“I guess I don’t really have an excuse for that one..” Lock laughed, “For a second there, I thought you were expecting me to sacrifice myself. You have burgers to eat and I have people to piss off.” he shook his head. “I’m sure they’re not having such a good day either.” he joked. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen My Little Pony, but if that’s what you’re in to..” he smirked at her. “But I hope you’re joking with those suggestions because I thought you would have something better than that.” he teased her. 

“That’s not an excuse. Gene isn’t coordinated either and he falls out the window all the time.” Louise paused, “Okay maybe I see your point. I still haven’t seen you as much as I should have so good luck finding an excuse for that one. Murders or not. Best friends don’t just leave the others hanging during the horror movies do they? No. They both get chopped into bits or sacrifice themselves for the other. I’d do the sacrificing bit here but I’m young and have a handful of burgers left to eat in the world so like…. if anyone has to go we’ll just be crafty and throw some kid we hate in front of us.” She questioned him, getting extremely close and standing on her tiptoes to prove a point. Louise frowned a small bit. “Damn dead people ruining my day. What do you suggest we do now then? Watch My Little Pony and gossip about the latest gossip like the stupid couples around here?”

A smirk appeared on his face as she was having trouble deciding what wasn’t true. He took a long drink before answering her. “Right...or technically wrong. But yeah, that was the lie. I’ve broken my arm before, but for different reasons. Okay, now your turn.” he took another drink, starting to feel a buzz. 

Shots and Talks | Lock & Ariel

“Okay, fair enough,” Ariel chuckled and nodded along. She pressed her lips together and squinted at him at a loss for which wasn’t true. “Shit,” she chuckled and took a drink, admitting the defeat. Swallowing, she took a guess for the hell of it, “You didn’t break your arm trying to break in somewhere?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, well then why didn’t you call me then? This one’s on you.” he teased her. “Thank you, I thought so.” he nodded and chuckled. “Okay, let me think..” he started. “I’ve gotten my license suspended before. I’ve broken my right arm trying to break into somewhere. And, I was almost sent to military school.” he said, starting off simple. 

Shots and Talks | Lock & Ariel

“Hey, hey, hey, last I checked, I won the bet and you were supposed to be my chauffeur.” Ariel took another drink as Lock spoke, trying not to laugh at his words. Ariel had a habit of laughing at everything when she was drunk, even more so than she was sober, and didn’t want the endless cycle to begin. “Good pick and even better reason,” she smiled and nodded. “You first.” 

“We could’ve. Considering I walked here, I should’ve just asked you for a ride.” he chuckled. “Up to me? Well this is a lot of responsibility you’re throwing on me. I’m not prepared.” not hiding the sarcasm in his voice, smirking. “Hm, might as well go with two truths and a lie. I’m going to drink regardless, so that wouldn’t be interesting.” he shrugged. 

Shots and Talks | Lock & Ariel

Ariel chuckled along and nodded as a way of confirming she felt the same about him being there. ”Likewise, y’know, we could’ve carpooled,” she said shaking her head and looking down before laughing. Ariel pressed her lips together at his question. “Well, that’s entirely up to you,” she said seriously as she took another drink and thought about two-person drinking games. “Okay,” said said smiling. “Two Truths and A Lie or Power Hour?”

Lock had made his way a house party, not really knowing who’s party it was, but that didn’t matter to him. The town had weird things happening to it, but this party would be something of a normalcy. As soon as he got there, he looked for something to drink, getting drunk was something he was very much looking forward to. He was in the middle of his third drink when he saw Ariel make her way over, letting out a small smile. “Likewise. But honestly I should’ve known you’d be here.” he chuckled. “What’s the game?” 

Shots and Talks | Lock & Ariel

@lock-archer

Saturday nights in Emporia were the closest thing to home that Ariel had found in the small town. She blamed the nostalgic feeling enveloped in a night on the fact they were filled with parties and people; she loved that no matter where she went, Saturday nights were always the same. Ariel had been at the house party for over an hour and was severely disappointed with her current state. She was A. drunk yet no where near as drunk as she wanted to be and B. bored as hell with the so-called company at the party. While there were a few entertaining people scatted about, her banter with them never lasted long, but that’s just what she should’ve expected at a Emporia party. Ariel looked around at the party once more, scanning for a face that could bring her salvation in the form of stimulation and once they landed on Lock, she smiled. Making her way over, Ariel took a seat and smiled to him, “I didn’t know you were here?” She paused for a moment before perking up, “Want to play a game?”

“Okay, I climbed through the window once, and I learned I’m not coordinated.” Learned, as if he didn’t already know he wasn’t coordinated. “From now on, I’m going through the door. What the hell is wrong with me? That’s a loaded question.” he laughed. “Well, since we’re here, how about we go on a adventure now? Or not, since there’s just been murders and all..”

@lock-archer

–> “You know, there’s been a distinct lack of Lock’s climbing in my bedroom window at night for creepy adventures. What the hell is wrong with you? You aren’t sick right?”

Lock nodded. He playfully rolled his eyes, “Of course not. I even got a souvenir.” he smiled proudly. The robe he had taken was sitting in his closet, though he would probably never use it for anything, he just liked the fact that it was taken from the court house. 

“Well then, I should be thanking you for getting me out of there.” he shrugged, thinking about the party. He really didn’t know anything that was going on, but he didn’t care either and didn’t feel like asking anymore questions about the matter. “True, I don’t what got into me? Next time I say on the bright side, just kick me out. Don’t even hesitate, really.” he had a disgusted look, directed at himself, and chuckled. He ended up taking the moonshine, yeah he didn’t drink it much, but it was also pretty strong and that’s all he was concerned about right now, alcohol wise. He took a long drink of it, himself. “You’re happy right now? That is a miracle.” he joked with her. 

“And I am not so moonshine wasn’t exactly a normal thing back home.” There had been a few rare occasions when people were feeling spicy and brought out moonshine, but those were few and far between. “Everything with me is fun, or did you forget about the court house?”

“It was so boring! Honestly no one is chill and into having a good time, they are all so wound up so tightly someone is going to die soon from an aneurysm.” She sighed, picking up her own bottle of vodka and moving to sit down on the edge of her bed. “On the bright side? Please stop, you are sounding way too positive for me, I’m going to have to ask you to leave if you keep bringing around that optimism.” She laughed, unscrewing the bottle and taking a long drink. “But, I agree, I am happy I can relax now. It’s a miracle.”

Once Lock saw Ariel sprinting towards the car, he instantly remembered their bet. “Oh, fuck.” he laughed and started running to the car as well. Not turning back to see if anyone had saw them, but he didn’t hear anyone yelling, so that was a good sign. Though a part of him wished someone had, would’ve made the whole process a little more amusing. He looked at the girl who was significantly beating him and slowed his sprint to a jog, already admitting defeat. “Okay, fine. You win this one.” he said after catching up to her in the car. 

“Never satisfied,” Ariel laughed and rolled her eyes. As Lock listed their options, Ariel nodding and thought it to be wasting time to talk about it. She knew for a fact the adrenaline she was feeling would be momentum enough. Ariel looked around after he had and returned her attention to the boy, a small smile on her lips. “Fuck it,” she said under her breath as she scooted out of her booth and causally made her way toward the door they’d entered as she followed closely behind Lock. Once outside, Ariel remembered the deal they’d made before they’d gone in, and though she was sure no one had noticed or cared that they’d left, she took off sprinting for the car.

“How could I forget about moonshine? I’m from Texas.” Lock shook his head at himself. “But I never really drank it that much, anyway. Still good though.” He grinned, “I’m glad we’re thinking the same thing. Yeah, I mean, with your collection it should be more fun.”

“I don’t mind at all. I hadn’t even been there long and I was already bored.” he shrugged. He wasn’t really in the big party mood right now, so in a way, he was glad Liz wanted to leave as well. He followed her upstairs and into her room, taking a seat. He looked around at her bottles, “You really do have a good amount to choose from,” he let out an amused smile. Lock chuckled at her last comment. “On the bright side, you have all your drinks and you can chill now.” he never really used the the phrase ‘on the bright side’. Maybe it was the alcohol that he had already drank talking.

“That I do. The entire range and I might even have some moonshine because it’s Texas and apparently that’s what they do here.” She smiled, looking down the street, pleased to see that they weren’t too far away any more. “Oh, the black out drunk? I like the way you think because that’s what I was thinking too. I was well on my way at the party but I think this will be more fun.”

They turned down Pine St and the house was within sight. “I hope you weren’t trying to be at the party for a long time, I kind of forced you to leave immediately. Hope you don’t mind.” She didn’t think he would nor did she wait for an answer before opening her door and letting him in. It was a quick trip upstairs where she unlocked her bedroom and shut the door behind them, making quick work of getting the bottles of liquor and taking off her heels. “Thank god, I love being tall but at what cost?”

“I assume you have everything from beer to whisky to vodka? But what’s the strongest brand you have? I’m really in the mood to..just have fun, maybe even get black out drunk.” he chuckled. It’s been a while since he’s gotten drunk, let alone black out drunk and it just seemed better than anything else that was going on around here lately. 

“Maybe that’s it.” She kept walking forward, getting out of the club as quickly as possible. She was so done with everyone in there. There was some gross love triangle happening, which she could not fathom anyone liking the girl that much let alone two of them, so she was pleased for any kind of distraction. Thankfully Lock showed up right on time. Once they were outside, she let go of his arm and slowed down to fall back into step with him. “What are you in the mood for? I have pretty much everything.”

@queenemarmoreal

Lock put his shot glass down and smirked. “For some reason, I knew I could count on you for having a collection.” he flinched slightly, when she lightly grabbed his arm. A force of habit he couldn’t break when someone touched him. Though he had hoped she didn’t notice. “Maybe this is why I’m friends with you.” he joked.

“I would be happy I wasn’t here as well. Glad one of us got to leave. I’m guessing it wasn’t your decision to come back? Of course not, Liz. Why would I?” he gave a smirk to indicate he wasn’t being serious. 

“Oh you know, all over the place. Happy I wasn’t here.” Liz smiled at him, “don’t tell me, you missed me?”

“Of course it’s just as disappointing.” he chuckled. “Where have you been anyway?”

”Jesus Christ I thought being away from here would make it better when I finally came back, but it’s just as disappointing as I thought it would be.” Liz looked around and was thoroughly disappointed that she couldn’t have stayed away longer but at least she’d be able to see some of her old friends.

“Happy? Eh. A little amused? Yeah.” he chuckled. “Well, we have two options. Sneak out of a window from the bathroom, but I’m not entirely sure if there’s a window in there or not, or just leave out the front door.” He looked around to see how busy the restaurant was. “I personally think we can just leave casually out the door. What do you think?” However, right after he said that, he got up and went to the door. Of course making sure no one was looking, and hoped Ariel would follow. He thought it’d be better to get up and just go, sometimes too much planning didn’t always work out. 

Ariel smiled and rolled her eyes before nodding. “Yes, I admit it’s you. You, Lock Archer, are the reason for all the evil and cruel fibers in my being. Happy?” She asked with perked brows. After their meal, Ariel felt completely satisfied as the hunger and highness was finally wearing off. The moment she realized what it was now time to do was when she felt completely sober again. “Couldn’t agree more,” she smiled. “Absolutely. How’re we going to do this? Just book it?” She asked with a chuckle, considering she’d never dine and dashed before. 

h i r o and l o c k. { @lock-archer }

“I guess so.” he smirked and gave a shrug. “I’ve figured that out. But I’ll keep it in mind to always be on high alert.” he chuckled. “A little of both. But you do admit it was me?” he laughed. “Ready.” he said, not long after declaring he was ready, he had ordered the food. Once it got there, it didn’t take long for him to finish it. He had been craving a burger and fries for some time, plus he was still high, so that meant that the munchies were hitting him. “Alright, that was great and what makes it even better is that we’re not paying.” he chuckled. “You ready for the dash part?”

“I guess it just comes naturally for you,” Ariel said with a small shrug. “But you definitely should stay on high alert, never know what to expect, that part just comes naturally for me,” Ariel teased, for the most part she was a rather stable person, she was just easily convinced to do things. His next words caused a smile and she looked over to Lock with furrowed eyebrows, “Are you genuinely asking who or are you just trying to get me to feed your ego and admit it’s you?” Ariel nodded in agreement with Lock’s choice, following him over and taking a seat across from him, not even bothering to open her menu. “I’m ready when you are,” she said and smiled. 

@lock-archer

He’s there in the dark He’s there in my heart He waits in the wings He’s gotta play a part Trouble is a friend of mine