"this is the first day of my life"

he reminds me..... of coffee stains on an old, worn-out desk. disorganized papers spread out on an unmade bed. blankets and sleepy mornings in a cozy apartment. a bottle of wine and a quilt with a good book open in your lap. bookshelves arching high above your head and endless knowledge at your fingertips. the thirst to learn. wanting to feel close. the warmth of a connection. that fuzzy feeling of beard scruff scratching your neck from a lover’s kiss. crooked glasses and nights bent under a desk lamp trying to race through the final pages of a novel. an old thesis that never got completed and the desire to pick it back up again. intelligence in the smallest things. holding hands while wearing mittens. sleepy smiles but rough sex. conversations at 2 am and pulled hair and wrists pinned behind your back. the ways your eyes light up when you finally understand something. needing to show everyone you’re something they think you aren’t. working hard and falling asleep at your desk. the happiness of a family embrace. trusting someone with your life. quiet college campuses and old bars to have a beer at. worn out posters and vintage novels.

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

@ofarrogcnce

                         “Do you really want to interrupt them? We could just go lay down together.” Zacharie’s voice was quiet just trying to pull Miguel back toward their room as the smaller boy led the way down the hall to Blaise and Zade’s bedroom. Ignoring Zacharie, Miguel just reaches for the doorknob his other hand wrapped tightly around Zacharie’s wrist.

                        “They won’t mind.”

                        “You don’t know that.” Zacharie knew that if his brother and Blaise were doing anything, that he wouldn’t take to well to being interrupted.

                        “You’re just afraid you’ll see Zade’s dick.” Miguel insists with a cheeky smile, pushing open the bedroom door and tugging Zacharie inside.

                        “Neither of us are naked,” Blaise’s amused voice broke through the quiet argument Zacharie and Miguel were having. “If that helps at all.” The younger boy giggling before letting go of Zacharie’s hand and crawling up into bed.

                        “Gianni’s not home yet.” Miguel’s voice was quiet, muffled as he shimmied his way closer to Blaise, frowning as he tries nudging Zade over a little before Blaise guides Miguel to lay down on his other side, just kissing the top of his head. “Can we stay here?”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ ❖ james

eros laughed, shoulders shaking with hit, and he pulled his hoodie down. “bit of both? what can i say…i love carnivals and someone up there seems to like me.” a limber finger was pointed upwards, raised up at the clouds above. “yeah it’s cute..take it, really..i have plenty, y’know?” he tugged at a squidgy little paw, making it wiggle in blaise’s face and laughed again. “it’s okay, sorry i hope i’m not being too forward. but really i have so many plushies..it would make my day if you took it.”

Chuckling as he tugged at the squids little foot, smiling warmly as he pulled his hand back. “Well how can I argue with that logic, thank you.” He said brushing some hair from his eyes. “I’m Blaise by the way I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” he added holding out his free hand. “You like carnivals? I haven’t been to one in years, its really nice though, there’s a lot to do.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ ❖ fioria

         —— └ ᴡᴀʀᴍ ʟɪɢʜᴛ, ᴛʜᴇ sᴋʏ ᴀ ᴍɪx ᴏғ ʜᴜᴇs, illuminated the scene: laughing couples, close families, colourful booths where one could lose the contents of their wallet just trying to win stuffed animals that could have easily been bought - it dredged up memories for fioria of growing up and her parents always trying to carve out time for family when an outdoor event arose. nostalgia hit her with the scent of fried dough and these were the times she missed her mother most.

         humming out, she realised that she’d been aimlessly staring ahead.     ‘    i’ve won small stuff before, but never anything big. i don’t actually know HOW you win the big stuff unless you actually just buy it.     ’

“Can you do that?” he mused with a warm smile looking over at the girl standing next to him. “Because as much as it might be fun to win one of those large frogs, I think it might be easier to just buy it mysel you know?” Blaise really loved things like this if he was honest. The air was heavy with the scents of fried food and sugary sweets, and the dull roar of hundreds of conversations happening around you. 

“But that isn’t really in the spirit of the carnival I suppose.” He added after a moment with a short laugh.

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ ❖ zaiden

@lightcnings

Getting on line for the ferris wheel Blaise hadn’t noticed just who was standing in front of him until he heard him complaining to the mirror image that was standing next to him. Of course it was a very small city after all. He shouldn’t of been so surprised that Zaiden and his brother Zacharie were the ones who just happened to be standing in front of him. He almost couldn’t believe his luck but then again it almost felt like fate and Blaise wasn’t in the business of tempted such a fickle mistress. He was waiting for a lull in their conversation, intending to say hello when the opportunity presented itself. But the universe had other plans apparently. 

Zacharie saw someone or something and next thing Blaise knew the younger of the two brothers was gone. Leaving Zade alone and if the frown on his lips was anything to go by in a bit of a mood. “Why not just ride with me?” He offered as they neared the front of the line. Flashing Zade a smile as he leans forward to get his attention. “I would’ve said hello sooner but you and Zac looked like it was a pretty important argument. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ ❖ james

he was met with an unsure, wavering, laugh, trailing off at the edges as james’ mouth twitched in an awkward smile. his arms were full with at least two large stuffed animals and a few smaller ones, an amalgam of bunnies, duckies, bears, and a penguin. “i mean..” he’d been scouring the grounds of the carnival all day and had amassed a rather impressive collection of prizes. “it took some hard work and there was definitely some luck and a little bit of charming involved. why, do you uh…do you want one? i’ve got…here-” he placed the large bunny between his knees to gain better control of his arms as he fished out the plushie in question- a cute red squid. “here. it kinda…looks like you. it’s cute. take it.”

james offered him a smile as well, crinkling his eyes and rounding his cheeks. “you from around here? i feel like i’ve seen you before..”

He hadn’t realized that that person who happened to be standing next to him was holding onto a small hoard of the stuffed animals that Blaise had just been wondering about. Letting out a laugh as he looked over the small collection before turning to face the stranger with a warm smile. “Have you been here all day? Or are you extremely lucky?” He couldn’t help but laugh again as they handed him the plush squid. “Does it?” He asked holding it up to his face, letting the other see them side by side, “I’m not sure I see it.” He laughed before offering the plush toy back.

“Thank you, really but I couldn’t keep it, you won it I don’t want to take that from you.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ ❖ open

Summer had always been on of Blaise’s favorite seasons. He liked spending his time outside, much more of a nature person than he let on honestly. He’d heard of the summer carnival through a few people at the school and since he had gotten out early he had decided to swing by and see what it was all about. The air was bristling with excitement between the booths of food and the crowds of people that seemed be moving in unison. 

With no more papers to grade, and no more classes to teach Blaise bought himself a drink and decided to check out some of the games. Maybe try his luck to win a prize. “So do you think people actually win these?” He asked the person who was standing next to him, just looking up at the various brightly colored stuffed animals that were lining the game booth.  “Or are all the big stuffed animals just for show?”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

zade: there were plenty of times when I almost did

zade: especially during finals week, i couldn't focus

zade: alright, i'll be sure to call you before I head over

blaise: i would have liked to see how long it lasted

blaise: I'll see you later then

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

zade: you don't need to

zade: i've been in your apartment many times, i'm used to the clutter

zade: so 8ish?

blaise: its really not that bad

blaise: i used to think one day i was going to come home and you would have just reorganized everything without telling me

blaise: but yes, 8ish is perfect

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

zade: if that's okay with you?

zade: or would you rather do the whole wine and dine schtick

zade: just say the word

blaise: we're past the wine and dine i think

blaise: you're more than welcome to come by really

blaise: i can even try to clean up a little for you

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

zade: i'll be free after 7:30ish tonight. I'll be in Astoria

zade: so i won't be too far from your place

blaise: i'll be home by then

blaise: do you want to just swing by?

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

zade: why are you teaching it's the middle of june

zade: i have plans later in queens. i wanted to ask if you were free later tonight.

blaise: teaching...proctoring exams... same difference really

blaise: I don't have any plans, when did you want to meet up?

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

└ imessage ❖ zade ┐

blaise: everything alright?

blaise: you called while i was teaching i couldn't pick up

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

describe the person you'd like to date

          “maybe it’s cliche, but I would really love to date someone who’s pretty opposite to me. A little more serious, someone I can have real conversations with about anything at any time.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

‘ tell me one truth and one lie. ’

           “I have a dog, and no I’m not in love.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

‘ describe love. ’

          “Love is when everything you’re doing feel right. It’s something you couldn’t imagine doing any other way or with any other person.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

‘ do you miss anyone? ’

          “I miss my sister at times. Its not the same living so far away from her and not being able to just go and see her whenever I want.”

[ofbibliophilcs-blog]

tell us about someone that's important to you

          “I’m a little homesick, so I’m going to have to say my sister and the rest of my family. They took me in when i was really young and I’ve always felt right at home with them even if I wasn’t a blood relation.”