Mercantile Mercenary

"Welp, here goes nothing."A closed FERP-affiliated RP blog for Gray from Fire Emblem Echoes.

[mercantilemercenary]

restoration-prince​:

Absolute Specimens

Ephraim grinned as he placed his hands on his hips to pop something in his back. Maybe he should see a chiropractor sometime for his bone issues, today as not that day. Ephraim then moved his hands to behind his head and unintentionally flexed his arms then. He swayed ever so slightly in his spot and looked around at the gym. Not a lot of people were in here yet, so most of the machines were open.

“What’s your normal rotation? I have different days for different parts that I work out on. Today is leg day. So I mainly run on the treadmill and do a few squats to help out the toning of my legs.” Ephraim waved to someone passing by and then he looked back to Gray. 

“I suppose if anything, a rival in the gym would be something fun too. See who can push themselves hardest. Running longer or pushing more weight. Everything’s a possibility. Do you wanna do that?” Ephraim asked and he stretched his arms upwards and then down to his toes to get a nice big stretch in. He was still feeling a bit sore but nothing he couldn’t handle.

Gray chuckled, “Wouldn’t you know, it’s leg day for me too. I normally do some lighter upper body stuff, just to keep a routine and then move on to ellipticals. Feels like piloting some sort of mecha, ya know?”

His chuckle grew into a grin as he though of rivalry. “Hey, as long as it’s a friendly rivalry I’m in.” He thought for a second before continuing. “I don’t want either of us getting hurt because we decided to push ourselves too far. Otherwise, I don’t see a problem with it.” 

Gray glanced over at the treadmills, noting with satisfaction that there were two open side by side. He jerked a thumb in their direction. “We could start now, I haven’t done the leg portion of leg day yet.”

[mercantilemercenary]

restoration-prince​:

Absolute Specimens

Ephraim returned the gesture of the man and grinned to him. If he wasn’t new to the gym may be Ephraim just didn’t recognize him. Was Ephraim truly that oblivious to others in the gym? Whatever the case may be, Ephraim welcomed Gray and shrugged his shoulders.

“Nah, I don’t need the machine, I was wondering if you wanted a guy to help you spot though. Ya ain’t here with anyone, are ya?” Ephraim stood up and stretched out his arms. He had no idea if Gray was open to having a total stranger help him work out. But Ephraim was a kind, stupid soul. Of course, he would help out a fellow gym rat.

“Oh, I’m Ephraim, nice to meet ya.” Ephraim rolled his shoulders back some and started to do a bit more of some simple stretches. His body was a bit sore from how he slept last night so stretching was a must.

Gray chuckled, “Sure, I could use a spotter. Normally Tilde does that but...” He swept his arm across the mostly empty gym. “She’s out on a long-haul so I’m here by myself. Fair is fair though, you help me and I’ll help you.”

He hauled himself off the machine bench with a quiet “oof” before wiping it down with the ever-present gym sanitizer. Then he arched his back, wincing as something audibly popped. “Did ya have any particular thing in mind that you needed spotting on? I could probably just do the same rotation, keep it simple.”

Truth be told, Gray knew the gym inside and out. He’d been lamenting not having a spotter for some of the weights but since Ephraim was offering, he couldn’t not take him up on it.

Plus the gym was more fun when you were cheering someone else on.

[askmemenoquestions]

Plant/Flower Symbolism Asks (Part I)

Based on the list on this wiki page

Acacia - When your muse develops an attraction to someone, do they pursue them or tend to bury and hide their feelings?

Acanthus - Is your muse artistically inclined? What sort of mediums do they prefer to work in?

Aconite - What are your muses thoughts on their own species in general? Do they believe in inherent goodness of them? Generally self-serving? Etc?

Agrimony - What events/people in your muse’s life are they most thankful for?

Aloe - Does your muse miss someone that they’ve lost, whether through death or a different loss of their relationship?

Almond - How seriously does your muse take their promises? How inclined are they to make them?

Amaranth - If offered immortality, would your muse take it? For what reasons would or wouldn’t they, and under what conditions would it take to change whatever their answer is?

Amaryllis - How proud is your muse, and what do they think of others with the same level of pride as theirs?

Ambrosia - Has your muse ever had someone they considered their true love, whether in their current relationship or a past one?

Anemone - What was the worst rejection that your muse has experienced?

Angrec - Describe a royalty au with your muse. What position would your muse be in? How would they feel about their station?

Anthurium - Was your muse’s childhood characterized by abundance or scarcity (in needs, affection, friends, etc)? How does it play into your muse’s present behavior?

Apple Blossom - Apples or oranges? Pineapple pizza or no? Pronounced gif or gif? What sort of silly preferences does your muse feel the strongest about?

Arborvitae - Does your muse have a friend that they’d stay beside to the gritty end for, and their friend for them? Did they ever have one that they thought they would but in the end they didn’t?

Arbutus - How does your muse feel about polyamory for their own relationships? For others?

Arum - Has your muse ever been religious? Are they now? Can they be swayed into a faith?

Asphodel - Does your muse have regrets that they wish they can fix, but never can?

Aster - How quick is your muse to trust in a relationship? What conditions have to be satisfied in order for them to trust their partner? What is the quickest way to break that trust?

Azalea - Does your muse take care of others, voluntarily or not? Do they enjoy it? Do they resent it?

Baby’s Breath - Do they pick up on sexual innuendos easily? What is their reaction to them? How often do they make innuendos themself?

Bachelor Button - How does your muse feel about sex before marriage in their own relationships? And do they judge others based on their choices?

Balm - How easily does your muse socialize with others? How good are they at their social interactions?

Balsam - When your muse falls in love, how hard do they fall? Do they outwardly express their passion?

Balsamine - What is their level of patience, and how hard does one have to push to make your muse snap?

[mercantilemercenary]

restoration-prince​:

Absolute Specimens

The gym that Ephraim had frequented was slowly becoming a place where he wasn’t visiting much anymore. Testing and such took a lot of time away from him and his muscles. Yet, he needed to go and at least work on cardio to help him during the football tryouts again. Surely he would make star quarterback but being above the qualifications for it would surely impress his friends.

Ephraim pushed the doors open, black jogger shorts on, with a loose tank top. His bag on his shoulder, he sniffed the air. It smelled just like before. Some new faces were around the gym, Ephraim grinned and checked in with the woman at the kiosk. A few exchanges and he was back in, heading to his old locker. Opening it, and tossing his bag inside, he made his way back out towards the treadmills but his attention was stopped.

Ephraim saw a young man working on his arm and back muscles on one of the newer machines. Ephraim sat at the machine next to the guy and straddled the seat of the machine, effectively manspreading. He looked over to the guy and raised his hand to wave to him and then started to stretch his arms out. 

“Are ya new here man?” He asked simply and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Damn, he looked good.

The fog of a day’s worth of studying slowly lifted from Gray’s mind as adrenaline took its place. He was finally aware enough to know he probably should have been counting his reps but to be honest, instincts were probably fine for this. Then he registered that someone else was sitting on the machine next to him.

Blinking rapidly to focus himself, he tilted his head in slight confusion. “No? I’ve been coming here a while. Usually earlier in the day though, and usually with my sisters.” The guy looked vaguely familiar, but more in a “I’ve been in the gym way too long and everyone is sort of starting to look the same” kind of way than any concrete recognition. 

He held out a fist to bump. “Name’s Gray, by the way. Did you need this machine? I could use a break, switch it up or somthing.”

[mercantilemercenary]

Absolute Specimens

starter for @restoration-prince

--- The evening sky arched gray and dim over Gray's head as he hoisted his gym bag over his shoulder and pushed his way through the heavy glass doors of the 24 hour gym he and his sisters frequented. He had many questions in life and why in Mila's blessed name the doors to the gym were five times heavier than any other door in the world was among the top six. Easily.

With the practiced, efficient movements of someone who has done the same thing for years, Gray shoved all his stuff in a locker and made a beeline for the open stretching area. If he didn't stretch and ended up pulling something Tilde would mock him for the foreseeable future. He was still kinda zombiefied from a long day of staring at truck manuals so he went through the motions of his usual stretches on autopilot, staring blankly into the wall mirrors and feeling the warm burn of muscles waking up. His workout-self stared blankly back, olive hoodie with the arms torn off and matching headband warping strangely in the probably ancient glass.

Finally satisfied that his muscles wouldn't stage some kind of revolt if subjugated to more strenuous exercise, Gray took a long swig from his water bottle and shuffled his half-asleep body over to the various machines. Kind of staring at them for a while he selected one that seemed like he wouldn't fall off and die and clambered on to start working on his upper back. Surely a strong upper back was what potential partners looked for in a man. Some nice strong back muscles were perfect for flirting, absolutely.

He looked in the mirror and waggled his own eyebrow at himself. Ah yes, he would be an absolute specimen. Just you wait and see.

[mercantilemercenary]

bluewindsofrestoration​:

The armored stranger was speaking. Eirika couldn’t quite ascertain what they were saying, but it seemed to be about pie and ideas. They did not seem to be a threat, at least.

“It is nothing you need to apologize for,” she said calmly. Had this been a servant or knight in her realm, she may have been concerned about their desire to practice sneaking. What sort of life did this person lead, that they wanted to develop that skill? Granted, stealth is a useful skill to have. Life was simpler when I didn’t feel that way, though.

“Is there a reason why you couldn’t simply ask for the pie?” She kept her tone light, not wanting to startle the stranger nor condemn them.

Gray let out an amused snort. “I mean, I could probably ask for the pie. It’s not like I’m a kid hovering at a bakery window, and unless it’s for some fancy party the food from the palace kitchen is free for the taking anyway. But... the spoils of victory tastes better when pilfered.”

He let his head roll in the direction the newcomer’s voice had come from. “I don’t suppose you want to help? I’ll split the pie with you, it’s supposed to be blackberry today. Plus,” he paused, considering. “Thievery is always more fun with friends, even if it is mostly an act.”

[mercantilemercenary]

Pastry Liberation

[mercantilemercenary]

bluewindsofrestoration‌:

Now to where had her brother wandered? The chance to establish diplomatic relations with the royalty of another land had been a welcome break from the reminders of the past dwelling in her own home. Ephraim, of course, kept himself from dwelling on such topics by seeking out the practice yards.

I believe this is the way? Perhaps it would be wise to be distressed by traversing the silent corridors-

Eirika froze at the unmistakable sound of armor hitting stone. Yes, caution would be wise. Her sword was in her sleeping quarters, but Seth had insisted on her keeping a dagger hidden on her person. “The last thing Renais could afford right now would be Your Majesties coming to harm,” he had said.

Words were the weapon she preferred, however. She moved cautiously, but rather audibly, down the hall towards the source of the sound.

The shadow moved closer. With a quiet sigh, Gray sank down onto the ground, letting his armored back clank against the wall. All pretense of sneaking was up and he might as well make himself seem as nonthreatening as possible.

It wouldn’t due to get killed over a fresh pie. That would be embarrassing and a waste of a pie that would cool forgotten in the window while people mourned his untimely passing... unless there was pie at the funeral. Tobin would probably like funeral pie... Gray shook his head. Those thoughts were morbid, even for him. 

The sound of someone moving closer to him brought him fully back into reality. Leaning his head back against the wall, he sighed again, a bit louder. “I don’t mean any harm,” he said quietly. “Was getting some sneaking practice in with pie as my end goal.”

“Doing it in full armor was probably not my smartest idea,” he added with a rueful smile.

[mercantilemercenary]

Nice cream, dog salad (wtf are these names??)

Nice Cream: Are they the type to try to be a better person? If so, how do they do so?

Gray is a skeptical, sometimes harsh individual. He knows this about himself and tries to temper it with jokes and decent behavior but sometimes it slips through the cracks. 

Being a better person is hard work, but he’s up for the task. He’ll get there eventually.

-----

Dog Salad: What kind of food do they enjoy that other people typically find disgusting or questionable?

Gray likes his meat as rare as he can get it, barely seared on the sides and cool in the middle. It’s hard to get out on the road where everyone involved in dinner has a say in the cooking. But when he’s in town? He finds the best inn and orders the rarest thing he can.

[mercantilemercenary]

Monster Candy~? uwu

Monster Candy: Are they the type to stuff their pockets with “take-a-piece” candies when no one is looking? 

-----

No one is in the front office when Gray slouches in, intent on making his delivery and getting out before the rain hits. The big desk where a secretary would normally sit stands empty, ancient computer humming and a large bowl of assorted candies sitting on the corner. He sidles up to the bowl, grinning when he sees the strawberry hard candies with the gooey centers normally associated with grandmas. He picks out a few and pockets them, unwrapping one to pop in his mouth.

He’s halfway through a second candy - butterscotch this time - when another person makes an appearance. They flop down at the desk and start scribbling down notes on some paper.

“It’ll be a little bit before we can load your pallet in, have some candy while you wait. We’ve got coffee at the back wall if you want some.” They gesture at the bowl and wall with a kind of airy distraction.

Gray grins wider. “Don’t mind if I do,” he says as he puts another handful into his other pocket. The receptionist either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care that his cargo shorts seem a little bulky now.

It takes an hour and two cups of coffee before Gray is back out on the road, but at least he has enough sugar to see him to the next town three times over. 

[starlitmemes]

A selection of headcanon questions based around the various items within Undertale! If sent to a multi-muse blog be sure to specify who the question is for!

as requested by @andy-anarchist

Bandage: How high or low is their pain tolerance?

Monster Candy: Are they the type to stuff their pockets with “take-a-piece” candies when no one is looking?

Spider Donut: How stingy are they about food? How about with money?

Spider Cider: What kind of drinks (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) do they refuse to drink? Is there a reason they won’t drink it?

Butterscotch Pie: What’s their favorite dessert?

Snail Pie: Do they have any kind of memory attached to certain foods? Are they reminded of those memories when they eat that food?

Snowman Piece: Do they enjoy traveling? If so, what are some of their favorite places that they’ve explored so far?

Nice Cream: Are they the type to try to be a better person? If so, how do they do so?

Bisicle: What kinds of things can they not get enough of?

Unisicle: Are there any kind of things they enjoy eating but can only consume in small portions? Why is that?

Astronaut Food: What kind of snacks do they prefer to carry on hand if they need to?

Crab Apple: Do they like anything that’s bitter or sour or do they avoid them entirely?

Sea Tea: Are they a hasty sort of person? Do they want instant-gratification or do they not mind a wait or what they want?

Abandoned Quiche: Do they have any comfort foods they turn to on a bad day?

Dog Salad: What kind of food do they enjoy that other people typically find disgusting or questionable?

Instant Noodles: Do they eat any kinds of food in a different manner than it’s usually served?

Junk Food: Are they the type to avoid throwing out food as much as possible?

Bad Memory: What is something that haunts them, something they can’t seem to forget or chase away no matter how hard they try?

Last Dream: What do they strive to achieve in their life at all costs?

Toy Knife: What kinds of toys did they prefer growing up, if any? Do they keep any even now or have they given them all up?

Tough Glove: Are they the sort to put on a tough act or do they crumble easily under pressure?

Ballet Shoes: Do they have any hobbies or passions that are physically demanding in some way?

Torn Notebook: Are they the sort to need to work out their feelings and thoughts through writing or drawing? Do they find meaning in the practice?

Burnt Pan: How well do they cook? Do they enjoy it or do they actively avoid doing it if they can?

Empty Gun: Do they collect any sort of weapons as a hobby? If so, why?

Worn Dagger: Are they good at taking care of tools/equipment or do they tend to neglect or forget to?

Real Knife: Are they skilled with any sort of weapon? Did they pick up the skill for any practical reasons or as a hobby?

Faded Ribbon: Do they like to accessorize? What accessories do they prefer overall?

Manly Bandanna: Do they tend to decorate their things with pins or drawings? What are some of their favorite things to decorate with if they do?

Old Tutu: Are they the type to put effort into their appearance every day or do they only prefer to do so on special occasions?

Cloudy Glasses: Are they a pessimist or an optimist? Or are they somewhere in between?

Temmie Armor: What kind of an education do they have?

Stained Apron: Are they messy when they cook or do they tend to clean things up as they go?

Cowboy Hat: How do they feel about body hair in general?

Heart Locket: What sorts of things do they do for their friends? Do they tend give more than they get for their loved ones?

Locket: Do they have any items they keep dearly because of sentimental reasons? What is it and why is it so important to them if so?

Annoying Dog: Do they have or have they had any kind of pets?

Dog Residue: How well do they handle being around animals, or how they feel about animals in general?

Mystery Key: How often do they keep secrets about themselves from others? Are there any specific reasons they do so or is it just how they are in general?

Undyne’s Letter: What’s their favorite way to communicate?

[mercantilemercenary]

Pastry Liberation

The sweet smell of berries floated town the hall as Gray crept silently towards it’s source. He knew he was welcome to anything in the palace kitchens, but he felt like reliving his childhood and getting some sneaking practice in at the same time. 

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time to don full armor and weapons and sneak into the labyrinthine service halls that riddled the structure.. but now the heat was getting to him and he wanted to stop. At least he had had the foresight to leave his helmet off in case he was caught. Sneaking in full armor could be misconstrued if he wasn’t immediately recognizable. 

He slunk around a corner only to stop suddenly as he misjudged his distance and his arm struck the wall with a metallic “clink”. Aw, fuck. He thought to himself as he heard an answering shuffle from down the hall and watched a shadow appear on the wall.

He froze and wished he could blend into the stone. Maybe then whoever was approaching wouldn’t notice him.

[mercantilemercenary]

Combat Advice

[mercantilemercenary]

dreamsofknighthood‌:

“W-well, well I…”

Forsyth could not control his stammer, and he took a sharp breath to steady himself. Slightly. Just what was Gray implying?

“Of course I would not judge Sir Clive! But he and Lady Mathilda are betrothed… and Python and I are…” He turned away and sighed. “I suppose friendship is a bond all its own. I know how close you are to Tobin. But…”

Everything inside him was fighting now - the side that wanted so desperately to see his friend again, see that tilted grin and that sparkle in his eyes, and the side that feared what would happen should he abandon his duty as a knight. He had worked so hard to get here, and yet everything that was coming from Gray’s mouth made sense. Almost too much sense.

“What would you do?” he asked, looking up at Gray. “Uh… if Tobin left, that is, and you saw him again after all that time. It has been so long since I have seen Python. I… I don’t know if it will be the same.”

Gray didn’t know anything about being apart from Tobin for longer than a few weeks and that was before he’d realized... well, anything. But those few weeks had always been lonely, drawn out ordeals without his best friend by his side, book-ended by days where everything was bright and the same as it had always been.

Gray said as much to Forsyth. “The longest I have ever been away from Tobin was for a couple weeks on my first solo merchant’s expedition for my family. I felt like nothing would be the same when I returned but... there was Tobin, waiting for me with his usual smile. I told him about my trip and he updated me on the local Ram gossip... and it was like we had never been apart.” He paused, considering. “I think a meeting now after a longer time might be a bit more full of backslapping and reconnecting over a drink, but overall probably wouldn’t be much different.”

However much his subconscious might want it to be. He shook sudden images of other more familiar reunions out of his head. No need to dwell on something with little chance of happening.

Gray bumped his shoulder up against Forsyth’s in a friendly nudge (he hoped). “You’ve known Python practically your whole life, it can’t be too difficult to fall into familiar patterns.”

[mercantilemercenary]

//🌧️, 🍩, 💖?

🌧️- favorite thing to do on rainy days?

I really enjoy staying inside on rainy days, but the nature of my families business means I get caught on the road in rain quite often. On days like that my favorite thing to do is find the most sheltered spot I can and wait it out. I whittle to pass the time, but I’m not very good at it and often just end up with sawdust.

At home I can curl up in the window with a warm drink and a blanket. Watching the rain pour down is soothing when you have a roof over your head.

🍩- current mood? 

((OOC - I am addressing this one as if this is post-game and Gray is out on patrol and wasting time answering mail)

Bored. It’s the late watch and everyone is asleep aside from me and the other poor soul that drew the short straw. We’re in fairly safe territory so nothing is bound to happen so I’m stuck here, staring off into the night, until my relief shows up. I can see the first streaks of dawn streaking the horizon so it shouldn’t be long now.

💖- have you ever been in love?

Yeah, a couple of times. But they’ve been people who’s friendship is more valuable to me than anything else. I don’t wanna mess it up.

[mercantilemercenary]

🥀- last time you cried? ~ uwu

I got distracted by Tobin and bit into an onion like an apple. I will never live it down. I tear up just thinking about it.

Other than that I am tough, I am strong, I... saw a puppy last week and it was the cutest Mila-damned thing I’ve ever seen.

[mercantilemercenary]

The Middle of Nowhere is the Middle of Somewhere |Open

[st-cichol]

mercantilemercenary

Sheets of cold rain streamed down from the sky. Gray squinted through the hazy curtain from under the hood of his useless cloak. After an hour of steady rain, no amount of fabric could keep rivulets of water from running down his back and soaking him through.

He shivered and wished, not for the first time, that he had listened to his sister’s advice and taken a covered wagon instead his trusty horse and full saddlebags. Gray knew that somewhere, Tilde was laughing at him.

A flicker of light caught his eye from the roadside and Gray squinted harder, only to be surprised by the telltale dance of firelight. He gently guided his horse over, sliding off to lead her once the road gave way to light forest. She whickered softly and mouthed at his shoulder until he affectionately patted her nose.

“Shh girl, gotta see if they’re friendly first.”

Passing through the trees, Gray came upon a small cave nestled under a rocky outcropping. A figure sat hunched over the fire, warming themselves.

Gray cleared his throat awkwardly, “Hey, mind if I join you? This rain is awfully wet.”

Goddess, what word shall I use to describe such a trusted companion of Seiros? Seteth thought to himself, staring at the page of words he had written, barely illuminated by the light of the fire. Still freshly wet, the ink reflected a soft light, and he tilted the page forward some to better read its contents. He was writing a children’s book, one that detailed the holy work completed by one of the revered saints in simple prose that a child could easily understand. Of course, writing wasn’t the activity that had brought him to travel, nor to his temporarily retreat to the natural grotto that shielded himself and his wyvern from the rain.

His lifted his head, looking to the fire, which crackled languidly before him. The Archbishop had sent him on a mission to investigate some suspicious individuals that resided toward the perimeter of their nation. However, the suspects had somehow learned of his approach, and had fled to a neighboring nation. How dubious their innocence has become. Seteth thought, critical of those who would flee the church. He shook his head. I am grateful that Flayn is safe, with the Archbishop…

The sound of his wyvern releasing a stiff huff brought him his thoughts. He turned, his verdant eyes looking towards the entrance of the cave just as a young man approached. It was clear by his garb that he was a villager, hardly twenty, if that, and soaked to the bone from the rain. By nature, Seteth was distrustful of strangers, but he did not feel particularly endangered by him.

“How foolish you are for travelling in the elements unprepared,” Seteth replied, somewhat aloof, addressing his soaked clothing, “I suppose I have little choice. Come, sit.” He gestured him over to the fire.

[mercantilemercenary]

Gray's face broke into a grin as he dripped his way across the little cave. "I think my sister would agree with you. She told me to take a wagon because she could 'feel the rain in her bones'... Maybe her bones are to be trusted."

He tied his horse just under the lip of the overhang where she could stay dry but not make the whole cavern smell of damp horse, then made his way to the fireside. "Thanks for sharing, I'm sure glad you're friendly. I've had a few less than nice encounters on this road." Rummaging in the pack he'd brought along with him, he pulled out a small waxed cloth parcel full of bread and cured meats. "Want some? Or are you too busy with... Whatever it is you're doing?"

[mercantilemercenary]

//🌟?

🌟- WILDCARD (I chose a memory about water)

-----

Growing up in Zofia, communal bathing was somewhat a staple of society. One would go to the local baths for the latest gossip and the relaxing feeling of warm scented water seemingly seeping all the way into your bones. The bath in Ram was a small wooden structure, with a simple heated tub and a cramped sauna, but it was all Gray had ever known.

It was an easily accessible comfort after long days on the road with his sister, a relaxation after hours of aching in a saddle or on a hard wooden cart. He longed for it now, in the cold far reaches of Rigel. Winter had started to set in and he did not dare go in seek of even a stream for fear of freezing his extremities. Wrapped in his travel blanket he thought of steam rising off the faintly scented water, notes of lavender or sage or other spices. It changed with the seasons and who’s turn it was to stock the baths... he always went for sandalwood but his eldest sister preferred rosewater. 

He could almost smell it now, the wet warmth wrapping around him like a blanket, and as he drifted off to sleep he would have sworn he could hear the echoes of childhood laughter.

[mercantilemercenary]

🌈- A memory about when they first fell in love

Gray doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t feel what might be called love. But the earliest memory he recalls of the feeling is the faintest impression of golden wheat fields and warm sunlight. Laughter drifts in the air, the bright laughter of his best friend, and his stomach flips in a sort of nervous fluttery way he doesn’t yet have words for. He thinks he would do anything to hear that laughter.

He feels that sensation many times over the years, but it takes a very long time for him to realize what it is.