Bellz
What's your favorite scary movie?
Lorelei Costello
Natasha McCarthy
The Oak Tree Restaurant
~ Dublin City Centre, Dublin ~
Lorelei had been on cloud 9 in her blossoming relationship with Benjamin as of recently. After things had smoothed out with her parents, Lorelei was on speaking terms with them again and going over for weekly dinners once more. 6 days prior, Lorelei had celebrated Benjie's birthday and was so excited that Aidan had graciously gifted him a used car. Lorelei hadn't minded picking him up for their dates but she was so excited that he was free to go where he wished now without any sort of limitations that came with public transportation. Lorelei had gifted him with a watch as well as a meal whenever he had been available that day. Things within her family life had smoothed out as far as any issues between her parents and Benjie but just when she thought she would have some more freedom to do things, the Sullivans had been attacked.Natasha McCarthy
The Oak Tree Restaurant
~ Dublin City Centre, Dublin ~
Being under lockdown wasn’t something that Lorelei had ever experienced before but she wasn’t as irritated about it as the other cousins in her family were. Plans for dinner had been set with Benjie but they changed after the attacks and going to the restaurant he worked at ended up being the safest option for everyone involved. The pair had a lot of dates together alone as a couple and after the attacks, she had been talking with Natasha almost daily as a way for her to get what she needed out in the open. After hearing what happened to Leo, Lorelei felt inclined to help out her cousin and make sure that he was able to forget about what happened at least for a little bit. Benjie was so adorably sweet that he immediately agreed to let the other couple come along for their date.
Lorelei was excited when Benjie picked her up in his new car and as they drove to the restaurant she had made small talk about how much she liked it and how great of a driver he was. Once out of the car, Benjie wrapped his arm around her as they walked towards the restaurant. Knowing that they were early, the pair sat down in the waiting area and Lorelei let out a laugh as Benjie asked how she would rate her driver. ”10 out of 10, safest and most entertaining driver I’ve ever had. Not to mention the most handsome.” She teased him, moving a hand up to poke his cheek playfully before the man turned to glance at the clock on the wall.
Benjie asked if she had spoken much with Leo since the attack and Lorelei shook her head softly as she listened to him explain that Conor hadn’t been to the restaurant in over a week. The Morettis were a common name within her household and with the rest of her family but that name didn’t cease to leave an uneasy feeling within her. Lorelei leaned into Benjie’s arm a little more as she let out a sigh, "Leo’s been on the quiet side lately but I’ve been talking to Natasha almost every single day, she’s struggling to get him to talk to her which is why I thought it would be perfect to invite them both out to get their minds off of all that terrible shit that happened.” Lorelei murmured.
"I couldn’t imagine going through something like that and being able to forget it for a little while…but we have to try and do something right?” Lorelei asked.
with: Benjie Misty Gray
***
Natasha had never really dealt with a situation like the one that had transpired a week ago…sure there had been some trauma in her life when she was little but her memory failed to remember parts of it and for that, she had been grateful. Having to find Leo and Ali the way she had with Stella…was something that was going to stick with her for the rest of her life no matter how much therapy she would get. Blake had been adamant for her daughter to start seeing their family therapist twice a week and although Natasha had been going to therapy every 2 weeks since she was young she was sure it wasn’t going to help with the images she had in her head this time around. Despite the images that randomly jumped out at her time and time again, Natasha had done her best to pretend with her mother and everyone else around her that she was fine, especially around Leo. She knew just how much he needed to have someone who wasn’t dealing with their own shit at the moment and unfortunately, both Ali and Conor were dealing with just that. It wasn’t their fault but Leo needed someone he could depend on and Natasha had made a huge effort to be that someone lately. Lorelei helped immensely as she was someone she could talk to without worrying others around her, Natasha knew she could trust the redhead with any secrets she had.
Talking with Leo had been near impossible sometimes because he had been quieter about things than usual. When Natasha tried to get him to talk about what happened, to confide in her and let her in, he acted as though if nothing had happened. That was what scared her the most. Sure, she was doing the same thing to a degree but at least she was talking with her therapist and Lorelei about it behind closed doors. Leo wasn’t even doing that, purposefully isolating himself from reality and Natasha understood well what that could do to a person. He could be snappy at times but Natasha made sure to approach it all from a point of understanding and she hoped he understood that she was there for him, at least at this point in their relationship. The car ride over had been pleasant enough but it was quieter than usual. Once Leo had parked the car, Natasha reached for the door when he spoke up. Natasha turned her head to look at him, noticing how hard he was holding the steering wheel as he stared ahead at the car that was parked in front of them. He then turned to her and thanked her, which perplexed her for a moment.
Natasha looked deeply into his eyes for a long moment, understanding that he didn’t want to go further into detail about what he was thanking her for and the blonde nodded her head once. "You don’t have to thank me, love, but you’re welcome.” She murmured softly, slowly reaching a hand up to carefully caress his cheek. Hoping not to startle him, she kept her hand there for a long moment before clearing her throat, "We should get inside.” Natasha said before letting her hand fall as she turned to open her door and step out.
Once Leo was out of the car, Natasha moved to walk with him towards the restaurant, smiling as she saw Lorelei and Benjie waiting for them in the waiting area. "Hey guys, sorry we’re late. Is our table ready yet?”
with: Leo Melanin-Gxdess ; Benjie Misty Gray