▫ park

@† john seo the hand upon her hair made mashiro beam like a flower that had just touched the sun for the first time. a bud just opening its petals for the spring season. his compliments always made her a touch warmer in the cheeks, a rosy pink appearing over them, but she was always thankful for john's kind words. for she knew that he always meant it when he said such nice things. "well... good!" she replied, unable to come up with something witty to reply with, still too warm.

"we really do! we should try and find some more fun things to embark on together... i feel like i could do anything with you by my side." and it was really true. mashiro was never one to over-exaggerate what she felt. when she said those words, she really meant them. she always just felt so safe around john, and because of that safety it almost felt like she could fly in a way.

with a gasp of delight at the introduction of the food, mashiro's eyes lit up in joy. it sounded delicious and absolutely fancy with it being from naples. humming softly, mashiro shrugged with a smile "i'm not super picky about food, i like trying everything! but i will admit i do have a bit of a sweet tooth sometimes. but i'm super into pasta too... and this one looks so good!"

looking at the beautifully made pasta for a moment longer, wishing she had some sort of camera to capture just how delicious it looked, mashiro felt her cheeks heat up once again - even though they had just cooled. opening though willingly, she let john feed her the first bite and taking the time to chew slowly so she could enjoy the taste of it. with an eager "mmm!" and her eyes curled into cresent moons to express her happiness, it was obvious that mashiro found it super good. once she swallowed, she spoke "it tastes so good... you're such a talented cook! what is this dish called?"

@☩ sakamoto mashiro in his eyes, mashiro’s presence itself was the true gift. nothing could usurp the power of joy which radiated from her smile with such ease. truthfully the gratification of their blossoming friendship was special enough to fulfill him so anything else would simply be the delicious cherry on top. “well, of course! with a beauty such as yourself, how could i dare look away?” a palm gently rested atop her silky tresses, giving a cheeky ruffle that lightly disheveled a few stray locks amidst his playful affection.

“fine, i accept defeat.” john mused in return as he released a long exasperated sigh, knowing all too well that there was no possible way to resist his darling companion’s charm. if she said something was true then so it would be. he just didn’t have the heart to ever tell her no. “we make an excellent team.” if only mashiro’s magic could reach to the heavens and beautify the entire world. perhaps the downtrodden state of humanity would benefit from the same cheerful elixir of life that john so selfishly drank each day he stole her for himself.

once more shaken from fanciful daydreams, the fanged fellow averted his gaze in the direction she pointed and was quick to slip her hand within his tender grasp so as to guide her along the mere few feet away where the old bench with overgrown foliage curled around it’s legs slowly consuming for mother nature’s hunger. “i made one of my favorite recipes i picked up some time ago in naples.. but i’d like to know what your tastes are. so next time i might make you a dish you’ll for sure love.” gradually he unveiled the food from the basket resting between their laps as they sat comfortably, relieved to see the pasta was still steaming in heat.

“open wide.” john commanded in a soothing coo as he collected a nice mouthful of truffle tortellini pasta doused with white wine onto a golden fork, raising it carefully to mashiro’s rosy pink lips.

@† john seo nodding easily, mashiro hummed as she responded. it would be nice to surprise john with a reward or gift one day. looking over she spoke, "it'll have to be a surprise then. keep your eyes peeled!" in all honesty though, mashiro would like to gift something special to the man who has accompanied her and become such a close friend to her after so long. she would have to put some real thought to it when they returned.

feeling john's hand on her shoulder, mashiro immediately looked upwards to meet his gaze with a wide smile. "but that certain somebody couldn't have done it alone!" was her eager response. "the roses wouldn't be here without you as well." shuffling closer to john's side, she let her gaze wander back to the beautiful roses and the beautiful way their petal unfurled into the light. just like these flowers, mashiro hoped that things would bloom beautifully in life as well. so far, it was looking good for her because of the people around her like john.

looking over to a nearby bench that had a view of the roses and other flowers in the pavilion, she pointed it out to john with one hand, the other moving to touch his hand on her shoulder, wanting to grasp onto it. "shall we head over there to rest our feet? i'm curious on what you brought too, we could eat as well?"

@☩ sakamoto mashiro it was painfully evident that he could be a bit stiff and old fashioned in his ways, struggling to keep up with the ever changing times, but it was the natural love and acceptance from those such as mashiro which gave him the solace of confidence. “perhaps you can reward my efforts then?” he flashed a devilish grin as another cordial laugh briefly slips past plush lips. under usual circumstances, john would never think to ask for anything in return of gifts. it couldn’t hurt to indulge in a little playful banter from time to time though.

some may think the rose a dull cliché, but they were wrong. such a classic love symbol was meant to be cherished and no other encapsulated the rose’s electrifying grace quite like his darling white rose. it was her passion project, her hard work, and all her gentle loving care that made it possible for the flowers to resurrect with flourishing prosperity. he was just some extra manpower along for the ride.

“all thanks to a certain somebody, of course!” john mused in bright delight, supercharged with bursting energy from her presence. even as he came to settle by her side once more and rest a palm delicately over the young lady’s shoulder, he could absorb every last drop of elated intoxication. the best blossom of the season, her radiance held as much purity as a clean white rose. yet he failed to see where her thorns might hide beneath the surface. not that it mattered much. who could ever dare complain to be pricked by such a rare beauty? “you ought to know best, mashirose.”

@† john seo for a moment, one could swear that a bashful expression had passed on mashiro's face. however, the moment passed as quickly as it had came.

mashiro was always quite fond of the way john spoke, scrunching her nose up in a way to express those warm fuzzy feelings bubbling up in her chest. "i know you're not that type, but still... it must have taken you a while to make them! and you know how much i enjoy what you make." a small pout crossed mashiro's face but it quickly melted back into her signature smile, dimples and all. "of course, i'll be good!"

mashiro's gaze easily slid to john kissing the petals of one of the peony blossoms they had tended to. her heart warmed and she couldn't help but mirror his actions to another blossom close by. she crouched down, the soft petals tickling her lips and causing a soft giggle to escape her. "they really have. they all grew up so well, i'm so glad. i hope they can continue to blossom and bloom every spring now."

straightening herself, her eyes were attracted by the roses growing over on the other side of the pavilion. she made her way over carefully, gazing upon the blossom with a overwhelming amount of fondness. it had taken some time for them to get the rose bushes back to full health, so to see them all blossoming brought mashiro a large amount of joy.

"look, they're thriving now..." her words trailed off. even from the brink of destruction, with enough love and care, they were able to be revived. it was a lesson that nature was teaching her, that was the thought that passed through mashiro's mind. beautiful and resilient, that was the rose. the flower was beauty, the thorns it's way of protecting itself. "a rose truly is strong, isn't it?"

@☩ sakamoto mashiro “then i shall be forever in your footsteps.” once more he beamed with admiration and let out a faint chuckle, low yet gentle like the morning breeze. one could never fail to enjoy themselves with such a contagious smile as hers.

basking in the glory of a d ego, john’s smile contorted into a devious smize as he hoisted up the basket hiding away tasty treats inside. it was the least effort he could possibly make to repay the favor of her kindness and bubbly warm companionship. after all, they worked hard to one day enjoy the beauty of the pavilion so surely they deserved to make it a proper little bash only for the two of them to share.

“don’t be ridiculous, mashi. naturally i had to. what sort of man do you think me to neglect a lady?” he gasped with exaggerated intensity, a palm clutching at his heart as he feigned heartbreak. “shh. it’s a secret. perhaps if you’re good, i’ll let you have a taste.” the man teased joyously as he squeezed their arms still locked around each other.

the fresh blooms lit up their vicinity with vivid glowing hypercolor. a painting come to life, their fantasies had finally come to reality. lithe fingers graze along every happy blossom as they walked through the archway entrance and absorbed the soft delicacy each petal gifted them. yet it was mashiro’s fierce delight that washed over him, crashing into the sands of his inner self like waves hugging the beach.

“absolutely breathtaking..” john gazed down upon the young woman in all her golden charm, incapable of prying away from pure bliss. “thank them for blessing us this season. they’ve truly outdone themselves, don’t you agree?” carefully he leans over and takes a single pink peony within his gentle grasp, pressing cloudy soft lips against the petals to graciously give appreciation towards the flowers who grew so well for their pleasure.

@† john seo mashiro watched with a fond gaze as the man beside her took in the fresh air of the park . she was always delighted to see john enjoy whatever the two of them got into, so seeing his smile had amplified her excitement to visit the pavilion even more.

"that's right, if you follow me, i'll always try and make things bright!" she responded, heart warm at his lovely response. however, with the announcement of a surprise, mashiro couldn't mask the look of shock and surprise that crossed her face.

with big, inquisitive, and bright eyes, she gazed up at john filled with excitement. "really? you didn't have to... but that makes today even more special. i always have an appetite for what you make!" mashiro replied, stomach already worked up at the thought of sharing a picnic with john. as they approached their final destination, mashiro wondered aloud "i wonder what you have prepared..."

when they finally made it to the entrance of the pavilion, it was impossible for mashiro's eyes to be torn away from the sight. the flowers they had lovingly nurtured and the other fauna they had trimmed and brought back to live was all in full bloom in a kaleidoscope of beautiful color. it was impossible for mashiro's mouth to close as she took in the sight. "beautiful..." she murmured. happily, she started tugging john to one side to take a closer look at how beautifully each petal of the flowers had unfurled in the sun.

@☩ sakamoto mashiro as the glorious sun peeks through shadowed grey clouds to beam down upon the earth it's shining warmth, so did a certain madam mashiro encapsulate the lonesome man in her radiance. an acquisition of his service was hardly any challenge from the very beginning, having piqued his interest with a fascinating project and dimpled smile that could melt any heart. rapidly he would find an excuse to escape the dull facility with his newfound companion, roll up his sleeves, and get his hands a little dirty all for the sake of promised growth. finally the time had come to revel in the fruits of their labour.

gently did his arm curl to accommodate the space she claimed as the pair stroll side by side, john peering up towards the vibrant sky above and enjoying the sunshine kisses softly peppered all along his face. breathing in, breathing out. crisp morning air filled his lungs with a revitalized freshness. it's the closest sensation to humanity long lost which he can still reminisce.

“with you, there’s simply no other choice. fun is always imminent!” he mused back in equal cheery fashion, plush lips turning up at the corners. his gaze trickles down until sweet honeyed eyes fall over her visage. flushed pink cheeks glowed beautifully, mashiro truly proving herself the only blossom john could dream to watch unfurl before his presence. “i’ve prepared a little something to celebrate. i hope you’ve got an appetite, my sweet mashirose.”

@† john seo with a pep in her step and the sun peeking out from the clouds to give the entrance of the park a spectacular glow, mashiro couldn't wait to visit the blooming blossoms that she and john had cultivated after months of hard work. from the entrance of the park, if one took the time to look for a beaten path, following it would lead you to a hidden pavilion with a rustic charm that had entranced mashiro the moment she saw it. convincing john to accompany her at first and then receiving his help, she was able to plant a variety of flowers and other beautiful fauna to bring the old pavilion back to life.

now with blooming season in full force, it was time for the two of them to enjoy the rewards of their hard work. mashiro had one hand tucked in the crook of john's arm as she took a deep inhale to take in the fresh air. "the weather is so nice today, plus with the sun coming out it'll be so lovely to see what the pavilion will look like today" mashiro hummed, turning her head upwards to look at john.

"thank you again for taking me out of the farm today" mashiro chuckled softly, dimples on display as her eyes curled with the force of her smile. "we'll have loads of fun today, yes?"