#by the time they are big enough to look like Large Mosquitos their only job is to die. (and fuck)

[sergle]

BRO, CRANE FLIES DO NOT EAT MOSQUITOS......... "skeeter eaters".... THEY DO FUCKALL. they eat plants... until they become adults. and then their mouths are too small to eat at all.

[folomie]

How to Organize Seasonal Clothes?

Now Living in Cities, Most Houses Are Relatively Compact, Especially for Those Who Rent or Have a Small Room, They Often Have No Place to Put Their Clothes. Now That the Seasons Change, You Can Put All the Clothes from the Previous Season. Use the Clothes Storage Box to Organize, and Hang the Commonly Used Clothes in the Commonly Used Positions Outside, So That It Will Be More Convenient to Change Clothes Every Day, and the Whole Room Will Become More Neat and Clean.

The Season is About to Change, and I've Done a Big Tidying Up of My Wardrobe. Although the Four Words of Wardrobe Organization Sound Like a Big Head, You Don't Want to Do It, but in Fact, It is Not As Difficult As You Think After You Actually Do It.

If You Want to Tidy Up Your Home, in Fact, It is Meaningless to Look at the Theory, You Must Do It Yourself.

This is a Practical Article That Can Be Directly Operated. Follow Me to Tidy Up the Messy Wardrobe.

1. to Throw Away

Remember, As Long As It's Tidying, the First Step is Always Throwing Things Away.

Those Deformed Loose T-shirts, Pants That You Think You Can Wear After Losing Weight, and Clothes That You Bought on Impulse but Obviously Don’t Match Your Style, Let’s Take Advantage of the Changing Season and Dispose of Them Decisively. , You Will Find That the Closet is Much Empty, and the Storage Task Will Be Reduced a Lot. if You Are Really Struggling, You Can Think About How Long It Has Been Since You Have Worn This Dress, One Year, Two Years, or Even More, So Long, Don't Fool Yourself, You Won't Wear It, and You Won't Wear It in the Future Of

2. Cleaning

When You've Decided What Clothes to Leave Behind, Treat Them with Care.

If You Don't Want to Take out Your Baby Clothes Next Year and Find Moldy Spots or Old Stains That Can't Be Cleaned, Find a Sunny Day to Wash and Dry Them Before Storage. Wash Clothes That Are Only Worn Once, Even Large Coats.

In Order to Prolong the Service Life of Clothes, in Addition to Proper Cleaning, Dehumidification and Pest Control Measures Should Also Be Taken. You Can Choose a Sealed, Clean, Sun-dried Storage Box to Store Seasonal Clothes.

When the Seasons Change, Do Not Do a Good Job of Cleaning and Put the Clothes Directly into the Wardrobe. After a Period of Time, the Clothes Will Be Contaminated with Dust or Even Viruses, Which Will Cause Mildew. Don't Be Lazy if You Should Send It to Dry Cleaning. Treat Your Favorite Clothes Carefully to Make Them Last Longer.

3. Classification

To Make It Easier to Find in the Future, You Need to Organize Your Clothes by Color, Type (tops, Sweaters, Coats, Pants, Underwear) or Functions (such As Casual or Formal Wear). Depending on the Material of the Clothes (such As Wool and Synthetic Clothing Must Be Stored Separately), It Should Be Hung or Folded for Storage.

4. Vacuum Storage Bag

For Fluffy Down Jackets, Quilts, Blankets or Some Seasonal Clothes Folded to Take Up Space, So I Thought of Buying a Vacuum Compression Bag to Seal the Coat, Which Can Free Up a Lot of Space.

5. Choose a Storage Box

Although It is Best to Put Clothes in a Ventilated and Dry Place, After All, There is Only So Much Space in the Home, and It is Not Realistic to Hang Clothes All Year Round in the Closet (it is Ok if the Space is Large). Therefore, It is a Good Way to Put Seasonal Clothes in the Storage Box, and the Lid Can Basically Eliminate Dust, Mosquitoes and Cockroaches. the Important Thing is That Stacking Them Can Save a Lot of Space.

What I Choose is Folomie Closet Storage with Lids Which is Made of High Quality Non-woven + PVC Material, the Black Lantern Print is Beautiful and Simple, Strong and Durable Enough for Long-term Use. Stackable Design for Easy Storage when Not in Use, Helping You Save Space. Built-in Handles on Both Sides for Easy Pick Up/down or Move. the Removable Cover Design Protects the Contents from Dust. There is Also a Viewing Window for Easy Access, if You Need It, Visit https://www.folomie.com/

[ilooklikeaburntchickenugget]

Disney’s Flowers

A/N: Alright so before reading this I want to clarify a few things: I, personally, do not have any experience with writing characters who are on the autistic spectrum. Because of this I tried my hardest to be sensitive to the diction and characterization of the character in this story who is on the spectrum. I am also not attempting to romanticize the idea of something like that, as I am very aware that both individuals and families struggle with these disorders everyday. That being said, I also think it’s important to include the differences we all have as people in writing. I hope that this work helps to highlight, and not hurt, the communities mentioned. Pairing: Chris Evans x F!Reader (w/ Family) Word count: 2,899 words Warnings: Anxiety, extreme changes in emotion, minor swearing.

Summary: Y/N and Chris Evans’ travel with their three kids on their yearly trip to Disney World with the Evans’ family. Yet the chaos and large crowds cause a fraction of their day to be filled with panic over fun, and comforting one of their kids surrounded by the less than optimal circumstances.

You were never much of a big Disney kid growing up. But naturally, being married into the Evans’ clan, you had to learn and adapt to love Disney as much as they did.

So when the two of you finally decided to have the “Big Boston Family” Chris had fantasized about for years, Disney was wound into every facet of your lives. And once the kids became old enough, two Disney World trips a year became mandatory.

And so here you were, just getting out of bed at the Disney resort you were staying out. This was the winter trip, the one where his entire family trailed along and happily helped you with the kids, actually giving you time to enjoy the park and not have to constantly worry about the temper, actions, or needs of your children. Even if that’s what motherhood was.

You groaned slightly, reaching your arms up through the cool air of the AC with a yawn. You felt a slight shift behind you on the bed, signaling that your husband was, too, now up. “Morning, hon.” He groaned in his awfully groggy morning voice.

“Morning.” You replied, not even trying to form a smile in your still sleepy state.

You were actually able to get up at 8, thankful that Shanna had taken the kids for a sleepover with her own in their room. You slowly got up, making your way to the ensuite bathroom to begin the usual teeth and hair brushing, and some light makeup to look at least presentable. You had no clue which corner a fan’s phone would pop up, and you were not ready to seep all of you imperfections into the world after the years of torture the press had put you through as a young, aspiring celebrity in your youth. But as a whole-ass woman with three kids and a husband, you still couldn’t handle most of the outrageous negativity.

On a lighter note, Disney World was also the perfect excuse to wear the most simple clothes you owned and be able to go out in public with them. You had always preferred leggings, they prevented chaffing, sunburn, and mosquitos, and simple t-shirts.

“Ready to go pick up the kids?” Chris asked, placing his cap on as you nodded, grabbing your backpack.

The day started out well, breakfast and then immediately to the park. The kids were literally bouncing up and down with excitement, as you and Chris stood behind them with everyone else, letting your young children take the lead. It was their job to have the time of their lives and make the best memories anyone could hope for, it was your job to make sure they were safe while doing so.

You had always kept a close eye, however, on your little Phoebe. Her stark, long black hair was tied into a small low ponytail as she held onto her dear cousin Stella’s hand, being only two years younger. You couldn’t see her face, but you knew her deep hazel eyes were searching all around, everywhere, trying to focus.

While of course you cared about your oldest, Jayce, who was nine, and Owen, who was four, Phoebe had to be looked at in a slightly different way- as in, you always had to look out for her more. Especially in places like these.

After a few minor abnormalities in her behavior right after she turned two, you took her to her pediatrician where the thought first appeared that she could possibly be on the spectrum for autism. And as she developed further, the more both you and Chris had become aware that she was.

While it was quite minor, more signs of very slightly different social skills compared to what was deemed “normal” and some sensory issues, she was completely able to do most anything. Family interactions were smooth, she got along pretty well with kids at school, you could leave her for sleepovers with little to no problems. But as soon as it came to big crowds and big places with a million things going on, thing became treacherous.

The last three days at Disney were fine, she hadn’t run into any problems. With your and Chris’ joint celebrity status situation, the park was incredibly accommodating in terms of applying both their VIP package and security on top of your own detail. Even if that wasn’t the case, you could have easily made the short walk over to the park’s disability services for a pass to prevent her from waiting in crowded lines with loud speakers and chaotic noise in the background, because it was the recipe for a meltdown.

But, as warned numerous times by the park, VIP perks would have to fluctuate slightly around how crowded the park was. And today it happened to be practically shoulder to shoulder with people.

Right off the bat you could tell it was going to be a difficult day when she released her hand from Stellas and came running up, eagerly grabbing your leg. You and Chris immediately stopped, urging the rest of the family to move along so you could talk to her alone for a moment, finding a relatively secluded area.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” You asked in as much of a caring voice as you could, your eyes scanning hers that seemed filled with chaos and panic as you brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was unresponsive, which was already not a good sign.

You gave her a few more moments before Chris stepped in. “Sweetheart,” He looked at her, taking one of her tiny hands in his big one. “Mommy and I want to help you, could you pretty please tell us what’s wrong?” She looked back to your frantically, as she did most times when she was in a growing state of panic, to which you took her head into your chest from where you sat down, brushing your hair with her fingers and just trying to make the entire world disappear from her consciousness.

She pulled away a minute later, chewing on her thumb a bit, which would usually be slightly out of character for a kid at her age but was just a habit that you and Chris were not willing to try and back her away from since it typically helped her to feel more comfortable to speak. “It’s a lot.” She simply said and you nodded, giving her a sympathetic look.

“I know, love.” You softly smiled at her, sighing and thinking of a solution, “How about this, we try to make it through the day, okay? I know there’s a lot but I promise Daddy and I are going to try out very best to get all the people away. And then we’ll go get some ice cream, and maybe, if we’re super duper lucky, we can see Ariel today.” You smiled as he face lit up, a smile forming on her own. Chris had brainwashed your kids, but specifically the little one in front of you, to love Ariel, and her shirt with the infamous mermaid princess on it said it all. “Does that sound good?” You asked and she frantically nodded.

“Yeah.” She smiled as both you and Chris stood up, your husband immediately throwing her on his shoulder with no hesitation so she could see everything from above, maybe making her feel less little.

A plan had been put in place a few years ago after her symptoms became more prominent, that at any of these crowded places, if she felt too panicked and out of it to do anything else, either you or Chris would take her to the hotel room until dinner to help her calm down a bit. At the end of the day, you couldn’t do more than sympathize with her. You knew she wanted to experience the world the same way her brothers and cousins did, but she also managed to make her own little imagination span beyond most.

The few first hours flew by, and while she mainly stuck with you and Chris, she was having the time of her life eating her little heart out, riding a few of the rides, and of course, enthusiastically pointing out as many flowers as her little mind could let her, as flowers had been her obsessions for years. She knew more about gardening than House and Garden magazine, and she was six.

You had finally arrived at the much awaited Splash Mountain. But, of course, being one of the most popular rides at Disney came with the fact that there was bound to be a wait, VIP or not. Immediately your motherly instincts told you waiting in line with her was not a good idea, but her willing tug on your hand towards her cousins walking in told you maybe she was willing to take a risk, and maybe that was good.

Or that she was completely naive at her young age to the fact that this was not a good idea. And yeah, it ended up being just that.

Only five minutes in and you could tell her panic was beginning to rise. She was closer to you, practically leaning on your leg, holding onto your hand tighter as her face slowly got lost into your thigh, telling you this was it. She was entering an overstimulation episode.

You immediately turned to your husband, going full on mama bear mode. “I’m gonna take her out of the line.” You hastily explained as he gave you a confused look to which you looked down at her, his gaze following and immediately getting it. “If you guys get to the front without us, please go on.” “Hon, I can take her it’s okay-” “Christopher.” You warned under your breath as her hand grew tighter in yours, “We need to go now.” You quickly picked her up, to which she hid her face in the crook of your next, as you B-Lined it towards the way you entered, speed walking as you cooed sweet nothings into her ears.

As soon as you were out, your eyes scanned through the dozens of people walking every which direction to a more secluded area, right by a huge patch of flowers. Perfect.

You, again, made sure to quickly make it across the path and to the fenced in area, sitting down with her for a moment as you brushed her hair again with your fingers, lightly rubbing her back until she looked up and immediately relaxed at the sight of serenity.

Her eyes immediately went to the variously colored blossoming flowers, becoming entranced, and beginning to list them off for you. “What’s that one honey?” You asked pointing to a purple hydrangea, but wanting her to school you.

“That’s a hydrangea.” She said, with a small smile.

“And that one?” You pointed to another.

“Those are tulips.” She replied.

“And those yellow ones?” “Those ones are buttercups.” “That’s a funny name, don’t you think?” You smiled down at her.

“But they look like buttercups!” She said with a giggle and you laughed with her.

She kept going through the list for a few more moments before a familiar figure approached you. “Hey you two.” You heard the enthusiastic voice you always loved. You weren’t sure what you would do without Lisa.

“Hi Grammy.” Phoebe responded using her nickname, smiling up at her.

“How’re you feeling, Miss Phoebe?” “Good!” She beamed, “Mommy wanted to know all about the flowers.” “Did she now?” You both nodded in tandem. “Well what if I told you that I wanted to know about all these flowers too.” Phoebe happily smiled again.

“Okay!” She continued on her little spiel about each type, going into fun facts about some and ignoring others for a while, being completely immersed in the plants around the three of you.

“Ya know,” Lisa leaned over, whispering to you, as your daughter was turned away continuing to go through the list of plants, “You’re really an outstanding mother.” She said and you smiled at her, not too sure how to respond. She had told you this numerous times, but it never quite sunk in. “Truly, you are. And don’t ever second guess yourself. Your instincts are like no other.”

“Thanks, Lisa.” You replied, “You managed to raise Chris, so I give you lots of brownie points for that.” She chuckled. “And you didn’t need to leave the line for us, we’re alright.” “Eh, I’m not a huge roller coaster fan.” She shrugged, “This was an excuse for me to get out of that, and hang out with two of my favorite girls.”

“Now what on earth is this?” Chris came up to where the three of you were seated at a table, the rest of the family following behind as he had an offended look on his face. “Dole Whip without us? Are you kidding?” “We needed something to do.” You made the excuse, brushing him off, “You chose Splash Mountain, we chose Dole Whip.” As both Lisa and Phoebe nodded their heads.

“No fair.” Owen vocalized to which you gave him a genuinely sympathetic look.

“I promise I’ll get you some later, baby.” You smiled.

“Well if you guys get Dole Whip on your own, then maybe we’ll just go see Ariel on our own too-” “No, no, no!” Phoebe hopped up, running to Chris and desperately grabbing his legs. He lightly laughed. “Please, I wanna see Ariel!” “I know, honey, I was just joking.” He promised with a kiss on her head. “But it is almost time to go see her, so c’mon, the princess right here has gotta meet the other princess before it’s too late.”

Despite the entire family’s complete and utter ability to forget the events of the day, and just move right along (everyone understanding thoroughly that this was simply something no one could control), your nerves were still a bit shaken. You were pretty sure it was a mixture of your sympathy for her and your own anxiety that spiked in her periods of overstimulation that caused you to just feel uneasy. The big crowds had even begun to get to you, every breath becoming more uncomfortable, eyes frantically scanning around-

“Honey?” You heard your husbands voice from next to you, you looked up to see his stark blue eyes meet yours, slight creases on the outside of his lids. “What’s wrong?” He said just at a minimal volume, enough so you could hear but no one else could. You were more than reluctant to tell him anything, not wanting to ruin anyones day since your anxiety was something you could control pretty well, but right now it seemed impossible.

“I don’t know I just-” You sighed as you two continued to walk, his arm snaking around to hold the small of your back in comfort. “My nerves are just a little off, I think due to the whole thing. It’s just mother instincts, I think.” He calmly smiled.

“It’s okay if your anxiety is high.” He spoke, almost in a feather-like tone. “You can tell me.” You huffed out in frustrated at how easily he could read you.

“I just don’t want to be a burden to anyone, but especially you, since you love this place so much. And I don’t want to get in the way of the kids having the time of their lives, and I don’t want to be the drama-filled adult-” “And you’re not doing any of those things, so why are you so worried?” “Chris, you can’t just ask a person with anxiety that. You should know, it’s not that simple.” “I do,” He responded as you glanced over to see everyone still moving in front of you, the kids, again, leading, “But right now, you have no need to worry. You’re anything but the drama adult, in fact you knew exactly when to get Phoebe away from everything. You literally prevented any form of drama from happening. And with the amount of hysterical laughter I’m hearing from the kids right now, I’m pretty sure there’s no need to worry about them making core memories.” He continued, “And me? Are you kidding? I’m here at my favorite place on earth, with my absolutely incredible wife, my amazing kids, and my family. No one on the planet could be happier than me.” You lightly smiled at his little speech of endearment, leaning in to place your head on his shoulder as his arm tightened around your back, hand now snug on your waist.

“I love you,” You smiled at him.

“I love you, too,” He planted a kiss on the top of your head. “Now how can I make up all the trouble you’ve gone through today, because I feel like an asshole husband and dad right now for not assisting in anything besides the fun stuff.” You lightly laughed, nudging him playfully.

“Four margaritas.” You heard Lisa speak beside you, “That’s what this woman needs for all the shit she puts up with, especially with you.” She eyed her son and you couldn’t help but laugh even louder. Chris rolled his eyes.

“I will take a margarita,” You admitted, “But just a make-up trip on Splash Mountain, and your status of potential asshole dad and husband will be promoted back to best dad and husband in the world.”

[diaphragmjellyfish]

Research

Finally wrote something again! Sorry it took so long. 

How exactly do you get a dog to lose your scent? Because avoiding your werewolf boyfriend Embry was proving a lot harder than you had anticipated. Last weekend was… eventful. You guys had finally done it. Gone all the way. After 6 months of dating and an imprint bond, you both finally decided you were ready to take that next step. And you’ve only had one thought since that night. 

That shit hurted. 

It was borderline unbearable. The pain was searing. You lied there until Embry was done, faking moans and even faking the Big O, and you were less than eager to do it again. Were you broken? He seemed to enjoy it, so obviously you were to blame. He’d been super clingy and lovey since that night, even more so than usual, and you didn’t have the heart to be around him knowing you had faked it like that. What if he found out? He’d be crushed. What if he wanted to do it again? You couldn’t take that pain another night. What if he faked it too and was going to break up with you the next time he saw you? Yeah, no. Avoidance was the way to go. 

He wanted to take you out to see a movie. You mysteriously came down with a case of allergies in the middle of winter. 

He wanted to pick you up after school and give you a ride home. You had the sudden urge to join a club that was meeting after school that day. 

He called, your phone was on silent. 

He texted, you suddenly became illiterate. 

But he kept trying. God, why was he making this so difficult?! Thoughts like this swirled through your head as you walked the long way home from school. He knew your usual route, so obviously that was out of the question. You took a path through the woods that would eventually spit you out right by the beach where you could sit and think. The forest had always felt like a second home to you. Peaceful, comfortable, private. You walked for some time before hearing twigs snapping in the distance. Probably a rabbit or something. Louder snapping. Bigger sticks. Definitely not a rabbit. You halted, waiting for the creature to pass, when a large gray wolf stalked out of the trees. 

Damn. 

He was wearing the softest, cutest, most “kicked puppy” look on his face that you had ever seen. Head bowed, he walked up to you slowly, whining. So he had noticed your avoidance. You held your hand out to him, petting the thick fur between his ears. He sniffed your hand, giving it a soft lick. 

“Hi,” you whispered. He whined louder at this. “Embry…” you started, before he crouched down, a silent cue for you to get on his back. He waited. 

Guess this was inevitable. And at least him showing up in wolf form gave you some time to think about how exactly you would explain what had happened. With another soft sigh, you climbed up on his back, holding the fur tightly as he trotted off into the trees. After about 5 minutes, you realized that he was taking you to Sam and Emily’s house. You weren’t in the mood to be around the rest of the pack right now. 

“Embry, I’m kind of busy today. I don’t really have time to hang out with the pack.” 

He ignored you, trotting along as if your statement was the buzz of a mosquito in his ear. When you reached the house, however, you quickly realized that no one else was there. They must all be out. It was a Friday afternoon, after all. 

When you reached the lawn, Embry stopped and crouched once more so you could dismount. When you did, he ran off behind the house, walking back out several minutes later as the inky-haired boy you had grown to love. His face was full of sadness, yours full of anxiety. 

“Let’s go for a walk,” he said. 

You silently followed him down the path that led to the cliffs, waiting for him to say something else. He never did, only kept walking. You struggled to keep up, but were too stubborn in your silence to ask him to slow down. You both finally reached the rocky cliffs jutting out over the frigid ocean. He stopped, staring out at the horizon. You paused next to him, waiting. After another several minutes of silence, you grew impatient. 

“It’s supposed to snow Monday,” you said. 

You waited. Silence. 

“The news said they might even cancel school.” 

A pause. Nothing. 

“I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use a three day weeken-”

“Is there something you want to tell me?” he cut you off, seeming agitated. For as long as you’d known Embry, he was never in a bad mood. Never anything but happy. Maybe sad on a few occasions, but never angry. Never frustrated. And it was making you nervous. 

And now it was your turn to be silent. Yes! You wanted to say. You hurt me! But you couldn’t. Wouldn’t. He didn’t do it on purpose, so why would you make him feel guilty about something that was your problem and your problem alone? 

“Because, if I’m counting correctly, it’s been 5 days since I’ve so much as heard from you. Barely a text back. Not a call, not a ‘hey! I’m super busy this week.’ Why are you avoiding me? I thought… after last weekend, we should be more in love than ever right?! Did it not mean anything to you?” 

You remained quiet, tears pooling in your eyes. You gave no sign that you were going to respond, so he kept going. 

“Just tell me where your fucking head is at, Y/N. You can’t keep brushing me off like this. Did I do something wrong? Do you regret what we did? Am I, like… not ripped enough for you or something?” 

“Embry, no,” you pleaded. You could see the insecurity behind his eyes. You had to tell him what was going on, but you knew it would crush him. “It’s not that at all.” 

He waited. “Then what?” 

You closed your eyes, a tear slipping down your face. You wiped it away quickly before taking a deep breath. “I have been avoiding you.” You looked up at his face at this, finding tears building up in his own eyes. “I love you, Embry. But last weekend, just… I can’t do that again.” 

He clenched his jaw, looking anywhere but your face and nodded. He was hurt. You definitely could have worded that better. 

“Let me explain,” you pleaded. He wouldn’t look at you still, but didn’t walk away, so you kept going. “I think I might be broken or something, because that… It didn’t feel right.” 

At this, he looked back at your face, switching from hurt to concerned almost immediately. 

“Why would you think you’re broken?” 

Another pause. “I know you would never hurt me on purpose…”

“You were in pain?” he panicked, fresh tears pricking in his eyes. 

“It’s not your fault,” you hurried. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that? Why would you let me keep going?!” 

“I’m sorry!” you cried, causing him to walk up and embrace you. You sobbed into his chest as he pet your hair, all signs of anger gone. “You were having a good time, and I didn’t wanna ruin it, but it hurt so bad…” 

“Shhhhh,” he cooed as he rocked you from side to side, letting you calm down. “It’s okay.” 

After several minutes, you finally stopped crying. He didn’t falter in his embrace, only left light kisses on your forehead and cheek. 

“Y/N, I am so sorry,” he whispered into your hair. 

“It’s not your fault,” you replied. 

“Yes, it is. I’m supposed to take care of you. It was my job to make you feel good, and you were hurting that bad and I didn’t even notice.” You sniffled, just enjoying being in his arms. A few more minutes passed as you both calmed down. 

“To be fair, I did take a drama class last semester. I’d say I put on a pretty convincing performance,” you added weakly, an attempt to lighten the mood. 

He huffed a laugh, if for no other reason than to make you feel better. “Had me fooled,” he added. 

You smiled, looking up at him. “I’m sorry for avoiding you.” 

“It’s okay. I just wish you would have told me as soon as it started to hurt that you wanted to stop.” 

“I know. I should have, I just got all in my head about it.” 

“And I’m sorry for hurting you. I’ll never forgive myself, and I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore,” he answered, nervously awaiting your response. 

“I forgive you. And of course I still want to be with you, Embry. I love you. We just need to work on our communication skills a little bit,” you laughed. 

“We do. And I’ll start. I would really love another chance to make you feel good. If you promise to be honest about how you’re feeling, I know I can do a way better job. But I understand completely if you wanna wait a while… or if you never wanna do it again. You’re in charge here.” 

His words had your heart melting. He really did care about you, and you knew that if you had told him in the moment that you were in pain, he would have done anything to get you feeling good. You were always his first priority. 

“I’d be willing to try again, but what we did last time didn’t work. I think we need to think of some new techniques or something,” you mumbled shyly. 

“Tell you what. I’ll do some research, get some stuff, and you can come over tonight… if you want to. And we can maybe try again? And if you get there and aren’t feeling up to it, we can just watch a movie and cuddle. No pressure… I just miss you.” 

You thought for a second. Worst case scenario, you’d cuddle on the couch and eat junk food. You trusted Embry completely, and if you said stop, you knew he would. 

“Okay,” you replied. 

__________________________________

After a long shower, some fresh makeup, and a cute-yet-comfortable outfit, you were ready to go over to Embry’s. Sure, the nerves were kicking in, but you trusted him when he said he would do some research. When you pulled up, he was already standing in the doorway smiling. You ran out and gave him a giant bear hug (or wolf hug), and he picked you up and carried you into his room, kicking the door closed with his foot. 

“I missed you,” he said, face buried in your hair. 

“You saw me like 3 hours ago,” you giggled in response. 

“Yeah, but I haven’t seen you all week! Gotta get my Y/N fill or I might die!” 

You laughed loudly, hands threading up into his hair as he sat down on the bed with you seated in his lap. 

“Yeah, yeah, just try not to crowd me,” you cheekily replied. 

He raised an eyebrow before tackling you back onto the bed, tickling you like a maniac and placing playful kisses all over your face and neck. 

“Like this?! Don’t crowd you like this?” 

“Embry stop!” you laughed, trying to suck in a breath between his manic tickles. When he finally stopped, he was lying between your legs, one hand grasping both your wrists above your head, the other propped beside you so as to not crush you. He stared lovingly at your face before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on your lips. His grip on your arms loosened, as if to say You can stop me anytime, but you didn’t. You kissed him back, arms staying in place to tell him that you were okay. 

The kisses grew slightly more heated, but Embry kept them gentle. And every time you thought he was about to take things to the next step, he’d just kiss you some more. You were growing slightly impatient, breath labored and blood pumping fast. Your stomach became slightly warm, and every time you leaned up, he’d pull away. 

“You’re being mean,” you whimpered. 

He just looked at you and smirked before leaning down and capturing your lips once more. You could feel your blood heat in every part of your body. From your head to your toes, you felt warm and fuzzy, yet desperate for more,,, more touch, more pressure, more Embry. Growing frustrated, you hooked your legs around his waist and tried your best to pull him closer, unintentionally grinding your hips into his. When he brushed up against your core, you let out an involuntary sigh. It actually felt nice. He smiled into the kiss, pulling his lips away from yours and dragging them down to your jaw, and then your neck, suckling and sucking and leaving light red marks that made your head spin. The hand that was holding your wrists came down behind your back and up into your hair, firmly pulling your head back to give him better access to your neck. 

This movement made your entire back arch up into his body. His grip in your hair tightened slightly, lips sucking your skin up into his mouth as he nibbled, before soothing with his tongue. Your toes curled, legs pulling him impossibly closer. When he felt this, he ground his hips down into yours. The combination of his hands, lips, and weight on top of you made you let out a gasp. Your hands held onto his shoulders for dear life, pulling his shirt up in an attempt to take it off. He got the hint and sat up to remove it, being away from your body for far too long for your taste. He didn’t lower fully back down, however, instead sliding his warm hands under your shirt and onto your stomach. You sat up, taking your sweatshirt off and throwing it violently across the room. His eyes widened as they looked down at your bare chest in an almost feral fashion. He gripped your thighs, tugging you down the bed with ease, and resuming his position on top of you, hands roaming all over your torso. He cupped your breasts gently, rolling your nipples softly between his fingers. You shut your eyes and threw your head back, enjoying the sensations. His kisses trailed from your neck and down to your chest, softly. Lovingly. When he reached your nipples, his tongue poked out and licked around each of them, before taking them into his mouth and sucking. His hands continued to caress your back, and he took his sweet time switching from one breast to the other, and back again, until he felt your skin grow almost as hot as his. You were writhing underneath him, panting as your mind tried to comprehend the sensations. And his mouth, God it was so warm. You felt him kiss the undersides of your breasts, and then your stomach, and then lower… 

When he reached the waistband of your leggings, he brought his hands up as if to pull them off of you. He stopped, looking up at you for permission. You gave a lazy nod Yes, and lifted your hips to help him. He pulled your underwear off as well, spreading your legs and almost salivating at the sight of your soaking pussy. Not wanting to waste another second, he once again began placing kisses on your lower stomach, and then down to your hip bones, scraping his teeth lightly against the skin, which had you shuddering. He trailed lower, to where your thighs met your core, and began to suck lightly and the soft skin there. Your clit was throbbing by now, desperate for any sort of attention. You thrust your hips up, desperate for his mouth on the place you needed him, but he only pulled your legs over his shoulders and brought his arms across your stomach to hold you in place. Your hands went to his hair in an effort to control any aspect of this situation, but the boy was strong. He teased and teased and teased, until you thought you might very well crawl out of your own skin if he didn’t properly touch you soon. Embry brought his face right up to your center and licked into your entrance, making your toes curl once more. His hands gripped your hips as he brought you as far onto his tongue as he could, nose not quite brushing where you still needed him. 

“Embry…” you whimpered, about to tell him what you needed. 

“I know, baby. I got you,” he spoke, as he finally brought his warm tongue to lick a firm stripe up to your clit, swirling it around and sucking the swollen nub into his mouth. 

You let out a moan. A real one. Your first real one. And it only encouraged Embry, as he began to suck and lick with a steady rhythm that caused your legs to shake. You felt your stomach start to coil after several minutes of this, hands fisting Embry’s hair even tighter. It felt amazing, but that coil wouldn’t snap. He started to notice you coming down slightly, orgasm fading away, when he brought his index finger into your mouth. You sucked on instinct, before he pulled it out and brought it down to your entrance. He swirled the digit around a few times and began to push in slowly. One knuckle. Then two. And then he was fully in you. Sucking your clit into his mouth yet again, he rubbed his finger up into your front wall, massaging the ridges there. 

“Oh… Embry, oh my God,” you moaned. He used more pressure, and then brought his finger out and added another, slowly pushing them in together and resuming the ‘come-hither’ motion. You felt your muscles shake, losing all control, and the coil in your stomach tightened rapidly once again, only this time, it broke. Your back arched, eyes shut tight, mouth open in a silent scream as you came hard. Waves of pleasure drove through you, hands holding his head firmly onto your center. When you came down and opened your eyes, you looked down at his face to see an excited grin. 

“If you tell me that was fake, I think I’ll cry,” he chirped. 

You calmed your hard breathing enough to mutter a “That was real.” 

“Do you wanna keep going?” he asked. 

You nodded, taking note of the obvious tent in his shorts. You reached a hand down to grasp him, when he grabbed your wrist and said “Nuh-uh, I’m still making it up to you.” 

He stood up off the bed and went over to a plastic shopping bag on his desk. He opened it and pulled out a condom, some lube, and a small pink toy. Your eyes widened, and he cockily stated, “told you I’d do some research. Come here Sweetheart.” He held a hand out to help you up, and moved you so that you were on your hands and knees, bum facing him as he stood at the edge of the bed. He tore the condom packet open with his teeth and rolled it on, and then opened the bottle of lube and slathered it all over himself. He then brought what was left on his hand up to your sensitive core, distributing the substance gently. Throwing the bottle onto the floor, he lined himself up with your entrance. 

“You sure you wanna keep going?” he asked. You nodded in response. “I need you to say it, babe.” 

“Yes, I want to keep going, Em,” you almost cried. 

“Okay, but I need you to tell me if it hurts even a little. Promise?” 

“Promise.” 

He grasped your hip with one hand, guiding himself in with the other. Slowly, carefully, he became fully seated inside you, giving you a moment to adjust. You felt no pain, just a delicious stretch inside your walls. When Embry saw that you were relaxed, he pulled himself out a couple of inches and softly thrusted back in, looking for any signs of discomfort. He found none, and continued. He dragged himself in and out of you at a torturous pace that made your breathing pick up yet again. You needed more. You began rocking yourself back onto him, begging for a faster pace, and he complied. He pulled out several inches more this time, shoving back in at a quicker pace that had your toes curling and your moans going up in pitch. At this, he stopped holding back. Embry began pounding into you, hands gripping your hips tight enough to leave the good kind of bruise. You were moaning loudly, brain turning to mush. This is what sex was supposed to be like. What you’d always imagined it would be like. Passionate, loving, amazing. 

Embry found himself reaching the edge, but would not allow himself to finish before you. He reached down onto the bed for the small pink toy that you had forgotten about. He flicked it on, brought his other hand down and around your throat to pull you up against him, and held the small vibrator right onto your clit. The pounding pressure of his dick paired with the fervent vibrations had you seeing stars. You came. Hard. You didn’t know how long the orgasm had lasted. When you came to, you were lying on your back on the bed, breathing still labored, as Embry cleaned your thighs off with a damp towel. He noticed you looking up at him. 

“Hey, Sweetheart,” he cooed.

“Hey,” you responded weakly. 

“How ya doing?” 

“Really good,” you laughed. 

“Yeah?” he beamed at you as you nodded in response. “Good. I’m gonna get you some water and then we can cuddle, okay?” You only smiled in contentment as he walked off into the hallway, returning shortly with a cup of cold water. “Sit up for me?” 

“Can’t,” you answered, eliciting a laugh from him. 

“C’mon, I’ll help you,” he spoke as he gently held the back of your head, supporting you as you leaned up to drink from the cup he was holding up to your mouth. After you took a few sips, he seemed satisfied and placed the cup on the floor, lying down next to you and pulling you close. “If you start ignoring me after that, I might have to kill you,” he teased. 

“Don’t worry. I won’t ever ignore you again.” You sighed in contentment, listening to Embry’s soothing heartbeat, before you began to wonder. “By the way, what the heck kind of research did you do?” 

He huffed a laugh before responding, “Some guy on the internet called Owen Grey.” 

[silence-burns]

No Place Like Here (Except For a Few Taverns) //part 8 (epilogue)

Fandom: The Witcher

Summary: Life on the road is never easy for a lone witcher, but it would get significantly easier if he didn’t have two idiots following his every step. 

One might think that killing a harpy was as bad as it could get, but the unspoken truth was actually that selling its head was way more difficult. 

Jaskier strummed his lute from the height of his horse to both yours and the horse's dismay. You had to wait for Geralt while he dealt with the business of getting his promised money, and as time passed in front of the withering house at the end of the muddy road, the boredom, along with the sun, rose.

You were sitting on the fence, fanning Jaskier's hat in hopes of chilling the air at least a little bit. Roach feasted on the grass on the other side of the fence. You hadn’t noticed when she got there. She refused to share any answers. 

"Do you think we'll get enough money at least for a beer?" you asked the artist and his suffering horse. The horse only snorted, pulling its ears back and considering throwing its rider to the ground. The artist shrugged. 

"They've been at it for at least half an hour by now. Either they're still arguing, which gives hope for at least a few coins, or Geralt's in the middle of skinning them alive, which results in more coins." 

"Maybe we could get another job," you mused, looking around. 

The sun had already parched wide spots of grass, painting it unhealthy shades of dried yellow. The few trees sticking out in between the houses didn't look much better. A few of them used to bear fruit, but the drought and hunger among the people took them all already. If the rains didn't come soon, the crops wouldn't suffice to feed the villagers. 

The fields on the other side of the fence were a sad thing to look at. Roach was skimming on the bordering patch of thin grass, but the rest didn't look any more promising. Whatever problems the village might have, they were all focused on the prospect of famine. Not many would care to spare any coin to a witcher. 

"Maybe you could play at a wedding? Or a funeral, if need be." 

"Do you see anyone interested in that?" Jaskier gestured to the empty village. "Because I can't see a living soul here. Everyone's roaming the forest and hoping to stack enough food to survive another day. They won't have anything to pay with, even food." 

You winced. That was true. "Looks like we'll have to hit the road again. There's another village, two days down the road…" 

The melody coming from under Jaskier's fingers ended abruptly. You frowned, not expecting him to have any objections, but in the next moment you noticed the reason behind his growing smile. 

Further down the road, coming from the direction you followed earlier, came the merry chatter of voices accompanied by instruments of varied sort. 

You groaned when the colorful crew strodded through the village, their voices booming over the empty houses.

"I know them!" Jaskier squealed and turned his horse towards the newcomers. 

Geralt walked out of the building the moment the bard was enveloped in a hug and drowned in questions.

"More bards?" Geralt groaned and walked to the fence next to you.

"Looks like it. Unless they kill monsters with those flutes."

"Last thing we need is more bards."

"And the first thing we need is some coins. How do we stand on that?"

Geralt pulled an uneasy face. You noticed his knuckles were suspiciously red.

"I'm afraid we have more bards than coins. The bastards here were not completely honest about the funds in their possession." 

Your growling stomach deemed it unfortunate. 

"Maybe we'll have more luck in the city. When do we move on?" 

Geralt eyed the bards booming with laughter, Jaskier's face flushed and more alive than it'd been in weeks. 

As if Jaskier could sense the witcher's eyes on him, he rode back, fidgeting in his saddle. "Geralt, please, can we ride with Crokus for a while? I haven't seen him in ages and we're going in the same direction anyway, so…" 

"Wait, you've got friends? Like, actual friends?" you stopped him. 

"Of course I do!" 

"He does," said the blonde man coming closer. "Although it surprises me too sometimes. My name is Crokus, nice to meet you both. I've heard tales of your adventures, I wish I had such a company with me." 

Geralt eyed the outstretched hand as if it was a viper. He didn't move, but the muscles under the tight leather seemed to tense. 

You slipped in closer on the fence, flashing your brightest smile. "And I've heard a lot about the food and drinks that never leaves a troupe of bards."

"Oh, we have something special reserved for the evening, once we make camp. You should join us!" 

"We'd be delighted." 

The road welcomed you, dust rising beneath the horse's hooves. Following the musicians at a distance sufficient to retain one's sanity, Geralt couldn't stop from glaring at you from the height of the Roach. 

"What?" you snapped at last, as the sky darkened and mosquitos began their hunt. "I was hungry. Still am." 

"We still have some cheese left." 

"You mean the one I couldn't crunch even with my shoe? Thanks, Geralt, but I think I'll try whatever they have." 

"You know there won't be much sleep tonight, though? They are only getting started." 

The bards didn't break off their singing even in the saddles, their merry crew's voices sang clear, and their melodies changed every few notes—showing off to one another. You shrugged. 

"Probably, but it's not like we're joining them for good. Unless you want to change your sword for a lute, which, by the way, I'd pay to see. But other than that, we'll part ways tomorrow anyway, so let Jaskier have his fun for now. He had a difficult past few days," you said. then laughed, remembering the circumstances that led to losing both of Jaskier's shoes. 

"He is having fun," Geralt nodded. "What if he chooses to stay with them?" 

"Well," you said, toying with the reins. "Last time I checked, he was a big boy, usually capable of making his own decisions. Besides, we often part ways and then stumble into each other again. Such is life." 

"Hmm," Geralt said. Roach agreed with a soft neigh. 

Their moods didn't change when the camp settled and the sky was overrun by the stars. Geralt stayed gloomy even when the fire rose high and cast flickering shadows over the figures dancing around it to the fast music sinking into your weary bones. You couldn't stop your foot from twitching slightly to the music and songs as you laid wrapped into a blanket, your cheek pressed into Geralt's arm. 

You watched through heavy lids as Jaskier danced on the grass, his feet bare, and his smile unfaltering as he let the celebrations consume him whole. Crokus was always a step next to him, and his companions swirled around them, never losing their footing. Despite the hour growing late, no signs of stopping could be seen.

You felt Geralt yawn soundlessly. His hand stroked your back and arm and occasionally swiped at the bloodthirsty mosquitoes. 

"He's happy," you whispered into the dark leather. 

"He is." 

There was something in that voice that left room for more words, but they didn't make it to you in time. Somehow, before you noticed, the other voices lulled you to sleep, leading you through colorful swirls of half-made concepts. 

The morning rose a few hours later. Jaskier didn't, engulfed in whatever dreams he had on Geralt's lap, clutching the black leathers. There was a serene expression on his face, undisturbed by the rays of sunshine. 

Crokus and his merry band were in better shape. They had already gathered around the remnants of the fire and prepared breakfast. 

You turned your head to see Geralt already awake. He watched the troupe with a neutral expression, but his hand was on Jaskier's back. 

The road through the forest took you most of the next day and ended way quicker than you thought. It opened onto a city circled with a stone wall, very effective for whatever usually crawled out of the forest at night. Geralt grew even more silent as you cleared the city gates, the bards exchanging warm welcomes with the guards. 

The gates were followed by a rather large area, usually used by the vendors to showcase their goods of various sorts and dubious origins, but they were already packed for the night, leaving enough space to stop the horses. The inevitable came. 

"The journey was most pleasant thanks to your company, friends," Crokus smiled. 

"The pleasure is ours," you said. Geralt was a mute figure somewhere to your right. 

"Take care of yourself," you addressed Jaskier, currently exchanging some notes with one of the other bards. 

He frowned. "Why? Aren't you going to do this anymore?" 

"I thought you'd stay with..." 

The bards laughed, their beautiful voices falling into a melodious chorus. "That wouldn't be wise." 

"Some friendships are best honed from a distance," Crokus explained, turning his horse to the left. 

Jaskier nodded as if it was an obvious truth to every bard. He watched the band disappear into the street, the hooves of their horses echoing off the buildings. 

"So… You aren't really friends," you said. 

"Of course we are!" Jaskier exclaimed with dramatic outrage, but its effect was lost as he clutched the notes to his chest like a mother and her newborn child. "Some bonds are just too great to—" 

"I think that your ego just wouldn't survive that company for long," you laughed. The expression on his face was answer enough.

"Let's go, the night is near," was the first thing Geralt said in a while. He turned Roach in the right direction. You might not have been able to see his face, but the invisible weight seemed to be lifted from his shoulders. 

"I know a perfectly good tavern, right around that corner." Jaskier rode up, continuing to babble about the notes he received from his friend. 

The sun bathed everything in warm reds and yellows, making the picture of the bard and witcher in front of you resemble a painting. You smiled and gently kicked your horse to follow them.

*

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter :D Something might come to an end, but don’t worry, the merry group will be back soon with another adventure, in a separate mini-series! (it’ll be called “Don’t Trust The Chicken”)

[olivay-official]

Scenes from Red: The Untold Story of a Reluctant Hero

Jay is just your average college student with a secret superhero identity. The deep underground crime world knows her as Red, a sarcastic pain in the ass hero who is annoyingly good at stopping their nefarious activities despite being terrible at her job. Though not what one might typically imagine as a hero Oliver, aka Napster, gladly took up the role of her techs sidekick cleaning up the messes left in her wake. Despite how closely they work together Oliver is clueless to Red’s true identity, while Jay struggles to act normal around him in civilian form. Balancing a social life with friends with the looming threat of Suped up villains created by a mad scientist with the face of a lizard isn’t easy and Jay and Oliver definitely make it look much harder than it is.

“Would you put away your phone? This is supposed to be a tech free weekend!” Andre made a grab for Jackie’s phone. She pulled away holding it close to her chest.

“And I promise I will put it away when we get there!” She shot back.

“Why are you so big on camping Andre?” I called from the backseat.

“Dude, some of my best memories were camping with my brothers and pops. And I think that we can all do with getting out of the city for a few days.” Andre looked at all three of us pointedly.

“Really all I remember from camping was having to pee in a hole, and getting eaten alive by bugs,” I answered bitterly. I wondered absentmindedly if my blood would make a super mosquito now.

“I remember trying to go camping with my mom once, then a bear ate our food so we ended up leaving and getting breakfast at a diner,” Jackie giggled.

“I’ve never been before,” Oliver said quietly.

“Lucky you,” I muttered.

“What?!” Andre practically screeched. “Oh no you girls aren’t going to ruin this for Oliver. Oliver my boy you are about to get the full camping experience!” Andre said exuberantly. I rolled my eyes as I dug a soda out of the cooler in the backseat.

“Hey what are you doing, those are for the camping trip!” Andre said indignantly.

“Well then it’s a good thing I packed extra!” I grinned as I popped the tab of the can with an overdramatic display of defiance.

“Seriously Jay! I had everything planned! You guys have no faith in me!” Andre waved his hand in frustration.

“Are you kidding me? Do you know how much this girl eats? She could eat all four portions of food you packed for us and then some,” Jackie snorted. Oliver smiled looking around at the three of us as he relaxed into his seat. I watched him for a second, curious. He looked at ease, happy even as he looked between Andre and Jackie but behind his eyes there was an odd mix of worry and anticipation. He checked his phone several times within a few minutes as if he was waiting for something. I smiled finally realizing what he was waiting for. He was worried that Red would need him even though I had told him Red would be gone til Tuesday. His phone would lose service as soon as we started winding up some of the backroads and his connection to Red would be cut off or so he thought anyways. I wished I could tell him it would be fine but I had already told him once as Red. There was nothing more I could do here.

The rest of the car ride went by much like that. We played music belting out the classics from our high school days, we talked about old camping memories, and Jackie and I shared stories from our childhood the humor of which was completely lost on Andre and Oliver. Andre complained about Jackie and Oliver being on their phones. Oliver complained about my laying across all the backseats including the one he occupied. Jackie complained when Andre shut off her music trading it for a much more classic form of music- the CD. Many of which were burned and included songs in no particular order that only Andre recognized. We had three phone calls from Enzo on the way up who was worried he would get lost and at least two pitstops for me to pee. During the drive I had consumed three cans of soda, a bag of chips and a burrito I had picked up at a food truck. Andre complained about my eating habits and I threw wrappers at him. All in all it was a good time.

When we got to the campsite Enzo was already there, tent set up.

“Sorry we are late, someone made us stop for a burrito on the way here.” Andre glared at me.

“Damn you’re probably not hungry then,” Enzo said holding up a bag of takeout from my favorite burrito place. I swear I fell in love with him right there.

“I am always hungry,” I beamed at him.

“No you are helping us unpack first,” Andre demanded. I rolled my eyes at Andre and gave an apologetic smile to Enzo.

I followed Andre back to the car so that we could unpack all our crap. I opted for the large cooler in the back seat. It was a heavy item but with my abilities it would hardly be a problem. I had only managed to pull the container about three quarters of the way out the car when someone came up behind me, their hand brushing mine as they took the container from my grasp. The rest of the cooler came sliding out the car. His hand reached over me to grab the other handle just in time.

“Careful.” Oliver smiled at me. “This probably weighs more than you,” He chuckled. I put my hands on my hips.

“I had it,” I said confidently. Oliver smirked.

“I’m sure you did but why don’t I just carry it instead yeah? You can grab the firewood.” He smiled at me that infuriatingly adorable smile. I stared at him for a moment fixing him with a stern look before I walked over to the back of the trunk. He raised his eyebrows in anticipation. I fixed him with a glare before I dared reaching into the trunk to pull out the bags of firewood. Balancing one in each arm I started to walk back to the campsite with Oliver in tow struggling with the weight of the cooler.

“Want to trade?” I teased.

“As much as I’d love to see you carry this, I think I got it,” He said with a sardonic hint to his tone. I shrugged and kept walking at a much faster pace than he could manage with the clunky weight of the cooler. I enjoyed watching him struggle to keep up. We crossed paths with Enzo and Andre who were heading back to get the remainder of the food and supplies.

Oliver set the cooler down at the edge of the campsite with a grunt. A thin sheen of perspiration dotted his forehead. I admired the site as he rolled up the sleeves of his fitted black thermal shirt over his lean arms. He ran a hand through his dark hair letting it fall back down in shaggy disarray ends pointing in all different directions. I busied myself with arranging the uneven bags of firewood so they wouldn’t fall all the while letting myself peak up at Oliver. He really did look good in black. His deep eyes met mine, I managed a half smile before letting my eyes drop back down to the firewood, finalizing their arrangement.

I was by no means a camper. I liked having running water and actual toilets. Mostly the toilets because who the fuck enjoys squatting in a bush to go to the bathrrom completely exposed and vulnerable to attack by bear or an unhinged deer.

Growing up camping had never been a part of my childhood experiences needless to say I should be out of my element here. Thanks to my powers, however, I was a galdamn pro. A few helpful survivalist videos, and several episodes of naked and afraid later and I could probably survive out here on my own for months. I set up mine and Jackie’s tent in record time while the boys were tangled in heaps of collapsable sticks trying to find which end to start with. While they struggled Jackie and I busied ourselves with making our camping space comfortable. Just because we were camping did not mean Jackie was going to give up all the luxuries of a home. She had made me drag her mattress topper here and just about a dozen blankets and pillows on top of the sleeping bags.

“Damn that’s romantic, you aren’t trying to seduce me are you?” I asked, giving her a quick wink.

“You wish!” Jackie laughed.

“When you’re done hitting on my girlfriend would you mind helping us out here Jay?” Andre asked from under the tent’s tarp.

“I thought you were such a big camper Andre.” I rolled my eyes. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your trip by getting in the way.”

“You’re the absolute worst.”

When we finally got all set up and situated Andre began packing bags for a hike. He was determined to give us the campiest of camping experiences apparently. Andre took the lead, compass in hand, with the rest of us in tow. Enzo fell in step behind me. The trail was only big enough to walk along single file. Andre’s hiking style was hard to keep up with. Some moments without warning he would turn on a dime shifting directions and surging forward.

The final destination of the hike was a small waterfall. I had to hand it to Andre. It was a pretty picturesque spot. We sat down to have lunch but I had other plans. I was hot and sweaty from the hike and that water looked damn good. I quickly started stripping down.

“Jay! Seriously!” Andre shouted at me. I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t worry I’ll keep my panties on,” I winked at him which he did not find amusing. I dove into the water and almost immediately regretted it. The water was fucking freezing. When I broke the surface Andre was looking smugly at me.

“Cold isn’t it? You’re an idiot,” Andre said.

“Worth it!” I said through chattering teeth. I’d be damned if I’d admit I was wrong to Andre. I swam around in the water despite the cold finding myself a nice sun baked spot of water that wasn’t too terrible.

“Jackie, that’s literally snow run off,” Andre warned. I didn’t need to open my eyes to know the splash of water was Jackie joining me. We both laughed. Oliver and Enzo looked at each other finally both shrugging. They stripped down and attempted lifting Andre into the air - he was forced to strip or get his clothes wet. Finally we were all in the water and for the first time in a long time shit felt totally normal. No super villains lurked in the woods to demand my attention. There was no Red or Napster. It was just me and my friends and it was so nice to play normal even if only for a few days.

I was shivering by the time we got out of the water to dry off. Enzo stayed close to me doing his best to warm me up, offering me his jacket that he’d been smart enough to bring on the hike. While I laid out on the warm rocks trying to get my body temp back up Enzo went back to our bags to get us food. Oliver flopped out of the water and onto the rock next to me.

“I think I like camping,” He said shaking water out of his hair. I laughed.

“Please don’t tell Andre that, he’ll want us to go every week,” I said.

“Is there a reason you love torturing him?” He asked.

“I mean other than the fact that it’s so darn fun? Andre and I lived together for like a week Freshman year, there was a mixup with the dorms. Since then we have been great friends but our friendship is based on the fact that we love torturing eachother,” I said.

“You and Andre lived in a dorm together?” Oliver raised his eyebrows and laughed.

“Oh yeah I probably know more about his deep dark secrets than you do,” I said.

“And you introduced him to Jackie?” He asked.

“Yup! Really he has me to thank for his happy relationship,” I beamed. Oliver smiled at me turning back towards the waterfall. I tried to ignore the way the water glistened off his body. I turned back to the water.

“He picked a really good spot,” Oliver said.

“Yeah as much as I hate to admit it, he did a good job. Probably wanted to impress Jackie,” I said.

“Well I’d say he picked one hell of a romantic set up,” Oliver mused. I glanced over at Oliver ready to fire off a smart remark but the words died on my tongue. Oliver was already staring at me, his eyes running over the curve of my body. The sun was starting to get lower creating an orange glow that framed him like a greek god. His eyes caught mine and he cleared his throat quickly looking away. A light blush colored his cheeks. My face felt warm as I looked away.

Great, that was sufficiently awkward.

I only hoped the orange light of the sunset might hide the blush creeping across my own face.

The sound of a branch snapping caused me to straighten, muscles tensing. My eyes narrowed as I stared out into the forest searching.

“What was that?” I whispered to myself.

“Probably a deer or something,” Oliver attempted to sound nonchalant about it but I could see his body stiffen at the sound and refuse to relax.

There was a rustling in the bushes. I stood in a fighting stance. What I was planning to do if it was a bear or something I don’t know, maybe punch it in the nose. More rustling. Then everything happened in a blur. A woman emerged from the underbrush looking half crazed. Under her skin her veins flowed orange and red like molten fire. Her irises were the same glowing color, the sclera pitch black. The smell of burning hair filled the air. She looked scared out of her mind and in agonizing pain but that didn’t stop her from lunging at me like the last shrimp at a buffet.

“Help me! It burns!” She cried. The woman grabbed hold of my arms. Her touch seared my skin burning my arms. I hissed in pain rearing back and punching the woman square in the jaw. She stumbled back.

I shook out my hand cursing under my breath. Her skin burned to touch. The woman surged forward again tackling me to the ground. I cried out in both fury and pain as we hit the ground. I kicked the woman off of me and up over my head. I scrambled to my feet. The woman’s hand caught my bare ankle causing me to scream. Oliver was there, shouldering the woman into the shallowest part of the lake. Steam hissed as she his the surface. She let out a horrible screech struggling to get out of the shallow depths. I whipped around and clocked her square in the face, hard enough to knock her out, silencing her screams. She landed on the shore skin still sizzling.

“Ah Fuck!” I shouted as I shook out my hand and bounced around on one foot. Of the injuries my ankle was definitely fairing the worst. Heat and pain pulsed through the seared flesh with each heartbeat.

Everyone finally came running over to us their eyes bulging out of their head when they landed on the unconscious woman that lay at my feet. Enzo was next to me in a second wrapping his arms around my shoulders and pulling me to him.

“What the hell just happened?!” Andre asked.

“Hell if we know. She jumped out at us from the woods,” Oliver said kneeling down next to her. Suddenly the woman’s eyes snapped open. She locked onto Oliver.

“Burning!! He promised it wouldn’t hurt! Now it burns! Please-” She grabbed Oliver’s hand. I could see the pain in his face but he didn’t pull away from her touch. “Please make it stop,” The woman begged her voice strained and hoarse. With those final words her eyes closed and her grip on Oliver’s hand relaxed. He removed his hand from hers. He held his good hand up to her mouth and shook his head.

“I think she’s gone,” He whispered. Carefully he moved her head to the side and tilted his head inspecting a single mark on her neck. Looking over his shoulder I immediately knew what it was. My hand came up to touch the invisible injection site. The one that gave me my powers…

“We better call someone. I’ll go see if I can find some service,” Andre said. Jackie clung to him not wanting him to be alone and not wanting to lose the comfort of having him near. Enzo guided me away from the body to sit on the rocks once again. He made me show him my ankle which had cooked meat hanging off of it, turns out I did not smell like barbecue. Oliver came over to us with the first aid kit cradled in his good hand. While Oliver went about treating his hand, Enzo cared for my injuries. Other than my ankle my knuckles had burn blisters splayed across them from where I hit her. My arms however were mostly unharmed.

When the authorities finally showed up it went without saying that the camping trip was officially over.

[sevenincubistolemyheart]

Of Leeches and Secrets

Au: Demon

Tag list: @xsunnyhoseokx @amiraclerenee @illneverrecover​

Rating: M

Potential Triggers: Kinks in this fic include marking, possession, aphrodisiac use(supernatural power), and overstimulation. There’s also non-explicit mentions of torture. 

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Reader

Genre: Supernatural Smut, Brief Angst, Fluff

Length: 3.2k+

A/N: Happy Valentines Day @illneverrecover​!! I really hope you enjoy this bby! I struggled with including a certain someone but I hope you liked how I ended up including him and that his personality was okay!! Much love~ -Sheridan

All Taehyung had wanted to do was keep his race a secret from you. You'd been perfectly content with your normal, happy, Human boyfriend. But no- that bratty bloodsucker had ruined it all with his big mouth. 

He'd had to teleport home in a panic as he felt a rush of fear assault him from your end of the bond. The Marks he littered all over your body served 2 purposes- showing his ownership to the Humans yes but also to the world you had no idea of- race after race of supernaturals. 

He always ensured his scent was all over you too- clearly, it still hadn't been enough if the Vampire hovering over your small looking form on the couch wasn't enough proof. 

He snarled and threw Baekhyun harshly into the wall by his collar and knelt down to look into your eyes, taking in your fearful, shock filled gaze. 

He reached out to comfort you and his face and heart both fell as he saw you recoil.

Pain flashed across his face before a hiss of fury escaped him as he whirled to face Baekhyun who was effortlessly dusting himself off, a small smirk adorning his lips. 

"You really shouldn't break your own apartment you know. The walls are thin as it is."

"What the fuck are you doing here? You know better than to touch-"

He cut himself off, knowing his continuation of 'what belongs to me' wouldn't sit well with the Human he adored so much. 

“-random people you don’t know!! Our issue has nothing to do with her!”

Baekhyun hummed, eyes wide and innocent as he shrugged. 

"I haven't touched her once. Just told her a few things. She deserved to know the truth. I mean you have been keeping an awful lot of secrets from her. I couldn't help but want to dispel the poor things ignorance. What if a mean, scary Vampire wanted to suck her dry~?"

He flashed his fangs and let the true red of his eyes appear for a moment in a playful gesture. 

"She should be reassured having an even scarier demon on her side, don'tcha think?"

Taehyung let his words sink in and soon had to take a deep breath to stop his furious shaking as he turned his attention to you- ignoring Baekhyun for the moment. Bastard always knew how to push his buttons and he clearly wanted him to snap so he'd scare you more. 

"...Are you okay baby?"

His voice was nothing but gentle as he knelt down and looked up into your eyes. 

You finally spoke, eyes oddly resolute compared to the blank pools they were moments ago. 

"I'm fine. Just tell me the truth. Are you really a Fallen Angel like Baek said?"

The nickname you used for the Vampire made him bristle but he nodded. 

"Mm. I know this must come as a shock but-"

You shook your head and laughed weakly as you stood up to pace. 

"Actually it just makes me feel like I'm finally not crazy. You disappeared every night and now there's a good reason. Do you…"

You bit your lip, looking hesitant for the first time. 

"Do you actually torture people?"

He looked to the side knowing his answer wasn't one most Humans would like. 

 “I...Yeah. They're truly vile people but it’s my job. Being here on Earth doesn’t change that. I could switch to espionage on the Angels if that would make you feel more comfortable-”

Perhaps not nearly as fun as his current position but what could he say? He’d fallen for you and he was willing to sacrifice for that.

You bit your lip, a nervous tic he’d noticed you did when under stress and hesitantly met his gaze. 

“Do you enjoy it?” 

“Yes. Very much.” 

He answered without hesitation. 

Your eyes lowered once more and you fiddled with your thumbs as your voice grew quieter. 

“Would...you want to do that to me if I ever went to Hell?”

He couldn’t stop the burst of laughter that escaped his lips if he tried, trying to get it under control as your head snapped up in surprise. 

“Ahaha!! Oh, sweetheart, you are not going to Hell.”

You frowned slightly, voice growing stronger. 

“That’s not what I asked Taehyung. Do you want to hurt me? To torment me like you do those people? Has this all been a game to you!?!” 

Your voice rose and the glassiness of your eyes made his laughter cut off sharply as he gently cradled your cheek in his large palm. 

“Oh, baby no. I...I may be a sadist, yes but I would never want to hurt you. You showed me that humanity wasn’t such a vile cesspool beyond saving. You made my fall for being curious worth it. “ 

His face held a serious expression so unlike him that you let out a sigh of relief as you nuzzled your cheek into his hand.

“...And what about the other boys? And Baekhyun's group? Are you all demons?”

Baekhyun snorted as he slung himself on the couch on the opposite side to you carelessly. 

“Don’t lump me in with those weak fear generators. It’s just Kai and me who’re Vamps. The rest are Humans. We both figured it’d be fun to spend the next while influencing the world through our music.” 

He shrugged, sounding bored as he yawned. 

Taehyung scoffed, as a ghost of a smirk pulled at his lips. 

“At least I’m more than a common mosquito. As for the other boys- we’re actually all different races. It’s part of the reason we’re as successful as we are. Between Jimin as an Incubus, Yoongs as a Siren and Hobi as an Angel with memory manipulation- there’s plenty of supernatural appeal pulling Humes to us that we have no control over.” 

Seeing your wide wonder-filled eyes he chuckled under his breath and opted against keeping you in suspense like he could’ve. 

“Jungkook is a Shifter- he can take on any of our appearances and also take on one of our abilities in addition to his own. He can mimic our voices easily too. Namjoon is a Bloodsucker like this one-” He raised his chin at Baekhyun who rolled his eyes. “But he’s much more bearable. Jin is a Human but a gifted time traveler so he’s wiser than any of us would typically care to admit. That’s everyone.” 

You let out a little laugh of disbelief at both of their answers. 

“That’s...damn. Kai too?” 

You asked Baekhyun who smirked. 

“...Vamps can read thoughts just so you know love.” 

He mentioned offhandedly, relishing as you gasped and were quick to look away. Your cheeks turned red from the blood rushing to them as you blushed madly and he took in your scent with great pleasure. 

Taehyung’s eyes darkened as he took in the exchange but he said nothing, merely settling for looking between the two of you.

“But yes, Kai too. There’s a reason you’ve never been left alone with him and why Tae is so careful about being near whenever we’re at an event with you. He can be a bit...unstable with those with blood as sweet as yours appears to be.”

Taehyung had had enough of being left out. 

“Isn’t it about time you left? Got some mice to suck dry?”

He managed to get out through gritted teeth. 

Baekhyun only beamed.

“I don’t think I want to~. And I’d say your pretty little thing doesn’t want me to either, if her thoughts concerning my appearance are anything to go by.” 

His eyes darkened as he suddenly was much closer than before; his sudden lunge at you leading to him looming over you. He turned your face to him with two fingers as he made you meet his gaze, giving a lustful snarl that went right to your core, making you shiver. 

“Every thought you had when you saw us perform, when you met me the first time-” His smirk was one of a shark, sharp fangs only drawing the comparison closer as he clearly smelled blood in the water. 

“Especially that time when I made eye contact with you…”

Your eyes widened as you immediately recalled what he was talking about. He’d made eye contact with you while at soundcheck during one of their sexier routines and while you couldn’t remember your exact thoughts...they sure weren’t decent with how wet you’d been.

“If you still want I’d be glad to fuck an irresistible girl like you till you see stars and are so thoroughly fucked out you don’t know whether to beg for it to stop or for more.”

You barely mustered the strength to shake your head and only came back to yourself when Taehyung roughly pulled the Vampire off you with a hiss between teeth that equal parts frightened you and turned you on. There was a dark undercurrent to his voice you’d never heard before and-fuck what was wrong with you? It felt like you were drunk all of a sudden. 

You could barely focus on anything but you’re growing need to be filled and while sure; you had your hormone jumps and often had horny spells they were never this intense. 

“Baby? What did that bastard-” 

Taehyung loomed over you with worry in his gaze but you were too focused on how pretty his lips looked and roughly pulled his lips to yours with the hands around his neck, cutting him off abruptly. 

You made out for a few moments but Taehyung quickly put together that something wasn’t right. He was typically the one leading you- you’d never been so absolutely ravenous for him before. He forced himself back with difficulty, caressing your midsection and neck to offer you a sensation to focus on as he turned his attention to Baekhyun who was pouting and looked positively annoyed. 

“What the Hell did you do to her?”

Baekhyun shrugged. 

“I just turned up my aphrodisiac meter some to entice her is all. I didn’t expect it to backfire so much.”

His eyes still very much held his want for you, if the bulge in his pants was anything to go by anyway...and that gave Taehyung an idea. 

Even Baekhyun couldn’t hold back his shudder at the dark smirk and sadistic gleam in his eyes.

"...You think playing around with my girlfriend’s pleasure is okay hm? You poor little leech~ She'll never be swayed to you when she has someone who can actually make her feel pleasure instead of your artificial bullshit. Though I suppose  I'll give you the honor of a front-row seat so your efforts don't go to waste."

Taehyung’s voice was low and almost gentle but rich with cruel happiness that made Baekhyun puff his chest and stand up straight in an attempt to appear more intimidating.

"It's not artificial! I'm sure the slick currently pooling underneath her is proof of that."

He sniped, only to flinch as Taehyung lunged at him and...tapped him? 

He hesitantly peeked one eye open and saw they were now in the Master bedroom. Ugh. Teleportation. He tried to move but frowned as he realized he couldn't move an inch. 

A quick glance at Taehyung had his eyes widening as he hissed under his breath.  

"...Kanima venom."

Taehyung smiled smugly- taking off the glove he'd used to smear the gel-like venom onto his intruders' bare skin carefully and tossed it in the trash. 

"Your ability to speak should be going next. Try and be a good boy and enjoy the show hm? Maybe they'll teach you a lesson about spilling secrets that aren't yours."

He turned his attention to you who was pouting at him and already halfway through taking off your top only for the buttons of your top to have gotten stuck in your hair. 

He chuckled fondly, eyes softening as he gently helped you to untangle yourself. 

"Silly girl; didn't I tell you to wait for me? Now I'm going to have to punish you. I know you're eager but you know better than to disobey your Sir."

The whimper that fell from your lips may have been caused by the aphrodisiac but truthfully you knew it was all his doing. Taehyung always knew how best to make you unravel. 

"B-But Tae-" 

Your whine made him growl; that demonic undercurrent from before making you arch in need but he still wouldn't touch your core, instead letting his fingers play with the button on your jeans- already undone. 

"No buts baby. I'm gonna make you cum so many times you'll wish you were in Hell with me."

Your breath hitched and the smirk that bloomed across his lips made you shiver. 

"Ahhhaha~ I see my hypothesis was right. You like that your boyfriend is a demon don't you? My precious little slut~"

You blushed and tried to deny his claims. 

"I-no that's not it! I just…" 

You squirmed clearly embarrassed and he chuckled darkly before leaving a trail of hot kisses up your neck until he reached your ear where he bit down. 

The hiss of pain you let out caused him to moan before he licked at the red area causing a sharp spike of pleasure to make you mewl.

"Naughty girl~ thinking you can lie to your boyfriend who can read like you a book...and hear your heartbeat."

The tickle of his breath on your ear and his fingers brushing ever so gently over your covered core made you finally cave as you nodded. 

"Okay okay fine!! You win! I find it really hot and I want you to make me beg!" .

You admitted in a rush. 

A muffled moan made your attention turn to the new fixture you'd completely forgotten about. 

Baekhyun looked wrecked. He was panting; clearly desperate for relief if the large bulge set to burst out of his pants was any question, eyes glassy with need. 

When you locked eyes with him you found yourself being drawn in, unable to look away. Maybe you could help him, get fucked by both boys at once-

You found your face being sharply turned back to Taehyung as well as your senses. 

"Don't make me blindfold you Baek. I want you to savor every second of her pleasure as I bring her to the peak mercilessly."

He spoke the words to Baekhyun but his eyes never left your own and you found yourself immediately complying as Taehyung ordered you.  

"On your back baby, knees apart."

You did as instructed and he helped you remove your jeans leaving you in nothing but your underwear and bra. Perhaps you might've been insecure with having Baekhyun watching you like this as well if you weren't so focused on Taehyung and his hands as they roamed from your neck down to your breasts as he lightly flicked his thumbs over the fabric, smirking as you keened and shivered, jolting a little as his fingers brushed across your nipples. 

"Ahh I almost forgot your little aphrodisiac trick increases sensitivity too. Makes the blood pump faster doesn't it…?"

He questioned innocently, knowing he wouldn't receive a response. 

"And unfortunately for you-"

He nuzzled your mound and relished your needy moan.

"That enhanced sensitivity is only gonna get more and more intense the more times I make you cum for me."

The gentle touches and playful teasing were quickly growing to be too much for you with how worked up you were. 

"B-Baby please! I'm sorry okay I'll never even think about Baekhyun or any other man but you again you know I only have eyes for you-!!"  

Taehyung's eyes darkened at the sound of your begging and you squealed as he shut you up by simply pulling your underwear down and off you too quickly for you to see before attacking your core like a man possessed. 

His tongue relentlessly lapped over your clit while also detouring to your lips now and again to keep you on the edge. 

"That's right. You belong to me. No-one else. Least of all that vile brat needing a tan." 

Even the feeling of his breath made you pant as you arched up- needing to feel his lips against you.  Ugh, you were so close!!

"Something wrong babygirl?" 

He taunted with a smirk, now skirting ever so slowly around your clit with his tongue. 

Tears of pleasure were starting to dot your vision and you felt your thighs trembling; a telltale sign of your impending orgasm.

"P-Please. Make me cum Tae. Please. I...nngh…can't bear it-!" 

You mumbled weakly. 

And then you were gasping as he easily brought you over the edge- attacking your clit viciously as his tongue lashed mercilessly over the over-sensitized bud. As your 2nd orgasm of many approached you clenched around nothing at the demonic hiss that left his lips. 

"Oh I'll make you cum alright. I thought you'd never ask."

Needless to say your night was filled with many more orgasms. Whether from his gifted tongue, his merciless fingers or his dick. And you were absolutely littered in marks by the end of the night. At one point he'd even broken the skin just to add an extra layer of torment to his little captive. You'd talked before about overstimulation but by the time he was done you were so tired he had to clean you up and tuck you into bed. 

As you slept soundly he smiled knowingly at Baekhyun, the poor Vampire having cum multiple times himself from the display. He leisurely made his way over to him, lifting the broken boys' hopes of being given the antidote to the venom. 

Instead, Taehyung pet his hair softly for a few moments with a gentle, kind smile on his face. Thankfully, the venom was slowly beginning to finally wear off on its own so he was barely able to speak. 

"Taehyung? What are you-hnn!" 

He yipped like a kicked puppy before moaning as Taehyung cupped his oversensitive crotch, shivering in fear as Taehyung's expression didn't change once even though his eyes were dead and completely devoid of emotion. 

"...Try and come near my girl again. Ever try to manipulate her like that again- and this will be child's play compared to what the succubi and incubi I throw you to will do to you. For a year. Got it?"

His voice was pure demon now, so growled and low the Vampire barely understood it as he rushed to voice his affirmation. 

"Y-Yes! Okay okay please just-"

The world tilted and he closed his eyes, only to find himself back at his apartment with the other boys. 

"The venom will wear off naturally. Pray it's Kai that finds you and that he's not in a mood."

Was all Taehyung called over his shoulder with a smirk before he disappeared, ignoring the vocalists call to let him free.

Taehyung sighed in relief as he snuggled into bed with you, taking off his jeans and placing the antidote in his drawer before crawling beside you and enveloping you in his warm arms. You cuddled into him as you always did- a small hum of contentment leaving your lips and making his eyes soften as he pecked the top of your head. 

Yeah. Maybe you finding out wasn't so bad after all. 

[unholyhelbig]

Bechloe Prompt- Chloe's life has been slowly been falling apart, so she decides to take a month off to get her life together. Renting a cabin in the middle of the woods for a get a way from it all, she's surprised to hear that she'll have a roommate due to a mistake in the paperwork. While its only for the month and meeting someone new is great, her roommate, Beca, also has her own personal reasons and secrets to be there too.

Read on AO3 

Title: A Hallmark Ending 

Ship: Beca Mitchell/ Chloe Beale 

By the time the sky faded to lilac, Chloe Beale felt drunk on her own confidence. Her suitcase plowing along on the gravel path towards a quaint little cabin on the edge of a lake. A lake her father used to bring her to when it was just the two of them- before he got remarried and they would just sit in a small fishing boat in the utter silence. Splitting a peanut butter sandwich and sharing in the quiet until a fish sunk its lips around a metal hook.

Those were simpler times. Times when the world didn’t get a chance to dig its steel-toed boot right under her ribs and flex its sickly bones in her side. Like when her publisher could pull out of a book deal last minute, leaving the manuscript untouched and dusty on top of her bookcase. When she had to cave and take her old job back at a department store in the perfume department.  When her car sputtered to a final stop seven blocks from her driveway.

Chloe decided that coming here was a good idea.

Getting back to her roots on the lake in a cabin that was tiny and secluded. It was only a short trip, a month away from work that her pension could cover if she timed it exactly right (and it was Chloe, so she had). A place where she could breathe in the fresh mountain air and clear her mind of everything that made it so hard to write in the city.

The cabin was tiny, a one-bedroom with a large deck around the back and a string of fairy lights that radiated once the sun ducked down behind the horizon completely. A canopy of stars and a cup of hot cocoa made her pick up her pace. There was an old beat-up truck out front, probably the landlord doing one more sweep of the place before leaving for the next thirty days.

Chloe Beale was confident because she had done this all by herself. Had decided to pull herself away from work, and hand rented a cabin similar to her childhood one- all on her own. All without the help of some greasy mechanic who overcharged her, or a terrible boss who would walk her through how to ring up every purchase.

She heard it then; the rhythmic splitting of wood, and a couple of soft grunts coming from the side of the cabin. The one facing a large row of pine trees that gave way to an extensive forest filled with creatures and plants of all shapes and sizes.

A woman- shorter by about two inches from where Chloe was standing lifted a large shining ax above her defined shoulders. Chloe stopped at the edge of the grass. She brought the sharpened edge into the center of the log, splitting it into three even pieces. It sounded like a bowling ball hitting the just the right pins before a long sweeper came and knocked down the rest.

Her brunette hair was tied into a messy bun and sweat coated strands fell into midnight eyes, completely focused on the task at hand. She had headphones in and a focused look on her face. She had sweat through her white t-shirt, dirtied with mud.

“Excuse me,” Chloe waved meekly, trying to get the woman’s attention. She tried once more “Excuse me!”

The stranger drew in a bout of air and stopped, the axe in mid-air. It glinted off the orange sun. Chloe couldn’t tell if she had worked her features into annoyance or if she generally looked like that on a normal basis. Her earbuds hung around her shoulders now, eyes sweeping over Chloe’s figure.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect anyone else to be out here.” She panted.

Chloe nodded solemnly “Are you the handyman around here?”

The stranger laughed then, light and airy and done with her entire body. She let the ax drop to her side, taking in the appearance of Chloe all together. Her fingers were neatly painted, and she wore a nice blouse. She had barely even broken a sweat.

“No, kitten, I’m renting out the place.”

“I- that’s impossible.” Chloe huffed out, the back of her neck burned. “I paid the landlord for the rest of the month. Cabin 7A.”

“Yeah, me too, and I got here first, so it looks like you’ll have to find other arrangements.”

Chloe tried to keep her composure, tried to swallow that anger down but that stupid smirking face of this… this heathen was biting back at her like a mosquito just looking to tap a vein. She reached down and piled a few pieces of chopped wood into her grasp, walking towards the front of the cabin.

“It took an entire day to get up here and I refuse to go back!” Chloe followed her, pulling that suitcase after her like a shadow.

“You’re more than welcome to stay outside if you’d like. I won’t call the sheriff on you Kitten, promise.”

She kicked open the screen door with her booted foot and set the wood next to the large stone fireplace. Everything was just like the brochure- the nice leather couches and gorgeous wood finish. There was a large set of stairs leading up to a loft and the one-bedroom the place had to offer. A moose head that Chloe could do without was situated right near the second landing, staring blankly at her.

The stranger wiped her hands down her jeans, leaving streaky marks as she let out a sigh and faced Chloe, quirking a brow at the woman who rested in the doorway. Waiting for an invitation in, one that she wasn’t going to get.

“Look, Red, I’ll call the landlord right now. We’ll get it situated.”

Chloe seemed to be happy enough with that answer as she took the last dastardly step into the place and set her suitcase by the door. She ran her fingers against the furniture, feeling the cool leather and the grooved wood as the woman called. She could hear the muffled conversation from the kitchen but not well enough.

She didn’t know where the sudden change of heart came from- but she didn’t question it. Maybe it was the deep-rooted need for both of them to not share a cabin for the next month. Especially one that only came equipped with one bedroom and not a very big bathroom. Chloe should have booked a trip to Cabo, but instead, she traded the luxury for childhood memories.

“Well, bad news and good news.” She exited the kitchen, shutting the phone off with a muted beep. “We are double-booked for the month.”

Chloe took a steady breath “And the good news?”

“You’re not the one who fucked it all up- they are.” She crossed her arms over her chest and moved that terribly cold stare from Chloe’s feet all the way to her own eyes. “But… I’ll take the couch for the first week.”

“You think I’m staying here with you?” She asked.

“Well Kitten I don’t see much of another choice. Unless you want to brave the road back to town, and I don’t see much sense in trying. There’s a big storm coming. Don’t you watch the news?”

No, she hadn’t. But she could feel the electricity sparking in the air the second she stepped off the bus at the base of the long drive. Large oak trees were swaying in the hot slight breeze, their leaves overturned to display the meek belly of green. A sign that the tides were turning and that it was best to stock up on bread, milk, and evidently firewood, that would be too soaked to ignite if she had waited any longer.

Chloe conceded and let the screen door slide shut behind her before she flopped down on the nearest leather couch. How was she supposed to get any writing done now?

“Dinner’s ready, Red.” The stranger spoke from the doorway, and Chloe’s stomach clenched. The sun had pulled behind the base of the water hours ago and the wind had picked up speed as it yowled like a wounded animal. Chloe had pooled herself at the end of the sofa, a fire warming the side of her face as she watched the flames dance across the pages of the nearest book she had pilfered.

She didn’t want to eat the stranger’s food- didn’t’ want to admit that the stew she had been cooking for the last five hours actually smelled good. It’s broth salty and contrasting to large chunks of sautéed meat and potato. But her stomach growled and tightened and she couldn’t focus on Rudyard Kipling’s words anymore.

“I promise I didn’t slip any arsenic in here.” The stranger continued “Though, I would love to have this place all to myself.”

Chloe scoffed but peeled back the blanket draped over her legs and made her way to the kitchen. It was smaller than she remembered, or maybe she was just the small one and it was always a one-lane room that forced the two of them closer together than she ever wanted to be. The woman ladled a good helping into two bowls and slid one across the island, passing Chloe a spoon.

She waited until the first bite was taken, steamy broth warming her cheeks as she watched the woman chew triumphantly. Refusing to break eye contact. “See, no poison Kitten.”

“I have a name, you know.”

“I haven’t had the pleasure of coming by it.”

The woman glared “Chloe.”

She shoved the spoon in her mouth then, taking in the sudden burst of flavor that washed over her taste buds. Chloe let the moan escape her throat without even thinking, chewing thoughtfully before getting a good look at the cocky smile that the stranger had to offer. Degrading.

“Good right? It was my mother’s recipe- but I’ve tweaked it a little.”

Chloe nodded slowly and dipped the spoon back into the bowl for another taste. “You haven’t told me your name.”

“Beca Mitchell.”

Beca Mitchell- seemed familiar in a way of passing that Chloe couldn’t quite pinpoint yet. Something she could recognize in passing. Skimming the magazines at checkout, recalling that one random fact about how fast a jellyfish could swim, or the size of an average elephant foot. She would smile at the cashier and replace the small pad of paper instead of putting it on the black belt, just like the one in front of her did, and the one behind her as well.

“I used to come up here with my father.” Chloe said after the silence “That’s the only reason I’m here. To clear my head, get some clarity for my new book- and trust me this is less than ideal for all of us.”

“Mm, you’re a writer?”

Beca didn’t’ offer up her own reason for isolating herself in a cabin for upwards of a month, though Chloe could admit that she had some questions herself. Figured that if she put her reason out on the clothesline to dangle in the wind- then maybe the stranger would follow suit. Preferably before she had to fall asleep in the same house as her.

Chloe took another bite of the stew and chewed slowly “I’d like to call myself one, yes. This year has been a little rough, the business side of things. But I’ve had my fair share of New York Times Best Sellers.”

Beca lifted her eyebrows and set her mostly empty bowl in the metal sink. “That sounds like more than a hobby, Chloe. Impressive.”

“What about you, then?” Chloe leaned forward, running her fingers over the spoon. “What brings you up to the beautiful seclusion of the forest?”

She chuckled at that, leaning both of her palms against the edge of the sink. She watched Chloe with accuracy, who watched her right back. Waiting for an answer- one that was better than a simple ‘to escape’. That she was used to giving people.

“I’m a chef. I was a chef until the restaurant I worked at burned down. They’re trying to rebuild, offered me another contract and everything.” She worked out slowly “I have it with me and I don’t know if I’m ready to sign it yet. Hence the isolation. I needed to figure things out.”

“If your stew is telling of the rest of your food, then I think you should. What’s stopping you?”

Beca’s cheeks heated from the compliment, usually something written in the newspaper or given through tight-lipped smiles of those around her. Those who cared too much about the parties and the diamonds that were around their necks and bound to their wrists.

“The luxury of a life like that,” She started, frowning down at the intricate patterns on the granite countertop. “Is overwhelming to every sense you can possibly possess. You have the people who are rich enough to act the way that they do, and those who are trying hard to get to the level that everyone else around them is at.”

“And you’re neither?”

“I’m neither.” Beca let out a small sigh “I just think that life like that- life that needs to be bathed in luxury, and fancy cuisine… I started out making cheesesteaks in a small restaurant by the beach. And I was content.”

Chloe nodded thoughtfully “I was too. Writing for the local paper, you know? Covering little stories about local businesses and bake sales. All of it was simple and beautiful.”

“What’s stopping you from going back?”

“Recognition, mostly. After I wrote that first book- I don’t know. It gained me a lot of attention, a contract that was broken because I have writer’s block. The worst type of writer’s block that isn’t spurred by a lack of inspiration. It’s the kind that has everything to do with pressure. With a lack of enjoyment.”

Beca didn’t say anything, then. She turned to face away from Chloe and started to rummage through the cabinets, not caring much for order. She produced a bottle of half-finished white wine and two mismatched mugs that had different states printed on the side.

“What are you doing?” Chloe chuckled.

“Sounds like both of us are fucked. And the only thing people who are this lost in life can do is drink.”

“That sounds like the start of a lot of my problems, not the end of them.”

Beca unscrewed the metal top, pouring a generous amount into both glasses before she shoved one across the counter to the young writer. “Yeah, well, we might as well make some use of the time we have up here. Work out what we’re going to do. Who knows, maybe you’ll find some weird type of inspiration in the… near solitude.”

Chloe grasped the baby blue mug and took even sips of the wine. It was sour and tasted flat but made her stomach feel fuzzy all the same. She watched as the chef gathered up the dishes and went to wash them in the sink. Hair falling into dark eyes and a tune hummed on her lips. Chloe thought, for just a moment, that maybe she had found inspiration somewhere.

[eloquated]

modern Kili & Elladan, @murkhith

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:02:34 PM

"Alright.. something beautiful... Beautiful..."  The university grounds weren't exactly Elladan's idea of ethereally lovely.  Oh sure they were nice, manicured and well maintained-- but ethereal?  Not so much.  Not to mention, Professor Kerrigan wasn't going to take "Oh, I didn't know the definition of the word, sorry!" as an excuse for a poor photo.

Which was precisely how Elladan had found himself in the woods at the edge of town, his camera bag at his side, as the late afternoon sunlight glowed through the dappled leaves.  Surely there had to be something ethereal out there!

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:06:52 PM

"Of all the fucking words to pick as a topic..." Kili grumbled as he stumbled over the slippery rocks, sheltering his eyes from the sun. He had agreed to take the class because he enjoyed photography, but it also gave him some extra points he needed.

But ethereal?

While stuck thinking about the topic, Fili had reminded him of the nearby forest and the small pond that laid in the middle of it so here he was, waving away mosquitos in hopes of finding something that stood out.

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:10:46 PM

Ethereal, talk about a loaded word!  It brought to mind fantasy, and diaphanous veils, and gauzy, soft lighting.  Nothing that he had readily on hand!  "That's the point though... It's meant to be a challenge.  Think outside the box."  Which didn't make it any easier!

And ethereal definitely didn't come with a side of blood sucking flies!  For the dozenth time, Elladan scratched the back of his neck, trying to swat away the mosquitoes that kept buzzing around his ears.  "Right.. Ethereal can wait a minute."  He said to himself and shucked down his bag.  Snapping the elastic from his wrist, Elladan reached back to start braiding his long, black hair.  Anything to give the mosquitoes less place to hide!

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:14:05 PM

He had reached for his camera without any conscious thought. Finding someone else in the forest wasn't that big of a surprise, but the way the man stood tall and elegant, his eyes half lidded and long fingers slipping through that dark hair while the sun filtered through the green leaves certainly was.

Kili found himself enchanted and he lifted the camera, focused on the right angle and took the picture. The sound of the shutter was loud in the silence and the other froze, his mind screeching halt in panic.

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:16:36 PM

The woods were always filled with sound-- after all, it wasn't that far from the main city, even though it felt more secluded.  But the quick snap-whir of a camera was definitely not a part of the usual birdsong and distant traffic!

Starting with surprise, Elladan looked around, his hands falling to his sides warily.  "Hello?"  He asked after a pause, feeling a bit stupid.  What if nobody was there?

Well, then there would be nobody to hear him!  It was fine.  Totally fine.

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:19:11 PM

Back pressed against the tree, Kili counted to five before sneaking away as quick and quiet as he could. His heart was hammering in his chest as he ran through the forest, yet he couldn't help but grin in victory. This was exactly the kind of picture he had been searching for. He didn't know who the man had been, but he thanked them in his mind.

Surely his professor and others could appreciate the picture when it came the time to showcase them. 

Yet he couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity, as if he had seen them somewhere before.

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:23:14 PM

Elladan listened closely, holding his breath and ignoring the rapid thump of his heart.  For a few long moments there was... Birds.  Distant traffic.  The rustle of something in the underbrush.  "And I'm an idiot."  He told himself with a huff of relieved amusement, "Good job, you're three blocks from a mall, and you still managed to freak yourself out.  Elrohir is never going to let you live this one down!"

Clearly there wasn't going to be any inspiration here today!  And after a little more wandering, and a few shots that were possibly half decent (if not amazing)  Elladan packed away his things and started back towards his apartment.  Maybe if he put a good spin on one of his pictures it would be enough to pass muster!

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:27:03 PM

There were quite the few pictures of nature shown in the class the following week. Some of them were amazing, like a shot of two birds in middle of their mating dance and then there were couple of really horrible ones where the students clearly hadn't made any effort.

But no one had taken a picture of another human.

So when his chosen photo was blown out on the large screen, Kili felt nervous but he couldn't help but admire the picture once again. There truly was something special about it. It almost seemed like this person had walked right out of a fantasy movie.

It took him a while to realise the giggles and whispers of his classmates, and once he turned to see what the fuss was all about he spotted the very person from his image sitting in the class.

And at that moment Kili hoped the floor would open up and swallow him whole as his face heat up and turned a remarkable shade of red and his mouth fell open.

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:31:52 PM

Tree.  Tree.  Bird.  Water.  Tree.  Flower.  Elladan watched his own picture slide through somewhere in the middle of the collection-- neither amazing, nor terrible, and ultimately pretty forgettable.  

He was only half paying attention to the images (you could only see so many half composed images of leaves before they all started to look the same!) when he suddenly found himself facing himself.  Blown up twice lifesize and -- the forest! That day in the forest, there had been someone else!

Elladan's grey eyes widened comically, and he could feel his face burning-- oh, it was one thing to put himself on film looking silly, but this? This was... "Oh fuck."  He said under his breath, looking around the class to see who could have, would have, taken that picture?!

It wasn't hard.  Just follow the laughing, and the stares.

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:34:50 PM

Kili's face was buried in his hands, and he struggled between running away or having a full-blown panic attack. He wasn't an easy person to get flustered as he usually was always ready with comebacks but this was a situation from his worst nightmares and there was no way of waking up.

He could feel the piercing stare on the back of his head, and he reluctantly turned to meet the eyes of the person he had secretly photographed.

"... Not my fault you looked like some kind of elf back there."

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:39:25 PM

Elladan blinked at the comment, caught entirely wrongfooted!  He wasn't sure if he was upset about the whole thing-- maybe the other man shouldn't have just snapped his photo and ran, but was it actually offensive?  That was a question he was going to have to ask himself when the sheer, blindsided surprise had worn off!

The classroom was dark, only illuminated by the projected images still sliding by-- tree, tree, bird, tree-- and Elladan could only make out dark hair and the glint off the guy's glasses.  

Elladan huffed a startled laugh, and tried to flash the guy a face-saving smile, "I guess I'd rather be an elf than an orc?"

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:42:52 PM

Oh thank god, the guy wasn't ready to tear his face off yet.

Kili's shoulders sagged with relief and he chuckled quietly, rubbing the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "I thought you looked familiar but I didn't think we were sharing a class."

The teacher hushed them with a stern stare, so Kili ripped out a page of the notebook and wrote on it instead.

"seriously though, I'm sorry. Promise I'm not a creep."

He then folded it and once the teacher turned around to fiddle with the machine, he threw it by the guy's feet.

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:47:56 PM

Elladan caught the flash of paper as it sailed through the air, and stretched out his foot to catch it under his sneaker before it slid off the edge of the row.  Usually photography was one of his favourite classes, but today the clock couldn't seem to hurry by fast enough!

Unfolding the note, he tried to check a smile at the scribbled apology-- and maybe he should be pissed, but.. He wasn't.  And it didn't seem worth the effort to pretend he was.  

For the rest of the class, Elladan pretended to watch the slides, when really he was watching the clock, the door, the back the guy's head, the clock, the door.. And back to the beginning again, restlessly tapping his fingers on the edge of the note.

When at last the bell chimed, Elladan bolted out of his seat.  Instead of walking around, he slid sideways between the two seats ahead of him, and the two ahead of that, until he could lightly tap the mystery photographer's shoulder.

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:51:12 PM

Kili would forever deny the high-pitched squeak that left his lips as soon as he felt the tap on his shoulder, his eyes wide as he spun around to meet the guy he had photographed. His plan to run out of the class as soon as the bell rang had failed, and now he had to face the responsibility of his action.

And up close, the man was even more attractive than he had thought. Clearly, the settings of the forest only enhanced the man's natural beauty and wow, wasn't that a weird thought. 

Nervously fixing the position of his glasses, Kili offered the guy a slight smile. "Is this the moment you punch me for acting like a creep?"

eloquated4/18/2020, 3:55:43 PM

It was almost blinding when the lights came back up, and Elladan had to blink for a second to clear the white flashes that floated in front of his eyes.  When they did?  Oh... 

The dark hadn't done his mystery photographer any favours.

"I... Nope."  He swallowed, feeling properly gobsmacked for the second time in less than an hour.  Elladan didn't usually go around looking for cute men, but the glasses, and those dark curls, and that half smile did something to his stomach that could only be described (in the most humiliating terms) as fluttery.

"No, no!"  He added in a rush, giving himself a shake, "No, I'm not going to punch you. Why would I do that?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he could see exactly why he might be afraid of that.  How many homophobic meatheads went to their school?  "I promise, I'm not."

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 3:59:14 PM

"That's a relief," Kili laughed relieved, starting to pack up his things in the blue bag. "I mean if I were in your position, I'd be confused as well but I promise that's the only photo I took of you."

He grinned, slinging the bag over his shoulder. Now that he was sure he wasn't getting punched or yelled at, he was slowly recovering to his usual humor. 

"I guess in a way, I should be thanking you. You made my assignment really fucking easy."

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:04:03 PM

The problem with being pale as Hell was that you blushed.  Like mad.  And it was immediately and obviously visible to anything in a thousand foot radius.  Like right now, and he could feel the heat creeping up his cheeks, making him even more aware of it.

"I thought I heard someone, but I figured it was some creepy stalker or serial killer."  He admitted, drumming his fingers on the strap of his bag.  With a bit of careful sidestepping, Elladan ducked into the aisle so he wasn't trapping the photographer on the row.

"You're welcome, I guess?  I didn't really get a good look-"  Well, shock would do that!  "- But I couldnt' see where you edited it to make it too like that."  Elladan pitched his voice quiet for that, since it was, technically speaking, against the assignment.  But it had to be edited, because he knew his face.  And Elladan knew he didn't look... well, ethereal.  Not like that.

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:07:28 PM

"I didn't edit it!" Kili chuckled with a shake of his head, carefully stepping around the man as he made space and motioned for him to leave the class together. It was endearing to see their skin turn pink so fast, and he couldn't help but playfully jab at the other a bit.

"Don't tell me you've been unaware of how attractive and almost magical you look? I'm sure the girls of our school wishes they had your looks."

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:10:53 PM

"Now you're just taking the mick!  I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be the one giving you a hard time!"  Elladan fixed his bag on his shoulder and fell into step beside him as they headed up the stairs and out of the lecture hall.  Most of their classmates seemed to be lingering behind, and he could feel their curious, appraising gazes as they left class together.

Well, that was going to be tomorrow's gossip!

"But sorry, nope!  I think you need to see an optometrist, cause there's definitely something wrong with your prescription."  And it wasn't that people hadn't commented, but that was just the nicknamed, faceless commenters on his videos. And always in relation to his twin, which didn't count!

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:13:49 PM

"I mean... You can try to give me a hard time," he teased with a grin, pushing his hands in his pockets. It was almost weird how natural teasing this guy was, but he wholeheartedly enjoyed it. 

"My bad, you might be right though," Kili replied thoughtfully, making a show of stopping and pulling his glasses off, then cleaning them on his shirt before placing them back on his nose.

Then he gasped, placing a hand on his chest.

"My god, it's an angel!"

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:16:43 PM

"Is it too late to reconsider punching you?!"  It was the least intimidating threat, considering Elladan burst into laughter halfway through.  "I don't even know your name, and already you're creeping on me, and making fun of me after.  Great first impression!"

Flashing him a million megawatt grin, Elladan couldn't help but try and sneak a proper look at the face behind the glasses-- something he regretted as soon as his stomach did that swooping thing again.  "So, can I get your name, or should I just call you Not-A-Creep?"

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:20:09 PM

The sound of his laughter made Kili's chest tighten, and he realised with a shock he was crushing and crushing hard on someone he just met! Fucking christ, Fili could never find out.

"It's Killian, but I prefer to go by Kili," he laughed with a shrug of his shoulders. "Also if you're going to punch me, let me take my glasses off first. They were expensive."

Once again he removed the glassed and pulled out the container for them from the side pocket of his bag. "I only need them for reading anyway," he added, snapping the lid close before turning his attention back to the guy, brown eyes peering at him curiously. "What about your name?"

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:24:13 PM

Kili... Elladan was pretty sure that actually having a name for his mystery photographer was a bad thing.  It was personal.  It was the equivalent of admitting that he wanted to get to know the person behind that disarming smile.

God, he was a so screwed.

SO screwed.

"Promise, I'll give you at least a few seconds warning before I clock you."  He made a show of tracing the tip of his finger over his heart, trying to keep something like a straight face.  It wasn't working!  

"Me? Elladan.  It'd say it's nice to meet you, but... Ok, it actually is.  Weird, but good."

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:28:24 PM

"Definitely not your typical first meeting," Kili snickered. "I'm really fucking embarrassed about it though. Like when I realised you were in the same class I hoped the floor would swallow me," he admitted laughing, fingers running through his hair and catching on the small tangles.

Around them the students were filing out, some lucky ones could head out while some still had a class to take. Sometimes he regretted taking the metalwork class, but he wanted to be useful for his brother so he had to be stuck welding metal every other afternoon.

"You already free for the day?"

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:34:24 PM

"You and me both!  I was half asleep at the back of the class when suddenly- bam!  My own face ten feet tall!"  Elladan rubbed the back of his neck, unconsciously mirroring Kili's nervous gesture from earlier.

"Ah, nope, not yet.  I have a bit of time to grab lunch, then I've got Intro to Horror Theory until four."  He teasingly pulled a look of terror, one hand clasped over his mouth, wide eyes and all.  "What about you?  Are you heading off campus, or to class, or...?"

Or can I find an excuse to talk to you again?  Because right now I can't think of one, and I really want to.

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:38:28 PM

"I wish, but I have to go to the metalwork in like fourty minutes," Kili groaned dramatically, throwing his head back. "Because naturally I love to spend my afternoon sweaty and dirty from the ash and metal instead of going out or playing a game."

He chuckled and straightened up again, shifting weight from one leg to another as he avoided Elladan's gaze. "So... Do you maybe wanna grab lunch together? I was hoping to eat anyway."

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:43:19 PM

"Metalwork?  Really?"  Not that he knew anything about Kili, apart from the fact that he had an eye for photography and a smile that was really really distracting.  But he didn't seem like the metalworking kind!

At least, he didn't look like one of the muscle bound meatheads Elladan had met from the class.

"Yeah...  Yeah, I'd like that.  I mean--"  Elladan's grey eyes flicked up to the ceiling and his smile had just begun to soften, all boyish and nervous, when he heard a piercing catcall from the end of the corridor.

With a start, he looked down the small cluster of their classmates loitering around the intersection.  "Guess we know how Turner got that photo!  Got your boyfriend to pose for it, didja?"

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 4:50:25 PM

The good mood vanished like a snap of a finger, and Kili grit his teeth together as he heard the calls and laughs. Now on the outside, he knew he didn't look like much. Firm muscles without the bulk, the glasses, the nervous stutter whenever he had to present in front of the class.

But personality wise, he was a hothead who ended up in quite some troubles now and then, for his mouth worked faster than his head.

And he was already spewing out words without a second thought.

"Brent, for once in your life shut your fucking mouth. You're just jealous your butterfly picture got a F. We all saw that disaster."

eloquated4/18/2020, 4:57:58 PM

Despite what Kili had said about him (and he was pretty sure that was all in defense of his decision to use him as the subject of his photograph) Elladan didn't see much when he looked in the mirror. He was too thin, almost femme with his long hair (which he liked, so people could fuck off it they had a problem with it), and it wasn't the first time a jerk had tried to take a shot at him.

Usually Elladan was quick with a reply.  But apparently not as quick as Kili!

Elladan watched as Brent spluttered in a growing rage, his hands balling and relaxing at his sides.  "Just ignore him.  He's just jealous that you didn't use him for your subject."  He said just loudly enough to be heard over the purple-faced snorting at the end of the hall.

With a brightening half smile, he tilted his head in the other direction, "Lunch?  I'm starving."

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 5:02:40 PM

"Don't worry, I know exactly who to go to if the next topic is 'brainless'," Kili chuckled as well, and resisted the urge to take Elladan's hand in his own. Where the hell had that urge even come from? For all he knew, Elladan was straight as a razor and he was once again crushing on someone he had no chances with.

Yet he couldn't help but smile in return as he nodded and followed Elladan and left the snickering people behind them. He didn't care what others thought of him but his urge to protect others was strong.

"Man, what a bunch of dicks," he groaned once they were out of the hearing distance. "Fucking hate people like him and unfortunately, there's quite a few at our school."

eloquated4/18/2020, 5:08:38 PM

"Don't let them get to you, it's not worth it.  I can count to their combined IQ on one hand."  He could still hear the sounds of spluttering bully as they turned the corner, and Elladan wished he could ignore the bright, happy little thought that Kili had defended... Alright, himself.  

Probably just himself.  Elladan was just collateral benefit.

Crushing on straight guys was begging for trouble.  And he had enough on his plate without alienating someone who could be a friend.

"They'll give us a hard time until they find something else.  The next time someone waves something shiny at them, they'll forget.  Talk about orcs..."

Mikilieth4/18/2020, 5:11:55 PM

"You sound like my brother," Kili laughed. "He used to tell me the same thing every time I came home bruised because people like them thought they could bully people they thought were weaker."

He opened the large glass doors to the campus yard, and scouted for a place where they could eat in relative peace but would also make it to their classes once the time came.

"He used to say I had a hero complex but honestly, I'm just a hothead who doesn't like assholes like that."

eloquated4/18/2020, 5:18:20 PM

"Clearly he and I are the smart brothers, then-- because I've had to tell mine that over and over again!  I don't like bullies, either.  But I liked us coming home in shades of purple and green even less."  Because there had never been a question of where Elladan would be if Elrohir mouthed off to the idiots.  He'd be right there beside him, often down in the dirt!

Shifting his bag higher on his shoulder, Elladan pointed to the far side of the yard, where a few pretty girls, probably in the same sorority from the look of it, were just leaving, "Over there?  It's kind of busy, but I don't mind sitting on the grass if you don't."

Elladan paused a beat, his gaze just happening to avoid Kili's, "You don't make a bad hero, but I'd rather not see you purple and green, either."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 2:51:44 AM

The words brought a new layer of blush over Kili's skin, and he scratched his stubble with a sheepish smile. "I suppose I could try to avoid any unnecessary confrontation," he mumbled as he plopped himself down on the grass, opening the zipper of his bag.

He rummaged for a moment before pulling out a small box and a bottle of soda. Cracking it open, Kili tipped his head back and took couple of large swallows, releasing a breath of relief. "Didn't realise how parched I was."

eloquated4/19/2020, 8:17:09 AM

"Or at least pick your battles?  Someone like Brent isn't worth it, he's too dum to understand why you're fighting him.  In fact, I'm not sure he'd understand the word 'principle', even if you beat him with the dictionary!"  

That smile of Kili's was going to be the death of him, Brent and his other meatheaded goons weren't going to have to lift a finger.

The grass was dry and a little prickly as Elladan dropped down beside Kili, his face turned up to the bright sunlight for a long, rejuvenating moment.  Eyes closed, he exhaled long and slow, just trying to shake off the cobwebs from sitting in the lecture hall for more than an hour, watch the endless slides of half composed, dubiously executed, photos. 

"I think it's something about the photography hall,"  He agreed after a minute, fishing a water bottle from his bag, "It's always super dry in there. Maybe Professor Kerrigan is trying to turn us into one of those mummies he likes so much?"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 8:22:13 AM

"Might be," Kili said thoughtfully, starting to unwrap his meal which consisted of couple of breads and a single cookie. "He claims it's the best kind of air to keep old photographs in but I'm sure he's just trying to dry us all up."

He rested his weight against one of his hand and started to eat with the other. It was a beautiful day, and in a way he hoped they weren't at the school grounds for the sound of other students broke through the illusion that he was spending time alone with Elladan.

He really should be slowing down. He was falling too fast.

"So you have a brother too?"

eloquated4/19/2020, 8:31:20 AM

"Well, as long as we get through the unit on tintyping and developing before he mummifies us.  I don't even care how intensely geeky that sounds!  Apparently he's one of the best in the world, and I don't know anything about it, other than it looks cool."

Opening the container from his bag, Elladan gave the slightly worse the wear collection of sheet pasta and vegetables a cursory poke with the end the fork that had been tucked into the lid.  "Yeah, just the one, and a sister."  He sat up crosslegged and grinned down at Kili, blowing a few strands of back hair out of his face from where they'd escaped the plait down his back.  "He's the one that made this... moussaka thing.  We're both trying to cook more, but it's definitely not our strong suit!  Do you just have the one brother, or..?"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 8:35:23 AM

Kili couldn't stop himself from making a face at the sight of the food, instantly back pedalling with an apology. "Yeah sorry, that doesn't look very appetising," he agreed taking a bite of the bread. "But I'm sure you'll learn, especially if you keep practicing," he added quickly, waving his hand around in before settling with a smile. 

"I have an older brother yeah. Most of the time we're both too busy to properly cook, so most of the time my lunch consists of bread or something equally simple."

eloquated4/19/2020, 8:46:49 AM

"It tastes better than it looks, I promise!"  But he still pulled a teasingly mock-disgusted face as he lifted a bit of formerly roasted vegetable... eggplant?  And popped it into his mouth.  Elladan scrunched his nose, trying not to laugh with his mouth full.

"Ok, needs some work.  But it's food, so I'm not going to be too picky!  At least until the caf is up and running again."

It was the sort of beautiful spring day that made him feel more alive, like he could breathe after a winter stuck inside.  And the company?  Even better.  Much better... God, he was cute...

"That sounds like mine and me, you guys live together?  Elrohir and I got an apartment off campus this year."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 8:49:46 AM

"Same!" Kili laughed, flashing Elladan a bright smile. "Well, we did that almost two years ago since Fili is older than me and have already graduated," he continued humming, finishing the bread with a quick lick of his finger.

"It's nothing big, but it beats living in the dorms."

eloquated4/19/2020, 8:55:48 AMEdited 4/19/2020, 8:56:18 AM

"I'm pretty sure anything was better than living in the dorms!  Our first year we shared with two other guys-- which is basically like living in a petri dish!"  Elladan grinned and feigned a shudder, "We moved out halfway through our second year; it was either that, or become devotees of the God of Mold and Seriously Disgusting Socks."

They didn't have a long time, but Elladan found himself loathe to leave, mentally filing away the little bits and pieces he was learning about his new... friend?  Friend.  

"So he's not just the protective brother, but the older one as well?  'Ro likes to play big brother sometimes, but it doesn't work very well!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 8:59:33 AM

"Hah, you're the older one then?" Kili asked curiously, closing the lid of his now empty lunchbox and placing it back in his bag. Technically he should be leaving already, but if he ran to the class he could afford a couple of more minutes with Elladan.

Their next class together was in two days which sucked, but he couldn't just ask for a number right now. That would definitely give off more creepy vibes and he didn't want to scare Elladan away.

eloquated4/19/2020, 9:02:26 AM

Tucking his own lunch remains away (and making a note that that recipe could just stay far away from their usual rotation, favourite of their father or not!)  Elladan stretched out on the grass, one arm thrown across his face in lieu of sunglasses.

"No, he's older, technically.  But we're twins, so he's only older by a few minutes.  You're lucky he decided not to take Photography this year, otherwise he'd have been there today, too!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 9:06:42 AM

"You've got a twin?" Kili asked surprised, his eyes widening a bit. There were two of these gorgeous people? Oh no, no no God had to have something against him if that was the case. How could he handle /two/ of them together?

Well, now he was just getting ahead of himself. Most likely, he wouldn't even meet the other twin.

"Thank god for the small mercies then," he chuckled and swallowed, regretfully getting up from the grass. "I quite literally have to run but uh... I'll see you in class then?"

eloquated4/19/2020, 9:15:56 AM

It was nice to talk to someone who didn't immediately make the connection between he and Elrohir; as much as he and his twin were deeply attached, they certainly weren't interchangeable!  "Yeah, I'm sure you'll-- Oh shit, you're right, we do."

With a blink, Elladan glanced over at the large clock at the end of the yard, and began tossing his own things haphazardly into his bag, "In class, definitely.  I'll--"  There was no time to ask for his number, and even if there was, Elladan had no idea how to ask.  So instead, he shouldered his bag, and reluctantly rose to his feet. "See you on Friday."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 9:22:51 AM

"I'm looking forward to it," Kili grinned, giving a small wave of his hand before dashing towards the lecture building.

Naturally, he didn't get Elladan out of his head over the next day. He had hoped they'd bump in the hallways but it seemed like their other lessons always crossed the other which soured Kili's mood very quickly. His brother was quick to pick up the change in him and he teased Kili about a crush, which Kili vehemently denied even if his red cheeks gave it away.

At the night, he laid on his bed staring at the photo he had taken. How could he fall for someone so quickly? He barely knew the guy, this could only end in hurt.

eloquated4/19/2020, 9:36:33 AM

There was never a shortage of things to do.  Elladan had school work, and video editing, and the loose 'schedule' of filming he kept up with his brother. But his mind just wasn't in it!  On campus he found himself looking around, watching the crowds a bit too closely for a mop of dark curls.

By Thursday night, Elladan was starting to suspect that Kili had been some figment of his imagination!  A wonderful, but imaginary encounter.  Because how else could someone drop into his life, shake it up so thoroughly, and then vanish back into the ether?!

Unaware that Kili was also getting the teasing of a lifetime from his brother, Elladan wondered how he was doing. He turned their brief meeting over and over in his head, until it started to feel more than a little ridiculous!  Crushes at first sight didn't exist... right?

Friday morning came with a thundering deluge and an 8am class.  Not to mention one broken umbrella, turned inside out by the wind, and the damp seeping through his jacket.  Elladan shrugged it off as he arrived in the lecture hall, and set his coffee (extra large, it was already aiming to be a day) on the edge of his desk.

Anatomy, Portraits, and Human Composition said the board in their professor's bold, block hand.

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 9:41:00 AM

The morning had not started how he had imagined. First he had woken up late, then burnt his breakfast and to top it all off it started pouring rain while he was riding the bicycle to school which ended up in him being completely drenched.

He ended up stumbling into the class half a hour late, his curls wilder than before and drops of water sticking on his skin and glasses. He briefly apologised before shrugging off the wet hoodie with a shudder, thanking God that at least his shirt underneath had remained relatively dry.

His jeans felt extremely uncomfortable though, the fabric sticking to his skin as he flopped on his desk and immediately tipped his head back so he could flash Elladan a tired grin.

eloquated4/19/2020, 9:44:37 AM

The class had already started when Kili had washed in, looking about as happy as the situation as Elladan felt!  Most of the class seemed to be in variations of the same mood, damp and tired, and thoroughly unimpressed by being out of bed at that hour, and in that weather.

Elladan was sitting in his usual spot, about three quarters of the way back and on the left side-- and today there were no available spots near him.  More frustrating!  So he flashed Kili a mirrored grin, and a shared look of long suffering.  And just when he'd been thinking that it wasn't worth it to get out of bed... That smile changed his mind.

So he did exist, after all!

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 9:47:24 AM

Their professor didn't seem to care that the entire class was suffering as he explained the assignment with a drony voice that almost made Kili drift right back to sleep. He only became alert when they were told to pair up and practice portraits and whatnot, and his stomach swooped as he glanced back at Elladan and lifted an eyebrow in question.

eloquated4/19/2020, 9:51:44 AM

"Alright, class, split into pairs... For Monday, I want six photos from each of you, demonstrating use of people in your composition.  You can utilize the whole person, a focus on particular parts-"  He waited impassively for the tired wash of giggles to fade before adding, "Or any combination of the two."

Elladan leaned back in his seat, instinctively seeking out Kili in the hall (and he shouldn't.  He really shouldn't.  Crushing on straight boys was a bad bad idea, and he should really nip this before it became a problem!).  

He still nodded quickly at the silent question, unable to stop the nervous-happy-oh-my-god butterflies, or his own smile.  Wordlessly he flashed Kili a thumb's up, and motioned towards the door.  Talk after class?

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 9:57:25 AM

Kili flashed him a smile and a nod in return and after that, the class could not end soon enough. He didn't want to risk getting caught throwing notes do he restrained himself from doing so and instead completely blocked out the professor's voice as his mind was already thinking of what kind of pictures he could take of Elladan.

The other was gorgeous, it would be an easy job as long as he could keep his head straight.

Hah.

He was one of the first ones out of class as soon as the bell rung and he waited outside the hall, leaning against the wall as he watched people pour out. Someone asked if he was waiting for his boyfriend and he merely flipped them off.

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:05:08 AM

Five minutes before the end of class, Elladan was more than ready to go.  Unfortunately, the person blocking him into the row had other ideas.  Impatiently he drummed his fingers on the strap of his bag as Felicity and Amber giggled and chatted, obliviously unaware that they were holding up everyone else.

When he was finally free (free!) he jogged up the stairs, his bag tucked behind him, and escaped into the corridor.  "Hey!"  He beamed, forgetting to check his enthusiasm, "I was starting to think you weren't coming in today."  His words were interrupted by a peal of deafening thunder, "... Or that you couldn't find a place on the ark."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:11:46 AM

Kili instantly brightened at the sight of Elladan, and it was the excited tone on the other's voice that made his stomach do that stupid flip again. It wasn't like Elladan had spent the last two days thinking of him like some lovesick teenager, right?

"I must admit that the urge to remain in bed today was strong," Kili groaned motioning to his still wet clothes. "But I didn't want to miss-" he cut himself off just in time and cleared his throat, avoiding Elladan's eyes as he felt his skin heat up despite the cold. 

"... The class. Didn't want to miss the class. ¥

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:13:04 AMEdited 4/19/2020, 10:15:05 AM

"Me either.."  Well, he hadn't wanted to miss the chance to see Kili again.  Elladan knew he should be more worried about his academics, but really?  The other man just made his mind blank.  "You're still soaked though."  

In commiseration, Elladan held up his damp hoodie and pulled a face, feeling the wet weight of it.  "But..."

Bad idea.  BAD IDEA.  

"I don't live far from here?  I mean, unless you have class later, right?  I thought we could work on this project--"  Well, it was as convenient an excuse as anything!  And he definitely wasn't blushing.. nope...  "-- And dry off?  I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend the rest of the day in wet jeans.  Gross."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:19:53 AM

He definitely had a class later, but surely he could live with missing one class of math? He could always catch up later when he was back at home because right now he felt like there was no force enough to stop him from joining Elladan.

"I mean if it's alright?" He asked just to make sure, fidgeting on his feet. "Any longer and I'm afraid people are gonna see whether I've lied about the inches or not," he joked making a vague gesture towards his crotch before snickering. "Sorry, that was inappropriate."

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:23:13 AM

It was definitely not what Elladan had expected him to say, and the laugh felt surprised right out of him!  "Yeah, it's alright.  Lets go... before you give the student body anything else to gossip about!"

It had taken all of fifteen minutes for people to start speculating about them after the very public photo incident, after all!  "I guess us working on this project isn't actually going to help the stories, though.  I've heard some pretty creative ones already!  I'm pretty sure some of our classmates should be writing for Playboy, they've got the imagination for it."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:25:17 AM

"Oh I've heard some too!" Kili laughed relieved that his joke hadn't upset Elladan. Seriously, sometimes his quick mouth got him into so much trouble.

"How about we share our favourite while we go?"

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:28:07 AM

"Why not?  Come on, it's just this way."  It was going to be a wet walk, but they were already damp, and at least they could get dry on the other end!  Zipping his sweater up under his chin, Elladan tucked his long braid down the back, and tugged up his hood, just trying to keep the worst of the rain off.

"Obviously, of course, we've been seeing each other in secret."  He teased, ticking off the first rumour on his slender fingers, "I heard one that it's been going on since middle school-- I'm not sure how they got that, since Ro and I didn't even move here until we started university!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:33:39 AM

"Oh yeah, I would definitely remember you if we were in the same middle school," Kili countered with a chuckle, only to realise what his words might mean and he skipped over a puddle so he didn't have to meet Elladan's eyes.

"I think one of my favourites is that I was tutoring you and you fell madly in love with me," he said dramatically, placing a hand on his heart.

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:37:10 AM

Truth be told, Elladan didn't mind the rumours.  Oh, they made him a little fluttery sometimes, and there was an increasingly loud voice that wished they were true-- but they weren't upsetting at all. Just.. wishful.

"I hadn't heard that one!"  He exclaimed, innocently missing the comment about their younger years.  He held open the door as they stepped outside, and the rain immediately flooded over them, cold and soaking in seconds.  "Fuck!  I think we need a rowboat!"

"So you won me over with your scintillating intellect, huh?  And how long did it take you to realize I was totally hot for teacher?"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:44:12 AM

"wait, what?" Kili burst out laughing, a shiver running down his spine as soon as the cold water washed over him. Well, at least he was stuck in the rain with Elladan.

It took him a moment to realise Elladan wasn't speaking of an actual teacher, but the him in the fantasy.

"Oh apparently it took me a long while because I was very dense," he snickered.

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:49:17 AM

Kili's laugh was the most infectious thing, and Elladan couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so easily, or so much.  The adrenaline was bright in his veins, making his heart beat quicker, and chasing off a little of the windy, wet cold.

"Maybe I was just very good at hiding it!  Did you hear the one about us sneaking off to do unspeakable things in the dark room?"  He teased back, "Neither of us is very big, but that still seems ambitious!  There's no room in there, and I can think of half a dozen developing chemicals I wouldn't want anywhere near that part of my body."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:51:22 AM

"Oh god, the smells alone would be enough to make us either faint or fail to get it up, very romantic," he laughed stepping straight into a puddle, which made him jump ahead with one leg as he cursed loudly over his completely soaked sneaker and socks.

"Fucking hell! Is this the God's wrath on us poor gay people?!"

eloquated4/19/2020, 10:56:07 AM

"Screwing in a fog of acetic acid and amidol, very sexy!"  

Elladan jumped back to avoid the worst of the splash as Kili misjudged one of the deep potholes that pitted the parking lot, the sluice of muddy grey water soaking through his already wet shoes and up his pant leg.  For half a second he just laughed, long suffering and, "Gross, now we definitely need to get back to my place!"

Wait.  Gay?  Elladan ran the blurted comment back through his mind, heart skittering over because oh.  OH.  Not straight.  That... That changed things.

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 10:58:38 AM

"Oh that's disgusting, I really liked these jeans," Kili mourned as he shook his leg in a futile effort of shaking the water and mud off. Naturally, it did not work. Unaware of his accidental confession and the thoughts running through Elladan's head, he let out a long suffering sigh.

"you're quite literally the Knight in shining armor right now. Otherwise I might just end up sitting on the puddle crying."

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:01:22 AM

"It's alright, we'll throw them into the wash when we get to my place, you can borrow something until then.  I'm not going to make you sit around in whatever was in that puddle!"  Elladan's cheeky grin softened a little, and he bumped Kili's shoulder with his own, closing the space between them for the first time.

It was such a small thing.  Silly, really.  But it sent a quick, warm jolt right up his arm.  

"You just have to put up with it until we get there.  And hey, it's not like we can get any wetter!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:04:36 AM

"No no no haven't you seen the movies! Never, ever say that cursed sentence," Kili protested laughing,and for a brief moment he hoped he could have felt Elladan's skin against his own instead of the fabric which alright, a thought he had to diminish quick before he ended up in a very embarrassing situation.

"How can I ever repay you? You're too kind to me."

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:07:48 AM

"You're the self proclaimed hero here, not me!  I'm just trying to keep a friend from drowning."  Elladan ducked his head and tugged the hood of his sweater a little more securely over his head, trying to hide a flush that he hoped would be blamed on the wind.

Gay.  But that didn't mean he liked him.  Or that he was even out.  Which ultimately gave Elladan just enough hopeful rope to potentially hang himself!

"And of course I've heard that curse sentence!  I'm studying film making, my knowledge of bad tropes of unparalleled.  But I laugh in the face of doom, ha-ha-ha!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:10:16 AM

"Don't you go quoting Lion King to me," Kili shot back immediately, feeling the butterflies flutter in his stomach once again. Could Elladan get any more attractive? It just wasn't fair, how were the mere mortals supposed to compare to him?

"Film making huh, how'd you end up there?"

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:20:21 AM

Like most geek artistic types, Elladan perked up enthusiastically at the mention of his major.  "I started as an English major, actually!  I want to write, and I want to tell stories.  But in my first year I ended up taking some media studies classes, and I realized that I want to direct my own stories, not just wait for someone else to."

And it helped with his channel, but Elladan wasn't about to offer that up!  Not when he was enjoying keeping it separate.  Something private, untouched by the algorithm!

"What about you?  I know you take photography and shop, but what're you going to do with it?"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:23:23 AM

"I take shop to help my brother," Kili smiled, wiping the water from his face. "He fixes motorbikes on his free time, so I thought I'd figure out a way to help him since he lets me live with him," he explained, removing his glasses with a small sigh.

No use to wear them since he couldn't see anyway.

"As for photography, I'm just a huge geek of everything related to games and movies, and I'm hoping to maybe develop my own website one day. “

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:29:06 AM

"I think that means you win the Good Brother olympics."  He pointed out, leading the way across the busy intersection when the light changed.  "I don't think you'd ever catch me or Ro in a mechanics workshop, we'd be totally lost!"

But it said a lot about Kili.  And all of it good.

"That's really cool.  I know everyone is always saying we should have this big, mapped out plan, but I'm not sure what I want to do yet.  So right now we're just sharing a place, and studying stuff we like, and hoping we can find some use for it when we're done!"  He summarized his life with a boyish grin, and fished the keys from his pocket when they approached a decently well-off apartment building.

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:37:58 AM

"Yeah I know what you mean," Kili replied, trying to squeeze most of the water out of his clothes so he wouldn't soak the entire house. "I don't know if I want to do websites my entire life, I mean it'd be really cool to develop own games too," he continued. "I have a very active imagination, or so I've been told."

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:42:46 AM

"We should probably put our active imaginations to work on this anatomy photography project!"  The inside of the building was dry and clean; not fancy, but scrubbed and in good repair.  "We're just up on the eight floor." He added, already shrugging off his drenched sweater as they ducked into the elevator.

"Ugh, everything is sticking.  Gross."  He added, plucking at his jeans, and the tshirt he'd had underneath, already plastered wetly to his body.  Under the thick hoodie he was very thin, jeans hitched on sharp hip bones and a flash of pale stomach visible when he tried to pull his shirt off his skin.  

"I've got to figure out six compositions to really do justice to you."

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:46:06 AM

The words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat as soon as he saw just how slim and beautiful Elladan's body looked like, as the shirt showed absolutely /everything/. His gaze trailed the path of a stray drop of water and he was forced to tear his gaze away, his next words stuttering a bit.

"Ah I'm sure you can just throw me on a chair and take six photos there, I'm not very photogenic," he laughed ashamed. "I'm more comfortable behind the camera."

eloquated4/19/2020, 11:49:41 AM

Out of respect for the other people in the building, Elladan stayed mostly to the centre of the elevator as it rose upwards, the floor humming faintly through the puddles they left underfoot.  

"Ha!"  He snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes.  If you saw yourself the way I do, you wouldn't be saying that.  You'd be awkwardly trying to find a way to complete this project without -- ahem-- God, I'm fucked.  

"I like the way you look... You've just set the bar really high, and I can't let you walk away with-"  Me?  "Ah, the better grade!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 11:53:01 AM

"Oh so it's a competition then?" Kili asked playfully, ruffling the water from his hair. At least they weren't in the rain anymore but now he was painfully aware of his cold he felt, and how his body was beginning to shiver as it tried to create the necessary warmth.

"Is it alright for your brother that I just appear?

eloquated4/19/2020, 12:00:37 PM

"Why not?  The professor grades on a curve anyway!  And it's not like we're going to get much challenge from most of the rest of the class."  Since the grand majority of them were there thinking it was an easy grade.

Both of them were chilled through as the elevator finally reached their floor, and Elladan hitched his bag higher on his shoulder, scurrying out.  Every inch of bare arm was covered in goosebumps, and he walked a bit faster as he lead the way to the right unit.  

"Ro isn't going to care.  He's in class, and this place has separate rooms, unlike the last one.  He can just close his door and ignore us."  

The inside of the apartment was a sort of productive chaos.  Two easels with half finished projects stood by a massive window that dominated the front of the apartment, and looked down over the green space next door. It was all one room, with the tiny kitchen and living room smushed in together, and a small table that had clearly been repurposed as both storage and study.  A comfortable couch was across from the tv, and the far corner was set up as filming space, the wall decorated to give the impression of a set. A narrow staircase lead up to a loft, overlooking the living room through a sliding latticed door.  It wasn't messy, exactly; but it was clear that the people who lived here were busy.

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 12:04:17 PM

Kili looked around curiously, his lip curling up as he took in the surprisingly controlled mess. It was clear Elladan and his brother were very similar, and he wondered just what they were doing with this many equipment. Some of them seemed very expensive too!

"I like it," he chuckled as he forecully pulled his shoes off and made a face at the wet fabric. "It feels very lived in and homely."

eloquated4/19/2020, 12:09:22 PM

"Thanks!  It's a bit of a thing at the moment, but Ro's an art major, for now-"  Elladan grinned cheekily as he knelt down to do battle with his swollen, wet laces, "And he has a ton of things that had invaded the living room.  The bedrooms aren't exactly-- jesus, what did they make these laces out of?  Sponge?  Anyway, the bedrooms are pretty tiny, so he moved them out here."

With a triumphant laugh, he managed to untie his shoes and kick them off, wiggling his toes in wet socks before stripping those off, too, "I don't know about you, but I feel gross.  You can come up to my room, or I'll just toss you down something, and we can get changed before we start on the project?"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 12:12:13 PM

"I'm not shy about changing with others, but if you're more comfortable in changing alone I completely understand," Kili said smiling, wrapping his arms around himself as another shiver ran through his body.

"I don't care if I have to change in the elevator as long as I just get to change. I'm prone to get sick easily so I'm preparing for the worst."

eloquated4/19/2020, 12:16:57 PM

Elladan's eyes widened a little at the admission and he nodded hastily, "Right, I'll hurry my ass up, then.  You can come up if you want, I'll hide the bodies!" 

Barefoot and dripping, Elladan jogged up the stairs towards his room.  'Room' was a bit of an exaggeration, though.  The loft was large, and the two spaces were divided with a wall down the middle, but not at the front, leaving them half open.  Elrohir's was dominated by canvasses, some of them leaning against the bed, and Elladan's was at the end-- a little tidier, though the bed was unmade, and there were clothes strewn over it, and the far corner was filled with books.

"Thankfully you're not a huge guy!"  He said over his shoulder, rummaging through his dresser, "Otherwise this might be harder!"

Mikilieth4/19/2020, 12:31:26 PM

"Nah, the only problem I think will be the height difference," Kili laughed as he followed Elladan, still wrapped tightly with his arms. His gaze flit around the room and he silently appraised it, trying to learn every detail from the other as he could.

"I mean you're taller, so I'll be swimming in your clothes. I think only your shirt is almost enough to be a small dress for me."

eloquated4/19/2020, 12:34:41 PM

"Gimme a break, you're not that short!  And I'm definitely not that tall!"  He laughed, shaking his head and rummaging through his things.  He was thinner, but Kili was shorter, which wasn't ideal-- but sweat pants were warm, and he knew he had a couple in the back of the drawer.  "But if you want a small dress, I'm sure I have one around here somewhere..."

With a teasing eyebrow wiggle, Elladan tossed him a sweater, a tshirt, and a pair of sweat pants.  Nothing fancy, but they were soft, and warm, and smelled of his soap.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 8:11:25 AM

"Now the real question is, why would you have a dress in your drawer in the first place?" Kili shot back with a grin, catching the tossed clothes with ease. He didn't waste any time and moved a bit further away before peeling the wet shirt from his skin.

The silver piercing glinted on his chest for a brief moment as he changed the shirt, and he huffed out an amused chuckle as he realised the shirt almost covered his midnight. 

At least it covered most of his boxers once he changed the pants.

eloquated4/20/2020, 8:28:28 AM

"Or maybe the real question is why wouldn't I?"  Elladan returned without missing a beat, his cheeky smile half hidden in profile, "Anyway, lots of reasons!  But mostly?  Because if Ro or I need models, we usually use each other.  It's easier cause we're already both here!"

It was so tempting.. so very, very tempting... To try and catch a look at Kili while he was getting changed.  The sort of tempting that made his stomach tense, and the back of his neck feel warm.. And which would probably be really pervy, even though Kili had said he didn't care.

But it was dark enough outside, the rain lashing against the window, that he could see their blurred reflections.  And that wasn't the same as deliberately watching like a creeper!  Right?  Elladan he swallowed hard, suddenly dry mouthed, at the shadowy broad shoulders, and the toned, hard muscles that were definitely more defined than they looked through his clothes.

You are fucked.  Truly.  Properly.  Fucked.

"Just... ah.. give me a second to get changed too, and we'll toss the wet stuff in the laundry."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 8:38:49 AM

"Sounds good," Kili hummed as he struggled out of his jeans, colorful curses flying past his lips. God he hated when the fabric clung to his legs like that, and on top of the icky feeling it also scratched his skin which sucked. He was quick as he changed into the sweatpants, and to his own amusement he had to roll the legs up once so they wouldn't cover his toes.

Warm and dry and comfortable, Kili let out a satisfied sigh and inhaled deeply, the scent of Elladan's soap making him feel all fuzzy inside.

eloquated4/20/2020, 8:48:01 AM

Elladan snickered at the sound of Kili doing battle with layers of wet cotton and denim, "I'm not sure I've ever heard that word used in that context before!"  He teased back over his shoulder.

The upside to being cold, wet and uncomfortable was that it was almost enough to distract him from the deeply and inconveniently attractive man in his bedroom.

Fishing out some of his own clothes-- and lingering a moment over fresh jeans, before deciding that he didn't want to fight them over wet skin-- Elladan grabbed a pair of black lounging around pants and a tshirt with the word "Paste!" blocked across the front.  His wet things stuck as he stripped out of them, his back to Kili with a measure of self consciousness as he changed.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 8:51:19 AM

As much as he wanted to sneak a peek at Elladan as he heard the other change, he didn't want to risk their friendship over being a pervert. If he got caught well... Things could turn awkward very fast.

"Do you have a preference whether you want to model or photograph first?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 9:07:20 AM

"Not really, no.  You can go first if you have some kind of idea. I'm sort of--"  Elladan rolled his shoulders in a noncommittal shrug, "Toying with the idea of something still life?  Like I've caught you in the middle of doing something."

Elladan tugged his shirt over his head, the material catching an embarrassed laugh, "Like writing, I mean!  Or watching tv.  Fuck, that sounded suspicious when I said it!"

Impatiently, Elladan twisted his long,long braid up against the nape of his neck, stabbing a pencil through the knot to keep it in place.  "Ugh, I don't mind wet hair, but I don't want it dripping all down the back of my dry shirt."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 9:10:00 AMEdited 4/20/2020, 9:12:16 AM

He had never in his life seen anyone use a pen to keep their hair up, so he was both caught off guard and amused. But he was quick to focus on the embarrassed laugh and the words Elladan had spoken and come on, how could he really resist teasing the other a bit?

"Well... The professor did say we could focus on a certain part of the body if we wished," he drawled out with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

eloquated4/20/2020, 9:24:06 AM

"I'm not sure I have the skills to make that look good!"  He grinned, catching Kili's eye in the reflection in the dark window.  "But don't let me stop you from living your best centrefold life!"

Cinching the pants around his waist, Elladan gathered up his discarded clothes and made sure to clean out his pockets, before nodding towards the door, "Laundry. Coffee.  Then you can figure out what parts of you you want 10 feet tall in front of the class."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 9:34:19 AM

Kili gasped in mock shock, placing a hand above his heart. "Are you saying it's ugly? That's rude, you haven't even seen it!"

He gathered his wet clothes and mirrored Elladan's actions of checking the pockets before telling the other to lead the way to the laundry room. "What about you? Do you have a preference you wish to see of yourself?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 9:37:37 AM

Elladan made a show of rolling his grey eyes, smirking as he blew a few loose strands of wet black hair from his eyes, "I'm not exactly the cock connoisseur, I'll take your word for it!"

Though not for a lack of interest!  (Not that he was thinking about that, because sweat pants hid no manner of sins.)

"I don't know.  I'm happy letting you choose- you've got more experience photographing me!"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 9:41:54 AM

"That was one time," Kili muttered embarrassed, resisting the urge to hide his face against the wet clothes as he followed Elladan across the apartment. Of course he had several ideas how he could photograph the other, but he had wanted to check first if Elladan had had any preferences.

"You do know that this project will just boost the rumors further, right?" He asked concerned. "Are you sure you're alright with that? I mean.... People thinking you're gay and all?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 9:47:40 AM

"I was thinking about that, yeah. I was going to ask you the same."  Elladan mused as he lead the way back down to the main living area.  They didn't have a surplus of space, but there was a small storage area off the kitchen that they'd (very narrowly!) managed to wriggle an upright washer and dryer into.  

Anything was better than trekking up and down nine flights of stairs to the basement!

"But personally?  I don't care.  They're not the first people to assume I'm gay, and I doubt they'll be the last.  And I'm not going to throw an assignment just because some neanderthal assholes think being gay is a problem."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 9:52:14 AM

Relief washed over Kili at the words, and he nodded in agreement. At least it was a relief to know that Elladan wasn't against gay people, so even if the other found out he hopefully would not be completely disgusted.

"I agree. If some people's largest problem in life is that someone else is gay, they really need to set their priorities right," Kili said as he pushed his clothes in the dryer and wiped his hands absently on the sweatpants to get rid of the excess moisture.

"they're just jealous I got the best model in the class for myself."

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:04:28 AM

Elladan caught the look of relief on Kili's face-- did he not realize he'd outed himself earlier?  The thought made him smile, lopsided and boyish, and he shook his head, "If I had a problem with gay people, I wouldn't still be hanging around you, right?  And I definitely wouldn't be giving you carte blanche to photograph me!"

He tossed the clothes into the wash and added a couple of rubbery packets of detergent with a dramatic little flourish, before starting the machine.  "I'm pretty sure nobody in the class would agree with that statement, me included!  But... er... Well, when the professor told us about the assignment, I was hoping you wouldn't mind working with me."

Elladan shrugged sheepishly and scuttled around Kili to start a cup of coffee, mostly for something to occupy his hands (and to stave off a bit more of the lingering cold!)  "Want something?  All the pod..things.. are up in that cupboard."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:08:56 AM

Confusion was written all over Kili's face for a moment at Elladan's words, as the other made it sound like he knew that-

A sudden flicker of a memory surfaced, of him jumping into the puddle and cursing the god for punishing him for being gay and all color escaped Kili's face. Had he really said that? Had he really just blurted it out and not even fucking realise it?

Oh God was really, really against him today.

"You don't happen to have just straight up poison, do you?" He wailed covering his face with his hands. He wasn't ashamed of who he was, but he hadn't counted on his brains being so fucking stupid he just outed himself like that. 

"I can't believe I just- oh my fucking god..."

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:10:57 AM

Maybe it wasn't polite, but Elladan burst out laughing at the look on Kili's face, tears springing to the corners of his eyes.  "You did, yeah!  I figured you were just really comfortably out!"  He gasped between giggles, leaning back against the counter with the head rush of amusement.

"And definitely no poison, no!  It's fine, really it is.  At least now you don't have to worry about tell me, right?  It's just out there!"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:14:21 AM

"Oh my god," Kili whined quietly, his face positively burning as he finally looked up at Elladan. Well, at least his new friend was completely alright with it and seemed amused by the entire situation.

At least one of them was having fun.

"Glad you're enjoying my embarrassment so much you dick," he groaned closing his eyes and resting his weight against the same counter Elladan rested on. "Any chance you'll just forget it ever happened?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:18:15 AM

Even flustered, embarrassed and red as a beet, Kili was unfairly gorgeous.  Elladan's stomach swooped when he slumped against the counter beside him, and fuck that just kept happening around him!  It was like being in middle school all over again, hopelessly crushing on the cute person across the class.  Same butterflies.  

"You'd laugh if I was the one carrying on!"  Staving off another attack of the giggles, he elbowed Kili's arm playfully, "Between this, and the photo in class, I don't think I'm ever going to forget you.  So nope, no chance.  You're just going to have to accept that this is the way things are!"

"It's really not that bad, though."  He added, dabbing his eyes with the end of his sleeve, "I guess you're not officially out?"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:20:30 AM

Kili's whine was high-pitched and pitiful, but a smile was already curling back on his lips as he glanced at Elladan. The wide smile looked really good on him and to be honest, he didn't mind making an idiot out of himself if it meant it would make Elladan laugh that way.

"Not officially, no. My brother knows but that's it," he admitted. "And the only reason he knows is because he caught me staring at other men more than females."

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:25:15 AM

"I'm not going to tell anyone."  He promised, voice still light and breathy with laughter.  "Really, I won't.  But I'm pretty sure people are going to figure it out, unless you make me look really bad for this assignment."

Which was an option, if Kili was actually worried about people suspecting there was more than just a brief rumour between them.

"And Ro isn't going to care, either!  He spends most of his free time making googly eyes that this guy in one of his classes, Haldir."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:26:46 AM

Kili's eyes widened at the words, and he straightened up surprised. "Is your brother alright with you just outing him like that?" he asked worriedly, drawing his lower lip between his teeth.

He knew that if Fili was telling his secret like that to someone he didn't know, he'd be more than pissed.

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:31:34 AM

Elladan grinned, a little part of him (small, tiny really!  Minuscule!) melting at Kili trying to defend his own twin from him.  "He won't care, no.  We were at this event thing last year, and someone with a camera-" 

Well, it had been an industry event, cameras had been everywhere.

"Caught him and some guy flirting.  It was pretty obvious.  But they posted the video online, hoping they could use it to get attention."  Elladan shrugged faintly, papering over just how stressful that had been at the time.  "He decided after that to just own it, rather than deny it."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:33:52 AM

"Oh that sucks," Kili winced at the thought. "Like someone choosing to out you for you is not cool, especially not like that. I'm glad he turned it into something positive though," he continued as he reached on top of the cupboard and pulled out a random capsule.

The taste didn't matter to be honest, as long as the drink was warm.

"I suppose it also explains how you're so chill with this entire thing, so in a way I lucked out," Kili chuckled.

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:39:18 AM

"Yeah, he was pissed at the time, but it all worked out for the best."  Taking the pod, Elladan shuffled around the kitchen to make stuff for them both, since his fingers and toes were still cold, and the crawling goosebumps chill hadn't left.  

Outside, the rain seemed to be attempting to wash the whole city off the map, and Elladan shivered at the next peal of thunder.  "I'm so glad you agreed to come back here to work, it'd suck to be out there right now." His hand hovered over the coffee machine for a moment, slender fingers poised over the buttons before selecting the one he wanted with a tap.

"It just doesn't feel like something to get upset over!  It's not like your dating effects me."  You only wish it did.  "How'd your brother take it?"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 10:42:08 AM

"He was super chill about it," Kili smiled at the memory, crossing his arms across his chest. "I was at the worst teenage phase by then, so of course I thought that him finding out was the worst thing in the world. I feared he'd be disgusted, or hate me. Damn near had a panic attack."

He chuckled with a shake of his head, damp hair falling in front of his eyes."He reassured me that it was alright, and that he had had his own suspicions for a while now and that no matter what, I'd still be his little brother."

A soft laugh escaped his lips.

"Of course the teasing began after I had calmed down."

eloquated4/20/2020, 10:52:30 AM

"Teasing your brother is a time honored tradition!  You'd probably be more weirded out if he hadn't."  Elladan pointed out over his shoulder, "But you know I'm trying to picture you as a teenager now, right?"

With a hiss and a trickle of steam, the machine punched out a piping hot drink, and he slid it over to Kili, "Milk and whatever is in the fridge, if you want." 

They did need to start on their project, but Elladan was enjoying himself too much to worry about it.  At first sight Kili had been disarmingly handsome, but the more he got to know him, the more he wanted to know.  What he was like, and what made him tick, and why his laughter was such a contagious thing!

"Your brother sounds pretty awesome."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 11:00:58 AM

"He is," Kili smiled accepting the warm cup and just held it between his cold fingers, enjoying the warmth with a soft sigh and a content smile. "He took me in after our parents passed away. Without him, I would have ended up in childcare or something equally horrifying so I basically owe him my life," he said fondly.

eloquated4/20/2020, 11:05:28 AM

Elladan couldn't imagine a world without his father in it.  He was too much a fixture, this unmoving rock at the centre of their family.  "I'm sorry."  He said after a pause, flashing Kili a half smile, "But yeah, definitely awesome, then.  Did you tell him about the whole thing with the photo in class?"  

Yes, it was a change of subject.  And not even a particularly subtle one!  But it was already dark, wet and gross outside... Better not to focus on the dark things they could drum up inside as well.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 11:07:04 AM

"Hell no!" Kili exclaimed immediately with a bright laugh, taking a careful sip of the hot coffee. The taste was definitely richer than any other coffee he had drank and he hummed contently.

"You're already keeping that over my head, if he knew, he'd never let me live it down either!"

eloquated4/20/2020, 11:11:11 AM

"I claim the right to hold it over your head, since it was me in the picture! And my head blown up in front of the class!"  Padding over to the L shaped sofa, Elladan hopped over the edge and draped himself into the corner, sinking into the familiar spot.

"Ro found out before I got to tell him.  One of our neanderthal classmates decided to hassle him about it.  So I got the whole brotherly lecture about posing for risque photos for strange men!"  He grinned against the edge of his cup, "So I had to set him straight."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 12:41:00 PM

"Well I suppose your brother already has a creepy impression of me," Kili laughed as he joined Elladan on the couch, sinking into the soft cushions. It felt like sitting on a cloud after the cold and rain and he couldn't help the satisfied sound that slipped from his lips.

"I know we're supposed to be working but we have all weekend, right? We could do all the thinking today and leave rest to tomorrow. I'm too comfortable to move anytime soon."

eloquated4/20/2020, 12:48:42 PM

"Don't worry about, we both have to tell our brothers "yeah, we met through a lens".  No way that's not going to seem weird."  Elladan countered, his eyes dropping closed for a lazily contented moment.

Yeah, this was much better than class.  He'd been working his ass off for ages, he deserved a mental health day.

Setting his coffee on the table to cool a little, Elladan tugged the pencil out of his hair and started unwinding the long braid that flopped into his lap.  "You could say we are working!  We're in the same space, with each other.  Looking for inspiration.  I mean, we are supposed to be photographing each other."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 12:53:17 PM

"I mean you're right in a way," Kili chuckled, relaxing further on the couch now that he knew Elladan was agreeing with him about taking it easy. He eyed Elladan's hair curiously, resting his elbow against his knee.

"How can you stand such long hair? Doesn't it drive you insane? I'd imagine it gets tangled everywhere."

eloquated4/20/2020, 12:57:26 PM

Elladan looked up, his smile sliding into something almost bashful, "I guess it's just what I'm used to? My brother's is the same."  He admitted, combing his fingers through the strands.  It was ink black, and waved faintly from being wet and braided for the last several hours.  

"And it does get in the way sometimes!  It's why I don't wear it down much-- you ever tried sitting on your own hair?  Not fun!" He laughed, the sound catching under his breath as he accidentally snagged a knot, "My mother liked it this way, so we never really cut it as kids.  My sister chopped all hers' off a few years ago into this super cute pixie thing, and my grandmother just about had a heart attack."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:03:44 PM

Kili watched him for a moment mesmerised, the glide of the hair between Elladan's fingers almost hypnotising. He couldn't imagine a life with that kind of hair, when he was already losing his mind with his curls.

"Here, you missed a spot," Kili pointed out and reached out without thinking, his fingers taking care of the knot on the back of Elladan's hair. The texture of the hair was soft and he blinked surprised, slowly threading them between his fingers. "I don't think I've ever felt soft hair like this before."

eloquated4/20/2020, 1:07:47 PM

It wasn't that people didn't touch his hair-- Elrohir did, and occasionally they ran across people in the street that seemed to think it was alright to just come up and pull his braid to see if it was real.

But those people weren't Kili.  Someone he was already distractedly attracted to, and intensely aware of, like he could feel every inch of the space between them on the couch.

Elladan was already on edge when Kili unexpectedly combed his fingers through his hair, and the resulting gasp was humiliatingly loud in the quiet living room.  His eyes dropped half closed for a moment as bright, tingling sensation zipped across his scalp and down the back of his neck, catching him entirely off guard.

"Oh?"  He gulped the word, and gave himself a stern shake back to reality, cheeks blazing.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:14:35 PM

"Yeah, it's like silk," Kili smiled, combing through Elladan's hair slowly, catching the tiny knots that hit his fingers. "It must be hard to take care of it daily. I mean, I thought my curls were tough but christ," he continued, and it was if his brains suddenly caught up with what he was doing and he froze in place.

His eyes were wide and he gaped at Elladan, the blush slowly rising up his cheeks. He didn't dare to move his hand away, didn't dare to move an inch. Even if Elladan had said that he was alright with him being who he was, this had to cross some borders.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."

eloquated4/20/2020, 1:19:49 PM

"Mmhmm..."  Elladan's voice drifted as he unconsciously leaned into the slow path of Kili's fingers.  There was no part of him that wanted to pull away, not when he was close, and every combing pass made Elladan's skin feel alive.  

Half lidded grey eyes slowly began to close, and Elladan was fairly sure one of them needed to pull away-- but it wasn't going to be him and--

Both of them were blushing hotly when reality snapped back into place, and even the peal of thunder outside made the apartment vibrate-- like the world had returned with a bump.

"No- no- it's--"  He started to protest, one corner of his mouth jumping self consciously, "Don't apologize."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:25:12 PM

"I just..." he trailed off into silence, his fingers twitching slightly in Elladan's hair before he carefully began to comb through them again.

"I suppose I could repay your kindness by helping you care for your hair?" he offered, and even in his own mind the excuse sounded clumsy as fuck.

eloquated4/20/2020, 1:29:06 PM

It was the most transparent of excuses, and he was sure they both knew it.  But he wanted this closeness, and it was all the excuse he needed to keep it.  Elladan felt like his heart was going to burst with nerves when he shifted a little, half turning his back to Kili.

"Yeah..." He breathed, grateful their new position hid the worst of his burning cheeks, "Sounds like a fair trade.. And you're supposed to be figuring out what to photograph anyway.. It's as good a place as any to start."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:34:16 PM

"Yeah, it's only logical," he grasped at the excuse immediately, his heart hammering in his chest as he began to rake through Elladan's hair with more sure fingers.

The other had to see through his weak excuse, and yet still had agreed into this. He tried not to read too much into it.

The silence around them shifted from embarrassment to comfort slowly and Kili began to relax as he pulled Elladan's hair back and if his fingers happened to grace Elladan's ear on the progress well... That wasn't his fault.

eloquated4/20/2020, 1:43:36 PMEdited 4/20/2020, 1:43:46 PM

Unlike his twin who was infinitely more brave in love, Elladan hadn't been this close to many people before.  His stomach tugged hotly as Kili's fingers combed through his hair, working out the tiny knots and snarls with little sparks of pleasant pain.

When he grazed over his ear, Kili could almost see the shiver that slid down Elladan's spine, and the tension that tightened across his shoulders for an instant.  "Mmhmm..."  He murmured, finally letting his eyes drop properly closed.

"Logical... I think.."  Elladan paused, drawing a slow breath, and exhaling with a murmur of bliss, "I want one of your curls.  A picture, I mean... All mussed up like the first time I saw you..."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:47:10 PM

Kili swallowed at the words, thankful that Elladan could not see how his entire face lit up with the strength of a blush. He hadn't been aware just how much attention Elladan had paid him when they had met but the answer seemed to be 'more than he thought'.

"It's usually very messy in the mornings after I wake up," he replied softly, starting a small braid with a part of Elladan's hair. "So we'd have to meet up early if you want that."

eloquated4/20/2020, 1:51:34 PM

Out of habit, Elladan tilted his head back a little when he felt Kili start plaiting a small section of his hair.  It was intensely surreal, and he could feel the way the couch shifted whenever Kili moved-- and it would be so easy, so impossibly easy, to just lean into his space, back to chest, and --

And what?  Is he waiting for a signed invitation?  Are you?

"Or I could just find a way to mess you up now."  He murmured, tongue flicking out to moisten his suddenly dry lips, "Or both..."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 1:55:37 PM

His heart leaped at the words and the braid slipped from his fingers, and the way his stomach swooped almost made him feel sick but in a good way. Surely Elladan didn't mean what he thought he meant. There was no way.

Christ, Elladan was going to be the death of him.

"Mess me up?" he repeated, his voice a tad deeper, a tad shakier with nerves as he reached back to Elladan's hair and picked up the half done braid with a deep breath. 

"And how were you going to do that?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:00:16 PM

Did he mean that the way it sounded?  Sure, there was a chance that Kili might like him, it was possible, even if it didn't feel plausible-- but what if he did?  Elladan's quick exhale stuttered across his lips as he shifted, drawing one knee up onto the couch and wrapping his arms around it loosely.

"Yeah.."  He confirmed, not sure if Kili had even the faintest idea what that low, unsteady voice was doing to his insides.  "I guess that depends.. on what sort of messed up I'm .. er... How you'd let me.  I don't want to..."

Yes, apparently he was waiting for an invitation.  Signed in fucking triplicate by eight noble witnesses.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:04:16 PM

Fuck.

Kili exhaled shakily, but couldn't help the smile that spread on his lips at the stuttered explanation. It helped to know he wasn't the only one nervous and now there was the possibility that Elladan felt something for him. Whatever it was, he would take it. Even if there was the risk it would only be a taste.

He pulled the hair back slowly, exposing Elladan's ear before he leaned close until his chest was pressed up against the other's back and his warm breath ghosted over Elladan's ear.

"Give me your best shot."

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:12:10 PM

Elladan was fairly sure his stomach had flipped around entirely, the tension pushing all the air from his lungs in a lightheaded rush.  His eyes widened in surprise when Kili finally closed the space between them-- finally finally.  

"Fuck..."  He murmured, sinking back against Kili's chest.  He could feel the warmth radiating between them, hot with nervously quickened blood.  "Pretty sure that's my cue to turn around and kiss you."

Slowly Elladan twisted, his shoulder shifting across Kili's chest as he half turned to look at him.  Colour flushed high on his cheeks, and his lower lip caught against his teeth, "Unless you'd like to tell me not to?"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:16:57 PM

Christ, Elladan was truly gorgeous wasn't he? The grey in his eyes only seemed more intense combined with the red of his cheeks and Kili found himself captivated as he tug lightly on the other's hair.

"I think I'll be very disappointed if you don't," he murmured roughly, the words thick on his tongue, his heart threatening to jump out of his chest.

"If you think you can mess me up, you have to prove it," he challenged with a crooked grin.

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:22:34 PM

How could he ignore a challenge like that? 

This close, Elladan felt like he was drowning in Kili, his whole world eclipsed by dark eyes and thick curls that just begged for him to comb his fingers through them.  "Me too."  

There was nothing he could do to stop the subtle tremor of nerves when he reached up to do just that, slender fingers carding through his hair and curling through the lush strands.  

Closing the last few inches, Elladan curiously brushed his mouth across Kili's, soft and experimental, and making his lips tingle.  It was just supposed to be one, but two was better.. three was better... five wasn't enough...

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:27:47 PM

The first brush of lips against his own stole all the air from his lungs, and he couldn't stop his body from beginning to tremble as Elladan's fingers curled through his hair and held him close. No kiss before had felt like this; experimental, pure, electrifying.

He couldn't get enough of it.

His hand slid down to rest on the side of Elladan's neck and he leaned closer with a soft sound, his eyelids fluttering close as he returned the kisses, each one growing in length.

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:35:02 PM

It felt like Elladan had been waiting forever for this, suffocating and breath held with nerves-- and finally there was air again, shared in the space between them.  If he had any doubts that Kili had felt the same shock of chemistry between them, he didn't anymore.

Between kisses he twisted around properly, one hand finding home on Kili's chest, fingers splayed to feel the racing beat of his heart under his palm, and the other tangling in his dark curls.  

This is what a kiss is supposed to be.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:40:39 PM

It was easy to let Elladan's weight push him down on the couch and he immediately placed his other hand on Elladan's lower back to hold him close. The weight of the other felt heavenly and grounding at the same time and Kili couldn't get enough of it as he chased Elladan's lips with his own. His other hand still rested in Elladan's hair and he exhaled shakily through his nose, craning his neck to nudge his nose against Elladan's own. 

He was getting drunk on the taste, and knew he could never let a Elladan go again. He could not go long without having another taste, hesitantly brushing his tongue over Elladan's lower lip; a silent ask for permission.

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:48:30 PM

The tiny, still nervous part of Elladan was waiting for it to turn awkward; for them not to fit together, for Kili too pull away, for the couch to be too narrow for two grown men.  

What happened instead was their bodies slotting together, sinking into the soft cushions.  It was the anchor of Kili's warm hand slotted onto the dip at the small of his back with a steady pressure that made Elladan's head spin and his stomach tense.  

Deepening the kiss felt like the most natural thing in the world, Elladan's lips parting and welcoming, curved up at the edges where even kisses couldn't stop him from smiling.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:51:22 PM

This was really happening.

It wasn't a joke or a test, neither one of them were pulling away with an awkward laugh.

Instead the kiss deepened further as he allowed his tongue to slip past Elladan's lips, a small groan mixing into their kiss as he mapped the others mouth with small flicks.

All he could taste, feel and smell was Elladan and the heaven outside could come crashing down and he'd be none the wiser.

eloquated4/20/2020, 2:55:44 PM

The world hadn't ended.  The kiss hadn't broken the tension into awkward shuffling, unable to meet the other's eyes.  Instead, it felt like it had ignited the thing between them, and Elladan was breathless and drowning in it.

Shifting his weight, he slotted his free arm over Kili's shoulder and dipped his head, brushing kisses down the side of his neck.  "M' not crushing you, am I?"  He murmured against his pulse, and paused just long enough to let him answer.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 2:58:47 PM

"Fuck no," Kili gasped tilting his head to the side, his skin breaking into goosebumps as his grip of Elladan's hair tightened. It felt as if Elladan's lips were leaving a trail of fire over his skin and he yearned for more, looking up at the other with darkened eyes.

"Keep doing that?" he requested voice breaking a bit, his cheeks flushed heavily as he ran his other hand up and down Elladan's back.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:07:36 PM

Elladan had never thought of himself as an aural person before, but the sound of Kili's voice sparked in his brain.  He smothered a shallow gasp against his neck, hidden by kisses--  he wanted to make him sound like that, more and forever, and just like that.

"Kili..."  He breathed his name like a precious thing, back arching under his hands.  The hem of his sweater was loose, bunching up in Kili's hands as they moved, and Elladan could feel the cool draft on his skin.  "Fuck.."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:12:16 PM

The smart thing to do would be to stop before they got too carried away, perhaps discuss a bit about what they wanted but god knew he could not pull himself away from Elladan. Not when the other whispered his name like that, pressing more kisses over his skin, moving his body like that.

His fingers graced over Elladan's skin on his back and he took a moment to trace mindless symbols over it, feeling the skin heat up under his touch. He nuzzled his nose against the side of Elladan's face, releasing breathless sounds and pressing small kisses on the smooth skin.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:16:39 PM

He'd never guessed that one kiss could be so intoxicating, that it could make the whole world outside of the two of them vanish.  It was the kind of thing that only happened in movies and books, and Elladan was completely caught up in Kili.

The long curtain of his black hair fell around them when he mapped his way back to his mouth, wordlessly melting under the warm, nuzzling affection.  They should move... should talk... just another minute, one more minute, one more kiss, they could wait that long.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:19:49 PM

"Fuck," Kili breathed out roughly against Elladan's lips, brushing his own against them once, twice, three times. He rested his hand palm down over Elladan's back, holding him closer, refusing to let go.

"You're going to be the end of me," he murmured, trailing the soft kisses down Elladan's throat, tasting the salt of his skin.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:24:09 PM

"Yeah?  Makes two of us.. I've been thinking that all day.."  Elladan laughed faintly, just a huff of breath between kissed.  The weight of his hand on his back, the pressure and warmth, was absolutely electric, and Elladan couldnt imagine wanting to be anywhere else.

His eyes dropped closed with a soft, hitching moan, and he tilted his head to bare his throat.  "I was so sure you didn't... you wouldn't..."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:26:41 PM

"I'd have to be both blind and stupid not to," Kili replied against Elladan's skin, trailing the kisses down his throat and allowing his teeth to lightly graze against him.

"I thought you didn't... Thought I had no chance with you," he added, pressing the flat of his tongue over Elladan's racing pulse.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:29:22 PM

The damp heat jerked a whimper from his lips that would have been embarrassing under any other circumstances.  But with Kili's voice reverberating in his ears, he barely noticed.

"And here.. you thought I was going to hit you.."  He managed a breathy laugh, his fingers tangling in Kili's hair to pull him closer, "And I was so... so distracted by you being... just gorgeous.."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:31:23 PM

"Looks like I'm going to be making a mess out of you instead," Kili teased with a breathy chuckle, the grip Elladan had of his hair pulling a pleased sound from the back of his throat.

Careful nips and licks turned into more daring bites and light sucks over Elladan's neck, the scent of the other making his head spin.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:34:41 PM

He was so pale that his skin reddened easily, leaving a map of where Kili's mouth had been.  He was going to have marks to hide later, and the idea of it made his stomach swoop, heat spilling through his veins.  

"Think it's... it's pretty mutual." He countered, not entirely sure how he could keep talking when it felt like all his blood was rushing away from his brain.  "But.. God... you can try."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:37:09 PM

The way Elladan sounded like when breaking apart was addicting and gorgeous and God he wanted to keep hearing it until the day he died. He wanted to feel him writhe, to hear him gasp and whimper out in pleasure. 

Never one to back away from a challenge, Kili trailed his lips down on the spot between Elladan's neck and shoulder and actually bit down, sucking a proper hickey on the pale skin.

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:45:04 PM

"Ki-ii!"  Elladan's voice properly broke with surprise, crackling up with a gasp on the second syllable of Kili's name.  Nobody had ever had the guts to bite him before, and Elladan's brain shorted out for an instant at the sharp burn of pleasure-pain.  Heat pooled under his skin like a brand, reddening to mark the spot.

Elladan's fingers twisted instinctively in his curls, the thick, soft mass of them completely disordered and mussed.  "And how--" He swallowed, trying to school his breathing into something normal with a laugh, "Am I going to hide that?"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:48:09 PM

Kili groaned as Elladan tugged at his curls again, his scalp burning and tingling in a pleasant way that shot heat straight down his spine. He could not stop himself from giggling and grinning from the other, clearly pleased at the reaction he had pulled out. 

"Why do you think I made it here?" Kili asked cheekily, nuzzling the already purple mark with his nose. "You'll be fine with a hoodie or something else you can zip up."

eloquated4/20/2020, 3:53:15 PM

Laughter helped smooth the raw, rushing edges of new passion, and Elladan dissolved into giggles right along with Kili.  It was a bubbling, effervescent feeling, like he'd never be able to stop smiling.

"It's a 'property of Kili' mark!"  He gasped between laughs, rubbing his cheek against Kili's adoringly.  In truth, he didn't care about covering it, not really; it was like a warm, faintly aching reminder of today.  Proof that this had really happened.

"Are you sure I'm not squishing you?"  He added, already wriggling a little to the side, just in case Kili didn't actually want his gangly self draped over his chest.

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 3:56:57 PM

"Ah don't-!"

Kili grabbed a tight hold of Elladan to stop him from wriggling, his face absolutely burning with humiliation as he avoided the other's eyes. It felt as if every nerve in his body was on fire, and he was painfully aware of just where most of his blood had rushed into and how close Elladan was to being directly over it. 

"Look, you can't just make out with me and think it didn't effect me so please don't wriggle," he rushed to say, hiding his face against Elladan's shoulder.

eloquated4/20/2020, 4:01:27 PM

Elladan stopped short, his eyebrows jumping with obvious concern.  Had he-- oh.  OH.  He wasn't sure if it was the way Kili had just grabbed him, tight and secure and oh fuck, he was in such trouble because he was never going to be able to let go of him.

--  Or if it was the revelation of why he' grabbed him--  That made his cheeks redden hotly.

"Sorry...  Oops?"  Elladan grinned, his thumb gently rubbing small circles just behind Kili's ear.  "It's... If it's any consolation, it's really not just you.  I just have the benefit of being able to... um, hide it easier."  He admitted, trying to equalize the embarrassment a little!

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 4:04:30 PM

He really couldn't stop himself from giggling at the predicament they were in. The giggle turned into a chuckle which then turned itno laughter, his voice muffled against Elladan's shoulder for a brief moment before he allowed himself to relax and flop his head back down on the cushions.

His eyes were dark yet bright and twinkling, lips swollen and hair mussed up and in a single word he just looked completely debauched.

"What a situation we're in, huh?"

eloquated4/20/2020, 4:13:20 PM

They were both warm and flushed, and when Elladan looked down at Kili, he couldn't entirely believe that he'd been the cause of that incredible smile.  It was more than just the physical pleasure of being close to him, it was just... Kili.  That smile, and the way he laughed, and the was Elladan felt lightheaded and completely besotted.

He was sure it was painted all over his face when he leaned down to steal a kiss, tasting the laughter between them.

"Situation:  messed.  You, Kili, are completely mussed up. Just like I promised."  He beamed down at him, and carefully relocated himself into the narrow gap between Kili and the back of the couch.  Gently he brushed his fingers across the disheveled curls and down his warm cheek, tracing his fingertips across the swollen redness of his mouth.  

"I haven't woke up yet, so I'm starting to think I'm not imagining this."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 4:17:06 PM

"I'd say we're both rather mussed up and you look amazing like that," he smiled leaning into the gentle caress of the finger. 

Kili hummed in response to the other's words, lips twitching into a warm smile. "This is all real, I promise," he mumbled against Elladan's finger and he couldn't resist the temptation to curl his tongue around the tip of the finger, winking cheekily at the other.

eloquated4/20/2020, 4:19:34 PM

Elladan ducked his head against Kili's shoulder to muffle a laugh, his hand dropping it settle against the other side of his neck. "This isn't what I was thinking when I invited you over today."  He admitted, the smile audible in his voice.

"But I definitely hoped.  Especially after you accidentally told me you weren't straight!  Up until then, I kept telling myself it was a bad, bad idea to crush on straight guys... I'm so glad I was wrong."

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 4:21:16 PM

"God I still can't believe I did that!" Kili laughed curling his arm around Elladan and pulling him close until they rested properly side by side.

"I was thinking the same thing though. How crushing on a straight guy was a fucking bad idea and would only hurt. Then I had a mild freak out over falling for you so fast."

eloquated4/20/2020, 4:24:39 PM

And that was it, the admission that Elladan hadn't realized he was waiting for.  Kili could feel the roll of tension that ran down his body, followed by a breath of shaky laughter.  "Is that what it is, then?"  He asked, curling tight against Kili's side.

His hand settled over his heart, feeling the beat of it as it raced under his ribs. Elladan was sure he was doing the same.  "Falling for me?"

Mikilieth4/20/2020, 4:28:33 PM

"I'm like... 98% sure I am," Kili admitted nervously, his fingers massaging between Elladan's shoulder blades. The fear that this entire situation could still turn upside down made his stomach flip in a very unpleasant way, as if he was going to be sick.

"I mean... I don't go around kissing just everyone you know."

eloquated4/20/2020, 4:31:30 PM

"Neither do I!"  The words escaped in a a rush, and Elladan tilted his head and arched forward to nuzzle a kiss under Kili's jaw.  "I keep telling myself how could I be falling for you?  We only just met!"

He kissed him again, and Kili could feel the way the muscles between his shoulders had begun to relax, loosened by the admission and his touch.  "But I am.  I just didn't want to assume that you felt the same."

Mikilieth4/22/2020, 3:26:15 PM

"I think I started to fall for you the moment I snapped the first picture," Kili admitted absently, rubbing his thumb between Elladan's shoulder blades.

"I didn't even realise I was taking the picture until I heard the sound of the shutter. It was so loud!"

eloquated4/22/2020, 3:31:51 PM

Slowly Elladan melted into Kili's side, the tension that always lingered between his shoulders (hours spent in a lecture hall, and more still editing videos at a computer would do that!) unraveling under his fingers.  

"I was so sure I'd heard someone, but you didn't say anything!" He turned his head to half smother a laugh against Kili's shoulder, "I thought you were either a serial killer hiding a body, or a figment of my imagination.  Right up until I saw my own face on the overhead!"

Mikilieth4/22/2020, 3:33:48 PM

"I did kind of run away as soon as I realised what I had done," Kili laughed holding Elladan closer, the warmth of the other's breath on his shoulder sending pleasant shivers through his body.

"But I'm glad you ended up being in my class. Otherwise this wouldn't have happened."

eloquated4/22/2020, 3:36:37 PM

Elladan wouldn't have thought the couch was big enough for both of them to lie side by side, but apparently it was perfectly snug if they were slotted in tightly together.  Shifting a little, Elladan curled one long leg over Kili's, his head pillowed more comfortably on his chest.

"I can't believe you ran away."  He grinned, playfully poking his side, "I bet you thought you'd gotten away with it, too!  But.. I'm glad, too.  I was glad about 30 seconds after I said hello to you."

Mikilieth4/22/2020, 3:44:26 PM

"I did!" Kili laughed shaking his head a bit before tipping it back. "I thought I had gotten really lucky to catch someone so beautiful in the forest, and that I got to capture them on the camera."

He grinned, pressing a soft kiss on Elladan's forehead. "Obviously, I'm more content with this outcome. If you're willing.... I'd like to see where this goes."

eloquated4/22/2020, 3:48:00 PMEdited 4/22/2020, 3:49:11 PM

They'd both been frozen through them they got to the apartment, but now?  Elladan felt utterly snug, his wrong body warmed through.  "Guess it makes for a good story.  Not sure how you're going to spin it to your brother, though!"

Every little kiss, every pass of his hands, made Elladan feel light and effervescent, like he was filled with happy fizz.  "If I'm willing?"  He exclaimed, half smothering a giggle, "Kili, I'm trying to figure out how I'm supposed to let you leave tonight!  Of course I'm willing, 110,000 percent sure!"

Mikilieth4/22/2020, 3:54:44 PM

"Unfortunately I can't stay the night, I'm already in too much trouble for skipping the last class," he laughed only to sober up almost instantly with a sheepish grin.

"I might have had a class today but skipping it to be with you was more tempting."

eloquated4/22/2020, 3:57:58 PM

Elladan flushed hotly-- because that hadn't been the way he'd meant it, not entirely, but it certainly was tempting. Rushed, but tempting!  "We both missed class this afternoon, but it's not the end of the world. I mean,..."  He tilted his face up to flash Kili an innocent smile, "It's sort of like an anatomy study.'

"And it's a lot more interesting than my media studies class.  I've about had enough of debating psychological horror and gore."

Mikilieth4/23/2020, 11:26:26 AM

"Anatomy study?" Kili repeated amused, staring at the ceiling with a wide smile. "That sounds like the lamest pickup line of all time," he said with a chuckle, nearly falling off the couch as his phone started to ring in his pocket.

He fumbled to pull it out, grimacing at the screen and mouthed a silent 'busted' before holding it up against his ear.

"Hi bro, what's up?"

He just hoped he didn't sound as breathless as he felt, trying not to giggle like he had been caught well.... Technically he was.

eloquated4/23/2020, 11:30:16 AMEdited 4/23/2020, 11:32:26 AM

Elladan pulled a face when Kili's phone rang, and he had to bite his tongue to stifle a giggle of his own.  "Oops..."  He whispered under his breath, before lapsing silent, his head still tucked against Kili's shoulder.

"So you're not dead.  That's a good start.  And your phone does work.  So I have to wonder..."  Fili's voice on the other end of the line was flat and dry, a sardonic pseudo amusement threaded through every syllable, "Why you're two hours late getting here."

Not that he was worried.  Definitely not.  Because it wasn't as though his brother had a habit of falling ill.  It wasn't as though it was raining like God's own wrath outside.  "I was starting to think you'd drowned."

Mikilieth4/23/2020, 11:43:20 AM

"I could have drowned, I mean it was pretty close," Kili replied grinning, resting his elbow against his knee as he tapped his thigh absently. "I got completely soaked but luckily my photography partner lived close by, so he offered we'd get dry and discuss our project for the school. I lost the track of time and forgot to call, sorry."

He didn't like to make Fili worry, but it wasn't his fault he had gotten distracted.

"I'll be home as soon as my clothes come out of the dryer."

eloquated4/23/2020, 11:48:45 AM

Right, laundry!  With a cheeky smile, Elladan brushed a kiss under Kili's ear and extracted himself reluctantly from their warm tangle on the couch.  Outside the rain seemed to have picked up, lashing against the window with a renewed determination to scrub the city right off the map.

Fili's sigh was audible, and more relieved than he wanted to admit.  He'd never expected this to be his life-- but he'd already lost his mother, and he'd be damned if he lost his brother, too.  Taking Kili in had been, in his eyes, the only option.  But God, he made him worry sometimes!

"You've got a head full of rocks."  He muttered, leaning against the wall of his shop.  Another thing he hadn't expected... but it was a skill, and it paid the bills, even if it wasn't what he would have preferred to be doing!  "You want me to come pick you up?"

Mikilieth4/23/2020, 11:52:12 AM

"That'd be awesome," Kili replied, tone full of graditute. "My bike is still at the school and I'd rather not walk or cycle back home."

He had been soaked to the bone for a long time and the chances his body would succumb to a flu was more than likely. There was a reason Kili usually didn't go out on rainy days, his immune system was wrecked.

"I'll send you the address via message, okay?"

eloquated4/23/2020, 11:56:30 AM

"Alright... text me when you're ready."  Well, at least Fili knew his brother was going to get back home in one piece!  Technically he knew Kili was a grown adult, that he could make his own choices, and it wasn't as though he had a curfew!  But it wasn't like him to just vanish, and on a day like this, Fili's imagination had jumped to the worst conclusion.

Padding back from the laundry closet, the sound of the dryer thumping and rumbling in the background, Elladan dropped down onto the couch beside Kili and arched an eyebrow, "Everything alright?"  He asked after a beat, reaching out for his hand.

Mikilieth4/23/2020, 11:59:00 AM

"Yeah, just my brother worrying," Kili smiled as he put his phone away and took Elladan's hand instead, running his thumb over his knuckles. "There's a reason storms like these makes him uncomfortable and with my immune system being a bit weaker than most it's just a recipe for him to fret."

He smiled a bit, pressing a light kiss on the back of Elladan's hand. "He'll pick me up after the clothes have dried."

eloquated4/23/2020, 12:02:19 PM

"I get it.  The worrying, I mean-- I'm sort of surprised Ro hasn't called, too."  He cracked a smile and sank back into the cushions.  After a moment, Elladan swung his feet up onto the couch and stretched out beside Kili again, even though his heart jittered over a nervous is this too much? beat.

"Better than public transit, anyway.  Your clothes should be done in.. like forty-five minutes?"

Mikilieth4/30/2020, 12:02:43 PM

"Pity that I need to leave so soon, but I really don't wish to worry Fili further," he said sinking his fingers through Elladan's hair, playing with the smooth strands. It felt amazing and unreal that he was allowed to touch now; to have the permission to map Elladan's skin with his fingers.

eloquated4/30/2020, 12:06:27 PM

Elladan had never really thought of his hair as a sensitive spot-- most of the time he didn't pay much attention to it at all, unless it was getting in the way!-- but Kili's fingers combing through the long strands, gently catching on the tiny knots, sent a wash of tingling energy flooding down his spine.

"You make it sound like I'm not going to see you later this weekend!"  He laughed against Kili's shoulder, tilting his head to nuzzle a kiss under his ear, "We've still got this project due on Monday."

Mikilieth4/30/2020, 12:08:37 PM

"I know, but..." he trailed off, suddenly feeling embarrassment over what he had almost admitted. This wasn't the time to go all mushy on someone he had just sort of started dating.

"You're right," Kili chuckled, allowing his head to tip back a bit at the sensation of a kiss being pressed under his ear. "Just have to remember not to brush me hair on the day you want my pictures so you can capture the floof."

eloquated4/30/2020, 12:13:44 PM

"But?"  Embarrassing it might be, but Elladan was far too curious to ignore such a tempting opening!

Twisting onto his side, Elladan tucked his head more comfortably into the crook of Kili's shoulder, his breath warm on the side of his neck.  "Tomorrow? You can come over here, or I can head over to yours, if you don't think your brother will mind.  Ro won't care either way, he'll be working on his paintings."

Mikilieth4/30/2020, 12:16:04 PM

"Mh, Fili is most likely working at the garage, so either works for me," Kili said closing his eyes, the warm breath over his skin sending shivers down his spine. He could hear his own pulse in his ears, the fast racing of his heart making him feel overly sensitive. 

"We could see which one of us is ready first, and then decide where to go?"

eloquated4/30/2020, 12:37:36 PM

Slowly, Elladan fanned his fingers out over Kili's chest, the pad of his thumb smoothing back and forth around his heart.  With the rain lashing against the window he could fall asleep like this, he thought with a dopey smile.  Just like this.

"Mmhmm... That sounds like a plan.  I'm not usually a morning person, but if I get to see you?" Thankfully, his face was hidden along the side of Kili's neck!  "I think I can make the effort."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 11:25:10 AM

"Awww, are you telling me I'm special?" Kili teased playfully, allowing his body to relax further into the cushions. He knew he had to get up soon and get his clothes but surely he could enjoy this moment for couple of more minutes before his brother would bite his head off.

That was one conversation he wasn't sure how to handle.

eloquated6/17/2020, 11:43:55 AM

"If you're not special, that says something about my taste in men!"  Elladan grinned and gently flicked Kili's side, "So I guess that means you have to be special... By default, of course!"

"Is it stupid that you haven't even left yet, and I already know I'm going to miss you tonight?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 11:45:15 AM

"It's not stupid," Kili sighed wrapping his arm tighter around Elladan. "I know I'll miss you too, but at least this time we have each other's numbers so we can keep texting late in the night and then regret it in the morning," he continued with a laugh.

eloquated6/17/2020, 11:56:45 AM

That sounded good... Really, really good. Nuzzling into the side of his neck, Elladan kissed the hollow under his ear, his lips distractedly trailing down to his collar. "And it's only a few hours. It's not like we have to see each other every waking moment!"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 12:01:59 PM

"Mmmh," Kili hummed in agreement, distracted by the soft lips pressing against his skin. It felt easy to let his head tip back, fingers sliding from Elladan's shoulder to rest against the back of his head, instead playing with the strands of hair.

"Some distance makes the heart fond or however that saying goes."

eloquated6/17/2020, 12:13:30 PM

"I'm not sure if you like this, or if you're going to fall asleep on me."  He teased, finally propping himself on an elbow so he could gaze down at Kili.  Long skeins of black hair fell around his face and pooled on Kili's chest, the trailing edges tickling around his collar.  

"Maybe it does, but can't I have my fondness without the distance?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 12:16:04 PM

"I like it," Kili laughed in response, opening his eyes to gaze at the taller man fondly. He brushed the hair with his fingers, twining one of the locks around his fingers before using that as a leverage to pull Elladan closer so he could press a light kiss on his lips.

"It's one night, we can make it. Besides, just think about how much fun we could have with messaging each other," he snickered.

eloquated6/17/2020, 12:19:39 PM

"One kiss and your mind slides right into the gutter!" And by the boyish grin, Elladan had been thinking something similar!  He smiled against Kili's mouth, the whole world feeling so warm and good that he practically oozed contentment. "My spidey sense says that I'm going to have a lot of distracted nights in the near future... Strangely, I couldn't be happier about it!"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 12:23:05 PM

"Can you blame me?" Kili grinned sheepishly, his skin turning a shade redder. "I have the hottest guy of the school in my arms and I'm only a human. How could I not react to that?"

Plus he was a hormonal young adult, give him a break. His mind rested in the gutter so often he might as well make a home there. And now he had someone he wanted, someone who made him feel amazing and wanted in such a short time. It was hard to keep himself in control.

"Good, because I plan to be as distracting as possible."

eloquated6/17/2020, 12:50:14 PM

"Blame you? No.  Enjoy making you blush? Definitely."  Elladan was just leaning down to steal a kiss when their warm, happy little bubble was interrupted rudely by the jarring buzz of the dryer. 

"Ugh, mood killer!" He groused, and kissed Kili anyway, quick and adoring, his mouth curved up in a smile, "Now that's distracting." 

If it wasn't for the fact that Kili's brother was already worried, Elladan would have tried to find an excuse for him to stay... but he was worried. And probably waiting for Kili to call.  "Worst. Timing. Ever."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 12:52:17 PM

"Blocked by a dryer," Kili laughed covering his face with one arm, blindly searching for his phone with the other. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, for surely he would have gotten distracted by Elladan and end up worrying his brother again.

While Elladan was picking the clothes, he texted his brother.

Got the clothes, ready for pickup in five.

eloquated6/17/2020, 1:04:04 PMEdited 6/17/2020, 1:04:15 PM

Elladan gathered the things out of the dryer, the fabric still piping hot as he carried it back to the living room in a haphazard armful, "Catch!"  He grinned and tossed the toasty clothes at his... boyfriend?

It sounded strange.. but good-strange.

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 1:05:33 PM

Too slow to react, Kili got hit by the hot clothes and he laughed surprised. "Mmmh, all warm and toasty~" He hummed pleased, hugging the clothes close to his chest.

"Do you mind if I go change in your room?"

eloquated6/17/2020, 1:11:34 PM

"Go ahead, I'll just wait down here."  Elladan waved him off and dropped onto the couch to wait.

Without Elladan there as a distraction, Kili could notice more about the room.  There was the usual mess of odds and ends, as well as a handful of photos in scattered frames-- mostly what looked like family and friends--.  A shiny gold Play button plaque was half hidden behind a precarious stack of books, and a little more camera equipment.

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 1:35:08 PM

Kili tried his best not to snoop around, but it was hard to miss the glint of gold in between the mess of books and what seemed to be parts of cameras. Absently tugging the shirt over his head, Kili crouched down to examine the weird shine more closely and could make out the words YouTube. Was it a project for YouTube? Or school?

He stood back up and struggled to get his jeans on, the warmth enveloping him like a hug and he smiled pleased before returning back to Elladan. "Thanks again for having me over. You really saved me."

eloquated6/17/2020, 1:38:54 PM

Elladan tossed his phone onto the coffee table when Kili returned, and padded over to drape his arms around his neck.  "Don't thank me. Just don't change your mind about this, before tomorrow, ok?"  He asked, his smile just a little rueful.

Maybe it was silly, because Kili obviously liked him.. but would it be the same when he got home and had time to think about it?  Sure, having his picture up there in class had been embarrassing, but he could ultimately brush it off... but this? This would mean outing them both.

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 1:43:54 PM

"of course not," Kili replied immediately, eyes widening a tad at the unexpected words. Why would Elladan even think that? Sure, this was new and there were... Obstacles, to put it lightly. But he wasn't regretting any of what they did.

"You have nothing to worry about," Kili promised hugging Elladan closer, burying his face against his shoulder. Their height different really became apparent when they both stood like this, and he kind of liked it.

"I'll text you when I get home."

eloquated6/17/2020, 1:48:56 PM

Elladan's eyes dropped closed and he pressed his face into Kili's black hair, letting his promise sink in. "You better. Otherwise Im going to worry that you got stuck out in this biblical flood."  

He felt so thin in Kili's arms, his whole body made of fine lines and light bones; but he was warm and real, and there was nothing hesitant in the way he squeezed him close.  "And it's only until tomorrow... we've gotta figure out this assignment, anyway." Which was a good distraction!

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 1:50:53 PM

"I'll try to remember not to comb my hair," Kili teased with a laugh, lifting his head up to press a light kiss on Elladan's lips before regretfully pulling away from the other. He really had to go, least he'd make his brother wait any longer.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he added as he began to put on his shoes.

eloquated6/17/2020, 1:57:34 PM

He tucked his hands behind his back to keep from reaching out to him again (Kili was right, they didn't have time to linger, not with his brother waiting).  "Yeah, tomorrow.  And I'll text you tonight."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 1:59:01 PM

"Yeah," Kili smiled, having to tear himself to wave and actually leave the apartment. The moment he stepped outside he was bombarded with the rain and he cursed as he ran to the waiting car before he'd get completely soaked once again.

"Well, my clothes were dry," he complained ruffling his hair.

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:05:34 PM

Fili smirked over at his brother, and teased a low whistle when he looked up at the apartment building, "So, who are you visiting in the rich people part of town?"  He countered, flicking the heat up a little higher so Kili wouldn't get a chill.

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:06:37 PM

"What do you mean the rich part of the town?" Kili asked confused, holding his fingers in front of the heater. The apartment hadn't seemed like a rich person's place; it was almost the same size as theirs, just a tad messier.

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:09:58 PM

Pulling away from the curb, Fili shrugged, "It's walking distance to the university- that means pricey.  Building with a pool and a gym-"  He jabbed a thumb to the sign outside, "Even more.  Close to the bus route, and the stores? Add extra.  Just because the building isn't fancy doesn't mean your friend isn't paying their tuition in rent."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:13:14 PM

"Honestly, didn't really see or think about all that," Kili shrugged, gazing out of the window at the disappearing building. "I was just thankful they had a dryer and hospitality to take me in for the day."

So, the twins most likely had money more than it seemed. The golden button started to make more sense then. Not that it mattered, he just hoped Elladan didn't think he wanted his attention for that money. Then again, Elladan didn't seem like the type to flaunt around with what he has.

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:14:32 PM

"So who are they?"  Fili gently cuffed his brother's shoulder to keep him from mentally wandering off, "This new friend of yours, you still didn't answer the question."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:15:36 PM

Kili huffed at the cuff, pushing at his brother's hand. "The twins, I don't know their last name. Elladan and.... The other name was similar but a bit harder to say."

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:17:14 PM

That sounded familiar...Fili might work in a shop during the day, but he did tattoos at night, and people talked. Besides, the name wasn't exactly common!  Still.. he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Guy from class, then?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:19:01 PM

"Yeah, we share the photography class," Kili explained. "We paired up for the next project so we started to plan it while we waited for the clothes to dry."

Even if they did get rather... Distracted by it. At least he didn't have a mark to prove from it, unlike Elladan's neck that had the beautiful purplish bitemark.

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:20:47 PM

Fili had no reason to think his brother was hiding anything, so he simply nodded, "Makes sense...you want to swing by the drive-through on our way home?  I've got someone coming in tonight to get some work done, so I wont have time to cook."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:22:34 PM

"Sure thing," Kili replied, curiosity waking up. "What kind of work are you doing tonight and on who?"

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:24:40 PMEdited 6/17/2020, 3:00:41 PM

"Dwalin, he wants me to finish the rest of that head piece."  It was his creative outlet, but better, it helped pay more of the bills; and with Kili in university (where he damn well should be) Fili could use all the extra he could make.

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:26:10 PM

Kili nodded, pointing them towards their usual fast-food place. "So you'll be working close to the six hour limit again?"

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:27:12 PM

Fili shifted his weight a little, and rolled his shoulder slightly, "Maybe a little longer.  Depends how long it takes. He'll pay extra if I can get it done tonight."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:28:29 PM

Kili glanced at his brother at the movement, his brows furrowing a bit. It seemed like Fili had worked himself to the limit of soreness once again. "At least let me massage your shoulders after dinner, it'll make working a bit more pleasant."

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:30:43 PM

"... Yeah, alright.  Thanks."  He huffed a laugh and turned into the fast food place; he did his best to take care of his brother, but he'd never been much of a cook!  "It's been busy at the shop this week.  If it keeps up, I might have to hire someone part-time."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:32:44 PM

"No wonder! Your the best mechanic in the damn town," Kili grinned, ordering his usual through the com before turning back to his brother. "I could ask around the school, see if there's anyone on the mechanic line who wish to have some extra cash and experience."

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:34:45 PM

"Let me worry about that, you just focus on getting your ass through school, ok?"  Fili turned to his brother as they waited for the people in front of them to get their stuff, his expression turning more serious, "Do you hear me?  Just focus on your grades.. I'll deal with everything else."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:36:30 PM

Kili frowned at that. "But I've been seriously considering getting a part-time job," he admitted. He hated the fact that Fili was giving so much so they could live comfortably and wanted to help the best he could.

"I'm passing my classes, even those I'm absolutely horrible at. I'm doing well, better than well."

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:39:29 PM

"And if you get a job, that's going to change.  You do your work, and I'll sort out the money.  We can talk about changing that when you get out of school; but right now you've got enough to deal with."  And what good was being a big brother if he couldn't let Kili use his brilliant mind for something better than a daily druge?   "Got it, Killian?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:41:40 PM

"No need to use the full name," Kili groaned, pouting his lips in return. "It doesn't feel fair," he complained. "I'm not doing anything that helps with the rent or bills and you're taking care of it all alone."

It wasn't the first time they discussed and argued about the matter, but the guilt kept eating Kili often and sometimes he simply had to let it out.

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:45:20 PM

Fili paid for the food and handed the bags to his brother, stealing a fry from the top.  "Older brother's prerogative."

He lapsed quiet for a moment as they drove, and finally added with a sigh, "I promised Mom I'd take care of you.  You don't have to like it, but that's what I intend to do."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:47:09 PM

"You dropped from school so you could care for me," Kili said quietly, staring at the bag on his lap. "You didn't accept a place in college, you just began working right away. Don't think I'm not thankful because I really, really am, but... I wish you'd let me do more."

eloquated6/17/2020, 2:53:06 PM

He'd had plans, but they'd changed. When their mother was alive, he'd desperately wanted to study music; to make a living with his violin. Which now sat on the shelf mostly, collecting dust. But none that had mattered in the end. He had his brother to take care of, and damnit, he was going to do it properly.  "You do plenty.  You just need to let me worry about those things for now."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 2:57:29 PM

Kili was silent for the rest of their ride home and he quietly collected the bag from his lap before getting out of the car. He was not a child anymore. He had already turned 18, which meant he was almost legaly an adult. Sure, he could not buy his own alcohol or smoke or anything like that, but he could get a decent job if he just searched.

But he couldn't do that behind his brother's back.

He just had to come up with something else.

"Come on then, let's eat and get those shoulders of yours back in order."

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:01:02 PM

"Now that's something you can definitely do." Fili shrugged off his jacket and held it over his brother's head as they darted from the car to the apartment, shivering when the rain went down the back of his neck. "After burgers, I'm starved."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:02:57 PM

As if on cue, Kili's stomach growled loudly and he laughed. "Same here," he agreed toying his shoes and jacket off, releasing a soft sigh as he walked in the kitchen to unpack their bag. The scent of the food made his mouth water and he hummed under his breath as he sat by the table and pulled his phone out.

Would it be too early to text Elladan already? They had just seen each other.

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:04:25 PM

Fili hung his coat by the door-- contrary to popular belief, their apartment didn't look like a frat house!-- and reached into the fridge to grab the mustard for his fries.  "So what were you and this Elladan doing all afternoon?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:05:34 PM

"Discussing the project," Kili replied quickly-- perhaps too quickly. "We're supposed to practice photographing and modeling people, so we tried to come up with what we wanted to focus on."

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:06:38 PM

"Uh huh..."  Well that was definitely too fast.  Especially when the rushed reply came before his brother had taken a bite of his food. Hmm... "So he's going to model for you?  Think you can make it look good?"

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:07:49 PM

"Duh," Kili rolled his eyes and wiped the mayo from the corner of his lips. "I have one of the highest marks in the class, I know what I'm doing. Of course it helps that Elladan is rather photogenetic, so I think he doesn't need much help to look good in the photos."

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:10:03 PM

"So your assignment is to ogle pretty boys through a lens?  Sounds like just your kind of work!"  He smirked and stole one of Kili's fries before sinking down at the table, grateful to be home and off his feet for a few minutes!

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:11:57 PM

"Oh shut up," Kili replied flustered, dipping his fries in the pack of ketchup that came with the meal. "I'm just saying, it'll be an easy assigment. We have to focus on the whole person or then certain body parts and apparently he wants pictures of my hair of all things."

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:13:33 PM

"Must be crazy, then!"  Fili leaned over and tugged one of his brother's curls straight, before letting it spring back into place, "Either that, or he's got a crush on you.  Even if you got mom's curly mop."

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:15:43 PM

Kili nearly choked on his fry, coughing violently before hastily grabbing the cup of soda, swallowing greedily. He felt more and more flustered by the second and he waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "Or it's the easiest part to photograph."

eloquated6/17/2020, 3:23:01 PM

Bingo! “Breathe, Kili! Jesus...” He laughed, giving his brother a few thumps on the back, “Guess that answers my question about whether you like him, though!  Come on, spill.”

Mikilieth6/17/2020, 3:41:03 PM

"Can we not do this," Kili whined embarrassed, feeling as if his face was completely in flames. Count on his brother to find out so quick.

eloquated6/18/2020, 6:54:43 AM

Fili chuckled at his brother's flailing, bemused by the startling colour of his embarrassment, "What kind of brother would I be if I didn't? So!  Tell me about him, Kee; I already know you like him, but I'm a bit short on why."

Mikilieth6/18/2020, 9:58:32 AM

Kili groaned in defeat, burying his head in his hands. "He's just... Gorgeous," he admitted softly. "He's witty and funny and can keep up with my humor. Seems to even like it."

eloquated6/18/2020, 10:05:03 AM

It had always been a matter of time before Kili met someone, so it didn't really come as a surprise.  Fili nodded as he listened, chewing on his fries, "So, are you actually going to tell him?"

Mikilieth6/18/2020, 10:14:40 AM

Kili fumbled with his fries, his face turning even redder if possible. "... Maybe? I don't know," he circled the question.

eloquated6/19/2020, 8:46:22 AM

That was hardly an answer! Fili's smile faded a little, and he reached over to jostle his brother's shoulder, "Hey, you know you can talk to me, right?  Long as you're happy, I don't care."

Mikilieth6/19/2020, 8:49:01 AM

"I know," Kili mumbled embarrassed. "It's just... We're kind of aware we both like each other."

eloquated6/19/2020, 5:11:28 PM

Fili cocked an eyebrow in amusement, and leaned back in his chair, "No problem then.  I'm not going to give you a hard time, Kee."  Not today, anyway!

Mikilieth6/20/2020, 7:17:42 AM

"That's a lie and we both know it," Kili snorted before laughing, wiping his fingers in the napkins. "How about I buy your silence with one of my awesome massages?"

eloquated6/21/2020, 8:45:09 AM

Washing down his last bite with a swallow of soda, Fili nodded with a huff of laughter, "Thanks, Kee... I think even my knots have knots.  And Dwalin'll have my hide if I fuck up his head piece."

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 8:47:07 AM

"That one would be hard to cover," Kili agreed as he got up and circled around the table cracking his fingers. "You really need to allow yourself more breaks between work."

eloquated6/21/2020, 8:48:52 AM

"Then I need days with more hours in them."  Fili rubbed his hands over his face, trying to chase the tiredness away, "Don't worry, I'll get caught up, I always do."

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 8:49:43 AM

"Do you have time to nap before Dwalin arrives?" Kili asked concerned, laying his hands on his brother's shoulders and immediately wincing. "This feels horrible, you should take better care of yourself."

eloquated6/21/2020, 8:52:00 AM

Fili was stronger than he looked; he was hard and compact, and the muscles under Kili's hands were were locked and tense.  "Didn't I just tell you not to worry?"  He laughed, trying to loosen his shoulders with an ineffectual roll, "Nobody ever died of knots."

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 8:53:29 AM

"With your luck, you'll be the first case in history," Kili chuckled as he begun to work on the knots, kneading the muscles under his hands with practiced movements. It wasn't the first time he had helped Fili with his locks and it surely wouldn't be the last time either.

eloquated6/21/2020, 8:56:15 AM

"Don't jinx it... Im too busy to die."  He muttered around a groan. 

Kili hadn't been at it more than a few minutes when the door opened with a knock (Dwalin never had been the sort of wait for them to answer it!).  Dwalin towered over the two, and dropped into the chair on the other side of the table.

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 8:57:41 AM

"You're gonna have to wait till I'm done with my brother before he gets to work on your head," Kili stated as a greeting, feeling one of the knots pop under his fingers. "Least you want shaky lines, heard  those are in right now."

eloquated6/21/2020, 8:59:34 AM

Dwalin frowned and slouched back in his chair with a grumble, making a show of looking at the clock over the stove.

"You're almost an hour early."  Fili pointed out without opening his eyes, feeling the hot release of the trigger points, "And Kee's right, you don't want fucked lines."

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 9:02:05 AM

Good, that meant he had more than enough time to work Fili's back into a better condition. He was silent as he worked, unknotting the muscles part by part until he could feel the heat of the blood warming the skin. "Drink some water, it's important so you won't feel faint from the blood rushing to your head."

eloquated6/21/2020, 9:03:54 AM

"Since when he did turn into your mother?" Dwalin asked with a gruff note, arms crossed over his chest.

"I will." Fili promised, and finally cracked open an eye to give their friend a flat look, "Watch it, or I'm going to ink Hello Kitty on your head."

Mikilieth6/21/2020, 9:05:09 AM

"Please ink a hidden message in his scalp that states he's just a big bully," Kili requested with a huff. Dwalin was and sometimes seemed like he didn't care about others, but he knew it was just a shell. In reality, Dwalin was a huge softie with a soft spot for the brothers.

eloquated6/28/2020, 8:07:13 PM

Dwalin rolled his eyes at Fili's laughter, but in short order the two of them were getting ready to start the tattoo.  It was a dramatic piece, and Fili was rightfully proud of it.

Back at his apartment, Elladan tried to work on some video editing, but found his attention drawn back to Kili distractedly.  It all seemed a little surreal, if he was being honest-- half of him expected to find out he'd imagined it all!

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 8:43:59 PM

Was it too soon to text Elladan? Probably, but a part of him didn't care as he laid down on his bed and pulled his phone to his chest, hesitating for a short moment before typing out his message.

"Is this the moment I'll ask what you're wearing?"

eloquated6/28/2020, 8:46:38 PM

Elladan jumped when his phone chimed beside him, Kili's name flashing up on the screen.  "Jesus.." He muttered, heart beating fast as he fished his phone up from the blankets.

< I'm pretty sure the correct answer is something sexy.>

< But actually just the same stuff as earlier, plus an extra coffee stain because I tried to carry too many things at once.>

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 8:59:50 PM

The response made Kili laugh and he rolled over on his back.

< Mh, well you looked good in those clothes so I think I can forgive a stain or two. >

eloquated6/28/2020, 9:03:46 PM

Unaware that Kili was doing the same thing, Elladan pushed his laptop to the side, before stretching out on his back and smiling up at his phone.  So, not his imagination, then.  Good.

< I was actually trying to get some work done.  But surprise surprise, I kept getting distracted by thoughts of you. >

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 9:17:50 PM

Kili bit on his lip and grinned, feeling like a giddy teenager. Thank god no one could see him now.

< oh, sounds saucy! What kind of thoughts? >

eloquated6/28/2020, 9:20:37 PM

< Less saucy, more embarrassing! >

Elladan thumbed the edge of his phone nervously, before giving himself a mental kick and adding:

< Mostly hoping this afternoon wasn't my imagination. >

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 9:37:38 PM

< it wasn't. >

The response was almost immediate, and Kili smiled to himself. It felt relieving to know he wasn't the only one uncertain of they could talk of what they've done.

< I'd like to have more days like that. Minus the rain. >

eloquated6/28/2020, 9:42:57 PM

< If you say things like that, I'm going to turn totally mushy on you. >

Alright, more accurately he already was-- but at least he was resisting the urge to say it!  Swinging his feet over the side of the bed, Elladan absently paced around; restless and all butterflies, slowly cleaning his room just for something to occupy his hands.

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 9:46:23 PM

< And how is that a bad thing? >

He could picture Elladan's flushed face in his mind and grinned, fingers tapping on the edge of his phone. The taller man was so adorable with his flushed cheeks and wide eyes, and that just reminded him of how he had looked earlier that day during their sudden making out and--

< BTW, what did you brother think about your necklace? I think purple really suit you. >

eloquated6/28/2020, 9:50:47 PMEdited 6/28/2020, 9:50:52 PM

< You're such a smug jerk, you know that?  xoxo >

Elladan refused to look in the mirror as he passed, kicking a few things in the general direction of the closet.  He knew he was blushing, and he was distracted enough!

< He asked if you were worried you wouldn't be able to tell us apart, so you decided to brand me. >

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 9:52:43 PM

< He has a point! Wouldn't want to accidentally smooch him! >

Of course he had to tease the other a bit, since Elladan basically kept giving him ammunition for it.

< I'm allowed to be smug because I'm the reason you made those pretty noises ~>

eloquated6/28/2020, 10:02:01 PM

< Hopefully one twin is enough for you!  I love Ro, but I don't know if I want to share my boyfriend with him. >

He hit send and stopped, looking down at his screen for a long, perplexed moment.

< That's the first time I've written that.  Feels weird. >

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 10:04:07 PM

Boyfriend?

In any other situation those words would have made him balk and feel uncomfortable, but now he realized his heart was practically leaping in his chest and he could feel his own skin burn.

He hesitated with his response, but the anxiety growing in the pit of his stomach made his fingers send the question. 

< Bad kind of weird? >

eloquated6/28/2020, 10:07:27 PM

< Not bad at all! >

He texted back quickly, before Kili could get the wrong idea.  Ignoring the fact that he was sure he was blushing (because if Ro noticed, he'd be amazed) Elladan padded down to the kitchen to make a new cup of coffee. 

< Just sort of... wow.  Ok. Exciting.  But also, seriously don't want to screw it up.>

Mikilieth6/28/2020, 10:08:52 PM

Kili released a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. "Way to scare me," he chuckled quietly.

< I know what you mean. It feels so new and fragile and I don't want to mess anything up. >

eloquated6/28/2020, 10:26:47 PM

< That makes two of us. But it's probably a good place to start, right? >

Not that he had any experience in the matter!  People tended to be drawn to Elrohir, who was the more outgoing twin.

< How am I supposed to take your picture tomorrow?  I don't think I'll be able to keep my hands off you.  And I'm pretty sure those aren't the kind of pictures we want to send the professor!>

Mikilieth6/29/2020, 12:55:48 PM

< We can take breaks so we can make out like the teenagers we still technically are.>

The thought made Kili's stomach flip.

< We could make a game out of it. >

eloquated6/29/2020, 5:58:13 PM

< A game?  What sort of a game? >

Just the idea of taking a break from his work to make out sounded both silly, and incredibly tempting... more the latter,if he was being honest!

Mikilieth6/29/2020, 6:03:32 PM

< Simple, we see which one of us has more self control while we take those pictures. Of course, the one being photographed would do their best to make the others concentration snap. >

eloquated6/29/2020, 6:05:44 PM

< You know, that sounds like the kind of game I wouldn't mind losing.  But it might be the only way we get anything done tomorrow!  At least if it's a challenge, I won't be completely putty in your hands.>

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 10:52:58 AM

< Exactly. I'm very competitive and not willing to lose. >

At least, he'd try not to. But Elladan was proving to be quite the distraction.

eloquated7/1/2020, 10:57:15 AMEdited 7/1/2020, 10:57:22 AM

Elladan tried to picture what Kili might be doing at that moment, but without an idea of what his apartment looked like, the image was vague and blurry.  Probably best not to fantasize anyway, not if he wanted to get anything done tonight!

< Now I just have to figure out which three parts of you I want to photograph. And how!  I have to make you look good, since you've already exhibited a picture of me! 😛 >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:00:41 AM

Kili grinned in response, fingers flying over the keyboard.

< Just remember that the pictures  have to be pg 13! If you want another kind of picture, I'll be the one sending it to you ;p >

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:02:51 AM

"Fuck..."  Elladan exhaled when he looked down at the screen, feeling a little warmer.

< And there goes my ability to get anything done tonight!  Or potentially ever again. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:06:30 AM

The response pulled a laugh from Kili's lips and he felt oddly flattered, his cheeks warming up a bit.

< Oh? Then just maybe I'll have an upper hand tomorrow~ after all, it was so easy to make a mess out of you today! >

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:10:00 AM

This was definitely not a conversation to have in the middle of the kitchen! With a goodnight to his brother,Elladan retreated back to his room,distractedly thumbing back a text.

< If being a mess means you can't keep your hands off me?  I volunteer as tribute! >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:12:02 AM

< And now I am thinking very improper thoughts, thanks for that. >

He groaned pressing the phone against his forehead, willing himself to count to twenty.

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:16:33 AM

Elladan knew he should behave; after all, this was new and he didn't want to screw it up. But making Kili distractedly hot was... really, really tempting.

< New rule : You can't say that without giving me the details! >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:21:12 AM

Kili's face flushed further and he nibbled at his lip anxiously. Perhaps it would be stupidly soon to discuss such things already, but for Christ's sake they had barely kept their hands to themselves earlier. It was clear there was mutual chemistry and want between them.

< Just thinking about all the ways I could distract you tomorrow. >

He sent the first message, wondering how to word the following one.

< If you'll blush as prettily if I am to bite your ear when correcting the position for the picture, or if you'll bite back a gasp if I am to accidentally brush my leg between yours. >

There, that was good, right? It wasn't super vulgar but clear to the point and hopefully not enough to scare Elladan.

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:25:41 AM

In truth, Elladan hadn't expected him to reply, not like that-- not with actual details that made him feel flushed and wanting.  With thud he dropped onto his bed, reading the messages a few times before he realized he had to actually reply.

< Fuck >  

Said the first, his thumb accidentally hitting the send button in his haste.

< I'm pretty sure I'll still be blushing tomorrow. >

< Do you have any idea how much I want to see you right now?  I knew I'd miss you tonight, but this is crazy. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:30:28 AM

The short response was enough to make Kili cackle, having to silence it against his pillow even if he was sure Fili would not hear him over the sound of the tattoo machine.

< Well I can help with that! >

Feeling coy and rather playful, Kili lifted his phone up and took a quick picture. His dark curls were framing his head wildly, his face still a light color of red and lips grinning at the camera. He sent it fast, before he could think twice.

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:35:11 AMEdited 7/1/2020, 11:35:18 AM

The picture felt a bit like being sucker punched, Elladan's heart quickening at the glittering, mischievous eyes and the curve of his mouth.  

< Again I say.. fuck. >

< How did I not notice you in class before? You're gorgeous, and I want to kiss you so badly right now. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:38:00 AM

< You sat behind me. >

The reply was cheery and teasing, and Kili smiled dopedly to himself. Just reading those words, the reaction he got from the other sent his heart stuttering.

< Just the night between our reunion. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:39:52 AM

< You send me pictures like that, and want me to be patient until tomorrow? >

< Cruel, wicked, teasing you! >

Elladan knew he was grinning like an idiot, but there was nobody else to see... Nobody to laugh at him!

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:43:47 AM

< And what are you going to do about it? >

It was a teasing taunt, and he has to rub his own cheek as it was starting to ache from the continuous grinning.

< It could have been a completely different kind of a picture, I think that would have been a proper tease. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:47:09 AM

Never let it be said that Elladan backed down from a tease!  And over the last few years he'd spent a lot of time on camera; so before he could second guess himself, he flipped up the hem of his shirt and hooked his thumb in the waist of his jeans, dragging down the material playfully.

< I haven't decided yet. > 

He texted back,sending the picture with it.

< I'll decide when I'm less distracted. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:51:10 AM

The phone slipped from his fingers and hit him square on the face. He scrambled to get a hold of it, drinking in the picture greedily.

< Fucking hell. >

He licked his lips, feeling his mouth dry up.

< Fucking... Are you trying to kill me? >

< I want to bite that piece of skin over your hip bone. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 11:54:55 AM

That was so much better than any reaction he'd dared to hope for.  It felt a bit like playing with fire, but the chemistry ran quick and hot between them, undiminished by distance.

< Not kill you.  Reminding you why tomorrow seems unfairly far away! >

< And if you keep making comments like that, I'm going to need a cold shower. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 11:59:09 AM

< Two can play that game. >

He wasn't going to let Elladan get the upper hand, he was too competitive and stubborn to go down without a fight. A quick change of position had him on his knees, the hem of his shirt between his teeth, his other hand in middle of undoing to the button of his jeans.

He sent the picture, followed by

< You're not the only one who can tease. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 12:09:50 PM

Elladan's mouth went suddenly dry when he opened the message, blood rushing south.  It was a small miracle that he didn't drop his phone right off the side of the bed, but it was a near thing!

< I'm not sure if this is a game we both win, or both lose. >

< But fuck... >

< I was supposed to be getting some work done tonight, and that's definitely not happening now. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 12:12:31 PM

< I'm not even sorry. >

< And like you're actually complaining. >

Victory. At least for the moment.

eloquated7/1/2020, 12:34:57 PM

< I'm not complaining! Definitely not complaining. >

< You just make it hard to think when you send pictures like that. >

Elladan toyed with the edge of his phone case for a moment, before gathering up his nerve and adding:

< I'm not used to wanting someone this much, or so suddenly.  It's amazing, but sort of overwhelming. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 12:37:04 PM

< Come on Ell, you're making this too easy for me. I mean thinking isn't the only thing I'm making hard for you, am I right? >

He snickered, a soft smile spreading on his lips.

< But I know what you mean. I'm kind of scared about how easy this is with you and I like it a lot. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 12:44:41 PM

< You'll have to find out for yourself tomorrow!  I cant make it that easy! >

Curling onto his side, Elladan propped his phone against his pillow, occasionally glancing back at the photos Kili had sent him.  

< I keep telling myself there's no reason to rush, cause I don't want to freak you out. >

Mikilieth7/1/2020, 12:46:41 PM

< you're not freaking me out. I promise. >

He understood Elladan's concern, for he thought about the same things.

< At the same time I want to be careful and yet also find out absolutely everything about you in every way. >

eloquated7/1/2020, 1:04:41 PM

< I don't have anything to hide!  Maybe we should ask questions since we can't be together tonight? >

< Cause I think we're going to be distracted tomorrow! >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 6:44:59 AM

< Alright sounds like fun! What kind of questions are we talk about though? Wouldn't want to misunderstand anything. >

eloquated7/7/2020, 9:16:57 AM

Elladan stretched out on his bed, passing his phone from one hand to the other while he read. 

< You can ask me anything, I don't really have any big secrets. >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 9:21:26 AM

Kili thought for a moment.

< What do you enjoy to do during your spare time? Aside from daydreaming in the forest. >

eloquated7/7/2020, 9:23:26 AM

< I have a yt channel with my brother, that takes up most of my spare time!  We're usually filming or editing.  Which was what I was supposed to be doing tonight! >

Elladan added a silly little emoji to the end, and considered his response.

< Have you told your brother about us yet? >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 9:25:16 AM

Oh, that certainly explained the gold button he had seen! But wait, wasn't that like... An award, in YouTube community?

< He kind of guessed that something was going on but I didn't tell him everything yet. >

< Are you guys any good doing videos? Maybe I should search for you guys then. >

eloquated7/7/2020, 9:29:47 AM

< Same with Ro, I'll tell him later but right now he's pretty focused on other stuff. >

Well that was a more difficult question!  Elladan thumbed the edge of his phone; he wasn't embarrassed that he'd mentioned it, but what if Kili thought it was all silly?  Elladan knew it was, but it was still something he worked hard at!

< Well enough!  It pays the bills, and it's more fun than mopping floors for a living! >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 9:33:11 AM

They were good enough to get actual monet from it? Christ, he had a feeling Elladan was selling himself short. He definitely had to look them up now!

< So is that why you picked up your current major? Wanting to learn more? >

eloquated7/7/2020, 9:34:56 AM

< Pretty much!  It started as a high school film project, and we had so much fun we started making our own.  Originally I was going to be an english major, do script writing or something, but I like this more. >

< What about you? Why'd you take this? >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 9:43:19 AM

< I've always enjoyed photography. I started when I was young with one of those old film cameras. I wanted to capture the world as I saw it, show beauty and joy when everything in the world seems to go to shit. >

eloquated7/7/2020, 9:45:16 AM

< Wow... Yeah, you win, that's a pretty awesome answer. >

<So, is it just you and your brother?  I've got a little sister, too, but she's back with my dad. >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 9:52:49 AM

Kili smiled ruefully. He knew the question had to come at some point.

< Our parents passed when I was a child. It's been just us ever since, as Fili took me under his wing so I wouldn't be taken to a foster home. It's a long story but that's why Fili freaks out when there's a huge storm and I'm not home. >

eloquated7/7/2020, 10:46:33 AM

In retrospect, that made so much sense.  Elladan sighed and tucked one arm behind his head, trying to wrap his head around what that would be like. 

< Damn... I'll remember that.  But at least you've still got each other. >

Mikilieth7/7/2020, 10:49:03 AM

< I owe him a lot. >

< Anyway, what's your sister like? >

eloquated7/7/2020, 10:50:56 AM

< Arwen?  I haven't seen her since last summer, but she's alright.  She's thirteen, and my dad's favourite, mostly because she's the only one still at home!  Plus, baby of the family. >

Mikilieth7/13/2020, 11:30:18 AM

< Well she's the youngest and also a girl with two big brothers, of course she's the baby. >

< It's starting to get late but I really don't want to stop talking with you. >

[clumsyracconking]

A villain

Ch.9 (2015 words)

Look at me putting out a 2000 word chapter how excellent. Same warnings, Shoto gets introduced.

Tags: @rachi-roo-bnha @magical-girl-04 @imacowboy3

Hawks being verbal again had it’s positives and negatives for Dabi, for starters he could complain again, but hearing his songbird sing again made up for all. Toga didn't feel much of a difference, they still spent most of the time they hung out in silence even before Hawks going nonverbal the two had never felt the need to talk. It was sort of like they could talk without talking. Hawks felt better than he had in months closer to a year now actually which was sad for Hawks to think about, but he had to push that out of his head he had someone to kill or rather someone to bring comfort to, and they were two very different people. 

“So when are we gonna kill him.” Hawks asked one morning while he and Dabi were eating cereal and waking up, it was closer to noon but in their eyes it was morning. 

“Well now that you're a semi functioning person again we can always just go do it tonight.” Dabi knew that was a low comment but he was still slightly upset about everything that had happened, he knew it wasn't Hawks’ fault but he was still upset for some reason he couldn't understand why he was and that pissed him off. 

Hawks felt like that comment was a bit of a low blow but he was fine with that, “cool” was all Hawks said as he went back to eating, he was slightly pissed that he would have no role in his torturers death other than as a look out, but he also felt like Dabi deserved to be the one to do it.

“Maybe you can chop him up a bit before I finish the job.” Dabi felt Hawks deserved more than to be just a look out, the man had broken Hawks’ head even more than before, Hawks needed to conquer some demons just like Dabi, one of the demons was named Endeavor.

Neither Hawks or Dabi showed that they were anxious, but both of their heads were a mess. Dabi was reliving his childhood while they walked through the house and Hawks was reliving all 4 torturous months he’d spent somewhere in this house. Finally they made it to the flame heroes room, they could hear him snoring from all the way down the hall. 

“Loud ass bitch.” Dabi muttered to himself thinking about all the times he and his little brother would go hang out once they heard his snores, he still thought about his brother and sister often, never his youngest brother. Dabi had always resented Shoto for being born, he knew Shoto hadn't asked to be favorite from birth but he still hated his youngest brother.

Hawks couldn't help but chuckle at Dabi’s comment, he found it amusing that even in a situation like this where he was about to kill his dad he could be funny and not even on purpose, it was just a simple comment not meant for anyone to hear. Hawks just couldn't help but laugh at Dabi. He just made Hawks happy.

“This one.” Dabi said quietly, stopping and pointing at one of the many doors in the long hallway, seriously how big a house did they need, Hawks knew it was only ever at most housing four people. Yeah Hawks and Shoto had gotten kind of close in his time in the large apartment recovering and he knew every God awful thing that had gone on and still went on in this house, there had been a question in the back of his head lurking ever since they'd come up with the plan, what would happen to Shoto?

Dabi opened the door, slowly as to not make it creak right as Shoto rounded the nearest corner. He didn't know what to do, why was Dabi in his house, why was Hawks here as well? He understood what was going on. He strode over to the two men. “I want to help.”

Neither Hawks or Dabi could comprehend what was happening, wasn't this kid in the hero course? Hawks asked himself, Dabi on the other hand wasn't surprised in the slightest, he figured something like this would happen. Dabi knew his little brother deserved some vengeance but if they were going to let him help that meant rescheduling and tweaking the plan.

Dabi regrettably spoke without thinking. “Fine but we can’t do this tonight then.” 

He regretted that the second he said it, he still resented his youngest brother but he knew all three of them standing in this halfway deserved some form of revenge, but how would they get it? Dabi asked himself he knew it would be sloppy and risky to have all three of them for a single kill plus this would be Shoto’s first kill as a big brother Dabi was slightly disappointed sure he hated the kid but it was still his brother and he didn't want his brother to turn out like him.

“Fine let’s go to the apartment then.” Hawks meant the apartment he had stayed in while he was recovering but they all ended up in Dabi and Hawks’ little apartment with Toga because for some reason the little mosquito was already there when they got there. She had probably been waiting for Hawks so they could talk about that boy again.

As soon as they walked into the apartment Dabi went to the fridge and grabbed ingredients, Hawks had noticed the stress cooking a while ago but wouldn't be saying anything about it because that's usually when the best food would be served

Shoto surveyed his surroundings, he knew where he was and what bar he was above he wasn't stupid. He noticed how clean and small the place was, he noticed the feathers and what looked like ashes which made sense given Dabi’s quirk, he also noticed ash trays strewn about none full but none empty.

Shoto had to say it “so this is where you went, was worried he’d gotten you again till your feathers were found at murder scenes.” Shotos voice was robot like, Hawks only felt a bit of sympathy not enough though.

“What can I say, heroing and staying in that apartment wasn't really working out for me kid” Hawks said looking over at Dabi who was chopping onions and no doubt battling in his head thinking of a new plan, he wondered if Shoto had put it together yet and if he hadn't how long would it take.

Shoto remained silent, what was there to talk about that wasn't awkward he’d never been good at speaking to people. Hawks on the other hand didn't seem to care about Shoto being there and just went to sit on the couch to talk with his little mosquito of a friend and lit a cigarette. He didn't like smoking weed around Toga, he felt like that was just wrong considering how young she was.

“When will you stop smoking those things kfc?” Toga asked him taking one from the pack he had left out, of course she was being sarcastic and Hawks knew that but he enjoyed the camaraderie and he wanted to see how Shoto would react. He was curious and bored what else was there to do. 

“I’ll stop when I die kiddo and trust me that won’t be anytime soon.” Hawks smiled, tried and failed to light her cigarette with the little pink lighter he kept on the side table by the couch while he said that. Shoto was so confused. What was this banter? Was it a game? Regardless he walked over and lit the cigarette for her taking one for himself he had too much going on in his head and Iida had taken his pack on Friday when he caught him smoking on the walk home.

“Damn no please.” Hawks said still smiling he was just joking but Shoto didn't really get that.

“Hell yeah no please I’m still pissed at you.” Shoto said more to himself than Hawks knowing Hawks really wouldn't care he took a drag still frustrated Hawks had left Shoto thought he’d died or been dragged back to that awful basement or somewhere else to be tortured. Knowing what he did now he felt conflicted about how he felt toward Hawks, he felt they had become friends but now who knows maybe he was wrong.

Dabi was focused on cooking but also somewhere in his head he had to work out all the kinks in the new plan he’d come up with while they had been on the way back there was a reason he’d stayed silent the whole way.

“God fucking damn it how many times to I have to tell you little fucks not to smoke while I’m cooking, that applies to you too ice boy.” The food always tasted weird when there was smoke in the air while he was cooking and he would be damned if his food tasted like shit because of them.

Toga and Hawks put their smokes out instantly they knew how Dabi got when he was cooking, “sorry babe” Hawks said quietly like a child who had just been scolded which he kind of was. Toga had nothing to say and just kept talking about the same boy she’d been talking about for weeks.

Shoto took another drag looking at Dabi just to be rebellious then put it out. “So you finally got over Izu?” Shoto asked Toga, Hawks knew why he was asking, despite what Shoto thought he was often painfully easy to read. Toga could read him as well.

“Yeah lover boy I guess you could say I did.” Hawks couldn't help but snort at Toga’s comment he found it funny she could read the now blushing boy as well.

“I- is it that obvious?” Wow this kid really was not like Toga thought he’d be.

“Can we keep him Dabi?” Toga asked rather loudly, stretching out the last syllable of Dabi’s name.

“Yeah c’mon babe let’s keep the kid then Toga can finally make a friend her age.” Hawks said with just as much if not more enthusiasm than Toga, he wanted Toga to have a friend but he also wanted to see how Dabi would react considering that was his little brother after all.

“We can keep the candy cane jesus fuck, why are you two like this who the hell dropped you?” Dabi yelled, throwing his hands up in frustration, accidentally dropping the knife he’d been futzing with the whole time.

“So I get no say in this, don’t get me wrong you folks seem lovely but I’m not sure I wanna stay here. Also why candy cane?” Shoto asked no one in particular. 

“No you don’t get a say in it because I don’t fucking trust you candy cane. It’s the hair.” Dabi deadpanned at the last statement he made, he knew his little brother was awkward and socially clueless but holy shit he didn't expect it to be that bad, then again what could he expect Shoto had been isolated most of his life.

Hawks couldn't help but laugh at Dabi’s last statement especially the lack of tone and emotion when he said it, for some reason Hawks was always laughing at Dabi it was a part of their dynamic, Hawks was the only person that could laugh at Dabi without dying and Toga had always found that really cute.

“Fair enough it is logical not to trust me yet, and I will choose to ignore the comments you’ve made about my hair.” All of them busted out laughing at Shoto’s matter of fact tone, as Toga and Hawks rushed over and dished up some food Shoto decided he would as well what was the worst they could do tell him no.

The dinner went well, they cracked jokes most at Shoto’s expense but it was still nice. Shoto wondered if this was a family though albeit a fucked up one it had the dynamics he’d read about. Maybe this was his new family.

[slashhinginghasher]

Midnight Star - Chromeskull x OFC - Part 1: Thief In the Night

Listen. I love the "Big Scary is only soft for their SO" as much as the next horny person, but I feel like we as a community have been largely overlooking the fact that Chromeskull canonically tortures and murders people (specifically women) for personal enjoyment. So I'm gonna be the nasty bitch that brings that side of him back up again lol.

You can also read this on my Ao3.

Marena hated a lot of things. But if she had to list them, “summer” would be very fucking near the top, and “summer in the Southern United States” would be right next to it. She hated the way the sun beat down like an anvil. She hated the sticky, suffocating humidity that draped itself over everything until it felt as though the entire world was sweating. She hated the waves of heat that emanated from the ground, even in the dead of night. She hated that even the fucking ocean provided no relief; she’d nearly gagged the first and only time she’d attempted a midnight swim, the water curling around her ankles like tepid bathwater. She wanted to peel off her clothes, shave her head, wriggle out of her skin. She wanted to crawl into a freezer and wait until winter, but that season didn’t seem to exist here in the armpit of the world, so maybe she’d stay there until she was dead.

There were no freezers to be found in the swampy vegetation bordering the empty road she followed. There was, however, an abundance of gnats, flies, mosquitoes, and other nameless biting, flying things so great that Marena was seriously considering setting herself on fire just to kill them off. She’d been on the road for weeks. Her feet were blistered. Her stomach was starting to eat itself. If she had to comb any more spanish moss out of her hair she was going to scream. But she kept going, one foot in front of the other, because it was better than turning back. And she stayed in this stupid sauna of a country because it was better than what lay across the ocean.

Marena walked, and dreamed of snow.

***

The car was a temptation. Shiny and black, it gave off an impression of speed even while sitting still. And it was gloriously unattended. Marena had been watching it for nearly fifteen minutes and had seen neither hide nor hair of the driver.

Her court-appointed therapist in Miami had said that a lot of her problems stemmed from a lack of impulse control. Marena thought that was bullshit. She could control her impulses just fine when she wanted; it was just that she so rarely wanted to. With a mental Fuck You to Dr. Call Me Linda, she pulled the wire hook out of her bag and popped the car’s lock in a matter of seconds.

The rest of the job was not so simple. The car was a newer model; the dashboard alone had enough electronics to power a small rocketship. At first, it resisted her efforts, almost as if it didn’t want to be stolen. Her nerves felt like a live wire as too many minutes stretched past, expecting the owner to return. Two screwdrivers and broken nail later, she resorted to swearing and brute force.

“Come on you piece of shit suka blyat’, START!” she snarled, forcing screwdriver number three into the keyhole with her fist and cranking it as hard as she could. The engine roared to life, the radio blaring a hip hop dance remix she’d heard outside at least half a dozen clubs. She slammed her hand against the power button and froze, the only sounds now the purring of the engine and the incessant insect chatter. Scarcely believing her luck, Marena slid into the leather driver’s seat and carefully shut the door. She tapped the gas pedal and grinned when the engine revved in response. Cranking the air conditioning and easing out onto the road, Marena let out a triumphant whoop and floored it.

***

The sky was turning a dusky, pre-dawn blue when the car slowed to a stop.

“What?” The tank was still half full. Marena stomped on the gas. No response. “Chto za khuynya? What the fuck?” She punched the steering column, punched the dashboard, succeeded only in scraping her knuckles. The car shut off. “No no no no…” The cooling engine ticked mockingly at her. “How the fuck…?”

The screen on the dashboard flared to life.

NOT YOURS, PIGGY

Marena’s very heartfelt Fuck! froze in her throat. She had to get out. She had to get out now. Eyes still on the screen, she pulled at the door handle. Locked. When did that happen? And why couldn’t she unlock it? Rage bubbled up in her chest as she yanked at the handle, rage at whatever bastard was controlling the car, and at her own stupid mistake for stealing a goddamned remote control car, of all the dumb fucking…. Marena forced herself to stop before she did something else idiotic, like ripping the handle off the door. Took a slow breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. She scanned the futuristic dashboard. Too many buttons, probably not enough time to push them all, assuming they’d even respond to her touch.

Come on, Masha. You love to break shit. Duh. Marena pulled her only spare shirt out of her bag and quickly wrapped it around her elbow, planning to smash her way through the window.

The guy with the crowbar beat her to it.

***

The first thing Marena noticed when she came to was sweet, blessed cold, the kind one felt in warehouses with industrial AC systems.

The second thing she noticed was that she was chained to a chair. Literally chained; she could feel the links chilling her wrists and ankles. Another chain dug into her hips like a too-tight airplane seatbelt. Whoever tied her up knew what they were doing then; metal couldn’t be frayed or worked loose like fiber rope. And the restraint across her lap prevented her from bucking or contorting into a more favorable fighting position.

Speaking of fighting… all of her knives were still in place. Wrists, boots, back, pockets. Which meant one of three things:

1. This was a rush job. 2. Her mystery abductor was half an idiot and didn’t check her for weapons. 3. Her mystery abductor knew she was armed and didn’t do anything about it because they knew she wouldn’t be able to beat them in a fight anyway.

Marena really hoped it wasn’t the third one.

A quick mental check revealed that she was still fairly intact. Her muscles were stiff, her head ached, and she had a nasty case of dry-mouth, but she’d had hangovers worse than this before. The lack of a massive head injury meant she hadn’t been beaten unconscious, so she must have been drugged. She tried to think past the car window shattering, but couldn’t remember being forced to swallow or inhale anything. A needle, then?

Marena heard heavy footsteps approaching, then the rustle of fabric as someone settled in front of her. She briefly toyed with the idea of playing possum, but the need to face whatever was about to happen head-on won out. Not weak. Not anymore.

She opened her eyes and came face to face with a grinning skull.

Well, it was a mask shaped like a grinning skull, attached to a head that was most probably human. The mask shined in the weak light of… wherever the fuck she was. It was meant to be intimidating, distracting, and Marena forced herself to look away and take in the other details of her captor.

The guy was a beast. Crouched as he was, he was still eye-level with her. He’d dwarf her standing. Shaved head, black tailored suit (why though), black gloves (too thin to be leather, latex maybe?). The red light of a camcorder blinked from a mount on his right shoulder. She caught a glint of metal near his waistband but didn’t let her gaze linger long enough to identify exactly what type of weapon he was packing.

That familiar destructive urge, the need to kick and claw and tear, crept through her veins. Her fingers wanted to twitch. Her teeth wanted to clench. Marena forced herself into stillness. Not yet. Wait for the right time. Patience. The skull stared at her, motionless, expressionless, so she returned the favor. He pulled out a cell phone, typed something, and held it up for her to see.

HELLO PIGGY

Years of practice kept Marena’s face blank while a litany of choice curses flew through her head.

“This is about the car,” she said. It wasn’t a question. The skull nodded anyway, and reached for her.

Fuck it.

Marena lunged.

[siribear]

alice avoids concord even though it’s a safer route, now clear of raiders and the deathclaw. well, she doesn’t avoid concord so much as she avoids the carnage, the blood and gore she caused, the first human lives she ever took. she barely spares it a glance as she cuts through the field just outside the town.

skirting the edge still takes her through familiar territory, familiar roads and buildings and maybe even trees? though they’re blasted and ruined and broken apart like everything else - except her. maybe.

now she wishes he brought codsworth, if only to not listen to her inner stream of consciousness.

she travels by road once she puts concord behind her. though it’s still mostly traveling off-road with the cars near-piled on top of each other. people trying to escape, those that couldn’t make it to a vault - those that weren’t on the list. one of her neighbors had wanted to drive all the way to the coast. she wonders if one of the rusted frames belongs to them.

somewhere outside lexington, she runs into a giant mosquito. it flies toward her with legs longer than her torso, and shrugs off more bullets than it should be able to. when it bites, it sinks deep into her neck and feels worse than a needle slipping under her skin. the too-long legs release her, and just like that it makes to fly away. vision blurring, she fires into its torso, watches as it falters and the blood it took from her slosh in a too-big sac. with another shot, she breaks the sac and it bursts like a popped water balloon, blood splattering across the road.

alice drops to her knees and presses her palms against the pavement like she can stop the world from spinning. stop her world from spinning. she checks her pipboy and there it is, the little warning flashing for blood loss. she drinks from a can of water, legs crossed, on the side of the road.

her neck itches.

ignoring the skin already rising as her body reacts to the bite, she switches to the radio on her pipboy. diamond city radio had always been the one station she could pick up but now - now there sits another, just under it. a military frequency. she tunes in, curious. static crackles from the speakers. out of range, possibly.

she stands, walks further into the commonwealth, toward college square. near cambridge, the transmission clears.

this is scribe haylen of reconnaissance squad gladius to any in transmission range. the transmission hisses with static. -requesting support or evac from our position at cambridge police station. repeat, requesting - knight rhys! the message cuts off with an automated voice before repeating.

nate always said she had an issue with helping people. with not helping people. but it was why she became a lawyer, to make sure the little people didn’t get swept under the rug of the law. to make a difference.

she never got the chance, before.

-

even if she didn’t know where she was going, the echo of gunfire leads her directly to the police station. barricades surround the courtyard, towering above her head. a group of ferals charges the barricades, slipping through the walls and piling near the openings. alice fires at the one in the lead, dismembering its leg on impact. a bright flash of red turns the feral into a pile of ash. the others charge through, kicking up ash as they storm the courtyard.

she slips in behind them to a scene from a horror movie. blood and limbs cover the ground, scattered around a small group of survivors: a man in power armor and a pair huddled near the door. she spares a glace at the two holding their own, and moves in beside the man in power armor. they share a brief nod before continuing to defend the others.

by the end of it, they’re surrounded by a semicircle of gore. blood mixes with ash at their feet, dead bodies piled around them. but the ferals are dead, and none of them are too worse for wear. the man beside her turns to face her with a sigh.

‘we appreciate the support, civilian.’ he reminds her of nate’s old military officers, despite looking her age. disciplined, nate would say. ‘but what’s your business here?’

alice shrugs. ‘i just happened to be passing by when i heard the distress call.’ she holds up her pipboy. ‘thought i’d see if you still needed the help.’

‘and if we didn’t, you’d simply come for the loot?’

‘absolutely not. if it was just me and that horde of ferals, i’d have run.’ she looks from the man to the others at the door. ‘is it just you three here? i’m amazed you held out.’

his eyes narrow. ‘answer my question first. you don’t seem like a regular commonwealth scavenger. not with how you took down those ghouls.’

‘o-kay. my name is alice. i’m with the minutemen up in sanctuary. the... general, actually,’ she adds, a small afterthought.

the man sitting by the door barks a laugh. now that she looks at him, he’s not so much as sitting as he is simply trying not to move. the woman kneeling next to him sticks a stimpak into his side. ‘like hell i’m believing she’s a general, paladin.’

the paladin closes his eyes and sighs again, heavily. ‘i’ve heard of sanctuary. there wasn’t anything up there of use to us.’ he eyes her pipboy. ‘just an old vault, locked tight.’

‘don’t look at me. i’m not from the area - ’

‘these minutemen must be desperate - ’

‘knight rhys. enough. scribe haylen, tend to him inside, please.’ haylen does, draping one of rhys’s arms over her shoulders.

‘anyway,’ alice continues, smiling to put the paladin at ease. ‘what’s your name? who are you guys?’

‘paladin danse, brotherhood of steel. i... apologize for rhys’s behavior. it’s been a fight ever since we got to the commonwealth.’

‘it’s no problem, really.’ she’s met plenty of men like him in her time. ‘why the police station?’

‘given its former use and fortification, it only made sense to use this as our base. the radio tower was an... unexpected boon.’ he gives her a nod.

‘guess you didn’t get the same warning i did about the ferals in the area, huh?’

she gets what she assumes is his equivalent of a laugh in a short huff of breath and a half smile. ‘apparently. we’re supposed to be investigating a signal - distinct, old-world tech. i’ve been trying to get ahold of my superiors now that i’m a man down and low on supplies, to no success.’

‘you could just ask for help, you know.’ again, that suspicious look. ‘call it curiosity. and a genuine desire to help.’

he looks her over before nodding. ‘all right, then. take what supplies you need from the station. when you’re ready, we’ll head out.’ a pause. ‘and don’t think you can steal anything.’

‘you have my word, paladin danse.’

she follows him inside.

-

‘arcjet isn’t that far away.’ his voice comes muffled through his power armor helmet. ‘just up this road.’ she pretends she doesn’t know the way.

‘so,’ alice starts. ‘what does the brotherhood of steel do?’

danse keeps up his half-jog when he answers, ‘we salvage technology. repurpose it to understand it. keep it out of the wrong hands. we protect the wasteland, much like you and your minutemen strive to do.’

‘sounds admirable,’ she pants, having to jog to keep up with him. ‘seems like a difficult job for just the three of you.’

he slows to a walk, allowing her to catch her breath. ‘once we retrieve the deep range transmitter from arcjet systems, i can contact the rest of the brotherhood.’

she nods, considering. ‘and that signal you mentioned?’

‘we narrowed it down to the area around cambridge, but haven’t been able to pinpoint its exact location.’ his grumble comes out lower through the helmet speakers. ‘i suspect it has something to do with the institute.’

‘the... institute?’

‘scientists that abuse the very power we try to protect against. the same power that brought about the great war.’

a cold chill runs up her spine. ‘sounds like bad news.’

‘indeed.’

-

arcjet systems, when they reach it, is mostly empty. she checks desks and bookcases to find them already looted. danse ushers her ahead. in the next room, bodies of broken protections, warped screws, and wires cover the floor.

‘someone took care of security for us,’ she says.

‘i don’t like it. no spent ammo casings, no blood...’

she hums. ‘laser fire?’

‘the institute and their synths,’ he confirms. she can already imagine the frown set behind that helmet.

‘what’s a synth?’ she asks as they slowly proceed down the next hallway.

‘synthetic human,’ he explains with infinite patience. ‘the institute’s favorite abuse of power. some of them near indistinguishable from another human. others...’ he braces himself against the doorway leading to another room. he gestures with his laser rifle, and she peeks into the room.

robots. plastic skeletons, all exposed wire and unfinished plastic casing, wide, yellow, unblinking eyes scanning the area. sleek, white guns in hand. the ones that took out arcjet’s security.

‘on three,’ he whispers, and begins to count down.

three, he bullrushes into the room, drawing laser fire toward him as he strafes the wall. alice fires at the synths on the upper levels, picking them off each time they poke their heads out of cover. danse finishes off those on the ground floor. the area smells like burnt plastic, after.

‘the transmitter is in the lowest level,’ he says while she inspects the body of one. ‘good work back there.’

‘you’re an excellent bullet sponge,’ she says with a grin.

they encounter more synths as they travel further into the building. the robotic voice disturbs her more than the yellow eyes. even general atomics equipped their robots with natural sounding voices, but these - the institute didn’t even try. their voices barely inflect, low and even and creepily robotic, as they taunt her and danse.

when they reach the core reactor, she can hear the awe in danse’s voice. ‘look at this place.’ he leads her down a metal catwalk and stairway. ‘scribes would have a field day in here.’

she has to agree. the catwalk spirals them around a large rocket thruster, to the bottom floor. on the other side of a window is another room with a set of terminals. alice looks up from the testing floor to the top of the room, where they’re supposed to be.

‘there has to be a way to power the elevator. check out that room. i’ll keep an eye out for any more synth patrols.’

unfortunately, the terminals lack power. alice puts her hands on her hips and sighs. she looks around. behind her, an open doorway to another room. inside, she finds another terminal, hardwired to a different power source. she hacks it easily, and finds the option to reroute power to the testing terminal.

when she returns to the other room, she watches danse, surrounded by synths swarming in from the other elevator. she yells his name, but he can’t hear her over the firefight. there’s way too many out there, at least twenty and counting. the only thing saving danse is the power armor.

she looks to the room again, to danse, keeping the synths out of the hallway leading to her, and the - the thruster. ‘hang on, paladin,’ she says, mostly to herself. she accesses the terminal in front of her and... there. initiate test fire. she hits the keys harder than she needs to and listens to the countdown as even more synths enter the room.

come on.

five long seconds later, the engine roars to life and what was once an orange flame flashes white, burning out the entire room as flames lick up the walls. she blinks to clear her vision, then looks back at the test room to silence. no synths, all ash, and - and paladin danse, kneeling near the door, unmoving.

alice runs.

‘holy shit. holy shit, paladin danse, are you all right?’

it takes him a long, agonizing moment of her thinking she’s cooked him in his power armor before he lets out a sharp exhale. ‘i’m... fine. my power armor saved me from the heat.’

‘i’m so sorry - ’

‘don’t be. it was quick thinking, and we’re both alive. let’s - ’ he rises to his feet. ‘let’s go.’

she follows him wordlessly to the now powered elevator, sweat prickling the back of her neck from the residual heat. in the top-most room, they find the transmitter and another elevator to the surface.

danse leads her back to the police station in silence.

[ltleflrt]

YAY!!! I'm so greedy for your writing... Coworker & Immortal AU, Please and thank you

I’m kinda stretching the definition of coworkers here, but in the eyes of an Immortal, human definitions are probably fleeting anyway :)

Warning for people dying.

Little fingers press against Dean’s palm, and he gives them a reassuring squeeze as he watches the heartbreak spread across the faces of the nurses as the doctor calls time of death.  The soft crying of the witnesses turns into broken sobs that make even Dean’s ancient heart squeeze painfully.  

“Will they be sad for a long time?”

Dean looks down at the spirit of the child gripping his hand.  In the last days of her life, her body was thin, and ravaged by sores.  In death, she’s beautiful, practically glowing with the the power of a young soul that hasn’t dimmed from a long lifetime of use.  “They might,” he answers honestly.  “But not forever.”

“I wish I could tell them I feel better now.”  Her large brown eyes swim with metaphysical tears as she watches her parents mourn.

He smiles at her.  What a gentle heart.  Many children make wishes when they pass from the world of the living.  Sometimes they don’t want to leave, and they wish to go back.  Some wish they could see a beloved pet again, or say goodbye to their friends.  A large number of them wish they could take their toys with them, which always delights Dean.

If he had the power to grant wishes, the ones made on behalf of their lost loved ones are the wishes he’d be most eager to fulfill.  Alas, he’s the embodiment of Death, not a Djinn.  “I wish you could too.”

She heaves a sigh that expresses a knowledge only gained by death.  “Thanks.” She gives him a watery smile.  “So what’s next?”

“You have a journey to make,” Dean says.

“Like Dora the Explorer?”

He laughs at her sudden excitement.  “Yes, just like that.”

She bounces on her toes when he introduces her to the Reaper assigned to lead her to her next destination.  Only once does she look back, waving goodbye to him and to her parents who have yet to come to terms with the sudden termination of her short life.  Then she fades away, her spirit absorbed into the larger fabric of the Universe.

“I’d feel more sorry for them if they weren’t anti-vaxxers,” Sam says from nearby.  “How many of the other kids here do you think might be dying because their daughter was patient zero at her school?”

“All of them,” Dean answers.  He spares a glance for the mourning parents, and grimaces.  Crowley’s anti-vax movement has been very effective.  

He always does his best work using misinformation rather than spreading actual plagues.  Even the Black Death became the massive killing machine that it did because he’d convinced people that cats were The Devil’s creatures.  So many cats were wiped out, they could no longer keep up with the plague carrying rats infesting human cities.  Crowley was quite proud of that one.

That many falling to him at once was overwhelming.  He and his reapers had been overworked, and he’d been pretty pissed about it.  Especially since each death had been so intensely miserable.  Dean is neutral to death because everyone succumbs to it eventually, but that doesn’t mean he condones such cruel methods.  

Which means it’s time to intervene.  “Crowley.”  He feels the other horseman’s presence fill the hospital before it condenses down into the form of a small man in a tailored suit.  

“You called?” Crowley asks in his crisp British accent.  It’s an affect; Crowley has existed since before English started stealing words from other languages, and long before the most ancient forms of verbal communication.

“You’ve made your mark here,” Dean says.  “It’s time to lift your touch from this town.”

Crowley scoffs.  “Only 9 have been infected.  I’ve barely started--”

“It’s enough,” Dean commands sharply.  “The Fates have other plans for these people, and you’ve already interfered with their work enough.”

“Fine,” Crowley drawls, clearly unhappy with the order but unwilling to go against one of the few beings that has the power to demote him from demi-god to corpse.  “I’ve got some mosquito populations to check on.” He smiles tightly. “Can’t let all the rainforest loggers get off without a touch of Malaria.”

He’s not asking for permission, but Dean tips his head in acknowledgement anyway.  It isn’t his goal to anger the spirit of Pestilence, only to maintain a balance.  “I’ll send some Reapers with you.”

That perks Crowley up, because it means that his victims won’t survive the disease.  “Splendid.  See you around, Boss.” He nods to the gaunt shadow at Dean’s elbow.  “You too, Sam.”

He disappears before either of them can respond.  

“He’s such a bag of dicks,” Sam sighs.  

“No shit,” Dean agrees.  “Good at this job though.”

Sam makes a noncommittal sound.  His eyes follow the spirits being led to their next destination by Dean’s reapers.  

A tug behind Dean’s sternum pulls his attention across the country.  His lover rarely summons him so urgently, so Dean sets aside his current plans to see what Castiel needs.  “I’m needed elsewhere,” he says out loud, sending the message to all the local Reapers.

“Dean,” Sam says softly.  “Please.  You summoned me here for a reason.”

“I did.  I’m sorry I forgot.” Dean grimaces and rubs a hand over Sam’s shoulder.  “There’s a janitor downstairs.  He’s been sneaking into patients rooms that he has no business in.”

Sam’s eyes darken with greed.  “A damaged soul?”

“Let’s just say that he’s worse for children than measles,” Dean says.  “He’s scheduled to slip and crack his head open in a few hours.  I’ve instructed my Reapers to leave him to you.”

“I appreciate it.”

Dean pats him again, and hopes the touch conveys how proud his of Sam’s current restraint.  He knows how difficult it is for him, being the only horseman who suffers when he doesn’t use his powers.  An eternity of addiction and starvation is a punishment he doesn’t deserve, and Dean would shoulder that pain for him if it were within his powers.  But he can only settle for helping Sam maintain his balance, by making sure he feeds often enough that he stays strong enough to keep his powers reined in.

The love and gratitude in his brother’s eyes tells him that Sam knows.  It’s enough for now.

They say their goodbyes and Dean spreads the great shadow of his wings.  In the scope of the universe Earth is miniscule and it takes barely half a flap to reach his destination.  He stretches them wide before folding them back into his essence, and looks around.  

The Oval Office is dark, the current president not the type to stay up late worrying about matters of state.  But there is still a figure slumped in the chair behind the huge desk.  A smile tugs at the corners of Dean’s mouth when his eyes fall on his lover.  “I thought you’d given up stealing thrones.”

Castiel huffs a soft laugh.  “I’ve been given more thrones than I stole.”

“Hmm, my mistake.” Dean walks around the desk, and when Castiel swivels the chair to face him, he straddles his thighs and anchors himself in place with arms wrapped around Castiel’s shoulders.

Their lips meet in a kiss that is mostly greeting, with a tiny lick of heat.  Even after eons, the passion driving their relationship has hardly dimmed.  But Dean can sense that Castiel needs him for more than a quick fuck over the desk.  There’s a different need emanating from his skin.

Dean tilts his head until their foreheads bump.  “What’s wrong, Cas?”

Castiel’s sigh warms the space between them.  “I’m finding it very difficult to maintain the balance.  Between the rise of despots with a hunger for nuclear weapons, and dictators draping themselves in the flag of democracy whipping up their most frenzied followers into violence, I find myself very busy for how little actual battle these humans participate in.”

“I’ve noticed.” Dean doesn’t offer platitudes or advice.  War is Castiel’s domain, not his.  And often, Castiel just needs a sympathetic ear, which Dean is qualified to provide.

“I miss the Cold War,” Castiel grumbles.

Dean laughs.  “Bullshit.  You were tearing your hair out trying to get someone to push the big button.”

Castiel’s icy glare could drop a human on the spot, dead of heart failure.  Dean just thinks it’s adorable.  “Don’t be ridiculous.  Wiping out all of humanity would render me obsolete.”

“You still wanted to see it happen though,” Dean counters with a grin.

“I’ve seen civilizations wiped out by supernovae.”

“But that was my work.” Dean wiggles in Castiel’s lap. “It’s not the same.”

Castiel huffs his annoyance and wraps his arms tightly around Dean’s hips, holding him still.  He presses his face into Dean’s chest.  “Please don’t mock me.”

Dean sobers, and runs fingers through Castiel’s hair.  Sometimes he can pull Castiel out of his existential funks with a little teasing, but this is apparently not one of those times.  “Talk to me, Cas.”

“Maybe I am just God’s Hammer.” His voice is muffled by Dean’s shirt.  “And this battle against my baser nature has only one inevitable end.”

“You wouldn’t have these doubts if that were true.” Dean refrains from pointing out that these internal ‘battles’ are part of his nature as a god of War.  It’s a lesson Castiel will eventually learn on his own.  As the youngest of the horsemen he still has a long life of learning ahead of him.    

Castiel hums and nuzzles closer.  “Tell me of your doubts.”

“I set my Reapers on a hospital full of kids with measles today,” Dean says.  “And I’m not seeing that trend stopping any time soon.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s the nature of the job.”

“Still.” Castiel lifts his head and looks up at Dean with kindness and understanding.  “I know you don’t enjoy when your touch lands on children.”

He doesn’t enjoy any aspect of his job.  Okay, maybe he enjoys feeding the souls of the truly terrible to his little brother sometimes.  But being the instrument of entropy in the universe isn’t exactly fun, even if he knows that there’s no other way it can function.

“Yeah,” he says.  “It always sucks.  But none of our jobs are exactly easy.”

“Crowley seems to enjoy himself.”

“He’s a bag of dicks.”

Castiel laughs and pushes his face against Dean’s chest.  “I wonder if this is what a mid life crisis feels like.”

He’s nowhere near the midpoint of his life, but Dean can’t--won’t--tell him that.  “Is that what’s going on?”

“Well I’m very old,” Castiel says dryly.  “I believe I’m entitled.”

“Pfft.” Dean flicks a finger against the collar of Castiel’s current favorite outfit.  “You’re just a baby in a trench coat.”

“I watched the first fish crawl from the ocean, Dean.”

“I’m literally older than dirt,” Dean counters.  “And molecules.”

Castiel’s essense brightens, and Dean knows that he’s finally broken through the shell of his bad mood.  “Dirty old man.”

“You make me young.”  Dean nudges Castiel’s chin, forcing him out of hiding.  He presses a kiss to Castiel’s forehead and then another to his lips.  “My existence started with yours.”

It’s sappy as fuck, but as much as he loves his brother, and occasionally enjoys Crowley’s antics, his heart finally found true joy when Castiel joined their ranks.  

“You are not a Hammer,” he continues.  He cups his hands around Castiel’s face so he can’t look away, and strokes his thumbs across Castiel’s cheekbones.  “You are a Weaver.  Spiders would cry in awe if they could conceive the delicate webs you create.  You weave nets to contain and stabilize the balance of the universe.”  

He kisses Castiel again, nudging until lips part under his own.  He’s rewarded with a moan, and Castiel tilts his head, leaning into Dean’s touch.  Castiel kisses like he’s trying to win a battle, but Dean calms him with his touch, keeping the passion at a simmer instead of letting it turn into an inferno.  When he finally lifts his head, Castiel blinks dazedly up at him.

“Dean,” Castiel whispers.  “I am a creature of destruction.  I don’t--”

“You are an creature of peace as well as war,” Dean whispers.  “Balance.”

Castiel closes his eyes, and settles under Dean’s touch.  “Sometimes I internalize the vision humans have of me.  Thank you for reminding me that there’s more to me than violence and death.”

“I’ll always be here for you. As leader, and lover.” Dean peppers more kisses over Castiel’s face.  “Until Time itself fades, and I reap the last vestiges of the universe.”

“Thank you.” Castiel stays pliant under Dean’s touch, and he smiles.  “And I love you too.”

Dean pecks him right on the lips again.  “Existential crisis averted?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good,” Dean says brightly.  “Now what do you say to desecrating this desk?”

Castiel surges to his feet, carrying Dean’s weight with him and depositing it on the polished surface.  “There’s nothing holy about this desk.”

Dean is already tugging at Castiel’s clothing.  They could dismiss it with a thought, but they’ve both spent far too long with humanity, and enjoy the trappings of physicality.  “It’ll be the most holy, after I make you see god tonight.”

“We’ll see who’s crying for god’s mercy when I’m through with you,” Castiel growls.

Dean laughs and allows himself to be pushed flat.  He already knows they’re both going to win.

[halfhumanscribe]

Hollow Out

Synopsis:  Hex, Sia, and Novan (a door mouse, garden skink, and a mosquito) must infiltrate one of the temples of the silhouettes, to find something for an eccentric client.  It doesn’t go well. RATING: T (Teen) ORIGINAL PUBLISHING DATE: 2020

WORD COUNT:  4777

Forgive any formatting issues.  Reviews and critiques are appreciated.

Hollow Out by Inganno

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

In a hollowed-out tree, among the stumps and greenery of the woods by the stream, there was a bulletin board.  Much as every board scattered around the surface of the kingdom, it contained the usual mishmash by the citizens of the surrounding areas: recipes for families, news from the neighboring lands, warnings of the black silhouettes, as well as requests.

Requests usually came in the acquisition of food, usually by a family with no scavenging skills or those taking care of the ill.  Hoarders happily took these requests, sometimes auctioning their services to those who needed them.  Once a request was taken, it was usually completed within the day, culminating with the exchange of goods and currency.

Hex, Sia, and Novan were desperate for both.  Too many jobs gone south had emptied their coffers and given them a bad reputation.  This was a shame, considering Hex’s rather well-known pedigree.

“Shit!” he snapped, kicking at the towering wooden door for what felt like the twentieth time the past hour.  The door-mouse knew it wouldn’t do anything, but it at least got some of his frustration out.

He, nor the others were expecting the door to have a small silhouette installed lock.  Sneaking into the temple and making it to their destination seemed easy enough, until they snuck into the high up storage room only to find the door lock tight behind them.

“At least we know why the door was cracked open already,” Sia groaned as they leaned against a large cylindrical container of corn.  “They were probably expecting us.”

Hex looked over at the mosquito, trying to give them a sour expression, but it was difficult to see considering how little light was coming.

“I doubt it,” Hex tried to argue.  “These locks are to protect the small silhouette’s from getting in. Don’t know why though, considering they can’t even reach this far up.”

He chocked it up to overprotectiveness – something silhouettes seemed to have for their young, at least the one’s he observed.

He sat down and scooched himself against the wall.  His frustration was keeping him from thinking soundly, and without a level head, he knew none of them would get out.  He observed Sia, being the ever-peppy ray of cynicism, just standing there in near stillness.  Meanwhile, Novan paced back and forth – a nervous habit the garden skink had when she was too deep in thought.  Hex hated watching it, but it usually meant she was trying to think up a plan.

What Novan was doing was retracing their steps.  Afterall, having a grasp of the situation meant having to understand how one got there.  That was how she saw it.  And the first conclusion she made was that if their reputation hadn’t gone to shit, then they wouldn’t have gotten into that mess.

Hoarders with bad rep tended to have trouble getting requests and were usually dismissed from any bidding wars.  True, they could have easily done some requests pro bono, but that didn’t put food on the table or pay the rent.  No, Hoarders who lost their reputation usually had to take higher value requests – the ones that nobody wanted to take.

These requests were usually put out by those with more than they needed: larger animals, usually higher on the food chain that could simply take what they couldn’t have, including other living creatures.  They were still susceptible to boredom, however, and were quick to post on the local bulletin boards in order to alleviate it.  It wasn’t about trying to survive to them; it’s was about entertainment.

Requests from them were usually very vague and confusing.  The only things that were spelled out, clear as day, was the amount of Hoarders necessary and the time allotted to complete the task.  The ambiguous nature of these requests usually put many Hoarders off.  But those with bad rep tended to be more desperate than others.  Aside from the need for a job, helping someone much higher up socially could also be a big boon for them… if they survived.

Candis Hollif: a blue jay of rather known regard during the Spring months, had put out the request the three had decided to take on.  A stoutly and puffed out avian, his wealth was only matched by his peculiarly tastes, treating the opposite gender as little more than playthings in his bid to keep himself from going mad from boredom.  In his youth, he was seen as something of a playboy among the women of flight.  But as he aged, his tastes had began to branch outside of genus and species. Though this wasn’t anything uncommon within animal society, it was his penchant for smaller, “weaker” creatures that had many raising an eyebrow.

Novan remembered having to take in a deep breath, clenching her fists, as the blue jay’s tail feathers playfully danced along her tail.  She was the only one who had the displeasure of being uncomfortably circled by the giant.

“100 seed, 400 currency, and your names dropped into the Oubliette Newsletter, which I have connections with,” he boasted, passing Novan to present himself to all three.  “That should give you a month or two of income and food, and enough time for your name to get out there again.  Do we have a deal?”

Hex stood there nursing a glass of brown booze – a drink even the most prestigious of animals couldn’t afford.  It spoke volumes the amount of wealth Hollif possessed and made the three Hoarders uncomfortable just being close to him.

Novan and Sia couldn’t stand to be there either.  They were only there because Hex had convinced them to be.  Sia was sure they could find someone who would allow them to take their request.  Novan, while agreeing somewhat, thought it better to move to one of the neighboring towns.  It wasn’t like the digs they lived in were any good either.  The threat of the stream flooding over to their home was always a possibility during the Spring months.

“Look, it’s not that we don’t trust you,” Sia lied, “but we can’t agree to anything if you don’t tell us what the job is, you know?”

Candis had been as playfully vague with the details as his bulletin board request had been.

“Not one to enjoy the mystery, are we?” he chuckled, perching himself onto a nest made of cotton wool and dried grass.  “Alright then, I’ll be straight to the point.  I assume everyone knows what green is?”

Color blindness, double vision, as well as a malady of other sight issues were common among the animals.  Hex was the former, only able to decipher certain shades in bright light, and Sia could see bright colors too well, often becoming enamored by them.  Novan was the only one of the bunch to see colors clearly without a handicap.

“I can point it out,” she explained.

“Good.  You’ll probably need to work with your team then to find it,” Candis continued.  “The job I want you to do will be a scavenger trip into a silhouette temple – nothing I’m sure you all aren’t used to.”

Fairly common jobs, but coming from someone like Candis, there must have been a catch.

“In one of the storage rooms of the temple, there’s a green object, maybe about as big as a sugar cube.  I need you three to go in and retrieve a piece of that for me.  That is all.”

In most cases, the group would agree to the conditions, requesting the location of the temple and moving on from there.  But again, this was one of those eccentrics that so often loved to play with anyone who even fancied a glance toward the bulletin boards.

“It can’t be that simple,” Sia spoke up.

Hex nodded in agreement, adding, “What’s so special about this green cube?”

“It’s not of your concern,” Candis pointed out.  “I’ve explained as much of the job as you need to know.  It’s up to you if you’d like to take it.  What do you say?”

They wanted more info.  Candis wouldn’t budge though, outside of the temple location and the general direction of where the green object was.  They all sensed trouble, but they also sensed poverty if they didn’t take the job.

They agreed to his terms of three days, signing their hands onto the contract that he had written up, as per animal law.  He handed it to them to be turned into the closest local Hoarder representative. Once they had finished with the paperwork, they were on their way.

Silhouettes resided in large, shadowing temples that connected to each other. Each temple was self-contained and housed a different group of silhouettes inside, adorned with various artifacts and trinkets.  Some silhouettes were by themselves, and others lived together.  Sometimes they would come out of their temples too, which made the element of stealth very important.  Sometimes they would have guards:  cats and dogs who often times would attack first before asking any questions.

Their job was at a temple that housed about four silhouettes, and two small dogs.  That usually spelled suicide mission, even when they had decided to go at night. However, the silhouettes and their guards had disappeared, going on holiday to somewhere, as Candis had put it. This meant that the temple was empty and rife for the pickings.

Finding a tear in the screen of a window that had been left open just slightly, they entered the temple.

“I guess I can see it,” Sia sighed looking around their dimly lit prison.

“See what?” Hex asked.

“We call these things storage rooms, but I guess to a silhouette, they’d be something like a pantry, you know?”

“And what brought this up?”

Sia shrugged their wings.  “I don’t know.  Bored and thirsty I guess.”

They had been trapped inside that room for about day.  Light poured in through the cracks more gracefully during the day, giving them a better chance to get a look at their surroundings. Canned goods mostly, at least on that level.  Most storage rooms were made up of two or three floors.

“Well, keep it to yourself unless you have something to contribute, okay?” Hex chastised.  He wasn’t in the best of moods.  His attention was focused on a slightly larger crack between the door and the second floor.

He was trying to formulate some sort of plan to get up there.  From the cracks in the door, he could see the shadow of something just outside the second floor of the storage room.  He assumed that maybe it was the lock. Perhaps they could get up there and unlock it?

“Sia or I could probably get up there better than you,” Novan informed him when he put the plan past them.  She had a point.

Novan could climb on most surfaces with relative ease, and Sia could fly, if a bit erratically.  However, both of them missed a very important detail.  One detail that guaranteed a rodent of some sort on every Hoarding team.

Hex held up his claws.  Claws that gave him the ability to grip and hold objects tightly.  Something that Sia couldn’t do with anything that wasn’t a solid surface, and that Novan could only do with a limited number of objects. If there was indeed a lock up there, Hex would be the better choice to undo it.

Neither Sia or Novan were strong enough to lift him or help him climb, so they had to think of something else.  After some minor arguments, they decided what was best was to move some of the canned goods over to the door and go from there.  They worked with what they got, spending the rest of the day pushing what they could to create enough of a staircase for Hex to get high enough to scuttle along the wood of the door.  It worked well enough, and he was able to just barely squeeze through.

“So is it, or isn’t it?” Novan asked from the first floor.  “I can be right up if you need help.”  Honestly, why she didn’t stop check the area out first was beyond her.  Probably because of the hunger that was eating away at her belly, making sound judgment difficult.

“I think it is!” Hex yelled down.  “My claws can just barely reach it though.  But I think if I can get my hand underneath this little bump…”

There was a crash, a yelp, and suddenly, the light from the cracks was almost completely gone.

Sia flew up, checking to see if they could squeeze in to check on their friend. Sadly, what little opening was there originally was gone.

“Hex!  Are you okay, what happened?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!  But I think the lock was caught on something.  I think I ended up loosening it or something.  Is everything alright down there?”

Of course, everything wasn’t alright.  They had less light than before, and the door was locked even tighter. What words could be said?

“This has been a real shit job, you know?” Sia groaned.  “Can you see anything up there?”

“Not really.  I might have to feel around for a little bit.  There isn’t as much light coming in now.”

“We can see that!” Sia called backed.

There wasn’t going to be much light soon regardless.  The sun was setting, and they were trapped worse than before. Thirst was quickly catching up to them too, and if they couldn’t figure something out, they’d likely die of dehydration within the next day.  Sia was able to manage, at least.

“Just take a little, okay?” Novan winced as the barb like mouth pierced her leg.

Sia drank only a couple of sips.  Enough to get them through the following day.  At the very least, if the door somehow miraculously opened again, Sia could get out.  Novan and Hex’s fates were up in the air.

“You doing alright up there Hex?” Novan called out above her.

“As well as ever.  There’s a lot of soft things up here, but I can’t quite break through them with my teeth. I hate these thick storage bags!”

Silhouettes weren’t dumb.  They took precautions to protect their cache of food and wealth.

“I’m so hungry!” Hex bellowed, sounding like a pouting child.

“Then get this door open!” Sia yelled.

The loss of blood was quickly catching up to Novan as she leaned against a large cylinder of sealed food.  She didn’t feel like sticking around to listen to the two of them argue anyways.  She was just about to doze off when…

“Holy crap, I found something to eat!”

That shot her awake, at least enough to listen.  Sia had already flown up to the ceiling to get more info.

“What did you find!?” they yelled.  “Can you pass any of it down to us?”

“I don’t know,” Hex replied as he felt around his surroundings.  “I still can’t see very well!  I think it’s some sort of chunk that fell out of its bag.  It’s kind of sweet?  It’s hard to break a piece off though.”

“Well, hurry up and try!  Novan needs some of the good stuff down here!”

“I’m trying!  I’m trying!”

“Try harder!”

Novan would have added some commentary, but felt like there wasn’t anything to add.  Sleep felt like the better use of her time, so she drifted off to sleep, and tried to let her dreams calm her nerves.  Sadly, neither her hunger nor her thirst would let her have a full night.

She rustled a bit as her eyes slowly opened, her body quickly reminding her of its needs.  On top of that, she really needed to relieve herself.

Finding her balance, she looked around, noticing the tiniest of glows coming in through the little cracks of the door.  Dawn perhaps?  Sia was perched right there, her outline just barely visible.

“Morning,” Novan yawned.  “I hope I didn’t miss much while I was out.”

Sia said nothing, looking out into the cracks of the door.

After finding a back corner to take care of business, Novan found herself wide awake, though in considerable abdominal pain.  She approached the door and rested next to Sia.

“So, what was the food he found?” she asked.

“Shut up,” Sia snapped quietly.

Rude.

“Rude, but not surprising,” Novan chuckled.

“Novan, just shut up for a second.”

Their voice was low and serious.  Novan complied, trying to see what it was that Sia was so curious about. And then Novan heard them.

Footsteps.  Large, hulking footsteps.  The footsteps of a behemoth.

“Okay, Novan, I need you to listen to me,” Sia began as they grabbed the lizard and got close to them.  “I’m gonna make as much sound as I possibly can and try to attract the silhouettes. When they open the door, I need you to run.  Don’t ask questions.  Just run and get back home.”

Something was wrong; more wrong than what was already happening.  True, they were already trapped, and getting out of there was top priority, but there was something else in Sia’s voice.  It was serious, yes, but also dry, hoarse, and above all else, desperate.  Something else was going on.

Novan then realized that they were missing a voice in their escape plan.

“Hex?” Novan yelled up.

Sia quick grabbed her head and brought it back to attention.

“Focus on me right now, Novan.  I’m going to get you out of here, and you’re going to go home.  Okay?”

You and you’re.  Not we or us.

What was happening?  Where was this panic and desperation coming from?  And where was Hex?  He was usually the first one to volunteer for these gung-ho sort of missions.  All of a sudden, he was quiet.  Was he going to be doing something else?

“Sia, you’re scaring me.”

“Good.  I need you to be scared so you can get out of here.  When the doors open, run like hell.  Just run and don’t stop until you get home.  Okay?”

“Sia, please.”

Sia took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly to keep themselves calm.

“I really had a lot of fun working with you two.”

They let go of Novan and took flight, beating their wings as hard as they could, sending a ghastly buzzing sound all around the room.  Novan winced at the velocity of it, watching Sia fly around the cracks to try and attract the silhouettes attention.

A moment later, the light disappeared.  Something had appeared to block it out.  For a moment, there was only total darkness all around them. Then came a click, and the door swung open with ease.

It all happened so quickly.  Time must have slowed down for Novan just for a second.  But within that second, a ragdoll fell from the floor above them. It must have been leaning against the door the whole time.  But it only took Novan a moment to recognize that tiny, limp thing.  It fell right in front of her, disappearing onto the countertop below, hitting it with a thud that spilled the tiniest amount of red that had already been dripping from its lip.

“Hex!” Novan screamed.

“Get going!” Sia demanded before rushing for the silhouette’s face.

So much suddenly happened.  Novan’s mind froze, but her arms and legs began to pump nonstop, not giving into panic for a moment.  Another silhouette had yelped from behind the bigger one, jumping back in surprise and pointing to Hex’s body.  It then pointed to Novan, who had crawled over Hex, as if to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

The door-mouse was dead.  Bits of red trickled out of his mouth, while bit of green clung to his teeth.  In his hands, he clutched a sizeable chunk of a green rock.  Novan didn’t need to guess what happened.  Hex had succeeded in finding what they were looking for, and all the pieces had begun to come together in Novan’s mind.

“Don’t lick!  Don’t swallow!” she told herself as she grabbed the piece of green with her mouth and sprinted toward the tear in the screen.

The sheer insanity of it all allowed her to get there without any problem, squeezing herself and their objective through without any damage. Once on the other side, she turned back toward the madness.

Sia did everything in their power to annoy and distract the behemoth.  They buzzed, they hissed, they stabbed.  But alas, it wasn’t enough.  In a split second, they felt the lashing hand of the silhouette slam into them, with so much strength, it knocked the air clean out of them.  They soared. A wing fell off.  They hit the side of something, and everything went black. Their body fell between the counter and the humming cold tower the silhouettes used to keep some food things in.

Once the body had vanished from sight, Novan made a mad dash away from that terrible place, still keeping the green safe in her mouth, making sure not to lick and not to swallow.  Eventually, she disappeared quietly into the brush of the forest.

The world passed by her in a blur as her head filled with hideous images of her friends meeting their ends.  She zoomed past other animals, pushing her way into the hollowed-out stump of a tree, passing the bulletin board and taking a left when a fork in the road came up. Going right would have taken her home. But something else was calling her amongst the angry noises that deafened and blinded her.

“Please, madam, drink this!”

A small bowl was placed in front of her by one of Candis’ servants.  She quickly lapped up the entire dish of water as her heart continued to beat a mile a minute.  Once she had been hydrated, her body went limp and she shut down, allowing her a moment to calm herself.

Candis’ servant rushed out of the room to get her more water and something to eat, bringing along a torn piece of cloth in case she began to feel cold or anything.  They stayed with Novan as her breathing slowed to a crawl, before she passed out.

“Yes, sir, I can confirm she brought some sort of green block back.”

The servant looked down, trying not to meet eye contact with his employer. There was something in his eyes they didn’t like.  This suited Candis just fine.  He barely paid attention to the staff as it was.  He was happy to listen this time though, returning home to good news a few hours after Novan had arrived in her state.

“You’re dismissed,” he happily said to the roach.  “Please collect the pouch of goods I left in my secret hideaway for Ms. Novan.  We won’t be long.  You did say she was awake, yes?”

“About a half an hour ago, yes.”

“Happy to hear it.  Now then. Off you go!”

The servant made his way out of the blue jay’s home, toward an unmarked area some few trees away.  Candis waited till they were gone before going into his study to meet with the sole survivor.  He found her awake, sipping on brown booze in a bowl.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Novan rasped as she noticed Candis enter the room. The tiny thimble of liquor that Candis kept up high for special occasions was out.

It was difficult to come about that booze, but he wouldn’t deny it was a time for celebration.

“I see you’ve started the party without the host,” he chuckled.  “I’ll let it pass though.  A lovely woman such as yourself deserves to enjoy the finer things, after all.”

She shivered.  This man really thought himself something special, didn’t he?  Hex was a far more attractive and far more charismatic individual, and Hex was, admittedly, bad at both those things.  Still, the small time the two were together was a cherished memory, even when they decided to remain friends.

But now Hex was dead.

“So, where is it?” Candis asked, wanting to get to the point.

She nudged her head over to a small table on the far end of the room.  The blue jay trotted over in elation, looking happily upon the small chunk of green.  Though, it was less than what he had hoped for.

“Couldn’t you have procured more?” he asked, sounding slightly indignant.

“My partners died just so I could get whatever that stuff is back to you,” she snapped unhappily, lapping at the booze.

“My condolences,” he said, sounding less sympathetic than Novan expected.

“What is that stuff anyways?” she followed up, wanting to move away from the subject of her friends.

Candis chuckled and shook his head.

“Sadly, that is for me to know, my sweet.  Your moment in this little story has come and gone.  When my servant returns with your reward, we will have to say our goodbyes.”  He pauses to see the utter annoyance and anger stretched across her face.  “I hope you don’t blame me for the death of your teammates.”

She did, but that was beyond the point.

“I’d rather not talk about them right now, if you don’t mind.  I’m still processing everything.”

“Completely understandable!” he replied.  “It’s a terrible thing.  May I join you in a drink?  We can toast your fallen comrades together.”

Sure, why not?  She had lost most of the will to live, so why not enjoy a drink with a filthy lecher who sent her and her friends off to suffer.  Bring on the booze!

Candis happily poured himself a bowl of the brown booze from the thimble and sipped on it, trying in vain to start some sort of conversation with Novan. She ignored his advances and waited.

Meanwhile, the roach servant had hid a minor roadblock on the way there. A pesky thief had made their way into Candis’ secret area, where our intrepid servant had to come face to face with them.  Only to stop and hear a harrowing tale.

“This belongs to us,” the thief informed the servant.

The roach refused to confront them, instead inviting them back to his employer’s humble abode.  They informed the thief that they would find all the answers they were looking for there. The thief begrudgingly went along, limping behind, readying themselves in case things took a turn for the worse. But the servant promised them that they would not tell Candis that they had tried to steal a bag of seed and currency.

In fact, upon hearing the thief’s tale, the servant was elated.  He couldn’t think of a better way to end this story.  It may not have been the perfect fairytale ending, but stories such as those were rarer than gold.

The two entered the home, making their way to the study, to which the servant and the thief had privy knowledge of how to get there.  They opened the door, expecting a joyful reunion. Instead, they stopped to find the freshly poisoned corpse of Candis Hollif, having only departed the mortal coil only ten minutes prior.

Novan just sat there, looking at his corpse, unaware of the visitors in the room.

It didn’t take a genius to know what the green chunks were.  If Hex’s corpse wasn’t enough of a clue, the numbness in her mouth and general pain in parts of her body were.  She hadn’t swallowed any when she had transported it there, but bits of dust and crust still manage to dislodge themselves.  She would survive though.

Candis would not.

She grinded a small portion of the chunk into as fine a powder as she could with the bottom of the thimble, before pouring herself a bowl of brown booze, and putting the poison in the remainder of the thimble.  If he hadn’t asked to join her in a drink, she would have offered. And if he refused, then at some point, he would have drank it, probably after dismissing whomever it was he had the intent on using the poison on.

Feeling a small sense of ease come over her, she walked over to the thimble, and pushed it back into the high up pantry, closing the wooden doors behind it.

Would anyone mourn Candis’ passing, she wondered?  No one was sure to mourn Hex or Sia.  Or maybe it was just Hex they would mourn, together.

“Novan?” Sia the thief muttered, catching the lizard’s attention.

They voice felt like a warm bath, making her wonder if the skink was losing her mind. She turned to see the wounded mosquito, limping with one less leg and one less wing.  They looked like utter hell.

Novan smiled, unsurprised.  Mosquitos don’t die so easily.

[aheavenofhell]

Shooting Stars

dedicated to and inspired by @mindsummerdream

The thing about being an astronomer is, you don't get much, well, face to face contact in your profession. That is to say, though Crowley can gaze at the stars from afar, he has never had the opportunity to actually look at one—to touch it, feel it, look at it up close. So when the London Center of Space Exploration writes him an email describing an asteroid that they think will hit Shaftesbury, and they want him to go and take samples, he is, of course, ecstatic. Normally, geologists do the collecting bit, but apparently a professor at the Center had read a rather reputable paper by A J Crowley and had decided he would be exactly the man for the job. Crowley couldn't possibly disagree. A shooting star is, of course, not really a star. It is actually tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids, that, when spiraling into Earth's atmosphere, begins to burn. If anything survives the flames and hits earth—that is what we call meteorites. The flames are what cause the fantastic streaks of light that spin through the sky. Why does this happen? Sometimes, as the Earth orbits the Sun, it passes through debris left by a comet. This causes a meteor shower. Of course, Crowley is after an asteroid, which is like a much bigger version of a meteorite. Crowley had watched many meteor showers, but had never actually come in contact with one. He didn't have any type of proper geological sampling tools, so he settled on taking gloves and plastic bags and a sharpie, for labeling the bags. Oh, and a bottle of Loire Rose. He preferred dark, dry wine for special occasions, and it would be a celebration, of course. The professor on the phone had warned him specifically not to go to the area during the shower, but he dutifully ignored that and took a train to Shaftesbury the next morning. He shacked up in a nice local inn for the night, where he spent most of his time methodically looking over the pictures that determined the asteroid's orbit and descent. Exactly where it was going to hit was sketchy at best, but Crowley had a sort of sixth sense about this one. He wouldn't know if he was right until the next evening. He packed up his backpack of essentials, grabbed his smallest telescope, and started his trek. Shaftesbury was a rural town, small, quaint. Crowley preferred London's bustle and noise, but he could appreciate places like this—places where the light of the city didn't drown out the lights in the sky. It was an excellent place to set up a telescope and wile the night away. Of course, he would've liked to have someone to do it with. Got a bit. . .odd. Just talking to yourself about things. He would like to have a pair of eager ears once in a while, someone else who saw the same beauty in the universe he did. Oh well. Maybe someday. For now, he focused on where his astronomy-senses were taking him. He ended up in a large, empty field. It would be very nice if the asteroid were to land there, because it would make finding all the pieces much easier. Crowley sat down in the grass, opened his bottle of wine, and waited. For maybe an hour, he sat, just drinking and watching. He never lost his sense of childish wonder when it came to space—every time he looked up, he still felt that same sense of excitement and curiosity. What's up there? Will I ever see it? He was about to. It came streaking through the sky at exactly 12:34 AM. Crowley knew, because as it did he scrambled to check his watch and write the time down before watching in amazement as it soared just over the treeline, the light dying as it fell. He gathered up his things and ran in the direction it had gone. He wasn't too far off, because it ended up only being about a two kilometers away. Of course, two kilometers feels a bit longer when it is night time and there are mosquitoes about and the terrain is rough. Still, not too shabby. He brandished his flashlight as he swept the landscape, hunting for the crater. There it was. Big! Much bigger than he thought it would be! He felt a fresh wave of excitement wash over him. Cautiously, he approached the crater—all organic matter left would certainly be hot. But he could, at least, look at it. He got to the edge, shined his flashlight down, and— There was no asteroid at all. There was a man. There are several reasons Crowley found this extremely disconcerting: 1. A lack of asteroid was, admittedly, very disappointing. 2. The man was not burning himself alive, somehow. 3. The man was glowing. “Hello?!” Crowley yelped, because it was the only thing he could think to say. “Erm, hello!” the man in the crater said. “I seem to have made a bit of a mistake. Oh dear, this is very embarrassing. Gabriel will not be happy with me—“ “Isn't it hot down there?” Crowley asked, deciding that the best way to handle this would be to roll with it. “It's a bit toasty, just comfortable, I'd say. Oh no! Now this is a problem.” This is where Crowley was doubly confused. He was almost as confused as the first time he'd used an ATM. Because the man had just stretched out a feathered wing from his own back. And it looked. . .not good. The bird-man flinched as he attempted to flex it. It was bent all the wrong way. “That's a wing,” Crowley said stupidly. “It's a problem,” bird-man agreed. He climbed out of the hole. “I'm sorry, I don't think I properly introduced myself. I'm Aziraphale.” He stuck out his hand. Crowley, dumbfounded, shook it. “Crowley,” he said. “And, ehm, what exactly. . .are you?” “Oh yes. I'm an angel, a Principality, to be precise. I was popping over here for a visit, they have the best fish'n chips here, you know, and I must have hit something—“ “So wait.” Crowley held up his hands to pause him. “You're an angel. Like, a supernatural entity that fell from the sky.” “Just the sort.” Aziraphale smiled. It was a bit adorable. “And now your wing's injured,” Crowley added as an afterthought. “And I have no asteroid to bring back to London.” The angel frowned. “I was mistaken for an asteroid? So you're some sort of scientist, then?” “An astronomer,” Crowley clarified, a bit bitterly. Now wasn't really the time to be petty, but, well—he'd wanted his rock. Aziraphale wrung his hands. “Do you think, that, perhaps—“ he licked his lips, “—perhaps I could accompany you, back to London? I could even miracle us there, so you needn't pay for a ticket home. Just—you know, until I fix my wing.” Crowley stared at him. “You want to stay at my flat?” “You seem like a very nice human, and I'm in a rather tight spot. You see, I was already reprimanded last week over an incident with a dead cat that came back to life a bit too suspiciously—“ “You, an angel, want to stay at my flat because—because you don't want to get in trouble with. . .?” “Gabriel. Archangel. Big deal, you know.” Crowley put a hand to his forehead. Maybe he'd had a bit too much to drink. The angel was giving him an awfully pleading look, though. And his wing did look all bent and pathetic. . .and he did come here to bring back a shooting star. “Fine,” he said. What could go wrong? When Crowley woke up in his flat, a tad hungover and definitely spotty, his first thought was that he'd had a very bizarre dream. Then he heard someone humming in the kitchen. He leaped out of bed, silently hoping it was some sort of burglar, and crept into the kitchen. Nope. It was Aziraphale. He had cooked a rather nice looking breakfast, and made tea, and was now quietly humming “Water Music” and reading in a chair Crowley knew he didn't have before. “How'd you do all this?” Crowley asked, rummaging around for some aspirin and seltzer. “Good morning,” Aziraphale said, looking up in surprise. “I went shopping—your fridge and cabinets are rather barren, you know, and thought you might enjoy a spot of breakfast.” Crowley raised his eyebrows. “I meant, how did we get back here?” “Oh! A small miracle—literally. I just sort of—wished us back.” Crowley decided that was enough information for now. “How's the wing?” he asked. Wincing, the angel stretched it out. It looked worse than before. Crowley tentatively touched it, and Aziraphale immediately flinched. “It will heal,” the angel muttered. “Want an aspirin?” Crowley said, in an attempt to be helpful. “That's very kind, dear boy, but I think some rest will be the best medicine.” Crowley shrugged, and found very suddenly that his hangover was cured. Maybe having an angel around wouldn't be so bad. For the next week, Crowley got to know Aziraphale a bit. His habits were niche, but not peculiar. He seemed to enjoy books, and food, and classical music. He often invited Crowley to dine out, as a sort of payment for letting him stay, and his taste in restaurants was admittedly excellent. Crowley often found him pouring over an old tome or making notes beside one. By the end of the week, they had fallen into a sort of comfortable pattern—they were very compatible flatmates (a rare thing indeed) and Crowley found he was actually enjoying the angel's company. He told Professor Knox that the asteroid was simply a no-show, a mistake, and went back to going to the Observatory and studying there. One evening, Aziraphale even went with him, eager to “learn something new” and perhaps even “spot that one that Uriel said looked like him”. Crowley thought it would be annoying, but. . .Aziraphale actually listened to him. He genuinely seemed to find what Crowley was saying interesting, and made comments and asked questions. By the end of the night, Crowley had smiled and laughed more times than he had in years. But the angel couldn't stay forever. His wing was healing—it got worse first, but then gradually began to heal. Angels heal faster than humans, and Crowley suspected that Aziraphale's wing had already healed a while ago. But he was just as reluctant to leave as Crowley was to let him go. “Perhaps we should talk,” the angel quietly said one night. They sat down, facing each other, and Aziraphale suddenly looked quite sad, and Crowley knew what was about to come. Aziraphale managed to meet his eyes, and smile a bit. “My wing is healed,” he said softly. “I want to thank you—for everything. You've truly been gener—“ “Right, yeah,” Crowley said, words a bit thick. “'S no problem.” Aziraphale smiled. “Well, as a thank you, of sorts—I had something arranged.” He handed Crowley a scroll. Crowley went to unravel it, but Aziraphale stopped him. “After I leave,” he explained. Crowley nodded. “Well, erm, good luck,” he said. “Back up there, Hope you don't get in any trouble.” “Thank you, dear fellow. And good luck to you here. Perhaps I could. . .visit.” They shook hands, and Crowley tried his best not to cry, or kiss him, or cry. “Right. Goodbye.”   And the angel was gone. It took Crowley a few moments to gather himself before he could properly examine the scroll. He swallowed, turning it over in his hands. It had a lovely red ribbon around it. Gingerly, he untied the bow and let the paper unravel. It read, in very elegant handwriting, like this: Anthony J Crowley, In the Name of Heaven Itself, I, Principality Aziraphale, Angel of the Eastern Gate, dub you Saint of Astronomy. May the stars glimmer in your honor. Aziraphale got back to Heaven, and found it a bit empty. “Sorry I'm late,” he told Gabriel, even though time didn't actually exist there. “Aziraphale. How is “earth” doing?” “Good, good.” He walked around for a bit, feeling strangely saddened. He wondered if Crowley was reading his letter—if he liked it. He found himself thinking about the human for a very long time. I think I must have left something in his flat, he thought hopefully. Maybe. . .my first edition copy of Dorian Gray? Now I can't have that going missing. . . “I left something, I'll be right back!” he squeaked suddenly to Gabriel. “Aziraphale—“ He disappeared. “Crowley! Are you still here? I—“ He was interrupted as a certain saint yanked him into a kiss. Oh, he thought. I think I could get used to this.

[zebracamp-universe-blog]

Zebracamp

Tent Camping Tips for Worry-Free Camping

Whether it’s your first camping weekend, or your one-hundredth, outdoor tent camping can and should be a great adventure that you remember for its high-points - not its disappointments. Experienced campers know what to expect and what to prepare for, but can still be surprised by a simple camping tip they never thought of. For new campers, their first few camping trips can make or break their desire to continue camping.

These simple and mostly common-sense tips will help new campers get off to a good start, and might even contain a suggestion or two for the experienced camper. click here

Know your camping area: Tent Camping is all about being prepared, and you can’t be prepared if you don’t know what to expect. It’s not enough to just know whether it’s a mountain or lowland campsite, or whether it will be hot or cold, you should know the type of terrain in the area, and typical weather expectations. Knowing the campsite has amenities, like; water, electric, and bathroom facilities is important, but it also helps to know where, when, and how much. Such as; the bathrooms are a mile from your campsite, or there is one water source for the whole camp-ground, or electric is available, but you can only use one extension cord. Campsite restrictions can also play a major role in your preparations. Your anticipation of great campfire meals will turn to major disappointment when you arrive and find that open campfires are not allowed.

Be prepared: Knowing the above information will help you decide what camping gear and equipment you need to take, and how much to take. It’s not just the proper and expected items and amounts for your planned outing, but also what you might need for the “unplanned.” For instance; you planned for one clothing change per day -what happens when you get an unplanned soaking from rain or a missed step crossing a creek, or you brought enough camping stove fuel for normal camping conditions, but it’s colder and windier than you expected -requiring extra fuel that you didn’t bring. Are there: mosquitoes, flies, and bugs, or snakes and camp-invading varmints? You will be miserable if you didn’t prepare for them.

Check and double-check: Most experienced campers have, and use, camping checklists that they have refined over time to match their camping style and needs. It is especially important for new campers to use them too. It only takes one forgotten item, large or small, to ruin all or part of your camp-out. Your camp stove looks great on the table, but it won’t do you much good if you forgot the fuel connector for the propane bottle, and imagine your surprise when you are ready to start dinner and realize that the fully-stocked and organized camp food cooler is sitting on the garage floor back home, instead of with the rest of the camping gear -where you assumed it was. Check it when you organize it, and double-check it when you pack it on-board.

These are only the basics. Each area has so much more to it that the details provide ample fodder for scores of camping books for each one. No matter what method you find that works for you, as long as you find one, if you cover these three areas of preparation, your chances of having a great and memorable outdoor camping trip will be a lot better than those that don’t

Camping Trip Menus - How to Pick the Meals You Want To Cook

Don’t let the meals on your camping menu turn the job of camp cook into an ordeal, when it should be an enjoyable part of your camping experience. Too many times, what started out as an exciting task turned into a chore to struggle through - because you were doing it backwards. You can’t pick the best meals for your camping trip if you don’t have these answers first.

How much cooking do you want to do?

Camp cooking is a big part of the outing for a lot of people - so much so that they may even plan the other camping activities to fit their cooking schedule, but for others it is a necessary task to fit in between other outdoor activities. Ten minutes to fix, and ten minutes to eat - that’s how they want their camp meals.

If your idea of camping fits the former - then you have a free hand to pick almost any kind of camp meal you can think of, but if your idea of camp cooking fits the latter - you should look for simple quick meals with fewer ingredients, and fewer preparation steps. stuff to know

Do you have the camping cookware and cooking equipment you need?

This one is pretty simple - no need to pick a great Dutch oven recipe if you don’t have a Dutch oven. Or a meal that needs several pots and pans, plus a campfire cooking grate - when you only have a 2-burner camp stove to cook on.

Are your options for camp cooking limited by the campsite restrictions?

Do you know if open campfires are allowed where you will be camping? Are you required to only use the fire rings or BBQ pits provided onsite? Does the size and layout of your campsite limit the space you will have available for the camp kitchen, or food prep and cooking activities? Obviously it would be a mistake to plan campfire recipes if you can’t have a campfire, or a camp meal that needs a lot of space for preparation and cooking if you only have room for one small table for the camp stove, and the food prep.