#megandaisy9

Happy late birthday!

As I never seem to get to exchanges or giveaways in time (or exhaustion stops me filling out forms), I thought I'd make some quick edits as surprise gifts for those I've seen posts from instead of taking part. I hope that's okay.

Isabella Jones and Bruce Wayne (The Batman) created by @come-along-pond

Love Ruiz and Ziggy Berman (Fear Street) created by @carmens-garden

Libby Mason moodboard

Requested by @megandaisy9

15. a gentle “i love you” whispered after a soft kiss, followed immediately by a stronger kiss

Tag: @megandaisy9 @barbychan4ever

Zoey had barely closed the backdoor to the kitchen with her foot when Clay took the bulging plastic bags out of her hands. She shot an appreciative smile his way and shoved her hands into her back pockets, watching as he set them down on the counter. Rocking back and forth on her feet, she pulled the corner of her lip into her mouth and asked, “Okay, be honest, that wasn’t the worst way to spend a Saturday morning was it?”

Clay took his time to answer. He leaned over the island, arms stretching in front of him as he laced his fingers together. He turned his calming, blue gaze to her and she nearly melted on the spot. It should be illegal for someone to wield eyes like that. But when he looked at her, god, she could float up in the clouds. “I gotta admit, it was actually pretty fun,” he said.

“Because of the non-stop, white-knuckle, high-stakes, adrenaline rush that is bartering?” She teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

“That and it got me out of doing my chores for a while.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, a grin splaying across her lips. “Glad I could be of service.”

“Honestly, Zo, it was cool. I didn’t really get the point of a farmer’s market before, but I get why you like it so much.”

“Like you with your comic con and fan fiction and stuff.” Zoey rolled her wrist as she spoke, her beaded bracelets clanging together as they shifted down her arm.

“The money can’t hurt.” When she shrugged, he arched an eyebrow and pinned her with a startlingly focused gaze. Her breath caught in her throat and her “Don’t be so modest. You worked really hard on your bracelets and stuff. You deserve all the fanfare.”

She bobbed from side to side and rubbed the back of one leg with the tip of her shoe. “There’s always more I can learn. But I am happy to have moved enough product I can now start on a new project.” She clasped her hands together and bounced on her toes, a sparkle appearing in her eye. “I’m thinking of going back to duct tape jewelry. I saw some pretty cool ideas on Pinterest.”

“Do you think I could get one before you hang up the towel?”

“I mean, I think I have some leftover leather. Why?”

“I, y’know, want to get one for Justin.”

She approached his side, poking him in the ribs. He bent away from her swatting at her hands and she laughed. “Aww! You want to give Justin a friendship bracelet! How cute!”

“Not like that!” He blew out a breath and ran his fingers though his hair. It was finally growing out from that short cut he seemed to want to hold onto. Zoey watched his long fingers push through the thick locks. She could spend hours playing with his hair. “Just…y’know, just something. For when he goes off to whatever college he manages to get into or whatever.” It was his turn to wave his hand in a dismissive way.

“Oh don’t try to be macho now, softie.” Stepping forward, she looped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer, pressing her nose against his chest. “It’s one of the things I like about you.” Her soft words were muffled by the fabric of his soft black shirt, the solidness of his chest.

A laugh rumbled in his chest and he pulled her closer. “Just one?”

“Of many.” Tilting her head back, she peered up at him, at his thick lashes and the soft curve to his round mouth, at the freckles that dotted his nose. “Liiike…you taking time out of your day to follow me around the market at the crack of dawn. And not complaining. And trying to fight that guy who could’ve knocked you into last week when he tried to stiff me.”

He snorted. “Yeah, that’s exactly what he was trying to do.”

Standing up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’m trying to say thank you, Clay,” she murmured against his skin.

He turned his head, nose bumping against hers, and his eyes crinkled in the corners. “You’re welcome, Zo. I really like spending time with you/”

Drawing her closer, he bent and eased a kiss against her lips, puckering against her in the way that she liked that curled her toes and left her breathless from the sheer magnitude of the ensuing fireworks bursting in her eyes.

He pulled away and she held onto him, or else the buoying lightness in her chest would’ve made her float up through the ceiling. And it hit her like a ton of bricks but rather than a startling blow, it was a gentle knock, a reminder of the obvious. “I love you,” she whispered.

Her declaration was crushed against her mouth, barely taking shape in reality when Clay kissed her again, grasping her face, thumbs caressing her cheeks as their lips slotted together, like nesting puzzle pieces. Fitting like they were meant to be together.

For the first time, Zoey allowed herself to submerge in that belief.

Enide ( @megandaisy9 )