#i can barely function

I constantly feel like I'm gonna puke

I hate being sick

I'm so sorry guys I am barely posting

I can barely function irl, not even mentioning creative work

a gift for @elychee!! this is not, by the way, part of my gifting-my-mutuals-badly-written-work event. this is just because ely slays <3

the strawberry tree title might seem odd, but i picked it for two reasons: one, it means esteem and love in the language of flowers (which technically includes non-flowering plants too) and two, because ely is sensitive to flower pollen so yeah <33

once again, i have failed ely with this.. can you tell where i started falling asleep? but either way,

i hope you all, and especially ely, enjoy alberu 💞

— rose.

activities — what do they like to do with their s/o? How do they spend their free time with them?

alberu enjoys anything, but his favorite thing to do is cuddles in his library!! buried under mounds of blankets, darkness and chilly wind outside, reading aloud to each other, completely content and unmoving.

beauty — what do they admire about their s/o? What do they think is beautiful about them?

absolutely everything. he's such a huge simp for his s/o, and loves every part of them, inside and out. if he'd see his s/o struggling with insecurities, he'd literally shower them with love and reassurances, trying his level best to lift up their spirits.

comfort — how would they help their s/o when they feel down/have a panic attack etc.?

soft hugs and even softer words, giving you space if you need it and staying by your side at all times if wanted. he'll be worried but gentle, slowly letting you calm down on their own instead of forcing you into any specific state of mind.

dreams — how do they picture their future with their s/o?

alberu isn't particularly concerned about it as long as you're there. all he sees when he envisions his future with you is warmth — flowers, dancing, maybe a little kid. he doesn't know, doesn't care, if he has you by his side he'll be perfectly okay.

equal — are they the dominant one in the relationship, or rather passive?

alberu is more of a switch, honestly. there are days where he takes the lead, touring you around town and generally being more adventurous. then there are also days in which he's tired and exhausted and wants you to take the reins (either way, he's adorable).

fight — would they easily forgive their s/o? how are they fighting?

he'd rather not fight with you. every time you two fight, he feels guilty and anxious, twisting and turning all night, like there's a constant knife in his side. however, if it is a serious fight, then just give him some space. he'll calm down and he'll forgive you — well, he'll almost always forgive you.

gratitude — how grateful are they in general? are they aware of what their s/o is doing for them?

he's overflowing with gratitude, for all the times he has a nightmare, or gets angry, or has a bad day; for you, since you always deal with it. for all your patience with him, he's really grateful.

honesty — do they have secrets they hide from their s/o? or do they share everything?

nothing major. just small embarrassing tidbits that Cale tells you anyways so 🤷‍♀️ this is because he wouldn't hide anything from you since he likes talking about his day with you, and listening about yours.

inspiration — did their s/o change them somehow, or was it the other way around? for example, trying out new things or helped them overcome personal problems?

alberu has helped you become a bit more level headed, to step back and view a seemingly large crisis as a minor issue. in his point of view, you've taught him to stop using silvery words around people to use them, to try out things he hasn't before, and generally both of you have helped each other. he wouldn't have it any other way.

jealousy — do they get jealous easily? how do they handle it?

he does get jealous, (not that easily either) but he normally doesn't act on it unless he can see that you're uncomfortable. then he guides you away with a firm but gentle hand on your waist, and a cold glare to the person that was bothering you a few minutes ago.

kiss — are they a good kisser? how was the first kiss?

he's clumsy but soft, a hand on your cheek and another on your waist, completely losing himself for a few blissful minutes <33

the first kiss was so featherlight, so tender and sweet that you could cry just thinking about it. his hands, interlinked with yours, his larger frame pressed against your smaller one, the two of you off in your own little world.

love confession — how would they confess to their s/o?

literally a scene straight from an anime. flushed red cheeks, fancy restaurant, causal hand-holding, simple and sweet. you can see the fear of rejection in his heart, but all this effort makes your heart break with how adorable he's being. don't you dare say no i am holding you on gunpoint.

marriage - do they want to get married? if so, how would they propose? what would the wedding, and marriage afterwards, be like?

since he's of such high status, he cannot just keep courting you forever. his proposal would be somewhere solitary, isolated, where you two are alone, and the wedding.. well, he'll let you pick. he's fine with whatever as long as you're happy.

and if you ask about married life, well... sleeping in late, cuddles, forehead kisses forehead kisses are so intimate i'm gonna cry, just peaceful and serene all around.

nicknames — what do they call their s/o?

old, classic nicknames, like 'love' or 'darling', but occasionally adds small words in front to tease. for example, 'little love', 'pretty sweetheart' etc. but he also loves calling you by your name, loves how easily it rolls off of his tongue, like second nature.

on cloud nine - what are they like when they are in love? is it clear that they are in love for others? how do they express their feelings?

oh my goodness. he's been driving cale mad with his lovesick rambles about you. and it's not just cale, everybody notices the spring in his step and pink blush on his cheeks everytime he interacts with you. he's just.. it's like puppy love, if you get what i mean.

pda - are they straightforward about their relationship? do they brag with their s/o in front of others? or are they rather shy to kiss, hug etc., when others are watching?

it depends, honestly. if he's feeling confident and cocky, then sure. he'll kiss you breathless, wrap you in his jacket when you're cold. and then there are those days where he won't start it but if you take the initiative and give him some soft affection, he'll melt.

quirk — do they have any random ability they have that’s beneficial in a relationship?

uhm, he's really good at setting the tone. his humor and uplifted spirit causes you to be cheerful in his presence as well, while when he's upset, you feel grief-stricken as well, smoothing back the fluffy blonde hair to wipe the tears from his eyes.

romance — how romantic are they? what would they do to make their s/o happy? are they cliché or rather creative?

he's.. uhm, he means well but he can be a bit cheesy at times. he'd do absolutely anything and everything to make you happy and he's a natural romantic, even if he's not really trying — his buttery words, soft gestures and the tender look in his eyes just make you go a deep shade of pink all over.

thrill - do they need to try out new things to spice out your relationship? or are they okay with a certain routine?

if you're more on the thrill seeking spectrum, that's okay, if you're on the calmer side, that's perfectly fine. he's alright with either and is the most supportive s/o ever, cheering you on through every high and low (mm cheerleader alberu).

understanding — how good do they know their partner? are they empathetic?

he knows you like the back of his hand — and most days can tell when you're upset. offers you silent comfort, rubbing circles on your hand and letting the world hold you two.

value — how important is the relationship to them? what is the worth of the relationship in comparison to other things in their life?

nothing is more important than you, nothing. no major battle, no important meeting, absolutely nothing. his relationship with you is his utmost priority — you're his utmost priority. always, no matter what anyone else says.

wild card - random fluff headcanon!

alberu has a quiet way of making you feel better after a bad day. like, you could just come into you two's bedroom, silently fuming, and he'll take your face in his hands and just.. kiss you, let you feel better on your own, reveling in the time together.

xoxo — are they very affectionate? do they love to kiss and cuddle?

i already mentioned the pda part, but in private? he's the biggest cuddle bug ever, not letting you sleep at night or leave the bed in the mornings without his daily dose of cuddles. sulks if he doesn't get them.

yearning — how will they cope when they’re missing their partner?

immerses himself in work just so he can finish as quick as possible, and return to you. if it's a longer period of separation, he writes long, descriptive letters to you and just hopelessly daydreams (yes, i know all the angst potentials for 'missing their partner' but since this is a fluff alphabet i'll spare you guys).

zeal — are they willing to go to great lengths for the relationship? if so, what kind of lengths?

he's willing to do whatever. anything, if he gets to have you, happy and content by his side, then he'll do every arduous tasks assigned to him. anything, absolutely anything for you. he knows he loves you. maybe you do too.

—

I spliced it all together

Or a, I missing something

Hey anon!

Do you mean in 2x06?

He's hurt because earlier in the day he's having a family dinner at Debbie's with the whole group and they're celebrating his return to college. Brian's being all sweet and has no issues with PDA, he's having domestic flirty banter with him in front of everyone. Debbie even remarks "They're like fucking newlyweds!"

Remember this all takes place post the bashing era. Brian has been so attentive and caring towards Justin even letting him move in with him. He's also bought him a new computer and helped him stay in college so he can follow his dreams. We see Justin voice to Daphne that he and Brian have been really good lately even referencing the trip to the grocery store where Justin thinks Brian turned down the guy who was flirting with him. In his mind he's potentially gonna get what he's always wanted to be in a proper relationship with Brian.

So to then go home and see Brian with someone else was a shock to his happy daydream and it hurt him. He tells Michael straight up he thought that now he was living with him and they were happy maybe things would change. The reasons for why Brian did go home with the guy is so interesting to me and a whole different story.

The whole story arc is about commitment. Justin wanting a form of it and Brian wrestling with what he would be comfortable with given his thoughts on relationships. Admitting even if only to himself that he loves Justin and trying to navigate how he's going to merge the two. So he comes up with the rules.

Justin hears from Brian's own mouth that they're never going to be conventional. They won't be like his parents and even some of their friends but that doesn't mean they can't be happy in their own way. All Justin wanted to hear was that he was important to Brian and wanted by him and not that he could be just any guy off the street and he gets that. Prior to the rules yes Brian was sleeping with other people but the power balance was always in his favour but now it's equal because Justin gets to have a say.

They both have the same rules so he's not sat at home wondering who Brian's out with and getting jealous. He also gets to add rules of his own it's not the same as before just going along with it because he wanted Brian. Also the kissing thing (oh the irony) but Justin gets to know that's the one thing only he will get and no one else, the power of that.

Also special mentions to

I'll also be doing exactly what I wanna do coming home to you

That's not the reason I want you to stay.

You don't kiss anyone else on the mouth but me