#c: leyla selvi

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight - leyla location: their house → planetarium → dinner?

Fate had long laid a path he took, could not change its predetermined state but Ken could, he realised, choose to make things better. And a great big part of that involved Leyla. To find a moment in this shitstorm where things felt good seemed a feat that was damn near impossible to achieve, nothing nice never did seem to last in this nightmarish town that grew in its horrors. So he stopped. He stopped trying to find moments that felt good, felt worthwhile and decided to make them instead. Happiness didn't have to be hard to gain, it slipped into his fingertips easily when he held out his hand.

"You look..." Words fell away as gaze took her in that damn green dress that she decided to walk out in, wrapping a hand around her waist he trailed kisses against her jawline, "Unfair. You can't wear this dress." But the reason he gave was a poor one. "It's not formal, babe." Though thankful his plea was taken into account, Ken should not have relaxed because the next thing she came out wearing had him damn near stop breathing. A white dress of all things, his silence spoke volumes and was met with grumbles but he didn't do much to stop her from going back to her wardrobe. The night had not even begun yet but he wasn't sure if he make it out alive. Immensely relieved that her next outfit was less heart attack inducing, Ken drew her close, "No more changes. You look lovely. I like punctuality but you..." he trailed fingertips down her curves, "Reservation be dammed?" Despite saying it, he could not succumb to temptation now, no, tonight held things that could absolutely wait no longer. This is the action that stemmed out of his thoughts; to make moments.

Nerves were not present now, not even considering the gravity of the question that weighed on him for months on end, instead there was an ease about him, a calmness that added a touch more softness to his smile. "I do have something for you though," he said reaching into his pocket to pull out two tickets to a planetarium show, "We'll have to head there first before dinner, hoping a little pit stop is okay with you?"

[jonahxrivas]

for: @cantfightmoonlight – leyla time & location: wedding dinner, farmshop

Elated and full of love, the smile that perched on Jonah's lips was looking to be a permanent feature, for today at least. He was actively choosing not to think on things that could go wrong, that could still spell disaster, and on his wedding day of all days such thoughts felt wrong to think about. In a way it was easy to hold them at bay, one look towards Rohan did the trick, his husband, really the word alone enough to bring forth bubbles of happiness to grace his features, and then Bri who pulled all this off for him, emotions surged at that too, but he fought to keep composure, everyone looked lovely and this really cemented as one the best days of his life. It was as he looked around that he caught Ken cross the floor and took that as an opportunity to speak with Leyla, a few quick words before he could be glared at. "Leyla! hi!" Jonah greeted her with a bright smile, "Thank you so much for coming, it truly means a lot."

[kenxmatsui]

He fell into her touch again, head lightly resting in her palm, a move that he was growing somewhat reliant on to keep calm. "I keep them in business and they know it." His gaze and thoughts shifted back onto her, he knew, he did, there was no denying that she protected him as well, saved him, but such a thing and knowing who was behind it stirred those unwanted and unsavoury things in his mind, but she was right, she was here and safe. That counted for a lot these days. "I know, I know. I can't help it sometimes." He smiled a small thing, a gentle tick of his lips upwards, "Me? Sugarcoat feelings? Now, why would you think I do that?" But he did move closer to place a kiss on her forehead, "I will be okay. Not a lie."

The statement nor the way she looked back at him would cause such a reaction separately, but together had completely caught him off-guard, and Ken, one who would keep such emotion under lock especially under such circumstance, couldn't hold back the laugh that sprung forth at the way she said it. "Your sponge?" Only she could deflate him as such, and maybe this is how it should be, he couldn't help what had happened, can't control the future despite wanting to, maybe it just had to be them together trying to make the day a little more bearable. Tension rolled off his shoulders as a smile began to take hold, "You're something else, Tink. Fine, I'll get my own." He started to head inside, thankful at least that she would let him help, but mind on her, he looked over his shoulder, teasing words falling more than worried ones, "Tell me though, is there a favourite bucket I should steer clear of? I don't want be called a butt head if I take it."

END.

"So have I," She countered, reaching up to cup Ken's face in her hands as she directed his gaze down to meet hers. "Hey, look at me. I'm right here," She reminded him. Only at the mention of dry cleaning she mumbled quietly out, "your poor dry cleaner," as she gave his shirt now splattered in the soapy red water she was covered in a small tug. "I do too. It's not only your job to protect me. We protect each other and, neither of us should, but I did and I didn't want you to have to too." They were a team and, while Leyla was hardly okay, she knew she could brush Hande's cryptic message down and get back to the life they were building together. But, she didn't want Ken to be worried sick about her. Not when there was nothing either of them could do about the blood on the wall. She shook her head the smallest bit back and forth in response to his question, given the fact that they both knew she couldn't lie. "And you? Are you okay?" She asked, running her hands up the length of his arms as she continued to meet his gaze. "And don't lie to me or sugarcoat how you're feeling for my sake."

"Okay. You can help, but," She slowly took a step back, picking up the blood soaked sponge she had been using and clutching it tightly to her chest to make it clear she would not be giving it up or letting him clean off all of the blood outside her shop alone. "This is my sponge. There is another one in the custodial closet inside and, while you're at it, we may need another bucket?"

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight - leyla time & location: a week after camping, pet shelter

Ken couldn't figure out why exactly he had lingered by the shelter and not immediately walked past once the camping nonsense wrapped up. All he wanted to be was back in a proper house, with proper bedding and amenities and absolutely away from the woods they had been forced to spend time in. But not only had he paused by the shelter that day, but his mind had wandered back to it, so much that he physically came back to Echo Acres, a place he usually avoided, but this time with Leyla. A simple drive he told her, which wasn't a lie, he did miss his car, but parking by the place, he turned to her, "Come inside with me? You need to pick out something." He didn't intend to be a surprise, not liking surprises himself Ken didn't see why he should subject others to such, but Leyla was different, he liked doing things for her and a pet, though he likely would never get one himself, Ken knew she'd like one.

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight (leyla) location: their house

Curled up on the couch with Leyla as a movie played, Ken's fingers absent-mindedly played with her hair as focus drifted little by little from the screen. Not intentionally, it probably was a good movie but he had held back his thoughts all day, and now when there were no barriers, when he felt relaxed, thoughts slowly crept to the forefront. His mind had not been a good place lately, or ever really, but these days thoughts were rife with unwanted things and scenarios that he could not shake. Gaze caught onto the setting sun, orange hues dipping to darker shades of blues and he knew the thing he had been holding on couldn't wait longer, not with her waking up ever so often, he thought on the promise made a while ago; to sleep. Despite his own reservations on the matter and given everything that happened, for her, he'd have to face it. At least, he reassured himself, he wouldn't be alone. "Are you tired yet?" he asked peering down to face her, "Do you want to head to bed early? I'll join you."

[nyraxodeyer]

END.

"I want to believe it too, but I just I- I don't know? It just feels like a lot?" She admitted quietly. Her arms moved to wrap around themselves as she shoulders lifted and fell. "Like you thought the house you've been living in all these years was fine, until one day you discover all these tiny cracks in the foundation and, there are so many, that you can't ignore them, but they've been there for enough time now that it seems like it will be really hard to repair all the damage that has been done right under your nose? I, um, I don't envy you. But, I, also, can't help, but be scared? And, um, and really tired, I guess"

"Yes, well, it, um, it wasn't my first thought, if I'm being honest? At the time, but t-thank you. For listening now?" She nibbled lightly on her bottom lip as she snuck a peek over at Nyra. "You weren't always the advisor though and, just because you signed up to advise, doesn't mean you're not a person who needs support just as much as the rest of us?" She pointed quietly out. "I know you say you don't mind, but don't you think that's just another crack we have? I mean if the leaders don't feel supported by the Court, h-how are the rest of us supposed to?"

"Y-you say that, but with Hazal- nevermind," She shook her head the tiniest bit back and forth, not wanting to get into the details as to why her and her sister had put off joining the court for as long as they had to begin with. "I don't really know how you can? But, I'd like that?" She wasn't sure how to be reassured or how to feel like she had a home within the court. It was just a feeling. One that she felt with Ken. Just as she had felt it with Dilan the moment she had met her and their little makeshift family, even though their crime family seemed to have some cracks in it too as she was starting to realize. "And for you too? W-whatever happens, I, um, I want you to know that while it may not be much, you have me too. You're not only what you can offer," She promised her.

END?

[kenxmatsui]

for: leyla @cantfightmoonlight location: hospital

He had not stirred from the chair he had sat in, muscles tense from no movement, but he couldn't. How could he leave her? But he did leave her. Alone for fucking Hande to find her, falling right into the trap that had been set, blinded by rage and shock, sense had not settled at any point as he thought he was keeping her safe, by volunteering, by asking Dilan to take care of her in case he never came back. It hadn't been easy to leave her, but the willingness to offer up himself came easier than breathing. Fucking lot of good that did. He tried not to think to last year, to the scene where anger had grown to a point where he felt nothing seeing her on the ground, seeing her fall out of the sky, the blood, the broken bones, it was like history repeating. He had done nothing to stop it, nothing to keep her safe, not then, and failed again now. Failed on a worse note too, the damage done to her wings broke him in ways he did not expect, the ones that made him fall in love all over again each time she unfurled cruelly and sickeningly cut to make way for a horrific message.

He watched the slow rise and fall of her breathing, monitors beeping and keeping him sane by telling him that he was alive at least, hope was not lost, but hope had ceased to exist a long time ago, what was the point of this? This was not the way it should've gone, not the way this should be. Fists clenched to keep temper in check, to not let it spill over, craving for a release that he could not allow himself. She shifted in that exact moment, and he was right there when her eyes fluttered open, "Hi sweetheart," he said, his fingers so careful with hers as he held her hand, "I'm here. You're ok- I got you."

[kenxmatsui]

for: Dilan & Leyla ( @moonglowmagic & @cantfightmoonlight ) location: ken and leyla's house

When Leyla's discharge was approved, Ken could not have been more thankful. Her room, though private, had been a revolving door of people and nurses, and him, who had not left the place for too long, grew tense and stiff, patience hanging on a gossamer thin thread ready to snap at the slightest of breezes. But then came a different headache when it was time to leave, one he had unfortunately created for himself, a required thing but still.

This is for Leyla, he repeated but the slowness of the ordeal was not a pleasant thing. "Is she packing her entire closet?" he muttered to Leyla, honking the horn a couple times, impatience crawling, "I got rid of the doll, by the way, I know you never liked it, but Dilan doesn't need to know that." He smiled a little at that, "But if I'm too hard on her when she's around, tell me, we know how I can get." Dilan was no stranger nor did he didn't think her as such, but he had been alone for most of life, only changed when Leyla came into his world, into his house, their house now, to share that comfort he had build wouldn't be an easy transition he was sure, but Dilan was her sister, family, and for that he had to try.

Despite bracing for this, when it came down to the day, the hour, the damn minute, he looked at Leyla once more, eyes practically pleading for a different scenario. One preferably not involving anyone but logic overruled it before she could answer. Instead, he put his arms under her lifting her effortlessly so she didn't have to walk, and gestured for Dilan to get the door. Shoes were removed on entry as they made their way in and placed Leyla on the couch, kneeling beside her, "Settle here for now," he said softly, pressing a kiss into her hands, "I'll get yours and Dilan's stuff from the car and then we can head to bed, okay?" Getting up slowly he turned to face Dilan, "Rules," he stated, features morphing back to his standard stern look, "You cannot bring anyone over, I do not care who they are. Second, do not scream, I don't want to kick you out, but so help me if you sound a decibel over the normal. Third, goes without saying but do not touch my stuff. Got it?" That wasn't asking for much. "Also, stay out of my kitchen, it's off-limits for Leyla, same applies to you. You can -" Words cut before he could get them out on where she'd be staying...empty rooms threatening to bring memories he didn't have the focus for, "You can pick one of the rooms upstairs." It was reserved for family afterall, his, hers didn't matter much now. "Oh, if you find a haunted doll up there, adhere to rule three," he added, heading out the door with a private smile to Leyla.

[kenxmatsui]

for: leyla (@cantfightmoonlight) location: his place time: a few days before the verdicts

Falling back onto the couch, arm wrapped around her, Ken looked at his living room floor - it wasn't messy but the neat and orderly stack of papers had built up over the days. The verdict was a few days away and Ken had made his case beyond the best of what the expectation was. There wasn't much to do now than wait and that was the equally the most annoying and most exciting part of this entire thing. "Tell me it's not bad of me to be enjoying these break-ins." It was the lawyer in him, despite knowing the accused and even having one of them as a client, Ken took on everything with enthusiasm which he tried not show as professionalism had to be maintained but in Leyla's presence, there was no real reason to hide, "They didn't do it, it's so stupidly obvious. You see it too, right?"

[kenxmatsui]

for: leyla ( @cantfightmoonlight ) location: ken's place

It wasn't often, hardly ever, that Ken would be engrossed in his phone to not pay attention to surroundings, but having already parked and entered his house, guard fell enough to walk around without high caution. A baseline level remained though and that seemed to be a saving grace when he spotted a silhouette on his back patio. Email half-read already forgotten as he inched closer, only to let out a curse and a sigh of relief at the figure. Forget everything else, Leyla would be the death of him one day.

"Would you have picked the lock if I showed up later than I did?" he asked by a way of greeting as he stepped out to face her, arms crossed, tone stern, and held the stance for a beat before eventually relenting, "Get in, it's cold out." Only then did a thought strike. Bypassing the tree that stood in the corner of his living room -- something he had yet to mention to her, he headed straight to his office and scribbled two five digit codes, would save a lot of trouble and hassle in the future he figured and returned holding the paper out to her, "Here. You don't have to wait next time."

[kenxmatsui]

for: Leyla @cantfightmoonlight location: ren faire

Like every other town event Ken's first instinct for this was to skip it entirely. He could already picture the crowds and noise, simply thinking on it brought about the phantoms pangs of a headache, but attend he had to. Given an information booth to mange wasn't entirely too horrible, especially if that came with bestowing his judgement on the faire goers, the entire ordeal was actually not too bad. He did leave his post many times though, to simply wander about on his own but most often to tag alongside Leyla. He still wouldn't call it fun, the amount of people made him weary despite not interacting with them much but a nice time was being had with her at least. A cold stare from him was denial enough from him when they arrived at the face painting booth, but Leyla sat and he waited till they were done, offering her a hand as she stepped out, "Have we been everywhere you wanted to go? Can we call it a day yet?"

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight - Leyla location: his place ⇒ ambrosia

Expectation and reality differed greatly again as Ken looked at his reflection out in the hallway mirror of all places. In his own house too. But strangely, this difference was welcomed instead of the many other downright annoying deviations he had been subjected to in the past. Leyla commandeering his ensuite and subsequently his entire walk-in closet that it was attached to, meant his appearance had to be tweaked elsewhere rather than in front of his full length mirrors. Not that he needed much fixing, he had been ready hours ago. Albeit being a forced shift in thought, it was much needed they focus on something else after the happenings of last month, while it couldn’t completely be forgotten, Ken could cast such thoughts aside for tonight at least. This was something that ought to have happened months ago but something or rather delayed it and got alarmingly close to a permanent halt but thankfully she had recovered, he made extra sure of it, bringing her to his once she seemed capable enough to move around freely. And he would admit without hesitation that his stay at hers was nothing short of tortuous. He’d spend an hour more locked out of his room than stay a minute more in that house. Thankfully though, she couldn’t read his thoughts and challenge that notion. “Leyla,” his voice rang out, “Our reservation is today not tomorrow.”

[kenxmatsui]

"You've ruined a number of things," he addressed the spirit, "Scared and worry should be the primary feelings." The second it was pointed that it was not Dilan and someone else inhabiting it, Ken's concern dipped. Not that his care meter had never been high for anything that he didn't deem important. While this was a concern and he understood why Leyla was worried, it wasn't without risk and he couldn't let her go that simply, "No," the reply was immediate as she said his name with the look. In any other circumstance, despite him saying no, Ken would cave eventually, go along with what she wanted to make her happy, but now was not a time when he would budge. "I get it, but the Coven can deal with that. Surely, they can bring her down. What good is having magic otherwise? I don't want you getting hurt."

@moonglowmagic @cantfightmoonlight

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“Bingo.” Giving a finger gun when Leyla finally got it right. “Although you can call me Elizabeth from now on.” Informing her once more that Dilan wasn’t coming back. “Oh what are you going to do attack me? How scared I am.” Elizabeth remarked with a fake scared voice before rolling her eyes. “Listen up Tink and Gloomy, this body is now mine. It does belong to me. It’s not deluding myself when its owner gave up earlier in the day. She’s gone and off crying out her pathetic little eyes.” She informed them with a sigh, she hated how pathetic the fae was. “Aww how cute. Look at you two.” She motioned before making a barf noise at them. “Anyways if you two are done with this thanks for nothing, but I have a dance to ruin so. Bye.” With that Elizabeth took off her jacket and tossed it at Ken and Leyla before letting the wings come out of her back, she floated above them. 

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight​​  (Leyla) time + location: puck’s luck, new year’s eve

“Gambling now, are we?” Ken approached her at the Roulette table, clicking his tongue at the sight, “First swearing, now this? Really not helping your case of being good and innocent you know.” Grabbing two flutes of champagne from a server that passed by, he sipped on one while placing the other on the table for her, “A lucky vice,” he added as he watched the ball land on her number, “Do you do this kind of thing often?”

[kenxmatsui]

for: @cantfightmoonlight​ (Leyla) location: white elephant/ugly sweater event

Here was the exception to the rule. A dress was not a sweater, and ugly was certainly never a word that could be used her, though spotting Leyla did elicit a disapproving shake of his head, it smoothed out not too long after into his regular expression. Base irritation over people not on theme remained, as he walked over to her once the crowd dissipated slightly, it was not aimed at her and the grumbles that seemed to greet everyone person, faded to a light tongue click as he spoke, “You know, just because you came as a Christmas tree, doesn’t mean you’re on theme.” 

[kenxmatsui]

for: leyla @cantfightmoonlight location: the hideaway

The smartest thing Ken did in recent memory that wasn't work related was book in this reservation a month prior - such was the protocol but it had been by far the simplest to do. And it was a good thing in the end seeing as from that moment on he had ample time to ponder on what present to get her. A terrible gift giver all round, this was not Ken's area of expertise, especially when he was hell-bent on making it memorable and meaningful - like all the times she had done so for him despite his difficult personality, she had made everything better and it was time he returned the sentiment. It wasn't a surprise, he had told her he'd be taking her out for her birthday and naturally that meant presents too - which he couldn't tell her what that was not because he didn't want to but because until the last minute he didn't know what the choice would be.

The Hideaway should've been where Ken should've taken her for their first date, not that he regretted Ambrosia, but for starters it was already a private area and second, he did not have to tell them to decorate. Other things didn't need to be thought on nor was there room for them as they pulled up to the place, "There not being a lot of people around is not my doing this time," he said extending one hand for to take while the other held onto the gift bag that he held up, "This, however is my doing. Absolute honesty is required from you, no skirting around the truth." She couldn't lie by nature but his little pixie was unbelievably skilled in the art of word selection, "If you don't like it, tell me. The only thing I can guarantee that will be good is the food."