so! a lot has happened in the past year. i usually have parts of me peeking through in my writing, but this fic is especially affected. i have spent the last few months exploring themes of personal growth and grief and yearning in my works (life imitates art imitates life), a bit of a departure from the rom-coms and silliness of past ones. this fic, i think, is a nice mix of everything! :)

been tinkering with this one since december 2023, which has been really lovely in these trying times! fic has always been a wonderful way to explore interiority in ways both detached from us and deeply personal to us. this is a little story about love, growth, yearning (so much yearning), pining (SO much pining), grief, taking risks, and letting ourselves be seen and known (in unconventional ways). trust the process, and all. :D

i am incredibly grateful for everyone who has kept me going, whether in my comments or DMs, as i have navigated murky waters. thank you so much for reading and supporting!

big hugs and forehead kisses to @anchoredarchangel and @cha-melodius for workshopping and editing this shit into shape and keeping me going through the timeline fuckery and writing/life woes with their big brains and big hearts, and to @changinghearts, @springrainbloom, @smugvillanelle, and @henfox for reading, cheerleading, supporting, and letting me know which lines they'd tattoo on their asses. highest of compliments!

love and appreciate y'all so so SO dearly. thank you!!

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tagging some folks who expressed interest in this, just this once! no barrage of tags from me, i promise <3