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@hxesandruin
Declan "Ducky" Birrani - 26 - witch - designer - Thomas Weatherall ( intro )
Florian Jace Carvalho - 29 - figure skater - Andre Lamoglia ( intro )
Christopher "Kit" Blackthorn - 33 - author - Logan Lerman ( intro )
Layken Hastings - 29 - actor - Mason Gooding ( intro )
Daniel Rosales - 44- Zoologist - Oscar Isaac (intro)
"Having to take a break from teaching is really going to send me into a spiral," Florian groaned but his back had been bothering him a bit more these days, most likely due to him not truly taking the time to stop and relax from doing some of his most strenuous routines. "All the kids are counting on me as their teacher. I can just take an advil and forget the pain."
"Question, do you think my dad is mad that I forgot his birthday this year and will take a belated call? Or can I use the fact that he forgot about fifteen of mine as leverage?"
For: Layken, Daniel, or Kit (your pick) | @hxesandruin Location: The Breaking Glass Bar Character: Jack | Biography
The Breaking Glass bar was buzzing with the usual mix of locals, tourists, and those in between, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the polished wood of the bar. The low hum of conversation blended with the soft clink of glass and the occasional burst of laughter. Jack had been there long enough (two weeks) to know the regulars and even make a few acquaintances himself, though most of them wouldn’t remember him once he was gone. It was just the nature of being an out-of-towner.
He slid onto a barstool with a nonchalance that came from too many years of moving around, always one step ahead, never sticking around long enough to make any real attachments. His gaze landed on a man leaning against the counter, nursing a drink in hand, maybe a local.
Jack’s grin was lazy, easy, like he hadn’t a care in the world. He strolled over to the man, no urgency in his steps, like he was just picking up a conversation from where he'd left off. When he reached the man’s side, Jack leaned a little closer, his posture relaxed. He tapped the counter lightly with his fingers, catching the man’s attention with a playful glint in his eyes.
"Hey, Friend," Jack said with a grin that stretched just a little wider. "You wouldn’t happen to have seen a jean jacket, would ya?" His voice had that easy-going charm, smooth and light like he hadn’t a single worry about whether or not his belongings were in someone else’s hands. "I think I might’ve left it at your place the other night."
There was no hesitation, no real embarrassment in his tone, just pure, unapologetic amusement. He’d left jackets ... and other articles of clothing ... at people’s houses more times than he cared to admit, and this was just the latest in a series of whoopsies. No big deal. There was something effortless in the way Jack spoke, like asking for a lost jacket wasn’t a big deal, and if he had to search for it one person at a time, well, that was just how life worked. It was a game to him, and if it led to a laugh or two along the way, all the better. "If I didn't leave it at your place - my bad. You looked like someone I would have left my clothes on the floor for."
˙ ˖ ✶ Jack & Daniel
Daniel had acclimated to life back in town after being gone for so long, chiding himself for selling his home as it would've been nice to be somewhere a lot more familiar. The faces in this town never changed, sure sometimes there would be new additions but more often than not they were always the same. Somehow stagnant.
He scanned the room and laughed at the way some of the patrons behaved a little more wild than some of the animals he took care of. A pang in his heart, he ached to be with them once more, to hear them and know that they were happy, but he got updates regularly, that's all he could truly ask for.
The man next to him was a surprise, whether it was welcome or not he couldn't tell. Not before the man not so subtly flirted and Daniel found himself blushing at his remarks. "Oh," he said clearing his throat. "Honestly, I don't think I've seen a jean jacket at my place, but next time you're wearing one feel free to leave it on my floor."
Was that good? He wasn't really sure but he wasn't about to let it show on his face. It felt nice to be flirted with especially since the fiasco of his last relationship. "And thanks for being sweet enough to flirt with someone like me, you've got a good heart. Now go off and actually talk to who you really want to bring around tonight."
For: Any of Juicy's Oranges | @hxesandruin (but probably Kit?) Location: Outside Castillo's Boxing Gym Character: Sebastian | Biography
Sebastian leaned back against the worn-out brick of Castillo's Boxing Gym, the neon sign flickering above him casting a cool, muted light against his face. His eyes scanned the familiar streets of Cardinal Hill, the town he'd grown up in, now changed in ways both subtle and significant. Six months had passed since he’d returned, and while the place still felt like he belonged, it didn’t feel like home, not in the way it had when he was a kid, not now that he had grown up.
He ran a hand over his jaw, the rough stubble catching against his fingers, and frowned at the thought of his grandmother. She had been stern and protective ... no, possessive. She hated anyone that she thought would take him away from her. She'd never allowed him to make friends, never allowed him to connect with anyone outside of the rigid world she'd created for him. And yet, Naija had come into his life like a lightning strike, tearing down all those walls he'd spent years constructing. They’d been inseparable in the beginning, her fiery spirit something he had clung to like a lifeline. There had been others. People that he had made friends with later - after that initial war Naija fought for him.
Now, though? He was a different man. A stronger man, yes, but oh, only stronger physically. The death of his daughter had broken something inside of him, and he wasn’t sure if he'd ever be whole again. But he was getting there. At least, that’s what he told himself as he put on his gloves every day and worked the heavy bag until his knuckles bled.
As he watched the street, he caught sight of a familiar face in the distance. His heart gave an unexpected leap, the kind that only happens when you see someone you thought you’d lost ... or someone you thought you’d left behind.
He pushed himself off the wall, his movements still fluid, despite the years of distance. It was like riding a bike. You never really forget how to be yourself around childhood friends, even when time and pain try to change you.
"Well, if it isn’t the man who used to look over the wall and try to get me to sneak out," he called out, a teasing grin tugging at his lips as he made his way toward him. "Not looking half-bad, man."
˙ ˖ ✶ Sebastian & Kit
Kit had been many things in his life, a rule follower had never been one of them. Ever since he was a kid running around with his group of his friends and his would be husband, he was always a master at coming up with hairbrained schemes that would more often that not land them in hot water, but not once did they complain as their lives were always laughs, just laughs.
Sebastian had been someone who'd join on these adventures from time to time, and Kit had at one point even considered the idea of stealing a night or two with him, but he never got to reach that point. Life had gotten complicated, people had left him, and Kit was a much different man than the kid he was back then.
"Only because I'm short do you feel the need to say such things," Kit mused as he nudged the other man, before sighing. "You look...just as hot as ever, and that's very very annoying Bash." he grinned. "I would've thought you'd at least have some gray hairs, but nope just biceps that would make any poor soul swoon."
"Also stop hitting on me, you're only going to fuel my already too big ego, and then this town will never hear the end of it."
˙ ˖ ✶ Lud & Kit
"So is this the time you finally admit you wish to be with me so we can stop going around in circles and I can finally call myself your boyfriend, or do we need to spend another year in each other's arms for you to decide?" Kit smirked as he pulled him closer. "You know it's always been you." @ziggysarcana
˙ ˖ ✶ Florian & Rune
"You know, I've never had a sleepover in a museum," Florian commented as he looked around. "I've always wanted to since I was a kid, but never really got the chance to do so. Still, part of me is just curious as to why you're leaving me in the middle of the night to rush back here. Also...should I have brought a change of clothes, cause I don't know if you're planning on taking mine off or not, kidding, I just don't know the protocol here." @eldritchxembers
For: Any | @hxesandruin Location: The Woods Character: Cal | Biography
Cal pushed a low branch aside as she stepped into the clearing, the crisp air biting her cheeks. Balto padded just ahead, his thick coat glinting silver in the dappled sunlight, while Rain trailed closer to her heels, her golden eyes flicking toward every sound. Neither wore a leash, but their movements were fluid and purposeful. She had rescued the wolfdogs a year apart after a local hunter got it in his head to try and make his own "pack" - whatever the hell that meant. He couldn't control the high-content wolfdogs, and he had run the risk of endangering others with his poor training and overall demeanor.
It had worked out though. Balto and Rain grew up into amazing companion, though the wild would never fully leave them. It was why Cal kept them with her and never brought them into town.
The man she was meeting stood at the edge of the clearing, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. Balto slowed as they approached, his ears swiveling forward, tail held high in quiet assessment. Rain mirrored him, her stance less dominant but equally observant. Cal touched her fingers to her lips, a subtle signal that made both wolfdogs pause, watching the man with guarded but calm expressions.
“Hope you don’t mind an escort,” Cal said, her voice steady but low enough not to startle the dogs. She gestured toward the path behind her. “Figured it’d be easier to lead you back than try to give you directions. These woods aren’t exactly marked well, and believe it or not - I don't get a lot of people who want to come over.”
Balto huffed softly, his breath curling in the cold air as his gaze stayed locked on the man. Rain, quieter but no less perceptive, moved to sit at Cal’s side, leaning slightly against her leg. Cal reached down and scratched behind her ears without looking, her attention still on the man.
“They’re not as scary as they look. Balto here just likes to size people up. Rain’s a momma's girl through and through.”
She jerked her chin toward the narrow trail ahead. “C’mon, my place isn’t far. Coffee’s hot, and I’ve got a fire going.” Balto stepped forward a pace as if to lead the way, his head swinging back to make sure they followed. Rain stayed close to Cal, ever her quiet shadow.
˙ ˖ ✶ Cal & Daniel
Daniel smiled at the sight of the wolfdogs, his heart aching just a bit for all the animals he left back home in the care of the people he trained. He missed his red pandas, the otters, even the leopards he raised since they were cubs. All those animals under his care had been a piece of him, the family he never knew he needed when he'd been nothing more than a broken man.
"If you mean that handsome guy and the little lady, how could I mind?" Daniel smiled at her and then eyed the wolfdogs. "They're beautiful, you're taking amazing care of them. Their coats are healthy, and they're expertly trained. Plus, more importantly, they're happy."
"Coffee, I haven't had a cup of Coffee in who knows how long now. The drink kept me going back at the zoo, but here all I've truly been drinking is tea's and some other juices that a friend of mine makes." He didn't wish to point out that he was living in someone else's home, but he loved working with Beau, and living with him came with a lot of perks.
˙ ˖ ✶ Ducky & Floyd
"You know, you might owe me something." Ducky mused as a mischievous grin played on his features. "I'll give you three guesses to figure it out, and if you don't you get the penalty." @innocentcurse
For: Any of Jucifer's Witch Muses | @hxesandruin Location: Loretta's Home Character: Loretta | biography
The back garden of Loretta LaGrange’s home breathed a quiet life, even in winter’s chilly grip. Hardy herbs and evergreen shrubs lined the narrow path, their muted greens and silvers defying the season's bleakness. The damp air carried the faint scent of rosemary and pine, mingling with the earthy undertone of turned soil. Despite the frost that clung to the edges of the stone walkway, the garden felt alive; a small miracle tucked away.
The door to the kitchen stood slightly ajar, as if it had been waiting for him, the warmth of the house spilling out in soft, inviting waves. From inside came the faint clatter of movement: ceramic against wood, the creak of a chair shifting under weight, but it was not Loretta who greeted him first.
A pale-furred opossum waddled forward, her steps slow and deliberate as it emerged from beneath a garden bench. Her bright, bead-like eyes studied him with intelligence, as though weighing his presence. The creature paused at the threshold of the door, waiting just long enough to ensure he followed before slipping inside.
The kitchen was cozy, but not crowded—its charm came from its lived-in warmth rather than its size. Jars of dried herbs and flowers hung in neat rows from the ceiling beams, their faint perfume mingling with the rich aroma of mulled cider warming on the stove. A plate of biscuits sat on the counter, next to small bowls of honey and preserves.
Loretta glanced up as he entered, a faint smile playing at her lips. She wore a shawl draped over her shoulders, the soft gray fabric catching the firelight from the hearth. Her fingers rested lightly on the edge of the table, though her gaze carried the same weight it always did, as if she saw past the veil of words and into the marrow of what mattered.
“So, you came.” Her voice was warm, unhurried. "Good. I had hoped you would."
She gestured to the chair across from her, the opossum climbing with quiet grace onto a padded stool near the stove, its tail curling like a question mark. “Sit. Eat if you’ve a mind to,” she said, nodding toward the plate of biscuits. “It’s a cold walk back through the garden, and you look like you could use a moment to catch your breath.”
Loretta’s smile deepened, though her tone turned curious, almost teasing. “You don’t strike me as a man who comes to another witch’s home lightly. So tell me, what’s drawn you here this fine, frosty day?”
˙ ˖ ✶ Loretta & Ducky
There was a darkness that loomed over Cardinal Hill. Its presence always lingered like a cold chill running down your spine or the faint idea of someone watching you from afar. Some might call it the small town charm, but once it sunk its claws into you, there was no escaping the ever growing gloom that was nestled in the heart of the town. Ducky had known it all too well, how it consumed the witch that was his mother, and drove her on a treacherous path. Magic not for the sake of others would often lead to doom.
Ducky had heard of a witch in town someone wise beyond her years, as if she'd lived countless lives, and no wrinkles on her skin could ever tell you of the harrowing experiences she'd lived. Ducky's abilities had seemed to be growing ever since last Halloween. Becoming a more tangible thing, more volatile than he'd ever wish and he was scared. Scared that this would hurt Floyd if he couldn't control it, scared it would turn his life upside down and he'd find himself alone once more, without his found family or the man he's loved all this time.
The walk wasn't all too bad, he'd flash stepped as he called it to speed his way through any crowds, becoming nothing more than a flicker of light. Something he'd picked up when he was younger, how he was able to steal and sleep in places that he wouldn't have been able to before.
"Not hungry, I already ate but thank you for the offer," he said with a smile as he eyed her belongings each detailing little pieces of her personality. "My powers...are getting stronger I think, changing slightly. I have two main sets of abilities they're weird. I can control light, which is why I can be pretty fast, and the other allows me to control fabric...I guess, it's hard to explain. Either way, controlling them is the issue cause it all seems...stronger."
For: Juice's Muses | @hxesandruin Location: Tattoo Parlor Character: Aris | Biography
Aris sat at the small table in the corner of the tattoo shop, a half-finished design spread out in front of him. The hum of the shop and the sound of needles buzzing in the background barely registered as he focused on the details. A few ideas were scribbled in the margins, but nothing felt quite right. It had been a few months since he’d arrived in town, and he had built up a solid clientele - then again - people would fly in just for one of his tattoos.
But then there was this client in Cardinal Hill. They weren’t exactly close friends, but there was something comfortable about them. It was a loose friendship, and Aris didn’t mind that.
With a frustrated exhale, Aris pushed his chair back and ran his fingers through his hair, then pulled the sketch closer, his eyes narrowing as he tried to find that missing piece. He hated taking over another tattooist's designs but the artist had flaked, and Aris wasn't about to let a potential client just ... miss out on good ink.
“Alright,” he muttered under his breath, “what’s missing here?”
He glanced over toward the door as it swung open, catching sight of the man stepping inside. A quick smile tugged at Aris’s lips. “Hey, you’re right on time. Just give me a sec, I’m working on your design. Ah - sorry, the other guy had an emergency or something... so... ” He gestured to the sketchpad with a flick of his hand. “Want to take a look? I’m thinking about adding a bit more shading here, but I’m not sure.” Aris rubbed his chin thoughtfully, still unsure about the design but knowing he could trust the feedback. "What do you think? Anything you’d want to add or change? Or I could scrap it and do something in my style. 'Cause this is kinda shit."
˙ ˖ ✶ Aris
Layken smiled at the other man unsure of what to say in these moments. Aris always seemed to catch him off guard for no particular reason. In another life he would've probably appreciated the other's looks a bit more, but recently his eyes were only glued on a sandy blonde tuft of hair. How this friendship came about he couldn't even begin to discern, it was an unusual pairing and somehow it just made sense that they just kept in contact with one another despite their differences.
They weren't the best of friends, and they couldn't even be called close, but there was something there. A silent nod in the street, and just making sure the other was okay from far away. Not quite good friends, but not quite strangers.
"Being punctual is part of the job, I was in the acting industry and being late meant you were a diva and had no respect for your peers." Word spread quickly on hollywood, especially as his father's son who was a more than well known actor. "Actually I was hoping you could draw a few waves on my bicep. There's been a certain need for me to have something of the ocean on my skin. Is that alright with you?"
Location: Beau's farm.
"Thank you again for taking me in, I felt so stupid coming back after having sold my family home years ago." Daniel said scratching the back of his head as he strolled around Beau's home. His longtime friend having received him with open arms, and even in the phone call he felt so warm and generous, and Daniel could swear he heard another voice in the other end. "You don't know how much of a life saver you are to me, Beau, and if you need help around the farm with the animals well...I do have a degree."
"So tell me what have you gotten up to recently?" @twistxdcrafts
Anywhere else, Ocean would have felt more embarrassed by someone watching him like this, but he felt at home in the water; this was where he felt most confident. So he didn’t feel quite as awkward as he waded in the cold water, looking at the stranger and talking to him. “Yeah, that’s why I’m only doing it for a couple minutes,” Ocean told the man, walking through the water toward the shore. As the water got shallower and more of his torso became exposed, Ocean felt that self-consciousness return - he wasn’t very happy with his body. So he crossed his arms and hugged himself, partially to keep him a little warmer but also to cover himself a bit more. “It’s just so bracing,” Ocean said to the man. “It’s like a shock to the system, and sometimes that’s what I need I guess. My…system or whatever isn’t very good.” Even though this guy was a stranger, Ocean hoped he wouldn’t think he was an idiot.Â
It didn’t seem like he did though. As Ocean got walked onto the shore and headed in the man’s direction, he saw from his body language and his smile and the way he was talking to Ocean that he was probably a nice guy, and that made Ocean feel a little better. “My towel is there,” Ocean told the other, pointing at it on the ground near the edge of the water. After he grabbed his towel, Ocean sat on the ground next to the man with the towel around his shoulders, watching the sunset. “I like coming out here at this time of day,” he said softly. “It’s so peaceful. It’s hard to be worried about anything when you’re watching a sunset.”
What the man said next piqued his interest, and Ocean asked, “Wait, you’re from California too? Where? I’m from Ojai, from a com - from Ojai.” Ocean didn’t generally care if people thought him being from a commune was weird, so he didn’t know why he stopped himself from mentioning it now. Maybe it was just because this was all going so well, and he didn’t want to ruin it. “I have a connection to water I guess,” he confirmed. “My name is Ocean, so there’s that, and I’ve been swimming for years and years now.” Looking at the man, Ocean asked curiously, “What about you?”
The man’s name was Layken, and Ocean smiled. “So we’re both named after bodies of water,” he said with a laugh. He liked that immediately about the stranger who wasn’t a stranger anymore, and it helped him feel even more at ease. “Do you swim too?” Ocean asked. And then he broke into a wide grin and started laughing, asking , “A mermaid? Do you mean like…Ariel?” Ocean laughed a little more but then stopped himself, apologizing, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t making fun of you. I just didn’t expect that.” Hoping he hadn’t ruined this, Ocean wondered, “What made you think that?”
˙ ˖ ✶ Ocean & Layken
Layken could tell just how at home Ocean felt in the water, how he moved so freely in the ever changing tides. If not for the freezing temperatures he would have bet his cheeks were red. At least this way he'd have an excuse for the subtle hues dusted on his features. "You say that but you seemed to be having a lot of fun, so I think I might've had to haul you out of there soon enough," Layken said in jest as his arms remained crossed in front of his chest, yet his stance wasn't defensive. The smile on his features a permanent fixture as he eyed the boy in the water. "Like ice baths, I get it. I've done my fair share of them and they truly do wake you up and it's exhilarating, but with this town being a bit...mysterious I find myself wary of wandering too far into the unknown." he carefully admitted, not feeling as if he had anything to hide from the other.
"Los Angeles, unfortunately. The fast lifestyle is not for me but I've definitely passed by Ojai a few times for filming." Layken caught the slight hesitation, and figured he wouldn't pry. "I'm also a swimmer, been doing it for years. There wasn't a day I didn't use my pool back home, but it's nothing quite like the open water. Surfing was fun but I wasn't very good at it I'll admit."
"If we find another guy named River we should definitely start a club," Layken mused laughing at the circumstance. Of all the names this man could have, he just had to have Ocean. Somehow it all made sense to Layken, especially now when he looked into the man's eyes and the ocean's hues were reflected in them. "No need to apologize, and yeah totally like Ariel, but unlike Eric I don't have to go searching for what was so captivating in the water. Mine just waddled right out." he teased. "Well when I was looking at you from afar, I found myself intrigued, as if you were a siren of sorts, beautiful and a little dangerous."
For: Daniel | @hxesandruin Location: Cardinal Hill Cemetery Character: Arjun
The moon hung low over Cardinal Hill Cemetery, its pale light casting long shadows over the graves that dotted the hillside. The wind, sharp and biting, swept through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Arjun stood at the entrance, his breath visible in the cold air, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. He glanced down at Fiver, the dog’s eyes reflecting a quiet understanding. The large shepherd, now showing signs of age, stood at attention beside him, no longer as sprightly as he once was, but still loyal and alert.
"Well, this is it, old friend," Arjun murmured, his voice barely audible against the sound of the wind. He bent slightly to give Fiver a soft pat on the head. "Last trip. After tonight, you get to retire. Nothing for you to do starting tomorrow than play, shed, eat, cuddle me and enjoy." He smiled faintly, though there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. Fiver had been more than just a service dog—he had been a constant companion, a silent witness to so many of Arjun’s darkest moments.
"We'll make this a good one, Fiver," Arjun muttered to himself, more to the dog than anyone else. "For all the years you've kept me steady."
Fiver nudged his hand gently, as if sensing the change that was coming.
A soft click of a flashlight signaled the arrival of Daniel, and Arjun turned to greet him. "You ready for this?" he asked, a touch of excitement lacing his tone despite the solemnity of the night. "You might not see anything, but there's always something... strange here. The kind of strange you can't explain away. Just keep an open mind." He adjusted the strap on his cane, standing a little taller, though the cold made every joint ache.
Fiver gave a quiet growl, the first sound he’d made since arriving, but Arjun knew not to take it seriously. Fiver didn't like the dark. He wasn't fond of ghost hunting .... mostly because it was four hours of being in the cold listening to static and asking questions to the empty air. "Know this, Daniel ... I will use any creepy recordings we catch on a future show. I've got flashlights, EMF readers, tape recorder, video camera, compass, salt, crystals and ... oh, snacks. Of course, I brought snacks."
˙ ˖ ✶ Arjun & Daniel
Daniel had recently arrived in town, finding that Cardinal Hill still retained the same ghastly charm it did when he was nothing but a young boy. Cemeteries were the last place he'd ever see himself visiting but tonight he had a purpose, more so than just hanging out with a friend.
As he sauntered into view he took in Fiver and Arjun smiling at the clear bond between the two. Arjun quickly began to explain all the possibilities which only made Daniel laugh. Not because he didn't believe in the supernatural only because it was sweet how the man was so thoughtful to bring snacks and educate him on the subject.
"I wouldn't expect anything less, and I do believe in the supernatural. I work with animals and nothing sense the changes in energy around better than they do. They're still tethered to a part of nature we have long detached ourselves from."
"Salt and crystals for protection and other uses, and the rest are devices used to capture evidence right, changes in temperature, electrical fields and voices in the static."
Daniel had friends back at work who loved these things and he'd love to hear about all the things they did in their hobby. "Is there anything or anyone in specific we're looking for? I feel if we're not throwing a fishing line in the dark and there's a specific presence we're searching for we'll have better chances, most because I believe they'll sense that."
STATUS: Open for all @cardinalstart
LOCATION: Rewind Rentals
Roni paced up and down the aisles of the video rental store, looking for something to occupy their evening with their grandmother. They ended up in the horror section with their hand hovering over a VHS of John Carpenter's The Thing before it fell back to their side. As much as they were interested in it, they got the feeling their grandmother wouldn't want to sit through it. Then again they could still pick it up for themself to watch on their own some other time. They gnawed on their bottom lip, contemplating their decision when they noticed someone out of the corner of their eye. "Sorry, I was just weighing my options." They paused for a moment, "What were you thinking of picking out?" Maybe the other could give them some movie suggestions.
˙ ˖ ✶ Roni & Kit
"No you're totally fine, I love horror movies. My husband and I used to watch them all the time when we were younger." Kit said catching himself still using husband in present tense, but now Reid's face was slowly fading into Ludwig's image. "There are some amazing selections here, some far too gory for most viewers but if you're into that then do it. Life's too short to deprive yourself of something you enjoy."
STATUS: Open to all @cardinalstart
LOCATION: Glasswater Lake
A restless feeling still stirred around inside Priya following the news about Avalon Rivers, and the strange occurrences as of late certainly didn't help this feeling either. Wanting a moment of peace, no matter how brief, it was only natural that she found herself among nature. She sat upon a blanket close to the edge of the lake, bundled up in warm clothing fitting the season and pulled her knees in towards her chest. "I'm going to miss spending more of my free time out here as winter rolls in." She lamented with a soft sigh to her present company. The plummeting temperatures unfortunately meant less time among the serenity of nature. "Are you at least looking forward to the upcoming season?"
˙ ˖ ✶ Priya & Ducky
"I don't have the best memories of winter, but maybe it's time I make some good ones," Ducky stated as he sat on a patch of grass, his eyes tracing the pattern of clouds as he remembered those cold winter nights when he didn't have a home. Winter's grasp making the nights restless and cruel as the elements show no mercy. Hunger, the thought of never knowing when that next meal would be always in the back of his mind. "First time I'm able to get gifts for the people I love, so that's exciting for me." Ducky mused with the little things he had in store for Floyd and his grandmother, even the other friends he had in town.
Bishop felt a familiar weight settle in his chest as Florian spoke, his words laced with that old vulnerability Bishop knew so well. His feelings for Florian were softer and quieter than what he had ever felt for Reid. It wasn’t the same kind of fierce, unconditional bond he’d shared with his best friend—Reid had been the light, the laughter, the fire. But Florian... Florian had always been the one who needed protecting, and in that, Bishop had found a quieter form of devotion.
There was something in the way Florian spoke, in the way he looked so genuinely flustered, that made Bishop’s heart tighten. He had always been the one to guard Florian’s back, the silent protector in their group. Even now, as they stood there, the years seemed to fade.
"I didn’t forget," Bishop replied softly, a rare tenderness in his voice. "But you’ve always been someone who needs looking after, haven’t you? That's where I've always fit."
His gaze lingered for a moment longer than it might’ve with anyone else, his usual stoic expression softening in the presence of the man who had somehow been a constant, even when time and life had carried them in different directions. There was a pull in his chest, an understanding that whatever had existed between them all those years ago had always been different.
"I never minded it," he added, his voice low but steady, "Being the one to look after you. I never did."
"You’ve always had a way of making things... lighter," Bishop continued, his tone steady but not entirely without warmth. "Even when things were heavy, when Reid was... well, when we all had our own demons. You always had that spark."
He shifted slightly, his gaze flicking back to the children who had momentarily forgotten themselves, their laughter filling the space around them. "And you’re still that way. Still have that warmth about you, even now."
Bishop’s words hung there, softer than he was used to allowing, but he couldn’t help himself. There had always been something magnetic about Florian’s presence, something that pulled at him in a way that felt different than anything else he’d ever known.
Bishop stood there, watching the children, but there was a quiet depth in his gaze. There had been moments in their youth, fleeting moments, where Bishop had wondered if there might’ve been more. But his heart had never been quite ready for it — not in the way it had been for Kit and Reid — but with Florian, it had always felt more like a constant hum in the background, steady and sure.
He glanced over at Florian again, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "The kids like you. Kids have pretty good judges of character -- though, not loving the fingerprints they're leaving all over the rig." he said, the playful note in his voice betraying the softness he tried to hide.
A brief silence stretched between them, before Bishop gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "It’s just... It’s good to have you around again." His eyes lingered on Florian for a moment, a flicker of something more vulnerable passing through them before it was quickly shuttered behind the usual stoic mask. "Feels right."
˙ ˖ ✶ Bishop & Florian
Florian had always been running after his friends, that little game of catchup that he never quite outgrew until he just couldn't chase after them anymore. Those were memories that he'd keep in his heart forever. Whenever they did their weekly horror movie, and had it been too gory for Bishop to stomach he'd take Florian's hand and lead him out, finding themselves somewhere else entirely alone. That fierce protective drive the other man had over Florian, the boy never understood why, just knew that it was one of the very reasons his eyes never strayed from him. Like a rose stuck between the pages of a book, Florian stayed the same, waiting for the day his friend would come back.
Countless nights of whispers and laughter flashed before his eyes; the nights he so dearly wished would return, but now there was a vacuum where one once stood. The favored ace, daring to the end, their reckless rogue that captured the hearts and smiles of all whom he met. Florian's fingers tightened around his ring as his knuckles shifted white. Reid's words ghosting in his ear, clung onto Florian's unwavering heart. Don't give up on him, he's just slow.
Florian smiled at Bishop's statement finding himself as nothing more than that boy with the back brace with dreams too big for his little head. "Why did you always take care of me?" he questioned, his eyes looking for an answer he already knew. "All of my best memories always have you shielding me from something, even from myself."
There was a searing pain in his chest as Bishop bore his gaze into him. That stare that bordered on intimate, all too familiar as Florian had often found himself doing the same years ago. The shadow of the boy whose hand always fit with another's. He remembered the callous knuckles, the lines in his fingers, the way their fingers had first laced together, he remembered it all. A soft yearning, like the pallid flame of a candle that refused to be put out.
"And I was always grateful." Florian mused, a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You were the reason this place had always felt like home, and why I couldn't just pack my bags. All my memories of you are here, I could never abandon that. You made...You make me feel safe."
There was a sting in his heart at the mention of Reid, but Florian's smile didn't falter. He could hear his beloved Ace's laughter ever now, hearty and boisterous, filling the entire room with his chaotic charm. In his own way Reid also looked out for Florian. Florian shook his head softly, denying the things Bishop claimed. "You guys were my light, even when I felt like I was drowning, you were my air. My life would've been entirely different if not for you."
"I still visit your grandfather, twice a week every week for these past years."
Florian quieted down the children, having them pack up their supplies as he snuck glances here and there at Bishop. Parents began to come through picking up the young ones. Florian remembered all their names, the kids, the parents, their likes, favorite colors, each of these souls were unique, special and he treated them as such.
"You've always been the warmest out of all of us," Florian mentioned as he packed his little crate of crayons making sure they were all in the correct row and order. "Kit, Reid, Myself, we all followed you because you drew us in like a moth to a flame. Kit and Reid were practically made for each other, I always envied their love, so fervent and joyful. There wasn't a moment I wouldn't catch Reid staring at Kit without a smile on his face. He never hid how much he truly loved him, or how much he loved you either."
Many years ago he thought maybe just maybe he'd find himself walking down the road with Bishop's hand in his own. Going to dinners with Kit and Reid, mapping out the future or trying to at the very least. Florian had always believed Grant would be giving him away someday, just like he had done for Kit. Florian remembered how Kit decided to use popular songs and rewrite them into classical songs for his wedding, always the innovator that one. The way that even on his wedding day, Kit pushed Florian to dance with Bishop. He could neve forget how Bishop had looked that day, poised and regal, so happy for his best friends. Florian could nothing else but fall, fall hard and fast for him.
"Don't know what you're talking about because if you ask me, this was a much needed improvement," Florian teased playfully, something he had learned to do by watching Kit and Reid, how easily they went back and forth.
Without a second though Florian tugged Bishop closer as the gap between them grew smaller. This hug, he'd yearned for it for so many years, wishing for the day it would come. Now with his arms tightly wrapped around Bishop he could do nothing else but sigh with relief. "You're real, you're here," as if for a moment he'd thought Bishop would disappear once more. "My heart feels at home once more, because you are home to me, Bishop"
