My World of 1x1s discussion
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Ideas:-They don't really talk to each other save the average day to day courtesies and they keep up their appearances in public that everything is fine. Maybe something happens like an affair or something miniscule like someone forgot to take the trash out and then everything is laid out on the table in all it's ugliness and they are forced to confront this hole that they created.
-a disastrous counseling scene, and they could be driving home pissed and one could say something and they could both die laughing and it could feel like old times, and then one of them could do something to bring the wall back and it can be even more bittersweet afterwards because they had a taste of what they could have and can't seem to figure out how to get it back.
Name: Wade Alexander MathewsAlias: Wade
Age: 29
Appearance:
(view spoiler)
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 180
Hair: sandy blonde
Eyes: greyish green
Occupation: General Manager at a Hardware Supply Company; Freelance Carpenter
Personality Traits:
∝ Free-spirit
∝ Family Oriented
∝ Creative
∝ Flexible
∝ Outdoorsy
∝ Compulsive sinner
∝ Surface value with most people aside from his dad. Has trouble connecting on a deeper level with others.
History:
-single father that was a guy's guy. Mother left when he was younger.
-best buds with his dad
-decent at school but not great. Better at working with hands. Kinesthetic learner
-flirty, free spirited youth
-tried the drug thing and it wasn't for him. Still likes a good drink though. Used to smoke, but quit five years ago.
Other: Has cheated about five or six times now. The frequency has picked up lately with his increasing frustration, anger, and confusion regarding their whole situation.
Name: Cecily Hope Mathews»Alias: Cecily Hope Resnik (maiden name)
Age: 26
Appearance:
(view spoiler)
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 99
Hair: espresso
Eyes: peridot
Body: bird-like; underweight
Skin: porcelain; bronze freckles
Occupation:
Personality Traits:
∝
∝
∝
∝
∝
∝
∝
History:
Other:
I'm open to ideas.I thought maybe something like love at first sight where it was like they happen to be at the same birthday party or wedding and one sees the other totally screw up. Like he accidentally trips and tears a bridesmaids dress or spills water all over his pants and he's frantically trying to fix the situation or she does something similar and their eyes meet and one panics until the other comes to help them out.
Or it could be like a speed dating thing where they were going to support their friends and ended up actually liking each other.
Or like a one night stand turned pregnancy turned relationship and quick marriage yet oddly perfect match but then she loses the baby which brings us to the main plot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AUa...saw this video and got a little inspired to maybe use some of the ideas it presents in the plot. Maybe the hubby cheats or she cheats or they both are cheating after the miscarriage and somehow they're searching for happiness in a way that isn't making them happy. Maybe it's like they're afraid of being intimate with each other again because what if they get their hopes up again?
OMG HIM OMG
O
<3_<3
I really like the one night stand idea! And maybe, part of the affair (or both, depending on what we choose) can be, like, a loss of freedom because they had a shotgun wedding.
O_O
AWEE And what if one of them has really great parents who didn't support the shotgun wedding but still adore their child-in-law and one has horridly strict parents who forced the wedding. The wife could have the crazy parents, I don't mind xD. And maybe when the miscarriage happens they could be radical enough to somehow blame it on him, and even though it's ludicrous, he can't help but be kind of stung by it.
And if it was the wife's parents who were crazy, the husbands parents could be like "tough situation, dude; if you marry her, you are marrying someone you're not sure you're in love with, but if you don't, her parents are disowning her and she won't have anywhere to go." Like put him in a really shitty situation so he feels a little resentful because he felt like he had no choice.
OH AND GO LISTEN TO THIS:
https://youtu.be/xsd5vGgiPBY
AND READ THIS:
Modern Love: I
By this he knew she wept with waking eyes:
That, at his hand's light quiver by her head,
The strange low sobs that shook their common bed
Were called into her with a sharp surprise,
And strangled mute, like little gaping snakes,
Dreadfully venomous to him. She lay
Stone-still, and the long darkness flowed away
With muffled pulses. Then, as midnight makes
Her giant heart of Memory and Tears
Drink the pale drug of silence, and so beat
Sleep's heavy measure, they from head to feet
Were moveless, looking through their dead black years,
By vain regret scrawled over the blank wall.
Like sculptured effigies they might be seen
Upon their marriage-tomb, the sword between;
Each wishing for the sword that severs all.
XVII
At dinner, she is hostess, I am host.
Went the feast ever cheerfuller? She keeps
The Topic over intellectual deeps
In buoyancy afloat. They see no ghost.
With sparkling surface-eyes we ply the ball:
It is in truth a most contagious game:
HIDING THE SKELETON, shall be its name.
Such play as this the devils might appal!
But here's the greater wonder; in that we,
Enamoured of an acting nought can tire,
Each other, like true hypocrites, admire;
Warm-lighted looks, Love's ephemerioe,
Shoot gaily o'er the dishes and the wine.
We waken envy of our happy lot.
Fast, sweet, and golden, shows the marriage-knot.
Dear guests, you now have seen Love's corpse-light shine.
~George Meredith
yessss to allI like the loss of freedom idea and the parents dynamic.
Ok so maybe her parents are the super strict ones. Maybe she was more of a wild child, trying to break away from the path they constructed in front of her. Wade is also a bit on the loose side because it's just him and his dad and his dad is very hands off/enjoy your youth/buddy buddy kind of parenting style. He really values family, though, so in some ways he really wants to patch things up between the girl and her family and if he's going to have a child with her, he wants to get along with the kid's grandparents to at least some degree. So when they blame him for everything, he does take some of it to heart and does feel a little pressured to do the traditional thing and marry the girl. When the miscarriage happens, it's like he's lost his obligation and pressure, but now he's stuck in a marriage with someone he's just started reaching some common ground with and the whole reason they had gotten married in the first place is gone. Now it's like he can't decide if he should stay with her because they were starting to connect or split up because they have the opportunity for a fresh start and get a second chance to do what they want.
I did a thing. What do you think of my fc?? (See above)Now, with their ages the way they are, do you think they would have had the pregnancy and miscarriage, like, right after she graduated, and the fact that he was a few years older made it even worse on him. And they just stayed together, miserable, instead of working it out, and so they've been together and unhappy for quite some time. Or should I make her even younger and increase the scandal? Like maybe she's 23 or 24 now. And there were some serious sparks after the midnight stand, but he felt to bad for going to bed with a tipsy 18 year old that he apologizes and leaves after they wake up.
I think it depends do we want to do this when they are younger or older? Honestly I hadn't really thought about where they were school wise. I think if they're younger, it would be pretty scandalous and pretty tough considering a lot of their peers are not in the same place. If they're older, then they have some peer support or at least have friends or family members that have kids and are helping them along the way.I was thinking that maybe though, they got along well before the miscarriage. Like when they are deciding whether to get married or not, they decide to get together for the baby because they want to be the best parents that can be for the kid and maybe marriage isn't required, but Wade insists that he wasn't interested in any other woman in the given situation and if she didn't mind, he'd like to marry her. She's wary, but thinks this is the way that might be best for the baby.
They work to get along and accommodate one another throughout the pregnancy because, hey, they're in this together. Maybe they fight some at first and it's a struggle, but they're working at it, willingly because they have a common goal. After the miscarriage, it's like their whole reason for being together is gone. They aren't required to accommodate one another or get along or talk in sugary sweet, calm tones or try to reach out to the other's parents.
I kind of like the idea of her just graduating though, because then it's like she's young, qualified, ready to take on the world as a smart recent graduate and then she gets pregnant and has to completely re-evaluate her plans in life.
Okay, I like that! Not completely forced, but kind of expected. Should we start with misery after miscarriage? Maybe a year or two after the miscarriage? Maybe they stayed together afterwards because they were told by multiple people that it would get better, that they should just push through, and they would be happy eventually, but rather than addressing the problem, they just ignore it, and after a while, they stop trying completely, but neither are the type to back out of a commitment, so they just find solace with others and try to stick out the relationship instead of addressing their problems?
OH, and she could have, like, given up a mad awesome scholarship or something because she was soon to have a baby, and now, she's afraid to even try to get into a college, so she feels stuck and kind of blames their relationship.
Well where is she graduating from? High school? Undergrad? Or Grad?
Maybe she could have gotten this awesome job offer from a renowned company upon graduation, but then she had to turn down the job because she got pregnant and then the miscarriage happened and she didn't have the confidence to try and get it back and she blamed the relationship and the baby and herself kind of thing. OR maybe she ends up taking the job and it has her traveling a lot and she and Wade don't talk while she is away but both of them are hurting. She feels justified because it's like she has no obligation to him now and he has none to her. Plus, now that there's no baby making her slow down her career, she can put all of her focus on it because what's stopping her now? And she's stuck between the future she's always dreamed of having and the future waiting for her back at home, probably whittling away at some piece of wood, a living reminder of the baby she lost, but still loved. Can she really abandon that reminder? Does she deserve to?
Traveling also gives opportunity to have an affair.
And maybe Wade was the kind of guy that was constantly between jobs, never really satisfied at one place or another, but then Cecily gets prego and he's like crap, i need a steady income, so he gets a job, stays, and also does some freelance stuff on the side, basically kicking his ass in gear to have a family. Post-miscarriage, he is lost as to which direction to move in. Does he keep his job that he isn't crazy about even though he get's paid well because what if they want to keep at it and try to have a baby later down the line? Is he supposed to stay with her even though she seems more than happy to move on with her life and career and he can't seem to move on at all?Also, I think you might have mentioned this before, but what if she lost the baby super far in? Like past the first trimester when things were supposed to be safe
I like that idea. Like, they both feel stuck, but she feels like she can't move forward, and he doesn't know how. Yeah. I think deffo late in the pregnancy. So they actually have time to bond a little.
As far as where we start, I think maybe we could start maybe one or two years post miscarriage. The first year is like they're still in shock, getting support from friends and family. Most advice is just take your time, do what you have to do, I'm here if you need to talk, etc.Second year they get more of the mixed advice of like you need a fresh start/divorce/go get that opportunity you lost before. Or you guys should stay together/marriage is forever/you made a commitment/think about moving on together.
Third year peers are more accepting and hands off, just letting them do their thing. Everything seems fine on the surface, so there's no need to say anything anymore.
I like that. And they're both too proud to complain about each other to their friends because that would be admitting there is something wrong, meaning, they keep everything bottled up and to themselves, so they have no outlet.
yeah that sounds good!Maybe we could start off at like a New Year's Party. In the crowd, they're sociable, the perfect pair, seemingly happy. Then the party ends, they head home, maybe say two words to the other before heading to bed.
Next day, silent morning before heading to work. Maybe he drives her to the airport before he heads to work. She only messages him that she's landed. Maybe it's the anniversary of the day the doctor said their child would have been born or the anniversary of the miscarriage and they both have their own little rituals even when apart like lighting a candle at a church or having a drink or going to a playground idk.
A couple weeks later he picks her up from the airport, probably suspicious if she cheated, but doesn't ask any questions. Maybe later that night one of them brings up couples counseling?
I added a bit to his personality and history. I'm trying to think about how they met. I mean we can always get more into in as we go along but what do u think we should do? Maybe a wedding or party or bar?
A wedding would be ironic. Maybe they could both be there and be like "I'm never getting married." Him because he has trouble connecting and her because she is so dedicated to defying her parents' wishes. But then, care for the baby and fear of what she's gonna do convinces her to marry him. Maybe they knew each other from around town but never really ran in the same circles? That way it wasn't like she was marrying a complete stranger.
Ok maybe she recognized him from his various part time jobs? Or he made a piece of furniture for one of her friends?
Weddings were the worst. Wade tapped his finger against his palm impatiently as he waited for the bartender to finish pouring his rum and coke. "It's hot out there. You want some ice water too?"
"No-wait-yes. One please."
Whoever thought it was a brilliant idea to have a wedding during midday in August was seriously disturbed. He wondered if she remembered sun screen. His wife was such a pale woman it amazed him he didn't find her thoroughly charred on these sorts of days.
He returned to their assigned table, finding her smiling and chatting with the bride's aunt.
"How long have you been married, dear? I was surprised to see your ring. You look so young! What's your secret?"
Cecily laughed, the melodic machine driving daggers deeper into his stomach.
"A little over three years now. Maggie, you're the one that needs to be giving me your secrets! How do you stay so young at heart?"
"Oh I don't think you have to worry about that. If your love is young, you stay young. Speaking of which, here comes the doting husband himself!"
Smile on. Reality off.
"Maggie! Always good to see you. Where's Martin? I need to give him a talking to for not swinging you around the dance floor yet." He set the glass of water in front of his wife with a soft Here you go, honey.
A few minutes later and the water offering had "accidentally" fallen off onto the grass.
"Should I grab you another?"
"If it's not too much trouble." Her soft voice twisted the sweet blades.
"It never is." He smiled getting up to leave again. His drink was already gone, so he might as well grab another while he was at it.
The reception was typical. The bride and groom were made to kiss a lot, the best man gave a buzzed, slightly more cringe worthy than funny speech, the maid of honor was only slightly flawed, the bride's dad cried, then the bride cried, creating a ripple effect across their family.
Wade danced with Maggie, and then a few with Cecily before he stepped out for a 'business call.'
I'd hand you a smoke, but it looks like you just quit. He had quit five years ago, but he still got the itch every so often. Instead, he blew the stupid wedding souvenir bubbles for when the happy couple left for the honeymoon. Three bottles later, it was time for the newlyweds to leave and Wade found his wife so they could say their goodbyes.
"I'd hand you a smoke, but it looks like you just quit." The raven haired beauty had entered his life just like that. Her skin was pale as the moon and her hair was wild and dark like the night. She looked like Artemis, but Wade had been far to cocky to let that intimidate him."With an offer from you, maybe I'll start again." He grinned with a sly wink.
Her lips pressed together in a smile that she fought to hide. "Sorry, I actually don't smoke. My mother used to, though, so I get the restless vibe you're giving off." She admitted, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment. She was retreating now? But she started off so strong! "I was-uh- just-"
"Getting some air?" He guessed and by the looks of it, he'd been close.
"Yeah, you could say that. It gets a little hot and crowded in there. And seating is limited..."
"Oh-" He looked at her feet. Those heels certainly didn't look comfortable. And her dress... it was a surprise she wasn't freezing this late at night. Sure, June had some pretty decent weather, but still... It was cold and there were no chairs or blankets outside. An idea popped into his head and he straightened. "Hold on a minute." He said and headed inside, abandoning her. A few minutes later, he returned with a blanket, some girl's sweater, a pillow, and two beers. The look she gave him was a mix of surprise and hesitation.
"What is all this?"
"Just wait a little longer." He turned over an empty plant pot and put the pillow on top, ushering her to sit down before wrapping the sweater around her shoulders and putting the blanket over her legs.
"Is this the part where you offer me a drink and your company?" She chuckled.
"What's this? You want booze and my company? My goodness, you're demanding, aren't you?" He teased, enjoying the way her mouth opened to say something, but then she started laughing.
"You player! Is this your big move? You get the girls all cozy and tease them even though your intentions are completely transparent?"
"Transparent?!" He certainly hadn't seen that one coming.
"You're trying to impress me. Make me think you're just oh so sweet and sensitive and maybe i'll just give you a kiss for your trouble."
"Would you?" He raised a brow, leaning closer only to be met by a finger pushing his lips away.
"Not right now." Her commanding eyes made him want to kiss her palm. Oh wait, he just did.
"You're a bit frisky." She noticed.
"I have been drinking..." He said, noting that her hand hadn't moved away, so he kissed her wrist, "And you're very pretty..." He moved for her forearm, but it retreated before he could do anything.
"Get me another drink and I might consider letting you try that again." She smiled. What a tease! And yet, he found himself grabbing the beers from earlier and holding one out.
"Then, do I have your permission to give you a drink?"
"Hmmm... yes. Just keep your frisky hands to yourself for now."
Wade laughed, "You're a bit of a ball buster, aren't you?"
Her smile radiated into his chest, "I do not and will probably never understand the meaning of that expression."
"Well, that's alright. Mind if I just sit out here and talk with you then?"
"I wouldn't mind too much." She winked.
~~~
They talked for a few hours with brief interludes to grab more drinks and supplies.
"So you're telling me that you've been to school for-what- six years now? And you've never done a beer keg? I don't even understand how that's possible-like- that's one of the first things I did when I was a freshman!" Wade was laughing uncontrollably.
"It's- it's not that bad! What kind of idiot thinks college is for partying and drinking?" Cecily was shaking with laughter as well.
"Hahaha! Haha-oh." Wade's face fell a bit when he looked back inside.
"What-oh." The lights to the apartment were off, everyone inside must have either passed out or headed home. She looked out across the horizon to see the inkling of a sunrise beginning to color the sky's blue. "Maybe we should-"
"Right, yeah." The two got up awkwardly, and slinked their way back inside.
Cecily paused for a moment in the center of the living room, watching the door like she was unsure if she wanted to leave or not.
"Um... Cecily? I think we should call you a cab. We've had a bit to drink. I have a friend who lives pretty close-hey! Wait!" His Artemis took a sharp right down the hallway to the bed and bathrooms. Was she feeling sick? He followed her only to find her opening one of the doors. Unconsciously, he followed. "I can hold your hair if you- this isn't the bathroom. I think it's across the-" The young carpenter was cut off by a pair of lips attaching themselves to his. It was brief, but caught him so off guard, that he'd been speechless.
"Do you want to?" Her soft, hushed voice sent his spine shivering.
"Yes. Do you?" He whispered, watching her peridot eyes. She wasn't looking directly at him, more like she was looking past him, checking to see the hallway was empty.
"Yes." She looked him in the eyes, confirming her words.
The rest was just the beginning.
The front door clicks and Wade turns off his bedside lamp, closing his book and throwing the covers over himself. He'd hoped Cecily would stay out with her friends a bit longer. She never seemed to allow herself later than 10, though she always promised them "next time."He watches her sounds as she drops off her keys in the entry way before she clacks her shoes down the hallway to the kitchen, opening the fridge probably for a bottle of water. He feels his muscles tighten when the door to their bedroom opens and his eyes snap shut.
She's in the bathroom washing her face, removing her jewelry... now she's unzipping her pants and wriggling out of them. She opens the drawers for her pajamas. Her sigh at the mirror that consumes him and the gentle sniffle that breaks him.
Her scar is about six inches long, running along a horizon on the pale flesh of her stomach. They were forever captured in shell shock
Finally she slides under the covers and turns off the light. He doesn't reach for her, but God, he wants to. The lies he fancied himself with were stories of romance. Of tears and screaming and shattered porcelain. He'd roll towards her, still pretending to be asleep, barely allowing himself a peak only to see the opaque droplets drip down her face at unflattering angles, lit momentarily by a car driving by in the night. She catches him and frowns.
"You're awake." She turns away from him, rolling her eyes, ready to ignore him again. He scoffs instead.
"Yeah, sorry."
"Whatever."
"Did you have fun?"
"What do you think?"
"Jack's always a riot."
"He wasn't there. He's out with Keith."
"They still talking with the adoption company?"
"Yes."
"Mmm." He hums, then, hesitantly, and ever so gently he brushes her cheek, a silent request for her to look his way. She allows it, but her eyes are sad. They always are when they're alone. He moves closer and maybe it's too fast, too soon for such intimacy, but she's already pushing him away.
"Seriously, Wade?"
He groans, "Cecily-"
"Not tonight."
"Then when?"
She doesn't answer him, turning away from him again.
"Cecily are we ever going to move past this?" He pushes the subject, sitting up now.
"Why are you asking me? You should just go ahead and do what you want."
"That's not how marriage works."
"Please we're not how marriage works. Now drop it."
"I don't want to."
"Fine." She throws off the covers and moves to her closet. "I'm leaving then."
"Don't." His words elicit no reaction apparently. He sighs, "Don't leave. Just- just get back in bed. I'll take the couch."
"I don't need you to coddle me, Wade. I just need you to listen when I tell you I can't talk about it yet. Okay?" Her eyes are wide and stormy and he is too weak a man to continue refusing her.
At least, that's how he imagined the scene would play out.
Really, he just listens as her breathing doesn't slow and he knows she's still awake, staring at the ceiling, playing the familiar film strip of their haunted dreams. Hopefully tonight she will beat the sunrise.
What if they go on a retreat? Husband or wife hears an offhand comment from someone at work or something and they decide that something needs to happen. So, they go on a backpacking trip in the wilderness. If this attempt fails too, then there is no more hope for the couple.