Happy Valentine's Day 💌 Do Walden and Julianne do anything special for Valentine's day? I love your versions the best 🧡
┆❥ Thank you ໒꒰ྀི ˶• ༝ •˶ ྀི১ 💕 and Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you are having a great day ^_^
┆❥ For Valentine’s Day, Julianne and Walden either spend the entire day at home or take a short trip. Since Walden cannot be away from the factory for long, their trips last three or four days and are somewhere close enough to return quickly in case of an emergency.
┆❥ They often stay in because neither of them likes crowds. For Julianne, they are too overstimulating. Although she is a social butterfly, once her social battery is drained, she wants to go home, curl up on the couch, and decompress. Walden is accustomed to social events because his father forced him to attend business gatherings and factory meetings. Does he like it? No. Does he go because declining is more troublesome than attending? Yes. Days when he can relax in his safe space with the one he loves feel like bliss.
┆❥ When they travel, they choose places a little farther from home, rent an Airbnb, and explore the area. They learn about the history, try different foods, buy gifts for their loved ones (and for themselves), take photos, and enjoy each other’s company.
┆❥ The city and its surroundings in my head canon version of the Au are inspired by a blend of Southern California, Japan, and Switzerland (which are places I would love to visit and explore). This may change over time, but I want the setting to reflect a rich mix of cultures and landscapes.
┆❥ I genuinely head canon that Julianne and Eddie are open minded and enjoy trying new foods with their partners. However, Julianne is sensitive to texture and needs to be introduced to certain foods slowly. Preparation makes a difference. For example, she dislikes lentils, especially lentil soup cooked with bacon when the bacon is soft and greasy rather than crispy. The texture makes her gag and writhe internally in disgust.
┆❥ Walden is also sensitive to texture, depending on the meal. He cannot stand a combination of slimy and crunchy textures. If that happens, he will discreetly spit the food into a napkin, and his appetite disappears for hours.
Side Note: Frank and Eddie are a canon couple in my head canon version of the Rainbow Factory AU. For Valentine’s Day, they usually go to the club Eddie frequents for drag shows. Frank joins from time to time to show support and help with makeup mishaps or outfit malfunctions. On Valentine’s Day, the club hosts an annual event where drag queens can sign up to raise money for The Trevor Project, The Ali Forney Center (Dedicated to preventing homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth by providing safe housing and services), and other nonprofit organizations. Each year after the event, Eddie and Frank go out to eat. Afterward they do their tradition of taking turns deciding where they go and what they will do. If they choose to travel, they plan ahead, request time off work, and organize their itinerary and budget.
┆❥ When Ophelia came into their lives, they began including her in their celebrations. They spend time together, and once she is put down for her nap, they share a small candlelit dinner before going to the living room to cuddle. They watch a movie and enjoy each other’s company while the baby monitor rests nearby. It became a tradition to spend the first half of the day with Ophelia and the second half focused on each other. Sometimes Ophelia joins their travel plans. Other times, she stays with her godparents or her aunts and uncles.
Another side note: Walden always buys flowers for Julianne and Ophelia along with their favorite snacks and a small gift. For Ophelia, he prepares a basket filled with her favorite treats, a couple of toys, and coloring books. For Julianne, he gives a bouquet of one hundred roses and sunflowers, her favorite snacks, and a new charm for the bracelet he gave her on their first Valentine’s Day as a couple. She always wore it and now keeps it safely in her jewelry box (which is also a music box) that holds memories from past dates, travels, and gifts he has given her.
In return, Julianne and Ophelia give Walden gifts as well. Ophelia helps make his favorite dessert, German Butter Cake also known as Butterkuchen, and serves it with a cup of vanilla dark roast coffee with a splash of creamer. She presents it to him with a drawing she made of herself, Julianne, and Walden, decorated with stickers, glue, and glitter. Earlier that morning, Julianne prepares his favorite hearty breakfast: a cheese omelette filled with spinach, diced bell peppers, and sausage, served with hot sauce mixed with ketchup on the side.
Julianne also gives him small things she notices he needs or wants but hesitates to mention. Like her, he is learning to express his needs without feeling like he is asking for too much. His struggle runs deep because of his father, who treated him like a puppet for most of his life. Slowly, he is discovering who he is beyond the roles and responsibilities tied to the Darling family name. He shows his appreciation through his actions, as his love languages are gift giving, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch.
