-- inbox / @hydrangeaguard ( from the old blog omg )
“Joey... would... would your mom have liked me?” Umeko’s tone quiet in the still of the night. Her head on his heart to just feel him, and just hear every little part of Joey. Maybe she shouldn’t ask, but she wanted him to talk about her. He spoke with so much warmth and love whenever she was brought up. Then again Ume might just be selfish for asking such a personal question.
“Mom” always stirred something within Joey that he hadn’t been able to name quite yet. It was a heavy, lingering thing, layered in grief and longing and wrapped so tightly in his chest that it felt like a knot. A year ago, it had the power to break that dam in him immediately. Now, almost 2 years later, it created wave and cracks, but not enough break him so fast. Despite that, the answer came without thought--true and resolute.
“Without a doubt.” He whispered softly into the tresses of her hair. His arms around her got a little tighter, though not much, like he was trying to have Ume closer. Like he could shed this pain with her presence and send her every joyous moment he had with his mother. “Ume, she would have adored you.”
Joey had imagined it before. Many a nights he spent replaying memories in his mind and creating memories he wished he could have made with her. Umeko was no stranger in his wishes. In his daydreams. In the thoughts he shared with his mother. Lydia knew her very well, he’d guess.
“Mom would have loved the good in you. She always said it was important to find that goodness in ourselves and in others, and I know she would have seen yours in record time. She would have loved how earnest you are. How giving and humble your heart is. How you get excited about things you love, whether they’re big or small. And then, she would have gotten excited with you.” There was something about happiness that drew her in.
Lydia thrived off smiles, wanted to share in the glow of them. He could see hers now: strong enough to touch her eyes, bright enough to give away her spark. His eyes closed as he fell into the memories again, both of the past and of his dreams. He could see his mother at the stove, trying to show Ume the latest recipe she’d gotten hooked on. The two of them at the coffee table as his mother taught her how to play blackjack. Umeko on the couch with her as they shared stories of home. Joey could so easily insert Ume into spots in his life with his mother, and though they were unreachable, he latched onto them anyway. She belonged there and he wished he could give it to her. To have his favorite people meet... it shouldn’t have been a dream.
“Your sweetness, your strength, your tenacity, your smile, your pout.” He sighed, smiling. “All of it, she would have loved.”
A familiar burning sensation came to his eyes, the cracks in the dam lengthening. He pressed his face into her hair.
“Mom would have called you brilliant. And she’d have been right. She would have loved that light in you.”
❝ hey... ❞ he remembered her but not her name, try as he might he only got the first letter. that still didn’t help much. ❝ you and i are partnered up for decoration duty for the culture festival. ❞ and by that, he was automatically assigning her to work with him. she had helped him in the past and it was only fair that he jump at the chance to return the favor, after all, designing things always was his forte.
“Ya know, I think I kinda like bein’ ‘round here. S’quiet, ‘nd the smell reminds me of home. Thanks fer lettin’ me help out here.”
Connor gave a small smile at the other, as he finished watering the plants, he placed his hands on his waist. Flower shops were nice, and this place did remind him of home, quiet, surrounded by life, it was a little paradise. A much more welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
sunshine beamed over ume and aoko. theme park music ringed aloud. static spun thread around the music. accompanied with children screaming; aoko cannot discern whether they’re excited or frightened. regardless, they tried to make the best of it. umeko wished to spend the day together. a request aoko couldn’t refuse. anything’s better than sitting at home sulking into another bowl of instant ramen. excitement radiated from ume at the sight of plush bears. a reward for a water-gun match. the two indulged in a match against six other competitors. before long, the results were in.
snow fallen fur tickles aoko’s fingers. it’s oversized with a crimson bow laced around his neck. not their type at all.after poking its belly, aoko hands the bear to ume. “for you. it would be cute on your bed.” && it’d be even cuter in her arms. they’re weak to her smile. she deserved the world.
unlike his other various part time jobs , she ’ s the only co worker who ’ s his age . other than that , she ’ s too nice . if he didn ’ t do anything about her situation , he wasn ’ t sure he ’ d forgive himself . it wasn ’ t like him to stand there , and just let it happen ... so he waited until both their shifts ended , the underground mall was almost completely empty by this time . 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎 ...
with his bag heavily weighted due to a certain cat inside , he cautiously slung gray straps over a single shoulder ; standing by the front of the shop with evident purpose in his disposition . one hand rested lazily in his pocket , “ fukui san . ” akira spoke hesitantly , storm hues gazing at her with serious intent . they didn ’ t go to the same school , but that didn ’ t change that she ’ s another teenager suffering at the hands of rotten adults ... 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 ’ 𝙩 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 ! “ i want to help you . ” it ’ s sudden , but he felt the need to clarify his standpoint . it was written clearly over his face , a justice cursed expression .
the leader wasn ’ t sure his friends would agree , or if the group would come to a unanimous decision on it ... but after spending the day thinking this over , there wasn ’ t really any other choice . as dangerous as it was to promise her he ’ ll do it , he ’ s feeling reckless . “ there ’ s a cafe in yongen . ” for once , the words were coming faster than his mind was processing it . unusual , for the ever so composed transfer student . “ i can arrange for you to stay the night there , if you need someplace safe . ” / @hydrangeaguard ♡ ’ d
“Crocus...? That’s a pretty funny name for a flower,” He observed, eyeing the flower with an odd look. Part of him was almost tempted to reach out and gently nudge it, although he didn’t know if doing so would end up messing up the flowers.
“I-I was looking to get some for my Ma, actually...!” He admitted, his cheeks reddening. “No real special occasion or anything, I just wanted to get her something nice, although I don’t know which ones to pick...”
