#bein lazy about gifs but please feel free to use 'em! xoxo

[samemiistakes]

Gabriel is, in no uncertain terms, running late to one of his many obligations. Because that's what this is now—less about work and money (for him, at least), more about obligations. It's so close to Christmas and he's out here, pushing drugs instead of celebrating with his family. Spending time with his recently hospitalized daughter. He's angry about it with no one to blame but himself, already having agreed to meet up with Max before he ever got the news. Such is life.

He's parked his pickup truck at a distance from the gas station, inherently cautious, before he gets out and begins his short trek to locate his customer for the night. He supposes he can use the exercise. It doesn't take him very long to find him, shuffling impatiently and curiously bruised.

Just as he feels the buzzing of his phone in his pocket, he speaks when he's close enough that only Max will hear him, "Get into a fight on your way here, man?" he jokes, even if humor lacks in his inflection. "Didn't mean to keep you waiting." It's not an apology, but close enough.

@samemiistakes | Setting: Gas Station near 506 Lenox Ave | Local Time: 00:21 | TW: drug abuse mention

Leaning against the wall of the gas station, Max practically inhaled his cigarette. Smoking was a habit he never really attempted to quit, but it had never gotten out of hand, anyway, so there was nothing to really worry about. Talking about habits to worry about: Max silently snorted to himself, even though he didn't think the situation was funny at all. His left hand, which wasn't holding the cigarette, was trembling slightly, his right hand's knuckles were bruised, just like his lower bottom lip and his left eye.

Max wasn't proud of how easily he fell back into his addiction around the holiday's, but it was almost Christmas Eve and the thought of spending the day alone with his father was eating him up from the inside. Lifting his head, looking around for Gabriel, Max tried to tune out the Christmas Songs the station was playing silently, but loud enough for him to hear them outside. His money already balled up in his fist and his gun pushed into his belt beneath his hoodie just in case, the young man impatiently shuffled his feet on the ground.

[00:23] MAX: forgot about me?