#built-in floral planters

[morganharrison]

Porch - Traditional Porch Inspiration for a massive, classic renovation of a screened-in back porch with decking and an addition to the roof

[jacksonlucy]

Porch - Traditional Porch Inspiration for a massive, classic renovation of a screened-in back porch with decking and an addition to the roof

[readychilledwine]

Blooms and Blossoms

Summary - The building was perfect, bones ready for a new owner and beginning. Now Elain just had to convince Rhysand to let her have it.

Warnings - None, unless you want to count female independency

A/N - Happy @elainarcheronweek day 6! I think Elain is all of us flower girls who secretly wish we could be running a floral shop *dreamy sigh*. I just know her shop would be gorgeous.

🌸Elain Week Masterlist🌸Master Masterlist🌸

Velaris was never a sleepy town. Elain had realized that very quickly into her newest adventure as she had begun to call being made fae. The streets were always full of light and life. Footsteps and music following every twist and turn on the streets.

She noticed flowers everywhere. Every shop window, planters paid for by Feyre and Rhysand, large gardens, but there were no floral shops. No places for males and females to treat themselves to the beauty only petals could bring. She had been hunting for days to change that, and as she dragged a very confused Rhysand with her, she had a solution.

Elain stopped in front of an empty shop. No sign to detail what had once been, dust gathering on the windows, “Here.” The shop was located in the Rainbow. Near Feyre, yet far enough away the sisters would not be close enough to annoy each other.

“Here what?”

She rolled her eyes at her brother in law before dragging him inside the building. “Look at how perfect the bones of this place are.” Walls that needed fresh paint, floors in need of a good clean and stain. Counters he'd want to replace as soon as he saw her vision. “I want the till here,” she motioned to the empty counter space where she envisioned something ornate and gold to hold coins. “Coolings here?”

Rhysand was slowly catching on, a soft smile playing on his lips. “More windows,” he turned her to the main wall facing the street, for your floral displays and season decor. You will be required to change it for Starfall and Solstice.”

Elain nodded excitedly, “Maybe a new door? With a bell? You know that is one of my favorite sounds.”

“I'm picturing light blush walls,” he began. “To bring out the color in the petals. Neutral countertops, perhaps a white marble?” He began to walk around the large building. “Darker Stained floors.”

“Darker. Definitely a deep rich color,” she agreed before moving with him. It was working. Her goal was slowly coming into fruition. “Blooms and Blossoms,” she said the cheesy name, biting her inner lip and waiting for him to reject it.

Rhysand only glanced back at her, “Very catchy. Nothing around here or in the shopping quarters has a similar name, My dear.” He watched her lip trembled, watching as the happiest of tears began to pool. “An interesting fact. Feyre and I own this building. The former owner could not find a buyer before her marriage to a Day Court noble came. Feyre bought it from her out of kindness.” He motioned for her to follow, knowing she probably had not seen the back.

Her hand found his as they walked through the dark, trusting her brother to get her to whatever he was showing her safely. He opened the door to the back of the shop.

A greenhouse. The shop already had a beautiful greenhouse, archway massive and ready in place. “The artist who owned this building specialized in making paints and art supplies from flowers, berries, and foliage. She grew it all to capitalize on profit.”

Elain walked around the huge greenhouse, now bare bones, but ready and aching to grow life again. “Rhys, please.”

He nodded before motioning for her to come back to him. “It is yours. Work will begin tomorrow.”

Board by board, day in and day out, Elain watched as her dreams were built. Seeds and bulbs planted, suppliers contacted. Each moment was reality growing near. Dusty aged wood was made new again, a deep mahogany stain freshly laid with a satin finish. Walls primed and changed to a soft blush pink. The old worn countertops were removed and replaced with a white and gray marble. A gold register with flowers and fauna carved into it is placed. Every change had Elain in Rhysand's office, the most alive he had ever seen her.

She was electric like this. Her joy became contagious as the Inner Circle learned of her shop, and as opening day approached rumors were spreading through Velaris.

Elain had started spending more and more time at the shop, preparing bouquets of roses, wild flowers mixes, daisies, whatever she could in pretty glass and clay vases. She hummed to herself as she worked on her current project, 24 long stem red roses mixed with fresh baby's breath and soft feather-like foliage. She had not noticed Rhysand enter from the back shop door. She had not noticed his smile as he watched her. She only noticed when he came to the register, placing gold in the till before kissing her cheek.

“I'd like that one,” he hugged her. “It exactly what I was wanting.”

“Take your money back, you aren’t-”

He shook his head, picking a clear glass vase with an iridescent glazing, “I am your first customer, little sister.”

Those words made her heart ache, from joy, from gratitude, from the love pouring from her very chest. “Rhysand-”

“I am so proud of you,” he stopped her sentence, knowing she was going to argue. “So very proud. You've come to life, Elain.” He pulled her to him, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Have you gotten to see the sign we had done?”

She shook her head, letting him pull her to the beautiful new stained glass door and wall of curtained off windows before pulling her outside.

“Blooms and Blossoms” was painted in a soft scroll on the largest window. It would be surrounded by her hanging pots and the flowers she had potted that could withstand the brightness of the window. Feyre had planned and centered it perfectly. Each season, it would shine, obvious to all who passed that this was the floral shop she hoped people would come to be regulars at.

“I saw all the beautiful exotics and staple plants you enchanted and are growing,” Rhysand wrapped an arm around Elain's shoulder. “Your suppliers are also doing wonderfully so far. The trade it's created has helped with a few other niche things we have here.” Rhysand's voice was soft as the two of them stared at the shop window.

“Thank you,” she finally gave him her gratitude after moments of just taking this in. “For funding this, for believing in me and my dreams.”

“That's what Velaris is for,” he whispered into her hair, “Dreamers.”

The next day was loud. It was crazy. Elain had not sat since the opening day party began. She had been blind to Rhysand and Feyre's influence before, but the fae of Velaris rushed to the shop she owned, purchasing single stems, mixed bundles, and house plants. Her smile stayed wide and ready all day, constantly holding in tears of joy as she did.

She was a business owner.

Her passion now a livelihood.

Cassian locked the door as the shopping day came to a close, and the last customer left. Elain slowly closed the curtains as her sisters and the Inner Circle stood in the flower shop. “That was insane,” Mor huffed as she fell to one of the client chairs Elain would use for custom orders. “How much did she make, Rhysie?”

The High Lord was deep into counting for Elain, shaking his head with a smirk, “More than enough to buy us all a round or two at Rita's.”

Elain squealed before bouncing slightly, “I have money to pay?!”

Everyone stared towards her before Feyre spoke, “You won't be paying, but yes?”

Elain screamed with joy, the fulfillment of having her own income almost too much for her. “I have my own money!”

They all glanced at each other as the middle sister began to skip and clean, singing softly to herself about being independent and having money.

“It seems this was about more than flowers,” Azriel muttered to Nesta.

The eldest sister just smiled at him, “It was about passion,” she said slowly. “And about gaining independence through doing something by her own choice.”

Azriel hummed, “Then it would seem she should be allowed to make whatever choices make her happy if this is the result.”

Nesta nodded in agreement as Elain skipped to Lucien, showing him the till, “It would seem she should.”

General Taglist:

@hnyclover @glitterypirateduck @slytherinindisguise @mischiefmanagers @bloodicka @starsinyourseyes @the-sweet-psycho @mariahoedt @rinalouu @sarawritestories @starryhiraeth @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @cumuluscranium @loneliestluvr @eternallyelvish @azrielsmate3 @daughterofthemoons-stuff @meritxellao @aria-chikage @hungryforbatboys @lilah-asteria @fandomrejects @sleepybesson @tayswhp @itsswritten @milswrites @littlest-w01f

[hazard100]

Let me introduce you to a secret boss idea that I've had rattling in my head ever since the reveal of other dark worlds existing throughout deltarune and one that has been caringly drawn by the incredible @bep-celeste​ ! Secret Boss of Chapter 4 - Asgore's Garden Getaway 

Name: Graves 

Role/Job: Cemetery Groundskeeper

Personality: Cynical, Low-energy, and Somber. 

Soul Color Challenge: Blue

Light World Object: Broken Garden Shovel

Backstory: Before becoming what he was, Graves used to be one of the Great Tree's Planters, scarecrow-like darkeners tasked to dig holes and place seeds to expand the domain of their leafy ruler. During his job, a fellow Planter named Barrow fell into a hole Grave dug and never came out. This was quite a traumatic experience for the poor darkener, and he quickly tried to fill the hole so that no one else would fall into it. Unfortunately, no single scoop of dirt filled the void, and Graves was left ragged. Soon enough, he encountered a strange man who told him the secret truth about the world and how the unfillable spot was a vital factor. Horrified, Graves built a wall and gate to keep the rest of the floral city away from the hole, turning the place into the Cemetery. He then made a house to cover the spot, which turned out to be fruitless, as the hole bore through the 5 floors and even the roof. Soon enough, Graves became haunted by visions of the twisted truth, along with the voices of the other Secret Bosses taunting him, saying how he could not escape what he had learned and further tormenting him with the fact that he was trapped. Now he lives in the old house alone, digging graves for wilted plants and fallen Darkeners while trying desperately to fill the hole.

[bilalrehmanstudiocom]

Creative Design Interior Ideas

Introduction

Interior design is more than just arranging furniture and choosing paint colors; it’s an art form that reflects personality, functionality, and aesthetics. Creative interior design can transform any space into a haven of comfort, style, and innovation. This article delves into various interior design ideas that can inspire you to revamp your living spaces creatively.

1. Embrace Minimalism with a Twist

Minimalism is all about simplicity and functionality, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Incorporate statement pieces such as a bold piece of artwork or a unique light fixture to add character to the minimalist design. Use a neutral color palette with occasional pops of color to keep the space lively and engaging.

2. Go Green with Indoor Plants

Incorporating indoor plants is a fantastic way to bring life and freshness into any room. Plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also improve air quality. Consider using a variety of plants, such as hanging planters, large potted plants, or a wall-mounted vertical garden. Succulents, ferns, and spider plants are excellent choices for indoor gardening.

3. Mix and Match Textures

Playing with different textures can add depth and interest to your interiors. Combine soft fabrics like velvet or linen with rougher materials like wood or metal. For example, pair a plush velvet sofa with a rustic wooden coffee table. This contrast creates a dynamic and visually appealing environment.

4. Incorporate Vintage and Modern Elements

Blending vintage and modern elements can create a timeless look that exudes personality and charm. Antique furniture or décor items can be paired with contemporary pieces to create a unique and eclectic style. A vintage chandelier can add a touch of elegance to a modern living room, or an old wooden trunk can be repurposed as a coffee table in a sleek, modern setting.

5. Use Bold Colors and Patterns

Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold colors and patterns. A statement wall with a vibrant color or a striking wallpaper can become the focal point of the room. Geometric patterns, floral designs, or even abstract art can add a playful and dynamic touch to your interiors. Just ensure that the bold elements complement the overall color scheme and don’t overwhelm the space.

6. Create Functional Spaces

Modern interior design emphasizes functionality along with aesthetics. Design your spaces to be both beautiful and practical. For instance, use multifunctional furniture like a sofa bed or a dining table that doubles as a workspace. Incorporate built-in storage solutions to keep the space organized and clutter-free.

7. Personalize with Art and Accessories

Personal touches make a house feel like a home. Display your favorite artworks, photographs, or souvenirs from your travels. Use decorative accessories such as cushions, throws, and rugs to add warmth and personality to your interiors. These elements not only reflect your style but also add layers of visual interest to the space.

8. Play with Lighting

Lighting is a crucial element in interior design that can dramatically alter the mood and ambiance of a room. Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a well-lit and inviting space. Chandeliers, pendant lights, and floor lamps can serve as both functional and decorative pieces. Consider dimmable lights to adjust the mood according to different occasions.

9. Open Concept Living

Open concept living spaces are popular for their airy and spacious feel. Remove unnecessary walls to create a seamless flow between different areas such as the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. Use furniture and rugs to define different zones within the open space while maintaining a cohesive look.

10. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design

Sustainability is an essential aspect of modern interior design. Choose eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or recycled metal. Opt for energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Incorporate natural elements like stone, cork, and wool to create a warm and eco-conscious interior.

 

Creative interior design is about pushing boundaries and experimenting with different styles, textures, and elements. Whether you prefer a minimalist approach or a more eclectic mix, the key is to create a space that reflects your personality and meets your functional needs. Use these ideas as inspiration to embark on your interior design journey and transform your living spaces into beautiful, inviting, and innovative environments.

For more info :- 

bilal rehmand studio in houston tx

bilal rehmand studio in houston

bilal rehmand studio in new york

[seofloraldecorwholesale]

Most Fashionable Ceramic Pot

We are most fashionable establishments have switched to this authentic ceramic fashion in preference to conventional chinaware. Popular forms of decorative ceramics include vases, bowls, plates, and figurines. Welcome to Floral Decor Imports, your one-stop vacation spot for beautiful planters. The ceramic pots can be used to pot any sort of plant and the pots may be positioned even in full solar, be assured that your pot will stay as charming together with your plant as ever. Big ceramic pots that have been glazed could also be okay when you keep them close to the home out of direct sunlight and weather - flower pots wholesale.

 The Decorative Planters series are a set of three distinctively different planters, each with a unique design. They are crafted from durable materials and have a beautiful finish that will complement any home décor. The Decorative Planters series is perfect for adding a touch of style to any indoor or outdoor space. You will have an endless source of new shapes and decors to please your purchasers because we are repeatedly investing in new designs. But your business won’t ever be compromised due to our delivery time. They know they’re not simply shopping for pottery, they’re shopping for cultural heritage and years of historic history. We have been turning clay into pottery because the pre-historic occasions - Indoor China Pottery.

We specialize in multifaceted finishes like shiny, matte, metallic glazes and varied cement finishes. In this publication, we have found and vetted one of the best wholesale suppliers and manufacturers in your pottery enterprise to simplify the outreach course for you. Featuring a wealth of hand-built and painted ceramic vessels, bespoke art items, and textile design. You will have an endless source of new shapes and decors to please your purchasers because we are repeatedly investing in new designs. But your business won’t ever be compromised due to our delivery time. For more information, please visit our site https://floraldecorimports.com/

[floraldecorimports22]

Chinese Ceramics

Chinese ceramics show a continuous development since pre-dynastic times and are one of the most significant forms of Chinese art and ceramics globally. The first pottery was made during the Palaeolithic era. Chinese ceramics range from construction materials such as bricks and tiles, to hand-built pottery vessels fired in bonfires or kilns, to the sophisticated Chinese porcelain wares made for the imperial court and for export. Porcelain was a Chinese invention and is so identified with China that it is still called china in everyday usage - pottery imports near me.

Though these pots do not have a drainage hole in the outer plastic, you ought to be careful not to use them in a place the place they could receive additional water that cannot drain. . While considering your finest option, keep  in mind that form, depth, and supplies used for building could have an effect on the happiness of your vegetation. We have a diverse number of ceramics on your greenery and flowers, from rustic terracotta pots to industrial cement pots. Concrete garden pots ad a classical mystique to indoor and outdoor areas, making them a focus of any landscaping or decorating project - imported ceramic pots.

If you could have any product queries corresponding, what are our ceramic flower planters& prices? We also stock a variety of ceramic vases ideal for making beautiful display items to indicate your greatest floral preparations. We have developed a big collection of pots and planters with over many objects with waterproof glazed ceramic, cement and terracotta designs. We know pots and have offered and shipped tens of hundreds of various designs and sizes around the nation and take buyer satisfaction seriously, enhancing our status with each sale.

Our variety of pots, water features, garden furnishings, and giftware are second to none. Our staff is dedicated to providing great service and priceless, practical recommendations that will help you create the out of doors house of your goals. We supply a variety of wonderful colors for doors garden world with climate resistance. We provide prime quality products, making them the proper addition to contemporary designs. For more information, please visit our site https://floraldecorimports.com

[pacific-silkscapes]

Tropical Palm Trees

Tropical Palm Trees

REALISTIC TROPICAL PALMS OFFERED BY PACIFIC SILKSCAPES

Cycas Palm

Artificial Areca Palm

Kentia Palm

Phoenix Palm

Fishtail Palm

Rhapis Palm Tree in Office

Rhapis Palm Tree

Traveler's Palm Tree

Artificial Kentia Palm

Artificial Grass Tree

Bird of Paradise

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (zz plant)

Banana Leaf Plant

Artificial banana tree and succulents Check out our new large outdoor coconut palm trees!!! Click here Our Artificial Palm trees are lifelike! At Pacific Silkscapes, we purchase only tropical palm trees that look life-like, are constructed to last, and use real tree trunks.  We choose floral and sprays that have realistic texture and color.  The artificial palm trees that Pacific Silkscapes sells are built to last using the highest quality of materials.  Even though our products are realistic and built to last, they are surprisingly affordable with the value you deserve. There are very few trees that can match the warmth, charm, and fantasy of Pacific Silkscapes' artificial palm trees. They bring so much style and beauty to any landscape design. With their stately trunks, shapely leaves, and arching fronds, these are some of the most exotic elements which will make quite an impression in any setting. There are many species of palm trees and there’s surely one which will blend in beautifully in your landscaping project and conjure balmy, tropical vibes in the setting.  Transform any room in your home or office with our line of tropical artificial palm trees. Use it in events, weddings, and large presentations.  Also, check out our tropical trees for rent. Use for setting a tropical theme for your office or lobby.  Also, check out our outdoor artificial palm trees that are UV resistant and built for the outdoors. Outdoor TropicalTrees If you’re looking to create a tropical landscape in your commercial space, nothing will do it better than our collection of outdoor artificial tropical palm trees. Our artificial palm trees are popular and in demand.  Just place some in your landscaping project and you’ll have an environment where everyone loves spending their time in. From outdoor artificial Banana Palm Trees to outdoor silk Coconut Palm Trees, outdoor faux Areca Palm Trees to outdoor fake Kentia Palm Trees, we have a large selection of some of the most eye-catching palm trees which will make a stunning statement in your space. Our line of artificial palm trees represents unique species from around the world.  From the iconic Sago Palm to regional varieties like the Areca, Banana, Phoenix, and Kentia Palms, our realistic palm trees bring a touch of the tropics to indoor and/or outdoor spaces. They range in size up to 10 feet high. For more ideas, check out the palm trees on our Pinterest site. Don't forget the planter! Don’t forget to purchase the ideal planter.  Nothing beats a well-made handcrafted planter for enhancing the beauty of any room. Choosing the right planter will enhance your custom tree while also complementing your décor. Check out our BLOG post on why planters are important. Also, review some of the planters offered by Pacific Silkscapes. Read the full article

[jayantstones]

Garden Serenity: Exquisite Collection of Ornamental Delights

Explore our exquisite collection of garden ornaments that will add a touch of elegance and charm to your outdoor space. At Jayant Stones, we offer a wide range of high-quality garden ornaments crafted with precision and care. Our products are designed to enhance the beauty of your gardens, pathways, and outdoor areas.

Garden Statues: Our garden statues are meticulously carved by skilled artisans, capturing the grace and beauty of various forms. Whether you're looking for classic Greek and Roman figures or contemporary abstract sculptures, we have something to suit every taste.

Bird Baths: Create a serene environment for your feathered friends with our elegant bird baths. Crafted from durable materials, these bird baths provide a safe and inviting space for birds to drink and bathe while adding a decorative element to your garden.

Fountains: Add the soothing sound of water to your outdoor oasis with our stunning fountains. From traditional tiered designs to modern and minimalist styles, our fountains create a focal point and bring a sense of tranquility to your garden.

Garden Benches: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings on our comfortable and stylish garden benches. Made from durable materials such as teak or wrought iron, our benches are built to withstand the elements while providing a cozy spot for relaxation.

Planters: Showcase your favorite flowers and plants with our range of beautiful planters. Available in various shapes, sizes, and materials, our planters allow you to create captivating floral displays that will brighten up any corner of your garden.

Garden Lanterns: Illuminate your outdoor space with our exquisite garden lanterns. Whether you prefer traditional lantern designs or contemporary styles, our lanterns add a warm and inviting glow to your garden, creating a magical ambiance during the evenings.

Garden Decorative Stones: Enhance the natural beauty of your garden with our decorative stones. From pebbles to stepping stones, these decorative elements add texture, color, and visual interest to your garden landscape.

Wind Chimes: Bring harmony and melody to your garden with our melodious wind chimes. Available in various designs and materials, our wind chimes create soothing sounds as the breeze gently passes through them, creating a serene and calming atmosphere.

Discover the perfect garden ornaments to complement your outdoor space at Jayant Stones. With our wide selection of high-quality products, you can transform your garden into a haven of beauty and tranquility. Explore our website and find the perfect pieces to create your dream garden today.

Visit - https://jayantstones.com/our-products/garden-ornaments/

[whaleofatjme1920]

In the Backyard Catching Fireflies (Hoodie X F!Reader X Masky)

In the Backyard Catching Fireflies

[Hoodie X F!Reader X Masky]

[Warnings: slight blood]

You honestly could have dreamed you would be in this type of situation if you were looking at this from the lens of last year's Reader. It was a mistake to even make contact with them to begin with.

As a child, your mother would often bring you into the woods to look for fun things: flowers, mushrooms, rocks, sometimes bones or pieces of trees. Other times, she brought you out there to practice her own magick, other days it was just to spend time in nature, and every other time than those reasons was just to spend time with you, her one and only beloved daughter. The correct term would be ‘witch’ but your mother never actually called herself one. Magickal practitioner, maybe, but never a ‘witch.’ You, on the other hand, absolutely took that term with pride.

You being a witch was what accidentally caused you to meet them to begin with. One evening, while out and about in the forest on the edge of town where you looked for fresh violets to eventually make violet syrup for your daughter’s ‘magical creature tea party,’ you found your favorite stretch of woods filled with the scent of blood. How strange, and it didn’t strike you as an animal’s blood. No, this was much stronger, more metallic, and carried the weight of sins past in its wake. As you looked around the forest to see what on earth was causing the terrible scent, you saw two men get spit out in between the trees. They flailed for a moment before getting tossed onto the forest floor, looking so much worse for wear.

“Oh my gods!” You exclaimed in surprise as you began to run over to the two, wondering if they were okay. You drew cautiously near them, only momentarily pausing to grab a large stick from the ground should they pounce when you finally got close enough to see their faces. How peculiar - their faces were covered. The one in the yellow hoodie had a ski-mask with a frown etched onto its surface, and the one in the tan coat was donned with a white mask with feminine features.

Your eyes flicked down to their midsections - that’s where the blood came from. They’re out cold, and you confirm that by trying to get them up. No dice. Against your better judgement, you load them onto your little wagon and bring them back to the car. It wouldn’t be right for you to just… leave them to bleed all over the forest floor.

You entered back into your house around the early evening, tired from trying to drag two grown men much bigger than you into your garage and set them up so you can work on them.

“Mommy?” Your small daughter’s voice piped in as she popped her head through the door leading to the garage where you were. “Who are they?”

“Got hurt,” you replied. “Can you get me the first aid kit?”

Your little girl smiled widely and nodded before she quickly zoomed back into the house. “Make sure to get the lavender and rosemary oil too! Can you do that for me, Magnolia?” You called out.

You heard your little girl running around as if she went back to get something. She eventually came back to the door, her arms full of things she thought you needed and the things you actually needed. “Thank you so much, baby,” you said with a small smile, petting her head as she put the things down on the table for you. “Go upstairs and watch some TV for me, okay? I don’t think I want to overwhelm our guests.”

At the sound of being able to watch more spongebob, she zoomed off and allowed you to get to work.

You mentally asked the two men before you to forgive the intrusion as you lifted their shirts to get at their wounds. You’re not sure you’ve ever seen something like this before. Is that… Are those claw marks? You dab a piece of cloth with some isopropyl alcohol and move to the white masked man and get three of the four lines cleaned when he awoke. His eyes shot open and his hand was gripping painfully tight at your wrist.

“Who the hell are you?” He asked in a panic, struggling to get you off of him in his half awake state. “Where are we?”

“Woah!” You cried out as you attempted to wriggle your hand free from his grasp. “I’m just cleaning you up-”

“Where are we?” He’s rattling off questions so fast and so loud that it wakes the second one up.

Due to you not being able to hold him down as well, he was able to pounce up and pin you to the ground, ready to end your life.

“Agh- stop!” You cried out in shock. “I just wanted to patch you two up!”

The man in the ski mask looked into your eyes for any hint of lying, or deception only to find none. Still, you were a normal person getting involved with two proxies. That in itself warrants death according to their society’s rules - and the Slender Man’s will.

“Wait,” the man in the white mask sighed. “Let her finish this up. You’re bleeding out on the floor.”

On cue at his comrade’s words, Hoodie glanced down to his midsection. He was indeed bleeding out on the garage floor and by extension, you. Realizing he was in no state to even consider inflicting damage, he relented.

An awkward silence quickly built up once you were back working on them. “So… What’re your names?”

“Hoodie.”

“Masky.”

“Interesting names,” you noted as you continued to work. “I’m Reader.”

“Interesting name,” Masky mirrors.

You laugh slightly.

That wasn’t the last you saw of the two men. They left almost immediately after being patched up much to your chagrin, but came back about a week later to properly thank you.

“We noticed some spell books in your garage before we left,” Hoodie began before nodding for Masky to go to the back of the car (they stole). “One of them being florals and it looked like you had some space in the front of your house. So, we brought you some flowers.”

You move your vision from over Hoodie’s shoulder to see Masky holding planters full of flower’s you’ve never even seen before. “Oh my gods,” you said in slight surprise as Masky places the small bushes down in front of their designated spots.

“We can plant them for you - or if you don’t like them we can-”

“No, no! They’re beautiful and the front lawn needs some color,” you beamed, looking at the array of colors dotting your front lawn. “How did… Where did you even find those?”

“We know a guy,” Masky said as he went back to the car to get a shovel.

You ended up going out there to help them plant the flower bushes and spent some more time in their company while you worked.

“So, tell me about yourself,” Masky said as he began to carefully place one of the shrubs into the dirt.

“Too broad,” you teased slightly.

Masky rolled his brown eyes. “You and magick.”

“My mother practiced, now I do,” you replied as you gently scooped back some of the dirt. “Most of it is home related work, but these plants are such a big help.” You took in their sweet scent. Come to think of it, you don’t think you’ve ever seen these types of flowers before anywhere. “What about you two?”

“Travelers, of some sort,” Hoodie piped in. “Never stay in one place for too long.” He glanced over to Masky to continue.

“That’s pretty much it,” Masky whistled slightly. “Used to be film students. Now we just… Go wherever the winds take us.”

From there, you began to hear stories from the two. Mostly little adventures they’d gone to, creepy towns they never wished to visit ever again, people they wished they stayed in contact with and everything and anything in between. It was actually rather nice to talk to other adults - and while they were relatively quiet about their past past, they seemed at ease talking with you about these things.

In return, you told them about other memories and anecdotes in your life. Small memories of climbing up the mountain with your mother, meeting your friends, your academic adventures and what brought you out to this part of the country.

“Wanted to get away from it all, I guess,” you said as the three of you sat on the front porch. “Figured it would be better to start again out here than face everything that had happened back there.”

Hoodie shared a look with Masky for but a moment. You hadn’t gone into detail about what happened back then, but they could somewhat fill in the lines with their experience of the world so far.

They came by plenty of times after that - sometimes together, sometimes not. Most of the time they stayed on your porch with you, chatting away about the day’s events and what would come next. You told them about your job, a teacher’s assistant to middle schoolers, and how you often passed your time. They eventually showed you their faces - and lord were they handsome - and still refused to tell you about their actual work.

“It’s dangerous, that’s all you need to know,” Hoodie had said one night while sipping a beer bottle.

Yet, they seemed to come by even more than usual when they met your darling little girl, Magnolia. Somehow, they’d managed to avoid her and her them throughout all their visits, but one afternoon near the beginning of the school year, that all changed.

She’s only 7, and the school bus often lets her out about a block from your home. You trust her enough to walk there and back (though another part of you wants to hold onto her forever and never let go).

“What time is it?” You hummed, sipping at your iced tea.

“About… 3:30, why?” Masky asked as he looked at his watch.

You immediately perked up. “She should be home soon,” you said eyes wandering from the two men on the steps with you towards the direction you knew your little girl was going to be coming from. And just like clockwork, there she was.

“Mommy!” She cried out, a large smile on her face as she began to run the rest of the way to the front steps.

“Mags!” You giggled as you maneuvered your way through the two men before hurriedly meeting her half way. “There’s my special little girl,” you laughed, taking her into your arms, picking her up and spinning her. “How was your day?” You ask, carrying her in your arms as you make it back to the front porch.

Masky and Hoodie move aside slightly as you sit back down with Magnolia on your lap.

“It was so fun! Today, we talked about bugs!”

“You did?” You asked as she nodded rapidly. “Tell me all about it while I get you something to drink and a snack, okay?” You said as you put her onto the steps before standing and opening the front door - and propping it open so you could still hear her and see her from the kitchen.

“We learned all about butterflies and what happens when they’re babies and become pretty,” Magnolia began to explain. “And then Miss Honey said we were gonna get caterpillar babies in our classroom and release them later. And then, she told us about bees and how bumbly they are-”

You listened to Magnolia go on about her lesson with a small smile as you fixed her some iced tea and apple slices. You could listen to her all day. When you failed to answer one of her questions, you heard Masky picking it back up for you.

“Hey Mommy? Why is the sky blue?”

A beat of silence because you honestly didn’t hear it.

“The atmosphere,” Masky began as he looked up at the perfectly azure sky. “You know what the states of matter are, don’t you?”

Magnolia nodded. “I do! Solid, liquid and gas,” she answered.

Masky smiled back and nodded. “Yeah, that’s it. Atmosphere is air and it covers the whole earth like a blanket,” he explained.

“It does?”

“Absolutely,” Hoodie chimed in.

Magnolia looked in between the two men with stars in her eyes, urging them to continue.

“The atmosphere changes the way that light from the sun reaches us,” Masky continued. “Light comes to us in wavelengths,” he moves his hand up and down like ‘waves’ to show what he means. “And those wavelengths look different depending on what they hit,” he claps his hands together, “and how long they are.”

“Do shorter wave… wavelengths show different colors?” Magnolia asks, clearly enamored in Masky’s teaching.

“Smart girl,” Masky chuckled softly as he ruffled her hair.

You finally come back from the kitchen with Magnolia’s snack and drink, more than pleased to see how well Masky and Hoodie were doing with her. Magnolia was admittedly a shy girl - she never really warmed up to people easily, especially not men given the situation with her father (who you’d rather not think about most days).

“And what about rainbows? Are those wavelengths?”

Both Hoodie and Masky laughed slightly before entertaining your daughter’s question as she sipped on her drink and bit into the apple slices. You watched with a small smile as you listened to the three talk.

After meeting Magnolia, Hoodie and Masky were more often at your house than not. And it carried on like that throughout the school year.

Masky often helped Magnolia with her science and math when you didn’t (feel like it).

“Mhm, and how many do you need to add to 5 in order to make 9?” Masky asked, eyes

glancing between your daughter and her math worksheet.

Magnolia smiled widely, “It’s 4.” She said it so confidently that you felt your heart burst from the living room.

“Good job,” Masky smiled back just as widely. “I’m sure you don’t know what you have to add to 8 to get 15, do you?”

“7!”

“Gods, you are so smart,” Masky chuckled warmly, hand once again ruffling her hair.

Hoodie was much more inclined to help with her reading and language arts skills. Seemed he had a knack for those things over math and science anyways.

“Spell bridge.”

“B-R-I-D-G-E.” Magnolia said with a grin.

Hoodie nodded. “Alright, how about… Believe?”

Magnolia furrowed her eyebrows slightly but gave a stab at it anyways. “B-E-L… I-E-V-E.” I before E, right?

“Good one. And laughter?”

“L-A-U-... F-no… G-H… T-E-R?”

“Nice job!” Hoodie complimente in an excited tone, scooping Magnolia up onto his lap making her burst into a fit of giggles. “You are seriously gonna kick everyone’s butt at the spelling bee on Friday.”

While they grew closer with your little girl, you noticed they had also grown oddly close with you as well. It came in little bouts - sometimes Masky would be cuddling with you on the couch while you watched the late night news. Hoodie would sometimes spend time with you in the garden and help when he didn’t have to - he was there just because he wanted to be with you. There were some days when they’d get you little trinkets, plants and herbs to help with your magick. Masky would even remind you of the full moon so you could put a jug out for moon water - and Hoodie would inform you of when the planets were in retrograde to potentially explain any odd behavior (remember: mundane of magickal.) They were helpful. Other times the three of you would spend the day together and eat brunch and act like your own individual family unit. And in your own unique way, you were - what with Magnolia now referring to the two men as her ‘aunt Hoodie’ and ‘uncle Masky’ much to the former’s original hesitance to accept that title.

It wasn’t just you feeling this way either, it was both of them as well. Masky was surprised to see how fast Hoodie had grown to care about you as Hoodie doesn’t really care about anything anymore. Maybe himself, definitely Masky, and definitely the other two in their group - but that’s it. To care for a human and her child… That’s admittedly out of pocket for him. They’re not sure what exactly to call it, maybe it’s love, but it’s a different kind of love. One that doesn’t have a name.

Ever since they entered your life things have been better. Life has been sweeter. Your little girl is more outgoing than ever and she’s finally coming out of her shell with not one, but two positive male role models.

And that led to now. The sun had finally dipped below the horizon and the stars were coming out to play. Magnolia was about to go on summer break - and the four of you had been planning on visiting the beach sometime soon. There were a lot of things to look forward to (another magical creature plus aunt Hoodie and uncle Masky tea party) being one of those things.

“Careful with the jar, Mags,” Hoodie said as he handed Magnolia a good sized mason jar to her awiting hands.

“I will!” Magnolia said before she zipped outside the backyard.

“Masky, you want anything to drink?” Hoodie called out from the kitchen as you got together the materials for s’mores.

“Lemonade, if we have it,” Masky replied.

“Good choice,” Hoodie mumbled before turning to the fridge.

After the two of you had everything you needed, you and Hoodie went out to the backyard and started to set everything up on the glass table Masky sat at. You settled into your seat as Hoodie got a fire going in the pit and when that was ready, he let it burn and took a seat at the other side of you. With Masky to your right and Hoodie to your left, you felt an odd sense of peace.

“It’s a nice night, yeah?” You hummed out in content as you watched your baby dance around with the fireflies.

“It sure is,” Hoodie agreed, hand lightly resting on top of yours.

“Ditto,” Masky smiled, arm now around your shoulders.

In the grass, Magnolia giggled as she caught fireflies, admiring how beautiful the flashes of green looked as they danced through the swaying leaves of grass.

[flannelizard]

Zimbits repainting their living room together!

(You changed your request in a pm so I’m writing that one because sobs)

Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD, if you’re feeling cheeky, is the bane of Eric Richard Bittle’s existence. As much as he loves the social climate of the north, for a few months each year, the actual climate sucks the life out of him. He gets tired, stressed, apathetic, and has to keep special lamps around just to make him feel human.

When he wakes up (later than he should), Jack has already opened up the blackout shades so he can at least have the hazy gray sunlight pouring into the room, which is better than nothing at all. Bitty sits up and groans, his limbs already feeling heavy. If he didn’t know that Jack would drag him out, he’d spend the whole day in bed. Damn Jack and his insistence that they do everything in their power to feel healthier.

Bitty slips out of bed and pads over to the master bath to wash his face, brush his teeth, and take his daily Lexapro. Once that has all been handled, he stretches his arms above his head and heads out to eat breakfast.

The first thing he notices when he steps into the hall separating the bedroom from the rest of the house is the smell. Floral and heady and bringing a grin to Bitty’s face immediately. Jack does have a habit of buying him flowers, especially in the winter months, to bring a little sunshine. From the smell of it, he’s done just that today. A small smile tugs on Bitty’s lips while he walks down the hallway.

The second thing he notices is the sound of birdsong. It draws a wistful sigh from him, knowing that it can’t be actual birds at this time of year. Jack must be attempting meditation again.

The third thing he notices is the feeling of grass under his feet when he rounds the corner into the living room. Shocked, he looks down to find that, yes, that is grass under his feet, separated from the hardwood by what looks to be a carefully placed tarp, with planters of flowers placed here and there. The pictures on the walls have been taken down and replaced with hanging baskets of ivy tacked to the wall with removable hangers, and the big screen tv has a video of trees swaying in the wind playing.

Right in the middle of it is Jack. Looking soft in a pair of khaki shorts and a Samwell t shirt, with his hands in his pockets, his shoulders high, and a look on his face like he’s asking Bitty if all of this is okay.

“Oh honey, what is all this?” Bitty asks with a hand clapped over his mouth and tears welling up in his eyes.

“I know winter is hard for you, I wanted to bring you a little sunlight,” Jack says like it’s obvious and easy and like he didn’t obviously wake up obscenely early to set this up. “Come on, let’s have breakfast.”

He pulls Bitty over to the spread he’s set up with their picnic blanket, a bowl of fruit salad, and paper thin crepes with a selection of all of Bitty’s favorite toppings. Bitty has to keep himself from knocking it all over to tackle this ridiculous man into the ground. “Oh it’s so beautiful, how did you-”

“Lardo knows some people,” Jack says with a wink. He holds up a strawberry for Bitty to bite into, which he does and groans when it’s perfectly sweet. “And I got your parents to film their back yard for an hour so I could do the TV.”

Bitty turns back to the video of the trees and realizes Jack is exactly right. That is the forest that their house backs up to, complete with the birdhouse he and coach built for his twelfth birthday. “Oh honey this is…it’s too much.”

Jack chuckles, takes Bitty’s chin in his hand, and brushes their lips together and the sun shines.

[brightstarhoshi]

Say Goodbye for Now

✎ In Collaboration with @froneypupbee​

Chapter 1 [RE-EDITED]

✧ Link to Masterlist ✧ Genre: Angst, Romance, Slice of Life, Melodrama ✧ Word Count: 5k ✧ Summary: Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Mark Lee is met with the heart wrenching truth that he has less than a month to live. His first decision is to face closure with his best friend, Donghyuck, who struggles to accept the reality of their future. What starts out as an early farewell turns into Donghyuck suggesting they spend their last few months together by following Mark’s bucket list from when he was fourteen. As Donghyuck is aware that the list ranges from domestic to insane objectives, there is one item that slightly intrigues him—falling in love.

Mark Lee, at the age of 18, was dying. He’d undergone treatment for a long time, gotten better for a short period of time before his health plummeted and cancer proceeded to spread through his body. He was weaker than ever, physically and emotionally. He thought he’d come to terms with dying, he knew there was a chance of it happening, but he didn’t think it would happen so soon. After his one period of good health, he probably got it into his head that he might’ve actually had the chance of living a fulfilling life. At a point, everyone around him was just as hopeful as he had been. But the golden walls of that false reality came tumbling down to reveal the twisted reality he actually lived in.

Mark Lee learned on May 16th that he only had a few months to live at best and it was more likely than not that a few months could mean only one. He learned that all of the hope and happiness he’d compiled in his short life would end so soon. He had so much he wanted to do, but the time was torn from his hands. He wanted to weep, but the tears wouldn’t come out. He had to keep face in front of his parents and didn’t want to cry in front of the doctor that always told him to stay strong.

The ride home was one of the longest he’d ever experienced. His parents tried to act happy for his sake, but Mark could tell that everything was eating at them as much as it ate at him, but he tried to smile for them. They deserved happiness because he was living a life that would soon end just to devastate those around him. He’d try to make his end easier for them as long as he could.

Upon arriving home, Mark went straight to the only thing that was able to comfort him. The only person more like. He quickly unlocked his phone with hands so shaky he was surprised he could type properly. He opened his messages and a flood of agony swallowed up his mind. Donghyuck was always punctual and knew just how long his usual appointments would last, he’d always made sure to send him a message inquiring about how his appointment went. Mark could bear with what he’d have to tell his friend this time, so he didn’t reply with more than:

‘Come over. Urgent.’

He let his phone fall into his lap as he flopped back onto his bed, struggling to settle himself under the sheets while he awaited a knock from his friend.

Today, the earthy wands of the trees, those limbs that stretch into the sky, bloomed many new buds that decorated themselves in polka-dots. They had shed their winter covers, the layers they sheltered within, and now bravely sought the sun, renewed in its brilliance. This day was too charming to go out with, and instead of taking advantage of it like most would, Donghyuck made the decision to stay indoors and burn a batch of perfectly shaped pastries that Mark would have enjoyed.

Or at least, could have.

He sighed in defeat and paused to admire the flowers outside that blossomed from the windowsill planter. It was a shame—he missed out on the moment to be a part of the transient beauty that the floral aroma released, but now they were poisoned with the overwhelming char of the desserts. He tore the oven mitts from his hands and tossed them onto the kitchen counter, groaning in exasperation as he brought a hand to rub the tension from his temples.

After a few moments of pacing around in the kitchen, Donghyuck’s ears perked up at the sound of an unanticipated whir from the dining table. He followed the sudden interruption and perceived his phone blinking from numerous notifications. It was to be expected, as he often neglected any sort of mobile communication when he was focused on certain tasks. He almost shrugged it off as he thought it could be another text from his coworker asking to take his shift again. However, he immediately swiped his phone from the table when he saw Mark Lee’s name emerged from the rest of the miscellaneous notices, with a message so direct and brief it made his stomach drop.

‘Come over. Urgent.’

Donghyuck’s eyes darted up to the time displayed on the corner of his screen: 3:47.

“Shit…” His jaw clenched rigidly under his breath and he ran a hand through his hair, almost yanking on it. Mark had to have been waiting at home for at least half an hour, and Donghyuck wasn’t supposed to arrive at his door empty-handed. His pacing resumed as he continued to grumble over the failed chocolate chip cookies, convincing himself that he could possibly go for a second attempt the following day. Mark wouldn’t mind the overdue present so long as he still received them.

Donghyuck’s aimless wandering then lead him straight into his bedroom, where he snatched his keys and jacket off of the dresser. He quickly made his way back into the living room where he shoved his phone in his back pocket and didn’t hesitate to bolt out the door.

“Mark! Fuck’s sake, open up!” Donghyuck shouted from the patio as he refused to stop his persistent pounding on the door. “Don’t make me break in! I’ll climb through your window if I have to!”

His phone vibrated in his pocket for the third time now, and since creating a public disturbance seemed futile and a waste of energy, he withdrew his phone and noticed that it was Mark that had called him multiple times. His name on the screen still glared at him, the phone buzzing in his hand nonstop.

Donghyuck brought the phone up to his ear, stepping off of the patio and taking a gander out in the neighborhood as though he expected to discover Mark strolling on the sidewalk.

“Mark, where the hell are you? I’ve been banging on your door for the past five minutes and nobody—”

“Bro…” Mark muttered from the other line, and Donghyuck couldn’t tell if he was half asleep or in a state of confusion.

“I left the door unlocked for you…”

Donghyuck whirled around and glanced up at Mark’s bedroom window, eyes squinting from the blinding sunlight that reflected off of the glass. He raised an arm to guard his eyes and caught his best friend staring back at him through the window, a curtain lifted over his head.

He huffed through the line and tilted his head in inquiry. “Really? You couldn’t come downstairs to tell me that?”

Mark sighed into the phone and moved from the window. His head was pounding and the longer he stood the more pain he was in. “You have the key anyway, dumbass, you could let yourself in even if it was locked.” All that was perceived on the other end of the phone call was an exasperated sigh from Donghyuck, who was in complete denial that he had clearly lost the key to his house again.

After the call disconnected, Mark once again curled up in his bed as pain swelled in his chest and anxiety built in his body. He was about to tell his best friend he was dying and the closer Donghyuck’s steps came, the tighter his throat became. He forced himself to sit up when the door opened and as soon as he saw his best friend’s face look at him in concern, Mark Lee allowed his tears to stream down his face as though flood gates had opened.

Donghyuck was quick to wrap his friend in his arms, and even though Mark should find comfort in his friend’s grasp, he only felt more pain. “It hurts so bad, Sookie.” He was able to get out between panicked breaths. “It hurts so fucking bad.”

Mark always felt bad for putting his friend through his breakdowns, but he was never able to stop them from happening. He wished so badly he could will the tears away from his eyes today, he wished he could just tell Donghyuck and get it over with, but he couldn’t stop as the sobs painfully wracked his system for all too long.

It took a long while to stop crying. He didn’t really calm down at all, just ran out of tears to spill. To his friend, his breakdown seemed to be ending, but  Mark felt like that had only been the beginning of several weeks worth of pain much worse.

“Dongsookie… I’m not gonna be here much longer.” Donghyuck’s head snapped toward him at neck-breaking speed asking him to repeat what he’d said.

It almost hurt more the second time. Telling Donghyuck he was dying and that there was nothing more anyone could do for him. Watching Donghyuck process all of the information as his face went through so many emotional changes was almost enough to make Mark cry again, but he couldn’t. "I thought I���d come to terms with dying long before this, but... I’m so fucking scared now, Sookie. I’m terrified.”

The desolation Donghyuck felt was all consuming. His mind became an icy wasteland that froze over his emotions. The wind howled in his soul and wrapped ill-bearing tentacles around his heart so tightly it almost ceased its irregular beating. He felt emotionally bankrupt. There was nothing left to feel, nothing left to say, nothing left but the void that enveloped him in swirling blackness as he plummeted into the desk chair that sat behind him.

Mark Lee—his best friend since childhood—was dying. For as long as he could remember, all of the time they spent together was built off of mischievous phases that every grade school kid experienced. Flashbacks immediately flooded the catastrophic mindset he caught himself in—the Halloweens Donghyuck and Mark would spend vandalizing homes of people that nobody liked with spoiled eggs and low-quality toilet paper. He recalled the times when they would pull off harmless pranks on this one particular girl in fourth grade because they both had a crush on her. He could hear his mother scolding them both for bringing a muddy soccer ball and stained shoes into the house after a very wet day out in the park. Then afterward, she’d have a wave of guilt convince her into cooking them platters of spicy chicken and pork bulgogi. The list went on for what seemed like an eternity.

Either way, the laughter that coexisted in their lives were never ending and all of the treats they shared were wonderful. They were unforgettable moments that created such an imperfect but endearing childhood, all those simple days that seemed to go on and on, until today. And something foul had splintered inside Donghyuck.

“No.” Donghyuck bore his eyes into the clenched fists that pushed down on his knees. Tears were brimming in the corners of his eyes, his face the color of a brick, his voice cracking with a hard edge. His shoulders were tremendously heavy, weighing him down, leaving him almost paralyzed, but his head almost snapped as he looked at Mark with anger brewing in his chest, his face twisted with a venomous glare.

“This is bullshit,” he spat with a curt, clipped tone, almost snarling, “You were supposed to get better. You were supposed to beat this thing—beat this God awful misery that I spent years trying to helping you fight. I was always with you through all the stupid shit that came at us and now you’re just going to let it take you away from me?”

There was a slight drop in the air temperature—the descent of absolute silence.  Mark’s face had contorted into a look of distress, sadness hovering over his core and slithering into his chest, leaving his heart abandoned. There was a bitter taste sleeping on his tongue that he couldn’t control. There were blurry spots in the corners of his vision that he couldn’t choke back. It frightened him that sudden tears could burn his retinas and cause such a displeasing wave to wash over him, one that made him shudder all over his body. It only took all of the effort he could muster to tame the aches he endured, yet they were aggravated. Never so desperately had Mark wanted to recoil into his bed and shrivel into dust.

“Dongsookie,” Mark gasped, his restless hands curling and loosening out of agitation, unconsciously gripping a handful of bed sheets.

“I never had a choice in this—I didn’t decide to die because I wanted to. You fucking knew this could happen, so what the fuck is your problem?!”

He trembled as he was brave enough to bring himself to a stand, his legs almost failing beneath but they somehow kept a steadfast stance. The raw agony that shot up his back made him flinch, the memory of Donghyuck’s words impaling him as though a javelin took him as prey.  Suddenly, the distorted view of Donghyuck’s horrified expression slowly came into focus. He was seething at the slight remorse that he could already sense in the excruciatingly thick atmosphere.

“I’m dying and you act like it’s my fault...” Mark murmured under his raspy breath. The quivering never stopped. It was as though the cancer cells had already annexed his entire system and the only thing left to do was to gulp down all of his fears as a temporary coping mechanism.

But Mark was destroyed. Never had he felt so many emotions that secluded  him into a void that he couldn’t describe, and all he could do was cast his gaze onto the ground and his eyes darkened—almost black like the void that couldn’t be filled.

He glanced back up at Donghyuck, only to glower at him in rage.

“Screw you, Donghyuck.”

And all at once, he felt his heart rate pick up in erratic spikes. The words that filled his head persisted him to continue the spillage of his uncontrollable emotions. They were twisted with an unfamiliar hate that nearly consumed Mark if only there wasn’t a certain innocence that was portrayed in Donghyuck’s eyes.

The sight of those bittersweet chocolate eyes immediately squeezed his throat and compressed his chest shut.  He was now in a coughing fit, one that let out ugly rattles from his lungs. His head spun as catching his breath became more and more difficult. Mark clutched at his core, his wheezes leaving his throat with little to no respiration, and his vision was blotched with white spots that began to engulf his conscious. There was a numbness that spread throughout his entire body, which didn’t take long to collapse onto the ground, and after a couple of moments where Mark lost his ability to breathe, the whites of his eyes had rolled back into his head, where everything suddenly turned black.

Mark was balled up on the floor when he came to, his parents quite unsettled as they struggled to help him onto his bed. His mother became uneasy as she demanded for answers, or at least any sign of confirmation that he was okay to lie down and rest, but Mark was too distracted to answer, as he blankly stared at the wall in front of him that created a canvas for his thoughts to freely roam. He made the assumption that his parents had just missed Donghyuck’s presence, as his eyes scanned the room and outside the window, only to realize that he was nowhere to be found.

Mark was more so struck in dismay that his best friend had left him isolated and dejected without warning, a pain that Donghyuck had never inflicted him with before. His heart sank and he did his best to silence the returning tears. Still quietly wheezing, Mark used up all of the energy he had left, silently dismissing his parents as he forced his body into a deep, well-needed slumber. One that he hoped could last for a very long time.

Donghyuck stormed through his front door in a tumult of sweat and tears, not noticing that he had startled his mother, who was in the kitchen and had jumped with a frantic yelp upon hearing the door suddenly burst open.  He halted in her presence, immediately turning away in hopes of concealing the vulnerability that was clearly written all over him. The panting, however, didn’t go away, and the only time it’d stop was to desperately fill his lungs with fresh air. At this rate, Donghyuck’s mother would’ve been a fool to have missed the sniffles and stifling sobs coming from her own son.

“Donghyuck.” Her tone was tense, yet full of concern, and if it wasn’t for the memories of his family with Mark and his parents flooding back into his mind, he wouldn’t have given in and faced her, revealing the tears that cleansed his red cheeks. Few droplets remained, forgetting their way as the path was swept from beneath them, consequently blurring Donghyuck’s vision with episodes of torment and anguish.

“Mom…” He blinked back his briny tears, “I’m sorry for making a mess in the kitchen. I’ll clean up before curfew, I promise.”

This was not the first time Donghyuck cried in front of his mother, especially since Mark’s terminal illness was diagnosed. He could not help but bury his blotched face into his hands, especially when the pain came out like an uproar from his throat in the form of a silent scream. He was as hollow as Mark—he could feel the same emptiness that drove them both into a state of denial that life could be so cruel. They used to have this childish spirit that cherished everything, that sought to bring joy to themselves and to appreciate the laughter they bestowed in one another.

Now it was gone. Mark’s life was crumbling in his fingertips as the miserable years went by. So there and then, when Donghyuck’s mother approached him with hands caressing his face that was hot to the touch, his lashes brimmed heavy with tears, his lips trembling and his shoulders heaved with emotion, unwilling to back down. He suddenly crashed into her arms, sobbing endlessly.

“My Donghyuck… You know that’s not important.” His mother planted his head on her shoulder, hands gently stroking his hair.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” she said, “I can’t bear to see you so miserable.”

When Donghyuck wept, there was a gut-wrenching sound to it, like the pain was still an open wound. He clasped tightly onto his mother’s sleeves for support, and his whole body shook from the cries that would constantly trap itself in his throat.

“Mark—,” he gasped, “Mark’s not okay—he...”

The muffled sobs wracked against his chest. The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste of his salty tears, the smell of his mother’s clothes. Everything evaporated. The last painful scene of Mark plummeting to the ground slammed against him before he melted from the wave of exhaustion that washed over him.

“It’s okay,” his mother whispered, “Don’t say anymore.”

For a moment, Donghyuck thought he felt a deep sigh from her softly humming against his body, as though his grief had rubbed off on his mother. It only strangled his heart tighter, the stress pounding more blood into his head. The desire he had to tell his mother everything wasn’t enough for him to spill out the entire truth.

“I’m awful.” He could barely whimper the word he’d muster out. “I left him there, Mom. He said he didn’t have much time, and I just left him. I couldn’t stay to listen. I didn’t want to hear it.”

He couldn’t control his rambling any longer, and as Donghyuck wept, his breath struggled to collect itself.

“It’s not fair,” he cried, “I never got to do everything he wanted to do. I’m never going to see all of the places he wanted to visit.”

Donghyuck slowly withdrew himself from his mother’s embrace, with loud heaving sobs tearing from his throat. He kept his faint, yet unwavering gaze still with her, searching for any signs of hope in her distraught eyes.   

“Please let me wake up from this nightmare,” he pleaded, his legs almost giving in, “I don’t want to be here anymore. Not in a world without him. Please, Mom.”

But all she could offer was a lone tear that traced down her cheek, followed by a sniffle—a sign that she had the ability to take away some of the weight Donghyuck had sustained all this time.

“Honey.” A brief chuckle broke out from a warm smile that was plastered on her face. “You’re only this way because you care. But you’re still young, and you must learn to accept that this is how life will be for us. We have no choice but to continue living it, with or without our little Mark.”

Her thumb grazed against his swollen eyes. They looked as though an ocean had been encased inside of small glass marbles that appeared to be cracked. She brushed off the remnants of the ocean that had leaked and left tracks down his rosy cheeks.

“He wants you to be happy when he’s away, so you must make the most of it when you’re with him, okay? Promise me that.”

Donghyuck lips strained to exhibit a half-hearted smile—a mask he was more than accustomed to constantly wear in order to escape from his stubborn denial. The blue feeling washed in an unwanted wave of despondency, knocking his ambitious sandcastles flat. He still couldn’t accept that Mark was really on a time limit, and for how long was virtually unknown. The wish for him to remain in the same space he breathed in filled him with such rage and bitterness. It was as though Donghyuck was the time bomb that was nearly at its end, not Mark. What could he do—was he supposed to reconstruct the sandcastles from scratch? How could he do so, when Mark was the bucket that created the foundation of his structure? He stood in the dimly lit hallway with his mother, his head hung low. The sadness still lingered, but it was no longer raw—it was now an empty unhappiness, the kind he knew would not lift easily.

Moments of needed silence passed as Donghyuck was sent to his bedroom by his mother, who insisted that he’d call it an early night and that they would finish Mark’s cookies first thing in the morning. He reluctantly obeyed, as he discovered himself sprawled out on the carpet near his bed, staring up at the blank ceiling that seemed to have drawn him into another universe. All of the noise disappeared in an instant. He felt like he was stuck between two realities: one that was imperfect without Mark, but real. The other being a vision where he pictured himself reliving his childhood with Mark and their families, the one he longed himself to be a part of again for an eternity, where their hearts would be brimming with joy and episodes of constant euphoria.

“Wait…” Donghyuck mumbled to himself, descending his thoughts from the clouds. Suddenly his stomach dropped when a rush of realization passed through him.

Reliving their childhood together?

His body didn’t hesitate to jolt upright as Donghyuck scrambled on all fours, hastily crawling towards his closet. He hands ran through numerous items piled together in the enclosed space, mainly boxes packed with old projects from his middle school days. As he sifted and sorted through stacks of nostalgia, his eyes darted through each and every single paper he came across, on the lookout for a certain style of handwriting that only he and his best friend could recognize. By the time Donghyuck was dissecting his third box, the blood that had been vigorously coursing throughout his body suddenly plunged straight into his ears.

A single piece of paper, one that could change Donghyuck’s entire mindset on the matter that had been eating away at him for as long as he could remember. He delicately retracted the sheet that was covered with Mark’s juvenile handwriting scribbled in every space and corner. A flower was blooming in his chest, a hopeful one. It came from a wilted bud that was seeded deep inside, and it didn’t take long to light up his eyes and spread across every limb that was attached to his body. He could already imagine the elation in his alternate universe.

This is it, he thought. He could relive his happiest moments with Mark.

And for the first time in a long while, Donghyuck smiled.

Mark didn’t know what time it was or how long he’d even been sleeping when he was vigorously shaken awake. “Mark,” a harsh whisper pierced his ringing ears. “Mark Lee, wake up.” He sighed and slowly turned over in bed to face Donghyuck, looking entirely different from their last encounter.

“What...” Mark croaked out, feeling razors shredding down his throat.

“Hey, I know I’m a huge fucking jerk, Markie. But look at this,” Donghyuck shoved a piece of paper toward him, and in the dark Mark could vaguely make out his youthful handwriting.

“My bucket list?” Donghyuck shook his head and plopped himself next to Mark, making the bed jump slightly. “What about it? I was like fourteen when we sat down to make that… It’s probably full of some stupid shit I already got to do through Make a Wish.”

“Then make a new one. Right now. We’ll start tomorrow.” He seemed excited, but Mark honestly couldn’t muster up the same excitement, and upon noticing his mood, Donghyuck’s shoulders fell. “It’s cause of me, right? I know I screwed up. I got angry at you and exploded at you for something you can’t control and are dealing with first hand. I’m really, really sorry Mark. I just didn’t think I’d ever actually lose you. I thought we’d always get to be together.”

Mark relaxed slightly upon his friend's words, but couldn’t muster up more than a deep sigh. He was confused and scared. A bucket list is for people really dying, and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to reject the idea. He could ignore the pain and the fact he really was going to die, but living his days as normal and bland as possible, not like every day could be his last. “What makes you think it’s such a good idea, Sookie?” He questioned and looked to his hands in his lap, curling them together to avoid looking at how boney his hands and wrists had grown. “Look at me, I’m skin and bones. I’ll be a skeleton in weeks. It wouldn’t be fun for you to have to haul me everywhere looking like that. My doctors are sending my parents a wheelchair so they have it for me when my legs go out. I’ll be dead weight, literally.”

Silence filled the room and Mark looked up just to make sure Donghyuck hadn’t bolted again. Surely enough he was still sitting next to him, eyes drilling into Mark’s now that they were face to face. “Are you done talking silly?”

“Uh, I mean, I guess?”

“Good. Mark Lee, have you already forgotten that I will always look after you, for however long it is I need to. Through thick and thin, now life and death, I’ll be by your side. We’re best friends. I’m not gonna leave you to rot in your room.” Mark’s breath hitched while his friend spoke, his chest getting tight with emotion once again. “Now get up, you have a list to revise and it’s time to start making some plans. We’ve got work for a lifetime set up in front of us.”

Mark hung his head, willing the tears his friend had brought to his eyes before pushing himself out of bed to sit by his desk. “Give me an hour,” Mark grumbled, snatching the paper with fake annoyance and quickly getting to work.

An hour turned into two, but Mark had finished the quickly revised bucket list. It took a lot of time and thought originally, but fourteen-year-old Mark had all of the time in the world to think stuff over. He had to finish all of his deep thinking in a night in hopes to finish at least half the list while he still had time.

As Donghyuck laid on his bed, now fully asleep, Mark read all of his bullet points again and thought about one more item to add. It was cheesy—really fucking cheesy and yet it drew more tears to his eyes as he shakily jotted it down at the very bottom of the list. He felt dumb for getting so emotional over something that could’ve never happen in his life anyway, but thinking about how he’d never get to experience it kind of tore him apart. He roughly tried to pull himself together yet again in the past eighteen hours and succeeded after a few minutes of thought processing.

He put the pen down atop the paper and slowly made his way towards his bed, where he gently nudged his friend to move over so he could sleep at his side. He looked at Donghyuck, whose soft complexion was bathed in the sheer moonlight that snuck through the curtains. Mark pasted a small smile on his face as he was relieved enough to rest his eyes shut, knowing Donghyuck wasn’t going anywhere. If his last days were going to be spent with anyone, his closest friend was the best choice—even if the road ahead would be as difficult as ever.  

[froneypupbee]

Say Goodbye For Now :: 01

✎ in collaboration with @brightstarhoshi

☁ Link To Masterlist ☁ Genre: Angst, Romance, Slice of Life, Melodrama ☁ Word Count: 5k ☁ Summary: Diagnosed with leukemia, Mark Lee is met with the heart wrenching truth that he has less than a month to live. His first decision is to face closure with his best friend, Lee Donghyuck, who struggles to accept the reality of their future. What starts out as an early farewell turns into Donghyuck suggesting they spend their last few weeks together by following Mark’s bucket list from when he was fourteen. As Donghyuck is aware that the list ranges from domestic to insane objectives, there is one item that slightly intrigues him—falling in love.

Mark Lee, at the age of 18, was dying. He’d undergone treatment for a long time, gotten better for a short period of time before his health plummeted and cancer proceeded to spread through his body. He was weaker than ever, physically and emotionally. He thought he’d come to terms with dying, he knew there was a chance of it happening, but he didn’t think it would happen so soon. After his one period of good health, he probably got it into his head that he might’ve actually had the chance of living a fulfilling life. At a point, everyone around him was just as hopeful as he had been. But the golden walls of that false reality came tumbling down to reveal the twisted reality he actually lived in. 

Mark Lee learned on May 16th that he only had a few months to live at best and it was more likely than not that a few months could mean only one. He learned that all of the hope and happiness he’d compiled in his short life would end so soon. He had so much he wanted to do, but the time was torn from his hands. He wanted to weep, but the tears wouldn’t come out. He had to keep face in front of his parents and didn’t want to cry in front of the doctor that always told him to stay strong.

The ride home was one of the longest he’d ever experienced. His parents tried to act happy for his sake, but Mark could tell that everything was eating at them as much as it ate at him, but he tried to smile for them. They deserved happiness because he was living a life that would soon end just to devastate those around him. He’d try to make his end easier for them as long as he could.

Upon arriving home, Mark went straight to the only thing that was able to comfort him. The only person more like. He quickly unlocked his phone with hands so shaky he was surprised he could type properly. He opened his messages and a flood of agony swallowed up his mind. Donghyuck was always punctual and knew just how long his usual appointments would last, he’d always made sure to send him a message inquiring about how his appointment went. Mark could bear with what he’d have to tell his friend this time, so he didn’t reply with more than:

‘Come over. Urgent.’

He let his phone fall into his lap as he flopped back onto his bed, struggling to settle himself under the sheets while he awaited a knock from his friend.

Today, the earthy wands of the trees, those limbs that stretch into the sky, bloomed many new buds that decorated themselves in polka-dots. They had shed their winter covers, the layers they sheltered within, and now bravely sought the sun, renewed in its brilliance. This day was too charming to go out with, and instead of taking advantage of it like most would, Donghyuck made the decision to stay indoors and burn a batch of perfectly shaped pastries that Mark would have enjoyed.

Or at least, could have.

He sighed in defeat and paused to admire the flowers outside that blossomed from the windowsill planter. It was a shame—he missed out on the moment to be a part of the transient beauty that the floral aroma released, but now they were poisoned with the overwhelming char of the desserts. He tore the oven mitts from his hands and tossed them onto the kitchen counter, groaning in exasperation as he brought a hand to rub the tension from his temples.

After a few moments of pacing around in the kitchen, Donghyuck’s ears perked up at the sound of an unanticipated whir from the dining table. He followed the sudden interruption and perceived his phone blinking from numerous notifications. It was to be expected, as he often neglected any sort of mobile communication when he was focused on certain tasks. He almost shrugged it off as he thought it could be another text from his coworker asking to take his shift again. However, he immediately swiped his phone from the table when he saw Mark Lee’s name emerged from the rest of the miscellaneous notices, with a message so direct and brief it made his stomach drop.

‘Come over. Urgent.’

Donghyuck’s eyes darted up to the time displayed on the corner of his screen: 3:47.

“Shit…” His jaw clenched rigidly under his breath and he ran a hand through his hair, almost yanking on it. Mark had to have been waiting at home for at least half an hour, and Donghyuck wasn’t supposed to arrive at his door empty-handed. His pacing resumed as he continued to grumble over the failed chocolate chip cookies, convincing himself that he could possibly go for a second attempt the following day. Mark wouldn’t mind the overdue present so long as he still received them.

Donghyuck’s aimless wandering then lead him straight into his bedroom, where he snatched his keys and jacket off of the dresser. He quickly made his way back into the living room where he shoved his phone in his back pocket and didn’t hesitate to bolt out the door.

“Mark! Fuck’s sake, open up!” Donghyuck shouted from the patio as he refused to stop his persistent pounding on the door. “Don’t make me break in! I’ll climb through your window if I have to!”

His phone vibrated in his pocket for the third time now, and since creating a public disturbance seemed futile and a waste of energy, he withdrew his phone and noticed that it was Mark that had called him multiple times. His name on the screen still glared at him, the phone buzzing in his hand nonstop.

Donghyuck brought the phone up to his ear, stepping off of the patio and taking a gander out in the neighborhood as though he expected to discover Mark strolling on the sidewalk.

“Mark, where the hell are you? I’ve been banging on your door for the past five minutes and nobody—”

“Bro…” Mark muttered from the other line, and Donghyuck couldn’t tell if he was half asleep or in a state of confusion.

“I left the door unlocked for you…”

Donghyuck whirled around and glanced up at Mark’s bedroom window, eyes squinting from the blinding sunlight that reflected off of the glass. He raised an arm to guard his eyes and caught his best friend staring back at him through the window, a curtain lifted over his head.

He huffed through the line and tilted his head in inquiry. “Really? You couldn’t come downstairs to tell me that?”

Mark sighed into the phone and moved from the window. His head was pounding and the longer he stood the more pain he was in. “You have the key anyway, dumbass, you could let yourself in even if it was locked.” All that was perceived on the other end of the phone call was an exasperated sigh from Donghyuck, who was in complete denial that he had clearly lost the key to his house again.

After the call disconnected, Mark once again curled up in his bed as pain swelled in his chest and anxiety built in his body. He was about to tell his best friend he was dying and the closer Donghyuck’s steps came, the tighter his throat became. He forced himself to sit up when the door opened and as soon as he saw his best friend’s face look at him in concern, Mark Lee allowed his tears to stream down his face as though flood gates had opened.

Donghyuck was quick to wrap his friend in his arms, and even though Mark should find comfort in his friend’s grasp, he only felt more pain. “It hurts so bad, Sookie.” He was able to get out between panicked breaths. “It hurts so fucking bad.”

Mark always felt bad for putting his friend through his breakdowns, but he was never able to stop them from happening. He wished so badly he could will the tears away from his eyes today, he wished he could just tell Donghyuck and get it over with, but he couldn’t stop as the sobs painfully wracked his system for all too long.

It took a long while to stop crying. He didn’t really calm down at all, just ran out of tears to spill. To his friend, his breakdown seemed to be ending, but  Mark felt like that had only been the beginning of several weeks worth of pain much worse.

“Dongsookie… I’m not gonna be here much longer.” Donghyuck’s head snapped toward him at neck-breaking speed asking him to repeat what he’d said.

It almost hurt more the second time. Telling Donghyuck he was dying and that there was nothing more anyone could do for him. Watching Donghyuck process all of the information as his face went through so many emotional changes was almost enough to make Mark cry again, but he couldn’t. "I thought I’d come to terms with dying long before this, but... I’m so fucking scared now, Sookie. I’m terrified.”

The desolation Donghyuck felt was all consuming. His mind became an icy wasteland that froze over his emotions. The wind howled in his soul and wrapped ill-bearing tentacles around his heart so tightly it almost ceased its irregular beating. He felt emotionally bankrupt. There was nothing left to feel, nothing left to say, nothing left but the void that enveloped him in swirling blackness as he plummeted into the desk chair that sat behind him.

Mark Lee—his best friend since childhood—was dying. For as long as he could remember, all of the time they spent together was built off of mischievous phases that every grade school kid experienced. Flashbacks immediately flooded the catastrophic mindset he caught himself in—the Halloweens Donghyuck and Mark would spend vandalizing homes of people that nobody liked with spoiled eggs and low-quality toilet paper. He recalled the times when they would pull off harmless pranks on this one particular girl in fourth grade because they both had a crush on her. He could hear his mother scolding them both for bringing a muddy soccer ball and stained shoes into the house after a very wet day out in the park. Then afterward, she’d have a wave of guilt convince her into cooking them platters of spicy chicken and pork bulgogi. The list went on for what seemed like an eternity.

Either way, the laughter that coexisted in their lives were never ending and all of the treats they shared were wonderful. They were unforgettable moments that created such an imperfect but endearing childhood, all those simple days that seemed to go on and on, until today. And something foul had splintered inside Donghyuck.

“No.” Donghyuck bore his eyes into the clenched fists that pushed down on his knees. Tears were brimming in the corners of his eyes, his face the color of a brick, his voice cracking with a hard edge. His shoulders were tremendously heavy, weighing him down, leaving him almost paralyzed, but his head almost snapped as he looked at Mark with anger brewing in his chest, his face twisted with a venomous glare.

“This is bullshit,” he spat with a curt, clipped tone, almost snarling, “You were supposed to get better. You were supposed to beat this thing—beat this God awful misery that I spent years trying to helping you fight. I was always with you through all the stupid shit that came at us and now you’re just going to let it take you away from me?”

There was a slight drop in the air temperature—the descent of absolute silence.  Mark’s face had contorted into a look of distress, sadness hovering over his core and slithering into his chest, leaving his heart abandoned. There was a bitter taste sleeping on his tongue that he couldn’t control. There were blurry spots in the corners of his vision that he couldn’t choke back. It frightened him that sudden tears could burn his retinas and cause such a displeasing wave to wash over him, one that made him shudder all over his body. It only took all of the effort he could muster to tame the aches he endured, yet they were aggravated. Never so desperately had Mark wanted to recoil into his bed and shrivel into dust.

“Dongsookie,” Mark gasped, his restless hands curling and loosening out of agitation, unconsciously gripping a handful of bed sheets.

“I never had a choice in this—I didn’t decide to die because I wanted to. You fucking knew this could happen, so what the fuck is your problem?!”

He trembled as he was brave enough to bring himself to a stand, his legs almost failing beneath but they somehow kept a steadfast stance. The raw agony that shot up his back made him flinch, the memory of Donghyuck’s words impaling him as though a javelin took him as prey.  Suddenly, the distorted view of Donghyuck’s horrified expression slowly came into focus. He was seething at the slight remorse that he could already sense in the excruciatingly thick atmosphere.

“I’m dying and you act like it’s my fault...” Mark murmured under his raspy breath. The quivering never stopped. It was as though the cancer cells had already annexed his entire system and the only thing left to do was to gulp down all of his fears as a temporary coping mechanism.

But Mark was destroyed. Never had he felt so many emotions that secluded  him into a void that he couldn’t describe, and all he could do was cast his gaze onto the ground and his eyes darkened—almost black like the void that couldn’t be filled.

He glanced back up at Donghyuck, only to glower at him in rage.

“Screw you, Donghyuck.”

And all at once, he felt his heart rate pick up in erratic spikes. The words that filled his head persisted him to continue the spillage of his uncontrollable emotions. They were twisted with an unfamiliar hate that nearly consumed Mark if only there wasn’t a certain innocence that was portrayed in Donghyuck’s eyes.

The sight of those bittersweet chocolate eyes immediately squeezed his throat and compressed his chest shut.  He was now in a coughing fit, one that let out ugly rattles from his lungs. His head spun as catching his breath became more and more difficult. Mark clutched at his core, his wheezes leaving his throat with little to no respiration, and his vision was blotched with white spots that began to engulf his conscious. There was a numbness that spread throughout his entire body, which didn’t take long to collapse onto the ground, and after a couple of moments where Mark lost his ability to breathe, the whites of his eyes had rolled back into his head, where everything suddenly turned black.

Mark was balled up on the floor when he came to, his parents quite unsettled as they struggled to help him onto his bed. His mother became uneasy as she demanded for answers, or at least any sign of confirmation that he was okay to lie down and rest, but Mark was too distracted to answer, as he blankly stared at the wall in front of him that created a canvas for his thoughts to freely roam. He made the assumption that his parents had just missed Donghyuck’s presence, as his eyes scanned the room and outside the window, only to realize that he was nowhere to be found.

Mark was more so struck in dismay that his best friend had left him isolated and dejected without warning, a pain that Donghyuck had never inflicted him with before. His heart sank and he did his best to silence the returning tears. Still quietly wheezing, Mark used up all of the energy he had left, silently dismissing his parents as he forced his body into a deep, well-needed slumber. One that he hoped could last for a very long time.

Donghyuck stormed through his front door in a tumult of sweat and tears, not noticing that he had startled his mother, who was in the kitchen and had jumped with a frantic yelp upon hearing the door suddenly burst open.  He halted in her presence, immediately turning away in hopes of concealing the vulnerability that was clearly written all over him. The panting, however, didn’t go away, and the only time it’d stop was to desperately fill his lungs with fresh air. At this rate, Donghyuck’s mother would’ve been a fool to have missed the sniffles and stifling sobs coming from her own son.

“Donghyuck.” Her tone was tense, yet full of concern, and if it wasn’t for the memories of his family with Mark and his parents flooding back into his mind, he wouldn’t have given in and faced her, revealing the tears that cleansed his red cheeks. Few droplets remained, forgetting their way as the path was swept from beneath them, consequently blurring Donghyuck’s vision with episodes of torment and anguish.

“Mom…” He blinked back his briny tears, “I’m sorry for making a mess in the kitchen. I’ll clean up before curfew, I promise.”

This was not the first time Donghyuck cried in front of his mother, especially since Mark’s terminal illness was diagnosed. He could not help but bury his blotched face into his hands, especially when the pain came out like an uproar from his throat in the form of a silent scream. He was as hollow as Mark—he could feel the same emptiness that drove them both into a state of denial that life could be so cruel. They used to have this childish spirit that cherished everything, that sought to bring joy to themselves and to appreciate the laughter they bestowed in one another.

Now it was gone. Mark’s life was crumbling in his fingertips as the miserable years went by. So there and then, when Donghyuck’s mother approached him with hands caressing his face that was hot to the touch, his lashes brimmed heavy with tears, his lips trembling and his shoulders heaved with emotion, unwilling to back down. He suddenly crashed into her arms, sobbing endlessly.

“My Donghyuck… You know that’s not important.” His mother planted his head on her shoulder, hands gently stroking his hair.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” she said, “I can’t bear to see you so miserable.”

When Donghyuck wept, there was a gut-wrenching sound to it, like the pain was still an open wound. He clasped tightly onto his mother’s sleeves for support, and his whole body shook from the cries that would constantly trap itself in his throat.

“Mark—,” he gasped, “Mark’s not okay—he...”

The muffled sobs wracked against his chest. The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste of his salty tears, the smell of his mother’s clothes. Everything evaporated. The last painful scene of Mark plummeting to the ground slammed against him before he melted from the wave of exhaustion that washed over him.

“It’s okay,” his mother whispered, “Don’t say anymore.”

For a moment, Donghyuck thought he felt a deep sigh from her softly humming against his body, as though his grief had rubbed off on his mother. It only strangled his heart tighter, the stress pounding more blood into his head. The desire he had to tell his mother everything wasn’t enough for him to spill out the entire truth.

“I’m awful.” He could barely whimper the words he’d muster out. “I left him there, Mom. He said he didn’t have much time, and I just left him. I couldn’t stay to listen. I didn’t want to hear it.”

He couldn’t control his rambling any longer, and as Donghyuck wept, his breath struggled to collect itself.

“It’s not fair,” he cried, “I never got to do everything he wanted to do. I’m never going to see all of the places he wanted to visit.”

Donghyuck slowly withdrew himself from his mother’s embrace, with loud heaving sobs tearing from his throat. He kept his faint, yet unwavering gaze still with her, searching for any signs of hope in her distraught eyes.   

“Please let me wake up from this nightmare,” he pleaded, his legs almost giving in, “I don’t want to be here anymore. Not in a world without him. Please, Mom.”

But all she could offer was a lone tear that traced down her cheek, followed by a sniffle—a sign that she had the ability to take away some of the weight Donghyuck had sustained all this time.

“Honey.” A brief chuckle broke out from a warm smile that was plastered on her face. “You’re only this way because you care. But you’re still young, and you must learn to accept that this is how life will be for us. We have no choice but to continue living it, with or without our little Mark.”

Her thumb grazed against his swollen eyes. They looked as though an ocean had been encased inside of small glass marbles that appeared to be cracked. She brushed off the remnants of the ocean that had leaked and left tracks down his rosy cheeks.

“He wants you to be happy when he’s away, so you must make the most of it when you’re with him, okay? Promise me that.”

Donghyuck’s lips strained to exhibit a half-hearted smile—a mask he was more than accustomed to constantly wear in order to escape from his stubborn denial. The blue feeling washed in an unwanted wave of despondency, knocking his ambitious sandcastles flat. He still couldn’t accept that Mark was really on a time limit, and for how long was virtually unknown. The wish for him to remain in the same space he breathed in filled him with such rage and bitterness. It was as though Donghyuck was the time bomb that was nearly at its end, not Mark. What could he do—was he supposed to reconstruct the sandcastles from scratch? How could he do so, when Mark was the bucket that created the foundation of his structure? He stood in the dimly lit hallway with his mother, his head hung low. The sadness still lingered, but it was no longer raw—it was now an empty unhappiness, the kind he knew would not lift easily.

Moments of needed silence passed as Donghyuck was sent to his bedroom by his mother, who insisted that he’d call it an early night and that they would finish Mark’s cookies first thing in the morning. He reluctantly obeyed, as he discovered himself sprawled out on the carpet near his bed, staring up at the blank ceiling that seemed to have drawn him into another universe. All of the noise disappeared in an instant. He felt like he was stuck between two realities: one that was imperfect without Mark, but real. The other being a vision where he pictured himself reliving his childhood with Mark and their families, the one he longed himself to be a part of again for an eternity, where their hearts would be brimming with joy and episodes of constant euphoria.

“Wait…” Donghyuck mumbled to himself, descending his thoughts from the clouds. Suddenly his stomach dropped when a rush of realization passed through him.

Reliving their childhood together?

His body didn’t hesitate to jolt upright as Donghyuck scrambled on all fours, hastily crawling towards his closet. He hands ran through numerous items piled together in the enclosed space, mainly boxes packed with old projects from his middle school days. As he sifted and sorted through stacks of nostalgia, his eyes darted through each and every single paper he came across, on the lookout for a certain style of handwriting that only he and his best friend could recognize. By the time Donghyuck was dissecting his third box, the blood that had been vigorously coursing throughout his body suddenly plunged straight into his ears.

A single piece of paper, one that could change Donghyuck’s entire mindset on the matter that had been eating away at him for as long as he could remember. He delicately retracted the sheet that was covered with Mark’s juvenile handwriting scribbled in every space and corner. A flower was blooming in his chest, a hopeful one. It came from a wilted bud that was seeded deep inside, and it didn’t take long to light up his eyes and spread across every limb that was attached to his body. He could already imagine the elation in his alternate universe.

This is it, he thought. He could relive his happiest moments with Mark.

And for the first time in a long while, Donghyuck smiled.

Mark didn’t know what time it was or how long he’d even been sleeping when he was vigorously shaken awake. “Mark,” a harsh whisper pierced his ringing ears. “Mark Lee, wake up.” He sighed and slowly turned over in bed to face Donghyuck, looking entirely different from their last encounter.

“What...” Mark croaked out, feeling razors shredding down his throat.

“Hey, I know I’m a huge fucking jerk, Markie. But look at this,” Donghyuck shoved a piece of paper toward him, and in the dark Mark could vaguely make out his youthful handwriting.

“My bucket list?” Donghyuck shook his head and plopped himself next to Mark, making the bed jump slightly. “What about it? I was like fourteen when we sat down to make that… It’s probably full of some stupid shit I already got to do through Make a Wish.”

“Then make a new one. Right now. We’ll start tomorrow.” He seemed excited, but Mark honestly couldn’t muster up the same excitement, and upon noticing his mood, Donghyuck’s shoulders fell. “It’s cause of me, right? I know I screwed up. I got angry at you and exploded at you for something you can’t control and are dealing with first hand. I’m really, really sorry Mark. I just didn’t think I’d ever actually lose you. I thought we’d always get to be together.”

Mark relaxed slightly upon his friend's words, but couldn’t muster up more than a deep sigh. He was confused and scared. A bucket list is for people really dying, and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to reject the idea. He could ignore the pain and the fact he really was going to die, but living his days as normal and bland as possible, not like every day could be his last. “What makes you think it’s such a good idea, Sookie?” He questioned and looked to his hands in his lap, curling them together to avoid looking at how boney his hands and wrists had grown. “Look at me, I’m skin and bones. I’ll be a skeleton in weeks. It wouldn’t be fun for you to have to haul me everywhere looking like that. My doctors are sending my parents a wheelchair so they have it for me when my legs go out. I’ll be dead weight, literally.”

Silence filled the room and Mark looked up just to make sure Donghyuck hadn’t bolted again. Surely enough he was still sitting next to him, eyes drilling into Mark’s now that they were face to face. “Are you done talking silly?”

“Uh, I mean, I guess?”

“Good. Mark Lee, have you already forgotten that I will always look after you, for however long it is I need to. Through thick and thin, now life and death, I’ll be by your side. We’re best friends. I’m not gonna leave you to rot in your room.” Mark’s breath hitched while his friend spoke, his chest getting tight with emotion once again. “Now get up, you have a list to revise and it’s time to start making some plans. We’ve got work for a lifetime set up in front of us.”

Mark hung his head, willing the tears his friend had brought to his eyes before pushing himself out of bed to sit by his desk. “Give me an hour,” Mark grumbled, snatching the paper with fake annoyance and quickly getting to work.

An hour turned into two, but Mark had finished the quickly revised bucket list. It took a lot of time and thought originally, but fourteen-year-old Mark had all of the time in the world to think stuff over. He had to finish all of his deep thinking in a night in hopes to finish at least half the list while he still had time.

As Donghyuck laid on his bed, now fully asleep, Mark read all of his bullet points again and thought about one more item to add. It was cheesy—really fucking cheesy and yet it drew more tears to his eyes as he shakily jotted it down at the very bottom of the list. He felt dumb for getting so emotional over something that could’ve never happen in his life anyway, but thinking about how he’d never get to experience it kind of tore him apart. He roughly tried to pull himself together yet again in the past eighteen hours and succeeded after a few minutes of thought processing.

He put the pen down atop the paper and slowly made his way towards his bed, where he gently nudged his friend to move over so he could sleep at his side. He looked at Donghyuck, whose soft complexion was bathed in the sheer moonlight that snuck through the curtains. Mark pasted a small smile on his face as he was relieved enough to rest his eyes shut, knowing Donghyuck wasn’t going anywhere. If his last days were going to be spent with anyone, his closest friend was the best choice—even if the road ahead would be as difficult as ever.  

[katsujiiccfinds]

Hodgson House

by WatermelonSandal

Lot Size: 40x20 Lot Price (furnished): 87,224 Lot Price (unfurnished): 81,459 No included custom content.

Custom Content Required But Not Included:

- Clock from TS4 by TheJim07

- Decoration Set from TS4 by TheJim07

- Utterly Random Clutter Stuff Conversion Pack by kithri

- Patternable/ Recolorable Decorative Plates and Custom Patterns by BabaYaga

- Planters - Floor and Wall by porphyria259

- Grungy Victorian (you had me at hello) - 11 pattern set by robokitty

- "Mansion": Patterns 01 and 02 in two sizes each by MetalKat0642

- Faded & Filthy Florals (Retro) by robotkitty

- Bella Damask Pattern by KiaraRawks

- Glass Floor (Transparent) by xiNightxx (external link)

Hodgson House is a 4BR 3BA stately home possibly dating back to the Victorian era, but since then has become more of a domestic residence. Despite this, the house is still very old-fashioned in terms of interior design. The previous occupants left in a hurry, and naturally left some things behind. What will you do with this house?

Basics Included: Bathtub, Bathtub/shower, Fridge, Oven, Sink in kitchen and bathrooms, Toilet, Lights in all rooms

Also Includes: Bin, Fireplace, Outdoor lighting, Phone, Security alarm, Smoke alarm, Washing machine and dryer

Additional Credits:

- This lot was checked and packaged with Tashiketh's CUSTARD Sims3Pack Cleaner

- plasticbox's tutorial on bigger attics

Infobox

Built w/ patch 1.67

Expansion Packs: World Adventures, Ambitions, Generations, Pets & Supernatural

Download at ModTheSims

[seofloraldecorwholesale]

Effective Indoor Plants

At Floral Decor Imports, one can discover ceramic pots for plants in various sizes and shapes to suit every type of plant perfectly while offering a structural aesthetic to your space. Next, think about the style and design of the ceramic planter. They come in diverse colors, and patterns that can complement any decor style. Take into account where you will place it in your home and choose a ceramic planter near me that matches or adds contrast accordingly. Make sure your choice of ceramic planter has adequate draining holes at its base so excess water can escape easily preventing root rotting. Last but not least is the factor of quality check - custom made pottery.

While a classic round pot will always be beautiful, indoor planter options are forever growing. Go out on a limb and incorporate square, rectangle, and oval plant containers into your designs. Everyone knows that indoor planters can be found in a variety of materials, such as fiberglass, ceramic, metal, and stone. But did you know that there are commercial and wholesale plastic pots manufactured to mimic the appearance of these other materials? Their lightweight design and durability make these convincing replicas more appealing than the real thing - pottery for sale in China.

We offer a simple elegance that is sure to add comfort to any indoor atmosphere. Choose an indoor planter with a built-in sub-irrigation system, or create a do-it-yourself version, to lengthen the time between account visits. Use a plant container to create a beautiful water feature, give customers a place to put their umbrellas on a rainy day, or as a decorative trash receptacle. Our specialization in custom-painted fiberglass planters allows industry professionals to match planters to any preferred color scheme.

As the business has grown and evolved, we’ve expanded our offerings and inventory to meet the unique needs of our clients. As the business has grown and evolved, we’ve expanded our offerings and inventory to meet the unique needs of our clients. We make premium, handcrafted ceramics for homes, hotels, and restaurants and décor products for living and gardening spaces Lowest price guarantee. As we get our stock directly from manufacturers, we eradicate all other factors in the supply that lead to price surges like middlemen commission, packaging, logistics etc. For more information, please visit our site https://floraldecorimports.com/

[lifestainedpages]

Garden Paradise [3 bed, 2 bath] Lot Type: Residential Lot Size: 30 x 20 Price: $121,273 Packs: Seasons, Cats and Dogs, City Living, Get Together, Get to Work, Parenthood, Jungle Adventures, Vampires, Spa Day, Outdoor Retreat, Toddler Stuff, Romantic Garden, Vintage Glamour and Kids Room Stuff Play Tested?: Not yet, let me know if you have any issues.

This house was built for your gardening enthusiasts! It comes with a lounge, small office, kitchen/diner (big enough to have all of the family around for tea) and a greenhouse on the lower level. Outside there are more planters for your in season flowers, beekeeping boxes, and a small pond. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The house is fully furnished for a family of four - a couple, teen/child daughter and a toddler. There is ample space to add seasonal decorations and plenty of display areas for floral arrangements!

Make sure you have the Move Objects cheat on when placing this lot otherwise some things will move or disappear!

GalleryID: lifestainedpages