He Glances At The Three Pieces Presented With A Puzzled Expression. " Uh . . . Well, Three Looks Most

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."

he pretends to ponder, to humour her. “ hmm, let me think . . . maybe livin’ on a prayer, because something tells me you’d need one. ” kyro tries to hold back a laugh, but it still threatens to slip out. however, he still makes a point of exaggerating her strength when he fist meets the palm of her hand. “ unless you have any better options ? ” uses hands to encourage her to keep the hits coming, knows sometimes it just takes a little practise.

"i'm so glad you're finally starting to catch on," her pads are tossed to the side in the same manner as his, fists lifting as she circles him in the ring. "what do you think my walk in song should be ?" she questions, throwing her best version of a right hook to his left palm. "for when i make my debut as the next big boxer of the lee family."

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012) dir. David O. Russell

SET IT UP (2018) dir. Claire Scanlon

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."

he has no business being there, sticks out like a sore thumb in the clothes he went to work in, motor grease still staining hands despite the fact he's scrubbed them what feels like a hundred times. camden isn't a big drinker, never has been. spent far too long witnessing the way it poisoned his father to ever indulge in it too much. but occasionally, after a long day, when he's not set to have his son, he likes to stop off for a beer on his way home. occupies the same stool every time, get's lost in his own thoughts. sometimes he doesn't even get to finish, phone ringing with another emergency, or yet another problem that needs to be fixed. there's a half-smile, forever a little rough around the edges, never quite meets his eyes fully. " if i'm at the point of having a usual, it might be time for me to avoid this place, " camden jokes with a slight dry chuckle, a nod of his head as he shrugs out of his jacket. " but i'll stick to it for now, save wild for another night. not sure palmview could handle it. "

the  soft  glow  of  the  bar’s  dim  lights  flickered  like  fireflies  on  a  warm  summer  night ,     casting  a  cozy  warmth  over  the  polished  wood  counter .     sadie  stood  behind  the  bar ,     her  hands  skillfully  mixin’  a  cocktail ,     the  rhythmic  clink  of  glass  harmonizin’  with  the  gentle  buzz  of  chatter .     she  glanced  up  and  spotted  a  familiar  face  sittin’  at  the  far  end     —     a  regular  who  always  seemed  to  carry  a  heavy  load  of  unsaid  thoughts .

“     well ,     hey  there ,     sugar !     ”    she  drawled,     a  bright  smile  spreadin’  across  her  face  as  she  sauntered  over .     “     you  wantin’  your  usual ,     or  we  feelin’  a  little  wild  tonight ?    ” ( @palmviewstarters )