#❛ ✖︎ — ft — o plum. °

[silkchvffon]

SHE MIGHT'VE UNDERESTIMATED OLI'S PERSISTENCE. briar's been fairly confident she'd be able to make him crack within the time they've been sitting here already, but it doesn't dispirit her regardless. truth is she could've asked someone else, someone much more likely to agree without the interrogation, but she's convinced she'd have much more fun with oli. he's always been her first pick. « well, dinner is turkey and all that comes with. we're traditional like that, » she beams. « and after, my aunt makes an amazing gingerbread tiramisu. and my mom and i do profiteroles with a nutella filling. you'll eat so much you'll get sick and that's a promise. but if none of them are to your liking, my dad usually sticks to ice cream soaked in baileys. » the maynards have always gone all out in terms of desserts. « pleeease, oli. i'm not above getting on my knees to beg, y'know. »

the thing with oli is… well, he's not really the boyfriend type, not for any particular reason aside from being single his entire life. sure, he had a wife in 2nd grade, one he still talks to occasionally ( they never actually divorced, so… ) some three-day romances in high-school, hookups in college and whatever else, but he's never actually been involved with someone seriously. not that he would be doing that with briar but… won't her family just see right through it ? god. that'd be more awkward than the fake dating; holding hands seems fine compared. he takes a contemplative sip of his milkshake. “ so what kind of food are we talking about ? “ he asks in lieu of his acceptance, licking his lips from the milkshake. “ i’d be missing out on my mom's world famous cookie cake, so… y’know, there's some things to live up to. ” 

[silkchvffon]

IT'S A BAD IDEA. A HORRIBLE ONE, REALLY, but it's the only one briar has. granted, she shouldn't have made up an imaginary partner just to shut her parents up in the first place, but telling them the truth is out of the question. they think she's pathetic enough as is. « you wouldn't even have to do anything, okay ? just let me hold your hand once or twice. that's it, i promise, » she continues reassuringly. « if you really hate it i'll make a scene and send you on the next flight home. »

a chuckle leaves his lips, suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation by her words. " wow, okay... you're really desperate, huh ? " he's pretty sure he's been no one's favourite. ever. especially not briar's. it's times like these that oli wishes he was more selfish, that he could drain her for all he can instead of being so easy to give in, ready to nod his little head and accept her terms like the stupid, loyal friend he is. " what, so... like, they think we're dating or something ? pretend... " he sighs, shaking his head. " you wanna pretend we're together ? " oli looks at her, a sense of seriousness on his features. he swears this kind of shit never ends well. " i don't know, briar. "

[silkchvffon]

CONSIDERATION IS GOOD. consideration is not no. briar can work with consideration. « mmm, it's your favorite. since you're mine, » she muses, tone uncharacteristically sweet. « oh, i'd be so annoying, » she agrees with an enthusiastic nod — whatever it takes to sway him. « come on. my family's a good time, i promise. it'll be very chill. all you have to do is act like you enjoy my company, which shouldn't be too hard. » she grins, leaning back in her seat.

" i'm still making up my mind, " oli's acting like it's the hardest decision ever, like going to hers for the holidays would ruin them for him. there's not really much he's got against it, just not sure if he should be intruding someone else's christmas, even if he'd be technically invited " but this is definitely helping me think." he nods, gladly accepting the bribe as the straw slots between his lips, slurping with satisfaction. " mm, yeah, you would. " which means more bribes, hopefully, or many soon-to-come i-owe-you gifts. " i also just know you'd be so annoying if i don't go... so... " he sighs, weighing up his options.