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[sub][color=dimgray][color=15603A][b]Trixie[/b][/color] & [color=997fdb][b]Marshall[/b][/color]
In the morning, during school hours at [b]Sunset Castle[/b]
Collab with [@Silent Observer][/color][/sub]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/pdbVUrB.png?1[/img][/center]
[indent]If Marshall wasn’t the gayest boy to ever exist in the teen drama that was set at their school — eye candy, with the right air to him that has earned him a standing ovation on numerous occasions — and if Trixie wasn’t still fixated on her seasoned warrior ex, the lion she knew who had more courage than any person combined, who was breathlessly sexy and made her reevaluate her life in a way no one else could, this would’ve been a perfect wet dream. For boys and girls alike. But, he is [i]very[/i] gay and she is [i]very[/i] hung up on her ex, so their nakedness was a non-issue, for them.  

Both Trixie and Marshall had been given a massage by the twins and now they were in a large, spacious room with a variety of pool options, including a hydrotherapy one. The lioness was given a splendid massage from Luna, so she didn’t think it was necessary for hydrotherapy… but aromatherapy, on the other hand. The pool that drew Trixie near was the [url=http://balihellotravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bali-spa-flower-bath.jpg]flower bath[/url], which emitted the warmth and atmospheric mood of a hot spring, but also was surrounded by romantic candles. They were the only ones on the co-ed floor (which was the third floor), since the second floor split into two, for distinct genders. The bottom floor was for the salon,  but it also led to the backyard, which had outdoor spa anementies for their guests as well. 

Usually in the co-ed area, it was required to wear a bathing suit, but Julie said she’d close it off for them for a couple of hours, making a simple excuse that there was an accident and the janitors were getting it cleaned up. Julie wanted her niece to have her mind at peace for once, and she knew that the crowd didn’t help her sister’s mini-me with that. Peace of mind also included unlimited, complimentary alcoholic beverages. Both high schoolers could get behind that, even if they were underage. It wasn’t like they didn’t have ‘adult supervision’.

In Trixie’s hand, as she sauntered her way to the pool adorned with an immense amount of petals, was a delicious [url=https://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pina-Colada-5.jpg]pina colada[/url]. One of her preferred day drinks. She wore a beige, silk bathrobe that complimented her latin curves, but not for too long. It was only necessary while they walked out in the halls. Now, they were alone together, in a room that had pools, saunas, and a view of the gardens out in the back. 

After placing her glass down on the edge of the pool, she smoothly undid her robe and let it drop to the ground, exposing her nude back. Her entire body out for display but only for her gay friend, Marshall, who was trailing behind her in much better spirits. Oddly seductive, she turned her head, looking over her shoulder, and smiled, [b][color=15603A]“Just what the doctor prescribed, don’t you think?”[/color][/b] And with that, she dipped her toe in the pool to feel the heat, before stepping down into the pool and taking her seat. Being inside the pool gave her a better look at the colors that overlapped with vibrancy. Her fingers gently touched the perfumed scales, as she waited for her friend to join her. 

Marshall followed behind Trixie at a leisurely pace, he wasn’t in any rush. Why would he be? This place was better than heaven itself, not that he fancied himself much of a religious person. If church involved more naked spa time… then maybe he would be, but it didn’t. The spa also had much more to offer than skunky church wine — Marshall instead sipped at a decadent [url=https://i.imgur.com/Qxkdq8S.png]peach bellini[/url]. When his pixie-girl turned to address him, he agreed wholeheartedly. 

[color=997fdb][b]“Ugh, abso-fucking-lutely. I vote we just… never leave.”[/b][/color] Marshall said as he followed her lead in stripping himself of the silky beige robe. Unlike most boys in their grade would have done, his gaze didn’t linger on her nude form in the slightest. He instead swished a foot in the water and let the healing warmth greet him. Humming with sheer delight, he stepped all the way into the pool. The heated water wrapped around his body like the best of hugs and Marshall nestled himself into the rounded seat-like indent in the pool. He had become the epitome of [i]cozy[/i]. Breathing in the floral aroma, Marsh smile blissfully. [color=997fdb][b]“It’s magical, Pix.”[/b][/color]

[b][color=15603A]“To think, I’m just a house away and I haven’t used the spa nearly as much as I should.”[/color][/b] Previous times she was here, she was helping her aunt out downstairs. The downside of popularity, at least for her, was making time to relax and cater to herself. The years were kind of a blur since she told her mom that she wanted to go to school in LA, now that she thought about it. From her lustful addiction for her ex, to her obligation to her cousins and the school, when was the last time she truly, deeply treated herself? Well, there was the Hummingbird Creations, but that was only a temporary escape every so often from the chaos, where she could read and write. This felt like the first time, in a long time, that she had set aside time to make her body, mind, and soul happy. At peace. [b][color=15603A]“And you know [i]eventually[/i] we’ll have to leave. But that isn’t right now and I’m sure as hell not thinking about leaving anytime soon.”[/color][/b] She reached for her glass and took the pineapple garnish off of it, to nibble on delectable, tart fruit. She was already [i]pretty[/i] tipsy, but not drunk enough to where she’d make bad decisions like spamming her ex’s phone. 

[color=997fdb][b]“I suppose we will have to show our faces at the Helmsley soirée [i]eventually[/i].”[/b][/color] Marshall pondered the idea of going to the party. We wasn’t quite in his cups enough to be able to enjoy that, given the morning he’d had. Especially not if Jamie was going to be there. Or AJ. Worse yet, if both of them would be there… [i]together[/i]. In an attempt to blink away that mental image, Marshall gulped down more of his drink. Eager to distract his mind, he would instead ask about the topic of their silent truce this morning, now that is was just the two of them. [color=997fdb][b]“So… Owen’s locker this morning? You wanna talk about it, or nah?”[/b][/color]

Trixie put the pineapple skin on the marble ledge and allowed herself to chew before she responded. She knew it was going to be brought up sooner or later. Yet, she didn’t mind talking. She didn’t get to talk often about her inner turmoil and so far, it’s been with either people she wasn’t necessarily close with like Elodie and Isaac, or with her cousins, Lu and Stel. Even then she filtered her words. 

She wished she could bring down all her defenses and tell someone everything that was going on. It was hard, though. Finding someone to completely trust when one thing you say could immediately be turned against you. She’d talk… she didn’t know how honest she’d be, but she would talk and make an earnest attempt to tell him what was going on in her. [b][color=15603A]“I was returning a favor.”[/color][/b] He left her things in her locker and she did the same thing for him. Left her things in his locker. It made sense at the time, since she knew that wasn’t how he wanted things to end. If she left his things, rather than her own, that would mean they both were finally done with each other… she didn’t know if she could accept that reality. [b][color=15603A]“He left something for me, and so I too, did the same thing.”[/color][/b] This was a start. She wasn’t lying, but she was being extremely vague. 

Marshall nibbled on the slice of booze-infused peach from the rim of his glass. The alcohol mixed with the temperature of the beverage gave the fruit and interesting duality of cool burn as he swallowed it down. [color=997fdb][b]“Oh?”[/b][/color] He responded with a quirked brow, clearly curious. Were they starting to patch things up between them? Why else would they be leaving each other things? [color=997fdb][b]“Like… gifts? That sounds like a good thing. But, your face wasn’t really reading ‘good thing’ earlier…”[/b][/color]

[b][color=15603A]“Maybe more of a… gamble.”[/color][/b] Trixie could feel her stomach turn with the thought of what her message could lead to. [b][color=15603A]“To patch things up, of course!”[/color][/b] She brought her drink to her lips and took a long gulp of the cold drink, before blurting out in tipsy emotion, [b][color=15603A]“The last time we had a moment, which wasn’t even a moment, was when he was going to kill you. How the hell do I extend an olive branch when I can’t even look at him without wanting to cry?”[/color][/b]  

Ever the intent listener, Marshall nodded along with her words. A gamble? Gambles of the heart were risky, especially with someone as volatile as Owen. Marshall couldn’t blame her though, the heart wants what it wants. He could only hope to support his friend. Marsh smiled faintly when she mentioned patching things up. Wouldn’t that be nice? If only they could all just erase these past few months from existing, and go back to the way things were. And then, of course, she brought up the attempted murder. Marshall cringed. What was worse, was the look on her face when she admitted the emotional effect looking at Owen brought upon her. 

She looked like she wanted to cry then, and Marshall wouldn’t have that. He was usually a hugger in this type of a situation, but a naked pool hug was a bit too awkward, even for someone as bold as himself. He settled for the next best thing, and scooted a few spots over so that he was right next to Trixie, and then he leaned his head on her shoulder comfortingly. [color=997fdb][b]“I miss him too. I guess I kind of had a bit of a moment with him this morning myself. He scared the shit out of me, and I broke my best mug… but, he gave me tea. My favorite kind, too.”[/b][/color]

If there was one thing Owen was capable of doing, it was scaring people due to his building anger, but she knew deep down, he’d regret the moment he ever laid a finger on Marshall. Marshall was his best friend. It would be hard for him to erase the history they’ve created together. Owen’s willpower might be weak, but it was only because he felt alone and cornered in. Corner a dog, the dog may bite. Especially if the dog got angry like Owen does. [b][color=15603A]“He’s pretty good at remembering the things we love, isn’t he?”[/color][/b] Her eyes softened with the thought of his gestures. The note. His desire to get in contact with her, and not knowing how to approach it. 

After placing her glass down, she turned her body toward her friend, her face shifting with sudden seriousness, [b][color=15603A]“I’m going to see him. I haven’t really picked out a night, but I want to see him. I need to see him. I just… there’s so many things going on in my head right now, you’d think it would be easy to grab the courage to talk to him, right? But that’s like also the most daunting thing ever. I want to know things, I don’t want to know things. I’m scared, I’m not scared. I couldn’t give him a call last night because I really wanted to call him, but I convinced myself not to, so the only way for me to really take this on is if I just go and do it. Give myself no other choice but to hear his truth.”[/color][/b] At this point, Trixie felt like a blubbering mess and she hoped to god this didn’t get to either Ophelia or Hailey’s ears. But no more. No more playing this stupid game of pretend. She didn’t want to pretend anymore. She missed him so fucking much. 

Marsh lifted his head up when Trixie shifted to turn towards him. They were much closer now, and he was able to see the effects of their alcohol consumption in her eyes. That didn’t matter. Drunk words were sober thoughts, so they say. Marsh nodded and offered a soft, reassuring smile. [color=997fdb][b]“I think that’s a good idea, Pix. It’s totally understandable to be scared, sharing a heart for as many years as you two did, only to have it broken… that’s bound to leave a few scars. But they’re scars now, not fresh wounds. Truth will be good for you guys, I think — and I’m pretty sure I know you both well enough — but, I think that you both need to talk about it. Not talking is only hurting you more. You know?”[/b][/color] Marshall chewed on his lower lip. Now he was babbling, and he felt like he might have said too much. [color=997fdb][b]“Sorry if I’m like, overstepping, or anything. I just really love you. Both of you.”[/b][/color]

[b][color=15603A]“No, no, you’re fine, Marshall.”[/color][/b] Trixie brought one of her hands out the water to wipe a trailing tear from under her eyes.  [b][color=15603A]“I need to hear that. I haven’t heard such genuine words from a friend, in a while…”[/color][/b] And the thing was, Ophelia and Hailey were family, yet they were so caught up in her being angry and hating Owen. How can you hate someone you loved for years? How can you convince yourself it’s all over when it feels like the chapter is still being written?  [b][color=15603A]“I think my heart just needed to be ready. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, given our position… at the school.”[/color][/b] 

Which reminds her!  

[b][color=15603A]“How ‘bout you?”[/color][/b] Her sudden transition was complimented by her hand splashing in the water.  [b][color=15603A]“Why were you, as Stel’s puts it: a sad potato?”[/color][/b] He didn’t have to answer her if he didn’t want to, but she wasn’t going to say he had the option like he did for her. She wanted to know what was going on in Marshall’s world, and to see if she could help. 

Oh, jesus. In his tipsy state, he didn’t remember that the other half of their silent truce involved, well, [i]himself[/i]. As quick as ripping off a band-aid, Marsh blurted out the first thing that came to mind. [color=997fdb][b]“Your assistant editor sucks... and not at all in the way that I would like him to.”[/b][/color] That was it, he didn’t even mention Jamie by name. Marshall was just going to leave it at that, and sink beneath the water until it hopefully swallowed him up whole. But… Trixie was just completely raw and honest with him, she at least deserved the same level of transparency. Marsh sighed and took a few long swigs of his drink for courage. 

[color=997fdb][b]“Okay, no, there’s a bit more than that. Uhh—”[/b][/color] He looked up to the ceiling, as if it would offer him guidance. [color=997fdb][b]“Well, I’ve kind of been head over heels for Jamie since he interviewed me after the play last semester. For the paper. I mean, it was probably before then too, but we were both single then, and his hair does this thing now and — it was just then that I really [i]realized[/i] it, you know? But he’s got the world’s worst ex, which is intimidating, and he’s close to you, so I wouldn’t want things to get messy and… and everything’s just been a big miscommunication since that interview. And I thought he was into me too, but, he’s not. I found that out this morning, so… sad potato.”[/b][/color] Marsh finished with another sigh and actually did begin to lower himself to chin-level in the water now. His fingers absently toyed with a rose petal as a distraction.

The tipsy Trixie raised an eyebrow at this new intel that she obtained and, without hesitation, she went from emotional teenager to inquisitive journalist real quick, inquiring more to understand the story, [b][color=15603A]“How do you know? That he isn’t into you. Did he blatantly draw a line and say Marshall, there’s no chance in hell we’ll be together?”[/color][/b] Her body slowly sunk down into the therapeutic water, but her head still poked out. [b][color=15603A]“What happened this morning to make you give up? Does he even know you have feelings for him?”[/color][/b] Her face felt warm. This tub was nice and smelled really good. While her body was is heaven, her mind was curious. She shot questions at her friend from left to right, like there was no tomorrow.  

Marshall eyes closed tight at her inquiries. He thought that maybe if he closed his eyes, it would all go away. Unfortunately, his eyelids couldn’t keep out the mental picture of the scene that would forever be seared into mind’s eye. Marsh made a disgruntled, pouty noise before speaking. [color=997fdb][b]“He didn’t need to [i]say[/i] anything. Tongue wrestling with AJ right in front of me drew a pretty damn solid line. And… no, he didn’t know yet. I was going to tell him... maybe. I was at least going to imply it. But, wow, am I glad I didn’t now. It was mortifying enough to find out that he was secretly back with his ex, let alone having to find out right after admitting feelings. Woof...”[/b][/color] More alcohol, he needed more alcohol for this.

Trixie felt the need to make things light hearted, though she didn’t know if it was appropriate… that didn’t stop the words from escaping her lips. She popped up and gave a cheesy grin, [b][color=15603A]“I mean, if Owen came out of nowhere and stuck his tongue in me… woo! I don’t know if I could refuse.”[/color][/b] She brushed her hand in front of her, as if accepting that her mind had momentarily went into the gutter, but then she went back to being the friend that Marshall needed. Just a friend that felt really good from the alcohol. [b][color=15603A]“AJ Tyler, right? The guy that was doing the same thing with some random yesterday under the bleachers? Well, you wouldn’t know that, because I saw it… you should seriously talk to Jamie. He’s a goddamn pain in my ass, but when he decides on something, he doesn’t turn back. He broke up with AJ for a reason. I don’t think he’d take that back unless AJ really fucking redeemed himself, which would probably take way more than a couple of months.”[/color][/b] Nodding at her words, sounding eloquent and proud that she sounded that good, she reached for her glass to drink more.

[color=997fdb][b]“[i]Talk[/i] to him?”[/b][/color] Marshall’s eyes went wide, as if that was the craziest advice he’d ever heard. You know, the same advice that he’d just given her regarding Owen. Totally crazy. The brown-haired boy peeped up from the water long enough to finish off his drink. [color=997fdb][b]“I think I’d need to be high first. Or really drunk. Probably both.”[/b][/color]

[b][color=15603A]“Hey, meeeeee too! That’s why tonight would be perfect, don’t you think? We’ll go to the party, have a good time, making Jamie want you so bad that he’d be begging for a moment with you. Then wallah! You have your chance, to tell him to stop sucking in the way you don’t want!”[/color][/b] It was a bulletproof plan. At least in her [i]happy[/i] mind. [b][color=15603A]“We’re gonna grab our boys—”[/color][/b] Oops. No, Owen wasn’t her’s. [b][color=15603A]“—the boys and tell them how we really feel. How’s that sound?”[/color][/b] 

Marshall looked back at his friend with a raised brow and the faintest of smirks. Was this a game? No… it was a gamble. A gamble with their hearts, the dangerous kind, but the potential payout was so much more valuable than gold. [color=997fdb][b]“Deal. I’ll talk if you do.”[/b][/color]

[b][color=15603A]“You got it, handsome.”[/color][/b] She winked at Marshall, then brought her glass towards him, [b][color=15603A]“Cheers! We’ve got ourselves a date.”[/color][/b] Risky business, chasing the whim of love, lust, and all things in between, but that’s what made this worth their while. They were chasing what the heart wants. What their hearts wanted in this case, was in the form of two, very different boys, where their chances were getting dim, the more they prolonged communicating with them.

Despite the somber tones of their previous conversation, Marshall laughed at that. It was hard not to feel carefree here in paradise with good alcohol and an even better friend. [color=997fdb][b]“But first, I need another drink. More tropical fruity goodness. Oooh, and facials! We gotta arrive looking fresh as fuck, am I right?”[/b][/color]  

[b][color=15603A]“Trust me, we’re booked for the rest of the day until that party. But you know, I don’t mind getting kind of [i]dirty[/i] tonight.”[/color][/b] They’d be fresh for only a second, and then it’s straight to the dance floor where they’ll get sweat dripping down their bodies and their inner freaks would come out to play. If you don’t let loose, you aren’t partying right. [b][color=15603A]“As for more drinks, we should go back to the bar then go to our next stop.”[/color][/b]

[color=997fdb][b]“Dirty, hmm? I like the sound of that.”[/b][/color] Marshall mused with a devilish grin. He couldn’t let one bad morning ruin him, he was the star of the show, and the show [i]must[/i] go on. [color=997fdb][b]“Those boys can eat their hearts out wishing they were on the dance floor. I wonder if Josie will be there… we could have a dance off!”[/b][/color] Marsh beamed at the thought. [color=997fdb][b]“Yesyes, a trip to the bar and then our next stop!”[/b][/color] He paused in thought for a moment. [color=997fdb][b]“... what is our next stop?”[/b][/color] Did it involve pants? He was quite enjoying not wearing pants, so he hoped not. The robes were okay, though.

Hm. They could go to the saunas, or they could get something out of the way that absolutely needed to get done. [b][color=15603A]“While we’re feeling this good, lets get waxed! And then, yes, we can get facials to recover from the pain.”[/color][/b] That seemed like a reasonable course to go on. There were endless options, but waxing was probably the worst option… beauty, however, was pain. 

He hadn’t even considered the prospect of manscaping on this spa day. That might be a good idea if he was hoping to land his man tonight. That being said… that shit hurt like a bitch. [color=997fdb][b]“Oh man, this hot water has probably got our pores all open… it’s gonna be so owie,”[/b][/color] he pouted. [color=997fdb][b]“But okay. Now or never, right?”[/b][/color] Marshall sat up straight in preparation to get out of the pool.

Joining him in standing up, she pleasantly nodded, [b][color=15603A]“But first, the bar. Then now or never.”[/color][/b] Today was going to be a good day. All in preparation for tonight and, most importantly, a day that they both needed.

A treat yourself day.[/indent]