#also the knit sweater??? he wants me dead

[cryscendo]

kurt hummel in every performance

6x06 - What the World Needs Now

What the World Needs Now - New Directions and alumni

“Family are the people who embrace you with open arms no matter what.”

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

Haunting Heroes DPxDC. December 18: Gift Exchange.

Damian knew for a long time that his family was full of hyperactive idiots. They planned to exchange gifts properly at home. Their plans never went well. This time, Robin was stabbed in the back by an older bird.

Grayson announced at the end of the patrol that some of his gifts were meant for their alterego, which means he has to give them now. Of course, this led news reporters to now broadcast live a fight between Red Hood and Phantom. Of course, Richard gave them a pair of "Dead Outside but it Xmas"/"Dead Inside but it Xmas" sweaters without explaining which one belongs to whom.

And of course, after seven minutes of fighting Red Hood wins the second sweater and with a ridiculous villainous laugh escapes.

~~~~

Jason is still sitting in two sweaters and his leather jacket when a couple of hours later Phantom sends a photo to the group chat:

"3:2, Hood. Nightmare Before Christmas wins >:)"

There’s a picture of ghost trio in stupid holiday sweaters near Vlad's manor: Levitating Dan wears a "Your Prospects for a New Year Are Ghosting You" one, Dani demonstrate hoodie with "The ghost of your past promises to be successful in the new year" inscription. Camera also caught Jazz trying to take "I spent this year being the ghost of myself" sweater off Danny.

Damian rolls his eyes. What a childish behavior.

The boy’s father, who comes to the chair, distracts him from reading comments from other birds and bats.

Bruce: Damian, Alfred asked me to ask you if you needed his collection of Japanese knives as Christmas decorations for your room or if he could use traditional ornaments.

Damian: Don’t touch! I’ll decorate Christmas tree on my own.

Bruce: Also, Tim, hiding coffee beans in Christmas tree balls was smart and interesting, but no.

Tim: :(

Bruce: So, now the big question. We all now Danny’s knitting is bad, so who made the sweaters? Keep in mind that I don't even want to imagine Dan with sharp needles in his hand. His mother nailed a ghost fly to the wall by throwing a table knife when we were visiting them last time.

Jason nods and agrees: Beautiful talented woman.

[brights-place]

Omen dating Headcannons

Pairings: Omen X Reader

Warnings: Fluff, Cursing, Anxiety, Angst

A/N: GOSH I LOVE OMEN HE IS SO CUTEEE

- He knits to relax! So he would knit you some things for exammle sweaters, scarves, and plushies for surprises! one time he made you an scarf for icebox that were his color scheme which you love - His love language is Physical touch and Quality time - He tries his best to make every single second with you count - He is amazing at baking, would bake some sweets for you - When your relationship grew and you both got more comfortable with each other Omen would be more open about PDA. - He hides in the shadows and appears behind you whispering an "Boo" in his montone voice as you screamed (like finn from adventure time) - This man doesn't need to sleep! he's a phantom for fuck sakes but you still force him into bed to cuddle - He’s quiet like REALLY QUIET! but will do his best to give you advice when you need it - He might not talk much at first but he will make sure you know that he’s there for you - Man is so fucking gentle towards you it isn't funny it's so cute - Omen is VERY protective of you I mean come on! He’s already protective of his fellow agents and it’s only doubled when it comes to you! - He would scare away any threats that dare try and intimidate or even hurt you! He has no problem killing for you if he has to - if you get an graze from an enemy this man would go wild! He doesn’t need the physical protection from you but he does like the comfort to know that you’re just as committed as he is in portecting eachother! - he hates crowded places so he would go behind your back pressing his chest against it which was one of his ways of saying 'I don't feel comfortable' - Tried to teach you how to knit !! it was fun at first but then you gto stuck... You mentally and physically wanted to scream since you snapped the tip of the needle (I have doe it before and my Lola stared me down... Angry Filipino grandmothers are scary!) - If you both succeed on knitting it becomes his favorite time of the day is to knit with you. he's very proud of your progress after you learn pretty much everything from him - When phoenix pointed it out he went to tell him it relaxes him but he glances at you on the team as you giggle lightly - On a mission he saw another him... "There is another of me? How many times did I get ripped apart? How many times did I die?" omen gripped onto his gun as you placed an hand on his forearm giving him an pitiful look as he sighs - Omens to make sure you don't mess anything up because one of his hobbies is cleaning but he doesn't want to clean up any of your messes sometimes... cause if your like an party animal he would be drained - In my opinion he is not really shy you could say? he is simply overwhelmed by the presence of other people - yeah it's known Omen has a very strong case of amnesia like REALLY BAD! He can't remember his true self... - When he trains you stare at him biting your lip - If you show him affection randomly he keeps his composure since he isn't really one to show his emotions outwardly 

- It seems like he doesn't really care when you show him affection but he does thank you and the is just some sort of tenderness in his voice. He could become embarrassed if you kiss him and then also give him a lot of praise for doing so well 

- If you know him well enough though you would be able to hear the embarrassment in his voice everytime if you show affection or other agents do something nice for him - You and Viper made a pack - You both would help Omen regain his memories... or so you thought. - When he gained some of his memories back he was filled wiht rage yet kept his composure but yelled at Viper - Sage stared at you dead in your eyes when you would be eyeing your boyfriend "(Name) your boyfriend is a phantom" Sage said teasingly as you shushed your healer "SHHHH! I know! but he is handsome!" Sage laughs at you - omen is an amazing partner and loves you with his whole heart as long as he is with you he feels safe

reblogs + comments are appreciated ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

©brights-place 2023 — do not repost on another platform, copy, translate or edit my works! if you fit my DNI list please don't interact

[vixensbrainrotts]

Made of Yarn and Butterflies - Mitsuya Takashi

Content: Fluff

Tropes: Shy, younger reader

Summary: maybe you've had your timid eye on him for a while now...

Vixen's two cents: based off of very real first knitting experiences. seriously don't start with Mohair its a nightmare. anyway, I'm so happy to finally be writing for Mitsuya, I can't believe I haven't yet cause he's one of my fav's frrr. Yeah, also thanks so much to @anahryal for proofreading for me! also, REQUESTS ARE OPEN! now enjoy!

“Do you knit?” The stranger asks, breaking the nearly unbearable silence between you two. Well, he's not a stranger- he’s your girl-bests friend’s brother’s best friend, and since the two Shiba siblings were bickering about who-knows-what upstairs, they had left the two of you unattended.

You blink instead of answering the question, taking a moment to collect yourself from the daze he had snapped you out of. Slowly, the words materialized in your head, and the question he asked finally arrived in your brain.

Your brows furrow a little, and your head tilts to the side, confused. “Yeah, how did you know?” Your voice feels foreign to yourself when you hear it back, and you want to dig a hole and jump right into the depths because of the way he smiles at you.

He looks down at your hands, reaching across the table and looking into your eyes “May I?” You’re not sure what he’s asking for but you nod your head yes, and in response he takes both your hands in his.

His hands are warm and firm as they hold yours, and when he runs his thumbs over the sides of your fingers, your head spins a little. “Those marks on your index are a dead giveaway.” You look down to see what he’s talking about, and you want to pull your hands back when you realize he’s talking about the hearing blisters that sit on the sides of your pointer fingers.

In response, his grip on your hands tighten a little, and he looks up at you and smiles again. “Don’t. I understand how they came to be and I respect it. I can’t knit even if I tried my hardest, and believe me, I have.” you feel your face get warm as his rough hands cradle your own, and you look down to see where they meet.

It's silent again for a few moments, but it's not uncomfortable. This time he waits patiently for you to answer and you could thank the gods for him being so unbothered by your coy manner.

"What did you try to knit?" you asked, still not looking into his eyes, but you could tell that he was smiling at you again. "Ah, well, I thought that something with repetitive patterns would be easy, so I started with a sweater."

Your brows furrowed and you glanced up to look at him. "You started with a sweater?" He laughed at your rather offended tone, "Yeah, and that's not even the worst part! I used Mohair so I had no idea where any of my work started or ended, and I could forget counting rows because I couldn't tell the difference between one and the next!"

Your lips pulled up into a smile, picturing the ever-confident Mitsuya struggle against a ball of yarn and a pair of needles, and the more you pictured it, the funnier it got. Soon you were giggling aloud, laughing along with him as if there was nothing else in the world.

Once you both had calmed down, you noticed that whilst in the fit, his hands had separated from yours. Just as you were about to speak, your stomach got that all too familiar rouse again, and you felt yourself shrink away from he comfort you just found.

This doesn't mean anything.

He doesn't know you.

He doesn't care.

"Hey?" his voice was soft when he called out to you again, concerned. Your gaze snapped back to him, eyes meeting his and holding contact with the cool grey that looked your way.

"You were gonna say something?" his voice was lower, quieter this time, almost as if he was careful of scaring you off.

"I could teach you." you mumbled sheepishly, impressed by yourself for still holding eye contact with him. He shook his head a tiny bit and blinked. "What was that?"

You cursed your voice for getting stuck in your throat again and clicked your tongue quietly, annoyed at yourself. "I could teach you if you'd like?".

You looked away the moment you croaked your proposal, unwilling to face the inevitable rejection, and maybe even humiliation you would be exposed to.

what were you thinking? him? learn from you? come on now girl! why would he actually take you up on that, he's got plenty of girls to teach him in the home eco-club that probably knit way better than you, not to mention that you're like two years younger than he is, why would he take advice from someone younger than hi-

"I'd love that." his deep voice was accompanied by another one of his stunning smiles, and he looked at you with sincere eyes. "Really, I'd love that."

And just like that, the sinking feeling in your stomach dissipated, leaving a flurry of tiny little butterflies that felt all fluffy against your warm skin.

[kissitbttr]

i love the frat boys so imagine them taking care of muñeca whenever mig isn’t there (which is like never but let’s imagine)

“y/n !! what do you want for breakfast?”

“that’s not her name! it’s muñeca, glen!”

“do you want o’hara to kill you, man?!”

“yeah, well?! he isn’t here!”

dear lord it’s only 8 in the morning and she swears her head is about to explode,

miguel had to clock in at work early than usual, leaving his girlfriend at the house. as much as he hates the idea of it, he’s got no choice. not just the fact that he didn’t get the chance to have a lazy morning with her but also the fact that he’s leaving her with the boys, too.

he loves them but they could be a real pain in the ass and a major flirt, except for beck.

“just call me if one of them tries to do something with you, cariño— i love you”

it’s what he said before leaving,

not even an hour after he’s gone that his frat brothers are making her lose her mind with all the noise,

she sighs as she massages her temple, sitting on the counter with a cup of coffee between hands. one that is made by glen, surprisingly tasting a bit better that what her boyfriend usually makes,

“guys! i’ll eat anything i swear—just please shut. up” she groans softly, pulling the hems of miguel’s thick knitted sweater that clings onto her body, protecting her from chilly morning air,

carlos shakes his head, arms crossed. “that is not an answer! what. do you. want. to. eat!”

“carlos! i swear to fucking—“

“banana bread maybe, or muffins? what does miguel usually get for you anyway? ah! matcha, isn’t it!” glen interrupts with a smile,

“oooh, how about a nice BLT? you know there’s a rookie here who knows how to make a mean BLT sandwich and you could hire him for the rest of your day to be your slave! just until miguel comes back” carlos suggests, ready to call whoever his name is

“oh my god, don’t say that word” she responds, taking another sip. “you are banned from using that”

“what, ‘hire’?” carlos looks genuinely confused,

she heaves out a heavy sigh, it’s like talking with children. “no. the S word” her eyes dart between the other guys who are looking like they’re ready to serve her with whatever it is she desires.

did miguel put them up to this?

“guys guys come on, she’s big enough to handle shit on her own” beck tells them, popping himself a canned of black coffee and she secretly thanks him for being the most logical one. “but just in case you want a croissant or something just let me know”

“i’ll pick something up from the bakery, just let me borrow your keys” she replies and getting ready to stand up, earning a collective of no’s and hands holding out to stop her. “you all realize that i’m not five?!” she’s getting a tad bit irritated,

“gotcha but!” carlos holds his point finger up, “we’re all instructed to take care of you—“

“no we didn’t?”

“chang, you’re ruining it, shut the fuck up” carlos glares at his asian frat brother who’s hands are up as if to show defense. “anyways—we are instructed to take care of you and if miguel finds out that we’re doing a terrible job at it, all of us are dead. literally”

“i think you’re just exaggerating, carlos” she tries to smile despite wanting to kill him. “he’s not capable of killing anyone”

“didn’t he get into a fight with two guys for staring at your ass and talking about how they’d use you at the same time?” glen chimes in, leaning forward on the kitchen table,

“that doesn’t count, it was not a fight, it was a slaughter. o’hara went apeshit” beck chuckles, taking a seat beside her,

“okay well that happened nearly months ago” she points out at the specific memory, one where she had to stop miguel from going overboard. she’d hate it if her boyfriend went to jail for what happened, “it’s all in the past”

“yeah well those two men are still on his black list” beck shrugs, “you know how serious he gets when it comes to you, kid”

she sighs for what it feels like a hundredth time that morning. “okay you know what, if it gets you all to be quiet, especially you carlos” she throws a soft glare at the man who’s wearing an innocent smile, standing tippy toes. “then just—can i please have that BLT sandwich? i am starving”

carlos claps his hands, “absolutely, you gorgeous human being! oi, rookie! get down here! muñeca needs breakfast!” he calls out the boy from downstairs,

“holy—carlos! why did i just tell you?!” beck snaps, narrowing his eyes at his frat brother,

“oh, my bad—i mean, mrs. o’hara needs breakfast!”

[deliciousangelfestival]

Switched Sides - Side Story || Lloyd Hansen

Lloyd with a baby girl? That would be so cute. She will be spoiled all the time. Thanks for the idea @jamespersephone

Little Doctor

Character : soft!dark Lloyd Hansen x reader, Lloyd Hansen x daughter, Lloyd Hansen x OC.

Categories : Fluff and fluff.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Last Chapter

Side Story 1, Side Story 2

Main Masterlist || Buy me Ko-fi please 🥹

"Baby shark dooodoodoo, mommy shark doododo."

These lyrics are supposed to be a cute children's song, but the person who sings makes it sound like a military song. 

The person who sings it is Lloyd Hansen. He knew this song a couple of years ago; he never thought that someday he would sing this towards another person. 

But Lloyd doesn't mind if he has to sing this song hundreds of times since the other person keeps laughing when he sings it. 

That other person is his daughter, Hazel Hansen. 

She's the cutest baby and always smiles at anyone. She only cries when she's hungry; other than that, she's a calm baby, and her brother loves her. 

"Dada." Hazel stretched out her little hands to Lloyd. 

Seeing her cuteness and the way she called him 'Dada' made his heart feel full. He put his hand on his chest, lowered his knees and lay on the floor. 

"Urgh. I need a doctor."

Hazel widened her eyes; she stood up slowly and walked towards her father. She put her hands on his chest. "Pain, pain, go away."

Lloyd chuckled, seeing his daughter look serious. She starts playing as a doctor when she sees Y/N treat Mark's hurt knee and Kendall bruises his forehead since the boys play sports all the time. 

She wants to be like her mother.

Mark and Kendall, who have been with them all this time, also want to be her patient. 

Mark touched his knees. "Aw, my knees."

Kendall was overacting, "Hazel, my shoulder hurts."

Hazel wiggled from her father and then ran to her brother to check on them. "Pain goes away. Brother is fine."

Mark and Kendall pecked her fluffy cheeks. "Thank you, doctor Hazel."

Y/N, who was knitting a sweater, shook her head. Looking at how the three boys are clinging towards Hazel, it will be difficult for her to get a boyfriend in the future. 

In the future. 

"Dad, I'm going to the library. I'll be back before seven." Before Lloyd could say anything, Hazel ran faster, leaving the house. 

Lloyd felt something didn't fit right. He had prepared all the books related to her school in their study room so she didn't have to go to the library. 

He doesn't want his baby daughter to feel uncomfortable in public places. 

"She told me she has a study group."

"Group? How many people?" 

"All female or with boys?"

Y/N smirked; the boys in this house would be on their guard if they found out that Hazel was studying with her crush. 

She teased them a bit. "Hazel only goes out to study, and you guys are already on guard. What would happen if she went to prom with a boy?"

Lloyd scoffed, "Over my dead body." 

Mark rolled his eyes. "Not a chance."

Kendall shook his head. "That will never happen."

Y/N laughed, hearing their similar answers. Poor Hazel, her future boyfriend will struggle to deal with these three men.

Thank you so much for reading and following the series.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Last Chapter.

Side Story 1, Side Story 2

Main Masterlist || Buy me Ko-fi please 🥹

Taglist:

@sabrinaselina55, @magnificentsaladllama , @cherrybubblebullet @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters , @bagoffeelings @darkofimagination, @starsofcloud, @thatzolagirl, @distancedss, @mswgtsd @chibijusstuff , @jamespersephone

[hedwig123]

Ranking The Quarry Counselor Outfits By Late-August Practicality

OK, so. This has been bugging me. I blame SMG's British-ness for this, but so many of the counselors' outfits are just... ridiculous for late August.

(Apparently the weather in the area- West Kill, NY- that day was a high of 75, a low of 68, and humidity was 100 FUCKING PERCENT. So. My concerns are not unfounded.)

So now I'm going to rank all the character outfits by how likely I think it is that normal human people would put them on during the latter half of August, tyyyyyyyy

Excluding Max & Laura because the only time they got to pick their own outfits was June- which, still not great, but. I'll let it slide. Also excluding Emma's overalls, because again, she didn't pick them.

So of the other 21 AUGUST outfits:

21. Nick's 80s Outfit

Dead fucking last is the letterman jacket. Aesthetically it looks cool, and I want to give it bonus points for being a Matt Taylor reference, but I can't. That's a coat. A coat, SMG.

20. Jacob's Modern Outfit

First can I just say how weird it is that Jacob doesn't have a single 360 look uploaded? In ANY of his outfits???

Anyway. This was going to be a little higher because I thought he was wearing a sweatshirt, but looking at it in the close-up that is a fucking sweater. NO!!!!!

19. Nick's 50s Outfit

That is just a full-on nearly-cable-knit sweater. The only reason it ranks above Jacob is that it's at least not visibly layered. But still.

18. Abi's 50s Outfit

Listen, I love that they made Blygbank into Velma & Daphne as much as the next person, but Abi's still wearing a turtleneck in August. They couldn't at least shorten the sleeves? Or pair it with shorts?

17. Emma's Modern Outfit

OK, so I love this outfit out of context. But. Even as a crop-top. It is a turtleneck sweater. With jeans, no less! Jeans, no less!

16. Kaitlyn's Modern Outfit

Why the layers. Why. It's cute, sure, but August.

15. Dylan's 80s Outfit

I'm told this is a rugby shirt, which people do play some sports in. So it's almost passable. But the slacks... the sleeves... the shoes...

14. Ryan's Modern Outfit

Again, almost passable. The shirts look thin, even if there's two of them. But the two shirts combined with the skinny jeans & shoes would just... suffocate him :(

13. Abi's 80s Outfit

This outfit is awesome, but not pictured here are the COMBAT BOOTS SHE'S WEARING ON HER FEET.

No.

12. Dylan's 50s Outfit

OK, listen.

Listen.

I love this outfit. You love this outfit. That shirt was made for him.

But the pants!!!

11. Jacob's 50s Outfit

T-shirt good. Pants BAD.

10. Ryan's 50s Outfit

Same as Jacob's 50s outfit, the shirt is fine. The WOOL PANTS are a no.

9. Ryan's 80s Outfit

This one is almost acceptable. Despite the dark colors, the material looks light. The shoes are OK (not great, but OK). The t-shirt is perfect!

But the vest. The vest. Does he look good in it? Of course. But NOBODY ADDS LAYERS IN AUGUST!

8. Emma's 80s Outfit

We have reached the Acceptable Eight.

I love this outfit. Really the only things putting it at the bottom of the top 8 are the lipstick and the socks, which like... who cares? But these things have to be considered for the ranking.

7. Nick's Modern Outfit

There's nothing wrong with this outfit. The only thing putting it at 7 is the sleeve length, but. It's fine. It's acceptable.

Leagues better than his other 2 outfits.

6. Emma's 50s Outfit

This outfit is great. The shoes are light. The pants are open on the side. The shirt is cropped and tied off!

Only thing edging it out of the Top 5 is the scarf. It's cute, I love Daphne!Emma with my whole heart, but it would get hot.

5. Kaitlyn's 80s Outfit

5th through 2nd place was a toss-up. They're all perfectly appropriate August attire.

This one's great. The jeans are light wash and ripped at the knees. The polo is perfect. The only thing that might give me pause are the converse but honestly??? They're fine too.

4. Abi's Modern Outfit

This outfit's great too! The only counselor outfit with shorts besides #1. The tights don't bother me, they look very light and breathable. 10/10 good job modern Abi!!! (Give 50s Abi some tips she's gonna die of heatstroke)

3. Dylan's Modern Outfit

Another great choice. Light t-shirt, skinny jeans that aren't too tight, and vans. ✨10/10 great job Dylan✨

2. Kaitlyn's 50s Outfit

THOSE ARE OPEN-TOE SHOES I REPEAT THEY ARE OPEN-TOE SHOES THIS IS NOT A DRILL

ONE FUCKING CHARACTER GOT SHOES THAT OPEN AT THE DAMN TOES

I don't even care that it's just a peep toe, I'm fucking counting it

Jacob's 80s Outfit

Was there ever any doubt?

Honorable mention goes to:

Nakey Jakey. Honorable mention only because he didn't reeeeeeally pick it as an OUTFIT outfit.

But still.

[malcolm-reeds-pineapple]

Being the only diagnosed and medicated member of your intensely ADHD/autism family is so fucking funny cuz it’s like

Me: hey guys what’s up?

My mom, who has been cooking lunch for three hours because she keeps forgetting that she is cooking supper because she is still hyper focused on the craft she was making before she started cooking and keeps going between the craft room and the stove, she is blasting a Facebook livestream about crafts: HELLO!!!!!! I was just researching [xyz] and i learned… wait, your glasses are filthy let me just… [takes my glasses off my face and cleans them] anyway I need your help I’m stuck on my craft [drags me to the craft room, my eyes lingering on the fucking pot that’s boiling over. I will end up cooking lunch undoubtedly]

My 80 year old nanny who was given 4 years to live 8 years ago and is baffling the medical world by continuing to live, scrolling the obits in between Wordle guesses, adding names to her “outlived list”, she has an entirely rooster themed house and if she doesn’t have lunch at exactly 12:13pm her day will be thrown off entirely, but she didn’t have all this autism stuff back in her day: Maureen died, [mom’s name] do you remember Maureen Smith? She was the church secretary in 1973? She died, the funeral is on Wednesday.

My brother, who has been making feats of engineering in Minecraft for the last 6 hours, coming in from his daily wake and bake he does to self-medicate for “whatever’s wrong with him”, the same man who built his first PC entirely from YouTube tutorials at age 13: [Infordumps at me about Warhammer lore or Minecraft while I pick up where mom left off making lunch while the chaos unfolds]

My dead Grampy who was a civil engineer who collected hobbies and hoarded building supplies and Weird Shit like it was a full time job who also could not cook without dirtying every single dish in the house, haunting the house he built as a fucking side quest in 1993: [dirties a pot from the beyond somehow]

My dad, 4 hours away who started a business because he was so fucking bored after he retired who used to call me out of school if my grades were good so we could hang out and collect rocks at the beach: [texting] hey this is the red hot chilli peppers song I was talking about a month ago, also, here is a link to a video about space that I thought was really really cool that I want you to watch so you can also think it’s cool! Also just finished season 6 of Stargate, was hoping to call to discuss after work.

My step mom, 4 hours away: [knitting a the sweater The Dude in the Big Lobowski wears without a pattern at lightning speed because my dad mentioned, in passing, that he has a cool sweater this morning. It will be done by 3pm. She is also monitoring a dashboard she coded to link up her numerous excel spreadsheets that run an entire city on her iPad while she knits. She is avoiding making a phone call. She has invited me to join a social media platform exclusively for knitters to share projects and patterns. I do not knit but she is god to me so I join. She is an influencer on the platform]

Me: yeah don’t know what I expected

[dozing-marshmallow]

CHRISTMAS WITH TOTAL DRAMA CHARACTERS(CHRIS, DUNCAN, HEATHER) SCENARIOS

Merry Christmas everyone! So sorry I couldn’t post something Christmas themed sooner, I hope everyone’s been having a wonderful day with family and friends whether you celebrate or not!🎄❤️

CHRIS

Despite the Christmas events he hosted for many networks, Chris didn’t feel he was really celebrating it until he went over to Newfoundland.

Before dinner, you joined him on this tradition that his homeland calls “Mummering” where it was basically Guess Who and Trick or Treat combined.

Needless to say, every neighbour you visited guessed who he was correctly.

He was reluctant to complete the family secret Santa. Originally, you sucked your teeth, thinking he was just being arrogant. However, from that event, you got an insight on the nature of a lot of his relatives- opportunistic.

“Could you lend me a few thousand dollars? What’s a guy like you to lose?", "Could you be the best nephew in the world and pay for the wedding of my best friend’s daughter?", "Could you help me pay off my mortgage?"

No wonder why your husband was barely enjoying himself at the dinner table! These people didn’t see him as a human; they saw him as a big shot wallet.

“Tell me, Chris... Is this how every Christmas goes for you?” you asked when it was just you and him, sitting next to him on the guest bed.

He was as sombre as ever. Sombre!,“Yeah. Told you the rest of the family weren’t important. I only bother to put up with them for my mom. I wish they all drop dead soon though.”

Not on Christmas Day... You couldn’t end the evening like this,“Okay... Is there anything you want to do together to cheer you up before we go to bed?”

“Hm...” the exhaustion shifts in his eyes as he smugly commands,“Tell me how good I look.”

You sigh in annoyance. That, you could do any day,“Really, Chris?”

“Fiiiiiine.” his moping tone of voice settled back,“I suppose raiding the leftover desserts wouldn’t hurt.”

“That...” is an oddly simple request coming from him,“Yet you’re implying you never did it?”

His attention is caught by the room’s door,“I didn’t have anyone I wanted to do it with.”

And unlike the fall of snow, his festive misery had vanished all at once.

“ᴬˡˡ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ⁱˢ ʸᵒᵘ!”

DUNCAN

Duncan’s dad was very pushy about Church this time around.

And he always found in his best interest to not go anyway.

This time though, you were there with him. So he decided, he’ll go this year.

He was also forced to join the local youth choir that would sing on the streets to raise money for those in need.

As long as he got to wear a mask...

“Not happening.” his dad sneered.

Okay, it wasn’t actually as bad as he thought it’d go.

Though he didn’t want to give his dad that satisfaction so he played sour about coming home. His main motivation was to steal some plates worth of food, give his mother her Christmas present and stuff the stockings of his cousins with bars of coal.

If anyone asks, you didn’t see anything.

His mom knitted him a Christmas sweater in return so obviously he wore it.

He visited his friends back in juvie with you.

It was quite heartwarming, seeing these teens who had done wrong in the past still have tenderness to friends and family, making you wish them a good future post leaving prison.

Besides, if they were Duncan’s friends, they had to have some morals.

Walking back, it was clear that he had room left for mischief and wanted to fill that space by stalling so you would be in front of him and turn around in confusion to not be met with Duncan, but his snowball.

“Hahaha! Nice makeup!”

You brush the snow off your face and feel your own devil inspire.

Let’s give him a taste of his own medicine.

You bent down and rolled up a snowball. Let the fight begin!

“ ᴼ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ, ᵃˡˡ ʸᵉ ᶠᵃⁱᵗʰᶠᵘˡ, ʲᵒʸᶠᵘˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵘᵐᵖʰᵃⁿᵗ!”

HEATHER

She scrunches her nose at the arrival of Christmas, that season that’s “nothing but noise and shallow junk.”

"I got you a present." you held it out for her.

“Buying my favour when it’s not my birthday, huh?” she looked inside the bag with no anticipation until she saw designer clothes neatly folded. She raised a smile and an eyebrow as she glanced back at you,“Okay, I guess it’s not that bad.”

Seeing her house made you wonder why she auditioned to come on the show.

To her displeasure, you were having fun cutting snowflakes, painting ornaments and decorating gingerbread men with her younger brothers and sisters.

Even more so when you helped her parents prepare the meal.

“We could never dream of Heather helping us out in the kitchen!” her mother claimed, wearing gloves over her manicured hands and a long apron over her expensive attire,“This is a nice change!”

“For sure! (Y/N) should come every year! Maybe our Heather Feather could learn a thing or two from you!” her father would then add on, with a hopeful smile.

With that, she dragged you out of the kitchen by the ear lobe.

“Let’s get out of here. I want something to drink.” she demanded, all ready in her outside winter gear.

Why come home if you’re not going to enjoy yourself?

You’re about to pay for the cozy drinks, but Heather interrupts you.

“I’ll do it.”

After an opening sip and staring at all this pure white showering from the sky, you smirk at Total Drama’s first villain,“So she does have a giving heart!”

Her answer was as cold, but her face was soft,“Don’t make me spill this on you.” the steam from her cup should be the only thing your eyes made contact with,“I just felt nice today. Don’t get used to it.”

“I won’t, I won’t.”

Something about that clarification made her tighten her grip on her cup for a small moment.

Seems like she wanted to give home a chance to fix her a reason for being...this. Generous.

A reason to like Christmas.

However, being with you, peacefully drinking with her, not disgusted or intimidated, was a reason on its own.

“ᵀʰⁱˢ ʸᵉᵃʳ, ᵗᵒ ˢᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ, ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ,”

[ask-spooky-manor]

Toby Character Headcanons

So I was tagged with a list of questions for me to answer that I reblogged, and while none of them were sent in my inbox, I still wanted to answer some cause they were really interesting.

Trigger Warning: I do talk about how abuse has affected Toby and how it has left some long lasting scars mentally and emotionally speaking. Not all of the headcanons are like that though, just be cautious. Nothing too in detail but can be uncomfortable

Clothing style

Toby’s style is like mixing grunge with cottagecore (goblincore is what it’s usually called). He likes his knitted sweaters and earthy tones, but at the same time he enjoyes ripped jeans and chunky black boots that can basically double as a weapon.

Eating Habits

Toby has a massive appetite. You will always catch him with a snack in his hands or complaining that he’s hungry despite having eaten a full meal not ten minutes ago. He just really likes food, and people in the house know to give him an extra serving for dinner

Hobbies

Music is more of a passion so tinkering around and making little gadgets is probably his number one hobby. He mainly likes to make things that blow up. Other general hobbies he has are cooking, hiking, uhhhh arson, and drawing

Fighting Style

He’s fully aware that he’s not the strongest or fastest or even has the most endurance, but Toby is extremely clever and crafty. He thinks way outside of the box and relies heavily on all of his odd little gadgets and inventions to surprise an enemy like smoke bombs, traps, loud fire crackers, you name it. He is an unpredictable fighter because you’ll never know what he has up his sleeves, and the surprise is something he will very much use against you. Not to mention that when he’s stuck in a sticky situation, he’s really good at coming up with on the spot plans that will get him out of trouble.

Ways he says I love you

Well, he will just say it. Toby won’t shy away from using the L word on anyone he even mildly likes. Though another way he shows it is through encouraging his loved ones to take care of themselves. He will make sure you eat properly, sleep well, take your meds, etc. Also hugs, Toby is a hugger.

Introvert or Extrovert

Extrovert, which surprised him when he realized it. Toby thought he was introverted for the longest time when in reality he was just dealing with a lot of nasty people who made him feel unsafe. Being alone felt safer, but at the same time it made him miserable because he naturally gains more energy with good people around. Ending up in the manor was the best thing to happen to him because now he has buddies he can spend time with like all the time.

Religious or Non-religious?

Complicated as fuck. He was raised Christian only to kind of despise organized religions as a whole. He would say he’s an atheist if he didn’t live with a literal moon god (Ben), so now he just has a beef with gods in general (Except Ben, they’re chill). Basically he thinks about how if these beings really are all powerful, all kind, all forgiving and omniscient and good then why the fuck did none of them help him? Why did it reach a point where he killed his own father? Why was he never saved? Basically, the idea of there being a higher power gets him in a bitter mood. Best to avoid the subject altogether.

Something he could never forgive.

Toby is generally a forgiving person but the one thing he could never forgive is when someone takes advantage of the kindness he is willing to give. Classmates did it in school as a way to bully him, and his dad would sometimes guilt trip favors out of him (usually to sneak him more beer, which will end up biting Toby in the ass when facing his drunk dad later on). Just the general act of trying to manipulate Toby, knowing they can toy with the heart he wears on his sleeve, is enough for him to want that person dead.

Something that scares him.

For the small, irrational fear; Toby is afraid of the dark. It’s just a childhood fear that he never really got over. It’s fine if he’s with someone but being alone in the dark will put him in fight or flight mode. For the bigger existential shit: dreads the idea of everyone secretly hating him. His own father and peers have created this idea in Toby’s mind that there is nothing good about him. That his own existence is nothing but a burden on others, so there’s always this fear that his friends and even his own boyfriend don’t actually like him and that it’s all a front. He knows that realistically that’s not true, but it’s hard fighting against a toxic mindset that was pushed into his brain at such a young age.

Did he grow up too fast?

No, thankfully. It was Lyra who had to grow up too fast. Connie did her best, she really did, but there have been a lot of times where it was Lyra who had to care for Toby. Especially after really bad nights where their dad thought having one more bottle wouldn’t be a problem. Toby was unlucky enough to have been surrounded by people that were cruel to him, but thanks to Lyra and his mom he at least was able to be a kid from time to time.

[whumble-beeee]

A New Enemy Has Entered The Arena

The (Un)Official Guide to Hero-Keeping | Cont'd from Part 6

Content: disabled whumpee, trans whumpee, tied up/handcuffs, (brief) dissociation, noncon partial undressing, noncon touch, attempted noncon

* * * * * * * *

Except from: The (Un)Official Guide to Hero-Keeping; a self-help guide for villains and bounty-hunters Dr. Vaughn Verhulst

["Make them fear the wrath of god, then remind them the only god they should fear is you."]

* * * * * * * *

“So, this is the capture, huh?” The new voice drawled. Despite the exhaustion and the agony lacing throughout every part of his body, Stan's managed a look up at the new situation. Directly into a pair of steel blue eyes that made his breath stutter. “Not much to look at, huh?”

Stan scooted backward, but Deeby seemed to beat him to the same idea, stepping in front of the man and completely blocking him from view.

“There's no way you're the one doing the pickup. What are you doing here?”

The new man tried to side-step Deeby. “Don't worry, I'm not trying to interrupt your smooch-fest, just wanna make sure you aren't breaking our new toy–”

Deeby stepped in front of the man again, the man barely stopping short of crashing directly into him, just long enough for Stan to gather his scattered bearings and realize there was a new person here and all the distinct possibilities of what that meant for him.

And suddenly he felt lightheaded again.

“Dude…”

“What.” Deeby insisted slowly. “Are you doing here?”

This new guy… honestly, not much to look at himself, from what Stan saw. He couldn't have been too much older than Stan, fluffy light brown hair, an accent he couldn't quite place, but… probably European? He also wasn't wearing any sort of mask or anything to hide his face, which was only vaguely concerning, Stan decided to believe. Not to mention, this new guy had been wearing a knit sweater vest? It looked soft. Stan almost had to remind himself that the guy must be a threat, just like Deeby, or why would he even be here?

He just looked so corporate.

“I told you, checking on the capture, getting some intel. Making sure you didn't crap up the very simple plan, or kill him. It’s a real concern with you, I'm sure you understand.”

The man tried to side-step Deeby once again, and once again the mercenary blocked him. Stan started to scoot back away from the two, his ankle chain softly clanking as it dragged across the floor. Whatever was going on between them, he wanted no part of it.

“He's secure. And alive. Not fatally wounded, and will continue to stay that way.” Deeby stated. “You can leave now.”

Sweater-vest ventured an exaggerated glance over Deeby's shoulder, just barely giving Stan another view of his steel-colored eyes. Something about them made his heart skip a beat.

“You sure about that, big man? Kid doesn't seem to be doing so hot.

“Yup.” Deeby didn't even entertain a glance back. “Buh-bye now.”

Stan could practically hear the eye-roll that accompanied the groan that Sweater-vest let out. “Well excuse me for not trusting you as far as I can throw you. Look, I'm not just here to mess with you, I'm here on Lana's orders. She wants you to call her.”

Stan stopped scooting dead, an icy coldness surging through his chest, a sudden darkness swirling around his head. Lana. That sounded like a real name. Why was this man using real names? Deeby didn't use a real name, he was very dead set on that! Why was this new man using real names?! Real names were bad why was he using real names–?!

Deeby also stiffened at the name. He hand clenched for just a fraction of a second. Then he shook his head and brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“Why didn't she just call me instead of sending your sorry ass to deliver the message?” Deeby finally seemed to settle on.

Sweater-vest's eyes flicked over Deeby, up and down, before an unnerving grin spread across his face. “I know something you don't know~” he sang slowly, like some sort of horror movie villain.

“You planning on telling me? Or you just gonna stand there like a skin-walker.” Deeby look just about ready to blow.

“Soon as I verify the little super lives up to our wildest hopes and dreams.”

“Y’know, technically we’re supposed to be on the same side.”

The man sidestepped Deeby one last time, and this time, the mercenary just let him pass by. Stan shrank back as the piercing gaze of Sweater-vest appraised him, looking him up and down as he slowly walked closer.

“A bit worse for wear, no?” Sweater-vest noted, almost to himself.

“Yeah, little shit tried to escape. Got pretty far too, he's stronger than I thought. Got me right–” Then he noticed Stan had backed up halfway across the room instead of stayingin place on the floor right behind him. And sighed. “Kinda a wuss though…”

“Die.” Stan growled, scowling at the mercenary even as he clutched his knees to his chest.

“Oooooh” Sweater-vest cooed, and Stan nearly jumped out of his skin when he realized how close the man had gotten to him. “Feisty little guy, huh?”

Stan kicked out at him and skittered back, only to realize he was almost out of room to skitter. So he reluctantly stood his ground. Well, sat his ground. “Get away from me!”

“He's mostly talk,” Deeby called again. “Mostly…”

Stan barely even registered what Deeby said. His vision completely tunneled on Sweater-vest as he slowly advanced on Stan, like a predator stalking its prey.

“Dang, Dick Biscuits, you really got a handle of him, don’t you?” Sweater-vest's eyes never once left Stan's. “Leashed and collared, like a little puppy dog… “

Stans cheeks turned a bright red. He glared at the man as hard as he could, jaw clenched so hard it could have broken, because honestly, how dare he?!

Deeby sighed, like he'd rather be anywhere but where he was now. Stan could relate.

“Yeah… It's necessary.”

“Oh, I agree wholeheartedly.”

The man crouched directly in front of the trembling Stan. “Hi,” he said softly, disarmingly, giving Stan just the slightest tilt of the head. “My name's Vaughn, its–”

“Christ man, would you cut it out with the names!” Deeby yelled, causing the both of the smaller men to jump as he marched over. Stan reflexively curled up into a little ball, gut swirling with a new and terrifying form of dread and suddenly very aware of his restraints once more, while Sweater-vest–... Vaughn… sprung up to face down Deeby.

As much as Stan was absolutely terrified of Deeby, he had to admit he agreed with the bounty hunter on this one. The way Sweater-vest threw out names like that felt… Dangerous. On a visceral level. He hugged his legs closer to his chest.

“Why?” Sweater-vest taunted. “It's not like he's gonna live to tell anyone.”

“Nothing's ever 100% with these things,” he growled. “Unless you want to get fifty to life here as well. You'd be doing me a huge favor, honestly, and bring Lana down with you while you’re at it. But leave me out of it.”

Sweater-vest hummed, considering. Glanced Deeby up and down. Then scoffed. “Don't you have an important phone call to get to, Deeby? I’d hate to have to tell Lana that her least favorite ex disobeyed her direct orders and needs to be dealt with.”

The mercenary stared down Sweater-vest. The intensity of it almost entranced Stan, it seemed to go on for an eternity. Then, finally, Deeby let out a small grunt, and took a slow, deep breath.

“Stan!” he yelled. Stan nearly yelped. “If he tries anything, kill him, he deserves it. And you.” he turned his attention right back to Sweater-vest before Stan could stutter out some sort of question or affirmation. “Don't fuck with him.”

“Aw, so protective, falling in love already?”

“I'll be back in a few, don't try anything!” He yelled as he made his way toward the door. Then, only slightly under his breath, “Pinche pendejo.”

The smile on Sweater-vest's face immediately dropped and he whirled around.

“Krijg de tering, vuile teringleier!”

The door slammed shut, the crack of metal against metal deafening in the sudden silence. And they were alone. Together.

Stan stared at the floor and clenched his fists, trying to calm his racing nerves. Did his best to keep his breathing even. Be still, not show weakness while also not challenging the man he was now alone with. He never thought he would ever actually miss Deeby's presence. But here they were.

“Brute.” Sweater-vest seethed under his breath as he sauntered back over to Stan. “Should've just put him out of his misery years ago, swear to God.”

Then his demeanor completely shifted once more as he stood over Stan. More professional, more cold, more demanding.

“Anyway, stand up, let me get a look at you.”

“Are you ‘The Guy?’” Stan blurted out before he had time to even realize he was doing it. Anything to break the sudden unbearable tension.

Sweater-vest tilted his head with a raised eyebrow and a small laugh. “The Guy?”

“Yeah…” Wow, suddenly he wished he never said anything. “The uh, the guy. You know the guy…” Stan's voice wavered as the man scrunch his nose at him. As if Stan was speaking an entirely different language. “Like. Like the guy. The guy who, uh, who…”

He took a deep breath, and blurted out “The boss guy who had me kidnapped!”

A brief pause. The man stared at him.

“No,” he snorted. “No, I'm not ‘the guy’, as you so eloquently put it. And your ‘guy’ is actually a lady, the lovely Ms. Lana who I mentioned earlier. And I'm Dr. Vaughn Verhulst, you can call me Vaughn. Pleasure to meet you.”

Stan shrank into himself slightly. “Oh…”

Again with the names. They made his skin crawl, like tiny ants crawling up and down his arms. The full name this time too, Dr. Verhulst. And Lana. Where had he heard that name before? Lana...

Stan didn't have time to ponder the question, though, as the man surged forward and reached down toward Stan's vulnerable neck, and Stan screeched and jolted back trying to get away.

But the man was surprisingly fast for a guy who could be mistaken for an office drone.

“Alright now, stand up.”

Then suddenly Stan was choking as the two fingers looped under his collar and dragged him upward, squeezing Stan's windpipe fully shut with Stan gasping and clutching at the collar trying to free himself and allow his body the sweet air it so desperately begged for the whole short distance up. And when he was finally standing and the collar loosened just slightly, Stan coughed and wheezed and tried to double over on himself to lessen the pain, if only the man wasn't still holding him straight up by the collar. He finally managed to get his own fingers under the collar just enough to pull it away from flush against his throat, his body shifting from world-shaking coughs and gasps for air to shuddering wheezes and shivers, and only then did he realize that Vaughn’s other hand wasn't just sitting idly by. No, instead it settled on his arms and ribcage, pressing into the tender bruised flesh that marred his entire body.

He felt a sudden sharp pain at his side and twitched away from it, only for a steadying hand to fall on straight onto another bruise on his waist and press in, clutch at it, holding him in place and sending jolts throughout his entire body that made him dizzy. All the breath left his body. He froze.

“What– What're you–?... Stop, let go…” It felt almost taboo to break the sudden stillness. He tried to pull away, but the grip on his collar just tightened, knuckles pressing harder into his neck as Sweater-vest continued to press into his side.

“Shhhhhh, dropje. Just let me do my work.”

“Your work?...” The hand pressed into his broken rib, and Stan yelped out and shoved the offending hand away from the tender area.

“STOP! Stop touching me! Stop!” Stan cried. This was too much. What was even happening here?

Vaughn's dark gaze fixed on the place that had made Stan cry out, calculating, jaw set. Stan withdrew into himself sightly before he remembered himself, and stared defiantly right back. Then the gaze drifted slightly lower, softening with an almost mischievous smile and a low hum before he finally, finally, looked Stan square in the eyes.

“Take your shirt off.”

Stan's heart turned to ice.

“WHAT?! No! You’re insane!”

Stan managed to rip free of his grip and launch backwards, only for his back to slam directly into the wall. Damn it. He saw stars, and the world rocked around him.

He pressed into it regardless, held his cuffed hands up in front of his torso as some sort of measly defense. “Get– Get away from me! I'm not taking my shirt off! You're crazy, get away!”

He scowled, then reached into his pocket with a deep sigh. A glint of steel gleamed in the light as Vaughn pull out a pair of very sharp-looking scissors and waved them lazily at Stan's chest.

“You are.” Sweater-vest stated simply. “I'm a doctor, dropje, I have to take a look at your body, make sure that ass didn't leave any lasting damage. You worry too much.”

Sweater-vest suddenly went to reach around his arms and get at the top button of his shirt, and Stan slapped them away, earning himself a glare from the man as he stepped closer once more and boxed him in completely.

“Stan… Schatje…” he spoke lowly, voice sickeningly sweet. The scissors drifted so close to his throat. “I'm going to make this so simple for you, yeah? I'm cutting your shirt off now. If you make things difficult, then your shirt won't be the only thing cut, got it?”

Stan squeezed his eyes shut and tried to become so small. Small enough that the threat wouldn't see him anymore and he could run away and never have to deal with it again. This was insane. This was insane, right? This guy was insane!

“No, no, no, no, no, don't, get away from me, get away from me.” He tried to inject as much hissing venom as possible into the words, but they still didn't come out much above a squeaking, shaky whisper.

Vaughn reached for his top button, and though Stan pressed into the wall as much as he could, arms up and ready to strike at any moment, this time his fingers weren't stopped from undoing the top button. Then continuing down from there. Then he gently grabbed Stan's wrists and moved them downward and continued unfastening, all the way down until the front of his shirt was completely open, the cool air giving Stan goosebumps.

“Oh.” Vaughn said, almost to himself, running his finger over the strap of Stan's chest binder. “I didn't realize you were transgender, Stan.”

The swirling mass of thoughts in Stan’s head finally meet the one overwhelming his gut and crashing down upon him, breaking the fragile spell keeping him paralyzed.

“DEEBY! HELP!!” Stan cried out, loud as he possibly could. As if Deeby would ever help him. As if he would save him. All Stan knew was that in that very moment, he would prefer the physically abusive mercenary a hundred times over this guy, the guy who looked at him like a lion at an antelope, the man who feigned kindness, whose smile seemed just a bit too perfect, who made weird cryptic comments and who threw names around as if it didn't matter whether or not Stan knew them. As if Stan would never live to escape. As if the horrors Stan would endure were cursed to echo the walls in which they occurred, never to be heard by another soul.

“Oh calm down, Stanny, he's not going to come save you.” Vaughn dismissed, quickly pulling down the sleeve of his shirt and cutting it open down the seam, the quick repetitive snip snip snip of the scissors filling the room completely. Stan's weak attempts to slap away the scissors or otherwise stop his disrobing were all but brushed off by the ‘doctor.’ A quick but very intentional blade to the neck was all he needed to freeze Stan up and allow him to continue.

Very soon, Vaughn had the shredded fabric that used to make up Stan's shirt sprawled across the floor at their feet. Stan didn't even feel the coolness of the room goosebumping his skin anymore, not with the burning red in his cheeks and the again wandering hands of Sweater-vest to keep him unbearably warm.

He could scarcely breathe. His brain started to feel farther and farther away from his body. His hair was standing on end, shivers running throughout his entire body making him twitch. And he wondered if he should even put in the effort to ground himself. Maybe it would be easier if he was far, far away for all of this anyway.

“It's not like I care, Stan. It doesn't matter to me. I'll even let you keep your chest binder thing on, if that’d make you more comfortable... Hey.”

He snapped a few times in front of Stan's eyes, and Stan despairingly snapped back to reality. So close too. Just for Sweater-vest to smile his weird creepy smile at him. There was no way to misconstrue the malicious gleam in his eyes, the one that made Stan's own eyes go wide and his breath halt entirely as he stared into them. His other hand was on Stan's back now. He was practically holding Stan in a facsimile of a hug. Pressing in his lower back. Lower. Just a bit too low for comfort.

“I'm serious, I can work with that,” he reassured, hand now dipping under Stan's waistband, and before Stan could react, he pulled the captive in close to him, pressing his pelvis securely into Stan's lower stomach while brushing to closed blades of the scissors along Stan's jawline and up his cheek. “It's not what I was expecting, but it doesn't change what I'm going to do to you.”

And that's when Stan pulled back and punched him square in the jaw.

* * * * * * * *

Next

Taglist: @flowersarefreetherapy | @pirefyrelight | @cakeinthevoid

[agentwhiskeysdarlin]

The Wildflower

Pairing: Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x F!Reader

Rating: NSFW 18+ (minors dni)

Warnings: very might mentions of death, (Y/N)mentioned like once, storm anxiety, so much fluff that I hope it has everyone kicking their feet, heaving making out, Jack being so sweet and gentle,  smutty goodness but no sex…yet, oral (female receiving), vaginal fingering, more fluff, cute banter

Word Count: 3.8k

Author’s Notes: Look who remembered how to write!! This was inspired by a TikTok and truthfully I have more plans for our inn keeper and Jack. Halfway through I knew I wanted to keep this universe alive so I’m not sure when more from here will happen but I hop it does soon. Thank you all for the continued support and being patient. Massive thanks to my editor as usual @clint-aww-no-barton and let me know if you want to be added or removed from my tag list!

ao3 link

The rain made a soft pattering on the roof and windows. Music filled the room, from the record player in the living area, until the rain drowned it out. You let out a soft sigh as you moved the needle from the Elvin Bishop vinyl. It didn’t matter, the rain made its own rhythms. You glanced out the big window, that faced the main road to your small inn, noting that not a car was in sight. It was going to be a slow evening and, most likely, an even slower weekend. Rainy days didn’t tend to bring too many people in to stay, but on the rare occasion, you didn’t mind having the old inn to yourself.

  You had grown up in this place. Chased kids of guests down the hallways during the summer. You would spend time there with your grandmother, who had started this place with your grandfather, and refused to stop when he passed. You even begged your mom to let you stay during holidays, and she always let you. You had loved it since the moment you stepped foot inside. As you had gotten older you started helping, and soon took more of it over as your grandmother aged. She had written one single thing left to you in her will. The only thing you ever wanted, the inn. Some of your last words to her were your promise to take care of it, until your own dying day. She was pleased with your declaration and so far you had lived up to the promise.

  You smiled softly to yourself at the memories that floated you by during times like this. When you actually had time to think. You made your way across creaking floors to the kitchen and put on a pot of water for tea. The light draft that always swept through the place kept you constantly in a sweater, or cardigan of some kind, even in the dead middle of summer. You never minded it, and truthfully it was perfect to you. The whole place was. You double checked a few things, to be sure everything was ready just in case someone decided to stay, before settling in an alcove and opening your book. Your tea settled in your left hand, taking slow steady sips while it cooled. It was honestly a perfect evening.

  Night fell too quickly, and even with the little bit of light you had already turned on, the page in front of you was getting harder to read. That was your cue to get up and start to lock up for the night. You stood and stretched carefully, and began your nightly routine. You were just finishing up in the kitchen, about to head to lock the front door when you heard the distinct sound of someone opening it. Your eyebrows knit together, confused at who in the world would be stumbling in this late. You walked into the living area, to find a man in a cowboy hat and suit.

  “Please tell me you’re still taking guests?” He drawled.

  “You’re right on time actually. I was just about to lock up.” You gave him a soft smile as you watched him visibly relax.

  He was handsome and his brown eyes held a softness, and something you couldn’t place, but it was comforting. He was also dripping wet, and both of you seemed realize it at the same time.

  “Right! Let me get you a towel! So sorry.”

  You moved quickly, turning back to the kitchen and through it to the laundry room, grabbing a fresh towel from the the dryer.

  “Do the best you can with this, and I’ll get you in a room as soon as possible. If you want I can throw your wet clothes in the dryer. That’s if you don’t get them dry cleaned.”

  You found your self fumbling your words, suddenly awkward. You dealt with people every single day, from different walks of life, and this wasn’t the first handsome man who had walked through your door. He was just more so, and he was making you nervous but not in a bad way.

  “That would be amazing darlin’. Names Jack by the way. I do apologize for coming in so late, and in such a state. I had a bit of a late evening and this was the first place I came to.”

  “(Y/N) and it’s perfectly alright. You’re my only guest so, welcome to the Wildflower Inn!” you gave him a big smile. “I have some left over food from my dinner tonight if you’re hungry. After you get settled that is.”

  “Oh that would be even better. I really appreciate that darlin’.”

  “Not a problem at all. Let me show you to your room.”

  He picked up the bag he had set down to dry off, and followed you. You lead him to the room close to yours, for reasons you weren’t quite sure of, but you went with your gut.

  “Here’s your key. You have a small closet here, a full ensuite bathroom. The tv may be out because of the storm, so I hope you don’t need it to…”

  You didn’t get to finish your sentence before lighting flashed through the room, and a crash of thunder rattled the windows, as the lights flickered and then went out.

  “Shit. Well, the tv is definitely out,” you let out a bit of a chuckle. “Also in every room is a flashlight.”

  You walked to the bedside table, opened the drawer and pulled out a flashlight turning it on.

  “I’ll go get a lamp, so you’ll have some more light.” You give him a smile.

  “Thank you darlin’.”

  You gave him a nod and went to grab a gas powered lamp, placing it on the bedside table and lighting it.

  “I’ll leave you to settle. You can come down when you are done. Lucky for you I have backup supplies, but your clothes probably won’t be getting dried.”

  “That’s perfectly alright. I have extras. Thank you for everything darlin’. You’re a natural at this.”

  “Well, thank you,” you gave a smile, your cheeks hot, before turning to leave.

  You were careful with the steps, as you made your way back downstairs and into the kitchen. You pulled out more lamps, lighting them and placing them in just a few places where you could watch them. You turned and started to work on fixing a sandwich for Jack, careful to only open the fridge sparingly. You had no idea how long the power would be out, but you prayed not long enough to ruin your food. Just as you were finishing up you heard footsteps, and soon Jack was joining you.

  “I hope it’s okay. I left everything off so you could fix it how you wanted. Please do eat as much as you want,” you gave him a soft smile.

  “Thank you darlin’,” that damn nickname was going to be the death of you.

  “I have water and sweet tea.”

  “Oh sweet tea for sure. I’m too much of a Southern boy to turn that down.”

  You let out a chuckle as you fixed him a glass. Just as you sat his glass down and was turning to fix yourself one, the thunder crashed again shaking the house and rattling the glasses in the cabinet. You jumped, feeling yourself inching closer and closer to being on edge. A normal, calm, thunderstorm didn’t bother you, but this one seemed to be getting worse. And with no power it was making you nervous.

  “Whoa! Hey you okay?” Jack stood up, his chair sliding against the wooden floor.

  He reached for you just as you turned, and realized the two of you were closer than you thought. You looked up at him, trying to calm yourself down but your heart only pounded more from the look of worry dancing in his brown eyes.

  “I…I’m okay. It just scared me. I don’t do well with storms,” you felt your face heat in slight embarrassment.

  “That’s alright. Why don’t you keep me company while I eat real quick? And then maybe we can do something together? Do you have cards? We can play by the lamp light?”

  “Yeah I have cards. That…that would be perfect.”

  He nodded before he went back to his seat, and you turned to finish making your drink, grinning like a school girl with a secret crush. You hardly ever had men come stay here alone, and the few times you did, you’d been slightly nervous. Being a woman running this place mostly alone was not ideal, and it could get ugly fast. Jack, however, didn’t make you feel that way. He made you feel at ease, sent your heart racing, but you felt like you had known the man your entire life. It was something you had never felt before, but you loved it. You sat across from him and sipped at your drink. The two of you slid into easy conversation, learning more about each other. It was easy to talk to him, and he had you laughing and smiling more than you had in awhile. The only damper to the evening was the crashing thunder, and howling wind that joined in, making the bones of the house creak. Jack watched you carefully and seemed to hurry his dinner along, until he finally sat back.

  “That was delicious. I was hungrier than I thought,” he let out a chuckle.

  “I’m glad it was good. I really wish you could have had the soup. It’s a specialty of mine.”

  “I doubt this will be the last time I ever see you. It will just give me an excuse to come back.”

  You both froze slightly, with your eyes connected to each other. Your stomach erupted with butterflies and once again you felt your face heat.

  “I was secretly hoping that you wouldn’t just leave and never look back,” your words were soft but even over the storm you knew he heard you.

  “I would never. This is too…”

  “Easy?”

  “Exactly.”

  The both of you fell silent with small smiles on your faces. Another crack of thunder and a hard gust of wind broke the moment, making you jump and close your eyes.

  “Come on, let’s get into those cards, and get your mind off this storm.”

  “Right.”

  You stood and turned to one of the drawers in the kitchen and pulled out some playing cards. You sat back down and looked across the table at him.

  “Ready to get your ass kicked Cowboy?” The nickname slipping out accidentally, and you stopped breathing.

  That was until Jack broke out into a smirk, and you swore you saw a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Oh it’s on darlin’.”

  You pulled the cards out, shuffled them and the two of you started in on your first game.

  The storm had settled outside. Rain continued to fall and distant thunder could still be heard but now it was peaceful. You had lost count of the number of games you and Jack had played. Running through various card games, and even a few he taught you how to play. You tried your best to stifle the millionth yawn you had let escape in the past thirty minutes, but failed miserably.

  “I think we should turn it. I’m sure it’s late,” Jack smirked as he looked up at you.

  “I’m fine. I swear,” your eyes were heavy and you knew he could see the lie on your face.

  The truth was, you didn’t want to go to bed, because you didn’t want him to leave. You figured he would leave tomorrow morning at some point and the thought crushed you. It was odd how quickly the man had worked himself into your mind, but there was something about him.

  “Come on darlin’,” he stood and held his hand out.

  You took it and he helped you stand, before you both put out all the lamps and padded upstairs with the flashlight. Jack stopped at the door of his room, and you did the same. You turned to him, hand on your door handle.

  “Well, goodnight Cowboy,” you gave him a smile.

  “Goodnight to you too darlin’,” he returned the smile, but he didn’t move to walk into his room and neither did you.

  The two of you kept eye contact for longer than normal, and you wondered if his mind was racing with the same thoughts yours was. You were silently begging him to just come kiss you. Take those few strides to you, and just, kiss you. You didn’t want to have to toss and turn in bed all night, no matter how tired, and wonder what those lips would have felt like. He seemed to battle himself too. Then his hand fell from his door handle.

  “Oh fuck this,” he spoke just above a whisper before he was in front of you.

  His hands came up to your cheeks in a gentle hold and his lips crashed against yours. You reached up to fist the front of his shirt, and wasted no time kissing him back. You melted into him, your mind going fuzzy. You had never been kissed like this. No man made butterflies, no fireworks, erupt inside of you like this man did. You realized in that moment, you were in deep. The two of you reluctantly pulled away when air became a must. Jack’s forehead rested against yours, and the two of you panted. Your eyes were still closed, trying to gather yourself, but you could feel him watching you. Finally your eyes fluttered open and were met with brown ones. He seemed to watch every thought cross your face.

  “Tell me you want to,” he whispered.

  “I want to. Please,” you sounded slightly desperate, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to really care.

  That seemed to be enough for him. His mouth fell back to yours and he picked you up carefully. You wrapped your arms around his neck, fingers finding purchase in his brown locks and your legs wrapped around his waist. He fumbled with your door but soon you were through it, and then you were against the wall, trapped between it and Jack. His kisses were eager and so were yours. It was like the two of you would never be able to get enough of each other. Finally he planted you on the ground and pulled away. You were a mess, and the man had only kissed you. You glanced at yourself in the mirror that was attached to a small vanity behind Jack. Your lips were swollen and red, hair slightly disheveled and you were a panting mess.

Jack’s hand gripped your hip and took ahold of you, pulling you to him. He gave you one more slightly softer kiss.

  “Let me make you feel good, yeah?” He spoke low and gentle.

  You couldn’t speak, too afraid of your voice giving you up, exposing the wreck you truly were, so you simply nodded your head. Jack’s hands travelled up your shirt, inching slowly across the skin of your stomach and up to your breast, squeezing over the fabric of your bra. You let out a shuddering gasp and gulped slightly. You watched him watch you, as he let out a chuckle at your reaction. Then he slipped your shirt over your head and let it fall to the floor. Your bra went soon after it, and he didn’t give you much time before his fingers had the hard pebble of your nipples between them. He pinched, pulled and you let out a moan, arching into him slightly before he released them. Never once did his eyes move from yours. He turned you slightly, and gently pushed you down to your bed, your legs hanging off. He hovered over you, kissing your mouth again, before pulling away and starting down your body. You let out a sigh as your head tipped back, eyes fluttering closed, trying to focus on where his lips touched. It was all so gentle and intoxicating. His lips wrapped around your hard nipples flicking them with his tongue, before he continued down your stomach till he was right where your jeans rested across your hips. He kissed right there under your navel, as he unzipped your pants before pulling them, along with your underwear, completely off. They joined your shirt on the floor and you finally forced your eyes open to look down. It was the most beautiful sight you had ever seen, this man resting himself between your thighs. You let out a whine as he placed your legs on his shoulders and wrapped his arms around you, to keep you pinned down.

  “I know darlin’. I got you,” he spoke, his breath ghosting over your already soaking wet center.

  You shuddered and watched as he leaned in. No more slow movements. This man knelt between your legs, taking you in his mouth like this was the first meal he had had in months. Like you were the last thing he would ever taste. Your head flew back, a moan almost at the pitch of a scream erupted from your lips, and your hand flew to his hair, lacing your fingers there. You were putty in his hands, completely at his mercy and you had never had a man touch you like this. You panted, moans still falling from your lips, as he moved his tongue around your clit before sucking the bundle of nerves between his lips. You jumped, letting out another yelp.

  “Jack,” his name fell from your lips like a prayer and his eyes looked up at you smirking, as his tongue went back to work.

  His right arm lifted and he pushed your right leg slightly off his shoulder stretching you open more. He pulled his mouth, away pulling another pitiful moan from you. His middle and ring finger rubbed at your now sensitive clit, causing you to jump and you looked down catching his eyes. He never moved his gaze from yours as he slipped his two fingers deep into you. He started to flutter them against that delicious spot inside you. Your head went back again and now both of your hands found purchase in his hair. His mouth went back to your clit and his fingers started to move even quicker inside of you. You thanked God that there was no one else in this house, nor a single neighbor in ear shot as you screamed out. You were reeling and you could feel yourself inching closer and closer to the edge, before Jack moaned against you. You snapped, your body going ridged, back arching, a mixture of curses and his name falling from your lips. You tried to close your legs but he wasn’t letting up, determined to get you through your orgasm. Finally your body gave out and melted into the bed as Jack let up. His lips peppered kisses across your center and thighs, before he was crawling back up to your lips. When he kissed you and you tasted yourself it sent a whole new jolt through you, and you moaned against his lips. Your fingers fumbled with his pants and his hand reached out stopping you. You pulled away, hurt clearly written across your face. Jack did nothing but smirk and kiss your nose.

  “Let’s take it slow darlin’. Not that I needed anymore reason to come back, waiting gives me more incentive to hurry my ass up.”

  “Wait, you really do plan to come back?”

  “Darlin’ you had me the moment I walked in to this place. I took one look at you, and knew that this wouldn’t be the only time I ever saw you.”

  The smile that spread across your face was a beaming light, and your stomach fluttered with butterflies.

  “It took me a bit longer.” You smirked as Jack’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It took me longer than the second you walked in.” Another look, puppy dog eyes activated “After I realized you weren’t some crazy killer, then I was good.”

  He let out a chuckle and shook his head. “You had me worried there darlin’.”

  “It was a few minutes instead of seconds but who is really counting?”

  “Oh I am. I’ll always tell people I fell first now.”

  Both of you let out laughs that mixed together, and it was a sound you would never get tired of. Silence fell and the two of you kept your eyes on one another, try to memorize everything you could.

  “So… when will you leave?” You paused for a moment. “And how long will you be gone?”

  “I can stay another day but then I gotta get back home. I shouldn’t have to stay away too long but I never know. My job is…unpredictable.” He spoke as his fingers brushed hair from your face.

  “What do you do?”

  “I wish I could tell you darlin’. It ain’t nothing…like what you may be thinking. I’m just not allowed to say and normally its not a problem. It could be dangerous.”

  You nodded your head in understanding. It made your stomach twist slightly, but you tried to push every single thought that fired off in your brain.

  “I’m going to try and take some time off and come back here. We ain’t too awful far from each other. I can help out around here, earn my keep and all.” He smirked.

  “Oh yeah. I don’t let anyone stay for free,” you chuckled as you looked up at him.

  He finally laid down next to you, pulling you into him.

  “I think I can think of plenty of ways to pay you back.”

  “Oh I can too. I have some pipes that need fixing, the lawn needs to be mowed, I can send you grocery shopping,” you pulled your hand between the two of you to tick things off on your fingers, before looking up at him.

  The look on his face made you burst out laughing. 

  “I see how it is. You finally got a man around so I’m going to have a honey do list.”

  “Exactly! I just happen to put myself on there too. Mentally,” you taped your temple and smirked up at him.

  “That’s what I thought,” he smirked kissing your forehead and you giggled.

  The two of you laid there ,falling into easy conversation until you felt yourself slipping to sleep.

  “Sleep darlin’. I’m right behind you. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Jack’s lips once again caressed your forehead and you curled into him.

  As you fell asleep you knew there would be many more nights shared with him in your little inn, and you couldn’t wait.

Tagged: @jimmythegirl​ @arcadianempress​ @discogrrl​ @immundusspiritu​ @someplace-darker​ @thisis-theway​ @ohpedromypedro​ @scribbledghost​ @fioccodineveautunnale​ @princess-and-pedro​ @phoenixhalliwell​ @littlevodka​ @all-hallows-evie​ @mack4676​ @perropascal​ @audreyshepbvrn​ @mswarriorbabe80​ @kaqua​ @novemberrain221​ @weasleywinchester​

[myloveforhergoeson]

That's All She Wrote - Chapter 30

Chapter Index

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Chapter 30: Kiss Me (2.10) ~ 12k

Carlos wanted a girlfriend. Badly. Desperately.

Inherently, there was no issue with that, though one could call the methods in which he went about obtaining one quite orthodox. As in, confiding in Logan, who told Kendall, who told James, who told Roxy. Normally, there wasn’t a quadruple authentication factor when asking someone out, but there all four of them were, putting Kendall’s ridiculous plan in place for Carlos to impress the new girl at the Palm Woods, Kiyoko. 

A Big Time Rush scheme to get a girlfriend? Roxy figured there was about a 50/50 shot of them actually pulling this off. Considering she was already dating one of them, she should at least have a little bit of faith. 

“This is Tree Hat. I repeat, this is Tree Hat,” Kendall whispered into the walkie-talkies the four boys and Katie shared. The pool served as the ideal location for them to pull their plan off but separated them enough to warrant means of immediate long-distance communication. “Is everybody in position?”

From behind one of the big, blue cabanas, Roxy clutched onto Logan’s arm and looked back over her shoulder. Her friend was situated behind one of the many planters outside with his hat on, peering their way with a pair of binoculars, waiting for their response. While she held her thumb up for a moment to answer his question, she slowly drew it to her throat and drew a line across her skin, sticking her tongue out. 

Kendall flipped her off in response. 

“Helpless old lady and clueless granddaughter, ready!” Logan answered into his walkie-talkie, vocalizing his role in the plan.

After thoroughly raiding Mrs. Knight’s closet and Camille’s endless costume wardrobe, the five teens had found enough items to combine into the perfect helpless old lady disguise. A churchy dress, a nice knit sweater, ugly little loafers, and a graying wig sold the look they were planning on placing their assistant in. Only, the dress and shoes hadn’t fit her, one far too long and the other far too big, to sell the role they’d needed. Also, the purse they’d dug up didn’t go with the outfit at all. There's no way she’d be caught dead without a matching bag. So, her part was handed off to the next best person - Logan. And he played one hell of a helpless old lady.

Roxy had been demoted to clueless granddaughter, which she felt fit perfectly, considering she didn’t know what having a grandmother was like. From what she’d heard from Jo, the bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter was like no other; If she could pick anyone to fill that role for her, she supposed Logan was better than nothing. 

“Purse snatcher good to go,” Her boyfriend whispered into the radio, making her jolt at the sound. James was situated on the opposite side of the pool in a daunting all-black outfit, ready to grab the ugly bag off of Logan’s arm. They’d time their encounter just right in order for it to happen in front of Kiyoko,  who was suntanning in one of many lounge chairs outside, where Carlos would swoop in and save the day. Logan had brought up some love-science reason it would make her fall in love with him, but the words he’d used were too big and too fancy for the rest of them to grasp. Instead, Roxy’d managed to translate It’s just so heroic! Like something out of one of my romance novels!

The water of the pool in front of them calmly lapped as they waited for the rest of the group to confirm their positions.

“Flowers are locked and loaded,” The speaker crackled, Katie’s voice coming through now, and Roxy watched from her and Logan’s hiding spot as the young girl placed a large, colorful flower bouquet on the table closest to where Kiyoko was relaxing. 

Kendall chimed in again, “Copy that. Operation Get Carlos A Girlfriend is underway.” 

 From the side of the planter, Carlos emerged, helmetless and in a handsome sky-blue button-up he’d stolen out of James’ closet. Though he was clutching his hands together and knitting his brow, he had a fierce determination in his eyes which his assistant could spot a mile away. It was the same face he made while working out a complicated dance routine on stage.

Punch out the mugger, give Granny her purse back, then grab the flowers and give them to the pretty girl. Roxy recited Kendall’s plan in her head, trying to mentally will her thoughts into Carlos’ brain as she and Logan rounded the corner and began to walk down the edge of the pool at Kendall’s bird call of a signal. 

“Oh, I’m so old and frail!” Logan coughed out, pitching his voice about two octaves higher than normal, “Could you hold my purse, Roxanne, darling, it’s just so heavy because it’s full of money!”

The assistant rolled her eyes at his terrible acting but nodded her head and accepted the bag in order to play along. It’s not like she was any better at it than he was. “Of course, Granny, here let me-” 

At that moment, James came sprinting down the stretch of the pool deck in his mugger outfit, which sent Roxy’s heart into overdrive. With a midnight black balaclava over his face, she could hardly recognize him, and he was always just a little too invested in his roles thanks to his stint in community theater in Duluth and his acting courses with Camille last year. 

Ugh. That managed to snap the girl out of her moment of panic. 

“Give me that purse!” He cried, attempting to snatch it from Roxy. Unfortunately for him, now fueled by her unwanted thoughts of James and Camille hanging out together, she tugged it right back. 

Sure, they’d talked it over, but that didn’t exactly alleviate how much it still bothered her.

“Stop it! Help us!” Logan cried, though he did manage to poke Roxy in the side when he realized she was struggling for the purse, trying to remind her of her place in their plan. 

But still, she didn’t relent, going back and forth with her boyfriend over the purse she told herself she’d never be seen with until Carlos landed on the scene, triumphantly announcing, “Don’t worry, ladies! I’ll save you!”

When he got his hands on the purse James and Roxy were fighting over, he tugged it straight up into the air with such force, that the two of them stumbled into each other, losing their grip on the bag. 

For what it was worth, there were worse places for Roxy to be thrown than into her boyfriend’s arms; Namely, the pool one foot to her right. She nearly forgot they were putting on a show as she allowed her cheek to linger on his solid chest for a moment, the thought of Camille completely obliterated as James caught her.

“Thank you so much!” Granny Logan beamed, right before Carlos sent a right hook directly into his cheek. 

The girl gasped, one hand flying over her mouth as her brows shot to her hairline. Carlos had mixed up the parts James and Logan were playing, making a fatal mistake. When she worked up the courage to peek over at Kiyoko, the new girl was sat up in her chair, jaw practically on the floor at the sight of a stranger taking out a defenseless old woman. 

But, Carlos didn’t recognize his mistake at all, diving for the gorgeous bouquet Katie had placed on the table beside Kiyoko’s chair. 

Uh, oh.

Without thinking, he passed the flowers off to Robber James, who nearly dropped them because he was too busy trying to steady his girlfriend and then proudly presented the snatched purse to Kiyoko with a blindingly white smile. A few seconds of silence washed over the pool area, considering the band, their assistant, and Katie had caused quite a stir, before Kiyoko let out a bloodcurdling scream and dashed off toward the hotel lobby. 

“Yeah, we probably should’ve rehearsed more…” Kendall trailed off into the walkie-talkie, voice ringing unpleasantly in everyone's ears while Carlos tried far too late to correct his mistake. 

Eagerly, he wrestled the bouquet out of James’ hands and held them out to Logan, now sporting quite the shiner on his jaw, breathing out an unimpressed, “Really?” 

The trek back up to apartment 2-J with a now depressed Carlos was less than pleasant considering all the moaning and groaning leaving the poor boy’s mouth, but on the way up James had taken off his mask and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend’s waist. Cheesily, he presented her with the flowers they’d bought for their little scheme and she happily accepted, pressing a kiss to his cheek and imagining how cute they’d look on her writing desk. 

But, that happiness managed to dissolve the minute Carlos flopped onto the large, orange sectional in the living room, declaring, “I’m never gonna get a girlfriend!” 

While Logan retreated to his room to change, Carlos slammed a fist down onto the cushion, accidentally hitting the TV remote and flipping it on. 

“And do you have a girlfriend?” The news anchor on the screen asked, with what could only be the most inopportune timing. 

“No!” The boy shouted, alarming his friends with his sheer intensity.

James kept his hold on Roxy tight though, immediately perking up to watch the program, while she rearranged a few of the bright flowers in the bouquet. Whoever had picked them up at the store across the street had done a phenomenal job, the bright pastel colors complimented each other very well, and the delicious scent wafting off of them was almost heavenly. 

“Then take her to see the movie Kiss and Tell, which opens tonight!”

“They made Kiss and Tell into a movie?!” Roxy whirled her head around to face the television, now also very invested in what critic Leonard Siskel had to say during his movie corner segment of the news. “That’s one of my favorite books!”

Now, it wasn’t lost on her how James leaned in to hear the program better. 

“It’s the story of a lawyer too busy for love and a down-and-out chef with a recipe for romance. It’s a film so romantic that if you’re not smooching in the aisles, you’re dead… or alone!” 

Siskel’s words sent Carlos into another spiral, spinning around so he was face down on the couch to let out a pained cry. 

Always quick to launch into action at the sight of someone in need, Kendall rushed over to take the remote from his hopeless friend and turn the device off. “If you sit here feeling sorry for yourself, you’re never gonna find a girlfriend!” 

“But I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!” Carlos shot back. “I’m lovable.” 

Taking one of the brightest yellow tulips from the bundle she held, Roxy walked over and handed it to him, rubbing his shoulders gently from behind the couch. “While true, is not the only important thing to look for in a partner.” 

From the breakfast bar, James added, “You’re so right, babe!”

“Which is why,” Kendall rolled his eyes, but bounced off his assistant’s statement, “You have to keep looking! A girlfriend’s not just gonna walk in the door and say, ‘Hey, let’s go on a date tonight!’”

The front door opened as he finished his sentence and Jo gracefully entered the apartment with a gigantic smile on her face and two pieces of paper in hand. “Hey! Let’s go on a date tonight!”

Carlos gawked at her, weakly pointing a finger her way while his jaw went slack. Without interruptions, Kendall’s inspirational speeches usually served her and the band well, but today seemed to be full of horrible timings after horrible timings.  “Okay, bad example!” His friend cut in before Carlos managed to complain again, but the helmet wearer did let out an exasperating scream as Roxy kept rubbing his shoulders. He sure was tense under James’ soft button-up. 

“I printed out two tickets for Kiss and Tell.” The actress shared, striding over to her boyfriend to show him the tickets she’d purchased online. “Pop Tiger gave it five smooches on their make-out meter…”

“Out of ten smooches!” his assistant lied to try and make Carlos feel better. Though, while she thought back to the contents of the book she’d read a few months ago, she felt the back of her neck begin to heat. Is it possible to earn six smooches?

And honestly, she was a bit jealous of Jo and Kendall. They’d blown their relationship wide open to the public eye after an unfortunate run-in with Jett Stetson, a llama, a jar of peanut butter, and a stupid scheme of the teen actor’s to make it appear to the general population as though he and Jo were together. With some quick thinking on her friends’ part, they had been able to thwart Jett’s plan and earn themselves a spot on all the major magazine covers as one of the ”hottest young couples in Hollywood.” 

Jo Taylor and Kendall Knight - A popular actress and a popular singer. Of course, it made sense for them to be together.

But a popular singer and an unknown songwriter… It probably wasn’t a good idea for James and Roxy to be seen making out at a movie like Kiss and Tell in the middle of Los Angeles. Though she loved being with him, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to be talked about in this week’s celebrity news cycle just yet. 

I’ll have to ask James if we can hit a midnight showing in the next town over or something…

“Roxy?” 

Someone calling her name pulled the writer out of her head, and when she turned around from where she stood behind the couch, Katie was standing in the middle of the hallway trying to get the writer’s attention. 

Sending a wave the young girl’s way, Roxy cocked her head to the side, “What’s up?”

Katie shot a glance at the room in front of her, slowly taking note of all the people gathered in their living room. Usually, that wasn’t an issue - the Crib was always hustling and bustling with her big brother, roommates, and their large collection of friends - but something about it seemed to annoy her today. “I heard some scratching in the wall connecting our apartments just now. Have you heard anything lately?”

Just the thought of something crawling around in her walls was enough to send Roxy flying past Katie and into 2-H as quickly as possible. Back in Duluth, she and her father had their fair share of disgusting vermin making home in their insulation over the years. The two of them loved living right on the edge of the forest, but that did cause a whole host of issues with the local wildlife. 

As disgusting as she thought it was, she needed to confirm what Katie had said, tag the approximate location in the walls, and arrange for Buddha Bob to handle it as soon as possible or she wouldn’t be getting a good night's sleep for quite a while. By the time the girl reached her kitchen, mild jitters were setting in as she reached a shaking hand into her mini backpack to grab her phone and call her dad for advice. 

When she pressed her ear to the wall, clutching her phone while trying to isolate any squeaking, clawing, or gnawing, all she caught was the sound of the door connecting her apartment to the boys’ slamming shut. Ouch.

“So… um,” Apparently, it had been Katie, not her boyfriend like she assumed, who followed her into the apartment, slowly dragging her feet as she moved into the kitchen where her friend had her ear practically slammed into the wall. “There’s-”

“Shh!” Roxy hushed her, dragging a finger to her lips, “We need to find the-”

“There’s no critter. I lied,” The girl said, joining the songwriter in the small space. Her tone of voice shifted, something meek and timid, which was completely unlike the conniving, cunning person she was. Both she and Kendall usually flew on the same type of optimism and confidence, proving they could do anything they set their minds to, but the slump of her shoulders and anxious pulling of her hair told the writer Katie was feeling far different than usual.

That scared Roxy more than anything. 

Slowly, she pulled her ear away from the wall as Katie continued. 

“I know you don’t like gross things and I wanted to talk to you alone. So… Sorry.” 

Katie’s gaze locked onto the bright blue card hung up on Roxy’s fridge; James had tacked Mag’s invitation to Brand New Day’s album release party there after pulling it out of her garbage can. 

“That’s twice you’ve done this to me now - You know you can just tell me you want to talk upfront, right?” Roxy asked, slowly leaning onto the wall beside her and realizing that probably wasn’t the first thing she should have said to Katie’s confession. “Just keep that in mind for next time… Is something going on?” 

“Yes… and no. Nothing bad I swear!” Katie held her hands up in the air as if she were proclaiming her innocence. “It’s just embarrassing… Had to work my way up to it… And I didn’t want the guys to worry if I pulled you aside. You know how they are.”

Finally, a small huff of a laugh escaped the writer’s lips. “You’re pretty lucky to have four caring older brothers.” 

At Roxy’s words, Katie’s eyes widened before she quickly crossed her arms and looked down at the floor. “Whatever. That doesn’t matter when you’re looking for some girl-talk… or whatever.” 

“Well, good for you I’m a girl who loves to talk,” Roxy smiled. Taking a step forward toward the kitchen table, she pulled out one of the chairs, plopped down with her chin in her hand, and motioned to the seat across the way. 

Though seemingly reluctant, Katie took a hesitant breath before joining her friend at the table. The small, red watch encircling her wrist ticked and ticked, filling the silent apartment. “Remember what we talked about in Minnesota?”

How could I ever forget? Roxy thought, but nodded all the same. “After your date with Ray? Of course, I do.”

Now knowing this conversation was about dating and relationships, and not anything more serious, the writer felt her shoulders fall. In turn, the girl in front of her looked a bit more relieved. 

“Well… There’s this new guy who just moved in, Kyle, and I’ve seen him at the pool a few times with his comic books and Nintendo DS. Every time I’ve tried to go up and talk to him my palms get really sweaty and my heart races and I end up just running back up to the apartment.” 

At the moment, Roxy was beginning to feel the same of the same symptoms her young friend had been describing - Excited for her and a potential foray into the world of romance. She had to bite the inside of her cheek not to bombard her with a million questions and Katie continued. 

“He’s usually down there at this time and I told myself I’d talk to him today, but I need a confidence boost. Can I borrow some of your makeup?” 

Roxy blinked. “What?” 

Katie Knight, the most confident person Roxy knew, was looking for assurance through cosmetics? That certainly came straight out of left field. 

“Just some of the stuff you put on your cheeks and eyes or maybe even your lips? James is always telling you how pretty you look in all that.”

He better think I’m pretty without it…

After sharing such vulnerable feelings and communicating how hard it was to work her way up to that question, the last thing Roxy wanted to do was make Katie feel uncomfortable or unashamed. She was almost thirteen years old; That was around the time Roxy had started to grow interested in makeup as well, but her father didn’t allow it until she was in high school. Could Mrs. Knight have similar feelings? 

“Katie, I don’t mind sharing at all!” Roxy shared, earnestly, wondering if this overwhelming urge to say yes to anything the girl asked was what it was like to have siblings. “But in exchange is it alright if I ask you something?” 

The young Knight nodded, still playing with the watch around her wrist. 

“Are you just curious about makeup because you think it’s cool or because you think the new guy will like you better if you wear it?” 

Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, Katie considered the question for a few moments. “Dunno… Maybe a little bit of both? Mom says I don’t need any and I think that made me want to try some out more than anything. I don’t like being told what I can and can’t do.” Her chair slowly creaked as she squirmed around before standing up. “Just forget it, it was a stupid question anyway.”

“No, no!” The writer shot up from her seat, “Not at all, Katie. You can always come and ask me anything. I do want to be honest with you, though; If the new guy only likes you because you’re wearing makeup he is so not worth your time... How about we find a balance? A little blush and some lip gloss and you bring your own comics and DS - Would that make you feel more confident?” 

While she did mean every one of her words, Roxy worried that her offer to compromise might make it sound like she agreed with Mrs. Knight on the makeup front… Even if she truly did, there was nothing wrong with a little bit of experimentation here and there. 

“It would,” Katie agreed, finally looking at her friend instead of her bright blue Converse. “But maybe you can take me to the drug store sometime this week and I can get my own? And we don’t tell my mom?” 

“Only if you tell me everything about this mystery boy! Now, let’s go see what we can dig up in my makeup organizer… Are you more of a neutral-tone girl or a sparkles girl?” 

“No idea… But I’m happy to find out together.” 

***

J: Katie told you she had a crush on a boy and all you did was let her borrow some makeup?

The text from James set the alarm tone on Roxy’s phone off, interrupting her as she scribbled out what she could remember of the lyric set she had come up with not long after her friend had left her apartment. With cheeks just a little rosier and lips just a little shiner, the pair had come to the conclusion that Katie was ready to meet the new boy, but she wanted to do it on her own terms. 

If James was texting her about it, Roxy could only assume the last part of their plan had backfired. 

R: Mind your own business!

J: It is my business! Why aren’t you down here helping her talk to him?

R: Because she’s very capable of doing that on her own

J: All she was doing was sitting around watching him through a pair of binoculars. She would have never actually talked to him without my help!

Oh, God. Roxy thought, snapping the book on the comforter below her shut. I need to get him out of there.

Immediately, she switched out of their text chat and called him, feeling her heart rate spike about twice as fast as it should have been. Katie was already having a hard enough time working out her own pre-teen feelings; She certainly didn’t need a Flirting 101 class from James Diamond. 

He picked up on the first ring, “Babe?”

“I just found this new cherry lip gloss-”

“Say less. Be at 2-H in a minute.” 

Before she hung up the phone, thrilled her plan of distraction worked, Roxy could hear the pounding of his footsteps on the pool deck and someone hissing, “What?!” and heavily stuttering whatever else they were trying to say just as the line went dead.

In the minute - give or take - she’d give him to come knocking on her door, she quickly swiped on some of the product she’d found, flicked on her tape player, and reopened her songbook to see if she could recover any of what she was planning to put down. 

On the page in front of her, the red ink practically jumped off the paper, swirling the words around as she tried to make sense of what she’d written. Though she’d been calling the work “Got Something” in her head, it wasn’t as catchy as she’d liked, and aside from a few short lyric ideas, a good deal of heart doodles around them, and a crappy drawing of Jupiter in the corner, her work in progress was just that - in progress. 

A few seconds and a silly I’ve got a big time crush on you! line scribbled out later, James did, in fact, bust down the door to her apartment.

“Songbird?” He called from the entryway, sounding majorly out of breath despite his profound athleticism as his voice cracked on the last syllable of her name.

It was difficult for her to contain the giggle escaping her lips while she felt the back of her neck heat, tossed her songbook over to her desk, and shimmied to the edge of her bed. “In here!” 

 The next few seconds flew by like a flash - James practically sprinting to her room and catching himself on her doorframe, goofily smiling when he found his girlfriend inside. “Hey, beautiful.” 

Now, Roxy couldn’t stop herself from laughing, as cheesy as it was his words always got to her, making her so bashful it bubbled up and boiled over the surface. “Hey, yourself.” 

Blue, blue t-shirt fit snugly across his chest as he leaned forward on the frame, “Cherry…  You’re sure it’s cherry?”

“Yes!” 

In an instant, he was in front of her, hands on her cheeks, gently laying her back on the mattress, as his lips found hers. The taste was just as sweet as they’d hoped. 

For a plan to get him out of spending time with Katie while she figured out her Kyle situation, this was one of the more brilliant schemes Roxy had come up with, she thought, while her hands sunk into James’ soft hair, indulging in the moment they shared. 

Despite his strength and large frame, James was always careful with her, making sure even in the most heated of make-out sessions he never made Roxy caged or uncomfortable. This time was no different, even as one of his hands left her face to brace himself on the black blanket covering her bedspread.

When he’d just about kissed her breathless, James reluctantly pulled away, needing more than a second to refill his lungs. Long hair swept over his eyes while his chest rose and fell, accentuating the tight shirt he’d picked out that morning, and Roxy’s grip on his roots tightened when his tongue darted out of his mouth to wet his lips. “You lied to me.”

A jolt shot through Roxy’s heart, “What?” 

“It’s cherry berry, not just cherry.” 

“James!” She practically screamed, ignoring the laughter rolling out of him as she shoved him onto the bed beside her, “Who cares?!”

As his back hit the mattress, she bounced a bit. Bed springs groaning as he rolled onto his side to face her, he shot a wicked grin. “That’s very important information! A guy should know what he’s getting into, you know?” 

“I think you’ll survive,” Teased Roxy, turning to face him as well, resting her cheek on her hand. When they were this close, she could admire the small flecks of green popping out in his hazel eyes and the beautiful curve of his lips. “But for future reference… What’s your preference?”

James scrunched up a cheek in thought, “Hm… I don’t know. Let me check again.” 

Leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to Roxy’s lips, he pulled back before rubbing his own together and pretending he was deep in thought. “Didn’t get enough that time. Again.” The process repeated a few more times before Roxy was pretty sure no gloss was left and he asked her what else she was storing in her makeup organizer. 

Hesitantly, the girl pulled herself away from her boyfriend, already missing the hint of the ‘Cuda spice lime cologne tingling her nose as she made her way to her dresser to find just what he was asking for. The bright red organizer Katie had given her for Christmas had certainly been put to good use, and she pulled open the small drawer on the side she’d designated for her lipsticks and glosses, rattling off what she could find, “Strawberry, Watermelon, Vanilla… Ooh! Cotton candy!”

“That one!” James called from behind her, head propped up on his hand as he watched her, still lying on his side. She caught his sparkling gaze in the vanity mirror, relishing in the softness in his eyes. 

Just as she swiped some of the gloss over her bottom lip, she heard him audibly swallow. “Wanna go to that movie tonight?” 

Roxy paused, jaw half open as she glanced back at him over her shoulder. And she did, desperately, want to go to Kiss and Tell with him, but going out on the town together and being spotted could lead to any type of speculation; Going to the hottest make-out movie of the summer only led to one conclusion.

It's not like they never went out together… But when they did, at least after what happened in Santa Monia, it was usually just hitting a drive-through and then coming back to 2-H to hang out. The last time they’d been alone in public together was back in Minnesota where the skillful eye of the paparazzi would never look to find anyone as quickly up and coming as a member of Big Time Rush.

“Like… in the next town over or something?” Roxy questioned, not sure if James had actually thought the invitation out before extending it to her. While she did adore him, her boyfriend certainly wasn’t known for thinking all of his plans through.

Had she still been focused on fiddling with the small plastic tube in her hands, she might have missed the look of hurt that flashed across her boyfriend’s face.

Shit.

“No,” He said, sitting up, brows furrowed. “I caught Jo on the way out of 2-J and she said there were still seats next to where she, Kendall, Carlos, and his mystery date were sitting. You sounded interested earlier… Just thought it could be fun.”

“It does sound fun!” The assistant jumped in a bit too quickly, thoughts muddling around her head too fast now that she was worried about hurting his feelings. “But don’t you think… I don’t know… Three members of Big Time Rush in the same place and people might start taking pictures or something?” 

“I think I’d be more worried if someone spotted us in the back row of a dark, crowded theater when they’re supposed to be making out with someone else,” James snickered, though not as lighthearted as usual. “Like… total loser alert…”

She’d hurt him and he was trying to play it off, make her more comfortable about potentially going out together with their friends. 

Anxiously, she placed the gloss back in the organizer before walking back over to the edge of her bed. Mattress creaking as she sat down next to James, she reached a hand out toward his cheek, guiding his gaze to hers. 

Even in their own little bubble, she thought dating James was no small feat. Had they been somewhat “normal” teenagers back in Minnesota, navigating the same high school hallways, she doubted he’d give her a second glance. He was the kind of guy she’d hopelessly crush on, Mag and Dani making fun of her as much as they could, who had no idea she’d exist… He was miles out of her league. 

If those were the thoughts she’d tucked deep down, spilled out on the pages of her journal for nobody else to ever see, how could she handle it if anyone else thought the same? 

“You four are getting so famous… You’re not worried about people thinking our relationship is-” Unable to even say the unpleasant words swirling around in her head, Roxy took a breath, a familiar, sharp sting of sadness tingling the back of her nose and eyes. Gently, she swiped her thumb over his cheek. “They don’t know me the way they know you. What if they think I’m just a groupie or-”

“Or what if they like you for the same reasons I do?” James questioned back, hand reaching up to clutch hers. “Because you’re so incredibly talented and you work harder than anyone else in this town and just being in the same room as you makes my days brighter? Or because you’re a total knockout and anyone would be lucky to have even a fraction of your time?”

His exaggerated words flooded her ears, making the anxiety rising in her chest begin to wash away, a laugh bubbling up her throat. It must have made her smile too, at this point so overwhelmed she couldn’t even tell, because James was already mirroring a grin by the time her other hand reached his face and she pulled him into another round of kisses.

Unlike their earlier, heated exchange, these were slow, tender. The light touch of his hand squeezing hers communicating his concern through his fingertips. The arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her into his lap all but screaming his affection. So easy, the way they slid together, as her legs fell to opposite sides of his torso, his large hands skirting the tops of her thighs.

It took a lot of willpower for Roxy to pull away from all that, but somehow she managed, gently resting her forehead against his as her hands wrapped around the back of his neck. 

“You always know how to make me feel better, James,” She murmured into his ear before pressing a line of kisses down his sharp jaw. 

The smile gracing his lips from earlier only grew wider. “I read a lot of best tips and relationship advice articles in Pop Tiger and there’s a reason we tick fifteen boxes on the ‘Twenty Signs That Your S.O. Is Your Soulmate’ quiz.”

Roxy’s chest fluttered with an intensity so great she had to hold him even tighter out of fear she’d start floating away. 

“You read the new edition without me?” was the only stupid thing her brain could manage to come up with in response to such a bold declaration. 

Gaze flitting to the side, James sheepishly shrugged, “Couldn’t help myself. Selena Gomez was on the cover… And Miley Cyrus had this great column-” 

The boy she was holding shuttered beneath her, causing her to place her hands on his shoulders and lean back, brow knitting in confusion.

“You’re trying to distract me!” He accused, poking her in the side. “Kiss and Tell tonight - Yes or no?”

Roxy hoped another kiss would suffice in place of verbal confirmation.

***

  Even after James had left her apartment to purchase the movie tickets, his words were still echoing in his girlfriend’s ears. 

Soulmate.

She was still getting giddy at the term boyfriend. 

Though the more Roxy thought about the s-word and James’ use of it, the more it tugged at her heart. She wouldn’t have even thought to call them that, yet he’d so unabashedly brought it up in the middle of a conversation like it was no big deal. If he was thinking something so definite, so absolute about their relationship, was there something she was missing out on by not thinking the same?

The prospect of that worried her greatly. 

Compared to his multiple relationships before theirs, James was the more experienced of the two, so maybe he was more willing to come to that conclusion because he knew what it felt like to not be someone’s soulmate? In place of the people James had grown emotionally close to, all Roxy had to show for experience was a destroyed friendship and a hit break-up song that almost made the Billboard Hot 100. 

Now, as she grabbed her journal off her desk, she had to figure out if she was more ashamed of her inexperience or her fear of calling him anything more serious than her boyfriend. 

Falling for him had been the easy part, even with the months of waiting for him to ask her out. Once she knew James felt the same way about her, easing into their relationship had been as automatic as breathing. Roxy wore the smile lines, saved the text receipts, and had the romantic songs written in her journal to prove it.

But soulmates… That was something else entirely, something James had said with such conviction that in the moment, Roxy believed him. 

As she stared at the pages of her songbook, anxiously tapping her pen on the paper and her foot on the floor, she turned the word over and over again in her head. One of the biggest foundations of their relationship had been trust, especially after her messy episode with Dak months before, and James hadn’t ever broken that since the day they��d become official. 

She’d trusted him then, so why shouldn’t she trust him now? 

That revelation was just what she was looking for, taking into account her wide range of feelings on the subject, smiling toward the blank sheet as she uncapped her pen and scribbled out a verse. 

Maybe this could be the line,

That starts the whole story,

Maybe you could be the one,

The one who’s meant for me,

I know that I should wait,

But what if you’re my soulmate?

Then you say

Slow down

‘Cause we can

Buzz buzz

“Damnit!” Roxy cursed at the interruption to the posters on her bedroom walls. 

Beside her songbook, the screen of her phone lit up with a text message from Camille to their group chat with Jo.

C: what do you think about steve from class?

As per usual Jo’s reply was immediate.

J: Dunno. Never really talked to him

R: He’s a senior right? 

R: We were paired up for last week's English project. Seems nice.

R: Very into musical theater.

While they’d completed their paper he’d played the Wicked soundtrack about forty times over. Roxy had “Defying Gravity” stuck in her head for days. 

C: going to kiss and tell with him tonight

C: will i see you two there?

J: Kendall, Carlos, Megan, and I will be there

R: Megan?

J: Co-worker of mine Carlos seems into… If he doesn’t pick Kendall’s date over mine…

C: aren’t YOU kendall’s date?

J: God. Don’t remind me.

R: James and I will be there too!

C: i guess all of us are going then lol. logan and the new girl peggy too

R: Yay! Quadruple date!

R: Can’t wait to see you all (and meet peggy…?) 

C: if she isn’t too busy hoovering logan’s face

J: well… hopefully you and steve will be doing the same? 

J: silver linings and all

Making a mental note to speak with Jo about her public relationship status and how she and Kendall handled it, Roxy closed her book with a sigh. She had a strange relationship with public perception, but figured she should do her best - for now at least - to take a page out of her friend's book and not pay attention to the gossip columns or articles written about them. 

It was one thing if people didn’t like her music, that was all about personal taste. If you don’t like boybands, you don’t like their songs, and that was perfectly fine with the writer. But, if people didn’t like her simply because she was seeing someone famous… Well, she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. For now, at least, she made sure her ScuttleButter account was private while she walked into her kitchen for a light snack before James picked her up for their date. 

Just as she opened her pantry to root around for something small, a soft knock rapped at her door. Passing her fridge and spotting Mag’s blue enveloped invitation tacked on there made her slightly gag, praying it wasn’t him awaiting her on the other side of the wood for the second time this week. 

Sucking in a breath, Roxy slowly opened the door to a young boy she’d never seen before. About half a head shorter than her, his messy dusty brown hair and chocolate brown eyes stood out nicely against the long-sleeved blue and white striped button-up he wore. A mischievous grin brandished his cheeks, showing off two adorable dimples as he looked up at her and politely asked, “Hey, is… Katie here?” 

The smell of Axe Body Spray hung pungently in the air. 

“No… She isn’t, sorry,” Roxy shook her head, hoping that this was the boy Katie had mentioned earlier and not another stranger she’d never met moving into the Palm Woods. With a nod of her head, she jerked her thumb to the right. “She’s next door in 2-J. I was just on my way over there if you wanna join me.”

That was fully a lie, but she figured Katie wouldn’t mind if she was just a bit nosy and interrupted whatever was about to go down in her apartment.

The boy let out a relieved sigh, “Sounds great! I was a bit worried when you opened the door, Katie hadn’t mentioned a sister… I must have misremembered the letter. I’m kinda nervous.”

Joining him out in the hallway, Roxy locked her door and led the boy in the right direction. “Nervous?” 

“Yeah! She and I are going to see that new movie everyone’s been talking about. What’s it called again…?”

Aw! Roxy couldn’t stop herself from thinking while trying to recall an age-appropriate movie that had just hit the theaters. “Um, The Unicorn Princess?”

“No, no,” Kyle shook his head as he stood before the door to 2-J, repeating the same soft knock he had at her apartment. “Kiss and Tell, I think?” 

Stopping right behind him, the writer’s brows shot to her forehead, the only thought running through her mind being, I wonder if the guys know…

She got her answer a moment later when her boyfriend answered the door, hair brushed to the side of his face, with a sharp-looking white button-up, tie, and red sweater greatly contrasting from the t-shirt and jeans he’d been wearing when they hung out earlier. 

Even with his back to her, she could feel worry radiating off Kyle’s little body the minute he laid eyes on James. 

“Kyle, my boy! Come on in,” The singer greeted, deepening his voice an octave and puffing out his chest as he stuck one hand in his pocket. “Have a seat!”

Shooting a wink Roxy’s way, he stepped to the side and allowed the boy into the apartment. 

“Thanks, James,” Kyle said, insinuating a level of familiarity that the writer could only assume came from the hangout she’d pulled her boyfriend away from earlier in the day. Maybe she’d been wrong to do that…

As the two made their way to the living room, Roxy in tow, she snorted as James slung an arm around Kyle’s shoulder and aggressively pulled him into his side, “Ah, please, call me Mr. Diamond.”

Jesus.

Peeking at the open space in front of them, she noticed that in addition to the orange sectional couch, a brown lounger draped in a red, white, and black plaid blanket had also been brought into the space, which she didn’t recognize from any of the boy’s rooms. It was directly facing one of the sections of the couch, which James all but threw Kyle down onto before taking a seat in the new chair. 

In his wake, Roxy bent down and reached out her hand, which Kyle nervously took. “I’m Roxy - Katie’s friend and Mr. Diamond’s girlfriend. Nice to meet you.” 

Sheepish grin returning, Kyle wrung his hands together as she sat down on one of the arms of the recliner. 

“Katie is very special,” James began out of nowhere, one of his hands reaching behind his girlfriend’s back as he pulled a neon blue and orange Nerf gun from the floor behind her and began to inspect it. “She’s like a sister to me. So tell me…”

Roxy cleared her throat in warning, nudging James with her elbow as she shot Kyle the warmest smile she could muster. 

That didn’t work at all; James grabbed a paper towel and began to wipe down his weapon, pointing it right at Kyle’s chest in the process. “What are your intentions?”

“Um…” His actions didn’t sit well with Kyle, who began to shift out of the gun’s range, but James kept his aim trained to his heart wherever he moved. “To take her to a movie?”

It came out more like a question than a confident statement, which was understandable considering he had a weapon pointed directly at him. 

“Oh! How fun!” Roxy tried to cut in, nudging her boyfriend once again to try and knock the barrel out of Kyle’s way. “They’re going to a movie, just like we are, babe.”

“Not to Kiss and Tell you’re not!” He bit, completely ignoring his girlfriend’s words. Tone now clearly sinister, Kyle’s eyes widened in fear as he followed the gun’s aim once more, holding up his hands in innocence. 

It was at this moment, Katie emerged from her bedroom, spotting her friends in the entertainment area, greeting, “Hey, Kyle!” 

Though she was dressed in her typical casual attire, she’d picked out her favorite sage green shirt to wear, just like she told Roxy she was planning to earlier. Once she got closer, and noticed the large weapon in James’ hands, her cheery tone immediately switched to chilling, asking, “What are you doing?” 

Like Kyle, Roxy raised her palms, silently pleading with the girl to not equate her presence as an alliance with James' schemes. 

“Just having a little… Man-to-man-to-woman with Kyle here, huh?” 

As the young boy nodded, too stunned to do much more than that, Roxy did the opposite. After all of the work she’d done with Katie earlier to help her be more comfortable discussing her feelings, she didn’t want this moment to ruin even a fraction of that.

With a sigh, Katie looked between the three, before parading over and grabbing James by the ear. Tearing him out of his seat as he yowled in pain, she took him to the kitchen where the two of them appeared to be having a little chat. 

That left Kyle and Roxy sitting alone in the living room, awkwardly, while the other two conversed. 

“So… How are you liking the Palm Woods?” Roxy asked the boy, and he finally let out some of the tension his body had been holding, shoulders visibly relaxing.

His hands unwound. “My sister Peggy and I just moved in so we’re still getting used to everything, but it’s pretty nice. Very different from Missouri though.”

“You guys are from the Midwest too? We all moved here last year from Minnesota.”

“Oh, cool,” Kyle replied, but his flat tone suggested he really didn’t think it was. “My sister cut a modeling contract with one of the big agencies here so our parents dragged me out here too, but I guess it could be worse.”

Glancing over to Katie and James, the two appeared to be locked in quite a heated battle. “Then I’m sure you and Katie will have lots to talk about. Her brother, James, and two of our other friends are in a band! Maybe she can give you some tips for dealing with a famous sibling…”

Before he had the chance to respond, Katie called, “Kyle, let’s go!” from the kitchen, before making her way toward the door, not even glancing back to see if he was following her. Roxy didn’t blame him for scurrying out of 2-J as fast as humanly possible. 

What she didn’t expect was for James, newly changed into a sleek, tight, black Henley, to be hot on their heels, pulling Roxy out of 2-J and down into the lobby of the Palm Woods. 

As she caught a glimpse of Kyle and Katie headed out the front doors with the woman she assumed was Kyle’s mother, the writer dug her heels into the ground, pulling back on James’ hand clasped in hers. “Woah! James, give them some space! We’ll see them at the theater and you can… do whatever this is,” she waved her hand in his general vicinity, “later.” 

If he wanted to supervise the young ones on their date, that was fine with her, but he needed to agree to her terms. Also, he needed to tell her that outright, instead of nervously glancing at the front door every two seconds while she practically physically held him back from following. 

“How do you feel about Funburger? I know you love a good burger!” He asked, skipping over her words once again as Kyle and Katie faded from view. 

To his credit, Roxy did love a good burger. And though that was likely where Kyle was taking Katie tonight, she agreed anyway, because only one establishment in the greater Los Angeles area could claim to sell the “Funnest burgers in town.” 

“Well… It’s no Bun In A Million but I suppose it will suffice,” She smiled, squeezing his hand in hopes it would calm him down a smidge, but the moment she finished her sentence, he was dragging her out to the Pontiac. 

***

It had taken nearly everything the assistant had in her to convince her boyfriend they needed to sit across the restaurant from Kyle and Katie, instead of right next to them as he had originally planned. 

Roxy and James sat on opposite sides of the small, red leather booth of the 50s-themed diner, listening to the old-timey music pour through the wall box sitting at the edge of the table. Roxy couldn’t remember ever going to a cuter-themed restaurant while she swirled her finger over the speckled white table in front of her, waiting for James to stop staring at Kyle and Katie over his shoulder so they could talk about something. 

Does he intentionally flex his jawline when he concentrates like that?

She figured she could share progress about her new song, or talk a little bit more about her anxiety about potentially being spotted with him out in public, but the singer was more focused on his mission than anything. From the hotel lobby, Roxy had known what she was getting into and generally didn’t mind. If James was more happy keeping an eye on Katie to make sure she was safe, that was important to her too. 

The preteens appeared to be having a good time; Both wore awkward yet sincere smiles, intensely discussing what Roxy assumed was either the Castle Bashers video game or their favorite comic book series. Maybe something new they’d discovered they both enjoyed on the car ride over. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Katie glance over to where the two of them sat, James fully flinching as if he wasn’t expecting to be caught and wagged her finger from side to side. A clear warning, screaming, “No!”

In the aisle, a white-clad waiter cleared their throat and set down the large milkshake Roxy had ordered, because what trip to a diner was complete without one? Milk chocolate, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles were calling her name, and she placed two bright red straws inside; One facing her way and one facing James. 

“Babe,” She tried, but he was still looking over his shoulder. Though his protectiveness did appeal to her greatly, Roxy was having trouble staying calm while he pretty much flat-out ignored her. Lowering her tone, she accidentally barked out, “James,” a lot meaner than she’d meant to. 

Like he was snapping out of a trance, James shook his head and finally looked her way, seeing the drink she pushed his way. Award-winning smile returning from the scowl he’d been sporting the last fifteen minutes, the boy reached out for the shake and took a long, slow sip. 

Roxy had to grip the leather as she watched, stomach turning while deciding she forgave him for anything that had happened in their date up until this point. 

“There’s two straws,” The writer joked, waggling her brows a few times before her boyfriend took the hint, eyes widening as he hastily pushed it back to the center of the table. 

Leaning forward, he murmured, “Very romantic…” 

Following his lead, Roxy did the same, excited to try one of the most delicious-looking shakes she’d ever seen, before James flinched again and whisper-screamed, “Too romantic!” Before she knew it, his hands were flying toward her face - no, toward the drink - as he tore out both of the straws, splattering her face with some of the freezing cold concoction as he practically ripped it from the table in front of her. Without disturbing the other patrons, somehow, James made it to the table he’d been keeping an eye on and set the milkshake down on the counter, claiming that their waiter had forgotten a part of their meal. 

Two milkshakes for Kyle and Katie, zero milkshakes for Roxy. Maybe I was too quick to forgive him.

When James made his way back to the table, a proud look gracing his features, he effortlessly slid into the booth. Dramatically dusting off his hands as though he’d just saved the day, he was startled when Roxy slid beside him, trapping him into the small space. 

“Could you pass me a napkin, please?” She asked him, doing her best to remain sweet, gesturing to the napkin holder tucked into the wall behind him. For added effect, she leaned into him, hoping the chocolate and cream specks on her face were fully visible. 

To her surprise, her boyfriend actually pulled away from her, because she had temporarily blocked his view of Kyle and Katie. “Yeah, yeah, sure.”

It was only when he handed them over to her did he glanced her way, taking note of her soiled features. For the first time that night, Roxy could feel the intensity of his gaze, softening slightly as he breathed, “Shit. Did I do that?”

Bringing the paper to her face, Roxy slowly nodded as she worked to clean herself up. His quiet apology could barely be heard over the loud music of the diner, the chatter of its patrons, and his girlfriend asking, “How old were you when you went on your first date?” 

James blinked. “You’re not supposed to talk about old dates while on a date. It’s bad luck or something.”

“Humor me,” She requested, one hand falling to the rough fabric of his dark jeans. Everyone had awkward date stories, right? So if James aired his out, he might feel more comfortable in backing off on Katie. “I want to know everything.”

“O-okay,” Though he stuttered, he obliged, eyes still darting over to the other table despite the drumming of Roxy’s fingertips on his solid thigh. “I was twelve - If you don’t count playground dates in elementary school - and a girl from my bio class, Yasmine, and I went to see a hockey game. She said she was a fan so I got my mom to buy us tickets, but when we got here she didn’t know a thing about the game; Said she had seen me in a Kings jersey and thought it was the easiest way to hang out with me, which struck me as strange because I think I’m pretty easy to talk to. It was fun but awkward overall. She liked me way more than I liked her.” 

“So even James Diamond has embarrassing first dates?” 

“No! Never! I was a perfect, charming, gorgeous, perfect gentleman. It just didn’t work between us is all,” was his defense, said with such conviction that Roxy didn’t believe he understood what she was trying to get at with this particular line of questioning. Before she could dig deeper, however, he asked her the same question. “What about you?” 

If they hadn’t been so close it would have been difficult for her to hear the slight break in his voice.

“I was fourteen, so you’ve got a few years on me,” Roxy shared with a chuckle, deeming it only fair since James had offered up his story so easily. “One of the part-time cashiers at the music store asked me out. Turns out we both went to Twin Pines High and Keaton was just a year older than me. We went for a nice picnic in the park. My dad was so nervous about me dating that he sat on our front porch the whole evening waiting for me to come home. Made it super awkward when he could see Keaton kiss me under the street lamp before he walked me to the door. Freaked him out so bad he didn’t call me that night. Or ever again.” 

There was no way James didn’t get the memo from that little story; She’d captured his attention long enough that he hadn’t glanced over his shoulder in a few minutes, so Roxy felt comfortable enough to give his leg a squeeze and move back over to her side of the booth. As she did, her boyfriend blew a raspberry, “Pft! Scared of your dad… How silly…”

“Would you get me a new milkshake, baby?” She asked, bypassing his statement entirely by reaching out one hand and grasping his, while the other hit a button on the wall box she’d been eyeing since they sat down. 

James nodded, finally turning his full attention to his girlfriend as the romantic tune began to flow through the speaker, setting the mood for their date night. 

Forget about Katie, forget about Kyle, it’s just me and James…

… Until James abruptly pulled his hand out of hers, practically launching himself over the back of their booth, and made a bee-line for the young couple’s table. 

Discretion was his enemy for the time being, as he leaned over the table the two of them shared, slapping the wall box over and over again as he yelled something or other about a mute button for the amorous tune before he gave up entirely. Gripping the machine on both sides, James ripped it from the wall entirely, sparks flying in the direction of Kyle and Katie in a way that made Roxy wince in fear. 

Standing now with the destroyed box in his hands, James let out a pained laugh as he held the aging device, “There… Heh… That’s better.” 

“No! It’s not!” Katie screamed back, index finger circling her temples while she stood, squaring up to the boy with at least a foot and a half on her. With flared nostrils, she shoved him in the chest and the boy was easily pushed to the side, as she stood in front of Kyle, hand out, declaring, “Come on, we can get a hot dog at the movie.”

Slapping a few bills down on the table for the food they didn’t even get to enjoy, Katie took Kyle’s hand and stomped toward the door. Eagerly, Kyle stood up to follow, beating her to the door to open it up in a way that made Roxy’s heart melt faster than the forgotten shakes on their table. 

Just as she went to slide out of the booth to console her boyfriend, a waiter cut the girl off as he delivered their burgers to the table. Meanwhile, Roxy heard a clattering from the other side of the restaurant, which was presumably James putting the speaker down on the table, and a moment later the waiter disappeared, and he sat in front of her again, adorable pout causing him to stick out his bottom lip. 

“Look, the food’s here,” She tried, weakly waving her hand over the delectable-smelling burgers. Even though James ordered onions on his, she had it in her heart to forgive him after trying so hard to look after the girl he considered a little sister, only to be burned so badly. 

James reached for her hand and Roxy thought that to be a good sign, before he glanced back toward the door and shared, “The food here is terrible! Let’s just get a hot dog at the movies!” 

***

It was against the Somerset family code to leave a good burger uneaten, a code Roxy had never broken in her seventeen years of life. Until tonight. Now standing alone in the lobby of the movie theater, alone, she was thinking about how juicy the patty had looked, piled high with all of her favorite toppings. 

Despite promising to purchase tickets earlier in the day, apparently James hadn’t once he caught wind of Katie’s date, so he was off at the front counter to see if there were any more seats open to the same showing of Kiss and Tell all their friends were attending. 

Not that it matters… We can see it in a different theater. She told herself, slowly taking a deep breath in through her nose and holding it for a few seconds before letting it go out of her mouth. James is just distracted is all. He’s worried; You getting on him for it won’t make him feel better. 

Repeating that last line a few more times in her head was beginning to help her ignore the hunger pangs radiating off her growling stomach. At the very least, seeing other teens walk by with their small bags of popcorn - that took two full arms to carry - made her feel better about the snack outcome of the evening. While she still mourned the burger, salty, buttery popcorn and a large soda certainly wouldn’t make her feel any worse. 

While James reached the front of the line, Roxy scanned the theater, recognizing it was crawling with all of her friends. Not a shock, but still interesting to watch. Perhaps these next few minutes would be just as entertaining as Kiss and Tell, minus the making out of course, as she recalled all the situations they’d also found themselves in. 

Like Camille had mentioned over text, she was sat at one of the small tables on the opposite side of the theater, and Roxy caught a glimpse of the back of Steve’s head in one of the many refreshments lines. Though they were there together, it wasn’t lost on the assistant that she was dressed in one of Logan’s favorite outfits. The royal blue dress she had on, paired with a dark set of leggings complimented her features perfectly; She looked like an absolute dream. The only problem was, she was staring at Logan, also in one of the refreshment lines. 

Both of them had thought it was time to move on and see other people and were certainly making strides to, but it was clear, even from a distance how that was affecting Camille. And Logan too, because when Camille pulled her phone out of her small clutch bag to check something, his gaze flickered her way as well. 

On instinct, Roxy’s feet began to move in the direction of her forlorn friend, even if the two of them were on dates, and she nearly collided with a beautiful blonde girl around her age carrying a personal popcorn tray. 

“Sorry!” The young woman squeaked, straight blonde hair passing just below her shoulders. Nervously, she brought a finger to the bridge of her thick, black glasses to push them back up. 

With a small wave of her hand, Roxy brushed it off, “I wasn’t looking; It was my bad.” 

Both exchanging polite smiles, she let the girl go on her way to the line, jaw nearly dropping when she linked up with, of all the people in the crowded building, Logan.

Nice to meet you, Peggy!

By the time Roxy had shaken that awkward encounter out of her head and planned to make her way over to Camille, she and Steve were already headed toward the theater to find their seats for the show. 

Raised voices on the opposite side of the room alerted her to the presence of Jo, Kendall, and Carlos. The helmet wearer was sandwiched between the couple, who were fighting beside him like two kids in the back of the car on a long road trip, going back and forth at each other. 

What that was all about, Roxy was certainly curious, but would wait for Jo to give her the scoop about later. Though she was elated that Kendall and Jo got along so well, they fought just as hard as they loved. All of their friends knew better than to get between the two of them when they were angry with each other, lest they get pulled into the drama as well. 

Katie and Kyle had gotten lost in the arcade portion of the theater, which left Roxy still standing all by herself and James comfortable enough to take his eyes off of them while he got their tickets. 

After a few minutes of absent-minded scrolling on her phone, James found her again, physical tickets in hand.

“There you are!” The girl joked, light-hearted words hopefully masking a newfound sense of anxiety blooming in her chest now that the two were standing next to each other in public. It didn’t seem like anyone had noticed all four members of Big Time Rush standing in the theater lobby, but only time would tell. “I’m so excited to see this movie, I think you’ll love the chef’s character - He’s a lot like you! So romantic!”

“Not as romantic as… The Unicorn Princess!” He held up both of his hands, with an ear-to-ear grin, two ticket stubs in each. “Which I just got four tickets to, much more appropriate for the kids!” 

Be it the rapid beating of her heart in her chest from her nerves or some leftover annoyance she hadn’t gotten a proper dinner, his girlfriend swallowed, setting her jaw. “Katie wanted to see Kiss and Tell too, James. Didn’t we agree earlier that’s what we were going to see?”

“We did, but the plans changed! We can’t take them in there with us… She only wanted to see it because you do! She looks up to you, you know,” The boy shared as if that would make this situation any better. 

“She looks up to you too, babe! That’s why I’ve been trying to get you to tone down the protectiveness all night… I know you two share something really special and I don’t want to see that spoiled because you’re trying to scare Kyle! Why do you think I brought up the story about my dad?” 

Glittering hazel eyes widening, James put his hands down, shuffling through the four pieces of paper in his hands. “You told me all that to get me to stop? I thought it was encouragement! Like ‘everyone has awkward dates, so they won’t think it’s weird if you’re overprotective’ or something.”

Roxy was barely able to contain the snort that left her nose, palm flying to the bottom of her face. “You’re joking! My sob story had the complete opposite effect?” James nodded and his girlfriend continued, “God, hanging out with Kendall has made me think I’m just as good at speeches as he is, apparently… I can’t believe that didn’t work at all…”

“All it made me grateful for was the Keaton guy never calling you back,” James admitted, slinging an arm around her shoulder to pull Roxy closer into him. “Because he would never, ever take you to see The Unicorn Princess, songbird. I even splurged for 3-D.” 

Her playful punch landed right into the solid muscle of his bicep, “Fine. Just promise you’ll take me to Kiss and Tell before it leaves the theaters?” 

A kiss to her temple worked in perfect place of that vow, just as Katie came running up to the couple from the arcade. 

“Hey! We’re gonna pass on Kiss and Tell. Did you know that movie’s full of people kissing? I should’ve guessed since you two wanted to go so bad…”

Carrying a small bag of popcorn and a large soda with two straws in the other, Kyle shuddered at his date’s side. “We’re just gonna hang out in the arcade and go home with my sister later.”

As Roxy opened her mouth to protest and let them know about the new show they were planning on going to, James practically melted into the floor, two tickets dropping out of his hand as he moaned, “Oh, thank goodness…”

At the same time, the line for one of the racing games Kyle wanted to play let up, and he happily bounded over to secure two spots for himself and Katie. 

The pair expected her to follow, but instead, her eyes narrowed, giving James and Roxy identical chills shooting down their spines. Now that Kyle was out of earshot, it was the perfect time for Katie to rip them a new one. 

“You know, you were really annoying today with all that overprotective stuff!”

What the hell did I do? Roxy thought to herself, but let the young girl continue to vent. She supposed being around him the entire time was enough to count her as an accessory.

With a defeated sigh, James' grip on Roxy tightened as he looked to the floor, “Yeah, I know. Rox tried to warn me but I-”

His apology was cut off as Katie took a few steps forward, unexpectedly throwing her arms around the both of them. With as much strength as her little body could muster, which was quite a lot actually, she squeezed as tightly as she could, breathing out a small, “Thanks. Both of you, for everything today.” 

Looking towards each other, James and Roxy felt their brows shoot to their hairlines. Certainly, not the reaction they’d been expecting from her, but they appreciated it nonetheless, familiar signs of embarrassment creeping up to their cheeks and ears as they hugged her back. 

As she let them go, turning to head back over to where Kyle was, Katie shot them a small wave before heading off to enjoy the rest of her date. Pride swelled in the writer’s chest as she watched the two of them for a moment, excited to write down this new development in her journal later, and she nudged her date with her shoulder. “Looks like I stand corrected. Feel free to go cuckoo on her next date too!” 

Rich laughter poured into her ears like honey as James reacted to her statement. 

“Think they’ll let you trade those in for a pair to Kiss and Tell? We’ll have missed some of the previews but if we hurry we might make the start of the film.” Roxy flicked the tickets in her boyfriend’s hand, beginning to walk over to the box office before noticing Kendall, Carlos, and Logan standing beside each other in the middle of the room. 

The three looked haggard, just completely dejected, hugging a tub of licorice and two large sodas to their chests respectively. 

“Uh, oh,” She heard James mutter, glancing up to find him looking in the same direction. “Their dates left; They messed up. I can feel it.” Free hand leaving Roxy’s side to pinch the bridge of his nose, the boy let out a sigh. “So I doubt they’ll want to see Kiss and Tell anymore. Is it cool if I go buy an extra ticket to The Unicorn Princess? It’s starting in a few and it’ll be too late to refund the other four…”

“Don’t worry about it, baby… Seems like a little bit of guy time is in order and I certainly wouldn’t want to intrude. Besides, my first date story kind of has me missing my dad. I wouldn’t mind sitting out here and calling him, honestly. It’s been a while since we last talked. Link up when the movie’s done?”

“Are you sure? I already made you skip dinner, I wouldn’t want to make you skip the movie too,” He told her, fanning himself with the four tickets in his hand. 

When Roxy nodded, he bent down to give her a quick kiss, tasting the cotton candy lip gloss she’d been intending to save as a surprise for their make-out session. “Next night we’re free I promise we’ll be back here to see Kiss and Tell!” 

“And we’re going back to Funburger for a proper meal!” Roxy called after him with a smile.

So what if the date’s a bust? She asked herself, as the boys reconnected and wandered off in search of the only theater playing The Unicorn Princess in 3-D. At least I got to see one of my favorite sides of James…

***

With most of the movies for the evening starting around the same time, the concession lines grew short enough for Roxy to sneak in and buy a large Peppy Cola before taking a seat at the same table Camille had been sitting at earlier. Sugary sips and bubbles popping on her tongue gave the girl a wonderful pick me up after the last few hours, and she pulled out her cell phone to place a call back home. 

It was there, that she saw a few texts from Jo and Camille, vaguely referring to two separate yet disastrous evenings, begging for a sleepover debrief in the next few days. Just as she was about to shoot off a “Free tomorrow night?” message to her friends, her screen was overtaken by a call notification. 

Normally, at this time of night, she’d decline it. No need to talk to anyone this late unless it was an emergency, but the name at the top caught her eye, twisting her stomach.

Incoming call: Gustavo Rocque

Gustavo never called her unless it was urgent.

With a shaking finger, she pressed accept, bringing the speaker to her ear. “Hello?”“What the hell is a Brand New Day and why did they just book Big Time Rush to appear at their album release party tomorrow night?”

[blakenation1]

Dead Poets Society showing affection to their friends (hugs, gifts)

Inspired by @forrestpoet ❤️ I LOVE YOUR BLOG AND YOU'RE SO KIND!!!! Under the cut 😋

Charlie's love language is gift giving, idc.

He would love spoiling his friends/partner so much

Like if you go shopping with Charlie and like "ohhhhh I'm kind of hungry but I probably shouldn't spend anymore money-" "It's okay just get the whole menu it's on me"

THANK YOU CHARLIE 😋😋

Okay.... How would they hug....

I feel like if Neil is playfully hugging his friends or something like that he squeezes them so tightly

If you need a gentle hug just let him know and he's got ya

Todd wouldn't like being touched, but his hugs would be very gentle. If someone needed a hug, he would think about giving them one, but would probably prefer to just pat them on the back or something like that

coming from a fellow human that doesn't like to be touched a whole lot

I've said this once before and I'll say it again, Pitts and Knox would give the best hugs ever, and they would be glad to give anyone a hug whenever they needed it

If a stranger went up to Knox holding out their arms for a hug, Knox would not hesitate to embrace them

Pitts is casually very physically affectionate with his friends

SO is Knox

I can see Pitts + Knox getting along well for this reason

Pitts/Knox casually putting his arm around any and all of his friends shoulders

IDK they're both just tall guys who are dorks

one chance please

ANYWAY...

Okay, let's talk GIFTS....

Neil gets his friends something for Christmas every year, no matter what, even if he's only known a friend for a very short amount of time.

He makes sure to put a lot of thoughts into gifts too, like he gets something very specific to that person.

For example, he probably gets Charlie something really silly (probably has to do with an inside joke between the two of them) or perhaps something for his saxophone

the silly one was a bright pink beret

Charlie also gets all of his friends something, but goes out of his way to ask them what they want.... A little something like this:

Charlie casually walks into Todd + Neil's room while only Todd is in there, just hanging out, lounging on his bed, and Charlie acts like he's about to drop the bomb on him. He sighs as he enters the room, and Todd's eyes dart up towards Charlie, and away from his book. Charlie pulls out Todd's desk chair and sits in it backwards, resting his arms on the back of the chair, looking down.

"Toddy..." he starts, Todd looking at him like 'what'd I do.'

"Yes?" Todd says, ever so softly. Charlie looks up at him, mouth forming a line.

"I have to ask you a very serious question."

"Well, alright," Todd looks him up and down like 'wtf where is this going.' (I live for sassy Todd)

"What.... What do you want for Christmas?"

"Is that seriously it?" Todd sets his book down slightly aggressively for Todd.

LMAOOO I dunno, Charlie is so dramatic I love him.

Charlie then proceeds to get whatever his friends ask for. He loves loves gift giving and seeing his friends open gifts from him.

Okay, debatable, but I can see Todd loving to give his friends handmade gifts :)

Todd made Neil a sweater (he learned to knit! yes he cursed at the needles and yarn 3/4 of the time but! Sweater! for Neil!!)

Todd: "Okay so I know it's not much but I didn't have much time but i stayed up til 3 am last night working on it because I had a last minute idea but I hope you really like it and if you don't I totally get it but-"

Neil: "HUSH.... I love it so much I'm gonna wear it everyday of my life even when it's 90 degrees out in the summer I'm gonna wear it and love it so much. mwah."

Meeks is SO creative with his gift giving.... by this I mean he puts so much into how he wraps his gifts or packages them, that the poets don't even want to open their presents when Meeks gifts any of them something (Christmas, birthdays, etc)

Like on Charlie's birthday, Charlie legit just stared at how elaborately he wrapped his present for a solid ten minutes.

Everyone questions it to themselves, "When does Meeks have time to learn how to wrap gifts so well between Welton and everything else....."

Guess we'll never know!

OKAY CAMERON LET'S TALK ABOUT CAMERON!!

A pretty good gift giver, but he overthinks it a lot

"Will Pitts like this or this? His hair is kind of like mine... should I get him a brush like mine? No no no... He'll think I'm telling him to take better care of his hair, that's mean..... Okay! I'll get him a new tie! No.... He'll think I'm telling him to dress better" and what not

OKAY KNOX LET'S TALK ABOUT MR. OVERSTREET 🤭

What a romantic little guy, he would do so good at gifts, but especially the cards he writes with gifts. His notes to his friends are so so sweet

Charlie called him a corndog for writing such a sappy note with his Christmas gift

Charlie ALSO reads that note almost every night for about two months after Christmas.

Because around two months after Christmas is Valentine's day, and of course Knox wrote Charlie a card on Valentine's day, along with all his other friends. He loves making/writing cards.

Pitts gets A LOT of gag gifts, but makes sure to also get something that his friends would actually like

He definitely got Cameron a pair of earplugs with a note attached that went something like "Anybody bring a pair of earplugs? Well, now you can have your own for Poetrusic part 2!" But he also got Cameron like a nice new pen or something, he got a laugh and a nice pen, not a bad day!

Overall, I think that the poets would all be very gift-y

I can see Neil always giving the sweetest gifts, because he secretly pays a lot of attention to everyone.

[foolishpensandidioticink]

Harry Potter Characters + Love Languages II

Part I

Neville Longbottom

Expressing

Acts of Service

Neville is always willing to put himself out for others, as we see when he helps Harry out during the third task.

Neville's grandmother was never one for physical affection or particularly kind words either, so I think that the language Neville has had the most experience with is acts of service.

For Neville, love is making sure you're always fed and never, ever cold.

Best believe this guy gives you all his sweaters. Those lovely cable knit ones too.

Very shy when it comes to giving compliments, but he's always thinking adoring thoughts.

"Neville," you gasp. "You didn't." You look up from the box in your lap in utter amazement. "Your favorite sweater? The one your Nan knit by hand?" He ducks his dark head, avoiding your eyes. "Well," he says. "Well. I know- I know you really like it. And I've got loads. Of sweaters, that is. I've got loads. So I want you to have it. Happy Birthday." You're silent. Neville's cheeks are reddening rapidly. "There's a scarf. I- I've been practicing my crocheting." When you don't reply, he rambles on, "I know it isn't much, but I thought you'd like it, so I-" "Neville Longbottom, you are the greatest partner on earth," you announce solemnly, and then launch yourself at him. "Oh," he murmurs into the kiss. "Oh, alright."

Receiving

Words of Affirmation

Neville struggles a lot with self esteem, and like I said, his Nan doesn't seem as if she was very verbally affectionate.

A partner who is constantly telling him how valuable he is would be amazing for him.

He wouldn't believe you at first. He finds it really hard to accept the fact that anyone could think highly of him, hell, he can hardly believe you're dating him in the first place.

After you've been together a while, he knows that you mean every word you say and it flusters him even more.

He also gets very bashful during physical contact. I'm talking stuttering, physically CANNOT look you in the eye, hands trembling, ears RED

It takes him quite a while to be comfortable with touch, but if you're patient with him, he'll come to really enjoy it.

Once he does, he loves holding your hand. It just makes him feel so safe. Even linking your pinkies is enough.

"You're so cute," you murmur idly. You're sitting on a couch in the common room together, holding hands as Neville reads. He chokes on air. "What?" His fern-colored eyes are stretched wide, his mouth is slightly ajar, and the tips of his ears are beginning to go pink. He looks slightly scandalized. "I said," you repeat, with a grin on your face, "You're adorable." His eyes dart from side to side, as though he thinks you might be talking to someone else. "I-well. Me?" he asks weakly. You laugh outright. "You. You and no one else, Neville."

Cedric Diggory

Expressing

Physical Touch

His father is very affectionate with him, so it just comes naturally.

He's very respectful about it though. He'll grab you in a tight hug and then pull back to ask if it's alright with you.

Cedric uses kisses as currency. By this I mean that if you upset him slightly, he'll insist on a cheek kiss to make up for it. You ditched a class without him? Kiss on the cheek. You stole his food? He doesn't mind, as long as you kiss his cheek.

Schedules study sessions for the two of you. He brings lots of snacks and water to keep you hydrated. He's a very patient tutor and rewards you with a kiss when you focus.

Cedric loves it when you lay on him.

"Merlin's beard, Cedric," you exclaim. "I thought you were half decent at quidditch." Cedric is stretched out on a cot in the hospital wing, with a cast on his left arm. Lying so still, he looks dead, vampiric. For a few seconds your heart stops, and then he winces playfully up at you, and the illusion is broken. "Ouch. Words hurt, you know." "Bet they don't hurt as much as flying directly into a bludger," you retort. "Nothing does, I suppose," Cedric grimaces. Then he looks up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Are you going to kiss it better?" You stare. "Cedric Diggory, you have broken your arm. You have a broken arm and you want me to kiss it better?" He nods, honey-colored hair falling over his brow. "Pretty please?"

Receiving

Quality Time

Cedric is very busy most of the time, what with prefect duties. quidditch, and trying to keep up with his grades. If you make an effort to spend time with him against his oppressive schedule, he will be head over heels for you.

Please, please, please go on walks together. Cedric knows a ridiculous amount about any animal you could come across, and with him, every walk is a nature walk. He's the kind of guy to follow an ant to make sure it gets safely back to its hill.

If you go to his games, you'd better believe he's going to do his very best to give you a win. The fact that you're supporting him is almost euphoric, and he can't help but apply the adrenaline to chasing the snitch.

"Diggory dives for the snitch, he misses, he HANGS OFF HIS BLOODY BROOM, HE'S GOT IT, THE MAD LAD'S GOT THE SNITCH, AND HUFFLEPUFF WINS!" Lee Jordan screams into the microphone. "RAVENCLAW, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LOSE TO A TWINK?" Cedric's jubilant expression drops visibly, and you burst into laughter. You move down the stands towards him. "Good game, twink," you greet him, throwing your arms around his neck. "Oh, not you too," he sighs, looking down at you with mock sadness in his golden brown eyes. "And here I was about to thank you for the victory." "Thank me? Whatever for? That was all you, Ced," you protest. Cedric pulls back to look you solemnly in the eye. "Thanks for showing up. You made me want to win, for you. That energy? That win? It was for you."

[tyranasauruslex]

do you think rome has ever made a mixtape songs for lukas when he gets bored?

Roman takings tips from those early 2000's Cosmo "How To Impress Your Man" lists. I actually see Lukas as the mixtape guru - he'd make Roman his own Spotify playlist.

Bored Roman would wander around the house and send Lukas multiple voice notes about the stuff he finds:

"What's this green stuff in your fridge? It looks gross. Eww... it tastes like grass. Why are you eating grass? There's nothing normal in your fridge by the way... even your bread is weird. What is Limpa? Ohh ok that actually tastes nice... Eww pickled fish. Your country is weird. I ate all your bread by the way."

"Your mom called so I told her you abandoned me to work... she's gonna send me baby Lukas pictures via email. I might put them on insta... I haven't decided yet... Oh my god you look like a baby giant... Your poor mom having to shove you out of her vagina. Ok you're actually kind of cute for a baby giant with your little knitted hat on... Aww baby Lukas at the zoo... ha, that giraffe must be related to you. All my baby pictures are with the nanny... or with Shiv looking like a bald egg. Thats depressing."

"We should go to that new Italian on the upper East side... I called and they said they'd do plain pasta for you... only if you want to though. You probably have boring work stuff to do or Tom will want to take you to show off. I can just go with Shiv and listen to her complain about how the baby ripped apart her vagina for the millionth time. Having a baby sounds gross but at least Lilly is cute... and small, not a baby giant like you were. I'll just take Lilly to the Italian. Babies can eat pasta, right?"

"Just so you know I've taken one of your sweaters cus I can't work out the heating system. Why are your arms so long? Like, how to you even operate them? Ohh this kinda cosy... you'll have to buy another one because I'm keeping this one. I'm in your closet by the way and it's giving serial killer. Nobody is that organised. Or neat. I bet if you decided to murder me this is where you'd hide my body. Or you'd stitch me up inside a bear carcass. Ohh cool... you have the shirt I wore when I first stayed over. You're such a dork. But in, like, a cool way and FUCK! Don't worry I'm not dead, I just tripped over one of your massive shoes. Is that how you came to the US? Via shoe-boat? You know, cus your Mister Viking and stuff... Ok, so I have a question... Are your stupidly big feet an indication of how big other stuff is? Cus it kind of feels that way when you cuddle me but... actually forget I asked that. I'm just gonna delete this..."

"You're asleep when I'm sending you this but I think you need to know how much you look like a dead body when you sleep. Here... I'm sending you photographic evidence... Why don't you make any noise? Like at all? You keep telling me I say a bunch of random shit in my sleep and... oh you moved. I'm gonna whisper from now on... Wait, what if you're actually dead? I'd get the blame and end up in fucking prison being molested by the guards. I can't go to prison so I'd have to dismember you in the bathroom or something. Also thank you for not being mean about the whole dick to shoe ratio... and for the drawing. Cus you know i've never really... well, anyway it makes it less scary even if you can't draw for shit. I'm just going to pet your hair for a bit cus I know you like that... Oh fuck I woke you up!"