acefms

[acefms]

he's holding his breath, half expecting the offer to be rejected. his surprise is blatantly evident when angelo nods instead. he wishes he could be more subtle, but the smile that captures his lips is instant. he's smitten, more so than he ever intended to be. but he doesn't hate it. " i'm very resourceful, " he jokes, silenced when he's given an unexpected kiss. " sweet on you, " he adds, clearly just trying to be an idiot. ace just can't help but to joke when things feel like they're serious. " i'm kidding ! kidding. i just — i'm glad. we'll have a good time, it'll be fun. just don't expect any gourmet cooking, i'm kind of hopeless. " wants to tell the other how much he enjoys his company, but insecurity holds him back. but it's obvious, he's sure of it. is pretty sure he looks at angelo like he's the sole reason the sun is in the sky. it's a scary feeling. entirely new to him.

angelo had spent a lot of time actively not thinking about every birthday and holiday he had missed out on over the last two decades. it was easier that way, he told himself, to not be upset or disappointed. it had been his fault, after all. it was his punishment. and while he had served his time, he was also still getting used to the fact that he could live his life however he wanted now. it was a strange thought, really. angelo wants to protest at ace's offer, not wanting him to put himself out just for him. but the idea of spending christmas with the other doesn't sound too bad either, so eventually he nods, letting out a quiet hum. "while i don't put it past you to track down where i live and show up at my doorstep, that won't be necessary. no need to look at me like that." angelo replies with a shake of his head, leaning forward to press a kiss to ace's lips. "you're sweet."

[acefms]

[acefms]

He admired her honesty. Ace wished he could be that honest about his insecurities, but instead he swallowed them down, disguised them with a joke, never truly let anyone know about his worries and fears. " That doesn't have to be a bad things, you know ? You could just look at it as you being the role model for your daughter, that you needed for yourself. " He wasn't sure his words would offer much comfort, but he always liked to try. " And trust me, sometimes all a kid really needs is one good parent. " If he'd have one, maybe his life would have felt a little less chaotic. But despite it, things had turned out pretty damn well.

SHE CHUCKLED AS he described his job. She understood what he meant… If you like what you do it is almost like your second nature… She felt something similar when she was studying for her new roles, and she loved to get to know people and their purposes for playing on the big screen. ⏤ ❛ Well, I guess… I don't have many role models in my life. And I'm very insecure because I have never been around children until have my own. The only kid I had was one borrowed from the set but like… Never had that much on screen-long scenes with them.⏤ But erhm… Thank you. ❜ This is really something really nice that somebody ever said to her. It made her happy. ❛ I hope so too. For now it's only our mini family, me and her. ❜

[acefms]

it's not somewhere akin would typically find himself. far too into his own world to be open to the possibilities of anything else. " hi, " he greets in return, slightly overwhelmed as he enters, but he hides it like it’s his very own art form. “ I’m looking to buy some crystals. I’m hoping they may help me sell a house. I have a potential buyer, she’s into the whole … spiritual thing, I guess. figured if I placed some around the place it may draw her in enough to secure the sale for me. any suggestions ? ”

closed starter for @acefms (your choice)

vince was doing a bit of inventory for the shop to make sure everything was well stocked for the holidays, humming quietly to himself while he looks through some of the displays. lost in his own world, he almost doesn't hear the bell on the door jingle, glancing up after a moment to see someone entering. "hey, welcome to the third eye. how can i help you today?"

[acefms]

" Tinder ? That's a brave move. I'm not sure many people on there are actually looking for romance these days. " He definitely wasn't on there for that, but maybe there was a side of the app he'd yet to discover. Akin gave a small hum, thinking it over. There were many things he should put on such a list, but most of them felt a little too heavy. " I guess to make my biggest sale yet, which will require me to work harder than ever. " He already worked hard, but each year he tried tried to top himself, aim for his fathers approval. Though no matter how great the sale, or numbers he brought in, it never seemed to fully come. " Would you like a drink ? "

Carleigha wasn't entirely much for clubbing but when her friend prompted her to join for the New Years she figured it would be a good time to get out and about. Picking up her drink she takes a sip as she looks out over the party. Her head lifts hearing the man's question and shrugs. "Oof the hard questions, maybe knock a few things off my bucket list? Check out Tinder for some whirlwind fling or romance that ends in a blaze. How about you?"

[acefms]

" Well, what do you think you would find easier ? " He questioned, curious. " Some people take up new hobbies. Join the gym, try something new. Trying something new seems fairly easy. " Akin gave a casual shrug. There were many he should consider giving a try. " Me ? Oh I'm going to try and ruin less peoples lives. I apparently have a bad track record of that. "

"Honestly..." Ophelia pondered, a drink in her own hand as she considered Akin's question. "Not really. I mean every year I try to be like 'be better about my money' or 'eat healthier' but I feel like I should attempt something easier so I actually last more than a few weeks," she laughed. "What about you?"

[acefms]

It's something he doesn't particularly like about himself, but Akin has this need inside of him to be good at everything, to be the best. And so even when a stupid cookie gets the better of him he can't help but to be internally hard on himself. But he shrugs it off, offers Sam a chuckle as he rolls his eyes. " I can show you my bank account, let you decide for yourself if i'm good at selling houses or not ? " Akin finds the corner of his mouth curving as he teases with his elbow, pretending like he's going to nudge into her and mess up her entire process.

closed starter: akin ( @acefms ) location: holiday cookie decorating

Sam would have usually said she's too old for this, but this time of year especially she finds herself more open to a little fun, no matter how childish she believes it to be. Maybe it's her friend's influence. Sam finds it difficult to say no when someone proposes plans, after all. "If that's supposed to be a Christmas tree..." She starts, peering over Akin's shoulder at his masterpiece. "All I'm saying is I hope you're better at selling houses." Her own cookie is far from a work of art, but she's trying her best to dot the eyes evenly as her snowman deserves.

[acefms]

ace shakes his head in playful protest. " no, not superman, marely, come on. i mean no shade, no hate. he's cool in his own way. but me ? i'd definitely want to be batman. or spidey. i'm probably more of a peter parker type, but i can't lie, when it comes to comics, batman just takes it for me. " a batman comic was the first his grandfather placed in his hands, the first universe a sad and lonely ace transported himself into. solace found in a hero who had no special abilities really, relied heavily on using his pain to help others. contemplates with a laugh, shakes his head. " yeah, no, i'd have to be spider-man, wouldn't i ? i'm not even remotely buff enough to be one of the other two ."

"Of course." She repeats back, a wide grin rounding her cheeks. Marley does her best to remember all their most loyal customers in the way her co-owner had always remembered and thought of her. Not only did it mean she could give them the best service, but it had made her a long list of good friends, too; people that understood that passionate, geeky side of her better than anyone. "I wouldn't say furniture!" She laughs. Truthfully some of the furniture is a little outdated and that comparison seems unjust and simply untrue. "I would say more like a life-size collectible figure. If you came in in cosplay, I could probably pass you off as a life-size Superman cardboard cut-out."

[acefms]

cheeks puff out in a goofy smile, a nod given. he knows teddy is just being nice, but he choses to take it. " it is fun. growing up sucks. but i guess at some point we're both going to have to do it, right ? unless we don't. we could just make this apartment our very own neverland. charlie can be tinkerbell and the guy upstairs that sometimes bangs down at us, he could for sure be captin' hook. peter pan is kinda fucked up when you think about it, though ... if you look at it from a different perspective, he could definitely be the villain. " stops himself before he gets carried away talking. once ace starts on something it's difficult for him to stop, and so he often tries to cut himself off before it gets to that point. " i don't, no. though it is possible that we've both already met her. " weird to think, but entirely possible. " what ?! no, i'm sure any future kids you have will love you so much. but if they don't, then don't worry. i don't plan on having any, so you'll still have me. a far wrinklier version with way less hair, but me nonetheless. "

"aw, babe... i know you're just repeating my sentiments, but that means a lot." he places his palm on ace's cheek. "i believe you could defend my honor if it really came down to it." he doesn't actually believe that, but his best friend doesn't need to know that. "c'mon, isn't it a little fun living with PETER PAN SYNDROME?" not that he really refuses to grow up, but he does enjoy where he's at right now. settling down could be nice, with the right woman. theodore could technically be responsible and adult-like, but what was the fun in doing it alone? he felt as long as his age started with twenty, he could be a little goofy. it's why he was so worried about turning thirty. "do you happen to know my future wife? just so i could tell her... give her a heads up and all," he laughs. "sure would speed things up, wouldn't it? just know you'll always be welcome in my future home and i can only picture us ending up at the same retirement facility together. because, in this future, i apparently imagine my kids not loving me enough to keep me at home."

[acefms]

ace hates the idea of anyone being alone, but for some reason the thought of angelo being without company on christmas makes his heart sink. he fears he’s grown a little more attached than he planned to. “ it is just another day, but it’s also a nice day to spend with people. you know, like … people you might care about. ” he decides in his head there and then that he can’t let that happen, that angelo absolutely cannot spend the day on his own. nods when the other male asks about his plans. “ yeah, I have plans. I’m spending it with you. you, me and charlie. and potentially my roommate teddy, I’m not sure though he has family here, so— but don’t argue ! please. because you should know if you say no I will just show up on your door, dog in tow. ” practically gives angelo his own puppy dog eyes as they walk, hopes there won’t be too much resistance.

angelo's back stiffens for a moment at ace's question, not wanting the other man to pity him in any way. "it's fine. i don't mind." he replies, doing is best to not come off as defensive. if it were anyone else, he wouldn't care what they thought of him. but ace? ace seemed to genuinely like him, though angelo couldn't figure out why. he doesn't have much to offer, not really. "it's just another day." angelo shrugs at that, not really wanting to get into it further but knowing he'd have to if ace asked for more details, busying himself with drinking from his coffee so he doesn't have to say anything else, clearing his throat after he swallows. "do you...have any plans?" he vaguely remembered ace having a roommate, but he didn't want to assume anything.

[acefms]

“ well I like to hope good things happen to good people, and you my friend are the best. ” his smile grows, an air kiss blow to them. there’s no harm in that. “ do you want me to try doing yours ? ” he questions, slight raise of his brow. he’s no nail expert, but he’s usually naturally good at anything that involves a little creativity. “ yeah, I’m good. I’ve got nothing to complain about, you know ? works good, homes good — things are good.” his smile falters only slightly. everything was good. he was happy. happier than he’s been in many years. this time of year however brings with it conflicting emotions. “ how about you ? everything alright on your end ? ”

"feels like forever." parker says, letting out a dramatic sigh. "thank you, baby. i appreciate it. if you didn't have something going on right now, i'd kiss you." they tease, grinning playfully back at ace. "thank you, thank you. you know i gotta include my signature sparkle." parker hums, inspecting their own nails for a moment. they were probably due for a redo, but that was a problem for a later date. "hot cowboy fantasies and something news aside, how've you been? you doing okay? like, for real."

[acefms]

there’s a hint of a smile, so proud of himself. ace is a dog dad of one, but one day he hopes to have many. it’s truly been one of the most fulfilling parts of his life, silly as it may seem. “ oh … yeah, I mean I could do that. I’m good at making things. ” but what is the question. significant enough to show he cares, but nothing over the top. “ jeez, dating is kinda confusing, huh ? I don’t know how people do this multiple times in their lives. ”

"definitely." zane agrees, nodding. looking after a pet was a bit responsibility. he had always liked the idea of adopting a pet of his own someday, but the timing had never been right. at ace's question, he shrugs, letting out a low him. "well..i think it's always the thought that counts, right? if you want to get them something but don't wanna freak them out, then maybe make them something or get them something small you think they'd like? i don't think you can go wrong with getting someone a gift for the holidays, honestly."

[acefms]

It was rare of Ace to have no words, always someone who tended to talk way too much, yet in this case he was filtering every thought in attempt to make sure he didn’t say the wrong thing. They’d been a something once, or an almost he guessed. It was hard to pinpoint when you’d spent the majority of your adult life trying as hard as you could to avoid feelings. Whatever it had been it had ended, and it had left them like this.

“ Yeah, ” he nodded slowly, wished the ground would swallow him up whole. He wasn’t good at this, never had been. Was very avoidant when it came to such matters. “ Yeah, I’m good. Great. I’m just … doing the thing. ” He visibly cringed at that. “ Coffee — are you getting coffee ? We should probably wait in life before it gets busy. ” The quicker they got coffee, the quicker the awkwardness could be over, or so he hoped. He also hoped one day they could have a normal conversation without the tension that lingered. “ What do you want, I’ll, uh … I’ll get it. ”

Alex hated how incredibly awkward he could be sometimes and right now was a prime example of that. The second he'd realised that it was Ace in front of him his heart had jumped up into his throat and a sudden sense of dread had washed over him. It was ridiculous really, how someone could affect him that way, but then, he didn't really know how else to act. Awkward had pretty much been his middle name since birth. "Oh, um..." Great start. "I'm okay, y'know." Well, no, he didn't know, so he wasn't entirely sure why he'd even said that. "How're you? Everything good?" His gaze shifted a moment as he continued to hover in the doorway. This really wasn't getting them anywhere and especially so closer to getting coffee, which he was in desperate need of.

[acefms]

“ Of course. I expect to be the first person you call whenever you get any new, cool shit in. ” He smiles wide, leans against the counter as he watches Marley. He’d been here so often he’s fairly certain he knows where everything is. Comics have been a big part of his life ever since he was little, a certain comfort found hidden in the pages of his favourites. “ But I’m not just a customer, am I ? I’m in here so often I may as well be part of the furniture. But it does seem like it could be a good colleague bonding activity. You know where I am if you need the height advantage though. I’m happy to help if it comes to it.”

"I can understand that." Marley agrees, nodding softly, hands paused around stacks of paperwork. Getting into the Christmas spirit gets harder for her every year as more responsibility weighs her down, this year taking the trophy being her first year as a co-owner here at Comic Quest. On that note, she'd probably soon understand the 'at least ten breakdowns', too. "Well, we'll have a festive sale on soon, so feel free to do some of your Christmas shopping here." She laughs, before finally returning to her search. "I don't know if it's really fair to ask a customer to help me put them up, but it's tempting. Don't tell my colleague, but I think you're actually taller than him, too."

[acefms]

open ↷ ( 0/4 ) @chqstarter where ↷ club 303, new years eve celebrations.

new years is always a fun time, though where akin is concerned, it somehow always ends up a little messy. he isn't someone who shy's away from drama, and it typically has a way of finding him. so much so he's certain the night will end with a funny story to tell. drink in hand, he takes a sip, turns to the person standing beside him. " so, what big new years resolution do you plan on making only to break it a week into 2024 ? "

[acefms]

a small pout formed on his lips at the idea of angelo being alone. ace had spent many holidays by himself, even when he still lived back in philly with his mother. she was always too wrapped up in herself to think about anyone else. " believe it or not, i'm not much of a holiday guy either. i like the run-up to christmas, though. it's nice, seeing everyone festive and happy. but the actual day is always a little ... meh. are — angelo are you gonna be alone for christmas ? " that thought makes ace incredible sad, and he begins to wonder if angelo is perhaps a little lonely. he's been lonely, sometimes he even still feels it when he's surrounded by people, like it buried itself long ago and refused to leave.

"maybe that'll be my payment." angelo calls after ace, shaking his head at himself once the other man is out of sight. he felt a little ridiculous, but not in an entirely bad way. when ace returns with a coffee for him too, angelo can't help but smile, touched by the gesture and that he thought about him. "uh...no, not really. i, uh, don't have any family out here." he admits, shrugging. "i'm not rally a holiday guy, i guess." a pause. "you?"

[acefms]

he laughs at the idea of two years being long, isn't quite sure how to say he's actually never been in any kind of serious relationship. " two years ? nah, that's nothing. you're all good. " if his hands weren't preoccupied, he'd take parker's hand in his. but instead he just smiles. " parker cullen you are very, very pretty and i will tell you that every time i see you until your cowboy comes in to sweep you off your feet. " ace may be a little hopeless sometimes, but he sure has a lot of love to give. a humongous heart. " i won't, i won't. promise. but hey, they look great. i like the sparkle. it's a nice touch. "

"two or so years now? it's been too long, don't look at me." parker admits, making a face. they were definitely what one would call a hopeless romantic. "i know i don't need a partner or to be with someone, but damn. i'd like for someone to hold my hand and tell me i'm pretty every once in a while." chuckling at that, they shake their head, going back to focusing on finishing up ace's nails. "don't you dare smudge these or i will haunt you."