come over, i wanna know what you thought

"Absolutely. Together." Wes agreed, his words tinged with sincerity and a promise. He would spend every single day reassuring Noah if he needed to, reminding him just how much he adored him, how he had no interest in anyone else in that way. Truthfully he hadn't since moving to Cider, and he knew that wasn't going to change. Not now, when he had better than he could have ever wished for. His eyes fluttered at their closeness, at the tenderness in which Noah was calming him down too. As much as they could rile each other up in the bedroom, they were also an anchor for each other, always. Noah was his safe space - something that Wes hadn't found since his sister's passing - not until he came along. Wetness still pooled within his eyes, but they were more of relief and joy than sadness. It was Noah's confession though, his declaration of love that finally had them spilling over again. Still, they were jubilant, overwhelmingly happy tears. Hearing those words from Noah rocked Wes' world, for the better. He hung onto every word that followed, hands cinching tighter around Noah, wanting him to know that he was never going to let go if he didn't want him to. They were on the same wavelength like always; every uttered confess was exactly how Wes felt, and his heart was like a gooey mess in the most wonderful kind of way. "I love you too, Noah." Wes murmured, his eyes shiny as they gazed into his; warmth and honesty lacing his admission. "I'm not just saying it because you did, I promise. I've felt it for a while. Maybe even before we were even together. Fuck. I love you so much." Wes dove in again, his hand caressing the side of Noah's neck, and cheek before stealing another soft, loving kiss. "Believe me, I feel exactly the same way. I would have been upset too, if it was the other way around. Now that I have you, I don't want to imagine my life without you." Wes knew he sounded like a sap, but he didn't care. He did love Noah Cho, and he wanted the world to know it. "I'm crazy about you. I'm not letting anyone tear us apart. If anything, they just made us invincible."

Wes understood that Noah had a lot going on, which was why his mistrust didn't get to him as much as it normally would. They were being scrutinized by several, and on top of that, Noah lost one of his very best friends. While he trusted Noah with all of his heart, if the roles had been reversed, Wes too may have felt shaky about it all; or at least, insecure. Still, a tear tumbled its way out, but Noah was quick to assuage any fears as he hugged him tightly, and Wes buried his face against him. His eyes closed, the soft caress of fingers in his curls making him relax a little in his arms, though Wes' own tightened around Noah, ensuring he felt safe and protected. "I know you have been, baby. It's okay. I wish I could make it all go away for you," he murmured softly, his hands gliding up and down Noah's back, fingertips strumming along the indents of his spine. "You are not too much. You are the perfect amount for me, Noah Cho. You are enough - more than I deserve. I promise, my eyes have never strayed from you. Even before we got together. I haven't had anyone in my bed since I moved here except you, and I've only been in yours. You know how skin tight that leather was," he tried to laugh, "you had to pry it off of me that night. I don't just come home to you, Noah. You are my home. You are gorgeous and lovable and incredible, and you are my world. Fuck this stupid gossip column. I know it sucks, feeling like so many are against us, but don't let them win. You're not unstable; you're just human, and real." Wes drew back just enough to gaze into those eyes of his; those soulful pools of chocolate brown, and he pressed the most tender kiss to his lips. "I promise I'm yours for as long as you'll let me be."

Noah calmed his boyfriend down with the rhythmic movement of his hands, almost petting him as a form of soothing. "We're in this together, huh?" And Noah believed it, truly. He felt horrible for even doubting them for a second, but then, Noah's head was swimming with so much that any seeds of doubt would have the perfect place to bloom. Maybe this was something they'd laugh at one day. How even a blip, surely made to cause them to fight and breakup, had caused frustration or sadness for all of a few minutes, before clarity had to come through. Because Wes and Noah were like magnets, and trying to wrench them apart was futile. Though Wes leaned into his touch, staying safe in Noah's arms, Noah felt Wes' arms tighten a fraction, and there lied the push and pull of their comfort. Noah had the sudden urge to cry; not the fat tears that sat in the windows of his eyes and sheltered, constantly threatening to spill, but the gut-wrenching pull of a sob. And sure, that had come around in its own form recently, but the cause for it now, or at least the idea of it, was how hard Noah had fallen for this sweet man, how much Noah's life had infinitely changed, for the better. How the thought of losing him had sent Noah into a momentary blue-screen, but he was back on Earth now, in Wes' arms, where he was meant to be. "I love you, Wes." He blurted it out, cheeks crimson, but he meant it. And it sat in the space, which Noah was okay with, for a moment. "I do. And I freaked out because I feel so much. And even though it's outlandish that you would ever hurt me, damn near impossible, even... I'm just so.. I'm like head over heels for you. Completely bowled over, and it just would have broken my heart." He paused, a small smile resting on his lips, only brought upon by the thought of Wes. "You don't have to say it back, or anything. And I know my saying this now is kind of crazy, but I need you to know."

Wes wasn't sure what was happening, but he felt like he was going to throw up. Was Noah breaking up with him? Immediately that was where his mind went, and the very idea had him crumbling inside. His throat felt rough and sticky, the lump forming in it jamming any breaths that might help ease his nerves. "People say things about us all of the time. I don't care what anyone thinks, as long as you're happy." Clearly though, Noah wasn't happy, if the tears in his eyes were any indication. Reluctantly he let go of Noah to fish his phone out of his pocket. It took a little scrolling, but when he saw the post - lies about himself and Enzo - he felt... sad. He knew Noah was going through a lot, so Wes tried to give him some grace, but did Noah not trust him? "You know this isn't true, right?" Wes' hand shook, and he felt tears pricking his own eyes as he pushed his phone back into his pocket. "I went home to you that night, Noah. I don't even know Enzo. I'm not sure we've ever even spoken," he said sincerely, his lip beginning to tremble. "Do you not trust me?"

Noah, though trapped in his own mind, could feel the air shift. Suddenly Wes was closing off, seeming to look as scared as Noah felt, and his natural instinct was to protect; to shoulder Wes' pain; to take it all away. This was the thing... they were unbreakable, weren't they? Wes took out his phone, and the minute he heard the little wobble in Wes' voice, Noah felt bad for even thinking that something might have happened. Sure, the gossip in town was getting to him, but he didn't actually care. Not when he had this beautiful, kind, loving man right next to him. He looked at his boyfriend, who seemed to heading straight down into the same spiral Noah had been. Immediately he wrapped his own arms around Wes, pulling him close to his chest. "Oh, baby. No. Of course I trust you. You've never given me a reason not to, and that wouldn't be fair. You're so good to me, baby. Always so good for me." He brought his hand up to rest at the nape of Wes' neck, fingers finding their way to his favorite curls. "I'm just... I'm so sad. I've been so sad, and you've been so kind, and seeing the rumor.. I don't know. I freaked out a little and thought that maybe I'm just.. too "much". That someone as beautiful and wonderful as you would be able to find something far less.... unstable?"

There was so much concern in Wes' eyes, and Noah could break right in two at the sight of it. But Wes was holding him so close, like something soft, something precious. He wouldn't be doing that if he was betraying Noah, would he? Noah had to believe that it was all just rumors... all just someone toying with his sense of stability and happiness. "I think.. I think you should look at it. Um." He didn't know how to say it... how to even explain that this is something he'd be nervous about. Because of course he trusted Wes, he did. He was just pushed to his emotional limit, lately, and everyone's pitchforks out made Noah feel terrified. "A lot of people have been talking about us, which... is fine. I... but someone said something. Suggested something, anyways."

Who: Noah Cho @lovedearlove Where: TommyLand @ Penny Park When: June 13, 2026

Noah was sort of aimlessly wandering around, which wasn't typically his style. Typically, he was the sort to get really invested with the carnival games, maybe even a touch too competitive. All in good fun. But for now, he was sad and he was wearing his heart completely on his sleeve. Billie was sweet, calling out his name, but he felt a little sick at the invitation. "Who... me? I'm gonna be pitiful, Bill."

Who: Lennon Reed @lovedearlove Where: TommyLand @ Penny Park When: June 13, 2026

for: @lovedearlove (noah)

STATUS: Closed for @lovedearlove LOCATION: Tommyland, Penny Park

Sloane almost turned on her heel the minute she heard the most annoying voice she could practically think of. She knew Maria would be at most town events, even if she wished the opposite were true. But still... hearing her insults in the flesh? It was really starting to get on Sloane's nerves. "Oh my god, Maria. It's so crazy that your challenge is going around being a catty, insufferable bitch all night! Oh wait... it isn't? Funny. You'd really give that one a run for its money."

starter: lennon ( @lovedearlove ) location: tommyland, penny park

closed ft. @lovedearlove | stevie + noah ! location set @ tommyland, penny park .

Noah blinked over at Stevie, eyes a little bit hazy. "What?" The drink was in his palm before he knew it, and he instinctively took a sip, without much more of a question. It was strong, but he probably needed that. "He's uh... coming late. Work." His phone was practically burning a hole in his pocket. Noah wanted to scream. He downed the rest of the drink, stomaching the wince. "Am I a bad person, Steve?"

STATUS: Closed for @lovedearlove LOCATION: Tommyland, Penny Park

Lenny sat with their hand-rolled cigarette, staring almost violently over at the ferris wheel. They didn't want to fulfill whatever stupid fucking challenge Tommy had masterminded, but it's not like they had much of a choice. "Um... I guess?" Lenny hated small talk. It was physically painful to have unnecessary conversations, but at the very least, it was about music. "What do you need recs for?"