Monty-santos‌:

chessieabernathy‌:

His words pulled a something between a scoff and a laugh from her, something she wasn’t sure would happen in his presence. “Believe me,” she begins, giving him a pointed look, “I’ve caught on.” The moment passed quickly, smile fading moments after it came to life, her attention turning to the lake in front of them once more. There was a new sort of tension between them, a conversation they’re attempting to tiptoe around but can’t avoid. Casually bringing up the fact that they’d gotten high together (Along side Arlo), all three of them snorting laced blow, only to have her be the one to fall overboard wasn’t a welcomed topic. Both knew better than to say something along those lines, settling with a conversation about their living arrangements. She could handle that, easy. “It’s strange not being there,” she found herself admit, taking another puff of her cigarette. She’d become accustomed to their little foursome, their shared home – The circumstance to have all of that change wasn’t ideal. I’m glad you’re okay. The sentiment was there, but the words were beginning to feel meaningless, purely due to the amount of times they’d been repeated to her. “I’m just happy to be out of the hospital.” She settled with after a moment of silence, trying to keep things light, avoiding the topic at hand. 

“You weren’t supposed to agree so quickly,” He chuckled, “But I’ll forgive you.” It was very hard for Ben to be occupied, which caused his brain to want to do things that he shouldn’t be doing. “I’m in the doghouse over there. I’ve never seen King so pissed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hot but it’s not ideal either.” He acknowledged. It wasn’t like that was out of the ordinary, Ben found everything about King attractive. “Let me tell you, I’m out there smoking alone now. I look like a total weirdo.” He gave her a nod, understanding why she would be happy. He was glad to see that she was okay. Having a repeat of a certain event would have definitely triggered something within him. But she was here. She was okay. “Have you spoken to O since everything went down?” He was wondering if O was as mad at her as King as at him. 

wrenabernathy‌:

Wren Abernathy had not been raised to discuss problems in public. Actually, he had not been raised to discuss problems, period. Many families tried to keep up appearances for the outside, but in the Abernathy family it went well beyond that, to the point where it had been nearly impossible for Wren to even talk to Chessie since she’d moved in with him. Of course, he checked up on her, made sure she ate and spent his evenings sitting in front of her bedroom door. But if he was being honest with himself, he’d been avoiding talking about what had happened as much as she had been avoiding him.

So, when Ben asked about her, all he did was dip his head and then look back up with what he hoped was an encouraging smile. “She’s okay,” he said, his intonation falling flat indicating Wren’s response was anything but an invitation to discuss Chessie. “How are you?” he asked, hoping that would be enough to change the subject. He liked Ben well enough, but he hadn’t exactly sought out the most clandestine table in the entire place to still have to talk about what had happened.

Despite his mother’s efforts to always tell Ben it wasn’t polite to be nosy, it never worked. He was always looking at drama from afar and never really trying to get into it himself. The latter was inevitable with a last name like Vanderbilt as well as having a knack for vices. It wasn’t his fault, it was in his blood. At least that’s what he told himself. 

“Good, glad to hear that,” He caught on that this was something Wren wasn’t particularly open about talking about, which was fine. He just liked hearing that she was okay. “I’m fine. I couldn’t be better.” He lied, not wanting to delve into any more details. Ben was a private person, he was taught to swallow his problems and put on a happy face when he was growing up. That was one of the few things that carried over into adulthood for him. “How are you?” He asked, returning the gesture. “Did you have a better New Year’s than the rest of us?”

What is your favorite holiday memory?

“My father ruined the myth of Santa Clause for me when I was six and he asked why I still believed in that man. So that Christmas, my mom must’ve told him to make it up to me and I got a Rolex because he thought that was appropriate. I was able to sell that when I was abroad and let me tell you, definitely worth it. Thanks dad.”

taterodriguez‌:

Tate wanted nothing more than to travel and given the amount of success they’ve had in their life, most people would assume that they’ve gotten the chance to but in all honesty, they haven’t.  Not in the way they want to.  Most of their travelling had been for business meetings and publicity events regarding their book.  Those types of trips didn’t leave much time for leisure.  It was typically all work and no play.  “I tend to avoid those types of event,” Tate admitted.  “Crowds can get a little overwhelming.”

“Did something happen?”  Tate asked, genuinely curious.  “I can’t imagine travelling Europe got boring.”  The last word came out more bitter than intended.  “I mean, c’mon… Europe.  Compared to the Upper East Side?  You couldn’t pay me to come home.”  Tate chuckled, wishing it was something they had truly been able to do.  “Eugh!  Raspberry flavored vodka tastes like paint thinner.”

“As native New Yorkers, I feel like it’s only natural to hate crowds. I always avoided using any sort of public transit,” Well because there were a lot of people and because he never had to. He had people to literally drive him around. 

“No,” The word almost came out defensively. “It has just been a while since I’ve been home. We’ll go back because honestly, I still have more than enough places I want to go to. Have you ever been?” He knew how to lie, thankfully. He did it most of his life here thanks to the virtual double life he was leading. Don’t explain more than you have to. Ben then tilted his head at them. That was a very specific comparison. “Have you had a bad experience with raspberry flavored?” He was the same way with Bacardi rum in particular. 

kirbcy‌:

“Perhaps,” Bishop said with a lilt of his voice, “people wouldn’t be ‘at your throats’ if the choices that you both made were the ones that didn’t fuck over the people that loved you both. Sorry for holding both of you accountable for your shit actions when you decided to fuck family right in the ass.” Bishop decided that he didn’t like him. He used to worship his sister, in a weird way – a way where it was the two of them against the world, where he could count on her to take him into consideration. It turned out that she had zero issue burning him like everyone and disappearing into the void without a care in the world. He bristled against the other man attempting to do what he wasn’t sure. “Don’t presume you know even an ounce of my feelings toward my sister. Those don’t include you. But here’s a food for thought, maybe if she really loved me, she would have reached out. I’m glad she found someone to indulge in cowardice with, though.”

“I”m not here to argue with you,” He understood that Bishop was hurting, he understood that completely. “I think it speaks volumes that we came back,” He insisted. “You’re hurt, I get it. But don’t take it out on me. Or her. Both of us are human, I’ve made plenty of mistakes before,” He felt like he was walking on eggshells around the younger Kirbey, not wanting to them to argue. He couldn’t do that to King. “And I’m sorry that you’re hurt. But I can’t help if you at least don’t let me reach out. I think small talk’s better than nothing.”

monty-santos‌:

“That sounds beautiful, I’ll have to make sure to go there sometime,” Monty smiled, even though he had no idea how he would ever be able to afford it.  Though it still was on his list.  “See I don’t know if the idea of being a third wheel is super appealing, but thanks for the kinda offer,” he chuckled, “plus I didn’t really have the money to just go off and travel.  The volunteer work I did gave a little bit of a stipend, but it was mostly just for clothes and food and basic living expenses.”

“I’m really surprised you haven’t been. I feel like it’s on everyone’s bucket list,” Ben said with a shrug, “Are you sure? We’re a lot of fun. One minute we’re in Portugal and the next, we’re in Spain,” Ben exclaimed. He liked traveling and not being tied down to one city. “They should give you a nice vacation for helping out. What sort of volunteer work is it anyway?”

taterodriguez‌:

“Parties in the Upper East Side are the only good thing about Manhattan,” Tate had grown to detest Manhattan and everything it had stood for.  The drama and politics of it all had grown to be too much and sometimes they wish they had been able to abandon it all and leave the way Monty and Ben had done, but they had unfortunately set roots here.  “Honestly, don’t let them get to you.  They feed off of drama so just don’t give it to them.”  Tate gave a shrug of their shoulders before sipping their vodka.  “Don’t be a stranger, I’ve heard the food is pretty good.”  Tate boasted playfully.  “Only since you haven’t had the chance to taste my food.”

“King?”  Tate hadn’t been able to keep track of people these days especially if they hadn’t been around since their days of Nightingale Prep.  “Why does that name sound familiar? – Anyway, congratulations.  I’ll drink to that,” Tate chuckled before finishing their vodka.  “Please, I’ll never say no to that.”

"Have you been to SantaCon? That comes in a close second,” He had never been but he heard about it. People dressed in Christmas gear while drinking. Now that sounded like a good time. Tate was giving some good advice, advice that Ben should probably listen to. However, most of the time, information went in one ear and out the other for him. “It’s hard not to when I guess I’m this drama filled apparently,” He confessed to them. “I’m sure it is,” Was it as good as the food he had abroad, though? That was the real test. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“King Kirbey, she’s the hot blonde at this party,” He pointed out, shocked they didn’t know exactly who she was. “And she’s Bishop’s sister,” He added, seeing if it would ring any bells. “Thanks, I’ll drink to that too,” He decided. “How about we skip the chaser and go right for some shots?” Ben suggested. 

chessieabernathy‌:

“We do,” she clarifies with a nod, “S’like the we’re the royal family when we’re in Alabama. Paparazzi crashed by tenth birthday party.” Chessie shrugged at his comment, before rolling her eyes at him. The latter was becoming common practice when it came to Ben, the motion never meant maliciously. “You missed the giant FREYA billboard with my face on it in Time Square, didn’t you?” She asked with a laugh, taking a sip of her drink. “I technically have a body guard, you know. The FREYA board’s worried I’ll get jumped my some insta-stalker, or something.” Chessie hadn’t spoken much about the former, finding it stranger to think of herself as an object rather than a person. “I gave him the night off, though.” The mention of the connection between gin and psychopaths pulls a loud bark of laughter from her, “Well, shit, B. Just call me Norman fuckin’ Bates, then.” 

“They were really on your ass. And that’s why I never want to live in the South,” He joked. Of course, if he did, he wouldn’t have been royalty like Chessie but he wouldn’t have been happy if anyone crashed his tenth birthday party. Or any party for that matter. “You’re lucky if I even look up. I don’t think I’ve taken in New York since I was twelve.” Everything felt old to him. Not to mention he avoided Times Square at all costs. “I’ve noticed most people in New York mind their own business unless they’re a crazed tourist. That’s who you probably have to worry about the most.” He looked at her with a tilted head, “You wish you were Norman Bates,” He laughed, “I’m not sure you could pull that off, Chessie. Not gonna lie. Would you be that dedicated to pretending to be your mother as well?” His filter was pretty much gone at this point.

wrenabernathy‌:

Wren knew the appropriate response was to say he’d prefer beer, but he didn’t. And, when he was feeling fine he could easily just agree with what he should like best and leave it at that, but when he was stressed he slid into type A personality overdrive and he followed his daily schedule even tighter than usual. “I’d have to go with the milk, actually,” he said, but then gave an apologetic smile to the other - letting him know non-verbally that he wasn’t trying to be a buzzkill on purpose. “Anyway, uhm - Chessie told me you’ve been holed up here for the past few weeks. How’s that going? Did she and Ophelia drive you crazy yet?”

What was with no one around here liking beer? He just figured that he was extremely cultured compared to the rest of them. “You’d voluntarily drink milk? Only nutcases do that,” He added. “Are they supposed to be driving me crazy? I’ve tried to not be too much of an intrusion on them since this is their place.” Ben tried to be as respectful as he could in their penthouse. He felt like an intrusion less now but O still scared him a bit. He was getting along with Chessie pretty well. “I’m just thankful for a bed and some coffee in the morning. Your sister’s a pretty good house host.”