it’s been months since i’ve been here for the last time and a lot of things happened in my life, some bad but mostly good ones 💜
i sincerely don’t know if i’m going to start writing again very soon but i’m opened to new reading asap (send me your new stories, please) as well as thinking about writing again very carefully
i hope you accept me again here the same way i was accepted when i first met this wonderful fandom :) so, well… hello again ☁️
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tagging some of the sweetest people around here: @lacy1986 @kenjipepsi1 @chey-h @concretejunglefm @dominuslunae @fadingangelwisp @blade-dressed-in-red @xxkittenkissesxx @kaliforniahigh
It’s been a while since I last showed up here, and it’s not because I stopped loving this place. A lot has happened in my life that explains my absence: I went through burnout, fell in love with a friend (yes, it was just as confusing as it sounds 😅), and on top of that, I’m currently being evaluated for possible ADHD. So… it’s been a lot to process all at once.
But now I’m back with a warm heart because… it’s my first Bad Omens release as a fan! 🖤 I’m so excited to experience this along with everyone.
For now, I’m coming back just for reading — soaking in stories, following your posts, and slowly gathering inspiration. Hopefully, the joy and spark for writing will find their way back to me soon.
I also want to take a moment to thank all my new followers and everyone who kept showing love for my stories while I was offline. You have no idea how much that meant to me. 💌
So… hello again! ☁️
.
tagging some of the sweetest people around here: @lacy1986 @kenjipepsi1 @chey-h @concretejunglefm @dominuslunae @fadingangelwisp @blade-dressed-in-red @xxkittenkissesxx @kaliforniahigh
It’s been a while since I last showed up here, and it’s not because I stopped loving this place. A lot has happened in my life that explains my absence: I went through burnout, fell in love with a friend (yes, it was just as confusing as it sounds 😅), and on top of that, I’m currently being evaluated for possible ADHD. So… it’s been a lot to process all at once.
But now I’m back with a warm heart because… it’s my first Bad Omens release as a fan! 🖤 I’m so excited to experience this along with everyone.
For now, I’m coming back just for reading — soaking in stories, following your posts, and slowly gathering inspiration. Hopefully, the joy and spark for writing will find their way back to me soon.
I also want to take a moment to thank all my new followers and everyone who kept showing love for my stories while I was offline. You have no idea how much that meant to me. 💌
So… hello again! ☁️
.
tagging some of the sweetest people around here: @lacy1986 @kenjipepsi1 @chey-h @concretejunglefm @dominuslunae @fadingangelwisp @blade-dressed-in-red @xxkittenkissesxx @kaliforniahigh
as some of you already know, i'm preparing a few things for valentine's day! there will be a sequence of 5 themed one-shots, one per day, starting on the 10th and ending on the 14th (idk what time to post them yet, is there any "good hour" to do this?):
Feb. 10: Less Complicated (Noah x Reader)
Feb. 11: Something Else (Jolly x Reader)
Feb. 12: Under the Stars (Folio x Reader)
Feb. 13: Drawings (Ruffilo x Reader)
Feb. 14: Just Pretend (Noah x Reader)
it's the first themed date I've spent writing for bad omens I'm VERY excited for next week! <3
if anyone wants to be on the taglist, please let me know by sending me an ask
it's been a loooong week last week and i must confess i didn't want to have been so absent while posting the valentine's day fics, but i'm glad i could post it all.
i'm gonna fix the masterlists now and reblog it to you 💕
Author comments: hi, besties! happy valentine’s day! this is the last one shot of this special week, closing with our bestfriend!noah. i hope you all like it! 💕
The sweet scent of melted chocolate and fresh flowers were almost literally everywhere. The city seemed to be bewitched by Valentine's Day, with decorated windows in pink and red tones and paper hearts in every corner. You always thought all of that a little exaggerated, but deep down it was difficult not to feel a little jealous when you saw the happy couples holding hands, laughing and sharing moments.
That morning, you woke up with your mind divided between two emotions: relief for not having to be worried about gifts or commitments and a bit of loneliness that insisted to appear that time of the year. While you were finishing your breakfast while scrolling your social media filled with romantic posts, your facetime called.
“What are you doing today?” You picked up and a face appeared on the screen. “If your answer is nothing, get ready, I’ll be right there.”
And then, in less than an hour, Noah, your best friend since forever, was at your door, with that carefree smile you knew so well.
“Are you really going to spend Valentine’s Day home alone watching movies?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe, holding two cups of coffee which he had obviously stopped to buy on the way.
“I don’t see a problem in it.” You answered, arching an eyebrow while you got your coffee from his hand. “Some of us don't have a romantic date to celebrate.”
He laugh, nodding.
“Me neither for your information. But that’s why I had a great idea.”
“Hm, this is always dangerous…” You joked, crossing your arms.
“Let’s pretend we’re a couple!” he announced, as if he had just found the cure of a rare disease.
You blinked in confusion.
“What?”
“Think with me: several stores and restaurants are giving discounts and good conditions for couples today. We could turn this into a funny adventure. Who needs a real date when you can break the system with your best friend?”
You straightened your eyes to him, trying to figure out if he was joking or not.
“This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in my life.”
“Ridiculously brilliant!” he corrected, with that mischievous smile that always succeeded to disarm you. “I mean, come on, this is going to be fun! Besides, you were really thinking about spending Valentine's alone, weren't you?”
Sighing, you realised he had a point. Spending Valentine’s Day with Noah seemed to be such a better option than spending the day home alone, mourning your luck in love, or more precisely, the lack of it. And, truth be told, the idea of pretending to be a couple with him had something intriguing you didn’t want to admit to yourself.
“Okay, I’m in” you said, trying to look indifferent. “But just because I want to see where this is going.”
“That’s my girl!” he exclaimed, taking you by the hand and pulling you out the couch. “First of all, you have to at least pretend you’re going on a date. Can you change your clothes and brush your hair? Second, we’re getting that 50% off brunch for couples.”
You laughed, disbelieved in what you just had heard. Noah was your best friend for so long that it hasn’t any filter between you anymore. He could say with any problem how messy your hair was. And honestly, you used to love that.
You ran up the stairs while he waited in the living room thinking about what to wear to match what he was wearing, and to be honest, that wasn’t that difficult, once both of you basically wore black almost every day. Without overthinking you got undressed, throwing off your clothes on the bedroom floor. While you were looking through the mess of your wardrobe you lightly wiped out some gunk from your eyes and applied deodorant. A dress wasn’t your first choice everyday, but it seemed to be a comfortable and good looking option. You dressed it up quickly, not caring too much about how the bra strap was showing behind the straps of your dress, they were the same color, anyway.
The black fabric went all the way down to your feet, but the slit in both legs made everything less formal. You rushed to put your hair up in a ponytail, put on some lipstick and mascara, sprayed your everyday perfume and took a pair of socks inside the drawer, heading down the stairs as quickly as you could.
“Wow, now you look like a girlfriend!” Noah commented as he saw you coming down the stairs, even barefoot, trying to look as indifferent as possible, when deep down something told him he had never repaired how beautiful you were with such attention. You couldn’t help but giggle at his comment. That was Noah. “Shall we?” He suggested as he saw you had finished putting your army boots on.
The sensation of going on a date with Noah was funny, strange even, but you were willing to enjoy the day. Something told you the day was going to be way more interesting than if you had stayed home alone taking roots on the couch.
The coffee you stopped first was small and cozy, with a well done decoration for Valentine’s Day. Felt hearts hung from the ceiling, and the tables were decorated with candles and small bouquets of flowers. You were quickly settled in by an employee who, when she heard you were a couple, gave you a warm smile and wished you a “happy Valentine’s Day”.
You felt your cheeks warming up by noticing the way Noah bent himself in your direction, putting his arm on the chair back as if it was the most normal thing ever.
“Just to keep up appearances” he whispered with a smile, blinking at you.
Besides your initial embarrassment, you soon got in the mood. During brunch, Noah made a point to exaggerate on his part, holding your hand on the table and even offering food in your mouth. You laughed so much you began to forget that all of that was just pretend. However, there were moments - little things - that his gaze seemed to linger a few more than usual, or the touch of his long fingers seemed to be warmer than it should.
You have always had a complicity between you, coming from years of friendship. You remembered the day he appeared in your house with soup and blankets last winter, for you to get extra cozy while facing a terrible flu, even after a whole day of work. Or when he spent hours helping you to paint your living room and he ended up with more paint on his face than on the wall. There was also the night he caught you in the middle of the night during a party because you weren't feeling well, without asking anything, just carrying you home and staying by your side until you’re finally asleep. Little memories like these were the foundation of what you used to share, and made it all incredibly natural.
After the brunch at the cafe, you went to a chocolate store, who was offering a special price for couples. The employee has insisted for you to take a picture together so you could enter a prize draw, and, before you could say anything, Noah pulled you closer, involving his fully tattooed arms around you from behind and leaning his cheek on your head. The proximity between the two of you made your heart race, but you forced a smile to the camera, trying to ignore the weird, but familiar, sensation growing from the bottom of your chest.
Between activities, Noah made a point to make the mood light, always making you a joke or having a fun story to tell. However, you couldn’t help but let the little moments steal your attention: the way he threw his head back when he laughed about something you told, or how he ran his hand through his hair in a distracted way. Those details, such ordinary ones, now it seemed to catch your attention in a new way.
You ended up going to a fun fair that offered double tickets for couples. You pretended to complain when he insisted on getting a teddy bear for you at the shooting game, but the silly smile on his face when he noticed he had won took you by surprise. He gave it to you making the most exaggerated movements he could, bending as if he was a medieval knight.
When the day turned into night, you decided to watch a movie in a local cinema that used to exhibit the classic ones. Only romances today. Sitting side by side in the dark room, you could feel his presence like it was something tangible - his body heat, the light sound of his breath, the occasional touch between your hands when the both of you accidentally grab popcorn at the same time. There was something incredible intimate about sharing that space with him, even though none of you were saying a single word.
It was just when the day was coming to the end you figured out how much he meant to you. You were sitting on a bench at the park, observing the couples passing through you, when Noah broke the silence.
“Hey, thank you for doing this today. I really appreciate it.” He smiled, but it was something else, something in his eyes you couldn’t make out.
“No, I should thank you. It was way better than spending the day alone.” You smiled back, trying to hide how anxious you were.
There was a silence moment before Noah got to start talking again, his voice a little low and deep this time.
“You know… It doesn’t need to be just pretend, right?”
You felt your chest trembling, your heart just raced, and you turned to face him, looking for anything that could show he was joking with you. But he wasn’t. His eyes were fixed on yours, sincere and vulnerable in a way you have never seen before.
“What?” You asked, your voice sounding more like a whisper.
“What I’m saying is… maybe I wasn’t pretending the way I said I was.” He gave a nervous little laugh, scratching the back of his head. “Look, I know it may seem like something out of nothing, but I think it’s already time to tell you. I like you. More than just a friend.”
The world seemed to stop for a second while you were absorbing his words. Your heart was beating so fast you almost could hear it in your ears. Vou tried to say something, anything, but the words seemed stuck in your throat. Noah took your silence like hesitation and started to move away slightly, looking away.
“It’s okay, I understand if you won’t feel the same,” he said, his voice a little trembling. “I just thought I had to be honest…”
“Noah.” You finally found your voice, interrupting him. He stared at you, surprised. “You’re such an idiot.”
His almond eyes widened, but before you could say anything, you continued, a shy smile appearing on your face.
“How do you think I wasn’t going to notice? I was just trying to convince myself it wasn’t true.” You gave a little anxious laugh, just like he did moments before, looking away before finding his eyes again. “I like you too. For a while, actually.”
He stayed in silence for a moment, like he was trying to understand what was happening. And then, the large smile that appeared on his face was so genuine and full of relief that it made your heart melt.
“Really?” he asked, as if he needed the confirmation of all of that.
You nodded, and before you could say anything, he bent himself forwards and pulled you for a tight hug. His body heat was cozy, and you felt exactly where you needed to be.
When he moved away just enough to look into your eyes, Noah whispered:
“I think this makes the day even more perfect.”
You laugh, feeling the happiness overflowing in a way you couldn’t help.
“Maybe the best Valentine’s ever.” You agreed, and he smiled before laying his forehead on yours.
“What about we become this official?” he suggested, his voice low and fulfilled with expectation.
“Now we know we have both been pretending, I think it’s about time” you just answered.
And then he leaned in, pausing for a moment as if he was asking permission before touching you, before brushing his lips against yours. The kiss was soft, but full of feelings that seemed to have been hidden for so long. You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to dive into that moment, while everything around seemed to stop.
When you parted, just enough for him to look into your eyes again, Noah smiled in that carefree way, Noah’s way. But now something was different, it has a special sparkle.
“Definitely the best Valentine’s ever” he murmured, and you couldn’t help but give a little giggle, feeling your heart light and full of joy.
The night seemed a little brighter now, and, while you walked back home, holding hands for real, and not pretending, you knew that was the start of something even more beautiful.
Author comments: hiiii! time for today’s one shot, this time with our tattoo boy! i hope you all like it 💕
The February icy breeze made the inside of every place cozier, and the tattoo shop downtown had an extra inviting feel to it. To be quite honest, you weren’t decided yet, looking at the large mural of flash tattoos in the window, some more elaborate and others less so, but all equally fascinating. Vou had never thought seriously about getting a tattoo, but there was something about that Valentine’s Day that pushed you to try something new, more daring.
Your thoughts were interrupted when you heard the doorbell. The man who showed up at the sidewalk was tall, had long dark hair and penetrating ocean eyes. He exuded an aura of mystery and had the type of presence who made the atmosphere change with his entrance. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up and revealed arms covered in tattoos, each one seeming to tell a story.
“May I help you?” He asked with a smile at the corner of his mouth, clearly realizing your hesitation.
You nodded, a little shy. “Yes, I was wondering about getting a tattoo… something small. But I don’t have any.”
He smiled and invited you in.
“My name is Nicholas, and I’m the tattoo artist here. Do you have something in mind?” He examined you for a moment with a sharp gaze, seeming to see more than you were willing to show.
You hesitated with your mind wandering over everything you already had seen and liked on the internet, but none of them seemed right. Finally, you murmured: “Something to represent the new beginnings.”
He smiled, picking up a paper pad and starting scribbling. “What about a key? It’s something that represents the tools we use to open new doors, be they things, or people.”
You leaned in to get a better look at the sketch and your face lit up when you saw it. “Wow, that’s beautiful! You draw really well.”
“Thank you,” he said, raising his eyes to look at you. “But being beautiful is not enough, it has to mean something to you.”
You thought for an instant and then smiled. “Yes, I think it represents exactly what I’m looking for.”
Nicholas led you to the tattoo chair and despite his firmness as he prepared the instruments, which gave you confidence, you couldn’t help but feel a little tense. He was professional, and knew what you were feeling. “Nervous?”
“A little,” you admitted, laughing nervously. “But I think it’s normal, isn’t it?”
“Totally normal,” he answered in a comforting smile. “I promise to be gentle.”
As time went by, with you choosing together the place of your body to be tattooed together, doing the decal test, and him fulfilling his promise to be gentle by touching the needle lightly to your skin for you to know how how much pain you were going to feel, the rhythmic sound of the tattoo machine filled the silence, creating a bubble of intimacy between you.
“Why did you choose to be a tattoo artist?” you asked, trying to turn your attention away from the feel of the needle.
Nicholas smiled, his eyes focused on his job. “Actually, it wasn’t something I planned. I’ve never been such a fan of school, so I started drawing when I was a teenager. I used to draw during classes and play acoustic guitar during breaks. Well, it ended up transforming my future, making me a tattoo artist and a bass player in a band. But I’ve never imagined exactly that I'd be here.”
“Life has a funny way to take us to our destinies, doesn't it?” you commented, feeling more and more at ease.
He nodded. “What about you? What brought you here today?”
You sighed, reflecting for a moment. “I think I am at a very stagnant moment in my life, wanting to change a lot of things. I wanted to mark this in some way, something to remind me to always move forward.”
Nicholas smiled softly. “A key is perfect for that. No matter how close a door can be, there’s always a way through to the other side.”
When he finished, you looked at the mirror, amazed at how your skin now, and forever, looked. Every line and shadow had been meticulously crafted. It was more than a tattoo, it was the symbol of something new.
Nicholas stepped back respectfully, letting you absorb the moment by yourself. “May this be just the first of your new adventures,” he said with a soft smile.
You smiled back, feeling an unexpected connection with that man who, until a few hours before, was a complete stranger. “Thank you, Nicholas, for everything.”
(...)
In the following days, you kept meeting each other. The conversations between you grew deeper, stories, dreams and aspirations were shared. The tattoo had become the starting point to something much bigger. You and Nicholas were sitting in a cozy café, the soft candlelight creating an intimate atmosphere. The coffee mugs were steaming in front of you as you chatted happily.
“So, that is the next step for you?” Nicholas asked, resting his chin on his hand as he watched you with interest.
You smiled, playing with the handle of your mug. “I’m thinking about traveling. Something I’ve always wanted, but I never had courage to.”
“Where to?” he asked, his blue eyes shining with curiosity.
“I haven't decided yet,” you admitted, laughing. “But I want it to be a place where I can truly find myself again.”
Nicholas nodded, his eyes never leaving yours. “I think you’ve already started your journey, the tattoo was just the beginning.”
You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “You’re right. And what about you? Any plans for the future?”
“Maybe opening a shop of my own one day,” he said with a slight smile. “I want to create a place where people can feel comfortable to express themselves as they want.”
“I’d definitely be a loyal customer,” you joked, raising your mug as you proposed a toast.
He laughed, toasting with you. “I think you already are.”
The conversation flowed naturally, as if the two of you had known each other for years. The connection between you was palpable, and every word and smile deepened the bond you, without noticing, were building.
When the evening had come to an end, Nicholas had offered to walk you home. As you walked through the quiet streets, he took your hand, tangling his fingers in yours. The simple, but meaningful, gesture, filled your heart with joy.
Stopping in front of your door, Nicholas took a deep breath, as if he was gathering courage. “I want to tell you something,” he began, his eyes shining under the streetlight. “Since the moment you entered the studio, I felt something different. I don’t know how to explain, but it seems like you’ve brought a new color into my life.”
You felt your heart race, in a mix of surprise and happiness. “Nick, I… I also felt something like that that day. As if something in me had awakened.”
He smiled, taking a step closer to you. “I don’t want this to end. If you want, I want to continue exploring this feeling with you.”
Before you could answer, Nicholas leaned in slowly, and you just completed the way he had started. Your lips met each other in a gentle and passionate kiss. It was a perfect moment, where the world around you disappeared, leaving just the two of you and the expectation of a future together.
When the kiss ended, you opened your eyes to find Nicholas looking at you with an expression of pure happiness.
“Is it too late to wish a Happy Valentine's Day or I’ll have to wait till next year?” he whispered, smiling.
“It’s not too late, but I’ll be happy if you’re here to wish me next year too” you replied, feeling more complete than ever.
“So, Happy Valentine’s Day” Nicholas' eyes seemed to smile as much as his lips.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” And you couldn’t help but smile too.
And in that last exchange of words, you smiled one more time and shared one more kiss before you got home, with your heart racing even faster. You knew that it was just the beginning of new, and beautiful, drawings in your life.
Warnings: none, just some fluuuuuuufy things today!
Author comments: hi, besties! today is the day to celebrate valentine's with our baby drum boy Folio 💕 thank you so much for all the love you're giving me these days with all the notes, i'm so happy for it! i hope you like it and i'll see you tomorrow!
It was a clear, cold morning, with the rays of the winter sun lighting up the streets still covered in the night's dew. You woke up to the soft sound of a notification on your phone, a message that brought an instant smile to your face:
Drum Boyyy: “Good morning! Ready for the best Valentine's Day ever?”
Folio was the kind of person who made small moments seem big. You had met by chance, a meeting that began with shy glances in an instrument store and evolved into long conversations about everything from music to the meaning of life's little coincidences. Today was special, and he had insisted that you leave everything in his hands.
After replying with a heart emoji, you got up and started getting ready. He had only told you to wear something comfortable and be ready by 10am. Your curiosity grew each minute, but you trusted him and knew he loved to surprise.
At 10 a.m., Folio stood at your door, carrying a large backpack and a mysterious expression. He was wearing a flannel shirt that looked like it was made for hugging, and his smile was contagious.
“Happy Valentine's Day,” he said, extending his hand to you. “Are you ready?”
“Depends. Shall we climb a mountain or something?” you joked.
He laughed, the warm sound filling the cold air. “Nothing too extreme, I promise. But I need you to trust me.”
You drove on for about 30 minutes, until you reached a park you had never visited before. The place was a quiet haven, with tall trees and winding trails. Folio took a blanket out of his backpack and some bags full of food.
“A picnic?” you asked, watching as he began to organize everything precisely.
“Well, it's more than that,” he replied, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. “But let's start here.”
You sat on the blanket, and he revealed hot coffee in a small thermos, carefully wrapped sandwiches and a bowl of fresh fruit. You talked about recent memories, laughed at inside jokes and shared a bar of chocolate that he had bought just because it was your favorite.
“You really pay attention to everything, don't you?” you commented, smiling as you unwrapped the chocolate.
“Always,” he replied without hesitation. “Especially when it comes to you.”
Time seemed to slow down, and everything around you seemed wrapped in a bubble of tranquillity. After you had eaten, Folio asked you to close your eyes.
“Trust me, it'll be worth it,” he assured you with a mysterious tone.
“Nick, if I open my eyes and find a strange bug, you're in trouble,” you said with a laugh, but you obeyed.
With your eyes closed, you heard the sound of rustling paper and smelled the faint scent of flowers. When he finally told you to open your eyes, you saw a notebook in his hands and a wreath of flowers that he carefully placed on your head.
“I know you love to write,” he began, a little hesitantly, ”so I thought I'd create a space just for us. I want this notebook to be a place for us to put our moments together. We can start right now.”
It was such a simple gesture, but so meaningful. With a lump in your throat and a sincere smile, you accepted the notebook and wrote the first entry:
“Today, in the park, Nick gave me one of the most beautiful presents I've ever received. It wasn't just the notebook or the bouquet of flowers, but the feeling that he really understands me.”
Folio read what you had written and smiled, picking up the pen to add something. “My handwriting isn't as nice as yours, but here we go,” he said before writing:
“Making you smile is my favorite thing on earth. I hope we never stop writing this story together.”
You laughed when you saw his handwriting, slightly slanted and with some letters too big. “It's perfect,” you said. “Just like today.”
The day continued with more surprises. A short trail took you to a lookout point with an incredible view, where he took a guitar out of his backpack. You looked at him in surprise.
“Since when do you carry a guitar? In fact, how much stuff can you fit in there?”
“Ever since I found out that you love live music,” he replied, sitting down on a tree trunk. “This one's for you.”
He began to play a soft melody, and although he wasn't a professional guitarist, every note seemed to be charged with feeling. The song was one of your favorites, and you felt your eyes fill with tears as he sang softly.
“That was amazing,” you said when he had finished, clapping your hands jokingly. “I think you just got extra points.”
“Good to know,” he replied with a shy smile, putting the guitar away. “But it's not over yet.”
You took photos together, laughed about how none of them were “perfect,” and talked about your plans for the future. Folio mentioned places he wanted to visit with you, stories he wanted to create and even recipes he wanted to test, as long as you act like his “official guinea pig.”
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in orange and pink, Folio looked at you with a more serious expression.
“I planned all this because I wanted you to know how important you are to me,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “But more than that, I want you to know that every moment with you makes every other day worth it.”
You felt your heart racing as he held your hand. “I know I’m not perfect, but I want to keep trying to be, for you.”
You squeezed his hand tightly, smiling. “Nick, you’re already more than enough. Thank you for today… for everything.”
The sun was already disappearing on the horizon when Folio stood up and reached out his hand for you one more time.
“C’mon, there’s one more thing I want to show you,” he said with a smile.
Curious, you followed him to a small clearing where there was a makeshift campfire. He skillfully lit the flames, and you sat around the fire.
"Remember that night we talked about our favorite things?" Folio asked, his face lit up by the flames.
"Of course, it was one of our first conversations," you replied wistfully.
“So, I bought marshmallows,” he said, pulling a bag out of his backpack. “I thought it would be a good way to end the day.”
You spent what felt like hours roasting marshmallows, sharing stories, and laughing together. Every minute was filled with a genuine connection, a reminder of how much you cared for each other.
As the stars began to shine in the sky, Folio approached and put his arm around you. “I wanted this day to be unforgettable, and I hope it was.
You leaned your head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of the fire and the comfort of his presence. “It was more than unforgettable. It was perfect, Nick.”
He turned his face gently, his eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made your heart soar. “Can I do one last thing to make the day truly perfect?” he asked, his voice low and soft.
You smiled, feeling the heat rise to your face. “What would that be?”
Folio didn't answer with words. Instead, he leaned in slowly, his lips meeting yours in a tender, meaningful kiss. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the warmth of the fire and the rapid beating of your hearts.
When you finally parted, he whispered: “Now, yes, perfect.”
You smiled, your eyes shining with emotion. “I agree. Perfect.”
And in that instant, under the starry sky and with the soft sound of the fire crackling, you knew that Valentine's Day would forever be a precious memory. Not just for the surprises or gestures, but for the sincere love you shared.
Author comments: hiiiii! time for the second one shot to celebrate valentine's with bad omens! thank you so much for the love on yesterday's fic, i hope you all like this one too and i'll see you tomorrow! <3
Joakim was sitting in the quietest corner of the café, with an open book in front of him. However, his eyes wandered to the window, as if he were somewhere far away. The dim light of the golden hour lit up his features in an almost cinematic way, highlighting his face and long hair. You watched him from a little distance, feeling that weird new sensation, a warmth in your chest that lately had become each day more common - and hard to ignore - every time you saw him. There was something about his presence, something that made you impossible to look away, as if the world around him disappeared every time he was near.
You hesitated before approaching. You were friends; why was it so hard lately just to pop up and say hi? Your heart raced every time you thought about it, as if something important was about to happen anytime. Taking a deep breath, you took the coffee cup you had just taken from the balcony, almost working as a shield, and started walking in his direction.
When you finally got closer, he lifted his eyes. The tenderness in his gaze when he met you made your heart jump inside your chest. It was as if he was always waiting for you, as if your presence was what was missing for him.
“I thought you weren’t coming anymore,” he said, closing the book calmly and leaving it aside. His voice was a mix of calmness and provocation that always made you smile.
“I got stuck at work,” you replied, trying to sound as casual as you could, even though you felt your voice was trembling.
Joakim stood up and, with that unpretentious way so characteristic of him, pulled the chair for you. It was a simple thing, but there was so much kindness in that gesture, and you knew that each time was more difficult to find. However, it was there, and you couldn’t help but smile one more time. You sat down, thanking him while he returned to his place, his movements flowing with an almost natural grace.
The conversation between you started as always, with fluidity, lightness, and fun, with some jokes here and there that made you laugh sincerely. He spoke about the books he was reading, about new compositions, about plans for the weekend, all with a contagious passion that made you want to spend hours hearing what he had to say. But there was something different that afternoon. There was a heavy silence between some phrases, as if the both of you knew things weren’t as they always were anymore, but none of you knew exactly how to deal with it.
It was when you realized then: that he was going through his jacket pocket too much. It was something small, almost imperceptible, but you knew him too well, you knew his mannerisms by heart. He was nervous, and that only increased your tension.
“What was it?” you asked, leaning yourself a little in his direction. Your voice sounded a little lower than you expected, full of an almost worried curiosity.
“Nothing” he answered way too quickly, looking away. After, he let out a nervous laugh, stretching the back of his head. “It's just that… It’s complicated.”
You arched one eyebrow, challenging him in silence. He knew you wouldn’t give up so soon, which made him smile sideways, in a mix of nervousness and admiration.
“Okay, you won” he gave in, running his fingers through his hair in a gesture you knew he always did when he was trying to organize his thoughts. “Do you promise me you’re not gonna start laughing?”
“Won’t promise you anything” you answer already laughing, with a teasing smile, trying to set the mood lighter.
He took a deep sigh and put his hand in the pocket one more time. When he pulled something out, you saw a little black velvet box. Your heart skipped a beat, and before he could say anything, you blurted out, trying to hide your tension with a playful tone:
“Is this a ring box in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
The expression on his face was priceless. At first, he got surprised, then he tried to hold back his laughter and ended up laughing. The sound of his laughter, full of life and unconcerned, filled the café and warmed your heart. You couldn’t avoid laughing with him, which made people at the other tables look at you, but none of you actually caring about it.
“You never make things easy, don’t you?” he said, still laughing, but his eyes had a warm sparkle that made your heart skip a beat. There was something else in there, something that words weren't saying.
“What is it, then?” you asked, pointing to the box, a little bit more serious now, but still smiling.
He stayed in silence for a moment, looking at the object in his hands as if he was building up courage. His breath seemed heavy, and you could see the sutil movement of his throat while he swallowed dry.
“It's not what you’re thinking” he finally answered, opening the box. Inside, there was a little heart-shaped keychain, with a discrete sparkle. The edges were carved in detail. “I saw this in a store and I thought of you. I know it’s kinda silly, but I thought you might like it.”
You stayed in silence for a second, surprised by the simplicity and the meaning behind his gesture. When you lifted your gaze to him, you realized he was waiting anxiously for a reaction of yours, his eyes frozen on you as if that moment for him meant a lot.
“I loved it,” you said, smiling, while taking the keychain carefully, feeling the symbolic weight of it in your hands. “Thank you, Jolly.”
He got visually more relaxed by hearing you, letting out a sigh not even he himself knew he was holding. The light mood had come back, but something inside you knew that that afternoon had been a turning point in your story. Something had changed and, this time, it seemed to be something that none of you wanted to avoid. You kept your gift in your pocket, but the heat it had brought seemed to spread all over your chest.
While you kept speaking with each other, now in a more laid-back way, you couldn’t help but think about how Joakim always seemed to know exactly what to do to make little moments in something special. And, for the first time, you had permitted yourself to imagine what could happen if that weird and overwhelming feeling was more than a friendship.