#Oh sorry are you not a fan of banshee song?

[child-of-peace]

When you try to call your wife, but it goes through to her voicemail - A Facial Expression Appreciation Post

FEAP 8 (Masterpost)

[bonesinyourbackyard]

creepypasta boys x goth fem reader headcannons?

if you can make sure to include eyeless jack that would be great, you can pick the others 😛

of course !! as a goth, it’s a must that i must write for a goth reader. hopefully this is okay 💖

♱ pairing : ej x reader, jeff x reader, toby x reader.

♱ word count : roughly 1k words.

♱ cw : brief mention of snakes/tarantulas.

jack nyras (eyeless jack)

to put it plainly, he’s a sucker for goth girls.

will watch you do your makeup in admiration. he can’t even imagine the patience and skill it takes to get that wing eyeliner so symmetrical and sharp.

he knows how to appreciate the goth aesthetic and fashion! although i don’t think he would know all that much in terms of the music, but hey! you can probably teach him right? he would be willing to try listening to goth music if you recommend him some bands or songs. and it totally doesn’t have to do anything with the fact that you recommended them to him.

a fan of gothic literature, and started reading it without even realizing it was gothic literature until you pointed it out. so if you’re into those kinds of books he would love to discuss that with you! (omg library date)

would absolutely help you pick out your outfits and put them together. might not be the best when it comes to fashion, but hey, the man’s got taste! he’ll help you choose which dress you should wear and if you should pair it with fishnets or something else. he knows you will look good either way.

if you’re one of those goths who falls into the stereotype (nothing wrong with that btw) and own some kind of “scary” pet like a tarantula or snake, he would love your little pet. if it’s a snake, i think they would get along great, i think jack loves reptilians! he would get it little decorations for its terrarium.

gifts you jewelry in your style, usually for anniversaries or other events but may just get you something at random. he loves you too much, sorry.

power couple <3 seven foot tall eldrich demon doctor and his goth girlfriend that he would split open skulls for.

jeff woods (jeff the killer)

i feel like while some people may say he will be judgemental when he first meets you, i detest that idea. in my headcanon, he is a punk and no way he’s gonna judge a fellow alternative baddie (unironically calls you that)

he doesn’t know squat about goth music because he only listens to punk, rock, and metal. but, maybe, just maybe, he’ll hand over the aux to you at some point while you’re taking a late-night drive and let you play some siouxxie and the banshees in the car.

he probably won’t really find it to be his style, “sorry sweetheart – it’s just too slow for me. gets me bored fast.” but will suck it up for you and find a way to enjoy it. but like i said, likely won’t get hooked on it.

helps you do your nails! he actually does his nails black sometimes so if you ask, he’ll help out. won’t bring up the idea by himself though because he’s a stubborn little bitch. even if he does his nails messily, trying to get over with it as fast as possible, he will take time on your nails. whines when you can’t sit in your seat straight even though it’s been 40 minutes now and he’s still not done.. “stop moving dollface, you’re messing up all my fucking hard work here!”

it might not come out exactly perfect but he tried!

will literally never ever let this slip but he loves it when you wear combat boots or heels or just chunky shoes in general. thinks it’s hot.

helps you diy clothes! he’s learned a thing or two about diying clothes and accessories over the years, being punk and all. you would have honestly never pegged (lol) him as the type to have crafting supplies and sewing materials in his dumpster fire of a room, but he proved you wrong when you said you needed to add some chains and spikes onto a pair of boots.

will break a jaw or more if some normie (not my words, his) says something about the way you dress.

toby rogers (‘ticci’ toby)

oh my. yeah, it’s love at first sight. (for him at least)

sharing the sentiment with jack, he loves goth girls, maybe even more so.

fucker definetly had you in his contacts as “goth gf” even before you guys started dating 💀 erm what the freak toby

genuinely though, he loves your makeup and clothes and style and music taste and just everything.

please please please leave red/black lipstick marks on his face PLEASE!! that shit makes him swoon and giggle like a schoolgirl. he will be kicking his feet and all that. doesn’t wanna wipe them off :(

when he sees crows or ravens outside with you, he always points to them and goes “look it’s you!” with a little shit-eating grin.

i actually do think he dabbled in some goth bands before, but likely not too much or unknowingly — though it’s not surprising, he’s one of those guys who “listens to all genres” ranging from rap to fucking weezer.

unlike jeff, you actually may get him hooked on some goth bands. will appreciate you forever and ever for making him cultured.

brags about “bagging a goth baddie” to everyone else. but really, he’s so proud of you! how can he not, you’re so pretty and awesome!

obviously won’t sexualize or objectify you or something like that, he just loves showing off and bragging cuz he’s a little loser /aff

is always so incredibly impressed by you doing your makeup. it simply doesn’t make sense to him. how does someone just.. do that? so flawlessly? but he would absolutely love for you to do his makeup in goth style. will ask you one day with a sheepish grin “to make us match!”awe.

head over heels for you.

[anne-the-witch-ish]

A Greek Mythos inspired Playlist

A couple of months ago I created a playlist on Youtube inspired by Greek mythology. I was inspired by an honestly pretty bad book (an "modern reetealing"), the Hades game and The Homeric Hymns. A lot of the songs are from Aurora's Album "The Gods We Can Touch", which is be itself inspired by Greek Mythology.

If you have any more musics recommendations (or book rec too!) please share with me! 💕

The playlist:

Hozier - Eat Your Young

Paris Paloma - LABOUR (Reminds we of Every Woman in Greek Mythology ever)

Tally Hall - Ruler of Everything (This is so Thanatos and Chronos coded)

Aurora - Midas Touch

Tamino - Persephone (Hades to Persephone)

Kiki Rockwell - From Persephone (Persephone to Hades)

Siouxsie And The Banshees - Cities In Dust (Song inspired by the fall of pompeii)

AURORA - Artemis

Spiral Dance - The Goddess and the Weaver

AURORA - Exist For Love

Gang of Youths - Achilles Come Down

AURORA - A Soul With No King

The Oh Hellos - Theseus

Bastille - Icarus

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Updated to take the song from The Orion Experience out because of the allegations against the lead singer. I'm not a fan of the band, so i did not know about it and for that i'm sorry.

[stillneedy]

for music ask: 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 40 <333 (am r sorry i am shit at keeping up on dms btw :'3 i hope u have lots of fun answering my ask fren 🌻💜💜)

thank you!!! (no worries! i am, yay!)

3. favorite 3 albums?

this changes all the time, but here are my current favorite albums!

tweedles by the residents, the gatekeepers by the gatekeepers, and violator by depeche mode!

6. favorite decade in music?

eighties! i love my synth and post punk.

9. do you like dancing?

yes, but only when i'm alone, and mostly when i'm high. i get too nervous to really dance at concerts.

11. have you ever written a song?

i've written lyrics here and there, but never any full songs. maybe one day?

14. do you like classical music?

i couldn't confidently name you even one classical musician, save for bach because of my the residents autism, haha.

i think my boyfriend has put on classical music before and i have enjoyed it. i'll have to ask him to show me more, because it's definitely not my world... yet?

15. some songs that make you cry?

go ahead by radio iodine, isolation by the residents, and memories fade by tears for fears.

18. do you own any band/artist merch?

oh yes! lots of shirts! mostly the residents, but i have a few tears for fears ones.

i also have a signed the residents cd and vinyl. those are my favorite pieces in my collection!

19. do you own physical albums or singles?

both! i'm a vinyl collector.

i got candyman by siouxsie and the banshees recently! i always go crazy when i find eighties vinyl.

23. your biggest crush in music?

nobody will be surprised but... roland orzabal.

26. have you ever been in a heated argument with someone about music?

no, i don't think so. old men have gotten mad at me on facebook for my music opinions though.

31. any artists you absolutely hate?

godsmack/sully erna only because i used to be a fan when they were nu metal and now it's a weirdo right-winger boring generic rock band.

32. your least favorite music genre?

pop punk maybe? i can only think of a handful of pop punk bands that i even listen to somewhat. it's not a genre that i care for typically.

37. what's the most underrated musician/band in your opinion?

preoccupations! love them, they're great live too!

they did an awesome ymo cover also, here!

38. what's the most overrated musician/band in your opinion?

i could never get into owl city personally, sorry.

40. an album or song you dislike from an artist you really like?

oh, that's hard.

i guess the king and eye: rmx by the residents.

even though i think i read that they weren't the ones who even remixed it. maybe i hallucinated that. it's still a the residents album either way so... that's my choice.

[allamericansbitch]

So, this is kinda random but am wondering if anyone else has experienced this? My concert was the first night in Chicago. It was my first TS concert even though I have been a fan since Fearless. It was the first time I could afford to go. Because she skipped my hometown I had to have money for travel and the absurd prices for the accommodations (ended up costing more than the tickets). So it was a lot of money but I was really excited. But there was this teenage girl behind me that spent the entire night (3 hours of the show and also the opening acts) screeching every lyric like a demon-possessed banshee. Everyone was singing-hell I was singing-but I couldn't even hear my own voice. Her mother told her to shut up, her friends told her to shut up, and everyone around her told her to shut up but she didn't let up. Even during All Too Well and MTR (my fav song). I was really annoyed and then later found out it was some tik tok trend or something? Honestly, it has colored my entire experience. Whenever I think about the concert all I think about is that. If that is truly a trend, I don't think I will be going to another popular concert. I really thought she would lose her voice at some point but she carried it on throughout the night. Ok, sorry. Just had to rant a little. It has really been bugging me. I was thinking this was going to be a great memory but I just can't get that damn girl out of those memories. She was right behind me.

oh my god that sucks.... im so sorry that happened to you. i don't think it's a trend, it's more like something people have been complaining about on tiktok, and im pretty sure it's specifically with taylor shows so it shouldnt affect other popular concerts.

i've seen a few tiktoks where people have been complaining about people near them screeching the lyrics and how thats not good concert etiquette. at my show my friend had someone screaming pretty loud near her and it was so annoying, but it was tolerable so i can only imagine how bad your person was.

[sageofthestarz]

outside of Ghost, what music recommendations would you give to people?

I'm so sorry this took so long to get too!!

I'm a huge rock and metal fan, but I listen to a bit of everything so here's just a big list of bands I've been listening to lately with an album <3

Depeche Mode - Violator & Songs of Faith and Devotion

Alkaline Trio - Remains & Damnit

Sabaton - Heros

Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine & With Teeth

Muse - Absolution & Drones

Everything Everything - Get to Heaven

Lovejoy - Wake up & it's over

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the moon

The Cure - Disintegration

Orgy - Candyass

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju

Sisters of Mercy - Floodland

The Violent - People Are Strange (cover)

Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys (Pt II)

Pentakill (league of legends 😭) - Smite and Ignite

Oingo Boingo - Dead Mans Party

McCafferty - Beach Boy

The Front Bottoms - Talon of the Hawk

Destroy Boys - Make Room

Mindless self indulgence - IF

MCR - Danger Days

Mother Mother - O My Heart

Beach Bunny - Sports

ONE OK ROCK - Jensei Kakete boku wa

Chase Petra Liminal

Auto Heart - Punch

Tom Cardy - Artificial Intelligence

Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds - Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds

Måneskin - Chosen

CRX - New Skin

Chaos Chaos - Committed to the Crime

The living tombstone - Zero_One

Crywank - Tomorrow is Nearly Yesterday and Everyday is stupid

The Killers - Day & Age and Sam's Town

The Crane Wives - Coyote stories

The oh hellos - Notos

Mitski - Bury me at makeouts Creek

Red hit chili peppers - By The Way

I'll stop here but can keep going forever!! Here's my evening playlist with basically every song I've ever liked on Spotify 😂

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Q24bvJWENZMDIsFAOHNmk?si=xJGMZwbeTleSEHurAEnLNQ

[ghostcactuss]

Can I request a platonic karaoke night with the reader and a few others? :0

I’ve always wanted to have a karaoke night in Japan or somewhere with my friends one day

Also! I’ll let you choose which characters/people since I’m fine with anyone! -🌻

Hi!! I'm so so sorry this took so long. I had a big writers block but @sexsellz really motivated me to get back into writing so here we go;

(Also i'm sorry if this seems stereotypical, I just used some of my own bucket list items in the fic.)

Karaoke Box

platonic!Dream Team x gn!reader

Your meet and greet with the Dream Team had brought the three of you essentially everywhere; You'd flown to Florida to meet them, then drove to Texas to meet Sapnap's family, and your meetup in LA had done so well that you'd made it a goal of yours to visit some more major cities around the world.

With the help of countless donos and subathons, and pure generosity from your millions of fans, with the help of Dream, Sapnap, and George, you had finally earned enough to go to one of your most anticipated locations; Tokyo, Japan.

The hotel was absolutely breathtaking. As the four of you stepped into your two conjoined rooms, your mouth gaped. Dream placed a hand on your shoulder from behind as he heaved a duffel bag over his shoulder.

"Everything you dreamed it would be?" He asked, slightly out of breath from all the luggage carrying George was making him do for him.

"More, so much more." You breathed. With a pat on your back, Dream was gone, tossing the duffel at George.

The trip was exactly how you'd hoped it would be — better, even. Between streams, you did your absolute best to soak in every little detail about the beautiful city. It was crowded, but the business made you feel like you were a part of something bigger. Your Tokyo bucket list was becoming shorter day by day, new experiences filling your head and welcoming you every day.

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yayoi Kusama Museum, and Tsukiji Market brought you more joy than you could describe. Meeting new people, discovering new ideas, trying new things, and all with your best friends, was more than you could have ever asked for.

But there was one thing still on your list.

A karaoke box.

George had been completely opposed to it when you first presented the idea. He wanted nothing to do with it, but encouraged you to take Sapnap and Dream, but with some convincing from the boys, he gave in.

So, it was all set. You booked a room, and the following night you all dressed up for fun and checked into the box. It was larger than you'd expected; a TV for lyrics and a booth-type seat, with far more floor space than you needed and a mini fridge. The TV had a karaoke machine underneath, with two wireless mics and multicolored lights erupting from the top.

Without hesitation, you lunged at the tablet on the high-tech machine, searching through the songs. George reached for a hard seltzer from the mini-fridge, claiming he would need it to even tolerate our 'banshee singing'.

Music flew through the speakers. With the Plain White Tees playing at full volume, you grabbed the mics and tossed one to Dream, the both of you almost screaming the lyrics in the sound-proof room.

"HEY THERE DELILAH WHAT'S IT LIKE IN NEW YORK CITY? I'M A THOUSAND MILES AWAY BUT GIRL TONIGHT YOU LOOK SO PRETTY," you shouted into the mic. Sapnap shook his head and snatched the mic away from you, laughing.

"You're doing it all wrong!" He yelled to you before throwing his head back and tipping the mic over his mouth, his other arm flying out. His voice cracked as you laughed at him.

George sat back on the couch, rolling his eyes, but you could see the smirk he was hiding. You danced your way over to him and grabbed his hands, pulling him up to move around the room with you.

"Ohhhh, it's what you do to meeeee, oh, it's what you do to me... what you do to me.." he finally started to sing along at the very end of the song, making you shoot your hands up in victory.

"Seriously, you guys have no idea how to properly karaoke. It's embarrassing, it's actually embarrassing," George insisted, crossing his arms and leaning back. Dream raised his eyebrows.

You pulled him up from the couch once again. "Why don't you show us how it's done then, genius?" You suggested. He shrugged nonchalantly. and made his way to the karaoke machine.

Hours of headbanging, scream-singing, air guitaring, and drinking later, you passed out on the white bedsheets of your glorious hotel room, never happier to see a pillow. Dream had to carry George from the taxi, and Sapnap had fallen asleep the second he hit the bed.

Sleep welcomed you with open arms now that you'd completed all but one of the items on your bucket list. Your eyes fell heavy as you prepared for the final event on the list;

Sleeping in all day.

[boys-from-santacarla]

Hey I saw you did a match up— do you mind doing one for me? 🥺 totally okay if you don’t man. <3

If you don’t well here goes—

I’m a October libra

Red headed with green eyes. I have a round face and I’m 5’5”

I dress like Joan Jett but sometimes will do my hair like Farrah fawcett. Sometimes I’ll dress like Siouxsie from Siouxsie and the banshees or maybe like Stevie nicks.

I draw and play guitar

I love pretty much any 80s music but mainly hair metal.

I’m introverted at first but once I know someone I let all caution go

I’m very suggestive at times ksiskdk

And well. I’m clingy.

Love animals n all

I mean I’m pretty much a open book when I come around.

Size wise. I guess you could put it as early Marilyn Monroe??

Sorry for being awkward but babes ur totally rad!!! <3

Notes: Again I found myself apologizing for the late response. I really hope you like this, and remember that you can give feedback to it. :)

Sis, I decided to pair you with

Dwayne

Getting to meet you was honestly an interesting experience. He walked up to you when after a while he found Laddie talking with you, and instantly knew he had never seen something so cute. He was astonished by your looks, liking you at first sight. 

You shyly introduced yourself and made small talk. He knew he had to find you again when even Laddie asked for you a couple of days later.

It was unexpected how easily you two got along and could talk non-stop about trivial subjects and music. He got fascinated by how quiet you were at first, and how talkative you got after some time.

He adores how at first you were all innocent, but now you can get extremely flirty and open with him. 

This guy loves the color of your eyes, so he will stare at them and find himself mesmerized by them as if it was his first time looking at them. 

He likes to hug you from the back, since you're some inches shorter than him, he likes to put his hands around your waist and rest his jaw over your head. If you’re clingy, you can rely on this man. Walking at the boardwalk includes the arm around your waist or shoulders, hands holding, cuddles, and daily words of love and worship. Your self-esteem will never be low ‘cause Dwayne knows how to treat you right. And if you find yourself in trouble, protective boyfriend or mother hen mode get immediatly activated, depending on which one fits better for the ocassion. 

He will absolutely make fun of you for being the shortest in the group, tho. Joking about your height lessened the teasing Marko had been suffering from years. The bullying coming from him and the group is a habit, but that is part of the friendship.

As for your size, Dwayne doesn't care that you're not precisely skinny, because this man loves how hot you look with those outfits, always bringing out your curves. And not to mention this man loves thighs. He will tirelessly remind you of your beauty. 

I will just say that a couple like you, with such fabulous styles and looks, will make many people turn their heads in your direction. 

Talking about your style, all of the boys idolize it. How close you look like the 80s icons surprises them. They all find you really sexy for this, with the badass look mixed with the girly style. Dwayne gets weak at the knees from just the sight of it, and will totally mention it when he has you in his arms.

He enjoys modeling for you if you draw human figures, and will let you play with his postures and expressions. This pastime is one of his most treasured moments with you, because he loves how immersed and serious you get to get your work done. And it allows him to stare at you working and doing it with such fascination it fills him with joy.

This applies to the guitar too. He's your number one fan, and will totally attend to your gigs if you happen to have them. And even though he's not an advanced guitar player, he will try to assist and support you in those difficult times when you can't get the notes right and frustration strikes.

He will also give you gifts like drawing kits for you to have unlimited resources to draw whatever and whenever you want, guitar picks with designs of your favorite bands, etc.

He and the boys like to put your creations around the cave. They appreciate having some of your essence and creativity to decorate the place.

I don't know if you headbang while listening to music, but oh my, if you do, I'M TELLING YOU HE WILL BE THE BEST HEADBANGER YOU WILL SHARE THE SONGS’ BREAKDOWNS WITH. Paul will want to join the sacred activity after watching you too get those strands synchronized.

He also loves how well you and Laddie get along, and with time he will tell you that, but at first, it is difficult for him to not feel corny and ridiculous with the portray of a happy family you make. He loves it, he's just too macho sometimes to accept something like that out loud.

Oh, and one thing he admires about you is your respect and appreciation for animals. Laddie is like you, so you too can pet some puppies together and Dwayne will get softer than a pillow. 

[cracked-pean]

In Case You Didn’t Know

Characters: Derek Hale, Female! Reader, Stiles Stilinski, Scott McCall, Allison Argent, Lydia Martin, and Slight Mention of Melissa McCall.

Word Count: 2,238

Warnings: None. Just Fluffy stuff.

Masterlist

A/N: This is one of my favorite songs and I couldn’t help myself. Hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback.

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The party was in full swing. Allison and Scott in the middle of the dance floor with a Stiles that looked like he was on a sugar high, and Lydia and Malia dancing together beside them. Everyone was gathered together to celebrate the happy couple on their wedding day. Allison and Scott had only been engaged for a few months but couldn't wait till next year.

[Y/N] had just stepped out of the crowd to go to the bar and get a drink. She turned around to face the venue and let out a happy sigh. Everything had been so beautiful, from the reception, to the decorations, to the cake. [Y/N] wasn't a fan of the whole wedding thing. Mainly because she just never had any luck in the love department and the one person she had eyes for was not here.

"What you got there?"

A voice to her right spoke. She glanced down at her drink, "It's a- you know what, I don't know," she chuckled. "Whatever it is it's st-" she glanced to the stranger and was taken by surprise.

"Oh my god, Derek," she quickly set the drink down and embraced the man.

"I thought you weren't gonna make it. They all said you wouldn't," he returned the action and gave a laugh.

"As if I was gonna miss this celebration and reunion."

The gang had all been busy. Stiles was in Virginia,  Quantico to be exact in the FBI. Lydia was off at MIT. Malia took off the second she graduated, apparently she finally got to go to France. Allison and Scott went to school together, got their degrees and somewhere in between got engaged. With Scott being alpha, he couldn't leave the town unprotected. So, Allison being the best that she was stayed behind with him. [Y/N] had stayed in Beacon Hills as well. With her helping run her family's restaurant, she couldn't be happier. As for Derek. He had gone back to New York, needing a new change in scenery. To say it's been a long time since they all were together was an understatement. It had been 3 years. With the distance and busy lives they lived, they still managed to stay in contact and act as if nothing ever changed. She saw the couple almost everyday, with them having to walk past the restaurant to and from work and the occasional dine-ins. Sometimes they went out on their days off together and had a few drinks.

[Y/N] pulled away from him with a grin on her face, "Wow. When did you get here? Have you seen the guys yet?"

"Haven't been here long, just a few minutes, I saw you near by and made my way over. And no I haven't." She blushed at that.

"Well, we'll have to change that. C'mon let's go to them," she gulped down the last of her drink and grabbed his hand to lead him through the crowd.

Wasn't long for the group of friends to notice [Y/N] and the person trailing behind, "DEREK!" They all greeted him with hugs and smiles.

They spent a good while dancing together until they decided to take a break at their nearby table. They all conversated about what they had been doing in the last few years, making jokes and laughing at some crazy story Stiles was telling about his co-worker, Spencer.

After a while, [Y/N] decided to get everyone a few shots and made her way to the bar. As she waited for her order, she began nodding along to the music and mouthing the words.

"Thank you," [Y/N] took the circled tray and turned to walk back to the table, only to almost bump into Scott's mom.

"Shit, sorry Melissa."

"Wow, got enough there?"

[Y/N] laughed and motioned to the table near the front, "I hope so. It's for that crazy lot I call friends."

"Ah, of course," a smile with a small pat on the shoulder from her, [Y/N] excused herself and made way back.

"Alright guys, this round is on me," she said happily as she set the drinks down on the table.

"[Y/N/N], this is already paid for," Scott mentioned.

"Shh, let me have this," she shushed him.

-

Time had flown by. It was nearing the end of the party and people began to leave little by little.

[Y/N] was off to the side at a nearby table talking to a few folks while swaying a bit to the soft songs playing. Her back was towards the others so she didn't notice the glance Derek threw her way with a smile.

The man always had a soft spot for her. He would never admit his feelings towards her to himself. Always thought she didn't feel the same, and was scared of getting close to her. Back then they had a totally different lifestyle. With him trying to figure himself out as to what he wanted to do with his life, all the bad guys they had to face and it just not being a good time to get close to anyone like that. The male just suppressed the feelings. That's why he left for New York. Time away gave him a sense of direction to figuring out what he wanted and who he wanted to be with. Derek realized that he shouldn't let other things stop him from his happiness. He wanted to have a life, build a family and just be surrounded by his friends again. He wanted [Y/N] by his side through it all.

Lydia took a small glance at Derek noticing his gaze was not focused on the conversation going on at the table. She followed his gaze and a smile grew on her face. [Y/N]. Those two. The redhead silently grabbed everyone else's attention and nodded her head to what she was referring to. They all playfully rolled their eyes at them. A fond smile was plastered on the former alpha's face.

Lydia, being the one she was, decided to take the lead. She gently placed a hand on the man's arm.

Derek snapped out of his trance and followed to who the arm led to. He made eye contact with the banshee and then realized the whole table was looking at him.

"What?"

"What do you mean 'what'. You look like a love sick puppy." Stiles spoke.

Derek scoffed, "I do not."

His cousin mimicked the sound, "Yes you do. Why haven't you told her how you feel already?" she questioned.

His eyes grew wide. They knew? That was a dumb question, of course they knew. They knew everything. There was no point in hiding it, the whole group was on to him. He rubbed the back of his neck gently and looked down at his feet. "I don't know. Just haven't I guess."

Lydia took a seat next to him, "You think she doesn't feel the same, but she does," she assured him.

This caught the werewolf's attention. "She does?"

"Yeah dude. We all see the way she looks at you. Heart shaped eyes and all. Same way you look at her," the alpha pointed out.

He glanced back at the girl in time to see her toss her head back in laughter. He smiled.

Suddenly,the familiar tune to Brett Young's 'In Case You Didn't Know' began to play through the speakers.

Allison laughed, "Now if that isn't a sign, I don't know what is," she spoke referring to the song.

Lydia gave his knee a pat, "Go and ask her to dance. It is her favorite song after all."

Derek looked at his friends, all of them giving him a supporting look. He rubbed his clammy hands against his things and took a deep breath. He stood up from his seat and began to make his way to the girl. He could hear the small cheers from his friends as he walked away from them. When he got close, one of her friends made a gesture towards her to look behind her.

Confused, [Y/N] turned only for her to smile at the man in front of her. Derek.

"Hey."

"Hey," his heart was beating rapidly and hard against his chest. He gets the pack were having a laugh at how nervous he is. Now or never. "Would you like to dance?"

Shock with a hint of fear took over her. Dancing. Dancing with a partner was something she couldn't do. Let alone with the man she has had a crush on for years. She'd make a fool of herself.

"I-I can't dance," she said quietly.

He gently took her hand,"It's ok, I'll teach you," and slowly began to lead her away from the table and  to the open floor. 

Donnie shot a look of surprise to her friends as they walked past them, only to be met with smiles, a few winks and a thumbs up from Lydia.

Once on the floor, Derek turns towards her and softly places her left hand on top of his right shoulder, places his right hand on her hip and let's his left grab a hold of her right. They were close in proximity and began to sway to the song.

Derek could hear her heart thumping loudly and leaned his head beside hers. "Relax, you'll be fine. Just follow my lead."

She let out a breathy laugh and nodded, "Right, sorry. First time jitters."

After a few moments of letting her get the pace of the dance, he broke the silence.

"You know why I came back?" He spoke near her ear.

"For Allison and Scott's wedding, right?"

"Yeah, but not just for that," he closed his eyes, "It's because I wanted to see you again."

She froze for a second. Me. She thought. He came back for me? What the hell?

"I don't understand. Why?"

The confusion in her voice made him laugh a little. The next verse in the song was just too perfect and Derek sang along to it.

"Baby I'm crazy 'bout ya,

And I would be lying if I said that I could live this life without you.

Even Though, I don't tell you all the time.

You had my heart a long, long time ago. In case you didn't know."

Tears began to well up in her eyes. No, it couldn't be. She thought. This is too good to be true.

"That smooth motherfucker," Malia spoke.

"Gotta admit that was pretty good," Scott chimed in.

The other three looked between the two. Obviously they were eavesdropping on them. For safety reasons of course.

"What? What did he say?"

"Did he tell her?"

Both Allison and Lydia asked their friends.

"He basically confessed by singing to her the last verse that just played," said with a smile.

Stiles whistled softly, "Damn, who knew he had it in him."

"Derek," [Y/N] said softly.

He just gave her hand a small squeeze.

"I've liked you for a while now. Even when we were running around chasing bad guys and solving cases," he began. "But, I wasn't in the right head-space to act upon them. We had so much going on that I didn't think it was the right time to start something I wasn't ready for yet. Besides, I didn't think you liked me then."

She let out a small laugh while wiping a few tears off her face. "You're a werewolf that has super hearing and is like a lie detector, smells emotions and is able to tell what the person is feeling, and you couldn't determine My sense of emotions."

Her comment made him smile, realizing that she too returned his feelings. "Like I said. Wasn't all there," he pulled away to look at her.

The song was nearing its end. Donnie brought both her arms to rest on his shoulder and interlocked her fingers behind his head. She placed her forehead against his and closed her eyes, trying to soak up this lovely moment.

"I suppose not. But I guess, it was a good thing I didn't act upon mine either. Who knows how we would've turned out."

With Derek's hands now at her waist, he softly rubbed circles with his thumbs at her sides, "A few rough bumps here and there but still good." He opened his eyes and placed his thumb and index finger underneath her chin, so she could look back up at him.

"[Y/N/N], I know this is long overdue. But, would you please be mine?"

She looked into his eyes. The eyes she fell in love with back when she first saw them in the open forest. The same eyes that always gave her compassion and strength. The same eyes that are now showing her the same love she has felt towards him in the past few years.

With a soft graze of her lips to his she whispered the answer.

"Yes."

As the last line and note played out. They're lips met.

A noise of loud cheers and applause erupted from the pack and family.

"FINALLY!" Stiles shouted.

Derek smiled against the kiss as [Y/N] laughed lightly.

"Were we that bad," Derek asked, leading their way back to their table hand in hand.

"Yes, it was disgusting," Malia faked gagged.

"Oh shush," [Y/N] smiled as she leaned into Derek's side. He smiled and gave the top of her head a kiss.

Maybe weddings weren't so bad after all.

[erintoknow]

falling forward

Spiraling - A Fallen Hero: Rebirth Fan-fiction

You agreed to help Herald relearn how to fight – and oh god what were you thinking? Tw: past sexual abuse; suicidal thoughts [still feel]

[Read on AO3]

With Halloween behind you, fall is in full swing now, and the worst of the summer heat is safely in the past. Hard to believe it’s already going to be winter next month, if it wasn’t for the cool air filling your lungs. Was Banshee’s big debut trashing the Heroic Heritage Museum Gala really just this summer? It feels like a lifetime ago.

You hold your shawl against yourself as the wind whips it about, Herald holding you in his arms. Jesus christ you hate flying. Hate it hate it hate it. Why did you agree to this insanity?

You don’t know what you expected really, agreeing to train Herald. Herald! Of all people. But he needs it. He needs the work. Whatever cocky assurance he had before your debut has evaporated. The first couple sessions you couldn’t even do much actual sparring, his leg was still in recovery.

The blond bastard is always floating, which must be why you didn’t notice before – How much he favors that knee, the way he’s shifted how he carries his weight. The first time, it was hard to stay focused, to keep present in the moment. Kept falling back to that moment, the sheer disdain and… jealousy? Were you jealous of Herald? Is that what was? So jealous you had to break him.

Another soul you’ve carved with poison.

Or you thought you had.

“Here we go,” Herald lets go of you as your feet touch solid ground again. Quickly retreating, “Again, sorry.”

You take a breath, make a show of dusting the ‘Herald’ off of you and adjusting your sunglasses. “Let’s just… get this show on the road. You said the, um, the quacks finally cleared you for active duty again?”

Herald nods, smiling with his whole face. Swear to god, even if you weren’t telepathic the man practically broadcasts what he’s thinking regardless. Always sunny. Always hopefull. And today? Excited to finally do something with the forms you’d been running him through.

You step back and let him run through his warm-up exercises as you scan the horizon. So high… you’ll never get used to it.

The little niggling urge in the back of your head whispering ‘jump!’

“Are you going to warm up too?” Herald watches you. That’s another thing about Herald, he never met a good silence that he didn’t want to immediately fill with something.

You shift your stance, flexing your fingers under your shawl. “I’m plenty warm, thanks, wonderbread.”

Herald laughs at that, so you deepen your scowl, watch the sunshine wither under your glare. “I wasn’t joking.” Concern flits across his face, and you can’t help the triumphant smirk. So he is capable of more than one emotion after all. “Look, a villain isn’t going to… uh, going to stand there while you do your morning crunches.”

“Well, good thing there’s no villains up here, right?”

He smiles, sunshine poking out from behind the clouds again. You scowl at that and shift your weight, feet planted on the ground with hands behind your back, hidden under your shawl. You’d never get away with it, sparring with Ortega. She’d pick up Banshee’s style in an instant. Herald’s still green. Still safe.

“Let’s just… see what you can do, first.” Relax. Take a breath. Let the music drop and the buzz of the world around you leech in. There he is. Right in front of you, watching. Thinking. Loud and clear.

“Uh – really? Already?”

Roll your eyes. “Just hit me already, Herald.”

Herald takes a moment to center himself. An old familiar song, crushing down the doubt into somewhere dark and deep so it can’t throw you off in the middle of a fight. He rushes you head on, thinking he’ll fake you out and sweep around the side. You stay put, ready. At the last second you twist to the side, and grab his arm, overextended. Pull him forward and off balance and follow up with a knee to the gut.

Herald wheezes, floating backward as you let go. A hand to his chest as he gasps for air. “Did you… wow – did you have to hit so hard?”

You tap your chin, glancing upwards as you make a show of thinking it over. Shrug. “No.” There’s no better teacher than pain. Frankly, compared to the kind of training you had? Herald’s getting kids gloves here. You reset your position, nodding at him. “Come on. Again.”

Herald grits his teeth, bracing himself.

The two of you repeat the process; over and over. And every time you smoothly avoid his attack and knock him away. Ten minutes later he’s still floating away, clutching his side this time. You sigh, rubbing your leg.The kid has got some persistence, but now your own knee is starting to get sore.

“Listen.” You say, and Herald looks up at you, relief in his eyes. Christ. You shake your head, focus! “Listen – Herald. You keep – keep making this same mistake. Over and over.” You spread your arms, hands poking out from under the shawl. “I say ‘attack me’ and, you, fool that you are, attack me.”

Herald face scrunches up. “What? You’re not making any sense.”

You keep your hands out. “Hit me.”

Herald doesn’t move, floating a few feet away. Still gently drifting backwards from your last go-around.

“Com’on, well?”

Confused thoughts spill onto his face, but he stays where he is.

You smile. “Better.” You run a hand through your hair. “Don’t follow your enemy’s script. Make them follow yours.” Your fingers find the bobby pin holding your hair out of your face. With a flick of your wrist it’s sent sailing at Herald’s head.

He ducks automatically and you use the chance to move forward, striking at the back of his legs. Herald falls backwards, flailing in the air as he tries to right himself again. A foot catches your face and you fall to your ass as Herald pulls up and out of reach.

“Damn!” You wince, rubbing your jaw. Bit your own tongue hard enough to taste blood there.

Glance up, and Herald is hovering, anxious. “Are you alright?”

Ugh. You roll your eyes. “Goddamnit Herald, you d–don’t ask your enemy if they’re okay.” You push yourself back to your feet, glaring up at him with your hands on your hips.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He protests, dipping down closer, but not you note, within reach.

You shift your hand up, rub at your temples to hide your eyes. He has no idea. No fucking idea who you are. It – it shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. “Herald.” You shake your head. “What do you think happens in a fight?”

A flare of frustration from above you. “I know what a fight is, Ariadne.”

“The moment you had me on the ground, you should have pressed your advantage, instead you pulled back and gave me a chance to recover.” You flick your wrist in his direction again, frown as he ducks. How long has he been in the game now? A couple years right? How is he still this green? “There’s no such thing as ‘playing dirty,’ understand? Only fights you walk away from and fights you don’t.”

You step away from him. Put the sunshine to your back. This isn’t a hero flick, or a sanitized news report. He needs to get it through his thick skull or he’s going to end up getting mulched. Again.

“Ariadne?” Can feel him hover closer behind. Scared you’re going to do something stupid. The concern is enough to make you ball your hands into fists. You ‘doing something stupid’ would just be doing him and most of the world a favor, honestly.

He’s still there. Just out of striking range. At least he learned one thing. “I was hoping for training Ariadne.” He sounds worried. Fuck. “Not beating the crap out of each other.”

“Yeah, well…” You stare out at the horizon. The crest of the mountains beyond the city. Somewhere past those rocks lays home, your nightmare. “Fighting people isn’t pretty, Herald. If – if you haven’t figured that out by n–now, you’re hopeless. People break bones, they bleed everywhere. Sometimes there’s tears and crying, and – and you can’t always tell if it’s… yours.” You flex your jaw. Can still feel the sting where Herald’s shoe hit. “At–at–at the end of th–the day, there’s nothing… nothing heroic about b–breaking a man’s rib cage just because the–the–the alternative is him chopping you and a d–dozen other – a dozen other people into bits.”

Your every nerve is on edge, shoulders tense enough to make your neck hurt. You shift your arms under your shawl, hugging them tight against yourself. “People just… they die.” Can feel your voice rise as your throat tightens. “They die and die and die and you p–pray you aren’t one of them.”

“Hey… are you alright?” The voice behind you sounds distant. A thousand miles removed. Vaguely aware of your legs buckling underneath you as you collapse, accordion-like onto the roof tile.

You’re not there. It’s not real. You’re not real? No – fuck. Vague memory like someone else’s voice, prodding reminder of something Dr. Finch suggested. Try to grasp it and it’s gone and there’s just light above and white around and – and –

Someone moves, their intention for touch like a burning iron cutting through your thoughts. You grit your teeth and snare it, halt the arm with red threads pulling back. “Don’t. Touch. Me.” Pull hard and the attached body staggers back. Away.

There's a note of alarm. Fear. Fear of you? Who could possibly be…?

It’s sunlight. Wonderbread. It slams like the ache in your knees, the pain in your throat. The salt on your cheeks. You’re in Los Diablos. On a roof. With Herald. It’s Herald. Not scared of you, scared… for you? Fuck.

Have to get out of here. You stagger to your feet, one hand pushing up your shades as you try to wipe your eyes before he can notice. “Lesson over for today. S–sorry. No refunds.”

Herald’s fear is palpable and terrifying. “Okay, seriously, what just happened there? Did I say something wrong?”

You march your body to the roof access. “It’s nothing. Don’t – don’t worry about it. In fact: f–f–forget about training altogether.” Grab the handle and pull. Push and pull. No luck. No movement. “Mierda.”

“Ariadne, talk to me. Something’s clearly wrong, you’re worrying me.”

God – fucking hell. You spin on your heel, fists at your sides. “I d–d–don’t owe you jack shit Herald!” You yell at the top of your lungs. “I’m only up here in the–the–the first place because of – because of you! And now I’m – I’m fucking trapped here!”

Herald dips backwards, hands raised as if he’s going to block your words like a punch. “You’re upset. I’m sorry.” He means it. Really thinks he means it, the idiot. “I’ll just… take you back down to the street and we can call it a week, okay?”

“No!” You stomp your foot, willing him to go away, heart pounding at the thought of it. “Nobody else is f–f–fucking touching me today!”

Herald doesn’t move. Stays put, ever so slightly off the ground. Hands out, ready to… to…

“Goddamnit.” You close your eyes. “I–I–I don’t need a second fucking Ortega.”

A silence passes between the two of you. It doesn’t last long enough.

“Can we…” Herald hesitates. “Can we talk now?”

“Fine. Free country.”

“Did you…” Can feel him try to pick the right words. His fear of setting you off putting you on edge again. “Was that another… attack, just then?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” You turn away from him, glare at the lock. Maybe if you will it hard enough, you can get the door to open out of shame.

“But you just said–”

“You don’t – Herald, you d–d–don’t need to understand. It’s none of your goddamn business.” Have to will yourself to keep standing. To stay angry. To not fall apart. Not here. Not like this. Not in front of this stranger you barely know whose life you’ve ruined. “H–how did you think this was going to go, Herald? W–w–what exactly were you f–f–fucking expecting? To–to–to have your – your fearless hero leap out of TV Screen? Well… S–surprise!” You whirl back on him, waving your hands, sneering. “She d–doesn’t exist! I’m not her! I n–never was. We c–c–can’t all be perfect TV Stars, Herald! I’m just a – a washed-up has-been that d–d–doesn’t know when to leave things well fucking goddamn enough alone!”

You turn back to the door and kick it hard enough to leave a dent.

“Ariadne…” Oh god, he’s not giving up, jesus christ. “Even if that was true, that’s not why I asked for your help.”

Uh-huh. Sure buddy.

He wilts under your stare. “Well. Okay. Maybe, um. Maybe that was part of it – but it’s not the main reason! I was serious about needing help. This new villain, Ghost or whatever–”

“Banshee.”

“That. I told you. I need help. I need a new way to fight if I’m not going to… If I’m not going to screw up again.” He holds your stare. Can feel him focused on you. Willing you to believe him. Desperate for it.

Begging for your help to defeat you.

“… you’re really serious about this?”

“Yes!”

“One hundred percent dedicated?”

“Yes!!”

You turn away. “Welp. S–sucks to be you I guess.”

It takes him a moment to recover from that. “Excuse me?”

Rolling your eyes at the door, you hold at a hand, as if holding something. “What’s your tragic backstory? Dead wife? Lost your parents? Every hero’s got one.” You kick the door again. Still no luck. Turn back to Herald, glare at the stricken expression on his face. “Nobody willingly throws themselves at people who can shoot laser beams out of their eyes or has knives for hands who doesn’t want to die on some level.”

“You… don’t really think that, do you?”

You laugh, throwing your arms up, helpless. “Maybe I do! M–maybe I don’t. Who f–f–fucking knows anymore.” You fall back against the door, sliding to the ground. Finally got Herald to shut up. He thinks you’re a mental case now, but fuck it. Fuck him. Fuck you.

Tilt your head up at the sky, watch the smog and clouds meld together.

Herald stays put, floating awkwardly. His thoughts loud and clear and threatening to drown out your own.

This clearly isn’t how he expected his morning to go today. He knew you had… changed since the hero days. But after that first conversation and agreeing to help him, he had hoped that maybe… working with you, he could help… fix things? Somehow? That’s what heroes do, right?

Well, here you are now, looking even more tired and run down then he had ever seen at Rangers HQ. Some kind of panic attack you refused to talk about or even acknowledge. Did he just make things worse? Had he pressured you into it, somehow? He had just wanted to maybe get to know you–

“God, you think too loud.” You rub your temples with one hand, the other tracing a familiar pattern into your pant leg.

Herald’s face reddens. “I’m… sorry?”

“You should be.” You shake your head. “I’m embarrassed for you.” You add, because you just can’t help yourself today. “Fighting a telepath and you can’t even put a lid on it.”

Herald grabs the subject change with all the enthusiasm of a drowning man grabs a life preserver. “That’s possible?”

You shrug. “Obviously.” Doesn’t he know this stuff? It’s not like its secret knowledge “There’s ways – techniques, work-arounds, little ‘walls’ you can put up to make it harder.”

“What do you do?”

“It’s…” You hesitate. “It’s a little different for me. Since I’m also the one, uh, hearing.” At least this is a safe subject. Mostly. Mostly safe. “I guess it works pretty much the same though. You want something that can occupy your, uh – shit, I don’t know the professional terms. I’m not a damn doctor.” You shrug, still staring up at the sky. “But like… your surface level thoughts?”

Herald tilts his head, thinking it over. “Like… when you talk to yourself in your head?”

“Y–yeah. Yeah, sure.” Good enough. “You can use that as a – a smokescreen. Chaff. Or whatever?”

“Huh.” Can feel Herald’s mind churning. Turning your words over. “Couldn’t you also use that to like… misdirect? Think one thing and do the opposite?”

Uh – huh.

You look at Herald. Okay. Didn’t expect him to catch on that fast. “Yeah.” You nod, smiling despite yourself. “Yeah, that’s… possible. But it’s a lot harder than it sounds to pull that off in the middle of a fight. Trust me.”

Herald stays quiet for a blessed second, weighing the idea in his head. “What about you? What do you usually do for a… um, smokescreen?”

Fuck. Not Even Ortega ever straight up asked you that. “…If I tell you, and – and you laugh. I am legally allowed to kill you.” Why are you even offering? What the fuck Ariadne?

Herald smiles, raising his hands, “I won’t laugh,” he promises. There’s a slight anxiety to his smile.

“I’m dead serious, wonderbread.”

“…me too.” His voice cracks.

You chew your lip, tracing patterns in your leg as you think it over. Whether to follow through.

Ah, fuck it.

“I… um. I use music.” You stare down at your lap. Ready for the first smart comment to signal Herald’s final beatdown.

“Wait…” Here it comes. “Like – so you’re just, what? Singing in your head?”

You shift position, glare at him from across the rough, ready to strike.

“Hey!” He raises his arms again, “Hey, I’m not laughing! It’s actually kind of cu–” He cuts himself off. Has the presence of mind not to finish that sentence. “Anyway, I’m just surprised by it being that simple?”

“Try keeping it up while fighting three separate people and balancing keeping out bystanders while still monitoring the other combatants.”

“…Okay. That does sound harder.” Herald admits. “But, I’d only need to worry about keeping out a telepath right? Like Banshee?”

You can’t keep the sarcasm out of your voice, “Lucky you.”

If Herald notices, he doesn’t give any sign. “Do you think, um, maybe that we can practice that next week?” He catches your eyes again, worry lining his face. It’s enough to make your chest hurt. It’s not right. He’s still practically a kid. And you’re… Fuck.

“Maybe.” You owe him that. Don’t you? But you can’t quite bring yourself to give up that easily. “You th–think you can pick a training area that doesn’t leave me trapped on top of a f–f–fucking building?”

“Um.” Herald scratches his head. “I can try. I could at least get a copy of the roof access key.”

“And I expect at least a milkshake. As – as compensation.”

“I can work with that.”

–––

You’re really spending a lot of time at Rangers HQ these days, aren’t you? If you’re not grabbing Herald for training, then you’re playing consultant to Ortega. Or stopping by to grab her for something else… You’re a wanted criminal and terrorist. You really shouldn’t be flaunting yourself like this. One day it’s going to come back to bite you in the ass.

Until then, you’ll sit on the break room windowsill with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the traffic outside until the sound of the door opening draws your eyes away.

“So. Ari.” Ortega slides into the room, arms behind her back. A smile on her face that can only mean trouble. “You seem to be getting along better with Herald these days, huh?”

“W–what?” Can feel your face get warm. “I – I told you. I don’t – I’m just – I’m not even…” You put your drink down and cross your arms. “So – so what? What of it?”

Ortega keeps smiling, the bastard. “Nothing.” She lies. “I’m just pleasantly shocked is all. It took me how long to even get your name? A year? You move fast in your old age.”

“Old age!?” You jump to your feet.

“What, you can dish it out, but you can’t take it?” Ortega cackles.

“S–shut up, old woman! Crone! Uh – um – fuck – uh, Disney Timeshare holder!”

Ortega’s grin only widens. “You know? I’ve never actually been.”

Where does she get these ideas? Why does she keep – no. You’re not thinking about this. Stop it. Shut up Ariadne. “It’s–it’s–it’s not like I’m doing it for free!” You push on. “I’m making him pay for it!”

That gets her by surprise. “Really?”

“In milkshakes!”

There’s silence, and then Ortega laughs. “Oh! I thought you were serious for a minute there.”

“I am serious!” You stomp your foot. “I’m d–d–dead fucking serious!!” You need to go on the attack fast. “Why? Huh? What’s it matter to–to–to you!? What? You jealous?”

“Me?” Ortega huffs, “Jealous of what? Ari, I work with Herald. I see him plenty. I’m just happy for you.”

You blink. “W–what? That’s not – there’s – Ortega…”

“Hey, relax. I’m just teasing. Well,” Ortega tilts her head with a shrug, “Mostly teasing. I know you’re gayer than a three-dollar bill.”

“I – what?” You voice cracks.

Now it’s Ortega’s turn to look confused. “Er, I’m not misremembering am I?”

“I – I don’t know? I–I–I’ve never – never thought about it!?”

Oh god. Oh fuck. Why is this happening? Why are you saying these words with your mouth in that order?

“Really?” Ortega’s watching you. All damnable static and an unreadable face.

“I don’t know!” You sit back down. “It’s – it’s never mattered before! I don’t… I don’t do that kind of stuff.”

“A certain rock on the beach would beg otherwise.”

“S–shut up! Crone!”

Just… let lightning strike you right now. Please.

“You… know it’s okay if you want to, right?” Ortega pauses. “And if the other person is into it, of course.” Can hear the smirk in her voice.

“I – I guess?? I don’t know…”

“Ari, I was just teasing before but… are you interested in Herald?”

You shoot up your head, locking eyes with her. Shock on your face. “What? No! I… No! I don’t – no. It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter?”

You frown, drop your gaze to your lap. “I don’t want anything to do with men. Not… Not like that. Not ever. No way.”

“Ari…?”

“I’m fine. Okay. I’m fine. It’s fine.” You dig your fingers into your leg. Focus on that. Stay present. Stay centered. “I d–don’t want to talk about this. Okay?” You close your eyes, the past three sleepless nights hitting you at once. Even with your eyes closed, can just fucking swear you can feel Ortega staring at you, that same worrying, pitying expression on her face that she has so often now when the two of you are together.

“Have you talked to Dr. Finch about it?”

You make a face, turn away to stare out the window. “Yeah. Sounds like a great f–fucking idea.”

“I think it would help.”

“Just… what did you want me for today, anyway?”

“Oh! Right. Sorry. I got carried away giving you a hard time.”

You groan. “D–doesn’t he bother you?”

“Huh?”

“Wonderbread.” You gesture an arm towards Herald’s general direction in the building. “Blue-eyed, blond hair, white dude replaces you as the public face of the team? That PR puts him up front of all your events? That he gets the speeches? Don’t you… think that’s weird?”

“Oh.” Ortega’s silent, and she stays silent long enough that you look up to check if she’s still there. She grimaces as you catch her eye. “Herald’s a good kid. PR’s kind of got him in a dazzle, and Chen hates that stuff so…” She shrugs. Doesn’t even mention Argent, you note. “People will think whatever they want. They always have. Ari… I was always envious of your ability to stay out of the limelight.”

You blink at that. “R–really? But… you always kept trying to push me in.”

“You deserved at least some recognition, Ari, and… honestly? I didn’t want to do it alone.”

“Oh.”

“The kinds of stuff people said? I don’t miss it at all. Hell, Ari, I still get shit. It’s just easier to ignore now. Let Herald have the spotlight. I did my time. I never signed up to be some kind of model minority.”

“I…” You frown, look away. “I never realized. I’m s–sorry. I thought… you always seemed so at home in front of the camera. I – I always thought you lived for that stuff…”

“No, I do. Or did. Still do?” Ortega sighs. “Mierda, I’m sorry. I know you had your own reasons, I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty. And I don’t… I didn’t mean to drag down the mood–”

“S–stop” You make yourself look at her again “D–don’t apologize. Um. Thank you. For… for telling me. I’m sorry for… for not being there. For… not realizing.” You mean it. Your heart hurts for it. For everything. You can’t apologize for everything but… you can apologize for this, at least.

“Yeah, well…” Ortega cracks a smile, and after a moment it’s spread to your own face. You push up your sunglasses, rubbing at an eye. She coughs, “Anyway, we’ve gotten way off track here.”

“W–what about?”

“It’s circling back to Herald actually.” Ortega’s smile turns apologetic as she finally pulls the bag from behind her back. “He wanted me to pass this on? I think he was a little too embarrassed to hand it over himself.”

“Oh.”

Oh no.

You look between Ortega and the bag in her hands. “So that’s why you were…?”

“I… think it’s just Herald being Herald? He’s a gift-er.” She holds the bag out towards you. “Well? I want to see what’s inside at least.”

You frown. “Don’t act innocent. This has your m–mitts all over it.”

“What?” She snickers, “I had nothing to do with it. Scouts honor.”

“I–” You narrow your eyes, searching her face. “…were you in scouts?”

“Oh, just – open the bag, Ari!”

“Alright, alright, fine. Geez.” You get up and stick your hand in the bag, feel around until you pull out a small plastic box.

“Well?”

“Hrm.” Turn it over in your hands, scanning the print. “It’s… a CD player?” Why would…? “With headphones?”

Ortega puts the now empty bag aside on the table. “He said it was to help you concentrate? I couldn’t get him to explain what that was supposed to mean though.”

“Oh.” Maybe you underestimated Herald. “Huh.”

“There should be a couple CDs in the bag, too.” Ortega jerks a thumb to the bag. “So, okay, yeah, full honesty, I helped Herald out with some suggestions. But the idea and everything was all him.”

“This is… very, um.” You can’t tear your eyes away from the package, the silver-colored machine encased in plastic. “I… I can’t take this, Ortega.”

“Of course you can. It’s a Christmas present.”

You blink. Wait – what? “Christmas present!? Since when is it–”

“Uh, Next week, remember?” Ortega looks at you, brow creased. “Have you looked outside lately?”

“I – I just. I didn’t think about – oh my god. Already?” You shake your head. “It – it doesn’t change anything, Ortega I…” Your voice cracks. “I can’t. I don’t…”

“Ari… how many times do I need to tell you?” Ortega steps closer, wrapping an arm around your shoulder. “People care about you. It’s okay to let them.”

“But–”

“Herald wanted to do something nice. As thanks. We both did.”

You have to blink your eyes rapidly. Try to clear the water away. “Idiots.” Your laughter is abrupt. Nervous and guilty. “Both of you.”

“I can think of no higher compliment.”

You push her away, laughing. “S–shut up!”

[mamaneedsadrank]

My Friend, you are either on my side, by my side or in my fucking way. The choice is yours.

That title though.... mmmm gurl, she's a banger!

Franz, (Yes that could be short for Franzia Boxed wine, but you may never know!) How are you? What is up. What's the hot gossip, what are the cool jams, what are the kids listening to? Oh, sorry- let me go fix my hair.

Let's get to to it. The dirty.. Man, I am clearly out of practice. Like a Football Player trying to throw an "Arnold Phillip Shortman" Shaped head. Yes, I googled what is, "Hey Arnolds's last name."

Thanks Google.

Is there a food that stimulates getting over writer's block? Hmm shall I goog? NO.

Let's say its pickles. Well shit, now i want pickles...

Please hold as your creativity loads, and your blockages dissolve. The duration of this hold time is- One 12 oz. Keystone Light, and 5 Baby Kosher Milwaukee Pickles.

Some may think this is an odd match but goodonya, can't hate til ya try it mate!

Speaking of trying new things..... Head over to Spotify and listen to some new Jammin Gems that will bring your earholes some much needed love. Eargasms for an approximate 43 minutes. That’s Spotify.com and Search for : Maiden of Musical mixes and wham-bam, Hey thanks The Sam! Be taken on a musical venture that you didn't even realize you needed.

Lately, the life has thrown weird things at me. And not the good weird, the bad kind. The kind that is like biting into a piece of under-cooked meat, or opening a Keystone Light and having it explode under all the pressure.

 Taking unfulfilling jobs to "make dat monaaaay", takes a toll my friends. Floundering and attaching to careers that bring little happiness is not a way to live. Especially when over 958937597387425982 hours of your life "earning dat money". So what? Quit a job, take a new one? Get fired from your current role, out of circumstances that have been out of your control? No.

Find ways to rally.

Be your own hero.

Which is why this week's Eargasm features are:

Adelitas Way featuring New Medicine - Own It

Weezer- Hero

Adelitas Way! 

Mm! These men do not get enough credit in our Rock community. So what that Rick doesn't ALWAYS scream like an angry banshee after stubbing his Toes! The utter Chemistry the band brings to live performances, and how cohesive they are is mighty respectable. I have had the pleasure of chatting with these fellas a few times, and seeing over 3 performances. I have witnessed Rick stage dive into the crowd and get carried football fields away, to a completely different set. They bring their A game every.single.damn.time!

Own It. That is what they do, have done and will continue doing! This catchy tune is about owning who you are as a Homo-Sapien. Positive and Negative traits, ya just gotta embrace em’. Or, Own It. Own who the the hell you are, and never apologize for it, and Own It alllllllways. <3 Ain’t afraid to own it.

Weezer. Man I have loved them since May 10th, 1994. (If you are a WEEZER BUFF, you will know this date.) 

5. That is how old I would have been. Excuse me, while I go sob about old agenessism happening that I, for one, did not sign up for.

Back to Weezer. 

They are on my bucket list to see. Punky, Uppity Happiness that floods the ole earholes with joyous tempos and lyrical ear worms that continuously flood your brainbox. Mmhmm. No friends, fam, 3 fans, I am not friends with Weezer, personally. YET.

This song reminds me of my fellow DNA sharers, who happen to be the other 2 offspring of my Mother. Shout Out Sissies. 

Sissies- HA. No, these 2 do not have a sissy gene in their Den-ahhh, and it is so admirable. I won’t overshare, or get soups sentimental. Role Models, Blueprints, H.B.I.C.’s. Yes. Check, Check. My sisters have been trailblazers from day one. They don’t do things in conventional, normal ways- they pave their own damn paths and do it their way, and that my friends is the most badass thing I for one will ever witness.

SO, what did we learn?

Don’t worry. I don’t remember either. 

Jkrowling. Own it, and Be Your Hero. 

Well, that about does it folks.  Until next time, this has been my pleasure.  Or something. I blame the Keystone for my lack of sense making.

Cheers! xo

The Sam

Happy Mother's day!

[victoriousscarf]

1, 2, 7, 9, 18 for the writing meme

1. What themes would you like to write about that you feel don’t get explored very often?

I mean... I’m very obsessed with duty vs desire as a main conflict to the point where everytime I see it I end up banshee screaming but I also know I do see it from time to time. I also really love messiah/disciple issues, and again, while those exist I don’t think they often exist in the way I WANT them too outside of some very good poems. And also weirdly it’s something I haven’t written much myself. 

2.  What are some common elements of stories you are tired of seeing? What would you avoid writing about?

Nihilism passing as tragedy? Listen, I’m all for a good tragedy. I love a good tragedy! I’ll write dozens (and I have). But tragedy is not the same as just full on the world is terrible and nothing good ever wins nihilism. Tragedy is cathartic. It’s teaching. It’s hope found in the midst of despair. Like (and I know you won’t mind me quoting Hadestown here):

It's a tragedy It's a sad song But we sing it anyway

'Cause here’s the thing To know how it ends And still begin to sing it again As if it might turn out this time I learned that from a friend of mine

See, Orpheus was a poor boy...But he had a gift to give...

He could make you see how the world could be In spite of the way that it is

Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it like a train?

That’s a good tragedy! But a lot of stories these days are just nihilism. So screw that.

7. Favorite description in your wip? (If asked more than once, respond with a new piece each time)

... it does not exist lol. Does indicating the royal court’s reaction to scandal through how many fans are out at a time count as a description I can love???  

9. What scene was the hardest to write for you and why?

I can’t think of any off the top of my head specifically but usually it’s bridging scenes that are the worst for me. Like when I need to get characters from point a to point b but I don’t actually give a shit of how they get there? But I need to explain HOW or WHY they got there? It’s not always physical, it might even be an emotional bridging scene. 

18.  What writers have inspired you with their use of language? What are some of your favorite quotes?

I feel like this needs to be two separate questions lol. I have multiple documents just stuffed of random quotes that I used to find. These days you can usually find quotes I like under the tags “words I really like” or “english has only one word for love.” 

But if pushed I’ll probably start quoting Richard Siken’s Crush: “Sorry about the blood in your mouth. I wish it was mine.

I couldn't get the boy to kill me, but I wore his jacket for the longest time.”

Authors that have inspired me with language meanwhile... Terry Pratchett, Ursula le Guin and Jane Austen spring immediately to mind, and though I despise almost all the themes and everything else about what he writes about, I love Ernest Hemingway's prose. As soon as anyone gets a little too flowery I’m always like no, no, bring it back. 

Oh! and for quotes I’ve been obsessed with Robert Frost’s “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” like now and forever. 

Whose woods these are I think I know.   His house is in the village though;   He will not see me stopping here   To watch his woods fill up with snow.   My little horse must think it queer   To stop without a farmhouse near   Between the woods and frozen lake   The darkest evening of the year.   He gives his harness bells a shake   To ask if there is some mistake.   The only other sound’s the sweep   Of easy wind and downy flake.   The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   But I have promises to keep,   And miles to go before I sleep,   And miles to go before I sleep.

Bonus round: Guess how many fics I’ve named after this poem

[askzelandpen]

Gaby? What’s wrong with Advert? Is he napping? Why’s he got all those things on his back? Is he ok?? If he’s hurt you should sing him a healing song!! Daddy always does it for me and it makes me all better every time! -Neeps 💥

“Oh, a new Smeet! Hmmm, maybe Turnip? Sorry for answering your question a little late but he is up and running now….Heh” Gabriel proceeds to hold back himself from crying further and wipe his tears away and then buttons up his jacket.

“…Up and running?…. I can’t hear out of one side…Are you” He grabs Gabriel’s wrist “Able to fix it?”

‘Sadly no It is permanently damaged”

“What but…Are you sure?…”

“I’m sure but I know you can make it through, Fluffy!!”

“fluffy???” Advert is confused he looks around he seemed worried. “can you sing?”

Gabriel then laughs “Nope if I even tried I would sound like a wailing banshee, Also those wires can stabilize an irken without their pak. Your dad sounds like a very good guy, Turnip.”

“..What am I supposed to do? If i can’t do anything i’m usle-” Advert was stopped by Gabriel placing a hand on his shoulder.

 Gabriel shrugs and tries to put on his best smile “I have no idea I just go with the flow~”

Gabriel then looks to advert “Follow me, oh I’m Gabriel”

“I figured they kept calling you it…” Advert follows Gabriel out of the irken base within his basement.

Henry beeps once more sounding rather exhausted “Rest and relaxation I said”

“And I say shove it” Gabriel sticks out his tongue.

Once inside the hallway Gabriel stops before an irken he does not recognize at all but from what Henry has told him earlier he could only assume this was cherry.

“Hey, come on you have to get out of there at some point its best we talk this out” Cherry states looking at the door before realizing Gabriel was looking at him. “Oh hello! Gabriel…you sure you should be walking around?”

“…Well, I probably should be sleeping or relaxing on my bed, but I’ve been knocked out for hours I decided I need to at least stretch my legs” He pauses “Wait are you the one that told me not to fucking swear in my house?”

Cherry’s eye twitches as he thinks about how many people he keeps hearing swear lately this was not the best place for his kids. “Yes, I’m not a fan of swearing and I have brought kids over. I do apologize”

“Why did you bring children over to my house…better yet why are you in my house? Who are you?”

“Cherry”

Advert seemed confused as he looked around, His house? I thought this was a hospital? Why am I in a random person’s house? Have I been kidnapped?

“I already know your name” Gabriel responded to cherry.

“I am zel’s old squintz and the father of his child” He looks at the door “I’m trying to get zel to come out”

“old!” You hear from inside “you mean current”

“Zel” Gabriel knocked “don’t lock my bathroom or I will blast the door down”

“Fine” You can hear a small click but the door does not open.

“Thanks” Cherry stated.

[abnormalicacid]

Tagged by @mariesmh! Thanks, hunny 💕 I've never done this before haha but I have so many music opinions so this is v perfecto

I'm tagging @firefox-official @idecentlydrawnkishiberohan @heyhauntsman @yofukit @im-big-dumb @troiloka @belaroseoli @syliic . Feel free to not do this or whateva

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

Pink in the Night by (the one and only) mitski

2: A song you like with a number in the title

99 Luftballoons (I forgot the band name I'm sorry)

3: A song that reminds you of summertime

ohhh I have. So, so many. I listen to 80's Japanese city pop like a plant follows the sun...Remember Summer Days by ??? and Magic Ways by Tatsuro Yamashita are definitely some that give big summer energy

Also, Bullfighter Jacket by Miniature Tigers holds nostalgic summer vibes for me. Reminds me of when my sister and I would sing it on long car rides when I was 9

4: A song that reminds you of someone you'd like to regret

Oh boy...there was this girl I had a silly yet obsessive crush on who, with hindsight, was racist/colorist. She has said that she'd rather die than have dark skin (while next to my dark skinned friend 🙃), said that she thinks all the black people at are school are bad people, and has fetishized Asians. I am so sorry to say she was a BTS fan...it just makes it...so much worse. "Fake Love" hellllla reminds me of her and I hate it bc my sister listens to BTS spiritually...god what a ride

5: A song that needs to be played out loud

Take on Me by A-ha

It needs to be SCREAMED

6: A song that makes you want to dance

Rasputin by Boney M, Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA, Like a Record by Dead or Alive, DARE by Gorillaz and Swing by VST and Company make me freaking g r o o v e

7: A song that makes you happy

Doctor by Jack Stauber, Rebel Rebel by David Bowie, and Don't Stop Me Now by Queen are guaranteed dopamine machines

8: A song you never get tired of listening to

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac n cheese, Dress Down by Kaoru Akimoto, Killing Me Softly by the Fugees, I'd Like to Walk Around in your Mind Someday by Vashti Bunyan, and After the Storm by Kali Uchis are The Songs that I have listened to about 48 times in a row before and could listen to 100000 times more because their just so creative and wonderful and perfect and AaaAAAAH I love these songs

9: A song you'd love to be played at your wedding

Two Slow Dancers by mitski would be SO perfect

Lord, this question just reminded me of how my sister used to do photography at weddings and at every single one she went to, they'd always play that one Ed Sheeran song that's just like "baBY weE foun luve rite wheERE wE arre" ajajakamakcjdn gotdam... cishet white folks with names like Jevylynn and Aydynn really be like that, huh?

10: A song that's covered by another artist

Dear Prudence by Siouxsie and the Banshees is so lovely

11: A song you would sing as a duet in karaoke

SUMMER NIGHTS FROM THE MOVIE/PLAY GREASE

It's so fun to sing and mess up on

12: A song that makes you Think About Life

Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind by Vashti Bunyan and the entire Spirited Away soundtrack. Despite being beautiful and very positive songs, it always makes me feel...so much smaller than I am, so much more fragile, ungrateful for the life I take for granted, so...missing out on an adventure right in front of me ya know?

Another song that has a different feel to that which makes me v contemplative is Life on Mars by David Bowie. It's so melancholy and it's what it feels like at the edge of the night after several mental breakdowns, but still having the problem that the mental breakdowns caused and you can't do anything about it, which I sadly relate to

13: A song with a person's name in the title

Dirty Diana by Micheal Jackson

14: A song you think everyone should listen to

Innuendo by Queen

15: A song by a band you wish was still together

And She Was by Talking Heads

16: A song by an artist who is no longer living

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

17: A song that makes you want to fall in love

I Want to Dance with Somebody by Donna Summer and Somebody to Love by Queen

18: A song that breaks your heart

Purple Rain by Prince and Love of my Life by Queen

Not even just the lyrics, but the slow and powerful tone of these songs makes them so disheartening, like you just lost someone your whole life revolved around and your reminiscing the memories you had together and getting over how there will never be more no matter how much you want to see them smile again or how much you want them to make you smile again, although they hurt you

AAAAAAH my heart ouch ow oh agh my soul ugh

19: A song you remember from your childhood

Sweet Dreams (are made of this) by eurythmics

20: A song that reminds you of yourself

When I am depressi, I'm Washing machine heart by mitski, but when I'm feeling Gucci I'm Dancing Queen by abba

[ioftenthinkoftragedies]

I got tagged by my beloved @kingink2 (thank you so much dear! sorry for the delay) 

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

Lavender Fields by Lebanon Hanover.

Great band, I really like them. This song is so great in so many ways. 

2: A song you like with a number in the title

Sweet Sixteen by Billy Idol 

It’s always been a favourite song of mine, it brings back good memories of my teenage years. Quite dear to me as a matter of fact. 

3: A song that reminds you of summertime

Nancy From Now On by Father John Misty. 

I love this one, it has such a sweet melodie. Somehow it has always given me summer vibes, I don’t know if I’m correct but at least that’s what I feel. 

4: A song that reminds you of someone you would rather forget about

There are quite a few but I got over him. Forgave him. He was a music lover like myself, so you can figure there are a few songs but even though they still remind me of him, I think of him now with fondness and tranquility. 

5: A song that needs to be played LOUD

Beyondless by Iceage. One of my favourite songs by my favourite band, I get endless goosebumps with this song. I love it so so much. 

6: A song that makes you want to dance

Better Looking Brother by Lust For Youth

I loooove dancing so I could probably list a lot of songs here, however, this is one of my favourite songs to dance to lately. It’s amazing. 

7: A song that makes you happy

Let The Night Come Seeping In by Josiah Konder

If you haven’t listened to this band, I highly reccomend it to you, it’s one of the finest new stuff, their debut album Songs For The Stunned is so good and beautiful. This song always makes me feel happy no matter how bad my day gets to be sometimes. It just makes my heart warm up, so-to-speak.  

8: A song that you never get tired of

Talk To Me by Stevie Nicks 

It never gets old 

9: A song that you would 😍 played at your wedding

I don’t know if I’ll get married, but if I ever do, I would like to slow dance to If You Were The Woman And I Was The Man By Cowboy Junkies. When I fall in love, I act a lot like the lyrics in this one, like, being quite romantic and just wearing my heart in my sleeve I suppose. 

10: A song that is a cover by another artist

Chelse Hotel No. 2 by Lana Del Rey 

I know this is from the great and all around amazing Leonard Cohen, and I also know a lot of people don’t like Lana, but as many of you know, I’m a huge fan of hers, and I love both versions, but I think Lana did a great job when she covered this. 

11: A song that would sing a duet with on karaoke

Interlude by Morrissey and Siouxsie Sioux. 

I love this song, as I likely remember it is also a cover. It has a very special place in my heart, sometimes I listen to it when I’m about to sleep. 

12: A song that makes you think about life

Autobahn 66 by Primal Scream 

I always feel like life is such a mysterious thing whenever I listen to this. Plus, I’m such a daydreamer it’s hard not to relate. Sometimes I listen to a song and I’ll think to myself “this is life”. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it happens to me a lot. Another example is when I listen to a song and I’ll go “this sound like (insert here name of a person), it just sounds like their essence”. Anyway, got to deep in this answer hahaha.  

13: A favorite song with a person’s name in the title

Believe Me Natalie by The Killers. 

I think this is an underrated song, when Hot Fuss came out, everyone just stuck with Mr. Brightside and trust me, The Killers are waaay more than just Mr Brightside. The last 44 seconds of the song are everything.

14: A song that you think everybody should listen to

Lion’s Den by Marching Church

I know I am saying this a lot, but fuck man I love this song sooo much. So fucking much. It just puts me in a trance I swear. 

15: A song by a band you wish were still together

Oh Baby by Siouxsie & The Banshees 

16: A song by an artist no longer living

Waiting For That Day by George Michael. 

17: A song that makes you want to fall 😍

I am terribly in love at the moment, and the song that has seen me lose my shit to this current boy is Some Days by Mrch. 

18: A song that breaks your ❤️

Another No One by Suede. I have a playlist I made full of songs that make me cry, you know, for the sad days. This one gets me everytime. 

19: A song that you remember from your childhood

Fly, Robin, Fly by Silver Convention

My parents used to play this a lot when I was like 4 or 5, I remember running around our apartment, playing with my toys, as my mum was doing household chores. 

20: A song that reminds you of yourself

Duchess by Suede 

Not to sound cocky at all, if you listen to the lyrics you’ll see why. I’ve always thought I sort of come from the same world Brett Anderson has written about, I relate to his words so much. So, ever since I became a Suedehead xD I noticed I was like this character Brett describes a lot, the lonely, sensitive girl who dreams a lot. 

I now tag @blue-disorder @iariotact @new-brat-in-town @psycho-rats if you want to do it, if not it’s totally ok. Love you all, thank you for reading 

[bubblesthemonsterartist]

How about "I'm not stalking you, exactly. It's just that you accidentally put my notebook in your bag and I'm waiting for a good moment to steal it back before you see the doodles/writing of you I did in it" Obiyuki AU?

Obi jerks his pen from napkin just in time to avoid gouging it through when Torou jostles him, nosing her way over his shoulder.

“Whacha doin there, buddy?”

He sighs, eyes towards the ceiling for guidance, but of course she isn’t looking. She’s snatching the doodle up and holding it towards a better spot of light.

“Oooh,” Torou gushes, looking down the bar at an elderly woman with a tight perm and thick makeup. She’s paying neither one of them mind, her attention glued to the TV monitor up on the wall. “He’s doing a really nice one for you, Josie!”

Josie taps her cigarette against the ashtray without looking down. “I believe it. All his drawings are good.”

Obi plucks the napkin out of Torou’s hands, ears hot. She smacks her gum and grins at him. “Don’t you think he should try to sell his stuff at a first Saturday or something?”

“I tell him that every day.” In his head, Obi groans. “Keeps telling me he needs to practice but he doesn’t have the time.”

“I don’t,” he claps back, coming over and sliding the napkin across the bar. “And paints are expensive. And toxic. And may I remind you both that I have a two year old.”

Josie finally looks down from the screen. “You should get rid of those wrinkles,” she complains.

“Now why would I hide all that beauty?” Obi grins, leaning in.

Her eyes flicker up to his. “Flatterer,” she admonishes, but he knows if her make up was any lighter, he’d be able to see a blush. She taps one cherry red nail against the edge of the napkin. “I should really ask you to draw my granddaughter one day.”

Obi grins. “Bring me a picture. I’d be glad to.”

“Why don’t I introduce the two of you instead?”

His face falls. “I’m sure she has a lot to do. Too busy for my schedule.”

Josie reaches across the way, giving his hand one solid pat. “You’re a good kid, Obi. When are you going to find yourself a nice girl to take care of you?”

Obi clears his throat. “Ah, well, you know-”

“He has one!” Torou chimes in, and honestly- death would be a mercy. “Sorta.”

Invisible eyebrows reach towards the ceiling, and Josie gives him a look. “Sorta?”

“We’re not- she’s not my girlfriend,” he sputters. “She’s my neighbor and she watches Aki a lot and-”

“And she spent Christmas with him!” Torou adds, oh so helpful.

“Oh my,” Josie lifts her drink, smacking her lips. “In my day, that was some serious business, son.”

Obi waves his hands, sweat prickling his temples. “Oh no. Things are different now. There’s nothing-“

“You should draw something for her,” she interrupts, gesturing with her drink. “Then make a copy of it so we can see her. I want to know if she’s fine enough for you.”

“She’s very pretty,” Torou confirms.

His head snaps towards her. “You haven’t even seen her!”

“Have too!” Torou shrugs. “From across the street.”

“You were spying on us?”

Torou pouts. “You texted me to wait in the car. So I, with nothing better to do than watch the door, waited in the car. I honestly don’t see what the big deal is.”

“I don’t need you embarrassing me,” he grumbles.

“Me?” she gasps, palm pressed to chest. “When have I ever done such a thing?”

He glares at her. “Now doesn’t count?”

Her grin grows. “Josie started it. I am putting her worries to rest.”

“Just keep it wrapped up this time, will ya?” Josie comments, eyes back on the tube. “Don’t need a repeat of last time until you’re both ready.”

Obi feels his whole face go hot. “I’m going to go clean the back.”

Torou’s cackle follow him to the kitchen.

~ ~ ~

It’s that point between the dead of night and the crack of dawn when he comes home, the song of the earliest morning birds interrupted by the roar and scream of garbage trucks. 

He slowly cracks open the door, taking in the mess of toys littering the floor, the glow of the TV still stuck on cartoon network barely audible in the background, Yuki’s papers and books spread out across the couch, and then Yuki herself, passed out on his recliner. Her eyes are rimmed with deep bruises, jaw slack, and she doesn’t even twitch when he closes the door behind him.

The runt is drooling all over her chest.

A pinch of guilt twists his gut. Aki must have been a real gentleman after he left.

Grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch, he tip toes his way over the boobytraps left all over the floor, fanning it on top of both of them. Adjusting the cover so it goes all the way up to the neck, he runs his hand once over Aki’s warm scalp, brushing hair away from his face - the boy would need a haircut soon, definitely. He wrinkles his nose, itching it against Yuki’s shirt before settling once again.

Laughing softly, his eyes flicker up to share a secret smile with Yuki. She is still sleeping and her face - it is much closer than he originally thought.

He pulls away, squashing down the jolt of his heart before it could put down another root. It was dangerous, too dangerous, and she had her whole life and a career ahead of her, besides. 

Running his hand through his hair, he pulls out his phone and heads towards the bathroom. 9am should be early enough to wake her up so she can get to class on time.

“Obi?”

Her voice is so soft in the way it wraps around him and he comes up short, glancing back over his shoulder. Yuki’s eyes are still closed.

“Sorry,” he whispers. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I can take Aki now if you wanted to get up?”

A sleepy smile curves her lips. “No,” she shakes her head. “Leave him. I just wanted to make sure you made it home safe.”

He swallows hard.

“Aki made something for you.” Under the blanket, she gestures with her hand. “I think we left it in the kitchen.”

He glances across the way, to the kitchen table that is just as much of a mess as the rest of the apartment, scattered with broken crayons, one of his old sketchbooks, torn paper, and half empty cups.

In the middle of it all, on top of the crumpled pile, one only slightly mashed drawing of bright colors and random shapes lays, offering itself up like recently unearthed Pollock. Obi smiles, lifting it up, and glances back towards the recliner.

Yuki’s chest rises and falls in the slow, steady rhythm of those lost to sleep, lips parted and hair fanned over his chair like a sunset. The first rays of morning light slip through the blinds, washing them both in gold.

His fingers itch.

He looks back at Aki’s drawing.

~~~

“Oh my God. Aki, no!”

Obi jerks awake just as a blur of blanket stumbles off of the recliner, barely missing sharp plastic toys it crashes to the ground.

It takes him a minute, crusty eyes blinking into the bright sunlight, but the blanket is on the move, crawling across the floor towards a screaming banshee accompanied by devilish songs with an incessant upbeat tune playing behind it.

Wait, what?

“Let me have that,” the blanket says, prying something from the banshee’s clutches and just that alone is enough to snap him awake.

Oh no. Oh noooo.

“How bad is it?” he croaks, unwinding his legs out from other him.

Yuki’s kneeling, head bowed and hair covering her face. Aki is trying to slip the phone back out of her grasp and she lets out a great and mighty sigh of defeat. “It’s locked for the next 523 years.”

Obi groans, head thudding against the cushion. He rubs his face. “Another trip to the Apple Store. Joy.”

She sighs, standing up, and hands him the phone. “Sorry about the mess. I tried everything last night to get him to settle and–”

Obi takes it from her, blanching when he sees the screen. He checks the wall clock to confirm. “Yuki,” he breathes. “Don’t you have to be in class in 30 minutes?”

He looks up at her just in time to see the blood drain from her face. She snatches the phone back and stares at the screen. “Oh. Oh no.” She looks at her papers scattered all over the couch. “Oh no, I have a test today!”

He’s up, gathering her papers and books. “Go change!” he says, tapping everything into neat piles. “Do you need a ride? Wait. No. Shit. My car is still in the shop. Should I call an Uber?”

She’s already halfway to the door. “Not if I am out the door in the next seven minutes.”

She must set some sort of record for quick change, because when he sees her next, she’s charging down the hall from her apartment with a freshly scrubbed face, clean clothes, and her hair up in a messy bun. He holds up her backpack and she finishes shrugging her jacket on.

“Thanks,” she breathes, taking it and sailing past him. “I’ll see you later.”

“Good luck!” he calls behind her, the door slamming in her wake.

~ ~ ~

It’s five minutes after she leaves that he finds his graphite pencils between the seat cushion.

Ten minutes before he realizes that his sketchbook is nowhere to be found.

And thirty minutes before he collapses on the floor of his living room, face planted into the couch cushions. 

“Fuck me.”

~ ~ ~

The knock on the door comes earlier than expected.

Obi’s hands freeze in soapy water, heart and breath caught in his throat. 

When the knock comes again, Aki turns from his toys. “Dada,” he points Foxy towards the sound. “Dada, door.”

Obi swallows with a hard thunk. “Thanks, buddy,” he says, toweling off his wet hands.

He crosses the room like a man heading towards his death sentence, takes a breath, and throws open the door.

Shirayuki’s face is flushed red, hands tucked behind her back. Green peeks up at him underneath a fan of long, orange lashes, and-

Ah, fuck.

“Hi.”

She shifts, and even the tip of her nose is red. “Hi.”

“How did the exam go? Did you make it on time?”

She nods once, sharp. “Oh, um, yea. There were two or three questions that I wasn’t sure about, but, um…”

Her voice trails off to silence. Obi decides to get it over with.

“I accidentally packed my sketchbook in your bag.”

Yuki’s blush is so deep that it’s almost purple.

“Look, I’m sorry,” Obi blurts. “I used to draw in highschool and I still do sometimes. It gets me extra tips at the bar, but one of my regulars was telling me that I should draw more and I didn’t mean to make anything weird or make you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that I came home and you and Aki were asleep and the light was perfect and-”

She holds up one hand, a startled laugh wheezing out of her. “No, no,” she shakes her head. “I should have stopped looking when I realized it was your sketchbook!”

“Don’t apologize,” he breathes. “It was my fault and if you feel like I’ve betrayed your trust or something-”

Shirayuki’s eyes go wide. “Oh, Obi, no!” she says, pulling her other arm out from around her back and- there it was. The yellow covered pad that he spent the better part of his day hoping that he put on a high shelf somewhere. “It was nice. I liked them.”

Obi’s eyes snap from the pad to her face. “Really?”

“I don’t really do art, but you’re really good,” she professes, and then- she wrinkles her nose. “Although… my ears don’t look like that.”

Obi laughs, a tense sharp bark of sound. “Ears are hard,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Can I have it?”

His face turns hot, disbelieving. “I, um- Do you want it?”

“Mm!” She nods emphatically, although her smile is sly. “Is there an artist fee? I feel like I should pay you.”

“I do it for the exposure,” he jokes weakly.

Shirayuki laughs, a clear bright sound, and oh- this could have gone terribly. He’s so glad it hasn’t. “You should be paid for your work, Obi.”

His heart squeezes. “Do you have any idea of what I should charge?”

She taps her finger on her chin, lips pursed like she does when she is pouring over one of her textbooks. “I can think of something,” she says, eyes tilting shyly. “I’m just not sure if you would like it.”

As if anything she could give him would be less than perfect. “Try me.”

She swallows, drawing her lower lip between her teeth. “Okay,” she laughs aarily, looking down the hall one way, then another. “Come here.”

Obi frowns, taking one step into the hall, keeping his foot between the door jam. “Here?”

“No, um, I mean yes,” she brushes her hair behind her ear. “But I need you to lean down.”

He does as she asks, lashes fluttering and nerves closing off his throat. “Here?”

Her lips twitch, free hand coming up to lace through his hair and pull him down farther.

“Here,” she breathes, closing the space between them.

The touch of her mouth against his is soft, charged with the pop of static and they jump back, startled. Her eyes are wide honestly- she looks more surprised than him, and then they soften, leaning back in.

This time, electricity doesn’t snap between them. This time his eyes fall shut when her mouth falls upon his, breath pouring out of his lungs in one long rush. Her lips are soft. And sweet. And lemon flavored. They shoot sparks down his spine, through his blood, and he tilts his head, fingers alighting upon her cheek.

She hums against his mouth and he can’t help but smile against hers.

Josie was going to be intolerable.

She pulls back, nails dragging against his scalp before smoothing down his hair. “Do you think that was fair payment?” she asks quietly, her eyes searching his.

Obi swallows, his throat dry. “I think I may double my fee.”

Shirayuki smiles and it is so beautiful. “You drive a hard bargain.”

“I learned from the best.”

She pulls him back down.