#adding hats to the list of things i need to study yep

[ftcatv]

drawing is such an ungrateful process, you sketch something and you're like omg omg i can draw it happened and then you start refining shit and it looks worse and worse and you want to give up

but you DON'T anyway, Piper

[thewritingstar]

Hi star,

Hi love. I’m sorry I made you cry with my angst. So because you are so nice, I’ll give you some fluff to fix the soul.

Fluffy greens because you deserve it 😘

—-

She had always thought her first kiss would be gross and clumsy....and it was. An awkward pressing of two lips from two people who knew nothing of what they were doing and definitely nothing about love.

But it was still good. She liked it. It was messy and kinda gross but she had a sense of pride when she gushed to her sisters that the boy of her dreams, Mitch of course, finally had the balls to kiss her at the age of fourteen.

Bubbles squeal was ear shattering and Blossom taped her mouth shut as she congratulated her on the experience. The red in her cheeks only died when she went to sleep.

She had thought she was doing it wrong but when she asked Mitch was he felt, the anwser was just as promising as her own.

“Good.” Simple. Short. They didn’t do romance or gushy stuff, they were fourteen and she had more bruises and scars than Bubbles had stickers....so many stickers.

She never believed the movies when the girl would gush about seeing stars and feeling light headed. The rainbows and fluffy bunnies didn’t come to mind with the press of a short kiss. Mitch was good. She was good.

And she was okay with that. And when they broke up a year later, it was fine. They weren’t weird about it, okay maybe the first month but the moment they went into high school, they had settled their differences if you can call it that and genuinely appreciated friendship more.

Throughout school she shared kisses three more times. One with a boy for four months and that was fine. Another with a guy during spin the bottle sophomore year and a behind the bleacher make out session with the best offense player on the other high school female basketball team, so it happened once but still nothing.

After four kisses from four different people she was now convinced that kissing just wasn’t her thing.

“Mm could be.” Blossom said she asked differently questions about the idea of kissing.

“It’s not like I don’t want to kiss anyone.” She rolled her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest. “It just doesn’t feel right.”

Bubbles braided her hair and patted her head. “Ya know sometimes you need the emotional connection for the spark. Not all relationships are based on physical attraction.” Of course the psychological point was being added but Buttercup listened and nodded.

“Maybe.”

And she graduated high school with a few more kisses here and there, mostly from party games and dates but the tingling feeling maybe was just from her being drunk as a minor or that she needed to pee.

In any case she didn’t despise kissing, she just, she didn’t know. In fact the only time kissing had ever been of any excitement was when she blew that RowdyRuff boy up and out of the sky before he returned and beat the living daylights out of her, just for a simple peak.

It felt weird to think about that. They had returned back in town during high school and hadn’t had much connection, other than him bothering her every fucking day in four of her classes.

They were buddies, besties, bffs as Bubbles would sing and she had never thought of him in any way other than that, at least not out loud.

“So we finally graduated.” He huffed as they sat on the roof top of the school. Everyone was getting ready for the graduation party of the century at Princess place and of course she was only invited because Bubbles had taken a liking to her....they were cute she couldn’t lie.

“Not surprised I did.” She said as she popped open a soda can. His shoulder pushed on hers.

“Fuck off.” He slightly laughed and it softened as the sun began to set.

“So college now.” She hummed and she was kinda dreading this. She was excited for the next chapter. She wanted to study sport medicine every since sophomore year and with a full ride on her basketball talents, it was becoming clearer everyday.

“Yep.” He popped the ‘P’.

“Have you decided which school?” She toyed with her shoe lace. He had three options, one was at her school and deep down she hopes he would pick that. College with the best freind? Yes please.

“Mostly leaning towards the one in Oregon, it’s full ride which is great for my part but the other ones are only half.”

Oh.

“Well that sucks.” She picked at the cement and took a sip of her drink.

“Well we still have summer to get all the shenanigans of the greens out of our system.” She laughed at this as she thought of the extend list of things they had planned and it some how made it sad.

Buttercup finished her soda before setting the empty can on the ground. “You know what’s stupid?” She asked and their shoulders were touching.

“Enlighten me.” He cooed and she shot him a glare.

“We nearly dated or talked to every single athlete in this school.”

“Yeah but we are both hotties with fine asses so I don’t see who wouldn’t want a piece.”

“Right.” Her voice trailed off. What was she doing? She could sense it in her stomach. That gut feeling tightening as she knew she wanted to do something bad. She got this way when she would steal a cookie from the jar or break one of Bubbles crayons.

Guilt? Not really. Sadness? A little.

“Well we never dated each other.” He had finished her thought and she shuttered.

Most people chimed in saying it was like they were already married. If Brick and Blossom were the old married couple and Princsss and Bubbles were the love sick fools while Boomer and Mitch were honeymoon babes then what were they?

Had he thought about them together? Did he sit on his bed awake in the night with sudden random flashes of them together? Them on dates and whispering things into her ears? No he couldn’t have right?

“Guess we haven’t.” She said and they sat staring at the sunset. Orange and pink mixing to yellow, pretty.

“Do you want too? Just to say we did?” He asked and she was already turned towards him and his eyes matched hers.

“Why the fuck not.” They both shrugged and it truly didn’t feel like a big deal.

“Aight.”

His hands pressed gently against her cheek. She had felt the blundering blow of them before and was a little surprise at how soft and delicate they were. She leaned into it and she watched as his eyes slightly narrowed. Almost like he was deep in thought.

His pupils were slightl wider and she was sure that hers were too. That warm sensation that rushed to her cheeks, blushing? Yeah that, she felt it in a flash and for a moment he looked at her in a way she had never felt anyone look her before.

The flashback of senior prom came when they jokingly shared a dance. It had turned slow at the last second and instead of turning away, he took her hand and swayed to the beat.

She had pressed her head against his chest, because her feet were killing her obviously but she listened as he softly sang the words to the song only so that she could hear.

The song was coming to an end and she had made the mistake of looking up at him because she saw the most beautiful shade of green she had ever seen. Quickly she had looked away b she wouldn’t forget the way he gazed upon her.

That look. The one where his eyes seemed brighter than normal was her favorite and it seemed like something was on the tip of his tongue. His cheeks were slightly puffed out with that small smile and the only time she had seen it was under the light of a shitty disco ball as he held her close and the idiots thought nothing of it.

But now she came back to now. Them sitting on a foot top, graduation robes and hats tossed behind them as the sunset was fading in the distant. The classic romance movie setting and she had been so blind to everything before.

“We are so stupid.” He whispered with a laugh as her lips parted and accepted his almost as of her life had depended on it.

It rivaled her other kisses. It wasn’t sloppy or messy, not strangely wet or gross. It felt...remarkable.

His lips fit to hers in a way no one hand before and she was desperate for more as she angled her head and kissed him deeper and more passionately.

Her arms went to his neck as she pulled him impossibly closer and she felt that turn of his lips into that wicked smirk she desperately loved.

Love. The sensation that makes you feel butterflies, maybe this was it.

And all those times she didn’t believe the movies and books, she needed to write an apology for all the times she doubt them.

The fireworks as his lips heated her skin. They sparkled a bright luminous green around them as if their powers blasted in the sky. The tender feeling that could only be described as a chocolate truffle melting on your tongue, weird but true.

He tasted like heaven and soda pop and she found herself hoping for the moment to never end.

He pulled away for air and she was left panting as she stared at him in a new light. Like one of those romance movies that show the halo glowing around the love of your life? Yeah she saw that oddly enough and by the enchanted look in his eye, he saw it too.

“We really are idiots.” She laughed for she was pulled into another kiss.

She owed Bubbles her savings. The emotional connection of pure trust. She never trusted someone like this and felt a connection on a deep level that ran through her veins. Everyone else was missing that spark. That dark green spark that shines brighter than a thousand suns.

She understood everything better. If everyone else was love sick puppies and star crossed lovers then they were the fools. The ones who didn’t see that the love they craved and dream of was always besides them, a pair of green eyes and a toothy grin.

“Well I think my college choice is made up.” He winked and she knew in her heart that the fireworks were just the beginning.

—-

I hope this mended your heart and was soft enough. 💕💕😊

[imtryingthisout]

Of Frogs and Friendship

[based on @nachosforfree Au @sanderssides-magicalgirlau check them out]

[Warnings: abuse, toxic relationship, unsympathetic Patton. Be careful]

It was hard not to love him.

Maybe that’s why it was so hard, because despite everything, Virgil just couldn't help but love him. The way Patton had looked at him, eyes so wide and vulnerable, tear laced whispers about how ‘you stayed’ and ‘I don't want to be a monster’. It was like they were kids again, and virgil had just hissed at some of the bigger boys who were picking on them. Calling Patton a crybaby, saying that he was too weak and girly. As if being feminine was something to be ashamed of, something lesser.

(Virgil knew better than that, even at six. His mom could drop kick any guy, any day, in any outfit. She was awesome like that.)

Patton didn't have many friends, was odd cause he was so happy and smiley all the time, but who was Virgil to judge. Not like he had many friends either. Or any friends really.

(No Andy didn't count, he was a baby)

Patton seemed so amazed, looking at Virgil with stars in his eyes, like he was a hero. So Virgil didn’t exactly offer his friendship (stammering and clamming up after the initial adrenaline rush faded) but he didn’t turn Pat away when he started to eat lunch with him. And when Patton wanted to hang out after school he didn’t say no.

So two lonely boys became friends, and they were happy.

Later they added a golden eyed (seemingly) girl into their fold. Miss “Call me Dee” Lyr was a wonderful oddity, who favored short hair and bowler hats, loved courtroom dramas and had a special knack for arguing with Teachers. Especially Mr. Yanez who taught Social studies.

She would constantly interrupt class, hopping on a soapbox and go off on tangents about the nature of society, governmental lies and propaganda. No manner of punishment seem to deter her, any reprimand seemed to just fuel her rants further. And while Mr. Yanez tried desperately to find some way to deter her- Virgil just thought he didn't like seeming dumber than a little girl. He was right.

“Sir, did you know that if a frog was suddenly put in a pot of boiling water it would try to leap out. But if you put a frog in a pot of tepid water and then slowly start to boil it, the frog wouldn’t notice and be slowly boiled to death. Imagine thinking you’re taking a nice relaxing bath, never knowing your inaction is sealing your fate. So while you and others lay comfy in your tubs, unaware that your rights are slowly being eroded away by those in power.”

“Miss Lyr will you please sit down. We are going over European Geography- what are you even talking about?”

(Falling in love with Patton was so easy Virgil didn't even notice it. Didn't notice the water rising and rising all around him. It was just felt so natural to have him around.)

Talking with Patton sometimes made Virgil’s head feel like it was under water. His words drowned out all the other noises in the world, till he was lost in a sea of static and siren song. It didn’t happen a lot, never at first, but by the time Virgil was nine he had periods of just.. blacking out.

(“Do you think I made him this way with evil intent? No! It started with me making him feel happy when he was sad! Me pulling him out of panic attacks! It started with me making him forget bad things-)

(The temperature was changing, ever so slowly, yet the frog remained oblivious-)

(“It just got worse and worse and worse-”)

He never told his Mom about the blackouts, he had meant to- he was sure he had meant to- but he just.. Forgot. He suspected she found out anyway. Taking him to the doctor and doing all manner of checkups and screenings that young Virgil didn’t have the vocabulary to describe.

In the end he got a temporary medication that did nothing to help, and a slightly clingy Patton to deal with.

Nothing he couldn’t handle.

(The trick is to have patience, heat the water up too quickly and the Frog jumps out. Go slowly enough- kindly enough- and he’ll gladly let you burn him to the ground. He might even thank you for it)

“You know Verge, you would look really cute in purple”

“You really think so pat?”

“Ooh we should get matching bracelets- so everyone will know we’re best friends!”

“That sounds like a good idea pat”

“Hey Virgil what if your costume had a ribbon around your neck?”

“Really- like a bow and everything?”

“Yep! Wouldn’t that just be so pretty?”

“If you say so pat”

“Come on, just try it?”

“Of course pat. You’d know I’d do anything for you”

The first time Patton hit him Virgil blamed stress. Stress and trauma. Patton was just lashing out- he didn’t know any better. He just needed to get it out of his system and he’d be fine. Virgil was strong, Virgil could take it. He later held Virgil and apologized, begging him to stay, promising to do better. And Virgil looked into his teary eyes and couldn’t help but still love him.

(Virgil had a vague awareness that Patton wanted more from him. Wanted things that Virgil couldn’t give him. Patton was his best friend- his brother- and he didn’t want to kiss his brother on the mouth. Didn’t want to hold his hand in anything but a platonic fashion. (Virgil didn’t even know if he liked anyone like that, but he most certainly knew he didn’t want Patton like that). But Virgil was unaware of Patton pushing his boundaries, clinging to him more, getting more and more touchy-feely till it was hard for the others to tell if they were flirting or not. (Patton was, Virgil definitely wasn’t).

What was it Dee said about frogs and water? )

The second time Patton hit him Virgil blamed his friends. Things were going fine, Patton was listing to him- waning off some of his more.. extreme schemes. But something had happened, some plans had fallen through due to their involvement, and Patton didn’t even know it was Virgil who grabbed his shoulder, wanting to offer comfort. He just lashed out blindly- striking Virgil in the eye.

(Some days Virgil couldn’t get out of bed. Too overwhelmed, yet too drained to force himself up.

He’d stopped talking after a while, none of his other ‘housemates’ wanted anything to do with him, and he’d just repeat back what Patton wanted to hear on the occasion that he did want to talk. To be honest Virgil couldn’t tell if he was speaking in his own voice.

So he laid there, quietly hoping everything was just one long horrible dream.)

Patton loved touching his neck, playing with his hair. Sometimes when he thought virgil was asleep he would trace along the bruises blooming on his throat- feather light touches as he would whisper sweet poisoned nothings into his ear.

(Some days it felt as though Virgil was empty inside. Just a hollow husk shambaling around in the vague approximation of how a normal human function. He stopped having blackouts, but his memory worsened. The world around him seems grey and hopeless without Patton. The only clear memories were the ones with him in it.)

Virgil eventually stopped counting the strikes. Stopped blaming anyone but himself, it was his fault he knew, no point trying to deny it. Even in his own mind. He just wished he knew what to do to fix himself- what to do to make Pat happy again. Maybe he should just---

(It was like he was in a tub of lukewarm water, but instead of getting hotter. It just got colder and colder, till his hands and feet where blue and shivering. Till the piercing white numbness grew in his chest like a tumor. Hypothermia seeping into his bones. The water was freezing over and Virgil was drowning in blue. But he was too tired to get up. Too numb to fight it. He was the frog and it was hibernation. So he

just

gave

in )

[strangerfictions]

Post It Notes

Summary: You work in a coffee shop and a new guy starts. You work different shifts so you communicate through Post It Notes

Warnings: Language? Implied smut and alcohol consumption. 

Words: 1788

A/N: So I was inspired by a prompt I found on pinterest ages ago and so this came to life. I really enjoyed this one although I’m not fully happy with it. If anyone would like to be added to my tag list message me and I will add you to the list! Also if you have any requests PLEASE send me an ask !

The minute the coffee shop opened its doors in Hawkins you knew you had to apply for a job there. You were in your second last year of high school and so you needed to start saving for college and this was the perfect opportunity for you. Not only was it ten minutes away from your house, it would be easy to balance with school. You were so happy when you got the job. You meet so many strange and wonderful people from around Hawkins just by making coffee for them.

It’s been about a year since you started, and you have seen many people come and go. Today was no different. Thomas was nice to work with but you knew he had things going on at home and so he was moving out of Hawkins. You felt bad for him but you always knew that he wouldn’t last very long. You would have to manage for a few weeks until the your boss hired someone and trained them.

Over the next few weeks things went by pretty smoothly. You had only had a few customers who were a problem but they were dealt with easily. Friday evening, your last day before your weekend off, your boss told you they had hired someone.  A new rota had been drawn up and you were on weekdays and he was doing weekends.

You are closing up and you decide to leave a little good luck note and a warning about how the taps spit more than some rude customers. You write the message on a post it note and stick it to the coffee machine.

Your weekend consists of studying for your English pop quiz on Monday, so you don’t even think about work until Monday after school. You walk to the coffee shop after school hoping the new kid hasn’t burned the entire shop down. Once you are inside you notice everything looks okay. He survived induction weekend. You look over at the coffee machine and see a new post it stuck to the side.

You go to the backroom and change into your apron and head out to take over from your boss. Since boss is finishing up making a coffee, you take the opportunity to read the post it note.

“Thanks for the luck it seems to have worked because I’m somehow alive…also that coffee machine spits like a b*tch” You giggle at the fact that he has censored himself.

“He’s surprisingly better at making coffee than I expected” Your boss says from behind you.

“Good because we have had our fair share of bad coffee makers” You joke laughing at your boss’s reaction.

The next two weeks pass by without trouble. You and the new guy exchange notes every week. Each week they get longer and longer. You both are now using three post it notes to communicate. You might as well be writing letters to each other. It’s a bit weird considering you have never met this person, but you feel like you know them in a weird way.

It’s the week before Halloween and your boss has told you will be working every day for the next few months until after Christmas. It’s a busy time for the coffee shop so he needs both me and the new guy working. Finally, you’re going to meet this guy. You knew you could have gone into the café during weekends but that would spoil the fun.

Monday comes faster than you expected but as soon as school is finished you walk to the coffee shop. You begin to feel nervous because meeting a new co-worker can be nerve wracking especially when you’ve been communicating through post it notes for weeks. As you are tying your apron you hear the door to the back room open and you turn to see who it is. Steve Harrington.

Steve was in a few of your classes, but you never really talked to him much. You knew he had a bit of a reputation before the new kid Billy took over as popular kid so you never really had the opportunity to talk. Although after his breakup with Nancy he kind of sticks to himself.

“Y/N? No way I’m so glad it’s been you I’ve been talking to because I don’t think I could take the pain of it being some old guy!” Steve says quickly throwing his bag and coat on a hook.

“Hey Steve! Likewise. Glad to see the coffee machine hasn’t taken you alive since the last time I wrote!” You joke as you fumble with your apron.

“I think we will work well together!” He says smiling as he ties his apron.

You both walk out together and the day flies by.

Its two days before Halloween break and you and Steve have been left to clean the shop after closing and lock up. You usually dread this but not tonight. You and Steve are getting along really well. Both of you know each other better than you ever considered possible and because of this work was made so much easier.

“So, any plans for Halloween Steve?” You ask as you clean the coffee machine.

“Not really. My parents are out of town for the week so its just me, a large bowl of popcorn and some movies” Steve confessed as he cleaned some tables near you.

“Oh really? I’m probably the same. Although I was invited to that party everyone is talking about in school if you want to go with me? No pressure though” You say hoping he does say yes though.

Tina's Halloween party was the place to be and you were always in the mood for a party. Especially after the stress of school recently.

Over the past few weeks you have grown really close to Steve and along with hat came a massive crush. You weren’t planning on doing anything about it except shove it deep down where no one would find out about it but here you were asking Steve to a party much to both of your surprise.

“Oh yeah? I mean I don’t have a costume or anything, but I would love to go” Steve says looking up at you and smiling.

“Oh great! Don’t worry about the costume. I don’t have one either!” You smile back and get back to cleaning the coffee machine.

The day of the Halloween party comes quicker than you thought it would. You had spent the past two days working and studying so you didn’t have much time to think about it but now that it was here you were feeling a little nervous.

You hadn’t really thought about what to wear so you just grabbed a simple black dress to wear with a pair of black Doc Martens to go with it. You were just about finished when you heard your doorbell go. Thankfully your parents were out for the night, so you didn’t have to worry about that awkward encounter. You run down the stairs to answer the door. Stopping just at the door you hype yourself up for the night, giving yourself a little pep talk.

You open the door quickly.

“Hey Steve!” You beam at him taking in his appearance. He is wearing a black button up shirt, not buttoned all the way, with some blue jeans. You liked it. It was spooky but not too spooky.

“You look amazing Y/N” Steve says smiling at you.

“Thanks Steve! So do you. Come on in I’m just going to grab my jacket and stuff and we can go!” You shout as you run up the stairs. You run into your room and grab the things you need and run downstairs. When you go downstairs you see Steve looking at a family photo.

“Ready?” You ask watching him as he stands up straight looking over at you.

“You were cute when you were younger!” Steve says flustered.

“And I’m not now?” You ask jokingly.

“Haha very funny! You know the answer to that” He says sarcastically walking towards you.

“Do I? I don’t think I do. Think I need you to answer that one for me” You tease.

He walks to where you’re standing and stops in front of you.

“Oh, do you now? Maybe this will answer it for you” Steve begins to slowly lean into you but you can’t wait, so you smash your lips against his taking him by surprise. You both kiss each other slowly until you have to pull back for air.

“Yep that answers it” You laugh grabbing his hand and pulling him out the door.

Steve acts like a true gentleman opening the door for you and closing it behind you. He hops into the driver seat and looks at you, taking in your appearance.

“Like what you see?” You ask smirking at him.

“No, I’m just waiting for you to put on your seat belt” He says turning his head back to the road as he starts the car

“Dick” You laugh.

The rest of the ride was full of flirting and deep conversations. By the time you get to the party you are feeling less nervous. Both you and Steve walk into the party holding hands which draws everyone’s eyes to you both but neither of you care. Steve pulls you towards the kitchen to get a drink.

You both go to grab the vodka bottle at the same time which makes you both laugh.

“I guess we both have good taste in alcohol” You say laughing. You pour both two shots for you both and pass Steve his.

“To a good night” You raise the shot glass up and clink it with Steve’s. His face is full of surprise as you take the shot.

“To a good night!” He repeats as he too takes the shot.

You grab his hand and pull him to were everyone is dancing. You both dance until you are sweaty messes but you both don’t care.

Steve looks at you with intent in his eyes. He grabs your hand and pulls you into him. His lips meet yours and you both begin to kiss passionately. The kiss begins to deepen and within seconds you are full on making out in the middle of a party.

You break the kiss first with only one thing on your mind.

“Lets go back to mine. I have an empty house” You whisper in his ear and pull him towards the front door.

The next morning you wake up to an empty bed but on your pillow you find a post it note.

“Had a great night last night. Look forward to a lot more like that. Call me! – Steve”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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an-antisocial-writer

[theonyxpath]

The Deviant: The Renegades Kickstarter launched last Thursday and we would have loved it to fund in 24 hours, but it was actually closer to 25. Possibly every backer was pranking us, but in the end it’s cool- we did fund, we’re gonna get this newest Chronicles of Darkness game into retail stores, and we’re moving into building additional books with the Stretch Goals!

So basically, the Deviant KS is doing great! Come join us!

Links for the Deviant: The Renegades and the Creature Collection for Scarred Lands 5e Kickstarters are below in the Blurbs! section.

We have had some folks, who I’m guessing have not backed any of our last few KSs, write to tell us that they’re taken aback by the listed international shipping costs. Yep, we are as miffed at those costs as you, and as I posted here a month or so back, we have chosen to go ahead and still ship internationally and post the costs, rather than stop shipping internationally as quite a few of our fellow TTRPG publishing have chosen for their KSs.

I figure it’s better to let prospective international backers know the cost upfront so they can make the informed choice that makes the most sense to them.

Usually when I explain this, I also let folks know that behind the scenes we have tried and are continuing to explore alternative shipping options. With Deviant‘s KS, we are still using our previous methodology, but with the concurrently running Creature Collection for Scarred Lands 5e Kickstarter (also doing nicely, thank you!) you can see one of the options we’re exploring.

In CC’s case, we’re working with Handiworks Games not just on the art and writing and design and Kickstarter for the book, but also with printers and fulfillment based in the EU. We’ll have a bunch of books sent over to the US for those backers, and then we hope that costs to ship from the EU for our international backers will be more reasonable.

Like I say, it’s an experiment that we think will work in a good way, but that’s never a guarantee in the rapidly shifting cost-structures of international shipping. And we’ll have to see if it is repeatable for other projects, too.

VtR2 Spilled Blood art by Michele Giorgi

But enough about Kickstarter, let’s talk about me.

Well, pretty much about how I spent my weekend, but it will circle back around to general topics about our hobby.

Have you ever had one of those time-frames where it seems that everybody you haven’t been able to get together with all want to hang out at essentially the same time? Well, that’s what happened to me, and for a twenty-four hour period I had three get-togethers (one was virtual) with old gaming buddies.

The first was an invitation from two high-school friends for dinner on Friday night which of course turned into talking about how my one buddy Johnny, aka Shithead the Dwarf, and I first met during our first D&D games as sophomores in HS. That’s the gaming club where when we started, we had the first four little D&D booklets and were waiting for the fifth booklet, Blackmoor, to be released.

It just so happened that my English class (that’s what we called Language Arts then, kids) had assigned me a journal to write, and in it I chronicled those first D&D adventures, so even now through the mists of time I can read all about how we’d stir through piles of mud with 10′ poles, and get attacked by 11 Stirges, and lose our Cleric to being swallowed by a Giant Frog.

The first few months we played with our very first DM, Robert, but then he had to get ready to graduate, and both Johnny and I stepped up as DMs. Johnny continued to run and play games until he graduated, and I did same but returned to our HS to run games for a couple of years since my art college wasn’t that far away.

When Johnny came home for break, and later when he was on leave from the Navy, there was always a seat at our gaming table for him, and some of his “temp” characters lived on as famous NPCs. Which was easier because my setting, my D&D “world”, has been the same since I first stepped up to DM as a sophomore.

(I share all this about my friend both for context and because I’ve known this guy for over 40 freaking years and that amount of time boggles my mind.)

And we weren’t the only players who ran games too, most of our players did both – which makes me wonder what we could have done with Community Content sites for all of our many worlds? Getting into Dragon Magazine was some folk’s goals, but if we could have published our stuff? Wow!

Of course, we probably would have needed the internet to make it happen, and we were just getting desk-top computers at that time!

BTW I just listened to the recording of our “What’s Up With Onyx Path Community Content?” panel from Gen Con on the Onyx Pathcast from last Friday, so Community Content might be on my mind. It’s a good panel if you’re interested in exploring publishing your own material for our games, so check it out on Podbean or your favorite podcast venue.

Dark Eras 2 art by Alex Sheikman

Then, Saturday all day was board games with the old gaming crew from both HS and the college years: Elmer the Troll, Thock the four-armed well, Thock, D’Gr’Gr the Duergar, and Ish, the gender-neutral Deep Gnome jester.

Obviously, those are their character names (from one campaign I ran), but in real life they are old friends and we’ve tried to get together once a quarter to play games, or go to the movies, or whatever, and this was one of those occasions.

We played Terraforming Mars and Blackbeard, and had a fun time learning the former while grinding our teeth trying to figure out what the hell the rules were so desperately trying to say with Blackbeard. Granted, it was an old Avalon Hill game, but seriously, these things were contradictory in the same paragraph.

This is one of the reasons I take the errata phase of our Onyx Path games seriously – can the audience understand and implement your text in the way you intended when publishing it? It’s sometimes hard to tell until you get it in front of that audience, so that phase for us gives us that feedback.

Then Saturday night, after our guests left, I raced upstairs to join our ongoing D&D 5e game on Roll20. It had been quite a while since we could get our schedules to line up (and of course it had to be this self-same day), and we were shifting from Justin running it to Oscar. So big change, although they had decided to keep our current characters and storyline with Oscar stepping in to add to our ongoing saga, and Justin could join in as a player.

So I had to play if I could swing it timing-wise. Turns out I could, and did, and a good time was had by all. What’s really interesting is the contrast as I look at the playing experience Johnny and I were reminiscing about, and the one I had on Saturday night.

Still playing D&D (from 1e to 5e!), but there’s our group doing collaborative world building as DMs. Not done by me and my HS friends in those early days; everybody was more about presenting THEIR world, that melange of influences and tropes that they wanted everyone to play in. The chance to tell the stories they wanted to tell. In a way, it was very personal, and it was how we all expected was just how it was done.

I do think part of opening up how and why we create and run our settings is the ensuing decades of game design that have experimented with more innovative ways to play. Not all the avenues that have been explored have worked long-term, but the accumulation of trying different things has enriched our hobby overall.

And, of course, there’s the huge difference that we played on Roll20. We had players on the West Coast US and on the East Coast, and we’ve had players coming in from London, places in Canada, the EU, and Micronesia previously. Being able to pull your group together from all over the world is such a boon when I remember worrying if all of our group would make it just from all over Philadelphia for our weekly session.

What I’m saying with these comparisons, is it’s a great time to be a table-top RPGamer!

DR:E Jumpstart art by Sam Denmark

Final thing about me – I’m going to do Inktober again this year. That’s the challenge to do one drawing in ink every day for the entire month. Any kind of ink. Last year I depicted characters that were all from the MithraukoQuest storyline of my old game world. This time around I’ll be doing characters and creatures that are part of the world, and from different gaming groups’ adventures, that weren’t part of the years the players fought against Count Mithrauko – so look out for my drawrings on social media.

All this, all these years of playing, and the years of reading genre fiction and comic books, the years of TV and movies, of studying fine art and graphics, all go together so I can decide what games we’re publishing, and what seems like it’ll play well at the table, be characterful and immersive, will look really cool, and have visual hooks like page layout and symbols – all of it comes to together and powers up my ability to make sure you have:

Many Worlds, One Path!

BLURBS!

Kickstarter!

Our Creature Collection Kickstarter for Scarred Lands 5e is skittering on creepy-crawly legs towards the next Stretch Goal to add more monsters – that the backers vote on – to the book! The first group of creatures to be added by backer voting are:

Flay Beast

Fleshcrawler

Gray Lancer

Hellfire Bloodshark

Iron Tusker

Love-Scorned Soul

Mist Murderer

Night Tyrant

This book was designed with amazing art by our friends at Handiwork Games, and they’re running the Kickstarter for us on our brand-new Onyx Path Kickstarter page! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339646881/scarred-lands-creature-collection-for-5th-edition-rpg

And, we’re running this Kickstarter, too!

The Deviant: The Renegades Kickstarter launched last Thursday and we funded in just a tad over 24 hours and are vengefully slamming through Stretch Goals now! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/deviant-the-renegades-a-tabletop-roleplaying-game

Onyx Path Media!

This Friday’s Onyx Pathcast features an interview with Red Moon Rising, one of our favorite actual play groups! Go to https://onyxpathcast.podbean.com/ or to your favorite podcast venue!

This week should be the last one where the Onyx Path News goes directly onto YouTube, as soon, Matthew will be streaming directly to Twitch! In this week’s news, Matthew discusses Deviant: The Renegades, Scarred Lands, Vengeance of the Shunned, freelance writer tips, and more! Check out this week’s news here: https://youtu.be/Zf-YB2drW54

Speaking of Twitch, please follow our channel if you haven’t already done so! Our schedule is filled with games including Vampire, Scarred Lands, TC: Aberrant, Pugmire, Scion, Mage: The Awakening, and Hunter: The Vigil, as well as videos on Storytelling advice! Visit www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath and give us a follow, and if you have an Amazon Prime membership and haven’t already subscribed to a Twitch channel for free using it, just type Amazon Prime Twitch into Google and please use it on our channel! The first season of our Scion story is coming to a close this weekend, so thank you to David for running it, and please check out any parts you missed on our YouTube channel

Look forward to October, because we’re going for a special Character Creation Month, where every Saturday we create characters for different games, including Scarred Lands, Deviant, Scion, and more! Remember to find us on Twitch!

Remember, if you miss any content on our Twitch channel, some of it finds its way to our YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/user/theonyxpath Don’t forget though, that some of that content is Twitch exclusive or belongs to the Storytellers running their games, so don’t miss out and remember to follow us!

The ENnie award winning Red Moon Roleplaying continue their actual play of The Sacrifice, from V5 Chicago by Night, with Klara Herbol as the Storyteller and Matthew Dawkins as a player! Please check them out on www.redmoonroleplaying.com

This week, the Story Told Podcast have created a Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition primer: http://thestorytold.libsyn.com/episode-36-geist-the-sin-eaters-2nd-edition-primer

And here’s the newest Occultists Anonymous content right here, for you Mage: The Awakening fans: Episode 45: Get Out Within the lair of the Seers, the cabal strikes while they still have an advantage. Mage-on-Mage combat! The most harrowing experience the cabal has had yet, threatening mind and body. https://youtu.be/kvTU3Wp8KEs

Episode 46: A Deal Is Struck The cabal recovers from battle and deals with the decision Wyrd made without consulting Songbird or Atratus. Emotions are ragged but there is still Mysteries residing in Lynnewood Hall.https://youtu.be/o5HR_Oj3cjk

If you’ve not been keeping up with our TC: Aberrant actual play, please do give it a look here on our YouTube channel! Collateral Damage is a superb way to introduce yourself to the Trinity Universe through an Aberrant lens: https://youtu.be/WFBBZrUZVkE

And here’s Paws & Claws, our Pugmire actual play! Lots of content for you to watch and interact with: https://youtu.be/ga7wb3ESdEA

It’s been a while since we last promoted them, but Devil’s Luck Gaming are embarking on Season 3 of their Scarred Lands pirates campaign. As one of the best actual play shows around, do yourself a favour and start watching from Season 3. You will not regret it: https://www.twitch.tv/DevilsLuckGaming

Drop Matthew a message via the contact button on matthewdawkins.com if you have actual plays, reviews, or game overviews you want us to profile on the blog!

Please check any of these out and let us know if you find or produce any actual plays of our games!

Electronic Gaming!

As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is live! Our dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is awesome! (Seriously, you need to roll 100 dice for Exalted? This app has you covered.)

On Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).

If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue from which you bought it. Reviews really, really help us get folks interested in our amazing fiction!

Our selection includes these fiction books:

Our Sales Partners!

We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there! https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire

We’ve added Prince’s Gambit to our Studio2 catalog: https://studio2publishing.com/products/prince-s-gambit-card-game

Now, we’ve added Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition products to Studio2‘s store! See them here: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products/changeling-the-lost

Scarred Lands (Pathfinder) books are also on sale at Studio2, and they have the 5e version, supplements, and dice as well!: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/scarred-lands

Scion 2e books and other products are available now at Studio2: https://studio2publishing.com/blogs/new-releases/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin-now-available-at-your-local-retailer-or-online

Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/

And you can order Pugmire, Monarchies of Mau, Cavaliers of Mars, and Changeling: The Lost 2e at the same link! And NOW Scion Origin and Scion Hero are available to order!

As always, you can find most of Onyx Path’s titles at DriveThruRPG.com!

On Sale This Week!

This Wednesday, we’re releasing the EX3 Dragon-Blooded Screen PDF and two more of our monthly Adversaries of the Righteous!

Conventions!

Save Against Fear: October 12th – 14th GameHoleCon: October 31st – November 3rd PAX Unplugged: December 6th – 8th 2020: Midwinter: January 9th – 12th

And now, the new project status updates!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY WEBB (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

Exalted Essay Collection (Exalted)

Dragon-Blooded Novella #2 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Exigents (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Many-Faced Strangers – Lunars Companion (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Player’s Guide to the Contagion Chronicle (Chronicles of Darkness)

Contagion Chronicle Jumpstart (Chronicles of Darkness)

N!ternational Wrestling Entertainment (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Creating in the Realms of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)

Redlines

Tales of Aquatic Terror (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Kith and Kin (Changeling: The Lost 2e)

Crucible of Legends (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks (Chronicles of Darkness)

M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Second Draft

Tales of Good Dogs – Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)

Across the Eight Directions (Exalted 3rd Edition)

One Foot in the Grave Jumpstart (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2e)

Scion: Demigod (Scion 2nd Edition)

Terra Firma (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Wraith20 Fiction Anthology (Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition)

Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad (Scarred Lands)

Vigil Watch (Scarred Lands)

Pirates of Pugmire KS-Added Adventure (Realms of Pugmire)

Lunars Novella (Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Development

M20 The Technocracy Reloaded (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Creatures of the World Bestiary (Scion 2nd Edition)

Heirs to the Shogunate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

TC: Aeon Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition core rulebook (Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition)

Masks of the Mythos (Scion 2nd Edition)

TC: Aberrant Reference Screen (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Titanomachy (Scion 2nd Edition)

Trinity Continuum Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum Core)

Monsters of the Deep (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Manuscript Approval

Mythical Denizens (Creatures of the World Bestiary) (Scion 2nd Edition)

Scion: Dragon (Scion 2nd Edition)

Legendlore core book (Legendlore)

Post-Approval Development

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)

WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)

Scion LARP Rules (Scion)

Cults of the Blood Gods (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

Editing

Lunars: Fangs at the Gate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Hunter: The Vigil 2e core (Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition)

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

Let the Streets Run Red (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

W20 Shattered Dreams Gift Cards (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)

Geist 2e Fiction Anthology (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)

Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Changeling: The Lost 2nd Companion (Changeling: The Lost 2nd)

Dragon-Blooded Novella #1 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Scion Companion: Mysteries of the World (Scion 2nd Edition)

Post-Editing Development

Chicago Folio/Dossier (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

TC: Aeon Ready-Made Characters (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

W20 Art Book (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)

Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)

Indexing

Geist 2e (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)

Dystopia Rising: Evolution core (Dystopia Rising: Evolution)

ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!

In Art Direction

Contagion Chronicle

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant

Hunter: The Vigil 2e – Sam on the fulls.

Ex3 Lunars – Contracted. More sketches coming in.

TCfBtS!: Heroic Land Dwellers – LeBlanc on this.

Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed

Ex3 Monthly Stuff

Trinity RMCs – Contracted.

Cults of the Blood God (KS) – Contracted.

Chicago Folio – Sending contracts and art notes out.

Mummy 2 (KS) – Characters being worked on, fulls next.

Memento Mori – Contracted.

City of the Towered Tombs – Contracted.

In Layout

They Came from Beneath the Sea!

Dark Eras 2 – Files with Aileen

Trinity Continuum Aeon: Distant Worlds

VtR Spilled Blood – In progress.

DR:E Threat Guide – Helnau’s Guide to Wasteland Beasties

W20 Art Book

DRE Screen

Geist 2e Screen

Proofing

C20 Cup of Dreams

M20 Book of the Fallen – PDF back to Phil for review.

DR:E Jumpstart – Sent to Eschaton for approval.

At Press

Trinity Core Screen – At Studio2.

TC Aeon Screen – At Studio2.

Trinity: In Media Res – PoD proofs coming.

Trinity Core – Printing. PoD proofs ordered.

Trinity Aeon – Printing. PoD proofs ordered.

V5: Chicago – Files sent to printer.

Aeon Aexpansion – Backer PDFs out, errata.

CoM – Witch Queen of the Shadowed Citadel – Backer PDF out to backers, errata gathering.

Signs of Sorcery – PoD proofs ordered.

Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

And so we now are in Autumn! Falling into fall! Let’s celebrate the season that starts today where things get really colorful and then die! (OK, nature is just sleeping…really.) And Saturday was, I hear, Batman Day, which works well, especially if you recall the first drive in the Batmobile to the Batcave in Tim Burton’s Batman with the low angle shot up the road with swirling dead autumn leaves in the car’s wake. Lovely, just like the season.

[mischiefandi]

Mine - Stiles Stilinski

A/N: Hello everyone! I cannot begin to tell you guys how excited I am about posting this!!!! I’ve spent so long working on this imagine and I honestly am pretty proud of how it turned out, I really hope you’ll enjoy it. This was written for @dylanobemineforever ‘s writing challenge (thank you for organising this, I had so much fun writing this imagine). The rule was to write whatever we wanted about any one of DOB’s characters but it had to be based off a song (from a given list). This imagine was based off the song Mine by Bazzi (lyrics are hereeeee)

I’d also like to thank @susybird for proofreading this pic for me, you are an absolute angel and your reactions to it were incredibly sweet! A inappropriate amount of wet sloppy kisses (on the cheek lmao) to @itsbilescallmebiles, thank you Weird Al for encouraging me and making me smile like an idiot during the whole process of creating this. @hellogoodbyebitch, I could not have written this without you!!! You were an absolute sweetheart and you made me feel much more confident about my work every single time I was unsure. You guys are the best <3

Check out my Masterlist for more content! Part 2 Coming Soon!!!

Summary: What was supposed to be a joyous night celebrating the engagement of Y/N Y/L/N and Alec Meyers turns into a whirlwind of unexpected events which begs the question, how did we get here?

Warnings: Swearing, Angst, and that’s about it?

Word Count: 11K

Enjoyyy :)) Tell me what you think plssss

How did we get here?

“It was back in 2016. We were both in college and I was living in dorm C which was just across dorm D, where Y/N was living with her roommate Malia.”

Everyone in the room was listening to Alec’s speech. His navy blue suit fit him like a glove and his tie had been perfectly knotted, most probably by Y/N, who somehow had always mastered the delicate art of male accessorising. She was standing next to him in a knee-length dark purple dress and holding a generously filled champagne glass. Her delicate fingers held the crystal object with grace as the solid rock on her ring finger glistened brightly, and her eyes were focused on Alec’s handsome face as she breathed in his words.

“The dorm laundry room was in a small hall that connected the two dorms and because my close friend and roommate Ben was constantly in the company of,-” he cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly,-“young girls, I would usually go sit in said hall and study there. Then one day, I was working on a research paper and I was hungry. So I got up and walked up to the vending machine across from me and I bought myself a pack of Skittles. Now, let me remind you guys, I had just turned 21, I was in community college, I barely had enough money to buy pizza and a coke, so naturally, when I saw the price was 2 dollars and a quarter I wasn’t exactly thrilled. But I bought it anyway, cause I was hungry. I had three quarters left in my pocket and I went back to my seat on the floor, when the most beautiful girl in the world walked into the hall. And I swear,-” he laughed, shaking his head,-“my heart literally did a somersault in my chest! I was breathless!”

“Al,” Y/N whispered as she wrapped her arm around his waist and blushed deeply.

“And um…the pretty girl came up to me and then asked me something. Thing is I was so mesmerised by her that I had to ask her to repeat her question. And what was the question again?” Alec looked down at Y/N and grinned lovingly.

“I asked him if he had any money because I was three quarters short from finishing my last load of laundry,” Y/N answered as she smiled brightly.

“I immediately took out the coins from my pocket and without even talking, I placed them in her hand. And let me tell you, sparks flew! I mean seriously, fireworks!” Chuckles and “awwws” could be heard all around the room but the couple was too distracted by each other to notice. “She thanked me, went back to the laundry room and I went back to work. After about fifteen minutes, she came back and placed a small folded piece of paper on the floor in front of me, then, she winked and walked away. Obviously, I read the note and it turned out to be her number. I called her that very night and we went on our first date the next day. Seems like ages ago now doesn’t it?”

“It really does,” Y/N answered softly before burying her face in his chest. Everyone around them applauded loudly and Y/N turned to face the crowd, her gaze falling on a specific group of people very close to her heart. 

Malia was wearing a sleeveless black dress that ended a few centimetres over her knees, her arm was wrapped lovingly around Scott’s as he grinned widely and clapped his hands together. Lydia was with Jordan, they were exchanging a light kiss and his arms were wrapped around her waist, his fingers tugging at the light pink fabric of her top and holding her close against his grey suit. On their right stood Y/N’s best friend. He was wearing a light blue shirt with a black blazer over it, but no tie, he hated ties. His hair was dishevelled, not being all that different from its usual spiky demeanour, and his amber eyes were gazing into hers. She smiled fondly at him and he smiled back, yet she couldn’t help but notice his eyes weren’t following suit. “Thank you all for being here, we hope you have a nice evening!” Y/N exclaimed as she seized her fiancé’s hand and dragged him away from the centre of the room. “I hate to leave you but I have to go mingle,” she told him before planting a kiss on his cheek and disappearing into the crowd. He grinned and went to say hello to his guests.

“You guys are just too cute Y/N,” said Lydia as the stunning brunette made her way over.

“I know right? God I love him…” Y/N smiled timidly as she sipped her champagne.

“You should! He’s petty hot in that suit…” added Malia, earning herself a couple of raised eyebrows, including from her boyfriend.

“Thank you, Malia, but I’m pretty sure you don’t wanna wake up Scott’s alpha side.” Y/N winked at her friend and Scott laughed. Stiles, however, stayed silent.

“Hey Stiles, come with me, I’m gonna get myself another drink okay?” He nodded and they both walked away from the group. A couple of people stopped Y/N from going any further in order to congratulate her on the engagement and she politely thanked them, not noticing Stiles’ incessant eye rolls. Finally, they had made their way to the liquor table on which dozens of different alcohols were being displayed.

“Are you okay? You seem a little…quiet, which isn’t a good look on you,” Y/N asked worriedly as she poured a little peach liquor in her glass.

“I’m fine,” Stiles stated calmly, his eyes staring at the bottom of his own.

“Are you sure?”

“He’s a romantic that one,” Stiles pointed out as he looked over the crowd to see Alec’s face. Y/N’s eyes turned in the same direction as his and she smiled as she shifted her weight.

-“Yeah, he is.”

-“Little over the top don’t you think?”

-“What do you mean?”

-“Well I mean, come on. ‘Fireworks?’ Could he be any more cliche?”

“Stiles it was super sweet.” Y/N laughed as she sipped at her peach vodka.

“Exactly, too sweet. So sweet it became gross.”

“I’m not sure how I’m supposed to react right now.” The brunette’s smile had disappeared. She frowned and stared at him.

“Are you sure he’s not gay?”

“What?” Y/N asked, obviously starting to get very annoyed by Stiles’ comments.

-“He’s way too sensitive to be into women.”

-“How much did you drink Stiles?”

-“A lot more than he has.”

-“And I’m supposed to be impressed?”

-“Why are you even marrying him? You’re legal you know, no need for a green card.”

“You’re an ass, Stiles.” Y/N walked away from him and walked back to the group, her nostrils flaring.

Stiles downed the rest of his drink and followed her.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” asked Lydia.

-“I don’t know.”

-“What do you mean?”

-“It’s Stiles, he’s acting really weird, and kind of insulting really.”

-“What did he say to you?”

“Um, guys?” Scott asked as he looked back at the centre of the room where the mic was being given to someone who had yet another strong drink in his hand.

-“He said Alec was gay and I know it’s stupid but I don’t know, he’s being weird and-”

-“-Guys.”

-“Why would he say that?”

-“I don’t know he ju-”

-“-Guys!”

“What?” Exclaimed the three girls as they turned to Scott.

“Stiles has the mic.”

“Oh god…” Y/N muttered as she realised that Stiles was in fact in the middle of the room and currently tapping the mic with his index.

“Testing. Testing.” The room started to quiet down and everyone turned to the drunk young man expectantly.

“Good evening everyone, my name is Stiles Stilinski anddddddd I know what you’re thinking, weird name rrrright? Yeah, I know, it’s weird, it’s not my actual name, but Alec, that’s a real name, that’s Alec’s real name anyways. Alec’s kind of weird too right? I mean seriously, try repeating Alec fifty times out loud and you’ll understand what I mean. Alec, Alec, Alec, Alec, Alec, Alec, Alec, Alec,…”

“I’m gonna go take the mic from him,” Scott said before walking up to his friend. But Stiles had seen him coming and put the mic out of arm’s reach.

“Okay fine I’ll stop repeating Alec, besides I don’t need to anymore, everyone understands now. Here’s what I want to say. I want to talk about Y/N because she’s the reason why everyone’s here tonight right? Y/NNNN. What to say about Y/N��” Stiles sighed loudly and walked a little further from Scott.

“Y/N and I met in high school! Yep. High School sweethearrrrrts if you will, although I guess not sweethearts cause well, we’re not dating, we didn’t date, never did. But we were close! Still are, right? Where is sssshe rrrright now? Oh, there you are! Hey Y/N!” Stiles pointed his finger at her and shouted out her name while she just stared at him, appalled by his slurred words and drunk behaviour. She wasn’t the only one. The entire room was looking at him, whispers were being exchanged between the different guests and pitiful eyes sent her glances every once in a while.

“She looks maaaaaad…I mean she has a right to be, I’m being an asssss right now! Why would she want an asshole when she has a sensitive, kind and perfect Ken Doll to keep her company, am I right?” His words, harsh as they were, didn’t phase Alec in the least and his soft eyes rested on Y/N’s stoic expression.

“Babe, do you want me to talk to him? I think he drank a little too much,” he whispered in her ear and she shook her head calmly.

“Scott’s dealing with it.”

“By the way Ken, you’re a really nice guy! Really romantic and sweet and you’re hot as hell I mean how the actual fffuck can someone like me compete with a blonde mmmale bimbo like youuu? Does that ever complicate stuffff? Being that hhhot? I mean it must right? People must think you’ve gotta be the dumbest person alive because of your hotness. I mean it’s practically a hate crime being that hot and being smart! You know most people would feel threatened by you, but me? Not me, I don’t feel threatened, at alllllllllllll. Like at all. Why would I be? You know? I’m happppy! I’m glad you’ve got that great lawyer gig thing, and I’m really happy your breath smells like mint, and I’m even happier you got the girlll of every guy’s dreams! I mean, woaaah!! It’s like you won the lottery with that one! In fact, I think-”

“-Shut up Stiles, stop it right now, I’m serious.” Scott grabbed Stiles by the arm and dragged him away from the crowd.

“Mic Drop!” Stiles exclaimed before throwing the mic up in the air, making it land right on the table on which the alcohol and champagne glasses were being kept. Guests exclaimed as the shattering glass fell on the floor of Alec and Y/N’s home. One of the caterer’s helpers quickly rushed to the scene and started to clear it up but it was an absolute mess.

“I can’t believe you, Stiles! What the hell is wrong with you?” Malia slapped Stiles so hard he swore every single guest had heard it. And just as if it couldn’t get any worse, Alec put his firm hand on his shoulder and opened his mouth to talk to him.

“Stiles, obviously, you’re not well. Why don’t I get you home so you can get some sleep?“

Stiles was about to answer something rude when Y/N shot him a glare.

“That’s okay Al, I’ve got it. Enjoy the rest of your night, guys!” Scott reassured them kindly as he started dragging Stiles towards the front door.

“No Scott, let me. I’ve got a couple things I wanna say to Stiles before he goes to bed,” Y/N said before squeezing her fiancé’s hand and leaving the house with her drunk friend.

Stiles’ apartment was a good 30 minutes away from where the engagement party was taking place, which made the car ride extremely awkward seeing as neither Stiles nor Y/N spoke a word. Stiles, who was sitting in the passenger’s seat, looked out the window and focused on the lights coming from the lampposts along the streets. The silence was excruciatingly tense and finally, the tie-less young man cleared his throat and looked back at his friend, only, she didn’t look back.

“Y/N, stop furrrrrowing your brow like that, or you’ll ave wrinkles fo life.”

“Fuck you, Stiles,” she snapped.

“Oh cm'on, was a joke,” he said, raising his voice. He seemed annoyed at her anger, which only worsened her mood.

“What the hell was that Stiles?”

“What was what?” Stiles rarely played dumb, but when he did, it riled her up.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Y/N pulled her eyes away from the road to look at him and her glistening eyes erased the smug look on his face instantly. Y/N was driving pretty fast, but somehow the sight of her breathtaking orbs across which danced the furtive city lights of LA seemed to slow down time, and it even seemed to sober him up a little. Realising he had probably been staring at her a little too long, he snapped out of his daze and looked away.

“Stiles?” she asked him, her voice a little softer than before.

“I’m sorry.”

Neither of them said anything for a while. Y/N focused on the road ahead, occasionally letting her eyes set themselves upon her high school friend whereas Stiles avoided her stares, his head turned in the opposite direction. Eventually, Y/N sighed and turned on the radio. The song Mine by Bazzi started to play and she let her head fall back against her headrest.

Yeah, I just had lil’ bit too much Hennessy

Just gotta tell you how I feel

You so fucking precious when you smile

Hit it from the back and drive me-

Y/N turned off the radio instantly, the beginning of the song felt much too familiar and it was making her uncomfortable. Silence was good enough, for now…

The car stopped in front of a large concrete apartment building about twenty minutes later and Y/N didn’t even help Stiles out of the car, which obviously annoyed the crap out of him. She did wait for him though, and five minutes later, they were about to enter Stiles’ apartment, 3B. The drunk young man struggled to put the key in the lock and Y/N grabbed it from him, opening the door herself. She didn’t want to wait for another half hour before getting home and Stiles was taking forever.

“Thanks,” he slurred.

In they went, and as soon as Y/N entered the apartment, an awful smell of smoke, alcohol and sweat filled her nostrils.

“Oh my god, Stiles, ever heard of windows?” she groaned rhetorically, quickly walking up to the large window above the couch on which she dropped her purse. She made sure she had opened it wide enough to make the air inside the living room breathable when she turned around and realised Stiles had disappeared. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Stiles?” she called out before going into the small kitchen on her left. “Stiles? Stiles, I’m not in the mood for hide-and-seek so would you please ju-,” Y/N stopped talking when she heard an awful sound come from the bathroom.

The door was ajar and she could make out Stiles’ blazer on the tiled floor. She slowly walked into the dark bathroom, and her eyes rested upon Stiles in his sweaty light blue shirt, with both his legs lying on either side of the toilet and his head resting on the seat. He looked like a mess. “Stiles-…”, the second she opened her mouth, Stiles buried his face in the toilet again and the nauseating sounds she had heard before coming in resonated inside the porcelain bowl. Immediately, she bent down and placed herself on her knees right behind him in order to rub his back with her palm. She was angry with him, furious even, but he was her best friend, and even his drunk behaviour wasn’t enough for her to forget empathy. “It’s okay, let it out. Let it all out.” He groaned as she tried to soothe him with her soft voice. Finally, he rested his head on the seat again, the bile having completely left his body. They stayed that way for a while. Y/N kept rubbing circles with her hand, occasionally switching between left and right when one got tired and he made little moans every once in a while. Eventually, he started to shift and she helped him up, his knees had obviously been weakened by the amount of scotch he had consumed at the engagement party. Y/N filled up a glass with tap water and practically forced it down his throat, cleaning out the last of his vomit. “Are you okay?” she asked him calmly. He nodded and walked past her, banging his shoulder against the side of the door as he left the room, leaving her alone in the dark.

She followed him and that’s when she really noticed the mess Stiles was living in. Dirty dishes were left in various places in the living room, and empty beer cans and bottles were lying around everywhere. Old pizza boxes, some still containing a few slices were stacked up in the corner of the room and there were dirty clothes everywhere she looked. “Stiles, what the hell…” she muttered to herself. He had gone into the kitchen and while she expected him to come out with a sandwich in hand, he came out with a pack of beer. Her kind expression immediately turned to an angry glare and she blocked his way. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m going into my living room.” he tried to walk past her but she blocked him again and he started to get impatient. “Let me pass,” he said harshly.

“No. No, you are not ruining my evening by getting drunk and embarrassing my fiancé and then drinking yourself into a coma.”

“I made myself throw up Y/N, a lot of alcohol has left my body and I’d like to get some back in, I’m a grown ass man, and I’ll do as I please, so let me pass,” he said angrily as he pushed her aside, something she never thought he would do. Shocked by his actions, she turned around only to face his back and retaliated.

“A grown ass man? Really? Cause the crap you pulled at the party, that wasn’t exactly what I’d call mature Stiles.”

He didn’t even turn to look at her, he just sat himself down on his laundry covered couch and opened a can. “I can take care of myself Y/N, go away.”

Her eyes widened at his comment and she stomped towards him. “I can see that! Yeah, this place doesn’t look like a frat party tornadoed its way in here!” she exclaimed sarcastically and he avoided her eyes, staring into his can. “Give me that!” she finally yelled before swiftly taking his beer. He shot up instantly and grabbed her by the wrist.

“I’m sorry,” he said, letting her go immediately. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, falling back down on his couch. Her nostrils were flaring and she stared him down, her mouth slightly open, letting a thin line of air in and out. “I’m-”

-“-sorry, yeah you’ve said so.”

-“Y/N-”

-“Are you gonna talk?”

He looked up at her and that’s when she realised just how terrible he looked. His skin was pale and he had huge bags underneath his chocolaty eyes. They were reddened, which translated a lack of sleep. He was unshaved and his prickly stubble covered the beautiful constellation on the side of his face. His hair was unkempt, like it usually was, but it just added to the feel of brokenness Stiles was projecting onto her.

“I’m just tired.” his eyes stared down at the ground and he rubbed his hands together as though he was trying to keep warm.

“Obviously, but there’s something else, and I’m not gonna wait around all night for you to tell me what it is.” Again, Stiles looked up at her but didn’t say anything.

“Fine,” Y/N said, letting her arm slap against her waist before grabbing her purse and walking towards the doorway. She put her hand on the knob and started to turn it when she heard him speak. “You’re my best friend.” She stopped dead in her tracks, her heart thumped against her ribcage as she turned around.

“You have been since we were juniors. Do you remember how we met?”

 She didn’t respond and he got up.

“We met at that party. Benjamin Wilson’s party. Everyone was there, even freshmen. You were wearing your dark blue flannel shirt with the black tank top you always wore. And you had those black jeans with the scissored cuts at the end. I remember that your hair was tied up in this messy bun and you weren’t wearing any makeup, you were just…you.”

Stiles was almost whispering as he started to walk towards her, very slowly, as though she were a kitten he was trying not to scare away.

“You were leaning against a wall and uh, you were watching people dance and drink. You had a beer can in hand but, it was unopened. And then they started a mosh pit and I tried to get away before getting caught up in the middle of it. That’s when some idiot decided to jump around outside of the mosh pit and pushed me against you-”

“And then your drink spilled all over me and I punched the guy who pushed you,” Y/N breathed out. He smiled softly and kept going, the distance between the two of them growing smaller.

“Yeah. I kept saying sorry but you just laughed and blamed it on the poor guy who had a nosebleed. We spent all night talking and making fun of the idiots who were getting drunk and making out. You gave me your number but I lost it.”

“And on Monday, I showed up at the high school as a transfer and you spent all day trying to convince me you hadn’t ghosted me on purpose.”

“Did it work? Did I convince you?” inquired Stiles, even though he already knew the answer. His face was dangerously close to hers and his alcohol-tainted breath fanned across her chin.

“Stiles…” she whispered, her eyes shut tight.

“Did I?”

“Stiles, you shouldn’t-”

“Y/N,” Stiles muttered. Y/N was about to do something stupid when suddenly she felt his hand on her left hip and she immediately opened her eyes and pushed him away, making her purse fall to the floor in the process.

“What are you doing Stiles?” she questioned almost accusingly. He looked confused and hurt when he suddenly started to unbutton his shirt.

“Are you serious? What the hell is wrong with you!” Y/N gasped as she covered her eyes.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, I’m just changing. Besides, you’ve already seen me shirtless before.”

“Right except you didn’t try to kiss me when I did,” she stated, uncovering her eyes.

“You think that was me trying to kiss you?” he asked, still shirtless.

She stared at his slightly toned stomach, and couldn’t help but gulp at the sight of his happy trail.

“Well, what were you doing if you weren’t trying to kiss me?”

“I…” he started, but quickly pulled a red sweater down his upper body and sat down on the armrest of his couch.

“You…?”

“Will you just drop it?” he asked roughly. She shut up and shifted her weight. Silence. Complete and utter silence, they were both looking into each other’s eyes but their stares were tense and cold. Finally, Y/N went into the kitchen, not seeing the puzzled look on Stiles’ face. He heard a lot of shuffling and pots and pans clashing before she finally came back into the room gripping a black trash bag with both hands. She bent down and started to throw the crumpled up cans into the bag. He got up and walked towards her but she turned around, pretending not to notice he was about to talk.

“Y/N what are you doing?” he sighed loudly as if her actions were exasperating. She ignored his question, deeming it stupid as he could clearly see that she was cleaning up his mess. One by one, the cans left the carpeted floor and Stiles just stood there, staring at his friend who had tied her hair up into in a messy bun. 

“Y/N.” Again, she ignored him and got up, walking past him to start grabbing his dirty clothes. He watched her delicate fingers tightly hold the collar of his favorite flannel and his eyes welled up when he had a déjà vu. She was the same. She was just like she had been at that party seven years ago, with her hair untamed and a flannel on her body. The neon lights coming from the bar across the street, coloured her soft skin, it’s usual white tone replaced by a pattern of blue and red. She was simply breathtaking. That was all he could think about as she kept securing his shirts onto her outreached arm. 

“Y/N.” he muttered to himself not expecting her to hear his hoarse voice. 

“What?” she snapped, finally letting her eyes pierce through his.

“What are you doing?” he forced himself to ask aloud.

“What does it look like I’m doing,” she retorted angrily before pushing past him roughly. “I’m cleaning up your mess because as usual, you’re incapable of doing so yourself.” Her words hurt him more than he’d care to admit. She was never this angry, she was always understanding and kind. Never in a million years did he think Y/N of all people would speak so harshly. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Y/N kept her lips sealed shut and this made the blood in his veins boil. 

“Enough with the fucking silent treatment!” he shouted out angrily, the vein in his forehead pulsating furiously. She stopped dead in her tracks and his heart shattered when he realised that her gorgeous eyes were welling up. 

“I’m s-” he tried to say as he stepped forward, but she didn’t let him finish. She walked up to him and before he knew it, a hot white feeling of pain flashed upon his cheek and he let out a yelp. 

“What the hell was that for?” he exclaimed, immediately cupping his cheek with both his hands. She didn’t answer but instead, crashed her lips to his.

The sudden action made Stiles’ eyes widen instantly and his heartbeat sped up so much he thought his chest was going to burst. ‘What is happening right now?’ he asked himself as his lips chose to respond to Y/N’s actions. The kiss was so many things all at once.

It was honest. The way their lips fit together perfectly, as if their bodies were a puzzle and all they needed was to be connected in order to be complete, the way she tugged at his collar with both hands, desperately trying to hold on to him as if she were about to lose him at any minute, the way his heart called out her name with every beat in his chest, all of those things proving to one another that it was more than just a kiss.

It was passionate. Stiles brought his hands to her waist and pushed her against the wall, making his lamp fall to the floor in the process. He brought his right hand up to her face and slipped his fingers through her soft hair, lightly tugging at it as she pushed her body closer to him. His scruff felt deliciously rough against her smooth cheeks when the tip of his tongue grazed her lower lip and she granted him entry without hesitation, letting his muscle caress her own needily.

The kiss was angry. Y/N’s taste bud lit up instantly when she tasted the vile aftermath of smoking and drinking in his mouth and suddenly, she felt her heart beat faster than it had been, only she couldn’t tell if it was from her anger or the way Stiles was dragging his nails slowly against the back of her dress. She harshly bit his lower lip and he groaned as she drew a tiny drop of blood, but he didn’t care. She was there, doing things to him he had always dreamt of but never had the chance to experience. That’s when it happened. A distinctive sound buzzed through Y/N’s purse and their bodies shot apart, Y/N immediately wiping at her lips as she avoided Stiles’ eyes.

She hurried across the room and yanked her purse off the floor in order to get her phone out. First ring. Stiles leaned against his wall, his fingers drumming nervously against his thigh, a habit he had picked up at his FBI intern program. She looked dazzling with her red and swollen lips as she stared at her phone screen.

Second ring. He shifted his weight and furrowed his brow, why wasn’t she answering?

Third ring. Stiles’ jaw clenched as he starting to chew on his lower lip, the situation worsening his usual state of anxiety.

Fourth ring. ‘Y/N answer the damn phone,’ he told himself when he realised she wasn’t going to move.

Fifth ring. There was an awful pit in his stomach and his clammy hands shook with anticipation. She let the phone ring, her body not moving a muscle. That was it, it was over.

Y/N exhaled loudly, making Stiles realise she had probably held her breath the whole time, just like he had.

The silence was horrible. Neither of them had said anything in the past five minutes and Y/N was still standing next to the door, her back facing a terrified Stiles who was still furiously tapping his fingers on his leg. Suddenly, she slowly turned around and walked up to the couch, feeling the rough material against her skin as she seated herself on it. He was about to say something when he saw her bury her face in her palms and the strangled sob that escaped her throat made his heart shatter into a million pieces. He rushed to her side and seated himself on the coffee table in front of her, pushing her phone to the floor with his body without realising it and placing both of his hands on her bare knees, rubbing the smooth skin with his calloused fingers. Her large tears fell onto her flattering dress and his cognac eyes flooded with tears of his own at the sight of the broken woman he loved more than life itself. 

“Y/N-” he murmured.

“-stop saying my name!” she spilled before pushing past him, bolting towards his bedroom, which she locked herself in without looking back. He had only caught a glimpse of her face when she left but it had been enough to notice her running mascara and humid eyes desperately trying to keep more salty water from crossing the border of her bottom eyelids.

How did we get here?

Quietly, Stiles brought himself in front of his bedroom door and sat down with his back against it. He leaned his head back on the firm wood separating him from his best friend. Breathing slowly, he opened his mouth and looked up as though she was standing above him. 

“You’re my best friend,” he admitted. “You’re upset. I can’t not comfort you because you’re my best friend Y/N, please open the door.” She didn’t respond and the door didn’t move in the slightest. He rubbed the back of his neck trying to soothe his wrecked nerves.

“Look we don’t have to talk about this, ever. I promise, no one has to know. We-we won’t even talk about it to each other, I swear to God,” he assured trying to convince her to open the door. 

“I promise, okay? It was just a spur of the moment thing, it won’t happen again, ever. It didn’t mean anything, we know that. Just please Y/N, open the door, let me in, come on.”

Still no answer.

“I-I… please, I beg of you just open the door. Come on, I don’t blame you for this, okay? Alec and the others, they don’t have to know, it was just an impulsive mistake that meant nothing, just please let me in Y/N, please,” he begged, this time, the tears rolling freely down his cheeks. His pleads were heart-wrenching, and Y/N couldn’t stand it any longer. Suddenly, the door flew open and Stiles fell back against the floor that, luckily, had been carpeted by the previous owners. This time, Y/N was standing above him and he blushed when he realised she could clearly see the humid mess that was his face. She ignored it and held out her hand, smiling softly when he took it. Once he had gotten up, she stared at him for a while and finally, spoke.

“Do you have any clean shirts left?”

It wasn’t the first time that Y/N had stayed this long in his home at night. They’d been best friends for seven years; their bond was so strong it was almost tangible. When they were still teenagers going on 18, Stiles and Y/N had a little tradition. Every Friday, instead of going to the god-awful parties their fellow High School students went to, they stayed in and watched a movie together. Sometimes the whole pack joined them, sometimes one member alone, but most of the time it had been just them. Only once Stiles had gone to D.C and Y/N had stayed in California to go to community college, movie night was cancelled repeatedly. Their respective schedules were completely different and they barely had the time to have a decent phone conversation. Still, they fought like hell to make their special Friday nights work by calling each other on Facetime every Friday and watching their movie together, even if they were 2,299 miles away from each other. Then she met Alec and it all changed. She started missing his calls and more and more Friday nights were cancelled because of dates and events like meeting the parents and such. Eventually, he just stopped calling at the end of the week, sending a simple text ever so often.

And then he graduated. He was done in DC and the FBI gave him a job offer which, he gladly accepted. To his great surprise, they sent him permanently to LA. The second he had landed in California, his friends ordered Thai food and spent the night helping him move into his new apartment. It had been so long since the last time the pack had been complete and that night remained one Stiles’ most cherished memories. He reconnected with Y/N that night. They laughed their heads off for hours, they drank and danced and unpacked his stuff, they spent the whole evening catching up. It had been amazing and the next day, everything had gone back to normal. Y/N came over very often, movie night was back on and a regular event everyone was allowed to come to, occasional lunches and nights out at their favourite bars with the members of the pack that resided in LA were frequent. Everything was good, everything was as it should be. Only, Alec tagged along sometimes. And he would kiss Y/N, on the cheek, on the forehead, on the lips. Stiles could feel his blood boil whenever she smiled up at her loving boyfriend when they were all together and it only worsened with time. Y/N became distant again, but still, she was careful not to stay away too much, always finding the time to visit him and talk.

Then one night she called him in tears. He had already grabbed his bat thinking he was going to have to beat up Alec for screwing with his best friend, but she squealed in the phone ecstatically and told him she was engaged. Alec had proposed. Stiles drank the pain away that night. It was just too much for him. Distancing himself from the girl he loved, that he could deal with, but with her engagement came marriage and that meant having to cut her off. It was going to be too painful for him otherwise, seeing her move into a white picket fence type of house with the man of her dreams, seeing her have children who wouldn’t be his own and probably being attributed the role of godfather. He couldn’t stand by and watch her build a family with someone other than him. He just wasn’t strong enough for that.

The fact that Y/N was engaged ended up making them grow apart a little more. She was always busy planning for the wedding, there had been her bridal shower which Lydia and Maria had jokingly invited Stiles to, there had been Alec’s bachelor party which he had managed to wiggle himself out of, not wanting to talk to the man who was stealing the love of his life or to said man’s golf buddies who didn’t have anything interesting to talk about besides their tax incomes. Y/N didn’t have time to show up unannounced to his apartment and he didn’t have the mental strength to provide help for the wedding preparations.

Stiles’ thoughts were suddenly interrupted when his bathroom door swung open, revealing Y/N in an oversized shirt and old boxers of his, standing in his doorway. Her beautiful long hair was still wet from the shower she had just taken and she was carrying her dress in her arms. She walked over to him and seated herself on his soft bed and he noticed that she was fidgeting with her fingers, something she always did when nervous. He gulped discretely, trying his best not to reveal his anxiety, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he did. 

“I want to know everything Stiles,” announced Y/N, softly. She glanced at him but he avoided her eyes. It seemed to be the theme of the night, avoiding each other’s gaze.

“It didn’t mean anything,” Stiles tried to assure her with a cracked voice, his words, much to his disappointment, barely convincing. Her eyes welled up. 

“I wasn’t talking about the kiss Stiles,” she murmured. Finally, he bravely brought his eyes up to hers and inhaled slowly.

-“There’s nothing to say, I just drank a little too much scotch.”

-“Stiles, stop trying to salvage this. We’re way past that.”

He knew she was right, but how was he supposed to tell her everything? How could he even begin to explain his feelings for her? Where would he start?

“Stiles, I’m asking for an explanation, okay, you owe me at least that,” Y/N persisted, desperately trying to tear open the shell he had so carefully built around himself. 

“What about you huh?” he snapped. “What about that little stunt you pulled back there? Am I gonna get an explanation?” he asked angrily, gesturing in the direction of the living room still slightly visible from where they were.

“I don’t-, I can’t-, just-,”

“Just what?” he barked, the temperature in his blood rapidly rising.

“Just stop cornering me! Stop pressuring me into this tight spot okay!! I can’t fucking focus!” Y/N shouted out, stunning both him and herself. She wasn’t the kind of person to explode like that, she was always cool and composed, never letting her feelings take over. 

“Okay, I’m sorry,” he affirmed, trying to make his voice a little more soothing than before. 

“I am. I’m sorry. I’m just…” he looked at her with puppy eyes and his beautiful lips formed a lopsided smile, “I’m terrified.”

“You’re saying that to an engaged woman who just kissed her best friend,” she said, smiling reassuringly, making him chuckle lightly.

-“Well I’m partly to blame, I let you.”

-“We’re horrible people huh?”

-“Well, not Gerard Argent horrible but uh, something like that.”

-“Where do we start?”

-“Start what? Becoming like Gerard?”

“No dumbass,” she said playfully punching his shoulder, “Where do we start here?”

“Do we really have to start?” he asked. Y/N nodded slowly and turned her body towards him on the bed.

-“Do you wanna go first or should I?”

-“Does it really make a difference?”

“Guess not…” he nodded, trying to calm down the heart he was sure Y/N could clearly hear beating through his chest. “I’m not a huge fan of Alec.”

“No kidding, Jimmy Kimmel.” Y/N joked and he flashed her a grin as he recognized the name of the famous stand-up comedian, quickly composing himself afterwards.

“I-, would you go to my desk? There’s a small box in the uh, second drawer. Bring it to me.” Y/N looked puzzled but she complied and indeed, a small dark blue box lay at the bottom of the desk’s chestnut drawer. She handed it to him and he fidgeted with the object his hands.

“Are you going to tell me what it is or are we waiting for it to turn into a pearly white carriage, cause it’s almost midnight so…”

She smirked at him and he smiled back. Even in the worst situations, Y/N always found the strength to crack a joke. That was something he truly admired about her. Slowly, Stiles opened the box and inside lay a folded up piece of paper. Y/N looked down at the content of the box, then looked back up at him, a confused look on her face.

-“Take it. Go on.”

-“Okay…but if it’s the secret of the end of the world, I’m gonna have to call the Pope.”

-“Yeah, yeah, just read it.”

She scoffed and grabbed the delicate piece of shrivelled paper.

“4 0 5 3 6 8-,…” her voice caught in her throat when she realised what the note was.

-“How did you-,”

-“-it was when I moved here. I found it between the 68th and 69th pages of the book I had started reading that weekend, Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot.”

“Wait but why did you put it in such a fancy box and…” Y/N’s brow furrowed and she looked down at the piece of paper in her hands, “oh…”

-“I wanted you to have it. You know, that’s kind of how all of this started and-,”

-“-you wanted it to end that way.”

-“Y/N…”

“So that’s a yes, you were just gonna cut me out of your life? When were you gonna do that? In a year? A month?” Y/N rambled, awfully hurt by the shocking revelation.

“It was my wedding gift to you. I was gonna give it to you and um, leave it at that.”

“You were gonna leave me? You were gonna get out of my life on the day of my wedding? Who are you?” her voice was strangled, and she wasn’t even trying to stop her tears from flowing this time.

“It’s not like that.” Stiles tried to explain.

“Isn’t it? Let’s look at the facts, shall we?! You don’t ask about the wedding, you don’t call or text me at all these past few months, you insult my fiancé in front of both our families and then, I find out you plan on giving me a piece of paper that basically means: get the hell out of my life!” Y/N yelled out, her face contorted with anger.

“Don’t you get it? I can’t stand back and watch the woman I love marry someone else! I can’t spend the rest of my life pining over you while you live the life I’ve wanted to live with you for the past seven years Y/N! I can’t fucking watch you walk down the aisle on your wedding day knowing that I’m not the person you’re headed towards! Because I’m a selfish coward who knows he’s not strong enough to push through the crushing pain of watching you grow old with anyone other than with me! I can’t do it! I just can’t! I would if I could but I’m pretty sure my heart’ll physically tear if I have to spend another month watching the both of you together!” Stiles exclaimed without taking a second to breathe. Her eyes were open wide and once he had cooled down, he quickly realized this was the point of no-return and that he had most probably destroyed their relationship and everything they had once felt for each other.

How did we get here?

He was standing now, but she was still seated, and she hadn’t spoken a word in ten minutes. He was pacing around the room, both hands on his hips, praying that her reaction wasn’t going to be worse than a slap and a goodbye. Finally, she cleared her throat bringing his attention back to her. 

“How long have you known?” she asked, without looking at him.

“Junior year.” She scoffed and clenched her jaw.

-“And you didn’t think to tell me. Not once?”

-“Of course I did. But how do you think the conversation would have gone? Hey Y/N, I’m in love with you, wanna make out?”

-“Well, that would have been better than finding out three weeks before my wedding day Stiles.”

-“What did you want me to say? I was terrified of losing us, of losing this. I didn’t want to jeopardize our relationship just because-”

“-just because you loved me?” she asked sarcastically, this time letting her eyes burn into his.

“Look just-, I-” Stiles groaned,-“you should go. Alec called you and he’s probably worried sick right now.”

-“Oh god, you’re kicking me out now?”

-“I’m not kicking you out! Look, what do you want me to say Y/N? Do you want me to take it back? Do you want me to tell you, you’re just a friend to me and then casually disappear the day of your wedding?”

-“No.”

“Why not? Cause it sure as hell seems like that would make you a whole lot happier. It’s definitely easier than hearing the cold hard truth isn’t it?” Stiles rambled, letting his emotions get the better of him.

-“No.”

-“Then what? What do you want me to do? Because I’m seriously considering throwing myself out of my bedroom window just to escape this situation so tell me, what do you want?”

-“Kiss me.”

“What?” Stiles said, making a double take, disbelief written all over his face.

-“I said, kiss me.”

-“Yeah, I heard what you said, I just don’t understand it.”

Y/N closed her eyes. 

“I need to figure something out but I can’t do that if you don’t kiss me, so, kiss me.” She didn’t move. She just stayed seated, with her eyelids shut tight, waiting for him to make a move but he was glued to the spot. He couldn’t just kiss her, could he? Stiles did everything in his power to move his feet towards her, her sealed eyes were the only thing his own were focusing on and he bent down, resting on his knees, right in front of her. Her lower lip was faintly trembling and he couldn’t help but let out a shaky breath as he studied her beautiful face.

“So uh, I just kiss you now?” he muttered questioningly.

She didn’t say anything but slowly nodded her head and straightened her back expectantly.

Stiles inched his face closer to hers. The tip of his nose picked up the soothing scent of her perfume, Jasmine Bliss as he’d once read on the bottle, and his heart fluttered intensely. He brought his hand up to her soft cheek and he instantly heard a quiet moan escape the confines of her lips, which only made his desire to feel her increase. Encouraged by the sweet sound he had just heard, Stiles brushed away a strand of stray hair and tucked it behind her pierced ear as delicately as possible. The feel of her soft lobe made him smile timidly, making him extremely glad her grey eyes were closed and he brought his mouth up to the sensitive skin.

Feeling Stiles lightly press his lips in a puckered fashion against the side of her ear was stunningly pleasurable and Y/N couldn’t help but moan a little louder than previously causing him to smile against her skin. She gripped the bed covers when he placed another kiss on the spot behind her lobe and she stifled a happy sigh by biting down on her inner cheek when his lips ghosted above her neck.

Stiles’ need for physical contact with her body was fueled by the sweet noises his best friend was trying to contain and he pushed away every single thought racing through his mind in order to make room for the explosion of emotions he was going to feel with his next actions. He trailed his lips farther down the brunette’s neck and stopped right above her collarbone. He could practically hear her heart pound against the smooth skin of her chest and his mouth curved into an earnest smile as he gently shut his eyes, letting himself get lost in the feeling of his lips against her. He lazily let his bottom lip wonder a little further down and grazed the soft surface with the tip of his tongue. Y/N’s lips parted a little as he brought his own closer to her jawline. 

“Stiles, this isn’t what I meant by kiss me…” she whispered with all the strength she could muster.

“Shut up,” he murmured against her blushing cheek as he placed both hands on either side of her waist before planting a bolder kiss on her jawline. Nothing could be heard anymore aside from Y/N’s uneven breathing and the occasional whimpers she let out when his genuine kisses got closer to her lonely lips. He placed one final kiss right above her upper lip and let the warm air leaving her nostrils coat the top of his nose. Their faces were up close and personal, he could see every single freckle on her cheeks, the tiny and light mole right under her right eye almost entirely covered by her dark and exceptionally long lashes and the tiny scar she had on her forehead from the time they’d decided drunk sledging was a good idea. He could see the mildly smudged mascara underneath her loosely closed eyes. Most people would have been thrown off by her messy makeup but he could feel his heart swell at the realization that she was absolutely breathtaking. This was it, this was the moment he was going to let his lips tell her how much he loved her. This was the moment he was going to show her everything he felt for her. This time, he was going to do it right.

Stiles placed his large hand at the back of her head, holding it in his palm, threading her wet hair with his veiny fingers and tilted his head a little downward to stroke her lips with his. The sweet contact blew the wind out of her and she instantly gasped against his mouth. He pushed his mouth a little closer to hers, trying desperately to eliminate all distance between their bodies as he slowly nibbled on her lower lip. Y/N’s gripped the bed cover’s tighter than before and unconsciously leaned into his kiss, bending down her head in order for him to have more access and he moaned huskily. His hand felt humid as it gripped her shampoo smelling hair and his other one tightened around her waist, making a quiet whimper echo against his lips when his thumb grazed her barely covered thigh. Y/N’s hands left the bed and flew to his neck, tugging at his collar, beckoning him to get up, which he gladly did. This time, Stiles was above her and her head leaned back as he bent down to keep their touch intact. He moaned lowly against her lips and passed his hand over her warm skin, trembling slightly at the feel of her body. The way his short arm hairs brushed her stomach repeatedly sent shivers up and down her spine and he lightly scratched her bare back underneath the Police t-shirt he had leant her. She tilted her head to the right making him smile against her lips as his tongue gently poked them. She didn’t even think about not letting him in and instantaneously created a gap between her lips, greeting his tongue with hers. As Stiles explored the inside of her delicious mouth, Y/N brought her hands to either side of his face and tugged softly at his brown locks of hair.

The kiss seemed to last for hours but it felt so right that neither of them tried to stop it, holding each other close and ignoring the time that was quickly fleeting. Eventually, Stiles caressed Y/N’s upper lip with his eager muscle and let his mouth slowly detach itself from hers, his eyes remaining closed. She opened hers and her gaze rested on his face, a timid smile etching itself on her swollen lips as she saw his slightly puckered mouth, still not quite ready to erase the memory of their stupefying kiss. His breathing was slow and calm, but it didn’t fool his heart, which was still beating at a faster rate than in general. She let out a shaky breath, which seemed to snap him out of his daze and he opened his eyes widely as he processed what they had just done. Stiles tried to soothe his voice as much as possible in order for Y/N not to realize how anxious he was and opened his mouth slowly before speaking, his eyes never leaving hers.

“D’you figure it out yet?” he half-whispered.

“Yeah…” she breathed, letting her hands fall at her side.

“Okay, what was it?”

“I don’t know when it happened Stiles, but somewhere along the line, you made me fall in love with you.”

Stiles’ nervous smile turned into a shocked grin and he crashed his lips against hers again, their warm bodies melting into each other.

After a few more minutes of uninterrupted passionate making out, Stiles lightly pushed Y/N away and sent her a reassuring glance before seating himself on the bed beside her. She looked confused and even a little hurt which quickly made him ramble. “I didn’t want to stop I promise! I mean it was good, really really good actually, better than good, I’ve been dreaming about doing that since junior year, cause you really have the prettiest lips Y/N, they’re perfect and-”

“-Stiles?” Y/N cut him off and he immediately stopped talking, gulping down the last of his words.

“Breathe,” she instructed softly, instantly making him feel more confident. He inhaled deeply and resumed his sentence.

“I’m sorry for stopping it, but I think we should talk about this, before doing anything else.”

“Okay.” she nodded. “Where do we start?”

“You’re engaged Y/N…”

Her smile immediately dropped when she heard those words and she dropped her eyes to the floor. “I know.”

Neither of them said anything, but his heart was racing and he was sure she could hear it thump loudly against his chest. Finally, she spoke.

“I don’t know how to do this. I loved Alec, but then for some reason, I kissed you and it felt like…like I’d never actually loved anyone before. I don’t know how to explain it Stiles, it’s just-…”

“-like breathing for the first time?” She looked up at him, obviously startled by his comment.

-“Actually yeah.”

-“That’s what it felt like for me too. Look, you know me, I’ve dated girls. I’ve dated Malia, and Lydia, and that girl Sydney in college-,”

-“-the one with the Happy Days tattoo on her shoulder?”

-“Wait you remember that?”

“How could I have forgotten? We made fun of you for months after you broke up.” she laughed.

“Right…” he nodded, a huge beam on his face. “The point is, I’ve dated before. I’ve kissed and had sex and gone out with girls but it never felt just right. It was like something was always missing. But right now, it’s not missing anymore.”

He finished his sentence and quickly realized she was blushing intensely, making him do the same at once.

“Oh god, I can’t believe I just said that right now…” he whispered, as a self-conscious grin formed itself on his face.

“Stiles, I’m terrified right now. Of this, of what it means, of tomorrow. But we’ve got tonight, we’ve already gone this far, so why stop now?”

Y/N started to lean forward when he spoke and made her stop dead in her tracks.

“What if we have longer?” he inquired, mostly to himself.

“What do you mean?”

“Forget tonight, we have our whole lives ahead of us. Y/N, we don’t need to stop now, we don’t need to stop ever! We could do this every day, we could do this for the rest of our lives!”

“Stiles are you saying that you want us to be together?”

“I’m not just saying that.”

“Stiles….”

“No think about it. You don’t have to marry Alec we could build the life we’ve always wanted together, the life I’ve always dreamed of living with you. We could, nothing’s standing in our way!” Stiles said excitedly, looking into her eyes with pure bliss written all over his face.

“You want that? You want that with me?”

“I want that and more. We could leave LA, burn our bridges here and start over somewhere else, like the suburbs? I could see if the FBI has any openings in New York and we could buy one of those beautiful houses with the tire swings in the backyard and the hardwood floors you’ve always dreamed of having. And you could set up an office at home for your own architectural firm, the one you’ve always said you’d start in your twenties.

“We could have kids. We could build a family and have beautiful children together. We could have two girls and a boy. Beth, Halley and James? Or we could call them anything you like, as long as they’re ours to name. We could have a little grill in the garden and organize a monthly BBQ for our neighbors and friends. We could start sharing movie night with our kids, force them to watch all of the Star Wars movies and you could make them see the classics. I could make you my legendary chicken parmigiana you love so much once a week and you could bake those delicious cookies you always made when we you teenagers, the one with the dried raisins.

"We could shove unnecessary information down our children’s throats at dinner just so they could have interesting stuff to tell everyone else and seem like annoying know-it-alls. We could embarrass them in front of their boyfriends and girlfriends and discuss the birds and bees with them when they’re old enough. We could save money for our kids to go to college and we could cry in each other’s arms when they leave. We could retire together and start traveling through Europe. We could see the Colosseum and eat pizza in Rome, we could walk along the Seine in the middle of the night in Paris, we could share those delicious Belgian waffles in Brussels at the Grand Place. We could go to Spain and see Seville where you’ve always wanted to go. We could make love on the Greek beaches under the stars, we could see everything you’ve always wanted to see.

"We could grow old together, I could walk our daughters’ down the aisle and you could straighten our boy’s tie on his wedding day. We could celebrate our 30th anniversary having grown old together, and we could watch our kids have children of their own. We could have this life together Y/N, we could.”

Stiles had just talked uninterrupted for the past three minutes and he hadn’t even realized that his eyes had started welling up, his lips curled into a loving smile. Y/N’s mouth was agape and fat tears rolled down her cheeks as he finished his earnest monologue.

“Y/N?” he asked, suddenly unsure of his previous words. She slowly wiped her tears and suddenly flashed him an emotional smile.

“Could we have a dog too? Maybe call him Bailey?

Stiles beamed and threw his arms around Y/N, pushing her against the bed and covering her body with his, placing excited kisses all over her face, neck and chest. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.” he whispered over and over again against her soft skin and she smiled widely, feeling his dishevelled hair with her gentle fingers as he did.

Hours had passed and it was 1 am. Y/N and Stiles had cleaned up his apartment completely, throwing the last of the trash in the black plastic bags stacked next to the front door. The pizza boxes had been placed inside the trash bags as well and all had been sealed shut. The laundry had been assembled and placed inside the small washing machine in the bathroom. Stiles had thrown out the perished goods from his fridge, including the beer cans and Y/N had started to wipe the kitchen counter when he pressed himself against her and placed light kisses along the nape of her neck, wrapping his arms around her waist. She moaned quietly and slightly turned her head in his direction, letting him kiss her fully on the lips this time. The warmth between them was comfortable and passionate all at once. One of her hands was in his hair again, delicately scratching his scalp and scruff and his nails were slowly digging into her soft flesh as she pushed her tongue into his mouth. They stayed like that for a while, kissing each other against the counter and exploring each other’s bodies with their hands. After a while, they reluctantly let go of each other and sat down on the couch in the living room in front of the tv where they popped in a movie. “What are we watching tonight?” asked Y/N smiling up at him.

“What do you wanna watch?” he asked her mischievously.

“I’m not sure it’s really that important considering I’m probably not going to watch it anyway.”

He raised his eyebrows and grinned smugly as he bent down to kiss her again when her whisper stopped him.

“What movie Stiles?” He groaned and shrugged.

“Star Wars.”

“No!” exclaimed Y/N with a laugh as she straightened her back.

-“Why not?”

-“Because we watch it all the time!”

-“We haven’t watched it in months!”

-“Oh come on, yes we have.”

“No, we haven’t, we haven’t had movie night since you got engaged.” Stiles regretted the words he had said the second he said them and he shut her eyes letting his head fall.

“I’m sorry I shouldn-”

“-where’s my phone?” she cut him off, suddenly looking everywhere but him.

“Y/N-…”

“-where’s my phone?” Y/N seemed to ask herself as she got up and started looking around the room.

“Why do you need your phone?” he inquired with a hoarse voice, afraid of already knowing the answer.

She ignored his question and bent down, grabbing her phone from the floor right underneath the coffee table.

“9 missed calls,” she mumbled to herself, the previous smile completely erased from her beautiful face.

“Y/N…”

“He called me, Alec called me nine times and I didn’t answer. He sent me texts too. And he left me two voicemails as well.”

“Y/N, remember our plans? Remember the waffles and the beaches in Greece?”

“I have Alec,” Y/N muttered, her eyes gazing into nothing as she started to wake up from the dream she’d been living in for the last few hours.

“Hey, you have me, okay? We can start all over, we were gonna go to New York remember?” Stiles said, starting to feel panic rise in his chest as he got up and walked towards her. She finally looked at him and her eyes welled up.

“Stiles, I can’t. I’m engaged. All those things, I’m supposed to be doing them with Alec.”

“You’re not supposed to do anything. Hey, stop it,” he told her, placing a hand on her cheek as he noticed the salty droplets of water leave the confines of her eyes. She immediately jerked away and pain erupted in his abdomen.

-“Y/N…”

-“I can’t just give up on him, I can’t break my promises to him on impulse like this.”

-“Yes, yes you can, come on Y/N, he deserves someone who loves him back.”

-“I do though, I love him. Otherwise, I never would’ve said yes when he asked me to marry me…”

“You don’t love him, not like you love me.” Stiles was getting desperate, his sight started to blur as tears filled his eyes.

-“Stiles, I can’t do this.”

-“Please, stop, breathe, we were fine a minute ago.”

-“It wasn’t real.”

“What?” he asked harshly.

“It wasn’t real, Stiles, real life is not in fucking La La Land, okay we have people who depend on us, our families, our pack, I have a fiancé-…”

“-a fiancé you just fucking cheated on!” he exclaimed, not even bothering to hold back the tears as he did.

“Y/N please stop this. Don’t go back to him, stay with me,” he pleaded with his shredded voice.

“I’m sorry Stiles…” Y/N choked out, shaking her head as she started to step backwards.

Stiles reached out and tried to grab her hand but she didn’t let him and lunged for her purse in what seemed like under a second.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered again.

“Hey stop! What about tonight, what about us? What about what we said?” Stiles cried out, the vein in his forehead popping out furiously with every harsh beat of his heart. Tears were streaming down his face when Y/N’s back hit the front door.

“It was wrong of me,” she muttered, regret clouding her voice.

“We said we’d have forever,” the devastated man said with a broken voice, ignoring her last remark. He approached her slowly, his humid eyes burning into her own before crashing his lips onto hers. She moaned loudly and tugged at his sweater being rewarded with a whimper as he tried to desperately hold on to her. The kiss was wet this time and it was bittersweet, as it marked the end of their beautiful fantasy.

“Forever can only last for one night,” she answered sweetly before pushing him off of her trembling body and exiting his home.

How did we get here?

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[haxorus-imp]

Alien Affections - Villainous/Reader - Chapter 15

Flug finished setting the last filled vial into the vial display on table with the rest of the 13 other filled products. Just as he predicted. He only had enough blood for 14 vials. He looked towards the other empty vials that sat upon the table across from the chemistry table. There had to be about 30 empty vials on that table. Each one empty of contents and a desire to be filled with...Flug shook his head. He best let Black Hat know he was finished. Before he grows impatient. A sudden rumble from behind him caught his attention, then there was a familiar distinct popping sound.

He's here. "FLUG! Are the bloody poisons ready?!" Black Hat roared as he appeared in a puff of black smoke a short distance behind the doctor. Causing Flug to violently jump and stutter out answers faster than his mind could recall what he was saying. "Y-yes, Sir! The vials are all prepared and r-ready!" Flug squeaked as he moved out of the way of his predatory boss, who strode past him and took in the view of the vials on the vial display. Black Hat gave a large and menacing grin as he observed the finished product. Picking one vial up and examining it. Causing the contents to slosh from within the vial, as he turned and looked at it with his one visible eye. With careful examining qualities and skill. Black Hat finished as he grinned and placed the vial he was examining back onto the display. "Excellent." Black Hat purred, picking up the tray. "Where is the 'Effectiveness of the Poison' pamphlet I demanded you write out before I left? Fetch it for me!" Black Hat ordered the on-edge scientist, who went over to his workbench and retrieved the paper. Handing it over to Black Hat as he held the display in one hand. "Makes heroes weak to their own elemental prowess...no resistance to poisons...loses ability to fly...humans aren't effected...smells enticing...works if injected or consumed." Black Hat muttered, studying the list with a careful gaze. "I will be off to have cambot take pictures of these. They're going on sale immediately!" Black Hat folded the paper in his one hand and placed it within his overcoat pocket. Then, he began to make his way to the exit of the lab. "Oh. By the way, Flug." Black Hat looked over his shoulder towards the skittish doctor. "I'll be expecting more of this product within the next week. Make sure you have some by then." Black Hat warned before he left the lab. Leaving Flug to his own devices. To which the doctor looked at the empty vials on the other table and felt sick all over again. He quickly looked away from his future shame and instead checked the clock that was present in the lab. It read 8:57 PM. He had unexpectedly worked away the afternoon and it was closing in on the evening. Not only that, but he can't remember if he ate anything. Flug blinked slowly and paused when he felt his stomach growl. He sighed. He might as well get something to eat. 5.0.5 might have prepared a meal, seeing it's so close to dinner--Oh. Wait. He was taking care of Dementia... Right. Dementia. Flug suddenly began to feel claustrophobic in his own laboratory. As he knew it was because of the vials and he rapidly made his exit out of the laboratory. He needs time to think, he'll think over while he gets some nourishment. -- Flug had made his way to the kitchen for a bite to eat. He'll be damned if he has to eat another sandwich. When he checked the fridge, he was slightly disappointed. But, it seems that there was some spaghetti leftover in the fridge. It seems someone had made lunch and left some for him. Well. He thinks that, anyway. He took out the dish and warmed it up in the microwave. Then, dressed it up to his liking and made his way over to the kitchen table. He began to eat, not taking off his bag, and slurped up the noodles from the plate. Yet. Even if he was eating, he couldn't get rid of the nagging guilt he felt that overcame him in the lab. 'I couldn't prevent Black Hat from taking the vials...' He thought. 'Is it because I'm cowardly? Or that it's something out of my control? I could of batched it on purpose but...' 'Is it the fear of being beaten by Black Hat? The wrath of my boss? Am I unable to stop...anything?' 'I could of done something. But...I guess I just need to perform crowd control and make sure to lessen the damage that we'll possibly face.' Flug silently ate, lost in his thoughts. '(Name) doesn't deserve this. To become a living bio-weapon. They were pulled here by mistake. MY Mistake.' 'They have such a positive outlook on the world. I can't see why. Nor can I see how. But...maybe it's where they came from. Their world.' Flug looked somber as he was nearly done eating. 'That's right. (Name) isn't even from here. Yet, they come from a world that has it's own problems, yet they always look toward the positive sides of things.' 'They smile, pull pranks, and don't fault others for things they couldn't prevent.' 'Even if they get mauled by their own boss, they still come around him. Despite of what he did. I don't know if they forgave him, but...they sure do let even the most serious of cases slide by them.' 'Relaxed, mild tempered, self controlling, intelligent. That's what they are...and they don't deserve this.' Flug stood up suddenly. Skidding his chair back a few inches more than needed. He then picked up his empty plate and sat it in the sink. 'They deserve to know.' Flug finished his mental monologue. He then left the kitchen in search of you. Determination running through his veins. However, it was a few minutes later after searching the manor and he couldn't find you. It was starting to become worrisome to Flug. He checked your room, you weren't in there. He check most of the bathrooms, you weren't in them. The kitchen was already empty and so was the lab. Meaning those two places were a bust. They wouldn't be in the office, as Black Hat is probably recording the ad for the vials and hates to be disturbed during such events. He even went to Dementia's room.

Which was occupied by a, still ill, Dementia and a caretaker 5.0.5. When he asked if the bear had seen you, 5.0.5 had to think for a moment before the bear nodded and pointed into the direction of the stairs that went towards the roof. Flug thanked 5.0.5 and headed into the same direction that the bear pointed where you went. Approaching the stairs and going up the flight, he began to feel slightly nostalgic. This was where he met you on the night he did his meteorite experiment. Nearly two full weeks ago. He shook his head as he came to the hatch that lead to the roof. He took in a deep breath and opened it.

He was prepared to see you sitting on the roof and doing nothing or just looking over the roofs' edge to see the city from a higher point of view.

Flug was surprised at what he saw.

Seeing you laying on the roof with a few pillows and a blanket was not what he was expecting to see. -- You suddenly heard the hatch to the roof open and when you looked over, you were surprised to see Flug staring back at you. He was also equally surprised to see you laying there on the roof in your make-shift nest. "(Name)? What are you doing laying up here on the roof?" Flug asked, leaving the hatch and closing it back when he got out onto the roof. You just shrugged. "I've been feeling homesick a lot lately. So...I thought I would go to the only place in the house that was closest to my home." You explained, pointing to the sky. Flug looked up and was pleasantly surprised by the clear skies that had taken up residence over the city. Above you both was a purple sky that was slowly turning a dark blue, steadily revealing the twinkling diamonds that were the stars. Like a giant twilight covering was steadily being pulled back to reveal the night sky. There was also a warm breeze tonight, as the city itself seem to quiet itself down for the nightlife to take over. You were staring up into the ethereal sky as the stars became more prominent. Like little shinning beacons that pointed the way back home. Your homesickness was still present, yet, the stars and the sky brought yourself some comfort and closure. If you closed your eyes and imagined yourself home, it wouldn't feel any different from being on your parents roof back home.

The silence was broken by Flug as he cleared his throat. "So...you're stargazing, then?" Flug asked. Looking up at the sky as well. You hummed in acknowledgement. "Yep." You looked over to him from the spot that you were laying on. He was still staring at the sky as you hummed to get his attention. "Care to take up that stargazing offer I gave you a few days ago?" You patted the vacant spot next to you in your make-shift nest. Flug thought it over for a few seconds, before shrugging himself. You scooted over to make room and watched Flug sit down on the roof and laid down next to you on the blanket. You both basked in silence, that was only slightly disturbed by a few distant barking dogs and a couple of cars that would drive through the roundabout every now and then. You sighed in contentment. "This is nice..." You said. "Being up here in the calm and quiet. Looking at the stars as they become more visible." You looked over to Flug who had a finger on his unseen chin. You looked at him in curiosity, noticing him studying the stars with a careful set of eyes. You shifted slightly. "What're you thinking about, Flug?" You asked, looking back at the starry firmament. Flug hummed. "I'm trying to figure out where the constellations are." Flug replied. Occasionally pointing his gloved yellow finger to the sky and made a motion with his hands, as if he was connecting unseen dots. You looked over to him in slight interest. "You studied astrology?" Flug looked back at you. "Well, sorta. It was a hobby of mine when I was a mere child. I tended to look up stars and planets in my schools' library most of the time." He said, looking back at the stars. You stared in interest. "I was a shy kid and books were my way of showing my interest. I went to the library so much that I got to know the librarian at the time. She was a very nice lady. Even letting me inside when the library was supposed to be closed." Flug looked off into the sky and turned back to you.

"Do YOU study astrology?" Flug raised a brow. You grinned.

"I guess it was a hobby of mine, as well. As I would always look up starmaps and zodiac affiliated items. Sometimes, I would go out at night and sneak onto my parents roof. Just to get a closer look at them. They always interested me as a kid. If you couldn't tell from my articles of clothing, I love aliens and space. I would always look up history of the moon landing and I would read Sci-Fi novels that had to do with space. I still read about theories of Aliens, UFOs, Technology, and the like. Even to this day." You explained, watching the welkin dim from a violet to a royal blue and the blue void dot with more stars. Flug hummed in interest, turning his head back to the sky. Which filled in a few moments of peaceful silence.

"Funny enough. I even thought and dreamed about being abducted." You said, suddenly. "I would always hear stories on people getting abducted and being returned home months later...I always wanted it to happen to me. And look at where I am now! Beamed to another planet in the dead of night and met some weird people!" You laughed.

Flug just shook his head, crinkling his bag as he did so.

More silence followed, only temporarily disturbed as a car drove though the roundabout down below.

"Do you. . .want to know what we call our constellations here?" Flug asked, to which you looked over at him in severe interest. "Would I? Yes! I would love to know more about this planet and what it calls it's own stars!" You smiled brightly at him. Flug gave a light chuckle. "Okay then." He then pointed to the vast blanket of stars that had revealed themselves.

"Look there. Do you see those stars over in that section? The bigger bright one and the three smaller ones?" You searched for a few seconds before nodding. "That's Automus. The living heat reactor from ages ago. It was said that the being provided warmth to villages when the harsh winter months came though for our ancestors, allowing our primitive ancestors to spread out farther with little consequences in winter. When he passed away, they named that sector of stars after him." Flug explained.

"Oh, cool! Uh-I mean, hot!" You laughed, to which Flug rolled his eyes. "Then, there's that constellation over there!" He exclaimed, as he pointed to three larger stars in a cradle arc with a smaller one in the center of the arc. "That's Nataria. It's named after the being that assisted our ancestors during the great famine by using their powers to grow food and crops. They named that sector of stars after the being as it resembles a cradle. Symbolizing that the being cradled the humans during harsh times." Flug pointed out. You grinned as you both watched the sky and the stars that twinkled above you. "Then, there's that constellation!" Flug exclaimed, pointing to two larger stars whose appearance made it look like the stars were circling each other. "That's Taozei. It's named after the legendary being that ended a 150 year war between two ancient empires. Creating an era of peace that lasted for 200 years. It's one of the most well known constellations we have in our skies." Flug explained.

"Ah! I get it! Tao means 'Path' and Zei means 'Understand'."  Flug nodded at your assumption and continued with his explanation.

Flug pointed out more constellations, telling them their names and stories as he did so. It felt like hours when he would talk about the stars and visible constellations. Down to the stars name and identity in the field of science. He would talk about comets and their own exploration to their own moon.

You listened intently to every word he said. Absorbing the information like a sponge.

"Wow...your planet even has different constellations than mine. My planets constellations are named after Zodiacs. Each resemble a different creature or being that is mentioned in myths or folklore from my own planets' ancient years." You said in awe.

Flug looked over to you. "Well, most of our constellations are named after great heroes of the past. Believe it or not, back then, being a hero usually meant that you were a god to our more primitive ancestors. If you had powers, you were considered a demi-god and you were appointed to the highest status in your village, town, or city." Flug stated. "Really?" You looked toward Flug as he nodded. "Yeah. But, that was during a time before villains became a thing. The first villain ever recorded was a being called 'Vilegran Malus'. He preformed wicked deeds and used his powers to overthrow kings and spread his empires' borders. He brought war, famine, and death to those who resisted and opposed him." You frowned at that statement. "He scarred the reputation of heroes and people with powers in general. Soon, normal people feared individuals that had powers, and instead of placing them on tiers of power, they were shunned from their own people." Flug somberly explained. "Oh." You looked toward the sky once more.

"Nice to know that not only my own people can be bigots." You muttered. Flug hummed in acknowledgement. "Then, the first hero ever recorded was called 'Suphoran Heroik' and he turned the tables on Vilegran by protecting his village, even if they shunned him." Flug explained. "This began to form one of the oldest guilds in the world to date. The "Heroic Acts Guild"...or 'HAG' for short." You suddenly bust out laughing at that statement. "Th-They called it HAG?!" You laughed, while Flug shook his head. "Yes, yes. They called it 'Hag'. But, the villains had it worse, as theirs got closed down for multiple reasons." Flug explained. "Theirs was called 'Villains Alliance Guild '." Flug looked over to you and saw your cheeks all puffy from contained laughter. All you could let out was a distinct 'Pffffftt'. Flug rolled his eyes from within his goggles. "I'm not saying the acronym." He huffed. You just laughed loudly and started to roll around slightly on the blanket. Letting out all of the pent up giggles and cracks. Ha! Cracks! It took a few minutes for you to finally calm down. Much to Flugs' pleasure. Then, you positioned yourself back to how you once were. You both laid there on the blanket and pillows in silence. The stars above you both were now in full view, as the sun had long since retreated to the other side of the planet, coating your side in darkness. The waxing crescent moon in the sky was a light silver, giving a more special feel to the sky. It was a perfect night to be stargazing, in your opinion. Looking over to Flug, he seemed to be studying the sky. Probably for more constellations. You just happily looked up into the royal blue sky and stared off into one particular distant star. You knew that your planet was a lot farther than that star, yet, it brought you comfort to envision that star as your home. That you weren't stranded on a planet a few hundred thousand light years away from everything you've ever known. You just took a nice deep and calming breath.

Still. It was nice to stargaze up here with Flug. Your closest friend. To which, said friend, suddenly spoke up. "(Name)? I...have something to tell you." Flug whispered, as he looked over to your relaxed form. You looked back in slight curiosity. "Yeah? What is it?" "Well, there's...gonna be...a..." Flug stuttered as he observed your form. Both of you were barely lit up by the streetlights that were on the street, the roof was dark and Flug's equipment from 2 weeks ago has long since been cleaned up. Yet, he felt like stuttering out his explanation. Your gaze was staring into his and he had urges to curl in on himself.

What if it didn't go right!? What if you didn't want to see him again?! What if you hate him after this moment??! "There's gonna be what, Flug?" You asked, tilting your head at him slightly. Flug quivered and blurted out an explanation for his behavior. "There's gonna be a meter shower soon! Do you want to go see it?!" He quickly spoke, only realizing what he did. He didn't tell the truth...he chickened out again. Flug felt like hitting himself and clawing at his face. Why can't he just say it as it is?! BLACK HAT'S USING YOUR BLOOD FOR EVIL. How hard is that?! Your joyous laughter snapped him out of his stupor. "Are you asking me on a date, Flug?" You laughed and bumped his shoulder with your fist. Flug took a second to process his previous words before stuttering out an excuse. "N-No! I t-thought we c-could go out as f-friends!!!" He squealed, to which you just laughed harder. "I know what you meant, Flug. Don't sweat your bag off." You smiled and winked. To which Flug grew flustered at. "It's getting late anyway. I have to go get cleaned up." To which you sat up on the blanket.

"So, when's the meteor shower?" You asked as you stood up and stretched. Flug blinked. "It's...in about a week and a half? It'll occur during the full moon." Flug mumbled, currently stunned at the sudden turn of events. "Ah! Then we'll have enough time to prepare!" You began to walk to the hatch for the roof and turn to Flug. "See you on our 'date' then, Flug!" You mockingly blew a kiss and laughed when Flug started to sputter nonsense. You then left the roof. Leaving Flug all by himself. He placed gloved hands on his goggles and fell back onto the pillows and blanket. He came up here to warn you about Black Hats' intentions and he got a 'date' instead. Wasn't this just his night? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next> <Previous ~First~

[maybeyapping]

The Five Stages of Falling In Love by Edward Elric

People tell you that there are 5 stages of grief, but what they don’t tell you is that there are 5 stages of falling for someone.

 Hi, I’m a linguistics and science major at Royal Amestris, and I’ve fallen in love with my novelist Best Friend, Naomi Brighton.

 Perhaps you’ve heard of her, she wrote the groundbreaking Soul Cross triology, and a series called Koralyne, which revolves around a closeted trans lesbian. I’ve won a few awards for my projects too, but nothing she has.

 Anyways, I think I should get back to the story. Here’s stage one.

 1.       Encounter

 It was a sunny day, way too hot for my mechanic leg to rest comfortably on my skin. I was sipping a milkshake while sitting in my town’s local library, Books n’ Cookies. The name really suited the place, since it was a sort of safe haven for homeless guys, or LGBT folk hiding from family members or homophobic friends. They didn’t charge you for the cookies, at least in money. If you want a cookie and a drink, all you had to do was show your receipt for borrowing a book.

 Sheska, my classmate, was the one who first introduced it to me, and wow, I’m glad she did.

 Anyway, I was sipping the white, icy, beverage, when the door’s bell chimed. I was sitting at the tiny café area, flipping through a YA novel written in my target language, French. It was about an Asexual Biromantic girl, learning how to understand how Homophobia originated. Naomi walked past me at first, and ordered a drink and a cake. She then walked past my table, and she must’ve read an entire paragraph before saying: “The Girl and The Homophobes? Good choice. A LGBT Classic.” I looked up, and scanned her appearance. She was wearing a red headband, a light blue cardigan over a white blouse, a jean skirt with multiple LGBT and fandom badges; biromatic, demisexual, Percy Jackson, Zelda, Voltron, and some of her own merch. She was also sporting white sneakers on which she had painted the words ‘I’m Here and I’m Queer’ over them both. Her left leg was made of the same metal which my right one was created with. She had light brown skin, which reminded me of Professor Miles, freckles, deep black hair, and steely silver eyes.

 “Wh—oh, yeah. You know it?” I spluttered after a moment. She laughed, and leaned against the table, “Know it?” she asked, “I wrote it!” I gaped, “Seriously?” she laughed simply, nodding, “Yeah. It’s the first thing I’ve published,” she supplied. I nodded, eyes wide and lips parted slightly. “It’s good,” I said, “have you published anything else since?” Naomi nodded, “I’ve written the Soul Cross Legends book, and the short story Petrified.” My jaw dropped, “Seriously!? I love Petrified!” Naomi laughed, and nodded to the chair in front of me, “May I?” she asked. I nodded, a little surprised she wanted to continue talking.

 She sat down and unpacked her macbook. I whistled, “sweet.” Naomi rolled her eyes, “Only one of the perks of being a semi popular author,” I clicked my tongue, “Semi? Dude, my entire linguistics class loves your books. You should start your own library.” Naomi barked a laugh, “What? I wouldn’t make any money with that! I don’t even have enough books to fill a library.” I propped my arm on the table, “But you could.” “Do you have any idea how long it takes to write a book?” “No, but I bet you’ll tell me.” “Petrified took two years, with character creation and research. I asked people with PTSD and war veterans to write Gabby.” I whistled appreciatively, “That’s commitment.” Naomi huffed, starting up her macbook, “Or is it just proper representation?” She asked, at my widened eyes she chuckled: “I asked my trans lesbian friend on Koralyne too, so don’t underestimate my ability to do the proper research.”

 I raised my arms defensively, “Alright, I won’t. You’ve proven yourself worthy, bookworm,” I joked. Naomi laughed, “If I’m bookworm,” she pointed at the Bill Nye The Science Guy badge on my sweatshirt, “Does that make you Science Prince?” I laughed, “That’s better than Alchemy Prince,” Naomi giggled, tilting her head, “What’d you do to earn that name?” I groaned, rolling my eyes, “I held a presentation in High School about Alchemy Theory, and I’m researching it now, I got the name from my High School science teacher,” I grinned, “Man, Mrs. Curtis was an amazing teacher, always encouraged me and my brother.” Naomi smiled, “You have a brother?” I nodded. “He’s a year younger than me, studying linguistics and history currently.” Naomi sighed, leaning on her palm, “Wow that’s so cool. I can’t afford going to college, so I work at a cozy little Library.” Her smirk told me that yes, I work here.  

 We ended up talking for two more hours, and exchanging numbers.

 That was how I met my best friend.

  2.       Friendship

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t noticed I’d befriended her until she invited me to play Zelda with her at her apartment. It was a larger apartment uptown, and the mailbox in the entry hall had three names pasted onto it: Brighton, Alvarez and Mckinnon. I guessed Alvarez and Mckinnon were her roommates. I knocked on her door on the 6th floor, and let her pull me inside. She jumped over her couch and crashed onto it with a muffled ‘POOMPF’.  I dropped my bag onto the floor and fell onto the couch. She had moved to sit in front of it, cross legged, controller on her lap. “Welcome,” she said, as I lied on the couch, “to El Palacio de la diversidad, The Palace of Diversity.” I chuckled, “How diverse can it be with three people?” “You’d be surprised,” she said cockily, “Lysanna is Latinx, Cuban, to be exact, Ashley is from Cherokee decent. My parents moved to France two generations ago, then, my parents moved to madrid and I was born there. Then, I came here with Lys and Ash.” I whistled, “A woman of many cultures I see.” “Not to mention the diversity in sexuality and gender; I’m Demisexual and Bi, Ash is Pan and trans, Lys is queer.” I raised a brow, “just queer?” Naomi nodded, pressing buttons on her remote, “yep, she’s still trying to figure it out, but she has dated men, women, in between – basically, she’s seen it all.” I laughed, “Seriously?” Naomi giggled, “Yep! Without her I doubt Ash would be so confident today.” I tilted my head, “And you?”

 She froze. Her muscles tightened (and believe me, there was a lot to tighten), and her nostrils flared. Her eyes turned steely, “I don’t think anyone can help me recover from my lost pride.”  For a moment, I simply stared at her. When I inhaled, ready to ask her ‘Why’s that’, she bolted up. “I’ll be right back,” she said, and waved. Then, she disappeared down the hall. As she was absent, I looked at the polaroids decorating the walls, shelves and tables. There was a white string above the kitchen counter, as well as the TV. On all pictures stood Naomi, with two other girls, sometimes just one, other times Naomi wasn’t depicted. There was a pink polaroid camera on the shelf above the TV, next to it a picture of a girl with brown skin, dark brown curly hair, and sparkling green eyes. In pink marker the white area of the picture read, ‘I’m better than you at everything, but above all else: sex. –Lys’ There was a manuscript of The Girl And The Homophobes, next to it was a picture of Naomi in a bright blue, flower printed sundress and straw hat. It read: ‘Feelings aren’t sensible. People don’t make sense, and love doesn’t either. The people who do, are often times the wrong ones. – Nao’ the last item was a mannequin head, on which orange cat-ear headphones rested. The polaroid taped to the mannequin had a picture of a girl with light brown hair, dark red eyes and brown skin, and scars along her arms. She was wearing an orange sweatshirt-vest, and black jeans. It read ‘I have a free life long trial of feeling okay. –Ash, 2017’

 Just then, Naomi returned. She was holding a blue, white and silver bracelet that she had made herself. It was made of wool, one of those classic friendship bracelets that were popular a few years ago. She must’ve noticed the ones I wore, green and blue from Winry, a brown and gold one from Al, a yellow, white and gold one from Ling, a green and black one from Lan Fan, the list went on. “Here,” she said, handing it to me, “This is for you. A gift.” I took it, eyes blown wide, “Thanks.” Naomi smiled, and sat down again. “I consider us friends, you know.” I hummed, “That’s good to know, Bookworm.” After a moment of silence, the only sound coming from her controller, I added: “I consider us friends, too.”

 She grinned, silver eyes sparkling with delight.

 3.       Trust

She hadn’t come to the Library that day. That set me off. “Don’t worry about it, Brother,” Al had said, “She was probably just feeling under the weather.” I had hummed, but I didn’t believe it. She normally texted me if she wasn’t feeling well, so this was new. I left Al when he began talking to Mei, and ran uptown – to Naomi’s apartment.

 I bounded up the stairs and knocked on the apartment door. At least, I slid to a halt before it, just as the door opened and a familiar face exited. “Hm? Ed? What are you doing here?” Lys asked, green eyes glittering curiously. “Naomi didn’t show today,” I said, “Just wanted to check that she’s okay.” Lys deflated, green eyes turning dark. “She’s in her room,” she said grimly, “last door on the right. She’s…she needs someone she can trust.” I frowned, “And it’s not you?” Lys smiled sadly, “I’m not you, apparently.” With that, she dropped the apartment key into my hand and left.

 I unlocked the door and stepped inside. After dropping the key in it’s holder on the dresser next to the door, I headed towards Naomi’s room. There was a whiteboard pinned to the door, and the quote had been written with wet marker: “Dying is Easy, Living is Harder –Lin Manuel Miranda” From behind the door I heard coughing and broken sobs. I pushed the door open carefully, and my eyes flew over Naomi, wrapped in a bi pride flag blanket, curled up into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably.

 I slowly walked to her bed and sat down. She continued to cry until I placed my hand on her head tentatively. She stopped sobbing, and moved her head to my lap. “What happened?” I asked, voice quiet. Naomi hiccupped, “M-My step mom…I-I thought…I thought she—she had texted me…” I was no mind reader, but I guessed she didn’t like her step mom much. The way she avoided talking about her ‘Family’, I could only guess that she was the victim of Homophobia, Sexism, Abuse, or all of the above. I pet her head, and whispered, “I’m here. You’re safe.” I wanted to say ‘You’re safe,’ but I couldn’t lie to her, and I didn’t know if it really was safe. She coughed. “I’m…I’m sorry, I’m bad at this.” I said. “J-Just…cuddle?” she sobbed, and I froze. After a moment my shock morphed into a smile, “Sure.” I said, crawling into bed next to her.

 We lied in silence, me cradling her in my arms. I found we did this a lot, acting like a couple, even though we weren’t. I never did this with anyone else, it was something only Naomi knew of me.

 Suddenly, she spoke: “I was 7 when Ash told me she thought my mom was abusive,” I froze, my hand stopped stroking her back, “It wasn’t until I was 11 that the police did something. I was put in a foster home. I thought…I thought mom’s hit their kids, and that they refused to feed them when they got bad grades. I though Mrs Mckinnon was the weird one.” Ashley Mckinnon saved Naomi. That was a fact I knew then. I pulled her closer and whispered, “You’re free now. You’re here.” Naomi hummed, the vibration resonating through my body, “To this day, I flinch everytime someone gets really angry.” I frowned, I knew that. I had been on the ‘really angry’ side of the situation sometimes.

 “I won’t let her hurt you again,” I said, “I know Ash and Lys won’t either.” Naomi nodded, and grasped my shirt. “Thanks,” she husked, “Thanks Ed.”

 4.       Recognition/Acceptance

It was simple, really.

 It was such a small thing, I’m surprised I didn’t notice it sooner. We were sitting at the library café, laughing, joking, talking, brainstorming fic and novel ideas. Her eyes crinkled, and her grin was wide. Her gray eyes were sparkling, and looked like pure silver, she was curling a strand of hair around her fingers, her raid nails creating a contrast to her black hair. Had her eyes always been such an indescribable shade between silver and blue? I wasn’t sure.

 I felt my face grow hot, the warmth spreading to my ears when she began to play with her red earrings. Red reminds me of you, she had said when buying them with me, so I’ll be sure to always think of you when I wear these.

 Remembering that sent electricity through my body.

 Oh no.

  5.      Confession

We were on the Central City Pier, our feet dangling over the edge as the sky painted the sea in dark shades of blue under the setting sky. The sky was dipped shades of red, blue and purple. She was wearing shorts and a blue bikini top. A red ribbon held her braid together.

 She was smiling, licking her strawberry ice cream. Her lips were red from the cold, but she never shivered. She looked at me, and I whipped my head away. I felt hot from my nose to my ears, and then she did something that made me grow hot all over:

 She touched my ear.

 I turned around and she pulled her hand back. “You’re warm,” she said, silver eyes blown wide. The wind picked up and brushed her hair into a frazzled mess. I probably looked just as disheveled. “Mhm,” I hummed, glaring at the horizon. Naomi pouted, and scooted nearer. She studied the side of my face as I sipped my slushie. I felt my cheeks heat up. She tilted her head. “What’s wrong with you? You look like the sun just ruined Al’s surprise Birthday party.” I rolled my eyes and glared at Naomi. She smiled, “Now you look like I missed an expertly planned Chemistry pun.” “That’s how I feel, too.” Naomi laughed, “Oh yeah? Pray tell, what did I miss?”

 I glared at my slushie, now, and felt the heat spread down my neck. “You’re such a hypocrite,” I deadpanned, making her squeak indigilantly, “You call me oblivious while being 100% clueless yourself.” Naomi frowned, “What do you mean?” She got on all fours and stared at me intently. I looked at her, which was a mistake. Her face was positioned in a way that it was nearly impossible not to look down her shirt. I cursed, then turned to her. I grabbed her arms and pulled her into a sitting position.

 “Are you stupid?” I asked, “or just in denial?” Naomi deflated. “Denial,” she hummed, “I just don’t get how you could possibly have a crush on me.” I scowled, “Hell if I know. You’re cute I guess.” She laughed airily, “You guess?” I shrugged, releasing her. After a minute, she said: “How can you be in love with a fuck up like me?” “If with fuck up you mean you fuck me up, then, easy, you just…do.” Naomi smiled, and intertwined our fingers, “Can you help me love myself again?” I looked at our hands, face hot, “I can try. No, I…I promise I will.” Naomi laughed, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” “I only make ones I can.”

 I hadn’t realized how much her words affected me (and vice versa) until that moment.

 Then, she pushed me against the pier and kissed me.

[4birds-of-a-feather]

Chapter 26 - Man, it doesn’t show signs of stoppin’ [part 3]

Birds Of a Feather

(In the previous chapters: Layla’s stuck at SeaTac and gives a call to WC Boyfriend who, once more, confirms to be the shittiest boyfriend ever; in the meantime, Sara has reunited with her long-lost cat and an acquaintance of her family, but it wasn’t all peaches and dandelions. WARNING: the other super-short update – we know that we had promised you to update sooner, but we were busy with our job, studies and festivities – just in time to wish you a fantastic 2018!)

Sara walked upstairs back to the loft, frantically rummaging in her shoulder bag to find the apartment keys. When she arrived on the landing, she jumped. “Fuck, mr. California! You scared the shit out of me!” the girl angrily shouted, almost dropping her headphones “The fuck are you doin’ out here???” The singer was in fact sitting on the floor, next to the front door – notebook and pen in his lap. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” he quickly grabbed the objects and hid them behind his back “It’s just that I went for a walk but forgot my keys on the table, and Jeff’s gone to a party, so…” “No problem: Layla left me hers” she made the keys clink under Eddie’s nose, so the singer smiled and stood up while she made the lock spring open. When they went inside, Sara stopped in the hallway to hang her coat, scarf and bonnet, while Eddie was looking at her, scratching his nape. “Weren’t… weren’t you supposed to spend this day with your family?” he finally asked, almost startling her. The girl gulped, rubbed her blubber eyes and put on a rather convincing cheerful voice, trying not to let him notice her real attitude. “Oh, yes, it’s just-I went to my parents’ house and I noticed that my mom’s relatives from Portland were there too… They’re annoying and know-it-all and kind of churchy too… <Why in hell did I mention Portland? Fuckin’ A, Fancini! Congrats!> … So I just drew the attention of my dad, without making the others notice me, and I explained him that I couldn’t tolerate ‘em, so he agreed and made up some persuasive excuse too… I guess my mum will understand, even if they’re her siblings and shit like that” she ended her monologue and finished to hang all her things, while Eddie was still looking at her. “So… this means you survived” he gave her a warm smile and she did the same. “Yeah, I guess so… Man, I fuckin’ hate these festivities! Hypocrisy flows in torrents” “Don’t tell me… The fuckin’ triumph of bleeding hearts, ugh” the singer soon joined her in that anti-Christmas rant and the two of them quickly ended bursting into laughter. “Glad to see another cynical and black soul around here – the world is too full of retarded Santa’s little helpers” “Man, I hate those lil’ fuckers!” Eddie laughed again, then his eye fell upon a packet full of ribbons that was under the Christmas tree – Sara’s gaze followed his own one. “Oh, you noticed Layla’s work of art…” “… How the fuck does she know that yesterday was my birthday?!” he finally exclaimed, making the girl look at him in disbelief. “Wait a minute: yesterday was your birthday?!” “… SHIT” “Why the fuck didn’t you tell us, Eddie??? You really are grown up in the woods, for fuck’s sake!” Sara scolded him, her eyes plopping out of her head. “I don’t know… I just didn’t want to bother, that’s all” he shrugged, not knowing what else to say. “… you really are weird” the girl sighed, shaking her head “Anyway, that’s your Christmas present… Layla always remembers this kind of things so, in your shoes, I wouldn’t be bothered…” “Didn’t she buy you anything?” Ed asked her, noticing that his pack was the only one under the Christmas tree. “Who do you think you’re talkin’ to??? Of course she bought me something, I’m her fuckin’ best friend!” she gave him a little slap in the nape “But I’ve already hidden it… ya know, with that animal of Ament that freely scampers in this loft, you’ll never know what he could do to my wealth” The guy laughed again “I think I’ll take the risk – I’ll leave mine here” “As you wish, mr. California – I won’t be the one who’s gonna stop you… don’t say I didn’t warn ya” He nodded and started to go in his room’s direction, then stopped and looked at her. “I guess I’m goin’ in my room to listen to some records… Wanna join me?” Sara winced a little, but quickly regained her usual aplomb. “Yeah, why not?” she shrugged “Just gimme a minute and I’ll come” “Ok, great – I’ll leave the door open, no need to knock” The girl nodded and made her way to the bathroom, while he stood in the hallway a few other seconds; when he saw the ringlets at the end of her ponytail disappear, he finally went in his bedroom.  

<Nothing happened – you’re perfectly capable to have a natural conversation without embarrassing yourself… you’re gonna fuckin’ own this, you’ll see> Sara splashed her face, then looked at her tired reflection in the mirror: she could still spot some glitter but decided that her cheeks had already been rubbed enough – oh, and her face was the embodiment of misery. <I’m gonna be fuckin’ owned, ugh – this motivational bullshit is pathetic> She took a deep breath and made her way to Ed’s room, stopping just outside: Quadrophenia had just started playing when she peeped out from the doorjamb. “Am I still welcome?” Eddie raised his eyes from the books he was browsing and gave her a smile. “Always – come in!” he went to close the door and gestured for her to find a place to sit; she decided to take a seat on the floor, near the bookshelf where he was standing before. Soon after the guy approached her, waving something with a playful grin: “What did I tell you? Here, see for yourself” He handed her the infamous Polaroid he had taken with Joe Strummer and the girl sneered. “Since a month has almost passed, I thought you had made the whole story up…” she provoked him, without tearing her gaze from Strummer’s autograph at the bottom of the picture. “Yeah, in fact this photo is false as the fact that in 1977 I saw Springsteen and the E Street Band…” he casually added, going to sit next to her. “… you did what???” “… and I also saw The Who in 1979, when I was almost fifteen years old” “YOU LUCKY BASTARD!” Sara kicked him, making him laugh. “Why, are you telling me you never went to a concert?” Eddie mocked her with an evil smile. “Yeah, in fact Fleetwood Mac in 1980, Cat Stevens in 1976 or Led Zeppelin in 1977 were just hallucinations” “HOLY SHIT!” the guy exclaimed, surprised “Wait a minute, Cat Stevens in 1976? How old were-” “Eight years old, and he played divinely” she smiled again “Anyway, I won’t be jealous about you seeing The Who – Moon The Loon was already underground, I can tolerate it” “Shit, you were just a child! And Zeppelin at nine years old – I’m not surprised you turned out like this” Eddie spoke again, then laughed for her second statement. Soon after The Real Me began to play and Sara’s smile turned into a big grin. “The Ox is fuckin’ awesome here – I mean, I can totally say that he’s my favorite bass player without any doubt” “You love Quadrophenia too?” Eddie’s eyes lit up at the thought of a fellow fan of The Who. “Well, that’s not my favorite album made by them, but my second favorite song that they composed is here, so I guess I have to give it some credit” “Just spit out the title” “Love, Reign O’er Me, obviously” “I knew it – sooo, this means that your favorite album’s Tommy…” “Nope – Who’s Next” she gave him a mischievous grin “My favorite song is there, guess it!” The guy mentally listed the tracklist, then answered: “The Song Is Over, right?” “… you’re starting to impress me, ya know?” Sara mocked him, and he laughed. “Sooooo” after a while Ed cleared his throat “what are our plans for Christmas’ Eve?” “Well, since our beloved chef’s not here… I guess we’re fucked, mr. Surfin’ U.S.A.” “Nope, listen: food problem will be solved with pizza delivery… but what about after dinner?” “Why are you lookin’ at me as if I were the life and soul of all parties?!” “Hmm, maybe we could go out and drink somethin’…” he ignored her and went on with his suggestions. “… so then we would be surrounded by stupid people with their fuckin’ stupid Santa Claus hats or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer antlers?! No, thank you!” “Or we could reach Jeff at the party he went to…” “You really want a Seattle remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night, don’t ya?” The guy laughed again, then raised his hands in order to declare himself innocent: “Oook, I get it! How about stayin’ at home and watchin’ some old movie provided by yours truly?” “Are you really makin’ me responsible for our pre-Christmas entertainment?” “C’mon, don’t be too modest! I liked Neighbors and I’m sure-” “Of course you liked it, I kept tellin’ you that you’re Belushi’s alter-ego!” Sara interrupted him, while he stuck his tongue out. “… I was telling ya that I liked Neighbors and I’m sure you’ll do a great job this evening too, that’s all” “… Whatevs” “Great! An Italian one, please” “What? Don’t tell me you’ve ever watched one of them!” “Yep, Miracle in Milan” “NO FUCKIN’ WAY!” the girl exclaimed, sincerely enthusiastic “D’ya know that its last scene inspired the E.T.’s one with the bicycles lifting into the air?” “Shit, that’s why I had a déjà vu when I first watched it!” “Sorry, I’ll stop immediately with my movie geek act – I know it’s weird, I just can’t help it” “No problem, I learnt something new” The girl gave him a grateful smile, then resumed her considerations:  “Hmm, so you watched somethin’ from Neorealism… What about Commedia all’Italiana? Err, I mean, Italian-style comedy?” she quickly corrected herself, while Ed smiled because of those few Italian words. “Yeah, why not? I mean, Neorealism is great, but I’d like somethin’ lighter” “Well, ‘lighter’ is not the word I’d use to describe I Mostri, but it’s an awesome example of how great satire could be” “I’m in your hands, I’m sure you won’t disappoint me” Eddie cracked another smile “Dubbed?” “In your fuckin’ dreams, Vedder! I’ve got the subtitled version, this is no place for heretics!” “Yeah, I thought so… I also bet that on March you showed off the Italian flag when Cinema Paradiso won the Academy Award, am I right?” “… you almost got it” was her embarrassed answer, while the guy laughed and stood up to put his notebook in a drawer. “That’s your holy Bible full of personal lyrics, huh?” she asked him, and he immediately turned to face her, as if he had just received a punch in the face “Because that’s what your songs are… Autobiographic, like a diary” Eddie didn’t say anything and lowered his head, and soon Sara was forced to interrupt that awkward silence. “I’m-I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to sound like a bitch but, well!, apparently that was the final result…” she wrung her hands “Man, I really suck with social interactions” “It’s ok, don’t worry” the guy finally opened his mouth again and went to sit on the floor, next to her. “Did all that stuff happen to you?” she asked, after a while. “Except for the incest, yeah… I have lacked for nothing” “… shit” she took a deep breath, trying to clear her thoughts “I’m-I’m so sorry, Ed” “Yeah, I know you really mean it” he said in a low voice, then brought his knees to the chest. “Would my humble singing your praises make you feel a little better?” “Why, did you really like the songs or are you just givin’ me a lump of sugar?” he abruptly raised his head and shot her a nasty glance. “Fuck, do I really look like a person who gives compliments away?!” she retorted, starting to get worked up. “Are we really assembling a conversation by using only questions?” he went on, finally being able to chuckle, while the girl soon followed him – she mentally thanked him for making both of them a bit more relaxed than before. “Anyway – yes, I really liked ‘em, I think you’re a worthy lyricist… At least, the few times I can understand what the fuck you’re singing” At those words the guy laughed heartily and gave her a playful push, to which she answered with another one, a bit stronger. “But yeah, jokes aside: we can totally say that I’m in presence of talent” she winked at him and he thanked her, a bit embarrassed but pleased all the same. When Eddie resumed to talk, I’m One was playing in the background. “Oh, I was almost forgetting to tell ya that I really like your voice” Sara immediately froze, then slowly turned in his direction. “I beg your pardon, what did you just say?” “I said that I like your voice… I heard you, you sing pretty well” “WHEN DID YOU HEAR ME?!” “Well, a few days ago, when we hung out at that bar and-” “Holy Marvin Gaye, I knew that the whole karaoke thing was a shitty idea!” she facepalmed. “… but I heard ya yesterday too, while you were taking a shower” “Fuckin’ A, Vedder! Since when are you overhearing me?!” the girl asked him, her eyes almost plopped out of her head. “Err, since when you’ve started to sing Elton John out loud…?” “That’s because I thought I was alone! I thought that nobody was at home, except me! And instead you were there, lurkin’ like a vulture!” At that last comparison the singer laughed out loud, making Sara even more irritated. “C’mon, don’t be offended! I just wonder why you’re freakin’ out like that!” he tried to ease the situation, given how she didn’t seem to relax. “Because I don’t want anyone to know it, genius! I don’t like it, it’s just a personal thing” “… a personal thing?” “Yeah, a promise I made to someone – someone really important, but that was just a thing between the two of us” “Hmmm, understood” he thought over something, then resumed to talk “My father… he sang too. I mean, that’s what other people told me – I met him a few times, as a family friend, but I didn’t talk to him that much… And then one day my mum took me aside and told me that who I thought was my father was actually my step-father, and that my real dad was ‘that man that once in a while came to visit us, you remember?’ but he had already died, and I-I didn’t know what the fuck I was supposed to do, or say, or think, or feel, and-” Eddie stopped talking and took a deep breath, probably in the attempt to not cry, but Sara had already noticed his eyes becoming bright with tears. “It’s ok, Eddie, you don’t have to talk about it” she carefully put a hand on his shoulder and softly squeezed it, while he let out a deep sigh. <Am I the first one to hear his story? Well, who cares! I mean, he trusted me and told me all these things –  maybe I should tell him about-> The girl’s thoughts were interrupted by the noise of a guitar’s sound box – Ed had grabbed the instrument and now was strumming it absent-mindedly, trying to tune it. “You play guitar?” “Yeah, a little bit… Well, playing is a huge word: let’s just say that I strum away on it” “Hmmm, I see” “You’re gonna make me listen to somethin’, right?” “What?!” she almost choked “Absolutely not – this is a categorical no!” “I’m sorry but I won’t accept refusals of any type” “… are you blackmailing me?” “Hmmm, maybe… you think I am?” “I think so, Alvin without the Chipmunks!” The guy laughed: “C’mon, just a song! It’s just the two of us – nobody will ever come to know this, I promise” Sara rolled her eyes, so Eddie went on: “Silence gives consent… fine, let’s do this!” He casually plucked some strings, then finally had a flash of inspiration and began to play. “I’m sure you know this one, I saw this album in your collection” “Great! Have you searched my bedroom too?!” she hysterically asked him, but he ignored her. “C’mon, be ready! Your turn is finally coming!” the guy played the last introductory chords and Sara finally began to sing, her eyes still rolling. “Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly… All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise…” Eddie smiled to himself and the two kept on performing the song; at a certain point he slowed down the fingerpicking and started to whistle, imitating the birds chirping, while the girl looked at him in a perplexed way – but then burst into laughter. “The hell are you doin’???” “C’mon, try it – be a blackbird too!” he suggested her, still laughing, and when she emulated him he smiled satisfied “See? That was easy” “… idiot” the girl laughed again, and resumed to sing the final lines: “You were only waiting for this moment to arise, you were only waiting for this moment to arise, you were only waiting for this moment to arise…” Eddie finished to play, then smiled at her. “Well, you did learn to fly… Congratulations on your voice” “You’re just a flatterer, but thanks” she blushed, then cleared her throat “Instead, congratulations on your guitar style! You don’t limit yourself in strummin’ away on it… you play it, Ed” “Nope, I’m not that good” “Have you ever considered the possibility of playin’ in the band? Like, for real” “In the band? A band with three guitars?” “Yeah, why not? Kind of a Lynyrd Skynyrd thing, ya know” “Well, I’m just the new guy – I don’t know if Mike and Stone would agree…” he shrugged “Plus, as I said before, I can’t seriously play it” “Hmmm, as you wish… But, in your shoes, I’d give it a try” “Who knows, maybe in the future? Like ten years from now, just gimme enough time to practice…” “Why, are you really believin’ that you guys are goin’ to last that long?!” she provoked him, and the guy laughed. “No, you’re right – but, in the meantime, I’d be really glad to make at least a duet with you at the karaoke” “No fuckin’ way, I’ll never set foot again on that goddamn place, sure as hell!” “Ok, as you wish… but, sooner or later, you will sing somethin’ with me” he pondered “Like a collaboration… I should seriously write somethin’ for two voices” “Don’t you fuckin’ dare, Vedder! This is a secret, I told ya once and I won’t tell you again: keep your mouth shut or there’ll be big troubles!” Eddie pretended to go along with her wishes and gave her a mischievous smile – then his gaze fell on something that was peeking from the pocket of her sweatshirt. “What’s that?” “Oh” the girl suddenly remembered its existence and pulled it out “Just a mixtape I was listening to before” “Can I?” he extended a hand and she gave it to him “Footprints like puddles – strange choice for a title… I like it” “It’s-err… It’s just a silly title, I wrote down random words” “It seems well put together to me…” Ed fumbled with its case and finally pulled out the tracklist. “It’s just a couple of songs for the days when I get the mean reds, nothing serious” “The… the mean reds?” he hadn’t even started to read through the track titles but stopped immediately “What’s that?” “Well… ever watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s?” the guy nodded and she went on “When Audrey Hepburn gets ‘em, she jumps in a cab and goes to Tiffany’s – and it calms her down, just like that” “Ok, now I get it – this right here is your personal Tiffany’s, right?” “It is” “Then it’s better if I don’t intrude” he quickly opened again the case and started to put away the tracklist, but her hand stopped him. “… Go on, I think you could appreciate it” He looked at her, a bit puzzled: “You sure?” “Yep – go on” The guy smiled and finally began to read it. “Let’s see… we’ve got Leonard Cohen – woah, Ella Fitzgerald! – Brian Eno and Tom Waits… you put The Boss too, awesome” “Yeah, Racing In The Street reminds me of the way I feel when I choose not to open my umbrella on rainy days” “I think he’d be honored to know it… well, you should totally lend this to me, there are a couple of songs in here that I don’t know and I’d like to hear ‘em” he stopped, scratching his nape a bit embarrassed “… of course, only if you feel ok with that” “Yeah – err, yeah, that’s fine… I don’t mind” “Great, thanks” “You’ll tell me what you think about it, ‘kay? And I also wanna know if you appreciated the ones you hadn’t heard before my magic tape came to your rescue” “… you just got yourself a deal” “That’s what I like to hear” Sara looked around, her gaze stopping on the surfboard in a corner, the big waves painted on some walls, the books and vinyls piled on the desk and shelves – a few were also scattered on the floor; she found out that the room really reflected Eddie’s soul – at least, for the little bits she knew about him. The girl also found herself really missing her old chamber, the one that was waiting for her in that godawful mess of her loft, with most of all her belongings stocked there and the furniture apparently put in a random way – when in reality it had been carefully arranged by her. Out of the corner of his eye Eddie clearly saw her sigh, so he quickly tried to introduce a new topic in order to offer her a little distraction. “Say… can you play some instrument?” Sara startled, a confused expression upon her face. “Who? Me?” the guy nodded and she went on “Nope – when I was a child I used to play the harmonica from time to time, but it was nothin’ serious” “Oh, I see – and you got a favorite instrument? One that you really enjoy listenin’ to, and maybe you’d also like to learn how to play?” “HA! Lemme surprise you: banjo, mandolin, kazoo – ya know, all those weird things” she listed, all proud  “Oh, and I love bass too… but don’t tell Ament, pretty please!” “Ahahaha, ok! Pinky swear” he laughed, then they entwined their little fingers and the deal was made “But yeah, really unusual choices… I was expecting something entirely different” “Like what?” “Like… I dunno – violin? Piano? Maybe the harp too… You strike me as someone who would enjoy these instruments a lot” “… I strike you as someone this ordinary? Wow, Ed – you really have a way with words” “Shit, I-I didn’t mean that, I just-” “Relax, I was just teasing you!” Sara let out a carefree laugh “I know that on the outside I may give this impression… and let’s not talk about this squeaky, little voice of mine – it’s obvious that you’d link it to a violin instead of a kazoo” The guy laughed and gave her a playful push, then resumed his observations: “See? That’s why a collaboration of the two of us would be so interesting – and stop it, your voice isn’t squeaky” “You’re the one who has to stop it, Ed! Erase this crazy idea of yours right now or-” “Or what? You’re gonna kick my ass? Punch my cute face with those small, childish hands? I don’t think so, Fancini” “VEDDER, YOU’RE SO GOING DOWN” she roared and threw a cushion at him that perfectly landed on his face. “Ouch! How can such a little person be this evil???” he grabbed another pillow and did the same with her. “You’re one to talk! Beware the mighty Big Foot!” “See?! Well, I’m going to expose you in my next song, which is gonna be this caustic piece about how one should never trust Italian girls with big, brown eyes because in reality they’re Satan’s daughters – and, the good news? I’m so gonna force you to sing some lines, the ones with the nastiest insults” he laughed again, avoiding a cushion “I can’t wait to hear your angelic voice singin’ something along the lines of ‘you’re a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride’…” “Angelic my ass! Stop talking about me singin’, nobody has to fuckin’ know it!” Sara gave him a strong push that made him fell legs in the air, her irascibility growing as she heard him guffaw without restraint. “Ok, ok, nobody will ever know this thing! I swear!” he shouted breathlessly among his laughter. “… nobody will ever know what?” were the words that came out from Layla’s mouth, as she suddenly peeped out from the door.

[kiribakus]

yes, you say you’d like to || kiribaku week 2017

kiribaku || 5,800 words || semi-nsfw || for @kiribakuweek2k17

“You’re a popsicle biter, you fucking animal,” Bakugou says.

“You’re not?” Kirishima says around a mouthful of ice cream.

“No,” Bakugou says. “I prefer my teeth unfrozen, thanks.” He wraps his mouth around the popsicle and Kirishima realizes his mistake very, very quickly.

day one: studying / summer / anger

>> READ ON AO3 <<

Kirishima thought it would be a good idea to invite his squad to the beach. Just him, Kaminari, Mina, and Sero hanging out; maybe they’d pick up a watermelon on the way. Kaminari had a big umbrella, Mina had extra beach towels, and Sero’s mom made the best snacks. Kirishima still had a volleyball and net from middle school. The net had some tears and was probably a bit too short, and there wasn’t a chance in hell that Sero wouldn’t cheat, but they could still relax and let loose. Heavens knew they weren’t getting any rest being run ragged by the hero offices they were interning under.

But of course, Kaminari never went anywhere without Jirou, so she was added to the list. Fine. Jirou would bring an old boombox and promised to DJ. But Jirou couldn’t keep secrets from Yaoyorozu, who Kirishima then felt compelled to invite, who in turn accepted and cancelled study plans with Iida, who in turn mentioned the beach day to Uraraka and Midoriya, who naturally told Tsuyu and Todoroki. With eleven of their old class invited, it seemed douchey not to invite the rest of 1-A and that’s how Kirishima found himself in charge of a class reunion rather than a simple outing. But even with the rest of their class finding their own rides, that made eleven interested parties trying to fit in Kirishima’s van that fit eight.

At least Todoroki offered to take Midoriya on his motorcycle (but when the hell did Todoroki get a motorcycle?), so Kirishima could force the girls to squish together in the back. Kaminari—the traitor—called shotgun and promised to pay gas money, so Kirishima couldn’t be all that mad at him. He could manage this, with everyone bringing something to eat. He could manage it until—

“What the hell? And I wasn’t invited?”

“Must be your wonderful personality working its magic,” Jirou snipes Bakugou on the way to lunch. Kirishima feels his stomach drop to his feet. How had he heard?

“Actually, it’s pretty weird that he wouldn’t invite you,” Kaminari says. “I only mentioned it because I thought you’d turned it down.”

Kaminari. That traitor.

“Like hell I want to rub shoulders with you snotlickers any more than I have to,” Bakugou snaps. “I wouldn’t go even if he did invite me.”

Ah, he’s done it now. Put Bakugou on defensive mode. Kirishima’s gotta talk his way out of this one. “It’s not—don’t take it the wrong way,” Kirishima calls out. The group turns to look at him, Jirou’s mouth in an ‘o,’ and Kaminari unable to meet Kirishima’s eyes. But Kirishima doesn’t have time to chew him out.

“I want you to come,” Kirishima says. “Of course I do. I just thought—that composition we have coming up. You said you needed to focus this weekend. I didn’t want to, you know, tempt you away from your holy shrine of focus or—”

“You’re the one who needs to focus, numbnuts!” Bakugou snaps. “I could write that composition in my sleep. You’re the one who needs to worry and you’re kicking it at the seaside! Worry about me? Ha!”

Kirishima smiles. “I supposed my worry was all for naught. Well then, Bakugou, would you like to come with us? Shotgun’s free.” Kaminari protests and Kirishima stomps on his foot.

“I only ride shotgun,” Bakugou says. “Better fucking be free.” Then he turns on his heel and marches off towards the cafeteria.

Kirishima waits until Bakugou is out of earshot, then socks Kaminari in the arm.

“Ow! What the hell, man?” Kaminari yelps.

“You know what that was for,” Kirishima says.

Jirou twirls her earjack. “Thought we were one person overbooked already.”

“Yeah!” Kaminari says, scowling. “How was I supposed to know you didn’t invite him? Given that you're fucking wh—”

Kirishima smacks a hand over Kaminari’s mouth. “Dude, do you ever keep people’s secrets?”

Jirou looks between them, raises her eyebrows, and looks away. “Ooookay,” she says. “I think I know what’s going on here. And I don’t want any part of it.” She walks ahead of them.

Sighing, Kirishima resigns himself to a life of suffering.

---------------------------------

As his friends pile out of the dorms, the boys in board shorts and the girls in bikinis wrapped in sundresses, Kirishima presses his forehead against the steering wheel and thinks about what a bad best friend Kaminari is.

If Kaminari hadn’t mentioned this outing to Jirou, Kirishima would still have the will to live. Because once Jirou told Yaoyorozu and this whole thing spiraled out of control, it was impossible that Bakugou would not find out. And Bakugou, out of spite alone, would definitely want to come to the beach.

Meaning that Kirishima’s life was over.

The worst part is, Kaminari knew! Kaminari knew how Kirishima felt about Bakugou, particularly Bakugou shirtless and dripping with sweat, the heaving of his chest as he chased after a volleyball or the bunching of his thighs as he prepared to spike. A hand brushing back through spiky blond hair, untamed even after swimming in the ocean, a trickle of water running down a pec, turning pink under the sun…

Kirishima is a simple gay man. A simple gay man with a big, fat crush.

The last thing he needs is Bakugou shirtless in the sun, when Kirishima is thirsty enough from the heat. He is not willing to pop a boner because he wrestled with Bakugou for the ball or they were having a splashing contest and Bakugou ended up laughing or something. Kirishima refuses to let the contents of his fantasies get any wilder because when it came to Bakugou there’s always a lot of contact and physicality involved and Kirishima is already so, so weak as it is.

Still, this is Kirishima’s reality now, so he needs to face it with a clear mind and a head held high. The girls are the first out of the dorms, splitting up with Tooru, taking Ojiro’s car. They wave and then move towards Kirishima’s van. He hops out and offers to help pack their beach bags. They’re all very cute and Kirishima sends a small prayer of thanks that Mineta was too sick to make it to their outing.

“Oh!” Uraraka says. “This is your van, Kirishima?”

Kirishima nods and pats the baby blue door. “Yep, she’s all mine! A bit beat up on the outside and not as tidy as she could be on the inside, but she’ll get us there.” Even with her paint chipping and the engine’s slight whine when he started her up, Kirishima loved his van.

The girls pile into the back, having no problem squishing an extra body into the back, but it wasn’t the girls Kirishima was particularly worried about. Jirou volunteers to be the odd one out, probably going to sit in Kaminari’s lap or something equally revolting. Iida's next, with Midoriya and Todoroki trailing, heading off to Todoroki's bike.

And then, “Oi.”

Kirishima turns away from his conversation with Tsuyu about a swimming competition to cross his arms over the edge of his window and stick his head out the window. “Why, hello there, handsome.”

Bakugou is wearing a black tank with an orange and yellow Hawaiian shirt and black swim trunks patterned with explosions. Not a single tit or nip to be seen. Kirishima feels relief settle over his shoulders and he tilts his head, grinning at Bakugou.

“You better not be wearing that stupid hat when you drive,” Bakugou says. “It’s dangerous.”

“Of course not,” Kirishima says, knocking back his straw hat. The tie latches it around his neck, hanging down his back. “Can I offer a beautiful stranger such as yourself a ride?”

“You’re so fucking weird,” Bakugou says. His eyes flicker over Kirishima and the van and he scowls harder.

“Something wrong, sugarlips?”

“Call me anything but my name and I’ll blow your balls off,” Bakugou says. Huffing, he hoists his beach bag further up his shoulder. “Your van doesn’t match your hair, fuckface. It’s weird.”

He marches around the front of the van as the rest of the crew shows up. He slams the door after he climbs in and immediately slouches, kicking off his sandals and propping his feet up on the dash, poking the glass with his toes. Kirishima notices him buckle himself in, though, and he grins. Good to the core, Bakugou was. He can almost hear Kaminari’s voice in his head, you mean rotten to the core.

“Alright, we ready to go?” Kirishima asks. He’s answered by a roar of cheers.

Even though the ride to the beach isn’t long, chaos ensues the whole way. Sero ends up squished between Iida and Kaminari, while Kaminari leans into Jirou, getting stabbed by her earjacks every time he tries to touch her thigh. The girls chat and giggle over the sound of the radio that Kaminari and Sero keep getting Bakugou to change. Bakugou, unmoved by their pleading, makes one attempt to change the station, ends up blasting static, and promptly gives up. When Kirishima tries to change it himself, Bakugou yells at him to keep his eyes on the road. Every now and then, Iida tries to calm everyone down so that Kirishima can focus, while Kirishima spends the entirety of the ride trying to figure out how to get Bakugou in his van again.

They’re the third party to the beach, Ojiro, Tooru, Shouji, and Tokoyami having secured an empty space for all their umbrellas and towels, and Midoriya and Todoroki having set up their own little corner off to the side. Midoriya's rubbing sun lotion on his stomach and Todoroki's back and Kirishima has to swallow and look away. While some people (Kaminari) might enjoy having hot classmates, others (Kirishima) would rather be able to look them in the eyes without having their eyes immediately drop to their chests.

“Kirishima!” Mina calls. “Let’s set up the volleyball net!”

And for a while, Kirishima doesn’t have to think about anything. He sets up the net with Mina and Shouji, then immediately gets pulled into a game of beach volleyball. He sheds his shirt, to whistles from Jirou and Kaminari, who he flips off with a smile. He and Mina make a kickass team against Sero and Iida, although he would swear that some of Iida's saves were inhumanly fast or that he saw a flash of tape. When they come up against Shouji’s height and limbs, however, they’re outmatched in a second, even if Tokoyami isn’t that athletic. Kirishima high fives Midoriya as he and Todoroki tag in.

Soaked in sweat and sand places the sun don’t shine, Kirishima heads for the water, yipping at the cold of the water even well into summer. He joins up with Tsuyu and Uraraka, floating and trying to sink each other. Kirishima challenges Tsuyu to a body-surfing competition and, predictably, loses miserably.

“It was a nice try,” Tsuyu says. Uraraka throws her arms around Tsuyu’s neck and hangs from her.

“Shouldn’t try to best a frog in water, huh?” Kirishima says. “Still, this is the ocean; I thought I had a chance.”

“Very foolish, Kirishima-chan,” Tsuyu says.

Kirishima sighs and flops back in the water. “I wish we could come out here every day.”

“Me too,” Uraraka says. “Maybe if we beg Aizawa-sensei…?”

“Not a chance,” Tsuyu says. “Distractions are ‘illogical.’”

“Speaking of distractions,” Uraraka says. She sinks into the water. “Don’t look now, but someone has eyes on you.”

It takes Kirishima a moment to realize she’s talking to him. “Me?” he says, pointing to himself.

“Shh,” Uraraka hisses. “Yes, you. Your two o’clock. Make it look natural.”

Sitting up, Kirishima lets his gaze wander slowly down the beach, trying not to be obvious about looking for his watcher. He passes by the area Uraraka had mentioned but doesn’t see anyone—oh! They lock eyes for just an instant, but then his eyes are hidden by a book under the shade of an umbrella. Kirishima blinks.

“I think that’s my cue to leave, ladies,” Kirishima says.

“Knock him dead,” Tsuyu says. “If he doesn’t beat you to it.”

Kirishima jogs out of the water and up the sand to the gathering of umbrellas. Yaoyorozu and Jirou are also reading together. Iida is napping in the sand with his head propped up on a beach towel while Midoriya and Todoroki cover him with sand. Midoriya is in the process of creating a lovely mermaid tail for his friend while Todoroki sculpts a massive pair of jugs on Iida's chest with careful hands. Kirishima is laughing by the time he reaches Bakugou's umbrella, Bakugou pointedly not-looking at him.

He topples onto the beach towel next to Bakugou, flicking sand and seawater on him in the process. Bakugou flinches and snarls. “Get out of here, asshole! You’re dirtying up everything!”

Kirishima rolls his eyes. “It’s the beach, honey. Everything gets dirty.” To prove his point, he kicks a bit of sand onto Bakugou's foot. Bakugou smacks him with the book he’s reading. He flicks a little more sand. Bakugou hits him again. Kirishima goes flick a little more sand, and ends up kicking a whole bunch over a sand-free Bakugou. Oops.

This time Bakugou scrambles to a sitting position, swearing and raising one palm, explosions crackling from it, and secures an attempting to flee Kirishima’s shoulder with his other hand. He makes as if to punch Kirishima in the chest, but hesitates even as Kirishima hardens his front. Bakugou's eyes flicker up and down Kirishima’s chest for just a moment before he sets his shoulders and flops back down, muttering, “Not even worth it.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait just a second. What was that? Kirishima can feel his heart thrumming against his rib cage and he turns on his side, eyes wide as he looks at Bakugou. He didn’t imagine that. Bakugou gave him a once-over. Bakugou checked him out.

“Dude,” Kirishima says. “My manliness a little too much for you?”

“Why don’t you tie a stone around your neck and take a swim?” Bakugou suggests through gritted teeth, staring hard at his book.

“I understand my bod can be a little overwhelming sometimes,” Kirishima says, running a hand through his hair. “But no need to be jealous of these tight pecs; you’re fine enough on your own.”

“I’m what,” Bakugou says.

“I mean,” Kirishima says, swallowing. “In a strength test you’re going down against my guns, but you’re not too shabby yourself, is what I—is what I meant to say.”

Bakugou fixes him with a murderous look. “You’ve got two seconds to convince me not to blow a hole in your stomach.”

“Oi, everyone!” Sero calls from over the ice chest. “Popsicles!”

Kirishima tilts his head to the side. “I’ll get you some ice cream?”

Bakugou wrinkles his nose, but snaps his book back open. “Red.”

“Dude, seriously? Everyone knows blue is where it’s at.”

“Oh. My God,” Bakugou says, throwing his hands up. “Can you just leave?”

Kirishima grins and salutes him, rolling off the towel and joining the scurry to get ice cream. He holds up two fingers and Sero procures a red and a blue popsicle from the ice chest. They’re cold and wet with condensation as Kirishima trots back to the safety of Bakugou's umbrella, the rest of their friends settling around them under their respective umbrellas. He tosses the red one at Bakugou who snatches it out of the air.

“One red, coming right up,” Kirishima says, throwing himself next to Bakugou, their shoulders brushing. Bakugou grunts and sits up, tearing off the packaging with his teeth. It makes Kirishima’s heart skip a little, but all of this is manageable. It’s the ideal, actually—sitting with Bakugou at the beach, Bakugou covered up and Kirishima’s dick in his pants. And now they had ice cream.

He takes a bite out of the popsicle, crunching on the sugary ice, and hears Bakugou make a disgusted noise next to him. Kirishima raises an eyebrow.

“You’re a popsicle biter, you fucking animal,” Bakugou says.

“You’re not?” Kirishima says around a mouthful of ice cream.

“No,” Bakugou says. “I prefer my teeth unfrozen, thanks.” He wraps his mouth around the popsicle and Kirishima realizes his mistake very, very quickly.

Kirishima’s fantasies weren’t especially adventurous. Ever since the rescue he’d had this thing for imagining holding Bakugou's hand, so there was that. But he hadn’t even thought too in-depth about kissing, let alone…that. But even if he was out of practice, Kirishima was still a healthy, horny, eighteen-year-old boy and the love of his life was doing some unmentionable things with that popsicle.

In order to quell the thrumming under Kirishima’s skin and the racing of his heart, he looks away, pointedly. But that only works so long when Bakugou slurps at the ice cream and Kirishima just has to see what he’s doing.

If only he’d just lick at it. But no, Bakugou wraps his whole mouth around the ice cream bar, dragging his lips across it slowly and lapping at any juice that might try to escape. He whittles down the width of the popsicle, bobbing his head, and Kirishima has to look away again. When he glances back, Bakugou's running his tongue along the length of the popsicle, staring into the distance. A single droplet of red trickles down the corner of his mouth and Kirishima imagines pressing his mouth to the underside of Bakugou's chin, chasing that droplet to its source and kissing—

Bakugou snaps his jaw down around the popsicle and cleaves it in half. Kirishima starts and has to pretend to not be watching.

Bakugou chews the ice cream. “Hmm, not bad.” He takes bites out of the rest of his ice cream and Kirishima doesn’t have the balls to look at him again. When they finish, Bakugou chews on the popsicle stick, baring his teeth. The color from the ice cream stains his teeth and lips red. He looks like a barbarian with his teeth bared, blood staining him from his last kill. He looks like an animal. Kirishima imagines that he is the prey, having his insides torn out by this noble beast, and how he’d be thankful to go at the hands of someone like Bakugou.

“’S what you get,” Kaminari says as he walks past Kirishima, obviously having seen Kirishima’s entire dilemma. Kirishima looks up at him and Kaminari shakes his head, mock-disapprovingly. “Impure.”

Kirishima grabs his ankle and Kaminari nearly trips with a yelp. Kirishima rolls his eyes as Kaminari flips him double birds. Kaminari was such a crap best friend.

Kirishima had waited until the start of their second year to tell Kaminari of his pent-up feelings for Bakugou. How the violence under Bakugou's skin made his heart race, how every smile that bore teeth made his skin itch with tension, how Bakugou's focus, crystal clear and impenetrable steadied Kirishima in a fight, made him feel braver—

“Dude, that’s so gay,” Kaminari said. “You are so gay for Bakugou.”

“Well….yes, that was the point,” Kirishima said, a little thrown off guard. “It’s been eating away at me—”

“I mean, I knew you wanted to do him,” Kaminari said and Kirishima choked on his own spit. “C’mon, man. I have eyes.”

“That’s not—that’s not entirely the point—”

“I know, and that’s why you’re weird,” Kaminari said, pointing his frozen yogurt spoon at Kirishima. “Pretty much everyone in the class wants to bone him. Just look at him. He’s a natural ten, dude. I mean, I’m easy, but even I don’t give away my tens to just anyone. Only him and Todoroki. And my girlfriend, of course. Not even you make it and you’re…you.”

“I can’t believe my best friend wants to bone me,” Kirishima deadpanned.

“All best friends want to bone each other,” Kaminari said, snorting. “If they say otherwise they are lying.”

“I don’t want to bone you.”

Kaminari gave him a look.

“At least not when you’re being an insensitive ass,” Kirishima conceded, grumbling.

“Most everyone in class will agree Bakugou is totally fuckable,” Kaminari said. “Mineta was right when he said the hero course is full of babes. But no one in their right mind wants to date him, except you. Why? What is appealing to you about getting screamed at or blasted on a daily basis? What is it, exactly, that calls you to Bakugou Katsuki?”

He’d been thinking about that question since he decided that Bakugou was worth following at USJ. And over their three years at UA together, Bakugou had done nothing but give him more and more reasons to fall in love. So when Kaminari asks something like, Why are you drawn to Bakugou Katsuki? Kirishima wants to ask right back, Why aren’t you?

You like it when Jirou ties you up, Kirishima wants to grumble. Who’s really the weird one here?

“Let’s go wrestle,” Kirishima suggests, stretching his arms over his head. All this musing has him itching to move. After the whole ice cream thing, a shirtless Bakugou wasn’t going to faze him. “You can’t really plan to sit under this umbrella all day.”

“Sure can,” Bakugou says. “I’ve got fair fucking skin.”

“Oh, boo,” Kirishima says. “That’s no excuse. Put on some sun lotion.”

“Eat a dick,” Bakugou says, flipping him off.

Ignoring the part of his brain that immediately responds, I’d eat yours, Kirishima peeks over the top of Bakugou's book. “Please?”

“Die, maggot,” Bakugou says, swatting at him.

Kirishima resorts to rolling on the ground next to Bakugou, nuzzling his shoulder with the top of his head. “Bakugou,” he whines. “Bakugou, come on. Bakugou, please.”

Bakugou's ears go red at the final note of Kirishima’s whine so he repeats it, over and over. “Please, please, please—”

“Alright!” Bakugou snaps. “You—you plague. If it will get you to shut the hell up, I will roast my skin until I’m a fucking red bean, you snotting, sadistic, asswipe.”

“Aww, babe,” Kirishima says.

“‘Babe’?” Bakugou mutters.

Ignoring him, Kirishima continues. “Just put on the really strong stuff. I’ll do your back.”

“You will not.”

Kirishima pouts. “Fine. Burn.”

A muscle in Bakugou's jaw twitches. He sheds the Hawaiian shirt and stuffs it in his bag. Then he grabs the tank by the neck and tugs it over his shoulders in one swift movement.

(Had Kirishima said something about shirtless Bakugou not fazing him? Ha. Good joke, Eijirou.)

“What,” Bakugou deadpans, stuffing the tank in his bag and fetching sun lotion from his bag. “Never seen a shirtless dude before?”

“We change in the locker rooms all the time,” Kirishima points out, making a commendable effort to look Bakugou in the eyes.

“So what’s your deal?” Bakugou says.

Oh, Kirishima thinks. Oh, wait, this is dangerous.

“I—” he starts, but he’s cut off by a feral grin spreading across Bakugou's face. “What?”

Bakugou cocks his head to the side and wow, why did that look so hot on him and stupid on Kirishima? Bakugou grins. “All that talk about being a tough guy—you’re intimidated?”

“I am not,” Kirishima says. “I’ve seen you naked before!”

“Uh-huh,” Bakugou says. He runs a hand down his chest. “More than you expected, up close?”

Kirishima can’t feel his face. There’s no way Bakugou can’t tell that he’s a gay, flustered mess when he’s burning all the way down his neck. He can’t look at Bakugou's body and he definitely can’t look at Bakugou's face, so he looks at his hands, too cowed to speak.

He jumps when a bottle of lotion catapults into his lap. Kirishima looks up and Bakugou has his back turned to him, dabbing lotion down his arm. “Well?” Bakugou says, and Kirishima scoots closer to him. He squeezes some of the sunscreen onto his hand and then approaches the planes of Bakugou's back.

When he first dabs the lotion along Bakugou's back, Bakugou shivers at the cold. The muscles of his back tense and Kirishima can see the shape of his shoulder blades, the sinews of his neck, and the line of his spine. Kirishima smooths out the lotion, white on already white skin. When he sets his palms against Bakugou's skin, Bakugou tenses again.

It’s okay, Kirishima wants to say. It’s okay.

His face is still hot. Being allowed to touch Bakugou isn’t helping. Even so, Kirishima’s heartbeat steadies and he lets out a long sigh. He rubs the lotion into Bakugou's shoulder blades with the heel of his palm, his fingers rubbing in over the tops of his shoulders. He works his way down, dragging a thumb down the length of Bakugou's spine. The tension in Bakugou's body slowly lessens and he arches forward, baring more of his back to Kirishima.

Kirishima finishes rubbing in the last of the sunscreen on Bakugou's lower back and looks up to see that Bakugou has stopped moving. His eyes are almost glazed over. Kirishima presses the heel of his hands into Bakugou's back experimentally and Bakugou doesn’t move aside from the flutter of eyelashes.

“Um,” Kirishima says.

It only takes a word to get Bakugou moving again. He straightens up, twists to snatch the bottle of lotion from Kirishima’s lap and starts vigorously applying sunscreen. “What?” he snaps, quickly followed by, “Thanks.”

Are you mad or thankful? Kirishima wonders, grinning. Bakugou was an adventure.

“I’ll race you to the water,” Kirishima says, getting to his feet.

“What? No. No, you motherfucker, I’m not ready—!”

Kirishima sprints towards the ocean, Bakugou swearing colorfully behind him. He hears Bakugou scramble to his feet and then the telltale sound of him using his palm explosions to blast him towards the goal. Kirishima takes a running dive into the water at the same time Bakugou propels himself face first into an oncoming wave.

Kirishima comes up laughing. The water sizzles where Bakugou landed and he rises from the water, shaking his head like a dog and his hair standing up every which way. Kirishima splashes him with water and Bakugou uses both hands to create a tidal wave, wading through the water to presumably punch the shit out of him. Kirishima runs away, diving into the water and swimming away, sending a spray of water into Bakugou's face.

“You little—” Bakugou says.

He pursues by wading after Kirishima, trying to grab ahold of Kirishima’s ankle. Kirishima evades him for about five minutes before the current and a larger wave pushes him back into Bakugou and Bakugou finally grabs him, pulling him closer, one hand ready to blast. Kirishima hardens himself in time, but the blast Bakugou unleashes is little more than a puff of soot and a spark.

Kirishima cackles, floating on his back and holding his sides at Bakugou's pathetic showing. “Oh man,” Kirishima says. “Water’s not your thing, huh?” Bakugou dunks him.

When Kirishima comes back up for air he’s ready to start another splash war, but is stopped by Kaminari calling his name.

“Oi!” Kaminari says. “Can you and Bakugou pick up a couple of boogie boards? The rest of us are getting stuff from the van to set up for lunch!”

“Yeah, no problem!” Kirishima calls back, waving. To Bakugou he says, “C’mon. Todoroki’ll want a surfboard to show off, probably.”

“He doesn’t show off,” Bakugou says.

“No,” Kirishima agrees. “Not normally. But Midoriya Izuku…”

“Ugh,” Bakugou says with feeling. “Disgusting.”

“Nothing wrong with two dudes loving on each other,” Kirishima says.

“It’s wrong if it’s Deku,” Bakugou says. “He should just fuck the megane and leave Deku out of it.”

Kirishima raises his eyebrows. “You think the three of them…?”

“I don’t care, fuckmunch!” Bakugou snaps. “I just happen to possess eyes.”

Kirishima starts a race to the surfboard rental and in the interest of reducing casualties, Bakugou doesn’t use his Quirk. And still wins. Pure willpower, that boy. Kirishima rents three boogie boards and a short surfboard for tricks for Todoroki.

“Here,” Bakugou grunts, putting his card forward before Kirishima can fish the cash out of his bag.

Kirishima blinks. “You don’t have to—”

“Sparky paid for gas, didn’t he?” Bakugou says. “Get your filthy paws out of your wallet.”

Kirishima smiles.

“Shed’s round the back,” the clerk says. “Pick out the boards you want. I’ll need to hold your license until you return them.”

Bakugou hands his over and they walk around the shack to the board shed. Kirishima hauls open the shed door and steps inside the bamboo shack they called a shed. He claps his hands together. “Alright! What are the most embarrassing boards we can find for Kaminari and Sero?”

He glances back at Bakugou and has to do a double take. Bakugou's arms are crossed over his chest and he’s looking at Kirishima with an unreadable expression.

Kirishima swallows. “Uh, Bakugou?”

“Do you know what this looks like?” Bakugou says.

“What does what look like?” Kirishima asks.

Bakugou shakes his head and takes a step towards Kirishima. “You’re either incredibly stupid or incredibly good at playing stupid.”

“Dude, what?” Kirishima says. “What are you getting at?”

“You,” Bakugou says, taking another step forward. “Me. Separated from the rest of the group. Alone together.”

Kirishima squints at him. “I don’t…do you think I’m going to launch a surprise attack on you or something?”

“A surprise attack,” Bakugou says. “Well, I suppose it would be something like that.”

He steps into Kirishima’s space and steals the breath away from him. Bakugou's close, close enough to brush their noses together, close enough to take Kirishima’s chin in his hand and tilt it up, close enough for Kirishima to feel behind him for a wall and collapse against it.

“Is this what you wanted?” Bakugou asks. “Did you think you’d get the jump on me?”

“Wh-what…” Kirishima says, hardly able to hear over the beating of his heart. “What are you even…”

“I know you want me,” Bakugou says.

The floor opens beneath Kirishima’s feet. He stumbles, and Bakugou grabs him by the arm, knee pressing between his legs to steady him. “What…” Kirishima says. “I don’t—”

“You do,” Bakugou says. “You watched me eat that ice cream. I saw your eyes on my mouth.”

“Oh,” Kirishima says, and nearly falls over again.

“You look at me with hunger, you call me by pet names I never asked for, you’re more tactile with me than anyone else,” Bakugou says. “I know you want me.”

“It’s hard to, you know, think, when your knee is between my legs,” Kirishima slurs.

“But then you say something like that,” Bakugou says. “You look away. You don’t make a move. When given opportunities to push boundaries, you play it safe. When we’re alone together, you think nothing of it. When you have the opportunity to see me without clothes on, I’m the last one you invite.”

“There’s…a reason…” Kirishima says.

“Well then what the fuck is it?” Bakugou snaps. “Because I’m sick to fucking death of you dancing around me. Tell me what you want from me! Sex? A fuck buddy? Or is it just pent-up frustration that you can’t stick your dick in Kaminari because he has a girlfriend?”

Kirishima goes very, very quiet. “I want…”

“Yes?”

Kirishima swallows. “I want to make you as happy as you make me,” he says. “I never even got as far as imagining sex. I just, uh, love you a lot? Like, a lot, a lot? So I was always thinking about how I could help you have a good time and not pop a boner and make things awkward at the same time.”

Bakugou leans back and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Are you an idiot?”

“Probably,” Kirishima says.

“Definitely,” Bakugou says. “You hair-brained, mixed-signal-sending moron.”

“Sorry,” Kirishima says, offering a small smile. “I just…really like you, Bakugou.”

“Yeah? Well, I hate your fucking guts,” Bakugou says. “You’re pushy and a personal space invader. You have no respect for peace and quiet and you always have to drag me into all your stupid bullshit.”

“Uh-huh,” Kirishima says, putting his hands on either side of Bakugou's face.

“Your pet names suck. Your hair is stupid. You’re a fucking dumbass. Your fashion sense is terrible.”

“Uh-huh,” Kirishima says, pulling Bakugou's face closer to his.

“You really, really suck,” Bakugou says, his lips brushing Kirishima’s. “I’ll never get used to you.”

“I’ll never get used to you either,” Kirishima says. “But that’s what makes this beautiful.”

He kisses Bakugou, his entire body surging to meet Bakugou. Bakugou presses back against him, crushing Kirishima against the wall of the shed. He chases the faint taste of cherry across Bakugou's lips, mingling with salt from the ocean. Kirishima feels like he really is being eaten alive this time, the predator he’d seen earlier surrounding him and pressing into him, protective and wanting, even as he tears Kirishima apart.

Kirishima wants Bakugou's teeth on him, on his lips, on his tongue. He doesn’t bite back but Bakugou's tongue finds the points of his teeth anyway, a tentative swipe over sharp. Kirishima feels Bakugou's curiosity in the way his body shifts when he finds that they’re as sharp as they look. He likes Kirishima’s tongue, which is well and good because Kirishima likes putting his tongue in Bakugou's mouth.

“You’re never blowing me,” Bakugou says against Kirishima’s mouth. “Not with those teeth.”

“Aw,” Kirishima says. “I kinda want to, though.”

Bakugou inhales through his nose at that, which makes Kirishima thinks that statement isn’t as set in stone as Bakugou would like to think.

“Hey, Bakugou,” Kirishima says, draping his arms around Bakugou's neck and looking into bloodred eyes. “I think you like me.”

“Bullshit,” Bakugou says. “Dunno where you got that idea.”

“Uh-huh,” Kirishima says, and kisses the corner of his mouth.

“Let’s get these boards and get going, asshole,” Bakugou says.

“I’d love to,” Kirishima says, “but unfortunately, I’m still too hard to function. Any ideas?”

“Just one,” Bakugou says. “I think you have a pretty good idea of what it is.”

---------------------------------

On the way back home, the sun setting in the background, Kirishima is the only one awake.

All five girls are piled on top of each other, everyone leaning in against Yaoyorozu, who has a line of drool running out of the corner of her mouth. Kaminari has both Sero and Iida in his lap, snoring loud enough to hear over the radio. And leaning against the window in the passenger’s seat, arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face, Bakugou naps soundly.

Kirishima doesn’t mind being the only one awake. He’s been glowing all day, enough that everyone getting laid regularly were able to pick out one of their own. Kaminari and Jirou made retching noises, but Todoroki had given Kirishima a once-over and a thumbs up, and coming from the hottest guy in class, Kirishima thinks he’s done well.

The radio plays: I’m sailing a ship on a lake that never runs dry…

Kirishima smiles. Yes, he’s done well.

[wokeinmemphis-blog]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

[arcadeparade-blog1]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

[pooki-chu-blog]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

[redroses879-blog]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

[asanusta-blog]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

[sophistikatedblogger-blog]

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, in addition to seasoned campers, ought to put together a tenting guidelines of the gear that they need to embody when packing for a tenting journey. It’s simple to get facet tracked and presumably neglect vital objects with out a guidelines.

Generally it’s simple to have a laps in focus and easily not embody small objects which might be none the much less vital. If in case you have a regular “Tenting Guidelines” it can assist insure you’ve a protected and glad tenting journey, as a result of you’ll really feel assured understanding you’ve included all mandatory gear you’ll need whereas in your journey.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I’ve been on a whole lot of tenting journeys and till I really sat down and made my Tenting Guidelines I used to be at all times forgetting one thing. I’m going to give you a gear guidelines to assist get you began. I hope this guidelines will maintain you organized as you pack on your journeys.

Tenting Guidelines Define, for Completely satisfied Campers!

Tenting Gear:

Tent – Together with the tent you must make sure you pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine – I at all times carry additional for unexpected makes use of, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) – You should definitely embody sleeping baggage for every person who is happening the journey.

Lanterns & Flashlights – Keep in mind to take additional lantern gasoline in addition to Batteries if wanted.

Rubbish Luggage – I take advantage of the Giant Yard Leaf Luggage, as a result of they can be utilized for raincoats and trash.

Tenting Range:

Tenting Range – Do not forget to incorporate gasoline on your range.

Consuming Utensils – Forks, Spoons, and Knives and so on., I used the nicer plastic disposable sort.

Cooking Utensils – Giant Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, and so on.

Plastic Plates – Chances are you’ll use both plastic plates or the normal paper plates.

Tenting Grill – I take advantage of a small grill for cooking Fish and I take advantage of retailer purchased charcoal.

Tenting Meals:

Cooking Oil – I personally like cooking recent fish and it’s excessive on my guidelines.

Flour & Cornmeal – It is a private selection for me.

Canned Items – Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat – Ham, scorching hogs, and different forms of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter – I eat plenty of peanut butter sandwiches. (Do not forget the bread)

Snacks – Granola Bars are good, in addition to beef jerky, potato chips and so on.

Drinks – Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Tenting Provides:

First Assist Package – I purchased a Full First Assist Package with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Chunk Package – It’s at all times vital to hold a Snake Chunk Package since you by no means know.

Insect Repellent – I take advantage of Deep Woods Off, however that is simply my private selection.

Ache Treatment – Yep, you should still get a headache within the nice open air.

Abdomen Treatment – I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics – Keep in mind so as to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide in your guidelines.

Eye Water – I’ve simply added this to my emergency provides previously 12 months.

Private Tenting Gadgets:

Money – Yep, you higher carry alongside somewhat money as a result of Nation Shops do not challenge credit score.

Private Identification – You by no means know if the Recreation Warden will verify in on you.

Cellular phone – Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Digicam – You should definitely pack additional reminiscence Playing cards, batteries, and movie when you’ve got a 35mm digital camera.

Map – You actually ought to have a map of the realm the place you can be tenting

Private Tenting Provides:

Anti Bacterial Cleaning soap – I personally use Sulfur Cleaning soap which helps forestall itching.

Sunscreen – 20 SPF Sunscreen will just do positive. An vital merchandise on your guidelines.

Paper Merchandise – Do not forget the bathroom Paper, and paper Towels.

Tenting Garments:

Jacket – Chances are you’ll want a heat jacket even within the Summer time in case you are within the mountains.

Hats & Caps – At all times embody a cap or hat for solar and rain safety.

Different Clothes – This turns into a private challenge, so simply carry what you’ll need.

Misc. Tenting Provides:

Tenting Knife – I personally carry alongside (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Tenting Axe – I at all times pack (2) axes so I’ll have an additional to cut campfire wooden.

Candles – I at all times carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They actually come in useful.

Water Purification – I’ve at all times packed my water purification package for emergencies.

Transportable Radio – It’s suggested to incorporate a transportable radio in your gear, not just for leisure but in addition for climate studies ought to the climate flip unhealthy whereas tenting.

My private Tenting Gear Listing has grown, and has been modified and modified, many occasions over time. I now maintain my checklist on my pc so it’s simple to make modifications, add and delete objects, and when prepared I simply print a duplicate and I am able to get packing for the journey.

I hope this Tenting Listing will get you began with your individual customized guidelines, and possibly you’ll make it a precedence to replace yoursbefore every tenting journey.

Please perceive that I’ve NOT added all the pieces on the checklist above. This guidelines is barely meant as a information and I anticipate you to adapt and improvise in making your individual to incorporate the gear, and provides that match your individual private model of tenting.

So far as my very own private checklist I might additionally embody an ice chest sort cooler, thermos, tenting espresso pot, emergency hearth making package, ponchos, flares, compass, strolling stick, 22 pistol, looking bow, prescription medicines, frisbee, towels, blankets, stitching package, and different tenting provides which might be suited to my very own private tenting provide wants.

If you’re taking youngsters alongside on the tenting journey then you’ll need to incorporate gear suited to youngsters. I believe you get the image of what an entire checklist ought to embody, and hopefully your individual private tenting gear checklist will assist make you a cheerful camper whereas out within the nice open air.

As a closing word: Please watch out together with your fires whereas tenting and extinguish unattended fires, Additionally keep in mind to scrub up your tenting website earlier than you head again residence.

The article was originally published here! Camping Checklist For Camping Gear