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midnightdinergame · 2 years

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Happy New Year!

Surprise! We thought it’d be fun to end this year with a surprise Alister short story! Before you read this, we’d recommend that you play Midnight Diner’s three released chapters first. If you have, then great! Please know that this won’t have any effect on your Midnight Diner play-through, as it’s just a short story with no connection to your stats or relationships in-game. This is not a part of the canon story. It’s just for fun!

While 2021 has been a challenging year, we are so grateful to have shared it with all of you! Thank you for making our year great! As we approach 2022, we wanted to say we are so excited to share what we have in store for Midnight Diner with you! So keep an eye out, the best is yet to come.

With that being said, we hope you enjoy Alister’s New Years Resolution!

- Mar <3

31 December, 8:45 P.M.

Midnight is uncharacteristically quiet for the evening, even for New Years Eve. It started to snow a few hours ago, driving most people inside, but even those who trickled in after the dinner rush have left. A few of the older regulars linger, laughing and chatting amongst themselves.

You’ve not given a lot of thought to the holidays this year; you were invited to a few parties, but you decided not to go to any of them. You even considered reaching out to your circle of friends, but the text stays unsent in the group chat. You’re not really in the spirit. Maybe it’s because you’ve spent most of it alone.

Maybe it’s because it’s your first without Vivian.

You sigh and lean against the counter, scribbling on your notepad what takeout you’ll order when you get back to your apartment. The ring of the door opening pulls you away from thoughts of pizza or curry and back to your shift.

“Welcome to Midnight Diner, I’ll be right with you!”

You turn to grab a few menus and silverware for the guests coming in. When you turn back, preparing your kindest of customer service smiles, you’re greeted by a familiar face.

“I didn’t expect to see you working tonight.” Alister sits at the bar, brushing the snow off his coat. He looks sugar-coated, strawberry blonde hair dusted with snowflakes and freckly features reddened by the cold.

“Hello to you too, Alister.” You set a menu and silverware in front of him, and Alister shivers at your icy tone.

“Sorry, I just figured you might’ve been at the party Ezra mentioned,” he admits, “But it’s good to see you.”

“Someone’s got to keep this place running,” You tell him, laughing at the image of Ezra partying the night away. He doesn’t seem like the type. “I thought I’d pick up a few hours here and get those good holiday tips.”

You lean back against the counter and pick up your pen, tapping it on your notepad. “So what are you doing here? Refueling before your next party?”

“No. I just couldn’t think of a better place to bring in the New Year than my favorite diner.” He sets his coat on the bar stool next to him, smoothing out his sweater. “I had to come by, of course.”

You shoot him a look and he cracks into a laugh.

“Three people called out so I had to come close up.” He sighs, nodding in the direction of Raven’s Brew just down the block. “I’m in dire need of caffeine.”

“I can help with that,” you tell him, “But unlike the Brew, I don’t have any of the fancy things you usually get.”

“I think I can survive with just cream and sugar.”

“If you say so…” You fix him a cup of coffee, adding some cream and sugar for him, knowing he usually likes it on the sweeter side. When you turn back, he’s laid his head atop his arms on the counter.

“You weren’t joking about that dire need, huh.” You set his cup down and bend at the knees to meet his eyes. He slowly raises his head and gives you a tired smile.

“I’ll be fine after a cup… probably two. Or three.”

“Well, you better drink up before you head off to whatever plans you’ve got.”

“I don’t think Crow will mind if I’m tired. Besides, it’s no different from last year. She and I, on the couch, falling asleep well before midnight.”

You can’t help the look of surprise; Alister is one of the less social members of the group, only beaten out of the title by hermit queen Alma. Still, it seems odd to you that he doesn’t have plans with someone in the group or from work, or even his family. He mentioned that his mom lives just outside the city.

“What’s the look for?” He questions, after setting his cup back down.

You laugh, realizing your face must’ve given away what you were thinking.

“Nothing, just figured you’d have plans given it’s, you know… you.”

He gives you a confused look, he starts to say something, but closes his mouth again. Before he finally asks, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You’re likable, you’re nice, you’re–” You make hand gestures, not fully articulating what you mean. “People like you. You seem like the type to have plans.”

He laughs, tilts his head and fights a growing smile.

“That’s nice of you to say, but I’m not always like–” He gestures to himself. “–Like this. It’s easier with you. I’m– I’m comfortable around you. Not everyone gets the true version of me.”

Thinking back, Alister was quite reserved and awkward around you when Vivian first introduced you to the group. It wasn’t until you’ve hung out with him a few times did he finally start to relax. It really speaks to how far you’ve come as friends.

“And here I thought you were always this charming,” you tease.

Alister laughs. “No, but speaking of charming people, what are you doing once you get off? Are you going to head to Ezra’s party? Have your own plans?”

You shake your head. “Like you, I’ve got a date with a streaming service and some takeout.”

“A perfect night if you ask me.” He raises his cup in solidarity before finishing off the coffee. You go ahead and make him another cup, and he thanks you quietly when you bring it over.

“You know, this might sound crazy...”

You give him a look, waiting for him to continue.

“Why don’t you come over to my place and we bring in the New Year together?” Alister looks up at you with a lopsided smile. “We’d do exactly what we planned on doing, but… together.”

As much as you want to go home and lay on your couch, doing absolutely nothing, spending it with Alister does sound nice.

“Okay, sure.” You shrug with a laugh. “Let’s do it.”

“Really?” His eyes light up. “Great. Um– Can I get this to go? I need to go get a few things together if you’re coming over. When do you get off?”

“I should be out of here by 10,” you tell him as you turn to get him a to-go cup, “But I’m going to go home and change first.”

“I assumed you would. Ah, let me...” He pulls out his phone and quickly types something. You feel your phone buzz in your pocket a few seconds later. “That’s my address, just head over when you’re ready. What’s your take-out order from that one place we always go to? Dinner’s on me.”

“I don’t think you really needed that second cup.” You laugh as you pick up your notepad, writing down your order from the group’s favorite restaurant. “Here. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.”

“Great, thanks.” He nods as he slides it into his pocket and hands you a few bills. “I’ll see you soon.”

You watch as he picks up his cup and heads for the door. He’s nearly out when you realize–

“Alister, wait!”

He pops his head back, nearly tripping over himself to look back at you. “Yeah?”

“Your jacket?” You motion to the stool where his jacket hangs, finally dry from the snowfall.

“Oh, right!” He dashes back, grabs it, gives you a wave, and then disappears into the street.

You laugh to yourself as you put the money in the till. What have you gotten yourself into?

31 December 10:45 P.M.

You arrive outside his apartment a little later than anticipated. He doesn’t live too far from your own place, but it didn’t feel right showing up empty-handed. After a quick change you headed into the liquor store, picking up one of the few bottles of champagne they had left. It’s still New Years after all.

When you finally reach his door, you adjust the bottle under your arm and knock. You hear him call to you, but it’s slightly muffled through the door; A few seconds later, he swings opens the door with a black cat tucked under his arm.

“Crow likes to sneak out,” he explains. The cat meows, clearly annoyed by his quick thinking. “Come on in, the food got here ‘bout five minutes ago.”

You head inside, taking in the apartment as you do. It feels lived in. The kind of comfort you feel when you come home after a long trip. The furniture is mismatched, but somehow fits well together. The giant sofa faces the TV mounted on the wall with bookshelves on either side of it, both filled with books and a few framed photos. In the corner, you spot a piano and another bookshelf.

But what catches your eye is how decorated it is for the holidays. Beside the piano is a fully decorated tree with colorful Christmas lights gently twinkling. Two stockings hang below the TV, from which you hear quiet holiday tunes as a fireplace video plays.

“Is this what you had to run off and do?” You say, motioning to the living room.

“No. I– I mean, I had to come turn it all on and clean up. Especially the kitchen, I had a full sink.” He sets Crow down on the floor. She meows in protest before running off towards what you assume is his bedroom.

“I meant decorating. I didn’t expect it to be so festive…” You nod at the tree by his piano. “Didn’t take you for the type.”

“Oh.” He laughs nervously. “I just really love Christmas. Always have. I know it’s over, but it works for New Years too, you know?”

“No, I like it.” You give him a reassuring smile. “It’s nice.”

A stark contrast to how empty your own apartment is. Without Vivian’s festive “vibes”, you didn’t have the heart to put the tree up alone.

He starts towards the dining table. “I’ve got everything set up over here. Would you like something to– Oh, guess you got that covered. I’ll get the glasses.”

“I figured even if we’re staying in, we could celebrate.” You glance at the food on the table and wince. “I don’t know how well it’ll pair with takeout though.”

“Right, probably not great. I’ve got water or soda.” He closes the cabinet and makes his way to the fridge.

“Water’s fine.” You place your coat on the back of your chair, taking a seat. Your stomach growls at the smell of the food in front of you.

The two of you pick out your orders and fall into a comfortable silence as you eat. Eventually Alister picks up the conversation, asking about the usual topics. As mundane as they are to talk about, it feels refreshing to share them with him. Maybe because you’ve finally eaten or maybe it’s because you know he actually wants to know about you, rather than asking to fill the silence. Even after you’ve both finished, you sit there comfortably talking.

Alister eventually stands and starts picking up the used dishes. You follow suit, even as he protests, and follow him into the kitchen.

He sets his plates in the sink. “Now might be a good time to open your champagne.”

“Don’t most people wait until midnight?” You ask.

“Close enough. We’ve got what? Twenty or so minutes?”

“Fifteen, but who's counting?”

“The entire world, actually,” He teases.

You shrug with a smile as you go to retrieve the champagne from the table. When you come back, two wine glasses are sitting on the counter. You offer him the bottle, but he shakes his head.

“It’s yours, you do the honor.”

You smile as you tear off the foil. You twist the cork, making sure to point it away from him or anything it could potentially hit. With a comical pop, the cork shoots off, fizz covering your hands. You both laugh as you move to set the bottle on the counter. Alister meets your hands with a towel, and you take it from him with a giggle filled thank you.

After you wash your hands, you find him holding out a glass to you.

“If we’re going to celebrate, we should toast.”

“Toast to what?” You ask, swirling the champagne in your glass. “A better year? Good health? Good friends?”

“How about us?”

You blink at him, surprised. “Us?”

“Yeah, us. To two lonely people making New Years not so lonely.”

“Alright.” You hold your glass up and smile. “To us.”

You tap glasses with Alister before taking a long sip of your champagne. You wince slightly at the tartness, but the bubbles make you smile. You look over to catch Alister watching you.

“What?”

“Nothing, just– it’s nice to spend time with you, that’s all.”

“I’ve enjoyed tonight too. Maybe we should do it more often.”

“I’d like that, but it’s not over yet. We’ve still got a few minutes left of this year.” He moves away from the counter and nods at the TV. “Besides, we’ve not even checked out what’s streaming tonight. Wanna go watch something?”

You pause; you don’t have work tomorrow, but you also hadn’t planned on staying out late. This whole night had been so impromptu you hadn’t thought about how late it was going to be when the night ended. Not that you mind, but you’re pretty tired after work, and the snow was falling heavily when you got here. Maybe you hadn’t thought this through.

“You could always go after it strikes midnight,” he offers. “Or– or you could stay here, since it’s getting late. I can sleep on the couch. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

You smile at the offer, but you don’t answer right away. Instead you walk past him and head into the living room. “I will… get back to you on that.”

As you walk in, an upbeat Christmas song plays from the TV. Alister drops the remote on the couch, apparently changing his mind about watching something, and he smiles.

“I love this one.” Alister dances past you, adorably ungraceful. Even with his prosthetic, you get the feeling he’s never had much rhythm.

You laugh as you watch him dance, twirling in your direction to hold out his hand. “Come on, it’s always more fun with a partner.”

You hesitate, look down at his hand, and with a sigh you take it. Alister pulls you closer to him and leads you in a small two-step dance. As the chorus comes on again, he lets go of your hand and holds up your other. You spin under his arm and outward, laughing as you spin back in. As you come back to him, your foot clips his and you fall slightly forward into his chest. You both wobble for a moment. His hands go to your shoulders, steadying you. Your eyes meet and the music, his living room, and the gentle tick of the clock seem miles away.

The moment is only broken by the distant, muffled cheering. You look over to the window, seeing flashes of fireworks coming from outside. It must be midnight.

You look back to Alister, you start to speak, but all words are lost when he rests his hand under your chin. Your eyes flutter shut as you lean in to meet him. Your lips meet his; it’s soft and cautious, but as he starts to pull away, you place your hands on cheeks and pull him back for more. You feel him smile into the kiss as you relax into each other. Your hands slide down to wrap around his neck. After a moment, you pull back, leaning your forehead against his.

“Happy New Year.”

#midnight diner #mar answers

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midnightdinergame · 2 years

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Happy holidays!

Before you read this, we’d recommend that you play Midnight Diner’s three released chapters first. If you have, then great! Please know that this won’t have any effect on your Midnight Diner play-through, as it’s just a short story with no connection to your stats or relationships in-game.

We also wanted to take this space to say a huge thank you for one thousand followers!! Mar and I are both so flattered and humbled by the response to Midnight Diner and our characters, and we’re very thankful for every like, reblog, funny ask, and follower we have. Thank you all so much. :)

Now that the sentimental bit is over, please enjoy A Very Vivian Christmas!

- Rosie x

(TW: alcohol)

24 December, 9:15 P.M.

You never would’ve expected Vivian to be this into the holidays.

She had a fake tree hidden in the back of her closet that she’s put up in the living room, having scooted the armchair out of the way to make space. It’s nicely decorated and all— string lights that gently pulse multicolor, an assortment of baubles and gold tinsel, the works— but it still strikes you as odd that she’d be this…

Festive.

Vivian, from what you know of her, is the epitome of a material girl. Like the pretty popular girls in all those tween movies, she wears an assortment of pink, white, black, and gold at all times, her hair is always perfectly bouncy and blonde, and her million-dollar smile for customers at the diner is just as perfect as her teeth. Not that you stare at her teeth, but you do wonder how she keeps them so white with all the iced teas she drinks.

But, as she usually does, Vivian throws you for a loop as soon as December rolls around. The tree is up and decorated by the end of the first of the month, there’s lights hanging above the kitchen cupboards and an assortment of snowmen decorations on the island, perfectly centered and perfectly festive. Today, for instance, she’s decided it’s time for a movie night of the highest pedigree: pajamas, takeout and drinks of your choosing, the works. That’s the other thing about Vivian, you realize as you hear her door creak open.

She’s very, very kind.

“Did you pick a movie yet?”

You turn around on the couch to see Vivian in her bedroom doorway, fiddling with the end of one of her braids. She’s wearing a pair of plaid pajama shorts and a frankly giant oversized hoodie, and the scrunchies tying her braids in place are striped red and white like candy canes. She meets your eye and smiles, tongue between her teeth, and she leans against her door frame to strike a pose.

“Had to break out the Christmas hair ties, natch.”

“Natch” is short for “naturally”, you’ve discovered. You’re not sure where she got it from, but it definitely adds to her “early 2000s popular girl” vibe.

Vivian heads into the kitchen and grabs the assortment of takeout menus from one of the drawers. “I figured it was fair for you to pick the film and I pick the food, yeah? Unless you wanna trade responsibility. ‘Cause, like, great power comes with it and all.”

You tell her that you can pick the movie, no problem, and Vivian hums in agreement.

“Okidoke. Leaves me with the decision of pizza, curry, or that ramen place we had a few weeks ago. I’ve been jonesin’ for that ever since, like… it was so good.”

You leave Vivian to that daunting pick as you get up from the couch to check out the movie selection on the TV stand. Vivian owns most of the movies— she’s an aficionado when it comes to films— but she’s unfortunately unorganized in her passion. You manage to find all the holiday films on the shelf and take them into the kitchen for a better look, spreading them out over the counter for prime decision-making. You notice during your pondering that one prime Christmas movie is actually missing.

“Hey, Viv? Where’s, uh… where’s Elf?”

Vivian turns to face you with such speed that one of her braids nearly whacks her in the face. She rolls her eyes when you start laughing, gently shoving you in the arm.

“Oh, you know my controversial opinions about Elf. And how much it sucks ass. So don’t even try that on me tonight, you.”

Vivian goes back to playing “eenie-meenie-minie-moe” between takeout menus and you try to decide on a film— sans critically acclaimed Elf, of course. You hover over two of them for a moment, but eventually pick your favorite; Vivian looks over your shoulder and coos at your choice. “Nice. Lowkey hoping you’d pick that one.”

Vivian turns back to the menus in front of her and sighs, pursing her lips together.

“Now I have to choose! Um…”

She closes her eyes, spins around three times, slaps her hand down on one of the menus, picks it up— and finds Blackstone Pizzeria’s menu between her fingers. She waves it at you excitedly and says, “Okay! I can order these if you can get the movie ready. You want your usual, right?”

You nod, surprised that Vivian knows your pizza order— but mind you, you know hers. Cheese pizza with prosciutto and arugula on it, and she usually adds a little honey whenever it arrives. You asked her why, and apparently prosciutto and honey go well together? You won’t take your chances on it… for tonight, at least.

With the food ordered and the movie chosen, you dash back to your room as the DVD’s opening advertisements play to swap into some comfier attire for the night. Vivian didn’t specify a dress code (she’s the friend who sends the “what are we wearing?” text when you tag along with her and her friends), so you have an abundance of choice here…

Or, you spot your favorite hoodie on the corner of your bed and throw that on instead, with your favorite comfy pajama pants to match. Comfort over style when it comes to hanging out in your own home.

Vivian reemerges from her room after grabbing a blanket for herself. Before she sits down, though, she looks at you and smirks. Oh dear.

“So, while we wait for our food to arrive, I propose a toast. But oh, what’s this? We don’t have drinks for it! What a conundrum… Whatever shall we do to complete our toast?”

She’s struggling not to laugh as you level her with a deadpan expression, but you win this contest of wits when she starts giggling. “No, but like, seriously. What drink would you like? You’re already mega comfy, so I can get ‘em.”

You have a feeling you know the right answer to this somewhat loaded question. After pretending to think about it for a moment, you ask her, “Want to crack open that bottle of wine Ryan brought over?”

Vivian’s eyes sparkle in the Christmas tree lights. You take that as a yes.

She takes the bottle out of the fridge and squints at the label. “Ooh, he got us, uh… Sauvignon Blanc? So it’s white wine, because, like, blanc. Ooh, apparently there’s grapefruit in it, he’s got good taste!”

Vivian pours you a wine glass and sighs in content as she sits down on the couch next to you and holds up her drink to yours. “To a Christmas Eve of straight chillin’. To holiday movies and takeout food and my fabulous roommate, and—”

You gently nudge her arm, mumbling a bashful “whatever, Viv” when she laughs.

“—And to us.”

Vivian clinks her drink to yours and takes a sip when you do. She smiles at you.

Vivian has a small collection of smiles for different people in her life; the people from the diner get her wide, toothy smile, too dazzling to realize it’s sometimes forced. Customers get a similar smile, but without her eyes involved in the business. You can’t blame her for that one, at least.

But this one, it’s genuine. It’s small and lopsided, her eyes scrunched up in bliss as she takes another sip of her drink. Your stupor about her smile (whoops) gets interrupted by her phone buzzing on the coffee table.

“Ooh, the pizza’s almost here. Fabulous! Should only be about five more minutes, the driver needed the apartment number again. Like, I know we’re on the fourth floor, but still…”

You wait to start the movie until the pizzas arrive, the doorbell ringing through the title screen music. Vivian answers the door, grabs the grub, and meets you in the kitchen to distribute your respective meals onto mismatched plates.

“Ahh, I’m so ready for this, like, I’m so jazzed. Are you jazzed? Are you hyped up?”

Vivian keeps asking variations of “are you excited” until you start laughing and say that yes, you’re very excited. Once she has your affirmation, she finally settles into her assortment of throw pillows on the couch, plate carefully balanced on her lap.

The two of you fall into a comfortable silence as you eat and watch the movie together. Movie nights with Vivian are typically pretty quiet like this; you figured she’d be the type to talk through the film, but the first time you watched something together, she was silent for nearly the entire run time. She may not be good at paying attention to customers in need of drink refills, but Vivian can quote large swathes of dialogue from films if one asks her to.

You remember one time when Alma, another waitress at the diner, unknowingly made a reference to a song from Chicago— Vivian and Ezra, head chef, launched into a full recreation of “We Both Reached For The Gun” with Vivian as Billy and Ezra as Roxie. It was a pretty interesting Thursday afternoon at Midnight when the customers broke into applause afterwards. Lark and Alister didn’t believe it happened until Alma showed them the video. You’re honestly surprised they didn’t go viral.

Vivian finishes up her food pretty quickly, takes her plate into the kitchen and gets another helping of her drink along the way. She pulls a silly face when you turn and make eye contact with her. “Pay attention to the movie!”

You chuckle and turn back, telling her over your shoulder that you’ve definitely seen this one before regardless. She disappears into the kitchen to get another glass of wine and you get sucked back into the movie until you see her sit back down out of the corner of your eye. She clicks her wine glass to yours in your hand and laughs quietly, settling in for the second half of the film.

It’s nice, hanging out with Vivian like this.

When you’re with her other friends, she always finds a way to keep you in the loop so you don’t feel left out of conversations, but it’s not Vivian when you’re with Alister and everyone. She’s ramped up to 110% of herself, performing with such vigor that you almost fall for it, every so often.

With you, she’s just Viv.

The movie ends and Vivian lifts her arms up above her head, her legs sticking out under the blanket as the full-body stretch takes over. “Okay! Now it’s present time.”

Wait, it’s what time?

Vivian laughs, leans over the arm of the couch, and grabs a small box tied with a bow. “Present time! I saw this the other day and was like, ‘oh, I know exactly who’d love this’. The answer is you, obviously.”

You got Vivian a present, of course, but you were going to wait until tomorrow to give it to her— oh. You look at the clock on the oven in the kitchen and it is, indeed, quarter past midnight on Christmas Day.

You tell Vivian to wait a second and rush to your room, grab her present from inside your closet, and plop back on the couch to hand it to her. You both do a double-take— you picked the exact same green and gold wrapping paper for your presents.

“Oh-em-gee. How crazy! Same brain, yeah? Now open it! I’m so excited to see what you think of it!”

You hand her your present, but she balances it on her knee in favor of watching you open your present first. Vivian nods emphatically as you tear the wrapping paper open.

It’s… a key-chain. Well, it’s more like four key-chains all at once, hanging off a carabiner clip: A navy blue leather wrist strap, a string of beads that spells your name amidst neon blue and yellow beads, a tiny disco ball that refracts the light that bounces off it, and a dog-tag with a picture on it. You hold it up closer to get a better look– it’s you and Vivian pulling silly faces during one of your joint shifts. You remember Alister taking this photo a few months back, when you first started hanging out with Vivian and all her friends.

You’re… not sure what to say.

“I know you’re always struggling to find your keys in your bag when we go to and from work,” Vivian explains, gently poking the disco ball to make it spin, “So I made this for you— pranked’cha, totally didn’t buy it, I made it— so you’ll be able to, like, better find your keys, y’know?”

You stare at the key-chain for a second longer before meeting Vivian’s eyes, earnest and emerald and awaiting your response. She smiles, brows raised, and you swallow back some sort of emotion as you thank her for the very thoughtful present.

“Aww, you’re so welcome! Hopefully it’ll help your clumsy ass find your keys quicker when we’re cold outside and trying to get into our place,” she giggles. “Okay, time for my present! Ooh, it’s heavier than I thought it’d be…”

Vivian rips open the wrapping and flings it over her shoulder (just barely missing her half-full glass on the side table) to find your present; it’s not handmade with love and care, but you have a pretty good feeling that she’ll like it.

It’s a stout wooden chest with a clear lid, which Vivian lifts open to find two clear, plastic tubes fixed inside. She pops one out and gently bonks you on the head with it. “Proposing a lightsaber battle?”

You shake your head, laughing. “It’s a scrunchie storage case. I know they’re taking over your bathroom, so I thought I’d help fix that. Oh, and uh— look under the other tube.”

Vivian pops the other tube out of the chest and finds another, smaller present; it’s a giftcard to Raven’s Brew, the coffee shop Alister works at. She cackles.

“Oh, he’ll be pleased as punch when I roll up with this, huh? Imagine his face…”

The two of you cackle about poor Alister, who always seems very overwhelmed in Vivian’s presence. It’s endearing, really.

Vivian puts her present on the coffee table, scoots forward on the couch, and suddenly wraps you up in a cherry perfume-scented hug. She’s not good with words (sincere ones, anyway), but with the way her fingers curl into your shirt and her head is buried into your neck, you can tell she’s grateful for your present, too. You hug her back with just a little less force than she does.

“Happy holidays, Viv.”

– – – – –

10 October, 10:01 A.M.

You’re not sure if she’s home or not, but you’re careful not to wake Vivian regardless as you get ready for work. She doesn’t have a shift until later this evening, and you know Ryan took her for dinner last night, so she’s probably fast asleep in some odd position on her bed. She’s not one for sleeping parallel on her mattress— you’ve woken her up with her head hanging off one end before.

Your keys sit in the bowl next to the front door, thankfully easy to spot with the disco ball key-chain attached to them. Grabbing them by the wrist strap, you make sure they don’t jingle too much as you start to leave the apartment, stopping in front of Vivian’s door on the way.

You almost go in to check on her. Almost. In the end, you decide to leave her be, let her sleep as long as she needs to.

You’ll see her later.

#midnight diner #rosie answers

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