#both the “hand doing hand things” and the “deflates ->” were originally just there for me but i thought they made it funnier so i left them

[baker-chan-senpai]

this is very dumb idk what possessed me

[uglyducklingofthe2000s]

Can I please request something about the reader having just moved to Monaco to live with Lando, but is feeling really homesick? And it’s the off season but Lando is really busy with other work and unintentionally neglects the readers feelings and she feels so lonely. A bit of angst but a fluffy end :)

Aches - LN

Don’t get y/n wrong, she is completely and utterly in love with Lando. But the two are used to two completely different lifestyles and Lando’s got so much on his mind, y/n can’t hold it against him when he forgets that she’s not used to this sort of schedule and life.

In the off season, Lando is still travelling and so active and y/n wants to be there with him. But it’s hard and recently it feels like not only is he busy but he’s too busy for her. Which she’d not so secretly been hoping was not going to be an issue.

They’ve travelled around almost more in the off season than in the actual race season.

Y/n has been feeling that long ache to go home, the need to get back to her parents house and enjoy a meal from her parents and climb in her bed to just sort of rot with her cat cuddling up with her.

“Hey, i was-where are you going?” Y/n asks cutting her original sentence of addressing her feelings when she sees Lando is definitely not dressed for a day at home like she thought they had planned together.

“I’m going to play golf with Carlos while he’s over here.” Lando states making her feel her body deflate.

“I thought you were staying in today. I didn’t really want to go out.” Y/n murmurs hoping her very obvious hint would get through to him.

It doesn’t.

“I’ll be back later, stream for a bit and then you have me all to yourself for the night.” Lando smiles moving towards her, cupping her face and kissing her softly. “Why don’t you go shopping? Take my card, you were saying we need to get Christmas present for everyone. Send me things you think people might like and I’ll let you know if I agree, though you’re better at gifts for other people than I am. My mum loved her birthday present this year more than she’s loved any other gift I got her and I know for a fact it was because you actually put thought into the gift for her.”

“Ok, no problem.” She nods managing a convincing smile as he kisses her again, gently tucking his card into her hand before he grabs his stuff and heads out out of the apartment.

“I’ll see you later.” He grins stealing yet another kiss since the man will find any excuse, but especially likes goodbye kisses. “Ok, i’m going. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Y/n nods but the moment the door is closed her chest tightens and tears begin to blur her vision as she mentally scolds herself for not just speaking up.

Ruining her own mood with homesickness is one thing but to put it onto Lando, especially when he's just trying to make the most of his time off. Which is hardly time off since he's got all sorts of work for both F1 and Quadrant to handle.

"Get it together." Y/n murmurs to herself while deciding to try and do some laundry before going out to get food, hoping to make herself something to eat that will at least distract her enough to make her shake off the heavy emotions.

Lando does come back, paying y/n a little bit of attention as he changes and eats the chicken and bacon pasta bake that she made for them.

"Alright, I'm going to stream. Are you-what's that face for?" Lando frowns, not sounding angry but concerned and since y/n didn't even realise her face had changed, maybe she needs to actually make an effort to contain her emotions.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about going out and grabbing some ingredients to make some dessert or something." Y/n rambles then wincing as she finally looks back up to meet his gaze and finds that Lando's eyes have narrowed in on her. "What?"

"You only ramble when you're lying. So if you want to try that again and tell me the truth then I can fix whatever is happening?" Lando half offers, half demands but his expression tells her that she isn't getting much of a choice.

"I'm just not feeling great." She mumbles before shifting since she still didn't manage to look at him instead she smiles nervously and moves over, kissing at him. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what. Baby, what's wrong?"

"I just...I think...while your busy...I'm just feeling a little-" Y/n chokes up feeing her throat restrict and her eyes burn as hiccups, hiding her face in his chest. Because despite wanting to hide herself from him, having him there is a comfort she's only just realising the needs so badly.

Lando just holds her gently rubbing her back since there's no point in pushing her into trying to speak while she is clearly crying too hard to even get words out.

At some point he moves them to the sofa and just sits her on his lap. After a few minutes, she settles down enough to try and piece together a sentence again.

"I hate that I'm like this." Y/n mutters in a grumble, almost shuddering at her own thoughts. "You're so busy...even with time off, you're doing stuff and there's nothing wrong with that! But I'm just...so alone here."

The ball of guilt makes Lando's chest ache and he even visibly winces at her words. If he has one job it's to make sure his girlfriend never ever ever feels alone and he failed.

"Maybe I think I should just go home for a bit. You'll be coming over soon anyway and I don't want you to feel like you need to change plans because I'm just feeling a little shit."

"I'm a shit boyfriend for not paying attention enough for you to feel like you can tell me. But if you think for a second I'm going to let you go home and not be with me so I can get out of completely overwhelming you with love. Then you're insane." Lando sighs then shaking his head really at himself in annoyance that he missed it. "I'll tell the boys I'm not-"

"No. I've already made you late. The last thing I want to do is be the reason you're not online streaming. Please, I'll be fine." Y/n frowns only for him to shake his head at her.

"I'm not leaving you alone when you've just said you feel alone. Baby...don't do that. And don't think it's ok to do that." Lando frowns while she looks at him, knowing his point is valid but it doesn't make it any easier to know she's ruining his plans.

-

Lando changing his schedule wasn't all that easy, but he managed it after some negotiations to make up for it later while also making sure he's there to not neglect his girlfriend.

Getting to her parents house, Lando is immediately welcomed just as warmly as her and honestly he'd cancel the rest of his plans until the training for the season starts if it meant he could relive seeing y/n's entire being light up in a glow of happiness seeing her family as they walked through the door.

He knows she's loves him and he knows that she doesn't want to move home, but sometimes she misses her family and she misses being near them because Lando does get busy and as many people as she's befriended. A lot of them are busy too and sometimes the people you meet through F1, aren't there to be friends outside of F1 events.

So coming home is like being wrapped in a blanket of comfort and getting to be around people who she loves spending time with.

"I'm so glad you brought her home. She's been messaging me so much saying that she doesn't know what to do with herself recently." Y/m/n sighs as Lando helps her with the dishes while y/n is out with her dad taking the dogs for a walk. Though y/m/n quickly seems to notice that Lando's smile has wavered. "Don't be hard on yourself. She told us what happened. You take good care of her and she knows it, we know it. But you're used to balancing the relationship with the race season and this is the first time the two of you are getting a whole winter break together and it's her first time being so far from home for so much of the year."

Lando knows that y/n has loved being with him, watching him at races and she's never seemed sad until it came to an end but it makes sense. She probably had vouched on getting more one on one time and didn't realise how much he still worked, at least in the following week or so after the season ended.

Next year he'll be racing up to December which is pretty insane.

"I just want her to be happy and I'll do anything I can to make that happen." Lando admits making the older woman smile at him with that kind of smile that mothers only have with their children.

"Thank you."

The endearingly sweet moment is cut short when y/n storms in through the back door that leads directly into the kitchen, coated in a thick layer of brown mud while he dad appears wheezing and in tears from laughter with the dogs innocently following.

"Mum! Dad is so annoying! He pushed me in the mud!"

"Oh honey...you can't come inside covered in mud..." Mum states with sympathy but clearly also finding her husband's antics pretty funny. "Oh, Lando will you hose her off outside. I'll make sure the shower it on for you and hot, sweetie."

Y/n's family aren't rich like Lando's, but they are comfortable. They have a decent, well built house which her parents bought for raising a family out in the country. But her dad is a bit of a child and was definitely the fun parent and her mum can't help but laugh and enable his behaviour.

"Come on baby. We gotta hose you down." Lando laughs while y/n whines a little as he walks out with her. "Don't worry, your mum and dad have a friends birthday party to go to so we've got the place to ourselves."

"Mmm...I wouldn't what you could possibly have planned for that."

"You can act like I'm a sex pest, but if I was. I wouldn't be waiting to be alone." Lando smirks with an innocent shrug.

Maybe this is what they needed a bit of a grounding of reality and just some time with people who don't make either of them feel the pressure of constant schedules and fighting to feel like they're giving each other enough attention.

[littlejuicebox]

My Sun, My Moon

Pairing: Spawn Astarion x GN!Reader/Tav Summary/Setting: 6 months post BG3 / Part 2 to my other fic Astarion talks in his sleep. Rating/Warnings: PG-13 / In game spoilers / Alludes to sexual encounters / Mentions of past trauma etc / Pretty much all fluff / It’s so sweet it’s going to rot your teeth Word Count: 2.3K Notes: This is 5/5 Days of "Star-mas!"

*takes a bow* Happy Holidays! Hope you all enjoyed!

I'm also entering this into the #BG3HolidayFluffle23 challenge under the prompt "twinkling lights."

Click here to see my master list.

-----

After Astarion’s sleep-talking gave away his little secret, you’d spent nearly every waking moment anticipating the rogue’s proposal. You were horribly, terribly wrong every time, of course. You began to think that perhaps your original assumptions were right, and that an engagement would come much later on. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready. Maybe he was just planning and thinking about the future… the frustratingly distant future. He’d ask the question when he was ready, you reasoned; in his own time and on his own terms. You could respect that.

But then, on the eve of the Netherbrain Battle’s six month anniversary, you came home to a dinner that Astarion had cooked (almost) entirely himself. Candles were lit, table settings were placed, and your lover chose an expensive wine pairing for the meal. His steak was, of course, entirely raw while yours was seasoned and cooked to perfection. You were certain you had Shadowheart to thank for your half of the meal, but you’d complimented your lover and all his efforts, nonetheless. At the end of dinner, you were quite confident that this would be the moment you’d been waiting weeks for.

“I have something to say.” Astarion murmured, lithe fingers rubbing circles on the back of your hand as he clasped it in his own.

You practically felt your soul leave your body in that moment. Oh gods, you knew what your answer would be, you knew this was coming, and yet here it was, and you were still wholly unprepared. You barely fumbled out a, “Y-yes, my love? What is it?”

“I read your mail.” Astarion responded, his eyes flooding full of guilt at the confession. He expelled a small sigh, flicking his gaze up at the ceiling and then back down to you. “Darling, I know we have been discussing this for months, but I really don’t think we should go to the Underdark. You’re getting so many outstanding offers that require you to remain in the city. You’re the hero of Baldur’s Gate, for god’s sakes. I know you want me to be safe from the sun… but I can’t, in good conscience, do that to you and rip you away from so many wonderful opportunities.”

“O-oh…” Your chest deflates and you catch yourself frowning for just a moment. Astarion’s brow furrows as he incorrectly interprets the cause of your sudden mood shift to be the current conversation and not the crushing disappointment you were trying to shove aside. You quickly try to move into a more neutral expression, but the rogue is already jumping into another worried explanation.

“Darling... Please hear me. I love you more than anything, and I know you better than anyone. You will not be truly happy there, of that much I am absolutely certain. These offers you’re receiving will give you multiple avenues to build the life you want…. the life we want. Imagine the good you could do with that level of influence, my love! Let me help you; I can review contracts, negotiate deals… whatever you need to ensure your success. Do not throw away so much potential on my account. I simply couldn’t live with myself if you did.”

He was right, of course. The only thing you wanted almost as much as you wanted Astarion was to continue the good work you two had been doing for Baldur’s Gate.

You sigh and nod your head, squeezing his hand gently. “You’re right, my love. I suppose it would be silly for both of us to throw away so much opportunity.”

Astarion beamed at your response before leaning over the table to plant a kiss on your lips. You smiled at the rogue when he pulled away to look at you with adoring crimson eyes. Perhaps it hadn’t been the conversation you were hoping for, but it had been a good and much needed one, nonetheless.

-----

Tonight, you and Astarion decided to take a stroll around the city. You were following the vampire’s lead, ambling around the streets as he pointed out more than a few of his old haunts. He revealed some of the difficult moments in his past as you two meandered about… more than one of the tales nearly made you cry with an overwhelm of sympathy for your lover. But you held back, knowing the elf hated eyes full of pity almost as much as he’d hated Cazador.

You noted that Astarion seemed to look back on his experience with more acceptance now. You knew, of course, that there were likely an infinite number of stories he had not yet revealed to you and perhaps never would. But you were still happy to see a bit of lightness in him as he spoke his truth. He hadn’t appeared to have one of his episodes on the entire walk, and as you pondered this, you also realized his night terrors had only occurred a handful of times this month. Such an improvement to what had been an almost daily incidence when you two originally moved in together.

Before long, you and your love arrived at the docks, where just over six months ago you’d felt as if you’d been stabbed in the gut as you watched the rays of sunlight scorch the vampire until he was forced to run for cover. But now, you two stood there hand in hand, resting in a pocket of comfortable silence. Both of you were admiring the twinkling starlight, full moon, and dark, mysterious expanse of the sea.

“The stars were so much more beautiful in the wilds… don’t you think, my sweet?” Astarion asks, his eyes filled with wistfulness as he ponders the sky.

You utter a little hum of agreement as your mind flashes to the first night in camp, when you caught Astarion reclined on his bedroll, stargazing. You turned your head to look at the rogue and remind him of the memory, but found he disappeared from your line of sight. Your vision wanders down and there he is, bent on one knee.

Oh this had to be the moment. Just when you were about to shout yes before the rogue even had a moment to say anything, Astarion looks up and smiles, a small pouch of gold coins in his hand. “Look! I suppose it’s our lucky day, darling. Their loss is our gain, would— are you alright, Tav? You’ve got this strange look on your face.”

Gods, not again. You feel your face flush with embarrassment. In your excitement and overwhelm, you’d almost ruined everything and let Astarion know that you knew his little secret. You made the decision then and there that this would be the last time you anticipated his proposal; let it happen when it’s meant to happen. You were done playing the guessing game. You couldn’t ruin everything with your big fat mouth.

You nod your head slightly before turning to look back at the stars once more, taking a deep breath and hoping to settle yourself.

“Yes, my love. I suppose I’m just thrilled by the beauty of the stars and the full moon, tonight. And by your beauty, of course.”

The rogue stands up, tucking the small sachet in his pocket. He smiles and places a soft, loving peck on the apple of your cheek before wrapping his arm around your waist. The two of you look up at the stars once more, and you spend a few moments pointing out some constellations in the sky. Stargazing had been one of the first things you two bonded over in camp.

Astarion is watching you with devoted interest as you ramble on about the planets and the mythological creatures represented by the patterns in the stars. Finally, there is a small lapse in conversation, and you want to take the opportunity to kiss him, but when you turn, the vampire is once again out of your sight line.

When you look down this time, Astarion is looking up at you, holding a velvet box in shaking hands.

“Tav—" He manages to choke out, but then his eyes fill with tears, and he stops to blink them away, chuckling softly at himself. You immediately come to kneel in front of your love, hands pressed to either side of his face, silently urging him to continue.

The vampire inhales shakily, suddenly quite overwhelmed by the extreme vulnerability he knows he’s about to lay before you. But the softness of your hands on his face grounds him in the moment and he smiles, admiring the look of utter adoration in your eyes.

A couple of tears fall over the edge of his lash line, and you immediately swipe them away with your shaking thumb. Another chuckle escapes the silver-haired elf, and he shakes his head in disbelief.

“My love… I’ve rehearsed this for weeks. I’ve said it all out loud more than a thousand times, I’m sure. I’ve spent almost every opportunity in your absence practicing this. One time I even had Shadowheart pretend to be you while I rehearsed my grand speech. But now that we are here… I’ve nearly forgotten everything I wanted to say.”

You move forward to press a kiss to Astarion’s lips, your hands still shaking as you run your thumb over his cheekbone. “It’s okay, my Star. Please continue, when you’re ready… rehearsed or from the heart… I want to hear it all the same.”

Astarion nods just a fraction and inhales. The shaking hand that is not holding the ring box comes to lay atop your own hand resting on his face. Your love slowly, absently runs his thumb along the back of your palm as he gathers his thoughts. He stares into your eyes with so much love that you almost kiss him again but hold yourself back to allow him to continue.

Astarion exhales a shuddering breath and then continues in a reverent tone, as if he’s whispering a prayer, “My darling. I have lived long life. Much of it was a sad and hopeless one. When we were walking through the city, I pointed out several places where I’d encountered horrible things. Many of those things are still hard to talk about… some of it, I don’t know that I will ever be able to.”

You are crying now, from the overwhelming blend of sympathy for your little Star and palpable feeling of love in this beautiful moment. Tears begin coursing thin streams down your cheeks. Astarion wipes away the tears as they fall, though his lips start trembling from your display of emotion.

“B-but what I do know is that… in many of the places I pointed out, there are also memories of us. Of our friends. Of the time we spent together before saving the city and of the six months we’ve spent here after that. Little by little, we are taking places that only held horrible memories for me and turning them into places that hold feelings of hope and happiness.

I guess what I’m saying is that… these past six months have been the counterweight to two hundred years of misery. And I do not think I deserve you, but I cannot imagine my life without you. You are everywhere I go, everywhere I look, and every happy memory I hold in my heart. If you’ll have me… I would like to spend the rest of our lives, however long they may be, turning this city into a place of hope for us and for the people we hold dear.”

Astarion opens the box, and you gasp in true awe as he reveals possibly the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen. At the center is a beautiful moonstone, emitting an ethereal glow that shines brilliantly in the darkness of the pier. The setting is gold, and an intricate sunburst pattern made in smaller gems surrounds the center stone.

“Standing on the dock that day, after that long battle… I had the thought that my life was ruined when I realized I could no longer stand in the sun. I thought I might never know true happiness again. But it turns out, that was the moment my new life with you began… and you’ve opened the door to more happiness than I could’ve ever imagined for myself.

Even if I never see the sun again, I have made my peace. I would make the choices I made to be here with you, on this dock, in this moment, again and again in every lifetime. You are my sun and my moon. And my darling, it would be my honor to be your Star for the rest of time. Tav… will you marry me?”

As soon as the question comes out of your lover’s lips, you instantly push forward to crash into Astarion, enveloping the elf in an emotional kiss. You both topple over from the sheer force of your ardor, and as you do, the vampire deftly snaps the ring box closed to protect it from spilling out onto the dock.

When you finally break away, panting heavily, both your faces are thoroughly flushed with excitement. The vampire looks up at you, scarlet eyes filled with absolute devotion. You giggle and press one more soft kiss to the rouge before taking your hand in his and pressing a kiss to his knuckle. “Yes, Astarion. Nothing in this life would make me happier than to share it with you.”

-----

Later that evening, the two of you are naked in bed after several rounds of vigorous celebration. You’re admiring your ring, which is still faintly glowing in the semi-darkness of your bedchambers. Astarion takes your hand and presses his lips to the ring with a small smile; his scarlet eyes closely examine the gem.

“I don’t know how it works… you would have to ask Gale. But the center stone glows when I think of you, you know.”

You blink, moving to touch the gemstone in the middle of the ring with curiosity. “But it hasn’t stopped glowing since we’ve been on the docks.”

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we’ve been on the docks.” Astarion replies simply, moving his hand to stroke your cheek as a gentle, good-natured laugh escapes his mouth, “Perhaps now you’ll have some insight into how often my thoughts revolve around you, my sweet.”

You feel your eyes welling with tears again. Damn this man and his beautiful heart… he truly never misses a detail when it comes to you. You move forward to pull his lips into another loving kiss, and when you break away this time, a thought crosses your mind.

“Astarion… did you really find that bag of coins on the dock?”

Your lover grins mischievously, his crimson eyes crinkling at the corners as he grabs your ring-clad hand and kisses it once more.

“No, my sweet. But I had to throw you off. Shadowheart told me about my mishap. I wanted to surprise you… but you know me far too well and you’ve never been easily fooled… and the sleepy confession didn’t help things at all. I just figured that you would never anticipate that I’d drop down on one knee twice in a row.”

Astarion knew you just as well as you knew him… and he had been right. He’d fooled you. You roll your eyes and chuckle as the rogue moves closer to you, nuzzling into the side of your neck where fresh fang marks throbbed.

“Now what do you say, darling? One more round of celebration before we go to bed?”

[bitchinbarzal]

I love you, come back | nico hischier

summary; part two of i love you, say it back which you can read here

-

Nico went back to Switzerland for the off season.

He called you the night before he left, leaving a voicemail.

hi, um I leave tomorrow for home - Switzerland I mean! I really want to see you, to talk to you at the very least so please…. I love you, come back.

You never called him back.

His time in Switzerland passed painfully slow and you were in Jersey, loving your life.

Once the season started and you knew the devils were back in town you avoided all sports you thought possible to run into Nico.

You didn’t even watch the game. You don’t watch them any longer.

You were out a bar in Hoboken and the game was on the tv’s. You’d glance every so often at the score and when a group would cheer you’d see the aftermath of a devils goal.

At the second period break the analysis came on the tv, the devils were down a few goals and you could see the toll it was taking on Nico.

You and your friend read the captions of the tv

“and Nico Hischier has had the worst start in his career this season so far!”

“That’s not fair” you mumbled.

“Rumour has it Hischier and his girlfriend split up just before the end of last season and that is what has been impacting his game”

“Well, whoever she is and wherever she is come back for the sake of the devils. I’m sure he’s sorry and he loves y’a!” They joke before continuing on with the broadcast.

You then turn to your friend with a deflated look and she says “Oh sweetheart…”

The next day you get a notification from twitter

@amandacstein: Captain, Nico Hischier is not happy with last nights second period broadcast! In interviews this morning he said “My personal life is not the business of the broadcasting team and I don’t appreciate my ex girlfriend being brought into the blame for our teams failures” and when later pressed as to why he felt the need to say these things this morning he said “Because I love her and I will always do my best to protect her from anything. She’s not to blame for our mistakes”

Your phone trembled in your hand. You re read the tweet over and over again before clicking on the links attached to the tweet, taking you to a video of these interviews.

He said it. You heard it.

You pause for a moment before you click through on your phone to purchase tickets to tonight’s game.

You had to hear it from him.

Walking around prudential was basically second nature to you at this point as you weaved your way through the crowds to your seat.

The jersey clung to your body as if you’d never taken it off, the number thirteen sat proudly on your back.

They won. They finally won.

In the stands you were cheering, screaming for them and their glory.

On the ice Nico wanted to cry, they’d finally won.

You thought you’d be able to make it down to the tunnel without being accosted but you thought wrong.

“You didn’t think you could walk in here and us not notice, right?” Darya’s voice asks through the corridor.

You pause, turning to look at her “I was hoping”

She pours at you for a moment before she takes off rushing towards you, both hugging one another “we’ve missed you so much”

“I miss you guys too” you mumbled into her shoulder.

“He’s not the same y/n”

“Dash-“

“He messed up I know but he does care about you”

You don’t reply.

“C’mon” she replies, taking your hand and leading you the way you were originally going.

Once you were downstairs the rest of the girls fawned over you for a moment until they heard the boys coming out.

Nico was last, shouting words of celebration to his team in front of him.

Your heart sped up hearing him.

When the sea of Hockey players had dispersed infront of him he was left with a crystal clear view of you.

He paused, almost tripping over whatever was in front of him.

You give him a soft smile but he’s still stood staring at you as if you’re about to disappear.

“Say it, Ni” you mumble.

He stutters before he says “I love you”

“Say it again” you whisper, both of you inching closer to one another.

“I love you” he’s stern in his words, you’re now right infront of him and he’s looking down at you before he says “Say it back”

“I love you, nico”

His shoulders drop, almost in relief and he’s let out all the tension. His stick drops to the floor I along with his gloves and his hands grab your cheeks and kisses you.

After you pull away, both breathless he smiles “You were here? All night?”

“Yeah I watched the game”

“Maybe the broadcast was right” he jokes and you shake your head “not funny”

“I’m sorry it took loosing you—“

“I don’t care, you said it back”

“I really do love you”

[internet-ink]

Would you write a fic where LW and reader have been best friends for years, both play for arsenal. They’ve both been in relationships until this year. Reader thinks she’s straight until she realises she’s in love with her best friend

Confessions

Thank you for the request anon!

I haven’t wrote anything like this before but I hope you enjoy it :)

This past year had been a difficult one. It started out great - I was with a wonderful guy, I was doing well at Arsenal, and I had my best friends surrounding me.

Then it all went to shit.

In the space of a week I had caught my boyfriend in his bed with another girl and my childhood dog had passed away.

This was ten months ago and now there was another issue arising. My landlord had decided that now would be a great time to evict me. One night I had a few people round and apparently someone had complained about the noise. He said that he had past complaints about the noise from my flat which just wasn’t true but I really couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

I had nine days to find a new place to live. Originally I had planned to just find another place to rent, however with the days going by and having no luck finding anything I was beginning to worry.

“Y/N! Pass the fucking ball!” Katie shouted, interrupting my thoughts. I snapped out of my day dream and quickly passed the ball to her.

“Sorry.” I replied.

She ran over to me and put her hands on her hips in a sort of ‘you better tell me what’s going on’ way.

With a sigh, my shoulders deflated as my mind went back to all the issues in my life. “I’m just stressing about this whole finding a place to live thing. You’d think in a big city like London there’d be at least somewhere that was available. But no…anything that is available is just ridiculously expensive and out of my budget. Like what am I meant to do? Live on the streets? If my stu-”

“You could stay with me?” A voice from behind me interrupted my rambling, and a smile took over my face as I saw it was Leah.

Leah and I had been close friends since I joined Arsenal three years ago, I mean we were literally inseparable from the first day of training. She was there for me through everything that had happened this year and I was there for her while she was going through her break up with Jordan.

Up until a couple of months ago everything was normal between us but then I started to get butterflies whenever she gave me a hug which then turned into feeling awkward whenever she’d hold my hand - everything that felt normal before now turned me into a complete mess. I had come to the realisation last month that I was in love with her…with Leah.

“Uhh…em. Do you have the room?” I stuttered, mentally kicking myself for acting so awkward around her.

“Yeah, Jordan moved out a couple of months ago so I’ve got a spare room.” She shrugged although I could still see that the mention of her ex-girlfriend’s name hurt her.

I scratched the back of my neck out of awkwardness before replying. “Only if you’re sure.” I said while scrunching my face up.

“Y/N we’ve been best friends for years, of course I’m sure.” She smiled. My heart sunk at the words ‘best friends’. That was all we would ever be and it hurt to think of that.

“Okay well if you insist.” I giggled.

———

“Is that all you’ve got?” Leah asked after I brought all the boxes with my stuff from my car and into my new house. There was a significantly smaller amount of things with me now than what Leah was used to seeing at my old place.

“Uh yeah, I donated some stuff. Decided to start over.” I laughed. Leah took a box and carried it into my new room, which was across the hall from hers.

“Well this is you. Feel free to decorate obviously…just don’t go knocking down any walls.” She deadpanned making me uncomfortable before she started to laugh at me. Leah was always like this.

With a roll of my eyes, I started to unpack the first of my boxes. As I turned to place my fake bonsai tree on the bedside table I noticed Leah staring at me with a small smile on her face, snapping out of it when she noticed I was looking at her.

“Takeaway pizza for dinner?” She asked.

“Yup. Plain cheese?” I replied. She nodded with a chuckle before turning to leave the room.

I spent the next hour or so unpacking everything and decorating the once plain room. It felt weird knowing that this room once belonged to her ex, I wasn’t entirely sure if they did sleep in the same bed while they were together, but I did know that this room was Jordan’s from the previous times I had come over. It just never once occurred to me that I would be living here with the girl that I had a fat crush on. How was I going to survive this? How would I manage if Leah ever brought home another girl or guy? I didn’t know how to feel.

“Y/N! Pizza’s here!” Leah called up to me from downstairs. I sighed to shake the doubts from my head before walking down to where Leah was waiting in the living room with one big box of pizza.

With a confused look on my face I opened the box, my confusion only growing as I confirmed that there was indeed only one pizza. “Where’s the other one?” I asked.

“Oh, I only ordered one. I thought we could share.” She shrugged as she sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to her, telling me to sit down.

My heart fluttered at the idea of sharing a pizza with her. “Cool. Sounds good.” I smiled, internally groaning at how weird I sounded. Leah returned a small smile before reaching over to take a slice.

Pull yourself together, it’s a pizza for Gods sake.

“You okay?” She asked with her hand covering her mouth to prevent the food from showing. I nodded before taking the seat that she had previously pointed at.

“Sorry, just in my own head.” I giggled as I grabbed a smaller slice than the one Leah had, letting out a small moan at the taste of it. Leah whipped her head to look at me with wide eyes as I blushed at the thought that I had actually done that out loud. “I’m so sorry, but holy shit where do you get this? This tastes better than most pizzas I’ve ate.” I exclaimed.

Leah laughed before shaking her head and wiping her hands with a napkin. “This chippy down the road. Discovered it when I was drunk and I’ve been loyal ever since. I can’t say I’ve ever moaned at the taste though.” She spoke, still laughing her head off. I rolled my eyes before taking another slice.

“Shut uppp.” I groaned. “It just slipped out.” I sighed, still feeling rather embarrassed about the whole situation. “Wait…you kept this delicacy from me this whole time?” I questioned, my mood now going from extreme embarrassment to confusion and slight betrayal.

“Guilty.” She put her hands up like she had been caught red handed before the both of us folded into each other in laughter. During our antics, Leah’s hand made its way onto the top of my thigh, making my breath hitch and my laughter halt. As her laughter stopped too, I looked up to see that she was already staring at me with a nervous look on her face and her eyes half closed, focusing on my lips.

“Leah?” I whispered. The tension in the room grew as the distance between us shrunk until I could feel her warm breath on my lips. My heart rate rapidly increasing as her eyes fully closed and her lips moved closer so that they were millimetres away from my own, my chest finally felt like it exploded as I finally felt the weight of Leah’s lips on mine.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and she wrapped hers around the back of my neck as her tongue licked my bottom lip, sighing as I opened my mouth wider and felt her consume me. We broke apart as the need for oxygen overcame us.

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

I panted as Leah looked intensely into my eyes, making me feel more nervous than I had ever felt. “Are you alright?” I finally asked as she had been quiet for quite some time.

She leant forward so that her elbows were resting on her knees and her head was in her hands. Feeling immediately off, I reached forward with her and placed a comforting hand on the back of her shoulder.

In all honesty I thought it would’ve been me that was like this if we ever kissed.

“What was that?” She finally asked, leaning back into the couch and staring at me again. I felt my heart sink as she asked that. She sounded annoyed.

“A kiss.” I deadpanned.

“Obviously.” She rolled her eyes. I let out a breath as I mentally prepared myself for the possible rejection that could come from my next statement.

“I like you.” I replied, now looking anywhere but Leah as I didn’t want to see the current look on her face. “No…I love you. I have for awhile - well, a couple of months anyway.” I continued.

“Really?”

I frowned as I stared into the wall behind Leah. “Yeah. I’m sorry.” I said.

As I was getting up, a hand on my knee prevented me from moving anywhere. I took a deep breath as I looked at Leah, not seeing the disgusted face I though I would, in fact she had a huge grin on her face.

“I love you too.” She stated, making my world feel like it crumbled. She actually liked me back? I sat back down next to her and looked at her with wide eyes.

“Really?” I replied.

She laughed and leant in closer to me. “Of course I do, I thought I made it obvious but maybe not? Ever since that night when you held me while I was drunk crying, not complaining once about the snot that I had gotten on your favourite jumper. I love you, Y/N.”

“I think that’s the most romantic thing someone has ever said to me.” I smiled, noticing the crinkles on her nose as she smiled and the small freckles that dotted her nose.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

[fawism]

From Dusk 'Til Dawn

Summary: When life gives you lemons, you don't make lemonade. You run for your life and pray that you'll make it out alive of this godforsaken, mass-infected land.

Pairings: Leon Kennedy/reader, Luis Serra/reader, Ada Wong/reader, slight Ashley Graham/reader

Word count and tags: at least 4k / canon-typical violence and your usual RE4R warnings. Slow burn, friendship, awkward flirting, attempt at humor err, slight angst/comfort for future chapters. SPOILERS!!

A/N: This is a multi-chapter fic just a heads up. I also published it in AO3 & Wattpad. :D This was originally a sole Leon fic from years ago until the remake ignited my will to continue the idea again. Note, Leon's technically not in the first chapter but I promise he'll be in the next one. Translations are in the comments!

Chapter 1: Straight outta horror movie

Filth latched on you. Its gross dampness oozed through the white fabric, violating the personal space that was your skin.

One more.

Just one more miscalculated step and you'd lose your well-kept balance, plummeting face first into the dirty, wet earth.

"Why am I even here?"

An upbeat cheer was your friend's response to your unending gripe. "You can do it! I believe in you."

"I don't believe in myself."

Sam was standing atop a boulder just ahead of you with her hands on her hips. "I thought you said you wanted to be adventurous for a change?"

"I said I needed a get-away from the city, not go hiking in this damn weather!" you fired back.

Of course you had terrible luck sliding across mud whilst traversing through the thick forest. Flailing around midway to steady yourself only did you more bad than good when your foot landed on an ankle-deep hole in the soil— you ought the universe likes to be cruel to you in that way.

Your other companion attempted to console your frustrations by extending a helping hand. "This is a sign that you should go out more so you can keep up with us." With Peter's efforts, he yanked you out of your misery and navigated you through the safety of an even ground.

"I do, just not with you two."

"Hurry, hurry!" Sam jogged onwards with a rushing Peter behind her.

"Wait up!"

You stood there dumbfounded, your grumbles of protest soon ignored as they playfully shoved each other all the way to an overview of the massive woods. "Yeah, don't mind me. I'm basically just air."

While they soaked in the presence of nature, snapping multiple photos of the same scenery— everywhere you looked were just rows of trees dimmed into the gathering fog— you busied yourself by sitting next to a withering plant, popping your sludge-filled sneaker off.

You deflated at its state. My shoe.

"We're almost there." The ever so enthusiastic Sam motioned at the path beyond. She withdrew a worn-out map from her bag, waving it off with a wide smile, before flipping it right open. It left you wondering how old the poor thing was, seemed like one more careless unfolding and she would tear it apart herself out of excitement. "It says here there's only a mile until the gates of the abandoned church."

"It feels like I'm in a horror movie about dumb teens walking to their death," you said flatly, back hunched as you tapped the disgusting residues out of your shoe.

"Don't make me drag you by your legs." Your vacant stare glazed over hers. As if she would be able to without cracking a back or two. "Look, I promise you, it's going to be an awesome experience."

"Not when we're walking right into cannibalistic territory."

"Don't worry," Peter piped up, sending you a small grin, "I don't think they're going to be interested in your guts anyways."

"Good, they can start chowing you down first."

Sam eagerly clapped her hands together. "Alright! Less talking, more climbing. Let's go."

Both of them brushed aside your worries as the paranoid talk of a horror enthusiast who has watched one too many films and began trudging up towards the murky terrain. With no other choice you slipped your ruined shoe back on, toes squirming uncomfortably in left-over mud as you pocketed your equally ruined sock.

Considering you had no plans of returning by yourself, far away from the civilization you all came from, you unwillingly followed suit with a permanent scowl on your lips.

Apparently your friends' idea of escaping the hardships of responsibility and adulthood was to trek these rocky cliffs in search for an ancient church hidden within the mountains of this remote land. Scratch that, you reminded yourself that they were nothing but co-workers who have managed to recruit you into their quest of going off-course from the trail a local guide had specifically told you not to go off-course.

The situation had set your alarm bells ringing off the charts. Who in their right minds would journey through these unregistered parts of the area without an escort?

If looks could kill, you'd be charged with first degree murder. Unaware of your glare focused on their backs, Sam and Peter chattered amongst themselves about the thrilling possibility of discovering something bizarre.

It was true that you wanted to step out of your comfort zone at least once. So rather than opting for a usual holiday inn along with the most basic, jam-packed tourist hotspots, you were convinced to accept their offer of exploring an obscure landscape with a secret underground structure.

Honestly, it wasn't that bad.

It wasn't supposed to be this bad.

You wouldn't be moping about if only your colleagues didn't stray from the original route you had all decided to stick to.

Your mind wouldn't be full of unimaginable terrors if the resident guide didn't just vanish nearly two hours ago when he made a beeline to the closest gutter somewhere to take a piss, which prompted your group to continue forward because how else were you guys going to get your money's worth from paying this trip if not make a curious little detour on your own?

No, everything would have been fine if there were no ominous grey clouds hanging above the skies, nor pitter-patters of water dropping lightly on your heads.

Peter swatted your arm at the sight of your sour expression. "Keep frowning like that and you're gonna end up old early I'm telling you."

Leaves and twigs crunched beneath the weight of your feet as the three of you constantly marched through the overgrown branches on the way.

You smacked a few out of your face. "Nothing to smile about in my life."

Sam paused in her steps, whirling around to confront you. Her hands were soon on your shoulders accompanied by a squeeze. "Stop getting worked up so much. You need to relax, okay?" Now she was shaking the hell out of you. "Breathe in some fresh air! Get rid of the pollution in your lungs."

"It stinks in here," you said as a matter-of-fact.

The surrounding environment reeked that it felt like the stench personally sucker-punched you in the nose. It was as if here rested a burial of decaying flesh and numerous crap combined.

Hopefully said decaying flesh was of animal remains, not something... much worse.

"Man, don't be lame. We don't get this much days-off from corporate so you might as well enjoy yourself," Peter huffed as the three of you resumed walking.

"He's right. Do you really have to be negative about it?" Sam questioned, craning her head sideways to peek at you.

"Listen, I'm not here to spoil your fun."

"Well you're already doing a good job at it."

"The point is," you interjected fast, "it takes zero effort to be a bit more careful in general."

She raised her brows. "Yeah, because a cannibal's going to jump its teeth right at us."

"Or some rando with a mask and a machete," Peter added, nudging at her. They both wore matching snickers. "See? This is what happens when you keep watching those crappy B-rated films at midnight."

You deadpanned at their lack of tact in comprehending the dangers of travelling on foreign roads. "When I die, I'm haunting you two first."

Not that this exchange was anything new.

It should've been half expected, them dismissing your comfort in general for their own fun. The last time you attended a company gathering, a couple of your associates were dragging you left and right to a toast by chugging multiple bottles at once. One thing led to another, with you refusing to be black-out drunk with some unfamiliar faces, then you ended up getting blamed for killing the fun out of the party.

All because you didn't like the idea of being wasted around people you didn't know. That and you wouldn't want to turn up at work the next day with a banging headache.

You didn't hate your co-workers.

Although you were tempted to wring some of their necks at one point or two, you'd rather learn how to mingle with the crowd than be tagged as a pathetic social outcast. Sure, you can stand up for yourself, but it was easier to stay on everybody's good side while you simply faded into the office wallpaper minding your own business (not at the expense of your boundaries of course!)

It's hard enough that your superiors stack tons of reports on your desk with a huge, fat date of a deadline attached to it, you didn't need another hassle in the form of people who actively wished for your downfall just because you were being a jerk about somebody's ugly outfit or whatever.

Having close acquaintances to help you out with a few workloads was a plus too.

And so, socialize you did.

"If you hate it so much, why did you bother coming?" Sam fell back in line beside you while Peter wandered ahead.

You stomped on dirt as you treaded under the bleak drizzle of the afternoon. "Because if I didn't, who knows what would happen to you two? And they might accuse me of pushing you off a cliff or something if I came back without you guys in tow."

Her quiet snort didn't go unnoticed. "Would you push us off a cliff or something?"

"Hm." Your eyes shortly closed, as if you were contemplating over the thought. "I'm still deciding on it."

An abrupt shift in the background and hasty rustling from the hills had you snapping your neck in alarm towards the source of the unwelcomed noise. Your gaze started darting everywhere, seeking for anything, anyone, scurrying around the meadows prepared to pounce on your unsuspecting selves.

You turned to Sam, shushing her with a finger. "Hold up."

"Now what?"

"Did you hear that?"

"Oh for Pete's sake," she exclaimed in disbelief.

Peter tossed a glance by his shoulder. "You called?"

"No not you!"

"Okay, I swear, I heard something." Your voice hinted budding anxiety.

"Can you please stop scaring yourself every five minutes?"

"It could have been a squirrel or raccoon on the run from you," Peter suggested out loud.

Wind breezed just right past the edge of your cheeks.

Something swift came whizzing from behind you, hitting Sam and straight up knocking the breath out of her backwards.

Your heart almost leaped out of your throat that you would have stumbled on your feet if they were not physically petrified on the forest floor at the same time. Eyes bulging wide and insides twisting together in sick realization, you stilled at the arrow that was jammed deep into Sam's shoulder.

Dark red started blooming along her clothes while she laid there stunned.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

Holy shit!

Frantic screams erupted all together, cutting through the once uncanny silence encompassing the woods.

Your head shot up everywhere while you cradled her against you. Sam's trembling hands hovered unsurely to where the tip of the arrow has punctured her. She gasped through labored breathing, spluttering words of pain and sobbing begs for help.

"Peter!"

He dashed towards the two of you before you knew it, his knees skidding across the field. Peter found himself in a binding frenzy and his immediate move was to rip the arrow out of Sam's flesh at her repeated pleas.

"Wait don't!"

She burst into another fit of shrieks.

"Shit!" Peter was quick to let go of the arrow's handle once he understood his grave mistake. He jerked around back and forth the area. "Where did it come from?!"

"I don't know!"

"¡Forasteros!"

"¡Cazadlos!"

"¡Preparad la trampa!"

Not far away from your rooted position were screeches of a seemingly angry mob emerging from nowhere. Their initial silhouettes soon changed into clear outlines, revealing a group of villagers rapidly approaching armed with various pitchforks, sickles and torches illuminating their vicious nature.

Hostile gazes were dead set upon you.

"¡Muerte!"

Fear rattled you down to the very core. "Get her up! Now." Your arms circled around Sam's limbs to hoist her up, Peter did the same, and both of you began carrying her limping form with all your mights. Her head flopped to the side, signifying that she was on the verge of passing out. "Sam, stay with me."

An arrow came zipping through the air.

And another.

And another.

"Watch out!" In a matter of seconds you were tackling Peter to the ground. Filth spread throughout your clothes as the two of you rolled out of the ambush.

Long ago did you forget your holds on Sam. The force of their consecutive shots sent her flying and toppling on her back. When you wobbly pushed yourself back up to reach out for her, your voice died into a mute static, mouth hanging agape in sheer shock. Terror tightened its clutch on you as your heart lurched at the image in front of you.

"—elp."

There was an arrow lodged into Sam's windpipe. Similar ones were protruding from her thighs and abdomen from singlehandedly taking on the earlier onslaught. You watched in quiet horror as she miserably clawed at the one speared on her neck while choking in her own blood, light splatters painting her face as she gurgled the thick liquid now pooling from her mouth. Red slowly trickled underneath her, it stained the golden browns and bright greens of the fallen wet leaves.

"—go."

A different voice reverberated through the soundless background, screaming for your name.

"Let's go!" Peter's hand seized you by the collar of your shirt, almost strangling you in the process. He pulled your mind out of the water and you instantly tumbled forward alongside him. "Move godammit!"

You finally found your footing at his harsh tug and the two of you raced maniacally through the woods, never once looking back. You didn't think you canever look back at the macabre where you left your dying companion behind.

It wasn't until a few minutes into making a run for your lives did you glide into a complete stop. You placed a hand against a tree to support yourself from the hammering in your chest and to catch some needed air. "Sam, she," you uttered, regaining the ability to speak again without bile threatening to spill. There was an inaudible crack in your tone. "She was..."

Peter was just as breathless as he combed through the stuff inside his backpack. "W–we need to, we need to call for help," he stammered, fumbling with the phone that he barely had a grasp on.

Following his act, you brought out yours. Your grip intensified, stomach sinking at the screen with zero reception. "Really, at a time like this?"

"Useless piece of crap!" Peter threw the device in a brief outburst of rage. It smashed against the bark of a tree. He wound up scrubbing his face, hands moving to clutch his hair.

"What are we gonna do?" You thrusted your phone back into your bag. "Sam had the map."

"I... don't know." Peter lifted his disoriented features at you. He sniffed a bit and rubbed his nose using the sleeves of his jacket. "I don't know."

Lightning flashed above the dreary skies. The thunder's presence rumbled across a distance soon after. A storm was brewing not far ahead.

"Aprisa, aprisa, seescapan los corderitos!"

Both of you jolted out of the fleeting sense of peace, trepidation on the rise yet again at the impending horde whose sole mission was to disembowel you alive by the looks of it.

"They caught up," you whispered panic-stricken as you ducked out of their line of sight.

Peter grabbed your arm. "When I run, you run, got it?"

"Do you even know where we're going?"

"It doesn't matter!" he retorted, "We're running until we find help. Don't look back, you understand?"

You gulped, before flashing him a hesitant nod with your lips forming a tight line.

"C'mon."

Adrenaline pumped through your nerves as the two of you sprinted blindly towards the woodland.

Peter appointed himself to take the lead and was now speeding in front of you. "We're going to be fine, we're going to be fine, we're going to be fine," he continuously mumbled under his breath. It was more of a reassurance for him to help his remaining sanity intact. His jaws clenched in agitation, the throbbing across his ribs was non-stop.

He risked a glimpse at you, hoping that you were still trailing behind him. Stick together and we're going to be fine.

A violent snap echoed in your ears.

"Fuck! Ah!"

Dread crashed down on you all at once. You could feel your own foundation on the brink of crumbling at the scene playing right before your eyes that you almost collapsed when you staggered back.

Peter howled in agony on the ground, hanging on to his leg where his foot has been clamped shut by a bear trap. Its rusty maw chewed at his flesh, the teeth penetrated his muscles open while chunks of skin still dangled around the pulverized bone of his ankle joint.

"No no no." Fingers dug into the gaps of the trap as you scratched at its surface, putting all of your combined strength into prying them apart. "Come on you stupid metal crap!"

"Stop."

You didn't hear it the first time.

"I said stop."

You refused to hear whatever the fool has to say at all.

"You're hurting me you dumbass!" Peter slapped your desperate tries away. His words and actions, however, contrasted the rueful smile he had on. Peter dropped his head, his shoulders visibly quaking that you couldn't exactly discern whether he was about to cackle or cry or whichever in between. Then he broke into a series of strained laughter seconds later, which slowly but surely evolved into him shedding mild tears. "I'm bleeding."

"No shit." The blood smeared along his pants said as much. "Now help me get you out!"

"I..." He practically drifted off at the fact that he's screwed, catching himself before he could absolutely lose it. "I'm only going to slow you down."

"Peter Connors, I'm going to drag your ass if I have to!" you yelled at his face as you forced your way through the trap once again, striving to split it open.

His conviction in saving you nearly wavered at your stubbornness to let him go. "You need to leave."

You snatched him by his shirt. "Pull yourself together and stop playing hero!"

He aggressively shoved you in return that he slipped off from your hold. "Do you want to die? I said go!"

His words rendered you speechless. How were you supposed to answer that knowing what he's asking of you meant?

"Beat it before they get here! Just..."

The situation crushed you, despaired with the struggling realization of leaving someone you knew behind to their doom. Again.

It was a miracle that Peter was even capable of a weak chuckle at his misfortune, yet he did. "Horror survival 101, am I right? What else are we supposed to do?"

Your expression contorted, eyes blurring misty. There was a lump stuck in your throat, together with uncertainty that kept your tongue tied. "I'm..."

No.

"I'm going to get help."

Why are you parting him with false hopes?

"So don't you dare die on me, you hear me?"

He doubted he'd still be here in one piece if you did come back. Peter's mouth twitched into a small, helpless smile. "Loud and clear."

You ended up squeezing his shoulder, because it was the only thing you could ever possibly offer someone who would be meeting their eventual demise. "Hang tight."

Great, you sucked at comforting a man who's at death's door too.

"Now go."

He didn't have to tell you twice.

You were already fleeing from the site, like your legs have worked on a mind of their own and now they're pushing you to the limit as you bolted through the extensive land regardless having zero knowledge of the right track.

There should be at least one decent person in this place who could help you out, right?

Right?

"¡Oye!"

With you barreling your way through the forest like a madman, you didn't have ample time to hit the brakes the moment someone else appeared right in front of your path. The impact struck hard as you unintentionally hurled yourself at them, the collision launching both of you spinning down the steep hills against each other.

Pain exploded across your skull when you landed on your back after with a loud thud. "I c— I can't breathe," you wheezed, applying all of your remaining energy turning to your side, but the person responsible for your lack of oxygen doubled your suffering by pressing you down with his entire weight on top of your body.

The man stroked his head, wincing as he carefully picked himself up with a groan, "¡Mierda, you literally ran me over."

Your fight or flight response kicked in as soon as there was space between the two of you and you thrashed like crazy, causing your fist to jab him by the chin. He yelped, jumping back from your punch. You took this chance to spring back on your feet despite the overwhelming ache crossing your temples.

You scrambled with anything you can get your hands on to defend yourself against this likely deranged stranger, until you uncovered a large stone beneath the rubble.

"Woah woah woah!" He almost tipped his balance at the insane intruder rising up with a rock on their hand. "So after your little hit-and-run you're just gonna bash my head in, huh? Is that it?"

"The hell are you saying?" You hissed, vision and limbs unsteady. "Are you a member of that cannibalistic cult?!" you demanded, jutting your weapon in his direction to show him how ready you were to use it if necessary.

"Don't lump me with them! I'm not the one looking like a lunatic."

Your heated clash was interrupted by the imminent, recognizable voices from afar.

"¡Ahíestan!"

"Oh good, did you really have to bring an army with you?"

"Yeah, because I just love the attention from a bunch of crazy townsfolk."

The trade of sarcasm didn't go undetected that the conversation earned a glower of annoyance from you and a pompous smirk from him.

"Looks like we're partners in crime now, no?"

"What?"

"They hate you, they hate me. I don't think they're on their way here to invite us for dinner, don't you think?" His talk was dripping casual as if this was all routine of a typical Sunday morning. "What do you say?"

The shouts were increasing in volume.

"Okay, fine. Fine!" You flung the rock in another direction, resigning your fate into his hands. "Lead the way then or else we're the ones on the menu tonight."

The mystery man didn't budge at first, which provided you with the impression that perhaps you made a mistake of trusting whoever this guy was, instead he put his open palm out for you to— you assumed— shake?

"Luis Serra."

You swiped at him and his untimely introduction. "Save it for later!"

"Ow, rude," he said pretending to be disheartened at your rejection of his camaraderie, before the traces of his comical attitude disappeared, now replaced by a genuine grasp on both of your present circumstances.

"Run like your whole life depends on it."

[fluffyf0x]

After Match

Suna Rintarou x manager! reader

TW: None

Don't repost without permission!

After Match

♡♢Now playing: Sweater Weather by The Neighborhood♢♡

"Fix your fucking posture oh my god" You said to Suna. Poking his back.

You were doing everything you can to lift their spirits. The team just finished from their last match against Karasuno. They all felt deflated. As it was their Captain's and the other third year's last match.

You only choose to be Inarizaki Boys Volleyball team's manager because it was your last choice. Being a first year, confused and newly transferred. You were asked and your teacher recommended that you join a club. Although you knew this a little too late and the clubs that were still open were not of your interest. The best route you choose was being their manager.

You found interest in volleyball. But it was not enough for you to commit and play the sport. Being their manager was enough for you to be able to watch it at least. At the same time, you were able to start a social circle. With the club at least.

During your first week as their manager. Everything was still a little awkward. The first years weren't sure how to communicate with you, the third year's were chill but they were busy with practice. The second years....they terrified you.

They looked like people who would kill you if you bumped into the hallways. You shuddered at the thought of them. Always acting like a little mouse in front of the cats.

Then Suna asked you for a personal favor.

It was outside of your job as a manager and it was weird that Suna Rintarou asked you of all people.

He asked you to be his fake girlfriend. Because his parents were 'little pricks' (he said that) and required him to have a girlfriend.

It was weird really, but since then you've been his "girlfriend" you've gotten a bit closer with the second years too. The rest of the team followed. Making you all comfortable with each other.

It was funny, because Rintarou later confessed that he actually liked you. Asking you to officially be his girlfriend. You wouldn't lie if you said that you also liked him.

Suna flinched from the contact. You noticed he was a bit pissed from the last match. You laughed a bit. But upon seeing everyone's sad expressions, your laughter soon died down. You sighed. Getting a pat on the back from your coach for your efforts. You huffed.

When you got back to your dorm, you flopped to your bed right away. Tired from the trip. Sun sighed and sat on the edge of your bed. You turned around and faced Rintarou.

Tears started to spill from your eyes. You weren't sure why you were crying. Suna panicked, unsure on what to do. So he awkwardly hugged you. You continued to sob into his shoulder as you hugged him back. Suna pulled you into his lap. Running his fingers through your hair in hopes of comforting you.

You broke the hug and smiled.

"I'm too affected by this match" You said light-heartedly. Suna chuckled.

"Yeah, you are" He said. The two of you sat in silence. Holding eye contact with each other. He looked so beautiful. Noticing that the two of you were slowly inching closer and closer to each other, you sped things up and kissed him right away.

Your lips touched his and the two of you moved in harmony. His hands trailed down to your waist as you ran your fingers through his hair. You shuddered as You wrapped your legs around his waist and got closer to him. Moving your hips a little to get friction, moaning into the kiss.

You felt a hand grab your hip. You were sure that would mark. Suna broke the kiss, but he kept the distance little between the two of you. The air felt hot. Both of you were panting, starting to get out of breath. He smirked. Your breath hitched as you looked into his cat like eyes.

"Mind letting me cool off after that match baby?"

(Quick reminder that the photos don't belong to me nor do the characters. They all belong to their rightful owners! The original plot of Haikyuu also belongs to Haruichi. The oneshot is the only thing that belongs to me :DD)

[knickynoo]

At what point in time do you think the original timeline McFly family started being dysfunctional? I’m sure George and Lorraine were fully in love at first, and Lorraine even still in the 80s seems to look back fondly when recalling how they fell in love. But I do wonder when exactly it started to go downhill, when they started having kids? Just with age? Or maybe it was never really great to begin with before Marty got involved

This is a really interesting ask, and it's something that I've thought about a handful of times. The Twin Pines McFlys fascinate me.

As for my own headcanons about when the dysfunction started, I think it was always there. Dysfunction within families is complex, though, so it likely ebbed and flowed and morphed over the years. Some thoughts! (hehehe, analysis and theories incoming)

I 100% believe George and Lorraine were fully in love at first and are even still in love when we meet them in 1985. It's just that life has beaten them both down in various ways, and they've lost touch with each other and fallen into a pattern of being resigned to (and maybe even comfortable with) all the disconnect within their family. But there's no mistaking the fondness with which Lorraine begins her story of how she and George met and the way it shifts to such sadness within just a few seconds. Her question of, "It was the night of that terrible thunderstorm, remember, George?" is such a clear bid for connection with him. A hope that he'll smile and recall that night and join in on her story. That's what Lorraine wants! But George doesn't even acknowledge her (not on purpose, I'm sure; he's just so wrapped up in watching The Honeymooners), and you see Lorraine gradually deflate from there.

It's so sad because you can see the emotions shift so suddenly in her! That first gif still holds such affection as she recalls their first kiss. It's like she's a girl again, feeling that overwhelming sense of love and all the possibilities for their life together. But then it changes. She's brought back to reality and all the unhappiness, the disappointments, the realization that life isn't what she imagined for herself.

By the last gif, she's a woman who clearly feels trapped. Now stuck with this guy for the rest of her life. And what makes it so awful is that you can TELL Lorraine still loves him. She longs for that happiness they once had, but it takes two people putting in effort to make a marriage work. She can try to reach George all she wants, but if he can't be emotionally present, it isn't going to work.

Also, I'm sure that George loves Lorraine as well, but he's got a whole plethora of issues that just. Haven't been addressed. George has no self-worth. He's meek and lets people walk all over him and is so completely anxious about everything in life that he's mostly shut down. He's trapped too, with no way (that he can see) to change things. So he does what he can to survive, which consists of doing Biff's bidding and retreating to an inner world at the expense of shutting his family out.

I don't think things were always to this extreme, though. For a while I'm sure things were okay, maybe even good. They were young and in love, and while George was still George, I don't think life had defeated him yet. They got married, really established their little life together, and I can see them as both having hope. And even if there were moments that seemed shaky or hinted that things might be difficult down the road, it was easy to brush it aside. They were still finding their footing, and they were young and had their whole future together to make things better. In all honesty, Dave probably got to experience the "best" versions of his parents for the first several years of his life.

However, each year and every hardship (big and small) likely chipped away at the McFlys and brought about additional dysfunction. I don't know if Biff and George started working with each other right out of high school or if they came to work those jobs later on, but I'm sure that was a huge factor. It offered no escape from Biff for either George or Lorraine. Just a predictable cycle of George having to do whatever Biff told him, Biff invading their home whenever he pleased, and everyone having to watch George immediately tuck his tail between his legs.

As I said, I think things gradually kind of unraveled in their house. As the state of their family became more solidified, Lorraine likely began drinking more and withdrawing. I do think they still had their good days, though! Moments that brought them together and where they felt that happiness they once shared (I mean, they had three children together, and it's clear Dave, Linda, and Marty ARE loved and were raised well.) But the state of the McFly household is probably all Marty has known for the majority of his life. I can see situations arising where maybe Dave has told him, "They weren't always like this, you know."

Dysfunctional as they are, George and Lorraine really are trying. I think they can absolutely see the cracks and the flaws—perhaps even the potential damage being caused to their children—but they just have too much brokeness inside themselves to do better. So, they do what they can, which for George involves trying to protect his children's feelings by discouraging them from taking risks. He doesn't want them hurt or sad or disappointed, and his solution is to have them form shells around themselves. Better to save yourself from all the headaches life brings.

Lorraine does her best to protect and guide her kids by way of warning them away from the very things that brought her to where she is in life. We see this manifest in the form of criticism mostly when she's talking to Marty.

Lastly even with Lorraine seeming as downtrodden as she is, I can see her clinging to the possibility of change. Hoping and praying that eventually, George would say enough was enough and stand up for himself. He'd put his foot down, step up as a husband and father, and things would become what she always wanted. She was the one always telling herself, "Someday. Someday..." until the point we see her at during the dinner scene, where she knows that "someday" isn't going to ever happen. Things are just the way they are, and she has to deal with it.

This was a lot, but I have a lot of feelings about the McFly family and how they operated in their day to day life. Especially the implications of the McFly sibs (Marty in particular!) being raised in such an emotionally disjointed environment. Ugh, those gifs of Lorraine make me so sad. The whole thing is sad.

Thanks for the ask, though! I want to write another Twin Pines McFly fic now.

[herrmannhalsteadproduction]

Game Night 3: It’s Bex Ball, Bébés (Chapter One)

Summary: This is Part Twenty of my series A Herrmann/Halstead Production. It is an AU where Christopher Herrmann's mom had an affair with Pat Halstead resulting in a baby. The series follows this OC character (Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann) as she grows up and gets to know her brothers and the various Chicago teams. It is very much an AU, just to underscore that. It doesn't follow the same timeline and characters will follow different paths.

Click here for the Series Rundown where you can find the links to read all of the previous installments (which I highly recommend you do so that this one makes sense.)

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Christopher Herrmann & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Original Female Character, Will Halstead & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Will Halstead, Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz/Original Female Character, Will Halstead/Connor Rhodes, Assorted OC Couples

Warnings: Swearing and a ridiculous amount of shenanigans

Chapter One

Otis

If Otis had known it would come down to this, he would never have agreed to join in on freaking Bex Ball.

He should have known. This was Bex they were talking about after all. She’d never let them play something normal like soccer or football, hell, Otis would’ve even taken volleyball. Not that Bex Ball hadn’t been fun—

It was just insane.

“Come on, Otis!” Bex squeezed his shoulders, trying to pump him up. “You’ve got this.”

He did not ‘got this.’

“Alright, settle down and shut up,” Chris called out to the teams. “Let’s finish this.”

Ruzek strutted over to stand in front of Otis and smirked. “Heard you might have a little performance trouble with this one,” he said.

Otis didn’t bother dignifying that with a response. Ruzek could think whatever he wanted. Otis was going to focus on…focusing and beat this curse once and for all.

“Hands out,” Chris said, motioning at the space between them. Otis and Ruzek both lifted a fist. “Rock, paper, scissors, on three…”

He could do this.

He could do this.

He could do this.

Otis took a deep breath—

***

Three hours earlier

***

Will

“Come on!” Bex yelled down the hallway. “We can’t be late!”

She’d been on Will as soon as he’d come home from work—literally shoving a sandwich into his mouth and then shooing him toward the shower. It wasn’t like he had control over the ED. He’d come home as soon as he could, but apparently, they were still cutting it close.

Game Night was serious business. Especially this Game Night.

Will was both intrigued and slightly terrified by what Bex Ball might actually entail.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” he hollered back as he came out of his room, pulling a shirt over his head. He stopped short when he saw her standing by the front door. “What the hell is that?”

“What’s what?” she asked, nonchalantly shifting the truly gigantic ball in her arms so she could see his face. Barely.

“The gigantic ball that’s almost as big as you!” Will squeezed past her and the freaking ball so he could get his shoes on.

“Isn’t it great?” Bex grinned at him, looking enormously pleased with herself. “We used to have a pretty big one at Chris and Cindy’s, but Lee Henry and Lukey popped it years ago. I found this one online. It got here just in time.”

He peered up at her as he tied his laces. “How were you planning on fitting it through the door?”

“It’ll fit,” Bex said confidently.

***

Five [curse-filled] minutes later.

***

Will

It did not fit.

“Well, shit.” Bex frowned down at the ball in her arms. “I guess I should have waited to blow it up.”

Will studied the ball, glancing between it and the door frame. “If we deflate it a little—”

“No, there’s no time,” Bex said, waving away his suggestion. “I’m gonna have to toss it to you.”

“Toss it—” His brain suddenly caught up with the mental leap hers had taken. “No. Bex! No. You are not throwing that thing at me from the balcony.”

“We’re not that high up! It’ll be fine.” She nudged him out the door, using the ball to help shove him into the hallway. “Hurry! Go!”

“Getting a little fast and loose with the definition of ‘fine’ today,” Will muttered to himself as he made his way downstairs. He stopped on the front steps, shaking his head. Why was he even agreeing to this? Trying to catch that thing would be a guaranteed to the ED and he’d never hear the end of that.

No, this—

“New plan, Will,” Bex yelled at him from the balcony. “The Tin Can’ll catch it!”

Before he could call back for her to stop for one freaking second, Bex was releasing the gigantic red ball and Will watched as it hurtled through the air toward her poor car.

The ball landed on the roof, rocking the Tin Can, before bouncing back up in the air and bumping against one of the first floor balconies. It dropped from there, bouncing a bit more when it landed on the patch of grass in front of the building and then rolling to a stop at Will’s feet.

Hunh. The Tin Can was made of sterner stuff that he’d though. Take that, Jay. He and Bex could pick out a solid car.

“See!” Bex was leaning over the side of their balcony, giving him a thumb’s up and a wide grin. “Worked like a charm! Stay there! I’ll be right down!”

The front door opened a disturbingly short about of time later—seriously, had she leapt down the stairwell or something?—and Bex went whizzing past him, kicking the ball back toward her car while she went.

“Not even a scratch,” Bex declared as she peered at the roof of the Tin Can. She patted it fondly and then went around to open the rear door of the station wagon. Will winced as she tried to shove the ball into the back.

“Bex, there’s no way you’re gonna get the door closed,” he said.

“Way ahead of you.” She whipped a pile of bungie cords out of her pocket. “Come on! Help me strap it in and let’s gooooooo!”

It took some wrangling, but they managed to secure it and then Bex poked at him to get in as she headed for the driver’s seat.

“You know, for someone who was not very into the whole outdoor aspect of this game night,” he began as he put on his seat belt. “You’re pretty chock full of enthusiasm.”

“That was before,” she said, starting up the car. “Now? It’s Bex Ball.”

“Still don’t know what that means,” Will said.

“You will.” Bex let out what he would absolutely classify as an evil laugh and Will’s terror began to outweigh his intrigue. She flapped a hand at him. “Help me look for cars because I can’t see shit out of the back.”

He craned his neck, trying to keep an eye out.

On the bright side, at least if they backed into anyone, they’d bounce.

***

Jay

Hailey stood beside Jay as they watched Bex muscle a truly gigantic ball out of the back of the Tin Can. It was at least three feet wide. Maybe four.

“Is this…like…a belated hazing or something?” she asked, shooting a glance at him.

“Nope,” Jay laughed. “I mean, you were at the Grudge Match, right?”

Hailey raised her eyebrows with a reluctant nod.

“Yeah,” he said. “Stuff like this is pretty much par for the course around here.” He paused, shaking his head at the sight of Bex hefting the ball over her head and chucking it at Will as he tried to run for cover behind unsuspecting Connor. 

The ball bowled both of them over and Bex fell down in a laughing heap beside them.

“Uh, tonight might be a little more out there than usual though.” Jay bumped shoulders with her. “Come on,” he said, nudging her toward the group. “We can be on the same team and watch each other’s backs.”

She went willingly enough—Jay was pretty sure she was mostly just curious about what the hell was going to happen tonight. She wasn’t the only one. Bex and Chris had been extremely tight lipped about what exactly was involved with Bex Ball.

Bex had assembled a good-sized gang for the event. Aside from Jay and Hailey, they also had Mouse, Kevin, Kim, Adam, Julie, and Sam to represent 21. Sylvie was there along with Otis, Joe, Shay, Kelly, Stella, Matt, and Gabi from 51. Ethan and April had also tagged along with Will and Connor and Emery had somehow gotten roped in too.

Plus, they had an audience: Bex’s friends Kira, Malia, Isaac, and Devon had arrived loaded down with snacks and lawn chairs. And signs. They had Lexi Olinsky in tow which Jay was going to have to get the scoop on from Bex later. He’d heard something about Emery taking her under her wing? Al seemed less stressed about her lately so whatever was happening, it must be helping.

Beside Bex’s gang, Platt and Mouch had their own little set-up and the two groups were already swapping containers of food back and forth.

Knowing that crew, they’d also be trading bets soon enough.

Chris and Cindy were standing at the side of the field Bex had booked for the occasion; both of them with a shiny new whistle around their necks. Chief Boden and his wife Donna were babysitting the rugrats so they could come out and referee and Jay knew Bex had made more than a few cookie promises to swing that one. Judging by the smiles Chris and Cindy were sporting, it was worth it.

A piercing whistle blew through the air and Chris waved them all into a huddle. “Alright,” he said. “We’re gonna go over the rules, then we’ll divide into two teams, and then…we’ll play some Bex Ball.” He chuckled to himself and sighed. “This is the best day of my life.”

“Really, Herrmann?” Otis asked. “Over marrying Cindy and the birth of your many children?”

“Over winning the Grudge Match?” Cruz piped up.

“He’s waited a long time to share the joy of Bex Ball with people,” Cindy laughed.

“Inflict, you mean,” Chris muttered under his breath with a grin that was giving Jay a bad feeling. Cindy elbowed him and Chris straightened up. “Okay, rule time,” he said. “They’re barely comprehensible—”

“Hey!” Bex protested from the back of the group. “I mean…fair, but hey.”

“—so pay attention,” he carried on, ignoring her. “This is our field of play.” He pointed at the area behind them. It was kind of ratty with patchy grass, but a nice size. 

Chris explained that since the ball was so big, the whole width of each end of the field was the goal line. Whoever got stuck as goalkeeper was going to have to be fast on their feet.

“So, we’re basically playing soccer, but with a giant ball?” Julie asked.

“I haven’t gotten to the play modes yet,” Chris said, smirking as he held up a finger.

Play modes? Jay craned his neck to shoot a WTF look at Bex—who wasn’t even paying attention. She was currently tucked into Mouse’s side as they giggled about something and Jay forgot about listening to the the rules as he watched them for a moment. He hadn’t seen either of them smile like that for way too long.

He waited for that familiar wave of loneliness to flare up, but…there was nothing. He was just happy. Happy for the two of them. Happy to be out with all of their friends.

It was nice.

Bex looked up and caught his eye. He smiled at her and she grinned back before pointing to Chris and mouthing ‘pay attention!’ at Jay.

He stuck out his tongue just to make her roll her eyes and then turned back to the front where Chris was talking about…flamingo mode?

What the f—

***

Sylvie

Kevin jogged up beside her as their team headed to their end of the field. “Hey,” he said, grinning down at her. “Excited for your first game night?”

“I think so?” Sylvie laughed. “I’m a little concerned about that gleam in Herrmann’s eye, but if you’re gonna be my buddy, I think I’ll survive.”

That had been part of the rules. Everyone had to have a buddy in place for some of the play modes? Sylvie didn’t quite have it all straight yet. She’d been expecting something more like ultimate frisbee? In hindsight, knowing this crew, that had been unrealistic on her part.

She was still game! For whatever was about to happen, lord help her.

“Happy to be your buddy,” Kevin said. He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him for a quick kiss. She leaned into it even though she was sure she was blushing down to her toes.

Things had been building between them for a few months now and they’d kept it quiet at first. Dating and kissing in front of everyone else had netted her a healthy dose of teasing from pretty much everyone they knew lately, but despite the blushing, Sylvie took it in stride.

Hard not to when she was so ‘disgustingly happy’ according to Otis. Not to compare boyfriends, but everything with Harrison had been so forced. Like she was checking off boxes with him. Being with Kevin somehow managed to be both fun and interesting and easy and comfortable all at the same time.

Which at first seemed suspiciously too good to be true. Gabi, Shay, and Stella had spent one long wine night talking her through the panic about when the other shoe would drop and helped her realize that sometimes you could just…actually be on the same page as someone.

She knew organizing this Game Night had been a feat, but she was so grateful to Bex for doing it. Getting to know Kevin’s friends and having him spend more time with hers felt like another important step. She didn’t see much of the Intelligence crew outside of Molly’s or at work, but hopefully this would open the doors to more hangouts in the future.

A laugh slipped out as she watched Matt chuck the ball at an unsuspecting Severide, knocking him off his feet.

More hangouts, but maybe with less projectiles.

***

Kelly

“So, it’s basically like soccer,” Kelly said to Stella and Shay.

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Shay argued and Kelly shook his head.

“Yeah, there’s some twists, but it’s a game Bex started when she was what? Four?” He shrugged. “I don’t think it’s going to be that diff—”

A flash of red was all he caught out of the corner of his eye before a force knocked him off his feet and down to the grass below.

Kelly groaned, blinking until his eyes focused on the freaking red ball rolling away and freaking Casey bent over, killing himself laughing. Kelly scrambled to his feet.

“Oh, it’s on now.”

***

Cindy

“Are there rules about hitting the other players with the ball?” she asked Chris as she looked through the pages of instructions Bex had left with them.

“Eh.” Chris waffled his head back and forth. “How about, you get a point if it was funny and you lose a point if it was a low blow.”

That sounded fair. Cindy added it to the list.

***

Otis

Otis bit back a sigh as he joined his team.

He was surrounded by couples.

His team had Bex and Mouse and Kevin and Sylvie who were all in their honeymoon period and Matt and Gabi. Jay and Hailey weren’t a couple…as far as he knew, but they were still partners. That left Bex’s friends Emery and Sam, but he barely knew them. Once again, he was the odd man out. They hadn’t even let him and Joe be on the same team!

Although, his team was marginally better than Joe’s. Literally everyone on his team was coupled up. Looked like both of them were going to spend the night as goalkeepers.

Otis trudged toward the end of the field when Bex called out his name.

“Where are you going?” she asked as she ran up to him.

“Figured I’d be in goal since I don’t have a buddy,” he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.

Bex shook her head. “No, no, no,” she said. “We’re gonna put Sam and his freakishly long arms in goal.” She grabbed his arm and started towing him along behind her. “You’re going to be Emery’s buddy.”

Hang on—

“Otis, you remember Emery,” Bex said, depositing him in front of a pretty blonde he’d seen a couple of times at Molly’s and definitely at the grudge match.

“Right.” Otis reached out to shake the hand she offered. “I remember the heckling.”

“Awesome.” Bex patted both of their shoulders. “So, you’re basically already friends. Have fun!” She trotted off, leaving them standing in awkward silence.

“Otis,” Emery said, rocking back on her heels with her hands in her pockets. “That’s, uh, that’s a cool name.”

“Oh,” Otis laughed. “It’s not my name. They just call me that because—well, it’s a long, weird firefighter thing, but my name’s Brian. Brian Zvonecek.”

Emery’s eyebrows flew up. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t know. Do you prefer Brian?”

“I’ve pretty much given up on being called anything but Otis by this crowd,” he said with a little shrug.

She stuck out her hand again, waiting for him to take it. “It’s nice to meet you, Brian,” she said, grinning as they shook again.

Oh. He ducked his head, his own smile sneaking across his face. He didn’t mind that at all.

“So,” Emery said, glancing around at the two teams. “I’ve just been dipping my toes back into the whole socializing thing—”

“Right,” Otis nodded. “I heard about—” He cut himself off, wanting to smack himself in the face when he realized what he’d just said. Like she wanted to talk about that. Ugh.

“Well, that saves us some time on the intros,” Emery said, a wry twist to her mouth. She waved off his apology before he could even get it out. “Have you ever been to one of these Game Nights before?”

“No.” Otis shook his head, grateful for the change in subject. “I think this is the first one they’ve done with this many people. Have you?”

“I’ve done small ones with her and Will and Connor,” she said. “Sometimes Jay, but not with the whole group. I wasn’t even planning on coming to this one, but you know how it is with Bex. You ask her how her day was and then before you know it, you’ve been added to the roster of some kind of ridiculous shenanigan.”

Otis nodded sagely. “I am familiar with this experience.

“Well, then, Brian, my buddy,” Emery said, bumping her shoulder against his. “Ready to get ridiculous?”

“I was born to be ridiculous.” Wait. That sounded better in his head. Why couldn’t he ever just say something cool—

“Today must be my lucky day then,” Emery laughed.

Hunh. He was beginning to think it might be his too.

***

Will

Will and Connor stood together at their end of the field. Joe was hanging out in the goal area and the rest of their team was scattered in a loose formation. They had a pretty solid group. Aside from the three of them, there was Adam, Kim, Shay, Julie, Kelly, Stella, Ethan, and April. An even match for Bex’s team.

It had taken a few minutes to get everyone organized and ready—with a delay after Matt knocked Kelly over with the ball and then Kelly chased him around with it, trying to get him back—but now it looked like they were finally starting.

Chris blew the whistle and tossed the ball into the middle of the field. There was a mad dash as everyone started kicking it around and also leaping out of its way. Then Cindy pulled out a megaphone. She clicked it on and all you could hear at first was her and Chris giggling before she finally managed to yell out, “Hot Potato!”

Crap. Which one was that again?

Will watched as Bex picked up the ball and tossed it over to Jay who instantly threw it to Hailey who turned around and tossed it Gabi, but it got intercepted by Shay who tossed it to Kelly.

Right. No holding onto the ball for longer than a second.

Connor ran by him, catching the ball and tossing it to Adam. “Bex ball!” he yelled back at Will with a joyful smile on his face.

It certainly was.

Will jumped into the fray with a grin of his own.

***

Matt

“Squad mode!” Cindy yelled out and Matt looked around for Gabi. She was already booking it across the field, linking arms with him as soon as she reached his side.

“How’s it going, buddy?” she asked, holding on tight to his arm.

“Even better now,” Matt said. He had no idea what was happening for most of this game and yet he was having a blast. The two of them ran forward, attempting to kick at the ball together without falling on their faces or their asses.

They were halfway successful.

***

Emery

Emery might murder Bex over flamingo mode.

She was currently hopping up and down on one foot and praying no one tossed the ball her way. Otis—Brian was hopping beside her, cursing under his breath, and Emery appreciated the solidarity. She kind of felt like she might have made a new friend tonight? Bex might have a point about the whole expanding your circle thing—shit!

Emery threw her arms up as Connor's throw went wide and headed her way, stomach turning as she realized exactly how this was going to play out. Between the momentum of her arms going up, the force of the ball hurtling her way, and the fact that she was standing on one freaking leg—she didn’t stand a chance.

She caught the ball and fell backwards with a shriek, taking Brian with her.

“Oh, crap! Emery!” Connor hopped over as fast as he could. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” she yelled, struggling to disentangle herself from Brian. She spotted Jay and Hailey hopping up fast behind him. “Guys, get the ball!”

“Hey, I don't think so!” Connor swooped down, like some sort of elegant frickin’ crane, and grabbed the ball. He tossed it to Ethan and hopped off.

“Do you think anyone will notice if we just stay down here?” Emery muttered to Brian. They were off to the side. People could play around them.

He laughed and got to his feet. “Come on, buddy,” Brian said, reaching down to give her a hand up. “As Commander Taggart once said, ‘Never give up—”

“Never surrender,” Emery finished for him as she got to her feet. She caught his surprised look as she brushed off her pants. “Connor made us all watch Galaxy Quest a few weeks ago. It’s one of his guilty pleasure movies.” She held a finger up to her lips when he got a sparkle in his eyes at that little tidbit.

“Won’t tell a soul.” Brian crossed his heart. “Never would have pegged him for a secret nerd though.”

“You have no idea,” Emery laughed. “Find a way to casually bring up Star Trek sometime and see for yourself.”

“Emery! Otis!” Bex yelled over at them. “We’re still in flamingo mode! Come on!”

Brian matched her groan as they both lifted a leg. “I’m gonna flamingo her mode.”

“Don’t make me have to avenge her, dude,” Emery said. “My leg will be so strong after today. I’ll be able to do serious damage.”

“Just the one leg though,” Brian pointed out. “Won’t that mean you’ll just run in circles when you try to chase me?”

Emery snorted. And then switch legs. “There. Now I’ll be invincible.”

“Consider me warned,” Brian said, holding his hands up. Then his face twisted in alarm right as a red blur whizzed past her and took him out.

“My bad!” Adam yelled.

***

Joe

Joe watched his friends galloping across the field for Pony Mode and decided maybe being goalkeeper wasn’t so bad after all.

***

Trudy

Trudy sipped at her drink and watched their gang of idiots scamper around on the field.

“You know,” she mused to her fellow spectators. “I think Bex might just be a genius.”

Mouch, Kira, Malia, Lexi, Devon, and Isaac all nodded as they munched on their snacks and took pictures.

She managed to catch one of Chuckles biting the dust when the big red ball hit him square in the butt.

Seriously.

A goddamn genius.

***

Connor

Connor took a swig of his water bottle while they all stood off to the side for the short breather Chris had granted them. It was hot enough that none of them wanted to risk dehydration.

Ooh. Hot enough for his boyfriend to be taking off his shirt too. Connor watched Will use his shirt to wipe at his forehead and waggled his eyebrows at him when they made eye contact.

Will smirked back, taking the time to slowly stretch.

April came to stand beside Connor, holding her cold drink against the side of her neck. “Next time, I’m hanging out with the spectators,” she said, sighing as she watched Ethan also pulling his shirt off. “Or we play in the fall or something because this is…phew!” She fanned at her face.

Connor laughed. ‘Phew’ pretty much covered it. “I don’t know if I’d want to sit out,” he said. “It’s weird, but it’s fun. Although I have no idea what the score is right now.” Goals had been made, but Cindy and Chris had also been gleefully tossing out bonus points and penalties seemingly at random. Connor had given up trying to keep track.

A shrill whistle cut through the air—case in point. “Will! Ethan!” Chris called out. “Minus two points for peacocking!”

“For what?” Will asked while Ethan shook his head. “We’re not even playing right now!”

“Still counts!” Chris declared. “Put your dang shirts back on.”

April shot Connor a look. “Well, whatever the score was, at least now we know it’s two points less.”

“Break’s done!” Cindy called out. “Back on the field!”

Bex ran by, cackling as she bopped Will and Connor on the head with the ball. “Bex Ball!”

“Come on,” Will grabbed his hand and pulled him on to the field. “We’ve got points to make up.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Shush. You liked it.”

Connor pulled him in for a sweaty kiss because he really did.

***

Sam

Sam sighed as he watched the two teams move across the field in slow motion.

He did a killer sloth. Bex knew that.

Next time, he was putting his foot down. He wasn’t about to get stuck as goalkeeper again.

Sam shook his head at Emery’s lackluster form.

Honestly.

***

Bex

Bex’s head whipped around as she looked for Mouse. Chris had just called for Koala Mode and she needed her buddy. They spotted each other at the same time and he crouched down as she ran over, ready for her to leap onto his back.

He grabbed on tight when she landed, keeping a secure hold on her legs. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck and leaned over his shoulder. “Hey, Mouse,” she whispered.

“Hey, Bex.”

“I’m pretty sure I saw the ball go that way,” she continued, pointing at a wooded area just off to the right of the field.

“Oh, really?” Mouse hummed as he watched Jay kicking the ball over to Kevin. “That’s no good. What should we do?”

“We should probably go find it.” She pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “So the game’s not ruined.”

“Can’t have that,” Mouse said, lips quirking up into a little grin. He took a quick look around, making sure everyone was focused on the ball at the other end of the field. Then he took off, moving surprisingly fast considering he was carrying her at the same time.

Hunh. Mouse was a lot stronger than he looked. Bex’s brain filed that very interesting bit of information away.

…how many days until Friday?

He wove through the trees and set her down gently once they were behind a fairly large one. “You know,” he said slowly, leaning back against the tree. “I thought I was supposed to be the bad influence in this relationship.”

“Who said that?” Bex stepped into his arms and slid her hands into his hair, drawing his head down for a quick kiss. “I’ll kick their butts.”

“Aw, thanks babe.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.

“Anytime,” Bex said, grinning up at him. “But our team’s going to notice we’re gone soon so—less talking, more kissing.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

***

Jay

Jay kicked at the ball and fought to keep his balance with Hailey on his back. It took a quick sidestep, but he managed to stay on his feet.

Koala Mode was intense. He felt like he was running around way more than before trying to keep up their defense and—

Wait a minute.

Something was off. He looked around and did a quick head count and—hey. “Where did Mouse and Bex go?” he asked Hailey.

“They went that way about five minutes ago.” She leaned over his shoulder to point at a wooded area off to the right.

Oh, hell no. He was not suffering through this alone. This whole thing was her idea! Jay marched over to the edge of the field as Hailey snickered into his back.

“Rebecca Marie Herrmann!”

***

Mouse

Uh-oh. Mouse’s eyes went wide. “You just got full named.”

Bex rolled her eyes with a sigh. “You know, he actually took longer to notice than I thought he would.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on. Let’s go back before he full names you.”

Oh, no way was that happening. “Hop on.” Mouse crouched down so she could jump on his back and took off; Bex’s laughter filling his ears.

***

Chris

They had come to the end of their allotted play time and the game was tied.

Mostly because he and Bex had decided that would be the most hilarious outcome, but no one else needed to know that.

He and Cindy gathered both teams in the middle of the field. “We have a tie,” Chris declared.

“How do you even know that?” Otis burst out.

“Because, Otis,” Chris said patiently. “Unlike you, I have been keeping score.” He looked everywhere but at Cindy because as soon as they made eye contact, he’d break. He could not blow this by giggling. Bex would murder him.

“As per the rules,” he said, ignoring Jay’s snort. “In this situation, we play the tie-breaker game.”

“Is that…something other than Bex Ball?” Will asked cautiously. Skirting the edge of hopeful.

“Yes.” Chris nodded. “And it’s one round. Winner takes all.”

“Sudden death!” Bex cheered.

“One representative from each team, please come forward,” Chris said, stepping back.

After a few hushed, but fierce negotiations, Otis and Adam were pushed into the centre of the group. Chris held up a hand for quiet.

“The game is rock, paper, scissors.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Otis yelled.

***

Otis

He was sweating. This was not good. His team members from 51 were whispering furiously to the others behind him while the ones on the other team grinned widely from behind Adam.

So sure they had it in the bag because of this ‘tell’ they swore he had.

Severide pulled Adam back and began whispering to him; probably sharing said tell.

Otis had gone over it in his brain a thousand times and he was sure he didn’t have one, but the fact was, he never won rock, paper, scissors. Either he had a tell or he just sucked at it.

“Are we allowed to swap our player?” Gabi joked, but Chris shot her down.

“Nope,” he said. “Players are locked in.”

“Come on, Otis!” Bex squeezed Otis’s shoulders, trying to pump him up. “You’ve got this.”

He did not ‘got this.’

“Alright, settle down and shut up,” Chris called out to the teams who were all talking excitedly for two very different reasons. “Let’s finish this.”

Adam strutted back up to stand in front of Otis and smirked. “Heard you might have a little performance trouble with this one,” he said.

Otis didn’t bother dignifying that with a response. Freaking Ruzek could think whatever he wanted. Otis was going to focus on…focusing and beat this curse once and for all.

“Hands out,” Chris said, motioning at the space between them. Otis and Ruzek both lifted a fist. “Rock, paper, scissors, on three…”

He could do this. He could do this. He could do this.

Otis took a deep breath—

“Hey,” Emery popped up beside him. “Remember. Never give up…”

“Never surrender,” he said. She stepped back with a smile and a nod.

He could DO THIS.

Otis stared down Ruzek and the other team and threw both hands up in the air. “I’m going rock!”

***

Adam

Adam took a step back at Otis’s declaration. Was he serious?

He shot a look over at Severide who looked stunned before shaking it off with a wave of his hand. ‘He’s bluffing’ he mouthed at him.

Was he though?

Otis had a manic look in his eye as he put his fist out.

Adam squinted at him, trying to look for the clues the other team had told him about. Chris began his countdown and Adam had to go with his gut.

And Severide.

It was a bluff.

It had to be.

…Adam went scissors.

***

Kelly

Well, crap.

Otis really went rock.

***

Otis

His team exploded once they realized what happened and Chris had to yell above their cheers to declare them the winners.

He did it. He really did it.

“Good job, buddy,” Emery said, punching him in the shoulder. “Knew you could do it.”

“Thanks, buddy,” he grinned.

“Okay, teams, pack it up!” Bex yelled. “We’re all meeting up the diner after this. Dessert is on the winning team!”

Oh, right. He forgot about that part.

…still worth it.

***

Jay

Chris, Cindy, Mouch, and Platt had gone back to the Herrmann house to hang out with Donna and Boden for a bit before calling it a night.

Even with them bowing out, their gang took up most of the diner. Luckily, Bex had called ahead to make sure they had space. Everyone was table hopping, enjoying the chance to catch up and chat. Jay was currently at a table with Hailey, Emery, Otis, Connor, and Will.

He noticed Connor elbow Will and nod at something across the aisle. Will looked over and smiled softly at whatever Connor had pointed out.

So, of course, the rest of them all craned their necks to look too.

“Nice,” Will said. “Real subtle, guys.”

It didn’t actually matter that they were being completely obvious because the people they were looking at were completely oblivious.

Mouse and Bex sat side by side in a booth. His arm was around her, their heads tipped toward each other as they talked. And—Jay couldn’t help the little snort that slipped out when he noticed—they were busy swapping a bit of their meals on each other’s plates so they could each have fries and onion rings.

“Well,” Hailey said as they turned back around. “They’re kind of stupidly cute.”

“They really are,” Emery said, swirling a fry through her milkshake. “I’m happy for her.”

“We all are,” Will agreed.

“I know.” Emery did a little head bob, acknowledging that. “But—” She bit her lip as she searched for her next words. “I know you guys know about AJ, but you weren’t there for it.” She sighed. “You know how Bex is. She puts her whole heart into everything and he might have said he wasn’t looking for anything serious, but he didn’t always act that way and he gave her such mixed signals. He was a greedy asshole who took and gave her nothing in return.”

Jay knew he should have punched him when he had the chance.

“It’s just—after all of that and after everything with Mouse,” Emery said, smiling as she watched them. “It’s so good to see them finally get here. To know that Bex is with someone as all in as she is. She deserves that. They both do.”

“He came by last night,” Will said, sharing a little look with Emery and Connor before grinning over at Jay’s side of the table. “Just to say good night to her.”

Jay stopped with his drink halfway to his mouth as he processed that. “He was at my place to watch the game last night,” he said. “He lives in the opposite direction of yours...” 

"Guess he took the long way home," Connor said softly.

Hailey and Otis sighed beside Jay. “Stupidly cute,” Hailey said again as Otis nodded.

Not that Jay had any doubts left about the two of them, but if he did, the last couple of days would have evaporated them completely.

He turned around to take another little peek at them.

And squinted.

“Is that a hickey on Mouse’s neck?”

Everyone at the table shuffled around to join in on his peering.

“Yup,” Emery said.

“One hundred percent,” Hailey agreed.

Well, that was enough people watching for Jay. “Who wants pie?”

Five hands shot up.

***

Kevin

Kevin walked Sylvie to her door.

“Well?” he asked, leaning up against the frame. “What did you think?”

“I would call that a very successful mingling of the friend groups,” she said, looking up at him with a smile. “We should definitely do that more often.”

“Yeah,” Kevin agreed. “Except maybe next time—”

“Not Bex Ball,” Sylvie said quickly and he nodded.

“I’m putting that firmly in the once a year category,” he said. It was fun, but they’d gotten lucky this time. Putting that game in the regular rotation was asking for bloodshed.

“Maybe a movie night or something,” Sylvie mused and he could practically see the lists being written in her head.

“I’m up for anything,” Kevin said. “As long as it’s with you.”

“Mm. Smooth talker.” Sylvie grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in for a slow kiss. Then she unlocked the door. “Want come inside and talk some more?”

Kevin grinned and let her tug him inside.

***

Bex

“So, today is Wednesday,” Bex said as Mouse walked her to her car. “And tomorrow is Thursday.”

“I believe that is how the days of the week go,” Mouse said. “Yes.”

She rolled her eyes and tugged on his hand. “I just want Friday to get here faster.”

“Two more sleeps.” Mouse grinned at her. “Almost there.”

“You should come to Molly’s tomorrow night,” she said. “And help me close. We can send the rest of the staff home early and make out on the bar.”

“Bad influence,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

“That’s not a no,” she whispered against his lips.

Mouse pressed her against the side of her car and kissed her thoroughly. “It’s a yes,” he said, eyes going bright. “And then it’ll only be one more sleep.”

“Aha! A perfect plan.” Bex hugged him. “We’re good at this.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, a note of pleased surprise running through it. “We are.”

Click here to read Chapter Two.

Click here to read Game Night 3: It’s Bex Ball, Bébés on ao3:

And here is the tag list (let me know if you wish to be added or removed):

@sorry-i-spaced, @iunnowatuwant, @thegirlwhowishedeveryonelived, @ivyalmighty, @thewannabewriter, @lexhalstead3, @multifandomgrl08, @foxes-and-cats, @sensitivemallysix, @thebewingedjewelcat, @emme-looou,

[theyellowroseofsodor]

FINALLY, MY MASTERPIECE IS COMPLETED!

Pebble

Rated G for General Audiences

Summary: Pebble’s, the stuffed rhino that belongs to James, origin story.

“What are you going to do?”

“Me?! What do you mean?? You were involved too, Thomas!”

“Yeah, but I’m not the one who broke it.”

“I didn’t know it was going to break! James’ shouldn’t have asked me to help with his laundry if there was something like this in here.”

Thomas and Percy stood next to one another, both with a slightly worried look on his face, looking down at the washing machine and the piles of wet fluff that littered all over James’ clothes. Mixed in the clothes, and the producer of the fluff, was a very deflated rhino plush.

“M-maybe he won’t notice or care?” Percy asked frantically with worry, glancing at Thomas. “I didn’t even know he had a stuffed animal until he asked me to put his laundry in the wash.”

“Was she in the basket?” Thomas asked, not taking his eyes at the devastation of the stuffy.

“No…” Percy confessed, “But she was filthy, I mean even her red bow had faded, and she was next to his laundry so I figured she was just supposed to be in there.”

Thomas picked up a piece of the fluffy innards of the stuffed rhino and squeezed the excess water out of it. “I dunno, Percy. James doesn’t just keep random things and he freaks out when anyone touches his stuff.”

“We’ve got to hide her then!” Percy said, frantically picking up the fluff, holding out his shirt like a pouch and stuffing them in there, “We can fix this right?? Do you think Emily or Camille know how to sew?”

Thomas eyed him, “You know they’d slap you for that kind of remark.”

“I don’t mean it like that! I just don’t know any guys that do and I know Camille does cross stitch sometimes!” Percy shrieked, panic beginning to take over, “What if this was really special to James?? I’m a dead engine!”

Thomas couldn’t come up with a rebuttal for that and quickly helped sort of the fluff from the clothes and put James’ clothes in the dryer. It easily looked like half of the stuffed rhino had fallen out and she looked like a raggedy dog chew toy by the time they fished her and her red bow out.

“I’m so dead…” Percy whined.

“Not if we can fix her first.” Thomas smiled confidently, “It can’t be that hard to fix!”

At that moment, the laundry room door opened and both engines startled, Thomas hiding the rhino behind his back. Percy had no way to hide the shirt pouch he had created but pulled it close so the contents couldn’t be seen. Edward walked in and looked between the two of them with an odd expression.

“Is something the matter guys?”

Percy was basically shaking where he stood. Although James would have been the absolute worst person to see at that moment, Edward, being James’ significant other, was indubitably the next worst thing.

Thomas, however, didn’t seem to think so. He looked relieved, “Oh Edward! It’s you! Percy could really use your help!”

Percy squawked at his best friend’s sudden betrayal.

Edward still looked fairly confused, “In the laundry room? It’s not that hard and we’ve done this for years, Percy, I would’ve thought you figured out the laundry machines by now.”

Percy’s face fell flat, “I’m not so dumb as to not know how to work the laundry machine.”

Edward blinked and looked at the two, “Well, if that’s not it, can I get by? James forgot to do his laundry and I know he asked the two of you to help but-“ He stopped and began to worry himself, “You didn’t do something to James’ clothes did you?”

“What?! No! Are you crazy?!” Percy asked, still holding tight to his shirt, his slightly pudgy belly showing, “Who in their right mind would mess with James’ clothes??”

Edward sighed and placed his hands on his hips, “Then what is this all about? Why are you two so antsy?”

When Percy couldn’t quite find the words to speak, Thomas took the lead again much to Percy’s chagrin. Thomas simply revealed the deflated rhino and her ribbon that he had been hiding.

Edward paled a bit at the sight.

“You washed Pebble??”

“She has a name?” Thomas asked incredulously.

“Sh-sh-she was right by his laundry!” Percy tried to explain as Edward came close and held the floppy remains, “A-a-and she was dirty and I thought she was supposed to have been in the basket since a couple of other clothes hadn’t made it into the basket and I didn’t know she had a hole in her because I wouldn’t have put her in otherwise and I’ve got her fluff here-“ He showed Edward his makeshift kangaroo pouch, “and I’m gonna fix her I just have to call Camille or maybe Emily and I promise to stuff her back properly and everything please don’t tell James!”

Percy was panting from lack of oxygen after such a confession and watched as Edward held onto Pebble and opened up the now very large hole in her side.

“We’ll need to be quick.” Edward sighed, pulling the remaining fluff out and handing it to Percy, placing Pebbles in the dryer with the rest of James’ clothes, “James doesn’t go one night without Pebble nearby and he will notice, I guarantee it.”

Percy was nodding quickly as Edward spoke, hanging onto every word that the older engine said, looking for guidance. Thomas, however, couldn’t keep his cheek in check.

“What’s a grown and married engine like James doing with a kids stuffy?”

Edward smiled as he shut the lid and started the load of laundry, “It’s not too long of a story. I can tell it to pass the time.” He smiled at Percy and knew he would have to reassure the small engine down from a full panic attack, “We can get her fixed before James comes home. You’re lucky I’ve had to stitch her before. C’mon.” He led the way out of the laundry room, holding the door open, “Let’s get her fluff cleaned up.”

All three engines made their way up to James and Edward’s room. Edward grabbed a towel and hair blow dryer from their private bathroom. He asked Thomas to go grab a small bowl from the kitchen and laid the towel down. He then nodded at Percy, signaling him to drop all the fuzz.

“This is everything?” He asked.

Percy nodded, “Y-yup!”

Thomas returned with the bowl and handed it to Edward before sitting down on the floor and joining the other two engines. Edward gently squeezed the excess water from the fuzz and placed it down on the towel to dry.

“Pebble has been around for a while.” Edward said with a smile, “Though not even I knew about her until James’ started moving into my bedroom. He kept her a secret, I think, due to his pride.” He chuckled, “You all remember how much he used to look up to Gordon? I think that in part was why he hid her. He didn’t want Gordon thinking he was small, weak, and childish.”

Thomas rolled his eyes at the mention of the large tender engine, “Of course Gordon’s involved somehow. He sure knew how to be a bossy butt when we first all started working together.”

Edward chuckled again, “Well, I think Gordon’s own pride comes from his own familial issues, but we won’t get into that today.” He moved the bowl after squeezing the last bit of stuff n’ fluff and turned the hair blow dryer on low, starting to dry the fluff slowly.

“James got Pebble from one of his passengers shortly after we became a team of six. He doesn’t really remember when, but it was before Emily’s time.”

——

James had brought himself to a screeching and grinding halt at the station, barely keeping himself from overshooting the platform. He smirked brilliantly.

“Heeeeere’s James!!” He shouted to the other passengers at the platform and to Gordon who was trying to catch a few winks.

The larger engine startled, looking around, when he caught a glimpse of the red engine. He sneered, “Really, James? Must you do that every time you arrive at a station?”

James looked at him haughtily, “Do you have to say ‘express coming through’ every time you depart or arrive at a station?”

Gordon gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes, “I have a very important job, you know. Announcing my comings and goings keeps every keen and wary that a large, powerful, and fast engine is approaching and to make sure to get out of my way. We wouldn’t want any accidents.”

It was James’ turn to roll his eyes, “You’re not the only important engine on the island, Gordon. Not to mention, I’ve had to do your job a few times for you since you have a knack of getting into trouble with the boss.” James smirked.

Gordon wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes, “Hmph!” That was the end of that conversation.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” James said with a sigh, waiting impatiently for his passengers to load and unload.

His driver came up, not looking too thrilled, “James!”

James sighed irritably, “What?!”

The driver glared and pointed a finger at him, “You’ve got to stop doing your stops like this! You could injure yourself, or members of our team, or worse yet a passenger! What if someone was thrown from their seat or hit their head? It would’ve been your fault!”

James frowned, “They should know how to stay seated till I come to a complete stop. Not my fault if they’re bad at keeping seated or balancing.”

His driver looked ready to fight some more, but heard the whistle from the station master and looked to see the doors shut for the coaches.

“Listen to me, James. One day, your reckless driving is going to get this railway into a lot of trouble.”

James rolled his eyes, “Oh please. Me? Trouble? Ha!”

But of course, there would be trouble. As it so happened, not long after this little conversation James ended up in the Steamworks with terrible dents, scratches, and cuts alongside his face and paintwork. The cause? He was so busy trying to be splendid and fast that he nearly hit a stray cow that had found herself stuck on the rails. Her hoof was caught and seeing the engine barreling down the lines she panicked all the more. James did his best to brake and move onto a different set of tracks, but it was no use and he ended up derailed on his side. Worse yet, his passenger cars ended up coming with him. It was a very serious accident with several critical injuries. He thanked Lady above that not a single passenger was labeled a fatality.

He found himself unable to look Sir Topham Hatt in the eyes as he was scolded repeatedly and almost threatened to be removed from the rails indefinitely. The passengers and their families were suing the railway and it was all James’ fault. He couldn’t help the frightened tears that ran down his face or the constant apologies he spoke as a result of the accident. A VIP was ready to have him scrapped and the pressure was put on the Fat Controller that it was seen through. The railway leader refused to have such a monstrous action happen, taking a life was not going to fix injuries faster, and it was no quick and painless death for an engine to be scrapped. James was staying, however he was to be taken off the lines and then some. He wasn’t going to be pulling coaches anytime soon.

The others visited him when he could, Edward most of all. Years later, that moment would become one of the turning pivotal points in their relationship. James still was nervous despite everything.

He was feeling particularly upset with himself one day, sitting all alone in the steamworks, when his former driver approached him with his little girl. She was holding a stuffed animal close to her chest as they approached. He looked up at them nervously.

“James, this is my daughter Tilly and she has something she wants to give you.” The man nudged her forward, “Go on, Tilly dear.”

The little girl walked up to James’ buffer and showed him a stuffed rhino with a red ribbon around it’s neck, “This is Pebble! Whenever you’re scared or afraid you’re supposed to give her a big hug because rhino’s are tough and can make scarier things go away.” He blinked in surprise at her, “I.. I know you can’t hug her but you can have her. Daddy said you’re really sorry about what happened and that mean people were saying really mean things about you. But you’re my favorite engine, James, and you’ve gotta be tough.” She smiled up at him and placed the toy on his buffer, standing on her tiptoes to nudge it closer to his face, “Pebble will scare all those bullies away. Mummy even gave me a splendid red ribbon to tie on her. I hope you like it.”

James looked down at the stuffed animal and the little girl who smiled up at him, a few teeth missing in her grin, and he couldn’t help but smile back. Not one passenger had ever given him a gift before and here this little girl was just looking out for him.

He swallowed and smiled at her, “Thanks Tilly, I’ll take really good care of her.”

She pointed a finger at him in a feisty manner, “You better! She’s the best stuffie in the world and she should go to the best engine in the world!”

He smiled brightly for the first time in a long time that day. James thoroughly apologized, again, to Sir Topham Hatt and the others and after a while was back on the rails. He had his driver hide Pebble in his cab and on days when he was alone or feeling particularly down he had the man pull her out from the cab and put her on his buffer to have close. When the day did come that the engines were able to shift one of the first things James did, once he had gotten used to his legs, was hold Pebble close, besides hold his beloved Edward.

——

“And that’s the story.” Edward said as he finished drying all her fluff, “At least we can get her repaired. She is pretty old.”

“No wonder James is so protective of this toy. I would be too.” Thomas said.

“And I ruined her…” Percy said feeling down, out, and defeated.

Edward chuckled, “No, you didn’t ruin her Percy and it’s not the first time Pebble has found herself de-fluffed in a washer.” He winked, “If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”

Percy and Thomas chuckled, though Percy found himself really relieved, “Thanks Edward. Your secret is safe with us.”

Edward smiled, “Now, let’s go grab her from the dryer and get her all sewn up. We’ve still got some time before my husband gets home.”

Percy grinned, “You sure like to call him that, don’t you, Edward?”

Edward looked kindly at the small engine, “More than you can ever know.”

[thewaltcrew]

Behind-the-scenes footage of the reshoot of the squid sequence in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

A soundstage with a tank was built specifically for the movie. It was used for underwater miniature shots, but most importantly, this was where the famous squid sequence of the movie was filmed. Building the soundstage alone cost $300,000, but costs would continue to climb once the studio realized it would need to shoot the sequence all over again.

The screenwriter Earl Felton originally described the scene as such in his script: "THE NAUTILUS breaks the surface in the red after-glow of sunset, the ugly body of the squid silhouetted against the horizon, its long tentacles writhing."

Peter Ellenshaw, matte artist: I reckoned it would be very dramatic if--and I was doing sketches on the film quite a lot--that if we did a red, deep red sky, and the squid comes out of the water, it would be a wonderful effect. Well they tried it. They put on that kind of wishy washy sky, and it looked ridiculous.

Richard Fleischer, director: [The first squid] had all the tentacles, but the tentacles were held up by very heavy cables, which you couldn't avoid seeing... The cables would break, or great hunks of the material would come apart, come off. And the inside was stuffed with kapok, and it was absorbing the water, so it's getting heavier and heavier and getting less and less mobile, and it was just impossible. So I'm trying to shoot this thing, and I'm sick to my stomach looking at it because I know it's not working.

After seeing the dailies of the squid sequence, Walt talked with director Richard Fleischer, and they both agreed that it looked comical. Thus, Walt halted production while they thought of an alternate solution.

Fleischer: [Walt] said, "Start a dramatic sequence, and leave the squid sequence alone." He said, "I'll get together with my geniuses at Disneyland, and we'll come up with a squid that will do something for you. It'll be much better than this." ...My writer Earl Felton had seen the dailies too. And I said, "You know, Earl, what are we going to do with this thing? It doesn't work, even if we get a good squid." He said, "Well, look: everything's wrong with this sequence. This should be a sequence that takes place at night in a violent storm with lightning and thunder and wind, tremendous wind, waves smashing everything, so that it becomes not just a fight against the squid, but a fight against nature as well. You'll only see the squid really in flashes of lightning, and you won't see any flaws it may have." So I kissed his hand and ran out to find Walt, and I ran right into Walt on the studio street, and I said, "Walt, this is the new concept for the squid fight." And he listened, and he said, "You're absolutely right." He didn't hesitate a minute. "That's the way we'll do it, and you tell Earl to write that sequence."

The new squid was redesigned and remodeled by sculptor Chris Mueller (who sculpted a majority of the animals on Jungle Cruise). In his redesign, he tapered out the ends of the tentacles to allow them to stretch out to twice their length. He added a brow ridge to the squid to give it a more menacing look and rounded out + shortened the head.

The new mechanics were concepted and created by technical effects expert Bob Mattey (who made the animals on Jungle Cruise move and eventually would become well-known for creating the three animatronic sharks in the film Jaws). He created a spring device that made the tentacles light in weight and fluid in movement. It required 28 men to operate the squid, and they would use vacuum hoses to make the tentacles writhe, inflating them to make them curl and deflating them to uncurl them.

With the new stormy setting, it also required the addition of wind machines, dump tanks, wave makers, and reengineering the Nautilus so that it could lean during the storm.

Most of this reshoot was shot by second unit director Jim Havens (pictured in the first and eighth gifs; James Curtis Havens on IMDb), who already had previous experience shooting action sequences, including the underwater scenes in Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Needless to say, the reshoot practically flooded the soundstage. You can see in the last gif that the water spilled outside the soundstage as Walt, with rubber boots on, walks into the building.

The reshoot cost an additional $250,000, but with only half of the principal photography having been shot, the production was in danger of being shut down. The film had to start taking from funds intended for Disneyland.

Fleischer: They had to get in the bankers... They asked them to supply money to finish the picture, and the bankers wanted to see what had been shot up to date. And that was a big day for us. I was working on the set, waiting to hear word whether we're going to come back to work the next day or shut down that night. It was really that close. Word got back to me. They loved it. And they're giving him a million and a half dollars to finish the picture. That's our squid story. It was a real hair-raiser. A movie in itself.

quotes and footage from “The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” featurette additional sources [x][x][x]

for anonymous

[iamjustalittle]

ABO, Mpreg, Alpha Max / Omega Daniel, ~800 Words.

This was the first fic that I wrote about Maxiel when my friend asked me to take a look at this madness of a couple. And I did and went insane. So the dynamic is not very exactly what I think they will share if I write it again but I think it is kinda funny nevertheless.

Family Day was usually Daniel's responsibility. Daniel was super popular among kids, parents, and teachers – at this point, it was no surprise. Every time he went to pick up Jasper, their little boy, he brought some snacks and bribed many of the kids' classmates, which went a very long way.

Although Daniel loved Family Day very much and even wanted to take the opportunity from Max again, the healthy development of a child required both fathers to do their jobs. It was really weird how he got to this point if you thought about seven years ago. Daniel had been (literally) screaming like a pile of chicken in front of the mirror when he took a look at the pregnancy test and woke up Max, who went straight into full panic mode. He had only had some dumbass experiences with kids, them flopping to the ground and crying, and he had been dying, laughing his brain out by their side.

How he had made it this far, he had no clue, but for one, Daniel was very proud of himself.

He had to comfort himself with something good because Max going to Family Day alone was stressing him out. Max was a very good dad, don't get him wrong, but sometimes they, both of them, pulled some ridiculous dad shit that a dad would do.

The theme of Family Day was to build electric toy cars. Parents and kids worked together, and based on the results of a series of small games, they could choose different parts to assemble the final car. Finally, the cars raced on a 100-meter track on the playground.

Both Verstappens were very serious. Between the two, one was much more serious than the other—one of them went to the teachers almost at every step to discuss the reasonableness of the race design. Well, this indeed put the teachers and the principal in an awkward position. This seriousness could be understood because Family Day was planned based on the parents' different professions, and the WDC was probably not included in the teachers' prepared plans originally. Max thought they should. This was Monaco, at the end of the day.

Things finally got out of control when they were ready to bring the race cars on the scene. Little Verstappen had probably never been treated this way by his dad, as Max just snatched away the better toy tire that they won from the previous game. He faced his deflated tire on his toy car and watched his dad write on his own car: "No.1 Verstappen."

"Daddy," he poked Max's waist. "I am No.1 Verstappen."

"Who said that?" Max raised the toy car in his hand and examined it from the back (rear wing), actually not even giving his son a glance.

"Papa. Papa said I am the best Verstappen!" the son said proudly, patting his chest.

"Papa's number is 3. How does he know who No.1 is?" Max said sincerely. "Papa is lying to you. I think I am No.1, and everyone can see that. I mean you also have Ricciardo in your name!”

Jasper just could not understand what he was talking about. He’s six. But Max just kept going.

“And you know, daddy’s name is Max. Do you know what Max means? Max means the greatest in English. Which means No.1.”

“And also the first No.1 to your papa. Most importantly.” He added. Sebastian’s face showed up in his mind for a moment, which made his voice even louder and clearer.

At least this time his son got the memo.

When Daniel arrived at the scene, his son was still sobbing in the teacher's arms and didn't want to come out. Max stood beside the teacher, looking helpless, with messy hair and shirt. He tried to coo and had no luck whatsoever. He scratched his head, also on the edge of freaking out as he glanced at Daniel, with a scent full of chaos. "We haven't even competed... He has been crying! Why is he crying?"

Daniel's veins were about to pop from his head. He apologized to the teacher, half-knelt in front of little Ricciardo-Verstappen, wiped his tears, hurriedly offered him a strawberry lollipop, and then hugged him, patting Jasper’s back, while giving Max a stern look. "What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything, I mean, my car is just a little better than his, that's the truth..."

An Alpha being stared at by an Omega and retreating, how strange. Max began to pull his hair again, and he started to explain with his hands everywhere. "I said I am the number one Verstappen... You shouldn't lie to him because I mean you love…"

"Max Verstappen," Daniel interrupted. "Shut your mouth."

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

It's Just a Movie - The Sequel: Part 15 (Poly!Lost Boys x Fem!Reader)

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Warnings: angst, exposition, situations not being handled well, certain truths being shared, dickhead Michael, see this is what happens when people can't communicate effectively, vampires

Word Count: 2.4k

They were slow and clear. He punctuated every syllable so there was no mistake in what he said as his smile slipped from his face. You watched his face harden, watched the way he gripped the table. You didn’t have to have a window into his mind to know that he was thinking about it. He didn’t even seem to notice the gasps from the main room, or the way the Frogs' faces changed. 

Paul came closer and placed a hand on Markos shoulder. It was gentle, but even that made him flinch. The tallers voice was quiet, the quietest you’ve heard in awhile, as he said,

“Marko, c’mon-” But, Marko moved. He was pushing his arm away too hard, too quick, for this to be over. 

“Oh, oh! And, Paul,” Marko looked to him, then back to the boys. Another smile was on his face, but it was all teeth. “You both killed him- With some help from Nanook." He added the last bit, maybe just so they wouldn't get too proud of themselves. "And, Dwayne,” Marko was moving, stepping back into the living room, and you shadowed him. You watched as he finally got to say what he’d been holding onto since he very first saw the original film. All this anger- It was pouring out at once. He shook a finger at Sam, and a humorless laugh left his lips. “Sam got Dwayne.” 

Sam, who had been standing besides his mother, seemed to go blank with surprise the second those words hit him. When you looked at him, you watched the way his mouth fell for a moment. The little shake of his head, the look he cast towards his mother, and then the look he cast Dwayne. He was quick to look away, but you knew the thoughts that must’ve been crossing his mind. Even in the cave, Sam hadn’t wanted to hurt anyone. He was just a scared kid. 

Marko was still going behind you, and you felt your eyes close with a sigh when he finished with,

“And, Michael, well,” Marko looked right at the brunette. “I’m sure you can guess.” The words were like a stake through the chest of the entire room. It was like the air had been sucked out, and no one said a word. 

When you looked at Marko next, he looked deflated. With his anger gone, a hollow husk was left in its wake. He looked even more tired than before, and, worse, he looked like he'd given up trying to act like he wasn't. He rubbed his forehead, before rubbing both of his hands down his face. You could feel how tired he was, how much he just wanted things to be over. That was all he wanted, at the end of everything. For the nights before this had officially started, the long winter nights that felt like years ago instead of months.

"You can't blame us for things we didn't do." Michael said, and all you did was blink before David was across the room.

He was holding him up, so even Michael's taller form was lifted off the ground. David's face had shifted to sharp edges and deep-set yellow eyes, his fangs bared as the humans around him panicked and gasped. Lucy even let out a small scream.

"Is that really all you have to say, Michael?" He hissed, even as Sam tried to hit at him to let his brother down, as Lucy shouted for someone to do something, as the Frogs rushed towards the noise and commotion, as Michael yelped and tried to fight back.

But none of it mattered. Paul had the Frogs by the back of their shirts before they could get past the living room. Dwayne was pulling Lucy away, almost using his form to shield her. Marko was grabbing Star. It was a single hand on her arm, but you saw, in a flicker of a look between them, that it was all that she needed. And you went for Sam. 

You didn't even think as you did it. You didn't know when, but you'd become a cog in their machine. It came to you naturally, like you knew what to do. The second you realized what you were doing, you faltered, but you still said,

"Sam, don't." But, he never listened, did he? It's why you had to hold his shoulder, pull him away from the two.

Just in time to watch a silver blade be pointed at Davids throat.

Everyone froze then, and you watched David's eyes look towards the face of the oldest Emerson. He was standing at about an arms length, a silver dagger ready to pierce David's throat. You could hear the low hiss coming from him just from it being near. A single touch, and it’d light David's skin aflame.

"Put my grandson down." Grandpa said. David stared at the Emerson every second it took to set Michael down on his feet. The look from before, the understanding between them? It was odd the way it was painted on their faces now. Like they knew what would happen if either of them made the next move. The carnage that would ensue. In fact, David had a pretty good mental picture of how it’d go exactly.

Neither of them said anything for a long moment. The humans barely breathed.

"I think you boys better leave." The words weren't a suggestion. David took a step back. It seemed, while both of them knew of the fight ahead of them, neither of them wanted it. Not now, at least. The boys swarmed their leader, and you took a step. Again, it was like it wasn't even a choice. Second nature. The next words pointed at you like the dagger. "Not you. I said my family'd look after you and I meant that." Grandpa's words stopped you in your tracks, and you glanced from him to David. It was starting to get hard now to tell where your thoughts ended and David's began. Hell, was he affecting your actions? Less blue, less red- More purple. You thought. Quickly, you blocked everyone from your head. "But, you boys, you need to sort out what side you're on." Grandpa said finally.

"She's on our side." Dwayne said defensively, and you heard a quick rumble of protests. Mainly from the boy you had held onto a moment ago and his friends. But, Stars voice cut clear through theirs.

"Not yet. She's a half." Star said, and the words were so familiar. No, you're not. You're like Laddie and me. You're not one of them until- But, it wasn't Sam cutting her off then. It was David. He scoffed and turned. You watched as he did, as he started to walk away.

"If you think any of them are above what we are, you're wrong, Star.” His steps echoed through the house, as clear as the sound of his voice. “You heard Marko. This is a room full of killers." You watched him, feeling the pull to follow his steps. To follow all of them towards the door.

You watched him look above you, and you didn't have to look up to see what he was glancing at. You could hear Laddie's heartbeat pattering up above, and you were sure his little face was peeking out over the balcony. You knew what David was going to say a second before he did, but nothing could’ve prepared you for the punch his words had.

"At least, we didn't go after Laddie.”

You couldn’t believe that he’d gone there. The words weren’t just targeted at the boys besides you, but the girl who’d defended you. You felt a cold sort of numbness creep over you as you realized what David was doing. He was always so petty. He had to have the last word, had to be the one that burned the bridge. It wasn’t over until he said it was. Flashes of the movie flickered through your head, and his words rang in your mind. How far are you willing to go, Michael? 

You barely heard the gasp from Lucy, barely noticed how the humans shifted uncomfortably around you. All you could hear was Laddies heartbeat picking up speed. You could smell the sweat on his brow. The fear rushing through his veins as he gasped and froze up above.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Edgar said. It seemed while the threat of vampires had silenced Michael, nothing could get the Frog brothers to keep their mouths shut. David smiled for a second, as if something was funny to him. The others were stony and silent behind him, and the way they stared at the humans unnerved you. Davids eyes were trained on Stars. You knew why he was saying this, that this was the thing that truly would get under poor Stars skin. All because, what? She’d pointed out that you were a half? You didn’t realize the loosely-laced threat her words held. 

“I believe their words were 'Death to all vampires. Maximum body count'." David said, like she’d need the clarification. This? This was crossing a line. Telling them about the movie was one thing, and even that was bad. But, about Laddie? You thought, to some degree, they knew that this little tidbit from the original script should’ve never been spoken about. When you glanced at Star, she was staring at David. She was silent, unmoving. Almost like stone. But her heartbeat? It was beating so hard in your ears that you couldn’t imagine what it sounded like in hers. Everything, all that she’d built in the past weeks, must’ve been crashing down around her at that moment. Everything she thought she knew about the people she lived with, the people in her life. You didn’t know whether it would be a kindness or make it worse if you told her it was the Frogs. How could you tell her? How could you put something like that on their shoulders? 

David finally seemed satisfied. You couldn’t look at any one of the humans besides you when David asked, 

"Tell them, y/n. Am I wrong?" You stared at him. You stared at the man you loved for a very long moment. You couldn’t believe what he’d done, you couldn’t believe him. And, the worst thing of all was that he was telling the truth. 

"That wasn't necessary, David." Those were the only words you could muster. You knew you’d had eyes on you every second that you’d waited to answer him, eyes that were begging you to say that he was. That he was lying, that he was just being a monster. That’s what he was, wasn’t he? That’s what you felt like he was when you glanced over and caught a glimpse of Star closing her eyes as she turned away. You could hear the shakiness in the breath she let go, and you knew, whatever she’d been holding together, was finally shattering.

"Wasn't it?" David was at the door now. He glanced at you, before his eyes went back to Grandpa behind you. “Don’t worry, we’re going.” It seemed he hadn’t forgotten Grandpa’s threat, even if he hesitated by the door. You knew what he was waiting for. For you to take a step, to come with them. To choose them. But, your eyes were shifting to the boy on the landing above. When you met David’s icy blue eyes again, silently you told him,

Too far, David. You took it too far. And you went to try to start picking up the pieces of what David broke.

***

David sat in Max’s house. The chair he sat in was brand new, so new that David could smell it. It was a squeaky leather, one that was far too soft compared to his chair in the cave. He scratched at the leather of the arm, hoping one day to peel a hole into it.

He told himself again and again that he’d done what was necessary, what was right. But, he didn’t like it. He didn’t like having to break Star or scare Laddie, but, as Paul was ranting about, the Emersons were getting too close to old opinions.

“How could she have not heard it? Star said, ‘Not yet. She’s a half.’ What else could that mean?” He said as he paced around the room, going between a bottle and a joint as he did. David was mostly tuning him out, but he was right. They’d all heard the same thing when Star said those words. When she said that threat.

David was the head, wasn’t he? And what was the only sure-fire known way to cure a half? Killing the head. 

If Star was going to start throwing around words like that, they needed to do something. They needed to squash that before it could gain any traction. By herself, Star wasn’t much. But, with the Emersons? They were dead. So, they had to sever the ties between them. And, the boys had been quick to know exactly how to do that. David knew exactly what button to press to make sure Star didn’t end up riling them up. 

He was protecting you, his coven, but you hadn't noticed. He’d tried to tell you, but somewhere along that night you’d blocked him out. David hadn’t had time to run this by you. Hell, he shouldn’t have had to. He was only doing what he needed to in order to keep everyone safe. But, you were always so stubborn. You cared about the stupid Emersons. And, he hadn’t hurt anyone- He hadn’t even hurt Michael, even if he’d gotten a pretty good chance. He'd been mad in that moment, maybe let himself slip, but how else was he supposed to react? They'd laid down the big secret, the big reason they were upset, and all they'd gotten was a stupid, You can't blame us for things we didn't do. Like hell they could. And too far? Didn't you think the humans killing them was too far? He was starting to get himself riled up when someone stopped next to him.

“David, you did the right thing.” Marko said, and David finally looked away from the wall. The swirl of thoughts stopped, and he let them wash away. He looked at him, before he let out a breath through his nose. It was far from the worst thing he’d ever done, so why was it sitting with him? David knew why. He knew why this wasn’t sitting right, why this wasn’t something he could just gloss over. He just didn’t need Dwayne to say it.

“Then, why isn’t she here?”

[veorix]

Chapter 8 - Old Friend

⚠️Tags: scopophobia, hypnotism, mind manipulation, autistic wally darling, romance (in a bad way), friends to lovers, reader is a puppet (...or are they), gender neutral reader, bad ending, descriptions of childhood trauma, original character. Previous chapter | Next chapter

You sit at Wally’s table while he cooks. The sweet aroma of french toast fills your nostrils, and it makes you realize how hungry you are. You spent a lot of energy last night, after all.

You’re still a little in shock from waking up in Home, right next to Wally. That just means…

Oh sweet cupcakes, it means you and Wally spent the night together! You can’t help but wring your hands together, nervous, as you let the thought sink. Did you snore too loud? Did you kick him on accident? Did you drool on the pillow?

Oh good golly, did you sleep talk? What if you said something embarrassing?

What if you said his name?

You cover your face with your hands at the thought, fully knowing you’re capable of doing something like that. You hope nothing like that happened though, or you will never hear the end of it from Wally.

Sighing, you put your hands down on your lap. You realize Wally has been staring at you, the french toasts he was making served on plates on the table. He’s sitting in front of you, leaning his head on his hand, staring at you with lovey eyes.

You blush more, wondering how much time he’s been staring at you like that. He laughs monotonously. Embarrassed, you can only grab your cutlery and start eating your food.

Silence engulfs you both for a little while. It’s comfortable, almost warm, in a way. You think you could maybe get used to this, waking up with Wally every day and eating breakfast together, maybe taking turns on who makes breakfast.

“Are you feeling… a little better than yesterday?” Wally ventures, looking a little nervous.

Oh, right. Last night happened. You seem to forget a lot of things when Wally’s around. 

You nod with a mouthful of french toast, and that seems to help Wally relax a little bit. Both of you eat in silence for a little while.

“I’m still a little tired,” you confess. “But… I’m glad yesterday happened. I’m glad we got to have that conversation.”

Wally looks up at that, some leftover guilt in his eyes, but he still offers you a reluctant smile.

“I’m sorry.”

You smile at him, because you know he’s sincere and that both of you can work through it this time around. Hope flutters on your chest, makes your heart soar, makes you feel like everything will be alright this time.

“I know, Wally. It’s okay. I promise.”

And Wally gives you that dopey smile that you adore, the one where he slowly blinks like a cat basking in sunlight. Like you’re his sun. And, you realize, he is your sun too.

Julie was right.

You finish your breakfast in comfortable silence, Wally sometimes taking your hand in his’ to draw little circles with his thumb. It makes the butterflies in your stomach return with a new vigor, especially now that you’re hopeful things will go well.

Wally’s voice cut through the silence and as well as your thoughts.

“I… won't erase your memories anymore.” Your heart soared with such words, the hope in your heart rising even more. He looked to the side, him breaking eye contact was a first. It usually meant he was sheepish.

“...I don’t wish to hurt you… and I’m so very sorry I was… I just…” His smile turned downwards into a straight line. It was still so odd to see. His eyes were full of regret. “I wanted to help you not be… sad. You were sad all the time. The memories… they burdened you…” His shoulders deflated, he gently took your hands in his. “I… don’t want you to go back to such a state…”

“Oh, Wally…”

His declaration made your heart ache. He cared so much about you, wanted to be so gentle with you. Wanted nothing more than to keep you safe, unharmed, and happy. Wally just wanted you to be safe.

So you offer him the warmest smile you can manage.

“I’m sure I won’t be the same with you by my side,” you reassure. “Even if I’m sad… you make me the happiest I’ve ever been. I can heal,” you promise. “I can heal, and together we can make the rot go away. Little by little. Would you like that?”

And Wally smiles again, nodding, squeezing your hands gently and tenderly rubbing circles on your hand with his thumb.

“Yes,” he says. “I would love that.”

And you can’t help it, you have to get up from your seat and hug Wally. He meets you halfway; and of course you two bump your heads together with a mwah! before hugging each other tight. Your heart is soaring again; you feel the safest, happiest you’ve ever felt in a while. You truly feel like you’re basking in gentle sunlight.

You feel like you’re home.

You truly love Wally Darling.

The both of you stay there, swaying side to side slightly, as if dancing the most tender of dances. At times, Wally hums gently, melodies of the musical you both sang; melodies of destiny, of falling in a love so eternal and earnest it made your heart feel full of nothing but affection.

Eventually, you both part a little. Giggling, you lean into his cheek and give him another mwah! Wally returns the gesture, making you giggle even more. Sighing, you take this time to properly look at the man in front of you; his dopey eyes, his gentle smile, the look he gives you and only you. There’s nothing but love in his eyes when he looks at you, you realize, and your heart feels so full it hurts.

You don’t even realize you’re leaning in subconsciously, not at first. Wally looks vaguely confused, but he’s still smiling at you, like whatever you’re about to do, he’s okay with. And you realize you really want to kiss him, for real this time, because you just love him so much. You love him with your whole heart, your whole being.

So you let yourself lean in. You let yourself have this. And–

SLAM!

“Wally! I hope it’s okay I came in, Home opened the door for me. I was thinking– oh!”

Everyone freezes. Well, everyone except Wally, who looks as relaxed and oblivious as ever. He’s still holding you lazily.

“Hello Julie,” Wally greets.

“Um,” Julie hesitates, looking from Wally to you to Wally again. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No, not at all,” Wally replies with a curious tilt of his head. Julie looks at you. You can feel the embarrassment creep up on you and present itself on your face. “Ah, what were you saying?”

And then Julie has this sly, playful look in her face, and you know you’re doomed.

“Oh nothing~ I was just wondering what you were up to. I should’ve known that you two lovebirds would be together first thing in the morning!” Julie says, wagging her eyebrows.

Wally merely blinks. You, on the other hand, are dying as you stare daggers into her. Julie puts her hands on her hips with a teasing smile.

“Did you have a sleepover?”

Wally gives an oblivious, happy smile. You once again realize you’re doomed.

“Yes,” he says innocently. He looks so happy, like a cat getting its chin scratched.

And Julie seems to melt at that, giving a genuine smile.

“Oh Wally,” Julie says, fondly shaking her head. “You’re so smitten! Look at you.”

And he smiles again, giving you a mwah! on the cheek. You’re as red as an apple again.

Julie raises her eyebrows at you. You deadpan at her, still a blushing mess, as you two have a silent conversation through stares alone. Yes, this is how he kisses. No, you two have not actually kissed yet. Now stop staring at me Julie!

Giggling, Julie twirls her dress and clasps her hands together.

“Well! I had come to just ask if Wally wanted to attend Frank’s sleepover party,” Julie explains. “You’re invited too of course! But I see that you two already had a sleepover party…”

“Ah,” you say eloquently. You look at Wally, and he nods at you.

“We’d love to go,” you answer with a smile. Julie jumps on the spot, clapping.

“Wonderful! I’ll see you both there, then! Remember to bring snack and your comfiest pajamas~”

Giggling, you bid farewell to Julie, and she goes hopping in her step. You always wondered how she was always so full of life and energy.

“We get to sleep with each other again!” Wally smiles.

You laugh, albeit warily.

“We’re not sharing a sleeping bag.” “Why not?” His face falls. He looks so genuinely sad. “...”

You sigh, but you do so fondly.

“We can put our sleeping bags next to each other, if you so wish.” “Yay!”

Wally’s smile is dopey, and you melt on the inside. What are you going to do with him, you wonder?

He’ll be the death of you, surely.

* * * * * *

You arrive at the sleepover party together. Wally had insisted on picking you up, and then he held your hand the entire walk to Frank’s house. Him being clingy was cute, you thought. You couldn’t help your dopey smile.

Frank was the one to open the door, and he immediately gave you a sly look. Wally looked a little confused. You, on the other hand, knew that Julie had talked to everyone about this morning by that look alone. Mentally, you prepare yourself for all the incoming teases.

“Welcome, lovebirds,” Frank greets with his stupid sly smile, giving you a wink. Like he had the right to tease you like that. Blushing, you glare daggers at him.

Wally was oblivious to it all the entire time.

“Hello,” Wally greets placidly. Frank closes the door as you both walk inside.

Barnaby, Julie and Poppy are sitting together, playing a board game. They all greet you with cheers, Barnaby throwing a few whistles, because of course he would whistle. You don’t think your blush will ever wear off for the entirety of the party.

Wally greets everyone with his usual friendly smile, while you greet everyone and bear their teasing looks. They’re playing chess, Julie and Poppy going against each other.

“Frank already lost,” Barnaby snickers. Frank only grumbles, crossing his arms, as he swivels his head to the side.

Everyone knows Frank is comically bad at chess. It’s no news, yet it would never stop being funny to everyone.

Slowly, the rest of the guests arrive. First Eddie, apologizing for being so late, but he had a few letters and packages to deliver. Then Sally, bursting with energy as always, taking turns to spin around with everyone, eventually stopping when Frank scolded her for bumping into one of his bookshelves and dropping some of his books.

Howdy, of course, was the last to arrive. He had a shop to run, so it was expected he came in late. Everyone greeted him with enthusiasm, and then you all played some more chess together.

Eventually the moon rose, accompanied by twinkling stars, and you all had to head to sleep. Frank had accommodated his living room to make space for everybody, and you laid your sleeping bag next to Wally’s, as promised.

Since Poppy is big, she laid on the center. For a long while, everyone cuddled around her, like she was a big comfy pillow everyone could rest on. She laughed and took turns hugging everyone, sometimes even singing sweet lullabies.

It was easy to sleep, even with a particular someone cuddling up to your side. It was amusing, you thought as you let your eyes close along with everyone else's.

…

Yet, you found yourself awake.

There was something bothering you in the back of your head, and now that Poppy had stopped singing and the lights were out, it kept you from drifting off to sleep. It became more and more pressing, like an itch you couldn’t help but scratch.

This all seemed so… familiar.

The way everyone was wearing pajamas, with their pillows and sleeping bags. Poppy’s lullabies, the chatter and giddy giggles before going to bed.

But it’s like you had seen this particular scene before, on the outside, not participating. And yet, something was off about the whole thing.

Something was missing.

You can’t recall what it is though. You frown, trying to think more. Whatever could it be? Everyone’s here, and you’re fairly certain no component could be possibly missing. It’s mysterious, and it’s starting to scare you, the thought that something’s wrong, that something isn’t as it should be.

Wally puts his hand on your chest, where your pulse has quickened.

“Is something bothering you?” He whispers. You shake your head.

“Just some silly thoughts,” you confess.

“Do you want help?”

“Now what does that mean…?” You side eye him, and he only wears an innocent smile.

“Just look at me.” 

And then it clicks. You know what Wally means. You remember the first time you had stared back at him, the way the world turned on its axis, the fuzzy feeling in your limbs and heart bringing your mind to a silent serenity. 

My, that was so long ago…

The thought was comforting, in a way. Every other time Wally had taken you by the strings was not something you liked very much, but this time it felt different.

This time, you felt safe. You trust him.

So you turn around, and look into his eyes. He smiles like you just gave him the best present in the world.

Your trust.

And then the world starts losing its color, as Wally’s eyes grow bigger and bigger. You sigh, a strange wave of comfort washing over you as the world fades away. Nothing matters anymore. Just Wally looking at you, exposing the most vulnerable aspects of himself. The world loses its balance, but Wally’s holding your hands now, so you feel safe even as you fall. You feel blissful. Your eyes start getting heavy.

Breathe, Wally says, but he’s not opening his mouth. He’s just talking in your head.

You take a deep breath, and when you exhale, your limbs feel pleasantly tingly, fuzzy, like you’re floating in warm sunlight.

Good, he says. You keep breathing, and the blissful feeling intensifies. You want to keep your eyes open to look at Wally’s, but your eyelids are so heavy now…

Sleep. We’ll see each other tomorrow.

Your eyes gently close as the world keeps spinning. You feel Wally’s hands squeezing yours, and you feel safe when you fall asleep.

* * * * * *

You’re in that house again. The one that you don’t like, the one that makes you feel unsafe. The one you can’t make yourself call home. But there is one thing that always makes you feel comfort, even if it’s small, no matter what you do.

It’s your favorite plushie.

You pause and look at it. It’s purple, or lilac to be more specific. Its pajamas are a variation of oranges and yellows, in stripes. It has a star pin on its wavy hair. You recall always hugging it when you went to sleep.

You’re holding it now, in one of your hands, as you listen to screams through the closed door.

You’re scared again, so you hug your plushie and curl onto yourself.

It’s your mom and your sibling, you realize. They’re fighting again. You’re trying to be good so your mom doesn’t yell at you, too.

“It’s okay,” you hear someone say by your shoulder. “You’ll be okay.”

And then you realize you’re not holding your plushie anymore. Someone is holding you, and you’re hugging them tight. They’re giving you a warm embrace, patting your back gently.

“Let’s go watch the stars. They are far more quiet, haha.”

You found yourself blinking, and seeing the darkness of the sky above you. Had you climbed out your window? You leaned into the warmth next to you. It seemed to sigh fondly.

“There are many constellations in the sky, they are endless. Did you know that?”

You blink a little tiredly. Strangely, this person brings you great comfort, calms you down like no other person has. Well, maybe Wally, you think.

“Who are you?” You can’t help but ask. The figure giggles softly.

“I’m your best friend, silly. Remember?”

And then it clicks, as you slowly lean away and look at this person properly. They’re your plushie. The one that always comforts you when you’re scared, or lonely. The one thing that has kept you happy this whole time.

Your very best friend.

“But,” you ask. “How?”

It doesn’t make any sense. They’re supposed to be a plushie, not a person. How did they come to life?

Were you missing something?

“It’s okay,” they say. “Though, you should be asking that to yourself.”

“What do you mean?” They let out a small sigh, lazily looking up at the sky once more. For a moment or two there was silence, before they looked back at you.

“You come from a place of flesh and blood. You don’t belong in a world made of cotton and thread.”

You frown. Neither of you spoke for a long moment. Fear settles in the center of your chest, because somehow, it makes sense in your head. But you don’t know how.

“What do you mean?” You ask again.

“It’s okay, neighbor,” they say. “I didn’t belong there either.” The small smile on their face turned sad in a way as they held out a hand, presumably to take.

“All roads lead to Home, it is true, but not every home is the same.”

The fear in your chest grows. You start trembling now, the gears in your head trying to make sense of it all. What do those words mean?

“Hm?” The figure looks at you. “You’re anxious again. Let’s count to ten, like we always do.” 

And you remember. They had taught you that, you recall distantly. You recall their fuzzy words as they taught you to count to ten whenever you felt nervous, or scared.

So you follow his lead, and you both count. You take a deep breath, and then you let it out.

“1.”

They gently took your hands in theirs. The fuzzy and soft material they were made out of was familiar, it was frustrating how you knew them but you didn’t. What was their name again? 

“2.”

They held a lazy smile, one that didn’t falter. It reminded you of Wally. Actually, a lot of things about them did. How could they say they didn’t belong? They clearly held all the qualities everyone else did. It was strange. 

“3.”

Your fear started to subside little by little, curiosity with familiarity washing over you as you subconsciously rub your thumb into the felt-made hands of the other. They seemed quietly amused as they didn’t comment on it. 

“4.”

But why did your hands feel so different? You looked down. You had five fingers again, and it felt so strange. Like you were different than them somehow. Almost like you were made of something different, something that wasn’t fuzzy. But how could that be?

“5.”

The wind brushed past you both, and their hair swayed only a little, while yours swayed more. Was it thinner? Observing it now, their hair seemed stitched together…

“6.”

All these little details left you with an itch, and itch to know why. An itch that started to gnaw at your insides. You make eye contact with them again, it was dull. Their eyes were black, two voids looking back at you.

“7.”

The voids weren’t threatening by any means, they were just empty. You wondered why, why did your plush hold such a look? Even now, as they sat before you, they felt stiff. They were loose, and had no defining structure. Why? 

“8.”

Even with no structure, they felt like any other neighbor. So why weren’t they at Home with you?

“9.”

So many questions, so little answers… Why did it have to be this way? You had just cleared the air with Wally, so why now? Why does this have to happen now?

“10.”

You took another deep breath, and admittedly you felt much better. They knew it too, with how their smile deepened and the way they gently squeezed your hands before letting go.

“You’ll wake up soon.”

Right. This was a dream. Or was it a nightmare? You can’t tell anymore.

“How come you’re not with us?” You can’t help but ask.

“Script changes happen all the time, Star.”

You frown. What do they mean by that? They know you’re confused, you can tell, but they only smile at you.

“Go home,” they say. “Go to your real home.”

And you freeze, because you know. You know you come from elsewhere, but what little you remember makes you want to stay Home so much more than leaving.

Their smile looks sad again, like they know what you’re thinking.

“One deserves to live a life without strings. You shouldn’t let yourself be strung along into the illusion.” They stood up and pulled you up with them. Then, they motioned to the sky.

“A star should be up there, free amongst the cosmos. You should be able to shine.” Then they turned to you, “You may not understand now, but you’re smart, I know you’ll find your way home.” Their gaze softened, “Love is only good when it’s not puppeteered.”

And that makes your heart hurt.

Before you have any more time to process things, your sight gets blurry. You hear noises, noises that you know don’t belong to your dream. Voices, hushed whispers. Your best friend looks up at the sky with another sad smile.

“It’s time to go,” they say. “It’s okay. You’ll find your way home.”

But you don’t want to go. They’re your best friend. You’ll miss them so much.

“Tell me your name,” you beg. But they only shake their head.

“You’ll remember,” they say, and sadness engulfs you even more. And just as they said, when you’re about to wake up, you remember.

Rainy.

[mrs-han]

Happy early birthday! Can you do the fake dating trope? For Jumin, definitely🥰

✨✨SISSI!!!✨✨

OUU, I LOVE THIS TROPE. I was too shy to write it cuz there are so many BRILLIANT renditions, but I’ll try!!

(I’m totally still working on your first ask, too >w<)

“Your mother is coming to visit?

Furiously rubbing his temples, Jumin grunted an affirmation. You had never seen him in such a state; it was very… un-Jumin-like of him to show an ounce of anxiety.

“She sent this. You can read it, if you like.” Sliding a thick paper your way, you pushed your hair back and started reading.

Jumin couldn’t help but smirk at your expressions — how they went from curious, to skeptical, to horrified.

“Jumin, she… she’s terminally ill…?”

“… It seems so.”

The nonchalant tone in his voice sparked something in you. Forcing the letter down, you pressed both palms against his mahogany desk. “How could you be so uncaring? This is your mother, not some stranger from off the street, Jumin.”

Jumin stared at you. Something inexplainable in his eyes — a flash of unknown darkness — made you stand down.

“Is it so important to you that I meet with her?” Jumin asked, drumming his fingers anxiously against the letter.

“… Well…” you clasped his hand, stilling his jittery movements. “As your friend? Yes. You do for family.”

His long lashes covered the conflicting look in his eyes. “All right. I’ll do it.”

You moved to release his hand, surprised he allowed you to hold onto him for this long. But you remembered something — something you had skimmed over previously. Snatching the letter, you began to read it again.

“No, I’m not engaged to anyone from the Christopher family.”

“… Okay, how did you know I was looking for that.”

“You are incredibly easy to read,” Jumin sighed. “Your eyes speak before your mouth moves.”

“… Nu-uh,” you murmured under your breath.

Pressing his tense back against the chair, Jumin closed his eyes. “I had forgotten who that family was until today. I certainly didn’t know I was engaged to any of them.”

Your eyes grew. “Did your mother arrange it when you were little?”

“She did so many things,” Jumin replied, his voice an octave above a whisper. “I originally had plans to get out of meeting with her, but.” His intense gaze in your direction nearly made you blush.

“Oh, come on. How bad could it be, Jumin?”

“You don’t know my mother the way I do.” Long fingers began fiddling with his tie pin. “Do you remember, when we met, you expressed that I was a hard-ass, or a tough, demanding, and uncompromising person according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary?”

“… Yeah?”

“She is 1⁄1,000,000 times worse.”

Your eyes darted.

“She is worse.” Despite the situation, Jumin couldn’t help but notice how often he was grinning.

Specifically in your direction.

“Yikes,” you whistled, resting your chin in your hand.

Silence lingered… until you slammed your hand against the desk. “I have an idea.”

Eyes glancing from the table to your hand, Jumin suppressed another laugh upon noticing you were barely holding in your discomfort. “Yes, well?”

“Stay with me, here. What if I pretended to be your fiancée? That way, your mom won’t pressure you into marrying that Christopher chick!”

Jumin’s head rose slowly, steel-gray eyes trained on you the entire time. His face was illegible… it always was. Your nerves kicked in, but you proceeded confidently.

“There’s no harm in it! I’ll dress up, drape myself over your arm, make a nice show of it, and that’ll be —”

“No.”

You deflated. “… But I wasn’t done.”

“No.” Standing quickly, Jumin stepped down from his desk and moved to fetch a hidden bottle of whiskey.

Your cheeks flushed and your heart hammered recklessly in your chest — had Jumin just rejected you? Granted, the situation was a hypothetical one, but still…

Your feet remained planted on the floor; you felt ashamed to move, wanting the tile to open up and eat you alive. You inhaled “I mean, I know I’m not heiress material, but… I was just trying to help, I guess.”

Jumin set his glass down. “Wait, that’s not what I meant at all.” Nearly tripping over his loafers, Jumin rushed to your side, gripping your chin “Listen to me. My mother is a ruthless woman. Very cruel. She will go out of her way to insult you, even if all that is left of you is a coffin in the ground. I can’t expose such a person to you.”

You took a deep, calming breath. So that’s what it was. “Jumin, I’m grown. Besides, you’ll be with me, so it’s not like I’m gonna be left alone with her!”

Fingers pressing into your cheeks a little too much, Jumin’s eyes searched yours. “Why would you do this for me?”

With puckered lips, you answered as best you could. “Cu-th yerr mah fwen.”

Releasing you, Jumin dug for his handkerchief and blotted the spit on your lip. “That’s right. We are friends, aren’t we.”

“And since I consider the RFA to be family, you’re family too! And you do for family!”

Jumin raised his brows, unenthused. “… Great. Then. I’ll have clothes sent to your apartment for you to try. Feel free to express your opinions freely to me tonight, as I’ll be picking you up for a session on tea.”

“Oh, because your family loves brewing tea, right?”

“Correct. How comfortable do you feel in stilettos?”

“… Uh…”

“No harm in trying them, then.” As Jumin tapped delivery instructions onto his keypad at a furious pace, you reached for a chocolate candy from a tiny bowl on his desk, unwrapped it, and popped it into your mouth.

You did not expect for Jumin to grab your hand with a touch more tender than the cut of beef you ate the night of the party. “Mm — Jumin!?”

He lowered his head, warm lips pressing a kiss onto the back of your hand. You were in too much shock to register that he had placed another kiss on your knuckles.

You were still in a state of shock, the chocolate dangling on your tongue as Jumin leaned in, his chest barely touching your own as he swept your hair back with deft fingers.

The same lips that that had kissed your hand were now pressed against your ear; Jumin exhaled, the very sound frightening and exciting you. “Then. I’ll see you later, my dear.”

You had no time to react; Jumin pulled away just as quickly as he had moved in, throwing his jacket on and leaving the office.

You shoved more chocolates into your mouth and prepped yourself to follow suit. If this was what it was like being engaged to Jumin, then… well… there was no harm in liking it a little.

OKIE, imma have to break this down into parts cuz the idea I have is pretty substantial. I don’t want Tumblr to yell at me like HRRBLRR, LIMIT REACHED.

Hope you liked dis first part!! and omg I swear I will continue writing this. I suck at writing parts, but imma DO DIS.

[keepswingin]

Felix + level

"We're circling," Minho deadpans as they curve around another corner to end up at the same dead-end they've hit three times in a row now, revealing that the building they're in is obviously shifting with their every step.

Ignoring him, Felix continues forward, resting both of his palms against the wall and pushing as hard as he can.

Minho watches silently from behind him, a part of him wondering if they're wasting time. He wasn't aware of any timer, and from what they discovered, the only clear thing about each of these puzzles was that the rules were laid out fully before starting.

If there was a timer, it would have been stated. But it wasn't, and Felix keeps pushing against the wall like it will do something, and Minho watches him try until he can't watch anymore. 

"Come on Lix," he finally says, taking a step and squeezing gently at the curve of his shoulder. Felix slowly stills, and for a moment, everything around them is silent. Minho still remembers when there used to be screams, but not anymore, not when they're close to being the only ones left. "We should keep moving." 

His fingers slide away as he turns, peering down the long hallway behind them. They tried right, left, and forwards, but they haven't directly tried going backwards.

Maybe that was the hidden key? Or maybe he was just desperate, and worried, when it came to Felix. They've been at this for so long now. How much longer would they both be able to go before they finally broke?

"Maybe we should just stay here," Felix mutters, and Minho hears the sound of his shoe scuffing against the wall as he kicks it. He turns in time to stop him from punching it next, two hands wrapped around his elbow. 

"Hey, don't do that," he rebukes, tugging him back a few steps. It's easy to do when they have no more muscle left to resist with. "It's okay." 

Felix's eyes are lit ablaze when he meets them, anger straightening his spine and balling his fists. "None of this is okay!" he yells, jaw tight. "How long have we been here?" he asks, ripping his arm from Minho's hold. Minho refuses to answer, lips pressed in a firm line. The silence stretches, and stretches some more. Felix stares at him until he's deflating, the truth shivering down his spine. "You don't know, do you?"

"How would I, Lix?" Minho answers quietly, eyes flicking to the blank walls that encase them like a tomb. "It's not like they tell us." 

Another silence. Minho's starting to hate it. 

"I want to go home." 

"I know," Minho whispers, reaching out and grabbing at his wrist, gently beginning to pull him back. "I'm sorry." 

Felix allows himself to be pulled, and Minho takes them back to the intersection. He looks down each branching hallway, before settling on the way they originally came from.

It has to be it.

"Come on," he tells him, grip still tight on his skin. He's afraid that if he lets him go, he won't see him again.

"Do you miss him?"

Minho freezes. Squeezes his eyes shut. Exhales. 

"We need to move," he deflects, tugging him towards the path less traveled. Felix doesn't say anything else.

Minho doesn't think there's anything left to say.