flora
Flora’s lips purse in that way they always do when she’s holding back the full strength of her delight, her smile curling soft and charmed as she glances over one shoulder at him. She doesn’t say I’m so glad you stayed, not in so many words—but it’s there in the way her eyes linger, bright as the road they’re walking.
"And you can take hot baths for your muscles," she nods sagely, as if this is a crucial life tip he’s just unlocked. "With fountain water, so you won't catch so much as a sore throat while you're here." Her sweater sleeves are pushed up to her elbows despite the breeze, a soft marigold knit that catches against the vibrant volcanic rock underfoot.
When he offers again—so Niki, always wanting to make things smoother, easier, less disruptive—she just nudges her shoulder lightly against his, careful with the contact so it doesn’t upset his pace. "I’ll let you know," she promises, but there’s warmth tucked into the words. "Honestly though? It’s really nice having someone else in the house."
Her gaze sweeps out across the shifting coastline, where foaming pastel water churns between the rocks like a living painting. "I knew when I built it that it’d feel empty sometimes, being so big, but..." She shrugs, casting him another smile, this one smaller but no less true. "These past few weeks were harder than I thought they’d be."
"And you can take hot baths for your muscles," she nods sagely, as if this is a crucial life tip he’s just unlocked. "With fountain water, so you won't catch so much as a sore throat while you're here." Her sweater sleeves are pushed up to her elbows despite the breeze, a soft marigold knit that catches against the vibrant volcanic rock underfoot.
When he offers again—so Niki, always wanting to make things smoother, easier, less disruptive—she just nudges her shoulder lightly against his, careful with the contact so it doesn’t upset his pace. "I’ll let you know," she promises, but there’s warmth tucked into the words. "Honestly though? It’s really nice having someone else in the house."
Her gaze sweeps out across the shifting coastline, where foaming pastel water churns between the rocks like a living painting. "I knew when I built it that it’d feel empty sometimes, being so big, but..." She shrugs, casting him another smile, this one smaller but no less true. "These past few weeks were harder than I thought they’d be."
i scream for whatever it's worth
"i love you" ain't that the worst thing you've ever heard?
"i love you" ain't that the worst thing you've ever heard?
