Prompts:
Home , Matching Accessories , Late Night Snacks , Praise , But I Don't Regret Anything Triad , Academia , Metamours , Anniversary
Metamour is a partner of one's partner (that one is not in a more personal relationship with)
In this case Boris and Peggy with the others are metamours. I don't exactly know how to tag this since they're both kinda long-distance and more of a situationship for the two pairs. Anyway time for me to ramble hahaaaa.
What I think of the OT5 is that they don't really have the terminology? Even if they are technically queerplatonic polycule. Like, they wouldn't refer to their bond as QPR, just that they are each other's most important people. Does that make sense?
So Boris/Dave and Nina/Peggy are kinda casual or at least nothing established, but if they're ever around one another they'd meet up again. I think both these relationships started off somewhat unknown to the others because both Dave and Nina are trying to figure out what it means for them (?) , and like one day they decided to tell.
With Boris, the first one to accept is Nina because Dave already told her. I planned to write the other Movers finding out in an epilogue for AITMWD (the dovie writing), but haven't gotten to that. Anyway, the only one that has a little bit of something is Rich, who just feels a tiny bit intimidated (?) by how similar he and Boris could be, that he feels a little challenged/upstaged. It doesn't really affect him other than maybe teasing Dave a bit more, or trying to playfully prove he is better (?) in a one-sided competition.
For Peggy, I haven't gotten to write it (sigh, of course) but I thiiiink Nina would open up about it to Dave to understand her feelings. But also...... idk, I haven't thought that far. Nina's crush on Peggy started before she and the Movers were in the polycule. The Movers are generally supportive but not-so-secretly glad she didn't leave the country with Peggy.
Summary: Nina meets a familiar face after a long time.
Words: 1200.
Note: These two have been on my mind!! This fic took a while to get done because I really wanted to get their dynamic right. I hope I did, and hope you like it anyway! Love is stored in the Nina~
You can also read it on: AO3 | SqW
* * *
Nina has so much love to give, and so much love to receive.
Some people admire her for it. Some think she falls too quickly, that she held onto her feelings too much.
They tell her that one day she would be left disappointed and heartbroken, that clinging onto love will soon betray her.
For Nina, those thoughts never stopped her from embracing what she feels. Again and again, she enjoys the feeling of being in love. Whether the love was for kind strangers and pleasant customers, animals and the wonders of nature, her family and her friends, or her passion projects and even the mundane, none of it ever felt like a waste. She savours the moment when it happens and treasures it in her heart when it leaves.
Of course it hurts when it leaves, and it hurts no matter how hard Nina pushes it down. Like when her Uncle Knit Knots moved away, it took her a long while to get used to it. But she knew the sadness existed from the love and care she has for him, so as bittersweet as it is, she learned to accept it.
And sometimes it returns; old feelings resurfacing along with what—or who—had caused it. As difficult and confusing as it may be, Nina gladly welcomes it.
* * *
Nina idly looks through her camera, taking pictures of the scenery from the café. She always loves how the cherry trees look this time of the year. She moves her camera for another view, and a figure enters the frame. Nina finds herself staring at them. It has been years since she saw the person's face, though she recognizes that tall bun updo almost immediately. She lowers the camera, and when she and the person's eyes meet, both of their faces lit up.
"Nina?"
"Peggy!"
Nina steps closer, wanting to go for a hug but she then stops in her tracks. She offers her hand instead, and Peggy shakes it.
"It's been so long, how are you?"
"I'm doing great!"
"That's fantastic!" Peggy exclaims, taking a seat at a nearby table. "Boy am I glad to see you! What brings you here anyway?"
"I work here," Nina giggles softly, tilting her head as she gestures to the apron she's wearing.
"Oh." Peggy grins sheepishly. "Wait, is the Idea Warehouse nearby?"
"Yeah, it's just next door." Nina gestures over to the entrance.
"Wow, this place looks so different from the last time I visited." Peggy looks around, then faces Nina again. "So how's—"
"Oh hold that thought, Peggy. Let me get your order first," Nina interrupts.
"Ah right!"
Nina prepares Peggy's order. She then sits down at the table as they catch up on each other's lives. Nina takes note of Peggy's appearance, her choice of attire still quite formal. Her voice is as chipper as ever, and Nina was reminded how much she liked hearing Peggy talk. Familiar warm, fuzzy feelings flutter as she listens to the other lady enthusiastically explain her newest ideas.
Nina leans forward, resting her chin on her hand as her attention fully shifts to Peggy. It felt like time stood still, a welcomed change from the hectic pace of managing the café. Though it was short-lived when she realized a few customers were arriving, waiting to order. Nina excuses herself and Peggy apologizes for taking her time, which she reassures that Peggy didn't.
Swiftly, Nina makes her way to the other table and serves the remaining patrons. She gives them a smile before excitedly walking back to Peggy's table. Just as they are about to continue, Peggy's phone rings.
Peggy answers the call, and Nina watches the blonde woman's expression drop slightly, though her voice barely changing. The call ends, and Peggy looks at Nina with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry Nina, I have to go now. Some folks from the company I'll be working with wanted to meet up," Peggy says, "I guess I'll just have to see the Imagination Movers another time too."
"That's okay, Peggy. Feel free to come by here anytime," Nina replies, grinning.
"Thanks Nina, it's been really great to see you."
"Same here, I've been waiting so long for us to see each other again."
"Really?" Peggy asks, her change of tone catching Nina off guard.
"Uh yeah, I missed hanging out with you." Nina briefly glances away, now a little unsure. Was that too forward?
"I'm.. really glad then!" Peggy grins. "You know, I've tried reaching out to you but my calls never went through."
"What number did you call?"
"I only have your uncle's office number. Which reminds me, how is he?"
"Oh, Uncle Knit Knots retired a few years ago. He's fine, just enjoying his relaxing, boring life."
"I see." Peggy chuckles. "Well, I guess I'll be on my way."
"Bye Peggy."
Peggy gathers her belongings and quickly walks away, waving at Nina as she waves back. Even after her old friend leaves her view, Nina stares ahead, a smile still plastered on her face.
Nina turns around to clean the tables. She brings the plates to the counter, and her eyes land on her camera. A thought clicks and Nina gasps lightly. She holds her camera, pouting as her shoulders slump.
"Nina!" a voice snaps Nina out of her thoughts. She blinks a few times before turning to the voice.
"Oh, hi guys," Nina greets the Movers, adjusting her posture.
"Is everything okay?" Smitty asks.
"What do you mean?"
"You looked kind of sad just now," Scott replies.
"Yeah, is your camera broken? I can help you fix it," Dave chimes in.
"No, my camera's fine. It's just that Peggy came over and I forgot to take her picture." Nina purses her lips. "Oh, you guys remember Peggy right? The one with the giant phonebook?"
"Oh, Peggy!"
"We remember her!"
"So she stopped by the café?"
"Yep! I was taking pictures for the café wall, and I guess I was so excited to meet Peggy again that it didn't cross my mind to ask her for a photo." Nina sighs, then shrugs. "Oh well, she was in a hurry anyway."
"Aw, it would've been nice to see her," Scott comments.
"She said we wanted to see you guys too, but she got lost on her way to the Warehouse; said the place looks different," Nina explains.
"So maybe she'll be back."
"Rich's right. Maybe she needed our help," Smitty adds, and the others nod in agreement.
Nina's face lightens up, a wide grin forming on her face. "Maybe! I really really hope she comes by here soon, I can't wait!"
"You're pretty excited about that, Nina," Rich points out. "You must really want to take her picture."
"Picture—yeah! Of course, I love Peggy—I mean pictures! Of people. I love taking pictures of people," Nina stumbles on her words. "And Peggy's a great person, I'd love to take her picture."
Smitty and Rich share a glance, the latter raising an eyebrow, then they both shrug.
Nina shakes her head slightly, exhaling as she gathers herself. She looks over to the Movers and offers smoothies, to which they happily accept.
just a quick update and maybe ramble about that nina/peggy writing i've been working on:
I'm trying to get it done today (or early morning tomorrow for me) since i might not be so active in the upcoming weeks.
i don't know how but i've accidentally written like, 3 different plot points for it lol ?? So it's taking longer than I expected because I keep having to rewrite so it stays on the original storyline haha. The fic is just meant to be a short one, and it's sort of a headcanon exploration thing like the dovie one.
sidenote: i *think* nina's kinda written to be aro-spec in this too, but honestly this probably says more about the author than the characters at this point lmao.
