[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220327/0da720e93a8cdf844add9652296ac346.png[/img] [hr] A [@LovelyComplex] and [@BrutalBx] Collab [hr][/center] The bartender was quick to give them their drinks and as he did so, Kim smiled, [color=c37f58]“Yes. Yes, sir, I… I do.”[/color] She quoted The Irisman verbatim, before turning her stool toward him, her left leg over her right, [color=c37f58]“What about it?”[/color] Kimber gave a blissful, unbothered smile at the man she’s had a long history with. She was in a good mood, feeling herself and Max couldn’t ruin that for her. Immediately. Max was taken aback by Kim’s vibe. It has been years, sure but something was very different. This was not the same Kimber Benson that he knew. There was a new aura to her, a confidence and fierceness in her words. This was a Kim that had finally experienced a world outside of her laptop. The dress alone, which accentuated [i]every[/i] positive was enough to strike Maxi in a special kind of way. Grabbing her stainless steel cocktail pick, she brought it to her lips and took a smooth, slow, unintentionally seductive bite, sucking the olive inside her mouth. Once she chewed and swallowed, she placed the pick on the table. Kim was truly appreciative of the time she spent with her best friend. They both were able to drink their nerves and emotions away the night prior, so now the playwright could present her true, authentic, and best self. The confidant, boss bitch that knew how to have a good time. Kimber Benson, an award-winning playwright and singer-songwriter, as well as an aspiring film director, producer, and actor. So much life to live, so little time. [color=c37f58]“Looks like you haven’t changed much,”[/colort] Kim said matter-of-factly, before asking, [color=c37f58]“How’s life treating the star of the show? Any big leads? Any milestones I should care about?”[/color] The smile on her face never wavered, even while she took a sip of her Manhattan. [color=FF94E2]”You know me, KB. All the worlds a stage,”[/color] He began. [color=FF94E2]“I just finished up on Hamilton though. Felt like I was back on one of your shows to be honest. Nobody plays a villain quite like me.”[/color] It was true, that the curly haired man had a knack for always being the bad guy. It was a trait that he had carried throughout his entire performing career. Maybe it was just so easy to hate him? Who knew? In spite of the acclaim he had gathered over the years, Max would stand by the fact that the best work he ever did was in Kim’s [i]Hateful Ever After.[/i] Raising an eyebrow, Kim listened to Max, as he did his thing and talked about his achievements and how he had a knack for playing the bad guy. Teasingly, the playwright inquired, [color=c37f58]“Have you [i]finally[/i] found that special someone or is it still you and Vann living in a forever fever dream? Please do tell. We both know how much you love to talk.”[/color] He was somewhat taken aback by the forwardness. Max and Kim had been duelling against one another for the better part of five years. It was a game that only they could play and of course, the minute they met, the game was back on. Maxi had no idea whether or not to be terrified or turned on. [color=FF94E2]”I’m still waiting on you, Kim. Waiting for that wedding invitation so I can turn up wearing white and do what I do best. Steal. The. Show.”[/color] [color=c37f58]“I am dating someone.”[/color] Kimber shrugged, knowing well enough that the person she liked was just a passing moment, someone to go on dates with until she had to say goodbye. [color=c37f58]“Though that’s going to end soon since I’m moving out of the big apple.”[/color] Kim smiled to herself, feeling the excitement of her next endeavor. She was also looking forward to being closer to Lili. Last night made her realize how nostalgic it all was, how much Lili felt like home. She missed her terribly, which only meant another reason to move sooner rather than later. [color=FF94E2]”Really? That’s interesting.”[/color] Max was a little shocked by both her statements. [color=FF94E2]”Why are you leaving? Your shows are doing big numbers and getting some great reviews.”[/color] He stopped himself, having now revealed he was fully aware of her Big Apple escapades. He took a drink from his glass, fully committing to the breaking of the ruse now. Why the fuck not? Kim had the ability to see through his bullshit anyway. [color=FF94E2]”Or are you finally heading to Hollyweird to write for the CW?”[/color] Staring at Max, with her sharp, dark eyes, she contemplated her life thus far, realizing it was kind of bittersweet to be at a reunion full of people she used to know. Some survived the years, but most faded away like stars before the sun. In all honesty, she never had a bond like she had with Max. She would never admit it but him, just by existing and paving his own path to inspire other King’s Academy students to immortalize their name, helped her come to terms with her own strengths, and weaknesses. He made herself aware and oddly enough, she was appreciative for that. What the hell did Lili put in her drinks last night? She was actually feeling things beyond spite for this eyesore of a man. [color=c37f58]“You know for damn sure my writing is better than whatever shows they have on CW.”[/color] Her eyes trailed past Max to observe the energetic duo behind him acting like no time had passed. Part of her wished no time had passed. To be young forever, in a period that was simply about having fun and being a kid. Her career life was more than together, she had good friends and a good network of people, but she still felt like she was lacking. Maybe that’s why the move was so important to her. Maybe, part of her just wanted a new environment, surrounded by new people to find that person she truly clicks with. Dating was one thing but falling in love and intertwining each other’s future to make one? That was what life was truly about. She could write about all these raw emotions and yet still not personally have lived through it. That’s why it was easy to write struggles and drama, the focus in the end was never about love but overcoming obstacles. [color=c37f58]“To answer your question, yes.”[/color] She took another sip of her drink before continuing, [color=c37f58]“I’m changing platforms and writing work to go on the big screen. I could do that anywhere but…”[/color] Bashfully, her eyes grew distant, as she thought of the things she wanted and more. [color=c37f58]“I need change.”[/color] Coming back from the vaults of her mind, switching on the confidence again, Kim smiled, [color=c37f58]“How about you? You say the world is your stage and yet you limit your talent to broadway. Is New York enough for Maxwell Bedlam?”[/color] Maybe the reality was that he had matured since their last meeting? Or perhaps it was simply Kim’s presence but either way, for the first time in a long time, Max wanted to be brutally honest. [color=FF94E2]“The world’s not enough, chica.”[/color] He responded with his best Scarface impersonation. Truth be told it wasn’t too much of an impersonation considering the type of work some of Maxi’s family was involved in. The Montero clan were well known throughout the Miami underworld. [color=FF94E2]“Venturing out has crossed my mind. Tried writing a few things. Done a few tv auditions. I’m either not white enough or Hispanic enough…not gay enough. At least on the stage, I know that there isn’t anyone out there that can do what I do.”[/color] Placing her glass down, a lot harder than she meant to, Kim crossed her arms and gave Max that look he knew all too well. A perplexed look that told him she didn’t agree with his attitude. [color=c37f58]“So what now? You’re just going to give up?”[/color] After all this time, he was still hitting the same wall, his own imagined limitations. [color=c37f58]“To be something, you have to [i]live[/i]. And I don’t mean fucking whoever and doing whatever gives you a temporary high. You want something permanent? You fight for that bitch. You think getting my plays seen was a walk in the park? Fuck no.”[/color] It was clear Kim was extremely passionate about her experiences. [color=c37f58]“My best play I ever made, you know it very well, was ripped to pieces in college. All that confidence I thought I had? Right out the fucking door. Imagine being the daughter of two writers and realizing you might not be as good as you thought you were.”[/color] Unlatching her arms, she grabbed her drink, switching her crossed leg position. After taking a deep sip, she disclosed, [color=c37f58]“I was a barista starting off, and I really thought hey maybe I should give up. What’s the point if I’m never going to be good enough?”[/color] Kim knew since childhood she was an observer, someone meant for backstage, never the limelight. She was understated and muted in comparison to her classmates so she always struggled internally, thinking she was invisible. [color=c37f58]“You know what helped me?”[/color] She paused, speaking completely from the heart —pure, raw, and vulnerable. Kim realized she was talking way too much and towards Max of all people. Maybe he didn’t want to hear any of this. Maybe she bore him to tears. Maybe she was preaching to the choir… And yet, she was completely herself and comfortable with Max, having faith he’d handle her words with strides. She admired him and believed in his character even when he was a thorn on her side. [color=c37f58]“You did. It was this random lonely night where I was eating Chinese and just staring at my laptop screen. I thought about you—”[/color] She glanced away briefly before quickly covering her words up with sarcasm, [color=c37f58]“—I know shocker. But the time you saw me… getting cold feet with my play. You called me an absolute bitch but you also said I was talented and that you believed in me.”[/color] Adjusting her position, realizing her dress rose up, Kim sat on her words [i]you saw me[/i] and blushed. Did she actually just go on a tangent? Did she actually just admit to Max that he randomly entered her mind when she was alone? Did she actually inadvertently reveal she cared about him? What the fuck was she on. Clearing her throat and looking away once more, embarrassed now, she pushed onward and encouraged, [color=c37f58]“Well, Max, you’re an absolute bitch but you’re literally one of the most talented people I know so… don’t give up.”[/color] [i]The fuck was this?[/i] Kimber Benson just blasted him with all kinds of info that his brain and heart now had to compute. He had secretly been following her success all this time, of course he had. It was true symbiosis, their relationship. There as a constant giving and taking away. Pep talks and idle threats. It had been that way for years. Max loved Vann and Yas, he was bros with Nate and Spike but Kim…that was a different type of animal. Something electric and dangerous was between them, sweetness and toxicity. At a loss for words and as she always did, Kim had given Max a lot to think about. Unable to promote how he was feeling, the performer defaulted to his usual state but this time, there was a soft sincerity to what he was about to say. [color=FF94E2]“Before this all ends in a tragedy for for Shakespeare, I want you to know, you look beautiful tonight.”[/color] Rolling her eyes, in a playful manner, Kim gave a very kind and genuine smile, full of warmth and delight. She accepted what had happened. Opening her mouth, to return the compliment, she stopped before she could say anything when the sound of a ringtone she knew well resounded in her clutch. [color=c37f58]“I… have to take this.”[/color] She said apologetically, before removing herself from the bar. [color=c37f58]“It’s nice seeing you Max! I’m sure we’ll talk again.”[/color] Once she waved goodbye, she picked up the phone, [color=c37f58]“Hey babe, what’s up?”[/color] and walked away to a quieter area, far away from the bar. [color=FF94E2]“Well that happened.”[/color] Maxi shook his head before dropping onto a nearby stool and downing the remnants of his drink. He slid it further down the bar and looked up at the employee that stood before him. [color=FF94E2]“Sweetheart I’m gonna need the strongest fucking thing you have….maybe two of them. Fuck it three is a nice number. Chop, chop kemohsabe.”[/color] He clapped his hands between every syllable of that final word as his hazel eyes drifted towards the departing Kim. Nothing had changed. She was still the only person that saw who he really was. That fucking sucked.