one thousand and one writes

It was impossible for Theo to be mean or treat someone unkindly for an assumption. Even if they tried hard to present as androgynous and male leaning as possible, still some people would just put their gender preconceptions onto them. It stung but it was their reality. Besides, the other felt very apologetic so they gave him grace about the whole thing and nodded. "Don't worry about it. I'm Theo by the way. I'm non-binary. My fiancée is a cis-woman and pregnant. If that explains it better? We're a queer couple." A more genuine smile crossed their face at his question. "Only three months left to go, yes! We're excited and this one has been very protective of us all." Theo scratched behind the lab's ear with a soft smile. "I don't have many friends in the city either to be honest. We just moved here. If you were looking to make friends? I promise we're very cool. And we love dogs."

❝ Ah, just like my cousin! ❞ Sebni nodded, a smile on his face, as he pointed a finger at Theo like a complete baboon. Why would Theo know his cousin? They had just been introduced. It didn’t take him long to realize his idiocy, so he quickly backtracked, shaking his head and once again apologizing profusely, ❝ She also has a girlfriend, though I’m not sure either of them’s thinking about getting pregnant at the moment, ❞ he frowned at the thought. Even though he himself, as well as their cousins, didn’t mind such things, the older members of their family were dodo heads. That was the very reason why Sebni didn’t like catching up with much of the family, save for the younger cousins, his sister, and his mother. Extended families can be complicated, and that kind of complication wasn’t something he was interested in. He turned to the goodest boi with a proud grin before turning back to Theo, ❝ Your kid's going to grow up in such a great and loving environment... I would love to be friends with Roy’s family! Maybe we should set up a play date? ❞

OPEN STARTER ╱ @bfmstarters LOCATION: the broadway theatre

"Oh yeah, I've always wanted a rescue. We went to a shelter and he kind of chose us, really." The memory of them first getting Roy brought a warm smile to Theo's face as they looked down at him briefly, then back at Sebni. "He's perfect but I have to admit I have a lot of free time to train him and just be with him which I know it's not the case for a lot of people." Theo couldn't help but look down but looked back up again trying to shake off that feeling twisting in the pit of their stomach now. "Um, my fiancée is pregnant. She's about six months now." They nodded, now a tight lipped smile where the softness used to be.

❝ I’m sorry... Your fiancée? ❞ Sebni narrowed his eyes at them, squinting, as his head titled to one side. For a few seconds, he was quiet, just staring at them sternly, trying to make sense of what they just said. When it finally dawned on him, his eyes grew wide, his jaw dropped, and he raised both arms to the air. ❝ Oh, your fiancée’s been pregnant for six months now?! That’s just, like, three months left right? Congratulations! ❞ It was very clear that Sebni was not an expert in pregnancy, or getting someone pregnant, or being told someone was pregnant. But it was also clear that his celebratory joy was genuine. To bring a new life into this world, even if it would never be his thing, was always cause for a celebration. He was ecstatic, excited, and...then it hit him, the cause for the confusion earlier, which immediately twisted his face from delight to horror, ❝ Wait, no, I’m not... I didn’t mean... I just don’t have that many... Friends. ❞

❝ I had you? ❞ Sebni beamed, and if he was a tiny dog, his tail would’ve been wagging to no end. ❝ Yeah, yeah, for sure... Why can’t we have everyone we want, right? ❞ The last time he grinned that kind of grin was when he was in high school, whenever he saw his crush. That grin survived most of that school year until prom, when he asked her out, and instead of him, she went with his best friend. ❝ Oh, ahh, no, not all my customers... I mean, I’ve never asked any of my customers that... I shouldn’t, ❞ Sebni had to feign another cough as he bowed his head, too embarrassed to look her in the eye. It was a very personal question, wasn’t it? That was most definitely a big no-no. ❝ I’m sorry for asking such a very personal question... ❞ He tried his best to move on from it, to become a better bookstore owner, but his curiosity just didn’t want to lose the opportunity to get satiated. ❝ ...but, like, dating us? I mean, them? ❞

who:  open  !

Listening carefully at Sebni, Theo nodded as he heard him talk about the dog park, a bit weary of it themselves, not sure how Roy would handle it. "Technically, he's still a pup?" They said with a bit of doubt in their tone. "He's our first dog and a rescue. We think he's around nine months old to a year so he's grown as big as he's going to be but he's still a pup." Hoping they explained themselves well, they looked back at Sebin. "He's my first dog so we're learning from each other. My fiancée and I always wanted one so we figured, we should get one before our baby is born." They really tried but it just is impossible to them not to mention Imogen or the baby at any point. They always find a way to slip it into conversation.

❝ A rescue for a first dog? That’s so sweet of you folks, ❞ Sebni nodded, grinning. He’s always had respect for those who rescued dogs. He’s always wanted to do the same but had never had the courage, believing himself to be incapable of rescuing dogs. At best, he could only be sufficient enough for pups from other dog owners. ❝ Oh, you’re expecting? ❞ Sebni shifted his attention from the dog to its owner, wide eyes wandering over to her belly before he realized it was most likely rude and had to avert his gaze. The last pregnancy Sebni was aware of was years ago. For one reason or another, he’s never been involved with pregnant friends or family members, and his younger sister had no intention of being pregnant herself. ❝ How far ahead are you folks? ❞

His sweet disposition and friendly smile was making Imogen grin as well, settling into her chair as she listened to him answer her question, real interest in what he had to say. Neither of them were born in New York so at least they had that in common, it was certainly something the two of them could bond over. Hell they were already seemingly doing just that. “I do, but I don’t think I miss the place as much as I miss some of my past memories there. You know when you think you miss a place but really you know if you went there it wouldn’t really be like you expect? What you really miss is how things were years ago but just going to the place wouldn’t be what you thought it would be. Sorry I don’t really know if that makes as much sense as it did in my head.” She chuckled, shaking it a little. “I’ve been here a few months, well in the USA. I’ve been in New York about a month. So I’m slowly finding my feet.” A loud laugh escaped her at the admittance that girls took over a love of fish once he knew about them, so god damn valid. “I can understand why. Don’t get me wrong fish are cool, but ‘like kissing a dead fish’ is a common phrase for a reason, and not in a positive way.” The woman had read a lot of fashion books in her time but her interest in seeing what other ones were out there never went away, eyebrows popping up at their mention. “Oh! I’ll have to pop over to the shop and see what ones you have, if that would be okay? I’m always on the hunt for new ones. Plus maybe some about fish, just so I can show interest in little Sebni’s past interest. Just to be a good friend." And not because she was totally pulling his leg. @arabianwrite 

❝ It does, actually, and I think I know what you mean, ❞ Sebni has had many fond memories of past things in past places, but he knew well enough that if he ever came back to those places, those things would no longer be there. Like most things, people and places change, and when they change without you, they become less familiar and more unnerving. ❝ Oh, really? Where have you been outside of New York? ❞ Sebni has always had a fascination with other people’s stories, and it was showing here. He has never considered himself an interesting man, but knowing interesting people should make him somewhat interesting by association, wouldn’t it? ❝ If it helps make my case, I’ve never kissed fish before, dead or alive, ❞ he wasn’t quite sure why he had to say that but he felt the need to, eyes unintentionally wandering over her lips out of curiosity and his own tongue wetting his own as if a primal instinct, or perhaps more accurately, an insecurity regarding his easily chapped lips that has survived his high school years. Little Sebni would not have cared either way but maybe he should have, just so Old Sebni wouldn’t be so awkward when memories like that came flooding to his brain. ❝ That would be lovely, and as a good friend on my part, maybe I can show you around New York? ❞ It was the only thing he could offer, especially considering he was terrible at fashion and would not be of any use to her in that department.

“It was one of those classic like…low stakes shows. Used to watch it with my tea and my parents, you rooted for people to win but there was no massive consequence either way. No stress involved for the viewer.” She grinned, gesturing to the woman working behind the counter to get her attention, leaning over slightly. “Can I get some curly fries? Thank you! We can share.” She turned to Sebni as she added the last bit. “London, I was born and raised in London. Do you ever miss Cairo…how long ago did you move over here?” Interest in her tone because Egypt was somewhere she’d always wanted to visit, even if she’d been slightly shocked when the reality of how close the pyramids were to the city edge. The more their conversation continued the more interesting she found the man sat next to her, he was clearly incredibly smart which she was greatly enjoying. Even more so when freshly fried fries were placed in front of them, they smelt amazing and even her stomach with five recently consumed fried eggs in it was rumbling once more. “An ichthyologist? That is bloody fascinating! Hey at least as a bookstore owner you can presumably read and stock lots of books on fish, right? A bookstore owner and a fashion designer, it’s a solid combination if you ask me. Cheers to that!” Picking up her mug in order to tap against his. @arabianwrite

Sebni loved the way she said tea and the imagery of her that came with it in his head, so much so that he continued to grin even after the fact, through her generosity with the fries until she asked him a question (it'd be rude not to answer questions just because he was caught in a sort of euphoric high). He feigned a cough, shaking a head not unlike a husky shaking water off of its fur, ❝ Oh, yeah, of course... Sometimes, though I've been living here for three years now. What about you? Do you miss London? ❞ Sebni had been to London before. Once or twice. When his mother needed to go there for work. He wouldn't mind visiting again, especially if she'd tour him around her territory. The many things she'd talk about, the stories she'd have of London, excited him. ❝ At least, yeah, though to be fair, I've never had the itch to be an ichthyologist again once I learned about girls, ❞ he quipped, shaking his head. He never really understood why he wanted to be one when he was a kid. After that phase was over, there was nothing left, not even in his bones, that suggested it was anything more than a very strange fancy. He nodded as he tried to pick up his mug and tap it against her at the same time but he was a few seconds slower, another reason for him to smile, ❝ I also have books about fashion, though I'm not sure if you've read them already. I haven't. But that's mostly just because I know very little about fashion. ❞ Sebni gestured at his basic as basic goes fashion style, somewhat nonexistent most likely to a true expert like her.

WHERE: one more page WHO: emmy & sebni @arabianwrite

❝ Hi, ❞ was the only word that escaped Sebni's lips when he saw her. He found it hard to focus, at least for a few seconds, because of how beautiful she looked. His face even put on the same awkward smile his high school self used to do when he was caught standing in the presence of a crush not unlike a deer caught in the headlights. When he finally snapped out of it, somewhat, he feigned a cough and racked his brain for an appropriate suggestion, ❝ Well, Ally Condie's Matched could be what you're looking for. It has pretty great worldbuilding, the fantasy of a dystopian authority telling everyone what they should do, and a female protagonist stuck between two cute boys. ❞ In his head, he wondered if she thought him cute as well, and his lips betrayed him again, putting on the aforementioned awkward smile that only a starstruck boy would wear in front of their crush. ❝ Are you into cute boys? ❞

with: sebni massoud ( @arabianwrite ) where: one more page, carroll gardens

❝ Oh, hey, Beau, ❞ Sebni chirped a greeting when he realized who it was. He had just finished ringing up another customer after letting one of his employees take an emergency call. He decided to try and be more social today, asking a question about someone else's life, which he was genuinely curious about, as he tried to look for Beau's books, ❝ Long time no see! How are things? ❞

"Oh those are cute! But well, all dogs are cute." Theo chuckled. They really did think so. Even if they always wanted a black lab and was so lucky they got it, they didn't care one bit about dog breeds. Their next one could be a mutt and they'll be fine. As long as they were rescues, that was important to them. "Roy is a talker when he feels threatened. Otherwise not much? He's very chill actually, aren't you baby?" They lent down a little to scratch behind his ear and give the top of his head a kiss. "He's my dream dog." Caught by surprise at the stretched hand, they stood up straight and shook it. "Oh um, I'm Theo, like wise. Dog people are the best. Do you take yours to the dog park? How do they like it?"

❝ Truer words were never spoken, ❞ Sebni let out a chuckle. He did give it a quick think, tried to see if he himself could think up a dog breed that wasn't cute, but even if he did come up with something that would traditionally be considered un-cute, just being a dog threw tradition out the window. ❝ I tried to before, but all three of them at the same was just pure chaos. Too loud and noisy. So I just started bringing them one by one. Except for the beagle. She prefers just sleeping at home. ❞ All three of his dogs were definitely talkers, threatened or not, unprompted or not. There were times when they'd be chill, but except for the beagle, both the husky and the shiba were just too big of personalities to ever be considered chill. Sebni turned his attention back to Roy once last time, admiring his gentler personality, ❝ Roy's a good boy. You're lucky, and I'm sure he is, too. He's been with you since he was a pup? ❞

Theo loved it when people interacted with Roy and were nice to him. Loving dogs as much as they did, before having Roy, they'd always take the chance to pet as many as they could so they understood when people stopped and petted their dog now. "He really is as handsome as he's friendly. You're right about that." They smiled back, looking from their happy dog getting his rubs in to the kind stranger. "Wow, three? That's the dream mate. What kind?" Curiosity perking up. Immy and them always talked about more dogs but with the baby on its way so soon, they were going to wait a bit more.

“ A shiba, a husky, and a beagle, ” Sebni beamed with pride as he turned his attention to the dog's human. While there was nothing wrong with calling them the dog's owner, as he, too, was a dog owner, especially in his head, he just felt at the moment that it was just appropriate. As the human of three different dogs, each with their unique personalities, he barely felt like he owned anything, if not simply the roommate who takes care of everything else. “ Is Roy a talker? Or is he more mindful of being noisy? ” His husky wasn't, which would definitely make Roy more of a dream dog. He chuckled at that thought before realizing he was being rude. Sebni extended his hand toward the other person as a way of introducing himself, “ I'm Sebni, by the way. Always a nice day meeting fellow dog people. ”