*𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕦𝕣𝕖.

         (    ↻    )    “  thank god. finally someone that’s thinking logically,  ”  avery lets out a dramatic sigh. they turn and face oze, listening intently to the young player.  “  that’s always fun. it really hits two birds with one stone. you get to visit grandma and she gets help putting up decorations. are you still able to continue that tradition  ?  ”  they’ll ask.  “  honestly,  i’m lucky if holiday decorations start going up on december first. time gets away from me way too quickly nowadays.  ”  ever since they’d taken up the position as the stormbreakers’ chief brand officer,  avery barely gets a moment to themselves. not that they’re complaining. they love this job.  “  my family’s not super big on christmas. we used to travel a lot. the joys of being in year-round sports. if it wasn’t for one of my track meets then it’d be something of my brother’s. we didn’t mind it though, we still spent time as a family. and at the end of the day, i think that’s what really matters,  y’know  ?  ”

🖌    he   couldn't   help   the   way   his   face   contorted   at   the   estimated   number   ,   brows   almost   touching   due   to   the   frown   that   formed   .   “   i   said   chill   ,   not   dead   .   triple   that   .   ”   fifty   people   wouldn't   even   be   able   to   make   enough   noise   for   his   neighbours   to   complain   ,   that   was   a   party   failure   if   you   asked   andré   .   “   why   ,   got   other   plans   ?   ”   but   he   didn't   care   whether   oze   showed   up   on   time   or   at   three   in   the   morning   ,   facetime   was   still   an   option   in   case   something   he   didn't   want   the   other   to   miss   ended   up   happening   .   “   what   do   you   mean   what   do   i   mean   ?   alright   ,   let   me   give   you   the   rundown   of   my   job   one   more   time   .   ”   he   sat   up   straighter   ,   ready   to   paint   the   perfect   image   of   a   day   in   his   life   .   “   so   there's   a   cruise   ship   arriving   at   the   port   ,   right   ,   and   who's   gonna   park   it   ?   the   captain   driving   it   ?   no   ,   they're   fucking   useless   .   so   your   dear   friend   ―   me   ―   ,   and   my   copilot   take   our   little   boat   to   get   close   enough   to   the   big   ship   that   i   can   climb   the   side   stairs   and   go   to   the   control   room   to   manoeuvre   that   bitch   to   perfection   .   and   one   day   i   did   that   thrice   ,   to   three   different   cruises   .   ”

serena beams softly, taking the cup with a gentle, grateful smile. “thanks, oze… you’re really sweet, i really appreciate it.” she murmurs, her fingers brushing his as she lifts the cup. she lets out a tiny sigh, the warmth of the coffee comforting against her headache. “yeah… shade sounds really good right now,” she adds, tilting her head toward a nearby tree, her voice light but tired, a little smile lingering despite the sun and the ache.

    “   and   then   i   had   to   explain   to   him   that   i   can't   just   get   people   on   cruises   for   free,   that's   not   how   that   works,   you   know   ?   i   don't   work   for   their   companies.   ”   he   was   rambling   at   that   point,   now   completely   lost   from   the   original   subject   of   the   conversation,   and   his   coffee   wasn't   even   half   gone.   “   like,   i   haven't   even   been   on   one   myself.   i've   been   in   one.   several.   three   in   one   day,   once.   i   tried   staying   for   the   day   one   time,   they   had   this   sick   ballroom   class   program   going   on.   but   i   couldn't,   there   was   a   cargo   ship   coming   in.   but   that's…   not   what   we   were   talking   about,   is   it   ?   what   was   it   ag―   right,   new   year's.   yeah,   i'll   probably   throw   a   party.   not a huge one, just something chill. few people. ” a big fat lie.

“oh—sorry.” serena lifts a hand to her temple, rubbing small circles with her thumb as if she can coax the growing ache into softening. she offers a faint, apologetic smile, the kind that tries to reassure even while she’s clearly worn thin. “i think a headache’s starting. it’s just been… one of those really long days at work.” she lowers her hand and looks back up, eyes warm despite her exhaustion. “what were you saying? i promise i’m listening—i’m just a little fried. sorry about that.”

papers and ribbons rested on the little counter behind the numerous flowers amaranth had organized on the front of her little stall,  she was ready to start working on whatever her current customer's order was,  eager to give them her best service.   " so,  what are you looking for ?  is it for a lover,  a loved one,  for your home ? "   she asked,  her enthusiasm successfully concealed behind her sweet,  soft tone.   " i wanna give you the perfect arrangement,  so the more the details,  the better.   don’t hold back on me. "

        (    ↻    )    “  i can’t believe the holidays are just creeping up on us.  ”  avery comments. eyes catch the various holiday decorations peeking out from various storefronts, no doubt ready to go up as soon as thanksgiving passes. they pluck a sample of fudge from the tray and plop it into their mouth.  “  although, i guess i should be glad that christmas decorations aren’t up just yet. i don’t know if i could take it. but i have friends who set up their christmas trees in october. what are your thoughts  ?  christmas decorations should go up before thanksgiving or after  ?  ”

Shadi