#wyatt ft. serin

[dcwnfalls]

his smirk deepens as serin's gaze lingers , leaning in just a bit closer . her teasing tone isn't lost on him , he can feel her challenging him on — but he's not one to shy away from it . “ hey , i like to keep a little mystery , ” he retorts , “ it's more fun that way , don't you agree ? ” there's a glint of mischief in his eyes , his voice lowering ever-so-slightly . memories of stolen nights flood back into his memories , his years of travel just out of reach . wyatt was no stranger to adventure , opting for sleepless nights over coming home at a reasonable time . it differs drastically from the life he leads now , opting for something more subtle & quiet in palmview . still , the spirit lives inside of him , ready to be awakened at any moment . “ as for why i'm still here … one might say i've got a bit of a slow burn with this town . it's hard to want to leave when you're in paradise . it might not be as fast paced , but it's unpredictable in its own unique way . something i'm willing to explore for a bit longer .  wyatt pauses , sharp & steady , ” serin , if you really want to know how i spend my nights … “ he holds , making her wait , ” i'm no stranger to adventure . it doesn't always have to be something big — and it entirely depends on the company held . “ he leans back , hands resting on the back of his neck , ” i'll leave the rest to your imagination . i don't want to spoil the fun of letting you figure it out for yourself . "

“skills? bold claim.” her voice was smooth, teasing, the kind that lingered just enough to keep the intrigue alive. she accepted her phone back with a smirk, fingers grazing his in an exchange that felt almost deliberate. “but i suppose i’ll let you prove that one to me later.” his laughter at her profession didn’t offend her—it amused her. she leaned in slightly, just enough to shrink the space between them, her dark eyes glinting with playful challenge. “don’t worry, i’ve seen worse,” she mused, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “but next time, i expect a little more effort. impress me.” as he spoke about his life, she studied him — not just his words, but the subtle hesitations, the flickers of thought behind his easy confidence. “massachusetts to florida... seems like you enjoy a drastic change,” she observed, swirling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. “and yet, you stayed. what was it? the warm weather? the students? or just that irresistible charm of palmview’s... quiet allure?” her lips curled slightly, her tone making it clear she wasn’t fully sold on the town’s appeal. his gaze held hers, unwavering, and she liked that. too many people fumbled under pressure, but he sat there, comfortable, matching her energy without hesitation. and in turn, she held his just as intensely. “running, books, loved ones,” she echoed, tilting her head as if appraising the answer. with a slow, deliberate movement, she reached forward, plucking the glass from his hand and bringing it to her lips, taking a small, unhurried sip before setting it back down in front of him. her smirk deepened, eyes flickering with mischief. “not bad,” she murmured, as if she’d just sampled something far more intoxicating than his drink. “but i have a feeling you’re more interesting than you let on.” leaning in, just enough for the space between them to feel electric, she let her fingers trail lightly along the rim of her own glass. “so tell me, wyatt,” her voice dipped into something smooth, knowing, “how do you really spend your nights? because something tells me you’re not always the wholesome type.”

[dcwnfalls]

closed starter: @serinxo  location: marina market 

it's a late night and wyatt has been stuck in the cheese aisle . normally he wouldn't be at marina market , it's much too expensive for a regular grocery run but tonight is different . tonight has been — well , it's been messy . a crisis of a night thus far . deadline upon deadline is approaching and wyatt knows he'll be up all night so of course he decided to procrastinate by heading to the store to pick up some food and beverage to maybe get him through the bullshit of it all .  and he's dressed horribly . as in , he's in sweats and a stained sweatshirt and he definitely has socks on with his sandals . nestled in his armpit is a bottle of wine that is cheap as they go in the market and he's about ready to check out when he noticed he's no longer alone . wyatt looked over at the girl , who is looking much better for measure and he suddenly feels sheepish . “ long night too ? ” he asked , trying to break the ice . 

[dcwnfalls]

“ well i do have some skills , if you can believe it , ” wyatt chuckles , his eyes crinkling in amusement . despite her ‘ sharp edged ’ persona , he could see through it clear as day . a defense mechanism of sorts , her armor . it wasn't cold for the sake of being cold . as serin speaks , wyatt taps out his name and number with a sort of casual confidence , occasionally looking back at the woman . “ manhattan ? ” he echoes back , brow raised , “ funny for you to end up in a place like palmview then . i feel like this place screams slow . maybe we need someone like you here to bring things up to speed . ” he pauses , handing her phone back to her , his fingertips grazing her palm . as she speaks of being a designer , wyatt can't help but let out a laugh , but not at her , “ oh god , it's all coming together now . i must've really made a stellar impression in my lounge clothes that one night . ” his cheeks burn , recalling that she did look put together even late at night . a true force to be reckoned with . “ all of this is noted for future reference , ” he nods , pretending to take notes on the palm of his hand .  “ as for me ? well ….. ” wyatt chews on his lower lip in thought , as if summarizing his life in a few sentences was near impossible work . “ well i grew up in massachusetts , which was … nice , ” he hesitates , brows knit , “ nice enough for me to go to boston university for college i guess . when i graduated i decided to do a bit of traveling . i went all over . ” wyatt scratches the back of his neck , head titled , “ eventually i got a teaching job here in florida and now this is my home ? as for what keeps me entertained ….  i love running , getting the heart pumping , a quality novel , spending time with loved ones … you know — the usual . ” wyatt sits back , meeting her gaze with intensity.

she let out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh at his confidence, handing over her phone without hesitation. "co-captains, huh?" she mused, her tone light but laced with her usual sharpness. "bold of you to assume I'd share the helm, but... i’ll give you credit for knowing when to step back. it’s a rare skill." she leaned back slightly, her posture as composed as ever, though there was a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes. "as for me," she started, her tone turning more conversational, though still tinged with her signature edge, "i’m originally from manhattan. born and raised in the city — so you can imagine i have little patience for anything slow-paced or predictable." she tilted her head, as though daring him to keep up with her as she continued. "i’m a designer. fashion, specifically. i work at palmview fashion house here in town. it’s... demanding, but i wouldn’t have it any other way." her fingers drummed lightly against the table as she considered his other question. "what i like to do? i enjoy good wine, great conversation, and anyone who can keep me entertained. i travel when i can, though the job keeps me tethered more often than i’d like. and what i don’t like?" she arched an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth lifting into a smirk. "people who waste my time. indecision. and cheap cologne." she gestured subtly toward him, her smirk widening. "luckily for you, you seem to be in the clear so far." she reached for her glass, taking another sip before setting it down. "now it's your turn. what’s your story? where do you hail from, and what keeps you entertained?"

[dcwnfalls]

wyatt holds steady , keeping his reactions mostly to himself as serin responds . still — he couldn't stop the smile that was forming , his eyes crinkling , the corners of his mouth curving upward . he holds his hand out , “ i'm going to add my number to your phone , ” he starts , waiting for her to hand it over . “ you can text me later and we can figure out the details …. and for the record , i don't mind you preferring to steer the ship , but i think we could be good co-captains . i know when to step back , but i can also step up . so yes , i think i am up for it — and from the sound of it , you might be too . ” he pauses , head tilted , “ why don't you tell me about yourself . where you hail from , what you like to do . what you don't like to do . ”

her lips parted slightly, caught off guard by his directness, though the surprise quickly melted into something far more amused. her brows lifted just a touch as she leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other with an air of casual confidence. "well," she began, her voice smooth and measured, though her eyes sparkled with something undeniably intrigued, "i can't say i was expecting that level of candor, but... points for cutting through the noise." she let a brief silence linger, using it to her advantage as she studied him, the corners of her mouth curving into a slow, deliberate smile. "captive attention, attraction, and... keeping you on your toes?" she repeated, the teasing lilt in her voice making it clear she wasn’t letting him off that easily. "you don’t hold back, do you, wyatt?" serin rested her hand on the stem of her glass, her fingers brushing lightly against it, though her attention was fully on him. "you’re bold," she said finally, tilting her head ever so slightly. "i like that. and while i typically prefer to be the one steering the ship... you’ve made a compelling case." she leaned forward again, her smirk softening into something that felt more genuine, though still tinged with her signature edge. "so, yes," she said, her voice low and deliberate. "i’ll go out with you. but be warned — keeping me entertained is no small feat, wyatt." lifting her own glass, she mirrored his earlier gesture, holding it up between them before taking a sip. when she set it down, her eyes locked on his, a glimmer of challenge dancing in her gaze. "but something tells me you might actually be up for it."

[dcwnfalls]

“ what's the verdict ? ” wyatt folded his hands on the table , leaning in as if to let serin in on a secret , “ the verdict is simple . you have kept my attention thus far , captive one might add . you've been on my mind since our first meeting and i would like to take you out on a date . i won't beat around the bush , i am attracted to you in many ways . your personality is strong but very enjoyable . you keep me on my toes . not to mention you are stunningly gorgeous , but that's just a bonus . had i known i would be meeting someone like you so late at night that first time , i would've dressed differently . ” he pauses , but not long enough for serin to interject , “ so while this back and forth is entertaining , i'm certain we could entertain each other in a variety of other ways without dancing around the possibilities of what this could be . if you're not interested , i will accept it and move on . no hurt feelings . i'm sure we could be friendly acquaintances , but i'm much more interested in the former . ” he lifts his drink , as if to challenge her before taking a sip . 

her smirk softened, lips curving into something a little more genuine, though the sharpness in her eyes never quite dulled. she leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on the table and cradling her chin in her hand as she regarded him, letting his words settle in the air between them. earnest, she thought, watching the faint flicker of hesitation in his gaze. it was both disarming and oddly endearing. most people she dealt with wore layers of pretense as armor; wyatt, it seemed, hadn’t yet mastered that particular art. “only the start, huh?” she echoed, her voice carrying a teasing lilt as if testing the weight of his sincerity. “careful, wyatt. flattery is a slippery slope.” her gaze flicked to the glass in his hand before sliding back to meet his. “but i suppose i’ll allow it — for now.” there was a moment of silence, but not the uncomfortable kind. instead, it felt charged, like a thread stretched taut between them, waiting to be pulled. serin traced the rim of her glass with a single finger, her movements slow and deliberate. “you’re an overthinker,” she said finally, not as an accusation but more like an observation she found mildly fascinating. “and don’t bother denying it. you’re practically broadcasting it.” she tilted her head, her earrings catching the dim light as she studied him. “most people would’ve dodged that comment about reading into things or laughed it off. but you? you own it. like you’re trying to prove you can handle the challenge.” her tone was playful, but there was an edge of genuine intrigue beneath it. “so,” she continued, leaning back again, her eyes never leaving his. “tell me, wyatt. what’s the verdict? am i living up to your interesting expectations, or am i going to need to try harder to keep your attention?” the smirk returned, sharper this time, as though she were daring him to match her energy.

[dcwnfalls]

wyatt shook his head , flustered . while he couldn't quite place it , there was something about serin that made him second guess his every word . “ no , you're right . i need to take work off of my mind . easier said than done i suppose , but i can try . ” he paused , his gaze stuck on serin a little longer than he would've like it to be . she was hard to decode , or at least , she presented that way . typically wyatt didn't have trouble making small talk and keeping good company , but her forthright nature was wrapped in something undecipherable . the scholar in him wanted to deconstruct each syllable and analyze every glance . “ noted . will not read into things , ” but he already was and likely wouldn't stop . “ and yet it looks like you might be . there is definitely room for interpretation , but i promise i say nothing but compliments in your favor . interesting is only the start .” wyatt doesn't play with his words , earnest as can be . 

serin’s smirk deepened, her gaze flicking over wyatt as if he were a particularly intriguing puzzle. she leaned back in her chair, her posture effortlessly poised, her gold earrings swaying slightly with the motion. “inspiration is an admirable goal,” she said, her tone thoughtful, though still tinged with that signature sharpness. “it’s rare to meet someone who actually cares about what they do, let alone enough to fight for it.” her words were measured, almost disarming, though the faint glint in her eye suggested she was still assessing him, filing away each detail for later. “but let’s not get carried away,” she added, the smirk returning as she lifted her glass. “this isn’t a pta meeting, and i doubt you came here to debate the merits of homer over ahi tuna.” she took a sip, letting the moment linger before setting the glass back down with a soft clink. “still, it’s... refreshing.” the word felt deliberate, as if it had been plucked from the air just for him. “you’re clearly not afraid to put yourself out there — even if it means risking an earful from a stranger.” his comment about her welcoming him into her space earned a quiet laugh, low and edged with something sharper than warmth. “don’t read too much into it,” she teased, her eyes narrowing slightly, though the faint curve of her lips softened the effect. “sometimes, i just enjoy seeing what people do when given the chance.” her gaze lingered on him for a beat too long, challenging and curious in equal measure. at his mention of her being interesting, she tilted her head slightly, her smile turning sly. “interesting is a safe word,” she mused, her tone almost playful. “it leaves room for interpretation."

[dcwnfalls]

wyatt could hardly follow the girl as she spoke , between deciphering each comment she made and keeping track of how much his total at checkout would be . truth be told , his head was s p i n n i n g . her eloquent nature made even the sharpest of digs seem like a favor to him and while he wasn't sure what her intentions were , he wasn't even sure he really cared . as he discarded the wine bottle in the aisle , he felt a pressure release from his chest . as if the cheap wine was holding all of his problems and they were just — gone . of course he still had a ton of work to face once he got home , but for now that wasn't his problem . “ i really appreciate your er — expertise . i know you didn't have to help me out and you did . even though it's late and i'm sure you have plenty of other things to be doing . what i guess i'm saying is , can i make it up to you somehow ? ” he was aware of how ridiculous he was sounding , but he didn't care. maybe his confidence would return at a later date , but earnesty would have to do for now . 

her smirk softened ever so slightly at wyatt’s admission, though her sharp gaze didn’t waver. “a teacher,” she mused, her tone still lightly laced with incredulity but with a flicker of genuine curiosity. “shaping young minds while wearing..” she let her words trail off, gesturing vaguely toward his outfit with a delicate flick of her wrist. "it's bold. a statement, really. though i’m sure your students are too distracted by their tiktoks to appreciate the artistic nuance of socks with sandals.” she turned her attention back to the wine aisle, her meticulously manicured nails skimming the bottles as though this were her own personal boutique. “not picky? well, that’s painfully obvious,” she quipped without looking back, though there was no malice in her tone — just the playful cadence of someone who enjoyed keeping others on their toes. “but if you’re trusting my judgment, we’re raising the bar. barely, but still.” with a decisive motion, she pulled a bottle from the shelf, examining the label with a critical eye. “this is passable,” she declared, handing it to him without waiting for protest. “something red, smooth, and just sophisticated enough to make up for everything else you’ve got going on tonight.” her gaze fell on the cheap wine still clutched in his grasp, and her lips curved into something almost resembling amusement. “you can let that one go, you know,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “or is it symbolic? an emotional crutch of some kind?” her words were teasing but not cruel, her eyes studying him with the intensity of someone who liked puzzles — and wyatt, disheveled and out of his depth, was proving to be an unexpectedly interesting one. serin turned sharply, her camel coat billowing slightly with the motion, and made her way toward the checkout line. “come on, martyr,” she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying with the same effortless authority she wore like a second skin. “the cheese and wine pairing is solved, but i’m sure you’ll find some new catastrophe to overthink by the time you get home.” she paused, glancing back at him with a raised brow. “and for the record,” she added, her tone softer but no less precise, “it’s admirable, i suppose. the whole teacher thing. even if you’ve clearly given up on impressing anyone tonight.”

[dcwnfalls]

“you think?” wyatt raised a brow . he wasn't necessarily surprised that serin was well-read , but more so that she was supporting an idea that he had to fight the school board for . “ i'll admit , not everyone agrees with me . the curriculum is awfully outdated and even the minor changes i've been making have been met with a lot of apprehension . i just want these kids to be inspired and enjoy reading . but i shouldn't go into that , i wouldn't stop talking and you don't need to hear about all of that , ” he paused , realizing he had already been talking way too much . historically , wyatt had been surrounded by others who led the conversation , but while serin was leading in many ways , wyatt was somewhat overcompensating with his speech .  “ i suppose you're right though , company is not always needed . which makes it all the sweeter that you've welcomed me into this space . ” corny much ? he couldn't decide , but it was worth mentioning . “ it doesn't have to be a compliment . i'll take what i can get . but for the record , you've been very interesting thus far. ”

she let out a soft laugh, low and edged with something closer to amusement than warmth. “the iliad is a bold choice,” she mused, her fingers toying with the edge of her glass, “but i’ll give you credit for straying from the obvious. the odyssey is dreadfully overdone.” her gaze lingered on him as he spoke, the corners of her mouth quirking ever so slightly at his explanation. his attachment to his books was evident — almost endearing, though she’d never admit that out loud. at his quip about waxing poetic, her brows arched delicately, her smile sharpening like the edge of a well-polished knife. “oh, i’d never claim something so gauche wouldn’t leave an impression,” she countered, her tone smooth and lilting. “but you’re right — i might appreciate it. under the right circumstances, of course.” her words carried a teasing weight, an implicit challenge woven into the casual rhythm of her speech. his question hung in the air for a moment, and she took a slow sip of her mojito before answering. “alone, yes,” she admitted, though the faint smile that played on her lips suggested there was more to the story than her words conveyed. “not everyone needs a companion to enjoy good food and a better view. though…” she let her eyes sweep over him briefly, appraising, before meeting his gaze again. “...perhaps the company is better than i anticipated.” her head tilted slightly, her gold earrings catching the light as she studied him, her tone still tinged with a hint of playful skepticism. “and you? did you come here hoping to make an impression, or are you always this... prepared?” she gestured faintly to the now-hidden book, her smile almost daring him to answer. “you’re an interesting one, wyatt. i haven’t quite decided if that’s a compliment yet.”

[dcwnfalls]

“ i'm a teacher , ” wyatt nodded , aware of how out of place he currently was , “ but the way you described it was much more eloquent , yes . ” wyatt's eyes followed serin as she started shopping for him , or rather , suggesting . “ listen , i'm not a picky person . at least not in this moment . i'll trust your judgement though — as it seems like you definitely know what you're doing . ” he followed her , his curiosity piqued . absentmindedly , wyatt clutched onto the old wine bottle , not wanting to just dump it in the store . however he realized how silly he looked just toting it around with no intention of purchasing it , though he might still walk out with it , if not just because he felt guilty plucking it from the shelf and then discarding it later . even “ right , of course . new wine . lead the way ! ” 

serin’s brow arched higher at wyatt’s explanation, her smirk deepening as he stumbled over his words. there was a charm in his disarray, albeit one that would normally amuse her from a distance. but tonight, there was something oddly refreshing about his candid frazzled energy, like an unexpected splash of cool water amidst her carefully curated life. “final exams and grades,” she repeated, her voice laced with just enough incredulity to make him squirm but not flee. “so you’re some sort of academic martyr, huh? burning the midnight oil to shape the minds of tomorrow?” her gaze flicked over him again, lingering on the cheap wine he clung to like a lifeline. “truly, inspiring. though your method of self-medication leaves much to be desired.” she took a step closer, her boots clicking softly against the tile floor, and plucked a wedge of manchego from the shelf with a practiced ease. “if you’re going to spiral,” she began, holding up the cheese like an offering, “at least do it with some dignity. manchego pairs infinitely better with… well, anything, than whatever that,” her eyes darted to the wine bottle, “is pretending to be.” serin’s tone shifted then, a glimmer of something almost playful in her expression as she tilted her head. “and don’t flatter me. i wasn’t exactly here on a grand mission. but i suppose i can spare a moment to guide you through this travesty of a grocery run. you look like you need it.” without waiting for him to respond, she turned slightly, beckoning him to follow with a flick of her fingers. “let’s start with a proper wine. if i’m going to involve myself in your existential unraveling, the least you can do is not make me regret it.” her sharp tone softened as she glanced at him over her shoulder. “who knows? maybe we’ll salvage something decent from this disaster.”

[dcwnfalls]

“ the odyssey is usually the recommended reading for our unit , but i find it boring . ” wyatt shrugged , holding the worn novel close to him , “ i pick the iliad for my students to read instead . it's a bit more bad ass . i try to read along with the class so when it's time for discussion things are fresh in my mind . ” he kept going on , as if she needed some winded explanation for his choice of a dinner novel . truth is , he was tied to his career in a way that made his dog-eared novels a bit of a safety blanket . it's rare he was seen out without some form of literature . this time , he tucked it away , out of sight from either of them . “ are you trying to waxing poetic over seafood wouldn't make an impression ? ” he raised a brow , almost as if to challenge her , “ a part of me thinks you might like that sort of thing . ” he paused , as if to let her answer before he continued , “ but why are you here by yourself ? were you waiting for someone to join you ? " 

serin's lips curved into a faint smirk as she set her drink down, fingers brushing over the condensation on the glass. “a surprise, then,” she echoed, the word rolling off her tongue with an air of skepticism that still managed to sound like an invitation. “though, if we’re talking surprises, i wouldn’t have pegged the iliad as your dinner date. ambitious, if not a little ironic.” her gaze flicked to the book he carried, then back to him, her head tilting slightly as if appraising his choice. “the view’s not bad,” she admitted, her eyes glancing briefly to the shoreline before returning to him, sharp and discerning. “but you know how it is — sometimes it’s less about the view and more about the company.” the faintest hint of a challenge lingered in her tone, subtle but deliberate. she shifted in her seat, crossing one leg over the other, her jumpsuit catching the warm glow of the lights overhead. “so, what brings you to mango bay with a drink in one hand and homer in the other? planning to wax poetic over seafood, or are you here to make an impression?” her words were light, teasing, but her eyes betrayed the deeper currents of curiosity. people intrigued her only insofar as they could prove themselves interesting, and something about him — his air of quiet intellect, maybe, or the way he’d handled himself at the marina — had earned him a sliver of her attention. “i’ll warn you, though,” she added, lifting her mojito for another sip, “if you’re hoping for a quiet corner to read, you might’ve picked the wrong table. i can be... distracting.” her smile was all self-awareness, an invitation cloaked in intrigue, as she watched to see how he’d navigate the waters she was steering him into.

[dcwnfalls]

“ do i always dress like this ? ” wyatt's brows furrowed , confused for a second before remembering his situation , looking down briefly before back at the put together girl , he blushed , “ yeah — well no . not really . usually i'm more presentable . tonight ? tonight i am behind on final exams and grades that i'm supposed to be publishing …. well they should be published now . i just needed that final push , you know ? ” he reference the wine , pathetically at that . “ so yeah — maybe i need a little bit of help , if you're offering that is . i don't want to keep you from … whatever you might be doing … ” he was staring and he realized that , but he truly was frazzled and it was like she was heaven sent in that moment , if even to bring him back to reality . 

serin kaplan had no business being in the marina market at this hour — let alone in the cheese aisle. the late-night air was brisk, and she wasn’t exactly in her element; her usual routine of meticulous order was shattered by the chaos of her current life. still, even her most casual look — an oversized camel coat draped over her tailored sweater dress and designer boots — put her a cut above most people here. certainly above him. her gaze trailed over the man before her: mismatched socks and sandals, a sweatshirt with a stain that begged for detergent, and a bottle of wine cheaper than her coffee order. he looked like he’d been swallowed by the kind of night that had chewed her up and spit her out during her first week in palmview. and yet… there was something oddly endearing about the disarray. she let her lips curve into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. “long night? that’s generous.” her voice was sharp but melodic, each word chosen with precision. “let me guess. going through some sort of existential crisis? or do you always dress like… this?” her manicured hand gestured vaguely in his direction, though there was no real venom in her tone. she tilted her head, studying him like he was some sort of puzzle she wasn’t quite sure if she wanted to solve. “that wine,” she added, her tone dipping into something teasing, “is a choice. very bold. if you’re trying to sabotage yourself further, might i recommend something from the clearance section?” serin wasn’t sure why she was engaging — normally, she'd breeze past someone like him without a second glance. but something about his awkwardness, his sheepish attempt at conversation, had caught her attention. it wasn’t charm exactly, but it wasn’t entirely unappealing either. “do you need help, or should i leave you here to contemplate the mysteries of brie versus camembert on your own?” she asked, her sharp tongue softening slightly as she arched a perfectly shaped brow.

[dcwnfalls]

the air had a certain buzz to it , the setting sun forming a picturesque scene at the restaurant . clusters of conversations hung above and wyatt did his best to weave through the tables whilst balancing his drink and novel — a paper plane and the iliad , respectively . his intention was to find something a bit more quiet , tucked aside so he could concentrate on forming a lesson plan for the new year — but the universe had other plans . a familiar voice piqued his interest , causing wyatt to turn around and face none other than the mysterious marina market beauty . “ ah , hello ! ” he responded , much more put together this time in trousers and a button-up top . albeit — this is what he would wear to work , if he wasn't still on break for another day or so . his eyes wandered from the girl to the open seat , taking up her offer without hesitation , “ no , i did not follow you here , though the seat is appreciated . i think there are a lot of things about me that would surprise you , but i'm sure the sentiment goes both ways . let's call it a surprise though if it makes it all the sweeter . how is your evening going ? enjoying the view i see ? ” 

closed starter: wyatt kearney !! (@dcwnfalls)

location: mango bay restaurant

the mango bay restaurant was alive with its usual energy — a buzz of voices mingled with the soft rhythms of music playing in the background. the salty tang of the ocean breeze drifted in through the open windows, mingling with the scents of citrus and freshly grilled seafood. strings of warm lights crisscrossed the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the diners. serin had claimed a table near the railing overlooking the beach, her drink of choice — a crisp mojito — resting in her hand. she swirled the mint leaves with her straw absently, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the last streaks of the sunset were fading into dusk. she was dressed to match the evening’s vibe: a linen jumpsuit that hugged her frame perfectly and gold earrings that caught the light just enough to draw attention. she noticed wyatt before he noticed her, his familiar frame weaving through the tables. serin let the moment linger, watching him with a bemused tilt of her head before finally speaking, her voice cutting through the ambient noise with its usual precision. “of all the tables, wyatt,” she drawled, gesturing to the empty chair across from her with her mojito. “or did you follow me here hoping i’d save you a seat?” she arched a brow, her expression teetering between playful and challenging as she took a slow sip of her drink. “though, i have to admit, i didn’t peg this as your scene. or is this your attempt to surprise me?”