Pocketful of Sunshine

Len had been under the assumption that going on a date with someone who he had already established a friendship with would have been easier than going on a date with a stranger. He knew that Jibril already liked him, already accepted him for all of his intricacies, and that they already got along swimmingly. Despite it all, naturally, Len was incredibly anxious for their date. What if things didn't go well? What if it went so badly that the pair couldn't continue to even be friends? All of the terrible possibilities were flooding his mind as he tried to get himself ready for the date, up until he had quite a different thought: what if everything went great?

It was with a jaunty skip in his step that he made his way to their agreed upon location. With all of his might, he focused on his excitement more than his nerves, trying to think of all of the beautiful possibilities more than what could potentially go wrong. The thoughts helped the walk to go faster, and before he could properly register it, there he was, stepping into the coffee shop, and immediately spotting Jibril.

The enthusiasm that he was greeted with warmed his heart. He couldn't stop himself from laughing happily, feeling special, feeling wanted. "Hey," he greeted them, almost too pleased for words, waving as he made his way over and sat down. "Something for me?" The surprise was evident in his tone of voice, along with the taken aback smile that he wore. "I didn't expect that at all, thank you." Len felt a little bad for not having anything for Jibril in return, but he was more focused on how lucky he was, and how sweet Jibril was for bringing a gift.

The sight of the Kermit keychain just about knocked the breath out of his lungs. It wasn't only because he had objectively wanted the keychain, as Jibril had said, but it was the meaning behind the gift that truly had Len feeling emotional. Jibril knew him. They listened, they cared, they accepted him. Len had never properly felt such respect or care before. "Jibril," he began, his voice soft, his touch even softer as his fingers brushed theirs while taking the keychain. "I can't believe you went back for it, for me." It felt incredibly foolish, but Len swore he could have cried over the small act if he allowed himself to. He decided that tears probably weren't the best for a first date, however. "Thank you so much." His eyes darted up to Jibril's, where they stayed fixed, affectionately. "Thank you," he said again.

"of course i went back for it." jibril replies softly, rocking back on his heels with a sweet blush on his face. "i know how much the muppets mean to you and you liked it so much, how couldn't i?" his voice is tender as he speaks, knowing just how meaningful this group of characters was in len's life. jibril had come to have a deep appreciation for the muppets as well due to len's perspective on them, they understood why they had such an impact on him.

"i already got my coffee, i hope you don't mind." he gestures to the drink sitting on the table. "but, let's go take a look at the menu! i wanna know what you're gonna pick. your order's on me, by the way. i decided that the second you said yes to going on a date with me." they reach for len's hand, palms making contact, pulling him towards the register of the coffee shop.

after a successful find recently, divya’s decided that flea markets and thrift shops aren’t so bad after all. for all the snobby, turning her nose up at the idea of buying anything secondhand, she’s surrendered herself to the singular truth that it is, in fact, a worthy venture. one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. she’s not here for the decor or furniture though; no, if divya was here for anything, it would be clothing racks situated at the back. because apparently her wardrobe can never have too many additions. the whole reason she bought her home in valencia cove had been for the incredibly roomy walk-in robe         which kinda reminded her of cher’s in clueless and miley’s in hannah montana.

her bee-line is halted, and she slows, eyeing the person who seems to be enamored by a ceramic frog — her attention drawn between the inanimate object and the living, breathing human. when she realises they’re speaking to her, she looks back at the frog, then purses her lips. “well. it sure beats having a scarecrow standing over your garden.”

"let me move out of the way, i'm sorry for blocking you." they sidestep into a nearby aisle in order to let her pass. "were you trying to reach something in particular?"

It all happened so fast - not too fast, but still, it felt so strange for Len to simply be propositioned with the exact thing that he wanted so badly, so directly. His heart was pounding in his chest, his cheeks were bright and hot, and his smile was so wide that he thought he might risk splitting in two. "Don't apologise for anything," he shook his head, laughing softly. "I totally understand." While Len was on the other end of the exchange, he truly did believe that he understood Jibril; he couldn't believe that the Jibril felt what Len understood that he did, but regardless, Len understood.

"I would have said yes the day that we met, Jibril," he admitted, more nervous laughter leaving his smiling lips. "But I wouldn't change a single thing about how this has gone. I've really enjoyed it, just being friends with you." With Len's crush having developed so quickly - because how could he get close to Jibril without developing such a crush? - he really would have accepted an invitation out on a date so soon, but in hindsight, it had been so incredible simply getting to know the other as friends. Len had learnt that you couldn't live life filled with regret, and while he couldn't always listen to his own advice, he didn't want to regret not rushing into things with Jibril. Besides, they still needed to see how things would go on and after the date.

"I would love that," Len nodded, agreeing to their date plans with the widest smile on his face. He couldn't remember the last time that he felt so happy, so excited, so filled with vigour. He couldn't remember if he had ever felt like that, actually. "Thank you." Unsure as to what to say next, excited and bashful, still slightly in shock, Len stayed standing there, laughing softly, blushing more.

jibril knew they had nothing to be worried about, but their morning had been filled with more anxiety than usual. he spent more time looking in the mirror making sure his hair was just so, picked out the perfect outfit, contemplated whether he should change his jewelry. len already knew them, but they wanted to put extra effort into how they looked today. after all, he did want to look nice for his date, because it wasn't a date with just anyone, it was a date with len.

they arrive at the coffee shop fifteen minutes before the scheduled time, choosing a table in a corner with nice lighting. he decides to place his order shortly after coming in, opting for an iced latte with chocolate and strawberry syrup. they take their seat at the table, fingers drumming idly against their coffee cup and leg bouncing nervously under the table. then, he sees len approach him, and his nerves all but melt away.

"you made it!" he exclaims, a broad smile stretching his lips before he even realizes it. "i mean, of course you made it, you said you'd be here." they blush, slightly embarrassed by their burst of enthusiasm. "gimme just a second? i have something for you."

his attention turns to the small brown backpack he brought with him, rifling through it before pulling a small, crotchet kermit the frog keychain out of it. "do you remember when we were in that thrift store a few weeks ago? you said you liked this but didn't get it." they explain, holding the keychain out and hiding part of their face with one hand. "i went back and got it for you… and then i wasn't really sure when to give it to you." a nervous laugh escapes him. "then we planned today and… it just kind of felt right."

instantly, he waves his free hand dismissively, making no attempt to move past. "s'okay," a warm smile blossoms and he leans in slightly to peer at the frog. "yeah. he seems cool. think you're gonna get him? put him on garden-guarding duty? or he could watch over your station at work, keep you company."

"i do think i'm gonna get him." he answers, fixing the frog with a small smile. "he does seem like good company, but i'm not sure about my station. i'd be worried someone would knock him over. i think i might name him bartholomew, what do you think?"

"you're  good,  luv,"  caz  assured  as  she  moved  past  the  male,  the  irish  brogue  still  present  despite  the  years  away  from  home  in  the  states.  truthfully,  the  strawberry  blonde  hadn't  noticed  the  frog  in  his  possession  until  he'd  pointed  it  out  and  her  attention  swung  from  a  vintage  appearing  jewelry  box  on  the  shelf  that'd  reminded  her  somewhat  of  her  grandmother's  to  the  ceramic  in  his  palm.

but, reality hits him again as he realizes he's still standing in the way, and his face takes on a slight pink tinge. "um...you were trying to look at something over here, weren't you?" they glance toward the shelf. "weren't you looking at that jewelry box a second ago? i can grab it if you'd like.

location: seabreeze park

Len had tried his hardest to not think too much about the fact that his life had become immeasurably better since he moved to Mirabella Island a mere month earlier. There was an incredible fear beneath the surface; it felt as though everything had finally fallen into place, and the last time that he could recall experiencing such peace, it had been horrifically ripped from him. He was so afraid to lose the happiness that he was experiencing, but even despite such fears, he couldn't stop himself from feeling that happiness whole-heartedly.

It was moments like these that Len felt that happiness especially hard. He felt normal there, standing next to Jibril, browsing the shelves. He didn't feel like the lonely kid that he once was, nor did he feel like the broken man who had just lost everything he loved, and gained everything that he hated. The smile was wide on his face, and not once did it budge, not unless to grow wider.

At the sound of Jibril's voice, Len's heart skipped a beat. That wasn't entirely uncommon for Len when in the other's presence, but there was something... more there. Something in Jibril's tone, something in the suggestion of finding a quiet corner together. Another common occurrence was Len getting his hopes up, having too grand of an imagination, seeing things that weren't really there. Trying to act casual, he nodded his head. "Of course, yeah."

He had no idea what was coming. While his imagination quickly took him to some beautiful place, once in their quiet corner, Len found himself simply hoping that Jibril wasn't about to say something bad. What if he was moving away, or something? What if this was goodbye? Len couldn't imagine the island without the other.

Quickly, those worries were sent far, far away. "You- me?" Len didn't know what to say, his cheeks flushing with a crimson blush. How could he not like Jibril in return? They were gorgeous, and in ways far more than only looks. Realising quickly that the other was still waiting on a proper response, Len quickly nodded. "Sorry, yes, yeah, I would-" he paused to laugh- no, giggle. "I would love to get coffee with you. As more than just a friend." He couldn't believe that he found himself in a situation where he was saying those words, but they came out strongly, confidently.

he breaks eye contact first, looking down at the floor as if it might somehow help cool his burning face. "s-sorry..." a nervous laugh escapes him. "i just didn't expect you to say yes."

"i've been wanting to tell you for days." another nervous laugh slips out. "something about how you light up when you talk about jim henson, the way you smile...i like it a lot. every time i saw you, i told myself i'd do it, but then i'd chicken out. looking back, i probably should've just told you."

they meet len's gaze again, rocking back on their heels as a sweet, almost dopey grin settles on their face. "i'm free on friday at 11, meet me at salt & sip? coffee's on me. i already decided that before i knew what your answer was."

the morning rush had come to an end in a flash of splattered glasses, flurried hands, and too many pitchers of steamed milk. the last of the early customers sipped their drinks idly in the sand, not quite as rushed as the commuters. an indie pop playlist played softly from the speakers, drifting out onto the beach.

lavinia hummed under her breath while she cleaned, just finishing wiping down the espresso machine when she noticed someone waiting at the counter. tossing the cloth over her shoulder, she approached them. “thanks for waiting, darlin’. what can i get started for you?”

"well, that's just the thing. i can't figure out if i want a raspberry iced latte or caramel macchiato..." his eyes drift to the barista standing in front of him. "which one do you think is better?"