#and you can go ahead and do that without asking me while i’m busy exactly how you should phrase said text. if you use my knives you should

[camgoloud]

the unaffordability of one bedroom apartments in my area is something that can be so oppressive to me personally

[zoeyloves-you]

confession || h.hyunjin x fem!reader

warnings: reader is obsessed with hyunjins lips, making out, grinding and cumming in pants , and a little surprise in the end kinda in public🤗🤭

pt.2??

NOT PROOF READ

it wasn’t unknown to people that hyunjin had big and plump lips, changbin couldn’t keep his hand off of them anytime he saw hyunjin. changbin may love them, but you were the #1 fangirl of his lips.

as of this moment you and hyunjin and the others came together to have a movie night since it had been a while and how they were so busy with the recent comeback. this comeback had to be ur top three favorite comebacks because of hyunjins hair, how it was so long and then just today he cut it without telling anyone, which was a big surprise to all of you.

the movie had been playing for a while, but with hyunjins new hairstyle and how puffy his lips had been looking in the dim lighting was making you go insane. the only was to content these feelings was to bubble up closer to him.

he looked down at you and smiled while kissing your head, making you blush and smile. another hour passed and all the boys made their way to bed, while you and hyunjin stayed in the leaving room just to chill and enjoy the time you had together while they had to continue the crazy schedule later that next day.

“you kept staring at me baby?” he said teasing you. i whined “your hair and lips are just so pretty and we barely have had time to even talk” i said. he just laughed and kissed your cheeks, making you want his lips on yours even more. i huffed, “what’s the problem baby?” he questioned, i hesitated “can i try something new?” i asked scared for a response. i had something in mind for a long time and i didn’t want to do it randomly and make him uncomfortable.

“sure i don’t mind? what do you want to try exactly?” he asked with no judgement in his eyes. “i just love your lips, can i just try it so i don’t have to explain it? it’s weird” i whined. he laughed. “sure angel, go ahead.” he said. i still hesitated but slowly started making my way to his lips and started sucking on his bottom lip, making his breathing hitch slightly, but started groaning.

i gained more confidence when i heard his noises, so i started sucking his lip more, making my way to his top lip, licking it and sucking his. he started moaning at the sensation, pulling my legs over his lap, straddling him. he pushed my hips down and started to grid on each other. i moaned slightly, and started kissing him hard.

his movements started going faster as he moaned into the kiss, and i took this as an opportunity to push my tongue into his mouth. my back arched as he pushed up his hips making it seem like he was pounding into me. as i became for greedy, i started sucking on his tongue.

hyunjin only moaned louder, as he gridded harder into me. at this rate i was going to cum in my pants. “hyunjin i’m going to cum” i whimpered. he nodded “i’m going to cum too baby just keep grinding on me” he rasped into my ear, making me only whimper more.

to keep my noises down, i started sucking on his lips and tongue. i started shaking as i came in my pants. hyunjin only pressed me harder down on his cock and came. i leaned into his neck, trying to catch my breath.

“baby we need to do that again but in the bedroom so nobody can disturb us” he said making eye contact with felix.

[mustainegf]

can you do James and a girl having sex and its her first time doing anything and he teaches her how to touch herself and then they have gentle sex

I’m gonna be so honest, it’s not exactly gentle… but it’s cute I promise !!

"Jamie, I'm scared.." I mumbled, looking the boy in the eyes. His expression softened immediately, pulling my body to his. We were both without any clothes, and this was my first time doing anything.

"I've never..."

"It's okay," he assured me, brushing his lips over mine. "This will be easy, and if you don't like it, we can stop." He said that as if it were the most normal thing to say.

"But it'll hurt?" I asked, and he nodded. "It might sting, but it won't hurt, I promise. I'll make sure of it." With those words, I was instantly calmed. It had been so long since I'd felt safe.

"Have you ever played with yourself before?" He asked softly, laying my back to his chest.

I shook my head with a slight whimper. "Oh, that's okay sweetheart, I'll show you," he kissed my temple, his hand finding mine.

Me slowly guided my hand down my stomach and my breath hitched. "So lucky, I get to be the first to make you feel good," he cooed.

James pulled my fingers in between my legs, guiding them on my throbbing clit.

I flinched at the new sensation. "Go ahead, I'm here to help," he whispered, helping me rub myself.

The feeling was unlike anything I'd ever felt before.

My chest tightened, every nerve ending in my body igniting from one simple touch. "Like this," he guided me, moving my fingers in delicate circles.

He helped me for a few minutes until I found my own rhythm. "Good girl, now close your eyes," he commanded, and I did just that. "Let your mind wander, think about what feels good," he said.

I flicked my wrist slightly, working my clit as he helped. "Can you keep doing that for me? I need to stretch you out, get you ready for me. That okay?" He asked slowly, his fingers leaving mine and trailing down to my dripping slit.

I nodded, too busy thinking about what I was touching, where he was going next. My hands moved faster on their own accord, needing more stimulation. I bit my lip as my body started to hum.

James circles his fingers around my wetness before two of his fingers slipped in.

I gasped, my eyes flying open at the intrusion, but his face was gone, only a blurry haze left in front of me. I wanted to look away, close my eyes, but I couldn't, it was too much.

I tried to move my hips away from his invading fingers, but he kept me still. "Relax, relax," he whispered into my ear. "You're doing great, just like that," he praised me.

Then he added another finger, stretching me further. I closed my eyes again, trying to focus on my own fingers, but the discomfort was too much.

"I know honey, just breathe I've gotta stretch you a bit," he hushed.

He curled his fingers, slowly pulling them in an out as I focused on my clit,

"You're doing so good for your first time, baby," James smiled, his fingers pumping into me.

I writhed as we both played with me, god his touch was way better than mine.

I squeezed my thighs together, my orgasm bursting through me, my hips bucking off the bed. "Fuck yes, that's it," he groaned, pounding into me even harder.

I came undone, tears streaming down my cheeks as my orgasm wracked my body. James held me tighter, whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

After a while, I slowed down and stopped, still holding myself, shaking.

"You ready for my dick, baby?" He smirked, sitting up as I collapsed onto his bed.

I could only muster a nod. If his fingers felt that's good, I couldn't imagine how good his cock would.

I wiped the streams from my cheeks, a little embarrassed that It so good it brought me to tears.

"Don't worry about that. You are perfect, so pretty." He kissed me softly, running his hand down my arm before returning to my breasts. "Jamie, please be gentle.." I pleaded breathlessly.

"Of course, darling," James whispered, sitting himself up to hover over me.

"I promise I will take care of you, okay?" His face was right in front of mine, those gorgeous blue eyes peering at me with a soft expression. "Breathe in," he said, looking down at his cock, which was pulsing with the need to be inside me.

I swallowed hard and looked down between us, taking him in. "Now exhale, and I'm gonna push in," he ordered. I released my breath slowly, feeling his head push against me, one inch, then two, three, four. All the way until he bottomed out. The full 8 inches.

"Oh, fuck yes," he growled, holding me in place as he rocked back and forth, letting me adjust. "Holy hell you're fucking tight." He ran his hand up and down my side, brushing his thumb over my hip bone.

He continued to slowly thrust, his eyes on my face as if he were waiting for something. "Are you okay?" He asked after a few minutes. "Yeah," I managed to croak out, the tears coming back to my eyes.

I was going to need to learn to speak again. He chuckled, kissing my forehead. "Okay, good. If you tell me to stop or want to pause, I will. I'm not gonna keep going if you're uncomfortable."

I whined with a shake of my head. "No, don't stop, it's so g-good..." I forced out.

James began his thrusting, forcing me to grab his toned arms, whimpering continuously.

"Such... such a good girl," he grinned.

I was seeing stars, James effortlessly fucking into me.

"Tell me how good it feels sweetheart, do you like my dick inside of you?" He growled.

"It's so good, so good..." I moaned, lost in the haze.

I had no idea what was happening, but it was wonderful, I just wanted more.

More of this man inside of me. "That's it, tell me how you feel, tell me what you need," James coaxed.

"I need more, more, more of you," I whimpered, still holding him tightly. "Fuck yeah," he groaned, picking up speed. "God you're amazing, your pussy is so good. So tight." I bit my lip, blushing at his words.

"Look at me," he commanded, and when I did, I saw the intensity in his gaze. "Darlin', look at me," he growled, running his fingers through my hair, tilting my head up. "Please," I begged. "Please what? "

Tears were streaming down my cheeks, ever my feeling was so good, so overwhelming. I finally choked out the words. "Please... harder.."

And oh my god, he delivered. Roughly slamming into me, hitting all those places that made me scream even louder.

I knew he was going much too fast for my first time, but I couldn't bring myself to stop him, I loved it far too much.

I could feel the same knot I felt earlier, and I knew I was close to cumming.

"James! James, I'm gonna cum!" I pleaded, gripping tighter to his body as he pounded his cock into me.

"Yes, baby, yes. Cum for me, cum on my cock," he grunted. My orgasm hit me hard, squeezing his cock, milking every drop of his come from him. He let go of himself, filling me completely.

We both laid there panting, our hearts racing. He reached up and wiped away my tears. "You alright sweetheart?" I nodded, unable to get any words out yet. He chuckled, brushing my hair out of my face.

"You just about tore me in half..." I panted with a chuckle. Wondering why I hadn't had sex earlier, let alone touch myself.

I really needed to reevaluate my life. James pulled me close to his chest, kissing my head softly. "Don't worry about it. You'll learn eventually."

[alwritey-aphrodite]

"wow I really cant speak huh? must be how pretty you look" with tasm! Peter parker

Peter knows he’s not exactly the epitome of suave and charming. He’s a little awkward, lanky and clumsy despite his choice of extracurricular, and May says he still leaves the house without his clothes matching or ironed most days. Still, he can’t help but want to talk to you, even when he trips over his words and makes a fool of himself every single time.

“Hey, can I sit?” He asks, voice too loud for the quiet library as he gestures towards the empty chair across from you. There are plenty of extra seats, open tables scattered all throughout the room, but you’re like a magnet, and every time Peter sees you, he can’t help but make his way over.

“Go ahead,” you respond in the appropriate volume, with a smile that makes your eyes shine as he sets his bag down, backpack thumping against the floor and causing all eyes to settle on him once again. He’s quick to pull out his own supplies as you turn back to your open textbook, highlighter gliding across the page every few minutes. Peter gets no work done, but he really can’t be blamed because how is he expected to focus when you’re so beautiful when you’re concentrating? Terrified of being caught staring, he turns back towards his blank page and scribbles some nonsense, hoping you don’t think he’s a complete weirdo.

He’s so focused on trying to look like he’s busy without actually doing anything that he doesn’t notice when you shut your textbook and slide it into your bag, and he nearly jumps out of his seat in shock when you lean forward to tap your knuckles against the table.

“Wanna grab lunch?” You ask, leaning across the table to keep your voice down but all Peter can focus on is how pretty your hair looks, illuminated from behind like an angel.

“Yeah, sure, that would be awesome,” he struggles to form any sort of concise or cohesive sentence, but you smile anyway, leaving him to miss your proximity as you straighten up and haul your backpack onto your shoulder.

It really is a beautiful day, and it seems like the entire city is in a good mood, celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of warm weather and sunshine. It won’t last long, and soon everyone will be angry and rude and hot and miserable, but for now, the weather is perfect and people smile as you walk past.

“I’m so ready for this semester to be over,” you say as you tilt your head upwards, like a flower seeking out the sun, and Peter’s so enamored he almost forgets to respond, until you sneak a glance out of the corner of your eye, your lips quirked up in a teasing smile, something less soft but no less beautiful than the smile he typically receives.

“Oh yeah, me too,” he manages to reply, your knuckles brushing against his as you swing your arms while you walk.

“Any big plans?” This time you tilt your head towards him, and the full force of your attention is almost too much, almost enough to make Peter’s heart stop and his brain shut down. He doesn’t trust his brain to create a full, coherent response, so he just shakes his head, smiling as you reply, “Me neither,” before he even gets the chance to ask.

The two of you stop by one of the many cheap takeout restaurants near the library, grabbing your food and finding a bench to enjoy the weather, keeping your head tilted up to the sun as if it’s truly magnetic, as if you don’t have a choice but to bloom. Peter tries his best to be a good conversationalist, but he’s got so many thoughts and feelings swirling through his brain that every time he looks at you, or can feel you looking at him, he’s unable to respond the way he wants to.

“Wow, I really can’t speak, huh?” He asks rhetorically after stuttering over his words for what seems like the millionth time, “Must be how pretty you look.” He spares you a sideways glance, a little afraid to look at you fully, but he can’t help but grin when he sees your mouth open and close, silently attempting to form a response. He laughs and you follow suit, leaning against his side with the force of your giggles and sending him into a spiral all over again. You'd been on equal footing for a minute, but even as his heart pounds against his ribs and you straighten up again, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

[kiwisugarhighs]

Self Care

Summary: You and Harry decide to have a chill day at home.

Warnings: fluff, some drinking, kissing, brief description of showering together, one bad word, gender neutral!reader

Word Count: 1472

A/N: This is the first bit of writing I've done in a while, so I'm sorry if it's trash. I was just feeling soft for Harry and had to write it down.

masterlist

Your head dangles off the edge of the bed while you make funny faces at the mirror ahead of you. Harry should be home any minute and your day off at home has been excruciatingly boring without him. You cleaned the bathroom, rearranged the flowers three times, and did both of your laundry completely. Your day was productive, but boring.

You’re in the middle of seeing how long you can hold your breath when the front door creaks open.

“Babe? I’m home!” Harry calls out.

“In the bedroom!” You shout back, too comfortable to move from your spot.

You hear Harry’s footsteps as he whistles a tune you haven’t heard before, maybe a new idea, before he appears in the reflection of the mirror.

“Darling when you said in the bedroom this isn’t what I expected.” He teases.

“Shut up.” You giggle, sitting up straight. “Hi baby.”

“Hello,” he whispers against your lips before kissing you. “you want to call in for dinner?”

You nod more eagerly than you intend. The idea of cooking exhausts you, but the idea of going out is worse. You’ve been in your comfy clothes all day and just the thought of getting dressed is making you want to curl up and hibernate.

“What do you want?”

“You call, H. I’m sure you’re starving.”

“‘S not what I asked.” He challenges. You give in, telling him your order before hopping in the shower.

You don’t notice Harry step into the shower behind you until you feel his arms at your waist and his chin at your shoulder.

“Hi.” He mumbles, reaching for the soap.

“Hi.” You say back, enjoying the warm water on your skin.

“Food will be here in 20 minutes.” Harry informs you, kissing your cheek.

You hum a response.

“How was your day at home?” You let out a deep sigh.

“Boring.” Harry snorts out a laugh. He’s not expecting that response from you. You’ve been practicing begging god for a day off your busy work schedule for weeks now, so he was sure you’d be having the time of your life alone.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I just,” you take a deep breath and rinse the last bits of soap away. “I didn’t feel relaxed.”

Harry nods silently and turns of the water.

“I know just what you need.”

You raise an eyebrow while he gets out and passes you a towel.

“Get your mind out of the gutter!” He laughs. “No, I know exactly what to do. It’s my relaxation routine when I’m on the road. It might not work for you tonight, but maybe it will.”

You turn to look at Harry, the towel wrapped around his waist with his hair still dripping and smile.

“I’d love to try it. I know basically what it is, but we’ve never done it together before. It’s probably exactly what I need, baby.” He smiles softly and kisses you before he disappears to get changed.

By the time you’re dressed, Harry has dinner on the table and wine glasses ready for the two of you. He’s wearing your favorite shirt and his hair is still slightly damp from the shower.

“Hey baby.” You hug him from behind, kissing his back. “The table looks great.”

“Thank you. Now!” He claps his hands and turns to face you. “Sit down, relax. I’ll handle the rest.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Dinner is quick and quiet. You realize that you haven’t had much to eat all day and you’re starving. The wine is consumed slowly and you listen to Harry talk about the studio and Mitch and everything else he has going on. It’s a nice catch-up, something the two of you have been itching for. Harry’s playlist is background noise while the two of you wash the dishes in silence.

“Now that those are done,” Harry faces you and gives you a kiss. “let’s begin.” You pull his lips down to yours once more and follow him to the living room.

“Stay here and don’t move.” He orders. “Where do you keep the face masks, my love?”

You giggle and shout directions from your spot on the rug, not moving an inch. You hear a slight commotion before the “Found it!” and see him emerge from the corner.

“Sorry, sweetheart. The wine is hitting me now.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Because,” Harry holds up nail polish. “I plan to do some painting and I can’t promise it will be pretty.”

He flops clumsily on the rug next to you, almost knocking you over.

“Shit, sorry.” He giggles passing you a face mask. “Get it open, I’m already falling asleep and I want to make sure you’re relaxed before I pass out.”

Your heart flutters at the sentiment.

“Harry, it’s already perfect, baby. Go to bed if you’re tired. You’ve had a long day, too.”

“Nonsense!” He says, smoothing his mask on. “I can’t sleep with this thing on, can I?”

Your face softens for a moment as you take him in. His hair clip is neatly placed at the top of his head, holding up his brown locks. Harry's removed his rings for the night and his hands are bare as they smooth down the mask against his cheeks. He smiles gently at you and looks expectantly at the mask in your lap. He wants to do this with you and you've never felt more loved.

Quickly, you open the mask and smooth the cold fabric against your face. You hiss slightly at the temperature and shoot Harry a look when he laughs at you.

"What's so funny?" You demand.

"That noise you just made." He pulls a pained face and hisses dramatically before laughing to himself again.

"I hate you so much." You roll your eyes.

"Do you?" He challenges.

"Mhmm." You hum, holding his free hand.

Harry quietly sets a timer for the masks and scrolls through the T.V. for something to watch. You both silently agree on your favorite cooking show, commenting on how tasty the recipe looks.

"I'll have to make that for you soon." Harry says, opening the nail polish.

"I want to do yours first!" You say, reaching for the polish.

"If you insist." He shrugs.

"Besides, the artist says he's too drunk to paint, remember?" You tease. Harry shoots you a look from under the mask.

In the middle of painting Harry's nails, his timer goes off. You remove your mask, gently rubbing in the extra moisture. Harry tries signaling to you with his eyes and you laugh, taking his mask off for him. You set it down and keep painting his nails when you hear him scoff.

"Well, rub it in, love." He demands.

"Hey, who's helping who relax here?" You quirk a brow.

"I forgot." He blushes. By now the wine has worn off.

You giggle and rub the moisture into his face and hold his cheeks between your hands. You squish them together and give him a sloppy kiss. It slowly turns into something more heated and as soon as you feel his hand on your spine, you pull away.

"Why?" He whines.

"You're going to ruin your polish, Harold."

"I don't care about my polish, Peach." He taunts back.

"Well, I do. And besides, you still need to paint mine."

"Okay but first," Harry leans in for one more kiss and smiles as he pulls away. "do you feel relaxed?"

You nod silently.

"Good." He smirks. "This is just the finishing touch."

You extend out your hands and watch as he gingerly takes them in his own. He carefully reaches for the brush, so as not to ruin his drying nails, and begins working on your nails. The two of you are matching a light shade of green. It's a soothing color, not too bright or dull, just right.

The look of concentration on Harry's face makes you smile. His brows are knitted together and he takes deep, purposeful breaths while he tries not to mess up his work. As he adds the finishing touches, he bites his lip and looks up towards you.

"All done!" He says proudly.

"Yay!" You respond, resting your head against his shoulder.

The two of you have another glass of wine and watch the cooking show in comfortable silence. Once both of your manicures have dried, Harry reaches for the remote and shuts off the T.V.

"Thank you." You whisper.

"Of course." He responds. "Are you ready for bed?" He asks, kissing your head.

"Mhm." You sigh.

"Do you need some help getting up?" He asks.

"Mhm." You respond again, hearing him breathe a laugh.

Harry stands up and extends his arms to you, helping you up. You rise to your feet and he slings his arm around your shoulder.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

"Let's go off to bed."

[clangenrising]

Month 9 - Leaffall

Scorchplume wasn’t speaking to Yarrowshade and it was driving him crazy. It was over the stupidest thing, too! The night Aldertail had come to camp and Yarrowshade had tried to wait up for her return, he had woken just in time for her to slip into the leader’s den with Nightfrost and Goldenstar and she hadn’t come out. 

Nightfrost had explained to him that Scorch had been withholding information about Ghost and the city cats, information that might have put everyone in danger. It was clear that Nightfrost’s opinion of Scorchplume had tanked overnight and that sucked, but he was still determined to make sure Scorch was alright. 

The next morning, he’d sought her out and said, “Hey, Scorch, how are you doing?”

“As well as I can be,” she’d said, eyeing him with the same cool gaze she had used when he was visiting her in the healer’s den. 

“Yeah?” he’d asked. “I was really worried about you.” 

“Why?” she had turned her face away. “Weren’t you busy looking after Scrap?” 

“I can worry about two things at once,” Yarrowshade had frowned. 

“Hm.” 

“Did you want to go hunting? Maybe we could talk about it?” 

Scorch had turned to him and said, “What is there to talk about?” in a way that felt like a claw to the face. 

“I… I don’t know, I just…” 

At that point, Nightfrost had called out, “Yarrowshade! I’m going hunting, did you want to come?” Scorch had stared at him with her bright blue eyes for a good long beat and he'd realized this was a test. 

“Scorch,” he’d started, but she’d cut him off.

“Go.” She’d said, “Don’t let me stop you from fawning over Nightfrost.” 

And so he’d left in order to respect her wishes, but for some reason she’d only seemed to get angrier with him as the weeks passed. He didn’t get it! He would have gone to Smokyrose for advice, but she was still on kit leave and, besides, he knew that Scorch wasn’t exactly her favorite cat right now. 

But something had to change. He and Scorchplume weren’t even on patrols together anymore and he couldn’t tell if that was because Nightfrost had decided to separate them or because Scorch had personally requested it. Either way, it was a bad sign. 

He contemplated which option he would prefer as he followed in Nightfrost’s paw prints through the snow. It had come down hard that morning and while the wind had died down for once, a light dusting of flakes continued to flutter down over them as they patrolled the southern border. 

Pantherhaze, walking behind him, said, “What are the odds that they just aren’t coming back?” 

“They’ll be back,” Nightfrost said without looking back. Pantherhaze sighed and shook his fur. Yarrowshade studied the back of Nightfrost’s head, thinking. Was it just him or had she been colder lately? He wished he knew how to help her with all of the stress she was dealing with. If you wanted to stop stressing her out, you’d leave her alone, said a part of his mind. That was nonsense, he reasoned, but the thought had its hooks in him and it wouldn’t let go. 

He sighed and let his gaze wander. The snow was starting to pile all up so high that he and Pantherhaze were belly deep in it, another reason why they were following in Nightfrost’s wake. The horizon had turned a foggy grey-white, obscuring the mountains and the farther reaches of the forest. Ahead of them, he knew the border stretched on for a long while even though he couldn’t see it. He tried to trace it with his eyes, but paused when he spotted a white shape in the snow moving in their direction.

“Is that the EarthClan patrol?” he asked, pointing with his muzzle, and Nightfrost stopped, squinting into the snow.

“Who goes there?” she called.

“Bogmist!” the white shape replied cheerfully, “And Dawnbird.” A moment later, the two EarthClan cats reached them, Dawnbird’s tortoiseshell pelt appearing suddenly from behind Bogmist’s fluffy white fur. After the gathering, Orangestar and Goldenstar had met to discuss the city cat threat and how to combat it and had come to the conclusion that they would put a temporary hold on patrolling the border between their territories and instead send those patrols to jointly watch the southern border. This was the second or third patrol of this kind Yarrowshade had been on and there was almost always at least one deputy or leader present. It seemed that both Clans were taking the city cats very seriously.

“Hello, there,” Pantherhaze smiled. “Congratulations on your warrior name, Dawnbird!”

“Thank you,” she smiled and dipped her head politely, but the smile fell off of her face shortly after. She must be disappointed her brother wasn’t there to sit vigil with her, Yarrowshade thought, once again kicking himself for his part in Toadpaw’s disappearance. 

“Any news?” Bogmist asked, grey eyes sparkling. 

“Not yet,” Nightfrost said. “Let’s hope it stays that way.” 

“StarClan willing,” Dawnbird nodded and Pantherhaze echoed her prayer. 

“Well,” Yarrowshade said, trying to sound cheery. “I hope you’re ready to walk back and forth in the snow!” 

“We don’t mind,” Bogmist chirped, shaking the snow from her fur. “Whatever keeps the kits safe, right?” 

“Aw, are there new kits in EarthClan?” Pantherhaze asked.

“No,” she laughed, “I don’t expect we’ll be having any new kits for some time. But I heard Smokyrose finally found herself a beau!” 

“Ah,” Yarrowshade and Pantherhaze exchanged awkward glances. “She did but its… probably over between them.”

“Oh, no!” Bogmist asked, “Why?”

“Because he’s one of the rogues,” Nightfrost said curtly. 

“Oh,” said Bogmist. 

“Come on,” Yarrowshade said with an awkward laugh. “Let’s get to patrolling.” And so they did. It was cold and boring work, but it needed to be done. Bogmist did her best to keep up the conversation and he tried to oblige her but the longer they went the more he started to worry that Nightfrost was getting sick of it and he found his desire to respond slowly waning. They walked back and forth over the border for most of the morning and into the afternoon and found no signs of intruders, just like all the other patrols like this he’d been on. The snow at least made it easy to know if anyone had passed through. Still, Yarrowshade found his paws were starting to grow num from the cold. He thanked the stars when it finally stopped falling. 

“The next patrol should be coming to relieve us soon,” Nightfrost said eventually. 

“I hope so,” Bogmist said, “I’m starving!” 

“Look,” Pantherhaze said, pointing up ahead, “that must be them.” 

Yarrowshade looked and saw a small group of cats standing around in the track they had worn into the drifts of snow and frowned. Something wasn’t right. One of the cats turned to look at them and as he did, the bright snow glare glinted off of something around his neck. 

“Those aren’t Clan cats,” he hissed and the energy changed. 

“What do we do?” Dawnbird whispered. “Should I run back to camp?”

“No,” Nightfrost said, “You would show them exactly where we live. Only run if I say so.” Dawnbird nodded. The cats ahead of them had risen to their feet and were walking towards them at a leisurely pace. 

“This might not be a fight,” Pantherhaze said softly.

Nightfrost started walking to meet them. “We can only hope so.” 

The cat in the lead was a large, blue-grey and white tabby with an impressive stature despite his slim cheeks. He sported a blue collar with a softly tinkling bell that Yarrowshade thought clashed oddly with the claw scars on his muzzle. Behind him was Ghost - Ghost and two other cats, the brown tom that had fought with Floodpaw and a burly ginger tabby with a kittypet collar of his own. 

Yarrowshade felt his hackles starting to rise. How dare Ghost show his face here? How dare he bring that mangy scoundrel back with him? He was so angry that he only barely registered that the kittypet in front seemed to be in charge. 

“Hail and well met,” called the big grey tom, smiling jovially. “You must be the cats of RisingClan.” 

“We are,” said Nightmist, squaring her shoulders to match his height. Yarrowshade was glad that at least one of them was as physically imposing as the stranger. “What business do you have being on our territory?” 

“Not on your territory,” the kittypet corrected. “I know we aren’t welcome there, that’s why we waited on the edge of it.” Ghost glanced over his shoulder at the sable pelted tom who ducked submissively. His dark blue eyes stayed fixed on Yarrowshade though, burning with something similar to what Yarrowshade himself was feeling. 

“What’s your name, my darling?” the kittypet in charge asked Nightfrost. Yarrowshade had to bite his lip to stop himself from demanding he speak to her with more respect. 

“Nightfrost,” she said cooly. “Who are you?” 

“My name is Razor,” the tom purred, stepping closer into Nightfrost’s space. A growl leapt to her throat, ears flicking backward and Yarrowshade took a step forward too, baring his teeth. Razor only chuckled and stepped back, although Yarrowshade noticed that he was still closer than he had been before. 

“Well there’s no need for that kind of behavior,” said Razor. “I was just being friendly. Do they not have that out here in the sticks?” 

“Razor,” Ghost said, and Razor glanced back at him, his smile fading for a split second. Ghost lowered his gaze immediately. Apparently he had said all he needed to say.

Razor sighed. “You’re right. We’re here on business.” Turning back to Nightfrost, he said, “I wanted to come down personally and apologize for my underlings’ behavior. I understand they got distracted picking on some of your young ones, yeah?” 

“Picking on is an understatement,” Nightfrost glared. “They’re lucky they got off so easily.” The tom in the back scoffed and Ghost stepped towards him threateningly, which immediately silenced him. Razor’s ear twitched but he didn’t look back. It seemed to Yarrowshade that he was used to Ghost handling the rogues for him. 

“And I am grateful,” said Razor, still smiling. “It was more than they deserved, on that we agree.” He shifted his weight to lean in again and lowered his voice as if he and Nightfrost were having a private word. “To tell you the truth, they were out here looking for a cat named Scrap who I’m eager to find. She’s a bit… unwell, you see - in the head - and I’d love to find her before she gets herself hurt. You cats wouldn’t have happened to see her anywhere, would you?” 

“What does she look like?” Nightfrost asked, striking Yarrowshade again with just how smart she was. He would have told Razor to go shove something unpleasant up his rear but that would have given their position away, confirmed that they had taken Aldertail in, or at the very least caused a fight they probably didn’t want. 

Razor tilted his head in Ghost’s direction. He didn’t look at him, only cast his eyes over the snow over the shoulder closest to Ghost, but Ghost received the signal all the same and said, “She’s young, a spotted brown tabby with a notched ear like this one,” he flicked his tail in the sable tom’s direction. “I believe she has blue eyes.” Razor smiled, satisfied, and looked back at Nightfrost. 

Nightfrost hummed thoughtfully and then shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Have you checked the thunderpath? Most cats don’t survive crossing it.” 

“The 'thunderpath',” Razor laughed, sounding like he was amused by the novelty of it. “I assume you mean the road back there?” 

“If that’s what you call it,” shrugged Nightfrost. “The stone path the monsters prowl.”

“Monsters,” chuckled Razor again. “Yes, yes, we’ve checked the ‘thunderpath’ plenty. I’m quite certain she came this way. You’re sure you haven’t seen her?” 

“I’m sure,” Nightfrost said. “You can go back to your city now.” 

“Don’t be rude,” Razor said, a dangerous edge slipping into his voice. “I’m just trying to help a cat in need. We’ve been perfectly civil, haven’t we?” 

“You’re not welcome on our territory,” Nightfrost said, stepping into his space this time. “Leave and don’t come back.” 

“Careful, girl,” Razor rumbled, and the cats behind him tensed. “I’m not the kind of cat you should threaten.” 

“I’m aware of your reputation,” Nightfrost growled back, “but I don’t care. Leave.” 

“Who told you about my reputation?” Razor grinned. “Scrap? Because she’s quite paranoid, thinks everyone is out to get her. She’s not exactly the most reliable source.” 

Nightfrost rolled her eyes. “I told you, I haven’t met this Scrap cat.” 

“Then why don’t I believe you?” Razor purred lowly, leaning even closer to take a deep breath of her scent. Yarrowshade’s back started to arch aggressively. Behind Razor, he saw Ghost shuffle, but the older tom said nothing. Deceitful coward, Yarrowshade thought. 

“She told you to leave,” he snapped, tail bristling. “If you’re smart, you would listen.” 

For the first time, Razor’s eyes fell on him and suddenly he felt extremely small. Nightfrost’s jaw clenched and she closed her eyes for a frustrated beat. Had he made a mistake? His gut twisted with anxiety. If things got violent it would be his fault. 

“Quiet, whelp,” Razor snarled, then smiled and said, “the big kids are talking.” 

“No,” Nightfrost said firmly, “We’re done talking. Either leave now or stay and make an enemy. It's your choice.” Razor chuckled darkly, swinging his gaze back to her in a slow arc. 

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, you are just adorable,” he said. There was a pause, as he looked her over with a gaze that felt deeply disrespectful, predatory even. Then he stepped back and said, “Fine. We’ll leave. Don’t let it be said that I am quick to make enemies. If you find Scrap and feel inclined to return her, I would make it worth your while. I’m sure food is hard to find this time of year, right?” When none of them responded, he shrugged, and said, “I could see you fed until spring, maybe after. All you have to do is help me out. I reward those who help me, don’t I?” One ear turned back towards the cats behind him.

“Always,” the tom with the notched ear said eagerly.

“Handsomely,” said the ginger kittypet. 

Ghost simply grunted. 

“See?” Razor said. “Think about it.” With that he flicked his tail and turned and started back through the snow towards the city in the distance. The kittypet followed closely behind him and the sable pelted tom slank after them about a tail length behind, keeping a respectful distance. Ghost stayed where he was, staring for a moment, and Yarrowshade glared at him.

 Eventually, he spoke. “Is Smokyrose alright?” His voice was low and tense

“No thanks to you,” Yarrowshade scoffed. 

“And the kits?” he asked. 

“They’re fine.” Nightfrost said curtly. “Two baby girls.” Yarrowshade frowned. Why was she telling him? If he had cared about the kits he would have been there for their birth. He watched as something like relief flashed across Ghost’s face. 

“I’m glad,” he said. “I would have-”

“Ghost,” barked Razor, having halted in his tracks to look back at them. “What are you up to?” 

Ghost smirked and lifted his voice to say, “Oh, just familiarizing myself with the local delicacies.” Yarrowshade wanted to hurl. The ginger kittypet and the tom with the notched ear snickered, but Razor just rolled his eyes.

“We have girls in the city. Much less angry ones. Come on.” 

“Alright,” Ghost called back reluctantly. Then, under his breath he said, “Tell Rose I’m sorry,” and strutted off after the other city cats, the same clawable smirk on his face. Yarrowshade was bristling until they were starting to disappear behind the snow banks. 

“So that’s Smoky’s beau…” Bogmist said with a bit of a grimace. “I’m gonna be honest, I don’t get it.” 

“I’m sure he was a lot more charming around her,” Pantherhaze said weakly. 

“What was all that about?” Yarrowshade grumbled, “Asking about the kits, saying he’s sorry? If he had been actually sorry he wouldn’t have abandoned her in the first place.” 

“Maybe Razor has some sort of leverage over him,” speculated Pantherhaze. “Maybe he couldn’t come back even if he wanted to.” 

“That’s wishful thinking,” scoffed Yarrowshade. “Did you hear what he called Nightfrost? And none of them blinked an eye. No, he’s a scumbag through and through.” 

“Yarrowshade,” Nightfrost said suddenly and he realized that she had been lost in her own thoughts since Ghost had left, “go back to camp and make sure that the other patrol is on their way. Pantherhaze, you too. Make sure you tell Goldenstar about everything that was discussed. Bogmist, you and Dawnbird can head back to EarthClan too.” 

“Thanks, Nightfrost,” Bogmist said. 

“StarClan light your path,” added Dawnbird, and the two headed off toward their camp. 

“What about you?” Yarrowshade asked her, lowering his voice. “Are you gonna stay here?” 

“Yes,” she nodded. “I’ll make sure the next patrol is prepared and see to it that Razor and his ilk don’t come back.” 

“They’re not gonna come back tonight anyway,” Yarrowshade said. “You should come back to camp. Maybe we can get some prey and unwind a bit.”

“Please, Yarrowshade,” she sighed, “this is not the time for flirting.” 

“I’m not flirting,” he promised. “I just think you’re pushing yourself too hard. You need to relax.” 

“I’m the deputy,” she said. “I’ll relax when we’re safe. Now go back to camp.” 

“Promise me you’ll be back before dark?” he asked, ears wilting. 

Nightfrost sighed. “Sure. I’ll be back before dark.” 

“Okay,” nodded Yarrowshade, disappointed. “I’ll be looking forward to it.” He stepped forward to butt his head against her shoulder but last minute he decided against it and stepped around her instead. Pantherhaze joined him, and they started the trip back to camp. 

“You okay?” Pantherhaze asked after a while. 

“Yeah, I guess…” he replied. Was he okay? He didn’t really know. 

“Do you wanna talk about it?” 

Yarrowshade sighed heavily. “I just… I don’t know where I stand with her, y’know? I can’t tell if she’s just stressed or if she’s getting tired of me.” 

“I’m sorry,” said Pantherhaze. That didn’t make him feel any better. 

“Thanks,” he said, bumping up against his old friend. “Let’s go get out of the snow, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Pantherhaze agreed enthusiastically. “I’m freezing!”

[colderdrafts]

3: A pleasant discussion

Underground visitor, gn reader x monster (male drider). Sfw. Previous Next

You awake some time later, not exactly sure when given you still can’t tell the difference from your eyes being opened or closed. You fumble around blindly until your palm connects with the cool metal of your lantern. You wince at the contrast when you light it, your eyes previously adjusted to the abyssal gloom.

Everything seems still as you glance around the odd room, and you don't spot Dren anywhere. He must already be up and about, content to let you sleep.

You roll out from the hole in the ground and stretch, wincing as your muscles are a bit sore from both the 'roughhousing' last night, and the somewhat tough padding. You feel something sticking to your face and gingerly peel off a stray cobweb that has somehow lodged itself to your cheek as you slept.

"How long was I out?" you ponder quietly to yourself and stifle a yawn.

"Approximately 6 hours," Dren replies and you almost jump out of your skin. The voice came from above.

Surely enough, you look up to find Dren’s upper body poking out from a hole above the one you slept in, front spider legs casually resting on the edge.

"Please don't do that," you breathe. "I’m not awake enough for jumpscares."

"Apologies," Dren says. "What's a 'jumpscare'?"

You frown. "A scare so startling you jump, I guess."

"Do you have words for all of that? For example, if you're afraid and you hide, is it a 'hide-scare'? Or if you run, is it a 'run-scare'?" he asks, seemingly genuinely intrigued.

"No, that's not - hm. It's not, but maybe it should be."

"Maybe it should."

You're honestly too tired for wordplay right now, so you change the subject. "How do you tell the time down here without sunlight? Like, is it morning right now? I can't tell."

Dren cogs his head. "Oh, that's usually not necessary to think about."

You frown at him. "'Usually not necessary'?"

"Well, unless I have to go do trading and interact with the common-folk, they prefer doing exchanges with me at sunrise. Otherwise, no. I sleep when I'm tired, and wake when I'm not."

You suppose spending most of your time in pitch blackness would do that to a person.

"But - you can tell?" you press.

"I can. It is not yet sunrise."

"Then what am I doing up?" you groan, rubbing your eyes.

Dren laughs. "You're already adjusting."

You spend the early morning finding water to wash up some of the grime from yesterday’s escapades. You follow the stream as Dren explained to you, thankfully also illuminated so you can watch your step, lest you fall in. The stream comes from a small outcropping of rock that Dren has tunneled past, and he has since followed the source of the water to dig it out. There’s a smooth transition between the hard patterned soil and stone. The water is cold, but clean.

Feeling refreshed, you trek back to the living room.

Dren has actually lit the fireplace while you were at the stream, and it spreads a pleasant warmth in the room. You also notice he has taken the liberty of tying up your drenched clothes to dry in some silky threads hanging from the ceiling in front of it.

"I'm afraid I haven't much to offer, though I managed to scavenge some oats last night if you're hungry?" Dren offers, looking at you over his shoulder as you walk in.

You once again nod your thanks and soon you're settled on a sheepskin with a cup full of oatmeal. Dren's lounging across from you again fiddling with a piece of webbing.

"Are you not having anything?" you ask in between mouthfuls. It's very bland, but you should probably take what you can get here.

"Oh, I already ate, not to worry," Dren replies without looking up from the webbing in his hands.

You watch him fiddling for a moment, deftly weaving the silky thread between his fingers to no particular avail, and then somehow managing to uncoil the sticky threads again to start over. He always seem to keep his hands busy for some reason.

"Can I ask you something?"

He looks up. "Of course. Go ahead."

"You don't seem to have use for them really, so why do you have all these things like clothes, cups and stuff?" you ask, gesturing vaguely at yourself and the utensil in you hands. "How did you get them?"

"Trespassers," Dren shrugs.

"You stole their clothes?" you grin at the prospect.

He chuckles. "Ah, no. I killed them. Their clothes were just left behind."

You were about to lift a spoonful to your mouth though it remains resting in the cup as your hands lock up. You're subtly try to discern if he’s joking or not, though he appears pleasantly nonchalant as if it's the most reasonable thing on the planet, gently weaving the thread in his hands in and out. His lower body silently rubs its front legs together.

You glance over at the pile of neatly folded clothes in the corner, and suddenly the soft shirt currently keeping you warm itches a little bit.

That's a lot of trespassers.

Dren cogs his head at you and frowns in concern, sensing your unease. "Is something the matter?"

"It's just - I thought you said not a lot of people come down here?" you deflect, shoveling in another spoonful to avoid speaking lest your voice shakes and gives you away.

"Not a lot of guests," he corrects you gently. "Others intrude here once in a while. Mostly thieves, hunters or snatchers after my eggs."

You really don't want to talk about this anymore, but given you've just discovered you're in the same room as a cold-blooded murderer, you should probably do something to ensure yourself a little better. Dren has already assured you you're a guest, so that should mean you're safe, right?

Right. Again.

"Well, I should thank you for the hospitality," you say, politely changing the subject, "even after my intrusion."

Dren waves it off. "Think nothing of it. After all, I shouldn’t have made ill assumptions of your intentions while blinded by anger. Letting you stay is the least I can do. Besides-" he shifts, folding his legs to his sides and getting to a more comfortable sitting position. When he looks at you again the gaze is full of warmth. "It's been years since I've just sat down and had a pleasant discussion. I appreciate the company."

"..No problem," you say, clumsily.

You hadn't expected a heartfelt comment like that.

Well if he's having a good time it seems you're not leaving this world just yet. At least there's that.

"Years?" you ask, prompting him to elaborate to ease your tension. "What about family? Friends?"

"My kind tend to keep to themselves, mostly," he responds, once again twisting the webbing in his hands. "Especially from our own. We mostly only interact with our young, and whenever we pass by a potential mate. Even that is very brief and we go our separate ways as soon as we can."

"But then - how did you get your eggs?" you ask, but catch yourself. "Well, I shouldn't assume-"

"Oh," Dren grins. "You're fine. No, I cannot lie them myself. I had to fight their mother for custody because she wouldn't give them up."

You gape at him. "You fought her?"

Isn't that like. A whole thing, with female spiders being a lot bigger and meaner and very much into the whole widowy-business? Maybe it's different for driders. You briefly try and imagine a creature like Dren but larger and even more imposing. It's not pleasant.

"I was not confident she would look after them properly. I had to," Dren says, serious. "They are very vulnerable at this stage, they need to be protected. Taken care of."

"Well, then it's good you won. You obviously care about them a lot."

"I always do. These are my third brood," he smiles.

"You thought I had stolen your eggs," you realize, speaking somewhat cautiously in case that's a touchy subject. "Does that mean-?"

Dren’s smile falters as he looks away for a bit and sighs. "Yes. I- I have not been vigilant enough this time."

It’s odd seeing him so on edge on something like that, and yet being so indifferent to the lives of whoever enters here unbidden. He has killed, but he is also a parent. Perhaps killing is simply just viewed differently in this world. You don’t exactly know what to make of that.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up-" you start but he lifts a hand to stop you.

"No, it's alright. I've lost some along the way, but that's just how it is with these things. The ones who made it are roaming around somewhere in the world far from here. I take solace in knowing I could give most of them a good start," Dren says, though he's still clearly affected by it. He looks back to you, considering for a moment. "This time, though - I was starving. I had to go hunting. I was only gone for a few hours. But when I came back 8 of my 11 young were gone."

You cover your mouth in shock. You can't imagine what it must be like to lose 8 of your children. "Dren, that's horrible. I'm so sorry."

His lower body chitters as he rubs his face and huffs. "Thank you. It's very odd. I keep my eggs very well hidden within the system. I almost tore this place apart searching for them once I realized they were gone, but the thieves had somehow managed to navigate my tunnels and leave quicker than anyone ever has before them. I've lost one or two in scuffles before, sure, but they've never just vanished like that."

That is odd. But with such a big system, wouldn't there be lots of opportunities to hide? "Maybe they didn't leave while you were gone," you offer.

Dren looks at you. "What do you mean?"

"I mean - maybe they managed to remain hidden in your system while you were in here? And slip past you?"

You worry for a second if you've offended him as he frowns, but he purses his lips, mandibles moving a bit in thought. "They would have passed by my webs. I would have felt them moving about if we were here simultaneously. It's how I knew you were here."

"Webs?” you ask, perplexed. “Aren't they only on the ceiling?"

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" Dren hums with a smile.

You frown and instinctively glance around on the floor, trying to spot any stray silky threads or cobwebs, but you really see nothing. It looks like just a well-kept and intricately carved-out dirt floor. Even if see-through, wouldn't the silky strands at least reflect the light of the fireplace or a lantern?

Unless..

"The carved patterns," you realize out loud, and look to him for confirmation. "They're not just for show, are they?"

"They also serve as very efficient deceivers of the eye," Dren nods, pleased. "Look at you uncovering all my secrets. You catch on quickly."

You guess that's pretty clever. Anyone who ventured in here would most likely assume the same, and not know the resident in this dwelling would know of their presence and location the second they ventured inside. A fatal mistake that, judging from the small pile of treasures in the corner, has been made many times.

But it's also a good point. You'd think with how quickly he sniffed you out he'd be breathing down the snatchers' necks too. They must how found some way to avoid setting anything off.

“But enough about all of that dreary business,” Dren says, stretching his arms above his head before settling back down and focusing on you. “Tell me of where you came from. I’m curious.”

“Well-”

You start vaguely, explaining briefly what you used to do back home, the area you lived in, general small talk stuff. Dren encourages you however, asking for details and elaborations, generally urging you to keep talking. It’s a little odd to be in the spotlight like that, and you try multiple times to stop and pass on the conversational baton, only to be politely handed it back. Eventually you’re in a full monologue about your home, your friends, your family, to the point where Dren can name your neighbor’s obnoxious dog that barks late at night.

Other than brief encouragements, Dren has stayed silent, just attentively taking in your every word.

“You can’t seriously be entertained by me yapping on anymore,” you laugh after a while. “I’ve been talking for a decade.”

“Quite the contrary,” Dren says. “This is a whole new world I’m hearing about. I’d be a fool to not try and learn more, now that I have the opportunity.”

“Well, I think that about covers it, though. So there you are, have a slice of my home life story.”

“Much obliged,” Dren nods. “I cannot even imagine – a world of only sentries and animals? And yet, you still fight each other?”

“Buddy, you have no idea,” you grouch.

“You do seem to have built quite the life for yourself back there. Do you miss it?” he asks.

You haven’t been gone for more than a day, though somehow, knowing that you can’t simply just go back makes the separation from what you know a little more intimidating. Your plan of waking up in a hospital bed has, after all, been thoroughly foiled by waking up in a fur-covered hole in the ground, so you surmise this might just be what you’re dealing with now.

Do you miss it? Or do you miss certainty in knowing what will come next?

“I think I’m experiencing some separation anxiety,” you snort, half joking, half serious.

Dren nods in understanding.

The morning hours pass by quickly with more pleasant chatting, comparing worlds and discussing habits and hobbies. You get along surprisingly well with Dren, you learn, as the conversation flows naturally and you find small things you have in common. He’s very easy to talk to with a somewhat dry sense of humor, and you soon find yourself somewhat at ease in his company – which is surprising, considering not an hour ago you learned the humanoid spider is also very much okay with murder. It’s a fact you have to remind yourself should probably not be taken too lightly, no matter how pleasant his company seems.

According to Dren, the storm is still raging outside, so for now, you're somewhat content to hunker down in the relative safety of the patterned walls.

[canirove]

Bluebell | Chapter 12

Author's note: Next week there won't be new chapters of Bluebell because I will be posting something special for Christmas 👀 But we'll be back ready for the New Year 😁

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

"Do you seriously need to go to the hospital now? It is snowing!"

"That's what the doctor said, mum. I can't wait."

"And can't Rúben take you?"

"He already told you he was busy, that he had family business to attend to."

He said it this morning, when he tried to sneak out without being seen, but my mum caught him. Mainly because she had gone into my room last night, and saw us sleeping together.

"But I don't trust calling a taxi. What about Mason?"

"He has his whole family at home with him, he probably is busy too."

And it's more than likely that the rumour about me and Rúben leaving together last night, already reached him. Lindsey texted me about it early in the morning, so if her mother knows...

"And are you sure they'll attend you today? It's Christmas Eve!"

"I'm going in as an emergency. They are always open for that."

"I just... Can't you wait a bit longer?" she insists.

"I've already waited long enough, mum. But what if I call Dean? The mechanic? He has a 4x4, knows the area, and my father used to like him a lot according to what I've been told. I'll be safe with him."

"Ok, fine. But I still think you should wait until the snow stops."

"Urgh" I say, rolling my eyes.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"Mum, that's Dean. I'm leaving!"

"Did you charge your phone?" she asks.

"Yes, mum. My phone is charged, and I have snacks and a water bottle with me. I'll be fine."

"Call me when you arrive, ok?"

"I will. Love you, mum" I say before going outside and running towards the car, snow all around me.

"You still have some snowflakes on your hair."

"Mason?" I say, finally looking up. I was so focused on running and not slipping, and then making sure I didn't get the inside the car covered in snow, that I hadn't looked at the person who was driving. "Why are you here? Where is Dean?"

"He had some last minute things to do, and gave me a call, asked me if I would take you to the hospital. What happened?"

"I may have broken my finger" I say, showing it to him.

"So rude, put that down" he chuckles. Because it was my middle finger the one that got crushed. "Do you mind that it is me driving you?"

"No, no, it's fine. Do you mind driving me?"

"I actually am glad to leave the house. They are driving me nuts."

"Too used to living alone and do whatever you want?"

"Exactly. You know how much I love walking around the house wearing just my underwear, and that is over now."

"Poor you" I say with a teasing smile.

"Indeed" he replies, also smiling. "Should we go before this gets worst?"

"Yeah, we should. I don't want my mum to worry more than she already is. Can I put some music?"

"Go ahead" he says, starting to drive.

"Her? Again?" I say when Taylor Swift starts playing. "Mason, is there anything you would like to share with the class?"

"Ok, fine. I like her music."

"Wow... Just... Wow. And you are telling me this on Christmas Eve."

"Merry Christmas" he says with that smile that is all dimples.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"So you are telling me... That you actually broke your finger... With a bin's lid?" Mason laughs.

"It was one of the big ones, ok? The heavy ones. And Rúben scared me because you people in this town love doing it, and..."

"Rúben" he scoffs. "Why didn't he come here with you? It was his fault."

"He was busy with some family stuff."

"Are you back together?"

"What? No. I'm single. Completely. Dixie is the only man in my life right now."

"The rumour about you getting back together is already out, tho. They saw you last night."

"Yeah, well. They are wrong this time."

"Good" Mason says while I follow him to the car.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"Do you think we'll be back home before it gets dark?" I ask Mason. The snow hasn't stopped, and the road is getting worse and worse, making us go very slow.

"I don't know" he says as his phone starts ringing. "Can you check who it is?"

"Tom."

"Put the speaker."

"Mase, hi" Tom says over the phone.

"Hello, bro. What's up?"

"I was told that you are out of town? Went to the hospital with Miss Daisy?"

"You too, Tom?" I say.

"Oh, hi there. Sorry. Anyway, where are you? Are you ok?"

"She's ok, just a broken finger courtesy of our Mayor."

"What?"

"It's a long story" I say, giving Mason a murderous look.

"Anyway, I guess you guys still are in the car, right?"

"Yep."

"Well, we've had to close the road because of all the snow, we are waiting for the snowplough. So until then, you can't come in."

"We can't? What are we supposed to do then?" I ask.

"I have an idea" Mason says. "Tom, give us a call when the road is clean."

"I will. Take care, guys" Tom says, hanging up.

"What are we going to do?"

"Just trust me, ok?" Mason says.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"Won't we be bothering him?"

"For the millionth time... No, we won't" Mason says, rolling his eyes. Turns out that we were close to Mr. James farm, and Mason decided to pay him a visit and wait there until the road is clean. The man lives alone, so hopefully he'll be happy to have some company on Christmas Eve.

"Oh, hello you two" Mr. James says when he opens the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Hiding from the snow. Would you mind if we come in?" Mason asks.

"Of course not! Come, come."

"Thank you for letting us stay here, Mr. James" I say, sitting next to the fire.

"My pleasure. I don't have much to offer you on a night like this, just some chicken with potatoes on the oven."

"That sounds like heaven right now." My chocolate bars were good, but I need real food right now.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"Still no news from Tom?"

"Nope" Mason says.

"You can always stay here for the night. Though you'll have to share a bed, I only have one clean and ready" Mr. James says, trying to hide a smile.

"We'll wait a bit longer" I say.

"Mason, why don't you come with me so I can show you which one it is? I'm going to bed myself."

"Yes, of course. Keep an eye on the phone" he says, handing it to me.

"I will. Good night, Mr. James. And thank you for everything."

"My pleasure" he says before disappearing with Mason.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"You are falling sleep."

"I'm fine" I say, changing my position on the sofa, my back starting to ache.

"Why don't we wait on the room? The bed looked so comfy."

"We aren't gonna do anything, you've been warned."

"I can think with other part of my body that aren’t my dick, you know?" he says. "Are you coming or not?"

"I guess, yes" I say as I get up, all my muscles already thanking me for it.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━        

"I had forgotten that your feet always are freezing cold, Mason."

"Sorry" he chuckles. "But I'm wearing socks."

"Doesn't feel like it."

"You know, since it looks like we are gonna spend the night here... Can we... You know..."

"I told you nothing was going to happen."

"Sex no, I know. But cuddling?" he says, giving me those puppy eyes I can't say no to.

"Fine" I say while hugging him with one arm and one leg, just like we used to do all the time when we were together.

"I've missed this" he says while playing with my hair. If I was a cat, I would definitely be purring right now.

"Me too" I say, my eyes starting to close.

[cecilebutcher]

A girl sporting a guitar case and large boots is seen running towards Tao…

“Mr. Yúchí, Mr. Yúchí!! Can ya help me out with my classwork? Everyone keeps telling me you’re really good at this stuff. I’m a bit slow with school work, so if you could help me get could grades, it would be totally metal of you! So what do ya say??”

Thanks for the ask Revive!! I hope I did Bridget justice<3

!!Likes do nothing, Reblog instead!!

Warning⚠️:

Word count:

For: @revivemyreverie / @revolllutionary

“Mr….Yúchí?” The monkey beastman blinked at the girl from on top of his cloud “I mean sure? I don’t really know who told you I’m the best person for that but I’m free right now I guess” He said with a shrug “follow me” he told her before flouting away.

“So, what’s your name” Tao asked as he popped a cherry into his mouth “I’d tell you my name, but who doesn’t know me?” He said with a chuckle “Bridget Leuis, sir” the girl, Bridget, said as she followed behind “I’m a freshman” Tao hummed “and you need help with what exactly Leuis?”

Bridget let out a small ‘oh’ before taking out a notebook and handing it to the monkey. Tao took it from her hand and started flipping through the pages. “Magical analysis? He asked and gave the girl a ‘you’re jocking, right?’ Look, which the girl replied to with a shrug.

Soon the two arrived at a small clearing in the greenhouse. Tao got off his cloud and sat down on the ground and patted the space next to him. “Alright Bridgy” he said as the girl sat down “show me what you wrote last assignment and I’ll see what I can do” the brunette smiled and sat down after placing her guitar case next to her.

After literally hours of studying the two started heading back to their dorm. Tao was humming while he walked and carried a large black guitar case, while the owner of said guitar case was snoring away on one of his clouds. Soon, they arrived at the girls dorm room.

Tao opened the door and walked to the only empty bed, which he guessed was hers. The cloud she was laying on floated above the bed then disappeared, dropping the girl lightly on the soft mattress. “Good luck tomorrow kid” he said alas he placed the guitar case next to her bed before covering the brunette with her blanket and leaving the room.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Tao was sat on one of the trees at nrc, taking a nap on of the branches instead of going to his classes like everyone else. “Mr.Yúchí!! It’s me Bridget” the monkey peered down to see Bridget waving up at him “I got my grade back!” He smiled and hopped down to the ground “alright kid, show me whatcha got” the girl excitedly handed him her exam paper. He had helped her study for the exam and do some homework yesterday.

He started going over the answers, some where wrong but most were pretty close to the answer and even fewer were the actual answer. “B-, good job” he said and ruffled her hair. “I’m proud of you” Bridget stared up at him for a bit before a large smile appeared on his face “I couldn’t have done it without you! In reality, this is your B-“ Tao let out a chuckle and handed her her test “no thanks, that would lower my gpa”

“So” she placed the test in her pocket “you think you can tutor me for the next exam?” She asked with a bigger grin “sure, but you’re buying me lunch this week” “deal!” “Alright then Bridget, let’s go eat. And no more of this ‘Mr.Yúchí’ business, Tao is fine”

!!requests are open!!

comments are more than appreciated. but reblogs help the content reach more people so please reblog if you want to like<3 likes do nothing. Seriously, don’t like, reblog.

!!New years event. Ends January 31!!

If you couldn’t tell, I love these two. Thank you again revive for the ask<3 and if anyone wants to join the event go ahead and send in an ask!!

[elizaditton]

Too Small To Be Afraid (Chapter 5)

Links:

Cover / Master Post / Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

- - - - - - - - - -

Maedri's undercity was nicer than Chancelor's. The videos on the skylights were prettier than the ones above me now, the floors weren't as worn as the tile I tread on now, and the storefronts were lit up with bright neon signs very unlike the plain and lifeless ones that Dad and I are passing by. Chancelor's undercity is dull, gray, and worn-down— or, 'well loved' as Dad put it.

"I really have missed it here," Dad says for the hundredth time.

I dismiss his comments and return my attention to my phone screen, which displays a map of Pacific Deskmate High School. I know they're more than likely going to show us around on orientation day of all days, but you can never be too prepared. I might as well study this map while I can. I don't want to show up and have no idea where I'm supposed to go. Now, where am I supposed to go?

As I'm fixating on the map of the school I notice Dad in my peripheral vision, taking a right.

"Wait, where are you going?" I ask.

"To the school, where else?" Dad laughs.

"But it's a straight path to Thorne Avenue, we don't have to turn."

Dad stops for a moment and gazes down the street. He looks up at a sign hanging above us which indicates that East Avenue runs through Seren Avenue.

"Oh," he says. "You're right. This wasn't a through street when I was a kid."

"That's why you have me to study the map before we go anywhere," I say, mentally kicking myself over the time we've just saved getting to the school.

"Right. Now, Kaylin, there's some things I want to make sure you know about having a deskmate," Dad says.

Deskmate?! I was so busy memorizing the layout of the school that I forgot exactly what I've been trying to forget— how I'm going to be someone's deskmate. How I'm going to be thrown into a forced relationship with some stranger. A perthean stranger.

My core tightens as my eyes threaten to glaze over. I clench my fist in a futile attempt to ground myself in reality.

I look up, and in front of me is a wooden balcony. I tiptoe forwards and look to the side. The balcony seems to stretch on forever in this place. I gaze ahead only to be met with an enormous set of five digits reaching straight for me. I stumble backwards in disbelief, and bolt to my right. I think I've made my getaway when a massive wall of flesh blocks my path. I turn and run the other way, but I'm halted when the five digits catch up and surround my entire being. I try to punch, to kick, to do anything to get away, but the hand enclosing me has secured itself tightly around my pathetic body. It tightens, and tightens...!

I let out a gasp, and the world around me returns to the familiar gray of Chancelor's undercity. I look around. No balcony. No enormous hands. A shuddering sigh of relief escapes me.

I look ahead to Dad, who is a bit of a ways away from me now, and I race to catch up with him.

"But anyways," he says, "just make sure to maintain eye contact and speak up. And don't make the same mistake I did by not getting their phone number when you meet." He looks back to me. "Got all that?"

"Mhm," I manage, the shock from that daydream still wearing off.

Dad stops and turns to face one of the buildings. "Here we are," he says, looking up at a faded green sign with the words 'Pacific Deskmate High School' written in a light yellow font. The sign isn't even illuminated. We could have walked right past without even noticing it.

Beneath the sign are some windows that stretch to the floor, with the entrance to the school between them. The two windows to the right of the door reflect the image of Dad and I standing a few yards away. I look at myself in the school's uniform. Wearing this doesn't feel right.

"Well, this it," Dad says. "You're all set and checked in ahead of time."

I blink. Dad? Doing anything ahead of time? Am I sure this isn't a dream or something?

"Um, so... what am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go?" I ask.

Dad raises an eyebrow. "Weren't you listening to anything I was telling you on the way here?"

Uh-oh. What else could I have missed? I didn't think he was saying anything important. I shake my head.

Dad sighs and reaches into his jacket pocket. He pulls out a crumpled up piece of paper and begins to unfold it. He looks it over for a moment, and then hands it to me.

MEET IN GYMNASIUM 8:00 AM, CARMEN 12TH

H-53

"Head to the gym," he says. "When you get off the elevator, head down the hall, hang a right, and then head left. The gym is on the right. You can't miss it. Sit down and wait for them to call out this code. When they do, go with them and they'll tell you what to do from there."

I stare down at the paper. I still haven't the slightest clue of what I should expect or where I should go. And I hate it.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine. I believe in you," Dad ruffles my hair. "Hey," he says.

I look up at him.

He smiles. "Be brave. I'll see you later."

And with that, he turns and walks away, leaving me by myself in unfamiliar territory and expecting me to interact with pertheans.

'Be brave...'

I take in a deep breath. There's no turning back now.

I reach for the door handle and pull it open. I step inside Pacific Deskmate High School.

The lobby, on first glance, is rather small and empty save for a few visitor seats, some potted ficus, and the front desk, where a man is seated giving directions to the school over the phone. To the right of the desk are four elevators, where some students are gathered waiting for the next available ride. As I walk over to join them, some doors open, and everyone clamors to secure a spot inside the elevator.

Tucking myself away in a corner as the doors close, I can't help but worry about what sort of impression I'm giving off. I'd been with the same crowd of people at school since stage three, so this is my chance for a new start. I don't want to mess this up. I wonder what the people in this elevator think about me. Do they notice my worrying? Will they be able to tell that I have a fear of pertheans?

Looking around at the crowd I'm with, I feel out of place with all the students that must be starting high school this year. I wonder how many others will be going into senior year.

The doors to the elevator open up again, signaling the end of our ride. As we step off, I struggle to remember the map I was looking at and the directions Dad gave me to the gym. Instead of guessing or pulling out the map again, I follow some other students down the hall and around a few corners until we finally arrive at the entrance to the gym.

The doors are propped open, and I follow the lead of everyone else through them and over to the bleachers. The glossy hardwood floor is in stark contrast to the worn tile throughout the rest of the school. The floor is marked for different sports to be played, and there's a scoreboard on the other side of the room for competitive games. Three adults stand in place beneath it, conversing.

I pass a group of students talking about how hard it was to get into this school, and I start to wonder how many strings Dad had to pull to get me in here. He must have really wanted me to be here.

I approach the bleachers and scan the rows for someplace I can sit by myself. After a moment of searching, I make my way over to the top of the bleachers and to the side. I take a seat and wipe my sweaty, shaking hands on my skirt.

A tapping noise to the right catches my attention, and I look over to see a boy around my age. His arms are crossed and his brows are woven together as he bounces one leg. His short black hair and green eyes are familiar to me, and I can't help but wonder if I've seen him somewhere before.

Another sound catches my attention, this time a voice.

"If everyone could please find a seat, we'll be beginning shortly!" says a woman with a gruff voice.

Students begin to fill the remaining empty seats in the bleachers, and to my relief, no one sits beside me. The woman who made the announcement before performs a head count, and confers with the other adults who join her in front of the bleachers. Another woman claps her hands together twice, and the room grows quiet.

"Good morning, everyone! Thank you for arriving on time. Welcome to Pacific Deskmate High School!" the woman says.

A 'whoop whoop' reverberates through the room. I'm guessing that was one of the freshmen.

The woman speaking chuckles, and clears her throat before continuing. "I'm Ms. Clemmons, your human co-principal."

Ms. Clemmons is older and has a petite, bony frame. Her wavy blonde hair is restrained neatly behind her, and she wears a flowing navy blue cardigan. To the left of her is a man with short, curly brown hair wearing a shirt and tie. To her right is a bulkier woman whose black hair is wrapped up in a bun. She has on a gray cardigan.

"This is Mr. Day," Ms. Clemmons motions to the man beside her. "Mr. Day is our human nurse, and Mrs. Wright is our human gym teacher," she says, motioning to the woman on her other side.

"We look forward to assisting you this school year," the trio says, their right arms crossing their chest as they lean forward.

"One hundred thirty-six of you will be joining our program today, and with that, our school is completely full this year. Congratulations on making it in!" Ms. Clemmons says.

I take the paper Dad gave me out of my pocket, with 'H-53' scratched in at the bottom. Could I be the fifty-third student out of one hundred thirty-six? But I suppose that would have to mean Dad actually enrolled me sort of early, and I can't imagine him doing anything on time, much less early.

Ms. Clemmons clasps her hands together. "Now, we're going to get right into pairing you all with your deskmates. If everyone could recall the code you received in your confirmation e-mail, we will have H-01 through H-10 follow Mr. Day to meet their deskmates."

Ten at a time? They're moving so quickly! I watch as several students from around the bleachers stand and follow Mr. Day to the gym entrance. A younger student does what looks to be a secret handshake with another student sitting next to him before he speeds off to catch up with the others. So much enthusiasm, and yet here I sit, agonizing over the long year that's ahead of me.

Another group follows Mrs. Wright, and yet another follows Ms. Clemmons, leaving the rest of us waiting on the bleachers for our turn to meet our perthean partners. If I'm doing the math right, with three groups of ten being paired all at once... when the teachers return, it'll be time for me to be paired with my deskmate.

And so I wait.

And wait.

I have trouble deciding if I want time to speed up or slow down. On the one hand, if time slows down, I have more time to wait, more time in the safety of this human part of the school. But if time were to speed up, I could get this all over with and go home. Either way, I'm sitting here waiting without anyone to talk to and nothing to do.

I can't help but wonder what my deskmate will be like. My fear tells me I'm done for the moment this perthean lays eyes on me, and I know it's not true, but I can't stop myself from worrying. My shaking legs bounce themselves up and down, like the boy sitting across the bleachers. I wonder how my deskmate feels about meeting me. Are they nervous, too? Apathetic? Do they want to meet me?

My insides twist into a knot at the idea of a perthean wanting to meet me.

I look up as five fingers begin to entangle my weak figure. Once my entire body is in this hand's grasp, I feel a constricting pressure as it begins to squeeze.

"I've been waiting for you for quite some time," A voice says. I follow the source upward to a pair of cold, drooping brown eyes.

It's not real! I shake my head back and forth and slap my cheeks. As quickly as it began, my waking nightmare ends and I'm back on the bleachers.

"Fifty-one through sixty, please follow me," says Ms. Clemmons.

Looking around, the bleachers are much emptier than before. I tiptoe down the steps, following the lead of the other students as we make our way over to Ms. Clemmons.

Ms. Clemmons leads us through the gym and back out to the hallway. I nearly trip over my numb legs as we walk in a straight line to the co-principal's office. I'm walking, I realize, towards my deskmate. Every step I take brings me closer to the inevitable. Closer to spending a year stuck as part of some perthean's school supplies.

I can see it now—sitting at my own desk atop theirs, being just about as useful to them as an old, discarded pencil worn down to nothing but a nub. Puny. Undesirable. And not very helpful, at that. I don't see myself as being any help to a perthean, and I don't see any reason that I should require any help from them. What could either of us gain by being forced into a pairing like this?

Before I know it, we've reached the co-principal's office, and I sit myself in a chair beside the door with the other students as Ms. Clemmons disappears with the student given the code H-51. I tuck one leg behind the other to keep it from bouncing, but all it does is cause the other to join in with it.

I wait in agony for my turn. After a minute or so of torment and another student disappearing into the office, Ms. Clemmons reappears from her office with a smile.

"Fifty-three?" She says, her eyes locking with mine.

My heart plummets to the floor. Shaking, I struggle to stand up. I worry whether or not my wobbly legs will be able to hold up the rest of my body.

"Are you excited?" Ms. Clemmons says, opening the door to her office.

"Um, yeah, sure!" I manage to squeak out.

Ms. Clemmons lets me into her office, and closes the door behind us. Her office is rather small, and decorated with succulents and pictures of loved ones. Her desk is pristine and perfectly organized. There's neat stacks of paperwork, and office supplies kept in orderly rows without so much as a pencil out of line. Ms. Clemmons approaches her desk and picks up a folder laying directly atop one of the stacks.

"Would you state your name for me, dear?" She asks, pulling out a pair of reading glasses.

"K-Kaylin," I say, my focus is more on keeping my trembling to a minimum than answering the question.

Ms. Clemmons looks up from the folder in her hands, expectantly.

"Um, Kaylin Finch!" I finish.

"Alright, Ms. Finch," Ms. Clemmons says, "thank you for completing the entrance questionnaire online beforehand, that really helps us speed up the matching process."

"Entrance questionnaire?" I ask.

"Yes, the entrance questionnaire. Your parents might have filled it out for you, that's alright."

Dad doing something early again? He wasn't kidding around about sending me here, was he?

"Anyway," Ms. Clemmons says, "let's get you paired with your deskmate."

My insides twist. My heart rate accelerates. This is it.

Ms. Clemmons approaches a door across from the one we entered and knocks. My deskmate has to be on the other side of that door! My heart threatens to beat right out of my chest as I try to keep my trembling under control.

"Come in!" says a voice from the other side of the door.

Ms. Clemmons opens the door. As much as I want to run, there's no turning back now.

[kbandtrash]

Rich Boy SF9 Bullet Point AU (Hwiyoung x Reader)

~Rachel~

Masterlist

Yeah I did it again. And Jaeyoon is technically in the works. Also it's wild to me that Hwi and I are both 99 liners that's weird

Content: strangers to lovers, fluff, kissing, pretending not to know him, not exactly office romance, cooking, some rich ajussis are mean to you

Word Count: 4k

The first time you met him

At a meeting between your businesses for some legal negotiations

He was cold and chic and only said what he needed to say

The second time you met him

At the press conference announcing the collaboration of your companies

He was still cold and chic, but he had a little more charisma

But the third time you met him

At a public weekend cooking class your friend had promised to take with you

(She bailed)

He was unrecognizably warm and charismatic

You were unsure that he would recognize you because of the large difference in positions at your respective companies

He being the heir to his

And you being the lead public relations specialist in yours

So you chose a table sort of behind and across from him so you could both observe him and watch the teachers at the same time

Now you know that boy was raised rich

And if you weren’t 100% sure that you recognized him and the luxury brand watch on his wrist

You would have thought that he had a doppelgänger

What was a guy like him doing in a public class like this?

Didn’t he have the money to pay for someone to do this kind of stuff for him?

But he watched the teachers so intently and he looked like he knew his way around this stuff a lot better than you did

This was the first time you had seen him genuinely engaged and looking like he wanted to be there

Like sure at work he had nice eyebrows and he was admittedly pretty handsome or whatever

But wow when he was in his element he was positively radiant

Even if you hadn’t known who he was beforehand you probably still would have been staring at him

Somehow you managed to make it through the class without burning the food or yourself

But then you got paired with him for taste testing and you wished you were the fire on your gas stove

That is to say

Gone. Put out

If he recognized you then what

Pretend to be someone else?

You weren’t sure why you didn’t want to talk to him

Much less have him try your food

Probably something along the lines of he was so much higher than you on the business chain and how on earth were you supposed to just interact like you were equals

Too late he introduced himself

“Hi I’m Hwiyoung”

Oh good

“Hi I’m (Y/N)”

Lots to unpack there

He didn’t recognize you but he introduced himself casually and so you felt like you should too but oh man you knew who he was and that was totally out of line

But he did not care so you were just going to pretend like you didn’t care too

“Can I try yours first?” he asked

“Oh yep sure go ahead”

You were still speaking casually since he was and boy did it feel wrong but you couldn’t stop it from coming out of your mouth

It was also weird watching his face while he took a bite like no this dude is so much higher up on the social scale than you could ever hope to be but oh boy you really hope he likes it

It’s like anime sparkles were in his eyes

“Oh yours is different than mine! I like how you did it”

Insert joke about getting a good grade, which is both normal to want and possible to achieve

“I have strong opinions about garlic,” you said

“I can tell,” he responded, taking another bite

He let out the tiniest “oh wow”

This was both extremely gratifying and embarrassing at the same time

At the beginning of the class you were very excited to tell your coworkers what you had seen but now you thought you might die if anyone else found out

“Ah sorry!” he interrupted your thoughts, setting the plate down “I forgot you need to try mine too”

Honestly you were a little scared by his reaction to yours

If he thought your cooking was that good then his must be…subpar to say the least

But no even though you felt immense pressure to react positively as he watched you expectantly

You didn’t have to fake your reaction at all

His version of the dish fit your taste perfectly

He read your reaction wrong though

You had frozen stiff in surprise and he thought it meant that it was bad

But no no no you had to reassure him that you just had a bad case of rbf and actually it was really good

The next time you saw him at a meeting he did not recognize you

You figured he must meet a lot of people and rely heavily on context in order to recognize them

Plus you didn’t know if the cooking class was a secret or not so you didn’t want to out him accidentally in a professional environment

Not to mention he was back to his cold and quiet demeanor so that was intimidating

So you let the meeting pass without trying to say anything potentially out of line

And when you met again in your cooking class on the weekend he waved you over to share a station with him

You tried to make small talk with him about who he was and what he did just to make sure he really was the person you knew that he was

But he kind of steered away from any specific answers and that in and of itself was sort of confirmation

“What do you do for work?”

“Oh I work at X Group”

“That’s pretty prestigious what do you do there?”

“Just some administrative stuff you know”

You did know

And then he asked you the same questions

“So how about you what do you do?”

And you realized that if you answered then you would end up giving him a lead on who you were and that actually you had met in other circumstances

But like what are you going to do lie???

“I work at K Company”

“Oh right we’re doing some stuff with them these days. Are you involved with that?”

“Um yeah just some pr stuff though I’m not actually on the collab team”

He nodded you know the way you do when you’re like okay nice that’s your life

And then he froze in the middle of stirring the pan

Face just melted in realization

“We already know each other don’t we”

Oh no

You didn’t want to make him feel bad because you didn’t have any hard feelings that he didn’t recognize you

But also you didn’t want to make him feel awkward or threatened because that was how you already felt and you had no intention of holding anything over him

And you didn’t want him to go into business mode either because that was boring

But more importantly this was clearly supposed to be a comfortable space for him and you didn’t want to be an intruder

“I should have said something earlier,” you apologized

What next

What were you supposed to say next huh???

“But you were cute, so…”

NOT THAT

YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT

His ears flushed red and his eyes went wide

Attention went right back to the pan

And yours went back to cutting up the garnishes

“You’re um…”

He cleared his throat

“You’re cute, too”

OH???

This was only week two of cooking class

If anything was supposed to happen here it should have been down the line

No no no none of that nothing was “supposed to happen here”

He was like your boss-in-law that wasn’t allowed

But it wasn’t like you had approached him on purpose knowing who he was

It was kind of him that made the first move right?

Also it wasn’t like you technically met at work or anything so I mean

Maybe if he meant it then you could accept the compliment at least

Looking up as you shredded a carrot, you noticed his ears glowing like traffic lights

He was laser focused on making sure the pan was cooking evenly

“Oh um…thanks”

“Plus I like the way you balance spices” he added

“Oh um…” you repeated, apparently out of things to say “thanks?”

He cleared his throat and let the awkward silence build

For the rest of the class

In fact even as you said goodbye he just gave you a shy wave in return

And you knew you had broken this for him

You debated not going the next week

Or ever again

But also you had the same right to be there as he did and like just because he was some rich ceo heir dude didn’t mean he had more of a claim to that space

If he really wanted he could just hire a personal tutor probably

But still though you felt bad

You saw him at another meeting between your two companies

Yeah he recognized you this time you could tell

You tried very hard to focus on the notes you were taking for the press release stuff

But that was hard when he was making it obvious that he was trying not to look at you

You were starting to think that maybe he wasn’t like actually cool and chic

Maybe he was just raised as a sort of loner type and he was bad at talking to people

And maybe you had sort of tricked him into opening up to you in the cooking class

Whatever he was a rich boy heir to a company why did he need your sympathy??

Also he started it so you didn’t trick him into anything

But did he know that

Perhaps not

When the end of the meeting came he decided to say goodbye to everyone who came personally

(Side note we have a word for say hello (greet) but not say goodbye and this makes me angry every time I remember it)

But yep said goodbye to everyone

Shook their hands and thanked them for coming with a professional smile

But when it came to you it was hard for him to keep up his act

So he shook your hand and made shy eye contact for just a second before he looked back down at your hands

“I’ll see you next time, Miss (L/N)”

You were the last one out and it didn’t seem that anyone from your group was waiting for you

So you felt you had time to reply

“At the next meeting? Or…”

“I was hoping on Saturday,” he responded

“Unless you would rather not”

Oh

So he was okay

Then you were allowed to be okay with it, too, right?

You didn’t have a problem with it unless he did

So you smiled too

“I would like to see you on Saturday, too, actually”

It was like looking through a tinted window, but you could see a bit of the version of him you saw in the kitchen classroom for a second

And you know what.

Yeah okay it was cute

When you told him he was cute the first time you just meant like. It was sweet like aww good for you buddy

But now when your brain told you cute it meant oh dear he’s attractive

That was not ideal

He’s just a dude he’s just a dude

But he’s a rich and handsome dude

Not that the rich and handsome should matter necessarily

Doesn’t hurt

But the cutest things about him were 

1) he was so excited about cooking like passions are super cute

And 2) it kinda looked like he might be interested too? Lol?

Mutual attraction law something something if he’s attracted to you first then like that’s the main thing that attracts you to him?

I believe in the power of that to some extent

Anyway that’s definitely what was going on here

May or may not have kept you up at night a bit

So when Saturday came and he wanted to share a station with you again

Keeping your composure and looking like a sane person that was totally okay with just being friends required 99% of your energy

Unfortunately the topic of the class was not something you could breeze through with the remaining 1%

So you were left either to be an incompetent mess of a student

Or an incompetent mess of a human being

Luckily that was not a conscious choice for you to make

Luckily being used in loosest of ways

And you ended up being both an incompetent mess of a student and a human being anyway so there went everything

Your supposed cooking prowess

Your potential as a friend found in an unlikely place

You were a shame to your ancestors, who had all clearly found love and reproduced if you were alive

How many hundreds of people had lived before you in order for you to be alive

And you couldn’t manage to do the same thing

Sike

He was a terrible mess as well

Both for the cooking and the human-ing aspects of the day

Partnered up at the same cooking station once again

Not even both of your combined efforts could make a successful dish

And the conversation the whole time?

Awkward and stilted enough to have been between two poorly built chatbots

Every time your eyes met it seemed like an accident

By the minute you thought he was handsomer and handsomer

And he kept turning redder than the cherry tomatoes you were supposed to be roasting

But by some miracle

He managed to work up enough conversation skills to ask you to dinner with him

“We didn’t manage to make anything edible today, so should we see how professionals do it?”

And like how can you say no

Turns out he had made a reservation for some super fancy place you’ve never heard of

And your brain is like okay let’s break that down

Fancy place very expensive way out of your budget

But he made the reservation so he planned on paying right?

He made a reservation wow

This was pre planned he wanted to take you to dinner anyway

Regardless of if what you made in the cooking class was edible

That was just an excuse

He wanted to spend more time with you and he had planned on it

Now you were a little scared of rich people shenanigans

So you were still wary of picking up this extremely obvious hint

Like normal boy? Yeah of course he’s into you

Rich boy? He might want something and this is a manipulation tactic

But in class he was a normal boy

He was so down to earth and awkward and cute

So you really wanted to take this at face value

Honestly at this point with any other boy you might have asked him out yourself already

But with rich people there’s a pride factor and you were kind of scared about it

Strangely though pride was not an issue here today

At least in terms of clothing

Neither of you were up to dress code at all for the restaurant because you were coming straight from the cooking class pretty much

But the staff recognized him apparently and they were cool with it?

When you looked at the menu and the prices you wanted to disappear immediately

The cheapest thing on the menu was daunting

But he pulled your menu down from your hands and put it on the table

He flipped a few pages and pointed to a dish

“I wanted to take you here because I thought you would like this one”

Okay yep you got that one loud and clear

This was a date and he wanted to spend time with you on purpose

He had been at a place like this and he had thought of you

Well then.

Guess it was time to let him know you thought of him the same way

You ended up ordering what he suggested for you and he was absolutely right

He also let you try a bite of what he ordered

And that was really good too

“But,” he said, “I don’t think it’s as good as how you might do it”

Challenge accepted

“If we buy the ingredients tonight then maybe we can try to make it tomorrow?”

His eyes lit up and his mouth stretched wide in a smile at your suggestion

And it was a plan

But then you were interrupted by some very well dressed older men

And unfortunately they recognized Hwiyoung

He didn’t seem terribly thrilled by this

But they made him talk to them anyway

They didn’t seem rude but they weren’t being terribly polite either

It felt weird to just sit there but you had no idea how to insert yourself into a rich people interaction

Plus by the way he glanced at you it seemed like he didn’t want to get you involved

But this guy is anti-smooth unfortunately so looking over at you inadvertently drew attention to you as well

And they started asking questions rather disdainfully

As he answered them honestly and with the most positive light he could, you were amazed at the lack of shame these men had in talking about you as if you weren’t there

Or as if you had no right or ability to contest the opinions they were forming about you

It seemed that Hwiyoung was more hurt by this than you were, somehow

When they finally left, he sat down with his business personality

“I think I’ve lost my appetite,” he admitted disappointedly

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t defend you properly, but if I tried, they would use more than their words to tear you down”

You shrugged

“They seem pretty wrapped up in their own importance”

His mouth twisted into a sad snicker

“It’s not a fun world to navigate”

You made a few more jokes at the expense of the rude rich dudes

And it kind of worked to bring him back to you

By this first experience with the upper class, you weren’t particularly fazed

But you wondered, if you stayed by his side, what the tenth encounter might do

The hundredth

The thousandth

You were so jumping the gun but they were valid thoughts to have it you were thinking about dating a guy that lived in this realm of wealth and self-importance

But as you wandered the supermarket aisles with him, picking out ingredients

You also wondered if he couldn’t do anything now because you were still testing the waters

He didn’t seem the type to let comments like that fly under the radar

So you wanted to give him another chance

He walked you back all the way to the front entrance of your apartment building

He could have driven

But, he bashfully admitted, he wanted to spend more time with you

It was hard not to invite him up, but it felt a bit improper

If you were the one storing the groceries, it would have only been natural

But since you would be cooking at his place the next day

And since he had more storage space anyway

He was taking everything with him

You felt sort of bad watching him walk away with like four bags of groceries

But it was also uh

Kind of hot

Plus like he volunteered himself for it he would be fine

The next day he greeted you at the front gate of his (ridiculous) house

With only the boyfriendiest of boyfriend vibes

It already felt like you were official honestly

It was such a weird and fast jump but it felt like you had always been together rather than this being like. Your second date

You spotted some hired workers trying to stay hidden as they spied on you

That was a little weird

But fumbling around and learning to cook this dish was far more captivating

And the boy? Far far far more captivating

It really didn’t feel right that you had only met a few weeks ago

That fact itself was more surprising than the moment you suddenly found yourself inches from him with his hand around your back and his other hand intertwined with yours

And you swayed back and forth to the music that was somehow exactly perfect for the moment

Yeah that just felt natural honestly

Last night you felt improper about letting him up to your apartment

Ha

Now here you were slow dancing in his kitchen

In matching aprons

Yeah you were done for

Head over heels he was your man now

Your free hand magically made its way up to his face and cupped his cheek

He was leaning in and your eyes fluttered closed and then

A timer going off startled you both into remembering what got you here in the first place

So you finished your dish and then sat down to taste test

And he was absolutely right

It was better when you made it together

The smile on his face told you everything you needed to know

The sparkle in his eyes when your eyes met was confirmation

It was so strange the next time your companies had a meeting

Employees on both sides were so confused

Since when did President Kim…….smile

Or speak in a voice that wasn’t monotone

Something changed……weird

By some miracle no one noticed the expressions you two exchanged

Neither of you were being subtle

But I guess if people don’t want to see it then they won’t

And your funny little secret totally flew under the radar

Also the next time you were caught by mean old chaebol men at a restaurant

He kinda let them have it when they tried to make disparaging remarks about you

He was so well-spoken too like you could tell he rehearsed it twelve hundred times in his mirror

They just kinda left with slightly humbled expressions

And he sat down with this disgruntled little huff and apologized to you again

His parents are like “well hmmm you’re not exactly who we hoped he would end up with…..”

You could see it in his eyes Hwiyoung was ready to go off on them

But then they were like “but. this is weird. we raised the boy and nothing but cooking ever makes him smile this much. welcome to the family”

Now he’s self conscious about how much he gets excited apparently because HE didn’t think he was that stonefaced

(You totally were babe. I almost didn’t recognize you the first time we met)

(It’s work!!!! Why do I have to be excited about business!!!!!!)

But he’s YOUR stonefaced ceo chef boyfriend so

He supposes it doesn’t matter that much as long as you like him that way

Anyway once again I shall leave you with your first kiss

It happened the same day as when you went over to his house to make that dish

After you had eaten you could tell he was a little nervous about something and you couldn’t figure out what it was

Were you accidentally being mean to him and you thought you were being flirty

You didn’t think so but now you were nervous about it

No turns out he was just thinking about how you totally would have kissed if that stupid timer had gone off even like five seconds later

And he was trying to find an entry point back into that mood because he was kind of scared to just like. kiss you

Anyway he ended up mumbling that when you asked him if he was okay and you barely caught any of it

But you managed to catch the message

So you asked him if he had a good view of the sky from anywhere in his house

Yes he did have a nice balcony with a perfect view of the sunset

So you let him take advantage of the slightly chilly spring evening and the golden hour

And he kissed you properly

Chani

[lovesosweeet]

better left unsaid // cth

chapter thirteen

in which orion has leukemia, and calum doesn’t know.

calum hood x fem!oc

read other chapters

august 3, 2018 los angeles, california orion

I've not left the apartment since I got home from the hospital two days ago, except to take Duke out a few times a day. The nausea has been unrelenting the entire time and I feel like I've been hit by a bus. I don't even sleep in our bed. I spend the whole time on the couch.

I'm grateful that I've only vomited once, but I haven't eaten a full meal in several days. From being stressed about Cal leaving to getting started on chemo, food hasn't exactly been appealing. I can tell my weight is going to plummet over the next several weeks, but it's hard to fight the feeling that I'll throw up anything I eat and also that adding anything else to the chaos in my stomach already is not a good idea.

Duke has been a great cuddle companion and has barely left my side. Calum called again yesterday but hasn’t yet called today. The time zones make it so confusing and I keep forgetting whether he’s ahead or behind of me in time. He texted me a few hours ago—it was just a selfie of him and Ashton backstage, letting me know they were about to perform. Once they finish the show tonight they’re flying to New Zealand, which I know he’s excited about.

It’s been long enough now that I think he should be off stage soon, if they aren’t already, but I know they’re going to be kind of chaotic afterwards because they’ll be rushing to the airport. I don’t plan on calling him at all; his schedule is so insane and busy, and I know he will do his best to call me as much as he can. I’ll call him if it’s important enough, but so far nothing has happened that should mean I call him.

This morning I woke up to a banging on the apartment door and to my dismay I found my moms had ordered groceries for me. It was just a bunch of easy to make foods — cans of soup, frozen pizzas, instant ramen — but it still frustrated me that they would do that without asking me. I don’t need their help.

I grumble silently, dragging the food inside with Duke sticking his face in the bags. “Nothing for you, sorry buddy.”

Once I get the frozen food into the freezer, I go to flop back on the couch. My body aches so much. I don’t feel like I can stand for more than a few minutes at a time. I’ve debated checking with Macy to see if she would be able to walk Duke for me, but I’m scared to rope another person in on my secret. I’m on the couch watching more Girl Meets World when Emelia texts me.

From: emi✨ how ya doin today? need anything?

To: emi✨ yuck. am fine. just don’t wanna move ever again.

From: emi✨ do you want me to walk duke for you? i can come by after work!

I want to say yes, but she’s already doing so much. She’s the one who will be driving me to and from chemo next week, and she’s already planning on coming over again tomorrow to keep an eye on me. I’m hoping I feel okay enough to hang out with Macy in a few days like we’d planned… I decide I am just going to suck it up. I can handle it. What's the worst that can happen?

I text Emelia "no" and then muster as much strength as I have left to get off the couch again. It's time to take a shower, I decide.

It takes me a somewhat shameful amount of time to get to the bathroom and turn on the water. I crank it all the way up because I'm freezing. Before I get in, I grab a pair of Cal's boxers and one of his hoodies to put on when I get out, and then I hook my phone up to the Bluetooth speaker so I can listen to music.

The sound of Maisie Peters' brief but iconic discography echoes in the room while I step under the hot water, and I instantly feel better. Washing my hair feels weird because it's so much shorter than it was when I last washed it. I pump out far too much shampoo for the amount of hair I have left, but it smells nice, so it's fine.

I'm singing the words to Worst of You when the music is replaced by ringing. Someone is calling me, and, if I had to guess, it's Calum. Of course, he calls right during the first time in the past several days that I can't answer. Quickly, I rinse the shampoo from my hair and try to scrub my entire body, undoubtedly missing a few places, but I just want to get out.

Tossing the sweatshirt on over my wet hair and clumsily stepping into the boxers, I grab my phone off the counter and hit the button to call Calum back. While it rings, I wrap the towel over my hair and walk out of the bathroom, plopping back on the couch.

"If it isn't my favorite girl on the planet," Calum answers.

My mood instantly lifts but I roll my eyes. "I'm telling Joy that she's not your favorite. She won't be happy."

"That's different and you know it."

I smile. I love that he loves his mom so much, but being ranked higher than her is really such an honor. She's a wonderful lady.

"Sorry to miss your call, I was in the shower."

"No, it's fine! We're driving to the airport now and I just wanted to say hi really quick."

"How was the second show?"

Calum starts talking about a technical issue that I don’t really understand but try to listen intently. Something about the sound in his earpieces cutting off and no one believed or understood him so he had to play the whole show not being able to hear anything. He said the fans made him a sign to remind him of his lyrics (a common trend) and someone threw a beaded bracelet onstage that had a C and an O with a heart between them.

“It’s yours now,” he says. “It won’t fit me but it’ll fit your tiny wrist.”

I smile. It’s a cute memento and I am glad the fans are kind of warming up to me. I try to avoid looking for their opinions and thoughts on me but it’s a bit inescapable if I go on any of the 5SOS pages to check for updates.

“Can’t wait to have it,” I tell him.

“Did I tell you I’ve flown Mum out to Auckland? We’ll get there around the same time.”

“No! You didn’t tell me, but I’m jealous. I miss her.”

“She misses you too. She said they’d love to come to LA for Christmas, too, so we can maybe start planning that?” He says it like a question. “I know it’ll probably be you planning it because I know you love planning but it doesn’t have to be just you.”

My heart gets warmer at the thought. I love hosting and spending time with our favorite people, especially for special occasions. It could also be the first time we get to introduce our families to each other. We only have one guest room, but Cal’s office/studio could fit an air mattress for Mali if she doesn’t bring a partner. My family could just come up for the day, or maybe Cal and I could sleep on the couch and give my moms and brother our room.

Then I remember treatment plans and all of the uncertainty in my future and my head starts to spin. Will we be able to host if I’m going through treatment? Maybe Cal should just go to Australia for Christmas without me, and I’ll stay here and get treatment or just spend it with my own family. I try not to think on it too hard, but there is still, devastatingly, a chance that Calum won’t be happy when I tell him I’ve been lying.

He wouldn’t break up with me over it, I don’t think, but sometimes when he’s mad he does lose sight of rationality. It’s not a unique trait to him. We all do it. He’s never gotten mad at me—we’ve had fights and arguments but he’s never been angry with me specifically, more a situation or something that just frustrates him. I don’t know how he’s going to react, and maybe that’s part of why I didn’t want to tell him at all. I am 98% sure Calum would’ve opted out of tour for me, but that other 2% gnaws at the back of my brain.

Would he have ended it then and there? Why go through the heartache of being with someone you know will die soon?

“Orion?” Cal’s voice interrupts my spiral.

“Sorry, what?”

He laughs. “I said you’d probably want to be in charge of planning Christmas.”

I laugh nervously. “Yeah, I mean… probably.”

He’s silent for a minute. It’s a short pause and with anyone else, it wouldn’t matter or stick out, but with Calum, it does. “You okay?”

I hate how easily he’s able to read me without even being able to see me. I quickly try to come up with an excuse. “Yeah, just been having a hard time sleeping. The apartment feels so empty without you.”

Calum pauses again, and I know it’s because that idea makes him a bit sad. “Would you feel better if Em stayed there? That could be fun, a four month sleepover with your bestie.”

I purse my lips, holding back that Em has already stayed here one night of the three that he’s been gone. “Maybe.”

He sighs. “I’m sorry you’re feeling lonely. Let me know if there’s any way I can help. Even if it’s just to fly home for a day whenever we have a break or to fly you somewhere for a day. I don’t care. I want to see you, especially if you’re down, okay?”

I want to shake my head but he can’t see me. “Cal, it’s fine. We’ll be fine. Just might take a bit to get used to.”

“I don’t want you to get used to a life without me, O. I’m here, forever, okay? Whatever you need, I’m there.”

With each word, I can feel my heart ripping down the middle, inch by inch. I don’t know how it’s still whole.

“I love you,” is all I manage to say. I’m choking back tears, the guilt is so much. How can I keep this up? How can I hold this in?

“I love you, too.” He sounds sad now. “Love, we’re almost to the airport. Do you want me to call you again once we’re through security? We don’t have to stop talking.”

I clear my throat. “No, it’s fine. I’ll be fine. Just text me before you take off.”

“We’re both gonna be fine. I’ve gotta go. I love you.”

I feel my tears slowly trickling down my face and I don’t bother to wipe them away. “I love you. Bye.”

Then we hang up, and I can really start sobbing. Duke runs over, his ears perked up. He’s not sure why I’m crying and he hops up next to me, sticking his face by mine. When he starts licking my face, I stop him. I’d read something about how all bodily fluids post-chemo are essentially poison. I don’t want to get Duke sick, too. I can’t handle that. We can’t both be sick.

I pull Duke close to me and squeeze him as much as I can without hurting him. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this, but I know I will, at least for now. I’ll have Em and my moms and Ash and Duke and everything will be fine. It has to be.

next chapter

a/n: spoiler next chapter will have a bomb drop hehehe

[toxicanonymity]

Corey and I write a fic

2.5k words | Corey x everyone 

Corey and I are writing our ongoing fic and bickering about what a mess he’s making by fucking everyone.  This is goofy AF but also pretty accurate at times. Jake & Amir AU, kind of?

-

[Rock Bottom Ch 2, , Corey watches through a window and jerks off while Michael fucks Y/N.  Michael leaves her on the floor alive]

Corey: That was hot AF.  I could watch Michael fuck Y/N all day. 

Me: Are you excited about your next scene with Michael? We just have a little transition, then-

Corey:  Wait. We’re just going to leave Y/N on the floor like that?

Me: Yeah.

Corey: Wow.

Me: Don’t look at me like that. Come on.

Corey: I just feel like we’re not done here. . . 

Corey gazes at Y/N hornily. 

Me: Oh my god, you literally JUST came. 

Corey:  Why’d you give her a name then?

Me: Is that how you think this works? If someone has a name, you need to fuck them?

Corey shrugs.

Corey: I don’t know why you’d give her a name then leave her on the floor like that and make me leave.

Me: Because this story is about you and Michael.  

Corey: I know, as it should be.  And wow, I’m suddenly getting really thirsty.

Me: No. . . 

Corey: Do you know how much of Michael's cum is inside Y/N right now?  Do you really think I’d let that go to waste? 

Me: Oh, no. 

Corey: You know the answer. It's right in here.

Corey acts like he’s going to pat his heart, then veers to his pants.

Me: I mean, it’s pretty nasty. 

Corey: We love nasty.

Me: I’m just not sure the readers–

Corey: Fuck the readers.  That’s what you’re always telling me. 

Me: Not in that w--You know what? You’re right.  You can't let his cum go to waste. FML.

_______________________________________

[Rock Bottom Ch 3: Corey gives Y/N head, ravenous for Michael’s cum]

_______________________________________

Corey: I told you that was going to be hot.

Me: I guess we’ll find out if anyone else thinks so.  Happy now? Can we go? 

Corey:  While I’m here, I should spend some time with her, talk to her about Michael and stuff. 

Me: Okay, good idea. 

Corey: And maybe one thing leads to another. . .

Me: Oh my god, seriously?? You just came twice in like 15 minutes. 

Corey: But have you come? 

Me: Y/N just came, too! Like really hard!

Corey:  Wow, thanks for clarifying - I wasn't sure about that when you said I could feel her pulsations through my nose. 

Corey rolls his eyes. 

Corey: I'm not asking about Y/N.  I’m asking about you.  

Me: *blushes* that’s actually none of your business. 

Corey: It's completely my business. I'm inside you. 

Bright red, squirming, shrinking into my shirt.

Corey:  Yeah, exactly. What about what *you* want? I know you want me to fuck her. 

Me: I want to progress the story and that won't happen if you can’t go 5 min without getting off.  

Corey: It doesn’t have to be right away.  She and I could spend the whole night together. 

Me: Look, we’ll write you a one-shot later.  We’re never going to get back to Michael  if you stop to fuck everyone you see. 

Corey: I can’t help myself.  Michael let me live, and now I’m "sluttified."

Me: Yeah, apparently so. 

Corey: And you don’t want to explore that?

Deep in thought, trying not to be manipulated. 

Me: Ugh, you know I have a soft spot for your sluttification. I know we joke about it, but I do think there's something to it. Like Michael's energy bores this hole in you and it becomes this growing void of darkness only he can fill. But naturally, you try. . .

Corey:  So let me and Y/N fill each other's voids for a night. 

Sigh.

Corey: Please, I don’t want to go home to Joan.

Me: Yeah, I guess I don’t want you to either. 

Corey: Spoiler alert, I’ll think about Michael at least a little bit when I fuck her.  I know that turns you on.

Me: . . .Alright, go ahead. 

Corey: Can I wear her clothes while I do it?

Me: Absolutely.

_______________________________________

[Rock Bottom Ch 3: Corey spends the night with Y/N]

[Rock Bottom Ch 4: Corey brings Mulaney to Michael and they kill him together in that extremely sexual scene from the movie, then Michael and Corey have their first sexual moment.] 

_______________________________________

Corey: Can Y/N come back now?

Me: What? I just gave you that hot moment with Michael and you want Y/N back? You literally just felt Michael’s hard cock against you.

Corey: Yeah and you’re the one who didn’t let him fuck me yet. 

Me: Yet? Look, I’m still not sure–

Corey: You didn’t even let me suck his dick 

Me: I promise you will have his dick in your mouth soon. I just felt like we weren’t quite there yet. 

Corey (pouting): So you’re giving me an incapacitating case of blue balls?

Me: Gross, don't say that. IDK wtf I’m doing.

Corey: She admits it! If I'm going to jerk off again, can I at least watch Michael fuck Y/N?

Me: You're not going to jerk off. Plus, you’ve already watched Michael fuck Y/N.

Corey: I've watched Michael fuck Y/N at a crime scene. But have I watched them surrounded by skeletons?? Have we even acknowledged Michael as a cannibal?

Me: Ugh, I would really like to make it through at least one chapter without you jerking off. If at all possible.  

Corey:  Fine, but I can still watch them, right? Maybe I’m trying not to be seen this time, so it’s kinda different? Dangerous?

Me: You want to watch them without jerking off? . . . Are you cool with coming in your pants?

Corey: Always. Come on, you know this. 

_______________________________________

[Rock Bottom Ch 4 : Corey secretly watches Michael fuck Y/N, then leaves on his motorcycle]

_______________________________________

Me: Where are you going? 

Corey: To fuck Allyson.

Rubbing my temples. 

Me: This is too much.

Corey: Michael and Y/N are busy.

Me: So? You JUST came!  You don't need to be fucking someone every second. 

Corey: You're the one who wants to weave in and out of canon.  You do realize Allyson is like the main character other than me.  

Me: Yes, and that's boring.  If we skip it, you'll get back to Michael sooner. . . 

Corey: But don't you want me to have my bi panic first, like, "IDK what's happening to me??”

Me: Ugh, fine. But this is getting so out of control that we have to acknowledge it.  You’re going to have to get introspective on the ride there, and I don't like that.  

Corey: It’ll take like two paragraphs.  I can be introspective, I'm not some himbo.

Me: You're a simp for Michael. It's not supposed to be that complicated.

Corey: It's not that complicated. 

Me: It's complicated because of how you act about Allyson. 

Corey:  I mean, for all you know, I’m just trying to take her from Laurie. 

Me: Yeah, I don’t think it’s that simple.  Like, Allyson was the first person to accept you, and, Jesus, do you have to be so pathetic?

Corey:  Ouch.  

_______________________________________

Me: Sorry, I didn’t mean that.  But when you insist on getting off every 5 min, especially when you have all these feelings, it's a mess and very time consuming for me. 

Corey: I thought you liked spending time with me.

Me: I do. I just don't want it to always be sexual.

Corey (smugly): Okay we both know that's not true.

Me (blushing): I mean, not when we're trying to work. Don’t you want us to give people, like, a little more than sex? Don’t you want to explore the complexities of your relationship with Michael?

Corey's eyes darken and his chest begins to rise and fall.  He wets his lips as he looks me up and down, then looks down at himself. 

Me (composing myself): Can you not??

Corey: Are you sure? Because we could take a break instead of dealing with all my pathetic feelings. 

Me: You're not pathetic.  You are making a mess though, and that makes it hard.

Corey: You're telling me. 

Corey looks down at himself again 

Me:  Yeah I'm not going to look, okay? 

_______________________________________

Corey (with an air of smugness): You know, if it's that much of a mess, Maybe you never should have given me Y/N.

Corey shrugs condescendingly.

Me: Ya think?? I didn't give you her, BTW. I gave her to Michael, then you INSISTED on sharing her. 

Corey: You didn't have to make me feel anything for her, though. You were projecting. 

Me: Whoa, out of line. You have a unique shared experience of being left alive by Michael. That’s kind of special.  Also, are you kidding? You're totally the type to get attached that quickly.

Corey: And you're not?

Me: Stop. 

_______________________________________

Corey starts cracking up laughing. 

Corey: Holy shit, just imagining you in my situation. And Michael leaves a hot guy Y/N on the floor.  There’s no WAY you could resist.  You think you’d leave without fucking him?  No way dude.  Oh my god, I’m dying to see you sluttified.  God, what a mess.  I mean, super hot, but -

Me: How are you so sure I'd want a hot guy Y/N?

Corey: Oh come on, we both know you love cock.  Plus, I'm a. . .

Me: Oh my god.  Are you trying to make yourself into a self-insert again? 

Corey: Whaaat? No. . . It’s really not a bad idea, though.  You know, there are a lot of male readers who would love to be me and fuck Michael.  

Me: Who is even the third person in that scenario? 

Corey: There was never supposed to be a third person, remember?  You fucked up by giving a victim a name.  And naming her Y/N, no less. Lmaoooo. As if that wouldn’t take on a life of its own. 

Me: Honestly, I can’t even remember if there was supposed to be–

Corey: WAIT! Can we do an AU where Michael leaves a reader alive and the reader is following Michael around, and I'm the one Michael fucks and leaves on the floor, and reader comes in and sucks my dick?

Me: I mean, if that reader is using your same logic, they wouldn’t be sucking your dick, they’d be eating your ass.  Assuming that’s where Michael’s cum is.  

Corey is salivating. 

Me: I’m just not sure readers want-

Corey: Fuck the readers! Come on, you know we’ve got something here.  

Me: Jesus Christ. 

Sighs, opens google docs, types a note, closes it. 

Me: Okay, can you let me think now? 

_______________________________________

Me: I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you fuck Allyson, I think you need to have a wet dream about Michael, too. 

Corey: HELL YEAH.  Even though I "just came" with Allyson?

Me: Shut up. 

Corey: So, in the dream, can Michael fuck me?

Me: Oh yeah, he has to fuck you. 

Corey: Wait. What's the catch? 

Me (uncomfortable): Well, first, in the dream, you’re going to have to see Joan. 

Corey: Oh my god, what the fuck? Why??

Me: So Michael can kill her then give you the fatherly embrace you've always longed for. 

Corey sighs. 

Corey: Fine. 

Corey's eyes well up in tears.

Me: Hey, come here.  It's okay. It's okay.  You're finally about to get railed. 

_______________________________________

[Rock Bottom Ch 5: Corey fucks Allyson, then Michael fucks him in a dream. Corey kills the Dr. and Michael kills the nurse. Corey sucks Michael’s cock.] 

Corey: How long are you going to pace around this bed staring at us?  I really don't care which hole I get, just stick me in one. 

_______________________________________

The MMF Threesome

Me: Thanks for being a team player but it's the composition of the visual, ok? I wanted you guys in the Mulaney pose but that puts you in Y/N's ass unless we flip her back over and I don't like all the flipping. 

Corey: why don't you want me in Y/N's ass?

Me: For one, IDK if you're done with her other hole for the day. Michael will just peace out so that's a non-factor for him. 

Corey: Oh my god, you're worried about infections?  If you don't finish this scene soon, I'm just going to come on her back. 

_______________________________________

Corey: Why is the Mulaney pose important to you? 

Me: Because it was groundbreaking cinema? 

Corey: You could have written it both ways by now and just chosen whichever worked best. 

Me: that's actually a good point.

_______________________________________

Corey: Are you positioning us on Magic Poser in the middle of chick-fil-a? 

Me: . . . 

Corey: Whoa, who's the guy? Why are you showing him? 

Me: my partner, because I don't have a dick and I need to know the physical feasibility of a position I couldn't find online 

Corey: He's hot

Mee: Yeah, he wouldn't, sorry

Corey: Your loss

_______________________________________

Corey: If you're getting caught up in what you want, just pretend it's two of me instead of me and Michael. 

Me:  Lol how would that help?

Corey: You don't want Michael so you'll just stick him wherever you want me less.

Me: LooolI I don't want Michael?

Corey:  We never do anything that's just Michael. I'm always in the scene. Coincidence? 

Me: No, it's not a coincidence lmao it's your POV. You have stories without him, he has ones without you. 

Corey: What? Why don't I get to help write Michael? Wait. Does he help? Does he speak? 

Me: No, he doesn't speak. 

Corey: Why don't you get him over here, ask him what he wants to do, and he can show us?   

Me: There's no one for him to kill here

Corey: He can kill Y/N, get her over here too. 

Me: Why are you trying to kill off Y/N? You like Y/N

Corey: You give me a new one like every other day, and you don't let me play with more than one at a time, so what's the point in keeping all of them alive?  

Me: You have a point, but no, definitely not 

Corey: You just don't wanna know what she looks like. 

_______________________________________

[Rock Bottom Ch 6: Michael gets her ass]

_______________________________________

Corey: It's actually kind of homophobic that you aren't putting him in MY ass 

Me: Was it homophobic when I put his cock in your mouth?

Corey: Ok sorry. But I'm pretty sure he wants it so just try it and delete it if you don't like it 

_______________________________________

Corey, Michael, and me are at the diner and Joel Miller from The Last of Us walks up.  

Joel: So, I'm thinking. .

Me: Whoa, what are you doing here? This is a Blorbo-only zone 

*Corey looks at him smugly*

Joel: I have a hot fic idea 

Me: We're good, man 

Joel: Hear me out 

Corey (standing up): SHE SAID WE'RE GOOD

Me: *looks at Michael and nods toward Joel*

*Michael begins to escort Joel out*

Joel (yelling at an auctioneer pace on his way out): the apocalypse sluttifies everyone making them too horny to think so they're forced to get off and I'll wear that outfit you like and have a big girthy wrench 1.5K TOPS, I PROMISE 

Me: *sighs, open google docs* 

Corey: Shouldn't you post Rock Bottom Chapter 6 first? 

Me: I just posted a Michael story yesterday anyway. I'm trying not to flood the tags so much

Corey: *rolls eyes* You didn't even have to do that Michael thing.

Me:  it was a good request. you're just saying that because you weren't in it. 

Corey: ya think?

_______________________________________

[shinenihs]

Highschool Reunion

My Classmates in High School planned a Reunion since we haven’t seen each other for over ten years. I was having second thoughts because they told me Ten was going. Ten was the biggest jerk in our class, he would date several girls and he was known for that. Luckily I wasn’t one of them, But He was my biggest crush in highschool and everyone knew, including him, so maybe that’s why he didn’t date me. The Gathering is in Saturday

And I already cleared my schedule. I went shopping for Clothes and things I needed for the party.

It's Saturday morning and I Fixed my things so I won't be rushing myself later. The Gathering starts at 5pm so it's dinner. I cleaned my house, ironed my clothes and took a nice Bath.

My friends texted me the Venue, I finished at exactly 3pm and the Venue is a 1 hour drive.

While I was driving, I stopped for coffee so I went to starbucks. And I went ahead to my destination. 

Finally I arrived at the Venue, I forgot to tell you the theme of our gathering. My classmates always make a theme so we won't look random. Our theme was neutral colors and I wore my Beige Dress. 

“Hiraya!” My best friend Zerene called me. 

“Zerene! Hi!” I ran to her and hugged her.

“Alice and Louise are at the Table let’s go” She said

“Oh okay let’s go” 

As we were walking to the table Everybody had their eyes on me. 

“Why are they looking at me?” I whispered 

“Because Ten is behind you” She whispered back

I look behind me and yeah there he is looking at me, I rolled my eyes at him and I sat beside Zerene. But knowing Ten he sat in front of me so which makes everything worse.

“So Ten, Do you have a girlfriend?” My classmate asked him

“Nope I dont have one”

Really he still doesn't have one? Its been like 11 years I'm surprised he’s not married yet

“Why not?” My other classmate asked him

“Because I’m waiting for someone” He answered while looking at me

What the fuck does he mean by that?

“Hiraya he’s looking at you” Alice whispered

“Yeah I can see that” 

“Hiraya, How about you? Are you settled like your friends?” They asked

“Unfortunately, No.” I answered

“Why not?” Ten asked

Because I still like you dumbass.

“It’s just not my priority right now, and I’ve been busy with my work” I replied

“Oh okay I see” He said

The dinner was loud just like the old times. In fact we were known as the  chaotic class in our 12th year. My classmates would be doing the craziest shit and still didn’t get suspended. Idk why but we always get our way out. The dinner ended at 8pm since some of us have their own family and need to get home early to spend time with their husbands and wives. I feel envious of them for being settled in. Imagine getting to marry the man of your dreams and you’re stuck here still liking the biggest jerk in class. 

My friends bid their goodbyes and went home to their own families, I'm the only one in our circle without a boyfriend. It’s crazy, I never imagined myself being single in my mid 20's. I didn't leave the venue since I wanted to appreciate the view.  

“Why are you still here?” A familiar voice asked 

“Why do you care?” I asked back

“You’re still that Hiraya from High School, Loves to answer with another question huh?”

“Ten, what do you want?” 

“Can’t I hang out with you?” 

“Isn’t it weird for you? I liked you in Highschool and you did nothing but ignore me” I still like you.

“Yeah I was a jerk but I'm not like that anymore.” 

“I can tell”

“Let’s go grab a coffee down the alley, I heard the atmosphere is calming there” 

I had no choice but to say yes to coffee. I hope it doesn’t mean anything right?

We went there and he told me to find a table, and I chose the one near the window 

I'm impressed because it didn’t take long enough to get our drinks, and I'm also surprised how Ten got the coffee that I like.

“How do you know that I like this?”

“You always had that coffee every morning when you go to school”

Oh right, I always have coffee to wake me up.

“Okay I have to ask” I said

“Go ahead” 

“What happened to your last girlfriend?” 

“We didn’t work out. She cheated on me” 

“Oh god, I'm so sorry”

“Don’t be, I guess It’s my karma, I’ve been dating a lot of girls in our highschool days. It’s also why I'm still not settled down.”

“How about you? I know what you said earlier wasn’t the real reason why you’re still now settled” He asked

“Fine, You can really tell huh?”

“Mhm”

“Okay, I like someone but I don't know if he likes me back.”

“Can I know this lucky person?”

Yeah dumbass it's you

“Hell no” I laughed

“Come on I’ll tell you mine” He said looking straight in my eyes

“I’d rather not tell you” I told him. I don't want him to know that I still like him. It would be awkward.

We finished our coffee and we went for a walk. It was quiet and calming. Walking with Ten really gives me butterflies, Maybe because I didn’t experience dating because I don't date other people since I only want Ten.

“Can I tell you something?” He broke the silence

“Go ahead” I answered, from that moment I got nervous because I don't know what’s happening

“You look beautiful tonight, Hiraya.” 

WHAT THE FUCK 

I was speechless, But I was blushing. He definitely saw it because im pale as fuck

“You’re blushing” 

“Thanks, captain obvious”

“Not but really, you do look beautiful tonight. But that’s now what I was going to tell you.”

“Then what is it?”

“I like you, Hiraya”

Okay now what? What the hell is happening, Ten Lee? The biggest jerk in our school likes me?

“What now?” I said confused

“Since when?” 

“I started developing feelings for you when we graduated”

“Isn’t that the same time you found out your ex cheated on you?”

“No, That was a long time before our graduation happened”

“Why do you like me?”

“I was blind okay? I’ve been dating a bunch of girls without knowing you are the one for me, I was in denial for awhile but I realized I really like you. No scratch that, I love you”

“I love you Hiraya”

Okay I hate to admit it, I love him too. Using the word "like" is like you’re still in High School

Only young people use that word. But we’re not getting younger anymore right? I didn’t answer him. But I pulled him for a kiss to let him know that I love him too. It was long and passionate. It’s like getting your true love’s kiss. Of course one kiss leads to another.  

I woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom. Obviously It’s Ten’s room. I looked beside me and I saw him sleeping peacefully. He really looks good so I gave him a kiss on the cheek which made him wake up.

“Good Morning” I said

“Good Morning Beautiful” 

“Did you have fun last night?” He said. His morning voice sounds so hot 

“You bet” I flirted back

“Let’s get ready for breakfast? I'll cook you food, what do you want?” 

“Surprise me” 

“Okay then” He said and I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower.

While taking a shower I can already smell his cooking, it smells good so I changed into his clothes immediately after I got done showering.

“Pancakes?” I asked him

“Yes and Bacon” 

“So that is what i'm smelling, It looks good. Thank you” I said giving him a quick peck on the lips

I saw him blushing and I just smiled and eat the breakfast he made

“This is really good Ten,  how did you get so good at cooking?”

“I'm a chef,” He said smiling.

He’s a freaking chef!? He doesn’t look like one. 

“Well these are very good” 

“Thank you, I hear that alot” He said laughing.

After having breakfast, Ten and I went to my house so I could change into my clothes. He also brought his clothes because he said he wants to stay here for a while. Nobody told me he was this clingy. We still haven’t told our friends that we’re together now, So you could say that we’re now both settled? 

[survivingtheaudacity]

It has been less than 30 days into 2024 and I am ready for it to be over. The audacity of some people.

Okay friends, I want you to ask you all to do me a favor; go to those closest to you and ask how often they are made to feel uncomfortable based solely on a comment; uncomfortable enough to be fearful of there safety?

*go ahead I’ll pause with you.*

•welcome back•

It’s shocking, how often it happens. Now I want you to think about what you would do if you heard a someone telling a complete stranger at midnight; “…to go into the woods up the street and go behind the trees pull there pants down and take care of business.”

I know exactly what you’re thinking excuse me what?!? Can we get some more details??? Of course you can; picture this….

It’s 12:15 I’m out with a friend headed home but I have to pee >bad< and we’re still 30+ minutes from home. Boom! My friend is driving and sees a 711 and parks while I run in. As soon as I enter the 711 (817 Baker Road Va Beach) I see two “gentleman”behind the counter and another guy waiting for his cooking {food} so I proceed to ask if they have a restroom I can use? He tells me •no• so I thank them and walkout, as the doors closing I hear him call for me, I turn around to see why he called for me. I then turned back around assuming I have yet again dropped something and didn’t realize it)

That is when this •middle aged stranger/711 employee• tells me “ I need to go up the street; find the area that has a bunch of big trees; go behind them pull my pants down and take care of business.” now this is a shortened version of this scary statement and conversation I found myself apart of in the middle of the night, already in the middle of a massive panic attack >thank god for panic disorder< while two grown men just stand there and laugh and agree with me when I remind them that If you are convicted of indecent exposure or obscene sexual display as a third or subsequent offense, there would be a mandatory requirement that you register as a sex offender on the Sex Offender Registry. As I quickly rushed out of the 711 back to my friend; physically shaking from the entire situation the worker who made the original comment tried to get me to come back inside by calling after me laughing.

Let me point out that this entire situation happened in VaBeach who was ranked as the #1 safest city in America in June of 2020. A store employee; you know the ones your supposed to ask for help; a complete stranger who I have never met before this moment; therefore he has no idea how old I am (if I’m even over the age of 18) before making comments about me pulling my pants down.

As we drove away; my heart became just a little bit heavier and as I cried.

I thought about teenagers stopping in late at night for snacks before they have to be home. I thought of those two adults who stayed quiet. I thought about the college students who come at all hours of the night because they are within walking distance. And I pray for there safety. I thought about the worker who was so comfortable that he could say whatever he wanted without having any consequences.

This is not okay, there is not a single person who deserves to fear for there safety while simply living, much less over a simple question.

No matter who you are where you are in the world stop look around you, safety starts in watching out for those around us, say something if you can, if you can’t call your local law enforcement agency immediately and record everything

(}FYI Va is one party consent state, meaning as long as you consent to the conversation being recorded the other party can not make you stop.{)

•who is your safe call•

{Do you have a someone in your life that you can call at any time and stay on the phone with you until you feel safe?}

[if you answered no and you need someone send me a message; no matter the situation I will be your safe call no matter when or how often.]

We are all humans;

We all deserve to feel safe;

People won’t change their toxic behavior if others continue to stay quiet and allow it to continue.

If you see something, say something.

•if at any point in time you are afraid to call 911 or speak to officers you can reach out to me and I will help you however possible•

We mold the future for our youth; let’s make sure it’s a safe one.

#SurvivingTheAudacity🖤

#IfYouSeeSomethingSaySomething

I’ll leave you with this finale question for those who watch or listen but who stay quiet or walk with there invisible blinders on; can you live with yourself if something happens to them simply because you kept quiet?

—Management/ownership/corporate of the 711 on 817 Baker road VaBeach; you may want to consider hiring some new employees, or additional training for the safety of your customers —

[sallysgrancanwrite]

Chapter Forty-Seven

⚠️Warning; domestic violence, pregnancy

Masterlist

“Chloe, what’s wrong? What happened?” Martha asked.

“It’s nothing really. I’ll hurry and help you carry this stuff out.” She said quietly, dreading to go back out there.

Out of nowhere Alan appeared.

“Let me help you ladies with all of this.” He said.

“We’re okay Alan, but thank you,” Chloe replied.

They all walked out to the dining room. Martha and Chloe set everything down and Martha cut the lamb for everyone. She got to Chloe.

“No thank you Martha, I’m fine.” She whispered to her.

“But you have to eat, and feed that baby.” Martha said.

Michael interrupted them and said,

“As you can see Martha, she’s been feeding the baby just fine. That will be all.”

With that, Martha left the dining room.

“Alan, what were you exactly doing with my wife in the kitchen?” Michael asked.

“I was merely helping the ladies bring out the food, nothing more Michael.” He responded curtly.

“Don’t worry, until she loses weight I don’t want her.” he said, staring at Chloe.

Dinner was about done so Chloe started clearing the plates.

“Maybe we should help you.” Alan suggested to the others. “You don’t need to do this in your condition.”

“That’s a good one Alan!” Michael laughed. “She can handle it. She even scrubs floors in her condition. Michael laughed.

Chloe had them all follow her to the family room and served them all drinks. She sat down next to Michael who scooted a bit away from her, she looked at him hurt.

“Oh, just giving you some room babe, that’s all.” He said with a smirk.

“Just stop it already!” She whispered angrily. She got up and went to help Martha in the kitchen. “If y’all will excuse me please,”

Michael followed her. When they got to the kitchen he drug her outside and screamed at her.

“Don’t you ever make me look bad in front of my friends again,” he said as he slapped her. “Now get out there and entertain them with me.”

When they got back everyone was getting ready to leave. Chloe caught Alan’s eyes and looked away quickly so he didn’t see fear and tears in her eyes. She knew what was coming. They thanked everyone for coming and Chloe shut the door. The minute she did he punched her. Without thinking she yelled out in pain. The others could hear it from the driveway with all the windows open.

“Shouldn’t we go in there or call the sheriff to help,” asked Alan.

“Leave it alone, it’s not our business what happens in their house.” said Bryan.

“He is clearly hurting her!” Alan said angrily.

No one said anything, they just got in their cars and went home. No one wanted to get involved in someone else’s marital troubles.

Except Alan. He drove his car down a ways and tried to figure out how to help. It was something he would try to figure out. One thing he did know was that he was starting to have feelings for Chloe, and he didn’t want to leave her in that mess. He drove back to the house and walked up to the house and rang the doorbell. Michael answered.

“Oh, hey Alan, forget something?”

“I thought I dropped my wallet here. I can’t find it in the car.” He said. “Do you mind if I look in the cushions of the chair I was sitting in?” He asked

“Oh, yeah sure go ahead.” Michael said.

“I’m not keeping you up am I?” Alan asked.

“We were just reading in bed.” Michael replied. Though he looked winded and disheveled.

Alan looked in the cushions then in the dining room on the floor under the table, all the while looking to see if he got a glimpse of Chloe. But he saw nothing and heard nothing.

“Well, I guess it has to be in that mess in my car and I’m not seeing it. Sorry to keep you folks. Thanks for letting me look.” He said.

“No problem.” Michael said,”We’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay then, have a good evening bye.” Alan said as he left.

“You too,” Michael said as he closed the door.

Michael walked back upstairs where Chloe was nursing a beaten face. She had remained quiet while Alan was here.

“Your boyfriend was just here again.” He said as he grabbed her by the back of the hair.

“He isn’t my boyfriend Michael, just stop it!” Chloe yelled.

“You better never cheat on me! Do you hear me!” He screamed in her face.

“You mean like you are on me?!” She yelled.

The words came out before she even thought them.

“What did you say?” He asked her.

“It’s all over town. Your secretary is telling everybody about you two. Did you think I wouldn’t hear eventually?” She cried

“It’s none of your business what I do! You will shut your mouth and be a good little wife, got it!” He said as he grabbed her already sore face from him punching her.

“Fine.” She said quietly. She was tired and she didn’t feel well. She wanted to go to bed.

He finally let her go and she crawled into bed but she was so uncomfortable and really felt ill. She went to the bathroom and as she turned on the light and walked to the sink to get a drink she realized she was feeling contractions and they were getting closer together. She went and sat in a chair in the bedroom and tried to breath through them. She finally went and woke Michael.

“Michael, I need to go to the hospital. The baby is coming.”

She got no response.

“Michael!” She yelled. “Wake up, I need to go to the hospital now.”

He just mumbled. Then she noticed a bottle next to the bed. Oh great, he’s been drinking and he’s passed out. She grabbed her keys and her phone and got into the car. She started it but first called Edith.

“Edith, I’m on my way to the hospital. The baby is on its way and Michael is passed out. Can you meet me there?” She asked her in between trying to breath and drive.

“We’re on our way sweetie!” Edith said and hung up.

Edith ran upstairs to wake Bob and Beth up. They would both want to be there too.

“Bob! Beth!” She hollered.” Chloe is having the baby. Get up!” She hollered into their room to see Bob sitting on the side of the bed in a daze. “Bob git your drawers on, the baby is on its way.” She then swung Beth’s door open but she was already dressed and ready to go.

“When did she call?” Beth asked.

“About 5 minutes ago, we have to move it. I told her we would meet her at the hospital.” Edith said.

By now Bob was dressed and had the car keys and was thankfully more alert. The ladies grabbed their purses and they flew out the door. Excitement in the air.