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oldjane · 4 years ago

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Trick or Treat! >:3c

The thing is, Joe has been looking forward to the artists’ retreat for months. And while he was really looking forward to meeting new people – new creative, artistic, open-minded, free-spirited people – he hadn’t planned on actually sharing a room with them. But, Joe is usually quite adaptable, and he’s out-going and exuberant, so it’s not like he would have minded bunking for a few nights with a fellow creative soul.

However, there are limits.

And sharing a room with the accountant of the foundation is definitely crossing them.

Quynh, a talented make-up artist who definitely is more artist than make-up, and the president of the foundation, apologizes profoundly.

“I’m sorry, Joe, it’s all a bit last minute. We really wanted Nicky to come, it’d be so good for him to meet new people, and he’s a great cook so we won’t have to worry at all about going hungry when we’re in the zone of creating, but he only gave in to Andy and mine’s pleas last minute, and we had all the other rooms divided yet… You’re the only one in a two-person room without a roommate. And Nicky is really nice, I promise! He’s a bit quiet, but you’ll give him a chance, won’t you?”

Well. When put like that, it’s not like Joe has much of a choice, does he?

He swallows down his protests, and lugs his duffel bag to the room he’ll be sharing with this Nicky, quiet accountant, good at cooking. Probably the mousy type, Joe thinks. Shouldn’t be too hard to handle.

He pulls open the door of room number 9, and nearly drops his bag.

He’s staring right at a delectable ass, perched atop thick thighs and strong legs, spread just enough for a man to step between. The owner of the ass is bent over the bed, but Joe can make out a small waist, perfect to hold onto while losing oneself between those cheeks.

And then the man stands up, and showcases some shoulders for days, and Joe’s mental image switches to hooking his legs over those shoulders.

His sharp intake of breath must be audible in the silent room, because the man startles and turns around.

Joe stares right at a beaky nose, and then he notices luscious lips, a mole on the man’s chin, and deep-set eyes that shine with an intensity that fascinates him.

“Hi,” he says in his most flirtatious tone, his winning grin on his face. “I think I got the wrong room, but let me introduce myself anyway. Yusuf al-Kaysani. Very pleased to meet you.”

He almost purrs the last sentence, his hand outstretched towards the man. He watches with interest and pleasure how the other man flushes a becoming pink, and then shakes Joe’s hand.

“Ah, uh, my name is Nicolò. I cannot help you to find your room, I’m afraid, you’ll need Quynh or Nile for that. I was told my roommate was called Joe, and that’s all I know.”

Joe is almost too busy cataloguing the way Nicolò’s large hand fits around his, and trying to imagine how those pale fingers would look on his tanned skin, when he catches on to the man’s words.

“Wait, Joe, you said?”

Nicolò nods, and the puzzle pieces fall together.

“You don’t happen to go by Nicky, do you?”

“Uhm, yes, I do,” Nicky replies, confused. “How did you know?”

“Ah. I go by Joe, most often, and I was told I’d be rooming with a Nicky. So I do have the right room, after all.”

Joe beams at Nicky. And quickly forgets everything he might have thought barely a minute ago.

This man does not look like a mouse at all. If all accountants are like this, Joe might be tempted to become suddenly very interested in filing his taxes. He should send Quynh a gift basket. Getting to know this man in close quarters will be no hardship at all. Sleeping near this man will be a pleasure, although it’s unlikely it will be very inducive to a good night’s sleep to know this man is mere meters away. And speaking of sleeping –

Joe looks around, trying to locate his bed, when Nicky scrapes his throat nervously.

“I, uh, I think there’s a mistake, either way. I, uh –” he gestures to the bed. A big, king-size bed, and very much the only one in the room. “I thought maybe it was twins, but it doesn’t seem so.”

Joe looks at the bed, and then around the room. There’s no couch, not even an armchair one might spend an uncomfortable night in.

“I’ll, uh, I’ll just go find Nile and ask her to sort things out, shall I?”

Nicky is looking adorably flustered. There is a pretty blush high on his cheeks, and Joe wants to lick it off. Or follow it with his brush, sketch it life-size on vellum paper. He wonders if he has the right shade for Nicky’s eyes.

Joe is not known for thinking things through. If he sees an opportunity, he jumps, head first. It’s never led him astray so far, so why change now?

“Actually,” he says, “Quynh said there was no other option. All other rooms are spoken for, and by now probably everybody’s settled in. It would cause a lot of hassle to ask her to rework the whole situation, and move a bunch of people around.”

“Oh!” Nicky blinks. “Of course, I hadn’t thought about that – it would be rather bothersome for people to change rooms at this stage. Well, I’ll just go find some extra blankets then. The floor is carpeted, I can sleep there. No problem.”

“Are you crazy? That bed is huge, it’ll fit both of us easily!”

Nicky’s blush becomes a nice cherry red. Joe thinks Nicky might not be wholly averse to the idea.

“Uhm, yeah, I suppose,” he stammers, “if – if you don’t mind, I mean –”

“Do you mind, Nicolò?” Joe takes a deliberate step forward, stopping right in front of Nicky. “I’ll understand if you rather not share the bed with a man.”

“No, no, that’s not – No.” Nicky seems even more flustered. Gay, Joe decides, and he’ll bet his right hand – the one he sketches with – on the fact that Nicky is attracted to him.

“Great,” he says, “That’s settled then. I hope we will become… close friends, Nicky.”

Nicky opens his mouth, but no sound comes out.

Joe grins. He lowers his voice conspiratorially.

“So, Nicky, did you check out the bathroom yet? Because I’m not at all against sharing the shower, too, you know.”

For one moment, he thinks he’s done it – caused Nicky to have a heart attack right in front of him. But then the other man steps away from Joe.

“Wait, Nicky, I’m sorry, I didn’t – I’ll back off –”

He turns just in time to see Nicky turn the lock on the bedroom door.

“We can find out, I suppose,” he says, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, taking a few strides in the direction of the bathroom. “And if it isn’t big enough, you’re welcome to watch, too.”

Joe splutters, but follows meekly.

He wonders if he’ll create much art, this retreat. But he also knows it can take different forms. The giggle escaping Nicky when Joe pinches his ass, for example, is art. And the way the water droplets glide over his naked shoulders. And the way his lips taste, later, in the king-size bed. And though most accountants might think going on an artists’ retreat and not returning with a few pieces to sell is a bad way to spend money, Nicky doesn’t seem to be one of them.

#I write things #The Old Guard #Trick or Treat #JoeNicky #Kaysanova #Halloween treat

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syms-things-5 · 5 years ago

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Clear The Area - Chapter Eleven: Part Two

Previous Chapter HERE

Warning: Language, NSFW

Notes: Second part of Chapter Eleven. Thanks for stopping by!

Chapter Eleven: Part Two

Where once she had been curled up near to him, out cold from the effects of the day, now laid an empty space. Chris had been lying alone with just a pillow for comfort and way past the phone alarm he had forgotten to switch off. He knew she had planned to go back in to the hospital that morning but he had hoped she would at least stick around for coffee, or wake him up before creeping out.

They got back to his apartment swiftly enough the previous night, despite the weather. She had been still the whole way. At one point, he thought he caught her glancing at him when he stopped at a red light but she looked away almost as soon as he’d noticed. He poured them both a generous glass of whiskey and they drank it in his kitchen in silence. Something was on her mind. He was taking this time to suss her out, to gauge whether she was thinking the same things as he was but he was coming up short. He recalled Shanna saying thousands of times before that she could be a little difficult to read but he never had the luxury of experiencing it first-hand. He always figured they shared a similar wavelength or something. He felt he understood women enough to know what they wanted from him and the majority of the time he didn’t care enough or wasn’t sober enough to question anything. This was different and he couldn’t put his finger on why that was. It was so much easier when he didn’t have to think.

“You feeling OK?” He finally spoke. He was hoping she would have made a move by now so he could be sure of what was running through her mind but alas. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Not really.” she shook her head, giving him an apologetic smile. “It’s just been a lot to take in.”

He leaned across his kitchen counter to close the space between them, twisting the glass containing what was left in his hand. “You wanna lie down?”

She knew where his bedroom was and she made herself comfortable under his covers while he cleaned up from his flight and the effects of the weather. By the time he entered the bedroom again, she’d drifted off to sleep. He climbed into bed as quietly as possible so as to avoid waking her but allowed himself to watch her for a little bit before rolling onto his back to put a small amount of space between them. He must have fallen asleep at some point soon after only to be stirred again a couple of hours later as she turned and moved towards him. She was more awake as that point, taking her turn to watch him. She didn’t seem to mind the kiss he eventually tempted across her lips or his hand reaching around her back to pull her closer. She sighed when he started moving his fingers delicately up and down her back as the kiss deepened. Still not a word was spoken, like they knew exactly what the other was thinking for the first time. He felt familiar and comfortable and he himself was reassured when she didn’t push him away.

After moments languishing in their kiss, he leaned up onto his forearm and looked down at her. He could barely make out her face in the dark except for waves of her soft hair splayed out across her pillow, the sweet coconut smell overpowering his senses. He could do so much from this position and there was so much he wanted to do in the dark as he started to feel his way around her body, tracing his fingers up to her shoulder, down her arm, across the soft skin of her tummy as he gradually moved her t-shirt up to rest below her breasts. He leaned down to kiss her again and he felt her relax a little more. Lying fully on her back and more open to him, he slowly grazed his fingertips down her stomach before moving them inside her panties. A little slower down and he could hear her breath hitch in anticipation, delicately fanning his face as he held his mouth just millimetres above hers, breathing the same breath. His fingertips felt like a feather on her skin, teasing slightly and just enough to make her skin tingle in all the best ways. It was so different from their previous experience together, calmer and more soothing but, knowing what he was capable of, what they were both capable of, practically electrifying. He had struggled to get the mental images of her out of his mind since that night as he relished feeling her again. Things could happen very quickly for them both if he wasn’t careful.

His middle finger continued to graze ever so gently over her lips, once and then again and then again, her wet heat enticing to his tough, before moving a little lower and almost, nearly, not quite pushing inside her.

“Wait.” She whispered, freezing herself from moving again. She quickly moved her hand atop his to stop him. “I’m sorry.”

He removed his hand from her underwear until it rested on her lower tummy. “It’s OK.”

She breathed. “Sorry, I just...”

“Hey, it’s OK. You don’t need to explain. I thought...I just thought you wanted to.”

“No, I did, I’m sorry. I just...” He leaned away from her as she moved to sit up in the bed, hand clasped to her mouth. She took another deep breath. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

He rubbed a hand over his face as reality began to dawn on him. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He wanted to comfort her, reach out a little, but was wary of touching her again.

“Maybe you’re right.”

They laid awake not speaking for some time afterwards. She made motions to leave but he managed to convince her otherwise, reasoning there was no point leaving now if she had to get up soon and he figured, in the cold light of the morning, maybe things might make more sense and they could talk. She offered to move into a spare room but he wasn’t thrilled with that idea either. He wanted her close by. Except here he was now, along, confused, and mildly unsatisfied. He chastised himself for that last thought.

Head down and with a plain blue cap pulled low over his eyes, Chris successfully made his way through the hospital bay, just dodging the one local news crew still stationed outside. It wasn’t as busy as he was expecting given the events of yesterday but he was still wary of being recognised in this bright light, with nowhere to hide.

He hadn’t particularly figured out how he was going to locate her. Truth be told, he hadn’t even figured out what he was going to say once he had tracked her down. As soon as he plucked up the courage to find her again, he all but dived out of his apartment later that morning. All he could think about was just seeing her face again in the hope words would come easy to them both and they could work themselves out. Now, with a few doctors and patients milling around and a low hum of background noise, he realised he hadn’t properly thought this through. In a moment of dread, he made a move to turn and leave thinking better of himself until someone’s hand reached out to grab him on the shoulder.

“Hey, I thought it was you.” Audrey spoke in a quiet tone, understanding of his propensity against causing a fuss. Judging by his casual clothes and the dark circles underlining his eyes, he wasn’t there for some PR arrangement either. “You OK, hun?”

Chris breathed a discernibly sigh of relief when, at first, he recognised Audrey’s tone and then her friendly big brown eyes. “Yeh, I’m good. Thanks. Things seem a little quieter today, huh?” He shuffled a little clumsily on his feet, a move not unnoticed by her.

Audrey nodded indistinctly, not completely agreeing with him. He had no idea what it was like but she also wasn’t going to be the one to bore him with the details. “Yeh, it, um, it is what it is, y’know? Tragically, I’ve seen worse.” He was trying to act casual. “You here for something?”

“Actually, yeh, I was hoping to speak to Sarah but I guess she’s busy. I can just catch her later.” He tired to turn away only to be stopped once again.

“She’ll be here somewhere I’m sure. You know the diner over the way? It’s quiet. You wanna hide over there for 5 minutes? I’ll go grab her.” She insisted and for the first time in a long time, someone else was making the decisions and he was relieved.

it wasn’t long before Audrey found Sarah riffling through the equipment cupboard and muttering to herself in irritation. Naturally, their stocks had been depleted from the day before and also just as naturally, no one took it upon themselves to ring upstairs for new kit. It had been an unofficial part of Sarah’s job since she first joined the hospital and, after a while, people just got used to her taking the initiative. She’d be damned if she was going to do it again, though.

“Found you. You hero friend is across the road looking mighty fine as always if I may so myself. You never told me her was growing his beard out.” Audrey nudged her as she stood beside her pretending to need something from the trolley.

“Huh?” Sarah turned a little too sharply to see Audrey playfully affect innocence.

“God’s righteous man.” Audrey elbowed her again, a smirk growing across her face. Sarah couldn’t always discern the methods with which Audrey described Chris but the love hearts currently floating around her halo soon made things click.

“Oh. OK.” she closed another drawer. She couldn’t think of anything else to say and the silence was dragging on a little too long than was comfortable.

“Said he wanted to talk to you so I told him I’d send you across to Joe’s. You can take fifteen. You’ve not had a break yet.”

“Honestly, it’s OK. I’ll just catch up with him later. I’ve got some stuff to sort out here first.” She resigned herself to the fact that she’d be stock-checking again for the remainder of her shift but, faced with the alternative prospect of seeing Chris, it didn’t seem all too unattractive. “I doubt it’s nothing that can’t wait.”

“I can sort that.” Audrey grabbed a spare notepad from her side, initiating a take-over. “He’s literally sat over there waiting for you. Just go over and bring me back a double espresso if you can. That coffee machine in the staffroom is on the blink again.”

She really should have known better that Audrey wasn’t going to drop it that easily. “What’s the big deal, Sarah? It must be something if he’s come out here in broad delight. He never visits, more’s the pity.” Audrey shrugged, something not connecting in the back of her mind. Was there an argument she didn’t know about? Maybe something was going on with Shanna or worse, Charlotte.

Sarah reluctantly handed her the pen she’s been holding and stepped over some flattened cardboard boxes currently separating her from the door and a clear escape route. Audrey just shook her head.

“Hey,” Audrey called our. “Is everything OK? You’ve been acting a little weird lately.”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She attempted to convince her in agreement. “I’ll see you in a bit. I’ll remember the coffee.”

He was sat in the furthest corner of the diner when she found him, nursing a black coffee that looked almost painfully strong. She felt more than a pang of guilt at herself for being the likely cause and she didn’t want to add to his concerns right now. He only looked up when she was close by the table and she felt a little better when he flashed her a grateful smile.

“Sorry. I know you’re busy. Audrey doesn’t seem to take no for an answer.”

“Oh don’t worry about it. She can be like that sometimes.” She tried to wave off his concerns as she sat down opposite him, hands eventually resting in her lap. “We probably need to talk anyway and I’ve been thinking. About us. It’s probably for the best if we try not to hang out together for a little while. I don’t wanna cause any issues but I’m not sure what to do about it. So. I know you like being at ours so I’ll just make myself scarce or something. I can work a little later or change shifts. It’s not problem, honestly. Obviously, things will be easier when you’re filming away or whatever but we can figure it out as we go.”

He looked at her, eyes still low under the brim of his cap. He couldn’t quite believe what she’d said and she could barely read the expression on his face. He didn’t blink, nothing. She naively believed if she just laid it all out in one breath it would be like ripping off a band aid, he’d nod in agreement, then they’d each go on their merry way.

“In the time since you left this morning, this is what you’ve come up with?” he questioned, an element of accusation lacing his tone. “That you’re just gonna ignore me?”

“No, not ignore-”

“-it’s kinda what it sounds like to me. That you’ve made your mind up and not bothered consulting me about it. You’ve not cared to see how I might feel.”

“God, no, that’s not it at all. I just thought it might be for the best.” she reasoned.

“The best for you, you mean.” He tilted his head to the side. She recognised this move from interviews where he became visibly frustrated with questions he had been expected to answer and she didn’t like being on the receiving end of it.

“Chris, I don’t know what else to suggest here.” She held her hands up in defence. “I’m just trying to keep everyone happy and I thought this would be the safest option but clearly I was wrong. I’m sorry if you think I’m deflecting or something.”

He wasn’t listening. “You seem to think these things only concern you. You forget other people are involved.”

“What?”

“I mean, you certainly have form for it.” He pressed, needling her a little bit more.

“Like what?”

“Well, Charlotte for one.” He shifted in his seat while looking down at the cup in front of him. He’d made little effort to drink it since it arrived but he found the smell fairly comforting.

“Oh wow.” She leaned back against the bench rest, despondent. “Thanks for that.”

He might have felt a little remorseful at his glibness if he thought about it but nevertheless, he remained firm, straightening up in his seat. He wasn’t going to let her pretend things weren’t existing now. “It’s like sometimes, no one else gets a look in even when they might wanna help. You didn’t even give me a chance, Sarah. You just left.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Oh OK well we’re even now.” He responded, sardonically. He finally stopped toying with his coffee and leaned into his hands, his elbows on the table. This was not going how he had hoped and he felt more and more guilty as seconds passed as he noticed the strain etched across her soft features. “Look, I’m sorry, OK? I’m just not really used to this.”

��You think I am?”

“Of course not.” He shook his head. He needed to place the train back on the track if this was going to get any better. He could sense her distancing himself from him, looking like she could run away at any moment. “I’m not used to working this hard.”

She met his glance briefly, his attempt at lightening the mood failing to land. He took a risk and smiled at her but that didn’t seem to do much either. It had barely been ten hours since they’d kissed, dangerously close to straying even further from the relative safety net of their friendship. He slowly rubbed a hand over his face, smoothing out his beard as he moved, not taking his eyes from her. He nudged the cup towards her, wordlessly offering her a drink.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you.” He spoke under his breath. “I’m not sure what I am doing here and I don’t know what to do about any of this but one thing I do know is that I’ve been thinking about you in ways I shouldn’t be. So...” he held his hands open on the table in a contrite offering. “...that’s where I am.”

He had fully expected her to get up and leave but she stayed put. She looked like she was trying hard not to look at him, her shoulders down, thoughts clearly crossing her mind. Maybe if he had been this upfront at the start, they could have avoided this dance around each other but that was by the by at this point.

“I think you’re thinking about me, too.” He fixed her with a stare, half sincere and half wary of what her reaction would be. He knew she wasn’t the type to shout and scream but she was the type to ignore issues in the hope they would disappear on their own. This is where his confidence became a valuable asset and if this was going to work out, he would have to do it now. “Because you wouldn’t be talking to me about any of this if you weren’t.”

She considered this for a second. It pained her a little to admit he might be right. “Shit.” He reckoned he wasn’t supposed to hear that. “There’s nothing we can do about it, Chris. It’s not that I am denying it but there’s other people to consider. Shanna for one.”

“We’re not breaking any rules, Sarah. Things happen and maybe they happen for a reason. Right now, there’s something here I think we should explore. Don’t you?”

“I don’t know...”

“You do know, you’re just scared and that’s OK, too.” He tentatively reached his hand half way across the table hoping in vain she might reach back but she stayed still, hands back in her lap no doubt picking at her fingernails under the table like she did when she was anxious. “I think we need to cut ourselves some slack. There’s nothing wrong with finding a little comfort. Might even make ourselves feel better?”

Audrey had finally managed to find a quick window of opportunity for a break when she handed her order request to O’Brien. He at first looked baffled at how much kit they managed to breeze through in the 24 hours previous but Audrey merely shrugged. She was past the point of playing the bureaucracy game with glorified middle management. She grabbed her secret stash of cigarettes - the ones Michael didn’t know about - and headed outside to the ambulance bay. She bummed a lighter from Dan, a Paramedic on his break, and leaned her foot back against the brick wall. It was cold again but it was dry and worth it.

As she looked down the street rolling out either side of where she was stood, her eyes eventually landing on Sarah and Chris leaving the diner. It was unfair that he looked his good in a casual sweater and jeans that had seen better days. She had to admit that seeing him for a couple of minutes that day had so far been the highlight of an otherwise rough week. Indeed, she sometimes found herself envious of Sarah’s relationship with him and how she managed to not be affected by his colossal, other-worldly handsomeness. Lord know she couldn’t imagine being that strong. But as she saw the hug he gave her and the kiss he cautiously landed on her lips as they parted ways, maybe she didn’t have to wonder after all.

#chris evans fic #evans fic #Sarah Bernette #Chris Evans #chris evans x original female character #Clear The Area

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rosesvioletshardy · 5 years ago

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life as we know it - b.h. chapter 8

a/n: i’m posting today because i needed some sort of mental break form everything happening. i was about to go to a blm protest yesterday in my city until i heard what was happening and before it escalated too far and people were running for safety. i’ve been signing petitions and donating as much as i could non-stop and it really got to me. really hope you guys like this chapter

black lives matter

masterlist

summary: when their two best friends die, it’s up to ben and y/n to take care of their goddaughter and face the challenges that come with it

# of words: 3,557

warnings: reader being a dick at one point, FLUFF, panic attack

not edited so i apologize for any mistakes

taglist: @myfatbottomedgirls, @evemarie05, @suckerfor-fanfics

(my gif below, please credit if using)

july

a couple of months have passed and ben and y/n have managed to do everything their way and the way christian and lennon would’ve wanted them to. they had both seen therapists to truly get in touch with the situation and there was no more freaking out and ever since the fiasco about them “dating” and charlie being *their* daughter. sean on the other hand needed his plan to go quick before she understood her real feelings and how she truly felt and broke up with him. a lot of people didn’t believe that what they were saying was true and would rather believe a gossip site rather than the true source itself because they’d think it would be a good way to promote more self image and business.

when it came out, sean was furious. she knew it would happen and tried to call him to explain the situation that they weren’t together and charlie wasn’t their daughter but he knew that. he wanted her to feel guilty

flashback

“did you see the news?” he asked

“yeah listen, ben already talked to his publicist about it and the daily mail is going to post another article about it’s not true, he’s not my boyfriend and charlie is our biological daughter.”

“he better. i swear to god he ruins everything.” he told her gritting his teeth, and grabbing her wrists and throwing them away

“no he doesn’t.”

“yes he does, but i need to keep making sure he doesn’t touch you in any way possible okay? you’re mine only.”

“i’m yours only.” she told him tears creeping up in her eyes

flashback over

there were some ups and downs like recently charlie decided she needed to go number 2 while they were giving her a bath that turned into a doctor’s visit the next day

“she still has soap on her head.” she told ben

“yeah i can see” he said as he moved the shower head and covered charlie’s eyes as she played with the rubber duck

before ben could cover her eyes, she saw charlie do her poop face

“she’s making her poop face” y/n voiced

“What?”

“her poop face! that’s the face she makes when she needs to go. she’s going to poop in the tub” she yelled picking charlie up to take her to the toilet

ben started to freak out as he moved out of the way to take the lock off of the toilet that was installed

“hurry up! she’s going to do it any minute!” “‘m trying! i don’t remember how i opened these!” ben panicked

“she’s going to poop on me. here let me try” she panicked giving charlie to ben

y/n then began to struggle like ben did and kept trying to pull the latch before doing the unthinkable and taking ben’s beanie and holding it under the baby

“no, no, no MY HAT! oh my god that’s my hat”

“i’m so sorry. i’ll buy you a new one. i promise.” she giggled

“oh it’s funny. yeah, laugh it off. that’s real funny” ben said starting to laugh along

“wait what is that?”

“what?”

“that lump on her stomach”

“‘t’s her belly button. she’s an outie.” ben told her

“No, that was not there yesterday when i changed her.” she told him

“okay. we’ll make a doctor's appointment for tomorrow. let’s just get her cleaned up and ready for bed.”

that was all on her mind throughout the night and before the appointment. she had taken charlie on her break so ben can have some alone time for a while seeing that he’s been busy and wants one day without hearing the wiggles music all day.

here she was, holding charlie and pacing back and forth talking to tyler about an event

“we can’t afford to be snobby. it’s our biggest event. just bring out all the most popular foods, you know? anything that’s sweet and could be counted as finger-food.” she told him before the doctor came in

“sorry to keep you waiting. my mother wouldn’t hang up.” the doctor said

“that’s fine. i know the feeling sometimes”

“so you are charlie’s new guardian, is that correct?” dr. smith asked looking at charlie’s chart

“yes that is correct.”

“i’m really sorry about what happened to her parents and your friends” he said as he gestured for her to sit charlie on the table

“thank you.”

“okay. now, how is she doing? is she sleeping okay? regular bowel movements”

“well not at first but now it’s very regular. but she has this protrusion on her stomach and i don’t know what it is. i don’t know anything about kids. lennon was the first one of my friends to have a baby and she was amazing with charlie. she would be the first person i would call about this. i-i mean, she was the first person i called about everything. and it hurts that i can’t call her and i’d really like to tell her “oh my god what the hell were you thinking? I mean you could’ve left me with your pearls or the YSL clutch. this is just a little too much and hard. i don’t even know what i’m doing even with the help.” oh god i’m ranting. i’m so sorry.” y/n said taking a deep breath

“it’s fine. a lot of parents do that, especially first time parents. so, charlie’s got an umbilical hernia. it’s nothing to be worried about, they mostly go away on their own, but we’ll keep watching it.” dr. smith told her taking out his prescription pad and began to write

“wait, you said it goes away on its own.”

“this is for you.” he finished writing down and giving it to her

she took the paper and began to read it out loud

“one bottle of pinot noir, one to two glasses as needed.”

“or white, same dosage though. look, you and whoever is with you are doing is pretty incredible. but don’t forget to give yourselves a break every now and then. Okay? So i’ll have the nurse set you up in a week? bye charlie, you’re going to be okay. it was nice to meet you.” dr. smith told her shaking her hand

“you too, and thank you.”

y/n left the building with charlie in her stroller and they began their journey back home. on the way, they ended up seeing sean but he wasn’t alone. at first she thought “maybe it’s just a co-worker of his out for lunch or maybe just an old friend.” but then she saw what she thought was the worst thing ever. he was cheating on her. she didn’t know what to feel other than betrayed and she hadn’t felt like this in a way since she found out about the death. wiping the lone tear away, she walked away and straight home and wondered how long it had been going on or if ben knew.

when she got home, she was met with what seemed like drumming. taking charlie out of her stroller and down for a nap, she walked into the family room to find ben sitting at a drum set and looking at music sheets.

“what the fuck benjamin. what is this?!” y/n exclaimed

“well, as you can see, it is a drum set. they are usually used by drummers for band and are set up in the ba-” ben tried to explain in a sarcastic tone before getting cut off

“i know what a drum is. i mean what is it doing in the room? why do you even have it?”

“this new role i got involves drumming and i said i could play so here we are now.”

“but you can’t play.”

“exactly that’s why i’m practicing. why does it look like you were crying?” he asked curiously after seeing her puffy eyes

“um no reason. what is the role that you need to learn drumming so badly?”

“okay. do you promise not to tell anyone?”

“yeah i promise”

“this is really private and it hasn’t been announced yet so do you really prom-” “yes, ben i fucking promise. Jesus”

“fine. geez. i’m going to be playing roger taylor in the queen biopic” ben told her really excited

this caused her to laugh and she couldn’t understand why. she didn’t mean to be rude it just sort of happened.

“i’m sorry. i didn’t mean to laugh. i just couldn’t get the thought of you playing one of my childhood crushes. oh my. how long have you managed to keep this from me?”

“can you please leave me alone now? i don’t have that much time to learn a shit ton of songs. and i went to the meeting about it a couple of months ago, remember when i left in the middle of dinner? then i started lessons after i got the part and somehow managed to pull off one song so far.” ben told her fixing one of the cymbals

that’s why ben was constantly gone for a while and they had to ask charlie’s babysitter because she couldn’t take care of charlie and go to work at the same time

“now can i leave for practice? i can’t believe i’m telling you this, but we shoot the live aid scene soon and joe, rami, and gwilym are still trying to get to know one another?” ben asked

“yeah, sure.” she said before continuing

“why don’t you invite them over? i can make dinner for all of you.”

“are you sure about that? wouldn’t it be too much?”

“no, it’s completely fine. have you forgotten how many places i’ve catered? or how many people i serve for a day when i work? it’s practically my specialty.”

“fine. but you better not tell anything embarrassing that’s happened to us so far.” ben warned

“ooo i’m so scared” y/n exclaimed in a teasing way

“watch it.” ben warned pointing at her with a drumstick

“fine.”

after their exchange, y/n began to look around the kit as ben got ready to leave. walking into the kitchen she began dinner for later in the night and made something that ben could easily heat up later.

“alright, i’m leaving. bye charlie girl.” ben said giving charlie a kiss on her head as she continued to sleep

hours passed and it was now around 8 in the evening and y/n took the doctor's advice and decided to drink some pinot noir. for some reason she managed to handle her alcohol this time and not send anything risky. ben walked in the house to find her giggling as she had managed to drink a little more than usual.

“BEN! oh my god. thank god you’re here. have i told you how much of a great dad you’ll be? i mean i really hate you but you’re like a great dad or “dad” with charlie i guess but still. i’m literally going to be so jealous of whoever gets to have your kids. oh my god i feel so good! but there is one thing i’ve realized the whole time she has been asleep and it’s that i’m never going to take a great bath in this house. this is a shower house. why does it always look like you never brush your hair? that must save a lot of time.” she told him

“how’s that wine treating you? you not going to send anyone anything?”

“no. my phone is in the kitchen so i wouldn’t touch it while i drink. oh. did you want some? because i can definitely share.”

“nah i’m good.”

“maybe it’s because you don’t worry as much. that’s what lennon told me when they set us up. she said “honey, you just got your ass dumped by your boyfriend of two years and cheated on you, you need a good time.” then you showed up! your charming self shows up at my door and it’s a total asshole at the door. and now i’m about to raise a kid with said asshole.”

ben didn’t know what to feel but hurt. he really thought that she would come around but clearly she didn’t

“oh god i’m going to regret this huh? i shouldn’t have poured my feelings out to that doctor and just listened to the therapist instead.” she said putting the glass down

“come on. off to bed, i think you’ve had enough.”

“i’ve had so many things thought of that i wanted to say but i can’t remember them”

“‘kay so you’re a horny drunk and a belligerent drunk? That’ll be a fun next 18 years:” ben told her as they started to walk up the stairs

“i’m a fun drunk too. it just depends on what i drink.” she said as they heard the doorbell ring

ben went to the door to see who it was thinking it was one of their neighbors asking for something but it wasn’t

“Hi”

“hi. i’m janine williams. your caseworker from social services?” the woman said shaking ben's hand as y/n creeped up behind him

“you were told that we’d be making a few unannounced visits.”

“yeah. this is definitely unannounced. just give me one minute.” ben told her closing the door

“social services are at the door. so go and wash your face and get your head out of your ass and hope that you’re as good at acting like you are baking. you got like 5 minutes to sober up.” ben whisper yelled at her pointing towards the stairs

“please come in. i’ll show you around” ben said as he opened the door

she tried her best to sober up as much as she could while ben showed janine around the house and making sure that they could do what they needed to do

“are you sure you don’t want to see it again?”

“nope, twice is usually my limit.”

“i’m so sorry. i was finishing up cleaning the dishes. i didn’t have time to do them in the morning so with charlie down i got to do them” she said as they saw a few dishes in the sink

“okay. um let’s get started then”

y/n and ben sat next to each other while janine sat opposite of them

“let’s just talk. just get the sense of the both of you, your plans. where do you see yourselves in, say, five years?”

“OH I KNOW!” y/n practically yelled as ben tried to calm her down

“i own a small bakery, hopefully a full restaurant. anyways i hope to own my own frozen food, organic of course. but charlie, i didn’t include her but she is a part of my plan.”

“that’s fine. Thank you. ben? where do you see yourself in five years?”

“wow, well hopefully i’ll still be acting. um like she said Charlie is a part of my plan to. i want to show her what i do-” ben started before getting cut off

“that’s what i wanted to talk to you about. the acting. i know actors manage to pull it off all the time but can you do it? can you still make sure that charlie will be provided and seen if y/n is needed for something?”

“yes. of course. with my new film i’ll be shooting here in london and around but i won’t be too far away from them.” ben told her

this was a surprise to her but it shouldn’t have been because of what it was about

“there’s also another thing i’m concerned about. the dog-”

“yes. frankie. don’t worry, she is completely trained and would never harm charlie and pretty much has been like a protector to her. she knows when to listen and what to do.”

“okay, good. one last thing is the relationship between you two. i did read the daily mail and what they have said and didn’t believe them because who would. but i want to make sure that nothing in this relationship could cause any problems for charlie, especially when she gets older.”

“i’m actually in a relationship right now. and let me tell, it’s not so hot right now but he doesn’t know that. i can promise you that the problems between ben and i can be completely totally worked out.” y/n giggled out

“exactly. if we have any problems i’m sure we would be able to work them out no matter what the situation is in a nice calm matter for charlie.”

“Good, well not with your relationship, hope everything's alright but with you two living together, the only thing we are concerned with is charlie losing more people she’s close too. well i think that’s it. just know we’ll be making a couple more not to many visits by the end of the year and if there’s any problems, just call us.” janine told them standing up shaking their hands

when ben closed the door, he began to wonder what she was talking about and thought about whether it was a good time to tell her about what he heard sean say at the funeral 2 months before.

“there’s something i need to tell you. you probably won’t remember because i can tell you’re still a little tipsy but it’s about sean” he started

“a couple of months ago during the funeral reception, i overheard sean say something. he’s cheating on you and he wants to marry you because he thinks he’ll be able to get your company and expand it to become more rich.”

“i know he’s cheating on me. i saw him earlier today that’s why it looked like i was crying.” y/n explained as she put her head on the couch pillow

“we’ve had a rocky relationship from the start but i was too blind and naive to notice.”

“so are you going to break up with him?”

“no.”

“no? why? he broke your heart, he’s controlling-”

“you think i don’t know that? every guy i have been with has been like that”

“what about me? we didn’t date but you don’t think i’m like that”

“no i don’t but you deserve someone who’s better.” she told him before continuing

“i’m going to sleep. g’night ben”

“wait.”

ben did the unthinkable and grabbed her hand, turned her around and kissed her. it was too much to process but she kissed him back and put her hand up to his face

“please break up with him.” ben whispered to her when they pulled away as their forehead touched

“i’ll try. i promise” she whispered back

the both laid in their beds that night and replayed the kiss in their head over and over again. y/n did have a plan to break up with sean. she didn’t know if it would work seeing that there were possibilities of what could happen. ben couldn’t stop smiling and felt like a teenage girl who just had her first kiss by the boy she liked. he never would’ve thought that the woman he took a booty call in front of a year ago would end up living with him and raising a child with him.

throughout the night, she kept tossing and turning. not being able to sleep, she went downstairs to find ben peacefully asleep on the couch. she always felt guilty that he had to sleep there but he was too stubborn to let her sleep on the couch while he had the bed. ben woke up from noise being made in the kitchen and quickly retreated only to find her drinking some water. putting his slipper down, he walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, shocking her

“oh shit you scared me” she said putting the glass down and her other hand over her heart

“yeah sorry. i was just wondering why you were up”

“uh i couldn’t sleep. too much going on. what are you doing up?”

“i heard something, thought it was a burglar”

“and you decided to defend yourself with a shoe?”

“hey shoes can be weapons”

“okay, well i guess we should go back to sleep. i’d also like to apologize for earlier. i know i was drunk but it still doesn’t excuse me and my actions for what i said.”

“it’s fine, i felt the same way in a way i guess at first but i guess i’m over it and yeah we should.” he said as they both awkwardly stood there

as they started to go their separate ways, y/n stopped in her tracks and decided to ask ben something she wouldn’t never thought of

“hey ben?”

“yeah?”

“cou-could you stay with me? i don’t know if i’ll be able to sleep, if you don’t that’s okay.” she started to stutter out as her face turned red

“no, no it’s fine. and i’ll stay with you” he told her as he walked over to her and taking her hand

they stepped inside the room and got into the bed. at first they were facing away from each other before they turned around to each other. ben grabbed her waist and pulled her into him. she felt his chest rise and slowly falling back, taking in his scent which consisted of his cologne and cigarettes mixed together. y/n soon felt her eyes close as she felt safe in his arms.

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shemakesmusic-uk · 5 years ago

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Pop artist Nadia Vaeh has dropped her new music video for her powerful track 'Anxiety'. The video reflects on her personal mental health struggles and how she copes with the highs and lows of anxiety. The video shows Nadia alone at home coping with what the real and raw effects of anxiety look and feel like. As an advocate, she hopes her music can inspire people to embrace the conversation of mental health and be a reminder that they are not alone.

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Babeheaven, the project of West Londoners Nancy Andersen and Jamie Travis, share their latest single, 'Craziest Things', along with a video from the award-winning illustrator and animator, Sacha Beeley. The track is taken from the duo’s much anticipated debut album, Home For Now, which will be released on November 20 via AWAL, and follows the singles 'Cassette Beat' and 'Human Nature'. About the track, Nancy said: “On 'Craziest Things', I explore my anxiety and insomnia, not being able to make sense of my emotions and running around in a state of mania.”

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Moscow-based multi-talented avant-pop artist Kate Shilonosova aka Kate NV has just unveiled a video for 'Lu Na', a track taken from her last album Room for the Moon. Drawing from “unlived memories of 70s and 80s Russian and Japanese pop music and film,” the project also comes with vintage and surreal conceptual videos inspired by the shows she was watching as a child. In these new Gina Onegina-directed visuals, she introduces four dancers voguing in pinky cats outfits. “‘Lu Na’ was originally planned as a dance clip consisting mostly of one repetitive loop—simple pattern where cats walk in a square one by one,” she stated. “This pattern was hugely inspired and based on [Samuel] Beckett’s piece Quad which I love. Originally I just wanted the sun to appear slowly behind those cats while they walk. All of the dancers were wonderful, they brought so much life to the characters of those cats!” [via High Clouds]

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Kississippi, the increasingly pop-minded project of the Philadelphia musician Zoe Reynolds, have released a new single, 'Around Your Room'. Kississippi got their start making wispy and hypnotic folk reveries, which opened up into more muscular fare on their debut full-length, 2018’s Sunset Blush. 'Around Your Room' is their most unabashedly pop song yet, a strobing synth that pulls from Lorde’s Melodrama providing the main thrust for Reynolds’ gauzy lyrics about memory and its inexorable pull. Reynolds cowrote 'Around Your Room' with Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties, according to a tweet from Tudzin. “This song tells a story of yearning and infatuation. It’s about being hopelessly enamored in a way that took me back to my youthful perception of love,” Reynolds said in a statement. “It represents those moments where you’re fully infatuated with someone and they’re all you can think about. I’ve written about love in a cynical manner in the past and this song was written as a reminder of the magic and euphoria that comes with it.” 'Around Your Room' is the lead single from a new Kississippi album due out next year, Reynolds’ first for Triple Crown. Watch director Josh Coll’s video for the song above. [via Stereogum]

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Tank and The Bangas have announced a new EP called Friend Goals. Due out November 20 via Verve Forecast, the six-track, guest-heavy release is being previewed with the track 'Self Care'. The New Orleans-based group are known for their collaborative habits, having this year teamed with the likes of Jacob Collier and Fantastic Negrito. Friend Goals, as the title might suggest, brings together a number of artists Tank and The Bangas have befriended over their career. The follow-up to last year’s Green Balloon LP features guests like CHIKA ('Mr. Insta'), Duckwrth ('Fluff'), PJ Morton ('TSA'), and Pell on the title track. Lead single 'Self Care' actually touts three collaborators: Jaime Woods, Orleans Big, and Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph. The track itself is exactly what we need in 2020, an ode to being with yourself and being damn okay with it. “Chillin’ all by myself/ Netflix, eatin’, cheatin’, by myself, all by myself,” Tarriona “Tank” Ball spits, clearly enjoying her alone time. “Nobody else/ New people to the left/ What is there left but myself?” “‘Self Care’ is THE quarantine song to get you moving,” Ball said in a statement. “It shows that some of the best things can come out from solitude, especially when the beat hits this hard.” Take a listen above via the song’s Fat Happy Media-directed video. [via CoS]

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New Zealand’s platinum sensation BENEE unveils the official video for her latest single 'Snail'. For the visual, BENEE and director Anita Fontaine deliver a lush and larger-than-life fantasy befitting of the track. In the colorful clip, BENEE wakes up to feed her giant snail roommates and slides around their slime trails before heading to work in her secret elf lab. Soon, she’s cycling out of her home—a concrete replica of her own head—out into a storm. After being struck by lightning, our heroine turns into an elf and cruises through a mushroom wonderland under the glow of an aurora borealis-style blanket of colors across the sky. Reflective of her personality, it pops off as her biggest and boldest video to date. Of the inspiration behind the video, BENEE says, “I knew I wanted the vid to be a weird fantasy story involving snails! I said to Anita that I wanted to be an elf with long braids riding a bike and have giant mushrooms somewhere in the vid...She came back with the treatment, and I loved ittttttt! Her imagination is supa whacky in the best way, and I’m so happy with how ‘Snail’ turned out!”

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Bebe Rexha has returned with her new anthem 'Baby, I'm Jealous', which features Doja Cat. 'Baby, I'm Jealous' is Bebe Rexha's first single of 2020, following on from last year's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil track 'You Can't Stop The Girl'. The new track marks the debut collaboration between Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat, and is accompanied by a Hannah Lux Davis-directed visual that stars Charli D’Amelio, Nikita Dragun, and Avani Gregg. Bebe Rexha says the new single is "about embracing my insecurities", and adds, "It’s about the way social media has heightened my jealousy which can affect how I feel about myself. We are constantly flooded with the highlights of other people’s lives, and at times I find myself comparing my worth and beauty to others. It’s part of the human process to experience jealousy - ultimately, this is an anthem to embrace those feelings as a form of empowerment." [via Line Of Best Fit]

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Making her grand return to the scene with a striking new single is Brighton-hailed singer Fable, with her new tune 'Thirsty'. With otherworldly tones and harmonising vocals, the singer serves us with a sumptuous genre-bending tune that has us headbanging at every chorus. Known for her bold and atmospheric sonics, the singer accompanies the song with an attention-grabbing video with juxtaposing images of ethereal nature and mental destruction. Speaking on the single, the singer said, “'Thirsty' is about taking the beauty of life for granted. How overtime we write off profound stuff as mundane because it’s a constant; the sky’s always there, but it’s weird and beautiful that we even exist under it. It’s playful at heart but it’s about my realised depression and learning how to reset my perspective through mindfulness,” Having disappeared from the scene back in 2016 due to a personal tragedy, the singer has reconnected to her artistic side and is ready to step back into the spotlight. [via Wonderland]

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With the enticing line-up of Joe Lonie (Supergroove), Milan Borich (Pluto), Jol Mulholland (The Reduction Agents) and Morgan Leary (Cindy), Tāmaki Makaurau supergroup Kathy Bates Motel share their latest ear worm 'Cool Your Heels'. The class act's second single, following up debut track 'Damaged Goods', is dangerously catchy, with killer harmonies from vocalists Lonie and Leary. 'Cool Your Heels' will have you moving your feet and hankering for a dance, a need so perfectly met by the Footloose inspired, Joe Lonie directed visuals. Everybody cut foot loose, the weekend and 'Cool Your Heels' have arrived. [via Under The Radar]

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Up-and-comers Wargasm recently dropped their fifth single, ‘Backyard Bastards’, and now they’ve released a video to go with it. Shot and edited by Olli Appleyard, the video sees sees Sam Matlock (guitar, vocals) hunting down Ryan Cornall (session drummer) on a manic murder spree that finds its peak in an epic showdown between the two, all the while being cheered on by Milkie Way (bass, vocals) and her dancer squad. You can check out the video for ‘Backyard Bastards’ above. [via Dead Press]

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Atlanta-based glam punk rockers Starbenders have released an energetic and evocative music video for their new single 'Can’t Cheat Time' off most recent album Love Potions. 'Can’t Cheat Time' is available now as part of a bundle featuring the original single and an acoustic version. 'Can’t Cheat Time' perfectly pairs frontwoman Kimi Shelter‘s incredible vocal shapeshifting abilities with electrocuted guitars and heart-pounding rhythm for this stand out rock ‘n’ roll anthem. Speaking to the inspiration for the single’s music video, Shelter adds: “‘Can’t Cheat Time’ is a personal favorite amongst the band. This single has a wicked string arrangement reminiscent of Jeff Lynne from ELO’s production style. It was so rewarding hearing all of it come together with the live string players. The accompanying music video is a love letter to the mom and pop businesses that have shaped and supported our very existence. These businesses along with the touring industry have been devastated by the pandemic. We filmed in locations around Atlanta which include the local greasy spoon diner, the record shop, the independent guitar store, the watering hole, and the divey small music venue. While mega-retailers did not close down for even one day, 60% of small to medium-sized businesses in the USA that closed will never reopen. These places are vital to the social and economic health of our cities. We encourage our friends to go to saveourstages.com. Sign up to push legislators to help independent venues though the updated Heroes Act. So many are hurting and on the verge of financial ruin from lighting to sound engineers, musicians, DJs, security, bar staff and venue operators. Our hearts are with you all.“ [via The Girls At The Rock Show]

#videos of the week #nadia vaeh #babeheaven #kate nv #kississippi #tank and the bangas #benee #bebe rexha #doja cat #fable #kathy bates motel #wargasm #starbenders

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fluid-quartz · 6 years ago

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its almost 2 am, i make poor life choices, and i just wrote a small ficlet based on @welsfight ‘s post about how ex eats and the weird theories that stemmed from it. i thought about putting the biggest part of it under the cut cause its like ~1800 words but i dont feel like it whoops

so without further ado, i present to you:

THE HERMITS AND THE MYSTERY OF HOW EVIL X EATS

It was a nice evening out, as they all sat around the campfire. Tango was sitting almost inside of it, roasting marshmallows for everyone that wanted them, and the others were just chatting with each other, about some of their projects and plans or simply about things that had happened.

Cub was looking pensively the whole time, as though he was trying to figure something out.

“Hey guys? Strange question, maybe, but… Do you ever wonder how Evil X eats, what with that helmet that never goes off?” The conversation around him dulled, multiple Hermits just staring at him for a moment.

“That… is a very good question,” said Zedaph as he jumped to his feet. He sensed there was a great game show in this, probably. “Ladiiiieeeeees and gentlemeeeeeen! Welcome to the first episode of How Do They Eat?! This time, we’re discussing Evil Xisuma!” A few of them chuckled, shifting in their places a little to be able to properly see Zedaph, who had just completely taken on his game show host persona, including putting a little desk of brightly coloured concrete in front of him.

There was only murmur for a moment, and then Bdubs stood up, dramatically clearing his throat.

“Well, I think he eats nutrient pills that he pops through a coin slot. So he can still have a balanced diet, you know?” As he spoke, Keralis’ eyes grew even larger than they already were.

“Slot machine? Did you say… Slot machine, Bubbles???” he said, not-so-sneakily looking around to see if Evil X was around somewhere. Iskall just laughed, and Bdubs looked at Keralis with judgment in his eyes.

“No, no, you can’t play slot machines on Evil X, he puts a cork in the coin slot when he isn’t using it.”

Keralis wanted to go against it, but Zedaph was quicker and louder.

“That’s an interesting theory you got there! But… Are there others? Surely you must have wondered before how he eats. Come, don’t be afraid to speak up!”

Doc immediately raised his hand, then stood up to speak.

“Guys. It’s obviously a teleportation ray. He just points at food, and it reappears in his mouth or stomach, depending on how lazy he’s feeling. It’s the simplest scientific explanation.”

“That’s a load of bullshit, Doc. It implies that he needs to eat, and we all know he’s secretly a robot. He just hasn’t shown it yet, right, guys?” Biffa interjected before anyone else could speak. There was some muttering about it, until Zedaph once more took over.

“Biffa, I appreciate the input, I really do – yes, yours too, Doc, don’t worry – but for the sake of the game, let’s assume he eats.”

“But what if he doesn’t? What if… What if he’s immortal! Immortals don’t eat, right?” Keralis butted in enthusiastically.

“Well, then we wouldn’t be playing this game, right? So! Theories! I personally think he can just remove a panel of his helmet, and then sucks it in like a vacuum cleaner. Or like Kirby, that might be closer to reality. They are both red, after all.”

“Kirby’s pink, Zed.”

“I don’t care, Tango, I haven’t heard you name a better theory.”

All eyes in the circle were suddenly aimed at Tango, who almost dropped a batch of marshmallows into the fire.

“Uh…. I uh… Maybe his helmet is just fused to his face? So like, it opens up when his mouth opens?” He sounded a tad unsure of himself, having to think up a theory on the spot. Still better than kirbying, though. Stress immediately started bouncing up and down on the ground, her hand raised high into the sky.

“Oh, oh! What if the glass part of his helmet just opens, so he can drop the food in?”

“Or the top. It could also be the top of his helmet that opens, like a fishbowl,” interjected TFC’s gruff voice. He sounded amused, though. Very much so.

“Wouldn’t that just create a very big mess? For all we know the bottom half can just open up separately from the rest, so he can just eat more or less normally,” Wels shrugged, looking over at Zedaph once more.

“Those are all very valid theories. A bit boring, though, and plain! There’s more points to be got with creative theories!” He was smiling widely, looking around at the others. Then he pointed at Iskall. “You! Iskall! What is your super mega awesome theory of doom?”

The swede looked bewildered, and thought for a moment. Then they could almost literally see a redstone lamp going on above his head.

“An airlock! Like in spacecrafts! That’s why the bit in front of his mouth sticks out a little, it’s so that food can first get surrounded by the Right Kind of air before it gets to him!” He was beaming, thinking his theory was the most clever one out there. Until Mumbo spoke up.

“Uhm… Iskall? How would he get the food from that airlock into his mouth?”

“I don’t know, maybe he just like… tilts his head backwards and hopes for the best?” Around him, various Hermits were laughing. The mental image of spooky, scary Evil X desperately trying to make a cookie fall into his mouth and failing horribly just did that to someone.

“Oh! If we continue in that vein a little… You know how items sometimes just kind of clip through walls? What if that’s how he gets food inside of his helmet? By having it just clip through? Sometimes it would just get stuck, though, out of his reach,” Impulse mused, smiling widely.

“Gosh, that would be soooo difficult to clean, though!” Stress sighed.

“Then he can just clip through some cleaning supplies as well, don’t worry about it.” Impulse chuckled, then stuck out his tongue at the face Stress made.

From the other side of the campfire, Jevin’s voice suddenly popped up.

“You know, I bet he eats enderpearls like eggs.”

The murmuring that had been present completely died down as he looked around, completely serious. Zedaph opened and closed his mouth a few times.

“That.. That wasn’t even the question, Jevin! Do you have any theories about how he eats instead?”

“Yeah… Yeah, I do. I think he just… He either boils them, and eats them with the crunchy scale, or maybe he just sticks a straw in to slurp up the insides. Evil X seems like someone that would do that.”

“ABOUT HOW HE EATS IN GENERAL, JEVIN, NOT ABOUT HOW HE EATS ENDERPEARLS!” Zedaph sighed, then shook his head and facepalmed. “Anyone else. Literally anyone. Please.”

Python mumbled something in response, too quiet for even the people around him to hear properly.

“Could you repeat that a bit louder, please?” Zedaph asked, and Python looked him straight in the eyes.

“… maybe he vores?”

“No. Nope. Cursed theory right there, ladies and gents. Python, please go sit with Jevin to think about your sins, and maybe you won’t go in the dunk tank.” He pointed over to were the grinning slime man was sitting, and Python stood up with a shrug, faking disappointment and fear for the dunk tank. Then Mumbo raised his hand.

“Okay, so, what if his helmet functions the same as Darth Vader’s mask? What if there’s just some kind of mechanical cheese grater that he can just put food through, so it can go through his helmet and into his mouth without too much trouble?” A bit of muttering sounded here and there, once again with sounds from Stress about how horrible that would be to get clean.

“What if… What if he just like… Photosynthesizes, man… like a flower, getting nutrients from the sunlight and from putting his feet in the dirt… how nice would that be, man...” Ren said, his drawl slow and relaxed.

“Ren, I think you had too many of those mushrooms, your Renbob is showing. Though, I think it’s quite obvious. He just uses a feeding tube to get his food in, or perhaps a straw and blendered food. It could simply go through a small hole in the helmet.” Scar then popped a few unroasted marshmallows into his mouth before continuing. “That way, there’s no mess at all.”

The theory earned him some nods, and then Cleo stood up. Slowly, to get the attention of everyone around.

“While all of you have great ideas, I think it’s obvious how it works. Evil X just eats like Sandy the Squirrel, from Spongebob.”

“And how would that be, Cleo?” Impulse asked.

“Well, he just… puts food into his mouth through the bottom of his helmet, where it connects to his armor. Of course, that means he has to open up his armor a little bit, but that’s done easily enough. I bet he has a zipper too.” She smiled widely, with a look in her eyes that said that she knew full well that there was no way that her theory was correct. It made Joe sigh dramatically.

“What is wrong with all of y’all?! He would just take off his helmet and eat like a normal person!” False raised her hand.

“I gotta stop you there, Joe. We both know that he can’t breathe Overworld air unaided, like X can’t either. So, let me propose the following: He takes a whiff of his inhaler so he got air for a little bit, then he takes off the helmet and he just starts shoveling in as much food as he can before putting his helmet back on. And then he repeats that until he’s done eating.”

“I can live with that,” Joe said, and then he looked over at Zedaph. “That seems like a good and valid theory, right?”

“It certainly does, Joe! But… Since we’re nearing the end of the episode, why don’t we ask X for some clarity? If anyone knows, it would be him. Let’s see how close we got, everyone!” He then proceeded to pull Xisuma to his feed, and pushed him to be behind the host desk. It made the admin chuckle, but he took on the role that was apparently expected of him.

“It’s quite simple, actually,” Xisuma started, “Just like me, he can use a breathing tube so he can just take off-”

He then got interrupted by Grian yelling “STOMACH MOUTH! STOMACH MOUTH!” repeatedly at the top of his lungs, because he couldn’t quite believe how easy and boring the solution was. Xisuma looked over at him with a raised eyebrow, and then he just shook his head as the Hermits around started laughing. He loved those idiots.

#hermitcraft #hermitcraft fanfic #how does evil x eat #basically all hermits are in here #i aint tagging all of them #all theories are based on ones yall actually sent to cent #fluff #the hermits share a braincell #long post

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formeitsalways-haylor1989 · 6 years ago

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We Come Back Every Time

Author's Note: Here we are again, another story in a space of a week woahza! Originally I was going to make this more than one chapter but since I’m only just getting back into the writing game I figured let's not make it too difficult for ourselves. ‘Cause of this, I’m sorry if the start is very in depth and the rest feels kinda rushed. I originally didn’t mean to go that deep and detailed to the start but it just happened. Anyway this starts of in the 1989 era and moves into the Reputation era with mentions of Calvin/Adam, Tom and Joe. I really really hope you enjoy this. The idea was one I originally had back in 2015 for a one shot that was going to turn smutty but like I said, it’s been a while. A smutty one may be coming up next before I take One Night can Change Everything. Anyway, you know the drill. Comment, vote, like etc. It really inspires me to write more when I know people are reading and enjoying my stuff. This is also the longest fic I’ve written in a LONG while.

*insert line break*

August 2016

Taylor scrolled through Instagram looking at fan posts while the car drove down the busy streets of London. They pulled up to a red light, at the same time receiving a text from Adam that read “ Goodnight beautiful.” She smiled, not responding to the message.

The car began to move again, taking her the remaining distance to the hotel that Adam was currently staying in. He was in town for some festival and Taylor was sad she couldn’t join him originally. With some work by her team, they were able to shift things around so she could surprise him on a last-minute flight to London.

The pop-star wore a trench coat and a pair of heels with a black lace dress underneath. She managed to get changed on the jet before stepping into the awaiting car. Pulling up to the Ritz-Carlton, she grabbed the Louis Vuitton duffle bag and made her way to the reception desk collecting the key that her team had already called ahead for. Taylor made her way up to the 14 th floor, excited and eager to surprise her boyfriend, little did she know that she was the one in for a bigger surprise.

After a good 5-minute walk from the elevator doors, she inserted the white key waiting for a click and its accompanying flashing green light. Taylor quietly opened the door, hoping not to wake Adam just yet but was surprised to see the main light on in the room. Gently closing the door behind her, she walked further into the room to reveal a sight she never hoped to see.

“Adam!?” she asked in shock and surprise.

There, on the bed was her boyfriend of just over a year on his back with brunette’s legs wrapped around him, naked.

“Taylor?” he said in complete surprise, trying to remove the girl who was bouncing on top of him.

“What the fuck Adam?!” Taylor’s voice was getting louder. “I loved you! How could you do this to me?” she asked while tears were running down her face.

“T I’m sorry,” he said while trying to grab his underwear. “I never meant to…”

Taylor scoffed, tears still flowing, “Never meant to what? Get caught!?” She shook her head.

The brunette began to move from her position on the bed, reaching for her clothes.

“No, don’t. You stay. I’ll leave,” Taylor said, wiping the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

Picking up her bag, she took one last look at Adam. Shaking her head again she spoke, “And after all that, I told you. How I felt, what I’ve gone through. For you to do this to me. I can’t believe you would stoop this low. If you wanted me out of your life, you could’ve just said it.”

Walking to the door, she didn’t look back. She didn’t want Adam to have the satisfaction of seeing her cry even more or how her heart was now broken into two. Slamming the door behind her, Taylor made her way to the elevator with her head held high.

I will not break down in this elevator. I will not break down in this elevator, was the mantra she said to herself over and over again.

In her hurry and daze, Taylor realised she hadn’t called her driver when she made it to the lobby. She was in too much pain to pick up her phone and wanting to get far away from the hotel as quickly as she could. It was at that moment, a London cab pulled up dropping guests. She made a b-line to the opened car door and placed her bag on the seat next to her.

“Where to miss?” the driver asked in his North London accent.

“I don’t know, just drive. Anywhere.” Taylor handed him $200 pounds.

The driver stared at her through the rear-view mirror, shrugged and started the engine.

*insert line break*

Sitting in the back of the taxi, Taylor thought about where she could go. She could get a room somewhere, that was always an option but she didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts. She needed a friend. A distraction. She mentally ran through all of the people she knew in London. Ed was currently on tour in Australia and Cara was walking some runway in Belgium. The only person she knew could potentially be in the same city was Harry.

Taylor gave the driver the address of what she hoped would be her final destination for the night. She considered texting him in the 35 minutes it would take for her to reach his place. They had become friends again in a way. They texted each other from time to time. Saw each other here or there. She knew that Harry would always be there for her and she would for him too. They didn’t talk much but the little speaking they did do, became even less when Taylor started dating Adam. She didn’t really understand why.

Pulling up at the house, she thanked the driver before handing him another $300 pounds.

“Thanks for this sir. Also sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused. I’d also really appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about tonight.”

“No problem. I’ll take your secret to my grave.”

Taylor smiled at him, thanking him once more before exiting the cab. Walking the stone driveway, she was grateful to see lights on. She also hoped he didn’t have company. Or if he did, it was someone she knew. Taylor didn’t want to walk in on two people in one night. Tentatively knocking on the door, she waited for what felt like forever until it opened, revealing a shirtless Harry Styles with his hair up in a bun and a toothbrush in his hand.

“Taylor?”

“Hi,” she said quietly. Clearing her throat, she continued, “I’m really sorry to do this to you, and it’s late and unexpected…”

She began to ramble, which gave Harry the chance to look at her face. She had been crying. He knew what Taylor looked like after she was upset all too well. He was sometimes responsible for those tears.

“It’s ok,” he said, stopping her from rambling on further. He motioned for her to come inside. “Is everything ok? You look like you’ve been crying.”

“Is it that obvious?” she asked while dropping her bag in the corner.

“Not to everyone, but to me it is.”

Harry stared at her, he could tell she was trying to put on a brave face.

“Taylor, you know you can always talk to me, right? My guess is, you needed someone to talk to otherwise you would’ve found yourself a hotel room.”

She looked at him and gave a small chuckle trying to put on a brave face. However, it didn’t last long. She felt Harry’s green eyes knocking down her walls and began to cry again. Tears started streaming down her face again. Before she could say or move Harry was beside her, scooping her into his arm and holding her tightly. He felt her hot tears on his skin, running his hand up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her.

He didn’t expect that his night would turn out like this.

The tears begin to subside, she’s no longer shaking his arms.

“I walked in on Adam cheating on me,” she reveals by pulling away from the hug to look at his face.

“Tay,” he says in a whisper. He moves the hair that has fallen in front of her face behind her ear. “I’m so sorry.”

“He said he loved me you know. For him to go and do that! I mean, I gave him a hit single for goodness sake. I loved him and that’s how he repays me!” Taylor starts to shout out of anger and disgust about what happened. Harry heads over to his bar to make her an Old Fashioned in an attempt that it will calm her.

He hands her the drink and she downs it quickly.

“Thanks.” Taylor wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. She takes a seat on her couch and stares at the artwork on his wall. There’s silence between the two for a while.

“Thanks for letting me in,” she says. Her eyes had moved from the artwork to her fidgeting hands in her lap. “I just needed someone to talk to and I don’t know a distraction. I figured I shouldn’t be left alone with my thoughts in case I decide to do something stupid like wait for him to fall asleep and go back and chop his balls off.”

Harry chuckles at the mental image.

“It’s no drama, Taylor. You’re welcome here anytime. You are my friend after all.”

Taylor smiles at him. “Yes, that you are. And friends, don’t let friends drink alone at times like this.” She makes her way off the couch over to his bar to begin making a drink for both of them.

Harry laughs and watches from his spot of the couch. He notices that despite what she’s just been through, Taylor still looks beautiful. Her gorgeous face, beautiful blue eyes accompanied by her signature red lipstick she wore. He eyes the black dress she wears that was obviously meant for Adam’s eyes only. He notices the way it clings to her and how painfully thin she looks. She wasn’t the same Taylor he dated years ago. Granted, he wasn’t the same Harry. She seemed like a ghost of her past self.

Taylor makes her way over and hands him his drink. She holds it up to toast, “To friends being there for friends during shitty times”.

Their glasses clink and Harry took a sip before getting up to grab a shirt.

Taylor was a little disappointed at the view that had just disappeared.

“The bedroom is through there,” he said, pointing to the right of the corridor.

She shakes her head, “Harry, this is your house. I don’t expect to show up in the middle of the night and for you to sacrifice your bed for me. The couch is just fine.”

Harry looks at her and figures it’s best not to argue with her.

“Fine,” he says picking up his glass. “Just don’t complain to me in the morning when you have a sore back.

Taylor gestures a zip and locking a lock next to her mouth.

Harry laughs before he decides to get up and grab a beer for himself and a glass of red wine for Taylor.

She thanks him for the drink before he sets off down the hall and comes back with a scrabble board. Harry figures while she’s here, he might as well have a worthy Scrabble opponent.

They play well into the night in between making cocktails and light conversation. Taylor gets changed into a pair of sweatpants and borrows one of Harry’s many white t-shirts.

They fall asleep next to each other on the couch, with Harry’s arms wrapped tightly around Taylor. It’s the best sleep Harry’s had in months.

*insert line break*

The next morning Taylor extracts herself from Harry’s arms and makes breakfast as a thank you for letting her stay. Harry laughs when he wakes up, realising that it’s such a Taylor thing to do.

She makes arrangements for her driver to collect and take her to the jet, wanting to get home to the company of her cats and eating all the ice cream and chocolate she can find in her New York apartment.

“Thank you again, Harry,” she says while pulling away from another hug. “It means a lot.”

“I’m here anytime you need me. Remember that. After all, we’re friends.”

“Friends,” Taylor replied with a nod and smile on her face .

Harry watches the car until it’s no longer in sight.

*insert line break*

The two start to talk more and more as the days go by. Facetime video calls and text messages back and forth about anything and everything. From cats to music, Harry even facetimes her on the set of the movie he’s staring in.

“Am I going to see you up there winning an Academy Award one day?” Taylor asks while turning the camera around so he can see Olivia doing her classic Meerkat pose

“Ha. I don’t think so Tay but who knows.”

They talk the longest when they’re in a crisis. She vents to him about her problems with Tom. How her team is wanting them to make everything so public. Taylor’s ears are open anytime whenever he and current girlfriend are having dramas. They figure they’re the only two that truly understand what it’s like having their respective partners get thrust into the spotlight. Taylor was all too familiar with it while Harry experienced it himself during his career.

Meetups happen as much as they can, though they’re sparse. With constant traveling on Harry’s end to Taylor’s current reclusiveness from the media, it’s hard. The majority of the time it’s in London, usually hanging out with Ed and Cherry.

He’s one of the first to find out apart from Ed and Selena that she’s got a new boyfriend. Another English actor only this time he’s younger than her. Harry’s happy for her as much as he can be, his true feelings for her being pushed down as much as he can so they can remain friends. Harry came to the conclusion that he wanted Taylor in his life. If he had to have her only as a friend, then so be it.

Harry released his debut album and Taylor is the first to send him flowers and a congratulatory bottle of champagne. “I’m so proud of you,” the note read in her cursive handwriting. “ I always knew you could do it. P.S. Kiwi is a killer track.”

He shoots her a message thanking her for the gift. He never tells her outright that Two Ghosts and Woman were about her. It was self-explanatory.

*insert line break*

July 2018

Harry’s wearing a black Reputation Stadium Tour hoodie and jeans, standing the sound booth watching the crowd go wild at FedEx Field.

He hadn’t physically seen in her a while but that was normal for them. However, Taylor’s calls and sending of memes grew less frequent by the day. He thought nothing of it but it occasionally chewed at the back of his mind.

Taylor’s glowing all over, not just from the body glitter she has on nor from the thrill and adrenaline from performing on stage. She’s glowing just in general and notices how she’s filled out. No longer is she painfully thin but she looks like the Taylor he dated at 18 just a little older.

He heads backstage to see her, congratulating her on a fantastic show.

“Thanks Harry, I’m glad you came.” Taylor hugs him tightly. “Thanks for taking the time to come see the show. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to make it out to one of yours.”

“Not to worry love,” he responds while pulling away. Harry sees a blond haired man walking towards them.

The blond wraps his arms tightly around Taylor’s waist. “Great show tonight,” he says before giving her a chaste kiss to the lips.

“Thanks babe.” She turns to face Harry.

“Harry, I would like you to meet Joe. Joe this Harry.”

The two Englishman shake hands and exchange pleasantries.

“Nice to meet you, big fan of the movie you did,” Joe says with an awkward smile on her face.

“Thanks mate, nice to meet you too.”

Taylor thanks Harry again before giving Joe a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off to change for Rep Room. The two boys stand there awkwardly in the hallway backstage of the stadium before Harry’s phone buzzes telling him that his driver is here.

“Nice to meet you again,” he says before giving him another awkward handshake. “Tell Taylor I say bye and to enjoy the rest of her tour.”

“Will do.”

Harry can feel a set of eyes burn a hole in his back as he leaves.

*insert line break*

“She’s keeping the conversation to a minimum ‘cause it’s interfering with her relationship apparently.”

Ed tells him over a glass of whiskey.

“What do you mean interfering?”

Ed shrugs, setting down his glass. “Don’t know man. I’m guessing it’s more coming from Joe than from her.” Ed grabs the bottle of whiskey and starts pouring them both another drink. “She told me that she was happy when you started talking again. Despite knowing that you’re not responsible for her happiness, I know that you haven’t been happier since becoming friends with T again.”

“Well, it’s not my fault if he feels so insecure about his relationship that our friendship should impact it.”

Ed stares at him. “You are her ex, mate.”

Harry just sits there not knowing what to say. Ed was always the one friend they both shared that helped and understood their relationship. Ed was always in Harry’s corner but he would never admit it to Taylor.

“Who told you this?” he says sipping on a drink.

“Selena.”

Harry looks up in confusion. “Selena? Since when did you two start being all buddy buddy.”

“Well we always have been somewhat friends, but it was ‘because she was here with Niall the other day.”

“Wait. Selena and Niall?”

“Yep,” Ed responds, taking a sip from his drink and ignoring the cat brushing up against his feet.

“I’m not entirely sure what they are. I found it too awkward to ask.”

*insert line break*

Taylor doesn’t know what to do. The one person she would normally talk to about this was off limits, as it involved him. Taylor was a little heartbroken when Joe approached her after the night of the concert in the car to the hotel.

“I don’t really feel comfortable with you talking to him, to be honest.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s your ex, Tay. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just…”

“You just what?” Taylor asked, a little annoyed.

“I don’t trust him. Look, you said it yourself when we talked about things early on when we were getting to know each other. He was a big part of your life and how am I supposed to know he’s not here trying to win you back?”

“Harry’s my friend Joe. What am I supposed to do?”

“I’m not asking you to not be his friend. Can you maybe keep the conversation light? Don’t go messaging him constantly and meeting up with me? Please? For me?”

Taylor stayed quiet for a moment before nodding her head. “Ok,” she replied quietly.

Joe kissed her on the cheek, “Thanks babe.”

*insert line break*

Taylor decided to confide in Selena. She thought about talking to Ed but figured he would have a more bias opinion with Harry being one of his best friends and all.

“I don’t know what to do Sel. I love Joe. I’m happy with him. But he’s asking me to do something big that doesn’t feel right.”

“Well, he’s not asking you to not be Harry’s friend T.”

Taylor switches the phone to her other ear.

“No, but he’s asking me to keep it a minimum. Harry and I don’t talk much to begin with. Just here and there, I send him a meme or a funny tumblr post about him on occasion. It’s not like I spend every night staying up late talking to him.”

Selena stays silent.

“It feels like he’s asking me to not be his friend without saying the words.”

Selena doesn’t respond.

“Come on, I know you. Spit it out Gomez. Give it to me straight.”

She hears Selena sigh. “Ok, I love you just know that. I also love that you’re happy and I love that Joe makes you happy. I mean he’s a great guy, got no doubt about it. I mean he’s holding the record for not getting in my bad books yet but…”

“Buuttttt…” Taylor responds trying to coax an answer out of her.

“I’ve always felt that guys shouldn’t dictate a girls life. I know from experience after everything happened with Justin. In my opinion, I don’t think Joe has the right to say who you’re friends with, who you’re not friends with and who you’re talking to. By all means, it’s not like you’re one of those crazy girls who constantly ask their boyfriends who they’re talking too and trying to read all their messages. He should pay you the same respect that you give him T. I mean if he asked you to not be friends with me, would you?”

Taylor remains silent.

“I think you have your answer babe.”

*insert line break*

Joe goes away for a week to promote his latest movie when Taylor has time to truly think.

She knows she shouldn’t throw away the wonderful thing she has with him over a friendship. A friendship with her ex. The one who inspired a whole album. The ex who she always felt like would be the one to run in and stop her wedding, whoever was up with the alter with her. Screaming out her name and asking to give him another chance. The guy who after all this time was still writing songs about her.

It was during her week alone that Taylor came to the realisation why Joe’s response hurt her so much. She loved Harry. Having him as a friend instead of a lover made it easier for her. No reason to get angry at him or no reason to doubt him. There were no obstacles in progressing their relationship further as there was nowhere to go. Taylor didn’t have to risk her heart being broken by the same hand twice by just being friends with Harry.

The real question was, was he worth taking the risk of having her heart shattered into a million pieces again?

*insert line break*

“We need to talk,” was how the message began that he received from Taylor at 2 am.

“I don’t know when I don’t know where but we need to talk. I’d rather do it face to face.”

He responded, “I’m in LA at the moment. I’ll be in New York next week.”

Harry figured she’d prefer to let him down and break their friendship in a more personal and polite way than just ghosting him altogether.

“Are you decent?” she sent back. Before he could respond he saw the white cloud of bubbles appear at the bottom of the screen. “‘Cause if you are, I’ll come over right now.”

Harry responded with a simple “ok” before getting up to grab a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Before he knew it, there was a knock at his door.

He turned on the lights on his way down the stairs, greeting her and letting Taylor enter.

She was the only person he knew who still managed to look presentable at 2 am in a Law and Order t-shirt and cat pajama pants.

“I’m sorry for kinda springing this on you.”

Harry shrugged, “It’s ok. If I recall, our favourite time to do stuff is either 2 am or midnight.”

Taylor laughed and smiled wide at him. Her smile causing a chain reaction on Harry’s face.

“You wanted to talk?”

“Yeah, um….”

She stood there awkwardly, not knowing where to start. She had it all planned out mentally but as she was standing in Harry’s living room, all words escaped her. “So first off, I’m sorry that I haven’t been speaking to you as much.”

Harry nodded, sensing the slight nervousness in her tone. “It’s ok.” He wanted to tell her he knew but didn’t want to rat out Ed or Selena.

“No, it’s not ok Harry.” Taylor took a seat on his couch while Harry decided to sit on the armrest.

“Joe asked me to kinda stop speaking to you. I guess he was worried about what might happen between us. He knew how much you meant to me and how our relationship was a big part of my life and help me define who I am today.” Harry stays silent while Taylor looks at the ground.

“I was honestly really hurt. I already kinda started to speak to you less when I started going out with him so he had nothing to feel insecure about, but I guess it didn’t really help.”

“So is this your way of apologising and telling me our friendship is over at the same time?” He asks, a little bitter. He honestly would’ve preferred a text.

She shakes her head, “Quite the opposite actually.” Taylor removes her eyes from the floor to Harry’s face.

“When Joe implied that I break our friendship, I didn’t understand why I was so hurt. I mean yeah ok I found it a little controlling. I never asked him to stop talking to people or checking his messages to see if he was talking to other girls. I realised that he shouldn’t really have much of a say on who I can and who I can’t talk to.”

“Well, I’m glad you came to that conclusion. For both our sakes. I’d miss my facetime chats with Olivia.”

Taylor smiles at him, “I also realised why it hurt so much.” She stands up from the couch and makes her way closer to where Harry is sitting.

“I realised that letting our friendship go meant a big part of who I am would disappear. Our relationship may have not worked out the first time but it made us into better people and I’m thankful for that.” She was in front of Harry, placing her hands around his neck she continued, “Having you as a friend was the next best thing to being in a relationship with you. We got everything apart from you know, the intimate parts, without having to worry about screwing up, what the media or fans thought or risk getting our hearts broken again.”

Harry looked up at her, “So what are you going to tell Joe?”

She stared into his green eyes, a small smile on her face. “I don’t have to tell Joe anything.”

Harry shook his head.

“Some people are worth the risk of having your heart broken for a second time.”

Harry stood, Taylor’s arms remained in place while he wrapped his around her middle.

“Do you mean?” he asked quietly, his forehead resting against hers.

Her blue eyes closed before nodding her head. “I love you Harry Styles. Always have, and always probably will.”

Harry smiled wide before leaning in to kiss her. His arms tightened around her waist while Taylor’s hands made their way into her hair. Pulling away, Harry finally responded, “I love you too Tay. After all, we come back every time.”

#Haylor #haylor fanfiction #Haylor fic #harry styles #Harry Styles fanfiction #Taylor swift #Taylor swift fanfiction #Taylor swift fan fic #harry styles fan fic #my babies #OTP #longest thing I've written yo #across the eras #my writing #haylor swyles #swyles

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creativestalkerrs · 6 years ago

Text

Sunflower University 🌻 Part One 🌻

A Moment of Grief

Summary; It’s always hard yo lose someone, some not so much. How is everyone holding up after the news of Cit’s death? Especially for Iren, Tom Holland and his brother Sam

Warning; mention of death, swearing, mention of mental illness, some blood, kinda sexual themes, angst, fluff

Word Count; 4.2k

A/N; Some people said they could wait Monday some said Saturday, so I settled with posting on Sunday. Working on Part Two now and I’m unsure when I’ll have it done because sis needs it to be juicy for you guys xx. I’ll update you guys on posting dates. Give me some feedback on this chapter so I can make part two better. (Also I might do a tag list of anyone wants on it, I never did anything like it before, so it might take a second haha)

The campus was silent, grief swept over the majority of students. 26 students have questioned throwout the week. Some going throw therapy for the lost of Cit Clementine. The sunflower was dying. Everyone was scared that the killer was close and that was walking with everyone else. One by one, people were questioned. It started with Tom Holland and finally ended with Alex Grimes. Everyone was slow like something was stuck in the mud. Between the two houses, at least one of them felt like something was ripped away from them. Iren losing someone so close to her, a sister. Sam losing someone who would never love him back, but yet, he would never know the truth. People would know the name of Cit Clemintine would shake their head and morn the day, others simply shook it off as if it was a new day. Especially Sadie Nyland, who had no remorse towards the loss of a sister. When she was questioned, she wasn’t even sad. It was odd behaviors. Authorities recorded everything, believing she was involved with Cit’s death. Everyone that they spoke with stated that Cit was sweet and that that liked her. With Sadie, she didn’t deny the fact she was sweet, she didn’t care about her being sweet. She cared about that fucking image. Sadie was thinking of it all wrong.

Braking the awful news to the parents for the Clementine family was the worst. Because they were states away, it was an unforced phone call. Iren told her parents that they won’t be going to Grease, telling them that Cit was murdered. Iren was free to fly to the Clementine home for that week to help with a funeral. Cit was cremated and sent back to Nevada. Iren brought some of Cit’s closest things with her to give to her mother and her father. Her framed college acceptance letter, her suffered elephant, Joy and her favorite teeshirt that she would never throw away. It would be an understatement to say that Iren’s tears soaked Joy, thinking of all the sleepovers she had with her and Cit. How Iren won Joy at the state fair for Cit because she wanted it so badly, so Iren rolled up her sleeves and spent her last 5 dollars just so her best friend could have a stupid stuffed elephant. That stupid stuffed elephant was everything to her. The blood of Iren was on her paw when she had a bloody nose at her house and Cit used her paw to soak up the blood before rushing to get a towel. Or all the tears that Iren whipped from Cit’s cheeks when her first boyfriend of 6 weeks broke up with her. Joy was their third best friend. Iren stood there, packing up Cit’s things, hugging Joy like she would with Cit.

A knock at the door was heard. It was faint yet noticeable. It was hard for Iren to hear things in this house, now that things have been so… quite. With Joy between her arms and against her chest with mascara running down her pale cheeks, she turns to see Tom fucking Holland in the doorway. She swallowed the melancholy and tried her best to make eye connection with the boy who saw the worst of it all. “She’s really gone,” Iren cried out, tears couldn’t stop streaming down her face. “How am I going to survive the funeral? How am I going to stan there with Holly and Joe and tell them everything will be fine. Their daughter is dead. My only sister is gone…” Iren sobbed as she sat on Cit’s perfectly made bed, making Joy damp with every tear. Tom flashed back to the memory of seeing Iren’s best friend dead, the memory getting more horrid. Tom walked closer to Iren, sitting next to her. Tom didn’t know Cit like Iren. Tom didn’t know Iren like Cit. He put a gentle hand on the middle of Iren’s back, feeling her gasp for air. Silence feel, Tom was too traumatized to say words, but he knew that everyone was feeling grief too, one way or another. Iren whipped away her mascara filled tears and looked at the curly-headed boy who sat next to her. “Are you okay?” Iren asked in-between her breath, looking at Tom who was uncountably looking at the rug. Tom gasped for air, hearing the question go off in his head once more.

“It was horrid… I saw so much blood… the blood. I. Who would do that? I wake up, wanting to tear off my skin so that I can forget it. The guts… I started to go to therapy. I’m showing signs of PTSD. I can’t walk to your house without thinking about it, so I go the long way… Iren, I’m sorry you lost Cit,” Tom spoke with trama and truth and love, but the memory still haunted him. “I came here to give you this,” Tom went throw his pocket to give an earring to Iren. It was Cit’s. “She dropped this at the party and I meant to give it to Cit when I came here but things turned out differently. Maybe you wanted it,” Tom smiled as Iren grabbed it and got up. Placing the purple butterfly earing with the red one, it was a perfect match. Iren sniffed and looked at it, a smile formed as she remembered the day both of them went to get their ears pierced, picking out matching earing and traded one with the other. She got the red ones as Cit got the purple.

“Thank you, Tom… I’m sorry for what you’re going throw. Cit always liked you… I mean she loved your work and loved Spider-Man. She always told me she was so lucky to know you, but always felt bad she couldn’t be with Sam,” Iren turned and faced Tom who’s hands were on his lap he looked at her with a confused glare.

“Why is that?” He asked.

“For reasons, I won’t say,” Iren promised to take her secret to her grave, and that she will. “Here… I think Sam may want this,” Iren went to Cit’s desk and pulled out a slip of paper that read To Sam Love Cit on it. Iren gave it to Tom. “She was meaning to give that to Sam a while ago, maybe it’s best he has it now,” Iren whipped off her clammy palms as Tom read the words that Cit neatly put down. Tom’s heart broke for both of them. The house was quiet, like anyone who spoke or moved would get eaten by the house. The houses were always so alive, but now it hit the houses like a wrecking ball of grief and mystery.

“I haven’t seen Sam so torn like this since his cat, Tigger died. If you can imagine it, Sam was a small innocent boy with a huge grin… now he’s grown up with anger issues and a will to love Cit Clemintine,” Tom let out a small chuckle, but his lips fell flat. Iren zipped up the bag of Cit’s things and sat back next to Tom. Her hand gently placed on Tom’s face, feeling the scruff of his face on her soft hands. Forgetting to shave for Tom was always everyone’s favorite look. Tom’s eyes meet Iren as she leaned in the crack of Tom’s neck, lightly kissing him. She could smell the whiskey and the cheap cologne on his neck.

“We’ll be fine Tom… Cit will be watching over us,” Iren placed her other hand on Tom’s shoulder as Tom brushes Iren’s hair, embracing her and her touch. Tom felt calm with Iren by his side, like he was craving for some human connection all these years and that Iren was the only one who could. Iren pulled away and got up, taking another look at the scruffy Tom. “I have to start packing up. My flight leaves in 2 hours,” Iren spoke, cheeking the room one last time. Iren grabbed the bag from the bed. Tom’s hand grabbed her to stop.

“Wait, Iren. Are we friends?” Tom asked like a scared child he was. Iren smiled at the question.

“Forever,” Iren told Tom, feeling less alone with her newfound friend. Iren left the room with her bags as she packed for her trip to Nevada. Iren left Tom on the bed of Cit Clemintine. He smiled at Iren’s forever witch is what Tom needed. He got up and looked around Cit’s room. Neat and perfect like Cit always was. Looking at the pictures of Iren, Cit and some other girls on a boat, a picture of Iren and Cit with two boys at prom and a picture of a dog and Cit. Tom couldn’t be in that room any longer. He took one last look and basically ran out of Cit’s room. He slammed the door and looked at the plain paint that read Cit’s Room on it. His chest grows bigger as he began to hyperventilate. He shoved the note in his pocket and looked down the stairs to see Venus, Billie, and Peaches sitting in the living room. As he made his way downstairs he gave small waves to the girls and went into the kitchen to see Sadie, hoping to find Z. He didn’t want to make a move as Sadie stared at him. He felt frozen. He needed to escape this whole house. “Why are you just standing there? Come here Tomas,” Sadie said with a wink as she bites her perfectly painted pink lips.

“I’m sorry… Were is Zendaya?” Tom asked as Sadie made her way closer to Tom. He closed his eyes, hoping the ball and chain that was on his feet would melt away.

“She’s out… say, why don’t you stay the night with me?” Sadie asked as she pushed Tom up against the wall.

“Sadie, I have to leave. I’m not in the right state of mind… Tell Z I was here then… bye,” Tom pushed Sadie off of him as he turned on his heel and basically ran out of the door. So much was racing throws his head. His chest was going in and out faster. He felt like he took a bottle of Adderall and hyped up on caffeine pills. As he slams the door, he sees students going in and out of dorms. He hasn’t been to class all week. Only therapy. Tom looked at the path he came from, looking at the path that he saw Cit. He booked it, running back to the house. He held the pocket that Sam’s note in so it wouldn’t fly out. He couldn’t understand it. He couldn’t understand who would do this. His was lost in thoughts as he tripped and fell on the uneven pavement, scraping his palms and his forehead.

“Oh my god! Are you okay?” Someone asked as Tom just laid there, feeling like an idiot. A girl with wavey hair and glasses came up to him, dropping her books and offering her hand to Tom. Tom took it as she pulled him up. “You’re bleeding!” She explained as his blood got on the sleeve of her university sweatshirt. “Are you okay?” She asked again. Tom looked around and looked at the girl. She was cute and he thought he saw her somewhere.

“Just a scratch. I’ll clean it up when I get home… Uh, thank you for the help,” Tom smiled.

“Anytime… Names Avalon,” She introduced herself, offering her blood-covered sleeve to Tom. He took it gently and shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tom,” He smiled back.

“Holland?” She asked.

“Huh?” He questioned.

“Tom Holland, is that you?” She asked once more, coving up the awkwardness. Tom finally got it.

“Oh yea sorry, must have really hit my head,” He laughed making the girl laugh as well. Both of them began to walk the direction to his house, seemingly that was were Avalon was heading too, converting a few building were that way.

“You found Cit Cleminine, right?” Avalon asked that dreaded question. He blanked. “Oh… I’m sorry…” She caught on. Tom turned to her.

“No.. you’re fine… Just thinking. Yea I found her. Awful scene,” Tom played with the zipper on his jacket as they walked awkwardly next to each other.

“We’re both apart of the case then,” Avalon commented as Tom looked at his, tilting his head.

“How are you apart of her case?” He questioned.

“She came into Crybaby Record Shop a lot, we bonded over music. Saw her a few days ago getting a record. She was always kind to me. Had a class with her. Always liked her. Police said I would know something. All I notice was her odd behavior that day. As if she was drugged. Brushed it off, because I had days like that where I’m off… Where are you off to Tom Holland?” Avalon asked trying to change the subject. Tom took in the information and noted it.

“Back home to give my brother a note from Cit,” Tom smiled as he saw the house just inches away. “What about you?” He asked back.

“That’s sweet. Off to class. I’ll see you around? Maybe stop by at Crybabies, we can talk more than,” Avalon smiled as she turned the other way. Tom was left in his tracks, looking at the way she moved. He smiled, knowing something else. He walked up to the stairs to the house and walked in seeing all the guys watching TV. He walked in and sat next to Shawn.

“How did it go?” Shawn asked.

“Odd… do you know a girl Avalon who works at Crybaby Record Shop?” Tom asked Shawn.

“Yea, I’m friends with her friend’s boyfriend. She’s nice,” Shawn smiled.

“She’s apart of the case,” Tom sighed.

“That whole friend group is apart of the case, they all saw her the last week she was alive,” Shawn explained.

“How do you know this?” Tom asked.

“I was giving Jackson guitar lesson’s and he told me,” Shawn smiled. “Sam is upstairs. He wanted to talk to you or something. He was making a whole fit about something,” Shawn warned. Tom nodded as he goes up and climbed the stairs of the frat house. The stairs creaked as Tom climbed up them one by one. He heard a crash coming from Sam’s room as he froze up. He slowly placed his hand on the door nob and pushed his way inside the room, seeing a small figurine, broken on the ground.

“What's going on in here?” Tom asked as he saw Sam on the floor.

“I can’t take this anymore!” Sam yelled as he was curled up in a ball. He rocked himself back and forth as Tom tiptoed around the broken ceramic that his dear brother broke. Tom sat on his bed, patting his back trying his best to calm him. He was the one to calm everyone when he needed to be calmed. “She died… i shouldn’t have yelled at her. Now we’re all going to suffer. Tom… She never understood that I really did love her. All I wanted to do was love her!” Sam protested as Tom sighed, taking out the note from Cit.

“She knew Sam. She loved you… here… Iren gave me this to give to you. Cit was going to give it to you weeks ago,” Tom slid down next to Sam as he gave him the paper. Sam relaxed his body and took the paper. Tom pulled his brother in to comfort him as Sam read the words that Cit wrote to him. Tom knew that it might hurt, but he might feel at ease.

Sam. I know I have been a bitch to you. I know you love me, and really, I do love you. I have skeletons in my closet and I don’t want to hurt you. Give me time and I think we could be together. I remember the first time we kissed, you played with my hair and I knew something was different about you. When we went to see that movie together, my heart broke knowing I can’t be with you at this moment. I’ll tell you everything, I swear. Just give me a little time if you forgive me. I love you Sam Holland, and I hate myself for everything I put you through. -Cit

Sam’s lips formed a smile with a sigh of sadness. He put the paper to his chest, knowing that she meant it when she said she loved him. A few tears fell down his cheeks. “Who killed her?” Sam asked. Same turned to Tom, struggling to answer him. “Tom, who killed Cit? Who? Who would do something to her? She was this sunflower that shined too bright and now she's dead. Is this my fault?” Sam raised his voice, clearly blaming himself.

“Sam… this wasn’t your fault. You know that. I don’t know what sick fuck would do that. The police are still looking into everything… I’ll pick the broken ceramic,” Tom got up as Sam nodded. He picked up the broken pieces and throw it in the trash by Sam’s desk. “Will you be okay?” Tom asked as he leaned on the doorway.

“Maybe. Will you be okay?” Sam asked.

“That’s what therapy is for. I worry about you, Sam. I worry about both you and Harry,” Tom gave Sam a small smile.

“I worry about you too,” Sam smiled. Tom closed the door behind him, allowing Sam to have a moment to himself. Tom went back downstairs to see Zendaya at the door.

“Dean let me in… Sadie said you were looking for me. I thought I’d come to you.” Z smiled, holding her sweatshirt in her hand. Tom smiled, looking at his close friend. “Would you like to get coffee maybe?” Z asked.

“I would like that,” Tom smiled. Z was always a good friend to Tom. She knew the trauma he was going throw and he knew the hurt she was going throw too. Tom grabbed opened the door for Z as they began to walk the direction to Greedy Coffee Shop that was by the science building. Z noticed the blood on his face that he didn’t clean up.

“Your bleeding. What happened?” Z asked licking her thumb and whipping up the almost dried blood off of his face. He laughed at Z as she acted like a mother.

“I ran back from your house to mine and feel. Must have scraped my face too. Some girl helped me up. Got my blood on her sweatshirt. She’s apart of the case too,” Tom mentioned.

“Who?” Z asked as they walked slowly next to each other.

“She mentioned her name was Avalon. Shawn said she and her friend group are apart of the case too,” Z stopped by the water fountain and looked at Tom who stopped as well.

“Avalon Wilson. Cute girl at the record shop,” Z smiled.

“Do you like-like her?” Tom teased.

“What? No!” Z exclaimed. “I’m just pointing out she’s cute. Totally your type,” Z laughed with flushed cheeks.

“Are you hiding something, Zendaya?” Tom asked, switching from serious real fast.

“You would know if I was hiding something because I would tell you, Tomas,” Z exclaimed sounding offended that Tom would say something like that. “What did you need to tell me?” Z asked, switching topics as she sat on the edge of the fountain, Tom standing next to her, not yet sitting.

“I just wanted to see how you’re holding up. Everyone is reacting weirdly. I mean, I understand it. Campus feels… empty,” Tom pointed out as he sat next to Z and looked at the flowers ahead of him.

“Empty is what I feel. The Sunflower House feels dull. Iren, Cit and I would make dinner on Monday nights. We didn’t eat at all Monday. Iren was crying. The relation of Cit’s death didn’t hit tell last night. Was it murder? I still don’t understand if it was an accident or not,” Zendaya tried to understand it all, but she tried, it wouldn’t make sense and she would shut down.

“It’ll take a while for all of us to heal,” Tom sighed as he plopped his head on Z’s shoulder. The sun shined on them as a nice breeze blew throw, causing Zendaya’s hair over her face.

“We should get going before the coffee shop gets busy,” Zendaya laughed as Tom’s arms wrapped around Zendaya. “Or we can just stay here for a minute,” Z laughed as she played with Tom’s hair.

“What are you going to do after college?” Tom asked, letting go of Zendaya but keeping his head on her shoulder. Z looked Tom and smiled, lucky to have such a good friend like him.

“Well, we have this acting thing… I mean we’re studying Theater and Cinema so…” Z laughed.

“I never expected to be a college student and then be apart of a murder case,” Tom stated. Z rubbed Tom’s back.

“Me neither Tom… But we’re here together,” Z smiled.

“Thanks, Z,” Tom smiled as he lifted his head up and got up. “Let’s get some coffee before all the white girls make it busy,” Tom laughed as he gave Z his hand and helped her up.

As the two walked to the cozy coffee shop, it seemed to be dead, only two students studying together. Z looked at the menu as Tom knew what he wanted. A girl walked from the back. Tom knew of the girl considering he’d been at Greedy’s almost every afternoon after class. “What can I get you two?” The girl smiled.

“Hey Maya,” Tom smiled.

“Hey Tom, Hey Zendaya,” She smiled.

“I’ll take an iced mocha with dark chocolate,” Tom smiled.

“I’ll have the same thing,” Z said, unsure.

“Sweet, I’ll get on that,” Maya smiled turning around. Tom and Z got a table and waited. It only took a few minutes before Maya called for Tom’s name. “Hey… so I heard about what happened,” Maya slowly said. “It’s awful what happened. They questioned me. Cit would always come in here and would help me with studying when it came to exam season,” Maya frowned.

“Sounds like Cit…” Zendaya smiled as she took a drink of her coffee.

“If you ever need anything, I work every Thursday,” Maya smiled.

“Thank you, Maya,” Tom smiled. “I’ll be around too,” Tom smiled back as they began to leave.

“Don’t trust the man, the man might backstab you and then your luck will end. Did Cit ever say anything like that to you?” Maya asked as Tom and Z turned around, looking at Maya who went around the counter. “She said that to me the last time I saw her. It rang in my head after the news of her death and I think she knew about her death. I-I don’t know if that’s true, but in the autopsy, she was literally stabbed in the back. Her Instagram bio reads your luck won’t end yet. Do you think that’s weird?” Maya cried out.

“This isn’t a conspiracy… but that is really worrying. I never even noticed how her bio could lead to something like that,” Z stated. “Now you mentioned it, she said she felt dizzy at the party…” Zendaya stated. “Has anything else came out of autopsy report?” Zendaya asked.

“You could cheek the police office. Anyone who was questioned can look at the report. I looked at it when they asked because of the statement she said,” Maya explained. “I can come with you to read it to see if anything looks weird. I get off in 30 minutes if you guys can hang tight,” Maya offered. Tom’s hand were shoved in his pocket.

“I don’t know…” Tom stated. “We’re still healing…” Tom said slowly rubbing the back of her neck.

“That’s okay. I’ll be here if you change your mind,” Maya said with a smile.

“I’ll go,” Z said. “Tom, you can go home and I’ll report back to you if I find anything. You take care of yourself, okay?” Z smiled, putting her hand on his chest.

“Okay. Thank you for walking with me. I’ll see you later then,” Tom said turning on his foot. Tom waved at the girls as he made his way back to the house. Z was left with Maya.

“Something smells fishy. This might be something bigger,” Zendaya turned to Maya who nodded her head.

“Ah fuck it… I'll get Dolly to take the rest of my shift no one is in here anyway… Let’s go,” Maya took off her apron and put it on the counter before telling Dolly that she needed to leave. Dolly understood as Maya and Zendaya rushed out of Greedy’s.

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hoopdiddies · 6 years ago

Text

Under The Lights// Joe Mazzello x Reader

A/N: Hey guys! This is my first imagine and no one even asked for this but this was all in my head and I wanted to put it out here. The event used in the imagine is the sky lantern festival held annually in the Nevada desert. Now I'm not from the US just to remind y'all so readers who have been to that festival, please excuse me for the inaccuracies

😅😅

Summary: You and Joe have become the closest of friends since the day you met. Which was roughly only a year ago yet you can no longer deny the fact that you've unknowingly fallen for the baseball-loving redhead in a span of what feels like months. He brings you to an annual sky lantern festival along with the rest of the BoRhap cast and everything changes from there.

WC: 2208

Warnings: None but pure fluff and a whole lotta lights. (The cheese is real here, oof)

It's already 5 pm and you, along with the rest of the inhabitants of the backseat of Joe's car, haven't ceased with the uproarious laughter caused by Ben and Joe's playful tiffs. You and Lucy are being squished between the body masses of Rami and Ben as the tiny jerks caused by their laughter decrease your chances of surviving the ride to the desert for the sky lantern festival. Gwilym, however, is lucky enough to have snagged the front seat the minute before you left and he's enjoying his space.

You and Lucy exchange silly yet concerned looks all the while bearing the blossoming chaos in the car.

"Don't talk to me, Ben. I don't wanna responsible for your injuries if I crash." Joe jokingly humphs as his hold on the steering wheel tightens.

Ben purses his lips with a glint in his eye and leans in close to the back of Joe's seat. "Am I a sight too distracting for you?"

"Yes. Now be a good boy like Gwil and contribute to the the silence I'm about to give you." Joe briefly looks at him through the rearview mirror with a smile, earning a mock wink from the blond and an almost inaudible snort from Gwilym. Ben throws himself back onto the fabric of the seat and crosses his legs. You revel in the comfort of everyone finally staying relaxed.

With Lucy and Rami next to you, you can't help but find them all snuggled up close to each other from your peripheral vision, coaxing a small smile on your lips until you find yourself gazing weakly into the rearview mirror with Joe's clear, hazel eyes looking back at yours. His smile stretches further at every second spent looking back at you. You want to turn away quickly from the sudden awareness of your heart beat escalating but you can't, you don't want to.

He's at his most radiant when his lips just curve up, he glows brighter than ever before and it's always a sight to behold.

You give Joe half a smile in return and look away slightly. You gulp as you feel your face burn from the bottom up, the image of his eyes searing itself into your memories.

He couldn't, you thought. He's like the brother you never had, albeit the only 'brother' you've tended butterflies in your stomach for. Despite only knowing each other for a year after meeting him on the set of Bohemian Rhapsody, he's grown very comfortable around you and you with him, your crazy matches his crazy and it's unbelievably strong.

He always invites you out to wherever when he finds himself free and it usually ends up with you two trying to redefine air as the result of simply laughing at everything you two talk about.

Knocking yourself mentally, you snap out of it and painfully accept the fact that you two might never end up being together. Yes, you support each other greatly and always have each other's backs but that's just where the line ends.

With one, sudden honk of the car horn, Joe turns around smirks. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen...and Ben," he jerks his brows at him teasingly and resumes, "get your butts out of my car." Chuckling, you all unbuckle yourselves and the car shakes a tad as you and the rest climb out in excitement, breathing out in awe at the sight of sky lanterns spanning in thousands on the desert grounds with hundreds of people present to enjoy the lighting.

You clutch your backpack tight against your back, still mesmerized at the fact that you're going to have such an evening. You and the rest start scouring the vicinity for a space to settle in amidst the crowd. You've all been told that the lighting starts at 7pm sharp and so you hasten with your search.

"Does anybody have a bottle of water?" Joe asks as you make your way through the growing crowd.

"You're such a boy scout." Shaking your head playfully at him being accidentally unprepared, you shrug off your backpack and pull out a bottle for Joe to drink. He takes the bottle with a huge grin on his face and take a huge swig, his action amusing you for a split second.

"How dare."

He hands you the bottle with a closed yet wide smile. "I don't need to be prepared. I got you."

"Don't expect me to bring out the snacks later, Mazzello."

"I got Ben for that." He shrugs good-naturedly and you tut, crossing your arms at the obvious idea of Ben being a meal to him. "Yeah, I don't doubt it." In the middle of catching up with the others, your conversation skyrockets to teasing, jokes and unwarranted wheezes between laughs– the usual bits that always seem unreal and silly to you as you've never felt more humorous in your life when you're with Joe.

This is one of the many reasons you've succumbed to the descent into madness for this man, he brings out the best in you. You feel like you shine when you're with him and it's always on a whole new level. Spending time with him even if it's compacted within time constraints always highlights your week.

After a few minutes of lazily pacing to catch up with the rest, you find them in a decent space in the middle of the area.

Lucy spots the two of you emerging from the sea of attendees and approaches you. "There you are! We thought you've wandered off somewhere again."

Joe chuckles lightheartedly. "Are we deserving of a leash?"

"Only you, Joe." Lucy jokes and Joe's reaction induces a snort from you. You check your wristwatch as you notice the sky cast a huge shadow of nigh darkness. The crowd suddenly cheers at the fall of eve, signifying their excitement to light up the night sky. Flashlights and phone flashlights start flickering on to compensate for the lack of light from the rising moon. It's a starry night out and it's beautiful but it's not enough to illuminate the area before the lighting.

"It's almost time, tell me you've brought the matches." You turn to look at Joe and he fishes them out of his pocket, looking proud at the minor accomplishment. "This time, I'm prepared. Proud of me, Y/N?" He smiles endearingly at you and you swiftly snatch it from his hold, preventing yourself from melting on the spot at the flash of his million-dollar beam.

"I can now appreciate it." You smirk at him and Lucy hauls you both to where they've set up four lanterns. You internally question the fourth lantern when three would've been enough, one for each pair. You dismiss the thought and chat up with the group while waiting for the start of the event. In the middle of mingling, you can't help but prolong your gaze at Joe everytime he talks. The way his eyes gleam even against artificial light just softens you inside and you thank God for the dark as you are able to hide your flushing cheeks.

Lucy notices the way you look at Joe and doesn't hold back a smile at how lovestruck you look. A couple of minutes before the lighting, you and Joe squat on the ground to admire the clear sky, thankful that the light pollution coming from the lit flashlights isn't intense enough to blanket the scene.

Joe heaves out a relaxed sigh and rests his head on your shoulder, his action quickening the pace of your heart beat. "This is really nice."

"The sky or my shoulder?" You ask him with a snort and he lifts his head up a bit to look at you, the smile on his face almost euphoric. "Just...this."

You sigh and look up, bringing your hand over his head to stroke his soft hair. "Yeah, but they could've picked a better spot than the desert."

"And where do you think is better?"

"A beach would've been nice." You fix your gaze at the constellations up above, unaware that at the same time your eyes are tracing the skies in fascination, Joe has his gentle gaze fixed on your face.

"The stars look even more beautiful without all the city lights. If I could, I'd build a house in this desert if it means admiring a scene like this forever." Your sudden smile at the breathtaking view puts him in a trance and you look back at him with that smile still present on your face.

Your heart skips a beat at how close your faces are but you manage to keep yourself collected with a chuckle. "What?" You ask, trying to sound unaffected.

"It's just-"

"Alright everyone! This is what we've all been waiting for! " One of the organizers announce energetically through the mic and you bolt up from squatting, heaving a slightly disappointed Joe along with you. The crowd cheers at the start of the event and the organizer goes on with his brief welcome message.

"Finally!" You squeak enthusiastically and stretch your limbs. Ben, Rami and Gwilym gather your lanterns and Joe takes out the match to get ready to light up the lanterns. You split two of the lanterns for two pairs. One for Rami and Lucy and one for you and Joe. It turns out that Gwilym and Ben didn't want to share a lantern with one another for 'reasons' and so they got themselves one lantern for each.

As the organizer finishes with his brief speech, he starts the countdown and everyone starts lighting up their lanterns, hoisting them in midair. The pair of you giggle at the excitement, exchanging grins at the eagerness to let it float.

"I honestly wanna be tugged along as it ascends." Joe jokes and you chuckle, handing him the warmest of smiles. "Thank you, for this."

The glisten in his eyes brightens as he replies, "Anytime."

"Let it fly already!" Ben groans in an exaggerated way from across and as the countdown ends, the crowd cheers and applauds at the release of the lanterns into the air, the collection resembling stars rising in unison and filling up the night sky with the light and warmth you've been waiting for.

Everything is glowing in orange.

You let out a breathless 'woah' as you and Joe loosen your grasps on the lanterns– the slow, heavenly ascent nearly making you cry. As if on cue, a familiar song begins playing from the speakers, accompanying the vibe the scene is giving off.

You slowly remove your enraptured gaze from the floating lights as you feel Joe's eyes on you, suddenly making you wonder what he wanted to say before he got cut off by the announcement. "Joe, stop staring, I might melt." Despite you making it sound like a joke, you really meant it.

All of a sudden, your surroundings become irrelevant to your senses as Joe becomes the only thing you want to admire right now. As cliche as it sounds, but it's like time is in favor of the pair of you.

"I just gotta say. All these lights, when I've always had the brightest one before me." You feel as if your ears could be fooling you, but fortunately, they're not. You chuckle lightly as a response but stop as you realize he's not toying with his words.

"You can't be...right?"

He shrugs, unapologetically. "Sorry not sorry, but when you smiled at me for the first time, I lost control."

"I think that was when I first met you."

He doesn't hesitate to increase his proximity to yours. "Exactly." His admission enables a brighter blush on your face and with the lanterns still ablaze in the air, your glow becomes more apparent. "It's ironic, you know." Mustering all the new-found confidence you've accumulated in the past year, you caress his cheek and grin ridiculously.

"What is?"

"You're lactose intolerant." The smile on his face grows wider as the idea of him being that cheesy registers into his head. He gently takes your hand off his cheek and plants a kiss on your knuckles, resting his forehead on yours. "It's the kind of cheese I'd be happy to take for you," his eyes fall shut as he leans in close as humanly possible, "and you alone."

A hearty yet weak chuckle leaves your lips, feeling tears pool in your eyes at the same time. He actually loves you, in the way you always kind of wanted him to. This is the cheesiest place and time to confess it but then Joe is Joe, and you wouldn't have him any other way.

"Y/N, you're in my spot!" Ben and Gwilym's teasing voices echo from across you both and you bury your face into Joe's neck to laugh. Joe throws his head back as he bursts out in laughter as well, snaking his arms around you protectively. As the other four enjoy the sight of you and Joe in such a convenient event, you sigh against his skin and look up at him, feeling his hold around you tighten comfortably.

"These lights will never compare to you, Y/N."

"And they never will to you, Joseph."

A/N Eeee. How was that tho? Too fluffy? Kinda seems like so. But I hope you enjoyed the bit. Feel free to send me requests. Uwu

#joe mazzello x reader #joe mazzello #borhap imagine #imagine #queen #borhap #it's been long since i've done this #borhap cast x reader

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another-blog-bites-the-dust · 6 years ago

Text

My kind of woman.

Summary: You meet Lucy while designing and styling the costumes for Bohemian Rhapsody. It's then you realise that she's your kind of woman.

Warnings: None? Just the tiniest bit of angst but super fluffy

A/N: You're damn right I'm doing another Lucyxfem!reader fic. A song fic this time! This woman DEAR LORD 😭😍 WE NEED MORE LUCYXFEM!READER FICS!!! MY BI HEART IS SCREAMING OUT FOR HER! This is for all the WLW out there cause y'all deserve this. This is even for the people who aren't WLW because y'all deserve this too. In my head I pictured the song resonating and bouncing between the reader and Lucy and their different points of view on each other- as if the two wanted the other to see what their world was like. Enjoy! 💖 Lyrics are in bold italics!

The song: My Kind of Woman by Mac DeMarco

Oh baby, oh man

You're making my crazy, really driving me mad

As soon as you saw her from across the cafe, all the air left your lungs. She was beautiful. She seemed like trouble- but the playful kind. She could break your heart but you'd happily let her.

You didn't even know her name yet.

Your fingers shut over your little book full of sketches and notes. It was full of tops and skirts and dresses and shirts. You were hired to design and create the clothes she'd eventually wear, she would be doing you an enormous favour having your work on someone as gorgeous as her.

Your first meeting was informal at first, a little cafe in Soho near the tube station. It was quiet and the smell of coffee was intoxicating...until she was near enough and you could smell her perfume. You were drunk on the floral fumes.

"Hi," she greeted you with a dazzling smile "I'm Lucy."

Your brain was sent into over drive. Lucy. How sweet her name was. You wondered how it would sound leaving your lips on a breathless whisper. Your thoughts were cut off by the four boys introducing themselves. You almost forgot that they were tagging along too.

They didn't stay long, they couldn't- the four boys had to leave and practice their instruments for the characters they were playing. Lucy looked at you and frowned a little, scooting along in the booth and taking it as her cue to leave too. "You don't have to go, Lucy." Joe said "You can stay and chat to Y/N about your costumes."

He spotted something special there as soon as the two of you were sitting face to face.

Lucy turned to you, her frown replaced with a large smile. "Okay! Great! I'll get you another tea, Y/N." You both said your goodbyes to the boys and Lucy went back up to the counter to order more drinks. She turned and saw you staring. Lucy sent you a small wave and a smile, you looked away with pink cheeks and she had to bite down on her bottom lip feeling her chest flood with a newfound feeling.

That's all right with me, it's really no fuss

As long as you're next to me, just the two of us

"I've tried to source some things from Biba, been scouring all the vintage clothing shops in London." You smirked and showed her some of the outfits you had taken photos of on your phone. "Anything I couldn't find or anything that I think your character would suit and look nice in I've drew." You gave her the book and she looked through it with a soft smile. "But honestly, you'd look nice in anything." You shyly added.

Lucy looked up to you and grinned "Thank you." She returned her gaze to the pages, amazed at every little intricate detail you had managed to get in. "You are so talented!" She gushed "Beautiful!" Lucy looked up to you and her wide grin transformed into a soft, sweet one while gazing at you. "Simply beautiful."

Your fingers nervously twitched and they desperately wanted to twine themselves with hers but you made them grab the teacup instead. "We have a fitting next week- can you think of anything you might need that you'd like me to bring?" You asked.

"I can't think of anything right now but if you give me your number I can call you if I do?" Lucy mentally praised herself for that subtle excuse to get your number. Her heart was fluttering like a butterfly in her chest. She had never felt like this towards any woman before in her life.

You blinked "Uh...yeah! Sure!" You scribbled down your number on a napkin. "If you need anything just give me a call." You sent her a smile and she sent you one back while taking the napkin from you. You spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the upcoming biopic along with fashion.

Lucy had a photoshoot scheduled after meeting with you, she told you a bit about it. A photoshoot. You were heading to the shop to pick up more milk and she was getting her photos taken for a magazine. You were both so different. Your brain overanalysed all the differences you had known so far.

Your phone buzzed while you were picking up a pint of ice cream- not something you needed, like the milk, but a necessity to dig into while you watched a movie alone on the couch when you arrived home. The text was from an unknown number. You opened it and found a picture along with a message.

'I'd rather have you here styling me- you'd do a far better job! 😅'

Below the message was a picture of Lucy standing in front of a mirror with a dress on that was practically engulfing her.

You smiled and shook your head and saved her number before sending a text back.

'You suit that colour...especially since it's the only thing I can see! Are you even in the picture?' You joked.

Not even a minute later you got another text, another image of Lucy along with a message.

'Just.'

You could see a hint of blonde and a pair of eyes pop out from above a frilly tulle magenta cloud. You didn't know what it was about Lucy, but you had never felt like this towards any woman before in your life.

You're my, my, my, my kind of woman

My, oh my, what a girl

You're my, my, my, my kind of woman

And I'm down on my hands and knees

Begging you please, baby, show me your world

"Joe will you please relax and stand still!" You sighed and placed a pin in your mouth. You were trying to adjust the length of his trousers as they were too long. It was a little over three months since you had all started filming. You spent a lot of time with the four boys, especially Rami as you had to get his outfits just right to pull off some of Freddie's iconic looks.

Joe was getting antsy and anxious "It's hard to relax when someone is using pins very close to your skin." You smirked and took the pin out of your mouth and pushed it through the fabric of his trousers. You sat back a little on your knees and tugged on the hem a little to make sure it was the perfect length.

Moments later Lucy came in clutching onto herself. "Oh Y/N!" She gasped, completely flustered with bright red cheeks. "I was trying to get this dress on and I've burst it!"

"That's alright! I can see how bad it is and try to fix it." You ushered her into a changing room- which was just a space that you could pull a curtain around to give everyone their privacy. "Joe, just take them off and leave them on the hanger and I'll take them up for you tonight." He nodded and stuck his thumbs up. You made your way through to where Lucy was hiding being the curtain.

She turned around and sent you a small half smile that barely reached her eyes. "I'm really sorry about this. I feel like I've ruined your hard work."

"Don't worry about it, these things happen!" You glanced around at the back of it. "Did you attempt to put it on without undoing the zip?" You laughed and Lucy gasped, spinning around on the spot with a crooked neck to try and see the thing.

"I didn't even know it had one! God I'm such an idiot!" She loudly sighed and placed a hand on her forehead. You shook your head while giggling away and then found yourselves in a nerve racking predicament. "I hope you can fix it..." Lucy lowly spoke and then removed her arms from around herself. Your breath hitched in your throat seeing her flawless skin stand out against the light blue set she was wearing under her clothes. She took it off completely and stood in front of you for a few seconds with a shy smile. "As comfortable as I am around you, Y/N, it is a little cold..." she smirked. You nodded, albeit a little dumbfound, and handed her a robe to cover up.

"I'll...fix this just now..." you pointed to where your sewing machine would be while still staring at Lucy. You quickly left her and grasped onto your chest while inhaling a shaky breath. She was beautiful in every single way and now your feelings were getting worse. It was like they were starting little fires inside of you that were congregating into one huge one that would make you melt from the inside out.

You pushed your feelings to the side and got to work patching up the dress. Lucy could hear the machine rattling away and slowly approached you at your little station. She sat down and watched you intently- she watched you in your own little world. She could watch it for years on end and never get sick of it. Lucy almost wished that you could sneak her away to that world too and forget being an actress.

Your focus was directed towards the dress and within a few minutes you had fixed it. Lucy was amazed beyond words. "There you go..." you returned it to her but avoided her heart-stopping gaze.

Lucy frowned, she was now starting to feel guilty. "I really am sorry...I didn't mean to tear the dress."

"No...it's not the dress..." you muttered under your breath but she heard you.

"What is it then?" Lucy asked and you remained quiet, hoping that she'd just forget it. But she would never. "Please tell me what it is." She softy asked and took one of your hands.

Your eyes flickered up to her and you spoke before you could even think. "You." It came out as a whisper and your mouth took your unintentional confession as a free pass to completely spill out all your heartfelt feelings. "It's you, Lucy. I can't stop thinking about you. It drives me crazy!" You weakly chuckled. "Then you come in tonight and-" your breath caught again at the mental image you had printed in your head now. "You're so beautiful. I don't know if you feel the same and I didn't want to ruin anything. But when I saw you as soon as you stepped in the door of the cafe all those months ago- I fell for you. Hard. I've fallen for you, Lucy. Hell, you could ask for my heart and I'd rip it out my chest right here and now and give it to you!"

She bashfully laughed "Please don't do that." Her thumb brushed over your knuckles "But you should know that I feel, and would do, the exact same." Lucy leaned forward and pressed her rosy lips to yours. "I've fallen for you, Y/N."

Oh brother, sweetheart

I'm feeling so tired really falling apart

No one had any idea- except for a handful of people. Ben had found out first after walking in on the two of you when you were doing a dress fitting with Lucy. Although half the time was spent kissing her. The rest of the cast found out and you had both told your parents. Joe was especially ecstatic with the news.

You and Lucy were very happy together- despite a niggle of self doubt that sometimes ate away at you.

Filming was almost over and parties were just beginning- one of the producers was having one tonight.

"You know what we are wearing- since you picked it out!" Gwilym laughed "What are you wearing tonight, Y/N? As a stylist and designer, you must have an extensive wardrobe." You had your back to him as you were finishing off stitching a button onto one of Rami's costumes. He was wearing it as you fixed it.

"Oh...I'm not going tonight." You sheepishly smiled. The four boys looked at each other and wondered if Lucy knew. She had been raving to them for weeks about how she was going to dance the night away with you. They didn't say anything to you about it and assumed between themselves that perhaps they picked up her words up wrong.

Truth was that you were invited but declined. You weren't used to the glitzy, bright world of showbiz. You stayed behind the scenes- almost invisible. Unlike Lucy. Another difference between the two of you.

That night you were curled up on the couch watching a movie when the door was frantically knocked on. You got up and opened it, finding Lucy on the other side wearing the dress you recommended and also wearing a worried and sad expression. "Why aren't you at the party?" She asked coming through the doorway.

You lamely shrugged and shut the door "I didn't go because I wouldn't have known anyone and they won't know me."

"I know you and you know me." She said and took your hand with a reassuring smile now gracing her face. "So what if it's just the two of us? I wouldn't want to spend my night around anyone else." You felt a flutter in your chest, in your bones, in your fingers and in your toes at her words. "Now you always style me- let me choose an outfit for you tonight!"

"Okay," you nodded and let her drag her to your bedroom. She choose an outfit for you- she was learning from you fast. It was perfect. She sat by your dressing table while you changed and found a little funky jewellery box. Curiosity got the better of Lucy and she opened it and found a multitude of quirky pieces of jewellery.

Lucy took out a necklace made from old coke can tabs. You had painted them all different colours and the way that you had cut and positioned them amazed her. You came in and she looked at you in awe. "You look incredible!" She gushed and then held up the necklace. "Did you make this?"

You nodded "Years ago, before I started high school. It's rubbish-"

"No! No! No!" She protested "It's so innovative! Like you were always destined to become a designer and a stylist." She looked between you and it. "Can I wear it?" Your heart swelled and you walked over to Lucy and placed the necklace on her.

You looked at each other via the mirror and wondered what she saw in you and your reflection.

Lucy could have anyone she wanted in the world- you wondered why she fell for you. "It's yours, Luce." You whispered in her ear and she grinned widely, delicately brushing her fingers over the necklace while keeping her eyes locked with your own. "All yours." You weren't really talking about the necklace at this point.

"Well, I will wear it on my neck infinitely!" She took your hand and gave you a kiss. "Let's head to the party!" You went along with her, you'd follow Lucy wherever she went. You often wondered why she followed you. But that was just the self doubt eating away at you again.

And it just don't make sense to me

I really don't know

Why you stick right next to me or wherever I go

"I've been invited to an event, I can bring a plus one!" Lucy ecstatically announced as you walked into her apartment one evening after work with a dress in your arms for her. It was one that you designed just for her and an award show that she'd be wearing it to. The whole world would see your work on her.

"When is it?" You asked, fully knowing that you probably won't go. Her glamourous world was lightyears away from yours. You never felt like you could fit in.

"Next weekend," she pulled you onto the sofa with her and then cuddled in close to you. Your arms wrapped around her, almost protectively as if to shield her from the words that were about to come out of your mouth.

You swallowed the lump in your throat and spit it out. "I don't think I can make it. There's-"

She cut you off "Another fitting? Another dress rehearsal? What excuse is it this time?" Lucy sat upright and looked at you with a piercing gaze, you turned away. "Y/N, something's wrong. Please tell me." She pleaded.

You looked up and gestured between her and yourself. "Look at us! I'm a nobody and you're this stratospheric, beautiful movie star!" She blushed at your words but felt her heart pang with disappointment hearing you say that about yourself. "You take the showbiz world in your stride whereas I can't! There's so many things, Lucy! We are so different!" Everything spilled out of you like bold ink on paper.

"But opposites attract." She burst and grabbed your hands and shook them as if to shake some sense into you. "Like a magnet!" She tried to laugh but it sounded like a passionate sob. "You are magnetic and I felt that the first time I saw you. I was drawn to you, Y/N. It was like a magical trance."

A tear slipped down your cheek "I'm not made for your world."

"Y/N, you are my world!" Now she was crying. Both of you could have easily filled a swimming pool- especially after she said that to you. You completely broke down and hugged each other. Lucy peppered kisses on your shoulder and you returned the gesture on hers. "I love you."

That was the first time she had proclaimed that. You looked at her with glossy eyes "I love you too."

A month later, Lucy had sent you dozens of photos of herself in the dress you had designed for her and the award show. You wish you could have went with her but duty called and you were on set dressing characters for another film. Lucy understood, she always did. She even managed to chase away your self doubt...and take you to the party you had been reserved about going to.

She danced the night away with you at it.

The time difference meant you were already in bed when she arrived on the red carpet but you stayed up long enough to watch the coverage. You smiled seeing her in the gown- she looked like a goddess. But you had to squint your eyes noticing something that you didn't pack for her to wear.

It wasn't part of the outfit you had organised for the event. It was a beautiful, tear-jerking surprise. There was an object hanging from around her neck. It twinkled in the sunshine and flashing lights of the cameras.

Infinitely worn- just like she said. Your worlds had collided.

You're my, my, my, my kind of woman

My, oh my, what a girl

You're my, my, my, my kind of women

And I'm down on my hands and knees

Begging you please, baby, show me your world

The old coke can tab necklace.

——————————

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lilacmoon83 · 6 years ago

Text

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 193: The United Realms

Snow mewled into his kiss, as they slowly came down from the euphoria created by their lovemaking. It was very early that morning and it had been an exceptional night of passion in celebration of the culmination of the United Realms.

"Oh Charming…" she breathed, as he held her close and they pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you so much…" he rasped, as he kissed her tenderly again.

"Mmm...did you notice something about last night?" she asked coyly.

"You didn't have any nightmares," he observed and enjoyed her giddiness.

"But I still want you to see Archie," he added and she pecked him on the lips.

"I will...I just can't help but think this is a new beginning. I feel like this might be it. We had a few years of peace before this and maybe this time, it will be even longer," she said. He smiled and kissed her.

"I'm hoping so too, my darling," he replied, as they kissed again.

"We have a lot to do today," he mentioned, as he began kissing down her neck.

"Mmm...it's early and I'm not ready to leave this bed yet," she said, as she pushed him onto his back and straddled him. He smirked.

"Well...you do always get your way," he mused. She bit her bottom lip and their lips met again, as they gave in to their passion once again.

~*~

As the sun rose into the sky on a new day, the people of United Realms ventured out to explore their new surroundings. It had already been announced that Queen Snow and King David were throwing a grand ball that evening to welcome everyone to this new world. And it would no doubt be the event of the century. Unknown to them all though, there was now an invisible tenth realm among them they were unaware of. Nephilim, a fallen world, full of the wicked and evil that had been banished at various times in history. And now those fallen walked anonymously among the living again, ready to cause a havoc no one would see coming.

The Evil Queen was careful moving among the people of Storybrooke that morning though. She knew that if too many people saw her and let it slip to Regina when they saw her, it would only lead to them knowing something was wrong prematurely. And the Evil Queen didn't want her grand entrance to be spoiled before she was ready.

That being said, with all the Kingdoms getting ready for the ball that evening, moving about was fairly easy and making her way into Hyde's lab at the University was even easier since classes had been called off for the day.

"Well, well...it seems you have done well for yourself, Mr. Hyde," she mused, as she looked around his lab. She found her way to his potions cabinet and found that it was locked. The lock, however, was not without magical protection, but she found it was one of her own spells, or rather, Regina's.

"Thinking I was no longer a threat will be a big mistake," she muttered, as she undid the spell and opened the cabinet. She took one vial of the serum and pocketed it. She almost decided to take two, but then decided that it would be more entertaining to watch Snow and her darker half war with each other. She knew the darker half would seek more serum to use on her husband. She would want his darker half and surmised that she would enjoy watching her wreck havoc trying to do it. But probably even more deliciously, it would drive Snow's good half absolutely insane. Her insidiously good step-daughter would be wrought with anxiety and fear for her husband. She'd do anything to protect him from her darker half and that was going to be so incredibly satisfying to watch. She almost cackled with glee, as she replaced the lock and spell on the cabinet. She looked at the tiny vial of red liquid.

"This is where the fun begins…"

~*~

Elsa stretched her arms over her head and sighed deeply, before opening her eyes and smiling at the sight next to her. Leo slept beside her in her chambers, but it wasn't just for a few days or a weekend this time. Their relationship now had a sense of permanence with neither of them having to choose between their respective homes. Arendelle was now situated just outside Storybrooke and happened to now be the closest Kingdom to the reserve, which she was sure was no coincidence. Her future in-laws had probably consciously done that for them when they cast the good curse. And today was the beginning of their new lives together.

"Mmm...you can't be getting up yet," he drawled sleepily, as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against her stomach. She chuckled.

"You know we have to. I still have a Kingdom to run and you have the reserve. Plus...there's a very important ball tonight and I will need to attend with my King," she replied. He looked up at her.

"Your King?" he asked.

"That's what you'll be when we get married. King of Arendelle," she replied.

"But you're the Queen...you should rule. I shouldn't be ranked above you simply because I'm a man. In fact, I won't do that," he protested. She smiled at him and caressed his face.

"And you won't...we'll rule together equally, just like your parents always have. You're a Prince by birth and though your father wasn't, your mother still appointed him as her King. Such is her right as Queen and it's mine as well," she replied, as she cupped his face in her hands.

"And while I'm tending to matters of state in Arendelle, my King will spend his days in the reserve that he loves and overseeing Arendelle's Knights," she added. He smiled.

"Which means I only have to attend certain meetings," he said. She nodded.

"Only the ones where I need you to scare a few more years off the Duke of Wesselton," she teased.

"I don't know why he's so afraid of me. Your powers are way stronger than mine," he mused.

"Mine are at their strongest with animals," he added.

"Well, I think he's afraid of me too, but knows you can summon a tiger to eat him if you wanted to," she joked. He chuckled.

"I just got the mental image of one of the tigers chasing him, so thanks for that," he joked back, as their lips met tenderly.

"Are you sure you have to get up?" he purred.

"I just decided I'm going to be a little late," she replied, as their lips met again.

~*~

David put the plate of pancakes on the table for his kids and his father, as they dug into breakfast. Snow came down the stairs and kissed him tenderly, before getting a plate and sitting down with them.

"Are we going to keep living here or are we moving to yours and Dad's castle?" Bobby asked curiously, as they ate. Snow and David exchanged a glance.

"Well...we actually talked a little bit about that last night together and we wanted to talk to you two first before we decided," Snow responded, as they looked at their two youngest.

"Yeah...now that the castle your mother grew up in and mine and your Uncle James' castle are so close, we were thinking that we'd move into ours with your Uncle James and Aphrodite," David said. Snow nodded.

"And then your Nana will probably move into the one I grew up in with Robin, Zelena, her fiance, Roland, Jade, and Alice," Snow added.

"But that's only if you two want that. If you'd rather stay here...then we will," David told them. Summer and Bobby looked at each other.

"Will you and Mom sell this house to another family?" Bobby asked uncertainly. They knew it was extremely important that he feel a sense of stability after everything he went through in Seattle.

"We were actually thinking about giving this house to Emma and Killian since they're going to be having a baby soon," Snow said. Bobby nodded, seeming to like that idea. It meant he could come over here whenever he wanted.

"Aren't the castles kind of...not modernized though?" Summer asked. David chuckled.

"Not yet...but they will be. Your Nana and Aphrodite are actually already working on the spell for that little project, so by the time we would move in, they would be," he answered.

"Modernization is definitely a selling point for bringing all the realms together," Snow agreed.

"Then I guess it'd be pretty cool to live in the castle," Bobby agreed.

"Yeah, it would and then I can visit Nana all the time at her castle too," Summer added, as Eva and Paul came in.

"Hey sweetheart," Snow greeted.

"Morning Mom," she said, as she hugged her and then her father.

"There's plenty left since your brother isn't here. I'll warm it up," Snow offered, as they sat down.

"Thank you," Paul said, as they sat down. Eva waited for Bobby to scamper off to his room and then sat down next to her father.

"Okay...Mom is occupied so this is the perfect time to tell you about my plan," Eva said. David chuckled.

"And what plan is that?" he asked.

"The one where yours and Mom's fortieth wedding anniversary is coming up," she reminded. He smirked.

"I haven't forgotten...but I haven't decided what to get her yet," he responded.

"Which is why we're going to throw mom a super secret surprise anniversary party at Granny's," Eva said. David thought for a moment.

"Your mother does love throwing parties so she'd never suspect it if I threw her one," he agreed.

"But...is Granny's really big enough? I mean, you know I love spoiling your mother," he added.

"You could throw a block party on Main Street right outside Granny's. It's still summer so the weather should hold," Paul suggested. Eva gasped and kissed her husband's cheek.

"That's perfect...we can hire a band, Joe and Frankie can cater, and we can decorate the whole place with snowdrops. Oh, this is so perfect," Eva gushed, as Snow returned with warm food.

"Thanks Mom," she said, as they started eating breakfast, while David pulled Snow down into his lap. She smiled and put her arms around his neck, as he kissed her tenderly.

"What was that for?" she purred.

"Because I love you so much…" he replied. She gently caressed her face.

"I love you too...I guess I should get to Archie's," she said and he could tell she was a bit nervous.

"Hey...it'll be fine. I'll go with you if you want me to," he offered.

"Thanks...but I think this is something I need to do myself. But meet me at Granny's after for a cocoa?" she asked. He smiled and kissed her again.

"And a walk down by the Toll bridge," he agreed, as they shared another kiss and he walked her to the door. They had the ball tonight, but their anniversary was in a week, which gave them ample time to plan.

"Okay...I'll talk to Joe and Frankie about the catering," he said once Snow left.

"And we'll take care of the rest. One week from today, you'll just need to keep Mom busy and out of Storybrooke for the day," Eva replied. He smirked.

"No problem...I'm very good at keeping your mother busy," he said.

"The less details the better, daddy," she chided. Paul chuckled, as they left for the day.

"You really think she won't suspect anything?" Xander asked his son.

"Snow is always throwing parties for everyone else. She'll expect some romantic gesture from me, which she'll think is us spending the day alone. Trust me, she'll never suspect it's only a ruse to keep her busy," he replied. Xander shook his head in amusement, as David hurried upstairs.

"And the eternal honeymoon continues," he muttered fondly to himself.

~*~

"So...this is the serum that can split a person in half, based on their dark side and light side?" Seth questioned, as he examined the red serum in the vial that the Queen had managed to obtain already.

"It is...this serum made me an outcast in my own marriage and family. I lost everything," she said, forlornly, as she looked into the crystal ball they had set up to observe the day to day happenings around the new United Realms. The images she was focused on at that moment was watching Roland, Summer, and Bobby. The former was spending the day with his father, per usual and Summer had made her triumphant return to dancing at school. The school year hadn't started yet, but practice for the school dance troop had already begun, since the summer was waning and they were only a few weeks away from the beginning of her senior year.

Roland was on the cusp of beginning his first year at Storybrooke University and it was a very big year for him as well. Regina would be getting to experience those milestones with her step-son and granddaughter. Something that was taken from her when she was separated from her other half. Additionally though, Snow would be getting to enjoy her daughter's accomplishments as well, which angered her even more. The possibility of taking some of that away from her was very appealing. In the back of her mind, she knew that causing her mother pain would cause Summer and subsequently Bobby pain as well. They were quite possibly the ones she cared about most, though she also had a soft spot for the twins. It had been pointed out to her more than once that her affection and love for the children of her greatest nemesis was in direct conflict with the hatred she had for their mother. And that hurting their mother would ensure they would never love her. But that did not make her thirst for revenge against Snow dissipate.

"So...are you going to corner the little waif and administer it today?" Mim questioned.

"No...not yet. I thought the ball tonight would make the perfect spectacle, but I've already gotten wind of the prince's plan to throw his wife a milestone anniversary party in a week. I've decided this will be the perfect platform to make our big reveal," the Queen said.

"But tonight is the ball...we should do it tonight," Mim argued.

"No...I believe this party will be better suited. It's more intimate," Seth agreed.

"Tonight, with our glamor spells, will be the perfect opportunity to anonymously gather Intel. Then next week's event will be the perfect time to make our presence known," he added. Mim scoffed, but did not argue.

"I agree. And wrecking Snow's precious anniversary celebration will just be icing on the proverbial cake so to speak," the Queen mentioned.

"Then it's settled. Tonight, we will unknowingly mingle with the citizens of this new United Realms and gather vital information in the process. Then we will plot the next phase of our my plan," he agreed.

~*~

"And then usually the dreams end when David kisses me awake. It's been a bit worrisome that it seems to take true love's kiss to pull me out of the...dreams," Snow explained.

"It is and I'm afraid I would have to call these dreams what they really are and that's night terrors," Archie purported. She nodded.

"So...do you think it's PTSD?" she asked. He smiled.

"Been doing a bit of your own research?" he lightly teased. She smiled.

"A bit," she admitted.

"I'd say it's textbook PTSD...but it's no wonder after everything you've been through. It's a testament to how strong you are though. A lesser person wouldn't even still be standing. But you're still able to be happy, have hope, and care about others," Archie said. Snow shrugged.

"David and our children are the reason for that," she confirmed.

"If I lost them again…" she started to say, before tearing up.

"I can't lose them again...I don't think I'd survive it again," she confessed.

"I've known you and David a long time and I think he is holding onto you way too tightly for you to lose him," Archie reminded. She sniffed.

"I lost him for ten years the first time...and then two more," she reminded in return. He smiled gently.

"But there was twenty plus years in between where you were together and there was peace, so we know it's possible," he countered. She smiled and nodded.

"You're right...I find myself hoping that this is a new era of peace," she mentioned.

"That is my hope too. I think that's everyone's hope. Even if there is adversity though, I've watched you and David overcome absolutely everything, more than should really be possible for two people to conquer," he replied. She nodded.

"Love wins…" she muttered.

"It surely does, especially when it's yours and David's love," he added.

"I understand that this doesn't make the anxiety and fear stop though. I'd like us to keep talking about what you went through and if you would like, I can prescribe an anti-anxiety med or even a light sedative for nighttime," he suggested.

"No pills," Snow refuted. He sighed.

"I understand your aversion to prescription meds. How about something natural and over the counter, like a small dose of melatonin?" Snow still looked unsure at that.

"And if you don't want the pill form, they make lotions now to help promote a restful sleep. It will relax you and quiet your mind, hopefully enough that you'll enjoy uninterrupted sleep," he suggested.

"I suppose a lotion would be okay," she relented.

"Good...the pharmacy sells it," he told her. She nodded.

"I'll pick some up on the way home," she agreed, as she stood up.

"Good...then I'll see you next week at the same time?" he asked. She smiled and nodded, agreeing to continue their sessions.

"Yes...and I'll see you tonight at the ball, I assume?" she asked. He smiled and nodded.

"Of course," he agreed, as she pet Pongo and made her way out. She took a deep breath of fresh air, as she came outside. She did feel better talking about it and now she was looking forward to meeting her husband at the diner. She started walking that way and found Jane walking the other way.

"Snow?" she asked in surprise.

"Jane...it's so good to see you," Snow replied, as they shared a hug.

"You too...it's so good to be home," she agreed.

"I'll bet...I was hoping we'd see each other before the ball tonight," she mentioned.

"Me too...but I didn't know you were going to come? I know Tarzan isn't fond of balls," Snow answered.

"He's not...but he likes you and David, so he says he'll endure it, especially since Clayton will never again darken a door," Jane responded. Snow smiled.

"We like Tarzan too and thankfully, we can say that the Collector will never hurt anyone again," she agreed.

"Well...there's much to do before tonight, but we can catch up more then," Jane said, as she hurried off.

"I look forward to it," Snow called, as she turned to continue on her way, but unfortunately ran right into none other than Rodmilla Tremaine. The steely gaze that the woman gave her was cold enough to give a frosty coating to one of Elsa's ice palaces, but Snow held her chin high when facing this woman.

"Well...I see that you're back and all of this is your doing," Rodmilla said, gesturing toward the expanded land beyond the town.

"And I take it you don't approve?" Snow questioned.

"The only thing I'll ever approve of is you getting what you deserve…" she hissed.

"I heard the stories...it's too bad Dr. Facilier junior is no longer with us. I'd love to congratulate him on succeeding in locking you up in a mental hospital for two years like you've locked up my Drizella!" she snapped.

"Drizella is where she is, because she's actually disturbed. I was put there to keep their curse in tact," Snow argued.

"You're an evil little retch that deserves every misfortune you get. You are not the least bit sorry about locking my daughter away," Rodmilla claimed.

"You know what? You're right...I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry that she's locked away where she can't hurt my husband and I'm just sorry you're not in a cell beside her anymore," Snow snapped, as she shoved passed her and kept moving along.

"I will see that you pay, Snow White! I don't know how...but I'll finish your torment that Dr. Facilier's grandson started if it's the last thing I do," Rodmilla called. Snow fumed, as she walked away and made her way to the diner. She was so focused on her fury that she stormed right into David, who was waiting for her.

"Whoa...where's the fire?" he asked, as he put his arms around her. She sighed, as her fury melted away in his presence.

"Rodmilla Tremaine…" she said, knowing that she didn't really need to say anything else.

"I felt really good after seeing Archie and then I had to run into her," she lamented. He kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry...I don't agree with her being free for what she tried to do to you," he said.

"Me either...but she served her time and somehow was granted early parole," she replied. He sighed.

"Which just happened to be held in the short time while we were gone," he added, knowing that was the only reason she had been granted release, because they had not been there to protest.

"She threw it in my face that I was locked up in a mental hospital just like I made sure Drizella was locked up," she muttered.

"We made that decision...not just you," he reminded.

"You don't think she's got a point? I mean...maybe that was karma," she fretted.

"No...absolutely not, Snow. The Drizella Tremaine that tormented us belongs exactly where she is. You are nothing like her," he refuted.

"She drugged me and would have gone further if you hadn't stopped her. And then she and her evil mother tortured you. She doesn't have a solid grasp on reality and is obsessed with this idea that she's supposed to have a Prince Charming like some kind of trophy," he continued, as he put his hands on her shoulders.

"And if her mother comes near you again...then she's going to end up right back in a prison cell," he promised, as he hugged her and she relished his arms around her.

"Here you go...two cocoas with cinnamon," Joe said, as he came outside with their drinks. They smiled and took their drinks.

"Thanks Joe," David said.

"Enjoy your walk and we'll see you tonight at this fancy ball," he replied. Snow smiled.

"We look forward to it. I think you and Frankie will enjoy your first one," she said, as they joined hands and ventured off toward the Toll Bridge. As always, on their trek, she sounded off to her husband, her most intimate confidante, about her talk with Archie.

"And I know he was trying to help by prescribing an anxiety medication, but I just...can't take pills. Every time I think about even taking an aspirin, I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack," she said. He squeezed her hand.

"It's no wonder...after what they did to you. But I'm going to get you through this, my darling," he promised, as they stood at the bridge and listened to the babbling stream below. She smiled at him and set her cup on the railing so she could slip her arms around his neck.

"I know you will...you're the reason I'm not coming apart at the seams," she joked, though it wasn't really much of a joke. He chuckled and kissed her tenderly.

"Well, I'm here to put you back together, my beautiful Snow...and I always will be," he promised. She melted at that and kissed him again, this time with even more heat and passion. She pressed her forehead against his, as their lips parted and she gazed into those cerulean eyes that she loved so much.

"I suppose we should get back and get ready for tonight," she mentioned. He nodded and they laced their fingers together, as they began the trek back to their house.

~*~

Fandral waited with their children, as they were all dressed in their best and just as the sun was setting on the first complete day in the United Realms. For this evening's ball, his formal attire was red with golden trim and accents, so it was no surprise that his wife's gown was red as well, like her name. But it still did not prepare him for how breathtaking she was in that gown.

"Oh my love…" he uttered, as she floated to him. Her full fanned ball gown was red with off the shoulder sleeves. It glittered all over and the neckline dipped beautifully in a v, while her raven hair was done up in a beautiful twist, with a tiara resting atop her head. Simple, elegant diamonds set in gold adorned her neck and ears for jewelry and two curls remained loose, framing her face on either side.

"Is it too much?" she asked.

"No...you look like the goddess you certainly are," he replied. She smiled and slipped her arms around his neck.

"You're looking very handsome yourself, my warrior," she purred, as their lips met in a passionate kiss. Carina rolled her eyes, while the twins fidgeted impatiently.

"Mom...Daddy...can we go already?" the eldest asked in annoyance. They smiled, as their lips parted.

"Yes, we can," Rose confirmed, as her husband offered his elbow and she hooked her hand on it, as they headed out to the carriage.

~*~

"Wow Mom...that dress is amazing," Eva mentioned, as she, her sisters, and her mother all got ready together.

"She's right...dang mom," Emma agreed, as Snow looked down a bit shyly. Emma had chosen a bright red gown, Eva had gone with a soft pink satin one, and Summer had of course chosen one a shimmering violet one.

As for Snow, the entire bodice of her gown was satin covered in solidly in silver glitter. The skirt portion of the dress reached the floor and was pure white; a mixture of satin and chiffon. Tiny silver glittering flowers dotted the skirt and the dress was sleeveless, except it had iridescent sleeves that were also dotted with glittery flowers. Her ensemble was complete with elegant jewelry and her mother's tiara atop her head.

"I thought it might be too much," Snow mentioned, as she bit her bottom lip.

"Definitely not...you look amazing, Mom," Summer confirmed.

"Thanks sweetie...and look at you. So beautiful...all my girls are," she gushed.

"And since we're all here...I want to run an idea by you," Snow said.

"What is it?" Emma asked.

"Well...a week from today happens to be mine and your father's fortieth wedding anniversary, if you count curse years, which we do and I want to throw him a surprise party!" Snow announced. Emma had to bite back a laugh at that and Eva had to resist the urge to shake her head. She should have seen this coming.

"So...you want to throw Daddy a surprise party," Summer mused, trying to hide her laughter.

"Yeah...I'm just not sure exactly what yet. I mean, he doesn't dislike these kinds of events, but I know he loves it more when we throw more casual parties at Granny's. But Granny's is a bit small," Snow said.

"You know what, Mom...I think I have the perfect idea," Eva interjected.

"Really?" she asked. Her middle daughter nodded.

"It's still August so it should be warm enough to throw a block party outside Granny's. Joe and Frankie can cater and we can hire a band. In fact, I insist on taking care of all of that," Eva said.

"Really sweetie?" she asked in surprise.

"Definitely," Eva confirmed.

"That sounds wonderful...are you sure you don't need help though?" Snow asked.

"I'm sure...let us take care of everything. The only thing you have to do is keep Daddy busy that day and away from the main part of town," Eva replied.

"That shouldn't be too hard. I'm very good at distracting your father," Snow mused.

"Mmm...yeah, the less details the better, Mom," Eva admonished, as her mother turned back to finish her final touches, while Emma and Summer pulled Eva out of earshot.

"Uh...you're aware that Dad is already throwing the same party you just mentioned for Mom, right?" Emma asked.

"Of course...which is why this is perfect. I mean...they're so in sync that they think they're throwing each other an anniversary party," Eva replied. Summer giggled.

"So when they show up, they'll end up surprising each other. That is so Mom and Dad," she agreed. Emma shook her head.

"Yeah...that pretty much sums them up. One heart and one mind," Emma agreed. Eva grinned.

"This is going to be so much fun," she gushed.

"Ready?" Snow asked, as her daughters shared a secret smile and then followed her out to where David was waiting with Bobby. Her husband was wearing a silver/gray formal tunic and pants, with a white sash, with a shiny badge pinned to it, signifying his rank as both King and Supreme Sheriff of the United Realms. Bobby was wearing a mini-version of what his father was wearing, simply because Snow couldn't help herself.

"Wow…" David uttered, as he saw his wife, dressed and looking like a Goddess.

"Wow yourself, handsome…" she purred, as he slid his arms around her waist.

"Okay...let's go before they scar us even more," Emma joked, as she, her brother, and her sisters left.

"I guess we should go too," Snow said, biting her bottom lip.

"Yeah...but there's always after the ball," he whispered in her ear. She smiled and picked up his sword. She had transformed the chalice into their weapons and handed his to him.

"You think I'll need my sword?" he asked.

"It's us," she replied.

"Good point," he agreed, as he fastened his formal scabbard to his waist and sheathed the weapon.

"Wait...where are your gauntlets?" he asked.

"Aphrodite showed me how to put them in a pocket dimension," she replied, as he put his arms around her and she noticed he was looking at her skirt.

"What? Did you think I had them hidden in my dress?" she joked. He shrugged.

"It wouldn't be the first time you hid a weapon in one of your dresses," he said in a husky tone. She grinned.

"Oh, so you like it when your wife packs concealed weapons?" she teased.

"Hell yes…" he purred, as they kissed again.

"Well...then you'll be happy to know that I am wearing a holster somewhere and it has a dagger, which means later...you can play find the dagger," she giggled. He kissed her again.

"I love that game," he said, as they finally manage to part. They shared a smile and she hooked her hand on his elbow, as they followed their children out of the castle rooms and to the winding staircase that would lead them to the ballroom.

~*~

"The goodness in this room is suffocating…" a blonde woman complained quietly, as she perused the buffet table.

"I feel the same...but this is necessary. These disguises will serve us well though and allow us to integrate into the masses," a handsome man with brown hair replied.

"Well...these two were in the right place at the right time and no one will find the bodies until we've revealed ourselves," the woman replied.

"Besides...no one will miss the seventh in line Prince Edward of the Southern Isles and his southern belle wife Charlotte La Bouff," the woman said, in her best southern accent. The man smirked.

"You are a very good actress, Your Majesty," he whispered.

"You're not so bad yourself. Come on...let's introduce ourselves to my insipid step-daughter and her idiot husband," she said, as they approached the famed couple that was responsible for all this. She could tell Snow was already annoyed in talking to King Magnus' wife, Freya, whom the Evil Queen had to pretend was her sister-in-law. She certainly hoped she could bring her plan to fruition soon, because she wasn't sure how much of this she could take.

"Oh yes...Snow was such a little scamp when she was little. And believe me, making this one into a proper Princess was not easy when she was always in the garden, talking to birds and such," Freya gushed and Snow fought the urge to toss her wine on the woman.

"Well, Snow is the most beautiful, incredible woman in all the realms, whether she's dressed as she is tonight or as a bandit in the woods like she was the first time I saw her. No one could ever compare to her," David said, as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

"Oh my...he is really good at that Prince Charming thing. You know, I'd love to dance with the legendary Prince Charming," Freya purred.

"Sorry...but Prince Charming only dances with the love of his life, Snow White," David said, without missing a beat, before leading her to the dance floor. Snow gazed at him with a dreamy stare, but they were unfortunately cut off by another pair.

"Oh my goodness...it's really you!" the blonde gushed with a southern style accent.

"I'm sorry...you are?" Snow asked.

"Your Majesties...I am Charlotte La Bouff and this is my husband, Prince Edward. Seventh in line for the Throne of the Southern Isles," she replied.

"It is quite an honor, Your Majesties," Edward stated, as he bowed to them.

"Oh please...that's not necessary," David admonished, as they stood upright.

"The stories of your lives and heroics are so inspirin'," Charlotte gushed.

"Yes...we so enjoy those thrilling tales and I must say that is a magnificent sword," Edward complimented, as he gestured to the ornate jeweled hilt of Charming's chalice sword.

"Well...we won't keep you lovebirds any longer. Come along, dear," Charlotte said, as Edward shook David's hand at the same time that his other hand remained on the hilt of his sword. A brief vision assaulted David's mind at that moment and he saw sheer devastation and havoc wrecking through the United Realms. But as quickly as the vision assaulted his mind it was gone. His eyes were wide and he faltered a bit, as he looked at Edward in disbelief.

"Baby...are you okay?" Snow asked worriedly, as she steadied him.

"Uh...yeah, I'm fine. Just lost my balance there for a sec. Probably too much wine," he replied, playing it off. Snow knew better though, as he had only had one glass so far, but she smiled at the other couple.

"I'm fine...let's have that dance now," he insisted, as he led her to the dance floor and swept her into his arms.

"My love...you're trembling…" she said worriedly, as she pressed her cradled his face in her hands.

"I'm...I'm not sure I can explain it. But when I shook his hand, I had my hand on the hilt of my sword," he explained.

"And the chalice showed you something," she said knowingly. He sighed and nodded, as he pressed his forehead against hers.

"I guess I should have known that you'd get it," he replied.

"What did you see?" she asked.

"Destruction...of the United Realms," he replied, as his voice took on a haunted tone.

"Oh...well, maybe you saw something from the past…" she suggested. He nodded.

"That makes sense...but why would the chalice show me that?" he asked.

"I...I don't know. Maybe Aphrodite will know something," she replied. He nodded and sighed.

"It can wait though...we should make our speech," he said. She nodded, as the song ended and they walked hand in hand to the podium that awaited them.

"Thank you all for coming this evening," Snow greeted, as her hand never left David's.

"We are excited to welcome everyone to this new era in our history; one where the realms are one again, just as they were thousands of years ago," she began and did not notice Prince Edward's eyes darken at her words.

"Evil and destruction tore us apart in those dark times, but it is love that has reunited us," Snow said, as she looked at her husband and he smiled at her.

"We know that with change comes uncertainty and the unknown, which can be unsettling. But we believe that uniting the realms will create prosperity for all," she continued and nodded to him.

"Despite the unknown and uncertainty, we are confident that this new era will be one of peace and happiness. And we know that, because love is stronger than any evil or hate. Love is the most powerful magic of all and love will light our future," David continued, as he squeezed her hand.

"No matter what Snow and I have had to face, love has always prevailed and will forever forge our path. We have built our legacy on hope, faith, and love and we will continue to do so in our service of all the people of the United Realms," he added.

"Though peace can never be guarantee, we can promise that we will always be on the front lines to protect all and defend all," he concluded. Snow smiled at him.

"No matter what we have faced, we have always found each other. Love and hope has always been enough and will always be enough. Like my husband said, peace is never a guarantee. But love is. Hope is. And like our family, we can promise that the United Realms has been created and built on a foundation of love and hope. A foundation we will build on and that will prosper...for all time," Snow finished. Their speech was met with applause from everyone and though Prince Edward and Charlotte applauded with the others, they glared at the pair on the podium with barely hidden malice, though it went unnoticed. But then why wouldn't it? Snow and Charming were too absorbed in each other and their guests were equally absorbed by the charismatic couple that embodied a love so true that it was beyond comprehension for some.

They agreed that this was a new era, but this duo, concealed by a pair of glamor spells, promised that the dawn of this new beginning would be tumultuous and their enemies would feel the full weight of their coming revenge. And the best part...they wouldn't see it coming...

#Snowing #SnowxCharming #Charming family #OC Charmings #AU #The United Realms #original season 8 storyline #Rose Red #Fandral the Dashing #dashing rose #romance #family #adventure #finding you always #the epic continues

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niora · 6 years ago

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She was not expecting anyone to be here. She wiped at her face, trying desperately to hide that she’d been crying. Northwests didn’t cry. They had an image to uphold. But it was hard for a 12 year old to not be tearful over being told she’d be staying with relatives that didn’t care for her, while her father went to Portland for some business. She hated her aunt and uncle. She hated how she couldn’t be herself around them.

“ Are you crying?”

“ No. I have...dust in my eyes.”

The two stared at each other in silence for a time. Taking in their appearances. To her, this creature seemed to be a fawn, but it was pitch black save for the bright, almost electrical dotted markings on it’s back. It had golden hooves, tiny horn buds and bright gold eyes. She’d never seen a deer like this before, but she thought it looked very beautiful.

To the deer, this seemed to be a very young human girl, though it was unsure what age. Dark mid-length hair, icy blue eyes and pale skin. Like the settlers, the deer noted. She was dressed in a white skirt with black stockings, a large white and navy collar, navy sash at the thigh and a large navy bow in her hair.

“ You’re not scared of me?” it said in a voice that she thought sounded young.

“ Should I be?” she asked cautiously, she wasn’t even sure what the deer was, or if this was even a ‘deer’. “ What are you?”

“ I’m a guardian.”

“ Oh.” she blinked, not really sure what that meant.

“ The forest is my home. I keep it safe.” it explained “ Are you lost?”

“ I...” she looked around, she had been running headlong into the forest, not even bothering to stay on the trails. She really wasn’t sure where she was now. She hadn’t been thinking of any kind of destination and she hadn’t thought of what to do or where to stay once she ran away. She felt even more foolish, her emotions had blindly led her to unknown territory.

“ I think so.” she said sadly

“ I know the way back to town. I can take you there.”

“ NO!” she cried “ No, I don’t want to go back home, I’m not wanted there.”

“ It will be dark soon, it’s not good to be out here alone.” it paused and thought where else this human could stay if she didn’t want to go home, it thought of a cave, but that would be too cold and there could be bats...

“ There’s a church not too far away, you could stay there.”

She flinched. A church? Someone like her. Something like her...being welcomed in a church? She shook her head. “ I don’t think that’s a good idea, I don’t want to burden anyone. Isn’t there somewhere else I could go?”

“ The church is abandoned, there’s no one there, but there is shelter and it’s warm. Come on.”

The creature tilted it’s head, motioning her to follow and she did so. As they walked on, she noticed the forest getting denser, darker. She wasn’t sure if the sun was setting quicker or this creature was leading her further away from civilization. The latter thought scared her. As much as wanted to get away from home, she didn’t want to get away from town.

“ Is there any food in that church?”

“ No, but I could get you some. I know where there are a lot of berries and roots you could eat. Unless you’re a meat eater?”

She smiled at the mention of her being a ‘meat eater’, meaning this creature was probably vegetarian, like most deer were. This eased her fears of it wanting to possibly lure her away to eat her. “ I do eat meat, but berries sound good.”

There was no trail as they headed up. Branches and weeds caught her skirt and seeds stuck to her black stockings, but she paid little mind. They were already ruined by the time she met this creature, when she fell a few times trying to run off. The undergrowth and dense trees gave away to a clearing, and before them was a run down looking church. This creature wasn’t kidding when it said it was abandoned, it looked like it hadn’t seen a living soul in decades. It’s wood sides covered in ferns, vines and brambles, it’s wide doors fallen off the hinges, the roof thankfully looked intact.

“ I haven’t been in here in a long time, but I remember there being fabric in the back rooms, I think they’re called blankets?”

She barely registered what it just said, she’d never been in a church before. Her father would’ve never allowed it. She looked around at the little figures sitting on alcoves above, colored in the dancing prisms of the light from broken stained glass, tattered red carpet harboring green moss underfoot and a lopsided cross in the very front. It wasn’t nearly as frightening as she was told it would be. It was very somber in a rustic sort of way.

She hadn’t noticed she was still walking, following the deer creature to the very front and through a room beyond it. It got noticeably dimmer but still lit from a single window. She witnessed the creature use it’s mouth to pull open a wardrobe. Inside were blankets, clothing on hangers and various other fabric that she figured were things for a ritual of sorts. She picked up a blanket, surprised by how dustless they were, the heavy pine doors must have protected them from the elements and moths.

“ I’ll get some food, I’ll be right back.” said the creature, and with a jump, it gracefully and effortlessly ran into the air, sparks of electricity on it’s golden heels. She was in awe. She only knew others like her could fly with brooms, but never just lift into the sky like that. What was this creature?

She would have to ponder about that later, the noon sun was setting, making the room even dimmer. She looked around at the other rooms, one seemed to be in a state of total decay, the floorboards had rotted to the dirt foundation they were laid on, the other room’s window had been busted, allowing nature to take hold of it. She decided to call the ‘office’ she was in, her temporary home. It had a desk, books, a bench, chairs and the single window was intact. She spotted an oil lantern on top of a shelf, shook it, there was still fuel.

By the time the creature came back with food, cleverly using a discarded offering basket on a pew, she’d made a little bed out of the bench and chairs, pulling them together against a wall.The creature set down the basket of food and looked at the makeshift bed area.

“ I found a lantern in a cabinet. I couldn’t find any matches though, so I had to use magic to get it started.”

The creature tilted it’s head curiously “ Magic?”

“ Yes, I’m a witch. But I’m still in school, so I don’t know a whole lot of spells yet.”

Golden eyes blinked for a second. This girl was a witch? “ You are a very young witch. I’ve only met old ones before.”

“ I’m not so young!” she pouted “ I’m 12 years old this year! Nearly a young lady.”

“ Only 12 years? I am over 2 billion.”

“ That’s impossible, an animal can’t be that old.”

“ But I am. And I’m not an animal, I’m a guardian.” he explained again “ I suppose, a kind of deity of the forest.”

Her eyes went wide. A deity! Well that certainly explained how it could fly, and make electrical sparks as it did so. But she thought deities were much...bigger and more grander looking. This ‘deity’ was but a small deer. A baby. She’d never heard not read of one like that.

“ What do they call you?”

“ I have many names. The tribes that were here before settlers came had as many as 100 names for me. Storm Bringer, Singing Rain...”

Ah, so it was an ‘Indian’ idol. She’d seen their likenesses on the trip up to Oregon carved on masks from the mysterious tribes of the cold north at trading posts, and painted on the capes and hats of the ‘Indians squaws’ who sold rabbit and otter furs along the trails.

“ Oh but what do you call yourself? Surely you must have a personal name of your own. Like mine. My name is America Northwest, but I don’t care for it much, so I chose to go by Ami or Ricky instead.”

“ I don’t have a name like that.”

“ How sad.” she said, not have a personal name to identify with. Not even a nickname. “ What would you like to be called? I’ve always fancied William or Catherine. They’re such lovely names.”

“ I don’t know what those mean. If I am to name myself, I would like it to mean something personal to me.”

“ That’s fair.” She supposed if a name were to be chosen, it should be special. But there was time for that, maybe after she ate she’d recommend more names. She wasn’t sure what gender the little deity was, so she’d have to come up with girl and boy names, or even neutral ones like Lark or Joe.

She spied the food in the basket and her stomach growled, those berries looked delicious and she immediately recognized some to be gooseberries and wild strawberries.

“ You’re not eating?” she asked

“ I have eaten while I was out. You’re welcome to the basket.”

The whole basket? Well that was swell! She picked up a wild strawberry and popped it into her mouth. So sweet, so fragrant. Nothing like the larger ones she’d eaten back home. Very soon, the contents of the basket disappeared as did the sunlight. She lay on her side, stroking the soft and cloud-like fur of her new nameless friend. It seemed to enjoy it greatly.

“ Tell me more of your home in Ca-For-Nah.”

“ California.” she softly corrected “ San Francisco is a very big city with lots of people. It’s also very foggy and windy. The coastline is very rocky with lots of flat beaches where my mama and I used to go into the bathing machine. My papa took me to the World’s Fair last year...”

She trailed off as her head dipped down. She normally didn’t sleep so early, but all the running and crying exhausted her. Eventually she went quiet, and lay on her side in her little makeshift bed without a blanket, the body of the creature against her radiated warmth.

“ World’s Fair. San Francisco.” repeated the creature. There was no context nor mental image of such a place, yet the names ignited curiosity. Never had the deer god left the land before, it knew nothing of the world beyond Gravity Falls or that such amazing sounding places existed. The little deer god tucked in it’s legs and curled closer to the young witch. Though it did not need sleep, it stayed quiet, listening to her soft breathing and watching the flickering of the lamp.

--------------------------

Author’s Notes:

If you couldn’t guess, this takes place probably around the early 1900s, what with the bathing machines and mention of the World’s Fair aka Panama–Pacific International Exposition. Ricky here also uses terms that described the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest back then, which of course are really offensive now, but for the sake of her rich white background and historical accuracy, are used. Doesn’t mean she can’t unlearn it, especially with Sam, who remains nameless for now.

A second part is pending. I like this AU, I’ve been trying to bust this writer’s block for a few days. If this is what does it, I’m continuing it. For how long? Idk. Maybe skip a few years into their friendship to see how time changes things. We’ll see.

#rp stuff #america northwest #sam #1900s AU #mini fic

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maryanneisadream · 4 years ago

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I had 3 dreams around the time my dad died on 10/1/2020. The last dream was on the exact night he died. The first night of the first dream was two days before he died where I was a little girl again in the house we grew up in (and that we still own.) The carpet in the house was that old ugly 90’s dark pink carpet. My parents renovated a little bit of the house last year so that pink carpet is no longer there in most of the house. My dad was younger, (still old though of course) chasing me down the stairs like he used to. He used to scare the shit out of me whenever I got in trouble. I was always so much faster than him of course since he was so old. I would race up or down the stairs when I knew I pissed him off. My heart would always beat like crazy running on those stairs thinking he could somehow catch me. In my dream, I was about 4-5 years old and I was running down the stairs from him & he was racing down the stairs for me. But I wasn’t scared at all. I was actually quite happy and the feeling was very content. It was a happy moment because I guess I was reliving a memory that is long gone. It is kind of a strange thing because I was a child again but at the same time I knew I was still 28 in my head... or in my real physical self outside of the dream. It was almost like watching from above like an old film & there is always this bright white vignette in my dreams. I woke up the moment I ran to the bottom of the stairs.

My second dream was actually just a day dream but I felt like God or the universe was speaking to me. This was the day before he died in the morning around 6:30 am. I had just got off the freeway onto Grant heading to work. I can’t remember what music I was listening to but all I know is that I was already really sad so I’m sure it was nothing upbeat. It may have been some slow classical music. I remember feeling like something told me to look up. The sky was still somewhat pink and orange and the sun was almost beaming through. I remember watching these birds fly through the sky. They did this kind of slow circular motion and flew higher. It was actually really peaceful. I remember the music I had playing in my car mentally faded out and then that moment of watching the sky and the birds became completely silent. It sounds odd, but I knew right then & there that it was my dad’s time to go. It was almost like a message from God or the world or the universe or even from my dad because it made me feel very peaceful and content again. I just knew something was telling me my dad’s time was up here on earth and that he would be somewhere peaceful very soon. I finally looked back down at the road and the music toned back in and all the noise from the morning traffic did too. I don’t even know how I was still driving because it felt like a long quiet moment... My dad always loved birds. He had so many books about birds in the house. I remember he always had me read some type of hard cover bird book when I was a little girl. Maybe my dad was trying to send me a message himself using the birds.

After only an hour of being at work, I got a phone call from my mom. My heart sank because I already knew. I answered it and hesitated to say hello. This is what she said - “We need to let him go.” My dad had been in a vegetable state at St. Joe’s since a few days before the first dream I had about him... “We need to let him go” ... are probably the worst words I have ever had to hear and swallow. They still echo in my head. “We need to let him go.” ... but I don’t want to. I’m not even 30 yet and I still have years of my life to share with him. I haven’t even walked down the aisle with him yet. I immediately left work. I couldn’t bear to work for the rest of the day. But I knew it. I knew it was his time to go and I knew that moment with the sky and the birds that same morning must have been a message for me to mentally prepare myself for that phone call. Or maybe it was to let me know that my dad was already gone. Because in reality, when you’ve reached that vegetable state, you pretty much are no longer alive... your quality of life is gone.

We watched our dad die the next morning. We all got to spend some last moments with him individually before we “pulled the plug.” I told my dad about the first dream I had about him chasing me down the stairs. Even though he was obviously completely incoherent, I thought I could still talk to him in hopefulness that he could somehow still hear me. I told him, “Daddy, I had a dream I was a little girl again and you were chasing me down the stairs like you always used to.” I laughed a little after I spoke it out loud to him. He immediately made this “wow” facial expression. It was the same expression he always used to make whenever he heard something interesting or funny. I was super happy about that. I know music connects to people spiritually and nourishes the soul, so I decided to play one of his favorite old songs from 1958, Chances Are by Johnny Mathis. I felt like I could just feel him smiling even though I couldn’t see it. I asked my dad one last question, I asked him if he wanted me to give him a kiss on the cheek. (He always wanted me to kiss him on the cheek when I said goodbye ever since I can remember.) Right after I asked him that question he harshly blinked twice even with his eyes still closed. When my sister became paralyzed, my dad made a rule for her to blink once for no and twice for yes. I KNEW he could hear me and I will never forget those last moments we communicated.

It was time to let the priest in and pray for our dad before we pulled the plug. We kept loudly telling him that he was gonna be okay and that we just wanted to do a prayer. He instantly started frowning and we all knew he was upset and that he didn’t like that. If there’s one thing you know about prayer in the hospital, it usually only happens right before a death. I felt like my dad was upset we were gonna let him go and that he knew he didn’t have much time left. During the whole prayer, he was frowning. His body was swollen, his legs, his feet, his hands, his lips, his face.. everything. Everything was already more than halfway shut down in his body. His neck was already fractured from the fall with no chance of surviving any type of surgery to fix it. The only thing keeping him alive was the breathing tube and you either leave the hospital on an oxygen tank and wheel chair after having the breathing tube taken out or you don’t make it at all. His chances of breathing on his own were non existent at this point. I just hope he knows all of this wasn’t what we wanted at all. I think that’s what breaks my heart the most. He always told us he would never want to live in a vegetable state and that was where we needed to end his life if that ever happened. We all knew mentally he wasn’t ready to die but his body couldn’t keep up with that. When the nurse took his tube out of his mouth, it wasn’t peaceful at all like the movies make it out to be. We literally watched him choke to death. It was like a choking sound that just lingered for minutes and his eyes were open & rolled all the way back. His heart beat on the monitor kept drastically dropping and dropping. Everyone was crying and yelling at him saying he was gonna be okay and that he wouldn’t be in pain anymore. My mom kept yelling to him that he would soon see their daughter Kathleen again in heaven. I held his hand the whole time even though he couldn’t hold it back. My sister who is a nurse let out a big scream when she saw his heart beat drop to 30 bpm and I knew then it was over. Everything happened so fast and I just couldn’t believe he was actually gone. We stayed in that room with him for a whole hour crying and touching him. My sister Jessica had a crazy moment where she kept trying to force the breathing tube back in his mouth and everything was just painful to watch. The remembrance of the heart monitor beeping all the way down to zero doesn’t ever leave my head. The hardest part was saying goodbye and giving him another last kiss on his cheek. Every time we were suppose to finally leave the room, I would walk back up to his bed and give him another kiss. And another. And another. It didn’t feel right to leave him and it wasn’t fair. Everything was just traumatizing.

Walking out of the hospital into the parking lot with the sun beaming in our faces was the most odd and empty feeling. I felt numb. Everyone was just walking past us into the building we just came out of. People were having conversations and laughing around the building. To know & feel like your whole world has just stopped while others keep on moving is a feeling I can never truly describe. My mom stopped and looked at us and said, “Now what are we supposed to do?” .... tf if I know

My family and I decided to meet back at our parent’s house, or I guess it’s just my mom’s house now. The moment we got there I went into the den where we were keeping my dad in hospice and I laid on his bed. I was mentally exhausted, traumatized, in denial, and was still crying. I silently fell asleep on his bed and even though I was asleep, images of his face kept popping up in my head. His voice kept playing in my head. His “hey, honey” he used to say to me all the time kept running through my head while I was asleep. I remember waking up with knots in my stomach like how could this be real? And why would God once again let this happen?

I live 45 minutes from my parent’s house. Getting home that night was probably the longest ride of my life. The moment I got home I crawled into my bed and cried. The knots in my stomach wouldn’t leave and neither would my dad’s face or voice. I moved from my bed onto the couch and cried some more to the point where I couldn’t breathe out of my nose. I finally fell asleep on the couch and finally, the third dream I mentioned in the beginning comes. Again, there is a bright white vignette in my dream. My dad was laying on the floor and he couldn’t move. He was on the floor in the den like he was sick still, the room where we had him in hospice. His bed and everything in the room was gone. I kneeled down to my dad sadly saying, “Aw, daddy. I love you.” I placed my hand by his face and a tear rolled down my dad’s face when he looked at me. He sadly said back, “I love you too.” He raised his hand up in a way where I knew he needed me to help lift him up off the ground to get back on his feet like he always used to do. The moment I stood up and grabbed his hand I noticed he felt as light as a feather. It was easy pulling him up and all of the sudden he was tall again and young. He had all his light brown golden hair and he was just young and healthy. I’ve seen old pictures of him as a teenager and he was exactly that. When I pulled him up he walked behind me towards the door and left the room into a bright white light and then he was gone. & I immediately woke up as he walked off into the light. I woke up feeling a sense of ease, but still very heart broken and in knots. I just hope he’s somewhere happy. & I’m just going to believe that my dreams are real because I don’t know what else to believe in

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oliverphisher · 5 years ago

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James Foley

Brobot (S. Tinker Inc) By James Foley

James Foley is a children’s author and illustrator. He makes picture books, junior fiction and graphic novels. He is in high demand for talks and workshops in schools and libraries across Australia. He comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. He lives in Perth with his wife, son and labrador.

James Foley makes picture books, middle grade novels and comics for kids. He’s the author/illustrator of the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series for middle primary: Brobot (2016), Dungzilla (2017) and Gastronauts (2018) star Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, and Joe Tinker, her stinky baby brother. James also illustrated Toffle Towers (2019), written by Tim Harris, and Total Quack Up (2018), an anthology of funny short stories with proceeds going to charity. James’ earlier books My Dead Bunny (2015) In The Lion (2012), The Last Viking (2011) and The Last Viking Returns (2014) have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Raven list.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

The Artists’ Way, by Julia Cameron

The Artist's Way: 25th Anniversary Edition By Julia Cameron

Roland Harvey’s Drawing Book, by Roland Harvey

Roland Harvey's Drawing Book (Young Designer Series) By Roland Harvey

The Eleventh Hour, by Graeme Base

The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery By Graeme Base

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

It’s not related to writing or illustrating in any way ... my wife and I recently bought some reusable produce bags to replace the soft little plastic bags you use at the shops to put fruit or veggies in. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles too so they’re extra good for the environment. We also bought some bulk produce bags so we can go to our local whole food shop and buy bulk of rice, oats and other things we’d usually have to buy in little plastic bags at the supermarket. It’s reduced our plastic consumption A LOT and that’s making us feel a bit better about our impact on the environment.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

I first submitted illustration samples to publishers when I was around 20 years old. I didn’t get any invitations to illustrate books back then; my work wasn’t up to a professional standard yet, and I wasn’t ready mentally or emotionally either. But I did have one publisher who liked one of the images I’d pulled together, and they said they’d keep it on file. Nothing ever came of it, but that one little bit of encouragement was enough for me to keep going.

I was working on a picture book idea around that time too; I had character designs and a theme … but the story wasn’t working. 7 years later, I got my first publishing contract. The story had the same theme as the one I’d been working on way back when, and my old character design was definitely applicable. In fact a whole bunch of different little sketches that I’d just been doing for fun ended up finding their way into that first book. It was as if I had been working towards that first published book without knowing it.

Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

There’s one that’s (supposedly) from Confucius that I’ve had written on a post-it on my computer for a long time: “Man on hill with mouth open wait long time for roast duck to drop in.”

What is one of the best investment in a writing resource you’ve ever made?

It was an illustrating resource, and it was my first graphics tablet: a Wacom intuos 3. I bought it back in 2006 and it served me well for a decade of making illustrations; I illustrated my first four books with it. It still works, too!

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I’ve collected the ticket stub from every movie I’ve seen since 1994. The first in the pile is Independence Day, which I saw with some high school classmates after class one day.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

I had a near-death experience in 2016; I was in a major car accident. It could have gone really badly but somehow I emerged unscathed. That gave me a clear sense of my own mortality for the first time, and has changed the way I look at my life and work immensely. I recommend a non-injurious near-death experience to everyone! I also got married and had a son in the last three years, so that’s changed my outlook again.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven aspiring author? What advice should they ignore?

You don’t need to submit things straight away. You don’t need to get published straight away, and you shouldn’t expect to. It’s important that you get knocked back a few times. It’s extremely likely you’ll get knocked back a lot of times. The knockbacks and the constructive criticism will help you develop your craft and get your work up to a publishable standard. Take on the feedback that you truly feels rings true (because sometimes you will get positive constructive criticism from people who really get what you’re trying to do and see the potential in it); ignore the feedback that doesn’t really click or seems petty or mean (because sometimes you will get discouraging feedback from people who just don’t get what you’re trying to do). For this to work though, you need to be willing to take on feedback in the first place, and that’s absolutely vital. I see lots of people who are overconfident in their ability, and react very badly when given feedback that contradicts that belief. You need to be confident in your ability to put in the work of course, but also humble, as you have a lot to learn, and you will never stop learning.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession often?

Sometimes people say, submit your manuscript to one publisher at a time. That’s terrible advice! You will be waiting months and months to hear back from a publisher, if you ever hear back from them at all. The better thing to do is send to multiple publishers at once, and mention in your cover letter that this is what you've done. That way all the publishers know what the deal is, and they can contact you to check if the manuscript is still available before they start putting time and effort into reading it and considering it at their meetings in-house.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)?

Having a toddler means my wife and I have very little free time, so we’ve both had to become better at saying no to things; I think I still need to learn the lesson on a regular basis! It’s always a balancing act between work and home life; and within work, there’s a balance between spending time on the next book/s, spending time doing paid talks and workshops; getting admin done; and doing the other unpaid things that pop up (volunteer opportunities, media and promotional events, etc).

What marketing tactics should authors avoid?

On social media, don’t just talk about yourself all the time, and don’t just talk about your book all the time. You can share things that interest you, share reviews of what you’re reading, even just share a photo of your dog - social media is about being social, not just hammering people with advertisements and saying ME ME ME.

What new realizations and/or approaches have helped you achieve your goals?

I’ve gotten better at time management and networking, and I’m learning to draw quicker too; these are things that I guess anyone develops with practice. It’s meant I’ve been able to work on more projects at once, though I definitely bit off more than I could chew this year, so I’ve also realised that there’s a limit to how many goals one can realistically work towards at any one time. This year I’m illustrating three middle grade novels (the first is called Toffle Towers: Fully Booked, written by Tim Harris); I’ve also illustrated the follow-up picture book to My Dead Bunny, which will be out in 2020; I’m also working on a bunch of freelance jobs, and starting another graphic novel and developing some picture book ideas. So it’s all go at the moment.

I’m also finding that the sleep deprivation of having a toddler is really affecting everything in my life - my immune system, my energy levels, and of course my mental health and my work - EVERYTHING. So I’m becoming more health conscious, and realising I have to set aside time for naps, exercise, and just plain old downtime. If you don’t make time for rest and exercise then you’ll have to make time for ill health later.

When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Procrastinate. But I’m getting better at recognising when I’m in this state and I step away from the desk and do something else. That might be some deep breathing or some yoga stretches, or some mindless chores around the house.

Sometimes I’m overwhelmed because there’s too many things to do, so I’ll make a list. I’ll look at all the tasks and the time I have, and I’ll prioritise what needs to happen and when. Once I have a plan then I feel more in control and can calm down a bit - then I can get on with each task in turn.

Any other tips?

I’ve got a whole bunch of tips on my website at https://ift.tt/3dZDfr1

________

Enjoyed this Q&A? Want to discuss in more depth? Join Community Writers. You'll get access to 100+ exclusive writing tips. Q&As with successful authors, an exclusive ebook on building an audience and much more. Sign-up for free as a community writer here

source https://www.thecommunitywriter.com/blog/james-foley

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girlmeetsminter · 8 years ago

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never enough (miniminter)

request: (@mishaddy) Can i get a cutsey simon one shot? Where he and her go clubbimg and some guy tries to flirt with her so simon puts a stop to it but feels insecure

- you weren’t renowned for being the youtube party girl. instead you liked to uphold a clean cut image, keeping in mind that you had a young audience. so, it was fair to say you were the exact last person people were expecting to show up at the after party of the annual production of youtube rewind.

You daringly entered a room filled with many alcoholic beverages and horny young adults, determined to make it through the night and stick to your new years resolution of being more outgoing.

youtubers, both those involved and those who weren’t involved in filming loitered the cramped hallways of the house whose owner you were still unsure of. if it had been up to you, you’d have spent new years in the comfort of your own four walls but stupidly, you made a promise to chai when wrapping up filming that you would go to the after party on the release date of the rewind. which, coincidentally was new year’s eve.

looking around the room it became apparent that it didn’t even matter if you were apart of the production, or not. meaning chai had sneakily conned you into attending an actual new years party. whilst mentally reminding yourself to find a new best friend in 2017, you began shifting through people to search for someone you knew well enough to strike up a conversation with.

“aye, y/n” a voice called from behind you followed by a chorus of similar responses. you turn to see what is known as ‘the buttercream squad’ grouped together, one of the culprits had his red solo cupped raised inviting you over. disappointed that you hadn’t come across chai yet you made your way to the group of boys who’d taken a sudden interest in you.

“hi jack, boys” you said respectively, greeting the blonde who initially summoned for you.

“didn’t think you’d be here tonight gorgeous” jack admitted with a certain lust to his tone.

“yeah, thought you’d be the last person to show up at a stupid youtube party” joe adds in, unnecessarily.

looking down, you played with your rings to avoid giving a pathetic answer about why you hate this type of scene.

“oh, come on love. joe’s just winding you, don’t feel embarrassed” jack nudged after he’d moved uncomfortably close to you.

the boys continue to rave on a bit, slowly letting you perish from the spotlight. at some point or another jack had moved his arm to let it rest upon your shoulder, burning into you. the thought of the contact made between your skin and his made your mind get lost in its own world. it wasn’t until he let it drop from your shoulder, to the small of your back did you suddenly become aware of your surroundings again and the discomfort you’d endure for the past 5 minutes. and he wasn’t finished there, you could tell he was slowly inching towards your ass.

in which point you frantically jumped away from him, causing all the other boys heads to snap your way.

“jesus y/n, you alright?”

“yeah, just fine” you lash. “i’m going to go get myself a drink.”

“yeah, i’ll join you. i need a refill anyways” jack says trailing behind you, trying to keep up with the fast pace you had in attempt to get away from him.

after rushing to catch up with you he slows his pace, stopping in front as he whispered in your ear “i’m glad you felt the need to get us away too. maybe we should ditch this party it’s lame anyways…” he glances around the room for a second before uttering “i could think of a few things that would put you to good use.”

feeling nothing but disgust you push past jack still in hopes of crossing paths with chai, or really anyone that could save you from this creep.

“hey, slow down y/n. i’ve always fancied you, and i’m sure you find me attractive enough, it doesn’t even have to mean anything-.” jack getting cut off grabs your attention enough to stop storming away from him and see what caused the disturbance.

now stood between jack and yourself was a large frame, and lanky limbs. simon.

he guarded you with a protective and, in some ways an endearing stance as his hand that reached behind his back interlocked with yours.

the two of you had a thing on and off. although it never really went any further, and it had been at least a month since you’d last seen him. it wasn’t really a thing either, you just used to hang out just the two of you and he’d act like the perfect gentleman but in fairness you’d never even kissed the guy. so maybe it wasn’t a thing, maybe you weren’t anything more than friends, which would explain the growing distance between you both. but right here, right now, you couldn’t think of anything other than how protective he was of you and how nicely your delicate hands slipped perfectly into his strong ones.

“i think she wants you to leave her alone mate” simon warns.

“fuck off, i just wanted to have some fun. i wasn’t going to hurt her. besides i can get any girl here i’m not going to put myself out for y/n she’s not worth it.” jack walks backwards slowly, with his arms raised in the air to emphasise his innocence before disappearing back into the party.

simon turns to face you “you okay?”

wiping the tears from your eyes from jacks last comment before they fall you nod in response. “i’m okay si, you stood in before he did anything.”

simon stops momentarily processing what jack could have done to you and instantly feeling disgusted. “hey don’t cry, you’re okay. i promise i’d never let anyone hurt you” he says detaching your fingers so he could bring you closer and engulfing you into a warm hug. “c'mon let’s go sit somewhere quiet.”

you end up following simon outside, the cold of the night nipping at your bare skin. “here, let me” he says removing his flannel and placing it over you shoulders, leaving him in his plain black t-shirt that fitted him just nicely.

“you’re such a cliche” you laughed while gladly accepting his offer. he sits down besides you, letting your head rest upon his shoulder. you both sat in silence for a few minutes while you gazed at the midnight sky.

“y/n?” simon broke the silence, you hummed in response continuing to take in the view of the night stars. “i’m sorry i’m not enough for you”

you quickly sat up properly in order to look at the man beside you in utter confusion. “simon? what do you mean?”

“sarah told me you had a slight crush on me, or at least you used to..” you sighed in response, adding her to the list of people to murder later. “..but you need people like jack, who are confident and have all the time in the world to dedicate their love and affection to someone as gorgeous as you. all’s i’m saying is that i’m sorry i can’t be that person” he apologised.

i went to interject but he continued on claiming, “y/n you are one the prettiest and most intelligent girls i’ve ever come across. and the temptation to kiss you right here, under the moonlight is painfully strong. but, i know you deserve someone better than me, and sure as hell better than jack. i’m sorry for taking you on those dates that weren’t really dates because neither of us were brave enough to call them that, and for wasting your time-”

you’d heard all you needed. simon liked you, just as much as you liked him. you were no longer afraid of his rejection, and you needed to stop him from continuing on with his stupid speech. and the 10 second countdown to midnight was your perfect opportunity to do so. you cut him off in the only way you could think, by pressing your lips to his. letting you both get lost in one another momentarily. his fingers tangled themselves in your hair while your arms made their way to the nape of his neck. you openly welcomed the sudden warmth despite the chill of outside. the feeling of excitement rushed through you as you felt so comfortable with simon, unlike jack.

as you both pulled away slightly, you grinned at one another, panting slightly with your foreheads resting adjacent to the other.

boldly, you feel the need to address his previous assumptions “simon, you’ve always been enough. from the very second you entered chai and sarah’s apartment and our eyes met for the first time.”

he pulled you back under his arm, a permanent grin etched on his face, “what do they say about kissing someone you fancy at midnight of new year’s eve? is it that they’re obligated to go on a proper date with you in the new year?” he smirked knowing full well that you’d have gone on a date with him even if you hadn’t just kissed him.

#miniminter imagines #miniminter #simonminter #sidemen imagines #sidemen #sidemen one shots #minter

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