"Now I don't normally like to pose the 'big questions' on first dates, but.." Mechanical arm sweeps with abduction, red-lit joints reflecting oblong in the myriad of puddles at their feet. "Somethin' tells me you like when a man's upfront with you."

ㅤㅤJESPER'S ANSWERING GRIN is wide, dangerous. he offers faye his arm, first, like a proper gentleman - like he's planning for what image they might project when they roll up to this particular party tonight. it's always important for dante and virgil to appear, side by side, forever linked. " well, of course. we can't make a showing at book and snake's ritual without looking our absolute best. what color is it, doll? i'll put in the work to make sure we match."

"good news, i don't think you'll die, at least." neyvin remarked, half-amused smile on his lips, if only to cover up their worry. "bad news, like most people, you remain not bulletproof." a pause, "even with a vest, which i believe might be one of the only reasons you didn't die."

“ what do you like the most about painting ? ”

ayla’s chest rose and fell sharply, breath still coming fast and uneven, her muscles coiled so tight she thought she might snap in half. because ayla wasn’t used to silence. not like this. the silence that settled between them was thick, suffocating. she was used to fights ending in explosions—words spat like venom, doors slammed, people walking away and never looking back. she was used to winning, to proving a point so damn sharp that no one could ever come close to cutting her again. but this wasn’t a victory. this was standing in the wreckage of something that hadn’t even fully burned out yet, the smoke still rising, the heat still licking at her skin. and ayla hated it. she hated that her pulse was still thrumming against her skin, that the anger hadn’t fully settled, that under all of it—under all that goddamn pride—there was something else gnawing at her. "go ahead, then," she muttered, "say it. whatever it is. whatever you’re holding back." ayla narrowed her eyes, already bracing for whatever came next. she might’ve been cooling off, but if faye wanted to go another round, she’s ready.

“ okay, i don't want you knittin' around me anymore. ” eyebrows narrowed, gaze thinning into immense concern as his nose wrinkled. there was a brief pause as he met her eyes and then --- “ gimme those. ” he wordlessly reached over to snatch at the needles from their hands, tucking it into the side of his seat. good timing as the flight attendant walked past their isolated mini cubicle. he shot her a fairly nonchalant smile before returning his attention back to faye, gloved fingers pressing into the bridge of his nose. “ we're not here to get ourselves on the no - fly list. not even our connections can stop that from happening. and only amateurs do somethin' so abysmally stupid that they get'd get caught on the fuckin' plane. ” he knew they were likely joking, but sometimes. just sometimes. he couldn't tell.

REYNAAAAAAA !!! you absolutely beautiful human, you !!! thank you so much, made my whole day, i've been smiling stupidly since you sent it xo

Aww, thank you so much friend 🥺💜