His names are very literal. He’s not particularly fond of giving names (it’s a hassle). If he has to name something, he at least wants it to make sense to himself.
Donguri / Shiftry* (M)
Literally “acorn” in Japanese ( 団栗 ) because Kid!Zion met him as a Seedot. It was eventually shortened to Don (ドン) when Don evolved from into a Nuzleaf because Zion thought it would be silly otherwise.
Aoi / Riolu (M)
Literally the Japanese adjective for “blue” (碧). Aoi is the only name that is an actual name. Sometimes Zion angrily affectionately scolds him with aho ( アホ ) meaning “stupid”.
Nagasode / Mienfoo (NB)
Literally “long sleeves” in Japanese (長袖), which was what Zion referred to them as. It was later shortened to Naga (ナガ) for efficiency.
Ueki / Sudowoodo (M)
Literally “potted plant” in Japanese ( 植木) because Zion met him as a Bonsly.
Hagame / Turtwig (F)
A literal combination of the Japanese words for “leaf” and “turtle” (葉 + 亀)
Fuurin / Chimecho (F)
Literally “wind chime” in Japanese ( 風鈴)
NOLAN
Names them on a whim with whatever comes to mind, is reminded of or what he finds cool or befitting. Very spontaneous.
Sabre (Sabretooth) / Litten (M)
He has two uneven snaggleteeth protruding from his upper canines so Kid!Nolan thought it would make for a very cool name. Despite this, he promptly forgot about it because it was too troublesome to say the name in full so he shortened it to Sabre.
Princess / Skitty (F)
Nolan couldn’t decide what to call her after he got her and temporarily referred to her as his “little princess”. The pet name soon stuck when Princess decided she would only respond to it and nothing else. She certainly behaved like one.
Lee (Leroy) / Electabuzz (M)
“You look like a ‘Leroy’.” However, Nolan soon forgot about this and started referring him to Lee instead.
Boog / Beartic (M)
Pretty self-explanatory...“booger”.
Lazarus / Camerupt (M)
Named after the Biblical figure, Lazarus who rose from the dead after being buried for 4 days behind a tomb. Similarly, Nolan encouraged Laz to bust out of the cave he was trapped in for over 4 days. He’s the only one on the team who has a truly “meaningful” name.
Baz (Bazooka) / Blastoise (M)
Nolan got him as a Wartortle which he knew could eventually evolve into a Blastoise. Another self-explanatory one.
DAY
Day’s names are not the most...inspired. They are childlike and quite literal (though less than Zion). He tends to pick a most apparent feature and names the Pokemon after it with a ‘-y’ sound at the end because "it sounds cute".
Kirby / Sylveon (M)
Kid!Day named him after his favourite franchise: Kirby. As an Eevee, he was “fat, round and sucks up food”. He even grew up pink.
Mickey / Azumarill (M)
Kid!Day thought it was cute. Also *cough* Mickey mouse *cough*
Pinkie / Clefable (F)
“She’s pink!” — Kid!Day
Benny / Togetic (M)
Day received Benny when he was only an egg. He called the egg “Eggy Benny” after eggs Benedict, deciding to choose between the names after hatching. Eggy if it was a girl and Benny if it was a boy. He probably thought it was punny. He obviously didn’t think it through and is lucky the hatched Pokemon was a Togepi.
WENDIE
Her names reflect her inner self; they are less hardcore than how she tries to appear, feeling softer and sounding pretty and romantic. She names them after what she finds befitting or what inspires her. Spontaneous yet thoughtful (unlike her brother).
Matilda / Skuntank (F)
Kid!Wendie named her after her favourite childhood book/film and character, Matilda
Luna / Ninetales (Alola) (F)
Kid!Wendie thought it sounded very lovely and pretty.
Celestine / Emolga (F)
Named after the feisty, quick-witted mouse from the film Ernest et Celestine. Yet another favourite character and movie of Kid!Wendie’s.
Freya / Weavile (F)
Freya’s name meaning, “lady” is loosely linked to Lady Macbeth whom Wendie looks up to. Mostly, it’s because Wendie thought it sounded and felt right.
Nolan has The Basic Man Aesthetic™. I can't imagine Nolan bothering about appearance beyond basic functionality, although he does find certain ball designs cool. However they are usually too pricey and he’s quite content with his arsenal of standard Pokeballs.
His favourite ball designs include the Great Ball, Ultra Ball and Quick Ball.
He doesn’t care much for seals because he can't be bothered to customise (TOO! MUCH!! EFFORT!!!) He has better things to do.
Princess, his Skitty, came in a special ball – the Premier Ball – when he got her from a specialised breeder. It has a pearly enamel-coated shell. Though he doesn’t care too much about aesthetics, he does care about exclusiveness and with the Premier Ball being a rare, limited edition, he’s happy to have his grubby hands all over it.
Nolan found a Quick Ball and has been saving it ever since for a special Pokemon to capture. However, Boog, who has been stalking following him for several long weeks now, captured himself with it. He chose the ball because he liked it. His self capture completely defeats the use of a Quick Ball, much to Nolan’s dismay.
Sabre — Poké Ball
Princess — Premier Ball
Lee — Poké Ball
Boog — Quick Ball
Lazarus — Great Ball
Baz — Poké Ball
DAY
Day only got into the Pokeball craze after he got his first non-standard Pokeball – the Heal Ball. He didn't know Pokeballs could be different so he was pretty excited about the cosmetic changes. He cares about aesthetics.
Kirby (a Sylveon by then), was on board with changing Pokeballs because he wanted something special too. Vain trainer, vain Pokemon. xD Kirby didn’t want a plebeian ball. So into the newly acquired Heal Ball he went.
Ever since then, Day got into Pokeball collection and customisation. He would seek out special balls in local shops and online so he could find fitting balls to colour coordinate with his Pokemon. Sometimes he would find designs that he thought were very lovely but he had no need for. He would buy them anyway as a gift. He bought a Moon Ball for Jacob’s Lops but Jacob never used the ball.
Over the years, after much extensive searching and saving, he has gotten a Dive Ball for Mickey, a Love Ball for Pinkie, and a Premier Ball (artfully decorated with seals to resemble a Togepi’s shell) for Benny.
Like his other bestie, Ayla, he is a huge fan of seals. They both collect, share and trade and shop for them together, often getting them in a value pack and getting excited over it all. The seals were rarer in their region so they both had to put in a lot more effort to get their seals.
He used to be a little like Ayla who would plaster every inch of her Pokeball with seals (though not as much). He liked trying different combinations and was a big fan of the original Party, Star and Heart seals. His most treasured seal is the rare and exclusive Twinkle seal that releases a shimmering shower of prismatic sparkles upon release.
He and Ayla tried to enter their designs for customisable seal competitions but never won.
Kirby — Heal Ball (with a Twinkle seal)
Mickey — Dive Ball (with a Bubble seal)
Pinkie — Love Ball (with a Heart seal)
Benny — Premier Ball (decorated with seals to resemble a Togepi’s shell)
(*all his balls started out standard but he transferred them after obtaining new balls)
ZION
Instead of gachapon, in this AU, Zion collects Pokeballs (the literal capsules instead of the prize in them ahaha). His great-grandparents did so and he expanded on their collection.
He has one of each kind; special limited editions, rare antiques, collector exclusives, handcrafted treasures and even those no longer sold on the market. One or two date back at least a century and are no longer in production (courtesy of his great-grandparents). I bet he somehow has a Master Ball.
He displays them all in closet shelves in a special room, each with their own display cushion and case that he lovingly maintains every day. He has a strict look-but-don’t-touch policy. ...for himself. Apart from shining and polishing and dusting, that is. He doesn’t let anyone else know of them. They are incredibly valuable.
Of course he doesn’t use any of them. No, all his Pokemon are in standard Pokeballs (when he finally bothered to register them anyway).
Only Furin is in a special ball – a unique Luxury Ball – and that is because she was already in it when she was given to him after his great-grandparents (her owners) passed.
Don — Poké Ball
Aoi — Poké Ball
Naga — Poké Ball
Ueki — Poké Ball
Hagame — Poké Ball
Fūrin — Luxury Ball
WENDIE
You would think Wendie was someone who cared about the aesthetic appeal of her Pokeballs, but no. She thinks seals are tacky and the various ball designs to be gimmicky and gaudy (i.e. Luxury Ball). She prefers the sleeker, simpler and classier designs but wouldn’t necessarily go out of her way to obtain them.
For the most part, special Pokeballs are expensive and harder to come by and she’s much more into function than design.
That said, it’s also why she caught Freya in an Ultra Ball (that she won as a prize).
To keep up with the parallel symmetries, Jacob and Day both got their Pokemon eggs at the same time around Christmas — Jacob, from his mother, Eve; Day from his god-aunt, Noella.
The parallels stop there because while Day was overjoyed and beyond excited to have his own Pokemon egg (and also his last Pokemon, as Aeriel states firmly; albeit resignedly), Jacob was rather reluctant and even dismayed since it was sprung on him as a surprise gift from Eve. He did not like surprises and had no intention on having more Pokemon. But he was too passive to say so.
Lops (an Umbreon by then) being curious and protective of it made him slowly change his mind. When a soft little Buneary hatched, he felt...softer than he thought he would. Confused. Uncertain. He wasn't sure what to expect. If he had to name it, he would say she looked vulnerable. Or maybe he felt vulnerable. Or both. It’s the sudden reliasation that....... “She's going to be part of my life now.” I do think he was thankful it wasn’t a “scary-looking Pokemon” like he’d feared countless times before.
He didn’t think that she was cute cute or not cute. He didn’t feel attached to her like one would assume closeness to a newborn (unlike Day, basically). He didn’t know how to feel about it. He also felt bad he didn’t feel instalove because of Day, Eve, TV, whatever. (Yvonne looked quite indifferent as usual, which reassured him. At least his aunt isn't instaloving.) But when he sees Lops being curious, he feels a bit more.... like he feels like maybe it's not such a bad thing...?? Yvonne's reaction/opinion matters more to him than others. If Yvonne looks like it’s fine, he feels like it’s fine.
He eventually grew to love Mimi.
Even before Lops, he didn’t exactly want to have a Pokemon of his own either like most kids. He just wanted his life with his aunt undisturbed. The thought of being responsible for something scared him. But Day being so enthusiastic and TV propaganda programmes showing how Pokemon love kids made him feel cautiously optimistic/excited about it.
Mimi found Lops familiar and comforting, having been close to him as an egg. She wouldn’t shy away from his touch and occasionally Jacob’s.
---
Meanwhile Day was being the dad he never had; doting, indulgent and so, so sweet on his little baby Pokemon. He was incredibly nurturing and protective of his egg and treated it just like his other Pokemon – he would talk to it, tuck it in, wipe its shell, keep it warm and surrounded by blankets and cushions lol. He was just really excited about it and determined to care the best he could for it. It came very easily to him. (He acts like this for his soft toys when he was a kid, albeit now with more responsibility and practicality)
Kirby also expressed an interest in the egg (though whether or not he was a little suspicious and didn’t want to be left out who knows) and would look after it as well, curling around it while he slept or cradling it with his feelers.
Because of this effusive care, by the time Benny hatched, the little Togepi was familiar with Day’s voice, touch and scent and recognised him instantly. He would be most easily comforted by Day and would wail if he left. Benny was also closer to Kirby than Mickey or Pinkie (who, let’s face it – are basically children themselves) and liked being gently rocked by Kirby’s feelers. He liked to be carried and Day was a bit too overprotective about letting him toddle around at the risk of falling over and hurting himself.
Day is with his mum while she works. He is happily and peacefully playing with his toys when a sudden wild Stufful approaches. Because of how cute and pink and fluffy it was, Day wants to play with it. It seems harmless at first, curious and interested in what Day was doing, making small cute sounds in response. And then Day reaches out to touch and pet/hug it just as Aeriel turns to look.
Instantly, she recognises the Pokémon is agitated and she knows that despite its deceptively adorable appearance, Stufful is a highly dangerous and unpredictable Pokémon capable of sending large, powerful Pokémon sprawling when it flails.
Driven by utter terror, she surges forward and snatches Day up and cradles him against her chest, her body a shield as the Stufful cries out shrilly and flails violently. It slams its forepaws powerfully down against the side of Aeriel's back, knocking her over and she bowls, body curled protectively around Day and a hand shielding his head as she is sent flying.
She cries out in pain but yells for Pixie who is already darting over to distract the Stufful and showers it with a furious Stun Spore. Pixie flits around the distressed Stufful, trying to distract it and luring it away from Aeriel and Day.
(She’s so brave. She immediately turned him away and used her body as a shield, knowing there was no time to get them away)
She tries to get up and cries out in pain but still pushes herself anyway, trying to get Day somewhere safe. By then, some people have heard the commotion and are running out to help. The Stufful's blows were so powerful, they actually fractured a couple of Aeriel's ribs.
Despite her pain, her attention is turned to Day, hushing and soothing and touching and checking to make sure he isn't hurt. Day is crying from shock and fear and he is a little bruised with scratches but Aeriel protected him. Aeriel herself can hardly breathe from the pain but she makes sure Day is okay anyway.
The crisis averted (some people chased away the Stufful with their Pokémon), the adrenaline rushes out of Aeriel’s body and her body starts to process everything and the pain sets in hard. Pixie got injured in the process - she doesn't do battle :C
Day is still clutching tight to Aeriel and it HURTS.
She was asking Day "Are you hurt? Are you okay? It's going to be alright, don't cry, Mummy's here."
Anyway, after that she's sent to the hospital and whatnot to be treated.
And after that she was firmly and emphatically telling Day that he must never, ever touch a Pokemon unsupervised, and that some Pokemon, despite their appearances were very, very dangerous. She was like, "Do you understand?" very seriously and worriedly and Day was all quiet, eyes wide and tearful, scared and nodding. ("I understand," he whispers, voice trembling and waterlogged)
Day was feeling so, so scared and shaken and his mum was there to be brave and strong for him despite her own fear and acute pain. He apologised, saying it was his fault that she got hurt but she soothed and comforted and firmly told him that it wasn't his fault (she blamed herself for turning her back on him)
Ever since then, Day developed a fear for the Stufful line and bear Pokémon in general. (He’s nervous around Boog – especially since how he stares at Day unblinkingly and unwaveringly) He became a lot more careful about approaching Pokemon too.
As Day matures, he becomes more grounded and sensible, not as prone to candid and loud outbursts and displays of excitement. He's a lot more restrained and mild-mannered. Calmer, thoughtful. He acts more adult, basically. But when he's feeling safe and in Nolan's company, the childlike side of him comes out like a sun behind the clouds. The bubbly, bouncy, excitable side of him that he feels more comfortable expressing around Nolan. The pouting, giggling, teasing... I wanted to see it again.
---
It's Day's birthday. Nolan has a surprise for him. He blindfolds and plugs his ears, driving him to a place. "Is this a kinky sex thing?" Day hazarded and Nolan sputtered. He hadn't even thought about that. "No!" He paused, considering. "Unless...you want it to be?"
"No, we're meeting my mom later!" Day retorted, a little scandalised. His face flushed. "Another time, maybe," he added quickly.
Nolan quirked a smile and affectionately pinched Day's cheek. "Mm, that can be arranged. Pervert."
Day's face flushed. "AM NOT!"
Nolan drives him to a house. He is led into a room before Nolan removes the blindfold and earplugs. Day squints and blinks, adjusting to the sudden light. Before him is a pen of golden puppies, furry squirming and wriggling bundles of joy. Day lets out a loud gasp, unable to contain his surprise.
In the pen laid a big, tired-looking Labrador. She wags her tail languidly as if in greeting, a wry expression on her face as her pups clamber over her. Could almost hear the tired chuckle in her expression.
Day swings back to look at Nolan, incredulous, speechless.
Nolan smiles. "Happy birthday, Day."
"No way..." Day breathes. He turns back to the puppies, then back to Nolan again, and then the puppies. "No way, is this for real?" His eyes are wide, shining.
“Yeah, you can pick one out. I've already informed the landlord and as long as we clean up after it and not cause a ruckus, she'll be fine with it. I covered the details with the breeder. They're also weaned and are starting on solid food. You just need to find one that fits you...what's wrong.”
Day, eyes shiny and bright, eyebrows furrowed, full of emotion. Looks like he's about to cry. "Oh, Nolan. You've been planning this? When did you even have the time?"
"I know you've always wanted a dog but Aeriel won't let you so." He shrugs. "It's just us now."
Day beams at him, unconstrained and wonderfully bright. Like a sun emerging from a cloud. It's infectious and Nolan can't help but return the smile. He grabs Nolan and gives him a tight hug.
"This is the best birthday present, ever. Thank you so much," he says, voice muffled against Nolan's chest. "I love you."
Nolan returns the hug, squeezing Day around the waist. “I love you too.” He kisses Day’s hair and releases him, nudging him towards the pen. “Well, don’t just stand here hugging me. Go pick out your present.”
--
"Hello babies!" Day coos. He sticks his hand in the pen and the puppies congregate around this foreign intrusion. Licking and nibbling.
Day opens the pen and the puppies rush out, yipping excitedly. Day crouches down and lets the wave of puppies crest over him. His laugh is bright and clear, like bells. Melodious. It's such a happy sound.
"Oh my gosh, look at their little paws! Their floppy ears and those big old eyes. They are all so cute, Nolan! Let’s adopt them all!."
"Oi. I said just one."
Day stuck out his tongue at Nolan, but the crinkle at the corner of his eyes showed he was teasing.
Nolan watches Day play with the puppies, smiling, arms folded, his expression fond. A single pup that strayed from its pack wandered over curiously and sniffed his feet. Nolan uses his foot to gently push it away but it bounds right back, pouncing on his toes and trying to nibble them.
"That one likes you," Day says. He is cradling two puppies, one of them licking his chin incessantly and another is smushed against his cheek. Two more are scrabbling on his lap.
"Mm, that’s unnecessary," Nolan extends his leg and scoots the puppy further away from him.
“Stop kicking him!” Day protests.
“I’m not kicking it, I’m just moving it with my foot.” Nolan shoots back. The pup keeps returning to nip at his ankles and Nolan keeps trying to fend him off with his foot.
"Aw, don’t mind him,” Day says, more to the puppy than to Nolan. “He’s just a little grumpy guy, isn’t he?”
“Oi.”
“Come here," Day coos, ignoring Nolan. He extends a hand, tapping at the ground and wriggling his fingers. Distracted, the puppy waddles over to Day and nips at his fingers playfully before rolling on its back, batting at Day's hand. Day laughs. "Nolan, look! He's just like Princess!" (nolan's old cat) “You have to admit, this one’s really cute.”
Nolan stares at the puppy, blissed out on the ground with its tongue lolling out and tail wagging. “Yeah, I guess.”
Day rubs the puppy’s belly. "Are you really okay with this? I thought you didn't like dogs."
"I don't," Nolan agreed. "They're noisy, smelly and stupid."
Day covers the puppy’s ears, gasping, scandalised. "Nolan!"
Nolan smirks. “But you love them, and I love you,” he says. “Besides you’re the one who has to look after it.”
They chatchat. Suddenly one of the puppies (the same one that keeps harassing Nolan) let out a shrill howl. Nolan instantly drops down and checks on the puppy. “What? What is it? Is it ok? I swear I didn’t step on it.”
Puppy just cried for attention lmao. Nolan strokes it and lets it lick his fingers.
“And you said you didn’t care about dogs,” Day says smugly.
Nolan glances up and shoots Day a look. “Yeah, but I didn't say anything about not having a heart.” He picks up the puppy, holding it by the armpits as its paws dangle down. “This bugger’s like you. Crying for attention.”
“Rude! I don’t do that!”
--
Day brings back puppy. Puppy cries at night. Day wants to bring puppy to bed but Nolan is not allowing that ("No, Day, we are NOT letting the dog in our bed. It’s going to shit the bed."). Day sulks but goes to try and put the puppy to bed. After several long minutes, Nolan is about to doze off but notes that Day hasn't come back.
Confused and yawning, he goes out and sees that Day is lying on the floor, cheek against his arm. He's fast asleep with his hand extended to the puppy who is now snoozing with its face in his hand. "Idiot," Nolan murmurs affectionately. Day's back is definitely going to hurt tomorrow.
He goes to the bedroom and retrieves a pillow, carefully stuffing it beneath Days head and covers him with a blanket. He stares down at them, scratching his back. Well, he certainly wasn't going to join them on the floor. But he crouches down to kiss Day's hair. "See you in the morning." Day doesn't stir but makes a soft happy sound in his sleep.
Context: This is after they bump into each other again in a shared work-type project (idk what it is dont ask me) over a decade after not seeing each other since high school.
By this time, Nolan is way more mature and chill and no longer at war with his sexuality and Day is more sensible and grounded. However, it is during pivotal moments in both of their lives that they cross paths once again (because it made them leave home). Nolan sees Day again and he's like..no way… (they left on not great terms) so he sees it as a chance to kinda..make up for the past. Meanwhile Day's not having a good time cuz of his personal issues and seeing Nolan just kinda triggered some of them...
Day can't help but be suspicious about Nolan’s behaviour, treating him all friendly and gently. After all the rejection and betrayals he feels like Nolan is just winding up to jump on him when he's more unaware. In his insecurity and distrust, he can't help but see shadows in people. This is what sabotaged many of his past relationships. Him being evasive and compliant and afraid of stirring up any conflict, his bfs misunderstanding him and getting upset when they find out how he really feels. They accuse him of leading them on or not caring or thinking about what they need. Anyway it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy with him behaving in a way that made people unconsciously feel that he wasn't really there with them.
He experiences this same suspicion and distrust with Nolan, obviously. He plays along, friendly, amicable and open, but he’s really just waiting for the gotcha.
--
One day, after Nolan asks him out again, he suddenly explodes, demanding, "What do you want from me?"
A confused Nolan is ...well confused. And as a knee jerk reaction, instantly annoyed and defensive at Day's tone. "Huh? What do you mean what do I want? I just wanted to know if you were free this weekend."
“Of course, that's all you want, isn't it? Just to know if I'm available when it suits you.”
“What are you talking about?
Day says smth unreasonable and hurtful.
"You said things were ok. You said we were OK! What, were you lying this whole time? Pretending that you were good with me?"
At that, all the bottled up anger, hurt and pain spilled out of Day and he lashes out. "Lying? Lying? I'm the one who's being lied to by everyone. You just want to hurt me, just like everyone else!"
This hits Nolan hard. He thought he'd been atoning, proving to Day that he was sorry for the past, that he had changed. He can't help but feel angry and wronged and when he responds, his voice is louder than he intended it to be. " What are you talking about? I've done nothing but care about you this whole time! You're the one who's been acting all strange and shifty but I’ve said nothing of it.”
But Day isn't listening. All his pent up emotions are spilling out of him.
"That's what they all say at first. They tell you they care about you, they love you, you can count on them, that they will never lie to you and that they understand. But it’s all lies. Everyone lies.”
His voice rises. “You think you know someone your whole life, and you care so much about them and you know they'll never lie to you, never hurt you. Then when you least expect it, a whole damned twenty years down the road, you learn that they've been lying to you all your life. Let me believe in lies like a fool. Am I just a fool to you too? Someone you can toy with? Because Day is stupid and will believe in anything?"
Nolan is taken aback and starting to feel very angry at these accusations. Where were they coming from? This wasn't fair.
"Why are you saying this?" His voice low and tight.
“You're no different from the rest of them. You come in here, acting like you care, like you're different, but you're not. You're just like all the others. Everyone's hiding something. People you think you know...they are the ones who hurt you the most.
Nolan: (flinches) Day, that’s not…
Day: (interrupting, voice raised) No, you don't get it! You don't get any of it! You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to find out that my whole life has been a damn lie?
You think you know someone, you think you can see into their heart, but it's all a facade. You have no idea, Nolan. It’s fine if everyone else lies to me but…but not her. You have no idea what it's like to discover that the one person I thought I could trust has been lying to me my whole life! I don't…I don’t know what to believe in anymore."
His voice breaks and he coughs. His breaths become ragged as he struggles for air, trying to stop himself from crying but failing as the tears fall unbidden. His hands fly to his face, flushed and mortified. He frantically wipes his tears but they can't stop flowing and he can't stop gulping as sobs leak out of him. “Fuck”.
Nolan's anger is temporarily forgotten. Suddenly he got the feeling Day wasn't just talking about him anymore. He never thought he'd see Day cry again. He never wanted to. Never wanted to be the cause of it again. His annoyance vanishes, quickly replaced with concern. He takes a step forward and reaches a hand out, unsure of what to do, but wanting to help.
"Hey,..is everything alright? I'm sorry I upset you. Whats wrong?"
Day backs away from him, wiping his face. When he speaks, all the ferocity in his voice had melted away, leaving him suddenly seeming very small. His eyes were liquid, trembling.
"No.. no it's not you. I'm sorry I'm just.." Another unbidden sob wracks through him, cutting him off with a violent cough.
Nolan closes the gap between them, holding Day steady. He gently rubs his back. His brow is furrowed deeply with concern. "Hey, hey," he soothed. "Breathe, alright? Just take a deep breath...Youre hyperventilating. "
At Nolan’s touch, Day can't help but feel comforted. He falls into a crouch, trying to compose himself and even out his gasping breaths, as Nolan continues rubbing his back in silence. But the gentleness only made him cry more.
Day crouches on the pavement, hunched over with his hands covering his face. "Why are you being so nice to me? I don't understand." He finally said.
“I care about you. I know you’re finding it difficult to believe after…well after everything that happened between us. And it’s my fault. I'm sorry I hurt you, Day. I really, really am. I can't tell you how much I regret my actions back then. I was an idiot and an asshole. I didn't treat you the way you deserve to be treated, and it has haunted me all these years.
“But I don't want anything from you, honest. I just want... (he hesitates, searching for the right words, considering them.
“I guess that's not completely true. ...I want to make things up to you. I want to repent. I know that's selfish of me. But it's more than that.
I want to be a part of your life, if you'll let me.”
I don’t care if you never forgive me. I genuinely care about you, Day. I really do. I'm sorry I've made it so hard for you to believe in that.”
Day considers his words, the tension heavy in the air.
“You never used to apologise,” he said, finally.
I'm sorry I shouted at you.
No, it's fine. I deserved it anyway. It’s been a long time coming.
No you didn't. I..I lost myself. I shouldn't have taken it out on you.
After the talk and Day's sobs quiet into sniffles and then silence...Nolan finally steals a glimpse at Day.
His face was blotchy and tear streaked. His lashes wet and his eyes red.
There was a heavy shadow over his face, a sadness and tiredness so deep it hid in the bags of his eyes and stole the crinkle from his smile. So startlingly uncharacteristic of the smiley, sunny facade he always had on, Nolan couldn't help but feel his heart squeeze and his stomach twist. He'd never seen Day so distraught.
He turns his gaze back at the scenery, giving Day privacy. After a moment of silence, he asked into the night sky.
"So what's really going on with you? Something upset you and it wasn't just me."
In the silence that followed, he hastily added, "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I just want you to know I'm here for you. As long as you'll have me. But if you want me to leave you alone, I will.
Silence. Then a quiet voice. ,"I don't want that."
"Okay. Then I won't go."
More silence.
"You don't hate me?"
At this, Nolan can't help but turn to look at Day, incredulous.
"Day, why would I hate you? If anything, you’d have reason to hate me."
More silence. “I don’t hate you.” (he’s surprised at his own statement when he realises it’s true)
“I don’t hate you either.” Quite the opposite, actually, he thinks, but chooses to keep that to himself.
"I know I've been difficult lately," he whispered, still not looking at Nolan. He clutched himself tighter.
After more silence and a long trembling breath, he finally says:
"My dad's alive."
It's as if he'd uncorked a wine bottle snd everyone was just spilling out. Talked about how he saw Aeriels reaction, how she lied to him, how he couldn't talk about this to anyone, how his father etc...
When it finally came out, he felt exhausted. Spent like a deflated balloon. His chest hurt but at the same time it felt lighter than it had in months.
Nolan listens quietly. When Day is done he continues to stay silent, brows furrowed and fingers intercrossed against his mouth. Finally he says, "That's a lot for you to handle. It must have been difficult for you to learn all that in the way you did."
Day nods, head against his fists. He's so tired now.
“Is that why you left?”
Day nods.
“What about your mom?”
Day buries his face in his knees. “I don’t know. I feel so confused about her now. I never thought she’d lie to me.” His voice wibbles again.
“What about your dad? Do you know anything about him?”
etc...goes on like this with Nolan unknowingly helping Day unpack/explore how he feels about everything by asking helpful questions
After everything Day sniffles and murmurs, “Thank you for listening to me. I really couldn’t talk about this to anyone”
Nolan doesn't know what to say. It's a lot to take in. And he finally understands Day's words. But he had no words of comfort. No platitudes to offer. So he decides to do something he rarely does. He sharees something vulnerable about himself
"I kind of know what you mean.” He steels himself. “I found out my sister's alive too."
At this, Day can't help but turn to look at Nolan, surprised. "I didn't know you had a sister," he said.
"Twin sister."
At this, Day's curiosity sharpens. Now he has his attention. Nolan gives him a wry smile, feeling the tiredness settle into his bones once more as he peers into the box he'd locked the infernal issue away in.
After he shares, Day is quiet processing. He heaves a deep sigh, and his head lolls slightly to the side, resting against Nolan. "Things suck for us both right now huh?"
"Hah. Tell me about it."
-
After all that Day passes out from emotional exhaustion, much to Nolan’s shock. He couldn't find the keys to Day's dorm so he carried him back to his room, gently placed him in his bed and went to sleep on the very uncomfy couch. Before he left he stared at Day curled up in his bed and felt his heart tug in a weird, twingy way. Almost like longing. But he brushed it off. It made him sad to see Day so vulnerable and distraught. Considers patting his head and then thinks better of it.
When Day wakes up, he is disoriented and suffused in Nolan’s scent, unconsciously finding it comforting and pleasant. Safe. And then he realises where he is and jerks up in fright. He sees that nolan is some ways away from him, splayed out on a couch too small for him and pieces together what could have happened. He remembers his outburst and breakdown (embarrassing, guilty). But he also remembers Nolan’s gentleness and steadiness and isn't too sure what to make of it. His heart tugged too but he didn't want to acknowledge what made it so.
Speaking of ocs, I wanted to mention it was interesting that in the noday reunion fight/talk, Day was so unlike his usual self, very paranoid and distrustful, seemed a bit withdrawn even. Goes to show how much stress he's under lol
YEAH I was kinda weirded out by that. But I think it made sense. I'm glad you picked up on the withdrawn part actually! I imagine him being a lot more subdued and he's still outwardly cheery and friendly but…anyone who knows him would see that his smile never reached his eyes and his friendliness was hollow (like a default setting). Inside he's hurting, angry, confused, guilty and deeply disillusioned because his mom had always been like a paragon of "goodness" to him. He saw her like an angel. To have that…ripped away in an instant really shook his world. I mean he even left her to go on this trip-thing. Despite her pleading for him not to leave. And he hasn't really kept in contact with her. It's all very unlike Day. Didn't help that he had no one to talk to about this so it kinda festered in him, and the more he introverted, the more those feelings of distrust and wariness grew. ..and then his ex showed up. Which was kinda like the last straw (over the first last straw)
I was thinking about the power of names. It's such a powerful acknowlegement of a person. And what they choose to identify themself as…is so..telling somehow. I was just thinking about how Day…we always call him Day. But his actual name is "Daymond" (like if you really think about it, it's so weird xD) and he does respond to it but usually in official/formal settings. But even then he doesn't fully relate to it. He prefers Day because it's more casual, it's lighter, friendlier and happier. Also cuz that's what Aeriel called him by, mostly.
Made me wonder about an AU where he doesn't choose that. Like what would've happened to him to make him feel so differently enough he never thinks about keeping that nickname? Interesting stuff. Do you have any thoughts on stuff like this?
If he didn't have his mom growing up and was not allowed to explore his sensitive, social and carefree side. Like in an AU where his developmental years pushed to be more closed off, serious, distrustful and cynical..he would probably just go by Daymond.. Granted I am also thinking of like a polar opposite of his upbringing which was full of nurture so it's a little extreme. But I could see that. A Day that learns that emotions are shameful. He'd definitely rely a lot more on his Ti I think. Kinda resentful and wounded with fake smiles and platitudes..but not knowing who he is and not liking it. His relationships would he hollow because he can't really trust or be vulnerable. Ok this went beyond a name and I just came up with an AU him lol
Tomodachi Life him was more faded. He was also trans in that one which gave him depression because he didn't know how and why he was feeling the way he was and had no one he could turn to or trust… Also little socialisation and was isolated. Which apparently turns him into smth like a ghost since he spends too much time in his head.
Nolan kind of the same tho….. like his base is pretty the same…he just either gets more angry/violent vs calmer/chill…the duality of nolan is pretty simple lmfao.
Nolan's core personality is just quite steady. Even when he has growth and maturity he doesn't change that much. Less affected by external influence vs Day.
It's basically Fi vs Fe. Nolan by nature has a more defined sense of self. Even with the best nurture, Day took a long time to understand who he was separate from everyone too…only mid-20s.
text conversation discussing my OCs Day/Aeriel/William’s relationship/family dynamic
[6:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: This makes me want to explore Days relationship with his absent dad
[6:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Cuz like surely that bothered him to some degree right
[6:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Always just took it at face value
[6:34 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I feel like she told him the stork delivering babies story and he's like "my daddy is a stork?" And she's kinda like sure and for a long time he was satisfied with that cuz he had this imagination if his origins and everything. When he told other kids they laughed or found it fascinating
He probably believed it for a long time before some kid when he's older mocks him for it
[6:36 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She would rather tell him his father is dead or never existed than for him to know that he was a bastard child unwanted by everyone in her life except her
[6:36 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Day didn't know about her past at all
[6:36 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that makes a lot of sense
[6:37 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: does he know his father is still alive?
[6:37 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Also because Day was friends with Jacob at an early age, it became normalised to him that not all kids had nuclear family
[6:37 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: ohhh that makes sense
[6:37 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: teenage day i mean
[6:37 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: So he didn't really question it. Probably thought Jacob was a stork baby too
[6:38 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Cuz eventually he knows stork babies aren't a real thing x'D
[6:38 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah man
[6:38 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: he doesn't seem like he won't ask later on
[6:38 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: unless aeriel says the dad is dead or sth lol
[6:39 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: does aeriel tell him his middle name is after his dad?
[6:39 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Probably also thought the stork carried the wrong letter/name that's why Jacob was previously a girl and had a different name
[6:39 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Aeriel probably told him this lmfao
[6:39 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She also illustrated storybooks of the stork concept so it probably seemed very real for day ad a kid
[6:40 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I'll have to think about all these questions xD
[6:41 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Omg he probably asked to see the letter and it's actually just his birth cert
[6:52 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Aeriel doesn't want Day to ever think/know that
1. He was a bastard child
2. Neither of his grandparents or father wanted him
3. The only "support" she was given was meant to be used to abort Day
4. She cut ties with her family and ran off on her own to raise him
5. Will was not a good person
6. Will did not love him
so I think she lied to Day and eventually told him that his father was dead
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: omg
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i want to make it so Day does find out it's a lie and I think it's going to be absolutely devastating to him to realise his mother lied to him
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: omg...
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: omg do you want the drama
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: wow oof
[6:54 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: he asked because he wanted to make sure they got him right too cuz what if he was actually a girl and his name was something else lmao
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: omfg...
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: is aeriel avoiding thinking about this topic herself?
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: shE IS
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: no wonder
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she was very relieved when Day bought the stork story and she thought she never had to deal with it again
[6:55 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: but what about when he was a teen tho
[6:56 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: oh she told him that his father was dead
[6:56 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah i think he learns that in like..maybe middle school or smth ...really late xD he bought into the stork theory for a long time (like how my sis lowkey believed in the tooth fairy )
[6:56 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: hahahaha
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: by then he was older and the death concept made things click for him
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: it's very cool how in the family dynamic, whatever happens with the parent really has an effect on the child
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: right!!
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Wow
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Would he want to know a date or the grave?
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i hate it!!! because i see it reflected in me!! xD
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: To visit?
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: omg you're right he would...........
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: fuckin Aeriel digging herself a hole
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Like how parent affects child?
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: It's like the eve/yvonne/Jacob situation hahaha
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she probably lied the whole fucking way for years oh jesus
[6:57 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Because I would lol
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah...........................
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: This is totally a disaster waiting to happen HAHAHA
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: The drama omg
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: it is omg
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: By the way, you should write this down lol
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but ...i cant see her telling him the truth when he was so young
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ....i will xDDDDDDD ill compile the chat lol
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: it's also too fresh for her and she doesnt want to deal with it
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes sense for sure
[6:58 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I was just wondering how she deals with it when he's older
[6:59 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Is day sad that his dad is 'dead'? And he vists the grave and everything?
[6:59 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: imagine they bump into Will and Aeriel just goes rigid and Will looks at her and is like "...Flo?" and he sees Day and his eyes widen even more and he's like "Is that?" and Aeriel is like GTG
[6:59 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Because I can totally see that lol
[6:59 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: HAHAHA
[6:59 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: OOF
[7:00 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: oh my god Aeriel probably told him they couldnt visit the grave or anything cuz it's really far away (which is true, she did leave the area) so they made like a makeshift one in the backyard (.........wonder how Aeriel feels about that fucking smh)
[7:00 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oh my god.......
[7:00 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I'm dead
[7:00 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but then Day probably tried to save up tickets so they could all visit and stuff
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Day would treat it very seriously right?
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah omg
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: How does Aeriel feel about that lol
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: increasingly horrified lol
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she's really forced to confront this
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i think she breaks down
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I mean....
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Ooof
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: and Day stops after that because he realises he's upset her
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: so after a certain age he stops bringing his dad up
[7:01 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Aeriel..........
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: like he learns that it's a taboo subject
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I need to bathe but keep this coming
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: jesus i never thought about this ahahaha
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I NEED TO EAT
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: It's the same feeling as watching a train wreck
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: im like..oh god i cant look away
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Please write all this up omg
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Day is a super curious child though like there's no way he'll stop badgering her about it
[7:02 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah
[7:03 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She just keeps deflecting and distracting him
[7:03 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: And he's emotional and he would hold on to stuff like that
[7:03 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Is he sad when it's fathers day and he's older and thinks his dad is dead?
[7:03 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: He'd probably want to know the death date right... Would she make it up too? Omg
[7:04 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: like with the stork theory, she bought years of time xD cuz Day would just draw his own stories and make up what his "dad" was like and ask his mum if they could visit the Storkland or if he can fly and all that and his own imagination basically filled in whatever gaps there were and kept him busy and satisfied for a while
[7:04 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Hahahahaha
[7:04 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oh gosh
[7:04 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: She's literally just like holding him off
[7:04 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ....YEAH..she's sentimental so I feel like the date would have either been his actual birthday or the date they split up
[7:05 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: How does she feel about it herself?
[7:05 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Like is it that she can't accept that this is what happened with Will?
[7:05 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Like I'm just curious what's motivating her avoidance
[7:05 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: OOF
[7:05 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Day is living a lie and mourning a lie... I'm dead 🤣😐
[7:06 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: teenage Day probably did a lot of his own research actually.......he wants to know more about this elusive father whom Aeriel never talks about. She only says stuff like "he's kind/good/gentle" etc and omits everything else. And when Day asks if she thinks he would have loved him too it fucking shoots her in the heart like an arrow
[7:06 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I'm going to bathe but this is such a train wreck omgg
[7:06 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: kids man
[7:06 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: OOF
[7:07 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: If Aeriel never really dealt with it, it makes sense with how she went from being under her parents control to being Day's mom
[7:07 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: It's heartbreak. I don't even know what it's like to feel heartbreak like hers to be completely honest. She literally lost everything and became deeply disillusioned with the world for a bit. She couldn't believe Will would have treated her the way he did and she...couldn't really make peace with it. I wonder if she ever shared this with anyone...like Noella or someone. Idk yet.
[7:07 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: In a way with having to bring up Day, she doesn't have the free time to think about it? I guess?
[7:08 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Ohhhhh
[7:08 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes a lot of sense. She loved him right?
[7:08 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She just avoided thinking about it as much as she could because she couldn't even come to terms with it herself. Overtime it became easier to just keep throwing blankets on it
[7:08 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I can't see her sharing this with anyone right now
[7:08 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes a lot of sense
[7:09 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: thats' why when Day presses her she breaks down because it hits too close to home, all her fears and heartache and bitterness and confusion and a deeper sense of "what have i done/am i doing this right/was i not good enough"
[7:09 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: and she has no time for that
[7:10 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She definitely becomes ...different when you mention Will. Her whole demeanor shifts and I think it probably scared kid Day so he just learnt not to bring it up
[7:11 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: he knows his dad's name though. "William". And he's like :D that's my name too!
[7:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oof...
[7:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oh man
[7:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Our characters really made me realize that a perfect parent doesn't exist
[7:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: No matter how good your intentions or what kind of person you are
[7:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Hahaha I can definitely see Day like that
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Are you going to explore this more?
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I dont think Aeriel herself knows how she feels about Will. It's such a mix of so MUCH that she can't really ...think about it for too much. It reduces her to tears and I feel like it's smth she needs to talk to someone about to process it
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: This is so interesting
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah man
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oof...
[7:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Is this why she threw herself wholly into raising Day? I mean, of course she loves him and she left everything for him
[7:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: But it's also a convenient reason to not have to think about all this
[7:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Or to think about romance or connecting with people in that way
[7:22 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Now that I think about it, she doesn't have many connections other than Day right? It seems like she never seemed very close to Noella though Noella is super friendly. Did this affect how she is unconsciously closed off to any new person or resisted having new connections? She has trust issues. She feared Noella wanted to take Day from her
[7:22 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Sorry for the questions lol, I was just thinking about how it might affect her
[7:22 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: NOOO THE QUESTIONS ARE VERY GOOD
[7:23 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I just realized she really has no friends
[7:23 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: YEAH OMG....she just made him her whole world and ...well yes it's like it's her responsibility and everything but she could always say she didnt have time to deal with herself because Day. Like Day became her excuse too
[7:23 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Like not in a judgy way but the only strong connection she has in her life is Day
[7:24 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: YEAH I definitely see that in her
[7:24 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I do think she has a friend group! But idk how much she....yknow, goes out and shit.
[7:25 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: This explains why you said her life was like being under her parents control, and then raising Day and she never really explored her own interests and all that
[7:25 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I mean the timing is unavoidable but it also makes sense that there wasn't another self-exploration part to it
[7:25 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Ohhh that makes sense!
[7:26 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Idk why she always struck me as having her whole life revolving around Day
[7:26 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: She wanted to keep Day close to her...kinda like how her parents kept her close to them omg
[7:26 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but also because of how her parents were so overbearing, she gives Day way more freedom too
[7:26 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes a lot of sense
[7:27 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but more unconciously, it also supplies the reason why Day doesnt feel comfortable leaving her for too long
[7:27 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah man
[7:27 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: It explains the very subtle codependency
[7:27 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: dang it goes deep
[7:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: She does have more time for herself after day goes to school and all that
[7:31 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she does! i see her opening up more then but at the same time...
[7:31 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: idk i vibe with her in my current condition except hers is way deeper ._.
[7:32 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she had a thorn festering deep in her and she never pulled it out. Just kept bandaging over it and ignoring it until it looks like it's scabbed over
[7:32 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: that's years of pus and decades of deeper trauma she never addressed
[7:33 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i dont even know what the deal with her family is
[7:33 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: did they disown her? did they look for her? she was the one who ran away so maybe this whole time they were looking
[7:35 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: because i have this feeling that if she shows up again, yes her parents will be critical and angry but also ....happy to see her? and even Day? they might even feel guilty about the whole situation? Esp when they see what kind of person Day is
[7:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oof
[7:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah man
[7:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Are you gonna explore her past?
[7:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: It seems like it's a big part of how the whole situation with Will plays out
[7:41 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oh wow... Its even weirder when you think of them as Day's grandparents
[7:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: very true...perhaps i shall xD
[7:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: it's a hard topic
[7:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she doesn't let me in so it's harder to know
[7:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ikr
[7:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: idk how i'll feel if i lived scraping by and suddenly learnt that actually my entire extended family that i didnt know is RICH
[7:44 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: and they partially had a hand in my situation
[7:44 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: bound to feel...squirmy
[7:51 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: lmao i was thinking that if Day seemed a bit distant and off due to this, he'll still be all smiley and jokey with his friends and i think most people won't even realise he has such a big issue as this in his life at the time
[7:55 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I feel like when Aeriel finally tells Day the truth, he doesn't have the space to process it because he's more focused on supporting his mom because of how clearly deeply upset she is about it
[7:56 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: He doesn't think about how HE feels about it, just how she is taking it and how she is feeling
[7:56 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: It'll probably catch up to him after when his friends ask him about his feelings and he has to confront them too
[7:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but I have a feeling he's very shaken at the fact that she lied to him because he always trusted her 200%
[7:57 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: for so long too
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah gosh.... That's messed up
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Omg
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Aww
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes sense with his personality
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Oof
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Yeah omg
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: And about something so big
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Would that affect his rs with her?
[8:09 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Aeriel wanted to shield him from the knowledge because she believed that him knowing would damage something in him (projection) and she never wanted him to feel anything less than loved and cherished. Kid!Day might have struggled with it, because he was a kid. But teen him is more understanding. I think he would have been hurt, yes, but more than anything he would have been moved by her love for him. To him, it didn't matter so much that these faceless people didn't choose/want him, because his mom did. So does his aunt and friends and everyone so like...these people he never even met not choosing to love him meant way less than that.
[8:10 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: That makes sense. I like how Day sees it. And I can definitely see why Aeriel shielding it was because she thought he would react the same way as her
[8:11 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I think so... it has to. But I think they patch things up a lot quicker than my other ocs
[8:12 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Definitely, they had a strong foundation and they're both attuned to each other
[8:12 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: But wow their relationship never had anything rocky before
[8:12 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I think it's gonna the first real instance Day realises his mom isn't infallible and it's gonna shake his world
[8:12 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: and he's going to see more and more of it as he grows
[8:12 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I was gonna ask that omg
[8:13 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: Like it's part of growing up to realize your parents are human and fallible
[8:13 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: And he never really had that
[8:14 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but he has a lot of compassion for her so I dont think he has ever blamed her. But he starts seeing that she's not perfect and it grounds him a bit. Like this whole time he thought, one could...BE perfectly kind/good/etc everything that he values and honors. It's a bit scary for him to realise that that isn't real
[8:14 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: probably has a bit of a existential crisis
[8:14 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: this sounds unintentionally funny hahaha
[8:14 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: aww yeah i can definitely see that
[8:15 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: wow this is making him grow a little too
[8:15 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ikr hahhaa
[8:15 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i wonder when this happens for him
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that's what i was thinking
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: like what the timeline is like
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: his Nolan saga is already very emotionally draining i dont think he can handle both happening at the same time lol
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: so probably not then
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but i feel like it's at a similar age range yknow
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: maybe a little older? i guess i'll have to fiddle with it
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah that's what i was thinking too lol
[8:16 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: and it's not like aeriel can be there for him during the nolan saga if she has this going on
[8:17 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: so is day still going overseas?
[8:17 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: HONESTLY I DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE THE NODAY SAGA WILL GO. Cuz last I checked, Nolan finally opened up to him after they broke up and Day was already resolute in staying away from hm. They kinda just stopped contacting each other after that
[8:17 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: ohhhh
[8:17 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i always assumed they met each other again in happenstance when they were older and it's awkward af
[8:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i can't remember the noday details except that there was a lot of back and forth until they finally got together
[8:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: ohhh
[8:18 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: actually the whole thing with my struggle with [redacted] has made me kinda wonder if NoDay would even happen lol....... (too real) like...they have so much history and unpleasant stuff ...like why would they end up together and not with others
[8:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: oof
[8:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i think sometimes your current situation colors things
[8:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: definitely my history with you made me really disbelieve in childhood friend tropes (ironically when i read bkdk and iwaoi) buuut things can change and it's just your situation
[8:19 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah... noday shouldnt make me sad lol xD their back and forth is so annoying but i understand WHY also so...sometimes its just messy
[8:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: omg what are childhood friend tropes..
[8:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: there is a lot of back and forth, i remember
[8:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i'm gonna sound very cynical, but just the fact that childhood friends can turn out healthy was very hard to believe to me lol
[8:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Day was the one who cut it off!! good boy!! and Nolan was wracked with guilt and shame
[8:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: like iwaoi/bkdk and i read a few other ships with the childhood friends turned lovers and i was soo not buying it at the time hahaha but yeah things can change i guess
[8:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: he needs that man
[8:21 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: xD I see... thank you for sharing
[8:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i read some bkdk where it happened similarly
[8:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: they separated for a while
[8:24 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Nolan approached him to apologise but Day never continued engaging with him and Nolan didn't feel..like he could. So they just...yeah went off separately for a good period of time. I think when they met each other again, the old flame rekindled and they were pretty awkward about it but Nolan in particular was ...way more of what he wasn't back then. I'm just surprised Day wasn't in a relationship. Or maybe he was? But didn't work out? Idk. I know Nolan avoided relationships after. So yeah idk. It feels too real in a personal way so I don't think about it ._. which frustrates me but here we are
[8:27 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: actually if I think about it, Day was probably afraid to realise he had feelings for Nolan again because it felt very similar to the past ._. Feels like trauma man xD
[8:27 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: OOF
[8:27 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that sucks that you can't find comfort in it and it reminds you too much of your situation
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i think they can work out though
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah man...they were supposed to be my COMFORT ship
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: though maybe it's hard to work on that now
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah... ooof
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that really sucks
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: (nodsnods) yeah.. kinda interesting tho to realise that this time Day is the one who's wary of his feelings
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: like it's flipped
[8:28 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that makes sense
[8:29 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i mean he was all in and he got hurt a lot
[8:29 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: back then when things got too like....invested, Nolan would backpedal. Now it's Day who gets uneasy if he finds himself getting too close.
[8:29 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: love that yvonne/eve contrast lol
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: ahh i like the parallel
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: you said that nolan was forced to woo day
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i like that it flips
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Never thought I'd see the day Nolan is unabashedly wooing Day huh.. I mean i had an idea but I didn't realise it was so....like..it has to be a very deliberate effort
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: rather than a subtle thing
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: OMG
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i think it's good though
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: THAT YVONNE/EVE PARALELL I LOVE
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: it's a bit like making up for what he did in the past
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: right omg
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ODETTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
[8:30 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: in mbti terms they are total opposites
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: OMG so cool to see them
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: and i love that when i put the icons side to side you see it
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: AH i should put all my ships side to side
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: wait a minute
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: let me just edit this real quick
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: btw do you think i should keep hal/hannah with the long hair or short hair
[8:31 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Yeah..! I think he struggled a lot with it too but after he saw Day again and realised "that fuck, he is in love with Day, he's not going to deny it this time, he has to do it right like a man and if it fails so be it but god dammit if he doesn't fucking try"
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Long
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: 'like a man' i love that HAHAHA
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i like the reversal, i think it's good for nolan
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: and irl a lot of times ppl switch positions
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: nova looks so good................. i am respectfully looking
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: hahahaha
[8:32 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: IKR surprised at how well i could get her
[8:33 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: whatcha mean
[8:34 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: as in in relationships, people often switch 'positions' a lot
[8:35 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: also the idea of nolan wooing anyone is hilarious...im like...can you do it...... (.......actually can I do it ...omg...maybe i also dont know how to)
[8:35 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I also wonder how that looks like hahahah
[8:36 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Day is more grown up then actually. So I wonder how to like...connect to him. Makes me sad he doesn't trust Nolan but I can't blame him. I also wonder why they hang out together lol...if it's so awkward. Can someone write fic of them and I read it to convince myself pls
[8:39 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: oof... is it hard for you to picture?
[8:39 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ................maybe
[8:39 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: it sounds like you have difficulty picturing it or sth
[8:39 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i just keep thinking.............Day's a great guy...he can have so many other options. ...so why the guy who hurt him so badly in the past @_@;
[8:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that makes sense
[8:40 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: does Day still have feelings for Nolan?
[8:41 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: He got over Nolan eventually. Seeing Nolan again made him feel conflicted. But I think he definitely develops renewed feelings again which scares him because he's kinda like "oh no not this again"
[8:41 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: because he literally went through it twice already
[8:42 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: so it's like he's resisting it
[8:42 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: The first he confessed, Nolan ghosted him, and when they got back together it was silently understood to never bring it up.
But then Nolan went up at kissed him after Day had already come to terms his unrequited crush and with being just friends
Then Nolan was hot-and-cold and it ended up so that Day believed Nolan just felt guilty and pretended to be into him.
It's a MESS.
[8:42 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: Ooh that's a good way to put it.
[8:42 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: OOOOF
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: poor day lol
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah fucking nolan man
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: wow the last part is like
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that stressed guy wiping sweat emoji
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: nolan really had the whole "I MESSED THIS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF ONLY I COULD GO BACK AND FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" realisation lol
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: hahahaha
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: he shot himself in the foot there
[8:43 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: he really did...he shot himself like 3 times man
[8:44 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: day sounds like he's resisting his feelings and the rs
[8:44 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i get now why you can't picture it
[8:44 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: this is so cool tho i never thought i'd see this from day xD
[8:44 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: well, he got burned three times technically... HAHAHA
[8:44 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah.....christ xD
[8:45 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: but yeah my comfort ship is RUINED
[8:45 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ive actually been lowkey bothered by this for months now...feels nice to actually share this with someone
[8:45 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: oh man.......... that sucks
[8:45 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i still think they can get tgt if that helps
[8:46 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: sorry your comfort ship is like.... NOT comfort anymore ouch
[8:46 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: awww thank you for the faith sobs
[8:46 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah...maybe it can change but for now...they are in the bad place with me
[8:46 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: cuz nolan's shit at courting people but also he can take a hint
[8:46 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah...
[8:47 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i mean if day is like resisting it then that's hard
[8:47 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: come back to it next time
[8:47 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: seems like now isn't a good time
[8:47 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: (flips through the agnst manuscript...what cataclysmic event can i throw at them to force them together...)
[8:47 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: hahahahah
[8:48 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: (but i dont want that xD but thats why fic writers do hahahah)
[8:48 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah... xD its actually a pretty good reflection on my current emotional state in terms of my hopes and dreams
[8:48 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ...oh that sounded....a lot darker than i realised
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah it would be kind of forced lol
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: aww... ouch
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i think the ship can work
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: though yeah i guess it isn't a good time
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: btw does wendie have blue eyes?
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i decided to use doodleface to make everyone
[8:49 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i wanted to see the contrasts lol
[9:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: OOH
[9:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: yeah she has blue eyes!
[9:16 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: not how genetics work but she has matthias' eyes and nolan has heather's lol
[9:18 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: JAVOB LOOKS SO FUKCIN CUTE
[9:18 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: it's ok i guess we can take some creative liberties lol
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: it's our world
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: AWWWWWW sobs i love it
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i'm tidying up all the many doodlefaces and posting them with relationships
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: didnt you make aeriel before
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: not me using doodleface again in 2021 lmao
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yes i did
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i also made double bs
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i'm going to collate everything and send you the links
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: she has the same hair as eve
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: yeah
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: so does morrigan
[9:19 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: i remember your wendie was SPOT ON
[9:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: jacob is so cute my heart
[9:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: thank youuu
[9:20 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: I AM REMAKING STAY TUNED
[9:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: hYPE
[9:20 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: while i was showering i realised when Day saw Nolan again for the first time he was like "Oh no, he's still hot" in a very dismayed way in his head
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: omg
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: that's so funny hahaha
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: ikr...i relate to him tho lmfao
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: me looking at my own icarus doodleface: did i make icarus half asian??
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: what???
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: i like how nolan is always day's type
[9:21 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: this is what the attraction is for
[9:22 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: shortcut to get people to notice each other
[9:22 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: hahaha
[9:23 pm, 06/10/2021] Reba ♡: did i ever say before that icarus was half-asian?
[9:23 pm, 06/10/2021] r e i: I have this idea also that Nolan doesnt know how to date and he asks his mom and people around him in relationships how to court people lmao. And he attempts it all but it's so.............................not his style that he probably confuses Day a lot. I can imagine Day asking him about his weird behaviour and Nolan is very confused and kind of embarrassed/angry like "Courting you?? I thought it was obvious???" and they both pikachu face at each other lol
Also Day's naivety can really be linked to his upbringing with Aeriel. Her idealism is almost like a defense mechanism for dealing (or not dealing) with the losses she had to endure when she cut ties with her family and was dumped by Day's dad and ordered to get an abortion...... She's very idealistic and she wanted the world to be a safe, hopeful place for Day so she really did everything she could to keep it so.
which worked cuz Day grew up very optimistic, hopeful and idealistic too...but naive to a fault. Which was honestly pretty dangerous for him
cuz he didn't really have the best judgement of character
