#da para18: love like war

[ryanclaremont]

love like war.

Ryan would have thought that after the holidays the club would be been more calm, less popular as everyone gets int the swing of things. She's proven one with people booking tables or inquiring about events which is fantastic this is what she wanted, what she wanted for August's club. She gets everyone pencilled into the calendar, shares it during a staff meeting too and it feels like this year will be great for the club. It already seems promising.

On the side she's been working on helping plan the gala which has definitely been a bit more interesting. There's a mix of past Miss Briarwood winners and locals helping out and everyone has an opinion. Ryan contributes what she thinks will help, and not for her mother. People listen to her for the most part and there are some individuals that are not sure why she's here. Funny, because Ryan thinks that every time she's stuck in a meeting.

For the most part it's been okay and she gets to go back home to the apartment and tells August and Moon all the stupid shit people say. Speaking of the apartment, Ryan hasn't looked once at any other apartments and she's not sure if she's going to. Things have been going well living with August and well, maybe a little too well.

Ryan wipes down the bar top as people flood into the club and she greets them with a smile and an hello, grabbing beers and handing out shots. There's a DJ here tonight, and he's doing well. Everyone seems to be in a good vibe too.

[augustcastle]

August gives his brother a light smile, glad that things are good between him and Luci. It's been a long time coming, and Aiden deserves someone who makes him happy. He thinks that's what relationships should be like, in the end. Someone who makes you smile, someone who's there for you, someone you can laugh with and know things are going to be okay.

A soft laugh leaves his lips as he bites into the pastry, "Yeah, yeah, good point," He waves him off towards the door, "I'll see you Sunday."

Aiden nods, "Both are good," he replies as he rubs one of his eyes. "Rowan's last day at this winter camp, so I think I'm gonna go see if Luci wants to get lunch." He says and there's not too much to add there, things have been pretty nice. Aiden feels good about a lot of things and that's what matters. All a work in progress but on the right track.

He takes another gulp of coffee then sets the mug to the side, "Don't be getting into anymore fights at your own club," Aiden tells his brother. "Then anyone can think they can fight there, alright?" He looks at his phone and sends a text to Luci before looking at August again. "Maybe put some more ice on your face too."

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden nods, "Both are good," he replies as he rubs one of his eyes. "Rowan's last day at this winter camp, so I think I'm gonna go see if Luci wants to get lunch." He says and there's not too much to add there, things have been pretty nice. Aiden feels good about a lot of things and that's what matters. All a work in progress but on the right track.

He takes another gulp of coffee then sets the mug to the side, "Don't be getting into anymore fights at your own club," Aiden tells his brother. "Then anyone can think they can fight there, alright?" He looks at his phone and sends a text to Luci before looking at August again. "Maybe put some more ice on your face too."

August grimaces in agreement and, well, he is glad he doesn't have that as an actual problem to worry about. He runs a hand through his hair and leans against the counter, having another sip of his coffee. One step at a time--he'll deal with his mother if he has to.

He looks up at his brother, rubbing his thumb over the side of his coffee mug,

"How's Rowan?" He asks, then, "Luci?" He heard about the drama with Natalie and...while he's wanted to ask, he's also wanted to find Natalie and give her a fucking piece of his mind. Woman has so much nerve.

[augustcastle]

August grimaces in agreement and, well, he is glad he doesn't have that as an actual problem to worry about. He runs a hand through his hair and leans against the counter, having another sip of his coffee. One step at a time--he'll deal with his mother if he has to.

He looks up at his brother, rubbing his thumb over the side of his coffee mug,

"How's Rowan?" He asks, then, "Luci?" He heard about the drama with Natalie and...while he's wanted to ask, he's also wanted to find Natalie and give her a fucking piece of his mind. Woman has so much nerve.

Aiden hums as he sets down the coffee, almost laughing. "I doubt it," he tells August with a shrug. "She's going to know, she always knows." And Aiden thinks it's legitimately a superpower she has or it's just top notch motherly instincts. "There's no real point in hiding it from her," he says and glides a hand over his face with a soft yawn.

"At least you're not in the hospital," Aiden adds on and stands up straight, looking at his watch. "That probably would have been an actual problem."

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden hums as he sets down the coffee, almost laughing. "I doubt it," he tells August with a shrug. "She's going to know, she always knows." And Aiden thinks it's legitimately a superpower she has or it's just top notch motherly instincts. "There's no real point in hiding it from her," he says and glides a hand over his face with a soft yawn.

"At least you're not in the hospital," Aiden adds on and stands up straight, looking at his watch. "That probably would have been an actual problem."

August shakes his head, reaching out to squeeze his brother’s wrist. 

“It’s not your fault.” He draws in a soft breath, letting go to grab a pastry from the box Aiden brought. “I mean, I know why you’re apologizing and I appreciate it, but it’s not on you. Gotta figure out fucking damage control on my own.” 

Though knowing Rob, he won’t see him in a long while. And honestly; the only person he’s punishing is Ryan. Who doesn’t deserve that. He pinches the bridge of his nose and winces because. Ow. 

“Think I’ll be bruise free by the time I see mom?” He smiles a little. 

[augustcastle]

August shakes his head, reaching out to squeeze his brother’s wrist. 

“It’s not your fault.” He draws in a soft breath, letting go to grab a pastry from the box Aiden brought. “I mean, I know why you’re apologizing and I appreciate it, but it’s not on you. Gotta figure out fucking damage control on my own.” 

Though knowing Rob, he won’t see him in a long while. And honestly; the only person he’s punishing is Ryan. Who doesn’t deserve that. He pinches the bridge of his nose and winces because. Ow. 

“Think I’ll be bruise free by the time I see mom?” He smiles a little. 

Aiden nods and he understands that more so the situation was shitty compared to everything else. He gets it, he doesn't want to see his family fight but Aiden held his breath for a long time and well, it was bound to happen. He exhales and takes a drink of the coffee, considering a few things. He's not sure what the outcome would have been is Rob has told her but at the same time, maybe he didn't think it mattered now.

"Well, I'm sorry," he says anyway because it's not like he wanted to see his brother like this either. Aiden has a feeling Rob won't come around for a while anyway so it's not like August has much to worry about.

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden nods and he understands that more so the situation was shitty compared to everything else. He gets it, he doesn't want to see his family fight but Aiden held his breath for a long time and well, it was bound to happen. He exhales and takes a drink of the coffee, considering a few things. He's not sure what the outcome would have been is Rob has told her but at the same time, maybe he didn't think it mattered now.

"Well, I'm sorry," he says anyway because it's not like he wanted to see his brother like this either. Aiden has a feeling Rob won't come around for a while anyway so it's not like August has much to worry about.

August pauses for a moment at Aiden's question, a gentle shrug to his shoulder. Part of him wants to say...well, where else would she go but...she didn't really give any indication last night that she was upset with him?

"She didn't seem mad at me," He says, filling a cup with coffee for Aiden before grabbing one for himself. "And it's not like she's a passive aggressive person, I'd know." He licks his lips.

"I think she was upset about the situation, no one likes to see people you care about get into a fist fight." He adds creamer to his coffee. "I don't think she knew how Rob felt about her."

[augustcastle]

August pauses for a moment at Aiden's question, a gentle shrug to his shoulder. Part of him wants to say...well, where else would she go but...she didn't really give any indication last night that she was upset with him?

"She didn't seem mad at me," He says, filling a cup with coffee for Aiden before grabbing one for himself. "And it's not like she's a passive aggressive person, I'd know." He licks his lips.

"I think she was upset about the situation, no one likes to see people you care about get into a fist fight." He adds creamer to his coffee. "I don't think she knew how Rob felt about her."

It's pretty obvious Aiden now knows what happened last night. Well, there's no real way of hiding it considering it's on August's face. Ryan shakes her head, "You didn't, just wanted to get a coffee," and the last thing she wants to do right now is talk about it. So she takes a mug from the cupboard and pours some coffee, then grabs a muffin from the market box and heads to her own room, gently closing the door behind her.

Aiden exhales softly as he looks back at August for a moment. "Good sign that she's here?" He says, meaning August and Ryan didn't get into a fight last night about it or if they did, it got resolved which is good.

[ryanclaremont]

It's pretty obvious Aiden now knows what happened last night. Well, there's no real way of hiding it considering it's on August's face. Ryan shakes her head, "You didn't, just wanted to get a coffee," and the last thing she wants to do right now is talk about it. So she takes a mug from the cupboard and pours some coffee, then grabs a muffin from the market box and heads to her own room, gently closing the door behind her.

Aiden exhales softly as he looks back at August for a moment. "Good sign that she's here?" He says, meaning August and Ryan didn't get into a fight last night about it or if they did, it got resolved which is good.

August knows Aiden's disappointed but there's really nothing he can say. He knows that maybe he should just let shit go, move on, but...how can he? First the thing with joining his family and then with Ryan...he just can't. How is he supposed to just swallow shit like that and say stupid shit like 'let's start over'.

He lets out a breath and nods, "Yeah I know," He licks his lips, "That's why I'm hopin' you can help me soften the blow." He chuckles, even though he knows that's unlikely. He glances into the box, humming a little as he picks one.

He looks over his shoulder as Ryan comes in, "Mornin', sorry--hope we didn't wake you."

[augustcastle]

August knows Aiden's disappointed but there's really nothing he can say. He knows that maybe he should just let shit go, move on, but...how can he? First the thing with joining his family and then with Ryan...he just can't. How is he supposed to just swallow shit like that and say stupid shit like 'let's start over'.

He lets out a breath and nods, "Yeah I know," He licks his lips, "That's why I'm hopin' you can help me soften the blow." He chuckles, even though he knows that's unlikely. He glances into the box, humming a little as he picks one.

He looks over his shoulder as Ryan comes in, "Mornin', sorry--hope we didn't wake you."

Aiden nods but it turns into a head shake after. He's not sure what to say, or maybe there isn't anything to say? Unfortunately there's nothing he could say to August or Rob to get them see eye to eye but he's glad it didn't end up worse. Aiden glances away, a hand propping up his chin. "Mom's gonna lose her mind," he says instead and opens the box of pastries for August to see.

He might have to detour to Rob's before Luci's but... who knows. "Leftovers from the market," he motions. "Dad packed it so it's probably all the good stuff."

A bedroom door opens and Aiden glances over seeing Ryan coming down the hallway. There's a brief halt in her step as she sees him and he nods to her, "Morning."

"Hey," Ryan greets Aiden, twisting her hair into a low bun as she glances at August.

[ryanclaremont]

Aiden nods but it turns into a head shake after. He's not sure what to say, or maybe there isn't anything to say? Unfortunately there's nothing he could say to August or Rob to get them see eye to eye but he's glad it didn't end up worse. Aiden glances away, a hand propping up his chin. "Mom's gonna lose her mind," he says instead and opens the box of pastries for August to see.

He might have to detour to Rob's before Luci's but... who knows. "Leftovers from the market," he motions. "Dad packed it so it's probably all the good stuff."

A bedroom door opens and Aiden glances over seeing Ryan coming down the hallway. There's a brief halt in her step as she sees him and he nods to her, "Morning."

"Hey," Ryan greets Aiden, twisting her hair into a low bun as she glances at August.

The last thing August wants to do is hurt is brother, but what else is he supposed to do? Just let Rob say all that shit or put his hands on his girlfriend? It's not the same situation, of course, but he knows Aiden wouldn't let that happen if this were Luci they were talking about.

Still. He knows that...he probably should have just had Eric throw Rob out of the club instead of handling it himself but...he doesn't exactly regret it, either.

He glances up at Aiden and gives him a soft head shake, "Nah, nothing's broken." He sighs, running a hand through his hair--other than his brain, maybe. "Ryan thought I might need stitches but, luckily I didn't." Can't say the same about Rob, he got him pretty good last night too.

[augustcastle]

The last thing August wants to do is hurt is brother, but what else is he supposed to do? Just let Rob say all that shit or put his hands on his girlfriend? It's not the same situation, of course, but he knows Aiden wouldn't let that happen if this were Luci they were talking about.

Still. He knows that...he probably should have just had Eric throw Rob out of the club instead of handling it himself but...he doesn't exactly regret it, either.

He glances up at Aiden and gives him a soft head shake, "Nah, nothing's broken." He sighs, running a hand through his hair--other than his brain, maybe. "Ryan thought I might need stitches but, luckily I didn't." Can't say the same about Rob, he got him pretty good last night too.

Aiden can't help roll his eyes and it's not at August, but at the whole situation. For him, he wishes things were different. He wishes August and Rob could get along, and Aiden's not saying they have to be best friends or anything but... it saddens him. So hearing about this fight sends his brain in a multitude of directions. Yes, Rob shouldn't have been handsy with Ryan but Aiden knows his brother and August probably egged him on a little bit.

He glides a hand over his face and sighs, leaning against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. "Nothing's broken?" Aiden asks him and it doesn't look like it.

[ryanclaremont]

Aiden can't help roll his eyes and it's not at August, but at the whole situation. For him, he wishes things were different. He wishes August and Rob could get along, and Aiden's not saying they have to be best friends or anything but... it saddens him. So hearing about this fight sends his brain in a multitude of directions. Yes, Rob shouldn't have been handsy with Ryan but Aiden knows his brother and August probably egged him on a little bit.

He glides a hand over his face and sighs, leaning against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. "Nothing's broken?" Aiden asks him and it doesn't look like it.

August lets out a soft sigh and steps back so Aiden can come in. And this is...this is what he loves about Aiden, protective, ready to defend his honor if something happened at the club, ready to help even though he has no idea what went down. It makes that nerve that Rob hit last night pulse just a little harder and he swallows over an emotion in his throat as he gently waves his hand.

"I got into it with Rob," He replies, "And before you--say anythin', I tried to take the high road last night. He showed up drunk at the club, was flirting with Ryan and had his hands all over her. I didn't get involved right away, but he wouldn't stop." He lets out a breath,

"And then he said shit he shouldn't have."

[augustcastle]

August lets out a soft sigh and steps back so Aiden can come in. And this is...this is what he loves about Aiden, protective, ready to defend his honor if something happened at the club, ready to help even though he has no idea what went down. It makes that nerve that Rob hit last night pulse just a little harder and he swallows over an emotion in his throat as he gently waves his hand.

"I got into it with Rob," He replies, "And before you--say anythin', I tried to take the high road last night. He showed up drunk at the club, was flirting with Ryan and had his hands all over her. I didn't get involved right away, but he wouldn't stop." He lets out a breath,

"And then he said shit he shouldn't have."

Aiden waits for a moment before hearing the door jiggle and unlock, the door opening. His face lights up for a half second before it turns so bewilderment as he sees August's face. "What the fuck happened?" Aiden blinks and he's a bit blunt with his words as he stares at his battered brother. A bruise face, a gnarly cut and somehow he doesn't look like he's slept in a week.

He steps himself without much permission as August explains it wasn't his fault, yet Aiden knows to some degree his brother had some part of it. Aiden sets down the box of food on the counter and takes a better look at August.

[ryanclaremont]

Aiden waits for a moment before hearing the door jiggle and unlock, the door opening. His face lights up for a half second before it turns so bewilderment as he sees August's face. "What the fuck happened?" Aiden blinks and he's a bit blunt with his words as he stares at his battered brother. A bruise face, a gnarly cut and somehow he doesn't look like he's slept in a week.

He steps himself without much permission as August explains it wasn't his fault, yet Aiden knows to some degree his brother had some part of it. Aiden sets down the box of food on the counter and takes a better look at August.

August moves to the door when he hears someone's at it and lets out a sigh. He wonders if he missed a text. Or maybe Aiden having that brotherly spider-sense isn't that far off. Either way, might be a good thing that Aiden sees him like this before he sees either of his parents. He might be able to help him cushion the blow. Literally.

He didn't get a look at his face this morning, maybe it's not too bad?

He unlocks the door and tugs it open, giving him a soft smile, "Hey--before you say anythin'? This wasn't even my fault."

[augustcastle]

August moves to the door when he hears someone's at it and lets out a sigh. He wonders if he missed a text. Or maybe Aiden having that brotherly spider-sense isn't that far off. Either way, might be a good thing that Aiden sees him like this before he sees either of his parents. He might be able to help him cushion the blow. Literally.

He didn't get a look at his face this morning, maybe it's not too bad?

He unlocks the door and tugs it open, giving him a soft smile, "Hey--before you say anythin'? This wasn't even my fault."

It's the last day of the winter camp for Rowan before school starts again and he's got most of the day to himself. He stops by the market to get a few things and his dad gives him some day old pastries, so Aiden figures he'll swing by August's place before seeing what Luci is up to. He thinks she'll be up for lunch.

He carries the box up the elevator and down the hallway, humming softly to himself as he goes towards August's door. Aiden knocks a few times, and he realizes he probably should have texted but worse case is that he leaves it at the door or him and Luci eat them.