#*fletcher voice* here we go again

[reunitedinterlude]

lofi phantasy: the album

track 1: lazy saturday

[solarmorrigan]

Open Doors, Part 1

Ao3

Everyone was so kind about the first fic I wrote about Steve and Eddie's neighbor adopting them that I had a few more thoughts about it! I owe you all thanks for the inspiration and I hope this is also an enjoyable read <3 Part two will be up later this week

Tags: POV Outsider, Steve Harrington Has Migraines, Protective Eddie Munson, past minor character death, car accident mention, the looming specter of period-typical homophobia

-

Gladys isn’t a churchgoing woman. She’s never even been particularly religious, beyond a performative sort of faith for the sake of her God-fearing mother (God rest her soul, Gladys supposes), but Sundays are sacred, all the same.

Sundays are for Murder She Wrote. And, more recently, they’re for dinner with her boys.

Neither Eddie nor Steve are the religious sort, either (she’d brought it up once, just to see, and they’d laughed a little in an uncomfortable sort of way that had told Gladys all she’d really needed to know), but Steve is a fellow fan of Jessica Fletcher, and Eddie is happy enough to join them on the couch after a good meal and watch them compete to see who can guess the solution first.

It’s something they all look forward to, so Gladys isn’t sure why she’s been left standing in front of the boys’ front door a full minute after she’s knocked. They ought to be expecting her, after all; they take turns hosting, and Gladys is sure it had been her turn last week. She knocks again, a little louder this time.

After another few moments, she hears the thud of hurried footsteps coming towards the door, and then Eddie’s voice is hissing out at her before he’s even finished opening it.

“I’m here already, now will you keep it–” he falters when he sees her standing before him on the doormat, “–down?”

“Well, if I’d known that was the kind of welcome I’d receive, I would have stayed home,” Gladys says dryly.

Eddie’s face morphs quickly from irritation to confusion and, finally, to a kind of horrified understanding.

“Oh, shit, it’s Sunday,” he realizes, voice still pitched low.

Taking in the state of him, it seems as though Gladys has interrupted some kind of lazy day; his hair is a mess (more so than usual), and he’s in pajamas and bare feet.

It smarts a little to think their evening has been so easily forgotten.

“It is Sunday,” Gladys confirms, maybe a little sharply. “But I can see you’ve had other things to do, so maybe we’ll just try again for next week.”

“I’m sorry, Gladys,” Eddie sighs, rubbing a hand over his eyes. “Today’s been… stressful. I swear I meant to call, I just got distracted.”

Gladys softens. She doubts if she could stay mad terribly long even if they had forgotten, but it’s nice to know they hadn’t, exactly. “It’s fine, Eddie,” she says, reaching out to pat his hand.

“It’s not, I seriously meant to let you know,” Eddie insists. “We can make it up to you next week? Or maybe, like, Tuesday? Tomorrow’s not gonna work, but–”

Whatever else Eddie has to say is lost when the door at the end of the hall, the one Gladys knows from the layout of her own apartment leads to the larger of two bedrooms, swings open with a creak. It’s dark beyond the threshold, but Steve is standing in the doorway, holding onto the edge of it and looking far more disheveled than Eddie.

With a faint flush of embarrassment, Gladys wonders if she’s walked in on some sort of… private time between them, but then Steve takes a few unsteady steps into the hallway and has to brace himself against the wall, and she realizes that something else altogether must be going on.

“Hey, hey,” Eddie says softly, leaving Gladys at the front door to rush down the hall and support Steve. “What’re you doing up?”

Steve, also clad in pajamas, his face almost shock-pale and his hair flatter than Gladys has ever seen it, makes a little noise of discomfort as Eddie pulls him away from the wall. It’s jarring to see when Gladys is so used to Steve moving with the confidence and easy grace of the athlete he’d told her he once was. His eyes are scrunched shut, but he moves from leaning heavily on the wall to leaning heavily on Eddie without hesitation.

“You were gone,” Steve mumbles, his head falling to rest on Eddie’s shoulder.

Eddie glances down the hall to where Gladys stands at the still-open front door, something almost like nervous, but he doesn’t make Steve move away. Instead, he moves his hands to Steve’s shoulders, kneading gently. “I had to get the door. Gladys is here.”

“Gladys?” Steve mutters, and then, after another moment of silence, groans, “Oh, shit, it’s Sunday.”

Gladys almost laughs at the way he unwittingly echoes Eddie. Eddie does laugh; just a little breath of a thing, something helplessly fond crossing his face.

“It’s fine, Steve. We’ll take a raincheck,” Gladys says, just loud enough that she’ll still be heard from the other end of the short hall.

Steve makes a protesting noise, straightening a little so he can face the front door. He opens his eyes just enough to squint at her, and it really only serves to make him look more pained and tired. “’m sorry,” he mutters, his words stumbling worryingly into each other. “Wasn’xpecting this today.”

“It’s fine,” Gladys says again. “You just feel better.”

He’s still frowning, and Gladys gets the feeling it’s as much out of displeasure with the situation as it is out of discomfort, but then Eddie tugs gently at his shoulders, turning him back towards the bedroom.

“C’mon, ba– Steve. Let’s get you back to bed.” Eddie glances down the hall at Gladys one more time before leading Steve away.

Silence falls over the apartment, and Gladys takes the opportunity to invite herself in, shutting the door behind her. She won’t stay long, of course, she just wants to be certain that Steve—and Eddie, who had looked awfully stressed—will be alright. The low tone of Eddie’s voice drifts out of the bedroom, quiet and indecipherable, followed by a grumbling that must be Steve, and then Eddie is slipping back out into the hall, shutting the bedroom door as he goes.

“Everything alright?” Gladys asks, keeping her voice low.

Eddie sighs. “He, uh – he gets migraines, sometimes.” He raises a fist and raps his knuckles against his temple. “Took a couple’a knocks to the head when we were younger and– yeah. Today’s a bad one.”

Gladys itches to ask, to press for more information, but she does actually possess a filter; she knows when to hold her tongue, even if she usually chooses not to. Instead, she says, “But he’ll be alright,” not really sure if she’s asking or reassuring.

“No, yeah, he’ll be fine, he just needs to rest.” Eddie nods, as much to himself as to Gladys.

“And you’ll be alright?” Gladys goes on.

Eddie shoots her a funny little look. “Yeah?” His voice quirks up at the end, like he isn’t sure why she’s asking. “I mean, I’m not the one whose brain is staging a full-scale revolt.”

“But you’re here with him,” Gladys says. “It’s hard to watch someone you care about be in pain.”

It had been a car accident that had taken Avery from her, not illness, but the few days she’d spent in the hospital with him, keeping vigil until his damaged body had given up, had been some of the worst of her life.

“I guess.” Eddie sighs, rubbing roughly at his chin. “It’s– They make medication for this shit, but it’s expensive, so we can’t– Sleep is really the only thing that helps, and it just sucks to sit around knowing I can’t do a damn thing for him while he’s– he’s suffering.”

“You’re here with him,” Gladys says again. “It seems like he appreciates that enough that he came looking for you when you’d gone.”

The ghost of a smile crosses over Eddie’s face. “Yeah…”

“I think you’re doing just fine.” Gladys reaches out and gives Eddie’s arm a little squeeze, and his smile grows.

He reaches up and twists his fingers into the ends of his hair, half-ducking behind it, as if he’s trying to hide the smile from her, but she can hear it in his voice when he tosses out a quick, “Well– thanks.”

“You just keep taking care of your boy, and I’ll see you two later in the week,” Gladys says, and Eddie nods.

“Yeah, I’ll–” he stops, blinking at Gladys as the full sentence hits him. “Uh–”

Gladys offers him a smile, seeing herself out the door. “Let me know if you need anything,” she tosses back over her shoulder quietly as she can, and shuts the door on his confounded expression.

She doesn’t know much about migraines, but she supposes she could learn. In the meantime, she decides that no matter what the ailment is, chicken soup is always an appropriate answer.

[holylulusworld]

A perfect gentleman (2)

Square filled for @julybreakbingo: Square 15: Free + Square 24: “I’m going to take care of you‚ okay?”

Summary: Your trip to Great Britain changed your life forever.

Pairing: Raymond Smith x fem!Reader

Warning: public sex, smut, unprotected sex, possessive Raymond, angry Raymond, implied violence, fluff

A/N: Please be aware I do not follow the exact storyline of the movie.

Catch up here: A perfect gentleman

“Louder,” Raymond growled in your ear. “I want the whole town to hear your screams.”

You whimpered at his words. Raymond wanted to take you for a walk in the park, only to bend you over the next best bench. Luckily, it was already dark, and no one was around. At least you hoped so.

“Fuck, I want to hear it, love,” he gripped your rear tighter, hands pawing at your body. More than once you ended up bruised and marked up over the last months. Raymond is a man possessed when it comes to you. “Say it! Whose pussy is this?” He gave you a particular deep thrust.

“Yours…” you slurred his name, too far gone to think straight. He got you high on him, and there is no way you are going to get clean ever again. “Only yours.”

“Damn,” thrust, “fucking,” thrust, “right,” a deep thrust, followed by his warmth filling you. You rested your head on the bench, sighing deeply. Two orgasms have turned your legs into jelly, and you were too exhausted to lift your head.

He carefully slipped out of you; eyes dropping to your puffy cunt.

“Hmm…my good girl looks good stuffed with my spunk.” Raymond slammed his hand between your legs to toy with your swollen clit.

“Ray, no,” you wiggled away from his touch. “It’s too much. This morning, during lunch, on our way to the park, in the park. You’re going to kill me with orgasms.”

He laughed, deep and rich. “You’re so cute too,” he said but dropped his hand from your cunt. “I’ll help you put your cute panties back on and we go back to my car.” He crouched down next to you to pat your head. “How does that sound, baby love?”

“Very good,” you lifted your head to grin at Raymond. “No sex on our way back!”

“Sure, baby love,” he kissed the top of your head. Raymond got back up to slide your panties up your legs. He groped your ass for a moment before straightening your dress. Raymond carefully helped you stand on your wobbling legs. “You look so pretty when all fucked out.”

He laughed when you gave him the stinky eye. Raymond promised you a romantic walk in the park only to ruin your poor pussy all over again. “You’re a dirty man, Sir.”

“If you call me Sir again,” he dipped his head to purr in your ear, “I’ll bury my face between those thighs and ruin you forever.”

You pressed your legs together and whimpered. Raymond and his libido would be the death of you one day.

“Buenas tardes, Raymondo.” You shrieked when a stranger stood in Raymond’s dining room. You were about to clean the table you christened with Raymond not half an hour ago again to make sure you erased any trace of your coupling.

The man looked older than your boyfriend, and not as dangerous as Ray. Still, he sneaked inside Raymond’s house only to look you up and down.

“You’re not Raymond.” He huffed, sounding a little too disappointed. “What a pity.”

“What are you doing in Raymond’s house?” You kept a close eye on the intruder while searching for a weapon. “You’re not one of his friends.”

“He already introduced you to his friends?” The man hiccupped. “He’s moving fast, huh?” He cocked his head to look you up and down again. “What does he see in you? Are you more than a romp in the sheets?”

“What the fuck!” You yelled at the man. Even if he got a gun, you wouldn’t let that dude talk like that about you and your relationship with Raymond.

“Ah, the man himself enters the room,” the man looked at something behind your back. “Raymondo, finally. Your lovely maid forgot to offer me a drink.”

“Fletcher,” you could hear the anger in Raymond’s voice. He slowly stepped next to you to place his hand on the small of your back. “I’d asked you what you’re doing here, but first things first.” He kissed your cheek and murmured something Fletcher couldn’t hear in your ear. “I’ll be right there, baby love.”

You pecked Raymond’s lips, much to Fletcher’s chagrin. “Ray don’t waste your time on him. He’s a dick.”

Fletcher hissed in your direction. He didn’t like the way Raymond watched you walk out of the room. “So, a new fling.”

“Why are you in my house?” Raymond’s voice filled with anger. He heard what Fletcher said to you and would love to kill the intruder. If Raymond hates one thing, it’s chaos and unexpected events. He likes having things in order. Neat. Clean. Perfect.

The only acceptation allowed to cause chaos in his life, or house is you. No one else will get away with leaving dirty dishes in his sink, or socks on the floor.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Raymond. I came here to help,” Fletcher stepped closer to the table to glance at the spot you wiped. He watched you for a while, wondering if you are more to Raymond than a plaything. “I bet you’ll go on your knees for me if you hear what I have for you.”

Raymond squared his jaw. He should have Fletcher killed, but he wants to hear what the man has to say first. “I’ll ask you one last time, and then you’ll either walk out of my house on our own two legs, or you won’t walk at all.”

“Now, we don’t want to be rude,” Fletcher has a smile plastered on his face. He’s excited to tell Raymond about all the things he found out about his boss’s business, and the people wanting to get rid of Mickey Pearson. “So…a fling or more?”

“Why does a cunt like you want to know about my love life?” Raymond grumbled. He was done talking about you with Fletcher. It was worse enough that his boss told him that a sweet girl like you wouldn’t stay for long if you found out about the true nature of Raymond’s job. “Tell me what you want or get fucked.”

“Oh, I’d love to get fucked,” Fletcher grinned. “Maybe we can bring your fling in too. She can watch.” Raymond grabbed the vase filled with roses you placed on the table to throw it at Fletcher.  

“Baby?” You rushed inside the room to watch Raymond punch Fletcher’s face. He held the man down, growling like an angry bear. “Ray? What’s wrong?” You’ve never seen Raymond so angry before. “Ray…baby.”

“Go back to bed baby love. I got business to do with his cunt…”

“What did he want?” You carefully cleaned Raymond’s knuckles. He’s usually not the man to throw punches at his boss’s enemies. “Are you in trouble?”

“No,” Raymond murmured. He watched you clean his wounds, a soft smile on his lips for a moment. “That man is no one to worry about. He’s a slimy worm.”

“A cunt,” you concluded. “I had a hunch. That asshole asked if I’m only a romp in the sheets to you.”

“He’ll be taken care of,” Raymond grabbed your hand to kiss your knuckles. “I’m sorry that he scared you. I’m going to take care of you‚ okay? No one will hurt you.”

“Ray, I signed up for this,” you placed your hand on his thigh. “I know that your job is dangerous and that your boss’s business is far from legal. When you asked me to stay, I accepted this part of your life too.”

“I can pick them,” he murmured.

“You've got such great taste,” you replied with a smile.

"Yeah," he cupped your face with both hands. "Especially when it comes to my girl."

Tags in reblog.

[dazed--xx]

🎮Arcade🎮

Summary: I've spent all of the love I saved. We were always a losing game, Small town Girl(boy) in a big arcade, I got addicted to a losing game. Oh,Oh.All I know, all I know……Loving you is a losing game

Member: Felix x Reader

T/W: Break Ups, arguments crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, yelling, sad ending, Bet Au!, depressing thoughts, lack of communication, childish behavior, Avoiding S/O, mentions of sex, bullying, denial

Word Count: 2.1K

A broken heart is all that's left. I'm still fixing all the cracks. Lost a couple of pieces when I carried it, carried it, carried it home….I'm afraid of all I am; My mind feels like a foreign land. Silence ringing inside my head; Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home

The smell of coffee filled the air as you sat quietly in the cafe, waiting for your boyfriend with his friends. You listened as they teased each other back and forth as you pulled out your phone sending a quick text to Felix.

Hey, when are you getting here?

You place your phone on the table as a redheaded girl, whom you believe was your boyfriend’s friend Changbin’s girlfriend. Your eyes widen as she begins to take selfies on your phone as she speaks “You're so quiet, Do you talk at all?” She asks as you reach for your phone. “Y-yeah…can I have my phone back?” you ask nervously, the girl ignores you as you look at her in disbelief. “So…” She trails giving the brunette girl beside her a mischievous smirk “You and Felix have been dating for a while right?”

You nod, “Yeah? Almost a year.” your voice is shy and hesitant. Why is she asking? You thought to yourself. “Is he, you know…..as good as the rumors say?” the brunette girl asks with a glint in her eye you couldn't place. You furrow your eyebrows in confusion “What do you mean??” you ask innocently. The redhead snorts as she looks away from you covering her mouth as the brunette smacks her friend's arm playfully. “Is he like, good in bed?” The brunette asks suggestively, being sure to keep her voice lowered. You shake your head panickedly. “We-Weve never—I never—Im a…” you stammer nervously.

The two girls look at each other and begin to laugh hysterically; clutching each other's hands they continue to laugh and laugh. An overwhelming sense of embarrassment fills your gut. Why are they laughing? Was it embarrassing to still be a virgin at your age? “Felix is so losing this, I don't know why he was so confident” The redhead snickers to her friend. Losing? “Losing what?” you ask innocently. The girls' laughing stops, their eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean?” She asks with a confused pout. You look at her bewildered. “What do you mean? What is Felix going to lose?”

“The bet of course?” The redhead states matter-of-factly. You laugh awkwardly as you scratch the nape of your neck. “What are you talking about? What bet?” your voice is just above a whisper as the brunette girl sighs “Felix made a bet with the guys that he could get you to go out with him and give him your virginity within a year” There was a hint of amusement in her tons as she spoke. You felt your heart shatter in your chest as you felt tears build in your eyes.

“T-That's not funny…”

“Who said I was joking?” The brunette responds harshly “Be in denial about it all you want but, once your delusion clears up you'll actually notice all the signs. Why else would Felix talk to someone like you? Let alone date them?” She crosses her arms over her chest “Don't feel bad about it, just make him lose the bet at one year then he'll dump you and you'll never have to talk to him again….and you can say you dated someone WAY out of your league so,” the redhead chimes coldly. You sat frozen in your seat for a moment as the redhead handed you back your phone. The two girls give you mischievous smirks as you lift yourself from your seat. You feel your phone buzz with a message from Felix.

So clingy😒…Ill be there soon

Your heart sinks into your stomach; not wanting to see him any longer you walk out of the cafe with your phone in one hand and bag in the other. Your mind raced as you rushed out of the door. Everything you thought you had known about your relationship was a lie.

I've spent all of the love I've saved, We were always a losing game. Small-town girl (boy) in a big arcade I got addicted to a losing game……

It had been three weeks since that painful day in the cafe. Your heart had yet to recover. Felix had reached out a few times, completely and utterly confused by your grand disappearing act. The night you had learned the truth about your relationship with Felix. Puzzle pieces began to come together. You had never understood why Felix had treated you so differently than he did with his friends. While you were falling in love with Felix, he was counting down the days until his little game was over. You felt disgusting and nauseous knowing that not only were you used as a pawn in some sexist game but you weren't even seen as a person with feelings when it came to those who made the bet. The longer Felix pretended to love you the more anger boiled in your gut.

You had fled back home to Gimhae; deciding to take a few weeks to yourself to figure things out. As the time ticked on you felt more and more irritated as you found yourself doing exactly what the two girls who so rudely exposed the truth wanted. Your leg shook in frustration as you felt yourself growing more and more angry.

Angry at those two girls….

Angry at Felix…..

Angry at yourself….

How could you not be? It was obvious like the girls said. Every time you held his hand, he'd allow his to sit loosely in yours. His kisses were always hesitant and seemed forced. His smile never fully reached his eyes when you were alone.

How could you have been so stupid?

Felix stared at his phone with furrowed eyebrows as his friends Jisung and Minho played video games. His leg was shaking as he hoped to see the messages he'd sent you go from delivered to seen. He was so confused when he walked into the cafe 3 weeks ago and you were nowhere to be seen. He'd asked Changbin’s and Hyunjin’s girlfriends of your whereabouts but they shrugged him off explaining you said something came up and then left. He hasn't heard from you since. He knew you were still physically okay from your posts on social media but, he hadn't heard your voice or seen you for weeks.

Felix felt drained, wishing you'd breathe life into him as you once did. He didn't know what caused you to suddenly go AWOL but for some reason, he felt anxious. Why weren't you responding to him? Felix nibbled on his bottom lip in frustration as he lifted himself from the couch, walking into his bedroom he pressed the call button on the top right of the chat. His heart races as he hears the call trying to connect.

One ring… Felix paces around his room nervously as two, three, and four rings go by. He groans as he ends the call losing hope of you answering.

Why weren't you talking to him?

Do you love me, or love me not? Peeling pieces from my heart And my rose-colored lens is gone Still I carry, I carry, I carry on

When you chose to return home you found yourself feeling lighter. While you've chosen to accept the truth, you also chose not to contact Felix right away. You had spent a little over a month in Gimhae, missing major lessons in your chosen field of study. Opting to prioritize catching up academically; once you arrived back in Seoul you quickly dropped off your bags and made your way to SNU for your 10 am lecture. What you hadn't anticipated was Felix showing up to his lecture for the first time in a while.

You quickly tried to avoid his gaze as you passed him on the quad. Your heart raced as you power-walked toward your building entrance. You were no more than two long strides from freedom when you felt a hand wrap around your wrist. “Y/N…” that familiar deep voice called “Where have you been?” Felix asked confusion lacing his tone. You pull your arm from his grip “I went to see my parents” you state offhandedly looking away from him. “You randomly disappeared for a month, because you wanted to see your parents? Without saying anything to me about it or contacting me during that whole time?” He grits trying to contain his anger.

“Yeah, so?”

Felix scoffs “So?! You're fucking kidding me right?” his eyebrows are scrunched together as he contorts his face into a scowl. His arms cross over his chest; you give him a bored expression. “No? I don't really see the problem” you run your fingers through your hair as you shift on your feet. “Don't act like an oblivious idiot, Y/N. Why wouldn't disappearing on your boyfriend for a month be a problem?” Felix growls and you scoff in return “Don't act like you're really my boyfriend, Lee Yongbok” Your tone is full of venom.

Felix gives you a look of confusion and bewilderment. “The fuck is that supposed to mean?!” He exclaims as he clenches his fists at his sides. You shake your head “Nothing. Forget it.” you grit turning to walk toward the door. Felix holds you in place by your wrist as he steps in front of you. “No, you seem like you have a lot to say all of a sudden. Like you're not wrong for at least answering one of my calls!”

“Stop pretending to give a shit! I know! I know about your disgusting bet! I know about how you need to sleep with me before a year is up! I know that this is a game for you! So just stop!” you snap.

I don't need your games, game over; Get me off this roller-coaster…..Ooh, ooh…..All I know, all I know…..

Felix felt all the blood drain from his face. His heart stopped as your words rang through his ears. No…No…That can't be true….please, don't let this be true.. Felix thought. His blood ran cold and it felt like someone poured a bucket of cold water over his head. “Y-Y/N, L-Let me explain….” He states, his voice almost inaudible he takes a step toward you. His heart cracks when you take a step back and look away from him. “N-No….Please, you weren't supposed to ever know about this. Please let me explain” He pleads.

You shake your head “Honestly, I don't care about an explanation from you. Nothing you say would matter to me at this point.”

Felix feels his resolve crumble at those words “Y-You don't mean that…” He states in disbelief “Y-you love me…you can't possibly mean that.” you scoff at his words “You really think I'm stupid enough to still love you after finding out the disgusting reason you asked me out in the first place?” Tears fill Felix's eyes as he stares at you with a pleasing expression. “It's not like that….please I-I know you still love me. I can make this right, I-I can fix this….” he caresses your cheek as he stares into your eyes. You look at him in disbelief “You can't ‘fix’ this. It's broken and done with.”

A devastating cry is released from Felix’s throat “Y/N….i-it can't be, please. I-I just need one chance, I love you I'm sorry; I shouldn't—I shouldn't have made the bet…but, it's how we got together s-so, please I-if you can overlook this one mistake…” he looks at you with hopeful eyes and you return his gaze with a glare. Some nerve…you think to yourself. “What? You want to keep playing this fucking game with me? I don't want to ‘overlook this one mistake’ because it's not a fucking mistake. You manipulative, gaslighting fuck. You have your head shoved so far up your own ass you don't hear how stupid you sound. I'm breaking up with you. The game’s over, I won't continue to lose because I love you. I'm done being your fucking puppet.” you growl before you walk around him, bumping into him with your shoulder as you pass him. Opening the door you enter the building heading to your lecture.

Felix stood there, tears streaming down his cheeks as you walked away. His chest clenched tightly as he cried to himself wishing to turn back time and never make that stupid ass bet.

Loving you is a losing game

⏪|⏸️|🔄

Taglist: @yangbbokari @havenwithleeknow

[suugarbabe]

Saint-Like

Here we are my darlings, the long awaited George one shot based off of this ask.

Pairing: George Weasley x reader

Word Count: 3k (told ya it'd be a bit long)

Warning: mention of blood, angst, kissing

Professor Moody stalked about the living room giving a speech that did not make anyone feel any less uneasy about what was about to transpire. “Potter, you’re underage, which means you still have the trace on you.” Harry looked up confused, “What’s the trace?” Moody placed both hands on his walking stick for support, “It means that if ya sneeze the ministry is goin’ to know who wiped yer nose. The point is we have to use those means of transport that the trace can’t detect, brooms, thestrals, the like. We go in pairs. That way if there’s anyone out there waiting for us, and I reckon there will be, they won’t know which Harry Potter is the real one.” 

Harry looked confused, “The real one?” Moody’s face turned up slightly, a grin forming as he grabbed his infamous flask from his jacket pocket. He stirred the flask with a swirl of his wrist, “I believe you’re familiar with this particular brew.” Harry immediately shook his head, “No, absolutely not.” Hermione rolled her eyes behind him, “Told you he’d take it well.” Harry continued, voice strained, “No, if you think I’m gonna let everyone risk their lives for me-” Ron cut him off abruptly with a sarcastic tone, “Never done that ‘ave we?” Harry turned to face his friend, “No! No, this is different! Taking that, becoming me? No.” 

“Well none of us really fancy it, mate,” Fred piped up, smug grin across his face. “Yeah imagine something went wrong and we end up a screwy, specky git forever,” George teased, smiling alongside his twin. “Everyone is of age here, Potter,” Moody spoke up again, “They’ve all agreed to take the risk.” A short man in the back spoke up just then, “Technically, I’ve been coerced.” He turned to Harry, “Mundungus Fletcher, Mista Potta, always been a ‘uge admirer.”

“Nip it, Mundungus!” Moody scolded. The small man’s head went down, turning back to his spot in the back of the room and staying quiet. “Alright, Granger, as discussed,” Moody nodded toward the witch. Hermione walked past Harry, gripping a patch of hair at the back of his head and pulling harshly, pulling out several hairs. “Blimey, Hermione,” Harry rubbed the back of his head. Moody instructed Hermione to drop the hairs in the polyjuice potion in his flask. The potion began to bubble as Moody stirred it around with another  twirl of his wrist. 

“For those of you who are not familiar with the polyjuice potion, fair warning, taste like goblin piss,” Moody stated comfortingly as he handed the flask to Fred. Fred took the flask from him, “Have lots of experiences with that, do ya Mad-Eye?” Moody continued to stare at Fred, face blank and unchanging. Fred let out a sigh, “Just trying to diffuse the tension…” Those in the line all took a large swig, first Fred, then George, followed by Mundungus, Fluer, Ron and lastly Hermione. You stood next to Hermione and watched in amazement as the row of people all slowly started changing, skin bubbling to transform into Harry. 

You watched your George shrink several inches and he transformed. His clothes became far too large for his frame. “Is this how you feel when you borrow a shirt from me, love?” he looked over at you, a smile on his - well Harry’s - face. You shook your head, cheeks becoming a shade darker than before, “You know it’s really hard to take you seriously when you look like that.” He shrugged as he started to get dressed in the same exact attire as Harry. The goal was simple, pairs would travel with a Harry look-a-like towards the Burrow. Mad-Eye said he anticipated an attack by death eaters and that the risk was high. You and George agreed to be involved immediately, no questions asked. 

Once everyone was changed you all filed outside, you grabbed your broom. You hopped on, George floating next to you on a copy of Harry’s broom. Moody stood at the end of the drive, announcing it was time to leave. You both took off together, staying close by one another. As you got deeper into the clouds, it looked like a lightning storm. Moody went further ahead of the others. In an instant you were seemingly surrounded by black cloaks swishing by spells being thrown on either side of you. You turned to find George, you had to assume he was still the Harry closest to you. 

You knew you were close to the Burrow. You looked over to check on George once more just in time to see a death eater point their want towards him. You panicked, not knowing the spell they would speak and instantly flicked your wand toward George, “Depulso!” George’s body slid farther away from you, narrowly missing the spell, or at least almost. You noticed his body go slightly limp, his broom altitude dropping quickly. You dove after him, grabbing him in your arms and speeding toward the barrier around the burrow. 

As soon as you were through the barrier you headed to land, nearly crashing into the cornfields. He still looked like Harry as you fervently started checking his body for damage, “C’mon Georgie, wake up. You’re okay, right? You’re okay.” His head was bleeding, you turned it to the side, noticing his left ear nearly missing, “Oh, Georgie.” He turned his head back and forth, mumbling something. You put your ear next to his mouth and he mumbled again, “Y/n/n, yer…kneeling on my hand.” You jumped up, and he attempted to roll over to his side. Thankfully he was still mostly Harry, you threw one of his arms over your shoulder, your arm around his waist, doing your best to take hold of most of the weight. 

You stumbled out of the cornfields, seeing a few of the others that made it before you two. Harry, the real Harry, was quick to come to the other side of George, helping you take him inside the Burrow. Molly turned from the sink as soon as she heard commotion, eyes glued on the now changing boy back into George. “Oh my boy,” Molly rushed over as you and Harry laid George on the family sofa. Remus walked in with another Harry that slowly turned into their normal self, challenging each one making sure they weren’t an imposter. 

You ignored the background noise, focusing solely on the red head in front of you. You got a washing cloth from the kitchen, dowsing it in cool water to begin to clean his wound. As you approached the sofa again Molly snatched the rag from your hands, a glare upon her face as she pushed in front of you to tend to her son. Fred entered the Burrow, rushing to his twin’s side. It was silent for a long moment before Fred spoke, “How’re you feelin’ Georgie?” George’s eyes were still closed, taking slow deep breaths as he responded, “Saint-like.” 

Fred shook his head, “Come again?” George smiled softly, “Saint-like. I’m holy. I’m holy, Fred. Ya get it?” He then pointed to his ear. Fred just shook his head again, smiling, “The whole wide world of ear related humor, and you go for ‘I’m holy’. It’s pathetic.” George winked at you before responding to his twin once more, “Reckon I’m still better looking than you.” You laughed softly at his ability to ease a room  in even the most stressful of times. Molly turned at the sound of your laughter, glaring at you once more. You could understand her feeling protective, but you were unsure why she was taking her anger out at you. 

You attempted once more to get closer to George now that he was talking to others more, but Molly was quick to step in front of you. “I think you’ve done enough for tonight dear,” Her voice was low but stern. You were sure confusion was written across your features, “What do you mean, Molly?” She gestured toward the other room, “Maybe it would be best if you kept your distance for the night.” Her face told you not to argue with her. While she was usually the soft and comforting one, she could instill fear when needed. 

You took the hint and went into the other room, pacing back and forth. You kept playing with the rings on your fingers, one in particular George had gifted you last Christmas. You wished you could talk to him, it pained you being pushed away like this. Pained you so deeply you swear you could feel it on your side. Your right side. You placed your hand onto your torso, wincing as you touched just below your rib cage. You lifted your shirt slowly, peering down to see a deep gash. “Bloody hell, that’s not good,” with the realization of your wound you felt more light headed. You assumed the lack of adrenaline also played a part in this. You turned back towards the main living area, intentions of calling out for someone when everything started to fade around you. 

—------------

George moved to sit up, laughing slightly at the several members of his family fawning over him. He looked around searching for the face of the one person who’s voice he hadn’t heard since he landed at the burrow. “Where’s Y/n?” George went to stand up, albeit a little shaky. “She’s just in the other room, I asked her to give you some space,” Molly rubbed his arm in comfort. He started walking towards the room, “Why would you do that mum?” He walked a little quicker towards the next room. He turned the corner to see you laying facedown on the floor. 

George rushed over, shouting for someone, anyone to come and help him. He turned you over, noticing how slow and shallow your breathing had become. He did the same inspection you had done just an hour prior, checking your face, your neck, down your arms. He ran his hands down your sides, your body involuntarily twitching as he reached your wound. He lifted your shirt as Remus and his father came to kneel next to him. George gasped as he saw the deep gash on your side, the edges burned black clearly from a dark spell. “What do I- how do we fix her dad, you have to fix her…” George’s eyes brimmed with tears, pleading to his father. Kingsley came to join the older two men, encouraging George to stand back. 

George stood there, tears streaming down his face as Remus, Arthur and Kingsly worked over your body. George was still recovering himself, swaying back and forth as his anxiety and blood pressure got higher. “C’mon, Georgie, let’s go sit you back down before you’re the next to pass out.” George reluctantly followed his twin. As soon as he was sat on the couch, Molly came rushing to his side again. George’s face was in his hands, making his words come out muffled, “Mum, please, I love you, but please give me some space right now.” 

“Oh, darling, wha-why?” Molly stood up confused. George shook his head, “Mum you told her to go over there, to leave everyone else, to leave me. Why? Why did you do that? She was in there alone! Who knows how long she was passed out for!” George’s voice got higher and higher with each word. Molly took a step back in shock. “George, she- she was supposed to protect you. She was paired with you to keep you safe and look how you turned out, you could have died George!” He stood up instantly, face screwed in anger, “Well now she might die, mum.” And with that, he stomped up the stairs, two at a time until he reached his room. 

—-----

What felt like hours later there was a knock on George’s door. He kept his face in his pillow, shouting back, “Go away.” He heard the door open regardless of his wishes. He remaining in his position even though he heard footsteps approaching him. He felt a dip in his bed before he heard your voice teasing him, “Don’t want to see me, is that it George? I heard I was all you could talk about.” 

He turned over so quickly he nearly knocked you off the bed. He grabbed you onto his lap and embracing you tightly. You hissed slightly, causing him to pull your body away from his and he glanced down at your side, “Oh, y/n/n, I’m sorry, how’re you-how does it look?” You leaned back slightly, lifting your shirt to show him your waist wrapped in bandages, “Looks about as good as your head.” You touched the side of his face gently, fingers dancing over his damaged ear. His eyes closed at your touch. He relished in your presence, brain mulling over him almost losing you just hours earlier. 

He hadn’t noticed himself become emotional until he felt your thumb wipe a tear off his cheek. “Why are you crying, Georgie?” Your voice was so soft, always a comfort to him. He shook his head, realizing how daft he’s been, “I’m just so stupid.” You laughed lightly, another mesmerizing sound to him, “What are you talking about?” He opened his eyes, though they were still downcast, “Y/n, I haven't been honest with you. Erm, honest with myself either, really.” He felt your fingers lift his chin, making him look into your eyes. 

“You know you can tell me anything, no matter what you can tell me,” you wore a soft smile on your lips, doing your best to encourage him to continue. He just stared at you for a moment, taking in how gentle your eyes looked at him, the bit of dirt still on your cheek from earlier in the night, how soft your lips looked right now. George was so lost in thought he almost didn’t notice you getting closer to him. Your arms wrapped around his neck now, still waiting for him to respond to you. 

“It’s just…I…,” he trailed off, eyes shooting to your lips, back to your eyes and down again. You just nodded, closing the gap further, “I know, Georgie, me too.” And then it happened, your lips were on his and he was in heaven. One of his hands cupped your face as his other steadied on your hip, your lips slotting against one another fervently and with purpose. You felt his tongue glide against your bottom lip and granted him entrance without hesitation, allowing him to explore your mouth and deepen the kiss. 

He attempted to pull you even closer, hands grabbing at your waist. You pulled back with a hiss, both forgetting about your injury. “Oh Merlin, I’m-” You shook your head, smiling, “It’s okay Georgie, I’m okay.” You cupped his cheek, rubbing your thumb across his skin, “You scared me tonight. You can’t scare me like that, I thought I was gonna lose you.” He chuckled at this, “Yeah well I could say the same to you.” You shook your head, smiling at the red head, “You know I realized something tonight.” He looked at you curiously, “Oh? And what’s that.” 

“I love you Georgie,” you bit your lip, waiting on how he would respond. He reached up, his thumb lightly pulling your lip from your teeth, “I love you too, Y/n, so much.” He leaned in to kiss you once more, your lips just barely grazing each other when you heard someone clear their throat in the doorway. You both turned to see Fred, leaning against the door frame with a smirk plastered on his lips. 

“As adorable as that was to witness, there’s someone downstairs wanting to talk to you both,” Fred pushed himself off the frame, turning to leave. He grabbed ahold of the frame quickly, popping his head back into the room, “If I wasn’t clear, I was talking about mum.” You climbed off of George’s lap, allowing him to also stand up from the bed, “Thanks genius, didn’t quite get that one.” 

You walked with George down the stairs, fingers intertwined while doing so. Molly’s eyes clocked the connection immediately, her face becoming more apologetic than before, if that were even possible. She met you both at the bottom of the steps, wrapping you in her embrace immediately, “Darling, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for how I acted, what I said to you, it was rubbish, truly.” She pulled back, tears brimming her eyes. You shook your head, “Molly, no. He’s your son. You just love him so much, I understand the feeling.” 

You looked up at George who gave you a small smile and a wink in return. Molly, missing nothing, quickly wrapped her arms around both your necks, planting kisses on each of your cheeks, whispering in your ears, “We’ve been waiting for this, your father and I. Probably another reason I was so emotional earlier.” George leaned back, “What dya mean you’ve been waiting?” Molly simply smiled, “I know the look dear, you’ve had it with her for, gosh, how long now Arthur?” 

“Since year 5 for them both, Moll.” Arthur yelled from the other side of the room. You felt your cheeks burn, surely visibly red for everyone to see. George was also blushing, not realizing how blatantly obvious he had been over the years. Fred came up behind you both, slinging an arm over each of your shoulders, “Thank Merlin for that though, yeah? He wouldn’t nearly have been as passionate about where you were if he wasn’t always looking for you in a room. Probably would’ve been longer before we realized you were passed out.” 

You couldn’t help but laugh, “Yeah, he really was a Saint for me tonight, wasn’t he?” Fred looked at you puzzled, “Come again?” You pointed at George’s bandaged ear, “He’s holy Fred, Saint-like.” Fred just groaned, rolling his eyes as he pushed through the both of you. George however smiled, grabbing your chin and planting another kiss on your lips with a smile.

Taglist:

@luv4kani ; @somekidinacoma ; @huahuali ; @ell0ra-br3kk3r ; @wollymalfoy ;

[parkerslatte]

Songbird

Eddie Roundtree x Fem!Reader

Warnings: sexual assault, drugs, alcohol, sexual content.

Summary: Up and coming singer, Y/N L/N is mostly known across the Sunset Strip for her deep and sultry voice. Despite this, she isn't signed to any label. It was her one dream to perform for people all over the world. Stuck working at a record store and living with two girls who don't even know her name, Y/N continues to perform gigs in McNasties, hoping to catch the attention of a producer.

While performing at McNasties, Y/N meets up and coming band, The Dunne Brothers. Just from listening to a few of their songs alone, Y/N knew they would be big in the future. How big she definitely underestimated.

Moving in with the band only a week after meeting them, she binds with them all and they all become fast friends - all bonding over the experience of trying to become successful.

Y/N was there for the tours, the performances and the arguments and now she's telling her part in the story.

Started: 3rd April 2023

Finished: 15th May 2023

Total Word Count: 60,747

Masterlist

Taglist

•••

Contents:

Track One; Oh No!

Track Two; Here We Go Again

Track Three; Exactly What I Want

Track Four; Dance Past Midnight

Track Five; Days Go By

Track Six; Sleeping With a Friend

Track Seven; Killer Queen

Track Eight; This is Trouble

Track Nine; Baby Said

Track Ten; Bubblegum Bitch

Track Eleven; Don’t Act Like You Don’t Know

Track Twelve; Maneater

Track Thirteen; Kill You With A Wink Of Her Eye

Track Fourteen; Ballroom Blitz

Track Fifteen; Sip the Gossip

Track Sixteen; I Want Some More

Track Seventeen; Out of my Depth

Track Eighteen; I Don’t Know Where I Belong

Track Nineteen; Nobody Loves a Gloomy Face

Track Twenty; Summertime Sadness

Track Twenty-One; Running Away From This Conversation

Track Twenty-Two; The Things You Love You Lose

Track Twenty-Three; Kiss Me Hard Before You Go

Track Twenty-Four; Look At Us Now

•••

SOUNDTRACK

I. fleetwood mac; SONGBIRD

II. marina; OH NO!

III. nelly furtado; MANEATER

IV. neon trees; ANIMALS

V. stevie nicks; EDGE OF SEVENTEEN

VI. toby sebastian, florence pugh; MIDNIGHT

VII. queen; KILLER QUEEN

VIII. sweet; BALLROOM BLITZ

IX. arctic monkeys; I WANNA BE YOURS

X. neon trees; SLEEPING WITH A FRIEND

XI. the orion experience; THE QUEEN OF WHITE LIES

XII. marina; BUBBLEGUM BITCH

XIII. the lumineers; HO HEY

XIV. måneskin; BABY SAID

XV. lana del rey; SUMMERTIME SADNESS

XVI. måneskin, tom morello; GOSSIP

XVII. florence + the machine; YOU'VE GOT THE LOVE

XVIII. daisy jones and the six; LOOK AT US NOW (HONEYCOMB)

•••

Authors note:

- This is an x reader version I am publishing. The original name of the character is Felicity Fletcher (so if the name is accidentally left in there that is the reason why)

- This fic will mainly follow the show with some things taken from the book.

- Finally I hope you will all enjoy this story. If anyone would like anymore information feel free to send an ask or message me :)

[joshfuckingkiszka]

『three: manipulation』

what's this???? ANOTHER ONE to say I'm sowwy

THIS SERIES IS 18+ MINORS DNI

chapter warnings: boy oh boy, some sexual themes, ANGST, IDIOTS IN LOVE

from the playlist: bitter - fletcher, kito / hits different - taylor swift

series masterlist

✮

“Oh-oh! Well that’s great!” You struggled to hide the tears that threatened to well in your eyes. 

“She’s meeting us at the bar.” The trepidation in his voice was evident, but you couldn’t hear it over the thumping of your heart. 

The car ride was hushed, with the occasional sound of Josh’s lips smacking, as if he had something to say, breaking the silence. His breathing would normally calm you, but it just increased your tense anxiety. 

“I - uh - told her a lot about you,” he mentioned as the car halted at a red light. 

That could mean a lot of things. Had he told her about how much your friendship meant to him? What about the kiss he planted on you with his soft lips? Had she felt his lips? Your heart raced at the thought. Goosebumps rose on your arms and as you wrapped your arms around yourself, Josh reached for the air dial, turning it down. 

Did he do things like that for her? You wondered, couldn’t help but do so. The well-loved bar looked daunting, in this light, dimmed by your deep nerves and nausea. He opened your door like a gentleman, of course, and began looking around. For her. When his eyes lit up you knew he had spotted her in the small crowd. 

Who could blame him? She was beautiful. Her hair flowed down to the middle of her back, and her green eyes mesmerized even you. Her dress was tight around her curves and made you slightly self conscious, and you wanted to avoid standing next to her at all costs. Luckily, you spotted the guys waving you over and you took a deep breath. 

“Woah, Red, I’ve never seen you look so…” Sam struggled for descriptives but Danny aided him. 

“Hot!” He blushed as you teased him wordlessly. 

You hugged Jake, “Where’s-” 

He cut you off, “At home, she wasn’t feeling too well. Sends her love though.” You smiled at him. It quickly dissipated when Josh approached, with her. 

“Red, this is Cammy!” 

You reached out a hand, but she pulled you into a hug. You could have sworn she scoffed in your ear. Danny and Sam gave you looks of pity, which you tried to shrug off with a warm welcome towards Cammy. 

Danny had a light grip on your hand as the group moved towards your regular table. You tried not to let your emotions show when Cammy took your normal spot next to Josh. The spot where you would stroke your fingers across his hand, and he would give you sips of his Salty Dogs. Instead you sat between her and Danny, who took your hand in his own, giving you a reassuring squeeze. You would try to remember to thank him later. 

“So, you guys probably come here a lot, right? Lots of crazy memories?” Cammy nudged your side, and you weren’t sure what she was getting at. 

“Nah, Red’s boring at the best of times.” Josh was trying to tease you, but all he was doing was digging the knife in deeper. 

“No! Little Red is the life of the party. It’s why we miss her so much when we’re gone.” Danny’s weight on those words were a semi-polite dig at Josh, a reminder to shut up. 

Josh conceded and tapped Jake, motioning to the bar where they were to grab drinks. 

“So,” Cammy cocked her head at you, “Little Red?” It was almost accusatory. 

“Y-yeah. It’s a nickname Josh-” 

“Well, Josh is gonna call you by your name, got it?” Her smile was saccharine, meanwhile you were about to cry again. 

You leaned over to Danny, “‘m gonna go to the bathroom. Be right back.” He gave you a look but let you go anyway. 

In the bathroom, you paced the small expanse of the stall, debating your next moves. You couldn’t just go to Josh at every whim. This was your problem. Letting out a deep sigh, you took your phone out of the front of your skirt - cursing your lack of pockets as you did so. As you dialed Ronnie’s number, you wondered if Josh would simply break up with her because you asked him to. You couldn’t ask him to do that. You also thought about the implications of going to Ronnie. You simply couldn’t just tell her you were in love with her brother. You erased the numbers on the screen, replacing them with new digits - Tara’s number. 

“Hey girl!” 

“Hey, Tara, I really need your help.” 

She immediately became serious, “Where are you? Do you need me to come get you?” 

“No, nothing like that, no,” you sighed loudly, “You were right.” 

The line was silent as she patiently waited for you to elaborate. 

“About Josh.” 

“I KNEW IT!”

“Yes, yes, you’re much smarter than me, thank you,” you announced sarcastically. 

Your voice broke as you explained what had happened over the last few hours, including his drunken kiss. 

“Aw, sweetie, I’m sorry.” You knew if she were there, she would be hugging you, patting your back and stroking your hair. 

“I just don’t know what to do.” 

“You,” she said pointedly, “are going to get back out there, find someone cute and take them home.” 

“I can’t just-” 

“Yes, you can. You don’t even have to do anything, just having them there for a couple hours to make out will surely take your mind off Josh. Might even make him jealous too.” 

“Ugh, I really hate it when you’re right. Which has been far too much recently.” 

“What can I say? I’m good. Now, if you need me at any point to come over, I will.” You knew she was back to being earnest now. You agreed to let her know and hung up. Exiting the stall, you took a minute to clean up your face in the mirror. 

As you exited, Cammy’s figure collided with yours. 

“Listen,” her finger was in your face, “Josh is mine now, okay? Whatever you think he had for you in the past is over. Invest in noise canceling headphones.” That saccharine smile was back and you didn’t realize you were holding your breath until it released when she entered the bathroom. 

Returning to the table, Josh looked at you with concern. He could always tell when you’d been crying, and he could definitely tell you had been. Ignoring him, you pulled Danny to the dance floor. It hadn’t even meant anything, you just wanted familiarity that wasn’t Josh. However, the longer you stayed on the floor, the more of your body Danny’s hands felt comfortable caressing. It started with just your hips, that was safe. Then they moved down, where his finger tips grazed the skin at the bottom of your short skirt. 

Danny was off limits. You hadn’t ever thought anything different. Until now. Until his large hand laid on your stomach, his pointer finger just barely breaching the barrier of your crop top. 

“Never knew you wore such pretty things under those clothes, Red.” His lips caressed the outer shell of your ear and you shivered.  Suddenly he was turning you around to face him, and his hands were back on your hips. The sudden force from your turn had your hands on his chest, and you could feel the muscle rippling underneath his shirt. You swallowed thickly as he looked at you in a way you had never imagined from him. Looking past his large frame for only a second, you saw Josh, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He was…angry? Jealous? How far were you willing to take this? Looking back into Danny’s dark eyes, you knew exactly how far.

〚taglist〛

gvf: @doodle417​ , @brokenbellz​, @gretavanfleas​, @pyrojoshy​, @greta-van-chaos​, @xserenax-13​, @hayley1623​, @kdarling1​, @autumns30, @keighoe, @chalametpwk​, @sammysvanfeet​, @shawnsthighs​, @gretavanbitches​, @sammiejane22​, @gretavanbestie, @jordierama​, @alexxavicry​

josh: @prophetofthedune​, @loofypoofy, @gretavangrace​

this series: @arnoldperlsteinishot​, @maedesculpaeusoubi​

[zmb1eslut]

Never healing wounds.

I heard footsteps that sounded like mine,

word count: 1,4K

synopsis: Whatever his mother knew, she knew her. A part of Luke wished he would never have to, yet there she was crawling in the forest.

A/N: Luke Castellan's POV

Her name. It echoed in my mind like I was trapped in an empty and narrow space, as if I was being held down against my will to hear it over and over again. 

But it was just me, she was just there, with a smile on her face introducing herself. 

It wasn't even her voice the one I heard, but that question. The question that came almost every day when I came from school. 'How is your friend doing?' to then speak about a girl I've never even met. At one point, I just played along and said she was okay. Made up fake stories or lied about real ones. For my mother every girl looked like her. And for me, it was all the same. 

I already knew about her. About a girl being here, I mean.

We were finishing a Senior Council Reunion and Chiron pulled Lee to the side and... maybe they didn't go far enough to avoid some prying ears to come by. And they were speaking about her, about an unstable girl they found in the forest without a protector. About how much discretion was needed to avoid exposing her to the rest of camp, just for everyone's safety. 

I had heard about her, so I didn't quite expect to discover a girl so polite, small in demeanor... frail. Her every step was muted, her every sound was raspy, coarse, deprived. It was like she was untrained at being alive. But the instincts of any prey would hide from her gaze as something about her felt unnervingly... strange. 

They had told me to go pick up a new camper to the cabin, and I hadn't connected the dots until it wasn't Chiron the one who introduced her to me. As I walked in, I shot the Apollo counselor a questioning glance to which he walked closer to me and explained "I was the one in her care and we think she grew attached".

I found that information rather impressive but before I could think of an answer she cleared her throat to get our attention. My eyes then fixed on her figure all the way across the tiny room. Her presence was small but she was clearly fighting to take up some space, sitting with her chin up, her weight resting on her fists, both being as far as possible from her hips. A knowing, resigned, almost mocking shy smile as she looked at him. 

“People say… It’s rude to whisper in front of others”. Her voice was taunting and soft, and if you ask me I suspect that was meant as a joke. Neither of us laughed, though. And I wasn’t sure if she was supposed to stand up, if I was supposed to get close. Every action I could take felt like stepping out of my place, she wasn’t even looking at me.

“My bad. You’re… right about that.” He said walking back to her. It was awkward in a way so different to what I was used to. An awkward in which all of us knew we wanted things to be better yet we just didn’t know how to start it all over. He helped her get up and only then a soft, almost fake chuckle filled the room, and I looked at them silently, making a smile on my face as I inserted myself on the exchange. She finally acknowledged my presence. She looked me up and down with a smile. 

“So he's the one showing me around?” I could catch some of her factions, the work she seemed to put on her posture, knots on her hair I could picture her fighting each morning, deep wounds on her body, bloodshot eyes, and a putrid smell that hadn't gone away after what were probably so many baths. And I answered before Fletcher could.

“Yeah that’s me.” Extending my hand at her with a challenging warmth. “Luke Castellan”.  And she nodded with a gleam in her eyes.

“I’ll make sure to remember that”. Was her answer as she delicately shook my hand. Her tired and joyous eyes met mine, and then she introduced herself and my stomach turned, and the world went colorful in a horrible way. Everything started to look out of place. Suddenly I hated that she smiled with her teeth, they seemed too big, and her eyes were liveless in an eccentric way. Was her skin going gray? Was she inside my head? I felt her hands strangling me yet she was so far away. She was close to me. And my fucking mom’s voice was resounding in my brain. I felt like the world was layered and suddenly Lee was too far, and my camp duty was escaping my grip, the room becoming small and then there was her. Who the fuck was her? 

I breathed deeply to calm myself, hiding the fact with a playful sigh. She was just a girl. I was okay. I looked around to convince myself the place looked the same.  

“You’re ready to walk? This place is immense.” I asked half genuinely, half teasingly, looking at her unsure stance, she then stared at the Apollo counselor who just nodded amused at her curious expression. She went back to me.

“Okay. I'll…  do my best.”

"Is it like... always like this?" I knew what she meant, as she insisted on walking under the shadow of the trees, the sun and heat didn't seem like her favorite thing. I laughed, she was really going to need to get used to that.

"All year 'round" I shouted affirmatively. And I was met with a whine in response.

She lazily followed my step around camp, exploring the space with her eyes, her hands, one foot in front of the other, discovering the buildings almost like a new land. She nodded to every new face around, and most nodded back.

It was almost alluring just how fast she decided to fit in, just how few questions she bothered to ask. I wondered if maybe she already knew what she was going to find...

"Hey so, I don't wanna be rude-"

"But?" She asked with a mischievous smile.

"How... Did you get here exactly? What's your story if it's not... you know... too much."

"Oh!" She looked at me surprised and thought for a couple seconds. "I just walked."

"You... walked? Care to elaborate?" I was almost annoyed at her vagueness. She laughed.

"Like this" And she proceeded to just stump ahead.

"Alone?"

"Alone." She turned around and nodded. So I had to be specific with my questions, I guessed.

"How did you not get lost?"

"I did. I wasn't planning on getting here. I was just... clearing my mind and... suddenly I didn't see the point of going back."

"You ran from home then?"

"Just walked." I actually laughed at that. "I..." Her tone became just a little bit more reflective, yet she didn't really seem affected much. "Wasn't planning on running because I wasn't planning on escaping at all, but suddenly time made no sense and, what the fuck was I even doing on the same always nonsensical noise tying me down? Who cares, you know?" I stayed silent processing before she frowned a bit. "Actually probably someone did but it's not like it feels like it matters. 'cause it didn't matter either when they didn't. Does that make sense?" I chuckled.

"Not at all" I looked at her before adding in a softer tone "but I totally get it".

"Most people here I guess". So she did actually understand this place.

"Exactly" We kept walking until we arrived at the path of the cabins and I remembered to ask. "So... huh... you got... any idea who your godly parent might be?" And she smiled.

"Not at all"

"Well... okay. It's not like it matters until you get claimed."

"And... when does that happen?"

"Whenever they feel like it"

"Great" We kept walking silently as a satyr passed past us. I only noticed cause he kept looking at her, she almost ignored him in exchange. She still had no questions about anything at all... It made some sense as she was already older than most kids coming to camp. But that was actually the strangest thing. If she knew so much, why hadn't she come earlier? And why didn't she know who her parent was?

"Do you have any suspicion though?"

"What are my options?" She asked and... maybe she actually didn't know that much.

[geralt-of-baevia]

Begin Again: Chapter Two

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three

Summary: When Penny starts working at AFC Richmond as their new head photographer, she catches the eye of a certain mustached, happy-go-lucky, head coach of the team. But can their spark endure through the season’s pressures and the demons of their past?

Pairing: Ted Lasso x OFC (Penny Fletcher)

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: Uhhh, nudity, accidental seeing of said nudity, language, etc.

A/N: I love me a slow burn, but I don't know if that's what this is gonna be yet. 😝 Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter! I'm excited to get this story really going.

Beta: Thank you to @midnightswithdearkatytspb for proofreading again 💕💕

Tiny Tag List: @tegan8314 @rosesheerio (Let me know if you want to get added!)

My first week at Richmond AFC was in some ways like being in school again, and I gained about 30 new close friends. All of the players were exuberantly nice, and by the end of the week I was treated like one of the guys. It was nice to be somewhere where I felt so loved and cherished, it wasn’t something I was used to. 

Thursday afternoon was set for me to try out my hand at taking playing shots to practice for their games. I was excited to finally get some action shots of the guys since I had spent most of the week taking photo of the facility and clubhouse. This was the first I was finally getting to photograph the guys, the real thing I was excited for. 

I walked out onto the pitch with the players, but stayed back at the sideline. I took out my camera and took some candid photos of their comradery as they filed onto the green. As I clicked away, I was completely oblivious that someone came up to stand next to me. 

“Are things bigger or smaller when you look through that tiny window on the back of that giant contraption?” 

I jumped at Ted’s voice, pulling my camera away from my face and trying to focus on him as I readjusted my eyes. 

“Well, this lens, from this perspective at least, makes them smaller,” I said with a smirk. 

Ted and I hadn’t gotten to interact all that much over the last few days. We said hello to each other every time we passed each other in the hallway, and occasionally had small talk before or after the day, but not a whole lot other than that. Although, every time we did talk the conversations got longer, and we would both always linger after our talks, like neither of us wanted it to end. 

“But if I had this other lense here on my hip,” I said, gesturing to the lense on the left side of my holster, “if I put that one on it would look like Sam was just as close to me as you are right now.” 

“Well damn, I didn’t know being a photographer was like being a wizard!” Ted said with astonishment. I laughed. 

“Oh, you have no idea! I can then put them on the computer and make stuff disappear. Like zits, scars, people!” 

“People?! That escalated quickly,” he said with a laugh.

He nudged my shoulder with his own, looking out at the pitch at the guys. He had on a pair of brown Ray-Ban sunglasses, a matching AFC tracksuit, and a dumb white visor. I shouldn’t think something like that on him was attractive, but I did. And him nudging my shoulder ever so much made my heart beat like crazy in my chest. 

“Yes, people, Ted,” I said as I shook my head, looking at the back of my camera and clicking through my photos. I felt him take a half step closer to me and peer over my shoulder. 

“Man, you really are talented, Penny,” he said, his voice a little lower this time, and more serious. 

I felt a shiver go down my spine as his chest pressed against my shoulder when he leaned in to get a closer look. It took everything in me not to relax against him. He was so warm and smelled like fresh laundry and sandalwood and grass. I tried to focus on the back of my camera and not how my body seemed to grow hot and numb. 

I swallowed hard. “T-Thanks Ted.” 

“Coach! Penny will send us those photos this weekend, you can look later,” I heard Coach Beard say from behind us. Ted immediately jumped, placing his hand instinctually on my arm before taking a step back. 

“Yes Coach! Penny, it uh-it was nice to talk to you.” I looked up at him as he addressed me, nodding his head before following Beard to the pitch. I giggled a little as I noticed he was holding his clipboard no longer at his chest, but lower now as if to cover himself. A part of me hoped that was because of me. 

Towards the end of practice, I had gotten some really good shots and I was excited to see them. The coaches had to go see Ms. Welton about something, so it was now just me and the guys fooling aroun. As I was looking at the back of my camera again, Jamie got my attention.  

“Oi! Penny! I wanna try out this new slide thing, do you think you could get a wicked picture of that?” he asked after jogging over to me. I shrugged. 

“Sure! Let me just get into position.” I walked across the sideline and in line with him but about ten yards back. I crouched down and held my camera up, framing him for his slide. 

“Whenever your ready, Jamie!” I shouted to him. 

First Jamie was running towards me in the viewfinder, then suddenly I was being crashed into, my camera flying through the air and landing in with a crack. I laid there, more worried about my broken equipment than the pain I was feeling in my side from where Jaime collided with me, or the fact that I was now covered in mud from head to toe. 

“Penny! Oh my god, are you okay!?” Sam was the first to make it over to me, his face hovering over my view of the sky above. Soon the rest of the team was surrounding me before I could even think of getting up and seeing the damage. 

I pushed myself up into a sitting position, motioning for the guys to back up. “I appreciate the concern gentlemen, but I’m fine. Just very muddy now.”

“Oh Miss Penny, I’m so sorry…” 

My head snapped around to see my camera in Dani’s hands, my lens cracked down the middle. I sighed before looking down and seeing the lens that was on my hip no longer there, but now a few feet away and broken as well. I groaned, rubbing my face in my hands. 

“Penny, I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll buy you a new whatever you need. I’ll replace everything,” I heard Jaime say somewhere in front of me. I looked up to see him crouched in front of me, he was covered in mud too. His words were genuine, I could tell. 

“That’s very kind of you Jamie, because I wouldn’t be able to replace it otherwise,” I told him with an awkward laugh. A small smile formed in the corner of his mouth, and he extended a hand out to help me up. 

After assessing the damage to my lenses and camera body (that ended up also breaking), Jaime told me he was going to leave practice and go right to a shop and get me my replacements. I looked down and saw that I was completely covered in mud, and I’m pretty sure it was in my hair as well. Sam came over to me and placed a friendly hand on my shoulder. 

“The other guys and I talked, and if you would like to, you clean up in our locker room. We’d be glad to stay out here and play longer. Also, Dani and I are offering some of our extra Richmond clothes for you to change into. You can bring them back tomorrow,” he explained, a big smile on his face. Sam had one of the kindest hearts I had ever met, and I appreciated his offer. 

“Actually, that would be great Sam. Could you show me?” 

He nodded before we headed into the clubhouse and he showed me the showers. We stopped at the lockers so he could give me the spare clothes he had mentioned before, and get me a couple of towels as well. When I finally passed a mirror I got to see the damage done: mud traced through my hair, contrasting against my dirty blonde color. Mud all over my chest and neck, all places that would need to be scrubbed.

“And don’t worry Miss Penny, the guys and I will all stay outside until you’re done.”

I thanked him again, truly appreciating not having to walk home filthy. As soon as he was around the corner I began stripping out of my dirty sweatshirt and jeans, excited to get the mud off of me and warm up. I turned on the water and once it was hot enough I got underneath the stream, the hot water rushing over my head and down my body, immediately warming me up. 

I looked around the giant shower and found some random men’s 2 in 1 to wash my hair and body with until I could get home for a proper shower. The scent was strong, filling up my nostrils and the shower room: I would definitely need to shower again when I got home. Once I felt the mud was sufficiently off of me and the water ran clear, I turned to face the shower head and just basked in the warm water for one last time. 

Just as I turned to face away from the water, I opened my eyes to see Ted walk by. We both froze as he and I made eye contact, and I watched as his eyes trailed down my wet, naked body, and then back up to my eyes again. I could have covered myself, I could have screamed or shrieked at him to go away, but I just froze. 

After what felt like ten minutes of just staring at each other, Ted finally broke the silence. “S-Sorry, Penny.”

He started to take a half step towards me, and then immediately turned on his heel to head back the way he came, stuffing his hands in his pockets and turning his gaze to the ground. 

Even though he was gone, I stood there for another couple of minutes, still in shock as the water beat against my head. Eventually, I turned off the water, hurriedly dried off, and got dressed in my borrowed clothes, grabbing my dirty clothes to put in my bag. I could have said goodbye to the team or told them I was leaving, but I just wanted to get home. I didn’t even care that my hair was still wet. 

Once I got to my flat, I ran upstairs and shut the door hastily, leaning against it. I rubbed my face vigorously in my hands, the vision of Ted’s face staring at me not wanting to leave from behind my eyes. 

“Um, what the fuck happened to you?” 

I lifted my head to see my roommate Jo standing in the kitchen, a cuppa in her hand. 

“What do you mean?” I asked sarcastically, dropping my bag to the floor next to me. 

“You’ve freshly showered because your hair is wet and you reek of men’s shampoo, you’re wearing an AFC Richmond tracksuit that’s too big for you, and you wouldn’t have dropped your bag like that if your camera and stuff was in there, just to name a few,” she said with a smug smile. Her eyebrows snapped together, “now tell me what happened.”

“Can I tell you after I shower the man scent off of me? I actually kind of hate it.”

“Fine.”

I should have known better than to think Jo would let me shower in peace, following me into the bathroom, her tea still in her hand. 

“Do I get no privacy, Jolene?” I asked her as I began to strip out of the blue and red tracksuit. She sat down on the toilet and laughed, shaking her head. 

“Of course not, Penelope. Now, shower so you tell me what happened at work today,” she said, sipping on her cup. I rolled my eyes and giggled. 

I hopped in the shower and told her about what happened, both Jamie breaking my camera and then Ted seeing me shower. 

“Wait, wait, wait. I’m sorry, but what the fuck did you just say?” she asked almost heatedly. I laughed as I heard her almost spit out her tea. 

“Yeah, he saw me completely stark naked. Naked as the day I was born and I was showering too! I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m completely mortified.”

“Okay, so what did you do when he saw you?” 

“Um, nothing? I just stood there like an idiot.”

The shower curtain suddenly pulled back to reveal Jo staring at me with a shocked face, and instinctively I covered myself. I mentally kicked myself at that moment, why couldn’t I have done that with Ted?

“Well, obviously you wanted him to see you naked,” she said with a sly smile. 

“Why do you say that?!” I asked, almost offended at her words. 

“Um, because I’ve seen you naked a million and one times and you just covered yourself,” she said with a knowing look. I scoffed at her and turned around to not face her. “Also, did he see the tits and bits half or the bum half?”

I whipped back around to face her and she had the most devilish grin on her face. 

“Can you please go back to your seat on the toilet? I’d really like to finish showering and I can’t with you staring at me.”

“Fiiiiine,” she said with a roll of her eyes. She dropped the shower curtain and disappeared. 

After a moment of silence between us, I sighed before telling her, ‘It was my tits and bits.” 

“Oh, that definitely went in his spank bank then.”

[intoduskoutofdawn]

Traces & Trouble

| Jake x Phil

| The FBI is too late or early. It depends...

The idea came from a request and ran from there, I hope it fulfills in parts what was requested. Just had to post (the damn thing) now before it takes any longer.

CW: not sure as always, there is sexual content but I'm not too explicit.

A dash of dark fluid diving in the glass clouded up in the clear liquid, the long silver bar spoon flickered in the dim light as a slender hand stirred the drink slowly. Captivated, the young woman sitting at the counter kept her eyes pinned on every move of those hands. They belonged to the bar owner, who now set down the glass right in front of her. She lifted her look up to his face, a strand of dark hair parted his left eye, pointing down to a half smile.

"I think - you are going to love this," Phil Hawkins said with calm confidence, nodding encouraging towards the glass. The young woman threw a bunch of curly hair to the side and took a sip of the drink. Her eyes fell shut for a second and then she smiled back at the bar owner. "This is perfection. Freshness followed by a sweet ...and somewhat savory note. Perfect. So what's it called?"

"Oh, I'm not sure yet," the bar owner answered, "You just witnessed it's creation. But I kinda love the way you described it, so why don't I name it after you?" The young woman tilted her head and laughed. "Oh my, I never had anything named after me. Don't you think Tracy would be a strange name for a drink?"

"I think it sounds lovely. Could be 'Tracy's delight'. 'Fury Tracy'. 'Tracy's secret' -..."

Two men entered the Aurora Bar and caught Phil's attention.Tracy sour.

One man was tall, very thin with short blond hair, partet in the middle by an aggressively straight line. The other was shorter with patchy mudbrown hair, scowling eyes under bushy brows - while the blond was wearing an expensive looking dark coat, the other poked out of a fighter pilot jacket that made him look old.

"And there they are..." Phil muttered followed by a sharp exhale. He straightned and said with a firm voice, "Tracy, you will have to excuse me. Enjoy your drink and your night." The young woman blinked a few times in confusion, "I thought -" , she started to protest but was interrupted by the two men appearing right next to her with cold smiling faces - she took the glass and left the bar.

"How nice to see you again, Mr. Hawkins. I am sorry to interrupt your work," the blond man said with a strange voice that was both soft and sharp.

A voice like a carpet knife, Phil thought and leaned on the counter - taking the position of a watchful cat. "Somehow, I'm having trouble believing that you are truly sorry, Mr. Fletcher." A thin smirk appeared on Agent Fletchers face.

"Have you met my colleague Agent Byron Mills?" Phil reached out and shook the sweaty hand of the bushy browed man, "I don't believe I have."

Agent Fletcher kept talking while his eyes were darting across the room. The few customers of this quiet evening seemed to pick up on something and started leaving the bar one by one.

"Byron here doesn't live far from Duskwood. His wife was your tenth grade math teacher, if you remember?"

Phil decided it to be appropriate to imitate the cold smiles he was confronted with, as he answered,

"Ah yes, Mrs. Mills. Aren't you a lucky man... how is she doing?" The mean little eyes of Agent Mills slithered over to Fletcher, who apparently was the one assigned to do the talking.

"Mr. Hawkins, do you know why we are here?"

The bar owner stood up straight and took a deep breath,

"Well, I cannot be certain. But if I have to guess... for the same reason you were here the last time, for the same reason you confiscated my phone and my computer? - Another attempt to get information I don't have. Although - I'm wondering why you came here all this way and didn't bring me in instead. That seems rather strange to me."

Fletcher turned to Mills and whispered loud enough so Phil could hear every word,

"Do you hear that, Byron? There is that sharp wit, I warned you about," he stepped towards Phil and leaned his elbows on the counter. After focusing the bar owners face with a stern look, he spoke again,

"Mr. Hawkins, we have reason to believe that you are still - or at least recently have been in contact with the hacker named Jake."

The bar owner drove his thumb over his lower lip and chuckled. Fletcher continued,

"I could just come out straight and ask you where he is but I'm sure it would be in vain. So I am simply going to remind you, this whole affair could cause you a lot more trouble than it already has - in fact, I think it is about to inconvenience you a lot. Once more, I would like to urge you to be cooperative."

"And yet, you didn't ask me anything," Phil leaned back on the tall shelf behind him, "Pardon me saying this, detectives - but you showing up here, trying to be intimidating before you even start questioning me... - it is an awful lot of gesturing. So why don't you start asking before you accuse me of not being cooperative?"

Agent Mill's face had turned to an unhealthy shade of purple but he remained stubbornly silent. Fletcher nodded slowly as if he estimated the extend of Phil's intrepidity and then continued in a down-to-buisness like tone,

"Alright then, Mr.Hawkins, as I said - we know, that you are in contact with the hacker called Jake."

"Was. Correct," Phil stated.

"Jake was here - recently. We can establish that from the communication we recovered from your cell phone."

"Still - was. Past tense. As in 'isn't anymore'."

"You didn't give us a lot of information about that the last time we spoke,"

"Again, I answered and continue answering your questions."

"So correct me, if I'm wrong - this contact between you two dates back two weeks now?"

Phil's smile returned and his eyes lit up with a spark, "I like it how you say 'contact'- as if there is a less appropriate version of that word. But yes, two weeks, that sounds correct."

"The communication broke off at that point? With Jake's disappearance?"

- "Yes."

"And Jake did not try to contact you since then?"

Phil raised his shoulders shoving his hands into his pockets, "No. At least I wouldn't know. After all, you took away my ways of communication, Mr. Fletcher. I'm enduring a very reduced life style in that department. "

"Did you try to contact him?"

- "No." the bar owner met and held the piercing look the agent shot at him.

Agent Mills reached into his puffy jacket and pulled out a phone that he passed on to Fletcher. Phil could see that it was his own phone - the FBI had confiscated it a few days after Jake disappeared. Fletcher put it down on the counter and tapped on it with his long pale fingers.

"Mr. Hawkins, the reassembled content of the correspondence between Jake and you suggests a certain 'intensity' of your relationship at the time. We would like to explore our conclusion that you, Philip, would most likely be the person, who might know something about Jake's whereabouts."

Slowly Phil tilted his head,

"Oh I see...'making conclusions' about the 'intensity' of the relationship between the wanted hacker and the bar owner. Kinky." His eyes lit up again for a second, "But what are you asking specifically? If I know where Jake is? I do not."

Agent Mills eyes where bulging with contempt, he chewed "cocky bastard..." under his breath, but Agent Fletcher remained calm and composed- he believed him too, still lurking for something else.

"Philip, may I ask, how exactly it came to pass that the contact broke off so abruptly?"

Scratching his chin Phil answered,

"I assumed it had something to do with you but probably you are not interested in my speculations. He disappeared, quite literally. There is not more to it."

"All of the sudden? Without a word?"

"Correct."

"Where were you when he 'literally' vanished?"

- "Asleep, I suppose."

"He didn't leave you a message? He didn't say goodbye, he didn't tell you anything?"

"Of course he didn't. You have been trying to find him for a while now and quite frankly - it's not going well. Do you really think, Jake would be so dumb and leave traces like that?" Phil shook his head.

For some reason, Fletcher started smiling again.

"Recklessness happens sometimes, Philip. Like getting involved with the wrong person. It just happens, unintentionally. Getting attached to someone always leaves traces, you know. Don't get me wrong - I'm quite sure Jake is aware of that and maybe we are indeed too late - but then, maybe he couldn't help himself, leaving you at least with some reassurance that he is safe."

With a shrugging sigh Phil muttered, "Reassurance and safety, yes - you really don't know much about that hacker. "

Of course they expected to find the right strings to pull but it wasn't as easy as that.

Getting attached to someone leaves traces.

The echo of this sentence, spoken by a carpet knife voice, oscillated in the bar owners head. With an abscent gaze, he repeated, "I don't know where the damn hacker is, even if he is alive or not. I do not have any further information for you."

Fletcher intertwined his fingers and softened his voice,

"I'm sorry that this is happening to you, Philip. It must be hard for you. Jake vanishing just like that, without a word, after risking a lot - leaving you with the aftermath. And now... here we are." He pushed the phone over the counter, Phil didn't move to pick it up - he chuckled again, but it was a weary and breathless sound this time.

"So this is what you are counting on? Appealing to my resentfulness, Mr. Fletcher?" the bar owner asked, hardening his tone, "can I just ask - is there some chapter like this in the FBI textbook? Something called maybe 'The investigation of the abandoned lover'?"

Fletcher didn't answer right away, still assessing the bar owners expression.

- "In my time, it was called 'The rejected mistress', these books are very old and outdated, Mr.Hawkins", the agent answered cold, retracting to the last name base.

"So we can conclude this conversation with the statement that you don't have any information for us. Jake was here, vanished with no intention to come back." Fletcher folded his hands and lifted them weirdly towards Phil, who just nodded this time.

"Well...then I hope you won't mind if we check that for ourselves. Maybe you have missed something, Mr. Hawkins. I think our colleagues might be almost done with your apartment upstairs by now. We thought it to be appropriate to have this little chat here, while giving your customers some time to leave before we check these rooms as well."

Baffled, the bar owner drove a hand through his hair, closing his eyes and shaking his head,

"You got to be kidding! What exactly are you hoping to find here?" Fletcher had turned around on his heels, reassuring himself that there were no more customers inside the bar and waved a finger doorwards to signal the other investigators to enter.

"Traces, Mr.Hawkins", Fletcher twisted his lips into a half smile.

"Byron", he motioned his head towards Phil and Agent Mills reached into his jacket again, pulled out an envelope - most certainly containing the warrant - and handed it over the counter. Slowly Phil reached out, taking the envelope without looking at it.

"Who are you? His purse?!" he hissed sharply at Mills and turned away, walking outside the front door - not intending to stand and watch his bar getting turned upside down.

They wouldn't find anything. There was nothing here, that would lead them to the hacker. And why would they...?

Getting attached to someone leaves traces.

Maybe they overestimated his capability to get attached to someone, he wasn't exactly known for that. Neither was Jake, for different reasons - but still. How could they be sure, despite of the alleged 'intensity' of their contact, that there would be traces? What traces? Intensity - that was one! Intensity, memories, passion, withdrawal, ...traces. Damn it, Jake!

No. Wait. Not traces... - imprints. Leading nowhere. That is it.

Phil waited outside until it was over, until they all returned to their cars and slammed the doors. He shook the thin bundle of Agent Fletchers fingers without looking at him again.

Back inside the Aurora Bar it was solemnly silent. The bar owner stood still in the middle of the room for a while, considering if he should face the chaos they left behind. He didn't feel like it. Something was strange about all this. It didn't make any sense, why did they even come here?

"No fucking traces!" Phil shouted out to no one stretching out his arms.

Finally, he locked the front door, grabbed his phone and the envelope from the counter and turned off the lights.

As he walked up the stairs to his apartment, he couldn't shake the urge to understand the meaning of this - also there was an uneasiness creeping up on him and he stopped on the stairs. It all felt - unresolved somehow. There had to be more to it. But what could he do, standing alone in the stairwell? The door of the apartment was wide open, Phil walked inside and kicked it shut. Undecided he stood still again for a moment in the dark.

He didn't turn on the lights. The street light streaming through the windows drenched the rooms in a dim orange tone. It didn't look as bad as he thought, not like a tornado went through - fair enough, they had searched thoroughly. All his belongings were spread on tables, chairs and the floor - but in a sort of neat way, stacked and sorted. Turned inside out. Maybe they had taken some things, but there were no traces of the hacker, no messages, no photos. Of course not. They probably still didn't even know what he looked like in the flesh.

Slowly Phil set himself in motion towards the kitchen, that had a large window overlooking the street. All quiet now. Still staring out on the dark street, he put down the unopened envelope and phone on the kitchen counter.

Getting attached to someone leaves traces.

Phil crossed his arms and kept his look pinned out of the window. There was a slight prickle on the back of his neck...

No - fucking - way.

He felt a motion somewhere in the room behind him. Of course. The trace leads here.

"Why is it so dark in here?" a voice asked softly. Phil didn't answer, didn't turn around. The small lamp on the kitchen table lit up with a clicking and he could hear the creaking sound the chair made whenever someone was sitting down.

The bar owner lowered his head but didn't move otherwise. Stubbornly he tried to restrain his heart from throwing itself against his ribcage. His arms firmly locked around himself, he took slow, deep breaths fighting against his own anger, confusion and the longing to just turn around and let it all melt away.

"The door was open...I hope you don't mind," the voice had grown even softer, more hesitant as if testing the temperature.

Jake kept his bright eyes pinned on Phil's back and waited. He pulled the hood off his head and without an idea what else to do, he started straightening his hair - a rather useless effort, the dark strands curling up again.

It had all worked out - until this point. The hacker went over it again step by step. Changing the pattern of running to actually following the investigators - it was simple, simplistic even. And it had worked swimmingly, he just had to pick up the information and they led him right back here. In fact, they were not too late to catch him - but too early. Absurd, really. The hacker shook his head and smiled in disbelief.

So he had actually managed to come back - that's were the plan ended. In success. Yet it was now merely deflated by the fact, that he had not the slightest idea what to do next.

Jake's eyes were darting around. They really had taken this place apart. He bit his lower lip as the extend of the ramifications of his simple plan hit him with a sinking feeling in his stomach. What the hell was he thinking? Nothing much clearly, he cringed... No wonder Phil just stood there, silent and frozen.

Only now, the hacker started to question his own need to be back here - and it might be an entirely selfish one. He raised a hand to touch his temple as he always did when he sat contemplating. It was uncomfortably ambiguous, Jake had experienced an unknown stage of both exhilaration and mindsease - here with him. Somehow, it was all connected to that silent figure standing there.

It was true, Jake was never one to get attached to someone, he even seemed to have lost the need for it over the years. But then something about that Hawkins guy drew his attention and the hacker couldn't wrap his mind around it. Phil had met him with an unusual interest, not for what he did but for what he was apart from that - something even Jake himself had no grasp on. Though confusing and in a way challenging, it was easy to talk to him. The bar owner was never intimidated or even utterly impressed, like it usually happened on the rare occasions Jake actually talked to someone about himself.

It was annoying at first, the damn smugness! He tried hard not to care, but it was just too infuriating. And then intriguing. Jake found himself enjoying the attention, something he had always resented and kept meticulously away from him. Now, it put him at ease and excited him at the same time. Though Phil - confident at all times and seemingly fearless - wasn't impressed by the hacker, he sure was captivated somehow - by him, Jake. Strange. The hacker felt compelled to trust this guy. Even stranger.

And then something else had happened - a slight blush spread over the face of the brooding Jake. In fact, his memories were fractured and hazy. He remembered a kiss, smiling abscently as he did - it had taken him by surprise and then taken him over, taken him whole. And..., Jake shuddered - everything was blurred, too intense to recall what actually had happened. The world went away. Imploding, exploding - both...

"So..." ,

Phil's voice, though not harshly spoken, chopped into Jake's trail of thought like a hatchet. He winced, startled - almost forgotten that Phil was standing there. With wide eyes, the hacker stared at the other man, who had lifted his head but still refused to face him.

"... this was an announcement then," Phil stated, tapping a finger on the envelope. Jake frowned, took a breath to speak but then refrained, snorting.

"Now, now, Jake. You really should say something..."

Jake leaned himself on the table, scratching his scruffy chin. "You are mad. I should have considered that. I must say, I really didn't," he would have added an apology but thought it might sound too pitiful, also he wasn't sorry.

"In fact, I was merely working out a way to come back here. Worked well enough...", he paused and flinched, "you know, this would be easier if you turned around. At least you can tell me to go to hell to my face," his lips twitched a bit and the hacker wondered if that was even true.

"Oh don't mind me, I prefer to hold on to my anger for a while here," came the answer in a sarcastic tone and the hacker frowned.

Truth be told, Phil wasn't even mad. He felt he should and tried to be - that damn hacker just sitting there, after they shut down his business for the night and rummaged through his place on the look for ...traces. And there he was, trapsing in, accompanied by a whole lot of trouble. But Phil couldn't be mad. Jake had a way in, no matter how much Phil tried to shield himself and cutting himself off from everyone, Jake just stumbled through it all.

"Well... fuck it."

Phil snorted and with a swift motion, he spun around, hoisting himself up to sit on the kitchen counter. He rubbed his eyes, wavering, before he finally fixed them on the hacker.

"You look like hell," Phil said after a while.

"Thanks," Jake smiled against his will.

The hacker's dark hair was messy and curling up in all directions, his face was pale with dark shadows under the eyes, on the collar of the black hoodie was a grayish streak of dust or paint. But Jake's gaze was sharp as ever, his eyes glistening with awareness.

"Aren't you going to throw me out?" Jake asked tilting his head.

"Very possible," the lack of conviction in Phil's voice made the hacker's ears prickle with raised attention, "first tell me, what exactly brings you back?"

"I'm actually not sure,"Jake leaned back on the chair and added, "some urge, I don't understand yet. Felt like a strong pull with you being the source of it," he held Phil's gaze with a glint in his eyes.

"May I observe," Jake lifted a finger towards the bar owner, "...you don't seem entirely unhappy to see me," a grin flickering on his lips.

"How endearing. And also - how full of yourself," Phil meant to sound indifferent but was smiling, wearily shaking his head. His dark hair fell over his face, sliding down from the counter - he looked annoyed and defeated.

"You think you are worth the trouble, huh?"

"I didn't say that," Jake frowned again and stood up from the chair, slowly dragging his feet he walked over to Phil.

"No, you don't think like that," the bar owner said pensivley, he lifted his head and looked at the hacker who came to a halt in front of him.

Jake could feel an apprehensive throbbing in his throat - understanding it was on him to overcome the distance, but how? The last time, he remembered, it was just sweeping him away. He didn't have to do a damn thing. But Jake understood that it had to be different now, his fault really - the air seemed weirdly charged.

Avoiding Phil's intense but stern look, the hacker pinned his eyes instead on the notch between his collarbone. Not knowing what he was doing, Jake lifted a hand and placed it right on this spot, a finger softly pressing down on the tail of the tattooed bat. He could feel the calm breathing of the other man, a steady heartbeat, and Jake was quite sure Phil's expression didn't even change a little.

"Didn't even realize that I got this far out of line," Jake murmured, grasped by disbelief over his own audacity.

"No, you don't think like that," Phil repeated. There was a smile somewhere in his eyes but Jake didn't look up.

"Too much trouble...," Jake shook his head and with a frustrated snort, he retrieved his hand. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain and winced in surprise as Phil harshly clasped his wrist.

"See, the thing about trouble is...- you have to see it through, Jake." He wrenched the hacker's hand around and released it at the same spot where it was before - finger on the bat's tail.

With narrowed eyes Jake glanced back at the bar owner, trying to read his expression - he didn't give away much. In a way, he looked like someone ready for a fight. The hacker pondered the situation, which was new and utterly unexpected. Again he searched his memories, only finding a very different set of circumstances. It had started with a kiss and then? Whatever had shattered his mind with an impact of sensation just...happened. Jake didn't cause it. At least he wouldn't know how he did it. A sinister smile appeared on the hacker's face - so that was it. He had to find the detonator.

Hesitant Jake placed his other hand just below Phil's chest bringing himself closer. Breathing in that familiar scent caused a compulsing glitch in the hacker's keen mind but he didn't let himself slip. It was important that he remained focused now. Phil was a tad taller than Jake and held his chin slightly up, deliberately keeping his lips out of reach. The hacker chuckled. Of course, he wouldn't make this easy. Gathering his will, he moved his fingers from the bat's tail up the left wing, feeling a pulse that was annoyingly steady - not matching his own shaking breath.

His fingers wandered further up and suddenly stopped at a spot between jaw and ear - feeling a very soft patch of skin. There was a twitch of the muscles underneath Jake's other hand on Phil's stomach, elevating the hacker's senses. His eyes fixed on the spot - where he struck gold.

A mischievous grin painted the premonition of success on Jake's face as he moved closer, letting his breath stream against the sensitive skin on the bar owners neck. Another eruption of tensening muscles reassured the hacker and he pressed his lips down on the spot, sucking the skin between his tongue and teeth, causing a sharp hissing sound to escape from Phil's lips. Jake moved his head back to take in what he had sparked off - only for a brief moment...

Like black ink pouring in, Phil's eyes grew wide, intensly darkening. The next thing Jake could feel was his own back crushing against a door frame and being claimed by furious lips, blazing a scalding trail down his neck and returning even hungrier to Jake's mouth, the taste of the tongue slipping in was sweet. There was that paradox again - a longing that had built up inside of him was finally eased and Jake wished he could linger in this kiss...why not forever? But at the same time, something fierce was waking up, an urge for more, for being consumed. The world seemed to have slipped away in the distance.

For another second, Jake fought for his mind not to leave him, but his will combusted under the rising heat and the sensation of eager hands digging under his clothes. Again, it all shattered, melted - Jake felt himself stumbling over something on the floor, an undeniable force shoving him backward. There was the sound of fabric stretching before it got torn away - leaving the bare skin at the mercy of hands, lips and teeth. Jake tried to hold on to something, clasping around but everything was moving, slipping away - the fall on the floor knocked the wind out of him for a second and he wasn't given time to catch his breath. His blood rushed out of his head and his nerves vibrated with pleasure that was almost painful, Jake was yielding to be devoured by this extasy.

A desperate sigh shook his chest, and suddenly, it seemed that the lips, which incinerated every single nerve in Jake's body, started smiling against his skin. The hands that held him down softened their touch - though it gave him the chance to take a breath, putting his scattered mind back together, Jake's body kept quivering, trying to contain what needed release.

Phil let his hands travel back up from the waist and left them on Jake's chest for a moment - it was a tender and soothing touch, he bend over the hacker's face that was turned to the side, grazing his ear with his lips. The pressure Phil playfully put on the pelvis of the body lying underneath him caused it to squirm, and the pleading moans coming from Jake were too delicious. But as he felt the heart under his hands beating faster and faster, Phil let off him, leaning over Jake's ear again,

"Shh, shh..." he breathed, "I'm sorry, Jake - I'm sorry...can't let you get away that fast," he straightned and sat back on his heels smiling down on the hacker, who turned his face and opened his eyes. Jake blinked a few times until his vision was clear. Of course, he wouldn't make this easy. Jake lifted his head, understanding he furrowed his brows,

"You want me to put up a fight, huh?" his voice hoarse but steady.

Phil tilted his head, tracing muscles on Jake's stomach with his fingers, one by one - his touch growing less gentle again.

"If you think you can..."

~~~

The bathroom mirror was still foggy but clearing up slowly while Phil stood there contemplating his reflection. He touched a bruised spot on his rips that had turned purple.

"Huh...it does leave traces."

[canyouhearthelight]

The Miys, Ch. 231

Everyone, please thank @baelpenrose for reminding me it was Tuesday and that I needed to post a chapter.  I had a few days off, and that made me think today was Monday, as it does sometimes.

Before I do reader shout-outs, I want to mention: I will update the master list on Thursday. It’s almost bed time here, so that’s going to be a bit delayed.

Reader shout outs! @dinension has been making their way through, @van-ina is making some serious progress... give me your feedback in my comments, asks, or DMs! I love it! @mimicofaperson, @themightywookie, and @nube-de-lluvia, i hope you are still enjoying!

“All hands, this is Xiomara Kalloe speaking. Prepare for armed and dangerous boarding parties. Further instructions will come from… Sophia Reid, Parvati Fletcher, and Charly Harper.”

Alice’s head snapped around. “What about Hannah? Did something - “

Xiomara held up one palm with regal calm, despite her fingers trembling. “We need Hannah coordinating parties and supplies to the life pods.”

Alice’s eyes darted toward me, and I nodded. Hannah was great with people, but had definitely missed her calling coordinating cargo on long supply drives.

“Ivan, the cafeteria six meters ahead on your left is secure,” I snapped as calmly as possible.

“No, Jokul,” I heard Parvati argue. “I need you and a blunt or sharp object near that last hit to starboard. It’s weak and Huynh has it mapped as potential boarding. Sending HUD map location. Yes, I know they’re cute, but they’re more likely to survive this than we are. Any that ride along with you are fine, but stop pausing for them!”

“ - oil sprayers are in Engineering Five, Level Twenty,” Charly shouted, sitting up and hooking her heels together around a bench so she could use both hands. “Everyone in secure location fourteen, you’re closest. Grab two each, three if you can carry that many, and hand them out to anyone who can hold one.”

“Simon!” I shouted as I hit my datapad again. “Get the arrows. Grab as many as you can think you’ll need that are sharp, and then as many as you can carry of the Charly Special. Find people with long arms, and hand out what you can.” 

“Location Thirteen, whatever Fourteen doesn’t grab, distribute by the food stalls and stay put. It’s flammable as hell.”

Parvati took a deep breath and forced a smile. “This message is for anyone designated for secure locations one through six and thirty through thirty seven. Please distribute as evenly as possible in locations thirteen through twenty three. Combat medic cleared personnel are reassigned to even-numbered locations.”

“Sophia,” A deep voice rumbled in my ear. “This is.. Coffey. Nixe is demanding to be allowed in combat.”

I glanced at Charly, not missing that I had gotten the call and she had not. “Both of you are approved combatants, so I can’t stop either of you. But remember: half of Derek, Sam, and Teeth’s family are confined to Level One, the other half are going to be in combat. Who sits shit out?”

His laugh was the last thing I was expecting. “Phee. Derek and Sam survived together before any of us knew them, and if they make it out of this, they’ll be fine.”

“But what if both - “

“Ix’al and Brol aren’t just going to take in Teeth,” he reprimanded. “The Ark took them in, the S’crirs will return the favor, over and over.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, even though I knew he couldn’t see my face. “I get that. I just… I worry.”

“Then we must live,” he assured before ending the communication.

It took a total of three seconds before I called out. “Charly! Coffey just contacted me.”

She shook her head furiously. “Tell me when we’re out of this.”

“Char - “

“When. We. Are. Out.”

I blinked a couple times before slowly mouthing “okay then”. For all that Coffey had contacted me out of fear of reprimand, clearly they were both of the same mindset. “Then we must live,” he had said. “When,” had been her statement. Neither had even taken ‘if’ into consideration.

Well, okay then, I decided. When. Signalling Ivan again, I started speaking as soon as it connected. “How hot is your forge?”

“Not very?”

I didn’t even hide my disappointment. “As safely as you can manage while getting it done, open the doors. Grab something heavy, and start finding people to grab other heavy things.”

Noah interjected. “Sophia Reid, humanitarian voyages do not allow armed persons - “

“Ivan didn’t make weapons,” I cut off. “Ivan was in the process of making interior needs. Torches, holders, drinking vessels, cooking equipment…”

“Terran media archives indicate that cooking equipment is frequently used as armament.”

I gestured in irritation. “I refuse to be held accountable or delayed by the fact that people forget about cooking pans and cooking knives.  Probably the second human tool ever was a sharp rock to cut things, and the other runner is a flat rock to cook things on.”

“I am terribly concerned what the first tool humans used would have been.”

“A rock,” I ground out in irritation as I started checking for anyone who hadn’t answered my or Parvati’s call already. “A blunt one, to beat things with. You said it yourself - we’re Deathworlders. The only unarmed one is a dead one.”

“Then treaties are satisfied,” Noah confirmed in approval. “This is still a humanitarian vessel.”

Just as that was said, the Ark rocked hard to one side, a new bruise in the waistband I was rapidly collecting. “We’re under fire! Why does that even matter now!?”

Xiomara started to answer, exposing that all of Level One had been tapped into my conversation, before Noah buzzed proudly, drowning anyone out.

“If this is a humanitarian vessel, the Eko-mari cannot fire upon us directly and it restricts their movements.”

Arthur grunted, rubbing a sore spot on his head with one hand. “Yeah? Tell that to…” For once. One time, in our entire acquaintance, he trailed off. “Well, fuck me sideways…”

“You aren’t that pretty,” Evan growled from the pilots’ seats. “But I’ll make sure to tell Worthington you asked. Brace for impact!”

This time, I managed to avoid another injury simply by virtue of the fact that the ship tossed to the same side I was leaning against. “Why the fuck don’t these tables have harnesses underneath!?”

“Fuck. You.” Tyche growled at me while she sat herself up, crossed her legs, and adjusted the leggings-slash-harness she was tied in.

“Don’t be mad,” Maverick instructed before grabbing one of her ankles and yanking her flat. “Almost done…” He repositioned blindly, grabbing her knee on the same leg and yanking.

“OW! Mother fu-”

“You should be jammed against the deck at your hips,” he panted. “That’s as far as I could pull before you stopped, so it should keep you pretty tight.”

I twisted my head around to see, and sure enough, she was blinking and trying to bounce herself. A quick test of arms showed that she could easily brace her shoulders without locking her elbows. “Huh.”

“Just don’t kick the screens,” Evan directed sternly before seeming to think and pinning Tyche’s ankles loosely with one calf. “There. I’ll help hold your feet down.”

“If we’re done flirting…” Arthur droned, “Trajectory needs to change to avoid impact to planet, sending coordinates.”

Flat on her back, Tyche stared up at the ceiling and started rattling off numbers. This time, instead of slamming to one side, the Ark listed calmly.

“All hands,” Maverick announced. “Reminder that rotational gravity ends in fifteen minutes. Repeat, rotational gravity ending in fifteen minutes.” A second later. “Conor, where are we at with the engines and being ready for evasive maneuvers?”

“What the fuck did you call those!?” Huynh shouted. “The ship can’t take a lot more of whatever it was!”

“Getting shot,” came the clipped response. As aware as I was that Maverick was incredibly blunt, this was the first time I had seen him in an actual combat situation, and a lot of things suddenly started making sense. “Conor.”

“Sub luminal engines are ready,” came the response. “Avoid moving drastically on your positive Y as much as you can. We need to evacuate Levels Fifteen through Twenty Two before we can do that.”

“Negative, Engines,” Maverick clipped. “We already evacuated fourteen levels, majority of which are currently in that area.”

“Then fly smart.”

“All I know how to do. Be safe.” Maverick nodded to Evan.

Three taps later, she was on ship wide communication. “People of the Ark. You have ten minutes, maximum, to secure yourselves for maneuvers. Gravity is still standing down, but if there is a need to move sooner, no warning will be given past ten minutes from my mark.” One nod. Two. Five. “Mark!”

A soreness radiating from my left hip jolted me into my body, and I realized no one on Level One was secured other than the pilots.

Fuck.

“Noah, what are we supposed to do!?”

“There is insufficient time to provide restraints…”

“He means hold the fuck on,” Xiomara shouted, gesturing to herself as she wrapped her legs around the pillar of a seat and hooked her arm over the table leg.

There was a scramble as anyone with layers started shedding them and trying to secure themselves to supports, taking Tyche’s previous example.  After a couple of minutes trying various positions, Arthur took Charly’s example and simply sat on the bench beside the table he had been under, hooking his legs around it. “Ribs over head,” he shrugged when I quirked an eyebrow.

“Patching through the S’crirs primary vessel,” Odvub advised.

“Ark, the nuisances are targeting us more precisely. How quickly can you get out of combat?”

“They have our destination coordinates,” Xiomara reminded sharply. “And apparently the Ark is a century overdue for an oil change.”

Noah sounded mortally offended. “There is no oil - Oh.” They were catching up with our thoughts faster, that was a good sign.

“Can you get your ships between us and them? They won’t be able to shoot as freely then, at least,” Arthur suggested.

“They will also have very little need to do so.” Ix’al sounded less reproachful than disappointed when she corrected him. “We cannot even hide our smallest ship at that range.”

“Dammit.”

Maverick jumped in. “Keep firing at them. It will give us excuses to maneuver more dangerously.”

“No!” Tyche, Arthur, and Huynh shouted at the same time. Arthur rushed to explain. “The Eko-mari are gathering around the most damaged points on the Ark.  Any stray fire will breach the hull.”

Parvati, still crammed in with me, brought her databand close enough to her face that I couldn’t even see her mouth when she spoke. “All personnel located on decks - Levels - Fifteen through Twenty-Two, bivouac suits are now mandatory. Repeat: all personnel located on Levels Fifteen through Twenty-Two, bivouac suits are mandatory. Boarding is likely, breach is imminent, and you will be exposed to vacuum.” She muted herself before placing her hands over my ears. “CHARLY! Are the oil sprayers pressurized?”

“No, they use a spring plate!”

“Thank you!” Hands came down and she unmuted herself. “Anyone armed with a sprayer - keep it. They are mechanically pushed, not pressurized, so they’ll still work in vacuum. Better part, they won’t explode in your hands. The oil is still corrosive as hell.”

Corrosive. “Noah! Odvub!” I hissed into my own wrist. “What will corrode the bivouac suits?”

“Anything that will corrode the suits would also be lethal to whoever wore it,” Noah responded without answering.

“Not what I asked.”

“Fluoroantimonic acid,” Odvub supplied. “A superacid which is prohibited from any humanitarian vessel by Galactic Law.”

“Unfortunately, that is what I asked, but still doesn’t help,” I sighed quietly while chaos rang in the background.  It sounded like another one of the ships in the pirate fleet had been destroyed. Grunting briefly when I was slammed against the table again, I started wheezing. “What else can do it?”

“Dual application of a hypersaline solution and electrical current in excess of four thousand volts at a specific voltage,” Odvub added, as calmly as if I had asked for the weather.

And they thought humans were weird…

“Neither of those need oxygen,” I coughed, rubbing my newest sore spot. “Send it to me, please. And thank you.” Turning my head, I tried to shout and got a coughing attack for my efforts.

Yeah, that was definitely a fractured rib.

Clearing my throat, I applied pressure to the side in question and tried again. “Charly! If the Eko-mari board, we need to hit them with brine and a cattle prod. At the same time! Sending you the specs now.”

“Pickle fried Eko-mari, got it! What’s that going to do?”

I twisted my head at the specifications before sending them. “Denature the bivouac suits, I think. That’s what it sounds like.”

“So no assing about with the tasers!” Xiomara shouted. “Last thing we need is to expose ourselves to vacuum while fucking around.”

“Councilor Kalloe, at that amperage, the electricity alone is fatal to humans,” Noah attempted to correct her.

“Only across the heart,” Grey explained offhandedly. “Otherwise it will only leave severe burns and lead to potential amputation.”

“There’s a reason we clarify that we risk ‘life and limb’ for shit,” Huynh grunted as he updated his hot-spot map. “You can survive without several of those last ones.” To prove his point, he shook his left hand - which was notably missing two fingers, and which he had stubbornly refused to have the fingers grown back on.

“I am raising my appendages rapidly in frustration.” Noah buzzed harshly. “Why must humans persist in activities that shorten their lifespans or cause permanent damage?”

No one answered. No one felt the need to, apparently, because as I scanned Level One, anyone who was reacting had simply started gesturing to themselves or blinking sarcastically at the ceiling.

“BRACE - !”

Maverick couldn’t even finish before we were hit.  This hadn’t been a stray shot or evasive maneuver - my legs shot painfully out from under me, and the pants holding me to the bench forced the air out my lungs even as I could hear threads popping.  Charly and Arthur were both thrown from their perches and made it a good couple of feet before they hit the decking and went rolling.

“Damage report!” Evan demanded, grunting. I twisted to see the pilot area, only to see her pulling with both legs to keep Tyche in place, one hand scrambling to grab anything that would give her purchase to untangle them both.

“Injuries to me, single channel,” Grey insisted. “Don’t clog up the comms with medical reports.”

“You were hit from the other side,” Brol’s voice reported. “Not where you had been hit recently, same vicinity.”

“Level Eighteen has vented from the inside!” Conor’s shout broke through. “That hit pushed her too hard!”

“Levels Seventeen through Nineteen have been sealed,” Noah confirmed. “Recommend all human personnel to shelter and secure entries so the Ark can provide oxygen.”

Arthur relayed the order and paused before shaking his head. “All able-bodied humans on those levels have refused to stand down. How long will the suits last?”

“If sealed properly and in vacuum, they will recycle water and oxygen nearly indefinitely.”

“That gives us fourteen days minimum, thirty days at the outside,” Antoine advised, hands flying as he tried to triage injuries that only he could see. “We only have four breached suits in that area, pressure currently applied to minimize loss of atmosphere.”

“Get those four, plus any injured, to a secure shelter. And a medic if there isn’t already one in there,” Xiomara demanded. “All in one, so we have others to use if anyone else needs one.”

Arthur started relaying the order, and seemed to get everyone to play along nicely at first.  Suddenly, he started shouting. “Kimberly Mitchell, you get your ass in that shelter, now!” Pause. “I don’t care, you can thump me later. Your suit reports a broken leg and a leak at the knee.” Pause again. “Gods DAMMIT, I can’t throw my headset, but if I could, I would. Don’t make me send Miys down there to forcibly carry you, they don’t deserve that!”

Parvati cut a glance to me. “Who is he talking to like that?”

I shrugged and kept watching.

“G - Kimberly. Miz Mitchell. I am begging you, please. I am trying to respect your wishes, but right now, I need to be able to tell everyone - Yes. I know. I know it’s hard. But we need you more than you need to do that.” Pause. “Thank you. Thank you. I’m tracking for confirmation.”

“Arthur, who - “

“SHHHHH!” he hissed, holding up a finger. “Two, one… sealing Shelter Eighteen.” Both his hands fell to the decking he was still laying on before he exhaled. “Grandma Kim confirmed alive and secure.”

<<Prev       Masterlist     Next>>

[ghost-town-story]

FebruarOC Day 9: Isabelle

Izzy shivered as the wind whistled around her. The closer the sun sank to the horizon, the colder it became, especially without any sort of jacket, but Izzy was stubborn and didn’t want to admit defeat just because of a little chill. Especially since admitting defeat would mean going back home and dealing with her parents and Fletcher again.

A creak of metal startled Izzy out of her thoughts, but before she could do much more than begin to uncurl, a familiar mess of blonde curls appeared over the edge of the roof.

“You know,” Hayley said as she climbed the rest of the way up, “it’s a real pain in the ass to get up here without any shapeshifting powers. Scoot over.”

“That’s kinda the point,” Izzy retorted, but she made room for Hayley before wrapping her arms around her knees again. “How’d you know I was up here anyways?”

“You weren’t answering your phone,” Hayley said, carefully settling herself next to Izzy. “And that usually means you’re up here sulking.”

“I’m not sulking,” Izzy defended herself.

“Pout pout.” Hayley poked Izzy’s cheek.

Izzy jerked her head away. “Quit it.”

Hayley quit the poking, but she apparently wasn’t done badgering Izzy. “I stopped by your place earlier to make sure you weren’t just grounded or something.”

“Okay.” Izzy hugged her knees tighter.

“You up here cause of Fletcher?”

Izzy scowled, but no matter how much she wanted to say no, the word seemed to be stuck in her throat.

“The way you talked about him, I thought you would be excited he’s visiting,” Hayley said, her voice softening. “So why are you up here instead of hanging out with him?”

“It’s not that simple,” Izzy muttered.

“Yeah?” Hayley leaned against Izzy, her warmth a welcome balm against the chilling air.

“Family drama stuff.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Hayley asked.

No whispered the part of Izzy that told her to suck it up and put on a smile and let the snide remarks just wash over her. Yes screamed the part that just wanted somebody to acknowledge her for who she was, not who her brother was.

Izzy sighed and ran her hands over her face. “It’s… dumb, so feel free to tell me to shut up if you get sick of my shit.”

“I’m not gonna tell you to shut up.” Hayley nudged Izzy’s shoulder with her own.

Izzy made a face, but she knew better than to try and argue the point. Instead, she focused her gaze back on the horizon as she tried to figure out how to order her thoughts so they’d make sense and also not take five years to ramble on about shit.

“I want to be a hero so bad,” she finally said. “So yeah, I like hearing him talk about stuff he’s done as a hero. But it’s like…” Izzy huffed in frustration, her bangs fluttering in front of her eyes with the movement. “For as long as I can remember, he’s always been the one people thought would be a hero. I mean, he has the useful, flashy power, and just, whatever it is that makes people like him. Meanwhile I’m just… me.”

“I like you,” Hayley said quietly.

Izzy couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Seems like you’re the only one some days, and I’m still not sure you didn’t hit your head too hard the day we met.”

Hayley bapped Izzy on the head. “No being mean to yourself!” she scolded.

“That’s not—whatever.” Izzy rolled her eyes. “The point is, Fletcher says he wants to be a hero and everybody practically falls over themselves to encourage him and make it happen. I say I wanna be a hero, and everybody pats me on the head like I’m an idiot for even thinking it might happen. I just got sick of all the condescending bullshit I was getting at home, so…” She gestured out over the horizon. “Here we are.”

[crystallizedshowers]

Heteroclite

~Sally Face OC Story~

"Hey Kat?" Ash's voice rang from across the lunch table. Upon the bell ringing for lunch Sal pretty much dragged me to the lunch room to sit with him and his friends. I insisted I was fine sitting alone outside, but soon enough Larry joined in and told me they didn't want to leave me outside alone in case Travis decided to bother me again. Resulting in me sitting at a lunch table and introducing myself to two other friends of the group: Maple and Chug. "Hmm?" I responded not looking up from eating my pb&j sandwich that I had brought from home. "Do you not like us or something?" I choked on the bite in my mouth at the sudden and rather direct question.

Clearing my throat I looked up at Ashley and responded, "I don't hate anyone. I'm just not use to really conversating with a ton of folks I guess." "Did you not have a lot of friends back at your last school?" She pondered. I shook my head, "I was friends with a girl during middle school and I was friends with a guy named Fletcher when I started high school." I paused adverting my gaze to somewhere off in the distance of the lunchroom. "I'm not trying to come off as standoffish I'm just not really an interesting person to chat with I guess." I shrugged. "You're fine Kat. We're just trying to make sure we're not pushing you into something you don't want to be into." Sal piped in. "And you're not coming off as standoffish, you just seem shy." Larry joined in as well. "Well maybe a little bit standoffish." Todd spoke earning a look from the other people at the table. I didn't take offense to his direct answer, in fact I appreciated him being honest rather than beating around the bush.

"You guys aren't bothering me. I'm just not used to all the attention." I reassured. "Well feel free to tell us about yourself. We don't know much about you other than your mom working as nurse." Ash stated. "What you want me to tell about my zodiac sign and shit?" I snorted taking a sip from my water bottle. A few people at the table laughed and Todd offered me his apple that he wasn't going to eat. I shook my head, "Ah I can't eat that." "What you don't like apples?" Larry asked. I shook my head before smiling big and revealing the metal brackets that adorned my teeth. "Aww you have braces!" Ashley squealed out. "Is that why you don't eat the lunch here?" Sal asked. "No I don't eat the food here cause it looks like shit." I muttered turning and looking at the lunch lady, Kim. The table laughed and Todd spoke up, "Fair point. These lunches are becoming more questionable as the days go by."

"As far as about me there's not much to say, I live in a trailer with my mom and her husband." "Oh so you have a stepdad?" Ash asked. I shrugged my shoulders, "By law I guess. I don't ever refer to him as that though. I mainly just call him David or avoid him at all costs." "You don't like him?" Maple asked next. "Nope. Dude's a major ass, and every time we talk to one another it always ends in some form of argument." I responded finishing my sandwich and wiping my hands on my napkin. "Where's your biological dad?" Chug asked next, taking a bite out of his food. Should've figured that question would come up. Unfortunately it wasn't a pleasant story to tell, my father had died in a car wreck when I was six. My eyebrows furrowed and I muttered out, "He's dead."

Silence overcame the table and to lighten the mood I continued on with some more answers to the 'about me' spill we were doing. "Anywho David's a truck driver so I don't see him much. My birthdays August 20, which makes me a Leo." I said placing my chin on my propped up hand. "Hey that's a couple of days after  mine! Nice dude!" Larry grinned excitedly. I smiled back at him before continuing, "As far as my hobbies go I'm pretty boring. I mainly just sit around playing video games or drawing. I like to read books and I'll watch just about anything on the television, but I'm mainly interested in horror movies." "Oh great here we go." Ash mumbled rubbing her temple.

"You like ghost stories?" Larry, Sal, and Todd yelled in unison, startling me and causing Kim to shush our table. I nodded my head not understanding their sudden interests in my words, "Are you guy obsessed with ghosts or something?" The three boys nodded their heads while Ashley shook her head. I turned and looked at Maple and Chug and the latter began profusely shaking his head, "I do not like ghosts! They're too scary, so I try to avoid them at all cost!" "Wait have y'all been in contact with ghosts before?" Earning a quick amounts of affirmations across the table even from Chug. "I've never seen it before so I don't know what they're talking about." Ash stated waving her hand back and forth. A laugh escaped my mouth and I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth muffling the laughs. "Seriously? Is this some sort of prank on the new girl or something? Ghosts aren't real!" "No seriously dude! I didn't believe it until I saw it myself!" Larry spoke up.

A few more laughs escaped my throat at his words, but were cut short due to the feeling of a cold liquid being dumped on my head. Water flooding down my hair and onto my jacket, plummeting to the ground beneath me. A sequence of gasps escaped from the members of the table and I followed their gaze to the source behind me. Fucking Travis had just dumped his water on my head. "Oops sorry scaredy Kat! I guess my water dumped off my tray!" Travis sneered, grinning at me. I stared at the guy for a while before abruptly turning around and directing my attention back to the table. I grabbed a couple of nearby napkins on the table and began wiping my face dry. "So as I was saying." I spoke gathering everyone else's attention back to myself. "Um hello?" Travis spoke up behind me tapping my shoulder. I brushed off the feeling and simply went back to talking about various horror movies I had watched and which ones I really enjoyed. This seemed to piss Travis off even more cause I heard him mumble some incoherent words before walking out the door.

"Are you alright?" Ash asked rushing around the table. I swung my legs off the bench and stood up, and unzipped my jacket and proceeded with taking it off. "It's just water this time so I'll be alright." I used my jacket as a towel and dried my hair off the best I could. Thankfully my hair and jacket had absorbed most of the water and what amount that did land on my jeans couldn't be seen due to them being black. I flipped my hair back out of my face, "Look good?" I asked Ash. She eyed me up and down before nodding her head and I turned to grab the remaining napkins on the table to wipe the floor off. "Oh nice you listen to them too?" Larry asked looking at my shirt. I looked down at the band T-shirt I decided to wear this morning, forgetting exactly which on I had thrown on. "Oh yeah. Mom got me this for my birthday last year as well as their latest CD." My bangs fell into their usual space with a strand resting slightly over my left eye. "Oh I've got something to help with that!" Ash said fumbling around in her pockets before pulling out a bobby pin. "It's fine you don't have to-" I waved but she ignored my words and preceded with securing the pin in my bangs pushing them out of my eyes. "There now we can see your pretty face!" Ash turned me around to show the guys and Maple at the table, "How does she look boys?"

I felt my cheeks burn at idea of everyone staring at me and tried my best not to make eye contact. Todd gave me a thumbs up while Larry commented on nice it was actually seeing my full face for once. "You look great! I mean it looks great! I mean it's great! It uh.. it suits you!" Sal rambled out causing some chuckles from the rest of us. "Thanks Sal." I smiled back him causing him to shift his gaze elsewhere. Guess he was as awkward as I was. The bell rang indicating lunch was over and to make our way to our next class. I followed the group to our lockers to grab our designated books for the upcoming class.

I fumbled with picking my lock silently cursing under my breath at my inability to unlock my locker with such ease as the others did. "Here Kat, lemme show you how to do it again." Larry muttered bending down next to me and removing the paper clip from my hand and demonstrating yet again how to use it. "No matter many times you show me I'm not going to get it." I shook my head giving Larry a face.  Ash let out a chuckle from behind Larry and I realized she was laughing at the face I was making. "Fix your face Kitty" my mother's voice rang in my head, and I quickly changed my facial expression to a more relaxed one. The locker door popped open and Larry handed me my paper clip back and I slipped in into my jeans pocket before reaching for my designated book.

"You still haven't decorated your locker yet?" Ash asked tilting her head in confusion. "Yeah dude, you need to spice up your locker so it matches your personality at least." Larry mentioned before standing back up. "Well my locker is as boring as my personality is, so I think it's fine the way it is." I responded standing up and kicking the door close before headed in the direction of class, Todd following. "Bye guys!" I waved over my shoulder. "Hey wait for me!" Larry yelled to me, waving to his friends, and running down the hallway to catch up with me and Todd. "You seriously not gonna decorate your locker?" Larry asked finally catching up to us. I shrugged my shoulders, "I dunno. I'll have to look to see what I have at home." Personally I didn't understand the importance of decorating my locker, but if it made the group happy I'd decorate it for them. We parted ways with Todd and headed into our class, english literature.

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Thankfully school was over but now a new problem arose, I was taking the bus home. I waited with the other fellow bus riders outside on the sidewalk wishing the buses would hurry up and arrive. I felt a heavy weight press down on the top of my head and glanced back to see Larry resting his forearm on top of my head, "What are you doing waiting on the bus? I thought your mom picked you up." I glanced past him to see Todd and Sal standing behind him, both giving me puzzling looks as well. "Due to some unforeseen circumstances I have to take the bus to and from school. And you, I'm not an armrest so get your arm off of me." I stated while pushing Larry's arm off from the top of my head. He snickered, "Sorry you're just so short I can't help it." I gritted my teeth and cocked my eye up at him, which earned a slight chuckle from Sal. "You make some pretty funny faces you know that right?" My cheeks lit up in embarrassment and I tore my gaze from the boys, "Oh trust me I know. My mom makes sure to correct me anytime she sees it."

"So what are these 'unforeseen circumstances'?" Todd asked. I sighed stretching my arms above my head and letting a yawn escape my mouth, "Mom got a new shift at the hospital so she can't take me." "Which bus are you?" I pulled out the piece of paper I received from my mom this morning which had the bus number written on it and handed it to Todd. Larry and Sal peered over Todd's shoulder to get a look at the paper before Larry spoke up, "Well would you look at that? You take the same bus as us!" I felt a sense of relief at knowing I'd at least know a few people on the bus. It was a feeling I'd yet to experience since moving in this godforsaken town, and it worried me that I was actually becoming comfortable around people.

Soon enough the buses pulled around and everyone loaded onto their designated bus. Upon entering the bus I handed the driver my note with my address and explained this was my first time riding the bus. He looked over the piece of paper before handing in back muttering, "You'll get off at the Addison apartments kid." "Wait but that's like a 10 minute walk from my house." I stared at him dumbfounded. "Look kid nobody else lives down that road and I'm not making a special stop just for you. Now get moving you're holding up the line!" The insensitivity of the driver pissed me off and I proceeded walking down the aisle of the bus, mentally giving him the finger. Fucking prick. A couple of steps down the aisle I tripped over something and I fell forward. Thankfully Larry had turned around at my small altercation with driver and saw me stumbling and caught me, me smashing rather ungracefully into his chest. "Travis can you give the poor girl a break already?" Sal's voice echoed from the back of the bus. What a surprise I would end up on the same bus as that guy? I swear I was the embodiment of bad luck.

Larry waited for me to regain my balance before scooting by me, and grabbing Travis up by his fuchsia colored collar. "Listen here prick, there's going to be a lot of problems if you don't leave her the fuck alone." He spoke through gritted teeth. "Hey what's the hold up back there? Get your butts in a seat!" The driver called back to us. I grabbed Larry's hand and practically had to rip Travis's shirt from his grasp and ushered him to the back of the bus so we could get to our seats muttering, "Just leave it. He's not worth it." It was a sweet gesture, but he didn't need to get wrapped up in anything that involved the guy. I figured if I ignored the guy long enough, he'd lose interest and move on to his next victim. Upon reaching the back of the bus, Todd scooted over and patted the seat indicating for me to sit with him while Larry slid in beside Sal, a seat behind us. I plopped down on the very uncomfortable seat and propped my knees up on the back of the seat in front of us, mentally thanking the fact there wasn't someone directly in front of us.

"Listen if you ever want me to do something about that guy just lemme know." Larry stated behind me still glaring at the blonde that was sitting towards the front of the bus. I laughed at the threat, pulling out my gear boy from satchel bag. It had become my newest distraction to bring to school since my previous ones were destroyed at the hands of Travis. "He'll get bored of me eventually. Trust me I've had bullies like him before and they always get bored in the long run." "But still Kat you can't just ignore things like that. Especially if it's causing harm to you." Larry spoke again leaning over the seat to watch me play. I leaned my head back glancing up at the guy, "I'm fine Larry." He blinked his eyes a bit before smiling at me. "What?"  I didn't understand why he was suddenly grinning at me with that stupid expression on his face. "I'm a little bit surprised you actually know my name. I don't think I've ever heard you say any of our names before." He replied.

"Why would I not remember the names of the people who have been consistently bugging me for the last week?" I muttered before turning my attention back to my device. I glanced to my left to see Todd with his nose in a book. By the look on his face he seemed to be enthralled in the words written inside. "Whatcha reading?" I asked returning my eyes to my lap. "It's about physics. The world is truly an interesting place." Todd responded not looking up from the pages. Oh he's a mega nerd. "I take that as a compliment." He muttered. A horrified expression crossed my face as I realized I had just said that out loud. "Shit Todd I promise I didn't mean it in a bad way! I wished my brain worked well enough to comprehend that stuff." I apologized profusely hearing laughing above me. I glared up at Larry's lopsided grin before turning back to Todd and apologizing again. "Don't worry about Kat. Trust me I don't take offense to that in the slightest."

The bus creaked to a stop at Phelps Ministry and Travis got out of his seat and exited the bus, making the long walk up the hill to the church. "Oh so he's a church boy?" I muttered under my breath. "Ironic isn't it?" Larry chuckled behind me. "His father is the minister of that church. He always gets dropped off there." Sal piped in. Thankfully we were the next stop. We all made our ways down the narrow aisle and  exited off the bus, backpacks and bags in tow. The apartments gave me the creeps if I was being 100% honest and I got a bad feeling about the place just looking at it and we were still on the sidewalk. I didn't even want to imagine how I'd feel by walking into the building.  I muttered a quick goodbye before turning to walk down the side walk to my house only to be grabbed by the strap on my satchel bag. Quickly regaining my balance I turned around giving a very confused look to Larry. "What? Am I not allowed to go home or something." "No that's not it. It's just you really shouldn't be walking home by yourself." Larry responded. I snorted, "What are you guys gonna walk me home or something?" Larry simply nodded before walking down in the direction of my house with Todd and Sal trotting behind. I shouldn't have asked.

I jogged up to catch up with them stopping in front of Larry. "Look this is a nice gesture and all, but I assure you I'm fine walking by myself. Seriously it's only a 10 minute walk." "There's been a lot of kids going missing lately, so it's better to be safe than sorry." Todd spoke continuing past me. "Look we'll even walk down to your house to pick you up in the morning." Sal smiled at me. That was the exact opposite of what I wanted, but I knew there was no point in arguing with them any further. I sighed loudly before putting some pep in my step to lead the group to my house.

10 minutes later we finally turned down my street and I could see the blue trailer sitting in all its glory with a chain length fence wrapped around it. "Okay my house is literally right there so y'all can head back down." I waved behind me to shoo the three boys away. Larry wrapped his arm around my shoulder and grinned, "Ahh come on Kat! We walked you all the way home so the least you could do is show us around your place!" "You're really pushy you know that right?" I pouted sticking my lips out. Larry chuckled and soon you could see the mailbox with 'GORDON & WILLIAMSON ' in big black letter written on the box indicating exactly which house was mine. Although mom was Williamson instead of Gordon, she wanted me to fill included when decorating the mailbox. Larry practically began dragging me in excitement to explore what lied await in my house. "Alright! You guys can come in but you're only staying for like 15 minutes top and then you gotta go." I pointed at them unlatching the fence behind me before walking through.

Our front yard was lightly decorated with various lawn decorations and the garden bed that lied around the house was filled with hydrangeas and other various flower beds. A gravel driveway sat to the left of the house with a car port resting on top of it. I stepped up the stairs and pulled the screen door open, fumbling with my bag to find my keys in the process. "Is there anyone else here?" Sal asked staring at the empty driveway. I shook my head no before finding the key and unlocking the door, walking in. I threw my bag on the couch and set my keys on the counter heading to the fridge to grab a water.

Our house wasn't very special, a simple floor plan of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Walking into the house there was a living-room to the right and kitchen on the left with a countertop bar that separated the two. A hall past the living-room led you down to the rooms. My room being at the end of the hall on the right with a bathroom adjacent and my mom's room being at the other end with a master bath attached to the room. The third bedroom laid directly in the middle of the hall, but mom used it as her office. The living-room consisted of two couches one on each wall, and a big screen TV sat against the wall in between them. A stereo system sat to the right of the tv with a variety of cds, vinyls, and cassette sitting in the cabinet below. Various pictures adorned the wall and side tables: mainly of me and my mom but a couple of David and her at their wedding.

The boys quietly roamed the living-room taking in their surroundings as I drank from my bottle. "If you guys are hungry there's snacks and stuff in the pantry." I pointed at door just past the fridge before sitting down at the dining room table, which lied against the same wall that separated the rooms from the hallway. Larry was the first to make his way to the pantry, eyeing which snack to pick while Sal joined me at the table. Todd muttered a quick refusal before turning his attention the various game systems that rested in front of the tv. "There's some pudding and apple sauce cups in the pantry as well." I said to Sal. He titled his head at me confused by the very specific food choices. I tapped my face, "Something easy to eat with your prosthetic on." "Oh. I'm good Kat! Thanks for being considerate!" He said shaking his head. Larry came and joined us at the table after securing whatever snack he decided on. The house was quiet other than the crunching that came when Larry took a bite out of his chips.

"Kat are you typically home by yourself like this?" Todd asked from the living-room. "Yeah. Mom typically was home for about a hour or two before leaving for work after I got home from school, but with her new schedule she's gone before I even get here." "Dude. That's not good to be here all alone for hours like that." Larry spoke eating another chip. "What do you want me to do about it? Cry and beg my mom to change her shift?" I muttered pulling my knees to my chest. "You could always come and hang out with us at the apartments for a while after school." Sal mentioned earning a nod of approval from Larry who finished his last chip and was dusting his hands off on his pants.

"Yo, where's your bathroom at?" Larry asked, getting up from his seat and throwing his trash away. "Down the hall on the left." I replied, pointing down the hallway. He peered his head down the hallway, "What's the room on the far end?" "My bedroom." I answered. He grinned at me before strolling down the hallway with his hands in his pockets giving away his intention. I jumped out of my chair, tripping over my legs before landing haphazardly on the floor. I cussed scrambling to my feet and running to my bedroom yelling Larry's name. Much to my dismay, Larry was already in my room looking at the various posters that hung on my wall. I grabbed Larry's shirt and began trying to pull him out of my room, but the guy was planted firm on the ground and wasn't budging. "Larry!" Sal spoke up from the doorway. "What? It's just a bedroom! I just was curious if your bedroom was as boring as your locker." Larry chuckled glancing at me. My cheeks burned in embarrassment and uneasiness at people looking in my room.

My room consisted of a twin size bed lying adjacent to the door. Across from the door was my desk which was littered with various sketchbooks, books, and art supplies. To the left of the desk was my 6 drawer dresser that had nail polish, hair ties, hair brush, deodorant and body spray resting on top. Two sets of windows laid on the wall with the dresser completely covering one. A box tv sat in the corner of my room, diagonal of my bed with a stereo system sitting to the left and various cds laying in front of it. A blue beanbag sat in front of the tv with a game system in between. Multiple posters were plastered on each wall, some being from movies, bands, and others being cool photos I pulled from magazines. I also had a bulletin board left of my desk which was littered with doodles from class and various pictures with family.

"You've got a pretty kick ass room Kat." Larry flashed me a lopsided grin before turning his attention to the various sketches on my desk. "Damn and you're good at drawing." Todd joined Larry at my desk eyeing my various collections of books critiquing on the ones he's already read. The house phone began to ring from the living room and I begrudgingly left the 3 boys to explore my room while I answered it. "Johnson and Gordon residence, this is Kat speaking." I said into the phone. My mother's warm voice rang out from the other end, "Hi Kitty! I was just calling to check on you! Make sure you got home alright!" "Yeah I got home about 10 minutes ago." I answered. I heard chattering still coming from bedroom and figured the boys had found something that caught their interest for the time being. "You just gonna work on homework and stuff?" Mom asked. "Oh yeah I'll work on that, and then probably go hang out at the park or something for a little bit." The park was two blocks away from my house, and I found refuge there a lot of the times since moving here. It wasn't terrible busy after school and I enjoyed sitting on the swings or the roundabout while enjoying the weather. "Okay Kitty, but please be careful and don't talk to anyone you don't know!" I nodded my head, "Yes mom I know!" The chattering from the bedroom got louder before a quick shush silenced them again. Guess they realized they were being loud. "Call me when you get home! You'll probably get sent to the front desk, but just ask for me and I'll come right away!" "Okay okay mom! I'll see you later." That was a lie since she'd be asleep by time I got up in the morning, but she knew what I meant. "I love you." She spoke and I felt my heart clench. I really hated not seeing her after I got home from school. "I love you too." I muttered before setting the phone back on the hook.

I walked back to my room and found the three boys huddled around my desk entranced by something they found. None of them noticed my presence and I crept up behind them peering over Sal's shoulder to find out what they were staring out. Lying flat across the desk was my sketchbook that consisted of the various people from my dreams and it was turned to the page of the little girl with purple hair. By this point Sal had felt me leaning over his shoulder and jumped slightly at our close proximity. He snatched the book from my desk and faced the drawing to me, "Do you know who this is?" I stared at him confused and the other two boys beside him stared at me with their mouths agape. I pondered my mind for a long time trying to remember her name before I heard the mother's voice ring out in my head. "Megan" Sal and I said in unison. My blood ran cold at hearing the girls name escape from between his lips. There was no name on the sketchbook. How could he know of the girl? She's been dead for a long time at this point.

"How do you know Megan?" Todd asked eyes piercing into mine. How could I even answer that? Oh yeah I have these dreams where I'm inhabiting the body of a dead person and I occasionally draw their loved ones. They were going to think I'm crazy. I cleared my throat adverting my gaze and scratched the back of my head. "I'd love to answer that but you guys will think I'm crazy." I muttered. "I assure you we won't Kat." Sal answered back. I sighed and took a seat on my bed, springs squeaking under my weight. I began to explain the dreams I experienced almost every night and how every person I inhabit dies. By the end of my explanation the three boys stared at me, mouths agape taking in my words. "See I told you." I stated motioning at their shocked faces. "No Kat it's not that we think you're crazy. We believe you, but it's shocking that you're experiencing that." Larry stated running his hand through his hair. "Do you know how she dies?" Sal asked pointing at my drawing. I shrugged, "I dunno. Haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it yet." Sal walked to me and grabbed my hand, pulling slightly. "Come on we need to get you to the apartments." I choked on my spit before yanking my arm away, "You want me to what now?" "You need to come see for yourself." Larry spoke up before grabbing me by my wrist again. "Those ghosts reside at Addison apartments." Todd's voice rang up over mine and Larry's arguing.

"What?" I squeaked. There was no way in hell that this was true. Larry wrapped his arm around my waist and hoisted me off the ground carrying me into the living-room. "Hey wait a second!" I yelled thrashing out. "Sorry Kat but we really need you to see this." Sal stated sympathetically. "Okay I'll go! Put me down Larry!" I yelled out causing the room to go silent. Larry let go of his grip around my waist and I step out of his reach. "I swear if I go to those apartments and don't see anything I'm not talking to you guys again!" I pointed at them. They all nodded their heads in agreement.

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We had arrived at the apartments and walked along the cement sidewalk leading us to the building. My stomach was doing back flips at the idea of going into the apartments, but I did my best to push the feeling down and steady my breathing. There was something off about this place and I couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe it was the fact the building had been around for years and its exterior was in rough shape? Maybe it was the fact I saw the figure of Rose sitting in the window a few days prior? I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew a bad place when I saw one. We entered through the front door and the boys went their separate ways to put away their backpacks and grab their 'equipment'. I had followed Larry down to the basement and mentally cursed myself for allowing these boys to drag me here like this. Larry went into his apartment to throw his bag down while I waited in the hall by the vending machine.

Larry exited his apartment a few minutes later and we made our way back to the dreaded elevator. I gripped the handle bar tightly, knuckles turning white as a result. Larry chuckled at me, "Not a fan of elevators." I shook my head profusely, "absolutely not" We reached floor 5 and the elevator doors slid open. The hallway was littered with broken boards and signs plastered on the sides of the elevator doors that read 'NOTICE: This floor is currently being renovated. For your safety please make your way to the nearest exit'. The wallpaper in the hallway was torn in multiple spots as well as decaying drywall which also littered the walls. "This entire floor is giving me the creeps." I whispered following Larry down the hall. "Trust me you haven't seen anything yet." He muttered and turned the handle to Room 504 and pushed the door open. A rancid smell hit my nose, and I inwardly gagged trying my best to not vomit.

Todd and Sal sat inside the room, Sal holding a decked out gear boy in his hand. "What is that?" I pointed at the device in his hands. "The super gear boy. Originally was a gear boy that I made slight alterations to make it easier to detect supernatural hotspots." Todd spoke up. I simply nodded my head in response. Todd was a pretty cool guy and very smart. He'd sometimes bring various gadgets and tinker with them during lunch and tell us all about it. "So where's this ghost at anyhow?" I asked crossing my arms. Sal simply walked to the bathroom door and motioned for me to follow him. "Ew the bathroom? You want all four of us to cram into that tiny room?" I muttered staring back at him. Larry pushed me forward to the bathroom, heels dragging across the worn down carpet. "Will you stop pushing me?" I yelled turning around and slapping his arms lightly. "Stop being a chicken and go." Larry chuckled.

I huffed loudly before stepping into the dingy bathroom muttering under my breath. No surprise the bathroom was filthy considering the floor had been abandoned for a couple of years at this point. Larry had mentioned the owner of the building couldn't afford the renovations the floor needed, so the rooms sat untouched. The other two boys shuffled in behind me and soon enough Sal pressed some buttons on the super gear boy speaking out into the room, "Megan are you there? I want to introduce you to someone." Silence fell across the room in anticipation for the ghost to show. We waited for several minutes before I spoke up shaking my head "See I knew it. Bunch of liars." I turned to open the door and Larry slammed his hand on the door shutting it back. I opened my mouth to object to his actions, but was interrupted by a screech. I turned back to the tub to see the figure of a little girl form: starting with bones, then muscle and finally skin. It was Megan.

My breath was caught in my throat and I muttered, "What the f-" before clamping my hand over my mouth. My shaking hand found its way grasping on to the nearest thing which happened to be Larry's shirt. "Hi Sally face! How are you today?" Megan spoke, her voice high pitched and eerie. Sal chuckled before answering her, "I'm good Megan! I called you because I wanted to introduce you to someone." He motioned his hand, indicating for me to come forward. Larry gave me a gentle nudge pushing me forward to the spirit in front of us. The girl turned her attention to me, head slightly tilted and transparent eyes piercing through my soul sending shivers down my spin. "Um hi, I'm Katherine, but most people call me Kat. Nice to meet you Megan." I practically whispered. "Hi Kitty." She said, her lips curling into a loose grin. "Is this your first time meeting a ghost?" She spoke tilting her head. I nodded and chuckled, "Yes I haven't had the pleasure of meeting a ghost yet. This is a little surprising to me." "Are you scared of me?" She asked next. I hesitated with my answer trying my best to not hurt her feelings with my next choice of words. I awkwardly laughed before shaking my head, "I was a little taken aback at first, but after hearing you talk to Sal I relaxed a bit! I hope I didn't upset you." She shook her head and began talking with Sal again.

There was a gold necklace hanging from the towel rack, the cross dangling ever so slightly in the air. Realization hit me that this was in fact the girl from my dreams and the events that took place were actually true. My breath was caught in my throat and I was desperately trying to stay calm and not freak out. Any normal person would be losing it at this point so I figured I was doing a good job at remaining calm. "My mother gave me that necklace before I died." Megan's soft voice rang out. "A good luck charm." I whispered not taking my eyes of cross. The necklace was practically begging for me to touch it and I suppressed my urges to do so for as long as I could. My hand reached forward and I grasped the charm in between my fingers, enjoying the cold sensation from the metal. A piercing feeling shot through my head and spread throughout my entire body and I winced withdrawing my hand from the charm. I gripped my head in between my heads hearing the piercing scream of Megan to my left as she disappeared in the abyss. My vision became blurry and had the sensation of falling backwards before I blacked out entirely.

[ashwhowrites]

Sting- song fic

Another song fic by Fletcher?

Yes it is

Rockstar! Eddie x ex! Reader

Xo, do you ever miss me?

You chose brand new over history

That's cold, guess we're fifty-fifty

Don't you wish I was your girlfriend still?

Tough luck, we were in a bad place

Fucked up, made a couple sex tapes

All love, whenever I hear your name

Y/N always wonders if Eddie missed her. If he missed who they used to be and how they were together.

He wanted brand new over their history. It felt pretty cold in her heart to accept but guess it's 50/50.

She wonders if he ever still wishes they were close. Does he ever wish she was still his girlfriend?

She'll admit it. They were in a bad place. But it was a place she was ready to fight out of together, he wanted to fight out of it alone.

She might admit it if he asks, but she still touches herself to their sex tapes. The ones they made for him on tour. She wonders if he ever watches them? It's the only way she can feel him somewhere again. The only time she can hear his voice calling her name.

But whenever she hears Eddie Munson, it's all love in her heart.

Don't you wish it worked out and we were on again?

'Cause I still feel you right here every now and then

And it hits me like a missile in my heart again

Don't you start again, in my heart again

She wonders if he ever wished they worked out. If they were on again. In love again.

She digs herself deeper in their memories so she can feel him every now and then.

But then it all hurts in her heart again. A missile shooting straight through it and leaving behind broken pieces.

She can't do this again.

Honestly, all I wanna know, why does it sting?

Why am I still hung up on things?

Are you gonna give that diamond ring

That's meant for me to her?

But maybe I like the way it sting

It's all I got left of you and me

I'd rather it keep on cutting deeper

Show what we were worth (I always thought that we were)

She hates seeing his name in magazines and it makes everything sting.

God why did she still have to be hung up on things?

She hated seeing a new girl on his arm, happy as ever.

She thinks back to that diamond ring that was meant for her. Is it going to be his new girl's now?

In a way she likes the sting. It tells her his memory is still alive.

She'd rather have it keep digging into her skin, just a slight reminder of what he was worth, what they were worth.

Hello, do you ever rewind?

I've been hurting from the goodbye

Feelings, do they ever die?

She always wants to call him and ask if he rewinds their past.

She's been hurting ever since their goodbye.

Every night when she drowns in alcohol, she worries these feelings may never die.

Tell me what if could start clean

With no hard feelings between us

Could we ever be? Could we ever be?

Tell me what if we could go back and take it all back

Would you ever do that with me? Do that with me?

If she had the option to meet him all over again. With no memory of them, she'd do it. She'd start clean and fall in love again. Would he?

If they could start over, could they be forever?

If they could go back and take it all back. All the fights, pain and tears. Could they ever be?

Would he ever do that with her?

For her?

It just always feels like a sting

[littlekingbergara]

Anyway no more about the situation what are your favorite albums of all time

super appreciate the plural bc i could nottt choose one. how about like ten. these are NOT in any order i just love them so much. also limiting myself to one per artist for your sake.

britney spears's ...baby one more time goddamn i LOVE this album. her voice is soo beautiful and the sound is the perfect late 90s/early 2000s bubblegum pop vibe mixed with some of the most heartfelt songs youve ever heard. gorgeous gorgeous record.

chappell roan's the rise and fall of a midwest princess... obviously. i really truly feel like this album will go down as one of the Greatest pop records in history and it's so deserved ALONG WITH chappell as one of the most iconic performers. like she Literally has everything. party bops and crazy heartbreaking ballads and it translates SO well to a live show. my next record purchase as soon as i can decide between the deluxe or regular and im leaning heavyyyy toward the deluxe.

the regrettes' further joy. i had this on repeat when it came out!!! no skips it's so boppy and fun and thoughtful dreamy... i love it. would give anything to hear it live again but my signed vinyl will have to do. this album is like the music version of this emoji 💖 im so serious.

the cab's symphony soldier. have you ever... listened to this album. for one it's beautiful and two it's SUCH a fun vibe you can't not sing and dance and have so much fun. also yes i'm a spn fan ok move on.

waterparks' fandom. uhh relevant djfhdjdh. but for real it's such a stark and strong commentary on what fandom Is and parasocial relationships and how it feels to be trapped in a box because your fanbase won't let you grow as an artist and what it is to be so accessible to the public to the point where you have no control over yourself or your image. i love her deeply she tickles my brain so nicely and makes me think.

fletcher's you ruined new york city for me. it's an ep ok maybe i'm cheating but she tells the story of a whole album. i listened to this when i got dumped in nyc 🤪 so dramatic lmao. but really it's such a vulnerable breakup album that does so much in five songs. mostly make me sad.

5sos's youngblood. yeah i'm here have you LISTENED to this album??? the SOUNDS on that thing!!! it's like just the right amount of poppy and grungy and mature like... they really did something there.

harry styles debut ... controversial? honestly my favorite harry album changes prob every other week but something about his self titled is really doing it for me right now. it's an incredible body of work that introduces us to Harry Styles himself outside of one direction. i'm begging for a rockier album in the future from him bc the tastes of it we get on this record show he would just nail it.

paramore's after laughter. i swear this album made me feel alive in a way i didn't know i could feel. it's such a departure from their past work but it's still so genuine and true and you can't tell whether you're happy or sad or both or neither it's just everything to a bitch like me who can't confront her emotions dead on. and so so pretty.

carly rae jepsen's emotion.. right? how could it not be. pop perfection and that's all there is to it. the first record i bought before i even had a turntable.

extremely honorable mention to 5sos's the feeling of falling upwards. i didnt officially include it bc it's a live album but i love it so much it's so beautiful.

[mashmouths]

started answering @tired--misu's ask for the music ask game and tumblr ate it so now it has to be a regular post bc this website works so well all of the time <3 (i don't have the wording of the original ask but i do have all the prompts so i'm just gonna put those here, sorry for the weird format <3)

anyway! thank you for the ask and also the kind words! <3 <3 <3 <3 this is going to be lengthy <3 <3 <3 <3

1 : a song you like with a color in the title

my first thought was "ruby blue" by roísín murphy and while i stand by that, it wouldn't be me if i didn't include bendigo fletcher so also "morning room blue," "to the red river," and "green murder" <3

3 : a song that reminds you of summertime

i think i said dispatch last time so for my pop girlies let's say rina sawayama's "cherry" (or "airplane" by stray kids bc the first time i heard it i was driving back from my summer job night shift so now i associate it with july sunrises)

6 : a song that makes you want to dance

if i ever choreograph something i think it'd have to be to stromae's "ave cesaria" or a perfume genius song like "otherside" <3 a more casual 'get up and dance' song is probably "michuul" by duckwrth or "photo id" by remi wolf (or journey's "open arms" bc my mom and i have choreo we do when ever it comes on)

9 : a song that makes you happy

"ichidaiji" by polkadot stingray! or basically any twice song (like "like ooh-ahh" or "tt" or "likey" or "alcohol-free" or "the feels" etc etc <3 love them)

11 : a song that you never get tired of

"smooth" by santana feat. rob thomas <3 or of course "quiereme" by johnny sky, i can't think of a single time i've skipped that song? or "heyday" by stray kids or "我愛你" by cody・lee(李)

13 : one of your favorite 80’s songs

journey's "ask the lonely" is near the top of my on repeat atm so i have to include her, i LOVE journey especially "wheel in the sky" (which apparently came out in 1978 but i know it from a 1988 album and she's my fav so she's staying) <3 also "rock the casbah" by the clash and whitney houston's "i wanna dance with somebody (who loves me)" and "el muchacho de los ojos tristes" by jeanette or kate bush's anything <3 (obligatory "running up that hill (a deal with god)" link <3 also "wuthering heights" came out in 1977 but i'm linking it anyway)

14 : a song that you would love played at your wedding

"wonderfully bizarre" by bendigo fletcher hands down (or "para siempre" by vicente fernández or "the book of love" by the magnetic fields <3 i haven't been to a wedding in over a decade idk what kind of music they play <3)

edit : okay sorry to add Another song but i'm on a journey kick recently and when i wrote this i'd forgotten about The Wedding Song Ever, "when you love a woman" like just imagine slow dancing to this. insanity. okay that's it <3

15 : a song that is a cover by another artist

nina simone's "my baby just cares for me" forever and ever and ever

17 : a song that you would sing a duet with on karaoke

i've never done real karaoke so idk what songs are best-suited to it but i can say with confidence that i would go crazy on "gimme! gimme! gimme! (a man after midnight)" by abba with whoever wanted to join me

23 : a song that you think everybody should listen to

"gimme! gimme! gimme! (a man after midnight)" by abba or literally any bendigo fletcher song

26 : a song that makes you want to fall in love

nina simone's "my baby just cares for me" again or the magnetic fields' "when my boy walks down the street"

28 : a song by an artist with a voice that you love

"my love" by florence + the machine !! i have to be honest tea you changed my life with this song <3 <3 <3 or or or "last night" by arooj aftab or "be sweet" by japanese breakfast :3