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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[flings his arms around Vanyel's neck] My hero~!

Oh, none of that, please, none of that.

Oh, I shan't be your courtly lady you swept off her feet?

I just want to be Van and Stef.

I guess good news to that.

[kisses his forehead, then sets him on his feet]

You can walk. I have a guitar to carry.

Medren says we should go to my place because McCree is afraid of the cat.

Afraid of the cat?

That's what I said! Medren said it's hilarious.

Well, we mustn't be judgemental.

I mean, it's delightful though. He works at a farm.

[touches Vanyel's hair.]

[leans into that touch]

And?

Animals? I'm not trying to be mean, I think it's an adorable personality trait.

Well, if it is that.

[look I'm already back to being mildly annoying with passive disapproval that I may or may not mean]

I can't tell if you're being dry at me or at him, and I love it.

[he laughs]

You love it?

I love YOU!

[he smiles wistfully back at him, reaching out to squeeze his hand as they walk]

I'd like . . . ah, Stefen, before we—I mean, is there anything you want to talk about . . .?

What do you... mean? Is there something in particular you want to talk about?

I wanted to make sure you were alright? This is all very . . .

I'm... I just want to spend time with you, honestly? I don't want to think.

If you're sure . . .

Vanyel, you...died. You died, and I... [swallows] I love the smaller you, I'm so glad to get to know you at different parts of your life I could never have experienced otherwise. I don't have a single regret for these weeks, and for loving you like that, but I also wasn't sure I would ever see the man he becomes again.

[he tightens his grip on Stefen, a spasm of grief crossing his face]

. . . I know. I'm sorry.

No, I don't....! I don't hold it against you. Honestly. Honestly. It's just a lot to... process?