#but anyways yeah its chill over here. or. as chaotic as usual anyway. either/or

[theladyofdeath]

The Ranch {10}

An A Court of Thorns and Roses, Nesta x Cassian, Modern AU, fanfiction.

Collaboration: @throne-of-ashes-and-beauty​ x @tacmc​

Summary: Nesta had spent years in Paris, living her dream and drowning in riches as a gourmet chef, capturing the hearts of the city and its people. But, after her father passes away unexpectedly and leaves his cozy, countryside B&B to his oldest daughter, Nesta is moving back home to the tiny town of Velaris, where the ranch, her sisters, and her father’s unfulfilled dream, awaits.

Sidenote: Being posted between two blogs, it is too chaotic to keep up with a tags list, so all chapters will be tagged with “#TheRanchNessian” & “#SharaCollab”.

A/N: enjoy!

The Ranch Masterlist

Cassian threw open the closet in the bedroom of his cabin. Sure, he’d spent quite a bit of time on minuscule dates and hanging out at the bar through the years, but it had been a while since he’d taken a woman out on a proper date.

And here he was, about to take Nesta, a fucking gourmet chef, to dinner. With an hour before he was supposed to “pick her up”, he still had no idea where they were going. He’d run through the list of restaurants in their little town a hundred times through his head as he went through his work that day, but none of them seemed good enough.

What also didn’t seem good enough were the shirts he was staring at. Maybe he’d just stay in what he was already wearing - the towel around his waist. She seemed to prefer him in such, anyways, considering the night they had spent together the day before.

And what a damn fantastic night it had been.

No, Cassian wanted their date to be perfect.

Once again, he stared at the line of shirts hanging in his closet.

He groaned and dragged his hand down his face before he walked across the room and texted Elain.

You busy?

He waited a minute, no reply to his text, and he was both impatient and short on time.

So he called her.

“You couldn’t even wait for me to text you back and tell you that I’m not busy?” Her voice was full of laughter as she answered the phone.

“Sort of in a rush and also freaking out,” he said, beginning to pace.

She was instantly on red alert. “What? Why? Are you okay?”

He shook his head, realizing he’d worried her for no reason. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m taking your sister out on a date tonight and I have no idea what to wear.”

He was met with silence on the other line.

“Elain?”

“I’m here, I’m...trying to make sense of what you just said.” She stuttered a second. “You said you’re taking Nesta on a date tonight?”

“Yes.”

“My sister, Nesta?”

“Yes,” Cassian said, with no chill. “And I’m in a hurry.”

“Taking Nesta out makes you cranky,” Elain muttered. “Okay, I’m here, what is it you need?”

“I don’t know what to wear.”

Another stretch of silence. 

Cassian sighed, impatiently. “Elain.”

“Sorry,” she said, tone laced with laughter. “I just...You’re worried about what you’re going to wear?”

“Everything I have looks the same,” he mumbled. 

“Then wear one of your fifty plaid shirts,” she laughed. “And your one pair of nice jeans.”

“Really?” He asked, grabbing one of his more expensive shirts from the closet. “But I wear this every day-.”

“She’s seen you everyday and has she ever had a problem with it?” she interrupted.

“I- No,” he admitted. “What kind of food does she like? I asked her to dinner and then I realized that she’s a chef and that nothing around here would be up to her standards.”

Elain paused, but finally said, “Do you trust me?”

Cassian hesitated, unable to hide the question in his voice. “Usually?”

She chuckled. “I’m going to send you an address. Don’t look it up, just trust me, okay?”

He blinked. Well, it was a better idea than he had. “Okay, sure. Yeah, I won’t look it up.”

Elain squealed. “Yay! Alright, stand by. I’ll text it to you now.”

Cassian breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Lainy, you have no idea how grateful I am.”

He could tell she was being genuine when she said, “Anything I can do to help! You both deserve to be happy, to have someone to cherish you and treat you right.” She sighed. “How’d you convince her to finally go out with you?”

Cassian debated on beating around the bush, but knew their families would find out anyways. “We, uh, sort of hooked up last night.”

Not to his surprise, he was met with more silence.

This time, Cassian waited it out. He put his phone on speaker then dropped his towel.

“And by hooked up, you mean…”

“Sex?” Cassian supplied, pulling on his boxers. “Yeah, and it was-.”

“I don’t wanna know.” The words rushed out of Elain so quickly that Cassian knew her cheeks were turning pink.

Cassian chuckled. “Fine. But, it was nice.”

“Were you drunk?” Elain asked, hesitantly.

Cassian rolled his eyes. “No. And she was still there when I woke up this morning, so.”

“Wow, I-.” She paused and repeated, “Wow. You know you’re supposed to take her out before you sleep with her, right?”

“Oh, ha ha.” He said, stepping into his jeans and buttoning them up. His voice was wistful at first. “I can’t help it, I just had to have her. And she actually made the move this time, not me.”

“I still don’t want to know,” she said, laughing. “Have fun, make good choices.”

“I’ll try,” he promised before saying goodbye and tossing the phone onto his bed. A moment later, when he was buttoning up his shirt, her text came through with an address.

He had no idea where she was sending them, and he was almost too scared to look it up, even if he hadn’t promised. After brushing out his hair with his fingers, he tied it at the back of his head and pulled on some socks, then his boots, and sighed.

“Beau!”

Beau came hurrying into the bedroom and up onto the bed, wagging his tail.

“How do I look?” Cassian asked, brows raised.

Beau barked.

“I assume that means you approve. Alright,” he said, grabbing his wallet off his nightstand and shoving it into his pocket. “I’ll be back in a little while. Don’t chew up anything...that’s not already chewed up, okay?”

He gave Beau a quick belly rub before strutting toward the front door.

He grabbed his keys and drove over to Nesta’s, hopping out and knocking on her door.

It only took a second for the door to swing open and Cassian’s mouth began to water.

The blue dress she wore was nothing fancy. On the contrary, it was its simplicity that let Nesta’s beauty shine.

Her golden-brown hair was in a simple braid, her brown sandals showing off her painted toenails. A soft pink, the same shade she wore on her full, beautiful lips.

She raised her brows as she said, “You’re staring. You’ve seen me every day for a while now. You can’t stare.”

“I can and I will,” he protested, meeting her eyes. “And it’s not the first time I’ve been caught staring at you.”

Nesta rolled her eyes as she grabbed her bag off the hook by the door. “Where are you taking me?”

She stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind her as he hesitated. “Uh, it’s a surprise.” To us both.

She laughed quietly but said nothing more as they descended the stairs. Cassian opened the passenger side door and held out his hand to help her up, but she ignored it and hauled herself inside. With a chuckle, Cassian closed the door behind her and made his way behind the wheel before making his way down the long driveway.

Once they were out onto the main road, Cassian said, “You look beautiful.”

She didn’t look over at him as a small smile played on those pink lips. “Thanks. You don’t look too bad, either.”

Cassian grinned and turned on the radio, soft music filling the truck. He had already put the address into his GPS, but kept the volume down. He glanced at his phone every few seconds to make sure he was going the right way. The last thing he wanted was for Nesta to ask why he needed directions to know where they were going. What would his reply be? Oh, I called your sister because I was freaking the fuck out, thanks for asking, no big deal.

It was a conversation he wanted to avoid.

“What all did you do today?” he asked. “I didn’t see you around.”

“I was in the main house, prepping for painting,” she said, nodding. “That place needs to be updated before any guests start coming in. So, I taped, covered the carpets in plastic, and moved all furniture to the middle of the floors. Which, I should probably get a few new things there, too. I swear we grew up on shit made in the 1950s.”

Cassian snorted, then looked her direction. “You should’ve asked for help. I could’ve helped with the heavy lifting.”

She rolled her eyes. “I am perfectly capable of doing things on my own, thank you.”

Cassian shook his head as his eyes went back on the road ahead of him. “Trust me, I know.”

Her amused grin was radiant. “What about you? Any fun ranch stuff today?”

“Ranch stuff?” He chuckled. At her own laughter, he continued, “Nothing too crazy. Mostly made sure there was enough hay left for the horses over the weekend. And checked on Barb. She’ll be having her calf any day.”

“What? Really?” She turned to him. “It’s way too late in the year for calves.”

He nodded. “Yeah, that’s why I’m keeping such a close eye on her.”

His phone lit up, alerting him that they were approaching their destination. He looked around and chuckled, shaking his head. Leave it to Elain.

He pulled into the little parking lot of an old diner. The sign that read The Starlight Diner was lit up in neon lights. He parked in front of the little building before looking at Nesta to see her reaction.

She was staring at the diner before she turned to him. “You talked to my sister, didn’t you?”

Cassian hesitated, and she laughed. “We used to go here all the time,” she said, shaking her head. “I used to love this place. I can’t tell you how many milkshakes I’ve downed within these walls. And the chili cheese fries? I mean, there’s nothing like them.” 

Cassian had been to the diner before, but not since high school. It used to be a popular hangout, one they went to after they won a big game or smoked too much pot under the bleachers.

“So you’re telling me,” Cassian began, turning off the engine. “That a woman who became a famous chef in Paris likes to go to ancient diners and drink milkshakes and eat chili-cheese fries?”

“Yes,” she said, simply. Then she smiled, softly. “Shall we?”

Cassian, completely speechless and a little bit turned on, opened his door and met her on her side of the truck as she got out. They went inside and sat at a table by the window. Old music was playing and waitresses were going about their business on roller skates. 

“So, I assume you already know what you want,” Cassian began, flipping open his menu. “And I assume it’s more than a milkshake and chili-cheese fries.”

Nesta was glancing around the restaurant, looking for someone or something, but she didn’t miss a beat when she answered. “Bacon cheeseburger, with extra pickles, chili-cheese fries, vanilla milkshake, with no cherry, and a water.”

He raised an eyebrow, and let his menu fall shut. “I know what I’m ordering.” She laughed and he felt like his heart was going to burst. The sound of her laughter was quickly becoming one of his favorite things. “So why no cherry? Are allergic, or what?”

She scrunched her nose as she moved the silverware around in front of her. “I used to drink the Shirley Temples made with the cheap grenadine. You know the one that’s pretty much just cherry snow-cone syrup?”

Their server came to the table at that moment and took their drink order. They both know what they wanted, but neither was in a rush. She promised to return with their waters and to get their food order in just a moment and they fell right back into conversation.

“Long story short, one night we went to dinner and I had four or five of them.” She laughed and shook her head. “Neither mom or dad noticed how many I’d had, which was awesome to me. I was only allowed to have two before I had to switch to water. When we got home, I got so, so sick. They freaked out because it was dark red and they thought I was bleeding internally.” She began laughing even harder. “Neither of them told me that was what they were worried about, and I wasn’t about to tell on myself. They took me to the hospital and I finally told one of the nurses. Nineteen years and a sixteen hundred dollar hospital bill later, and I hate cherry and cherry flavoring now.”

Cassian just stared at her, barely registering when the waitress came back and gave them their waters. And then he began howling.

The waitress looked at him like he was crazy and mumbled that she’d be back in just a minute for their orders.

“So you were a rebellious child,” Cassian said, laughter dying down but his smile remaining.

“Considering that’s the most rebellious thing I’d ever done, I’d say not,” Nesta said, chuckling. “No, Feyre was the rebellious one, which I’m sure you already know. Elain was the perfect one. And I….I don’t know. I was just there.”

“That’s impossible,” Cassian said. “Give yourself a little more credit.”

She shrugged, and a shadowy look crossed her face that had Cassian clearing his throat. “Well, you didn’t miss out on rebellion. Coming from someone who landed himself in the local jail fifteen times his senior year in high school, alone.”

That look in Nesta’s eyes faded as she shook her head, humored. “Fifteen times? In under a year?”

“Yeah, I swear at some point the cops just started following me when they were bored until I did something they could call me out on,” he laughed. It was a little town. The crime rate was low. “Shoplifting a few times. Mostly underage drinking. One time they caught me peeing into the dumpster behind the corner market. Which, I was drunk then, too….Actually, that night was rough.”

Nesta laughed as she rolled her eyes. “Good thing to know such a classy man has taken me to dinner.”

Cassian’s grin widened. “You live, you learn.”

Nesta nodded her agreement. “What about your parents? Weren’t they furious?”

Cassian’s eyes softened as he said, “Don’t know my dad. My mom died while I was in middle school, lived with Rhys and his mom after that. And, yes, she gave me hell every damn time. But, she always came to pick me up and break me out.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said, but he was already waving her off.

“Don’t be,” he shrugged. “From what my mom told me of my dad, he wasn’t the greatest guy. Found out she was pregnant from one of his friends and skipped town. He was a bull rider, and he jumped on the rodeo tour and she never saw him again. And my mom…” he blew out a deep breath. “We should probably save my mom for a less depressing conversation.”

Nesta nodded, completely understanding.

“But Rhys’ mom was great,” he went on, taking a sip from his water. “I love that woman.”

The waitress came back and Nesta ordered.

Cassian said he’d have the same, but with a chocolate shake, then she was off.

“So,” Cassian went on, leaning his elbows on the table. “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”

Nesta took a moment to think. “After last night, I think you know everything there is to know.”

Cassian smirked. “About some things, maybe. But tell me something I don’t.”

Nesta chewed on her lip, mind going completely blank. Everything either seemed too personal or not personal enough.

“I can’t whistle,” She laughed, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know, this is one of the things I hate about dating. This whole interview process.”

“How about this,” he smiled. “Tell me about your favorite thing in the world.”

He was expecting her to start telling him about cooking, about how she’d ended up in Paris, Rome, London, all the places he’d seen when he did a quick google of her name. But she surprised him.

“Riding horseback,” she said, eyes bright. 

Cassian raised a brow. “Riding? That’s your favorite thing in the world?”

“Does that surprise you?” She asked, leaning back in the booth.

“Yeah, a little,” he confessed.

She stirred her water with her straw, watching the ice cubes spin around in her glass. “It was my one escape growing up. The one thing I could do that didn’t result in a sneer from my mother and a lecture about my future from my father.” She sighed. “I used to ride Phoenix for hours to just...get out of the house. Have you ever ridden back on the hills to the west of the property?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You mean the property that isn’t ours, that’s marked No Trespassing?”

Their waitress brought their milkshakes to the table. There was a bright red cherry on top of Nesta’s, but before she could say anything, Cassian snatched it up and popped it into his mouth. She rolled her eyes, thanked the waitress, and took a huge sip. Her eyes slipped closed instantly and she moaned quietly. “Oh my god, I can’t get a milkshake like this anywhere else.”

She opened her eyes to find him watching her, and when her tongue peeked out to get the little bit of melted ice cream left on her bottom lip, his eyes tracked the motion. They were dark, the shining hazel almost completely swallowed by his pupils.

Without a word, Cassian pulled something from between his teeth and dropped it on the table between them.

The stem from her stolen cherry was tied in a knot.

Nesta said, “That’s both hot and cheesy as hell.”

Cassian’s low laugh skittered across her skin. “You already know what my tongue can do, but I thought I’d give you a little reminder, just in case you somehow forgot already.”

Nesta swallowed. No, she definitely hadn’t forgotten what his perfect mouth could do, but she had forgotten how to speak, especially when he was looking at her the way he was.

He plucked the cherry from his own milkshake, eating the cherry - sans stem, this time - and motioned for Nesta to continue. “So, what about the land that we do not own, Miss I was never rebellious?”

His imitation of her was spot on.

Nesta pursed her lips and said, “Yeah, that land is ours.”

He dropped his spoon, splattering the table in chocolate ice cream droplets. “What?”

She took another drink of her milkshake, not moaning this time, thank the Cauldron, and nodded. “It’s only another few acres. I knew the previous owners. Armand and Colette Lavigne.” The way she said their names, with such familiarity and adoration, Cassian knew she must have spent a lot of time with them. “They were from the Bordeaux region of France. They moved here in their fifties to open a vineyard.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “They didn’t do any research and had no idea the soil here wasn’t good for wine. But they fell in love with the area. And they’re the ones who taught me to love cooking.” She smiled fondly, her eyes misting slightly. “I bought it when Colette passed a few years ago and Armand returned to Floirac. He didn’t want it to go to someone who would just sell it for profit and turn it into another apartment complex or a shopping mall. It's been my land for about four years, but I finally signed the deed to have it put in my name, rather than Armand’s, when I signed the ranch’s deeds.”

Cassian blinked, processing the information, slowly. Then he said, loudly enough to earn a scowl from the elderly couple two booths down, “What the fuck? I’ve been purposely avoiding that land, and now you’re telling me I should’ve been working it?”

Nesta rolled her eyes. “No. Not yet, anyway. I haven’t decided  what I want to do with it yet.”

Cassian was slowly shaking his head. “I have a feeling you’re never going to stop surprising me.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” She asked.

He smiled at her. “No, it isn’t.”

They fell into a comfortable silence. Nesta finally asked, “Have you even tried your milkshake yet, or are you just going to keep stirring it?”

He pointed his sticky spoon at her and took a big sip through his straw. He pulled back, staring at the thick liquid. “That’s pretty damn good.”

“Pretty damn good?” She repeated, shaking her head. “It’s fucking delicious.”

“You’re fucking delicious,” he muttered, taking another drink from his straw.

Nesta’s cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, which only made Cassian's small smile turn into a wicked grin.

Before she could come up with a retort, a display of beautiful, greasy food was laid out before them. Burgers and chili-cheese fries.

As the waitress turned to leave, Nesta said, “Excuse me, but is Alis still here?”

“Oh, no, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” she said, and Nesta nodded. “She’ll be back in for the morning shift tomorrow, though.”

“Okay, perfect. Thank you.”

The woman smiled warmly and left them to enjoy their burgers.

“Alis?” Cassian asked, eyeing the massive plate of food in front of him and its twin in front of Nesta, then her tiny form. There was no way she’d be able to eat everything in front of her.

Nesta already had a forkful of hot, cheesy fries and was diving in. She closed her eyes and made a contented noise. She took a drink of her water, setting it down before answering. “She owns the Starlight. I came here so much that she and I became pretty close. When I…” Ran away. “Left town, I stopped in for a cup of coffee, trying to talk myself out of leaving. Alis is the one who pushed me to follow my dreams. She even paid for my bus ticket out of town.”

“Really?” Cassian asked, popping a fry into his mouth. “She sounds nice.”

“She is,” Nesta agreed. “One of the best this town has to offer. Now, look away because I’m about to bite into this burger and it’s not going to be attractive whatsoever.”

Cassian didn’t look away and Nesta, eyes on his, took a massive bite out of her bacon cheese burger.

He blinked, and she covered her mouth as her eyes lit up at his expression.

“I can honestly say I’ve never been so attracted to you,” he said, taking his burger into his hands. Before he took a bite, he asked, “So, Alis is the one that pushed you out of town, huh?”

Nesta nodded, taking another bite and swallowing before saying, “If it wasn’t for her that day, I probably would have stayed here, ended back up with Tomas, and lived to regret every fucking day that followed. So, I am very grateful to Alis.”

Cassian hadn’t pressed Nesta anymore on the subject of Tomas, and he knew now wasn’t the time, no matter how many questions he had.

“Well, then I’m grateful to her too,” Cassian said, taking a bite so massive nearly half of his burger disappeared. He chewed before saying, “Although I’m pretty grateful you came back, too.”

Nesta took another bite of her own burger. “You’re just saying that because I’ll have sex with you,” she laughed and dove back into her fries.

Cassian’s eyes lit up in amusement. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perk. But I think you’re going to be good for the b-n-b, for the ranch as a whole.” Nesta’s eyes softened and she smiled. Until he added, “And ‘I’ll have sex’ implies that we’ll be doing that again, right? That wasn’t a one and done?”

Nesta rolled her eyes, mouth full of food. A second later, she said, “I’ll have to think about it.”

Cassian had the audacity to look offended. “Ouch. Was I so bad?”

Nesta just grinned as she took another bite of her fries.

Cassian’s laughter filled the air as they finished their food. He paid, and then they made their way back into the truck.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said, as they pulled out of the parking lot. To his surprise, she had finished every last bite of her food and downed her milkshake. Even Cassian had left a few fries, claiming he couldn’t eat another bite.

“Anytime,” he said, meaning it.

“Um, home is the other direction,” she said, when he turned left onto the main road instead of right. 

“I know,” Cassian replied, shortly, and when it was obvious he wasn’t going to say anything more, Nesta shot him a look.

“Where are we going?” she asked, slowly.

Cassian just grinned, one hand on the wheel, the other sneaking over the middle console to hers.

The ride was comfortably quiet, the rumble of Cassian’s truck the only sound. Nesta didn’t mind though, not as he drove through the square, where people bustled about. Velaris was a city best enjoyed at night, and the people milling around every restaurant and park and store front proved it. She also didn’t mind the feel of his hand in hers, so the longer drive was fine by her.

Until they pulled into a parking lot.

“Why are we here?”

Cassian only grinned and hopped out of the truck, rounding the hood and helping Nesta down. “Don’t feel like a walk down memory lane?” They began to walk and, as casually as she could, she slipped her hand back into his. His fingers intertwined with hers and he glanced down at her. She was staring forward, refusing to look up at him, but he knew color was staining her cheeks. Could tell by the way the tips of her ears were a darker shade of pink than normal. “I thought, rather than talk about who we are, cause that always sucks and no one likes doing it-.” He was rambling and Nesta giggled. He laughed at himself and cleared his throat. “Right. What I was trying to say, is that talking about who you are sucks. But talking about who you used to be? I don’t know, for me, it’s always been easier.” Nesta looked up at him, but he shrugged and carried on. “Even if I wasn’t always proud of who I was, I can at least learn something from who I’ve been.”

“Fair enough,” she said, quietly, as he led the way.

They were at their old high school, but Cassian didn’t walk toward the building, which was undoubtedly locked. Instead, he took her to the football field, where Nesta could count on one hand how many times she had been there through the four years she had spent at Velaris High.

“You played football?” She asked, as they walked through the gates. 

“I did,” Cassian confirmed, as they walked onto the green field. Velaris Knights was painted into the end zones. “Yeah, I tackled a lot of guys on these fields. And, over there,” he pointed to the bleachers, “is where I used to get high and drunk, referring back to the jail conversation we had earlier tonight.”

Nesta laughed as she looked around. She had never been on the field before. Everything looked different from standing between the bleachers.

“You came to games, right?” He asked, gazing around the field. The lights were on, thanks to the evening practice that had only ended an hour or two before. The lights ran on a timer, just like they had when he played on this field. They had until just before ten-thirty before the lights would go out.

Nesta shook her head. “I was never a big fan of school events. I always preferred to stay home and read or more often than not, I was with Tomas. Going to some roping.”

There he was again, taunting Cassian from the past. But again, he wouldn’t bring up Tomas tonight. “Wasn’t Elain a cheerleader? Didn’t you come to at least support her?”

She shrugged. “Come cheer on the cheerleader? No, and she knew I hated it. She would actually convince Feyre to go to the games so I could have an hour or two of silence.”

Cassian snorted. “Well, I lived on this field. And I kicked ass. While you were being a nerd, apparently.”

Nesta’s eyes narrowed. “I was not a nerd, asshole.”

Cassian held his hands up in surrender. “I never said it was a bad thing.”

Nesta couldn’t help but laugh as she shook her head. “Looking back, I would’ve done some things differently. Maybe not the staying home with a book, but with the whole Tomas business.”

Cassian stayed silent. He wanted so badly to ask, but knew he shouldn’t. They were having such a good time. He didn’t want to ruin it.

So, instead, Cassian said, “I wish I would’ve known you then.”

She chuckled but sat down when they reached the center of the field. “No, I don’t think you do.”

He followed suit, sitting down in the turf leaning back on his hands. “Why not?”

“It was true, what you said before. I constantly had a stick up my ass.” She laughed and continued. “And I was a bitch.”

Cassian laughed, but he didn’t correct her. “You were cute, though. I’m convinced I would have loosened you up.”

Nesta shook her head, unable to stop her smile from spreading. “I’ll let you think that.”

Cassian looked over at her, at the way her golden-brown hair shone in the lights. She was a beauty, and yes, she had been cute in high school, but now she was stunning, in her little blue dress and her simple braid.

“You’re staring again,” she mumbled.

“Let me stare,” he pleaded, eyes soft.

She blushed and he leaned over, tilting her chin up and softly brushing his lips against hers. When he pulled away, he whispered, “Please tell me I can do that whenever I want now.”

Nesta thoughtfully tapped her chin and said, “Whenever? I don’t know about that.”

“Damn you, woman,” he laughed and kissed her again, laying down on top of her.

She chuckled against his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck. “We’re not kids anymore, Cassian, we can’t fuck on the football field. Just because you like being tossed in jail doesn’t mean that I do.”

He grinned, resting his elbows in the grass on both sides of her face. “I’ll be nice, I promise.”

She kissed him then, tugging on his bottom lip with her teeth. “Good.”

“Until you did that…” he muttered, kissing her again, pressing his body down against hers as he did so.

She let his hands roam her body, let him grab and squeeze and pull. He tugged on her hair lightly, tilting her chin up and exposing her neck. He nuzzled his face into it, and lightly ran his tongue along the long column of her throat. He pressed soft kisses along her jaw until he returned once more to her lips.

Pulling back to look at her, her lips swollen from his bruising kisses and her hair a messy halo around her head on the grass, Cassian brushed a thumb along her cheekbone. He breathed, “You are so damn beautiful.” She blushed and tried to turn from his gaze. “No,” he whispered, gripping her chin so she couldn’t look away. “Why do you do that? Why won’t you let me tell you how beautiful you are?” He asked, quietly.

“Taking compliments isn’t one of my strengths,” she said, running her hands down his arms, feeling his muscles beneath the fabric.

“Well make it one,” he mumbled, “because I’m not going to stop. I’m going to tell you how beautiful you are, always, because it’s the truth.”

She shook her head, slowly, but didn’t say anything else. She simply grabbed him by the face and brought his lips to hers.

After a few minutes of languid kisses, and some strong, strong willpower, Cassian rolled over and laid on his back, staring up at the sky. He tucked a hand behind his head and the other found Nesta’s next to him. His thumb rubbed small circles on the back of her hand and he gazed up at the stars.

It was quiet for a few minutes, neither one of them wanting to disturb the stillness. But eventually, Nesta asked, “You about ready to head home?”

He turned his head and looked at her, those stormy eyes seeing every part of him. “Just a minute. It’s almost time.”

Her brow furrowed. “For what?”

He smiled, looking back to the sky. “You’ll see.”

They laid there in silence, Nesta loving the feeling of his hand in hers.

The lights shut off, plunging the field into darkness. Nesta started, looking around, wondering if they needed to go, to get back to the truck, before someone-.

“Look,” he breathed, still staring upwards.

Nesta gazed toward the sky. Her breath caught in her throat.

The lights above them, surrounding the field, had gone off, and the starlight above them burned brightly, lighting up the night sky.

There were no trees, no nothing to block the view of the series of shooting stars that shot across the speckled darkness.

Only in Velaris.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. She had always known her hometown was famous for its starlight, had always snuck a glance or two up at the night sky throughout her childhood, but had never taken a moment to simply watch, to wait, to explore with her eyes the beauty of creation.

“It is,” Cassian agreed, softly. He wasn’t only talking about the night sky. “I used to lay out here all the time, in high school. Captivated by it.”

“Were you high?” Nesta asked, quietly, jabbing him in the ribs.

Cassian laughed, breathlessly. “Sometimes.”

She glanced over at him, but he didn’t notice. He was entranced by the wonder before him, by the sheer enormity of the sight above him.

“You love this town,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.

He nodded and looked over at her. “I do. It’s not much, but it’s...home. I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else.” He paused. “Well, except on the road, but that didn’t exactly pan out.”

“Why not?” She asked, before she could stop herself.

Cassian hesitated. “It’s a long story.”

“Is it?” She asked. “Or is this one of those times you say it’s a long story because you don’t want to tell the story.”

Cassian laughed, glancing sideways at her. “Maybe a little bit of both.”

“Well,” she said, smiling softly. “I have time.”

He tried not to let it sound harsh when he said, “Another time.” He turned and laid on his side, brushing the loose hair framing her face behind her ear.

He could see the stubbornness, could see that Nesta wanted to push. But she nodded and leaned forward to press her lips against his.

After a soft smile, he climbed to his feet and  held out a hand. “Come on, beautiful. Let’s get home.”

She took his hand, happily, and let him walk her back to the truck. The ride back to the ranch was quiet, but not uncomfortable. He caught her looking at him from time to time, and every time he caught her, that look of annoyance from being caught captured her face.

When Cassian pulled up to her little house, he turned off the engine and got out, walking her up to the porch. They stood, hand in hand. He looked down at her and kissed her, softly. “Is this the part where you invite me inside?”

She made a show of acting like she was thinking, and took a step back. “I don’t know, this was only our first date…” She opened the door and took another step back until she was inside. “I’m not that type of girl.”

There was a playful glint in Cassian’s eye and he stepped forward, bracing an arm on the door frame. “I don’t know what type of girl you’re talking about.”

She chuckled and said, “Goodnight, Cassian.”

The smirk on his face faltered and she shut the door in his face.

He took a step back and blinked. “Wha- Are you kidding me?”

The door swung open just a few seconds later and Nesta stood inside, still laughing. She grabbed him by the shirt and dragged him over the threshold, her lips immediately meeting his.

[bow-woahh]

She-Ra season 5 thoughts

A chaotic summary of my feelings/ reactions of each episode! Spoilers. Obviously. 

Episode 1 — Horde Prime

- First of...Adora stop throwing yourself into battle challenge - "You're not She-Ra anymore" — TELL HER SIS - The way Catra was so smug but Glimmer was not having any of it "You're just as alone as I am" if that ain't the truth idk what is - Catra wanting the climb up the ranks? Sis I don't think so let's see how long that lasts - The DINNER pissed me the fuck OFF - Oh yeah here's my obligatory SW FUCK OFF CHALLENGE - Micah, King, glare at her!! Yes!! - The way Scorpia said "Catra thought my singing was annoying" honey - That clone was SO annoying stfu about Prime being omniscient and omnipresent and shit like ugH idC - Bow and Adora are the BROTP - Scorpia stinging Adora to keep her safe - and that's on friendship - The way Prime INSTANTLY called Catra out "Adora means something to you" listen I hate the gay but damn he's smart. He saw right through her act. - "Adora chose her side and I chose mine" that doesn't mean you don't still care Catraaa - Also that was REALLL quick lmaoo the way five seconds she was like "imma climb up the ranks" then in about two secs HP was like "sis I have no use for you" - "What are you going to do to me?" IM CRYING - Adora and those weird flashback PTSD things -- are u okay sis?? - This was the first episode and I already want to cry so....wow

Episode 2 — Launch

- Adora omg she's so fatigued girl S L E E P - Bow getting pissed at everyone for not letting her rest...what a king - Catra disobeying HP and talking back to that clone but then HP took its form...fuck man that shit scary - STOP CALLING HER  LITTLE SISTER CHALLENGE JESUS FUCK - Everyone hates Entrapta wow ouch - Literally Entrapta being horny over robots is hilarious lmaoo - Mermista is a great leader and they worked so well together ahhh! I'm loving Scorpia and Frosta's friendship - Entrapta got the signal!! I'm proud -  Adora stop following holograms and illusions challenge -  Adora being all like "I don't know my destiny anymore but I know I need to save my friend." LIKE YES HONEY -  Glimmer is sO volatile like honey,, did you need to break HP's crystal ball thingy?? DID U?? -  also she knows her dad is alive now and that H U R T S ++ I bet she doesn't know the sword is broken so fuckkl -  Micah as She-Ra?? something I never knew I needed -  SW not being in this episode at all? love that for us - "I reinstate my horray" I LOVE YOU SCORPIA - "Can you stay?" MY FUCKING HEART GLITRA FRIENDSHIP HERE WE COME

Every episode I just feel immense f E AR

Episode 3 — Corridors

- THIS STARTS W BABY CATRA AND ADORA?? NOELLE WHY ARE TRYNA KILL US?? - Catra and Glimmer talking about sleepovers and Adora...damn my heart - Adora and her stupid ponytail 💀 - "I'll never say sorry!" - THE WAY YOUNG CATRA WAS SO JEALOUS EYE— - "There's no one in the entire universe who cares about me." - "Im sorry! For everything." IM SO UPSET WTF -  CATRA IS FUCKED BUT SHE SAVED GLIMMER -  HP GTFO CHALLENGE -  I'm so proud of my baby tho wow... -  What the fuck we gone do now? -  so much happened in this episode so this is a lot shorter because my brain is numb. Catra is gonna get brainwashed?? isn't she?? -  "I want to do that one good thing in my life." IM CRYING Y'ALL

Episode 4 —Stranded

- Adora is like "Catra, Catra?? saved you?? wtaf?” Lmaoo - Bow and Glimmer fighting is hurting my HEART - KYLE HAS A CRUSH ON ROGELIO?? SCORPIA DONE EXPOSED IT AHHH - Swifty tryna contact Adora?? kinda cute - him impersonating everyone was onbrand and kinda funny ngl - The way Adora is like "it's complicated" lmaoo girl everything is w you - I live the star siblings omg yeS - "I have to save someone. Someone I—" omFG ADORA - Adora is S T R O N K - she GLOWED OMFG SHE RA?? IS THAT U?? - BOW AND GLIMMER BEING OKAY?? MAYBE - Etherians really are wilding out here - YESSS THEY JOINING THE REBELLION - "Maybe we'll never be friends like we used to be."  Glimmer...I love her sm - "I can't just leave her there. I have to try." Adora actually cares so much about her!! and I love Glimmer being supportive wow we love a queen! - THE BEST FRIEND SQUAD IS BACK TOGETHER!! LETS GOO - "She-Ra is back." Swift Wind is annoying but thank you. thank you for saying that horse.

I literally threw my hoodie across the room and forgot that I did that wow lmao

Episode 5 — Save the Cat

- My friend who's ahead me said wait for episode 5 now I'm fucking S H OO K - this episode name has me shook I can't - its WRITTEN BY NOELLE?? WE'RE FUCKED - I love Wrong Hordak SM what an idiot - Catradora really is gonna be canon wow - WTAF IS THAT SHE IS NOT MY CATRA SHE IS A CLONE her hair tho?? kinda nice - the way HP said "your Catra." like low-key he said gay rights - "You broke my heart. And he has made me whole again." - "We both know I don't matter"  and "you're and idiot" "I know" THESE TWO ARE MADE FOR EACH OTHER - SHE JUMPED OFF A CLIFF FOR HER - the way she's holding her?? so soft - SHE RA IS LOOKING FLY -- and is she taller?? - "You miscalculated" YES QUEEN I LOVE HER. THAT WHOLE FIGHT SCENE WAS AMAZING - FuCK HORDEP PRIME - Darla is the best Light Hope SUX - the "Hey, Adora" was SO SOFT IM SO HAPPY

That episode really hiT different Catradora is DEFINITELY canon EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU NOELLE

Episode 6 - Taking Control

- Adora. Chill. - Catra's trauma...wow - honestly I have SO MUCH TO SAY and so little at all. - The ending w Catra joining was so cute and all the Catradora interactions are SENDING ME this is the development I need - "Adora. Stay." MY HEART - thank fuck that chip is gone YAY - Entrapta and Catra making up? Catra saying "Thank you and I'm sorry" her least favourite words -- characters DEVELOPMENT - The way Catra blushed when Adora transformed GIRL YOURE GAY - SHERAS POWER IS TOO MUCH SLAY GIRL - Horde Prime FucK off challenge I hate him - Micah tryna be a father figure? cute - the endING FUCK WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT SPINNERALLA??? POOR NETOSSA

okay but where tf is DT, KYLE, LONNIE AND ROGELIO??

my mum is so tired of me screaming lmaoo

Episode 7 — Perils Of Peekabloo

- Catra just SAT on Adora's lap the PDA is unmatched - We love a filler wow - we literally can't trust anyone this shit sucks - SCORFUMA STANS STAY WINNING - Mermista and Seahawk kinda cute tho (the  heart eyes) - DT I KNEW IT   - CASH KITTEN? EYE—JUST SAY SUGAR MOMMA AND GO - NETOSSA DOESN'T DESERVE THIS - MERMISTA TO - EVERYONE is chipped WTF - DT is a theatre gay through and through   - THEY'RE FUCKED WE'RE FUCKED - NOOOO SCORPIA 😭😭😭 - "I'm the muscle, remember?" - SCORPIA'S POWER, HER REACH, IT'S AMAZING - everything is going downhill FAST - "Happy Anniversary" EYE—😭😭😭😭😭

well that sucked What the fuck we gone do now?

Episode 8 - Shot in the Dark

- The soft smile Catra gave Adora while teasing? love that - loving this new squad - the wAY HER TAIL FLUFFED UP SHES SO SCARED MAN - Wrong Hordak is my main g - the LAUGHING!! THE BLUSHING!! EVERYONE CAN SMELL THE GAY TENSION - omg Catra being the brains of the operation?? yes please - "Catra's first mission" THEY'RE SO OBNOXIOUS I LOVE THEM - "I'm going to kill your friends." "Please don't." we are ASCENDING - Casta? Strike her down anyway please 🙏 - Adora is SO WHIPPED the way she blushed at Catra making the door - "It's such a cute sneeze" BOW KNOWS IT CATRA IS CUTE AND THATS THE TEA - literallyyyy I hate SW GTFO CHALLENGE get OFF my screen 😡 - CATRA WHY DID YOU LUNGE AT THAT THING?? - OMFG MAGICAT?? (Nope dumb bitch) - "I'm coming!" "Hurry." - "I'm sorry. I got angry. It's something I'm working on" ADORA GLOWED AND SAID "You are?" WE LOVE SELF GROWTH AHH - It was Catra's hand OMFG IN THE TRAILER - Adora and cat thing being magic? we love it - MELOG IS SO CUTE and Catra can talk to it?? wowow - they love taking strays lmao - Wrong Hordak's character arc is the best one in the show - CATRA HAS AN IDEA?? YES - Preach Casta shut Weaver up - "That about sums it up, yes." I love them as a team - the hand holding? so cutee Catra don't pretend you're not whipped - oml Glimmer kissing Catra before Adora? EYE— Glitra shippers gonna be so happy at that one moment lmaoo - THEY'RE HOMEEEE

ahhh we're getting close to the end nooo

Episode 9 —An ill Wind

- oh god oh god - Catra is so badass with Melog i LOVE HER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL  - having to fight your own wife? that shit sucks - Erelandia? it's free - omg HP is angry asfff - FROSTA CHILL SHE PUNCHED HER HARD - Adora and Catra are soft 🥺 that's all I have to say

Episode 10 — Return to the Fright Zone

- omg are we gonna see Kyle?? Lonnie? Rogelio?? (also nope, stupid hoe) - okay but Netossa getting screentime? YES PLEASE - I love the intro sm ahhhh - also her knowing everyone's weakness? love that shit - ouch Perfuma ouch didn’t have to go so hard on Catra and YET - omg I forgot Bow's dads existed - "Mostly bad memories" 😔😔😔 - competitive gfs for the win - Catra FLEW tho WOW Scorpia is STRONK - the dad jokes are immaculate - "I'm working is being a better friend. That has to count for something right?" - "We don't throw tanks at our friends" sis you don't give flowers to your them at this current time either - "why did I get stuck with the water Princess?" Catra...baby I love you - omg there's a fail safe THANK FUCK I was legit speechless - "There's real power in love and friendship" preACH IT GIRLIE - SCORPIA FIGHT IT YESSS - legit forgot Spinny and Netossa were fighting lmao oof - FINALLY ANGST OVER THE WIVES ARE BACK - omg THE PAN TO ADORA ABOUT BEING VULNERABLE AHHHH - Perfuma is Catra's therapist that's my headcanon - OMFG I FORGOT ABOUT SW FUCK SHIT CATRA BABY IM SORRY

damn I'm stressed out

Episode 11 — Failsafe

- Weaver STFU challenge - them taking about their abuse? we love to see - "We— I could really use your help" KILL ME NOW THEY'RE TOO MUCH - "Not because I like you" she says SMILING - Melog is Catra's affectionate side prove me wrong - Stan Entrapta for clear skin - SW doesn't deserve rights (as per usual) - DONT TOUCH HER BITCH LITERALLYYYY WHYYY - and now She Ra is glitching?? fuck - Catra is so jumpy eye— "Trust Me" MY HEART SBSBDB - Weaver really called her a DISTURBANCE STFU 💀💀💀 - Entrapta and bird horse ftw what a tag team - OMG NO BE CAREFUL - "Did you just jump in fire to save me?" SHE WAS SO SMUG - can SW burn like... now? - "It's none of your business" LITERALLY BUTT OUT  - "Catra, she distracts you, confuses you." WEAVER I FUCKING HATE YOU SM I FUCKING I WILL PUNCH MY SCREEN - Entrapdak being a thing? I do not know how to feel - "Your imperfections are beautiful."  I am.... conflicted - SW doesn't deserve screen time - Catra is an i no cap (I genuinely have no clue what I meant so sorry about that) - i think the fuck not - this episode is so stressful - Catra saving Adora >>>>>>>>> - what an awful reunion for Glimmer damn - "It doesn't always have to be you!" IKR IT SHOULD BE WEAVER - fuck dark magic fuck it all - Catra's upset?? no my baby 🥺 - this whole episode is just traumatising - Adora's heart do be glowing - Catra's LEAVING?? why?? - "What do you want Adora?" - MY HEART BEEN BROKE SO MANY TIMES I DONT KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE 😭😭 - omg this time instead of Adora leaving it's Catra (you are a dumbass DUH) - that H U R T S - ADORA TELL HER YEs QUEEN

omg HEART NEXT???

Episode 12 — Heart Part 1

- I am not prepared for this - Adora...baby I'm so sorry - Glimbow moment with a banjo?? that was cute - Adora really is a party popper - "Adora doesn't want me. Not like I want her." AND THAT'S ON LESBIANISM BUT ALSO FUCKING OUCH  - but really Catra...do you really think Adora doesn't want you? girl are youb B L I N D?? - Wrong Hordak is MY GUY - Stan the rebellion for clear skin - NOOO WHAT THE FUCK MY HEART DON'TPLAY WITH ME LIKE THAT THEY NEARLY KISSED AND IT WAS A FUCKING SIMULATION - real Catra be CAREFUL - "We have to warn Adora" YES SIS WARN YOUR GF  - "I thought I could make my own destiny" U STILL CAN SIS - I'm scared I'm fucking scared - my HEART IS BEATINGG FASTT - I really hate Horde Prime uhhhhhhhgg - for once in your sorry life do something good Weaver jfc - "I can't leave her behind again" - BEST FRIEND SQUAD + MELOG YES - "Bow, I love you." GLIMBOW IS BACK ON AHHH - BUT AT WHAT COST??? (literally what am I saying??) - "You deserve love too." AND THAT'S ON PERIODT - Glimmer coming in clutch!! - Mermista and Seahawk do be cute tho - Micah is actually the worst rn wow - "Goodbye, my oldest enemy" CATRA COME QUICK AHH

the last episode....I'm not ready to say goodbye

Episode 13 — Heart Part 2

- ofc this is written by Noelle - "Hey, Adora" MY HEART - "I'll catch up okay? Get to the heart." - SW ACTUALLY DIED?? THANK YOU MY GIRLS CAN HEAL NOW

andd that's as far as I got before freaking the fuck out with everything that was happening onscreen but THE CATRADORA KISS WAS EVERYTHING and the ending was perfect 🥺💖

—

Thank you Crew-Ra, Noelle for making such a beautiful and heartwarming show, this will be remembered for years to come because what this show did was incredible and unlike anything I've ever watched.

[lemonietrinket]

Cinnamon Snow ||| Seonghwa x Reader

Summary: You and your boyfriend hire out a cabin in the snowy woods for the winter holidays to spend some time relaxing away from the hustle of normal life.  Genre: Fluff Warning(s): Just a chaotic reader I guess Word Count: 2576 Theme Song: Home - JBJ95 AN: The first fic of the prompts made by @songi-writes. This is a mix between 1 & 2, because I found the prompts too late in the day of the 1st Dec. so oops. 

~~~

You awoke to a bright light, and a painful chill in the air. Groaning, your hands swept across the other half of the bed to find only the blankets, stone cold. Sitting up, you lazily opened your eyes as best you could, daylight gleaming between your eyelashes and causing you to whine.

“Seong… hwa? Seongie…?” you drawled, hands coming up to your rapidly cooling face. You palm met your near-icy nose and you hummed in dissatisfaction, grimacing as you prepared for the trek downstairs.

The bare pads of your feet met the wooden floorboards that may as well have been crafted out of solid snow, and you hissed at the iciness. Grumbling, you hauled the duvets over your hunched figure, before descending the stairs like a cryptid. With you head half-covered by a fringe of a quilt and your legs embroidered with the tassels of an ancient blanket, you stumbled waywardly towards the only sounds that could be heard, echoing densely from down the hallway.

When you passed the desktop (garnished with a lace cloth that really didn’t fit the rest of the cabin’s aesthetic) halfway down the corridor, your nose, frozen by the lack of heat, was filled with a sweet, heart-melting scent. The incense of Christmas.

Cinnamon.

Speeding up your gait, you waddled straight into the kitchen, barging the door open with a padded arm and giving your boyfriend the fright of his life.

“Oh! Good morning b—what in the name of...?”

“Morning!” you greeted briefly, breathing in the warmth and instantaneously forgetting your troubles. “What’re you...?”

“Baking,” Seonghwa replied, straightening his apron as he tilted himself so he could just about catch a glimpse of your face beneath the duvet, “cinnamon rolls—have you got all of the bed covers with you?”

You bowed your body in a ‘yes’.

He grimaced slightly, eyes reflecting a level of disdain that your more chaotic antics often warranted, but his lips were being toyed with by a smile, gently tugging his expression into disdainful and amused bafflement. “Well then, since you actively chose to bring them with you this time—”

“Yeah,” you interjected, “unlike last time where you threw me—!”

“I did not throw you—!”

“Bloody yote me, you did.”

“I?! No, it—! I would still argue that you didn’t even have to bring them then either but...” You scowled defiantly, not that he could really see with the hood of your duvet slouching right down and nearly to your nose, all while he continued, “...this time you can help me put them all back.”

You sighed, exaggerated and indignant, but he just chuckled. 

“Fine,” you groaned, faking impudence, before leaning a bit closer to the bowl.

“Do you want to help?” Your boyfriend’s smile was wide, sunny and heart-warming—just like the rest of him—and so you lifted your duvet tentatively to see more of it. His smile only faltered when your head turned back to the soon-to-be-food and you got a bit too close to where he was mixing. “Yah, be careful!”

“Seong, I’m not going to get the mixture on the blankets, you’re too careful for that!” you giggled, nonetheless pulling the blankets closer to your body.

“Well, if you’re sure.” He handed you a spoon. “If you want to help though, you’re going to need to lose the blankets.”

“And freeze to death? No thanks.”

He shook his head with a laugh, placing the spoon back in its holder. “Well, you’d better go get dressed then. The heating will warm the house up soon enough. I’ve also got something to show you, but it’s outside so…”

A spark of curiosity began to glimmer in your chest. “Oh? What is it?”

“A surprise,” he answered, a small, satisfied smirk on his features, “that you won’t get to find out unless you get dressed.”

You were interested to say the least.

With a bit of jostling, you managed to slip the duvet further down from your head just enough so you could chastely press your lips to his jaw, before waddling away, back up the stairs. “Thank you! I love you so much!”

“You have until these go in the oven!” he called after you, cheeks starting to hurt from how widely he was beaming.  He could still feel the pressure of your lips against his skin, and it set more shivers up his spine than the cold ever did. 

.

.

It wasn’t long before the mix had been made, rolled and placed in the encompassed heat of the oven.

Seonghwa pressed the buttons on the timer, eyebrows furrowed, before hanging up his mitts on their hook on the back of the door.

As he opened it again, he was confronted by you, suited up in a thousand layers.

Once again, you witnessed his beautiful dark eyes widen and gorgeously curved lips part to emit a barely audible cry of surprise.  It was satisfying to see the usually calm and collected man break face for a second. And it was just visually satisfying to see him anyway I mean, look at him.

He did wonder how you’d managed to sneak up so quietly, but looking at the thick fluffy festive socks you wore (over several other pairs), he didn’t find it much of a surprise.

“Aren’t you hot?” he enquired, humoured but slightly worried.

“Of course I am Seonghwa,” you tossed your head dramatically to the side, “you wouldn’t date me otherwise.”

He barely restrained himself from face-palming. “No, I mean—”

“So you don’t think I’m hot then?” you pursed your lips, trying to cover up your teasing smirk. “Ooooh, Hwa you’re in trouble...!”

His eyes widened even more as he guffawed. “That—! That’s not what I meant, you—!”

“I know, I know, relax,” you waved your gloved hand, “and no I’m not, because the heating still isn’t on.”

He frowned, puzzled, and stepped around your marshmallow-like pile of coats and into the corridor. Instantly, he was met with an iciness that the kitchen’s oven hadn’t managed to permeate. 

“Oh.”

The landlord had promised that the cabin’s heating was fine and fully serviced when you decided to rent it out that winter holiday.

You caught onto Seonghwa’s distaste. “Yeah, I know, they lied. The little—”

“Do you mind—”

“No I do not.”

“—lighting a fire?”

“Oh, sure.”

You headed off, along the dingy corridor and into one of the rooms on the left.

Seonghwa suddenly became rather afraid that said-room wasn’t the living room with the hearth.

“Lighting a fire in the fireplace, I mean!” he shouted after you. He turned his back to turn off the kitchen light, and prayed that the movement he saw out of the corner of his eyes was just his imagination, and not you heading out of a room and into another.

He exhaled. Even if you had some chaotic tendencies, and caused him no end of trouble, he wouldn’t trade you for the world.

.

.

Eventually, a fire was lit, and Seonghwa had put on a few more layers. 

After strapping up his coat—chic as per usual—he began to unlock the door, while you sat on the stairs, trying to do up your boots.

“Ready to go, little marshmallow?” he threw over his shoulder, not really looking at you, who currently was caught in a predicament.

And this was something in your favour, as it likely saved you no end of shame.

You, at that moment, were straining with your arms outstretched, desperately trying to reach your laces for long enough so you could tie them. You no doubt looked like an upturned beetle, trying to roll itself back onto its legs.

“Not really,” you huffed, falling back and catching a breath. You could just about reach it, but it was hard work, and it hurt a little bit.

You didn’t like the way Seonghwa’s eyes lit up at that moment.

It was that teasing glint, that mischievous glimmer.

“Aww, can my little marshmallow not quite reach her own little feet?” he cooed. 

You told him to shut up, but it only made it worse. 

“Awww, does she need some help from her lovely, handsome boyfriend to do her little laces?”

It was at that moment you vowed you would avenge your pride.

And you had the perfect plan. 

Through his teasing, your boyfriend did still do up your boots for you, even if you turned your head as he requested a kiss as a thank you.

Instead you slipped past him and beckoned him through the front door.

“You won’t give me a thank you kiss?” he said, pouting.

“Show me this surprise and I may reconsider.”

“Meanie.”

“Love you too babe!”  And you darted out of the doorway and into the cold.

With a sigh, and a laugh, he shook his head and followed after you, into the depths of the winter cold.

.

.

Seonghwa knew he probably should have been looking at the scenery around him, with its trees draped with cascades of white like wedding veils, the tiny robins flitting every now and again between the shallows and summits of the snowy drifts.

But he was instead staring at you, your own eyes entrained on the tiny snowflakes that melted in your gloved palm. Delicate and silent, their minuscule crystals faded into nothing, and you poked at the tiny dabs of water that they left behind, entranced.

This wasn’t what he wanted to show you, but if you were in awe at snowflakes, he knew you would find the next part absolutely astonishing.

“Seongie, are you staring at me again?” you asked, a mischievous tone to your voice.

“How could I not?” he responded.

You curled your lip at his answer, looking up and shaking your head. “Ew.”

“Ew?”

“Yeah, ew.”

“Me?

“Yeah, you.”

He put his hands on his hips, sending you a look that you had dubbed his Mum Stare. “Now listen here Y/N, you should remember that you are beautiful enough to distract your boyfriend from many things, and—”

“Including the path?”

“Yes, including the path, but luckily you haven’t quite distracted me from that just...” he took a glance at his surroundings for reassurance, only to find the fence he’d been following as guidance was nowhere to be found, “...yet.”

You stopped. “We’re lost aren’t we.”

He followed suite, but was laughing anxiously. “We’re not lost don’t worry! I know exactly where we are.”

“Where?”

“Well,” his eyes scoured the trees around him, desperate to pick up a sign, “we are... in a forest. Yes. I know that much.”

You arched your eyebrow. “Oh no.”

“Look, it’s fine, we’ll just retrace our steps and—”

Suddenly, you jerked up a hand and pointed over his shoulder. “Oh Seonghwa, look!”

He spun on his heel, and felt relief wash over him like the waters of a hot shower.  Through a gap in the trees, not too far away, an abnormally large sheet of azure climbed up into the obscurity of the treetops. At its feet, a pool of deeper blue, and, leading down the hill to it, a path that cut a rune in the snow.

“Oh, there it is.”

“Is that the...?” Your laugh puffed a cloud of silver that dissipated as you suddenly took off into a jog. “Come on, let’s go!”

He took off after you, trying to encourage you to be careful and watch your step but it was no use, you were already bounding down the steep hill, disappearing into the frosted bracken.

As you came up to the opening of the trees, your eyes glistened.

You came to the bank of a solid lake, reflecting shields of light from the sun hidden behind the clouds. And, at its furthest point, descending from the broken plateau above, was a huge waterfall, frozen in time by winter’s hands.

“Oh, Seonghwa…!” you whispered, feeling him make the final steps to reach your side. 

Gazing at the sheet of blue, even he was stunned.  It was taller than he’d expected, and seemed to trap the smallest glimmers of light in its frozen surface, a jagged cloth of illuminated night sky.

You leant your body into his, resting your head against his shoulder, admiring the spectacle through clouded breath.

“It’s so beautiful...”

“I thought you might like it,” he grinned, bringing an arm around your back to pull you in closer. 

“Like it?” you glanced up at him, “I love it! Thank you so much for bringing me here, I’m sorry it took me so long to get out of the house...”

“You know I don’t mind. And that I wouldn’t want you any less difficult.” He pressed a kiss to your exposed temple, before drawing the hem of your bobble hat to cover your bare skin.

You didn’t push off his fussing this time round however, and fulfilled your promise from earlier, standing on tiptoe as best you could in clunky boots and gave him a proper kiss.

“There,” you said, about to continue, but you found yourself at a loss for words. His blushed cheeks and nose, with his determined stare and delighted smile, all made him appear like a snow prince. His beauty had snatched your voice away.

“Y/N, you better not be staring at me again,” he mimicked, smirking at you.

“Oh shush! Just... go get a photo of the ice-fall, go on!” You ushered him away, closer to the lakeside.

He obeyed happily, drawing his phone from his inside pocket, and striding through the thicker snow with ease, off to get a better view.

Though he didn’t stride fast enough, and he’d taken the bait oh so nicely.

As soon as his back was turned, you scooped up a bundle of snow, as much as you could carry, and chased after him.

The only piece of warning he got was the sound of a flurry of footsteps passing through the snow. 

Within seconds, you’d thrown the snow in his hood, and pulled it over his head.

He shrieked, halting in his steps with hands flying to his head to brush off as much of the cold as he could manage.

You attempted to make your escape, turning in the snow and trying to make your way back up the hill.

Only that Seonghwa was much faster than you, and somehow was able to catch you.

Snaking his hands around you waist he pulled you back, but the momentum of your run and his tug collided and knocked the two of you into the snow in a chorus of laughter.

“Nice try, little marshmallow!” he cried, scooping some snow onto your face.

“Hey!”

He chuckled, swooping in to kiss you once again, but you caught his face with your hands. He tried to wriggle free but you held him still.

“There is no escape!” you declared, smushing his cheeks.

“Even if I ask really nicely?” He mumbled through his pursed lips.

You brushed your nose against his tauntingly. “Try it!”

“Pretty please?” He bat his eyelashes, pulling the best puppy-dog eyes he could.

You didn’t even hesitate.

Both your lips may have been cold, bitten by the air, and you may have been shivering in the cradle of the snow, but his kiss set your skin on fire no less.

This winter would never be the most peaceful of them all, not when you ran rampant. However, that was the best part of every season, to him, and he wouldn’t change you for the world.

~~~

AN: I struggled to end it but here we are! The following oneshots will likely not be this long, because I don’t quite have as much time :(( but I look orward to writing them nonetheless. Thanks for reading!

Masterlist

(edited 22/01/2020)

[eightiesrockbaby]

Line By Line

Chapter One: Drink, Snort and Blow

Description: A tale of two young, haywire carousers and their turbulent relationship. Party girl Angelica Davis likes to think she has a love for chaos, but, perhaps the chaos of new-found love Nikki Sixx is just too much to handle.

Word Count: 1,922

Warnings: Language, mentions of drugs, sex and alcohol.

Click here to find my masterpost!

Notes: Alrighty, here’s chapter one of something I probably won’t update whatsoever! Jks, I’ll try by best, but like, no promises. Also this is the first thing I’ve written as part of this fandom so I’m pretty nervous about that, too! Anyways, enjoy <3

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Loud and messy; the only motto twenty-one year old Angelica Davis seemed to live by. And a Saturday night on the strip was certainly that. Fuck, any night on the strip was like that. You could hear the music blaring, bottles smashing and crowd cheering from miles out. And that’s what made it home.

It was already well past one, and Angelica - along with her two roommates - had drank, snorted and blown everything they could in the last three clubs they’d been in. The girls weren’t exactly the shy type. Maybe that’s why boys took a shining to them, Angelica in particular.

The trio had built themselves a reputation on the strip as a gang of chaotic revellers. Their faces were well-known on the scene - much to the girls’ enjoyment of course. They danced with the devils of the night and laughed about it every waking moment. However, their disorderly behaviour did get them into some trouble from time to time, and tonight was no different.

Cut to the three girls racing down a side road just off of the strip; mannequin and car-keys in hand - and an angry chubby man chasing the wind behind them.

“You fucking bastards!” The man screamed at the girls breathlessly. The belt of his black dressing gown trailed behind him on the wet ground as the man finally slowed his pace. “I’m calling the cops! You better watch your asses!”

The girls continued running, giggling and wheezing as they turned another corner - this time out of sight of their victim. Angelica looked back and, realising the man was no longer chasing them, came to a halt. Man, mannequins were fucking heavy.

“Here,” she took the male figure off her black leather-wrapped shoulders and nodded at Valerie to take over. After Val hesitantly took the model, Angelica rearranged her hair and looked on at a coughing Nancy bent over in a squat-like position. She patted her wheezing roommate softly on the back, all while a proud grin spread across her face.

“Where the fuck even are we, man?” Valerie asked the girls after steadying the mannequin on her bony shoulders. The three looked around them, a look of confusion etching its way onto their faces. The road was dark; no streetlights could guide them out of this one.

Angelica laughed, “Don’t have a clue, let’s just keep walking. There’ll be a party somewhere along the way.” They looked at each other, nodded in agreement and began to walk down the damp sidewalk.

The girls walked for a short while, twenty minutes maybe, all while discussing their recent stolen gems. It wasn’t completely unusual for the girls to go knocking on doors asking men to ‘take them home’ after a night on the strip. Though, usually they’d get the man to drive around for a bit until the girls found an interesting enough party to go to. Either that or one of them would let him fuck her and then they’d bale. Depends what kind of a night they were having. And what kind of guy they picked up.

Though, when Nancy saw the mannequin in the back of this guy’s car she couldn’t resist taking it. And as per, the other two followed suit. Just so happens that this time ‘following suit’ meant Valerie flirtatiously distracting the man enough to let Angelica steal his car keys. They had planned to somehow get him out of his car and drive off, but that was a bit too far fetched - even for them. Instead, the minute Valerie stopped palming the guy through his robe he realised his keys were missing and began throwing a fit.

A few twists in the road later, and the girls were met by a friendly face outside of an all-familiar apartment building. Despite not being entirely sure on how they got here, the girls were glad to be somewhere they knew they could chill out for a bit.

“Hey T-bone,” Angelica took her hands out of her pockets to give her fuck-buddy a hug. Well, they’d only fucked once - and it was just after Tommy had broken up with his girl of the month. Poor Tommy; the man falls in love way too fast and way, way too hard. She took care not to spill the bottle of beer he held in his hand.

“What’s up, Angel? What’s with the mannequin?” He laughed and pointed at Val - the blonde now visibly struggling to keep it on her shoulders any longer.

“Stole it from a randomer near the strip. Think it’ll be a fun addition to your apartment?” Angelica chittered slightly, the early morning air was getting to her and the blood-thinning alcohol certainly didn’t help her case.

“Yeah. Listen, you guys wanna come in for a bit?” Tommy nodded over at Nancy. She was using her long brown hair as a shield from the spring winds that hit from the side of the building. “Come meet the new band members.” He had a proud smile printed on his face as he scratched his chest with his one empty hand.

“Oh, so you’ve got yourself a band now have you?” Angelica chuckled lightly as she took Tommy’s beer bottle from his grasp and sipped on it, “We’ll go up for a bit.” With that, she kissed Tommy lightly on the cheek and motioned for the girls to follow her up the fire-escape stairs. Valerie decided against taking the mannequin, of course. It now lay discarded on the sidewalk. However, the stolen keys still made an outline in the back pocket of Angelica’s black leather trousers.

“You’ll have to use the window!” The girls heard Tommy shout up at them. The music was pretty loud, and people decorated the staircase like stray cats. After crawling in the white paint-chipped window, the three split up.

Each of them had a different game plan when they went out; for Nancy, it was finding the best drugs the place had to offer and sucking up to whoever dealt them. Usually she managed to score something for free, or for a blow job. But that basically meant free anyways..right?

Valerie chose a different route; mainly deciding to hang out with girls and talk about nails, hair, sex...you know, the usual girly chat. It was somewhat of a guilty pleasure of hers - the other two roommates weren’t the most feminine in those respects, so she enjoyed conversing about the magazine gossip every now and then.

And Angelica, well, she could do pretty much anything she wanted. Apart from joining in on Valerie’s chats. Most of the more ‘generic’ girls on the strip didn’t tend to like her. They were mainly just jealous over the fact that every man that walked through the door would undoubtedly drool at the sight of Angelica and not them. What can she say? Teased purple hair was definitely an attention-grabber.

She settled herself in the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of Jack from the grimey white worktop. She looked around for familiar faces, but to no avail. She leaned over the countertop and overlooked the living-room area in front of her, holding the bottle of whiskey up to her lips and slowly chugging it. If all else fails, drink.

“Excuse me!” Angelica spun herself round, feeling a tap on her lower back and a slurred shout in her ear. A guy - maybe early twenties - was in the traditional marriage proposal position, only this time there was no ring. In its place was a small silver tray with a couple lines on it and a straw. Angelica grinned. Finally, someone was speaking her damn language.

“Would you be so kind as to...” The man slurred his words as he motioned down at the tray before him. He looked up at Angelica, though his eyes were mostly covered by overly-teased jet black hair, so it was hard for her to tell if he was really looking at her or not.

“Why of course, my love.” The slightly buzzed reveller immediately picked up the straw from the glimmering tray and began vacuuming up the white mess before her.

She threw her head back, rubbing the end of her nose and grabbing onto the stranger’s shoulders for support.

She grinned as she saw the man below her slowly stand up in appreciation of her skills. It was as though he was speechless, so Angelica took the initiative to put her hand out for him to shake.

“Angelica.” She stated. The stranger didn’t shake her hand, rather he kissed her knuckles and afterwards placed her palm on his bare chest. His red unbuttoned shirt barely covered anything. Angelica looked down at his chest, her eyes zoning in on where his hand covered hers.

“Nikki.” He looked at her dilated pupils and matched her smile. His hair had shifted slightly from when he was in the proposal position, making it easier for Angelica to identify his features. He was attractive - undoubtedly and deadly.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” she licked her red painted lips, “Nikki.” The taller boy took a step closer to her, their bodies now almost stuck together with sweat.

“I’ve got more where that came from,” He motioned towards the now discarded silver tray that sat next to Angelica’s empty bottle of Jack on the countertop. “If you would just follow me back there.” Nikki spoke seductively and pointed to what the girl could only assume was his bedroom. Well, one thing’s for sure. He was not offering her drugs, rather, something much more enticing.

Drugs and sex? Fuck, this man was golden. She nodded and grabbed Nikki’s hand, lacing their fingers and letting it fall to their sides. He smirked and began guiding her through the sea of people surrounding them. Only then did Angelica become aware once again that, yes, there were more than just her and Nikki there. God, she must be out of it for a real one tonight.

He fumbled with his door handle, though with no success. She figured someone must’ve jammed it shut from the other side. Someone who probably had the same intentions her and Nikki did.

“Bathroom.” The girl ordered, needy.

And so he led her there. It felt like time was moving in slow motion; every passing second and every hungry glance the two shared was drawn out. Eventually, Nikki opened the bathroom door hastily, locking it once Angelica had stepped inside.

Immediately, he pressed her up against the door and attached himself to her lips. She moaned into the kiss as his tongue entered her mouth. Fuck. Their hands roamed each other’s bodies; Nikki fumbling with her leather jacket and Angelica attempting to slide his shirt off of his broad shoulders.

The two momentarily broke the kiss to catch a breath, giving Nikki the opportunity to lift Angelica’s t-shirt over her head and discard it on the floor along with the few other articles of clothing already missing from their bodies. Their movements were rushed, almost as though they would never get this time again. Angelica smiled hungrily and put her arms around Nikki’s neck, dragging her freshly painted black nails along the bottom of his hairline. Nikki didn’t waste any more time, and after staring at her blown pupils for a few seconds, dove into her neck.

Angelica bit her lip in an attempt to be quiet. Though, she soon lost any sense of power over her body. She threw her head back and moaned loudly, smiling in ecstasy. Let the good times fucking roll.

[childofsolace-write-ups]

Arc 01: REUNION

::CODY::

I place an arrow to my bowstring and send it flying. I got the animal right on its head. I beam in pride. With Meeko hunting everything in sight, I was happy to take one down on my own. Even if I was just on a blind waiting for game to pass by. I climbed down the tree I was perched on and picked up the dead, fallen raccoon. I went over to the red head sitting on a tree stump.

"Lori, Lori! I got a raccoon!"

Lori smiles at me in a way that seems like I got something better. He's always encouraging like that. "Good job, Code." he ruffles my hair. "and you got it at the head, that's a good shot." He takes it from me and put it and places it inside a burlap sack along with a few of Meeko's other kills.

Lori scrunches up his nose though when he did that. The smile earlier was just for me. He eats meat like the rest of us but he never really liked killing the creatures himself, and mentioned something about how he used to be something called a 'Vegan' or something. I didn't understand it before, but he told me it was something like empathy... I don't really know what that means either, Lori only told me it was like knowing how the animals feel. He said it was the same way we didn't like it when we were attack by Rabids and how these animals must have not wanted to be attacked by us. It was confusing because while we all know Rabids are bad, Lori tells me that it didn't mean we were bad for needing to eat them to survive and something about survival of the fittest, uh, that meant the instinct that drives us to eat any animals we could. It's confusing. But I get it a little bit and also try to kill them instantly so they wouldn't fill pain before they died. Lori understood that it couldn't be helped, we needed meat for food. While we never ran out of food because Kytes did have gardens, it wouldn't be filling. And I don't like veggies much either. So if I only had to eat that forever, I'd go rabid.

I watch Lori take his knife and pull out an apple. He starts to cut it in half so we can share. I stare at his face and start playing this mind game I think to myself, pretending Lorri was his brother and giving him stuff he might say instead. Right now, Lori might say Here, let's share it. While Meeko might say Hehe, wanna see who eats his share the fastest? And he'd give me the slightly bigger share. He would pretend its so he can win, but he would really want me to accept the bigger half without me feeling guilty. I pretend I don't know that because I really like apples. I stop feeling guilty when Corrin explain to me that it's a way of showing how you care.

Whenever I play this game, it makes me realize how identical Lori and Meeko actually are. It was hard to remember that, since whenever you hear them and see how they act, the differences were more obvious that people easily forget the similarities, like the same red hair and the same yellow eyes. Though their hair styles were giveaways too, since Meeko's was usually tousled and sticking out while Lori was much more clean looking, the ends near his neck curving slightly, though their attitudes were more of stand outs so them looking alike wasn't really obvious.

"Here, let's share it Code." Lori gives me my half. "this one's yours."

Nailed it, I smile proudly to myself. "Thanks, Lori!"

"Anytime," Lori chuckles, ruffling my hair.

I liked that feeling a lot, it really helps me relax. Still, no matter how relax we might feel at the moment, our instincts were always sharp, Lori's more so than mine since he's older. He was the one who carried me and got us out of the way just in time as Meeko bursts through some bushes, riding on top of a Rabid Sheep.

An actual sheep is actually not so scary, they're real fluffy and cute, sometimes a little stupid. I was watching over our flocks, the ones we take care of for clothes, with Jonah when a rabid wolf tried to eat one lamb. While Jonah fought back as I watched the flock, I can say I was more rattled than they were. They kept eating grass the entire time!

As for any animal's brain internally affected by radiation, they go Rabid. Unlike people, they don't die instantly though. Well, most don't anyway. Any Rabid creature is potentially bad, even a Rabid Squirrel or Mouse since they usually attack in numbers. On the safe side, we don't eat them. It's easy to tell the difference of a Normal and a Rabid. The Normal types are... Well, normal. While the Rabids are colossal, scary, sometimes deformed and really smart.

But leave it to Meeko to make it look fun to take them on.

"Woo-hoo! I got you now you giant cream puff!" Meeko laugh. "Loreal, Coco Bean, clear the way!"

Meeko duplicates himself. The clone went in front of the sheep. It's kinda funny that was his power when he already has an official look alike, except his actual clone acts way different than he does. The sheep got confused long enough for Meeko to jump down, landing on his feet safely. Then, he took out his double-edged saber, pulling it back like one would with a baseball bat and—

Well, Lori closes my eyes before I can see more. Meeko is pretty brutal when he hunts, and he's got a lot of bravery. I hope I can be as courageous someday like these two, and that's one of their common traits. I really look up to them a lot and I really like them, but I guess that doesn't really say a lot since I like everyone. Trey used to tell me that I would only hate an enemy. So far, I never had a chance to see if that were true.

"Okay, you can look now." Lori pulls his hand back.

I run towards Meeko, "That was awesome! Well... I didn't see all of it, but I bet it was awesome!"

"You know it, Coco Bean!" He ruffles my hair. Lori approaches us and I tell Meeko about my own raccoon. He congratulates me, saying if I keep that up, I could hunt just as hardcore as him.

"Woah, now let me stop you right there." The other Meeko interrupted—and I mean Lori, not a clone. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves or even hope that. I think one hardcore hunter is enough, and sometimes one too many... And I mean that almost literally." He smirks. He crossed his arms and look down at the dead sheep with a grimace. "now that you had your fun, please tell me you at least remembered to hunt actual game we can take home and eat. I'll admit, that sheep is larger than three of us put together even if it were a Normal."

I kick it a bit. "If there were Normals that size. I don't think we can even get a thing that big through the hotel doors."

I guess I should explain the hotel bit.

That's our home base right now. It's not a permanent settlement, though. We have a whole bunch of base because we can't stay in them for more than four months and a half. Actually, the a half part is the longest we can last in any base. Things change around an awful lot where we live. I don't know if it's the same with the rest of the world because we can't travel all over it, and Rhys only has guess that it might not be as bad as ours. And he knows most things. Rhys called our part of the surface, our division, Surface R. In other words, SURFACE RADIOACTIVE. He told me about the radiation triggered something in the atmosphere, something called Mana, in a time before I was even born. He said when something from outer space came crashing down and changed everything, it landed in our division, back then called a country, so the Mutated Mana altered people like us; have spread most around here to the point that it gave us unique abilities. I don't know why it's called unique when everyone up here pretty much has it, but Rhys said it wasn't normal to have these abilities in the time before I was born.

I don't get much with the rest of his explanation, but I do understand that the past must be really different from now. I also know that we are in a location where things always change. It can be perfectly safe one minute then suddenly everything's chaotic a second later. Also, the other things that got loose Mana energy doesn't like us much. So when one area gets too dangerous, we move to another. They never stay dangerous forever, so we can come back later. That's what scouts are for, they visit the bases ahead of time and check which is the safest to move into. Right now, the hotel is perfectly safe. But since things always change... Well, you'll never know when danger will strike. I don't remember if there was a time that we were without risk of being in danger. Because even at night, while we're sleeping, if the sentries sound the alarm, we have to prepare for action. That's why we've gotten used to trusting and relying on each other.

It keeps us all alive.

Meeko waves off Lori's words. "Yeah, did that first." he gives me another burlap sack, and I tip over because of the weight. "Easy kills."

"What do you have in here?" Lori picks up my arrows and places them back inside the quiver before helping me with the sack.

Meeko shrugs. "The usual. Three foxes, five rabbits, some squirrels. A turkey and half a boar for bacon." We stare at him for a full second. "I had to give up the other half so it could fit the bag since this big guy suddenly attacked."

"Wow," Lori whistles, impressed but not all that surprise. This was his brother after all. "that's a new record. Good hunting."

Meeko scowls. "Good? That's excellent hunting!"

"Except you only got a half animal for bacon. Plus, your ego needs deflating." Lori laughs. "Well, it's a Rabid, but since it's a sheep, we can't let the wool go to waste. It's sturdier than a Normal's wool, after all." He takes his knife and approaches the lifeless sheep, getting to work.

We help him out so we can finish faster and head back. Halfway through, though, I hear leaves rustling, feeling a chill down my spine, and then the thumping vibration from the ground.

Lori must've felt it too. "Cody, Meeko, take a flank!"

I take up Lori's left side, notching an arrow and Meeko takes his right, raising his sword. Then other three rabid sheep come bursting into the glade. I send the arrow flying but it didn't get the eye. Not that it'd be an instant kill, but I could've at least partially blind it. Rabids aren't easily taken down like regulars. What Meeko did earlier might've been an extreme. They weren't as big and colossal as the one he took down but still, about seven feet tall and who-knows-wide doesn't fall under small either.

"Uh oh. I think the one I killed was a mommy..."

I look at him. "Oh. But Meeko, I don't think she could tell her kids not to eat us. She'd probably help them."

Meeko gives me a weird look. "Er, that really wasn't my point..." he says.

A sheep charges towards us. We spread out. But I stumble on my feet.

"Cody! Look out!"

I look up, barely able to shoot my arrow right on the sheep's eye. Thankfully, my arrow had already been placed and it was close enough for me to get a good, clear shot. But I'm unable to get a next arrow ready when the sheep jumps over head.

"Cody!" Meeko swoops by and carries me out of the way.

I hug him around the neck. "Thank you, Meeko! That was scary!"

"Meeko," Lori comes over. "three on three isn't a fair fight if it's against Rabids. That's your cue!"

Meeko looks a little embarrassed. "Ehe, about that..." he holds up his watch. "I might've overdone it a bit earlier during the hunt and my POWER GAUGE is on full bars..." suddenly, his watch sparks and the green-lit screen turned black. "...aaand now the battery's dead..."

"Are you serious now?!" Lori looks amazed... but not the good kind.

"Don't be mad!"

"Well, I can't be happy!"

I didn't have time to pay attention to this argument because I realize I was missing something. The lace that kept my pacifier around my neck was gone! I know I'm ten years old and a little sucker is not something I need, but it was the last and only thing I ever got from my parents. I was a baby when I was still with them. I don't know who they were and what parents even were until Corrin explained it to me. I may not have known them, but I do know that if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be alive and that they must've loved me because that's what they do. So even if a baby item is all I have left as proof that they existed, then I can't lose it!

I scan the area and found it a few meters far and raced to retrieve it.

"You know, you can be so... Wait, what is... CODY?! No, wait!"

"Huh?!"

I pick it up. "Got it!" In the next instant, I'm shoved away and I see Lori being body slammed by one of the sheep. I gasp. "NOO!"

"LORI! No, no, no!" Meeko screams after me, rushing over. But then he is held back to fight off the other two. "GET LOST, DAMN IT!"

I look at the sheep on top of Lori and wait. He doesn't use his powers. He doesn't go through it even as the sheep is tired and doesn't move. It only means he's hurt.

"Lori!"

Then it happened. I felt goosebumps and the sheep floated to the air. But it's hard to keep it there. Meeko got to escape the other two sheep, carrying Lori who looked injured with some scratch marks. But he was still conscious. They were out of the way and I mentally dropped the sheep. My knees buckles up and I collapse. The two sheep went for me. I didn't have the strength to move.

"CODY!"

Then there's fire and I felt the heat. When my vision clears, the animals were burnt and I see our leader stepping into the glade.

"TREY!" I bound up towards him, limping a bit. I wrap my arms around his lower torso. "Lori's hurt!"

Trey pat my head. "I know, I see his wounds. But let's not panic, kiddo." We walk towards the twins. Trey helps Meeko support Lori. Then, he instructs me. "Take the sacks you can carry and get them back to the base. Alert Rhys, Code 4 for A1."

"What's Code 4 and A1 again?" I've just taken up lessons and still get terms mixed up.

"Rabid Animals. A1 is Area 1."

"Got it!"

I take a burlap sack, Meeko's, and run as fast as I can despite the extra weight. The last words I hear behind me are from Lori. I didn't know what it mean so it probably didn't matter.

"Don't tell him anything."

[lockwoodlitherland]

ANNIKA

“You’re drunk.”

“I am not drunk.” Anni said, voice husky on account of all the whiskey sours and shouting over the live music she’d been doing this evening.

Hollie grinned at her and swirled the thin red straw in her glass, green eyes fixed on Annika’s own effervescent pair. Anni leaned an elbow against the bar where they sat, smiling back at Hollie as she pushed a hand through her long curled hair. She’d let her natural red roots grow through while she’d been living in the city.

“I can tell.” Hollie insisted with a raised eyebrow, taking the red straw from her glass and pointing it at Anni, close to her nose. A drop of whiskey dripped lazily from the tip “You’ve got that hazy look about you and you’re more generous with your smiles than usual.” Hollie moved the straw to her mouth, holding it in her teeth before closing her smiling lips around it to capture the last traces of the cocktail.

Anni was a little drunk, she had to admit, in a hazy and giggly kind of way that she hadn’t been brave enough to feel with anyone for a while.

“Maybe I just find you charming.”

“Hah, I am charming. I’m glad somebody’s noticed.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Anni replied, not breaking eye contact with the woman across from her as she shotted the remnants of her drink. She licked an errant drip from her bottom lip intentionally after swallowing “I only stay after practice to talk to charming people.”

“Oh, see I noticed that. That’s why I’ve been making sure I’m on stage to pull your piano stool”

Anni stopped listening to the words Hollie was saying as the others hand drifted over her crossed legs, settling on Annika’s outer thigh. Hollie continued speaking, casually leaning forward into Annika’s space.

They had been spending a lot of time together recently. The pair had sort of gravitated towards each other in the group. It was more than that though, Anni thought. She liked Hollie. There was something welcoming and fun about her that Anni found comforting. Hollie had a big but gentle presence that set her at ease, friendly but with a hint of chaotic energy that Anni felt a kinship to. She was warm... her hand was warm. Anni felt a rush run up her spine as Hollie’s thumb moved softly back and forth against her bare skin.

Hollie had asked her out a couple of times now and Annika had decided not to go on a date with her precisely because she liked her. Anni had been on dates since… since him, but not with anyone she actually liked, not seriously. She didn’t want to love like that again. She wanted to hurt herself a little longer, she knew what that felt like, she had wallowed in it for so long now that there was a certain comfort in its familiarity. The potential in hope was far worse than the dull ache in loneliness and her own self-loathing. Annika didn't want to be happy yet, she couldn't bring herself to be.

Anyway, what would she do if things did get serious, with anyone? She had learned what it was like to invite outsiders she loved into her world. It would mean taking all of what was destined for them and forcing them into the madness of the umbra.

“You take a risk when you bring them in.”

She remembered the stern look on Beck’s face when he spoke to her that night, the night she had told him she wanted to show Lloyd. Annika had needed Beck’s consent officially, but following code hadn’t been why she asked. His pale blue eyes seemed to focus on something behind her, as if a ghost stood just past her shoulder. The dunn skin of his face, weathered by work and wind and time beyond his years, creased with faint sadness.

“When they’re here, they’re here Annika. You know that. Otherwise, they’re gone and they have to stay that way... You’re making the call to enrich yourself by doing this, while it may ruin him, the life he’s built. Is what connects the two of you strong enough to hold, even when you take choice away from him?”

She had believed that what connected them was strong enough. She had loved him enough. He had loved her enough. But when she did it, when she took the choice away from him, when she took the risk, it was chaos, it did ruin him. It happened in a way she never wanted, so it needed to be taken back, and that could only happen once.

“Anni?” Hollie squeezed Annika’s thigh, concern flashing over her features.

Annika snapped back to the present, the dull haze of alcohol numbing her slightly from the pain of the memories. She took a deep breath in and stood up off her stool, anticipating what was about to happen. As Annika moved Hollie pulled her hand back, fingers curling into her palm, as if she were embarrassed that she may have crossed a line with the intimacy of her touch. Annika noticed but she didn’t really have time to feel bad about it; a prickly heat was consuming her and she began to feel like she was suffocating.

“I need a smoke.” Anni gestured to the bar door as she walked towards it, clutching her bag in one hand and the side of her neck in the other. Condensation from the ice in her glass had cooled her fingers which she now pressed into her hot skin to focus her in the moment for as long as possible.

Hollie moved to follow her, picking up Anni’s thick faux fur coat from the stool she’d hastily vacated. “You’re not going anywhere without your coat, it's winte-”

“No, I’m Russian, it’s fine. I’m fine.” Annika waved her hand, cutting Hollie off, trying to make it as clear as politely possible that she didn’t want to be followed. She turned away quickly so that she wouldn’t have to see Hollie’s expression. Pushing through the rest of the bars patrons Anni realised that she hadn't actually breached that topic with Hollie yet. Whatever, she didn’t have time to think about that now.

Despite her beer blanket Annika winced a little as the shock of freezing air hit her, sucking her out into the street when she opened the door. She started breathing heavily and her world swirled around her. Holding her muscles tightly against the cold Anni walked down the street until she found a space to hide. The cold felt relievingly soothing against the hot skin of her face, but it bit at her too and caught in her already heaving chest. Anni dropped into a crouch in her heels, knees against her chest, one arm steadying herself against the giant concrete plant pot she’d stumbled upon. It came as part of a pair that stood outside of a closed restaurant beside an alleyway; the shrubs they housed were barren of leaves but sparkling with frost. Her breath clouded around her in great puffs and her hands dithered as she placed a cigarette between her glossed lips. Fingers fumbling in her bag, Anni searched for a lighter and the pills.

Which is more important? A part of her asked while Anni searched, The threat of the change which is sinking its teeth into your very essence right now, or nicotine? I swear to God.

“Fuck off” she mumbled, she’d left the lighter on the bar. Come on come on come on. She knew she hadn’t left the pills that Mitchell gave her, they had to be in her bag, she knew she had them.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if you just let it happen, remember how easy things used to be when you just let it happen? “Fuck...ugh, fuck!” Anni dumped the contents of her purse out onto the frosted pavement. She could feel herself slipping. The small plastic zip-lock fell next to a piece of blueish gum trodden into the ground, sparkling softly with ice in the light of the street lamp across from her. Sighing shakily with relief she took a pill, swallowing hard, her throat felt so dry.

Flashes of the night she jumped into the rapids, freezing black water, it played vividly but broken all at once, like film flickering against her closed eyelids. All those horrifyingly familiar memories, her Dad yelling and her sister Izzy crying, everything that scared her, Cassie falling to the floor bloodied, everything that scarred her, the disgust and the hurt in his eyes, they crashed about inside her skull in shocking bright snippets.

Anni gripped the roots of her delicately curled hair in fists at either side of her temples. Squeezing her eyes shut and holding her breath she tried not to cry into her crouched knees which, despite her assertion to Hollie earlier, felt alarmingly bare against the chill of Toronto’s late winter evening.

She wondered if she would ever feel normal again, if she would ever feel as happy or as safe as she had allowed herself to be with Lloyd.

[diamondsareapearlsbestfriend]

Sans/Toriel 30 Day OTP Challenge: Day Nine

AO3 | Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five | Day Six | Day Seven | Day Eight

day nine: thirdwheeling

prompt: “Your OTP plus a third wheel. Is it awkwardly quiet, or chaotically crazy?”

The thing was, it wasn't that Sans was actively avoiding Asgore.

That made it sound like he didn't like the guy, or even like he was scared of him or something – neither of which were true. He was a decent guy, and he'd been a good king – or he'd tried his best, anyway, and now he was doing a pretty solid job working together with Frisk and Papyrus to help monsters and humans understand one another better. Sans was happy for him, now that he got to spend his days working on the school garden instead of collecting human souls; it was nice to see Asgore so relaxed, humming to himself as he lovingly tended to the flowers that Toriel and the kids had planted yesterday.

Toriel, who he was married to for millennia. Not that that even mattered, really, because they were all mature adults here, which was why Sans thought it was great that Toriel and Asgore were finally starting to be friends again, even with all that capital-H History between them. Could've made things really awkward, but it was fine, everything was chill. Sans was just chilling over here for a moment, waiting for Asgore to move on to another part of the garden until he met Toriel for lunch because Asgore was obviously busy. Sans could go say hi, obviously, but he'd hate to disturb him, even though he was sure they'd have a totally normal and not at all awkward conversation about...tea? Flowers? Literally anything in the world except –

"Why are you hiding in the bushes?"

Sans jumped as his train of thought was rudely interrupted, turning around to find himself eye-to-socket with a little girl with blonde pigtails and a suspicious expression.

"I'm not hiding," he told her, trying to play it cool. "I'm –"

"Are you spying? Are you planning something evil? Are you going to steal our souls?!"

"Sure, why not. Hand 'em over." Bad call, he realised instantly, as the girl recoiled in horror, taking a deep breath as though she was about to scream for help until Sans raised both arms in surrender. "Whoa, kid, kid, I'm joking. I'm just waiting for someone, okay?"

"That was a joke? You're not very funny." She shot him an unimpressed look as Sans wished he had 1G for every time he'd heard that – but the girl was smiling now, a worrying glint in her eye as she reached out and grabbed him by the wrist. “But I bet I can help you find them! They're probably in class – Miss Toriel will know. She knows everything.”

“Thanks, but really, I'm...” Sans tried to resist as she attempted to tug him in the direction of the school, but she had a surprisingly strong grip, so his options were basically a. let his arm fall out of its socket (classic party trick, but it tended to freak humans out, which wasn't exactly what he wanted right then), or b. be a big bones and face Asgore, who by now had glanced up from the flowers. He looked across the schoolyard, shielding his eyes from the sun, and waved.

"Oh, Sans! Howdy!"

"Hey...there he is." Sans grinned through gritted teeth as he waved back like he'd only just spotted him. "Thanks, kid. You've been real helpful."

She seemed pretty pleased with that, beaming with pride before she dashed off back into the school as Sans shuffled over to Asgore's well-kept flowerbed.

"Heya, Asgore. Nice day, huh?"

"Indeed, it's beautiful," he agreed, looking around at his handiwork with a satisfied smile before wiping the sweat from his brow. "Just swell for these little guys. Ah, you're waiting for Tori, I assume? She should be finished with class any moment –"

His last words were drowned out by the piercing brinnnnggggg of the school bell, followed by an outpouring of kids, all yelling, laughing and shoving each other as they raced to the playground. After a while, Toriel appeared in the doorway, trailing behind them with an impossibly huge file clutched to her chest. She looked a little stressed, frowning as she glanced around the schoolyard, but her face lit up with a smile when she spotted Sans and he waved her over to them.

"Sorry if I am a little late, dear!" Toriel wrapped her arms around him, pressing a swift kiss to the top of his skull in greeting. "There was an incident with a paper aeroplane...the culprit did not come forward, but I have my suspicions. Ah, Asgore, hello!" she added, smiling at her ex-husband with just a few more teeth than usual. "How...wonderful that you are both here! Oh, and just look at our freesias!" She knelt down gracefully to inspect the flowers, inhaling deeply as she closed her eyes in bliss. "Mmmm. Delightful – they really brighten up the place, do they not?"

"That's just what I was thinking." Asgore beamed, practically glowing from her approval as he brushed a hand through his luxuriant hair, shaking his head so it gleamed in the sunshine. Good thing Sans wasn't the jealous type, because even Aaron would probably feel inadequate next to this guy. "You always did have such a good eye – heh, nose, for these things, Tori. Oh...of course." The light in his eyes dimmed, just for a moment, as he glanced from Toriel to Sans. "You two are...?"

"Yes, we are," Toriel answered, slipping her arm around Sans' shoulders as she rose to her feet in one smooth motion. She was smiling like Nice Cream wouldn't melt, but there was an almost challenging glint in her eye as she looked at Asgore, as though she was daring him to object, and – okay, this was getting a little weird, but Sans couldn't exactly complain, despite his attempts not to look too smug as Toriel pulled him gently closer to her.

"That's right. I do recall Frisk mentioning something to that effect." Asgore kept smiling too, his jaw tightening with visible effort. "Well. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Toriel said stiffly. 

An uneasy silence filled the space between them, hanging in the air like the ghost of exes past. Asgore cleared his throat, dropping his eyes back down to the flowers; Toriel adjusted her reading glasses as she glanced around at the kids playing around them, happily oblivious; and Sans racked his skull to think of something, anything to say before he accidentally blurted out a terrible old joke about being on his way to steal yo girl, which he somehow didn't think would get many laughs in the circumstances.

"Hey – speaking of Frisk," he offered eventually, "didn't you guys just have that, uh, that meeting thing? How'd that go?"

"Oh, yes!" Asgore seemed equally relieved for the change of subject, nodding eagerly. "I think we are making progress. Naturally there is some...resistance, to the idea of a fully integrated community. A few people are still pushing for human-only spaces. But I think Frisk may have talked them around in the end."

"That is such wonderful news! Of course, I did not doubt that they would." Toriel smiled, warm with pride as she clasped her hands together. "That child can certainly be very persuasive. In fact, I have been talking to the school board about arranging some guest speakers – something to highlight the more, um, positive side of human-monster relations through the ages. I think the children will enjoy it, and of course, it is important to build our understanding of one another.”

"That sounds like an excellent idea, de – Tori." Asgore coughed in a valiant attempt to hide his slip of the tongue, reddening under his beard, but recovered as he turned to Sans. "And we couldn't have done it without your brother, of course – the humans adore him. Well, after those poisoning rumours were cleared up...but he's doing wonders for our image. They're very excited about the...merchandising opportunities, I hear."

"Yeah, he's jonesing for his own brand of spaghetti," Sans grinned, a warm, fuzzy mixture of pride and relief growing in his soul. Obviously, he knew his little bro would be a pro at his new job: he had a 100% success rate at making friends with humans, vs 0% at capturing them. But it was also pretty nice now that he was dedicating himself to something where the chances of getting his soul shattered into pieces were considerably lower – not that that meant Sans wasn't still keeping a close socket on some of those humans. "I just hope all the fame doesn't..." He nodded in the direction of Asgore's impressive hedge-Papyrus, watching over them all with his permanently excited smile, "go to his head."

"Oh – to his head!" Toriel let out a snorting giggle, clasping one hand to her mouth and nudging Asgore with the other. "Oh dear, I fear we may already be too late for that! Do you get it?"

"Of course, yes – that's...a good one." Asgore chuckled too, politely if not quite as enthusiastically. "Indeed, as that one seems so popular, I believe that shrub on the other side is due for a trim – perhaps I ought to try my paw at you next, Sans. Complete the set, hmm?"

"Uhhh, me? You sure about that?" Sans wasn't totally sure whether they were still joking or not, but he laughed along a little incredulously. "I mean, Pap's the mascot here. I'm just some nobody selling hot dogs."

"And cats!" Toriel chipped in, disproportionately but adorably proud either of Sans or of herself for remembering, or both, as she squeezed his shoulder. "Though, of course, we cannot allow outside food..."

"...on school grounds, I know," Sans finished with her, with just a hint of teasing as he slung an arm affectionately around her waist. "It's all good, Tori, I left it outside this time."

Asgore smiled at them, a wistful look in his eye as he inclined his head thoughtfully. "No need to be modest, Sans – that is hardly all you are. After all, you...you clearly make Tori happy, and I would certainly say that is something worth immortalising."

"Asgore, please!" Immediately, Toriel stiffened, her voice rising with indignation as she folded her arms over her chest and Sans let go of her, quickly stuffing his hands back into his pockets as if she was on fire, which was sort of looking like a possibility. Asgore's face fell, his eyes wide with hapless confusion.

"What...What did I say?"

"You are talking as though I am some sort of...charity case that needs to be looked after!" she snapped, pink rising to her cheeks as she glared at him over the top of her glasses.

"Tori, come on, you know that isn't what I –"

"I am not having this conversation in front of the children," she cut him off sharply, and with the centuries of history in those heated glances passing literally over his head – plus having absolutely no idea how he was supposed to react in this situation – Sans was starting to wonder if he was included in that.

"Miss Toriel! Miss Toriel!"

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending where you were standing, an actual kid chose that moment to come running up to them. Toriel's expression immediately softened, her eyes crinkling in concern as she bent down to his level.

"Whatever is the matter, David?"

"That dog's back, and he – he stole my lunch!" he gasped, blinking up at her with tearful eyes. "I tried to get it back but he ran away, so Grant threw his shoe at him, but then he caught it in his mouth and now we can't..."

"Oh dear goodness – no! No throwing! I keep telling him..." Toriel let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her muzzle before summoning up a determinedly reassuring smile. "Alright, my child, do not worry – just show me where you last saw that dog, okay? I will get your lunch back for you, and Grant's shoe, and...whatever else he may have absorbed this time." She cast an apologetic glance back over her shoulder, mouthing 'sorry' before she hurried away. "Grant! Grant! Put that football down this instant!" 

She disappeared into the crowd of children, letting David lead her by the hand. Asgore let out a deep, mournful sigh, staring after her.

"I do not think she has quite forgiven me yet."

"Hey, she'll, uh...she'll come round," Sans offered, shuffling his feet; honestly, he kind of felt for the guy. He was trying, even if he was also making everything even more painfully awkward than it already was. "She's just got a lot on her plate right now. Kids, y'know?"

"I do know." Asgore scratched at his beard, silence dragging out between them before he spoke again. "Sans, I know this is a...sensitive subject, for all of us. I suppose you're probably expecting me to say something like: 'I'll break every last one of your bones if you ever hurt Tori in any way'."

Sans blinked, a startled and slightly inappropriate laugh escaping because – okay, that was just a little bit too specific to buy that he hadn't at least thought it."I, uh, I didn't really think you'd say..."

"I never wanted to be that sort of king. To be feared." Asgore picked up his watering can, shifting his gaze back to the flowers as he crouched over them, brows knitting together in a thoughtful frown. "All I wanted was to give everyone some hope, even when I had none myself. But that is still no excuse for what I did, how I filled the Underground with such fear and hatred towards humans. I suppose I...I convinced myself that it was a matter of justice for my people. I wanted them to know what it felt like, to lose everything and everyone they held dear. After all, I – I had nothing left to lose myself, so it no longer mattered what happened to me in the process."

His voice was calm as he watered the freesias, but his grip tightened around the watering can, veins bulging through his arms as if struggling against memories, and – maybe Sans hadn't been around as long, but he still felt it, all the pent-up anger and frustration and despair simmering under the surface. He still remembered, maybe in some timeline long since erased, looking down at his own hands, covered in dust. He didn't know whose, or how it got there, but he remembered feeling like...

"Doesn't help, though, does it?" he mumbled, almost to himself, but it was enough to catch Asgore's attention as he glanced up to meet Sans' sockets. "Being angry, I mean. It doesn't really change anything. Whatever – whoever you've lost, it doesn't bring 'em back."

"I..." Asgore hesitated; in their current position, they were almost the same height, and Sans couldn't help noticing how similar his eyes were to Toriel's: the same well-aged, tired eyes in a deceptively youthful face. Eyes that had seen so much, and kept so much; that still carried the pain of the past, but also a glimmer of hope for the future. "No," he agreed, the corners of his mouth finally lifting in a small, guarded but grateful smile, "it doesn't. And it is certainly no thanks to me that we did make it to the surface in the end – but perhaps this is the way it should have happened. It is wrong to blame the humans of today for the transgressions of the past; bringing war upon innocent people, simply for being what they are, would make me no more noble than those who drove us underground all those centuries ago. I realise that now. Nothing can ever replace my..." Asgore's words seemed to catch in his throat, just for a moment, and he quickly rose to his full height, blinking hard as he set down the watering can. "What any of us have lost, or indeed that which we have taken from others. But here, perhaps...I have a second chance, to build something better. A future in which humans and monsters can finally live in peace. And now, Toriel is finally..." He paused again, smile wavering. "Well. I won't deny it: I missed my wife terribly, and yes, there was a time when I still hoped maybe we could be...together, as we were. But she has made her feelings clear, and I understand – we cannot cling to the past. Perhaps it is time for us all to move on, as she has moved on with you."

Oh, boy – there it was. There was no jealousy or resentment in his tone, and somehow that only made it harder, but Sans just about managed to meet his eyes, flashing a self-deprecating grin as he scratched the back of his skull. "Heh...yeah, I guess you could put it like that. Hey, uh, just for the record, I'm as surprised as you are."

"Oh, I wasn't surprised." Asgore smiled, a little bittersweet, but with genuine fondness shining through. "I could tell Tori liked you, from the moment I saw you two together. I ought to know, after all – the way she looked at you, I hadn't heard her laugh like that in...well, certainly for far too long. I meant what I said, you know. Heaven knows, Toriel deserves someone to make her smile, and even if...even if it is no longer me, I'm still grateful I get to see it again. Besides, as I'm sure you know, she is not subtle." He chuckled softly. "Gosh – even when she first started talking to me again, it was almost always about you."

"Yeah?" Sans couldn't stop the smirk from spreading across his face at that, but maybe it was okay because Asgore was still grinning too, and since they'd already smashed through the awkward barrier from the start of this conversation, maybe he was actually starting to relax. "What'd she say about me?"

"Oh my – excuse me!" As if she knew – which she probably did, somehow, mother's intuition or something – before Asgore had a chance to reply, Toriel had rejoined them, still looking a little flustered with a stray leaf clinging to the fur between her horn and ear. "Well, the dog got away, but we managed to recover...what I believe was once David's lunch. Not to worry, though – we found him some extra chocolate pudding from the cafeteria, which he seemed quite satisfied with. So, what have you boys been talking about?"

"Oh, nothing..." Asgore started.

"You," Sans said at the same time, and they both laughed, exchanging guilty looks as Toriel raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I was just recalling some of our old conversations, Tori," Asgore continued innocently with a teasing twinkle in his eye. "Let's see...'oh, Sans told me the funniest joke yesterday', and 'it was so sweet of Sans to watch Frisk while I was at the PTA meeting', and of course: 'Sans made us a pie, and it was only a little burnt!' I suppose I should be thanking you," he added, shooting Sans a knowing wink, "as, were it not for you, she might still be telling the same old jokes for centuries yet to come."

"Oh, I see." Toriel let out a hmph, planting her hands on her hips in mock irritation, but she was clearly fighting back a smile as she attempted a pout. "I seem to recall you laughing at my old jokes at the time...although I am beginning to suspect you were simply trying to butter me up in the hope of an extra serving of pie."

"Huh, guess she's got a point – can't knock the classics, Fluffybuns," Sans said with a shrug; Toriel started to giggle, and surprisingly enough Asgore joined in, deep, warm, infectious chuckles, more relaxed than he'd sounded all day.

"You mock me now, but just you wait, my friend," he grinned, reaching over and clapping Sans playfully on the back with just enough force not to knock him skull-first into the flowers. "I foresee many new names of a similar caliber in your future...that is, if you have not already had the honour." He looked back at Toriel, smiling with curiosity, amusement and a hint of nostalgia. "Well, Tori?"

"I could not possibly comment," she answered in her prim teacher's voice, but naturally she couldn't resist adding a characteristically unsubtle wink, pressing a finger to her lips before she caught sight of her watch, and her face fell. "Oh goodness – is that the time? I promised you lunch, and it is almost time for class already! I truly am sorry, cu – um, Sans. Are you hungry? Do you want some chocolate pudding to take home, too?"

"Nah, Tori, I'm good." Sans slipped his hand into hers with a reassuring squeeze, grinning sheepishly at her little slip as he felt his cheekbones turning blue with a mix of embarrassment and a weird kind of pleasure that he could never, ever admit to. "I got plenty of food in the cart – probably oughta be moving on, anyway. I'll see you after class, okay?"

"Wonderful." Another silence fell, and Toriel's eyes flickered briefly over to Asgore, still waiting patiently like the elephant in the room. Except they were outside, and he was a goat, and really not such a bad guy; Toriel looked at Sans, widening her eyes imploringly as if to ask should we? Sans moved his shoulder a fraction of an inch in response, in the recognised signal for might be weird and awkward, but yeah, I guess we probably should.

"Hey, Asgore," he said casually, "you wanna come to Grillby's with us later? Pretty sure he'll get the good seats out for royalty."

"A tempting offer," Asgore observed, with a wry but sincere smile, "but...no, I think I will leave you two to it. I have business to attend to. Thank you for the invitation, though – another time, perhaps."

"In that case, you must come round for dinner sometime," Toriel spoke up. "You, Frisk and Papyrus – a feast for all of our noble ambassadors! It would be nice, would it not, a chance for us all to...catch up?" She inclined her head invitingly, and Asgore blinked, his eyes widening in disbelief as though he suspected he was being pranked.

“Really?” After a moment, he regained his composure, breaking out into a wide, equally relieved and delighted grin, as bold and dazzling as the sunshine. "I – yes, of course, that would be...Thank you, Tori. I'd...I'd really like that."

“Then it is a date,” she replied with a smile, and after a moment of hesitation, moved forwards to hug him, one arm circling around his broad shoulders in a brief but friendly squeeze. She was still holding Sans' hand so he was tugged along for the ride; there was an awkward moment when Asgore's eyes inadvertently caught Sans' sockets just as he was hugging Toriel back. Yep, definitely still weird, but Sans just shrugged and grinned and somehow it was okay, as Toriel released Asgore from the hug and he held out his hand. Sans took it, and Asgore's powerful paw clasped around his hand for a firm, rigorous but non-bone-crushing shake. Maybe it'd always be a little weird, with the three of them stood around exchanging tentatively hopeful smiles – but, as Toriel's hand tightened around Sans' for a final, triumphant squeeze just before they parted ways, it felt like they were going to be okay. They were moving on, all of them, and they'd be okay.

At least, Sans had to admit, it sure beat hiding in the bushes.

[idontusethisbloganymoresry]

Sole Survivor OC "Get To Know"

Which Fallout game are they from?: 4 (cliche anybody?) Which faction(s) did they join and which did they destroy?: They chose The Railroad, so of course had to deal with The Institute and Brotherhood of steel. Why?: Because Humans and Synths are equal and should be treated as so. Give us a summary of their backstory.: They lived in Diamond City until the age of 17 when they decided to take a trip to The Capital Wasteland, they spent 4 years there then returned back to The Commonwealth where they joined up with The Railroad and started that chapter of their life. (No terrible childhood accidents or terrible husband/wife dying, they had a pretty chill life, with of course the dangers of living after the nuclear war. What’s their full name and does it have a meaning? Do they have any nicknames and how did they get em?: Their name is Jane Wolfe, and for nicknames... some people call her J even though she doesn't like it (she's too nice to say anything about it). What’s their sexual, and gender orientation? Do they feel comfortable telling other people?: They are straight, and Female, and yes their comfortable I don't see why they would feel uncomfortable anyways. Do they have any mental illnesses? How do they cope?: They a milder case of social anxiety, it doesn't interfere that much but sometimes she will just be found alone in a room taking deep breathes. (Trying to not have a breakdown) Do they have any medical conditions? Is medicine/ treatment available for them? They are pretty healthy and don't need any regular medicine or treatments. How much do they care about their outer appearance? What’s their “beauty routine”? How often do they shower/ bathe?: Appearance is not really something people mind that much but growing up in diamond city has made them a bit more conscious of their appearance than some others. Beauty routine? Ha, not really no. And showering? There aren't many working showers so uh, I don't know I guess just whenever it's more accessible? What do they fear the most?: Losing people is really scary, it is for anyone.. They’re biggest flaw? Do they recognize it as a flaw?: They hate how terrible they are socially, they don't really see it as a flaw more of a trait I guess. What are they most insecure about?: Height, and no their not some 5'3 person, they are 6'2, it's not a abnormal height for men but when you tower over most everyone when your a girl, its kinda awkward. They hate it and love it, they love that it makes people approach her less, but hate it that they stand out more. What Wasteland threat do they fear the most? (ex. Deathclaws, super mutants, raiders): Freakin Ferals dude. What’s their zodiac sign or which one do you think they relate to the most? What are their placements (if you know them)? (ex. Aries sun, Taurus moon, Aquarius Venus): Their a Virgo, sun, Leo rising, and Sagittarius moon. What natural alignment are they? (ex. Lawful Good, Chaotic Evil): probably a bit chaotic good? Do they have any hobbies? What are they?: They enjoy art, they love finding popular spots in the commonwealth and drawing them to be more prewar. Do they have a favorite holiday? How do they celebrate it?: Christmas is definitely their favorite, most people don't celebrate it but just the lights up in diamond city makes them feel happier. What’s their favorite season?: Summer. Do they have a temper or are they level headed?: Very level headed and can control their feelings quite well. Do they express their emotions freely or hide their true feelings?: Pft they hide them sooooooo bad. Are they a leader or a follower?: They would rather lead (social anxiety) but would be a better leader. How do they come off to others? What first impression do they usually make?: Seem seem almost full of themself and kinda like a coward because of how pathetic their social skills are, they try to keep conversation short so people often think that they think they are better then everyone else. And when they do talk they stutter and fall over words and mess up a lot that people see them as sort of pathetic and sad. (They are sorta tbh lol) Do they prefer to travel alone or with company? Who have they traveled with if any? Current companion if any?: Even though they basically hate people having someone too watch your back brings a sort of peace or calmness I guess, and having someone to back you up and do the talking is also nice.: They have traveled with a few people over the time of being back in the wealth' they tried Piper and MacCready, it went terribly. (They both talked, a lot.) Would you describe them as selfless or selfish? Does it depend on the situation? If they are with friends they hoard either a weapon or food like their life depends on it but with strangers, (nice ones, like settlers) they are very generous and try to be nice. What do they find most attractive in others? Name at least one psychological and physical trait. (doesn’t have to be romantic attraction): someone who can carry a conversation without having awkward silences or weird pauses while trying to think of topics is a very big trait that they like, and appearance? Their pretty chill with most tbh, any race their good with, and height and stuff like that doesn't really matter to them. (Let's be honest though their too shy to actually be in a relationship though.) Do they flirt often? How easily do they fall in love? What’s their love life like? Are they interested in anyone or in a relationship?: They can't flirt to save their life, and when they do it's mostly on accident. An falling in love? Whew that's a topic, they don't really know anyone that they have 'fallen in love with' it's mostly just innocent crushes. Love life? Non existent (so sad). And their not really into anybody. Do they prefer to solve things diplomatically or using violence?: If peace is an option then they choose it, simple as that. What is their combat style? What range do they prefer? Do they sneak?: They like to start from afar with a sniper or something like that then sneak in with a knife or something quiet. What weapon(s) do they always carry with them? A knife is always #1, they use the railway rifle some, and snipers of course. Their most prized possession?: a preserved package of Fancy Lad Snack Cakes they found in a vault. Their thoughts on power armor?: They love fixing it but using it is eh. Favorite armor/ outfit? Even though they despise the brotherhood of steel they wear their uniform them leg and arm attachments. (The green one btw, they don't like the orange ones.) How’s their aim? Do their hands shake while pointing a gun?: Honestly you'd think a sniper would have good aim but dang, they're pretty shaky. What are their thoughts on having to kill on a daily bases in order to survive? Does it take a toll on them? Or do they shake it off rather easily?: Since they're not a heavy in the railroad they don't kill that often, they kill more animals than people. Thoughts on death if any? (ex. Fear it, accept it): Accepts it but is sorta scared. Do they move around a lot or prefer to have a place to call home?: When their not chilling in HQ their at The Red Rocket Station outside of Sanctuary, (they help with settlements when they can.) What’s their favorite location?: Probably The Red Rocket Station, its close to Sanctuary so if they get bored they can visit their, but it's also far enough away from any big cities so it's pretty quiet. Their opinions on ghouls, feral and not feral? Ghouls? Totally fine. Ferals? Yeah their not a fan you could say. Do they scavenge for their supplies or simply buy them?: It depends, building items they like to scavenge for but ammo and stuff like that they mostly buy. Are they the type to get distracted and go off to an unknown nearby location or do they stay on track?: If it isn't a Red Rocket Station or really really cool then they stay on track. How do they sleep? Are they picky about where and how or can they sleep basically anywhere?: They can sleep ANYWHERE, it's kinda weird like, woah. What’s their favorite radio station and song? (post-apocalypse) They love all music so anything is good with them. What’s their favorite post-apocalyptic food? Are they a picky eater? Fancy Lad Snack Cakes 4lyfe, and their not too picky, only some stuff weirdos them out. Do they know how to cook?: Their actually a very good cook, when they were around the age of 16 they got a job helping out at The Dug Out Inn. What’s their favorite beverage? Do they drink alcohol?: Waterrrrrr they don't really like Nuke Cola, and no they don't drink. Anything they like to collect? (ex. Unique weapons, Bobbleheads) Any art supplies they can find they hoard, and weapon and armor mods. Are they good at disarming traps or do they constantly miss them?: They sometimes miss a couple but most of the time they catch em. Ey this was of my OC Jane Wolfe! I hope you enjoyed, I found this post and thought it sounded really fun so here ya go.

[survivemiddleearth]

Episode #3: “Nabbed by a man in a party city cow suit” -Nick

I CANNOT FUCKING BELIEVE THAT I JUST GOT NABBED BY A MAN IN A FUCKING PARTY CITY COW SUIT, IM FUCKING KILLING MYSELF IN THIS STUPID FARMERS FEILD

Remember when i said i felt secure in this game? Yeah me neither, and now with a tribe swap (:

I’m so sad???? I don’t even know the names of my old tribe to mourn them. AHHHH I DONT WANNA SWAP YET cri cri. Well fresh start cept Stephan is here so semi fresh. Hopefully he won’t screw me over jajdjdw

a tribe swap huh... I'm really curious to see how the Idolhunt works, and if the clue for a 2nd Idol on 1 tribe (?!?!?!) is actually transferrable.

Its a tribe swap and yay! I’m with the two people I’ve actually talked strategy with, Dennis and Sammy. However, I am with Vi, who is not my favourite person, i’ll try for the clean slate and all that is my philosophy but she has a history of being a snake, if an ineffective, goat-esque snake.

BLESS THE RAINS Ok I'm actually sad about Jayden - was a cool guy but I couldn't try and dictate another vote so soon and he WAS on the outer :/ BUT NOW I GET TO BE CHAOTIC YEE HA! im throwing my old tribe under the bus so fast cuz im messy and i want to be that bitch (patent pending) johnny will assume i'll take his side probs but like, I might, but I'm not gonna give up this opportunity to play middleman my inner kass is gleaming caw-caw am coming!

Yay! I love my new tribe. I have had good experiences with all these players, so I feel that my options are available and I can go to whoever I want for an alliance.

I HAVE FOUND. EVERY SINGLE. FUCKING. IDOL LOCATION. ALL THREE. AND THEY'RE ALL. FOUND. IM GONNA. SCREAM. IM. MAD.

Ok lost post but I haven’t confessed since the swap so: ok so the tribe swap has me shook. Thank Zeus that I’m still with Jay and Ford. Zach and JG are also on this tribe but I don’t think they like me. I messaged Zach and he responded with ‘👀’ which was funny asf but also. how do I respond to that. Drew and nick both had conversations with me so I don’t feel completely rejected. Jay and I have been sharing idol hunt stories and we’re pretty sure that all idols have been found so I’m scared to idol hunt, all I’ll find is disadvantages and I don’t want that. The word search comp was a lot of fun ?? I didn’t know any of the words so it was really panicky but I think I did okay. I really hope that we win this comp because. I hate tribal?? I’ve only lived 2 tribals ever because I’m a dumbass so.

This tribe is...interesting. Zach and Dylan R, despite being my sons, are a lil snakey. I see their rat boy sides, respectfully. Dylan just never lets me live tbh. But Zach and I were talking about the tribe and he mentioned wanting to blindside Drew at some point, and I was like Yeah Makes Sense and he goes "so if you could convince people to do that it would be great!" BINCH. I'm not your minion yet, don't give me tasks. So I have to keep him around to throw under the bus at some point lol. I think I'll try to get Bodhi out first since everyone else on the tribe I think I can work with.

Ayyy. Lets go guys. I found an idol. The first time I ever found one in a survivor game. Lets see how long I can hold onto it, before i either get blindsided or waste it out of paranoia. Imagine how nutty it would be if I had 2 idols by now. DARN YOU STEPHEN!!!

I’d love to get crow on board to work with my old tribe mates, none of the others really talk to me much. Thats not to say if a better offer comes up I wont take it, I’m considering tryig a less loyal game plan.

So far Dennis is my closest ally in this game, but I’ve been working hard to make sure I dont stand out as a player and an alliance maker. I also have talked to Crow a lot and really like him, would love to work with him. Dennis wants to work with Roxy and Sammy which I am cautious about, but now isn’t the time to play the game too hard. I’ll work with them for now while getting closer to others and then make my move, theres a lot of players in this group I have to make sure I’m not left behind or blindsided.

Nick sweetie I like you but 2 hours omg im beyond shook. I don’t want him going so that’s chill but I would be lying if I said I didn’t laugh omg. I’m.... kinda glad we lost? In a way?? The other tribe has a 4-3-1 where as our tribe is 3-3-2 so. In a way this is better?? I’ll probably be eating these words when I get evicted tomorrow but oh well. 

Drew is really nice and we have great conversations !! But I know his history so of course I’m wary talking with him. He’s good at grilling for info while also being guarded, so talking with him about the vote worries me. If I say the wrong thing I feel like he could turn the votes against me. I thought this vote would be easy but Drew telling me that him and the red team aren’t close worries me because I know that they’re in an alliance. Drew is still really cool & nice but paranoia is a bitch !!!

I did the math, because I’m a nerd, and Zach needed a score of 16 minutes in order to tie. Honestly not the dudes fault ,,, we woulda lost anyway even if he did well. Just thought I’d say that 

I'm really glad our tribe won. We ended up bonding a lot over a long discussion in the tribe chat, and I want to build with that with the people who I had most in common with, like sammy. I feel I need to socialize more because no one really approached me in a bit. I know we aren't a tribal but I feel like I should be approached anyway.

FINALLY I'm headed to tribal! I really need to go to at least one tribal pre-merge just so I can see where the heads are at and how people act under pressure. So far I've learned that Zach is the most Rat Boy person I've ever met. ZACH, I TOLD YOU AFTER KALOKAIRI THAT YOU NEED TO LEARN TO TONE IT DOWN. TONE IT DOWN. Dylan R too, to be honest. They're both just WAY TOO STRATEGIC. Like learn some subtlety, kiddos. Dylan R literally said 'we really need to get out Bodhi' to me and Zach asked 'Why doesn't Bodhi like you?' unprompted and is also roasting Drew every .4 seconds. I mean yes it's refreshing since I'm so used to playing with crusted over community people like.....myself. But also, I'm tired. I don't want to play the game as a rat herder, trying to stop Rat Zach and Rat Drew from biting each other's heads off. (If you're reading this post-season, just know I view you all as very strong players, and I bestow the title of rat lovingly, as I myself am 100% a rat). On the plus side, there are LOTS of juicy meat shields in this game. As annoying as it's going to be to deal with the inevitable Zach vs. Drew ego war, at least I know their conflict is going to keep me out of the spotlight hopefully long enough to make late merge. I need to stay as UTR as possible as long as possible, and this cast might make that easy for me. I'm just thankful I have JG. He's one of my best friends, and I know we can trust each other going forward.

Oh god I went so hard my last game and now this game i’ve Idol searched once and confessed once lmao. Ummm...not a very interesting game so far. No one’s flipped. No ine’s Been shady. Very clean cut. I’m playing with some Kalokairi peeps so that’s fun and fresh, but other than that there hasn’t been much. That’s probably why I haven’t confessed at all 😂.

I thought that this vote was gonna be easy but talk of an idol has sent people into a frenzy. Personally, if an idol gets played it won’t be the end of the world for me so I’m not... too scared ? Inb4 I get blindsided but it should be either bodhi or nick going.

Welp, the vote has flipped to Nick. Usually that would make me scramble to get it back where I want it, but this game I'm not strongarming any players, and I'm going with the "anyone but me" strategy. So whatever! If everyone can unanimously vote against an inactive player, that works.

This might be me being cocky. But I can not believe that 12 minutes was actually the fastest time. I am happy that I am not going to Tribal council. And I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible, but still... 12 minutes? Mhm.. Maybe the other tribe threw on purpose to get certain players out... who knows!

Welp I really wanted Nick gone because of that score, sorry bud but it is about tribe strength but everyone was saying let's vote Bodhi. Being/feeling on the bottom even though I have some relationships with  people like Dylan, Drew, and Jay , I still did not feel secure in my position in this game. During the afternoon, I realized it was extremely stupid to target and get rid of Bodhi who would most likely be loyal to me and have my back over some of these other folks. So I talked to Jay and planted the seeds of actually voting out Nick instead of Bodhi. I went to Bodhi saying that we could potentially flip this and told him who needed to talk and and who to target to save himself which was obviously Nick. I wanted Nick out the moment those results came out and if he goes home, I will take claim to this for pulling this off, this will potentially really keep Bodhi as a number for myself and not rock too many boats.

wow shook i didn’t do the worst at the word search....why do all of my friends gotta be in the game w me. Potentially I would like to work with Johnny and Roxy even tho I know a lot of times ppl target roxy for being crazy and I don’t know who i can trust yet. I like crow as well. My predictions for tonight is that bodhi might go home because he really wasn’t active on our old tribe but only time will tellllll