are you okay?

if it helps, i find both hard, especially when it matters.

/ i get that, it took a while for me to get used to my new phone too hahaha. 7 years is a good run though, it was time for it to retire 🙏

/ WELCOME BACK how's your new phone?

/ rakky :D

yeah. where have you been today? oh, and what does your bag look like?

oh true!

i'll help you look for your bag if you want.

among us

"wait..."

he takes the hat off his head in shock, baby hair comically sticking out in every direction. (and effectively undoing all of maddie's efforts.)

the material is soft, and the stitches neat. if there are any mistakes, he can't see them at all.

"you're so talented, you could sell these!"

a visible flinch as she throws remarks at him. he doesn't really know how to backtrack out of this one, so he just curses himself. and looks very awkward.

"just - forget i said anything. i'm sorry. i think it looks fine, if that helps."

he nods.

"i know real life isn't all happy endings, but... i guess so."

he admired the knights' bravery, their achievements, being part of something big and noble. but mostly, it was a dream he started chasing before he could convince himself to stop.

past mail exchanges /do/ sound romantic... and intimate. i didn't know they published those."

his attention is turned to the book placed in his hands. he hums and turns it to skim the blurb on the back cover.

"i haven't read this one before, but it sounds good. it'll be next on my list."

+

with the novels instead.

"i'm not anything amazing - i just like reading. and nothing complicated."

a smile blooms on his lips, and he looks at ivaylo like he's a new person. who knew that beneath his sort of apathetic exterior, he was a romantic!

"hm. i'm not into history much, but the +

with every day being uncertain, it was important that damien started earning money immediately. there was no time to bide or gold to invest in a proper education, even if it would have been better in the long run.

so, he turned to the library's textbooks for learning... and promptly fell in love +

you're the best, maddie.

[he pauses mid-chew, looks at her with his brown eyes suddenly brimming with tears (🥹), and swallows thickly.

okay, he's not going to cry. he doesn't want maddie to freak out... but he feels so loved. nobody's ever done something so special, just for him, and made him feel like he deserves it.]

+

he smiles and lowers his head so she can put it on him properly.

"it's really warm... and it fits well! where did you get it?"

it's not that bad. he would only change a few minor things. and the wrinkles give it character... or something. it's the thought that counts.

he freezes in place when he's accused, then chuckles sheepishly.

"i wasn't going to laugh. sorry for looking so long, i didn't mean to... want some help?"

pretty good - he's outdone himself.

"yeah, it looks comfortable down there. should we get warmed up?"