quietmounds | (no subject)

(no subject)

WHAT An autumn day in the park
WHERE The park, or out & about
WHEN Day 57, probably

[It's a bit chilly, but the air is crisp and leaves crunch underfoot if you're making your way through the park—on an #aesthetic walk, maybe, taking pictures for Instagram.]

[There . . . was a 20-year-old farmhand hanging out on a bench playing around with an acoustic guitar, occasionally working up to a melody. But now there's an older-looking gentleman wearing the same clothes, with mostly-white hair and looking, uh, very confused.]

[. . . after a moment he just haltingly finishes off that song. Because what else do you do in this sort of situation.]

[Vanyel, previously

twicebonded is All Aged Up. Feel free to recognize him, or not. Stats here.]

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[huffs a laugh]

I've no doubt.

[ gently settles a hand on his shoulder. just, like. seeking some form of contact or something. this is weird for him.

[blinks at him, shifting a little closer. a familiar, sort of needy expression]

[ oh.

reaches up to gently stroke his head. ]

[seems startled, but closes his eyes and leans against that]

Ah—

... come on, then.

[ muttered, quietly, and just holds out an arm for him.

remarkably like one would speak to a child, honestly. ]

. . .

[abruptly looks sort of near tears for a second, but it's swallowed down, and he sinks into that embrace]

[ oh honey.

just hugs him, loosely, petting his hair. ]

[he's . . . a little tense. uncomfortable being touched, in a way that doesn't really speak to Tai personally; just rigid, a little twitchy. he tries to steady his breathing, turning his face so he can breathe in against his shoulder]

[ he smells good? he always smells good. like clean water and stormy skies.

anyway, yes. just continues to gently pet him, quiet and relaxed. ]

[does seem to find that relaxing, just breathing deeply]

If you wish to speak, I am always here.

I'm . . . not sure I'd know where to begin.

It doesn't matter where you begin, little one.

[lets out a little chuckle]

Oh. I suppose I'm still to be called that. I suppose it's best not for all of this to get to my head.

Compared to me, there is not a person here who is not practically a child.

But you in particular are not escaping that. My apologies. [ teasing?? maybe?? ]

It will keep me humble.

Are you quite prone to arrogance otherwise?

[ pet, pet ]

[murmuring, soft]

Who, me?

You're the only one I'm talking to.

I've been known to get a little . . . caught up.

Caught up?

In myself.

[ ????

clearly confused ]

How so?

[he laughs a little]

More than one person in my life has called me a peacock, let's put it that way.