#suvalentia

          she feels bad, tugging on his hair and trying her best to take out every little knot --- god knows when the last time the boy’s hair has felt a hairbrush. ❝ shh, i’m sorry, angel. ❞ she soothes, pressing a kiss to the back of his head as she puts the brush down, choosing to undo knots with her fingers. ❝ i’m almost done, baby, i’m sorry i’m hurting you. ❞

          ❝ he’s moving to new york. ❞ he texted ivan about an hour ago and he’d been waiting on the red swing for him since. he’s staring down at his hand, playing with the ring on his left hand, unable to look up at his best friend. ❝ he’s moving to new york and i can’t follow him and i don’t -- i don’t know what that means for us. ❞ there’s no tears in his his eyes, no pain in his voice -- simply a sad resolve at the situation.

          he didn’t plan on leaving his house today but, once nonna decided to make a surprise visit, going out didn’t sound so bad. when he got to the salvador home, he knocked only for the youngest to answer with a promise to get his brother. instead of going inside, he waits out on the lawn and grins ear to ear when he sees ivan come out. ❝ hi. so, i know we’re not big on the whole ‘surprise date’ thing or whatever but like -- i stole oliver’s credit card and there’s that nice li’l chinese take out place that just opened, if you wanna go for a walk or somethin’. ❞ he rambles, hands deep in his pockets as he hides from the cold.

          ❝ hey, ivan ? ❞ she peaks into his room and knocks on the door frame, not letting herself in like usual. ❝ have you, uh, have you heard from daddy recently ? or like -- mom too. they said they’d be back, like, six hours ago but they’re, well, not. ❞ she scratches the back of her neck, biting the inside of her lip.