Keith Logan
Eᴄʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴄ.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2022
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𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
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- Thread starter Keith Logan
- Start date
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Keith Logan
Eᴄʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴄ.
- 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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Keith Logan
Eᴄʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴄ.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2022
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"𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝑂𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛; 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑗𝑜𝑦." • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • "Eight??" "Tsk. Please share, sweetheart." "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." "I don't know. But I won't be able to tolerate you trying to rub it in my face by reminding me that 'I gave you a 10 on this day'. We both know you have every inclination to be doing that some time down the road." "Also for the record, you love my bedhead and weirdo-ness. Someone said 'You're cute', citing Julia Howell (2010), that first time we shared a bed, if you so need a reminder." He was referring to more than a decade ago, when they were sixteen and still in their early honeymoon days, the time in their lives when they were still trigger happy at buttering up each other with immoderate compliments - not that they weren't as much in love as they used to, but gone were the days that they whispered cringeworthy lovey-dovey stuff to each others' ears. It was an opportunistic slumber party of one of their classmates that the both of them got invited to, of which their clueless parents agreed to because it sounded like a harmless group gathering to them. It seemed like a rather ordinary memory in the grand scheme of things. But somehow, it stuck with him, because it meant a great deal to be called cute by one's crush at such a tender age. He had made sure to Joshua pushed forth his replies with absolute calmness. His trademark confidence, shining through. He had an unfair amount of charm that would make even the most arrogant of statements seem cool and suave, if only they were uttered through his quick witted lips. "That's why you chose to marry me." "You're damn lucky." Of course she would say that. They had come a long way. It wasn't the first time Julia tried to 'defend her honour' and attempt to dismiss and take an opportunistic jab at Joshua, more often than she showered him with words of affection these days, whilst they were made in unspoken jest that the both of them naturally understood. Such was the chemistry that they shared, a classic exemplification of the level of comfort that they had found themselves nestled in each others' cradle; comfortable enough to not take offense at each other, comfortable enough to know that every verbal punch that they threw at each other would not be taken with offense. In similar fashion, he wasn't the slightest bit perturbed when he caught her latching her eyes on a certain man in a familiar way that he had been all too used to himself. It did feel low-key surreal that that gaze wasn't meant for him in that particular instance, as he was literally watching that expression that was typically reserved for him, from the sidelines. The first time she stole a glance, Joshua found it easy to dismiss it as a happenstance - because whose eyes wouldn't be naturally drawn to beauty's beckoning? The second time she casted the surreptitious peek that however, Joshua could no longer resist not calling her out - it was yet another one of those instances in which she was literally begging for him to tease her hard for it. Because a flustered Julia was one of the cutest things in the world that Joshua could never get enough of. He was going to embarrass her till his heart's content for it. "Go on then. Be honest. I can see it in your eyes, so don't you dare lie to me." "Your drunken eyes deceive you. A seven, maybe." Joshua actually snorted out the shot that he was taking mid-way as he listened to her judgement. He didn't even know why his reaction was that tad too dramatic, which had him broke into a second's uncharacteristic flinch. But it happened. And the sake burned his nostrils a bit, of which, he soldiered on the pain in silence. He was however, quick to regain that default dreamy, collected demeanour of his. 
"You don't even ogle at me like that these days. Insinuating that I'm a five or six right there?" There wasn't even a pout on his face, as if he already knew her answer in quiet confidence. "I think you clean up nicer in a suit." "Though I think a suit comes off you even nicer." "Mmh hmm. Is this damage control you're playing at?" Again, he pressed on with the very casual teasing with the calmest of smiles. Not that he wasn't already assured. But when Julia redirected her attention back to him, undivided, the man was placed at incredible ease - Julia always knew how to say, what to say the right things, at the right time. She refilled his glass with another serving of concoction that would coax his mind into conveying a certain curiosity that surged into his consciousness out of the blue. It wasn't uncommon however, for the lovebirds to be engaged in philosophical debates and exploring hypotheticals after intoxicating their minds toward a state of disinhibition. "Munchkin." Joshua returned the favour by refilling her glass on her behalf this time. "Have you ever once wondered what it might feel like to at least be able to date another person?" "Like, do you ever feel like you may be missing out on gaining a different and fuller perspective of what relationships entail?" Joshua paused, his eyes then glanced over to the very man that managed to draw Julia's innate urge to give him a second look. His eyes were hazy, but coloured in muffled intrigue. "Say, I never existed in your life. And you are here solo, on a business trip." "You're lonely, emotionally needy as we both know, in a foreign land. And you see that man right over there." "Is there a possibility that you'll tell yourself 'fuck it', and approach him just to see how the night may unfold?" • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • |
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starshine
‧₊˚✩彡
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2023
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"𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑡ℎ." • ——– • 𔓘 • ——– • Oh. How the slightest curve to his expression could wreak the mightiest havoc to her pulse. She had once been utterly helpless to the charm of Joshua's smiles, often understated and reserved in nature. They beckoned to her inner coquette. That impish itch to see what might make his poker-faced composure shift in the slightest. However, love's initial magical high was not designed to last forever. Firework-esque attraction settled into adoring modest bursts of their everyday. Eventually he learned Julia's ways and how best to counter or indulge them accordingly. Just as those casually alluring smiles didn't always inspire frenzied butterflies. That wasn't to say dashing colors of their romance petered out into monotonous greys. Far from it. His charm hooked her still. Joshua's unconvinced hum brought flickering reminder to the bride-to-be's mind just how delicious its vibration felt when muffled against her flushed skin. Often at the helm of coaxing naked honesty to spill from Julia's mouth readily as it'd seep from her body. Handsome expression made her want to meet his quirking pout with conciliatory peck that'd inevitably spiral from chaste softness to a pressing heat... If only they weren't in public. Instead, his mindful fiancee resigned herself to the covetous delight of palm squeezing his knee while leaning in for refills. Playful banter continuoued effortlessly with their pleasant buzz. "Damage control would be me calling you a certified 11." Of which, he was. Joshua McKinna was leagues above any other man. Whether in the realm of physical, mental, or emotional. A passing glance was nothing more than fleeting fancy. Careless error on a spoiled, contented woman's part. Attractive people may draw the eye for brief moment, but only one person was capable of residing in the spotlit focus of her softened enamor forevermore. Him. The only one for Julia. Obvious even then. Under the mystical sway of libation indulgences, the izakaya's edges began to soften into distant, dreamy blur. The considerate din of fellow patrons quieting as well. Only the center of her universe at present remained unaffected. Mostly. Drunkenness had a way of gentling his profile too. No...gentle wasn't quite apt here, was it? Ambient bar lighting cast delicate halo upon Joshua. Shadows rending his edges indistinguishable. And for fleeting, surprising instant, Julia found his mood and thoughts unreachable. Despite their many years together. Despite being so close their limbs occasionally brushed. "Munchkin." Julia blinked. Taken aback by her inability to recall when exactly she had perched her chin on curled hands to peer over at him in admiration or when she had drained that ?-nth glass of sake. The latter of which he remedied. "Have you ever once wondered what it might feel like to at least be able to date another person?" She sat up a bit straighter now. Joshua's question almost had a sobering effect. At the very least, made her heart perform somersault amid syrupy thick sake-induced dull comforts. "What?" She asked, quiet. Too quiet. "Like, do you ever feel like you may be missing out on gaining a different and fuller perspective of what relationships entail?" She needn't follow the trajectory of his speculative gaze to know where it settled. Her own did not follow. As if doing so would inspire some illicit admission. So instead Julia observed the bartender putting finishing touches on a perfectly-carved ice sphere for a customer. It spun in the cocktail glass, much like her thoughts, as he artfully poured an amber liquor. Presumably whiskey. "Mr. McKinna. This better not be your way of subtly hinting at cold feet." Unlikely. Even the wry-touched arc of her grin said so. Julia assured herself this was just another of their countless hypothetical what-ifs? The couple so enjoyed contemplating them. What if we met much earlier as young children - would we be childhood sweethearts or oblivious youths in denial? What if I didn't make a fool of myself that night and blurt out that you were cute? Would you still love me if I were a worm? And now - what if they hadn't met at all? She wasn't sure what to make of it. Yet, she closed her eyes as Joshua ventured further down this road. Searching fingers blindly connected with cup and she lifted it to her lips. Julia tried to envision this alternate timeline. Trip abroad, not with the love of her life, but on her own as a woman at the perfect crossroads of youthful beauty and seasoned maturity. One where a potentially enticing rendezvous lay before her like ripe fruit for the plucking. Aside from cracking open lids to flutter him a glare for that "emotionally needy" quip, she found herself responding considerately. "Honestly? ...I'm not sure. Even in a world without having crossed paths with you, putting aside how achingly tragic that would be," never remiss for chance to flirt, "you know well I'm not exactly uh...the suavest at approaching men." Gentle features crinkled slightly in opposition to her dismissive shrug. She stared into the empty cup dangling betwixt her fingers as if it could deliver something better. It took his approach to set their romance into proper motion. Sure, Julia was almost a shamelessly smooth flirt now. But that was a facet of herself born of their time together. With him. Comforting assurances and confidence Joshua effortlessly carved from the humble gemstone of a young lady. Maybe not too dissimilar to how that crystalline ice yielded to the bartender's influence. Even with liquid courage flowing through her veins in inebriating glory, she doubted herself capable of more than slyly admiring a beautiful stranger from afar. Julia ran her tongue along the sharps of her teeth and set the glass down. Cheek propped lazily along palm, she regarded him, askance. She posed in counter, "What about you? Would you approach another girl?" He could. Easily. No question. The charm he possessed wasn't something she could fault him for. Though it left a peculiarly sour taste in her mouth. The tension of this wildly imaginative hypothetical, and bitterness, would dissolve. Julia sighed softly and her expression loosened. "Either way, I'm glad you were my first." And only, silently implied. "Imagine having to endure the awkward pains of getting a leg cramp while on top of a total stranger instead of a sweetly nurturing boyfriend. Yikes." She referred, of course, to one of their fledgling sexual encounters. Back when they were discovering themselves, their likes, "Another?" ...Now she wished to perish herself as the bartender checked on them. Julia hoped his English was limited enough to miss that. She deferred to Joshua for the decision, whether they remain on the path of idle recklessness or wisely considered calling it a night. When he turned away, she hummed. "A bit of consideration behind this though. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were encouraging to send me into the arms of another man." Then she laughed. Short but brightly polished. Because it was a ridiculous notion really. What man, especially one to be married, would want to even entertain the imagery? • ——– • 𔓘 • ——– •
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Keith Logan
Eᴄʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴄ.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2022
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"𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝑂𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛; 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑗𝑜𝑦." • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • "Mmh hmm. Is this damage control you're playing at?" "Damage control would be me calling you a certified 11." Joshua burst into a short guffaw. Knowing her all these years, he had expected her to reply with something along the same vein - always generous with her compliments. Yet, given their naturally settled bantering dynamics, there was always this niggling possibility that she was always pouncing on every opportunity to pull his leg, and here, it came across as an attempt at jest and playful sarcasm. That was where he found the humour - the paradox that him being a certified 11 was meant to be both genuine and tongue-in-cheek at the same time. It was a commonality between the couple to be engaged in all things vocal and physical with one another, sometimes a bit much excessive. Bystanders often commented on how the pair were adorably inseparable, or nauseatingly clingy - depending on one's subjective opinion. They were fulfillingly comfortable with one another and never found a need to venture beyond that safety all-encompassing bubble they were snuggled tight in. That comfort baseline did also usher the way towards blissful ignorance, of which the pair risked being increasingly myopic to the world around them - evolving fresh, sometimes differing perspectives that would be considered alien and otherworldly to the couple would likely both challenge and intrigue the biased hive mind that the both of them shared. Fortunately, Joshua was a fond philosopher and a curious thinker, with Julia always being more than willing to oblige and engage his ever-wandering mind. They were daydreaming frogs in the well that went against the proverbial notion that they were narrow minded individuals. Pour a few drinks into the equation, and the gates to his dam of thoughts would flood through once more as they always did. "Have you ever once wondered what it might feel like to at least be able to date another person?" "What?" "Like, do you ever feel like you may be missing out on gaining a different and fuller perspective of what relationships entail?" "Mr. McKinna. This better not be your way of subtly hinting at cold feet." "No, silly goose. You are mine. And if you ever tried to leave, I would tie you down in my basement and make you surrender yourself to me all over again." The fingers of his right hand, interlaced over her left, lifted it up, before planting a soft peck on the back of her hand, accompanied by a piercing gaze into her eyes, and a hint of soft menacing grin he could not help from the evil things he could potentially plan for her hypothetical kidnap. "I'm just saying, have you ever thought there may still be things I might not be able to offer you that you never knew you needed?" "Or rather, I wouldn't know what else I could be offering more to you because we're too comfortably settled in our own nest and view of what makes a good relationship, then complacency and what not." He paused, taking in another sip of the sake in hand as his eyes shifted back forward, deep in thought. "I don't want you to just be a happy wife, but the happiest wife." "Maybe, if we had the opportunity to put ourselves out there more often, being exposed to new elements, we could learn more about ourselves? Maybe, if you ended up meeting Joshua McKinna version two point zero, he would put me and what we have to shame?" He took another sip. "God. Am I even making sense right now?" "Honestly? ...I'm not sure. Even in a world without having crossed paths with you, putting aside how achingly tragic that would be, you know well I'm not exactly uh...the suavest at approaching men." "What about you? Would you approach another girl?"
"First, to address your first statement, that is what makes you all the more enticing." Joshua could not resist the opportune to flatter as spontaneously as Julia only just did to him seconds ago. The moment she sat her glass down and looked set to lean in against the table, his nearest hand very charmingly slithered around her waist, flipped her, pulled her away from her seat, then spun her onto him, breasts on chest. There was a brief silent exchange of gaze, before his head leaned in to her left side, hot breaths gushing against the definition of her outer ear, whispering on. "You're demure, docile. Bloody gorgeous as well. It makes me want to squeeze you so tight, you wouldn't be able to break free from my limbs, ever." He led to a playful, dragged out nibble against her earlobe, ending with his both arms coiled around her back, literally attempting to squeeze the breath out of her. The effects of the sake, doing some noticeable disinhibition - not that the pair weren't already used to public display of affection. At that moment however, the need to engulf her with his passion felt particularly elevated, as often under the influence of alcoholic intoxication."If I do approach another girl, she has to be an exact replica of you. Cause you're perfect for me." His light brown pupils shimmered as he stared deep into her irises. "By the way, you're not allowed to use the same line. I've called dips." "Either way, I'm glad you were my first." "Imagine having to endure the awkward pains of getting a leg cramp while on top of a total stranger instead of a sweetly nurturing boyfriend. Yikes." "And I'm glad you've upped your rodeo skills a lot more since that fateful evening." Like a poor serve in a round of tennis, Julia was asking for it by sending him a perfectly set ball to land a return kill shot. His smirk was mischievous, punchline delivered calm as signature. It might sound like an insult. But somehow, his aura, his demeanour - it was difficult to take offense in anything that he said. The man was also quite very unpredictable - one moment he was fawning all over Julia, and the next wringing a satisfying pout out of her. The bartender coming by to offer a refill was timely, accentuating the pink of her genetically inherited Asian blush. Joshua shook his head however, refusing the refill like he anticipated their night at the izakaya was close to running its course. "A bit of consideration behind this though. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were encouraging to send me into the arms of another man." "Maybe I was." His reply was short and concise to begin. There was a considerable thoughtful break thereafter, before the peace was broken. "Whatever happens, we can trust each other, right?" Another pause, with nothing but soft gaze into her eyes. "Whatever happens, we know our hearts will still be fidel to one another at the end of the day." His fingers ran delicately through her hair, stroking tenderly along with a longer verbal pause. Joshua looked to be engaged in a moment of self-inflicted internal conflict. "Hand me your ring, Julia." "Let tonight be a reminder of just how desirable of a woman you still are, and how god damn lucky I am to have you." "And no matter how awkward you are in that hypothetical alternate universe you spoke of, you will leave this place by the end of the night with that stranger without having to lift much of a finger." Joshua smile. He gently flipped Julia over to have her back resting against his chest, whilst he angled his body over to the stranger man in question. His tone hushed a notch, semi-whispering into Julia's ears. "As a like-minded man, I can assure you that all you need to do, is stand up, and ask to share a drink with that man over there, then let nature take its course." Ridiculous notion? Perhaps. But they were riding the metaphorical momentum of a surfer's desired wave which came out of nowhere, because a series of opportunistic elements including but not limited to alcohol, great company, mutual and discerning understanding, and the couple's inherent sense of adventure and spontaneity all falling into place. It was now, or never. "This is your one narrow chance to live not for me, but for yourself for just one moment, without me by your side for a change, to know what it feels like to be on the other side, Munchkin." "Whether you'll end up appreciating us more by the end of it all, or learn more about yourself, this little journey of self-discovery would be useful for you, maybe even for us." "Go for it, Julia, before the window closes once we tie the knot. Or if I decide to change my mind much sooner for that matter." He paused, before planting a soft kiss by her tight temple. "I won't be angry, I promise." "Just, you owe me the full story tomorrow, if you do actually end up stepping out of this place with your hands tucked into the elbow of another other than myself." "… or have you disappointingly lost your game?" He smirked. Conversations were never as fun if he didn’t always build towards landing a playful jibe at the other. • ————– • 𔓘 • ————– • |
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