bodhi

they were opposites in the best way—lexi was loud, unapologetic about the space she took up, while he was quieter, more reserved, yet never once seemed bothered by her volume. that was what she liked most: she didn’t have to shrink around him. and she never tried to stretch him into something he wasn’t either. they just fit. at his words, she nodded thoughtfully. “everyone wants to be like this,” she said, gesturing vaguely to herself. “it’s a personality trait at this point. but if i could, i’d lend it to you for a day so you could just be loud and reckless.” she grinned. “or you could try it yourself. do whatever crosses your mind—no second thoughts. maybe you’d surprise yourself. fake it till you make it.” she took a sip of her drink, eyes still on him. when he mentioned her and mckenzie being cute, she beamed. “we are. and we’re in it for the long run. i’m not going back to hooking up with suburban moms from dating apps,” she shook her head dramatically. “my era of being an inexperienced lesbian craving older-woman validation? over.” a smug little smirk appeared. “i upgraded.” she lifted her cup toward him. “to you living a good life too.” as he leaned forward, she mirrored him instinctively, arms folding on the table, eyes glinting with playful challenge. “tempting, but my girlfriend’s ass is way juicier,” she shot back with a laugh. then she sobered slightly. “but seriously… what would i do?” she leaned back in her chair. “i was in love with my best friend and actually told her. now i’m dating her. that’s nothing like what you had with kitty.” she studied him for a second before shrugging. “if you keep thinking about her, just invite her over. what’s the worst that happens? she says no? fine. but if she says yes and you actually have a good time, maybe it quiets that constant replay in your head.” her tone softened. “you’re not over her. and you’re not really trying to be either, are you?”

Bodhi had always cared about what people thought of him, more than he ever really let on, and though he rarely traced it back, it likely rooted itself somewhere in his childhood, in moments that taught him to be careful, measured, and aware of how he came across. He wasn’t the kind of person to air everything out for the world to see; he kept his circle small, sharing pieces of himself only with those he trusted most, guarding the rest like it was something fragile. At her comment, he playfully shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him. “Can you imagine that? Me being loud and reckless. People would be blown out the water by it,” he said, the idea clearly amusing but far from believable. When Lexi admitted she was in her relationship for the long run, Bodhi’s expression softened, a small, genuine smile lingering on his face. “She seems really good for you,” he admitted, keeping his words simple, choosing not to pry into the deeper layers of her relationship but appreciating what he could see from the outside. As the conversation shifted and Lexi touched on the feelings he hadn’t quite shaken, Bodhi reached for his drink, wrapping his fingers around the glass as if grounding himself before giving a small, resigned shrug. “Do you want me to be honest? No. I’m not over her. I still really like her, Lex,” he admitted, his voice quieter now, more vulnerable than before. He exhaled slowly, eyes dropping for a moment. “She’s on my mind all day, all night. I’m always anxiety ridden that some other guy is going to take her before I have the chance to say it to her face, but who wants to get back with their ex? What if I say something and she’s completely put off by the idea. That would make me feel so down.”

walking into that house felt heavier than bodhi probably expected, and kitty knew it; she’d insisted on coming not just because she missed being near him, but because she knew this goodbye would hurt. she watched him check his phone and reply to a text, and her chest tightened before she could stop herself—what if it was another girl? he deserved to move on. they weren’t together anymore. still, when his hand remained wrapped around hers as they walked up the path, her stomach twisted in confusion. was he just being kind because she’d reached first? what would his girl think—if there was one? “you’ll be fine. i’m here,” she murmured softly, offering a small reassuring smile when his thumb brushed over her knuckles. inside, she slipped off her shoes automatically, afraid that if she let go of his hand for too long, the fragile closeness between them would disappear again. “don’t worry,” she added gently. “you should’ve seen my room when i moved back to my mom’s… i told her not to touch anything. my desk turned gray from dust. it was disgusting,” she laughed quietly. “and then she yelled at me for it.” the humor faded as old memories crept in their ... his apartment, the pillows she’d picked out, the little pieces of her scattered through his space. had he thrown them away? donated them? upstairs, she finally let go of his hand to grab a cardboard box, kneeling on the floor and beginning to sort through a few items. the question had been sitting like a stone in her chest, and before she could soften it, she asked bluntly, “were you texting your girlfriend before?” her voice was calm, but her fingers stilled against the edge of the box as she avoided looking at him.

Kitty had always known exactly what to say to make Bodhi feel lighter, like she could sense when his thoughts were starting to spiral and gently pull him back before he sank too deep into them, and it was something he had quietly come to rely on over time. She had a sweet soul, he’d known that from the beginning, and it was the very reason they had clicked so naturally, both of them careful with each other’s feelings, always trying in small, consistent ways to lift the other up instead of dragging them down. “Letting the dust build up on them is a little bit disgusting, Kit,” he teased, a grin tugging at his lips as he gestured toward the neglected surfaces. “I can see why she might have been mad about that.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he took in the state of the place he was cleaning up. It wasn’t his home, so he didn’t feel the same responsibility for it, though his own space wasn’t exactly perfect either, there was always a layer of dog hair he battled to keep under control but it was at least cared for. Moving with purpose, Bodhi started higher up, clearing items down into two rough piles: one to keep, the other to throw. Some things, like the sturdier tables and chairs, could easily be donated, still perfectly usable despite the dust. At Kitty’s question, he paused briefly, raising an eyebrow before scoffing. “No. No girlfriend right now,” he said quickly. “It was my friend texting me a girl’s number. He said I need to get back out there instead of lingering on…” His words faltered, catching in his throat as he avoided finishing the thought, lingering on her. “I’m not interested. I’ve told him I’m not looking for love right now.” He glanced back at her, then added, “How about you? Are you seeing anyone?” before turning away, his cheeks warming as he busied himself with the next pile.

kitty couldn’t say she had actively tried to move past bodhi; she had gone on a couple of dates because her friends pushed her to, but she wasn’t interested, they talked and kitty simply sighed, sometimes not even looking at them, her gaze fixed on her drink or on everything around them, not because she wanted to be bitchy but because that wasn’t what she wanted and she knew they weren’t bodhi. the breakup hadn’t been messy on either end, it had been silent and respectful, and maybe if it hadn’t been she wouldn’t be there yearning for someone she should have forgotten, someone who, to her, was the best person she had ever met or ever would. she wasn’t helping him because she felt pressured to, it was a mix of wanting to feel what it was like to be around him again and remembering the moments she had spent with his grandmother, that woman had always been kind to her even if she wasn’t part of the family. “she was really sweet,” she nodded, “i liked coming to see her,” she nodded again, “and she called me from time to time to check on me, which was great, she knew how to make people feel special,” she added, fondness in her voice. kitty took a long breath to keep herself from getting emotional, sat up straighter, and asked about the dog, it was an easier topic. “oh, yeah, maybe it’s better that way,” she nodded, “but you don’t have to cook for us, you know…” she sighed right after, already knowing what would come next, “but you like getting what you want, so i have no choice but to keep you happy,” she said softly, deep down just wanting to admit she wanted to go there to keep that small fantasy alive. as he pulled up, she looked ahead instead of at him, pressing her lips into a thin line. “let’s do it,” she murmured, opening the door and getting out of the car, starting to walk before stopping to wait for him. when he reached her side, she reached for his hand. “it’s going to be hard,” she said quietly, not looking at him, not wanting to know if there was a reaction to her touch or not, “but you can do it.”

Bodhi’s phone buzzed again, another number passed along by one of his friends no doubt, a girl they thought might pique his interest. He didn’t want to come across as ungrateful for their well-meaning efforts, even though he knew, deep down, it was meaningless. He previously had began drafting a text, his fingers hovering over the keys, the words forming and then disappearing as he backspaced the entire sentence, realizing with quiet certainty that he wasn’t interested in meeting anyone else—no one could ever be Kitty, no one could even come close, and he couldn’t bring himself to string someone along knowing he had no real intention or desire to pursue them. He leaned back against his car door, shaking his head with a chuckle as memories of his grandma quirks flitted through his mind, her way of sending texts that took her an hour to craft or calling just to ask how his day was and what he was doing tomorrow. “That was her thing,” he murmured, smiling, the nostalgia threading through him with a bittersweet warmth. Eventually, he wandered toward the house, each step slow and deliberate, trying to take it all in and hold himself back from letting his emotions get the better of him, until he saw Kitty’s hand reaching out toward him, warm and familiar, and he didn’t hesitate, interlacing their fingers together in a comforting, grounding gesture. “I’ll be okay. I’ll take a couple of deep breaths. I’m here to get something done. I’m not to go over my past feelings,” he murmured, confident that he could store his thoughts somewhere in his head for later, letting them wait until the proper time. He brushed his thumb lightly over her knuckles, a quiet gesture of connection, and offered, “Shall we start up high in the top rooms and leave the bottom rooms until last?” He wanted to do this properly, to make sure they finished efficiently with only a few boxes needing to be moved to the car at the end. As he walked ahead, he kept their hands together, stepping up the stairs one foot at a time, careful and deliberate. “Don’t mind the mess or dust. It’s been a small while,” he apologized, a soft smile on his lips.

lexi loved talking, that much was obvious; she had that charm, that way of speaking that could either make you want to listen to her or roll your eyes at her, she was just pure and effortlessly confident. “that’s the gay charm, my friend,” she tossed her hair back, “maybe if you tried it you’d be less boring,” she teased, a smirk on her lips. she was joking, but that was how she joked. they were polar opposites, she liked the attention, she liked shining and being open, while he was closed off, keeping things to himself, self-aware. but even if they were nothing alike, the quiet guy in front of her was her best friend, the person she confided in besides her girlfriend and her older sister, her platonic soulmate if anyone wanted to get cheesy, and she was incredibly grateful to have him. “i feel like that would be a good option, maybe we should,” she nodded, “i’m sure she wouldn’t let me pay more than her, so we’ll find something that suits our budget.” lexi came from a rich family, it wasn’t something she shouted to the world, but for her girlfriend she wouldn’t mind spending more money, especially when she was utterly in love with mckenzie. “mckenzie does take care of me,” she said, knowing that wasn’t the intention behind his words but smirking anyway, “you can’t imagine how well she takes care of me,” she winked, her smirk growing before she burst out laughing, loud enough to make a couple of people turn and look at her. “i’d say sorry, but you know i wouldn’t mean it,” she smiled, taking a sip of her drink. “she’s just easy to love, her ex was a fucking asshole, and i just try to love her the way she deserves,” she added more softly. “i guess that’s what people do when they love someone, you did it too.”

Bodhi’s lips pulled into a grin at her banter, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement as he watched Lexi’s eyes sparkle with mischief, her words flying with a charm and boldness that seemed effortless, and he couldn’t help but admire it. They were opposites in the most perfect way—she was loud and vibrant, a presence that filled the room with laughter and energy, and he was reserved, quietly cheeky, a smirk always lurking beneath the surface, finding humour in the spaces between words rather than in the spotlight of them. “I wish I could act like you. I wish I could just come out with whatever is playing on my mind. I envy that. I really do,” he admitted, his voice softer, tinged with an honesty he didn’t often offer, fingers curling around his glass as he sipped, feeling the cool liquid settle and grounding him in the moment. When Lexi mentioned that Mckenzie had taken care of her, he smiled behind the glass, the warmth in his chest spreading in a quiet way he rarely expressed. “You two are real cute together. I hope you and her last a very long time. It’s the least you deserve,” he confessed, genuine admiration in his tone, and raising his drink, he smiled widely, letting the glass catch the dim light as he added, “To you and living your best life possible,” before taking a sip, the gesture both celebratory and intimate, a small bridge of connection in their conversation. Yet even as he engaged, Bodhi couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to Kitty, the thought of her occupying the spaces between words, even when he was speaking, subtle yet persistent, a quiet ache beneath his cheeky exterior. “So,” he continued, leaning slightly forward, fingers tightening lightly on the glass, voice low and contemplative, “If you was in my situation, what would you be doing? Pretend you’re me and Mckenzie is Kitty,” he challenged gently, eyes flicking up to hers with that same playful curiosity.

lexi rolled her eyes at her best friend. "that's all the single people say, time to find myself, you sound so much like a man," she teased, a smirk on her lips. "just sorting the dog out? that sounds lonely too, don’t mind me telling you how sad your day is, right?" she kept teasing. she loved bodhi, and she was just messing with him — if he needed time to heal and figure things out, she got it, but her teasing self would never say that out loud. "of course i’d do it, i’m sure mckenzie would help me make those look amazing," she laughed, another smirk tugging at her lips. they were so different, but she loved bodhi; even she needed someone calmer sometimes, and he’d always been there. as bodhi started talking about kitty, lexi leaned back, watching him with a small smile. "of course it fills that void, you didn’t have her and now you do," she nodded. "okay, just remember how hurt you were last time, don’t let it happen again — it was hard enough then," she said softly. "after i brag about my girlfriend, we’ll go back to kitty," she added. "mckenzie’s great, we’re starting to look for a place of our own. i’m kind of tired of inviting her over to my parents’ place, so yeah, we need to find something."

Bodhi leaned on his hand, elbow braced against the surface in front of him as he watched his best friend with a quiet attentiveness that came naturally to him, his posture relaxed and unassuming, as if he were most comfortable existing slightly to the side of things rather than at their centre. “I’m not bothered about sounding boring. I am a boring person in comparison to you,” he grinned, the expression easy and self-aware, fitting for someone who had always kept himself to himself, never flashy, never one to show off, simply not the kind of person he had grown up to be. He listened more than he spoke, content in that role, and when she mentioned bragging about her girlfriend before inevitably circling back to talking about Kitty, his lips curled into a small, fond smile that softened his features, a quiet sign of how genuinely happy he was for her. “There are some open apartments near where I live. They are fairly cheap compared to other places,” he admitted, voice steady and practical. “You should look into those ones. See if that’d be good for the two of you until you want an actual house.” There was no envy in him, only warmth, because Bodhi was truly happy for Lexi, glad that things were finally going her way, and the sincerity in his gaze lingered as he added, “I’m glad McKenzie is taking care of you.”

in that car, it felt like no time had passed. they were back on that little town street, like the same day bodhi almost ran the red light because he’d been looking at her instead of the road. the wind in her hair, the familiar hum of the engine—it was all the same, and kitty remembered it too well. she wondered if bodhi felt it too, if she wasn’t the only one who still cherished those moments, if she wasn’t the only one whose heart still beat for him and him alone. blair had tried setting her up on dates, people nothing like bodhi, but she couldn’t get over him. she had to resist the urge to keep glancing at him, eyes fixed on the road instead, though every time he spoke she felt pulled in. “sometimes, things don’t need to change to be good,” she murmured, her words carrying more weight than she wanted to admit. if she could go back, she would have fought harder for them, because she still loved him. when he talked about his grandmother, she couldn’t help smiling. “i can totally see that,” she sighed softly, “i wish i had met her sooner.” she noticed the way his lips tugged into a frown when she brushed off the hoodie, not because she didn’t want it, but because she was thinking about him being the one drenched. and as he reached into the backseat, she already knew what he was about to grab. when his deep brown eyes fixed on her, she couldn’t refuse. “i don’t,” she admitted simply, before slipping it on. it smelled like him, like he’d wrapped his arms around her, and the sleeves hung long on her hands as she scrunched them up. “thanks,” she said quietly, then, almost shyly, “by the way… where’s the baby? you promised she’d be here.”

Bodhi knew exactly what his friends thought—they’d made it clear more than once that he should have moved on by now, found someone new, maybe even hooked up with a few people just to shake Kitty out of his system. They said he needed someone different, someone nothing like her, but to Bodhi, Kitty wasn’t just some ex to forget—she was the blueprint, the definition of what perfect had looked like in his world. Even though things hadn’t worked out between them, it wasn’t because they didn’t care or because one of them had wronged the other. Their breakup had been mutual, quiet, and oddly respectful, the kind that left space for sadness rather than bitterness. Now, sitting behind the wheel with her beside him, the weight of pretending they were just friends settled heavy in his chest. He could feel the emotions creeping up, tightening his throat as he stared ahead and tried to act like it didn’t matter. Gulping, Bodhi forced himself into check, shifting the conversation to safer ground as he said, “She was a good woman. I loved my grandmother. She was more mobile when I was younger. She used to take me wherever I wanted. She treated me because I was always a good kid.” His voice was a little rough, not just from the memory of his grandmother but from the closeness of Kitty and the act he had to keep playing. But then she mentioned the dog—their dog—and Bodhi mentally cursed. Of course she wanted to see the dog. It had been theirs once, part of the life they’d tried to build, and now it was just his by default. He exhaled and admitted, “I thought we’d clean up and then head to mine for a bit so I can cook us some food. The dog is at my place.” He paused, running a hand through his hair before adding, “I didn’t want her running into all the boxes or hiding where we couldn’t find her in the big pile of mess.” His scoff was soft, almost self-deprecating. Pulling up outside the house, Bodhi undid his seatbelt and climbed out, every movement weighed down with memories he wasn’t sure he wanted to face. “Come on,” he said without looking back at her. “The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish.”

kitty knew blair was going to tell her what she was doing was crazy, of course she was, she had told her plenty of times that if that relationship was over she should stop thinking about him, but she wasn’t over him. she couldn’t be. she noticed the way he drove, and it made her nostalgic, those first drives back in her last year of university, when he’d pick her up on friday nights after classes to go out. something she had missed. when he admitted those sweets were still his favorite she smiled, relieved. she popped one of the treats into his mouth and then got one for herself too. she didn’t glance at his hand but noticed how he dropped the cigarette. “they taste great,” she nodded, though she didn’t know if she had missed the taste or what came with it, that chuckle, that giggle that made kitty feel so warm inside, so alive. she didn’t want to say something she shouldn’t or overthink it all, so she grabbed another sour patch and bit into it, before hearing his voice again. she turned to look at him. “you don’t have to do that,” she promised, mostly because it would only make things harder for her. “these can go straight into the washing machine after today,” she added, not wanting him to worry, even if she knew he would. “you should reserve it, i heard this morning it was going to rain a lot later today, so keep something dry in the car just in case you get drenched,” she mused. she hadn’t gotten herself an umbrella either—really smart of her—but she was too focused on something else. “i accepted,” she cut him off, “it’s not disneyland but i wouldn’t say it’s not fun, i like thinking i’m going to relive your grandma’s life through memories.” she shrugged. “she was a really sweet woman.”

Bodhi tried not to stare, but it was hard—nearly impossible, really—because he had been in love with this girl for what felt like forever, and even now, sitting beside her again, it hit him like it always did: quiet, steady, and relentless. Their relationship had once been something beautiful, the kind of bond that felt effortless and deep, rooted in years of knowing each other too well and loving each other anyway. But life, as it often does, had other plans. It hadn’t ended with shouting or betrayal—just a slow unravelling of hopes that hadn’t lined up at the right time. Right people, wrong time. That thought clung to him like a shadow, especially now, when everything between them felt so calm but still carried the weight of what they’d lost. “In actual fact, they’ve always tasted great. It’s one of the only sweets that still taste the same after all these years,” he said, chewing gently, his tone soft, distracted, clinging to something simple as his fingers toyed with the wrapper. Some things changed, like people, like love—but not these sweets. When she mentioned the weather, or maybe it was her quiet refusal to wear his hoodie, a small frown tugged at his lips before he could stop it. He wasn’t sure why it hit a nerve, but he chose not to dwell on it, reaching for another sweet and popping it into his mouth. “She was a real great woman,” he said, shifting the conversation as he drove. “She pretty much helped me grow up. Like a second mother to me.” As they turned onto his grandmother’s street and he parked the car, the air between them felt heavier, fuller, like the pause before something important. He reached into the backseat, grabbed the hoodie, and held it out to her. “Pop it on,” he said, flashing her a lopsided smile. “I can deal with being drenched if the weather changes. You don’t want me sulking the whole time we’re here, do you?” he teased, his voice light but his eyes searching hers, hoping—just a little—that this small gesture meant something more.

at his words lexi looked at him. "i'm glad i'm not, i would break your heart, i'm happy with my girlfriend," she mused, a smirk on her lips. she was about to add something when he reached out to mess with her hair. "you're a fucking asshole, you're going to regret it," she muttered, shooting him a bitter look, "not now, but when you go bald you’ll remember tonight, i'll pay an etsy witch to make it happen sooner," she joked, smoothing her hair back down. as he tried to justify how he ended up seeing his ex again, lexi rolled her eyes. "if you were together and kissed, i’d say go bodhi, at least you had some fun, but instead you just keep reminding me how boring you are," she teased. "i wouldn’t try to set you up with one of my friends, i’d look outside that, maybe go to a library and convince someone, or i could make little business cards that work like tinder and hand them out to cute brunettes so they’ll call you," she mused, "that’s actually a great idea," she joked. but as he got serious, she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back. "it’s not a bad thing, you’re right, the bad thing is you said you’re falling for her again, and let me remind you—you broke up," she pointed out, "you’re going to get hurt again, bodhi."

Bodhi raised an eyebrow when Lexi called him boring, the corners of his mouth twitching like he was half-amused, half-offended, but mostly unbothered. “I’m not in a rush to get back into a relationship, Lex,” he said calmly, his tone grounded, thoughtful rather than defensive. “It’s nice finding myself a little. It’s nice coming home and just sorting the dog out.” The words hung in the air with quiet honesty—he did miss being in a relationship, but he wasn’t in pieces without one. He was Bodhi first, always had been, and he was finally starting to remember what that felt like. When Lexi jokingly brought up printing business cards to help him date more brunettes, he gently wagged a finger at her, expression wry. “Don’t you dare. I know you’d actually try and do something like that,” he said, his voice warm with familiar affection. He glanced at her then, his blonde best friend who’d always been a bit of a whirlwind in his life, and gave her a small, appreciative smile. “It’s nice hanging out with her again. It fills the void that was there between us. We’re not rushing into anything. We’re just taking moments as they come.” He shrugged, almost like he didn’t want to admit how much it actually meant to him. Then, with a quick pivot, as if the subject was growing too close for comfort, he shifted the spotlight. “Can we talk about your relationship and not mine?” he asked, a teasing note in his voice before softening again. “How’s your girl?”

lexi’s eyebrows shot up, the look she gave him screaming louder than any words could’ve. “if you think so, sure,” she said, shaking her head before going back to scrolling through the menu. “i feel like it’s an onion rings kind of night,” she mused, already tasting the crunch in her head, “and a beer. the most bitter one they’ve got.” her lips curved into a grin. “everyone flirts with me, why wouldn’t you?” she teased, eyes flicking up at him for a beat before returning to her phone. “just don’t forget, i’m in love with my girlfriend, rapp.” the smirk tugged at her lips, enjoying pushing his buttons. when he started describing his type, lexi’s brow arched higher. she knew exactly who he was talking about. “leave my girlfriend out of this, thanks,” she chuckled, shaking her head. “i told you,” she reminded him, “i could pay for someone to clean that up for you.” she wasn’t joking either—her family had the money and she would’ve written the check without a second thought. but when he mentioned his ex, her jaw dropped. “your ex? you asked your ex for help?” her tone was all shock and dramatics. “she’s hot, i’ll give you that—but bodhi,” she dragged out his name like she couldn’t believe him, “can’t you just move on?” leaning closer, she gave him a pleading look, though her smile betrayed her amusement. “i’ll get you a brunette girlfriend,” she teased, poking at his arm. “why do you keep beating around the bush?”

Bodhi wasn’t feeling onion rings at all, but that didn’t stop him from happily adding them to the order for Lexi’s sake, his expression unreadable except for the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You aren’t my type. I don’t like blondes,” he teased, reaching out to gently mess with her hair before tapping the purchase button on the app, their food and drinks now confirmed. He opted to pay with Apple Pay, letting the cash come straight out without a second thought, just as Lexi reacted to his casual mention of his ex-girlfriend. “It’s not about moving on,” Bodhi said after a brief pause, his voice quieter, more thoughtful. “We run into each other and all the feelings come flooding back.” His honesty came without shame, like it was just a truth he’d made peace with. “It’s not like we’ve kissed or cuddled. We just talk, and it makes me fall in love with her all over again.” He glanced at Lexi, testing her reaction, but his laugh broke the tension when she joked about finding him a brunette girlfriend. “You know I don’t like a lot of your other friends. Don’t you dare try and put them and I together,” he grinned, rolling his eyes playfully. “Kitty and I really like each other’s company,” he added more seriously, the admission hanging in the air for a beat. “It’s not a bad thing, hanging out with your ex, you know.”

it all happened so fast, his hand moving to shield her head as she slipped inside, and she caught the edge of concern in his eyes, it was clear she hadn’t controlled the way she got in—it hadn’t been smooth at all. “yeah, thanks,” she said softly. as he walked to the other side she cursed under her breath, “idiot,” not to bodhi, but to herself. he rolled the windows down and she had to bite her tongue to keep from telling him smoking wasn’t good for him. “they’re still your favorite, right?” she asked, raising her eyebrows as she showed him the sweets, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “they’re not, open” she teased, but he didn’t even have to ask—she was already opening the bag by the time he started the engine. she was about to fish out a gummy when his arm slid across the back of her seat. her breath caught. he noticed. he pulled it away. “don’t be,” she shook her head quickly. this was harder than she’d expected, not because they hated each other, but because every second of it felt like nothing had happened, and she had to keep dragging herself back to reality. she waited until he was driving to speak. “here,” she mused, holding one of the sweets up to his mouth, just like she’d done a million times before when he was behind the wheel. once he took it, she popped one into her own mouth. “i haven’t had any of these since … you know,” she confessed, her voice softer now. “i missed them.” she missed him.

Bodhi had always been someone who worried about other people’s safety, often more than his own—it was just how he was wired. Whether it was making sure someone got home safe or watching someone’s step on uneven ground, he couldn’t help himself. As he drove, the cigarette rested between his lips, barely burning, his focus split between the road and Kitty beside him. When she asked if the sweets were still his favourite, a soft smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “They are my absolute favourites,” he admitted, voice tinged with nostalgia. “I haven’t had them in such a long time though.” He rarely found the time to go to the shops for things like that anymore, too busy, too tired, too distracted. But the fact that Kitty had thought of him, had remembered and brought him something he genuinely loved—it hit him in that quiet place that rarely got touched. It was just… sweet, in every sense. Trying not to let the moment get weird, Bodhi returned both hands to the steering wheel, steadying himself and the situation as he let Kitty pop the sweet into his mouth. His body reacted immediately to the taste, and a small, genuine giggle slipped out. “They still taste as good as ever,” he chuckled, clearly surprised by how strong the memory was. With a casual flick, he dropped the cigarette under his wheel and ran over it to put it out, before glancing sideways at her. His eyes briefly lingered on what she was wearing before softening with quiet concern. “When we get to my grandmother’s house, I’ll put you in my hoodie, okay? I don’t want what you’re wearing to get dusty,” he said, voice low and sincere. It wasn’t about style—it was about not wanting to ruin something of hers. “I mainly just need help putting things into boxes so I can move stuff in loads instead of one at a time,” he explained, eyes on the road now. “I’m sorry to reel you into this. I know it’s not a fun task, but I appreciate it more than you know.”

at last

christopher briney @ academy museum gala 2023

kitty sighed as she stepped out of her mother’s place, seeing him there waiting was something she had promised herself wouldn’t happen again, but there he was—just like the first time he’d ever picked her up. only now, things were different. they’d been through a breakup, and this… this was something she didn’t even know how to label. at his question, she shook her head, glancing down at the box in her hands. “i don’t want these getting ruined,” she murmured, careful as he opened the door for her. her brown eyes flicked up to meet his before she slipped inside, overthinking so much she almost hit her head on the doorframe. she set the treats on her lap, her bag at her feet, and clicked her seatbelt into place, trying to act natural though her nerves betrayed her. when he made his comment, kitty turned toward him, cheeks warming. “i guess,” she said with a small shrug, “only if you mean them.” a sigh slipped from her lips before she smirked softly, her tone playful as her eyes lingered on him. “i got you your favorite treat… can i do that?”

Bodhi winced instinctively as Kitty ducked into the car, narrowly missing a painful collision with the roof. He shot out a hand to shield her head, his fingers brushing the edge just in time. “Kit,” he said, voice gentle but edged with concern, “be careful. You nearly hit your head off the top here.” With a small shake of his head, he closed the passenger door softly, making sure it clicked shut without a slam, then circled around to the driver’s side. Sliding in beside her, he settled into the seat with a practiced ease, rolling down his window to let the smoke out as he lit a cigarette. At the mention of snacks, his gaze flicked toward her with a mix of curiosity and mild disbelief. “You got me sour patches?” he asked, eyebrows lifting, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as his whole expression brightened. “Are they already open? My stomach's rumbling.” He chuckled, fumbling briefly with the ignition before the engine growled to life. As he began reversing from the parking space, his arm slid automatically across the back of her seat to look behind them — a familiar habit — but the moment struck him as oddly intimate, and he pulled his arm back with a sheepish smile. “Sorry,” he murmured, eyes flicking to hers with a small laugh, “that was instinct.”

if lexi was honest she had actually tried to be on time, but of course she’d failed miserably, and she was definitely blaming it on mckenzie—her girlfriend had every right to look that good, but distracting her when she’d said she was meeting her best friend? yeah, that was all mckenzie’s ass’s fault. sliding into the booth, her cheeky smile was already in place as bodhi handed her the menu. “you know what? i don’t trust your taste, i won’t believe you until i try something else,” she teased with a wink, snatching his phone with ease as he passed it over and scanning the options herself. “what a gentleman, but you remember i’m into women, right?” she joked, already letting her mind wander with an idea she decided to sit on for now. leaning back, her grin only widened as her gaze flicked up to him, a wicked glint in her eyes. “so… how have you been, bodhi?”

Bodhi playfully rolled his eyes, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth when Lexi accused him of having no taste. “I have great taste. Taste is one thing that I do have,” he shot back with a laugh. The brunette watched her with an amused expression as she scrolled through his phone. Settling into his usual habits, Bodhi opted for the safe choice of a beer and fries, knowing full well what the cooks in this particular kitchen were like—he didn’t trust them not to burn anything else on the menu. “I’m not flirting with you, cheeky sod,” he teased after a beat, eyes glinting with mischief. “You aren’t my type either. I like dark-haired girls. I’d prefer your girlfriend over you.” The playful jab landed easily between them, familiar and light. But when she shifted gears and asked how he’d been, Bodhi’s smile softened into something more genuine. “I’m doing okay! I’ve been cleaning up my grandma’s place,” he said with a shrug, his voice warm with a mix of pride and weariness. “I saw Kitty the other day. She helped me out.” He paused for a second, scratching the back of his neck before glancing up with a sheepish chuckle. “Is it weird to be strung up on my ex?”