𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝘮𝘺 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎.

rohan refused to let himself linger too long over any of the cats, regardless of how little or sweet, but it was a feat that was proving more and more difficult. “ i can be pretty convincing when i need to be. ” he grinned. at least the task may occupy him from any temptations. rohan laughed at the other's comment, gaze following his motion and regretting it almost immediately. truth be told, the 'gremlins' were the ones that rohan was more drawn to — or the older cats, or those more behaviourally challenged. maybe it was a sort of saviour complex, or just a recognition of you'd be nobody's first choice, but you can be mine. he sighed lightly. “ i'd take them all if i could, but they'll find their person, i'm sure. ”

He tapped one of the firefighters on the shoulder, and when he turned around, Silas flashed a smile before speaking. "Hey, I am looking to purchase one of these, but having a hard time choosing." That was his way of asking for assistance, and he wasn't going to ask outright.

the jack o'lantern lane was one of a very few seasonal traditions that elliott didn't mind participating in — not that he had much of a choice when it came to the event. he'd actually grown rather talented at pumpkin carving after all his years of experience, his own jack o'lantern sitting proudly with sharp eyes and a slanted, toothy grin. he turns at the tap on his shoulder, brows raised at the man's statement. “ i've got to say this one really has something about it. ” he muses with a hint of a smirk, pointing to his own creation. “ hard to beat, honestly. ”

it was a miracle clarke hadn’t fainted yet with the way his heart beat to the rhythm of elliott’s name, the way heat rippled from his cheeks down to his neck and crept to his chest, and due to the reality which was that elliott whitaker was looking at him. that’d he’d chosen clarke ( for the day, but clarke couldn’t help but fantasize that it might be longer than just a few hours. his heart ached to take care of elliott’s, and clarke wanted to give elliott all of him. heart, soul, and body. the very thought equal parts terrified him and filled him with a hope he’d never experienced before. and, as he felt elliott’s eyes on him, clarke silently o begged the heavens that elliott couldn’t read his mind. though, he wouldn’t be surprised if elliott could, he was not of this world. he was angelic, a god amongst men. rubbing the back of his neck nervously, clarke sought out elliott’s warm eyes and bought a glimpse of that beautiful smile that stopped time. clarke was certain every tree, ever flower nearby held their breath watching the two of them. elliott’s words washed over him, bringing a giddy and dimpled smile to his lips. as much as he wanted to disagree with the compliment, he bit back his tongue, not wanting to ruin the perfect moment with the insecurities that still managed to flicker in his eyes. adjusting his glasses, clarke beamed, “th-thank you, elliott. you have no idea how much that means to me. clarke took a nervous breath before leaning over to press a lingering kiss to elliott’s cheek, whispering, “you’re…you’re very special, too.” pulling back, his cheeks were flushed red and he shook his head in disbelief, “you’re the most…the most amazing man.” perhaps he shouldn’t be so open with every thought that went through his mind, but there was simply no use keeping it to himself when he wanted elliott to know how wonderful he was. how perfect and beautiful he was. if elliott’s subtle touch could send clarke into a fever, he wondered what it would feel like to have elliott’s hands and lips claiming more of him. and the thought was so strong he had to remind himself to breathe. his fingers balled up in elliott’s shirt, a giggle falling from his lips, “i’m…i’m very glad you’re not just, uhm, a daydream i’ve created in my mind.” his head ducked to hide his bashful smile, still learning how to exist and be seen. and elliott’s hand over his anchored him to the moment, stilled his worries. he took elliott’s hand as if it were a lifeline that clarke was desperate to keep. he’d never been treated so softly, with such care and it had him questioning what he’d done to deserve this. “w-we should,” clarke nodded with a grin looping his fingers with elliott’s and rubbing the back of his warm, strong hand with his thumb. elliott made him feel special, chosen and the very concept made clarke weak in the knees. “can i…can i keep holding your hand?” his gaze flickered to their intertwined fingers, not brave enough to hear elliott’s response. he didn’t want to let go, didn’t want elliott to slip through his fingers. clarke desperately craved elliott’s touch, especially after that kiss. 

it was impossible to draw his eyes away from clarke, the way his features erupted into all he could describe as sunlight whenever elliott complimented him. it was intoxicating, and all he wanted was to elicit that same happiness again and again. clarke was an unbelievably handsome man, elliott couldn't register how he seemingly didn't know it himself. he relished in the press of soft lips against his skin — and if clarke's reaction weren't enough to keep the admirations flowing, then this feeling certainly was. it was crazy how something as seemingly innocent as a kiss on the cheek could make his heart thump so fervently. his smile deepened at clarke's words. as much as he wished clarke could see his own brilliance, he wasn't exactly the best at taking compliments either. regardless, he pushed aside the urge to self-deprecate, and simply mumbled a genuine “ thank you. ”, marked with a soft smile. he could get used to the feeling of clarke's hand in his, the touch gentle and welcomed to what he knows are his own rougher pair. he could only hope that clarke didn't mind, though it didn't seem like he did from the way his thumb traced delicately against his skin. clarke's question made his heart stutter, something endearing about the way he asks so tentatively. “ i was hoping you would. ” he replied, offering a small squeeze of reassurance before lifting clarke's knuckles to his lips, leaving a quick kiss to the skin. “ this is going to sound really sad but i love watching the ducks in the pond. my daughter and i even named them. wanna come see ? ” admittedly, he hadn't dated much since separating from lily, at least nothing serious, but even so, claudia was somebody he had never brought into conversation before. she was too important, too personal, but with clarke he felt ... safe, like he could trust him to handle her just as gently as he did himself. sure, visiting some ducks and sharing their silly names wasn't exactly ground-breaking, but it was a sentiment that he wanted to share with clarke, to let him into his life just that bit more.

elliott was the sun and clarke was a timid flower that had lingered far too long in the dark, yearning for warmth. when those first rays had washed over him, they brought attention to parts of him he’d learned how to avoid and yet, he already found himself embracing the light in ways he never thought imaginable. clarke couldn’t control his heart when it came to elliott, he was already convinced that elliott was the composer of the symphony that his heart’s rhythm now beat along to. “i…i really hope i don’t,” he smiled weakly, teeth catching his lower lip as he fidgeted with his fingers. elliott had listened to clarke’s worries and hadn’t pulled away, he’d watched clarke fumble over feelings that were too big to fit inside his chest and hadn’t left, in fact he was closer than ever. clarke’s eyes glistened with affection and wonder time he looked at elliott, as if he were shocked that elliott hadn’t slipped through his fingers yet. he’d never been treated so warmly, and he was certain no one had ever looked at him the way elliott did and clarke felt so undeserving. “i’m…i’m being h-honest, silly,” his nose scrunched up as he nudged the other. a beat and then words stumbled out before he could stop them yet again, “the, uhm, the moment i looked into your eyes, y-you had me enchanted.” he glanced down bashfully, his heart moving faster than his brain as he murmured, “i-i think you always will.” the way that his heart roared in his chest like a storm that couldn’t be quelled had clarke light-headed in the most beautiful way, and he knew he was doomed to fall too hard but he didn’t care to stop himself. if this was only temporary, then let it take him completely. clarke couldn’t silence the needy sigh that slipped from his kiss-swollen lips when he felt elliott’s thumb on his bare skin. hips jutted forward as fire coursed through his veins underneath elliott’s touch and, god, he wanted more. he wanted to know what it would feel like to have elliott’s hands map out his entire body. clarke’s mind was dizzy with desire, he was still breathless. he giggled softly, raising a hand to elliott’s chest right above his heart. he wanted nothing more than to press his lips against elliott’s pounding heartbeat, to bury a hum against it in reverence because to clarke’s continued surprise, elliott whitaker was in fact real. and he’d kissed clarke back. hand remained on elliott’s chest, fingers balling his shirt up just slightly as a dimpled smile lit up his face, “you’re very real.”

elliott's gaze feels glued to clarke, his eyes taking in every little nervous movement, wanting nothing more than to put them at ease. it's rare that he feels himself smile so brightly, it feels strange but he's fully aware that he couldn't bite it back if he tried. it's incredible to feel something so deeply, years of guarding his heart seemingly evaporating every moment he spends in the other's company. elliott can't remember a time somebody spoke of him so highly, if ever, it's enough to bring an unfamiliar flush to his cheeks. “ you're very special clarke. i don't think you quite understand how much so. ” he's never been good with his words, and it's been years since he's even had the opportunity to feel like this, never mind verbalise it. he just hopes he can help clarke to see himself through his eyes — so sweet and endlessly captivating. elliott can't quite believe that somebody hasn't already snatched clarke up, he's certainly the most beautiful man he's laid eyes on, but he's incredibly glad that everybody else's loss is his gain. he knows he's treading dangerous territory with how much he savours clarke's reactions to his little touches, knows he shouldn't let his mind wander too fervently but it's hard not to imagine the sighs he could elicit from the other if given the opportunity. he clears his throat softly, pushing those thoughts aside at the gentle gesture to his chest. he chuckles, a palm settling over clarke's against his shirt, “ well, thank goodness for that. ” he teases. it's increasingly tempting to lean back in and lose himself in clarke's lips again, but he's very aware that he wants to do things right, rather than give the impression that that's all he's after. he wants to delve beneath the surface and understand wholly what makes clarke, clarke. he removes his hand from clarke's against his shirt and instead offers it out for him to hold, “ shall we go for this walk ? ”

 the granville was a revolving door of strangers in polished shoes and suits, couples celebrating anniversaries and business dinners. rohan was a name elias had long since trained himself not to look for in the crowd. the chef had been out front, making sure the evening ran smoothly, when the other almost walked straight into him. the familiarity of the sight struck him unexpectedly, and he had to swallow the quick rush of something he hadn’t felt in years — surprise, maybe? and something like relief that he wasn’t invisible to him yet. "rohan. it's been a while." something like a smile tugged at his mouth, forcing the casual posture he wanted to show. "you mean the grenadine sour? i’m glad you liked it." it wasn’t the first time they’d crossed since being here in maple brook; the town had tossed them together in brief, graceless moments before, each time marked by that same awkwardness. as hard as it was to admit, elias felt the pinch of it now, a wish curling quietly under his ribs that it didn’t have to be like this. "so... maple brook hasn't eaten you alive, huh?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "what brings you here? some kind of celebration… or a date?" pitched like a tease, he stood back slightly, letting the words fall lightly as if it were just idle curiosity. but even as he leaned into it, he knew the hint of tension was still there. at least this time neither of them was ducking away or pretending the encounter wasn’t happening.

rohan nods, hoping to disguise the quiet embarrassment simmering beneath with an unreadable expression. “ yeah, that, it was really something. ” he can’t help but search for something in elias’ expression — what exactly, he’s unsure, maybe something familiar that would make him feel less out of place. “ not yet, but it isn't too late. ” he chuckles. he wouldn’t say he feels entirely like he belongs, but he feels more comfortable here than he has anywhere else, which must count for something. lips part but nothing comes out, as if he’s guilty of something that wasn’t even happening — not that he should feel like that even if it were. “ i’m just out with some people from work for a friend's birthday. it always feels weird seeing people outside of the town hall. ” he replies with a short laugh. it felt nice to be included, the dinner being something he would have probably ducked out on previously. “ any recommendations on what to eat ? ” he feels silly asking, as if it’s painfully obvious he’d still hang onto elias’ every word — old habits die hard.

“ we both prefer red. ” he aims to sound confident, though it’s been that long that his memory is honestly fuzzy. he’d moved to town five years ago, but it had been even longer since he’d seen his mother. the nerves were bubbling beneath the surface, and had been since he’d received the call from her. his eyes scan the options, as if fixating himself on what they would drink would ease the tension. “ i was thinking lamb … or white fish. in other words, i have no clue. ” rohan chuckles sheepishly. “ is there something that pairs well with ... pretty much anything ? ” he's self-aware enough to know that even if he could decide on a dish, he'd be second guessing and changing his mind last minute regardless.

he smiles in what resembles a grimace. raf’s right, but it doesn’t make the sight of silver hairs or aching muscles any more welcome. he’s forty, though, not ninety — so at least there’s that. “ you’re too kind. ” he chuckles as he pats a friendly hand on his upper arm. “ it’s going fine, a lot of community work this week. i have some time off coming up. ” it wasn’t often that elliott took vacation time on a whim, only regularly taking time around his daughter’s birthday, but he actually found himself looking forward to the break. “ and you ? ”

was there any need for rohan to be attending an adoption event when he had three feline friends waiting for him at home already ? probably not, but he couldn't resist at least showing his face in moral support. as a volunteer at the shelter, rehoming meant a lot to him, so even though it meant the ever difficult task of restraining himself from falling in love with any of the cats, he was willing to take the risk in the name of solidarity. he's admiring one of the posters for an adorable tabby cat when alejandro's voice draws his gaze away. “ oh, no, father of three here. ” he nods proudly. dorky, but he doesn't linger on it. “ i'm here for support. ” he attempts to sound firm, but his eyes can't help but hover back over to the poster for a brief second. “ i'm sure these guys will find homes in no time. the profiles are a really nice touch. ”

a trip to the library was a staple in rohan's week. despite loving the concept behind the mobile library that was book voyage, he also appreciated a stationary, predictable library that he could let hours pass by in. today he'd spent an unreasonably long time in the mystery section, internally deliberating between a detective thriller or secret society novel, before ultimately deciding to take both. it's only upon glancing at his watch that he realises he's been in the library longer than planned and needs to hurry up. he's in the process of heading to check out with his now towered pile of books when he hears the other, spinning on his heel and nearly dropping said books on the floor. he blinks for a moment, eyes dragging to the item as he tuts himself. “ god, sorry, yes. ” he shakes his head in a fluster. in his rush of balanced books, he'd managed to lose his phone. “ if i'd gotten all the way home without that ... ” he trails off with a sigh, “ i'm always losing stuff. i'd lose my head if it wasn't attached. thank you. ” he smiles sheepishly.

“i just…,” clarke trailed off, brown eyes tracing lines between every faint freckle on elliott’s cheeks as if they were a constellation far more beautiful than the ones that twinkled in the night sky. blinking slowly, his gaze remained on elliott’s face, never wanting to look away. “i just d-don’t want to make a mistake or, uhm, mess this up.” eyes dipped momentarily as his heart threatened to leap from his chest. “if you couldn’t tell,” clarke gave elliott a dimpled smile as he glanced back up at him, the man who continued to steal his breath, his voice a little more than a whisper, “i-i have the biggest crush on you.” he had an utterly boyish grin on his lips as he adjusted his glasses before his confession hit him. he glanced at elliott with an exasperated look on his blushing face, “oh, god. c-can i just shove my foot in my mouth now?” clarke hung his head in embarrassment, he was overwhelmed and it was entirely his fault. “it’s a brave profession,” clarke spoke, looking up from under his lashes, a soft smile dancing on his lips, “b-being a firefighter, i mean. but i think maple brook is in safe hands with you.” his thoughts drifted to a daydream fit for a romance novel — elliott saving him and clarke in his arms. the very arms he’d thought about being wrapped up in, the ones that looked so strong even through elliott’s shirt. and clarke found his entire body growing warm. but those thoughts were soon (at least momentarily) eclipsed by how soft elliot’s lips were and how badly he wanted them to brush across his skin, painting clarke with his kiss. when clarke pulled back, he’d entirely expected elliott to run or politely announce his departure. nothing could’ve prepared him for getting pulled in for another kiss, cheek warm and tingly where elliott’s hand rested. it was entirely enrapturing and clarke kissed back slowly, but desperately. his teeth sunk gently into elliott’s lower lip, parting the kiss with the need to taste, to memorize. clarke melted into the kiss like a wanderer who finally found a home, ready to lay it all down for elliott. fingers found purchase at the nape of elliott’s neck, tangling themselves into his hair if only to pull him closer, wishing he never had to come up for air. his tongue brushed across elliott’s, eliciting a soft sigh from clarke before he pulled back, resting his forehead against elliott’s, out of breath, cheeks pink, and glasses foggy. his trembling thumb found elliott’s lower lip and traced it, “are y-you quite certain that you’re real?”

elliott's eyes soften at the admission. it's nice to know clarke can be honest with him about his feelings and apprehensions, even if he truly has nothing to worry about at all. he can't imagine clarke messing anything up, the man emanating such warmth that elliott can't help but think it's him who won't live up to standards. “ you won't mess anything up just by being you. ” he reassures. something about knowing clarke cares so much about this makes his heart pound a little faster, knowing they're on the same page and he isn't just getting ahead of himself. “ the biggest, hm ? you sure know how to flatter a guy. ” he teases, a beaming grin cracking. he finds the way clarke becomes so easily flustered incredibly endearing, all doe-eyed and flushed. is it evil to want to elicit the reaction from him as much as he can ? maybe, but who could blame him ? he's been called brave for his work before, but somehow it sounds better coming from clarke's lips. there's a strong urge to protect the other, and hearing the words 'safe' from his mouth feels like good enough confirmation for now. he can't remember the last time he felt drawn to somebody this deeply, or felt so completely encapsulated by a kiss. all he can focus on is how good clarke's lips feel against his own, the gentle graze of teeth against his lower lip causing his heart to pound. he can't hold back a low, muffled groan at the fingers tugging gently at his hair and he knows he needs to stop before he gets carried away, but is so reluctant to pull back. palms shift from clarke's face to his waist as he enjoys the last moments of their kiss before the other pulls away. he takes a moment to catch his breath. he hasn't kissed anybody in a park like this since he was a teenager, the same excitement radiating through his body as it did way back then. clarke looks so damn sweet that it's hard not to bring him back in for more, but he holds himself back, though isn't strong enough to remove his hands from his waist just yet. his thumb has managed to find a spot of exposed skin on clarke's hip, circling in reassuring motions. “ pretty sure. wanna feel my heartbeat ? ” he chuckles.

indy was definitely happy to enjoy the hot air balloons from the ground, the idea of going in one a bit too daunting for them. they were quiet pretty to look at, the colors and designs giving them some ideas for future tattoos if the opportunity ever came across their desk. "it's all good." indy chuckles, gesturing towards the open spot beside them as they lower their phone, nodding. "all yours'. i'm not waiting on anyone."

he nods in silent gratitude as he occupies the space, sitting with his knees to his chest and arms wrapped around his legs as he settles. after a moments silence he clears his throat, “ i’ve always wondered who in their right mind would create something like a hot air balloon. ” he muses out loud. planes were difficult enough for him, never mind the concept of floating through the air in a basket.

he shakes his head with a fond smile, “ you’re overthinking too much, clarke. you don’t have to worry with me. ” he speaks softly. he finds the other’s ramblings very endearing, he doesn’t need to change, but he can’t help but hope to someday see him completely at ease in his presence. he’s happy to take as long as it takes, though he’s definitely getting ahead of himself. he chuckles, “ no, no. you kinda get used to it after a while, and busy days around here are rare. ” there were pros and cons to his work, cons involving his personal life sometimes falling behind his career, and feeling like he’s endlessly playing catch up on family time. it’s also made romance something he’s put on the back burner for quite some time, but with claudia getting older, it feels as good a time as any to put himself out there — especially when that involves somebody like clarke. the fingers grazing his cheek cause his breath to catch almost instantly, his eyes darting around every inch of clarke’s face as it edges closer, heart thudding as if he’d never been kissed before. it’s been a long time since he’s wanted something so fervently — the press of soft lips against his own is heavenly, a feeling he wants to chase after and grasp, but is snatched away far too quickly. the ghost of clarke’s kiss still lingers on his lips, and he finds himself suddenly heavy-lidded, eyes blinking slowly as he lets clarke’s apologies run through one ear and straight out of the other. he doesn’t even bother to respond verbally, his hands moving to cup clarke’s face and bring his lips against his own once again — his kiss teetering on the edge of needy, slow and deep and perfect. his mind is entirely tangled up in clarke, how his lips taste, his skin warm beneath his finger tips. he could very well get used to this.