Illustrated Illusions

Multi-muse blog for Cypress Cove RPG written by Sarah

[suttondonnie]

closed: @illustratedxillusions- Hudson The Boat Shed

Donnie pulled open the heavy door to The Boat Shed, his eyes instantly doing a quick sweep of the room before settling on his usual corner stool at the bar. He slumped onto the vinyl seat with a loud groan and jutted his elbows onto the wooden bartop. He cleared his throat, eyes tracked Hudson behind the taps.

He didn't bother with a formal greeting, he just tapped two knuckles against the bar top.

"Hey, Hudson," Donnie drawled, his voice a low, gravelly rasp. "Tell me you got something cheap on tap- Running a little short today" he stated as if he wasn't constantly looking for handouts.

He reached into his jeans pocket, casually pulling out a crumpled dollar bill and a handful of coins, dropping them on the counter with zero shame. "I need something, can't you hook me up?"

[illustratedxillusions]

Hudson glanced up from where he was rinsing out a pint glass, offering Donnie an easy smile as he dropped onto his usual stool. "Hey, Donnie." His gaze flicked to the crumpled dollar and the scattered coins before looking back up. "Little lean this week?"

There wasn't any judgment in the question. Just simple acknowledgment. Hudson eyed the change for a moment before scooping it into his palm. "I can do our house lager for that." He reached for a clean pint. "Won't win any fancy beer awards, but it'll get the job done."

He rang up the cheapest draft on the register, slipped a couple dollars of his own into the till while Donnie wasn't looking, and poured the pint like nothing unusual had happened. "There." He slid it across the bar. "Now tell me what crawled up your ass before I decide you're just here for my sparkling personality."

[illustratedxillusions]

Holden remained still for the picture, his expression composed out of sheer habit. When the shutter clicked, Maeve looked at it immediately while he regarded her with quiet curiosity instead. "High praise," he replied dryly. "I'm usually informed I look like I'm about to announce a suspension." The corner of his mouth lifted when she insisted both of his sides were good. "I suspect your judgment may be compromised." As she tucked her phone away and climbed onto the carousel horse, Holden watched her for a brief moment before stepping toward the horse beside hers.

"And, for the record..." he rested a hand on the polished brass pole, "...I believe you've been out of school long enough to stop calling me Mr. Elliason." His gaze met hers for a moment. "Holden is perfectly acceptable." It wasn't an invitation he extended often. But Maeve hadn't been his student for years.She'd earned the right to leave the classroom behind. Settling onto the horse with considerably less grace than he cared to admit, Holden adjusted his jacket before glancing sideways at her. "I should also point out," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "that if anyone from the academy sees this, I will be forced to insist you coerced me."

[downxbyxaxcove]

As Holden mentioned announcing suspension, Maeve tilted her head to the side and regarded him for a long moment. "No, I don't think you have ever looked at me like you were planning on suspending me." She laughed a bit. There were a couple of looks of disappointment, maybe threats of detention, but Holden was usually never the one giving out her punishments at school. He was usually the one she served them with though because Mr. Evans always managed to make her cry.

Pink began to burn against her cheeks. She looked down at the horse that she was sitting on giving a small nod. "I suppose that is true. I have been out of school for a while now." She smiled softly, glancing toward him. "Holden -" She almost hesitated on his name, testing it out for a moment before saying, "If you tell everyone I coerced you, they will believe you because I have been told that I could talk the devil himself into anything I want."

[illustratedxillusions]

Holden caught the hesitation before she said his name. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed it, but he did. A small smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "See?" he said quietly. "Entirely painless." His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before her comment about talking the devil into anything earned a soft huff of laughter. "I don't know about the devil." He tilted his head ever so slightly, regarding her with that same thoughtful expression he'd worn for years in his office, though there was considerably more warmth in it now. "The headmaster, however appears to have been surprisingly susceptible."

The carousel gave a gentle lurch beneath them before beginning its slow rotation, the painted horses rising and falling as the familiar organ music drifted into the evening air. Holden instinctively settled one hand around the polished brass pole, his gaze following the carnival lights as they began to glide past in slow circles. "I should admit," he said after a moment, "this isn't something I generally do." He glanced sideways at Maeve. "In fact, I can't remember the last time I rode a carousel." He gave her a small nod as he smiled. "I'm glad I made an exception."

[illustratedxillusions]

Maia tried, but failed, not to stare as she watched Reid pull his shirt over his head. She blushed slightly as she tucked her hair behind her ear, taking in his body. She knew he worked at the gym but she was still pretty sure that she'd never seen anyone actually look like this in real life. "Yeah? You're going to possibly tattoo my design when you don't even know my name?" She teased, giving him a look as she started to gather her supplies, starting to outline the shape of a phoenix on his chest.

[downxbyxaxcove]

Reid watched her closely, trying to be very inconspicuous about it though. He noticed the blush. It was cute. He was also very grateful that he was still capable of getting that reaction from someone. He wasn't getting any damn younger. He shrugged. "Yeah, I like having pieces that have stories. So, when someone asked I can say... Oh, yeah, the cute face painter at the carnival gave it to me one year."

[illustratedxillusions]

Maia grabbed a clean brush, starting to mix the colors before bringing the paint to his chest. "It might be cold." She said softly before starting to fill in the shapes. Her blush only deepened when he said she was cute but she tried not to let it distract her. "Maia.." she said softly, slowly raising her eyes to meet his. "That's the name of the cute face painter."

[whimsicallywitches]

"Stevie I'd do anything to make you happy. I want you a part of my life however you feel like you want to fit in it. I don't want to push you especially not when you have everything happening in your mind with your family. But I'm here. Always have been always will be." He smiled though as she said she didn't want him to kiss her without feelings. His hands moved to her hips to hold her tight. To not let her go. His world was better with her in his arms. It was filled with color.

He smiled softly. "I love you too. Always have. I can promise to be here for you but I get it. It's why I never fought you leaving. I don't want a single moment you're with me to feel like a regret even if that means going out on your own." he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "I don't need a promise of forever. I just need a now. We'll figure out forever as we go along." he of course understood forever. Funnily he understood it more watching his sister and her husband than he had anywhere else. He saw how they loved each other and wanted to emulate that. Show the woman he loved what that was like. "There's always room for you here. I'll happily be your safe space."

[illustratedxillusions]

Stevie smiled through the tears that still hadn't quite stopped. "You know," she said quietly, "I think that's the first time you've ever said something that made forever feel... smaller." She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I've spent months, years, thinking that if I couldn't promise the rest of my life then I shouldn't ask for any of yours." Her eyes searched his. "But maybe that was never fair to either of us." She felt his arms around her waist and she relaxed into them.

"I can do now." The words surprised her with how certain they sounded. "I can wake up tomorrow and choose you." She gave him a small smile. "And then maybe the day after that..." Her shoulders lifted in a tiny shrug. "...I'll choose you again." Her forehead rested against his once more. "I think that's how forever actually happens." The realization settled over her almost as she spoke it. "It isn't one giant promise." "It's a whole bunch of little ones." Clover gave an impatient snort behind them, earning an amused glance over Stevie's shoulder. "I think she's judging us." When she looked back at Ryder, there wasn't panic in her expression anymore. Just hope. "So..." she said, a smile growing a little brighter. "You offered me a horse ride." Her fingers intertwined with his. "I think I'd like that."

[illustratedxillusions]

@downxbyxaxcove

Stevie & Saige

Their house

Stevie found her dad in the kitchen making coffee, exactly where she'd expected him to be. It seemed funny how some things never changed. The house itself felt different somehow. Unfamiliar in little ways she'd never anticipated. But her dad leaning against the kitchen counter with a mug in his hands felt right. She lingered in the doorway for a second before knocking softly against the frame. "...You busy?" Without waiting for much of an answer, she wandered inside and leaned against the counter across from him. "I come bearing absolutely no emergencies. So... don't panic."

She reached for a grape from the bowl on the counter, tossing it into her mouth. "I just..." She shrugged, suddenly looking a little sheepish. "Wanted to tell you something before you heard it from somebody else." She smiled down at the countertop for a moment. "Ryder and I are back together." She wasn't sure what his reaction would be honestly. "We talked. Like... really talked. It turns out avoiding every difficult conversation imaginable wasn't actually the healthiest relationship strategy." Her eyes lifted to his again. "We're taking things slow. Nobody's pretending the hurt never happened. But we're... us again."

She reached over, absentmindedly straightening the handle of his mug on the counter before pulling her hand back and studying him. "...How're you doing?" She tilted her head just slightly. "I know everybody keeps asking me how I am. But nobody's really asking you." She glanced toward the living room and down the halls to the bedrooms. "Mom's home." She smiled faintly. "Which... I know is a good thing. But good things can still be a lot." She folded her arms loosely across her middle. "I guess I just wanted to check on my dad. You've spent my whole life making sure I was okay...I'd like to return the favor if you'll let me."

[saffron-boone]

Who: Saffron & Stevie ( @illustratedxillusions )

Location: Boone Household

Saffron stood outside Stevie’s bedroom door for a good thirty seconds before she actually knocked. She’d been home for a little while, but this was the first time she was actually alone with Stevie in the house. 

Balanced carefully in her hands was a small tray with two forks, two cups of milk, and a generous slice of confetti cake with cream cheese frosting. The same one she’d made every birthday when Stevie was little. Maybe breakfast cake wasn’t exactly the healthiest choice in the world, but some traditions were worth keeping. Even if it wasn’t her birthday today.

“Moonbeam?” She called softly. “You up, sweetheart?” She leaned her head against the door frame. “Permission to enter? I bring peace offerings.” A quiet laugh escaped her. “Figured life’s too short to wait for birthdays if somebody’s got a hankerin’ for cake! I hope your hungry.” She called enthusiastically through the door.

“I was wonderin’…If you ain’t got plans today… maybe we could spend a little time together? I do believe it’s just us, your daddy left a little bit ago.” Her smile softened despite the anxiety she felt in her chest, her voice was hopeful. “And…If you’ve got any questions for me, about anything, I’m happy to answer them the best I can. I think your long over due for knowing things.. and I’d really like the chance to know you now too baby.. ” She smiled softly, trying keep the moment light even though her heart was pounding.

[illustratedxillusions]

Stevie had only been home because Ryder had to get to an early vet appointment. She'd told everyone she was trying to give her parents some space. It sounded mature when she said it out loud. Reasonable. She'd repeated it enough that she'd almost convinced herself it was the whole truth. The knock at her bedroom door pulled her attention away from the book she'd only been pretending to read. "Come in," she called. The smell hit her before she even saw the tray. Confetti cake.

She blinked, her chest tightening in a way she hadn't expected. For a second she wasn't twenty-something anymore. She was six years old with frosting on her nose, insisting the sprinkles made it taste better. "...You remembered," she said quietly, almost to herself. A smile tugged at her mouth as she set the book aside and scooted back against the headboard to make room. "You know bribery with cream cheese frosting is a pretty solid strategy."

Her eyes drifted to the second fork before settling on her mom again. "I don't actually have plans." Which was true. She'd probably wander over to Ryder's later without really thinking about it. Lately that had become... easy. Familiar. She reached for one of the cups of milk, wrapping both hands around it. "I've actually been spending a lot of time at Ryder's." She smiled, a little sheepish. "We're... together." The words still felt wonderfully strange to say out loud. "It kind of happened after...everything. Ryder and I.. are kind of a long story. " She shrugged. "Also I figured you and Dad deserved some time together. So... I've mostly stayed out of the way." She looked down at the cake for a moment before finally meeting Saffron's eyes again. "I'd like today, though. I've missed... this." She picked up the second fork and held it out toward her mom.

[illustratedxillusions]

@downxbyxaxcove

Miles & Morgan

Their place

Miles had wiped the eyeliner off four times. The fifth attempt wasn't going any better. He stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, one eye lined in shaky black while the other remained stubbornly bare. Makeup wipes, cotton rounds, and brushes he'd had to Google how to use littered the counter along with an eye shadow palette that hadn't seemed as intimidating in the store. His gaze drifted toward the bedroom. A garment bag hung from the closet door. Inside was a dress. Nothing extravagant. Just something he'd impulsively bought after spending far too many nights watching videos of drag performances online. It had started innocently enough. Morgan had mentioned the Pride drag show while discussing events, and somewhere between curiosity and admiration, Miles had found himself watching performance after performance.

The confidence. The artistry. The way people stepped onto a stage and seemed to become larger than life. He wasn't even sure he wanted to perform. He just wanted to know what it felt like to look in the mirror and see... something different. Something he'd chosen. Instead, all he could see was six-foot-four of awkward uncertainty. Broad shouldered, square jaw? Big hands. "...You look ridiculous." The words came so automatically they barely felt like his own. He'd spent years convincing himself the Calloways didn't matter anymore. He'd walked away from the expectations, the name, the endless pressure of who he was supposed to be. So it was deeply irritating that the moment he'd picked up an eyeliner pencil, he could hear them anyway. 'What the hell are you doing?', 'You look stupid.', 'A Calloway doesn't...' Miles closed his eyes with a frustrated sigh. "For people I don't even talk to anymore," he muttered to the empty apartment, "you've all got an awful lot to say." Silence answered him.

He looked back at the mirror one more time. The eyeliner wasn't good. The makeup certainly wasn't. He hadn't even worked up the nerve to unzip the garment bag. His phone sat beside the sink. He picked it up, thumb hovering over Morgan's name, shooting him a text. You busy? I think I need your help...Please don't make fun of me.

[whimsicallywitches]

“Too late. I have to meet your family and you’re going to meet mine.” She told him. “Come on. I’d love to know how cute and embarrassing you were.” She said leaning her head on his shoulder thinking about her mom showing him pictures of her young. She knew they had pictures of her from before. She always felt comfortable enough in herself that she never needed them hidden but she didn’t want that to be how Arjun found out.

She smiled at the little piglets “oh I hope they do it would be so precious to see.” She took a breath nervously of what this could mean for their relationship if she told him. “I um..if we’re serious enough that we’re talking about meeting important people to each other. I have something I need to tell you. “

[illustratedxillusions]

As much as he was worried about the stories they could tell or how cringy it could be, it was nice that he actually had someone he wanted to bring home. He'd never brought anyone home before. He wasn't sure if he'd ever find someone he connected with this way. "Maybe you'll secretly realize you only like me because of my beard." He teased gently, pressing a small kiss to the top of her head as she leaned against him.

He watched incredulously as the piglets moved up the ramp before sliding down, laughing softly to himself. "Okay, it's pretty cute." He agreed before looking at her. He took her hand, giving it a small squeeze. He'd never really heard her get this serious before. "You can tell me anything..•

[downxbyxaxcove]

Charles had gotten defensive and he had heard nothing but lectures for the entire weekend about how that social media post had done bad. He wasn't mad about someone wanting change. He was mad that he had felt blind sided by it. He didn't want a petition out there because he felt it made him look unreasonable. His reaction to it though made him look even more unreasonable as he had been told by the media team. This meeting was his opportunity to rectify it. But he hated that he had to rectify it now because he felt that it made him look guilty. God, maybe he was guilty.

He hadn't slept last night in anticipation for this meeting and he'd been drinking coffee by the pot today. He was currently at his desk, pretending to do something productive before the door opened. He rose to his feet, smiling brightly toward the three of them. "Good morning, Ms. St. James. Lance Corporal Harper..." he greeted, proving that he had done his research. But the other one threw him off. He didn't know him. When he looked confused, Lakota was quick to introduce himself and Charles nodded. "Mr. Havika..." he offered before holding out his hand to the seats in front of his desk. "Please, sit. I'm happy you came. Can I get you some water or coffee?"

[illustratedxillusions]

Zora accepted the handshake with a small smile before taking one of the chairs, setting the folder carefully in her lap instead of immediately opening it. "Water would be lovely, thank you." She waited until Lakota and Logan had sat down before looking back toward the mayor. "And... thank you again for inviting us." She said softly. "I know the last few days probably weren't easy for either of us." She hesitated for a second. "I also wanted to apologize for how personal parts of the conversation became online. That wasn't what I wanted, and I'm sorry it reached that point."

"My goal wasn't to embarrass you or make it seem like you don't care about this town. I honestly never believed that." She rested a hand lightly against the folder. "I started the petition because I wanted people to see there might be another way to celebrate, and social media..." She gave a small, self-conscious laugh. "Well. Social media has a habit of becoming something much bigger than the person who made the post intended." Her eyes met his. "So... I'd really like to start over, if that's alright."She glanced briefly toward Logan. "I brought him because there are parts of this conversation that I don't think I could ever explain as well as someone who's lived them." Then she looked back to the mayor. "But before we get into any of the research I brought..." she smiled gently, "...I'd actually like to hear from you. Why does keeping the fireworks matter so much to you?"

[illustratedxillusions]

Character: Fionn O'Reilly (w/ Sylas and Seth)

Location: Ivermere Isle

@cypresscove-inspo

Where does he live?

Fionn lives on Ivermere Isle with Sylas. He works on the mainland, but he has always liked the separation between the two. Crossing back to the island gives him a clear boundary between work and home. Most of his family lives on the island as well, with Lucky being the exception, so he is never far from them. The property sits well back from the road behind a gated drive with keypad access, something Fionn takes very seriously, especially since Sylas moved in.

How many bedrooms?

The main house has five bedrooms. Seth lives in a separate one-bedroom pool house on the property.

How many bathrooms?

The main house has four full bathrooms and one half bathroom. The pool house has its own bathroom.

What is his aesthetic?

Fionn’s taste is warm, traditional, and understated. He prefers stone, dark wood, comfortable furniture, and pieces that feel solid enough to last. He has no interest in chasing trends or living in a house that feels too pristine to touch. Sylas has softened the space with artwork, candles, music, and more personal decorative touches, making the home feel like it belongs to both of them.

What is his favorite room in the house?

Years ago, Fionn would have said his office without hesitation. It was quiet, practical, and where he could close the door after a long day at the pub. These days, it's the living room. It's where evenings naturally settle after dinner, where Sylas curls up beside him, and where Seth often wanders over from the pool house. The television might be on, music might be playing, or no one might be saying much at all. Fionn doesn't need the room to be busy. He just likes having the people he loves in it.

Is it clean or messy?

The house is clean and orderly without feeling staged. There may be a mug on the counter, pub paperwork on the kitchen island, or a jacket over the back of a chair, but clutter rarely lingers for long. Fionn likes knowing where things are.

When he comes home, what is the first thing he does?

Once Fionn comes through the gate and enters the house, he locks the front door, places his keys in the bowl by the entryway, and checks whether Sylas is home if he is expecting him to be. After that, he usually heads toward the kitchen to make himself a drink.

Is the kitchen table a catch-all?

Not usually. The kitchen island is far more likely to collect mail, invoices from the pub, shopping lists, phones, and anything else that has not yet found its proper place.

Are there unfinished DIY projects scattered around?

No. Fionn is not someone who starts a project without intending to finish it. If he does not have the time or materials to do something properly, he waits. He would find half-finished shelves or tools left in the hallway irritating.

Does he view his home as a safe haven or a trap?

Fionn views the house as a safe haven. That sense of separation is one of the reasons he chose to live on the island while working on the mainland. By the time he crosses back over and enters the gate code, most of the noise of the pub and the mainland has been left behind.

The house gives Sylas somewhere private to exist without being watched or approached, and it allows Seth to have independence while still remaining close. For Fionn, the property is not merely somewhere to sleep. It is the place where the people he loves are protected, where work cannot easily follow him, and where he can finally lower his guard.

[whimsicallywitches]

She smiled a bit watching him. How was she so lucky. She set the pizza down to let the girl eat before turning to him. “I hate it too.” She said softy. “The house feels so much more right with you here with me and her.” She told him.

[illustratedxillusions]

Beckett took a bite of his pizza as he watched Tara eating and playing with hers, letting out a small laugh. "Pizza before bath time was a good idea." He nodded. He looked over at her when she said it felt right when he was there, moving to wrap his arm around her and pull her a bit closer, kissing the top of her head. "Maybe I should come around more then.."

[downxbyxaxcove]

Where: The Ferry Station Whom: Rowan Engram // @illustratedxillusions

Valyrian had agreed to organize and display an exhibit highlighting historical queer figures. He'd said yes almost immediately, eager to share stories that so often went untold. Only after had he stopped to consider what that actually meant. The majority of the Pride festivities were taking place on the mainland. Guess what Valyrian hadn't been anywhere near since he was nine years old? The ocean. The beach. The water. And unfortunately, there was one very unavoidable stretch of it between the island and the mainland.

As they approached the ferry terminal, his chest began to tighten. His gaze instinctively drifted over his shoulder, back toward the streets of the island, toward the Heritage House, toward everything familiar and solid. Everything safe. Every instinct begged him to turn around, to tell them he couldn't do it, that someone else could run the booth instead. His stomach churned. No. He'd committed to this. People were counting on him. Rowan was counting on him.

Valyrian folded inward, his shoulders drawing tight as he closed his eyes for a brief moment. He forced himself not to look at the dock and the open water. It was just a ferry. Just like being in a car. He could handle a car. He swallowed hard, opening his eyes but keeping them fixed firmly on the ground beneath his feet. "Do you think..." His voice came out quieter than he'd intended, slightly breathless as the panic tried to consume him. "--people will be surprised? To find out how many historical figures were actually queer....?"

[illustratedxillusions]

Rowan had spent enough time with Valyrian to notice the little things. The way he absentmindedly straightened stacks of papers until every edge aligned. The way he could talk for twenty minutes about eighteenth century architecture without taking a breath. The way his smile always reached his eyes when someone genuinely wanted to learn from him. But he'd never seen him like this. From the moment they'd left Heritage House, Valyrian had been quieter than usual. As though each step toward the ferry terminal asked something of him he wasn't certain he could give. Something wasn't right.

Rowan followed his gaze for only a second before it dropped toward the pavement again. He just slowed his own pace until they were walking shoulder to shoulder, close enough that Valyrian wouldn't have to look around to know he was there. At the quiet question, Rowan glanced toward him before answering with a small, reassuring smile. "I think some will be." He nodded. "And I think some people will insist they already knew, even if they absolutely did not." A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "History has a funny habit of pretending queer people only showed up sometime around the invention of the internet."

He nudged him gently as they walked. "But that's why your exhibit matters." His eyes lingered on Valyrian for a moment longer than necessary. "You've got this way of making people care. You don't just list names and dates. You remind them these were real people. That they loved, they created, they existed... even when history tried to erase them." He wasn't sure whether the words helped. He wasn't even sure that the exhibit was what had Valyrian so tense. It felt like there was something else beneath it, something Rowan couldn't quite see.

[greekolivexlyre]

location: luciano & lochlan's apartment closed starter elio portinari || && lochlan o'reilly || @illustratedxillusions

Jet lag was a cruel thing.

Elio had every intention of staying awake when Cugino left for work after letting him in.

He'd unpack a little. Maybe walk around the apartment. Learn where Luciano kept things so he wouldn't look like a tourist.

Instead...

He'd collapsed face-first onto the guest bed about thirty minutes after Luciano left. Now, sunlight was pouring through the blinds in warm stripes across the apartment floor as he shuffled his way into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His dark curls were flattened on one side, his oversized hockey hoodie hung crookedly over a pair of athletic shorts.

"Acqua..."

The refrigerator door opened with a quiet creak that he couldn't hear, but he could feel. He reached inside, grabbing a bottle of water and twisting the cap loose. He then tossed his head back, taking a very deep drink.

It wasn't until after the refrigerator door closed that his heart nearly launched itself through his rib cage.

There- Standing only a few feet away- Was a man.

"T-"

The sound caught in his throat. He wasn't even sure what he had planned on saying. He stumbled backward slightly. The water bottle slipping from his hand and clattering harmlessly onto the tile floor.

"You-"

He stopped. He knew that Luciano had a boyfriend who lived in this apartment. Luciano did not shut up about Lochlan the whole ride from the airport. But he had not been prepared for someone to be standing behind him.

Blinking. He considered. The apartment was eerily quiet. His hand instinctively drifted toward his ears.

"...Ah."

His hearing aids. On the nightstand beside the bed.

"Cavolo..." ~Wow.~

Heat crept into his cheeks.

"Forgot..."

He pointed awkwardly toward one ear.

"I didn't hear.... you... existing..."

Elio released an awkward laugh and bent to retrieve the water bottle.

"I'm sorry... Elio, I am Elio. Luciano's cousin."

[illustratedxillusions]

Lucky had wandered into the kitchen with all the awareness of someone who was trying to force himself to be awake. One hand scrubbed absently through his curls while the other reached automatically toward the coffee maker. His brain was still somewhere between dreaming and caffeine. He frowned at the sound of the refrigerator opening, Luciano was at work, wasn't he? Lucky looked up just as the refrigerator door swung shut. There was a man standing in the middle of his kitchen.

"...Jesus Christ." The words escaped before he could stop them, one hand flying to his chest as his heart stopped. He was fairly certain he'd lost at least three years off his life. Then the water bottle hit the floor. Lucky's surprise vanished as quickly as it'd come. "Hey, hey, you're alright." His hands lifted instinctively in a calming gesture. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

When Elio reached toward his ear and muttered about forgetting his hearing aids, everything clicked into place. Luciano's cousin. "Right." Lucky let out a breathy laugh, equal parts relief and amusement. "You must be Elio." He smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I completely forgot you were getting in today. Luciano told me, and apparently my brain decided to file that information somewhere inaccessible before I'd had coffee." He bent to retrieve the fallen water bottle before handing it back. "I'm Lucky."

[illustratedxillusions]

@hcppiestcoveonearth

Who: Marco & Liam

Where: Rainbow 5k Fun Run

The finish line had become a celebration. Music drifted across the park while volunteers passed out water bottles and fruit to runners crossing beneath the rainbow-colored arch. Families lingered on the grass, friends congratulated one another with sweaty hugs, and a table near the pavilion collected donations for Cypress Cove's LGBTQ+ youth programs. It was exactly the kind of morning Marco had hoped for when he'd signed up. A little exercise and a good cause. He accepted a bottle of water from one of the volunteers, the finisher's medal bouncing lightly against his chest as he wandered away from the crowd to catch his breath. That was when he spotted a familiar face.

"Well... if it isn't my favorite taste tester." He changed direction without much thought, making his way over until he was standing beside Liam. "I notice you don't have a medal.. I'm guessing you're here as moral support?" For a moment he simply smiled as he twist the cap back on his water bottle, genuinely glad to see him again. "You know..." he began, "I was looking through all the Pride events to see what was happening this month." He tapped a finger thoughtfully against the side of the bottle. "I noticed your name on one of the flyers."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Liam... you're playing Mark in Rent, right?" He nodded toward the Harbourlight posters scattered around the park. "I was thinking about coming to see it. I've actually never seen Rent before, so I figured Pride month seemed like the perfect time."

[downxbyxaxcove]

Where: Harbourlight Theatre Whom: Mariposa Castillo // @illustratedxillusions

Rent was a very emotional piece for a lot of people. Sure, he'd been sad the first time he ever saw it but after his diagnosis he'd refused to get anywhere near it. He didn't want to think about HIV and AIDS or the way everyone acted like it was the plague and shunned people for having it. He had considered locking himself in his house after school got out, staying far away from society, and even further away from the Harbourlight until Rent was finished. But here he was. Working in the pit.

Rehearsals were just ending. Everyone had begun to pack up and wander toward backstage. He sat behind the keyboard. He couldn't get himself to move. They had ended rehearsals with Contact. Angel had died. AIDS had killed him. It was a different time now though. 1996 was a lot different in the medical realm. They had made advances. Not curable, but... not a pure death sentence either. He wasn't afraid of dying though. He was afraid of being shunned, outcasted.

"Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care? Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?" He began to play the song, singing softly to himself and the open space. There was a noise as someone stepped around back onto the stage. Mari... He quickly dropped his hands away from the keys, giving a small awkward laugh. "Would you like to join me for dinner? On me?"

[illustratedxillusions]

Mariposa had lingered longer than she'd meant to. Most of the cast had already filtered backstage, but she'd stayed behind to stretch out and work one last combination. There was something comforting about an empty stage after rehearsal. Then the piano started. She froze halfway through gathering her dance bag. The melody drifted across the stage with Bastille's voice following. Mari didn't interrupt. She simply stood in the wings, reaching for her bag. She hadn't realized how distracted she'd been by him until she dropped her bag.

The sudden movement made him pull away from the keys, and she offered him an almost apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop." She crossed the stage at an easy pace, stopping beside the piano instead of directly in front of him. "You have a beautiful voice." She admitted though she shouldn't have been surprised. He was a music teacher after all.

At his invitation, she nodded with a smile. "Only if you let me argue about who's paying." She rested an elbow lightly against the piano, tilting her head. "...That song gets to you too, doesn't it?" There wasn't any assumption behind the question. "I think that's why this show has survived as long as it has." She looked out over the empty seats. "It reminds people that being seen is one of the most human things there is." Then she smiled back at him. "But before we solve the meaning of life..." she picked up her bag again, "...I could really go for fries."

[illustratedxillusions]

@whimsicallywitches

Who: Mari & River

Where: Turning Pointe

The dance studio had looked significantly more organized two hours ago. Now every available surface was buried beneath rainbow streamers, half-empty paint bottles, rolls of tulle, zip ties, glitter, and a stack of hand-painted signs waiting to dry. Somewhere beneath it all was the original sketch for the studio's Pride Parade float. Mari was fairly certain. She stood back with a paint-speckled smudge across one cheek, one hand planted on her hip as she squinted critically at the oversized pair of papier-mâché ballet slippers mounted near the front of the trailer.

"...I think they need more sparkle." It was the third time she'd said that. Mari reached for another container of glitter before stopping herself with a dramatic sigh. "No. We have to draw the line somewhere...Probably." She glanced over toward River, who was busy on the opposite side of the float, and couldn't help smiling. Between the two of them, the empty trailer had slowly transformed into something joyful. Flowing ribbons wrapped around the railings like dancing ribbons caught in the wind, colorful flowers climbed the corners, and the studio's name arched proudly across the back. It wasn't finished yet, but it was already beginning to feel like something worth celebrating.

"I have a very important question," she announced, folding her arms over her chest as she studied the space before pointing to the empty space near the front. "Do we add a giant disco ball...or are we showing remarkable restraint and pretending we know when to stop decorating?"

[illustratedxillusions]

@downxbyxaxcove

Who: Hayes & Thaddeus

Where: Community Picnic

The park had transformed into a sea of color. Rainbow banners fluttered between the trees while music drifted from the small stage near the pavilion, blending with the easy hum of conversation and bursts of laughter from families scattered across the lawn. Children raced past with tiny Pride flags clutched in sticky hands, someone nearby was trying to organize an impromptu game of cornhole, and the line at the Tide Table catering tent seemed to stretch halfway across Cypress Cove. Paper plate in hand, piled perhaps a little too generously with catered tacos and sides, Hayes stepped away from the crowd gathered around the food tables. He paused beneath the shade of an old oak, taking a sip from his lemonade as his gaze wandered over the festivities. He'd spoken with colleagues, run into a handful of former students and been enthusiastically hugged by at least three people he only vaguely remembered teaching. It had been a good afternoon.

Then he saw him. Thaddeus. A small smile tugged at his mouth before he could stop it. They hadn't really had a chance to talk since his birthday. There had been the occasional wave across campus, a passing greeting in the hallway, the obligatory faculty meetings where everyone looked equally exhausted by grading and deadlines, but every conversation had been cut short by somewhere else they needed to be. Funny how someone could occupy your thoughts despite barely occupying your schedule. Hayes made his way through the crowd to him. "Thaddeus.." His smile widened as the other man looked up. "I've been meaning to catch up with you ever since my birthday. The semester just had other ideas."