Keith Logan
Eclectic
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2022
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𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
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ᴡʜᴀᴛ sᴘʀɪɴɢ ᴅᴏᴇs ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴇʀʀʏ ᴛʀᴇᴇs ❀ || sᴛᴀʀsʜɪɴᴇ x ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ʟᴏɢᴀɴ ⁽ⁿˢᶠʷ⁾
- Thread starter Keith Logan
- Start date
OP
OP
Keith Logan
Eclectic
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2022
"𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝑂𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛; 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑗𝑜𝑦." • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • 
• ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐼 : 𝐵𝑢𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 "Welp." "I guess that means another round of sake." The couple had only just finished a full bottle, right before the howls of strong breeze and the pitter pattering of a spring night's rain began to pelt against the exterior of the quaint uptown izakaya. The pair of recently engaged lovebirds were reclusive introverts. But whenever they were in each others’ presence, they would gleefully feed off each others’ spark, two elements reacting to each other to form an intense sizzle. Observers from afar would often notice the unmistakable contrast in energy as opposed to when they were alone, of how the pair could gossip and laugh amongst themselves for hours on end, hand in hand, head to shoulder. They would transform into a spontaneous bunch, like how they just decided to aimlessly trek an hour away from their accommodation, which was situated at the heart of the Kyoto's city centre, then somehow found themselves dining by the only eatery along a secluded, tranquil avenue, of which they would probably struggle to get out of the mazy streets if they intoxicated themselves any further. Joshua and Julia were notoriously light weight when it came to the consumption of alcohol. But in a land where it wasn’t uncommon for consumables to be infused with peaches and yuzus, it was hard to resist the promise of a good night, ushered by saccharine booze. It was always a good time when Joshua McKinna and Julia Howell, the J&J dynamic duo, were together. Due to be married in just under seven months, this Kyoto trip was supposed to be their last major vacation together as girlfriend and boyfriend, or rather, fiancée and fiancé to be precise, right before they officially tie down the knot. The pair first met each other during their freshman year of college. It took only a fortnight for them to realise just how unbelievable a fit they were to each others' gloves. Contrary to most couples where ups and downs were interwoven into the fabrics of their relationships, their immaculately smooth journey was an envy for many. It was surreal how they could read each others' mind like an open book. They shared a breath of same interests, values and almost all philosophical views. Much of those were cultivated since birth, certainly helped by the fact that they were both raised with half Chinese and American blood and heritage within their respective families. They had never fought, because they understood each others’ needs and desires, were able to pick up cues on just about any nuances, perceptively eliminating the detonating cord to any metaphorical dynamite with unconscious compulsion, even before a spark could have a remote chance of ever igniting a situation out of proportion. They were predictable. They were perfect for each other. Too perfect. Too... smooth sailing. The grass is not always necessarily greener beyond the horizon of one's field of vision, be it literal or figurative, even if the resounding evidence painted an immaculate picture. It was extraordinarily easy for the lovebirds to entrust their wellbeing and lives to each other. What had never ever been a fleeting concern, was that it was also impeccably easy for complacency to trickle through behind the shroud of habitual jouissance, a rotten seed rooting itself, discreetly thriving amidst the conducive, ignorant environment like a parasite for as long as it wasn't weeded out. Joshua and Julia were young and none the wiser to the seed's existence. They never had an opportunity to test their grit, resolve and resoluteness in the face of tribulation. Because tribulation never existed in their little bubble. At least for Joshua, he was sucked under the rose tinted illusion that the love that he shared with Julia was transcendently indestructible. Nothing in the past eight years of their time together had given him any reason to believe that their foundation that they built alongside and with one another, could realistically be wavered. Joshua was a predisposed thrill seeker, a happy-go-lucky individual who possessed high degrees of openness. And he had every reason to believe Julia shared the same mindset as he did, base on the plethora of unforgettable memories that they shared as a result of their spontaneity. As such, it became thematically common for Joshua to be tempted to play with fire, when the concern for consequence of actions had turned negligible, since he had utmost confidence that they were always able to figure a way around any dissonance. "Those two girls over there? Six out of ten each." Joshua most spontaneously decided to start a round of rate that chick or hunk. "For context, I'd rate you an eight." He teased, with a tone most nonchalant, demeanour oh-so-calm, as if there was nothing inherently wrong with not giving the love of his life a perfect ten, not especially when feisty bantering were part and parcel of their daily dynamics, sizable romantic tension yielding from the manner in which they often poked fun at each other. "That group of four there averages about a seven point nine. Close. Could potentially surpass an eight if they would just put some makeup on." There weren't many patrons dining in at the izakaya that evening, which wasn't all that surprising, given that it was located on a god forsaken street which only saving grace was the stretch of pretty blossom trees lining up along one side of the nondescript avenue. Six other females, and... a damn fine subtly tanned brunet of possibly French and Asian mix? Actually, maybe more Hispanic than Asian in him. It was so hard to tell. He seemed all over the place. The man was in an unbuttoned suit along with a pair of matching pants. He was dressed down to unwind, tie undone and scrunched up on his table. He looked to be in and around his thirties. Like the couple, the enigmatic man did not look like he belonged around there. 
Joshua eyed him for a good moment, before reverting his gaze back onto Julia. His eyes narrowed when he caught her ogling at the majestic foreigner. Joshua wasn’t the jealous sort. And he could understand why Julia had laid eyes on this other man because objectively speaking, he too believed he was good looking and exuded an air of debonair. He could appreciate any gorgeous lady "Sheesh." "Look at you." "Go on then. Be honest. I can see it in your eyes, so don’t you dare lie to me." • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • |
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starshine
‧₊˚✩彡
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2023
"𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑡ℎ." • ——– • 𔓘 • ——– • Sixes? Them? Well. Loose-fitted clothing made for ambiguous, boxy figures. She'd grant him that. But therein lied alluring mystery of potential curves and the bar's lighting reflected healthy silken sheen of hair. That ought to be worth another point or two. She drew in a breath, on the cusp of defending these modestly pretty strangers. "For context, I'd rate you an eight." Julia's mouth snapped shut. "Eight??" Attention spun from nameless women likely commiserating over some of life's (or love's) woes judging from their somewhat huddled-together body language to the source of her own. (Hardly. Joshua was a certified source of endless comforts and bliss. Her personal lucky charm, really.) "Tsk. Please share, sweetheart." Elbow on polished counter, mindful of freshly filled drinks, she leaned in and flicked the swoop of Josh's fringe with narrowing stare. Corners of petaled lips quirked upwards to betray her lack of offense. Silver-tongued, he wasn't quite. But he never failed to make her feel beautiful and adored. "What am I lacking? Don't tell me I get points docked for seeing my bedhead or weirder side. Not when I agreed to a lifetime of being subjected to yours." A lifetime. Forever with Joshua McKinna as her loving confidant and partner-in-mischief. Those words, in any of their iterations, always tasted pleasant on the tongue. Intoxicating as the sake they'd been recklessly tossing back when novelty of visiting timeless shrines and parks mellowed into desire for low-key relaxations for the evening, yet yielding the effervescence of golden champagne. She couldn't wait for the big day. Both because wedding preparations proved to be tiring work and because...well, it simply made sense. Shirking outdated traditions, they lived together. Had been since they graduated college. At this point, she felt as if she already possessed Joshua's last name. Their upcoming ceremony was formality. Reason to celebrate with their closest loved ones and friends while hopefully making her groom's eternally effortless composure slip at the sight of Julia in her bridal gown. "You're damn lucky." She iterated, slipping back into her personal space with good-natured clink of sake cup against his. Really, she thought, as alcohol slid with deceptive water-like smoothness down her throat, she was damn lucky. Not many girls could boast of meeting their perfect other half. Especially not so soon. Not without first experiencing tumbling brushes with love, clumsy forays into situationships bearing misleading promises of something more, or unrequited feelings. Julia had been spared of many expected romantic hardships. Fate miraculously placed Joshua squarely into her path - all clever wit and boy-next-door disarming humor in a charmingly handsome near six foot package - and he became her first...well, her first everything. The ease with which he conquered her inexperienced, although not necessarily naive heart, was nothing to be scoffed at. Seriously. It even extended outwards like ripples in a pond to conquer those in Julia's life as well. Friends promptly stamped him with their seal of approval, a rarity among girls who rightfully cautioned against one of their own falling too soon. But upon meeting Joshua, they walked away, all assured smiles and approving nods in agreement that he was a keeper. Even her family, of which she'd been a little more nerve-stricken with, weren't immune to him. Her mother was a given. Her father found his background and ambitions respectable. David, her little brother, took to him with horseplay vigor of long last being blessed with a proper sibling. And Lǎolao, the more taciturn member in the Howell household, offered to make him her pork belly specialty for his next visit. He'd effectively become one of their own. All the pieces of Julia's life fell into immaculate place and brightly glimmered. Like the faceted diamond adorning her ring finger. So, it wasn't just this spring break, surprise bucket list vacation of hers fulfilled, which put the young woman in buoyant mood. But that she was enjoying the splendors of Kyoto with him. Her lover. Best friend. A man of infinite delight. Speaking of... Their idle entertainment continued. Julia turned slightly to better survey the izakaya. Thoughtful hum emanating from her lips and lost to surrounding din while fingertips drummed along jean-clad thigh. That was when she spotted him. 
A perfect stranger. He tugged loose and discarded his tie while likely waiting for his order to arrive. A mundane act. She couldn't say why it caught her eye to the point of ceasing tapping rhythm. Maybe because it was laden with unintentional eroticism. She always found suits attractive on men. But there was something about the casual undoing of constraints that beckoned to some deeply innate feminine want. She also couldn't say whether the way he undid the top button of his collar and cuffs worsened this feeling. Julia's fiance found their next round in lieu of her. Distraction hadn't dulled her urge to butt heads with him. Swift to come to their defense with tutting grin. "Another failing of a man's eyes. Incredibly subtle, but they are in fact wearing makeup. See? Right there. Little flick of winged liner. Their laughter is cute too - solid 8.5s all around." Unfortunately, her gaze was just as swift to again flick towards the solely-inhabited table. Its occupant now leaned back in his seat with lackadaisical air, indulging in his first long gulp of a refreshing highball. She watched the way his Adam's apple bobbed. The breadth of his lap like an inviting perch. 
"Huh?" "Look at you." Pleasant drunken haze gave way to unpleasant stomach lurch when she noticed Joshua regarding her as she was regarding...not him. Julia squirmed like a child caught misbehaving. Flush, already stubbornly clinging to her countenance from that evening's spirits, deepened. It threatened to seep down her neck to bared shoulders. "Go on then. Be honest. I can see it in your eyes, so don't you dare lie to me." Joshua didn't bristle with jealousy. Just as she never did. So implicitly unshakeable their trust and commitment to one another was. Gaze cool and observant beneath a veneer of calm amusement. It reminded her of when they met, many years ago now, beneath strung fairy lights in a basement party in which he approached Julia standing off to the side and teasingly speculated she had been dragged there against her will. He'd been right then and he'd been right now. Damned if she'd ever admit it. Besides, it didn't mean anything. She only had eyes for him. "Your drunken eyes deceive you. A seven, maybe." She said with cavalier shrugging dismissal. Julia straightened so that her back was to the unknown gentleman and flicked light caramel waves over her shoulder. "I think you clean up nicer in a suit." Julia seized the carafe and took to refilling his glass, light gaze flitting up to Joshua's as she added on silkily, "Though I think a suit comes off you even nicer." • ——– • 𔓘 • ——– •
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