callmeemily: ([bad day] wtf.)
Raleigh Harper / Emily Watkins ([personal profile] callmeemily) wrote2014-08-22 04:28 pm
Entry tags:

BACKDATED (for Fabrice, dated to Aug 21, 9:30PM)

This is third date that Raleigh had been on in the last week. It's the third, including one where the guy was sort of skeezy and Raleigh was definitely never seeing him again, one that was literally the most boring man alive that Joel set her up on... and now, this.

This, where Raleigh's leaning against the bar with a drink in her hand, looking up at the very handsome guy who actually wrote her a decent message on OKCupid. His name was Richard, he was a Pieces, was here because he wanted to get away from the city, he was thinking about buying a house on the water, he was a writer - all normal, touristy things that she's used too.

He declined to mention that he's reporting on the Coombs, and he's found another side story.

Still, he's cute, and Raleigh knows that she needs to at least try, and her eyes wander across the bar before she realises he's talking to her, and her eyes snap back to him.

"What? Sorry, I couldn't hear you." More that he was boring, but--

"I was saying- you know Corrine Flynn, don't you? I've seen you two around."

Raleigh smiles without thinking. She knows Corry, and she nods as she takes another sip of her drink. "We're- We're friends," she says with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders. She has no idea how, exactly, they had been through what they had and ended up friends, but they were, and she's glad.

"Did you know her before?" Richard's looking at her with a little more intensity now, and Raleigh's brows furrow a little bit, confused.

"Before? Before what?" It sounds normal, that question, but Raleigh's mind jumps to one thing. One thing it could be before, and she tenses up without realising it.

"I read in the paper. Did you know her before that happened? It was horrible, wasn't it?"

"I-"

"Did she confide in you? I imagine she must have, given what you went through. Do you resent her? She wasn't hurt the way you were, and she's not the one who paid off your hospital bills."

"What?" Raleigh's voice rose. "What is your problem? This- This is not something that's open for discussion!" She's staring at him, and it's all she can do not to slap him right now, but he just keeps asking. He keeps asking, and Raleigh's voice gets even louder. "Stop it! Stop, I'm not answering you!"
ofcatsandfate: (Oh dear)

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-23 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Fabrice, in the midst of the media circus surrounding his life, currently, has managed to find his way into a bar stool for a quick drink. One beer, one of the local flavors, and he's paying the bill, leaving a generous tip for the bartender, when a commotion from the other side of the bar catches his attention. He narrows his eyes to get a better look, for the woman currently speaking certainly sounds like Raleigh.

Then she raises her voice, and, hearing the content of it, Fabrice knows it's her. He briskly walks over to her area of the bar, where he finds a handsome man harassing her; a handsome man, he realizes, belongs to the paparazzi. Anger builds in him like overcooked water; how dare some ass of a man hound Raleigh with questions about her experience. How dare he try and use a date to manipulate answers out of her.

Just before he reaches them, he watches the man's hand close around Raleigh's wrist. He doesn't hesitate, he just puts hand over the man's and pulls him off, roughly. His expression is still yet dangerous, like the quiet water of a pond before a pebble disrupts its peace.

"She told you to stop," he growls. "If you have any decency in you, you'd damn well listen."
ofcatsandfate: (In the shadows~)

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-23 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
"She has nothing to do with my family's crap, so leave her out of it," he retorts, stepping right into the man's space to block him from Raleigh. "If you're looking for a scoop on my family, you can talk to me." Fabrice's nails curl against the skin of his hands as he tries to keep himself from punching the smug grin off the asshole's face. "And sorry to disappoint, but I'm not feeling particularly chatty today."

"And really, it's rather rich of a member of the paparazzi to be calling anyone else a criminal," he snarls, his anger clawing at what shreds remain of his determination to keep calm. "Raleigh's a grown woman who can take care of herself. She lives with two good men, both of whom have spades more humanity than you." He rolls his eyes, entirely unimpressed with the man's attitude, even as the venom he aims at Raleigh continues to provoke Fabrice's nerves. "And I thought journalists were supposed to know how to check facts? If you knew my friend at all, which, clearly, you don't, you would know that, if we were dating, she wouldn't have come out here with you."
ofcatsandfate: (Oh dear)

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-23 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
"The police would never let scum like you look at their records," he snarls, feeling each and every crack that runs along his self-control. This journalist is the human equivalent of nails scraping against chalkboard; every word he utters screeches like a banshee in Fabrice's thoughts. He's wound tight, like a rubber band.

"And you don't get to talk to her like that," he snaps then, his fist retreating backwards before landing squarely in the other man's face.
ofcatsandfate: (In the shadows~)

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-24 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Fabrice knows this is bad; he's just punched a member of the paparazzi in the face and there's a crowd now, at the bar. Raleigh's trying to talk him down, but he can't hear anything beyond the man's obnoxious grin and the taunting words he spits back in his face. Adrenaline pumps through him, and Fabrice knows this isn't going to end well.

"No, you won't, you utter ass," he snarls, taking another step forward, shrugging Raleigh's hand off his shoulder. "If you must use your mouth for anything at all, you'll talk to her like the human being she is."

"And you don't get to talk about my family as 'them,'" he growls, before throwing himself at the journalist, hitting him in the waist with his head and into a skirmish of limbs and punches. They roll around on the floor, both landing punches and blows; Fabrice manages to hit him hard in the mouth again, while the other man punches him hard enough in the nose that it makes a sickening crunch and blood starts spilling from it.

"Fuck!" He mutters, clutching at his nose briefly before resuming the attack.
ofcatsandfate: (In the shadows~)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-25 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Fabrice winces when the alcohol hits him, especially when it hits his nose, right in the middle of the blood. Ironically, it sobers him instantly, and he remembers that he's in a very public caught up in a very public fight with a member of the paparazzi.

"Shit," he mutters, pulling back and picking himself up. The journalist dusts off his shoulder, even as blood drips from his mouth.

"Thanks for the story," he sneers before turning and leaving the bar, as Fabrice heart drops to his stomach. He turns and finds Raleigh shaking, like she might break at any moment.

"Come one," he tells her, grabbing a couple of napkins to hold to his nose as he helps her outside of the bar. His own arms are trembling.
ofcatsandfate: (Oh dear)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
"I deserve it," he tells her, shaking his head and gently prying her hands away from the napkins he still keeps pressed to his nose. "I acted like a goddamn idiot in there."

His stomach twists into knots when he sees how pale she is, how she struggles to breathe. Fuck. He did this. He's responsible for her reactions, the way she seems barely together. Guilt wracks through him; he was trying to help but his own stubborn nature and pent up frustrations got the better of him. They really shouldn't have.

"God, Raleigh, I'm so sorry," he reaches out to her with his free hand, trying to help calm her down. "Please, breathe. Breathe."
ofcatsandfate: (Reflection)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm taking care of it," he promises, holding the napkins to his face as he tries to mutter a quick healing charm, something simple that will at least lessen some of the pain. But the words aren't coming, and suddenly, the adrenaline leaves him and dizziness catches up with him; he stumbles, grabbing onto the wall for support. "Fuck," he mumbles under his breath. "Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty sure he did. Bastard."

"We should get you home," Fabrice says quietly, still heavily concerned for Raleigh. in the midst of trying to ground himself. She shouldn't have to deal with the fallout from his stupidity in giving in to his urge to fight. "So you can get warm and try and forget this night ever happened."
ofcatsandfate: (Reflection)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
He's bleeding too much to argue, really, and so he obeys, following her to the bench and sinking onto it with relative ease. He tilts his head back, continuing to press the napkins to his nose. He can't help but glance over to where she's digging through her purse. "What's that?" His eyes widen when he catches sight of the potion she offers him. "Who gave you that?"

He drinks it because he trusts Raleigh, and as the potion does its work, he feels the pain relent and the blood begin to slow.

"Thank you," he tells her, handing her back the vial. And then he starts to laugh, the ridiculousness of this situation, of the whole week, really, catching up with him. Because he realizes that he regrets nothing about that fight, about defending those he cares deeply for; and in that moment, he realizes he's in love with Demetri Thornton.
ofcatsandfate: (Oh dear)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
He tries to reign himself in, knowing he's making a scene, and especially when he catches the look on her face, just before she turns away.

"God, I'm sorry Raleigh," he tells her, wincing as his laughter finally subsides. This isn't the time for him to be dwelling on his own issues, not when Raleigh seems so shaken up. "I'm not laughing at you, I promise."

"I'm glad you have another witchy friend looking after you," he says, watching her busy herself with her purse. "If you ever need any other potions or charms, I can make you some, too. Healing's kind of my specialty. Mostly on animals, granted, but I do know how to look after humans."

"It's slowed down," he tells her, briefly pulling back the napkins before reapplying them. "It'll stop soon."
ofcatsandfate: (Hurt)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Are you sure? Are you sure you're okay?" He asks because she doesn't seem okay to him, and that deeply troubles him. He feels responsible for her misery tonight and he wishes he could take it all back. Except maybe the initial punch to the journalist's nose. That, he absolutely would never take back.

"I'll be fine walking home," he tells her. "I'm more concerned about you." She keeps rubbing her legs, and it only worries him more.
ofcatsandfate: (Hurt)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-26 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, it's not because of you," he tells her, pleads with her, really, because he wants her to understand that it isn't her fault at all. "I made the choice to engage with the man; I made the choice to punch him. And this bleeding is one of the consequences."

He tenses when she mentions what the other man had been telling her, and it makes him hate him even more.

"Raleigh, pardon me for saying so, but I don't think you're okay," he tells her.
ofcatsandfate: (A shoulder to lean on)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-27 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
"He'd grabbed your wrist," he reminds her, flinching at the image in his mind. "He'd pretty much held you in place while he was saying those things to you; he made you stay." Which is what pushed him over the edge to intervene, along with the ugly words the journalist had been hurling at Raleigh.

"You need more than a minute," he tells her sadly, knowing the panic of what she's going through all too well. "Raleigh, we need to get you home, get you warm, and away from this shitty bar." She's gulping like a fish trying to make sense of breathing air, and Fabrice just can't leave her like this. He wraps an arm around her shoulder, brings her in close. "Come on, let me take you home."
ofcatsandfate: (A shoulder to lean on)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-27 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"They love you," he tells her, earnestly. "And maybe they wouldn't know how you're feeling, but they will understand, and they will be there for you." He holds her closer, squeezing her tightly. "They know you've been through difficult times; they'll understand."

He holds her, letting her cry on him as he starts to rock her, whispering soothing nothings to her. His nose has all but stopped bleeding, but he hurts, knowing how much pain his friend, so much the sister he'd never had, is in.

"You're all right, I promise."
ofcatsandfate: (A shoulder to lean on)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-27 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
He tenses as her words come tumbling out; he knew that she was kidnapped, of course he did. But he never realized the full extent of the torment she endured that night, the full extent of the horror she'd faced. "God," he says, unable to think of what else he might say in a situation like this. He rocks her, hoping to get her to calm down by simply holding her. "I'm so sorry, Raleigh."
ofcatsandfate: (Reflection)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-27 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
He slows his rocking as her breathing evens out, waits as she calms down. He knows how important it is just to have someone by your side, to be held while the world seems to fall apart around you. He'd been lucky to have his cousins in the aftermath of his attack; he hopes he can provide the same sort of comfort for Raleigh.

"I..." He hasn't been to a doctor since his time in the hospital. It scares him, having the need to go back there again. The sterilized atmosphere, even the memory of it, sends a shiver through him. He hopes she doesn't notice. "I suppose I do, yeah."

"Well, if you ever need someone to help, you can always call me, okay?"
ofcatsandfate: (Reflection)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-28 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right, I'm going to do it tomorrow then," he tells her, appreciative of the way she glides over his reaction to doctors and hospitals. He finally comes to a stop with his rocking, simply holding her in his arms.

He ducks his gaze away from hers, cheeks burning at the compliment. Everyone seemed to think that, that he was such a good person. But Fabrice knows he has his own foibles; he isn't a saint. "I do my best," he tells her earnestly. Because he makes mistakes like everyone else. Sometimes, he gives into his impulses, like the fight at the bar, and he makes a mess of things the way most humans tend to do. "But thank you, truly. That means a lot."
ofcatsandfate: (A shoulder to lean on)

Re: TW: blood, panic attacks

[personal profile] ofcatsandfate 2014-08-29 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"I...thank you," he says, because he appreciates hearing it, even as much as he knows that he makes his own mistakes as well. Raleigh means the world to him, and so he takes her kind words to heart. She's such a good person, it only makes the reality of the night's events even harder to comprehend. She shouldn't be the one caught in the crossfires of the sleazy paparazzi.

"Same goes to you," he tells her, wanting her to understand just how much he means the words. "I'll do whatever I can to help."