Wandererfms - Tumblr Posts
kingsey climbs the ladder with no real rhyme or reason, simply passing by when he was hit with a sense of nostalgia. it's been a while since he's been in her shop let alone on it's rooftop. in fact, it's been a while since he's been anywhere near her at all. should listen to better judgment, but he's never been very good at that. fingers grip the worn metal, and he freezes momentarily when he spots her basking in the warmth of the soft, fading light as the sun goes down. the sight threatens to knock the wind out of him, but he pushes forward, feet now landing on the rooftop. she spots him now, and his lips curve into a half smile, but it's not the one most are used to seeing. it's not smug or teasing— if anything it's tinged with some regret. " well, i didn't actually know you'd be here. but it's not a bad surprise. " though part of him, maybe, had hoped she would be. there's a few seconds of hesitation before he's crossing the roof, setting himself down a few feet away from her. keeping some distance. " still like chasing sunsets, huh ? " questions now, tone lighter as he glances her way.
laid sprawled across the flat surface of her shops roof , a serene smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she watched the setting sun dip below the horizon . the sky was a masterpiece of oranges , pinks , and purples , each hue blending seamlessly into the next . the warmth of the fading sunlight kissed her skin , and for a moment , she allowed herself to forget everything — her past , her worries , the weight she carried daily . up here , she was just esme , a girl with a love for sunsets and the calm they brought to her soul .
the quietness of the evening was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the ladder , and esme’s smile grew , knowing someone had found her little sanctuary . she didn’t move , though , not yet . she wanted to savor this moment a little longer , the last rays of daylight filtering through her lashes as she lay in peaceful stillness . “ didn’t think anybody would find me up here , ” her voice breaks through the calm , tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement . she slowly tilted her head to the side , her gaze meeting the figure who had joined her on the roof . OPEN / @palmviewstarters .
“ oh, please, ” noa laughs, eyes threatening to roll though there may be a slight tinge to her cheeks. still, she waves off the idea with a perfectly manicured hand. “ don’t flatter yourself. inflated egos are so not it. ” shifts on her feet, intrigued as to what he may ask her to promise— what he does she isn’t expecting. lips part, doe eyes wide for a number of seconds. oh. “ a dance ? with me ? you and me ?” she looks baffled, but it’s only because for the first time— well, ever, she’s not entirely sure what to say. but it comes to her quickly. “ i don’t think you understand how busy i’m going to be. i mean, i’ve been organising this for weeks. i have a whole system. charts, compatibility scores, body language analysis. the average song is around 3-4 minutes, do you have any idea how many things i could miss in that amount of time ? some people don’t realize how important one single stolen glance can be— that’s why they need me.” a simple sorry, no can do would have sufficed, but in typical noa fashion she’s over-complicating it. the brunette stops, hands slowing as she lowers them and takes a breath, offering a smile now in return. “ i can find you someone less preoccupied to dance with, does that work ? ”
leaned against the counter , a lazy smirk playing on his lips as he took in her bright , animated presence . the flyers she handed him were bold and colorful , but they couldn't outshine the energy she exuded . " a mixer , huh ? " his voice drawled out , teasing as always . " and here i thought you were just lookin’ for an excuse to see me . " he took the flyers , holding them up as if inspecting them closely . " i’ll put ‘em up for ya but don’t think i’m lettin’ you off that easy. you're gonna have'ta promise me somethin’ . " he paused , eyes gleaming with mischief . " save me a dance at your little ‘ get-together ’ . seems only fair , don’t ya think ? " he flashed her a grin , knowing full well he’d enjoy watching her reaction , teasing her just enough to keep things playful .
she's glad that he sees the amusement in it, seems to take the edge off her own shoulders. her entire existence up until the age of twenty-one had been fully controlled, and it irks her deeply that, despite things being drastically different now, she still holds onto some old habits— like keeping herself pristine even though part of her longs to let go, just a little. " oh, no. no. it's sweet of you to offer, but trust me you do not want to teach me anything. i'm a notoriously difficult student and i will overtake. " a fatal flaw perhaps, that when it came to ability she'd show extreme competitiveness. carved into her from a young age, a deep-rooted need to always be perfect, the best. " maybe i can teach myself, just to say that i could. " glint in her eye is met with mirth, playful in her delivery.
a soft chuckle leaves him , tipping his head to the side as he gives her a playful look . " well , ain’t that somethin’ , " he drawls , his southern twang laced with amusement . " can’t say i’ve ever heard drownin’ bein’ better than messin’ up your hair , but i reckon your mama had her priorities . " he steps closer , his smile warm and easy . " tell ya what , darlin’ . we’ll keep that hair lookin’ pretty , and i’ll teach you how to swim . no need for embarrassment . ain’t nobody born knowin’ how to do it . " his voice softens , the teasing edge fading as he adds , " you just say the word , and i’ll be right there , keepin’ you safe . "
there's parts of kingsley that never feel like they'll be whole, like he's destined to be a partially incomplete person for eternity. so much unresolved that it feels easier to keep things light, a faux filter of being carefree. because he has everything he could possibly ever want, right ? enough money that he could live multiple lifetimes in pure, blissful comfort. a name that could open any door with ease. but there's never been a real understanding of love, or direction. just a need to try and fill the void with alcohol, drugs, reckless acts that make his heart beat fast. but esme, well, there were moments with her, completely sober and still, that felt like just as big a rush. " guess i was feeling nostalgic, " kingsley responds with a smirk, his voice light, almost playful. but there's a weight behind it he can't quite shake. he shrugs, like it’s no big deal, like he didn’t just climb up here chasing a feeling he can’t define. “ figured i’d see if the place still lived up to it's charm. " breath threatens to catch in his throat as he allows his gaze to fully settle upon her, memories filtering back into his mind. " though i don't think it could ever lose it. not while you own the place, at least. " because she was the main part of the charm, the reason he knew this was the perfect view of the sun setting. " you look good, esme, " he adds, smile softening slightly, " how've you been ? "
her breath caught in her throat as kingsley’s figure emerged against the backdrop of the setting sun . the sight of him , framed by the warm , golden light , was both a shock and a comfort . the rooftop , once a shared haven , now felt charged with a history that lingered between them . she turned fully to face him , her eyes reflecting the soft hues of twilight . the distance he kept was palpable , a physical manifestation of the space that had grown between them over time .
“ kingsley , ” she said , her voice steady but touched with a hint of emotion . she took a deep breath , trying to steady herself . “ it’s been a while . ” as he settled a few feet away , she leaned against the rooftop’s edge , the cool breeze ruffling her hair . she glanced out at the horizon , where the sun dipped lower , painting the sky in shades of pink and orange . “ chasing sunsets... yeah , it’s one of those things that just sticks with you . some habits die hard , i guess . ” her smile was tinged with both nostalgia and a hint of sadness , reflecting on the shared moments they once had . turning back to him , she met his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension . “ so , what brings you here , kingsley ? "
there's fun in messing up. the idea feels foreign and it's not because she can't have fun, it's because messing up has never been much of an option for her. her instinct is to scoff, to brush it off with somewhat faux confidence she always carries, but there’s a softness in his tone that almost tempts her. but she knows herself, knows she's the type of person who would drive herself insane trying to fix every little mistake. perfect, the word rings in her mind, mothers voice stern and sharp. always perfect. " what, you don't think i could ? " raises a perfectly sculpted brow, playful smirk etching onto mouth. but it's there, behind her gaze, a competitive spark like no other. a fire that burns bright. " swimming is, what ? mostly good breathing, coordination and core strength ? i've already got all three of those. but i'll humour you, just this once, " she adds, an air of teasing. for someone who's never attempted to swim, she's sure got a lot of faith in herself. " how about you tell me what to do, and we'll see how well i can execute it ? "
he leans back with a slow , lazy grin , the kind that seems to say he's already seen through her words , but he’s willing to play along . his eyes spark with a mix of curiosity and amusement , and his drawl adds a casual warmth to his response . “ now , see , that sounds like a challenge . and i never could back down from a good one . ” he watches her , noticing the tension she carries , the weight of always needing to be perfect . “ difficult student or not , darlin’ , i reckon you’d surprise yourself . ” he tilts his head , eyes narrowing just a little as he studies her with that easygoing charm of his . “ overtake me , huh ? i’d like to see you try . but maybe... just maybe , you don't always have to be the best at everything. there’s fun in messing up sometimes . ”
noa opens her mouth to respond, then quickly stops herself. there's a slight air of confusion that surrounds the brunette who usually has a much easier time brushing people off. typically by this point someone would give up— one long-winded explanation was usually all it took. yet he's still asking, looking at her like he finds the whole thing amusing. she can't help but to find his teasing grin a little disarming. " you think my plans are perfect ? " is the first question to come, and it's totally not the point of the conversation, yet the words alone help lower the guard she has up. even if it wasn't meant that way. " fine, " she breathes out, corrects her posture as she flips long curls behind her shoulder, an attempt to distract from the fact she's slightly flustered. noa braunstein doesn't do flustered. " one dance. but you better not have two left feet because if you scuff my shoes, i won't be happy about it. they're jimmy choo's. " because of course, just like everything else, she already has her outfit planned to the last accessory. it's then she realizes her gaze has softened, smile warm. as if to conceal it, she's straight back into work-mode. " and if you make me miss anything important— anything at all— don’t blame me when your desirability score plummets and no one else wants to dance with you again. like ever. "
a grin takes hold of his lips , leaning back a bit as he watches noa go through her detailed explanation . his eyes gleam with amusement , arms crossing over his chest as he lets her words wash over him . he doesn’t interrupt — just lets her ramble , the corners of his lips quirking up the more she talks . when she finally stops , offering that polite smile , he chuckles softly , shaking his head . " you really think i’m gonna let you off that easy ? " his drawl is smooth , teasing as he raised an eyebrow , the corners of his lips curling into a teasing grin . “ sure , you’ve got charts and compatibility scores , and i get it , the whole world’s gonna be on your shoulders that night . but, imagine this — just one dance , no spreadsheets , no body language analysis . just you and me , lost in a moment that doesn’t fit into your perfect plan . what do you say ? ” dax’s gaze softened , a sincere look peeking through his playful exterior . “ i promise , it’ll be quick . i’ll even let you pick the song , so it’s not like we’re taking too much time out of your busy schedule . what do you say , noa ? give it a shot — just this once ? ”
closed ft. @wandererfms
kai sits cross-legged in the sand, worn-out hoodie pulled low over his eyes, joint hung lazily between his fingers. he hears the slow approach of footsteps in the soft sand but doesn't look up, simply takes another slow drag. however when the figure gets closer, he finally glances over at them, exhaling smoke into the breeze. " want some ? " he questions, tone light as he holds the joint out towards them.
kai stands in the doorway, hands stuffed into the pockets of his over-worn, over-sized jacket. it wasn't exactly in his plan to pop into the shop, but on his way home from working a double shift at the arcade, he'd struck with the notion to. a familiar exhaustion already set in deep. " some might call that perfect timing then, huh ? " his tone comes out dry, but there's a playful glint behind his gaze. the thing about kai is, he doesn't ask for help, or care to ever admit when there's a problem. but it's gotten to the point he has to try something. conceals a sigh beneath his breath as he walks inside, has a quick glance around before his eyes settle on her familiar features. " i can't sleep, " he admits, his voice carrying a trace of vulnerability he seldom shows. " figured you might have some kind of concoction for that. " insomnia has plagued him on and off for years, seems to have come back lately with some kind of vengeance. weed had worked wonders at one point, but he fears he's built up such an intolerance it would take more than anyone should smoke to help with that now. " and if not, " adds with a wry smile, shrug of his shoulders, " then i guess i'm fucked. "
( open starter @ tide & thyme : a herbalist shop . )
as the sun dipped lower over the horizon , casting a golden glow over the quaint beach town , adi carefully arranged her wares at the small herbal shop she managed with her aunts . the scent of dried lavender and chamomile filled the air , mingling with the salty breeze that drifted in from the ocean . it was one of those perfectly peaceful evenings , the kind that felt like a bonus level in her otherwise busy life .
with a sigh of contentment, she turned to the door, ready to hang the “ CLOSED ” sign. just then , a gentle knock sounded . she looked up to see them standing on the doorstep — adi's eyebrows raised in surprise . “ oh hey ! we’re just about to close , but if you want something from the store i can help you out real quick ! ” she motioned for them to come in , curiosity twinkling in her eyes.
@palmviewstarters
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 )
there's something about the beach that's always called to kai. for as long as he can remember, it's been the one place he always finds himself returning to. spends most nights out of his week here, mostly when it's dark and all the other noise has faded away, leaving only the sound of gentle waves crashing. a sense of comfort found in the way all looks calm, but beneath the surface chaos could brew at any given moment. it was unpredictable, much like life he supposed. " that's me, " he shrugs, slight hint of sarcasm that always seems to be present, as a hint of a smile tugs at his lips " a regular mood setter. " kai rests his chin on his shoulder, lets his gaze drift towards the familiar face. " what are you doing down here so late ? "
she brushes a few loose strands of hair away from her face as she watches him , the faint scent of the sea mingling with the smoke . she lets a small smile tug at the corner of her lips , accepting the joint with a quiet nod . " don’t mind if i do , " she says softly , sinking down beside him in the sand , her gaze flickering between the fading horizon and kai's calm demeanor . she takes a slow drag , letting the smoke swirl in her lungs before exhaling into the salty air . " you always know how to set the mood , huh ? " her voice carries a playful edge, though there's a quiet appreciation beneath it .
her hip subtly juts out, perfectly manicured hand coming down to rest on it. " i can be spontaneous, " she declares, her voice carrying a note of conviction that almost sounds fully believable — like she wants it to be true. maybe once, it had been. but somewhere along the way she got so wrapped up in the idea of things, planning more than she simply just . . . let happen. noa exhales a soft huff of air, as if to dismiss her own internal conflict. " i mean, hello, i'm a fashion girl. i make impulsive outfit decisions daily — and they always pay off. " she prides herself on a lot of things, and having her own style is one of them. god forbid she be in a room with anyone dressed exactly the same as her. blending in her idea of hell. " do you know how many people would be too afraid to pair this skirt with this jacket ? most of them. but not me, " she states, gesturing towards her ensemble. looks at him somewhat expectedly as she asks, " it looks cute, right ? ” her brow arches, amusement flickering in her eyes. " oh, i’m sure you’re a real modern day fred astarie, " the brunette teases, her lips curving into a playful grin. " but unfortunately, my scores are based off more than just that. " though she could definitely foresee others at the gathering being eager for his attention. he was charming, she could admit that — to herself, at least. perhaps not him just yet. there's a low hum as she considers his words, tries to keep it cool. because truthfully, he's made her smile more times than she was prepared for. " well, then i hope you like a challenge, because my favour is notoriously difficult to gain, let alone keep. "
he leaned back slightly, the teasing grin still playing on his lips as he watched noa wrestle with her own thoughts. her initial confusion only fueled his amusement, and he couldn’t help but admire how she was normally so unflappable — yet here she was, just a little off balance. “ perfect? nah, i just think your plans could use a little... spontaneity, ” he shot back, his tone playful but laced with genuine curiosity. the way she corrected her posture and flicked her curls over her shoulder was an invitation he couldn’t ignore. the flustered edge in her voice was like a chink in her armor, and he found it oddly charming.
“ okay, one dance it is, ” he conceded, leaning forward, a mock-seriousness in his eyes. “ but trust me, these feet are anything but clumsy. i’ve got moves that’ll make you reconsider your whole ‘desirability score’ theory. ” her warm smile tugged at something in him, and he felt a rush of warmth that he didn’t want to overthink. “ just so you know, i’d never let a scuff on those jimmy choos ruin your night, ” he added, a wink punctuating his words. “ but if you do miss something important... well, i guess i’ll have to work extra hard to earn back your favor. ”
" the one and only, " he mockingly chimes, as if he's talking about some old friend. and in a way, it feels like he is. insomnia has been a looming shadow for so long it feels like his longest companion. one he never really invites in, yet it always shows up. like some kind of clingy ex who can't take a hint. kai watches her work, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, slouched posture, tired eyes trailing the movements of her hands as she gathers the herbs. it’s kind of impressive, the way she seems to know exactly what he needs with little explanation. " sooner ? ah, come on, where's the fun in that ? relief doesn't feel as good if you don't suffer first, " he responds, typical sardonic humour paired with a half-smile. he notes the soft expression, and it almost threatens to lower his defences, but he isn't so sure how to fully do that anymore. then she mentions talking and he almost laughs. kai isn't known for talking, not about the deep shit anyway. that comes out in his music, in lyrics often so easy to dissect no one ever really does. a talent of his, apparently. to be so obvious it's not obvious at all. " yeah, talking . . . not exactly something i'm known for, is it ? " chuckle is low, huffed out as he reaches to take hold of her concoction. doesn't voice how much he's going to be relying on it. if it brings him even one night of decent sleep, it'll be worth this small moment of vulnerability. " thanks, " adds, genuine curve of his lips as he slips the item into his pocket. " how much ? " card is already being pulled out, gaze diverting slightly. he takes not of how dark it seems to be outside now. " you heading home now ? i can walk you, if you want. 'm already heading that way. " he can mask with sarcasm, a cool exterior. but behind it all there is still some semblance of a good guy. just a lost one.
she pauses once she reaches the cash register , a knowing look crossing her face as she listens to him . the shop smells of lavender and sage , the air calm in contrast to the tension she senses radiating off him . she straightens , giving him a warm but slightly concerned smile as he admits his struggle . " insomnia , huh ? " she echoes softly, wiping her hands on a cloth before walking the isles quickly and grabbing just what she needed to help him and putting them in the basket she picked up along the way . “ you know , you really should've come to me sooner , ” she teases lightly , but there’s no real reproach behind her words . she studies him , her eyes sharper than her usual playful self , catching the fatigue etched into his features .
with a hum , she heads behind the counter , starting to pull out jars of dried herbs and tinctures from the basket . " lucky for you , i do have something for that . no smoking required . " her hands move swiftly, mixing a blend of valerian root , passionflower , and chamomile , setting it down on the counter in front of him . “ this should help you get some decent sleep without knocking you out too hard . ” she glances back up at him, her expression softening as she adds , " but maybe... you should talk to someone about whatever’s keeping you up . " her tone is gentle, giving him the space to deflect if he needs to . " but for now, this will help . take it with some tea before bed , and if it doesn’t work , i’ll come up with something else . i promise you’re not fucked , not with me around . " she offers a small , reassuring smile .
nova watches him for a moment, eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she considers his words. letting go isn't exactly in her wheelhouse. the idea of messing up for fun ? that's about as foreign to her as swimming itself. but dax has a way of talking that makes it all sound so simple, so easy, like none of it could possibly go wrong. besides, she supposed the act of trying alone would be a subtle f-you to her mother, something she finds rather exhilarating at this point in her life. soft smirk soon edges into the corner of her mouth. " do you always talk so poetically ? i'm starting to think you should reconsider your career path, you know. life-coaching may be your real calling, " she teases, tries to distract from the hint of tenseness that lingers in her shoulders. " but okay, i'll bite. but you won't see my laughing off any mistakes because i don't plan on making any. " nova steps closer to the water’s edge, her posture straight and sure, perfected act of confidence so strong even she barely notices the nervousness that lingers beneath. but it's there, like a small wave in her tummy. " so, what's the first step ? " she questions, toe dipping into the water. it feels nice. not too warm, not too cold. just right. with a quiet sigh, she moves further, stops and turns to face him when the water reaches her knees. " is this the part where i flop back, learn how to float ? "
he leaned back against the weathered wooden railing , the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the water . his drawl rolled easily off his tongue as he replied , “ well , sugar , it ain't just about breathin' and strength . it’s about lettin’ go a little , too . i promise , messin’ up is part of the fun — like findin’ a hidden treasure in a pile of old junk . ” he could see the playful smirk tugging at her lips , that competitive spark flickering in her eyes like a flame eager to ignite . “ and who said i didn’t think you could do it ? ” he continued , tilting his head with a teasing grin . “ i’m just tryin’ to keep you from overthinkin’ every little splash you make . the water’s meant to be playful , not a battlefield . ” he stepped closer , his voice lowering to a more earnest tone , “ how ‘bout this ? you humor me , and i’ll make sure we keep it fun . i’ll guide you through it , and you can show me how fiercely you can kick and glide . if you mess up ? well , we’ll just laugh it off . life’s too short to drown in perfection . ” his eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth , inviting her to dive into a new experience . “ so , whaddaya say ? let’s see what kinda magic happens when you let loose a little . ”
he's known sadie practically his whole life, and while he still likes to maintain the image of being completely fine despite the mass amount of pressure on his shoulders, she's often someone he lowers the guard with, just a little. a smile cracks, and he soon nods in agreement. " i guess you're right. one drink never hurt anybody, right ? " except, despite saying it, he knows it not to be true. he'd heard the words ' it's only one drink ' what felt like a million times in his life, but when it came to the person he heard it from, one always meant many. but he isn't his father, right ? he can come to a bar and have a beer and it can stop there. thoughts soon fade, and a soft chuckle sounds, shaking his head as he rubs a hand over the back of his neck, gaze dropping to the bar for a moment. “ a heartthrob ? i think i might have missed the memo on that one. ” he leans forward a little, feels his shoulders relax the more she talks. “ will you at least have one with me, or is drinking on the job prohibited ? ” the blonde questions, slight tease to his tone.
she'd lean against her side of the bar some, her southern drawl wrapping around her words like a warm hug. “ now, camden, darlin’, you gotta lighten up a little. ain’t nothin’ wrong with havin’ a drink every now and then, especially after a long day. you’ve been workin’ hard, and i reckon you deserve to treat yourself. ”
she flashed him a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “ besides, look at you! you’re sittin’ here in that worn-out work shirt and grease-stained hands. you’re practically a heartthrob in disguise! just one little beer ain’t gonna hurt nobody. ” she smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “ and let’s be real, if palmview can handle me, it can handle you, sugar. you deserve a break, even if it’s just for a few minutes. life’s too short to be all work and no play, don’t you think? so what if you got a usual? that just means you’re part of the family here. ”
camden straightens up, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead, which only manages to smear the grease further. but it's a state most are used to seeing him in. he gives knox a lopsided grin, eyes bright but with a hint of fatigue hidden behind them. " you know me, man, never quite knew how to give up on things. " things, people. he's a fixer, and while it had began through circumstance, it was now through nature. " besides, i think this beauty's got a few more lives to lead just yet, " he adds, slapping the side of the old engine. " what brings you in ? finally do some damage to that ride of yours ? "
the doorbell jingled as he stepped into the auto shop, the scent of motor oil and gasoline mingling in the air. he spotted camden hunched over a car engine, grease smudged across his forehead. “ you still trying to bring that rust bucket back to life? ” knox called out to him, leaning against the workbench, arms crossed with a grin. / @dreamerfms