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\n\t\t\t\t\t| " | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday was the day. Looking through the curtains for what felt like the 100th time, Jake brought a knuckle up to his mouth, biting on it as he paced through the living room, his feet unconsciously avoiding the children's toys on the ground. He was so used to them there, he hardly noticed them. It was yesterday his wife left to take the kids with her on a "spur of the moment" vacation provided by his mother-in-law. They'd be gone for another week and a half, having fun on a cruise ship bound for some island "paradise". It being so spur of the moment, Jake couldn't get himself free from work. Not that he tried. Long story short, Jake just needed a BREAK. And this was the first time in more than 10 years he had been away from all the kids and his wife for more than a few hours. Don't misunderstand. Jake loves the kids - from his oldest son entering middle school to the 5 year old. But... 3 kids were a lot. And he and Jen just hadn't been quite as close these last few years. If he was being honest, there was simply no fire there anymore. No passion. So when this vacation had popped up, he thought it might be good to stay home. Have a little separation. Maybe it would rekindle something. Jen didn't argue or even blink when he told her he couldn't get free from work on such short notice. Deadlines. Nope, she just took it in stride and worked on packing her and the kids up. That night, while she was in bed and he was reading a book downstairs after the kids were put in bed, he got the message notification from Furbook. Hey Jakester! I know its been years, but I'm going to be back in the area next week and thought that if you still lived around Plainsfield, we might catch up? Jake's eyes had to read over the message a few times, his eyes drifting to the profile picture of the person who sent it - a picture of a younger, youthful Jake - bright blue eyes, white fur and small mouse frame - standing next to a taller, brown horse. The picture was from their last week together, before Landon went to "find himself" - dropping out of college and disappearing to climb mountains or hike through some huge forest. Jake had even heard once through a friend that Landon had taken up sail boating and was trying to sail solo to a different continent. A pang of sadness popped up in Jake's chest. Along with a pang of something else entirely. Hope? Sorry I've been radio silent for so long. But if you are still in the area, I'd really love to see you. I've missed you. That feeling in Jake's chest - it grew. A heat that was a mixture of loss, hope and missed opportunities. He remembered Landon asking him to join the horse. They would explore the world together. Stop and work when they needed money. Discover new things, new people... But Jake had been afraid to leave. He was afraid of that unknown. He thought, honestly, that Landon would have been back within a year or two at the most. But when Landon didn't return, Jake found himself moving on... and now here his was. Jen, the kids, a job... It was as if his fingers moved to reply on their own. I missed you too! I still live in the area. Let me know when you'll be around! I'm free for the next few weeks. Staycation. Jake made a mental note that he'd have to confirm that personal time he had thought about requesting earlier. Jen didn't need to know... Thank god! I don't know if I could have survived without seeing you! I've really, really missed you. Wouldn't happen to know of any cheap hotels in the area, would you? Again, Jake couldn't seem to control his fingers. Hotel? Forget that, you can stay here. Plenty of room for you. I'll send you the address. When do you get in? From there, that night became a blur of catching up, making plans, and remembering how Landon made him feel... Two days later, he was dropping his wife and kids off at the port. Another day later, and he was burning a hole in his living room floor, waiting for the moment his old friend, his old flame - his old love, would arrive. And then came the knock. Jake's whiskers twitched as his heart skipped a beat, and he made his way to the door... (you can likely piece together what happened from there) \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Meet Landon and Jake - two old flames who have been brought bake together, at least for a time. What will happen to them in the future? What about Jen and the kids? What is Landon's story at this point?
And yes, mice age extremely well. Very unfair.
These two I've had waiting to touch up and post for a little while.
Hopefully you enjoy! Parameters are in the txt file!
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A HUGE shoutout to \r\n\t\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthreeracoons\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Thank you, Racoons!!! It's beautiful! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
(generated using Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge, with a bit of editing in photoshop and Paint.NET, parameters are in the txt file.)