#I can’t believe that this is airing the same night as the last episode of Star Trek Discovery EVER

[stevie-petey]

episode four: the sauna test

Steve pushes at Dustin’s feet to help him move further, but he’s quickly berated. “Not my feet, dumbass. Push my ass!” “What?” You and Steve exclaim at the same time.  “Touch my butt, I don’t care!” Dustin’s screeching voice is muffled from the walls of the vent. Looking at you one last time, Steve sighs heavily and places his hands on your brother’s butt and starts to shove him deeper into the air duct. He can’t believe he’s doing this right now, shoving the butt of the brother of the girl he’s in love with. You stand next to Robin, mortified of what you’re currently witnessing, endlessly ashamed of the two boys. 

Summary: dustin has some brotherly concern for you (dont tell anyone though), steve is offended you dont think he can fight, nancy gets upset during therapy hour, robin encourages child endangerment, erica becomes your hero, and you lose your lunch on hawkins makeshift tower of terror (aka sketchy russian elevators)

Rating: general, swearing

Warnings: swearing, use of y/n, fem!reader

Words: 7.5k

Before you swing in: hello my loves ! had a busy may wrapping up finals, move out, and adjusting back to life at home. i finally had the time to write this, and while im still iffy with some parts, im just excited to finally be at the elevator scene tbh. ive been DYING to write her. enjoy !!

-

Dustin stands outside your room the next morning, fist hovering over the door, unsure if he should knock. It’s early and he can’t get the panic he saw in your eyes last night out of his head. He hasn’t seen you that consumed with anxiety since you guys were kids and your parents began to fight. 

He feels horrible for putting you in that position last night, at odds with him, Robin, and Steve. 

Especially Steve. 

Dustin hadn’t meant to start a fight between you and the teen. Contrary to popular belief, he actually does want the two of you together, but now he’s worried he’s somehow caused a rift in your relationship.

Sighing, your brother allows his knuckles to rap against your door. When he doesn’t hear anything, he slowly opens it and pokes his head in. You’re asleep in your bed, blankets strewn everywhere, and Dustin knows he’s fucked up because you almost never sleep in this late. 

Now he’s worried he’s going to have to force you into a code blue.

Dustin lets himself into your room and stands before your bed. Then, because he’s your brother and finds it hard to express his worries for you in a normal way, he pokes your cheek with his finger. “Wake up.”

You stir at the touch but remain asleep. Dustin groans and starts repeatedly poking you. “Dude, get up.” He now starts poking your nose, your forehead and eyebrows, anywhere his finger can reach.

Finally the onslaught of pokes to your face is enough to wake you up. You raise your hand and slap Dustin away as you scrunch your face in displeasure. “Why do you always insist on waking me up this way?”

“It’s fun for me.”

You slap at your brother again and take a moment to stretch. Your body is exhausted, you got home late last night after your drive with Jonathan. Once the two of you had been done discussing your relationship problems, you both decided to just drive around Hawkins and simmer in your limited time together. For those few hours, only the two of you existed.

Yawning, you blink your eyes open at Dustin. “Is there a reason you’re waking me up before my alarm is supposed to go off?”

Dustin’s smug smile falls. He coughs and starts to fidget with his fingers. “Oh, I was just–well. Last night… Do you wanna talk about it?”

The implications of your brother’s words cause you to fully wake up. “Is this your poor attempt at commencing a code blue?”

“Well, do we need a code blue?”

You roll over and throw your blankets over your head, blocking out the world. “I already talked about my feelings last night with Jonathan, please give me at least twenty-four hours to recover.”

Dustin flicks your ear that pokes out from under the blankets at the mention of Jonathan. “Why were you with that guy last night?”

“Stop touching my face!” You yell at the kid, annoyed. “And because he’s my best friend. We both had shitty nights so we drove around and cried together.”

Your brother pauses. “Did you actually cry together?”

“No,” you now uncover your face and sigh. “Only I cried, but it was therapeutic nonetheless.”

Dustin drops his head, remembering how upset you’d been standing in the hallway last night with the others. “I’m sorry about last night, Y/N.”

“Hey, no.” You sit up now and force him to look at you. “No apologizing. I understand.”

Your friends have all gone their separate ways this summer and I know you’re so fixated on the Russians because you’re lonely. I understand, and I’m here for you.

It goes unsaid, but Dustin knows that you have him all figured out, though it doesn’t ease the guilt he feels for dragging you into all of this in the first place. “You don’t have to join me at Scoops today, Y/N.”

“I know, but I will anyway after my shift.” I have to keep you safe.

“We both know you’re only going to make sure I don’t burn the place down.” You worry too much.

“Oh, don’t think I won’t call Steve once this conversation is done to make sure he keeps an eye on you.” I know, but it’s my job and I love you.

“You’re the worst.” I love you, too.

You ruffle Dustin’s hair with a fond smile. It’s an intricate thing, the hidden language that can only be found between siblings. All that goes unsaid becomes masked behind teasing and taunts, but you both hear what’s underneath. 

When Dustin leaves your room to go to the mall, you roll over in bed and reach for the phone that rests on top of your desk. Your fingers press the numbers that have become ingrained within your brain from countless nights of dialing. The line rings only one time before Steve’s tired voice answers. 

“Hello?”

You smile hearing his voice, despite the distance that seems to have now formed between you. “Hi, honey.”

There’s rustling on the other end of the line and you know Steve still lays in his own bed only ten minutes from your own. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” you quickly reassure him, wincing when you realize you don’t normally call him so early. “Sorry, I was just calling to ask if you’d keep an eye on Dustin today? With the Russians and everything, I have work today and can’t be there–”

“Of course I’ll keep an eye on your brother, Y/N.” Steve gently interrupts your anxious rambling. 

“Thank you,” you say softly with a laugh, embarrassed. 

“Are we…” Steve hesitates, unsure how to find the right words. “Are we okay? I know things were–uh, weird. Last night. And that I was a dick and I just, I’m really sorry, Y/N. For everything.”

You close your eyes and exhale slowly, knowing that there’s more that Steve wants to say but is too afraid to tell you. Too ashamed to say that he’s embarrassed as well for allowing his pride to cloud his judgment, and you’re too exhausted to try and remind him again that you love him despite it all. “We’re okay, Steve. I promise.”

He takes a moment to respond, he doesn’t know what else to say. He’s never been good at this. Finally, he settles on what he’s able to give you. It seems that’s all he’s been able to do lately. “I’ll miss you today, angel.”

“I’ll miss you too, honey.” The name slips from your tongue in a languid manner, the warmth that accompanies the word still wraps itself around your body and reminds you of the love you feel for the boy. You hope he can feel the warmth too, you hope it descends down the landline and wraps around him as well. “I’ll see you after work.”

– 

Your day only gets worse from there.

After only an hour or so of sadly sorting through books at work without a customer in sight, you hear a frail scream come from Mrs. Waters’ office. You run towards the woman in a heartbeat, panic stricken and afraid of what you’ll find. 

Mrs. Waters is sitting tiredly in her office with her head in her hands when you run in. The usually upbeat woman is hunched over with despair and you’re quick to rush over to her with worry. “Mrs. Waters, is everything okay?”

She rubs at her temples and it’s then that you realize her telephone is in her hand. Without bothering to look, she clumsily places it back on the wall and looks up at you with sad, tired eyes. “I’m fine, dear. I–I just had a fright, that’s all.”

“What happened?” You pull a chair to sit next to the woman and grab her wrinkled, yet soft, hands. 

“Oh, I’m old.” Mrs. Waters smiles at you sadly. There are tears in her eyes as she takes a deep breath to try and steady her nerves. “My, you would think I’d be used to phone calls from the hospital.”

“The hospital?” 

Hearing the panic in your voice, your boss grabs the hands you have placed on top of her’s and squeezes with reassurance. “It wasn’t for me, dear.”

You’re still anxious for the woman in front of you. “Who then?”

“They called me for an old friend,” Mrs. Waters clutches at her chest with a certain fear that you’ve never seen within the woman. “She’s in the hospital because some young journalist found her eating fertilizer in her home last night. She’s always been… troubled.”

You gasp and pull away from your boss and your mind reels with this new information. Jonathan’s voice echoes within the walls of your mind, of his story of the woman he and Nancy had found last night after investigating the rats. 

Mrs. Waters frowns at your unexpected reaction and notices the fear on your face. “Dear, I’m sure my friend will be alright–”

“What…” your voice shakes, and you clear your throat. “What’s your friend’s name, Mrs. Waters?”

The old woman sighs, sensing there’s something more to your worry, but her heart hurts for her friend and she’s seen more in her almost seventy years than she’s ever wanted to. “Her name is Doris Driscoll.”

–

You’re sent home early after your conversation with Mrs. Waters. She had been too worried for her friend and saw how shaken up by it you seemed to be as well, so she patted your arm and dismissed you. 

“There’s no point keeping the store open today, Y/N. Go home to that cute boy of yours while I go visit an old friend.”

You had tried arguing with her, but even you knew it was no use. 

Biking to Starcourt, now more than ever worried about your job, you feel your birthday looming over you and the worries of Nancy’s involvement with rats and old women eating fertilizer mixed with Jonathan’s fears. 

This was supposed to be a good summer. 

Your head spins as you walk into the backdoor of Scoops Ahoy, finding Robin, Steve, and Dustin all circled around the table as they discuss how to enter the Russian storage room. 

“What? I sneak up behind, knock him out, and I take his keycard.” Steve is explaining when you walk in. He has his leg propped against the seat next to him as he twirls his sailor’s hat in his hand. “It’s easy.”

“Did you not hear the part about the massive gun?” Dustin blinks at the teen, having little faith in his confidence.

You make your way towards the group and lift Steve’s propped leg up so that you can sit before placing the leg across your lap. Feeling your touch, he looks up with surprise to see you, having expected your shift to end later in the day. “Y/N?”

“You’re not going near any Russian men with guns, Steve.” You say to him in lieu of a greeting.

Steve deflates in his seat. “That’s why I’d be sneaking.”

Dustin shares a look with you, the two of you remembering all the times Steve has tried, and failed, to win a fight. Clearing his throat, your brother crosses his arms and winks at you before turning to the teen. “Alright, please tell us this, and be honest. Have you ever actually… won a fight?”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Okay, that was one time–”

“Twice, honey.” You interrupt him with a smile, enjoying this conversation maybe a little too much. “Jonathan, remember him?”

“Listen, that doesn’t count.”

“Oh, but it does.” You pinch Steve’s shin. “He kicked your ass, I was there.”

He winces and moves his legs off of you. “He didn’t kick my ass–”

“You got a fat lip, crooked nose, swollen eye.” Dustin adds on, leaning against your chair now as the two of you gang up on Steve. 

“He even pinned you at one point. I distinctly remember thinking he was going to kill you.” You say, smirking.

Steve scoffs. “Oh, you did not have any concern for me then–”

You hit his shoulder. “Yes I did! I’ve always been worried about you–”

“Can you guys not make everything about your weird relationship for like, three seconds, please?” Dustin whines as you and Steve start to bicker about something else entirely.

As the three of you argue, Robin seems to get an idea and runs out of the room. Noticing her sudden absence, you turn to Steve and frown. “What’s Robin up to?”

He stands up and sees her snatching money from the tip jar before running off. Steve calls after her, but she doesn’t slow down as she runs out of the shop. “What are you doing?”

“I need cash!” She says, as if that explains everything.

“Isn’t half of the tip money Steve’s?” You ask, now standing next to him by the register alongside Dustin.

“I’ll pay your boyfriend back later, Y/N.” Robin continues to walk towards the shop’s exit. “I’m going to find us a way into that room, a safe way, just like I promised you.”

You’re oddly touched that she remembered your insistence on keeping everyone safe. With a smile, you call across to her, “thank you!”

Robin blushes and forces herself to look away from you so that she can direct her attention to Steve. “In the meantime, sling ice cream, behave, and don’t get beat up. I’ll be back in a jiff!” 

As you and Steve watch Robin leave, the two of you turn and catch Dustin licking at one of the ice cream scoops. You whack him with the back of your hand and cringe at him. “Dude, what the hell?”

Dustin flinches away from you as Steve snatches the scoop from the boy with his own disgusted look. “Not my scooper, man.”

“Why are you like this?” You ask your brother with disappointment in your voice, to which he huffs at. 

“I’m a curious person.” You scoff at Dustin and he rolls his eyes at you before making his way out from behind the ice cream counter. “If I’m going to be judged, then I’m going to the arcade while we wait for whatever Robin has planned.”

He’s gone without another word, leaving you alone with Steve.

It’s still early in the day and there’s only a few customers in Scoops Ahoy, so it’s just you and Steve. It’s the first time you’ve been alone together since last night, when you’d been standing in front of him, begging him to listen to you, and all he could do was watch you silently with pain in his own eyes. 

As if coming to this realization himself, Steve coughs and rocks back and forth awkwardly. He knows you told him this morning that everything was okay between you two, but things still feel off. Despite your best efforts, he can tell that you’re still struggling to seem okay with the whole Russian debacle. You’re still frail looking, unsure and anxious, and Steve hates that he’s the reason why. 

Hesitantly, he reaches for your hand. “Care to, uh. Join me in the backroom?”

You raise your eyebrows at his question. “Are you propositioning me, Harrington?”

“No!” His eyes widen in fear and his voice squeaks, which only embarasses him more. He clears his throat and tries to swallow down his dread. “I mean, not like that. I figured we could, you know… talk.”

Now it’s your turn to fill with dread. He’s seen through you, despite your best efforts to try and appease everyone. Squeezing his hand, you nod at Steve and allow him to guide you into the backroom. 

Steve pulls a chair out from the table and sits down, and before you can process what’s happening, he pulls you down and into his lap. You throw your arms around his neck to steady yourself at the sudden movement, which only makes Steve’s proud smile widen. “You planned that, didn’t you?”

“Sure did, angel.”

You laugh and shake your head at him, tightening your arms around his neck and settling into his lap. He rests his hands on your thighs and stares at you with such warmth, such patience, content to simply have you here with him. Despite the uncertainty that seems to now loom over the two of you, there’s still a certainty within it. There’s still a trust that accompanies the hesitancy, and it’s this trust that caresses your cheek and coaxes you to speak. 

“I don’t like what we’re doing, Steve.” You confess to him, making your words as plain as possible so that nothing gets misconstrued; too often your words have gotten lost in translation.

Steve nods slightly, his eyes never leave yours, and he listens. “I get that, I do, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel bad about standing your ground. It’s just… I wanted to go along with Dustin, pretend for a few days that I’m not some moron who couldn’t get into college, you know?”

“You’re not an idiot,” you fix a piece of Steve’s hair that has fallen out of his sailor’s hat and sigh. “But there’s more to this than just my stupid need to protect everyone.”

“Did something else happen?” 

You hesitate, unsure if what’s been on your mind holds any real weight, or if you’re just being paranoid now after everything you’ve been through these last few years. Biting your lip, you decide that it’s Steve you’re telling this to. Paranoid or not, he’ll listen and try to help you piece it all together as well. He always does. “A few days ago I saw Billy stumbling on the side of the road. He was… bleeding.”

Steve’s eyes harden at the teen’s name and instinctively his grip on you tightens. “Did he do anything to you?”

“No,” you breathe out sharply, remembering how disoriented Billy had been. He was in no condition to cause you any harm, which in itself frightened you. “There was something off about him, Steve. I–I can’t explain it, but a day before I saw Billy, I had been with Will and he was almost similar to Billy, I guess? He just–he was frozen, staring off into space, until I got his attention again.”

“Why do I feel like there’s something else you’re not telling me?”

You sigh. “Because there is. There’s always something else in the fucking town.” Anger begins to rise within you and you force yourself to swallow it down. Now isn’t the time for the anger that always simmers just below the surface, waiting. “I talked to Jonathan last night. He’s been with Nancy investigating rabid rats and an old woman who was caught eating her fertilizer.”

“Christ,” Steve exhales with bewilderment.

“And now Russians in Hawkins? What are the odds of this all happening within the same week?”

“Do you…” Looking around, Steve lowers his voice. “Do you think it’s happening again?”

“I don’t think so, El told us she closed the gate, but… I can’t explain any of this, either.” You feel helpless, and you hate it. There’s something you’re missing, there’s something connecting it all, and yet you’re going in circles. 

It all can’t just be a coincidence, and it’s a horrible, maddening feeling. 

And Steve tries to absolve you from it. “We’ll figure it out, together. You and me, even if you want to kill me by the time we’re done, I promise you that I’ll help you–” The phone starts to ring, cutting Steve off, and he sighs. Patting your thighs, he silently asks you to get up so that he can answer it.

Lazily walking over to the ringing phone, Steve picks it up with slight annoyance. “Scoops Ahoy, this is Steve.” There’s a feminine voice on the other line, which he frowns at, before handing the phone to you. “It’s for you?”

Surprised, you stand up and take the phone, unsure who would be calling for you at the ice cream shop. “Hello?”

“Y/N, it’s me. Um, hi.” 

“Nancy?”

“I–uh, I called your job and this older lady told me you’d be at Scoops Ahoy? I needed someone to talk to, and I–I just,” She clears her throat, and it’s only now that you notice the exhaustion in her voice and how thick it sounds from dried up tears. “You know what? This is weird, I shouldn’t have called. I’m sorry–”

“Hey, no.” You fumble with the telephone cord and desperately wish you were with Nancy right now. After what Jonathan told you last night, you feel horrible for the girl, and from the sound of it, she needs someone there for her right now. “Talk to me, Nance. What happened?”

You hear her inhale a shaky breath, always the first to try and disguise any upset and hurt she may be feeling for the sake of others. She takes another deep breath, exhales slowly, and then begins to talk. “Jonathan and I had a fight.”

She tells you everything, from Mrs. Driscoll and the rats to Tom firing them for falsely identifying as reporters. It’s everything Jonathan told you last night, all his worst fears come true, except Nancy also tells you what he told her this morning. How condescending he had been, how he had reminded her of how poor he is, how he belittled her need to figure everything out herself. 

“He kept defending all those assholes, Y/N.” More tears lace within Nancy’s voice. “He wouldn’t listen to me. He just kept repeating over and over again about how he needed the job, as if it wasn’t the single more humiliating thing I’ve ever had to endure.”

There’s so much you want to say, but you’re afraid it will only come out wrong. “I can’t imagine what you had to go through, Nance. I know those men were horrible to you, but you understand where Jonathan is coming from, right?”

“I mean, I thought I did, but,” she sniffs, her voice is soft and defeated. “I’m not so sure anymore. It feels like we can’t understand each other, like we’re physically incapable of seeing eye to eye. I know he has to provide for his family, I–I love that he takes care of them, that he always does what’s right, and yet it infuriates me sometimes.”

You can’t help but chuckle at what Nancy has said. She sounds so much like Jonathan in this moment, reminiscent of him telling you that her ambition is what he loves about her, and here she is saying his integrity is what she loves about him. “God, you two and your pride; you sound just like Jonathan. He said practically the same thing about you last night–”

“Jonathan talked to you about this?” Nancy’s voice becomes cold, defensive, and you know you’ve just said the wrong thing.

“Well, I mean,” you frantically try to alleviate the situation. “He only wanted advice, that’s all.”

Nancy scoffs, and you feel your heart drop. “So he can tell you all about how he feels, but bottles it up when it comes to his girlfriend?”

Well, fuck. 

“He was scared and overwhelmed.” You try to keep your voice neutral, not wanting the girl to assume you’re on anyone’s side. “It’s a difficult situation, and he came to me for help just like you are right now.”

Jealousy claws at Nancy suddenly, it clashes against the hurt within her. Jonathan went to you, as he’s always done, he sought solace in you for the emotions within him that he still has yet to share with her. It reminds her, then, just how little she knows about him still. How many years stretch between you and Nancy when it comes to Jonathan. 

“I’m sure you know all about how he feels,” she says bitterly, unable to stop herself. “The two of you understand one another.”

You sense that there’s something important with what she’s just said. The words were said with a history behind them, an insecurity that you cannot compensate for, and you feel defenseless against Nancy. “He was hurt, and so are you–”

“God, I should’ve known you’d take his side! I mean, you two always do this. I’m such an idiot.”

Panic begins to surround you. “Nancy, I’m not taking anyone’s side, just please listen to me–”

The line goes dead as Nancy hangs up. 

Numb, you place the phone back on the wall and stare blankly at it. The pressure of tears presses against your eyes and you try to steady your breathing. You’ve hurt Nancy, you’ve caused a rift between you that threatens to collapse into a chasm, and you don’t know what to do.

Steve sees that you’re fighting back tears and he tugs you against his chest. His embrace soothes you, but when he asks what happened, all you can do is shake your head, too overwhelmed to speak. There’s too much to explain, a history between you and Jonathan that you know Steve accepts, and yet now you’re terrified you’ll somehow hurt him like you’ve hurt Nancy. 

“I’m sorry, angel.”

Neither of you are sure what Steve is apologizing for, but it’s enough for now. 

So much for an easy summer.

– 

“It is fascinating what twenty bucks will get you at the County Recorder’s Office.” Robin places a giant sheet of paper onto the table. On it are lines and shapes all drawn in blue with an intricate layout. You lean in close to inspect it as Robin continues explaining. “Starcourt Mall, the complete blueprints.” 

Dustin praises her idea and you hesitantly agree; you would’ve never thought of asking for the mall’s blueprints. “You’ve got my attention.”

She smiles and starts to explain her plan. “This is us, Scoops,” her fingers trace over the paper as she guides you and the boys through the blueprint. “And this is where we want to get.”

“I don’t really see a way in.” Steve points out, now sitting at the table with an arm wrapped around you. 

“There’s not,” Robin casts the top blueprint aside and reveals another one underneath. It’s similar in design, although this one lacks more shapes and is mostly lines. “If you’re talking exclusively about doors.”

You squint at the drawings, trying to figure out what they remind you of. “Are those…”

“Air ducts!” Dustin finishes for you, impressed with Robin’s idea.

“Safe, practical, and wouldn’t involve guns.” Turning to the girl, you nod at her and wink. “Buckley, you really keep your promises.”

Robin bows playfully. “Turns out, this secret room needs air just like any old room, and these air ducts,” she grabs a marker from the whiteboard and circles Scoops on the blueprints before drawing a winding line down to the hidden vault and circling it as well. “Lead all the way here.”

The four of you all look up at the vent above you, and while the idea seems like the safest option, you can’t help but wonder how horribly wrong it could go as well. You’ve never had the best luck, not when it comes to Hawkins, and the air ducts seem almost too easy of a solution to trust. 

Steve finds a screwdriver in one of the shop’s drawers and takes apart the air vent with Dustin’s help. You stand next to Robin and watch with slight weariness, unsure where to go from here. Once Steve has removed the vent, he shines a flashlight inside and winces. 

“I don’t know, guys. It’s a tight fit.”

“I can do it,” you step forward. “Can’t be that bad, right?”

Steve looks down at you from the ladder. “This feels like a trap.”

“Move, Harrington.” Once he’s off the ladder, you climb up yourself. When you look into the vent, your heart drops. It is a tight fit, there’s no way you’ll be able to crawl through it. Defeated, you climb down the ladder. “Well, shit.”

“I’ll fit.” Dustin now speaks up.

“No you will not.”

He rolls his eyes at you. “No collar bones, remember?” 

“Excuse me?” Robin has never been more confused in her life.

Steve begins to explain Dustin’s medical condition while you continue arguing with your brother. “I’m not letting you do this!”

“You got the healthy genes while I got the rare genetic condition, Y/N.” Dustin starts to climb up the ladder as you tug at his shirt to try and stop him. “Let me abuse it!”

“But–”

Steve places a hand on your shoulder. “I’ll handle this, Y/N.”

You step back, hoping that he’ll talk some sense into your brother, but to your horror he only makes things worse. Dustin starts to climb into the vent with Steve below him, but he gets stuck about halfway in. “Steve, push me!”

The teen looks at you, unsure what the right call here is. “Do I…?”

“Yeah, just push the kid.” You rub your eyes, tired. “He’s already almost in the damn air duct anyways.” 

Steve pushes at Dustin’s feet to help him move further, but he’s quickly berated. “Not my feet, dumbass. Push my ass!”

“What?” You and Steve exclaim at the same time. 

“Touch my butt, I don’t care!” Dustin’s screeching voice is muffled from the walls of the vent.

Looking at you one last time, Steve sighs heavily and places his hands on your brother’s butt and starts to shove him deeper into the air duct. He can’t believe he’s doing this right now, shoving the butt of the brother of the girl he’s in love with. You stand next to Robin, mortified of what you’re currently witnessing, endlessly ashamed of the two boys. 

The two boys argue, Dustin commanding Steve to push him harder as the teen tries his best to shove the kid, and Robin leans over to you. “Remind me, why are you into Harrington again?”

All you can do is sigh at her question, having no good answer as you watch Steve now manhandle Dustin and scream back insults at him. 

They look ridiculous. 

“Ahoy, sailors!” Someone rings the register’s bell impatiently. “All hands on deck!”

You and Robin turn to find Erica standing at the register as she repeatedly rings the bell and demands her daily free samples. You’re about to respond to her when you see Robin raise her eyebrows; it’s clear she’s thought of something. 

“Would… Erica fit in the vent?”

Your hand snatches at Robin’s arm as you pull her away from the shop’s window. “Absolutely not. We’re not getting Erica involved!”

“C’mon, Y/N. She’s small, she could easily fit–”

“She’s ten.” She’s too young. You’ve always regretted that Dustin and the party were twelve when everything began. 

You’ll be damned if you ruin another child’s life. 

But Robin doesn’t know any of this, and she ignores you as she runs to the register and recruits Erica before you can stop her. Within a minute you have a very curious Erica Sinclair climbing the ladder up to the vent as she shines a flashlight through it. 

You stand below her, helpless. 

“Yeah, I don’t know.” She climbs down after a few minutes of studying the vent’s dimensions. 

“You don’t know if you can fit?” Dustin asks. 

Erica leans against the table and studies the four of you with distaste. “Oh, I can fit. I just don’t know if I want to.”

“Are you claustrophobic?” Robin teases her, but you only feel sympathy for the girl. 

You step towards Erica, trying one last time to reason with her. “You don’t have to do this, you know. You can back down now, no one will blame you. In fact, I will give you all my allowance if you say no.”

Dustin elbows you roughly to get you to shut up, he knows what you’re trying to do. You glare at him and rub your now tender shoulder. When you look towards Steve and Robin for backup, both teens send you pleading glances similar to the ones from last night.

Once again, you’re the odd man out. 

None of this is what you want.

“I don’t have phobias,” Erica informs Robin. Then, she turns to you, “and no one tells me what to do.”

Steve crosses his arms. “Okay, well. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is, I still haven’t heard what’s in this for Erica.”

Ten minutes later, you’re sitting in a booth with the others as Steve slides Erica a freshly made sundae. 

“More fudge, please.” She requests, pleased she’s won.

Steve looks at you, already fed up with the kid, and you feel no sympathy for him. “Go on, get the girl her bribery fudge. This is what you wanted.”

He cringes at the sarcasm in your voice and knows you’re once again pissed at him. Defeated, he hangs his head low and leaves to get Erica more fudge without another word. Once he’s gone, Robin opens up her blueprints and shows the girl the air ducts. “You see this? This is the route you’re going to take.”

You sit there quietly as Dustin and Robin talk to Erica. After they’ve explained the entire plan, she mentions that this all sounds like child endangerment. You let out an exhausted chuckle. “It does, doesn’t it? Isn’t that just hilarious to think about?”

Robin tries to reassure both you and Erica. “We’ll be in radio contact with you the whole time–” 

“Ah, ah, ah!” Erica waves a finger in Robin’s face, unamused. “Child. Endangerment.”

“It’s a shame only you can see that.” You drop your head onto the table, entirely over the situation. “I mean, how can only the ten year old see how insane this is, huh?”

Dustin throws a straw at you and shushes you, annoyed with your theatrics. Clearing his throat, he turns to Erica. “We think these Russians want to do harm to our country.”

“Unconfirmed, actually.” You retort. With every passing minute, it becomes more and more evident that this really is happening, and there’s no way you can back out now; someone sane has to be there to protect everyone. Dustin and the others all seem deluded by the idea of fame and adventure, but all you want to do is keep your loved ones safe. 

“Shut up,” Dustin shoves you further away from him as he tries to win over Erica’s agreement. “Great harm. Don’t you love your country?”

“You can’t spell ‘America’ without ‘Erica’.” She takes a sip from her drink, now listening.

You lift your head up from the table and share a baffled look with Dustin, both of you going through how to spell America in your heads. Amazingly, Erica is right. You really can’t spell the word without her name. 

“Incredible,” you whisper, in complete disbelief. 

Dustin shakes his head. “Uh, yeah. Oddly, that’s–uh, totally true… So, don’t do this for us. Do it for your country. Do it for your fellow man, for America – Erica.”

After your brother’s speech, Erica puts down her drink and mocks him, still not entirely sold on the whole child endangerment idea. Instead, she goes on a whole spiel about how she loves capitalism and paying people for their services while you sit there, head pounding with a headache. 

“And it seems to me,” Erica concludes with a smile, “my ability to fit into that little vent is very, very valuable to you all. So, you want my help? This USS Butterscotch better be the first of many. I’m talking free ice cream for life.”

Robin and Dustin mirror exasperated expressions on their faces, but honestly? You get a kick out of Erica recognizing her worth; she’s brilliant. Without saying anything, you lift your hand up for Erica to high five, which she happily accepts. 

“To child endangerment!” You cheer, your voice oozing sarcasm, and Erica follows suit as Robin and Dustin both slump in their seats. 

– 

It’s your idea to prep Erica for whatever she may find after crawling through the ducts. You shoved a helmet on her head and forced knee pads onto the girl, which she adamantly protested against. 

“This is excessive, even for you.”

You held up money, which promptly shut her up. “Wear the protection and do exactly as I say, or lose $5.”

After she took the money, you then held out your switchblade for her to take as well. “And use this if anything happens, alright?”

Erica had stared at you, slightly surprised. “Why do you carry knives on you?”

“Ask questions later.”

Now you’re anxiously waiting on the mall’s rooftop once more with Dustin, Steve, and Robin as you radio Erica for updates.

“You nerds in position or what?” Her voice drones through the walkie’s speaker.

“Yeah, we’re in position.” Robin confirms. The three of you have been scouting the shipment deck for the last thirty minutes, making sure all the possible Russian guards were gone. “It’s all quiet up here, so you’ve got the green light.”

You take the walkie from Robin. “But be careful, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Be careful and green light, roger that. Commence Operation Child Endangerment.”

Robin snatches the walkie back and cringes at what Erica has said. “Can we maybe not call it that?” 

“That's exactly what’s happening here.” You say with a snort. 

“Thanks for the help, Y/N.”

You give Robin a thumbs up. “Anytime.”

Erica announces that she’s in the air ducts and you feel the familiar burden of fear creep through you as she now goes quiet. Steve’s hand finds yours and he attempts to ease your discomfort as you all wait. “Erica will be fine, Y/N.”

“Yeah, totally!” Robin tries to reassure you as well, though she looks nervous too.

The minutes drag by at an agonizingly slow pace. The three of you hold your breath, waiting for Erica’s assurance that she’s safe and okay, and you pray to whatever god that’s up there to listen and keep her safe. 

If anything happens to her, it would only be your fault for not having learned your lesson sooner. 

“Alright, nerds.” You let out a breath of relief when Erica radios again, and you can feel Steve exhale as well. He’d been worried, too. “I’m there.”

“Do you see anything?” Robin asks, voice alight with excitement now. 

“Yeah, I see those boring boxes you’re so excited about.” 

“Any guards?”

Erica pauses a moment, presumably scanning for any signs of danger, before responding. “Negative.”

You breathe out again with relief. At the very least, Erica is in a safe enough location. 

However, Robin isn’t done asking questions yet. “Booby traps?”

“If I could see them, they’d be pretty shit traps, wouldn’t they?”

You grab the radio again from Robin. “Erica, have I told you that you’re my favorite child?”

“You haven’t, but I know I am,” there’s a bang over the other end of the walkie, then a loud thud followed by a grunt, before her voice comes through again. “I’m in.” Then, not even a minute later, the door to the vault begins to lift up, revealing a smug looking Erica on the other side. 

You all stare at her in awe, and she snaps her fingers at you. “Free ice cream for life.”

Steve lets out a surprised laugh and a smile crosses your face as well. Even though you’re still entirely against what’s happening, you can’t believe that the plan worked. You guys successfully broke into a Russian vault. 

That beats Demodogs any day. 

You, Steve, Robin, and Dustin climb down from the roof to get to Erica as fast as you can. When you finally join her, you risk her fury and pull her into your arms for a hug. “You’re so much braver than I was at ten.”

Erica shoves you off of her. “That doesn’t at all surprise me.” 

While you make sure she’s okay, Dustin and the others investigate the room. There’s boxes everywhere with tape all over them. Lifting one up onto a table, Steve turns to you. “Can I borrow that switchblade, Y/N?”

“She’s got it,” you point to Erica. “Talk to the kid.”

Steve frowns, having unexpected this, and, being scared of the girl, he laughs nervously. “Uh, Erica? Can I have that switchblade now?”

She rolls his eyes at him and digs through her pockets to retrieve it. “Aren’t you the man in the relationship? Why don’t you have your own pair of knives?”

You cover your mouth to try and stifle the laugh that escapes you, but it’s no use. Steve hears it and sticks his middle finger up at you before finally opening the box. Cutting through the tape, he opens the box’s flaps to find a metal storage container within them.

When Steve reaches his hand inside the box, you stop him. “Please, be careful.”

“I got this, angel.” However, he slows his movements and carefully grabs at the container’s handle. Slowly, he turns it, and it lets out a terrifying hiss as air escapes it. Removing the lid, more air comes crawling out and reveals four individual cylinders.

“Definitely not delicious noodles and sensible shoes.” You breathe out, and Steve hums in agreement.

“That’s a weird way of saying ‘you were right, Dustin’.” Your brother snarks, and you hit his shoulder to shut him up.

Meanwhile, Steve waves his hand at the four of you, motioning you to back up. “Uh, maybe you guys should, you know, stand back.”

Robin and Erica don’t hesitate to listen, but you and Dustin remain where you are. There’s a silent agreement between the two of you to not abandon Steve, he needs you. When he sees that you both haven’t listened, Steve pleads with you. “Just step back, please? I’m doing this for you guys, this could be dangerous.”

“No.” You and Dustin say at the same time. 

Steve tries to argue again, but you remain firm in your stance. “I’m not leaving you. Ever.”

His words falter at the sincerity in your voice, and he wishes it was just the two of you alone right now so that he could stroke your cheek and kiss away your concerns. He’s filled with warmth by your care for him, but just like you would never put him in danger, Steve would never put you in any danger either. 

He loves you with everything within him, he just wishes he could tell you this. 

“If you die, I die.” Dustin proudly declares, breaking Steve out of his thoughts. 

You stare at your brother, as does Steve, and together the two of you awkwardly pat the kid’s shoulder to acknowledge his sentiment. With a cough, you add, “Hendersons with Harrington.”

Steve clears his throat, overwhelmed and slightly off put by the bizarre support. “Okay, I guess.” He grabs at one of the cylinders and twists slowly, and when it unlocks, he lifts and reveals a bubbling green liquid. “What the hell?”

Robin asks what the substance is and you feel like you’ve lost your mind. You have no idea what the fuck is happening anymore. “God I hope it’s scary Kool-Aid”

As soon as the words have left your mouth, you feel rumbling beneath your feet. 

Immediately, you know you’ve fucked up.

Dustin looks up at you in alarm. “Was that just me, or did the room move?”

“Booby traps,” Erica whispers, looking scared as well.

A mechanical whirring sound infiltrates your ears as the room starts to shake again, and every part of your body screams at you to run. Something is very, very wrong. Grabbing Dustin’s hand, you start to head towards the door. “We need to leave. Now.”

“Let’s go!” Robin follows you, not needing to be told twice, and grabs one of the vials of liquid as she does so. 

“Which one is the button, Erica?” Dustin asks, fingers hovering over the control panel’s buttons after pressing one failed.

“Just press the damn button, nerd.”

You turn to her, panic rising. “He is, but nothing’s happening.”

“Press ‘open door’.”

Dustin presses the button again but still, nothing happens. Frantic to escape the room now, you shove him aside and try yourself. Your fingers press roughly against it, but still the doors won’t budge. 

Steve joins, sliding next to you as he starts to try pressing the buttons. “Here, press the other button.”

You slap his hand. You’re overwhelmed and scared and anxious and he’s five seconds away from losing an eye. “I already did that!”

Dustin starts to argue with Steve now and they push you back, repeatedly hitting whatever they can touch, as Robin and Erica shout their own useless and unneeded advice that is helping absolutely no one. You stand behind the boys, hands pressed against your head as you start to hyperventilate with panic.

Then, walls come slamming down on all sides of the room, effectively kick starting your panic attack. The lights begin to flicker as the room suddenly drops. Your stomach lurches into your throat as you’re thrown downward, and instinctively you grab for Dustin in your panic as Steve grabs for you. 

Everyone screams as you plunge into the darkness.

-

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[lifewithdavefarts]

DaveFarts - Episode 30 “Gross The Line” [Episode List] After Dave rips a couple of his well-known huge farts on his face, Tim finds the guts to ask his gassy bro something...

POV: Tim

Gross The Line

This Friday night we had no plans (once you’re past 30, this is usually considered a win).

Both me and Dave, after a tough week of work, decided to stay at home and apparently our buds had the same idea as no one wanted to do anything. To be completely honest, Dave did have something resembling a plan for tonight: Dana, his girlfriend, was coming here for the weekend, nothing new by a long shot, but Dave still wanted to give our small house what passes for a “cleaning session”.

To be fair, both me and Dave know how to manage this sort of stuff, with Dave actually being much more organised than he seems. 

Each day of this past week, we decided to do our chores after we were done working.

Speaking of which, since I worked from home, I was simply wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants, while my roommate sported his usual dark brown hoodie and a pair of dark blue, almost grey, loose sagging jeans.

After doing the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom (on different days, nonetheless), we’re now cleaning his bedroom: we made the (king-sized) bed, sorted Dave’s wardrobe a bit, all that kind of stuff we had to do regardless of our guests anyway (and Dana was very chill anyway). 

We kind of lost rack of time, but given we started right after we finished working, it was around 6:30 PM, late-ish afternoon basically.

“We still got plenty of time.” I remarked, while folding a t-shirt.

“Yep.” Dave replied. “We could make a mess and still have time to clean up, if you know what I mean.” he winked at me, glancing at his king-sized bed.

“Well, you are pretty fast.” I made fun of him.

His response was a pair of socks harmlessly hitting my face.

“I see you’re done with those.” I sarcastically said as I picked them up.

“Yeah, the wardrobe’s pretty much done, thanks.” he said, as I handed the last t-shirt to him.

Honestly, we did a pretty good job. This wasn’t the first time we did this kind of stuff at all, but I was impressed by how fast we got things done this time.

“Let’s make this last.” I stated, admiring how clean the room was.

Dave stood next to me, arms crossed. “Yep. It smells good, even!”

“Yes it doe- I can’t believe I fell for it.”

My friend just casually ripped a monstrously loud 3 second fart, the sound easily silencing my voice. He winked at me again, with a smug smile, knowing very well that, well, I appreciated.

“Please don’t ruin everything we’ve done.” I jokingly begged him.

“Hey!” he stated, faking an assertive tone. “My bedroom, my rules.”

A moment of silence, then I heard him sniffing the air around him.

“But yeah…” he admitted, trying not to laugh. “That was terrible.”

The stench reached both of our nostrils and, believe it or not, it was bad. Yes, I have a fart kink, but some things can be too much to handle even for me, and to be honest I’m here more for the amazing loud sounds.

Dave opened the window just a bit so the bedroom won’t stink like rotten meat when Dana steps in later.

“Unless your ass has more things to say, that should be enough.” I said, looking at him and the window.

My bro shook his head in response and laughed a bit.

“Dude if you want to hear more farts you can just ask for it ya know.” He casually said as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “You know I don’t care.” he then added, as he walked past me to check his phone on the bed, again so casually it almost confused me. Was he being sarcastic or not?

A moment of silence, as I needed a moment to understand what he meant.

Again, I do have a fart kink but… I wasn’t asking for anything. Hell, even though it’s been more than a year since he found out and accepted me, I never ever even had the guts to properly ask him for, well, a “fart session”, because at this point that’s what often happens between us. We’d go days or even weeks without face-farting (even though I’d hear him farting A LOT, either to tease me or just randomly like bros do), then Dave would just straight-up “bully” me by being the most amazing and open-minded straight gassy bro in the world. 

A blessing and a curse at the same time.

“I wasn’t asking for anything.” I stated.

Dave snorted and smiled, eyes glued on the phone. “Yeah… sure.”

I admit I felt a bit… am I in the position to say ‘offended’? 

I… I don’t want him to think that he’s my bro because of, well, this kinky stuff. 

I stepped closer to him. “Again: I wasn’t asking.”

“Dude.” he looked up to me. “It’s fine. We’re good.” he laughed.

A few moments of silence, interrupted by my friend’s tapping on his phone. I didn’t like this atmosphere. Was I being an asshole? Dave was just being… so casually open-minded about my gross kink and that’s how I thank him? By thinking ill of him?

He doesn’t care… and yet some times I almost wish that he’d did.

Maybe I just like drama?

I decided to break the tension (which wasn’t even there, but anxiety took me over quickly).

“Well… what if I was asking… not that I was…” I tried to say.

Dave’s only response was just turning to me again, listening with a bored, yet amused-ish look on his face.

“I’d never ask you.” I finally said, after stuttering a bit more.

My friend shook his head again, amused by my response.

“Okay… thanks for sharing. Very interesting.” he said, sarcastically.

I took a deep breath. “I’d never ask because...”

Dave narrowed his eyes and interrupted me with the muffled sound of another loud fart, another quick thunder, lasting “only” 5 seconds. Despite having his denim, sagging ass glued to the bed, the roar could still be heard clearly. At least the stench was trapped there… for the most part.

“Good one.” I tried to joke. Then went back to being a stuttering idiot. “I’d never ask because…”

My friend interrupted me again, this time by standing up and stepping towards me, looking annoyed but still weirdly amused.

“Yes yes because you don’t want me to think that we’re bros only because you’re a kinky bastard and I just happen to be the fart king, right? Is this what you’re trying to say? Is that correct?”

I just remained silent and took a deep breath… inhaling some of the stench that used to be trapped under Dave’s ass.

“Bro I told you a million times that I don’t care.” he laughed. “I do appreciate that you don’t ask.” he admitted “But… that won’t stop me from destroying your face.” 

That… that didn’t go into the direction I thought it would.

“Sorry.” I simply said.

Dave just laughed at how… needlessly stupid I was being.

“Alright. Looks like we’re gonna make a mess after all.” 

He stared at me with a smirk. He then quickly grabbed my arms and tripped me over so I could fell on his bed.

“Bro, it’s fine, sorry I sai-“ I tried to say, actually trying not to laugh.

“Hey, my bedroom, my rules.” he remarked, stepping on the bed, easily towering over me.

He took a few steps and after I ended up with my head between his feet, he made sure to align his sagging ass with my face, so he could squat down and just use my nose as a pillow to rest his ass on.

The denim was rough and beautiful to look at, the seams and textures of his jeans tickling my face. I took a deep whiff and I could smell the stench of his previous farts. Since he was sagging, my nose also brushed against his red sweaty underwear, the only thing between my nose and his powerful anus.

After a few seconds of silence, he stopped moving and ripped a huge blast, up close and personal, down my throat. Damn, today his ass likes being louder than usual, with the blast almost making me go deaf. It was probably as loud as the previous ones, but since I was with my nose planted into the source of that fart this time, it felt way louder. 

It certainly was longer though, this one lasting about 9 seconds before stopping.

He didn’t move for a few seconds, the only reason being to give me time to, well, properly enjoy the stench, which again I did, but the sounds of Dave’s farts was the main event for me every time he blasted me. I’ll never get used to it, to all of this, to his blasts, to him being so casual and open-minded about my kink.

After a few seconds, he leaned back and spread his legs a bit, still having his ass planted on my face. He did that so he could stare down at me, at the victim of his flatulence, at what remained of my sweaty face.

He was laughing, still sporting that evil smirk.

“I knew you weren’t asking by the way.” he said, and the bastard winked at me one more time.

Before I could say something in return, most likely an insult, my head shook as he ripped yet another blast. He closed his eyes as he kept pushing, as he let his ass roar all over my face; and the fact that I could see him do that, that I could stare right into his eyes as he farted, all while my nostrils were burning, further hardened by boner. 

He sighed in relief and looked down to me one more ime after the 7 seconds blast ended. He then leaned back a bit more, now fully lying on his bed, legs up, with my face still in front of his sagging denim. 

Oddly enough, we remained like that for a couple of dozens of seconds, until my straight bro talked to me. I couldn’t see his face this time: I was too startled to talk, to process how how that was, and my eyes were glued on that smelly “wall” of sagging jeans in front of me, a “wall” that hid my friend’s face from my point of view.

“You alive, bro?” he jokingly asked.

“Sadly, yes.” my deadpan answer.

Dave laughed at my response.

“No worries, I’m brewing a big one that’s gonna kill ya for good.” 

The friendliest, yet hottest threat I ever received.

“Ready?” he then asked.

How did such a simple word become so hot to me is a mystery; but being something that Dave would often say before unleashing some of the loudest, most powerful farts I ever heard certainly didn’t help.

In hindsight, that’s not a mystery at all…

Either way, my answer to his question was another question, and I mustered all the courage I had to actually speak.

“Dave… can I ask you something?” Though it was my boner doing the talk now I’m afraid.

“Sure.” he quickly responded, surprisingly enough.

A few moments of silence, my heart racing fast. I took deep breaths, accidentally inhaling more of the polluted air around me. I was nervous, I was sweating.

“Well, if you have nothing to say, I’m just gonna let my ass speak then.” another hot threat from my bro.

“Okay wait.” I finally said. 

I still couldn’t see my friend’s face as I was resting my head in front of his ass, which covered most most of my view.

“For your next… fart…” I managed to say.

“Yes…?” he said, in a very amusing formal tone of voice.

 “Can you…” I took a deep breath. “Can you, like…”

Dave laughed at me stuttering like an idiot, but I kept going.

“Can you hold my head into your ass?”

First response: silence.

Moments of silence, moments that to me lasted hours.

I did it, I crossed the line. 

I fucked up.

I betrayed my straight bro’s trust by going too far.

He’s Dave, a straight, open-minded friend that accepted my kink and yet I couldn’t help but let my thirst take the wheel, ruining everything.

It doesn’t help that he did hold my head still into his ass as he face-farted me other times in the past, but downright asking him to do it… I’m already regretting it.

That’s too gross.

Then, I felt it.

I just felt it.

I felt his left hand grabbing my head; he raised his left leg and leaned a bit, so he could properly fulfil my request. With a firm grasp, he planted my defenceless, sweaty face straight up into his sagging, smelly denim ass, holding me still, making sure I couldn’t move.

“Wow. You are a kinky bastard after all.” He said. “Just like I’m the fart king” he snickered.

I tried to speak, but talking while your moth is constantly “kissing” your gassy friend’s ass is a bit difficult, yet Dave kind of understood what I was trying to say. He knows me, after all.

“Bro…” He pushed my head even more, my nose almost going through the red fabric of his underwear and right between his asscheeks. “The only thing you should be afraid of is getting exactly what you wish for.”

Another one of those hot threats. Is he doing that on purpose? 

A moment of silence followed… the silence before the storm.

“Ready?”

That was a rhetorical question.

The earthquake that struck my face was as loud as it was powerful. My friend’s ass roared straight into my nostrils and mouth, with Dave making sure my face was glued to his powerful anus, right where it belonged (not that I wanted to move anyway).

The deep, chainsaw-like noise shook the the whole bedroom, and for a moment I thought of the stench that basically ruined all of our hard work of cleaning things up, but my bro cared even less than me about that, as his ass kept screaming at my face, my nose gently brushing between his denim and his underwear. 

My nostrils were burning, my eyes got wet.

On paper, this was nothing new for me: Dave farts in my face very often, even holding my head still like he’s doing now. However… the fact that he did it because I found the guts to ask for it made pre-cum erupt from the tip of my cock (I guess I’m the fast one then) which at this point I assume my bro knows about.

Even though I had my entire face glued to his denim ass, I still managed to get a good look of it and as my face kept getting blasted, I once again realized how lucky I was to have a friend like him. 

Dave had it all: he’s smart, he’s tall, good-looking, funny and, as he put it a few moments ago, he casually happens to be the fart king, and the fact that I have the… I’d say the privilege to get constantly face-farted by him, to admire his ass this up close and personal, was more than I could’ve ever hoped for.

That good-looking guy you saw across the street? Well, he’s actually my bro… and he’s farting in my face.

12 seconds and the fart finally started to lose some of its power. He could rip longer farts than this, natural and/or on command (this time it was all natural, like 99% of the times), which was already impressively long, but given the context this was probably the hottest one he ever ripped all over my face.

After he was done, he simply let me go, or rather, let my head fall as I was completely stunned by what just hit me. I admired that sagging denim ass in front of me a bit more, still engulfed by an invisible cloud of gas.

“Anything else you wanna ask?” he joked, teasing me on purpose.

“Maybe I’ll just ask you to stop.” I played along, though I was being serious.

“Good choice” Dave said, a quick, loud 2-seconds fart following his response.

I managed to stand up, fighting the urge to plant my face into his ass again to properly enjoy that last rip. 

I was feeling all dizzy for all the gas and, well, the massive boner I had.

Dave remained on the bed, sitting, as if nothing gross and kinky happened, reaching for his phone again to check some messages.

The bedroom, no gentle way to put this, smelt like ass because of my friend’s massive farts.

“Welp, much like you, Dana’s coming.” Dave casually commented, eyes on his phone.

“You do realize that this room smells like ass, right?” I told him, ignoring the insult.

“Hey. Not my fault. You asked for it, not me.” he said, with a smirk.

Once again, he proved to me that he just doesn’t care. 

I’m gross and disgusting and while my bro is very aware of the kink… the idea of torturing me is just weirdly amusing to him.

I don’t know why, but that’s how it works.

His bedroom, his rules after all.

The End

[salty-croissants]

can you make some headcanons and/or imagine of rayman/ramon with an adoptive human! sister s/o (who used to be from another dimension before moving away to cl world dimension somewhere which is an unaffected good nation that didn't got ruined when she was a kid with her family (her mom, younger biological sister, and one of her female cousins), her pets, and her bunch of friends) after the last episode from season 1 (few moments after killing the broad directors), getting an heart warming reunion before successfuly escaping go get bullfrog out and then flee to the hideout where she shares with her bunch of dear friends who also joined the rebellion ;

like she finally got the accurate precious information about where her brother (rayman/ramon) is, after dolph called her in her smartphone and told y/n where he is and where he is heading to because he also got the information about the heck her bro went through thanks to the virtual realm thing and stuff and he needs to share this information and he also told that after reuniting with her adoptive brother she and him must go get bullfrog, quickly explains his situation and to her end the call before her smartphone may end up getting infected with virus before fighting the bad guys,

so after hearing this she turns off her phone (thankfull didn't got infected), grabbed her weapons, gas mask (modified to look like a bunny rabbit, with the addion of other tech gadgets like walkie talkie like features, night vision, and extra protection, an gas mask she and some of her friends made for him (with the same features from the inside but in the outside made to look like an fox) ((yes all of her friends and pets/familiars are wearing gas masks like this for good reasons)); after she killed all of the other bad guys in the building she comes to where ramon/raymon is laying on the table and before he could do anything, she pulls down her hoodie and shows her face and ray/ramon reconizes her.

((it's based on the concept of my cl timeline self-insert, look at the concept to you have an idea and even use some stuff as reference, in the messages; sorry if it got long))

Thank you for the request !

I really hope I got everything right , there was quite a lot of information to keep track of with this one ;C;👍

This is also my first ever more platonic request , which is pretty neat ! :D

Details : use of female reader ; 

reader is Rayman’s adoptive sister ; 

presence of mild swearing and blood 

< … did you get all that , y/n ? 

You better , cause I don’t have much time left to explain . > 

< Yeah yeah , I got it ! 

It’s just … I can’t believe I’m actually going to see him again … > 

< Stop . I need you to focus now .

You grab your brother , free Bullfrog and get the hell out of there immediately .

I won’t be able to be there with these assholes in the way , so you’re on your own from now … 

I’ll see you when this is all ov - > 

With that abrupt end to Dolph’s call , you remained completely alone 

You took a deep breath , your heart pounding in your chest as you walked forward in the corridor , leaving behind the bodies of the Eden security guards that were unfortunate enough to cross you .

It hadn’t been easy to get that far into the building the Board of Directors used as their headquarters , the many bruises that had cut through your clothes and gas mask were proof of that … 

However , it was all going to be worth it to be reunited with your long lost brother .

How many years had it been since you last got to talk to Rayman before they took him from you ? 

Four ? 

No , maybe even five …

The only way you could see him was when his show aired on tv , and while you were happy to see that he seemed to be alright , the fact that he had become the face of the very thing you and your friends were fighting so hard against broke your heart …

Did that mean that you were enemies now ? 

Was he even going to be happy to see you , or remember who you were … ? 

You shook your head , trying to keep those awful thoughts from tormenting your mind .

Even if Rayman were to regard you as a “terrorist” , you weren’t going to let the Directors or anyone else hurt him , and that was all that mattered .

It only took a few more steps to reach the door that lead to the Director’s room , the place where Rayman was supposed to be in from what Dolph had told you before the beginning of that mission , and when you finally found the courage to open it you found yourself staring at a rather grim sight : 

the all powerful Directors , the ones who had everyone’s lives in the palm of their hands for years , were all laying dead on the table and the floor , their blood painting the otherwise pristine room in a bright crimson , and …

Hang on , was there someone else laying down on that table ?

Could it really be … ? 

< Ray ? > 

As soon as he heard your voice , he immediately jolted up , his breathing heavy as he reached for his guns .

< Who … who the hell are you ? Don’t come any closer ! > 

You sounded strangely familiar to the now ex Eden star … but he knew that it wouldn’t be possible for that very special person to be there . 

It just … it couldn’t be . 

Your eyes widened when you took a better look at your brother : 

he looked so … different …

You had never seen that spark of fury in his eyes , and that was without mentioning his appearance .

Before things could escalate for the worst , you grabbed the mask you were wearing with shaky hands , slowly removing it and revealing your face .

A moment of shocked silence followed , before he jumped down from the table , his eyes never leaving yours as he approached … 

< y/n … ? > 

, he whispered , almost like he was afraid to even speak .

< Oh Ray , I missed you so much ! > 

When you leaned forward to hug him , giving him confirmation that you were actually real and not just a part of his imagination , it was the moment that he finally snapped :

He clutched you tightly , the weight of everything that he had been through that day mixing with the relief of having found you again , after years of not being able to even know if you were okay .

You could hear him sob next to your shoulder …

< I can’t believe … I can’t believe that it’s you , y/n … all this time , I thought … I thought  I’d never see you again … > 

After a few more minutes of much needed crying , the two of you finally pulled away from each other , so happy about being back together that you almost forgot the gravity of your current situation . 

< But … how did you get here ? > 

< It’s kind of a long story , but to cut it short I’ve been working against Eden with a few others , and when Dolph told me you were here I had to come Ray … I had to make sure you were okay . > 

You could see your brother trying to process everything he was hearing , that you were allies with Dolph Laserhawk one of the people he had considered a terrorist just a few days prior … but he visibly flinched a little as you mentioned his old name .

< I see , well it’s thanks to him if we got to reunite then … heh , today’s been one hell of a crazy day .

Though … I gotta ask you to call me Ramon now . 

I don’t wanna go by my old name anymore … reminds me of all the damage I’ve caused and the lies these bastards made me spread . > 

You nodded in response , your gaze softening as you wondered just how awful he probably felt when finding the truth about Eden …

It must’ve been a real hard time for him , which reminded you of the other reason you were there on that mission . 

< Okay , look … I know you’ve already been through a lot today , but I need to set Bullfrog free before they execute him , and I … can’t do it alone . > 

Before you could finish your sentence , Ramon had already begun to pick up his guns from were he left them without hesitation …

< I got your back y/n .

Bullfrog is the reason why I know what Eden has done … I gotta repay the favor . > 

When the both of you walked out of the room , ready for your rescue mission , you couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy at the thought of having your brother by your side :

this time , nothing was going to take him away from you … you would’ve made sure of that . 

[nhlclover]

the last time | arber xhekaj

summary: after arber leaves you for the second time you let him know he’s on his last strike.

request: yes / no

warnings: angst (w/ slight happy ending)

a/n: based on ‘the last time’ by taylor swift. i will take any excuse to write a taylor swift song fic. also i miss him :(

word count: 1.36k

Again. It happened again. This was the second time I had watched Arber walk out of my life. The first was five months ago.

We had been together for six months. Six months I had dealt with his schedule and late nights out after games. Six months I loved him and admired his passion. And then he broke up with me, saying he needed space. It hurt. More than any breakup I had been a part of before. But I let him go. If he needed space then I would give it to him. Two months went by where I was miserable. I had missed my boyfriend and slept alone in a bed that had become accustomed to two. Then, he was back.

He was at my door, saying he wanted me back. He said it was a mistake and he was overwhelmed with his newfound fame from being in the NHL and a new relationship. I believed him. I took him back and was happy to do so. Three months passed by where we pretended like we had missed no time. No skipped anniversaries, no missed date nights. We were good for three months before we were sitting in my living room, Arber telling me this was a mistake.

“I thought I was ready but I wasn’t.” He said. He had a hurt look on his face, the same one he wore when he left me the first time. “It will only hurt us more if I stay. And I don’t want to hurt you anymore baby.”

Once again, I let him go. I was left miserable once again, seeing little remnants of his touch on my life everywhere I went. Anytime I saw the Montreal logo I thought of him and his passion for the game. Anytime I heard Morgan Wallen I remembered the time we danced on the balcony at 2 am to Somebody’s Problem. 

On what should’ve been our one-year anniversary, I sat alone in my room, my tv playing an episode of Hell’s Kitchen that was barely holding my attention. My eyes burned from the tears that came in with every new memory that passed through my head. The memories of the boy I still loved — because my feelings hadn’t yet diminished — ran through my head like a movie. First kiss, first date, the first time he told me he loved me and how quickly I said it back. The first time he got in a fight on the ice and the mixture of the sense of pride and fear that coursed through me. Every career milestone and how happy I was for him.

But with all the good memories, I remember the bad ones. I remember how alone I felt when he left the first time, then how utterly stupid I felt when he left me for the second time. I couldn’t go out with my friends for the fear of seeing him made my anxiety spike. I remember lying awake at night, wracking my brain for answers because, even though Arber explained why he ended things, it felt like I was missing something.

A knocking sound coming from the front of the house pulls me from my thoughts, sending a wave of fear through me. It was the dead of winter and the middle of a snowstorm at nearly 10 pm, who would be coming to my door? I got out of my bed and slowly walked to the front door. The knocking persisted, getting louder every few seconds. I grabbed the tennis racket that sat on the floor of the coat closet and slowly cracked open the door.

The sight of the person on the other side sent a different kind of fear through me. Arber stood on my front stoop, a bouquet of pink and white tulips in hand. I opened the door fully, the cold air from outside causing goosebumps to form on my exposed legs. 

Arber’s eyes are soft and delicate when he looks into mine which are bloodshot and lined with soaked eyelashes.

“Why are you here?” I ask even though I already know the answer. 

“I fucked up…” He croaks out. “I can’t stop thinking about you…here alone. I hate that I caused this.”

He motions to my face on which tears have once again begun streaking down. I wipe them away using the sleeves of my sweater which just so happened to have belonged to Arber. “Can I come in?” He asks me.

I’m tempted to turn him away. To tell him no. He’s hurt me more than once and if I let him in, I can’t be sure he won’t again. But the moment I saw his face, all our good moments clouded over the bad ones, and it’s like everything was better. My love for him overshadows any hurt he made me feel. How could I possibly turn him away when I love him this much?

I opened the door fully, letting him in, and shutting the door behind him. As he removed his coat, he glanced down at the tennis racket in my hand. Arber looked at me his eyebrows furrowed.

“Arber, you came to my house in the middle of a snowstorm at 10 pm.” I tell him, putting the racket back in the closet. “I wasn’t just going to answer the door unarmed.”

Arber walks into my home, finding his way to the kitchen. He goes into the cabinet where I keep my vases and takes the scissors from their place in the drawer to cut the stems. He still remembered where I kept everything.

There are a few moments of silence as I watch him cut the stems, placing each flower into the vase. He fills the vase with water, putting it on the counter in front of me.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful.” I say softly.

“I know you like tulips.” He replied. I sigh, looking past the flowers at him. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry baby.”

I avert my eyes feeling them begin to brim with tears. He comes around the counter, sitting on the barstool beside mine. “I know you’ve already given me a chance before and I blew it but… Please, y/n.”

“Why?” I ask him, looking at him with tears steadily falling from my eyes. “Why should I give you another chance, Arber? All you’ve done is prove you don’t deserve another one. I’ve given you a second chance and you wasted it.”

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve changed since, y/n.” He says. “I’ve grown as a person. I’ve found a way to deal with what it's like playing in the NHL and I know I can cope now. On top of that, I have never been as miserable as I am without you.”

I look at him, reading his expression carefully. His eyes scream nothing but sadness, the bags under his eyes telling much of the story. “How do I know you won’t leave me again?” I croak out.

“Baby, I can promise you I will never leave you again.” Arber says, cupping my cheek with his hand, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “I understand if you need time to think about it.”

There are so many thoughts going through my head all at once. I weigh out the bad memories and the good ones. I find my mind overwhelmed with the good ones, the love I have for Arber completely swaying my decision.

“Okay.” I say.

“Okay?” Arber repeats. “You’ll take me back?”

Arber has a grin on his face, bigger than the one he had when I told him I loved him. I nod. He scoops me up from the chair, spinning me around. Arber sets me down but keeps me in his arms. 

“Thank you, y/n.” He mumbles into my neck.

I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him close. The familiar scent of his cologne washed over me, comfort enveloping me. I lean back from Arber, looking up at him.

“This is the last time I’m letting you back in,” I tell him. 

“This is the last time I’ll ask.” He says.

[praecurokat]

Ted Lasso Finale Thoughts- So Long, Farewell... (I do not know what to think!)

this episode being an hour and 15 minutes..after being released at midnight... that's just cruel.. my brain cannot operate properly under such conditions..

congrats Tedbecca shippers! oop watched more.. sorry Tedbecca shippers...

most normal Beard and Jane appearance in the series at Rebecca’s house in the beginning

writers were bringing the dramatic flair in this episode! first that thing with Isaac dressed as a judge in the beginning, and then a musical number! idk how i feel about that..

speaking of the musical number, i must regretfully inform the masses that idk what the song is from.. pls lmk in the comments.. i see that it relates to the episode title

ah yes Jane acting totally normal by shredding Beard's passport.. total ✨ marriage material ✨

Trent's shirt says sat 17 may.. could this be significant?? everything in this show is..

"You know, that might be a tasty little treat for the diamond dogs.” “No. No. No. No!”-Roy, soon to become a Diamond Dog in a moment of desperation

wait did Trent name his manuscript the lasso way awww

“I only got into this to ruin Rupert's life, and he seems to be doing a pretty good job of that himself.”- Rebecca

So. Many. Throwbacks. Keeley saying “Is everybody decent?”, Jamie using lots of axe body spray like S1, the cleaner walking in on everyone, and way more i can’t think of

the complicated web that is royjamiekeeley is still being spun.. in the last episode..

“Must be awful for them, lying awake at night, haunted by how fucking easy they’ve had it!”- Mae, to Rebecca’s mom

Trent watching Ted read his book.. heart eyes emoji

the way Ted looks at him.. i meannn is this even subtext anymore?

“So you do laugh, but you don't do it until page.. 43?! And it wasn't even a big laugh!”- Trent, while Ted is reading his manuscript

"Whatever happens on Sunday, I want you to know I’m proud of you. All the work you’ve put in this year."- Roy to Jamie, before proceeding to fistfight with him later

Both Roy and Jamie seem very contemplative this ep. What are they thinking??

i am so concerned about the current royjamie feud over Keeley... what is gonna happen here???

“Would you please stay?” and “I know, I just had to try.”- Rebecca, about Ted

lmao Keeley kicking both Roy and Jamie out after they asked her to choose

“You stay put, Trenthouse magazine. You’re part of the squad now.”- Ted, to Trent

“Yeah. Someone better. Can people change?”- Roy, also this is a central tenet of this damn show

“I don’t think we change per se, as much as we just learn to accept who we’ve always been, you know?” -Trent’s most beautiful quote thus far

aww Nate finally got his diamond dogs reaction to Jade

George being Rupert’s coach sent me.. like you Really couldn’t find anyone else?

I hate Rupert but I love his dramatic slay coat swish moments.. again reminds me of Uther’s drama queen antics

“I prefer rugby, there’s just more grown men throwing other grown men into the air like children. And blood. Which is nice." - Barbara

Bloodthirsty and mysterious? Barbara is a serial killer or vampire confirmed.

“Never forget, I am always inside you.” -Zava’s note, which also came with a giant avocado

Zorro has truly entered his superhero arc and Dani Rojas is his genius creator

the fourth thing has to be 'Believe'.. aand it was? Right?

AFC Richmond Women’s club.. i sense a spinoff show opportunity…. or they could just do a show about Trent

George has begun a redemption arc!! (Telling Rupert to fuck off)

Rupert's desperation and misery at the end is not entirely unreminiscent of Rebecca at the start of S1

yesss Colin got his kiss on the pitch!!

haha the same? person from S1E1 taking pics w Ted in the airport

damn so Beard’s going home too, thought Jane would've locked him away in a safe or smth… nvm

omg Amsterdam man has a child.. hmmm Rebecca’s prophecy may still be fulfilled

Roy becoming manager feels natural

Ofc Trent renamed his book ‘The Richmond Way’… never let them know your next move

that montage at the end…so much to process....

beardjane wedding marking the end of the series.. good or bad omen for the future? i think bad

seems very fitting the series ending the opposite of how it began.. Rupert's life ruined, Rebecca in love and not owner of the club, Roy and Jamie healing and bonding w others around them, and Ted back in America with family.

[matan4il]

hey alice it’s miya! hope you’ve been good 💜. i firstly want you to know how much i look forward to these weekly meta posts. it’s very rare to find someone who thinks critically about shows in away that goes far beyond a ship and i appreciate all the time & effort you put into these. they always make my day.

TW: self-harm, mention of suicide, ptsd, trauma.

(i wanted to be mindful & put these tags just in case anyone comes across this post. buck’s character has been through it & some people don’t realize just how much so i just wanted to give this warning for those who may not have noticed these things about buck)

now this episode for me personally was a lot & very heavy. It didn’t start out that way but the surprise buddie cemetery scene hit me very hard. i’m still shocked we got it too cause it wasn’t truly necessary that we see buck&eddie visit marie’s grave but the conversation was so important for us to see & get a glimpse at their relationship at play and how much these two truly know each other well.

i wanted to talk about a couple of things. i see people are suddenly saying buck is not the right person for eddie because of his “she really see’s me for who i am” comment & i say to those people that they have no idea what life/death trauma can do to a person. when season 6 started buck was going on this journey trying to figure out the secret to happiness & not wanting to make the same mistakes. he was doing just that & doing well in a sense but then he died. he literally died and came back to life but he doesn’t feel good about that. it absolutely broke my heart and made me cry all last night thinking about when buck said “i felt like i got away with something”. anytime i hear this line or read it, i wanna break down. cause for some people, they might see dying & coming back to life as a miracle but for buck he thinks his second chance at life is stolen almost & that is just so sad. i understand completely cause i was involved in a terrible car wreck where i should have died but didn’t. my injuries are internal & although people can’t see them. i have to carry those injuries with me for the rest of my life. Buck doesn’t have any external injuries but inside he is hurting badly. how can one make sense of something when at one point, they didn’t value their life at all. we know buck has been passively suicidal & self harming in a non-traditional way by purposely putting himself in harms way. so i often feel like that still weighs on him. cause at one point he may have wanted to die & then when he did he came back so now he’s confused.

he thinks his new lease on life comes under terms and conditions. like at any moment a shoe is going to drop if he doesn’t go out & cherish eveything life has to offer. it’s hard for people with self-worth issues to truly believe that they can have exactly what they want especially in a partner. buck has clear feelings for eddie but does not believe it’s possible that one of the most important people in his life can love him/be in love with him for all he is & not solely for his work or what he’s been through. Eddie so badly wanted to tell buck that he’s see’s him verbatim but he opted to tell him by saying he’s been watching & observing him since the accident and has noticed he hasn’t been the same. Eddie is the one to always give buck his space so i love that the minute eddie opened the door to that convo buck walked in and told him the truth that no one else knows. it’s frustrating though for eddie to watch someone he loves so much hurt in this way & it’s hard to express that without almost revealing to much of his true feelings. it hurt more to think that buck doesn’t see that eddie see’s him and i don’t think he will see that unless eddie verbally says i love you, i’m in love with you & this is real. buck is it for eddie and he knows this but how much longer until buck knows it too.

anyways i’m so so so so sorry this is long. i have been thinking about this episode since it aired & have wrote many different things about it. i look forward to your next meta & please know that i’m here if you ever wanna talk all things buddie or anything else ❤️

Hi Miya! Awww, I absolutely adore hearing from you, and I'm so grateful for YOUR kind words, for reading the meta posts like the one for 615 and letting me know that you enjoy them! *HUGS*

And thank you for sharing of your personal experience as well. IDK if it helps, but I know what it's like to carry something debilitating that people can't see. I got vertigo almost 3 years ago, just a constant state of dizziness, that makes every part of wakefulness hard. I only relatively recently learned it's due to a tumor. And people don't see how much I struggle when they look at me. So I understand what it's like to carry that. And I just wanted to give you a hug. I also believe your experience with the car accident is different and unique to you, but so close to Buck that you probably understand him better than most people in this fandom. Yeah, he's been a bit lost this whole season, and the lightning strike only made it worse, it didn't give him any answers, only more questions.

I agree, I think Buck is deeply in love with Eddie. Which, as I mentioned in this ask reply, still doesn't mean he necessarily knows how he feels. In part because of what you said, because how can he have anything romantic develop with someone that Buck looks up to as much as he does Eddie? So when he says about Natalia that she really sees him, IMO he's saying that based on comparing her to his past gfs, he's not comparing her to someone like Hen or Chim. And because in Buck's mind, Eddie is supposed to be in the same category as their other teammates, Buck doesn't even stop to think that the man standing right by him is the one person who is a potential romantic partner, someone who will and does see him for EXACTLY who he is.

Awwww, you absolute gem! I'm so glad you found my blog! I'm currently a bit swamped with life, between work, family and medical appointments, I barely get to my DMs, but as much as I can, I hope I can be here for you, too! As always, my ask tag. xoxox

[free-for-all-fics]

I saw a TikTok of Tenoch as a doctor in the film Chicogrande and inspiration hit hard for this Bridgerton AU. Also inspired by the LHOP episode “Dark Sage”. Pls tag me if you’re inspired by any of the ideas presented here and write something, I’d love to read it! 💜

You come from an influential family of high status, and are close friends with the Bridgerton siblings. You get into a small accident while horseback riding or running errands in town and meet Tenoch, a doctor and surgeon come over from Mexico for the season, after he patches you up. Nothing scandalous, you were chaperoned. You’re surprised you later recognize him at a ball. He writes his name on your card and you spend most of the night talking and dancing together, ignoring other suitors and fine ladies. People gossip. They say he’s come over from Mexico or Spain, etc. (they keep getting the country wrong). That he’s unmarried with two children out of wedlock. That he recognizes and provides for his children, even raising them in his household instead of sending them away to live separately. Society is harsh to him because of his background. An unmarried man of his ethnicity with no title nor status coming over from another country with children? And having a medical career? It brings much prejudice against him. It’s believed only people with 'proper and prestigious upbringings' of wealth and status should be in such roles. There’s disbelief that how can a man who came from so little have accomplished so much? If he’s such a good doctor, why did it take him nearly two decades to finish school? All that 19th century prejudicial skepticism nonsense.

Your parents disown you after you refuse their chosen marriage prospects for you, and they find out it’s because of Tenoch. They’re angry that even an aristocrat with thousands of acres isn’t to your liking and call you ungrateful. And all for what? A mere doctor, is he? With two children from god-knows-who. Do his children even have the same mother? The last time you see your parents is the night Tenoch asks for your hand. You have a long engagement and as you learn more about him, you’re so proud of all that he’s accomplished, both back in Mexico and here in England. He’s established his own medical practice, has worked on improving hygiene and developing new treatments, etc.

One day the pregnant wife of a wealthy nobleman goes into labor but the usual white powdered wig doctor isn’t available or can’t get there in time, so Tenoch is called to the house in his stead. The baby is breech or something, so time is of the essence. But the husband is being racist and xenophobic. “No! He’s not to touch her. I won’t let this foreign common man touch my wife! The maids will do just fine until the real doctor arrives.” He’s blocking the door to the bedroom, so Simon and/or Anthony, who are friends of his through you, have to fight the man to get Tenoch into the room. When the usual white powdered wig doctor arrives, Tenoch is just finishing up, putting a dressing on the incision. He’s just performed a cesarean, a new and experimental procedure that many doctors are too afraid to perform because they don’t have the surgical skill or knowledge Tenoch does. Both mother and baby are alive and well.

The nobleman apologizes, “Doctor, I guess I should thank you.” Tenoch is just angry.

“Don’t you thank me. You thank the Duke of Hastings and/or Lord Bridgerton. If it wasn’t for him/them, you would’ve surely let your family die.” He storms out, refusing any offer of a ride. He walks home since he 'could use the air.' He’s thinking he must take his children and leave as soon as possible. He’s not welcome here if his good friend(s), a man/men of wealth and nobility, had to fight a man to let him save his wife and child. He goes to you one last time to tell you of his impending departure and that it's with a heavy heart he must break your engagement because “This place isn’t ready for change,” despite how much you implore him to stay.

But then turns out he doesn’t have to leave at all. Lady Whistledown heard of his brilliant actions and she spills scalding hot gossip about what transpired, including cutting remarks about the nobleman’s behavior. She holds nothing back about her opinions, after all. Tenoch’s now regarded as remarkable, a fine surgeon and doctor, incomparable among the Ton. His practice becomes immensely popular. Men respect him, women trust him, and children like him. He’s getting more business now than he ever did before. Maybe reader begins training as a nurse to work alongside him.

“You look very distinguished, Doctor Huerta.”

“Well, Missus Huerta, I believe it’s time we go down and add a little color to this town, hmm?”

[imjustwritingg]

Do you know how far ahead filming is to episodes getting aired? Most shows in my country can be 2 weeks to 8 week ahead of airing. Thanks

I can’t say for sure because there are a lot of things that go into an episode, especially in post-production. But for an example, the Hailey episode last night is the one they were filming while I was in Chicago and they wrapped filming after a full two weeks I believe, and that was almost five weeks ago that they wrapped. So depending on the content of the episode, I’d say it’s about the same…an average of 4-6 weeks maybe?

If anyone else knows, please feel free to chime in. 🫶🏼

[klassickdei]

pointless life updates #03 - how'd you feel on twenty-something?

hello. welcome back again to another episode of pointless life updates. as usual, I’m sitting in my room drinking my regular water, listening to my favorite bands back to the 2010s and I thought it is already time to write another sentence again. wow, time flies. how was october? It was a full hectic month for me... there was a bunch of stuff that I had to do. I feel drained after working all day all night. I thought that my body was going to break into pieces. I need other people to take control. I'm tired of always taking the lead... ok back to the topic. now over 2 years since the pandemic happen. it’s actually going to be 2023 soon (lmao wtf). and I'll be 22 in just a month. I still can't believe it. as I said in the last episode "the future is uncertain. It always has been but seems even more uncertain now." it really does feel it. my vision of this life is the tenacity to make things work and be helpful to others. slowly, I find myself back on the path of chasing after the best version of myself. here, I spent my time temporarily in south sumatera before turning 22... it's something exciting, confusing, and struggling at the same time. but as I said, I hope it’s going as great as it can be. BUT I always try to find my way back. tbh I think most of it is really just about finding the right people to be with. it’s always about the people. having someone who believes in me can make a tremendous difference, especially during days where I don't believe in myself. we all have days where we doubt ourselves. having someone who believes in you may be all you need to get through those days. the problem is I barely find it in both my hometown and here in south sumatera, that's why I am comfortable doing it all alone (just alone, not feeling lonely at all). so, it seems to me that my struggle as a twenty-something is about finding comfort in a community of like-minded people. before I made this decision, I have so many questions in my head, forced to get the answers, and yet didn’t find them. I think I will only get the answers if I took this opportunity, and yea, it feels like I found half of it… and that's okay I don't have to evaluate things right after making the decision.. we won't know it so quickly. this is all a process. I’ve always seen it as a process. it’s just that sometimes I lose sight of the process and I get caught within myself and end up being stuck. or sometimes I struggle with finding the willpower to continue moving forward in this process. I think it takes time for your life to become the way you imagine it to be. and in the process of doing so, you just gotta grind it out and keep forging your imagination. I still believe that if I keep going, something will eventually make sense. and if it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. not like it's the end of the world. by the way, I do start watching a new k-drama, it's called "청춘 블라썸", (or "Seasons of Blossom" in English (I believe kkkk, hope I got it right)). I watching on Rakuten Viki, I'm at episode 14. I used to subscribe to Disney+ and iQiyi, but because I have to watch this drama on Rakuten Viki (which is a different platform), I decided to unsubscribe iQiyi. This drama is so sad, BUT it makes me warm and also comfortable (yes, I know it's weird) feels like this drama is "hugging" me **do yourself a favor and go see it, it is still ongoing. There is also a k-drama called "치얼업 (Cheer Up)” that I want to watch, but it seems to airing on Viu (cryingㅠㅠㅠ) rn it's free UP TO Episode 4. so, I think I will watch it when it ended, so I can watch all episodes for free (w/ ads) without buying a Viu pass. FYI, I also have subscribed to Spotify and YouTube for a long time. same as I subscribed to Disney+ a year now (maybe) and I enjoyed all the shows, I have some American series that are still ongoing, and that's why I cannot unsubscribe from Disney+. so when there's a new platform to subscribe to I should let the other go ㅋㅋㅋ and I choose iQiyi. AS I THINK ABOUT IT, it is also a struggle for someone in their twenty-something, right? hahaha... you cannot always make the right decision. especially when you don't know what the right decision is. but you can always change it when you find out that a decision you made earlier was wrong. it's okay if you're not the best version of urself rn, it's okay if you've been feeling like shit, and it's also okay if you don't even know why. pls remember to always take care of urself, you deserve to take a breath, and relax for a moment. when in doubt, go back to choosing yourself. I’ll wrap it out with a quote from (forever!!!) my favorite movie of all time “You doubt your value. Don't run from who you are.” - Aslan. last but not least, I wanna recommend songs.. it’s… “Better Alone” by Peder Elias, "Don't Tell My Mom" by Reneé Rapp, and “덮어 (Feat. 로꼬(LOCO))” by TRADE L. these songs really related to me... always on repeated these days, and I feel warm when listening to them. that’s all for today. thanks for tuning in and don’t forget to drink your water. until next time. 11.2022 from ra.

[achillesmonochrome]

You know? While is most probably true that the reason the owl house got cancelled was because all the gay representation, I had seen people who actually resent lumity because “it killed the show”

And look, I am not going to say lumity is the entire reason the show is asom (my focus may be ships but believe me I had been gushing with other people about this show’s strenghts since episode 1) or the show would be ruined if they waited until the last episode, but it still part of the reason is so special, and I’m dying on that hill. 

It took me forever to watch the show for personal reasons, and while at some point I thought of watching the series and blocked the tag, even then I heard how lumity was canon.

At first, I believed it was what other shows had done; have something that could read as romantic (like blushing or similar) and people were happy because is not like we could get anything else until a finale (if lucky), right?

So when I started the show I knew about the ship, but didn’t think it would go deep enough that I wouldn’t need to make headcanons and fanfics to compensate. 

We go to prom, where we get the confirmation that Amity wanted to ask Luz out, and I was surprised they went that way, but I still thought “Well, it could be interpreted as she wanted to go with her a friend, that reason could make it ambigious enough that no one would raise a fit”

Look, don’t get me wrong, I know how hard so many people working on certain shows had worked on getting the slightest of crumbs, and how normally they needed to fight to get a confirmation in the finale. I was there when Korra aired the final season, and how while the ending was sweet, it was ambigious enough the creators needed to confirm it online (And somehow still got the scene taken away in some places? Is ridiculous)

So I thought that was all I was ever going to get, at least for now; and I accepted that.

Then we go to the next episode and I am like “holy shit this is gay panic and there is absolutely no other explanation for it, they aren’t playing the subtle card anymore” 

I was shocked; I grew up with crumbs of representation, and that is not even getting into the fact that the first confirmed gay characters I knew were so riddled with stereotypes I could not find any comfort and famiriality in them. 

And seeing Amity made a mess of herself (which not gonna lie, reminded me way too much when I was 13 and crushing hard on a girl) meant the world to me, hell, still means the world to me.

While watching the show I couldn’t stop thinking how much this would had meant to me when I was younger; the enviroment I grew up wasn’t very open minded, and I still remember how that night it finally clicked that I wasn’t cishet, my first thought was that I needed to fix myself. 

Even if I can’t make my younger self feel better about who we are, the fact that kids now have this is still a lot. They would see Amity and Luz, unapologetically in love, have Raine use they/them pronouns, being respected for who they are without an ounce of doubt, Willow’s dads being as normal as the weather; and know that they, is okay.

And part of it would had been lost if they had waited until the finale.

Sure, it would still have Luz and Amity together, but I know for experience, is not the same have yourself hoping, dreaming that this character you love is like you, than having them be stated like that way early, and not only know that, but see them do the same things you do, and how no one thinks is weird. 

Is not like having the characters be together is a only same-sex thing; it wasn’t exactly homophobia why Star and Marco weren’t dating until the end, or how Miraculous has 4 seasons and they are still not dating. 

But while those pairings are way obvious, most of the time same-sex things get stuff muddled, subtle, to the point people would deny it until the very end.

(Hell I still remember when Sapphire and Ruby were show for the first time in Steven Universe, and people were insisting they were sisters and nothing else) 

Again, not throwing shade to SU staff (for this one at least) and other creators, because I can only imagine how hard it was to fight for those tihngs. 

However, it doesn’t change how amazing is to have this. 

I was thinking about it while rewatching Labyrinth Runners. I like Huntlow, and if you look close enough you can see little seedlings here and there, but nothing concrete enough, and yes, I had seen people say how shippers are misreading signals; same old fandom drama.

But that hit me with a realization: If there was any creator, or any other team, this would had been the opposite.

Huntlow would be the blatantly obvious, while Lumity would have minimal blushes or gestures. The fact that this isn’t the case makes me extremely happy.

Even if the show could had gotten four season with lumity at the finale, Raine either being a guy or somehow avoiding their pronounds until the very end (if not erase them compledtly) and Willow’s dads maybe being the only thing to exist; I don’t think this show wouldn’t be as dear to me if it wasn’t making my child self feel seen.

So, even if I am sure no one from the team would ever see this: Thank you Dana, and everyone else in the crew, for making this happen. 

[secndlife]

pairing: soonyoung x female reader

genre: fluff

summary: part of the make me feel memoir. the one about the winter walk.

word count: 1k

warnings: none

series masterlist

You weren’t much of a fan of winter. There was something about the way the aching cold weather always made you want to stay home and do absolutely nothing that rubbed you the wrong way, especially because you couldn’t really afford to do that. Soonyoung, on the other hand, didn’t really mind. It wasn’t his favorite - autumn was, you found out at some point. He once said he had no favorite season before he met you, but, magically, as autumn brought you to him, it became his favorite. He said the same thing about September. 

“Let’s go on a walk?” Soonyoung suggested, watching you from the kitchen counter. He was finishing a sandwich, and he’d love to go out to help with digestion. It was Saturday night, and you felt tired, spending most of the day sprawled on the couch against his arms. You had no intentions of going anywhere, especially as you had just started a new episode of Brooklyn 99.

You groaned in response, “Are you kidding? It’s probably like, three degrees outside.” You were too comfortable wrapped around Soonyoung’s tiger-printed blanket to move. This would involve too much effort to put on too many layers. 

He took the last bite of his food and moved to the living room, standing in front of the TV. “We’ve been literally on the couch from the moment we woke up.”

“Lies,” you responded. “We stayed in bed until, I don’t know, noon. And we woke up at nine.”

He laughed, hands on his waist in disapproval. “Babe.” 

“What?” It was barely comprehensive considering how much you whined. 

“Please? I’ll help you get nice and warm.” 

You stared at him, unfazed. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”

A giggle passed his lips and he squatted, eyes now close to yours and face mere centimeters away. “We can go see the Christmas lights.”

“Shut up! You know I’ve been talking about going to see them for weeks.” You had always loved Christmas, he knew that.

Soonyoung leaned in, placing a kiss on the tip of your nose. You suddenly felt your heart tingle at his display of affection. You had been together for a little over two years now, but your breathing never failed to pick up the pace when he did things like that. “I had to pull out the big guns.”

“Fine,” you finally agreed. “But you’ll have to buy me hot chocolate to keep me warm.”

“I thought my love was supposed to keep you warm,” he joked, kissing you on the lips this time. 

When he pulled away, you scoffed, “Oh please.” He giggled and helped you get up so you could put on some warm clothes.

“Did you see my black beanie?” You asked while going through your drawer. The inside of the house was far from cold, so considering the layers you had on already, sweating was right down the road. 

“Nope,” he responded from the kitchen, all ready to go. “But mine’s here if you want, I’m wearing the gray one.”

“Okay!”

Not long after, you came out of the room all packed up. When you stood in front of him without saying a word, he got confused. “What?”

“I’m waiting for you to put the beanie on me,” you said, cutely. Yikes. You were really in love. 

“You’re adorable, did you know that?” Soonyoung said, voice faint in a chuckle. He then took your face in his hands, kissing it all over. 

Once he was satisfied with the number of pecks he gave you, he pulled away, moving to retrieve the beanie from the counter. Once it was over your head, you adjusted it slightly and smiled at him. “I love you.” It was your turn to lean in and capture his lips in a gentle kiss.

He scrunched his nose, something he always did whenever you did something that made the butterflies in his stomach dance around. “Love you, too.”

As you stepped foot outside, the cold air hit you almost immediately. “I can’t believe you’re making me go for a walk in this weather.”

“It’s really not that cold,” he said, moving behind you and wrapping his arms around your body. It was a bit difficult to walk like that, having Soonyoung clinging to you like a koala, but you liked having his cheek pressed against yours. “I’ll protect you.”

“You’re literally using me as a shield.”

He laughed against your ear, placing himself by your side and taking your hand to put it inside his pocket. “C’mon, let’s go.”

Reaching downtown was faster than you imagined, Christmas decorations showing up before your eyes in a couple of minutes. After you stopped by a café so Soonyoung could buy you the promised hot chocolate, you started strolling down the street, contentment washing over you.

“I love Christmas,” you commented once you were almost at the end of the way.

Soonyoung smiled at you, “I know.” You loved Christmas and he loved you. Simple. Once you reached a particularly pretty spot, your boyfriend stopped walking. As your hand was still laced with his, you felt a tug at your arm.

You furrowed your eyebrows at him, “Why did you stop?”

“Because we’re taking a picture,” he explained, pulling his phone out. At that point, you knew better than to protest, so you just pressed your face against his and smiled. 

After he took the first picture, you pulled away, only to kiss his cheek. You felt him smiling a little bigger at your gesture, the camera shutter’s noise barely being audible through the buzz of people passing by.

Once you were done, he did not let go of you, hands moving to the low of your back, while yours instinctively went to his neck. “You wanna know what I want for Christmas this year?”

You stared at him, “I already went gift shopping, you don’t get to—”

He chuckled, interrupting your train of thought, “You.”

You mirrored his reaction, head shaking in disbelief, “You have me already.”

Soonyoung then leaned in, lips brushing against yours ever so slightly. You started feeling sparks, much like the same ones you got when he first kissed you years ago. 

“Good.”

a/n: so we’ve started! the mmf memoir marathon :) this one is literally just them being cute and in love hehe hope you enjoy! ask box is open as always for any comments hehe

[whitetrashjj]

Omg so any theories on the very last picture it’s giving season finale episode vibes and Rudy and Madison aren’t in the picture 🤔 so maybe Jiara is together somewhere else held up at her parents house or maybe they’re in the pic but we just can’t see them. Also you can see Rafe and Ward stunt doubles so something major is happening also the outfits Ward and Rafe are wearing are the same ones in those other leaked pics and videos of Ward hiding out in Outerbanks on that old boat and he looks bloody and Rafe is riding a motorcycle on the docks with Ward helping him escape cops I’m getting season 1 finale flashbacks because it’s on a plane tarmac and why would John B be getting arrested unless it’s just for the picture but I think Ward gets shot in the finale and dies or he just gets shot and then arrested and its like they’re doing a call back to season 1 finale where Ward is in Peterkins place now what are your theories?? https://www.instagram.com/p/CiqognXrJUI/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Okay so it’s not the finale. I can pretty much say with moderate confidence that this is episode 8. Let’s timeline it shall we.

So looking at the pic let’s start with Sarah’s outfit because I think it’s the most recognisable.

Obviously it’s this one. We see her and Kie in the yellow top (which I will circle back too) walking down the dock - I believe this was heading toward where the rafe and Ward commotion was happening. Like you said Ward and Rafe are in these outfits so this timeline matches up.

Cool makes sense so far.

As for John B being arrested. I wonder if this is just a pose as - while it’s not new - it seems like a spoiler. It would line up with the fact that we also see Sarah in this outfit at the police station.

However. We question this as John B is in a different outfit when seen ‘that night’ near the police station. Perhaps Ward goes to jail?

This outfit of John B we have seen him wearing with JJ is the red tank (oh lord) at home foods - when Armando was filming, ep 8 as I said above.

Timeline is still checking out.

In these outfits the boy are also seen at an air field of sorts. Hmmm that’s where they are in that group pic too.

Does your head hurt? Mine too. But there is more!

So at this point we have to start to speculate. Is the group pic before or after home foods/police station. And wonder why John B has changed but not Sarah.

So. This John b outfit. Have we seen it before? Of course we saw it in the add for the Netflix tandem event which… tells us nothing.

So let’s.. have a look see at Pope and Cleo. Very unclear to see their outfits but let’s come back to Kie in the yellow top.

We see her at the wreck with Pope and Cleo. This again is episode 8

So on to the last siting of Kie and the yellow top. We see her with her parents at the house. We also know that JJ was there.. what exactly he was wearing is unclear. One of these. But it’s not the red shirt.

So this adds to the idea that Sarah is in that outfit for an extended period of time.

What can this tell us? Who knows. But that wrap picture I would say is in the 7-9 range and not the finale.

[zalrb]

I actually really like the concept of Damon knowing what's up with Stefan and Elena 100% but choosing to lie to himself about it. It IS what's done in the show but they don't fully commit to it. Like you'll have 5x02 or whatever where Damon actually knows something for once and what he knows is that Elena thinking of Stefan will break her compulsion but then that proceeds to go nowhere and they act like it didn't happen. I love how you commit to it in your fics and you make me pity Damon a li'l

It's a really interesting concept to write because like you said, it is there in the show but they never explore it fully, they plant a seed and move on or create a pattern and leave it up to implications.

It's the reason why he always tells Elena that Stefan has slept with someone else because he knows it will hurt her

He’s literally sitting right there when Elena is like

He listens to her rant about Stefan being with another woman

Simple things

like mistaking Stefan for him

Knowing that Stefan (and Caroline) is the one who figured out she was Katherine and not him

He carries around the thought that she would’ve stayed with Stefan if not for the sire bond (which Julie Plec has said is true)

and even when she tells him not to live in the past and she always finds her way back to him, this is her like an episode or two later

and the picture thing happens and then when she gets back her memories she enlists Stefan’s help to get him to reconsider taking the cure

Plus the things he probably doesn’t know about

And in series finale, Katherine STILL pushes his buttons by bringing up Stefan

and Stefan still has to wing-man Damon to Elena

like

so I have always maintained that if one day Elena was like, Damon, we’re over, it’s always been Stefan, he wouldn’t be surprised. He couldn’t be. And getting to write that in my fics

    Elena felt her face begin to redden with emotion. “It was back when we visited them, the night Bonnie came over to the house, but it was …” She chewed on her lower lip. “It was building for a while.”

“Seven years I bet,” said Damon harshly. He banged the remote onto the coffee table and stood up. “Is that why you were so insistent that we go there?”

“I wanted to see him happy with Caroline. It was supposed to deter me, it was supposed to shut down those feelings but I just —”

“Ended up screwing my brother,” said Damon.

“Hurting you is the last thing that I wanted.”

“Then why did you tell me?” said Damon, throwing his hands up in the air. “Why couldn’t you have just lied to me?”

“I’m not proud,” she said, shaking her head. “Believe me, I’m not proud. I’m sorry. Really sorry.”

“You’re sorry,” he said, nodding. “Sorry. But would you take it back?”

Elena bit her lip.

“It’s a simple question, would you take it back, Elena?”

“I can’t say that I would.”

Damon yelled and picked up the glass bottle next to the remote, throwing it against the wall. “Why can’t you just have the decency to lie to me?”

***

“Damon, I swear to you,” said Stefan. “That I didn’t want any of this to happen.”

“You keep saying that to me like it’s supposed to make me feel better,” said Damon. “No, you didn’t want me to find out, you would’ve just rather me marry someone who doesn’t love me!”

“She does love you!”

“Not like how she loves you!” The words tore through Damon’s throat, each syllable a guttural sound full of vitriol. He turned to Elena. “Isn’t that right?”

Elena didn’t respond.

“Isn’t that right, Elena?”

Damon’s shouting made Elena flinch again. She spoke quietly. “I really thought I could be with you forever,” she whispered. “Because Stefan is right, I do love you, Damon, I just—”

“You just never unfell for Stefan, right?” said Damon harshly. “Even after all this time, it’s still the same isn’t it? You care about me, you really do, but you love him, it’s always going to be Stefan, right?”

is pretty awesome.

[xiaomoxu]

Lucien - Mind’s Quest: New Chemical Reaction

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

A date from CN server which hasn’t been released on EN server yet. Might contains some spoiler. 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧  FINALLY A KISS KARMA FOR OUR LUCIEN!!!!!

Translations under the cut~

--

Part 1 - Main Story

The sun was just right in the afternoon, and the hot temperature dissipated the humidity in the air and ushered in the heat of the sun.

I curled up on the lazy couch, knocked on my sour neck, watched the computer screen with pretentiousness, and entered the next episode trailer, reaching for the red bean pie on the table--

Take pictures, add filters, post to Moments, all in one go.

MC: "Get the same red bean pie, wait for this week's update!"

The sweet scent of soft red beans lingered between my teeth, and I squinted contentedly.

The washing machine made the sound, and everything was just right.

Until two abrupt "beep beep" sounds sounded. The surroundings fell silent suddenly, and all the machines stopped operating at the same time.

MC: .... It can't be coincidence.

I quickly got up and checked, and it turned out that the power was cut off. I quickly dialed the property number written on the refrigerator sticker.

After confirming that the power outage was due to excessive electricity consumption in the community and tripping, I also realized another "bad news".

The water pipe in the community burst unexpectedly. Although the workers have been repairing it, it is estimated that it will take several hours to return to normal.

I looked at the foamy clothes in the washing machine and sighed.

MC: Lucien is the person who has the ability to predict.

-flashback-

At 8 o'clock in the morning, I brought the breakfast I bought downstairs and knocked on the door of Lucien's house.

Seeing Lucien, who was dressed neatly, opened the door, I blinked at him clearly, and closed the door while changing shoes.

Lucien didn't seem to be surprised by this, but smiled helplessly and took the paper bag in my hand.

Lucien: Good Morning, MC.

MC: Professor Lucien is ready to go to work without breakfast again.

Lucien: Strictly speaking, I have eaten.

MC: But in my judgment, coffee cannot be counted as breakfast.

I looked at those smiling eyes that were trying to confuse me and spoke relentlessly.

Lucien shrugged, sat down obediently at the table, and surrendered.

Lucien: Sorry, I accept criticism.

I couldn't help but raised the corner of my mouth secretly, and put an exclamation mark on a small blackboard on the fridge that said "Every meal on time!!".

MC: There are only three times.

Lucien: Okay, Miss Supervisor.

Lucien: Can we have breakfast now?

MC: Of course!

As I said, I passed him the iced soy milk in my hand and peeled off the tea egg.

MC: Don't worry, Great Professor Lucien, there are still two hours before the conference.

MC: Half an hour to eat, half an hour to drive, there is definitely time. It will not delay your academic conference today.

MC: And we can maintain the image of "Professor Lucien will never be late."

MC: So eat slowly, okay?

Lucien: Okay, it's all up to you.

Lucien: But....

Lucien prolonged the ending. After handing me the peeled tea egg, he naturally took the half-peeled one.

A slightly inquiring gaze rolled over my face, and he speak slowly.

MC: Huh? Did I have something on my face?

Lucien: I guess, "the little night owl next door" stayed up late to chase the drama last night.

MC: ! Dark circles won't come out so quickly...

An undisguised chuckling fell from him, Lucien raised his eyebrows and looked in a good mood.

Lucien: I lied.

MC: Humph, I knew it. But how do you know that I am not asleep chasing drama?

Lucien: Because if something else keeps you awake, my phone should ring.

Lucien: It's a pity. I waited for a while last night.

His tone was filled with grievances that seemed like nothing, which made me unable to deal with it for a while.

MC: I don't believe it, you... you must be lying to me again.

Lucien: I really didn't lie to you this time.

He stretched out his hand as he spoke, tapped the back of my hand gently with his fingertips, and then changed the subject.

Lucien: You rarely take a vacation at home, what are you going to do today?

MC: Let’s do a general cleaning first! I want to buy some bayberry in the afternoon.

MC: Then there is no other arrangement, just waiting for you to come back.

Lucien nodded slightly, pulling the corners of his lips.

Lucien: However, today’s academic conference is planned for one day, and the organizer has also prepared a hotel break for the participants.

Lucien: So I may not be able to guarantee that I will go home on time.

Lucien: But I promise you that I will eat well and on time.

Lucien: Is this okay?

I nodded heavily.

After staring at Lucien honestly eating the last bite of egg-filled biscuits, I contentedly walking him downstairs.

Lucien: By the way, MC.

Lucien: When I went home the day before yesterday, I heard the property say that the electricity consumption in the community has exceeded the standard recently.

Lucien: Remember that the air conditioner temperature should not be turned on too low to avoid tripping.

MC: I got it. You put the property phone on the refrigerator, I remember it!

MC: Professor Lucien is really paying attention into this matter.

Lucien: Well, it's because you taught me.

-flashback end-

Unexpectedly, Lucien's random reminder turned out to be a truth.

I searched the laundry shop closest to my house, checked the plumbing and electrical appliances, and went out with a bag of clothes.

--

Exclusive Radio

Pete: Professor, have you set off? Let me confirm your arrival time.

Lucien: About half an hour or so, what's wrong?

Pete: It's nothing, but we bought breakfast and wanted to say whether we should wait for you to eat together.

Pete: There is still some time before the academic conference begins, and you will be able to have breakfast right after you arrive.

Lucien: Don’t bother, you can eat it now.

Pete: It's okay, don't worry, let's wait for you together.

Lucien: Pete, if you can put this "persistence" more in your research report, I think your progress will be greater. "What do you think?

Pete: Yes, professor, I will pay attention!

Pete: ..... Mainly, if you don't eat breakfast this time, we might be "criticized" by your family again.

Pete: It’s good to be loyal, professor, but don’t expose me.

Lucien: Is that true?

Lucien: Don't worry, I have already eaten.

Pete: Have you really eaten? Wouldn't you just take another bite?

Lucien: Iced soy milk, tea eggs, egg-filled biscuits, I had a very rich breakfast today.

Lucien: Any other questions?

Pete: ....what?

Lucien: The family member who often criticized me, personally "educated" me this morning.

Pete: Oh, that's the case! You see, my reaction is slow.

Pete: Then professor, please take care on your way, and see you later.

Lucien: Wait a moment.

Lucien: Pete, do you know where to buy a bayberry?

Pete: Bayberry? I check there seems to be a fruit shop nearby. May I buy some for you?

Lucien: It’s okay, don’t bother, I just buy it myself.

Lucien: After all, it was bought to "bribe" a family members.

--

Part 2 - Memory Silhouette

The central air conditioner in the meeting room was humming, and the monotonous white noise made the atmosphere of the meeting even more dull.

Lucien sat in the front row of the conference room, and his eyes fell on the phone on the table with a calm expression--

The colorful ring-shaped halo sky is frozen on the phone screen.

Young professor: Did you took this?

Young professor: I didn't expect Professor Lucien to be so elegant, he wanted to send it to his girlfriend.

The young professor on the side looked over, he laughed and joked.

Lucien: She has always been interested in these things.

The young professor nodded in admiration.

Young professor: I will learn it from you.

Young professor: Although I don't have a girlfriend yet, a few more love skills will always be useful in the future.

Lucien smiled and looked down again thoughtfully.

He adjusted his tie absent-mindedly, his fingertips dropped on the table, and he tapped the phone screen.

The screen lights up instantly, and the interface switches to a piece of news from half an hour ago--

"This afternoon, there was a solar halo and a horizontal arc around the ground in the sky of Loveland City."

The news and related photos soon appeared on the Internet, and everyone seemed to be discussing this eye-catching scene.

Except for one person--

When encountering such things in the past, she would share it with him for the first time.

The weather scene is as big as the unpredictable, the strange anecdotes of ancient and modern people at home and abroad, and the gossip of the neighborhood neighbors is small.

He occasionally admires her vigorous energy secretly, how can that little head handle so much information.

But today, she is strangely quiet.

What is she doing now? Didn't she saw this hot news?

Lucien habitually opened the girl's moment, and at the same time refreshed the moment she just posted.

"Get the same red bean pie, wait for this week's update!"

Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly, and couldn't tell what it was like that suddenly appeared in his heart.

His little girl seemed to be more concerned about other things.

After walking away in a daze, Lucien's gaze fell directly on the dark mobile phone screen, and there was no emotion on his face.

Young professor: Professor Lucien, what do you think?

The moment he was named by other professors, he stunned for a second, then raised his gaze in the next moment and answered the other party's question calmly.

The other party nodded frequently, and Lucien smiled and looked at the people in the conference room, as if he was devoting himself to this academic research.

After a few seconds, he lowered his head and opened the top chat.

Lucien: "It was photographed by the Department of Biology today."

--

Part 2 - Main Story

Thinking that Lucien might not be able to come back tonight, I turned around and took the spare key and entered his home.

MC: Let me help him check it.

I changed my shoes as I whispered, and I glanced at a paper bag lying quietly in the corner of the hallway, wondering in my heart.

MC: This kind of thing is not usually put here...Did you forget it in the morning?

I couldn't understand the logo on the document bag, so I decided to confirm the power supply of the water pipe before sending a text message to ask Lucien.

After I entered the house, I checked it carefully and found no omissions.

There was a basket of coats in the corner of the bathroom. I looked at the heavy coat in the bag in my hand, and after thinking about it for a while, I also put it on.

MC: As I going to the laundry, let's wash it together.

I took two bags of clothes and looked around for a while to confirm that they were correct, then picked up the document bag at the hallway to send a message to Lucien.

MC: He should be in a meeting now, I don't know if I can asked....

As if the heart was eloquent, at the same time, a new message popped up on the phone.

Lucien: [link] “Today afternoon, the highest biotechnology institute in the downtown area of Loveland became the hottest "focus" in the country, with solar halo and an arc around the ground appearing in the sky.”

I was stunned for a moment, and was about to click on the link he sent, and another photo was appeared.

The sparse and soft rainbow like a cloud hangs upside down on the top of the highest school of biology. In the bright sun, it looks like a magical and dreamy colorful auspicious cloud.

Lucien: "It was photographed by the Department of Biology today."

Lucien: "I just saw the news feed, but unfortunately I couldn't feel the so-called the hottest in the country."

Lucien: "So, I can only look at the sky."

Just looking at these words, Lucien's somewhat regretful tone appeared in my ears, and I couldn't help but curl up the corners of my mouth.

MC: "Professor Lucien, are you making a small run?"

Lucien: "It is a bit sleepy to hear. I just yawned and the people who reported on the stage misunderstood that I wanted to ask a question."

MC: "Hahaha because they rarely see Professor Lucien's eyes widening."

Lucien: "But the atmosphere did become more lively, but I am a little sleepy now."

Lucien: "Will you accompany me to distract?"

MC: "I'd like to. But when you come back, can you show me how you yawn?"

I laughed and joked with Lucien while carrying things to the underground garage.

Lucien's black SUV passed me silently. I blinked, looked at the dialog box that was still chatting with me, and then raised my head.

The car didn't stop next to my car as usual. Instead, it went around as if it were looking for something, not something Lucien did.

Sure enough, after the window was lowered, Pete poked his head out of the driver's seat.

Pete: Sister MC! Glad I met you here, otherwise I would really got lost.

MC: Pete? How are you...

Pete: I was "instructed" to come back and get something.

As he said so, his eyes swept across the file bag I raised with a smile, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Pete: At the level of your tacit understanding, I almost thought that you and the professor are a family.

MC: Pft...

I know that Pete was just said it unintentionally, but my heart beats wildly, and the steps towards it are a little light and fluttering.

MC: Do you still have to help with sending the documents back? Is the academic meeting very busy?

Pete: No, no, I can work after I have delivered the documents. There is nothing to help the professor.

Hearing what he said, I suddenly thought of a good idea

MC: Let me deliver it for you. I happen to be out too.

MC: You got it back and and the document will be delivered, but don't tell him it was me.

Pete nodded repeatedly, with an expression of "I understand", and immediately opened the door, putting the car key and the hotel's business card in my hand.

The action was smooth and flowing, and it was done in one go.

Pete: I'm leaving first, I will not bother you two!

I laughed seeing him running away, put my car key in the clothes bag, adjusted the angle of the seat and the rearview mirror, and set off.

On the road, it started to rain. According to the address on the business card, I quickly arrived near the hotel and saw a familiar figure in the distance.

I parked the car next to him and pressed the window.

MC: Hello, the documents you need have been delivered.

MC: Thank you for your support, please pay the fee.

Lucien looked very surprised, his eyes glanced at the document I handed back to my face, and then he laughed.

He took the document bag and got into the car.

The breath belonging to him instantly squeezed into this small space, mixed with a bit of humidity and sultry heat after falling rain.

After Lucien got into the car, he took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie and unbuttoned the first button of his shirt.

A little sweat leaked from his chest, and a drop of rain followed his collarbone into his clothes.

But Lucien seemed to make no secret of it in front of me, and naturally leaned on the passenger seat, making these silent moments a little more intimate and ambiguous.

Pete's unintentional words flashed across my mind, and my heart rushed wildly.

MC, you have known each other for a long time, so don't become so sensitive because of such unintentional words!

I tried to stay calm and looked at Lucien with a smile.

MC: Don't you just need that document? Why did you get on the car?

Lucien: Isn't it necessary to pay a fee?

He smiled sincerely, his eyebrows crooked.

Lucien: Although I don't know when I specially hired a big producer as an assistant, the cost should be affordable.

Lucien: Now is the break time of the academic conference. I don't know if my next time is enough to pay for this fee?

The smiling voice was slightly low, as if to "peddle" this sincerity, he turned his head and leaned forward slightly.

MC: Of course it's enough! Then the trip will start soon, sir, please fasten your seat belt.

I responded quickly, turned my head and looked straight ahead and started the car, not wanting Lucien to notice my nervousness.

For a moment, he blinked thoughtfully and said nothing more.

--

Part 3 - Main Story

The rain gradually became heavier and hit the car vertically

Lucien said that it was only the break of the academic conference, so I just drove forward casually to help him relax.

The rain gradually became heavier and slammed vertically on the car window, making a crisp sound.

The road conditions began to be congested, and the red light made the entire world extremely slow.

With the quite in the car, I took the opportunity of looking in the rearview mirror, I secretly glanced at Lucien and found that his eyes had been waiting there.

MC: ....!

MC: What's wrong?

Lucien just looked at me, not knowing what he thought of, just squinted his eyes slightly.

Lucien: Nothing.

Lucien: Just thinking, it's a rare holiday, shouldn't you sleep on the lazy couch and watch TV dramas?

MC: In the morning, Professor Lucien reminded me not to watch dramas.

MC: So I decided to work overtime. After all, it’s part of the job to be courteous to the program consultant.

Lucien: Does it include bringing these clothes?

While waiting for the red light, Lucien twisted his body through the gap between the front seat and looked to the back seat.

The air covered by the air conditioner was instantly squeezed away by him, and the slightly open shirt squeezed the strong chest into my sight because of his movement.

I subconsciously held my breath.

MC: Your prediction was so good that the whole building tripped due to excessive electricity consumption, and the water pipes were repaired and the water was stopped.

MC: The clothes were just half washed, so I thought about going out and looking for a laundry shop. Only then did I meet Pete.

My eyes were rolled around, like jumping words, reporting the whole story.

Lucien: It turns out that courtesy is just a way of doing laundry.

MC: How come!

Hearing him say this, I subconsciously turned my head to retort him.

Unexpectedly, Lucien kept maintaining his position, and the moment I turned my head, I look into those deep eyes.

His breath was on my face, as if he was confirming the answer, keeping my eyes fixed.

Lucien: You seem to pay attention about my appearance.

MC: How, how can it be.

The green light is on, I sneered and retracted my eyes and let go of the foot brake.

I also find it strange that I suddenly paying attention about Lucien so much.

In the long together, I thought I had gradually become acquainted with his habits and got used to his body temperature.

It's not how strange Pete's unintentional words are.

But like a drop into a lake, it stirred up layers of water on the calm lake, and I suddenly began to pay attention about Lucien's every move.

Because of it, it seemed to magnify every inch of his breath and the temperature that was contaminated by him.

In the end, my whole world only cared about him.

Even at the green light, the entire queue was walking very slowly. I leaned on the rightmost lane and sighed deeply.

MC: This road is too jammed...

Lucien: I feel it's very romantic.

I turned my head and saw him leaning on the seat, his corner mouth slightly raised.

Lucien: After all, there are very few traffic jams with you like this. Instead, I hope this moment will be longer.

Lucien: Although the long similarity will make people boring gradually, but I enjoy every minute of being with you.

He uttered something that sounded natural, and my heart was grunting with countless colorful bubbles.

MC: But a researcher like you should be very used to this kind of moment.

Lucien: Why do you say that?

MC: Although I don't understand it comprehensively, you do experiments and record all kinds of small changes every day...

MC: So you should be familiar with this slow rhythm?

Lucien only smiled when he heard it, turned his face to look at the foggy glass, and painted it with his fingertips.

Lucien: Many changes require patience.

Lucien: From a research perspective, what we are looking for is the regularity or repetitiveness of things and give them new definitions.

Lucien: Rather than let regularity and repetitiveness become the main theme.

Lucien: It is not so much that scientific researchers can endure the boring and boring time, as it is that the fresh reactions and phenomena in the future are worth the wait.

The world in front of me was entangled into red dots, and some of the anxious mood before seemed to be gradually eased by Lucien's words.

Lucien: However, I think life and experimentation are still different.

MC: Does it mean that life is the opposite?

MC: Because life will gradually become plain and daily...So, regularity and repetitiveness become the main theme?

Lucien: Wrong.

Lucien denied me with a smile, and asked back.

Lucien: Does MC feel that our lives have become regular and repetitive?

MC: ....

Scenes of our daily routine emerged in my mind.

Breakfast after waking up early and good night before going to bed, familiar habits, affected personality and hobbies.

His wicked look, his tired face, his small movements when he is not happy.

I seem to understand them all.

All the shallow or deep love can be traced in the mixed time.

Is it really because I am accustomed to our life, so today I am very concerned about Lucien, which makes me little confused?

Facing my silent thought, Lucien didn't seem to be anxious, he just put away his smile, lowered his eyes, and looked out the window through the newly painted glass.

During this waiting time, we didn't say anything for a while.

The rain was getting heavier and the flashing green light turned red again. I stepped on the foot brake, but I was still thinking about Lucien's question.

Lucien: You can think about the difference between life and experiment.

Lucien: This red light has one minute and twenty seconds, just in time, waiting for me to come back

MC: Huh?

I haven't respond yet, and Lucien has opened the door to rush into the rain.

MC: Lu… Lucien!!

I watched the heavy rain like an idol drama instantly wet Lucien, but he didn't seem to care and ran straight forward--

Until he stopped in front of an old lady pushing a trolley selling bayberry.

I was stunned. I didn’t notice a stall there just now, and I couldn’t think of when Lucien discovered it.

Lucien felt that he lost his rational judgment for a moment

He ran in the heavy rain and kept thinking about it.

He has many ways to tell the girl the answer to that question, but when she seriously thinks about his question, it makes him irritable.

Lucien: Hello, please give me two catties of bayberry.

Grandma: Oh boy, why don't you use an umbrella in such a heavy rain.

Lucien: My girlfriend wants to eat, and the road is not far away.

The heavy rain curtain dampened the hair in front of Lucien's eyes and kept raining down.

He didn't care, he just flicked upwards casually, and swept the disobedient hair to the top of his head.

Grandma: Young people really understand romance.

The old grandma smiled and weighed out two catties of bayberry and put it in plastic bag.

Grandma: My bayberry is absolutely sweet, Your girlfriend will like it.

Grandma: Of course, I still like you guys who create romance more!

Lucien glanced at the bayberry that he had taken over, and they were full and full of fresh fragrance.

He turned his head to look at the girl rolling down the car window and yelling to himself a little anxiously, and ran over.

And laughed secretly again.

--

Part 4 - Memory Silhouette

The temperature in the car with the air-conditioning turned off suddenly rose, and the air was filled with sticky and stuffy moisture, and my hands on the steering wheel began to faintly sweat.

Even if I try to keep your gaze straight, my gaze will still involuntarily turn to the person next to me.

Lucien calmly opened the front drawer, took out a clean towel, wiped off the water stains on the bayberry plastic bag, and put it on the armrest among us.

Lucien: I heard it's very sweet.

Lucien: If you really want to try it now, but when you go home, soak it in salt water before eating it, otherwise...

MC: .... Lucien!!

Lucien: Huh? What's wrong?

He blinked innocently.

I have always felt that there is no way for him to uncontrollably find sweet satisfaction, and at the same time he is mixed with a little worry and irritation.

I turned my head and lowered some windows silently, trying to let the noise of getting into this space conceal my heartbeat that was already messed up.

MC: You wipe yourself dry first, it's all wet!

Lucien: It’s not too wet, and it doesn’t matter if you turn on the air conditioner.

Saying that he was about to reach out and turn on the air conditioner, I hurriedly took his hand to stop it, and my fingertips unexpectedly touched a touch of dampness.

MC: Obviously got wet.

MC: Big liar.

He seemed to sighed, then obediently wiped the messy hair.

I slightly caught a glimpse of his movements, and my heart suddenly became soft and confused. I restrained the corners of my mouth that I wanted to raise and opened my mouth calmly.

MC: How long is the second half of the conference will begin?

Lucien: Two and a half hours.

Fortunately, I had time to dry the clothes and I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

MC: Turn left at the next intersection?

Lucien: Yes, after turning left, continue straight for 500 meters, and on your right is the hotel arranged by the organizer of the academic conference.

After getting an accurate answer, I took up my attitude again and deliberately ignored the smile from corners of his mouth.

With the room card swiping to open the door, the girl walked straight into the room without saying a word.

Angrily, she put down the bag of clothes, raised the temperature in the room, and threw a towel from the bathroom for herself.

The loud noise unreservedly told him her dissatisfaction in her heart deliberately and openly.

Like a child.

A triumphant thought arose in Lucien's heart inexplicably.

Of course, he was worried for a moment. What should he do if he can't coax the girl in front of him?

However, seeing her trying to hide the happiness that came out of herself, and the appearance of being angry and anxious because of herself--

There is nowhere to escape his satisfaction and pride.

The warm light in the bathroom came on, the faucet was turned on, and the sound of running water instantly clashed.

Lucien felt his heart beat uncontrollably with the sound of the water.

Her footsteps sounded in the bathroom again.

Before the girl came out, he subconsciously unbuttoned one more button of his shirt.

--

Part 4 - Main Story

I carefully backed the car into the parking space, got out of the car and took the laundry from the back seat, and stood by the car.

Lucien didn't speak, his whole body was wet, and he got out of the car with the towel I gave him on his head, carrying bayberry.

The corners of my mouth rose unconsciously, but when I thought of what he had just done, I forced myself to remain expressionless.

I walked into the elevator sullenly, Lucien also walked in obediently, and pressed 16F.

The water dripped to the ground, and he did not rub against the towel, but looked at me happily.

The elevator climbed very slowly and the cold wind was blowing loudly. I looked at Lucien's shirt close to his chest, and squeezed my mouth and hugged him.

Lucien: You'll get wet too.

Although he said that, his arm took it directly and held me more tight.

MC: I can just blow my clothes when they get wet, are you cold?

Lucien: Cold.

MC: Lucien, you such a fool!

After the elevator door opened, I pretended to go out first, but I didn't know which room he was in, so I looked back at him again.

MC: Hurry up, otherwise you'll really catch a cold

He bent his eyes and slowly led me to the front of Room 1609 under my pretended gaze.

Lucien: After all, I just want to see more, you look happy and angry because of me.

MC: If you don't go in, I will only be more angry!

After we walked into the room, I raised the temperature of the air conditioner, immediately ran to the bathroom, took a dry towel and threw it to him, then turned back and turned on the bath heater and hot water.

MC: Come take a hot shower, or you will really catch a cold.

With that said, I poked my head out of the bathroom.

Lucien sat lazily on the sofa, and I didn't know where he left the towel I just gave to him.

The completely soaked clothes stuck to him, and he unbuttoned a few buttons, as if he wanted to relieve the discomfort.

The drops of water slowly fall along the tips of his hair and outline his neck and chest, dripping on the leg.

The drenched trousers seemed to continue the "light rain" downwards. The drops of water spread along with his cocked legs.

It ran over his ankle and into the still clean leather shoes.

I stared at the tiny spots of light flowing on him, and couldn't help swallowing.

Knowing that the rain left on the body is cold and humid, making people feel sticky and uncomfortable...

But looking at the soaked person in front of me, I felt a trace of dryness and warmth for no reason.

Perhaps it was because I noticed that I stayed in place for too long, Lucien took off his glasses with one hand and raised his eyes to look at me.

As if bewitched, I walked over.

MC: I asked you to take a bath, why didn't you move?

Lucien: Because I think you seem to be angry.

Lucien: I'm just thinking, how can I make you happy.

Lucien shook his head slightly, and he was inexplicably like a wet and well-behaved dog, unstoppable pity and uncontrollable wanting to treat him.

He circled me in front of him, raised his head, and his warm breath pounced on my face, making it itchy.

MC: Do you know how exaggerated you were just now? This kind of thing is really not like what The Great Professor Lucien would do.

Lucien: How do you feel that I am deified in your heart.

Lucien: Or do you not like it?

Lucien's smile contained a bit of temptation and scrutiny, and his eyes were like torches, making the space surrounded by him even more hot.

MC: Of course I like it!

Perhaps my answer was too simple, and the smile in Lucien's eyes became more obvious. I was unwilling to think about the wickedness I just wanted to make to him, so I immediately made up for it.

MC: But this is not the same as being angry with you.

Lucien: What to do then?

While talking, Lucien leaned back and didn't let go of his hand around me. He pulled me off together and sat me right on top of him.

My hand accidentally touched the shortcut command on the illuminated mobile phone screen, the mobile phone fell to the side of the sofa, and the previously paused music happened to be played--

It was the sound of melting glaciers.

After Lucien gave it to me before, I stored it in my phone so that I could hear it at any time.

A smile flicked across Lucien's eyes.

He allowed the melting sound to fill the air, and his fingertips brushed my neck and inserted them in my somewhat messy hair, making me lower my head a little closer to him.

The hot flashes pressed against my chest tightly, as if there was no gap.

He tilted his head slightly, his hot breath leaned against my lips, creating a gentle and delicate itch.

MC: Go, go take a bath...

Lucien: Is this enough?

As if teasing, every time he said a word, his thin lips would brush my lips.

Neither stepping back nor going deep, I couldn't help taking a breath. My heart and lungs belonged to his breath, which took away all my sanity.

MC: You...!

Lucien: If I were you, I would never let him go so easily.

Lucien: ㅡMust let him remember the lesson well.

The temperature that was always close to the mouth finally came up, as if the drowning man found the long-awaited oxygen.

The sound of the melting glacier echoed in my ears, and Lucien patiently and slowly licked every corner, as if to leave his mark on every inch.

Coaxing and greedy.

I was gripped by his gaze, shy and unable to escape.

MC: Will you remember the lesson then?

Lucien: Will not.

Lucien: Because... I just want to kiss you.

He spoke frankly, yet full of success.

Lucien: It is said that it is not only the body that carries the memory.

Lucien: The sound, taste, and color all remember those pieces of the past for us, making it special.

Lucien: Now about rainy days, traffic jams, bayberry, and even the melting of this glacier, new traces of memory have been given.

Lucien: So, where is the difference between life and experiment?

MC: ... Huh?

My world is still buzzing and reverberating, I can't even keep up with his thoughts, just looking at him, blushing.

Lucien: You looking at me like that, I really want to take a bath.

He pecked at my forehead and rubbed his ears and temples for a while before he got into the bathroom.

I sat on the sofa blankly, the whole world was blank

Did he suddenly become so attractive because he wanted to tell me the answer to that question?

--

Part 5 - Main Story

In the end, I still couldn't think of the answer to Lucien's question, but my heart couldn't stop beating fast, and after thinking about it, I decided to force myself to get busy.

Because some were too hot and there was no rubber band on hand, I easily pulled a purple ribbon from the room to tie my hair.

I picked up the clothes he changed, found the dryer, and called the front desk to send the pile of dirty clothes I brought to the hotel laundry room for cleaning.

After doing a lot of things, the restless heart gradually recovered

The rain outside the window was much lighter, the sound of the hairdryer stopped behind him, and Lucien walked out wearing a bathrobe.

The bathrobe seemed to be worn casually, worn loosely by him. The big chest were exposed in the air, and my heartbeat, which was hard to calm down, made noisy again.

MC: Wait two more minutes and the clothes will dry immediately.

Lucien: Then I will trouble you.

Lucien sat next to me, maybe he had just taken a shower and he was lazy.

Lucien: Speaking of which today, you not only found the work materials I missed at the first place, but also sent them to me. Even the adults "forgive" me a lot...

Lucien: I don’t know what to do if there is no MC today.

Hearing what he said, I raised my head proudly.

MC: Hm! Not only that! I also helped you tidy up the clothes basket by the way, and I sent it away for cleaning just now.

As I said, I suddenly realized something.

MC: Oops, the car key was in a clothes bag before!

Just now I was thinking about Lucien, completely forgot about it.

I hurried to call the front desk, but I don't know why the line is always busy.

Lucien: Then let's go directly to the laundry room and have a look.

Surprisingly, the clothes in room 1609 were still hanging on the aisle, waiting in line to enter the washing machine.

I took a long breath and hurried to rescue and save the "life" of the car key.

This very smart washing machine room made me a little fresh. I studied the operation method of an automated washing machine and decided to use it myself.

MC: It's not that difficult.

Looking at the clothes hanging on the pole, I smiled and looked at Lucien

The clothes basket slowly moved towards the washing machine, and the piano music slowly sounded as the machine turned.

It's Chopin's "Nocturne".

MC: A few hours ago, I also rescued this pile of half-washed clothes from the washing machine.

MC: It's just that the washing machine at home can't sing.

Perhaps the piano music was particularly relaxing, and I pulled Lucien and sat on the side steps.

In the roller on the back, my coat and Lucien's are mixed together, and white bubbles are rolled out with the same flavor of washing powder.

Under the illumination of the light, it will fold out beautiful rainbow colors from time to time.

Lucien: It seems that our relationship is close enough.

Lucien sat next to me, put his hands on his legs together with me, pressed his chin, looked back at the rolling machine, and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

I understood his illocutionary meaning, and my face blushed disobediently.

MC: At first, I thought that water and power outages were the cruelest thing in the summer, but I didn't expect things to develop like this.

MC: I suddenly feel, today is very good.

I hold my head with my hands, turn my head to look at him.

MC: Lucien, I actually told you a lie today.

Lucien: Hm?

MC: You asked me in the car before, if I paying you attention, and I denied it.

MC: Actually...I always paying you attention today.

Lucien turned his head and collided with my eyes.

Lucien: I know.

MC: Huh, you know...? How do you know?!

Lucien: The person you like cares about this kind of thing, it should be easy to notice.

The light smell of laundry detergent refreshes the surrounding air. Looking at his smiling eyes, I also want to express my heart more clearly.

MC: Then why are you...

He raised his hand, stroked my face, and rubbed his fingertips with affection.

Lucien: Because I am worried that you think our lives have become regular and repeated.

Lucien: I... don't want you to think that way.

I was stunned.

He stretched out his hand and pulled me over, the shaking of the washing machine seemed to drive my heartbeat to speed up, and I leaning on Lucien.

What he said before came to my mind, giving new memory traces to traffic jams, bayberry, and melting glaciers on rainy days.

The biggest difference between life and experimentation is not that it is full of unknowns, but that it is unknown-we can actually participate.

Seeing my clear gaze, Lucien smiled lightly.

Lucien: Experiments are always waiting. Waiting for variables, waiting for results Waiting for new chemical reactions to occur.

Lucien: But life..

He slowly lowered his head and kissed my eyebrows and earlobe again and again.

Lucien: Those new chemical reactions in life, as long as you wish, they will appear.

Lucien: It can increase all the traces of past memories, it can spread, or it can grow new flowers.

Lucien: I don't want you to be with me, for a minute of regret and boredom.

Lucien: I want your life to always get used to me, but always full of freshness.

His kiss finally landed on my lips. It was different from the tenderness just now. This time the kiss was turbulent and made me tremble.

MC: You are... too greedy.

Lucien: I can want more.

Lucien: If it's you, I will always be more greedy.

He didn't seem to be satisfied with the angle just now, so he knelt in front of me on one knee, and circled me between him and the vibrating washing machine.

He stretched out his hand and pulled the hairband on my head, and I could feel the heat between his fingers spreading downward through the skirt of the clothes.

Lucien seemed a little annoyed that I was distracted by the slight coolness behind me and rubbed my lips wickedly, like a temptation.

All I can do is beg for mercy.

I stretched out my hand to stroke the back of his neck.

The sound of rolling and lingering water vapor from behind me also ignited by the increasing heat. The machine is regular and powerful, like an earthquake is behind me.

I had to hug him harder.

Lucien did not conceal his seeing through "conspiracy" and desires. He intruded deeper, like a helmsman, carrying a boat, feeling the surge of the tide.

With a sudden "ding-", my body shook unconsciously. It seemed that the washing machine next to us had finished running.

He didn't care, just coaxing me to focus on him again.

MC: Lu- Lucien.

Lucien: Don't mind it.

His whisper was drowned in the ambiguous and humid breath, Lucien's voice was full of lingering, coaxing greasily.

MC: But.. but you still have academic conferences next...

Lucien: Indeed.

In the messy gasp, he lifted his lips slightly, but still pressed to my mouth to rest.

Every time I breathed, my fingertips kept numb.

Lucien: But I just asked for leave.

MC: When?

Lucien: Before getting ready to take a bath.

He struggled for only a second, and then caged me up again.

I didn't want to resist at all, and felt his gentle yet irresistible surround, so I had to surrender.

Only a patch of ambiguous clouds remained in the whole world.

Lucien: I think I need more time to discover your curiosity about me.

Lucien: And new chemical reactions.

--

Notes from me: FINALLY.. FINALLY OUR LUCIEN KISS KARMA IS HERE!!! I’M TOO HAPPY FOR THAT, CONGRATS FOR OUR LULU~ Aside from my happiness about the kiss, this date was brilliant! Their character development is really great, Lucien who can tell everything without secret to MC is so lovely for me. So do MC, who pay her attention to Lucien’s every moves and still make her blushed. I never get tired looking at them~ (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)

[coollemonsaresour]

The Love That Don't Stop

Pairing: Steve Rogers x daughter reader, Steve Roger x Natasha Romanoff. Warnings: Child abandonment, angst, fluff

Summary: It is Y/n's birthday, and she gets an unexpected present.

Word count: 2632

Request: @maximeevansblog ; The reader (me ) is the daughter of Steve rogenrs and its the readers birtday, and he takes her to the nail en hair salon , and they come back, and in the tower, they have a suprise party for her, and natasha comes with adoption papers and, he wants to her mom and a lotts of fluff thanks, and if its ready you tag me right ( natasha and Steve are dating) thanks. And if its ready you tag me right thanks

Request: Anonymous; can you do a Natasha x black!child!reader? I really liked your other fic. You don't have to if you don't want to.

A/n: I made lots of changes, cause when I went to go post it two weeks ago, my fics were two similar to the other two. The highlighted words are in realtion to the person that requested. Because I wanted to incorporate them into the fic 🙃

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, BeEeee- you were starting to get agitated, and brought your fist down on your alarm clock, smashing it to pieces. But hey, it’s not your fault, you got your father’s enhancements through genetics, just the perks of being a Rogers.

Still in bed, you let out a yawn, and you began to stretch; mid-stretch that is when it had clicked.

It’s My Birthday.

And that’s when you smelled it. The sweet smell of a birthday tradition you and your dad have had for the past nine years of your life.

One day you showed your dad Steven Universe, and it happened to be the together breakfast episode. So ever since then, every morning of your birthday, you and your dad sit down together and have Together Breakfast.

As soon as you got out of the shower, you threw on some clothes and dash to the Kitchen. As soon as you enter you were met by a horrible sight. Your dad and a redhead kissing.

Nat and your dad have been friends since he had come out of the ice, a became even closer when you were born. Nat was like a mom to you, but you never would say that out loud, cause you didn’t want to make it wired or have her feel uncomfortable.

Your mom was never in the picture, she left you and your dad five days after you were born. Steve had no idea of how to raise a kid, he was completely lost, but then Nat had offered to help him out. The pair worked as such a great team people often thought that they were actually a couple. After years of a long, long sturdy friendship, your dad finally asked the assassin out. So basically they have been dating for about two and a half years now.

“Ew, gross,” you said, dramatically shielding your face from the sight. “ Good Morning Y/n, happy birthday,” they both said. “Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable,” you said as you sat down at the island stools. “You mean this public display of affection?” he said with a smirk and then pulled Nat in for another kiss. You then shield your face away and then began gagging and reaching.

“So it is….10:30,” you said looking around “Where’s Together Breakfast?” you said whining. “It’s right here you big baby,” Nat said teasing.

“ Cheers to fifteen years of chaotic life,” you said holding up a fork “Cheers!” they said, you each then taking a bite.

“So, Y/n, anything special on thing on the agenda today,” Nat said wriggling her eyebrows. “Not really, I was hoping that we could just go to the spa, then the salon, and just have a chill day.” You said taking another bite. “Oooh, sorry, y/n I can’t, join you today, I have busine- “ you cut Nat off with a loud groan. “ But its’ my birthdayyyyy,” you said with an adorable pout. “I know, and I’m sorry,” she said squashing your cheeks together “and I will make it up to you, but for right now-” she paused reaching over the counter to grab her bag “ I have to go,” she said giving you small hug and then turning to give steve a quick peck on the lips, and heading for the door. “ Bye,” Steve said, “bye Nat,” You say still mopping. “Bye babes,” she says giving the two an air kiss before disappearing out the door.

“So, I guess it is just me and you, Y/n,” Steve said as he started cleaning up breakfast. “Ya, I guess so, though I really wanted Nat to come today. Alright, imma got get ready so that we could go,” you said heading back to your room, leaving Steve smiling at your comment about Nat; not that you even realized.

---

“Alright, where here,” Steve said as the uber pulled up to the salon. You both walked in and were greeted by an overlay excited worker. “Hi, my name is Jess, I will be helping you out today” you then gave her a small, that she returned, then started eyeing Steve like he was her last meal. She looked like she was in her early-twenties, pale skin, about 5’3, blonde hair, and brown eyes. Probably working this job to pay off student loans. She turned to Steve, with scrunched eyebrows.

“Are you Captain America?” she asked with a smirk of curiosity, but it looked like she was trying to amuse him before he could answer “yes, he is, and he’s taken, Maybe next time sweetheart, ” you said pulling you dad away from Jess, and toward the receptionist desk.

“ Hi, Appointment for Y/n Rogers,” You say, leaning against the desk. “Right this way.”

---

You were currently sitting in a chair in front of a medium-size mirror, your hands resetting on the armrest, careful not themes up the freshly done nails. Then two Beautistions approached us, then one of them turned to Steve and asked, “are you getting your, hair done too,”

“No”

“Yes”

you and Steve say at the same time.

“Please dad, you can you a new due,” you say, Steve just rapidly shakes his head rapidly no.

“What wrong with the style I have now?” he asked. “You look like an upgraded BackStreet boy,” you reply in full honesty. He then puts his hand over his chest and pretends to be hurt. “You should die it!” one of the Beautistion said, “Great Idea…” you hesitated, search for her name tag.

“Max” she finished for you, seeing what you were trying to do. “If you don’t want to, die your whole head, you can start with highlights,” she said with a smile of excitement. Steve was about to say no until he saw your adorable pleading face. “Fine,” he said putting his hands up in defeat and moving into the salon chair next to yours.

---

After you left the Spa you and your dad headed to central park for a walk, something you two did a lot when you were younger.

You then pulled out your phone and tried to Facetime “Natty Bare 😘” but there was no answer. Which was strange, because Nat always answers your calls, no matter who, what, when, where, and why. Steve saw what you did and smiled, a smug smile. "What are you doing?" Your dad asked

"I wanted to show Nat your blue hair streaks" you said with a pout.

Halfway through the walk your legs were getting tired so you jumped on your dad’s back, you wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his hip.

“You’re like a pretzel,” he says linking his arms under your knees for better support. “And, you’re like a Dorito,” you tiredly mumble into the crook of his neck, Steve chuckled at the comment.

After walking a little longer you fall asleep. Steve then tightened his grip a little, as if he was giving a backward hug. He just could believe how fast his baby girl was growing up.

---

When they reached the tower’s elevator, Steve placed Y/n down on her feet to wake you.

“Y/n, baby, I need you to wake up for a minute.” “But why,” you mumbled as you leaned against him for support since you were still tired. “Cause if you don’t then this could be a very embarrassing photo.” “what pho-” before you could finish, the elevator doors opened, and then...

“SURPRISE!”

A tired smile then played its role on your face. You looked around and saw everyone there, except Nat.

Mabey she will show up later you thought to yourself.

---

An hour later she still has yet shone up. You asked around and Tony told you that she had a last-minute mission, but that she should be back at any time now. That failed to relieve your nerves.

But those nerves became worse when it was time to cut the cake. You know she was busy but would she really miss your birthday.

Apparently, yes, yes she would. Because the party was over, over an hour ago, and now it was currently 9:30.

Your dad knew that you were really bummed out that Nat missed your party, so he suggested a movie night. Movie nights were special to you and your dad because it became something you two did together, to destress. Just the two of you, Daddy and Daughter.

“Got room for one more.” came a voice that you recognized immediately. “Sorry, this is a two-person couch,” you shot back, anger leaking from your voice, your eyes never leaving the tv screen, ignoring the Russian, as she came into your view.

Steve then paused the movie, causing you to turn your head toward him, annoyed.

“How was the mission,” he asked her.

“I don’t know” She replied accompanied by a tight-lipped smile and shrug. You were about to say something but “Because it is not over yet,” she said looking nervous.

She then pulled out a manila folder and approached you and sat down in between Steve. The Folder was labeled “Confidential” with a red ribbon and bow tied around. The folder She then handed you the folder causing you to look up at them in question.

“Open it,” Steve said pulled Nat toward him sat her in between his legs, and then wrapped his arms around her shoulders, trying to help calm the nerves surging through her.

You carefully untied the ribbon, and open the folder. “On this day Y/n M/n Ro-” You mumbled quietly and then stopped, your face going blank. Your vision then started to get blurry with tears threatening to spill.

“Wow, y-you’re really, um getting good at that face,” Nat said, a million thoughts going through her mind.

“Y/n,” Nat said, voice flooded with worry. When you didn’t look at her, she used her fingers to lift your chin, so that you were looking at her. And when you locked with her that’s when the dames broke, as the tears sprang free from your eyes.

“Oh, no, baby, baby please, don’t cry,” she said trying to wipe away the tears rapidly falling down your face. “ I understand if you don’t want to go through with it,” she said wiping the tear that fell from her face.

“We don-”

She was cut off with the air being knocked out of her, as you crashed into her wrapping your arms around her torso, burying your face in her stomach, sobbing. She then wrapped her arms around you and held you close, one hand rubbing up and down your back trying to calm you, the other gently twirling some of your coils with her fingers.

Nat always felt like you were her child, even some people in public would mistake her for your mom, But she didn’t know how you felt.

Nat was so nervous that her soul was shaking. She knew how the topic of a Mother, is one that stings for you.

---

*Flashback*

Nat POV

I pulled up to Y/n’s school, today was her first day of Kindergarten, and in the morning she was so excited. That morning I bruised her hair into two puffs, curled her sideburns, and she then wore a Captain America shirt, with joggers and light-up sneakers. I swear she was the cutest four-year-old in the world.

I then saw Y/n exit the school, but my smile flattened when I saw the sad expression on her face. I then hopped out of the car and head toward her, as I get closer it looks as if she was crying. When I get to her I pick her up and place her on my hip, and instead of her giving me a hug like she usually does she just tucks her head into my neck.

“Hey, baby,” I saw trying to cheer her up “You okay,” I ask she just nodded and let out a little sigh. Then I hear laughing voices and I turn my head to see a group of second graders.

“See I told you to see was adopted, her parents probably didn’t love her,” one of them said.

“ There is no way Captain America is her dad If that lady is her mom, they’re both white, and she’s not”

“She just a baby and a lier,”

“ She probably doesn’t even have a mom,” another said laughing, causing Y/n to sniffle.

I then cleared my throat, successfully grabbing the attention of the bullies, sending them a death glare, and then headed to the car, and then buckled Y/n into her car seat. I then sat in the driver’s seat and adjusted the rearview mirror so that we could look at each other.

“Don’t listen to those, mouth breathers Y/n you hear me.” Y/n still didn’t look at me her eyes trained on her fingers fiddling in her lap.

“Um, Nat, umm, where is my mom, and w-why, um, why does she, not love m-me?” Y/n said with a sniffle. Her question made me want to go up to those kids and beat the shit out of them.

“ well y/n your mom had to do something important and should be back soon,” I had to lie to her because I didn’t know how to explain to a four-year-old, that her mother abandoned her and her dad because she thinks giving life to the sweetest little girl was a mistake.

Like what did Маленький шар совершенства, ever do to her.

“But Y/n, let me tell you this, Your dad loves you, so much and would let anything bad happen to you, you know that right detka,” she then nodded her head, sniffled, and wiped her tears.

“And I love you too, milashka, and I will never stop loving you.” I love you, Nat” “Now how about we get some Ice cream annnnnd, not tell Steve, because he is going to be mad because you haven’t eaten any dinner yet,” I said starting the car and putting a smile on Y/n’s face.

How could a mother ever leave a child like this, so sweet, innocent, and pure?

*Flashback over*

---

No one’s POV

“So is that a yes, baby?” Nat asked nervously that you might say no because you were crying.

You just nodded your head yes, as Nat hugged you tighter.

“Oh, dad I forgot to tell you, while we were out...I, um, need a new alarm clock,” you said with a nervous chuckle.

“Again,” they both said, not surprised at all.

“Mabey you should use your phone, you’re always pretty careful with that,” Nat said bopping your nose and squishing your cheeks together. You then reach into your pocket and pull out your phone. You went to the contacts and changed “Natty 😘” to “Mama🔥”.

“What’s my contact name Y/n?” Your dad asked.

“❤️Captain🤍Crunch💙,” you said sliding your phone back into your pocket and laying back down on Nat’s stomach.

“ I love you, mama,” you said nuzzling further into her

“I love to baby, always has and don’t plan on stopping”

*Bonus*

(Nat and Steve in the kitchen after putting Y/n to bed, because she fell asleep during the rest of the movie because you were tired after crying)

“So...what’s up with the hair, “ Nat said sipping on her tea, taking a step closer to Steve. He then shrugged his shoulders, and shook his head, with a goofy smile. “Uhh, Y/n thought I needed a new look,” He responds shaking the colorful hair from side to side. “Well, I like it,” she says as she runs her hands through his hair, “ Oh, do you,” Steve said placing his hands on her hips. “Yea…I do,” she says standing on her tippy-toe, kissing his lips. Steve then leaned more into the kiss. They went from kiss to make out sess, really quick.

“How about we don’t do this in the kitchen,”

“Mmhm”

---

@the-bau-quinjet

[morganaspendragonss]

If youre writing For febuwhump could i ask for day 25 muffled screams and mateo?

hey anon! i resoundingly failed at febuwhump, but i hope this little coda to last episode will somewhat fill your request!

ao3 | 1.2k | 2.14, hurt/comfort, nightmares, referenced gun violence

title from i'm lonely by luz

please can you hold me?

Nancy clasps her hands tight around her cooling mug of coffee, trying to leach out the last dregs of warmth left in it. The ringing in her ear has faded a little but her hands still shake and she can still feel the dead man’s eyes watching her everywhere she goes. She can still feel the spot where his blood had hit her, burning her cheek like a brand, and she has to stop herself from constantly rubbing at it.

She chances a glance across the table at Mateo, who’s sitting much like her—mug in his hands, shoulders drawn in, gaze a million miles away. They haven’t spoken much since the firehouse; they don’t need to.

Tonight is not a night for talking.

They’re sitting at a table in the back corner of the diner, Nancy pressed into the wall, Mateo similarly wedged opposite her. She doesn’t know why it makes her feel safer than if they were somewhere in the middle; she’s always had this thing about liking to see what’s around her, and she supposes that being shot at isn’t exactly helpful.

Still, in all of this, it’s the dead man she’s most afraid of.

She doesn’t know why. Nancy has been a paramedic for years, so his was hardly the first dead body she’s soon, or the first person to die in front of her—she’s watched both of her partners die, after all. This guy doesn’t even get the honour of the first murder; that goes to the kidnappers in the restaurant.

Two shots, both times. Quick kill. Nothing they could have done.

It’s harder to accept this time than the last.

And Nancy knows, okay? She knows that, if the gun had to be fired, this—the one where she and everyone she loves is okay, the one where the shooter is in custody, the one where they all get to go home at the end of the day—is the best outcome. She knows that today could have gone so much worse, and she knows that there is absolutely nothing she could have done that would have been a difference for the better.

But knowing and believing are two very different things.

Nancy takes a sip of her coffee and grimaces; it’s stone-cold and the bitterness sits unpleasantly on her tongue. She figures Mateo’s must be in the same state, so she reaches out and grips on to one of his hands.

Mateo jumps, and coffee spills all over the table.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Nancy stands and rights the mug, then turns to find some napkins.

“No, no.” Mateo is hot on her heels. “I’m the one who knocked it over. God, I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not. I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that.”

“And I shouldn’t have reacted like that. Nancy, just—just let me.” “No, I’ve got it.”

“But—”

Their hands land on the napkins at the same time, and there’s a moment. Nancy breathes out shakily as Mateo’s hand rests, unmoving, on top of hers, and she wonders if this is what it’s like in the romance novels she’ll deny loving.

But then she looks up and meets Mateo’s eyes, and the moment is broken. They snatch their hands back at the same time and clear their throats almost in unison—which really does sell the romance novel element of it all.

This is life, though, so Nancy does what she’s supposed to. They clean the table together in silence and leave the coffee shop, both of them lingering on the sidewalk outside.

There’s a chill in the air now and Nancy shivers, pulling the sleeves of her sweater over her hands. She looks over at Mateo to find him looking back at her, though his gaze darts away immediately.

“I should, uh,” he starts. “I should call an Uber. You should go home, though. It’s cold.”

Her car is just down the street and the heating is calling her, but she can’t just leave him stranded here. “No, come on, I’ll drive you back.”

“Oh, no, you really don’t—”

“Or you could come back to mine.”

The words are out before Nancy really consciously makes the decision, but she doesn’t regret it. She’s not really sure why—it’s not like they’ve properly talked about it—but she feels like Mateo understands her better than anyone else could tonight. Better than even TK or Tommy, which is ridiculous, but true nonetheless.

Mateo gapes at her. “Uh…”

“Please.” She meets his gaze and smiles nervously, biting her lip a little. “I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”

A relieved smile breaks out across Mateo’s face and he nods. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.”

*

Mateo falls asleep on Nancy’s couch about an hour after they arrive. Sleep is tugging at her, too, and she’d honestly be more than happy to stay right here, but she’d prefer to avoid the backache in the morning. Besides, if there’s one thing she’s learned from overnight shifts, it’s that Mateo is a restless sleeper, and she’d also rather not be woken up in the middle of the night.

So.

Bed it is.

Though being with Mateo has calmed her down a little, Nancy doesn’t expect sleep to come, so she’s surprised when she startles awake at three in the morning, heart pounding like she’s run a marathon. She doesn’t remember dreaming—it actually feels more like she just blinked and jumped forward in time—so it takes a minute to figure out what has apparently scared her so much.

And then she hears it.

Muffled shouts and cries come from behind the closed bedroom door, and Nancy is out of bed in seconds. She inches the door open and feels her heart break when she spots Mateo thrashing on the couch, his face twisted in agony.

“Mateo.” She rushes over and crouches in front of him, hands outstretched—though not quite touching him—just in case he falls. Nancy knows it’s better not to wake him, but she can’t just sit there and watch, so she ends up humming the songs her sister used to sing to her when she had nightmares as a kid. She doesn’t know if it’ll help Mateo now, but it helped her back then, so it’s worth a shot.

Eventually, Mateo’s whimpers die down, and he breathes in sharply before his eyes flutter open. His eyes don’t focus immediately, part of him clearly still lost in the nightmare, but fresh tears fill them when they do.

He falls forward into her arms, and all Nancy can do is hold him as her own vision starts to blur. “I know,” she says into his ear, because saying it’s okay would be a lie. “I know.”

It’s almost peaceful as they sit like that, but then Mateo jerks away, turning his head and swiping roughly at his eyes. “‘M sorry,” he mumbles, sniffing. “I don’t… I should go.”

He goes to stand, but Nancy grabs onto his sleeve, something cold gripping her heart at the thought of him leaving.

“Stay,” she says. “Please.”

Mateo still looks hesitant so she takes a breath and grabs onto his hands, moving to pull him to her room. “It doesn’t have to mean anything,” she whispers. “Only that we’re not alone.”

And, in the end, that means everything.