No one truly enjoyed hanging around their workplace, but Haruto thought he deserved some time to rest his feet before heading home. That was the downfall of riding his bike to work– he had to ride it back, after his body had been beaten down by the task of standing for eight hours. Finally, he had a chance to enjoy an iced coffee and to come down from the day.
Until a well-dressed man spoke. Considering he was also in the shop, Haruto considered that he wasn’t a solicitor. “I– uh,” often his co-workers gave each other their drinks for free, but if this guy was willing to get him a croissant… “Yeah, I’ve got time,” Haru finally uttered out. Pulling his chair over he asked, “What journal is this for, Coffee Drinkers monthly?”
.
Octavian knew that it was an unusual topic in his field of work, but was he truly ever one to conform to the norm? “I’m in clinical psychology, doing postdoctoral research. It’s actually unlike some of my other work,” Octavian explained with a slight shrug, knowing how ridiculous it might’ve sounded that a man who defended a dissertation on mental health provider bias towards men of color was now writing about why people gravitate towards coffee shops. “It’s more of a passion project, so to speak. Why people go to coffee shops over other locations. Is it the coffee itself, or something else? The atmosphere, the crowd, the location? Are you a regular here?”
Why the local coffee shop is the place for everyone. Even though he was typing away at his laptop, Octavian’s eyes surveyed the patrons of the specialty shop. Some were like him, also on their laptops, alone or with others, likely hard at work. Others were engaged in chatter with their friends, teen girls coming in together to order multiple of the same fruity beverages or pairs catching up over lattes after work. Then there were those alone, whether spending an extended period of time or simply needing a quick pick-me-up before going to their next destination.
Pausing mid-sentence as his fingers hovered over the keyboard, Octavian slid his blue-light glasses off and looked over at a person sitting at the table next to his who didn’t seem awfully busy. “If you're down to answer a few questions for an article I’m writing, your next drink is on me. Maybe even a croissant too. It’s for research, about why people enjoy coming to coffee shops and hanging around.”
Taking the device as it was passed to her, Sanem focused on the profile of the current man in question — Matheus — her best friend had been seeing. Intrigue mixed with a moderate scrutiny flashed in dark eyes, gleaning what she could from the info written and scrolling through a few pictures. ❝ I can see another reason why you don’t mind the age gap much, he definitely wears forty-one pretty well. ❞ Teasing the other woman with a smirk easily tugging, nudging her a little. ❝ But in all seriousness — it does sound like there’s a lot of pros thus far, which I’m happy for you on, what’s got you feeling that potential about him ? ❞ She inquired, passing the phone back over to Lily, still unable to help feel a faint underlying ambivalence mainly as far as the other was concerned. Of course she’d always be ready to support whatever endeavor was made, in and out of love, nor did she ever put her judgement into question. Maybe it was simply a factor of having Bash in mind, also a good friend of hers, the two ending things not all that long ago. But it’d been mutual as far as she was aware, plus like she’d said, things were still early. ❝ Oh he will absolutely be meeting me before, I won’t run a background check like someone we know, but passing the best friend test is law. ❞
Light laugh billows out, smile widening at the animation Lily had taken on then, both about the new house and honeymoon. ❝ Honestly it might take the whole house tour, possibly then some to even go over the highlights of the rest of our trip, between Cappadocia and Bali alone. ❞ Difficult to contain the the way the lilt in her voice graduated in brightness. ❝ But okay — I mean the backyard is at the top in favorite spots, as far as my own though, ❞ Motioning excitedly for her best friend to follow along before reaching the space in the house that was meant as a practice room for her routines. ❝ Positive this will come as no surprise, little at home dance studio, still putting some finishing touches on it including the soundproofing. ❞
.
“He does, doesn’t he? I only hope that we look as good in our forties.” What did Lily see in Matheus that made her think there was potential? She didn’t even really know him on that level yet. “He’s on the same page as me about a lot of things. He has a career, ambition, he’s a genuinely kind person.” She knew that Sanem was still in contact with Bash, and Lily did not expect that her best friend would sever those ties. “I'm ready to close the Bash chapter of my life, and I think it’s been that way before we officially ended things. Maybe one day we can be friends again, but as of now the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach might be best.” Lily was lying to both Sanem and herself by implying that she’d forgotten about her former partner now that it had been weeks since they’d last spoken. A laugh escaped her as Sanem hinted at Landon’s peculiar antics, shaking her head. “You say that like your brother doesn’t already know what hospital Matheus was born in, what airline he flies with. Or whatever information he arbitrarily decides he needs to know about an individual. How much does he know about you through these, um, practices of his?”
Enough about the past, time to talk about the present. “How’s it being Mrs. Pellisier-Reid now? Have you done the whole legal name change?” Lily knew secondhand how extensive the process was, fully intending to keep the Whittaker name when and if she ever got married but supporting the unification of Sanem and Allison through a shared last name. Following her best friend through the house, Lily sighed as she thought about how lovely it must’ve been to get away for a while following their nuptials, to escape the small town of Crescent Harbor. “I want to know all about it, Sanem. I still feel kinda guilty for the whole Paris thing, even though I convinced Landon to back off a bit,” the brunette winced, brown eyes surveying the architecture and interior design of the Pellisier-Reid home before stopping, admiring Sanem’s home dance studio. “Babe, this is incredible. It truly does have your energy coursing through it!” Lily explained, carefully gliding along the floors. “Teach me something, or re-teach me an old move. Let’s break in the studio,” the brunette pleaded, moving to tie her long waves into a messy bun.
After seeing her text while sitting at that bar in Canada Bash had almost completely forgotten about it until he was int he car on the way back with Nate - something he absolutely hadn’t expected to happen. Even though the message had said she could leave it at Ravi’s or anything along those lines, he listened to Nate’s advice to talk to her himself and figured he could get his stuff at the sametime, so now there he was; on her porch with his hands in the pockets of his jeans, swinging a little on his heels as he waited for her to open the door.
His lips pressed together while he tried his best to keep his heart at a normal pace. Tongue darted out to lick his lips nervously when he heard her call from inside and about a minute or so later he was staring right down at her, a box of items pushed into his arms, pulling his hands from his pockets to grab it while his brows raised. ❛ Kinda… Forgot. Sorry, ❜ he explained in a mutter, a little surprised as he looked down at the box, checking what was inside because honestly he’d forgotten most of it was at Lily’s. Was she in a hurry? Pissed off? Fuck, she was pretty. ❛ Uh— thanks. ❜
Bash swallowed hard, blinking at her question.❛ No… Walked, ❜ he shrugged, the box following his movements. A fucking uber? Why would he take an uber? He’d had a lot on his mind lately, that was for sure. Walking always felt nice to clear his head and to be honest, he wasn’t completely sober so he’d left his bike standing but Lily didn’t need to know the reason why. ❛ I’ll walk back, it’s fine. ❜ Shaking his head, his eyes left the soft features of her face for a moment to gaze into the hallway behind her, spotting a fresh bouquet of flowers. It was definitely possible she’d bought them for herself, right? Still, his stomach turned a little at the thought of her already moving on and a soft sigh left his lips when he looked back to her. His hands were itching to hold her and not the damn box he didn’t really give a shit about. It was just stuff.
❛ How’re you? ❜
.
“It’s okay,” Lily responded, biting her lower lip as she gave him a nod. He didn’t owe her anything, just like she didn’t owe him the same. They were exes, and once this exchange was complete, would go their separate ways for good. “I’m just glad you were able to make it over, I just thought that some of this was important stuff that you might want to hold onto.” There were some of his shirts and sweatpants that he’d left by her, as well as the bathrobe that Lily had gifted him for Christmas a few months prior. If he hadn’t picked it up, Lily would’ve either given it to Ravi to hand off or simply gone through Bash’s things and gotten rid of them herself. She didn’t need a reminder of their relationship every time she stepped out of the shower or made coffee in the morning, with his bathrobe hanging on the door or the coffee mug sitting among hers.
Was he really planning on walking back to the downtown area, or was he going to see a friend nearby? It wasn’t Lily’s business as to his plans, nor as to why he’d rather walk than get a ride. “Well, I should let you get going. Take care, Bash,” the woman spoke, knowing that she would never be truly ready to let go of their love but it was the only choice right now. As she was about to turn around, she heard his voice yet again. She was expecting him to wish her well in return and walk off, not ask how she was doing. Was he actually interested, or was he being polite? Before Lily could even answer, two balls of fur barreled towards the door and barked excitedly at the sight of Bash. Wincing at the intrusion, Lily bent down and gently tapped the corgis on their backs. “Back inside, you’re not going on a walk till later. I’ll be right back in.”
The dogs moved back inside the house, albeit laying in wait by the door. Seeing that Belle and Bambi’s curiosity wasn’t going to dissipate, Lily sighed and turned back to face Bash, remembering his question before the canine relay to the porch. “I’m... I’m doing well. How are you?,” the brunette finally responded, sighing as she smoothed out her skirt in front of her as she chuckled nervously. Lily didn’t know if delving into details was appropriate, nor did she know if she wanted Bash to be privy to such information. He didn’t need to know that she reconciled with Elise, nor that she was seeing someone else already. “I’m not gonna lie, this is awkward. Us trying to make small talk, we... we don’t have to do this. I’m sure you’re not enjoying it any more than I am.” They had been somewhat friends before dating, and Lily was maybe open to rekindling that platonic connection at some point. But it was far too early now, and the wounds from the breakup were still too fresh for her to consider it.
who: lily whittaker ( @fcrvorous )
when: afternoon
where: a cute lil flower shop
On the long list of things that Valletta did not particularly like, one could find both small towns and step-things. Step-children, step-cousins, step-nephews, anyone who thought they were entitled to her energy just because her marriage made them legally family. Whatever that even meant.
And having the step-things living in the same small town as her? Nightmare fuel. They were everywhere, scurrying about like cockroaches, while she was just trying to pick up the flowers she’d ordered for the dining room.
Right now it was a step-niece, which barely counted, but Valley remembered her from the wedding, if only from her husband declaring proudly (for whatever reason) that Lily and Valley were almost exactly the same age. The first of many awkward moments in this family.
But if she wanted a no-fault divorce, she’d have to be nice to the step-things, and so she smiled. “I’d say I’m surprised to find you here, but a Lily in a flower shop is just too fitting,” she said. “How’ve you been lately? Are you still with… what was his name again?”
Ever since putting the distance between herself and her parents, Lily had seen less of her uncle and his absurdly young new wife in turn. Derek Covington was far from likable in general, and she could only assume that Valletta wasn’t with him for his kindness or charm. “It’s also my job,” she stated matter-of-factly, nodding to the bouquet in her hands that she was picking up on a bride’s behalf. A spontaneous elopement at Lake Chandra, one that was low brow but still needed to feel special. “What are you planning, a dinner party? You know, being a socialite and all. I’d give you some pointers, but I think you might know how to play the role of the rich housewife to a T.” It was a bluff, as Lily hardly knew the blonde woman. But even though stereotypes weren’t always true, she couldn’t help but believe it about her new aunt.
There were some choice words that Elise Whittaker likely had about her sister-in-law, and Lily wanted nothing more than to gossip with her mother again. It was trivial, but it was one of the moments in which she wished their relationship was a bit better. Pulled out of her thoughts bu the mention of her ex-boyfriend, Lily’s facial expression faltered before she neutralized it once more. “His name is Bash, and we decided to go our separate ways,” Lily confirmed, giving her aunt a tight-lipped smile that did not meet her eyes. “How are things on your end in the relationship department, Auntie? Please let me know if I should no longer call you that, I’m not sure if the divorce papers have been served yet or not.”
closed starter for @sanempellireid
location: sanem & alli’s new home, goldfinch valley
“Okay, this is him,” Lily encouraged, pulling up Matheus’ Tinder profile and passing the phone to Sanem so she could see photos of Lily’s latest interest. “Okay so he is eleven years older than us, but I think some life experience is good to have and the age gap between thirty and forty-one isn’t that big in the grand scheme of things. He works in tech, and he’s probably the only guy I like who my parents would also approve of.” It was as though Lily was trying to convince herself more than Sanem that Matheus was a good fit for her and that dating again was the right move. “It’s too early to be sure, but I can’t help but feel as though there’s potential there. I’m seeing him again tomorrow after work, I’ll keep you updated on things. Of course you’ll get to meet him before anything official.” It had only been a month since Lily ended things with Bash, but it also felt like their separation was a long time coming. Maybe she was ready for this new relationship after all.
“Enough about me and this new guy, take me on a tour of the house! I want to see everything, and also hear about the rest of the honeymoon once Landon and I were back stateside,” the brunette prompted, clapping her hands excitedly at the prospect of seeing the new Pellisier-Reid residence. Although she’d purchased her own home impulsively, Lily couldn’t deny that having a space to make her own certainly had an appeal to it. “Show me your favorite area of the house, or your favorite piece of décor. Something that makes you feel like it’s your space.”
closed starter for @amy-yildiz
location: conference room at crescent general hospital
Octavian’s supervising psychologist was supposed to accompany him to this meeting, but the senior researcher had been pulled into another engagement and asked her fellow to handle the preliminary discussion with their partner. He might have agreed out of professionalism even having known the identity of their collaborator, but it certainly didn’t help his nerves as he entered the room and saw Amy sitting there. It brought back memories of coming home after an afternoon doing research under his professor in grad school to her sitting at their dinner table, or him running to meet her for a meal after class. How things had changed.
“Hey,” was the greeting that Octavian was able to muster as he approached the table, giving her a respectful nod. In another instance, they would’ve had a much more personal reunion but he had to keep the professional setting in mind. In this context, she was a colleague before she was his ex-fiancée. “We’re working on a project, tying art therapy to clinical neuroscience here at Crescent General. Seeing how it helps dementia and amnesia patients,” he began, placing his laptop on the table and going through some slides on a presentation. “It’s not my specialty, which is why we’re looking for collaboration from others in the field such as yourself. And I honestly think that we’d work well together on this,” he stated coolly. They had broken up two years ago and hardly seen each other since, surely they could work together for a couple of months for the hospital’s sake.
closed starter for @astrid-chen
location: wine art
“My therapist told me that I should try painting or drawing. She never specified drinking while making art, but she also didn’t say to not drink while doing it,” Lily stated with a shrug, taking a sip of the glass of merlot in one hand while she made strokes with the paintbrush in her dominant one. “I’m not good at this, but at least I can blame it on the wine. What are you drinking? I might try a glass of rosé for the next round,” the woman mused, leaning back and looking at the landscape that they were attempting to paint. “I wonder what’d happen if we go off book and just start painting whatever we want instead of the painting we’re supposed to be replicating...”
Western Zodiac: ☼ Sagittarius | ☽ Libra | ↑ Scorpio
Sexuality: Yet another hetero
Relationship Status: Married to his work Single
Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Environmental Health (University of Washington); Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (University of Washington), PhD in Clinical Psychology (UC Berkeley)
Occupation: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Crescent General
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 180 lbs
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good
Myers-Briggs: INTP - The Logician
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Enneagram: Type 1 - The Reformer
ABOUT
A boy with the last name Summers born on the night of the winter solstice, and then given a fall-themed name. First of two children, older brother of Flora Summers (NPC). Takes big brother role very seriously. Family is everything, loves his parents and sister to pieces and always has.
Was named after Octavius Catto, was conscious of his unusual name growing up but has thus far come to own it. But quickly adopted the nickname “Tavian”, doesn’t care who calls him what.
Spent all his childhood at Second Chances, even though the business wasn’t his calling it was what reminded him of his family and it was the Summers’ pride and joy
Always wanted to go to college, but knew that while his family wasn’t poor, they didn’t exactly have money lying around for education. Had accepted that he’d either be in debt from student loans or go to community college to save on the costs, until he was told to apply for the Starlings’ scholarship as a young bright mind from Crescent Harbor. He was awarded the funds on the same day he got his acceptance letter for the University of Washington.
Moved to Seattle for school but came home almost every weekend. Didn’t want to ask his parents for money, so he worked while studying to offset living expenses: worked as a research assistant for his favorite professor on some days, and then as a barista on others.
Met Amy in his final year while working as a barista, they had a bunch of cute moments before finally agreeing to date. Octavian fell in love and stayed at UW to do his master’s while waiting on her to finish her degree. They then moved to California together, where Tavian began his PhD at UC Berkeley.
Proposed to Amy on their fifth anniversary, but the engagement didn’t last because both of them were too focused on everything but their relationship. They parted ways and Tavian finished his doctorate. Made the surprising choice to return to Washington for his postdoctoral fellowship, even with more prestigious institutions having wanted him. Plain and simple, he missed his family.
Currently a postdoctoral research fellow in Crescent General’s behavioral health department, in his final year of his fellowship and hopes to apply for his license to practice when it’s complete.
He’s in Crescent Harbor to stay: he wants to give back to his own community. Hopes to focus on mental health in men of color once he begins practicing on his own. Also might join Gerard and Abigail on a future project, time will tell
His entire family lives downtown and he also works there, but he lives in Hemlock Docks. Still goes by his parents for dinner all the time, though. Invites his friends sometimes, and his parents are more than happy to welcome them.
Overall a decent guy, has a bit of a superiority complex after years in academia and has a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to his research and work.
MISCELLANEOUS
Could afford to live in Downtown or Bywater Park, but chooses to live in Hemlock Docks because he finds the people there more enthralling. Has a perfect view of Fear Knot from his apartment and loves to observe the patrons when he’s not one of them himself.
His go-to drinks are stout and porter beers, though he does enjoy whiskey when he’s feeling indulgent.
Getting a pet soon - idk what but that’s a future plot point/thread idea (who am I kidding it’s gonna be a cat who he can be a clown with)
Doesn’t care when people don’t refer to him as a doctor, unless their reasoning is that he’s not “a real doctor”.
Psychoanalyzes everyone and gets a bit too intense about it sometimes
He was in CH all his life, and up until he left for his PhD he was in between CH and Seattle so he can have a bunch of connections - friends, frenemies, enemies, exes, neighbors, classmates, etc.
Ravi: Listen, Bash IS a difficult position, please don't break up with Stella too, she needs you.
Ravi: [sends photo of Stella with him pulling her lips down to look like she's frowning]
Lily: Earlier this month, right before my birthday. I don't want to go into detail out of respect for your friendship with him, but we're both alright. We just weren't right for each other.
Lily: Well in that case, tell Stella that I'll be over on Sunday to play and to stop frowning ❤️
Nicknames: Lily (pretty much what she goes by), Lil, Lilith
Date of Birth: May 10th, 1991
Place of Birth: Crescent Harbor, Washington
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: English, Scottish
Religion: Protestant (non-practicing)
Western Zodiac: ☼ Taurus | ☽ Aries | ↑ Scorpio
Sexuality: Bisexual
Relationship Status: Recently Single
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Marketing (Vanderbilt University, Magna Cum Laude, 2013); Master of Business Administration (University of Pennsylvania, 2015)
Occupation: Wedding and Event Planner
Height: 5′ 4″
Weight: 125 lbs
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Moral Alignment: Neutral Good
Myers-Briggs: INFJ - The Advocate
Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff
Enneagram: Type 2 - The Helper
ABOUT
(trigger warnings for implications of infertility/pregnancy complications as well as emotional abuse)
Only child, born to Ian and Elise Whittaker right here in Crescent Harbor. Her parents had hopes of having at least one other child, a spare to the heir, but their efforts to do so proved futile. After years of trying to conceive, when they eventually did it was a pregnancy that was riddled with too many complications for Elise to feel comfortable trying to give her daughter a sibling.
Grew up in Sunstone Beach, in her cushy manor with her parents and whatever family dog they had at the time. Seeing as she was the only hope for the Whittakers’ successful lineage continuing, her parents spared no expense on her upbringing and ensured that she was reminded of the fact that she was special every chance they got. As both of them were career-oriented people, their affection towards their daughter usually came in material forms.
Her parents pushed her towards friends of similar social statuses and especially other old money families. Grew up in tandem with Nate Blackwood and they’ve been close friends ever since.
Although Lily and Sanem Pellisier Reid only crossed paths as teenagers, they became unlikely best friends and kept in touch throughout their lives, even though they led vastly different ones after high school. They are the definition of ride-or-die, and Lily would drop everything for her. She became friends with Sanem’s now-wife, Allison, during wedding planning in spite of their own families’ history.
Way too sweet and kind for her own good, really saw the world through rose-colored lenses due to her privileged upbringing. She seemed to lack the aggressive and manipulative streaks that both of her parents possessed, instead choosing to see others as being on the same level as her regardless of their upbringing or social status. As well-intentioned as she was, she wasn’t too aware of her privilege as a member of a wealthy old money family.
Studied at Vanderbilt, although her parents (whose love story started in Harvard Yard itself) were rather disappointed that she didn’t go for their alma mater or another school of that caliber. Was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority up until her graduation in 2013. She negotiated with her parents to allow her to stay away from Crescent Harbor, not because she necessarily disliked but also because she felt so much more free and independent. The condition of this was that she go to business school, hence she made the move to Philadelphia to pursue her MBA at the University of Pennsylvania despite having no real interest in it. Her real passion was event planning, and she worked part-time with an event planning company while enrolled in business school. This turned to full-time once she graduated, much to her family’s dismay.
Went on The Bachelor when she was 27, was a fan favorite and finished fourth. The reason? Landon scared the guy off. But no jk Landon is the closest she has to a brother figure, even if his antics stress her out sometimes
Following her reality television stint, Lily decided she was ready to move on from her prior job and made the move back to Crescent Harbor. It was supposed to have been temporary, while she decided what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go next. Maybe LA, perhaps make the move to another country entirely? But there was a certain comfort that came from living in her hometown, even if she also had her issues with it.
Thankfully, the Whittaker Estate was big enough for Lily and her parents to live in together with Lily still feeling a sense of independence. Up until late 2020, she lived in a guest house on the property, along with her two corgis Belle and Bambi - named after her favorite Disney princess and animal.
Started her own event planning business in Crescent Harbor, has an office downtown. It’s amazing how much being well-connected helps you. Weddings are her favorite because she’s in love with love and romance. She pretty much has a monopoly on event planning in the small town, not only due to her name but because it’s far enough from Seattle and Vancouver where she wouldn’t have to compete with the city-based event planners.
Went back on Bachelor in Paradise, thought she found love with her partner but it was all a sham. Got humiliated on national television, everyone in Crescent Harbor probably witnessed it. She cried and was angry, but then took it as a learning experience. Still wants a partner, but doesn’t feel like she needs one or the validation that comes with it.
She helps everyone with their happily ever afters, but this girl has historically been so unlucky in the romance department. No long-term relationships - not because she doesn’t want one, but because something always happens that prevents her from becoming someone’s person.
Bash Landry was who she thought was going to be the exception to that rule. Her parents tried to frame him for theft to get him away from her, but with the help of her trusty friends she helped clear his name. Chose him over her own family, but still has their financial support because she… lowkey blackmailed them lmao oops? But as of now, she’s happy with her choices. She was with Bash for six months, and moved out of the Whittaker Estate and currently lives in a simple yet opulent home in Goldfinch Valley. She broke up with him shortly before her birthday because of their conflicting lifestyles and constant fighting. Hasn’t spoken to him since. But she doesn’t know he’s selling drugs, so that’s a fun convo for another time :) Currently lives in Goldfinch but she’s a Sunstone girl at heart.
Back to planning everyone’s dream events while figuring out her own shit. Doing a great job at the former, but we’ll see about the latter. She has a very complicated relationship with her mother, as she knows that Elise does love her and most of the morally questionable things she’s done has been to protect her daughter. Her father, though? Ian takes every opportunity he can get to make snide comments about Lily and her life choices, so it’s safe to say that after everything there won’t be forgiveness coming to him.
MISCELLANEOUS
Her dogs are her children. Won’t let anyone tell her otherwise.
Lover of pink, florals, lacy lingerie, and lattes
Drinks cocktails and wine, she’ll drink a hard seltzer now and again but never beer
Favorite holiday is Christmas, followed by New Year’s Eve
Fall is her favorite season, she likes sweaters and pumpkin spice #basic
Already has her Pinterest wedding planned. On that note, she definitely wants marriage and a family one day but not because it is expected of her - because it’s what she wants for herself.
Pinterest is her favorite social media platform, followed by Instagram. She has recently started using TikTok
She has a trust fund and is the sole heir to a successful real estate company. Yet she… overworks herself even though money would never be a concern for her. Her career is her passion, but girl needs to learn to take a break now and again.
Fictional character inspo: Astrid Leong-Teo (Crazy Rich Asians), Jane Bennet (Pride & Prejudice), Margaery Tyrell (Game of Thrones), Amy Santiago (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Caroline Forbes (The Vampire Diaries), Emma Woodhouse (Emma)
closed starter for @bashlandry
location: lily’s porch, goldfinch valley
It felt like something out of a romance novel: a woman with a glass of wine in one hand, the other holding a pen to the pages of a journal as she sat on the sofa while the sun shone through the windows. Lily had recently taken up journaling, an old hobby she’d abandoned in grad school. One corgi curled up at her feet and the other on her lap, she felt truly at peace for the first time in weeks. A ring of the doorbell alerted her and the dogs to the door, who could if have been? Lily wasn’t expecting any deliveries, and Matheus wasn’t supposed to meet her until the next day. Cautiously checking the cameras to see who it was, her heart sped up in her chest as she saw Bash Landry standing on her porch.
Hey, I hope you’re doing well. I put together a box with your stuff that’s still at my place, I can leave it by Ravi if you want to collect it there or you can let me know if you want someone to get it from my home or office. Just let me know so we can make arrangements. Thanks, Bash.
That was the last text she had sent, no response had been received from him. Not until she looked through the peephole and saw him standing there on her porch. Was he as nervous as she had been? That was why she’d suggested that someone else facilitate the exchange of belongings between the former lovers, but it seemed like Bash wanted to get it over and done with. “One minute,” she called out, quickly running upstairs and retrieving the light box of Bash’s clothing and other items that he’d left at her place. Making her way downstairs, the woman inhaled before opening the door, the sight of him in front of her rendering her speechless. How had he been? Was he seeing someone new like she was? Most importantly, was he happy?
Instead of asking the questions, Lily hastily pushed the box into his hands, letting go and stepping back to put some space between them. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you still ignore texts,” the woman joked dryly with a shrug. How could she both have so much she wanted to say to him, yet not want to say anything more? “I think I got everything in there, thanks for coming by...” the sentence trailed off, with her unsure of what else to say. The wounds from their breakup were still fresh; she may have been the one to cut ties, but she would argue that Bash placed the scissors in her hands. It was just their time to go their separate ways - so why did it hurt so much?
“Did you take an Uber?” Lily asked, not seeing a waiting car within their vicinity nor Bash’s trademark motorcycle. “You’re welcome to wait on the porch for your ride, if you want...” she trailed off, the polite hostess inside of her having been conditioned to invite him inside. But her home was her safe space, and Bash was no longer someone she wanted to have a presence within that. Nodding with a tight-lipped smile and squaring her shoulder, Lily turned and was about to head back inside, assuming that Bash would be fine for five minutes on his own.
Ravi: Can we start with 'boundaries' and work our way down, please?
Lily: Considering that Bash and I didn't have a particularly amicable breakup, I figured that having me around might put you in a difficult position with him.
baratheonpilled
snowghoul
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