#both silly little guy that i wanna put in my pocket and also genuinely one of the most like. idk *human* characters in genshin imo

[mauriooo]

IM SO NORMAL ABOUT KAVEH (blatant lies)

[kuroos-moon]

「vi. Deal pt. 2」

warning/s: angst (just a lil bit)

a/note: for this smau, like my previous one, there will be numerous chapters wherein they aren’t text chains or necessarily smaus just like this chapter and the prologue. If that’s not to ur liking, or for any reason at all, pls feel free to tell me u wanna be removed from the taglist 🖤

He skeptically looks out through his window, and just like you had texted him a minute ago, there were no more reporters outside. Finally, he thought, not really expecting you to be telling the truth. Honestly, why do you mess with him so much? 

Also, he’s been wondering ever since your reunion if you deliberately went to the gym for him or if that was pure coincidence and you’re spontaneously messing up his life right now. The moment he opens his door, he’s adamant on avoiding you because he just knew the person you were now is adamant on driving him insane by doing things like popping out of nowhere to pester him. 

Speaking of which, what the hell are you doing in front of his doorstep? “Sakusa Kiyoomi!” You brightly smile, eyes lighting up at the very sight of him. “Nope.” He pulls the door close but you put a hand to stop him. He tugs on it, making you chuckle, but you stubbornly refuse to let him shut you out. 

“Get out.” He snaps. “I’m not even inside, Sakusa Kiyoomi.” 

Seriously? Saying his full name like that only ticks him off. “Don’t call me that.” He tugs harsher on his doorknob but you successfully grip the door with both hands now. 

“Shall I call you love then?” You tease despite finding it extremely hard to keep the door open. It may now have dawned on to him that this was pointless as he lets go, though he’ll never admit that he’s actually afraid of accidentally shutting the door on your fingers—he knows he easily could. 

“What do you want?” He sighs. “We need to talk.” 

“About what?” How you left me? How you had the audacity to walk back in my life like you didn’t trample all over me before? 

“Our relationship,” you grin. He chokes. “Our what now?” Laughter erupts from your throat, and it was bittersweet. You’re so carefree and mesmerizing—your eyes angelic and genuinely alight. But more than that, you’re ruthless and despicable, he knows that all too well. 

“Won’t you invite me in? It’s cold y’know,” you place your hands inside your pockets. “Then freeze,” he narrows his eyes. He absolutely hates you, here he was slightly worrying he’ll go soft and easy on you because one could never control the heart yet you so easily reminded him of why you were the bane to his existence.  

“Yup, figured walking in your home wasn’t gonna happen,” you mutter to yourself with a small smile. He hates it. Don’t act like you know him, because at some point you did, but you don’t deserve to have him etched in your memory. 

“Tell me what you want so we could get this over with.” 

“Right. Yes sir. Yes love,” you chuckle, not even minding that he remains unamused. “My manager has already arranged a live interview this afternoon.” 

“You should’ve started with that. So, you’re here to ask me what you should say?” He asks, unintentionally looking down on your hands you’ve rubbed together for friction. It was indeed cold, you brought this upon yourself though. 

“No, I’m here to make a deal with you. My statement for my interview later on depends on your response.” 

He rolls his eyes, leaning his shoulder on the doorframe because talking to you definitely tired him out; sucked his soul out of him. “And by this lovely deal, what exactly are you proposing? Not that you have a leverage over me now or anything.” 

You smile, stepping closer to him but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away. Instead, his feet remained planted to the ground, self-aware of how much his heart was racing right now and the only thing—albeit pathetic—he could do was glare at you. 

“Befriend me for a month, that’s it.” That didn’t sound half as bad compared to how devilish you’ve been these past few days. “Go on,” he mutters, stepping back and away from you. “You can’t block my number and you have to reply to my texts.” 

“Aren’t you ashamed of how pathetic and selfish you are right now?” He lowly says. You look up at him in surprise, there was faint hurt and vulnerability in his voice that wasn’t there before and you can’t help but feel guilty for it. 

“I like you, I don’t know why, I just do.” Pain visits him like an old friend. Casual, embracing, and mind-numbingly heartbreaking. You look up at his eyes and could tell right away the discomfort in them, but it wasn’t just discomfort, there was agony too—perhaps. You could never be too sure, you think, looking down on both your shoes. 

“I don’t know why you’re so hellbent on avoiding me, it felt like you hated me the first day we met, and I didn’t like the way you hated me for no apparent reason, much so because I happen to like you.” You’re rarely ever serious or this openly truthful with anyone other than your friends, it was only normal that it embarrassed you. But this didn’t feel exactly foreign either. It felt like he understood you somehow—your words and the thoughts you haven’t exactly expressed. 

“I hated you the first time we met?” He repeats and you look at him, surprised at the surreal softness in his voice. “When… was the first time we met, y/n?” 

That’s the first time he’s said your name. It made your cheeks flush warm and your eyes widen a fraction. This moment was temporary and fleeting, it was easy to see, because he certainly doesn’t call your name like that so naturally and so right—he certainly doesn’t look at you with the absence of resentment as he normally would. 

“Three days ago, outside your gym,” you respond unsurely. As if you’ve reminded him of something utterly annoying, he had closed off himself once more, his eyes unreadable and brooding as they stared back at you. 

“And this is why I hate you,” he chuckles humorlessly. You’re still pretending you didn’t know him, as if those years together were something you could so easily erase. “I don’t care what you say in that damned interview. Saying yes to that excessively self-centered deal of yours would lose me my self-respect, you know that.” 

He finally steps out the door, closing it behind him as he walks past you and all the way to his car. He hopes this would be the last time he sees you; he desperately hopes so. The last thing he needs is a repeat of the emotional wreck he’s been when he was at the lowest point of his life after you so selfishly left him behind.  

“Sakusa Kiyoomi!” You call off, and he stops in his tracks, clenching his teeth. You’re clearly overestimating his patience. “I don’t know how befriending me would lose you your self-respect. Hell, I am so irritated at you right now, hard-to-understand-breathtaking-stupid volleyball player!” You grit your teeth, he scoffs, finding your impudence unbelievably out of this world. 

He wanted to bring up your past, to shove it right in your face that you had no right to be angry with his hostility considering everything you’ve done. But he can’t, it’s foolish to bring up history you insist you’ve forgotten. “You better watch my interview later on.” 

“Oh?” He mockingly says, turning to look at you, “just what are you going to say?” He admits it is out of character for him to banter off with you like this, if you were someone else, he’s long gone inside his car. Maybe this was his way of saying goodbye to you for good, allowing himself to talk to you like this before moving forward with his life that’s anti-you. 

“I’m telling them we’re the bestest of friends but we might marry!” You stick your tongue out at him before running off, you don’t even notice him freeze up. His heart fell to his stomach, he unconsciously held in a breath. No, he didn’t just hold in a breath, it’s getting harder and harder for him to breathe. 

There it is again, his old, life-long friend. Crippling pain, anxiety, and resentment bundling up and turning into one heavy-ass anchor, pulling him deeper down than he’s been before. The stability he’s built and worked on by religiously avoiding you for years all went down the drain with those silly words of yours. 

Just what kind of ridicule or twisted teasing are you pulling off? 

“Wow, I’m surprised you guys put up with Oomi.” He hears your voice, lips tugging upward a little before he realizes what you had just said. Finally entering the gym, he sees you sitting in a circle along with his teammates. 

He narrows his eyes at the back of your head. You should be in your winter uniform by now, he bets you forgot. One thing he hated about being a year older than you is that he goes to a different school now that he’s in highschool while you’re still on your last year of middle school, you just can’t seem to take care of yourself enough. 

“Yup, Oomi’s really great, he’s the best, I guess that’s why you accept how cold he is sometimes huh,” you snicker, your enjoyment short-lived when you’re engulfed in a jacket and Sakusa’s scent. “Stop giving me backhanded compliments just because you think I’m not around,” he bitterly tells you though there’s a ghost of a smile on his lips. 

“Oomi!” You rise up to your feet immediately and flung yourself at him. He catches you with no hesitation of course, guessing that you’re here again because you missed him. The rest of his teammates except Komori are surprised. 

“Sakusa-kun, didn’t know you had a middle school girlfriend.” 

“Ew, she’s not my girlfriend.” He bites back a smile though when you punch his shoulder. “What’s with the ew? Not that I like Oomi that much—he’s an ass,” you send him a pointed look, “but we’re the bestest of friends,” you grin. 

“And we might marry someday, right Oomi?” 

His face falls. “Can you not make me cringe like for a week or two, thanks.” 

You scowl, “oh, so what, you don’t wanna marry me?” At this point, he blushes, you’re always so blunt and shameless, you could at least tweak it down a bit. He only scoffs, walking past you to pick up a ball from the ground, “didn’t say anything like that.” 

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[idy-ll-ique]

What The Hell, Gyllenhaal, You Could’ve Just Told Me!

Pairing: Jake Gyllenhaal x F!Reader

Requested: Nope

Warnings: None

Genre: Floof

Summary: Y/N is Jake's assistant and he has an interview with Another Man.

Author's Note: I've had enough of not posting so you're getting this. I wrote it a long time ago, I think a few weeks after his actual interview with Another Man. Anyway, I'm posting it now so enjoy!

---

Jake POV:

"Y/N! Where are you?" I groaned as she finally picked up my call. "Outside, open the door!" I got up from the couch and opened the main door to see Y/N rushing towards me. I blinked, she looked so beautiful. Then again, she always did. I ended the call and kept my phone away. "Thank God, where were you?" I asked her as she stood outside, panting. "I'm sorry, my alarm didn't go off, my phone's battery died. I woke up late and then… well, now that I'm here, we should probably leave."

I nodded, grabbing the keys to my car and house. We left the house and got into my car. Y/N, if you didn't know, was my assistant. And she was the prettiest girl I had ever laid my eyes on. "Where to, first?" I asked her. She took out her phone. "Interview for Another Man. Then the photoshoot," she told me. I sighed and she looked at me. "Everything cool?" she asked softly. "Yeah, I'm bored already." She laughed, which made me smile.

"Come on, man! You were so excited about this, I know you. It's something else." I chuckled, shaking my head. "It's nothing, I swear." She stared at me suspiciously for a few seconds and then gave up. "Whatever." There was silence in the car as Y/N opened Instagram on her phone. "Should I put on some songs? We've got at least another half an hour in the car," I said and she shrugged. "Sure! Songs would be nice." I grinned and turned the radio on. 

Y/N raised her phone and I glanced at her. Oh, she loved taking photos. I followed her on Instagram, it was the best thing ever. She posted videos of her dancing and singing. As planned, half an hour later, we reached the office of Another Man. I parked the car and the two of us got out. We walked towards the entrance.

"Oh my God, Y/N?!" At the high-pitched squeal, both of us turned around. Two women walked up to us. "Hi," Y/N waved. "We're big fans! We love your Instagram, you have a beautiful voice!" Y/N exchanged hugs with both of them. I stood to the side, smiling. "Holy shit, Jake Gyllenhaal!" one of them squealed, looking at me. "Hello." I shook hands with the two ladies. "Can we get a quick photo, please?" Their names were Rebecca and Julie.

Julie raised her phone to take a selfie. Y/N draped an arm around my shoulders. My arm went around her waist and we smiled at the camera. After that, they went away. "You're more famous now," I teased Y/N as we resumed our walk towards the building. "Shut up," Y/N muttered with a smile on her face, giving me a slight push.

I laughed, shoving my hands in the pocket of my jeans. "Really though, I agree with them. You do have a beautiful voice," I said as we walked into the building. I saw the interviewer and his crew waiting for us. 

"Aw, thanks Jakey-poo," Y/N smirked and I rolled my eyes. "Don't call me that," I told her and she shrugged. "Okie, Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal," she grinned. "Jake is fine," I sighed, waving at her as I walked towards the interviewer. He led me to another room and I glanced back at Y/N. She sat in the lobby on a couch, keeping her backpack on her lap.

The interviewer and I sat down. "Hi, I'm Alex," he said, holding his hand out. "Hi," I smiled, shaking his hand. 

"One question before the cameras roll- Who's the girl outside?" he asked. "Oh, that's my assistant, Y/N Y/L/N. Very sweet gal. She's more famous than I am, apparently," I laughed. "Really? How's that?" Alex asked, amazed. "We met two fans outside, like, 15 minutes ago. They recognized her first," I snorted. Alex laughed, too. The cameras rolled and we began with the interview. 

---

 "Thank you for talking to us, Jake! It's truly been amazing." Alex and I stood up, shaking hands. "Thank you for having me! Do we do the photoshoot now?" I asked him. "Yeah. We have a few sets designed and a few venues as well, assuming you'll be comfortable shooting at different places?" I scoffed, waving my hand. "Of course, I'm cool." Alex then introduced me to Jessie, who was the photographer. "How about I meet you at the bridge?" she offered.

"Sure, no problem."

She gave me the address and left. I walked out of the room and looked around for Y/N. She wasn't where she was supposed to be. Her stuff was there, where was she? "Boo!" Startled, I turned to look to my right. Y/N was grinning at me, wiping her hands with tissues. "Goddamn it," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Ha, gotcha. I was in the bathroom, silly," she snorted, walking towards her backpack. She kept her phone away and swung the backpack over her shoulders. 

"Where to, Captain?" she asked, tipping an imaginary cap. I told her the address as we walked out of the building. "You know, I met 3 people while you were giving an interview. I guess I am famous," she mumbled. "That is awesome, Y/N," I smiled, getting into the car. Y/N sat next to me and opened her backpack. "Yo, drink water."

She handed me a bottle of water before I could start the car. "I'm not thirsty." She stared at me with a raised eyebrow until I drank some water. 

I could never deny her, could I? I had a huge crush on her and it was common knowledge that people would do anything for their crush. I handed the bottle back and started the car. The bridge where we were supposed to go was nearly an hour away. "Ah, here it is. I waited for this for so long now, it's here. I'm impressed." What was she talking about? "What?" I asked her.

"News about us dating!" I nearly swerved the car. "The news about us WHAT?!" I asked her loudly. 

"Calm down, you big baby. Apparently when we met Rebecca and Julie there were paps around and they took a lot of photos. You know them, always printing the wrong news," she rolled her eyes. "Well then, Miss Famous, post it on your Instagram, tell them we're not dating," I grumbled. I did want to date her, though.

"Ah, good idea." She opened Instagram and I could hear her long nails clicking against the phone as she furiously typed something out. "Done," she said a minute later. 

"What did you write?"

 "I had been waiting for news like this. LMAO, I'm not dating @jakegyllenhaal I'm his babysitter," Y/N chuckled. "You wrote that?!" I yelled. Y/N burst out laughing. "Kidding, I wrote assistant, don't worry," she wheezed. I sighed in relief. A few minutes passed by in silence.

All of a sudden, Y/N's stomach started growling. "Shit, sorry," she whispered, blushing furiously. She clutched her stomach. "Hungry?" I chuckled. "Yeah," she sighed. "Wanna stop by, get some food?" She quickly shook her head. "No, we'll be late, then." I frowned. 

"It doesn't matter, you do. Come on, tell me where you want to eat," I said and she continued shaking her head. "It's alright. After the shoot we'll catch a snack, for sure," she insisted. I gave up. "Do you at least have snacks in that bag?" "Sure," she mumbled, taking out a toffee. She peeled off the wrapper and ate it. "Did you eat breakfast?" I questioned. "Nah, I was late, remember? Didn't bother," she shrugged.

"Not done, you gotta eat," I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, dad."

We reached the venue and I parked my car at the start of the bridge. The bridge was isolated for the shoot. "Aren't you getting down?" I asked Y/N when she didn't move. "I'm fine," she muttered, looking away. What happened with the sudden mood change? "Okay," I said slowly and closed the door after getting out. I kept the AC running for Y/N. Jessie was on the bridge, waiting. "Oh, hey, Jake! Ready?" I gave her a small smile. "Sure." She walked away and I leaned against the railing, sighing.

"Everything alright?" I heard and turned to look at the guy working on the lights. "Yeah, I'm fine," I told him and he nodded. "Alright, huge smile!" Jessie called out from a few feet away, holding the camera up. I managed a smile. Jessie was about to click the photo when she frowned. "Come on, man, not genuine. What's up?" Ignoring her question, I gave a broader smile. She simply lowered the camera, staring at me with a raised eyebrow. 

"We need authentic smiles, Jake. Do you want to shoot a little later when your mood is better?" Jessie asked softly, walking towards me. "Please! How about 2 hours later?" I sighed, relieved. "It's Y/N, isn't it?" I stared at her, shocked.

She only gave me a knowing smile. "I'm just like you, Jake. When my girlfriend is unhappy, my mood changes as well. Go make her feel better, then return when you're done," Jessie chuckled, patting my arm. I nodded and started walking away. I didn't even have the heart to correct her about the whole 'girlfriend' thing. 

"Also, what happened? Did you two get in a fight?" I turned around to face Jessie. "No, I… I found out Y/N did not eat breakfast and she was really hungry… but she refused to eat because I would be late to this shoot. She doesn't care a lot about herself because of me. I feel… guilty," I explained in a tired voice, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well then, I would definitely suggest feeding her first if it would make you feel better," she laughed. I gave her a small smile and walked towards my car. 

When I reached, my eyes widened. "Y/N, what the fuck, what happened? Why are you crying?" I hastily opened the door and sat in the driver's seat. She sniffled and wiped her tears. "I'm fine, it's just… whenever I'm super hungry I get all moody and sad because my stomach hurts and- Wait, are you done with the shoot already?" she questioned, confused. "No, we postponed it, we're up 2 hours later." I started the car. "What- Where are we going, Jake?" she asked as I drove to the nearest fast food restaurant. 

"We gotta put some food in that belly."

Y/N chuckled and I felt a hand on my thigh. "Thank you," she whispered, laying her head on my shoulder. "It's okay." We fell silent. "Did you postpone the shoot because of me?" Y/N asked quietly a few minutes later. "Yeah. I felt bad that you didn't eat for a long time and I couldn't smile for the photos. Jessie figured out it had something to do with you. She suggested we postpone, actually," I told her truthfully. "You're too sweet." 

Y/N pressed a kiss to my cheek and I smiled. We arrived at a McDonald's drive thru. We collected our orders and I drove back to the bridge. I parked the car in the same spot as before and turned to Y/N. 

"After you, milady," I smiled, gesturing towards the food. She took off the covering and bit into the burger. "Thank you so much, Jake, you're the best boss one could ask for," she squealed and I chuckled. I took out my phone to quickly check my Instagram while Y/N ate. I wasn't hungry, I didn't order anything for myself. When I heard a giggle, I looked up. 

Y/N had sauce all over her lips, pretending it was her lipstick. I opened the camera app and discretely clicked a photo because she looked too cute. With a smile, I returned to Instagram. "Wanna share?" Y/N questioned and I looked back at her. She was holding up the pack of fries. 

"Nah, I'm cool. You're the one who should be eating!" I told her. "Come on, man! You bought me two goddamn Big Macs and I was barely able to finish them! Eat this with me!" She shook the pack of fries in front of my face. I sighed and picked out one. We shared the pack of fries. 

Y/N was in a much better mood after eating. We had half an hour to kill after eating before we were back on schedule. "So… Y/N, tell me something about yourself." She narrowed her eyes at me. "What?" she deadpanned. "Come on, we've got nothing to do. Talk to me," I whined. "Well… what should I tell you?" she shrugged. "Your favourite things," I smiled. 

"The colour red, red roses, winter… the song Happy Now by Zedd…" she said, counting on her fingers. 

"That's nice, but I've never heard of the song," I shrugged. "Oh, no? The one that goes you're a world away, somewhere in the crowd, in a foreign place, are you happy now? There's nothing left to say, so I shut my mouth; won't you tell me, babe, are you happy now?" A smile bloomed on my face as Y/N sang. "Sing it for me," I blurted out and she looked at me. 

"Okay, let me put on the karaoke." Both of us took out our phones. I opened Camera and kept the video recorder ready. 

"Are you recording?" Y/N sighed, putting on the karaoke. "No, I'm on Instagram." Y/N believed my lie and started singing. She sang the first verse and the chorus. After she was done, I ended the video. "That was awesome! People are right, you do have an awesome voice," I told her with a grin. "Great! Your mood has improved, Jake, go for the shoot," Y/N said with a smile. "Only if you come along." Both of us got out of the car. 

Jessie was talking to someone but turned as soon as she saw us. "Oh, hey guys! I hope you're fine now," Jessie snorted, looking at me. "I'm fine, honestly," I laughed. "Great! Let's get to work!" The photoshoot was a huge success. I had broad smiles throughout because everytime Jessie clicked a photo, my eyes were on Y/N. 

---

"Ya know, Jake, you shouldn't cut your hair."

Y/N and I were back at my place. "What? Why?" I asked, running a hand through my hair. "I think it's a good look on you. I like men with long hair, so when you're like, cuddling, you get to play with their hair," Y/N smiled, not looking up from her phone. I stared at her, a smile on my face. A few seconds later, Y/N looked up, wide eyed, cheeks as red as a tomato. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't- I-" I chuckled and got up from my place on the couch. I sat down on the floor in front of her. 

"Jake, what are you doing?" Y/N whispered as I took her hand. "Do whatever you want," I told her, placing her hand on top of my head. I heard a small chuckle and felt her hand combing through my hair, massaging my scalp. "Your hair is so soft," Y/N mumbled. 

"Thanks," I chuckled, closing my eyes. This was so soothing; I leaned back, laying my head on her lap. I took my phone in my hand and put on some songs. A song, specifically. All Your Days by Shallou and Emmitt Fenn. 

Y/N started singing along. I smiled, I could never get tired listening to her, her voice was absolutely angelic. "Hey, Y/N?" She made a humming noise. "Wanna get coffee later?" I heard her laughing and looked at her. She was grinning at me. "Are you asking me out?" she teased. "Yeah, actually," I whispered, eagerly awaiting her response. 

She leaned over and wrapped her arms around my shoulders in a tight hug. "Of course." I smiled, hugging back. 

"So, like… have you liked me for a while now?" Y/N questioned a while later. I was sitting next to her now and she was snuggled into my side. "You agreed to be my assistant around 5 years ago, right? I've liked you for the past 3," I answered truthfully and she sat up. She looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "You've lived with your feelings for 3 years now?" she asked loudly. 

"The most difficult three years of my life," I joked. "What the hell, Gyllenhaal, you could've just told me," she laughed. 

"You've liked me, too?" My jaw dropped. She nodded and I pulled her back in my arms. "If only we were bold enough," I laughed. She opened Camera on her phone. "I'm taking a selfie, join me." She smiled at the camera. That smile turned into a grin when I kissed her cheek. I watched as she opened Instagram, put a long caption and posted the picture. 

Alright, paps, you win this one. It wasn't one-sided; turns out, he's interested in me, too. Guess who's going on a date this evening with @jakegyllenhaal? 

I laughed when I read the caption. "You're a pro at coming up with Instagram captions," I told her. "You learn from the best," she winked. "Aw, thanks!" I said, touched. "What, no, I was talking about Ryan Reynolds." Y/N burst out laughing as I shoved her, frowning. "I'm kidding, stupid," she laughed, falling back against my chest.

---

A/N: Please ignore typos/mistakes, it’s just a fun, light-hearted fic. Thanks for reading, do like if you enjoyed it! Follow me for more fics, the masterlist is in my description (this reads like a YouTube outro lmaooo)

[bibbykins]

can u give us a glimpse into what arguing w/ the princes would be like? love ur work btw!!

You bet! I actually had something written about this ages ago but never finished it so I’ll paste it here and add some more!

Warnings: 18+ (just like my whole page and all my works are)This is where the toxicity and unhealthiness of these relationships show, manipulation, yelling, lying, mentions of sex, mentions of rough sex, mentions of various sexual acts (cunnilingus, fellatio, exhibition) I beg of you to not put up with any of this shit irl let fiction stay in the fictional world yknow? I always ramble in my fics about this but I figured I should add it here for good measure

Jin:

Where the other boys rarely ever just “argue” and it is either a fight or nothing, you guys just argue sometimes, never rlly fight

This ties back to the fierce honesty policy you have between each other, but you both are so stubborn so arguing does happen

You both usually start by saying snarky things until one of you breaks and says what is really bothering them, which doesn’t take long at all

If you cry, congrats, you automatically won bc Jin not only does not know how to deal with a woman’s tears, he cannot fathom his one true love crying

Although you usually try to continue explaining your reasoning bc you don’t wanna win by crying, you wanna win bc you’re right

Jin, similar to Jimin, respects you a lot, so the other girls seldom ever catch him acting like a clown’

His downfall is just being bad at expressing his feelings bc he thinks you just know, like you read minds or something

Jin usually apologizes by asking what you want after he forfeits his pride so if it’s a gift, he’s on it, sex? say less. 

He usually prefers to pamper you for a night, not even cumming during sex unless you tell him to

You’re the one who threatens the other fellas when they’re disrespecting their s/o, intentionally or not, and boy are they frightened. You rlly have a way with insults

Yoongi:

Bickers with you, but doesn't fight and everyone does not understand how bc he’s so standoffish to everyone else

Bc your relationship has the most public eyes on it, gossip columns are floored when they cannot find flaws or rumors of fights, and most are too intimidated by Yoongi to just make them up

You both read each other like a book, so the only time anything comes up is if you don’t like what you’re reading at that moment and vice versa, then a fight might start but it is shockingly rare

If he makes you cry, the fight is over, he lost. Yes, this is a running theme among the guys bc they are all whipped dummies

Very perceptive of your feelings, so never really worries about fighting with you or you hiding anything from him

You know how to get him to fess up so it's not the worst system of communication (still not healthy in the slightest but that’s the yandere life here)

He doesn't really try to lie to you or hide anything since you're also pretty bonkers so if he destroyed someone’s career bc he thought they looked at funny, you just roll your eyes and tell him he’s silly

You are the one that Jungkook and Taehyung are terrified of (It’s just about all the hyungline gf’s they are rlly scared of)

You’re usually so bubbly and energetic, but if you get pissed off, you’re as frightening if not more frightening than Yoongi

I should add Yoongi prefers to make up by marathon eating you out, at some point, it feels like he’s getting a kick out of it, but you’re in no place to complain tbh

Hoseok:

Not a lot of fighting here tbh bc you are still healing and your talent is in deescalating situations and telling people’s feeling

Your job is literally a behavior analyst so you will just deadass be like, “I can tell you’re getting frustrated to a point where effective communication won’t be possible, so how can I help calm you down?”

Makes him go silent real quick and reevaluate everything he has ever thought or done

For this reason, he just sighs and apologizes, genuinely bc you can absolutely tell when he’s just saying it to shut you up

He is the only one that will allow you to leave (the room, not the house) not that you want to leave the building considering the dangers you know are out there

Once you both cool off, you’ll have him state what he thought about and vice versa

You give advice to all the girls on how to do this, but not all of them are brave enough to try

So you go full mama bear mediator and step in when you feel the need

You genuinely frighten these guys bc you have this innate ability to make them feel dumb as fuck

Namjoon:

No fights rlly but misunderstandings happen that makes Joon go manic

You get frustrated bc he does this instead of just talking to you, but he’s learning little by little

The moment you aren’t smiling or trying to make a light joke with him, fight over, you won, he is worried

Bc he knows if you’re not smiling, you’re almost definitely going to cry and when you cry, he cries

You actually implement Angel’s tips and see some improvement with communication as time goes on

Namjoon’s love language in making up is grand gestures, so he’ll rent out a whole restaurant, or take you on a shopping spree to an art supply store, anything that will bring a smile to your face

You intimidate the other guys when they fight with their darlings bc you keep a smile the whole time you are threatening them and holy fuck is it eerie. You usually try to distract the upset girls post-argument with a craft or fun art facts

Jimin:

What makes the relationship work are your selfish tendencies working in tandem with his more sinister ones, but it can’t always work that way

You both test each other all the time despite agreeing on almost everything because the relationship is not a fight for dominance, but control-control you usually win 

The closest you get to real fighting is rough sex, most of the time you have disagreements that you resolve with conversation

It's the most “healthy” (it’s not all that healthy tbh) thing about the relationship and it blows everyone's minds, but it only happens bc Jimin has always respected you, and he genuinely knows that you don’t need him as much as he needs you

But on the extremely rare occasion there is a fight it is never in front of anyone and all hell breaks loose: screaming, yelling, slamming doors, it all seems like endless hell bc you both are too stubborn to say when you’re wrong

Until you cry

He really can't stand the sight of you crying, bc you rarely ever cry. He sees you as really tough and his whole perception of the world shatters once he realizes he’s the cause of your tears

Making up includes, you guessed it, sex. Like calling into work bc you can’t walk sex (Jimin cries during this sex bc he feels undeserving but by round 2 he stops)

The girls come to you post-argument to rant bc you live to talk shit with them to vent

Taehyung:

Rarely ever fights with you, because he absolutely despises doing so and you typically do what he says without question

But when you do fight, it always ends with both of you crying and hugging

During the argument though, he can say some seriously out of pocket shit, bc he lacks impulse control and you take that shit to hear bc who wouldn’t 

The fights are nightmarish and hard to watch bc at some point it just becomes Taehyung losing his mind while you cower until he realizes how much of an asshole he’s being or until you try to leave mid convo

Bless him if he were to ever make you cry in front of the other MC’s, my guy would be ripped to shreds bc the other girls do not fuck around

Hates to ever be the cause of your tears so you both are very quick to makeup and he can spend up to weeks making up for it

I’m talking gifts, money, food, dates, clothes, he is basically your personal assistant that pays you when he feels bad

The girl’s come to you after an argument for quiet time or some cute embroidery time

Jungkook:

You don't fight often, but when you do it's disastrous bc he is wildly paranoid and you are wildly insecure

You almost always go into a panic attack, fearing he'll leave you and he immediately loses all fight in him and feels like shit

And he is absolutely crushed seeing you hyperventilate or clutch your chest while he's yelling so he just stops like mid yell will just close his mouth and take a deep breath before going to you 

Immediately apologizes when it happens

Usually cries with you while he holds you

Another fella that will get torn to shreds by the other girls if they even catch a whiff of him being anything other than sunshine and rainbows to you rip jungkook tbh

He makes it up to you the same way Taehyung makes it up, by shutting his mouth and doing whatever you want, and giving you whatever you want

When the other girls get into an argument with their guy, they come to you for a hug and some quality time distraction

[okaybutlikeimagine]

Jim and el going to go see billy play basketball at school and billy being so surprised cause no one has ever gone to go see him play

♥ I. LOVE. THIS. SO. MUCH. ♥

Ohmydear okay okay so i’m imagining Billy like, basically never talking about games. He’ll say he’ll be back late some nights and when Hop asks he’ll just cite: “Basketball.”

And that’s it. Just says it casually and nonchalantly and then leaves w/ his duffel.

 And Hop was totally in some kind of sport in high school. Like football or something. He knows they have games and stuff it's just… Billy never mentions them and Hop doesn't really wanna step on toes or anything. He's still learning and he doesn't wanna suffocate the boy.

Except….

One week Billy seems extra tired and stressed and bratty. He's rushing out of the house after grabbing an apple and Hop calls after him: "where's the fire, kid?"

Billy takes the apple out of his mouth.

"I've got extra practice all this week. There’s a major game this Friday and coach said there might be a scout and….. Yeah." Billy shrugs and runs out the door.

But Billy keeps talking about this game. Comes home tired as all hell and flops on the couch and rants for a good half hour about it. About how the coach has been pushing them so hard and it’s such a major game and he keeps telling them the team can’t screw it up. Or in the morning he’ll shovel cereal into his face and speak w/ his mouth full about how they need to destroy this team on Friday bc they’re their biggest rivals and “What’s gonna happen if this scout notices me? I kinda hope he notices me. Should I hope he notices me?”

And so it takes Hop until about Wednesday morning before he decides they need to go. Billy has never told him when games were but he won’t stop talking about this one, won’t stop freaking out about it, won’t stop getting genuinely excited about it, hopping around after he comes home from practice one day pretending like he’s still playing basketball and then riling himself up.

So when Billy leaves the cabin for school on Wednesday, Hop turns to El and says: “Do you want to go to the basketball game this Friday?”

El tilts her head.

“What basketball game?”

“Billy’s.”

“They let us go?!” She asks, eyes wide with excitement.

“Yeah, we should go support him.”

She nods her head excitedly.

And so when Billy is out late for practices, Hop comes home w/ a posterboard and some paint and they sit at the table and paint a little sign for Billy (they have to wait till he gets home and passes out to go digging through his gym bag to figure out what number he is).

And so when Billy sends them both a farewell before heading off to the game, Hop and El wait a few minutes before Hop breaks out the face paint, paints little whiskers on El’s cheeks, lets El paint little paw prints on his own, and then grab their poster and jump into the car and head out for the gym.

And when they get there, a little early to find a seat, they recognize a couple of familiar faces scanning the bleachers.

“I cannot believe you dragged me out to a basketball game.” Robin’s voice drawls, arms crossed but slight fear in her eyes bc wow too many people.

“C’mon, Billy’s been talking about it all week I had to come, he never talks about games. And I couldn’t go alone. Plus you guys are totally friends, whether you admit it or not.” Steve responds, busy searching for a seat.

“I tolerate him for you.”

“You guys gang up on me all the time!”

“I mean, sure, we bond over messing with you, but-” Robin turns her head, irritated with all of these faces looking at her when she sees: “Is that El? Hey!”

And El runs up to Robin to say hi to her and Steve, Hopper walking up behind her and they all 4 find a seat together and if you don’t think they leave a trail of slightly confused and gossipy whispers behind them then you are greatly mistaken bc basically the whole gym has broken out into ‘Hey, isn’t that Chief Hopper? What’s he doing here?’ ‘I think he’s Hargrove’s foster dad or something.’ ‘I heard he’s actually Billy’s biological dad and Hop finally got custody back.’ ‘Is that THE Steve Harrington? What’s he doing w/ Band Geek Buckley?’ ‘They worked at that ice cream shop before the mall exploded. Now they’re at Family Video.’ ‘Wow, he’s really hit bottom if he’s coming back to school to watch a basketball game w/ the Chief of Police. How fucking weird.’

But the little group of 4 doesn’t (really) notice bc they’re chatting away about how Billy has been so excited and nervous about this game and how there’s a scout here and “D’ya think he might get a scholarship for basketball, Hop?”

And ohmydearmeDUDES imagine they announce the team all excitedly w/ lots of grandeur and lights and the boys running out of a big paper tiger head or something and Billy gets the loudest applause of all bc of fucking course he does, people both love and hate him but he’s the best player on the team and you just… you HAVE to clap for Billy Hargrove. And so Billy isn’t surprised at the cheers he’s getting, it’s the biggest game of the year and everyone is here, except none of his friends ever show up. It’s not Jonathan’s or Nancy’s or Robin’s scene, Carol and Tommy have stopped coming since Tommy got kicked off the team at the beginning of the year, and Billy doesn’t really talk to anyone else. He doesn’t bring up his games to anyone, either, bc he doesn’t wanna sound like he’s needy or something.

So he’s not expecting to see anyone he cares about in the stands. He’s just letting his heart flutter wildly with his nerves as he riles up the crowd and pumps his fists and puts on a show like he’s not scared as all hell for this game when…

When...

When he sees a sign that says: Go Billy! on it w/ little paw prints and his number in the corner.

No one makes signs specifically for him that don’t also include some sort of lewd remark.

So he shifts his eyes down and sees-

Oh my god no way they came.

It’s El, smiling the biggest, brightest, widest smile, little blue whiskers on her face, eyes crinkling up. Next to her is Hop, clapping happily with his eyes so full of pride Billy’s gonna drown. To the other side of El is Robin, clapping a little slower with a smirk that says You better be real damn grateful i’m subjecting myself to this for you.

And then Steve, cheering and whooping and clapping and smiling and he sends Billy a little wink and Billy is melting he’s absolutely falling through the earth bc what the fuck they actually came I didn’t think they would actually come.

His crazy, cocky facade falls and he starts running up to where they’re sitting, a couple rows back from the front, fully ready to tackle them in hugs or something, ask what they’re doing here and why they came and just ohmygod I’m so glad they came I can’t believe they’re here-

When his teammate grabs a hold of the back of his jersey and pulls him back towards the court with a “Where you going, Hargrove? The game’s this way!”

And so Billy shoots the boy an irritated look before looking back towards his family they’re my family my family is here with a wave and a genuine smile and all of the warmth boiling in his heart.

And Billy does GREAT. They destroy the other team and Billy as always is the one they praise the most and everyone is crowding around him and rushing out onto the court to congratulate him but he pushes himself out of the crowd and doesn’t pay attention to anyone because his family is here and El is standing there waving with her sign and asks: “Did you do it?”

Bc she’s still confused on how basketball works (Hop tried to explain the rules to her while Steve tried to explain the rules to Robin and they were both very lost, though El was a lot more interested than Robin was) and Billy scoops down to hug her and say: “Yeah, we did alright.”

And they all laugh and Billy ignores everyone but his family as he goes to grab his bag and they head out, Billy telling them he has to go back to the locker room with his team to get the after game notes from his coach “-but after that we should like… get ice cream or something.”

Hop nods. “Sounds like a plan.”

And so after the coach tells them good job and gives them their final notes on the game, Billy takes a super quick shower and runs back outside and sees Steve standing there, hands in his pockets, leaning against the side of the gym.

Billy smiles wide.

“Congrats out there, Tiger. You really did take my throne, didn’t you?”

“C’mon, I had it before you left.” Billy shoves Steve’s shoulder and they walk.

“You… you did real good out there. Think the scout noticed you?”

Billy shrugs. “I dunno, the coach hasn’t said anything about it yet. He just told us to celebrate this weekend.”

Steve nods, about to say something else when Billy shoves him behind another building where the lights are out and kisses him silly against the wall, the faint sound of the still cheering and chanting team somewhere behind them, the drumline doing cadences into the night as Billy kisses Steve like he’s starved. Always kisses Steve like he’s starved.

“Thanks for coming, Princess.” Billy whispers against Steve’s throat once they’ve pulled away.

“I know it meant a lot to you. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

And so they meet up with everyone at their respective cars and head out for ice cream together and Hopper says “You did great, son.” over his own cup of ice cream and Billy is trying so hard to stay cool but let me tell you, the boy is beaming over this praise and love and he’s answering all of El’s questions about basketball and he’s helping Robin pick on Steve and it’s heaven.

And now can we all just IMAGINE El saying Max should come along to the next game. And then the next game Max brings Lucas, who brings Dustin who brings Mike who brings Will. And then the NEXT game where Will is like: “You’re his friend too! I know you don’t like sports games but Robin comes so you can come too.” to Jonathan who comes along w/ Nancy and then Hop brings Joyce and Billy has a whole damn SECTION just for his family and friends who are all cheering him on in their own ways and they ALWAYS go out for pizza or ice cream afterwards (Mike and Dustin will say they tag along just for the food after the game and Billy will flick their ears when they say it)

And it’s just so NICE. and LOVELY. And BILLY HAS A FAMILY WHO LOVES HIM AND SUPPORTS HIM AUGH.

[staticscreenwriting]

Casual moths - chapter ten

Find the other parts on my masterlist here.

If you liked this part and wanna help me out, please consider a reblog. Thank you.

Chapter ten - fights and families

There’s a sizzling in the air as Angel and Callie arrive at the Clubhouse. A crowd of people is gathered together, all clutching various different alcoholic drinks as the bass of some song vibrates through the night. A beautiful female voice sings some melodic Spanish lyrics, just a little too quickly for Callie to properly understand with her limit knowledge of the language. 

It’s something she needs to work on, wants to work on, living in Santo Padro where the Mexican culture is so alive and vibrant. It’s something she wants Daisy to grow up with, especially now that Angel seems to become a more long-term fixture in their lives.

A strong smell of beer and sweat and cigarettes hit Callie’s nose and though technically it shouldn’t be a pleasant scent, something about it makes her feel almost nostalgic. It’s been a long time since she’s properly been to a party. The last must’ve been before she had been pregnant with Daisy. Looking back that all seemed like a whole lifetime ago. The girl then and the girl now are not the same. Maybe though, Callie thinks, she can allow those two to become one and let go and be young and in love for a night until she has to go back to mom duties again tomorrow. 

Angel’s hand slips into the back pocket of her jeans, there’s something possessive about it, something territorial and though with everyone else Callie would’ve hated it, when Angel does it there’s a certain charm to it. 

The next few minutes fly by in a blur. People get introduced, names thrown around and forgotten immediately. There are so many people and so many names and Callie tries to keep up but — there’s just so much one person can remember. 

She’s met most of his brothers before, has grown quite fond of both Coco and Gilly and not just because they helped fix up the store. Those two might be a little crazy but their hearts hold the same warmth Angel’s does. And they are family to him. They’re as loyal as can be and Callie is eternally grateful that Angel gets to have these two in his life. 

This life, the one Angel leads, is dangerous. Callie knew that the moment she first stepped foot onto the yard of the clubhouse. It’s risky and sometimes scary. But looking around the yard right now, taking in the smiles on people’s faces, the laughter and the cheers, the voices as they sing along to the music — out of tune but unbothered — it makes sense to her. It makes sense that Angel would choose this life, this family. It’s a community of people who need each other for life has dealt them shitty cards. It’s a home. 

Callie had expected Angel to be a bit more distant towards her with his brothers around, she knows what men are like and honestly, she would’ve been okay with it. Angel though, he doesn’t do that shit. He has to be touching her in some way. Whether it’s an arm around her shoulder, a hand on her waist or a kiss placed softly on her head, he’s actively seeking out the physical affection and Callie relishes in it. Her man’s a soft one if she’s ever seen one.

The boys are laughing along to some silly story Coco recounts when Callie softly places a kiss on Angel’s cheek and steps op on her tippy-toes to level her lips with his ear. 

“ I’m gonna go get another beer, you want something? “ 

Angel looks at her and there’s something in his eyes, so pure, so unfiltered, that it makes her heart beat faster. He looks at her the way every woman wants to be looked at. Like there’s nothing in this life and the next that will ever come close to her in his eyes. It’s magical almost. 

“ Nah, still good here, “ he says and shakes his beer bottle that’s still half full, “ be quick though, I don’t wanna be alone. “ 

He’s not alone, this is a party with a shit ton of people. One couldn’t be alone here if you tried. But it’s not what he means and Callie knows, she understands. And quite honestly, Callie doesn’t want to be alone either.

“ Don’t worry, I’m a regular Speedy Gonzales. “ 

A genuine laugh falls from Angel’s lips, and Callie thinks that this might be one of her favorite sounds. Her grumpy goof of a boyfriend letting out a genuine laugh. 

Before she can turn away from him, Angel captures her lips in another long and passionate kiss. There’s an abundance of PDA happening all around her and apparently Angel doesn’t mind if it’s them doing it either. He tastes like beer and cigarettes and warm summer nights.

With a tap on her ass Angel sends her off towards the clubhouse and Callie, though she doesn’t wanna admit it, finds a certain sense of pride once she catches a glimpse of the other women who regard her with a mix of jealousy and admiration for getting this kind of affection from Angel.

The clubhouse is stuffy and warm but there are way fewer people here and the summer air doesn’t cling to your skin as much as it does outside. The quiet is also a nice change for a moment. 

EZ is leaned up against the bar, rag throws over his shoulder though Callie isn’t sure whether it’s actually being used or if it’s more for show purposes. To keep up the image of an actual, professional barkeeper.

“ Well hello ma’am, can I get you a drink? Turns out I can’t do Pina Coladas but I do mix a mean Long Island Iced-Tea. “ 

EZ Reyes has the best smile. There’s something boyish about him which is admirable given the things he’s gone through. Life should’ve made him bitter and to some extent, it probably as, but there’s still a sense of childlike wonder in him and Callie hope he never allows that spark to fade away.

“ Dude, I’m not that old yet! Stop calling me ma’am. Also sorry to disappoint but all I want is another beer.” 

“ Thank god, my cocktails are pretty shit if I’m being honest. “ he laughs and grabs an ice-cold bottle of beer from the fridge behind him and pops the lid off before handing it over to Callie.

The chill of the glass feels good in her hand, lets her finally cool down a little.

“ You havin’ a good time? “ EZ asks and Callie is once again grateful for the Reyes family and their soft hearts. 

“ Yeah, I am. It’s fun to see this part of Angel’s life. It’s not like anything I’ve ever been a part of but it’s — It’s nice. I can see why you both join. “ 

“ After the shitty drinks I served tonight I’m not so sure they’ll patch me in after all “ EZ jokes before opening a beer for himself.

“ Drinking on the job, man? And I was just about to offer putting in a good word for you with Angel. “ 

“ You got a good connection there? “ Ez plays along.

“ Mmh. I’d say so. Got a bit of leverage over that guy. “ 

“ Huh. And that’s entirely more than I need to know. “

Their shared laughter fills the room and for a moment Callie feels young again and weightless and like she belongs. Maybe she’s found more than just a boyfriend, maybe she’s found a whole nother family for herself and her kid. 

EZ clears his troath and as Callie looks up, she can see a determined glint in his eyes. The same no-nonsense look she’s seen in Angel so many times. 

“ I’m glad he has you. Angel, I mean. He’s uh — he’s my brother and I love him but I was so lost in my own head that I completely ignored whatever was going on with him and once I did notice he was in way too deep and his resentment for me and our dad and himself made it kinda hard to get through to him. I’m glad he has you. Whatever you did, he seems happy. And I haven’t seen Angel happy in a long time. “ 

Sometimes It’s nice to hear that you are needed just as much as you need. That you are wanted just as much as you want the other person. That you are appreciated as much as you appreciate.

“ I don’t do anything, really. He’s very easy to love. All I had to do is let myself love him. He’s wonderful and funny and his heart is too big for his own good. How could I not fall in love with him? Whatever I did for him, he did the same for me. He makes me happy too. “ 

“ I’m glad, “ EZ remarks and grants her a smile, “ he’s way less of an asshole since he met you. “ 

“ Nah, he’s still an asshole he just doesn’t have to pay to get laid anymore. “ 

“ Okay that’s enough, get outta here. I don’t wanna hear any of that. “ 

Callie’s laughter echoes through the bar as she turns to leave and just as she is about to step out into the night, her ears pick up on EZ’s chuckle as it mixes with hers. 

Those Reyes boys are quite something else. 

The girl is blond and tall and beautiful. Her hands skim softly along Angel’s arm, touching his skin gently. And then they don’t. Because Angel pushes her hands off of him. Not in a mean way, not violently or hurtful. But with a determination. With a clear warning. A definite messages that this isn’t happening. Not now and not anytime soon.

And Callie catches all of it, the entire exchange. The pushing off, the look the “ look I have a girlfriend now “. She knows that Angel probably knows more than one of these girls more intimately then she’d like but that’s also something she signed up for. He has a past and Callie would never expect of him to deny that or make him feel ashamed for it. It’s a past she doesn’t necessarily want to think about but one she doesn’t judge him for. To see him so openly call her his though, to a girl that so boldly offers him sexual favours, that makes her feel like a goddamn queen.

“ Hey, babe “ Angel greets her a smacks a sloppy kiss on her lips before pulling her back into his side.” My brother bother you? “

“ Nah we just talked a bit of smack on you. “

“ Aw man. Baby you’re supposed to be my hype girl here.” 

 “ I also told him about the great sex we have regularly so … “

“ Huh. Alright then. I accept that. “ 

Angel takes her face in between both his hands and places his lips on hers, eager and hard and passionate and just when his tongue slips into her mouth a slap on his back makes him pull away. 

One of his brothers, one whos name Callie has forgotten by now, looks at Angel with a playful glint in his eyes and a smirk on his face. “ You up for a round in the ring.” 

“ The ring? “ Callie questions before Angel nods his head towards the other end of the yard where a metal fence is set up in a more or less perfect circle in order to resemble what Callie can only describe as a DIY boxing cage like the ones on UFC fights. 

“ Uh — “ Angel says, eyes wandering back towards Callie. There’s a question in them and though Angel will never openly admit it to anyone, not even himself, he’s asking for permission. 

Does she really want to see her boyfriend throwing punches? Not really. But it’s clear to her that Angel wants to do it, and he’s an adult man. If he finds joy in fighting, who is she to deny him that?

“ Make sure you win this fight, baby. “ 

“ For you, always. “ 

With another kiss on Callie’s lips, he follows the other man towards the cage as a crowd gathers by the fence. There’s hollering and hooting, cheers and whistles. 

Callie steps up to the cage next to Leticia. The girl has a perpetual scowl playing on her face though even she seems to be a little excited by tonight’s happenings. 

“ You think you man is gonna win this one? “

“ Sure hope so. “

The corners of Letti’s lips pull up into a lopsided smirk. “ From what I’ve seen he can hold himself pretty well. “

“ That’s reassuring. You good, Letti? “ 

Ever since her sister befriended the girl, there was something about her that made Callie wish she could just hold her and make sure she’s okay and gets the love and care she deserves. Maybe it was the mother in her speaking but Letti always seemed so lost it broke her heart sometimes.

Though tonight there’s a different energy surrounding her. She seems — happier.

Letti’s eyes wander towards Coco as he laughs along with some of the other members and then back towards Callie. “ Yeah, I’m alright. “ And for the first time since she’s met the girl, Callie actually believes those words.

She shouldn’t be this turned on. Callie was never the type of girl who was overly charmed by men trying to show their physical strength by getting in fights. But god, Angel was hot. With his chest glistening with sweat and his arms raised in triumph. There’s a cut on his cheek and a bit of blood trickling from his nose but that’s about as bad is it ended for him. After pulling his opponent into a brotherly hug, complete with that part of the back thing men like to do, Angel scans the crowd for her. As he finds her, there’s a fire being lit behind his eyes. There’s adrenaline rushing through his veins and passion bubbling inside him. And when she smiles at him and motions her head towards the Clubhouse, Angel thinks he might have just died and gone to heaven.

He catches up with her on the steps leading inside and it takes all of his self control not to throw her over his shoulder and drag her inside. The way she smiles, how she fits in so perfectly with his club, his family. Whatever he did to deserve her, he’ll be forever grateful for it. 

“ Look at you, champion. Good job. “ she greets him and smacks a long, passionate kiss on his lips. Warm and soft and tasting of beer and summer.

“ Told you I’d win for you, babe. “ 

“ Yeah alright Tyler Durden, let’s go get you cleaned up. “ 

“ Who? “

“ Doesn’t matter, come on. “ she says and throws him a wink before disappearing inside. 

Angel’s hands are wandering all over her body, touching every inch of skin he can possibly reach. He’s always been appreciative of the female body but what he has with Callie, that’s a whole different story. She’s a masterpiece, a goddess. 

They’re a mess of deep breaths and kisses as they slowly come down from their high and relish in post orgasmic bliss together. Callie can’t remember the last time she’s been this free and reckless. Having sex in a tiny bathroom at a party with people just outside of the door, that was not something she’d usually do. Not since high school at least. Angel makes her feel so many things but above all he make her feel alive and in love.

As he pulls out of her and they both pull their pants back up, Angel leaves hot kisses up and down her neck and whispers sweet nothing into her ear. He’s so very gentle, so insanely loving. How anyone could ever not love him back, it just won’t make any sense to Callie.

“ Angel? “ 

“ Hmm…” 

“ I — “ she hesitates “ — thank you. “

“ For the sex? “ 

“ No, you dork. For being you and for — for making me happy. “ 

Angel looks deep into her eyes then kisses her once. twice. three times.

“ Ditto. “ 

“ You up for a round two ? “ 

Angel doesn’t reply just throws her over his shoulder and marches out of the bathroom and the clubhouse and straight towards his car.

Callie is giddy as she stands next to Angel on the front porch of her mother’s house. Her hand sits tightly in Angel’s as the morning sun shines brightly over Santo Padre. It’s a gorgeous day, all blue skies and sunshine and Callie can’t wait to enjoy the day with her man and her daughter.

“ Know it makes me sound like a sissy, but I missed the kid. “ Angel confesses and places a kiss on Callie’s head. It makes her heart soar with joy. 

“ Yeah me too. It was nice getting a kid free night but I missed her too. “ 

Her mother swings open the door and greets them with a bright smile. One of those reserved specifically for mothers. Angel knows for sure, one of those smiles has also belonged to his mother. The ones that make you feel warm and comfortable and safe and — like you’re home.

“ Bacon and eggs are just about done, common in you two. Daisy is still asleep but I was about to wake her up. “ 

Angel follows the two women into the kitchen, the walls a calming light blue, the farmhouse style kitchen white and weathered. This house has seen a lot, has heard stories and secrets. Memories have been made here and Angel can’t wait to hear about all of them.

“ You go sit down, I'll go get her. I need to get some cuddles in when she’s still sleepy.” Callie says, voice radiating with love for her child, before disappearing upstairs.

“ Did you guys have a good night out? “ Callie’s mother asks while tending to the bacon sizzling in the pan. 

“ It was pretty fun, missed the kid though. “ 

“ I can imagine. I’m glad Callie agreed to go though. She needs to take some time for herself every one in a while. She can be a mother and a woman all at the same time. “ 

“ You’re right about that. I’m glad she came too. She gets along real well with my friends. “ 

Talking to Callie’s mom feels easy, as if they’d known each other for years and even though Angel is still nervous, the way she smiles and the soft lilt of her voice make him feel as comfortable as possible in a situation like this.

“ Callie’s good with people. She has a certain kind of magic about her.” 

Angel is about to agree with that statement when a sound echoes through the house that makes the blood freeze inside his veins and sends terrifying shivers down his spine. 

“ Mom, where’s Daisy? Where’s my daughter ? “ 

[criminally--reid]

library lovers

I h8 the title- n e ways... here's the fix that's been promised to be posted at least twice a week for the past month 😌✋🏽also if u want untagged yk who u are smsbsj lmk,, i just thought id use the anon tag so u could see it snsbsj n e ways let's get on wiv d shit show

warnings: awkward chaotic gay, general smutty stuff y'know, mutual masturbation, i’ve never written mxm fic before so yonkers :| 

word count: 2.6k

Pairing: bi!spencer x (dom-ish)male!reader 

//a.n.\\ somehow the reader ends up in charge and i kinda like it tbh. i'm shit at storylines,  but honestly,, highschool homophobe masturbating with spencer reid? Call that character development 

`°•○●○•°`

You hadn't seen Spencer in years. Remembering the terms the two of you ended on, you weren't surprised either. All throughout highschool, you were the movie-esque tormentors of the frail, nerdy kid. The bully that wasn't actually supposed to exist. The absolute nightmare that had kids like Spencer trembling, dreading to relive the same terror another day. 

Shock couldn't even begin to cover what you felt the day you watched him walk into the library you now owned. You had been working on forgetting him since graduation. Just when you thought the remnants of Spencer had dripped entirely from your memory, everything came flooding in the matter of milliseconds the moment he walked through your door. All the times you watched him eat alone, pick his things up alone after someone had thrown them out of his hands; all the times you could've stepped up and just chose not to. You promised yourself you'd be different. Now was your chance. 

You subtly watch Spencer as he looks through the many isles of books. Beginning at young adult, trailing quickly to non-fiction, and eventually ending up in the classic section. He doesn't spend much time amongst the books - 5 minutes at the most since he walked in - before bringing a stack of 6 books up to the counter; you anxiously waiting to scan him in. 

"Did- did you find all your books alright?" You manage to ask. Spencer merely nods his head, crossing his arms and bringing one of his hands up to his mouth, chewing on his fingernails. His brows furrow and you're worried he's about to say something. 

"I'm a little surprised to see you working here actually." This throws you off. You did not plan for this- this confrontation. 

"I take it you remember me?" 

"I'm not really one to forget things, you know." Fair enough. 

"Well, yes. I actually run the place now. My grandfather had passed it on to me." 

"Oh he's…? I'm so sorry for your loss." 

Spencer's look of sincerity throws you off. After all the years of you being his worst fear, he still had room in his heart to be genuinely kind towards you. 

"It's fine, really. It was so long ago now. And besides- now I have this grand, ancient bookstore." You end with a chuckle and finish scanning the barcodes in each of his books. 

"Thank you- uh actually, could you help me find something else?"

"Of course! What're you looking for?" 

"Everyone keeps recommending me Donna Tart, where could I find some of her work?" 

"Follow me," you gesture and move from behind the counter. 

You walk him over to the very back of the store where all the dark academia-esq books are. While sifting through the books, he asks you a question that catches you completely off guard; his voice nothing above a whisper. 

"And I take it that you don't still hate me-" 

You immediately know what he's talking about. How silly of you to think the past wouldn’t be brought up.  

You clear your throat before speaking up. "I- n-no of course not. I- I uh- I know this is extremely cliche, and I'm not trying to excuse away any of the horrible things I did to you but- I was hiding." 

"From what?" Spencer chimes in quietly. 

"I just didn't know how to feel about myself. Gay this and gay that- it was all so negative. I didn't want to be known for something that was apparently so wrong. I definitely couldn't let the football playing circle jerkers I called my friends know about how I felt towards other guys. An-and I saw how they treated people like you and I didn't want that, so I joined them." 

"So you're gay?" Spencer asks, and you nod slowly. "And you and your 'circle jerking buddies' tortured me because you all thought I was gay?" 

"Well- I- we uh- that's what they said. I knew it wasn't good, but I didn't do anything because of what I was. I know the word 'sorry' will never make up for anything I've ever done or said to you, but I am so so sorry, Spencer." 

"You guys just knew I was gay? -Gaydar that strong, huh?" Spencer ends in a chuckle, easing up your tension, allowing you to slip out a soft laugh, too. 

"Obviously, it wasn't too good. I somehow managed to skate by for four years." 

"That you did." For the first time in years, when you look at Spencer, he doesn't look upset. A content, lazy smile accompanies his happy eyes as he. "Well- actually, I'm not entirely gay so I guess their gaydar needed some tweeking, hm?" 

"Oh, you're-" you attempt, but get cut-off. 

"Bi? Yeah. I realized I was bi when I realized I had a crush on you and your tenth grade girlfriend. What about you?" 

Still skimming the pages of a Donna Tart book, never looking up from it. So nonchalant. Him being so upfront with you was honestly exciting. You never imagined that you'd be remotely friendly with Spencer Reid, let alone him revealing he had a crush on you. "Ah, about junior year, I figured out I kinda had a thing for you." 

"Say, uh," Spencer started, tucking his hair behind his ear and slipping the book back onto the shelf. "I liked you; you liked me. Why don't we hang out sometime or something-" 

You could tell Spencer was trying hard to mask his enthusiasm. You were too. 

"Erm- yeah totally! I get off in about an hour actually; I could call you, and we could grab coffee or something." 

"Sounds great," Spencer says hurriedly as he fishes around in his pocket, drawing out a small slip of paper and drawing the pen from his shirt pocket. He hands you the freshly used paper with his number inscribed on it in smudged black ink. 

The next hour, excitement coursed through you. You're bustling around, fidgeting, unshelving and re-shelving books, sweeping, mopping - anything to keep your mind off of the end of your shift. The busiest yet slowest hour of your life. Your shift ends and your excitement reaches its peak. Your finger hovers over the call button at the bottom of your screen, hesitating. For a split second you get the courage to press call, but then you immediately regret it - that is until his hurried, excited voice slips through the speaker. 

"Hey, y/n! It's Spencer! Uh- you know.. that.. of course. Anyways, uh there's this coffee shop about a block away from my place. I wondered if maybe you'd wanna go and have an early dinner or something." 

You can't help but chuckle at his excitement; trying to calm down your own. "That sounds great, Spencer. What's the place?" 

"Café Negra-" 

"What?!" you cut him off "I go there all the time! How have I never seen you?" 

"What? That's insane. How have we not crossed each other there?" 

"No clue.. Anyways I'll meet you there- uh about 20?" 

"Perfect." Spencer hangs up without any formal goodbyes, but you couldn't care less - you couldn't wait to meet him at the coffee shop. 

The date - which neither of you bothered to assign that title to the event, but you both knew it was, in fact, a date - went impressively well. It's like you two had never been enemies in the first place. Those four years in high school wiped clean of any hard feelings as the two of you drank coffee way too strong for 6p.m., ate double chocolate muffins, and laughed away. 

When it comes time to leave, Spencer stands up first, throwing away his cup and muffin wrapper; you follow quickly and do the same. 

A mutual agreement was somehow made to take it back to Spencer's place. Maybe it was the lack of goodbyes that he seemed prone to. Whatever it was, the evening didn't feel finished. 

Once inside his cozy apartment, he welcomes you to his couch before maneuvering to the tv stand, kneeling down and pulling out three movies. He gestures for you to choose one, and you choose Titanic. Not the greatest choice of the three, but you had a feeling you wouldn't be focused on the movie too much anyways. 

He puts the disc into the player before joining you on the couch. About twenty minutes into the movie, he moves closer to you, resting his shoulder slowly, cautiously as if asking permission. You ease his nerves by welcoming his head on your shoulder and leaning against him in return. The next half an hour is full of stolen glances, light touches, and snuggling. All innocent until Spencer slides his hand up your thigh. You try not to mind it much. Maybe he's just absentminded in all the contact. He doesn't know what he's doing. You try to focus on the movie and not on his hand getting ever so dangerously close until you just can't anymore. Looking down at him, he's already making eye contact with you, driving you wild. Instinctually you connect your lips with his. 

Spencer shuffles over and straddles your lap, never disconnecting your lips. Your hands roam around his shoulders and back before dipping underneath the hem of his shirt and pulling it off. He makes quick work of returning the favor. After a few more chaste kisses, he stands up, pulling you up with him, and pushes his pants to the floor with you following suit. Spencer places his fingers under your chin, bringing your face up to his in an attempt to place another open-mouthed kiss on your bite-swollen lips. However, you muster up a burst of courage and manage to flip the script. Placing your fingers on Spencer’s chest and holding him at arm's length, you keep eye contact while you take a seat on one end of the couch. You motion for him to take his seat at the other end. 

Spencer, still unsure of the current situation, watches you move. He watches as you run your fingertips up and down your thighs. As you wet the palm of your hand with your tongue before running it up and down your shaft. Lightly tracing your fingertips over your reddened head, hissing at the contact. 

“Your turn,” you say barely above a whisper. 

Spencer’s eyes go wide, but he still obliges, wetting his hand and repeating your actions on himself. Hissing and cursing at the contact with his eager cock. He soon gets lost in his own world of pleasure. Moving faster and moaning barely-there profanities. Watching the show, you bring your hand back to yourself. Your eyes shut as you listen to Spencer; his pretty gasps like music to your ears. 

“Y-y/n? I’m- I’m close.” 

“Awh, so soon? You sure you can’t hold on for me just a little longer?” 

Spencer lets out a strangled moan and forces himself to slow his pace. Watching him struggle to contain himself turns you on even more. His desperate whines and pleas for release getting you closer to the edge. “Look at me, bubbas,” you coax. 

Spencer looks up at you, pushing a tuft of hair from his eyes. His other hand still desperately attached to the base of his cock, awaiting further instruction. 

“Listen.. We’re gonna cum together okay?” Spencer only manages a nod in response so you continue. “I want you to move faster again; get closer. But I want you to let me know when you’re about to cum, okay?” 

You’re met with a furious nod for an answer as he works at his waist, bringing himself closer to his climax; you simultaneously doing the same.

“F-fuck fuckfuckfuck! -M gonna cum. Shit! I’m cumming!” Spencer's cries of pleasure send you over the edge and you both spill over together. Your head dips back over the armrest of the couch as you try to catch your breath. You bring your head back up and look at Spencer, only to see him leaning sideways against the back of the couch, still out of breath and coates in a layer of sweat. 

“Why don’t we go get cleaned up, hm?” 

Spencer nods his head in agreement before getting up off the couch and leading you to the bathroom. You definitely aren’t going home tonight.  

[coffee-obsessed-writer]

All In Good Time

Summary: Tired of seeing his best friend wallowing in whiskey after another disappointment, he finally confesses a well-kept secret.

A/N: Written for @spnfluffbingo2019 & @spndeanbingo. Please excuse the poorly written smut, it’s been a while since venturing down that path and I was constantly distracted but things OTHER than the smut at hand. Oh well, hope you enjoy it!

Square filled for SPN Fluff Bingo: Best Friends to Lovers

Squared filled SPN Dean Bingo: FreeSpace

Warnings: Mild angst, Smut (18+ ONLY), Language

WC: 5.3K

Tags at the end of fic. Gifs not mine, credit to owners.

“Drinking that isn’t gonna make it stop, you know,” Dean said as he sat on the stool beside you.

“Stop what?” you asked without looking in his direction.

“Whatever you’re trying to forget.”

“You think you’re so damn smart, Winchester.” You did not need Dean’s brand of pep talk at the moment.

“Because I am,” he smirked. “As my best friend you should know how smart I am, and that I’m right about ninety-five percent of the time.” He finally turned to look at you and raised his brow teasingly. “If I remember correctly, last time you were throwing them back this hard, you’d been dumped by that chucklehead, Rocco. Can’t believe you dated a guy named Rocco…” he shook his head, disappointed in your past choices and drank his beer.

“Bite me,” you growled and threw back the rest of the whiskey in the glass.

You held it up for the bartender to refill and when he came to do so, Dean placed his hand over the top of the glass and slightly shook his head with a frown.  

“Dean, don’t be a dick—”

“She’s good,” he said to the bartender, who took one look at you and agreed that Dean was right.

“What the hell?! I wasn’t done,” you snapped at him, incredulous about his decision that you’d had enough to drink. “I’m not even that drunk!”

“Yeah, you are.” Dean slid the glass out of your reach, keeping his eyes locked with yours only infuriating you more.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? I’m a big girl, Dean. We aren’t fifteen anymore and you don’t need to protect me from myself or anyone else for that matter.”

WHO did he think he was, anyway? This night sucked. You got stood up for the second time by some guy you really thought could be the one. You thought he nearly perfect, and he seemed to accept your job and lifestyle as well as understood that you were a fiercely independent woman. Clearly, you’d been wrong and, so what, if you wanted to drink away the anger and hurt you felt for being duped, again.

“Me?” Dean mused, and sipped at his beer, “Oh, I’m just the guy who has been looking out for you for your whole damn life. The guy who knocked out Trent Moore when he tried to feel you up in the back of Bobby’s car. Also, the same guy who made sure that your shit-for-brains mother didn’t get you killed when she was drunk and went after a poltergeist.”

“Great, thanks for those reminders,” you moaned and turned on your stool to face the room and lean both elbows back on the bar. “Look, if you’re not gonna let me drink, lay off the trip down memory lane, okay? Not in the mood.”

“Deal.” Dean swallowed the rest of his beer and stood from the stool. “Come on then. W can shoot pool, or go watch a movie… whatever you want,” he reached out a hand to help you up, but you swatted him away.

“No! Just go, man. Let me wallow.”

“You know what… you’re a stubborn ass bitch. Fine, wallow! I’m so fucking tired of watching you do this. Oh, and next time you need a savior, sweetheart, call Sam, cause I’m done playing your white knight!”

Dean’s face was twisted in frustration, anger, and hurt, which left you confused. In all the years you had known him, he never got this mad at you before and you didn’t understand what made this time any different.

He reached into his pocket and slapped down cash on the bar, then turned and headed straight for the exit. You felt shocked and frozen in place, watching him storm through the bar and out the front door. Dean had been your best friend for most of your life, and sure there had been arguments; many, many arguments. But never had he straight up yelled at you before and it wasn’t sitting right to leave things with him like this.

You brushed your feelings of wallowing aside and found a purpose to move off the stool. The alcohol you’d already consumed made you feel lightheaded at the sudden movement, but your concern over Dean’s departure took precedence. No matter how you felt, you could not let him leave like that.

 You found him in the parking lot. He was pacing back and forth in front of the Impala; his fists clenching and unclenching in sync with his jaw. You watched for a moment, hesitant to approach him in his current state. That’s when he looked up and saw you standing there. Unsure of what to say, you just shrugged. Your mouth fell open to speak but no words would come out.

Dean’s brow was still buried in frustration that was directed straight at you. It wasn’t like him to be this angry, not over you wanting to drink away the thoughts of another disappointment. Normally he joined in, helped you to bounce back by cracking jokes and getting drunk alongside you.

“I can’t with you right now, okay?” he grunted from under his breath. “Just go back inside.”

“Dean… I’m sorry. Whatever I said…”

He snorted a laugh and bite his lip. “You’re sorry. For what? You don’t even realize what you’re sorry for, do you?”

“No, I don’t. But clearly, I did something to piss you off. I never want to fight with you, Dean. Not really fight, anyway. So, whatever it was—”

“Fine, you wanna know? Really?” his voice rose with each word, his anger come through with each decibel.

Seeing him this way, and having it directed at you was not something you’d experienced before. Afraid that the wrong thing would make him angrier, all you could do was nod. Dean drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was centering himself; he’d never admit that’s what he was doing, but it was. There was nothing you didn’t know about him. At least, you thought you knew everything about it.

“Since we were sixteen years old, any job we worked together, I watched you meet someone, hook up, and then get dumped. Each time, you ended up hurt, scared, or in a predicament that me or Sam had to rescue you from.”

His words stung and you wanted to be annoyed with him; but the truth was, Dean was right. There was nothing you could say that would help, so you remained silent and let him finish.

“For years, Y/N, years… We’ve worked together, killed some evil sons-of-bitches together… we’ve celebrated and mourned. We’ve drunk ourselves silly, and bandaged each other up, countless times...”

Dean paused, his entire body sighing as it released the built-up fury he had been holding onto. He unclenched his fists and took a few steps closer to where you stood.

“In all that time, I made some of the best memories of my life. Between you and Sam, you guys were my home. Everything good I can think of is wrapped up in you and my brother. So, you’ll have to excuse me if I am tired of seeing you get like that over yet another piece of shit asshole who can’t see how damn lucky he was that you even looked his way.”

You felt your stomach drop out, not because of what he said, but because of how he looked at you when he said it. Your mind flashed through a dozen scenarios where he had come to your rescue; with guys, monsters, your own mother and had even saved you from yourself a time or two. If it hadn’t been for Dean, you would have been dead years ago.

“I—I don’t know what to say other than, you’re right,” you said softly, the whiskey and culpability was still stinging in your throat. “I shouldn’t have depended on you for so long. I put you in these terrible situations, and—”

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered and brought his hand to his face, running it over his worn features. “You’re fucking clueless…”

“What now? I’m trying to apologize and tell you that you were right! What more do you want from me, Dean? What?!” You could feel your hands starting to shake, and a bubble of your rage starting to rise and your throat now on fire from the volume of your voice. “What the FUCK do you want from me, huh?!”

People passing by were starting to stare, so you closed the small bit of distance between you, ready to unload a little more without attracting a crowd. But when you got closer, Dean started to laugh.

“What the fuck is so funny?” you asked, breathing hard through your nose trying to simmer the boil of frustration.

“You. You look ridiculous when you get angry.” He was smiling now, not quite laughing, but the grin he wore was genuine and reserved for moments with people he trusted.

“You’re bipolar, Winchester,” you huffed, trying to contain your temperament.

Dean shrugged. “Maybe. But I think its more that you just drive me insane sometimes.”

“Oh sure, blame ME for your particular brand of crazy! I don’t know what to do any more here, man. I can’t do anything right with you, lately.”

“What the Hell does that mean?” Dean asked with a flare of insolence.

“The last three jobs we’ve worked? You barked at me for no reason. You’re short with me when I ask you to stop while on the road, you constantly ride me for shit that I have zero control over!”

“Then why do you stay, hm? Why not go off on your own? Hunt alone?”

“I’ve tried! You just keep finding me and taking me along to the next job! Friends don’t let friends hunt alone, remember?!”

Dean squeezed his eyes shut and drew in a deep breath. “I need a drink,” he said and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Shouldn't have closed out the bar tab,” you muttered.

“You know what—” he lifted his head, the look of aggravation back on his face. “I’m—this is—fuck it! God, you frustrate the shit out of me!”

In a moment’s time, Dean had your face in his hands and his mouth on yours. Your first instinct was to retreat, then slap him across the face. Quickly following that, was the sudden desire to kiss him back. There had plenty of times you discreetly watched your best friend from the corner of your eye when he didn’t realize you were looking. How could you not? Dean was a gorgeous man, but more than that, he was sexy and funny. He was basically every girl’s fantasy. From his green eyes and freckles, right down to his bowlegs and boots. He was cocky and arrogant, smart as hell, and had a smile that could only be described as the devil’s handiwork. But never, in a million years, did you imagine he would have any interest in kissing you. In more than twenty years together, he never once tried nor looked at you like he wanted too; at least from what you could remember.

Dean’s lips were soft, yet he used them roughly against you. Every time you felt yourself pull back in the slightest, he continued to draw you in. You were fully immersed now, and when his mouth parted, you found yourself kissing him back just as greedily. His hand circled around to your neck and tangled up in your hair, entwining his fingers in the wispy strands and gripping them tightly. It caused a rush throughout your body; partially because of the whiskey still flowing through your veins, and partially because it just fucking felt so good.

You moaned softly into his mouth involuntarily and you felt his lips unfurl into a slight smirk. He slowly pulled away from your lips but left his hand concealed in your hair.

“Get in the car,” he growled. “Please.” It was only to try and sound like he was being polite, but there was nothing well-mannered about the way he was holding you in his gaze. That’s when he released you completely, and there was no hesitation in your decision to get into the front seat of the Impala and leave with him.

Dean followed suit and got behind the wheel. He fired up the engine and before he put his most prized possession in gear, he reached out with his right hand and gripped your thigh. Sliding you closer to him, he kissed you again, gentle and wanting, leaving his hand to rest on your leg and kneading his fingers into your flesh as if he were a cat.

Without a word, he pulled back, put the car in gear, and speed off down the road to the motel you all had been staying at.

 The motel door flew open with a bang. Dean pulled you into the room and slammed it shut so hard that it rebounded off the frame and opened again. You took a few more steps into the room he shared with Sam, though Sam was nowhere to be seen, and watched as Dean made sure the door was not only locked, but the chain was up.

You were almost afraid to speak. Dean had this look in his eyes that challenged you to say something, anything he could use to prove whatever point it was he was trying to make. But you didn’t give in. You were too nervous and excited about what was going to happen; realizing for the first time how much you had wanted it to.

He stalked you; his green eyes, now full of lust and want, were affixed to his prey. Dean moved slowly from the door to where you stood. As he crossed the room, he removed his jacket and threw it in the corner by the window. Next, his flannel came off and was tossed in the same direction. His eyes never wavering from you.

The ripple of his muscles on his arms was prominent now that his body was tense and anxious. The closer he got, the more your heart began to pound. How could you not have seen this in him before; all these years attached at the hip never once did you realize he would be looking at you the way he was then.

“I wasn’t gonna have this conversation with you in the parking lot of some dive bar,” he said, and despite the edge to his demeanor, his voice was gentle and calm. “I wasn’t gonna tell you, how many times I wanted to kill some guy who had his hands on you in some bar. Or a random joker on a case we were working, trying to get you meet them for drinks--”

“Dean…”

He ignored you. “I wasn’t going to tell you how many times I came so close to telling you that I wanted to be that guy and…” he trailed off, now directly in front of you, the arms you had just been admiring reaching out for you.

“And, what?” you managed to ask despite the lump in your throat.

Dean leaned in and kissed you again, slipping his arms around the lower part of your waist. When you felt him lift your feet off the ground, you let him and locked your arms around his neck. He took a few steps towards the bed and put you back on your feet at the foot of it.

“All those nights I watched you eyeing up any other guy but me… I was starting to resent you for it. Tonight, I finally realized that it’s my own damn fault.”

Your arms were still up around his neck, your lips a breath apart. “What do you mean?”

Dean didn’t answer at first, instead, he took your arms off his neck, and slipped your jacket off, letting it fall to the floor and kicking it out of the way.

“I got scared to tell you, that you were the one I wanted to take home every night. I should have told you. Instead, I kept quiet, would watch you go off with someone else and then I end up going home with some mediocre stand-in that never seemed to measure up to you.”

You didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t ever given you an indication he thought of you like that. Not that you had looked at the Winchesters as brothers, but there was a closeness that you felt to them; Dean especially. Anything physical felt like it would be crossing a line you couldn’t come back from. It was scary to think of life without Dean and Sam, and if you DID cross that line, it could go wrong and eventually cost you their place in your life? That couldn’t happen.

“Now you know why I wasn’t gonna let you wallow over some guy, not again. You can go if that’s what you want. Certainly not going to make you stay here, but I really want you too, Y/N. Stay tonight. Give this a chance.”

He was pleading with you now, nearly begging with the crease of his brow and the hope in his eyes. You couldn’t leave, you didn’t want too. He had been in front of you this entire time, and the only thing you wanted to forget was how many nights had been lost that you and he could have been together.

There weren’t any words that would convey what you wanted, so you took action instead. You locked in with his gaze and began to shed your layers of clothes until you stood before him in only your bra and underwear. His tongue ran nervously over his bottom lip at the sight of you while his eyes drank you in. Dean reached out and ran his fingers from your shoulder and down across your collarbone, then let them drift down your cleavage.

You took the bottom of his shirt, and pulled it up over his head, throwing it off to the side. From there, everything happened in what felt like seconds. Dean was kicking off his boots and pulling off his jeans. He had you down on the bed, laying his weight on top of you, running his hands across your flesh, and letting his mouth explore your neck. He pulled down your bra, exposing your breast to the warm air of the motel room. Dean brought his mouth to your nipple, running his tongue over it, making your entire body shiver.

His other hand ran down the length of your body, and pawed at the hem of your panties, yanking them down and finding the hood of your sex. Just the promise of his touch, caused his name to moan from your lips.

“Say it again,” he growled lowly, moving his mouth back up to your neck.

“Dean, please…”

His fingers slipped down and moved against your clit, the sensation of which was overwhelming. He moved slowly, toying with it, and with each pass against your most sensitive place, caused your back to arch up into him, and him to smile with satisfaction.

Dean moved further down, and let his fingers easily slid up into you, and the more you reacted to his touch, the more his erection grew against your leg. You dug your nails into his back, then ran them down to the boxers he still wore. Yanking them down, he looked down at you and smiled.

“Look who’s all impatient now,” he teased.

“Fuck you, Winchester,” you moaned as he thrust his fingers up into you with a bit more force making you gasp with both surprise and pleasure.

“In a minute, honey, in a minute… waited a long time for this…”

Before you could respond, Dean kissed you, hard. His tongue taking control and swirling with yours greedily. It was all too much for your overstimulated body, and you felt yourself ready to cum. Dean knew it too, he could feel the fluttering warmth of you around his hand, and it only made him insistent to continue.

You forced your head back, arching your chest up to him and cursed as he suddenly pulled his hand from you, before your release could come to fruition. He stood from the bed and let his boxers fall to the floor, before going into his jeans pocket, retrieving his wallet and pulling out the condom he kept there.

You sat up on your elbows and watched him curiously. “Look who’s mister responsibility,” you teased.

Dean shrugged but flashed that damn smirk. “Told you, been waiting for this for a long time. No way I was going to come unprepared.”

While he was taking care of the necessities, you moved further back on the bed after slipping off your bra and underwear. Dean finally climbed on the bed next to you; your heart pounding and your sex throbbing for more of him. You moved him so he was sitting against the headboard, and you straddled his lap, positioning yourself over him.

Dean’s gaze was greedy, but the animalistic lust he had earlier was gone; now he just watched you close, as if burning the memory of this night into his memory forever. As you sank down, letting his cock slide up into you, Dean’s eyes fluttered closed as his head rolled back against the headboard and his fingertips dug into your hips. It took only a second for you to start rocking against him; moving your hips in slow, methodical circles. With each pass, his mouth fell open, and his breathing intensified.

“Jesus… Fuuuuck…” he growled when you ran your nail up his chest and clasped your fingers behind his neck.

You guided his head to your chest, where he took your breast in his mouth, licking and sucking at your nipple. The faster you moved, the hungrier he became. Your head rolled back, and your overstimulated clit was pulsating with each pass you made against him. Your mind was completely lost in the moment with him; nothing before him had ever felt this good, this right… this euphoric.

His hands were beginning to grip you harder, moving you faster while his eyes opened and locked with yours. You wanted to speak, encourage him to fuck you as hard and fast as he wanted, but you didn’t have to because he saw it on your face. Your climax was rising again, and when you finally came, he did too, moaning your name and burying his head between your breasts. You could feel him throbbing inside you, matching his release with yours. Then, sighing as both of your muscles relaxed and you melted into each other.

A thin sheen of sweat coated both your bodies, as you cradled him against you. No rush to move off him, nor did he want that either. Dean lifted his head and reached his lips up to yours, as his hands slid around your waist and down over your ass.

“Worth the wait?” you asked, nearly breathless but smiling down at him.

Dean chuckled and moved his one hand up to brush a patch of sweaty hair from your brow. “And then some.”

You kissed him gently, then moved off his lap, falling to the bed beside him with a sigh of satisfaction. Dean reluctantly got up from the bed and excused himself to the bathroom. He was only gone a minute and leaped back into the bed next to you, attacking your neck with his mouth. Though you were exhausted, your body was still reeling from being with him. Forget the physical sensation, but the emotional one was all your mind could focus on now.

Dean Winchester, he had been your best friend for more than twenty years. He was the one you sought out for advice, he was your hunting partner, your drinking buddy, your partner in crime and in shenanigans. Now, was he really going to be your lover, too? Could you see yourself being with him like that? Risking a lifetime of friendship for the possibility of falling in love?

You wanted to say something, but not ruin the moment either. Instead, you just let yourself go, and tried not to think about it. Dean had the covers pulled up over you now, and rolled you onto your back while trailing light kisses along your shoulder.

“You okay with all this?” he asked, his expression turning serious.

“If you’re asking if I regret it, no, I don’t. But what is all this, exactly?”

“Whatever we want it to be. There’s no rules here, Y/N. You know, besides my brother, you’re the most important person in the world to me. And, yeah… I’ve wanted you for a long ass time. But I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“Pressured into what?”

Dean considered for a moment and tried to choose his words carefully. “Being with me. Just me. If that’s not something you want—”

“Shut up,” you interrupted and sat up on one elbow. “I’m good right here with you, Dean. Doesn’t need to be defined. I realize now all those others were just a placeholder for you, too.”

“You really mean that?”

You nodded and kissed him. “Really.”

Dean settled back into the bed and drew you into the crook of his shoulder. You laid there wrapped in his arms, just breathing him in and relishing in this sudden turn life had taken when you heard the door start to open. The chain caught it and you pulled the covers up to your neck just as Sam’s face stuck through the crack in the door.

“Dean! Come on man, let me in,” he whined.

Dean looked to you and chuckled when he saw your expression. “You good?”

You nodded slightly and sunk down into the bed, pulling the covers over your head. You barely had time to register that you and Dean just had mind-blowing sex and were now discussing being a thing, but you had to contend with Sam, too?

“One minute,” he called out, and Sam shut the door.

Dean grabbed his boxers and jeans, slipped them back on and went to let his little brother in.

“Sorry, I was uh… entertaining,” Dean smirked and raised his eyes brows in triumph as Sam walked into the room.

“Man, seriously? Can’t you get your own room for that?”

“Sorry little brother, these things can’t be helped.”

Sam looked around and saw the mess of clothes all over the floor, then noticed your breathing lump beneath the covers.

“Dean,” he said through gritted teeth. “Your company is still here.”

“She sure is.”

“Hi Sam,” you spoke up sheepishly through the blanket over your face. “How’s it going?”

“Y/N?!” he gasped, his eyes wide with shock as he whipped his head around to look at his brother, who nodded still wearing his victorious smile. “Jesus…” Sam sighed and shook his head. “Well, damn, its about damn time. Geez. I just don’t get why you guys couldn’t have went to her room?”

“What?” you asked, sitting up and uncovering your face. “What does that mean… about time?”

Sam’s face immediately blushed when he realized you were completely naked under the sheets. He turned his head and stuttered his response. “It’s—it—it’s just that… you and Dean, this has been coming for a while and—” he smacked himself in the head for his choice of words. “Dammit. You know what I mean. You know what, I’m gonna go… I can’t be here right now.”

“Take my room, Sam. Key is in my jacket pocket. And don’t worry, this doesn’t change anything. I promise I’ll still let you ride shotgun.”

Sam rolled his eyes, then quickly turned to grab your coat from the floor and retrieved the key before he made a quick exit from the room. Dean was snickering at his brother as he slammed the door behind him and could be seen nearly sprinting away down the walkway towards your room.

“So, that just happened,” you groaned and fell back to the bed.

“I wouldn’t worry about Sammy, he’ll take it all in stride.” Dean came back and laid down on top of the covers next to you. “Like he said, it’s been coming for a while.”

“In your mind, maybe,” you said quietly and cast your eyes away from his scrutiny. “I never thought you even considered me like this. You were always eyeing up some other girls, talking about this one or that one…” you shrugged, and sat up straight against the headboard.

“I was trying to make you jealous. Guess I was too much of a coward to just be upfront about it,” he paused and swallowed hard. “You were it, though. The one I always thought that would be there in the end.”

“Is that what this is? The end?”

“End of one thing, beginning of another,” he smiled and leaned over to leave a kiss on your shoulder. “Still friends though. That’s always gotta come first because no matter what, you’re stuck with me.”

You felt an odd sense of relief in knowing that this friendship cultivated over two decades would remain and come first. “I can handle that.”

“Good. Now. Can you handle getting your clothes back on? You see, this chick I’m sleeping with distracted me from the burgers on the menu at the bar and I’m starving. She was being a sloppy drunk, I had to get her home--”

You raised your fist like you were going to punch him and he rolled away from you. But your arm hooked around his waist in time to prevent him from getting off the bed. You forced him back to where he was and quickly straddled him again. That look of lust was already back in his eyes as you grabbed his wrists and pinned them back up against the headboard.

“I may have been drunk, but I can still pin your ass down.”

“Unfair advantage when you’re naked and I’m weak-willed.”

You dove down to his neck and left a rough, biting kiss there. “Still want that burger?”

He shook his head and a mischievous gleam glistened in Dean’s eyes. In one swift motion, he had you flipped on your back while he hovered over you and used part of his weight to hold you down. He trailed his mouth down your chest and across your abdomen and positioned himself between your legs. Still sensitive from your first encounter with him, the touch of his tongue against your clit caused a whole body shiver to course through you.

“Fuuck, warn a girl, would ya?” you mewed as your hands gripped each side of his head to try and control him as he lavished your sex with his tongue.

Dean wrapped his arms under your thighs and then pinned them open further, giving him as much access to you as he could get. Your hips moved with him, your moans louder and louder with each pass of his teeth and tongue. This time when you finally came, he refused to let go, drinking you in until your body went limp with exhaustion.

You watched him through the hazy afterglow, sit up and wipe his face clean with the sheet, leaving behind only that triumphant grin.

“Now, I’m ready for that burger,” he winked. “Wanna grab a shower with me real quick? Go find some grub?”

Still, in a daze from everything, you were able to give him a smile and nod, because words just wouldn’t come. Dean helped you up off the bed but held into your hand for a moment.

“Still feel good with all this?” he asked, his features softer than normal.

“Yeah, Dean. More than good. Best I’ve felt in forever, actually.”

“Alright then. Shower, burgers, bed,” he said, picking you up and throwing you over his shoulder as he walked towards the bathroom. Though you playfully smacked at his back to put you down, you never wanted him to let you go. You never wanted to spend another night without him.

Everything tags: @kazosa // @sorenmarie87 // @lefthologramdeer // @his-paradox // @letsby // @thefaithfulwriter // @sister-winchesters99

Supernatural tags: @wings-of-a-raven // @negans-wife // @mrsbarnes-rogers // @teller258316 // @spnhollis // @sweet-things-4-life // @hobby27 // @sweetlythoughtfulbird // @theoriginalvicki // @dreamchester67 // @xxwarhawk // @babykalika2001 // @superwhovainfangirl // @toobusynerdfighting // @missihart23 // @idreamofplaid // @thewinchesterchronicles // @waywardgypsy // @closetspngirl // @fatestemptress // @rebelminxy // @22sarah08 // @witch-of-letters // @cole-winchester // @rainflowermoon // @adoptdontshoppets // @waywardvalkyrie // @fandomoniumflurry // @blackcherrywhiskey // @jessieray98 // @lyoly // @a--1--1--3 // @31shadesofbrown // @whereismyangel-damnitdeanshare // @pilaxia // @screechingartisancashbailiff // @kgbrenner // @holylulusworld // @deansenwackles // @jamielea81 // @coffeebooksandfandom // @logical-princey // @gemini0410 // @salt-n-burn-em-all // @collette04 // @mrswhozeewhatsis // @deathofmissjackson // @lauravic // @akshi8278 // @katehuntington // @81mysteriouslyme 

[nozomijoestar]

 I had an idea for Violentine eventually getting married and because society as we know it has been dead so long they just get creative about the whole thing

Also time jump from the end of the game and Texas Two is now Big, AJ is a preteen, Clem and the older of the former kids can now pay their taxes if those were still a thing

BGM if you like that when you read, lyrics here

“Been a while huh Tenn? Everything’s so busy these days I haven’t had the time. I’m sorry.”

She sat cross-legged on the partly overgrown ground. A small wreath of fresh flowers hung from the top of a cross. The wood was faded and weather-beaten, but the name carved there could never leave her memory.  From her pocket she pulled a paper, unfolded it, then placed it. Violet sighed, even her smile seemed exhausted. Her eyes threatened to brim over with tears she thought she’d long left behind.

“AJ made that for you. He’s gotten a lot better at drawing you’d probably love it. He’s a little past your age now. Shit I’m, I’m taking too long to get to the point aren’t I?”

The breeze picked up making the trees rustle as though they communicated the will of ghosts. She looked around. The crosses had multiplied through the years, each one a new nick on her heart. She chewed her lip and fiddled with her bun. Now wasn’t the time for death. Her stomach churned butterflies. A genuine smile bled into her voice.

“I wanna ask Clem to marry me. Just saying it out loud feels weird and amazing all at once. I honestly didn’t think she’d want me this long but life kept happening.”

In one motion she laid spread eagle and stared into the pink clouds that signaled dusk. She closed her eyes as another sigh fell from the trees. The sound of people beyond the graveyard drifted in voices, laughter, and song. Though the years since there’d been largely silence were gone she could never shake a need to be prepared. Even if the walls had expanded far past the former Ericson gates, danger never slept. It was something Clementine loved to reinforce. 

The thought of the way her face went stern and her voice deepened made Violet chuckle. She rose to her feet and dusted herself.

“I should get a move on. It was great talking to you again.”

After a final readjustment of the wreath she passed through the yard. A flag decorated with many stitches flapped in the wind reading ‘Texas Two’. Sometimes she looked up at it and still laughed at its ridiculousness. Though since she’d been responsible for it, that was the same as laughing at her old self. Her old self, she pondered, the Violet who hadn’t dared to entertain the thoughts she did now. When had that person changed? She didn’t think she’d ever know.

Inside the old admin building echoed a section of Chopin’s ‘Winter Wind’ in A minor. The anxious dance her nerves were doing calmed. Louis would be finished teaching piano lessons for the day. Her stride became confident. If she was going to make a sappy fool of herself it would be out of public view. Of her old mannerisms she could at least keep that one. 

He sat continuing to play though he knew she’d come by the pattern of her gait. His lack of a tongue elevated a need to pay notice to the finer things in other ways. She leaned against the doorway and folded her arms. They carried on in silence. Violet closed her eyes again, taken by her imagination. The shrieking highs and nervous lows seemed to pull every worry she’d ever had like threads off a loom. 

She saw Clem’s head bashed open like a ripe fruit, or the paling of her bite ridden skin and its missing chunks. Right behind it came the thought of AJ’s neck dyed red as he took Tenn’s place at the bottom of a herd and picked clean. Their home at the bottom of smoldering ashes. Worst of all above the extremes, she would bare her soul for Clem greater than she already had to see her spirit fall. In one moment for some reason or other everything they’d made of love would fracture, and Violet might as well quit the venture entirely. 

As if reading the tone of her thoughts the music stopped. Her eyes reopened to find Louis scribbling on a scavenged notepad. With a grin he turned it to face her. His eyes twinkled with their unquenchable charm.

‘That get your attention?’

She tucked her raw feelings back into their cage. The processed version rolled off her tongue.

“A little too hard Lou. Guess that means you’ve graduated from sucking.”

She finished with a soft laugh seeing him flip her off. The way he wiggled his eyebrows told her he found it funny. He gestured for her to come over and made room on the piano seat. She sat with her hands folded and stared nervously into her lap. Her stomach churned while the words she wanted to find were slow to come. At the touch of his hand on her shoulder she shook her head.

“It’s nothing bad I’m only overthinking again. I just...tonight I’m gonna propose. I want to. What do you think?”

He smiled and stared wide eyed filled with glee. A rush of air she guessed equated to a gasp came as he clapped. It made her blush and seem sheepish curling into herself. The sound of Louis scribbling excitedly refocused her attention.

‘About damn time! I almost thought you’d never bring it up. My advice, take her to a spot important to you guys. Get her thinking about all the deep stuff you’ve done together. If you’re really feeling it serenade her. That’s what I’d do.’

“I want her taking me seriously not laughing her ass off. By now my singing’s gotta be shitty.”

‘Oh come on Vi, live a little. Singing or not the point is you may never do this again. Make it a memory. You two were doing just that all this time anyway.’

Violet sighed and rested her forehead against the piano, defeated. The keys she pressed let out a wail. Another note was put before her.

‘Don’t sulk tell her how you feel. Clem’s gonna love you more than she already does.’

“...How do you know she won’t say no?”

He cocked his head and interrogated her with a bewildered stare. Her stomach sank; her voice had been whiny like a child’s. In the end, she was being silly. It made the confidence she’d mustered drop in shame.

‘We don’t know Vi but if she’s stuck around this long it means something. Clem’s the kind of girl to take off if she really didn’t believe in what she sees.’

She groaned and the keys played an ugly sound. 

“You’re right. I’m being a coward. I fucking hate it. I thought that side of me was done with.”

‘It’s ok to be scared. This is a big deal! You know how you’re guaranteed to fuck it up though? Having a negative attitude. Positive vibes Vi, positive.’

“Yeah yeah. You’ve given me an idea. If you see her tell her to come to the bell tower tonight. That it’s urgent.” She said with a lazy smile.

They bid each other goodbye leaving Louis to start up the piano solo of Kreisler’s ‘Liebesleid’. He’d reached halfway using a laser-focused concentration when another, larger presence filled the door. His deft hands stopped. Clementine smiled and clapped as she walked towards him. Without a moment to waste he ripped out the used pages of his notepad; they were stuffed into his coat pocket. It didn’t go unnoticed when Clem raised an eyebrow but gave no comment. 

She stood balancing her weight on her natural leg and leaning against the piano. Were she anyone else, even Violet, Louis would’ve sooner scolded her for lacking manners. He looked down to find her prosthetic ( a newly improved design of Willy’s built with higher mobility in mind ) still in good condition. 

“Caught ya.” She said giggling.

He looked up at her strong face, thick eyebrows, and overwhelming mane of curly hair. She had a stern beauty that always caught him by surprise for its rarity and strength. Violet sure knew how to pick ‘em. 

‘Wanted to make sure your foot was ok. Doubt Willy would screw it up but still y’know?’

“Thanks. Listen Louis...are you free for a little while? There’s something I wanna talk about. I want your honest opinion.”

A glint in his eyes betrayed his excitement. His gut instinct gave him an inkling of what hovered unsaid. He almost laughed at the coincidence of it all. She slowly sat at his invitation and fiddled the keys. After a meandering pause she cleared her throat; he wore a grin.

“You know Violet and I have been together a while now. Longer actually than I ever thought possible. I’m grateful for it everyday. It’s sadly not something a lot of people can say. That’s why...I don’t know if this is still the right word but, I want her to be my wife.”

She stared at him and twiddled her thumbs. Rarely had he seen her hesitate, much less be meek. The sight made him sit up straighter, listen harder. From the corner of her eye she caught his expectant stare. 

“I guess regardless of what it’d be called these days that’s what I want. She’s too important for me to lose. It’s time she really knows it and how I feel.”

For a moment she gauged his face for the slightest reaction. The intensity radiating as if a conjured aura from her body reminded him of someone constipated; he again fought a laugh. It was as though she resigned herself to a do or die mission. A determination not a far cry from what she summoned up before a supply run. In his opinion, they both were taking this to lengths so ridiculous it bordered on comical. That however would remain a secret.

He nodded with enthusiasm and that seemed to lighten her worry. On his notepad this time he thought hard before writing. 

‘It can mean whatever you want it to Clem. You love her, that’s the most important part. I say go for it. Any plans on how you’ll ask?’

“Well there’s really only one way right? I have to tell her outright, just not sure where to do it.”

‘Y’know she asked to meet with you tonight on the bell tower. There couldn’t be a better spot if you ask me.’

“Did she? That makes this easier.”

She sighed in relief and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I love her Louis. More than she might know.”

‘Tell her not me.’ he said with a smile.

After dinner the night air blew warm embracing the essence of summer. Clementine found Violet pacing in front of the ladder they’d once helped construct. She remembered seeing her like this then too, anxious over everything turning out right. Her suspicion turned on and her eyes narrowed in concern. She had yet to be noticed from a distance. 

In seconds that weighed like minutes she sighed and mumbled to herself. 

“Alright Clementine all you have to do is talk. Sure Clementine, like it’s that simple. You’re stalling now. Get yourself together.”

“You sure don’t mind keeping a girl waiting.”

Violet’s voice seized her attention from the grasping hands of her thoughts. Before she could say another word laughter filled the silence. It made her blush even as she frowned in mock irritation. 

“I didn’t think you’d notice.”

“I wouldn’t have if we weren’t the only ones here. Feelin ok?”

“Yeah just was wondering what’s on your mind to have us meet at this place.”

She smiled feeling a kiss on her cheek. Violet wore the look that always came when an idea longed to burst out before it drove her mad. Clementine slowly trailed her eyes up and down as though they were meeting for the first time anew. The demure air in her posture broke the obscuring fog of Clementine’s own nerves. Her expression softened into a look of curious wonder. 

The streaks of moonlight cast across Violet’s face bent her grin toward the mysterious. She ran her thumb over Clementine’s knuckles and gestured at the ladder. 

“Come with me and you’ll find out.”

Above them the stars filled the horizon into an infinity none would ever measure. The moon aided their brightness and bathed all it touched in an ethereal glow. The ground beneath her feet shined as though she walked on a river of silver; as though she were weightless. A breeze carrying the scent of flowers and wood-smoke, of life below, rustled Violet’s hair. Clementine felt her heart thud louder. 

The bell tower had remained untouched through the years save for a few new cracks and crumbling bricks. Vines entangled a section of broken stone railing, the same as the first night they’d sat together. She dared to imagine the ghosts of their old selves caught in a roller-coaster of teenage emotions; each burning more intensely than the last into love. They stopped and leaned against the railing beside the spot. 

They were gazing at the sky when Violet spoke first; her thoughts tumbled from her like a waterfall. A part of Clementine was relieved. 

“So uh, Clem, I wanna be real honest with you. These past seven years went by so fast some days it feels like my head’s spinning keeping track. All this below us? All these people? If you’d told me before we’d be dealing with this I’d have called you crazy. Hell, if you’d told me there’d be a time where I could have nights not having to worry something would break into the school, I’d never believe it.”

She took a break to breathe and look over the dozens of smaller lights in varying buildings that stretched into the pushed back treeline. Each one signified a condensed hope and dream from those it kept warm. Their numbers lifted Violet’s spirit to continue. Clementine stood mesmerized, her eyes trained to Violet and Violet alone. It was as though each word revealed a deeper truth than the last.

“We wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you. I know you can say it was a group effort, it’d be true, but you’re our motivation. I don’t think I’d be half the person I am today if I hadn’t met you and AJ. Point is...remember when I said once I couldn’t imagine life without you?”

“...Of course. It took me completely by surprise.”

“I still feel that way. Clem, I want you in my life till it ends someday.”

The breeze stirred into a mild wind as Clementine’s eyes widened softly. She stumbled to speak then went silent when Violet leaned closer. Her entire body pleaded a need for recognition, as if another chance would never come again.

“Marry me.”

Without hesitation Clementine pulled her into an embrace as their lips met. Her hands wandered to cup Violet’s face and not let go. They pressed together and sunk slowly to their knees. When at last they separated neither cared if anyone below had seen. Violet’s eyes shut in bliss feeling a gentle stroke on her chin and kisses peppering her face. There came a whisper on the verge of tears into her ear when Clementine hugged her tighter.

“You beat me to it you ass.”

“Heh, I can still keep you guessing.”

“Troublemaker.” came the reply with a grin.

AJ stood watching Ruby arrange bundles of wildflowers with the same care she gave all things. Though only twelve he’d nearly reached her height. He’d lost some inches shortening his hair to a buzz cut hidden beneath Clementine’s faded baseball cap. It was something he continued to be reminded of when Ruby’s motherly presence loomed so large. 

“Hey there shorty could ya give me a hand? These bouquets can get real messy.”

“Sure, but it’s Alvin Junior.”

“I know I know. Reminding me ain’t gonna help us no faster. I’ll tell Clem if you do good.” 

That made the hint of sourness in his expression bloom into an excited smile. Around them a small team of five busied themselves with the same task. They moved as Ruby directed to arrange each in a circle open only at the northern and southern sides. A myriad of colors blue, white, orange and so on occupied the center of the restored sports field. AJ sweated hoisting another bundle for the ring and nearly dropped it. Wordlessly Ruby caught it before it hit the ground and with that the last of it lay in place. 

They stepped back performing a final check several times until Ruby proved satisfied. On a clear spot amidst the flurry of activity around them (an army of chefs led by Omar; Willy’s team arranged benches) AJ rested. A sheen of sweat covered his face and exhausted eyes. The first clue he’d received for what lay ahead came when Louis slipped him a note and a wink at breakfast one morning. ‘Congrats on the new mom kid!’ he hadn’t understood what it meant; a part of him still felt he didn’t even when Clementine explained that no, weddings weren’t something you ate. 

As he felt the day’s work burn in his muscles he concluded whatever it looked like had to be worth the aches. He spotted Aasim approaching with a squirming bundle in his arms; AJ sprung to his feet. Every lecture he’d ever received on slacking echoed in his mind in unison. Aasim towered over AJ’s stature exuding an almost regal air were it not for the slight gruffness of his beard. In his shadow AJ straightened himself and stifled a laugh when a baby’s hand swatted his chin. His stare spoke of a sense of urgency matched in his baritone voice.

“Have you seen Ruby around AJ? It’ll be her turn to look after Susanna during the ceremony. Seems like that’ll start any minute now.”

“We worked on the flowers together but after that I’m not sure. Maybe she went to check on Clem and Vi-”

“The brides are ready Aasim, just had to go fetch ‘em after their fittins’.”

From behind them Ruby appeared with a blushing Clementine and Violet in tow. She pressed a kiss to Aasim’s cheek before reaching for the baby. 

“Guess everything’s ready. I’d have come sooner but we had to finish cataloging that cache of recovered books in the library.”

“It’s alright I’ve got her, you just focus on those two. Lord knows they’re eager to get started and I don’t blame ‘em.”

Susanna piped up in her mother’s arms and stretched a hand toward Clementine.

“Ba!”

“Hey there Susie you doing ok?” Clementine cooed as she let her nose be patted.

“Guuu-ba!”

“Looks like you’ve got a way with kids that aren’t AJ too.” 

“Well Vi she’s not Auntie Clem for nuthin’. Go on and say bye to Auntie Clem and Violet, Susanna.”

“Baaba.”

They waved in parting as Ruby left for the quickly filling crowd. Dozens well over a hundred sat chatting among themselves; more than a few stole curious glances to center stage. A hundred and so on more joined soon after. Clementine felt Violet graze her arm and gesture at a dazzled AJ. His eyes held awe that grew when Clementine pet his head. 

“Ruby told me you were a real help goofball. I appreciate it.”

“You guys...you both look amazing...”

“Thanks kid. The rest of it’ll blow your mind if you stick around and watch.”

Without needing to be told further AJ nodded and made way for the benches; he looked back only once wearing an encouraging smile. The field was bare save for its key players, and the crowd fell into silence. Aasim signaled to take places then addressed those seated with a wave of his arms. Clementine and Violet stared at one another on opposite ends of the ring; Clementine’s grin made Violet blush and stare at her feet.

“Good afternoon everyone! We’re here today to witness the ceremony of a union; one long in waiting. This couple wishes to affirm their love for one another through a promise of lifelong devotion. You may both enter the ring.”

They obeyed having eyes only for each other; it formed a safety net against the pressure of so many others upon them. Softly Violet mouthed “It’s ok.”

“We’ll begin the professions of love. Clementine you may start.”

She cleared her throat and traced over every inch of Violet, of her flowing hair and single braid that whipped up from the back of her tunic in the breeze. The blue fabric lined with white threaded patterns complimented her pale green eyes. A crown of flowers adorned her head. Every detail was memorized.

“For as long as we’ve known each other you’ve supported me; even if you took time to open up. There’re so many moments, so many close calls where I’d never have made it out if it weren’t for you. Each day makes me feel more alive than the last. Not just because of our friends, or because of all we’ve done, being able to know you’re there is enough. I dedicate this dance to your affection.”

Slowly she took a step forward then pivoted into a practiced twirl. A dance of passion sent her traveling about their arena. Sweat flew from her brow and splattered in places on her belt’s spinning tassels. One misplaced step threatened to topple her but slyly she recovered before worry could disturb Violet. 

With a grin she launched into a new phase. Her arms spun and, where able, her legs kicked. The movements blended so fluidly few could pinpoint the moment aggression gave way to softness. To even fewer it revealed its heart; a reflection of her lover’s metamorphosis. 

There were moves describing sarcastic defenses, cowardly silences, sections mapping the rush from kind words and intimate quiet. As if anew they were pulled into the haze of honest kisses, the whirlwind of lovemaking that went deep into sleepless nights. On occasion they were plunged headfirst before icy fear and protective worry that pricked to the bone. Those moments would be quickly broken by a return to memories of the warmth in living.

Almost instinctively the full result of a week’s practice strengthened its control as she neared the end. Her mind sank into an empty plane, speaking only what little remained unsaid through her rhythm. When it was done the sight of Violet brimming with tears told her everything. Wordlessly she gathered herself then bowed.

Aasim stood in entranced silence. The edges of his solemn eyes had grown misty, defying his self restraint. He gestured and caught Violet’s attention away from her thoughts.

“Feelings have been expressed that require an answer. Violet, you may give your reply.”

“I’ve heard them. Clementine you taught me it’s alright to feel; that holding everything in and running from help is what makes a coward. Choosing who I want to be in life by learning from others is a gift that takes courage. You kept trying even when I wanted to shut you out. I’d never seen anyone so dedicated. Because of you I remembered the people who care about me, away from the ghosts I wanted to chase. I dedicate this dance to your strength.”

This time the was an elegant start defined by tight turns and precise footwork. Each move linked firmly to the last and the next. Clementine’s chest tightened as she watched; her breath caught in her throat. Within the dance she felt herself be peeled back. There was the Clementine she saw herself as, steel willed and cautious, in places fragmented. It morphed to show the rare moments of worry and the storms that wracked her in anxiety. In a few moments that still churned her stomach she felt a lurking shadow of the cruelty that’d tumbled so easily from her whenever she’d been cast astray. 

Her body grew hot, her shoulders heavy before she saw the dance shift and the feeling passed. There was a return to gentleness and the power in mercy. Like glittering bubbles memories flooded her mind fresh as they days they’d been reality. She’d cried and screamed and torn her hair each time someone had been lost; yet she pressed forward hopeful. She’d witnessed distrust seize people’s eyes as they coveted rather than strive for understanding; yet never closed her ears to humanity. She’d cried awake sunken to the floor and teeth grit replaying each life she’d taken, each selfish need she’d served; yet her remorse was proof she retained a soul. 

Tears trickled down her face, and she felt not a care to stop them. The sensations of the present returned only when Violet had finished. In an instant that moved in her vision like slow motion she was embraced. Aasim’s voice grounded her beyond the sensation of Violet’s heart beating in time with her own. 

“We have witnessed them speak to each other’s deepest self. In this they have found unity, and taken hold of that which they seek for themselves in another. It is time for the final step. Let them now dance together and display the bond when two become one. Music for them, if you’d all please.”

Clementine felt Violet shift against her the crowd clapped a beat. 

“You ready?”

“Yes.”

They took up position smiling through their flushed faces. The dance moved slow and contemplative as if longing to savor each moment. All else began to fade replaced by a rhythm that held a peaceful trance. Neither kept track of how long they swayed until Clementine said,

“Why don’t we show them what we’ve got?”

“Ready when you are partner.” Violet replied grinning.

In one motion they separated still holding on by one hand, throwing themselves into a spin that ended in a twirl. Violet laughed finding herself again in Clementine’s arms then out once more. She took her turn twirling Clementine, her eyes sparkling and heard racing. They spun holding each other then separated to link arms each facing the other’s back but continuing to lock eyes. It prefaced another separation as they spun alone only to jump back together. At this they laughed.

Violet’s vision was filled by the bright sky when Clementine dipped her then leaned close. Violet wrapped her arms around her neck and pressed their foreheads together.

“I love you.”

“Love you back.”

“Promise?”

“Hell yeah.”

Their kiss found Clementine with hands roaming her hair but she didn’t care. A ways away the roar of the crowd filled their ears. Beside them Aasim clapped and wiped his face. He turned one last time to project his proud voice.

“I present to you all a married Clementine and Violet! May they have a happy life together.”

“That better not have jinxed anything Aasim.” Violet teased with a snicker.

“Shut it and go have fun with your wife. You guys deserve it.”

“Thanks for all this, really.”

“Keep treating her right Clem.” he replied smiling.

The after party blew quickly into a spectacle. Louis had attracted a cheerful gathering as he played pieces back to back. Clusters of people filled the admin building to the seams; further groups had piled into the school yard. The campus in its entirety lay at the heart of town from which hundreds of simple houses, storage, and shops fanned out. The multitude of guests had been guaranteed with more passing colorful banners AJ had overseen. 

A few carried weathered but functioning instruments, guitars, harmonicas, large and small drums. They formed a small band that led the tune of those dancing in the yard. A sizable banquet had been prepared from their surplus; beside Ruby chatted with Aasim while Susanna sucked on her bottle. From the balcony at the admin building’s face Clementine stood observing. Out of her regal wedding attire she nearly blended into the revelry were it not for her commanding presence. 

Any tension soon melted from her when she felt Violet’s arms around her waist. She smiled and leaned into the nuzzle against her neck. 

“How’s it feel? Thinking of anything?”

“I was wondering how things are closer to the wall and that group we sent out a day ago.”

“You mean Randy.”

“None of us can afford him screwing up. He’s been very...vocal lately. It’s giving me bad thoughts.”

“Hey none of that ok? Today’s our day to celebrate, we can worry about later when it comes.”

Clementine closed her eyes and pressed their foreheads together. 

“Where’s AJ?”

“With the other kids. Us grown ups are too intense for him right now. I don’t blame him, he seemed happy though.”

“I can think of one reason to justify that.” Clementine teased in a husky voice, her hand wandering below Violet’s waist.

“Clem not while everyone’s around.” came the reply followed by a giggle.

“Just teasing. We can go over it all later.”

“In that case you’ve got my interest.”

“Really? How about something like this to start.”

She pulled Violet closer and leaned her back against the railing. She studied the way Violet tilted her head as their lips met; saw the beauty in how her hair framed her face. Slowly she traced her fingers along her jaw, welcoming the feel of Violet grabbing a fistful of her shirt. They broke off at the whistles thrown at them from below. One glare and eye roll from Clementine silenced them. Violet chuckled. Her arms wrapped lazily around Clementine’s neck. 

“I’ll never forget today.”

“I hope not. If you ever do I’ll remind you.”

“Heheh, yeah.”

The music and chatter came to a sudden halt with a banging at the yard’s iron gates. Shocked dancers parted a pathway for a team in neat ranks, their boots marching in step. A man with a thick trimmed beard and thicker hair led them and adjusted the grip of his spear. It had a long curved edge akin to a beast fang and tassels that jiggled in time with the pistol on his belt. The well kept armor he wore, decorated in the motif of a cougar as his rank allowed, enhanced his bulk. His burly arms were defined by gnarled scars that betrayed his continued Old World hobby of rigorous exercise. 

He signaled a stop by raising his fist and was immediately obeyed. His beady eyes stared at Clementine without faltering. She read the challenge within them clearly and stood stiff backed,unwavering. From the crowd she felt multitudes looking to her in surprise that yielded to fear. Beside her Violet’s expression hardened and simmered with open disgust. The man spoke, his voice embed by a natural cunning.

“We’ve returned from our expedition with a generous offering from the community to the west.”

“Welcome back, I trust everything went well along with it.”

“Yes, yes of course. Nice to see we’ve been missed.” he said letting a sarcastic bite slip into his tone as he looked around.

“C’mon Randy we can talk about this anywhere but in front of everyone. There’s no need to put on some kind of show.” Violet added. 

His eyes studied her in frayed patience then flit back to Clementine. He made a gesture and his group dispersed.

“Sure I can be civil and play house with those wearing the big pants. Let’s have a private chat.”

He disappeared into the admin building. Clementine sighed deeply and let herself slacken. Tenderly Violet touched her hand, she took it without hesitation. She stared into the sky gathering herself until at last all her courage was summoned. With a nod she followed Violet’s lead into her office, something more animal than man fast approaching.

[callboxkat]

(Un)Broken - part 3

Author’s note: I’m back! It’ll be at least a week before you guys get another part, but have this one for now. :)

Warnings: self deprecation, headache mention, doctor mention, injury mention, food mention

Word count: 1579

Masterpost in the notes!

...

Patton walked into his apartment and quietly shut the door behind him. He slid the lock into place, then leaned back against the door with a soft sigh. He didn’t know why he was upset. He should be happy, shouldn’t he? He’d spent the evening bowling with his friends, after all.

He just kept remembering that moment, when he’d cheered about Logan knocking down those two pins—because Logan had been having a really hard time, and it was the first time they’d hung out together having fun like they had before his injury, and Patton had just been so excited to see him finally hit some pins! Logan, though, had clearly not been nearly as excited. Patton had seen how he rolled his eyes. Probably thinking that Patton was making fun of him. But Patton would never do that—Logan was one of his favorite people in the world!

Patton traipsed over to his sofa and threw himself onto it heavily, facedown on the cushions.

He knew that it was dumb. It was just one little thing, one little eye roll. It just hurt him to think that Logan might have thought poorly of him, even for a second.

He was distracted from his wallowing when his phone chimed its text tone at him. Patton reluctantly rolled partway over, just enough to grab his phone from his pocket and bring it up to his face.

Oh! It was Logan! Patton quickly swiped to open the message. It was a group text, sent out to all of them.

Logan: I greatly enjoyed our excursion to the bowling alley this afternoon. I hope that everyone else had as pleasant of a time as I did.

A second message popped up a minute later.

Logan: My apologies if I somehow lessened anyone’s enjoyment of the evening. I understand that especially while I am still in recovery, I am not the most ‘fun’ person to be around. Thank you for inviting me along.

Patton started furiously typing, but a series of other messages were already flooding in from Joan, Virgil, and Roman, all telling Logan that they’d had fun too, and yelling at him for implying that he’d somehow made the evening any less fun. Patton sent off his own message anyway, and as soon as he did, the notification that Talyn was typing their own response came up. Good. Logan didn’t get to talk bad about himself! Not on their watch!

Several long minutes went by, and then Logan responded.

Logan: Perhaps I misread the situation. Thank you for your assurances. It will not be necessary to ‘march over to my house’, ‘physically fite’ me, or hug me so tight that you ‘wring out the nerdiness’

Logan: Additionally, Virgil, I feel the need to remind you that Patton may decide to physically fight you if you continue to insist that gloominess is your area of expertise.

Patton paused, then scrolled up. He must have missed that message in the barrage of notifications. He found it—Virgil didn’t get to be self-deprecating either!—then scrolled back down to reply.

Patton: I will! I’ll fite both of you if I have to!!!

Virgil: Ok Pat chill, no fighting necessary

Patton: Good!

Roman: We should go bowling again. You all only got a glimpse of my skills.

Roman: (Virgils dont interact)

Virgil’s and Logan’s replies came through simultaneously.

Logan: I do think I would enjoy another such outing.

Virgil: You can’t stop me

The chat devolved into banter after that, mostly between Virgil and Roman. Patton just read the messages as they came through, not replying, until the others had to leave.

…

Monday rolled around all too quickly for Patton’s taste. He didn’t particularly want to get up early today, to go to class—one of them was math, after all—but he supposed there were bright sides. He did also have an art class today, and he would get to see his friends at lunch! He just preferred Tuesdays and Thursdays to the other three days of the school week because he had his actual classes with his friends.

Patton struggled through his morning class, which felt like it was moving at a glacial pace. He felt like he’d been there for so long. But finally, the bell rang; and with immense relief, he traipsed down to the cafeteria to meet his friends.

“I don’t blame you,” Roman said when Patton had finished sharing today’s math class woes. They and Virgil were sitting together, eating lunch in the cafeteria. “When are you ever going to need to know how to calculate a third derivative?”

“Exactly,” Patton sighed, putting his head down on the cafeteria table. “But it’s required, for my major….”

“You—you could always ask Logan for help,” Virgil suggested after a moment. “He’s pretty good at math.”

“Uh, yeah, I sure hope he is,” Roman said, his tone of voice mimicking that of a certain well-known six-second-video. “He’s a math major.”

Patton shook his head, but he did so without lifting it off the table, so it was more like he just rolled it morosely from side to side. “I don’t wanna bother him. He’s still got his concussion thingy to deal with.”

“C’mon, Pat, it couldn’t hurt to ask,” Roman said. “Besides, he could do derivatives in his sleep. Concussion or not.”

Patton just let out a soft, extended whine. If he hadn’t still had his head down on the wooden table, he would have seen Virgil and Roman glance at each other.

He felt a gentle poke on the top of his head. “What’s up?” Virgil asked.

“He’s gonna think I’m dumb,” Patton mumbled.

“Why would he think that?” Roman sounded genuinely confused. Patton could hear Virgil’s chair creaking as he shifted.

“Because he already does,” he heard himself whine. He knew he should just stop talking, but… whoops.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Virgil argued.

At the same time, Roman said, “That’s preposterous!” He normally had a habit of pronouncing it like ‘perpostrous’, which annoyed Logan to no end. He was pretty sure Roman did it on purpose at this point, evidenced by the fact that he said it correctly this time, when Logan wasn’t there.

“Logan knows you’re not dumb,” Virgil continued. “And it’s not like he hasn’t helped you before. What’s up?”

Patton sighed, gathered his willpower, and lifted his head from the table, sitting up. “I… I guess you’re right,” he sighed. He forced his features into a meek smile. “Sorry, kiddos. I’m just tired.”

“That’s okay.” Roman said.

“I mean… I get it,” Virgil said quietly. “Logan’s got stuff to worry about already. But he’s getting better, isn’t he? He’s allowed to drive and use phones and everything again. And it’s—it’s like Ro said, the stuff you’re working on is easy for him. I’m not—I’m not saying it is easy,” he amended quickly, even though Patton hadn’t been offended. “Logan’s just….”

“A huge nerd?” Roman suggested.

“A huge nerd. In a good way. Not being like him doesn’t make someone dumb. And you—” he fixed Patton with such an intense stare that the sophomore actually shrank backwards a bit. “You. Are. Not. Dumb. Nobody thinks you are. Not me, not Roman, not Talyn or Joan… and Logan sure as heck doesn’t think you’re dumb either.”

“But….”

Virgil was clearly running out of steam (that still happened sometimes when he talked a lot, though he was getting better) so Roman jumped in.

“If we’re not allowed to talk bad about ourselves, neither are you.”

Patton looked at them both for a second. Virgil was chewing the corner of his bottom lip and Roman had half a piece of Crofter’s-covered toast forgotten in one hand, but both were looking at him intently.

“O-o-okay. You’re right. I just got a bit silly, I suppose. I don’t like not understanding things.”

“We know,” Roman said. “You could always get someone else to tutor you, but I’m sure Logan’ll help if you ask…. Where is he, anyway?” He frowned slightly, leaning away from the table to look around.

Patton searched the room for a moment too, then glanced at the Mickey Mouse watch on his wrist. Logan should definitely have been here by now, if he were coming.

Virgil briefly chewed his lip a bit more intensely than before, then stopped and opened his mouth. “He—could he be sick?”

Roman sighed. “Probably… I hope he’s okay. Logan never misses class.”

That was true. The first time any of them remembered Logan missing class had been when he’d gone to the hospital after his accident. Logan valued class attendance too highly, and he was religious about hygiene, so he rarely so much as caught a mild cold. Recently, though, things were different.

“Could be another doctor’s appointment,” Patton mused noncommittally.

“I thought he had one on Friday, though,” Virgil pointed out with a frown.

Roman shrugged. “He’s probably fine.” He set down the toast that he seemed to finally remember was in his hand. “I for one am just glad he’s taking care of himself.”

Virgil nodded in agreement. Patton took a sip from his drink and didn’t respond.

“Hey…uh, you’ve got an art class today, right?” Virgil asked, changing the subject.

Patton nodded, brightening. “I sure do!”

“What are you working on?”

Patton turned to grab a little sketchbook from his backpack and opened it up, showing Virgil a few sketches as he talked about his current project. He knew Virgil was trying to distract him. He let him do it.

...

Tag list: @patton-loves-coloring @starryfirefliesbloggo @purplesoul-at-hogwarts  @gaylotusthatexists @quoth-the-sparrow @awesomelissawho @amuthefunperson @faithfreedom @heck-im-lost @gayfandomsaremything @bunny222 @syndianites @astraastro @momolinia @captainswan618 @hamilin-manuel-miranda @goldenkiddos @afilhadehades-blog @virgeofselfdestruction @theresneverenoughfandoms @iris-sanders-athena @super-magical-wizard @rainbow-sides @thefallendog @fanficptsd @zodiac-awesome @lookitsthatquietgirl @nerd-in-space @pearls-of-patton @ab-artist @angered-turtle @im-so-infinitesimal @raygelkitty @dr-gloom @whats-going-on-kiddos @the-dumbster @oh-star-how-the-mighty-fall @fillyourteacup @kittiebrick @youtuberswithalex

[seriestrash]

12 Days of Tyrus

|| 1 || 2 || 

Summary: The cold season is upon them and Cyrus finds himself wishing for a lot this festive season, many of those wishes happen to involve TJ.

Read on ao3

Chapter Three: Operation Deck The Halls

Word Count: 3494

It’s the day after Cyrus and TJ met at the mall and once his last class for the day is over, Cyrus makes his way towards his locker and a smile creeps wider on his face when he spies TJ leaning against it.

“Hey you.” Cyrus says as he approaches.

“Hey.” TJ is also smiley in response.

“Is there something I can do for you?” Cyrus asks as he reaches around TJ to get to his lock.

TJ rolls onto his side, giving Cyrus access to the locker. With arms folded and a shoulder now pressed against the locker beside Cyrus’, TJ asks, “If I ask for your help with something do you promise not to get all Cyrus-y?”

“Using my name as a verb kinda sounds like an insult...” Cyrus’ expression drops to mild confusion mixed with a slight frown.

“It’s not.” TJ says genuinely, “But still?” TJ remains in place and looks to Cyrus as he waits for a serious answer. 

“I’m happy to help you with anything.” Cyrus is sincere, “But I can’t guarantee my reaction isn’t going to be Cyrus-y because I am Cyrus and by definition everything I do is Cyrus-y.”

TJ cracks a smile at this and gives an understanding nod. Cyrus hangs his book bag over his shoulder and the two begin to walk.

“So I listened to what you said yesterday about Christmas and I’ve decided-“

“Yes?” Cyrus’ grin is toothy as he anticipates the rest of that sentence.

TJ rolls his eyes even though his smile suggests he’s somewhat amused. “I’ve decided to give Christmas a chance this year.” Cyrus’ smile is in full force at this mention and TJ rolls his eyes again at Cyrus for reacting exactly how he imagined. “For the twins.” TJ adds firmly.

“Of course, for the twins.” Cyrus nods casually although he was struggling to contain his excitement. “Anything particular you had in mind?” 

“Not really.” TJ shakes his head, “That’s why I want your help.” 

“You want my help?” Cyrus asks surprised, “You remember I’m Jewish, right?” 

“I do but I also remember you’re Cyrus and you’ve always helped me, even when I don’t deserve it.” TJ says. “I don’t want to put you in a position that makes you uncomfortable, I don’t really know what you do when it comes to Christmas so I hope I’m not being disrespectful... I’m not asking you to write letters to Santa or anything like that, maybe just make sure I don’t Grinch out?” TJ asks sheepishly, “You understand that reference right?”

“Yes I understand.” Cyrus shakes his head at the silly question. “And I’m happy to assist.” 

“Thanks.” TJ is a little mumbly.

“Since you’re embracing Christmas does this mean you’ll come to Andi’s party?” Cyrus asks hopefully.

“I don’t know.” TJ shrugs a shoulder, “I can tell Andi didn’t really want me to be there anyway.”

“But I want you there.” Cyrus says so simply like it wasn’t a big deal but it was, so much so that TJ stopped walking for a second because the kind sentiment took him by surprise.

“Then I’ll be there.” TJ says quietly once he’s back in stride with Cyrus.

Once out front of school TJ spots his mother in a parking space close by.

“I have to get going,” TJ announces, “It’s the twins birthday. Mom is taking us ice skating..” TJ doesn’t appear to be thrilled by the idea.

“Sounds dangerous,” Cyrus laughs.

“Want to come?” TJ asks.

“I would love to but I can’t.” Cyrus declines regretfully, “I fell behind with my homework during Hanukkah.”

“Kind of unfair that we get a break for Christmas but you don’t for Hanukkah.”

Cyrus shrugs lightly. “This weekend we can work on the whole embracing Christmas idea?”

“I have to look after the twins.” TJ says.

“Even better.” Cyrus beams. “Count them in too.”

-

On Saturday morning Cyrus gets dropped at the mall by his mother and he waits out by the big water fountain for TJ to arrive.

Cyrus is forcing heavy breaths and he watches it be visible in the cold air. His frosty exhale dissipates when his phone rings. A goofy snap of Jonah comes up as the caller I.D. and Cyrus answers with a smile almost present in his tone, “Helloooo.”

“Hey,” Jonah greets him back, “Are you busy today? Did you wanna hang out?”

“I can’t, I’m hanging with TJ.” Cyrus says apologetically.

“You’re always hanging out with TJ.” Jonah huffs.

“Do I detect a little jealousy?” Cyrus jokes with a laugh.

“Yes. You’re supposed to be my best friend.” Jonah says seriously, “I miss you.” Jonah says in a more joking manner although he meant it.

Cyrus smiles to himself. A year ago, such a statement from Jonah would have made Cyrus pass out but now he felt completely at ease.

“I promised TJ I’d help him with some Christmas stuff this weekend-“

“TJ the Grinch?” Jonah questions.

“Stop.” Cyrus scolds.

“I’m not being mean, he said so himself, he doesn’t like Christmas.” Jonah defends.

“Well he’s changed his mind.” Cyrus says. “I’m helping him embrace the holidays.”

“Who better to help than his best Jewish pal.” Jonah chuckles and Cyrus can’t help but laugh too.

“I think he’s come to the right person.” Cyrus says. “I’ve made a list of things for him,” then Cyrus’ expression curls into a proud one as he says, “And I’ve checked it twice.” Cyrus pauses for a reaction but is met with silence on the other end of the line, “Because of Santa?” Cyrus is disappointed his joke was wasted. “How is it that I’m the one who doesn’t celebrate Christmas?”

Jonah chuckles at this although it wasn’t meant to be funny. “I understood the joke I just didn’t think it was funny.” Jonah jokes. 

“Rude.” Cyrus huffs. 

Jonah shares another soft chuckle, “I’m going to call Gus and see if he’s free, have fun with TJ.”

Just as Cyrus ends his call with Jonah he spots TJ approaching with his twin siblings on either side of him. Katie’s sweet blonde curls are pinned back in pigtails on either side of her head with tiny little festive bows to decorate them. A red coat is wrapped around her petite frame for warmth with white stockings covering her short legs that poke out underneath. Her delicate hand locked tightly in her older brothers grip as he leads the way. Her free hand sending Cyrus an eager wave and melting his heart in the process. Cooper, the shyer twin is dressed just as savvy as his sister with a festive coloured tartan shirt poking out from underneath a knitted sweater and his hair is combed neatly to one side.

“Hello.” Cyrus greets them all with a smile.

“You two remember Cyrus?” TJ asks and both the youngsters nod. 

“From the park.” Katie grins as she recalls the time Cyrus had spent the afternoon out and about with them a little while back. 

“You two look very festive.” Cyrus says. 

“I got the text you sent at 2am this morning.” TJ scoffs. 

“I was beginning to wonder.” Cyrus folds his arms as he eyes TJ’s outfit. 

“Hey.” TJ’s face curls into something of offence, “You said dress ‘Christmassy’ this sweatshirt is green.” 

“Khaki doesn’t count.” Cyrus is less than impressed. 

TJ sighs in response. 

“It doesn’t matter, I can fix it.” Cyrus says surely. “Let Operation Deck The Halls begin.” Cyrus nods excitedly and Katie shares this with a bounce on her toes. 

“We’re back to mission names like with the whole Buffy ambush thing again?” TJ pouts. 

“Absolutely, we have new codenames and everything,” Cyrus is very dramatic, “Katie you are Rudolph and Cooper you’re Frosty the Snowman.” 

Katie is more outwardly excited about her codename than Cooper is although he shows his approval with a sheepish smile. 

“Who am I, the Grinch?” TJ folds his arms. 

“Nooo.” Cyrus says childishly, “You’re Scrooge.” 

“Cause that’s so much better?” TJ fake gasps. 

“I’m hoping for a similar outcome to A Christmas Carol.” Cyrus says in a almost challenging way. 

“What’s your codename, Cyrus?” Katie leans in with a whisper as her six year old brain was taking the mission very seriously. 

“Judah the Maccabee.” Cyrus grins proudly but when he’s met with three confused Kippen’s, he frowns, “He led the Maccabean Revolt against the Selecid Empire?” Cyrus looks at TJ like ‘as if you don’t know’, “He’s like- the reason we have Hanukkah.” Cyrus simplifies it more once TJ still seemed confused. 

“Okay, Judah the Maccabee,” TJ says with a smile, “What’s first?” 

“I have a list.” Cyrus says pulling a piece of paper out of his coat pocket. “And I checked it twice.” Both Katie and Cooper react to Cyrus’ joke making him happier than Jonah’s light teasing. “First we have to get you something else to wear, then you three will take Santa photos and after that we will go back to my house where my mom will have preprepared cookies for us to decorated and then-” Cyrus stops after he grows nervous under TJ’s fond stare, “This is what you meant when you said Cyrus-y, isn’t it?” Cyrus wears a self aware look. 

TJ’s smile just remains unwavering before he points it towards his siblings, “So you guys wanna get Santa photos?” 

The twins excitedly agree and Operation Deck The Halls begins. First Cyrus drags the Kippen’s into a store where TJ is then forced to model ugly Christmas sweaters. At first the basketballer is sulky about this and acts all embarrassed but eventually he warms up to it and is goofy as he shows off the cliche jumpers for Cyrus and his siblings. 

Eventually they all agree on a winner and they make their way to the picture with Santa stall where they have to wait in line for a ridiculous amount of time. Cyrus spends some of this time reflecting on the day so far, how TJ pretends to be annoyed at something but Cyrus knew he was actually enjoying himself. Cyrus also reflects on the whole concept of Santa and quietly laughs to himself as he imagined how petrified he would have been thinking a stranger would come down the chimney to eat cookies and drop off presents. Then he thinks how dramatic he would have been when he learnt Santa wasn’t real, like he had been lied to and would have made a huge deal out of it. Cyrus is thankful he skipped all that. Cyrus’ most dramatic moment from a past Hanukkah was when he burnt himself trying to light the menorah. There’s still a faint scar on his wrist. 

As the group got closer to their turn for the photos, TJ would keep expressing his disinterest to take a photo and how embarrassing it was. Cyrus keeps insisting that it’s imperative to the mission that all three Kippen’s pose for the photo. 

“Think of how much your mom will love the photo.” Cyrus reasons with him and when it comes to their turn, a sulky TJ stands by for the photo. The elf behind the camera calls him out for being grumpy and Cyrus stifles a chuckle. As the twins cheese for the photo and the elf counts down from 3, Cyrus pulls a goofy face that causes TJ to smile, a genuine grin that was captured on film forever. 

After spending half the day at the mall, Cyrus brings the Kippen kids home with him where they go on to decorate cookies. Whist the three Kippen’s were destroying their Christmas designs, Cyrus was even messier with the personalised cookies he was trying to make for Andi, Buffy and Jonah. 

When TJ’s mother Tess comes along to collect her children, the twins are exhausted but excited to show their mother everything they accomplished today. Tess briefly chats with Leslie and thanks her for letting the twins hang around for the afternoon. Before leaving, Tess invites Cyrus to come along with them tomorrow as they go shopping for a tree. Cyrus is uncertain but Leslie encourages him to accept. 

After the Kippen’s leave, Leslie asks Cyrus what was troubling him. “Did you not want to go with them tomorrow?” Leslie questions. 

“I don’t know.” Cyrus says honestly. “I’ve always been very proud to be Jewish. It feels a little strange being this close to Christmas. Today I was just helping TJ, hanging out really while they did the Christmassy stuff but tomorrow feels more involved.” 

“Honey, going to look at trees doesn’t make you a bad Jew.” Leslie can’t help but smile a little as she wraps her wraps her arms around her son and rubs his shoulder, “This kind of thing has never bothered you before in the past with the girls?” 

“I know but with Andi and Buffy it’s like I’m used to existing alongside their Christmas spirit. I don’t even really notice it. Like Andi having a Christmas party, I didn’t even think that was strange for me when I said I was excited for it.” 

Leslie takes a moment and appears to be carefully trying to craft her words, “TJ was very respectful at dinner last weekend, I don't see the harm in you being the same for him as long as you’re comfortable with it.” 

“I think I am comfortable and that’s why I feel guilty.” Cyrus admits. 

Leslie gives him a sympathetic smile, “Plenty of people celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. Take Jared for example, he celebrates Hanukkah but he also shares Christmas with Allison because that’s important to her. If you want to share this with TJ you shouldn’t feel guilty for that.”

The comparison to his stepbrother and his girlfriend made Cyrus nervous. “We’re just going to pick out a tree, not get married.” Cyrus forces a laugh and it comes out riddled with nerves. Leslie sports a kind smile and Cyrus knew in his heart that his mother already knew exactly how he felt for TJ but for some reason he still couldn't bring himself to speak to her about it.  

“I dated a boy back in high school before your father, he was a Christian and absolutely obsessed with Christmas.” Leslie says with a funny smile as she looks back on the memory, “Weirdest holidays of my life. His house was full of creepy little Santa dolls, I felt like their eyes were following me.” 

“Right?” Cyrus laughs as he thinks back to his reflection session at the photo stall earlier, “If Christmas does end up being a part of my life for one reason or another later on, I’m seriously going to have to discuss the whole Saint Nicholas thing...” 

Cyrus and his mother share another laugh, suddenly he was feeling better about everything. Reconnecting with his Christmas spirit was important to TJ therefore it was important to Cyrus, it was as simple as that.

- 

The following day Cyrus tags along with the Kippen’s as they pick out a tree. Cyrus is surprised to discover they purposely look for the ugliest one available but he quickly warms the idea of a quirky tree. He thinks how much Bex would love doing something like that. 

Once the tree is picked out, Tess invites Cyrus to join them for decorating and dinner. Cyrus nervously looks to TJ before answering, their whole fight over prying into TJ’s home life was still fresh and Cyrus didn’t want to do anything that could potentially drive a wedge between them but TJ nods with a smile to show he’s okay with the idea. 

Cyrus goes over to TJ’s house for the first time and he spends the evening getting to know more about TJ. As the Kippen’s decorate their rather sad looking tree, Cyrus feels more comfortable sitting back and watching. Cyrus found it nice watching how happy they all were, he notices Tess keeps stealing proud glances as she watches TJ happily help the twins decorate. Cyrus wonders how deep his distaste towards Christmas was at home before he agreed to try and embrace it again. 

Then when they sat at the table for dinner, Cyrus would also admire the vibe in the room, it was evident that TJ adored his siblings but he also appeared to love and respect his mother deeply. It wasn’t even new information Cyrus was learning about TJ but somehow he felt like there was this whole new layer to him he hadn’t seen before. 

After the dishes are washed up, Cyrus and TJ find a moment alone in front of the small fireplace. 

“Thanks for being Cyrus-y this weekend. It was exactly what I needed.” TJ says with a smile, “I forgot how much I enjoyed Christmas when I was younger.” 

“You’re welcome.” Cyrus grins too, “Thanks for letting me tag along today. I never really thought about anyone showing me Christmas the way I show them Hanukkah.. It was a new experience for me.”

“I’m sure there would have been better people to show you.” TJ says. 

Cyrus shakes his head, “It was perfect. I know technically it’s not Christmassy but dinner was my favourite part.” 

“It was nothing special.” TJ shrugs and Cyrus frowns that he was being so negative or more so that he actually felt that way about it all. 

“I really like your family.” Cyrus smiles as he tries to shine a light on it, “Coop is so quiet I get so excited when he warms up to me and Katie makes me wish I had a little sister.” 

TJ points a small smile towards his lap, “It’s a bit of a contrast to your family dinner.” 

“Dinner’s not like that every night in my house.” Cyrus says. 

“It’s still nice.” TJ lifts his gaze with a weak smile, “Your parents getting along like that.”

“I know I’m pretty lucky.” Cyrus’ smile is small, “And I know I say this without knowing the full story but I’d feel pretty lucky if I were you too, you have a mom that loves you and a brother and sister that adore you.” 

“And a dad that thinks we’re all too much.” TJ says bitterly. “Sorry.” He quickly adds with a mumble. 

“You can talk to me about it, if you want?” Cyrus studies TJ’s face to make sure he wasn't forcing him to open up if he wasn’t comfortable. 

“I want to.” TJ says sheepishly, Cyrus wears a soft and comforting smile but remains quiet so TJ can continue, “It was four years ago, about a month before Christmas, the twins had just turned two and my dad had been fired from his job, he was drinking more than usual and fighting with my mom a lot. I was ten so I wasn’t oblivious the the fact that things were tense between my parents and money was tight. I wasn’t expecting much for Christmas but I still wanted to give something to my parents so I made this dumb popsicle stick picture frame at school and I put a photo of our family in it. I was so excited about the gift, I wrapped it and put it under the tree. On Christmas morning I ran downstairs because I wanted to give it to them and that’s where I found my dad passed out. He had stumbled and knocked over the tree, wrecking the whole thing, breaking my gift and the few my mom had bought for us... My mom came down and found him like that, they got in a huge fight, the biggest I had ever heard them have and then my dad left and he never came back...” 

“TJ, I’m so sorry.” Cyrus’ heart aches for his friend. 

TJ shrugs, “The worst part is that I spent the first couple of Christmases secretly wishing he'd come home ready to fix everything. Then about a year and a half ago I found out that my dad did clean up his act but it was for another woman and her three kids..” TJ lowers his gaze to his hands and he fidgets nervously, “So while he tucks in those kids at night, I have a brother and sister who don’t even know who he is and a lasting memory of him walking  out the door after telling me ‘you’re all too much’...” 

It got worse. Cyrus was as a loss for words, no wonder TJ was so frustrated about the holidays and this possibly could have spoken for some of his behavioural issues the previous year then they first met. Cyrus searches his brain frantically for something comforting to say, anything to make the sad smile on TJ’s face dissipate but all he could think to say was, “I’ve only spent half a day with your family and I couldn’t imagine ever not wanting to be apart of it.” 

TJ’s smile curls into one more genuine, “I guess I am pretty lucky too.” 

End Notes: I love you TJ, I’m sorry!!! 

In this chapter:  ✓ Christmas with the Kippen’s (day two’s prompt) ✓ Chirsmukkah (day six’s prompt) ✓ Santa Photos ( day ten’s prompt) ✓ The worst Hannukah/Christmas Ever (day eleven’s prompt)

As always any likes/ reblogs and comments are welcomed and very much appreciated!!

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[reddeadgarlicbread]

All I Have - A Red Dead Redemption 2 Story - Chapter Sixteen

Reminder that requests are OPEN

Synopsis:

Sage Marston is the younger sister of John Marston, member of the notorious Van Der Linde Gang. After being separated as children, John finds his sister and invites her to run away with him and the gang.

As Sage quickly becomes a member of the family and valued member of the gang, she also falls in love with the charismatic leader, Dutch Van Der Linde. But little does she know, another member of the gang is falling in love with her, as well.

How will Sage cope with being a member of the gang? And what will happen when Dutch begins to lose himself?

Dutch Van Der Linde x OC Arthur Morgan x OC

Major spoilers for RDR2

Things back at camp were...not great, to put it lightly. Everyone was a mess. Abigail cried all day, John attempting to comfort her but not having much luck. Dutch was angry all the time. Sage stayed in bed all day, not eating or talking to anyone. She was destroyed, and everyone knew it. Most people stayed clear of her, not knowing what to say, but Arthur and Karen visited her every day, hoping she would begin to feel a bit better. The only person she would talk to was Dutch, and only in the privacy of their tent at night, long after everyone else had fallen asleep.

Shortly after the gang returned from the Braithwaite Manor, the Pinkertons showed up in camp. Sage had no idea it even happened, as she remained in the tent, curled up underneath a blanket. No one was harmed, and the agents left with nothing but a warning to get out of Rhodes. The gang packed up and moved to a once beautiful plantation house called Shady Belle.

Here, Dutch and Sage had the luxury of a large bedroom with a comfortable bed. It was the nicest room Sage had ever been in, but she couldn’t let herself enjoy it. Again, she remained in the bedroom, with Arthur and Karen checking on her regularly, never giving up on her. Deep down, she appreciated their care, but every other part of her just wanted to be left alone.

Dutch spent every waking moment working on finding his son. He and Arthur asked around in Saint Denis about Angelo Bronte. After getting robbed by a bunch of street kids, Arthur managed to find out where Bronte lived, and they began planning how they would get the boys back.

Arthur walked through Saint Denis, spotting Dutch and John at their meeting point. They were going to get the boys back - tonight.

“There you are,” Dutch said, as Arthur approached.

“You boys ready?” Arthur asked. He was ready to get these boys back - and hopefully see a smile on Sage’s face again when they returned.

“‘Course. What else do you know about this guy?” Dutch asked, as the three of them began walking.

“Not much, just that he’s some slick, little, greasy-haired European who’s clearly got power and money,” Arthur said. “Now, listen, if we go in there and start shooting up the place, the boys are gonna get shot. That I guarantee. Feller like this is gonna have a lot of protection.”

“My boy ain’t getting shot, Arthur,” Dutch said, his voice dark. “No one is. So everyone just relax. We’ll charm him. Trust me.” They approached a large mansion with a gate out front, a guard standing inside the gate. “This the place?”

“Must be.”

“You okay, John?”

“I guess…” John said. “You?”

“Just fine.”

Dutch walked towards the gate, Arthur and John hanging behind. “Excuse me sir, we have an appointment to see Mr. Bronte.”

“Who are you?” the guard asked, suspicion in his voice.

Dutch grabbed him by the shirt, slamming him against the gate. “You get your boss down here and now, so we can talk about this like gentlemen,” he said, pulling a gun on the guard. He waited a moment before putting his gun away and lifting the guard back up by his shirt. “Run along now, boy.”

“Was that the special Dutch charm I heard so much about?” John asked as the guard scurried off towards the mansion.

“Relax...I got this.”

The three men held their hands in the air as another guard opened the gate, allowing them inside. They were led to a sitting room, where a man who had to be Angelo Bronte sat, clothed in a robe and reading a book by the fireplace.

“Who are these clowns?” Bronte asked his guards in Italian.

“They’ve come about the boy we took.”

“With money?”

“Why did you take our sons?” Dutch asked, trying his best to control his anger.

“Excuse me?” Bronte asked, speaking English now.

“I said...why did you take our sons?” Dutch was getting angrier by the second, and Arthur began bracing himself for trouble. “We ain’t got no problems with you, sir, nor you with us, but if you wanna start one...there is gonna be a lot of folks dead in this room before it’s done.”

“So, you walk into my city, stinking of shit and looking like this, and you come into my house, before you have a bath, and you tell me how to act? You ask me to show compassion? Have I not shown you almost infinite compassion already by simply allowing you to breathe in my presence?”

It was silent for a few moments. “Indeed you have,” Dutch said, putting his hands up as he looked around at all the guns pointed at him. “Now, we are simple country folk. All we have is each other.” Dutch sat down on the couch in front of Angelo Bronte. “And you have gone, and you have took our sons, over some dispute with some inbred ex-slavers. It ain’t got nothing to do with anyone of us.”

“You had nothing to do with destroying the liquor business?” Bronte yelled.

“We was innocent bystanders...and that which we weren’t innocent of, well we...we most surely were ignorant of.”

“You, you, you twist words...you lie shamelessly...you think you are better than everyone else…” he said. Then, he began to laugh. “Ti amo! Give these men drinks!” He stood to shake Dutch’s hand. “Angelo Bronte,” he introduced himself.

“Dutch Van der Linde,” Dutch said, now laughing along with him. “Arthur Morgan, John Marston.”

The three men squeezed onto the couch together awkwardly, each taking a drink that was offered to them.

“So, can my friend and I have our sons?”

“Of course, of course,” Bronte said. “But...should I be out of pocket over a misunderstanding? Of course I know you would not want that.”

Dutch looked over to John and Arthur before looking back at Bronte. “No…”

“No, no, no, so how about this? You perform a simple job for me...and you get your sons back.”

“What is it?” Arthur asked, sitting his drink down.

Angelo went on to tell them about some grave robbers that have been terrorizing the Saint Denis cemetery. He requested that Arthur and John go take care of the grave robbers while Dutch stayed behind. Dutch was happy to - he didn’t want all three of them to leave while August and Jack were still alone in the house. Arthur and John got up to leave, leaving Dutch alone.

His emotions getting the best of him, Dutch leaned forward, slightly misty eyed. “Can I see my son? Please?” He pleaded.

Angelo Bronte considered him for a moment. He looked genuine because he absolutely was. Dutch had missed his son more than anything, he hadn’t slept since he was taken. At nights he sat in bed next to Sage, reading or plotting but always worrying, sometimes even crying, although he would never admit it.

“Sure, why not. I trust your boys will get the job done,” Angelo said finally, and Dutch breathed a sigh of relief. Bronte spoke in Italian to one of the guards, who promptly left the room.

He returned minutes later with the crying baby in his arms. Dutch stood, feeling the tears coming on, quickly wiped them away and reached for his son. August quieted down once he was in his father’s arms, and Dutch smiled down at him, so happy to see his little face again. Dutch held him against his chest, swearing to himself that no harm would ever come to him again.

//

After the job was done, Jack was returned to John, as promised. Jack, who was in high spirits and seemed to have had a great time with Bronte, was excited to get home and see his mom, who everyone knew would be far more excited to see him.

Dutch made the group ride slowly back to camp, as he had to hold onto his son and get him home safely. Dutch told the other two about a big fancy party they had been invited to. Arthur and John could hardly believe it, but Dutch seemed excited about it.

When they rode into camp finally, they heard Bill, who had been on guard duty, yelling to the rest of camp. “Hey, they’re back! I think I see Jack and August!”

“Sage!” Dutch called, riding closer to the house. “Abigail! We got the boys!”

“We got them!” John yelled.

Abigail and Sage ran out of the house together. “Momma!” Jack called.

“He’s fine!” John said.

“I’m fine, momma! They fed me good. Italian food.”

Abigail laughed as she hugged her son. “Come here, you silly boy.” She held him close. “You got him. You got my son back. Dutch, Arthur, thank you...thank you.”

Sage ran over to Dutch. “August! Oh, August!” The first words she had spoken in days, it felt like music to Arthur’s ears. Dutch smiled as his wife took the baby from his arms, cradling him close. August babbled happily, knowing he was back with his mother. “Oh god, I’m never letting him go,” she said, tears running down her face.

Dutch put an arm around her. “We are all safe now, Sage,” he said.

While Sage was still grieving the loss of their unborn child, she was happier than she had been since being taken by the Braithwaites. She sat with Abigail at the fire, both mothers happy and relieved to have their sons back in their arms.

The gang threw a party to welcome back August and Jack. Jack, who hardly cared that he had been gone at all, other than missing his mother, played nearby while the rest of the camp drank and sang songs by the fire, Dutch and Arthur included.

Things seemed alright. The family was back together.

[conceitedclarington]

Karaoke Knockout || Berrington & Blainter

Date: March something

Location: Krazy Karaoke Bar, Minneapolis

Starring: Blaine Anderson, Scarlett Berry, Hunter Clarington @artisticanderson @scarlettsberry

Summary: Hunter really wants to be able to hang out with both his boyfriend and best friend together, much to their chagrin. They all agree to spend a fun evening at a karaoke bar where nothing should go awry... right?

Notes/Warnings: Underage drinking; written fic-style. Longest para ever omfg

After having spent time with his boyfriend as well as his best friend, Hunter was looking to spend time with the two of them together. He knew that Blaine and Scarlett didn’t exactly get along with each other but he’d hoped that they could spare a few hours together so he could have the best of both worlds. Managing to convince the two for a friendly outing at a karaoke bar, Hunter drove over to Blaine’s place with the intention of meeting Scarlett at the bar.

Alternatively, Blaine was not looking forward to the night ahead; he was trying his best to stay optimistic for the sake of his boyfriend. He promised Hunter that he would go into the evening with an open mind but if he were being honest he did not want to do it. He didn’t like that Hunter was so close to Scarlett; something about the girl rubbed him the wrong way.

“Ho, brah-- lookin’ slick, nah?” Duke greeted, opening the door for Hunter when the latter knocked, scratching the thick scruff on his chin.

Hunter didn’t know how this guy and Blaine could be related, let alone identical twins. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes and offered Duke a polite and cursory smile. “Hey, is Blaine ready?”

Almost as if on cue, Blaine came out into the living area, a smile spreading across his face at his handsome boyfriend. He had gotten dressed in his typical fashion: colorful chinos, button up and a bow tie that complimented the colors he chose. He had slicked his hair back just a little with some gel. The sight of Hunter made him a little less tense; at least he’d get to spend the night with him. The other grinned right back when his eyes landed on Blaine.

“Hey handsome,” Blaine greeted, coming up to the taller and kissing him gently. Opening his arms, Hunter welcomed his boyfriend into the kiss. “Yes, I am ready to go. You know, we could always just go to the movies or something.” The shorter suggested, grabbing his coat and putting it on. “No talking and such.” He half-joked.

“Oh, a movie wouldn’t be as fun,” Hunter told Blaine as he helped him with his coat. Hunter gave Blaine a once-over and clicked his tongue. “Damn, Anderson, you clean up really well. You look delicious.”

Blaine sighed softly when Hunter turned down his movie idea but his negative feeling was shooed away when his boyfriend complimented him on his appearance, a deep blush painting his cheeks. “Yeah? Well, you’re not so bad yourself.” He said in a gentle tone before saying goodbye to his brother and leaving with Hunter.

They made their way out into the cold evening air to Hunter’s car, walking hand-in-hand, Hunter excited to reach their next venue. “Besides, I want to sing a duet with you; I think it’d be fun,” the taller said as he thought about the evening ahead with optimism. “It really means a lot that you’re coming with me to do this. I know Scar’s not the easiest person to be around considering how abrasive she is, but, she’s also my friend.”

Blaine paused for a moment and he gave a slight smile accompanied by a shrug. “I know it means a lot to you, of course I’m going. You… You’re really important to me, Hunter.” He said softly as they stood there for a brief moment. “I want to show you that, and if that means making nice with Scarlett, then I’m willing to give it my best shot.”

Hunter squeezed Blaine’s hand and offered up a genuine and grateful smile. “You’re important to me, too. I appreciate you a lot.”

Being the gentleman he was, Blaine went ahead just a few steps, opening up the driver’s side door for his boyfriend. Once they were settled in the car, he smiled at the prospect of singing with the taller once they were at the bar. “What do you wanna sing with me?”

“I think something flirty and silly like one of those High School Musical songs you kiddos are singing these days would be fun,” Hunter joked, though he was actually trying to think of an entertaining duet for the both of them. He wasn’t exactly a performer but he could carry a tune moderately well.

Hunter fired up Pandora on his radio to find a good duet. “I think Summer Nights is a little overrated,” he commented as he skipped the song. Sonny and Cher’s I Got You Babe came on next and Hunter raised his eyebrows at his boyfriend. “A contender, perhaps?” They started on their way towards the bar but not before Hunter sent a text to Scarlett that they would be there soon.

Blaine chuckled softly at the mention of High School Musical, shaking his head. “Wow, Hunter, I didn't take you for the High School Musical type- but I am one hundred percent down to go for that,” he half-joked. As the made their way to the bar they were meeting Scarlett, Blaine smiled to himself as Hunter flipped through songs to find the perfect duet for them. He found it extremely cute that his boyfriend was so eager to find their song. Their song. It was romantic and it sent flutters throughout his stomach.

“While I don’t necessarily agree about Summer Nights being overrated, I can agree that it’s a bit cliche.” He smiled, settling in the passenger seat with his hand resting on the middle console, fingers laced with Hunter’s once more. “Sonny and Cher?” He asked as the song began, his own eyebrow quirking. “I actually really like that a lot.” He said in agreement as he looked over to Hunter. “I like you a lot.” Blaine bit his bottom lip gently. It seemed with every moment he spent with the other man he was falling a little faster for him.

Hunter smiled when their hands laced together, the warmth of Blaine’s hand seeping into his own. He liked that the young man was so in tune with physical affection. He gave him a slight squeeze with his hand, grinning at him. “I got you, babe,” he winked at Blaine. A few other songs played on the radio and Hunter wasn’t quite sure which he really wanted to sing; he might’ve found a more contemporary duet for them so he didn’t want to make any sure decisions yet. Hell, maybe Blaine and Scarlett might’ve ended up singing a friendly duet together to smooth things over.

“And for the record, I like you a lot, too. Maybe after this, you and I can enjoy some alone time together,” Hunter suggested. While he thought this outing with the three of them might be good, it was true that he was missing the one-on-one time he shared with his boyfriend.

Meanwhile…

Before Scarlett had even left her home, she had started to pre-game. She was not looking forward to the night ahead in the least bit. She despised being under the same roof as Blaine and doing so willingly was going against every fiber of her being. She wasn’t looking forward to watching him hang all over Hunter as if he really meant anything to the man. If he was so special, Hunter wouldn’t have kissed her back. He would’ve dumped her the moment he and Blaine became exclusive if he was. She was nobody and if Blaine was everything Hunter wouldn’t bother with her at all.

Not that she cared. Of course she didn’t care, she was Scarlett after all. All she cared about was winning-- it’s not as if she had feelings for Hunter.

She arrived at the bar with a nice little buzz, not enough to be drunk, but just enough to make her feel lighter going into the night. Scarlett waited outside for the two to show up, her body tucked inside of Hunter’s leather jacket she still had from their little rooftop rendezvous, smirking to herself. Maybe she was an instigator, but it was an innocent mistake-- she grabbed his instead of hers by accident-- Whoops. As she stood outside, she shoved her hands inside the pockets of Hunter’s jacket. “Wha-?” She asked as she pulled out a box of cigarettes and a lighter, smiling to herself. “Alright, Green. Thanks.” Scarlett said to herself, opening up the box to find a single stick left. Throwing the box away in a nearby trash can, she lit up the cigarette, holding it between her lips as she took a long drag. As she blew the smoke out into the cold air as she checked the time. Just about that time, her eyes landed on the man’s familiar car and she smirked.

When they pulled up to the bar, Hunter saw Scarlett out front before they even parked. “Looks like she’s already here,” he pointed her out to Blaine. The shorter rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. When they got out of the car, Hunter made it a point to stroll up to the place walking hand-in-hand with his boyfriend. It wasn’t to make Scarlett upset but to assuage Blaine’s feelings that this night wouldn’t go as planned. It helped a little when Hunter slipped his hand into Blaine’s, causing the other to stand a little taller and walk with a little more confidence as they made their way.

“Hey, Red,” Hunter greeted his close friend, noticing his leather jacket around her. She looked good in his jacket but he was smart enough not to say so out loud. “Did you get a head-start on a buzz?” he was debating with himself whether or not he would drink since Blaine was still underaged and would most likely be spending this night sober.

“Hey babe,” she said as the two approached, throwing one arm around Hunter’s neck to hug him as she flicked ash off her cigarette in the other direction. “Of course I pre-gamed, you know me.” Scarlett had noted the two holding hands before and a fire ignited inside of her. She wasn’t afraid of Blaine in the least bit, she had everything he couldn’t give to Hunter and she knew it.

Blaine gave Scarlett a once-over as she greeted Hunter, narrowing his eyes at the way she hugged him and called him babe. He wouldn’t say anything; he’d bite his tongue for now. He wanted to show Hunter he was trying his best. “Hello Scarlett,” he said politely. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Scarlett tore herself away from Hunter for a brief moment to look at Blaine, giving him a nod and an uncertain look. “Professor,” She said, reaching to tilt the man’s bow tie. “Nice bow tie.” Scarlett chuckled, looking at Hunter before taking a drag of the cigarette. “Want?” She offered him, a tiny grin tugging her lips.

Hunter declined the offer of a drag, chuckling. “Maybe later?” he looked back at his boyfriend, aware that he wouldn't really like that. Hunter made an effort not to smoke around Blaine since he knew he didn't like it. Besides, he was also trying to quit. He pointed towards the door, letting Scarlett know they were going to go inside.

Blaine raised his eyebrows as they entered the loud bar. People were already singing, loudly and off-key, others were cheering and clapping. It was loud and noisy and not really Blaine’s scene, but he wanted to make the most of it. He wanted to have fun.

“Hey,” Hunter gave Blaine's hand a little squeeze. “I'm here to have a good time with you; I don't need alcohol or cigarettes to do that, okay?” He wanted Blaine to know that this evening out was about having fun, not getting sloshed.

Blaine gave a shrug when Hunter spoke. “I wasn’t really aware that you smoked together,” he sighed softly, swallowing his feelings for a moment and squeezing Hunter’s hand back. “It’s fine, everything’s okay. I’m gonna go find the karaoke list and put us down for our duet, okay?” He gave his boyfriend a small, reassuring smile before letting go of his hand. “Get us a seat, I’ll be right back.” He pressed his lips to Hunter’s cheek before going off to find whoever was in charge of karaoke night, fixing his bow tie to put it back in place.

With a small sigh, Hunter nodded and did his best to stay positive. He knew Blaine was trying his best but he could tell he was already tense from such a short exchange. Hopefully with some drinks in Scarlett and some songs flowing between the three of them, they could find some semblance of friendliness. The man scanned the bustling bar for an empty bar-height table and claimed it, pulling out one of the chairs.

Scarlett waited for a few moments before squashing out her cigarette. Taking a deep breath, she went inside and headed straight for the bar to order herself a couple of shots to take before she ordered drinks for the three of them. “Thanks, love, put it on my tab. I’ll be back for more.” She winked as she picked up the drinks and headed out to find where Hunter had found a table. Noticing Blaine wasn’t next to Hunter, she quirked an eyebrow. “Aww, did the Professor leave already?” She asked, placing one of the drinks in front of Hunter. “And here I was nice enough to buy him a drink.”

“Haha, retract the claws a bit there, Red,” Hunter chuckled, eyeing the glass set in front of him. He wasn't going to drink unless Blaine was going to, too. “Blaine went to go put our names down for some karaoke. Are you going to do any singing? Or are you just here for the booze?”

Scarlett raised her eyebrows when Hunter told her to retract her claws. “Oh, baby, you should know me better than that by now. I’m being so nice, you can’t even see my claws right now,” she chuckled. “I bought the child a drink,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “I’m here for the booze- I don’t sing.” She shook her head. “Rachel got the voice, I got the smarts.” Scarlett snorted, looking at the other. “Are you?” A wide grin spread across her face. “Are you going to sing tonight, hotshot?”

Hunter nodded in response. “Yeah, that's the whole point of coming to a karaoke bar, isn't it? I want to at least sing a couple of songs.” From Scarlett's wide grin he suddenly felt a little put on the spot and chuckled. “I mean, I'm no Broadway junkie like your sister but I sing in the shower sometimes; I'm pretty good.”

After Blaine successfully signed him and Hunter up for a duet, he even extended a little bit of kindness and signed Scarlett up as well so she wouldn’t have to worry with it. Making his way through the crowd, he finally made it to the table with his boyfriend and Scarlett. She was standing too close to him; he didn’t like it. He didn’t like the way she seemingly thought she had nearly a chance with him. It was desperate and sad. “What’d I miss?” He asked, coming up to Hunter’s other side, slipping his arm around the taller’s waist.

“Hey, you,” Hunter beamed when Blaine returned to his side, an arm draping over the shorter man's shoulders to bring him in closer.

Scarlett eyed the shorter as he tried his best to show her that Hunter was his. It was cute; she was amused. “Nothing at all, kiddo. Here, got you a drink,” she offered, pushing the glass of liquid to him.

“Oh,” he looked down, a little surprised by the gesture. “I can’t drink, I’m only twenty.” His automatic response made him internally roll his eyes.

The girl raised her eyebrows, laughing once as if the shorter had told a joke. She looked between Hunter and Blaine and then back to Hunter. “Oh,” her face dropped. “He’s serious? You’re serious?” She looked at Blaine again, snorting as she picked up her own drink. “Whatever, dude.” Scarlett sipped her drink, she knew he’d be a stick in the mud but she didn’t think he wouldn’t drink with them. “Maybe a drink would loosen your bow tie a little there, professor.”

“Blaine doesn't have to drink if he doesn't want to; we don't all have to be buzzed to have a good time, right?” Hunter spoke up, giving Blaine's arm a reassuring squeeze. He didn't want the younger man to feel pressured into getting drunk. “Here, I'll buy you a Shirley Temple,” he volunteered, waving a waitress down to get Blaine a non-alcoholic drink.

Scarlett rolled her eyes and just drank her drink, doing her best to bite her tongue.

Blaine appreciated the way Hunter stood up for him but he still felt the pressure from Scarlett— he didn’t want her or Hunter to think of him as some stupid little kid. “No,” he reached for Hunter’s arm to stop him. “No, it’s fine, Scarlett was nice enough to get me a drink, I’ll drink it,” he said, almost uncertain. But as he exchanged looks with the girl he felt a little more confident in his choice. Taking the glass, he downed the alcoholic beverage and slammed the glass down on the table as it burned all the way down his throat.

Scarlett watched with an amused smirk as Blaine gave in and downed the drink. “Good boy,” she said, turning to the waitress and ordering another round on her.

Hunter on the other hand, watched with a bit of surprise as his boyfriend downed the drink. “Wow, Blaine, that’s, uh, actually kind of impressive… Not to mention hot,” he smiled.

The shorter man leaned more into his boyfriend as the crowds went wild for the person who was just finished singing and the emcee came on stage to announce the next singer and Scarlett heard her name come out of the man’s mouth.

“Excuse me?” She said, squinting at the stage.

“Oh! I signed you up already so you didn’t have to wait in that long line,” Blaine said with a smile, looking at her with a genuine smile. Hunter raised his eyebrows and laughed, nodding along.

“Oh, no, no.” Scarlett shook her head. “I don’t sing, no thanks.”

Blaine’s forehead wrinkled and his smile fell slightly. “Oh… I’m sorry, I thought you wanted to sing? It’s karaoke night, you have to sing!” he encouraged with another smile.

“Yeah, c’mon-- this is a karaoke bar, Red. You have to sing at least one song,” Hunter encouraged her as well-- or, challenged her. “Don’t tell me you’re too afraid to get up on stage and sing one little song?”

Scarlett didn’t appreciate the peer pressure coming right back onto her and normally she wouldn’t give in to such stupid challenges but with Hunter looking at her and with Blaine sitting there like he was so great, it got the best of her. “Fuck off, Green,” she said, downing her new drink and leaving the table to move to take her place on the stage. She whispered in the ear of the emcee to make sure they had her song. Taking the microphone into her hand, she looked out at the crowd of drunk people, butterflies in her stomach. She hated being in front of people, she hated being on stage, she felt extremely uncomfortable but she wasn’t going to let Professor Bowtie show her up.

“This is for all you bitches out there,” she pointed to the crowd before her finger landed on Hunter. “Especially you, Hunt.” She winked before clearing her throat as the opening chords to Bitch by Meredith Brooks began. Hunter blinked then, glancing at his boyfriend before turning his eyes back to her onstage.

I hate the world today You're so good to me I know but I can't change Tried to tell you But you look at me like maybe I'm an angel underneath Innocent and sweet

Scarlett’s voice shook as she sang, she wasn’t the greatest singer in the world-- Rachel was definitely more talented than she was-- but she wasn’t as bad as she thought she was. As the girl sang, she began to work the stage a little, feeling the buzz of the alcohol working throughout her bloodstream, giving her just a little more confidence. She strut across the floor and flipped her hair for the audience.

Hunter bobbed his head along to the beat, a slight smile as he watched the girl garner up her confidence.

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover I'm a child, I'm a mother I'm a sinner, I'm a saint I do not feel ashamed I'm your hell, I'm your dream I'm nothing in between You know you wouldn't want it any other way

After the chorus, Scarlett was getting even more into the song. The hot stage lights were making her cheeks a little red along with with the alcohol. Placing the mic on the mic stand, she smirked at the audience as she began to sing the next part of the song. Making a scene of stripping off Hunter’s leather jacket, showing off her skin as she wore only a little black tank top underneath, Scarlett seduced the audience and they cheered for her, a couple of guys hollering over the music at her. “Yeah, baby, take it off!” Wolf whistles that made her smirk a little bigger, tossing the jacket over a stool placed on the stage for the ballad singers.

Hunter chuckled under his breath, sure that Scarlett was probably thriving and enjoying all the attention. Seeing her work the audience was entertaining and his smile only grew as she continued her song.

Scarlett’s eyes had found their way to her ex-lover back at their table. By that point in the song, all of Scarlett’s nerves were hidden by a new confidence that the audience and liquor had given her. “I'm a bitch, I'm a tease, I'm a goddess on my knees.” She winked directly at Hunter, causing Blaine’s forehead to wrinkle.

When you hurt, when you suffer I'm your angel undercover I've been numb, I'm revived Can't say I'm not alive You know I wouldn't want it any other way.

When she was finished, the bar erupted into applause and all of those men wolf-whistling her once again, causing her to chuckle and take a bow. She grabbed Hunter’s jacket and slipped it back on before hopping off the stage and making her way back to the table, though she was stopped a couple of times and given a number or two that she slipped into her bra with a devilish smirk at her suitors.

Hunter was wearing a half-amazed, half-surprised expression when she had returned. She was amazing and really owned that stage, even if some of her flirting might've been deemed just a tad inappropriate. Still, Hunter was impressed.

Blaine had been shifting his focus between Hunter and the girl on stage, watching his boyfriend’s face carefully as he reacted to the way she performed. He couldn’t get a complete read on Hunter’s face just from those couple of minutes alone, but the amazed expression was a little unsettling. He shook his head to shake off the feeling and clapped for the girl as politely as possible.

“Way to go, Red-- The audience loves you!” Hunter said with a grin, handing her a drink the waiter had brought by while she'd been on stage. “I think Blaine did you a huge favor by getting you up on that stage.”

While Blaine found her performance incredibly inappropriate, he did admire that she swallowed her fears and got up there anyway. “He’s right, they love you.”

Scarlett giggled softly, taking the drink from Hunter. “Of course they do,” she downed the drink quickly as to not lose her buzz. “Yeah, Professor,” Scarlett said, looking at Blaine and reaching down in her bra to grab the numbers she’d accumulated on her way back to the table. “Thanks to you, I’ve got some prospects for a new fuck buddy.” She chuckled at her own inside joke, before looking at the couple in front of her.

“Oh,” Blaine’s expression went from vaguely impressed to mildly judgmental as the girl declared finding a fuck buddy, the heaviness of the word new going right over his head.

Hunter, however, caught her statement as soon as she had said it. Seeing as how Blaine hadn't realized she was indirectly talking about Hunter, there was no reason for the latter to say anything. “Classy,” Hunter commented, shaking his head. “Well you definitely got that crowd warmed up for when Blaine and I take the stage.” Thinking that since Blaine had helped himself to a drink, Hunter decided to take a few sips from his own. He'd be careful not to drink too much in case he needed to drive everyone home.

Scarlett couldn’t help but chuckle again at Hunter’s comment. “Classy is my middle name, Green.” She said, winking at him as she waved to the waitress to get another drink.

The use of the nicknames was beginning to really wear on Blaine’s nerves and this time he mirrored her amused laugh. “Ah ha ha, so fun. You two and your nicknames, so cute, what’s the story there?” He crinkled his nose, his jealousy showing only a minuscule amount. “You two are pretty close, huh?”

Hunter could sense Blaine’s tension but maybe explaining the story behind the nicknames would put that tension to rest. “Well, we’d gotten into an argument because Scarlett’s name is literally just ‘Red Berry’ and so I started calling her ‘Red’, and well-- my name is Hunter, so…” he trailed off and shrugged his shoulders. “Didn’t really expect the two of us to become friends since we started off on rocky waters but it’s kind of funny how stuff like that works out sometimes.” Internally he’d hoped that the same could happen for Blaine and Scarlett as well.

The shorter man listened to his boyfriend’s explanation, thinking it kind of endearing that the two had started off on less than ideal terms but had grown closer as friends. He would’ve found it even more endearing had it been anyone but Scarlett. But he could tell that Hunter really liked having her as a friend so he took a breath to ease his nerves a little, trying a bit more genuinely.

“That’s actually a really cute story,” he nodded, giving a tiny smile. “I’m, um, really glad Hunter has a close friend.” He rephrased himself to sound less accusatory.

Grinning at the boy, Scarlett chuckled softly. It took every bit of self control she had left to bite her tongue and not make some cheeky comment regarding how close she and Hunter actually were. “Yeah, really close,” she said, taking a step closer to Hunter and tossing her arm around his neck. “Best buds, right, Hunt?” she crinkled her nose back at Blaine, giggling as she took a new drink from the waitress.

Scarlett turned her attention briefly to the waitress, a smirk settled on her lips. “Hey beautiful, keep ‘em coming and maybe later I’ll return the favor,” she winked at the girl, who blushed and walked away with a giggle. She made a point to flirt with anyone she could, hoping that somewhere deep down it would get to Hunter. Though, she was well aware he was probably too dumb and had his head too far up Blaine’s ass to even notice.

Not that she cared-- of course she didn’t care. She just would like for him to be as uncomfortable as she was if, hypothetically, she did happen to let anything between the two men get to her.

“Sure, we’re definitely best buds,” Hunter replied honestly, feeling that he had never had a connection with another person quite like he had with Scarlett. “Do you think it’s a good idea to be hanging around me if you’re trying to pick up a fuck buddy, though? People might get the wrong idea,” he told her, though he made no move to push her away.

Scarlett looked at Hunter in the eye as he commented and yet still let her stay close to him, a grin quirking the corner of her lips.

Blaine’s brow furrowed as he watched the brief exchange between Hunter and Scarlett, letting out another chuckle. “Uh, why would anyone get the wrong idea?”

The girl looked at Blaine and then back at Hunter. “Yeah, Hunt, why would anyone get the wrong idea?” She said, not taking her eyes off of him. “You and the professor are very clearly gay for each other. Besides, no one here would ever believe I’d be with you,” Scarlett teased him, pushing herself off of him with a snort. “You wish you could get in these pants, bub.”

Hunter chuckled nervously, not having realized that he’d almost let his previous with Scarlett unintentionally slip. “Uh, because you’re hanging onto me and it kind of looks like we’re together?” he pointed out, maneuvering out of her hold and scooting over to Blaine. He wrapped his arm around the smaller man in a similar fashion, giving the girl a pointed look. He didn’t even bother addressing the fact that he wished he could have her. “See? Now it’s clear that Blaine and I are together.”

Scarlett laughed out loud, the alcohol clearly running through her in full force. “You’re such a fucking idiot, Green,” she said, placing her elbow on the table to rest her chin on her hand as she looked at Hunter, returning his pointed look. “It’s clear that you and Bowties are going to make me vomit.”

“Oh, shut up; don’t act like you don’t have a heart,” Hunter teased right back, assuming she was just trying to reject that he and Blaine were open about their feelings.

With his brow only furrowing deeper, keeping a close eye on the two in front of him-- mostly Scarlett-- he felt a bit more uncomfortable than he had the rest of the night. Something wasn’t settling well in him and he was beginning to regret coming out. He stayed quiet for a moment before he noticed the red ink on the side of Scarlett’s hand, tilting his head just a little to make out the tattoo on her hand in the dimmed lighting. “You have Hunter’s name on your hand...” he stated rather than asked. “That’s…” He shook his head-- what was he even doing here? “That’s great.”

Scarlett raised her eyebrows, looking down at her hand. “Ah, fuck my bandage fell off,” she complained, looking down and around for it briefly. After half a moment she gave up and shrugged, looking at Blaine. “Yeah, you know, your boyfriend will literally do anything,” Scarlett snorted as she leaned into the table as if telling Blaine a secret.

“Yeah, she took us out to get tattoos,” Hunter explained, feeling unashamed and comfortable as he shared the story. He looked at Blaine as he continued, “She got an actual berry inked on me but I was much nicer and chose my name.” Then he looked back at Scarlett with a grin, “I can only imagine your face if I got a deer trophy or something equally stupid tattooed on you.”

Scarlett laughed, rolling her eyes. “Considering how stupid you are I’m honestly surprised you chose something so nice.”

Blaine listened to Hunter’s story and his insides tightened with jealousy and confusion. He was confused at how lax Hunter was about having matching tattoos with the girl- especially considering the tattoo she had. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what the red string symbolized. He felt extremely tense and uncomfortable. But before he or Scarlett could respond, the emcee announced Blaine’s and Hunter’s name, calling them to the stage.

“Hey! We’re up,” Hunter said excitedly, taking his boyfriend’s hand and making their way up to the stage. “Feeling nervous?”

Blaine let Hunter lead him up to the stage, not saying anything until he was addressed. Raising his eyebrows just a little, Blaine shrugged. “No, not really.” He seemed less enthused about karaoke than before.

“Woo, Hunt! Shake that sexy ass, baby!” A drunken Scarlett called across the bar, followed by an obnoxious laugh.

Hunter laughed and shook his head at her, waving off her comment with an amused expression on his face. It was obvious the girl was drunk.

Pressing his lips together, Blaine was irritated. He was irritated that he felt so inferior to Scarlett and that she felt like she could just say and do whatever she pleased especially at and with his boyfriend. He tried his best to not let her get to him, taking a couple of deep breaths. Yeah, it sucked to learn his boyfriend had a matching tattoo with her-- that his boyfriend chose a soulmate tattoo for her, even-- but at the end of the day Hunter was his officially and that meant he had something the taller couldn’t get from the girl. There was something about him that Hunter wanted more than just some superficial friendship. That’s all the two were anyway, friends. He didn’t know why he was so bothered by her.

Letting out a soft sigh, Blaine looked at Hunter before they went on stage. He didn’t know what to say or how to express his feelings without sounding like a total insecure baby about it but he didn’t want to lie to his boyfriend about his feelings. “I’m sorry, I just… I don’t feel as into this as when we first got here..” He shook his head. “I want to sing with you, I do. I just… want it to be genuine.” He voiced his concern.

Hunter hooked a finger under Blaine's chin, forcing him to look directly into his steely grey eyes. “Hey, don’t think about anything else but us right now. Forget Scarlett and her obnoxious comments or all the people at this bar; this song is just for you and me, right here and right now.”

Blaine looked up at Hunter with his golden eyes, he melted at the way the older looked at him, the way he spoke to him. He let his eyes flutter for a moment before he took a deep breath, a smile spreading across his face as the negative feelings seemingly rolled of his back. “Mm, you’re pretty good at making me feel better,” he said softly, leaning up on his toes to kiss Hunter sweetly.

Hunter reciprocated the kiss with a smile. “Good. I like making you feel better,” he said to him, brushing a thumb gently against his cheek and enjoying their little moment before they were ushered onto the stage.

Meanwhile Scarlett stayed back at their table, having a couple more drinks so she could achieve her drunken sweet spot so that she would be able to stomach the rest of the evening. She flirted with the waitress a little until she was called away again and Scarlett was once again left by herself. She felt horny and irritated and all she wanted to do was go back to Hunter’s place and hate-fuck him into his mattress. A flash of her riding him and reminding him through gritted teeth who makes him feel good ran through her mind and she shivered. “Ugh, gross.” She shook off her feelings and pulled her phone out of her pocket, sending a drunk text to the Clarington she could have her way with later if she wanted.

The song title came onto the screen and Hunter looked to his boyfriend with a silly grin spread across his face.

I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher. A romantic and fitting duet for the two of them, at least according to Hunter.

When the opening notes started playing, Hunter grabbed a microphone and handed another to Blaine, the shorter taking it promptly as he followed Hunter to the middle of the stage. They stood front and center, though Hunter's attention was fully on his boyfriend. As the lyrics popped up and noted that Cher's part was first, Hunter pointed to himself and opted to take the lead. He opened his mouth and started singing along to the tune, although in his octave.

They say we're young and we don't know We won't find out until we grow

Scarlett groaned and rolled her eyes as Hunter started to sing. Of course he was good at it, anything to make him even more attractive. When the next line scrolled onto the screen, Hunter reached out to hold Blaine's hand as he swayed to the melody. Blaine took his boyfriend’s hand as Hunter sang, looking up at him sweetly, all of his tension seemed to have vanished and it was only the two of them.

Well I don't know if all that's true 'Cause you got me, and baby I got you

Hunter grinned as Blaine sang to him. With the next line, they would harmonize beautifully. Blaine didn’t take his eyes off Hunter as they sang, his stomach failing with butterflies. He liked the way Hunter had been able to make him feel better and pull him into that present moment to enjoy it.

Babe I got you babe I got you babe

Scarlett watched the performance with a wrinkled forehead, partly amused and partly disgusted. The way Blaine looked at Hunter made her want to vomit with his big stupid piss-yellow eyes.

The shorter man’s mind wandered as they continued their song, he imagined a life with Hunter and he imagined this being their song— them dancing at their wedding. He began to think that maybe he was worried for nothing; Hunter seemingly only had eyes for him in that moment.

The girl’s eyes drifted over to Hunter’s face and she watched as the room spun around him. She didn’t buy it, she didn’t buy the way he looked at Blaine at all. There was no way that he was more into that muppet than her— never mind she was the one who didn’t want anything more than a warm body.

As the couple continued to sing, Hunter pulled Blaine closer to him and the two swayed together to the beat. As the taller man gazed down and the shorter stared up, the rest of the world seemingly vanished.

“I got you, babe,” Hunter more spoke than sang to his boyfriend, the lyrics acting as a promise for him.

Scarlett watched Hunter through narrow eyes as he looked at Blaine, taking his lyrics so seriously. She sighed as she looked down at the table at Blaine and Hunter’s abandoned drinks, she needed them more than they did so she downed them and when everyone around her clapped she joined in with obnoxious hollering. She was actually really impressed by Hunter’s abilities and by the time the new alcohol mixed with the old alcohol she was semi-impressed by Blaine as well.

When the song was coming to an end, the music still playing on the speakers, Hunter pulled Blaine in for a tender kiss in front of their little audience and Blaine melted right into it. They garnered a handful of aw's but it didn't matter to him. All that mattered in that moment right now to Hunter was Blaine and vice versa. Blaine gripped tightly at Hunter’s shirt as they kissed and he knew he was 100% falling in love with the man in front of him.

When the two took their final bows, Blaine held his hand tightly, their fingers laced together. He pulled him close to steal another kiss when they were off the stage. He felt so much better in that moment than he had five minutes before.

Hunter smiled against the kiss, very glad to see that Blaine's confidence and comfort had returned after their duet. They walked back hand-in-hand all the way to their table.

“Well, well, well, look who has actual talent,” Scarlett said as the two approached, giggling softly as she reached for Hunter’s arm, tugging him closer. “You didn’t tell me you had talent, oh, my sister would be all over you.” Any thin layer of boundaries that Scarlett might’ve had was completely gone with those last two drinks. “And you, you did okay too, Professor,” she said, squishing Blaine’s face between her hands.

And just like that, Blaine was annoyed again. Forcing his polite smile, trying not to let her get to him. “Thanks, Scarlett,” he said, tightening his hold on Hunter’s hand as Scarlett closed in on their personal space, pulling his face from her hold. “You do know my name is Blaine don’t you?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Oh, I know,” she chuckled. “You’re so funny.” Scarlett said before looking at Hunter, placing her hands on his chest.

Hunter narrowed his eyes as he looked at the girl, realizing that she was probably further gone than any of them would've liked. With her all over him like this, even he was getting a little annoyed. “Alright, alright,” he chuckled awkwardly as he tried to pull her off of him and keep her upright. “Looks like someone has had a little too much of that juice.” With all the drinks empty, he knew she'd had too much in such a short amount of time. He flagged down a waitress to get Scarlett a glass of water.

“But I have to agree,” Hunter continued, “Blaine and I make great duet partners. Maybe in an alternate universe we could've become performers for a living,” he joked.

Scarlett shook her head. “Too much? Never,” she leaned against Hunter as she looked over at Blaine and smiled at him. “Isn’t this great? Isn’t he great?” She looked up at Hunter. “You’re really great.” She squished his face between her hand.

With a heavy sigh, Blaine let go of Hunter’s hand and shook his head. “I’m going to use the bathroom.” He excused himself and walked away from the two, needing a moment just to himself, he was beginning to feel even more upset than before and he wanted to calm himself. Blaine didn’t like losing his composure.

“Uh huh,” Scarlett said, not taking her eyes off Hunter’s mouth, still having it smooshed in her hand. “You’re really pretty, you know that?”

Hunter watched with a frown as Blaine left them to go to the bathroom; the older man could tell that Scarlett’s physical affection was really bothering him. “Hey,” the man gently grabbed onto her hands and moved them away from him yet again. “Can you cool it with all the touchy-feely? It’s making Blaine upset; you’re sloshed but I know you can tell. What’s your deal? You said you’d at least attempt to play nice.”

Scarlett pouted when Hunter took her hands off of him and she huffed. “What? I am being nice.” She said, crossing her arms, her stance very child-like. “It isn’t my fault he’s some big insecure baby. Maybe he’s making me upset, huh, you ever think of that, Sparky?” she asked him with raised eyebrows, her words slurring ever so slightly. “Don’t see you tell him to cool it.” Scarlett tapped the taller’s chest with her finger.

With a confused look on his face, Hunter shook his head. “What has Blaine done to make you upset?” he asked, trying to think back to anything the boy could’ve done. “Signing you up to sing that song? You were amazing and the crowd loved you; you can’t be mad at him for that..!”

The girl looked up at him for a moment and she laughed. “You think I’m mad at him for that?” She shook her head. “Fuck, Hunt, you’re hilarious. Of course that’s not why I hate him. You’d know if you weren’t so dumb.” She gripped onto his shirt and  seemingly tripped over her foot without even moving, almost losing her balance. “That wasn’t even that big of a deal-- I’d fuckin’ do it again!”

“Whoa, hey,” Hunter reached out and grabbed onto Scarlett, steadying her as he pulled her body against his own. He wasn’t sure what she was getting at by calling him dumb but he didn’t appreciate it. “Then I don’t get it-- why the fuck do you hate Blaine so much?” he pressed on for a straight answer, trying to look her in the eye.

“He thinks he’s so much better than me because he has you all to himself.” She rolled her eyes, pushing against Hunter’s body, the feeling of their bodies pressed together was overwhelming for her and she didn’t want any part of it. “I’ll show him-- I’m better than him,” she said as she stomped off away towards the stage to get her name back on that list.

Hunter was left by himself, the gears and cogs in his brain working to figure out what the heck Scarlett was trying to tell him. Why was she all caught up in wanting to be better than Blaine? What did that even mean? He watched her with sheer confusion.

“You’re in luck, sweetheart. One last spot just for you,” the emcee said to her as he handed over the mic.

Scarlett kissed the man on the cheek and stumbled up onto the stage, grabbing the stand for support as she cleared her throat. “This one's for me, because I fucking love myself,” she slurred, the bar remembering her from before and applauding for her, hollering for her as the song True Love by Pink began to play.

Hunter folded his arms over his chest, waiting for her to sing. He wasn't familiar with the song or the lyrics and it was clear from Scarlett's behavior that she wasn't just singing another song to get away from the conversation.

After a few deep breaths, Blaine collected himself before attempting to shake Scarlett off. Making his way back out to where he’d left the two, he glanced up at the stage, noticing Scarlett was once again up there. “What is she doing?” he asked as he approached Hunter.

“I… I'm not sure,” Hunter replied, his eyes not leaving the brunette onstage.

Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say Sometimes I wanna slap you in your whole face There's no one quite like you, you push all my buttons down I know life would suck without you

Scarlett worked the stage effortlessly as now she’d lost all of her inhibitions.

At the same time, I wanna hug you I wanna wrap my hands around your neck You're an asshole but I love you And you make me so mad, I ask myself Why I'm still here, or where could I go You're the only love I've ever known But I hate you, I really hate you So much I think it must be true love, true love It must be true love Nothin' else can break my heart like True love, true love It must be true love No one else can break my heart like you.

As the girl sang her heart out, unintentional meaning dripping behind every word she sang, she danced around carelessly. The crowd loved her even more the second time around and she was eating up all of the attention.

Hunter watched as Scarlett more or less sang this song to him, and it clicked. As he watched her, his eyes grew bigger and the realization hit him like a billboard in middle of a hurricane.

She liked him.

Maybe she even loved him.

With the new knowledge that she might harbor romantic feelings for him, Hunter began to open up his mind. She was practically telling him through song that a future together existed. He didn't have to settle for Blaine.

Oh.

Hunter froze and his body went stiff at the thought. Was he just settling for Blaine because he had thought this entire time that Scarlett wasn't an option? He'd been told by Scarlett herself that a future together wasn't a possibility. Yet now, here Scarlett was, telling him the exact opposite.

The entire time Hunter’s head was spinning, Scarlett worked that stage, her singing in the background felt muffled to Blaine as he watched his boyfriend watch the girl on the stage. Blaine carefully gauged every single moment, every twitch, he watched as Hunter came to a realization that Blaine had known since the three met one another.

“God, she's so fucking drunk,” Hunter told Blaine, looking away from the stage and swallowing his thoughts and feelings-- putting them into a deep, dark pit in his stomach. “We should get her an Uber home or something… We should've just gone out to a movie like you'd suggested earlier.” Hunter waved down the waitress so he could settle up their bill and hopefully soon end this night.

Blaine’s brow furrowed at the way Hunter was suddenly so ready to leave and a cold feeling coiled itself up in Blaine’s stomach. He didn’t say anything, just continuing to observe the energy in the room between Hunter and Scarlett- he felt like a third wheel. He only nodded when Hunter had said they should’ve just gone out to a movie. Scarlett would’ve had to been quiet. “It’s fine,” he finally spoke up. We can just go whenever she’s finished.” His voice was quieter than it had been as his own wheels in his mind were turning.

When another thunderous applause erupted, signaling the end of her performance, Blaine shook his head a little. He didn’t understand what made her so great.

The girl came off the stage to join her friends a little less enthusiastically than she’d left. “Ugh, i don’t know how performers do it, I’m exhausted,” she said, rubbing her stomach gently. “And I don’t feel so good.”

“Usually people don’t do multiple songs with so much energy when they’re drunk,” Blaine quipped, crossing his arms.

Hunter just remained quiet, watching the two and their back-and-forth.

Scarlett raised her eyebrows, chuckling at him. “Well look at you, Professor-- so much smarter than me aren’t you?”

Blaine didn’t say anything, only looking away and raising his eyebrows.

With another laugh, Scarlett looked to Hunter. God, how she wanted him. “Hey baby, you wanna pay for mine too? I’m don’t feel so well,” she said, reaching into her pocket. “Gonna call Al and she if she’ll pick me up and take me to bed if you catch my drift.” Scarlett scrolled through her phone, squinting at the bright screen before she found Alex’s name. She’d come to realize that the next best thing to getting Hunter in bed was his sister. “Hey Alex, baby, you free tonight?”

Blaine looked at her as she spoke, looking back at Hunter. “Is that your sister?” He tilted his head. “I’m so confused,” Blaine mumbled under his breath.

Hunter hid the grimace on his face as he searched for his wallet and only nodded when she asked if he would cover for her drinks as well. “Yeah, they're sleeping together,” Hunter replied to Blaine rather flatly. He knew Blaine might question his distaste for jealousy, as Alex had before, so he followed up immediately with an explanation. “It's not my favorite thing to have the image of my friend and my sister getting it on.”

After closing up their tab, Hunter took Blaine's hand into his own. “So Alex is going to come get you? I trust you not to do something stupid like attempting to drive home?” he asked. Although the night's revelations left a weight in his stomach he didn't know what to do with, he knew he still cared about Scarlett. “I think Blaine and I are all karaoke'd out.”

Scarlett looked at Hunter, raising her eyebrow. “Don’t you worry about me, Hunt,” she said, looking him in the eyes. She looked vaguely pale and like she was gonna throw up but she kept her composure. She reached into her pocket for her keys, walking up to him and pushing them into his front pocket, not taking her eyes from his. “There, now I can’t do anything stupid,” she said before looking at Blaine. “Professor, I wish I could say it was nice spending time with you.” Scarlett patted his shoulders before slipping her hands into Hunter’s jacket that she was still wearing. “Now if you’ll excuse me,” she rummaged in the pockets a little before pouting. “Gonna see if Hunt left anymore cigarettes in his jacket. Toodles.” She blew them a kiss and stumbled her way out of the bar to wait for Alex.

Blaine watched the girl with raised eyebrows, taken aback by her words and actions. He really didn’t like that girl. He’d given her the benefit of the doubt and tried to be nice to her and give her a chance but they just didn’t mesh. He didn’t say anything to her before she left, only opening his mouth to speak when she left after having made the implication that she was wearing Hunter’s jacket. “Is… Is she wearing your jacket?” he asked, looking up at Hunter as the girl disappeared.

Hunter furrowed his brow, also taken aback by Scarlett's actions. One minute she was practically confessing her feelings for him and the next she was jumping into bed with his sister. Although Hunter prided himself on knowing Scarlett pretty well considering they hadn't known each other for very long, the evening left him utterly confused. Confused about her, confused about his feelings for her, and confused about where their relationship stood.

“Yeah. I lent it to her whenever we last hung out because she'd gotten her clothes wet from some snow,” he explained, too preoccupied with his inner thoughts to really realize this was yet another reason for Blaine to feel insecure. Hunter and Scarlett were awfully close, after all. “She probably chose today to wear it to get under your skin… typical.” He rolled his eyes then, feigning disgust. In actuality, he knew it was completely within her character and she had just the overbearing amount of sass and snark to do something like that.

With the girl having left, Hunter reached out for Blaine's hand and took it into his own. “Can I do something to make this up to you? Flirty duet aside, this didn't go how I wanted.”

Blaine just gave a nod when hunter explained why she had his jacket. “Oh.” Was all he said. He didn’t much care for that explanation but he wasn’t sure what he expected exactly. Letting Hunter take his hand, he gave a little shrug. “I don’t know, let’s just… go?” He asked.

“Yeah, getting out of here will be the first step of shaking this evening off,” Hunter agreed, leading the way back to his car. “I know you tried really hard to be nice to Scarlett… for my sake. But, after tonight, I won't ask anymore.”

“It’s okay,” the shorter said, following Hunter back to his car. He stayed quiet the whole way, the events of the evening replaying in his mind. He let out a sigh before stopping next to the car. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his face a little. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” he asked, looking at the taller with his golden eyes.

Hunter shook his head. “No, no I'm not,” he denied, “She and I are friends and that's literally it. Maybe if she wasn't so jaded and abrasive I'd be able to tolerate her more but--” Hunter cut himself off when he realized he was rambling a bit. “We're just friends-- I promise.” He gave Blaine's hand a light squeeze. “I only have eyes for you, Blaine. I want you to be my boyfriend-- not her.”

Blaine wanted to feel comforted by Hunter’s words and the feeling of their hands together but he just couldn’t shake it. “It’s just, she’s clearly in love with you. She all but flat out told you that in there— and the way you look at her. The way you treat her. She asked you to pay her tab and you just did. She called you baby. She's wearing your jacket.” As he listed all of the things he just began to feel worse. Looking up at Hunter still, he felt extremely insecure in that moment. “I want you, Hunter. I know you want me too, I just...I don’t know how much. I don’t know if you even realize yourself the way you look at her.”

Hunter listened to his boyfriend. Knowing the way Scarlett was, this was possibly the first time since Danny that she'd developed feelings beyond a quick fuck and maybe she was having a difficult time dealing with that. “She calls my sister pet names, too. That doesn't mean anything to her; it isn't like when I call you ‘babe'. She's told me herself that she doesn't do feelings or relationships. Maybe she doesn't realize it herself but she has to figure out her own feelings and come to terms that I'm with you.” Hunter let out a sigh as he scratched the back of his neck. “She likes to flaunt the fact that she and I are friends but she's not in a relationship with me.”

Gently, Hunter pointed at Blaine, his index finger resting just above his heart. His demeanor changed slightly and he offered a small smirk. “You're in a relationship with me. I can't help that I'm hot stuff and seemingly everyone wants a piece of me but I'm yours.”

Blaine listened as Hunter spoke, sighing softly. He still felt something uncomfortable and uncertain deep down. When Hunter pointed at him, that sly little smirk on his face, it made Blaine chuckle. It lightened his mood just a little. He wanted to believe him, he wanted to believe Hunter so much. If he were being honest with himself, the taller had given no real indication on why he shouldn’t trust him. Maybe he was reading way too much into everything because of his own insecurities, maybe what he saw today was nothing but two really close friends. He gave a tiny smile. “Yeah? You’re mine? Promise?”

“Only yours, babe,” Hunter winked, his hang slinging around Blaine's waist and bringing him in for a kiss. He hummed softly into the kiss and when they broke, Hunter flashed his usual grin at him. “I don't go around kissing my friends like that. You're special.”

The shorter seemed to melt once again into Hunter as they kissed, the man’s kiss seemingly able to make him weak in the knees. Placing his hands on Hunter’s chest, he bit on his bottom lip. “Okay, okay, I’m just...I’m just being silly. I’m sorry. I trust you. Just because she’s in love with you doesn’t mean you reciprocate it.” He promised before leaning up to kiss Hunter once again. “Maybe we can continue this at your place?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hunter’s grin only widened as he felt Blaine become comfortable and at ease once again. The taller man happily kissed him back and waggled his eyebrows at the mention of going back to his place. “Mm, Blaine Anderson, I thought you’d never ask,” he laughed and moved to open the car door for his boyfriend.

When Hunter got into the car and started on the way home, he smiled as he held Blaine’s hand in his own. But still the revelations of the night weigh heavily in his heart. Although he wouldn’t let it show-- especially tonight-- Hunter wasn’t going to let this mess up his relationship with his boyfriend. He genuinely liked Blaine and wanted continue this. Even if that meant he liked Scarlett, too.

[cutiecrates]

Cutie Reviews: Yume Twins Nov 18

Before we begin, I wanted to let anyone curious to know that I put in my order from Blippo.com. I was cheap though- so I’m not actually sure when it’ll be delivered!

This months theme: Twinkling Transformation

“Have you ever wished you could transform into something different? Like maybe a magical girl, or even your pet for a day? We certainly daydream about being whisked of into a new exciting world where we get to shapeshift into a something different ourselves! So this November we’re bringing you the Twinkling Transformation box, with some kawaii items that transform literally, an items that will change your surroundings too! The word transform or change is “henshin” in Japanese, so we hope you love your super kawaii items in this months box and that they will allow you to fulfill your henshin dreams!“

The prizes for this months photo contest feature a variety of cute Korilakkuma themed items.

While the Yume Prize box contained a variety of Kuromi and Keroppi products.

Sumikko Gurashi Peg Set

Our first item are these adorable little pegs/clips. These types specifically are the ones people usually use to hang up with some string decorated with ornaments, pictures, notes, etc, giving the area a cute but mature feel.

There are 4 sets available, each with 3 pegs.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

These are really cute little ways to add decoration to something usually so plain and basic. The little pieces are entirely made from wood and the glue is very strong, so I’m pretty sure they’ll hold. These are kind of small but they’ll have no problem doing their duty, I’ve seen tinier ones do it fine.

 Right now I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do with them... but I am very happy happy I got Neko x3 besides Shirokuma, he’s my favorite.

Kawaii Changing Pouch

Our next item is a pouch based on a the popular changing sequins trend that’s been going on lately. I love sequins and the idea appeals to me, but besides this I only have one thing featuring it.

Now, these were mostly Sanrio based, but they also have a Doraemon. There was a total of 6 the subscribers could find. As you can see I got the Kuromi and My Melody version. I’ll probably end up keeping it as is in the picture since I like how it looks.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

As cute as this is, the awkward way the pouch opens kind of bothers me. It unzips down one corner and side, due to a flap on the inside, which in a way I kind of like, but on the other hand it’s weird. I’m a bit conflicted on whether I like that or not, but I can definitely use this for stuff so I do like it.

My other complaint is that there are so many white accents (you can probably tell in the pic) and it makes the design look a bit messy. But that’s probably just my opinion.

Costume Pet Plushie

Our third item is perfect for the transformation theme :3 every magical girl needs a companion~

This plush set includes a variation of 10 possible dogs or cats you could get, including ones in full costume or just those with a hood, like mine.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why it’s on it’s side... it needs some “cleaning“ done because somehow it got dirty, even though kept it in the box and it was clean. Also, it’s just easier to get a picture this way.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 

As much as I love plushes, I’ve seen cuter. Like it’s cute, but I wish it was more... inline with what you would actually see in Magical Girl series. I was also kind of perturbed over its condition and messed up whiskers (probably can’t tell in the picture, but they are very crazy and bent).

Sheep Microfiber Cleaner

This item, practical item is infused with bamboo charcoal to not only pick up dust, but absorb any nasty smells and deodorized wherever it gets put; for example, on the back of the wrapper it shows 2 of these within a pair of shoes.

Besides this brownish color, it’s also available in white and a pinkish-orange.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Not only is it the most kawaii cleaning buddy ever, but it works great!

Today we brought in a carpet to put own on the living room floor and we found so much dust and dirt beneath the couches and corners of the room we haven’t seen in forever- and I’m pretty sure I mentioned this, but I have dust allergies and they were having a field day. So I used this little sweetie to help pick up some of the dust.

I didn’t get a chance to test the scent thing though, I didn’t really get any sleep last night so my mind was elsewhere and it never occurred to me. But I did notice it seems to have it’s own little scent, so I’m pretty sure it could pick.

Sailor Moon Cleaner Cloth

I love when they include Sailor Moon items in the box x3 and this is a very practical item for me which makes it even better. Besides cleaning screens, they can also be used on glasses, or a make-shift hair tie in an emergency if they are the normal square ones (like if you have wind blowing your hair all over the place and you don’t have any actual hair things on hand.... I know from experience.)

This was available in any of the 5 main sailor scouts, and I actually think all 5 variations are pretty, so any of them would have been nice. They all have the same design, the only difference being the name written on it.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

On a side note... It actually killed me separating these two items. I know it’s silly but I loved how this packaging looked, I didn’t want to destroy it.

But as it turns out it was super easy to un-assemble and put back together. The bow on the back is just held together by flaps and the cloth is folded and partially sticking in a slot. So if I ever miss it I can just reassemble it. Word of warning though, the points of the ribbon are very sharp >3<

Uh, in terms of the cloth itself... I mean you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. It’s very silky smooth, a bit thick, and after today my laptop screen really needed a quick wipe.

Kawaii Mini Mini Memo

Available with Mochi Mochi Panda, Yeast Ken, or Animal Life, these mini memo pads are the perfect companion to the sequin pouch we got to look at earlier. Or just for putting in your pocket if you feel like it.

It has a nicely textured spine and a little information on the series/character on the back. The pad also has two styles of sheets, one vertical with a list format and one horizontal with designs like those on the cover. 

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I know this isn’t the most exciting review, but I had a long day and I really wanted to get this taken care of before bed because after all the work I did today, I won’t be doing anything tomorrow.

But to be fair what can you say about a notepad? I get them all the time from these boxes and you can’t really judge the quality of notepad/memo pad paper because you know it works. It’s paper.

♡ Cutie Ranking ♡

Content - 4 out of 5. I like what we got and I was very happy with the practicality and variety of it.

Price - 3 out of 5. I don’t know what all of these items cost, but most of the items are on the small side, paired with 2 bigger items. So I wouldn’t say it was worth it, but the reason the items usually cost so much is because of the name branding.

Theme: 3 out of 5. This box was pretty much a play on words, like rather than items that would cause personal transformation- these items bring transformation to our things. All items but the memo pad (which is a partner to the pouch pretty much) fit that idea, but... I don’t know, as a magical girl lover I really wish they did something more. 

Total Rank: 7 out of 10. I like the content well-enough and I’m not displeased by the box or anything. But at the same time, something about it just left a little to be desired to me. It’s boxes like this that remind me of how much I liked the Yume Twins I signed up with a few years ago. We got around 10 items, there was a wider variety, (the mascot twins who I still miss), they would include things like blind box re-ments or charms or accessories....

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the box, it’s just that sometimes I find it hard to entirely like it as much as I want to. I always want to love my boxes, and I genuinely like them at the end of the day, but not every single one will appeal to every single subscriber.

♡ Cutie Scale ♡

1. Microfiber Sheep - I’m thinking of naming it Puffy, or maybe Wheats, cause that’s what I end up thinking of looking at it. Anyway it’s so cute and fluffy, I love how soft it feels. I’m not sure I could stand to try to use it to see if it actually removes stench though... I’d feel kind of bad.  

2. Memo Memo Pad - I love Mochi Mochi Panda, it always makes me happy to look at. I wanna squeeze it’s stuffed cheeks~

3. Kawaii Changing Pouch - I really wish the booklet showed both forms of the pouch like I did in my pic. A few of them are obvious without seeing the other image, but not all of them. I also wish the sequins were a bit more cleaned up, as I noted during my review of the item.

4. Sailor Moon Cleaner Cloth - It’s pretty and sorta elegant looking to me, I really like how it was packaged too, it’s so creative!

5. Sumikko Gurashi Peg - I’m glad I got Neko but the poses are very basic. I’ve seen them on tons of things I got from these boxes and I kind of wish they were more unique. 

6. Costume Pet Plush - it’s cute and really soft, but I still can’t figure out how it got dirty...

Alright guys, that will be doing it for this review. I’m sorry it’s kind of lame this time, but I just couldn’t think of much to say about the last few items. I feel like they were so obvious that it took away much opinion you know? Like if it works it works, if it’s cute then it’s a great bonus :D I promise to do better with the Kawaii Box review I’ll be tackling next, so until then remember to continue unpacking those cuteness boxes~!

[emeraldwaves]

Title: The Thing Is... Pairing:  KamiJirou Rating: T Word Count:  2,051 Read on Ao3 Summary:  

Jirou doesn't think much about dating and Kaminari tries a pick-up line.

Thanks for @its-love-u-asshole for playing prompt game with me and reading this. The Prompt was "Why didn’t you answer your phone? It was an emergency, I needed to tell you I loved you."

The thing is, Jirou Kyouka doesn't think much about dating.

She's way too focused on other things; school, music, being a hero... all those things are far more important than any sort of boyfriend or girlfriend.

But everyone else seems to care. They enter their 3rd year of school, and suddenly everyone is hooking up with everyone and everyone else has to know who is doing what with who. Rumors are constantly circulating about who is kissing who, and who is ready to take their relationship to 'the next step'. Jirou really doesn't care about that stuff... or so she tells herself.

Mina is the loudest; she's always gossiping about who is dating who. Todoroki and Momo are what she labels a 'power couple'. Jirou's not really sure what that means, but she speculates it means they are the most attractive duo? Also they never seem to fight... and they're both classy?

"Oh hush," Momo says, pressing her hand against her cheek, her eyes looking a little dreamy. "We're just a normal couple."

"Really?" Mina says, raising her eyebrow. "I guess," she sighs, "but it's more that you're the only couple that actually seems to be working. Todoroki-kun is actually nice to you, takes you on dates like a gentleman!" she says, pulling the peanut butter down from the cabinet as she slams it on the table.

Jirou thinks Mina maybe has some underlying frustration about all this.

Momo, however, can't stop smiling. "He really is. He can be shy, but he's... so sweet to me."

"Yeah," Mina says, untying the bread as she plops two pieces on her plate. "And really, I don't know why Uraraka is pretending to be single when we all know her and Bakugou are fucking. Not sure where that came from," she says.

"Eh... they are?" Jirou blinks. The way Mina talks, it's so easy to fall into the gossip.

"Uh, duh!" Mina laughs. "Like, everyone knows! Kirishima practically walked in on them the other day," she snorts.

"O-Oh gosh!" Momo gasps.

"Kirishima and I could be a 'power couple' if he would stop being a butt face!" Mina continues, sticking out her tongue as she swipes peanut butter over the bread, slamming the two pieces together.

"Butt face?" Jirou asks. Jirou thinks they might be a little old for such language but she doesn't question it, not when Mina is on a rampage.

"Uh, yeah! He keeps getting dodgy anytime I bring up dates or dating or our classmates dating... it's like he freezes up and has no idea what to say!" she sighs. "But then around the guys I know he acts like a total bro," she groans.

"Maybe you should just ask him out yourself?" Jirou suggests casually.

"Says you! Ms. 'I've had a crush on Kaminari since our 1st year and still haven't done anything about it!'" When Mina attacks, she sure as hell doesn't hold back.

Jirou's face flushes. "I-I do not! He's an idiot! No way I would ever, ever like him!"

Okay. Maybe she likes him a little. He's a total idiot... but he's fun. He likes the same music as her... he likes her music... and he always seems so genuinely interested in talking to her. He gets excited about mundane things, but it's oddly cute and endearing. Plus he's so damn supportive, always cheering everyone in their class on. Sometimes she thinks he cheers a little louder for her, but that's probably just her mind imagining some silly fairy tale.

It's not like Jirou even wants to pair up with anyone anyway! There's way too many other things she really should be focusing on.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much!" Mina giggles, biting into her sandwich. "I mean, to be fair," she mumbles, her mouth sticky with peanut butter. "He's had a crush on you too and definitely hasn't made a move either so, I dunno what that's about."

Jirou sighs. "Mina, we're just friends... I promise."

"Suuuure," she says and winks at Jirou.

Sometimes gossip is just exhausting.

~~

The thing is, Kaminari wants to ask Jirou Kyouka out on a date, but... he doesn’t know how to do anything like that. Jirou is like... this heavenly goddess... a musical genius, super strong, crazy intelligent...

This equation adds up, and it tells him she's way out of his league.

They hang out a lot. It's not like he doesn't know how to talk to her. He's actually really good at that part. They like a lot of the same music, and sometimes they study together... there was this one time she fell asleep in his room during one late night study session...

Fuck. Just thinking about it makes his heart pound.

He likes her. He definitely likes her.

But damn, she's so hard to read. She's stoic, but playful... she hates it when he's a moron, but seems to enjoy giving him shit for it.

He knows he should just ask her. Kirishima and Sero have been pressuring him for months now... but he doesn't really know how to do it.

So, he decides it's time to ask the love expert. Or well, the one of the only person he can talk to with a steady... something...

"HAH!? The fuck you askin' me Lightning Rod!?"

Bakugou Katsuki is staring at him from the entryway of his dorm room.

"I-I just... wanted to know how you asked Uraraka out?"

Bakugou wrinkles his nose and folds his arms. "I'm not dating Round Face, I don't know who the fuck told you that!"

Kaminari rolls his eyes. "Okay. So you're not dating but... you're... ya' know?"

"Fucking?" Bakugou states angrily and Kaminari almost expects him to protest again, but this time he doesn't. "What of it?"

"How did you... get there?"

Bakugou raises his eyebrow, his face practically twitching like this is the worst question anyone has ever asked him in the history of questions. "I fucking kissed her, dipshit!" he growls.

"Just... out of the blue? You didn't use a line... or anything?"

"Fuck no. Can I go now? If you wanna ask Headphones out, just do it." He slams the door in Kaminari's face and the blond shrugs.

Maybe Bakugou's right? Strange... to actually think that... but maybe he needs to get over himself. Everyone is always telling him to just go for it...

He knows Bakugou said he didn't use a line, but maybe he should just look a few up... just to boost his confidence. If he says something silly, that's in line with his character, right? She'll probably appreciate it or give him one of her cute, judgemental looks.

He scrolls through a few on his phone and picks out the perfect one. She'll definitely laugh at it for sure.

Puffing out his chest, he walks towards the stairs. There's no better way to just go for it then to... just go for it. He makes his way downstairs and stops outside of her door.

Kaminari takes a deep breath, knocking on her door as he quickly assumes position, leaning against the frame.

She opens the door and her dark eyes stare at him, immediately her expression turning to one of confusion.

"K-Kaminari-kun?"

"Hey Jirou," he smirks. "Why didn't you answer your phone-"

"My phone?" she cuts him off and reaches into her pocket, pulling out the device. "You didn't call or text me-"

He puts his hand on her phone. "N-No! No, just... just wait."

She frowns. "Uh... okay?"

Dammit! She's always too cool, too casual!

He clears his throat and starts over. "Why didn’t you answer your phone? It was an emergency, I needed to tell you I loved you. S-SHIT! I-I meant... I needed to tell you I 'liked you. Liked you. "

Okay. The pick-up line was a horrible idea. Should've listened to Bakugou.

"Y-You... You... what?!" she exclaims, her cheeks heating up so red. She steps backwards, confusion filling her eyes.

"Y-You know what? Uh... just forget it? It was just a dare, from Kirishima! Ha-ha! Yeah! Good thing I recorded it on my phone!" he snorts and sticks his tongue out. "Thanks Jirou-san!" he calls out and immediately runs away from her room.

What better way to ask a girl out then to pretend like you're not actually asking a girl out!

~~

Jirou stands, completely confused in her doorway. Kaminari shows up and tells her he loves her. No, likes her, and then he claims it's a dare?!

She frowns, trying to process the information. It threw her off guard so much! His face was so cute, all flushed and red. Plus, he was totally stumbling over all his words.

Unlike him, Jirou isn't an idiot, and she knows there's no way in hell that was a dare.

Which means...

She swallows, her feet carrying her down the hall as she starts to chase after him. Her heart pounds in her footsteps, her anxiety rising as she hears her own voice call out. "Kaminari-kun!" She sees him at the other end of the hall, stopped right outside his room.

She dashes forward as she watches him fumble with his key. The bastard is trying to escape! Hell. No.

Running as fast as she can, she grabs his wrist, stopping him from turning the key. "K-Kaminari-kun..." she pants heavily.

The thing is, Jirou Kyouka doesn't think much about dating. She doesn't get crushes on people, she tries to avoid it at all costs.

Or well... she used to. She's pretty sure she might have a teeny tiny crush on Kaminari... and knowing he might have one too, after the awkward performance in front of her door, she can’t let him just leave.

"J-Jirou!" he squeaks out. "S-Sorry about that, I j-just..."

"It wasn't a dare," she breathes out. "R-Right?" As she says the words, she realizes just what she's asking him to say and her face turns bright red again.

"Uh..." He looks around as if he's trying to find the nearest escape route or exit. "N-No..." he mumbles, a sigh slipping from his now very dry lips. "It... wasn't. I wanted to use a stupid line on you to make you laugh so it might be easier to... to... ask you out..."

"You wanna ask me out?" she says softly. "For real?"

"Well... yeah, been trying to figure out a good way for months," he admits.

"And you decided to go with... that weird phone line?"

"Yeah," he rubs the back of his neck, laughing. "Pretty dumb."

"Super dumb. But that's kind of what I expect from you, idiot," she smirks, popping her hip out as she looks up at him. He's really a handsome guy, less awkward now he's gotten a little older. She wonders when she started looking at him as 'attractive'...

"So, uh... anyway... if you just let me go inside... we can forget this ever happened!" Kaminari laughs awkwardly.

She slams her hand against the frame of the door. "You're not gonna ask me out for real?!"

"Do you... want me to?" he mutters, glancing quickly from her hand to her face.

"I didn't chase you down the hallway for no reason..." she mumbles.

"O-Oh..." he blushes. "Then uhm... Jirou Kyouka... do you wanna go... on a date with me sometime?" he asks, biting his lower lip as he nervously glances around. She doesn't know what the hell he's so nervous about, since she's obviously going to say yes at this point.

She leans towards him, standing on her tiptoes as she gently presses their lips together.

Might as well go all out when chasing a boy down the hall you most definitely have a crush on.

"Yeah," she says, her voice breathy as she pulls away. "I do. Text me the details. I'll answer this time, since y'know... it won't be an imaginary message."

"C-Cool," he sighs, practically flopping against the door, his eyes looking dreamy and dazed, like he's used his quirk too much and he's a stupid idiot again.

"Yeah, cool," she smiles, her face so red as she kisses his cheek one more time before heading back to her own room. She can't stop smiling, even as she closes her door behind her.

The thing is, everyone is going to gossip about them, but Jirou can't bring herself to care.

[forkanna]

[AO3 LINK]

It took me all night to stop feeling embarrassed about the scene Knives caused. Maybe deep down, I really did feel flattered that she cared this much, but it was buried under so much shame and annoyance that I couldn't even feel it accurately. Where did she get off inserting herself into my life as some weird kind of protector? Especially since I didn't need any protecting. At all. That was just some random crap I made up to make it clear that I wasn't interested in her hanging around and making me feel better. Not my fault she was too dense to realise.

A few days later, I saw her again. Just enough time to forget that the whole incident happened before I was freshly reminded because she came barging back into my life. Great.

"Are you stalking me?"

"What?" Knives asked, trying to casually drop down from the tree branch. She landed with a quiet tmp against the little patch of grass around the trunk, a would-be innocent smile playing across her lips. "Noooo… not at all."

"Because it feels like you're stalking me. And what's with that?"

"Nothing!" Her hand whipped to one side, throwing the binoculars so hard that they disappeared into the sky with a brief gleam. "Nobody was watching you since you left the house this morning, don't be silly!"

Sighing, I continued walking down the pavement. She kept pace with me; now that I'd found her out, apparently she had decided there was no point in keeping a low profile anymore. My hands clenched into fists in my hoodie pockets. "Fine. What do you want?"

"Well… I'm trying to do surveillance."

"Yeah, I got that."

"For the challenges? You know… see if I can tell from the outside anything more about what I'll face on the inside. So far, nothing obvious. But I wanna be ready!"

"For the imaginary challenges? Wow, quelle surprise."

"Are they imaginary though?" she breathed with a slight squinting of her eyes.

"Dude… you are so weird." For some reason, that made her grin at me, and I rolled my eyes. Didn't seem to be any point in trying to get rid of her anymore, so I just said, "I'm going to work. You won't have anything to do there but watch me watch old movies."

"I love old movies! Like, like… the first Harry Potter!"

Inwardly, I died a little.

                                                      ~ o ~

This manic chick actually came with me to the video rental store. I shouldn't have to tell you that in this millennium, especially after the first decade of it, there's really no point in even having a video rental store anymore, so we had no customers. It was literally hours of sitting around and watching movie after movie, while maybe one guy came in and asked where 'the good stuff' was kept. My glare sent him packing.

"So was it that bad wherever you went for uni that you ended up slumming it back here again?"

"Not bad," Knives told me as she sat on the counter, spinning the orange she had gotten from a convenience store on the way in her hands. It was the last thing either of us had to eat after we made our way through some cheesy Nineties rom-com. "Just not home. Toronto is just, you know? Like… everything's so cool here."

"Yeah, it's freezing."

"Not right now. Summer in Toronto is like, the best. Plus my friend Tamara lives here, I was hoping I'd see her."

There was something about how genuine Knives was that reminded me of Scott when we first met. That could probably play a role in why they were attracted to each other in the first place, and I might be more certain of that if I were some kind of TV pop-psychologist. As in, Scott saw something of his younger self in Knives, the way he was before he broke my heart and Envy broke his in turn. Yadda yadda.

Maybe that's why I hadn't thrown her out yet. Nostalgia.

"Kim?"

"What?" I snapped, since I had been snapped out of my stupor.

"The movie's over."

"Oh…" Ducking my head, I reached over to pull the DVD of 'The Mystical Head' out of the player. "Shit…"

Head tilted to one side, Knives asked me, "What would you be watching if you had to pick? Right now?"

"Zombie Corpse Mutilator IV: The Zombining."

"Really? Is it any good? I don't watch very many scary movies…"

With a long sigh, I stood up and stretched my arms over my head. Knives tried to balance the orange on the bridge of her nose, failed, and caught it before it fell very far. "You probably just want me to put on some drivel like 'Let's Hope There's A Heaven,' don't you?"

"No," she laughed easily. "What about… 'Seven Shaolin Masters'? I like action, but not like, just a bunch of stuff blowing up. And I heard that one's supposed to be pretty authentic, it was done by a Chinese director."

The way she looked all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed reminded me of a squirrel spotting a nut it hadn't cracked yet. Maybe I was the nut. Who knows? But for some reason, her excitement and complete disregard of whether or not I crapped all over her good mood was getting past my defenses. So much so that I said…

"Sure. Think we have a few copies."

We watched it. Not a bad flick. I guess I like it about as much as I like anything, really. Not high praise, but you get the picture. Knives was eating it up. Really… the weirdest part is that she never complained about having to sit there on the counter, just hopped down once in a while to stretch her legs and lean against it instead. Like we had been doing this for years: her coming to hang out with me while I 'worked'. Felt like the plot of some low-budget indie film, shot in black-and-white to be 'ironic'.

About halfway through, she did go to the lavatory, and when she came back she stayed behind the counter. I started to tell her she wasn't allowed, but decided I didn't care enough. Maybe I'm getting soft at the ripe old age of twenty-four.

"Hey," I suddenly asked, during a boring part in which the main character was meditating.

"Hm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Watching a movie."

"No… I mean like, going to uni. What's your whole deal?" I cringed; that was a pretty crappy way to ask the question. But, as usual, Knives didn't seem to mind.

"Not really sure. Just want to figure out what I'm doing. My mom wants me to be a doctor, but that is so not happening. Like… I kinda want to found a martial arts school. Super cliché, but I've never really been good at anything else, except fangirling. Which isn't really a 'job' I can get."

"Sure you could. Rent yourself out as a professional fangirl."

Her eyes went round. "You can do that?!" But for once, she seemed to get that I was teasing and smiled. "Aww, silly Kim. But… actually I wonder if there'd be any interest in it… maybe I could start a whole new thing!"

"Weirdo."

"What about you?"

That caught me off guard. "Huh? I'm a drummer."

"Yeah, but you aren't really in a band right now, right? You said you and Neil's sister are just kind of trying stuff."

"It's none of your-" But I cut myself off. This wasn't an interrogation, and Knives wasn't trying to pry. Wasn't trying to. "I just… am trying to figure that out. My life got kicked in the butt by a few events and I need a rebuilding year."

"But it's already been a year since your last band-"

"Knives…"

She fell silent, turning away to finish the movie. She looked guilty, which wasn't really what I wanted; I just wanted her to take the hint that it's not the most fun subject to bring up for me right now. But I didn't know how to tell her that without getting all sappy and feelsy, so I didn't try.

When Comeau came in to relieve me, we split, and she followed along behind like a good puppy. A good stray puppy. One I never wanted, but for some reason, I didn't mind her there. We did start getting along toward the end of Sex Bob-omb's career, I guess.

"You wanna get some food? It's about dinner time. Or you probably have plans, huh?"

Shrugging, I managed to mutter, "Eh." I didn't have any plans. I never had many plans anymore; met up with Stephen once a week, or less. Steph wasn't so much a friend as a colleague… which I guess was where both of them stood with me. Where did everybody go?

"Cool. Wanna get Sneaky Dee's?"

"Ugh… too noisy. Not in the mood."

"Poutine? Sushi?"

I started to make a very vaguely racist joke about sushi being the wrong food for her, but decided it would be more hurtful than funny. Especially to Knives, who only seemed to get the most obvious jokes. "Poutine works. I could use some gravy-laden goodness."

"Cool. Let's do it!"

She skipped off down the path, hair bouncing on the breeze. I didn't notice before that she was still keeping it short, I was so focused on the fact that she stopped dyeing it in the front. Kind of a compromise between who she had been before Scott and who she was after, maybe.

Not that I knew why I was noticing now. I must really have been bored. "Wait up, you dumbass," I grumbled under my breath as I trudged after her.

                                                      ~ o ~

Somehow, grabbing dinner with this almost-a-stranger was fine. She gushed about college life, about some group of friends she found online and really connected with or whatever. I was only half paying attention while I chewed. Between bites she was drinking a ginger ale, and kept setting it down so hard that a few droplets would fly up and land on the table, or even on her face. That annoyed me, but it was also kind of… cute somehow. Maybe I needed therapy.

Once we finished up, we walked to the bus stop that would take her back in the direction of her house. It was awkward. There was no real reason for it to be awkward but it was; she looked down at her boots, rocking back and forth with her hands in the small of her back.

"U-um… do you mind if I drop by more? You seemed kind of unhappy to see me at first. If you really want me to leave you alone forever…"

"Yes. I do."

"Okay. S-sorry, Kim."

Now I felt like I was kicking a puppy. She wasn't really that bad; I just hated being forced to endure the company of anyone besides myself and my inner demons. "Ugh… just don't make a big deal about it, and shut up if we get too busy, alright? God."

Her mopey face turned into a wide smile over the course of the following five seconds. "YAY!" No seriously, she said 'yay'. And meant it. What the fuck was she even? Her arms sprang forward, and before I could tell what was about to happen, she had me caught in a crushing hug.

"Let GO. Dude, seriously! Off!"

"I'll see you tomorrow! Oh man, this is gonna be a great summer!" Without any further ado, she pranced over to the bus stop, walking backward so she could wave at me the entire time. Anybody could have predicted that she would trip over the old man's dachshund, but she picked herself up right away with a light giggle, apologising to both of them before waving again.

Our definitions of "great summer" don't have much overlap.

                                                       To Be Continued…