it was wet and foggy. heavy drops of salvaged rain fell from the sparse collections of leaves that the trees harbored. they had long since transitioned into gentle, nostalgic themes of brown and orange. mid-october was reflected by the halloweeny decor scattered around the porches of houses whose tenants took refuge inside from the earlier precipitation.

the leaves on the ground were too waterlogged to crunch as you stepped through them to get to your spot. your back leaned against the ancient weeping willow you'd come to love. it was now a sickly mix of bright citrus and dull cocoa, but no less beautiful.

as soon as your book flipped open, a large teardrop splashed onto the middle of the page. you looked up to stare disapprovingly at the tree, but instead found a large figure approaching. telltale pink hair and a long cape distinguished your lover.

he smiled at you as his cloak dragged a steady harem of leaves behind him. he knew your fondness for the season, and where to find you. "i see you're busy." he purred. he didn't raise his voice in the slightest, but it carried across the short distance anyway.

before you could respond, his long legs had already carried him to your side, and he copied your motion of slumping below the tree. you were now leaning against him instead. "how's the book, doll?"