#I’m slightly self conscious about my writing AGAGAHGAGAG

[emberwood-if]

👀👀 how would everybody in the crushing stage react if mc gave them a super thoughtful (and maybe romantic if you squint hehe) handmade gift like a scrapbook or painting or something? also how would andrei react? thank you! 💛

Since no explicit gender was established, I’m using gender neutral pronouns! I hope that’s okay!! ❤️

MC: “Here, I made this for you.”

Alex

Alex takes the gift reluctantly, unsure of how to react. “I feel like I haven’t been nice enough to warrant any kind of gift.” They look at you, quirking a small smile. “But I can’t say I dislike it. Now I have to think of something to give you.”

“You don’t have to—“

“If it means making you feel how I feel now, then yes, I do. I can’t let you one-up me.” Alex walks backwards, retreating to their room. The mischievous smile on their face is one you’ve seen often enough, but it holds a new sort of warmth that Alex has never shown you. They almost look…shy, but that can’t be, right? Alex doesn’t get shy—

Right?!

Perry

“Oh—“ Perry stares down at the gift, eyes wide. He takes it from your hand, his throat bobbing. “Thank you, this—is sweet.” He smiles a little, raising his hand to cover his mouth, almost as if he can’t suppress his happiness. “I don’t know what to say.”

His hazel eyes dim with an emotion you can’t place when he meets your eyes again. “I will treasure this. This is the best thing anyone has ever given me, thank you.”

Noah/Nora

N stares at the gift with wide, almost panicked eyes. “For me?”

You nod.

“But…why?” Seemingly realizing how that sounds, N shakes their head fervently. “Not that I don’t like it, I’m just—just surprised—ah, I don’t—“ N’s pale cheeks brighten into a flush so deep it reminds you vaguely of a tomato. “I don’t know what to say.”

You push the gift toward them and they take it cautiously, their lip twitching as if they’re hesitant to smile.

“Thanks.” N ducks their head, letting their hair fall in front of their face. It’s in that moment that N feels confident enough to smile. You suppose they thought you couldn’t see…

Dani

Dani looks down at the gift, staring at it. “What’s this?” It comes off almost suspiciously, but with a hint of nervousness that’s never been there before.

“For you,” you repeat, pushing the gift to their chest.

Dani swallows, grabbing the gift with delicate fingers. They let out a small exhale through parted lips. “For me? Why?”

You huff. Geez, can they just take the gift?

Fortunately, a second later they do.

“Thank you.” Dani shoots you a rare, reluctant smile. It brightens their whole face. “I’m grateful for it. I will get you something in return—“

“You don’t—“

“I want to,” Dani says, more firmly this time. They hold your gaze in a way that makes you warm.

Kade/Kiera

K’s brows shoot up in surprise, and they grab the gift. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“It’s not my birthday yet—“

“I know.”

“We’re not celebrating anything—“

“I know,” you echo. “I just wanted to.”

“You just wanted to…” K’s voice trails off. You catch them exhale slowly, before looking back at you with a smirk. “Is this your way of getting on my good side? Because…well, it’s working.” Their voice lowers into a mumble at the last word and they look up at you behind their lashes almost nervously.

Catching K off guard? It feels like a victory.

Finn/Fera

“For me!?” F takes the gift, their mouth shaped into a firm O of surprise. “Thank you!” F hurries to open it, and they laugh a little. “You should’ve told me, I would’ve gotten you something!”

F looks up at you, their toothy grin almost blinding. “I’m really happy.“ F looks back down at the gift, a secret smile on their face. “You make me happy, MC.”

Oof. Doesn’t F know not to say such things so casually?

Everett/Eva

E quirks a brow at the gift. “This is mine?”

You nod.

E laughs a little; a small, almost imperceptible huff of a breath. “What did I do to deserve this?”

“I just wanted to give it to you.”

E holds your gaze for a moment, their eyes darting around every inch of your face. You sense they’re searching for something, and it makes you fidget. “Careful, or I’d think you find me special, MC.” The teasing in their voice shifts into something else entirely: into something softer, heavier with meaning.

The cool expression on their face finally melts into a small smile. “Thank you.”

Andrei

The tears begin forming in his eyes, and he takes it with shaking hands. “F-for me?”

“Andrei, don’t make it a big deal—“

“THANK U SO MUCH I AM GOING TO FRAME THIS I WILL STARE AT IT EVERY MORNING.”

“Sigh.”

this was fun ahahahahhahaa 🫶