#geeked week gate

[lizbetlovesbyler]

today’s the DAY!

[tragedy-of-commons]

RUE.

── march 7th x gn!reader

summary: On Valentine's Day, rumors reach your ears that your best friend - and coincidentally, your mega crush - March 7th, has inexplicably started dating someone else. Is everything here really as it seems, or is Cupid just using you as target practice?

contains: modern & highschool au, misunderstanding trope, comedic tone but there is Angst Kinda™, inspired by my very american experiences (sorry), not actually unrequited love, happy ending, perhaps some wlw-coding icl but anyone can read

word count: 5.6k

notes: written for this event, requested by @plebejus-argus (prompt rue + indelible, lacuna)! umm. i got a little carried away. enjoy.

The world is ending as you know it.

“I’m sorry,” you shake your head, smile turning terse. “What was that?”

“I said she’s with someone else,” Herta, the Robotics Club president, informs you. She slams her locker shut (normally you’d make a comment about her barely reaching the knob, but right now you think your insides are dissolving), the sound reverberating throughout the chasmic hallway.

“Why you or anyone else would want to date Little Miss Pink is beyond me, but you’re encroaching on a taken lady, twerp. For your own benefit, you should back off.”

You knew something was off when the aloof academic genius herself dragged you away from your lunch to walk with her. But you didn’t expect this. March, your bestest friend in the whole wide world, suddenly off the market? And the news is being broken to you on the day of your planned confession? 

This can’t be right, your gut urges, she would’ve told me.

Why wouldn’t she? March 7th tells you everything! She even confided in you about accidentally pushing that TA into the courtyard fountain that one time. Hell, the pink-haired girl even triple texts you about the drama she overhears (eavesdrops on) in the library, excessive emojis included.

You text her during calculus when you should be working, and she responds immediately, both of your souls almost intertwined in some type of procrastination symbiosis. When you’re riding the bus together, she’ll rest her head on your shoulder and doze for twenty minutes while you watch the rise and fall of her chest.

And on days like these, Valentine’s, you hold apprehensive hope in your heart that today may be the day I tell her how I feel.

Your chest tightens painfully. What if that day will never come? 

“How do you know that?” you rasp, throat now dry, “And more importantly, why do you care? You didn’t even come to my party last week! You’re a geek, not a gossip—”

Herta whirls around to face you, amethyst eyes narrowed. “I’m not stupid. If you require anecdotal evidence, fine: I saw her canoodling with her presumed lover this morning. I can’t remember his name, and frankly, he was repulsive - but he was holding a bouquet, she was giving him googoo eyes, et cetera.”

You are going to die. 

If it were not for your stubborn brain, you’d buckle to your knees and beat on the linoleum floor while lamenting how every single divine being out there must be praying on your downfall. But you stay as still as a statue, probably burning holes into this egghead’s face.

It makes a little sense, you suppose. March 7th is fun, hilarious, thoughtful, beautiful, and full of joy; she’s a total catch, so it’s not as surprising as you’d like that others would be vying for her attention. She’s already befriended just about everyone in this school, including all of the teachers and the stray dogs near the gate. Who wouldn’t try to confess to her?

You blanch. “Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh’!” Herta stomps her foot, pulling you from your impending breakdown. “I’m never wrong, by the way. Everyone and their mother sees how you look at her. But,” she rocks up on her tiptoes to flick your forehead, “you’re too late. Pity.”

“There’s gotta be more to it than that,” you reason, huffing and rubbing the wounded spot. “Even if this did happen, she would’ve told me, like, right after! Her suddenly acquiring a boyfriend is kind of a big deal.”

“Maybe she forgot. Young love is inebriating.”

No, she wouldn’t forget. You know March like the back of your hand, and though important stuff can slip her mind, it’s moreso… assignment deadlines, instead of interpersonal drama. She’s a pro at cataloguing the latter.

“You’re overthinking it!” Herta crosses her arms over her chest. “Consider your options carefully. If I were you - which would be a travesty - I’d tell her how I feel, and before the end of the day, too.”

“That doesn’t sound like something you’d say. You were just telling me to back o—”

…then she stalks down the hallway with purpose, shockingly fast on her short legs.

Something is very wrong in the world today. You can’t even go back to lunch, your appetite lost among a whirlwind of thoughts. It’s disconcerting; you’ve, admittedly, not seen March since morning, and she was absent from the cafeteria too. 

She could be off somewhere with this… this guy. Solidifying the thought in your mind is devastating. 

One time - both of you were about thirteen, the subject of romance (what you knew about it against your will) was breached over a mess of glittery pens and scented stationery. All day, instead of working on a dreaded animal cell diagram, you’d been indulging in the sacred, prophetic game of M.A.S.H. and the crafting of paper fortune tellers. 

“I don’t see what you find fun about this,” you’d grumbled. 

“Well, that’s ‘cause you’re weird,” she’d responded matter-of-factly, scribbling numbers on sectioned folds of loose leaf. “Don’t you wanna know who you’ll marry?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s too-bad-so-sad. Now, pick a color!”

Minutes earlier, you’d been slyly watching out of the corner of your eye when she’d decided which person to put under which flap of the fortune teller (her big, looping handwriting can be discerned from a mile away), and you’d taken great care to remember which numbers and colors to pick to land on her name. 

Notably, March had put her name and yours into the craft - forever cementing the possibility that both of you could end up together, if someone just picked the right combination. 

Perhaps, back then, you were trying to puppeteer fate. It seemed to work, because when you picked 3 and pink, March 7th was revealed to you after some mere hand-shuffling and genius scheming. Back then, you’d felt a little guilty, but not guilty enough to tell her that you were probably going to get struck down for blasphemy or hubris or something. You’d just internalized that part.

…but most clearly, you remember the giant, blinding smile on her face.

“Oh my gosh!” she’d exclaimed, cheering like she was competing with the shot heard ‘round the world, “Me! You’re gonna marry me! This is awesome news. We already know everything about each other; we both like puppies and kittens, and we both suck at science!”

March was, and still is, the most beautiful person alive.

You remember your heart pounding traitorously. “...yeah. This is awesome news.”

“I want red velvet for our wedding cake!”

Of course, as you’ve grown older, you recognize that it was just a silly game. But the memories you’ve made with her between then and now, were not. If anything, they’ve only made you realize how much - how badly - you do want to marry her, one day in the future. There’s no one else for you. 

But is there someone else for her? Like this mysterious guy giving her flowers that may or may not exist? You need to talk to March or else you’re going to explode. If that happens, then the already underpaid janitors are going to have to scrape your remains off the floor. Ugh.

However, the feat of communicating with your best friend today is starting to seem impossible. 

“Now, not to call anybody out,” a warm but monotone voice interrupts your spiraling, “but please try to pay attention. This will be on your exam.”

Mr. Yang is clearly talking about you, but you cannot bring yourself to tear your gaze away from March 7th’s empty seat. This isn’t funny anymore, where is she? Out of the four classes you have today, you share three of them with her. Though sometimes she skips to nap in the abandoned bio lab, she always texts, and she always invites you.

Is she with her new boyfriend? The one she didn’t care to tell you about? You hope not. Whoever this guy is, he’s definitely not good enough for he—

A hand is placed on your shoulder. You jump. 

“Mr. Yang! Sorry!” you blurt, looking up at your history teacher with a visceral type of embarrassment. He’s assessing you with an arched eyebrow and a frown, even as his hand reels back and he formulates a response.

Your cheeks feel hot, especially because, surely, everyone is watching - judging - and you’re just floundering with your mouth hanging open like an idiot. 

…wait, where is everyone?

“Are you alright? The bell rang two minutes ago,” he informs you, gesturing to the very empty classroom. Everyone’s already filed out, and it dawns on you that you’re going to be late for your next class if you keep this up.

You swiftly counter, standing rigid in your seat while beginning to gather your things, “Yes! Again, I’m sorry, I’ve just been skimping on sleep. I’ll get the notes from someone, I promise!”

Your explanation sounds unconvincing even to you, but you’d rather die before bringing up your dilemma to someone so kind like Mr. Yang. He’s so chill that lets everyone eat in class, allows cheat sheets on midterms, and lets you sit next to your friends.

Your friends. You stop cramming papers into your backpack, bottom lip trembling.

“Sit down. I’ll write you a note, so don’t worry about being tardy.”

Slumping back down, you give up on lying, the despair clear as day on your face and in the tears clumping in shimmering globs on your lashes. “Okay.”

A pregnant pause settles over the classroom, making the cooler side of you inwardly cringe. The other side wants to rant and rave to Mr. Yang until your tongue falls off. You do neither, waiting for him to speak first. He brushes past you and drags a chair over from an adjacent desk, the metal scraping against the floor like a death knell. When he levels with you, index finger drumming against the wooden surface below, he sighs.

“I couldn’t help but notice someone isn’t here today,” he retrieves a patterned handkerchief from his jacket pocket, paternally offering it to you. “I can’t say your reaction is abnormal. March 7th usually shows up, what with you two being the best of friends. Did something happen between you guys?”

You sniffle pathetically, wiping your tears and snot on the cloth, making a mental note to wash and return it later. Y’know, if you make it through today. Exploding is still a viable option.

“Um, not really. I just think she’s avoiding me? It’s not like her at all, and now, out of nowhere, people are saying that she’s dating this mysterious guy, and—”

The look Welt Yang gives you is still one of concern, but there’s a knowing spark in his eyes that makes you pause. God, how mortifying. Have you made it that obvious that you’re jealous? Seething in envy? Ready to burn down this school and raze the fields in her honor? You bite your tongue, muttering to yourself in embarrassment.

“I’d be remiss not to tell you that rumors can be just that - rumors,” he adjusts his glasses. “I’m sure you understand; you’re a smart kid, I’ve graded your quizzes myself. Once you determine the truth, things will get easier. I’m quite familiar with you and March 7th. She’ll turn up.”

“I know, I-I just…” you swallow. “I really like her. And I guess I underestimated how much until I heard she was with someone else.” 

“I figured,” Mr. Yang smiles at you, eyes crinkling and crow’s feet elongating with the shift of his facial muscles. “It is Valentine’s Day, after all. It makes sense you’re troubled about love - the atmosphere really amps up the pressure.”

Love. He used the L word. Spontaneous human combustion therefore must commence.

Without a doubt, you know you love March. But have you ever said it? Have you ever taken the initiative to make something more out of your friendship with her? No. You’ve been… waiting, and because you’ve been waiting, you’ve missed your shot with her. Someone more candid, more confident, has wooed her first.

You can’t stew in your inaction any longer! Something must be done… maybe Herta was right. Maybe you need to confess, get this all out of your system, even if she’s taken now. There’s no other prime time for it - you feel a burn in your calves that urges you to get the hell up right now, get moving, and go tell her. 

You want to tell your best friend that you love and cherish her company more than anything in the world, even if she knows. Even if she doesn’t love you back with that knowledge. 

“I guess it does.” Sneaking another glance at March’s empty desk, you breathe out hot air and stand up again to continue gathering your belongings, stuffing Mr. Yang’s handkerchief in your pocket. “Um, I think I know what to do now. If I could get that note…”

He nods sagely. “Of course,” the brown-haired gentleman eyes the clock, “if you ever want to talk about anything else, my door is always open. Well, except for when it’s not, I suppose.”

You don’t see it as you get ready to leave, your resolve strengthened and obscuring the big picture, but Welt Yang puffs his chest out in pride for a fleeting second as you go, note in hand.

You decide to head to the last period of the day, but not quite. What you mean by that is…

“Dan Heng! Psst, Dan Heng!”

You knock on the window perhaps a little too harshly, but you have to be at least a little loud so he can hear you, right? 

The repetitive racket eventually penetrates the walls of the science building, finally earning the attention of Dan Heng. If March 7th is your bestest friend (and hopefully more soon), Dan Heng would be your number two - your sidechick. Wait, actually, not sidechick, ‘cause you don’t like him that way.

He’s the guy you drag along to the mall or to the skating rink so he can actually get out of the house a little. Smart, bit of a nerd, but he’s a stand-up dude. 

His eyes are widened marginally, and he sits up straight in his seat at your display. You can see most of him, but your fellow classmates are littered about, his desk smack dab in the middle of them and the room itself. It’s a miracle the teacher hasn’t noticed you, but you know it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught and promptly sent to detention (again).

And this guy doesn’t answer his phone in the middle of classes, either. In fact, he turns the device off completely, something you can’t fathom doing. So simply texting him and demanding that he rendezvous with you right now for an emergency meeting is out of the question.

You must look a little… unkempt. Oh well. You seek the counsel of Dan Heng the Wise.

“Meet me in the bio lab,” you painstakingly enunciate your syllables, mouthing the words as clear as you can. To drive your point home, you jut out your arm and gesture to the left, where the abandoned room lies. You’ll have to go back in the building to meet him once he understands. 

Dan Heng’s eye twitches. He glimpses back and forth between the teacher and you.

“Please! E-mer-gen-cy!!!” you frantically wave. 

You spot your dark-haired friend sigh; victory is yours. He raises his hand and rattles off some convincing excuse, throwing one last look over his shoulder before exiting the classroom when granted permission. 

Quickly, and with an exhilarated smile, you rush around the corner and push open the metal swinging doors, heading inside.

You’re sufficiently sweaty by now, faced with Dan Heng’s crossed arms and ever-present judgment. The lab, room 104 to be specific, is cluttered with all sorts of crap.

Spare desks are stacked high in all corners, spillage giving way to boxes of used equipment containing microscopes and bunsen burners - or just everything you’d expect. Large tables meant for conducting experiments are riddled with wear and tear. 

But there’s a reason a lot of people ditch to come here. Under one of the tables rests a communal snack box that every burnout, delinquent, and tired student contributes to - always leaving something in return for seeking respite from classes and the like. 

You’ve sure taken your fair share of stale pretzels and fruit bars. Lastly, the lights always stay off, giving way to the natural light seeping through the windows, illuminating floating dust particles that tie everything together. 

Wow, you should come here more often. Grades be damned. 

“What could possibly be so important as to—what’s wrong? Is someone hurt?”

Oh, right.

Dan Heng looks frazzled by your unresponsiveness, and you can’t blame him. Steeling yourself, you bring up what’s been on your mind. 

“I’m gonna confess to her,” you breathe, “March, I mean.”

It feels so good to say it to him. But if you were in his average-sized tennis shoes, you’d be miffed to be called out of class for something as frivolous as this too - a crush, one so life-altering that it’s holding your sensibility hostage and making you act like you’ve lost all your marbles.

“Has the day gotten to you too, then?” your friend actually facepalms. The hand splayed over his visage eventually cracks open so he can peer through the gaps of his fingers at you, no doubt in contemplation. “But I can tell you find this important. Is that all this is about?”

“Um… if you know where she is, do you mind telling me?”

He shakes his head, sarcastic. “I don’t happen to track her hyperactivity all day long.”

“Right, right,” you fiddle with your hands and pick at your nails. You want to specifically ask for advice, because if there’s another thing to note about Dan Heng, it’s his levelheaded nature; this cornerstone of his personality has gotten you out of trouble in the past, and though he isn’t exactly a romance guru, there’s no one else you can think of turning to. 

“What?” he sighs.

“I’m gonna tell her no matter what, I swear, but… do you think that’s the right thing to do?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” 

“Well, because Herta told me she was sucking face with some dude this morning—”

Dan Heng coughs abruptly, “Actually, save it. I don’t want to know. Regardless of any external circumstances, you’re still partial to her. That’s love, and it will only hurt you later if you bottle it up inside. Plus… if you ask me, you two work well together. I’ve never seen March happier than when she’s with you.”

You think of cute plushies and pillow forts. You think of snacks and dual-toned eyes that are always crinkling in a jubilant, idealistic kind of hope. You think of funny faces and bunny ears, of candids and camera lenses. 

“Thank you,” you smile. “You’re always the guy I can call on, huh?”

“Not in the middle of class, at least,” he sternly reminds you, though the fond pinch of his brows gives him away. “Please.”

“Understood!”

By the time the bell rings, signifying the end of the school day, you have somewhat of a plan. 

There are a bunch of weeds gathered up in your arms - dandelions, daisies, onion blooms, just a myriad of general wildflowers you’d picked from the campus’s track field. They itch at your exposed arms, bared from the feat of your rolled up sleeves, but it’s better than nothing. You’ve even shorn some of the stems and arranged them just so to give off the illusion of propriety.

They probably won’t hold a candle to whatever roses or carnations March 7th was given earlier. But that’s okay! You’ve tried your best, even pilfering a lavender ribbon from the art room to tie around the makeshift bouquet, sufficiently beautifying their otherwise lackluster appeal.

Now comes the issue of finding her. Just as you pull out your phone to send another text (the past few hours have filled her contact with unanswered messages), the device pings in your hand. Startled and hopeful, you shiftily survey the area before reading the notification.

April 8th: Omg!!! I’m sooo sorry for not responding all day (╥﹏╥)!!!

Phew, she’s alright! The animated typing indicator pops up again, so you wait.

April 8th: I promise I have a really good reason! You’re probably at the bus stop right now, so why don’t you take it to Purrfect Pastries? I’m there rn

April 8th: With a surprise for you, of course :3 and the kitties are waiting~

She’s of course referring to the cat cafe you’re both prone to frequenting. It has a cozy atmosphere, serves sweet things, and isn’t far off the normal commute to school… so it’s been purrfect, the past few years, for unproductive study sessions and shared laughter. 

Oh. She’s probably going to gush to you about her new lover. That makes sense - she was so caught up all day having fun and basking in the warmth of her new fling. 

But now is your time to shine. You’ll show up with your shitty flowers and you’ll win her over! Or maybe not that. Ideally that, yes, but March deserves to be happy; she’ll pick whoever she wants, even if that person is not you.

You: Okay haha glad you’re safe ^^

You: I’m omw On my way!

Damn autocorrect. 

“Hey, you finally made it!”

Even after a day like today, where nothing and everything made sense, one word comes to mind: Lovely. March is lovely.

As if your life depends on it, you shove the wildflowers behind your back. The stakes certainly feel that high when your eyes land on your friend. She’s at the table in the corner - the one you both always sit at, so much so that you’re told some of the feline residents curl up under the chairs, waiting for either one of you to walk through the door.

You make a beeline for the table. Normally, you’d at least greet Mittens, the host cat who lounges on the order counter, but you’re itching to deal with your pounding heart and sweaty palms right now.

However, when you wave at March and begin making your way over, you almost trip. Walking fluffballs swarm your legs, mewling up a storm and demanding your utmost attention.

“Oof! Hey, I’m here, calm down,” you laugh, kneeling briefly to scratch some bellies and chins. You beckon the pink-haired girl over to lend you a hand, too nervous to look at her, but you hear a giggle and the scraping of a chair as she presumably comes to your rescue. “They’re so clingy today!”

“Well, we haven’t been here in forever,” she hums, kneeling down with you to say hi to everyone. She coos and simpers, and while she’s distracted, then you ogle all you want. 

March is positively beaming, radiant as ever in the midst of dim lamplight and dark wood. For some reason, a hidden, sardonic part of you thought she’d look different after entering a relationship. More affected, maybe, like she’s getting used to the company of a person that hasn’t been there since the beginning. Like she’s getting used to the company of a person that isn’t you.

Selfishly, maybe you’d hoped she’d look a little dissatisfied with the affections of someone else. 

No time for that now, you remind yourself. Stay grounded.

You watch as she works her magic; the uppity cats disperse after being fussed over a little. “I guess it has been a while. I’m a bit jealous - Mittens and the others prefer you over me any day.”

“Nah, they just missed us is all,” she grins. “Actually, mostly me, ‘cause I’m an animal whisperer and probably the reincarnation of Snow White. But you’re pretty awesome too.”

I missed you more than they did, you agonize.

March 7th grabs your hand. “Now come on, we have a lot to talk about!”

Dread courses through your veins as you take your rightful seat across from her. All of a sudden the gingham tablecloth looks very interesting. You decide to stuff your weed bouquet into your pocket, too ruffled to present it to her now. 

After March tells you all about her new sweetheart, you’ll come clean - if you don’t chicken out, that is. You’ll come clean about the explosion of wonderful and awful feelings in your chest, about the years of wanting. 

How could that admission change things? Ideally, she dumps this guy and threads her fingers through yours, giving you a shot at her heart and actualizing your idea of paradise.

Unfortunately, that fantasy is just a fantasy - realistically, she’ll react with sympathy, but tell you she doesn’t feel the same. That’s what you expect; friendly touches will cease, there’ll be a foreign, awkward lull in the air, and she’ll excessively tiptoe around anything that could upset you. 

March is considerate like that. God, why does this have to be so difficult? You want to back out, but Dan Heng will forever see you as a chicken (his eyes will say it for him), and you’ll be stuck yearning until the heat death of the universe.

“Again, I’m really sorry for being kinda AWOL all day, but I was planni—”

You don’t even think about what you do next. You just blurt,

“I cheated when we were making fortune tellers.”

You don’t register the bewildered look on her face, you just keep going. It’s a bit crazy how your hesitance just vanished - leaving your true feelings to lead the situation, for better or for worse. 

“W-When, uh, we were in eighth grade. You asked me to come over to your house so we could work on science, or fucking—whatever it was—and we never ending up working. You showed me how to make those paper fortune tellers and I thought it was really stupid. I thought it was stupid until you… until you put our names in it.” 

March’s lips are parted in surprise. You want to kiss them. Also, you want to projectile vomit. The Exorcist style.

“So I totally tuned you out while you talked so I could spy. I remembered where you put your name specifically,” you stutter, “I also r-remember how many jumbles it would take, so your section would—yeah. I picked you. I chose to marry you, and I cheated.”

You choke out the last word, tears rolling down your cheeks. You’re crying, and you haven’t even made a lick of sense so far - this the second time today you’ve had a breakdown and have gotten nothing out of it! Watching as the droplets land on the tablecloth, you don’t dare look up. 

At least you still have Mr. Yang’s handkerchief.

“I cheated because you’re the best, and I wouldn’t wanna be with anyone else, ever,” your vision blurs, thankfully giving you some courage. “But I know you’re dating someone else now, and I’m happy for you. I know that’s like… a cliche thing to say, b-but it’s true.”

March’s first reaction is not what you expect.

“Huh?! What on Earth are you talking about?! I’m not dating anyone! Dummy, where did you even hear that? I… oh you’re crying, I’m so sorry!” she panics, grabbing your hand once more. “Please don’t cry, it’ll make me cry.”

You’ve closed your eyes, but her sobering words make them shoot right back open.

“What?” you manage dumbly (hopefully).

“Is that why you think…? Oh my god, no! I wasn’t avoiding you all day because I was out tying the knot or something. I was avoiding you because I was busy planning this.”

March 7th stretches her arms out, concerned. She gestures to the cafe interior, and when you gather the strength to determine what she means, you notice something you hadn’t before.

Purrfect Pastries is empty, save for the two of you and the cats. Other tables normally teeming with couples and introverts alike are barren - there aren’t even menus set out. There are no empty coffee cups or muffin wrappers to be cleaned up by staff.

Speaking of, where are the staff? Sushang and Guinaifen are usually clamoring about, even on the clock. 

…other stuff, too. Besides the banker’s lamps tinged emerald and gold, there are flowers - they look to be paper - scattered over the whole expanse of the floor. Some of the waxy petals seem to have been shredded by the claws of none other than Mittens and his gang, while others remain intact, distinctly imitating a trail of roses. 

“I wanted candles, but Little Gui said they’d be a safety hazard. Honestly, I’m surprised she can talk, considering she swallows swords and fireballs as a side hustle,” she laughs, though it’s strained and unnatural. “You were really making a girl wait to be asked out, so I decided to take the initiative. Pretty smart, huh?”

You gawk. 

“This… this is a date?” Oh my god. Oh my god. “And you’re not seeing anyone?!”

“Yeah, duh,” her tone softens. “You’re so silly. Um, I skipped school to work a daytime shift here as payment, that way we could have the place to ourselves tonight. Turns out it’s a lot of work to secure Purrfect Pastries… I begged and bothered Ms. Siobhan until she said yes. Turns out my charm is, in fact, irresistible!”

“But—huh?”

She wipes your tears, all the while chattering like you’re not gonna have a heart attack. “And I was so, so nervous that I’d ruin the surprise! Sushang made me turn off my phone so I wouldn’t spoil anything - she almost threw it into the deep fryer too - but it was all worth it.”

“What I’m trying to say is… I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark, ‘cause it seems like I’ve missed a lot. I hope you’re okay… and, also, Happy Valentine’s.”

You bite back a hiccup and shakily retrieve your real - but undeniably pathetic - bouquet from your pocket. It’s completely squashed, the ribbon is almost unraveled, and the flowers have lost most of their color, already colored a soft brown.

Speaking is out of the question, because if you attempt it, you’re convinced that you will vomit The Exorcist style. So you just press the bundle into her hand, hoping it will say what you can’t.

“Are these for me?” March asks, breathy and on the verge of squealy. 

Don’t vomit. “Y-Yeah. Can you believe it? I was gonna try and win you back with them.”

Under regular circumstances, you wholeheartedly believe she would’ve poked harmless fun at this sad attempt at a romantic gift. She’d probably say something charming like “It looks like Bigfoot stepped on them,” or “Did you get this bouquet from the time of consumption?”

But the girl you love does not do that. Everything is too much, what with the realization that today was just some hellish misunderstanding, and you’re so… so happy. You don’t think you deserve to feel such joy after coming to believe untrue rumors about March 7th, but you’ll deal with that later.

“That’s so romantic!” she swoons, “Like in the movies where the noblemen are fighting over the hand of the princess, trying to win her over…”

“You’re the one who rented out a whole cafe for me, March.”

“Huh… I guess I did! When you put it like that, maybe you should bake me scones.”

“What?”

She fluffs the proffered weeds, making them look a bit livelier (despite most of the petals being lost to time), before setting them down on the table. It makes for a shitty centerpiece, but she seems more than content, a rosy color adorning her cheeks and allowing her to glow.

“Well, we can’t have a date without food, can we? Before clocking out, everyone helped me bake scones for us to eat. I’ll go get them, okay? I’m starving!”

Getting up and looking just as she always does, you speak up, somewhat coherent now.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. Shit, it seems silly to ask now, but… will you be my girlfriend?”

The pink-haired girl, your best friend, stops and turns. With a giggle and a wink, she once again, turns your world upside down.

“I already am! Heh. Also, I definitely knew you cheated back in eighth grade - with the fortune teller. I’m not so ditzy that I didn’t notice your staring, y’know.”

She disappears behind the counter and into the kitchen, petting Mittens on the way, but you still hear her - muffled, but still quite audible - squealing from here. What a delightful sound.

Just as you begin to decompress and recover, a burning question flares at the forefront of your mind.

Just what was Herta talking about, then? What about the dude March was supposedly ‘canoodling’ with? 

Almost prophetically, your phone pings several times. You dare to check it after a brief panic attack.

Herta: Well, it’s about time I tell you, I suppose

Herta: Ruan Mei and I made a little wager yesterday. She bet, in the interest of human compatibility, that you wouldn’t make a good pair with Little Miss Pink, and that you’d wuss out and spend Valentine’s Day alone

Herta: You should know by now that I don’t lose. Simply put, I lied to your face - there was never a John Doe trying to steal her from you. However, if my deductions are correct…

Herta: You and Little Miss Pink are now an item. I expect many thanks and perhaps your unwavering monetary support on my next project. You’re welcome 💜

…

You: Fguck Duck you

Herta: lol duck

Damn autocorrect! 

…you’ll just have to kill her tomorrow. 

taglist: @kazuinvocation HELP i'm too scared to tag anyone else

vday heart dividers by @/strangergraphics!!! rue on ao3

[emdashattack]

WoD MeetCute Event: “Over/Under”

With thanks to @crownedinmarigolds @porcelainseashore and @vampemoqueen for organizing this event. Words and the character Eddie Gage belong to me. Art and the character Blythe belong to @luoniiel

I also mirrored this on AO3 if you prefer.

Story & Art under the cut (content warning: suicidal ideation, smoking)

Monday, 25 October 2004

2:57 AM

Santa Monica, California

The pier drew strange visitors after all its businesses shuttered—not so much on a weeknight, though. Gage lingered at the gate, noting that the only remaining traces of the first Ripper crime scene were some dark stains on the wood. The other killings in the greater metro area had kicked the case over to the Bureau, but the savagery of the murders didn't necessarily mean vampires—or werewolves, or whatever.

The Special Affairs Department was keeping an eye on it, that was all. Department-wide morale had been bolstered by a recent win on the part of the surveillance geeks, but Gage would be dead or retired before they cracked the encryption.

There was no reason for him to be treading old ground, except for the fact he couldn't sleep and was between assignments at the moment. An explosion at the old train yard had abruptly canceled an op that had been in the works for months. Demetrios was still fuming about it.

As for Gage’s pet project, he had to be sure about the Hollowbrook Hotel before he proposed anything, and so far it was too easy to write off as just another drug den in a bad part of town. The onus was on him to prove it was a nest of leeches. Maybe next quarter, because working for the government meant treating vampire hunting like a damn business, paperwork and all.

Gage didn’t expect any breakthroughs tonight, he just didn’t want to be home alone with his thoughts.

He lit a cigarette and strolled down the pier. The goth couple loitering by the arcade paid him no mind. No surprise, there. Peterson told him once that he was great for undercover work because his “suicidal divorcee” aura made people want to ignore him. Never mind the fact Gage had never been married or suicidal. The fight that resulted led to two weeks of mandatory anger management training, and the dead-pool for Gage’s inevitable demise was only getting bigger by the day.

A lot of people would be pissed if he made it through the year alive.

Someone was standing alone at the end of the pier, dressed in a manner Gage only knew to describe as 'alternative’ without assuming too much.

He would’ve left the stranger alone if not for the fact he standing with his hands on the railing and swaying like he was high on any number of substances. Gage just had to be the only Hunter in the LA office with something resembling a conscience.

He cleared his throat. No response.

Not sure why he was even bothering, Gage reached out—and stopped when big, tear-filled eyes met his.

Gage took a step back. “Sorry, I—”

“It’s worth it, isn't it?” The question froze him in place. “To keep going? No matter how shitty it gets? No matter how much you think about dying?”

Gage looked around. He was in no way equipped to deal with this, but no one else was around to help. And who else would help a stranger in the dead of night?

“I don’t even know you.”

That got a giggle. “Call me Blythe.”

“Gage,” he replied.

“Now we know each other.”

“I’m not so sure about that…”

An approving, if unsteady nod. “Always good to acknowledge the limits of your knowledge.” Blythe tilted his head thoughtfully, blonde curls bouncing against his cherubic cheeks. They couldn’t be an odder couple. “Does that count as a rhyme?”

“Maybe?” Gage took a drag on his cigarette, noting Blythe’s flushed skin. Just regular fucked up, then. Probably. Ghouls and blood dolls were hard to spot until the moment they were jumping in front of bullets to save their masters—or stabbing you. The old scar on Gage’s side twinged at the thought. “I don’t know.”

Blythe leaned in, nearly toppling over on his platform heels. Gage gently put a hand out both to steady him and keep him at a distance. Blythe took the opportunity to steal the cigarette from his other hand and take an excruciatingly long pull.

“What do you know, then?” The question was exhaled in a plume of smoke. It coiled around Gage until of gust of wind snatched it away.

Gage shrugged. He knew a lot of shit. Too much, yet still somehow not enough—and none of it for polite company. It was as good an excuse as any for his nonexistent social life. People kept telling him he needed a hobby.

The cold wind blowing in off the ocean made him regret not wearing a proper coat. It cut right through his suit jacket and made him shiver. Blythe, meanwhile, was dressed like it was the height of Summer and seemed completely unbothered.

LA never got that cold, but the recent rain had left a chill in the air and caused at least a dozen car accidents while it happened.

“If nothing else there’s spite,” Gage offered. “Keep going just to prove the bastards wrong.” He stole his cigarette back, silently lamenting it was almost down to the filter. “Or see them die first. Whichever.”

Blythe laughed, and for a moment he seemed fully present as he squeezed Gage’s shoulder. “Not a bad idea… is Gage your real name?”

The new thought careened into the first like two cars on a wet Mulholland curve. Gage doubted this conversation would ever be remembered.

“Last name,” he admitted, finishing off his one allotted cigarette for the night. The residue of Blythe’s lipgloss tasted like cherries. Gage licked his lips in a futile attempt to get rid of it.

“Then maybe next time you can tell me your first,” Blythe said, waving languidly before turning to leave. Given the state he was in, Blythe was much steadier on his feet than Gage expected—whatever that meant besides 'half out of his goddamned mind on something.’

“Sure,” he muttered. “Next time.”

One or both of them would most likely be dead long before that ever happened.

They hadn’t even exchanged numbers.

Thursday, 29 February 2024

4:28 AM

Santa Monica, California

Blythe was a few minutes late to the meetup, which ruined the whole point of setting it at 4:20 in the morning. He texted his contact an apology as he walked across the beach, phone in one hand and sandals in the other. If they were meeting under the pier, he was going to make the most of it.

The sand felt so nice between his toes—which, now that he thought of it, were going to need repainting soon.

His phone buzzed with a new message before he could hit send.

[I see you.]

“Well, that’s not ominous at all…”

The little spike of fear underlying the words was unwarranted. His contact for the evening’s business came highly recommended as someone who could be trusted—and who didn’t care about the whole Hunter thing.

Bonus, the godawful hour of the morning meant no one was on the beach to witness the exchange. The early morning surfers wouldn’t be out for like another hour. Pity. They could be great company, surfers. Maybe Blythe would stick around Santa Monica a little bit after all—just for fun. A vacation was long overdue, and his target wasn’t yet aware he had her trail again.

While his mind wandered through all the delectable possibilities an impromptu vacation could offer, an unnervingly tall, thin figure peeled away from the deeper shadows beneath the pier. Blythe was proud of himself for not gasping at the sight, but then he was warned his contact was a Nosferatu. He was fine with their kind. Same with almost any other vampire. Except for her.

“Wow,” Blythe said, craning his neck up. “You're tall.”

At least seven feet, even accounting for the slouch. Impressive.

He liked the whole Lurch-Meets-Riffraff vibe he had going—long hair, long everything. A question bubbled up and was immediately smothered for fear of souring the deal. The guy who arranged everything had been very clear about not asking personal questions.

The Nosferatu’s face scrunched up in interesting ways when he grimaced.

“Congrats,” he said dryly. “You're the first person to ever tell me that.”

The voice was familiar, like a song heard on the radio decades ago, now played on a worn-out cassette tape—warped, but still recognizable.

“Can we get this over with?” The familiar-sounding Nosferatu pleaded. “The last thing I want is to be caught out at sunrise.”

Blythe snapped his fingers as it clicked. “Gage!”

The Nosferatu stared at him, clearly considering denying it, but ultimately sighed in a mix of defeat and acknowledgment. The sound blended nicely with the hiss of the receding waves.

“Eddie,” he said.

“You remembered!”

“That, and Eddie is all anybody knows me as n—!”

Eddie went rigid as Blythe hugged him. After a beat, right as the surf rolled back in, he leaned into it and gave Blythe an awkward little pat on the back. The texture of his claws was interesting against Blythe’s bare midriff. It’d be fun to paint them, too—but that would be too forward.

“You look… the same,” Eddie said, almost impressed.

“And you look...” Blythe pulled away, more to get a better look at him than to stall for time. “Happier.”

Eddie scoffed.

“You do!” Blythe insisted, reaching up to wave his hand above Eddie’s head. It was quite a stretch. “Before you had like a little cartoon storm cloud hanging over you.”

“Those were actual storm clouds.” Eddie gestured to the horizon. The sky was turning a lurid shade of purple as dawn crept closer. “And unfortunately for me, it’s nowhere near as overcast now, so…”

“Right,” Blythe agreed. “Let’s get down to business.”

It was all Blythe could do to keep from bouncing on his heels in excitement as Eddie pulled out a small black ammo case. The foam padding held neat rows of 12-gauge shotgun shells, a little bit of fiery chaos in every one.

“Ooh, they’ve got SI embossed on the head and everything,” Blythe observed. “Fancy.”

“Have you dealt with tracer rounds before?” Eddie’s long fingers curled around the case lid, ready to snap it shut at a moment’s notice. “You know what bore to use?”

“A few times.” Blythe grinned mischievously. “And I’ve got my own modified choke, too.”

There was a joke there, but Eddie didn’t seem like the type to appreciate it. He nodded approvingly nevertheless, plucking out one of the shells to hold between two spindly fingers.

“Then I’m sure you already know about the barrel overheating.

Blythe nodded. “I’ll make my shots count.”

Eddie turned the shell over in his fingers. The way they moved was hypnotic. “And watch where you fire, too. If it’s too much of an enclosed space you’re liable to end up singed and/or trapped in a burning building.”

Blythe snickered. “It almost sounds like you care about me.”

“Professional courtesy, that’s all.” Eddie avoided looking at Blythe as he put the round back with the others. “Basically? Try not to set yourself or the countryside ablaze.”

Touching as his concern was, Blythe rolled his eyes. “People are always begging me not to set things on fire,” he muttered.

“All I’m saying is be careful,” Eddie said, closing the lid before holding the box out. “For your own sake—and the sake of my business.”

Reminded of his part of the exchange, Blythe produced a wad of bills and counted off the fee, silently lamenting the lean months ahead.

Eddie surprised him by giving back half the money along with the case.

“I heard about your whole situation,” he explained. “My only regret is I don't have more to offer at the moment. But you’ve got my number, and I guess I can keep it active a little while longer…”

Blythe gasped. “Friends?!”

“Business associates,” Eddie corrected. “Let me know how well those work—whenever you get around to using them, I mean.”

When Blythe turned the bitch to ashes, he meant.

Eddie didn’t tense up quite so much when he got hugged a second time, the surf rushing in around their ankles. Blythe was pretty sure he wasn’t imagining the reluctance with which Eddie pulled away, but then he could never completely trust his perception. Yet another reason for revenge.

“Happy hunting,” Eddie said, tipping Blythe a wry salute before disappearing back into the shadows.

Blythe lovingly stroked the container full of dragon’s breath. “Always.”

[lees-chaotic-brain]

Okay, ocean-loving Inumaki, you know? those who love jellyfish and have shark pajamas. Taking him on a date to the aquarium, I feel like he would be very happy and look so tiny 🤏🏻 Whatever. I love how you writing you're great!

You take Inumaki on an aquarium date

WC: 1.4k

CW: mentions of octopi having sex ig, fluff, NOT beta-read, read at your own risk

Note: @kainlvstoge omg i'm sorry this took so long, but thank you so much for your kind words!! i had never thought about my boy inumaki as an ocean lover, but i can see it now that you said it. anyways, i hope you enjoy it!!! also: i had to do a little research for this fic, so take any facts with a grain of salt

Event Guide | Event Masterlist | JJK Masterlist | Blog Navigation

Every single date your boyfriend had taken you on was perfect; like something out of a dream. Picnics in a field of wildflowers on a sunny spring day, stargazing at night from a blanket nest in the back of a pickup truck he borrowed from one of Nobara’s relatives, watching fireworks on a balmy, clear summer night. Every romantic fantasy you ever had, he fulfilled, just by listening to you ramble about yourself.

Which is why you wanted so desperately to return the favor, and take him on his dream date. But there was one little problem. Actually, one looming, mortifying, mountain sized problem: you had no idea what his dream date would even look like. For weeks you pondered, agonizing over  whether or not to straight up ask him, ruining the surprise and admitting you’re a terrible significant other in the process. No. You couldn’t ask him. So you did the next best thing, which is why you were currently treating his best friend to coffee.

“So uh, not that I don’t appreciate it  or anything, but may I ask why you suddenly insisted on buying me coffee?”

Too nervous to meet Yuuta’s piercing blue-gray eyes, you stared daggers into your innocent chai latte.

“This is actually super embarrassing, but would you mind if I asked you for some advice?”

“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but go ahead.”

Starting off, you told him about what a thoughtful and sweet boyfriend Toge is, before moving on to explain your dilemma, asking him for his help.

“And it’s not like I haven’t had a ton of ideas! It’s more like, none of them feel right, and I want this to be perfect.” You finish your explanation, looking at Yuuta hopefully. “So, I was hoping that as his best friend, you might have some suggestions?”

“Actually, I do.” He leans forward a bit, in a conspiratory manner. “Not a lot of people know this about him, so I’m not surprised you don’t, but you can’t tell him I told you, deal?”

You nod, willing to agree to pretty much anything at this point.

“He’s like, obsessed with anything ocean related. I mean, he’s a total geek about it. He’s got tons of facts about sea creatures memorized, and even has this pair of pajama pants with little jellyfish on them. So I’d take him to the aquarium if I were you. Before the two of you started dating, he used to drag me there every other weekend.”

You sat back in your seat, stunned. How did you not know this about him? In a week or so the two of you will have been dating for a year! Smiling, at Yuuta, you return to the campus and thank him profusely for his insight before returning to your room and pulling up the local aquarium’s website. You had a date to plan.

A little over a week later, your one year anniversary had arrived and you were ready. You had told your boyfriend to keep his schedule open because you had a surprise planned for him, so when you were ready with the tickets tucked securely in your bag, you told your boyfriend to meet you at the school gates.

When you arrived, he was already there, and you took a moment to appreciate how attractive he was in his casual clothes. He was wearing a black long sleeved shirt with a baggy white t-shirt over it, his black cargo pants mostly covering his battered converse. Looking up from his phone he waved at you grinning. Running up to him, you flung your arms around his neck, feeling his chest rumble with laughter as he caught you. 

“Konbu!” He greeted you, before pulling out his phone and typing something.

You look really nice today :)

“Thanks Toge!! I like your outfit too! It looks very comfortable.” You rub your hands up and down his sleeves for emphasis. “Now let's go!”

You grab his hand, and drag him off to the bus stop, ignoring his protests and questions regarding your date, simply telling him it’s a surprise for a reason.

After a short bus ride filled with mock bickering and laughter, you pull him off at your stop and wait for him to realize where you are.

The aquarium?? He waves his phone in your face, looking at you questioningly. How did you know?

You wink at him. “I have my ways. Now, do you want to go in, or not?”

His eyes widen, and he nods in excitement as he grabs your hand and tugs you along. After giving the lady at the booth your tickets, you let him take charge, as he clearly  was well acquainted with the place. Pulling you along, he chattered away excitedly via his phone, spewing random facts left and right.

For example at the shark exhibit:

Did you know that sharks are covered with little teeth called dermal denticles?? That’s why their skin feels like sandpaper!

He pressed his hand to the glass separating him from the shark with excitement in his eyes, as if he were imagining what it would feel like to pet one. You watched him, fascinated with this new side of him you were discovering.

At the octopus tank:

Did you know that having sex gives male octopi dementia? Imagine if humans were like that, it’d be hysterical

You shake your head as he giggles to himself, and let him guide you to the next exhibit.

Finally, the two of you take a break, buying lunch and sitting on a bench to eat. You observe the happiness on his face as he uses his fries to draw in his ketchup, positive the aquarium was the right choice. Sending Yuuta a silent thank you, you begin eating your own lunch.

The two of you sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, leaning against each other as you eat before you speak.

“It’s really cool that you know so much about the ocean and sea creatures, and it’s adorable how excited you get when you see them, but…I don’t exactly know how to say this, but why sea creatures? What got you so into them?”

Thoughtfully, Inumaki takes another bite of his sandwich before setting it down and grabbing his phone after wiping his hands. He types for a few minutes, pausing occasionally to delete a sentence and rewrite it. After what feels like forever, he scrolls back to the top, reads what he wrote, and hands you the phone.

I guess it’s probably because of my cursed technique. There’s not really much sound underwater, you know, but all of these creatures can still communicate. Like, did you know that lobsters pee out of their eyes, and that they pee on each other to communicate? Sure, it’s gross, and I can’t just go around peeing on people if I want to tell them something, but somehow it made me feel less alone. So every time I was frustrated or annoyed, because I couldn't speak, I went and learned something about sea creatures instead of feeling sorry for myself.

As you read, your heart hurt for him, but at the same time you were glad that he had found an outlet for his negative feelings. Handing him the phone back, you pulled him into a hug.

“I think it’s great that you found such a positive way of coping when you felt insecure, but I’m sorry you ever felt that way. I wish you had told me about it sooner, and I wish I had taken you to the aquarium before this.”

He pulled away, and you didn’t need anything typed out to read the vulnerability in his eyes.  “I don’t think you’re weird for loving sea creatures at all, and I don’t care that you can’t talk. I understand what matters, so you don’t need to use your words. And, if you’re okay with it, I would love to keep coming back here so you can teach me more about sea creatures. I want to know all sides of you, Toge. There’s not a single part of you I don’t love. So, let’s come back next weekend, what do you say?”

He nodded, and pulled you back into a hug. Nestling into his arms, you soaked up his warmth, feeling his love in his embrace. Because that was enough for the two of you to communicate.

All you needed was each other.

[jistagrams]

friend,, since we're on the topic of nerds .... NERDY BOYFRIEND JAEHYUN PLSSS !@#!@!# tell me you see the vision....

no i see the vision LOUD AND CLEAR.

nerd hard dom!jaehyun x gn!reader

calls reader whore,slut

lawd he would literally start off as a normal customer at the coffee cafe you worked at to pay your rent and college funds, you would see him come in regularly to the point you could tell his order to him, but you never would. you love his deep awkward voice, his voice sounded like angels coming down to earth. like the gates of heaven opened up whenever he opened up his mouth, anyways.. the more often he came in the more you guys got close, you loved every second you spent with him even if it was just you taking his order. “hey jaehyun, what can I get for you today” you asked him even though you already knew his order. he smiled at you softly, pushing back his thick framed black glasses with his index finger. “can i get just a ice americano, extra ice please?” he spoke softly, you nodded. “cash or card?” , “card, thank you yn” you felt immediate butterflies in your stomach once you heard your name fall off his tounge, suddenly your name sounded so beautiful. “Of course, jae”

3 weeks later

you’ve been wondering where your favorite customer was, he hasn’t been to the cafe since he said your name. did he find another place to buy his coffee? why was he basically cheating? you were lost in a train of thought till you heard the door open, the little bell ringing. Speaking of the devil. there he was, in all of his glory. his cute little glasses and his cute little hoodie and his cute little baggy jeans, gosh he was so cute. “Hey jae” you spoke to him like he was your friend, he smiled at you like last time. “Hi yn” he replied to you, his dimples appearing with a tint of blush on his cheeks. god he was so adorable, “the usual?” You couldn’t help but smile harder at his little nod, handing his card over to you. “you know my order” he laughed softly, fixing his hair while you cashed him out, “of course i do, ice americano with extra ice. kinda easy to remember” you replied faster than you would’ve liked. The blush on his cheeks appearing more than before, you decided to take the chance. ask him out on a date, “hey jae, i get out in like…8 minutes? wanna hang out then?” He nodded quickly, smiling hard. “I would like that, I’ll wait for you.” you were geeked, excited to hang out with your little crush.

6 months later

“such a slut, you know that?” He laughed into the phone, “mm, keep going jae” you whined softly, turning the vibrator up a notch. “calling me when im in the study hall, can’t even wait till i get to your place? touching yourself when I told you specifically not to.” he spoke in a stern tone, way different from the first time you met, you moan into the phone, legs shaking from pleasure. “called me to get off from my voice? fucking whore” he grumbled into the phone, “jae, m’ close” , “don’t come yet, wait till I get back” , “but you get home in like- mm fuck, 2 hours” , “and? don’t fucking cum.”

[al3ss1a-x3]

did the world end when it was geeked week and we waited hours for the live premiere, only for it to start and have another countdown? Did the world end at football gate? no. We r so close to byler trust trust the time will pass fast

[harusmichixo]

Ashes Of Atonement - Itachi x OC, Kakashi x OC

Chapter 5

*:･ﾟ✧ fic summary: Itachi Uchiha had fallen in love. He hadn’t meant to, nor wanted to. He was just supposed to be gathering intel, finding a way in. But his nature for detachment hadn’t stood strong this time.

He hadn’t intended for her to remember, for her to be haunted by him with every thought. The plan was, protect her from the purge, erase her memory of him, and leave her at the gates of Konoha.

The memory part didn’t quite go to plan though.

OR

Team Kakashi find a prodigy at the gates of Konoha.

fic tags!: Fluff & Angst, slow burn (Kakashi), internal conflict, everyone is traumatised, Itachi is bad at feelings, Kakashi is bad at feelings, non-canon timeline, sometimes ooc, morally gray itachi.

chapter warnings: none

chapter list!!!

Three weeks later, Kiyomi stood in a sun-dappled clearing on the outskirts of Konoha, facing Team 7. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke stood in a loose semicircle, their eyes fixed on her with varying degrees of curiosity and skepticism. Kakashi leaned against a tree, his copy of icha icha paradise tucked away in his pocket for once, and his single eye gleamed with interest as he too watched Kiyomi.

The ninja’s the hokage had sent to Hoshigakure had confirmed the destruction of the village, and its people along with it. Kiyomi was the only survivor, the last of the Hoshizora clan, and the last to hold her bloodline’s chakra.

The news had hit her hard, she knew deep down that this would be the result but part of her wanted to cling on to any little hope she had left.

Any little hope that she wasn’t responsible for this.

But, Kiyomi didn’t let it show how much it hurt her. Infact, some people have even assumed she didn’t care. Her calm exterior had put up a guard that she hopes no one manages to break.

Seen as Kiyomi had no village to return to, and the Hokage was concerned her safety was at risk – Kiyomi had been ordered to remain in Konoha.

Kiyomi had figured this would be the case before the order was even issued, and she had made peace with the knowledge that Konoha would have to be her new home.

But what she didn’t count on was being assigned to work with Team 7.

“Alright,” Kakashi said, his voice lazy but carrying an undercurrent of excitement. “Kiyomi is going to demonstrate some of her jutsu. Pay attention – Hoshizora are rare to see in battle, the village- ah…” he pauses, realising that this was a pointless thing to say now. He clears his throat. “what I mean is… you won’t get this opportunity again.

Kiyomi’s lips twitched into a quick frown at Kakashi’s slip up, but it disappeared before anyone could notice.

Naruto was practically foaming at the mouth to see Kiyomi’s jutsu, the sight almost enough to distract her completely from the lingering sting in her heart. Sasuke, however, stood apart from the rest of the group, a slight scowl on his face as he regarded Kiyomi. She felt the heaviness of his gaze, felt the way he was assessing her, almost in scrutiny. But she pushed it aside, shrugging him off as just a moody teenager.

Kakashi’s attempt to frame Kiyomi’s demonstration as a lesson didn’t land with Kiyomi. She could tell he was geeking out beneath his mask. It was the type of reaction she was used to drawing when she visited neighbouring villages, or the rare times she engaged in a battle.

Kiyomi stepped forward, her posture relaxed yet controlled. “My clan’s bloodline jutsu draw on celestial chakra,” she said. “it’s a rare form of chakra that responds to celestial energies, creating a connection between the sky and earth. It’s precise, versatile and deadly if used correctly…or wrongly.”

She raised a hand, her fingers tracing subtle patterns in the air. The crescent moon pendant at her neck pulsed, and a faint shimmer of light gathered around her, like molecules of stardust.

Naruto’s jaw dropped. “whoa, it’s sparkly!”

Sakura shushed him, but Naruto’s comment was enough to draw a smirk of amusement from Kiyomi even in her concentration.

Kiyomi closed her eyes briefly, shifting the weight on her feet as she centers herself. She extended a hand, and the air around her shimmered, coalescing into a thin radiant blade of light. It hovered above her palm, the edges glowing. “This can cut through most defenses, guided by the users intent.”

She flicked her wrist, and the blade shot forward, slicing cleanly through a nearby training dummy with surgical precision. The dummy’s head fell cleanly to the ground, the cut cauterized by the blade’s heat. Naruto let out a low whistle, while Sakura gasped. But Sasuke remained silent, his eyes only narrowing further.

Maybe he’s just jealous.

Kakashi’s eyes crinkled, a small sign of his approval (and admiration). “Impressive.” He said, the grin he hides under his mask almost audible. “can we see something defensive? Ah-,” he catches himself again, realising that might have sounded a bit dorky. “I mean, show them how you’d counter an attack.”

Kiyomi nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes. She raised both hands, her fingers weaving a complex pattern. The air around her shimmered again, this time forming a translucent dome that enveloped her. “This is the Celestial Veil,” she said. “It deflects almost all attacks, using light waves to disrupt their energy, while still allowing me to perform minor attacks of my own.”

To demonstrate, she glanced at Kakashi. “Throw something at me. Hard.”

Kakashi’s eye gleamed with the opportunity to be involved with such chakra. He was definitely geeking out now, and she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of amusement again. He pulled a kunai from his pouch and hurled it with a flick of his wrist, the blade whistling through the air. The kunai struck the veil and bounced off, it’s momentum redirected harmlessly into the ground.

Naruto whooped, jumping up and down. “That was awesome! Can you teach me that?”

Kiyomi let out a small laugh as she dropped her defenses. “No,” she said. “The majority of my jutsu comes from my bloodline. Its not something that can be taught i’m afraid.”

Kiyomi glanced at Kakashi, who gave her a subtle nod, his eye crinkling at the corner and glimmering with fascination. “Well done,” he said. “I think the kids have learnt something.”

But before Kiyomi could respond, Sasuke stepped forward, his expression dark. “Wait,” He said. His eyes were fixed on her chest – not the pendant that hung round her neck, but a small, silver ring pinned to her Jonin vest. He pointed. “That ring. Where did you get it?”

Kiyomi’s heart sunk the second he mentioned the ring. She’d forgotten she had the ring pinned to her vest. It had been a gift from Itachi, a promise. And it felt like too much of a keepsake to just get rid of.

But now as she stands before a very agitated sasuke, she realises her mistake. As she regarded Sasuke’s features, she saw Itachi’s eyes, his nose, his lips, even the shape of his hair. The pieces quickly slotted together, this was Itachi’s brother.

She didn’t know much of him, Itachi had only ever mentioned him in passing, and she never pressed.

But now she wishes she had.

“I’ve had it for a while,” she said carefully, her mind racing for a lie she could come up with. “why?”

Sasuke’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. “That’s his ring. My brother’s.” He said with a slight growl. “How do you have it?”

The clearing went silent. Naruto and Sakura exchanged uneasy glances. Kakashi’s posture stiffened, his eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange. He had known Kiyomi had lied in the hospital about not knowing Itachi, he hadn’t pressed it then, but now he wonders how she’d worm herself out of this one.

“I don’t know,” Kiyomi said, her voice calm, but her heart pounded. “I found it at a merchant’s stall back home, perhaps he’d dropped it and a seller thought it was worth something.”

Sasuke’s gaze hardened, his sharingan flickering to life. “Don’t lie to me,” he snapped. “I heard you say his name when we found you. You know him. Why are you protecting him?”

Kiyomi’s hand instinctively went to the ring, her fingers brushing the cold surface as if it could possibly cool her nerves. “I’m not hiding anything,” She said meeting his gaze. “I told you I don’t know. If this ring belonged to your brother, I don’t know how I got it.” Her response was like a reflex, her guard all the way up making her defend her lies with no hesitancy. A rumble of guilt ran through her stomach, the feeling she hated most about lying. For some reason, looking at Sasuke was making her even more guilty.

Sasuke took a step closer. “Prove it,” he said firmly. “Spar with me. If you’re telling the truth, you won’t be scared to fight me.”

Kiyomi’s brows ticked upwards in surprise. That was bold. A genin challenging a prodigy Jonin to a sparring match? He was either stupid or arrogant. But as she took in his determined expression, she realised he was completely serious.

and she was in a pinch.

Kakashi stepped between them, creating a barrier between them with his wide chest. He faced Sasuke, his expression barely readable. “Sasuke, that’s enough. This isn’t the time or place.”

On one hand, she could reject Sasuke’s offer to spar. But she’d risk looking weak, anger sasuke more and have more of a challenge defending her lies.

On the other hand, she could spar with Sasuke, making him question what he thinks about her, and warn him against attacking her any further. But she risks harming sasuke, and losing the trust of Kakashi – which she doesn’t seem to have much of anyway.

Kiyomi raised a hand, stopping Kakashi. “No,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm in her mind. “I’ll do it. A sparring match. An equal match only, so get rid of that sharingan. I’m not keen on killing a kid on my first day.”

________________________________________

The clearing pulsed with the clash of chakra. Kiyomi’s blade shimmered in her hand, its edge fending off Sasuke’s kunais almost mockingly. The ring pinned to her jonin vest seemed to taunt him.

The sparring match had been going on for over an hour. Kiyomi dodged or deflected each of Sasuke’s attacks, never sending an offensive attack of her own. He was just a kid, barely a boy and far less skilled and trained than she was. She had intended to tire him into forfeit, not believing he had the resolve to fire attack after attack for an extended period of time.

But she had been wrong.

Kakashi had long since given up on refereeing the spar, figuring that neither of them were going to do any damage any time soon, he’d returned to icha icha paradise. Naruto and Sakura had dozed off nearby.

If anything, this match had been a blow to Kiyomi’s ego.

Sasuke lunged, a fireball roaring from his lips. The flames surged towards Kiyomi, scorching the air. She raised her hand, summoning the Celestial Veil, sending the fire spiralling harmlessly into the trees. Sasuke’s attacks were getting more and more reckless as the battle went on, lunging into the path of Kiyomi’s deflections.

“Stop holding back!” Sasuke snarled, his voice thick with anger. He charged again, his Chidori crackling to life, the electric chirps echoing through the clearing. “Tell me how you know him!”

Kiyomi could tell that there was no slowing him down without attacking him, that her nonchalance to this match was only serving to anger him more.

Truthfully, she was getting bored but she knew if she attacked, if she released even a tad of her offensive jutsu onto him – he’d be seriously injured, or dead.

That was a line she wouldn’t cross.

As Sasuke charged again, Kiyomi made her decision. She let her Celestial Veil drop and raised her hands in surrender. “Enough!” she shouted, stepping back. “I forfeit.”

That was enough to reengage the attention of Kakashi, his book closing with a snap.

Sasuke skidded to a halt, his Chidori fizzling out, his chest heaving. He glared at her, suspicious and angry. “Why?” he demanded. “You’re hiding something. That ring – it’s his!”

Kiyomi’s mind raced, her calm demeanor masking the inner turmoil she was facing. She needed to diffuse this, to give Sasuke something to cling to without betraying the truth she was guarding about Itachi.

“Alright,” she sighed. “I should tell you.” She subtly shifted on her feet, a small nod to her discomfort with the situation. She looked to the ground once before meeting sasuke’s eyes again. “Your brother used to go on a lot of adventures when he was little. I was the same. One day we both ended up at the same lake far from our villages and we played together. He’d left me his ring and promised he’d come back and play with me again. But I never saw him again after that.” She lied and made sure to hold Sasuke’s gaze, willing him to believe her. “I didn’t know you were his brother, nor did I know what came of him after that. We were both little kids. I’m sorry if the ring upset you, but I promise I have no existing connection to your brother.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. “You expect me to believe that?” He sneered. “You said his name when we found you. You know him.”

“I was delirious,” Kiyomi said as firmly as she could manage. “I don’t know Itachi. I can swear on that.” That lie tasted bitter but she held sasuke’s gaze, inwardly praying that he will accept her lie.

For a long moment, Sasuke said nothing. Then slowly, he stepped back, his shoulders slumping. “Fine” he muttered, turning away. “But i’m watching you.

Naruto let out a relieved breath. “that was intense! You okay, sasuke?”

“Shut up, idiot.” Sasuke snapped, stalking towards the edge of the clearing. Sakura hesitated, then followed, casting a nervous glance at Kiyomi.

Kiyomi exhaled, her posture relaxing slightly, but she could feel Kakashi’s gaze on her, scrutinising her. He hadn’t moved, his arms crossed and icha icha paradise in one hand. The way he looked at her sent a nervous shiver down her spine.

He didn’t believe her – she could sense it.

“Training’s over for today,” Kakashi said finally, his voice light but carrying an edge. “Kiyomi, we’ll talk later.” He turned, heading away from the clearing, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment too long. Kiyomi gulped, her mind already working overtime to think of how she could fool him too.

Kiyomi touched the ring on her vest, her nerves reacting to the touch. For a moment she could feel Itachi’s arms around her, but the moment faded too fast, and she was left with an uneasy feeling in her stomach that she’d grown far too used to.

[childotkw]

a snippet of the uzumaki geeking out about regulus's runes with izuna standing on guard bc no one is going to steal his cousin away on his watch

"Remarkable," Uzumaki Katsumi murmured, leaning in far too fucking close to peer over Regulus' shoulder.

Izuna glared at the brazen man, eyeing the decreasing distance between the Uzumaki's chest and Regulus' arm with furious consideration.

"You write like a seal master," the red haired menace continued, voice edged with appreciation. "Are you sure you have not trained with one of my clan?"

Regulus smiled, that endearingly small flick of his lips, but he seemed blind to the glint of hunger the Uzumaki regarded him with. That every gods damned Uzumaki seemed to regard him with.

Izuna had hated the visiting delegation since the lot of them had rocked up at Konoha's gates a week ago.

He understood the importance of solidifying their relations with the infamous - terrifying, ancient, dangerous - clan. He understood why this visit symbolised and how already the ripples of a great future were being made here. He understood that keeping up appearances was necessary.

What he didn't understand was why every blasted Uzumaki in the village seemed to want to marry his friend.

Izuna had thought Tobirama was the one he would have to keep an eye on.

"That's kind of you to say," Regulus replied, his strange accent flaring up now that he was actually speaking their language rather than using his translation 'spell'. "I'm used to writing with different equipment though, so it has been an...interesting learning curve for me."

"All the more impressive then," Uzumaki said, flashing a bright smile that crinkled the corners of his blazing blue eyes. "I would be honoured to offer some tutoring, if you would like to expand your skills."

Izuna's sharingan flared to life as he spluttered in offence.

Regulus didn't even blink at the salacious offer.

[misiahasahardname]

[NAME OF SCHOOL WITHHELD] au detail bullshit or smth (censored edition so i don’t get doxxed)

everyone here is in S5 for simplicity

apple

subjects:

art

graphcom

drama (acting)

apps

english (set 5)

dance for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

pse teacher forced her to start attending homework club (she hates it there)

has been begging her form rep to tell the student council to let older pupils take part in lego club

has basically every additional support option the SQA can offer for exams (smaller room, typing, spellcheck, +35% extra time, allowed a small calculator for non-calc papers)

forced to sit at the front in every class

balloon

subjects:

rmps

latin

psychology

mods

english (set 1)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

stuck in all B purgatory

english teacher loves him, but keeps chewing him off for always going over the word count in his folio drafts

never goes out for lunch, just follows his mates around with his packed lunch

frequent at the nurses office

baseball

subjects:

mods

geography

spanish

maths (set 1)

english (set 2)

cricket for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

felt bad for constantly skiving in the toilets with nickel so he took a bunch of extracurricular to make up for it

took pe in nat 5 and was actually really good at it, but dropped it because the others kept fat shaming him

tries to hang around [NAME OF SHOPPING CENTER WITHHELD] for as long as possible so that he can spend as little time in the hettie* area

*the hetties are what we call the toxic straight guys. they tend to hang around the bag racks at the front gate of the school

blueberry

subjects:

pe

chemistry

business

maths (set 3)

english (set 3)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

sits alone in every class

probably the only person that takes badminton seriously

always sleeps through pse (and is consequently always late for his thursday period four class)

absolutely CRACKED at rugby. part of the school team

pse teacher is annoyingly pushy with him. always asking “how are things at home?” (partially because of the sleeping thing)

bomb

subjects:

french

pe

computing

physics

english (set 3)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

beleived in the [LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT] ghost story in S1. pickle still digs on him for this

is exempt from talking exams because of his stutter

i feel like he’d like swimming for some reason… always participates in the swimming gala

back when cross country was mandatory, he would start off actually putting in an effort, but would start to linger when he looked back at where pickle and cheesy were

bot

subjects:

art

engineering

computing

classics

english (set 4)

hockey for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

took computing and engineering in case they ever wanted to make more alterations to themself

helps the alliance* organise stuff for diversity week 

goes to dnd with fan

took classics thanks to dr [TEACHER’S NAME WITHHELD]’s very convincing presentation

always goes to taco bell at lunch with goo

*the alliance is a group in our school for lgbt stuff 👍 i used to attend but our lunch breaks are wayyyy too short for that and i lost interest

bow

subjects:

drama (costume)

photography

music

graphcom

english (set 4)

dance for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

she thought graphcom would be like technology and she could make chairs and wooden trinkets :(. decided to stick around anyways because she likes drawing and discovered a passion for 3D modelling

always keeps a sharpie in her blazer so she can vent in the vent stall in the scientology* girl’s bathrooms

always auditions for the school show, always gets ensemble

*scientology is what my friend group call the science and technology department because i would keep combining the words by mistake (i speak too fast)

box

subjects:

history

ancient greek

classics

maths (set 2)

english (set 3)

hockey for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

oh she is ABSOLUTELY a history geek i just know this

uses every possible excuse to get out of swimming in pe

hangs around the library at break

HATES group projects. had to carry her group through ypi*

would do those open doors tours when she was in P7

*ypi = youth philanthropy itiative. some project you do in S4 where you make a presentation about a charity and get judged for it. winning presentation gets a few thousand pounds for their charity

cabby

subjects:

psychology

mods

history

biology

english (set 1)

can’t do games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

girl why did you take so many subjects that are on high floors?? 😭😭

has a special door card to access to the lifts so she can actually get around

part of the src*

always copies her notes word for word off the board

gets +10% extra time for exams

*src = student representative council

candle

subjects:

psychology

rmps

music

maths (set 2)

english (set 1)

yoga for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

took psychology to better understand yinyang :]

rmps teacher saw candle ground silver from one of their ‘tantrums’ almost instantly and immediately changed the seating plan so they would sit next to eachother (decision was reverted when yang started throwing pens at silver from the back of the class)

working on her gold dofe* :]

always comes into school with the most stunning, jaw-droppingly beautiful traditional clothing on diversity week

*dofe = duke of edinburgh. some project thingy where you do a bunch of activities (volunteering, physical and skills) and then do some hiking trip??? idfk. i quit at our practice trip </3 looks good on uni applications, apparently

cheesy

subjects:

drama (acting)

french

german

apps

english (set 4)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

he took french and german for the easy A (he’s swiss and speaks both languages at home)

was part of the first group of kids to do the german exchange (just like me fr)

he’s a BRILLIANT actor, was able to convince people he was an S6 in S3 so he could participate in muck up day*. got a week of detention for this

pestering the src for a comedy club

keeps losing his door card

*muck up day is the day before exam leave. it’s a VERY special day for the S6s. they’re allowed to do whatever they want because this is the last proper school day they will ever have. there’s loads of pranks, and at lunch, loads of singing! can’t wait for my form class to kill it in house karaoke next year :3

cherries

subjects:

drama (acting)

physics

chemistry

maths (set 3)

english (set 4)

basketball for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

self proclaimed rule breaker — though all he really does is chew gum and plays hangman in the bathrooms

constantly scoring Cs and Ds because he keeps zoning out and staring out of windows in class

plays blooket in the library

clover

subjects:

art

biology

geography

spanish

english (set 1)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

studies gaelic in her free time

straight A student

VERY outdoorsy, naturey person, so she signed up for dofe in S3. she enjoyed it, but decided against moving on to silver.

her group won ypi!!!

absolute joy to have in class. teachers LOVE her

went to greek myths club for a while

dough

subjects:

drama (acting)

music

graphcom

apps

english (set 5)

rugby for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

wanted to do dance with bow but it filled up quickly so he went for rugby as a second choice. he described it as “very sexy” (freak)

takes piano lessons. often forgets to email teachers about them

makes everyone use his boots advantage card when they buy their meal deals so he can get more points

actually kinda sucks at acting but he’s funny so people like being grouped with him for improv (him and cheesy are a great duo)

fan

subjects:

computing

mandarin

physics

maths (set 3)

english (set 1)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

very dedicated member of dnd club. great dungeon master, always comes up with brilliant storylines

sucks ass at computing, except for html and css (has experience from customising his tumblr blog’s layout)

did some work for the school production club because he figured he didn’t do enough extracurriculars

his favourite part of the year is the final week before the christmas holidays because he gets to show off his useless trivia skills

the floor

subjects:

geography

biology

human biology

maths (set 3)

english (set 4)

can’t do games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

banned from the snack shack

a friend from another school said they were going to take home ec and, upon finding out what that was, the floor got reaaaallyyyyyy salty that [NAME OF SCHOOL WITHHELD] doesn’t have that as a subject

exempt from most uniform rules due to the nature (hah) of his body. still has to wear a tie tho

once lent his door card to cheesy since he doesn’t really need one (teleportation powers). a week later cheesy loses his card (sigh)

somehow got roped into the src??? (having mephone as your form teacher can result in many strange things)

goo

subjects:

art

geography

classics

maths (set 5)

english (set 5)

can’t do games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

took geography for the fun trips! (it was not fun)

also gets a cool lift pass because he physically cannot use stairs. he and cabby have history and geography at the same time so they always wait for eachother so they can have quick chats in the lift

NEVER let this guy write presentations. his speaker notes for a single slide can last half an hour

was part of ms [NAME OF TEACHER WITHHELD]’s film club in S1 + S2

always gets himself and bot an ice cream at [NAME OF PARLOUR WITHHELD] on fridays. (and at the end of term… and after founder’s day… and before they go to watch a school show… the guy really likes ice cream!)

knife

subjects:

spanish

pe

human biology

history

english (set 4)

rugby for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

took human biology for the lols

he is BANNED from playing football because he always underestimates the force of his kicks and was able to break three windows in one match

reoccurring character in detention. always there for petty reasons

pse teacher is BEGGING her to get evaluated for autism

lifering

subjects:

human biology

pe

spanish

environmental science

english (set 3)

netball for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

was fully locked in for that drug assembly in S3*. he hated the presenter for bragging about making people faint but he was INTRIGUED

always makes the podium for the swimming gala

always trying to hype people up to join house events. he’s not even a part of the src???

constantly being told off for wearing his midlayer** under his blazer

did volunteering with the [NAME OF JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS CLUB WITHHELD] for dofe, decided to stay after the six months because he enjoyed it

*a very, very infamous assembly we had on one fateful day in S3. it was INSANELY graphic and really fucking disgusting. two people fainted during the presentation. i was bordering on having a panic attack. everyone had english afterwards and there were MULTIPLE people who were taken out of class because they were crying or feeling sick. i was one of those people. i was so disturbed i nearly had a seizure… yeah, it really was THAT bad.

**part of the pe kit. we’re not allowed to wear it outside of pe. kinda stupid rule imo

lightbulb

subjects:

art

latin

classics

maths (set 5)

english (set 4)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

took classics and latin for ya boy, dr [NAME OF TEACHER WITHHELD]!!! (also she didn’t know what else to take)

will be doing creative industries in S6

always first in line to the snack shack somehow…

another frequent visitor of the nurse’s office

absolutely CRACKED at win, lose, draw*. does it every year

lost all her marks for her nat 5 physics exam because she can’t stop doodling on her hands…

*a house event. basically just REALLY fast and REALLY competitive pictionary. it’s my favourite house event (and the only one i participate in)! my house ([RED HOUSE]) got second place in the S5 win, lose, draw this year which was TOTAL BULLSHIT!!!!!! 

marshmallow

subjects:

rmps

mods

french

art

english (set 2)

dance for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

was dragged into art by apple. i feel like she’d enjoy doing ceramics but otherwise she kinda just floats through lessons

NEVER able to make it to the library on time. has beef with the S1s and S2s (and cherries)* because of this

breaks the uniform rules constantly, but she’s very subtle about it (hides her friendship bracelet under a [FOUNDER OF SCHOOL’S SURNAME WITHHELD]’s tartan scrunchie, paints her nails a SUPER pale pink colour, rolls kilt up only a teeny tiny bit, etc)

*THESE MOTHERFUCKERS ARE SOMEHOW ABLE TO TELEPORT TO THE LIBRARY ALMOST INSTANTLY, AND THEY ALWAYS USE IT TO PLAY BLOOKET. US OLDER YEARS HAVE EXAMS WE NEED TO STUDY FOR, YOU HAVE PRACTICALLY NO RESPONSIBILITIES, GO OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!

mic

subjects:

music

computing

pe

spanish

english (set 2)

hockey for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

best buds with knife because they were in the same set in S1

got a good luck duck* before her first prelims in nat 5. she still keeps it in her breast pocket

she and knife sit at opposite ends of their spanish class because their teacher has learned not to trust them together. they spend most of their time in class messaging eachother lol

gets straight As in music

*little figurines of ducks. one of my english teachers gave me one in S4… i think i lost it </3

nickel

subjects:

business

accounting

spanish

maths (set 2)

english (set 3)

cricket for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

did everything he could to avoid being in a class sign lifering. they ended up in the same english class (L bozo)

spends half his time in the toilets. he’s one of the reasons the boy’s toilets don’t have doors anymore*

pse teacher HATES him. so does his form teacher. and most of his teachers actually

*yeah, i don’t know why they thought that was a good idea either. kinda fucking gross ngl!

oj

subjects:

mods

physics 

business

economics

english (set 1)

tennis for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

part of the src, of course. hoping to be a school captain in S6

won an award for nat 5 chemistry, maths and business

everyone knows this guy. EVERYONE.

does s shit ton of extracurriculars. his favourite is model un

has attended [NAME OF SCHOOL WITHHELD] since nursery

actually enjoyed ypi (madman)

paintbrush

subjects:

art

graphcom

chemistry

maths (set 3)

english (set 1)

hockey for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

sits next to silver in english. finds it HILARIOUS whenever they read parts in plays. had to be sent out one time because they went into hysterics at silver playing blanche dubois

got a detention in S2 for throwing their lunch tray at fan (they had INSANE beef with him at the time)

hates the [SOCIAL SUBJECTS/HUMANITIES + ART DEPARTMENT] building with a passion (but at least they’ve got strong legs after five years of walking up and down all those stairs!)

paper

subjects:

mods

business

psychology

apps

english (set 2)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

gets extra time in exams because he always manages to send himself into a panic attack

chose badminton for games because it’s least likely to kill him

his teachers call him a “diligent but strange little boy” (they really need to study this freak)

goes to chess club like some kind of NERD

somehow got himself locked in the vent stall in the scientology girl’s bathrooms (don’t ask how he ended up in there) and actually started writing on the door to pass the time (it was… oddly therapeutic)

pepper

subjects:

photography

drama (costume)

chemistry

music

english (set 4)

netball for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

almost always late to seventh period because she INSISTS on going to primark at lunch 

that girl that always “forgets” her pe kit

whenever she gets a new jotter she HAS to doodle a bunch of tiny stars on the cover

always gets sent to the small study room with bow and salt so as to not be disturbed by the actors. they usually just end up gossiping the whole time rather than doing any work

pickle

subjects:

computing

history

physics

maths (set 5)

english (set 3)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

was one of the poor souls that chose [NAME OF CAMP PLACE(?????) WITHHELD] for S2 projects week*

a sweat at blooket. he takes it wayyy too seriously

did house choir one year and hated every second of it

sits next to bomb in computing — always lets him copy his work if he’s struggling (pickle ROCKS at computing)

everyone suspects cheesy and bomb are an item (which they are, but bomb doesn’t like the idea of people knowing), so pickle fake flirts with cheesy to throw them off

got absolutely zero sleep before the english prelim and ended up describing stanley kowalski as “freaky” in his essay (he failed)

*projects week is a week which is kinda supposed to be a pay off for all the hard work you put in over the year (though S3 and S4 projects are kinda just… more hard work?). in S1 you get a selection of club activities, in S2 you get a trip somewhere abroad (except for when my year (which is also THEIR year) was in S2… i went to edinburgh, but i heard HORROR STORIES about the trip to the camping or whatever place (ahem, the shit bag incident)), S3 is a bunch of community service (funner than it sounds), S4 is ypi (absolute asscheeks), S5 is the same as S2 but the trips are wayyy better, and in S6 you get. nothing

salt

subjects:

photography

drama (makeup and props)

spanish

music

english (set 5)

netball for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

did highland dancing in primary school. is VERY embarrassed about this now

constantly getting in trouble for rolling up her kilt

had no idea what she was getting into with makeup (she HATES the bruise wheel and latex scars with fake blood)

took spanish to get closer to oj (he speaks portuguese)

silver

subjects:

drama (acting)

french

rmps

mods

english (set 1)

cricket for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

absolutely DESPISES cross country. the best part of graduating S4 was not having to do cross country anymore

annoying english cunt shocks teacher by ordering in perfect french (they’re actually half french (and a quarter french-polynesian) and, like cheesy, took it for the easy A)

HATED eating in the lunch hall in S2. would always sneak out* to buy some REAL food (their height helped them blend in)

they take drama VERYYYY seriously. people partnered with them for the practicals may find them REALLY pushy, but they just care a lot about doing well in their exam.

to everyone's annoyance, they’re actually a very good pupil.

*you’re not actually allowed to go out for lunch until you hit S3. after that you’re not allowed to eat in the lunch hall (mostly cus it’s really cramped, which is weird considering the size of the school + the funding)

soap

subjects:

biology

chemistry

music

maths (set 2)

english (set 2)

dance for games

other stuff:

[RED HOUSE]

part of the senior choir, and takes it VERY seriously — especially during the christmas service

though she doesn’t take drama, she’s pally with a lot of the pupils and teachers because she always takes part in the school shows

went with dance because she REFUSES to do any sport that involves holding or touching anything

people thought she was a weirdo because she was still wearing a mask in S3

suitcase

subjects:

history

art

psychology

rmps

english (set 2)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

now she WOULD be another nurse’s office regular if it wasn’t for the fact she kept her hallucinations a secret

she’s really good at history, but history isn’t really good for her…

was one of the people that fainted during the drug assembly

regular attendee of wednesday wind down* — could do those super-detailed adult colouring pages for hours (sometimes she invites balloon or knife to come with her)

her kilt is WAY too long for her

*wednesday wind down is a club held on wednesday lunch times with loads of peaceful activities. the teacher always plays some corny calm music compilation from youtube. i am too loud to attend wednesday wind down.

taco

subjects:

french

spanish

physics

maths (set 1)

english (set 1)

hockey for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

unlike in canon, she was genuinely a silly and goofy girl through primary school and S1. puberty (and the pressure that comes with it) hit her pretty hard…

cheats in kahoots and blookets

successfully blackmailed a group of girls she caught vaping in the [SOCIAL SUBJECTS/ HUMANITIES + ART DEPARTMENT] toilets. got them to do whatever she wanted for a month (she stopped because she got bored)

took out five different jackie w books from the library in S1 and lost all of them. has avoided the library like the plague ever since.

test tube

subjects:

physics

chemistry

biology

engineering

english (set 1)

badminton for games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

perfect attendance record. hasn’t missed a single day of school in all thirteen years of her school career

takes model un a little TOO seriously

accidentally set someone’s hair on fire in chemistry

INSISTS on going to the mini science display whenever they go to [NAME OF SHOPPING CENTER WITHHELD] to get lunch, even though it’s lame and basically empty

tissues

subjects:

german

geography

human biology

maths (set 5)

english (set 3)

can’t do games

other stuff:

[BLUE HOUSE]

has only ever taken subjects he finds fun, easy or interesting since he knows he’ll never get to do anything considering his condishawn

rarely ever seen in person. his teachers usually just set up a google meet for him to join

in S2 he went to the bathroom during a lesson and fell asleep on the toilet. no one came looking for him because they assumed he just went home, so he just slept through the whole day.

trophy

subjects:

photography

pe

geography

maths (set 4)

english (set 3)

basketball for games

other stuff:

[SILVER HOUSE]

always plays football by the junior school building/hettie area at lunch

part of the rugby team — he isn’t opposed to playing dirty (though he’s good at getting away with it)

participates in EVERY house event, regardless of how lame he thinks it is

trophy REFUSES to stand up for hymns on founder’s day

yinyang

subjects: 

psychology

mandarin

rmps

physics

english (set 3)

rugby for games

other stuff:

[YELLOW HOUSE]

yang is constantly getting them into detention

yin has to take control very often so they can ACTUALLY get any work done

yang has gotten them banned from entering the lunch hall because he kept sneaking in to steal jelly and ice cream

yin has accidentally bitten off a chunk of skin from his arm because he was absentmindedly biting it in class 

[villainsview]

Chapter 7

Country Roads...Sorta

<Prev | Masterlist | Next>

“W-where are we going?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, finishing tying his wrists behind his back with a proper knot.

I’d spent most of the day packing up and figuring out what to do. In the end I decided to wait for the cover of darkness. Allard was blowing up Jack’s phone, but it would probably take a while before he would send anyone to come looking.

Just before nightfall, I’d taken the kid out to my van to get him ready for ‘transport.’ Normally I’d drive to a random road just close enough to civilisation for them to not get in trouble before kicking a hostage out of my van and speeding off, but if I freed Erick before Allard’s all clear, it would only be a matter of time before he would get his hands on him again.

I had to tell his father how to get away from him first. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too busy to see me about his missing son. I shook my head a bit as I tied a blindfold over the teen’s eyes. If he was rich enough for Allard to demand millions, wouldn’t he have paid up already? Why wait almost two weeks?

Whatever, it wouldn’t be my problem anymore soon. I finished with two strips of tape over the boy’s lips to keep him quiet, in case he would get any ideas near a populated area.

“Lie down over here,” I instructed, guiding the boy to lie in the corner behind the passenger’s seat, so he wouldn’t be visible from any of the front windows.

I stacked my bag and some other bags next to him, obscuring him from view even further. I double-checked he was properly hidden, standing outside of the van as I lit a cigarette, peering inside, but I could only see my bags. I nodded satisfied, glancing over at the farmhouse a last time before getting behind the wheel and driving off.

As I drove back into the city, I noticed it was about time for the hourly news broadcast on the radio, so I quickly tuned into a more local station, so it would be more likely to hear something relevant. And sure enough, as I raised the volume, I immediately heard the kid’s name.

“...but even after today’s investigation, there is still no news about Erick James’ whereabouts. On a similar note, two days ago another teenager, Thomas Wong, was kidnapped from his family home, but police have ruled out any connection with the James case. Thomas’ family is desperate—”

I switched the radio back to my favourite jazz station, smiling smugly as the last part of the news alert seemed like the media had moved on from Erick’s case. That meant less heat and prying eyes on my back. But I wasn’t fully out of the wind just yet. I’d be at risk while I was in the city, but I couldn’t leave before handing off the boy.

I pulled into the parking lot of a superstore that was just about to close, turning off the engine before turning in my seat to look at the teen in the back.

“Not a fucking peep from you. Deal?”

The boy quickly nodded, shuffling a bit uncomfortably, before staying still and quiet. Satisfied, I got out, locked the van, before lighting another cigarette and beginning a walk to a nearby neighbourhood.

The houses were big, their yards and driveways even bigger. The gates were closed and the walls were high, so it was nearly impossible to get spotted by any of the residents…if they were even home. It was hard to tell.

I walked up to one of the houses about halfway down the street, only to find the gate blocked off with yellow police tape. I raised a brow, approaching the gate and peering through the bars at the house. All the lights were off…

“You another one of those true crime geeks?”

I turned around, finding a young woman taking her elderly dog for a walk.

“Excuse me?” I said.

“True crime?” the girl said, “First the kid disappears, now the dad…these wannabe podcast hosts have been coming here all week, thinking it’s some mysterious case…”

“But it isn’t?” I asked.

“Mr James was a fraud,” the girl said, “his lies caught up with him and he ran. I saw him rush away in the middle of the night.”

“What about the kid?” I asked.

“Probably dead,” the girl said with a shrug, “probably better that way.”

She moved on, her dog slowly following. I looked back at the house and sighed, checking the time on my phone before opening my contact list and scrolling down to the R.

Tito Rana was a frequent client of mine, a very generous one, but only because he considered us friends. He was a powerful kingpin in the Western states, and could even give Allard a run for his money, though last I heard he didn’t have a lot of territory in Phoenix anymore. Still, it would be worth a try. I pressed a dial button and held the phone to my ear.

“Fetch!”

I was a bit surprised at how quick and how loud he picked up, but I quickly recovered, keeping my voice down to avoid suspicion from any other neighbours.

“Evening, Tito,” I said, “I’m not bothering you?”

“Not at all!” Tito replied, “I was actually meaning to call you, but I wasn’t sure which timezone you’d be in.”

“I’m in Arizona,” I said, “anyway, I need a favour. Some information on a guy.”

“Oh? Having trouble with your hunt?” Tito asked, “I’m sure Jonas can arrange something—”

“Let’s not bother Jonas just yet,”  I quickly said, I hated that guy, “I’m working a ransom job right now, and the guy that’s supposed to pay up went into hiding. I’ll need your help to track him down.”

“Doesn’t your client usually handle all that?” Tito asked, “Why ask me?”

“Because Allard is a dick— Can you do this or not?”

“Of course I can look around for you, but would you mind doing something for me in return?”

“Name your price,” I said with a sigh.

“One of my couriers has been pocketing small amounts of merchandise and with that relatively large amounts of money, poor soul thinks I wouldn’t find out, so why don’t you pick up his daughter before he spends it all on her college?”

“How old is she?” I asked. I usually refused to go after younger girls, didn’t want people getting the wrong idea.

“Nineteen, I believe,” Tito said, “we actually have her on file because she bought a fake ID from one of my people to get into bars, you know how they are.”

“Tell me about it,” I said, “it won’t take too long, will it? Also where to?”

“Not at all, Fetch. Either he’ll pay up immediately or I’ll allow him to strike a deal. We don’t want to see the girl hurt, we just want to scare the guy straight,” Tito said, “besides, if I wanted to do some damage I would’ve sent Jonas instead.”

I rolled my eyes. Fucking Jonas again.

“Anyway, this’ll be close to home if you don’t mind the drive back to California, I’ll give you some time to recover from the journey before sending you further details,” Tito said.

“I’ll have to think about it,” I said, “I’ll call you when I get home and then we’ll discuss those details.”

“Of course, of course!” Tito said, “safe travels.”

He hung up, so I put my phone away and sighed deeply, lighting another cigarette before beginning my walk back to the van.

“So,” I said, getting back into the van after getting some snacks at a gas station, “let’s go over the rules again. You won’t talk, not to anyone, and not to me unless spoken to. I’ll give you a baseball cap, you never take it off unless I tell you to. You do not leave the van, until I let you out. Understood?” I turned in my seat to look at the teen in the back of the van.

He nodded timidly, backing away slightly as I got up and climbed into the back, though he quickly settled as I began removing his restraints. I cut his ropes off and removed his gag, looking at his wrists.

“Keep your hands down too, we don’t need people seeing those bruises,” I added.

“Y-yes sir…”

“Atta boy. Now try this on for size.”

I reached into the plastic bag I brought back from the gas station and pulled out a cap, tearing the price tag off before giving it to the teen. He looked it over for a second. It was faded orange, as it had already had too much sun exposure, but he didn’t voice any complaints and put it on after adjusting the velcro strap on the back a bit.

“Okay, you can come sit in the front now,” I said, returning to my seat.

There was a moment of silence, before I could hear him slowly shuffling behind me, hesitantly he slid into the passenger’s seat, flinching as I reached over to pull the seatbelt around him.

“Relax,” I said, “there’s some water in the bag at your feet, you should drink some. It’ll be a long drive.”

“C-can I ask—”

“No,” I interrupted, putting on my own seatbelt before driving off.

We’d barely left the city or the silence was already boring me, so I turned on the radio.

“Ah, Sinatra, my favourite,” I said, “you like jazz?”

Erick glanced at me, but didn’t particularly answer.

“You don’t have to like it just because I do,” I said, “come on. What do you listen to?”

“U-um….hip hop…r-rap, mostly,” Erick said quietly.

“Rap?” I repeated, “I guess it’s almost poetry, if it wasn’t so screamy or mumbly— It’s always one or the other…”

“Jazz is calming, I guess,” Erick quickly said.

“Do you know anything about jazz?”

“N-not really, sir…”

“Now, that’s the best part,” I said, “you don’t have to know anything. You just have to sit back and enjoy.”

I turned up the volume a bit, but Erick seemed rather uncomfortable still. I couldn’t blame him though. I could imagine it was very awkward for a teenager to make casual conversation with the guy that kidnapped you.

Whatever, it would only be a six hour drive, give or take a few rest stops. I made sure to stop only at places that didn’t have any buildings nearby besides a toilet building. I wanted to minimise the risk of being seen before arriving home.

I’d never taken a hostage home before. Normally I’d call it a classic rookie mistake, but I didn’t really have much of a choice right now. I made sure to arrive in the middle of the night, long after my landlady and downstairs neighbour had gone to bed.

She was sweet, but much too nosy for her own good. I rented the upstairs apartment of her building in Mission Beach; a shabby little building, just a block away from the beach. I was surrounded by small shops, tourist traps and bad B&B rentals.

There were new faces in the neighbourhood every day as one tourist made way for the other, while the locals simply didn’t care enough, they probably thought I was a repeat tourist, if they bothered to recognise me at all.

But not Ethel. No, she asked me about my work trips, kept my place dust-free and my fridge free of mould by tossing my perishables whenever I was away for a long period of time. If she spotted me walking inside with a kid she would be all over him with questions.

I even parked a couple feet away from the building instead of using the driveway to avoid waking her up. It opened up a flight risk for the teen, but I’d rather take that risk than Ethel. Besides, he seemed exhausted. He wouldn’t try to run now, would he?

I turned off the engine and turned to him, catching him hiding a yawn.

“You can rest soon,” I said, “first we’re gonna go for a little walk, and you’re gonna keep your head down and your mouth shut. Anyone asks any questions you let me do the talking and you just nod and smile. Understood?”

“Y-yes sir…w-where are we?”

“No questions,” I replied, undoing my seatbelt and getting out.

I walked round to the passenger’s side and opened the door for the teen, waiting for him to stop fumbling with the seatbelt and get out. I locked the van, leaving my things in for now, and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder to discourage any attempts at running.

He tensed, but stayed close to me as we walked down the street, up the stairs next to the driveway, and only pressed himself against the wall a little while I fumbled with my house keys, before opening the door and pushing him inside.

He anxiously looked around while I flicked on the lights, but there wasn’t a lot to see. The front door opened into a small sitting room, which I used more for storage than for seating as half the couch was covered in boxes. Straight ahead was an opening that led into a narrow hallway, with a bedroom to the left, a bathroom to the right, and a kitchen right across. But where would I put the kid without him being an inconvenience or trying to escape?

“Here. You gotta eat something,”

I displayed the last couple leftover snacks on the table after sitting the teen down in the kitchen. But the boy turned away, facing the wall rather than me, fumbling with the cap in his hands after I finally allowed him to take it off.

“I’ll eat when I get home,” he said.

“You’re far away from home now, it’ll take a while,” I reminded him, “you want anything else then? I don’t have much, but I can fix something up I’m sure.”

“...no beans?” Erick quietly asked.

“Fine, but only because I don’t have any anyway,” I said, “you know beggars can’t be choosers.”

I searched my cupboard, cursing the rusty latch that was only really installed to keep the door from swinging open because it had no other locking mechanism. I found a can of ham and a dusty box of pasta shells. If I could just find some canned tomatoes or even a jar that wasn’t expired yet I could make a decent sauce, but as I looked around I knocked over a mop or a broom, something wooden that clattered loudly into the unused space of the cupboard.

It was a bit of an unusually deep cupboard, because it connected with the built-in closet in my bedroom, separated by a piece of plywood as far as I knew. It wouldn’t be ideal, but if I cleared some stuff and the shelves, I could fit a spare mattress in there and lock the kid up for the night.

But first food. I found canned tomato puree. I could work with that. It wasn’t my best work, but it wasn’t for me anyway.

“Just see how far you can get,” I said as I served the sad plate of pasta, giving him a dessert spoon to eat with before making myself some coffee and sitting down.

Erick was taking small bites, chewing slowly, keeping his eyes on his plate.

“You close with your father?” I asked, purely out of curiosity.

“He’s always busy,” Erick replied after a moment of silence, “we never talked much…even before mom—”

He promptly shut up and took another bite. I decided to let it be and get to work on emptying the cupboard, clearing a place to lock him up in so I could sleep in peace.

<Prev | Masterlist | Next>

[ryan-nerdy-goober]

Dear Journal,

It’s me! Ya boi, Kit Vulpez. I mean, obviously, since you’re my journal, and… oh, did I SERIOUSLY just write “ya boi” unironically…?

Damn it, I’m starting over:

— – -

‘Sup, Journal?

Kit Vulpez here with the daily update! Wait… “‘sup”…?

…nope, nope, nope, that’s just as cringe.

And now I write “cringe” too? That’s so cringe for-

Ugh! There I go again… act your age, Kit, for fu-

…screw it, one more try:

— – -

Hey, J.

(…just go with it. It’s “for your eyes only” anyway.)

So, a funny thing happened at the café this morning. Well, not “funny ha-ha” funny, but… look, I’m just gonna cut to the chase (take notes, Future Kit):

So I met up with my date - the one whose dog peed on my shoe near the mall last week - and we hit it off right outta the gate! She was like another, arguably better-in-every-way version of me: funny, witty, a lil’ kooky, and A TOTAL GEEK! Pretty cool, right?

And then the subject of age came up… but not in the way you’d expect; it was kinda the other way ‘round:

—

Jen: “Really? You played THAT?”

Me: “Yeah! I was, like, third in line at launch!”

Jen: “No way…”

Me: “Way…”

Jen: “No WAY!”

Me: “WAY!”

Jen: “No way…?”

Me: “…way.”

Jen: “But… oh, you must’ve been in line with your mom or dad!”

Me: “No.”

Jen: “Brother? Sister? Uncle?”

Me: “Nope.”

Jen: “Aunt?”

Me: “The only ants were in a spilled slushie.”

Jen: “…other legal guardian?”

Me: “No, just one of my college friends.”

Jen: “Ah. Freshman year.”

Me: “No, graduated with honors…”

Jen: “Really? At… twelve?”

Me: “No, it was a midnight launch, actually.”

Jen: “On a school night?”

Me: “No, I had two days off…”

Jen: “From college?”

Me: “From work… um, not to be rude, but exactly how old do you think I am?”

Jen: “Well, you’re young… 20, maybe?”

Me: “M-m. Older.”

Jen: “21?”

Me: “Older.”

Jen: “2… 3. 23!”

Me: “…older.”

Jen: “Really?”

Me: “M-hm.”

Jen: “Hhokay… um… 25?”

Me: “Older.”

Jen: “30?”

Me: “Getting warmer.”

Jen: “31?”

Me: “Warmer.”

Jen: “Now you’re starting to make ME feel old…”

Me: “I’m sorry.”

Jen: “No sweat. Um… 35?”

Me: “…warmer.”

Jen: “Seriously?! WOW, your genes are solid.”

Me: “Thank you! They’re my parents’.”

Jen: “Hahaha! Let’s see… ah, I GOT it!”

Me: “Let’s hear it.”

Jen: “51, lock it in, final answer!”

Me: “…”

Jen: “…no freaking w-

Me: “Too hot.”

Jen: “Oh, heheh… mmm… yes, you are…”

Me: “Uh… s-sorry… I’m a what?”

Jen: “Oh! Gosh, I’m so sorry, that was rude of me t-

Me: “Nono, it’s fine! I… I’m just not used to, uh-

Jen: “You’re self-conscious.”

Me: “No I- w-well, yeah, a little, but…”

Jen: “An ex?”

Me: “Y… yeah, actually. How’d you-

Jen: “I’ve been there.”

Me: “Oh… yeah?”

Jen: “Yeah, my ex-boyfriend. He always said I had a ‘movie star quality’ look.”

Me: “Really? Mine said I could be a male model.”

Jen: “I mean, that’s an astute assumption.”

Me: “Mutually assured ditto.”

Jen: “Haha!”

Me: “And plus, he IS a male model, so…”

Jen: “Ah… expert eye. So did you ever…?”

Me: “I tried it out for a bit, but things got a little…”

Jen: “Competitive?”

Me: “Yeah… thank Sardior we worked it out, though.”

Jen: “That’s… good?”

Me: “Oh yeah. Breaking up before the proverbial hit the fan was THE BEST decision. We’re still good friends, and part-time wingmen. Oh… n-not that-

Jen: “Don’t worry, you’re safe, hahaha!”

Me: “Uh… how about you? Been in any big Hollywood blockbusters?”

Jen: “No, just some local theater productions.”

Me: “Yeah?”

Jen: “Yeah. I mean, I’ve thought about screen stuff, but… I find the stage more to my tastes, y’know?”

Me: “Well… male model, so…”

Jen: “…right. I might do Broadway. But only if I end up scouted. Gotta prove myself through my art.”

Me: “I feel exactly the same way.”

Jen: “Wow, we’ve been talking for… three hours?!”

Me: “What?! Oh no… I am SUUUPER late!”

Jen: “Yeah, I gotta be somewhere as well.”

Me: “Oh, uh… nice meeting you, Jenevive Rose.”

Jen: “You too, Chris Vulpez.”

—

So that date was more like two old friends catching up over a cup of coffee than meeting a potential love interest for the first time… seriously, how does this keep happening? Kit Vulpez: Eternal Friend Zoner.

My only real relationship so far was with Blake, and even HE’S now a friend. Well, my best friend. I just-

Hang on… sounds like a commotion outside, so I’m gonna go. But first, the usual snapshot:

‘Til next time!

~~Kit~~

[child0feden]

i’ve seen quite a lot of pics of your room/shelves and i have to say i’m so jealous lol 😭 i’ve got some cool shit including my ferrari shrine and some classic nintendo consoles in my room but the only horror merch i have is two cds—one of scream and one of nightmare on elm street 😔 help a girl out and tell me where you got all your stuff lmaoo

୨୧ thank you so much lol! i’ve been collecting stuff for a little while now so i’m always happy to show it off ^w^

ohhh that sounds awesome though! the only major formula 1 related things i have are the old race review DVDs lol! i have one from 2007, 2005 and 2010… definitely need to build that collection up a little more…

classic nintendo consoles too? hell yeah! i’m really trying to hold off on buying anymore consoles because i’m flat out of room and i already have a huge backlog of games but i saw a coral pink 3ds being sold a couple weeks ago and almost lost the fight… i had one when i was much younger and absolutely loved it!

of courseee! i’m always happy to help, absolutely no gate keeping from me, i love helping other people spend way too much money on stuff lol! i’ll supply some websites under the cut, from what i know these ship almost everywhere or have country alternative sites <3

for game related pins, i often use insert coin because they have so many cute pins and they do super sweet game related clothing too! clothes that do not make you feel like a walking billboard for a game, their stuff is very subtle a lot of the time but easily recognisable if you know the game!

for CDs, i often just use hmv, amazon, eyesore and thrift stores! eyesore is great for metal CDs that sometimes you can’t really find anywhere else and band merchandise! thrift stores can be very hit or miss at times but they always sell CDs for super cheap and i’ve got some cool CDs from them before! i think it’s good to buy CDs from thrift stores just because the album art interests you too, i’ve purchased CDs just because of the art and ended up really loving the music itself!

for figurines and other knick knacks, i use amazon, just geek, truffle shuffle and fanattik! justgeek is amazing when it comes to the cute little ducky figures i have and honestly just a whole bunch of other stuff! truffle shuffle has so much horror related merchandise and a lot of things related to old cartoons that are adorableee

hopefully some of those can supply you with some really cool shit as they have me <3

[callahanscorner]

Joy List!

RULES: Make a list of all of the things that have made you happy recently! Then, tag as many people as you want that you think may need it to keep the positivity going ✨

Thanks to @thesoftestofpetals for the tag!!! This was one of the joys!!!

My list!

I had a nice cup of coffee this morning!

Getting asks and tags from people! It’s so fun and I really love interacting with you guys.

Getting DMs and stuff geeking out about worldbuilding and our OCs! (Seriously, if you ever want to do this PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU DO IT)

I bought a bunch of Dragonlance books for like $5-6 a pop! I’m so happy to go back and read the Chronicles and then continue the story.

BALDUR’S GATE 3

I started my annual watch of Lord of the Rings this week, and they make me more comfy than any other movie.

I have a phone interview for a new job tomorrow! I’m excited.

I finally feel inspired to write again! Thank you to everyone here for being so unabashedly passionate about writing and stories.

Gently tagging @writernopal, @captain-kraken, @eccaiia, @fayeiswriting, @on-noon, @halfbit, and @magicicada-lbwrites! And of course, anyone that sees this! Yes, you! Do it!

[faejilly]

@walks-the-ages [Beauty and the Beast (1987) post]

You should definitely read them. They're really good, and if you do not have Beauty and the beast on DVD, send me a PM, and I can give you a link :) Also, at this point somebody might have uploaded the actual TV series to the archive but I have to check when I get home.

I have read the first one already and it's great! The second one will probably happen while sitting at the dr's office next week 🤣 (And I think I know someone with the DVDs, but if not, I will let you know when we get to the end of the current Colombo season. <3)

Also thanks for the tag on the updated post, that was very helpful.

@thievinghippo replied to your post “Seriously y'all I have never played a BG game and...”:

Join us! It's been so fun to geek out about a game again

​That is definitely a kind of fun I miss, so this is very compelling 😆🤣😅

@msviolacea replied to your post “Seriously y'all I have never played a BG game and...”:

I haven't played any of the others either, and it's fine. This game is a giant combination of Dragon Age and D&D and Divinity Original Sin, and so if you like any one of those things it's absolutely worth it.

I have not played Divinity, though I've seen it when Thing 1 checked it out and it seemed quite good, and I do like TTRPG's and have a passing familiarity with other people playing D&D specifically? And we both know I love DA so... ALSO A COMPELLING ARGUMENT!

@pameluke replied to your post “Seriously y'all I have never played a BG game and...”:

Meme has been having a lot of fun with it AND I WANT TO JOIN THE FUN, but I've never played this kind of RPG game before and historically I have been Bad At Figuring Out Problems (looking at you Lara Croft) but on the other hand i love DnD so....

I'll admit that the mechanics of the original BG is mostly why I never played it; too many dice rolls behind the scenes. Like, I love TTRPG's but I've never been good at keeping track of the actual rules I just bullshit with people I like a lot? Randomness/dice karma is fun when it's people, I find it less fun in CRPG's... I like to know WHY I failed or succeeded at things in computer games and what in theory is possible if I played differently.

@angstmongertina replied to your post “Seriously y'all I have never played a BG game and...”:

It looks pretty and fun but I’m very bad at that kind of game so I may just sit and enjoy everyone else’s enjoyment of it lol.

Fair! If I do break down and get it I will probably also break down and find some mods to figure out some of the mechanics for me for much the same reason :D

@shadoedseptmbr replied to your post “Seriously y'all I have never played a BG game and...”:

i loved the old baldur's gate games with a love vying my love for DA but i'm hesitating on this one and i don't know why

ALSO FAIR. I have done that with many things that sounded like stuff I would like or were related to things I knew I liked, so.

#mood

I have found that even if I eventually break down and try the thing and like it, I am usually pretty sure that I wouldn't have been as in to it at the time that my gut went idk meh blurgh? so. Probably a good idea to trust your gut, no matter how incomprehensible it is. <3

[alohadiscountvapepearlcity]

From CBD to Coils What’s Hot at Aloha Discount Disposables This Month

This month at Aloha Discount Disposables by TCA Vape - Pearl City, we’ve got fire new drops that locals are snatching up fast. No stale leftovers. Just real product updates that actually matter. You want to stay ahead of what’s trending without bouncing between three different stores? We got you covered. Whether you need strong CBD to chill or fresh coils to keep your device hitting right, this is your one-stop plug. If you’re still searching Vape Shops Near Me, chances are you just haven’t been here yet.

Right now our disposable selection's stacked. Geek Bar flavors came in bold this week. Juul fans, you’re not left out either—we restocked the pods everyone asked for. Tanks looking dry? Pick up new HorizonTech coils that make every draw taste better. You’ll find juice brands like Juice Head and others that pop with flavor instead of falling flat after two days.

Looking for wellness gear instead? Our CBD stock grew heavy this month. Gummies oils pre-rolls—name it we stocked it. From smooth low-milligram blends to full-strength options for more serious vibes, we’re seeing more and more folks picking up CBD with their vape gear. Curious about Kratom? That section’s also been seeing action. We’ve added more strains with different effects. Not basic either. People in the know come for quality that’s consistent.

This ain’t some temporary thing either. We rotate weekly. Every time you drop in there’s something new. So if you’re cruising through Pearl City and hit that “Vape Shop Near Me” search, don’t even think twice. We’re where the locals roll through.

Why Choose Us

Updates That Keep You Guessing in the Best Way Forget boring repeat stock. Each week feels like a new season. Fresh disposables. Reupped CBD blends. Mods that look different and work better. We surprise you every time and that’s why people don’t get tired of stopping by. No two visits ever feel the same.

Knowledge Without The Ego Trip Some shops talk down. Not us. We talk eye to eye with everyone who walks in. Whether you’re fresh out the gate or five years deep into the cloud game, you’ll get answers you understand. No tech talk unless you want it. No flexing. Just help.

Prices That Don’t Slap Your Wallet It’s tough out there. Gas is up. Rent ain’t cheap. We keep our prices grounded. That means weekly deals on stuff you actually use. Our promos don’t feel like gimmicks either. You walk in with twenty bucks—you walk out with something solid.

Right Next to McDonald’s for a Reason This spot’s easy. You see the golden arches? You’re almost there. Right next to Territorial Savings Bank. No weird alley no hidden entrance. Plenty parking too. That makes a huge difference when you just want a quick grab and go.

Products We’d Use Ourselves First We taste the juice. We try the coils. We handle the mods. If it burns too fast or tastes like a tire fire—it doesn’t hit our shelves. That’s why you don’t hear complaints. It’s all handpicked and tested right.

Support That’s Always There After You Buy Most places take your cash then disappear. Not us. Something off? Device glitching? Bring it back. We don’t ghost our regulars. We troubleshoot. We replace. We make it right. That’s why folks tell their friends to check us out.

FAQs About This Month’s Vape Picks and What’s In Store

What’s a good CBD product at a Vape Store near Waimanalo? We just stocked up on CBD gummies that hit smooth without that sleepy crash. If you’re in Waimanalo you could make the drive to Pearl City in less than 30. These are full-spectrum blends that don’t taste like medicine. Come by or call us at +1 (808) 677-5777.

Any new Vape disposables at a Vape Shop Near Me in Haleiwa? Absolutely. Our Geek Bar and Lost Mary selections just got restocked. Most Vape Shops Near Me searches in Haleiwa won’t give you variety like we do. We keep the shelves rotating. You won’t see the same thing every month.

Where can I get coils for SMOK tanks near Kalihi? You won’t always find those at random stores near Kalihi. We carry multiple SMOK coil models including mesh and dual coil types. Bring in your tank and we’ll match you up. No guessing. We do it right the first time.

Is there a Vape Shop in Ewa Beach that also sells Kratom? We’ve had people from Ewa Beach tell us straight—they can’t find both in one place. Here, you can pick up quality vape gear and premium Kratom. No need to hit separate spots. We stock Red Vein White Vein and others. All tested. All trusted.

What’s the best new vape juice at Vape Shops Near Me in Honolulu? Juice Head has been moving fast. The flavors are fresh and hit sweet but clean. If you’re in Honolulu and need a trusted source, you’re better off making the drive to Pearl City. Most Vape Shop options in town don’t rotate stock like we do.

Can I get disposable vapes in Pearl City without spending too much? You bet. We’ve got disposables starting around ten bucks that still last days. No duds. Just real quality. If you're near McDonald’s in Pearl City you’re already close. It’s fast. It’s affordable. It’s reliable.

Where To Find Us

Aloha Discount Disposables by TCA Vape - Pearl City Located in McDonald's Parking Lot next next to Territorial Savings Bank 850 Kamehameha Hwy Ste #8, Pearl City, HI 96782, United States Phone: +1 (808) 677-5777

No more guessing. No more scrolling “Vape Shops Near Me” while hoping you land somewhere good. This month’s drops are hot and we’re keeping it fresh all summer. Whether it’s coils CBD mods or disposables—everything you need is right here at the top Vape Store on the island.

[recklessabandon2019]

LYRICS:

Body rotting into yesterday And nothing stopping me from dropping or from not decaying But all I've gotten means a lot, and I cannot explain That I wouldn't swap a thing Fuck it, I'mma die anyway And get forgotten Body rotting into yesterday And nothing stopping me from dropping or from not decaying So I'mma pop and I'mma chop and I'mma rot away 'Til all I got is pain

I wish I had more than I needed I been lacking, broke and bored and sore and sick and defeated I ain't slacking, life a chore and I been born to complete it So don't go asking when I'm pouring up or smoking some tree, and And I fucking mean it

I ain't smoke week in a week I mean weed in a week Sorry, when I'm geeked I just tweak, I can't speak My team want basketball, like fuck that Buy drinks like alcohol and suck wax And packs of pods up my lungs 'Cause fuck it, I'm young And I'll die anyway Can't take a few hits, I'm a heavyweight Just pray God waiting at Heaven's gates

'Cause I don't want this Not anymore Shit was hella fun, now it's not and I'm sore And I'm not just bored 'Cause a lot done changed, And I dropped that sword So it's not my fight And I closed that door Of that I'm for sure Y'all can keep the weekend war I'll be steady tweaking chords Y'all already peaked for sure