. sweet sour motivation

[cora wolfe]

Cora rolls her eyes, no stranger to the Stanford rumor mill that had swirled throughout their years. It was a small campus to begin with, gossip spreading like wildfire within social sets. Though often times part of the antics, she'd tried to avoid it towards the end. Especially after their breakup, knowing how many theories there'd be when she turned back up on campus suddenly single. "Charlie had a little, but it's like they all forgot I was dating an athlete. We were either having sex or I was like...spinning or in yoga class while you were at practice." Sadie makes a gagging noise, Cora laughing under her breath with a shrug. "Had to keep up somehow." It's easy enough to look back on those times positively, glossing over their swift ending as if it'd been slow, mutual and inevitable. In reality it had been everything but, never really any closure and on her part, little explanation aside from what she'd already confessed. It made Cora wonder how much he questioned her now, if he always would - she likely deserved it, if she was looking at it from his side. It was harder too that Sadie didn't know the half of it, eyes flicking back to her sister as she chewed her lip. She was lucky their reunion hadn't gone poorly, and that Nate had waived away her admitting she'd cheated to her sister. Probably to avoid damaging their relationship - he really was too good. "Oh god, Dad's old tricks?" Sadie groans as Cora forces a smile, reminiscing on the times when she'd show up with a deck at a bar and everyone would have no idea where they came from. "The very ones, I got really good at them over time. Or maybe I just thought I was good...I'll have to break them out at these pubs, see if my talents are still there." The thought of them all together in London warms her again, only intensified as her palm rests on top of his hand, using her other to pass him back the box. "Have the rest, I owe you that much after depriving you in college." Cora leans back against the cabinets, watching Sadie tear open a container of banana pudding with the same satisfied look on her face. "Ten bucks you eat the whole thing," she bets, Sadie flipping her off before eating a giant spoonful, stabbing at her phone to check the time. "Are you gonna stay?" she asks with her mouth half full, Cora's eyes immediately dropping to Nate. "Umm...yeah, I think so, if you're fine with that," she starts, voice low under her breath. As if he wouldn't hear, or figure that out? "At this point I'd probably get swallowed by the snow, and you know you love when I steal all your covers."

[nate peterson]

Every memory that Cora offers up, however vague or specific, unlocks another part of a vast landscape he had previously banned himself from visiting. Little moments from their relationship come back to him, hitting him hard and making the room feel smaller than it is. Days spent in bed, skipping class because they were too wrapped up in each other. Sneaking off at McCarthy Christmas parties to make out in service hallways, acting like they're strangers who've just met rather than a committed couple who should really be bored of each other by now. Each memory of that relationship feels loaded with judgement for his current one, so empty by comparison. "Having sex with me was cheaper than a Peloton," he says to Sadie, laughing at how visibly she does not want to hear this. The sisters reminisce on their dad and Nate is surprised to feel a pang of longing for him too, though it's mild. Sadie had of course been the Wolfe he was most worried about losing contact with, but he held a lot of fondness for both of their parents actually, despite how intimidating he had found them at times. It wasn't their fault that they were exceptionally wealthy and they had not gone out of their way to look down on him, even if their dad had made it clear that he was being judged. It felt like a normal amount of judging, a healthy amount for someone your daughter takes home to meet mom and dad. "How is your dad?" he asks them both, sticking his fork into the cake and taking a frankly colossal bite.  Sadie asks the question that had lingered unasked between them. "Are you gonna stay?" He doesn't expect it but his throat goes dry as he waits for the reply, willing her to say yes though he's too proud to openly encourage it. Maybe it would be good if she didn't, he would get over the initial disappointment and use the time to refocus on his girlfriend, his career, his life in London. This day had his head swimming. But Cora says she will, and his heart swells in his chest, though he continues to eat cake in silence. He can feel her eyes on him and he looks up at her, feigning nonchalance. "It's cool, I can sleep on the couch. I really don't mind--" he starts, before she finishes her thought. His heart rate quickens, but he forces a grin onto his face, turning to her sister. "Are you hearing this? Can't take her anywhere."

[cora wolfe]

"More bang for my buck," Cora continues, Sadie childishly clapping her hands over her ears. "Ohmigod I get it, please stop." The teasing smile that follows makes her face hurt, forgetting for a moment that this had been the past. That they weren't razzing her about current escapades, and she likely wasn't thinking about them trying to hook up in her kitchen in the middle of the night. Cora's fingers drum over the top of his hand still resting on her thigh, eventually shifting to balance on the counter again. As much as she'd wish that were true, it wasn't a current reality. The conversation switches to their dad, all but banishing any of the fantasies she'd started concocting in her head. In her ideal scenario they'd be with him and Chelsea right now, watching her stepmom whisk around the kitchen with ease and stealing away to her dad's study to inspect his latest art additions. Her and Sadie would head over to Athena's late Christmas day, laden with gifts and expensive champagne, running through each other's closets and whatever dresses they'd ordered for the party before eventually stumbling in, already kind of drunk and ready to gossip with every family member they could seek out. It drew heavy on her heart when she hadn't had Nate to share it with that first year after everything, and it only sunk lower now knowing it wasn't even going to be an option this year. "He's good. Missing us for the holidays...god, I haven't seen him since he got remarried in April. Have you, Sades?" Her sister shakes her head, picking at the edge of the container in her hand. "We facetimed a lot this semester when I was about to lose my mind in organic chem, but it's not the same. Either is a year without the Christmas party." They're both silent for a moment, the weight of missing their family leaning on them before Cora remembered where he was coming from. "Wait, how was your dad?" Cora had loved his dad, her animated sideline partner whenever he was in town for Nate's games. He'd had so much warmth and pride for his son, something even more palpable than her father gave off and infectious to anyone around him. She wondered what he'd think right now though, seeing them back together for a night and skirting around the pain she was sure she'd caused. "I was actually talking to Sadie, hotshot," Cora's mouth quirks in amusement, eyes flicking to her now giggling sister who was gathering some of the empty bags from the table. Cora drops her head when Sadie turns around to toss everything in the trash, lips at his ear. "But if there's a Peloton in that guest room of hers, do let me know." She says it innocently enough, pulling away and composing her face into something serene as Sadie sat back down. "What time's your flight tomorrow?"

[nate peterson]

Cora's fingers rap on his hand, her smooth fingertips ever so slightly cold. Nate was a radiator of a person, emitting huge amounts of heat at all times but particularly at night. Even this soft contact between them reminded him of more intimate times, when he would wrap himself around her whilst she slept, her skin so cold in comparison to his own. He had fussed over her when they went out, wrapping his scarf around her when she'd refused to wear one, chastising her for not wearing a hat. He'd been attentive, until one day her manner had become as cold as her extremities. It felt good to feel her warmth. Good, but wrong. Aware of his hand placement now, he lets it slip off her thigh, busying himself by wiping his hands with a napkin. He'd eaten so much and mixed his drinks, and this all this combined with the huge amount of adrenaline that had coursed through his body at the unexpected sight of his ex had left him feeling queasy. He stopped eating, leaning back a little and crossing his arms, his head tilted as he listens. "Remarried!" he says, imagining what the new wife must look like. "Oh, good for him. Do you guys like your new mom?" he asks with a grin. The conversation moves round to his dad and his grin widens, all the time he'd spent with him over the last few weeks flooding back. It had almost been worth wrecking his knee for. "He's great, thanks. Really great. He's got a girlfriend, Shirley, really sweet woman. Has no idea about foo-- soccer," he glances at Cora, not wanting to be accused of forgetting his roots again, "but we've given her a crash course now." His own father had not always understood the game, but had given himself completely to it when Nate discovered it. He couldn't even begin to imagine how many games Eddie had attended, biting his knuckles during penalties, screaming at the sidelines to celebrate goals. It makes his heart swell to think about. For a time Cora had joined him and it had made everything worth it when he won and could look up and see the two of them, usually hugging each other, beaming, waving down. He bursts out laughing as Cora clarifies her point, shaking his head at himself. "Fuck. Wishful thinking, I guess," he says, his cheeks slightly tinging pink. They tinge further at her suggestion. "C'mon," he mutters, rolling his eyes and giving her a playful nudge. Before he can reprimand or flirt back, or maybe even both, Sadie has turned round. "Hopefully 10am. So I'll be out of here early doors. Honestly, it makes most sense for me to sleep on the couch. You're already doing a huge favor for me here, I'll take what I can get."

[cora wolfe]

Cora could feel the warmth of his skin transferring to her fingertips, radiating even as she pulled away. In stark contrast to Nate's heat, Cora'd been a perpetually cold person her entire life. She'd blame it on Chicago winters, others would blame it on eating disorders or befitting of her sometimes chilly attitude. Whatever the cause she'd constantly seek out something to slip her hands in or under, often surprising Nate when she'd rest her palm against his face, or dig her toes under his legs on the couch. Strangely, one of the more intimate things to her was when he'd fold her hands between his and blow on them to warm them up. Always caring, while she just carried on. His palm eventually falls away, Cora jumping down from her perch to hide an involuntary shiver. She picks her fork back up to steal more carrot cake, going against her own word as he asked about their stepmom. Funny - she'd never thought of her like that. "Chelsea's great, younger but super chill like my dad and does art restoration, so a true re-match made in heaven. She also makes a really mean black cherry tart." Sadie nods in agreement, setting a glass of water down for everyone on the table. Cora eyes Nate to her right suddenly, wondering what his tolerance was like if he hadn't had a straight drink for a while. This had been a heady mix, and she'd been drinking most of quarantine. The smile on his face when he talks about his dad doesn't give anything away though, finding herself warm to his updates and laugh at his correction. "Aww, that's really good to hear. And I'm sure she'll be a huge fan in no time." Much like his dad, Nate's passion for things was insanely infectious, Cora finding an eventual love for the game once they'd gotten more serious. She'd also never forget the time she flew his dad in for their Homecoming game one year, the shock on his face and ensuing smile when he realized who was there. The memory only brightens her smile, kicking him under the table like a silly school girl with a "Shhh" on her lips as her sister looked at both of them. "Stop being weird," Sadie says, staring directly at Cora who raises her hands innocently. "I plead the fifth." Cora's eyes flick to the clock again, grin slipping as she realized how much time was getting away from them. "Great, you'll take you what you can get and that means you get my spare room. Cora can sleep on the floor." She rolls her eyes at that, flicking her sister on the head as she stands to walk past her. "I'm going to go claim my side of your bed now before you hide all your pillows." A few minutes later she's traipsing back into the kitchen in a silk PJ set she'd stolen, curling up in her designated chair. "Was that enough time for you two to gossip, or do I need to go start a 12 step skincare routine?"