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"you only gotta say it once!!" he clapped his hands together as jovie agreed, not that he expected her to decline. "sibling dayyy!" he really was like an energetic seal, bouncing to his feet as his mind got carried away with all the things they could get up to on that day. he just loved spending time with jovie in general but he didn't want her ego to explode so he curtailed his clapping and only took a couple of skips into the kitchen. any more would have been overboard, he thought to himself, which only made him laugh more. "you are a genius though," he said as they approached the kitchen. "gotta get you name tag that says it and everything."

zeke's grin was wide as he thought about the weaverlympics. those were days when the absence of their mother didn't feel so big. when he never wondered about his father or why he wasn't around. zeke just remembered that he had a family who loved him and if it wasn't for the relationship he had with his mother know, he would have easily called his grandparents mom and dad. some times when he was younger he had. "i don't know, with the way some people drive, i feel like some kids would have a better shot," he teased, eyes widening when she managed to get two pieces ahead of him in one bite. "fuck, you're good," he said lowly enough so just she heard him. he took another piece and then folded two more into one of his pancakes so it wasn't as noticeable as he stuffed it into his mouth. but over course when he looked up, mouth full, their grandmother was staring right at him. "it's delish, grandma," he mumbled around his food, trying not to bust out laughing when he met jovie's eyes.

when breakfast was over, zeke groaned as he patted his belly and looked at the tally to see that jovie had beat him by one piece. "it was rigged. you totally had grams on your side. i'm gonna go...use the bathroom and get ready to go. meet you in the living room in 20?"

" i'm always onto something ; i'm a genius , didn't you know ? " jovie was far from an actual genius , but she was someone who was typically filled with good ideas - whether or not they were of any practical use , and whether or not they were ever shared aloud with others . " you're lucky you told me not to answer that , " she teased lovingly , smiling . she listened to zeke's descriptions of the plans he had in mind for the day , and admittedly - though not completely surprisingly , as it wasn't like the pair of siblings didn't get along or something - they sounded pretty good . " your body is a real temple , huh ? " she teased him again , but it was still in the affectionate way that a sister would tease her sibling . " you won't hear me saying this twice , but it sounds like a pretty good day to me , " in other words , jovie was completely in .

" the weaverlympics , " jovie spoke through her laughter , nodding her head , remembering back to those days of their youth . " honestly though , i'm totally in , " even more than she already had been . jovie loved a good time , and while she didn't care for competitiveness in some parts of her life , friendly competition like the weaverlympics were something that she took extremely seriously - as long as they were having fun at the same time , of course . " oh no , that's not how science works , nope , not at all , " she straightened up in her chair as she shook her head . " it's like how you don't let kids drive cars , 'cause their brains and their bodies aren't grown enough to handle it , you know ? " she countered . " you're not gonna win , " she egged him on as she mentally marked the tally as instructed . she reached out for some bacon of her own , risking shoving two pieces into her mouth as their grandmother had her back turned , in a much quieter and subtler way than zeke had initially tried .

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"Well if it's weak that just means we have to drink more, huh? Ooo, fruit punch." Zeke went for that instead, not entirely sure how he felt about the taste but that didn't stop him from swallowing one drink in two gulps before pouring another. "You keep the mall gorgeous? What by just walking around with your gorgeous self? That kind of seems like the best job ever if you ask me." Though Zeke figured that probably wasn't totally their job but it seemed to make sense in the moment. "Or like you decorate it and stuff? Put the vibes together. That's kind of a big job. I mean the mall is a big place."

"The liquor selection is weak, but whatever this punch is is good," Keanu explained having already gotten their hands on the refreshment table before Zeke had arrived which they now led the both of them back towards. There was of course plenty of beer available but that wasn't Keanu's drink of choice so they hadn't even bothered to mention it before they got there. "My week's been fine, I'm glad it's over," Keanu began before smiling at the question. "I don't think we've talked about it before. I tend to do what I want from day to day but if you're asking what I do for work I'm in charge of keeping the mall gorgeous," Keanu explained. That was putting it broadly but they figured that Zeke didn't actually care to know about the meetings about what fake plants should go out for which season and what design should be placed over the not yet occupied spaces in the mall.

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"you know, you wouldn't be the first person to find her intimidating but she just has a naturally serious face. she's such a softie," he said with a roll of his eyes, sure jovie wouldn't totally agree with that assessment. "uh what everyone else gets up to in their bedroom, sleeping," he told him with a wink. which was mostly true. it wasn't exactly sexy to bring someone home to his room when his grandparents were sleeping right down the hall. that and his room really was his safe haven. "i don't know, you'd make a good fixture like right by the door. watching over me and stuff. guardian angel/bodyguard style." he gently took dustin's shoulders and moved him to stand next to the door. "there, see? perfect." he laughed at himself and gave dustin's shoulders a squeeze before they headed out.

he laughed along with dustin's words, thinking about his head just growing and growing in size. "you'd have to get someone to knit you something. Custom made to your big ass head." he looked himself over as dustin went on about trusting him about the tucked in shirt. he trusted dustin on pretty much everything so he kept it tucked in and didn't think about it much after. zeke's expression dropped when he heard dustin's voice and looked at the watch. he knew how important it was to his best friend and he took a minute as they sat in the car. "hey, hey man it's okay. we can get it fixed, you know? I know a guy at the mall who should be able to help." he didn't actually know how it would be fixed but he believed it would be. he reached over and took dustin's hand to give it a squeeze. "i know it's a bummer but we'll have some faith, yeah?" he leaned over and kissed dustin's temple before putting the car in drive. "hey we'll get some fries and then head to the mall to get it fixed, alright? we'll take care of it."

“uh huh, very serious, and very brainy,” dustin nodded his head, plastering his best fake sincere expression on his face as he supported his friend’s claims. in all seriousness, dustin thought that zeke was as serious as he needed to be when he needed to be, and that he was a lot smarter than he thought himself to be. right now, though, they were only joking around and having fun, so dustin wasn’t sharing those truths, despite believing in them completely. “they sound like complete squares, if you ask me. even jovie? man. i used to be super intimidated by her when we were younger, you know? but now i’m realizing that i had nothing to worry about,” he teased, not pushing boundaries by saying anything bad about zeke’s siblings per se - because dustin didn’t think badly of any of them - but roping them into the conversation nonetheless. “i don’t know if i’d wanna be a permanent fixture in your room. i think i could flex in the living room for you, if you really wanted, but i don’t wanna know what you get up to in your bedroom,” he teased. as zeke’s best friend, dustin actually did want to know what he got up to - always - but even in saying that, dustin was content with allowing zeke some privacy, too.

“yeah, that’s true,” dustin began, leaning into zeke’s joke. “it’s super hard to accommodate my massive brain, you know? you should see me in winter, i’m always absolutely floundering, trying to find a good winter hat that won’t rip putting it on. it’s super hard work, being as smart and as knowledgeable as i am,” he grinned. “good fries? hm, i’ll have to think on it,” having lived in shrike heights for so long, dustin knew pretty much all of the best places to eat - even despite the fact that he never had the money to do so, growing up - but it was still a hard decision to make. “no, trust me,” dustin said as he laughed. “it’s a good look, nowadays. like an effortless tuck, it makes all the difference, makes you look put together without looking square - trust me. plus, it’ll better show off your ass…ets. your assets,” he joked, laughing more. the hug was reciprocated easily, as affection always was between the two of them. he pulled away with a large smile on his face. when asked for the time, dustin brought his watch up closer to his face, only to feel his stomach drop. “oh man,” the disappointment was thick in his voice. “it’s busted,” he told zeke. “i don’t even know how this happened. man,” dustin’s watch was old, and more expensive than any he could afford on his own. it was one of his first nice things, a hand-me-down gift from his sponsor on an anniversary of sobriety, but now it had a crack in the glass, and the hands weren’t ticking along at all. “dude,” he had nothing else to say, disappointed.

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Location & Date: Lancaster House the evening of August 18th Tagging: @withncmercy

To say the day had been lovely would have been an understatement. Viola had thought her 33rd had been great but standing in her house now, with her favorite people surrounding her dinner table was definitely going to be her new favorite memory. The day had been easy and with Danny by her side she had been able to actually enjoy herself. She had been a bit nervous about having everyone over. All of her worlds colliding and their house being the most full it had been since before Rune's attack. She hadn't wanted him to feel overwhelmed but she also knew he would be sadder if she didn't celebrate the way she wanted. Still, as folks were mingling and pouring drinks, she slid her arm around her brothers, smiling as they stood off to the side, watching Stevie sniff around the backyard. "When he comes back in and sees how many people are here, he's going to go on a crazy butt sniffing frenzy," she joked and lay her head gently on Rune's shoulder. "You okay?"

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"If I kick it's only because you hog the blanket. You should see yourself. Wrapped up like a burrito." Her smile easily matched his and she leaned into the hug happily. She giggled as she hugged him back, unable to remember the last time she felt so comfortable and at ease. It was part of how it felt to be around someone who was so dear to you. Someone you trusted with everything you had. "Thank you," she mumbled and gave his cheek a kiss. "I'm officially and old lady, or wait, maybe that's for when I turn 35 so this is actually my last year of youth," she teased before lying back beside him, her hand rest on one of his arms. "I don't know if I ever imagined making it to 34, like I don't think my younger self could have ever really conceptualized this shit, you know?" She puffed out her cheeks before laughing. "Weird. Okay, coffee? Champagne? I already walked Stevie so he's settled for a little bit but I do suspect he's in dire need of your affection and will make that known the moment you step outside of this door. Fair warning."

He felt like his was sixteen again, curling further into bed sheets that smelled like Vi, waking to the feeling of her moving around him in the bed with infinitely more energy than he could hope to muster. He grumbled – there was no bite to it – as he rolled onto his back and blinked his eyes open. "Yeah, well, you kick," he retorted, his voice gravelly from the dryness that, yes, came with his snoring. Once his eyes adjusted, he looked over at her, and he felt a wide smile spread across his face. He was quick to wrap his arms around her and pull her close, smothering her with affection to welcome in the day's celebrations. "Happy birthday, oldie," he teased, squeezing gently and pressing a firm kiss to the top of her head.

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"Malibu, that's California, right? Geography was never my best, I gotta admit. But you got yourself a deal. I'll find us the best mango pineapple smoothies in all of the state," he told him with a grin, the wheels in his head turning as he thought of his options. He was a bit surprised at how sincere he was, purely because he knew it would make Noah's day more pleasant. But it felt like a no brainer, especially after what Noah had been through. "Back when I was playing I was all about the smoothies. There was this place near my college that was.. so fucking good. This guy and his wife who were athletes too started it. I wish I could call them and beg them to open up a place here." He finished a few more bites of the food Noah had given him before sitting back. "Hey so I'm kind of new to this whole making new friends thing but would you ever want to like..hang out some time? You can teach me a bit about cameras and I can..teach you how to throw a baseball," he said with a soft laugh. "I mean either that or how to make a really great mojito. Whichever you think fits your skillset better, of course."

Ever since discovering that Hector knew Eilonwy and they were great friends, Noah felt like his own little circle of friends grew in both quantity but more importantly, quality. Hector was a very caring person, and exactly the type of person Noah wanted to be around and whose vibes he wanted to bask in. When Hector offered to give him a flashlight to keep in his backpack, Noah's smile grew. "No way, really? That'd be awesome!" he said, almost forgetting that he'd been a bit anxious just minutes before about going to work. "I've had pineapple and mango smoothies in Malibu!" he said, remembering all of the tropical drinks and fruits he'd had. They probably didn't compare to anything Hector had in the Dominican Republic, though. Noah could only imagine how much better the fruits were when they were grown in tropical weather and eaten fresh. "Tell you what, if you can find a decent mango pineapple smoothie in Shrike, then I'll take that instead of a strawberry or strawberry banana," he said with a smile, the thoughts of the Shrike killers now farther from his mind than he'd thought they would be thanks to Hector.

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MASON GOODING photographed by Camraface (2021)

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Hector did his best not to interrupt her since he had asked her the question but he still couldn't help laughing a bit at her thorough though process. "I should have known that you would give me the most elaborate non answer possible. Boo, try again, you gotta pick one and stick with it. Like if you were on the island and only had ten seconds to respond before neither of them were an option. But good to know I shouldn't be out here guzzling down sea water. I'll make sure I log that shit up here," he told her and tapped the side of his head. "I know you are, that's why we should put it to good use. Join some rec league. Like trivia or some shit. Wouldn't that be cute?" He had been focused on building fun routine for them. Things to look forward to, things that reminded them that they were still two young people with a lot of life. "Your entire week? Shit, I better bring my a game for this. French toast it is, oui oui. Have you ever wanted to go to France? I don't know if it'd be my vibe though a french cutie sounds nice." He smiled as he thought about it before finally getting to his feet so they could head back downstairs. "Also your answer should've totally been 'neither cause I know you'd come save me from the island and steal a boat if you had to,' duh," he laughed as he said it and opened the door to the roof for her to enter through before following her back. "I should totally buy a boat some day."

She sits there for a moment, thinking about her answer, taking another sip of her coffee. "I think it would depend on the island; the climate, the natural resources," she decides, unfortunately giving him a non-answer. "Salt water is pretty bad for you," she chuckles, imagining Hector on some deserted island trying to stay hydrated with the help of sea water. "You body can't handle that amount of salt, you'd die of dehydration, being able to get rid of it," she informs him. "Some people would probably answer you question with matches, because they think you can boil down the sea water and make it safe to drink, but boiling it doesn't actually get rid of the salt. I lean towards answering with matches because if there's other sources of water on the island, I'd be able to boil it down and make it safe, and keep myself warm so I wouldn't freeze to death at night, but if there's no alternative source of water I don't want either because my time would be limited no matter what I brought with me," she rambles, and she pauses for a while, staring off at their view, only to break her silence by turning to Hector to laugh. "I'm a very competitive person," she reminds him, explaining why she knows enough to have put real thought behind it. "Ooh, some french toast would truly make my entire week."

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alma does her best not to flush red at the smile on honey's face. it was a nice feeling to have someone seem that pleased to see them. "it's really lovely to see you again too. definitely a highlight of this day," they add sincerely. the smile remained on alma's face as honey went through what was available and about flowers which alma found completely endearing. "well i love flowers in any season but they do seem especially gorgeous throughout the summer. i will take all the flowers. one of my pen pals is especially fond of flowers." when her father had been home, he had always maintained a garden, always telling alma fun facts about all things in nature. they knew he would enjoy receiving something beautiful. "sage green ink? oh honey, you are speaking my language. that sounds so dreamy." alma appreciated the clear enthusiasm and interest. they saw letter writing to be a truly tender activity and sharing their words with the ones closest to them was an art in itself. alma found themselves wondering if honey wrote to anyone. "do you have a pen pal? i mean i imagine working in a place like this you have to write your fair amount of letters, right? i'll consider the wax and seals but i'll definitely go with looking at the flowery stationary first and that sage green pen if you wouldn't mind showing me."

honey has always been a people person, and while she had had a lot of things to think over, many concerns, and plenty of pros and cons to weigh up before she decided to just go for it and begin working at the mall, so far, it's definitely been worth it. either way, whether she lived more sheltered in her beloved commune, or amongst the town more often as she does now as a mall employee, honey was going to be subjected to the pain of the killers and the attacks. she would also be subjected to the pain that those who don't understand the commune and its people often put on her as she works every sunday market, so really, there was nothing to lose in deciding to get a job at cupid's, only so much more to gain as it's given her an avenue to speak to more people more often.

honey loves a lot of her customers, but those who are close with other members of the commune - and especially those who are close with her siblings - have a special place in her heart. the second she sees alma approaching, the smile on her face grows up to her eyes, so wide. "alma! what a pleasure," she greets them happily. "hello, welcome, it's lovely to see you again," she continues to greet them, speaking with honesty (as is known that honey does exclusively, much like the rest of the commune). "we've gotten a few new and exciting things in!" she begins with a nod. "are you looking more for the paper and envelope aspect of letters, or the pen and decoration aspect of letters? either way, i can definitely help you out. we got a couple of new letter writing sets, quite lively and summery- though one of my co-workers was trying to argue that they're way more spring as they've got the most gorgeous illustrations of flowers all over them, but what he doesn't know is that these flowers only properly bloom every summer, so, obviously they're much more summery," she shakes her head, as if expecting everyone to know such details. "anyway, we also got a whole new range of pens in, in the most gorgeous colors- the ink, not only the outside of the pens. there's this sage green ink that's absolutely divine, i think it's the best pen i've ever seen. we also have some new wax colors and seals, if you're looking to make them more fancy than your standard letter!"

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"I guess you can say that, yeah. I mean it's new friendship and I've probably spent a bit more time with Sonnet but they're both brilliant individuals. I've learned so much. Sonnet is a great artist when it comes to working with her hands too. Lots to admire there. That's amazing though. You're all really lucky to have each other," they told him sincerely. Their own life was proof of how it could be when you didn't consistently have loving and caring people in your life. "Oh come on, I bet you're great. In fact I think I probably have already seen some of your stuff at the market, now that I think about it. I remember someone telling me that someone from the commune made it. So from where I'm standing, you're pretty damn talented. Do you make most of your things on the commune? Like do y'all have a studio or something? I usually rent space, make deals for a space or occasionally make a mess in my garage." But after that one time her mother had gone off on them about it, they had basically avoided that option for a long time.

"Yeah there's nothing like art pushing you to start over and try again, right? Like the ultimate test of patience. It's not something I thought I'd be able to focus on as much but I've found my groove, you know? We do get a discount. I'll teach you how to work it to your advantage and maximize those benefits, don't you worry. But this is a really good start. You've already met me. And you'll meet all sorts of people coming in and out of the store. Mmm, something tells me that if you're like me then your bar for 'good enough' is probably way too high. If you ever want to share anything...well you show me yours, I'll show you mine," they told him with a laugh but a sweetly sincere smile. Maybe this was the kind of thing Alma was waiting for. A new artist friend but another sign that maybe the commune really was the place for her. "Ooo, a great answer. Classic and delicious. I think we're going to get along great, Ocean," she told him and patted his arm lightly as they got in line for the ice cream. "What days of the week are you working? Maybe I can shift my schedule to match."

Even though Ocean had still been feeling a little unsure of himself in this conversation despite Alma's pleasant disposition, he relaxed a little once he realized she knew Honey and Sonnet. "Are you friends with the Wozniak family?" Ocean asked, perking up a little. "They're like my siblings. Pretty much all the adults at the commune have a hand in raising the kids, but their house was sort of my home base after - " Ocean paused abruptly; despite how long it had been since the accident, he still tried not to talk about his parents' deaths. "Uh, yeah," he said, voice shaking just a little, "they're my family. I've known the Wozniaks since I was born." And then Alma said she was a potter too, and Ocean agreed with her that their meeting felt very serendipitous. Smiling at them, he replied, "I think I have seen you actually now that you say that." He had a vague memory of another pottery stand. "Usually I'm so focused on selling things for the commune or myself that I don't really get around to the other market stalls. I've been doing it since I was just a kid. I still have a lot of my work from when I was starting out." His parents had insisted on keeping it, and Ocean had kept it when they died. Laughing, he told Alma, "It's not very good, but I was six, so I don't think anyone expected greatness. Though I don't know that I'm that much better.

As he listened to Alma, Ocean felt like she really understood art. He didn't mean that in a pretentious way, but people who were artists at heart knew how cathartic it could be, how cleansing. It was really special, and Ocean smiled as he listened to the other because he could tell that they just got it. "I like that one wrong move can ruin an entire piece," Ocean replied. "You've got to really focus and shut everything out, push everything out of your mind. It's challenging, but it's also freeing in a way that I love." Ocean had to stop himself because he felt like he could go on about pottery all day long. "We get a discount on art supplies?" Ocean asked. "I just got the job here to meet people outside the commune, to interact more with this world, but that's a nice plus to working there. I paint too, though...I don't really show people, especially lately. It's not good enough." Sometimes when Ocean thought these things, he wondered if it was Grant's voice or his own; honestly he wasn't sure anymore. Ocean laughed at Alma's next question, and he gave it the serious thought such a question required. "Uh...I'm going to go with a classic and say strawberry," he answered. "Did I pass? Was that a good answer?"

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“Customer satisfaction,” she repeated with a grin. “Well as a customer, I find myself very satisfied by your assistance,” she assured him and couldn’t resist reaching out to pat his chest lightly. She hadn’t been trying to fluster him but she found it completely endearing and it made her less excited to leave at the end of this shopping trip. “You remember my work from school?” She smiled more at that, touched that he remembered anything about her really. Sure they had known each other for a good amount of time but Alma didn’t really consider herself memorable. But that didn’t mean other people didn’t, she supposed. “Okay we can agree on us both being gurus. I feel settled with that. But now I think I have to make you a little something to have of your own. You wouldn’t have much use for a little jewelry dish, would you? How about a mug? Do you drink coffee?” It occurred to her that even though they had known each other for a long time there was actually quite a lot that she didn’t know about him, especially the smaller details. 

“Free as a bird,” she repeated, sure she couldn’t smile any wider. Alma was prone to having crushes but TJ had always been especially cute to her and the idea of spending time with him felt like something that could provide a real reprieve from spiraling and getting lost in their own mind. “Yes, precisely that. I’d like to do something with you later. Something fun, preferably. I can meet you out front after your shift and we can go somewhere that’s not the mall if that works for you. I didn’t drive today though. Did you?” The idea of driving around in the car with him made her smile and she was hopeful he had. “I should probably go buy these and stash em in my locket at work but two hours? I’ll see you soon?”

TJ wasn’t the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but he still managed to find the hidden meaning in her words, his flush somehow, impossibly, deepening. “Well, I – training’s pretty extensive, y'know? All about customer satisfaction—” he stopped short as soon as he said it, clenching his jaw and shaking his head. Head out of the gutter, Fisher, he admonished himself, and he felt a laugh build up in his chest. He let it out and smiled back at Alma, matching the mirth he saw in her own expression. He was building this up far too much in his head, he decided – probably getting his wires crossed as a result. He cleared his throat and stayed firmly focused on her and not reading any further into her words than he needed to.

As they walked, he thought back to the art he’d seen her make in school. He couldn’t claim to have anything even approaching a discerning eye, but he remembered how impressed he was with what she produced, whether it was drying in the art room, half-finished, or on display at a school art show. “Hey, you decided I was a guru. I think I get the final say for you.” He challenged. “And I say you get both. I remember some of the stuff you made back in school. I would’ve called you a guru then, so you’re definitely getting the title now. And you saw my ability to balance those shoes, even with all my focus.” Well, not all his focus, if he was honest with himself. “It looks like I’ve got a ton I can learn from you. So yeah, guru-times-two.” He decided with an air of finality in his delivery, smiling her way.

The prospect of bringing Alma to a tailgate, showing her that part of his world, and introducing her to people she might not know or have met – good people, if a little loud, abrasive, and childish – was an exciting one. If he didn’t lose his nerve, he’d have to follow through with it. It was a hypothetical though, one entirely devoid of concrete plans. Her next question, though, was the opposite. “Later? As in… today, later?” He asked without realizing. “No, no, I don’t have any plans. I mean, I’ve gotta finish stocking those shoes, but after that, I’m free as a bird,” he answered, mentally chiding himself for sounding like an eighty-year-old man. “I’m off in like… two hours,” he further clarified, chancing a look at the wall clock. “Did you wanna… I dunno, do something?” Real helpful, champ. He thought, then added. “With me?”

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Born on a warm August evening in 1955…

Viola has always loved this time a year despite the mix of emotions it brings. But the warm weather and slightly cool breeze always wrapped her up in a familiar softness. This year, she woke up a bit before Danny, grateful that he so easily agreed to staying over. Something about him being back home had restored a sort of balance to her life and every day felt a little bit easier to get through. She smiled at him snoring away in her bed, like he had in their younger years when her adoptive mother was convinced he was her boyfriend. He was certainly her partner in many ways but the one time they had tried to kiss had ended in so much laughter, it made her laugh just thinking about it. She slid out of the room, wrapping her robe tightly around her as she tip toed towards Rune's room to check on him. She felt her chest tighten as she opened the door and then relaxed when she saw him sleeping. Also snoring away and she couldn't help but wonder what his dream world had come up with. She could only hope it was something peaceful. Viola laughed as Stevie came up around her ankles and she closed her brother's door to crouch down and wrap her dog in hug and kisses. "Yeah, yeah I came to walk you, I promise." She laughed as she walked with him to the kitchen so she could get him some food first. "You know, I hope you got me a birthday card," she teased, laughing at herself as she caught sight of her reflection in the kitchen window. 34. She took a deep breath as the numbers bounced around her mind. This year had definitely been harder than the last. She glanced over her shoulder at Rune's door and sighed, hoping he would feel up for the dinner she had planned for the night. Even though she had avoided most crowd gatherings, she had wanted to have all of her dear ones around the table. Her little family. It was all she wanted and if it meant having to sweep her property every 20 minutes then she'd happily do it. The killers had already taken up enough of her time and worry. Today was not going to be one of those days.

"Come on, kiddo," she said to Stevie and grabbed his leash, attaching it with a few pats to his head. By the door she slid on some sweats and a sweater she left there for herself before sliding into the rising sunlight with her other best friend. "You know this means it's been a year since we got you, little one. So happy anniversary, I promise I got you something good for tonight. You're gonna eat like a little King. I hope you're ready for all the attention. Do you think Ottilie and Hen Wen will get along? I think they will but they'll definitely be shy at first. I'm going to give Noa's mom a call again to make sure she can come too. Danny will pretend to be salty with Ellis for .2 seconds before she pays him a compliment and he's chatty with her again. Rosario will be making me laugh as usual, I hope they come early so I can catch them up on my work drama and I like the idea of Rosario and Danny getting along. It brings my soul joy, you know? Maybe all of that will be helpful for Rune, you know? Something easy. Everyone there loves them, so I hope they can feel it." She let out a sigh, laughing lightly at herself as she thought about it. It had been the toughest year and yet she somehow still had all of these people she loved. Alive and decently well. Able to be there with her. It was a lot to be grateful for. "And I got Jo's favorite wine so she'll be great. Johanna said she would try to be here and I hope she does, I want her to meet everyone. Look at me, I'm a convener. A hostess. Basically a mother." The idea made her pause as Stevie found a spot to pee and Vi caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby window. Here she was, walking her dog, thinking of a dinner party she was hosting. Here she was and there were all these younger folks coming to her house to share a meal with her because they felt safe -as safe as anyone could these days- in her presence. People she adored and cared for. Maybe she wasn't anyone's mother but she was definitely some kind of reliable adult. A mentor even and it filled her with a kind of indescribable joy and emotion. She was pulled out of these thoughts by Stevie pulling on his leash and she had to laugh as they moved along. But she couldn't avoid the belonging and overwhelming love she felt for all the people in her life. Her people. As she got back to the house, she changed back into her robe and unhooked Stevie's leash, trying to lean into the joy she was feeling. How funny to be scared of joy. But she supposed that's just how life had become in Shrike Heights now. But she was alive today, with the people she loved. And that was what stuck in her mind as she walked back into her bedroom and threw herself on the bed to wake up her platonic life partner. Life was really sweet. At least for now.

ft. @withncmercy, @fearsless, @enshrikes, @urdamage,@finaldarlings, @retrocuts

[survibers]

Location & Date: Viola's House the morning of August 18th Tagging: @enshrikes

"I can confirm you still snore," Viola teased as Danny stirred next to her. One of her birthday requests had been him staying over and having a good ol fashioned sleepover with her best friend. She was trying to not have too many existential crises about turning 34 but she had still been sitting up this morning thinking about the past year and beyond. The past year had felt especially tough but she cuddled closer to Danny and patted his chest. "I'm making coffee and starting the day with some champagne. You in? My co workers already gave me a gift card to use on breakfast so I'm not cooking until the dinner."

[survibers]

"are you kidding? preciosa, you can hold onto me for as long as you'd like. i will always catch you when you fall, how about that?" and he meant it, despite it sounding like he was just trying to make her blush or laugh. after the way she had been there for him during the attack he had experienced, there was no doubt in his mind how dear she was to him. and how much he mattered to her. a blessing he was doing his best not to ever take for granted. "you got yourself a deal. i just need some skates," he told her and took out some cash for the rental, not wanting to seem like she was trying to play favorites. once his skates were on though, he eased onto the rink holding her hands. he had always been a decent skater thanks to one of his cousins who had taught him back in new york. the one summer he had come to visit hector in shrike, it had felt like they had spent the whole week at the roller disco. "i actually came to tell you some good news," he started to tell her as they slowly made their way around, staying closer to the wall for the meantime. "i got a job interview," he started, pausing a bit for dramatic affect, "for an assistant coach spot down at the high school. baseball team is hiring. i mean i guess it'd be kind of crazy to jump right to head coach so assistant ain't too bad, right? i mean we'll see. how do they even interview you for coaching, you know? but i'm still gonna do my best. they seemed really happy to have me back there, felt kind of crazy, if i'm honest."

it was truly astonishing how nervous eilonwy could still be on a pair of skates when she had worked at the establishment for so long now , but honestly , her skill set hadn't improved much at all from the time she begun working at donna's . thankfully by now she had grown to be a lot less self-conscious , and she had also gained some extremely great friends who continued to help her on her journey of mastering the skates - no matter how uncoordinated she might have been . another lucky thing happened to be the understanding she had with most of her co-workers , who were more than happy to help her succeed in her job despite her lack of skills . hector's voice took her by surprise as she observed the few skaters on the rink , as if to mentally take notes to aid her improvement , and while he was a surprise , he was one of the loveliest kinds . " who ? where ? " she joked , turning her head side to side like she didn't understand that hector was calling her the hottest person in the establishment . with a grin and a giggle - mostly over the little dig towards zeke - she turned her attention towards her dear friend . " i'm not busy , it's been pretty slow all day , " she shook her head . " so i've got the time , but only if you've got the tolerance to let me hold on to you the entire time and the ability to catch me if i almost fall - which i guarantee i will at least once , " she told him with a half apologetic , half hopeful tone .

[survibers]

"yeah, more than the ladies. don't sound so surprised. i'm a cultured man, antonio," he said, smirking as he did so. "many men have been lucky enough to have a little piece of this. maybe more than a little piece," he added with a wink. "and you know people who don't identify as either. i'm really not picky, dude. if they're hot and ready, i'm hot and ready," he added and shrugged. maybe it sounded crude of him but he was just being honest. he wasn't aware of how much his comment had been a shock to antonio or that it was something he was unsure about but hector was always happy to talk about his love life. or his sexual life rather. he had been a bit more nervous about it as a teenager but he had always been too full of himself to even be shy about it. it wasn't like he cared what his father thought and his mother, well what she didn't know didn't matter. it was his life after all.

"she might. i'm only allowed to say it so many times and we've been friends forever." hector was proud of his friendship with chandler and sometimes he really thought no one would ever be a friend to him the way she had. what they had been through together and apart, he was grateful for all their time together and this new chapter of living together was just proving that more and more. "yeah as you get older life is just a bunch of working huh? but down at the basketball courts? alright, okay, Dr. J, I see you. we should play together some time. i mean baseball was always more my thing than basketball but i still got some skills. how long you've been playing?" hector was realizing in the moment how few questions he had asked him. he had spent time with tony but he hardly knew him. maybe it was time to change that.

"fingers crossed, i could reach it any day now," antonio plays along with hector's joke about puberty, grinning and laughing. only a few short years ago, such a joke would have left a bad taste in his mouth; while antonio isn't anywhere near happy about or thankful for the things - the trauma - that led him to grow up as a person, it is a life so much better lived, one where he can take a joke and have more fun. "more than the ladies?" he doesn't even really mean to say this out loud, but it sparks his interest; antonio knows that he's attracted to more than the ladies, but it's not something that he's ever been able to act upon as of yet. a feeling of half anxiety, half excitement washes over him as he thinks about potentially being able to follow hector's example and attract all sorts of people.

"speaking from personal experience, you shouldn't trust her cooking," he laughs. "careful, if you say the 'f' word in her vicinity she might flee," he teases their beloved close friend. none of them are perfect - no matter how many jokes antonio makes about hector being perfect, and nothing but desired - and it's fair game for chandler or hector to make jokes about his flaws in a similar manner, just as he does to chandler. it might sound a little harsh to an outsider, but it's all love between them. "i'm so good at this, i can definitely help you," antonio boasts, though hector would have laughed if he saw his bedroom, and likely wouldn't have employed antonio for the job if he did. "that's pretty much all i do," he tells hector in a serious voice, though he is joking - arguably sadly not stretching the truth that much, though. since antonio stopped seriously playing basketball after graduation, after his accident, he's been somewhat lost. "that and working," he adds, to make sure hector knows he now makes an honest living for himself - not by choice, a detail he leaves out. "recently though, i've actually been spending a lot more time down at the courts," the ones down in old shrike.

[survibers]

withncmercy·:

this is exactly what juliet has always wanted; she often struggles to admit it to even herself, because it’s such a scarily big change in their dynamic and relationship, but deep down, juliet has always known it. her message to hector was indirect, words spoken carefully in order to have a back up plan in case he doesn’t feel the same, but despite the safety net put in place, juliet wants hector at her door, she wants hector to be dramatic, she wants to finally know whether or not he feels anything more than platonic for her - but even as she thinks of this, she’s so afraid; she can’t lose hector’s friendship, she’d never recover if she did. “well i’m glad that you listened to that something,” she tells him, nervously. 

“oh, i can believe it,” she chuckles. it’s never been only juliet who has had feelings for hector, in one way or another; he’s an extremely desirable person, and while not everyone is lucky enough to know how attractive he is on the inside, at the very least, they’re well aware of how attractive he is on the outside. juliet thinks it a blessing that she’s so well aware of both. “i had a good day,” she finally tells him. “a lot less busy than yours, from the sound of things. no single parents on my radar,” she laughs quietly, and a little awkwardly as she still isn’t addressing the elephant in the room. how could she? with the stakes feeling so high. “you don’t have to apologize,” she tells him, more sincerity than awkwardness in her voice now. “you should know by now that i always love seeing you,” her voice softens even more. 

she sits down with him. “of course you can,” she might be terrified for the question to come, but it’s always welcome with hector. “you’re doing great,” she laughs softly again, unable to stop herself from encouraging hector, even while she’s terrified of what’s to come. then finally, he asks. “that’s… bold, hector, brave. you’ve always been so brave,” she tells him, stalling out of nerves without realizing it. “well,” she readjusts in her seat. “i- well… yeah,” her heart beats against her chest harder than it ever has before. “yeah of course i thought about it,” she stands up, restless with anxiety, and she takes a couple of paces away before turning back to face him again. “i mean, come on,” she says, implying that it only makes sense that she would feel that way, but she finds herself unable to do more than imply it, finding herself speechless, her words stuck in her throat. 

***

“come on, what? like it’s obvious?” he let out a soft laugh, only because he was just as nervous. her words made him laugh and he took in the way she got up as if she couldn’t stay still at the thought of it. she had called him brave so he was trying to be. it was clear he was going to have to be the one to be honest here, or at least lead them in the direction they both seemed so scared to go. so he took a deep breath, thought about how reed would tell him to speak from the heart and he did just that. “jules, you know i wouldn’t have survived out there in Texas without you right? Your letters, your phone calls, the idea that you were here, thinking if me in any way. that shit kept me grounded, you know? especially after i had my surgery. i’d count down the fucking minutes until i heard your voice on the other side and i always regretted not asking you to come. i didn’t want you to see me all laid up, barely able to walk and shit. but god how i wished you were there. to hold my hand. to laugh with when the doctors were being ridiculous. to just..be with you. i-i never like that. for no one. to just want to be around someone no matter what we do or where we go or how we do it? to want to make you laugh and happy and just..god, I used to be out there thinking of every moment we had together in high school. how stupid i was to not try to be your boyfriend. so much time just...wasted.” 

the more he spoke, the easier it was to find his courage and he eventually got to his feet so he could walk over to her. “if i had a dollar for every time i thought about kissing you, or holding your hand or just being close to you, i’d be one rich dude.” the admission made his cheeks blush but he kept pressing forward, eventually reaching out to take her hands so she could actually look at him. “look, you know i’m no writer or poet so my words aren’t always the prettiest but i..i’ve got real feelings for you. Like when I see you walking down the street music plays in my head kind of feelings. Like the idea of you out there with someone else, falling in love makes me feel so fucked up in the head kind of feelings. And that shit scares me. Because I don’t deserve you, at all. Like fuck, you are..everything and I’m just..I’m just Hector.”

He brought her hands to his lips, pretty sure he was fucking it up with his words. There was so much he wanted to say to her, so much he wanted to confess but one thing he knew from the movies is that despite all the iconic lines, nothing beat the long awaited kiss. So with his heart still beating fast he met her eyes for a moment, then glanced at her lips. He brought one hand up to rest on one of her cheeks and brushed his thumb across it before finally leaning in to do something he had dreamed of since he was 15. He pressed his lips to hers and held her close, kissing her deeply, without any clear sign or plan of pulling away soon. 

[survibers]

Reagan: A Playlist

It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones // Spooky - Dusty Springfield // Today - Jefferson Airplane // Brand New Key - Melanie // Cosmic Dancer - T. Rex // Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones // Roadhouse Blues - The Doors // Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne // Love or Confusion - Jimi Hendrix // Sister Disco - The Who // Hey Lover - The Daughters of Eve // I'd Love To Change The World - Ten Years After // Ooh La La - Faces // Daydream Believer - The Monkees // Stoned Soul Picnic - Laura Nyro // Dirty Work - Steely Dan // Wot's...Uh The Deal - Pink Floyd // If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody - Bonnie Raitt // Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits // Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) - Santana // I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) - The Electric Prunes // Mind Flowers - Ultimate Spinach // Pictures of Matchstick Men - Status Quo // L.S.D. - The Pretty Things // Cheshire - Frumious Bandersnatch // Hang On To A Dream - Gandalf // Trouble Child - Laghonia // Norwegian Wood (The Bird Has Flown) - The Beatles // Young Americans - David Bowie // Season Of The Witch - Donovan

“And I asked myself about the present: how wide it was, how deep it was, how much was mine to keep.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

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