「 just like honey 」— valentines day, open.

[truce.]

[align=center][div style="width: 400px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 1.5;"]･ﾟ✧ — It was the fourteenth of February, and Elinor would make a big fuss of the day every single year regardless of how cringe-worthy the occasion may seem. After all, a day dedicated to showing appreciation and love? It sounded like a day created by Ellie herself. Plus, it seemed to be a perfect opportunity to express her gratitude in the most typical Ellie-esque way imaginable: homemade Valentines Day cards.

One of her most prominent qualities was quite possibly her very loving nature. There was no doubt that her heart craved the sensation of adoring all those around her; in fact, she doubted that there was even any hatred in her heart whatsoever... For the most part, of course. She was a total peacemaker - the idea of hatred and anger displeased her. And so, stacking the cards one on top of the other, she held them close to her chest as she wandered out of her room, down the stairs and into the living room.

"Okay guys... I have a surprise for you all..." She announced, pale green eyes lighting up with a gentle smile beaming on her lips. She fluttered her lashes as she lowered her gaze to the cards, handing them our to the appropriate people before standing back and declaring excitedly, "I just thought I'd make a little something for you guys. It's not really a big deal, I guess... Plus, I don't mind where you put them: on your bedside table, in a drawer, in the trash, I don't mind. All it is is just a visual reminder that I love you and appreciate you guys so much. So... Yeah, thank you for being my family."

// Ellie's personalized each card and written them here for reference!

[mickey]

[align=center][div style="background=transparent; borderwidth=0px; bordercolor=; width: 420px; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 125%; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: black"]

— mickey had been dreading valentine’s day. just the month of february in general made mickey wish he could hole himself away from the world for its entirety. he tried his best to not seclude himself, but he’d be lying if he said he had been trying to meet others. he hadn’t been the most social person in the world, but he’d come out of his bed from time to time. part of the reason for getting up was usually to see how ellie was- but she seemed to be thriving without him… he didn’t know why that hurt his heart so much to think something like that. don’t get him wrong, he was happy for her..

but part of him was scared that she was forgetting him.

as she announced that she was handing out cards, for a moment, mick supposed that she would walk right past him without telling or giving him anything. he couldn’t blame her. this was her first time being single on valentine’s day in, what, years? when she paused in front of him and handed him one, he felt everything in him threaten to crumble.

"dearest mickey,
happy valentines day
especially today, i hope you feel how much i love you and how grateful i am to have you in my life. you will forever be my always.
lots and lots of love,
ellie ♡"

she probably said something like that to everyone… right? still, as she retreated to the living room, he couldn’t help but hesitate for a second before following after. he hesitated on walking closer to her, though, instead sticking by the doorway. clearing his throat to get her attention, he clenched his jaw for a moment, anxiously. shifting the card around in his hands, he paused for a moment before murmuring, “thank you.” it was all he could bring himself to say as he lifted his gaze from the card to the blonde. “it was- really sweet, what you said.”

[tomorrow]

JUST STANDING WAITING FOR THE PUNCHES

Tomorrow was feeling a bit of a skip in his step today. It was Valentines Day, as he'd been told; it'd been a long time since he'd celebrated, but it brought up good memories nonetheless. Despite his current less than favorable situation in his love life, he was still chipper in the morning.

All three of his companions were trotting after him as he grabbed breakfast in the dining hall and then moved to the living room to quietly sip a warm cup of cocoa and read a new book he'd picked up from the library the other day. It was incredibly adult, but the author also didn't seem to understand basic anatomy which made it more humorous than anything else.

He glanced up, setting his book aside as Ellie walked in and announced she had a surprise. He took the card, looking down at it with mild interest until he read the words carefully written there. He looked up, seeing Mickey thanking her awkwardly. Tomorrow's brow furrowed, but he didn't let it deter him. He stood up, attempting to pull her into a light hug for a few moments before stepping back.

"Thank you Ellie, this is... Really kind of you." Tomorrow said, his smile reaching his eyes and lighting them up.

[truce.]

[align=center][div style="width: 400px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 1.5;"]･ﾟ✧ — Ellie's heart skipped a beat when she saw Mick. After all, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't surprised to see him around. He had become so reclusive recently and, honestly, there were sometimes days where Ellie wouldn't see him. She'd go check on him... But something told her that perhaps that would only do more harm than good. And so, she'd choose not to communicate much with him. It didn't mean that she didn't love him, though. That was very far from the truth.

And so, she cracked the smallest of smiles his way when she handed over a card to him. If she couldn't tell him verbally how much she still adored him, then a written card would have to suffice. Her heart sunk as the card parted from her. She'd written something extra-special in that card. The tiniest of hints that he was still her everything. He'd never know, though. To him, it was just another card in the pile. She turned her gaze towards Mick upon hearing him clear his throat, the corners of her lips curling upwards very meekly, very awkwardly, towards him before quietly mumbling, "It's okay... It's the least I could do."

Next, she quickly lowered her head, not quite knowing what to do in this situation. She thought she'd handle the situation better, with more confidence, but her heart still ached from the hurt. And so, she couldn't dwell on him for any longer. Inhaling deeply, she finally raised her head as Tomorrow stood up, a grin slowly growing on her lips as he pulled her into a hug. She released a gentle laugh, hugging him back before pulling away, clasping her hands together in front of her. "That's all right!" She insisted, the apples of her cheeks raising at the sign of her smile, "I'm just glad you like it."

[HAYLEY]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: black; line-height: 22px;"]☁  jackson had been the one to take the card, since hayley had hope in one hand and her mug of tea in the other, but she stepped up close to him as he held it open in front of their faces to read. almost immediately, hayley gave one of those teary eyed smiles, not quite crying but certainly needing to sniffle at the words on the page, and jacksons lips pressed into a smiling sort of i'm-not-going-to-get-emotional pout.

❝oh ellie,❞ she said, glancing up at the blonde, ❝i'd hug you right now but there's a really good chance hope will try to eat your hair, so i owe you a hug.❞ she declared, trading her mug for the card with jackson and flashing it to hope. ❝look what auntie ellie made us,❞ she told the infant, who stared at the card, not understanding a word of it, but after a moment her head bobbed forward and her mouth clamped on the corner of it. hayley immediately pulled it back a few inches, to keep the baby from devouring it.

jackson took a sip from his own mug, and offered ellie a smile. ❝growin' up, i always wanted an older sister.❞ he said, the closest thing to an emotional proclamation of you're in the family as he could manage.

[JAY]

tracking since a bitch doesnt wanna ruin the moment

[truce.]

[align=center][div style="width: 400px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 1.5;"]･ﾟ✧ — Ellie was glad. She wanted nothing more than to bring smiles to her friends’ faces on this very day. If they were happy, then Ellie was happy, too. Eyes flitted towards Brendan as he opened the card up before an apparent flush overwhelmed his cheeks. She was quick to lower her gaze, hoping to not make him feel any more overwhelmed as she instead chose to smile softly to herself. From her time at the Lodge, she’d admittedly not spoken to Brendan that much - in a way he didn’t seem too interested in conversation with her, and so she knew when to take a step back. Her words were not untrue, however; she thought that he was a great kid. Very brave.

”You’re welcome, Bren.” She responded, a hint of hesitance in her voice. What if he objected to such a nickname? It would surely make Ellie feel a little humiliated at the attempt, even though it seemed to be worth the risk. Next, Ellie wandered over to Hayley, Jackson and Hope as she heard Hayley’s thankful voice. ”Aww-“ Elinor said through a chuckle, taking a step forward and leaning down to face Hope, taking the infant’s tiny hand and gently pecking a small kiss on the baby’s knuckles. ”What’s that? Is that a yummy card, Baby Hope?” She giggled quietly, adding as an amused, quiet afterthought, ”You little land-shark.”

Finally, she straightened up, pouting a little bit at the brunette before retorting gently, ”It’s really the least I could do.” And, with that, she turned her head to peer over at Jackson, swiftly tucking her hair behind her ears as her smile was unable to peel off her features. ”Oh, that is so kind, little brother.” She chuckled softly before pale eyes flirted across the room. It really wasn’t far from the truth when Ellie said she loved these people; These people were her family.