Yellow Submarine

[russ]

Dark hair whipping gently against his forehead in the wind, Russ sat in the stern of the rented sailboat anchored in the Gulf of Mexico off the Mississippi coast, staring out with a bit of dismay at the calm water. The boat was anchored so he and Cassidy were not set adrift, but Russ had only conceded to a calm day out on the water because there was not much else to be had. It felt ages since he had been out with his team, the one thing he missed about Georgetown and Chester, but the sound of flapping sails, smell of salt air, and no one in sight was enough to free his mind from everything that had been happening.

Maybe it was ironic that he called up the source for the last ‘serious’ situation the escapist had run away from. But Cassidy White was the only person he knew who had the resources to come to him at the drop of a hat. Who would. Who might. Despite having kept in contact with her over the last four months, it felt like ages since he had talked to her. Maybe that was because he was having the crap worked out of him. Maybe that was because there was more there than he liked to have admitted given his current circumstances.

Sliding his sunglasses back on, Russ’s blue windbreaker lashed against his skin. The sun was warm, but fought against the steady breeze to keep the temperature just above chilly. Letting out a heavy sigh, Russ fidgeted with his empty pocket, remembering that his cell phone was down below in case of incident. That wasn’t why Cassidy was down below. With a sigh, he wondered how long she was going to be. He certainly had not convinced her to come out to Mississippi, of all inexplicable places, to set off on an afternoon sail together so he could be left to the own devises of his wandering mind. Because, as of late, even his mind had not managed to free itself from the realities of the world.

Tag: Cassidy White
Word Count: 348
Wearing: Lookit the lovely graphic by Cass

[cewhite]

Cassidy was rummaging through her suitcase. She’d felt the urge to change and opted for her black, one-piece tube top bathing suit. Being anything but graceful, she struggled to get into her new bathing suit in the tiny bathroom of the rental boat Russ had picked out for them. A pleasant little thing, not much compared to the ones she’s owned in her life time but still, never the less, nice. It had actually come to her as a surprise when she picked up her cell phone only to hear Russ’s voice on the other end. They had little contact since their last encounter five months ago and to be frankly honest, Cassidy thought that would be the last of him. But, she was more than happy to drop what she was doing, and pay and an old friend a visit, if he was even that. Old friend may be an exaggeration. No one might guess, but they’d only known each other for a total of a month or so.

Letting out a sigh, feeling she couldn’t make herself up much better than she already was, she made her way through the small hallway and into the kitchen/dining area. From the icebox, she grabbed two bottles of cold beer. She took the time to open them and add a slice of lime in both. She’d imagine if he hadn’t called and invited her out for this little outing, she’d be back in Chicago (in the cold), roaming a large mansion to herself, alone. This scenario was definitely a much more pleasant situation than that one. She couldn’t help but think it was rather good timing on his part. A moment later, she made her way upward, refreshments in hand.

The light caught her eyes as she emerged from the cabin. She had to squint because her sunglasses sat lightly on top of her head, and her hands full to do anything about it. “Hey,” she said softly as she handed him a bottle.

STATS
TAG ;; russ
WORDS ;; 333
OUTFIT ;; swimsuit
MUSE ;; meh...could be better
NOTE ;; xD

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[russ]

It was all very surreal, being out on the open water with Cassidy. After literally living together for a month, being practically inseparable, and then having contact only through the bouts of texting and a few calls, even Russell felt a little awkward. That could have a lot to do with his current circumstance though. He was a talker, there was no doubt about that, but how much was he really able to talk to her about? To anyone about? For the first time in his life, he felt bad for the relief he had felt when his great-grandfather passed away so many years ago. He could talk to Helena, sure, but she was at the heart of all this. For once, Russ saw the drawback of finding himself in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar faces. And now that he was with one that he had shared endless conversations with before, even he felt a barricade between his brain and mouth.

The trip out to find their own private spot, where land was a distant sight, had been carefree. With Russ at the rudder, working to keep the wind in their sails and headed in the right direction, conversation had been minimal. It was the one time that Russ had to concentrate fully without talking, short of calling out a command. But once they had found a location in the clear water, where a group of dolphins seemed fond of hovering and playing in the waves, the beloved activity could no longer serve as a distraction. Every moment that passed agitated another jittery nerve, as Russ knew Cass was bound to emerge at any moment.

He did not expect that moment to bring with it a fresh provocation of memories from their month together in New York. Because when that fair friend came back to the stern, she was no longer in an innocent little lacey top that betrayed what he really knew about her. Which was not as much as he thought he did, but still. He was right glad that he had a dark pair of shades on to conceal the fact that he was looking right at her, even though this was easily discoverable when he reached his hand out for a Corona without missing a bit or the slightest sign of hesitation. With a grin, he considered the prepared drink. [white] “Always so fancy. I wondered what you were up to. Didn’t expect me to toss you in?”[/white] Leaning forward, Russ lifted his sunglasses to watch three dolphins swim under the boat. [white] “Pretty cool, huh? Not as fun as keeping upright in waves, but I guess it’ll do.”[/white] Pulling the slice of lime off the rim of the bottle, he squeezed the juice into it and then shoved the rind down into the amber liquid before taking a long drink and casually checking out Cassidy’s swimsuit and nodding,[white] “That’s unusually modest.”[/white]

Tag: Cassidy
Words: 480
Wearing: Lookit the lovely graphic by Cass
Muse: Pretty good I think.
Note: I’m not a punk, you are.

[cewhite]

It was nice, this little outing with Russell. She’d actually been really excited and had looked forward to this trip from the moment he had suggested it over the phone. Although, quite frankly, she wasn’t sure why she was so excited. They had only spent a month together, after all, and that was five months ago. A few hello’s here and there but that was about it. What exactly was she expecting from this trip? To be honest, she wasn’t sure. She’d played different possible scenarios inside her head of their meeting, what they’d talk about, and what they’d do. She imagined the moment she saw him, she’d run to him and fling herself around his neck. Did that actually happen? No, to be quite honest, it was more a solemn greeting. She’d been excited and giddy and gave him a hug but not nearly as enthusiastic as she had pictured it. In fact, the whole trip thus far was nothing like she imagined. Russ wasn’t as she remembered. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had just hyped him up in her own little mind. Such pleasant memories, even within that short period of time, perhaps weren’t as spectacular as she remembered. But how could she be for sure?

Once Russ took the drink from her hand, she was allowed to lower her sunglasses, blocking some of the sun from her light eyes. She picked the lime from the rim of her bottle, although not immediately squeezing the juices into her drink. She gave a little laugh at his fancy comment. Never her intention but she’d take it as a compliment. Her gaze then followed his towards the dolphins. She had to say, she was quite amazed. Even a rich snob like herself could admire nature and its beauties. She climbed on to the seat, supporting her weight on her knees. She placed the hand holding the bottle against the edge of the boat, while the other still held the lime, and stuck her head over the side of the boat. “Pretty amazing!” she exclaimed, but in all her excitement, she dropped her lime, and with a light plop it disappeared to the depths of the ocean. She turned her head to look up at Russ. “Well, you might have to toss me in now...or do dolphins like lime?” she smiled teasingly. “And,” she added as an afterthought, “I could go more proactive, you know,” she winked at him.

STATS
TAG ;; russ
WORDS ;; 410
OUTFIT ;; swimsuit
MUSE ;; meh...could be better
NOTE ;; xD

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[russ]

It was not entirely Cass’s fault that their reunion started out solemnly. Russ wasn’t exactly the same as the last time she had been with him, not even the same as last she had spoken to him before he called up and proposed this outing. So her curbed enthusiasm probably had a great deal to do with him not jumping out of his rental car and spinning her about in unhindered excitement for seeing her face again. It was not that he was not happy. He was. But not near as much so as he slowly eased into the familiarity of her presence. Was this to be the way all the ‘relationships’ he built along the way of his travels would turn out? Even if these new friends were waiting for him in numerous locations, were they really still there for him? It was easy to imagine that people were going to stay the same when you knew deep down you were never going to see them again.

In that regard, Cassidy was different. It was sort of difficult to completely ignore a person when you had spent a month living and breathing for them. So they were never officially an item, but for that month if you got one, you got the other. She had filled an empty gap for him… one that would probably lead some to raise a brow at them having slept together a number of times. And for that, he knew she could go more provocative. She was certainly not lacking in that department. She was actually being very merciful to him for the time being, and he laughed, glancing down to watch the lime drift away past an uninterested dolphin. [white] “I think you’re better off letting that one go. I’ll toss you in later.”[/white]

Swirling his slice of lime about in the bottom of his drink for a moment, Russell offered his drink to her with an outstretched arm. [white] “You can trade me. You know I take it with or without.”[/white] For a moment, Russ could swear he could feel his heart rate increase slightly. For crying out loud, it was only a drink. He seriously needed to get control on himself. He was never this nervous catching up with a friend. He was never nervous at all.

Tag: Cassidy
Words: 386
Wearing: Lookit the lovely graphic by Cass
Muse: Still truckin’.
Note: Think you can get another tonight? Come on, you know you wannna..

[cewhite]

She had missed him terribly. For one whole month, they were inseparable. They had come to know each other so intimately. Cassidy had never met a man like Russ before, not one that would devote himself so entirely to her and in such a way that she could do the same for him in return. It was a bit frightening to begin with but as the time between them passed, she grew to feel comfortable, perhaps too comfortable. Regardless, it was a disappointing shock when he came to her about his plans to leave. From the bottom of her heart, Cassidy wanted to stop him, but she had no rights over him and despite making minor suggestions that he should stay, it seemed his decision was made. And so, reluctantly, she accepted his decision.

She turned in her seat and plopped right next to him. “I’ll take you down with me,” she grinned although that was unlikely. She knew, despite not admitting it out loud, that he was much stronger that she was and by the looks of it, he seemed to have bulked up in the past 5 months they were away from each other. She couldn’t help but let out a carefree laugh. Perhaps it was invoked by the wish of hoping things would go back to as it were. When they felt they could be themselves with each other.

“Trade?” she looked up at Russ curiously but nodded. She was rather particular about her drinks. So, she offered her own drink to him and raised her other arm to reach out and grab for his. For a moment, a silence came over them, and instead of following her instincts and taking a drink, she couldn’t help but stare at Russ for a moment. “I missed you,” she said in a soft voice.

STATS
TAG ;; russ
WORDS ;; 305
OUTFIT ;; swimsuit
MUSE ;; mai steam is running out...
NOTE ;; xD

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[russ]

Smiling lightly, Russ could not help raise a brow. But the silence that ensued was not for lack of an argument. True enough he could get her small frame in that water with enough time for her to keep screaming in protest, especially now, but the chances were that he would jump in after her. No, he was quiet because when she adjusted, her arm not only brushed against his, but he could see right down the front of her tube top suit. While she might need to sport a two-piece with some other guys, Russ was all too familiar with every bit that one-piece concealed. And he was trying desperately not to think about it. Especially when she joined him so closely with the whole boat at her disposal.

Allowing Cass to relieve him of his drink, Russ could not help feeling a sense of fondness for her. Even for her particularities, with things having to be a certain way and up to certain standards, Russ had never felt pressured to be more than he was with her. Never felt as though he was lacking in some way because he didn’t bring down the money her parents did. Few people did, to be fair. And she was always very generous with him in their time together. Heck, she was probably just out here on a sailboat because of the novelty of it. He knew she was used to yachts with closets the size of most citizen’s bedrooms.

No, she had never made him feel so uncomfortable as she was with staring at him like that. Last time he remembered feeling like that was the night they met. The night that initiated the possibility of him spending a month with her ages later. But when she confessed her thoughts, Russ could not help a laugh. Nudging her gently in the arm with his elbow, he nodded. [white] “You better have.”[/white] Taking a long, calming drink, he reached out his arm and pulled her into his side snuggly by the shoulders. [white] “Now tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself. You know, like the stuff you can’t say over the phone. Do your parents still think you’re in Harvard?”[/white] Grinning slightly, he shook his head. [white]“I think I might have been a bad influence on you. Not everyone can get into a school like that, you know, Cass.”[/white]

Tag: Cassidy
Words: 392
Wearing: Lookit the lovely graphic by Cass
Muse: Still truckin’.
Note: You know you wanted this, despite forbidding me from posting again tonight.

[cewhite]

Her gaze fell from him as he laughed. She unenthusiastically took a quick sip from her bottle meanwhile he was taking his long, calming one. She drank with such effort that seemed forced more than it was natural. The bottle suddenly felt a little heavier than it was just a few seconds ago. And although the gesture that followed might have set a few butterflies free in the bottom of her stomach, instead, she felt a slight weight come down on her shoulders. It wasn’t exactly the response she had anticipated, a soft ‘I missed you too’. Then again, nothing thus far was as she had anticipated, and why she was hoping this one time would be different. Perhaps, deep down, she still had a little ounce of hope that even after all this time, he’d still feel the same way he did for her five months ago. She still couldn’t get over the fact that she had felt rather foolish when her excitement was not met with his own. She’d tried to play it cool as best she could but she expected Russ would notice. Or perhaps, she’d given him more credit than was deserved. A thought she was scared to think of. And if Russ didn’t know, in some small way, he had just rejected Cassidy.

“Oh,” she let out a little laugh to distract her mind. “Yea, my parents still think I’m at school. Little miss perfect, studying her life away.” She shrugged slightly, and perhaps, subconsciously to loosen his grip and her shoulders a bit. She gave him a big smile. “Hey, it’s no ordinary feat to get into Georgetown either. But, I must add, I’ve been having a blast. I’ve been to places I’ve never been before. It’s all really quite fascinating,” for a moment, she’d forgotten his hurtful gesture, or the lack there of and her eyes lit up. But something brought her crashing down to earth. “And don’t call me Cass, you know I don’t like it,” she scrunched his nose up at him, and took a quick sip of her beer.

STATS
TAG ;; russ
WORDS ;; 349
OUTFIT ;; swimsuit
MUSE ;; you need to stop buggin' they're not as good xD
NOTE ;; xD

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[russ]

Nothing had changed between them. Though things felt awkward and out of place, especially if Cassidy was subtly trying to get him to let her go, nothing was really amiss. No matter how much either of them thought the other was acting abnormally, they were both exactly the way that they always were. Even if neither had ever seen it. This was greatly to do with Russ’s misconception of her. To him Cassidy was a bit of a snob, but apart from that she could do no wrong. So it came as a bit of surprise to him that she was acting so stiffly. Sure, she was laughing, sure she was smiling, but underneath she seemed different. Not different at all, but he had never been in the position to see how she acted when a person started shifting focus off of her. If he had the slightest clue that this was what was wrong, he might have just forgotten his own expectations of her. Disappeared into the crowd like he did with so many before and after her. He had no idea that her interest in him extended little beyond a warm body and a very focused personality.

Withdrawing his arm had little to do with Cassidy trying to shrug him off. When she got him thinking about Georgetown, he did have to wonder if a sport scholarship really was any less impressive than a school accepting a girl because of her parents’ money. She was bright enough, but she did have that little stunt she had played in high school to wreck her perfect grades. Places like Harvard did not ignore things like that. But Russ never brought that up. Not only because of her relationship with her parents, but also because he had no room to talk. The nature of their outing was a testament to what got him into school.

Half laughing, Russ stiffened his back to mock her. Dropping his voice further in his throat, [white] “Oh right, always Cassidy, always proper. Always just so.”[/white] Relaxing with a grin, and knowing that she did not really appreciate him teasing her about things that were true, Russ took another drink and stared over the top of the cabin at the endless blue and the distant horizon no one could ever catch. Giving her just a moment to ‘forgive’ him for his little joke and having leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, he glanced back at her thoughtfully. A heavy earnest befell his face, as it always did whenever he was not smiling because of the nature of his eyes, an he glanced her over from forehead to chin, and back again to her mouth before nodding slightly. [white] “It’s good to see a familiar face again.”[/white] Glancing down uncertainly into the bottle hanging carelessly from his hand, he furrowed his brow. [white] “This traveling thing… it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, after awhile.”[/white]

Tag: Cassidy
Words: 488
Wearing: Lookit the lovely graphic by Cass
Muse: Aight.
Note: I will ALWAYS bug.

[cewhite]

Cassidy resisted the urge to get up and away from Russ. A small pocket of irritation started to grow at the pit of her stomach. A sort of discomfort that she knew, if not tended to, would just keep growing and the rest of their trip would not end on a bright note, not that it was so full of cheeriness to begin with. It was only a joke, she knew it but it was not the right time to poke fun at her, especially when she was already feeling so vulnerable. Even if it weren’t true in reality, to Cassidy, she had opened up to him in a way that she felt deserved a sort of emotional attention to from Russell, but that was not provided. And with doors open, it was like Russ had seized that opportunity to allow the dirt and grim of the world to fill her clean halls, and by stepping away from him, it would’ve been a physical act that meant she had shut her doors on him. Regardless of how he felt, she wasn’t concerned anymore. She’d come to this trip in hopes to ask questions. One in particular, why he had called her of all people. Cassidy had felt rather privileged that he wanted to see her. It never crossed her mind that it was probably because she was the only one who could drop everything and fly down to see him at such short notice. In her mind, he wanted to see her and that alone. Her second thought had been something awful had happened to Russell. She was concerned for him. Something must’ve happened or he was going through a rough time, why else would he call her? But those thoughts and concerns were now shoved to the back of her mind. He was no longer her concern but only herself. She was left out in the cold and by the one person, she made up in her mind to believe he would not.

She sat there slowly brooding to herself; her gaze had been so intent on nothing that it missed the fact that Russell was now staring at her. For if she had, it might have made her lose track of her mind and not put so much concern on the negative but enough pause to falter her perceptions. Her gaze, not all that far from his, her eyes only had to shift slightly to focus her attention on the boy. “Is that why you called me? To see a familiar face?” she asked curiously but with a cold heart that gripped her. She was almost scared of his answer. She’d want to be more than just a familiar face.

STATS
TAG ;; russ
WORDS ;; 452
OUTFIT ;; swimsuit
MUSE ;; meh...could be better
NOTE ;; xD

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