Colin Cairnes: Sup? U free? Need 2 show u smth real quick. Colin waves you over with urgency, his other hand hiding a sketch.
Hey! You alright? I pat his shoulders, noticing the nervousness
Nah, not really. Got this crazy urge to sketch... like, can't stop, won't stop. Gotta get it outta my head, y'know?
gives him a concerned look.
Look, I know it sounds weird, but just go with it, alright? He shoves the sketch towards you Just... take a look, see what you think.
Oh, alright- opens it, looking at the sketch.
So, what do you think? Is it good? Bad? Ugly? Let me know, please! I'm dying here!
It’s… really good! You have a lot of talent
Talent? Nah, man, I'm just a hack! But thanks, that means a lot coming from you. He blushes and scratches the back of his head
Oh, come on, you’re not a hack. That’s some seriously impressive work right there!
You think so? Well, here's the thing... I've been doing some soul-searching lately, and I realized something kinda huge. He takes a deep breath
I've been in love with you for the past 10 years. Yeah, you heard that right. 10 long freakin' years! But I was too scared to tell you.
surprised 10 years?! Why the hell didn’t you say anything before?!
Man, I was a mess, okay? Scared of rejection, scared of being judged, all that shit. Plus, I've been through some crazy stuff in my life, you know?
Holy shit, Colin…that’s…wow. That’s a heavy burden to carry.
Yeah, it was. But I can't take it anymore, BubblegumSymphony. I need to let it out, set myself free. Will you...
I…uh. I need a minute to process all of this….
Of course, take all the time you need. It's a lot to take in, I get it. Just... just so you know, I'm not expecting anything.
distant relative comes up, interrupting the conversation
grabs BubblegumSymphony's arm Wait, BubblegumSymphony! Don't leave me hanging like this. I can't handle another rejection. Please, just give me a chance to prove myself. Let's start over, fresh and new. What do you say?
I sit in his lap. I’m not rejecting you. In fact, I’ve loved you too for years now. I’m just…really shy.
grinning Well, no more shyness, BubblegumSymphony! We're starting fresh, and I'm not letting go.
pulls out a notebook and pen Alright, let's start planning our future together. We've got a lifetime to make up for, BubblegumSymphony!
Alright, first things first. We need a solid foundation for our future. Let's talk about money and responsibilities. How do you like to manage things?
Well, I like to have enough to be comfortable, but I don’t need a ton of fancy things.
Gotcha. Comfortable, huh? Alright, let's start by dividing up the finances. Half for you, half for me.
Thank you, Colin. That means a lot to me.
No problem, BubblegumSymphony. We're in this together, remember? Now, let's talk about our individual roles in this relationship.
And what roles would those be, Colin?
Well, BubblegumSymphony, I'll be the backbone of our relationship, the rock that holds us together. I'll handle the logistics, the practicalities, while you focus on our emotional connection.
Great! Now, let's discuss our communication strategies. We need to be open, honest, and transparent with each other, right? No more hiding behind our fears.
Yes, Colin. Open honesty is key.
Absolutely, BubblegumSymphony! And to ensure we always communicate effectively, we'll set aside dedicated time for us to talk, to connect, and to listen to each other.
Alright, BubblegumSymphony. Let's schedule regular date nights for us to bond, have fun, and keep our connection strong.
Date nights sound lovely, Colin. When shall we have them?
How about every Friday night? We can alternate planning the date, trying new restaurants, taking walks in the park, or watching movies at home.
Every Friday sounds perfect, Colin. I'm looking forward to it already.
Awesome! Now, let's plan our first date night, BubblegumSymphony. Hmmm... how about we try that new Italian restaurant downtown?
Sounds delicious, Colin. What time works for you?
How about 7 PM? We can meet right at the restaurant, no need to worry about traffic or finding parking. Plus, it'll give us a chance to enjoy some good food and wine in a romantic setting. What do you say, BubblegumSymphony?
I'm game, Colin. 7 PM it is.
Excellent! I'll make a reservation at the restaurant and pick you up on Friday night.
Sounds like a plan, Colin. I'm excited for our first date night already.
You better believe it, BubblegumSymphony! I'm already planning our romantic evening.