Strange and Beautiful • •

[artemis belle cohen]

It had been a long week. Exhaustion was creeping in quickly for Missy, but she wasn’t quite ready to crawl into bed just yet. She kicked her shoes to the left of the door and dropped her keys to the bowl on the right. Thankfully, today had just been her college classes and a few hours in the library until words became as understandable as rune stones. She didn’t have to rush home to change into her work uniform and then race off to wait on tables until midnight. The days when she got some semblance of a break were rare and few, but Missy savoured every moment of them. It meant she could catch up on chores or little fix-ups around the apartment she shared with her boyfriend. It also gave her a chance to spend some quality time with him if he was at home, too. Over the years they had been in New York it had been difficult to find time for a night together. There were always bills to pay instead, or assignments that needed completing in the more recent of those years. Missy knew their love was strong though. If it was two weeks of only seeing each other when one finally came to bed and when they were saying goodbye in the morning, she didn’t worry. She knew time would be made, and that it was all hard work for their future – and the rest of their lives – together.

She wouldn’t deny that there were moments when she wondered if they had done the right thing. In the beginning she wondered that more than anything. New York was a scary city for a young girl so far from her family. Even if they didn’t want her back it had been a strange comfort knowing they were still walking distance away. She had given that comfort up for a life with the man she loved; a man her family did not approve of in any way, shape or form. Mikey had been too old for her, he was too rebellious looking. They didn’t take the chance to get to know him like Missy did. They also didn’t take a chance to listen to their own daughter explaining that every decision had been her own. She had been the one to skip school on the day she met Mikey, and she was the one who chose to stay with him when cornered by her own parents. She knew some people whispered that it was a puppy love that would break her heart, but Missy knew and felt differently. All these years later in New York seemed to prove she was right, but she was in no hurry to go back to Alabama just to shout about it.

In the small, but bright kitchen, Missy turned the oven on, rolled up her sleeves and began to cook the dinner. It was something she actually liked doing, and even if Mikey wasn’t home when she was eating she always left him a Tupperware box full of whatever she had made. Sometimes it was still there the next day and she might have it for lunch if he didn’t fancy it, but it was something Missy would always do for him. In her eyes, it was a way to show she cared and loved him when they were too busy to be together. She had the radio on while she cooked, loose hair falling into her face where it had freed itself from the bobby pins and hair tie. Humming softly, she cut the vegetables and began to sauté them. Harley and Quinn danced around her legs, eager for some attention of their own. Missy knew that once they had eaten, the cats would be curled up on the couch with them for whatever movie or show Mikey chose for them tonight. It was his turn after she had tortured him with some low budget indie film that had been awful for both of them. That was the last time she was ever taking recommendations from Chuck.

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 678!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

Life in New York was never a world Mikey had envisioned himself, but it was one of those happy accidents that had pointed him in the direction he needed to go. He had always been more rock and roll than showtunes or gentle Central Park melodies, yet the city had grown on him quickly, even when he was cramped into a tiny apartment that just left enough space to breathe. He was happy here, in the crazy lights of NYC, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world. His life had never had a solid direction or a predetermined path that his family expected him to follow; he had mostly been allowed to go with the flow, despite the gentle protests of his mother to aim higher than she had. The Vegas boy had been following his dreams for most of his life, and it was a practice he brought with him into his current state of mind.

However, maintaining a life in the expensive city limits involved a lot of hard work that often kept him running on just enough fumes to keep reaching for the stars. Exhaustion had become as much a part of his daily routine as showering; he was always bouncing between jobs trying to make ends meet in whatever way he could. He worked hard to help provide for Artemis and their little cats; especially with her going to school, Mikey was trying to do everything he could to lighten some of her workload so she could succeed. She deserved all of the great experiences college could bring and he didn’t want her to worry about a thing when he was there beside her.

But, even he got a night off once in a while and he made the most of it whenever he could. He had spent the morning helping with a put-in for the show he was currently working in, assisting in getting the newest stars ready to sweep the Broadway stage that he was very glad to never have to strut across. Performing live was exhilarating and, when he got the chance, he loved booking gigs. However, acting and living the famous stories of Broadway was a talent he was glad to not possess and he’d continue to contentedly breathe life into stories through his skills from the orchestra pit.

Mikey headed home from the theatre, drumsticks in his bag and a lightness in his step. He didn’t usually get to spend nights home with Missy and the thought of time with her immediately brought a smile to his lips. As he climbed the stairs up from the subway two at a time, he hummed his favorite tune from the show and headed towards the apartment complex he knew well by now. He rounded the corner for his street and stopped short, spying a vender across the way with bright flowers. Mikey always felt bad that he couldn’t shower Missy with the kind of lavish presents or trips so many girls got to have, but he tried his best to make up for it with little luxuries like fresh flowers. He’d made decent tips the other night on his bar shift and he believed there was no better way to spend the money than by bringing a smile to his girlfriend’s face. He raced over picked out a pretty bouquet, paying the kind woman before crossing back to his building.

It was a fast stroll up the steps and his keys were jingling in the door. He could smell cooking and was forever grateful to have someone like Missy always keeping him well fed. "I brought you something, beautiful,” he called, throwing his bag into its usual corner and kicking off his shoes. Mikey walked into their tiny kitchen, wrapping an arm around her waist and planting a warm kiss to her temple. He held up the bouquet, a smile on his lips as he looked down at the woman who held his entire heart in her gentle hands.

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 668!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[artemis belle cohen]

Missy was happy to work hard for what she wanted out of life. She got a proud sense of achievement when those goals were reached; even if it was something small like saving up for a new pair of shoes for work. She spent long days on her feet and liked to invest in a decent pair that wouldn’t leave her with blisters and in pain by the time she pushed open the door to the modest apartment. Other times, it was little things that made Missy feel like it was all worth it. She could salvage a piece of furniture with new fabric and varnish and that was enough to keep a smile on her face for a long while. She liked seeing what her work accomplished. She liked the end result, and that alone often was enough to stop her from complaining about all the hours that went into making it a reality. It could be a craft project she chose to work on in her free time, or a plan she had put together with Mikey about what they were saving for or the time they were going to spend together. They weren’t in a position to go and enjoy fancy weekends away like some couples, but Missy was still content to plan a long weekend in their home with movies and days spent cooking together.

She didn’t need to be one of those girls who boasted about the designer gifts and expensive date nights. She didn’t care if they never had them. She was happier just making something special out of the little that they had. By no means were they struggling to survive, but Missy knew money would be tight if they were spenders who came home with things they didn’t need. She enjoyed being frugal with their weekly shops and made the most of affordable events and offers to treat herself and Mikey to nice things. It was her choice to make things last, to save bubble baths for when she really needed to relax, or only use the perfume Mikey got her for her birthday sparingly. The world was growing ever more materialistic and people would pay ridiculous money for simple things; it was something Missy couldn’t understand. She felt like it took away from something special, be a present from someone else or a gift to herself.

She would take thoughtful surprises over anything else. So, seeing a bunch of beautiful flowers in her boyfriend’s hands was the perfect thing to bring a smile to her face. They would brighten up the living room something wonderful, and that was the sort of thing Missy liked in gifts; it had a purpose and didn’t break the bank. “They’re perfect. Thank you, Mikey.” She pressed herself up on her tip-toes to kiss him lightly. She loved him, would die for him even, but the world hadn’t seemed to understand that once upon a time. She had just been a silly girl making a mistake with a boy who was only going to break her heart. She loved that years later those words had been wrong, that they were stronger than ever and madly in love still. “There’s probably another twenty minutes until dinner is ready.” She said, smiling as she picked out the mosaic vase she had made herself from a used candle jar and old CDs that didn’t play correctly in the car without skipping. The flowers would be perfect in there.

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 583!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

Mikey was happy with the life he had built with Missy. It was a full life, with the person he loved and at least one job that made him smile every time he walked into the theatre. His mother had taught him to be independent and kind yet sharing his heart with Missy made every moment that much sweeter. People could say what they wanted about the age difference, and they often had in the beginning, but he never had any doubts that this was the right choice for himself. He couldn’t have asked for a better place to belong in this world.

They worked hard to make the apartment feel like a real home for both of them. Mikey liked being able to share a closet with his girlfriend and to see their keys hanging side by side near the doorway. It made him feel like they had their own oasis in this crazy loud city; a soft place to land when the rest of the world was flying by faster than the speed of sound. Even if it was only a few moments at the end of the day, those precious minutes with Missy kept him from feeling burnt out. She made him want to push harder and chase the dreams that kept slipping just out of arm’s reach. Mikey tried his best to keep the element of surprise alive in their relationship. It wasn’t always easy, especially when exhaustion crept in after a long day, but taking time to coax a smile onto Missy’s face was worth every ounce of energy it took. She really did keep him going in every way possible.

There was a huge grin on his face as Missy turned around. "Only the best for you,” he replied, reaching down to return her kiss warmly. That smile never failed to make his own face brighten in return. Not missing a beat, Mikey stepped over to the sink and began trimming the stems of the flowers so they could go into the pretty vase Missy had chosen. He loved how her creativity brought uniqueness into his own life, especially in the décor of their apartment. "How was your day?” he asked, taking a second to breathe in the delicious meal she was making. "That smells absolutely amazing. Going all out for movie night, I see.” He shot her a teasing smirk and held up the freshly trimmed flowers, ready for his next task. He loved helping her cook and being able to spend those moments together in the kitchen. "What can I help with, babe?”

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 435!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[artemis belle cohen]

Missy knew that if she had listened to her family and obeyed their wishes she would be nearing the end of college already. She wouldn’t have had to work as hard as did, or budget finances to make sure there was food on the table. She’d be like so many other students; going out, spending long nights in the library, maybe even with a cute dorm to go back to after a trying day. None of that equated to the happiness she felt from the life she had with Mikey. Of course, things would be easier if she had made different choices; if she had walked away from love and let her family convince her that Mikey really was just a phase. Even at sixteen she knew better though. She knew Mikey was special, that if she let him go she wouldn’t meet anyone else who made her feel the way he could make her feel with just a look. She missed her family something terrible, but she wasn’t going to let them take that magic from her. It was worth the aching feet from long days waitressing, or the stressful evenings counting money to make sure they could pay their bills and fill the car for Mikey’s gigs when they were booked out of town.

It would all be worth it one day. Once their dreams were realised and their hard work paid off, Missy knew they’d look back on these days fondly. It wouldn’t be about the exhaustion or the nights when the only conversation they shared was mumbled into pillows, half asleep and barely listening. Instead they’d remember nights like these, when they got to spend time together, to eat dinner and watch a movie. These nights were some of Missy’s favourites. She didn’t need fancy dates or expensive gifts. She enjoyed cute flowers to brighten up their home, and cosy nights in where she could cuddle Mikey under the huge knitted blanket that was often just left lying on the back of the sofa until the cats dragged it off. She wanted him, and she didn’t need all of the bells and whistles that people posted about on social media. An early finish and the chance to be with Mikey was good enough for the Alabama blonde.

Missy smiled, running her hand across the lower of his back as she crossed to the fridge to grab them both a drink to accompany dinner. “It was never-ending for a while, but now things are definitely looking up.” Even if they sat in silence, Missy felt so much happier when Mikey was around. He was her calm in the storm that was life in New York City. If she was having any doubts he chased them away without even realising it. “You can put those flowers on the table and then make sure everything is ready for movie night. I’ve got the kitchen.” The only thing left to do in there was make sure dinner didn’t burn and serve it. “I can call you when dinner’s ready.”

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 515!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

Mikey hadn’t grown up with money. He came from a home that did its best to put food on the table, and to get a new pair of shoes for the start of a school year, but they were far from upper class. His mother worked hard to give him everything she possibly could so that he could chase his dreams and be more successful with his own life, but she struggled often. She hid it from Mikey; hid the worries and the late rent payments. He didn’t remember anything other than her smiling face, even when his school lunches became less and less; she was always looking on he bright side of things and telling him to keep his head up.

That was definitely where his sunny demeanor came from. She had taught him how to make it through the hard times and enjoy the ride, finding joy in the small moments that made life worth living. Mikey tried to keep that motto alive as he pursued his life in New York, chasing dreams that sometimes seemed larger than life. It was hard, there was no denying it, but being surrounded by someone he loved and a passion he cherished was more than he ever could have wished for. One day, when he had more money and was a full-time musician, he’d be able to afford all the luxury things he and Artemis deserved to have. For now, he was content with homemade meals in a tiny apartment as long as they could find time to be together.

Mikey was comfortable with Missy in a way he wasn’t with anyone else. He could freely be himself with her; he didn’t have to hide any of the weird, quirky corners of his personality, or shy away from geeking out over a beautifully written piece of music. He loved that he didn’t have to shy away and fill some sort of mold dictated by society. All he had to do was be himself, and he hoped he created the same safe space for his girlfriend.

He trimmed the flowers quickly, doing his best to keep the arrangement. He loved getting her fresh flowers as a treat but he hated how quickly they’d wilt, so he did everything in his power to keep them alive for awhile so she could continue enjoying them. Mikey smiled warmly at her words, adding, "I couldn’t agree more. A night with you makes all the tech rehearsals in the world worth it.” He had spent the majority of his day in the theatre, playing the same song four times in a row so lighting, sound, and the performers could get their marks correct. Performing was already taxing for musicians but doing it with the director shouting “Pause!” every few moments was doubly annoying.

Mikey finished cutting the flowers and filled the vase, setting it on their small kitchen table. He looked back to Missy, nodding at her directions. Leaning on the kitchen counter, he said, "What are we watching tonight? Did you pick something?” He smiled as she worked, shaking his head as she tried to dismiss him. His shoulders were sore from playing all day and he definitely could have gone to laze on the couch, but he’d much rather stay near her. "And miss getting the chance to distract you? I wouldn’t dare leave your side,” he teased, reaching out to pull her closer to himself. He rested both of his hands on her hips and bent down to press his warm lips to hers.

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 564!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[artemis belle cohen]

Missy grew up comfortably. Her family never needed to cut back on expensive treats or save for the holiday season. They were upper-middle class and acted just like that, too. Nice cars in the driveway, a beautiful garden to their home, and everyone thought they were the picture perfect American ideal. Missy would have had her college education paid for in full, would have been able to spend her time as she pleased and with the safety net of being able to call home to ask for help if her laptop broke, or she needed a new textbook for one of her classes. That had all vanished the second she chose to follow her heart and stay with Mikey. She didn’t regret it either. Money was pretty, and often nice to have on a rainy day, but it was not the answer to happiness. Missy sometimes got frustrated when she couldn’t find a college book for cheaper that the retail price, but it wasn’t the end of the world. She would just rather use her savings for a date night with Mikey, or to buy him something she knew he’d be surprised by for his birthday. She just kept reminding herself that one day there wouldn’t be the need to empty piggy banks and count old coins. One day they’d have the life they both dreamt of, and a nice home, perhaps with some children scampering around the back yard.

Missy could work for that. She could put in the long hours, and the midnight breakdowns before assignments were due in. She could do it all because she knew the pay off would be worth it in the long run. Her childhood had been easy, with a few chores earning the best gifts. Now she barely remembered not feeling an ache in her bones, or a time when she could sleep without an alarm clock or a long list of things that needed to be done on her day off. She loved it all though because she had Mikey. For all Missy knew life could have still thrown her in this direction but without the support of the man she loved. She didn’t know if she could handle it all without him. He was forever surprising her with little things – like the flowers – which always managed to cheer her up on the longest of days. She fell in love with him all over again when he found ways to make her smile when she was exhausted.

Measuring the rice into the pan, Missy smiled at Mikey’s cheesy line. She loved them, despite there being people in the world who would roll their eyes and gag at the pair of them for being so sappy sometimes. Missy liked their little bubble though; when they were together, nothing bad could really harm them. It was them against the world, after all – or at least it had been when they left Alabama. “I did. We haven’t seen Batman in a while, and we both know Christopher Nolan’s trilogy was the best.” Missy had a fond space in her heart for the Dark Knight and Gotham’s adventures. It was her one geeky love in this ever-growing world of superheroes and mutated villains.

She laughed as Mikey pulled her away from the stove top. She kissed him back, sliding her arms around his neck. Missy missed him. Their days apart felt never-ending sometimes, but these little moments made it feel like the rest of the world simply didn’t exist – even if she could hear it outside their small kitchen. “Distracting me is how you end up with burnt dinner.” She warned, glancing over her shoulder just to make sure nothing was about to set the smoke alarm off. “And we used the pizza money on Monday when we were being lazy.” She added, just in case her mischievous boyfriend thought he could pull her away with the promise of gooey cheese and a thin crust.

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 666!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

Mikey had big dreams of one day owning a house and filling it with the loud, chaotic family that he had been missing from his own childhood. He had watched his friends grow up with these huge families that always seemed so inviting, like the American Dream come to life. His own world had looked nothing like that and, while he wouldn’t trade his upbringing for anything, he wanted to experience that lifestyle. The huge family holidays, the laughter-filled nightly dinners, the bedtime routines for little ones; he wanted all of that and more.

One day, when he wasn’t worried about money or a stable job, he knew he would bring those dreams to life in whatever way the universe was willing to let him. For now, he was perfectly happy living with Missy in their little shoebox apartment, working hard to save pennies and scraping together rent money from multiple jobs. He didn’t doubt for a second that this was only a chapter in their story; there would be bigger apartments, nicer jobs, and easier workdays down the line, when they were both more established in their careers. These long days were just a steppingstone along their adventure together, and he couldn’t have asked for a better partner than the little blonde who held his entire heart.

After having to fight hard for their right to love each other, Mikey never hesitated in showing that love to Missy. Whether it was cheesy lines or even surprising her with a clean apartment and a homecooked meal, he didn’t shy away from demonstrating his love for the woman. They had worked hard to build a relationship and romance that went beyond puppy dog infatuation, so he intended on continuing to build it for as long as she’d put up with his humming showtunes and constantly tapping drumsticks on random surfaces. People could laugh at his devotion, but Mikey was completely in love with Missy and refused to hide it from anyone.

He pulled her close to himself, smiling as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Having a moment with her could make any hard day worth it, and Mikey was excited to spend the evening just the two of them. "Should we go full out indoor picnic for the movie? With those candles you like and a ton of blankets?” he said, letting her check on the food. Even if it was burnt, he’d eat whatever she served him; he wasn’t too picky these days, especially after working for hours. "I can grab the extra blankets and pillows from the closet and we’ll make ourselves a perfect date spot.” His smile grew into a grin as he pulled her lips back to his once more, already planning out a comfortable getaway in their tiny living room. They couldn’t go on fancy vacations, but he could turn their apartment into a cozy oasis for them to snuggle up and enjoy.

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 491!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[artemis belle cohen]

Her life now was not what Missy expected it to be when she had been younger and dreaming of her future. It was definitely not what her family had expected from her. None of that mattered though; she was happy with what she had, even if it seemed little in comparison to what she could have had. One day all of this hard work would pay off and she would share the life she dreamt of with Mikey. It didn’t matter to her if it took ten extra years to reach a point where they were living comfortably and talking about a family of their own. In fact, she felt like she may even appreciate it all that little bit more because of how they worked to achieve it. If she hadn’t decided to follow her heart and go with Mikey, her parents would have paid her college education, and probably would have helped with things like a car and apartment. It would be an easier life, but no happiness was guaranteed. Even when they had nothing, Missy enjoyed every moment she spent with Mikey, regardless of if they were out for a walk or half asleep in front of some terrible movie they had stumbled upon on Netflix.

She didn’t stop dreaming of what they could have. One day she wanted the family, the animals, the chaotic home that only fell silent when everyone was exhausted. She wanted something that was completely, truly, theirs; something no one else could lay claim to or say they had a hand in. Her love for interior design meant that she was more than happy to work for their dream home, to forge it into reality room by room. She didn’t want to spend their life settling. She wanted the love she shared for Mikey to be reflected in all that they did – in all that they owned. Their tiny apartment was already proof that it was possibly, but this was just a small nook of the life she wanted to have. This home had its limitations, whereas Missy dreamt of a place where there were none – where any room could be whatever they wished, and where a lifetime of memories could be born.

“You know I could never say no to blankets.” She grinned, knowing they had so many because she couldn’t resist them. Plus, for a while, quilting had been a hobby she picked up, which only added to their collection. Missy found a great sense of serenity when she made something, which was why after a busy or stressful week she tried to dedicate some time to an art project snatched from Pinterest. Missy focused on the meal, adding the finishing touches and a final dash of spices to the dish. One it was ready she grabbed two plates from the cupboard overhead and began to serve up the meal. “Dinner!” She called, grabbing the attention of the two cats who would occasionally fuss for leftovers if they were given the chance – even if they had just been fed themselves.

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 514!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

One of the reasons Mikey loved his life right now was the fact that he had built it himself, along with Missy. They hadn’t called in favors to afford their lifestyle and each thing they owned or ate came from their own budgets. Their apartment was paid for with their hard-earned money, the furniture curated from second-hand sites or scouted from discard piles on the street. Everything was completely and entirely their own, and no one could lay claim to the small piece of paradise they had created together. It was by no means a top-floor penthouse lifestyle, but the freedom and independence made up for any lack of luxury they experienced. No one could take this away from them or declare themselves decision makers in their lives; they were in charge of their own lives, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

While he hadn’t come from money himself, he saw it enough with the elite families streaming in and out of the Broadway theatres or around NYU’s campus. He saw the spoiled kids who paid for nothing and charged everything to mommy and daddy’s accounts, racking up bills that sometimes surpassed his monthly rent payment. They had strings tied to them in every aspect of their lives, pulling and directing them like puppets on a trust-fund sponsored stage. Mikey couldn’t imagine a life where freedom of choice was a discussion for family members, the end result being determined by generations of expectations and privilege. He knew Missy came from a more wealthy background than anything he had, and he had felt that burn of rejection as her family had seen the poor musician coming to steal away their perfect prize; he was eternally thankful that she was nothing like them, and shared his passion for living a life without that kind of pressure. If anything, that experience made him want to prove them wrong and helped drive his dedication to building a better life for her; he wanted to show them that just because age and money were issues for them, the young couple could be happy in every sense of the word.

Mikey stepped away from the kitchen and went to prepare their little date spot. He quickly pushed aside their tiny coffee table and pulled some of the extra blankets down to make a comfortable space on the floor. After arranging those, he hurried into their bedroom and pulled out even more, knowing that Missy stashed blankets as if they were going to freeze through two winters in a month. He never judged her for it, but he always chuckled when a new one appeared somewhere in their apartment. Snagging up blankets and some extra pillows, he returned to the living room and continued to fluff up the space, making a comfortable nook for them to snuggle up in as he pulled the coffee table back over the blankets so they could eat. He pulled out a lighter and lit the few candles Missy had spread around the room, dimming the lights and turning on the TV for Missy’s chosen movie. With a satisfied smile, he heard Missy calling and went back to the kitchen. "It smells amazing, Miss,” he said, stooping to kiss her cheek and grab both of the plates from her so he could carry them. "Come look at my masterpiece!”

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 562!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[artemis belle cohen]

There were certain things that Missy wished she still had from her former life; one where her parents were a little controlling, but where she also had a generous allowance if her chores were completed and schoolwork done. It wasn’t the money she missed though. It was stranger things, like simply having the space to complete a large messy project – the back yard to spray sealant and adhesive without smelling it three hours later. She made do, and spent more time hanging out of their tiny windows than she cared to consider, but Missy wasn’t the type to gripe about it. It was just something she assumed everyone did when they downsized or found themselves living a different life to the one they had before. Missy was happy, albeit tired, most days. She was proud of what they had, however. It was small, it was far from perfect, but it was theirs and they had built it completely from nothing but the things they had found. Of course, there were things she would replace if she had the chance, parts of the apartment that she was less happy with than others, but again, that was something she knew everyone wanted. She had heard it from family, from friends, and even when they were teenagers and some of her classmates still had the remnants of their childhood room tucked in some corner because their parents hadn’t rearranged or painted it for them.

She always enjoyed a good project though. Missy would probably always have her eye on something she wanted to make up, even if it would be a long job and take a year or more to complete with her lack of free time. She had classes and work to balance, and then a home to keep clean and tidy. As much as she wanted to make something pretty, to work on a project, she didn’t always have the time or the energy to commit to it. There had been nights where she’d pull something out only to put it away ten minutes later when she started dozing off with a hot glue gun in one hand and mosaic tiles in the other. One day she might be fortunate enough to work her projects into her dream career, but Missy needed to get college and some experience in the interior design world before she could start really trying to push her upcycled ideas on someone who may believe that only designer labels and pieces were worth putting in their home.

Missy loved nothing more than a night in with Mikey. She would take being cuddled on the couch, buried under blankets and half asleep over some glitzy night on the town any day. She was something of a homebody to start with, but Missy wasn’t sure if that was because she had been young when she had been forced out of her home for choosing Mikey, or if she was just the type of girl who didn’t feel the draw to parties and the many, many nightclubs of New York City. She followed Mikey into the living room, clapping her hands together at the sight of the blanket fort. She could see herself falling asleep there, curled up into her boyfriend’s side with a full stomach and a happy heart. “It looks wonderful, Mikey.” She fell back onto the couch with a giggle, sinking into the warm, soft fleece of one of the blankets. “You better give me my plate before I fall asleep here.” She joked, reaching out for her dinner.

• • •

TAGGED! Michael Oscar Sims
WORDS! 591!
LYRICS! Forevermore - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Michael Oscar Sims]

Coming from Vegas, Mikey could appreciate a good night out on the town and would have probably found himself out more often if it weren’t for Missy. He preferred to be wherever she was, whether that was at a bar with their friends or cuddled up on the couch enjoying a homecooked meal. He had plenty of friends who spent countless hours hopping between the hottest clubs or chasing drink specials across the boroughs, but he could only take so much of that before he was happily heading home to curl up next to his girlfriend. That was where he wanted to be, laughing with her or assisting with her latest project. He wasn’t the handiest with DIYs, but being Missy’s cheerleader and clean-up crew was a job he’d easily take on any day.

Being with her made him feel like he could finally be himself; she understood him on a level no one else ever had. Maybe it was because they’d had to choose each other and fight for the chance to fall in love, but he couldn’t imagine himself with anyone different now. Missy was the person he hoped to grow with for years to come and he was so excited to see where their future led them as they continued to chase their careers.

Mikey smiled wide at her reaction to his little blanket fort, handing over the plate and kissing her forehead once she was settled into the couch. He sat next to her and grabbed the remote, pulling up the Batman movie she’d requested. "How’s your tomorrow looking, gorgeous? You think you can sneak away for dinner? I should have a break during rehearsals and I’m thinking we do a picnic in the park tourist style,” he grinned at her, settling into the couch. He took a bite of his food, forever thankful that they could share everyday chores like this and help make each other’s lives a little easier. It was a give and take relationship keeping this little apartment clean and happy, and he was glad they functioned together well.

He knew Missy was impossibly busy with her own commitments, but he loved finding little ways to brighten up both of their days. Even if it was homemade sandwiches and snacks in the park for a quick picnic, it was time they got to spend together in a day full of work, studying, and life getting in the way. Often times, those ended up being his favorite moments where they built up even more memories together. Being young and in love in New York was often as much a challenge as a privilege, but it could be an exciting rollercoaster when you had the love of your life joining you for the ride.

• • •

TAG: artemis belle cohen
WORDS: 461!
LOCATION: Their Place, New York
LYRICS: Love is on the Radio by McFly
NOTES: <3 <3 <3