Oatanas‌:

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?”

kirbcy‌:

The sound of his voice drew a slow look from Bishop. It was hard to not recognize him, despite the fact that the man had aged some. This was the man that his sister decided to marry. It seemed to fit, just in that moment, that they were together. Granted, Bishop didn’t know Ben and he didn’t know King anymore either. Bishop stiffened against the smooth tone Ben had, like they had known each other all their lives, like he had been invited to the wedding, or even knew about it when it happened. Bishop had to bite his tongue as to not let fly a completely scathing remark. “Why does that even matter to you? You’re an in-law by title only.” 

He heard about what happened, Bishop had been through a lot recently. The least Ben could do was cheer him up. And if King cared about him so much, that meant Ben cared about him as well. “I’m not just talking to you because you’re my brother-in-law now,” He stated. “This party’s supposed to be a fun time. Can I get you another drink? Or two?” Ben offered. 

 taterodriguez‌:

For the entirety of the holidays, Tate took it upon their self to hide within the confines of their apartment with a hefty bottle of vodka because the holidays were the time of year Tate dreaded the most.  The most Christmasy thing that Tate could bring their self to do was exchange gifts with Monty, Quinn, and Lorraine.  Other than that, Tate had been curled up on their couch clutching on to the bottle of vodka for dear life.

After a few days, Tate figured it was about time to emerge from their self induced isolation.  They found their self sitting at the bar, sipping a vodka soda, and nibbling on a basket of french fries.  As footsteps approached, a grumble fell through their lips.  “If you wish me a belated Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever else… I might throw this drink in your face.”

Alcohol was a remedy he turned to during his detoxing period. It was virtually the reason why he got through it. It had a special place in his heart because of that. And because he loved alcohol, especially beer. He hated all the boujee liquor that everyone had around here. He wanted the hard stuff and before he knew it, he was inside of a bar. 

As soon as he spotted Tate, he lifted himself out of the bar stool and over towards where they were. It was better to mope together, he thought. “I’m not going to do any of that,” He revealed to them, “Although if the drink’s good, I’m always up for a taste.” He loved to mooch off of others. “I’d offer to share my Heineken but I’m not sure that you’d enjoy it.”

@oatanas

It wasn’t fun living with two people who seemed pretty mad at him. He knew why King was mad at him. But O too? He wasn’t used to living with two pissed off women. If she was here, Chessie would’ve spoken to him. Or at least he assumed she would. He was tired of all of the awkwardness. He just wanted to break the silence with O. There was only so much quietness that he could take before he felt like he was going to explode. He was desperate for interaction. “You know, one of these days, I could make gyros for all of us. Have you ever had one?” It was a Greek dish that had made it’s way to the states, but he didn’t know her eating habits. “As a thank you for letting me stay here.” He added. He was staying here on free room and board. Who knew how long that was going to last?

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?”

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:

Quinn looked over at Ben for a moment before shaking his head. “Yeah, you make a very good point. Most people here kind of suck don’t they?” He sighed, thinking of how much time he’d spent hating how fake people were. Despite hating the facade, he couldn’t imagine leaving the way Ben or Monty had. “I dunno about screens though, it’s not the same as face to face.”

He could go on and pretend as if everything was normal. Nothing was normal between them. Nothing was normal for Ben right now anyways. Maybe this would be a good segway into what had happened and the apology that he owed Quinn. But that meant actually talking about things and Ben was not a fan of that action. “I’m assuming you heard what happened.” He blurted. Shit. “I mean what happened at the party. Not with me, particularly,” It wasn’t a big deal what had happened to him or anything. Possession was a big deal but he wanted to minimize that as much as possible around Quinn. Because Quinn seemed to have been through so much because of him already. He should’ve just apologized to Quinn. Instead, he continued to talk about phones. “I honestly think screens are taking over everyone’s lives. Have you ever seen those videos of New York back in the 80′s? No one was on their phone.”

I like airplanes. I like anywhere that isn’t a proper place. I like in betweens.

Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, Vol. 7: Brief Lives. (via thequotejournals)

quinnxarchibald‌:

Quinn was starting to feel thoroughly overwhelmed as he walked through the unfamiliar rooms, making small talk with people he really wanted to avoid. He had no idea how he’d ended up on the guest list, or how he’d been convinced to go to the party in the first place but here he was, trying not to sulk in a corner. He’d already seen Wren and had been busy trying to stay out of his way. Seeing the other male made his stomach twist in painful ways that made him want to drown himself in whatever the closest alcohol was.

After another near run in with his ex, Quinn was on his way to the bar when he ran into someone he felt stupid for forgetting. Ben. Of course Ben was here. Chessie had told him that the brunet was living with her and here Quinn was, being an idiot and walking right into the house. 

It took a moment for everything to sink in, for Ben’s words to really register, but once they did, Quinn’s eyes narrowed and he scoffed. “Yeah, it does. Are you gonna runaway this time too?” He asked coldly.

He felt like Quinn was closer to him than his own brother at one point. Until Ben fucked it all up. When he was a damsel in distress, Quinn swooped in and saved him. He literally risked his reputation for Ben and Ben paid it back by leaving the country. It was something that seemed right at the time to him. Now looking at Quinn, he knew it was all wrong. He tarnished their friendship. 

He nodded at Quinn’s comment, knowing that he deserved it at the very least. Ben deserved a lot more than that. Honestly, he would’ve run away if there was any room to. However, he felt virtually trapped. 

“No, I’m not,” He replied as he wiped his hand down his cheek nervously. Ben should have told him that he was back in town. Now here they were and he was feeling as tense as ever. Ben wanted to tell him how he should’ve mentioned he was back in town but he was too much of a coward. Instead, he’d continue with the small talk. “How has the city been treating you?”

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?”