I'M THE PROBLEM

At the surprised squeal from the couple they jumped out on, Nate quickly tossed the colour and ran, ducking back into his hiding place before Niko joined him with his few steps back. "Apparently so, I overheard someone talking about it earlier about how the different colours mean different things, but I don't much about it myself." Although with how much fun he was having, it was definitely something he'd be looking into. "It makes me want to go to a proper one, you know? Imagine this on a bigger scale. I wonder if they have bigger tactics to get people completely covered in colour." The event definitely spoke to Nate's inner child. "Need to figure out a way to catapult the colour next time."

Enzo watched as Niko slipped the twenties into the eggs, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. “Man, whoever finds those is gonna think the Easter Bunny picks favorites.” He leaned over the table, dragging one of the empty eggs toward him and cracking it open, only to stuff a few chocolate eggs inside to balance things out. “Your grandma’s on the committee? You mean to tell me you could have pulled some strings and gotten us out of this mess?”

The man glanced up at his partner when Niko mentioned fastening the bunny to the basket’s handle, and nodded, reaching for a twist tie like it was the best idea he'd heard in his life. “Alright, bunny. You're promoted.” Enzo secured the plush by its little paw like it was holding on for dear life, and sat back to admire their questionable masterpiece. The basket was wildly uncoordinated, but there was something charming about it. Like it had been built by two people who gave a damn, even if in reality, they hadn't a clue what they were doing.

She laughed softly, shaking her head as she brushed invisible sand from the sleeves of her jacket. “If the universe is trying to say something, it’s got a hell of a sense of humor.” Her tone was light, but there was still a weight there, a questioning in her spirit of what was life trying to tell her by continuing to bring Niko back into it?

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than she meant to. He looked good. He always looked good. But it was the familiarity that got to her—the way he still smiled at her like no time had passed at all.

"Thanks," she said after a beat, letting a small, genuine smile slip through. “You look… good too.” God, was she blushing? This was getting ridiculous.

At his question, she glanced toward the sky, watching as another lantern floated higher and higher into the darkening twilight. “No, first time. Thought I’d give it a try. Kind of poetic, isn’t it? Letting go of things you wish had gone differently. Or at least trying to.” Her voice trailed off at the end, softer now.

What a foolish hope.

❝ ⸻ Apparently it laughs while we're busy making plans and think we know what's best, or know what's coming. ❞ Casually, his hands slid into the pockets of his shorts while he couldn't keep his eyes from appraising her. Just as he did the last time he was this close. The years hadn't done much to her, Val had matured more but she looked happy. That was easy enough to see around the awkwardness—she was doing well.

When some color dusted her cheeks and warmed her flesh Niko offered Val some privacy and shifted his eyes off of her. A lantern was floating up into the sky, possibly believing it could reach the stars. ❝ Actually, that almost sounds serendipitous, ❞ he replied to her poetic comment of letting go of things you wished had gone differently, ❝ for it to be where we run into each other. ❞

That could be a very clear message. Perhaps it was time to let go.

In his perophery Niko saw Val shift and his gaze was drawn back to her. He'd been trying not to lean too much into conversation, or even lingering too long if it got incredibly awkward. The problem was that he wanted to be nowhere else now that she was right there. ❝ Uhh, ❞ with a lopsided grin he looked around as though his grandmother was in sight, ❝ she's with her gang somewhere and I broke away. Too much insistence from her gals that I date their granddaughters. ❞ A soft laugh followed and his fingers scratched under his chin. 

A small, tired smile pulled at the corner of Leyla's mouth when he tried to recover, calling Billie her mini-me. Still, hearing him mention Taner so casually had thrown her more than she'd expected. It wasn't that he was wrong, far from it actually. More often than not she had seen strong glimpses of Taner in Billie over the years, it often left her speechless.But, this whole thing was just complicated. Everything was. "I know. She's got her father's fearlessness, too. Keeps me on my toes." She let out a soft exhale through her nose, gaze drifting momentarily before refocusing on him.

Family has always been very important to me. The way she was so tempted to argue that. She held back a roll of her eyes, and sighed through her nose in response instead. At his question, something flickered in her expression. Another punch to the gut. Her eyes dropped for a second, and she gave a faint shake of her head. "I haven't written in a long time," she said, her voice a little thinner now.

Leyla looked back toward Billie again, making sure she was still in line at the slushie stand, before turning her attention back to Niko. The next question hovered on the edge of her lips, unspoken. Have you spoken to Val? Instead, she said, quieter this time. "It's weird seeing you here. Her eyes searched his face for a moment. "I really didn't think we would again." We.. real smooth, Ley.

The second topic Niko had tried surprisingly had produced even less conversation than the first, and he was a bit dumbfounded on where to go. Leyla's expression, her body language signified disappointment, maybe even pain. At one point in time he'd thought he'd known her pretty well, she wasn't as decipherable to him now. ❝ Why not? ❞ Brow creased, baffled and confused, his inquiry came out almost as a reflex. ❝ I always loved your writing. That's a shame. ❞ The sentiments were genuine despite the awkward, slightly uncomfortable tension between them.

He'd somehow effortlessly slid into her morning routine and she'd gone from looking forward to quiet sunrises to ensuring her routine was structured around making it to the cafe in time to share a portion of their days together. It was silly, really. A grown woman with a crush that gave her butterflies, but it was also refreshing. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way about someone, the last time she was giddy enough to check her reflection in any reflective surface before seeing him. And finding him now amongst the crowd had been a welcome surprise.

"Who would've thought, right?" A grin of her own stretched her features and caused the corners of her eyes to crinkle, highlighting the way they sparkled beneath the bright sunlight as she looked at him. "You spend your whole life searching and suddenly, in the back of your closet, there it is." The sound that left her lips was akin to a very girlish giggle and she had to bring a hand up to cover her mouth, stopping the sound from escaping once more. God, she felt like she was in middle school, flirting with the boy she liked between classes. At least that's what the butterflies currently fluttering around in her stomach would make her believe.

One hand coming up to gather a small section of her hair and begin to twirl it around her finger, Allie let out a quiet hum of thought at his question. "Hmm… how would he? That's a good question." She mused, her tone playful as she looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "Unfortunately, I think that's something the newly dignified man will have to figure out himself. The designator can't have all of the answers now, can she?" Her tone was teasing, grin ever widening at their easy banter.

For a moment, her initial foot in mouth moment was forgotten and all that remained was the lightness in her chest as she gazed up at him, their eyes meeting and the butterflies in her stomach swarming in response. "Island life doesn't sound so bad… I could get used to having a year long tan." She mused. "Think he'd be up for some roommates? Or should I find my own island to disappear to? You know what, maybe I will take his number." More quiet laughter left her lips, head shaking in amusement as she felt her cheeks heat a bit more beneath his gaze.

Unable to stop herself, when Niko held his hands up in the half shrug, Allie's own raised and she placed her palms in his, pushing his hands down as she shook her head with a grin. "Oh how the mighty have fallen." She teased, "But look at that, a way to climb your way back to the top. Earn the title back by doing some good in that dignified shirt of yours."

This time it was her turn to feign wounded, her hands coming to rest over her heart as she let out an exaggerated gasp. "I wouldn't do such a thing! Upstanding citizen over here, remember?" Despite her attempts to appear aggrieved, the playful smile fought its way back onto the guidance counselor's features. It seemed she couldn't contain the expression when she was around him, especially when he was so effortlessly going with her bits. "A stroll?" She questioned, feigning ignorance as she straightened and linked the arm that wasn't holding her nearly empty basket through his, "I could go for a stroll." She mused. "Lead the way, Little John."

Seeing Allie outside of Everything Goes for the first time could have been jarring. It could have thrown everything off. The spell might have been broken. Yet he stood there smiling as she lodged her foot into her mouth and floundered under her embarrassment. Niko appreciated that there was no pretense with her, and even more, seeing a different side of her only seemed to interest and endear him more. Aside from the lighthearted flirting they slung hopelessly at each other he wasn't even sure if she were actually available for anything more than their coffee ritual. 

❝ ⸻ Serendipity with my shirt, huh? ❞ The lift of his brow matched the rise of the corners of his mouth. ❝ Well, with that in mind, be honest—do I look like one of those Tommy Bahama guys? ❞ Then, depending on her answer, Niko would have to gauge if that were a good or bad thing. Somehow, maybe the spread of her magic, Allie had been the reason he felt a little less like a tool for the Hawaiian shirt at a spring festival. To his credit, the man is a northerner. The giggle distracted him, pulled his thoughts completely awayre from the fashion disaster he potentially exposed Briar Ridge to, and Niko couldn't help the way he stared at her dimpled cheeks and Allie shyly covering her mouth. ❝ You're really cute, ❞ he surprised even himself in saying, ❝ in natural sunlight. ❞

Some concentration and effort of thought went into the internal mental debate of if she had been right about in her opposition and refusal. Niko decided on a different approach. ❝ Doesn't the designator wield the power? I would think that'd make her the one with the answers. ❞ When their eyes connected his lips immediately curled in a smile and he found himself secretly hoping she didn't have to run off soon. Since his grandmother was busy with her friends Niko was moving about solo. Time with Allie so far had only want a little more of it with her outside of their usual designated zone. 

❝ Island life is certainly nice. I've only actually experienced it in long vacation format—since I don't think I could claim Long Island as island living. ❞ Niko peered at her curiously, ❝ do you think you'd get island fever? ❞ It was something he'd heard about and even though Niko had technically been raised on one the proximity to a major city didn't leave room for feeling closed in and cut off. ❝ You don't think that's moving too fast? Or are we past that now that you've brought my balls into this, ❞ with a playful grin Niko motioned between the two of them. ❝ Coffee dates to shacking up. ❞ As though he were considering it seriously, his head bobbed in a slow nod.

When he walked in Taner scanned around the establishment. Not to look for someone he knew or a friendly face to sit with, there weren't really any of those in his hometown for him, but more so to take in the scope how busy the place was early evening. It looked like people who'd just gotten off work and were having a drink before going home had taken up residence at the bar while some families filled booths and tables. It wasn't until Taner circled closer around the bar, looking for an opening, that he'd noticed a familiar face. One that he hadn't seen since New York. Niko Ramsey was in a tailored suit and hadn't actually looked a day older as he sipped on his order and kept glancing at his phone. To his surprise, or perhaps it was fate, there was a seat next to the man he'd also considered something of a friend nearly seven years ago.

"You know," he lightly grunted as he shifted into the seat next to Niko and pulled a coaster in front of him, "I never thought this would be the place we'd have a reunion if it were to ever happen."

❝ ⸻ Oh yeah? ❞ The interest he cast toward Taner was framed with restraint and hesitation. A different, off-shade than what he had cast in the one conversation years before when the man next to him had been seeking a way to connect with his child. Guilt spilt from his eyes as he peered at Taner and recognized just how much of a man he'd become. The hair was longer, the stubble was thicker, and the man himself was broadened by hard work and physical labor. That bone deep sadness he always carried in his eyes had even grown; something Niko hadn't thought possible. ❝ Did you think New York? ❞ Humoring the moment, perhaps falling into the intrigue, couldn't be helped.

Gazing up at the lanterns flickering over the ocean, Val let out a contented sigh. The principles she’d learned about Vesak Day—especially the meaning behind the lantern release—were ones she could deeply relate to and appreciate.

As she lit a lantern and released it into the sky, the weight of the past she’d been carrying seemed to lift, if only slightly. She watched it drift upward, carried by the ocean breeze, her eyes fixed on the glowing light as it floated away.

Wrapped snugly in her bomber jacket, Val could’ve stayed like that on the beach for a while longer. But then someone in the crowd pushed through the onlookers, jostling her and sending her stumbling backward. She collided with someone behind her—someone who caught her just before she could land flat on her ass.

Turning around to apologize, she froze. It was Niko.

Without her permission, a warmth spread through her just at the sight of him, and the corner of her mouth tugged upwards in the beginnings of a smile. "Sorry, about that." she apologized as she took a step back, finally righting herself. "Why is it that I always seem to be falling when we bump into each other?" Doing her best to fight off a laugh, she reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair the ocean breeze had tugged loose.

The orange glow of the lanterns spotted the dimming evening and Niko held a soft smile on his lips. For a better vantage point he'd made his way further back through the crowd to watch as the breeze carried away people's past misfortunes and hoped for enlightenment and good karma in return. Truthfully Niko hadn't really felt anything, nothing seemed to pull away from him leaving him to feel lighter or more at peace, he mostly marveled at how people came together. There was a unity in so many people wanting to let go, and needing a different kind of fulfillment in where they'd previously gone wrong.

Fighting the urge to pull out his phone and snap a picture or two, Niko told himself to stay in the moment, and to watch until the lanterns burnt out. That was when someone backed into him as another person pushed by. Steady hands and a firm enough grip caught the falling petite woman before she hit the sand and slowly eased her back to an upright position. Somehow in the midst of that the familiarity had hit him hard. A smile immediately tugged at his lips when it was his ex-wife that had turned to face him.

It was bittersweet. His heart still beat the pain of the loss of her while his conscience reminded him that their downfall had been his doing. The remorse that hung around him like heavy, humid air.

❝ ⸻ Oh, σκατά, that's right— ❞ Niko had actually forgotten or not really recalled that detail until just now. Seeing Valentina had taken him out of anything but the moment and displaced him. Looking at her face he could be exactly sure where he was. Given the immediate cutoff and Valentina leaving there hadn't been conversation about where she'd be going, just that she wanted a divorce and next thing Niko knew she was gone. 

What was throwing him for a loop was the coincidence of it all and he had never really believed in those before. ❝ My γιαγιά moved into a retirement home here by the beach. I come down to visit her, ❞ he needlessly explained. Valentina hadn't asked yet he felt it important to let her know that he hadn't been trying to intrude on her space. 

Seeing that positive movement of her lips eased a fraction of the awkward tension he'd been feeling. It was nearly jarring to have a surprise encounter like this with someone that was once your whole world and then gone because of his failure to keep her happy. ❝ It's definitely one of the best, ❞ he agreed of Casablanca, though Valentina knew it wasn't his favorite Bogart film. For Niko it was The Maltese Falcon. ❝ I'm just glad you hadn't forgotten the line. ❞ Why? Because maybe some parts of their marriage still meant something to her.

When she went for her cart Niko crouched and put his hands on the metal, ❝ here, I got it. ❞ The cart was righted with ease and he then collected the remaining items that had fallen out and scattered when the basket had tipped over and made it's crash against the grocer floor. After he set them in her basket, still smiling to himself over her mutterings in Spanish, he locked eyes with his ex-wife once more. He'd learned the language because of her, after they had met and started dating, because he knew it was going to be important. ❝ You've never been ridiculous. I think anyone would be startled seeing the ghost of Christmas' past, ❞ he attempted another spot of humor if it'd gain him anymore movement of her lips like the last time. 

But the thought that Niko might be around more often hit her square in the chest. Briar Ridge was small; running into people was practically inevitable. And bumping into him again and again? She couldn’t tell if that was comforting or terrifying. Maybe both.

She bit her lip, caught up in the spiral of it, until he pulled her back with the soft thread of memory.

“I don’t think I could ever forget those nights,” she admitted, voice low, almost reverent. The weight of shared memories washed over her in a rush, and she dropped her gaze, realizing just how close to dangerous waters she was drifting.

Then, as Niko crouched beside her and quietly righted the cart, something in her chest twisted. The way he moved—gentle, familiar—unlocked a tenderness she thought she’d buried. When he spoke again—“You’ve never been ridiculous”—it hit like muscle memory. She nearly laughed at his film reference, a smile tugging at her lips before she could stop it.

“You always knew how to make me feel less self-conscious,” she said, warmth creeping in before she could build her walls back up.

But the offer he made—coffee, catching up—dangled between them like temptation, like danger. Her heart responded before her brain could stop it, before years of therapy and sleepless nights and whispered prayers had done their job. She wanted to say yes.

But wanting had never been the problem.

With a soft, steadying breath, she looked up at him. “I don’t think coffee’s a good idea, Niko.” Her voice was quieter now, laced with a sadness she hadn’t meant to show. “It’s not that I don’t want to see you—I do. That’s the problem. I see you and I forget everything I’ve worked so hard to get past. And I—I can’t go back to that place.”

She offered a half-smile, this one tinged with sadness before taking a step back, gripping the handle of her cart with both hands, as if she needed something solid to hold onto. “Take care of yourself and your γιαγιά, okay? And… thank you. For the cart.”

"Well, such a dignified shirt deserved a dignified title don't you think?" Reaching out, she lightly tugged at the sleeve of his the aforementioned shirt, though her touch was fleeting and she quickly returned her hand to her own side as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. She probably shouldn't have done that. Especially not when she'd gone and made a joke about balls right after.

'If there is a God,' she silently prayed, 'Or any ruler of the Universe out there... please get me to shut up.'

But as usual, her prayers went unanswered and she laughed along with him, unable to do anything else. "I might need to apply for witness protection. Do you think they take single mom's who embarrassed themselves at a family event with a crude joke? That's as important as someone willing to testify after witnessing a mafia killing, right?" She mused, biting down on her lower lip in order to stop herself from rambling.

Though his next question had her eyes going wide and a sound that seemed to be a mix between an amused laugh and a surprised squeak escaping. "Cheating?!" She did her best to sound offended, reeling back as her free hand flew to her chest. "I would never! I'm an upstanding member of this town, Mr. Ramsey, and I am offended at the insinuation." Despite her faux outrage at the suggestion, she leaned in conspiratorially and lowered her own voice, teeth closing down on her lip once more, but this time to bite back a smile. "Though if you knew a few spots I wouldn't be opposed to a few hints." Finally allowing her grin to overtake her features, she leaned in a bit more. "I'm collecting the best hidden ones, making sure no egg goes undiscovered and plan on slipping them into a few kids' baskets that are lookin' a little light. Like the Easter Santa Clause." She teased with a wink. "Wanna help? I could use an elf."

❝ ⸻ Hibiscus flowers, palms, and sand have been the key to dignification all along? And I happened to chase it all my life only to stumble onto it by accident? ❞ Hand to chest, his grin nearly held more of the shape of a smirk, Niko tipped his head. ❝ How does a newly dignified man bestow his gratitude onto the title designator? ❞ The color that bloomed on the apple of her cheeks was something Niko had paused to take it, and he'd wished she hadn't taken back her touch so quickly. There didn't seem any right way to convey that feeling, and before he'd been given a chance to think something through Allie sank her teeth into her bottom lip.

Thankfully his reaction was imperceptible, that slight intake of breath—but, there was no disguising where his gaze had pinned. It'd actually taken Allie setting that lip free from torture and speaking for Niko's eyes to flicker up to her own. Hearing her laugh only encouraged him to find ways to provide himself with more of the sound. ❝ The government is too slow moving. You're better off putting yourself into hiding. I have a great uncle who exiled himself to island after embarrassing himself at a family event. Would you like his contact information for tips? ❞

Dusting off his hands onto the grass, Nate grinned over at his new companion. "Not long, maybe ten minutes but it's so much more fun than being out there. It might not be quite in the spirit of things, but we take what we can get." With a different colour now in each hand, Nate snuck around the side of the rosebush, clapping his hands above a young couple to rain down some blue and yellow powder before they scampered off. "Have you ever been to one of these before? I've only ever seen pictures."

Enzo couldn't help but laugh at the money-in-the-egg comment, unable to relate as he shook his head. “Man, I would've killed for money in one of these as a kid. Or hell, just the basket.” He poured a package of plastic Easter eggs out onto the table with a quiet rattle, before glancing over at Niko with a crooked smirk. “Guess we’re winging it, huh? Two grown-ass men trying to figure out what eight-year-olds want. This has all the makings of a disaster.”

Reaching for one of the chocolate eggs, Enzo took a brief glance around the vicinity before unwrapping its foil and tossing the candy into his mouth. Though when he spoke, something in the man's voice softened. “It’s weird, isn’t it? Doing stuff you never got to do as a kid and not knowing if you’re doing it right—but still hoping it makes a difference for someone.”

He cleared his throat like he hadn’t just said something vaguely personal and reached for a plush bunny with a tag still dangling from its ear. “Alright. We throw this guy in, about five pounds worth of candy, some stickers... Boom. Instant Easter magic.”

Leyla's arms remained folded, glancing where Billie had gone before returning her gaze to Niko with something of a sigh. She hadn't expected to see him, not after all these years. But now that he was here, it was awkward as hell, sure.. but also nostalgic, like stepping back in time into a world that felt way too complicated for her to navigate. When he mentioned Billie's sense of adventure, Leyla felt a shift in the air between them. She stiffened for a moment, her lips pressing together as she processed his words. "I guess she does," she said quietly, her voice softer now, a little uncertain. Her mind swirled for a second with all the questions she had about that situation, and about Taner’s place in her daughter’s life.

She cleared her throat, trying to pull herself back into the present. “I get that,” she said, glancing over at the older woman Niko had pointed out. “I’m sure it means a lot to her.” The awkwardness lingered.. it was just that.. seeing him here now, so many years later, was so much to process. She didn’t know what to say next—did she ask him about Val? Did she keep it casual? There was so much unspoken, and she wasn’t sure how to wade through it without dredging up too much pain for both of them. "Are you still, um.. doing the whole finance thing?"

He had never attended a Holi festival throw before, even though he had seen one when he lived in DC. The colours going through the air brought the most amazing atmosphere and as he watched people laughing and throwing the colours, he was once again faced with the depth of community the town offered. It was a truly wholesome scene but as Nate wasn't currently with anyone at the festival, he felt more mischievious than anything else.

Grabbing a few pots of colour, he slunk off behind one of the wide rose bushes, ignoring the buzzing of the bees to occasionally throw a colour through the bushes. With each shocked squeal, Nate's laughter only grew. As the bush rustled, Nate quickly held up his colourful hands. "You got me. I surrender. But this is a whole lot of fun, you should try it."