[Gavyn Colburn]

Bright, golden sunlight filtered through the shivering treetops, exchanging gentle whispers as an amiable breeze toyed with their thin, dying limbs. Directly beneath the swaying canopy of shifting colors, Gavyn lay stretched out over the yellow-green grass, propped upon his elbows. Head bent, his attention was attuned downward, where his fingers worked carefully at a small daisy; bending the delicate flower with caution and humming as he examined the dainty plant. His legs kicked the air in-time with his chipper melody; quickening as the song gathered vigor and slowing whenever it quieted upon his lips. As he became more and more absorbed in his craft, the tune threatened to die entirely, before dutifully striking back up.

"Done!" Gavyn declared happily — chipper voice far too loud in his joy — before pushing himself upon his shins in a swift burst of motion. With a giddy grin, he turned and outstretched his arm to offer the daisy (now tied into a small circle) to the other male, leaning against a huge tree. An effortless smile spread across Aaron's lips as he drew his gaze from the cityscape of Los Eurosia in the distance and brought it to warmly regard his friend's expectant face. Gavyn's cheeks were flushed with merriment and pulled tight as he tried to hold back a delighted grin. With a slow, deliberate motion, Aaron plucked the flower from his friend's fingers and dipped his head in an exaggerated, humorous expression of thanks. "A matching jewelry set?" He gasped quietly with mock modesty, pursing his lips and batting his eyelashes, "Why thank you, my gentleman suitor." As he bent his head once more — to imitate the image of a sheepish lady, hiding her face with meek girlishness — the small crown of interwoven daisies that haloed his feathery, black hair, shifted and fell closer to his ears. Gavyn had made it when they had first finished their small picnic almost an hour earlier.

"No, m'good lady, it isn't for you," Gavyn urgently bent forward as Aaron went to slide the daisy ring upon his finger. His voice had adopted a faux, chivalrous accent; himself only delighted to join in on Aaron's little game. Averting his eyes as a mischievous gleam of playfulness leaped to his gaze, he took Aaron's hand and cradled it between both of his own. And after a moment, he glanced up and searched the other male's face with a grim look of contemplation (a transparent expression that could barely veil his smile and laughter). "Give it to your lover.... yes... I know your heart belongs to another and.... although your guardians have already arranged our marriage and I want nothing more than to claim your hand for myself...." A smile flickered in his eyes and he shook his head in order to compose himself enough to continue. "I could never compromise your happiness. I could never call you my own and force you to live in misery when your heart's true contentedness will always yearn for another. I accept..." His lip trembled as he choked up a fake sob and threw himself at Aaron. "That you can never be mine!"

Gavyn knocked his friend away from the tree and laughed as they rolled a few paces before Aaron lightly shrugged him off. Lying upon the grass side-by-side, they gazed upward at the light-blue sky and only stilled once their body-racking laughter quieted. For a moment longer they searched the fluffy white clouds, until Aaron shifted to gaze sidelong at Gavyn; hazel pools still shimmering with playful mischief. "I dare you to propose to the very next person you see," he challenged with a wicked grin. "No matter who it is, even if it is a massive, dangerously-heterosexual man, I dare you to get on one knee and beg their hand in marriage." His voice had grown louder with excitement and, as he spoke, he pulled himself to sit and stare challenging down at Gavyn; forcing the daisy ring back into the other man's hands.

Gavyn's smile remained fixed on his lips and he twirled the daisy ring around a forefinger for a long moment; studying it fondly. Then, eyes flitting up to where his friend stared at him with an intense, wild beam, he pulled himself into a sitting position too and crossed his ankles beneath him. "What are we," he asked lightly, an amused half-grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, "Twelve years old?"

"Oh, come on, Gav!" Aaron pleaded, eyes gleaming as he bounced up and down. "I'll make lasagna tonight!" His eyes lit impossibly brighter at the offer, knowing that his friend would never refuse the simple, culinary delight. Gavyn's shoulders heaved forward as he continued to toy with the small ring, considering the challenge. For a while he said nothing, but just when Aaron's lips parted to speak again, he lifted his gaze and met his friend's urging look square-on. "And you'll stop blackmailing me with that awful picture you have of me and that guy at the bar last Friday?" He inquired slyly, eyes narrowing as a crooked smile transformed his features. He watched as Aaron's lips parted, looking as if he terribly wanted to protest, and then closed again as an equally-devious look fell over his face. "Okay. I'll delete all the evidence from my phone, but!" His lips pulled tight against a wide set of straight, white teeth. "But, immediately after you propose to this stranger, you must begin humming the melody to some extremely cheesy, romantic song." His voice was quiet now, laced with the augmented mischief of his additional stipulation.

Gavyn grinned back and narrowed his eyes. For only a second, he considered refusing, but as his gaze met and noted the fierce challenge that blazed in his friend's eyes — and he recalled the image of humiliation that he had saved on his phone — he blew a puff of succumbing air through his nose and nodded. "Deal!"

---

OOC: Prepare yourself for matrimony. >8)

[Deleted]

Jonah’s blush suit was surprisingly colorless for him, and his mood was surprisingly sour for him. But the weather was surprisingly beautiful, and Jonah felt he had to go out for a walk after he had had a meeting with a florist. The florist lady had insisted that baby’s breath could be replaced ammi, but Jonah knew the bride he was working with — and if she wanted baby’s breath, it had to be baby’s breath. Ammi wouldn’t do. She had already had to compromise on her dress due to their limited budget, and Jonah didn’t want her to have to compromise on her bouquet as well.

All that wedding stuff and joy on the couples’ faces was quickly becoming a chore for Jonah. He was filled with regret for ruining his own marriage, and it had apparently ruined his enjoyment of his job as well. Maybe joy would return to him eventually, but for now, every hand-holding of the couples reminded him of what he had lost. In a moment’s thrill and in his quest for honesty, Jonah had lost everything he loved. Sure, he had his house and his business, but no one to share the joy of life with.

And then there was the talking. Rumors had apparently spread like the wildfire, and Jonah felt that everyone who knew him had an opinion about the way he led his life. Sure, Jonah knew he had made a big mistake, but no one seemed to care that he was hurt, too. Sure, he had hurt John first, but no one seemed to want to make sure Jonah was even remotely okay. Their group of friends had all sided with John — understandably so — and they were very cold when it came to communicating with Jonah. Jonah wouldn’t be surprised if the rumors eventually began to affect his business as well. And if Jonah lost Wink Weddings, he would lose his house, too, because there was no way he would be able to afford the mortgage if he didn’t have his business.

Then he would surely have lost it all.

Jonah sighed as he walked along the pathway through the park, hoping to not bump into anyone he knew. Strangers he could deal with, if they didn’t act stupid. But those who knew him… the resentment in their eyes, it was painful. It was too much.

Things would be somewhat easier if he could blame the woman he’d slept with, but he couldn’t. It wasn’t her fault — she had not known Jonah was married until they’d done things they couldn’t take back. It was all on Jonah. It was all his fault. And then he’d had the audacity to assume John wouldn’t leave him if he told him the truth! How wrong had he been. He swallowed hard, attempting to keep the tears from falling.

Gavyn Colburn

[Gavyn Colburn]

"What is this random fascination with matrimony, anyway?" Gavyn asked slyly, eyes following the clouds as they moved across the sky above him; indescribably beautiful in their lazy, enigmatic flight. On the periphery of his vision, Aaron stretched out beside him and allowed his head to fall sidelong; a characteristic grin cutting smooth over his familiar features. He could feel the cut of his best friend's eyes upon him; dark, intelligent pools, shaped with challenge and mischief, but also ready to spill over with the warmth he knew Aaron would always try to keep hidden from both his gaze and voice.

He watched the sky for a moment longer before letting his own head fall to the side. He pressed his cheek to the grass, met his friend's gaze, and parroted that stupid grin. On days like this, when he spent them with Aaron, doing activities that had almost become tradition through the years, Gavyn was often overcome by a thrill of irrepressible appreciation. It was incredible, really, to have Aaron in his life for as long as he had. He was a constant beacon of light, there unfailingly, to remind him that someone was always there... someone who knew him better than anyone else.

Gavyn's smile widened, his eyes narrowing as he pounced on Aaron's silence and the lack of a response to his inquiry. "How many times have you watched Bridesmaids this week?" His gaze flickered and his grin tilted at the edges. Aaron's eyes closed and his body curled as he laughed. Rolling onto his stomach and propping himself up on his elbows, he picked up the daisy-ring that was lying between them and twirled it between his thumb and forefinger. "That movie is fucking hilarious, dude. Like nine probs." Gavyn snorted, raising his eyes back to the sky. "And I suppose you expect this... dare... you've tasked me with to be terribly amusing, too."

Aaron chuckled again, his reserve of devilish laughter sounding almost sinister to Gavyn in the moment. Never able to remain still, the other man rolled back on his back and spread his arms out wide, one of them plopping precariously over Gavyn's chest. "I'm counting on it, boo." Gavyn's eyes slipped closed with an amused snort. They lapsed into comfortable silence then. A quietude that didn't demand to be filled as they simply laid there, enjoying one another's easy, effortless company.

A sharp inhale from his friend coaxed Gavyn's eyelids back open. Suddenly, the arm slung across his torso became a palm, patting his chest with aggressive excitement. "Oh, oh, oh, you're up Romeo! Here comes your Juliet!"

Gavyn was scrambling to his feet in an instant, moving so quickly that his sudden horror was painfully apparent. All warmth was gone from his body, now pulsing with a curious combination of overwhelming dread and jittery enthusiasm. Something about the dare thrilled him. It was stupid. Incredibly. But it pulled a nervous, excited grin across his lips as he searched the horizon for his intended fiance. Following Aaron's gaze, he swallowed hard when he found the man in a blush suit walking down the path in their direction. Aaron grabbed his hand and pressed the daisy ring to his palm, smiling even wider before gingerly straightening the halo of flowers still upon Gavyn's feathery hair.

Mustering as much bravado as he could with a slow inhale — hoping to exhale all his horror and nerves — Gavyn stepped forward before his better judgment could lock his knees. Before his good sense could somehow shut down his body in an attempt to prevent this whole, adolescent thing from ensuing. The first step was a shaky, uncertain one, but also a breath of vigorous life; the push he needed to solidify himself. He approached the man smoothly and, despite himself and his trembling nerves, smiled. A smile that he pointedly dressed in playful charm. The smile of a good-natured man playing a joke that intended no harm. But as he got closer, something sharp pulsed through his chest as he noted the tears brimming in the other's gaze.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly, following the soft inquiry with an awkward attempt at clearing his throat and breathing in a steadying inhale at the same time. The man looked whole at least so — before he could shed his unthinking bravado — Gavyn swallowed ruefully and continued. "I am sorry for what's about to happen." It was the man's only warning.

He cleared his throat again and dipped his head. He couldn't turn back now that he'd begun and that realization let him tap into his internal reserves of playful spontaneity. With the adopted poise of a refined gentleman, he fell gracefully upon one knee and, in a deliberately-slow movement, brought the small daisy an arm-length in front of him; lifting his brow hopefully as he offered the male before him the crafty ring.

"I know it isn't much, but it's all I have." His voice was once more one of exaggerated chivalry, slightly-accented for dramatic effect, and — despite a tiny tremble as he began — it managed from his lips in a tone far more stable than he actually felt. "I may not be able to offer you diamonds or... or, or gold... but our love is so much more than wealth and dowry! Allow me your hand, fair maiden — er, sir — and let us transcend beyond the forced constrictions of our forbidden romance!"

He swallowed now, unable to register the thoughtless mess of words that tumbled from his own mouth. An urgent cough from behind, where Aaron had sat down to enjoy the show, reminded him that he hadn't yet completed his dare, and the noise suddenly struck him dumb. "Oh!" Gavyn mumbled sharply, dropping his gaze to search the ground desperately; trying to find a suitable song to hum. Why hadn't he thought of this already!? Mouth opening and closing, emitting a string of stalling noises, he fumbled inelegantly for a few seconds before abruptly raising his head, face twisting with enlightenment. He meant only to hum, but when his lips parted, it was words that came out, clear and strong.

"I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time in thinking such a thing could be — that you could ever caaaare for me." The song was one of the many that Molly had filled the house with when they'd cooked or cleaned together as kids. And no matter what the pair were doing, Gavyn would capture his sister in a playful dance. And no matter what mood either was in, they would always end up smiling and screaming the lyrics with enthusiasm. Now, as he relayed it to the stranger before him, Gavyn's voice rose and fell just as he remembered the song did (perhaps revealing that he had listened to it far too many times). He stretched out the notes in all the proper places and his mood rose to an undeniable joy as the lyrics continued in an effortless stream; growing louder with his own budding enthusiasm. "I'm sure you hate to hear that I adore you, dear, but grant me just the same. I'm not entirely to blame." But how was he supposed to stop? Fade out and fearfully await the stranger's reply? Surely the man would get so fed up and just cut him off, right? And when he did...? Honestly, he didn't know what to expect. A witty, well-crafted reply that fell in line with the charade? A fierce reprimand, accusing him of mocking the beautiful institution of marriage? Or perhaps a cross and annoyed dismissal? A punch to the face? "For you'd be so easy to love, so easy to idolize all others above. So sweet to waken with—"

Thankfully rescuing him, Aaron suddenly leaped up from where he was sitting, an eager smile parting to cry: "The baby's not yours, Gavyn!" The words were overdone with sickening theatrics and the flash of a smile flitted across Gavyn's face as he abruptly leaped to his feet and attempted his best impression of bewildered shock. "What!?"

----

@jonah
Please don't hesitate to let me know if this is just... too much... lmaoooo x3
This is the song btw

[Deleted]

Someone was walking towards Jonah, and all he wanted to do was rush away. Jonah was sure the man knew John somehow, and that he would soon be punched. It would ruin the already terrible day, but he would have deserved it. He braced himself, expecting a punch in the face.

But instead, he was asked if he was okay. Soft, an almost gentle question caught Jonah off guard, and his jaw dropped. “Huh?” But the next words were even odder — the man apologized for something that had yet to happen. Jonah couldn’t help but wonder if the punch was coming now. Or a kick to the groin. Both?

The man got down on one knee, and Jonah felt mocked. This was surely one of John’s friends. This was surely one of his ploys to make Jonah feel terrible. Well, it was working. Jonah felt mocked, ridiculed, and absolutely terrible. Had already felt! The kneeling man spoke of a forbidden romance, and Jonah wanted to run away. But he wouldn’t give John the satisfaction. He wouldn’t turn his back. He would not get angry. He would keep his calm and speak as eloquently as possible.

The man sung a song Jonah didn’t recognize, and he felt his face burning red with shame. He didn’t dare to look around to see if anyone was looking at them, but someone had to be. Someone had to have noticed the scene. He didn’t dare to look around to see if John was somewhere nearby staring at them. He had to be, Jonah knew. He wouldn’t miss this.

Someone yelled something, it stopped the singing, and Jonah was glad. The words in the song, ‘easy to love’, had been difficult to hear. John had always said he was easy to love. And maybe he had been. Until he no longer was.

“What is this?” Jonah struggled to keep his voice calm and word things eloquently. “Are you a friend of John?” The man had to be John’s friend, no one would mock Jonah in such a way if it wasn’t for John’s ideas. But had he seen this man before? No, most likely not. But still… this had surely been John’s idea. It felt like that.

---

Gavyn Colburn
Lmao, I love it. XD

[Gavyn Colburn]

Gavyn's mock outcry hung heavy on the air between them; both him and Aaron poised awkwardly with bated anticipation as they waited for the other man's response. Little discernable emotion had filtered across the stranger's face during the foolish serenade, only a dark thundering of red — whether it was a flush of embarrassment, rage, or a mix of the two, Gavyn couldn't decide. But now that the dare was complete and the joke left open-ended, he wanted nothing more than to take it all back. The man was obviously displeased and his spoken inquiries seemed strained. Almost accusatory when he mentioned a John character and assumed they had some connection to them.

Gavyn was at a momentary loss for what to do.

His lips parted around an intended apology, eye drawing from the other man's face to search the sky beyond him, racking his brain for any knowledge of a John and how his existence might fit into the whole debacle. Perhaps John was his husband — the jealous, gaslighting type who put his spouse through tense and tiresome tests of faithfulness; tracked their phone, monitored whom they spoke to, and would undoubtedly pummel anyone who all but looked at him. Gavyn's eyes flickered to the man's hands, a hint of panic fluttering in his chest. But there was no ring. Had this stranger just been brutally dumped by a John, then? Proposed to them and been rejected? What if he'd been married to a John and he'd just died? Suddenly horrified, Gavyn pressed his lips back together and shot a quick, helpless glance toward Aaron, who only offered an uncertain shrug.

Gavyn returned his attention back to the other man and wet his lips. "Uhm... no?" He followed the uncertain answer with a sheepish chuckle and slipped the loop of interwoven daisies from atop his head as he stood. "At least, I don't think so. This... uh, whole thing... was just a stupid dare. That's all. I gracefully accept your refusal, though I am heartbroken." Tentatively, he offered both the crown and ring to him, then tried a small, hesitant smile. "It was my singing, wasn't it? Pretty bad?"

@jonah