"A Good Point," He Says, Dropping His Arms Into A Relaxed Casual Stance. "I Guess We Just Wanna Be 100%

RAFAEL SILVA

Adrien glances at the crowd, then back to Muz.

"Okay. So we don't dance with them."

He steps away from the crowd and closer to Muz.

"And I don't need a partner to dance. Just thought you might wanna join the fun."

He starts swaying his hips and stepping in a personal circle. He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, feeling the music.

"What's your favorite kind of music," he asks without looking.

Muz stumbles a bit as Adrien pulls him into a spin, feeling a mix of surprise and something very close to enjoyment. He can’t remember the last time someone dragged him so effortlessly into their orbit, and it’s funny how he almost goes along with it before his instinct kicks in. He gently pulls back, just slightly, taking a step as he raises both hands in mock surrender. 'Alright,—you got your spin,' he says, giving Adrien a playful side-eye. 'If you’re looking for a full-on dance partner, I’m the wrong guy. Besides,” he adds, nodding toward the swirl of people, 'I’ll probably end up trampling someone.'

where: Chop Shop Mechanics when: the days after the storm open starter

Adrien opens the garage door for Chop Shop Mechanics. It's technically his first day, but he figured it's better to take some initiative. Especially after the storm.

He jumps when he sees someone standing on the other side of the now open garage door.

"Shit! Sorry. Wasn't expecting someone there."

He wipes his hands on his jeans, putting on a smile.

"Hi, I'm Adrien. New in town."

Lucas sighs and stands.

"Didn't mean any disrespect, Montana. Just had a lot of new people recently. Can't let them go off on their own."

He turns and nods in a greeting to her.

"It's my job to always be on edge," he says. "Trying to make it so you guys don't have to be. So what are you doing out here?"

"Oh, I see someone's not even bothering to look up anymore, huh Luc? -- Now what the hell would I be doin' all the way out there anyway?" she did it before, secretly, he didn't need to know that though. As far as everyone was concerned, she was just a poor shot and a squeamish lil repair gremlin. "Hey don't take this the wrong way man, but why you always so on edge?"

Adrien clocks something odd in the way Cherry brushes off his offer but shrugs it off.

"I mean nice, really likes cuddles. Six-pack isn't necessary. A bonus but not necessary. And I guess willing to like be patient when I admit I'm new to stuff?"

Then he groans, blushing from embarrassment.

"I'm so cringe, aren't I?"

" OH, I'M — " CHERRY WAVES A HAND . " not really lookin' for anythin' right now, don't worry about me ." she tries really hard not to focus on the twist in her stomach, instead focusing on nudging adrien with her elbow . " but what about you, champ ? huh ? what's your type ?" a nod as she leans back to ask . "what am i lookin' for ?"

"With a lot of practice," Adrien says. Then adds, "Unfortunately."

He unconsciously matches her tapping fingers with his own on his knees.

"I know it sounds a little naive, but trust me, it's taken a lot of experience to think like that. Experience I wish I didn't have."

Catie stares at him. Free? She lets out a short, hard laugh, but it fades quickly as she considers the honesty behind what he’s saying. 'So, that’s it?' she asks. Her fingers drum against the plastic cup, her mind racing against a wall she’s only just realising might never come down.

She looks away, biting the inside of her cheek. The idea that everyone here had already gone through these thoughts, that they’d all made peace with something that to her felt like an endless cage—it’s unsettling. 'I don't know how you do that,' she mutters finally, almost to herself.

Lucas laughs.

"Well, I'm glad I could keep that unique brain of yours from eating itself."

He nudges Muz with a shoulder.

"I don't know if I've got any good chat today. Too busy running around, making sure we don't fall apart here. Though I guess falling apart helps your job a bit, doesn't it?"

His tone isn't judgmental, more amused by the thought.

'Guess I’m growing roots. Whole five minutes of stillness. New record, I think.' He pauses, glancing at Lucas, the glint in his eyes settles into something quieter. 'Honestly? Got sick of my own company today. Felt like if I sat alone one more minute, my brain’d start eating itself.' He tilts his head, a grin breaking the seriousness before it can linger. 'And I know you've got good chat.'

Lucas looks at the glass placed in front of him, seriously considering pushing it away. Then with a sigh, he crumples the paper and picks up the glass.

"Jim's not gonna be happy," he mutters as he taps his glass against Adam's then throws back the drink. Feeling the cheap alcohol run hot down his throat actually feels good in this moment.

He really needs to relax more often. Have a few drinks, get laid, talk about nothing and everything.

"You see those things out there? Running around like it's the middle of the fucking night?"

"You've been staring up and down that list boss, like anything's gonna prepare you for the mountain of shit we're gonna have to deal with tomorrow." there was no point in planning, not in a place like this, there was also no way to be prepared. So Adam walks over behind the bar, places two cups before the other and pours whatever piss-tasting-ale was confined within a glass bottle on the middle shelf. "Now come on, let's drink -- we did the best we could -- hell, we did better than that."

Tanner Buchanan | Behind The Blinds (2021)

Maybe not today, not tomorrow but I am gonna achieve it, cause I am a consistent hard-worker