Bestie! For February prompts, how about Masala Chai for Benny and Vika, and Dried Rose Petals for Brady and Jules, please? 💗
G bestie!! Thank you so much for these, I had a blast writing them 🫶✨
February prompts- inbox is open! 💌
Benny x Vika, masala chai
Vika leans on the counter, savoring the silence of the little beach house normally bustling with her friends enjoying one last vacation before the fall chill sinks in. Eyes closed, she lets the distant sound of the waves wash over her as she wraps her hands around her warm mug, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of sugar and spices. She could sleep in, she knows, but her body’s so used to the early hours the hotel requires…
There’s a familiar nudge against her leg, and she looks down to see a panting Meatball, tail wagging a mile a minute.
And of course, Benny enters the kitchen right after the husky.
Vika reaches down to pet Meatball, giving herself a moment before she’s confronted with post-run Benny— a version of him she has yet to get used to seeing, all sweat-damp curls and a bright grin…
“Good morning,” she greets him with a smile, careful not to let her gaze linger too long. “You boys have fun?”
Benny steps over to the sink to wash his hands, nodding over to his dog.
“Absolutely. This guy loves chasing those seagulls.”
He glances around the kitchen, “Got any coffee ready?”
“Not yet,” Vika says apologetically, gaze flicking over to the empty coffeemaker, “I can get some started if you’d like.”
Benny shakes his head, considering. He glances down at her mug, “Whatcha got there?”
“Masala chai— er, spiced tea with milk.”
She cringes slightly at her explanation, knowing it doesn’t remotely do her favorite drink justice.
But then she sees the interest dawn on his face, and before he can ask, she’s offering.
“I have extra left over if you’d like to try some. I promise I won’t be offended if you don’t like it,” she adds with a weak laugh.
That sweet, soft smile blossoms on Benny’s face.
She seamlessly pours the remainder from the small saucepan into a mug, straining out the loose tea and spices. Benny looks in fascination at the whole cardamom pods, cloves, and bits of cinnamon left in the strainer before meeting her eyes and taking a sip.
“Woah,” he says, eyes wide, and Vika doesn’t realize how nervous she is until he exclaims, “This is really good,” and her whole body relaxes.
“I’m glad you like it,” she says with a small smile as she gathers the milk, tea, and spices to begin another batch.
“Oh, I don’t need any more, Vika—”
She cuts him off with a shake of her head, “Oh, no, this is for Jules. And whoever else wants some, I suppose. I tend to give her any extra I make, but…” Smiling, her gaze drifts meaningfully over to the mug in his hands.
Benny recalls what her friend is like before her morning dose of caffeine and sugar, and a look of mild horror crosses his face.
“You let me take Jules’s share?”
“I wanted you to try it! She won’t mind.”
Benny sets his mug aside, lunging for the coffeepot.
“Better have coffee ready, too, just in case.“
Brady x Jules, dried rose petals
Juliet twirls in front of the mirror, soft pastel green skirt flaring around her, the tiny white flowers printed on it turning into a soft blur. A soft floral scent surrounds her, though she hasn't put on her perfume yet— that’s the result of tucking tiny muslin bags filled with dried rose and gardenia petals into her drawers and the pockets of her dresses in the closet.
She’s been talking for weeks about the sweet boy she’s been seeing, John Brady, who’ll happily let her drag him to every bookstore in Ithaca and ramble on about Shakespeare, and in return she happily listens to him practice his saxophone and talk about his dreams of becoming a professional musician and, barring that, a music teacher. Her parents had decided they wanted to meet this boy before things got any more serious, and so tonight Johnny was coming over for dinner.
Juliet skips down the stairs, helping her mother with the final touches to the dining room when the doorbell rings. She stiffens, relaxing only when her mother touches her hand gently.
“We can’t wait to meet him, sweetheart.”
She nods, taking a deep breath before she and her parents step into the foyer. Juliet pauses before she opens the door, locking eyes with George Thompson.
Her overprotective father lets out a “hm” that she knows to mean I’ll try, but I’m watching him.
Knowing that’s the best she’ll get on a night like tonight, she finally flings the door open.
There stands John Brady in his nicest suit, hair neatly combed, with a bouquet nestled in his arms.
Juliet can’t help the wide smile that always appears at the sight of him.
“Hi,” he replies, and they stand there for a moment before she remembers what she’s supposed to be doing.
She steps aside to let him through, turning nervously to face her parents once the door is closed firmly behind her.
“Mom, Dad… this is John Brady.”
The smile he gives her family is dazzling, betraying only a hint of his nerves.
“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.”
He holds out the bouquet to her mother, “Mrs. Thompson, these are for you.”
“Oh how sweet!” She gushes, instantly taken by the gesture.
“Nice to finally meet you as well, son.”
Her father extends a hand, almost challenging John to shake it.
He reaches out with a respectful nod and gives it a firm shake.
Her father’s expression shifts ever so slightly, and Juliet knows he’s impressed, just a little bit. She gives John an encouraging nod as her father leads him into the dining room— everything’s going well so far. She just wants her parents to love him as much as she does.
Their voices fade as she drifts into the kitchen to help her mother carry out the last couple dishes. Loath as she is to leave him alone, her father did promise to be nice…
“So, John, I hear you’re at Ithaca College. What are you studying?…”
