#queenxfthedxmned: nina

[soulsuckrrs]

@queenxfthedxmned | continued thread | Elliadore & Nina

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He wasn't an idiot and knew that despite his best efforts in acting as if he had changed at least enough to fool Nina into believing that he was fine at all, there was no chance that the perceptive woman would not notice. After all, they had spent so much time together, intimate moments and behaviors that he couldn't forget. Why had he allowed the jealousy to take over and drive his every move? If anything made Elliadore an idiot it was that. He had no right to be jealous, Nina wasn't his property and they weren't together anymore.

Observant eyes caught the little tells, she felt just as affected by his presence as he did to her own and for a moment Elliadore had to fight off the urge to reach out and touch her. Let his fingers brush over her soft skin and take hold of her hand, connect them. He fought the urge and cleared his throat again, trying everything he could to regain some sort of control over the raging emotions and urges pulsing through him with the quickened pace of his heartbeat.

She wasn't doing great, he could see that much behind her soft gaze but the words that fell next from her lips somehow tore every fiber in him to shreds though he knew it to be true the moment he had first seen her. I'm on a date. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? Laugh? Pretend that the idea of her being with someone else was something he was okay with even though so much time had passed between their separation and now. Dammit, he had no right to feel the way he did, she was more than able to go on with her life, a life he had glimpsed himself in not that long ago.

"That's wonderful, I hope you're having a good time," his tone was nothing but that fake professional he put on when dealing with colleagues or associates he couldn't stand, it wasn't Nina he was upset with but this other man who had swept her up while Elliadore had not been in her life. "This date didn't leave you, did they? The old 'I'll be right back, gotta use the bathroom' trick," the bitterness in his tone was not intentional though he felt it very hotly dripping from his tongue. Eli didn't want to upset or hurt her, he was more upset with himself for feeling the things he did at this moment.

[dgtldope]

@queenxfthedxmned // continued from here

Liquid courage was an understatement; the alcohol coursing through his blood and now he felt like he could say anything. Text anything. Well, until the morning that is. When the rush of pain coats his entire head mentally and physically. At this second, though - there was no way Kolby was going to abruptly stop the conversation. In fact, her response flicked a small switch in his head to remain somewhat comprehensible and clear-headed. Pondering for a small moment whilst glancing over to the side, Kolby soon texted right back to Nina. "home....come over??"

Sent. Phone fiddled between digits as he furrowed his eyebrows, replaying the past minute in his head. An internal debate resumed in his mind whether or not to correct a potential mistake...or let it breathe. Ultimately, Kolby decided to let it breathe. A request he had never even asked Nina before let alone late at night. This was brand new territory.

[soulsuckrrs]

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Elliadore had never been a brash and violent person, not like his brother, he was certainly the quiet and brooding type, tucked away with books and words and thoughts while his sharp blue eyes took in the world at every colorful impression. Standing there watching as the woman he loved, gods, admitting it even now made his chest burn with more jealousy, hurt, and anger than he could have anticipated. Eli wanted to be so spiteful and hurtful, cruel, like the rest of his family had always been but as he watched Nina and David interact Eli knew he couldn't be as spiteful as he wanted to be, not to Nina. She kept glancing at him and perhaps the woman didn't want him to know but Eli couldn't help but wonder what exactly she was thinking and feeling, Elliadore wanted to drag it out of her, have her tell him right then and there that this was all just some ploy to make him jealous and want her all over again. It was fucking working and it was driving him crazy.

The conversation changed and David was getting more annoying, there was a nagging part of Elliadore that just wanted to strike the other man, plant his fist so hard against David's jaw that the other man would fall unconscious but even as pleasant acting out that thought would have been Eli stood his ground, shifting on his feet and boring his intense blue gaze into the other man as Nina answered David's questions, seemingly coming back to the conversation as well. Eli huffed a breath of annoyance, trying to keep it from his features but succeeding only a little as he took a small sip from his fresh drink.

David started moving away, something about joining Eli at the table he suggested and the tall fae mentally kicked himself for suggesting it in the first place, fucking idiot, Nina's date seemed all too happy to join them in some awkward fucked up trio of exes and current lovers. The sudden thought that David might have touched Nina, kissed her, made love to her set Eli's entire person ablaze and it touched his gaze as he watched the other man move away towards the table and Eli made to follow if only to set the other man on fire with his gaze before Nina stopped him, her presence closer than it had been and Eli dropped his eyes to her, that fiery intensity still there but burning differently for her. Elliadore was on fire and surely everything around him would burn with him.

With a steady breath Eli leaned in a little closer to Nina, bending his head down just enough to be on her level, blue eyes hot with emotions so intense he was sure they spelled out plainly there within his expression, one hand braced against the bar just on the other side of Nina and he half trapped her in there. "It is taking every ounce of control not to physically hurt that man and you want me to put on a friendly smile?" There was malice on his tongue, only because he was so hurt she could ask something of him when he felt it was so obvious he was hurt and upset, jealousy burned his ears and he was sure they were red with his feelings. His gaze swept over her, searching and silently pleading with her to end this stupid charade.

Finally after a moment her observation put him off, he hadn't noticed and the fact that he was there on business drudged up within his mind and suspicion flittered over to David as the other man waved them over and Eli grunted softly, annoyed and now 100% suspicious of this David. "Everything about this is wrong, Nina, I can't pretend it's not," he said finally, that tiny taste of malice still there but not directed at Nina, Eli glanced back at her, pushing away from the bar and motioning for her to start towards the table in front of him. "-- I don't know what's up with your David, shouldn't you know? You're dating him." Annoyance flickered past his gaze and he exhaled loudly, brow creased as he shook his head at this whole ridiculous situation and the fact she started saying something that sounded like regrets or a conversation that shouldn't happen right now. "Let's go before your boy toy gets overly excited." He cut her off, not bothering to answer because he knew if he focused in on what those words meant he wouldn't be able to stop himself from expressing the truth, how he really felt and how fucking bad he wanted her.

even as she continued to mingle with david, she couldn't help but steal a glance at elliadore every now and then. the pain on his face had been so evident, david had to have seen it too? but just as she thought this, she couldn't help but notice that david was looking and eli too, only he had a sort of devious smile on his face — as if he were up to something? only, she had no idea what it could possibly be.

her nose scrunched along with the rest of her features in confusion before she brought herself back to being present for the conversation, a margarita placed in front of her on the bartop. she took a few long sips, knowing she'd be needing any buzz she could achieve tonight. she then glanced back at elliadore, this time noticing the way he was looking back at her — studying each and every detail of her features. the brunette turned away slightly to smile to herself, only for the tiniest of moments before continuing her talk with david again. "this is my first time here, but it looks beautiful. i'm sure everything is amazing." she offered a nervous chuckle, her fingers absentmindedly stroking the stem of her glass — another nervous habit.

david seemed all too thrilled about the idea of joining elliadore, quick to jump to his feet and head in the direction of his table while nina stood back for a moment, turning to eli. "would it kill you to at least attempt a friendly smile?" david had been a few good steps in front of them now. "i don't want david to sense anything is wrong, even though he keeps looking at you strangely. do you have an idea what that's about?" she paused again, this time to be a bit more empathetic toward his feelings. "no one knows better than i do how hurtful this situation is eli. after all this time, i..still.." interrupted by david, her face shot up to look at him, waving them to hurry to the table.

[dgtldope]

* continued with queenxfthedxmned

Nothing like a little a lot of liquid courage because it wasn't long before Kolby swiped through his phone and a memory popped up in his Facebook notification. A year ago exactly he met Nina, his yoga instructor. A felon taking yoga - an idea he scoffs at to this day. But, when it came to ailments and nagging pain? Nina's education proved to be the most valuable. Double vision galore seemed to be the case as he thought about her. Nina was..unbelievable. In every sense of the word. Yet, he never made a move or hinted at it. Tonight, he thanks alcohol for changing all that up in a matter of seconds.

One eye closed as he swiped to maximize, thumb tapping on each letter in a calculated manner because this double vision was a bitch; man was all kinds of faded. And there he went - typing up that bold message and sending it to Nina.

"....Way. Wait," Kolby slurred to himself before he realized what the fuck he had just done. "Aw....fuck (son of a bitch!)," he winced in an embarrassed fashion as he threw his digits up toward the sides of his temple, lightly massaging the potential hangover and the potential screwup. Vibration hit his phone and it was Nina - rightfully asking that question.

"no"

That's all he responded with. And then a minute passed and he typed slowly once more.

"yeah. i don't think you have the slighexdft clue what you do to me."

Even with the butchering typo of a lifetime, Kolby felt bold enough to send /that/ right to Nina's phone. But, he honestly had no clue how she'd react. By tomorrow morning, he'll be kicked out of her class. For sure. ...Or maybe not?

[soulsuckrrs]

Tension pulled his muscles tight again, his attention focused on the new information that something was off about this David. How could he have been so blind to it? Let his jealousy take over so strongly that he was oblivious to all else but what was right in front of him, Nina. Then again, she was the most important thing to him in this place, even if she was no longer his to hold such feelings towards. She made that abundantly clear with her petty words and questions aimed to jab at his jealousy. He took it, those jabs, each one straight to the heart. It was wrong because she should have been his, he shouldn't have walked away like he had and it was the most hypocritical thing he had ever done, staring down at her with hurt and jealousy touching his gaze.

Before he could reply to her Nina moved off towards the table but Eli quickly caught up to her, drawing close like he had before and sweeping low enough to where only she could hear him, falling into step beside her as they made their way to the table. "That's exactly why it's wrong Nina, things shouldn't have ended between us... I... shit," he cursed, this wasn't the time nor place to be having any conversation like the one that was trying to get off the tip of his tongue but Elliadore reeled it back, physically stopping himself from moving closer to Nina, to stop her as well and tell her with words just how much he missed her, how much seeing her with someone else destroyed him, how he was wrong and shouldn't have left things the way he had. But then they were at the table and his thoughts raced, hot and bitter against his brain, making him shove a stressed hand through his hair before he took a deep drink from his glass.

None of them needed more to drink, least of all Elliadore, he was there on business after all and this certainly wasn't for pleasure. Once he reached the table the tall, slender man plopped down into a vacant chair, glaring at David for a moment before he moved it around the room, seemingly looking for someone else more important or entertaining but really Eli just couldn't stand to look at the other man when he seemed so excited for this situation. This night just was not going the way he expected and if anything went more awry to his plans then Eli was sure he'd lose his tongue, especially with how much alcohol he'd already consumed.

Suspicion hung in the air when Eli let his gaze land on David again, he was doing his best to not look at Nina once more, knowing he wouldn't be able to look away if he did, the words he'd left hanging in the air, potential for more brimming on the edge of his tongue even now. "So, David, what is it you do for a living?" Eli asked, tone not entirely pleasant but certainly not rude, as close to playing nice as he could get for Nina. The man seemed all too enthused to talk about himself, meeting Eli's gaze which made the man grip his glass tighter and bring it to his lips to gulp down more liquor. Shit, this was going to be more difficult than he thought.

nina couldn't help but watch elliadore's every expression, almost as though she could interpret his internal monologue as the night went on. he was hurting inside, that much she knew for certain.

just as she'd suggested putting on a friendly face for david, she mentally scolded herself for asking him such a thing. if the roles had been reversed and she was witnessing him here on a date with another woman, she'd be distraught — devastated, and most certainly wouldn't have spoken to him, nor her. she was taken aback though when he leaned down a little to reach her level, their close proximity causing her to gulp the nervous lump that formed in her throat. she forced herself to look into his eyes, glancing quickly to his arm that trapped her against the bar before glancing back up to meet his intense gaze. she suddenly felt hot and more nervous than before. how did he have such an effect on her?

part of her wished david wasn't there. the other part of her wished that eli would hurt david and end everything once and for all. she began the night liking the other man, and was now confused by the near end of it. of course she was still in love with elliadore, how could she not be? she couldn't even truly remember why things ended between them. she watched as eli's gaze averted to the direction of where david now was, irritation all too evident on his features. it made her smile a little, only for the mere fact of knowing he still seemed to care about her so much. though her smile quickly faded in response to his words. "what about this is so wrong? things ended between us and now i'm on a date with a nice guy. am i incapable of dating? am i not allowed?" there was pettiness laced in her tone. "he's not mine elliadore don't be ridiculous. it's a third date. i'm not sure if things will even work out between us." she mumbled, frowning a little. again she was confused. at the beginning of the night she was hoping that things would work out between them and now she wasn't so sure. in fact, she was hoping things wouldn't.

she turned away from him, pausing before she continued to walk toward the table. "i know i can't ask this of you, but please be nice, for me?" she looked up at him with pleading eyes, crushed to see the emotions behind his. finally she moved forward, sitting beside her date and what would be across from elliadore. the night became more and more torturous as it went on, but the feeling of the alcohol creeping up on her definitely helped. "who needs another drink? i know i do." she spoke, waving the server over kindly to order another margarita along with another shot. soon the room would be spinning.

[soulsuckrrs]

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What was he going to do? Sit there and be the third fucking wheel to Nina and her date? Fuck no. It took everything in Elliadore to reign in the surge of anger and jealousy, hot in his veins like a damn drug but then again, he had downed quite a bit of alcohol in such a short amount of time, perhaps he was feeling it already. At the thought he looked to the glass in his hand, both judging how much was left and whether or not he should continue to consume such a quantity of it when he was technically there on business.

The mental reminder was a little jarring as Elliadore realized how wrapped up he had already become in Nina's presence. Goddammit. He cursed again to himself and tried his best to avoid Nina's gaze as she ordered her drink and then turned her attention over him and back to David. Eli's jaw flexed and tightened before he swallowed the dryness that hadn't left his throat, hoping it would remedy that, Eli drank what was at the bottom of his glass, which was less than he recalled having already consumed.

This David seemed to be unbothered by the situation, something Elliadore did not share with the man and David went on to tell Nina about how he'd not been to this place but had heard many good reviews, especially from his friends and as the two conversed Elliadore felt as if he should just slip away, say fuck it and abandon any thoughts of making this situation better. But wasn't he staying for Nina? To be close to her again, to sense her and feel her so close, the thought made his eyes flicker to her again, trying to be subtle but succeeding very little as Eli let his blue gaze move over the curves of her face and her soft plump lips that he suddenly had the urge to capture with his own.

Fortunately the bartender returned with the orders the three had given and Elliadore busied himself with paying the tender, taking the opportunity to re-engage into the conversation David and Nina were having as one-sided as it was as David continued on and on, Eli wasn't even sure if the other man was still speaking about the restaurant anymore. "Would you two like to sit down?" Eli interrupted David, no longer interested in hearing the other man talk and shoot his shot with Nina. Blue gaze snapped over the two as he brought his fresh drink to his lips, offering what he hoped was a more pleasant expression than he knew had been on his face before. "I have a table reserved just over there."

elliadore had every tell in the book — clenched jaw, raised shoulders. the man looked uncomfortable, and she knew she was the cause of it. even as weak as his smile was, he was still the most gorgeous man she'd ever laid her eyes upon, this thought crossing her mind even with her date sitting directly beside her. green hues scanned his features for a moment, hoping her date wouldn't notice. they then darted to their hands shaking, sending a shiver down her spine.

never in a million years did she think she'd be on a threeway date with her ex and her new potential lover. that's exactly what david was, potential. they had a great time together on their first date but even then it crossed her mind that he would never be eli. all she had to do now was give him a fair chance. a difficult task considering the man she couldn't stop thinking about was sitting about a foot away.

"okay then.." she spoke softly again with a small nod as elliadore's eyes met hers. her heart sank deeply, seeing the emotion clear as day within blue pools. "i'll have margarita..on the rocks, salt please." she directed her request to the bartender before her eyes traveled back to eli's face again, then over to david. "so, have you been here before david?"

[soulsuckrrs]

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Elliadore certainly didn't expect the tables to be turned on him by Nina and her date, the fae's jaw flexed and tightened, his offer of another round was simply to try and jab at Nina and it had effectively been a double edged sword. The tall man shifted a bit uncomfortably, unable to bring a friendly smile to his lips as David joined them at the bar. It took a few seconds for Elliadore to catch his breath, steady himself and flash what was likely the weakest smile ever, there was more of an uncomfortable look upon his beautiful features. But he took it in stride, shifting his sharp gaze from Nina to David.

The fae let his gaze move over the other man before he reached out to shake his hand, that smile of his bitter but still trying to maintain some sort of facade he was into this idea of joining them for dinner. What a cozy little situation Elliadore had gotten himself into, there he was waiting for a business associate and instead he was getting dragged into the position of being a third fucking wheel for his exes date. He had to withhold a groan, shifting against the bar before his hand finally made contact with David's and he shook the others hand hard which he found the act returned.

His skin flamed with irritation and emotions he couldn't get to settle down, long had his focus for his work gone out the window and Eli was almost completely blinded by his jealousy and the impulses to grab the other man up and use his fists to get that almost cocky and pleased grin off the others face, it took great effort but after a few shakes Eli withdrew his hand and flashed that bittersweet smile at Nina meeting her gaze once again and far too emotional to keep them from touching his blue eyes, hurt and anger there. "I still insist on buying a round," he said, turning his attention to the bartender.

the bitterness in elliadore's tone brought a sort of glee into nina's heart that she couldn't quite explain in words. she already knew that he had been hurting, but his response to the situation only confirmed what she seemed to know. the brunette didn't intend on hurting him, no, but because of the pain she'd felt over the last several months in regards to their breakup it gave her the allowance to feel good about his pain in the moment.

it was short-lived however, considering just how much she still loved him. a bittersweet feeling, to feel the righteousness of revenge, but pain in hurting someone you still seemed to love all at once. she hated knowing that it hurt him to see her with someone else, and be somewhat happy no less.

as david approached, a smile appeared on nina's lips. she leaned up to place a kiss to the side of his face again, as if they'd been apart for much longer than just a simple bathroom break. maybe another subconscious way to hurt eli. "eli, this is my date david, david this is an old friend of mine eli- elliadore, i mean." she didn't know why she continued to send digs in his direction, not wanting to but unable to stop. "you don't have to do that.." she spoke softly, shaking her head before placing her hand against his forearm, removing it just as quickly. "why don't you join us for dinner?" she questioned, tilting her head to the side. "yeah, any friend of nina's is a friend of mine." david spoke, flashing a grin in the other male's direction.

[soulsuckrrs]

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Elliadore wasn't sure if it was the alcohol finally taking effect to his body or if the air around him seemed to heat up as Nina almost seemed to bristle at his words. Rightfully so, he had no business subtly insulting her date just because the image of her with another man burned him more than any chemical ever could. He swallowed and shifted, tearing his eyes from her when she peered over his shoulder to follow her train of eyesight for the briefest of moments. No sooner had he caught a glimpse of the man he knew to be with Nina than he had turned back around, impulsively finishing down his drink and giving himself an excuse to walk away but then her words hit a nerve and Elliadore couldn't help but flinch.

Eyes darting up to her features to search them once again, his brow furrowing just slightly. Fuck. He hadn't planned for any of this and Elliadore was certain he wasn't ready to be all peachy-keen and chummy with the man dating the woman he most certainly still had feelings with. Still, with a glance at the bartender and a nod that confirmed another round the tall man faced Nina better, not trying to hide his annoyance and displeasure in this little situation they found themselves.

"Sure, why the fuck not?" He said, unable to hide the bitterness in his tone as he straightened and shifted some against the bar to better face Nina and her date once he arrived. It was more than jealousy now, more than he wanted to admit it, Elliadore was angry, angry at himself that he couldn't control his emotions right now and that they were more than spelled out across his features and lacing every inch of his sharp blue gaze. "Hell, why don't I buy a round for us all?" He said, fake cheeriness dripping from his tongue as he shifted his sharp gaze from Nina to the man that had now joined them. If she wanted to rub this fool in his face, then so be it, Eli would play that hurtful game.

the silence between them was unbearable, though nina was unsure of what to say. they ended things at a time where she was still crazy about him in every way, but they had unresolved issues as well. she knew by the look in his eyes that he'd been observing her, knowing that he knew her all too well to believe that she'd actually been doing great.

a small smile appears on her lips, almost like a bad habit as she looks into elliadore's eyes. despite the awkwardness, the man was still as handsome as ever. the brunette knew with his next statement that he was full of it — the look on his face his tell.

she wasn't sure why, but his question offended her, only in the slightest bit. as if she weren't good enough to have another man be interested in her. "no." her smile fades and her voice becomes cold. "in fact, he's on his way back now." peering over his shoulder, she waves on her date so that he can find her in the crowd, guiding him to meet them at the bar. "he's lovely, you should meet him."