#bah fuck the cropping

[sonohban]

scientists be conducting serious interviews while having a creature on their face

[emerald-amidst-gold]

Friends, I am a horrible OC mother. You wanna know why? Do you? I’ll tell you.

I forgot Fane’s birthday was at the beginning of the month. 

That’s right. I forgot. Bad, bad mother I be! And so, as way to atone and a tiny treat for the holiday season, I thought, ‘Let’s write!’ >:3

Presenting, a random work that I just spewed out! It’s silly, somewhat angsty, and a tad bittersweet! 

The dragons says, ‘It’s my birthday...? Oh, fuck.’

Warnings: None

---

Something is off. 

That was all Fane could reiterate to himself as he brought his sword down once again upon an unfortunate, but familiar victim; a training dummy. The edge of his blade met the wooden skeleton within straw and fabric with a satisfying thud, but he felt anything but pleased with the restraint behind his downward swing. His eyes narrowed upon where metal met a threaded sack, the feeling of uneasiness surrounding him making him want to rampage. The air was dense, even as the chill that permeated it made it light. It made his skin bristle in irritation.

“Why does it feel as if I’m being watched?” Fane growled out under his breath as he none too gently dislodged where his sword was embedded in the dummy. His action was stiff, harsh, and the sound of metal scraping along wood as he jerked it out made his ears ring, causing his face to bunch up from discomfort, “Son of a bitching sword. I need to craft something new soon.”

“Now that, ma falon, is a new one! Your verbal arsenal grows, just as your physical one is!” 

Fane felt his entire body go tense at the sudden appearance of a jubilant voice. He nearly dropped his sword from how quickly his body went on the defensive, but a quick turn of his head and glance over his shoulder allowed him to, all at once, relax. Now, he realized why the air had been so tense, why it had felt like the Veil was pulling tight around him and nearly making him snap. He honestly should have clued in sooner, but when training, his sight became tunneled.

A sigh passed Fane’s lips as his sidelong gaze met glittering amber and a chesire grin, “You idiot. Why do you insist on creeping up on me while I have a sword in my hand?” he asked, actually brandishing said blade with a few see-saw motions of his wrist--metal waving in place of his actual hand. “I could have run you through if you’d been two minutes sooner.”

Cyfrin’s grin brightened, knowing and underlying smug. Fane couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that look as he slowly turned his body to face his friend more fully. What was that expression about? And why was amber laughing like golden bells?

The raven-haired elf brought up a gloved hand and waved a singular finger at him, “Doubtful.” Slender, leather clad arms crossed themselves with the further essence of self-confidence, “As I wasn’t ‘creeping’; I’ve been watching you slash and hack for the last half mark of the hour! I was merely waiting for your blade to halt.”

Fane felt his brow furrow, “You’ve been...watching me?” He wasn’t sure how to..feel about being the observ-ee instead of the observer. It was always odd, always surprising, but also...pleasantly different.

Wavy hair bounced as Cyfrin gave him a singular nod, “Indeed! Even in training, your prowess is legendary!” he exclaimed heartily before beginning to close the distance between them, arms still crossed and cat-like grin slowly receding into a warmer curl, “Despite all that ferocity, I believe I know when and when not to approach you by now, Fae.”

Confusion continued to envelope him, “You talk as if you’ve done this more than once,” he said, beginning to tap the tip of his sword against the toe of his boot. Idleness was making him fidgety, but so was the conversation. Cyfrin...knew? He didn’t understand...

Amber orbs and rosy visage melted with warmth akin to a fire, “Fane,” his friend called, Orlesian accent wrapping around the single syllable gently. When Fane tilted his head a bit in question and acknowledgment, molten eyes turned to the hue of honey, “--how long have we known each other?”

Fane blinked a few times, mind stuttering from the question. The methodical bouncing of his sword stopped as well, comfortably coming to rest against the thick leather of his boot. How many years had they known each other? What kind of question was that? The crisp, cool air was beginning to solidify again. Maybe opening a rift would help ease it back, but that was..well, he’d get an ear chewed off for such a thing. So, he would have to try a different approach.

“...Why are you asking that?” Fane inquired, wanting the reasoning before willing to play along. It wasn’t that he didn’t know the number of years, he wasn’t that blended, but it was more that he wasn’t understanding where Cyfrin was going with his words. This whole line of conversation was just...weird.

Crossed arms unraveled gracefully before his friend waved his hands about dismissively, “Ohh, no, no, no!” Cyfrin energetically denied his question, waving hands halting to point one finger at him, “I will be the deliverer of questions this time! Otherwise, the whole point of my shadowing will be for naught!”

Fane couldn’t help his mouth from going slightly agape, brow furrowing even more and utter perplexity ensnaring him like a helpless rabbit. What...what was this? It wasn’t abnormal for Cyfrin to poke and prod and pester, to pop up like a sprig of elfroot or spindleweed, seemingly aware that its presence was required. But...shadowing? What the hell was going on?

“Shadowing..?” Fane rolled the word around his tongue before realization slapped him straight across the face and before long, confusion turned to disbelief as he unknowingly squared up with the other, “You’ve been following me?!” 

Now, the air wasn’t only dense, it was suffocating! He knew something had been off! Or maybe the way he could feel his emotions rising was making it that way! Well, whatever the reason, he would rather it stop! The raven-haired elf was known to trail him, infuriatingly worried or concerned that the techniques of the Game switched to ‘auto-pilot’, but it was the fact that he hadn’t noticed that was truly making him freak out! How long had the other been doing this? And what had he heard?! Shit!

Cyfrin barely flinched or seemed perturbed by his sudden shout, actually wiggling his head back and forth, “Ehh, ‘follow’ is a strong word. I’ve not ‘listened in’ to you and Solas’ private moments, so you can stop looking as if you’ve just sealed a rift,” he explained and Fane felt a hot wave of anxiety exit his body as swiftly as it had come. He made sure to keep it off his face, but fuck, had he nearly died just then. “I’ve been cleverly devising excuses to be in your orbit so as to obtain every bit of relative information for an ultimate outcome!”

“Ultimate...outcome?” Fane said dumbly before raising a free hand to rub at his temples with a irritated growl, “I have no idea what’s happening anymore. Could you just, I don’t know, be blunt?” 

He was back to being confused. Lovely and unsurprising. What was this day anymore? What was his life? A cluster fuck, that was what it was. Perhaps slumbering for centuries wasn’t so bad after all. He could certainly use a nap, or a cup of tea, or...anything, really. Anything would be more welcome than whatever this conversation was, or how Cyfrin was now closer to him and now holding...out...

...a sword?

Fane froze, staring down at Cyfrin’s hands with wide eyes. The other was merely standing before him, a genuine smile on his face and expression calmer than any mountain after a blizzard. All jovial attitude, all the theatrics and shifty ploys, all confusion and disbelief was left in the dust as Fane let his eyes roam along the beautiful piece of metalwork resting peacefully in his friend’s palms. 

“Blunt it is then,” Cyfrin declared, but he looked anything but bereft of being booed off stage.

“What...?” Fane muttered out in question and under his breath. He flitted his eyes down to the blade in his hand, making sure his mind wasn’t actually playing tricks on him and that he had somehow dropped it. But, no. These blades were two different blades. Different edges, different patterns, different shapes, different hilts and pommels and...

The subtle, but distinctive glint of soft orange made Fane’s thoughts pause and he couldn’t help but lean forward for a closer inspection. Wait, had that been...?

“...Volcanic aurum?” He tilted his head a bit, seeking to view the heavenly blade before him at a different angle. His eyes narrowed as new details unveiled themselves and widened upon the engravings etched within; they were Elvhen. Aspects that were lost along with the lives that created them!  Tearing his eyes away for a moment, he reconnected with patient pools of honey, “Where did you get this?”

Cyfrin chuckled, unbothered by his demands, “The Undercroft.”

Fane stared at the other for several moments before shooting his eyes back down to the glistening blade, “It was...made? Here?” He could scarcely believe that. It had to be false, an apparition, a..a..

His friend only let out another light chuckle, “Amazing, I know, but when Dagna and Harritt join forces, the fruits borne of their labors are otherworldly,” Softness wrapped around a vibratoed lilt, warm, friendly, “Although, I’m sure it helps to have an inside source feeding them information.”

Fane furrowed his brow, eyes chancing glances down at the sword still being held out to him. It was as if Cyfrin was offering it to him, wanting him to take it and hold it. But, hold on. An inside source feeding information..? Surely Cyfrin hadn’t..

Slowly, light born of snow and sunlight flooded Fane’s vision, “An ultimate outcome,” he muttered and his breath hitched when Cyfrin nodded, warm smile turning a little smug, “You took what we’ve been discovering on excursions into Elvhen ruins, and implemented it.” Ancient smithing wasn’t impossibly hard, the basis was the same, but some techniques were indicative to Elvhenan and were ultimately lost when the Veil was erected. He and Solas were the only ones, that they knew of, that remembered that knowledge. So how had..?

Cyfrin hummed before wiggling his head like earlier, “Mm, yes and no.”

Fane tilted his head as he began to bounce his sword once more, “Explain?” He was no longer confused and any misgivings about the elf’s trailing of him were forgotten in favor of curiosity. The reasoning behind this impossible occurrence was necessary. Well, at least to him it was. He remembered the days he sat far, far off from meager settlements and simply...watched as magic and physical actions created wonders akin to a dragon’s claw. Despite his scorn, he had...enjoyed watching the elves create, shape, live. Natures would always be inherent, wouldn’t they?

Full lips curved upwards on one side, “The answer is what I’ve been doing for the last month,” A pause before smirking lips pursed themselves a bit, “Well, I’ve been doing it for ten years, but this time was more proactive than normal.”

Fane felt confusion grip him again before it shook itself loose and his mind shone as bright as the sun with understanding, “...You learned from me.” he said matter of fact, “All those times I’ve sharpened blades, bent metal, bound hilts, and poured over schematics; you’ve been watching me and you retained it.” He couldn’t believe it, but the truth was apparent before him, glittering in amber like the blade in open hands.

A nod was the response he could, but words come forward before long.

“For all the time I have known you, my friend, you’ve always shown yourself to have a mind flush with ingenuity. You never could stand what the craftsmaster in the clan would make; you always took it and reforged it anew with skill I had never seen in any clan, any human city,” Cyfrin said with a tone so soft, so full of familiarity, “But more than that, you found joy in those moments. You enjoy creating something and seeing it work as intended. So much so, that you craft all of our armor and weapons with nary a complaint, intent on protecting, even if you scoff and wave the notion off,” A warm, unabashed smile took over once more, “So, this is, in part, a sign of gratitude for that silent care, but also a gift.”

“A..gift?” Fane uttered out, mind reeling and spinning from everything Cyfrin had said. It made him feel warm, but cold, confused, but heartened. He really hoped his eyes were staying steady because he didn’t think he could compose a proper excuse right now. 

Cyfrin nodded once, firm, before taking a single step forward and all but thrusting the sign of his gratitude forwards, “Yes, and so, stop gawking like an enraptured magpie and try it out!”

“Uh, o-okay.”

That was all Fane could manage to say as he reached out with his free hand to, slowly, hesitantly, lay his palm against the hilt. Even through his gloves, he could feel the density of the grip. It was thick hide, peeled from an animal who no doubt prided themselves on their natural armor. One by one, Fane let his fingers close around the sturdy grip, and when he finally gripped it, Cyfrin swiftly dropped his arms and backed up. He had no choice, at that moment, but to take up the sword fully, letting the old one fall to the ground with a dull thud. He blinked, turning the blade back and forth in observation. It was light, but undeniably strong.

“The balance is perfect,” Fane murmured, ears twitching at his own awe-struck voice before he felt heat rush to the shells at how Cyfrin watched him with a pleased smirk, “I-I mean, to me it is,” He blanched at those words, “O-or, well...!” A growl eked out as his mood and the sword lowered, “Words always sound better in my head.” Now he remembered why his kin rarely placed stock in words that weren’t colored; they were too easily misconstrued. 

Cyfrin let out a laugh, “Ma falon, please! I assure you, those are words that I was hoping to hear from you!” Two hands clapped themselves together, “After all, it is yours!”

Fane mind blanked at that, lifting his head and eyes to stare at Cyfrin in disbelief. This sword, this fragment of the past, this gift...was his? His and his alone? No strings attached? No payment in blood? Why? What was the reason? 

“It’s m-mine..?” His mouth felt numb as he uttered the question, but somehow his whole being felt..warm, glowing with it, in fact. 

Cyfrin tsked with a smile, “Of course! I just said it was a gift!” The lustrous blue scarf that adorned his friend’s neck shifted as his arms crossed, “The only other person in the Inquisition that can wield such blades as that, is our resident Qunari, but last I checked, it was not his birthday.”

Fane froze as everything in his mind seemed to...click. 

Birthday. Birthday. The tension in the air, the odds stares and gentle nods from passing soldiers, Josephine’s assurance that he needn’t meet with any fucking nobles that day, Leliana carefully guiding him out of the rookery and away from reports, Cullen actually allowing him to have a hand in the troops drills without butting heads with him, Dorian actually giving up his ‘throne’ in the library, Vivienne treating him to more than just a single cup of chamomile tea last evening, Varric and Bull paying every single round of drinks in the tavern that night before, Sera and Blackwall appearing out of nowhere in the middle of the day with a box full of cakes, a mysterious letter that had said, ‘They’re happy for you. They’re happy they get to see you continue and grow.’...

Solas’ side of the bed empty when he awoke, only to reappear with an energetic, high-spirited Mhairi, who had had Yune around her shoulders, his infant kin’s eyes alight with wonder and excitement, and a tray that had been full of foods he enjoyed when he could stomach them. Oh, he suddenly felt dizzy...

“I can’t believe it...” Fane said as he absent shook his head, not even registering a spike of pain coursing through his body as he plopped down ass-first onto the snowy, dirty ground.

“Fane!” Cyfrin shouted, hurrying over to him with worry and concern sparking like wildfire in his amber orbs, “Ma falon, what’s wrong? Is it your scars? Are you upset with the gift? If it’s too much I can--!”

“I can’t believe I forgot my own birthday.” Fane laid the sword, his gift, one of many, across his lap and let out an airy laugh, “I can’t believe it...” Truly, he couldn’t. How could he not have seen the messages in the myriad of hues? 

Cyfrin blinked, stunned, “You...forgot?”

“Yeah. Completely.” How could this happen...?

“Did..did no one say, ‘Happy birthday’ to you?” His friend’s lilt was wobbling now, a snort leaking out at certain moments.

A pause. “...Not precisely. Well, wait. My did, but I was half-asleep. Solas did, too, but again, I think I was half-asleep.” Fane looked to Cyfrin with a blank expression, “And most of the others did it yesterday when all that shit with the preparations for Halamshiral were going on.”

“So, it...slipped your mind?”

“Seems like.” Fane lifted a hand to run it through his hair slowly, “Ohh, son of a bitch. Fucking Chantry sisters can remember the Chant of Light, and probably what time the Maker likes to take a shit, but I can’t even remember my birthday.” He was set lower than the Chantry; what an absolute travesty.

As if a dam at burst, Cyfrin’s face scrunched up before finally a loud, belly-deep laugh emerged from within, filling the entire training ground and turning the heads of various others, but most didn’t pay it any mind. Fane could only stare out into the ether, swearing he could hear the laughter of spirits on the wind, but maybe that was just the Orlesian now rolling around on the ground next to him. Why did his chest feel so tight? Why could he feel his own face began match that tightness? Why was this all so...

...ridiculously hilarious?

With a huff and then a sound as if he was about to cough up a ball of saliva, Fane let out a laugh of his own, the force behind it promptly sending him backwards and onto cold ground much like Cyfrin was. Oh, by anything that was holy, he was a mess! But, instead of feeling bitter about it, he only feel light in his heart. If his kin could see him now, what would they think? Maybe their eyes would be laughing right along with them? He supposed he would never know that answer, but at least he knew one thing...

It was his birthday, and never had he been more grateful for the gift of life than right at this moment, as laughter filled the air, as gifts laid all around him in the form of metal and flesh, and blissful memories stuck in his mind, never to be erased, never to be burnt to ash by death’s embrace. He never would have thought, all those centuries ago while he hid, while he feared, while he lost that this would be where he’d find himself, but it was exactly what he had wished for on the day he had died. 

Blowing out the candle of one life had ushered in a new one. And like a true birthday wish, it would never be uttered, never be said. Instead, other candles would be blown out, each one holding a new wish. 

Ones he would never forget. Just the faces that regarded him and the eyes that spoke to him with their rainbow hues. No matter what the future held, Fane would blow out a candle and remember the happiness he had been afforded.

 As fleeting as it had been.

---

Happy Holidays, everybody! I hope, my friends, that you all have a safe weekend and that you get to enjoy it with family or friends! <3

[crxssroads]

*frantically crawls back to stardew valley*

[thewickedkat]

okay. *cracks knuckles*

--so the Replenishment brings Avalir's stores of magical energy to Cathmoira in order for the land to thrive, since at this point in time the magic is tied in so closely with nature. i'm wondering if Laerryn realises (indeed, if it even matters to her) that shifting a leyline so drastically will fuck up the magical biome of the land? if everything is so closely intertwined, that could mean crops would fail, those who rely on the magic from the city would be unable to accomplish what they need to; disease might be untreated, people might not be able to heal, economies would thus collapse, industry would as well--like, imagine your entire vascular system being shifted into, like, your left leg. nothing would work.

also, tangentially, i wonder if this feeds further into the mages' hubris: 'look upon our glory, for we bring you magic juice for your lives; behold, surely we are like gods, yes?' bah.

--everyone's drive in this city for knowledge makes me think of an adage from the Kushiel book series: 'All knowledge is worth having.' and...given what we know is coming, i have to ask, is it? is it really? even if all you're doing with that knowledge is hiding it in some misguided sense of 'keeping people safe,' is it really worth pursuing to the detriment of all else?

--Nydas asking (seemingly casually) Alessander to reallocate valuable resources during the Replenishment (again, upon which thousands of people depend) and expecting a 'sure, dude, whatcha need' in response is simply amazing to me. yes, Nydas was an orphan once (and presumably not of the affluent persuasion), but his casual entitlement nowadays makes me think that he wants to...not quite erase that past (at least not when it serves him), but he acts like he is dismissive of his roots. he participates willingly in the classism we see in Avalir and doesn't behave in the traditional 'guttersnipe rises to high society' tropey sort of way. i dunno if that's even a conscious choice on Lou's part as far as RP is concerned, but my brain went that way.

--Evandrin's locket given to Laerryn is sweet but also tragic (obv) and maybe i'm reading too much into it, but i can't help but think that Laerryn interprets it (perhaps unconsciously) as a sign of ultimate forgiveness. as in 'no matter what you do, however it breaks bad and wherever the chips fall, i will be your friend' forgiveness. the type of friendship understood by young children before they really grok nuance and how difficult friendship can really be, you know? not to say that Laerryn is naive, but i think (maybe especially since Evandrin is no longer with them) that if Evandrin confronted her about what she's been working toward for whatever reason, she'd be like 'well you're my friend, you're supposed to support me in whatever i do so why are you questioning this?' when friendship does not mean auto-forgiveness, or a clean slate. it isn't like an Etch-A-Sketch. friendship takes work and effort and most definitely calling your friends out on bullshit like re-routing magical pathways so they can yeet yourself off to fuck knows where just for funsies. i personally think the locket is more of 'i will always be your friend even if i don't like what you're doing for you are important to me.'

--what the fuck is up with Nydas' prototype automata that he brought to Laerryn? he calls them Taxmen! they have big fuck-off blades on their backs! no one but Alessander and that poor porter they're gonna mindwipe knew about them! they make me fret, okay?

--i wonder, a Lot, about the Gau Drashari. if they're truly connected to the modern-day Ashari druids. if where the Primes defeated the Primordials during the Schism created the planar points the Ashari tend. i have a lot of thoughts, okay?

i also wonder precisely why the Magisterium chose to alter the Pact of Crown and Thorn after the Raven Queen's ascension. they didn't have to, really. they already had the City, the top of a gotdam mountain, and they were already bringing magic back for replenishing. so what was in it for them? they had the upper hand and all the advantages. and then we find out, further, that not only did the Magisterium agree, but that the Gau Drashari were basically like 'here's this thing you have to use and no we won't tell you what it really is or what it's for. just do it.' and the Magisterium acquiesced!

and what happens if Avalir chooses not to honour the Pact? are there consequences? i mean, Laerryn wants to explore and gain knowledge, as 'the promise of Avalir was exploration and knowledge-gathering;' and Patia outright calls the contract with the Drashari 'long-withstanding handshakes with people who have long shuffled off this plane.' like girl, your grandpa, the dude who put Avalir together, is still alive (if in his dotage), and this is a contract! not some backroom deal over cheap ale! but of course the Ring of Brass thinks rules and laws are for others, not them.

--what was Loquatius' 32 deception check. what. why. i know Brennan normally doesn't leave unfired Chekhov's guns, but. why. what.

--further with Quay, his 'insight on the world' check, the 'if the apocalypse happened, you'd notice it.' well, maybe. but thunder is rumbling. and most people, when they hear thunder they think storm, not avalanche. and once that thunder is heard, it can't easily be deflected or rerouted.

--as an aside, it's deliciously fitting that Lacrytia Hollow, a necromancer, is the one who invited Purvan Suul, the Champion of the Raven Queen. and had further plans to assassinate him. i dunno what her end was, other than maybe spitting in the Matron's eye, but i guess we'll find out tomorrow night.

--why are Evandrin's files from Elena Tuvaris gone? but the file header is still in the filing system? sus.

--'All were happy to watch as my gifts were not seen as i intended them to be.' Asmodeus. Azzy. darling. dear. you absolute lying buffoon. if this is true (i am Scepticism), you expected mortals--who were given free will--to honour that which hurts them irreparably? you expected to grow fat on lies and deceit and treachery and then wondered why no one wanted to hang out with you at parties?

--Patia: 'Those who are privileged, those who are given everything, do not know how to fight.' first, that's not how the adage goes, and second: is it hard talking around the golden fucking spoon in your mouth? she acts like her tenacity and patience and resourcefulness set her above the other gifted mages of the world. i love Patia (Marisha is doing brilliantly with her), but wow i would not wanna have a drink with her.

--lastly for this post, i come to Zerxus. i really think, despite knowing he was speaking with the Father of Lies, he does not believe he actually entered into a covenant with ol' Azzy. i genuinely think that to him, he was just talking, and the deal he made was something along the importance of 'i'll trade you my oreo cookies for your baseball card, cool?' even if he were enlightened otherwise i don't think he would consider it binding in any way because he does not believe in the gods. not disbelieves their existence, but disbelief in that he has no faith in them. thus, any 'deal' would be unenforceable.

to Zerxus, the gods are just beings with metric fucktons of power, but i think he believes that it's faith that gives these beings any sort of dominion over mortals. 'i have no faith, thus my faith cannot be corrupted.' i think this is one very very dangerous aspect of his own hubris, perhaps the most dangerous one.

also i wonder if he had any faith in them before Evandrin departed this plane.

[squibbles-gubwee]

Shopaholic

In which Fortune and Spooks have fun at the mall.

@thelazyhermits here u go more Fortune Spooks shenanigans

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

"Man, I can't remember the last time I went to the mall… Thanks for inviting me, gatita."

Fortune smiled and shook her head, grabbing the much taller man's hand as he looked around in awe, pushing his glasses higher on the bridge of his pierced nose. 

"Thank you for coming! I know how much you hate the heat, you could have refused…"

"Bah, like I could disappoint my lil sis like that. Besides, the walk to the station wasn't bad. Probably good for me, if anything." The hand she held squeezed hers, a happy smile donning the white haired villain's face.

It was quite kind of him, she thought. He was incredibly sensitive to the sun- not due to any quirk drawback or his poor eyesight, but rather a medical issue he told her about. A very nasty heat stroke he had when he was a child gave the man, as he put it, a 'permanent debuff during the warmer seasons'. 

Apparently, once during an outdoor class, he had overexerted himself and ended up fainting due to heat exhaustion. It had put the whole class in a frenzy and he was forced off for two days. Yaomomo and Todoroki made sure Spooks frequently had either water or frozen towels to cool off with now.

"You'll tell me if you start feeling weak or hot, right? Here, let me take your vest, I'll put it in my bag-"

Huffing in amusement, Spooks let go of the concerned lady's hand to shuck his denim outerwear, leaving him in just his tattered crop top. He passed it to her and watched as she folded it, mindful of the patches as she packed it up. 

"You didn't have to do that, gatita." The man took the backpack, slinging it over his shoulder much to Fortune's protest.

"I can carry my own bags!"

"Yeah but anyone who has eyes can see that stealing from me is asking for an ass kicking." Spooks proceeded to motion to his boots, these not being his very tall platforms but what they lacked in height they made up for in spikes and studs. Fortune rolled her eyes and brushed her hair from her face, green eyes locking with monochrome ones. Out of habit, Spooks stiffened and tore his gaze away before remembering he had his glasses on, cancelling his quirk out.

"So, where first? I haven't been in years."

Tapping her foot, Fortune thought for a moment before remembering the entire reason for going. "Oh yeah!! I wanted to get something nice to wear for that big staff party coming up!" Fidgeting, her mind was drawn back to Aizawa, Hizashi, and Bakugo who all didn't like clothes shopping. "Oh, um, if it's okay with you, I mean. I don't want you to be bored, sitting and waiting-"

"Psh, what? And miss playing dress up? Not a chance." Fortune huffed and batted his hand away as he ruffled her hair.

Hearing the words 'dress up' made Fortune gasp. "Wait, you're staff too! You need something nice to wear to the party too!"

"Hah! Yeah, no. I'm not going."

Frowning, Fortune stopped, looking over at Spooks as they stood outside the first stop, a nice clothes shop, full of business-y and formal outfits galore. "Wait...what do you mean?"

Blinking, Spooks tilted his head, an unreadable expression on his face. "I'm...not going? To the party?"

Fortune couldn't help the frown deepening, gently holding his hand in both of hers. "Why not, though…? You're staff, are you not?"

She watched Spooks stiffen, worrying his lip rings in a way she knew was a tell that he was getting anxious. "I just...Look, I know I'm not welcome, gatita. I'm not a hero, I'm barely a teacher, and I don't get along with...anyone. The invitation wasn't extended to me." Sighing, he closed his eyes, steeling himself before opening them, giving a smile. "Listen, I'll be fine. I'd rather help you anyway! This is important to you, and it'll be fun. Ellos no me quieren allí- ah, I'm not wanted there."

"That's not true!!"

Fortune could barely contain her shaking, anger and sorrow mixing in a miasma at how someone could speak of themselves like that, especially someone she cared so much about. 

"It's not true, Spooks! I want you there! I know you don't get along with everyone, but it wouldn't be the same without you!" Putting her hands on her hips, the TA huffed. "Besides, I want a partner to dance with, and everyone knows you have the best moves~"

Her flattery made him laugh, the villain nodding and rubbing his eye. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I'll go."

"That's what I thought! Now come on, we got to look our best!"

---

"I can't believe you bought a skirt!"

They had hit up several stores, Spooks ending up with a shin length black suspender skirt coupled with a pinstripe button down. Fortune went with a cute tartan overall dress and a peachy turtleneck sweater.

They also had swung by the cute shop that Aizawa, Nemuri and Hizashi had brought her to before, where she picked up a necklace with a cute cat pendant that she planned on pairing with the outfit along with some darling kitty print stockings to match. It was while they were there that Spooks had saw the backpacks, zeroing in on the raccoon one and immediately falling in love with it. It was now settled next to her own cat backpack, the two of them buying keychains of the other's animal and attaching them to their packs.

Spooks grinned at the astonishment, pointing a fry at Fortune as they ate at the food court. "What? Nothing more punk than giving gender norms a big ol "fuck you"! Did you think it was weird or something?"

"No, it's cool for guys to wear skirts and dresses. I'm just shocked you found one that made it look like you actually have the hips for it."

The insulted gasp was Fortune's only warning as a fry hit her cheek, making her burst into a fit of laughter. "You're getting too catty!! Maybe I should ask Koda to send the cats off for a few days so you can tone it down!"

"Noooo, stop! You're bullying me! I'll call Aizawa crying, don't test me!"

The white haired man cackled, gently pinching her cheek. "Alright, alright! No tattling now!" With that, he went back to his fries, the milkshake he sipped on colourful and sweet. He offered a taste which Fortune accepted.

"So, are you starting to get excited about going?"

"A bit...Make sure to remind me of that seam in your dress when we get back to the dorms, by the way. I can hem it!"

"I will. And good!! I'm glad you're getting more into the idea!" Fortune beamed, leaning forward a bit on the table as she took a bite of her mango chicken. "So, are you going to dance with anyone but me? Not that there's anything wrong with it, I'm just trying to picture it." She couldn't help the snort when she thought of Spooks, a towering 6'4, dancing with Principal Nedzu.

"D-Dance? Oh um, I don't think this is one of those kinds of parties, but I still wouldn't mind dancing with you! Not many people I could think of that I would want to dance with, after all! Keheheh…"

The redhead cocked her head, green eyes looking over the man in front of her. He was behaving…odd. His bravado was dampened, eyes shifting nervously, he was fidgety and toying with his piercings… Fortune narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Hey, Spooks-nii-san, were there any other reasons you didn't feel like coming to the party? Like, I know you said you didn't feel welcome, but...were you also maybe...scared of seeing someone there?"

"H-Huh? No, um. It's not that, I mean a little bit it is but, I also just...didn't want to ah… aye, dios…" Fortune waited patiently as he cursed under his breath, seeming to argue with himself about something. "I did not want to um...make myself embarrassed...in front of another?"

"You didn't want to humiliate yourself in front of someone?"

"Yes! Bah, that."

Fortune was quiet as she studied the long haired delinquent, the other quietly sipping his shake as he looked around, his glasses occasionally catching the light. 

...He didn't want to embarass himself. He was nervous about going, he could think of very few people other than her that he wanted to dance with…

Lightning practically shot down her spine as she gasped, piece after piece clicking into place as she pointed a finger at him. "You…"

"M-Me?! What? Listen I said sorry about eating the last piece of taffy-"

"-YOU have a CRUSH on someone!!"

The rate at which the older man paled was hilarious, the only colour being the red that bloomed on his face and ears as he stuttered, panicked. "What?? I!! I just, um! I don't want to talk about this topic! I refuse!"

"Too bad, I'm your little sister! Now tell me who you have a crush on!"

[megthemewlingquim]

CHERRY

Summary: Does he take you walking ‘round his parents’ gallery?

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: angst, crying

A/N: This is Chapter Five of my “Fine Line” series! This one is inspired by Cherry. I hope you like this series! If you do, please reblog and leave feedback. I heavily encourage you to listen to the album (because it’s phenomenal), or listen to each song before you read each chapter. Speaking of chapters, they will be uploaded every Sunday at 12:00 PM EST.

A NOTE: EACH CHAPTER'S PLOT WILL BE A TIME SKIP FROM THE LAST CHAPTER. NO CHAPTER'S PLOT WILL OCCUR DIRECTLY AFTER ANOTHER.

Read Chapter Four, “LIGHTS UP” here!

Find the “Fine Line” masterlist here!

The only thing worse than breaking up with someone is hearing that they’ve taken another lover.

It’s been months. Loki still isn’t over you, but you’re over him, and it’s hell. He misses you, everything about you — your gorgeous eyes, your bright smile, your personality, and you. He misses you. 

It turns out that you don’t miss him nearly as much. It seems like… like he blinked, and you were over him. You cut off all contact, all emails and texts. You left him your number, though, just in case that in twenty years or so, you’d want to talk again.

“We can still be friends, baby…”

“Don’t call me ‘baby’,” you had muttered.

You’ve recently met someone. Loki doesn’t know his name, nor does he care to find out. All he does know — thanks to gossip — is that this new person has an art gallery, owned by his parents.

Loki had smirked at that when he had found out. Asgard’s palace has a ton of art galleries, filled with portraits and historic relics, like the Eternal Flame and the Casket of Ancient Winters. In his opinion, those are much more interesting than any mundane art on Midgard…

Does he take you walking ‘round his parents’ gallery? Loki wonders. Do you enjoy it?

He gets no answer from you, and he sighs into his pillow, the air around him stuffy and constricting.

Coucou, you whisper.

His eyes shoot open, but you are not there. Exhausted, he runs a hand over his face, wiping the sweat off of his face. Even when wearing only boxers, he sweats bullets. Odd… for a Jotun.

His thoughts get the better of him, and they nag and hit his brain. They have free reign, though he tries to silence them. 

Does she call him “baby”? She probably does. She calls him what she used to call you.

His thoughts drift — to, oddly, the outfits you used to wear: one-piece jumpsuits, shorts and t-shirts, crop tops and sweatpants… all things cozy and sexy. He thinks back to a coat he wears — one you gave to him for a birthday. You both wore it.

There’s a piece of you in how I dress, he thinks. Even now.

Loki thinks of you… the accent you put on when you spoke in French. He misses your accent. It was so gorgeous, so smooth and elegant. It was almost as if you were French yourself…

Were you? He realizes with horror that he’s forgotten. Oh, Norns. It’s been so long, and we haven’t talked lately. 

I still... I still talk to your friends, though. He suddenly feels sick to his stomach. Even that — talking to your friends — seems like too much now, but it’s what he needs. Some connection to you.

He wonders if he’d ever be able to talk to your...

Your...

Your lover. Your chérie.

What would your lover say? After everything that you had probably told him?

Fuck off, he’d say. You never loved her. You never deserved her.

The fact is so obvious, but so agonizing:

Loki doesn’t wanna be alone.

Coucou, you sing.

There’s a moment where his sadness peaks, where all his thoughts come to a climax of volume, intensity, and frequency. He wants to cry, to scream, to cuddle you close and to fuck you into the mattress.

When that passes, he does cry. He releases it all, and lets himself go in his grief.

He grips his sheets, sobbing into the open air, with his eyes shut tight and his teeth gritted. He shudders, careful not to make a lot of noise.

As he cries, your voice comes back.

‘Coucou ! Tu dors ? Oh, j'suis désolée...’

You were talking to a friend on the phone, a friend you had met from France a few years back. There was a pause.

‘Bah non... Nan, c'est pas important...’

Whatever your friend had mentioned was not important to you.

‘Ouais, on a été à la plage, et maintenant on—’

Loki had smiled when you mentioned the beach.

‘Parfait ! Allez !’

And then you had gone out, to meet your friend at the mall. He had stayed at the house, reading his books and thinking of you.

Your voice fades, and so does the memory. Loki’s awake-ness leaves as well, and he cries himself to sleep for the first time in a millennium.

[chibi-tofu]

Hearts In Boxes

A Very Hannibal Christmas AU

(Domestic Hannigram. Stealing each others clothes. Awful Christmas Puns. Doggos. Hannibal being a shit. Will being a flirt. An apology. SO MANY BOXES. Mainly fluff and a bit of smut.)

Hannibal stretches out Will's shirt and has to apologize. V cute.

Crop Top Hannibal.

(Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, kinda new to writing.)

-----

December.

Hannibal started noticing his winter wardrobe getting smaller bit by bit. Starting in mid October up until the 15th of December, The day he caught Will red handed! Will was making coffee and preparing the dogs’ food and seemed to be wearing a lavender button up. While it seemed slightly big on him, he looked stunning. The fact that he was wearing a silver chain and that the button up was only buttoned halfway distracted Hannibal from registering it was his shirt. The next day Will was wearing a dark navy sweater that he knew would get noticed. As it was the one Hannibal would store in his car for if it got below 45 degrees outside or if he got blood on his current outfit. He was wearing it paired with some ridiculous boxers with dog paw prints on the back while reading by the kitchen counter. Hannibal was amused and decided to play along as he stood in front of Will and put his hands on the counter on either side of him. “Darling, Is that my sweater? It looks rather familiar.” Will smiled and gestured to his torso “This? Is it? I had no idea.” then ran a hand up the side of his lover “Would you like it back? Now? I do have a busy day. Might have to pencil you in.”

Hannibal loved this game. Really, any game where he could make Will laugh. 

So began the Wardrobe Week War.

Hannibal stealing Will’s beanies, Will stealing Hannibal’s ties. Both stealing and hiding each others shoes, then keys, and even any pair of fuzzy socks. Most nights would end with kisses, a few with “Will, This shirt cost more than your entire wardrobe, I’m not going to rip it off you.” 

Hannibal decided to be a shit on the 21st and wear a shirt that was gifted to Will last Christmas. An ugly Christmas sweater shirt that read “Bah Hum-Pug” with pugs running across the bottom of the shirt. It just barely fit his boyfriend, rising up to show a bit of his stomach when he lifted his arms. So when the blonde stretched this shirt onto his torso he expected Will to laugh and retaliate. Will cocked his head and gave a tame half smile then sighed “You’re a dork. What are we making for dinner?” Not much of a reaction, this was strange but he decided not to bombard him with questions. “I was thinking prosciutto roses on watermelon since the two bottles of Batard-Montrachet were delivered yesterday.” Will pouted a bit “Not the most festive, is it?” Hannibal made a slight twirl with his hand as he boasted “I promise you it will taste incredibly festive, he was dressed as Santa after all.” Will shook his head, kissed Hannibal’s cheek, then stood up “Change and meet me in the kitchen, or you’ll have to fight me for the oven.”  

December 23rd.   

Hannibal was busy trying to find a whisk so he could finish the sugar cookie dough as Will sat at the bar and mixed icing colors. Hannibal asked him if he had seen the whisk twice but his beloved seemed to be stuck in an introspective state. He softly rubbed Wills back as he asked “Feeling okay? There’s something lonesome about you, pet.” Will looked tired, bags under his eyes and his hair slightly mussed. He made a small hum in response and continued mixing the food coloring into the icing. Hannibal dipped his finger into one of the small icing bowls and swiped the tip of Will's nose. Will gasped and did the same with a smirk. Hannibal could still feel how shutdown his lover was and decided he’d talk to him before bed. 

Hannibal leaned against the bathroom door frame and looked at will in the mirror “So...Is the silent treatment your solution, Will?” He questioned while undoing his tie. Will was silent for a few beats before replying. “No, stealing all of your damn ties and hiding them around the house is my solution. I just happen to be brushing my teeth and deep in thought about how to kick your ass.” Will smirked and resumed brushing his teeth as his lover continued undressing. “You know, it was only one shirt. I’m sure you’ll steal one of mine as a replacement.” Hannibal walked up behind him and slowly wrapped his arms around his partners frame. “Hannibal. Dear. Darling. You stretched my shirt into a crop top. It’s rude. If I recall you have a saying about those who are rude.” He smirked and squeezed Will ever so slightly in his arms then lowering his voice stated “Are you planning to eat me, Will?” “Not with utensils.” Will teased. He spit then swished with mouthwash before turning around in Hannibal’s arms. “I’m alright, just tired...and you ruined one of my favorite shirts.” he teased “I just need to sleep it off.” he pulled Hannibal into a hug and felt his boyfriend kiss his neck. A muffled “Come to bed my sweet.” was the last full sentence uttered before they shuffled off to their bed.  

December 24th.

As Hannibal closed the oven after checking on his sugar cookies he heard a sigh. He could barely hide his smile for how his partner in crime was pouting around the apartment. The brunette was stringing the Christmas lights around the tree and huffing every few minutes. He watched as Will disappeared behind the tree and decided to give him some Christmas spirit. He quietly padded to their room while six wagging tails followed him, nearly blowing his cover. After a few minutes of putting together his surprise he collected two items from the bedroom closet then slid into the kitchen. Grabbing two sugar cookies from his first batch, the ones with snowmen on them, he led his troop of fuzzy step children into the family room.

As Will was hanging Hannibal’s ties around the tree he paused when presented with six fuzzy children wearing velvet red collars with little silver bells attached to them. “It seems you have resting Grinch face Will.” The shorter man grimaced and chuckled “Where did you even hear that?” Seeing that his plan is starting to work the blonde stepped a bit closer with his hands behind his back. “The younger detectives use slang around crime scenes. Possibly inappropriate but incredibly entertaining. I’ve also heard the term Velvet Daddy.” Will laughed out of surprise “Please NEVER say that again. Is this you apologizing?” Hannibal sheepishly took another step forward and softly put antlers attached to a headband onto Will’s head. “This is only the first part, the next piece of my apology comes tomorrow. But I thought you might indulge me and our children?” He pulled out his phone  “Take a Christmas card worthy photo with us?” He pulled Will in close and softly kissed his cheeks. “I could put a splatter of blood on our sweaters just for fun.” Will whispered just inches from the blondes lips. “A beautiful idea darling, but where would we get the blood?” Words could no longer be heard over their heartbeats becoming collectively louder. They kissed softly, Hannibal’s face held in Will's hands, while his hands were around the shorter mans back grabbing his shirt with a bit of urgency. 

A few jingles and an adorably loud whiny yawn made them laugh into the kiss. They let go of each other and got ready for the pictures, Hannibal put on a matching set of antlers, and Will got the picture timer set up then grabbed a few dog treats. They ended up laying on their stomachs on the floor with the dogs, the phone took three quick photos. In the first one they were all smiling at the camera while the two men held hands and the second was the same but now the men were looking at each other preparing for chaos. Right before the third was taken Will smiled, counted to three, and said “Go!”. They giggled when they saw the last photo, The children were looking up and even some mid jump as they scrambled to catch the treats the men threw into the air. 

“One more, just you and me?” Will rolled his eyes but held the camera up and was about to snap the picture when his lover shoved a sugar cookie into his mouth. His look of surprise deemed adorable next to Hannibal’s look of pure love and joy in a smile as he held one with a bite already taken out of it up next to him.  

December 25th.

Hannibal was the first to stir as Will unconsciously squeezed his hand. He stared at his person for a bit, just admiring how sweet and relaxed he looked as he slept. He rolled onto his stomach and partly onto Will. He started kissing up Will's side and then his chest, he paused briefly as a hand gently ran through his hair. “Good Morning. Did you sleep well?” Will raised an eyebrow as he remembered just how well the apology wound up going last night “Good Morning, Velvet Daddy.”  he giggled and pulled Hannibal up to kiss him “Yes I slept well, did you?” Hannibal whispered “I slept well, but call me Daddy again and I’ll make sure this night is sleepless.” Will bit Hannibal’s lip “Is that a threat or a promise?” Hannibal got inches from Will’s lips then put his hand around his throat. “Oh darling, It’s the most fun when it’s both.”

About an hour and a half later the two appeared downstairs to make breakfast. Will made coffee as Hannibal grabbed a Labrador sized present “I want you to open this one before we cook.” Will rolled his eyes lovingly “Before food, Hm? Must be good.” He shook it lightly then tore through the shinny red wrapping and opened the box to revel...another box wrapped in the same red wrapping paper. Will tilted his head at his lover but Hannibal just sipped his coffee with a big grin. He picked up the next box and tore the paper again to revel...yet another box. He could since where this was going but repeated the steps again to revel...another. fucking. box. This continued for about fifteen more boxes and will had now been doing this for ten minutes. The boxes were now medium small and he could hold them in both hands. He suspected there were about seven boxes left. He was off by two. 

It had now been fifteen minutes. By this point Will had chugged a cup and a half of coffee, was now sitting on the couch next to Hannibal, and the dogs had begun playing in the mountain of wrapping paper. He had finally reached the last box, wrapped in black matte paper with a metallic silver tag. Will beamed as he read the tag “Beloved.” and the noticed a small black heart at the end that was slightly smudged. He carefully unwrapped and opened the box. Sitting in a deep red velvet pocket was a beautiful pocket knife, the handle made of bone. Engraved on one side of the blade was Will and other side Hannibal . Will teared up a bit and chuckled as he quipped “If you eat me on Christmas, Who will tell the dogs you miss them when you’re at work?” Hannibal put the knife back in the box on the table then took Wills face in his hands “I’m not going to eat you Will, Well not with utensils anyway.” Will snorted as Hannibal smirked. “Our names are on both sides to symbolize we are two sides of the same coin, or knife in this case. We are the same. You are my Beloved.” 

Will kissed him hard and pulled him close. His nails dug into Hannibal’s sides claiming him as hard as the kiss. “Beloved, Huh? “ Hannibal nodded “Is it as good as Velvet Daddy?” Will laughed hard “PLEASE stop saying that.” “Maybe after Christmas?” Will blew out a puff of air “Finnee. Who gave you the box full of boxes idea?” Hannibal shook his head and scoffed “You’d kill them and me.” Will picked up the pocket knife and put the tip gently against Hannibal’s chest. “Would you like to go first?” Hannibal kissed him deeply and grabbed the knife

 “Where would the fun be in that?”

Happy Holidays Fanibals.               

[celestialflamesme]

| KARMA AND CRAZY MIDGETS | A Venai One-shot Modern AU | Fairy Tail Next Generation |

Ships: Raidyn Dreyar x Venetia Redfox

Dedicated to @primaverafrog @luna-chan00 @biorckstudios18 @animaration-fts @cxndy-stxrs (Lol, I can't believe that no-paragraph breaks worked😂 I fooled Tumblr, y'all!😎😆)

You'd think having a town overtaken by the mafia would make people more apprehensive, if anything. But if Magnolians were anything, they were huge (and he simply could not stress this enough) idiots.

Raidyn prided himself in not partaking in anything Fairy-esque which was more than what he could say about some of his colleagues (Yes, they named themselves Fairy 'Tail' of all things! How no one in this town even got the spelling right was beyond him....)

"Did you hear about Fullbuster and that Fernandez chick? They're together now!" Some red head he'd forgotten the name of (What! It was too late to ask her now!) stage-whispered.

"Who? Storm?"

The entire cafe burst into laughter. "Like Storm would even look at a girl that's not Nashi."

Point proven. They!! were!! on!! first!! name!! basis!! (He bet no one in this room even knew his last name, let alone first. Not that it mattered. He liked slinking in the shadows, although it was practically impossible with his snow-white hair)

Geez, did these people have no lives? They were talking about delinquents for Pete's sake! And ones that sure loved messing up the town in their infamous brawls. But did the people care? Nooooo.

Ugh, one more year and he'd be out of this whacked up place. Wiping a tabletop, he forced a smile on his face and pretended to be interested in the topic.

"Cass, I'll have a black and a burger with fries," a voice interrupted. A voice he was very familiar with.

Did he happen to mention that the most annoying one of them all had made this her hangout spot?

At 5'1, you'd think Venetia Redfox would be the least intimidating person ever. But with crimson red eyes and a Devil-may-care attitude that made up for it, no one dared mess with her. She also caused 75% of the fights in town and had a smirk straight out of a Wattpad Bad-boy fanfic.

Boy, did he hate her.

"You're gonna chip it off with that grip, Blondie."

Oh my god, she did not just-

Raidyn shot her a glare and strode to the back of the register, faintly registering a chuckle (Who the hell did she think she was?) before picking up another order.

Little Miss Redfox however sat at a corner table and continued doing whatever the hell she usually did every Tuesday and Friday for 3 hours in a row (he should know, he was there glaring at her at closing time).

But the kicker this time was, at that moment, her phone rang. You have never really seen your world end right before your eyes if you haven't seen a 5 foot psychotic looking delinquent decked in leather that drove in a motorcycle there by the way (How does one willingly ride on a metallic death-trap like that?!) mumble the words 'Cha cha real smooth' and pick up a call with the most deadpan look ever.

Raidyn almost cried. Almost.

"Are you kidding me? Do it yourself! I swear to God, you always do this shit, Dragneel!" She got up from her seat and walked out, just like she looooved doing smack dab in the middle of her classes back at Magnolia High.

Good riddance.

........

He jinxed it. Karma was such a bitch.

Though no sort of karmic revenge could explain the shit he had to go through that week.

First off, he had 4 assignments due in by the end of the week. And turns out that was the exact week his dear red-head colleague decided would the perfect time for a vacation (It's the middle of September, where in hell's name was she planning to go to?)

Guess who had double shifts now?

This clown.

Ugh. Talk about chivalry and all that loyalty shit.

And yes, of course his car had to break down, and the local bus had to change it's schedule, which left him with his last resort: walking 4 and a quarter miles to school (Oh, he found that out the hard way all right) to college. Nashi and the Fullbuster kid (He sure loved walking around shirtless a little too much) decided to brawl (again) and bam, his locker got caught in the crossfire.

In fact things were so overly shitty that he became skeptical come Thursday when the day seemed relatively normal.

"You've been scowling all week, Dreyar. Anything the matter?"

Raidyn snapped out of his reverie and groaned. "Dad, why not just call me by my name like any normal person would?"

"Because that doesn't build-"

"CHARACTER!! WE GET IT!" His mom, Mirajane mimicked with a scowl. "Well, we're just going to get two Happy meals and then we're off, honey!"

He faintly registered Hunter snickering in the background (How immature. Raidyn wasn't one to get embarrassed by his parents. Plus, none of it would ever compare to the Disco Fiasco of 2001. How else do you think he got his car? Sweet, sweet guilt-tripping....)

The day buzzed past but his suspicions only intensified tenfold. (Call him a pessimist, he didn't care) And like a bull in a China shop, a tiny midget Redfox (the one and only) strut in.

Now, he was behind the counter at that moment handling the red-head (he really ought to learn her name someday) so he didn't notice 5 feet of brute strength that climbed up behind him and dragged him (poor, unsuspecting him) into the supply closet.

Oh no, he was not kidding. The supply closet. Of all the places the perpetrator could've-

The lights flickered on and he screeched (What? Any human would!) at the red irises staring determinedly into his own non-red eyes. (Seriously, were those even real?) Raidyn wasn't scared of no judgement, what did scare him (maybe not that much, now that he knew who those belonged to) was Satan's minion and her RED AS FUCK EYES! LIKE SERIOUSLY-

Clearing his throat and trying to salvage some faux dignity after that dramatic display, he grunted, "Touch me one more time and you're-"

"Yeah, yeah I get it, big guy. Look, I need a favour."

Venetia Redfox crossed her arms and stood threateningly in front of the entrance.

Who was she kidding? "Nope," he muttered and swerved right around her and made his way to the counter. (Pipsqueak. She really should've seen that coming.)

And right as he turned right towards the display case, he found her leaning against it with her shoulder, looking bored. "Yes. And now."

How the- PPHIGXUTDUTZUT- HOW DID SHE JUST-

"Parkour." She deadpanned.

Raidyn gave Venetia a long, long look and sighed, striding towards her. Her smirk widened in anticipation as-

He picked her up like a sack of potatoes and tossed her over his shoulder.

"WHAT THE- THIS IS HARASSMENT!!"

"Technically, you cornered me first," he stated matter-of-factly and dropped her on her feet (she looked like a hissy kitten, hmm.) Then proceeding to close the doors at her, he picked up a poster of her (he kept posters of all of them for a day like this. Ah, foreboding luck. He could feel it.) and pinned it onto the front door.

BANNED: VENETIA REDFOX

(Was he even allowed to do that, you might ask, but bah, who cares? Rabid girls are a nationwide threat.)

.................

As he wrapped up and prepared to leave, Raidyn had a niggling feeling he forgot something very, very crucial. Uh-

A body collided onto his own and climbed (I kid you not) him (THE FUCK KIND OF ANIMALS DID MAGNOLIA OWN?) before a tiny, rough hand muffled him. Oh no.

"Yoph kiphing mmph!" Raidyn groaned.

"I need you to teach me how to solve a Rubix Cube."

What. Excuse Raidyn for not knowing, but was Rubix cube some mafia codeword for mafia stuff? Stealing a car, fighting goons, skipping classes or drug dealing? Raidyn Dreyar had a long jail-free life ahead of him, mind you.

BUT SERIOUSLY, SOLVE A RUBIX CUBE?! HOW FRICKING RANDOM WAS THAT?! WHO EVEN TOLD HER HE KNEW HOW TO SOLVE ONE? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THIS GODFORSAKEN TOWN?!!!

(Some might say he really had to stop reading those novels his mom bought. Some might be right. Whatever.)

Back to the topic on hand, he mumbled inaudibly. Her cropped hair tickled the sides of his face as she squinted at him, "What?"

Was she kidding right now? He pointed at her hand covering his mouth and her eyes widened as she let out a nervous laugh. (Geez, talk about stupid.)

He took in a deep breath and shook her off him. She stood there patiently (As patiently as a Redfox could, anyway.) as he straightened his shirt.

"First things first, NO!" And he stalked away.

He registered a groan from behind him and quickened his pace. However, the midget in question managed to propel herself at break-neck speeds and no joke, TACKLED him.

"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE-"

"GET OFF ME, YOU PSYCHOTIC-"

Karma was such a bitch.

Macao, the guard standing by the parking lot, huffed, "They don't pay me enough for this."

...............

The only reason he was doing this was because she offered to fix up his car. (How did she even know it wasn't starting?) Also because it had been a while since he brushed up on his Rubix skills. Also because he wanted to get rid of the midget before she followed him home. (He figured his mom and dad would ENJOY her presence and replace him with her. He had crazy parents.)

Everyday she'd make sure to meet him (mostly by cornering him in the hallways) and in exchange for these classes, she'd work on his car at the weekend.

The first time she came over to his house (to work on his car, but he didn't know that) was rather embarrassing because he kinda sorta thought she was a burglar and locked his garage, yelling at the top of his lungs. His dad, Laxus came out with a taser (Dad sure loved his tasers.) Of course, when he finally opened the garage doors, he was met with an unimpressed look from the Redfox in question. (God, he was such a drama queen.)

The midget had a lot of trouble twisting her hands at the beginning of her sessions and he loved teasing her about her 'butter fingers' every time she accidentally flung the cube across the room or out the window in one rare occasion.

You know, she was kind of fun to have around.

"And that's the algorithm! You're all done!" He cheered, glad to have this behind him.

"Geez, you don't have to sound that excited to get rid of me." Venetia teased.

"What? No....." He feigned innocence.

"D'aww, admit it, you enjoyed my company."

"Please, more like I was scared for my life." He mumbled. She snorted.

"Catch you later, alligator."

Did she just- "NO WAY, JOŚE!" (That was lame even for him. Gosh dang it, she was laughing at him....)

Fricking Redfox.

......................

That weekend, Raidyn thought he deserved a good ol' evening out with his friends/colleagues (technically it was the manager that suggested it and he tagged along for the heck of it. He wasn't much of a social person, per se.)

He guessed Karma was still on a streak when Venetia Redfox entered the very same place they'd chosen for karaoke night and sat herself on one of the tables in front of them. And proceeded to order nothing.

The raven-head didn't even have her notebook (that always made her look disarmingly tiny) or her phone. Oh well, she must've been waiting for someone.

As the hours passed, he found himself exceedingly irritated for no reason.

"Who in their right mind would stand up The Venetia Redfox?" His colleagues whispered (rather loudly, according to him) and she just tapped her fingers away, oblivious to it all.

Fine, whatever.

"Sup." He towered over her and greeted, moving to take a seat next to her.

She blinked at him.

Okay, you couldn't exactly judge him. She was a regular and tipped good and people were being annoying about her and oh, her tapping was distracting and he had a massive headache coming. That's all. Simple as that.

"Don't you have better shit to do?" Red irises stared at him impassively.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" He asked coolly.

"Well, Nashi was supposed to-"

"I'M HERE! I'M HERE! I'M-" Both tilted their heads just in time to see Nashi ram into the glass doors. The now groaning pinkette was sprawled on her butt in front of the entrance. "Fricking doors."

"That's her." Venetia deadpanned. Raidyn shook his head sympathetically.

"Heyo Ven! Heh, kinda lost track of time beating Frostbite at Mario Kart," her doe eyes scanned him. "Raidyn! I didn't know you guys were friends!" She grinned.

Raidyn gave her a two-finger salute in greeting.

Nashi's eyes suddenly widened in realisation. "YOU'RE TEACHING HER THE RUBIX?!"

"Uh..."

"Yup." Venetia smirked. "He's a great teach. His parents have taken me in as their own."

"WAIT! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?! HOW WAS I NOT AWARE OF THIS?!"

"Just like that, Blondie. What can I say? It's the charm," She grinned at his bewildered face.

"You guys are all ready for the challenge then?" Nashi wiggled, now nervous, "Ven, I didn't mean to drag you into this, but Clint was-"

"It's cool, dumbass." Venetia shrugged. "Ain't your fault that they're dipshits."

At his confused look, Nashi clarified, "People like picking on us just because we're Fairies and held to the same standards as our parents. This frat dude decided he had to prove he was smarter than the Fairies and decided to pick a Rubix cube challenge of all things." She rolled her eyes. "Bet he taught he was real original thinking that one up."

"Bet he did." Storm scoffed. (Wait, what?)

"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?"

"From- the front door?" Storm scratched his head in genuine confusion. (As if Raidyn was the weird one that sneaked up behind people like a stalker!)

Nashi facepalmed. "Why the heck are you here, Frostbite?"

"Just like that."

"Gosh, you're so annoying."

"Wanna say that to my face, Flamebrains?!" Storm yelled. (Oh, not again....)

"Guys, please don't...." Raidyn said, but both didn't seem to be paying attention to him.

"I SAID YOU'RE ANNOYING! FIGHT ME!" She threw a punch at him and before he knew it both were throwing napkin holders and vases at each other.

Venetia seemed to be enjoying the show, and pulled him to the back of the room, "This might take a while," she stated. "Wanna grab a milkshake?"

Well, he was kind of craving one. "Why not?"

..................

Today was the day of Venetia's challenge and Raidyn found himself nervous.

"You sure they won't wreck the place?" He grumbled for the umpteenth time.

Venetia groaned. "Do you have no faith in my abilities, Dreyar?"

"Nope. None whatsoever."

She raised an eyebrow, "Shame on you, then. I wouldn't let a good friend lose his job on my behalf. Dally ho, now!" She cheered.

He blinked at her, giving her a small reluctant smile. "Kick ass, Ven."

She tilted her head toward him and gave him a grin that knocked the breath out of him. "Thanks, Raidyn."

Shit. When did- when did she get so pretty?

"Look who we have here. You sure you're in the right place, Redfox?" A voice condescended. The owner of the voice was a grimy looking kid that looked like one of those middle-school spelling-bee losers that bragged about it whenever they met someone new.

"Clint." Venetia deadpanned.

Raidyn broke out into a fit of laughter, making 'Clint' (What kind of sad name was that?) glare at him. (Oh please, Little Clint was totally quaking in his boots! Why'd he even bother coming?)

"Let's begin then! Pick a shuffler." Clint drawled.

Venetia picked Nashi while Clint, after a moment of deliberation, picked one of his gang-mates (What did they call it? The Math club?)

"You may begin."

Both Nashi and the grimy dude shuffled for the better of 15 seconds. Clint just scoffed and clicked like a pretentious know-it-all, making comments like, "You're making it easier by shuffling harder, you know. Make it tougher for me, Nashi dear."

Raidyn had to give it to the pinkette, he would've smacked the teen by now.

"Okay," the referee, Storm cheered, (even though he looked like he was ready to kill Clint) "Timer starts, NOW!"

Both twisted and turned the cube furiously, Venetia sticking her tongue out in concentration while the teen twisted his arms like a man possessed.

"I'M DONE!" Venetia dropped the cube with a thud onto the table. "How's that for a Redfox?"

"E-excuse me? That's insane! It's only been," Clint checked the timer like the sore loser he was, "31 seconds!"

"Too bad," she smirked. (Well shit, that was hot...)

"I demand a rematch!"

Nashi moved to protest, but Venetia silenced her with a hand, "Whatever you say, kid..."

"This time, we swap cubes!" He whined like the little weasel he was.

3 minutes later, the rematch began and Venetia plopped her cube on the table with a glare.

"You think you're smart giving me a faulty cube, don't you?"

"And I'm done!" The weasel had the nerve to say. "I don't know what you're talking about Venetia, I used the same cube and it worked just fine. Maybe it was a stroke of luck on your part the first tim-"

He couldn't finish his tirade because Raidyn took that opportunity to check the cube (He didn't have to though, he believed Venetia enough to know she wouldn't make up excuses.) and yeeted it at his face like he'd been itching to do from the moment he saw the turd.

"YOU IDIOT! I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THIS-"

"GET HIM!"

"OH NO, YOU DON'T!" Nashi growled, "I'M ALL FIRED UP NOW!"

Oh dear.

Okay, maybe the fight wouldn't get too big, these were scrawny kids after a-

Yeah, Nashi Dragneel just flipped a table on them.

There goes his job.

"GO, NASHI!" His manager cheered. (Okay, thank God this town was crazy.) "Raidyn! You can take the day off, kid. Have fun!"

Storm chose that moment to enter after his momentary toilet-break. "I WAS GONE FOR 3 MINUTES, WOMAN! WHAT THE HELL?!"

"JOIN US, STRIPPER!"

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"

"YOU HEARD ME!"

Venetia, unbothered by the chaos behind her, pulled him by the arm, her eyebrows furrowed at him, "Well, I tried. But hey, looks like you still have your job. That's a win, right?" She scratched her neck, laughing.

He sighed, putting caution to the wind. This was Ven after all. "Ice-cream date? My treat for today's win."

A smile erupted on her face, "Only if we take my bike there."

.............

Bonus (That no one asked for):

"Okay, so you have to grip it right. Not too tight. Just enough to nudge it in the right direction." Venetia explained, from where she was seated in front of him on the death tra- bike.

Raidyn nervously laughed, "I've got this in the bag, I don't know what you're worried about." The tilt in his voice gave away his panic, however. She raised an eyebrow.

"Humor me then."

Okay.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

GO!!

"DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, YOU IDIOT!!" Venetia screeched. She reached over and took over the handlebars just in time as they nearly crashed into a tree Raidyn was headed for.

He got off the bike and tripped, falling face-first on the ground. Fricking Jelly-legs. "I am never riding that death trap again." Raidyn groaned.

"What the heck?!" Venetia questioned, bewildered. "How'd you even get your driver's ed with such sucky basics?"

"IT'S A DEATH TRAP, THAT'S WHY!!"

"OF COURSE IT'S A DEATH TRAP IF YOU'RE NOT LOOKING WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!!!"

"Fight me Ven, I'm never getting on that thing again!"

"Too bad, I have to drop you back home too." The sneaky devil dared smirk at his plight.

Fricking Karma.

He wouldn't have it any other way, though.

.............

[stevebillyrecs]

Not-So-Fluffy Holiday Season Recs

Ho-ho-ho, it’s that time of the year again! Where we all drown in thoughtful gifts, family bonding, and mistletoe kisses! If you’re looking for something other than just pure fluff (like me) but still want to get your holiday season fix, this is the rec list for you. That’s not to say that there won’t be any fluff, just that it’s not the sole focus of the story!

Included: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve fics containing family drama, smut, heavy plot, or just some good ol’ angsty pining. Also, still a whole lot of fluff in between the non-fluff. Not included: Fics about any other, especially non-Christian holidays… because I couldn’t find a single one. Sad!

24 fics under the cut!

mistletoe and other holiday propaganda by brawlite / @brawlite & ToAStranger / @toast-ranger-to-a-stranger (54k, E)

Everybody wants something for Christmas. It just so happens that the only way for everyone to get what they want is for Billy and Steve to pretend to be dating over Christmas break. It’s really the only option.

Yule Shoot Your Eye Out by eternalgoldfish / @eternalgoldfish (3k, T)

Steve moves to Indianapolis to avoid Hawkins, but Billy doesn’t get the memo. Now it’s Christmas, they’re snowed in at work, and Steve is giving up on holidays. Merry Christmas, I could care less.

been crawling series by kate_button / @un-buttoned (8k, E)

The crop top was right there on the main aisle in the women’s section. Steve’s not entirely sure, like, why it exists, but he’s not disappointed about it. The rest of it came together pretty quickly (and cheaply) after that. So anyway, that’s how he finds himself drinking jungle juice out of a red solo cup looking like the twenty-two-year-old-man version of Karen Smith, animal ears and too much skin, bada boom, costume. I’m a dog. Duh.

You Get the Mistletoe and I’ll Be Your Santa, Baby by LazyBaker / @granpappy-winchester (2k, G)

Steve’s looking at him and Billy’s wearing Steve’s itchy and warm handmade I love you sweater, looking right back. They’re sharing a blanket.

nothing is finite (in the evening light) by Philosoferre / @babyhargrove (22k, T)

“It’d be convenient,” Billy adds. He’s looking at Steve expectantly, but he’s still a little guarded. “And, uh. Road trips, you know. They’re supposed to be fun and shit. Don’t make this a bigger deal than it is, Harrington.” Steve finds himself smiling; he doesn’t bother trying to hide it. Billy narrows his eyes curiously. "Sure,” Steve says. Or, Steve and Billy go on a road trip to Hawkins for Christmas break. Both of them might be very much in love.

If You Kissed Me Now by socknonny / @socknonny (1k, T)

When Steve kisses Jonathan under the mistletoe at the Byers’ Christmas party, it’s only for a joke. But for some reason, it sets Billy off, and Steve won’t leave him alone until he understands why.

Christmas in the Benz by flippyspoon / @flippyspoon (6k, E)

Steve escapes a crappy Harrington Christmas only to find another crappy Christmas refugee.

Under the Moon by ImNeitherNor / @imneithernor (3k, T)

“Hargrove?” The voice yanks Billy back into the present and he stands up fast enough to make himself dizzy. He blinks twice, shifts his boots in the snow, and looks over to where the voice had floated from. Standing in his Members Only jacket with that fucking bat over his shoulder, Steve looks at him like he’s seen a ghost. Billy clenches his fists and notices how Steve’s eyes trail to the blood on his mouth, the blossoming color on his cheek. “You’re bleeding,” Steve points out, like Billy doesn’t know that. “Really fucking observant, Harrington,” Billy curls his lip up and flicks his tongue out, over the split, and Steve’s eyes follow it like they always do. It’s a visceral thrill up his spine but anger eats it up. Steve is off limits and, as much as Billy wants to lick into his mouth and feel those lean muscles against his own, he isn’t stupid.

I don’t want a lot for Christmas by r0nj4 / @a-station-on-your-way (1k, M)

Steve buys a Christmas present and has mixed feelings about it.

well damn, billy, i can't control the weather by obsceme / @hartigays (7k, T)

narrator: and there was only one bed all of us, collectively: (gasps) and there was only one bed

Last Christmas by shocked_into_shame / @bornwithoutsin (2k, E)

It’s Billy and Steve’s first Christmas together, and Steve will not stop singing that fucking Wham song. Billy doesn’t mind, though, because Steve agrees to make it up to him.

Thankful For by ChrisLeon / @vgorodye (8k, NR)

The ad read: ‘No one to bring home for the holidays? Looking to piss off your parents? I’m your guy. 22 y.o. ex-con, never graduated high school, proud owner of a Camaro one year younger than I am. I can play anywhere from 18 to 29 depending on if I shave or not. Currently working as a line cook and late nights at a bar. If you’d like to have me as your strictly platonic date for Thanksgiving, but have me pretend to be in a serious relationship with you to torment your family, I’m down.’ Steve knew it was bad idea. He clicked on it anyway.

Five Days (To Midnight) by Blink_Blue / @winters-blue-children (7k, E)

It's been months since Steve left Hawkins and walked out of Billy's life. He's back for the holidays and Billy gets one last chance to make things right. They have five days together. Five days left of the year. Five days to cherish.

Time after Time by lemonlovely / @lemonlovely (10k, E)

“Really, Harrington. Stop avoiding the question. Tell me.” Those blue eyes flashed like an animal's in the dark depths of the Camaro. He repeated himself, enunciating like Steve was particularly slow. “Why. Would I have seen. Your wallet?” Steve glared down at Billy, feeling like they were caught in some kind of a staring contest that he hadn’t actually initiated, but also didn’t particularly want to lose either. Which seemed to happen a lot when he was around Billy – and that hadn’t been a lot for a few months. He’d been avoided like the plague, or maybe it was the other way around. Jesus Christ, apparently Billy was really gonna make him say it, as much as Steve didn't want to. He grit his teeth together. “Because.” Steve said. “I think I might have left it in…the backseat of your car. You know. That night. And I need it back.”

Deck the Fucking Halls by XxmerthurcatxX / @callmelilyshameless (700, T)

Billy hates Christmas but he loves Steve.

Mountain of Dreams by socknonny / @socknonny (1k, E)

Steve's drunk, and someone is singing.

Rivers 'Til I Reach You by tracy7307 / @tracy7307 (10k, E)

“I know lifting's a bad idea but I’m feeling.” Shame twisted up in Billy’s gut, and he toyed at his lasagna with his fork. “I don’t feel as. I don’t know. Confident.” His muscle mass was not as bulky as it used to be -- his abs and biceps just a shadow of what they once were. He had a soft little belly now. And then there were the scars. Dark pink floral patterns of scars all wound over his back, sides, and abdomen. Suddenly the thought of shirtless summer weather struck dread in his heart. For now, long-sleeved henleys and sweatshirts provided the perfect way for him to hide. It was literally the only time he’d been thankful for winter. “Hey,” Harrington said from across the table. He paused until Billy looked up to his eyes. His tone grew delicate and serious. “I’m not fucking around, okay? You. Look. Good.” And the way that Harrington looked at him -- brown eyes soft, his gaze lingering on Billy’s face. On his eyes. Well, maybe he meant it. “Yeah?” Billy asked. He felt his face heating. “You think so?” Harrington took the last bite of his lasagna. “Definitely.”

I Play Along with the Charade by moonflowers / @eatingmoonflowers (7k, T)

Billy'd been keeping an even closer eye on Harrington after that night at the Byers' - only natural, right? Thing is, watching and wondering never was enough for Billy.

in the wilderness life becomes by lymricks / @lymricks (3k, T)

Back in Hawkins for a winter break, Steve and Billy remember what it was like and learn about what it could be. Or, three old memories of Hawkins and one new one.

Bah Humbug, Billy Hargrove by LaVeraceVia / @laveracevia (14k, E)

“It’s okay, Billy. You’re not in any danger. No one can hear us,” Harrington says, and something about his tone—it’s not right. It’s too calm. Too…what? Certain. It’s too certain. Steve Harrington doesn’t talk like that. He means to say are you fucking high?, but what comes out instead is, “Who are you?” “Would you believe me if I said I was your guardian angel?”

merry christmas (i don’t want to fight tonight) by gothyringwald / @gothyringwald (1k, T)

Billy stands alone by the wall, beer in hand, a string of lights twinkling cheerfully above his head. Across the room Stacy Brent corners Steve under the mistletoe, pointing at it with one artfully manicured nail and smiling suggestively. His stomach turns and his blood heats. He chugs his beer, wipes his hand over the back of his mouth, jaw clenching as Stacy leans in.

Tell me, baby by socknonny / @socknonny (2k, M)

Steve finds Billy chopping down the worst tree in the entire Christmas Tree Farm.

A Love Thing by tracy7307 / @tracy7307 (2k, E)

Even five months after recovering from his injuries, Billy still has residual effects from the mindflayer. It's Christmas. Steve wants to help.

Happy Holidays From Your Least Favourite Homosexuals by bry0psida / @bry0psidawrites (1k, T)

Steve's family haven't had any contact with him since he came out as bi. He gets wind from Robin that he's being excluded from the family Christmas Card. Billy has the solution.

[is0gild]

Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 19

Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC

Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.

Word Count: 9,165

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!

Neverland, as I was currently discovering, was a huge indoor playground at the Dusk Town Center mall. A place where children never had to grow up, or so its big overhead sign boasted. Its vast range of diversions for the little ones included such attractions as a jungle gym in the shape of a large comical skull, a huge green plastic alligator that had a slide built into its long back, and monkey bars supported at either end by large, spooky prop trees. Off in one corner, there were even synthetic, cute yet culturally problematic teepees for the tiny tots to crawl around and hide in. But its crowning jewel seemed to be the kiddie train that ran along the tracks circling the entire play area. Each of its carts were actually little pirate ships that could fit one child in it, maybe two if they were really little.

Since the playground was in the middle of a wide open mall walkway, many stores surrounded it, such as an antique shop by the name of Cave of Wonders. Beyond the rusty brass lamps in its window and past an old, tacky purple carpet draping off a shelf, a friendly young woman with long black hair tied back into a two-sectioned ponytail and wearing a turquoise crop top could be seen running the counter.

Next door to that was Game-A-Saurus Rex, a video game store sporting a green t-rex mascot as part of its logo. An absolute giant of an employee with messy brown hair was currently setting up a display pyramid but his meaty, clumsy hands accidentally knocked it over, wrecking it. I got the feeling this wasn't the first time from the look of being one hundred percent done he was receiving from his silver haired coworker with mismatched eyes.

Neighboring them, I was a bit surprised to discover there was even an Esmerelda's Secrets here as well, a… ahem, lingerie store, to use a more PG term. I found its location so near to the play area to be a bit of a questionable mall layout choice.

I sighed, paper bag lunch crinkling in my grip as I glanced around.

Where was he?

"Are you sure this is where he told you he wanted to meet up?" Kristoff asked beside me, his eyes scanning about as well. Thankfully, he'd forgiven me by now for the minor phone-hurling fiasco and we were back on speaking terms again.

"Positive," I fished my mobile out of my pocket with my free hand, rereading Lea's text asking me to head to Neverland once my lunch break had started.

Since I'd never heard of it before, I'd asked Kristoff (him being the closest person at hand since he'd been working the Ice Palace registers with me) if he'd known what it was. I figured he could at least point me in the right direction, which would be faster than looking at a mall directory. Instead, since he was getting off shift the same time I was going on lunch, he'd offered to walk me there, saying it was on his way anyway.

But now here we were and a certain redhead was nowhere to be seen.

"Bah, I'm sure he'll turn up any second now," Kristoff shrugged off with a laugh. I said nothing, just continued to frown down at my phone before raising my eyes to take another look around. Shoving one of his hands into his pocket while he used the other to ruffle the hair at the back of his head, Kristoff said, "So… your sister…"

"Anna? What about her?" I muttered distractedly, gaze still jumping from face to unfamiliar face. Come on, Lea was a friggin' mountain with hair like a beacon that could light a path home for even the most wayward of lost ships. The guy should have been sticking out like a sore thumb.

He pursed his lips to one side, slightly widened eyes darting about now. "She's… well, she's really… neat." I blinked, slowly looking over at him now. He stiffened, then gave a weak chuckle, "Did I say neat? Not neat, I meant, ah… pretty!" His face blanched. "Pretty… pretty, pretty swell, that is! Yeah, a real bangarang," insert his wince here, "gal that, uh... that's really, er…"

Annnnnd now he was blushing. What was with him, anyway? It was so unlike him to be getting all tongue-tied and-

Oh.

Oh dear. I knew what this was.

Someone had a crush.

Ugh, why did I have to be the one to break his heart by telling him my sister was already in a relationship?

"...anyway," his voice cracked and he coughed, beating a fist to his chest before trying again. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say, or… rather ask is... would you know if, ah… is... is she seeing any-" his idly wandering gaze landed on something past me and he froze, words dying on his tongue. Then his eyelids drooped. "...I think I found your boyfriend."

My brow furrowed at the face he was making before I turned on my heel, following his gaze.

I heard them before I saw them. Cheerful whoops and hollers echoing from the plastic tunnel over the railroad tracks, heralding the emerging train of pirate ships. Then there they were: Lea and Roxas, taking up a full boat each as the locomotive chugged along, their hands thrown up high over their heads as they cackled in almost maniac glee. The two kids in the cart behind them - a carrot top boy in a green cap embroidered with a red feather logo and a little blonde girl wearing toy fairy wings - were giving them funny looks.

I spluttered, my fingers shooting up to smother and hide the grin I was fighting. This was behavior I did not want to encourage.

There he was, ladies and gentlemen. My bad-boy boyfriend in all his glory.

I hope the Duke's spy wasn't here to witness this.

Scratch that, I'd rather no one were here to witness this.

"Those goddamn morons have been at this for over ten minutes now," I heard a grumble from a familiar voice close by. I looked to my right to discover Xion standing there, watching them with a scowl and one eye twitching. As the train drew near, she called out flatly, "Oh yeah, looking real classy there, guys!"

"We're posh as fuck!" Lea replied smugly with a pinky raised, heedless of what nearby young and impressionable ears might overhear. Then his eyes drifted past her to notice me for the first time. His already beaming face did the impossible and brightened even further. As his little pirate ship choo-chooed its way past us, he cried out, "There you are, El! 'Bout time! We're celebrating!"

"El? Who's El? No, you must have me mistaken for someone else. I don't know you," I shook my head, taking a step back. "Quick, let's get out of here," I hissed to Kristoff, snatching his arm with one hand and using the other to hide my face as I tried to make a hasty retreat.

"Oh-ho, no ya don't! You're not getting away that easily!" I heard Lea laugh behind me. I hazarded a quick glance over my shoulder to see him struggling to get out of the cart - he was wedged in there pretty good, seeing as how those boats were never meant to withstand a man of his considerable stature. However, he finally managed to wiggle himself free and jump off the moving kiddie train, stumbling over the railing surrounding it and leaving poor Roxas behind looking quite distraught at having been abandoned.

Then he was charging towards me and I spun around to face him, defensively throwing my hands up in front of me. "Got ya!" he declared triumphantly, snagging me by the waist, my arms instinctively going to hug his neck as he lifted me up and spun me around a couple times.

What was even happening?

"Right," Kristoff said. Don't ask me how, but I could distinctly hear the eyeroll in his voice. "I think I'm gonna go now."

He walked off and I frowned after him as Lea put me back down, though his arms still kept me trapped against him. Then I shrugged. Kristoff's wee crush would have to be a problem for another day. Looking up at Lea, I shook my head with a barely suppressed smile, "What has you so giddy?"

"I got my test grade back today," he chirped, nuzzling his nose to mine for all the crowded mall to see.

"Your test?" I cocked my head at him. Then it clicked. "Oh, the one I helped you study for? You passed?"

"Passed nothing, I aced that sucker! Made it my bitch and it was all thanks to you!" And with that, he was hoisting me up for another twirl.

"Dude, what the hell?!" a shout suddenly rang out across the mall before Roxas came bursting out of the press of shoppers, sneakers screeching to a halt in front of us as he glared at Lea. "Can't believe you just ditched me like that! I looked like a total dumbass riding that thing all by myself!"

"Oh sure," Xion deadpanned at his side, "cuz you looked like a regular Einstein before as a grown-ass man riding around in the widdle choo-choo train with another grown-ass man."

Roxas crossed his arms and stuck his nose up in the air with a harrumph. "You're just jelly cuz we didn't invite you."

She scoffed, "You didn't invite me cuz I turned you guys down the last ten times you tried to drag me onto that dumb thing because I didn't want to look stupid."

"Your face looks stupid!"

Xion lunged at him, but Lea had already put me down and was snagging them both by the scruff of their shirt collars, dragging them apart from each other. He sighed, "Kiddos, please, would you start acting like the grown-ups that you are?"

Said the adult man who'd just been joyriding in the kiddie train.

Seriously, how were these three even college students? They all acted like a bunch of preschoolers.

"Ha, fat chance with this dope," Xion snerked, reaching across to flick Roxas in the forehead.

"Why you-" he broke free of Lea's grasp. Xion gasped and managed to squirm loose herself, bolting and squealing with laughter as she disappeared into the crowd, Roxas hot on her heels.

"Oi, kids these days. I give up," Lea grumbled, shaking his head and tossing his hands up in defeat. "Now where were we?" Looking back at me, his eyes lit up. "Ah yes," he bent forward, bringing us nose to nose with a tiny smirk, "my reward."

Both eyebrows shot up my forehead and I staggered back a bit. "Your… reward?"

"Mm-hm!" he nodded, grin twitching wider. "For kicking that test's ass, I get a reward! It's standard girlfriend protocol."

I blinked, "...it is?"

"Didn't ya read your dating handbook?"

...there's a handbook?!

Wait. No. That was just a joke.

And wishful thinking on my part.

Because I mean, seriously, how much easier would my life be right now if I could consult a handbook?

That aside, I had to get back to the matter at hand: some kind of reward for Lea. Which was my duty as the girlfriend. Apparently. What did that even entail? What was it supposed to be? What was I supposed to do? My face paled and my hands clenched. This was too much responsibility to be thrust onto me all of a sudden! What, was I supposed to buy him something? Or… maybe this was this another PDA situation? I mean, I hadn't made a move in that department since the roller rink a couple days ago. If tripping and crashing into him even counted. Which, personally, I was still chalking up as one for the win column. Had to take my small victories wherever I could! That said… perhaps it was high time I gave it another go?

Yes. Okay. I was going to do this. This… I was going to do.

My gaze hardened and my nostrils flared slightly as I started taking deep, sharp breaths, psyching myself up.

I got this. No more putting it off. Be strong! Be brave! Carpe diem! Seize the day! Grab the bull by the horns! Strike while the iron's hot!

Lea snerked, straightening up, "Woah, El, your face! Relax! I'm kidding! Just teasing ya like I always-"

YOLO!

I dropped my lunch bag, grabbed his head in both hands, yanked him down and kissed him.

...on the nose.

Way to bury the lead there, I know.

But hey, it still counted! Let me have this!

I held it for the space of a few thundering heartbeats before I pulled back, releasing his face and doing my best to ignore the slight jitters I felt from the adrenaline surge.

Lea was stock-still and just giving me a blank, wide-eyed stare.

Huh… not the reaction I was expecting.

A few long seconds ticked by where nothing happened. My eyes darted about nervously. Then I slowly, awkwardly picked my lunch sack back up off the floor. And still nothing from him. Nada. Not one peep.

Should… should I say something?

That's when he jolted upright (startling me half to death, I might add) and brought both his hands up to cup his nose, spinning around so his back was to me now.

Okay, really, really not the reaction I was expecting. At all. Just what-

Then it hit me.

I hadn't asked his permission first! And after he'd been so careful with me all this time too! Apparently I couldn't even return the favor! Fudge, this was like the Kissident all over again. Except worse! At least then, it'd been an accident. This time I'd done it on purpose! This was premeditated! Not to mention this now made me a repeat offender! A… a serial kisser! Would my reign of smooching terror never cease?

Anxiety eating up at me now like a swarm of angry ants in the pit of my stomach, I bit down on my bottom lip and took a hesitant step forward. "Lea?" I asked, my voice small. "Did I do something wrong or-"

"Nope! No, it was good. Really, really good," he said quickly, voice tight and muffled still by his hands. Then I heard him puff out a slow breath, watched his arms fall to his sides and he whipped around towards me once more, huge smile splitting his face in two. "So good, in fact, it's high-five worthy. Whaddya say, wanna high-five? Let's high-five." He held his palm up in front of me. I wordlessly stared back at him, arching an eyebrow. He was being weird, even for him. And why was he talking so fast? He hastily dropped his hand, "Not high-five. Forget that. That's stupid. We should, uh… we should go. Wanna go? Let's go."

As he snagged my free hand in his and tugged me into a walk beside him, I tipped my head to the left and uncertainly gave him some side-eye. "...where are we going?"

Seemingly already recovered, his grip shifted to instead hook our pinkies together as he shot me a wink. "Where all couples sneak off to whenever they have a lil free time. Somewhere dark, secret and secluded so," here he raised his voice for all to hear over the mall hub-bub, "we can make out!"

My feet faltered and I stumbled, barely catching myself as my face spontaneously broke out into its best impersonation of a tomato. "M-make out?!"

He snorted, bending close to my ear and whispering, "Calm down, only said it for show. We'll just find some place to lay low until your lunch is over and let the gossip mill churn." Straightening back up to his full height, he beamed, "Sound good, my knuddelbärchen?" A crease formed between my eyebrows and he chuckled. "Go on, ask. Ya know ya want to."

I sighed, "And knuddelbärchen is…?"

"German for cuddle bear," he pinched my cheek.

"No."

"You can sleep on it, then get back to me."

I rolled my eyes but held my tongue as I continued to let him lead the way to wherever it was we were going. It wasn't long before we entered a part of the mall I was more familiar with and he turned us down the deserted wing that was under construction. Ah, back to the clocktower then, was it? So be it.

Once the locked door was picked and we were inside, I started to head for the stairs but he stopped me with a hand on my elbow. At my questioning look, he said, "Dunno where the kiddos disappeared off to. They may have beat us to the punch and could be up there already, which'll totally bust our whole fake make-out sesh. Better to just hide out down here instead."

"Alright," I nodded as he released my arm.

And there it was again. That strangeness that seemed to hang in the air whenever we were alone together now. Whenever we didn't have to put on the act of being in a relationship. I was now so used to him lacing our fingers together every chance he got that when he didn't this time, instead opting to stuff his hands into his pockets with a grin and a soft "heh," my own hand almost felt… slighted? Bereft? Sad? Could hands even feel sad? Well, whatever the hand equivalent of sadness was, it felt that.

There were a couple large, dusty crates stored in here with us at the bottom of the clocktower. I stepped over to one, gingerly dusting off the surface before setting my paper bag down on top of it. Then I cleared my throat and looked to him with a small, timid smile. "This whole rent-a-boyfriend thing is really becoming a full time job now, isn't it? Sorry… to be wasting your time like this. I'm sure there are better ways you'd be preferring to spend it rather than stuck here with me."

Lea blinked at me, then huffed out a breath of a laugh. "Hey, you already forgetting whose idea it was for us to steal away on our own like this? Ya got nothing to be sorry for. I like this, it's fun! 'Sides," he moved to stand in front of me, leaning one shoulder against the wooden support beam there that was holding up the decrepit old staircase above us, "it's not a waste. I'm a big fan of my El time. Love having any excuse to hang out with ya and have you all to myself."

Cue heart spasm.

Dropping my gaze and tugging my Ice Palace cap down to hide my warming cheeks, I zeroed in on opening my lunch bag with far more acute focus than was absolutely necessary. Let's see what Mama Rayne had packed for me today, inquiring minds were simply dying to know. To him, I just mumbled, "To each their own, I guess."

"So…" he reached a hand out, index finger flicking the bill of my hat back up so he could meet my eyes when he smirked, "...you kissed me."

All color drained from my face.

Crud. Was hoping this wouldn't come up.

"I'm sorry!" came bursting out of me.

His head rocked back before he snorted and sighed, "You apologize too much, ya know that? Fine, I'll bite. What're you sorry for now?"

"I should've asked if that was okay before I did it!" I took off my cap, wringing it between my hands. "I overstepped, I shouldn't have just assumed! I hope I didn't freak you out or make things awkward or uncomfortable or, or weird or-"

"Woah, woah, slow down," he chuckled, holding up his hands. "Ya got nothing to worry about. I was totally, one hundred and ten percent cool with it!"

My eyebrows knit together. "Really?" I frowned, absently setting the hat down on the box. "But you seemed so… I thought I might've upset you or-"

"Upset? Nah, not even a lil bit! Surprised, maybe, cuz I never in a million years expected you to, ah… heh…" he paused, pursing his lips to the right as he dragged his hand along the nape of his neck. Then he closed his eyes in a grin, "How 'bout this? This, right here, right now, is me giving you the okay to do whatever you want to me from now on in order to maintain your girlfriend cover. Anything goes, got it?"

Eyes growing round, I stammered, "A-anything?"

He couldn't be serious! Anything was a lot. Anything was… well, anything.

"Yup, anything! Don't hold back. Just feel free to go to town on me."

This was too much power. Do not want. Take it back.

"I, uh…" What does one even say to that? "O-okay… thanks?" Was this something I should be thanking him for? Seemed like a weird thing to thank him for. This whole discussion just seemed weird, period. Concentrating on my packed lunch once more, I pulled out a ziplock of baby carrots. "...I don't think I'll be, er… going to town on you any time soon though, but the offer is, ah…" Is what? "...appreciated?" Sure, let's go with that.

"Shame," Lea tsked under his breath, then snerked as his hand shot up to block the carrot I threw at him. "Kidding, kidding! Still, just know that door's always open, in case ya ever wanna put on a bit of a show for any audience we might have. I won't be bothered. Promise."

"I'll keep that in mind," I muttered, taking out a second carrot to nibble on as I averted my gaze. Was ready to talk about something else now.

"Still, fact of the matter remains," one corner of his lips curled up, "you kissed me."

Gah! Would he stop saying that already!

A soft harrumph. "Only on the nose."

"One lucky nose!" He hunched forward slightly, pointing at it, "I'll have you know I'm never gonna wash this puppy ever again."

I snorted, setting the ziplock down on the box and reaching back into the paper sack to see what other goodies it contained. "Be serious."

"I am! Wouldn't wanna lose the divine blessing you've bestowed upon it on this fine day!"

Biting back a smile now as I continued to root around in the bag, I shook my head. "Does this mean that you also haven't washed your lips since the-" I abruptly froze, eyes widening and mouth clamping shut.

There was a pause, then I could see out of my peripheral the slow cheshire grin spreading across Lea's face. "Go on, since the…?"

Since the Kissident, was what I'd been about to say.

I knew it.

He knew it.

But did I have the guts to actually power through and finish that sentence?

Frantic fingers grabbing the first thing they could out of the lunch sack, I shoved it into his face with a weak laugh, "Chocolate pudding cup?"

Nope. I sure as heck most certainly did not.

Elsa, Queen of the Skillful and Seamless Subject Change.

"Oo!" he chirped in delight, taking it. Well, he was easily distracted. That, or he was just being nice and letting me off the hook. Probably the latter. "A nose kiss and pudding? Big day!"

With a soft, relieved sigh through my nostrils, I fished out a plastic spoon to hand him as well. "Don't forget about the train ride too. Big day indeed… do you and Roxas do that often?"

Having already torn into it and taken a spoonful into his mouth, he swallowed. "Not really. Only for special occasions. Wouldn't wanna cheapen the experience."

My eyes crinkled. "Because it's already so sophisticated and highbrow to begin with," I said, forgoing the PB and J sandwich at the bottom of the bag for now and instead opting to pull out some string cheese. Removing the wrapper, I asked, "Passing an exam counts as a special occasion?"

"Only the hard as balls ones that can make or break my overall grade for the course," he shrugged, scooping out some more pudding and offering it to me, to which I just shook my head.

"Ah," I rested one hip against the crate, peeling off a thin strip of mozzarella and slipping it into my mouth. "How many years do you have left on your degree anyway?"

"Couple more. Though I hear if I'm a model student, they'll let me graduate early for good behavior."

"Don't think that's how it works," I hummed a low laugh. "Then after that… what was it again? ...a nice little ice cream shanty by the seashore, I believe?"

Lea grinned around his spoon, "Something like that."

Pulling off another strand, I hesitated with a slight frown. "...but why ice cream?" At his cocked head and raised eyebrows, I worried my lower lip between my teeth. How to phrase this? "...it's just been something I've been wondering about actually. What with your mother dropping you off at an ice cream shop before she, ah... split when you were so little, I would have thought it would just be a… a source of bad memories, is all."

He snorted, looking down at his spoon as he swirled it around in the chocolate goop. "S'not the ice cream's fault my deadbeat mom abandoned Saïx and me when we were kids. She's taken a lot from me, I won't let her take that too. 'Sides, also got a lotta good memories tied to ice cream. Fun times with friends and whatnot. It's nice that something so simple can bring a smile to people's faces and I just like the idea of being a part of that. Sounds silly, I know, but what can I say?" He thrust the now heavily pudding-laden utensil up high in the air, "I have a calling! And answer it I must!"

I brought a curled finger to my lips, hiding the tiny smile. "Some calling. You still haven't even guessed which one's my favorite yet."

"Told ya, it's a process," he stuck the spoon into his mouth, holding it there as he squinted thoughtfully. "Speaking of… lessee, what other flavors haven't come up yet… ah! Three Wishes?" he asked, pointing the plastic implement at me. Then he scoffed, "Yeah right. Way too gimmicky with all that blue cotton candy. It's trying too hard. Classy and effortless is more your speed."

My smile ticked wider as my fingers plucked further at the string cheese. "Are we still even talking about ice cream anymore?"

"Course! Trust me, I've got this down to a science. I know my shit."

"If you say so," I gave a soft snort. "You really have me at the edge of my seat here. I can't wait to see which one you finally land on."

"Me neither. I'm just as much on this journey as you are," he chuckled, tossing the now empty cup onto the crate alongside the paper bag. Propping one shoulder against the post again, he looked down and scratched his cheek. "...hey, so, ya free in a couple nights? Saïx's been wanting to meet my new lady friend and suggested we have you over for dinner."

Finishing the last of my own snack, I quirked an eyebrow at him. "He knows you have a lady friend?"

"Wasn't hard for him to guess since I've been out all night a lot recently, what with your couch being my new home away from home."

"Oh." My fingers reached for a tendril of my ponytail to twist as I mulled for a second. "Yeah, I suppose… I don't have any closing shifts coming up for a while, so I'm free for the next few nights. Just let me know when."

"Sweet! We can see this as a test run of sorts. Practice for the big weekend with your folks and-" he suddenly fell silent, head jerking to his right. I blinked, confused. Then I heard it too. This soft rattling coming from the doorknob - the telltale sounds of a lock being picked. "Crap! The kiddos! Hide," Lea hissed, grabbing my shoulders and shoving us both beneath the staircase, my back hitting the wall behind me.

The door burst open. I didn't so much see it since the stairs were now between me and it, blocking my line of sight, but I heard it along with the echoing laughter of two very familiar voices. As it slammed shut again and the staircase began to quake from feet running up it hard, I heard Xion ask, "Think we'll find them up there?"

"Probably." That was Roxas. I turned my head to the left, watching through the slats between the steps as his sneakers blurred past. "Giving each other tonsillectomies, no doubt."

My face heated as I realized they were talking about Lea and me.

But good news! Lea's plan was working. People thought we were off somewhere, er... shall we say, necking.

Or at the very least, those two thought so anyway.

I heard a snigger from Xion as her boots rushed past the gap not too far behind him. "Perfect. Let's scare them shitless."

They both cackled and tried to shush each other at the same time as I heard their thudding footsteps fade further and further away above us. Once I was certain they were gone, I puffed out the breath I'd been holding.

That's when I became aware of several things. Very, very aware.

Aware of the familiar feeling of Lea's eyes on me. Aware of how close we were. Of his grip still on my shoulders. Of my hands on his chest. Of the gentle thud of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips. Of his warm, spicy boy scent. Of his body pressed to mine, pinning me to the wall still from his rush just seconds ago to get us both out of sight. Of the fact that I could still sense his gaze on me.

Oh gosh, was there something on my face?

I slowly turned my head to look up at him and meet his eyes. He had that look in them again that I'd seen once or twice before. The one that made my insides twist and flip-flop.

Emergency! This is not a drill, people! Fetch the conceal-don't-feel armor and suit up, stat! I repeat, this is not a drill!

The slightest hint of a grin tugged at the corner of his lips and when he spoke, his voice was low. Barely above a whisper. "You know what would… really sell this make-out sesh? ...if right along here..." he ran the tip of his index finger along the side of my neck down to where it met my shoulder, so lightly I hardly felt it, his eyes following its trail the whole time, "...there was a hickey. Maybe two or three. Ya know… just for appearances, of course..."

I just stared at him for a second. Then two. Then I smiled, "That's a great idea!"

He looked taken aback, his gaze widening. "Wait, really?!"

"Of course! Did you bring any makeup with you?" I asked. He just gave me a blank look. "You know, like your guyliner. Do you have anything else? Something that could make the fake marks look convincing?"

He blinked a couple times. "Makeup… right… that's what I meant… heh..." his eyes darted to the left. "But shoot, you know what? Didn't bring any with me." A slow smirk stretching across his face now, he bent down to press his forehead to mine as his eyes hooded, "But hey... we could also always make 'em the old fashioned way."

Once more I stared, expression neutral.

Processing… processing…

Then my eyelids drooped. "...you're messing with me again, aren't you?"

Lea stiffened. Then he relaxed, straightening back up and bracing an elbow against the wall above my head, resting his brow to his forearm as his whole body shook with a soft chuckle. "Yup! Yup, you uh… you caught me alright! Totes was."

Conceal-don't-feel armor saves the day once again! If it hadn't been for that, my heart might have exploded in that situation.

Man, was I getting good at deflecting these little jokes of his now or what?

He shifted over and away from me, giving us both some breathing room now. "Do you think maybe we should go somewhere else?" I asked, my gaze drifting up the clocktower as I returned to the crate, repacking my lunch back into its bag and picking up my hat. Thank goodness the "kiddos" hadn't noticed this stuff before dashing upstairs. "Just so Xion and Roxas don't catch us down here?"

"Sure, good call. I gotta few other secret spots 'round this place we can hole up in until your lunch is over." He went to the door, pushing it open a crack so he could peek out.

"Okay," I nodded while waiting for him to make sure the coast was clear. Then I grinned. "You know, you almost had me going back there with the hickies."

"If only," he muttered so softly, I wasn't sure I'd heard correctly.

"Hm?"

His shoulders tensed, then he breathed a feeble laugh as he glanced back at me, "If only… I'd, er... remembered to bring some makeup! Ah well, maybe next time, huh? C'mon, let's go." His hand reached for mine.

I took it and suddenly my hand didn't feel so sad anymore as I let him lead me back out into the mall.

I couldn't sleep.

I rolled over onto my left side, pulling the sheets up to my chin and curling in on myself a bit. Then over to my right. A few seconds ticked by. Then I rested my back to the mattress and frowned up at my bedroom ceiling, at the long thin patch of frail moonlight slashing across it from between the curtains of my window. Sighing, I tossed over onto my side again and tried putting my head beneath the pillow this time, hoping the added darkness and some light hypoxia would do the trick to knock me out.

No such luck.

With another heavy sigh, I sat up, letting the pillow fall back down behind me. I brought a hand up towards one of my earplugs, stopping just short of reaching it as I frowned over at the wall I shared with my roommates. Then I tentatively pulled it out, already preemptively grimacing as the noises I might hear.

Instead my ears were greeted with a very different sound and from a different direction no less. Coming through my closed door from the living room was a faint, hollow murmur of voices. I squinted towards it, tipping my head to one side. Was that… the TV? Tugging the other earplug out, I set both down onto my nightstand as I listened for another minute, my fingers fiddling with my braid. Then folding my sheets away from me, I got out of bed, smoothed my nightgown and crept over to the door to open it.

Lea was sitting on his couch out here, the glow of the television screen the only thing illuminating him in the otherwise dark living room. Since him couch-surfing here was becoming a bit of a habit now, he'd started bringing an overnight bag with him for things like toiletries and the pyjamas he was currently wearing - a black tank top and PJ pants patterned with tiny fireballs sporting evil smiley faces. In fact I think it may have been the same design on the frisbees I'd seen back at his apartment. Some kind of brand logo, perhaps?

His elbows were braced up on the backrest behind him, temple propped against one fist as he watched the screen. He glanced over at me as I stepped out, quirking an eyebrow and lifting his head off his knuckles. "El?"

I gave my braid a tiny tug before dropping my hands and clasping them together, forcing them to be still as I gave him a small smile. "You're up late."

He grinned back. "Yeah. Never really could pass out to total silence," he nodded towards where his own earplugs laid discarded on the coffee table. Then he wrinkled his nose, shooting a sideways glance towards Rayne's and Riku's room. "But shit, you weren't kidding 'bout those two going at it like jackrabbits in there. Had to do something to tune 'em out, so turned on the ol' tube and guess what I found?"

I moved to stand beside him for a better view of the TV. The scene was currently zoomed in on a couple riding in the back row seat of a trolley. The girl was distracted, lost in whatever she was talking about while the guy was reaching his hand over to tuck her hair back, only to awkwardly snatch it away when she suddenly turned to look at him, completely oblivious to the gesture as she continued to enthusiastically ramble on. My smile grew as I took a seat next to Lea. "It's Before Dawn. Imagine that."

"I know. What timing, right?" he hummed a small laugh. We were both quiet for a few seconds, simply watching the movie. Then he nudged my knee with his, "And what brings ya out here in the middle of the night? Other than the pleasure of my charming company, of course."

That earned him a soft snort as I slouched more comfortably into the sofa and picked up one of the small throw pillows, hugging it in my arms. "Trouble sleeping."

"Oh?" he looked over at me, relaxing his hand along the top of the cushions behind my head. "Something on your mind?"

I gnawed on my bottom lip, not taking my eyes off the television even though I wasn't really paying attention to it anymore. "...it's just coming up so fast."

Brow furrowing, he squinted up at the ceiling in thought for a second. "You mean our visit to the parental units?"

My insides churned as I gave a small nod. "It's only a week away now. It doesn't feel like enough time. I don't know if I'll be able to go through with this… if we… if I will be prepared in time… if I'll be able to face them."

"Hey, don't worry 'bout it," he flashed a warm grin. "You and me? We got this. I like to think we've become quite the awesome dynamic duo. Gotten pretty good at this whole girlfriend-boyfriend thing. Got the entire mall buying into our story and if we can fool them, we can fool anyone."

"But it's not anyone," I muttered, squeezing the pillow more tightly to me. "It's Father. And Mother. And..." my face scrunched up, "...the Duke too? ...for some reason? Anyway, tricking Father for a grand total of five minutes was one thing, but now? Now it's my whole family. For a whole weekend. What if they find out?" Oh dear, I could already feel a panic attack coming on just thinking about it. I turned my head, frowning at him. "...what if I can't do this?"

The hand behind me lifted, hesitantly hovering and shifting about for a second before settling on a quick, reassuring pat to my head. "Just say the word and you can pull the plug on this whole op anytime ya want. Don't force yourself to do anything you don't wanna do. But just know you're a lot stronger than you think. And chances are? It won't be as bad as you fear." He poked himself in the side of the head, just above his left ear, "Our brains like to mess with us, tell us things will be a lot worse than they actually turn out to be. And 'sides, you won't be doing this alone. I'll be right there with you the whole weekend. Your sister too. We got your back. You got a support system. Consider us your safety net. We'll be there to pick up the slack and catch you if you fall."

I bowed my head, nose perched on top of the edge of the pillow now. "...thank you. That helps," I muffled into it, my tiny smile hidden. And I meant it. I could already feel some of my unease starting to slip away. Straightening back up and tossing my head back onto the couch, I inhaled deeply before loudly exhaling. "I should just stop thinking about it. Stressing out over it now does me no good. I need to be talking about something else."

"Something else, huh?" he mumbled, eyes returning to the movie as he scratched the tip of his nose. "...so I had a thought. Remember the other day when you said you'd be looking for a new place in a few months when lil Baby Hewley arrived?" His knee started jiggling up and down while out of the corner of my eye, I could see his fingers fidgeting with the seam of the backrest cushions. "Well, what if… and ya know, this would only be if you weren't able to find somewhere on your own and if, like… you had no place else to go and were up shit's creek and whatnot, but… what if you moved in with…" he glanced back my way, "...me?"

I blinked at him. "...you?"

His face brightened. "Yeah, whaddya think? We got plenty of space for ya! It'll be a total blast! And hey, we could even get ya a puppy."

Fighting a grin, I quirked an eyebrow. "A puppy? But what about Saïx?"

"Psh," he brushed off, one hand batting the air. "Saïx can fight me. You want a dog? You're getting a dog, end of story."

I snerked and looked down. Lips pursing to one side, I did a mental replay of what I could remember of when Lea had given me the grand tour of his apartment. "...am I forgetting a third bedroom you guys have?"

"Nah," he shook his head, "just the two. But you can have mine and I'll just… I dunno, sleep on the couch."

"You can't sleep on the couch in your own home," I scoffed.

"Sure I can! I'm actually growing quite accustomed to catching some Z's on 'em. These bad boys are surprisingly comfy," he pat the armrest next to him and beamed. "In fact, dunno if I can ever go back to a lame ol' bed again!"

Rolling my eyes, I said, "I meant because Saïx will see you. Won't he have questions about you sleeping on the sofa every night?"

"Oh. Right," he laughed, fingers ruffling his hair. "Well then I can just… sleep in the room with you. On the floor," he hastily amended. "Yeah, it'll be fun! Like a slumber party every night!"

One side of my lips twitched up as I toyed with the corner of the throw pillow I was still holding snug. "You're sweet, but… no, that'd just be crazy."

"...yeah. Crazy," he averted his gaze with a tiny chuckle. Then he frowned, plucking the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "...is it though? I mean, think about it. It'd be like the next stage of our dating evolution. That's what all couples do sooner or later, right? Move in together?"

"But the baby will be here in, what…" both my eyebrows rose as I stared off into space, "...four more months? Five? I figure we'll have probably staged a breakup by then."

"Breakup?!" he jerked forward in his seat, eyes widening slightly.

I knit my eyebrows together. "Well yeah. You… didn't think we were going to be fake dating forever, right?"

"Well, I…" he hunched forward, propping his elbows on his knees and folding his hands together beneath his nose as he narrowed his gaze on the floor. "...no, I guess not."

I tilted my head at him. Then opened my mouth. Then closed it. I focused on the TV instead. "...I figured… it'd be some time after we visited my parents. Depending on how it goes, of course. Once I was…" I shrugged, gripping the pillow more tightly, "...sure they weren't going to try to interfere with my life anymore. After that… maybe a few more weeks? A month, perhaps? Just so it wouldn't look too quick, too… suspicious or raise questions…"

Why was this so hard? Why did it make my heart squeeze, just a bit? Come on, it's not like it was a real breakup! Besides, this could maybe, possibly, eventually open up the door to actually start something more real with him in the future. If I ever got the guts up to even pursue something like that… whenever he started dating again… which would be when he no longer had to focus on his schoolwork… aka when he graduated...

...in two years…

Why did that suddenly seem like an eternity?

"...yeah," he sighed and slumped back again, his arm returning to its position behind me as he stretched them both out along the backrest once more, "that all makes sense, I guess." His lips were a flat line for a few seconds, but then he grinned over at me. "Tell ya one thing, though. Fake getting over you ain't gonna be easy. Might have to try and fake win you back."

"Oh no," I stifled a soft laugh into my fingers. "Hang on, let me guess… You. In a trenchcoat. Standing in the middle of the bustling food court. Boombox held high over your head and blasting out some old, cheesy love song. That about sum it up?"

He smirked, "Ah, fan of the classics like me, I see. Good guess, but I was actually thinking less John Cusack in Say Anything and more Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. Me. With a mic hacked into the food court's overhead speakers. Singing and dancing around on table tops while mall security chases me all over the place."

This big dork really was a sap. That is, if his taste in movies had anything to say about it.

Shaking my head in amusement, I said, "Who's to say you'd even fake want me back? Maybe it's you who ends up fake dumping me."

He huffed out a derisive snort, "Not a chance. I'd never be dumb enough to let someone like you go." I looked away, grateful the light from the TV wasn't bright enough to reveal the gentle warmth spreading into my cheeks. Lea shrugged as he went on, "Now, dumb enough to do something stupid and royally fuck it up so you'd kick my ass to the curb however? Yeah, now that sounds like it'd be pretty on brand for me."

"No, I don't think so," I smiled, resting my chin atop the seam of the throw pillow. "...thanks, Lea. I feel a lot better now. You're a… a really good friend."

Lea was quick to return the smile, "It's what I'm here for!" His gaze went back to the screen and there was a brief pause where the only sound was the low drone from the movie. "So… was that your roundabout way of wishing me a good night?"

"Hmm..." A beat before I shook my head, "Not yet. I think I'd like to stay and watch for a little while longer, if that's alright."

"It's more than alright," the corners of his eyes crinkled as he settled into his seat more comfortably. "It's alright times two."

I'm not sure exactly when it was I nodded off. Last scene I clearly remembered was our leading couple sitting at a restaurant together, their hands miming phones to their ears as they made imaginary calls to one another, so it must have been not too long after that. Next thing I knew I was blinking blearily at the television as it showed the girl now sitting on a bed in a small apartment, serenading the guy with her guitar. They both looked maybe a few years older. Must have been one of the sequels to the first movie. I was less familiar with those. It seemed Lea had stumbled upon some sort of late night marathon.

As consciousness returned to me piece by tiny piece, it slowly came to my attention that there was something... off about the pillow my cheek was resting against. Like the fact that it was oddly firm. And warm. And…

...breathing?

Eyes fully snapping open now, they darted about to realize I'd fallen asleep on Lea. Against his chest, to be exact. Embarrassed and panicking maybe just a smidge, I immediately tried to straighten up and away from him, only to be held firmly in place by the arm - his arm - that was draped heavily around my shoulders. I furrowed my brow over at it. Wha-?

Then he made a noise and I tensed.

Took me several heart-pounding seconds to register that noise for what it was.

A snore.

Puffing out a hushed breath and forcing my muscles to relax, I tentatively, cautiously turned my head to try and look up at him. Didn't work, and it only took me another second to realize why. There was a weight pressing down on the top of my hair that I hadn't really noticed until just now.

He was using my head as a pillow.

Welp. This was quite the predicament I found myself in.

Oh gosh, I just hope we'd fallen asleep roughly around the same time and had just, I don't know... naturally gravitated toward one another in our slumber? If I'd been snuggling up to him like this while he was awake the whole time, I'd never live it down.

Next thing my brain decided to alert me to was the fact that I'd misplaced my throw pillow. I must have dropped it when I'd dozed off for I was pretty sure I could feel it on the floor brushing against my bare feet. But that wasn't the important part. No, the important part was what my hands had decided to do in the wake of its disappearance. Left hand? It was good. Just laying there in my lap, all well behaved and polite-like. The right one, however? Had found its way over to rest atop Lea's knee. The little trollop. Especially considering that one of his hands was currently covering it. Had it no decency? No shame?

I considered my situation for another minute. Then taking a deep breath, I decided to commence with the extraction. Should be easier now that I was fully awake and aware of my circumstances so I could approach it all with a cooler, more level head.

First I used my free hand to gently lift his arm from my shoulder and gingerly set it back down on the couch backrest. Another snore from him and I froze. After a few seconds where nothing else happened however and I was sure I hadn't disturbed him, I then proceeded to bring my hand back up, this time to delicately press my fingertips to his chin.

Careful now, careful… wouldn't want to wake him…

I slowly pushed his head off mine and kept going until it lolled back onto the cushions behind him instead. With nothing left weighing me down now, I crept up onto my feet and peeked back at him to make sure he still snoozed. I was rewarded with yet another soft snore. That was all the confirmation I needed. I turned to make a break for my room.

Victory! Success! Elsa, Queen of The Daring Escape and-

Ack!

...okay, so something had just happened. More precisely, two somethings, both occurring at the exact same time. The first? Was my arm being pulled taut and bouncing me back like a rubber band stretched too tight. I stumbled but caught myself, the carpet muffling any sound I might have made. The second? Now that was just a word. One single, solitary word:

"Stay."

That one word sent my heart catapulting up into my throat as I whipped around to discover Lea had pulled his head up and was now looking straight at me.

Fudge, fudge, fudge, fudge!

...but actually… wait… his eyelids were sagging heavily. Half closed and groggy. His expression slack. And now that I thought about, when he'd spoken, it had come out sounding a little… sluggish? One might even say… drowsy?

...was he still half asleep?

I haltingly raised a hand to wave in front of his face. No reaction. As my shallow breaths began to slow and my heart rate calmed, I next looked down at my other hand to see what the snag had been there. This was the one that had been on his knee with his hand on top of it. Was still on top of it and, in fact, had tightened his grip around my fingers. This was what had snared me and brought my getaway to a screeching halt.

Yeesh, what a clingy sleeper he must be.

I brought my gaze back up to his face. He was still giving me that droopy, zombie-eyed stare. I tucked in my lower lip, studying him for a moment. Then I took a tiny step closer and bent over him slightly. My free hand came up, reaching for him. I froze midway, fingers curling towards my palm, hesitating. But only for a heartbeat before I was pushing forward again.

"Shh… go back to sleep," I whispered, gently stroking his hair just above his ear.

His really, really soft, silky smooth hair.

Which I'd not been expecting. Not at all.

Crud, I shouldn't be blushing this much.

However, it seemed to have the desired effect. His eyelids drifted all the way closed now as his head sank back down into the couch cushion. His hold on my hand relaxed enough for me to slip it free. I straightened back up, rubbing my rescued hand with the other as I watched him sleep for a few more seconds, my head tipping to one side. Then I retrieved the throw pillow from the floor and put it back on the sofa next to him before picking up the comforter to drape over him. It was only now I realized that it was too small for him for if I brought it up to cover his shoulders, it left his feet exposed.

The friggin' behemoth. Why hadn't he said anything? I'd have to see about finding a bigger one for him tomorrow.

I briefly considered turning off the TV but decided against it on the off chance the sudden lack of noise would wake him. Turning, I tiptoed back towards my bedroom, stopping in the doorway for one last backwards glance at him. Still out like a light. A grin pulled at one side of my mouth as I murmured, "Sweet dreams, sleeping beauty."

The only answer I got was a snore.

Author's Note: Our awkward penguin did it! She intentionally "made a move" for the first time, I'm so proud T_T Looks like our fire boi tried to make a bit of a move himself under the clocktower staircase there… with far less successful results xD One step forward, two steps back, huh? *Siiiiigh* ah well, these two will get there eventually :P And this is yet another chapter I lament not writing anything from Lea's POV… so many scenes in my head going on for him off camera that will never see the light of day xD Fun fact: The ice cream this chapter, Three Wishes, is named after (you guessed it) Agrabah's keyblade and I imagine its description on the menu would look something like: "This blueberry flavored soft serve will have you wishing for more! Comes in a blue cone wrapped in a ring of matching blue cotton candy, with lamp-shaped sugar cubes and a sprinkling of extra sugar to top it all off."

Next chapter, with that "make a move" hurdle finally overcome, what's next in our couple's fake dating adventures? Looks like there's a certain dinner with a certain Moon Boy on the horizon, how will this lil "test run" go? Will it be a resounding success or could it spell utter defeat for our pair? Not to mention the weekend with the folks is fast approaching, will our couple be ready in time? And just how DOES Lea fit his behemoth self into those itty-bitty pirate ship train carts? Some things will forever remain a mystery, but for the rest, stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to those of you who’ve liked, reblogged, and followed so far, seeing those lil notifications always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

[franks23]

My skin is clear, my crops have been watered, and Furudate has blessed us (finally) with a backstory for Sakusa.

Wasn’t expecting to see him fall in love with any guy that has good hygiene habits though.

Now we know why Sakusa seems to love Ushijima so much....bless his hankie.

And his captain! With their little lint rollers!

But Sakusa is also harsh as fuck and hilarious. First proper meeting with Hinata - BAM bring up probably Hinatas worst memory from his high school days. Not cool Sakusa!

Loved this chapter. It was so nice to finally learn more about Sakusa, and see him being totally cool. Bah. Good stuff. Good stuff.

[bangtan-gal]

Kingdom of the Skies

Nakamoto Yuta x Fem!Reader prince!yuta magic!au fairytale!au word count: 2k warnings: swearing, minor angst

Masterlist | Foxtales 

Sunlight poured over the small meadow you sat in. The breeze brushed the long grass back and forth and had your hair fluttering gently around your face. Birds sang from the trees overhead and you hummed along with them as you dug up small piles of dirt.  Your bare toes wriggled against the warm ground and the hem of your dress was browned from the dirt. 

You took your time as you planted the different flower seeds in each dip in the ground. The birds’ songs grew louder as you covered the seeds back up with dirt. Your humming joined the louder decimal level and the ground started to vibrate. Closed petals ripped through the ground, black stems and leaves following after it. An array of blue, purple, white, and yellow flowers unfurled. There was a loud fluttering of wings as the birds took off, their songs turning to shrieks as they twirled through the air and away. 

“Y/N!” 

You tore your gaze away from the quickly disappearing dark mass. Kido waved at you from the creek, a wide smile on his face. His blue hair fell in front of his eyes and he shook it out of his face. You chuckled, waving back.

“How are you?” You called, sitting up on your knees. He shrugged.

“Got visited by the Queen,” he said, the humility on his face was replaced by a proud smirk. Your stomach jolted, but either way you forced a happy smile onto your face.

“Well good for you,” you commented. Kido nodded and didn’t elaborate on what happened. His head whipped around and he shouted a valediction before disappearing into the water. You placed a hand over your heart, lips pursing at the feel of it beating angrily against its constraints. “I’m okay.”

You glanced down at the flowers and sighed.

“We’re okay.”

The day went on and you went back to your gardening. The sun traveled lazily over the blue sky and the breeze started to grow colder. The birds started to collect again, beady eyes watching as you once more pulled the leather pouch from under the layers of your dress. It felt as if the animals were scolding you for your forbidden acts. 

“Aren’t you cold?”

You jumped, nearly spilling the seeds on the ground. A boy stood merely few feet away from you, a piece of straw hanging from between is teeth and an arrogant eyebrow raised as he watched you. His hair was red and long enough to be tied into a tiny ponytail. You hid the pouch of seeds and pursed your lips.

“No.”

He scoffed, walking closer to you until he crouched down beside you. His knees brushed against your arm. There was no interest in you as his eyes wandered along the flowers that you’d planted. The majority of them were just sprouts or basic flowers, but a few were starting to glow in the dusk. He flicked one that was glowing a rose-gold color, dark eyes narrowing on it.

“Fairy lantern?” He asked, gaze finally moving back to you. You raised your eyebrows, staring at the flower that his gloved fingers hovered inches away from. Most people didn’t know what fairy lanterns were and just thought of glowing flowers as an anomaly. 

“Uhm, yes,” you replied, “although I wouldn’t suggest touching it…”

He wiggled his fingers in front of you.

“No skin.”

He fell onto his butt beside you, crossing his legs in front of him. You kept blinking, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. Who was this boy? How did he find you? And why didn’t he seem too concerned about the fact that you were planting forbidden magic flowers? 

“Who are you exactly?” You queried, voice growing soft.

He blew his bangs out of his eyes.

“Yuta. Nakamoto Yuta,” he introduced, holding out the same gloved hand that had touched the flower. You recoiled, clearing your throat and wiping your hands on his dress. He pulled back and struggled to get his glove off and once more held out his hand. “Sorry, forgot about how the petal poison sticks to everything.”

You shook his hand, your hand slowly grasping his. Yuta’s hand was warm and rough and you could feel hundreds of tiny scars beneath your palm. Your hands parted and you cleared your throat once more, averting your gaze.

“Why are you planting these?” This is it: here comes the final blow. “I mean… it’s not even about you getting in trouble, you could die.”

He said the last part in a whisper, like that was the secret.

That was what made you genuinely smile.

“You know there’s an antidote, right?” You murmured, pointing to the hundreds of red roots that roved through the dirt around you. “Blood trees. Can cure anything.”

Yuta stared at you. “Any… thing?”

You nodded.

Something sad and distant invaded his eyes.

“Can I take some?”

“It’s not mine to keep,” you mentioned. He dipped his head in thanks, took some, and was on his way.

⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

You didn’t expect to see Yuta again. Truthfully, you wanted to see him again. No other person had showed such an interest in flowers and you were certain that everyone was too scared of the Queen to go against her ban on magic. Yuta hadn’t cared about how the flowers were banned, he only cared about your safety. That was what pulled at your heart. 

You were silent as you scooped up a bucket up water from the creek. The water was freezing and your whole body was already starting to shudder from the temperature. You stepped back onto the banks, wringing the water out from the edge of your dress. Then you picked your bucket back up again, making your way towards the flowers. 

“Hi.”

You jumped, spilling water everywhere. The red-head stepped out of the splash zone gracefully, smiling and blissfully unaware of the extra work he just granted you. He looked even prettier in the sunlight. His hair was brighter and his dark eyes sparkled. The sunlight bounced off his skin and you could’ve sworn he was glowing.

“Er, hi,” you mumbled, still clutching tightly to the bucket. “You’re back.”

“Well I figured it would be rude to just barge in here, take stuff, and not come back to properly say thanks,” he huffed. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a light purple pouch. “I got you this as a thank you.”

You accepted it wearily. It was light and as you wriggled it testily in your fingers, you could definitely feel seeds in it. The pouch opened with ease and the smell of fresh flowers burst from it. You picked out a seed; it was purple with deep blue lines. 

“Diana’s Crown… but these are so expensive and there’s a least thirty in he—” 

You cut yourself off and your gaze snapped to his. That was where you recognized Nakamoto from. He needed the blood trees to cure something… something incurable.

“You’re the Prince.”

Yuta nodded, his teeth digging into his bottom lip.

“Yes, that’s me,” he murmured. His eyes searched yours. Then he sighed. “I don’t agree with what my mother is doing at all… I mean, she’s not even my mom. I asked for the blood tree in hopes that my father would heal and be able to stop her. Banning magic completely isn’t helping the kingdom at all. Forests and crops are dying because we haven’t seen fairies in years.”

His gaze shifted to the fairy lanterns littering the ground.

“If fairies come back, the kingdom won’t die.”

Yuta’s hand seized yours and he pulled you close.  He scent was amazing and intoxicating. His lips hovered inches from yours. You stared back at him, eyes wide. The intention in his eyes was clear: he didn’t want to kiss you, he wanted your help.

“What if the King sides with the Queen?” You asked.

Yuta dropped his head.

“Then I guess I’ll be forced to take the throne.” He didn’t sound excited or proud of the idea. You could imagine the millions of times he’d ran the scenario through his head. Yuta was just like you: someone born into a birth claim they didn’t want and now they were running. His breath shook as he straightened up and took both your hands.

“But for right now, I need you to leave the clearing. If you get caught growing these… I don’t want to imagine what would happen to you,” he begged softly.

“I can’t just le—”

His expression struck you.  Yuta was genuinely scared and concerned for you. He was fighting for something you’d wished for for so long. You nodded slowly, squeezing his hands to let him know you would take it seriously. His smile was what made it truly worth it.

Yuta moved you into a hut that sat on the outside of the town. A blind, old lady who had a tendency to talk your ears off lived there. The Prince checked in on you every day, always carrying small gifts and tiny smiles with him. Weeks passed and news started to pick up. The King was back on his feet and now the people are waiting to see what his verdict is on the new ruling of the Queen. The old lady, Vietha, was worried, claiming that since it was magic that made him sick, he would keep magic banned. Others said that he had a much too kind heart to be as cold as his wife. You weren’t given an answer until Yuta himself stumbled into the hut one night, eyes dilated, wreaking of alcohol, and an angry grimace on his face.

“He’s not going to fucking do anything about it,” he snapped. The two of you sat on the rickety old fence behind the dusty hut. The wind had you swaying back and forth and the sky was still pink from the sun that had set hours ago. “He knows it’s wrong! He knows that it’s oppressing hundreds of people and he doesn’t care because it ‘nearly killed him!’ Bah! I wish it did so I could have kicked that witch off the throne and taken charge…”

Then he shook his head.

“I don’t want to rule.”

You rubbed his shoulder.

“I’m sure we can figure something out,” you mumbled. He stared at you and the drunken look in his eyes scared you. You dug into the pockets of your dress, pulling out some of the blood tree. “Chew this.”

Yuta didn’t question you as he took the small red vine from your hand and bitterly chewed on it. He swallowed the juice wearily, eyes focused on the horizon. 

“Already feel better,” he sighed, tipping his head back. You smiled, letting your head fall back so you could stare at the same sky. Yuta was subtle as his fingers carefully draped themselves over yours until your hands intertwined. You hopped off the fence, hand still clinging to his. You pulled him along.

“Come on, I want to show you something.”

He didn’t ask any questions as you led him down the trail in the forest. Nature chirped and moved around you as you walked along. Eventually the trees spread apart and you stood in the same clearing that you met. In the dark night, the flowers grew brighter than ever. You pressed a finger to your lips and then pointed. Around the flowers, several tiny specks fluttered in the dark. Green, yellow, and pink wings beat against the air. 

“Fairies,” he whispered in mesmerization. “They’re here.”

You nodded with a smile.

“And the flowers can’t be destroyed,” you hummed, “the seeds of Diana’s Crown has some sort of liquid in it that puts a protective layer on anything it touches. Nothing can kill those flowers, not even magic itself.”

“No way,” he mumbled, glancing back at the flowers.

You rolled your eyes. “You’ve had one of the most powerful substances in reach your whole life and you didn’t even know. Flowers must really only be for people who aren’t total dumbasses.”

Yuta stared at you.

You stared back.

He kissed you quickly and pulled back with a smile.

“This is the world I’ve longed for,” he murmured. You shook your head, pressing your forehead to his.

“It’s what we’ve longed for.”

[snowfall-fanfictions]

Ice, Fire, and Shadow

FFN link

Ao3 link

A dragon, a soldier and an assassin. When Elsa's missing and Arendelle has no one else to turn to, teaming those three up seems to be the answer - if only they didn't try to kill each other. Crossover with CallenAmakuni, @snowdragon4, and @snowfall-in-summer.

“I’m not paid enough for this.”

A long sigh heaved from deep within Garret’s chest while he ran a hand through his crimson hair. He had been standing in front of the door for little more than half an hour – the ants he felt walking all over his legs were starting up a colony, apparently. He brought his gaze down to his shifting feet.

“Could have put out a couple chairs, at least,” he said, his annoyance growing with every minute he spent fidgeting on his spot, waiting for a colonel that might very well have left home.

The latter had asked for him, yet he still didn’t know where, when and for what. Garret had resorted to waiting in front of his office and had considered knocking once or twice.

“Better not to try my luck.”

The colonel had always been considerate, but Garret’s teammates always told him stories of subordinates getting in disproportionate trouble for the tiniest mistakes. When hierarchy was involved, safe wasn’t only the better choice. It was the only choice. He finally clasped his hands behind his back and dejectedly decided to wait some more – he had already gone that far.

Standing alone with his mind, his thoughts inevitably went back to the fiasco.

“God-freaking-dammit.”

The instructions were simple: he wasn’t supposed to use the asset outside direct orders. It had more or less been a tacit accord of his strike team’s commander with the higher staff and he knew that. Then why did he have to disobey that command the only time it was explicitly specified? Why did he use it the only time when it was not only unnecessary but also detrimental to the mission? Why was he so stupid?

He angrily clapped his boot on the cold wood beneath him in a tentative attempt to evacuate some of his frustration – he couldn’t let his superior see that he was angry at himself. And of course, that same superior had chosen that exact moment to open his office’s door.

“Got something under your foot, soldier?” the colonel asked with a lifted eyebrow. His proud bushy mustache was one privilege among the plethora of perks his rank inferred. Among those perks was the ability to reprimand his men. “Want some rocks to step on?”

Garret immediately stood upright and saluted sharply. “No, sir. Squished a bug, sir.” Bluff seemed to be his strategy.

The colonel kept his eyebrow up. “Do I want to ask you to lift your boot, soldier?”

The strategy was quickly proving ineffective.

“N-No, sir.”

The colonel breathed a sigh that made his entire body sink down. “Come in, son,” he said, stepping aside to leave Garret enough space to go into his small office. The room was well-lit, perfectly organized and without any embellishment. A fitting setting for the man. The colonel sat at his desk and clasped his hands together over it. Garret stayed on his feet – he hadn’t been invited to sit.

“Do you know why I called you in?” the older man said once he finished examining him.

“I have an idea about it, sir.”

“All right, then. That saves you some uncomfortable small talk. You know you fucked up.”

“I do, sir.”

“And you know how sensitive it is that your…abilities…remain a secret.”

“Yes, sir.”

The colonel dropped his arms to rest on the table. His gaze visibly hardened. “Then you’ll understand our decision to send you away for a little while.”

Garret’s felt his heart fall. “Send- Send me away, sir?”

The colonel somberly nodded. “Exactly. For at least four months.”

“Two months? What am I gonna do for four bloody months?” Garret blurted out without thinking, forgetting the protocol in the process.

The sanction was instantaneous. “Watch your tongue, soldier, or I’ll make it a whole year.”

Garret immediately got his bearings back, realising how out of line he was. “Sir, yes, sir.”

“Officially, you’re going to investigate a creature sighting in foreign territory,” the colonel explained once his glare softened a bit. “Unofficially, I don’t give a cow’s tit what you do. You’re to leave the country tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? B-But I have to say farewell to…”

“It’s an order, son. Order from him,” the colonel finished with an insistent glance. “I wouldn’t discuss anything further. The boat’s waiting. Report at London Port first thing in the morning. See you in two months. Dismissed.”

The words were final, ringing in Garret’s ears like the blunt impact of the hammer that had just fallen.

“Un-Understood, sir.”

As he turned around to leave, he heard the colonel’s normal voice, the one that sounded warm and welcoming, the one he would usually never use when wearing his uniform. “Sorry, soldier. Wish we could have handled this any differently.”

“Yeah. I know,” Garret answered before closing the door behind him.

 —:0:—

The morning’s atmosphere was chilly, humid and heavy. The port was starting to wake up even though the sun was still nowhere to be seen, its light replaced instead by the faint glow of smelly oil lamps. Bringing his coat closer to his body, Garret adjusted his small satchel over his shoulder. He sighed when he noticed the dense fog escaping out of the sailors’ mouths, lifting up to blend into the vapor of the buzzing docks’ heavy machinery. He’d have to look like he was feeling the cold.

“All right, fellas?” he greeted when he reached the hull of the vessel he had been assigned to.

Nobody answered him, but a young one disappeared into the deck and came back accompanied by a man with a hat that seemed to be the captain. “Cheers, mate. You the special cargo?” that same man called.

Garret rolled his eyes. Of course, they would call him that. “That’d be me, yeah.”

“Come on-board,” he said as he threw a rope ladder his way. “We got instructions to get you out of here.”

Garret climbed in, quickly getting used to the slight swaying of the ship. He could tell she was military in design, civilian in aspect. “So where are we taking her?” were his first words.

The captain removed his hat and started wiping the dust off its edges. “You are not takin’ anythin’ anywhere. You just sit tight. We are droppin’ you off where the brass told us to drop you off.”

Garret’s shoulders slightly slumped down. The trip was going to be fun. “And where would that be?” he asked.

The captain put on his hat again, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “A small place up North. They said it’s called Arendelle.”

—:0:—

Eryn downed another tankard of ale. This was at least his third one today. He always found himself back in Karnisvarne after each successful kill. This time it was some medium ranking general in the Southern Isles army. He couldn’t be bothered to remember the details, he normally stopped caring about that after he was paid. And he was handsomely rewarded for the kill, even securing a bonus for shifting the blame onto some fresh private. It may not have been the most honorable thing, but money is indeed money.

He was still in his travelling attire; his brown travelling cloak draped over his shoulders like a fancy cape, covering his plain looking shirt. His boots were still caked with dirt from the quick escape he had to make when he put a bullet between the general’s eyes. Eryn’s raven black hair was windswept from when he and Magni bolted out of the camp to the nearest port. Now in the calm of the tavern, Eryn looked like a disheveled mess compared to everyone else

Eryn sat at the bar, carefully studying the other patrons. There were only a few other people in the tavern along with him. Everyone else was busy toiling out in the fields for meager pay, or up in the city for some festival. Eryn could care less about what happened in Arendelle proper, since they seemed not to care about anyone but themselves. He nursed another tankard in his hands while he listened to some of the conversations happening.

“There’s a nip in the air. Not good for crops…”

“Lyin’ whore. Kid obviously ain’t mine.”

“Bullshit! Snowmen can’t talk…”

“Ya hear about the queen bringing in one of them ‘Dragon Knights?’”

Eryn perked up at that last conversation. Dragons? You have my attention. Two men were seated a few seats away from him at the bar, hunched over with their own tankards. Eryn leaned in closer to listen in on their conversation.

“Hell’s a dragon knight?” One of the men asked.

“Agh. Warriors from buttfuck ‘who cares’,” his friend replied. “One of ‘em’s here for the festival.”

“What’re they doing here?”

“Probably for the queen, but who cares? Freaks of nature the lot of them. The whore’s magic could easily make her a target for the likes of them…”

Eryn contemplated this information for a moment. If the Dragon Knights were renowned warriors, what would people think of a man who could kill a Dragon Knight? That’s when a spark of inspiration hit him like-

A Dragon Knight?! Are you out of your mind, Odrikson?! a familiar voice rang in his head.

Eryn pulled his dagger out of its sheath. It was an ancient looking blade, with an ebony grip and a rough looking edge. Etched into it were a series of runes which currently glowed bright red.

C’mon! An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime! he mentally retorted.

That’s what at least three of your predecessors said before they all met their ends. Dragon Knights are not meant to be taken lightly, Odrikson, they-

How hard can it be?

THEY ARE DRAGONS, BOY!

Bah, that’s probably just some propaganda to scare folks into respecting them. Like ‘Winged Hussars.’ And since when have you been an expert in ancient knighthood orders?

Since when have you been an idiot? I assure you, that title is not simply honorary. If you try to fight a Dragon Knight, you will die!

You said that for at least three different jobs we took.

Yes, and if it weren’t for me, you would be dead! Besides, didn't we just get done with a kill not a few hours ago? 

Well, Adrenaline is still pumping. I guess. 

Odrikson….

Bah, quit blabbering. We’re off to Arendelle proper.

Eryn sheathed the dagger and got up from the bar. He fished around in his pocket for a few gold coins and made his way out of the tavern. This was a perfect opportunity! If he killed this “Dragon Knight,” the whole damned world would know who Eryn Odrikson was. It would be impossible to go anywhere and find someone not talking about how a master assassin killed such a prestigious warrior. Eryn wasn’t quite sure what a dragon knight looked like, but he was certain he would know as soon as he saw one.

Entering the stables, Eryn saddled up Magni, his horse, and readied up. With the shout of “Magni! Beveg seg!” the black stallion darted out of the stables onto the north road.

That Dragon Knight is mine, Eryn thought to himself as Karnisvarne disappeared behind him.

 —:0:—

The Great Thaw Festival Observance, or GTFO as Princess Anna put it, was to be a new tradition in Arendelle after the events that took place one year ago today.  After what seemed like hours of pleading, Queen Elsa finally relented to her sister’s wishes to host the festivities.  The contrast in the sisters' personalities had never been more evident than when the festival was decided on.  Elsa saw it as the day she lost control and the kingdom found out about her secrets, Anna saw it as the day they became sisters again and the gates to their kingdom had been opened. 

Either way she looked at it, Elsa couldn’t help but feel a little excited about the upcoming events. Even her advisors were looking forward to it, and they were never happy about anything.

Looking over the fjord filled to the brim with ships, Elsa took a few deep breaths of the ocean air, allowing its calming and salty breeze to settle her nerves.  

I can do this. This is for Anna. Anna and I, but still mostly Anna. As much as she wanted to enjoy the gates being open, she still wouldn’t be what most people would call a “people person”.  She left that to her sister. 

“There you are!” Speaking of which. Elsa felt the arms of her sister wrap around her shoulders.  “Are you excited about the festival?”

Elsa’s eyes drifted from the harbor to the town square where her people were setting up banners, food, tables with goods ready to be sold, and an all around merry atmosphere.  

A smile ghosted her lips. “As excited as I’ll ever be.”  

Anna gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Oh don’t be like that. This is gonna be a blast and you know it.”  

Elsa barked a laugh. “You're just saying that because you're excited for yet another party.”

“Well, the gates are open and we’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”  

Elsa reached up and grabbed her sister's arm tenderly. “I know, and little by little we're making up for it.”

“Then let’s go!” Grabbing her by the arm, she tugged, pulling her sister through the castle at top speed and Elsa’s arm from its socket. Before her brain could register what was happening, she found herself in the castle courtyard still being towed behind her sister.  

Suddenly Anna stopped. “OH! Before we go too far I have to show you what me and Gerda made.”  

“Gerda and I,” Elsa corrected. 

“No.” Anna pointed to herself in an exaggerated fashion.  “ME! And Gerda.”

Elsa’s expression was as blank as stone and with a deadpan expression she responded. “That joke never gets old.” Anna disappeared back into the castle and with impressive speed, returned only a few moments later.  

“We had a bunch of this made up and are being hung around the city.” It was an exquisite banner made from gold, green and purple fabrics with stitchings of the letters GTFO.  “What do you think?”

Elsa tilted her head. As much as she loved the banner and her sister’s creative talents, something about it seemed off. Unable to think of it she gave her sister a large wide smile. “It’s beautiful.”  

Squealing excitedly, Anna all but sprinted into the town, Elsa making sure to keep her arms behind her back so that Anna didn’t pull them off.  

Sure enough the banners were being hung throughout Arendelle, and no matter how many of them she saw, Elsa couldn’t remember what it was that was off about them.  

“Good work guys!” she heard Anna say. Kristoff, Sven and Olaf were helping hang the banners over a few of the consignment tents. While Anna gave the boys a hand -and by giving a hand meant barked orders about how they were doing it wrong- Elsa meandered through the town.  She nodded and smiled to the various merchants, townsfolk, children, and those visiting from other countries.  

After exchanging a few words with someone there from France, out of the corner of her eye she spotted an old friend wandering through the square. She almost didn’t recognize him dressed in a dark green suit, a high collared shirt with a tie, grey trousers and nice black leather shoes.  Even his dark brown hair was combed to the side. Had it not been for the glowing teal necklace he wore, she wouldn’t have known it was Drake Daniels, Dragon Knight. 

She excused herself from the French dignitary, and made her way to the dragon warrior.  

He held his arms behind his back as he aimlessly meandered, clear that he was either lost or wasting time pretending to be interested in what was going on around him. Luckily for him Elsa was closing in, giving him a reprieve from his feigned interests.  

He bowed at the waist with his hand over his heart. “Her Majesty honors me with her presence.”

She chuckled at his sarcastic, teasing tone, and with a curtsy responded. “You should be so honored.” He laughed as he stood up straight, his fingers casually tugging at his collar. “Um, what are you wearing?” Elsa asked.

He looked at himself like he had done something wrong. “A suit? Am I not supposed to wear one?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, no, no.  It’s just I’ve never seen you so, dressed up?”

He released a breath of relief. “Well. This is a festival. I don’t see the need to be geared up in all my hunting gear. Although,” he lifted his suit a bit to show a belt littered with a variety of pouches, “I never leave the house unprepared.”  

“Ha. So much for no hunting gear.”

“Hey! I said ALL my hunting gear. This is only some of it.”

“Some of what?”  Seeing that Elsa was chatting with someone, Anna had removed herself from her supervising duties to see what her sister was up to. Her mouth dropped with surprise and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Drake! It’s so good to see you.”

He returned a gentle friendly hug. “You too, princess.”

“When did you get here?” she asked when they stepped away from each other.

“Well, actually I arrived a few days ago, but I kept myself out of the way so as to not interrupt anything you ladies were doing. And yes, I flew, no boats for me please.”  

“Well neat! Now that you're here, you can help us hang these.” Drake looked at the banner she had flashed to him and his smile changed to a twisted, uncomfortable grimace. “What?  What is it?”  

“Um, heh, you do know what GTFO means right?” 

Anna shook her head. “The Great Thaw Festival Observance?” Drake sucked in a breath through his teeth, before leaning forward to whisper into her ear.  Anna’s expression changed from confused to downright horrified. “Oh god! KRISTOFF, TAKE THE BANNERS DOWN!!”  She sprinted to stop him, leaving Elsa to watch her with her brows lowered.  

“What was that?”

Drake couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ll tell you as we help her take those things down.”  

Just as he took his first step, he stopped when he felt a tickle in the back of his neck. He was a monster hunter, who knew never to ignore those hairs. He threw a quick glance at his surroundings, his ears and nose twitching.

This is still a bad idea, Odrikson.

The voice was faint, ghostly, almost ethereal but with a rasp and menacing tone.

Hush, I’m concentrating.

This one was less otherworldly, more grounded but no less hostile. Drake furrowed his brows. “Your Majesty, I’m going to have to check on something real quick.”

Elsa simply shrugged in response. “As you wish,” she answered. “But first, tell me what those lette-” She turned around, noticing the surprising absence of the Dragon Knight. “Huh. Where did he go?”

 —:0:—

Drake crossed the main square, the outer city’s rim, then the first glades, and as fast as he moved he was no less on edge. He walked deep into the woods, the two voices following him with impressive stealth. He had to control his pace so as to not go too fast and lose them, or two slowly and alert them.

Where do you think he’s going?

Did mortals get dumber over the millennia or am I just cursed with you?

You know what they say. You can't land a shot you don't take.

I'm sure they say lots of things. You know what they also say? Listen to the Lord of Shadows before doing something reckless.

What intrigued Drake most was the clear absence of footsteps. If it weren’t for the voices exchanging quips every now and then, he wouldn’t have detected them. He stopped in the middle of a clear and open meadow far enough away from the kingdom and turned around.

“Is there something you want from me?” he called loudly.

He’s talking to himself, now. Pff, what a nutjob.

I’m not going to dignify that remark with an answer.

A vein popped on Drake’s forehead at the jab. “You two might as well show yourselves.”

Wait. Two?

“Yeah. Two. The demon and the guy who’s stupid enough to follow me.”

What a surprise.

He can hear me?

“Yes, I can, “ Drake huffed in annoyance. “Now, we gonna do this or what?”

A shadow slithered on the barks, jumping from tree to tree. It approached rapidly, stopping a few feet away from Drake before briskly lifting off the ground, transforming into a black leathered young man holding a dagger in his right hand in a reversed grip. “Your head,” he hissed.

With that, he leaped with incredible speed, aiming at Drake’s neck. The latter barely had time to register that he had moved before he leaned away and felt a vicious snarl below his right ear and his suit ripping out from over his shoulder. He jumped away with a swift step, holding the location where the blade had apparently scratched his skin.

“Okay, first off, this is my only suit that you just tore. So, thanks for that. And what’s this about wanting to kill me?”

The young man slowly walked to the side while twirling his ebony blade between his fingers. “No hard feelings, boy. This is business. When your head rolls to my feet, your reputation will only add to the reverence of my name.”

Drake waited a moment before his head lowered in a “seriously” stare. “I'm sorry, I’m a little slow here. So you’re attacking me... to become famous?”

See?! Even HE knows how stupid your plan is. 

Shut up! I’m in the middle of the pre-fight banter.

Drake didn’t wait for an answer. “Well, who are you?”

Eryn slightly puffed his chest out.  “Eryn Odrikson! Master assassin and your executioner.”

Drake blinked a few times. “Okay maybe you should kill me, cuz I’ve never heard of you.” He removed his hand from the wound on his shoulder, noting the small specks of blood.  “Although this is concerning.” He narrowed his eyes at the dagger in Eryn’s hand. He had never seen anything like it before, nor the writing on the metal, but if it was talking it couldn’t be good. 

Drake examined his attacker.  “Well, I’ll cut you a deal. Leave now and I won’t kick your ass back to wherever you came from.” 

Eryn sneered. “Yeah, how ‘bout—“

—yes! 

“—no.”

Drake heaved a sigh. Looking over his shoulder at the kingdom, he knew he really didn’t have time to deal with this, so he might as well end it quickly. “Alright then. There’s no honor in this, but just so you know, you were warned.”

With that, Drake bent forward. The necklace he wore glowed and he let it engulf him in it’s pure blue. He felt his wings grow, his fangs bare and his throat burn. He let out a deafening roar, lifting his now thick and long head to the heavens.  

And he’s a dragon now.

I guess this DRAGON Knight is full of surprises.

Why didn’t you tell me he could actually turn into one?!?

The assassin plunged to the side to avoid a spray of ungodly blue-hot fire that left only carbonised grass in its wake.

I know this might sound obvious, but do not let the fire touch you.

Gee, thanks for the advice!

Eryn darted forward at his top speed, avoiding another fiery breath and closing the distance with the dragon’s belly.

Is it...glowing?

Now is not the time, Odrikson!

He prepared a strike, cocking his arm back and twisting his feet to accumulate enough force behind the hit. However, Drake interrupted his attempt in an instant and Eryn had to dodge the heavy and scaly tail that stomped the location he had been in a fraction of a second before. He continued dashing back, closely avoiding a rapid claw aiming at his legs and parrying a hit of that same tail that sent sparks in the air and him flying away. He glided a bit on the slippery soil when he landed, bringing himself low and at the ready should another attack come his way. 

I don’t care what it takes, we’re doing it. We’re bringing it down.

It’s a dragon, you moron. You think YOU can take it down?

"Oh, you're gonna burn," the dragon boomed in his enhanced voice before he opened his mouth and sparkles started flying dangerously around it.

Before they could both unleash their wrath, they instinctively brought a claw and a dagger to their sides to deflect arrows that had been aiming at their heads. The two projectiles softly landed in the middle of the space between them. Examining them with curious eyes, they both noticed the pale reflection they were emitting. They were made of crystal ice.

The dragon and the assassin whirled their heads to their left, where a strange man wearing a large maroon coat and a simple traveler’s garb stood with his right arm outstretched. Among the light mist that was surrounding him, his crimson hair stuck out from afar. 

A frozen spear appeared in his hand almost instantaneously. He gave it a quick twirl and planted it in the ground below him with a resonating thud. 

“Hello there,” Garret simply greeted with a smile. “And here I thought the colonel was making a monkey out of me. Mind if I join in?” 

A/N: CallenAmakuni: Hello and first of all thanks for reading! This has been a blast to write - I had lots of fun - and I hope you enjoyed it. We each wrote a part of this chapter and the blend is IMO very harmonious, so I’m very proud of it and us!

Now, a few precisions for those of you who are already familiar with Patience and Time. The Garret you see here is not the same one as the one in PaT. This is an AU - from an AU, yeah, but still - where he is younger and never went to Arendelle before. Everything that happens here will have no repercussions on PaT. See this as a rather self-indulgent Avengers-style crossover where we have fun with our characters. 

And if you haven’t already, please go check Snowfall’s Beware The Frozen Heart (both on AO3 and FFN) and Bearhow’s Hungry Moon (on FFN only for now), I assure you it’ll be worth your while!

We’re really excited to bring you what’s coming next. Thanks again, and see you next time!

A/N: Snowfall_In_Summer: I agree, this was incredibly fun to write!

Likewise, for those familiar with “Beware the Frozen Heart,” This is a non canon story to that fic. The Eryn here isn’t the same Eryn that’s in BtFH. If Garret and Drake interest you, check out CallenAmakuni’s Patience and Time and Bearhow’s Hungry Moon series (Like CallenAmakuni said, Hungry Moon is on FFN only for now. Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13314313/1/Hungry-Moon)

Hope you enjoyed this little experiment!

A/N: Bearhow

Bearhow here! 

I’d like to echo what my partners in crime have already said m.  This was a blast and it's only going to get more amazing as the story goes on. Also this is a different continuity from “Hungry Moon” and “the Snow queen's champion”, but Drake does know our favorite Arendellians.  

Enjoy the show! 

[naomixhill]

13 March 2020

A British immigrant and southern belle raised me in Rhode Island. I suppose the nearly humorous contradictions of my life begin there. 

I became Noami in 2014, the first time, when I was a damaged college party girl at Ohio State. This was two years after what I thought would be the hardest two years of my life, but I was wrong. It is hard to say exactly how I went from Rhode Island to Ohio to New York to Philadelphia to New Jersey to Ohio, but that all happened. And quite rapidly. And quite painfully. Perhaps as a result, I never took time to make deep relationships with people and never learned how to curb the urge to make everyone in my path collateral damage. Everything was too temporary to care about much at all.

The fucked up college party girl Naomi. Bloody nose in college business classes. Drunk by noon. Fishnets and ripped jeans and bleached hair and skinny waist and crop tops. Magna Cum Laude with honors because it was never hard for me, and I could never quite empathize with everyone else’s struggle. Back in those days, I didn’t care much about the way I talked. I had a thick New England accent that was muddled with Italian and Portuguese influence. Are we goin’ to that wicket cool bah lata or what are we even doin’? Are we gettin’ fucked up or what? Now no one would ever expect that I’m not a proper, mild-mannered midwest native. 

But there are so many things you don’t know about me, so many things you overlook that are right in front of you, so many things you’ll never know. I keep this distance between me and others on purpose. I am not sure the exact moment I became dead inside, but it was long before I got here. And it’s funny how they say if you’re alone that nothing bad can happen to you. That must be said by people who are never alone. 

[eldritchsurveys]

654.

Honestly, what are you thinking about right now? >> I’m aggravated because ESO’s server maintenance is supposed to be over by now, but it isn’t, and I want to play. I also hate that I am so easily aggravated by things like this sometimes, because I’m sure to people with fully functional brains it’s not a big deal and it probably shouldn’t be to me either -- but no one ever said I had a fully functional brain. Also, I’m thinking about all the raucous crowing going on outside. The crows have really been out in full force lately. Do you like to get your nails done? >> No, it involves too much physical contact (although, at least it’s only on one part of my body). Also, I can do just fine at home by myself, and save like... fucking $60 or whatever. Why the fuck is it so expensive anyway? What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day? >> I don’t have any thoughts on Valentine’s Day. It really doesn’t affect me most of the time (it didn’t even affect me when I was single, honestly). I think it’s a bit of a silly holiday but far be it for me to rain on other people’s parades about it -- the last thing anyone needs is someone like me being pedantic and bah-humbug-y about the fact that they’re doing something cute for someone they love. Anyway, while V-Day doesn’t really factor into my life any (Sparrow sometimes gets wine and makes dinner and we just veg out watching YouTube or whatever), I was flipping through a local publication while we were at Biggby the other day and I found a V-Day event at one of our favourite places (Long Road Distillery), which was perfect. So we’re going to that, and I think it will be fun. Sometimes V-Day is just a convenient time to find fun "date” ideas. Do you remember the last movie you saw while on a date? >> Well, in the last question I put “date” in quotes because I, an aromantic, don’t really know how I feel about the concept, but at the same time it’s not completely illogical to call planned outings with my spouse a “date”, so... you know. Regardless, the last time we both went to see a movie together is when we went to see Jojo Rabbit last year. Do you love the color pink? >> I mean, it’s fine. I like it in some cases and I like it less in others.

Have you ever cheated on someone? >> Yes. What color is your favorite bra? >> My binder is black. Sometimes I do consider getting one with a cool print on it, though. I forget the name of the company that makes those. If you took on the surname of the last person you kissed, what would it be? >> Can Calah doesn’t have a surname. Do you kiss on the first date? >> --- Do you like to wear dresses? >> Sure, sometimes. What I don’t like is wearing them in public and knowing that I now have no way to assert that I am not a cis woman. Because “well, you’re wearing a dress, after all!” Yeah, because it’s comfortable and has a cool pattern on it. Fuck off. Are you into sports? >> No. Do you like any ‘manly’ activities like hunting, fishing, or camping? >> I’ve never been hunting or fishing, but I imagine I’d find hunting a bit more interesting than fishing (although, from what I understand, both activities involve a lot of waiting around without moving, which doesn’t sound fun at all). Camping, however, can be a lot of fun. Did you lose your virginity before you were sixteen? >> I was coerced into sexual activity before I was sixteen. If not, are you still a virgin? >> ---

What was the name of your first boyfriend? >> Craig. Your first kiss? >> Hm.

Are you still with either of those people from the last 2 questions? >> Like, of fucking course not. Have you ever used your bra to hold things like you would a pocket? >> Yeah. Are you a shop-a-holic? >> No. How many purses do you own? >> Zero. Describe your favorite pair of shoes: >> --- Who knows a secret about you that no one else does? >> --- What is your longest relationship to date? >> The one I’m in. Who ended the last relationship you were in? >> I did. Have you ever gotten back with an ex? >> Yeah. Everyone makes mistakes. Are you bi? >> I assume I would be if I wasn’t ace. Have you ever done something with a friend of the same sex? >> Yeah. Who was your first prom date? >> A 29-year-old police officer from a nearby town. My father set it up. Yes, it was just as sad as it sounds. Have you ever dated someone more than three years older than you? >> Way more. Have you ever dated someone a year younger than you? >> Yeah. Have you ever fallen for a guy friend? >> No. Have you ever had a guy friend you weren’t into, fall for you? >> I don’t think so. Do you cry during romantic movies? >> Not usually. I don’t have the kind of heartstrings that romance flicks are primed to tug upon.

Who was the last person to see you cry? >> The only people that see me cry are Inworlders if I can help it.

Have you ever been used? >> I don’t think so.

Have you ever felt violated? >> Yeah. Do you like when I guy takes you by surprise and kisses you? >> I wouldn’t like it if anyone did that. What do you think of red lipstick? >> I don’t think anything of it, really. It’s just lipstick. Do you ever leave the house without make up? >> I usually leave the house without makeup on.

Do you tan? >> I’m already dark-skinned, boo. What is your natural hair color? >> Dark brown. Is it that right now? >> Yes, with a tiny crop of greys. Have you ever gone for someone despite knowing they were bad for you? >> Well, I kind of just overlooked my instincts, is what I did. Do you prefer guys with dark hair or light hair? >> --- Have you kissed anyone who’s name started with 'C’? ’D’? 'J’? 'K’? 'R’? ’T’? >> I don’t feel like digging back into a history I don’t care about to figure this out. Would you be more likely to date a redneck or a goth? >> A goth, if I were to date. A prep or a skater? >> Unlike “goth” and “redneck”, I don’t know anyone my age who identifies as “prep” or “skater”, so.... An athlete or a musician? >> Musician, probably. I don’t think I’d be able to remain interested in (or interesting to) anyone for whom atheticism was important. When was the last time someone gave you flowers? >> I don’t know. What kind of gift can win you over? >> Win me over to what? Has anyone ever sung to you? >> Yeah. What was the stupidest thing you’ve done while drunk? >> Drank too much and ended up sick for the rest of the night. Are diamonds really a girls best friend? >> I don’t know, ask a girl. Gold or silver? >> Gold. What is your favorite scent? >> I don’t have one. Do you like massages? >> I really don’t. Apparently “no one hates massages” except lmao I do. Have you ever been skinny dipping? >> No. Do you sleep naked? >> No. Is smoking a turn-off? >> Not necessarily. But the thing about smoking is, if you do it enough, it has lingering effects that are turn-offs -- smelling like smoke all the time, yellowed fingertips, a persistent cough, that sort of thing. If you smoke every once in a while, that probably won’t be a problem, so it’s fine. But I’m guessing not many people can say they smoke every once in a while (I’m the only person I’ve known that does).

What is the perfect date? >> --- Is there a certain tv show you get upset if you miss? >> Not really. I can always just... catch up... What is your favorite movie? >> The Fountain. When was the last time you spent the night at someone else’s house? >> Christmas. Was that someone of the same or opposite sex? >> It was Sparrow’s parents... What is one food you always crave? >> I don’t know about always. Baklava, maybe? I have it so rarely that I do end up wanting it often. Are you an exercise freak? >> I am... freaked out by exercise. Ha. What scares you more, spiders or snakes? >> Neither. Do you expect to be married in the next two years? >> I am already married. What would you do if you found out you were pregnant? >> I wouldn’t be pregnant. It’s scientifically impossible for several reasons. Was the last person to call you male or female? >> --- Does it matter if a guy has a sense of humor? >> I mean, I’m not going to hang out with someone completely humourless. Do you wish on shooting stars? >> No. What are your thoughts on guys who wear wifebeaters? >> Literally, that’s just an undershirt. What kind of specific opinion can I possibly have about people who wear undershirts... Who do you vent to when something is bothering you? >> Can Calah.

What is the best way to cool off when you’re mad? >> Distraction. Plenty of distraction. Do you have someone who is protective of you (father, brother, etc.)? >> No. Well, King Crimson would be, but there’s not much he needs to protect me from Inworld, lmao. Would you ever get implants? >> No. Have you ever had a crush on a sibling’s friend? >> No. Have you ever had a crush on a friend’s sibling? >> No. What is the corniest pick-up line someone’s ever used on you? >> I don’t remember. It would have had to be like 10 years ago. Does it mean more to you if a guy uses the word 'beautiful’ about you? >> --- Is your best friend a guy? >> --- Are you more of a 'girly girl’ or a 'tomboy’? >> I’m not either, since I’m not a girl. Is your hair longer than your shoulders? >> It’s not even longer than an inch. Do you prefer showers or baths? >> Showers. Have you ever dated someone with a child? >> Yeah. She was a funny kid, I liked her. One time she dead ass sat in front of the main menu screen of a movie that her father had put on for her and then forgot about, for like an hour, and he was like “omg why didn’t you come get me to press play???” and she was just like *lolshrug*. Kids. Have you ever dated someone shorter than you? >> No. Have you ever dated someone of another race? >> Yes. Do you secretly still love to dress up for Halloween? >> I have never dressed up for Halloween (aside from just wearing a nice outfit, but not like a costume) and I would love to have that experience. Have you kissed anyone today? >> No. Will you kiss anyone tomorrow? >> It’s possible. Are you addicted to texting? >> No. If you and your best friend got arrested, what would it be for? >> ---

[peachximagines]

I Fall Apart

Warning: Angsty, sexual content, swearing

Pairing: Female!reader x Calum 

Word Count: 2.6k

A/N: this is my first requested writing :) Requests are open, feel free to use my ask box. Thank you @idekxhood for the request!

Request: “Hi idk if you do requests but if you doo can you do one for me with Cal where him and the reader have been broken up for a few months and the boys invite her over and she gets emotional seeing Calum and she’s crying or whatever and they end up making out or sleeping together and then they get back together? Idk I thought it’d be cute but if you don’t do that type of thing it’s cool ☺️❤️”

The break up was cordial. If that’s what you call slowly drifting apart and then finally sitting down to end things that already felt over. We both decided that since he is going on tour, it was best that Calum and I broke up. It would be hard for us to see each other, we already saw each other so little as is. Nothing in me wanted what we had to end. The increase in tour prep drove a wedge in the time we had together. I had deadlines, he had pavement to hit. Our love life just wasn’t in the cards. I tried to ignore the ache in my chest every time I watched an interview or heard Youngblood on the radio but nothing could stop the yearning my soul had for him. I did still keep in touch with Luke though. Talking to him throughout the “grieving” period. He kept tabs on Calum telling me he was okay, telling me he was doing the same for Calum. I would get occasional, “he loves you, talk to him” advice from the boys, but I never took it.  Getting almost daily calls from Luke was a constant, but what I didn’t expect was an invite.

“Just a little get together, some drinks, some friends.” I bite at my raw cuticles, thinking of all the reasons this would be a bad idea. “Yes, Calum will be there but you were our friend before you two dated. That can’t change, dude.” I hate how right he was.

“What time should I be there?” Luke lets out a victory cheer.

“Get ready now, come now, Sierra and I miss you.” I smile at his enthusiasm, promising not to take too long and hang up. I breathe out, clutching my phone tightly in my hands. One night, a couple of drinks with my ex and his best friends couldn’t be bad. I shakily text my group chat, telling them about my poor decisions. A flood of messages telling me to dress to impress vibrates my phone to the point of a mini earthquake in my hand. I shuffle to my bedroom, looking through my closet for an outfit the screams, “I totally didn’t listen to Lie to Me on repeat and cried on my way home from work!” A casual pair of ripped jeans is my choice of the day. I grab a black crop and settle on leaving my hair in its natural state. I add lipgloss and a tiny bit of highlighter before leaving the house.

The drive to Luke’s house felt too fast and too slow all at once. I park next to a line of sleek fancy cars before making my way into the house. Classic rock blasts from the house, causing the mahogany door to tremble. I text Luke, making him aware of my presence. Not too long after I press send, the handsome blond man whips open the door. Falling into his arms felt like taking your bra off after work. The fucking best. He squeezes extra tight before pulling away.

“Y/N! I haven’t seen you in forever, how the fuck are you?” The slight smell of alcohol off his breath explains his overzealous behavior. I grin, loving every minute of it.

“I’m great, how are you and the Mrs.?”

“Speaking of the devil,” I turn and see Sierra. She’s an actual goddess. I rush into her arms, feeling her grip. For such a petite girl, she hugs just as good as her gargantuan boyfriend. I go to ask her about herself but then he and I meet eyes. Calum takes a swig of his beer. He starts making his way in my direction. I feel my smile falter.

“Y/N.” He says. I give him a tight-lipped smile. “It’s been a while.”

“6 months, Calum.” I nod, turning away from him in search of alcohol. A pit grows in my stomach. Anxiety and sadness fight in me, trying to see who will make me feel worse. I scan the area for an escape route, spotting people in the kitchen. Ashton talks to Jack over the island in the kitchen, bonding over some music. I grab a beer from the cooler, joining the boys. I down the slightly chilled beer, wishing to wash away the feelings I had in me. Ashton averts his attention to me.

“Hey beautiful, how are you?” I finish off my beer in a few too little chugs. “That bad?” I nod, whipping my mouth with the back of my hand.

   “I didn’t think seeing him would feel like this, yet here I fucking am.” I reach for another beer. I crack it open, drinking it down quickly.

“Maybe you should slow down, lightweight.” Chills go down my spine, inching across my arms. I lock eyes with him, wishing to be angry or even slightly annoyed. I couldn't do it. Seeing him again was like taking a dive off the diving board. I knew what jumping would entail, but I can never calculate the feeling of your stomach flipping over and over. I honestly thought I could kind of handle this. Being this close to him, smelling the Nautica cologne I gave him for Christmas, seeing the necklace I gave him for his birthday. His entire appearances reeks like the ghost of our past and I feel like the Scrooge.

“Fucking bah humbug,” I grumble, pushing myself out of my seat, taking large steps to reach the bathroom.

“Y/N!” Sierra calls out for me but I ignore it. I don’t want to cry in front of anyone and ruin the mood. I thank the heavens and hell when I reach Luke’s master bedroom, locking myself in the bathroom. I slid down the door, clenching my eyes shut. Finally, I allow the dumb tears to fall. I pull out my phone, shooting an “I was wrong” text to the group chat. I just need to get this crying out the way and drink my sorrows away. That was my plan until I heard knocking at the door. Sierra was too sweet.

“Sorry Si, I was just really-” I unlock the door, opening it up for Calum. He looks nervous and I want to kiss him more than anything. I back up, going to close the door again. He sticks out a fresh bottle of beer.

“Peace offering?” I take it, my fingers gently brushing the tips of his fingers. His fingers. I shake myself out of the thoughts that start and allow him to come in the bathroom with me. I sit on the edge of the tub while Calum sits on the counter, leaving an appropriate amount of room between us. I drink the beer, watching him carefully from the corner of my eye. He doesn’t speak. He just watches me. His jaw was clenched, allowing me to see every tendon and muscle below his beautiful brown skin.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, I just don’t know how to be around you,” Calum shifts, his jeans rubbing against the light ceramic counters.

“No worries,” I shrug, “let’s forget about it.” The heavy silence makes me want to scream.

“So what, you’re just going to act like nothing happened?” The question sounded accusatory. His voice cracked slightly like he was close to tears. I scoff, drinking more of the beer. “Like we didn’t break up? Like the reasons we broke up don’t exist?”

“You were the one who pulled away, Calum. I was there as much as I could be.” He shakes his heads, his jaw never relaxing.

“No. You weren’t there. You were working more than me, staying late, leaving early. You avoided me.” Calum slides off the counter, leaning against it. His muscular arms crossed, his eyes squinting.

“Avoiding you? I was building a career for myself, just like you were doing. ” I stand up from my relaxed position, “Except, you were the one who left Calum!”  

“I had a tour! I promised to call, every day! I never broke that.” His face started pinky around his cheeks, his eyes slightly widened with anger.

“That’s fucking rich. I needed you while you were at home, not on tour.” I tip back the beer, taking the rest down in one gulp. “You should’ve tried when we together, not when we were falling apart.” I step away from him, my head swimming. WIth my back now to Calum, I pull on the door, hoping for a hasty exit.

“You promised,” He choked out, voice breaking. His gaze was shifted down, eyes filled with tears that were so fucking close to spilling. “You promised we’d be together. I fucking loved you. I still do. I write songs about the love we had. I write songs about how I fucking feel because you left me.” He sniffs, fiddling with the bottle cap.

“Calum,” I start, letting go of the door handle.

“What changed, huh?” He wiped a tear from his cheeks. “What made you stop loving me? You said it, we’d be together. You promised me, so what changed?” I shake my head, tears of my own accumulating.

“Nothing, nothing fucking changed.” He finally meets my eyes, a sob escaping my throat. Tears streamed down his face endlessly.

“We were more than okay, baby. We were in love.” Calum steps towards me, grabbing my wrists tenderly. “We wanted to get married.”

“Cal, please,” I want to pull from his grip, scream at him for bringing every feeling I had for him back a tenfold.

“I fucking love you, Y/N.” The sincerity, the passion is all too much. The sobs leave my mouth in choppy hiccups.

His arms wrap around me like they belong there. Because they do. Calum belongs with me, against me, holding me.

“I’m so in love with you, more than anything.” I grab his damp cheeks, pressing our lips together feverishly. People always say that when you kiss someone after a long time, it feels like the first time. This was nothing like our first time. This feels rushed, desperate just to be touching. Starved for each other. Calum brings a large hand up my spine pressing my chest even closer to him. Our lips separate, Calum starts making quick work of kissing anywhere he can reach. My neck, my chest, my collarbones. His mouth was all over me and I needed him. I needed him physically, mentally and emotionally.

“Please,” I whimper out, not knowing what I was even begging for.

“Sh, baby. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you,” the feverish kisses slow down, light airy ones sprinkle my skin. His kisses were the dictionary definition of love. He makes quick work of lifting me onto the counter, pulling my crop top off of me in record time. I smile at him, teary-eyed but in love. He looks beautiful. The soft yellow light of the bathroom is forgiving on our sob wrecked faces. Calum looks like a fucking prince.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers gently against my jaw. His breaths were short and frequent against my skin. I wanted him to pull me in and never let me go. “Just tell me you love me, baby, let me hear you.” His fingers trail the inside of my thigh, inching closer to where I need him. I go almost completely lax, letting my head gently thud against the mirror. Calum takes the opportunity to lick his way down my chest to my tits, sucking a hickey in cleavage view.

“I love you Calum,” I whine softly, spreading my legs for him a little more. “I’m in love with you.” He moans against my skin, the vibrations arousing me even the slightest bit more. I squirm a little, pressing my crotch against his hand.

“Gimme more,” I beg softly. Calum licked his lips, nodding and tugging down the zipper of my too tight jeans.

“I’ve been wanting to get you out of these since I saw your pretty ass walk in baby.” It takes longer than necessary to shimmy out of the jeans. As Calum finally yanks them off, he trips falling onto the floor. I gasp.

“I’m fine!” He scrambles up, cheeks pink with arousal and now in embarrassment. “All good in the Hood.” he winks while I groan in annoyance, pulling him back to me kissing those stupid lips. With only my panties as a barrier, his touch was intoxicating. HIs fingers play with my pussy gently, keeping on the edge without giving me what I wanted.

“Calum, please,” I beg, pushing his hand harder against my core.

“Six months baby, six months,” he growls it into my ear. “I went six months without touching my girl’s pussy so I’m gonna take my fucking time. Be good.” I want to come just from his words. Our lips meet again, the same hunger returning. Like Zeus himself answered my prayers, Calum pushes his middle finger deep in me. I gasp, missing the solid feeling of being just slightly full. I rub my pussy his hand, trying to gain even a bit more friction. He was barely doing anything and god damn it felt so delicious.

“That’s it, baby, I told you I’d take care of you.” The weight behind his words was more than just sexual. I nod wantonly, rolling my hips against his hand. “Can I put another finger baby? Would you like that, beautiful?” I nod, needing more from him. Anything. The feeling of two fingers slowly consumed me and I could’ve just came right there. His thumb toys with my clit softly, jolts of pleasure hit me every few seconds. Calum’s mouth returns to my tits, while his free hands rubs himself through his jeans. The familiar build of tension forms in my stomach.

“Cal, please I’m so close.” He moans while sucking on my chest. His hot wet mouth on my skin, his long fingers rubbing it was enough to push me over the edge. I came hard, choking out his name like it was the only thing I could think of. My thighs trembled as his fingers picked up the pace, another wave of my unfinished orgasm hitting me harder giving me the pleasure that I’ve been missing. Slowly, he pulls his fingers out from me, promptly sticking them in his mouth. I watched with my mouth slightly agape as he licks his fingers cleans. I smile, pulling him closer by his waistband, sliding a cautious hand down the front of his pants.

“Not gonna last long, princess. Probably gonna cream myself just from you touching me,” I bite my lip, not too bothered with the idea. I work my hand over his cock, keeping it in his boxers. His eyes flutter shut, his hips start thrusting deeply against my hand. The view of him was something out of a porno. His cheeks were flushed, his hair was in his face. His eyes were squinted, just enough to stare at my hand but still get lost in the pleasure. His grip on my thighs tighten.

“Come for me, Cal. I fucking wanna feel your thick cock come all over my hands.” I kiss his cheeks, the warm skin slightly salty. “Please, I want it so bad.” I kiss his parted cherry red lips. His tongue pushes its way into my mouth. I swallow his groans as thick white spurts cover my hand. His groans were rough and jagged like he hasn’t come in a while. I whisper soft praises in his ear, rubbing a little more. I pull my sticky hand out his pants, quickly running it under warm water from the sink. Calum chuckles, pulling my body against his, kissing me like it was all he wanted to do.

“I know shit’s fucked right now,” he swallows, still a little out of breath, “but we can do this baby. You and me against the world.” I kiss his cheeks, the warm pink skin familiar as my own skin.

“You and me against the world.”