take a bite

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What– um, what kind of strange?”

“---I can’t really tell you. I found her wine stash, but so far... there hasn’t been anything yet. It’s more so a warning, in case something embarrassing pops up.”

His face creased downwards in response to her words, his posture growing awkward as he shifted his weight between his feet. “You don’t seem like a terrible mess at all.” Ian stepped back, wanting to give her space. He tilted his head, having to aim his figure down a bit to look at her, brows creasing. “I’m- I’m so sorry for your loss.” Ian was a loser, a big dweeb, he had no idea how to talk to people- let alone pretty women. He was no prince charming, he was the one to accidently knock into the damsel and make them more distressed then they were to begin with. 

She shook her head, attempting to reassure him that there was nothing to be sorry for. “No,” she manages to get out, clearing her throat. “Don’t even worry about it.” There was slight laughter, though it held no humor. She felt heavy, as though even the thought of her mother was a bigger burden than it actually was. “Anyway--- I think I’ll take your offer,” she lowers her head, only to lift it up with an embarrassed smile. “Nothing can really beat how embarrassing this is.”

Matthew swallowed and nodded. “Thanks. I’m okay, really.” He knew that people were trying to help him feel more comfortable, but calling attention to how out of place he acted didn’t really help. Sometimes he wished people would just ignore him and let him be sad in peace, but he also knew he wouldn’t like it if that actually happened.

She nodded, deciding that whether she believed him or not wouldn’t matter. All that mattered was to do her part. If that meant providing all that she could, despite not connecting with Matthew in the way that she liked, so be it. “Alright--- by the way, I don’t know if you know but this wasn’t originally my place to start with. It was my cousins. So, if you find anything strange... just know it’s probably not my doing. ---Probably.”

“I’m okay.”

“I insist,” Ian smiled, tightly, cheeks pressing up and causing the waterline of his eyes to curve. “A little too lovely?” He commented with a curious eyebrow, resting his weight against the counter and folding her arms back onto it’s cool, metal surface. “You have said it, and I will accept the compliment again- but I will not accept you leaving this shop empty handed. Now pardon me, but if you don’t mind me asking; Who are these flowers for? Maybe I can help you find a better suiting bouquet.”

She let herself smile when he did, finding comfort in this stranger’s words. She bowed her head in appreciation for his kindness but nearly lost her composure when he asked who the flowers were for. “---I’m sorry,” she looked away, a few tears making their way down her cheek. “God, I must seem like a terrible mess.” She added a single chuckle, dry and humorless. Cecilia wanted to keep the details to herself but didn’t want to leave the shop with a bouquet and the possibility of having to explain herself---- should they meet again. “They’re...” she starts, ultimately deciding he’d know a better arrangement anyway. “---My mother.” Avoiding his gaze, she looks down, breathing in deep. “She was, um... murdered. Technically.”

joel-monroe:

Micah nodded as Kana said that she might need help getting Cecilia to her place, ignoring her questions of him being an angel. He frowned as Cecilia tried to apologize.

“You’re only a burden to her, not me. This is my job.” He leaned down to pick Cecilia up, not about to listen to any protests. “Lead the way.” He said to Kana.

“You’re not a burden to me,” Kana assured the woman with a smile. “I want to help. Really.” There’d been times when she’d been sick and had no one to turn to, and she wasn’t going to let this woman go through that. There were few things worse.

Glancing back to Micah, Kana nodded. “This way,” she said, walking in the direction of her house. It wasn’t far, and she didn’t bother going slow; if Micah was an angel, he ought to be able to keep up.

Although their words of comfort brought some peace, it was not enough. The wave of emotions seemed to not come from her own will, spewing out sobs uncontrollably as she laid her head against Micah’s chest, literally clinging on for deal life. There was an immense amount of fear, wondering if this would be the last time she’d ever see the light of day. Over his shoulder, the sun was setting, her tears subsiding for just a moment. On the outside, Cecilia was sure she seemed dramatic, but if this is what it took for your life to flash before your eyes, she never wanted to feel this way ever again. She began to think about the many ‘wants’ she desired. She wanted to have children, she wanted to have a family, she wanted to die in old age. And out of nowhere, it’d be taken away in the blink of any eye. “I’m scared,” she managed to get out, her voice muffled against his chest. “Micah, I’m so scared.”

“No. She left. She wasn’t even interested in trying to work through this.”

“...I’m sorry, I wish I could do something about it.”

“I-” Alli shook her head. “I can’t.” She sniffed, then reached out to pull Cecilia into a tight hug. “Dante’s gone, C. He’s- He was the body they found.”

There were no words, absolutely none. Cecilia felt her heart drop, holding onto Alli as tight as she could. “---I’m so sorry,” she half whispered, wanting to take the pain away. “God, I’m so sorry.”

He presses the heels of his hands together, wedging his tongue between his teeth as he looked at her, nodding his head at her words. “You’re not dramatic,” he assures, though still puzzled by her predicament. The man’s eyes gazed back behind him at the shelf of premade bouquets for tomorrow, sighing deep from within his chest before exhaling a heavy, long breath. “Here, how about this-” He moved towards her, not getting too close, arms crossing his chest as hazel optics glanced down at her. “You take your pick of the premade bouquets- whichever you want.” There were a large quantity of premade, surely the arrangement lady wouldn’t notice if one was missing. 

Her brows lift with shock, turning towards the bouquet of flowers on display. Immediately, Cecilia waved her hand, her head shaking. “---Oh, no,” she started, letting out a chuckle. “You’re way too kind--- I can’t do that.” Although being polite was her initial reason for denying his offer, she began to wonder if her mother even deserved it. She turned back to the shelf, getting on her feet to gaze upon them. “They’re so...” she sighed, feeling warm in their presence. “...They’re lovely. I think, a little too lovely for the person I’m leaving them for.” Turning back to him, she offers a smile, showing her appreciation. “Thank you, though. You’re...” she doesn’t know what to say, sighing with a soft chuckle. “I don’t know, I think I already said you’re kind. Thank you.”

“It’s fine, it’s okay. You didn’t really hurt me, you’re not very heavy.”

“I guess that’s good to hear, then. How are you?”

The man wet his lips, pressing his thumb back between them as he just eyed the woman. He scrunched his brows together as she turned to go, quickly removing his thumb and uttering a soon-to-be-regretted “Wait!” He noticed her breathing, it’s strange tremble and choking, the way words were clogged in her throat and couldn’t formulate on her tongue. “Hey, it’s- it’s alright. Sit, sit I insist.” But did he? Why did he insist? He sucked on his thumb again, this time trying to give himself some time to string together some words of comfort or…offering or even explanation. “If you don’t mind me asking…” His subconscious mind finally decided on, “Everything alright?”  

She paused at his call, breathing in. Turning, she cleared her throat, keeping calm. His offer brought more guilt, feeling more like a burden. Still, she obliged and took a seat. Being the terrible liar that she was, simply stating she was ‘fine’ would be foolish. It’d bring on more questions and comments, eventually prompting her to either storm out or tell the truth. What good would it do her to walk away? “I don’t mind,” she finally got out, lowering her gaze. Acknowledging their surroundings, she breathed in again, noting that calmly breathing really did work. “I’m sorry--- I don’t mean to be dramatic... it’s just..” she sighed, looking back up with a small frown. “It’s an important day and I decided last minute to do something about it---- It sounds a lot better than I feel,” she drops her gaze again, chuckling without a hint of humor. “Obviously.”

“H-hey, um… um, ex-excuse me, can you… you’re stepping on my foot.”

The arrangement lady, whose name Ian had forgotten due to exhaustion, had just traipsed out of the shop, entrusting the bitter man with the keys and regular closing duties. Ian had already yanked off his apron, left thumb wedged between his lips as he sucked on a prick he had gotten from a thorn moments before. His apron was already draped across the arrangement station like a worn tablecloth and the man was sifting through his collection of stolen rose petals before he heard the chime of the bell above the door. Hazel eyes didn’t bother to look up, assuming it was the lady coming back for something she had forgotten. Alas, in his peripheral, he didn’t spy the tufts of short, suburban blonde hair and he raised his head, pushing his weight onto his feet as he stood. “Hey uh- Sorry but- We’re closed for the night.” 

Flooded with guilt, Cecilia rushed her way towards the flower shop from across town, enduring the emotions boiling within. The day had started like any other--- as normal as they come with demons and angels invading the town. When life had begun to form around it’s ‘new normal’, everything had started to feel okay again. She had a full house, a job that ---although didn’t pay--- kept her busy, and a great support system. Cecilia figured she was okay. Then she remembered today, feeling guilty for letting herself drown in forced normalcy. Leslie’s birthday wasn’t of great importance; she’d only pass by the Remnant’s compound with a simple card. But, realizing she’d no longer be able to continue the bittersweet tradition broke her heart. When the male delivered the bad news, she looked down, choking back her tears in an attempt to not seem like such a hot mess. “---Oh,” she managed to get out, immediately turning the other direction. “I’m---”