I was wrong, it never lasts. There is no... modern romance.

[little_moons]

Self-flagellation. It's just like that. Only less fun

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[flowers_on_skin]

If in doubt, go visiting. The girls were in their stroller in their floppy hats and Eostre was barefoot in the grass, pushing them ahead of her. Neil's new hut wasn't very far away from the World Tree, and the girls had been driving Eostre mad all morning with their hooting and their hollering, so she'd decided to palm them off on Uncle Neil for a while.

"Hello the house," she called, walking towards him with a broad smile on her face.

[little_moons]

I look up, breaking out in a grin, only hesitating for a moment, squashing down the sick little twist of nervousness in my gut and focusing on the twins instead. For now.

"Knew there was a reason I should've moved into that spot by the waterfall," I tease, lifting Mack up out of her seat as soon as they're close enough.

[flowers_on_skin]

From the way Mack screeched and kicked her heels, a trip to see Uncle Neil had totally been the right decision.

"We'd have found you," said Eostre, bending down to pick up Flo. "They're going to be walking, soon, and then there'll be no escape."

[little_moons]

"Eh, it won't be so bad," I decide, setting Mack down on her little fit in the dirt, holding on tight to her hands while she bounces and squeals.

Jerking my head toward the hut, I say, "So, nice place, huh?"

[weary_head]

"Man," said Dean as he cleared the treeline, "How'd I know you'd be making that face?" He took the last few steps to Neil's hut at a bound, plopping himself in front of Neil and his log. "Ought to get a new one."

[little_moons]

"The fuck's got you so fuckin' cheerful?" I say, irritated for all of five seconds before I break out into a wide grin. Max runs over, wagging his tail so hard his whole back end's shaking.

[weary_head]

"You kidding?" Dean asked, pointing at his own face. "You woke up to this mug every day, you'd be smiling, too." He bent over to give Max an enthusiastic scratch behind the ears, but had to straighten again when Max threatened to tump himself over with his continued wagging.

"Dude, that is way too much badonk-a-donk for one little dog."

[little_moons]

"Yeah, too bad for me," I smirk, "You know, that almost sounds like an offer."

Max is just... fucking embarrassing, but it's beyond my control now. "He's a fuckin' slut." Learned from the best. Ha fucking ha.

[canaan_divided]

"Guess this means it's just me and the mutts again, huh?" Mamet says, hands shoved in his jacket pockets as he watches Neil stare into his new hut from a few feet away.

[little_moons]

"Figure you'd still let me come visit," I say, looking up at the sound of his voice, a smile slowly creeping up onto my face.

[canaan_divided]

"Maybe. If you bring dinner with you," Mamet says, smiling back. His gaze drifts from Neil to the hut, and he takes a few steps, reaching out to touch the wall. "I helped build this one, you know. Got two fucking splinters 'cause of your independent ass."

[little_moons]

"Better lower your expectations, I can't cook for shit." I smirk. "Splinters, huh?" I ask, lifting a hand to wave him over closer, "Lemme see."

[reapthis]

It was a nice day for unspoken apologies. I figured if I just showed up at the right time I wouldn't really have to say all that much. The thing about best friends is that they have a knack for that sort of thing. Showing up when you need them most.

But I did bring something as a sort of insurance policy just in case. Wasn't exactly a Jell-o mold, though. "So..." I said. "... hey Max, long time no see."

[little_moons]

Max takes off at a spastic gallop as soon as she's close enough to hear... or maybe sniff, I dunno. Paws skidding on the dirt, wagging and falling all over himself to say hello.

I actually don't really blame him.

"So, whatcha think?" I say, jerking my head toward the hut I can't even seem to go inside.

[reapthis]

For a second there I thought Max was just super excited to see me, but the second he caught sight of the stick hanging out of my pocket his little doggy jowls were all over it like green on grass. Figures. "Watch it, pal," I snorted, grinning faintly. "Hey, get your own."

Knee-deep in one hell of a tug-of-war competition, I still managed to look up and glance past Neil at the hut. "Um, it's nice? Cozy looking and all that."

[little_moons]

"Max, quit it," I snap, pushing to my feet and walking toward them both. He darts away, panting happily and looking back like he's waiting for me to chase him. He's sorely fucking mistaken.

"Yeah, whatever," I mutter about it looking cozy. I guess it does. It just looks... empty to me. "Why are you carryin' 'round a stick?"

[out_of_realm]

In two days, Tom has been more productive than he has been in weeks. There was nothing like guilt and frustration when it came to motivation, and he's been waist deep in it for days. He's been so helpful, in fact, that he's smashed his thumb three times in two days. Now the nail was black and blue and aching and he still, he was miserable. Somehow, he thought it would help.

"Welcome to the neighborhood," he called when he saw Neil crouched by the fire, tossing underhand a small bag of sweets he'd harbored from when Eostre had had time to cook them up every week. It's not much, but he doesn't have booze, and there's mangoes all over the place. If Neil wanted a fruit basket, he could pick it himself.

"Try not to scuff the place up, alright?"

[little_moons]

"Figured this place needed a little more excitement," I drawl, the words coming as easy as the catch, even as I feel my stomach give a nervous flutter.

Oh, hey, good to see you. Your boyfriend's a good kisser and I'm an asshole. Thanks for the fucking candy...

"You look like hell."

[out_of_realm]

"Fuck you very much," Tom said, flashing him a strained grin. "Right back at you, McCormick."

He dropped down across the fire from him, tossing a twig into the flames. "How you settling into the new digs?"

[little_moons]

The smile I offer him mirrors his. Strained and hiding what's really just under the surface.

"I... haven't really made it past the doorway," I admit with a cough of laughter, looking down at my stuff scattered around, dumped on the ground in a sad little pile.