#hes not nervous harvey anymore hes now confident harvey

[xrosaurax]

He's ready and confident!!!!

[ieatsmallorphansnamedtom]

Hi, could you do the bachelor/ettes with an s/o that plays an instrument in the orchestra? (Violin, cello, viola, bass)

Btw love ur work, and I hope you are doing well <3

-🌙anon

Bachelor/ettes x Strings Orchestra Player

My knowledge on instruments and music in general is very limited. So, expect mistakes. Still, this seems like a really fun ask (and cello is a really cool instrument), so I'd be happy to do it! I'm not sure if you meant in an orchestra as in the reader is actually in one or just an instrument from one, but the former seems more fun. Thank you for your patience in getting this done. Thanks for the ask, 🌙!

Oh, and I don't know how much tickets cost but I'm imagining they're expensive okay? Please don't get mad at me.

Oh, and an important(ish) announcement! My @ask-sdv blog is back up and running, now with a new coat of paint (aka I updated it a bit)! You can go an check it out and send in an ask if you want (it even has a running timeline!). So far we're on day two, so not much is there yet, but it will be soon!

Bachelors:

Sam

Join his band, please. He'd love to have another musician playing. And what better musician than the person he cares about most? Listen, I'm not sure how conventional it'll be to have strings instruments in a rock band (if he's doing a rock band, anyway), but Sam wants to make it fun and experimental anyway. And I know you're in an orchestra, so that may be hard (and he understands!), but he just really wants you there. The two have jamming sessions all the time together and use what knowledge you have on the other's instruments to help yourselves improve.

Elliott

He's a big fan of the piano, being a classical-based pianist himself, so if you're playing something like violin or cello, he'd love to do a duet with you. I imagine on the nights when you're sick he likes to play a bit of piano to help you sleep, so he'd really appreciate if you'd do the same for him. Like Sam, he helps you practice. Pays a high fee to get the best seats when you play. Man is in crippling debt (probably still paying off his shack), but will put that all aside to see you shine. Not the best investment, but... Eh... It's worth it to him.

Sebastian

Also a piano player (well, keyboard). He's a little bit shy about his skills, so he's not as keen to play duets with you. But he'd love to listen to you do a solo! He's got an ear for mistakes and how to fix them, so he makes a great tutor. And he'll do it for free, too! Or maybe a plate of sashimi. But that's close enough.

He usually can't afford to get tickets for your show, and all the people make him really nervous - he's not very confident he'd look 'appropriate' there - but when he can and he'd feeling up to it he will try to go! He really does want to support you; he just needs some extra help anxiety-wise.

Harvey

Adores listening to you play. He's quite the jazz guy, so if you're into playing that stuff he'd just fall in love (if he hasn't already). I like to think he comes from a rich family, though they don't really associate anymore, so he's had the chance to learn an instrument or two in his time - though I think he'd go for saxophone or French horn. So, he remembers a few bits and pieces to help you out with if you need it. But honestly, he just prefers to listen, mistakes and all.

Like I said, he's not really associated with his family anymore, and he's living in a small town in the middle of nowhere, so money is very tight. He can't really afford to go to your shows, so sorry about that. But his dream is to meet you backstage after you finish and give you the biggest gift of support he can. He gets so flustered seeing you all dressed up for your shows like that and can't help but take as many photos as possible.

Shane

Doesn't know anything about music, to be honest. He's a punk or alternative rock guy with a bit of an interest in metal, so if you're a classical musician it's going to be quite the change for him. But don't worry, he's still willing to sit down and listen! He can't provide much help but will show you CDs/tapes he's found in your genre. If you like his taste in music, however, oh boy; he's so happy. Again, not sure how strings instruments fit into death metal, but we'll make do. And who knows, maybe it's very common (though I doubt it).

Like Sebastian, he's not really looking forward to going to your shows due to his anxiety. Yeah, he's getting help for it and may be medicated, but that doesn't mean it's an instant fix! Situations like these where he feels out of place or unworthy can really trigger his self-doubt, so it's harder to go. But he has been able to save up for those really expensive shows Jas wanted, so he's doing better than Seb money-wise.

Alex

This man listens to The Beach Boys, '60s/'70s hits, and SWING BABY! Listen, this man is living in the past, okay? Metal is the biggest shock to him. It's the equivalent to showing a Victorian child TikTok to him. Please be patient. Anyways, if you're willing to play that sort of stuff he loves it! Well, he loves strings instruments in general but still! He loves it.

As for seeing your shows, he hasn't got the money for it, and Yoba knows he isn't asking his granny or grandpa for some. You'd honestly have to just pay for him, which would make him feel really guilty (he'd make up for it, though). He's also a little nervous in a suit; I headcanon that a lot or at least some of his confidence is a cover-up. But that all goes away when he sees you up there.

Bachelorettes:

Penny

She enjoys listening to you play a lot. I think she'd like classical songs, 10 Hour Deep Sleep Rain Noise for Deep Sleeping videos, and Fernando by ABBA (plus the songs I have for her in my other post). As a child I imagine she'd wanted to learn viola, so meeting someone who plays that very instrument or at least something in the same family of it will make her heart soar. She loves just closing her eyes and listening to you play.

As for her shows, she could never get in on her own. Girlie is living in a trailer, and she doesn't even have a car to get herself there. You need to pay for her, end of story. And despite it happening all the time, she will still feel guilty about it. It's just how it goes with her. So, do not - I repeat, do not - make her feel even worse about it. She will cry (maybe, alone).

Leah

Artist x Artist of Different Medium? Let's go! I just love Leah so much and she's such a perfect partner you don't even understand. She'd be so supportive of you in your musical endeavors; always giving you encouragement and even doing a little bit of research so she can better provide constructive feedback! She also may or may not have designed a few album covers for your own music (if you make it).

Once her art business gets up and going, she finally has the money to buy tickets to the show (that is provided they don't sell out). She probably went to Haley and Emily for help in picking out the best dress for her to wear, and the two teased her over being so in love.

Abigail

Musician x Musician? Yes please! She's currently working her way through mastering two instruments, so she'd be happy to help you out with yours. She plays her flute while you play your strings instrument in a wonderful duet that has the whole town captivated. You two make your own songs together and maybe even have a little 'band' on the side of Sam's!

Abigail has some money on the side for her shows, but in general she might have to ask for some money from her parents. Despite them being pretty strict about what her interests are, they do give her the money because they trust her and you. Abigail doesn't really have the best dress to wear, so she rocks the place by stealing borrowing her father's old suit.

Maru

Maru likes pretty much any music, but if you want to know the specifics check out my post I made for it in the General Headcanons post (link in my pinned post). Anyway, she loves what you do. Maru's definitely recorded you playing to a tape that she's looped to play when she's working. Demetrius is getting a bit sick of it, but Robin finds it cute.

I feel like Maru doesn't get paid much for her work as a nurse at the clinic. It's not that Harvey doesn't want to, it's just he's barely keeping the business afloat and he literally can't pay Maru any more without crashing the clinic as a whole. Maru understands this, and so does her family, so it's no biggie having to ask for a little cash just this one time. They happily pay, and Maru gets to go to your orchestra while donning an absolutely amazing outfit curated by Emily.

Emily

Speaking of Emily, she's quite the fan. She prefers upbeat tunes she can dance to, but if you're more of a mellow or sad type she'll still listen. I feel like Emily would really like to come up with unique dances for each of your songs - dances that rarely fit the theme. But in her words, "it's about how the song makes you feel, not how it's supposed to look."

Emily and Haley are having the easiest time getting to see one of your shows. Their parents are rich, rich enough to go and get milk on a holiday, so it's no problem for them to leave some extra money for their daughters. Emily spends a lot of money and effort making the perfect dress for the night, and you can easily spot her from the crowd due to all the fancy colours and frills.

Haley

Haley isn't the biggest fan of any music that isn't pop, so she's not as excited to hear you play. But don't be fooled; because it's you she's listening to, she'll sit there and hear it through. She doesn't hate it by any means, it just doesn't really grab her attention. But she would love it if you were to do a cover of one of her favourite songs. Now that is something she could listen to for hours.

As for going to one of your shows, Haley's all down for it. As I said, money's no issue. She takes you, Emily, and herself on a shopping trip in Zuzu City to get the one and only best dress for the occasion, no matter the cost. She'll have the room for it too after she cleans out her wardrobe. At the show, she's kind of bored, but passionate enough about you to loudly shush anyone talking.

-~-~-

Hello! I am doing well, 🌙, thank you for asking. I hope you are doing well too! With my @ask-sdv blog now open for asks, I'd really love it if people took the time to send stuff in. And this time with all the free time I've got I'll be able to actually get to them on time, haha... Anyways, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!

[sdvharveybby]

"Is somebody jealous?" with Harvey please? Your writing is so good!

OH BBY THANK YOU. It really does mean a whole lot when you say this. I tend to write a lot and blab on page all the time, so I can get pretty self conscious about my writing and I stress about things sounding coherent. Thank you so so much!

I have a hard time writing anything short, but I hope you enjoyed this! I, personally, should have made it a bit fluffier, but I have SUCH a soft spot during the time in which the farmer and Harvey don’t know they really like each other. 

[All critiques about any of my works are encouraged and appreciated]

Words: 1044

The day started as any other for the Farmer as they woke up one Spring morning. It was the day of the Flower Dance and as they’ve been in Stardew Valley for over a year- they expected to have the opportunity to be able to dance with another person. That made the farmer… nervous to say the least.

They already knew who they wanted to dance with, and it was easy enough to say that it was Harvey, but asking him? Oh boy, that’s a whole new territory. Thinking about how he would respond made you nervous enough, what if he rejected you?

They shook off the morning sleepiness and crawled out of bed. It was currently 6am and the farmer knew that before the event would start they should at least take care of their farm responsibilities before they gave the dance anymore thought. But how would I even handle his rejection? It would be unbelievably embarrassing, they thought to themselves as they watered their crops. Butterflies grew in their stomach as they watched the time ticked closer to the beginning of the festival.

It struck 9am when they first arrived at the festival. It was as beautiful as always, the scent of sweet flowers filling their nostrils. The beauty of the event was always strikingly colorful. The last time they witnessed it it gave them peace and comfort, but this time it was filled with nervousness and a bit of dread. I need to calm down! I haven’t even said anything yet! They thought to themselves, rubbing their arm to find any sort of comfort.

They scanned the area, seeing as everyone arrived, “Right on time! Just like us- you really fit in around here,” Jodi exclaimed as they approached the farmer. Her bright smile eased their nerves a bit and they gave a big smile, “Thanks! This festival is always so pretty!”

The farmer spent some time walking around and greeting people as they went by. Finally deciding that maybe eating a little before asking Harvey to dance would help settle their nerves once and for all. It was then that they spotted him talking with Maru. The farmer wouldn’t be lying if they said they felt a bit crestfallen at the sight. His big goofy smile made your heart soar and they blushed at the thought, but his smiles were directed at Maru, and it did make them a bit… jealous…

The farmer shook off the thought and began approaching Maru and Harvey with a bit of confidence. Almost reaching them they were stopped by Elliot, “Ah, you look beautiful in the Spring sun, dear farmer. How are you?” The farmer blushed a bit, acknowledging the sweet remark. “Thank you for asking,” they began, “I’ve been well! How are you?” The farmer almost felt like there were daggers being dug into them! They had no idea what that feeling was, but conversating with Elliot didn’t feel as cheerful and pleasant as it had always been. It’s just my nerves, they thought, butterflies beginning to grow once again. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous, what is wrong with me? “I was wondering if you would give me the pleasure of dancing with you this festival?” Elliot’s words broke out of the farmers daze, only to be faced with a question from a person they didn’t want. They opened their mouths to speak when they felt an arm rest on their shoulder, “Oh, Elliot! Let’s let the farmer decide who they want to dance with. This is only their second festival, you know?” Robin came in to save the day, casually using the farmer as something to lean on. She gave a warm smile which Elliot couldn’t refuse, he laughed and said, “Yes, you’re right! I will be seeing you then, dear farmer.” He took his leave and Robin leaned closer to the farmers ear, “Don’t look now, but I think someone didn’t like you talking to Elliot.” She gave a small giggle as she said this, “Ha, oh, is somebody jealous?” They joked with her- trying to play off the blush that spread across their face. “Actually, yes, I think so.” The farmers eyes widened at the thought, Who’s jealous? Why would anyone be jealous? “Who-“ “Oh, you know who! Stop playing dumb. I don’t think his eyes have stopped staring daggers into Elliot since he left.” Robin took her leave; she had a large smile on her face as she walked away from the farmer.

It was so jarring to think that he could have been jealous. C’mon that has to be like a guaranteed yes, right? They turned to look towards Harvey just at the moment that Harvey turned to look back at them. His eyes widened and he sharply looked away flustered. A rosy color blessed his cheeks as he looked to the ground. It made the farmers heart jump- his sweet smile and adorable flustered appearance simultaneously made you nervous, but also gave you confidence. Moment of truth- I can do this. I can do this!

They approached Harvey, finally taking the last leap that they had wanted too this entire time. It was nerve wracking to say the least. Harvey looked to them, a deep red coloring his cheeks. He seemed more nervous than the farmer, “Are you okay?” They asked it as more of projection question as they weren’t sure if they were okay. His soft gentle eyes that sparkled in the sun and his deep brown hair that moved when he spoke, always caught them off guard. Besides his caring personality- he just looked so cute and adorable all the time. “Y-yes!” He mustered, “I, uh, just didn’t like Elliot bothering you, you know?” Harvey was only… semi-lying. Conveniently leaving out the fact that he wanted to dance with the farmer more than anyone else at the festival. “You seemed jealous,” They blurted out to Harvey and he became increasingly more flustered. “I- well, you see- I-“ he stammered until they cut him off, “Harvey, would you like to dance with me?” This mans smile grew ear to ear, he was absolutely ecstatic.

“I have been waiting for this moment. Yes, of course!”

[amomentsescape]

A/N: I hope this was okay! (P.S. Sign me up for a drink with Harvey!)

Interrogation (Part Two)

(Part One)

Your hands ran down the form fitted outfit you were wearing, hoping to smooth out any wrinkles it may have had.

You had to admit, you were usually very good at keeping yourself composed in front of Harvey, reveling in the flustered state you always left him in after the “interrogations.”

This thought caused a small smile to spread across your face, a welcoming result from the amount of anxiety you had been dealing with all night.

Flirting was one thing, but actually having a date with the cop was enough to leave you feeling a little self conscious.

You never thought you’d get this far with him. However, there was a small feeling of hope in your heart because you did.

You finally reached the location of the bar, a small hidden building in an alley. Luckily, the area wasn’t as dangerous as some in Gotham, so for that you felt fortunate.

You took in a deep breath before swinging open the door, keeping your head held high so that no one could see how nervous you actually were.

Right away, you could see the detective at the bar. He was rubbing his hands along his chin with a focus look on his face. You wondered what he was thinking about.

“Hope you haven’t been waiting for too long,” you spoke smoothly.

Harvey was quick to look at you, a smirk breaking out on his lips.

“Not too long at all,” he responded just as smooth.

You smiled, taking a seat next to him.

You flicked your eyebrow up at him, eliciting a slightly confused look on his face.

You giggled at this response.

“Well, go on. Interrogate me,” you leaned in.

Harvey gulped and ran his hand over his mouth, trying to keep his composure.

“How about a drink first, hm?” he said lowly.

With a flick of his hand, he was able to to catch the bartender’s attention, ordering a couple drinks for the two of you.

“You wouldn’t be trying to drunken me up so that I spill the information, would you?” you teased slightly. However, the worry did cross your mind before coming, making you fear that he didn’t take an interest in you like you had once thought.

Harvey’s eyes widened a bit at this, realizing that his invite may have been taken differently than intended.

“No, no nothing like that.”

The bartender swiftly butted in to set down the drinks, soon leaving just as quickly as he came.

On instinct, you grabbed for the drink and took a sip. The familiar burn of alcohol washed down your throat instantly, making you sigh in content.

“You’re never gonna tell me the truth, are you?” he said with his own glass against his lips.

You couldn’t help but stare a bit, studying the gentle pink color of them and wondering what they would feel like against your own.

Your eyes quickly snapped back up to his, the confident smile spreading across your face once again.

“Depends on what you think I’m lying about,” you giggled. The alcohol seemed to be working a lot quicker than you had thought.

Harvey couldn’t help but smile in return at your laugh. It was such a joyous sound.

“Listen, (Y/N). I don’t want to put you behind bars. But there is just too much evidence against you to go unnoticed.”

You could hear the serious tone in his voice, but when you looked at him, you saw a playful twinkle in his eye.

“If you don’t want to put me in jail, then what do you want to do to me?” you said softly. Your voice was barely above a whisper, and Harvey couldn’t help but to lean in towards you.

“No more games,” he muttered back.

“I don’t understand,” you tried feigning innocence.

His eyes flicked down to your lips and back up to your gaze, swallowing down a large breath.

“I could take you back to the police department right now if I wanted to. I have every reasoning to suggest your hiding something from me.”

“And what if I am? You’re going to have to do a lot more than that to get something out of me,” you smirked.

He leaned in even closer at this.

“You’re something else. You know that, (Y/N)?”

“Mmm, tell me about.” 

You couldn’t handle the tension anymore. Whether it was the alcohol or a sudden surge of confidence, you found yourself grabbing his tie and pulling him to you.

Your lips collided against his and, much to your surprise, he didn’t even hesitate to kiss you back.

Once you pulled away, Harvey smoothly reached into his coat pocket and grabbed some cash, slamming it down on the counter.

His eyes met yours once again, and the look in them was enough to make you melt right then and there.

“My place or yours?” you finally managed to get out. You were surprised that you could even talk after he kissed you like that.

“Well, I might have to search your premises for evidence,” he teased.

With your hand still on his tie, you pulled him back into you.

“Perfect.”

@kind-wolf​

[somedew-fictions]

Recreating Moments - Harvey

Harvey sits behind the clinic’s counter, leaning back heavily in the office chair. He isn’t expecting the clinic to be very busy today, having no one scheduled for a visit and knowing that it is highly unlikely for anyone to come in with an emergency- its Pelican Town after all. 

He is on his phone, swiping through his camera roll. It has gotten rather cluttered lately with photos of airplanes flying over the clinic and open pickle jars, and he thought since he has already finished all his work, he might as well go through and clear his gallery out.

Sometimes Harvey comes across a picture that isn’t so similar to the rest. One that isn’t clutter- far from it. Sometimes its a picture of a sunset or a particularly cute farm animal, or it can be a picture of one of the town’s festivals or him with his family back in the city. Those he scrolls past, refusing to delete them.

He is about two months back in his camera roll where there isn’t too much clutter left over from his last deleting-spree, but he is now looking at the photos and reminiscing about how fun those snapshots of his life are. One, in particular, he lingers on for longer than he probably should.

He doesn’t remember when the photo was taken, but the feeling it gives off gives his heart a light tug. Its a selfie of him and the farmer, the farmer dressed-to-kill in a much more casual outfit differing from their dirty jeans and work boots. Their cheeks are lightly flushed from the alcohol they must have drank, a grin on their face as their head tilts towards Harvey’s, one of their arms hanging around his neck and the other up in the air, holding the phone to take the picture.

Harvey on the other hand doesn’t look as presentable as the farmer, but looks remarkably younger- happier. The first button of his dress shirt is undone and his tie is loose, his signature green jacket no where to be seen. His hair looks a bit dampened with sweat, sticking up in odd directions from him running his fingers through it too many times as a nervous tick. His face is flushed brighter than the farmer’s, the number of drinks he had being unknown, but most likely a few more than his usual casual drink after a long day in the clinic. In his glasses is the reflection of the phone being help up for the picture, a dumb smile across his face.

Harvey blushes at the photo, his eyes lingering over every detail of it, close enough to notice the back of Willy’s head in the background. He wishes he can remember when the photo was taken- the circumstances and night surrounding it to make the photo even more rich with sentimental value.

What he does remember is that it is the last time the farmer and him have gone to the saloon together, making him wonder if he had acted in a way to make the farmer not invite him back for another drink. 

Not being able to remember, Harvey turns off his phone’s screen and puts it down on the desk, deciding it is time to distract himself with other means of entertainment. Which he does until its time to close the clinic, clearing the desk of any paperwork he left lying around and throwing out any trash he has made.

He plans on going up into his loft to watch television for the rest of the night so he goes to the front door of the clinic to flip the OPEN sign to signify that he is closed. He opens the front door and steps out, grabbing the sign and flipping it around to portray the “CLOSED” side.

He is just about to return inside as quickly as he came out when he hears his name being called out behind him.

“Hey, Doctor Harvey!” he turns around to see the farmer running towards him, a grin across their face. “I was just coming to see you!”

“You… you were?” Harvey blushes, watching the farmer slow down to a stop in front of him. He is standing awkwardly in the clinic’s doorway, blood rushing to his face. 

“Yeah!” the farmer smiles reassuringly, blind confidence written in their expression. “I never run into you anymore, so I wanted to ask if you had time to go to the Stardrop Saloon this evening,” they pause, their demeanor suddenly changing with a singular thought suddenly popping into their head. “I mean, if you want to,” their nervous ramble begins, “I should stop by more often- I’m sorry I haven’t. I just don’t want to bother you while you are working and I just saw you come out of the clinic and it made me remember we don’t really talk too much so I thought we could catch up-” Harvey smiles at the farmer, cutting off their thought by speaking.

“I would love to grab a drink with you,” he assures, trying his best to sound confident. “It is still a bit early to go now. Would you like to meet up there at 7?”

The farmer’s cheeks tint a light shade of pink, their smile growing back to full size. “Sounds great. See you then?”

“See you then,” he nods, watching the farmer giggle and slowly walk backwards to leave, waving before turning around and running off to continue towards wherever they were heading to before.

Harvey shuts himself back into the clinic, realizing how fast his heart is beating, unable to believe what has just occurred. His palms are already sweaty, realizing two hours isn’t a lot of time. He has to shower and practice what he is going to say, as well as pick out a proper casual outfit to wear and find something to eat in his kitchen before he leaves. 

As he starts up the stairs, he begins to plan the new two hours of his life in his head, promising to himself that he is going to remember the night this time.

[misskath90]

angst prompt 21 pls!

Thanks for asking!! I promise I’ll write all the prompts but just have some patience with me. 

I started with the angsty one because... I can’t help myself. 

“Its (her/him/them), isn’t it?”

Sabrina was nervous, she could feel her palms a bit sweaty and her heart beating a little faster than usual. Her throat felt dry.

She took a sip of the milkshake to soothe her throat while she waited for him.

The minutes went by and with them her nervousness only increased. Sabrina took a deep breath.

"You can do this." she said under her breath, her nervous fingers playing with the straw wrapper.

She just had to tell him and live with the consequences.

She couldn't keep playing that game, it was exhausting, it was unfair, for the three of them.

The sound of the bell over the door made her look in that direction. It was him. There was a tired smile on his lips and she noticed how his shoulders were a little hunched after a long day at work.

Sabrina could see how his eyes searched for her and how they shone a little when he saw her.

"Hey." He greeted her and leaned in to give her a brief kiss but she moved her head slightly and his lips ended up landing on her cheek.

That must have been the first sign.

"Something happens?"

She sighed, her eyes closed for a split second. She could do this, even if it was painful.

Even if it broke her heart a little.

Sit down," she replied instead "you must be tired, do you want to order something...?"

"Sabrina..."

"How was your day?" she asked almost at the same time, his eyes were on her fingers that would not stop twisting a piece of paper.

"Something happens, love?" he asked in turn, his hand rested on top of hers and Sabrina froze. Very slowly, trying to keep him from noticing, she removed her hands from under his and placed them on her lap.

"We need to talk."

"What happens?" he insisted.

Would she tell him? Would she be able to tell him?

Sabrina chewed her lower lip indecisively, having that conversation in a diner was not the best of her ideas but she knew that if she did it in another place she would simply flinch.

And she needed to go back to being the brave woman that deep down she was.

She could not continue with those games that sooner or later would end up destroying the three of them.

"Harvey..."

"It’s him, isn't it?" He interrupted her.

"Harvey..." her first reaction was to start denying but she reminded herself that things could not continue like this.

They didn't deserve it. She had to be honest, and although she knew she was leaving part of her heart behind with him, she was also clear that they were no longer meant to each other.

He would always be her first love, but he would not be her forever. Sabrina could see it clearly now.

Slowly, she nodded.

"I think deep down I've always known."

"Harvey..."

"It's okay, Sabrina." She tried to smile but the smile died before reaching her lips. Harvey knew that they weren't what they had been years ago, they weren't the same and even so, it hurt "Can I ask something...?"

She nodded.

"How long...?"

She couldn't look him in the eye when she replied "Only a few months."

But Sabrina and Harvey knew that she and Nicholas Scratch had been orbiting each other since the day they met.

Harvey nodded.

"Harvey...?" she could feel the tears burning in her eyes. Sabrina didn't really know what she had expected, that he would yell at her? That he would try to hold her?

Harvey's calm was almost as terrifying as his rage could have been.

"It's okay, Sabrina. Really."

"I am sorry." She said, this time it was she who reached out, his hands were cold, his fingers rough from the work in the mines and his hours drawing "I didn't want this to happen... It just happened."

"He always liked you. I guess it was just a matter of time." now there was some pain in Harvey's voice.

"Neither of us wanted this to happen. Neither of us was looking to fall in love."

"So, you love him."

Sabrina looked down for a moment.

"I do."

Harvey nodded slightly.

"I should go."

"Harvey..."

"It's ok, 'Brina." He replied with a sad smile "I'll be fine."

She nodded from her seat.

Why, if she had just done the right thing, did it hurt so much?

Sabrina stayed there for a few more minutes, watching the ice cream in her milkshake melt, feeling the occasional tear fall.

He was waiting for her when she left the diner. A sad smile spread across her lips and she hurried to his side, Sabrina needed to feel his arms around her, making her feel safe even though she had never sought for that feeling before.

Not before Nick.

One of his hands stroked her hair, she hid her face in his neck.

He could feel the hot tears against his skin.

She could hear the soothing words he whispered to her.

"You okay, babe?" he asked when she finally pulled away, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Sabrina's eyes were a little red from crying.

She nodded slowly.

"It's just... sorry, I'm a bit of sad."

His hand had stayed on her cheek.

"It's okay."

"But it's not fair that..."

He cradled her face with his hands. His eyes fixed on hers.

"Okay. You don't have to hide how you feel from me, I know Harry..." Sabrina rolled her eyes despite everything.

"Harvey..." she corrected him but there was a small smile on her lips, he smiled back at her.

"I know that he is important to you. That you love him..."

"You are more important." she replied, deep down, she knew that underneath all that self-confidence, Nick felt somewhat insecure about them, about her hesitation. But not anymore. She would make sure there were no doubts "And I love you more."

"Spellman..."

She shortened the distance between them and kissed him, he could taste the tears in that kiss but also something else.

Love.

[kpwritesfantasy]

Well, Willow proposed and Harvey said ‘Yes’! 💜 Looks like there will be a wedding soon. 🥰 Plus, I love how you can kiss your fiancée now!

_____

Willow walked into the clinic the same as she had for two seasons now. The drafty wind of the coming fall following her in.

Harvey smiled and said, “Good morning, Willow.”

Her smile grew bigger as she made her way around the counter to stand next to Harvey.

“Good morning, handsome. How has your morning been?” Willow asked sweetly. Her hands were behind her back, grasping the mermaid pendant tightly.

Harvey cast a quick glance toward the door’s window before moving a little closer to Willow, stroking her cheek with this thumb. “Quiet as always but brighter now that you’re here,” he replied with a cheeky grin, face blushing lightly.

Willow looked into his gorgeous hazel eyes, “Harvey, I love you so much and I don’t want to waste another day apart. Will you marry me?” She brought the pendant around and dangled it between them.

Harvey’s eyes teared up and his jaw went agape as he stared at the faint blue glow of the Mermaid Pendant. He then looked at his Willow, standing there with her expectant eyes wet and wanting. “I accept!!” Harvey said at last.

He took the pendant with trembling hands and placed it around his neck before hugging Willow to him and picking her up to twirl her. She giggled happily and, when she landed, rose to meet his soft lips that kissed her tenderly and eagerly.

“This was always my secret wish,” Harvey confided as he rested his forehead on hers. “I’m so nervous but incredibly happy. I’ll be relieved after we’re settled on your farm,” he smiled before bringing his lips to Willow’s again.

Willow was so elated! In three short days, she and Harvey would be married and she could kiss him as often and many times as she wanted. She wouldn’t be alone on the farm anymore nor for the rest of her life. It was a dream of the most fantastical sort that only happens in fairy tales and it was happening to them.

They both worked the rest of the day with an extra smile and elated joy that seemed to infect everyone they came into contact with. By the end of the day, everyone in town had heard the good news. 💜💜💜

[calibansprincessx]

Hell Is Hot CH 2 - A Mortal Afternoon

After Caliban left I got undressed and got into bed. I tried so hard to sleep but the whole day just kept playing in my mind. The way I felt touching Harvey’s hand before I burned the candle. The way I found the courage to finally stand up for myself against Nick when he assumed something was going on with Caliban and I. I suppose he was right though, there clearly is something going on with Caliban other than a political alignment. Does that mean he was right about everything else? 

Before I knew it, it was time for me to get up for school. When i got up though i wasn't as exhausted as i thought id be. There was like a giddy kind of feeling in my stomach thinking about the fact that i was really gonna be married? At 16? I didn't feel too young but it just seemed kind of surreal. I got dressed in a burgundy sweater top, mustard skirt and black tights pair with black heel boots. I went down and greeted Ambrose and my aunties while sitting down for breakfast. Chugging a glass of orange juice I grabbed a butter biscuit and left for school while hurriedly waving by to everyone. 

School went by as normal and I was so happy to have Roz back. Theo and Robin were getting closer now that Robin came clean about himself to Theo and the group. School ended and we were all walking to go grab milkshakes before Roz and I had cheer practice. 

‘Hello princess.” I heard from behind me.

“Caliban you startled me!” I half shrieked.

‘Sorry my lady. I came to spend time with you. We only have about a week before the third challenge.” He said softly with a sweet smile.

The group looks confused at each other. 

“Caliban now's not a good time I have cheerleading practice soon.” I said trying to make the conversation as private as possible.

Roz interjects. “Go. I'll cover for you with the Ravenettes if it's important hell business.” 

I think real quick about how this might be as good of a time as ever to bring Caliban into my mortal world. I smirk mischievously. “No Roz it's okay i’ve missed too many practices.” I redirect my attention back to Caliban. “Caliban why don't you come watch practice and then we can go back to my place?”

Caliban smiles widely. “Whatever you wish, my lady.” 

“Perfect--” I begin before Harvey interjects.

“‘Brina can we have a second?” he says worriedly.

I nervously step closer to the group and do a little huddle up as Harvey begins voicing his concerns.

“‘Brina what is going on? I thought this guy was challenging your throne? Why is he trying to come spend time with you and why are you letting him? Is this about the proposal he was talking about?” Harvey starts saying nervous and fast. 

Roz confused asks, “Wait, what proposal?”

I take a long sigh. “Everythings fine guys, there's nothing to worry about.” 

Theo interjects. “You're hiding something.What was the proposal?” 

“Sabrina you can tell us anything.” Roz says pleadingly. 

I straighten up not whispering as much anymore. Everybody looks at me slightly confused and still a tad worried. 

“Caliban’s proposal was that we get married and rule Hell together. Before you guys freak out know first that this is the best option to ensure I keep my life here with you guys and to ensure Hell stays where it belongs.” I say confidently and knowingly.

The group begins talking all at once. 

“But didn't he want to bring Hell to Earth?” Roz says still confused.

“You're too young to get married!” Theo shouts.

“I don't like this ‘Brina. I don't trust him.” Harvey says defensively. 

I try to calm the group. “We have made an agreement signed in blood and clay, it ensures he doesn't bring hell to earth as well as it ensures i maintain my life here while still having rule in Hell. It is a political marriage but we’re trying to get to know each other so the alignment won't be so rigid. My heart has softened towards him a bit as we’ve been getting to know each other. Please don't be mad or worried guys, this is the best option.” 

Caliban walks up behind Sabrina closer, smiling. “I see you told them about our alignment.” He says as he fixes a strand of her hair. 

The group scowls as Theo mutters. “I don't like this.” 

Sabrina interjects hurriedly. “Yes i did and we talked about it and now we’re going to practice so let's go.” She turned to start walking as the group followed behind her and Caliban followed behind them. 

Practice went great, it was oddly nice feeling performing in front of Caliban. Afterwards i said bye to the gang and said id catch them later as Caliban transported us to my house. I knew the aunties and ambrose would still be at the academy so this was the perfect place right now. 

Caliban lays on my bed as if it's his own. “Your mortal friends dont like me” He states.

I sit down on the bed next to him. “My friends don't know you and they are wary of trusting really anything from Hell.” 

He looks at me as he moves another strand of hair from my face. “Then how do they trust you?” 

I sighed remembering all we’ve been through. “It's hard. For them. We went through a lot once they found out and saw who I really was. They didn't trust me and didn't want to be around me for a long time but in the end they knew that I was still me.” I sighed and looked at Caliban watching me. “Caliban, why do you want to be in a relationship with me? If you want to be king, you don't have to be with me to do so?” 

He smiled that smile. “I like you, Morningstar. You're smart, fearless and gorgeous. You’d make an incredible queen of hell. I don't want to be like your father and Lilith. I want a real queen, someone to know, love and rule with.” 

I smiled not realizing how soft the prince of hell could be. I laid back on the bed next to him in silence for a moment. Eventually Caliban slowly brought his hand over and began caressing mine. I watched him for a moment as the electricity of his touch felt so foreign to me. It is nothing like the electricity of Nick or Harvey’s touch. It was something different. Something powerful. I interlock my fingers with his. He looked up at me surprised and then his smug smirk appeared back on his face.

“Well my queen, do you happen to reciprocate feelings towards your king?” He said in a mocking banter.

I smiled, getting slightly closer to his face. “Oh your so full of yourself huh? You're not king yet Caliban.” i said back in the same mocking tone

‘Oh but I am princess, I have it in writing remember?” he said getting even closer to my face.

I could feel his breath on my face. I could hear our breaths mixing in the silence. Then he leaned in and placed his gentle warm lips against mine. Just a slow simple kiss. When he broke the kiss we said nothing we stayed just like that. I was the one to finally say something. 

“Come with me somewhere” I said in a whisper almost scared to break the silence. 

He smiled. “Anywhere you wish, my lady.” 

I hopped off the bed, walked towards the door and began walking down the path to go to Dr Cee’s. Caliban trailed next to me. I could feel him staring at me.

“Where are we going?” He finally asked.

I continued looking straight and smiled. “A place.” 

He chuckled and we continued to walk in silence until we got to Dr Cee’s. 

When we got there we sat down and I ordered two milkshakes. 

I looked at him and smiled. “Ever had a milkshake?” I said trying not to sound too excited.

He smirked. “Can't say that I have. I don't come to the mortal realm for delicacies often.” 

The waitress brings out the two strawberry milkshakes and I watch as he takes his first sip. 

“Coming from someone who doesn't need to replenish with food source, I like it.” He grins. 

We continue to drink our milkshakes. 

“You really are something, Morningstar.” He said eyes locking onto mine. 

I smirk and look down at the remnants of my milkshake. “You know there's more to you than i originally thought, Caliban.” 

All of a sudden my Aunt Hilda walks up to the table. 

“Oh Hi dearie, who’s this handsome young fellow?” she says cheerfully as always. 

“Oh Hi Auntie Hilds, this uh-- this is Caliban. Is there something wrong?” I asked trying to change the subject. 

“Oh, no honey I was just here visiting Dr Cee but Aunt Zelda does need us at the academy.” 

“Okay i'll be right behind you Aunt Hilda.” 

“Alright, darling.” She said as she walked off. 

I turned back to Caliban who was watching the interaction. 

“Hey i have to go but i actually am liking spending time with you. So tomorrow after I'm finished with mortal school I have to go to the academy. Meet me there around 10.” I said as I got up and began walking away. 

“Bye princess.” He called after me.

[twiststreet]

Is your latest election post about anything in particular? According to 538, Biden still has an 8-point lead that's held steady for months now. He didn't gain anything by the Dem convention, but he also didn't lose ground from the R convention. Yeah, he doesn't inspire confidence, but I don't see any new signs that the likely outcome is changing.

Well, I’m not a politics guy so I can’t say this is based on any really considered reasoning, so much as ...

Well, the lack of a post-Con bounce seems troubling to me as I understood a bounce to be traditional. The Con certainly didn’t "unify the party”, and the dysfunctions are as bad as ever (Pelosi accidentally raised $400K for Ed Markey by endorsing his shitty Kennedy opponent).  And the enthusiasm numbers, more than anything, are spooky.  Especially if this is an election that requires people to be more enthusiastic than before because (a) they’ll have to negotiate the coronavirus situation, and (b) there could possibly be fewer young people out there mobilized to do get out the vote shit because their votes/concerns/etc. so plainly didn’t matter during the primaries.  

The betting numbers are also not in good shape. If that reflects people’s money...

(I can say the people who I talk to about money, they all said Trump gets reelected back in September, and haven’t moved off that since, even with everything that’s happened.  They don’t care about politics-- they care about money.  Everything just becomes simpler when you talk to Money Guys.  Oh, of course Trump’s going to win-- money’s being made and no one’s going to mess with that, this is America, duh.  And I never argue it-- I just sit there and say, “money, yaaaay, I love it too, money calls me when I’m sad (or I can use money to hire people to do that, same difference).” )

Michael Moore’s certainly raising his alarm bells, though some of the numbers he’s looking at seem debatable to me.  He’s looking at Clinton’s comparables (which aren’t great!!!)-- (a) I worry that Biden might be worse than Clinton with young people (who I’m not sure if they get accounted for properly in polls)-- Clinton at least had young white women, but (b) I think any Clinton comparison is flawed in that it inherently can’t take into account the last minute Comey-Anthony-Weiner craziness of the last days of 2016, so a pure number analysis is going to miss that, but.  

That’s the thing that bugs me more than anything, is how much of ‘16 is just the same people, saying the the same exact things. Just regular people, even-- seeing the same people who got ‘16 wrong say the exact same thing (”come on, you guys, first we beat Trump and then maybe we can talk about health care”-- all the apologias people craft to ignore the whole “Biden hasn’t fucking promised anyone anything, not in any way that’s sticking” thing... It’s SPOOKY)... 

The good news has been and remains the 2018 results.  Which people (myself included) are definitely and drastically underestimating (for me, partly because I didn’t really like a lot of how ‘18 shook out, which is a bad reason to ignore the numbers, but).  The “is the country headed the right direction” numbers-- also great if you don’t want Trump.  I think a lot of people are just tired of news, which shouldn’t be great for an incumbent (especially if Trump doesn’t have the excuse that Bush had, with 9/11)...

But this year, you got... 30% of people are saying they’ll refuse to take a coronavirus vaccine if one even gets invented!  So the whole “this country’s ungovernable” thing isn’t headed the right direction-- the Right Wing just turned that murder teen into a fucking folk hero, so. The QAnon of it all is what it is.  And you have the protests, in a country that’s a really “law and order” lovin’ country.  Like, how much people blame Trump for these two things is sort of a question-mark... I suspect people might be overestimating how much normal people hold Trump responsible for the coronavirus, but.  

Part of the problem might just be I don’t know which polls to look at.  Because the numbers I want to know are about, what, 4-8 states?  I don’t even want to know Florida anymore.  I don’t know who’s doing the polling that analyzes the places that matter, or who’s polling California. Like, I don’t care about the California numbers!  (I care about Senate numbers generally but a different thing).

I don’t know.  I’m just nervous. On the one hand, 4 more years of this???  But on the other hand, I’m certainly not voting for Biden or Harris or any of those motherfuckers, and I can’t blame anyone else who isn’t either... So. But I’m not in a swing state.  Swing state’s a different thing... So I just have to hope I’m a weird outlier...

This article from 2016 though-- AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!:

At a private fund-raiser Tuesday night at a waterfront Hamptons estate, Hillary Clinton danced alongside Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi and Paul McCartney, and joined in a singalong finale to Hey Jude. “I stand between you and the apocalypse,” a confident Mrs. Clinton declared to laughs, exhibiting a flash of self-awareness and humor to a crowd that included Calvin Klein and Harvey Weinstein and for whom the prospect of a Donald J. Trump presidency is dire.

[deepeststarfishsong]

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Part 2/? Cross-Posed to AO3

Everything felt a little different after they trapped Circe. Robin felt confident in a way he never had before. He'd stood up for what he believed in, and people he cared for stood with him. He felt empowered-validated for all those times he had to stand back and watch the Pagans cause chaos that he didn’t believe in. At the same time, he felt a little twinge of sadness. He could never go back after betraying them. Robin didn’t want to return to the Pagans, but he was afraid of being alone. Theo wouldn't leave him, surely.

Robin sat on the staircase, Theo at his side. In front of them Roz and Harvey were in tears, still hugging one another close after Roz had been transformed back to herself. It made his heart ache to think of losing Theo the way Harvey had lost Roz, even if it was temporary.

Robin would see Sabrina leaning in an adjacent doorway, considering her friends and keeping a watchful eye on Caliban as he attended to get her attentions. He could sense the sexual tension between the two.

Robin wasn't sure how comfortable Theo was with displays of affection in front of his friends. There were so many emotions swirling around him and he just wanted to hold Theo close to feel grounded.

While Robin was lost in thought, Theo sat watching his friends reunite, a swell of relief flooding through him. Roz was safe, Harvey was happy, and Sabrina was back-and clearly distracted from her breakup by Caliban’s presence. Theo absentmindedly reached for Robin's hand and entertained their fingers.

Robin leaned in closer and laid his head on Theos shoulder, breathing in his scent.

"Let's go home, guys." Harvey’s words brought them back into the moment. "I don’t know about you guys, but I'm ready to leave this place."

Everyone nodded in agreement and stood to walk out. "Anyone up for a burger at Cerberus'?" Ambrose asked.

Everyone was in agreement, Robin assumed that Theo would be too. It was probably for the best-his adrenaline was still up and the proximity to Theo had started exciting him. They should definitely walk to the bookstore, spend some time in the fresh cold air, and eat a meal.

He should not be thinking about Theo naked.

"I think we might just head home. Today's been a lot," Theo answered for them both, surprising Robin.

"Yeah of course! Be safe walking home, well see you tomorrow," Roz smiled at them and followed Sabrina out the door.

--

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather go out with your friends," Robin asked, looking down at Theo as the turned and walked towards the old farmhouse. Robin didn’t want Theo missing out on his account.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I just thought that maybe we could spend some time together. Ya know... on our own." Theo blushed and looked down at his feet.

"I would really like that," Robin smiled and pulled Theo in close to him as they walked.

-- "I... I have an... idea." Theo looked up at Robin as the neared his house.

The moon was bright, not quite full but still lighting their path. The porch light was on in the distance, a clear sign none was home yet.

"What is that?" Robin looked at him inquisitively.

"Well... you were originally supposed to get close to me to find a sacrifice for the Green Man, right?"

"Yes..." Robin hung his head in shame. He tried not to think about that but it was true.

"And you chose me because I'm haven’t... I mean I've never... because I'm a virgin, right?" Theo looked determined and Robin couldn't quite understand the expression.

"Yeah, only virgins can be sacrificed to the Green Man for the great flowering."

"Exactly, and well, even though you're on our side now I'm not technically safe, right?"

"They'll still try to come for you, but Theo I would never let them take you," Robin looked heartbroken at the idea of losing Theo. All he could think about was the pain Harvey felt when Roz had been turned to stone.

"I know you won't, Robin. But I've been thinking." Theo turned and stopped them in front of the porch, jut at the edge of the warm amber light. He took Robin's face in his hands and pulled him in for a kiss, long and slow. Robin's hands instinctively wrapped around Theo's back, pulling him closer. God, he smells amazing, Robin thought.

Theo pulled back slightly, keeping his forehead pressed against Robin's and whispered, "I've been thinking, what if I wasn't a virgin anymore."

Surprised, Robin stepped back to take in Theo's expression. "Are you sure?" Theo could feel his chest tighten and a swell of excitement in his stomach. "You... we... we don't have to. I will keep you safe. I don’t want you to feel like you have to..."

"I want to." Thro cut off Robin's stammering. "I want you." His words were clear as he stared into Robin's eyes.

Oh Gods, Robin thought. He'd thought about pulling Theo out of his clothes every time their make out sessions got intense, but had always stopped them when he started to get excited. He didn’t want to pressure or overwhelm Theo. Deep breaths, he'd tell himself. Deep breaths.

"I want you too, Theo. And I never want you to feel pressured."

"I know you'd never do that," Theo pulled Robin in for another deep kiss. He could feel the muscles of Robin's chest pressed against him, could feel his heartbeat quicken. His breathing speed up and he sighed into Robin's mouth. "Let's go inside."

-- Theo led Robin up the stairs to his room. He was nervous and excited and incredibly thankful his dad was working late.

Robin closed the bedroom door behind them and followed Theo to the bed. They sat on the edge, holding hands, and looked sheepishly at one another.

"Are you scared?" Robin was still worried about Theo.

"A little." Theo volunteered, "Ok, maybe a lot." He paused, staring up at Robin who looked apprehensive. "But I'm also happy. I never thought I'd meet anyone who'd accept me as I am. Not until you." Theo smiled. He felt safe with Robin.

"I feel the same way." Robin looked intensely at Theo.

"What do you mean?" Theo was confused. He laughed nervously.

Robin wasn't sure how best to explain, so he stood and pulled his cap and shirt off letting them fall to the floor. "I'm a hobgoblin."

Theo watched as Robin dropped his glamour and the tips of his ears showed delicate points. His stomach was impossibly muscular. Nothing was really surprising anymore, but this actually made total sense.

"Cool, uh... what does that mean exactly?" Theo asked, still a little confused about the implications of this new information.

"I can run... fast." Robin smiled, there wasn't a good way to describe just how fast. "Theo are you sure you want to do this tonight?"

"I do." There was no question in his voice. "I mean only virgins can be sacrificed to the green man, right?" Robin nodded. "Great, I really like you, Robin. And I really really want to be with you."

Robin pulled Theo in for a kiss in response. Theo pulled Robin closer, his hands in his hair. They fell back against the bed, still intertwined. Theo let his hands wander to his chest. Theo's touch felt incredible; Robin felt a surge of warmth and his breathing hitch, he deepened the kiss and slid his tongue in Theo's mouth, pulled him close and held him tight. Theo welcomed the passionate turn of events and returned the kiss, hand still trapped between them against Robin's chest. His heartbeat felt impossibly fast.

[ficstogo]

Somebody Else Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Go With Your Gut

Summary: Sandra looks back on the beginning of the end.

Word Count: 3,650

Fic Masterlist

“Hey, Harold. Something big came up and I gotta go take care of it. I’ll call you when I get there, or you’ll call me. Whichever.” Shoving her phone back into her pocket, Sandra rushed her and her belongings into her car, preparing to take the long trip to the airport and complete an even longer trip to LS. She was completely livid. The news that Trevor brought had changed her mood from depressed to wanting to blast something in the face with a nailed baseball bat. Thinking back to the phone call the other night only made her fury even more potent than before. Sandra immediately went to find the earliest plane ticket there, buying it as she now had a mission to destroy Michael Townley at all costs. She would have loved it if the night had ended completely different. She would have wanted to keep on the gig of being mad at Trevor and then begin the process of getting to know each other all over again. Just like starting over. Pretend that they were long lost friends of better conditions. Either way, she would’ve continued on with chatting the night away with him with beer and laughter, pretending that he was in the same room as she was.

The night ended much differently though. After getting her things to fit in her suitcase, Sandra called Dr. Harvey about her mother being deathly ill, and having to visit her back home. She brought the rest of the leftover beers from her fridge to her bedroom and drank away. For a small while, the feeling of wanting to cry left her after that phone call. All she felt was anger, but it all came back to her at once when her angry thoughts turned sour once more. These were the circumstances that lead to Trevor calling her. If not this, she more than likely wouldn’t hear from him for another ten years or never at all and it broke her. She really had no friends. She really didn’t mean much to Trevor, except for the fact that she only helped to fuel the idea that he was in the right side of things for once. Sandra enabled that his feelings justified what he wanted to do because another person felt the same. Then thoughts led to her other friend. Her “dead” friend. Why? Why in the hell would he do something so god awful like that? For so long she blamed herself for what happened back at North Yankton. She remembered how nice Michael had been when Trevor freaked on her on not being on that last heist. How nice he was when she snapped at them. Because of that, she hated herself for so long. For letting her anger and pettiness be the reason that she never saw her friends again.

.~.~.~.~.~.

Sandra laid on her worn out couch staring at the ceiling with the television filling in the silence. She was waiting for a call to hear where the next race would take place and when. It was an easy way of making money, although at the moment, she had enough to make life easy for at least four more months, give or take. But that was far from her mind. She needed something to do, something to keep her occupied and racing was a productive way of doing that. Having enough of the noise, she turned off the small, shitty television and continued to lose herself in her thoughts. Although she would have loved to ring up the boys and see if they could go out for a night of drinking, they all had to lay low for another week. By then, Michael would be busy playing house and Trevor would be too busy hanging out with his best friend. A friend that seemed to overshadow her. Sandra didn’t mind Brad, but she couldn’t help but feel that as each day passes, she was slowly losing Trevor to him. He was a handful and she knew it, but Trevor was her mess of a man to deal with since the beginning. As for Michael, he had a family to look after as strange as that sounded. He was no family man, but when the news about Amanda’s pregnancy came out, the idea of abandoning his children was unbearable. He did not want to be like his father and so the decision to stay had stuck.

Thinking about Amanda led a frown to form on Sandra’s face. It was understandable that Amanda wouldn’t want the crew around Michael anymore, she got that. If she had a family, she would try to drop that life as soon as she could, but what grinds her gears was the way Amanda is. She acted so...privileged, so uppity, so above everyone as though she was queen bee. She knew Amanda viewed them as scum level, trailer trash, as though she had the right to say what’s proper living. She was a goddamn stripper-turned-prostitute who had a boob job and suddenly had a god complex. Then again, maybe she always had that. She lived in a trailer too for god sakes! Sandra’s way of making a living wasn’t honest, but she sure as hell was smart enough to avoid selling herself to strange men. That was something she made sure of. She has no right to treat any of them like shit. What was worse was that she always came after Sandra. She only assumed it was to assert her dominance in Michael's life like some small feeble minded animal. Maybe it was because she was one of Michaels female friends that he might have a thing for. As if. Either way, it was a classic girl-on-girl hate game that played on and she really really hated it. Sandra imagined clawing her eyes out and throwing a few punches here and there while saying things to ruin what little self-esteem she had left. The only reason she hadn’t gone full swing was because it was her friend's wife and she did not want to risk that relationship. At this moment, all her relationships were dwindling.

The sudden ring from the coffee table startled her away from her thoughts. Sitting up to see which phone was ringing, she knew it was the small black one informing her that this was a business call that needed to be answered. “Hello?” She said groggily to the other end.

“L’s, tonight, eight a’clock.” And the line went dead. Feeling buzzed from the call, she was happy that there was going to be new work to do.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Tying up her long dark hair into a ponytail, Sandra took a look at her bright brown eyes in the rearview mirror. They had bags under them from the lack of sleep the weeks previous provided her. She prepped herself for the excitement that this meeting would bring. She was happy that after this hiatus, she could finally get off her ass and do something to ease the boredom once more. Tugging on her jacket, she exited her car and walked towards the small, mobile trailer. With the light from the trailer blanketing her, she knocked a steady rhythm. Sandra took a look around her as the snow kept falling to make the bare area look like a winter wonderland. The sound of the creaking door in front took her attention as she now laid her eyes on a small, weak-looking man, with the iciest blue eyes she’s seen in her life.

“Glad you could make it.” Lester said as he moved to the side for Sandra to walk through. Peeking his head through the door, he takes a few seconds to look around outside as his paranoid self does whenever guests come over.

“Couldn’t possibly skip out on a chance to win some big bucks.” There in the room stood Michael, focused and out of touch with what was going on at the moment. He was more than likely thinking in great detail of the events that would unfold. Trevor stood with his god awful mullet and stache, having a frown to go with the threatening look that he���s pulling off so well. And then Brad, who sat on one of the small raggedy sofas with a bored look, a look that wasn’t new whenever he attended these meetings.

“So boys, what's the score?” Her voice projected in an amused yet confident tone. They all turned to look after her, happy to get this meeting started.

“North Yankton State Bank.” Michael said with eagerness in his voice.

“You’re serious!?” Sandra chuckled out with a quirked brow as she sat at the small table in the room.

“As serious as I can be. It may not be much but it’ll sure as hell cover us for a good while.”

“No complaints here.”

.~.~.~.~.~.

As Lester finished up with his presentation, there was the question that always came to mind when discussing any heist. “What are the chances we make it out clean?” With her hands clasped on top of the table, her eyes focused on the blueprint in front of her.

“Do you want the answer that feeds into doing this job or do you want my actual god honest opinion?”

“The answer that won’t send me to my grave early.”

Lester looked at each of the thieves with a nervous expression risen on his face and hesitated only for a second to answer. “...I don't think that this job is something you guys can go through.”

“Oh come on Lest! What do you mean we cant? We got the best the of the best here! We're gonna make it through it and we're gonna make it through it rich.” Trevor exclaimed. He wanted so bad to go through with this score and he wanted everyone to be apart of it. He’d cut Lester’s tongue out if this was going to change Sandra’s mind.

“And then we can finally end it here.” Michael calmly said with what sounded as if he let out a welcomed sigh.

“What do you mean “end it”?” Her head slowly turned to Michael as her eyes squinted in skepticism.

“You didn’t tell her?” Lester said in surprise, looking between his companions once more.

“Shut it, mole man!” Trevor yelled, only to see Lester squirm back from his outburst.

“Uh, Me and Trev have been talkin’-”

“We decided to end the partnership after this job. Sorry for you to be the last to know Sandy.” Trevor said as he looked away from her. He knew how much they meant to her because he felt the same with them. It killed him when Michael opened up about how he wanted to leave them and it murdered him when he decided for it. He was going to tell Sandra but for some reason, he always found something to distract him from doing that. He realized now how that could go wrong.

“Wait wait wait wait. I know that this job would cover us for a good while but are you guys seriously deciding on not doing this anymore?” Her dirt eyes looked back and forth between the two as her chest felt constriction.

“You know I got a family S, I can't keep doing this.” Michael said as he looked to the floor, not wanting to look at her. He couldn’t risk their lives because of him. He didn’t want his children to visit him in prison and know their father to be a pitiful loser who couldn’t do any better in providing for them. He didn’t want to be absent in their lives, let alone because he was six feet underground. Michael just couldn’t find himself doing that to them. He wanted to be better. For them.

“And I never said I was done. Me and Brad, we’re gonna go places.”

“Oh really? And where does that leave me, huh? Where am I in all of this? All four of you decided to have this chat and leave me out! Do I really not count in anything?”

“No! Sandy that’s not why-”

“Cut the shit! I noticed how I've been the last in anything nowadays. And you told Lester instead of the person who’s gotten your backs since the start! The person that almost slept her way to make extra cash when we needed it bad! The person who drives your asses out the heat before the cops could get on to us!?”

“San-”

“What’ll screw us over on this?” Sandra said in a firm tone as she turned her attention instantly to Lester.

“Uh, right of course. Our main problem is security and the time frame. I'm afraid that it's too short for any of you to make it to the van on time.” Lester flustered out. Even though Michael gave hints about it being the last job, he honestly thought that Sandra would be the first he talked to about it. They always seemed to be more connected but then again it was hard when all three of them were so close to each other. When Lester met them, it was like high school. The new kid meeting the clique and how it was hard to break through their barrier that they’ve built up together. Although this is all business, he did feel like the outsider with their group. Eventually, he turned to the person they always praised and respect. Well two of the three, he should say.

“Fuck security! They can’t do shit to us! And we’ll be fast! As long as we know the plan like clockwork, we’ll be home free!” Brad said with confidence.

“For once, Brad’s right. We’ll do this and we’ll do this with no repercussions. Sandy, this job will be like any other job we’ve done. There’s no way we can fuck this up!” Michael said. He could see that she wasn’t convinced and he needed her to see it his way. He needed this and he needed her on this job.

Only thoughts battled within her head. It was a good score but the fact that Lester wasn’t a hundred percent behind it like he usually is is what was really breaking the tie on what she should do. “I trust that you guys can’t fuck it up but I trust Lester more on this. You know I don’t go full on without Lester’s approval on it.”

“Oh come on Sandra-D!” There it was. The stupid nickname they used whenever they wanted her to do something that she was stubborn on. How Marty McFly hated being called a chicken, she hated being called Sandra-D. It had the same punch of being called a pussy and it always worked in their favor. She had too much of an ego and pride to back out, but she knew that nickname wouldn’t work this time. “You use to go into jobs head-on before we ever met Lester! Whatever it was, you never hesitated! What happened to the old Sandy!?” Trevor said in a passion with his hands slammed on the table, looking straight at Sandra, a desperate fire burning in his eyes.

“That old Sandy was stupid and almost got herself killed and caught more times than she can count because she thought it was a good idea to listen to you two fuck heads!” She said as she rose herself in the same position as Trevor. “Fuck you guys! I ain’t doing this job!” She yelled as she grabbed her jacket from the back of her seat and headed to the door.

“Are you fucking serious!? Are you fucking with me right now!? This is our last Goddamn heist together and you can’t help but fuck this up for us!? You’re a real bitch, you know that, Sandra!? You can’t even do this one thing for us without that stick up your ass!”

“Trevor!” Michael yelled.

“How about I get that stick that’s in my ass and fucking beat the living shit out of you, you fucking psychotic good for nothing piece of shit!” She yelled stalking towards him as a force that couldn’t be stopped. “If you wanna talk about who fucks up what, let’s talk about your fucking star moments, huh! At least I don’t fucking kill any of the goddamn hostages because they looked at me funny! At least I’m not the one that drives everyone into hiding because the cops are onto us for a fucking murder case! At least I’m not the one who tries to start shit up while we’re trying to lay low!” She continued on at his face. Everytime they were on a job, she always had to worry about him doing just that and it always made her more anxious than what she should be. She already had to worry about making sure she didn’t mess up. She had to make sure that the everything was going to plan. She had to worry about not getting in a wreck whenever they drove off. Sandra did not need that extra weight on her.

As she walked past the men, she felt a grip on her arm like their life depended on it and it did. “Sandra! Wait! We need you. I can’t get another driver as good as you! You’re the only one that I trust on anything and this is big! We’ll be fucked without you.” Michael was pleading with her. There was a desperate look in his eyes and damn, did she nearly gave into it but she needed to show them her ground and she needed to show how true his words were. They would be fucked without her. It was petty but she didn’t give a damn at the moment.

Yanking her arm out of his hand, she looked him straight into his true blue eyes and said, “Good.”

As she walked out the door, all that was left behind was Trevor yelling “I don’t wanna hear you begging for money from us, you hear!? You don’t get any of the damn cut! You don’t deserve shit!”

.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Sandra found herself staring at the ceiling once more as the anger still coursed through her body. This was complete bullshit. The feeling of being left out was just that. A feeling. Then being the last to know of some news that would change her life only made her feel even more distant from them than before. What happened? What suddenly changed their dynamic from sticking together like the family they were to not even speaking to each other like the way they use to, she didn’t know.

The sudden ring from her phone startled her. Rolling her eyes at her jumpy self, she picked it up and answered the call. “Yeah?”

“Hey…” Great. It was this smooth talking bastard calling. Probably to try and convince me into this job.

“What?” Sandra said with her attitude giving a hint about how she was feeling.

“I just called to...I just wanna know if you’re alright. After everything, especially what Trevor said, I just needed to know if you were alright.” That wasn’t what she was expecting.

Taking her anger down a notch she sighed and responded. “Um, yeah. I mean, I’ll be alright. I’m a little pissed but I’ll get over it.” Closing her eyes, Sandra tried to waver off the remainder of her anger so as to continue having a calm conversation with Michael.

“You got every right to be. Look, I wanted to call and say I’m sorry for being an asshole. I should’ve told ya what I was planning and I’m sorry about the shit Trevor said. You know how he can get.”

“Yeah, I know. I wasn’t expecting anything different from him.” She rubbed her forehead as she thought back about earlier in the night. She hated it. Hated how bad it got. “But he’s right. I shouldn’t be such a bitch and back off from what we got planned. It’s our last job and I can-”

“No, don’t worry about what Trevor said. Don’t let him guilt you into doing anything you don’t wanna do.”

“And what do you want me to do?”

“...To be honest, I really want you to be apart of this. It is our last. But we’ve always gone with our gut feelings. Mine’s telling me we can do this, yours is tellin’ you we can’t. It’s better if we went with how we feel. No hesitation.” That thought only made her want to laugh. The last time she went with how she felt things began to feel different between the two of them and when they finally fixed what was bothering them, it only left her a bit hurt.

“I’m sorry Mikey. I just...I can’t shake off this bad feeling I got. We always went with what Lester says and it always saves our skins but I get why you’re doing this. Just be safe.”

“Hey! Don’t worry about nothin’! We got this covered. And forget about what T said. I’ll slip you a couple grand under your door when we get back.” Michael said in a confident yet hushed tone. Probably didn’t want Amanda to overhear him.

“You always spoil me, you know that?” She chuckled. It always felt like playing house with those two. When one said no, the other said yes.

“Anything for you, Sandy.” She could only imagine him winking at her as he said that, like the smooth bastard he is. With their moment of laughing, Sandra’s ears perked at the faint sound of someone calling his name in the background. Of course. Typical. “I gotta go, Sandy. Just wait till I’m knockin’ on your front door. You’d wish you came along.”

“Anything you say, M.” She sarcastically laughed. “Prove me wrong.” and there, she hung up and stared at the ceiling once more but this time with a small smile on her face.

[probablymango]

Try to love again

Harvey awkwardly watches Johnson from across the table, things were finally starting to calm down, but anxiety was building up higher in him. His mind keeps looping back to what Dandy asked him months back: Does he have a thing for Johnson?

His first reaction was no, but that was his first reaction. Actually spending time with him was making him rethink his answer way more often than he would like. He had many wonderful qualities; helpful, cheerful, not put off by the murder, patient, knowledgeable in magic, wanting to spend time with him for reasons not related to the hotel or the trainyard. It was…. Endearing and starting to make him feel nervous, which got in the way of practicing magic and Johnson was starting to notice.

“Mr. Williams, are you alright?” Johnson wasn’t wearing his skin mask, which meant that he could see his antennae twitch with worry. It was kinda cute.

“I.. I think so. I don’t think that I’m sick, at least.” Sick in the head might be another issue, but physically he was fine…. Actually, that might be a stretch considering his physical alterations since dealing with demons. “Why?”

“I’m just worried. You haven’t been focusing well during practice and you’ve been sticking to the edges of the room, well, more to the edge than before.” His antennae move back. “Is something wrong? I understand if you don’t want to tell me, but I just want you to know…. That I’m here for you if you need me, ok?”

“.....” He nods, feeling himself get warm in the face and sweating a bit. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Johnson seems to relax, antennae lifting back up and if he had a mouth, he’d probably be smiling. “That’s all I can ask, sir.”

Harvey smiles, then gets up and leaves, smile growing wider as he tried to find somewhere that no one else was. God, he felt like a teen again, hopelessly infatuated with a man that was too good for him. He sits in the nearest chair and puts his hands on his face. Why does his feelings have to be cruel like this?

He looks up to see Earnest walk in. “What the fuck? Why are you sitting in the dark buddy?”

“Earnest…” He sighed, sitting up straighter and staring at him. “Can you… Wait, no, never mind.”

“Aw, don’t be like that. Come on, tell your old friend what’s up.” He pulls over a chair in front of Harvey and sits on it backward. “What’s on your mind?”

“..... How did you know that it would be ok with Gerdy?”

“That’s a weird question coming from you. Why do you ask? Are you trying to take my girl?”

Harvey snorts. “I’m gay, remember?”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” He relaxes a bit, grin forming on his features. “So, you asking me for love advice? Who you thinking about serenading?”

“No serenading, but… some advice would be nice… please.” He was getting nervous again.

“Well, for one, I need to know who it is, so I can help!” Earnest leans closer, tipping the chair a bit.

He blushes, leaning back a bit. “Does it really matter that much?”

“Listen, buddy, pal.”

“I’m listening.”

“I can’t help you with the person if I don’t know who it is, because people have very different preferences. Like how some people like Louisa love flowers and others like Julia love to eat makeup.”

He snorts, relaxing a bit. “I guess you’re right.”

“Sooooooo?” Earnest grins, getting way too close again. “Who is it?”

“It’s, uh, it’s….” He stands up and tries to leave. “Never mind.”

“No, you don’t.” He grabs him and lifts him off the ground. “Tell me!”

“Put me down!” He tries to kick him and pull out, but Earnest wouldn’t loosen his grip.

“Not until I get my answers, lover boy!” He laughs, spinning in place.

The door opens wider to show a confused Dandy and Louisa. “What the fuck are you doing to him?”

“Thought you’d recognize an interrogation when you see one.” He easily walked over to the couple. “He won’t tell me who he has a crush on!”

“Shut up Earnest…” Harvey attempted a different tactic for escape, wiggling.

“He has a crush?” Louisa glanced between her blushing, sort of, boss and his captor. “Is that true?”

Dandy leaned closer and had a smug, knowing grin. “Do you have a crush on Johnson?”

He was blushing hard, looking away from the curious trio. “I… I might have a thing for Johnson.”

Louisa was practically vibrating, Earnest’s grip on him finally loosened, and Dandy was bouncing in place. “I knew it! I knew it! I called it months ago!”

“What does Johnson like? Hmmmm….”

“Were you asking for love advice from Earnest?” Louisa stood beside Harvey once he was on the ground again.

“I was considering it..”

“Here’s my advice first, don’t talk to him while he’s near a bathroom.”

Harvey gave her a look. “.. Why would I even do that?”

“Just keep it in mind, okay?”

He looked at his two taller friends to find them suddenly interested in not looking him in the eyes. “..... I shall keep it in mind. Thank you.”

“Go get ’em tiger.” She gives him a quick shoulder pat, then runs off.

“...... what was the bathroom talk about?”

“It’s hard to say, y’know? Cryptic women talking about love and shit..” Earnest shrugs, trying to lie about not knowing.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story, but it can be summed up to: Louisa used to hide out in Jimmy James’ bathroom and while I tried to flirt with her, Earnest wanted me to ask how her poop went.”

“She still hasn’t gotten back to me on that and we’ve known for… about a year now?”

“......... I’m going to ignore that.” He weaves away from them, not wanting to learn more about Louisa’s bathroom habits. “I’ll just…. Do something else.”

“Wait! We have so much wisdom to give you!” Earnest called out.

“Don’t want it anymore!” Harvey wandered off, managing to lose the others between the crowd and many hallways. His friends were weird.

He sighed, wandering the halls that regular customers used. It had less people, gave him a more space, and silence for him to think.

He liked Johnson, that was apparent now, but was he willing to try to get into a relationship with him? His previous attempts at having a relationship haven’t ended well and it seemed to usually be his fault.

He sighed, sitting on a couch in the lobby and staring out a window. It was getting really late and the only people hanging around were night owls and moth people.

After a while, Howie finally noticed him and waved him over. “Hey, Mr. Spoopy! How’s it going?”

He sighed, getting up and walking to her. “Can’t any of you let me think in peace?”

“Well, maybe you should sulk in places that curious people don’t hang out at.” She joked, leaning against the counter. “What’s got you down, sport?”

For a second, he cracks a small smile, before goes back to frowning. “Over thinking love.”

“Oof, that’s rough, buddy.” She looks around, then pulls a small flask out from under the counter. “Need a drink?”

“Have…. Have you been drinking on the job?”

She puts it back under the counter. “No.”

He shakes his head, chuckling softly. “We’re going to need to talk about that.”

“Later though, right?” She grins and gives him finger guns.

“Fine later.”

She does a quick fist bump and then goes back to focusing on him. “So, what’s love done to you this time?”

“Well, it’s making me fall for someone close to me and making me overthink my entire relationship with a moth person. It’s…. It’s getting very stressful.”

She nods thoughtfully. “Need a way to tell Johnson you love him?”

He looks up at her, mildly scared. “How did you know it was him?”

She looks around, trying to feign innocence. “What? Know who?”

“.........”

“.........”

“Do you know what I can say to him to see if he likes me without actually asking him?”

“How do you talk to him about important things?”

“Well….. I slipped a letter under his door for the dinner and before that, I asked Dandy to help ask him to teach me magic.”

She took a deep breath, put her hands in front of her face, almost as if praying, then swiftly tilted her hand to point at him. “You need help. Like, a lot of help.”

He blushed and shrugged. “Or I can ignore my feelings and continue to be a cold bitch.”

She shakes her head in disapproval, then without looking away, dials a number and holds the phone to her head. “Hi, Gerdy, this is Howie. Can you, Louisa, and Marcus come to the front? We have a new project on our hands. …. Yeah, it can wait til morning. Thank you, see you then!”

And that is when Harvey knew, he was fucked.

The next few days were filled with too many people invested in his love life. He thinks that someone told moth people outside of his friend group about his crush, because now when he enters rooms that have them, he hears their giggling in his head. Howie was trying to make him confident enough to actually confess to him, Marcus set about cleaning up one of the back rooms for a private place to have a date, Earnest gave a lot of unwanted advice, while Dandy and Louisa gave better advice, and Gerdy provided moth person knowledge.

Now he was standing outside of his door, fidgeting with a piece of paper in his hands. He considered bolting, but Howie and Earnest were at each end of the hall, refusing to let him run. He sighed, knocking on the door and glaring at Earnest.

Johnson opened up after a few minutes, in his human skin and smiled. “Hello, Harvey! What… what are you doing here?”

He looks at the man in front of him and gives a nervous smile. “Hey, I, uh, I uh, ummm. Just… take this.” He gives him the note and bolts off, trying to get as much distance as possible. This was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad-

“Sir, wait!”

He turns to see Johnson running to catch up with him, flushed and holding the paper. “Y… yes?” He fidgets in place, expecting the worse. He could see the vague form of Howie giving him a thumbs up.

“Is this real? Do you really want to see more between us?”

He nods, leg tapping the floor and looking at the ground. “You can say no if you want..”

“Why would I say no?”

He looks up, face growing warmer and pulse getting quick. “What?”

He smiles wider. “I like you a lot and I’m happy to learn that you like me back.”

His knees were getting weak and he smiles, probably looking ridiculous. “I…… I love you….”

“He did it!” Earnest cheered.

He groaned, covering his face and turning to look at him. “Yes, I did it. Please, for the love of god, fuck off.”

“Fucking off!” The blond laughed, running off, and from the sound of it, so did Howie.

“Needed help again?” Johnson joked, resting a hand on Harvey’s shoulder.

“Unfortunately.” He chuckles softly and turns to him. “Want to go on a date?”

He nods. “Wait, like right now?”

“I think Marcus would prefer if we did it sooner than later.”

“Oh boy. Give me a minute to change!” He ran back into his room. Harvey laughs, leaning against the wall as he waits. This is going to be great.

[lfthinkerwrites]

High School Teacher AU: Fraternization Policy

Superintendent al Ghul does not care for Ellen’s comic and Edward and Penelope finally get on the same page.

It had taken the better part of four hours holding Jonathan under a shower in the boy's locker room for the man to, somewhat, sober up. Edward and Jervis had deposited him in the nurse's office and went their separate ways when the lunch bell rang, Jervis off to the teacher's lounge, Edward to the guidance counselor's offices. Or rather, to one guidance counselor's office in particular. He passed Harley on her way out and she gave him a wink and a thumbs up. This made him even more nervous. Yes, nervous. Anyone might have thought he'd consider a private meeting with Penelope Young his due, but the truth was, Ellen's existence notwithstanding, he'd never really had an easy time talking with women. So for a long moment, he stood outside of Penelope's door and hesitated. What could she have to say to him? She'd been cold to him since they'd met at best, outright antagonistic to him at worst. It had only been in the past week that she'd shown any sign that she liked him. He took a deep breath, then knocked three times on her door.

"Yes?"

Edward steeled himself. Here went nothing. “It’s me,” he said.

There was a brief pause before Penelope responded. “Come in, Edward.”

Edward reached down to straighten his tie before he entered the office. Penelope sat behind her desk, pen in hand. Edward could see a notebook in front of her, which she closed as he approached. "You said you wanted to talk," Edward said. "Well, here I am. What did you want to talk about?"

He watched as Penelope brushed her fingers through her bangs. A nervous habit, he'd noticed. One of the many things he'd noticed about her. "Harley and Pamela told me something at the poker game last night," she said at last. She looked up at him then and Edward noticed that she looked almost...hopeful? Must be a trick of the light. "They told me that you're in love with me."

Edward's world stopped turning at that precise moment and a chill went down his spine. "T-they-did they now?" Goddamn them both. This wasn't how he wanted her to find out.

Penelope cocked her head slightly, her expression as blank as usual. "Are you?"

Edward could deny it, but he'd never been a good liar. "Yes."

Penelope looked almost taken aback. "You-you are?" Then the professional mask slipped back into place. "How long?"

Edward began to pick at the sleeve of his dress shirt. "Since I met you."

Penelope looked less than convinced by that. "Seriously?"

"Alright," Edward admitted. "I've been attracted to you since I met you. I knew I was in love with you the moment I saw you take Valentin down with your taser."

Penelope's mask fell again and she gaped at him for a long moment. "You-I-" then her face flushed and she looked almost angry at him. "Why didn't you ever say anything!?"

"What, was I supposed to come marching up to you and start slobbering over you like that cretin Bolton?" Edward said defensively. "I was slowly wooing you using my intellectual charms-"

"You were playing games because you were afraid of being rejected," Penelope finished, getting up from behind her desk. "I can't believe you! All this time, I thought you tolerated me at best, when we could have been-" she cut off, covering her mouth.

"'Could have been' what exactly?" Edward asked. Wait. Wait a minute. "You mean to tell me that you-how long have you-"

"I didn't fall for you at first sight or anything like that," she said quickly. "But...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't...attracted to you too, when you're not being an ass at least."

Edward felt his own jaw drop. She was attracted to him? That explained why she seemed to have his schedule memorized, how even though she was frequently irritated by him, she didn't shy away from being in his company. Then his own elation turned to irritation. "Why didn't you ever say anything!?"

"Becuase until a week ago, I didn't know if you even liked me!" Penelope shouted, walking up to him. "You seemed to delight in finding new ways to be obnoxious-"

"I'm like that with everyone!" he shouted back. "That's just who I am! Believe me, if I didn't like you, you'd know it!"

"That still didn't mean you couldn't have been honest with me!"

"Likewise!"

Penelope was about an inch away from him, fuming. "You are," she said in a low tone. "The most impossible person I've ever met, Edward Nashton." She grabbed a hold of his tie and yanked him down. "And I need you to kiss me."

Edward blinked once. He had heard that, hadn't he? "What?"

Penelope made an exasperated noise. "I don't want to waste any more time. We might not get another chance. Please."

Edward had both of his arms around her in a moment. "Alright." Then he leaned in.

"Well, I have to say, this morning could have gone worse," Gordon said with a confidence he didn't feel.

"Well, it certainly could have gone better," al Ghul said. "I thought you said that Dent had completed anger management!"

"He did," Bruce defended.

"Then why did he call that boy in his class a son of a bitch, a pipsqueak and a mad dog!?"

Gordon bit his lip. "In his defense, Machin has been a disciplinary problem since he was a freshman-"

"That doesn't excuse Dent using that language," al Ghul said with a finality that no one dared to speak against.

"Anyway," Vreeland said, clapping her hands together. "It's lunchtime. Let's go out in the quad."

The group moved through the still vacant cafeteria and into the outdoor quad, where most of the students chose to eat, given that the food trucks were still there. One crowded table caught their attention. As they moved closer, Bruce recognized Dick, Tim, Cas, and Barbara. "Hey kids," he said in greeting.

The group looked up as one and Bruce noticed that Harvey's daughter Duela and Nashton's daughter were at the center of the table. Nashton's daughter was scribbling away at something. "Hi, Bruce!" Tim waved. The other children gave polite greetings.

al Ghul nodded slightly at Nashton's daughter. "You're Edward Nashton's daughter, aren't you? The resemblance is striking."

The girl nodded. "Yeah. My name's Ellen."

"What are you drawing, Ellen?" Gordon asked.

"Nothing," she said a bit too quickly.

al Ghul frowned a bit. "It's not obscene, is it?"

"No!" Ellen shouted before remembering exactly who she was talking to. "It's for a comic Duela and I are making."

"The girls are very creative," Gordon explained. "Why don't you go ahead and show us?" Ellen and Duela exchanged a long look with each other before Duela shrugged. Ellen slid the paper over to Gordon. He took one look and his eyes nearly bugged out. "Oh my."

Bruce looked over his shoulder at the drawing and read the captions out loud. "Beautiful Captain Zodiac Sparkles and the Perils of the Perverted, Perfidious Professor Pyg?" The drawing was of a girl in fishnet stockings, steel-toed boots and a tight-fighting top doing battle with a grotesque figure holding a meat cleaver and wearing a pig mask. "This is based on Valentin, I take it?"

"Dad said we couldn't use Coach Bolton as the villain anymore," Duela explained. "So we had to make a new villain."

"And just why do you think it's appropriate to draw comics casting members of the faculty as villains?" al Ghul asked.

"Because one of them chased me with a meat cleaver, that's why!" Ellen argued. The other kids at the table said nothing, but Bruce caught Tim nodding in agreement.

al Ghul glared at Strange. "Is that true?"

"The situation has already been handled," Strange said. "I don't think this comic is appropriate, girls."

Duela rolled her eyes. "First we couldn't use Toxic Masculinity, now we can't use Professor Pyg? Lonnie was right, you guys are all a bunch of fascists!"

"'Toxic Masculinity'?" al Ghul repeated. "You drew Coach Bolton in your comic and named him 'Toxic Masculinity?"

"It's what he is," Ellen said. "Ms. Isley said so."

al Ghul took the comic from Bruce. "And your fathers know that you've been creating this?"

"Yeah," Ellen said. "My Dad says as long as he doesn't get sued for libel, he doesn't care."

"He would say that," al Ghul muttered. "Well, we'll just see what your guidance counselor has to say about this, young lady!" al Ghul turned on his heel and stormed back towards the school's interior, the principals and the school board scurrying behind him. It wasn't until the group had entered the cafeteria that it occurred to Bruce that Jason was absent from the table.

"Dr. Young's office is just down here," Gordon said, taking the lead as they walked down the hall that led to the guidance counselor's offices.

"What kind of counselor is she?" al Ghul asked.

"Oh, she's terrific. Very professional. Never had a complaint about her," Gordon said.

"So in other words, she's the opposite of Dr. Quinzel. Good," al Ghul said. The group had just arrived outside of her door when they heard a thump come from inside.

"What was that?" Falcone asked. A muffled groan came from inside the office and Gordon felt sick. He opened the door wide anyway. "Oh, good Lord!"

As soon as the door opened, they were greeted by the sight of Dr. Young perched in the lap of a shirtless Edward Nashton who was sitting on top of her desk. Both looked flushed and their hair was loose. Vreeland made a scandalized noise and left the room, along with Falcone. Strange and al Ghul looked like they were about to have an aneurysm. Nashton, for his part, kept his arms tight around Dr. Young's waist and gave the group a look of bored irritation. "Do you mind? We're on our lunch break."

This quip seemed to bring al Ghul to life. "What is the explanation for this!?"

Nashton shrugged. "Does paradise need an explanation, Superintendent?"

al Ghul's face turned dark red from anger, but Strange saw an opportunity. Nashton had given him the perfect excuse to send the irritant packing. "You do realize," he said in a slow tone, "That this is in violation of our fraternization policy? Faculty and staff are forbidden from having relations with each other."

Dr. Young looked like she was about to say something when Nashton interrupted once again. "We're well aware." He then turned his gaze to Bruce and let out a smirk. "Fraternization between members of the faculty and the school board is forbidden too, right Bruce?"

Bruce felt his face burn. That son of a bitch. al Ghul turned and gave Bruce a sharp look. "You and that gym teacher! I knew it! You whoremonger!" Then he did something unexpected. He backhanded Bruce.

"Superintendent!" Gordon cried out. Bruce took a deep breath to keep himself from retaliating. All the while, Nashton looked on smug, while Dr. Young looked somewhat scandalized. al Ghul stormed out of the office, Elliott, Fox, and Queen following. Bruce then glared at Nashton. If nothing else, at least one of the teachers would finally be removed-

"Edward! It's been forever! Nice to see you're doing well!"

Cobblepot stepped forward and Nashton let out a grin. "Ozzie!"

'Ozzie?' Bruce and Gordon exchanged a long-suffering look when they realized what this meant. Cobblepot and Nashton were friends. Nashton, and by extension, Young, Crane, and Tetch, probably, were untouchable.

"Well, let's not take up too much more of your time," Oswald chuckled. "Do feel free to bring your lady to the Iceberg Lounge. Drinks are on me!" Oswald let out another laugh. "You incorrigible young rascal!"

"See you soon, you old crook," Edward laughed. Oswald walked out, leaving the principals and Wayne no choice but to follow him. Wayne shot him one final glare before he slammed the office door shut behind him. Edward shook his head. "Well, that was amusing."

"If you say so," Penelope sighed. "You never told me you knew Oswald Cobblepot."

"Oh, Ozzie and I go way back. He got me my first programming job. And in my defense darling, you never asked."

Penelope raised an eyebrow. "Darling?"

Edward felt a bit flustered. "Well, I'm assuming that you want more than just a single furtive groping session in your office. Right?"

In response, Penelope got off of his lap and walked towards her office door. Edward's heart sank. Then he watched her lock it. She turned back towards him with a heated look in her eyes. "We still have fifteen minutes left for lunch break, you don't have computer lab until 1:30 and I cleared my calendar for the rest of the afternoon." She then slowly began to unbutton her blouse and Edward's brain shut down. "I'd say we're going to go a bit past a single session, Eddie."

Where had she been all his life?

[mjsparkour]

One Last Time

show: Chilling adventures of Sabrina

pairing: Rosalind Walker/ Harvey Kinkle

description: "Baby I don't care if you got her in your heart, all I really care is you wake up in my arms." They really should've met much sooner. It's the honesty of it. They're lives intertwine in more than one way, way too often. In Greendale, a seemingly small town where everyone knows everyone, the real stories lie in the lives of the residents. The real story lies in the lives of Harvey Kinkle and Rosalind Walker. Oneshot

They really should've met much sooner. It's the honesty of it. Their lives intertwine in more ways than one, way too often. In Greendale, a seemingly small town where everyone knows everyone, the real stories lie in the lives of the residents.

It's the town where Dorothy Walker took her young daughter, Rosalind Walker to the supermarket every Sunday and the park every Friday. It's where the town folk lived their daily lives in routine and tradition, no matter how suffocating it turned out.

It's where Evelyn Kinkle found herself trapped in a marriage gone sour. So she put in energy toward giving everything to her children, putting Tommy in a shop class on Sundays and taking her youngest Harvey Kinkle to the supermarket with her. When her husbands vice grip on her was just to much, on those days she would take both boys out to the park and they'd play.

In retrospect, they should've met sooner than they did.

It's finally Rosalind's first day at Baxter elementary school that they meet. Six year old, Rosalind Walker, felt like she was going to throw up in the back on her moms new SUV. "Mommy I don't feel so good. My tummy hurts, can we go back home?" Roz says as she pushes up her small glasses with a pout that could get her out of jail if she tried.

"Baby, it's just your nerves. Don't try that pouting stuff with me, you know it only works on your father. You gotta be strong Rosalind." Dorothy says with an amused smirk painted on her lips, reflection bouncing off the rear view mirror.

Roz sucks her teeth, "But mom I don't wanna start a new school, Riverdale wasn't a bad school mommy, I had friends there."

"Well then you'll make new friends. You know your mommy had to get you here so it would be easier for me to pick you up. Mommy doesn't work at Riverdale hospital anymore, so there is going to be some changes. Look at it this way, at least we dont have to change houses, we staying right here in greendale, everyday" She mutters.

"I'm not gonna make any friends with these alien eyes and monster puffs mommy!" The child complains, arms crossing with frown settled in her face, two seen space buns settled on her head golden in the sun streaming through the car window.

Dorothy's eyes narrow and her eyes brows furrow, Roz sat up knowing her mother was upset. "Now you listen to me Rosie, if anybody I mean any body wants to tell you anything about your hair you just tell them that you got that beautiful hair passed down from a long lineage of queens! Women who mattered in this world. Your hair is who you are and that is a smart and beautiful girl, don't you forget that." Her mother rants, as Roz looks out the window to the tall trees and orange leaves on the ground.

"Yes mommy", Roz sighs exasperated as her mother pulls over.

Rosalind's bright yellow shoes reach the pavement and she hears her mother drive away. She sees the students being dropped of by their parents. Some kissing them good bye followed by kids running away and groups of friends together. Rosalind gulps and pushes her glasses up, I don't need nobody, be strong just like mommy said.

Just like that she feels her head rise up along with her chin as she hears the school bell ring and enters with everyone else to the classrooms.

***

Rosalind just can't believe her luck.

On the first day of all days she meets a really shy girl with brown hair and light freckles on her face, Susie. During snack time they promise to be best friends no matter what, pinkies tied and all.

Then a blonde haired boy with a mean glare pushes Susie as she tries to empty out her lunch tray, leaving the garbage everywhere him and his four other goons laugh.

Roz quickly realizes Susie's only shy because she gets pushed around a lot, she knows a thing or two about bullies too.

"It's okay Rosalind." Susie says from her stance in the floor picking herself up.

It's really not okay Rosalind hears herself say in her head.

Just as she feels her mouth open ready to chew them out and her glare at the boys hardening for hurting her new best friend when a voice calls out "Hey! Leave her alone." A short girl with blonde hair takes a protective stance to Susie, whose trowing the trash with a renewed hope highlighting her features and an awestruck Rosalind.

"Oh I'm so scared what are you gonna do short stack?"

"I'll tell on you Zach Feldman, I'll tell Ms. Morrison you were the one who put the glue on her seat yesterday and not Gary Truman."

"Your such a tattle tale Sabrina Spellman, that's why nobody wants to be your friend and your weird." Kids gathered around the scene playing out in front of the cafeteria, began laughing at her and just as Sabrina was about to turn around, frown on her face.

With a chin tilted upward Rosalind found herself saying, "Oh yeah? I wanna be her friend."

Finding her voice from the background a now confidently smiling Susie says, "Yeah I wanna be her friend too."

"Cool you can all be weirdos together." Zach says getting laugh out of the students once again, the crowd disperses as he walks away but they don't matter. All Rosalind sees are the smiling faces of her new found friends and the beginning of something great.

"You guys can call me Roz."

***

Then there's him.

It's the next day, Roz was dropped off again waiting for her friends in front of the court yard when she sees softest boy with the softest brown eyes she's ever seen.

***

Harvey Kinkle likes to think he's a cool guy. His older brother always tells him so, his mother always tells him too so it must be true. So as he's walking to meet his friends on their usual corner in front of the school he doesn't understand why he loses all sense of body functions at the sight of this one girl but he does.

Harvey almost trips on his way to his friends when he sees her because she's just so pretty, it's the only way to explain it other than her having superhero or villain powers and she doesn't look that cool . Two sheen puffs proudly stand atop her head and she looks at him with these round eyes that hold him. When he finally looks away and gets to the guys they laugh and tease.

All the while Roz giggles at the sight of him wondering if he's okay.

***

"Does Harvey Kinkle have a crush on the new girl?!" A voice calls out, the boys laugh.

"Keep your voice down man!" Harvey says looking around wondering if she's still around.

"Why you don't want her to hear you've got cooties?" Zach yells to the class in the yard from his spot leaning in the tree.

"Shut up no I don't!" Harvey whines at the insistent teasing and the sounds of the young boys laughter.

"Why do you like her anyway? her hair's too big. I bet you could fit two apples in those puff balls." Zach says and the boys laugh.

Harvey looks down at the ground, "Don't talk about her like that." He says weakly.

"What was that Kinkle?"

"Just-just leave her alone Zach." Harvey stutters.

"Aww Harvey likes the new girl." Another boy sang out soon everyone joined in the chant.

"Yeah Harvey likes the new girl" Zach sang, as Harvey's fist clenched.

"No I don't!"

"Oh yeah prove it? Put gum in her stupid hair since you don't like her so much." Zach says with a smirk a chorus of "ohhh" "he's not gonna do it" follows.

Harvey gulped as Zach put a stick of gum in his open palm, "What are you gonna do Kinkle?"

***

Everyone's in there classrooms and as Harvey walks up to Roz, his hand shakes.

The next thing she knows, she's got gum in her hair, Harvey's eyes are as wide as he thinks there ever gonna get and a slur of apologies follow only to be out voiced by her cries for help with the sticky assailant in her hair. She officially hates this day and Harvey Kinkle.

***

There all ten when Harvey's mom dies in a horrible car accident. The whole community shows up to the funeral of Evelyn Kinkle and to the house with every different assortment of food imaginable. Harvey is told to stand up straight and is shoved around by his drunk father. Tommy tries to distract him a couple times as he usually does with TV and errands while he cleans up after dad's messes.

In the wake, Sabrina, the pretty blonde girl from school, hugs him for the first time and he's so nervous, hands sweaty, he thinks he's gonna throw up, she gives him a light smile and leaves; a part of him wishes she didn't. Harvey's eyes are still wide and Tommy asks what's wrong when he sees him.

Harvey blinks, "Sabrina Spellman just hugged me."

Tommy chuckles and pats his little brother in the shoulder, "Girl drama already? And here I thought I was gonna have to wait a couple years."

"Shut up Tommy."

Then he sees her and the lightheartedness of the moment passes and he's filled with dread, Harvey stiffens. Noticing once again his brothers expression and where his eyes traveled to he chuckles again, murmuring to himself this time, "Ahh they grow up so fast." Harvey still hears him, his brow furrows and he shoves Tommy off. His laugh provides Harvey with a little solace on such a bleak day.

Harvey knows Tommy would rather put up a front than see how he's really grieving in some ways he's grateful for it and in others, he just wishes he could help. He can't imagine it's easy being the older brother to someone who says they see demons, Harvey shakes the painful memory away, puts the awful shade of red out of his mind.

Harvey's eyes find Rosalind's again and the stiffness of his body returns. It fades when she gives him a sad soft smile across the room that says I'm sorry, Harvey graces her with one of his own and she shrugs.

Harvey breathes, and for the first time in a while for some reason he thought things were gonna be alright.

***

Flash forward forward a couple years later, there all fourteen and fifteen, and Baxter high school was in full swing and adamant chatter filled the soon to be transformed cafeteria because of the awaiting annual homecoming dance. Three girls sitting in their usual spots in the lunchroom had a conversation of their own regarding the dance while one was in her own head, a million miles away.

"So I was waiting on him to ask me because it seemed like he was, but he just said he had to go home." Sabrina says from her seat opposite Susie and Roz, a pale hand settled under her chin.

"Maybe he was nervous?" Susie replied

"I don't know, I mean he kind of seemed like he was. What do you think Roz?" Sabrina asks, eyes narrowing at her friends unfocused gaze.

"Roz?" Susie calls to her.

"I just think that we are not doing enough for the people out there who really need our help, we are panthers baby. We should be out there doing what we need to do for the good of the people!" Dorothy Walkers voice exclaims into the void of the Walker living room. Roz sits perched at the top of her brown stair case arms loosely wrapped around her figure.

"What we should be doing is looking out for the good of this family! Of course it's important to stay woke and fight the good fight but how long until fighting costs us our lives. Things got dangerous with that life style Baby." Micheal Walker replies to his wife's irrationality, reaching out to her trying to get her to understand.

"Jesus Dorothy we aren't kids anymore, we aren't teenagers, we're raising one and you gotta be there for her."

"You don't tell me what I don't do and do for my daughter okay." Dorothy yells, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"She's just as much mine as she is yours, don't don't do that. At least I'm acting like it."

"Micheal, I don't wanna hear another word." Dorothy warns.

"Roz!" Susie says again, worried expression on her face, "You okay?"

Roz blinks, back to reality and meets her friends concerned expressions with a complacent one of her own, she tries to tug for a smile, "Yeah guys I'm fine just tired, I'll see you guys at the dance? Yeah?"

As Roz gets up the bell rings, and her friends share a look.

***

When Roz gets home the air just doesn't feel the same, a once warm cozy place felt desolate and cold.

She's alone in her homecoming dress, awaiting her mom whose been late to just about everything recently.

The heel of her black shoe clanks against the hardwood of the floor as she paces back and forth in her red dress. She sees the bright yellow light of her mothers black SUV in the garage and she gets outside with everything.

"Finally! Mom give me the keys I gotta go." Roz breathes out, palm up awaiting the keys in her hand.

"Oh honey you look beautiful." Her mothers eyes tear up, and Roz drops her awaiting hand looking to her mother confused.

"Mom are you okay?" She asks eyes narrowed.

"How about I drive you honey? Come on get in the car." Dorothy says sniffing huddling her things back in the car as Roz looks to her confused. "Well come on baby wouldn't want you to be late to your first high school dance would you?" Dorothy says on the brink of releasing a set of tears. In all her fourteen years, Roz had never seen her mother cry; no less cry to take her to a school dance so to say she was confused was an understatement.

The car ride is spent in silence. It's composed mainly of moments her mother would look at her for long periods of time and Roz would remind her the light was green and they'd go. They finally get to Baxter high and Dorothy looks to her for what seemed like forever, and cups her cheek, "My beautiful baby, you've grown into such an amazing educated young woman." Roz's eyes widen, okay so my moms officially lost it, she thinks. "Mom what's going on?" Roz asks confused.

"Go on and have a good time, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Make sure to get Susie to drive you home. I'll be taking the car with me."

Roz hand drifts to the door handle, and it sills when she looks back at her mom. Dorothy has tears in her eyes again, "It's alright honey go on."

Roz walks out of he car and doesn't turn back, already fearing the worst as she steps through the school doors to the gym.

***

Roz gets back home an hour later, feeling an intense aversion to what awaits her. She looks at the simple cobble stone in path and steps leading to her once cozy brick home from Susie's car window and wants so badly to be far away. Susie had been the first of her friends to get her drivers license, never mind the age limit her dad was able to pull a few strings. Most kids in green dale had been learning to drive since they were in car seats.

"Roz are you sure your okay? You've been spacing out all night. We can go to my place? I can call brina and we could have a slumber party? All you'd have to do is go in now and ask your dad." Susie asks her softly.

Roz smiles, and that's why she's the best, "It's cool Susie, I've just got some stuff to deal with my family, my mom was acting weird before she dropped me off. I think we just have to figure stuff out." She lightly smiles, hoping to death she'll believe it.

"Alright Roz but call me if you need anything okay? Also careful on those steps, cobblestones and heels do not mix."

"I will" Roz laughs as she leaves her friends car and makes her way to the door. Moms car isn't in the drive way, huh she notices.

Roz gets in the house and she's greeted the same feeling she got when she came home from school, a cold and desolate energy only thing different this time, her father was here.

That feeling she feared for the worst came back with a vengeance.

Roz rushes up to walk towards him, head in his hands, he looks up to his little girl whose not so little anymore and gives her a weak smile, "Hi honey how was the dance?"

"It was nice. Where's mom?" Roz asks, getting straight to the point. Just like her mother Micheal thought, staring off into space wondering where it all went wrong.

"She left."

"What? where?"Roz asks, a million questions springing to her mind.

"I don't know baby, I just know she isn't coming back."

Roz backs away from her father taking in the news, and walks toward the stairs to her room.

"Rosalind honey...I'm so sor-" Roz already shaking her head frantically as tears form, "No, No dad don't apologize. Its not your fault. I've just got to get to my room."

Roz locks her self in her room, breathes and cries. Cries for the woman who would take her to the supermarket on Sundays, for the woman who told her her hair was beautiful and for the woman who would take her to the park nearly every Friday, The park she thinks. She looks up from her stance on the floor and trades her heels for a pair of sneakers and makes her way out the door.

Her father paces downstairs in the living room, "Rosalind where are you going this time of night?" He says arms crossed, Micheal knows the circumstances of the night are strange but she's still his daughter, in his house.

"Dad I just need to go out for a walk please."

"Roz-"

"Bye Dad."

***

Every now and again Harvey gets a little unsettled by the noise in his house, not that there is much, but the lack of it. His mothers calming pacifying voice is gone and its been years, but his dad never lets him forget it, not that he ever would. Sometimes Tommy's ever patient smile isn't enough. He's got plans and friends and a life. So once and in while Harvey quietly leaves and walks around town, Tommy's at a party and his father is too drunk to notice.

Harvey walks for what feels like hours. He feels his feet wandering of their own volition as he thinks about where he is in life so far. With joy division blaring in his ears, he thinks of Sabrina and her friends. They've all been hanging out as of late ever since him and Susie were paired to do an anatomy project together. Since then he's been like additional member to their group, and then theirs this unspoken thing with Sabrina. He thinks back to being that 10 year old kid with his world collapsing around him, a pretty girl giving him a hug and bringing good feelings to light in a dark place. Harvey suddenly looks down at his shoes in thought, man I shouldn't have chickened out asking her to the dance, he thinks to himself, upset he doesn't know what could've been. Then his thoughts drifted again as the cold front met his face to the other girl at his mothers wake and his chest tightens. Roz forgave him all with a smile, and its not like she hated him because he put gum in her hair when she was six but it was..weird because they never were really, friends.

Suddenly his view is changed by a gate, a view of a baseball field and endless grass, with his childhood playground in sight, with out knowing it Harvey realizes he's made his way to the park where his mom used to take him as a kid. He gets this aching feeling in his chest as he makes his way to the entrance, sometimes he really misses her so much it hurts and he breathes just like she always told him to when things got to much with his father. Harvey sees his condensation from his breath and opens the gate his eyeline immediately going to the swing set, his favorite playground object as a child and then he sees her. Roz and her soft cries are heard as he hesitantly makes his way to the other seat.

Harvey notices she's still wearing her homecoming dress, a short red dress that exposes her shoulders and sneakers, Shouldn't she still be at school? Did something happen there? He wants to check his phone in case Sabrina or Susie texted him something that he didn't see about anything that might've happened tonight but he fights the urge.

"H-Hi Rosalind." She quickly faces the other way and brushes away her tears, breathing deeply she corrects him "it's just Roz, remember" She's corrected him on it during the many times they've all hung out together for some reason it never really sticks.

"Oh sorry." Harvey says more than sorry about just that, but that stupid fateful day he put gum in her hair and about never really trying to talk to her after that.

Harvey looks to her, her thick glasses are off and her face has light pink tint as the autumn breeze picks up carrying her curls around.

"You know I'm really sorry about that day with your hair, I didn't really mean to do it you know I just wanted to fit in with my friends and they're not my friends anymore they haven't for a long time. I'm sorry I let them tease Susie for so long. I-I'm just sorry." She sniffles and finally looks to him, "you don't have to worry about the hair thing I got over that a long time ago." She lets out a breathy laugh, so soft as if it was barely there at all. "But I'm really not the one you should be apologizing to for Susie, that's for her."

"Right" he says meekly as he starts to swing.

They sit in comfortable silence, enjoying the cool air, and swirling yellow and orange leaves. They're both not looking at each other when Roz sneaks a couple glances his way and tells him that her mom left and she was here because this is where she used to take her as a little girl.

Harvey looks away, "You know we really should've met sooner than we did, my mom used to come here with me all the time too." Roz looks at him as if realizing the situation, "Harvey I'm so sorry, I didn't think-"

"It's fine Roz, it was four years ago." Four years that his dad wouldn't let him forget, four years of his brother single handily trying to keep the family together, four years of burying himself in his drawings and music. His mother always loved his drawings.

Again there's a silence for a while, two figures on a swing set in the moonlight just sit. "You know some stupid part of me thought she'd come back here, that she'd just know just where I was and take me back home, take us both back home." Her face is still wet streaked with tears.

Harvey has never had to deal with a crying girl before and his palms start to sweat, he's been hanging around Sabrina more often and thus her friends because they're cool people but he's never felt really accepted by Roz yet, it was good to clean the air. He didn't want to set her off in anyway.

"It's not stupid, to want to see your mom again. It just sucks that some white dude that um..does something to the patriarchy, came in her place." Harvey knows that Roz is all about social justice, her parents especially and he's still learning. She lets out a laugh, a strong one that he can hear this time, he'll count it as a win.

"They hold up the patriarchy, Harvey."

"Oh okay cool." His eyes widen as he says it, and Roz's one eye brow raises, in amusement. "I-I mean not cool like cool but I mean- I get- I unders-" the metal chain of the swing set rattles as Roz laughs with her entire face, eyes crinkling, head tilted back hand holding her stomach.

Leaves swirl around as the cold front comes and her laugh rings in his ear like a bell. She shivers from the cold and Harvey realizes she's still in her homecoming dress, he stands takes of his jacket, Roz looks at him in slight confusion as he puts his jacket on her shoulders. She blushes and remembers the soft brown eyes when they were six. Then she remembers this morning, Sabrina talking about how she wanted Harvey to ask her to the dance. Disappointment blooms in her chest at the realization, everyone with eyes and a pulse knew that Sabrina and Harvey had feelings for each other.

Harvey softly smiles at her while she looks down. The moonlight bouncing off her caramel skin, she puts her glasses back on and stands up. That warm feeling he felt when he was ten comes back again. The one that promised everything was going to be alright. He looks up to her from his seat on the swing set.

"Why didn't you ask Sabrina to the dance?" Roz asks, holding back has never really been one of her strong suits.

It's almost comical how fast his face changes from soft to taken aback. "Well I-" he clears his throat and feels the nervousness crawl back up like a viper, he looks back up to her face, her soft brown eyes and just breathes out, "I was chicken shit." Roz's eyes now widen at his bluntness and she lightly chuckles, Harvey's sweet smile comes back with a comfortable silence.

Roz looks away from him and back at the ground,"I uh gotta go it's getting kinda late and I don't wanna worry my dad. Especially with everything that happened." Its now that she realized the state she left her dad in, head in his hands in all, thinking his wife had left him and now his daughter too? She had to make things better at home.

"Oh uh..do you want me to walk you there?" He says strangely not wanting the moment to end.

"No it's fine." She reply's with a small smile.

"Are you sure?" He inquired further, not unfamiliar to the threat of the dark. Roz's smile unwieldy widens highlighting reassurance, "Looks like Harvey Kinkle isn't too chicken shit to take a girl home and protect her from the big bad darkness." She waves her fingers around and lets out a low "oooo" she giggles as he stands from his seat on the swings and shoves her, small grin placating his features. Soon they're both laughing and shoving each other as they both walk out of the park.

Roz's laughs pan out as they reach the entrance, and soft brown met large almond brown once again, with a light smile she says "Goodnight Harvey, and uh thanks for...this." He feels his head shaking as a response,"Anytime, night Roz.", And he's rooted in the spot, he can't let him self go and they stare until Roz turns around makes her way down the familiar path to her house. Harvey still standing there, on the spot, watching her leave like a creep. He's about to turn around and scold himself when he sees her look back, soft smile still settled on her face and she looks at the ground again toward the path ahead of her.

Harvey watches until he can't see her anymore and finally turns around.

***

They spend way to much time in the library, Roz helps him with his English homework and every now and then he'll show her a drawing and she'll come up with stories for them.

"Okay so she's a zombie mom with a cookie cutter family and they all...murder people in order to give her food to survive!" Roz exclaims marveling at her own brilliance.

Harvey lightly shades a spot on the paper featuring the zombie mom and his expression becomes confused, "Isn't that a show on Netflix though? The Santa Clarita diet?"

"What? No. This is the peak of my creative brilliance is what it is. I'm insulted that you'd think I never take my job as your comic writer seriously." Roz says jokingly hurt.

"You keep stealing storylines and I just might have to fire you Roz." Harvey shrugs, light smile painted on his face as he looks down at his drawing.

"I- Wha, Susie! Is my story a rip off-" Roz starts addressing Susie on the couch a few feet from the table, reading her aunts journal.

"Yes your story is a rip off Santa Clarita diet, frankly I'm appalled. This is lazy writing at its finest." Susie says not once looking away from the book in front of her as she cut Roz off.

Roz indignantly has her mouth open in shock and Harvey laughs, it's a hearty sound she wouldn't mind hearing more often. It's almost as if it happens in slow motion, Harvey is looking at her and she can see his perfect smile, soft brown eyes and upturned lips smiling at her then she's sees those same eyes leave her and look to another pair but this one with a short blonde bob. "Hey guys." Sabrina smiles as she sits with them. Harvey's eyes shine and Roz's stomach flops.

***

"Harvey I swear on my nana if you pick a romantic comedy for movie night we're not friends anymore." Roz says, exasperated from her seat on Susie's couch, limbs flailing everywhere.

"Agreed, you've picked that genre for the past three Friday's in a row." Susie says in slight concern for her friends taste in movies, as she eats her milk duds from the recliner.

Harvey brings in the two bowls popcorn from the kitchen and smooshes himself between a sleeping Sabrina and an unbothered Roz, "Hey don't judge the superior movie genre selection that brought is us comedic gold like the proposal and couples retreat. They're classics!" He argues looking at Roz' impassive face then to Susie, and gives her a look that says back me up here. She gives one back, not fighting this one bud, good luck.

"I got news for you Harv." oh no Susie thinks, sinking back into the recliner, eating her milk duds awaiting the chaos.

"Rom coms, not better than Horror movies. Like at all," Roz says looking Harvey dead in the eye with her thick rimmed glasses and takes the bowl of popcorn right from his hands, his eyes widen at her statement.

Nope no turning back now, Susie thinks looking between them. She wonders when there gonna figure out this whole thing between them out, it's probably gonna a while, inwardly sighing.

"I'm gonna give you a minute to process what you just said and take that back." Harvey says awaiting her next words. Roz eats a kernel and replies with a confident "Nope." popping the p at the end for emphasis. Harvey nods and smiles a smile that promises mischief and makes his way toward her, "Harv what are you doing?" Roz cautiously says eating another kernel slowly.

Immediate giggles erupt from Roz as Harvey tickles her further into the couch and a lightly snoring Sabrina moves, both Harvey and Roz' heads turn to the sleeping girl, not wanting to disturb her.

"If she woke up that would've totally been your fault" Roz whispers to him, holding his forearms while his hands are still splayed on her hips, both still as to not incite the blonde to wake. "It would not" He whisper yells and their heads turn back to each other and they realize there current position and how close their faces are, Harvey can make out the almond shape of her eyes and Roz can still make out his laugh lines; she wants so badly to trace it but again she realizes where they are and clears her throat. They both look away, Harvey turns his face to Sabrina's sleeping form and says, "At least your not at Sabrina's level of love for horror movies, that would be horrible." His words just oozing fondness and affection at the sleeping girl.

"Yea, I know right." Roz says adjusting herself to the couch more, feeling a familiar swoop at the stomach.

Susie sits up setting the empty box of milk duds on the table, oh yeah were gonna have to wait years, she thinks growing tired at the thought.

***

There at their usual spot in the back table near the computers in the library, while Roz tries to decode the famous Sir Lancelot and Queen Genevieve poem to Harvey. Endless rows of books surround them and a shroud of papers compiled nicely on the edge of the hardwood brown table.

"So basically Tennyson is saying through the use of endless creative metaphors and personification that Lancelot and Genevieve would do anything for their love and each other even die." Roz sums up with finality looking to Harvey's bewildered expression. "Okay what do you not get?" She asks, a stray hair falls in front of her face as Harvey looks at her he has the strangest powerful urge to push it behind her ear. He quickly realizes that she awaiting his response, when her eyebrows raise, "I uh, Well I just think its about something different that's all." He responds, looking down toward the book.

"What do you mean?" Roz asks, curious on his outlook of the poem. "Well I just think its about finding love in whats in front of him, seeing what he has and giving everything, all of his being toward it and Genevieve receives it."

"So you think Its one sided?"

"I think Lancelot had a lot more to lose in having an affair with the kings wife, I'm saying maybe she was a little selfish."

"Wow your opinion is wrong." Roz says with an incredulous expression on her face, looking away from his gaze and back toward the book.

"What?" He asks in disbelief

"If anyone is being selfish its Lancelot, I mean sleeping with your best friends wife? Come on and he didn't even have to pay for being an adulterer and his "love" for Genevieve with his life you know who did though? Genevieve." Roz huffed.

Harvey looked at her then back down at his copy and started reading,

'She look'd so lovely, as she sway'd

The rein with dainty finger-tips,

A man had given all other bliss,

And all his worldly worth for this,

To waste his whole heart in one kiss

Upon her perfect lips.

There's a stillness after he reads it between them both, she keeps her eyes on her copy and feels as his turns from the page and makes its way up to her face, to met the tug of her gaze and feel the pull they've felt so many times before. Then he speaks, "Maybe its not about what they gave up and who did more wrong than the other but the way he remembered her before they took there last kiss and the way she embraced and accepted him for who he was when it was all said and done." Harvey breathes out, and nervousness crawls back up from his stomach, even though he'd never felt more at ease with Roz than he had with anyone else. The contradicting feelings clashed and their gazes locked again.

A ping sound went off, a notification was heard from the table and both their heads turn fast to the device, "Sorry Roz I forgot to turn it off." He admits with sheepish smile and looks down at the notification, he's never been so relieved to see that Tommy texted him a picture of the grocery list.

Harvey gets his things into his bag and looks down to his phone again careful to avoid the pit of those almond brown eyes that he could fall into, and he rapidly explains his departure, "Sorry I gotta leave but Tommy just sent me this grocery list and I need to get the stuff like now. For dinner and the week and everything. So bye." Harvey says all in one sentence and with a final wave, leaves a confounded Roz in his wake.

***

Sabrina and Harvey finally become official in the summer after sophomore year and there group has never been closer. They go to the movies, hang out at the library, the bookstore and do normal teenager things of course.

But it's the fact that there are no more secrets between them and everything is out in the open that brings them together. Roz is going blind but gaining the sight, her cunning, Susie is talking to her dead aunt, Harvey saw an actual demon and Sabrina is a witch. However nothing was ever be normal again especially after Roz was finally struck blind.

It happens in the woods when they're on there way to the mines to expel a demon ready to reign loose on the town. The colors of the leaves are just being turned back to green as winter spells it's last goodbye. The brown trails on the ground seem endless and the path toward the mine is covered in branches, "How much longer till we get there?" Susie heaves, chalking this up to bring the only exercise she'll be doing for the year.

"Susie we've been to the mines, how do you not know where we are?" Roz breathes out as they trek through the leaves at a fast pace.

"It's probably the physical exhaustion talking, don't worry we're almost there Susie." Sabrina replies leading her friends, holding Harvey's hand as he trails next to her.

They approach an array of yellow and red signs telling them to keep out, they're at the entrance of the mine. Sabrina looks up to Harvey squeezing his hand. Roz looks at Harvey's empty expression knowing that he's thinking of his brother, he's already lost so much she thinks with a sorrowful expression. Harvey looks away from the cursed entrance and kisses Sabrina's forehead as Roz and Susie gather there bearings and make there way to them.

"I'm so not doing P.E on Monday." Roz curses and Susie breathes in agreement.

They huddle together as Sabrina goes over the plan, "Okay guys so we all stick together, we all know the mine is a maze and this could very well be where the demon is and conveniently where we need to trap it so there's no means to escape." Harvey takes a deep breath and nods

along with the other morals.

"He's going to want to separate us so we're easier to manipulate, he's going to whisper certain truths to your mind but you have to ignore it so we can find him and trap him. Susie I'm gonna need you to keep a look out side the mine in case anyone else comes, Roz I'm gonna need you to touch this inscription to find out where he might be in there and Harvey," Sabrina breathes out, "just stay safe and keep next to me okay?"

He pecks her lightly on the lips, "You got it 'brina." Sabrina smiles at him, and Roz focuses her eyes on the rocks below her.

Sabrina levitates the rocks out of there path as the three of them make there way toward the core of the maze. Roz trails behind the pair, still holding hands and holding up flashlights in their other hands. Are you lost blind girl? A grim scratchy voice echoes out in her mind. "Did you guys hear that?" Roz says.

"Hear what?" Harvey replies turning toward Ros.

"Never mind."

Never mind that your in love with your best friends boyfriend, how pathetic. Roz eyes widen at the raspy scathing voice and suddenly the light of her flashlight gets dimmer and the vision of Sabrina and Harvey in front of her gets blurred.

"Remember Roz we have to ignore the voice it's just trying to manipulate us to let it out." Sabrina cautions.

"Right" Roz breathes out in confusion as her eyes begin to blur out the brown of Harvey's hair, the blue of his jacket and the white light of Sabrina's flashlight.

"Uhh guys I think I'm starting to lose my sight now, I can't see oh my God." Roz says breathing hard now, she can't hear their foot steps anymore. "Guys?!" She yells out.

Roz feels wet tears fall from her eyes, as she whips her head around frantically trying to adjust to seeing nothing in any direction.

Useless, you couldn't even follow your friends and lead them the right way

The voice returns and rings back in her head like a song, she tries to cover her ears and block the sound.

She's gonna hate you when she finds out you know, the witch. She will find out and she'll leave just like your mother and your grandmother did.

The voice brings Roz to her knees as she cries out in full on sobs. The demon is right she's gonna hate me, they all are. They're gonna leave me. She feels the weight of her glasses on her face, they're useless to her now. Just like I'am, useless.

"Roz?" She hears his voice clear ring out before her. Harvey kneels in front of her to see if she's okay as she looks up to follow the sound of his voice. "Roz..your eyes.." he says rooted in the spot at the sight of her, the soft brown he always knew becoming a startling gray .

"I know, I can't see!" She exclaims frantically. The tears roll out once again,and make there way down her cheeks.

You can't see him anymore and you never will again. You'll never see anyone you love again.

Rosalind cried out loud sobs at the insistent demonic voice, "I can't see you." She cries out.

Harvey's heart breaks at the sight of her and hearing her cries, they have to get out of here. "Look Ros, brina found a way out of here, you've been trapped here for three hours okay-"

Roz looks up from her hands and sniffles, "What? no, that's impossible I just lost track of you guys." Her breathing becomes labored again, in out , in out.

No one can save you Rosalind Walker, no one will care.

Roz' eyes shut tightly.

"No Roz listen to me," Harvey says his hands now intertwining with hers, anchoring her to his words "We found the demon and trapped it, it's just all in your head, okay? You got lost, so I came to get you and Sabrina gave me this red yarn so we can get back." He breathes out to her hoping to everything they can make it out of this.

"I need you to slow down your breathing okay? In. Out." Harvey eyes frantically watch over her face trying to calm her breathing.

Roz's greys still in his direction and they shut as she breathes, in. Out.

I'll keep you here with me where you belong, forever. The voice picks at her mind and reverbs.

"Roz..hey, you with me?" Harvey asks his breath fanning across her face, she startles at the proximity and his voice. "Do you still hear it's voice?" He asks brows furrowed, suspecting the reason for there self imposed captivity.

He will never love you the way he does the witch

More unwilling tears roll out, as Roz faces the ground and lets out a meek, "Yes" in response.

"Hey Roz just focus on my voice, just me." Soft yet calloused hands cup her wet cheeks, the red string rests on the right side of her face, tied around his index finger, she holds her breath. She wishes so badly more than ever she could see him. Read the look in his eyes, the curve of his mouth, his laugh lines. Roz wishes so badly she could see him and is at the same time, more than grateful she can no longer see what she can't have.

A beat passes and they breathe together, Harvey feels a tug on his heart and a warmth that burns from his chest to his stomach, it spreads like a wildfire. Then he feels a tug on his hand, more specifically his index finger. Sabrina his mind rings out, putting out the fire in his chest with a swift feeling of guilt taking over his gut. Sabrina had pulled on the yarn signaling the time they had left.

Harvey drops his hands from her face and pulls Roz up, and tugs on her left hand and leads them back out following the string. Roz's heart skipping a beat and feeling heavy with every passing step and turn.

They make it out of the cave and the smell of Sabrina's citrus shampoo wakes her from her spell when her best friend takes her in to her arms. The seemingly endless stream of tears roll down her face once again and her eyes shut close breathing in the scent of her. Sabrina her best friend since she was 6, was embracing her like she was her life line right after she almost kissed her boyfriend. "Its okay, Your okay, You made it out, You did it." She hears Sabrina's voice whisper and Ros feels her eyes shut tighter holding her friend for dear life.

Roz feels Susie's small arms wrap around then both, and a sad smile rests on her face. She feels Harvey's eyes on her like a ray of light, she can't see it but knows the weight of his gaze, right down to the bone, it makes her shiver, must be my cunning, Roz thinks, she hopes.

When they finally let go, and Susie asks her for the millionth time if she's really okay, Roz hears Sabrina swarm Harvey with deep kisses, the rustling of fabric and smacking of lips the main indicator. Roz's eyes find their way downward when she feels Harvey's gaze again, with Sabrina in his arms, it's almost as if the wind whispers with his eyes. A phrase finds it's way between them again,

I'm sorry.

***

"So you can see the future right?"

"Well not exclusively, sometimes things from the the past and things happening around me now that I wouldn't know about if I didn't have the cunning." Roz tells Harvey, as the sunlight glistens into his room through the cracks of the dark curtains. It's a regular Sunday morning, they had to study for an English test, a break was needed and here she was adjusting the crossed position of her leg on his bed feeling it fall asleep as he absorbs the information. Harvey's across from her on his bed, mirroring her position.

"I wanna know about my future. And I know based on what you just told me that might not be what you see, but I still wanna know." He tells her, eyes alight with a renewed hope.

Roz face contorts to one of caution, " I don't know Harvey, I mean I think letting people know they're future is kind of dangerous don't you think?"

Harvey thinks about it for a second, "Okay so how about this if you think it's something I think I can live without knowing, don't tell me." Roz snorts at his request.

"That's so general how will I know what to tell you?" She exclaims crossing her arms.

"Something I can live with out knowing Roz, hello if I die! Duh." Harvey responds, stating the obvious. He notices her persistent hesitance, "Look you don't have to do it if you're not comfortable." He says in a gentle voice.

"It's not that I just hadn't...thought about you dying is all." She says with a frown on her face.

"I was only kidding Roz, I'm only asking you because I trust you." She can feel his eyes on her again burning through her greys, shame I'll never get to see them Susie always mentions how hot they are. Roz mulls it over in her head again, the pros and cons and ultimately, "I'll do it." She nods before she can talk her self out of it.

"Really? Okay so what do you have to do? Touch me, right? Be careful Roz, I'm spoken for." Harvey says with a playful smirk.

"Famous last words Kinkle, watch it." Roz replies just about sick of him, she imagines the sunlight bounces of his brown hair and how his smile is probably that much brighter because of it and shes just about sick of that too.

She adjusts her legs again and tries to get comfortable, she takes his hand and takes a deep breath, Harvey's even closed his eyes for good measure, "Okay I'm seeing something." She says in a serious tone.

Harveys eyes pop open and he exclaims in excitement, "What?!"

Roz's eyes are still closed and her eye brows furrow, "I see...a bright light...fog...water and oh my- Harvey!"

"What?! What do you see Roz." He says grip on her hand tightening, "I see...aliens! There comin-" she's tackled by Harvey and her giggles interrupt her false proclaims.

"Aliens really Roz?" Harvey says as he sits up a soft smile resting on his features. He pokes her face until she answers, "Really?!"

Roz' giggles don't cease even when she speaks, "That's for the comment." She breathes out, readying her body for an actual reading "Okay, I'm ready to actually tell you now, sorry" Roz says reaching out her hand.

"No your not" Harvey says indignantly taking her hand with a false sour expression, Roz feels her face light up with a warm smile. "Your right I'm not." She takes a deep breath, in. Out, brushing off the memory of the soft hand on her face in the mines, she takes his hand.

"How do you know it's gonna be a girl?" Roz hears a voice echoing in her mind, it's mature and familiar. The view gets easier to see the more she focuses. There's two people sitting on a couch, a woman and a man. She's pregnant.

"Because I just know." He responds, Roz can see his face clearer now, it's Harvey. He's wearing a blue collared shirt and jeans, his brown hair is cut short and he has facial hair; scruff. He reaches out to touch the woman very pregnant stomach.

"So you had Sabrina give Ambrose a call and do his witchy pregnancy gender test thing." Roz realizes why the voice sounds so familiar it's her, Staring at her own future. What the-

"Yep. I mean no-" Harvey sighs as Roz gives him a look, "Okay so I did but I really wanted to know, I couldn't wait until after the baby was born."

"Uh yeah you could've then it would've been like we'd agreed." Roz hears her self say as she pouts at him.

"Come on babe when have we ever done something according to plan?" Harvey pouts back and they meet in the middle faces inches apart.

Roz hears herself sigh somehow in content and exasperation, "You're lucky your cute." She says and their lips finally meet, it's a sweet slow kiss, she feels she's intruding on something even though it's her.

Harvey cups her face as their lips part and looks at her like she's his world as his other hand finds her stomach, Roz looks at her self smiling so big, she doesn't even remember the last time she smiled like that and her heart feels heavy.

"No more calling Sabrina for this type of stuff okay, she's high priestess now. She doesn't have time to make pregnancy house calls." Roz says putting her pointer finger to Harvey's chest making her case known. His hands go up in surrender "okay okay. Just as long as you don't go texting Susie every time the baby kicks, she's on her book tour. She doesn't need he distraction."

"What? I don't do it everytime , I mean-" now Harvey gives her a look and he laughs at his wife's shocked expression, her diamond ring glistens in the sun as he takes her hand. "Honey she told me to tell you to slow down a little bit with the baby talk, you can still talk to her about it, absolutely. But your kinda driving her crazy. Please don't kill me." He says with a flinch proceeding with caution not wanting to test his wife's mood swings.

Roz watches herself look away from her husband in shock, still holding his hand, "well at least I got yo- woah she's eager in there." Roz suddenly feels a fluttering in her stomach and she touches the flat surface, she looks back up at the future version of her. Her and Harvey cooing at their future child, hands interlocked at the stomach.

Roz gasps, opening her eyes, waiting to hear Harvey's voice, "Roz you okay? What happened? What did you see?" He asks as she breathes deeply, wanting more than anything to see those soft brown eyes again, but I guess those eyes are gonna spend the rest of their life looking at me, Roz thinks taken back by the outcome.

She feels Harvey's hesitance to touch her again and his concern so he turns her face toward him, "What happened?"

Roz finds herself smiling, there maybe a million obstacles between them now but shes not going to add one by risking it not happening in telling him what she saw so she leaves it at, "Just something you can live without." She says as she leaves his room.

A beat passes and he jogs behind her trailing to catch up. "What the hell does that mean?"

If only you knew Harvey Kinkle, if only you knew.

[aj-the-psycho]

The Hour: A Sanders Sides Story - Chapter 5

LONELINESS AND TOGETHERNESS

TW: None

Summary:  Patton and Logan went on their fifth outing. Damien is lonely.

AO3 Link

‘Uuuughhh… what is wrong with me?!’ Logan was going to meet Patton again in two hours. He wasn’t usually nervous. This was the fifth time they had these outings after all. So why was he nervous now? ‘This isn’t even a date.’ Logan told himself. Logan had told Patton at their first meeting in the coffee shop that he didn’t want a serious relationship yet. He didn’t want to force Patton into a relationship as it could end horribly. Plus, he didn’t want that end for himself either. They never went anywhere expensive, so there was no pressure there, but it’s always memorable. This time was Logan’s turn to pick the place. Of course he’s going to choose one of his favorites; The planetarium.

When Logan had told him that they were going to a planetarium, Patton was a bit worried. See, Patton wasn’t really the type of person that likes education-type learning where there are facts and lots of logic. Because of this, people always assume that Patton was stupid and shallow, but of course he’s so much more than that. Patton values learning greatly, it’s just that he learns by doing and not listening, so he doesn’t learn well from lectures or reading textbooks.

What he’s worried about most is that Logan often explain things verbally. That would make it more difficult for Patton to understand things. Especially, with space and planet stuff that he had very little interest in. He didn’t want Logan to think he’s stupid or that he’s bored when he wasn't paying attention. He didn’t want to let Logan down.

Remembering their past hangouts though, Patton became a little less worried. Logan always has a way of making almost everything more interesting. Patton doesn’t know what makes it that way, it just does. Logan has that charm about him when he talks about science or mathematical things that makes it interesting.

Now, two hours later, Damien stopped his car in front of the planetarium to drop Patton off. The planetarium was a magnificent building with cream glossy paint at the front and a dome structure a little bit to the back that’s so big it could be seen from the entrance of the building. There were massive planet statues at the garden of the museum to the left and right of the building, scattered throughout the museum grounds. It was a nice morning too. Not too hot or too cold, and not too sunny or too cloudy. Just right.

Patton was too nervous to actually appreciate his surroundings. Damien, ever the observant, noticed that his brother was shaking slightly. Patton was not moving to get out of the car.

“Pat, you’re fine. You’ve done this a few times before, it’s gonna be alright.” Damien said, wrapping his hand around Patton’s reassuringly.

“Okay, I’ll see you later.” Patton got out of the car and shut the door without looking back. It was peculiar sight to see Patton become a little stiff like that. Damien was amused rather than worried. He’d seen Patton like that many times during their middle and high school years. Patton always turn a little stiff whenever he’s scared or nervous, but mostly when he saw or interact his crush. Damien knew not to worry.

----------

Damien zipped out of the museum grounds and headed home. The drive wasn’t long, only seventeen minutes and twenty two seconds. Yes, Damien knew that because he was bored. He got his phone out and set a timer.

As children, Damien and Patton were always thought of as a unit. Patton was able to break out of that once they were in fourth grade. He was a very bright child and very social. He still is. He was able to find his own friends, while Damien was left behind. Of course, Patton always include him in absolutely everything, so Patton’s friends ended up adopting Damien as their friend too.

Now in their adulthood, their personalities are very different. Patton knew a lot of people and he has many friends even though not all of them were close friends. Patton was that one friend who’s always laughing and making jokes. Damien was different. He's the quiet type. Most people know him only as ‘Patton’s twin.’

“Hey, you know Damien Harvey?”  they’d ask.

“Harvey? Oh, isn't that Patton's brother?” Another would answer.

“Yeah, he’s always alone,”  they’d continue.

Yes, Damien was always alone. No, Damien do not like being alone. He always wished that he has many friends like Patton. He wanted someone to appreciate him and see past his cold exterior. At first, he wasn’t too excited when his parents told him about soulmates and he always thought he didn’t have one. He thought he was right to predict that he doesn’t have a soulmate when he didn’t get his hour on his nineteenth birthday. He didn’t mind and he didn’t care. Of course, part of him wished he wasn’t alone anymore. But he didn't think about it too much.

When he finally had his hour a few months ago, he was secretly thrilled. Finally, someone who could appreciate him, someone who he could depend on and for them to depend on him in return. But his hopes were crushed when he realized his match wasn’t even from the same country. Sure, that’s super cool that his soulmate was from an entirely different continent and speaks a totally different language than him, but it would take forever for them to find each other.

Damien was lonely. Damien didn’t like being lonely.

----------

Logan looked at his watch again for the sixth time in two minutes. He didn’t actually look at the time. He did that to give himself something to do other than wait for Patton nervously. When Logan spotted Patton at the museum entrance, scanning the place for him, he couldn’t help but think that Patton looked cute. He pushed the thought away and approached Patton.

“Hello again, Patton. Beautiful morning, isn’t it?” Logan said, standing next to Patton, looking neat and prim.

“Heya Logan!” Once he saw Logan, his nervousness seemed to melt away, replaced by his usual bouncy self. “Let’s start!”

“I thought, we should start at the stars section. They’re quite interesting.” Logan led the way to the section of the planetarium dedicated to constellations. It was a massive room with a high ceiling with many smaller sections for all the different stars and constellations. Everything inside were dark starting from the dark blue carpet that appear black, up to the black-painted ceiling. There were many small light bulbs put up here and there to simulate a starry sky. It was an incredible sight. “Let’s look at that one.” Logan pointed to their left.

They went into an area with horoscopes constellations painted on the wall with phosphorous paint, so they glow in the dark with the help of black light.

“When is your birthday Patton?” Logan asked, eyes still glued to the paintings on the wall.

“January twenty-fourth. Why?”

“You’re an Aquarius then.” The way Logan said it sounded more like a statement rather than a question. Patton just nodded in response.

“Well, did you know in the Aquarius constellation, the brightest star is called the Beta Aquarii,” Logan began his chatter. “It is actually a double star, which is one the reasons it’s the brightest in the constellation.”

“What’s a double star?” Patton asked, starting to get more interested.

“A double star is essentially two stars that appear as if they are a single star with the naked eye. But when you use a telescope, especially a strong one, you could see that they are in fact two stars.” Logan explained. “Another example of a double star is Sirius, part of the canis major constellation.”

“The Beta Aquarii is also known as Sadalsuud. In some mythologies such as the Egyptian, Persian and Islamic mythologies, the Sadalsuud is associated with to the rising Sun when winter has passed. It is said to be associated with luck or good fortune.” Logan continued his explanation while pointing to the referred star in the painting of the Aquarius constellation for Patton.

“Wow… I guess it makes sense since that basically means the return of warmth after cold.” Patton said with a smile.

“I didn’t think of that before. But yes, I supposed you are right.” Logan didn’t know Patton could be quite insightful.

Logan continued his chatter about Aquarius constellations. What they mean and symbolize, everything about it. That’s when Patton realized. This was why everything Logan say was interesting to him. How his eyes light up with excitement when he speaks about something he is passionate about. His lips slightly upturned, forming a ghost of a smile. How he gestured vividly that would never bore Patton. How his hushed, low voice would sound soothing to Patton’s ears. And how Logan would raise his voice just slightly as he gets more excited.

Most importantly though, he loves how Logan would relate everything he talks about to Patton. With the stars, Logan talked about Aquarius, Patton’s star sign. Last week, he talked about Patton’s coffee, saying how the first person who mixed coffee, chocolate, sugar and cinnamon must have been crazy. It was very thoughtful of him.

Logan was still talking about the stars, unaware of Patton's thoughts about him. Patton would look at the paintings and star diagrams, but he was much more interested in watching Logan talk. He likes it when Logan is at ease, relaxed. It made the whole atmosphere more entrancing and with the fake stars surrounding them, it felt magical and enchanting.

“Woah… that’s really cool, Logan.” Patton said once Logan finished what he was saying.

Patton truly didn’t know how he should feel about Logan. Since he was a child, he was always the type of person who falls for someone easily. However, something about Logan made him hesitate. It wasn’t because he didn’t like Logan or because Logan wasn’t interesting. Logan was smart, cool and he appear confident. But that’s the problem for Patton. He felt Logan was very much out of his league and that it was strange for the universe to set them up as soulmates.

Logan was watching Patton silently as he looked at the paintings of the constellations and stars. He had always avoided his emotions. He doesn’t hate his emotions, but he prefer to avoid them, because he didn’t know what to do with them, leaving him to be a little emotionally constipated. Something about Patton puts him at ease and he couldn’t help his feelings. The problem is he doesn’t know what he was feeling. He thought it’s cute how Patton would sometimes ask questions and make little comments. He couldn’t help but feel… something, he doesn’t know what.

“Would you like to move on to the planet and space exhibit?” Logan asked.

“Sure.”

----------

Damien is once again alone in the apartment. Patton had been out for almost three hours with Logan. At first, Damien had been cautious about Logan. However, Patton would talk about Logan a lot. He would tell Damien that Logan is this or Logan is that. Patton would always be happy and excited when he talks about Logan, too. So, Damien decided that Logan was good for his brother.

But now he’s lonely as ever, sitting on the sofa that felt too big just for himself. He’s not jealous that Logan got to hang out with Patton. No. He was jealous that they both found each other. He crave that feeling of wholeness, being with someone who actually wants to understand him, not forced to. He wanted something secure.

“It would take me a lifetime to go to Russia. Plus, I still have to find the guy once I’m there.” Damien said to himself, desperation and frustration lacing the words.

Damien reached into his front pocket, taking out a piece of paper that looked like it had been folded and opened over and over many times. Damien read over the page with his soulmate’s handwriting for the millionth time and traced the letters with his fingers lightly. The note is very brief, but it means a lot to Damien. It’s what gave him motivation when he’s down. It’s what calms him down when he’s angry or frustrated.

~~~

Remus Galanicheff (19)

Yes, I’m Russian. And yes, I can speak English.

See you whenever I’ll see you.

~~~

The note is so painfully short. Damien wished that it was longer.

“Who are you?” Damien muttered under his breath. He looked at the note and read it again. He flipped the paper and was surprised when saw something he had overlooked before. Another writing. It was small and a little faint, at the bottom of the paper. It was written in Russian, but it still gave Damien a little spark of hope and excitement.

терпение, дорогая

terpeniye, dorogaya

He took out his phone and typed the phrase for a translation.

When he read the translation on his phone screen, he had to read it again multiple times before the meaning registers. He stared at his phone screen willing the words to come alive and caress him somehow. How could a simple phrase mean so much? At moments of desperation like this, the words felt so painful, yet it was a reassurance. Damien laid back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He held the note close to his heart, repeating the small phrase in his head over and over.

Have patience, darling.

**********

I put Patton's (and by default, Damien's) birthday to be 24th of January instead of 15th of January. It's weird, but I counted the difference in day between Morality's b'day and Deceit's b'day and took the middle of it. (hope that makes sense?)

Sorry all my chapters are really short, that's why I try to update as soon as possible. I'm trying to write longer chapters without messing up the quality of the writing. As always, please leave comments.

---

Russian stuff: терпение, дорогая terpeniye, dorogaya [Have patience, darling]

терпение (terpeniye) could mean 'patience' or 'have patience' дорогая (dorogoy) could mean 'sweetheart' 'darling' or 'honey'

[ramblingthoughtsofayoungadult]

My Favorite Nerd-Edward Nygma Imagine

Requested: No

Warnings: Some eeriness but nothing too bad

  As soon as Edward saw Y/N, his breath hitched in his throat. Though the woman had acted as Lee’s assistant for the past year, her stunning features never failed to, well, stun him. Her y/h/c was pulled away from her face, revealing her focused gaze on the files she was organizing in the medical examiner’s room. 

   “Good afternoon, Miss Y/L/N,” Edward finally said.

   Y/N almost jumped out of her skin and dropped a couple of files when she heard Edward’s voice. Slowly, she relaxed as she turned to face  him. “Goodness!”

    Edward’s eyes widened as he felt himself fill with embarrassment and guilt. “I’m sorry if I frightened you, Miss Y/L/N. That certainly wasn’t my intention.”

    Y/N sighed with a laugh and set the files on a table. “It’s fine, Ed, and don’t you think we should be on a first name basis by now? I have known you for a year.”

   Edward could feel his face beginning to flush as he glanced down at the tips of his shiny black shoes while pushing his glasses further up against his face. “Of course, Miss, I mean, Y/N.”

   No one made Edward feel as nervous as Y/N did----not even Kristen. Y/N had that same shimmering aura the popular cheerleaders in high school did except Y/N was much kinder than any of those girls were----and much more intelligent. Just hearing her laugh made his heart skip a beat and a compliment from her would have him grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. 

     Y/N grinned and shoved her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. “I suppose if you’re here that means you have a riddle for me to solve.”

    “What is always on its way here but never arrives?” Edward asked.

    Y/N bit her bottom lip and scrunched up her nose, a tick of hers when she was in deep thought. “Tomorrow?” 

   Edward grinned. “Yes, exactly right. You’ve gotten better.”

   “I know. You come up with some complicated riddles, Edward----it’s one of the things I like best about you.”

   If it weren’t for Edward’s riddle habit, he probably never would have spoken to Y/N in the first place. He had been giving Jim and Harvey some information about a case they were working when he’d asked “What has neither nails or bones, but has four fingers and a thumb?”. Neither detective could come up with the answer nor tried to when Y/N said, “Isn’t it a glove?”. When Edward faced her, it was love at first sight----something he never believed in until that moment. All of a sudden, talking to Kristen didn’t seem too important to him anymore since Y/N actually showed interest in him and listened to him prattle on about whatever was on his mind. 

    “Thank you,” Edward said, noting the files strewn around the room. “What’s going on here?”

   “Lee wanted me to pull some other burn cases from the past month and note similarities I find between them and the last burn victim.” Y/N gestured to the files on the table. “Those are the ones I have to look at and the others have my notes.”

    “Have you found any similarities?” Edward asked.

    “Just the basics: only the victims themselves were burned, nothing around them, so it’s most likely an act of arson.” 

    Edward glanced at an open file, sensing the dark Ed trying to break through the more he stared at a picture of a charred man’s body. “It’s amazing how easily the human body can be reduced to nothing but ashes.”

    “I suppose.”

    Edward blinked, forcing Ed back in his cage, before turning to Y/N. “I’m sorry about that, I have no idea where that came from.”

   “It’s fine, Edward, I’ll see you later.”

   “Definitely.”

   Edward turned on his heels, angry with himself that he wasn’t brave enough to ask Y/N on a date. Of course, he knew that she only thought of him as a friend but he wasn’t bold enough to try to break from that mold.

   “You’ll never be bold enough, Eddie. Y/N needs a real man and you’re not him,” Ed hissed.

   “Stop it,” Edward muttered.

   “It’s fine, Eddie, I’m man enough for the both of us. Y/N will love me. Let me out.” 

   “No, she doesn’t deserve that, she deserves so much better----better than both of us.” 

   “Eddie, it doesn’t get better than me.” 

   It actually did, but Edward didn’t say anything. He shook his head as he tried to push the darkest form of himself as far away from him as he could. Later on that day, he saw Officer Daniels, a tall brute of a man, leaning against the doorway of the medical examiner’s room, obviously flirting with Y/N. Y/N covered her laughing mouth with her hand as she slapped his chest flirtatiously. Edward felt a hole burst open in his chest as he watched their intimate exchange. He felt so incredibly broken and with that brokenness, he felt rage coming from Ed. Edward knew that Y/N was out of his league but she was also far out of Officer Daniels’ league.

    “No one touches what’s mine,” Edward grumbled.

     That moment he promised himself that he would make himself worthy of Y/N, and make himself worthy he did. Over the following months, he began honing his darker side and learning the best techniques on how to kill people and dispose of their bodies without getting caught. Finally, Ed had gained some control over Edward, making the once shy and nerdy forensic specialist much more confident. When Edward sauntered into the medical examiner’s room, both Lee and Y/N knew something was different: he stood up straighter, his hair was combed back instead of parted, and his smile was close-lipped.

      “Hi, Edward, how are you?” Lee asked.

     “Good morning, Lee, I’m doing just fine.” He turned to Y/N. “Morning, Y/N.”

     “Edward, I’m so sorry it’s been so long since we’ve spoken. I got caught up with Alex, then we broke up, and I feel like I completely abandoned you.” 

    “It’s fine, I’ve been quite busy myself, but I can’t say I’m very sorry about your relationship.”

    Y/N blinked. “Huh?”

    “If you hadn’t, then I couldn’t ask you out for dinner tonight. I’ll pick you up at eight?”

     Y/N blinked again. “Um, sure, yeah.”      “Great, see you then.” Edward turned to walk away, smirking to himself at his conquest when Y/N’s voice stopped him.

    “Don’t I get a riddle?”

     Edward paused and faced Y/N. “Of course. A nightmare for some. For others a savior I come. My hand’s cold and bleak. It’s the warm hearts they seek. What am I?”

     Y/N bit her bottom lip and scrunched her nose. After a few seconds, she smiled bashfully. “I don’t know.”

    “Death. I’ll see you tonight, Y/N. Good bye, Lee.”

     “Bye, Ed,” Lee said. 

     Y/N didn’t say anything as she watched Edward walk out of the medical examiner’s room, which made the man swell with pride. He never thought there would be a day when he left her speechless, but his darker side seemed to have that effect on people.