[ she doesn't need to throw a punch to do damage . they both know that . ]

[ . . . just go away . ]

[ that's because he's old . ]

[ he wouldn't dare keep them anywhere else . ]

[ 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 , vivienne . of course it is . it's a public event . ]

[ she knows exactly what . don't play stupid , it doesn't suit her . no , he's had enough of that from her for a lifetime . ]

[ of course . always his responsibility , isn't it ? ah — and what does she remember ?? because she's refusing to leave him be and let him do just that . ]

❛ i wouldn't call those cordial . ❜ he mutters , eyes flashing as he forces down the memories threatening to surface . ❛ you don't need one . ❜ clearing his throat . ❛ and i'm supposed to believe you'd just let me leave without a word ? ❜

he knows better than to think he can actually leave . no matter how far or fast he ran ; he'd always find himself right by her side again . somehow she always manages to keep him tethered to her . ❛ what do you want from me , vivienne ? ❜ as if she'd tell the truth .

maybe if she keeps telling herself that , it'll turn true eventually . but for now . . . they can both pretend . ❛ i don't drink . ❜ his turn to lie . ❛ the usual for you , i assume ? ❜

eyeing grace and greg warily . he doesn't trust that boy .

and what would she suggest ? until miss mencken signals her distress , it'd cause a scene to escort him away .

and let him guess . she's going to offer herself up as the distraction ??

[ glancing away from his charge for once to gaze down at her ] he couldn't care less for what little virtue of hers remains . but grace will be sorely disappointed if her friend were to make a fool of herself .

;; god your muses are always so sexy

oh , has her late husband woken from the dead to attend ?? [ jaw clenching , eyes slowly raking over her body before he's turning away to find grace again . that was another life . ] and that hat is rather dreadful on her .