[color=gray][indent][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sH3woma.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/pRZrD1G.png[/img] [sub]A [@metanoia] & [@Inertia] Collaboration Post Featuring [color=4169e1]Theo[/color] & [color=89cff0]Connor[/color][/sub] [b][color=#4169E1]▃[/color][color=#436CE1]▃[/color][color=#4670E2]▃[/color][color=#4974E2]▃[/color][color=#4C78E3]▃[/color][color=#4E7CE3]▃[/color][color=#5180E4]▃[/color][color=#5484E5]▃[/color][color=#5788E5]▃[/color][color=#598CE6]▃[/color][color=#5C90E6]▃[/color][color=#5F94E7]▃[/color][color=#6298E7]▃[/color][color=#659CE8]▃[/color][color=#679FE9]▃[/color][color=#6AA3E9]▃[/color][color=#6DA7EA]▃[/color][color=#70ABEA]▃[/color][color=#72AFEB]▃[/color][color=#75B3EB]▃[/color][color=#78B7EC]▃[/color][color=#7BBBED]▃[/color][color=#7DBFED]▃[/color][color=#80C3EE]▃[/color][color=#83C7EE]▃[/color][color=#86CBEF]▃[/color][color=#89CFEF]▃[/color][color=#86CBEF]▃[/color][color=#83C7EE]▃[/color][color=#80C3EE]▃[/color][color=#7DBFED]▃[/color][color=#7BBBED]▃[/color][color=#78B7EC]▃[/color][color=#75B3EB]▃[/color][color=#72AFEB]▃[/color][color=#70ABEA]▃[/color][color=#6DA7EA]▃[/color][color=#6AA3E9]▃[/color][color=#679FE9]▃[/color][color=#659CE8]▃[/color][color=#6298E7]▃[/color][color=#5F94E7]▃[/color][color=#5C90E6]▃[/color][color=#598CE6]▃[/color][color=#5788E5]▃[/color][color=#5484E5]▃[/color][color=#5180E4]▃[/color][color=#4E7CE3]▃[/color][color=#4C78E3]▃[/color][color=#4974E2]▃[/color][color=#4670E2]▃[/color][color=#436CE1]▃[/color][/b] [/center] [color=4169e1]“I have no earthly idea what just happened there.”[/color] And boy was he trying to figure it out or what? Processing the entire scene from Edgar being uncharacteristically vague in notifying him who was on their way to Gamer Girl and Chappy the Rabbit pretty much taking over what he assumed was going to be a semi-gentle back and forth between him and his friends. It didn’t even dawn on him that it would lead to his sister being invited along for the ride. it wasn’t like he had any problems with tha, but Theo just wasn’t exactly prepared for it. And it showed. By now, Theo had found a pair of gray shorts to put on so he was at least halfway decent for Connor’s sake. He knew that the blond probably didn’t want to see the implication of Theo’s southern shadow, or at least, he didn’t want to run the risk of mortifying Shiloh again with his above-average body. So he opted to minimally clothe himself. [color=4169e1]“I’ll tell you this, Con,”[/color] Theo started, walking over to his closet, picking out a pink buttoned-up shirt and a pair of dark slacks. [color=4169e1]“When I texted you guys, I wasn’t expecting my sister to be home.”[/color] He slipped off the shorts and put the jeans on. As he was halfway with putting the shirt on, he continued, [color=4169e1]“She had flown the coop after the bash for some pageant thing in Madrid.”[/color] Theo walked over to his dresser and grabbed a brown leather belt and a wristwatch. [color=4169e1]“And now that she’s back and Bas is out, I’mma have to babysit her ass.”[/color] Theo knew he was venting and he felt guilty for all of three seconds. [color=4169e1]“But I guess I do owe her. I kind of ditched her at the bash, didn’t I?” [/color] It didn’t occur to him until his eyes met Connor’s that he had been venting his mild frustrations for a solid three minutes straight and a slow laugh escaped through his lips and he smiled. [color=4169e1]“Sorry. I guess the suddenness of it all still hasn’t clicked,”[/color] he admitted, fitting the belt through the loops on his pants. [color=#89cff0]“It’s alright.”[/color] The blond replied nonchalantly. He didn’t mind it at all, in fact, he liked to listen to rants and people’s trouble in general. It was oddly relaxing seeing someone pour out their hearts to him. [color=#89cff0]“Ah, jetlagged huh? Maybe that’s why she looked off.”[/color] Connor had idly sauntered over to a free laptop on Theo’s desk and mindlessly scrolled through a few Instagram posts. Selfies, food photos, group shots, nothing new from university students. He usually sifted through Instagram more to see if anything popped up rather than for fun or pleasure. [color=#89cff0]“That said, why so mean to your sister, eh?”[/color] He continued abruptly as he got up and stretched. [color=4169e1]“One of the few benefits of being the oldest,[/color]” he admitted proudly, cocking a sly smirk. [color=#89cff0]“If I was you I’d spoil her, she’s cute as a button.”[/color] [color=4169e1]“She’s already spoiled. Anymore and it’ll go straight to her watermelon-sized head.”[/color] A laugh left his lips, though part of his mind remained curious about Connor’s comment and why he decided to specifically say [i]that[/i]. Connor let out a laugh at his reply. [color=#89cff0]“Well, someone’s gotta lookout for the younger siblings.”[/color] The ginger offered nothing but a questionable glance towards his friend as his reply.[color=#89cff0]“Ah, you know Anderson, my programming professor?”[/color] He changed the subject as his mind snapped back to his professor’s words. [color=#89cff0]“Said some interesting things about the, ahem, Bash.”[/color] [color=4169e1]“What’cha mean?”[/color] Theo asked, grateful for the swift change in subjects. [color=#89cff0]“Get this, Anderson thinks it was someone from our year that spilled the beans on the Bash.”[/color] Connor gesticulated as he spoke. [color=#89cff0]“No freakin’ way, right?”[/color] [color=4169e1]“One of us? Impossible!”[/color] Theo immediately tossed out believing that ridiculous idea, but then again. [color=4169e1]“I think Anderson’s been relying too heavily on those whiskey sours. Clearly he’s talking nonsense.”[/color] Or maybe Theo was too close-minded. Either way, even considering this had a lot of implications - such as a traitor passing as one of their own. Just thinking about it was filling him with red. [color=#89cff0]“Said the same thing, but after thinking about it, it very well could happen.”[/color] Connor replied. [color=#89cff0]“Our years has been in some nasty stuff these past few years.”[/color] [color=#89cff0]“How [i]well[/i] do we really know them?”[/color] He said. [color=#89cff0]“But that’s just delving into conspiracy theory bullshit.”[/color] It wasn’t like Theo was trying to dismiss Connor’s theory. If it was a fact, then the implication that would set, that someone from their year leaked the bash, Theo would make use of his ability to throw a punch. If it was actually someone who he shared a class with or might’ve seen at a party or even in the courtyard, a friendly wave wasn’t going to come their way but rather a closed fist aimed for their jaw. But then again, this was all a matter of what he said. There was no proof - just the drunken ramblings of an above average professor that Connor was close with. Connor frowned, he recognized that face; the ‘punch first ask questions later’ face. [color=#89cff0]”On the off-chance that it does happen, diplomacy first, T.”[/color] [color=4169e1]“I’m not sure if it holds any weight yet, but--”[/color] Theo smiled at Connor, walking up to him and patting his friend’s shoulder. [color=4169e1]“--it’s certainly a different angle than anyone I know has considered. For now, though, I’m more worried about keeping Mads out of trouble.”[/color] His face filled up with a weary energy he always had whenever he had to look after her. [color=#89cff0]”Such big bro energy, I like it.”[/color] Connor let out a big grin, teasing Theo. He tried his best to stifle a chuckle. [color=#89cff0]”Well, alright, but you know me. When I get a hint of something like this, I sure as hell will chase it.”[/color] [color=#89cff0]”Enough of that though.”[/color] He wore a slight look of concern on his face, Theo’s week must’ve been hell after the news broke out. [color=#89cff0]”How are you holding up this start of the sem?”[/color] [color=4169e1]“You mean aside from bitch-ass professors living up to their rep?”[/color] He chuckled and then shrugged. [color=4169e1]“It’s no worse or better than the last two years have been. They’re just doing their job, so I won’t be the problem student by making their lives difficult regardless of recent events.”[/color] [color=#89cff0]”More on the student side of things.”[/color] Connor said. [color=#89cff0]”I noticed you pretty much wiped your social media presence, which, to be honest, is pretty smart.”[/color] Theo grabbed his phone from his bed and pocketed it inside his left jean pocket. [color=4169e1]“If you were getting as many notifications as I was, you’d deactivate everything too.”[/color] When he was near his nightstand, Theo grabbed his keys, too. [color=4169e1]“The break has been nice but boredom might demand I reactivate soon.”[/color] The weakness was real. [color=#89cff0]”If I was as popular as you, heh, probably.”[/color] Connor patted his jeans to check if he still had his essentials; keys, wallet, phone. [color=#89cff0]”Well if nothing’s new, let’s call the girls and go.”[/color] [color=4169e1]“Yeah.”[/color] Theo found it wasn’t long after he and Connor had finally left his room and gathered their better halves that they had been waiting for them, which either spoke to how annoyed they were or how much more their patience increased. He could stand there and entertain the idea they were probably gossiping about him and Connor, but he quickly arrived at the conclusion it would result in more headaches than he’d care to have, so that notion was dropped in favor of leaving for Nectar. In contrast to his usual style and because the backseat of his truck wasn’t equipped for Shiloh and Maddie’s big personalities - [i]if it could barely fit mine, no way it could handle two thirds of triplets and Gamer Girl[/i]. So they took the white SUV that was regularly used by Edgar. Seeing as how he had the house to himself, Theo knew the older man would probably listen to some classical music or have a glass of scotch. As they arrived at Nectar’s, the sight of the crowd lingering around the entrance made Theo visibly grimaced but he sucked it up, lest he get a few comments from the peanut gallery. Time played a factor and eventually they were inside. Nectar had always been a popular spot. With cheap drinks, cheaper food, and a decent karaoke set, it was the ideal location for a relaxing night out with the squad. Or for Theo, a relaxing night out to be a babysitter. Gotta stop doing that to yourself. At least pretend you’re going to have a good time. [color=4169e1]“Go find us a table. I’ll grab a pitcher,”[/color] Theo told the group, parting ways with them for a few minutes. He had to struggle his way through the crowd of his rowdy third years that centered around the bar, but eventually with a little luck and having the superior strength, Theo managed to force his way to it. He let out a relieved breath and smiled at the bartender. [i]She[/i] was a few years older than he was and radiated with a weary, exhausted expression like someone who didn’t care for whatever one-liner Theo [i]might’ve[/i] had brewing, like she heard them all and just wanted to know what he wanted. That was [url=https://i.imgur.com/cOhYVKV.gif]Ivanka[/url] for you. She never took any shit and Theo admired her for that. [color=4169e1]“The usual, Ivy. A pitcher of tap and four tall glasses”[/color] She knew Theo well and knew that whenever he arrived, his band of troublemakers weren’t far behind. “Four? So you’ve recruited yet another fool?” She was guessing, making small talk as the sound of beer started to hit the empty pitcher. [color=4169e1]Wrong,”[/color] he stated as a matter-of-factly, [color=4169e1]“Maddie is with us. So I’m babysitting.”[/color] His tone was anything but enthusiastic. Ivy curled up a smile. “Seems like all three Bonfamilles are here. What a treat for us.” Her tone was flat and she handed Theo the pitcher and glasses. “That’ll be $8.33.” He whipped out his debit card. [color=4169e1]“Just keep this and charge it whenever we come up for more. I’m sure we’re going to be seeing more of each other tonight.”[/color] Both looked at each other as they were equally as unexcited for that. Either way, Theo returned to the table, spotting the three close to the karaoke set and he set the pitcher down, spreading the four glasses out near where they had sat. As the one who paid for it, Theo did the decent act of pouring them each a tall glass. [color=4169e1]“Here’s to, uh, I guess having a good time?”[/color] Theo raised his glass, clanking it with the others’. He was never the one who did the best toasts. Bastien was always the elegant one. [color=4169e1]“Yeah, I don’t know.”[/color] Theo shrugged and took a sip of the foamy beer. At least something good was near his mouth.[/indent][/indent][/indent][/color]