#james-holbrook

Maren and James had planned to meet up for sledding at the Pinehaven holiday festival. The two of them would meet up almost every year at the festival, which wasn't hard to do considering the population size, however, Maren quite enjoyed being adventurous with James. As an only child, Maren had always wanted someone to goof off with. James was there to do all the things a big brother would do and never treated Maren like a girl. He always saw them as just one of the dudes.

As Maren made their way across the snowy path, they searched the small crowd for James. He was standing over by the start of the slopes, looking for the best sled. Pinehaven provided the sleds, but several of them were more worn. James and Maren always looked for the one with the blue rope on tied on the back—not red like the rest of them. It just slid faster than the rest. At least that's what they decided many years prior, and traditions died hard around here. "Have you found it yet?" Maren called over to him excitedly, trotting the remainder of the path to catch up to where he stood.

Maren and James had been hiking away the last hour. Chatting often, but silent for the majority: just like most of their hikes. And in Maren's opinion, the way hiking should be. Part reflection, part social. James tended to understand the mission well. They had done this for the better part of their lives. They had to stop for a while after the accident, but they were right back at it as soon as James was cleared by the doctors. And obviously he wasn't able to go alone.

Maren loved being his tour guide though, especially seeing him experience high peaks and views for what felt like the first time all over again. What Maren wouldn't have given to experience the views for the first time all over again. They had done most of the small peaks multiple times and had plans to summit Mt. Rainier next spring. "We're almost there" Maren called up to James who was a few paces ahead. They quickened pace to catch up to him. He was remembering the path well today. "but you knew that already, yeah?" Maren was proud of how far he had come in his recovery.

@james-holbrook

the shelves of vinyl's towered from floor to ceiling, filling every available nook in the modest spare room of her parents' house, a space her appa cheekily dubbed, the groove center. cheesy innuendo ran in the dae family. evie traced her fingers along the edges, a dreamy sigh escaping; now here was a temple for which she'd happily kneel in reverence. an effigy dedicated an unadulterated yearning to consume music in its most elemental essence. it almost brought a tear to her eye.

evie welcomed the formidable challenge of reorganizing the collection, seizing the opportunity to become reacquainted with the collection…and discreetly relocate a few to her personal trove at home. and naturally she brought james along, another musical aficionado who would derive just as much enjoyment in the labor of the task at hand as she would.

"okay, what's it going to be?," she helped up three records; obviously they had to listen to something while they were organizing. "mercury, bowie, or the tried and true, your ultimate fav, the fab four"

i have a very serious q abt cars hit me back ASAP

Jimmy waited outside for James in the brisk morning air. He had no idea what to get for his secret santa pick. He had never even met the guy. Hoping James could help him pick something respectable and classy in a way that Jimmy couldn't, he had messed him a few days ago to make plans. Here they were day of and he still had no idea where to start, but he figured they two of them would need something to fuel them through all the shopping. Jimmy wasn't a bad gift-giver, especially for his close friends (at least he thought so), but strangers was a totally different ball game. Watching his breath billow through the air, he pulled out his phone to send James a quick message to let him know he was going in.

Jimmy: it's too cold out here, going to grab something to warm up Jimmy: what should I get for you?

He turned to face the building, pushing the door open inward as he let the smell of coffee wash over him. Breathing in the cinnamon and dark roast, he realized James was already waiting inside. "Oh hey, I didn't realize you were already here!"

🌪️ what’s the one choice they regret (not) making ?

To trust his own gut and act on it. Felix has much more resentment now from being too agreeable and defaulting to other's ideas of what life should look like. He's a victim of his own indecision.

💭 do they believe they’re worthy of being loved ?