He Nods, Quickly. But Truthfully, Hes Selling Himself Short. Ace Would Be More Than Capable, Having Dealt

he nods, quickly. but truthfully, he’s selling himself short. ace would be more than capable, having dealt with his mothers problems all throughout his childhood, it wasn’t like he couldn’t handle responsibility at all. it was just that he’d almost drowned himself with it back then, so now he likes to keep life as easy and breezy as humanly possible. “ exactly, exactly. i like to think of myself as the person who is occasionally helpful, but i wouldn’t be the first person you call, you know ? ” at the mention of dogs, his eyes light up. truly sometimes he thinks he prefers them over other people. “ yorkies and so cute and yappy, i love yorkies. my little guy is actually a really big guy. i’ve got a rottweiler. some people think they’re intimidating, but charlie is a big softie. ”

she can't help but let out a laugh at his response. " well, okay. i gues that is usually a smart thing to think about. i mean, i almost didn't even think of it until you had just said it. as long as it's not your responsibility then you'll be fine with it all. i'm guessing? " alyssa would playfully tease. the blonde has quite always been a dog person, but she doesn't necessarily hate cats or anything like that. " oh, i've got two dogs! they're yorkies. so they're small and playful, but very chaotic at times. the cutest ever though. it's almost difficult to deny them of anything that they want. i'm a very, very proud dog mom. i must say! "

" you should just be beautiful, perfect you. the right person is out there, and i would literally die and come back from the dead before i let you settle. but yes, maybe we let men better themselves because they want to be better, not because we want them to be. " a waste of time and energy, as she's come to witness over the years. she gives her friend a look that says just trust me, and maybe it is silly to base something off a choice of footwear, but she full of intuition— or so she likes to think. it could just be an excuse, because maybe the matchmaker herself isn't so sure what she wants when it comes to love. " okay, solo dates, love that for you. " she's quiet, with difficulty, stops herself from butting in and just takes it in, basks in her friends experience. her heart swells at the thought, glint of happiness for the other reflected in her eyes. even if it was an encounter that didn't lead to forever, what a magical encounter to have. " wow, " noa breathes out once celeste finishes, but being reserved last all of two seconds before she's beaming. " that literally sounds like a scene out of a ron-com, you know, back when rom-coms were actually good. but oh my god, letty, that sounds . . . epic. definitely not delusional ! sometimes the universe has to take matters into it's own hands, put two people exactly where they're supposed to be. are you seeing him again ? "

"i think that might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me," a fake tear is wiped away, hand over heart. the more noa explained her reasoning, the more celeste began to realize where she'd gone wrong. she couldn't count on one hand the amount of men she'd replicated the exact scenario with, much to her own regret. "okay, okay, i see your point," she laughs, hands thrown up in surrender. "what i'm getting from this is that i should stop trying to be caulk-over-it celeste." she had a tendency of giving her relationships the landlord special, and socks and sandals could easily be painted over. "i just think it's kind of hilarious how you came to that conclusion from socks and sandals alone, but that's why you're the match maker and not me !" with another sip of her wine, celeste can't help but share the excitement. she scoots an inch closer, clapping her hands together as she prepares herself for the tell all. "well, i went out and none of the girls wanted to come with, so i went by myself, obviously. i ended up trying out the cheesiest pick up line i could think of, and it actually worked ? and then we danced for a little, talked some more, and he walked me home. the part that's actually wild to me is that we got to my building and found out we're neighbors ? is that some kind of a sign or am i just delusional ?"

" twice ? damn, winnie, you might even have me beat there. " she jokes about killing him and he can't help the smirk that flickers. he leans in, voice low, and with a familiar sardonic humour that not many could handle says, " eh, you'd be doing me a favour. " but as she continues, he stays quiet, let's her talk. isn't quite sure what he's expecting. then it comes and he smiles and it isn't teasing or sarcastic or anything in-between. it's genuine, soft, so unlike him some might never believe it. " that's cool, " he responds, and in a weird way he feels . . . proud of her ? knows all too well how coming out can feel. " we're a pretty decent club. i mean, there's the occasional asshole, myself included, but overall it's not too bad. " grin grows briefly, then fades. a moment of quiet before he asks, “ how long have you been out for ? ”

"well, luckily for you, i've actually done that TWICE. there's so much for you to learn about me," she jokes, pushing herself back on the swing. there was comfort in kai and the park-- the need to be young and innocent again. it seemed kai needed that just as much as she did. "well, that is good news. otherwise, i'd have to kill you." a funny statement, coming from winnie of all people. the girl couldn't even kill a spider. "i guess an ear for now. maybe advice if you think i'm stupid or whatever. which, would be a very valid response." something she wouldn't have agreed with back when everything was fresh. "so, i'm..." the word gets caught in her throat. she's been out for three years, but hasn't really talked about it. at least not verbally. it's almost as hard to say it to kai as it was to say it to her parents. "bisexual," she finally gets out. "but, that's new. well, not NEW, but, like, new, i guess... it took a long time for me to be okay with saying that."

he glances at the three pieces presented with a puzzled expression. " uh . . . well, three looks most like the hand whisk i have, so . . . three ? " not that he's ever used said hand whisk. truly, he's not quite sure why he has it. confusion soon turns into a smile, eyes vibrant as he watches her take his small idea and turn it into a full-blown vision. she's amazing, he thinks to himself, is almost certain his face says it too. in all his life, he’s never met anyone like her— someone so willing to embrace his quirks and match them with her own. sometimes it’s like they exist in their own little universe, where the world fades away, and it’s just them, laughing and enjoying each others company. he wishes he'd met her sooner, long before circumstance had made him so overprotective of his own heart. " yeah, " he nods, feels breathless. " i can totally help you set up an instagram for that. but anything i do won't make it viral, that'll be all you. " because she commands attention all on her own, such a breath of fresh air and honesty he can't imagine anyone wouldn't feel drawn to her. he doesn't say much at her next set of words, only a slightly awkward, " the real thing is even better. " if he was to say what was fully on his mind, he'd tell her she's the most beautiful person he's ever seen, inside and out. radiates something he can't pinpoint, but that often has him dreaming of her when she's not even there. there's part of him that's afraid to admit to himself what it all means, because once he does he won't be able to switch it off. ace meets teddy's gaze, caught off guard by the way she forces him to look at her. he can’t help but feel a warm flutter in his chest, one that spread quickly even as his thoughts swirl with anxiety. the moment stretches out, and all he can think about is how her hands on his cheeks feel like a jolt of electricity. suddenly he's all too aware of the close proximity between them, swallows down hard as he attempts to focus on her words instead of the strong pull he feels towards her. " i don't know how to describe the thing, it's just the thing, you know ? " probably not, because how does that even make sense. " no matter what i put in there, it still looks the same. so much so i don't think even a haircut could change it. " but he appreciates the offer. lonely, it's a word he knows well. in fact, he's certain if he didn't have his grandfather growing up that feeling may have swallowed him whole. " i mean, yeah, maybe sometimes. but i've felt a lot lonelier staying around people who were supposed to care and didn't. like my . . . " he pauses, feels like he might explode as he battles against the part of him that wants to keep it all in, but he fights to get it out, " my mom. " he used to think his dad leaving when he was a young boy was what broke his heart, but really he thinks it might have been his mother staying. both felt like forms of abandonment in their own right.

she pulls her mixer closer to her, offering three attachments to ace. "okay, pop quiz-- which one is used for cakes? one, two, or three?" her brows raise as she watches ace, waiting for him to make a selection. while he's deciding, she takes it upon herself to resume their previous conversation. "you know, you may actually be onto something... i can see the vision now. your man is cheating, and you want to just... disappear. you pack all your shit, leave your spare key on the counter next to a masterpiece. well, a cake masterpiece. in the shape of whatever you desire... a broken heart... a knife... and on top it says welcome home cheater. it's like a scene from a movie! i think you're right. maybe that should be my specialty. is this my push to make an instagram for my cakes? do you know how to make things go viral? could you do that for me?"

there's no stopping the laugh that erupts from her as ace encourages her to... kiss her reflection. "well, it's good to know you think my REFLECTION is pretty. we can only hope the real thing is as well," she teases, patting his chest lightly. maybe it's mean, but there's a part of her that finds joy in watching him stumble over his words. not because he's struggling, but because she finds it endearing. finds him endearing. it's hard not to when he's standing in front of her laying all of his flaws out on the table. he never tried to be TOO COOL for her. teddy wouldn't have gotten along with him if he had. she knew she was weird and quirky, and she was proud of it. she'd collected a group of real and genuine friends, and ace was obviously part of that. someone who met her on her level, who really understood her. which is why, when he starts telling her his insecurities, she finds herself confused.

ace isn't looking at her, and that's probably purposeful, but she brings her hands to his cheeks and forces him to look at her. well, really, it's so she can get a better look at his hair. "what 'thing'? i like what your hair does," she assures him. "but, if you really want something different, i have a history of giving haircuts. you can ask my cousin miles." haircuts that only got her into trouble with their family. "okay, that's not really true. i mean, i did give him haircuts, but when i was, like, four. BUT, i do know a lot of beauty and style people. so, if you really wanted to change your hair i'm sure we could. just let me know. and as for tripping-- you've just gotta pick your feet up, baby. or take an acting class to learn how to fall more gracefully. whichever is easier for you." his final admission stops her for a second. the normal lighthearted air between them disappearing as the conversation takes a serious turn. "that one, well, i can't fix that. i can find you some affirmations that could help, though. you'll feel silly doing them at first. ronnie used to always make fun of me, but i don't know any different. but it does help, i think. or i'm just actually the coolest person to ever exist," she says with a light shrug. she'd never had confidence problems, and perhaps the affirmations really did help. "that sounds really lonely, if i'm being honest."

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trigger warnings: body image & semi nudity, drinking, smoking, kissing.

kyro watches her intently as she arranges the flowers, a soft laugh escaping when she mentions writing a thank you note. it's one of the many things he finds so endearing about her— a small gesture that not many would think of, but that speaks volumes about her caring heart. when he thinks back on it now, there was never any chance of him not falling for her when he did. celeste james had a way of stealing hearts, and his had never stood a chance. even now, as just friends, there's a tug on his chest as he watches her move around the kitchen. some might say the warmth feels a lot like coming home. a thought he's no longer sure he's allowed to have. " did i miss you ? " tone teases, fingers coming up to tap against his chin, " let's see . . . " a moment passes, but his eyes give it all away long before his mouth does. " of course i did. i always do. " how could he not ? " i mean, who else will laugh at my jokes ? " kyro is quick to add, clears his throat to try and elevate some of the tension, but it's there. it's bright, thick. unwavering. his smile grows at her thanks, and he nods in response before quirking a brow. " you're thanking me for flowers when you've basically cooked me up a feast ? i think i should be thanking you. " he leans into her orbit just a little, such a natural pull. " but you know this means i have to return the favour, right ? it's only fair. "

"i'm glad you think so." beaming, eyes focused on the bouquet held in front of her. it's beautiful, bringing a warm feeling to her. if there was one thing celeste had always appreciated about kyro, it was his thoughtfulness. the way every day, even the ones that weren't important, came with a little bit extra. she's thankful for their relationship, glad that they'd been able to maintain it over the years. "i'm gonna have to write her a personal thank you note." she's reaching under her sink for a new vase as she muses over his next question, giving an audible hmmm. it's loaded, and she was sure he knew it, but the simple answer was, "yes." she came up with the vase, filling it with water and arranging the flowers inside. her eyes soften as she looks over at him, head tilted as she gives him a once over. just to make sure everything is where it's meant to be. "did you miss me ?" it had been a while since they'd had the same day free on their schedules, both dedicated to their careers. hers had always been more lenient than his, the editing she had meant to do tonight put off for tomorrow. "there is a right answer, by the way. oh ! and thank you," she gestures toward the vase, moving to turn off the stove. "for the flowers."