#Basically I just caught some stuff on dash here and was like hm... What is it looks interesting

[buttercupshands]

My mind literally went from a no-hyperfixation to new hyperfixation in a week

And it had consequences. I was sick for the first half of the week.

Anyway have a fountain

And a close-up pigeon on a tree

I had a walk today and the first sketch pic was literally minutes before I was on bus, bc my legs wouldn't have survived it otherwise

[nagito-kissmaeda]

Arcade - Komaeda x Reader

ミ☆  Just a silly thing I wrote about an arcade employee being baffled while Komaeda clears out all the machines lol ミ☆ I’ve been feeling kind of down about my writing so i just wanted to do something fun. It’s not very good haha. I’m tired and i can’t write good asjfkakd

Night shift at the arcade is usually pretty quiet. Most people start leaving around dinner time and while there are usually still some hardcore gamers lurking around until the AM, most of them only come in on Friday’s or weekends. So the job is usually easy breezy, most nights you lean up on the counter and browse the internet on your phone until your shift ends.

Tonight though, you have been acutely watching as this guy moves from machine to machine. Absolutely clearing them out. You’ve never seen anything like it. Presently, you are crouched behind a claw machine filled with Hello Kitty plushies as this guy slips two bucks into the Big Bass Wheel cabinet. Your eyes drift over to the last cabinet he used, the Wizard of Oz coin pusher. It is empty , you have never seen that happen in the whole time you’ve worked here. You weren’t even sure it could happen.

The guy spins the wheel, it spins and spins and spins. Jackpot. Your eyes narrow, a jackpot isn’t too uncommon, it honestly isn’t even worth that many tickets, but then he nonchalantly slides in another two dollars and hits jackpot again . This is starting to get suspicious.

The machine is spitting out tickets now, so many tickets. Even the guy looks surprised, you are definitely surprised. Two jackpots is not worth that many tickets, but they just keep coming and coming. Machine fault? Must be. The guy looks almost resigned at this point, sighing unhappily as the tickets keep spewing out, like they’re wasting his time and not like this was a superhuman feat of luck. Then, the machine starts smoking.

“Shit!” You hiss, jumping up from your hiding place behind the claw machine and dashing over to the guy before anything catches on fire. You’ve caught him by surprise, he probably didn’t realise you were following him around, “out of the way, please!”

He ducks out of the way, pulling his armfuls worth of tickets along with him as you switch the arcade cabinet off at the wall. The machinery inside stops whirring and the smoke calms down. You wipe your forehead with the back of your hand, you’ve never seen a machine fault this badly before, you were probably going to need to file an indecent report. What a pain.

“You okay?” You ask the guy. He is a lot taller up close, and the shock of messy white hair on his head only makes him seem taller. He sways like a palm tree in the breeze, clutching onto his massive wad of tickets for dear life.

“I’m sorry. I broke your machine.”

Oh...his voice is softer than you had expected it would be. The lights from a nearby Daytona cabinet are reflecting in his green eyes. You swallow, “You didn't break anything, machine fault, it happens sometimes.”

His eyes drift away from you and over to the cabinet, the smoke has stopped now, it doesn't look like there was too much damage, but he looks very upset about it anyway.

“Hey, seriously, dont worry about it.” You give him an awkward pat on his forearm, “The machines in here are really old, stuff like this happens all the time.”

“Oh...ah…” He bites his lip, “If you’re sure…”

You smile, “Yeah, don't even sweat it. You can keep the tickets by the way, once they're out of the machine it's a nightmare to get them back in again, so consider it an apology for almost setting you on fire.”

He laughs weakly, “Thank you.”

“Hey, uh…” You start, not so subtle eyeing his ticket collection. A decent chunk of it was from that Big Bass Wheel malfunction, an already exorbitant number was won legit. More than you had ever seen anyone win before, “are you a cabinet master?”

“A...what?”

“Like, you know all the sweet spots on the machines. Technically not cheating, but not entirely legal either.”

His eyes widen, “Did I do something wrong?”

“No!” You shake your head at him, “You just won a lot of tickets is all. I’ve never seen someone win that many tickets.”

“I’m just really lucky. It’s all i'm good at, honestly.” He’s fiddling with the tickets in his arms, “My friend’s birthday is coming up and i'm trying to win her that Sailor Moon statue.”

It is true that there is a coveted Sailor Moon statue amongst the arcade’s prize collection. It’s huge, beautifully painted and according to your boss, incredibly rare . It’s been sitting there on the shelf for god knows how long, still tight in it’s shrinkwrap. Generally the most any player is able to afford is three or four sticky hands and a glow in the dark spider ring, but this guy is getting tantalisingly close.

You cross your arms and smirk at him, “You’re really that lucky?”

“Most of the time.”

“Okay then. You’re going to play Monster Drop next, it's the hardest cabinet we have.” You start heading over to the machine in the back of the arcade, it’s huge, you always forget how huge it is. The guy is diligently following behind you, shoulders hunched like he’s trying to make himself seem smaller. The pile of tickets in his arms rustling as he walks, “I’ve never seen anyone get a monster jackpot on this thing. Also my boss filled it with a bunch of different sized balls, so it's basically impossible to get a standard jackpot too, even after practicing at other arcades.”

“Hm. Is that really fair?”

You shrug a shoulder, “Nope. It’s big and loud, so lots of people want to play it and Boss doesn't want too many people winning. there's a catch though, raise the difficulty and you also raise the ticket payout. So if you manage to beat it, you'll be able to afford Sailor Moon.”

The current ticket payout is displayed in flashing red lights, 72,483 . With every failed attempt at hitting the monster jackpot the payout just gets higher and higher, those tantalising numbers draw in more kids hoping to be the one who gets lucky. A number that big means the cabinet has never been won, a smart arcade goer knows that a number like that means stay away.

“How do I play?” He asks, dropping his ticket collection on the ground at his feet.

“Ah, it’s deceptively simple.” You grab his hand and tug him over to the machine, gesturing up at where the balls drop down from, “You just need to press the button to let out a ball, and that’s literally it. The base of the machine spins around to make it harder to get the balls in. Monster jackpot is in the middle, so you would think a straight drop down would jackpot you every time but-”

He smirks wryly, “it’s never that easy is it?”

“Of course not! We’d never make any money if it was.”

He laughs to himself, pulling another coin out of his pocket and clinking it into the machine, “Ah, only one turn?”

You hold up a finger, “Just the one.”

He laughs again, “Brutal.”

“Very.” You take a step back to give him room to familiarise himself with the machine. Most people like to observe it from a few angles, take some time, watch at least one cycle before using up their one shot, “Good luck.”

He turns to you and smiles, “Thanks, but like i said, this is the one thing i'm good at.” He pushes the button, he isn't even looking at the machine, the rotating base hasn't even finished half a cycle. This guy is ballsy.

Despite his gumption, the ball falls a little short of the monster jackpot, “Aw, bad luck-” you start saying, but then it starts bouncing. Once off the base, three times off the sides, up high into the air and then plonk . Straight into the monster jackpot. All you can do is stare. Not only did he get the jackpot, he got it in a rigged machine while he wasn't even looking .

He laughs politely, the sound barely audible of the cabinet’s furious ringing bells and sirens signalling an impossible feat just happened here, everyone look! The tickets have started dispensing, with over 70k to print, it's going to be a long wait, “Jeez, that was scary. I almost thought my luck had run out there!”

He looks completely relaxed as he starts folding the fresh tickets into the neatest pile he can manage, “Are you a god or something?”

“Huh?” He says, blinking down at you, “That’s such a strange thing to ask me.”

“You just beat Monster Drop without looking . I’ve seen professional cabinet masters come in here and still lose after examining the machine for a good two hours!”

“Oh, no need to be impressed. I didn't actually do anything.” He smiles sadly and continues collecting his tickets, “It’s not really much of a talent, but i suppose it comes in handy sometimes.”

You clap a palm to your forehead, unable to believe what you are hearing, “You’re going to have enough tickets for the Sailor Moon statue and enough leftover for like...unlimited sticky hands.”

He taps a finger to his lips, “Oh! I would like some sticky hands.”

“How many?”

His brow creases as he considers it, “Three or four, i guess.”

“Three or-” you start laughing, “Buddy, i could pour the whole box into your bag if you wanted.”

“I don't think i need that many sticky hands, but it's very kind of you to offer.”

“We also have glow in the dark spider rings, and a robust selection of slinkies. Oh! If you really want to splurge we have a pair of slippers that resemble a character from Rick and Morty.”

He grimaces, “I would prefer the slinkies.”

You hear the arcade cabinet’s ticket dispenser finally come to a stop, and despite his good natured effort to collect the tickets in a neat pile, they are still all bunched up around his ankles. You are about to ask him another question when you quickly realise that the Monster Drop machine is now also smoking.

He sighs, “I should have known.”

You don't have time to look into that comment, you are too busy scrambling around to the back of the machine so you can turn the power off at the wall. Much like last time, you catch it before anything actually catches on fire. This has been a very eventful day.

“Hey, uh-” you start awkwardly, pulling yourself up from the ground and moving to help the guy contend with his ticket pile, “I finish in like half an hour...if you need help carrying your miscellaneous arcade prizes back to your car or whatever…”

He blinks at you as you both reach the prize counter and deposit the monstrous ticket collection onto the bench, “I should be okay on my own...but if you want to come I wouldn't mind, though I can’t guarantee I won’t set anything else on fire…” he chuckles nervously and you give him a quizzical look.

You do want to go with him, you aren't sure if it’s just a morbid curiosity about his luck with the arcade machines, or a fascination with the soft halo of white hair falling into his eyes, but you want to get to know him better, “I’ll come with you. You don’t have anywhere near enough fingers for all the glow in the dark spider rings I’m about to give you.” You say as you round the counter and start organising his tickets into more manageable piles.

He smiles, “that does sound like a good idea. I don’t want to drop any of my brand new sticky hands, after all.” He leans forward on the counter, blinking up at you. He’s got really pretty eyelashes, “I’m Nagito Komaeda, in case you were wondering.”

You laugh, “Nice to meet you, Nagito. Now give me 20 minutes to count all your damn tickets.”

[aceofspadegrass]

Can you write a fic about the AIB cast having a sleepover in the mansion that they all bought so that they could all live in there like a family...yes the dog trio will be in here too thank you very much.

Like one faithful day,Kento decided that everyone needs a break from their career...so? Why not a sleep over he says?. There will be board games (specifically family board games,Uno and Manolo-) and chaos!

Nijiro will constantly sometimes get scolded by Aoyagu sho(aguni) because he what been playing PUBG too much on his phone.

The mother of this family?: Nobuaki of course!

How about the father?: Aoyagi!

And now it's all up to you on what's gonna happen next :3!!

Cast Sleep

Characters: Yamazaki Kento, Sakurada Dori, Murakami Nijiro, Aoyagi Sho, Kaneko Nobuaki, Miyoshi Ayaka, Tsuchiya Tao, and Asahina Aya

Genre: Fluff. Just a section of the cast vibing in a brief sleepover. :D

1.3k words

Here it is! A sleepover without the sleep? So scandalous, I know, but a dash of marshmallows and UNO should do the trick. :D They're just vibing. :3

The idea came to their director one day, after the success of Alice in Borderland, and how well everyone was interacting with each other. In a moments time, they were all ushered to take their cars to drive to a mansion that they all chose together, some carpooling to save gas.

The first group contained the girls, Asahina and Miyoshi climbing out the front while Tsuchiya came out the back, her dog hopping out with her with a happy bark to be let out of the car. They settled in first, Asahina and Tsuchiya marveling at how huge and pretty everything was, Miyoshi dragging in their luggage and bringing them up to their rooms. Apparently she didn’t take that long, as when Miyoshi came back the other girls were still talking about the decorative fish tank with fake fishes swimming about, Tsuchiya pointing out how cute the little robots were. Misao trots up to Miyoshi wanting pats, Miyoshi smiling at the poodle and petting Misao as much as the little pooch wanted.

Not much later, came Sakurada with his group, consisting of Yamazaki and Murakami, the latter playing games on his phone while listening to music. Tsuchiya opens the door to greet them, Yamazaki leaving the car and running up to greet her. Sakurada pokes his head to look at Murakami, the younger of the two humming quietly to himself. Fanta, Sakurada’s dog, was napping peacefully on his lap, apparently freed by either of the two men at some point. Sakurada chuckles and taps Murakami on the leg, Murakami looking up with wide eyes, pulling the earphones from his ears. “ Hm? Are we there yet?

“ Mmhmm! Let’s go!” Sakurada opens his door and gets out, Murakami (and a freshly awoken Fanta) following behind him and entering the house. They too greet the girls, Yamazaki heading outside with Tsuchiya to grab the trio’s luggage. By the time they get it in, another car pulls up, and out came the rest of the group, Kaneko excitedly waving at everyone with Aoyagi not that far behind.

“ Hello everybody!” Kaneko greets as he comes up to the mansion with his luggage, and besides him was Merry, who was casually trotting besides him. Sakurada kneels down to greet the dog, Merry coming up and getting her daily pats with a happy tail wag.

“ Why do you have Yanagi’s dog?” Asahina asks, watching Misao bound up to Merry and give a doggy greeting, Fanta busy playing with Murakami.

Kaneko just smiles, and points back out the door, Yanagi coming out from the backseat with a whole load of bags. “ We buried him in stuff by accident, so Merry was sitting up front with us!” “ We’re coming in-“ Aoyagi’s voice appears from behind Kaneko, Kaneko quick to move out of the way as the guy came in, followed shortly by Yanagi carrying as much bags as he could, only tilting his head in greeting as he walked by to drop the bags down somewhere. The others move out to help bring the rest, which all seemed to just hold foodstuffs. It made sense, of course, they needed food after all.

The group all eventually settle, dispersing within the house to get comfortable with the new living situation, Murakami sticking himself in the living area with all three dogs happily settling themselves around him. Sakurada found it rather sweet, even if Murakami himself didn’t seem to want to pay them much attention at the moment. His attention was instead watching penguins, a perfectly valid reason to be engrossed.

Months pass, and they have been busy, doing their work and being the absolute stars that they were. Not a moment where they could get together and relax like the family they ended up making within this circle.

So Yamazaki comes up with a plan.

“ How about we all have a sleepover? It’ll be fun!” Yamazaki chirps as they all had dinner around the table, Asahina gasping a little, a smile slowly forming on her face.

“ That sounds really fun, actually! Oooh, can we roast marshmallows?” “ Isn’t that for camping?” Yanagi questions with a confused look, Asahina shrugging.

“ Marshmallows can be for any occasion if you try hard enough! It’s only this one time after all!”

Kaneko hums, drumming his fingers on the table. “ You’re not wrong! Okay! Let’s do it!” Yamazaki cheers a little, along with Asahina, Tsuchiya, and even Fanta, who seemed to have picked up the excited energy and gave a little bark in response.

After dinner they all go to grab their pyjamas, Aoyagi grabbing basic family games for them to play whenever they felt like it, setting them up in the living room as the others start to come in, apparently very excited about hanging out in a much more loose way and relaxing.

But apparently relaxing and this group never mixed long, as not long after, Aoyagi was practically watching the most intense game of UNO, Kaneko, Yanagi, and Miyoshi all staring each other down with cards in hand, all of them putting down Draw 2 cards one after another, Yamazaki just watching them go at it for a good while before Kaneko lightly threw his hand up when he ran out, Yamazaki giving him a look of pity as Kaneko was given 24 new cards to deal with. Not that far away, Sakurada was focused on a game of Jenga with Asahina, the two joking all the while as they tried to not topple the tower.

Tsuchiya was currently playing with the dogs, the three running after a ball she threw with excited barks and paws padding along the ground. Murakami was just sitting on the couch playing a game on his phone, Aoyagi occasionally giving him looks as he pretty much didn’t join in on the festivities of family sleepover night. At the very least he seemed to be okay with being there, the man fully free to have left to go to bed at any time.

The sweet sound of blocks hitting table and Asahina letting out a sound of surprise and disappointment catches a few of the other’s attention, Sakurada getting excited and shouting, Yamazaki clapping for his friend while Asahina dramatically flops over in defeat. Misao comes over to her and barks, tail wagging curiously and getting faster when Asahina pets the dog.

“ Thank you Misao, at least someone here supports me in my loss.” Asahina mumbles, picking up the dog and plopping Misao on her chest, Misao yipping.

“ Aww, no doggy love for me?” Sakurada places a hand on his heart, pouting in jest. Fanta appears from nowhere upon seeing Sakurada look sad, clamoring onto his lap and barking. Sakurada gasps with a dramatic air, smiling and happily petting his dog. “ Never mind! I got Fanta!”

Yamazaki chuckles, only to pause as suddenly a card flies down in front of him, Yamazaki looking over to where the UNO players where, Aoyagi meeting eyes with him as Kaneko continuing to fling cards into the sky.

“ Oh hey, this is actually pretty fun! You must’ve had fun doing this, huh Murakami?” Murakami looks up from his game upon his name being called, trying to see what was going on. “ Wh- Hm? Oh, uh…. yeah! It was pretty fun holding that flame-thrower too! Fwoosh~”

“ Playing with fire is very dangerous, you’re lucky a stunt double took in for that scene!” Sakurada says, Murakami humming and going back to his game.

“ Tell Yanagi that too, he set the Beach on fire.” Murakami comments offhandedly, Sakurada looking at the taller male “ For good reason. Very hot. Good for warming up cold, cold hearts.” Yanagi picks up the closest UNO cards around him, Miyoshi helping him pick up the scattered cards. The others pick up whatever landed closest to them to hand off to the two. Asahina leaves a bit later, coming back with marshmallows and a portable cooker to roast marshmallows over the gas fire. Mmmmmm marshmallows. So a successful sleepover, even though nothing caught on fire-

“ Aoyagi your marshmallow is on fire-“

“ Oh-“

[junhyukiscute]

drabble 4 with hyunjae and could you make it very fluffy? :3

hello, soulmate (the boyz hyunjae x reader)

author note: hyunjae could literally be breathing and he’d still be the most handsome man

drabble 4: “i don’t know how I managed to live so long without you.”

(note: bold - hyunjae, normal - you)

soulmates were a common phenomenon in your world. some were connected by a red string of fate, others were connected by taste. you, my dear friend, were connected with your soulmate through your thoughts. kind of basic, but at least you didn’t have to suffer through vague dreams like your friend eric, or their taste buds like sunwoo. the only downhill to your bond was that you couldn’t tell each other your names because it didn’t work like that. fate would eventually just work itself out.

it was kind of nice, you guys had conversations whenever you could. your soulmate was a college student who was trying their best in become a vet and worked very hard. despite the stress of studying in the medical field, you would pop up and try to crack jokes so he could have a little laugh. needless to say, your interactions with him made his day.

“ew! my soulmate just ate mustard and broccoli,” sunwoo screamed at the lunch table.

“no one cares,” eric shot back.

as you watched your best friends bicker, you thought to yourself, idiots.

ive been stuck listening to my friends argue about how much carrots they can shove up their nose. im gonna shove kevin off a cliff.

don’t do it buddy, you’ll be sent to jail for attempted murder. how will we be able to see each other if you’re in jail?

well if i make the news, you’ll be able to know what i look like and we can meet up at my cell.

you chuckle out loud which causes the bickering to stop.

“what’s gotten you so cheery?” sunwoo eyes you suspiciously.

“shes probably talking to her soulmate,” eric replies. eric makes a kissy face at sunwoo, “hEy bAbe i wAs jUst tHiNkIng oF yOu cAuse You Know, wE cAn tALk to EacH oTher!!”

sunwoo laughs at eric’s impression of you, and starts to laugh even harder after you threw a baby carrot smack in the middle of eric’s face.

“seriously though (y/n), you’re pretty lucky to have a convenient bond. are you close to meeting him yet?” sunwoo questionied.

you sighed,” no, not yet. i wanna meet him soon though, all i know is that he goes to some university in seoul and likes coffee at the cafe near his campus.”

eric’s eyes widen, “wait, there’s a twosome coffee shop near this university down the street!”

sunwoo gasped and shook eric by the shoulders, “eric, you’re useful for once!!” ignoring the offended look on eric’s face, he turns to you, “once school’s done, it’s gonna be spring break. you know what that means?”

“movie nights and sleepovers while we procrastinate on our homework?” you questioned.

“no, you idiot, we’re gonna go to that coffee shop everyday so you could see your soulmate!” sunwoo says.

once it registered in your mind, you gasped, “wait, we might be able to see my soulmate?!”

“i knew my days of skipping school would come in handy one day,” eric smirked.

time skip

you were in your last period, daydreaming as your teacher lectured.

aish.. i’m really craving an iced americano right now.

the bell had rung and you ran out the classroom to meet up with sunwoo and eric, who coincidentally had the last period together. “guys, my soulmate likes iced americanos. we have to go, NOW,” you said. eric and sunwoo nodded before you guys dashed off to the cafe down the street of your guys school.

the door opened and bell chimed, the baristas greeted you as you guys walked in. 

“okay, i’ll keep watch by sitting at that table in the corner. since you invited us here, you’re paying, (y/n),” sunwoo said as he walked off to the said table.

“while you’re ordering, i’ll keep watch for anyone who’s ordering an iced americano. by the way, i don’t drink coffee so can you get a whole chocolate cake? we’re gonna be here for a while, thanks (y/n)! you’re the best,” eric patted your shoulder and shoved you in line.

you cried on the inside as you ordered two iced mochas and a whole chocolate cake for here. the cashier looked at you weirdly, “and your name?”

“(y/n),” you said and looked at his nametag, “thanks... kevin?!”

kevin looked taken aback before eyeing you, “do i know you?”

“oh.. haha,” you sheepishly laughed, “sorry, um.. it just sounded familiar..”

“oookkaaayyy, that’ll be 40,000 won,” he said as you handed him your card, “we’ll call you when your drinks are ready...”

after he dissappeared to the back, you ran up to sunwoo and slammed your hands on the table, making him scream out of fright, “guys. i think that barista is my soulmate’s friend. he talked about some dude named kevin.”

“oh for real?? ask him if he has a friend that likes iced americanos!!” eric said energetically as he scarfed the cake.

“yeah, like he probably doesn’t have 50 friends who like iced americanos. what if he doesn’t even have friends?” sunwoo replied as he rolled his eyes.

“(y/n)! your drinks are ready,” kevin called out.

“ask him!” eric whispered out loud.

as you walked towards the counter to pick up the drinks, you stood there and looked at him. kevin, already a bit weirded out by your behavior from earlier asked, “do you need anything else...?”

“do you have any friends that like iced americanos?” you questioned.

“okaaayy so I don’t know if you know this but my friends are in college, you’re a high schooler based on your uniform. im not gonna partake in pedophilia.”

“listen man, our friend has a soulmate who goes to this cafe and orders a nasty battery acid drink during his break so god help us!” eric shouted as sunwoo tried to desperately hold him back.

“we’re seniors,” you added in quickly.

kevin sighed and pinched his nose bridge while he thought hard, “are you sure it’s this cafe?”

“yes, im sure because he goes to a cafe near his college, and there’s a college near here, right?” you said.

“yeah...” kevin deeply sighed, “i have a few friends who drink iced americanos.”

“who were you with earlier when you tried to see how much carrots you could shove up your nose?”

kevin chokes on his spit, “how did you know that?!”

“im connected through my soulmate by thoughts,” you replied.

he gasped in realization, “wait, my friend named-“

“kevin, get back to work and stop flirting with the customer!! one more warning and you’re fired!!” a voice boomed from the back.

kevin jumped before looking at you sheepishly, “sorry (y/n), i gotta go,” and ran off to the cashier station where an annoyed lady was waiting.

you groaned before grabbing the drinks and plopping down at the table.

“so all we know is that he does have a friend who’s your soulmate but we didn’t get a name,” sunwoo said. you guys all sighed in unison before sadly sipping on the drinks.

spring break went past quickly, and there was no sign of your soulmate visiting at the coffee shop. heck, you couldn’t even hear his thoughts anymore.

“it’s okay, (y/n), you’ll see him eventually,” eric reasoned as sunwoo pat your back.

you sighed deeply as you sipped on an iced americano at the cafe. this sucks, why can’t my soulmate just come in and order already?

at seoul university (lol just go with it), hyunjae was writing notes down at the library when kevin strolled in with Jacob and plopped down at the table.

kevin sighed dramatically before leaning back on his chair, “there’s this trio of high schoolers who won’t stop coming to the cafe im working at and they keep staring at me!! the girl says that her soulmate goes there and orders an iced americano, kinda creepy but i appreciate her dedication to meet him. says they have a soulmate link by their thoughts, isn’t that kinda like yours?”

hyunjae mumbles, “an iced americano sounds great. haven’t been able to get it from your work since ive been studying for finals” before a voice in his head says this sucks, why can’t my soulmate just come in and order already? hyunjae drops his pen in shock. “wait, kevin, are they still there?” hyunjae questioned.

“hm, probably, why?” kevin replies. the two piece the information together before kevin gasps as he punches Jacob out of excitement. “oh my god, is that your soulmate?! go get them tiger!!” kevin cheered with Jacob (who was very confused). hyunjae packed up his stuff and dashed out of the library and to the cafe. once he reached the cafe and pushed open the door widely, a few customers glanced but went back to their own business.

hyunjae slowly strolls before saying rather loudly, “can i please order an iced americano?” while subtlely glancing around the shop. a few gasps were heard and he found a trio of high school uniforms. he made eye contact with you and felt like time had stopped.

there you were, in all your glory, with slightly ruffled up hair and dark eye bags. even though you looked like you just woke up, you still looked incredibly cute. his heart beat erratically at the sight of your beautiful self before he gulped and walked up to you.

sunwoo and eric caught wind of the situation and shoved each other out of the table as you were trying to hold back a smile. hyunjae cleared his throat because thinking, i wish my soulmate knew how cute they are.

you grinned and said, “i wish my soulmate knew how they are too,” you stood up and held out your hand, “hi soulmate. im (y/n). it’s really, really nice to meet you.”

hyunjae smiles as he took your hand and pulled you into an embrace. “i don’t know how i managed to live so long without you.” he breathed out as he wrapped his hands around your frame. “im hyunjae, but you can just call me yours from now on.”

[britishassistant]

Old Maid

The beautiful images of Cell 6 in Building Three had busy schedules. Even outside of entertaining the attentions of their fanclub, there were photo shoots and promotional materials to pose for, quizzes on beauty and general education to take, ammo ranges to clean, and mechanical projects to help out with.

But whenever the beautiful inmates did have some downtime, they tended to spend it playing card games to sharpen their wits and poker faces.

Well, Inmates 0303 and 0382 did. Inmate 0307 just hoped that he would not lose as badly as he normally did.

His lack of familiarity with the game strongly suggested that these hopes were soon to be dashed.

“So...the Joker is...bad?” Nana asked, staring at his hand of cards like they contained the secrets of the universe.

“For the fortieth time, yes.” Hani groaned. “Have you been listening at all?!”

“I have!” The young inmate flushed. “It’s just—it’s difficult.”

“How?!”

“Be nice, Hani-kun.” Trois laid a concilatory hand on his cellmate’s shoulder. “It is his first time after all. Nana-chan needs a bit of guidance so he can properly gain experience after all.”

“This stuff is basic intuition though!” Hani griped, shaking his cards for emphasis. “Not knowing it is as stupid as not knowing you have five toes!!”

“Jyugo-san has six toes. Nico-san told me he told him he lost one of them to a piranha.”

The two paused and looked at Nana. Trois reached out, carefully keeping his cards hidden, and pressed a hand to the boy’s shoulder. “Nana-chan, do you remember what we talked about the other day?”

Nana’s brow furrowed. “...That Jyugo-san shouldn’t be consulted about anything that isn't jailbreaking?”

“Yes. This is an example of one of those times.”

“Ah, that lockpick is seriously useless. Who the hell doesn’t know the number of toes humans have?! Did he sleep through goddamn school or something?” Hani complained, rolling his shoulders.

“...Did Jyugo-San go to school?” Nana asked, looking up from choosing a card from Hani’s deck.

There was a pause as the trio considered this.

“...Well, he must’ve! It’s not like the emotionless brat was born in jail— even if he was in juvie, he had to have a life before this— goddamn elementary schooling at least.” Hani proclaimed, rubbing the back of his neck doubtfully.

“Although, he and the rest of Cell 13 always say he’s in here for ‘jailbreaking’. There’s no mention of an original crime which lead to that like there is for Uno-kun and the others. And if he even drowns in the bathtub...” Trois mused.

Another, more dour silence as the implications sunk in.

“I-it’s kinda amazing that Jyugo-San functions as well as he does, isn’t it?” Nana asked shakily. “If he really was born in a prison, like Bane...”

“Bane?” Trois asked, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow as he placed the pair he’d just made with Nana’s card down.

“American comic book villain.” Hani informed him curtly. “Big guy on steroids, fights Batman. He was part of the inspiration for the bandit boss Yama in Winds and Clouds Chronicle Ninja Kamikaze that—”

“Wow, Hani-kun looks cool even when he’s oversharing about his favorite movie~” Trois steamrolled, leaving Hani to glare mutinously down at his cards.

“I-I’d like to hear more about it, Hani-senpai.” Nana tentatively volunteered, quailing slightly under Trois’ dry stare. “I-if it’s not too much trouble...”

“Hah!” Hani pointed a finger at Trois in smug glee. “Don’t worry Nana, we can do a movie marathon later.”

“Ah, okay! I’ll look forward to it!” The youngest member perked up again, turning back to his cards. The flash of panic on his face made it clear who had the Joker.

The mechanic sighed. “There go my hopes for having any cellmates with taste.”

“TROIS, YOU BAAAASTAAARD!!”

“Trois-senpai is mean!” The youngest inmate stuck out his tongue.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m just joking.” Trois held up a conciliatory hand. “Still, going back to the previous topic at hand, it is amazing that Jyugo-san is able to interact as a fairly stable and compassionate person, even given his...areas for growth.”

“How the hell does anyone get mugged by a grade schooler?” Hani sighed, taking a card from Trois’ deck. “And then get tricked into buying a weird vase in the same day, too?”

“...Jyugo-san was what now?” Nana asked, a look of incredulity crossing his face.

Trois chuckled. “Ah, you weren’t here for that story, were you? You’ll have to ask Uno-kun for the full version later.”

Nana went dark red for some reason, and began fidgeting with his cards. “A-ah, n-no, I’ll, I’ll just ask for i-it from Ni-Nico-san.”

Trois chuckled again, while Hani looked between them in confusion.

“Anyway,” The bespectacled inmate continued serenely, waiting for his cellmates to take their turns. “Maybe someone should provide Jyugo-san with some life advice, so his naïveté is not taken advantage of if he’s ever released.”

Hani scoffed as the smallest inmate’s fingers hovered indecisively over his hand. “As if that’d even help. It’d go in one of the lockpick’s ears and out the other.”

“Be nice, senpai.” Nana admonished gently, finally picking a card and holding his hand out to Trois.

“That’s right Hani-kun.” Trois added. “After all, Jyugo-san is just an unfortunate who couldn’t even guess the brand of underwear a woman wears, let alone the color.”

Hani’s expression became pensive and thoughtful, almost pitying.

By contrast, Nana��s face twisted in exasperation and disgust. “Why. Why do you two always do this?”

Both of the older inmates ignored him.

“Huh...” Hani closed his eyes and crossed his arms, keeping his cards pressed against his chest. “Life advice...like the fact that women who are wearing skirts without anything underneath are more likely to wear sexy or plain panties rather than anything patterned, just in case. And that white pants or bottoms usual mean white or pale pastel underwear, unless the material is thick enough that color wouldn’t show through.”

“How is that life advice?!” Nana squeaked, cheeks a vibrant red.

“That’s right Hani-kun.” Trois nodded seriously. “It’d be much better to advise him that the best laundry lines to get bras from are those on apartment buildings in big cities that are close in proximity to another building or roof. Those don’t tend to have the space inside to hang laundry, and it’s much easier to avoid a trespassing charge if you lean over and swipe it than if you’re caught climbing into someone’s garden, even if those have less security cameras.”

“That’s not any better!!” Nana shrieked. “In fact, it’s kinda worse! That’s seriously sexual harrassment at least! You’re gonna turn Jyugo-san into a deviant with advice like that!!”

“He’s in jail. He’s already a deviant.” Trois pouted.

“What the hell would you say then, if you’re so wise about how the outside world works?” Hani sneered, eyebrow twitching.

“I never said that! But...hm...life advice for Jyugo-san...” Nana pressed a knuckle to his mouth, frowning in concentration while his other hand flopped into his lap and showed off the faces of his cards. “Ah!”

He sat up straighter and gestured with an index finger. “Ryphenol makes your drink taste really salty, and you can fight the effects for about 20 minutes to get attention before the drug makes you pass out. Additionally, if you’re being followed by a scary person, go up to a building and yell ‘fire!’ while banging on the door, because that will make people come out rather than ignore you.”

There was a moment of stunned silence as the two beautiful inmates absorbed this.

“...Do you mean Rohypnol, Nana-chan?” Trois asked with a slightly strained smile.

“Um...Ah, yeah, that’s the one!” The child smiled, looking pleased with himself. “Plus, if you ever get taken somewhere against your will, do whatever you can to escape before you get taken to a second location, because your chances of survival go down drastically once that happens!”

“Why the hell is all your advice an anti-abduction PSA?!” Hani demanded.

“W-Well, Jyugo-san is clearly the type of guy who gets into trouble easily!” Nana countered, puffing out his cheeks. “It’ll be of more use to him to know that the police can find him easier with forsonics if he leaves hair or blood behind than how to guess a woman’s underwear color!”

“You take that back!!” Hani roared. “And what the fuck are forsonics?!”

“Forsonics! Forsonic science! The stuff police use to identify DNA and fingerprints and clothing fibers!” Nana yelled back.

“THAT’S FORENSICS, YOU LITTLE IDIOT!!”

“Is not!”

“IS!”

“Is NOT!”

“Nana-chan, I think Hani-kun is unusually correct about the pronunciation.” Trois intervened, finally finished with examining the content of the arrow head’s deck.

“HAH!” Hani cheered, sticking a finger in Nana’s face. “Wait, thE HELL DO YOU MEAN, ‘UNUSUALLY’?!”

Nana’s cheeks went red and he stared sullenly down at his cards, tears beading at the corners of his eyes.

“Ah, Nana-chan, don’t cry.”

“‘M not.” He rubbed his face on his shoulder.

“Seriously?” Hani quirked an eyebrow. “If that’s enough to start the waterworks, maybe you’re the one who needs life advice.”

Nana dropped his cards, bright red spots high in his puffed cheeks, lips pressed together sharply.

The boy stood, strode back over to his bunk, and crawled underneath it.

“Now you’ve done it.” Trois sighed, picking up the scattered cards and using them to discreetly make pairs

“Oh for fuck’s sake—“ Hani shot a glare towards the bunk. “Come out, brat.”

“Don’t wanna.” Came the stroppy reply.

“Don’t be stupid, Kiji’ll get pissy if you get dust on your clothes again.” Hani barked, fuse rapidly burning short. “Come out from under there already.”

“Take it back.” Nana demanded, the pout audible in his voice.

“Like hell!”

“Ah, I win again.” Trois said, satisfied.

Hani started down at all the “miraculously” formed pairs of cards in front of his innocently-beaming cellmate. Then at his own hand, where the Joker which most certainly hadn’t been there a minute ago was surreptitiously nestled into his grip.

“TROIS, YOU BAAAASTAAARD!!”

(In Cell 13, Inmate 1315 finally gets over his compulsive sneezing fit.)

(“Maybe it was girls talking about you!” Nico volunteers optimistically.)

(“What, him and his pink nipples?” Uno jokes. “Get real, it was probably Hajime complaining again.”)

(Jyugo throws a cushion at the braided asshole.)

(He misses.)

[coeurdastronaute]

Essays in Existentialism: Kiwi 10

previously on Kiwi

As grueling of a schedule as it was, there was a bit of normalcy to the routine of it all that was an almost welcomed addition to her life. Each day had an itinerary, had a designated time for everything, nearly down to bathroom breaks and time to think. The entire operation was efficient and orchestrated a year in advance. At a very very recent point in her life, Lexa didn’t like the sanctity of the routine and often balked under the weight of it, rejecting regularity for sleepless nights and people who broke her, and for too much manufactured joy that came at the end of a straw or bottom of a glass. Strung out and hung over, she performed without remember, and found herself missing the joy of it all, digging a deeper pit into her own body and soul that she could ever fill up. 

But she was finding a way to make up for it. 

It started with her sister, as most things seemed to always. It started with apologizing and promising and fixing a lot of things she once thought to be irreparable. And once that was mended and blossoming, Lexa watered different parts of herself, allowing a small bit of her own forgiveness and honesty to shine through. 

There was rehab and therapy, of course. And more apologizing and promising and setting realistic goals and avoiding stressors and things that would make her weak. But from that was a kind of strength, and people saw it, the improvement, the urge and need to be good, to be an artist. That was what saved Lexa’s life, at the end of the day, her overwhelming urge to create and interpret and give back something to the world. 

Tour was debated hotly for an entire month before it could be completely agreed upon between the bandmates, but in the end, it was the absolutely gruelling schedule that Anya decided truly was the best way for her to keep an eye on her sister. She couldn’t do drugs if she didn’t have time. 

And even though Lexa found herself missing someone, something she hadn’t originally planned on experiencing, she welcomed the road life with open arms, hitting meetings in every town almost, and talking to a girl on the other side of the country almost non-stop. When she wasn’t bugging Clarke, she was writing, practicing, working out, or performing, and in the end, those were almost the only things that truly mattered. 

Deftly, Lexa’s fingers moved along the frets of her favorite guitar as she lounged on the couch in her suite. She knew she was in Texas, but not entirely sure which city, and she didn’t mind. She had the sunset and she had a great view. In a month she’d be in Europe before festival rounds, and then back on the second half of her tour until the fall. There was a schedule. 

Without noticing her sister approaching, she hummed along to a melody she’d been stuck thinking about but not sure what to do with entirely. The album they were touring on was heartbreak and pain and partying. It was some of her favorite things because she loved seeing those who understood her and the words. But it scared her to write something different and new. And as many times as she promised an ode to Clarke’s ass, she was afraid to write something so loving. So she strummed along and already felt a different kind of grit sneak into her words. She sang a few lines and wrote in her notebook, pausing and reworking and thinking out loud. She recorded a few bars on her phone before putting it together somewhat. 

No one would say she was unprofessional when it came to her work. It was important that she got things out, and she came with a full idea, formed and ready to be put together, a concrete idea that she was always eager to capture. Her words got a little better and the process got a little easier when she was sober, something she feared at first, if she was being honest. She didn’t need the crutch. Her entire last album was a way to heal. 

“Sounds good,” Anya finally offered, pushing herself from the wall where she leaned. “Different,b ut good.” 

“I thought we discussed your lurking.” 

“I lurk out of love.” 

“Hm,” Lexa grunted, tossing her pencil down on the notebook. She kept working on the guitar though, trying to get it right. 

Anya took a seat on the coffee table her sister’s feet were propped up on, and she grabbed the notebook, carefully skimming through the words jotted there in a deceptively neat hand despite how quickly they were laid upon the page. 

“I like this a lot, actually. Powerful.” 

“I don’t want to wri--”

“I know, I know. The basics. Universal human emotion with killer guitar. Nothing personal, blah blah,” the drummer muttered, hunching over as she flipped a page and looked at another idea, waving away the inevitable diatribe she’d already heard. 

“I don’t want to write sad songs anymore,” Lexa shrugged. “At least… I don’t know. I can’t say never. I just-- singing these songs, it’s been heavy. I kind of want to bring back some fun. Remember our EP?” 

“A lifetime ago.” 

“Yeah, but like pure rock’n’roll right? Like gritty guitar, quick fucks, bad drinks, having fun. Dirty but something to sing along to.”

“Except you don’t do any of that.” 

“No, but I miss… Do you miss having fun up there?” 

“I always have fun,” Anya shook her head, pushing aside her mane of hair as it fell in her face. “I have fun playing with you.” 

“I do too, I just… Clarke said something-- before you complain,” she interjected as Anya began to roll her eyes, “She said that she could see me enjoy certain songs more, and a lot has to do with who they were about.” 

“You’re afraid to write about Clarke.” 

“No… yeah, I mean. No one tells you that when you write about people, you’re stuck with the song, even when they’re not around.” 

Lexa sulked slightly as she fiddled with her strings and looked away from her sister with the confession. 

“You like her a lot,” Anya observed after a few moments of quiet and flipping through the pages until she caught something she liked. 

“Yeah, obviously.” 

“Good. I like her too.” 

“I think I might invite her out again before we head to Europe.” 

“You should.” 

“Is this…” Lexa took a deep breath and stilled her movements, almost a complete statue as she tried to formulate the proper words. “Is this what it feels like to exist, like normal?” 

“Relatively, yeah, probably,” her sister snorted a laugh and smiled as Lexa’s face twisted slightly. “You’re so used to living at extremes, but what you don’t realize is that life is exceptionally average most of the time, and my favorite things are moments of beauty in the most mundane spaces. Aiden smiling at me when he pulls my hair and bites my chin because that’s how he kisses. You, holding him. You and me on stage when we are perfectly in sync and the world is right. The best bite of a piece of pizza. Watching you the past few months, come alive. Fighting with Luke about not having enough wipes in the diaper bag. There is nothing wrong with feeling those moments and realizing they’re enough.” 

Lexa grit her jaw and nodded, still unflinching and unwavering, afraid to move an inch because she was certain the dream would end, and perhaps this was one of those moments, because the sun was setting, and her sister looked beautiful and alive and not like she was ready to commit her, but like she actually enjoyed being her sister again. 

Anya didn’t mean to say as much, but she closed her mouth and looked down at Lexa’s notebook again. 

“Invite Clarke for a few days. Let her get a feel of your life here. She won’t break your heart.” 

“You’re psychic now?” 

“No, but I think she couldn’t hurt to offer you a muse, even if you don’t want that.” 

“I can’t write about her.” 

“I think you already are.” 

“Nah,” Lexa disagreed, back to plucking the strings haphazardly. 

With a victorious smile, Anya picked one she liked the most and read it a few more times, attempting to hear what her sister had beneath it all. 

“I like this one,” she finally offered, handing over the page, bookmarked and dogeared in a way she knew would piss of her sister. “Tell me how to hear it.” 

Lexa took her time, looking at the page and debating as her sister looked on expectantly. This would be the moment, she was certain, that they began the next album in earnest. That alone was a journey that made her wary, which was why she hadn’t approached her sister with anything finished yet. 

“Low and singular at first, up to the first bridge and then BAM you come in, hard and heavy, just a beat, a heartbeat. I want it to be a blast, a catharsis, an unleashing.” 

“Fitting,” Anya agreed and nodded as she read, dashing a note here and there, drawing lines to indicate the swelling. 

“See, I can write songs not about girls.” 

“You can, I just think you want to write about a girl. So just let yourself.”

“It’s hard, being away and stuff. Kind of a weird time to start a relationship.” 

“When have you ever done anything the easy way?” 

As much as she wanted to argue, Lexa stopped herself and agreed. It didn’t matter. She knew her sister was right, and maybe that was okay this time. 

XXXXXXXXXX

Even though it was nearing the end of her shift, the bar still felt full of people in a way that weighed on her. She was hoping to leave at a mildly reasonable hour to crawl into bed and get a reasonable amount of sleep for the first time in a long time. The universe didn’t seem aware of that plan as she tried to re-read the letter left in her letterbox the day before. 

“You going to grab that order at the end?” Raven interrupted her thoughts. 

“Why fucking not.”

Struck by her sour demeanor the entire night, Raven debated how to handle Clarke. There were different moods for her that required different responses. She wasn’t quite sure which kind of friend she had to be for the evening. 

Even though she couldn’t admit it yet, Raven saw that Clarke seemed oddly different after meeting Lexa Woods. She was driven and happy and doing more. She was content and afraid of the future, but for different reasons. 

“Are you being a little crabby because you miss your girlfriend?” Raven sang, clearly aware that she was annoying her friend. 

“She’s not my… well maybe-- no wait. That’s not why I’m-- And I’m not crabby,” a flustered bar tender shook her head, processing all of the words and how wrong they all were. 

“You miss her.” 

“How can I miss someone I never had?” 

“Oh, you have her,” Raven rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she watched her friend huff and be annoyed at the common knowledge. “She’s flying you out again to see her, for a few days and two different cities of tour dates. You’re dating Lexa Woods.” 

“I think I would know if I was.” 

“I’m honestly not sure you’d know.” 

For the rest of the evening, they worked and waited until the bar cleared out and they could wrap up the hard part. Raven poured them both a drink when the door was finally locked and sat down across from her friend, unperturbed by the sticky bartop or the cleaning they were about to do. 

With a flick of her head, Clarke took the shot and hissed against the feeling of the painful liquid on her throat. 

“They’re tearing down my building,” Clarke sighed. “I’ve got a month.” 

“No wonder you’re in a snit,” Raven nodded. 

“And I haven’t gotten laid in a few weeks.” 

“Yeah, I can tell.” 

“It’s just… It’s just… It’s just... “ she sighed and shook her head before pausing to pour herself another drink and taking it back. “I think I’m getting ahead, right? Like if life is broke up into categories, love, money, job, happiness-- and I can’t get all of them to be okay at the same time. It’s exhausting.” 

As she spoke, Raven finished counting the cash and carefully handed over the split from the tips, handing a pile over to the barback that wiped down the tables while they stood there, veterans and exhausted by the night, no longer excited to keep drinking and stay up until about four. Clarke braced herself on the counter and stared at the empty shot glass, watching a droplet drip down the side slowly then all at once. 

“So what do you have together now?” 

“Hm?” 

“Out of those things, what is working for you now?” Raven asked. “I mean. You’re dating a rock star. You have a great internship and you are somewhat decent at it. You have to move and that’s it.” 

“It’s a pretty shitty thing. I can barely afford the shitbox I live in now, let alone another place.” 

“Come live with me.” 

“In your studio? No thanks. We’re close, but I don’t think we can be that close without killing each other.”

“Why don’t--”

“I’ll figure it out,” Clarke sighed. “I can’t think of solutions tonight.” 

“We can drink, if you want.” 

“Yes please.” 

“And,” her friend grinned, complete and utter mischief and nothing good at all as she dug behind the counter and pulled out a magazine. “We can read all about a sexy singer and a mysterious blonde she’s been seen with.” 

“Are you kidding me? Where did you get that!” 

Even though she moved as quickly as possible, Raven dodged Clarke’s advance, wiggling her eyebrows as she surveyed the pictures and laughed, enjoying her friend’s discomfort. Stretch as she might, Clarke couldn’t grab the offending image and she groaned, growing agitated in a way that her friend enjoyed. 

“I’ve just been saving this to enjoy when I had a free moment. Thinking about how much I could make by telling them who the cute blonde sucking on Lexa’s Woods’ neck is.” 

“I wasn’t-- They didn’t-- We weren’t--”

“Hmmm interesting,” Raven mused as she opened the magazine and Clarke got a glimpse of the front cover for the first time. 

Completely mortified, she blanched, the blood disappearing from her ears and face as she saw a grainy image of the two of them out to a lovely late dinner post-concert last time she visited. It was a good night and she thought they were alone. She also just really liked to kiss Lexa and she didn’t want to wait. 

“When aked about the new friend, the singer simply smiled coyly and said she was very happy,” the bartender read before flipping another page. “And my horoscope is trash.” 

“Give me that,” Clarke finally snatched the paper, flipping through the rag before coming face to face with herself. 

There was no way for anyone else to know it was her, at least not really, but Raven knew as she slipped her beer and started sorting the receipts. She knew and she knew the right thing to say most of the time, too. It only took a few moments of flipping for Clarke to toss the magazine back ont eh counter and shake her head before pouring another shot. 

“You’re going to be fine, Griffin,” Raven promised. “You’re ready to be happy.” 

“I don’t know how to be happy.” 

It wasn’t quiet in volume, but it was hones and quiet in its purpose. Clarke took the shot and slumped slightly under the weight of the honest and the feeling of maybe trying to believe how her friend’s suggestion could be real. 

“You do.” 

XXXXXXXXXX

Defeated by the rain and the past week, Clarke adjusted the bag that hung on her shoulder and leaned slightly against her large suitcase in the lobby the chic high rise. No one else was around save for the attendant at the desk who casually watched her without actually looking, keeping an eye on the happenings for very important people lived in his building, and he took his job very seriously. 

It was an act of utter failure and somewhat dependence that Clarke despised above all else. She never wanted to need anyone, and she never wanted to be a burden. When it came down to the fact that she needed help, she recognized a kind of guilt and shame that made her rile against herself, as if her own bones were bending and getting smaller. 

With an uncoordinated effort, she made her way to the elevator when it arrived in the lobby, and she tried not to think too much, instead looking forward to a good bath and a good sleep to get her head back on straight. 

She was going to make short business of needing someone’s help. She wasn’t keen on being given charity, and she certainly wasn’t ready to make Lexa feel like she was being used. That scared Clarke more than anything. 

As soon as Clarke stepped into Lexa’s empty place, she was afraid she’d gone into the wrong place because it was not actually empty, but rather warm and alive. The warm lights and candles glowed against the dark of the windows, while a sound of sizzling and the smell of garlic came from the kitchen. A record scratched in the corner. 

“Hey, I was wondering when you’d get in,” Lexa smiled and reached to grab the bottle of wine. “I was afraid you’d be later and it’d get cold.” 

The bags dropped. 

“What are you-- Wh-- How?” Clarke furrowed and shook her head. “You’re supposed to be in Philadelphia.” 

“I play there tomorrow. I thought you were a real fan.” 

She was putting the finishing touches on the small dinner prepared and plated on the dinging room table, but Lexa was every bit comfortable, as if she hadn’t been on tour for the past three months and not anywhere close to New York. 

“But what are you doing here, now?” 

“Came to welcome you to my place, well, your place, our place? No, your place.”

“It’s your place, Lex.” 

“Yeah, but it’s yours when I’m not here, so tonight it’s ours, I guess.” 

Happy and cozy, bare feet moving around and finally standing in front of her girlfriend, Lexa smiled and towered there in Clarke’s confusion. 

“Did you miss me?” Lexa grinned, and despite all of the feelings and the anger and the self-hatred, Clarke melted at it. 

“Why are you here?” Clarke shook her head, feeling bad still. “I didn’t--”

“I wanted to make you feel welcome. Nothing less welcome than a dark place, with no food. I wasn’t even sure I’d left the heat on to be honest, and it’s been cold the pas--”

Without meaning to do it, Clarke lurched forward and hugged her girlfriend tightly. She buried her face in her neck, making them both wobble slightly but leaving her undeterred. 

“I got you a key made,” Lexa whispered, surprised by the outburst. “I want you to be comfortable here. I like… I like the idea of you being in my bed.” 

“Even if you’re not here.” 

“I’ve never had someone to come home to.”

It was quiet and honest and even though dinner was on the table, and even though the record was done on its side and it stopped, creating a silence that prevailed the many tired thoughts that possessed both, they stood there. 

“You’ve been having a rough time. I know I can’t be physically here that much, I want to be around for you,” Lexa whispered. “I made you room in the closet.” 

“I won’t be here long.” 

“You can stay as long as you want. I mean it.” 

“It’s been a real shit month.” 

“Yeah, I know.” 

“Aren’t you tired? Weren’t you in DC last night?” 

“So you are a real fan.” 

Clarke laughed even though she didn’t want to. Lexa’s arms stayed around her as she pulled away and she sighed because she had no other alternative-- there were too many feelings and thoughts that left her frazzled and she needed to hide all of that to savor this moment, regardless of the fact that she’d lost her home and was desperately missing the girl that cooked for her. 

“Want to come to my show tomorrow?” Lexa asked. “You can come up with me for the night and we could have two consecutive days together.” 

“Two? Wow, you must like me.” 

“I don’t just let every Tinder hook up house sit for me.”

NEXT

[dogcircle-scans]

Natsume Yuujinchou: “Untitled” Summary (Special Chapter 22)

Hm hm hm, I smell something happening…?

A really short (just 8 pages!?) and adorable special chapter this month, giving us a break from the really intense Homura arc.

This issue comes with the adorable Nyanko-sensei spoon and fork set! (They are the ones that Nyanko is holding in the cover lol) Next issue (coming out on November 22nd) also comes with the Nyanko-sensei 2020 calendar, so make sure to grab that if you want it! :3

As always, special thanks to Jessica for proofreading this summary!

- Niji

[Everything under the cut]

Special Chapter 22

The window rattles open, and Nyanko-sensei appears… with a giant ribbon on his head.

Natsume: Pfft! Ahahaha! How did you end up looking like this? Nyanko: THIS ISN’T A LAUGHING MATTER, NATSUME! I was just having my usual merry patrol, when someone suddenly hit me! When I woke up, I found myself looking like some frivolous being*!

[The term he used here is “ukareponchi”, which is an old slang to refer to a shallow man, or basically a player. It literally means something like “a floating lover”.]

Nyanko-sensei demands that they go look for the culprit that did this to him, commenting that he sensed something familiar from them just as he regained consciousness.

Natsume: Whatever the case, we should get this off you first. We need to ice the place where you got hit. Nyanko: Wait! This ribbon might be a hint towards finding the culprit. Take a good look at it! Is there anything that comes to mind? Natsume: H~~~~m… It’s tied in a rather complicated manner…… The only one I know who would be skilled enough to make this is………

Natsume: TANUMA! Tanuma: It wasn’t me, Natsume. If it’s a ribbon you’re talking about, isn’t it usually a girl? Let’s see… Maybe it was Taki? Natsume: Taki? That’s true… But…

Natsume: Taki is surprisingly rough with things, so I’m not sure if she could make something as detailed as this… Taki: *BAM!* Natsume-kun, Tanuma-kun! Tanuma: ! Taki… Taki: I’ve brought some dango I purchased… *gasp!*

[Niji: How convenient is it that everyone that gets mentioned just appears immediately??] [Jessica: We’re speedrunning through this chapter]

Taki: What happened, Nyanko-sensei——! You’re wearing something like a samba dancer—— *hug~~~!* Natsume: ——Looks like it wasn’t Taki. Tanuma: That’s true… Also, not only did they knock him out, they even put a ribbon on him… This person is rather bizarre…… Natsume: ——Then could it be the other way around like they knocked him out just to put the ribbon on him…… or something……? Tanuma: Whichever it is, it sounds bad.

While giving Nyanko-sensei a tight hug, Taki notices that the ribbon looks familiar, and that it is from a Western confectionery shop. However, as she doesn’t know much about it, she directs Natsume to Nishimura.

Nishimura: Oh! Isn’t that ribbon from Smith, the Western confectionery shop that’s popular with the girls? They recently released new macarons which you can’t get unless you dash right out of the school gates upon the last bell…… Pfft! Still! Why is it wrapped around your cat!? Natsume: Something happened, so…… Nishimura: If I remember correctly, it’s a shop near Kitamoto’s house. Kitamoto: Huh? Really?

Nishimura: You’re really slow with stuff like that. No wonder you got into a fight with your little sister. Nyanko: *sniff sniff* Kitamoto: Shut up, this has nothing to do with that. Natsume: Huh? A fight? With Mana-chan? Kitamoto: Like I said, enough about me. Nyanko: ……

Nyanko-sensei suddenly hops out of Natsume’s arms, and disappears into the trees.

Shortly after, when everyone has parted, Mana catches up to Kitamoto.

Mana: Onii-chan! *pant pant* Kitamoto: Mana. Mana: Are you still angry about yesterday? *pant…* Kitamoto: …… Mana: I’m sorry about yesterday. I said too much. As an apology, I waited in line and used my pocket money to grab these popular macarons…

Kitamoto: So you’re trying to entice me with a gift? Mana: Yes…… I’m really sorry! Kitamoto: ——Seriously… Sweet things for me are… Mana: Also! Because of some situation, I don’t have the ice pack with me, so eat it immediately! Eat it immediately, okay? Kitamoto: Huh!? Mana: Bye! Kitamoto: Huh- Oi! Mana, where are you going?

Mana dashes off. Meanwhile, Nyanko-sensei recalls the conversation he had with Natsume and Tanuma, about where he got the ribbon.

Natsume: “Sensei, I’ve noticed this earlier, but there’s something tied with that ribbon. Besides, where exactly did you get hit?” Nyanko: “It was near the old temple behind the bus stop. I was patrolling to see how ripe the persimmons have gotten.” Natsume: “——Sensei…… I don’t think you got knocked out, but rather——”

From the distance, Nyanko-sensei hears a voice.

Mana: Kitty cat! Kitty cat, are you there——? Nyanko: *pop!* Mana: There you are! Thank goodness!! You woke up.

Mana:  I’m sorry, kitty cat. Come here. I have to get that off you… I saw you got knocked down by a persimmon and panicked, so I took the ice pack that was with my sweets and tied it to you with the ribbon. But then I realized that the ribbon could get caught in various places, and worried that you might be in danger because of that…… You have a collar, so I guess your owner might remove it for you… But I’m sorry I tied it to you without asking.

Mana: ——Hehe, but it looks good on you. It’s a lovely ribbon, isn’t it? Nyanko: *trot trot!* Mana: Ah! Kitty cat… Be careful———

Natsume: Seriously, why did you suddenly run off like that, Sensei? ——What happened to finding the culprit? Nyanko: ——… Natsume: Fufu. How long are you going to wear that for?

[Niji: Nyanko-sensei reminds me of those old prideful grandpas… They love the gifts they receive but never dare to admit it. Such tsunderes lolol]

SPECIAL CHAPTER 22 END

[lilxmcrtes]

My URL, The URL Meme

Send Me A URL and I’ll Respond With My Opinions... | @thornstocutyouwith | Mun

Roleplaying/Writing

My favorite muse(s) of theirs and why

Gosh dang it. You’re really gonna make me pick? Alright... for now I’m gonna go with Lief because he’s a Good Boy (tm). So sweet and caring to Oliver. Their relationship is so nice when Lief isn’t bringing / cooking wild animals in his home x’D Also I just enjoy his view on things. So simple, and amusing at times

My favorite interaction/thread of theirs

Again. Pick?! Hm... That food fight in the IMs was pretty funny x3 Aeron and Jace making play bites their Thing (tm) was also good. Or that thing with them as kids playing with dino toys together. It wasn’t a thread but it was so freaking cute

My thoughts on their unique characterization/interpretation of their muse(s)

CONTENT. ALL THE C O N T E N T!!!!!

Anyone that gets to see such content should feel blessed. You have SO MANY muses and they’re all so unique and real. Also seriously love how they connect in this relationship web that I’ve only seen part of

My thoughts on their writing style as a whole

Good shit bro. Sometimes a little overwhelming but good

Situation(s)/Plot(s) I’d love to see their muse(s) in

ALL OF THEM??!?! But to be more specific, H.unger G.ames or T.he G.ood P.lace plot would be cool. Ooo A.merican H.orror S.tory? C.oven or A.pocolypse? Omg humor me with a C.ells At W.ork AU. ( Eira and Tancred can be the white and red blood cell!!! ) Or another anime, P.arasyte? U.mbrella A.cademy?! D.etective P.ikachu / P.okemon?!?! All the plots Thorn.

Someone else I love seeing them interact with

I honestly don’t read a lot of threads n stuff outside of what I’m doing. Sometimes things will catch my eye but otherwise... heh... I do be seein u with ofwondersandhares a lot tho. So there’s that?

Anything else I want to say about their roleplaying

I really don’t get why people don’t write with you more. There’s a lot of opportunity right there for people. :/

And did I mention content?! You know so much about your muses. I aspire to be that in tune with these guys one day

If We Know Each Other

What I Think Are Their Best Qualities

Honesty. I mean sometimes it can be pretty blunt but I don’t really have to be guessing what you might not be saying. I figure if you have a problem with me you’ll tell me. Which is kinda relieving to me. Helps when I overthink.

Also ridiculously imaginative. I mean do I really need to elaborate on this one?

What I Think Are Their Strengths

Besides the answer to the above question, you don’t take things to heart too much, which I admire since I do that all the time. It’s great you can brush things off and move on to other good things without getting too caught up in being upset

A Memorable OOC Interaction Of Ours

First game night. Absolutely one of the best nights I’ve ever had. Hilarious. Can’t wait to do it again. The fact that we named the killer Asher was AMAZING

Why Others Should RP With Them

Hello if it’s not clear from what I’ve been saying then idk how to help you. The sheer vastness of content for all the rp you could ever want is right there man. So much opportunity! All the little details and plots too!! Bonus, you get a friend that will give you head pats- no, wait. those are mine. But still, good fren! *pats their head* A lot of friENDSHIP can fit in here

How Others Should Approach Them

You could toss them some memes. Pretty sure they crave them lol ( Not like they don’t post about it ). And as a multi I am well aware of the specifying muse deal but I don’t think they mind so much that they won’t answer. You’ll just get whatever they roll lol BUT definitely specify muse if you can bc like I said, as a multi, it’s just better that way especially with the number of muses they have. OR you could do the big brain move and IM them “Hey I wanna write with you but I have no idea where to start with your muses. Do you have a preference?” and you guys can talk about who would mesh well together and then you can send memes or write a starter or even get a starter! Pretty sure it’s the same for anyone.

Funny note on that one tho. I think they approached me ooc by just sending my a post in IMs. I don’t even remember what it was or why they sent it. I was wildly confused but ya know. Gotta start somewhere lol Point is, you’ll be fine approaching them however you do. Just don’t ghost.

Other Roleplayers I’d Recommend To Them

You could write with the Teares’ siblings ( in the verse where they are related at least. Haven’t talked about if that’ll be a main thing or not ), baby sis @the-wonderland-jinx and Aeron’s twin @faultycode. The other muses on there are also great.

@klavz​ is a great Klaus imo. The dialogue is so on point. Like I could actually hear Klaus saying those things. Whether you feel the same is up to you but... definitely give ‘em a chance.

There are others but it’s more of a general ‘I like them’ rather than having specific reasons you’d mesh well with / be interested in them.

Anything else I want to say about them

I think I’ve said quite a lot already lol Anything more is pretty much a repeat

I like writing with them. I like talking to them. I think they’re pretty cool and I think other people ought to check them out. A summary by me

If We Have/Plan To Interact Together

A plot I’d like to write with them

Ooo. Um. I know a lot of plots probably got lost bc I’ll come up with an idea and then get distracted with something else. But if I remember any of those definitely lol Also now that I’m on a fresh new blog I will heckin put that shit in a post so I don’t lose it.

That thing where Aeron drops into Wonderland and runs into Soulless!Asher is still in my drafts if you still want that to be a thing. So not all things were lost! lol

But getting back to the question, outside of those sort of things, and being more specific than just everything... T.he G.ood P.lace plot seems good. Pretending these people got into ‘heaven’ when they’re actually in a special hell that tortures them psychologically by picking a set of people that would eternally torture each other bc their personalities and behaviors clash perfectly. Asher ( or all your deadly sin demons really ) would definitely get a kick out of that I bet. Especially on Aeron. Ooo and Oliver.

A muse I want to introduce to them

Max. He’s a muse that’s gonna be on my other multi. He’s a soft boi like Oliver but not as fragile. Very friendly, and actually not human! He’s a changeling that ended up being raised human. Still working on him but I feel like he is basically the peak of my creativity lmao

A ship/broship I’d like to propose to them

I mean I know we mentioned it but Post!Oliver and Tancred would be cool. And I say Post! bc I’m pretty sure Tancred would stay the heck away from him otherwise lol

Also! Lorelei should meet Killian sometime. I’ve never really figured out her and Oliver’s relationship soo... It’s bound to be interesting whatever I do on the fly lol

A thread with them I’m excited about

Every time I see you in my notifications I get excited. But I suppose I am pretty excited for that band ask to turn into a thread 👀

Anything else I want to say

At this point, you might as well follow them if you follow me. Spice up your dash with whatever they’re into for the moment. Find new interests. Learn how to develop your muse

Please read that with the same energy as ‘fuck around and find out’

[darkhymns-fic]

In a Sea of Promises

In all of the promises Lloyd had made to Colette, one of them had been how he would teach Colette how to swim. And he always made sure to keep his promises.

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Characters/Pairings: Lloyd Irving/Colette Brunel Rating: G Mirror Links: AO3  Notes: For @colloydweek​ Day 1: Promises! Expect fluff.

In Iselia, the summers were usually dry, everything so enclosed within thick forests, but the earth would smell rich after a sudden shower from the skies. It was after these rainy days that Lloyd would go rushing downstream, following the winding river that snaked past his house and into glades that reflected brighter green underneath the sun’s rays.

Colette was not supposed to go past the town’s perimeters unless accompanied by priests, but summer days made everyone lax, including those who would guard the gates. So she and Lloyd had easily passed, soon finding his favorite wading spot among the leaves, where flying insects that would sometimes skid across the water.

“You wanna come in?” Lloyd asked her. He was already waist deep in the water, his jacket and shirt laying on the grass, his pants now soaked. He was trying to catch some fish that slipped by his legs with his bare hands, all his attempts turning out unsuccessful. But he knew he’d get it eventually!

Colette was seated on the edge of the river, boots off to let her feet splash in the water. Her hair was slightly damp with sweat from the heat, her overcoat taken off to get her some relief, leaving her in her dress. But she shook her head. “It looks kinda deep in there…”

“Just a little! Only when you go over here-” He demonstrated by stepping a few feet to his right, then slipped underwater suddenly. His head broke through the surface again after a moment, shaking his now soaked hair. “Guh! Uh, yeah! Just a little bit.”

Colette giggled, her hands clasped neatly over her knees, moving her legs back and forth. “Hm, I can’t really swim though. And.. I might get in trouble if they knew I was trying to swim.” Her whole dress would take too long to dry off if she tried diving with it.

“Aw, okay.” Lloyd and Genis would go swimming all the time, and though he knew Colette couldn’t really join him, it hadn’t stopped him from asking. Even still…

“Maybe I can teach you next time though?”

Colette raised her head. The sun shone brightly on her hair.

“Yeah! I can teach you! That’d be okay, right? I can bring some of my clothes so you don’t have to use your dress when swimming.” He didn’t notice the blush on her cheeks as he tried devising this plan.

“Is that really okay?” she asked, her voice low, enough that he needed to swim a bit closer to her to hear.

“Sure! If you don’t believe me then… I promise to teach you how to swim! Okay?”

Colette smiled, her feet splashing the water happily. “Y-yeah! Next time, for sure!”

“Hey, you’re splashing on me!”

They both laughed, all while the sun was beginning to set, coloring the sky numerous shades of red and orange. “It’s getting late… but next time then?” Colette asked hopefully.

Lloyd nodded. “Yeah, I told you! It’s a promise!”

But that had been just a few weeks before Colette’s journey, and in a bunch of other promises he made, that particular one had slipped his mind…

The heat underneath Tethe’alla’s sun was much like Sylvarant’s, but the salt spray from the ocean made it different, especially when combined with the humidity. Not like the dry heat of Iselia’s forests, where instead of salt, it was the scent of pine that invaded your senses. But it didn’t make Lloyd not want to go into the waters any less!

“Colette! Come on!” Lloyd was already dashing on the sands, the giant diving flippers he wore nearly making him trip. Some people stared at the boy who not only wore the giant flippers but also diving goggles complete with a snorkel, some of those people including a sighing Zelos.

“He’s such a kid. Never going to get anywhere with anyone dressed like that, right, hunny?” He leaned near a certain voluptuous lady, grinning wide in his speedo and donned sunglasses.

Sheena narrowed her eyes at him. “Why are you talking to me?”

“Lloyd! Too fast!” a voice called out across the beach. Colette was rushing after Lloyd, her bare feet gently padding along the shore, her braided hair bouncing across her back as she moved. Once she reached the water, she flinched, even as the water pulled back, damping the sand beneath her. “It’s cold!”

“Yeah, it’s supposed to be!” The rivers near his home were not at all like the waves that kept crashing on Altamira’s shore. Lloyd was already diving through them (forgetting to lower the goggles over his eyes), before coming back to the surface. He accidentally swallowed some of the water which was really salty, but he was okay after coughing for a little while. “Come in already! (Cough!) We can play water tag!”

Colette, however, remained at the shore. Though she smiled as the water rushed around her ankles, she made no move towards Lloyd. “Umm.. I think I’m okay here!”

Well, that wasn't any fun though. Unless she wanted to make some sandcastles, but he and Genis had already started making some earlier that day… until Genis got mad that Lloyd was making a better sand castle than he was.

He was getting distracted, so Lloyd swam back onto the shore, half of a flipper getting caught inside the densely packed sand until he freed it loose. “Is something wrong?”

Colette scratched the side of her cheek nervously. The sun beat down on her hair, burnishing it an even brighter shade of gold. “Ah, sorry! I'm just a little… it's very different from the rivers and…”

The answer soon came to him before she could say it. “Oh man, I forgot already!” That’s right, Colette didn't know how to swim!

“I'm sorry,” she apologized again, knowing what he meant. “It looks like fun though! Maybe Zelos will join you.”

“I don't think he's going to really...” Lloyd mused. At one end of the beach, he could see Zelos being yanked by his hair. Sheena had curled his locks around her fingers, dragging him down as a high-pitched yell erupted from Zelos’ throat. “He looks busy.”

Oddly, Zelos’ screaming jogged an old memory of Lloyd’s.

“Hey, didn't I promise you something?” Okay, well he promised a lot of things but this one was particularly important!

“Oh? What is it?” she asked.

“I said one day I'd teach you how to swim, right?” He remembered the river, Colette seated on the bank, her smile much wider than it usually was, always wider when they sneaked away from the town. “How about it?” He grinned. “We can have those swimming lessons finally!”

“Ah, really?” She looked suddenly so excited, before tempering that away. Just like back then, she pulled back to nervousness, hands fiddling with the tied-up sash that circled her waist, covering part of her bathing suit. “Oh, but… I don't want to get in the way. It'll probably be boring to teach me and we don't get to relax often…”

“No way, how would it be boring?” That didn't make sense to him. The beach was nice and there were no weird worries about the town getting mad. He reached for her hand, noting how wet and clammy his own palm was against her own. “It’ll be fun!”

Still, Colette hesitated, looking at the ground. The water lapped around their ankles before leaving them in the surf. “The water does feel nice…” she murmured. Maybe she still had all those fears from back then, even if right now they didn't matter. He had to come up with a way to convince her...

“If you learn to swim today, um… I’ll give you something!”

Okay, wait, what actually?

Colette turned back to him with wide eyes. “Oh?”

“Yeah!” he said, already going full on ahead with this choice. “Think of it as like… a reward! For doing stuff!”

“That sounds really fun! What reward do I get?”

Lloyd had no idea. “It’s a surprise!” He really had no idea. “That makes it more fun!” Yeah, he had no clue.

“Oh, it does!” Colette readily agreed. “Then… I guess should try to learn today! And I’ll try to do good too! I hope I don't slow you down.”

“Nah, you won’t,” he said, pulling her along. Maybe he had a spare necklace in his pack somewhere. “And… I’ll promise it’ll be a good reward too!” Now he was just digging himself deeper…

But he could keep his promises to her, and he was sure he could keep this one too.

It was a bit different out here than in the river. The water moved constantly around them, the currents of the waves stronger than either were used to. But Lloyd kept ahold of Colette’s hand until they were just waist deep in the ocean, where the waves didn’t build up as much.

“When we go in a little further, our feet won’t reach the ground anymore. But I got you, okay?”

Colette had her other hand outstretched in the water, her eyes focused around them. “Okay! Do we go out further now or…?”

Lloyd was thinking on how exactly to do this. He had never taught anyone to swim really… and he just sort of learned how to by himself. (Dirk had always talked about how dwarves just sank in deep water.) Then he remembered something that Noishe would do when he swam.

Lloyd reached out for Colette’s other hand, gripping it tight. “Here, first let’s try the doggy paddle! That one’s easy enough.”

He knew immediately that would get Colette’s full attention. “A doggy paddle?” Her eyes widened with glee. “Does that mean doggies swim this way?”

“Yeah, basically!” He didn’t see any dogs on the beach though, and Noishe was stabled somewhere, too afraid of the people again. “But you can also swim with dogs like this!” He pulled at her arms slightly, getting her body to stretch out in the water. The end of her twin braided hair was soaked now, falling beneath the surface. “Just kick up your legs from behind and you’ll start moving.”

Colette looked a bit reluctant to just have her feet leave the seafloor. He could see her hopping a little, fingers entwining with his. “Mm, but what if I trip?”

“I don’t think you can trip in the water… well, maybe!” With Colette, anything was possible. Then another idea took over. “It’s like flying, isn’t it? When you just float in the air? It’s the same thing here! But you’re floating in the water instead.”

With that explanation, he felt some of the tension in Colette’s fingers loosen. “Oh! I guess so…”

“Yeah! Go on, try it!”

Colette had always trusted Lloyd, especially when he was encouraging. She soon moved her body, letting the water buoy her as got she into a horizontal position. “Is, um, this okay?”

Lloyd made sure to keep his grip on her, smiling wide. “Yep. Now try kicking your feet.”

There was something incredibly adorable in the way Colette had to follow his next suggestion. It was like she worried that her feet would still find some way to betray her, but he heard the splashing from behind Colette, the slow way she moved towards him.

Lloyd started to float backwards, helping her along through their clasped hands. “See? It’s easy!”

She was smiling so wide, the sea spray damping her hair, the water hugging her, reflecting flashes of the sun all around her. “Hehe, it is kinda easy… and fun!”

Colette didn’t kick as fast as Noishe did, but she was still doing it! Lloyd figured that was the important thing. After a few minutes of them going across the ocean’s surface this way, Colette kicking as happily as can be, Lloyd decided to try the next step.

“Okay, so I’m going to start letting go a bit more, but you keep on kicking like that, okay?”

Colette blinked, her cheerful expression soon marred with worry. “Ah, are you sure?”

“Yeah! I’ll go slow, so it’s like…” Carefully, Lloyd let slide his fingers over her own, so that their once clasped hands now loosened. The water made the action happen a bit faster than intended. “Just keep swimming, Colette! Use your hands to paddle when I let go!”

“O… okay! Just, um..” He felt her fingers reflexively curl around his, but still he kept trying to go through their lesson. Both their arms straightened out as the space between them widened. The water, with its ever-shifting currents, helped with their separation. Maybe too much though, as Lloyd noted Colette’s kicking had turned from an even rhythm into small flailing.

Before he could say anything, Colette’s upper body then began to sink a little – she had gone overboard in her paddling! As if she was desperately trying to swim over to him but lost her balance while doing so. Her chin went in the water, eyes widening in surprise.

“Ah!” she yelled, or tried to, as her voice was muffled by the water.

“Whoa, it’s okay, I got you!” Maybe they had done this part of the lesson too quick. Lloyd tried to pull her up, reaffirming his grip on her hands. Soon, Colette was already rising to the surface.

And then above the surface, and then – wait, now she was pulling him instead! And upwards! “C-Colette! Wait a second!”

“Oh, whoops!” Colette giggled as she hovered in the air, her wings spread out behind her. “I got nervous… sorry.”

She wasn’t carrying him up too far just yet, but Lloyd could feel himself stretching, his lower half still in the water, as he more or less hung onto Colette. “Did you just panic summon your wings?”

“I didn’t mean to!”

Laughter bubbled in his throat. Part of him wondered if he should just let her carry him like this, flying them both across the ocean. But then, they wouldn’t exactly be swimming anymore if they did that. Lloyd shifted his hands so that they traveled up her forearms for a better hold, urging her to come back. “You dork. You won’t get your reward if you just fly!”

“Oh, you’re right. I’m sorry!” Gently, Colette fluttered back to the water’s surface. She let herself submerge, just up to her torso. Her own hands held onto Lloyd’s arms now. “I won’t mess up this time!”

“And no more apologizing,” he reprimanded. Still, this had been even more fun than expected. He saw a flush of excitement on Colette’s cheeks, whether from the swimming or the sunshine, he wasn’t sure. But she looked really happy – it was always really strange that she was never allowed to do something as simple as swimming. But there were a lot of things she hadn’t been able to do, and Lloyd wanted to help change that for her.

Also, he still needed to figure out a prize for her… Maybe he could win something at the casinos! Oh wait, Regal said he wasn’t allowed to play there. Well, last minute gifts were his specialty anyway, one he was aware of as he saw Colette’s necklace hang down her neck, the sunshine reflecting off its metal surface. The salt spray wouldn’t ruin the finish or rust the chain, forged of special materials known only to dwarves. But he could probably make something better…

“Am I being too much trouble though?” she suddenly asked.

He smiled. “Hey, I promised I’d teach you and that’s what I’m doing! Unless you wanna stop.”

“Mm, no, I want you to teach me.” She nodded. “I want that a lot!”

“Alright!” He tightened his grip on her arms. “Let’s go!”

Lloyd and Colette might have let time get away from them, and they may have forgotten their friends back on land, who started to leave for the comfort of the hotel one by one.

“Hey! We’re going now!” But Genis’ voice couldn’t seem to reach them. He could still hear them splashing, Lloyd’s own loud and encouraging voice traveling over the water, but only aimed at one person. “Ugh, they’re too far out.”

“They’ll be alright,” his sister commented, already heading up towards the beach exit, gesturing for him to follow. “Now let’s go. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

“You just don’t want to be near the water…” he grumbled, but went after her. His two friends apparently had more important things to be busy with today.

Colette had been doing a few swimming techniques Lloyd had taught her – the doggy paddle, a few ways to dive, and even how to float on her back. But Lloyd still tried to get her to actually swim, and once remembering how she tried to get to him when he moved away, it gave him another idea.

“You’re balancing okay?”

Colette’s hands were sifting in the water, but she was afloat, standing within the water despite her feet not touching the ground. “Y-yeah, I think.”

“Okay, now try to catch up to me!”

“Wh-”

Lloyd was soon swimming further out, feet kicking through the water until he was quite a bit aways. But he turned back to her, hands waving. “Over here! You can do it!”

Colette hesitated, but not for too long. “R-right!” Cheeks puffed out and eyes bright, Colette employed everything Lloyd taught her, letting her body get held up by the water, using her arms to paddle through it. She nearly upended herself a few times, somehow, but got back into position, slowly cutting through the water to reach Lloyd.

“No wings!” he called out. “Well, unless you really need them!” If Colette found herself overwhelmed by the currents, her wings could help her out with that.

“I’m… okay!” she gasped out, and soon enough, she was just a few feet towards Lloyd, limbs a little shaky, but still there. To help her out, he reached out to grab her arms, and then swung her around, the water droplets falling off Colette and onto him during the momentum.

“Lloyd!” she said with a laugh, and soon she was lowered back to the water, half-falling against him, her hands placed against his shoulders. “I would have tripped!”

“Nah, I had you!” He squeezed her arms in reassurance.

Colette was raising her head to him, her eyes soon seeing past him towards the sky. “Oh, it’s getting dark.”

Lloyd blinked, then raised his head as well. The sky was painted with hues of red and orange, the sun leaving trails of its light within the expanse. The air felt a little colder too. How long have they been out here?

“Ah man, my hands are probably all wrinkly and stuff,” Lloyd complained. Then remembered something even more important! “Agh, we probably missed dinner too!”

Colette lifted her head at that, then looked towards the beach. “Oh! I guess so. Genis isn’t here.”

Well, Lloyd supposed he could munch on some gels instead… “Still though, I can’t believe I didn’t notice the time. I was really into those lessons!”

“Yeah!” Colette readily agreed. Her braided hair was unraveled a bit now, Lloyd noticed. The sea breeze picked it up, lifting it to the air. “Me too… Did I do good, you think?”

Lloyd gave her a thumbs up. “Yep! I’d say you passed the lessons. You can swim for sure now!”

With a cheerful laugh, she bounced a bit in his hold, the water current unconsciously bringing her closer. “Thank you, Lloyd! So, um…” She fiddled with her hands. “You said I’d get a prize if I learned, right?”

“Hm?” A low, passing wave shifted them again, and somehow making him remember. “Oh! Right, that was… yeah!” Maybe he could say it was in his room. And then, quickly make her a bracelet or something in 10 minutes? He might have some spare ones…

“Lloyd?” she asked curiously, seeing him hesitate. “It’s okay if I don’t get anything though. Swimming was really fun.”

“No, no, just uh…” He could come up with something, couldn’t he? And then it did, and then it wouldn’t leave his head.

It was really the only thing he had left on his mind. He couldn’t make her a figure out here, or win her a prize at the amusement park, or anything that sounded at least somewhat cool. But he still wasn’t entirely sure where the idea came from.

When he kissed her, he felt Colette shiver, but not pull away. The water held them both, all throughout his clumsy kiss, tasting the salt on her lips. There was a small sound from her, very soft, and her hands then moved against his chest as her mouth pressed against his.

So, uh, he had to keep kissing her. For the reward, and, yeah.

“U-um, Lloyd,” she whispered, lifting her lips away slightly. How come…? “Your goggles…”

Oh. Oh! “Oh, sorry!” He pulled back, seeing the slight indentation of his goggles against her forehead. Ah man, he had been too stupid. “Sorry, didn’t mean to uh…” Maybe Zelos was right about this dumb thing. He never actually wore it!

Also, he had just kissed her with no warning at all. It just seemed… like a thing to do? He started to let go, but Colette hadn’t moved from him at all, although she rubbed at her forehead a bit. Man, he was an idiot.

“Um, should probably go back, I guess,” he said. Also, he should probably make her an actual prize instead of just whatever that had been…

Then he heard her say, “Thank you, Lloyd. For keeping your promises to me like always.”

That had surprised him to hear. He looked at her, at the way she smiled up at him, the line in her forehead finally fading. The waves shifted around them again, paralleling the hues of red and orange from above.

“And for the prize, too! I’ll… try to earn some more!” Her smiled morphed to a grin, hands still on him, the water so comfortable between them.

“Huh, well… I think you’ve earned plenty more?” Lloyd said, again wondering where all this was coming from. “And I still probably need to give them to you.” Wow, he really didn’t understand but here he was, talking about it.

Colette seemed very okay with that. “Without the goggles though?”

Lloyd laughed, pulling at the strap around his head. “Y-yeah, without the goggles.”

He gave her a few more prizes for her hard work then, the waters calm despite the darkening sky. He’d made a lot of promises to Colette over the years, but he was really glad he kept this one to her.

[shewolfofficial]

heyy!! happy new years💖 could you write a scenario in which levi's s/o was his childhood friend in the underground amd she promised levi that she'll never take the same job as his mother did but when levi left with farlan and isabelle she was heartbroken and when hanji and erwin drag levi to a brothel he finds her and there's angst,,thank u💕

Thanks for the New Years wishes! ❤ Sorry this was late I’ve been a bit busy lately

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

// Flashback \

You met Levi when you were both young, seeing a loud massive crowd of men cheering and calling out to some boy who was shouting and beating the life out of an elder man made your eyebrow raise in curiousness, gently pushing your way through the crowd of passer-by’s you watched the boy relentlessly bet the man to a pulp before leaving him on the filthy ground. The mysterious boy looked around for someone then stand still, his face faltered as he watches someone walk away with their hands in their pockets until he continued to look around at the crowd who cheered for him. The boy’s eyes landed onto your own E/C ones making you become a shy mess you smiled letting your hands fall to your sides as you blinked innocently. 

As the crowd started to disappear the young champion made his way to you offering a kind smile ‘’I saw you watching the fight earlier.. My name’s Levi’’ the boy now known as Levi held his hand out to you as you gently took it and softly shook it ‘’m-my name is Y/N.. you have quite the impressive skills Levi’’ you complimented as a pink blush tinted your cheeks. You looked to Levi ‘’have you anywhere to go?’’ you asked lightly fiddling with the hem of your sleeves ‘’uhm.. no do you..?’’ Levi responded looking over your childlike features ‘’I managed to find a little house, only I use it.. nobody else you can live with me if you would like?’’ you offered as your eyes sparkled with hope.

‘‘Yeah sure, I bet it wouldn’t be bad’‘ Levi agreed as you motioned for him to follow you.

// 4 Years Later \

You dashed down the streets of the underground following Levi as you held onto the food you had just stolen, your laughter filling the air as Levi looked back seeing your content face as you ran back with him to your ‘home’. The shopkeeper’s shouts were still heard in the distance as you both got further and further from them.

You arrived at your temporary home, resting the food and materials on the table as you stretched, Levi had disappeared into his room for a few minutes. You sat down on your clean couch, Levi had recently gotten into the habit of cleaning and making sure everything was spotless, he would clean and you would go out to get stuff you or him needed so it was a win-win. Reaching over and taking a slice of bread you began to eat it while Levi came back out of his room joining you on the couch. Silence comfortably filled the place as you both ate ‘’Levi?’’ you asked ‘’yes Y/N?’’ he answered ‘’you want to play a game?’’ you piped after finishing the slice of bread, saving the rest of the loaf for later-on. ‘’What type of game hm?’’ Levi finished his slice before dusting himself off and turning to you ‘’we’ve known each other for years now and we live together! We’re like best friends, we don’t we tell secrete stuff about ourselves?’’ you grinned to the teenager sitting beside you ‘’tch fine’’ Levi responded laying back into the couch.

‘‘I’ll go first’‘ you started crossing your legs ‘‘I’m not actually supposed to be in the underground’‘ you said lightly watching Levi’s gaze falter ‘‘what do you mean Y/N?’‘ Levi quizzed ‘‘my father brought me down for business because my mother was at work and he had nowhere to leave me so he just brought me with him, I ended up getting lost and I couldn’t find my father then’‘ you fiddled with your thumbs ‘‘that all happened two weeks before I met you’‘ a smile came to your face when you mentioned Levi. ‘‘What wall did you come from originally?’‘ Levi asked in a confused manner ‘‘I came from Wall Rose’‘ you stated before lightly nudging him ‘‘I’ve had my turn now it’s yours!’‘ you smiled to Levi who shook his head pleasantly.

‘‘My mother.. she passed away when I was four… she was a prostitute and she got sick’‘ Levi muttered looking to the floorboards, you moved over to him and hugged him ‘‘I’m guessing you don’t want to play this anymore?’‘ you asked softly, Levi nodded ‘‘ I can promise you, Levi I will never work as a prostitute even if it means for me to live I refuse to become one’‘ you put him at ease.

‘Me and Levi met amazing people during our lives in the underground, Isabel and Farlan were by far our favorites as we both let them in and we became an unstoppable squad with big dreams.

Levi and I got closer and closer leading to our first confession and kiss, we thought things could never get better.. We were wrong..

The day after the kiss Isabel and Farlan didn’t come home.. neither did Levi

I stayed up for nights and days hoping the trio would walk back into our little comfortable home, hoping to hear Isabel’s lively voice and Levi’s annoyed grunt at her along with Farlan calling out to see if I’m home

But they didn’t’

// Present Time \

I sat on the leather couch next to my co-workers waiting for clients to come walking back on in. Yes, you heard it.. clients since I was left alone by Levi and the others I decided to pack up and leave since they left without a goodbye. Now the only chance I get for living is to become one of them, I worked in a disgusting brothel where drunken and filthy men would stamper on in and have fun. It was either starving to death or finding somewhere to live and get fed, of course, my luck was against me and this hell was the only place that was looking for employees. I hate the thought and fact of it, I promised to Levi I would never work in a place like this but Levi is gone so I only have to look out for number one which is, of course, me since I got nobody else. 

My outfit was quite revealing since the manager refused to let us wear something more comfortable and less revealing, we had no choice to listen to the manager.

I sat lost in thought resting my chin on the palm of my hand as I cocked my arm up from my knee, staring down to the dusty floor. I heard chatter coming from the main room where the main doors were at. Tuning into the conversation I heard someone introduce themselves as Erwin Smith..? He was the commander of the Scouting Legion why would he be down here? I soon hear a cheer and a womanly voice ‘’Oh shorty we’ll find her don’t worry!’’ I raised my eyebrow before sitting back against the leather sofa in a world of my own. I failed to notice the doors open from the main room and seeing the Commander cautiously walk in followed by a woman with brown hair, lively eyes along with goggles. And a short looking man with raven hair immediately reminding me of Levi. ‘’Tch shitty glasses I told you she promised me she would never work in one of these filthy places’’ the voice said angrilly. I perked up looking over to the little group and recognize the raven-haired man as Levi.

I felt my face pale as I caught his gaze, his eyes widening ever so slightly while he doesn’t hesitate to march over to me silently. ‘’Y/N..? Levi carefully asks kneeling down in front of me. ‘’Hello Levi..’’ I avoid his gaze, looking away ‘’why are you here, more like, why are you working here?’’ Levi asked frowning lightly, I shook my head ‘’why do you care? you basically aren’t even involved in my life anymore’’ I spat back at him ‘’Y/N you promised me you would never become a fucking prostitute what fucking made you change your mind about it?’’ Levi growled ‘’Why do you care Levi? You left me! You and the others abandoned me! Leaving me to starve! If I were to live I had to start working here! It’s not like you would care anyway so why don’t you leave this shit-hole already?’’ I cried out seeing him visibly flinch. ‘’Y/N we didn’t have a choice, I was hoping to get you out of here earlier but I couldn’t… Isabel and Farlan.. They’re dead..’’ Levi spoke quietly while grasping your hand in his. ‘’They died on the first expedition they went on, I had nobody except for you Y/N please’’ Levi looked like he was about to cry and my face softened ‘’I haven’t been here long.. Only one or two days, I usually hid myself so no dirty pervert would find me so..’’ I mumbled seeing a smile grace Levi’s lips. ‘’I ditched the house and before I came here I would live in alleyways’’ I finished.

Levi nodded before jumping in and kissing my lips hungrily I squeaked before kissing him back. Hanji squealed in the distance at the little scene, Levi pulled away gently whispering ‘’come with us Y/N.. you’ll be safe’’ I eagerly nod before hugging him again, a smile adorned my lips.

[autumn-maple13]

Lost to Time - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Expectations

Duscae was a region very different from Leide, that much was clear almost as soon as they passed through the blockade and into the region's damp air. There was thick foliage and grass off to either side of the road as the group rode down it, leaving Amara to wonder how a region of wetlands could co-exist beside the dustbowl they had just left so peacefully.

But then again, how could Noct's Armiger and her father's be co-existing so well within her, considering the reactions she kept having to her King's power?

'He does not know yet the extent of the power you have laid out before you, child.' another king's voice overshadowed her thoughts, making her head start to hurt.

'Who is 'he'?'

But no response came. Shaking her head, Amara refocused on the road, noticing a gas station up ahead. Realizing it would still be some distance to their destination, she flicked on her blinker to signal the guys of her intentions and listened to them pull up behind her at the pumps.

"Excellent idea Amara, we still have some ways to go yet," Ignis remarked, turning off the Regalia as the guys hopped out.

The duo set to fueling their respective vehicles as Noctis stepped away from the others, his phone buzzing in his pocket.

"Who could this be?" he asked himself more than anyone as he pulled the device out, answering it as Gladio and Prompto moved in to eavesdrop. He tried to wave them off. "Hello? Oh, Iris?"

Amara and Ignis both turned their attention to the raven-haired man now, staring holes into him as he listened to the girl talk.

"Yeah, will do." Almost as soon as he had put his phone away, the others were surrounding him.

"Was that Iris? Hmph. Can't even call her own brother." Gladio was clearly trying to sound annoyed, but his amusement was too obvious as Ignis leaned towards him.

"In all fairness, yours wasn't the obituary broadcast all over Lucis."

"What about me? She say anything about me?" Prompto's mind was clearly all over the place, judging by the unchecked emotion in his voice before excitement seemed to take over him, making Amara remember the sign they had just passed.

"Prompto, not right now."

"What?"

"We'll make a trip to the chocobo farm later."

"But chocobos!" he whined. "Lestallum's still ages away, c'mon – just a quick visit?"

Noctis shook his head. "First thing's first, Lestallum."

Though defeated, Prompto still put on a grin. "Fine! But next time we're checking out the chocobos, no questions asked!"

"Deal."

Amara shook her head at her friends' antics, looking out at the sky as it started to rain. "Oh, shit."

"Indeed." Ignis's agreement seemed to pull the other's attention to their friend's dilemma. "I'd say it may be best to wait it out, but I doubt it will do us any good."

"I don't mind getting wet-"

"But the risk of you hydroplaning is too high." Ignis interrupted.

"Fine, then let's head over to the Crow's Nest and get some lunch, and hope the rain eases up by the time we're done." The woman didn't want to argue with the guys, instead heading inside the gas station to ask the clerk if it was alright for her to leave the motorcycle up by the building where it wouldn't get wet. Ignis put the hood up on the Regalia as he moved it into a parking spot not far away, leaving Amara to move her bike before she and the guys made a dash for the diner next door. While the younger guys busied themselves with the pinball machine, Amara and Gladio slipped into seats at the bar, listening to Ignis talk with the guy working the counter before he came to claim the seat on the redhead's other side.

"He says there are a few havens near here, should we not make it very far before nightfall."

"I dunno Iggy, I think Amara might prefer the caravan again." Gladio's smirk made his point clear enough, earning him a hard kick to the shin from the woman. She watched with a smirk of her own as the brunette hopped up from his stool, nursing his now surely bruised leg with a grimace on his face.

Ignis chuckled beside them, turning his attention back to the menu. "I seem to recall that you are usually the one who ends up in that position Gladio. On Noct's couch, in the tent the other night, when else? Hm…"

"Ignis!" Amara's voice was pleading, but her face held a threat that only disappeared when the owner approached them.

"So, you ready to order?"

Noctis and Prompto were happy to rejoin them to order, though everyone ended up ordering the salmon meal, before returning to the game to wait for it to cook. Amara and the guys decided then to shift over to a booth to wait, with Amara and Ignis sipping on their ordered coffees on one side while Gladio tried to sit against the wall on the other, keeping his legs firmly in the corner as best he could.

"You know Iggy, I think you had her trapped more than I did the other night."

"Can we not talk about this now?!" the woman was started to turn red in the face. "For the love of the Six not in public like this at least! People'll think the wrong things hearing you say shit like that!"

"Oh please."

"Gladiolus Amicitia, in case you haven't noticed I'm a young woman clearly traveling with a group of guys. That alone is enough to start talk since I am obviously not related to any of you, but if you keep saying stuff like that it's only going to make it worse."

"Why do you even care what everyone else is saying?"

"Because it draws attention. The fact that I'm still in my uniform is bad enough, the fact that all of us are decked out in all black and traveling in a super unique car is bad enough – but all that pales in comparison to the way people scrutinize you when they think they've found a piece of juicy gossip, and believe me, having a slutty sounding rumor attached to an already stand out group just makes people look for them more." She felt like she was back in high school almost, burying her face in her gloved hands while she took in the fact that she just had to explain something like that to Gladiolus of all people: the man who's lap it fell into when a paparazzi got too close to Noctis. "How did you keep Noctis out of the tabloids so long if you don't even realize the basics of the gossip circle?"

"Ignis." Gladio shrugged as if it should have been as obvious as her own explanation. "Guys with cameras, yeah I keep them off his case, but the guys with the pens and papers? Not so easy to keep in line."

"For you." Ignis was the one smirking now, crossing his arms over his chest. He didn't get a chance to say anything else though, with the guys rocketing over to join them the second the owner started plating their food. The older man laughed, bringing everyone their plates and drinks.

"Y'all enjoy!"

And they did, taking their time to eat as Amara kept an eye on the weather outside. It didn't seem like it was going to lighten up anytime soon, so once they were done, she turned her attention to the people who were still moving about in the rain.

"I really hope we can at least make it part way before tonight."

"Yeah, 'specially with Iris waiting on us." Gladio agreed, looking out the window himself before something caught his attention. "Hey, I think I know someone who can help us pass the time."

"Huh?"

The others were left to follow as Gladio forced his way out of the booth, heading outside into the rain. "That woman over there in the red hat, Sania."

"Someone you know?" Prompto was looking curiously at the woman who didn't seem to know they were even there.

"Spoke with her just the once, back at Hammerhead."

"Now that you mention it, you were chatting someone up." Noctis didn't seem too impressed.

"She's real knowledgeable about wildlife, could teach us a thing or two. Go on and introduce yourself."

And so Noct did as he was told, after a gentle shove in her direction, only to return a few moments later with a grimace. "She wants us to head over to the Slough and catch her some red frogs."

"Frogs?" Amara deadpanned, shrugging in confusion. "Really?"

"Yeah, 'the quicker the better'." The king rubbed his neck, pulling out the map to look at and pointing across the road a moment later. "Looks like it's just down there."

"Alright, let's get going then." The group wasted no time in getting across the road to the grassy slope that led down to the slough, though Amara was less than thrilled about the slick surface that she knew was a disaster waiting.

"Be careful not to fall guys. The garula won't bother us if we don't provoke them, but in this rain, there's no telling if a giant toad is hanging around. They will attack us with no warning if we don't see them first."

"Garula?"

"Giant toad?"

"Never mind, just watch your step."

Taking her warning to heart, the guys did pay a bit more attention to their footing, even soon spotting the garula she had mentioned. The beast herd paid them no mind, even as Amara led them straight through their grassy patch, leaving them to wonder momentarily if just what it might take to invoke the wrath of such gentle seeming creatures (and if they might be added to the menu if they could take one down). The woman had noticed something else up ahead though, as the water of the slough came into view, a water tower standing beside an overgrown shack of sorts.

"Hey guys, if this storm decides to pick up even more while we're out here, we can use that place for shelter until there's a break for us to leave."

"Sounds good." Noctis agreed, though he nearly slipped when she came to a sudden stop in front of him – surveying the area.

"The water is going to be too deep on this side for us to find frogs. We'll have to walk around it and see if we can find a better spot."

"Walk around that?" Prompto was clearly concerned by the size of the water hole.

"We might not have to go all the way around, but if Noct's already agreed to do this for Sania, we can't go back empty-handed." So, they kept walking, until they reached a marshy area that was off the side of the lake, with several large stones in and around it. "Hey, this should be a good place to look!"

"We might need to hold off some though." Ignis was looking off at something above them, moments before a familiar buzz filled her ear.

"Imperials?!" the group watched from the cover of the few trees of the area as the dropship came in close, descending to a few dozen feet above them before its hatch opened and allowed a small patrol of Niflheim Axmen to drop down. "How the fuck did they even find us in this weather?"

"I think we should figure it out later." Gladiolus had already summoned his sword before the dropship had begun to lift away, and the others followed suit. This time it was Noctis who made himself busy warping around after the MTs while the others covered him, leaving Amara thankful that the patrol was made of a weaker few of the Empire's mechanical soldiers. As they watched the wrecked 'corpses' disintegrate, Prompto soon pointed out another detail.

"Hey, the rain's stopped!"

Distracted from the fight of only moments prior, the group exchanged a few smiles but were quick to follow Amara when she started for the marshy area once more.

"Then let's go ahead and find these frogs so we can get back and leave!"

Now there was a sight – Noctis in his fatigues walking straight into the marsh with the Glaive on his heels while the rest of the guys watched in mock horror, fanning out along the more ground. Unfazed by the grassy muck that was threatening to steal their shoes, Noctis soon found a frog, Amara finding another not far away. Prompto let out a squeal when he found a rather slippery one after to dive back after it when it squirmed out of his too loose grasp. Ignis fared much better, finding one that all but leaped at him from its rocky perch. Gladio was the last to find one, but they soon saw him going after something moving through the taller grass near some of the large, mossy rocks they had entered the area by, holding up a rather large frog a few moments later with a grin on his face.

"Hey Amara, I'll buy you a coffee if you kiss it."

"Hey Gladdy, I won't pay any medical fees if you try to make me."

"Worth a shot."

"Let's just get these back to Sania before they escape us again." Ignis clearly wanted to get back to the station, though with the looks he was giving Amara and Noctis they figured easily he had more than one reason for the rush. The redhead laughed, realizing how filthy her boots (and pants) were before she motioned for everyone to get a move on once more.

Without the rain making the walk all the more treacherous, they found themselves back in the parking lot fairly soon and held their nabbed froggies carefully as they followed Noctis over to the woman who had sent them on the hunt. The woman's face lit up as she looked at the creatures, holding out a special container for them to be placed in.

"Look at all these lovelies! Thank you, now my research can spring along."

"Research?" Amara couldn't hide her curiosity, wondering just what the strange woman would want to research that involved frogs.

"From longer nights to earthquakes, there's been a lot of strange phenomena of late. The world's out of whack, and there's no end to the mysteries that want for solving."

"Mysteries like… frogs." Noctis was clearly trying to put the pieces together, standing there with his hands on hips and a look his school friends recognized from their chemistry class all that time ago.

"Yep. You see, red frogs only appeared recently. We don't know what gave rise to the mutation. But this tiny critter could the key to the world's mysteries in its webbed feet." Sania poked gently at the largest frog with a smile on her face. "Fascinating stuff, right? Maybe I'll be able to tell you more if we run into each other again."

Taking that for a cue, the group was quick to exchange goodbyes with her and hurry back to their vehicles. Amara took a moment to examine her own map while she waited for the guys to load up, meeting them at the lot's exit.

"Let's try to make Lestallum."

"We should be able to reach it just before dusk." Ignis nodded and pulled out onto the road behind her. It was a scenic drive as they left the station, driving through more lush grassland and under some of the region's famous stone arches until finally reaching the spreading forest. It was already getting darker in the sky, with the sun painting the horizon in brilliant reds – making the woman in front hit the gas. They soon reached a blockade gate that marked their entrance into the Cleigne region, a long, high road stretching out in front of them over the massive canyon below, curving off to the side somewhere ahead. It led them directly into a tunnel carved into the cliffside, and with the sky still growing steadily darker, Amara was happy to see city speed limit signs up ahead. They entered the city limits as darkness truly fell over them and found parking down below the main street as the lights began to turn on to keep the city illuminated.

"Hey, Noct, where are we supposed to meet Iris?" the Glaive called from chaining up her motorcycle next to the Regalia, retrieving her bag from the car's trunk as the others did the same.

"The Leville."

"You know how to get there?"

"Can't be that hard to figure out."

[writersblock2point0]

Twilight, Alec LS. Seeing Nightmares. (Chapters 20-21)

Emberly and Alec meet their children together, and we also get to see the little ones!

Chapter 20

The house was quiet when we came back, other than the quick fluttering hearts I heard. Alec held my hand as we walked to the door, and I spotted Esme and Carlisle first as we rounded the hall and came to the living room. Alice was suddenly in my face, stopping me from going to the room.

“You will not meet your babies looking like that missy!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me upstairs.

“What are you doing?” I asked as she pulled me into what I could smell was her room. She pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, a simple white top with pink flowers, and tan flats.

“Change,” She smiled, and pushed me into the bathroom connecting to her room. I changed my clothes and looked in the mirror, seeing someone who did not look like me.

My skin was pale, much like Alice’s. My freckles were still there, but they seemed faint, as if they were not fully erased from a drawing. My hair was back to its natural dark brown color, the dye completely gone from my hair. My eyes were a blood red, and looked intense and I felt like I wasn’t looking at me. I was me, but different.

I walked out and down the stairs at light speed, still trying to figure this stuff out.

I rounded the corner and saw the Cullens with three small babies. There was two boys, who looked the same. Their eyes were a dark brown, their hair a chocolate, just like Alec’s. Did he have brown eyes as a human? I looked to see Edward holding a small girl, with blonde hair and stormy blue eyes. They were all watching me.

I smiled, and looked around.

“Where do I sit?”

Esme stood up from her small sofa, “You can sit here, Dear.” Alec sat to my right as Rosalie and Emmett brought the boys over.

“This is Elias and Evander.” Alec told me, and I felt like I could cry, I was so happy. I laughed as both boys were touching my face with tiny hands, smiling up at me with small white teeth in their gums.

“Why do they look so old?” I asked, looking around to see Edward coming over, and Renesmee stood by the side of the couch, leaning over to look at my daughter.

“Half breed children grow faster. They should be full grown in seven years.” Carlisle informed me, and I looked at my three children. Only seven years of being a parent to them, before they were old enough to fly from my nest.

“This is Isadora.” I smiled at Alec, seeing he kept the names I picked out. I had asked him if he wanted to pick the boy names, but he told me whatever I chose was perfect. I smiled as Alec and I held and played with our children, and it wasn’t until they fell asleep in our arms that I saw we were alone.

-

“Alec?” I asked once we were just outside of Volterra, the sky clouded over as it was about to rain. No one came to greet us at the plain, but we didn’t have a problem as Alice was nice enough to give us some baby supplies and a stroller. Not that they would be using it after this.

“Yes my love?” He turned to me, holding our bags as we weaved through the streets.

“Does Jane like dolls?”

He nodded, “Yes, very much so. She’s frozen at seventeen, but she never had those luxuries or normal things a young girl had, so she likes to collect things. Dolls, jewelry, and she’s got a very impressive green house.” He smiles, before looking confused. “Why?”

I pushed the stroller, holding both boys as we walked, while Isadora was in a black and red baby holder that Alice said ‘You just have to have it!’ and I smiled as she laid her head against my chest and slept peacefully.

“I saw a small antique store that seemed to have some dolls.” I hummed, and smiled as I spotted the castle. “Just thought of her, maybe we could stop and get some next time we’re out.” I shrugged and sighed when we finally reached the castle. I wasn’t tired, no, I didn’t get tired. But I was glad to finally be back home. Home, I smiled, shaking my head I followed Alec in.

It was quiet, and I looked around at the castle I’ve never actually had the chance to really see. Other than the time me and my friends took the tour. Hm, interesting.

“Does Aro want to see us?”

“I would imagine, but he will understand that we need to settle in.” He steps from the elevator and I follow him, stopping when we reached his room. It was the same, though I spotted two cradles near the foot of the bed. They were large and white, having silky white sheets and small little stuffed animals in them. I smiled as I gently ran my fingers over the pained wood.

“Here you are baby.” I cooe as Isadora sters with a soft wine before settling into her crib nicely. Alec places the boys into theirs, and I smile as they cuddle into each other. Those boys will be trouble makers, no doubt.

A knock came from the door and I turned to see Jane walk in.

“You lived,” She nods to me, a ghost of a smile upon her lips. “These are the children?” She walks over and peers into the cribs.

“These are Elias and Evander.” I speak softly as to not disturb them. Jane looks to our baby girl, “And this is Isadora Jane.” Her eyes widen, and she looks at me with something I cannot place, but I’m shocked when a bright smile adorns her beautiful face and I see Alec sharing a similar smile.

“After me?” She almost sounds like a small girl, asking if whatever was handed to her was actually for her. I nod and she looks back down at Isadora. Her slim finger lightly traces the soft rosy cheeks, and she has a far away look in her eyes.

I feel Alec place his hand on my back, pulling me into him with a soft smile. I could get use to this.

Chapter 21

-Third person-

“Please let me dress you!” Emberly’s voice was pleading, and a small ‘Nuh-uh!’ came in a short reply as the small boy before her shook his head and stood in front of her, stark naked. His brown eyes were dark with mischief as he giggled behind his hands, fluffy brown hair shaking with every move he made.

“Elias!” She warned, giving him that look every child recognizes. He giggled and dashed away, only to be scooped up by Alec. He shrieked and laughed as Alec pretended to eat his little arms. The children looked about three now, and where walking-running-and talking the poor palace to death.

“You can’t be seen like that,” Alec stated and smiled as his son’s laugh rang in his ears. “Come on, let’s get you dressed while Mommy wakes up your sister.” Emberly handed Alec the boy’s clothes and turned to see Isadora standing up in her crib, looking at her mom with big round eyes and wild blond hair that curled in natural ringlets.

“Good morning princess!” Emberly beams and picks up her little girl, taking her to the large bed and setting her down. “You gunna let mommy dress you up nice and pretty?” She asks and her daughter nods, golden hair bouncing as she smiles.

Emberly dressed Isadora in a dark blue dress, white tights, and black flats. Emberly brushed through her hair but stopped when Isadora stopped her.

“I want to look like Aunt Jane!”

Emberly smiled, looking at her daughter through the mirror. “A bun?” A nod in reply, “Do you want it braided and twisted into a bun?”

“Yes please!”

This was the usual mornings. Elias and Evander were a nightmare to get dressed, only complying to their father, and Isadora usually wanted to dress like Jane. Isadora loved Jane, and it wasn’t very hard to see that the vampire loved her little -‘princess’- niece to death. The young girl was always following Jane around, and Emberly even caught her and her brothers pretending to be the leaders-with Isadora being Jane and Elias was usually Aro, who told ‘Jane’ to use her ‘power’ on Evander-who played a vampire who broke the rules. It was adorable. Elias and Evander hung around Felix and Demetri, a lot actually, and Emberly couldn’t find it in her heart to tell the two boys that teaching her babies to prank wasn’t a good idea. They got too creative.

Emberly was starting to get worried, as neither of the children displayed abilities, and neither did she. It was what Aro had wanted, but now it seems that he is getting impatient, ‘all this hard work for nothing’ was basically what he meant.

“Mommy?” Emberly blinked, feeling Isadora pulling on her shirt. Emberly finally got clothes of her own, but usually wore Alec’s shirts.

“Yes my sweetness?”

“Can I go see Aunty Jane?”

“I suppose.” Emberly smiled as her daughter dashed from the room, leaving the door wide open as she searched for her Aunt. No doubt the said vampire was waiting for her, knowing how she liked to follow her around and pretend to be Jane.

“I must go make my rounds, will you be alright?” Alec placed a kiss onto her lips.

“Yuck!” Evander grimaced, looking ill as he just witnessed his parents kiss.

“Mommy! I want kisses too!” Elias bounced, making Emberly laugh. She peppered him with kisses, careful not to hurt him with her newborn strength. It was like kissing a butterfly's wings.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

-Isadora’s pov-

I ran to Aunt Jane’s room, seeing that she was just stepping out of her door. She wore a black dress that reached her knees, along with black tights and black heels. She had her hair up in a bun as well, making me smile.

“Good morning Aunt Jane!”

Aunt Jane’s face lightened, and she shared a smile with me. “Hello Isa.”

“What are we doing today?” I asked, walking beside her as she started to walk down the hall.

“I planned to go to the village today.”

“Oh! Can I come?” She glanced at me, before smiling.

“Of course, why would I leave you behind?”

I giggled, shrugging my shoulders. “Are we leaving now?”

“Yes.”

The village was cloudy, the sun hiding behind the clouds and I held Jane’s hand as we walked through the streets. She always said to hold my hand when we were outside, and told me so it was so I could stick with her. She opened a door, a bell ringing at the top and pulled me inside with her. It smelled like dust, and wood.

“Go ahead and look around,” She pushed me forward by my shoulder, giving me a smile. “Pick out whatever you want.”

“Really?” I beamed, and she nodded. I ran off, looking around at all the different stuff the store had to offer. It wasn’t very big, but had a lot of stuff, making it look crowded and messy. I looked at a few weird hats, pulling some on and laughing as the feathers dangled in front of my face. I didn’t like any of them, so I put it back, exactly how it was before.

I moved on, stopping when I saw a few bears with different colored scarves around their necks. When I touched them, they were stiff and smelled bad, and the scarves were rough and itchy. One button on a bear's face was missing, making me feel a little sad as it looked neglected.

I gasped as I saw a large stuffed rabbit, grabbing it and holding it close to my chest. It was a tan velvet and soft, with a pink wool coat and shiny black eyes and giant floppy ears that felt a little stiff. He even had small pockets in his coach. I smiled down at his shiny eyes, Winston. I’ll call him Winston.

“Found something?” I turned to see Aunt Jane, who held a few dolls in her arm.

“His name will be Winston!” I declared, holding him up like in the movie Lion King, one of my favorites.

Aunt Jane smiles, “Come on, we can look around some more.”

“Okay!” I skipped around, Aunt Jane following me as I looked around the aisles.

Spotting something, I gasped out loud and called for Aunt Jane. She was beside me in seconds, looking over my shoulder. She grinned down at me.

“Perfect!”

-

-Elias’s Pov-

“Uncle Petrie!” Evander called, running away from me as I tried to tag him. He was fast, a lot faster than I, and I growled in frustration. Why wouldn’t he just stop? Evander ran around Uncle Petrie’s legs, and I ignored the laugh and thrusted my hand between his legs and tapped Evander.

“You’re it!” I snickered and ducked as Evander nearly got me.

“You two settle down.” Uncle Felix says with a deep but friendly voice and I stopped, letting Evander bump into me. “You two nearly broke some vases last time things got too rough.”

“But we didn’t.” I point out with a smirk, and received laughs in reply.

“Be careful.” Uncle Petrie says before they were gone, leaving us by the secretary. She was annoying, always saying we needed to play somewhere else because we distracted her. She wasn’t nice, and I didn’t like her at all.

Evander grabbed my hand, “Let’s go.” He pulled me away, as I glared at the lady before turning and running with him around the castle.

We continued to play, mostly Evander running from me as he was faster than me. I snarled in anger as he evaded me once again, but froze when I saw the double doors that Daddy and Aunt Jane go to work in. They work, or are apart of a large family, but they spend a lot of time in there. We’ve been in once or twice, only to meet three older men who seemed very happy to meet us, until suddenly they didn’t seem to pay attention to us.

Daddy said to not worry about it, but I hear them talking sometimes.

Mommy’s worried that because we don’t have abilities, that we will be...what was the word?

“You two,” We both jumped and turned to see Heidi, a very pretty woman that also works and lives here with Mommy and Daddy. “The Master’s wish to see you.” She places her hands on our shoulders, guiding us forward and I look at Evander, who’s giving me a worried look.

“We don’t want to.” I say, looking up at her.

She smiles warmly, “You aren’t in trouble dears.”

Evander and I are walked into the room and I see Daddy is beside Uncle Caius, who never looks happy. I notice Uncle Petrie and Felix as well, where was Aunt Jane?

Heidi leaves us standing in the middle of the room, and Evander is clutching my hand tightly. He’s nervous, mostly because he’s scared of how mean Caius is.

“Hello my dear boys!” Grandpa Aro grins, standing and coming to us. He had dark red eyes, like Daddy but they looked cold and mean, not like Mommy or Daddy’s. “So nice to see you two are up and about, enjoying yourselves.”

“We were playing tag.” I state, tilting my head and frowning when he burst into laughter. Why was that funny? “I’m not any good at it, Evander’s a lot faster than me.”

Grandpa smiles, “So I’ve heard.” Then, a hand was held out to me. “May I?”

I know what he wants, he wants to look into my head and see my thoughts.

“No.” I shake my head. Daddy is suddenly beside me, a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s alright Elias, let him look.”

I huffed but handed my hand over. He grabbed it greedily, like how Evander does with candies. He’s quiet before he pulls away, a disappointed look on his face. Daddy is rubbing my back and I give him a confused look, what is wrong? Am I dying?

“What’s wrong?” I ask Daddy and he shakes his head.

“Nothing, now go play.”

I give last looks at the three men before turning and pulling Evander with me.

“Give them more time, Master.”

“A few more weeks Alec, that is all.”

[happypledis]

Into the Dark: Minghao (Rivals to Lovers)

Summary: You and Minghao are competing for the last place as permanent staff at a Haunted House. You are given one night to prove yourselves by scaring the most people. Genre: Fluff (I write fluff exclusively... fight me) Members: Minghao x reader, Seungkwan Word Count: 3,742 Warnings: Haunted House/Halloween-related creepy content/fake blood decorations Caratober: Day 1 Dark (just posted late, sorry! I’m a college student!)

Where is he? You wonder. I can’t believe he's my competition. I guess this already means I’ll get the spot?

“We’re open in five, everyone! Places!” Your manager calls. As she darts from room to room, her ragged, blood-colored cloak trails out from behind her like a shadow.

From across the room, Seungkwan, one of your closest friends (and someone you hope will be a future coworker) laughs. He is playing a servant, shirt and breeches tattered and smeared with dark-colored goop. His face is smeared too. “It’s always weird to see someone as cheery as her dressed as something so creepy. Did you know that every year, she always picks the creepiest costume?”

You laugh too, picking up the train of your long dress as you walk towards your hiding spot: an old, gnarly tree tree with a little panel that swings away when you push it, so you can hide inside. “No way, really?”

 “Yup! It’s weird.” He disappears into his hiding spot: right behind a recess in the wall next to the door, which currently has been designed to look like it’s falling off its hinges. Seungkwan pops his head back out a second later. "Hey, Minghao is my friend... but so are you. So I’m wishing you both the best of luck tonight.”

“Thank you,” you say. “But I already like the environment here, so I’ll have to destroy him. Do you think I’d be a good fit?” I’m on time, at least, you add silently.

“Yes, but at this point, we can’t decide, so that’s why we’re trying to both out tonight to see.” Seungkwan breaks into a mock-serious expression. “ And please, no physical destruction. I don’t want either of you hurt.”

“Fine,” you say, faking a sigh.

“Are you ready?” Seungkwan asks.

“Well, I’m a little nervous, I have to admit,” you say, honestly. You’ve heard the stories from other coworkers: that some customers get mad when they get scared, and will take it out on the first person they see. You’re glad your spot has a panel that you can pull shut if you need to.

He frowns, opening his mouth to speak, when a rush of cold air passes behind you and a low voice tickles your ear. “Why?”

You force yourself to not give him the satisfaction of seeing you jump. Instead, you try to keep your voice nonchalant as possible, which is hard considering the scare, and how close he is. “Oh, there you are. I suppose you must not feel ready either, if you’re already getting a head start on scaring, hm?”

From across the room, your coworker laughs. “Admit it--she got you, Minghao.”

You swirl around to face Minghao before he can retort back, your velvety cloak awkwardly swinging against your back. His eyes are narrow and mouth open as he prepares to bite back, but he blinks quickly, taking a step back, as you meet eyes.

I guess I really did scare him that time? 

“Two can play at this game,” you tease, encouraged. Your heart is still beating fast as you take a second to look at his costume--to judge your competition, you need to know what you’re competing with, you tell yourself. He wears a loose-fitting blue robe with gold trim, and dark makeup is messily smudged around his eyes. His hair looks like a rat’s nest, which is very different than the usual way he styles it. You find yourself smirking. He doesn’t really look like he belongs in a haunted house at all. There’s no gore on his costume whatsoever. In fact, it looks almost good. Flattering. If he picked it himself, he would definitely have an eye for fashion.

From behind the door, you hear what sounds like a snort, but you don’t really think your teasing was funny enough to warrant one. You try to peek over and look, but Seungkwan is nowhere to be seen.

The lights overhead flicker off, and the fake torches and candles overhead begin to glow softly, marking a minute til. You turn back to your competition. The lights cast strange shadows across his face, and you are forced to admit that you do find him attractive. Despite... everything.

You shake your head, clearing it, and step away. “Now’s our cue,” you say, ducking down behind the carriage. He finds his spot, a cobweb-covered old-timey carriage, and quickly disappears. The sound system clicks on, and the room is full of owls’ hooting and bats’ screeching. A wolf’s lonely howl is thrown in every once in a while, too.

If you and Minghao had met under any other circumstances... well, you know you wouldn’t hate him. In fact, he had a personality that complemented yours well--before the two of you were told that, with only one spot left on the permanent team, you’d have to compete to earn it. Before that, you’d actually hoped to at least befriend him, what with being the two newbies trying to prove your places. But apparently you’re both competitive by nature...and apparently that nature beat out anything else that could have grown between you.

“Good luck,” Minghao suddenly calls. “You'll need it.”

“And why is that?” You ask, expecting a punch line.

“Because tonight, you look more pretty than scary,” he says, so quiet you almost can’t hear it. “So the odds don’t look good for you. Even if you do.”

And this time, it’s you who is left with their mouth hanging open, because the first customer steps through the doors. And then another one right behind them. They must be a couple, because the slightly shorter figure dashes up to keep pace with the first, and grabs their hand.

He’s trying to get into my head, you think, as you watch their approach. I have to time it right, and he’s... saying stuff like that. Ugh.

You carefully lean towards the panel, and wait until you can hear the couples’ whispers. Then you swing it open and let out a shriek. The couple jumps away, squealing, and you settle back inside the tree.

Sighing, you stare at the hinges of the panel, waiting to hear what Minghao does. Seungkwan is here to gauge the loudness of the screams the two of you earn, and whichever one gets more, will win the spot.

You’re not sure what Minghao did, but you hear the couple squeal even louder for him. If you’re only going to get squeals, you’ll basically be handing the job to him.

I do look scary, you think. I don’t know what he’s talking about. He has to be trying to psyche me out because he knows he doesn’t look the part. You’d spent forever on your dark makeup, and it will pay off.

Then you hear Seungkwan, with his two years of experience, let out a very scary groan. The couple screams, their footsteps fading fast as they start to run.

When they’re gone, Minghao calls your name. You sigh again. But since you know there’ll be another few seconds before the next customers come in, you grudgingly peek out.

“See what I mean?” He asks, raising his eyebrows.

“Just give me some time and I’ll easily prove you wrong.”

“And why would you win against me, when I obviously am the better candidate here?” He cocks his head, messy hair falling into his eyes.

“Because I could say the same for you,” you sputter out. Chill, you tell yourself. Don’t let him make you lose your cool.

He crosses his arms against his chest. “What does that mean?”

Ugh. “You look too good to be scary,” you hiss.

“Wha--” he stops, and something flashes over his face--and you realize what you just said. How it sounded. What it revealed.

He opens his mouth to speak again.

And then you both hear the laughter of a large group of customers coming. So you turn and fling yourself back. Back inside. Back into the darkness to hide your face as it starts to burn red.

Stupid.

                                                        * * *

 The hours pass, and your throat starts to hurt. You hope Seungkwan is keeping good track, because to your ears, the reactions sound pretty equal. At least right now.

You’ve decided to switch things up sometimes--to leap out of the tree instead of sliding, to let the panel burst open instead of silently glide, or to duck low or stand high, depending on the people. It seems like switching it up causes better reactions, once you get a feel for who would be scared more by what. You wonder if Minghao has caught on to your tactics--because you know he can see you. But because you can’t see him, you don’t know.

In the slow periods, your brain keeps running in circles. Why did I say that? What he said... that’s just him getting to me. But the way I said it? It’s obvious I feel something. Maybe that’s why Seungkwan snorted earlier... was I staring too long? Oh, man. I guess I was staring if he noticed from all the way behind us.

You lean your head against the panel. So stupid.

                                                      * * *

Finally, finally, it nears the end of the night. Instead of seconds between customers, it becomes one minute, then two, then three. You know the line is dwindling now, and soon you’ll all be able to head home. And you’ll find out whether or not you won.

I don’t even know if it could be me anymore, you think, sighing.

Your phone buzzes in the little pouch you’re wearing at your hip (since your dress didn’t have pockets), and since you can’t hear anyone coming, you pull it out and read the message. It’s from Seungkwan and it says Almost time now. He’s put you and Minghao in a group chat.

Yup, you text back, unsure why he said that when you can keep on eye on the clock yourself.

Do you feel it? I can.

You stare at your phone, confused. But he always does this sort of thing--staring conversations with random, dramatic sentences like this. He lives for the dramatic.

Feel what? Minghao types.

Seungkwan sends back an annoyed emoji. The air of the room.

What is he talking about? Shaking your head, you text, what about it?

You hear him groan from the over side of the room and almost laugh.

The typing bubble pops up immediately. The tension!!!!!!!! he sends.

You blink, still confused. No one texts anything else for a moment, even though you and Minghao both have read it.

Minghao finally sends in an annoyed emoji, too. What are you even talking about?

Yeah, you’re being weird, you add.

Seungkwan spams the chat with literally all the annoyed emojis on his keyboard. You roll your eyes.

When he stops, he sends a message in all caps. THE TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU!  And then, Seungkwan leaves the chat.

Minghao sends a confused emoji. You don’t say anything back, just turn off your screen. Oh boy.

“Yeah, cause we're competing,” you say out loud, making sure no footsteps are nearing.

“That’s right,” Minghao says.

Before anyone else can speak, you hear a group of customers and the three of you go quiet, waiting.

As soon as they’re gone, Seungkwan sighs. “Fine, yeah.” He pauses, and you look down at your phone. Seven minutes until closing.

“But,” he pipes up again, “that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Minghao sounds like he’s standing up. “Then what are you trying to say?” he asks, his voice strangely tight. Maybe his throat hurts too.

“You guys were... friendly... before our manager announced the news that day,” he says slowly. “Some might say very friendly.”

“I wouldn’t,” Minghao butts in.

“Yeah, not really.” You add, agreeing. You have no idea where this is going, but knowing Seungkwan... it worries you.

“Fine, would you rather me say close? Flirty? Romantically interested? That the tension between you is sparks flying?” His voice gets louder and louder as he goes.

That, right there, shows that your gut is always right about Seungkwan. You love him but sometimes...he’s too much. You bite your lip, trying to ignore how his words affect you. You can’t believe someone else--especially the wrong person--noticed what you’d been doing. Because you had to admit that you actually had been flirting back then.

“Shut up,” Minghao says. You can’t judge his emotions from just his voice so you have no idea how he feels. But his words...you are glad to be hidden from view right now. Otherwise he may see the truth.

“Why? Because you know it’s true?” Seungkwan demands. “I’m close with you two and I’m not going to let--” he is forced to stop because Minghao shushes him.

“No! Customer,” he hisses.

You wonder why you, the closest to the door, didn’t hear him earlier, because it sounds like a youtuber who’s vlogging a mile a minute. “And this is the first room... here we go, guys. Oh, it’s dark.”

You wait until he’s right beside the tree before leaping out and screaming. You scare him so bad he almost drops his camera--which you would have felt awful about. But he laughs. “Oh my gosh, guys, did you just see that? Only the first scare and I almost smashed my lens.”

You settle back into the tree and are happy to say that he screams much quieter for Minghao. You shake your head, looking down at your hands. Sometimes you’d thought Minghao had flirted too, back then, but you’d never really been able to tell. You normally were a bit too shy to flirt first, but around him, you’d always felt comfortable. Or, at least, the good kind of shy.

You sigh. Obviously it’s different now. The competition ended everything. If you had the chance to go back and fix it... but I don’t.

You look down at your phone. Three minutes. The youtuber will be the last customer of the night.

Seungkwan realizes this too, and he steps out and into the main part of the room. “Alright, guys, I’m going to go talk to management about which one of you won.”

“Wait--you’re not going to tell us first?” You ask, stepping out of the tree.

He shakes his head, grinning. “Nope. And technically you’re required to stay here for--” he paused and looks down at his phone--two more minutes and thirty-five seconds. So, I’ll head out so you two can... talk. Or whatever.”

“Boo Seungkwan, what do you mean by ‘whatever’?” You call after him. He turns around, winks...and then starts running.

“You better run!” You yell.

You stand there, listening to the recorded spooky animal sounds you’ve grown to hate, and try to hold what’s left of your pride together. You can’t remember the last time you’ve been this embarrassed. But you do know that the last time was definitely because of Seungkwan, too. You sigh. Minghao seems--wait, where is he? You turn, about to see if he’s still inside the carriage, but he’s right behind you. Like earlier.

You take a step away. “What are you doing?”

He shrugs, pausing for a second. But then he steps closer and clears his throat. “We probably should talk.”

“There’s no need,” you say. “One of us will get the spot. One of us won’t. We won’t see each other again. Like I said, no need. And it’s not like he’s right about what he said--I mean, he’s wrong all the time, so why not now? That’s... yeah. That’s what I think.” You’re babbling now. Is he even going to believe this? I wouldn’t. But that could be because I know it’s not true.

“It’s strange we’re both so close with Seungkwan but the two of us never met before the training,” Minghao says suddenly. “He’s steered me wrong a lot before, too, honestly.”

“Uh-huh,” you say, not sure how to respond.

“But... he’s good at reading emotions. Reading a crowd. A vibe. Whatever. And... I dunno. I just wanted to talk. Because of that. Maybe there’s some truth behind it.”

You cross your arms over your chest, turning to face him. “Well, you know, I’m pretty good at it too and I never... never felt anything 100% like what he was saying... from you.” You look up, into his eyes, which are strangely intense--and not just because of the makeup. He actually looks quite scary now.

“Then I guess you’re not that good,” he says, speaking quickly, but keeping the same facial expression. “Because even tonight, I was. Doing that. About the luck thing.”

You shake your head, trying to keep your cool under his gaze. Is he saying...? “Huh?”

He sighs, and looks away. You feel like you can take a breath again, with his eyes on something else for a moment. Just as suddenly, he looks back at you. “What I said, about you looking good. Pretty. I meant it.”

Somewhere in the back of your head says that the two minutes and whatever-seconds is up but... you’re not in a rush.

“Oh,” you say, in a small voice, because words have escaped you.

“Yeah,” he repeats, because words have escaped him, too.

It is quiet. The animal sounds have shut off. You suddenly miss them, in the silence. “Well, then...I guess it’s time,” you say.

“I guess so,” he echoes.

You both turn away, and start towards the door..

“I meant it too,” you suddenly blurt out. “What I said about you. Obviously. The compliment, I mean.” Oh no. Oh no. You panic and keep talking. “But... I don’t think you’re right for this. I’m not saying that as competition anymore, I just... You’re supposed to look creepy and scary, right? But your outfit looks... kingly. And you were just meant to be some haunted duke or whatever. Not even a king. But you look so fancy. And you just slapped some smudgy makeup on and messed up your hair and hoped that was enough. It’s not, though, so... yeah. But regardless of whether it’s scary or not, like I said earlier, I still think you look...” you stop then. You don’t know if you can finish.

“I look...?” Minghao is staring at you now.

And it’s still making you nervous. And when you’re nervous, you talk. Like you just finished doing. “What I said earlier,” you mumble.

Minghao furrows his brows. “And what did you say earlier?”

You turn away from him, for real starting for the door. “Good. You look good.”

He matches your pace with his long legs, and gently grabs your shoulder. “I know what you said. I remembered.” He grins, his voice quiet. “I just... wanted to hear you say it.”

You shake your shoulder out of his grip. “How rude,” you say, narrowing your eyes. But you stay beside him. And crack a smile, too.

“I know,” he says. “But... I wanted to be sure.”

"Sure?” 

He shrugs. “I didn’t know how you thought of me. We were rivals, you know.”

You laugh. “True.” You shake your head. “So Seungkwan... was right.”

“For once! Just kidding, he’s right about a lot. Yeah, he... he was right. I definitely was flirting the first day we met. At training.”

You start to bite your lip, but then you just let yourself smile. “I see.”

He elbows you. “Hey, don’t say you weren’t, back.”

You two are at the main entrance now. “I was,” you admit.

“I thought so. Even then. That’s why I sat next to you the next day.”

You smile again. “I remember. I was looking forward to working with you, then.”

Minghao nods, smiling back. “Me too, honestly. But... I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.”

You start to ask, why not? But then you remember. “Oh, yeah, that’s... true.”

Out of nowhere, Seungkwan appears, acting totally normal again. “Hey, ready, guys?” He asks. “Minghao, you’ll be second. Ladies first.” He brings you over to the manager, who smiles when she sees you.

“Congrats, girl! You got it! Seungkwan told me you were the winner. We’re glad to have you.”

You smile, shaking her hand, and after she gives you a few papers you need to fill out for your next shift, you’re out in less than five minutes. Minghao is waved over, and you decide to wait by the exit for him. What will he do? The haunted house pays pretty well... you wonder what he’ll say when he gets out. What you’ll say.

And then, he materializes besides you, a strange expression on his face. Before you can say anything, he immediately says, “Well, first, congratulations to you. But it’s not bad news for me: I guess they thought I looked good too, because they said they had a spot open for costume department.”

You make a face when he quotes you, but then the rest sinks in. “Wait, what? We just grab our clothes from the racks, though,” you say, confused. “We don’t have a costume department. I guess that explains why your costume was so off from your role...”

“I’ll choose to ignore that last thing, because now, we do! They said they want more of a cohesive look for everyone.” He smiles. “Like us, for example. We look totally different than everyone else. Just look.” He points at Seungkwan, and the manager. As they should, they look...scary. Goop and fake blood are smeared on their faces and clothes. You look down at yourself... and realize that you are only minimally smeared compared to everyone else. And Minghao isn’t at all.

“Oh,” you say, and you both break into laughter.

“I guess we will get to work together, then,” he says, looking into your eyes. But this time, you aren’t nervous, because they’re warm. Happy.

“I’m glad,” you say, because you genuinely are.

“Me too.” He’s still looking at you, and it makes your cheeks heat up. You notice that his are pink, too, and your heart beats fast like it did when he scared you earlier. “Here, let me walk you to your car.”

You nod, and he opens the door for you, and you walk side by side into the darkness. Unbeknownst to you, Seungkwan is standing at the door, watching. “See? I know stuff,” he whispers, smiling almost as big as the two of you.

[preservationandruin]

Oathbringer Liveblog: Interludes Three

Our spread this time is Venli, Mem, and Sheler. We don’t know who all of these are, but Venli is back again. 

I yell about Parshendi gender and gender in general (listen. listen. gender is fake), we get a look into Mraize’s house staff, a motherfucker makes a real big mistake in the Herdazian army, we get a beautiful inversion of traditional mythological imagery, and I love Timbre. 

Odium’s grand purpose for Venli meant turning her into a showpiece. 

So this is great. She’s basically telling the Parshmen and Voidbringers about what the humans did to the Parshendi. Her new form is called “envoyform” and it’s very tall, and gives her the ability to speak and understand all languages. She’s telling a version of the story that emphasizes that the Alethi feared that the Parshendi would cause an uprising among the Parshmen and they couldn’t stand having “slaves” who could think. 

Not strictly true, but I highly doubt that wasn’t going across Alethi minds. Odium is giving the parshmen an origin myth through her--the listeners were the last of a generations, sacrificing themselves to free their enslaved brothers and sisters. The narrative is that Venli is the last of the Listeners. 

Well, there’s Rlain, too, but she doesn’t know that. Anyway, Odium--like Gavilar--is portraying the Listeners as dead, dying, gone “into the songs,” an artifact, and fragment. That’s such bullshit. They were a living, breathing culture, not a fragmentary setpiece to be played with as a talking point. 

Interestingly, Venli notes that the Alethi parshmen act very much like the Alethi. I’ll bet that has something to do with like, Connection? Like how Dalinar can figure out how people speak. Anyway. It’s been too long since I’ve read the Mistborn Two series to remember the specifics of like, the connection medallions. 

So we get the strata of Voidbringer society--lowest are the normal Singers, then are Regals like Venli, who have bonded a Voidspren, then at the top we have the Fused. 

Also, the fact that all the eligible fighting men were sent off to war has made conquering Alethkar much easier for the Voidbringers. She notes that the Parshmen still have far to go--they need to be instructed about the Rhythms, they act like humans, they call Regals “Brightness.” 

That lopsided dress looked ridiculous. There was no reason to distinguish between genders except in mateform. 

THEN WHY DO YOU GENDER YOURSELVES EVEN WHEN OUT OF IT??? WHY DON’T GENDERS ONLY APPLY TO MATEFORM?? WHY DOES EVERY CULTURE IN THE COSMERE STILL HAVE A MASSIVE LEAN TOWARD THE GENDER BINARY WHEN NOT EVEN EVERY HUMAN CULTURE IN OUR WORLD USED IT?? /nonbinary rant over

The Fused are still around; they’re dismissive of the singers and even the Regals. Also, we get that some of the Fused are just...very, very broken. One stares unblinking and always grins. 

Venli points out that they’ll need human slaves if they want the land to actually be productive, but Rine--one of the Fused--points out that any human could be a Surgebinder. Also, we get that Parshendi do have gemhearts--they are almost bone-colored, and gorgeous in Venli’s estimation. 

Also, the Voidbringers don’t know how the humans bond spren and more strongly than the Voidbringers do, without a gemheart. Rine believes that they need to be exterminated. 

Anyway, Venli hears--distantly--the Rhythm of the Lost. 

She’d always hated the Alethi, who had acted like they were benevolent parents encountering wild children to be educated. They had pointedly ignored the culture and advancements of Venli’s people, eyeing only the hunting grounds of the greatshells that they--because of translation errors--decided must be the listeners’ gods. 

Absolutely fair, Venli. She points out that despite the airs of the Alethi, the only reason they could manage art and beautiful things was because they,  unlike the Parshendi, had the resources. 

Venli has been keeping the little cometspren in a pouch with her gemstones. it likes exploring rooms, and pulses awe at everything. I love it and want thirty of them. It keeps pulsing out little bits of rhythms--awe, curiosity. Venli notes that she can hear the old rhythms, and asks if that’s because of the spren, and it pulses to Resolve. 

“What are you hoping to accomplish? Your kind betrayed us. Go find a human to bother.”  It shrank further. Then pulsed to Resolve again. 

I love it. 

Over to Mem. They--whoever they are--are doing laundry. She’s going into the intricacies of getting blood and grease out of fabric without fading the color--which, especially before modern washing and drying, clearly was a bitch and a half. She’s Veden, it sounds like. Pom, her new assistant, is apparently gorgeous. 

Women like Pom didn’t usually end up as washgirls, though she did tend to stare daggers at any man who got too close. Maybe that was it. 

Harold...

Oh, she works for Mraize! That explains why there are bizarre bloodstains on his clothes. Anyway, they go in to a room with Mraize’s stuff--including tapestries of the Heralds--and Pom goes strange. And then attacks one of the tapestries with a knife. 

HELLO, SHALASH!! 

I was wondering if she would show up again. Anyway, Mraize is surprisingly chill about it--apparently, he was trying to draw her out. 

“Ancient one, would you care for something to drink?”  Pom narrowed her eyes at him, then hopped off the chair. She walked quickly to Mraize and used one hand on his chest to push him aside. She pulled open the door.  “I know where Talenelat is,” Mraize said.  Pom froze. 

Oh man. Apparently, whatever was in Mraize’s suit was called aether, and he praises Mem highly, approves a huge raise for her, and says she’s a genius. 

He’s dangerous and strange and amoral, but damn, I can’t help but like Mraize. 

Back over to Venli. She’s being carried over the land by the Fused, and thinking about how much Eshonai would have liked this. Venli, on the other hand, appears to get airsickness. They’ve reached Kholinar, so this will be interesting. 

If any of these motherfuckers hurt Gavinor I will be furious. He’s three and he’s been through enough. 

Apparently, here she’ll be truly practicing her oratory. 

We skip again, to Sheler, being told that he has three choices by a herdazian general.  I LOVE HERDAZIAN JUSTICE LISTEN TO THIS: 

“You have three choices.” The general’s manacles clinked as he twisted his hands in them. “First, you can choose the sword. Now, that might be a clean death. A good beheading rarely hurts. Unfortunately, it won’t be a headsman who gets the chance with you. We’ll give the sword to the women you abused. Each gets a hack, one after another. How long it goes will depend on them.”  “This is outrageous!” Sheler said. “I’m a lighteyes of the fifth dahn! I’m cousin to the highlord himself and--”  “Second option,” the general said, “is the hammer. We break your legs and arms, then hang you from the cliff by the ocean. You might last until the storm that way, but it will be miserable.” 

Apparently, this asshole was caught robbing and murdering civilians, and also raping women (“a resistance is not what we caught you mounting.”). So I have zero sympathy for him. 

Anyway, the third option is “the hog.” You get greased, and you wrestle a hog. Apparently, you don’t die if you do this. Of course, Lighteyed Shithead goes for that one, although I was hoping for the sword. 

Oh. Sheler was in Amaram’s army. No wonder he’s a horrible person. 

Obviously, the Herdazian general was too frightened to actually kill an Alethi officer. So they would humiliate him by making him wrestle a pig. They’d have a good laugh, then send him away smarting. Idiots. He’d come back with an army.

They chain him to a wall, douse him in oil,  and then the fun starts. 

“I’d say ‘good luck,’ boss,” the Herdazian soldier told Sheler as his companion ran off, “but I’ve got three marks on you not lasting a full minute. Still, who knows. When the general was chained down here, he got out in less.”  The ocean started to churn. “Of course,” the soldier said, “the general likes this kind of thing. He’s a little weird.”  The soldier dashed back up the bank, leaving Sheler locked in place, doused in pungent oil, and gaping as an enormous claw broke the surface of the ocean. Perhaps “the hog” was more of a nickname. 

This is the best inversion of “chain a young woman to a beach for the sea monster to eat/ravish in a weird twisted rape metaphor” (I’ve. read papers on the sexual undertones of these myths)--”chain a sexual predator to the beach and take bets on whether he survives.” 

Back over to Venli. She’s named her little spren Timbre, which is adorable, and I love it. It explores every corner of every room it’s allowed--it’s a little explorer. Just like Eshonai was. 

Anyway, Venli is kept to a stormshelter outside of Kholinar, not allowed to leave. She wants to go explore the city. Venli has to tell Timbre to stay inside, because the Fused want to kill it and ones like it. 

Meaning it almost certainly can be a Radiant spren. I love Timbre! 

Venli rested her head on her arms. “I feel like a relic,” she whispered. “Already I seem like a cast-off ruin from a nearly forgotten day. Are you the reason I feel like that, suddenly? I only get this way when I let you out.”

Timbre starts to pulse to Pleading and Peace, as Venli thinks about Eshonai, and Demid. Everyone who worried about her ambition. Who died, in the end, because of her ambition. 

“I’m the wrong one,” Venli said to Annoyance. “I can’t do this, Timbre. I can’t resist him.”  Pleading. “I made this happen,” She said to Fury. “Don’t you realize that? I’m the one who caused all this. Don’t plead to me!” 

Annoyance and fury at Timbre, or at herself? 

But Timbre sticks to resolve, and--for the first time--we get a gendered pronoun--”she.” Hm. 

Timbre hides under the bed from Everstorms ahhhh I love her so much. 

Anyway, the Everstorm comes around every nine days--the Odium number again. Odium doesn’t like it when she closes the window during Everstorms. 

How long can you keep being two people, Venli? She seemed to hear Eshonai’s voice. How long will you vacillate? 

A good question, Ghost Eshonai. Anyway, Venli is now talking directly to Odium. He says she isn’t telling the story well enough, and as she speaks to him she is literally being burned apart. He threatens to destroy her if she keeps being distracted. 

Yikes. Doesn’t sound like a nice boss, Venli. Not that we expected him to be. She wakes and her fingers are bleeding from how she’s clawed at the stones. Yikes. Timbre pulls her out of her horror by humming Peace, but Venli can’t hum it herself. 

The wrong sister had died. The wrong sister lived.  Venli had schemed to return their gods.  This was her reward. 

Ouch. 

[theday]

HIII!!! ITS YOUR MBB SECRET SANTA I HOPE YOURE HAVING A GREAT DAY FULL OF HAPPINESS!!!! I love monsta x and i bet you do too also I LOVE WONHO HES SO SQUISHY RIGHT NOW AND THE HAIR cries ok so i have a question of the day: what got you into mx? Mine was a long ride but it was w o r t h i t!!!

HELLO!!! MY DAY JUST STARTED ACTUALLY BUT I SAW A BUNCH OF MX ON MY DASH SO.. its already filled with happiness and love :-O btw this is rly long

how did u guess…. me …. a blog with the url cuddlychae… liking monsta x????? how didu make that connection… im just kidding i love you? already sjjsjsjd PLEASE JDSJJ I KNOW MY TAG FOR HIM IS LITERALLY SQUISHY KING I LOVE HIM SO MCUHCJS id write a whole ass essay but thats for another time 3 how do you like his hair??? he dyed it like . 3 times this cb rip wonhos scalp but god the purple really grew on me after awhile and then he went fiery red and i was like ? >:0 but the purple…. the red is grpwing on me too alsjjdjs i could never hate wonho(’s hair) i jsut wish theyd let his scalp breathe a bit or he’ll go bald soon

are we going straight into the questiosnsjjsjs tell me about yourself first!!! you can call me egg or megan if calling me a round food object is too strange jsjj i use she/her pronouns and !!! im turning 16 this december 26th which is literally nvm i wanted fto say smth like twice of today since its the 13th and 13 x 2 = 26 but never mind…. 

this got so long already my friend (what shall i call you?) this is how i am normally whenever i start i dont stop riidjjsjsjk we’re in for a long ride buddy :-D

ok so monsta x … the monsta men……. so firsts of all . my good friend buddy pal karissa (who is barely on tumblr) is a big mbb but i didnt get into them bc of her though she shld get mentioned bc of her i have someone to yell about monsta x.. irl… bless her . now shes kind of relevant to this story actually in june and i was at her place with another friend and that was the day mx had their coomeback shine forever so we agreed to watch it with her :-o back then i had no interest in kpop at all so i was like hm . the whole time but their music was great in my young opinion back then since she let me listen to beautiful right after that (also jooheon in the beautiful mv caught my eye in shine forever it was minhyuk and jooheon i didnt take notice of anyone else whoops) 

that was my only mx experience until .. after i got into day6 (after being more open to kpop) my friend (a different one, boxy) she started talking about mx bc she got sucked into their wormhole .. and she would talk about mister yoo kihyun for ages which was cute (ok honestly when i first looked up pics of ki i was like whys . he her bias bssjjsjsjsks now i understand) she’d link me videos such as the daeng daeng daeng cover and kihyuns hyeya to show us how good kihyuns vocals were (which i completely ignored for awhile bc of mister minhyukku…. kihyun im so sorry i did u dirty for the longest time) and then she linked us to the funny videos i had to bold that bc . monsta x are the best comedians alive… kings of comedy . she gave us this video to watch and i lost my mind watching it beyhjsjs

this is long and dramatic only bc i love to talk but basically i got into mx bc they were fucking funny that sounds so dumb but i watched all their reality/variety shows in less than 2 weeks without knowing who each member was (i could only recognize jooheon) every episode/series has made me laugh so hard and i think because i fell for their personalities more it was easier for me to??? for them to??? become one of my favorite groups??? after that i watched all their music videos (hey all in ruined my life and burnt my crops wtf…. i love all in so much,,,,) and then proceeded to watch most of the subbed vlives/monchannel videos it was a wild time honestly and it wasnt only after a while that i started following more mx blogs and just interacting with fellow mbbs??? the click idk if u know them but theyve helped me open up to other people on here too so im really grateful to them!! in the end i just??? i mean i got into them late august and it hasnt even been 6 months but i would really give my heart and soul to monsta x theyre so kind and just really fucking sweet + talented and im so happy they got their first win!!!!!!! 

this is really long so if you read this thank you!! something i want to establish is that (breaking some rules here) you dont have to send me 3 asks a day because.. thats ridiculous i mean i understand where the organizer is coming from but please dont ever feel pressured to send me asks - just do it when youre free/when you feel like it!! i want to make this a stress free and fun experience so dont worry about it okay!!! another thing, im completely fine if you send me more than 3 asks in one go (since theres that character limit stories will be hard to tell) i love reading people’s rambles so if you ever feel like writing a whole wonho love essay please go ahead!! 

my questions for you are the ones i mentioned previously at the start and how did you get into monsta x?? you said it was a long ride so im rly curious!! just tell me whenever!!! i might take some time to reply bc i only reply on desktop and ill be out the whole day but dont let that stop you from sending stuff if u want!!!

thank you so much for reading if you did, i hope you have a wonderful day and that if youre sleeping soon, youll have a good rest!! do let me know what youd like me to tag your asks with by the way! i love youuUU

[speakersdisaster]

GHEMMA’S GAY FARM STORY PART THREE

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PART THREE

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When Cass arrived at the farm, a nervous half-orc in tow, her parents were inside, in the middle of what seemed to be a heated argument. Ghemma felt uncomfortable entering the room, like she was intruding on something. She just hoped it didn’t get violent.

When the two men saw the new arrivals, they stopped and addressed them,

“Cass, will you please tell Your Father that it’s pronounced ‘bAYsil’, and not ‘bAHsil’ like his silly ass seems to think it is!” one man asked, beckoning Cass into the conversation.

“Cassandra dear, will you kindly inform Your Dad that language is arbitrary and I will pronounce it any way that I see fit!” the other entreated.

“You’re both ridiculous and I’m ashamed to know you,” she deadpanned.

Both men started laughing, before closing in on Cass with a familial hug.

If possible, Ghemma felt even more uncomfortable now than she had when she thought there was risk of marital violence. Unconsciously, she began to back out toward the door, when one of the dads noticed her presence.

“And who’s this dashing figure darkening our doorway?” this was the second dad, the one with a progressive stance on language.

“Oh, this is, um, I didn’t actually catch your name,” Cass turns to Ghemma expectantly,

“I’m Ghemma.”

“Right, Ghemma. She’s been around town looking for work, I figure we could use the help, given Pop’s back and all. Shouldn’t you be resting it, anyway? What are you doing up and about?”

She looks at her father (this one the bAYsil acolyte) accusingly, and he shrinks back and sheepishly sits in a comfortable looking armchair.

It’s clear who is the boss around here, and it’s not either of the parental figures.

“You good with your hands?”

“Uh..yes, I’d say so,” she rubs at those hands instinctively, trying to mentally will herself not to bolt out of there.

“Then you are welcome here! We could use all the help we can get, what with that old infirm lug over there,”

“Love you too, honey!”

And so it was decided, Ghemma would help out at the farm for the time being, in return for room and board.

Ghemma did what she could to be helpful and earn her keep for her time there. Cass’ parents were kind, if a little corny at times, and they made her ache inside and think of Raz.

It was always bittersweet, when she stayed put for a while.

On one hand, the security of knowing where her next meal would come from was nice, and even the cot they laid out for her in the barn was a lot better to sleep on than the cold ground outside.

But on the other hand, as each day passed, she grew more and more aware that this wasn’t her home, wasn’t where she belonged, and that at any moment her luck may run out and she would be kicked to the curb.

Because it always did, without fail.

Sometimes, a few days in her hosts would run out of work, and would come to her apologetically and explain that they only just had enough for themselves, and she would thank them graciously and be on her way.

Other times, it was less cordial, and she was kicked to the curb without a second glance.

One notable time, she awoke to find her host in the room with her, just *looking* at her, and she noped out of there faster than she had ever gone before.

It was with this mindset that she went into the Laoghaire farm, knowing that any day here could be her last, and trying her best to make the most of it while she was there.

The work was hard, but rewarding when she saw that her presence was having a positive impact and lessening the load on her host family.

Cass’ dads were grateful for the help, and when they told her so, it made her feel warm and accomplished.

And being around Cass, well that had its own upsides and downsides.

For the first few days, their interaction was minimal. Passing hellos and dinners with the whole family in which even if Ghemma had felt comfortable enough to speak (she didn’t), there wouldn’t have been space for it amongst the loquacious bickering fathers, after which Ghemma said her polite thank-yous and escaped to her makeshift bedroom.

She wasn’t *avoiding* Cass, per se, except that she totally was.

She had no goddamn idea why the girl unsettled her so much. Like, her initial thought, that it was because of jealousy over the stability of her life and family, rang true in a small way, but if she was being honest with herself (a rare occasion indeed), she knew there was a whole lot more to it. The feeling had only increased since she had started working there, and it didn’t seem to show any indication that it would be slowing down anytime soon.

So she resolved to push it all deep deep down, and ignore the way her heart skipped a beat when she saw Cass heading off to market, or chiding one of her fathers, or, god help her, at the breakfast table, yawning sleepily with unbrushed hair. That last one caught Ghemma’s breath even when it passed through her mind fleetingly.

But none of that. None of the pull she felt toward the blonde beauty. None of it. Ghemma would ignore it, and it would definitely, definitely go away.

Quite predictably, it didn’t.

And after Ghemma’s first Sunday at the farm, she had had to amend her plan to push her feelings where the sun don’t shine when it came to Cass.

It was an unseasonably warm day, and after the morning’s tasks had been attended to, Ghemma had been released for the rest of the day.

She was sitting under a tree and fiddling with one of her rocks, daydreaming about not much at all.

“You’re pretty fidgety, you know.”

The scene was eerily reminiscent of the day she had come to the farm. She didn’t know how Cass kept sneaking up on her like this.

Startled, Ghemma dropped the rock, which rolled a while before coming to a stop. She scrambled after it, *oh god no, I’ve had this one for more than a year. I found it at that creek with the waterfall, I can’t lose it*

After retrieving it, she faltered, realizing how silly she must have looked, lumbering after what appeared to just be a stupid rock.

She turned back, still on her knees, hair falling into her face,

“Oh, um, I know. Restless energy, I guess, haha.”

Cass looked at her, assessing, “Hm. I was the same way, as a child. It was why I learned to knit. That helped.”

Ghemma didn’t appreciate the implication there, at being likened to a child.

“Anyway, I came because I’ve made a pie, and would like some of it to get eaten before Father eats the whole thing when he gets back from town. I keep telling him he needs to watch what he eats, at his age, but of course he never listens. But regardless, there is pie.”

Before Ghemma can even process that this was an invitation, Cass has already set off back to the house. She hops back onto her feet and races after the shorter girl.

The pie is delicious, maybe the best Ghemma has ever had (not that that’s a particularly impressive feat, she doesn’t get sweets on the road much), and the company even better.

Cass invites her into the sitting room to eat, her dads being gone. Ghemma is apprehensive, unsure what Cass would want from time alone with her, but wanting so badly to be around her.

It turned out, Cass was curious, in the way someone who has lived in one small place for their entire life often is. She asks Ghemma questions about herself, where she came from, what she does. Overwhelmed and clumsy with her words, as she doesn’t often use them, Ghemma tries to answer to the best of her abilities, of course leaving out her reason for being on the road now. Cass is particularly intrigued by the monastery.

“So your studies there, what did they focus on? I’d imagine they would have to address the mind-body link considerably.”

“Actually, yah. A lot of what we did was about control and conscientiousness. Knowing your body and mind and being able to sync them in harmony. And, uh, a lot of it was catered to the student past that,”

“Really? What did you focus on?”

“Oh, uh, I mean, control mostly, I did a lot of meditation, and, you know, other stuff.”

“Fascinating.”

It turns out, Cass’ life wasn’t quite the idyllic dream Ghemma had thought it was. She loved her parents, but she was so so smart, and there was nothing here to challenge her, to drive her. She envied Ghemma’s freedom just as much as Ghemma envied her security.

These conversations become a regular occurrence after that day.

Cass is well read, and brighter than the sun, and Ghemma finds herself entranced, day after day, as she gets to know her better. As beautiful as she had thought her upon first glance, that was nothing compared to the beauty she saw within.

Cass teaches Ghemma how to knit, and Ghemma gives Cass some very basic lessons in fighting and meditation. They spend every hour that they aren’t working or sleeping together.

Neither of them have ever had this, a friend that they can relate to on such a deep level. Both of them are intoxicated by it.

Cass tells Ghemma about her dreams to leave, to go off into the world and learn and grow and be someone special.

Ghemma looks at her and thinks *how could you possibly be more special than you already are*

Ghemma tells Cass about Raz, about her fears, about feeling like at any moment she could lose control.

Cass tells her matter-of-factly that this is bullshit, and that Ghemma seems to be doing just fine from where she stood.

They talk about the future, about Ghemma staying on permanently, about renovating the basement that they never use anyway to be *her* room. Ghemma has never felt more hopeful.

A month and a half has passed, and winter will soon begin in earnest. It’s been a tough few weeks of work, as Ghemma has done her best to help prepare the farm for the months ahead.

She looks forward to waking up every day for the first time in a long time.

It’s a cold night, and Ghemma and Cass are curled up with mugs of hot cocoa in the sitting room in which Ghemma had first seen her now friend.

Cass’ fathers have gone to bed.

There’s a *moment* where conversation stops for a second. They had been mid sentence, mid thought, when they both just *stop* and look at each other.

Cass, with her brilliant eyes twinkling in front of Ghemma’s, hiding depths of intelligence, wipes away a smear of cocoa from her upper lip.

Ghemma doesn’t think about it, doesn’t consider what she is doing, what the ramifications of her actions could possibly be, and before she knows it, she is leaning in.

Their lips meet, and Ghemma feels something surge inside of her that has always been there under the surface but never been allowed to break free.

It’s brief, and clumsy, but wonderful, so so wonderful.

Until Ghemma’s mind catches up with her body, as it always eventually does.

She pulls away.

Oh no,

Oh no,

What have I done?

And just like that the moment of serenity snaps like a twig, and Ghemma’s mind is off. She rushes to her feet. She’s not meeting Cass’ eyes. Not looking at her at all. Completely in her own head, running a mile a minute.

“Ghemma?” Cass’ voice is soft,

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

And Ghemma runs. Out the door and into the barn for a brief second to grab her few belongings and away and away and away from the farm and from Cass and from her feelings and from this awful thing that she has done and just, away.

She doesn’t look behind her, but if she had, she would have seen the face of her friend from the house’s doorway, confused and bereft.

Ghemma can’t breathe, can’t think, just knows that she has to get away from this, from everything. Never mind the cold of the oncoming winter or the fact that she was so so happy at the farm, she can’t go back now.

Ghemma never goes back to Bird’s Hollow. Tries her best not to think of the time she spent there or the person she had almost allowed herself to become there. She tries to move on, to not let herself get her hopes up like that again, because she knows that she will always, always mess it up.

She pushes it all down, will never think about that night again, about the way that Cass made her feel, or the press of lips against hers.

And she never, ever allows herself to consider the fact that Cass Kissed Back.