Reading Alone In Your Room At Sunset With Your Windows Open While The Wind Caresses Your Skin Is Probably

babe ✨

@starletwrites

Ava Gardner and Robert Walker in ONE TOUCH OF VENUS (1948) dir. William A. Seiter

MAYANS M.C. ↣ 3.07 “What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin”

starletwrites​:

“don’t tempt me, li!” she responds with a cheeky once-over, doing one final spin in front of the mirror and pushing her boobs up to imagine a little extra va va voom. “it’s been forever since i’ve gone out out, if you can believe it” her entire time in italy she went to one nightclub, and her experiences behind the bar at this new upscale lounge she works at do not count, mostly because she’s forced to stand there in the most dreadfully boring black dress and oftentimes spends her evening deciphering whether the clientele is just being friendly, or trying to invite her to a threesome on the yacht (more common than one might think). 

“i was weird for a while about who kept her–” apparently the post partum separation anxiety they tell you about extends both ways. “but now that she has my mom and her dad and welll…i have you, we gotta do something fun and crazy like we used to. enjoy these precious moments before you’re somebody’s wifeyyy” her voice is sugary sweet, with a lilt of amusement as she goes to start the oven. and there’s a smile that sneaks on her lips as she watches the two of them interact. no one ever warned her of what it’d be like to see two people you love most in the world start to love each other too, but she feels like her heart could burst right out of her chest. “bigger everyday, now since she’s babbling jake thinks he can get her to pronounce the names of power tools” she announces with a playful roll of her eyes. it’s way more endearing than she lets on. “well push comes to shove there’ll be plenty of leftovers” she informs fondly, always ends up making more than she needs, blames the italians and their insane portions and being the ones that taught her that dinner was supposed to be an experience. “you gotta catch me up on everything else though, how’s wedding planning? oooh, and when’s the next runway show for your line–i need front row seats!” it shows in her speech, how immensely proud of lia she is for being such a little girl boss, it’d be just as easy to sit around and capitalize off her wealthy fiancé. honestly, she couldn’t blame her if she did, knows from experience that holding onto a man like that can feel like a job of its own. but one thing about their pair, since they were young girls, independent by both nature and design, they know how to get it on their own. and by any means necessary.

“You deserve a good night out, I think we both do, and I can make sure it’s better than some passes towards you about a yacht,” she teased, having heard one or two stories from Toris days behind the bar. Something she had been thinking about, wanting her cousin to make a little extra cash for Veronica. Lia knew Tori loved her freedom, and what she was experiencing, but Lia wanted to bring her a little closer. Having spent so far apart, it was a way for her to spend more time with Tori if she were to maybe offer a position in her company.

“I hear that a lot from moms, and I hear it’s good to keep them close. They’re used to be bundled and wrapped all the time in the womb,” Lia spoke, smiling softly at her niece. And flashes of a little toddler running in and out of frame popped in her head. She could’ve had that, already had a cousin for V, but she choose a different path. And never had she regretted it more than finally getting to meet her niece. “Trust me, I need a day outside of this whole atmosphere, recharge in a way only we know how,” her signature mischievous smile on her face, “you’ll learn soon enough V, I’m the aunt that’s gonna keep you out of trouble,” she spoke softly, already knowing she’d had her back in any situation. “I’m excited to see all this fancy food you’re cooking up, I can only imagine the skills and flavors you’ve picked up,” making her way into the kitchen, placing V in the high chair she had purchased before Tori got back to the states. “Perfect fit, see I know how to plan ahead, and yet everyone doubted me,” Grabbing the bottle that Tori brought, and moving over to the large glass cabinet above the counter. Filled with all sorts of different cocktail glasses for when her and Declan hosted at their place. “I still need your help in the wedding planning, but we’ve got the venue and the date. I set an appointment for dress shopping this weekend, I was hoping you’d come, with V or not.” Bringing Tori glass to her and placing it on the counter, jumping up onto the island to take a seat. “The show is coming along amazing, we need one more model, but we are booked and ready to go in a months time. I can’t believe it’s my third show already, time is fickle. But I guess marrying rich has its benefits in terms of business,” faking a cheers and taking a sip of her drink. Thankful that she had started her business before getting into her relationship. It seemed near impossible to get into something in this world if you marry into it, expected to be almost a perfect housewife and never step out of line. And yet it was still everything she dreamed of since she was a kid.

starletwrites​:

to some extent, though he’d never completely admit it, angel loves hearing himself talk. so the fact that she humors him, acts even the least bit interested in his tales of an inner-city hippie make him like her, just that much more. she didn’t yet fully embody the pompous air that surrounds them, it doesn’t emanate from her and stink up the room like that old lady white diamond perfume that doesn’t come out of this shirt post-shift no matter how many times he runs it through the wash. unlike her man, who in his opinion was too far gone, there was something about her that was still real.  

“course not” he chuckles, suspects that she’s been cute all her life. one of those girls that somehow evades the awkward pre-pubescent phase. but he’d be lying if he said he wouldn’t get a kick out of a picture with braces, or dorky glasses, or her rocking a pair of brightly colored skinny jeans with converse all the way up to the knees. but maybe they’d save the embarrassing photo exchange for the next time her boyfriend fiancé stands her up at his own restaurant. 

his grin grows twice the size as her story continues, and he tries to paint the picture for himself, poofy princess dress and all. has only ever seen that kind of thing on tv, where girls get dressed up and basically compete to be the prettiest. “oooh, not the carebears” he doesn’t try to the stifle the laugh that bursts as her story concludes, even claps a little, surprised at the commitment. “well at least you kept it going. my ass would’ve been off the stage asap. but i think it’s cool you used to tumble. i’ve always wanted to know how–could probably use it in some of my dances and shit. …think you could–?” before he can get the words out the air changes, dishes clank faster, conversations lull, eyes point in a certain direction. he looks up to see him approaching, cutting their fun short, bringing him back to reality–just a little. 

“sweetheart–” the boss man greets his lady divine, placing a chaste kiss against her cheek. “my meeting with the gentlemen that own the space on king street ran late, but we’re in talks to break ground for a separate location by june” his breath smells like whiskey, they went out for drinks after in celebration but he neglects that minor tidbit. it’s just then that he just barely acknowledges angel’s presence, sends a dismissive glare in his direction, and as quickly as he appeared, angel waves a small goodbye to miss amelia. 

A small part of Amelia had missed this, just a light hearted conversation and laughs. No mention of business or wealth, instead swapping childhood stories. It was refreshing, a change of pace from what she had become accustomed to. And watching Angel talk so animated, not caring how he looked or sounded, she missed it even more. For a while she was used to that, just being open and honest. Never worrying about what people thought or how they reacted to what she had to say. Lia was always the girl who spoke first, and thought second, it was her norm. But after a few years in the big leagues, she had lost her touch and became more self aware of her words.

“It would’ve been ridiculous, I learned the ways of curling irons and straighteners at a young age. Also learned straighteners didn’t work on sexuality at a quick age as well,” she joked, and a small laugh bubbled from her. But the fashion choices she made didn’t get all to grand until middle school, and even then they weren’t exactly the fashion trends of the time but at least she was matching the colors finally.

A grimace appeared on her face as she laughed, the image clear as day in her head. Lia was pretty positive her mom had a video somewhere of the tragic event, but she also couldn’t remember the last time she spoke to her mom. “It was,” a pause as the thought of the right adjective. “Embarrassing, but also taught me at a young age that I was able to just push through I guess,” Nodding along with the his statement, “I would-“ began to leave her lips before she felt the atmosphere thicken around her. The dinging of dishes being cleared faster, a slight squeaking from the cleaning rags on the glasses at the bar, and a sigh from her lips as her conversation was ended and the explanation she’s heard over and over ready to hit her ears.

A soft smile on her lips as he pecked her cheek, turning her attention from the man in front of her and turning towards the man on her side. “I’m glad you guys have finally figured that plan out, it seemed like it was never ending. Hopefully the blueprints and planning will go smoothly,” ignoring the notes of whiskey hitting her senses, and trying to relax into his presence. The wannabe heiress in Lia coming out to play once more, and only a flicker in her stature as Angel walked away from the couple.

izzyindie​:

“Guess we’ll find out,” he replied, licking his lips. Not that Luke had ay opportunity outside these walls to get to know Lia. For the majority he was either on the ice, on the field, or out. He didn’t answer to anyone but himself except when it came to social ties. Being Big Man on campus came with it’s draw backs, mainly not being able to be around those kind of girls. “Lucas,” Luke greeted, “But you can call me Luke, Sweets.” He turned his body so he’d be facing her directly. Her figure a much better view than the drama sets. “You ditching or just coming in?”

“Guess we will,” her lips pulling into a small smile as she leaned back into the less than soft cushion behind her. they ran in similar circle, the popular crowd more so than anything. Watched a few of the hockey games when tori or vanessa would drag her to them, and she knew he was one of the few stars of the team. and while she also rarely saw him around the after parties, or any of the parties thrown, she still kept an eye out, for what reason she didnt know. “but Lucas has such a ring to it dont ya think?” shrugging as she caught his gaze, “both, didnt feel like going to my first class but now im stuck here because I also do not feel like going to the next,”

starletwrites​:

he sighs at mention of mrs. coyne’s ever-growing guest list. “she just wants to make sure the right people are in attendance, and i don’t wholly disagree–” given his parent’s long spanning diplomatic careers, their colleagues included everyone from fortune 500 ceos to an ethiopian prince. and even his wedding day could be seen as an opportunity to rub shoulders with the upper crusts of society, expand his real-estate investments beyond toronto. still, he doesn’t expect her to roll over and submit to lara’s micromanaging, at least not with out a fight. “just let her take control of the seating chart amelia, there’ll still be plenty of room for all of your college chums and the girls from the salon” he glances over at her, sensing her immediate displeasure with the whole ordeal. “besides” he pouts a little, imitating her sour expression, “the more guests we have, the more gifts there are for you..” fiona’s wedding last summer resulted in enough blue tiffany’s boxes to fill the entire living room of their vacation home in tahoe. he expects to top it.

 rubbing the pad of his thumb over the space between her ring and her knuckle, he pretends to think, “perhaps something with longer sleeves, mother was hoping you’ll keep it modest for mimsy’s sake…” a smile breaks on his features before she can tell him where his mother can go, “i’m kidding. get the best thing in the store. whatever you like, i’ll love.”  he imagines that most girls dream about this moment, when they see the dress, and the music swells, and the heaven’s open up when they can practically see themselves wearing it down the aisle. most of them then go on to settle for whatever dress appeals to their budget. he likes the fact that he can get her whatever she wants, can’t decipher whether it’s pride or power he feels when he’s able to fulfill her every materialistic desire.

they arrive at the biltmore, valets opening both doors and welcoming them back with hospitable smiles. he grins tight-lipped at their doorman and waits just until he gets in the elevator to loosen his tie just slightly. “have you eaten?” declan inquires, glancing at himself in the gold reflective paneling until he hears the ding. he steps into their luxurious suite, makes a beeline for the bar where he pours himself a short glass of something brown. “you should order something from the kitchen, perhaps to soak up some of those cocktails you sampled” she can usually hold her liquor, but he still keeps close contact with the bar managers to make sure they don’t serve her more than three in one sitting. kind of contradictory, considering this is his fourth of the night but he calls it a reward for a job well done.

“The right people should be who I want there,” Rolling her eyes and a harsh sigh from her lips, she understood his parents role in the world. Diplomats knew everyone of power and wanted to be as friendly as they could to all sides of things. But Lia wasn’t raised that way, her parents helping people even if they knew they weren’t good people. She learned to invite once, or help out once, and then it was over. Nothing more nothing less, but every-time there was a new Coyne family event they had to pull all the stops. No matter how big or monumental the occasion, and just after a few years Lia was done with it all. Wanting her wedding day to be perfect for her, and not the matriarch of the Coyne family. “I would hope there’d be enough room considering it’s **my** wedding, she had one of her own. She took over Fionas, this is mine. No matter the amount of gifts I can get, I don’t like it Dec,” a small pout now centered on her face, and ultimately knowing she had no choice in the matter even if she put up a fuss.

“Maybe she can keep it modest and not show up,” she spoke under her breath, the annoyance evident in whatever way she conducted herself. Every part of her felt hot, like a heat wave only she could feel. Every bit of her wanting to yell about everything she had been feeling with Declan never making time anymore, and his mother trying to take over a wedding he wasn’t even there to learn about. “I’ll wear lingerie and call it a day,” knowing he could afford whatever and whoever she wanted, it was a blessing but also a curse. She didn’t want to be perceived as the gold digging fiancé, even if he always allowed her what her heart desires. It still felt like she had to be cautious when looking at price tags, like it would bounce her account at any second. Even if she knew it wouldn’t.

Following him absentmindedly through the doors, sending small waves and smiles at the workers. She enjoyed talking to them, making sure they had what they needed to make their lives easier. If someone needed a day off and wasn’t given it, Lia made damn sure they got that day off. Even if no one else knew or figured out what she was doing, it was contentment for her to help them. “I had some salmon and vegetables after I realized we were no longer going out to eat,” she spoke, making her way to her little study quickly and finding her box of smoking supplies. “It was quite delicious but the drinks were much more delectable. Just a pity I had to self serve because I couldn’t get them to look at me after a couple,” the clicking of her heels signifying she was heading to the balcony.

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