Kirbcy‌:

oatanas‌:

After having been out of town on a business trip the last two weeks, O was in desperate need of a night off. The crowd of people in her house was less than ideal (she always preferred to be a party goer, rather than a party host) but she tried not to dwell on that. “Just so you’re aware, if you spill that on my white rug I will kill you,” she remarked, topping up the glass of the guest in question, only half joking.

He thought he was a pretty great house guest so far. Ben always took his shoes off when he entered. So when he requested a drink and basically got reprimanded, he wanted to at least give a sassy remark back. That’s what people did around here. However, he knew better. He was just lucky he had a place to stay. “I can hold my liquor, don’t worry,” Alcohol tasted different overseas and felt a lot more strong, “I’ll be willing to act as security for this party if you’d like. Even one glance at this rug, and they’re out of here.” He was only half joking as well. He’d do it to show his gratitude. “How was your trip?” Ben asked, trying to make conversation.

monty-santos‌:

“Yeah, just talk to my father, or Buffy Seymour and you’ll find that I’m really not that popular of a person,” Monty shrugged, shaking his head a little ad the idea, “Yeah, I guess that I was? I mean I was mostly doing volunteer work, so it’s hard to be mad at someone doing that.”

“I’ll pass on both of those people, thanks though,” He couldn’t imagine ever disliking Monty. Monty showed that there was actually a chance that good people could be raised around here. He wasn’t one of those good people, but it was nice to know that there was at least one. “I don’t wanna be too presumptuous but I also feel like you had to have been a responsible nice guy out there. I think the French like that in a person. It shows you have a strong character.” Maybe it was the buzz that was making Ben turn into Dr. Phil.

oatanas‌:

“Tiger doesn’t change it’s stripes, Vanderbilt,” O shrugged, “you’re still an American.” Truly she wasn’t trying to be confrontational. O did like Ben even if the only reason she gave him a second thought was King, and for the most part she didn’t comment on his Europe obsession. But sometimes she just couldn’t help herself. “Vodka sodas,” she finished off her drink before holding up the bottle she had brought and giving Ben a grin. “Wanna put away the cultured traveler look for a minute and do a shot like the rest of us?”

She was right, however, that didn’t stop him from trying to prove her wrong, “But it can change it’s eating habits.” That probably sounded grosser than he intended. Ben was trying to come up with a clever comeback but he couldn’t think of anything better than that. His thoughts were already a bit cloudy. “I’m a lot different than I was two years ago.” Okay, that probably sounded better. “Shots aren’t just an American thing,” He pointed out before giving her a nod, “Do you think Arlo’s got some Fireball or?” He asked, “I’d be down for some vodka shots but I’m gonna need a chaser.” 

wrenabernathy‌:

“Well, it’s healthy. For your bones, and stuff.” Wren didn’t mess about when it came to his health regime, but regardless, he smiled faintly as he spoke. Wren knew that when they were younger, Ben and Quinn had been close, and after that confusing blast from Gossip Girl Wren had been left with more questions than he liked to admit - but it had all paled next to his break up with Quinn. And so, Wren was fine being polite to the returned Ben, but it feel weird to talk to him, as if too much was still unclear to him. “Oh, yes, she wouldn’t be an Abernathy if she wasn’t,” Wren replied to Ben’s last comment with a smile, though it would sound slightly bitter if Chessie could hear him. Keeping up appearances, that was all that mattered to the Abernathy dynasty - being a good host certainly came with that. “So .. why did you decide to come back?” Wren tried tentatively, not sure where that question would lead them.

“So is kale but you don’t see me downing it every day,” He replied jokingly. Fuck, he really should watch what he put into his body more. There was a lot of shit he put into it. “Yeah, she lets me have some coffee in the morning which y’know, I’m a simple guy. Give me some coffee and I’m set,” The smile completely faded from Ben’s face as Wren asked the question. It seemed like the big elephant in the room. What was he doing back? He hadn’t revealed to anyone that he was here to make amends with Quinn even if Gossip Girl had outed him. As far as he was concerned, it was no one’s business besides his and Quinn’s. Ben then gave a slight shrug, “I guess I felt like it was time for a visit. It’s been a few years,” He tried to sound composed while he answered Wren, “It’s nice to see that not much has changed. I feel like I’m right at home,” That was a lie as well, “How about you? How have you been?”

@quinnxarchibald

The amount of guilt that Ben felt towards a certain someone was a bit overwhelming. How do you apologize for screwing your best friend over? Quinn was probably the closest friend that he had. And he ruined it, all because of the fact that he was so desperate. His ex-best friend was the reason that he was back. Thankfully, he hadn’t run into him yet. As per usual, he spoke too soon. Fuck. He wasn’t ready to face Quinn. 

He wasn’t sure if Quinn noticed him yet, but Ben didn’t want to take any chances. He tried to find a hiding place but everything was too obvious. He didn’t want to seem like he was avoiding the other man, not when that was exactly what he was doing. Ben panicked and gave Quinn a slight smile.

“Hey,” He blurted out. He wasn’t quite sure how to act. Should he act like nothing happened? He wanted to apologize but he knew that was going to be a bit hard for him. “It almost feels like old times around here.” Ben was pretty sentimental and just downright stupid sometimes. Why would he start off by saying that out of everything?

arlovasquez‌:

“I mean I’m sure someone could smell it on me, but because it’s Europe, no one really cared,” he said with a smirk. “I think he did have a beard later on in life. Well, there’s a self portrait oh him with a long white beard and I assume that’s what he actually looked like at the time? But yeah, there’s a theory that the Mona Lisa is actually just da Vinci in a dress. Maybe that’s why it’s so famous? Cause I honestly don’t know either.” 

“Yeah, they also smoke like chimneys over there. No one can probably smell anything.” Being European was its own culture for sure, especially being French. “I always think of that movie with the Looney Tunes because of that painting. At least I think that was a movie, I’m pretty sure I was a little out of it the first time I watched it.” He figured Arlo would know what he was insinuating. “Did they even have mirrors back then? How was he able to know what he looked like?”

chessieabernathy‌:

There was a presence about Ben Vanderbilt that made Chessie think of him as an older brother, one that didn’t press her talk about her feelings, didn’t care – or in Ben’s case, mostly didn’t know – about her fuck ups. He was someone to have a drink or a smoke with, and shoot the shit. “Being a Vanderbilt can’t be much worse than bein’ an Abernathy. Go into any state in the Bible Belt and you’ll get swarmed.” She pointed out, attempting to keep the bitterness out of her tone at the mention of her family. “Don’t hold your breath,” she happily changed the topic, laughter at her lips. “Who knew you were such a romantic, B.” Chessie couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his comment, but appreciated the sentiment. At the mention of gin, she lifted a brow, giving him a look. “And what might that be?”

“That doesn’t seem like the Southern hospitality that everyone’s told me about. I figured you’d get swarmed because of popularity, ” He pointed out, “At least no one gives you a double take while you’re here.” He at least assumed no one did. Well, not in the way that they did to him now that he was back. Some people stopped in their tracks and obviously stared at him. It was very hard to ignore. “You’re more likely to be a psycho if you prefer gin,” He stated as if he was unconcerned, “It’s some unspoken alcohol rule.” Except people did speak about it. “See? no one thinks that about my beer. When are you gonna give it a chance?”

monty-santos‌:

“I don’t see the point in checking out more than I’m going to read, especially since I go there once a week,” Monty admitted as he started walking, “Well for people who didn’t grow up here, it’s the dream. There’s Broadway, there’s a million and a half movies that are set here.  Not to mention all of the history that happened here and is still here.  It was the first capital of the United States after all,” he continued, fully aware of how nerdy he sounded, “Plus I think that it’s that prices are that high because of the tourists.”

“It’s not about actually wanting to do it. It’s just to see if you actually can.” There was a huge difference in his mind. Sometimes he liked to do shit just to prove that he could do it. If someone said he couldn’t do it, it made him want to do it even more. New York was no big deal to him. It was his hometown, a town that made him revert to his old ways and nothing more to it. He didn’t have many ties here, or if he did he pretty much severed them. “Until Hamilton sold it down the river.” He pointed out. “I would just rather not have tourists around here.”

chessieabernathy‌:

Central Park was simply an excuse for her to get ‘fresh air’ and sneak a couple cigarettes. Wren’s home was cozy, and he’d done all he could to make her feel welcome – But the security FREYA had close by, and permanent knots in her stomach didn’t help her relax. She’d managed to get out, a body guard turned ‘sober coach’ following close behind, making sure she was doing what she said she would. An all too familiar voice pulled her from the trance she’d fallen into – Staring into the lake, chain smoking. Trying not to get caught up in her own guilt. Turning her head, she frowned at the sight of him, before moving to face the lake once more. “Sounds like a shitty idea.” 

Ben Vanderbilt was one of the last people Chessie wanted to see. She hadn’t spoken to him since the party – Using the word ‘overdose’ was something she reserved for her doctor, rather than her own vocabulary – and was hoping she’d have some time recoup before running into him again. He had been part of it all, happily joined in when she brought the idea up. Chessie still felt responsible for it, as if she’d peer pressured him into joining her and Arlo, rather than him asking to join. She didn’t know anything that happened after – Heard snippets about who had been arrested, mostly details skewed by gossip magazines and tabloids. Ben had been arrested. She felt guilty for that, too.

Nothing horrible was supposed to happen that night. They were just supposed to get high and enjoy New Year’s Eve. “Are you just going to turn down any ideas I have? Because that’ll save us a lot of time.” He pointed out. He wanted to ask how she was. After what happened, he was very concerned about her wellbeing. At least she wasn’t a ghost or anything. Her OD sparked a trigger in his brain, to the night that guy did the same thing but his fate wasn’t as lucky as hers. He was no good around here, his thought process was always fucked up around here. 

“How about you give me a cigarette and that way we’ll have to stand here for a few minutes at least,” He suggested. Being around O’s place without Chessie was weird. He was used to their morning talks over coffee and smoking. Now that place felt a lot quieter without her, but that was probably also because the other two women living with him were pissed. “I’m not used to having my morning coffee without you. “Are you going to come back soon?” He asked for his own selfish reasons. 

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.”