ollie is not usually a person who lets his feelings get to him. in fact, he normally takes pride in being able to let things go — water off a ducklett's back, and all that. but there's just something about PENELOPE LIVY that gets under his skin, something that makes him feel bothered because she won't be friends with him, because she can't.

[break][break] he hates feeling like this. hates feeling guilty and raw and tired because he can't make up for the things he's fucked up. it reminds him of all the things in his life that he's regretted and that he's done wrong. he hates feeling bad.

[break][break] grumbling, ollie turns his face — or tries to — but willow pulls him back. fingers touch his cheek, cupping his jaw and forcing her to look at him.

[break][break] leaf-green eyes meet hers caught in a plethora of neverending blue.

[break][break] the two of them sway back-and-forth, like they're frozen in time.

[break][break] "willow..."

[break][break] overcome with emotion, ollie pulls her towards him in a tight embrace. he folds around her, clutching her in thanks as he buries his face in her neck. squeezing tight.

[break][break] then he pulls away.

[break][break] "you're right. i know you're right," and that's when his smile gets a little teasing. "when did you get so smart?" he laughs, reaching out with a hand to tuck a strand of blond behind her mask.

[break][break] "roman's got a lot to live up to."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins [break]
MERRY MASQUERADE [break]
+ wearing a suit and stantler mask

[attr="class","notes"]

ollie's more than a head taller than her, but hugs have never been awkward for the two of them. the masks, however, pose a bit of a challenge, and she's careful to tuck her cheek up over his shoulder, straining as much as she can up on her toes to embrace him. her arms are up around his sides, fingers curling against his shoulder blades.

he's nothing like the young kid he was when they first met. his heartache is heavy with a weighted history she'll never really understand because as close as they were, he was gone for a very long time. gone long enough that sometimes the way he moves or talks, she doesn't recognize him. 

she has to remind herself to embrace these changes - that there is more of ollie to know, to share, to love, but she still sniffles a bit when he sets her back down. 

"have a kid at seventeen. makes you grow up real quick," she says with a smile. before he can draw his hand back, she snatches it and kisses his knuckles. 

"thank you for the dance, mysterious stranger. it was a pleasure, but i think it's about time i go find my date."

ollie morales

☉