[Gavyn Colburn]

[nospaces]

I REALLY JUST WANT TO BE

warm yellow light that pours over everyone i love

[break]

[attr="class","mottledbug-text"]Gavyn couldn't shake the impression that Maddie was unconvinced by his waiving of her apology or need to feel guilty. He didn't comment on it, but he made a mental note to insist throughout the night that there really was no need for her to feel bad. Especially since she'd been willing to spend the next part of the night explaining to him what exactly this new.... thing... meant. Part of him suspected, by night's end, she'd be so frustrated by his million questions and stunned amazement that she'd forget she'd ever felt guilty at all! Maybe she'd just be exasperated instead. The thought nearly made him chuckle. [break][break]

When she agreed about the "lows" of the service industry — not so much verbally, but with a giggle that made Gavyn beam harder — then commented on working Christmases and the blessing that was fun coworkers, he tipped his head with a deep nod of agreement, brow raising. Yes, the people he worked with were the best. But so were the customers! Most of the time. Really, he wouldn't trade his job for anything else. Especially when, more often than not, it led to situations just like this one — new friends under strange circumstances! Unexpected adventures and the like. Being wowed and regaled by things that other people knew, or things that they loved or were interested in, that were always previously unheard of to him![break][break]

It really was the best. [break][break]

"Chicken strips," Gavyn repeated her order slowly, lips pulling into a wide, approving grin. "Always a fine choice. Condiments? A drink to go?"[break][break]

Once he had the rest of her order, he gave a nod and turned to relay it to the kitchen with his own; adding a couple of desserts and letting them know it was to be wrapped up and ready to go at last call. Then he whisked around the bar; attending to the remaining people, cautioning them about the approaching cut-off, and cleaning as he went. He laughed and joked, continued his ice cream poll, and retrieved what was likely to be everyone's final drinks, all while casting Maddie the occasional beam and side glance; as if afraid the next time he looked up, she might have disappeared.[break][break]

When there was little else to do but wait — most everyone was on the wind-down and Gavyn suspected it wouldn't be long before he began settling tabs — he returned to his new acquaintance with all the collected toothpick holders and the big box needed to refill them. "Okay," he announced, a little breathless, and cocked his head with a thoughtful pause. "Neapolitan is a surprisingly popular answer tonight. I think it might be the winner. Though mint chocolate chip was certainly in the running. " He straightened before her and began restocking the holders, watching his own movements. After a moment, his brow pinched and he took a breath.[break][break]

"So, although I have tons of questions about... people like us... I suppose those will have to wait. So, instead, I'll ask — what was your plan tonight, if you hadn't run into me?"

[break]

Tag: Maddison Lancaster [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes!

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[Maddison Lancaster]

And waste it on fixing all the problems
That you made in your own head

---

Gavyn seemed to approve of her choice of food. It was a nice change from the normal judgment that she faced for ‘ordering like a child’ from her brother and even Tomas. Screw both of them though. What did they know? And more than that, what did it matter to either of them? She tried new things from time to time, but she knew what she liked and tended to stick with it.

It wasn’t worth thinking about or getting worked up over. Instead, she focused on the next questions that he asked her. “Um, just ranch please. And sticking with water is probably for the best at this point.” She knew that he was going to have a lot of questions for her, that she’d need to be able to think somewhat clearly to be able to give him the answers that he deserved.

Gavyn carried on, doing his job and seeming absolutely unphased by what he’d learned about himself, for the most part. She watched as he was still all smiles, interacting with customers with an ease that only came with experience. She wasn’t sure how she thought that he would act right after finding out about his gift, but this certainly wasn’t what she’d expected.

When he returned next, he had a collection of toothpick holders and a box of toothpicks. He began to fill them, and share his findings about favorite ice cream flavors. “I get why people would choose neapolitan, but I feel like it’s a cheater's answer. The whole three flavors in one, just seems like they don’t want to make a choice.” She reached over to open the top on one of the toothpick holders to help with the refilling process. “Mint chocolate chip is a pretty solid choice, though. But then there’s a follow up question that feels important. Green mint chocolate chip, or white? Because I don’t care what anyone says, they are different. And, just for the record, I think green is better.” It was easy to have strong opinions on ice cream. On something that wasn’t important or didn’t make much of a difference.

Of course he had a lot of questions. If he didn’t, that would be weird. But he had a fair point that it was better to wait to really get into those questions.

“Well, in theory, I should have probably left my brother’s house a little while ago and gone home. But, since that was already a bust...” She shrugged before continuing. “More than likely, had I not messed up, I’d be making my way home, probably barefoot and in a terrible mood still. I didn’t have much of a plan, really. Not after leaving my brother’s house, anyway.”

Maddie fell silent for a few seconds, then let a grin pull at the corners of her lips. “What about you? What would you be doing if Mr Blue-Eyes hadn't asked you to come in and cover for him?”

---

Gavyn Colburn
Lemme know for changes

[Gavyn Colburn]

[nospaces]

[attr="class","post-mottledbug-o"]

[attr="class","post-mottledbug"]

[attr="class","post-mottledbug-title"]I REALLY JUST WANT TO BE

[attr="class","post-mottledbug-subtitle"]warm yellow light that pours over everyone i love

Gavyn pursed his lips thoughtfully as Maddie commented that "Neapolitan was the cheater's answer". He supposed there was some truth in that. Anyone who said they liked Neapolitan, didn't they really have a preference for one of the three flavors when they sat down with a bowl? A spoonful they purposely saved for the last bite? Why wouldn't they choose that as their answer? [break][break]

Before he could get lost down the rabbit-hole, she hit him with another conundrum — green or white chocolate chip? And all previous thought left him as his eyes widened. "There's white mint chocolate chip?" He cocked his head, trying to think if he'd ever seen a brand of such in his life. It'd always been green. Thinking about it, though, he supposed... it couldn't be naturally green. It'd just never been something he'd questioned before. "Hm. Yeah, I don't think I like that. Mint is supposed to be green, that's all there is to it. Plus, it's more fun that way. Which, in turn, makes the ice cream taste better." [break][break]

As they went back and forth, Maddie worked the tops off the toothpick holders and Gavyn wordlessly filled them. The action repeated itself over and over, instruction unspoken and their movements fluid, as if they'd worked together before — or were both very much accustomed to filling toothpick holders. [break][break]

Maddie went on to answer that, about this time of night, she'd likely just be leaving her brother's house. If things hadn't been "a bust" and she hadn't "messed up". Without lifting his face, Gavyn raised his eyes to observe her visage — still trained on the toothpick containers as she shrugged. [break][break]

Here it was, he thought — the crack in the door for him to shove a foot into. The reason she was here, getting quickly plastered all by her lonesome while not wanting to be left alone. At the thought, he felt himself instinctively steel — the type of steel that wasn't so much a hardening as it was a softening. An inner brace. A strong, silent breath. A preparedness to probe where it might be needed, to be adamant that he was listening and invested, and to insist he could be a friend with an ear. [break][break]

But then she grinned and turned the question back on him and Gavyn considered for a moment, that perhaps it could wait. Perhaps he'd hold off. Maybe she still wanted distraction instead of prying. And maybe it'd be better, once they were off into the night and talked out already... her buzz a little faded... for him to make those attempts. Especially if she indulged him and let him lead her to the spot he had in mind. It was such a nice spot. [break][break]

Making a decision, Gavyn let his own face split into an answering beam and he chuckled. "Actually, this whole day has been crazy... lemme tell ya..."[break][break]

* * *

[break]

It was a whole thirty minutes later when Mike let him off the hook. He'd chatted Maddie's ear off over closing chores, regaling her with the mountain of things he'd done today and making insane guesses of what he might be getting up to had Sam not called upon him. She now knew far more than she likely cared to about both his roommates, the show he'd performed, and about the wonders of a Taco Bell menu. [break][break]

And now they were free! [break][break]

He held the door open for her, their food and desserts in one hand and his unassuming cup (full of Guinness) in the other, and called out his undying gratitude to both Nora and Mike as it closed behind them. "Glad you're not barefoot!" He pointed out chipperly, taking in a long, indulgent sip of the chilly night air. "Let us be off! Forth into the night! Like I said, the spot isn't far." He kicked off in a purposeful pace down the sidewalk after jamming a thumb in the direction he intended. "It's a beautiful set-up, really," he barreled on, as he'd done for the past half-hour. "Just two blocks away, basically right around the corner. Closer than any park and far more pretty. Open, ornate, you just might love it."[break][break]

As promised, the trek was short. In no time at all, Gavyn turned a corner and stopped before a tall, wooden fence; crisp and clean with a new coat of white paint. "And here we are!" He threw his arms wide, gesturing, as if fence itself was something to behold. "This guy's loaded. Who can afford downtown property, am I right?" He cast Maddie an eager look, brow lifted expectedly. "His backyard is so beautiful, like holy jeez. A pond in the corner, grass softer than any carpet I've ever put my feet on. He probably paid a fortune for the landscaping and — well, you know what..." he chuckled, cocking his head before he held their food and his drink out for her to take. "You'll see! I'll hop over and open the gate from the inside."[break][break]

Without waiting, he leaped up to grab the top of the fence, planting his feet on the sturdy wood and shifting his weight to haul himself up. Then he paused and flipped the bangs from his face as he turned to consider Maddie once more. "I mean... unless you'd rather go to the park. Because... y'know... that's perfectly fine, too." He puffed out his cheeks in anticipation, before blowing the air out to quickly add, "And I'm not a criminal, I swear. I've just got this place scoped out so I can sleep on the trampoline when I forget my keys or have an early shift and know I'll oversleep. It's... Wednesday, right? So he's at work and his kids are with their mother. Well..." he shrugged. "Probably." [break][break]

He couldn't help the tiny smirk that tugged at his mouth then, as he imagined getting his days mixed up and being chased out by one of this guy's many, many girlfriends that came and went. He'd have to find a new place to crash! And he didn't know this man well, but he could easily see him dropping an absurd amount of money on a few well-bred dogs to guard the place once he found out someone was catching naps on his kids' trampoline. And had taken a dip in the jacuzzi that one time.... and stole pecans from his trees regularly...

Tag: Maddison Lancaster [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes! I absolutely YOLO'ed this (yikes) and decided to jump them forward a bit! Let me know if anything doesn't fly, if you need more (or less lmao), etc. etc.

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[Maddison Lancaster]

[nospaces]

And waste it on fixing all the problems

That you made in your own head

[break]

[attr="class","MADS"]

---

[break]


It was easy to sit and listen to Gavyn, keeping hands busy helping with tasks that weren’t all that different from what she did every day at her own job. Getting lost in his tale of the day was helping to distract her from the troubles that she had been trying to avoid, and she appreciated that he was so talkative while they waited for his shift to end. [brea][break]

His life certainly sounded more interesting than her own, though she supposed that may be a ’grass is greener on the other side’ kind of thought. [break][break]

“I don’t mind walking, pretty much any distance.” Maddie promised as Gavyn told her how close they were to the place they were headed, the really cool place he’d been excited about. It could have been a mile or two away for all she cared, it wasn’t like she wasn’t used to walking most places she went anyway. His optimism was contagious though, and she could feel the smile on her face as she walked with him. [break][break]

As he’d said, it wasn’t far. They were there before she knew it. She hadn't expected that it would be a private residence, but she wasn’t too bothered by it. Especially if this was some place that he’d been before, and it certainly seemed like he had since he’d been excited about bringing her there, proclaiming it better than any park in the city. [break][break]

Maddie grabbed the bag of food and cup from Gavyn before pulled himself up to go over the fence, something she didn’t think she could have done so easily even if she’d been stone sober. “I’m good with it.” She assured him, not minding that they’d be doing a little trespassing. What was the worst that could happen? If the guy came home and saw them he’d probably call the cops. They could be gone long before anyone showed up, and even if they weren’t, what was it? Some paperwork saying they weren’t allowed back on the property? She was pretty sure trespassing didn’t get you arrested, at least not the first time. It wasn’t like they were damaging anything or breaking into a building. [break][break]

“How did you even find this place?” Maddie asked through the fence after Gavyn disappeared over the other side. She waited for him to come round and open the gate like he said he was going to do, the smile on her face spreading when she heard the metal moving on the mechanism. He’d made it without any issues, that had to be a good sign. She didn’t hear any angry homeowner yelling. “And just how often do you come here?” She questioned, trying to keep the laugh out of her tone. “I mean, I believe that you’re no criminal. But what about stalker? You know the guy’s schedule. Unless.. Do you know the person who owns the place?” [break][break]

Maybe he didn’t want her to know if he knew the guy? But that seemed like it would be unlikely. It would definitely be a bit weird. [break][break]

“For real though, I’m excited to see this trampoline.” [break][break]

---

[break]

Gavyn Colburn [break]
Lemme know for changes

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