oc kiss week, prompt: excitement fae + jo/raf/mia (coughing roses)
one. Raf picks her up, twirls her around in his arms, and Fae feels like a princess. He isn’t the first one she kisses, but is the first one she kisses by surprise. They were walking to meet with Jo at the gas station, 11:59 and then 12:00—it’s your birthday, Fae! happy birthday! Raf always got so much more excited about that than her. He bragged later about getting to tell her first. This was her idea of a birthday, still up after dark and headed to the cove after staking up on junk food. Jo and Raf would buy her a tiny tea plate-sized cake and candles with the numbers 1 and 7. Fae kisses Raf before he puts her down again, her smile against his choked gasp.
two. Jo carries her on his back until he doesn’t—walk, you legs work. Her legs are tired from standing too long and dancing in place. The local talent concert at the park wasn’t that good but at least it was so loud no one could hear her sing. Flowers only grew from the grass, not out of people’s mouths and ears. I liked the third song, Fae says, all she can supply, because even just humming might plant forget-me-not in Jo’s windpipe. He sings it, a little off-key, but not all can be cursed and blessed in uneven parts with a magical voice. That one, Fae grins and he kisses her because they do that now.
three. Mia comes running to find her, like they hadn’t texted that morning while Mia was on her way back. I know my mum is trying, she said, but I would rather stay with you guys than endure this quality time with her. Mia is the last she kisses, it happened in a quieter environment—cigarette smoke and cherry bubblegum. Fae just about sees the mum trying hard for an opportunity from the daughter who’s not there yet, the sister judging selfishness. The car idles ten feet away. Mia kisses her and says, I’m so happy to see you. I want to see the others. Let’s go. Fae grabs Mia’s hand and together they run.
