to kick someone's ass, like, right fucking now."

[leomlarson]

closed @atticus-cortes

location: leo's apartment

"Uh," Leo said dumbly as he froze and watched a fire grow and start to lick the edges of a pan he had on the stove. Maybe he'd looked away for too long to return a text to Paxton, maybe he'd only been half-paying attention when he threw ingredients into it in the first place. Maybe he was just a terrible cook. All three could be (were) true — all he knew was that he had a problem he didn't know how to fix.

When his brain finally started to work again, Leo quickly pocketed his phone and tore through the cabinets below his sink, looking for the extinguisher that had to have come with the apartment. When he couldn't find it, he took a step back, eyes wide, and considered his options.

He knew, at least, that he shouldn't throw water onto a grease fire, but that didn't exactly leave him with more options. Think, Leo, think.

Didn't he go out with a firefighter? Didn't that firefighter live in the building?

Pulling his phone out of his back pocket, he found a long-abandoned thread with "hot firefighter atticus (bumble)" and shot off a couple of harried texts.

Leo: okay idk if you still have my number but this is leo we went on like two dates Leo: are you home? if you are, could you come to apartment 10F and bring a fire extinguisher ASAP? Leo: i'm so sorry i promise this isn't a prank

[felixalbright]

closed @atticus-cortes

location: tidal wave

Felix had meant to let a couple more weeks go by, to relax and lean into being home for the first time in so long before getting back to work, but he found himself getting antsy almost immediately. He'd taken a break to get away from all the deadlines, but here he was, imposing them on himself instead of letting the magazine do it. But it was different, he told himself — nothing was solid, no plans, no editor to report to immediately.

He stopped into Tidal Wave to pick up something new, something he'd never heard before, just to do a full listen-through and get some words on a page. It didn't have to amount to anything, necessarily, he just didn't know what to do with himself when he wasn't writing.

He was considering a Penguin Cafe Orchestra record when he looked up at the wall, scanning over the new releases. Caroline Polachek, maybe? Jennifer Lopez, no. Jason Derulo, definitely not— his eyes fell on the middle, then refocused until the person on the other side of the stacks was brought into relief. Atticus?

"Atticus?" And then, before he could stop himself, he said the first thing that popped into his brain. "Holy shit. You're still here?"

[noralevin]

closed @atticus-cortes

Nora's favorite thing about her childhood home was the small, private roof just outside her bedroom window. When she was a kid, her father regularly painted over the bottom, between the sill and the lift, so it wouldn't open. By age nine, she was keeping an exacto knife in her desk so that she could make quick work of his attempts to keep her inside. Now that she was home, she was spending more and more time out there with a beer or a joint or a cigarette or a book or some combination of the four, laying back and watching the clouds roll by.

Her phone was sitting behind her on the sill (she'd finally learned better than to bring it out, after accidentally losing two of them to the slope of roof and then the gravel below), softly playing a Durutti Column mix so she could really feel like she was in an 80's teen movie. Flat on her back, she smiled up at the sky as she heard a car roll into the driveway, but didn't move other than to put her joint to her lips. Atticus would know where to find her.

She closed her eyes and blew out smoke, her eyes glossing over the John Grisham book she'd picked randomly off the shelves of her dad's study but not really processing any of the words on the page. She heard her bedroom door open and sat up, turned. "God, can you even fit through this window anymore?" she asked, smirking at Atticus. "If you can't, I'm still gonna need you to pass me that six pack. You brought it, right?"

[astridlius]

closed: @atticuscortes

location: atticus & mav's apartment

"Oh, sick, you're home."

Astrid letting herself into Atticus and Mav's apartment wasn't exactly an uncommon occurrence. She'd like to say that there had been a ramp up into her intrusions on their space without any warning, especially since she and Atticus hadn't known each other well beforehand, but she'd basically started to treat it as a second apartment as soon as she was given a spare key. It stood to reason that she'd treat him kind of as a second roommate. Anything resembling a 'hello' when she arrived had flown out the window a long time ago.

She kicked off her slides at the door and joined Atticus on the couch, but not before tossing him a bag of Nerds gummy clusters, typically her one and only cheat snack. She'd already torn into her own bag on her way to their place, and her hand was buried in it. She sunk into the couch and kicked her feet up on the coffee table as she gazed up at the TV. "What are we watching today?"

[mackmontgomery]

Mack: I do til its damp and tickling my neck then it makes me all shivery Mack: I wouldnt let Maura near me with hair dye, its a miracle you got any follicles left 🤣 Mack: I got you you'll be the first to know what the new trim looks like

@atticus-cortes

Atticus: do love the lil towel over my shoulders can't lie Atticus: also something about getting ur hair washed in a kitchen sink that just gets u thinking thoughts Atticus: mine are usually 'should i have trusted maura over a professional?' and 'will this make me look douchey?' Atticus: probably not and definitely yes btw Atticus: but yeah dude think you could pull off something fun like that fs Atticus: i expect pics if u do obviously

[princemercer]

prince: damn prince: are all firefighters around here straight out of a calendar? prince: i might need to take up arson @atticuscortes

[whispercddesires]

"I miss moments like this more than anything." / @m0rallygrey

[ofwrxth]

TAVI 📱 ATTICUS

Tavi: Change of plans, Melanie is going to get the dress Tavi: I need you to pick up shoes at Dior. They've got them on hold Tavi: Also, please pick up lunch on the way back. [ Ironic because Tavi doesn't eat lunch ] Tavi: Deconstructed quinoa salad. Tavi: And a coffee. Iced with a dash of soy. @manybcdthings

[cassius-banks]

"You'd be doing us all a favour if you did." He answers back, hands in his jogging bottoms pockets as his foot scuffs boredly at the floor. "That standard issue uniform?" His head nods down at the slippers on Atticus' feet "— looks like a trip hazard."

"No surprise." Every day something happened to make him regret not taking his money and running to a different place to live, six am on the sidewalk was not his idea of fun. "Remind me never to go near the pool with you."

He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, hand moving to hold onto his hoodie string, wrapping it loosely around his finger. "You think I'm going to the diner with you looking like that—" he nods back down to Atticus' feet again, smirk playing on the corner of his mouth. "They're gonna think I've broken you out of somewhere."

"That's an odd way to say thank you so much, Atticus, for not letting my home burn to the ground..." Atticus deadpanned, turning around from the truck to face Cass with a lopsided grin, "but you know what, you are so welcome anyways, bud. Just doin' my job."

Except, technically, he was off the clock, made clear by the absence of any gear, unless you counted the fire engine pajama pants he was sporting. A gag gift from Christmas, but extremely comfortable.

He clapped the man on the shoulder before rolling his eyes and gesturing with his chin to their building. "Don't worry, it was a false alarm. Electrical issue with the smoke detector. Ocean Crest is practically the Titantic at this point."

(Unsinkable...though, with how they both know that'd played out, perhaps that wasn't the most reassuring comparison. )

"Once they give the all clear, we should be able to head back inside...or go fuck up some pancakes at the diner."

@cassius-banks

[raging-ale]

@athenianwit

ale wasn't one for parties, never having actually been invited to any to begin with. this amount of people didn't sit well with him, but here he was - trying his damn best. walking around and just getting a feel for what was around, he began to pick at some of the food until he looked over and spotted the good stuff. he knew if he was going to get by he was going to need a damn drink. walking over towards the line of drinks, he started to scan some and sniff a few. it smelled strong - and it almost took ale back a few steps. "what in the fuck is this?" he asked, not to anyone at all - but loud enough for someone to hear him. taking the cup to his lips and taking a small sip just to get a taste. making a disgusted face, he placed it back down as chills over came him. "yeah no."

[rhapsxdydivine]

Atticus adjusted the tie that choked the literal life out of him. He didn't understand why any distinguished man would want to be strung up by something so frivolous as a silk piece of scrap nestled under the collar. All too annoyed by the constant pressure, he looped it from beneath the black collared shirt and stuffed it into this pocket. He promised his coach that he would attempt to mingle with seven members of Team USA before they jetted off to Paris. He didn't really have much in common with the blockheads aside from beating most of them at one point in his journey from the junior competitions well into the ascending weight classes. Through the cluttered conversations stuffed into tight posh restaurant, he found his gaze wandering around the dining room. Unamused and hungry, he considered bailing before catching a familiar sight.

A cool draft of indifference met with effortless beauty.

Atticus couldn't help the grin that formed on his lips as he watched Elle endure another twenty minutes with the little prick who seemed to just talk and talk and talk. He waited until she had made her move out of the door before following. His footsteps wide and inviting as he closed the distance between them. Atticus lightly brushed past her with an air of surprise. His brows knitted together in a feigned sense of recognition when she called out to him. "Me," his response delivered with the same cool ferocity that morphed around very syllable that bound off her lips. Atticus chased the subtle delight that flashed in her gaze before it has been dashed for something far more aloof. He was glad to see the deep furrowing annoyance that darkened her expression beginning to disintegrate; it had bothered him all evening. "Elle Kennedy aren't you being a little closed minded? A boxer can have imploring curiosity and an appreciation for the finer things in life. I should be surprised in seeing you here. Shouldn't you be secretly plotting someone's demise? Or are the murder podcasts really still just for shits and giggles. "

@cxtyofstxrs

[everestphillips]

@athenianwit

This was a lot. Even though days has past since all the demigods decided to drink the ambrosia, there was still a part inside of Everest that he couldn't believe. And as flattering as it may be to have people before him, that's not really who he was. At least, not so obviously.

So, he needed a moment away from the spotlight. Politely bowing to the crowd of what he assumed was Aphrodite's followers, Everest took his leave from the table. Not without a platter of goods served to him. He just needed an excuse to stretch his legs, but this also served as a good opportunity to meet the other godlings. So, with some bounce to his step, the son of Aphrodite went to a nearby table, ready to share his bounty.

Stopping right in front of the table, he flashed the stranger a smile and quick wink. "What's up..." he began, his words drifting off so he can lean back a little to see the name plate. "Atticus. I was wondering if you wanted to share these chocolate strawberries with me," the demigod announced as he finally showed the fruit and pastries that he brought with him.

[reggiellewellyn]

"Because I know," Reggie responds, as though three words were some sort of all encompassing reassurance that should be be trusted blindly.

( The only kind of trust that worked with Reggie. )

Drink in one hand, sword in the other, he's on high alert for his mystery caller who he's hoping will make herself known to him plainly or at least in a cryptic way that he would be able to decipher.

So far, roping Atticus into his quest had gotten him precisely nowhere, the blond leading the blind and the fact the blond in this scenario was dressed identically to another roaming around should have been Reggie's first hint that he may have enlisted the wrong assistance.

"I definitely think I mentioned my costume, Beavis and or Butthead," Reggie tells him, the show or movie that he was paying homage to wasn't one that had formed part of Reggie's formative cultural zeitgeist growing up so he just looked odd.

"I don't know, I get all tripped up over myself when she calls. I'm sure I said gladiator. Fuck, what if she's wandering around looking for a Paul Mescal right now. Or worse, a Pedro Pascal. I can't compete with a Pedro."

( Not many could, that man was fine if he was asked. )

He turns sharply then to face Atticus rather than continue the costumed crowd that filled Sharky's, the tip of his costume sword pressed to the blond quiff on his friend's head like that might enhance their communication and lacking braincells.

"If you were her, where would you be right now?"

@atticuscortes

for: @reggiellewellyn

where: sharky's monster mash

"How do you know she's even gonna be here tonight?"

Atticus did a precursory scan of the room, as if he'd be able to pick out Reggie's mystery late night caller from the crowd based off either the minimal information about her the other had to offer (which summed up was basically that she did exist) or sheer vibes alone.

When neither proved to be fruitful, he turned back to grab the beer that'd been slid in front of him instead.

"Like, did she say she for sure was?" Atticus asked like he hadn't been tasked with raking over soundbite clips for a month now to see if anything more could be gleaned from them. "Mention a costume? Anything at all?"

(So he already knew the answers, but God if this wasn't all feeling a little Cinderella Story-y. He was invested, damn it.)

"I mean, you definitely mentioned your costume though, right? And I haven't seen another Maximus yet, so at least there's that."