emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

👀

[emersonxcassidy]

💙 = Does your muse prefer a night out or a night in?

"It really depends? But I do quite like being at home, in my safe space. So I do like nights out, but nights in without having to worry too much about your appearance, and getting to have the food and the drinks and the atmosphere you want is much more preferable."

[emersonxcassidy]

closed - @abcwithmsz

where - carnival food stalls

In hindsight, maybe Emerson shouldn't have ordered an entire plate of nachos from the Sea Shanty stall, especially since ice cream was planned for next. "Wanna have half? I don't feel like walking around with a doggie bag, and I'd hate to waste food."

[emersonxcassidy]

closed - @jamesonxcassidy

where - carnival games

Holding hands with her niece, Emerson let the little girl swing their arms as they walked, smiling over at her brother all the while, "You know, you won me a teddy bear when we were kids at one of those ring toss games and I still have it. Maybe we should get him a new friend. Or get one for Emma so she has a twin to mine?" She teased, laughing at Emma's excited agreement and how the girl wasted no time in rambling off a dozen pleas towards Jameson within seconds. "Don't think you have a choice now. Sorry, Jame."

[emersonxcassidy]

Felix pointing out her smile, saying he'd been looking for it, again made Emerson's insides swoop, made feelings she hadn't quite had in, well, a long time continue making themselves more known. And she didn't quite know how to handle that. Because they were neighbors, she babysat for him...he was her best friend. She couldn't quite imagine seeing things any differently. And yet...

It was just the energy of the night, that's all. Everyone in the building was being coupley, and with the slow music and the romanticism of it all, it was easy to get swept up in it. That's all. So once the dance ended and they let go of each other, Emerson just kept up the light, easy conversation, laughing along with Felix and letting herself focus on the lightness she felt. The ease. Because everything with Felix felt easy. Because he was her friend.

Some time later they agreed to head out, the prom still going but it was no surprise to either of them that she was ready to head home since partying wasn't ever really her thing, and soon enough they were in Ocean Crest's elevator and heading up to their floor, a comfortable silence between them as they stopped at her door first and when he spoke, Emerson just smiled up at him, nodding.

"Thank you for asking me. For...everything tonight." The corsage and the crown and just everything. Emerson hadn't felt that focused on and paid attention to in a long...long time. Maybe not ever. But that was also something she wasn't going to quite focus on. Instead she just took a little step closer to him and she leaned up, wrapping her arms around Felix's neck and hugging him for a few long moments before finally pulling back. "Goodnight, Felix."

There was something about their positions, the closeness of having his arm around Emerson’s waist as he pulled her to him. Felix’s heart was beating so hard he was afraid she might hear it. He wasn’t sure why this was making him react the way he was, he’d been close with Emerson many times but this felt so different. So Felix made a joke and he laughed at Emerson’s teasing him right back as he tried not to focus on her hand squeezing his.

“It is. I’ll take the fault for that.” Felix let a little chuckle escape his lips as his eyes stayed on Emerson’s, his heart pounding all the more, her he still managed the words, “there’s that smile I was looking for.” His lips turned up into a smile of his own as he said it. Felix had said those words before when trying to cheer Emerson up about Jace, but it felt different than before this time.

Pushing all those feelings down, Felix and Emerson continued their dance and when they were finished they spent a bit longer in the library, talking and laughing, and Felix tried to ignore those feelings he’d found so much easier to ignore before. Maybe he was wrong in asking her to prom or maybe he was totally overthinking a skipping heart and a swooping stomach.

It wasn’t long before they decided to leave the high school, which Felix had no problem in. He knew it wasn’t totally Emerson’s thing to be out partying, and it honestly wasn’t much of his either. Even when he was a teenager he didn’t do a ton of partying, that was mostly Cass who wanted to do that, he just came along with her.

When they returned to Ocean Crest they walked together since their floor together, and standing between their apartment doors, Felix turned to face her and gave her a little smile.

“Thanks for being my date, Cassidy.” It was a joke he’d even made a few weeks ago, but being on theme with everything else that night, it felt different this time, made his stomach swoop a little and he didn’t quite not what that meant. Not for him or their friendship. That’s all they were. Friends. Best friends.

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

Emerson was in the middle of setting up the displays for pride when she heard her name and she looked over, a bright smile pulling onto her lips at the sight of her friend and his daughter, "Wes! Hi!" She greeted excitedly , wasting no time in putting books back down onto the cart she was using so she could head over, her smile brightening as the little girl waved, prompting Emerson to wave back, "Goodness, she's gotten so big!" She thought of her niece then, how the little girl was turning six soon, and it just mystified her just how fast time flew.

"Oh--yeah, it got pretty overwhelmingly full, so I went home kind of early. Thankfully my date was okay with it, even if I still felt a little guilty at leaving before it was all over." She gave a little shrug as she said it, the smile still on her face at the thought of that night and how wonderful it'd been despite the crowd. "Did you have a good time though? And Liza? How's she and the baby doing?"

closed starter: @emersonxcassidy

where: the bookstore

Wes was slowly coming out of his paternity leave, and with a day off, he decided to take Elise to Oceania with him so they could pick out a few books for themselves and baby Teddy. His anxiety had been awful since Teddy's birth so he'd been trying to do more things to help with it, one being reading more. It helped, especially if he was reading to his kids. There was something about it that gave him so much peace.

"Emerson, hey." Wes greeted his friend when he spotted her, a smile on his face as he walked over to her with Elise on his hip. "I saw you at prom and I was going to say hey, but I guess I lost you in the crowd.

[emersonxcassidy]

Finn had quickly become one of her closest friends, so his concern for her definitely left her feeling those warm fuzzies, just knowing that someone cared. "Well, dapper gentleman definitely accomplished. You look very handsome." Emerson assured him with a grin. "And hopefully Madison agrees?" She tacked on, her expression shifting into more of a teasing territory.

"The school library was where I spent most of my time, honestly. Or even sometimes the teacher's lounge? I uh...I think they took pity on me, really. Being Jamie's sister and all, once...everything happened." Her big brother going to prison for murder at the start of her senior year most definitely put a target on her back after all, but thankfully both the librarian and a handful of her teachers all looked out for her when needed. It was something she'd be forever grateful for. "Definitely, yeah. Although now I'm wondering what your high school experience was like."

"I am glad to hear that, Em."

If she were less than good, well, Finn wouldn't throw out an idle threat about beating up whoever upset her, but he would try and cheer her up.

Somehow, someway.

"I always find dressing up fun. Putting on a bowtie and suspenders makes me feel like such a dapper gentleman." And quite unlike the sort of guy he would expect Maddie to stand hand in hand with, but he's learning to not question it, and there hasn't been any inkling of insecurity. "No, that's a story. I never spent time in school outside of my classrooms, I picked up odd jobs around Salem, but I had a small circle of friends."

Like the one he has here, except he no longer talks to them.

"Not everyone's high school experience is full of adventure, and it's alright to have just made it by, even if only in the library."

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

Emerson forced herself to focus on the tinny, muffled music they could hear instead of how warm Felix's hand was on her back, his other palm in hers. They'd been this close before, but it was just for little hugs and things (or when he'd found her crying and comforted her in the middle of the night a few weeks ago) but it'd never really been anything like this before, and Emerson kind of didn't know what to do with it. She didn't know what to do with the way her stomach swooped and her breath caught at having Felix so close and smiling down at her; he was her best friend. Not to mention she'd just gotten out of a relationship and he....he had his own troubles going on.. She was being ridiculous- truly.

So when Felix cracked a joke and laughed she just snapped out of her thoughts and huffed out her own laugh, shaking her head up at him as she gave his hand a playfully 'tight' squeeze, "I'm not the one who broke into the school just to plant some crowns in a locker." She reminded him with a grin, "So if anything's cheesy, it's all your fault." Just the same though, Emerson kept on slow dancing with him, kept the smile on her face all the while, and overall she felt lighter and happier than she had in a long, long time.

All of this was so silly and dumb, and usually, Felix wouldn't have thought twice about any of it any other time. There were times when Felix had these little feelings that cropped up, these ideas of the what ifs of them being more than friends. All things that he often shoved off to the side and ignored, but he found it harder to ignore the feeling he had in that moment. Not while he was in the middle of taking her hand and pulling her close to dance with her, and he couldn't help but notice the way her cheeks tinged pink and he wondered if she was having the same kind of reckless thoughts, thoughts that if spoken could ruin over two years of friendship between them.

"That's so fucking cheesy, I hope you know that." Felix laughed softly as he shook his head. "But all of this is, isn't it?" He wrinkled his nose, teasing but still knowing this whole thing was his idea, even the little crowns.

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

DAISY EDGAR-JONES via Instagram

[emersonxcassidy]

Emerson had the same soft little grin on her lips as he bent down for her and she carefully put the crown snug on his head--all the while trying not to think about the sudden little desire she'd had to loop her fingers through the stray curls around it. "There." She told him, letting her hands fall to her sides as she looked at the crown for a moment more before up to his eyes as she came down from her tiptoes. "Perfect."

It was her turn then and Emerson tipped her head down just slightly, now surprised by the heat rising to her cheeks but she tried her best to ignore it as she stayed still for the moment, letting him put the crown on her before she looked up at him, smiling once again. "I think so. That's what the movies say anyways." She tacked on, giggling softly as she said it. All the while music could still be heard from the speakers in the halls, slightly muffled but still there and she bit her lip, taking a little step closer to him before moving to rest her hand on his shoulder. "Ready, my king? Even though I should warn you I'm not terribly good at this."

Something had shifted in that moment with Felix holding a crown in each hand while Emerson looked at him the way she was. Felix couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was a feeling of nervousness that suddenly swooped in his belly as he watched her. He decided he wouldn't linger on whatever that may be, and he instead leaned down for her to place the crown on his head. A little smirk pulled at his lips, finding their difference in height a bit humorous. "Yes, Your Majesty." His smirk turned into a grin, his tone playful and light.

When Felix straightened, he took the other crown and gently placed it on top of Emerson's head. His faced softened as he looked at her and let out a small laugh. "I think we're supposed to dance together now. I don't know, we didn't have prom King and Queen at my prom." His tone was playful and light.

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

👥 darcy

"When I was in high school, I'd make up excuses just to spend time with Jameson and Darcy. I always thought she was so cool and so funny and I always felt special when I got to hang out with them. She is, for all intents and purposes, my big sister--even when she's sometimes a pain in my butt. I'm also hoping this is the year I get her to properly eat a vegetable, or to at least accept that Mountain Dew isn't suitable for near-daily consumption." @darcyxanthonyx

[emersonxcassidy]

👥 + Lucy

"Lucy and I have our own little book club! Whenever I finish a book, Lucy is the first person I text to essentially give her my review. And to either insist she reads it, or to steer clear." @lucydriscoll

[emersonxcassidy]

What makes them feel safe?

"My brother. Essentially growing up without parents, Jamie was all I ever really had. Sure our aunt took us in and she was there, but it was always Jameson who I felt took the brunt of it all. He's always taken care of me and protected me and I'm the person I am because of him. So when I think of safety, I think of him." @jamesonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

Emerson rolled her eyes at him but kept on smiling anyways and decided not to harp on it any longer- to not worry about the dangerous sports he seemingly loved to play. She'd just hope he'd be careful. "Sounds like a mutual agreement then." She teased.

All thoughts of rugby and his daughter and her cat all fell away soon after though, the smile still on her face at the thought of Felix and his brother's antics, but more than anything, her focus stayed on the crowns in his hands, and the thought that he really had planned all this for her. He'd gone out of his way to even ask her, had gotten her a corsage and they got all dressed up, and now this...

"Ichabod would definitely come in second." She told him, the same soft smile on her lips as her gaze flickered down to the crowns in his hands and she reached out to take one, her smile growing as she looked up at him once more, "You're gonna have to bend down a bit for me." Emerson laughed softly as she said it, eyes bright--and if there was a tinge of red on her cheeks all the while too, well, she hoped he wasn't too aware of it.

"There's nothing to worry about, Ems." It was an absolute lie, but he didn't want her worrying about him, especially since he hardly played anymore. He didn't go home as often as he wish he did.

"You use me for Pae, Pae uses both of us for Ichabod." Felix laughed and shook his head at that. It was sweet how much his daughter loved Emerson's cat, and if custody arrangements were different, he would consider adopting Pae her very own cat, but things aren't different than what they are, so Felix needed to stop thinking those kind of things.

Once he'd returned with the crowns he laughed at Emerson saying she wasn't surprised. "I always blame it on Dante, although I guess one could argue that I'm the oldest and should be the voice of reason. I never was until I became a father." He wrinkled his nose at that. It was strange to think about how much had changed in his life by simply having a kid, although there was nothing simple about it.

"I fear you would choose your prom king to be Ichabod over me, but lucky for me, Ichabod isn't here. So do you think I'll suffice?"

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

"Acorn...cookies?" Emerson tilted her head as she thought about it, definitely planning on looking it up when she got home. "Oh! I've had the tea though! With milk and honey. It's definitely not for everyone, but I thought it was lovely. Lavender tea is a personal favorite if we're fully into the edible botanicals conversation now."

The smile stayed on Emerson's face as Sam spoke of the upcoming wedding and she nodded at him, letting out a happy little hum. "I look forward to it. You can tell me all about it while we make flower cookies." She told him with a laugh.

“I think that’s something Google can probably answer. Whether you can make cookies out of flowers, like you can with acorns.” He’s never tried lavender tea or coffee himself. “I know people can make dandelion tea. It’s full of potassium. A lot of people also don’t think it’s a flower and call it a weed, so I’m not sure if that counts.”

Flower-shaped cookies are fine by him, though. He won’t have to worry about being surprised by an unwanted flavor.

Sam can’t help the way his smile turns bright with the wedding talk. He’s beyond excited for Will. Seeing him grow and flourish has been one of the greatest gifts California has given him. 

“Absolutely. I’m one of the groomsmen, so even if I forget to take some, there will be photos floating around. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back from it.”

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

Emerson opened her mouth to give him a retort but then swiftly closed it, even pouting at him for a moment before she huffed out a laugh, "Guess I'll just have to silently worry about you then." She finally told him, since it's not like she could tell him not to play a game he clearly enjoyed (and even if she could tell him, she wouldn't). So instead of ruining the moment by thinking of poor Felix injured on some sporting field, she focused on everything else: like the very relieving fact that he knew they were genuinely friends. Emerson had a handful of close friends, people she genuinely loved and cared for, and Felix was definitely in that grouping.

"If it makes you feel any better, pretty sure Paedyn loves Ichabod more than she loves me. So I may be using you, but she's using me." Emerson laughed as she said it, a warmth in her expression all the while as she thought of the little girl who'd come to mean so much to her. She already thought herself lucky enough to have such a close relationship with her niece Emma, but now to have Paedyn included in that meant the world to her. It was like getting to properly relive her childhood whenever she spent time with the two little girls--ones who would never have to go through the traumas she herself went through at their ages.

A crown? That effectively took Emerson out of any other thoughts she said, gawking at him in confusion even as he left the room, and while alone for just a couple minutes, Emerson tried not to focus on how wildly her heart was beating, how....how unbelievably this whole thing was. Just a month ago she'd been curled up at home crying herself to sleep, feeling wholly inadequate and unimportant and at fault for being left. And now..

Felix walked in with silly little plastic crowns and she was torn between laughing and crying because it was so silly and so simple and yet it made her feel thought of. Wanted. "Snuck in, huh? Can't say I'm surprised you have a history with it." She teased, a smile once again on her lips but it was softer now, more subdued as she looked from the objects in his hand to his face, meeting his eyes once more as she took a few steps towards him. "Does this make you my prom king?"

"Are you going to be upset if I tell you that my brother and I still play with our friends sometimes when I visit home? Because if the answer is yes, then no. No, I don't." Felix grinned a little, joking and feeling relieved that things could be so light and easy with Emerson. She'd easily became his best friend since moving to Aurora Bay, and he was grateful for her.

"I know, I can tell." Despite the previous trying to be playful and light, his tone was slightly more serious then, because he wanted her to know that it was obvious to him she was a true friend that he could trust. It meant a lot to him to have someone like that. "oh wow! I see how it is!" He laughed, that playfulness between them was right back, easy and exactly how he wanted things to be between them. The only times he felt so free was with Emerson, and before then it was only when he was living at home in Sydney, before Cass truly showed him how she really was.

"Getting you your crown. What, you didn't think I was going to take you to prom and not give you that full experience, did you?" Felix looked over his shoulder at her with a big smile on his face and he told her he'd be right back. Within minutes he'd returned with the crowns he'd brought for them, all a part in his plan to cheer Emerson up. "I may or may not have hid these in an empty locker yesterday when city hall was still setting up decorations. It's been a while since I've snuck in anywhere but I'd say it was a success."

@emersonxcassidy

[emersonxcassidy]

DAISY EDGAR-JONES via Instagram