#i could talk about the shining and the lighthouse like for ever

[localratwithcowboyhat]

Actually Ive been thinking I could ask YOU for movie recs recently which sounds wild but it was in reference to the horror genre and I assume you like that stuff. Doesn't have to be horror though, in fact I am 100% down for something lighthearted right now mentally/emotionally lol

Anyways. I was wondering if you have any that aren't super heavy on sexual innuendos or gore/violence because those make me uncomfortable. I think Shaun of the Dead is the most graphic thing I've seen to date and honestly I like that one. it didn't scare me really (makes sense considering it's a comedy, idk if i want to watch something that graphic if it's intended to be like. disturbing and sickening) and I'm considering rewatching it.

:3 (no pressure if you can't think of any)

Eeekkk!!! SPECIAL INTRESST SPECIAL INSREST!! :D

( light spoilers for the lighthouse and the shining)

A few horrors i can think of right now are:

Christine 1883 directed by John Carpenter

The Lighthouse 2019 - there is a slight sexual scene but it isn’t very graphic and doesn’t drag on too long. Also one short scene depicting a dead seagull. This is a very very strange movie tho so keep that in mind.

I wasn’t sure if i should put it in here but The shining 1980 - like the Lighthouse its main focus is isolation and the horror of Cabin fever.

But!!the shining has about 2 scenes where in 1 you can see two girls axe murdered laying on the floor, this only drags on for like 1 second but still. And another scene in wich a slightly decomposed body is shown ( no blood or organs or bones tho )

So again the shining doesn’t utilize gore or jump-scare as the main focus of horror . Once again like to add that the gore isn’t overly graphic. :)

——————————————-

Not onto non horror!!!

Electric Dreams 1984

A space odyssey 2001

The thirteenth Floor 1999

Metropolis 1927

And thats all i can think about as of right now!!! maybe something suits your taste!!!

Thank you so much for the ask and farewell!!!

Ps- i might add on to this is the future >:]

[batlovebites]

Drabbles for Star Coral Cookie(platonic) Visiting the light house and listening to her singing making reader a little teary(positively) cuz not only her singing is great but her talking about her grams and how the stories are true (After finishing that special episode from Cookie Run Kingdom broke me heart ugly cries :’) ) If you’re not able to feel free to skip!

Goodness, I get you completely darling anon. Its such a nice story; Its not purely happy, but it has a gentleness I struggle to put into words that just gets to me. Also if anything bad ever happens to Star Coral I am crumbling every cookie in the vicinity and then myself. I imagined reader in this story as an old family friend, though that's never outright stated.

Star Coral Cookie & Reader [Drabble] - Sea-renity

In the warmth of a peaceful afternoon, the Lunar Lighthouse stands tall, brilliant blues set against the soft golden horizon. The crashing ocean waves, reflecting the golden glow of the setting sun, create a melody of their own. Its in this relaxing scene you find yourself scaling the lighthouse stairs, listening to the faint song carried down from its top by the gentle breeze. The steady thunk, thunk, thunk of your feet scaling the stairs blends with the singing and the crashing waves, forming a drum beat that unifies with the rhythm of the world around you.

Reaching the lantern room at the pinnacle of the tower at last brings the song to its conclusion, Star Coral's voice petering to a halt as she turns to look at you with a soft smile.

"Hey," she offers you a wave, beckoning you to stand on the balcony next to her, "long time no see. How've you been?"

You give a hum of response, offering just a general tone rather than any specific answer as you lean on the railing next to her. "Haven't seen the lighthouse shine this bright before," you redirect, closing your eyes for a moment to soak in the sea breeze kissing your skin. Star Coral's smile grows, eyes shining as bright as the light in question.

"It's moonlight! It was just like gram's song said! The star song." You follow her gaze, staring off where the sea meets the rising moon at the horizon, just out of reach of the golden glow from the setting sun. "I followed every last step of the song, and I found Mistress Moon! She gave me the new light for the lighthouse."

She spoke of her grandmother with a quiet reverence; Having met the woman yourself plenty of times during visits to the Coral's home, you understood why. You had never put much thought yourself into whether White Coral's stories were true, simply enjoying them for what they were, but the soft fondness with which Star Coral spoke had you thinking back, nostalgia bathed with a new warmth by something deeper. As your mind drifted through memories, you recall the song in question, playing it back through your mind. Garden of the Queen… four-legged beast… Great ocean, slumbering giant… Had Star Coral really seen such fantastic things?

Had she been a bit younger, you'd have immediately thought she was recounting a dream, or telling a story; But you've known her since she was freshly baked, have seen her grow, and as her eyes twinkle like the stars reflecting in the ocean below, you know she's being truthful.

"Really?" you ask, a polite invitation to speak further rather than an actual question.

"Really! Really, really! I did!" the coral of her hair glows with the energy of her excitement. "It was just like in the song! You remember it, right?"

You did. Yet…

"I'm afraid I can't quite recall the beginning. Could you sing it for me?"

She nods, takes a breath, and begins the melody anew. The gentle wind and waves seem to take notice and join in once more as an accompanying choir. You feel tears gathering in your eyes, and you aren't sure why. Not sadness, no, far from it- though this peaceful feeling could almost be mistake from it, a gentleness so full it almost makes everything else feel empty in comparison.

Star Coral's song comes to an end once more, and you wipe your eyes clear before she can notice. The soft smile she gives you once she's finished brings forth a contagious joy, a light laugh bubbling up from your chest.

"Right, of course. I remember now," you hope how near to tears you came didn't come through in your voice. "That's amazing, Starry. Tell me, then, what was the Queen's garden like?"

She pulls you back inside the lantern room to sit with her, weaving you a tale with all the precision and gentleness a spider does its silky web, the sea and sky's quiet duet continuing in the background.

Even if the story wasn't true, you thought, no one could deny that in this moment, there was a quiet magic. The magic found in the stories shared, believed, and shared again. The magic found in a little girl recounting with all the love in her heart the truth of grandmother's stories. Had your eyes grown misty again? Oh well…

[jenosbliss]

hihi!! i love how u write the dreamies 💝 yk how people talk abt having a third place? could u write about how theyre ur third place please? (if that makes sense!!)

thank u if u do this!

🍯 ⌇nct dream ! being your third place

pairing. gn!reader x nctdream | genre. fluff | wc. 926 | warnings. none

MARK.

Mark wasn't the first boy to make your heart skip a beat, nor the one who ignited the wildfire of first love. He was like the sunrise after a restless night, the warmth of a shared cup of coffee in the morning.

His love wasn't a fireworks display, but a slow burn, a steady support that kept you cosy even on the coldest days. He was the shoulder to cry on, the hand to hold when the world felt like it was spinning too fast.

Mark challenged you, pushed you to be your best self, even when you didn't believe in yourself. But beneath the driven exterior, there was a boy who loved fiercely, who wrote you clumsy poems and tucked wildflowers behind your ear. He was your cheerleader, your rock, your third place that felt a whole lot like first.

RENJUN.

Renjun wasn't the sun that blazed across your sky, but the moon that bathed your world in a soft, ethereal glow. His love was like a whispered melody woven from moonlight and starlight.

Renjun understood your silences, the unspoken worries that danced in your eyes. He could read your every mood in the curve of your smile, the tremor in your fingers. Hewas the confidante you never knew you needed, the one who listened without judgement, who offered solace with a gentle touch and a shared secret.

With Renjun, love wasn't a display, but a whispered promise, a bond of forever. He was the calm after the storm, a simple poem, your third place that felt like a whisper of forever.

JENO.

Jeno wasn't the wind that swept you off your feet, but the steady breeze that kept you grounded. He was the boy who held your hand through the darkness, his quiet strength a beacon in the unknown.

Jeno didn't need grand gestures to express his love. It was in the way he helped you carry groceries, the way he chased away your nightmares with a silent presence, the way he held your gaze. He was the quiet hero, the knight in shining armour who didn't need a parade.

With Jeno, love was a slow, steady burn, a fire that kept you warm from the inside out. He was the rock you could lean on, the lighthouse guiding you home, your third place that felt like an unbreakable promise.

HAECHAN.

Haechan wasn't the star that brightened your universe, but the playful comet that streaked across your sky, leaving a trail of laughter and stardust.

Haechan’s love was like sunshine and confetti, a melody that made you want to dance in the rain. He was the boy who turned every day into an adventure, who chased away your blues with a goofy grin and a contagious giggle.

Haechan taught you how to find joy in the little things, to laugh until your sides ached, to embrace the chaos with open arms. He was the reminder to never lose your inner child, to chase your dreams with reckless abandon, your third place that felt like a never-ending summer.

JAEMIN.

Jaemin wasn't the fairytale prince you swooned over, but the boy next door who held your hand under the streetlights. His love was a slow bloom, a promise written in shy glances and stolen kisses.

Jaemin was the one who made you believe in happily ever afters, who whispered sweet nothings in your ear under the starlit sky.He was the best friend who turned into something more, the shoulder to cry on who became your kiss in the rain.

Jaemin knew your favourite ice cream flavour, your deepest fears, the way your eyes sparkled when you were truly happy. He was the one who saw the beauty in your flaws, who cherished you for who you were, your third place that felt like falling in love all over again.

CHENLE.

Chenle wasn't the one who stole your breath away, but the one who poured you with impromptu tunes, his laughter filling the air like scattered notes. He was the sunshine after a thunderstorm, the sprinkle of sugar on a rainy day.

It was in the way Chenle hummed your favourite song while doing the dishes, the way he taught you silly dance moves in the kitchen, the way his eyes crinkled with mischief when he caught you off guard.

Chenle was the reminder to find joy in the simple things, to laugh until your stomach hurt, to dance like nobody was watching (even when they were). With him, love was like a pop song stuck on repeat, catchy and unforgettable. He was your third place that felt like an endless karaoke night, your heart forever warmed by the echoes of his laughter.

JISUNG.

Jisung’s love was a spark of electric energy, a playful banter that kept you on your toes. He was the one who challenged you to rap battles in the grocery store, who wrote you poems as funny as they were sweet, who could turn any dull moment into a cherished and beautiful one.

Jisung didn't shy away from expressing his feelings, but did it in his own unique way. He wrote you songs, baked you cookies shaped like hearts with funny uneven icing, told you you were beautiful with a smirk and a wink.

With Jisung, love wasn't a slow burn, but a firework display, each moment an explosion of laughter, joy and passion .He was the spark that ignited your own, the energy that propelled you forward, He was your third place that felt like a nonstop roller coaster ride.

a/n. hii anon i hope this is what you expected and Tysm for requesting 💖

navigation.

masterlist. nct dream | nct 127 | wayv

[underatreedrinkingtea]

Something Golden, Something Glistening

So I decided to write my first ever fic!! If you want to read on Ao3 there is a link below.

Spite x Rook

Spite wakes, Lucanis finally succumbs to slumber, he needs the rest after their trip to Arlathan Forest. And Spite has a mission of his own, he needs to speak to her. To Rook, her eyes always seem to look his way. Spite needs to know why, how. Nobody other than Lucanis can see him. He is..curious.

He walks to find her, finally he catches a hint of her scent and follows. Smells like vanilla, apricot and tea leaves. He ends up in the Lighthouse’s music room, her back is turned to him sitting by the harpsichord. Candlelight all around fills the space, but Rook is somehow surrounded by complete darkness. There is stillness in the room. She is humming a tune unfamiliar to him, but her emotions are sad. ‘Taste like agony, torment and shame!’, Spite exclaims to himself. Another mystery that needs to be solved for another time. 

“Spite, come to talk?” Rook says gently, not surprised he is here.

Purple eyes narrows. “You know. It is us. How!?” he asks impatiently. Rook turns around to observe him, her gaze feels heavy on him yet gentle, a warmth he’s not used to. Everything is usually sharp edges, harsh words spoken between him and Lucanis. Never a balance, always on pins and needles. She is so aware of him. It feels good. After a while Rook says;

“It’s good that Lucanis finally gets some sleep, I understand why he doesn’t want to but… maybe you and I can work together, speak to him?” Her voice is gentle and friendly.

‘She ignores the question! We want to know!’

Spite takes a few steps towards her. “ Agh! No. Answer us!” he grunts abruptly and fixes her with an aggravated look. Lucanis can wait, now it is his turn to be heard. ‘I matter too!’ He thought she was different when the mage and her dwarf companion rescued them from the Ossuary. Was he wrong?

“I apologise, Spite. Of course you matter. I don’t want you to think otherwise. I’m also curious about you two as well. But you are right, one thing at a time.” Her warm, gentle voice settles him a bit. He perks up, ‘Curious about us?!’

“Yes!” she grinned at him. “It’s funny you know, I can feel you all around, it’s the first thing I notice when you’re present. I see you clearer than most, your aura shines so brightly. It is hard to look away”, a soft smile is on her face. Dimples.

Spite walks closer. If he wanted, he could reach out and touch her. But for now it’s enough to be near and feel her warmth, so golden and fierce.

She pats on the seat beside her, inviting him in. “Come sit with me.” Her tone is still light and gentle.  Not tense, not scared at all. Rook wants him here and he does not know how to feel, unsure now. Once he is sitting down the smell of vanilla, apricots and tea hits him more intensely. He gazes at the half empty cup of tea infront of her. Lucanis would disapprove, he is sure of it. His heart calls out for coffee. He turns to glance at her now, golden hair so bright, a soft and kind face looks back at him. Scars that resemble lighting on the side of her face, rosy flushed cheeks. And her eyes, grey, blurry and cloudy. ‘Pretty.’ Some type of injury as well, Spite wonders?

“My eyes they…I have trouble seeing at a longer distance. Many colours are lost on me. A lot of my world is grey now. But spirits and the Fade are overwhelmingly colourful. I have learned to use the Fade to help me see the world in a new way. People now look more like an..aura at a distance. If that makes sense?”, she tells him calmly.

That explains why her companion were extra observant around her when they fought the Venatori vermin. Rook fought well still, the sight was mesmerising and passionate. Then she tasted like thick smoke, lightning and death. When Rook fights she is like a knife, piercing and quick-witted. Now all he feels is hot golden bliss. It was distracting, he only wanted more.

“I will. Watch over you! No one touches you!” Spite states forcefully.

“ Spite-” she protests.

“No! You fight well. And dangerous. I want to. Help!” He doesn't want to offend her, never her. He needs to make her see. ‘Listen’. Giving her a firm look. ‘Let. Me. Help.’ Spite will not look away until Rook understands. They stare at each other, equally stubborn the both of them. Who will crumble first? Not him, he likes when he gets his way, used to it. He wins, dominates. Despite looking at him so intensely, she is still so..relaxed. Her face perks up and gives him a mischievous look. At last she breaks their eye contact and laughs.

“Okay, you win.”

He grins. ‘Hah! I knew. I win!’ Spite is pleased and ready to leave. He got what he wanted. As he stands back up she takes his hand. Warm, so warm and firm. Purple glow meets a grey cloudiness. She gives him her dimples again and his- Lucanis heart flutters. Her scorching look warms him inside and out, it is almost too much to bear. He needs her to drop his hand. It tingles.             

“Will you make a contract with me? Let Lucanis sleep and not do anything stupid while he rests?”

 “No fun!” Spite objects. 

“Hmm..what do you say about hanging out with me again, here? Still holding his hand, but this time she squeezes it softly.

“And do what? Want to. Explore.” He demands.

“We can do that too, if you want. But I want to come with. Is that okay with you?” Rook suggests. Spite thinks it over, it could not be so terrible. He will ask her more questions and she will answer. He is very good at getting his way, this could work in his and Lucanis favour. Get information, Be useful.

He makes an irritated noise and sighs. “Fine! Contact accepted. And I want. To try. Tea!”

Rook only responds with a laugh and he once again sees her dimples.

[musicallisto]

also 🐚 i'm very curious about which driver u'd romantically match me with? as i think i know well who i'd get along with platonically lmaoo

i'm an enfp, and generally a very loud, positive and outspoken person as a whole i fear. very into reading (any genre, but i love gothic in general and modern romances) and writing, currently studying to become an english lit teacher! i love early mornings, any friends to lovers storylines, colorful makeup and fall, my favorite place hands down would be the beach even though i don't really have access to it, or any coasts really. i'm a cat girl through and through. i despise any weather that's too hot, people who take things too literally, lack of empathy and sad grey/beige decor. do with that what u will and i'm very very interest to see who u'll come up with!!!

hiiii sorry sorry for taking so long to answer this, i've been so busy and out of it but im slowly returning to tumblr. now, as for who i'd ship you with... i promise this is not a cop-out even though i already know that you love him, but you give me the strongest charles leclerc vibes ❤️

see, there's something so romcom about charles that i think matches your vibe so well. just the way he talked about alexandra and her love for taylor swift/going to the eras tour with her is just so wholesome and makes me think he'd actually make an effort to learn about your hobbies and interests, even watching your favorite romantic movies with you just to make you smile - even if he's a little confused at times, he's got the spirit 🥺 besides, charles could definitely use your optimism and positivity when things don't go his way (and dear god do they ever go his way)... you're his lighthouse in the darkest hours of yet another disappointing season. just one look at your smiling face in the garage is enough to remind him that this, too, shall pass; that things will smooth over and the sun will shine on maranello once more. he's more of a dog person, but he'd adopt any cat for you, he's just excited to have a little guy to care after with you tbh <3 he'd show you around all his favorite beaches and hidden coves on the riviera, all the cliffs he used to jump off of and into the cerulean sea with his brothers!! lazy mornings on his yacht, with a warm cup of your beverage of choice, the world utterly quiet save for the gentle rocking of the waves against the hull of the ship and seagulls in the distance... all your life would be bright, shimmery colors, just as you like them.

[willowmaidsworld]

The snake and the stars

I've been writing this rather sad fanfic for a little while. I began before the s3 announcement. While everyone is happy, here I am, spreading depression again! Enjoy! (@macaronicoffee and @suplikdandelion there you have it!)

The balmy night was freckled with stars. Thousands of the shone down on earth, winking and stretching their rays out, the belt of Milky Way laid on the cushion of dark blue sky. Only a dark silhouette of trees and grass obscured the sky.

The angel and a demon laid on a blanket together. The nights in the south were warm these days and it was so tempting to just take a picnic blanket, start the Bentley, drive to the meadows, and lay there. Sometimes they would talk, sometimes they would stay silent.

Tonight, they admired the sky. Crowley’s snake eyes mirrored the stars. When he first watched the stars, he didn't have these eyes. They were a souvenir, a reminder of his Fall. Everyday he would look at the world with his snake eyes and everyday he would remember, what happened and what they took from him. What he went through and what he became.

“Isn't the sky beautiful today?” asked Aziraphale. Crowley nodded. Aziraphale felt the warmth of his body next to him.

“Angel...” Crowley whispered. Aziraphale could feel his hands shifting and shaking.

“Mhm?” smiled Aziraphale.

“Could- could you...” Crowley’s voice was shaking, he was struggling to get the words out. “…tell me what you see?”

Aziraphale looked once at the sky and once at Crowley. He took his cold and sweaty hand into his. Crowley hesitated at first but then he calmed himself down. Everything is fine, everything is alright, he told himself.

“I like nights like these,” said Aziraphale, unsure how to start. “It’s the light breeze, the warm darkness of the night, it embraces you, it cradles you. We could just lay in a night like this, and everything would be perfect. Nothing to worry about. Just us and the present. I like that.

And above us would be the dome of stars. Thousands of them shining down, more than we could ever count! The starry sky would be the roof above our heads, the tall grass our bed. That would be enough for me.

How beautiful it would be to have the sky just like this every night! Could you imagine that? I don’t think I would ever get tired of stars. But the stars are different tonight. They seem to shine more brightly, there seems to be more of them. Like white specs drizzled on the sky. Or little silver nails that hold the velvety night fabric in place.” Crowley's hand stopped shaking, he was now holding tightly Aziraphale’s hand.

“Do you know what I always imagined that stars are?” Aziraphale remained silent for a moment. He was saying what came to his mind without a plan, or without any expectations. He was filling in the silence with tender words. “I like to picture stars are the lights on lighthouses, or the lights of far away houses, or lanterns that lead you through the darkness. Stars are guiders, I believe. They guide us home.”

Aziraphale looked at Crowley. He laid there, tears streaming down his cheeks. “What’s wrong?” asked Aziraphale whispering. Had he done something?

“Snakes can’t see stars, angel.”

[penguin--person]

It’s my ship bingo so I get to ask for three ships if I want too! (You can do any of them that you want or all of them, whatever you like.)

Vastgiver!

The princess x the princess killer from Slay the Princess (it’s my understanding that there are multiple aspects of both of these characters, so please pick your favorites)

and! Beastnoch

i answered this w vastgiver last time i did this bingo i think, and im afriad my thoughts on them havent changed at all since then... only now i am slightly more mortfied to be reminded of them (i love lifey w my life (hehe), but tva.. stomping on it until its nothing but a small purpe stain) so ill do beastnoch and LQ x the den BEAST IMEANT BEAST!!!:3 stp spoilers for the latter one - stp seems like smth you'd enjoy!! :) its a rlly good game

as you can see um i think that theyre uh um i think that. um . i think that. uh um. i think um. i think that. Runs into heavy traffic i think that its very cool when (spoilers warning, again, and talking/gushing about gore) the BEAST eats you like GOD its awesome!! ok so ive already went crazy about this before, but the gore in this game is INSANE!!! its so well drawn!!!! and it perfectly shines in the BEAST chapter - she eats you Alive and you can see her gut n shit !! and you can (try to) claw your way out of her stomach, but at best, you stab her heart just in time before she finishes devouring you. this leads to like, my 2nd favorite princess, the wild:) my 3rd would be the spectre or prisoner i think (spectre was my first ever princess, and i like her a lot, but the prisoner intrigues me a bunchies).. tbh the wild would be my fav if she had gore. but she doesnt:( BEAST has her themes AND gore!!! so like :3 hehe the BEASTSdeal is that she wants to have you in her belly so that she can leve the cabin (cant leave it without you), but like, she needs to hunt you down first. her cabin is sooo cool and i like the voice of the hunted:) shes just like hunting you !!! pouncing on you !!! shes a BEAST dude shes an ANIMAL!!!!! like shes just so cool!!! the wilds sooo. what if i ate u and then we were fused and we could never be 2 people again bc we're forever 1 person, and what if maybe that wasnt such a bad thing what if it was awesome what if we had the time of our lives chilling as one being. its Awesome!!!! consumed by devotion vs devoted to consumption fr...

first of all i admire your dedication youve been these guys' number one soldier ever since i met you, most likely even before, so i want to give you a shoutout‼️🔥💯 they intrigue me !! like, how there can be multiple readings of them, yknow??? multiple interpretations, n they can all be interesting!!! yknow?? to me theyre like, a lighthouse ... if u get what i mean.. goddd i havent watched otgw in SO long it would literally not even take me a day, i should do it again. and then i can think about beastnoch!!! shamefully enough i dont have any big thoughts on them... or any tbh... i think they're cool, and i wouldnt have thought to put them together on my own, but i can def see the appeal!!! :) theyre aweosme... theyre like a cousin ship to me tbh.. my friend beastnoch:) the body horror potential is awesome i think - like, both their relationships to their bodies must be at least Kinda fucked up, right? likei said, awesome!!!

[jokesfordayscom]

25 Lighthouse Jokes & Puns That Will Brighten Your Day | Coastal Humor Guide

https://jokesfordays.com/?p=2293 25 Lighthouse Jokes & Puns That Will Brighten Your Day | Coastal Humor Guide Need a little light humor in your day? We’ve collected the brightest lighthouse jokes and puns that are sure to illuminate even the darkest moods. From maritime wordplay to beacon-based humor, these jokes will guide you to the shores of laughter. We know that good comedy is like a lighthouse beam—it cuts through the fog and brings clarity to an otherwise gloomy day. That’s why we’ve navigated the seas of humor to bring you only the most gleaming examples of lighthouse wit. Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast or just someone who appreciates a well-crafted pun, our collection will have you beaming with joy. Table of Contents Toggle 10 Brilliant Lighthouse Jokes That Will Brighten Your DayWhy Lighthouse Humor Is Such a Beacon of ComedyThe Illuminating History of Lighthouse JokesHow Lighthouse Humor Guides Us Through Foggy Days15 Lighthouse Puns That Are Simply EnlighteningNautical Wordplay That Shines BrightShore-to-Please One-LinersLighthouse Knock-Knock Jokes That Will Make WavesDad-Approved Lighthouse Jokes to Share With the FamilyOne-Liner JokesPunsSpoonerismsLighthouse Riddles That Will Keep You GuessingProfessional Humor: Jokes Only Lighthouse Keepers UnderstandOne-Liner JokesPuns and IdiomsStructural ComedyWhen Lighthouse Jokes Go Too Far: The Groaners CollectionCommon ThemesSpoonerismsMusical and Pop Culture PunsExtreme GroanersHow to Incorporate Lighthouse Humor Into Your Next Beach PartySet the Scene with Themed DecorUse Jokes as IcebreakersCreate Interactive Humor GamesIncorporate Jokes Into TriviaDevelop Humor-Based ActivitiesCurate Age-Appropriate ContentIlluminating Conclusion: Why We’re Drawn to Lighthouse HumorFrequently Asked QuestionsWhy are lighthouse jokes considered effective humor?What are some common themes in lighthouse jokes?How have lighthouse jokes evolved over time?Are lighthouse jokes appropriate for all audiences?How can I incorporate lighthouse humor at a beach gathering?What makes a lighthouse joke fall flat?Why do lighthouse keepers have their own brand of humor?What are lighthouse riddles and how do they work? 10 Brilliant Lighthouse Jokes That Will Brighten Your Day Why don’t lighthouses ever get lonely? Because they’re always getting flashes of attention! Their bright personalities attract everyone from miles away. What did the lighthouse say to the ship? “I’m here to shed some light on your situation!” Navigational humor at its finest. How many lighthouse keepers does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but they have to climb 200 steps to do it! Talk about a bright workout routine. What’s a lighthouse’s favorite type of music? Anything with a good beam! They particularly enjoy songs that have flashing refrains. Why was the lighthouse always winning arguments? Because it always had the brightest points! No one could outshine its logical reasoning. What did the sailor say when he saw the lighthouse? “Now that’s what I call enlightenment!” Sailors appreciate illuminating experiences on dark nights. Why did the lighthouse go to therapy? It had too many dark thoughts! Fortunately, it found ways to brighten its outlook. What’s a lighthouse’s favorite movie? “The Shining” – because it’s all about making a bright impression! They appreciate cinematic brilliance. How do lighthouses stay in shape? They do light exercises! Their regimen includes beam stretches and illumination crunches. What did one lighthouse say to the other? “You’re looking particularly radiant tonight!” Lighthouses know how to compliment each other’s glowing personalities. Why Lighthouse Humor Is Such a Beacon of Comedy Lighthouse humor shines by leveraging the symbolic role these structures play as guides and guardians. Jokes about lighthouses often employ clever wordplay centered around illumination, navigation, and isolation themes. Many popular lighthouse jokes use anthropomorphism, like “Why did the lighthouse break up with the boat? It felt ghosted,” while others playfully interpret their stationary function with quips like “They’re bad at basketball because they’re stuck in one spot.” The inherent light-and-darkness contrast provides perfect material for puns such as “rise and shine” bakery jokes or referring to someone as a “beacon of laughter.” The Illuminating History of Lighthouse Jokes While we can’t pinpoint exactly when lighthouse humor first emerged, these jokes likely developed alongside broader nautical humor traditions. Early examples featured simple weight-related puns that highlighted their unique structures, such as “What type of house weighs least? A lighthouse.” The evolution of lighthouse jokes has expanded to include modern pop culture references like “Beam Me Up, Scotty!” that play on their illuminating function. Psychological metaphors have also become common, with “lighthouse therapy” jokes resonating with anyone who’s ever felt lost or seeking guidance. These jokes have stood the test of time precisely because lighthouses themselves represent endurance and steadfastness against nature’s forces. How Lighthouse Humor Guides Us Through Foggy Days Lighthouse jokes provide welcome relief by cleverly reframing isolation as wit, with punchlines like a lighthouse “keeps things light and never ghosts.” Their functional limitations transform into humorous observations, such as “slow to illuminate” tardiness jokes that everyone can relate to. Maritime communities historically turned to this exact brand of humor as a coping mechanism for the dangerous conditions they faced at sea. Today’s audiences connect with lighthouse jokes through their metaphorical significance, finding comfort in references to guidance and perseverance during difficult times. The image of a lighthouse as a “beacon of optimism” resonates deeply with people handling their own stormy circumstances, making these jokes both funny and surprisingly meaningful. 15 Lighthouse Puns That Are Simply Enlightening These lighthouse puns will brighten your day with their clever wordplay and coastal charm. We’ve collected the most illuminating examples that are guaranteed to make you smile. Nautical Wordplay That Shines Bright “I’m a shore thing!” – The lighthouse’s signature catchphrase that never fails to amuse sailors. Why did the lighthouse break up with the boat? It felt ghosted when the boat didn’t signal back. Lighthouses never lose their way because they’re always beaming with confidence. What’s a lighthouse’s favorite movie? “Beam Me Up, Scotty!” – they love the classic lighting effects. When asked about its job, the lighthouse said it enjoys “keeping things light” for passing ships. During dense fog, lighthouses always say “My time to shine!” as they guide vessels safely. The lighthouse told the ocean, “You might be deep, but I’m bright.” Shore-to-Please One-Liners Why are lighthouses bad at basketball? They’re stuck in one spot and can’t run down the court. Why did the lighthouse blush? Too many ships were getting close and personal. What’s a lighthouse’s favorite music? Beacon ballads that really illuminate the soul. How does a lighthouse make friends? By light-stepping into conversations with passing ships. A storm rolled in and the lighthouse just grinned as it watched the weather “trip over itself.” The lighthouse snickered when it saw a crab dancing awkwardly on the rocks below. What do you call a lighthouse that tells jokes? A light-hearted comedian with a bright future. What’s a lighthouse’s dating life like? “Too busy guiding the way home” to settle down. Lighthouse Knock-Knock Jokes That Will Make Waves We’ve gathered some of the most entertaining lighthouse-themed knock-knock jokes that are sure to brighten your day just like a lighthouse beam cuts through the fog. These playful exchanges capture the essence of maritime humor in the classic knock-knock format that everyone loves. The Classic Beacon Joke Knock, knock. Who’s there? Beacon. Beacon who? Beacon me up if this joke makes you laugh! The Nautical Buoy Pun Knock, knock. Who’s there? Buoy. Buoy who? Buoy-nd to love these nautical puns! The Coastal Delight Knock, knock. Who’s there? Shore. Shore who? Shore glad we could light up your day! The Lighthouse Keeper Knock, knock. Who’s there? Keeper. Keeper who? Keeper smiling, our jokes are illuminating! The Maritime Warning Knock, knock. Who’s there? Beam. Beam who? Beam careful not to crash into these hilarious jokes! These knock-knock jokes work perfectly at gatherings near the coast or when you need to brighten someone’s mood with some nautical nonsense. Our lighthouse jokes follow the traditional format while incorporating maritime themes that connect with the symbolic nature of lighthouses as guiding lights in darkness. Dad-Approved Lighthouse Jokes to Share With the Family Sharing lighthouse jokes and puns is a fantastic way to bring laughter to family gatherings. We’ve collected some dad-approved humor that will illuminate any conversation and create memorable moments with loved ones. One-Liner Jokes Why did the lighthouse break up with the boat? It felt like it was getting ghosted. What did the ocean say to the lighthouse? “You’re just glowing!” Why are lighthouses bad at basketball? They’re always stuck in the same spot! What type of house weighs the least? A lighthouse. Puns I’m beaming with joy whenever we visit the lighthouse. You’re my guiding light through stormy weather. I shore do love you more than all the lighthouses on the coast. Ever seen a lighthouse dance? They’re really good at “light-stepping.” Spoonerisms Spoonerisms add a playful twist to lighthouse humor by cleverly flipping words around: Shine a light on the mow, I mean, lighthouse. Let’s take a trip to the bighthouse, I mean, lighthouse. These family-friendly jokes work perfectly at beach picnics, coastal road trips, or anytime you want to brighten someone’s day with a bit of nautical nonsense. Our collection of lighthouse humor promises to generate smiles across generations, making them ideal for sharing during those special family moments. Lighthouse Riddles That Will Keep You Guessing Riddles about lighthouses offer a unique twist on maritime humor, challenging your wit while illuminating your day with laughter. We’ve collected some of the most entertaining lighthouse riddles that combine clever wordplay with coastal themes. These brain teasers aren’t just fun—they’re a brilliant way to test your problem-solving skills while enjoying lighthouse-themed humor. Why are lighthouses bad at basketball? They’re stuck in one spot! Even though their impressive height, these coastal sentinels can’t exactly move around the court. What did the ocean say to the lighthouse? “You’re just glowing!” The sea appreciates a good beacon that knows how to shine its personality across the waters. Why was the lighthouse considered popular among sailors? It had a magnetic personality that naturally attracted attention across the darkest waters. What type of house weighs the least? A lighthouse! This classic riddle plays on the paradox of these massive structures having “light” in their name. Why did the lighthouse get promoted? Because it was always willing to brighten everyone’s day and never left anyone in the dark! What’s a lighthouse’s favorite type of music? Anything with a good beam! These coastal towers appreciate rhythms that match their flashing patterns. Our research shows that lighthouse riddles frequently employ anthropomorphism, giving these inanimate structures human qualities and relationships. Many collections prioritize brevity, with most riddles staying under 15 words to deliver maximum impact with minimum verbiage. The most successful lighthouse riddles typically incorporate themes of illumination, guidance, and coastal life. Favorite wordplay includes “beaming with joy” expressions and nautical double entendres like “you’re my number one buoy.” Some creative riddles even use spoonerisms such as “shine a light on the mow” instead of “lighthouse on the mow” for an extra layer of linguistic humor. Next time you’re near the coast, try sharing these riddles with your companions. You’ll find they create memorable moments while reinforcing the symbolic nature of these guiding lights that have fascinated people for centuries. Professional Humor: Jokes Only Lighthouse Keepers Understand Lighthouse keepers share a unique brand of humor that revolves around their specialized maritime industry. We’ve collected the most authentic lighthouse jokes that resonate with those who truly understand the beacon life, organized into categories that showcase this niche professional humor. One-Liner Jokes Relationship humor strikes a chord with lighthouse professionals who understand isolation. “Why did the lighthouse break up with the boat? It felt ghosted” perfectly captures the communication challenges faced at sea. Many keepers chuckle at “couldn’t see a future together” because it reflects the transient nature of maritime connections. Occupational quirks form the foundation of lighthouse keeper humor. “Lighthouses don’t tell secrets—they beam them to everyone” resonates with those who understand the visibility paradox of their profession. The personification continues with “When fog rolled in, the lighthouse said, ‘Looks like my time to shine!'” which accurately reflects the heightened importance of lighthouses during poor visibility conditions. Self-referential wit allows keepers to laugh at their own distinctive role. “Why was the lighthouse popular? It had a magnetic personality” plays on navigation terminology that only seasoned maritime professionals would fully appreciate. Another keeper favorite asks why the lighthouse became a comedian, with the punchline “to lighten the mood” combining wordplay with the essential function of their workplace. Puns and Idioms Beam-focused humor creates instant recognition among lighthouse professionals. “You’re my guiding light” and “I’m beaming with joy” transform everyday phrases into industry-exact jokes. The question “Why did the lighthouse join a band? To make waves” cleverly connects the lighthouse’s guiding purpose with musical terminology. Metaphorical gags showcase the creative wordplay unique to lighthouse culture. “Ever seen a lighthouse dance? They’re good at light-stepping” combines movement with illumination in a way that delights maritime professionals. Similarly, the joke about a lighthouse becoming a detective “to shed light on mysteries” uses professional terminology in an unexpected context. Structural Comedy Wordplay delivers some of the most sophisticated lighthouse humor. “What type of house weighs the least? A lighthouse” exploits the dual meaning of “light” in a way that creates immediate recognition among those who work with these structures daily. This linguistic cleverness demonstrates the depth of lighthouse professional humor. Role-based jokes reference pop culture while maintaining maritime relevance. “The lighthouse’s favorite movie? ‘Beam Me Up, Scotty!'” blends sci-fi references with navigational terminology to create a joke that’s particularly amusing to those who understand both contexts. These professional jokes rely heavily on specialized puns like “beam,” “ghosted,” and “lighten” along with situational irony related to lighthouse functions. For keepers who spend their days maintaining beacons and assisting with navigation, these jokes provide a shared language of humor that acknowledges their unique professional experience. When Lighthouse Jokes Go Too Far: The Groaners Collection Lighthouse humor thrives on wordplay and coastal themes, often creating situations where even the most enthusiastic joke-tellers might elicit more groans than laughs. We’ve compiled these notable examples that cross the line from clever to cringe-worthy. Common Themes Maritime puns dominate the industry of lighthouse humor, with predictable patterns emerging across collections. Beam and light wordplay appears frequently in jokes like “When the fog rolled in, the lighthouse said, ‘Looks like my time to shine!'” The overuse of illumination references can quickly become tiresome. Directional humor relies on the lighthouse’s purpose, creating jokes such as “Lighthouses don’t tell secrets—they beam it to everyone!” These puns leverage the literal broadcasting nature of lighthouses for comedic effect. Personification gives lighthouses human qualities in jokes like “Why did the lighthouse break up with the boat? It felt ghosted.” This anthropomorphic approach allows for relationship humor that stretches credibility to its limits. Spoonerisms Tongue-twisting phrases add a layer of absurdity to lighthouse humor by deliberately mixing up syllables: “Shine a light on the mow, I mean, lighthouse!” “Let’s take a trip to the bighthouse, I mean, lighthouse!” These verbal mix-ups rely on confusion rather than wit, often falling flat when delivered without perfect timing. Musical and Pop Culture Puns Pop culture references attempt to modernize lighthouse jokes with varying degrees of success. Genre parody appears in questions like “What kind of music does a lighthouse enjoy? Beacon ballads.” Movie references stretch connections to famous films, as in “The lighthouse’s favorite movie? Beam Me Up, Scotty!” This example demonstrates how lighthouse humor often sacrifices accuracy (this isn’t even the correct quote from Star Trek) for the sake of forcing a pun. Extreme Groaners The worst offenders enter true dad-joke territory with lines like “Why’d the lighthouse blush? It saw ships getting too close!” These jokes combine predictable structures with simplistic personification. Forced wordplay creates painful puns such as “What’s a lighthouse’s best joke? ‘I’m a shore thing!'” The combination of maritime vocabulary with common phrases produces jokes that feel manufactured rather than clever. Situational absurdity reaches its peak with nonsensical scenarios like “That lighthouse grinned when the storm tripped over itself,” creating mental images that defy both logic and humor. The mechanics behind lighthouse jokes typically rely on predictable structures (especially the “Why did X? Because Y!” format) while incorporating coastal terminology like beacon, shore, and tides. While these jokes can charm with their simplicity, the repeated use of light and beam puns quickly becomes monotonous, demonstrating how even the brightest humor can dim with overexposure. How to Incorporate Lighthouse Humor Into Your Next Beach Party Set the Scene with Themed Decor Transform your beach gathering with lighthouse joke-infused decorations. Print witty one-liners like “Lighthouses don’t tell secrets—they beam it to everyone!” on coasters, banners, or table cards. These visual humor elements create an instant playful atmosphere while reinforcing your coastal theme. Guests will appreciate these thoughtful touches that showcase your attention to detail and create conversation starters throughout the venue. Use Jokes as Icebreakers Start conversations flowing by sharing lighthouse jokes when introducing guests to each other. Lighter jokes such as “The lighthouse joined a band but quit—it wasn’t in the spotlight” work perfectly to ease social tension. These brief humorous moments help break down barriers between strangers and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable. Guests will naturally begin sharing their own jokes, creating a ripple effect of laughter throughout your gathering. Create Interactive Humor Games Organize a lighthouse pun contest where participants compete to create the most original lighthouse-related wordplay. Challenge your guests to develop creative spoonerisms like “Let’s climb to the bop of the lighthouse” or “Let’s take a trip to the bighthouse.” These games encourage friendly competition while exercising creativity and quick thinking. Award small beach-themed prizes for the most clever contributions to keep energy levels high. Incorporate Jokes Into Trivia Design a beach-themed trivia game with lighthouse humor as answer prompts. Questions like “What’s a lighthouse’s favorite movie?” with answers such as “Beam Me Up, Scotty!” blend knowledge and humor seamlessly. This approach engages both the competitive and comedic sides of your guests, creating an entertaining activity that appeals to various personality types. Teams will bond through shared laughter while testing their maritime knowledge. Develop Humor-Based Activities Plan activities centered around lighthouse wordplay themes. Consider organizing a charades session featuring light/beam-related terms or nautical idioms that guests must act out. Groups can also collaborate on creating short skits incorporating marine animal interactions with lighthouses, such as “What did the ocean say to the lighthouse? You’re just glowing!” These activities provide structured entertainment while maintaining your coastal humor theme. Curate Age-Appropriate Content Select jokes carefully from resources like “55 Best Lighthouse Jokes” or “200+ Lighthouse Puns,” ensuring all material suits your guest demographics. Focus on lesser-known examples to avoid overused tropes that might fall flat with your audience. This thoughtful curation shows respect for your guests while maximizing the impact of the humor you’ve selected. Fresh material keeps the atmosphere lively and prevents the dreaded collective groan of a too-familiar punchline. Illuminating Conclusion: Why We’re Drawn to Lighthouse Humor We hope these lighthouse jokes have brightened your day and guided you toward a few good laughs! Lighthouse humor stands as a beacon of joy in our sometimes foggy lives. These towering structures inspire wordplay that connects us to coastal traditions while lighting up conversations with unexpected wit. Whether you’re sharing these jokes at beach gatherings using our practical tips or simply enjoying them on your own coastal adventures they serve as perfect reminders of the guiding light of humor. From clever puns to groan-worthy dad jokes these lighthearted quips celebrate maritime culture in all its glory. So next time you spot a lighthouse on the horizon remember it’s not just a navigational aid but a source of illuminating humor that continues to shine through generations of storytellers and joke enthusiasts! Frequently Asked Questions Why are lighthouse jokes considered effective humor? Lighthouse jokes work well because they leverage the symbolic role of lighthouses as guides and guardians. They combine clever wordplay related to illumination and navigation with the universal appeal of these iconic structures. The contrast between a lighthouse’s serious purpose and humorous personification creates comedy that resonates with both maritime enthusiasts and general audiences. What are some common themes in lighthouse jokes? Common themes include maritime puns (“I’m beaming with joy”), directional humor (guiding ships and life choices), personification (lighthouses having human traits), and wordplay related to light and illumination. These jokes often incorporate coastal references and play on the lighthouse’s role as a steadfast guardian, making them particularly appealing at beach gatherings. How have lighthouse jokes evolved over time? Lighthouse humor has evolved from simple nautical puns to more sophisticated comedy that incorporates contemporary references. Early jokes focused on basic wordplay about lights and ships, while modern lighthouse humor includes pop culture references and social media-friendly one-liners. This evolution reflects changing communication styles while maintaining the core appeal of lighthouse symbolism. Are lighthouse jokes appropriate for all audiences? Yes, most lighthouse jokes are family-friendly and perfect for gatherings of all ages. The article features “dad-approved” jokes specifically selected for family settings. However, when sharing lighthouse humor, it’s best to curate content based on your audience, avoiding overly technical maritime references with general crowds and keeping the wordplay accessible for children. How can I incorporate lighthouse humor at a beach gathering? Use lighthouse jokes as icebreakers during introductions or incorporate them into themed decor with witty signs. Organize interactive humor games like lighthouse pun contests or maritime trivia with joke prizes. Create activities centered around lighthouse wordplay such as charades or skits. These approaches engage guests while creating a lighthearted, coastal atmosphere. What makes a lighthouse joke fall flat? Lighthouse jokes may fall flat when they rely on overused wordplay (too many “bright idea” puns), contain overly technical maritime terms unfamiliar to general audiences, or feature dated references. The article’s “Groaners Collection” highlights jokes that may elicit more groans than laughs due to predictability, forced wordplay, or excessive corniness. Why do lighthouse keepers have their own brand of humor? Lighthouse keepers developed unique humor reflecting their specialized maritime work and often isolated lifestyle. Their jokes include one-liners about solitude, industry-specific puns that create instant recognition among peers, and wordplay that reflects their distinctive roles. This specialized humor served as both entertainment and a coping mechanism during long, solitary watches. What are lighthouse riddles and how do they work? Lighthouse riddles combine clever wordplay with coastal themes to challenge wit while providing humorous insights. Examples include “Why are lighthouses bad at basketball? They’re stuck in one spot!” These brain teasers often employ anthropomorphism and focus on themes of illumination and guidance, reinforcing the lighthouse’s symbolic nature while delivering unexpected punchlines. Jokes For Days https://jokesfordays.com/?p=2293

[notoriousdks]

Memento Vivere

The spaces in between Never Again & Memento Mori.

Originally posted on AO3

It had been a two days since they had left their partnership hanging on an awkward note. Both too afraid of letting the other see what thoughts and feelings lurk beneath the surface. Neither having the courage to face the truth about how they feel. Mulder knew Scully hadn’t been herself since the Leonard Bets case. The look on her face when they left the hospital, after she had been attacked, had a level of sadness he wasn’t expecting — more anguish than he expected after being attacked by a suspect. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he also couldn’t bring himself to ask her what was truly troubling her. Their recent argument in the office seemed to be about more than a desk. He could have sworn he saw that same look from the hospital on her face in the office. Instead of trying to get to the bottom of Scully’s recent funk, he did his best to act normal, afraid that if he pried, she would pull the curtains to the backstage of her heart even tighter. He quietly watched her suffer, secretly hoping that she would eventually tell him what had been on her mind. Unfortunately, the opposite had happened; she recklessly put herself in danger rather than talking through what was tormenting her.

Mulder spent the past two nights mentally incapable of focusing on anything other than his last genuine interaction with Scully, before complete avoidance of anything real became their modus opporoindi. He found himself recounting the events over and over and over again. The look on her face as she ran the wilted rose petal through her fingers. The sadness in her voice. Her declaration of her life being hers felt like a knife to his heart every time he replayed it in his head. While her guarded behavior wounded him to his core, it didn’t give him license to be cruel. His fear of losing her coming out as a disgusting display of narcissism and nonchalance. He was down right vicious and he hated himself for it.

Seeing Scully seemingly more withdrawn every day since felt like absolute torture — he added to that pain. It was always worse at night, when he didn’t have other distractions to keep his mind from spiraling down a deep, dark well he had no hope of escaping. He felt like he was drowning and didn’t care if he ever came up from the abyss.

"But it’s my..." ' Why couldn’t I finish my thought, ' he quietly scolded, 'How could she not know that I’m beside her in everything — that no matter what her fight was, it was my fight too? How could she not know that I would fight along side her no matter the what? No matter the cost? How could she not know just how much I love her?'

His life had become so desperately intertwined with hers, he couldn’t imagine a world without her in it. She was the lighthouse that always guided him safely to shore and he felt as though he was vandalizing her to the point she would never shine through the darkness again.

'You're pathetic' he thought to himself. 'You're become so dependent on another that you're no longer a whole person on your own. You're codependent. You're useless. Scully deserves so much better than a narcissist like you. You're incapable of making your feelings known and instead of telling the person you love how you truly feel about them, you make inappropriate commentary about their lives all while making it about yourself. You expect honesty and truth, but you can't seem to reciprocate.'

While Mulder considered his work important, he knew, deep down, that he would trade all of it, everything, including his own life, just to keep her safe from harm. 'For someone who values "The Truth" you sure have an odd way of showing it to those you care about most...'

Before Mulder could continue admonishing himself, he heard a soft knock at the door. Startled, he slowly made his way to the door. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see a bare-faced Scully who looked as though she had only just stopped crying.

"Scully, it's 1 a.m. ... is everything okay?" His voice filled with genuine concern and worry.

Before he could catch himself, he reached out to cup her cheek and run his thumb sweetly across her cheek bone. Mulder felt Scully lean into his touch, then tense with an even more melancholic expression than before.

"Yeah... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come... I'll see you later," slowly turning to walk down the hall.

Mulder gently grabbed her right wrist. His eyes looked longingly at her. "Don’t go" came tumbling out of his mouth in a small, hurt voice. The look on Scully’s face was unreadable but she didn’t protest. Mulder slowly pulled her into his apartment, gently closing the door behind her. With a small tug, Mulder guided Scully towards him. His arms snaked around her waist and Scully rose up onto her tip toes to more easily wrap her arms around Mulder’s neck. She felt his face in the crook of her neck.

"I'm sorry, Scully. I didn’t mean to…" Scully pulled back briefly and placed her fingers on his mouth, quieting him almost immediately.

"I’m sorry, too " she quietly responded on the verge of tears.

He took her hand in his, gently running his lips along her fingers while keeping the other draped around her waist. He whispered his confession, almost like a prayer, "Dana, I didn’t mean to make you feel insignificant. Your life is my life too because I’m with you in all things… Your fight is my fight too… Anything to make you see that you never have to fight the darkness alone, I'll do it... Anything..." He stared into her eyes for a brief moment before pulling her back into a warm embrace. He planted a few small kisses her neck, burying his face deeper and deeper into her.

Mulder felt Scully cling tighter to him. He couldn't say for certain, but he was sure she was softly crying. His heart broke a little more. Mulder just wanted to hold her and make the hurt she was clearly feeling melt away.

After several minutes, Scully pulled away. She grabbed Mulder’s hand, leading them both into the living room. She sat down on the couch, pulling him down with her. She turned in her seat and began to spread out unfolded the Navajo blanket Mulder always kept on the couch. Mulder tried to get up to give her space, but her hand reached out to him.

“Will you hold me?”

Without another word, Mulder gave a slight nod and moved to lay out on his side. Scully briefly stood up, allowing him up being his legs up, before positioning herself up next him so her back was tightly pressed to his chest, bringing the blanket over them in the process. Mulder pulled her close. Within a few minutes, he could feel Scully’s breathing even out and her body relax. She was fast asleep, nestled into him, her body perfectly cocooned by his own. Mulder felt a small smile forming on his face. He whispered, “I love you…” into the dark void as he felt himself drift off to sleep.

When Mulder woke several hours later, he was alone. At first, he thought last night had been a very vivid dream, but the smell of Scully's perfume radiating around him was too strong to be a figment of his imagination. Out of the corner of his eye, Mulder noticed a small note left on his coffee table.

Mulder -

Had to leave early for a doctor's appointment. I’ll call later.

- D

'So it wasn't a dream', Mulder smiled to himself. He felt a slight blush forming on his face.

He was pulled from his reverie by the sound of his phone ringing. Jumping from the couch, Mulder answered, hoping it would be Scully.

"Mulder."

"Mulder, it's me. I need you to come down to Holy Cross Memorial Hospital," Scully's voice was filled with concern, “…and I need you keep this between us…”

Scully's voice was a splash of cold water. In no reality could this be good news. His heart sank. "I'm on my way."

As Mulder quickly put himself together, he mentally mapped out a route to the hospital that would include a flower shop along the way.

[alphareleasemedia]

Daily Drabble Project May 1-10

5/1/23 Great waves crashed upon the shore in the dimming light of the day's end. In the distance the great lighthouse towered over the sea, its shining light spilling out over the dark and troubled water. Mitsy stumbled towards it as quickly as her tired and soaked body could take her. She was caught between the fierce waves and the jagged rocks that lined the beach, ever aware that one strong wave could end it all. At the bottom of a cliff, atop which the lighthouse stood, Mitsy paused for a moment to catch her breath. Then she began to climb.

5/2/23 Zuzu drifted sleepily down the dark hallways of her home and into the kitchen. The fridge blinded her with its heavenly light as she swung open the door. As her vision slowly returned to her Zuzu scanned the fridge for easy targets. Easy targets like the blackberries she finished off, or the honey baked ham lunch meat that she scarfed down one slice after another till she'd finished that too. Zuzu's 2 a.m. cravings still not satisfied she searched fervently for what else she could feast on with no effort. At last, Zuzu reached for the bag of shredded cheese.

5/3/23 I thought about calling up Dimple to ask him if he wanted to come over that evening and hangout. We could play video games or watch a movie or just sit on the porch and talk about nothing for hours like we could do sometimes. Ultimately, I decided not to. As much as I enjoyed hanging out with Dimple, I didn't think it was company, his or anyone's, that I was craving. I was quite excited to have the house to myself for the evening actually. But still a certain restlessness itched in my mind. A need I couldn't name.

5/4/23 Hara wasn't sure what she wanted for her birthday. Like, sure, she could ask for a bunch of stuff, but then she'd have a bunch of stuff. And then what would she do with it? She already had a bunch of stuff. Did she really need more? But she couldn't just tell people not to get her anything for her birthday. Even if she really didn't want anything and everyone knew that they'd probably still feel weird about not getting her anything. Which was dumb but true. And besides, some people just loved giving presents. It was a whole thing.

5/5/23 Pepper came by today to check on me. I told her I was fine and managing well enough on my own. She seemed skeptical but she didn't visit for too long. At the very least she was convinced that I had more than enough food to keep me fed for a while. Thankfully she didn't bring more to add to the growing pile. While I'm grateful for everyone's concern I feel like I'm starting to drown in it. Everyone is so eager to be helpful, I have no time to myself. What I wouldn't give for just a little quiet.

5/6/23 Simpkey had to consider his options carefully. For as much as everyone assured him there was no wrong choice, he knew there decidedly was. Several, in fact. He just didn't know what they were. The main problem, ultimately, was that there were far too many options. Simpkey had tried to narrow the field, but his companions gave him no additional information to aid in that endeavor. Save for what he already knew of their own personal tastes to eliminate the obvious. There was nothing for it. Simpkey would just have to pick a bad movie and face his friends' displeasure.

5/7/23 Yossy, Hossy, and Lossy set out from home one fine morning to go visit their Aunt. The sky was blue, the trees were green, and birds sang merrily as the three sisters walked along. Yossy loved birds and stopped to listen to their song. Hossy loved trees and as she walked beneath their branches she was overcome with a desire to climb up into them. Lossy hated being outside in the sun for too long, and so she hurried along to her Aunt's as quickly as possible and never noticed that she had lost her sisters somewhere along the way.

5/8/23 Deedle chewed on his fingernails as he watched the race. Not from nerves though. Nail biting was just a bad habit of his that Deedle had never been able to break. He was actually very calm about the race, giving way to his gross habit more from boredom than anything. The problem was that Deedle just couldn't get excited about watching a bunch of cars going round and round in their little circle. It wasn't half as interesting as the movies had promised him it would be. He really couldn't understand all the people watching with great excitement and energy.

5/9/23 The mountain loomed majestically in the background. Looking so much like it was doing its best to mimic a postcard or perhaps a travel brochure. Yes, the landscape was amazing and beautiful to look at, but that was just appearances. The reality of it all was much less picturesque. The delightful greenery was home to about a million and one mosquitos all ready to suck a man dry. But there were much larger terrors looming in the trees. Hungry beasts with razor teeth and giant claws. To say nothing of the vicious prehistoric behemoths that roamed fearlessly wherever they pleased.

5/10/23 The little bird hopped around in the grass. He was looking for worms. The sun had barely risen and the air was still gray and full of mist. The dirt was damp and cool beneath the little bird's feet. The soil was soft and loose and easy for him to thrust in his beak to retrieve his breakfast. The little bird was not alone in his early morning endeavor. Other little birds flitted about nearby, also looking for breakfast. Up above them in the trees the doves cooed sleepily to each other and the song birds heralded the new day.

[sseastar]

✑ STRAY KIDS REACTION !

— THE ONE WHERE THEY TAKE YOU ON CUTE DATES IN SAN FRANCSICO

pairing: stray kids ot8 x reader genre: fluff, established relationship warnings: none, me living vicariously in my fics as usual, not proofread listen to: (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco by Tony Bennett

방찬  、BANG CHAN !

chan was determined to see the painted ladies from full house because he wanted to see what they looked like in person. the two of you packed a bunch of sandwiches and fruit into a little wicker basket for a picnic in the park across the famous houses! the sun was shining but it wasn’t too hot, and he gladly took pictures of you as you playfully posed in your straight jeans and bright red crewneck sweater that you had put on to match the vibe of the sitcom. he kissed the pout on your lips until he finally agreed to you taking pictures in your vintage outfits together. you and chan found yourselves wandering towards the cable cars, and though the line was long, chan didn’t hesitate to buy tickets when he saw your eyes shine with interest towards the ride. he was glad to offer you the only seat left and ended up in the standing area, one hand holding onto the railing, and the other playing with your fingers throughout the ride. the tour of the city ended near ghiradelli square, where he bought a bag of chocolate to take home to his members and ice cream for you to share at the shore nearby.

민호  、LEE MINHO !

i had too many ideas for minho but i got soft for going on an evening date at fisherman’s wharf! imagine when it’s sunset and you guys are walking by all the stores and restaurants and seafood vendors hand in hand. it’s getting chilly so you guys buy these touristy half zips with little embroidered golden gate bridges. he’d have you pulled close to his body since there’s a lot of families out, and he’ll pull your hand wordlessly into his pocket while rubbing soft circles into your palm as you walk towards the beach with a folded blanket tucked to your chest. when you set up your area, minho pulls you between his legs for you to lean against his chest as you sit and watch the sun set, talking mindlessly and teasing each other as you usually do. your boyfriend doesn’t forget to steal a few kisses here and there to make you giggle, and when you get hungry, he pulls you up to your feet so you can grab some seafood at the restaurant overlooking the bay.

창빈  、SEO CHANGBIN !

changbin, ever the active boy, would have woken you up early so that you could hike up at land’s end early enough to see the sunrise. it’s romantic (after you get over the fact that he had woken you up at the buttcrack of dawn) and he doesn’t hesitate to wait for you if you ever needed a little snack or water break. changbin takes photos of you when you’re not looking, then pockets his phone to bathe in the early morning light with his arm wrapped around your shoulders. somehow, you end up at the point bonita lighthouse and he’s clinging on to you as you cross the bridge to get to the scenic area. changbin expresses how proud he is of you as you go on your little adventure, not forgetting to pinch your cheeks whenever he feels suddenly affectionate for you. the two of you get takeout (of your choice, of course) and he drives the two of you to treasure island to eat in the car, overlooking the city’s skyline.

현진  、HWANG HYUNJIN !

hyunjin seems like the type of guy to want to have those cute date photos on his instagram, so there is no doubt in my mind he would take you somewhere where you can take cute couple photos in front of a nice scene. so, he takes you to the conservatory of flowers in golden gate park (early in the morning so that you can get parking) and immediately whip out his phone as you wander ahead of him through the greenhouse. you visit the japanese tea garden after, taking even more photos together then grabbing a snack and some tea before heading to japantown for lunch. you walk by the waterfront near ghiradelli square and wander about until it’s night time, and he takes you to the palace of fine arts. hyunjin has your hand in his coat pocket as the two of you take a stroll through the large structure, taking photos near the water and basically in all the spots where there’s any light shining.

지성  、HAN JISUNG !

inspired by real life events (aka my parents), han jisung would take you on your first date to alcatraz and the exploratorium. these two places (both historical and scientific) would be perfect to fuel this boy’s curiosity all the while being something pretty engaging so as to lessen the possible awkwardness that might come up between the two of you (the awkwardness never happened, the two of you were too busy having fun with the displays at both museums and flirting with each other to let any silence fall between the two of you). jisung would be initiating the most flustering skinship with you, his hand on your waist when you were taking photos on the ferry, brushing your hair behind your ear when you took off the tour guide audio headphones at alcatraz, or his chest being right at your back as you looked at all the displays in the exploratorium. the two of you would go to the ferry building to grab something to eat for lunch. he’d pay for dessert as well, then take you by the hand to pull you towards the salesforce tower with a big smile on his face. jisung would take you to the rooftop garden to walk off all the food you eat. it’s really sweet because he keeps his fingers entwined with yours as the two of you walk slowly on the path through the trees (and maybe he even stops and turns to face you to press a kiss to your lips).

빌릭스  、LEE FELIX !

idk why felix gives me the total disney lover kind of guy. over the years that i have ulted skz, felix has made so many pop culture references that involve things from my childhood, disney being one of them. so correct me if i’m wrong, but felix would totally take you to the walt disney family museum. the two of you would have so much fun dragging each other to all the different displays in each of the rooms, getting extra excited when you see the giant disneyland model replica room. you’d be totally engrossed in seeing all the old sketches and drafts of some of the most well known characters in the world, and felix would be totally engrossed in taking photos of you in your element. my guy would totally buy the two of you matching enamel pins from the gift shop and after, you would take the (long) trek to the areas overlooking the golden gate bridge. did he expect the two of you to end up hiking? nope, but he makes it up to you when you both reach the view overlooking the bay - not that it mattered because he distracts you with the most knee-weakening kisses anyway.

승민  、KIM SEUNGMIN !

i was torn with a sightseeing trip so he could take pictures or him taking you to a giants game but the giants fan in me took over. he’d pick you up in the afternoon on a friday night, and you guys would drive to the city a few hours before the game actually starts to find parking and grab some dinner at amici’s across the ballpark. he’d be holding your hand tightly as you walk through the crowds of giants fans after you eat, passing time as you buy matching giants baseball caps and walk by mccovey cove. when the line starts to form, seungmin excitedly leads you to the end and wraps you in his arms to warm you up as you wait your turn, and when you reach your seats, he immediately starts to take pictures of you. the two of you are totally engrossed in the game, and when the kiss cam fails to reach you, seungmin kisses you anyway. the two of you share garlic fries and a ghiradelli hot fudge sundae, and when your favorite player happens to hit the walk-off home run, you jump up to cheer with him and hug him tight before you leave the stadium. you hear the sounds of a saxophone softly playing covers of songs as you head towards the car, but not before grabbing a dirty dog from one of the vendors outside. 

정인  、YANG JEONGIN !

for your date, jeongin took you on a morning to afternoon date at pier 39. jeongin’s growing up so well and he’s looking and getting more and more mature, but i can’t say that he’s not a kid at heart! he’d be so excited to see all the quirky stores and he’d want to do the laser maze and 7d experience shooting games and want to buy candy from the store near the heart statue. bonus points if you eat at bubba gumps and go to the aquarium!! can you imagine how excited he would be spots the sea lions on their little platform? “look at those two,” he would say, leaning in towards your head to talk to you over the loud noise of the excited little kids next to you. his hand is holding yours, warming them up from the cold of the slight breeze of the water. “they’re kissing so we should too.”

⌕.  author’s note ;     yes, this was completely self indulgent because 1) i miss san francisco so much even though i go there very often and 2) i’d love to go on a date there. so here’s an impulse stray kids reaction because i suddenly thought about how cute it would be to do some touristy things with them. did i get carried away with min because i’ve thought about this happening too much?? that’s for you to decide LOL.  update: i went to san francisco today T-T i was so happy hhh omg but i want to go back already shfalchsaj i kept thinking about this and i was like i want to be here on date with them too. update 2: i’ve had this in my draft since the summer after senior year…i’m in my third year of college now but i have yet to go on these dates. 

⌕. taglist ; @enhacolor @soobin-chois @koishua @iwonzzi

[venerable-sun]

Mångata (Nuidis Vulko x Reader) Pt. 1

Nuidis Vulko (Aquaman) x reader

TW: mentions of death and funerals

Summary: You never thought you'd return to Amnesty Bay. You definitely never thought you'd find love there.

2128 words

Part One | Part Two

So I know I'm super late to the Aquaman fandom, and to be honest I've never really liked superhero movies but I watched it yesterday and fell in love. In typical me fashion, it's the older mentor type that I'm drawn to and not the actual hero. Imagine my shock when I found out there are virtually no Vulko fics, much less reader inserts. Of course, I had to change that. I plan on this story being about 10 parts so buckle up, buttercups.

Little has changed in Amnesty Bay since you’d left seven years ago. 

The same men sit at their usual spots in the bar, albeit with a little more gray in their hair. The same store-clerks gossip with their customers, the town as close-knit as ever. The same lighthouse sits at the top of the cliff, shining its light out over the sea. 

You’d never meant to return, but as you stand on the porch of your parents’ house and breathed in the salty air, you find it hard to remember why you’d ever even left in the first place. 

The setting sun paints everything a golden yellow as you push open the creaky door and enter into the main foyer. You stifle a sneeze as wafts of dust are kicked up by the breeze, taking in the cobwebs that hang from the ceiling and staircase. You set your bags down with a sigh, the exhaustion of the last day finally catching up with you. 

You’d spent the last three days driving up the East Coast to get here, having packed up your things as quickly as possible after receiving a phone call from your uncle. 

You decide to unload the rest of your things from the car tomorrow, choosing instead to explore the house you’d grown up in. 

Just like the rest of Amnesty Bay, little had changed. 

You pause by the kitchen door, stooping slightly to examine the little lines marking your height as you grew older. The kitchen is the part of the house in the best condition, no doubt thanks to your mother. She’d loved to cook, and even as her and your father’s health waned you knew she’d still have wanted to maintain a good kitchen.

Your eyes trail to a piece of paper sitting on the counter, and you can’t stop the tears that well up when you read your mother’s handwriting. 

So focused on simply getting to Amnesty Bay, you’d left yourself little time to grieve, but standing in your parents’ house that was now yours, and reading something as simple as your mother’s discarded grocery list, the grief finally catches up with you. 

A loud knock startles you out of your stupor, and you hastily wipe the tears away as you go to answer the door. 

A man you’re very familiar with stands there, silhouetted against the growing dusk. There are more wrinkles lining his face than you remember, but his kind smile is the same. 

“Uncle Thomas!” You exclaim, throwing your arms around him. 

He hugs you back tightly, and the two of you embrace on the porch for many minutes before you pull away. 

“Look at you, all grown up.” He says, examining you from head to foot. You laugh, leading him back into the house. “I could say the same, Uncle. The years finally catching up to you?”

“Never,” Thomas says, lowering himself into a chair with a groan. “I’m as young and spry as I was twenty years ago.” 

You shake your head with a chuckle, moving into the kitchen to order a pizza for you to share. When it arrives, the two of you eat and talk about your life away from Amnesty Bay, how going to university went and your old job. 

“Do you know if there are any teaching positions open at the schools up here? I’d love to continue teaching.” You ask. 

“I’m sure I can ask around.” Thomas pauses for a second. “... so you plan on staying, then?”

You glance away, looking out the window at the moon’s reflection off the sea. “I never thought I’d come back,” you say slowly. “Growing up, all I ever wanted was to get away from this sleepy town, to live somewhere as young and vibrant as I was. But now, being back by the sea, here in this house, I don’t know how I stayed away so long. I just wish my return was under better circumstances.” 

Your uncle reaches across the table and lays a comforting hand on your arm. You meet his gaze, the grief in his eyes matching your own. You may have lost your parents, but he’d lost his brother, too. 

Silence reigns for a moment before you clear your throat and stand up. “As much as I’ve appreciated this visit, I’m exhausted.” 

Thomas stands too, and you accompany him to the door. The two of you embrace again before bidding each other farewell. You are left alone once more, the old house creaking as you make your way upstairs to your parents’ old bedroom. 

The room is as dusty as the rest of the house, but you pay it little mind as you unceremoniously drop your bags on the floor and open a window to let the breeze in while you sleep. 

You go through your bedtime routine in a fog of tiredness and grief, not bearing to look at the pictures lining the walls or your parents’ belongings still strewn about. When you finally collapse into bed, sleep takes you immediately. 

~~~

You rise with the sun the next morning, enjoying a mug of tea on the back porch while you plan on what to do with your day. 

You decide to unload your car first, making a quick call to your friends from your old home to make sure they would be sending the rest of your things in the next few days. You spend the rest of the day cleaning the first floor, sorting your parents’ things into “keep” and “give away” piles. You stop at about midday, covered in sweat and dust as you look over your work. 

You’d started with the living room first, and were quite proud of what you’d accomplished to say the least. You’d rearranged the furniture to your liking, swept and mopped the hardwood floors, and cleaned out your father’s old bookcases to make room for your own books that would be coming. Most importantly of all, you’d vigorously cleaned the grande piano sitting in the window, its ivory keys now gleaming. 

You sat on the bench, pressing down on a random note and wincing at the out-of-tune pitch that filled the room. You would definitely need to call someone about getting it tuned. 

The antique grandfather clock in the hall chimes noon, and you jump up, having forgotten about the plans you’d made with Thomas to meet him for lunch. 

After a quick shower you dash out the front door, hopping onto your bike and pedaling into town. Your uncle is already at the restaurant, the only one in town, when you get there, and you apologize profusely for keeping him waiting. 

“It’s no problem,” He smiles easily. “An old man knows how to wait.” 

You scoff before biting your lip as a thought occurred to you. “Where’s Arthur? You didn’t mention him yesterday and I’d really like to see him.” 

Thomas sighs, suddenly looking his age as his shoulders sag. “You know he’s always been surly and moody. He’s been away the past few years now, but he calls every once in a while. He’s coming back for the funeral.”

You nod, swallowing the sudden lump in your throat as the waitress comes by and takes your orders. 

“Oh, I asked around like I said I would, and I think I found something you’ll be really happy about,” Thomas says conspiratorially. “The high school has an open spot for a music teacher, and they want you to take it.” 

You raise an eyebrow in suspicion. “There was no music teacher when I went there. How can there be an open spot for a job that’s never existed before?” 

Your uncle simply shrugs with a twinkle in his eye and mimes zipping his lips. You shake your head in amusement at his antics. “Thank you, uncle, for abusing your power as an eligible bachelor and convincing the principal to create a job for me,” you say teasingly. 

The rest of the meal passes lightheartedly, and he accompanies you to the market afterwards for groceries before giving you a ride back. 

“Make sure to board everything up tonight,” he warns as he helps you gather your bags. “There’s supposed to be a really bad storm blowing in. I’ll swing by in the morning to check on you, but call me if anything happens.” 

The two of you part ways once more, and you pass the afternoon on your hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. The wind picks up outside as dark clouds begin to creep over the horizon, hiding the beginning of the sunset from view, and you decide to stop cleaning for the evening to watch the storm. 

You’d forgotten how the ocean can be both beautiful and terrifying, and you watch in awe as large waves crest and crash against the beach. Lightning flashes brilliantly through the sky, illuminating the bay as thunder rolls in the background. 

You gasp suddenly, spotting a shape crashing onto the shore as waves pounded relentlessly. You press yourself against the window, trying desperately to see what it is. Lightning flashes again, the unmistakable shape of a man struggling to stand sending you dashing out into the storm. 

You’re soaked almost instantly you race down the cliff stairs as quickly as you dare, rain whipping into your eyes making it hard to see. Your feet sink into wet sand as you descend onto the beach, pushing wet hair from your eyes as you frantically search for the man. 

You hear a low groan between peals of thunder, spotting a dark shape laying on top of the sand. You run over to him and fall to your knees, turning him over to rest on his back. You barely register his handsomeness as you feel for his pulse, faint but still there. You look over the rest of his body, pushing away your curiosity at his strange attire when you see the chain twisted around his ankle and the metal lobster trap dragging at the end of it. The skin around his ankle is rubbed raw and bleeding, and you struggle with the chain as you try to remove it. 

“I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt,” you say through gritted teeth, giving the chain a harsh tug that frees it from the man’s leg. He groans in pain as you toss it away, the rain beginning to fall even harder. 

You somehow manage to get him sitting up, wrapping his arm over your shoulder as you prepare to stand. “If you can hear me, I’m going to need you to help me get you standing.” 

He doesn’t reply, but you feel his fingers grip your shoulder for a moment before his hand falls limp again. 

You take in a deep breath before pushing yourself to your feet, your legs shaking under you as you shoulder most of the man’s weight. You begin walking one step at a time through the rain, exhaustion and cold starting to sap you of your strength. 

You push yourself to continue though, knowing that if you stop even once you might not be able to start again. After what feels like hours, you finally make it off the beach and up the cliff to your house. 

Water streams off your forms as you awkwardly maneuver your way into the living room, plopping the man unceremoniously onto the couch as the last of your strength leaves you. You collapse onto a chair, panting hard and shivering violently as the storm continues to rage outside. 

As you catch your breath, you take the opportunity to finally fully examine the stranger you just saved. Dark hair streaked with gray falls across his shoulders, and while he isn’t brawny, you can see the outline of muscle on his body. His face is peaceful as he sleeps, but you can see the fine lines from worry and stress that he must carry during his waking hours. Despite being on the older side, you can’t help but find him incredibly handsome. 

It’s then that you remember his ankle, your legs screaming in protest as you stand once more to fetch the first aid kit. You clean and bandage the wound as best you can and place a pillow underneath his foot to elevate and stop the bleeding. You run your fingers tentatively over the material of his clothes, pulling away at the almost scaly feeling. Leaving that mystery for when he wakes up, you drape a blanket over him and place a glass of water on the table before heading upstairs to change into dry clothes. 

After a hot shower, you can barely keep your eyes open, and stumble into bed where dreams of crashing waves and ocean blue eyes plague you all night long.

Don't forget to like and reblog! My requests are open, check my pinned post for more details. If you'd like to be tagged for this story, please message me or leave a comment.

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Casper McFadden

(Not my gif)(Requested by anonymous)

- Moving into a new home was never easy. Oftentimes, it meant packing up everything you owned, leaving a bunch of good memories behind, and traveling across the country to a new town where you’d have to make all new friends and renovate old fixtures.

- But there was something about your new house that made it both easier and harder to live in: the fact that it was haunted.

- Obviously your family didn’t find out about the ghosts until after they’d signed the papers and even if they were warned about it, they probably wouldn’t have believed the realtor, but none of that mattered now. Now you were stuck in a old house with a bunch of spirits, stuck until your parents save up enough money to move again.

- So what made the manor easier to live in, you may ask. Well, the fact that it came with a friend….

- You and Casper meet the day you move into the Whipstaff Manor. You’re wandering around, exploring the home and trying to figure out which room you want to live in, unaware that there’s a specter following you.

- The minute Casper sees you, he’s head over tail. You make his undead little heart race and have him second guessing his every action. Which is the main reason it makes him a while to formally introduce himself, he’s too scared that he’ll ruin his first impression.

- Sadly for him, his first impression still doesn’t go over well, regardless of how much he practiced.

- In his defense, it wasn’t anything that he did, it was more the fact that you were suddenly face to face with a phantom. Anyone would have freaked out in response to that, and they would have freaked out to any ghost as well; no matter how friendly.

- So, like the rational young woman that you are, you scream and take off like a rocket, dashing out of the room and down the hall to find a more secure and safe looking room to hide in until your parents get back from the store.

- He follows behind, attempting to calm you down and feeling downright awful for scaring you. Once you’ve locked yourself away into a broom closet, he gives you a minute to breathe before he calls out to you, telling you that he’s sorry and trying to coax you out so that you can talk.

- It takes you another minute to be convinced and to trust him when he says he isn’t gonna hurt you, but eventually, you do brace yourself and open the door.

- Once you do, you find that he really isn’t as scary as you’d originally though he was. In fact, he was actually sort of cute; in a cartoony sort of way, and he’s friendly to boot; so you wind up feeling a bit silly for being so frightened of him. And after you begin to think like that, the two of you begin to develop a close friendship.

- While his uncles might be incredibly obnoxious and annoying, you can’t deny that you enjoy having the ghostly presences in your home; especially when school roles around and you find yourself feeling like an alien with no one to turn to. You might not have any living friends in your town but you at least have a few see through ones at home that ensure you’re not completely alone.

- But, compared to your primarily platonic feelings, Caspers feelings for you were a lot more complicated. He valued your friendship and enjoyed having you as a pal, but he also had more romantic feelings towards you. In simpler terms: he’d had a massive crush on you from the moment you walked in.

- And though he’d have loved to confess his feelings and see if you felt the same, he knew that it was practically impossible for the two of you to be together; at least until you’d died …or until he was alive again!

- The minute he remembers the Lazurus he immediately erupts into a fit of excitement and joy. If you could get it to work, he could be alive again and the two of you could be together for the rest of your lives, either as friends or as something more, he honestly didn’t care which; though he hoped it was the second one.

- So he tells you about the invention and the two of you get to work. You take the wild trip down to his fathers lab, search around until you find what you’re looking for, load the contraption up with it’s necessary elixir, and pull the levers with bated breath.

- You don’t know what you’d expected to walk out of the machine but it certainly wasn’t this. Perfectly done blond hair, shining blue eyes, and a face that made you suddenly flustered to be in your best friends presence. He looked like a Disney prince and you were captivated.

“How do I look?” He asked nervously.

“Perfect,” you responded a little too quickly. “I mean, human, normal …living.”

- His face broke out into a smile and he threw his arms around you, pulling you into a tight hug. The action caught you off guard and made your heart race but you didn’t mind in the slightest.

- Once you’d finished hugging, he pulled away slowly and you found yourselves locking eyes. His gaze flickered to your lips and before you knew it, the two of you were leaning forward and sharing a kiss.

- His uncles may or may not have interrupted you but the “damage” was already done. You were just as hooked on him as he was on you and neither of you could be happier.

- Casper loves pda. He loves being able to actually touch you and be out in public and show the whole town that the two of you are together; even though half of them are confused as to who he is. 

- He touches you and holds you close whenever he can. He’s waited to do it since the moment he met you and now that you’re together; and he isn’t ice cold and only semi-solid, he enjoys every little ounce of affection he can provide and obtain.

- Handholding.

- Cheek kisses. 

- Long, soft kisses. They’re sort of a contrast to his usual hyper behavior, which is why, if you ever need him to calm him down and focus, all you have to do is ask for a kiss or make it obvious that that’s what you’re going to do. He skids to a stop and happily complies as he gives you an adorable little smile.

- Pet names aren’t really his thing but he does call you by fun nicknames that he’s come up with; usually a shorter or longer version of your name.

- Cuddling is a must with Casper. He absolutely loves it, no matter how the two of you do it. Sometimes you’ll lay on his chest, other times you’ll spoon, and other times you’ll face each other on the bed and talk until one of you dozes off.

- Speaking of: he definitely watches you sleep every now and again, which sounds far more creepy than it actually is. Like, you’ll be talking late at night and you’ll fall asleep and he’ll just look at your peaceful face for a while.

- If we’re going with the assumption that Casper maintains some of the aspects of being a ghost, I think it’s safe to say that he’s occasionally at least a little cooler than a normal human, which makes him the perfect companion for hot days.

- Being carried and flown around.

- Sometimes; especially prior to him being in the Lazurus, he forgets that you’re not a ghost and gets you into some uncomfortable situations. And after he turns human again, he definitely has to get used to not being able to go through walls and have things go through him when they’re thrown or fall.

- Testing out exactly what he’s still capable of doing and if there’s any limits to his new life. Is he perfectly normal? Does he have ghostly powers? Do the effects occasionally wear off during certain times or seasons? It’s all stuff you have to figure out.

- For a while after he’s brought back to life, he spends all day experiencing everything he missed when he was still alive. All the smells, sights, and touches; he runs around like Jack Skellington while you sit back and watch with a smile.

- Going to the mall. It’s one of his favorite places to visit, he just loves the entire atmosphere of the place; especially since he wasn’t really able to go and enjoy everything about it before he turned human again.

- Tv dates.

- Playing different games with each other. Board games, pirates, video games, you name it, he’ll do it.

- Sitting on top of the lighthouse with him.

- Enjoying the view from outside of the manor. You have the perfect view of the ocean from your garden so the two of you can always throw a blanket down and stare out at the sea together.

- Just goofing off with each other. Running around the house together, sliding down the stairwell, having him push you in a chair down the halls, etc. You’ve got a huge house to mess around in, why not take advantage of it?

- Dancing together. He told you he was a good dancer.

- Late night conversations. You can always talk to him about anything you want or need to.

- Catching him watching you a lot. He always has such a loving gaze when he’s looking at you, just seeing his face when he’s watching you do something or speak is reassurance that he really cares about you.

- Always having a warm and excited greeting when you return home from school. He also probably occasionally goes with you or at least walks you there or visits during lunch.

- He loves making surprises for you. Throwing you little parties or coming up with different ways to make you smile or cheer you up after school or whenever he can see that you’re feeling down is one of his favorite hobbies.

- He wants to be with you like 25/7 so don’t be surprised if he’s constantly bothering you with his presence. It’s a good thing you love him because if you didn’t he’d become very annoying, very quickly.

- Him just appearing at random is commonplace so your parents and you definitely have to take some time to get used to it. I mean he lives in your house and now that he’s human again, it’s definitely a bit easier than when he was a ghost, but still.

- Getting chairs pulled out and doors opened for you. He likes being a gentleman.

- Him cooking for you. He definitely tries to impress you with his skills and all the inventions he uses; and he just likes doing something nice like that for you.

- Discovering all his dads inventions and letting him tell you about them. It’s really quite fascinating to see how they all work and how excited he gets while showing you how to use them.

- I have a feeling that he doesn’t like winter; for obvious reasons, and whenever it comes around, all he wants to do is stay inside with you and do indoor activities. If you were to want to go out, it’d take you a while to persuade him and even if you did; or were only going out by yourself, he’d spend forever bundling you up and making up a bunch of rules to keep you safe.

- Probably dealing with his ghostly self every now and again. I have a feeling that the Lazurus machines effects occasionally wear off for a little while from time to time so while he’s alive most of the time, you do have moments of spooky transparency as well.

- Pranking each other and other people. He might be a sweetheart but he also has a bit of a mischievous streak.

- Him always wanting to show you whatever cool thing he sees, does, finds, or hears about. Just being able to share things with you makes him happy.

- Listening to his stories from when he was alive or the decades he wasn’t.

- Fixing up his room for him and hanging out up there with all his toys.

- Being gifted some of his mothers things. Dresses, jewelry, stuff like that.

- His uncles bothering the two of you. They’re constantly harassing and teasing you; just try to pay them no mind.

- Standing up for him when his uncles are being more awful than usual.

- He might be the only person you can really bond with in your town, considering the fact that whenever you have anybody over, they’re almost always harassed by his uncles and scared away. Which Casper may or may not be sort of happy about.

- Casper gets jealous pretty easily. Anytime another guy takes interest in you, he always feels the need to mock them behind their backs or be passive aggressively not so friendly whenever they approach you when you’re out with him. It’s best to not bring up guys in your class unless it’s obvious that they only like you as a friend; but even then he’d wonder why you need friends (even if they’re girls) other than him.

- He’s sort of overprotective of you. He just got his life back so he certainly doesn’t want anything bad happening and putting yours in danger.

- He absolutely hates fighting so whenever the two of you have an argument, he’s always quick to try and settle it and apologize; even if he doesn’t really think he’s done anything wrong.

- Saying “I love you” isn’t really his forte. He prefers saying and doing other things to show you that he does.

- The two of you sort of just have to go with the flow and see where your relationship takes you. You don’t know how exactly the rest of his “life” will go so you just try to enjoy the present and what you have right now.

[pogueszn]

you got my devotion, but man i can hate you somtimes

summary: jj’s gets wrapped up in a relationship with the cool girl who works the front desk.

warnings: a  bit of angst, drug use, a lil steamy at some points, and some tooth rotting fluff

word count: 7.8k

JJ HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS AT WORK

JJ had a lot of friends wherever he went, he was just that type of person. He drew people in like a lighthouse - he was an enigma that most people couldn’t stand not talking to him at least once.  He made friends easily. There wasn’t anyone at work who truly disliked him. Some of the adults may have thought of him as a pesky teenager but they still cared for him nonetheless. He had a lot of friends at work but Y/n was his best friend there.

Y/n had moved to the OBX about three months ago and had been working at the hotel ever since. JJ was drawn to her the second she walked in asking about job openings. She had the best sense of style he’d seen. Everyone on the island either lived in bathing suits or polos- she walked in with beige slacks, an oversized graphic tee, complemented by her choice of jewelry, and the cleanest pair of shoes he’d ever seen. Y/n had an aura about her that JJ couldn’t have been able to ignore even if he wanted to. He realized quickly that they shared the same humor and had some of the same personality traits. They’ve never hung out outside of work but there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she was fun. JJ had always thought she was gorgeous - his mouth ran dry the first time he saw her - and he flirted with her constantly. He was pleasantly surprised when she started flirting back with him.  It was almost like she knew that he thought she was one of the most - if not the most - beautiful girl he’d ever seen and lived to tease him about it. But neither of them ventured further than that. They both knew there was a spark but they never mentioned it. Instead, they both lived in their bubble, where they flirted with each other and pretended that was where it stopped.

JJ walked into work, a smile pulling at his cheeks when he saw her at the front desk. She nods at him, her own smile slipping onto her lips.

“Maybaaaannkkk!” She greeted.

He stepped up to the counter, greeting her with the handshake they had made up almost two months ago.

“How’s your morning going?”

He shrugged, leaning on his elbows on the counter, mirroring her stance,

“Eh, could be better.” He replied.

“How so?”

“I could be smoking a joint on the beach.”

She groaned, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she rolled her head. He looked her up and down. This girl was a trip. He doesn’t know if she’s oblivious to the power she has over him or if she knows and just loved to get him worked up- he leaned more towards the latter more and more each day.

“God, I would kill for a backwood right now.”

JJ rolled his shoulders, shifting his feet,

“I’ve never smoked a backwood before.”

Y/n’s mouth fell open. He almost laughed but the look in her eye stops him. There’s something about it that made his stomach flip - he couldn’t remember the last time a girl made him feel like that.

“You’ve never smoked a backwood?” She questioned.

He shook his head.

She tapped the counter, her rings clattering against it. She shifted to grab her phone, unlocking it before looking back at him.

“Welp, that’s changing, immediately. I’m gonna hit up my guy and then I’ll get back to you on a day - whenever this motherfucker texts me back.” She laughed.

He laughed with her.

“I thought I was your plug?” He asked.

“Yeah, that was before I knew my way around.”

He let out a small chuckle before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his Juul and looked around, scanning the area for the few uptight workers before taking a hit.

“I can’t believe this is gonna be the first time we hung out outside of work.” He stated.

“I know,” she replied, “what were we thinking?”

“No clue.”

He offered his Juul to her with an outstretched hand. There was a light shine in her eyes when he turned it towards her. Her hand reached for it but he pulled it back. Her eyebrows furrowed before he offered it again. She scoffed at him but she still leaned across the counter to take a hit. Her eyes stayed on his when she took her hit. He swallowed, a tingle going up his spine. She pulled away after a moment, leaning back and letting the smoke come out in a cloud before sucking it back in. She blew the vape back out after a second. Their eyes were still locked, the tension in the room thicker than either of them were willing to admit. She licked her lips, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.

“Get to work, Maybank.”

He smirked back at her,

“Yes, ma’am.”

THE SUN HAD ALMOST SET.

The sky painted with mellow colors as the sun sat low in the sky. The pogues laughed in John B’s yard, all sat around the fire even though the air was still too warm for any of them to find any comfort in the heat. John B threw another piece of wood in the fire before he dusted his hands off and sat back down in his seat. JJ was caught up in telling the pogues another funny story about what Y/n had done at work earlier that day.

“I still can’t believe we haven’t met this girl yet,” Kiara said.

The other boys nodded in agreement. With the number of stories JJ’s told them, and the amount of time Y/n’s name left his mouth daily they felt like they already knew her.

“Dude, she’s so dope,” JJ stated, “she’s like, the coolest girl I’ve ever met.”

Kie gasped in faux offense, her hand coming to rest over her heart as John B wiggled in his seat across the fire, a teasing smile appearing on his lips,

“Ooooh, JJ has a crush!” he sang.

JJ scoffed, throwing his empty beer can at him, feeling proud when JB groaned as the can bounced off his head.

“I don’t have a crush, alright,” JJ responded, “I mean, she’s hot or whatever and if she wanted to bone, I’d be totally down but she’s just cool, man. You guys would like her.”

John B pursed his lips at him, nodding - though he was unconvinced. John B had known JJ since third grade, he’d only seen him talk about a girl like this a total of three times in his life. The first was Ellie Thrasher, a blonde girl whose hair stayed in messy braids all year long in fourth grade. Then there was River in eighth, she had a chip on her shoulder the size of South America and despised JJ with her entire being. John B never figured out what he saw in her. Then there was Kie - until he realized that the door was locked and settled on being her friend. John B knew JJ and he knew there was more to Y/n than JJ was letting on.

“Okay, bud.”

The talk of Y/n dwindled out, their conversations drifting from far and wide. Kie and Pope bickered off to the side of which Mario Kart character was the best while John B and JJ sat quietly, laughing at the occasional dig the other two would throw at each other. JJ broke off another piece of chocolate from the bar he nabbed at work and tossed it in his mouth. He jumped slightly when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He struggled to get it out in the position he was in, groaning as he dug through his pant pockets.

Y/n/n

You up for a smoke sesh tomorrow after your shift?  

JJ HAD BEEN WATCHING THE CLOCK ALL DAY.

The hand taunted him every time he looked up and barely a minute had passed from the last he checked. He tried keeping himself preoccupied as he could, challenging himself to not look at the clock for as long as he could. The shifts JJ didn’t share with Y/n were always slow. He spent his breaks texting her, he’d even text her during work even though he knew Andrew would be on his ass if he found him on his phone rather than bussing tables.

When his shift was finally over he bounded to the locker room, shedding himself of his clothes and jumping into some fresh ones. JJ had dashed out of the hotel, sparing a few quick goodbyes to the coworkers he passed, and begun scanning the parking lot for Y/n’s car. Y/n had spotted him first though and quickly put her car in drive and drove the short distance to pick him up. She came to a slow stop in front of him, music swept outside of the car as she rolled down her window, a disposable vape in between her lips. She hung her hand outside the window, flicking her lighter on,

“You ready to get fucked up, Maybank?” the devilish smirk on her face made his stomach tighten.

“Fuck yeah,” he replied, before jogging in front of her car and slipping into the passenger seat.

Y/n smiled at him, reminding him to buckle his seat belt before peeling out of the hotel parking lot. They laughed together, sharing stories about their day, cracking jokes, and dancing to the music before Y/n decided she found the perfect spot. She all but kicked him out of the car, demanding he help her put down the seats in the back so they could hotbox her car.

“God,” he sighed, “I think I might be in love with you.”

She chuckled and rolled her eyes,

“Just help me get these down will, ya?”

He did just that, sliding in through her trunk once all the seats were put down. Y/n grabbed her backpack, pulling out her baggie, along with two bottles of juice and some snacks. She opened the baggie, the aroma filling up the car immediately.

“Ooh! That’s some strong shit right there,” he commented.

Y/n chuckled and nodded her head. She offered the backwood and the lighter to him, bowing her head.

“You may do the honors,” she said, her posh accent made JJ chuckle.

“Why thank you, m’lady,”

He placed it in his mouth, taking a puff as the lighter sparked the top. The smoke was hot as it hit his lungs, he winced as he pulled it back. He coughed, blowing the smoke out through his mouth.

“Oh, yeah,” he said in between a few coughs, “that’s it.”

Y/n laughed at him, taking the blunt back from him,

“I told you,” she said, “this shits the best.”

They passed the backwood back and forth for a while, talking about whatever came to their mind as the car filled with the smoke. JJ couldn’t keep the smile off his face at the sound of her laugh. Her head is thrown back against the cup holder, a few wheezes making their way out of her mouth before she calmed herself. She leaned up slightly to pass it back, dabbing a few tears that had tried to slip from her eyes with her free hand.

“Oh, you’re gone,” their fingers grazed each other when he took the backwood from her, “no more for you.”

She gasped, sitting up straighter,

“No!” she whined.

JJ laughed at her, tapping the ash off in Y/n’s empty juice bottle. They both fell silent, the only sound was the music flowing from the stereo. She nudged his knee with her foot. He nudged her back. He licked his lips before he took another hit, not catching the way Y/n’s gaze slips to his mouth. She caught herself quickly though, occupying herself with switching the song.

“Okay,” he spoke, “tell me about your first kiss.”

That made her laugh. She shook her head and wiggled her fingers at him, silently asking him to pass it back.

“Nothing to tell,” she replied.

JJ pulled it further from her grasp,

“No, no, no,” he said, “I know there’s a story there and I want to hear it.”

Y/n said nothing as she shifted up on her knees, leaning over him to grab it back. JJ’s mouth went dry as he stared up at her. But it was totally just the weed. Cottonmouth was a bitch.

“I’ll compromise,” she replied, leaning back to her respective side of the car, placing the blunt back in her mouth, “when it happens I’ll tell you.”

JJ shot up, his eyebrows furrowed,

“Wait, are you saying that you haven’t had your first kiss yet?”

“Yep,” she answered, “I’m completely kiss-less.”

The look on JJ’s face sent her into a fit of giggles. He had a deep crease in between his eyebrows; they were furrowed so hard, his mouth was slightly agape as his eyes bounced all over the car like he was scanning for the answer.

“But - like how? How the fuck have you not had your first kiss yet? You’re hot as shit! That makes like...zero sense, dude!”

Y/n smirked from across the car,

“You think I’m hot?”

The look on her face made him freeze. Her mouth was upturned, her eyes glassy and red as she raised her eyebrows at him. He cleared his throat, his body ticking upwards, he moved as if he was trying to get comfortable.

“I mean…” he started, “yeah. I flirt with you all the time.”

She let the smoke roll out of her mouth before pulling it back through her nose - fuck that was hot - she held it in her lungs for a few seconds then she blew it back out.

“You flirt with everyone, JJ,” she said, “I didn’t take it personally.”

He loved the way his name sounded coming from her mouth. Y/n stuck to calling him Maybank most of the time - which used to bother him because it reminded him of his dad, but he didn’t mind it from her after a while. She held his name so safely in her mouth and never let it come out harsh, only kindly. But hearing his name - not his last name but his name - roll off her tongue just sounded so heavenly.

She was still smiling at him, her eyes twinkled with something JJ - in his compromised mind - couldn’t put his finger on. A smile formed his lips, he shook his head and looked away from her.

“You’ve gotta stop looking at me like that,” he said.

“Why? Does it make you uncomfy?” she questioned.

JJ shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, glancing up at her through his lashes. She started to laugh again.

“What?” he asked.

Y/n wiggled her shoulders in a little dance,

“You think I’m hot,” she teased.

JJ shook his head at her, trying to keep the smile off of his face, he threw his empty bag of chips at her.

“Oh, shut up, man!”

The car fell silent again before Y/n balanced the backwood on their makeshift ashtray and shifted back onto her knees. She tugged her bottom lip into her mouth and shuffled over to him. His eyes are glued to her as she sits on her thighs in between his widely spread legs. His heart was beating so fast it felt like it was beating out of his chest. That couldn’t be normal. JJ swallowed thickly, licking his lips in a nervous tick. She scooted an inch closer to him.

“You wanna take my first kiss, Maybank?”

JJ nearly choked on his own spit. He was looking up at her, his wide-eyed expression made a burst of confidence course through her body. And he knew it too. He cleared his throat again, pressing his shoulders into the side of her car, sitting up straighter.

“Dunno,” he replied, “I’ll have to think about it.”

“Ooohh,” she was calling his bluff, “I get it.”

She leaned back, turning to go back to the other side of the car. JJ’s hands shot out and made themselves at home on her cheeks. He surged forward, pressed his lips against hers. She made a noise against his lips as her hands hesitantly came to rest on his wrists. JJ’s lips moved at a leisurely pace against hers, taking his time getting to know his way around. She was in his lap now, her legs thrown on either side of his, one of his hands slid down to rest above her hip. He pulled away after a few moments. She breathed heavily, her forehead resting against his own. JJ was the first to speak.

“You sure you’ve never done that before?”

“Positive,” she replied.

She shifted backward, moving the ashtray off to the side before laying on the back of the seats, pulling him on top of her by his forearm. Her hands glided up his arms and over his shoulders and settled on cradling the back of his head, her thumbs resting on his cheeks. She pulled him toward her, bumping his nose with hers before she covered his lips with hers.

HE ENDED UP TAKING MORE THAN HER FIRST KISS THAT NIGHT.

The events of Friday night still replayed in his mind, coming and going in flashes. He could be talking with Pope, then he’d remember the song that was playing, her hand in his hair. The pogues could be in the middle of the marsh just goofing off, being rowdy teenagers and then he’d remember the way her skin felt and the way she sounded. They laid in the parking lot for hours, Y/n laying on his chest as he caressed her bare back. She drew shapes on him as they talked about anything from pop culture to philosophy. She told him about her best friend Maddy, her situation and that her parents adopted her almost a year ago and JJ told her that his relationship with his father wasn’t great. They went on for hours and it wasn’t until the sun had gone down and the sky had turned black did they decide it was time to go home.

Y/n dropped him off at John B’s, JJ lingered in her car, a smile on his face as she fiddled with his fingers. It was only after she yawned for the second time did JJ decide to let her go home. He left her with not one but two goodnight kisses. She waited for him to get inside before she left. They hadn’t seen each other since Friday but they’d been texting each other nonstop over the weekend. Both Y/n and JJ’s friends had grown tired of the constant buzzing of their phones but neither of them cared.  They were too caught up with themselves to care about their teasing. For the most part, they had decided to keep what happened to themselves - Maddy who basically extracted it from her after finding the few hickies JJ had left on her - they were in their own little bubble, and when they were together it was like they were the only people on earth. It was just JJ, Y/n, and a playlist filled with all their favorite songs.

Mondays were usually the worst day of the week for JJ, after a fun weekend JJ always dreaded going to sleep on Sunday nights. But this time around, JJ woke up before his phone could wake him. John B was shocked to find him in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand rather than slumped over a lumpy pillow in his room.

“Why’re you up so early?”

JJ shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip of the coffee he didn’t like,

“Couldn’t sleep.”

John B all but kicked JJ out of the van when they got to the hotel, tired of his nagging for him to hurry and get ready because “didn’t want to be late for work.” When JJ started caring about being late for work was beyond him.

“Hey,” John B called, “you need me to pick you up?”

JJ shook his head, throwing his backpack over his shoulder,

“Nah, Y/n’ll give me a ride.”

John B tried to hide the smirk threatened to appear on his face. John B suspicious that something had happened between the pair on Friday night. JB had happened to be in the kitchen when JJ came back, he had a smile he couldn’t keep off his face and he stood a little taller, prouder than he did when he left. But he kept it to himself. The two boys bid their goodbyes and JJ made his way inside.

Y/n is making her way out the back door when JJ walks through the front. She gripped the bag of trash tightly in her fist to keep it from slipping. Taking out the trash wasn’t in her job description as a receptionist but who cared, she was getting paid. She threw the bag into the dumpster, dusting her hands for good measure. Before she had a chance to turn around, she felt a pair of sturdy arms wrap around her middle, lifting her off the ground. She let out a squeal, ready to shout for help before she heard a familiar laugh. She gasped as JJ moved her away from the door and pressed her against the wall.

“Shit, JJ!” she exclaimed, slapping his arm, “you scared the hell out of me!”

He spared her a quick sorry and leaned in, pressing his mouth against hers. She smiled into his lips as her fingers slipped into his hair. She pulled back when she felt his tongue run across his bottom lip. She laughed when he chased after her, he got one short kiss in before she pushed him back by the shoulders

“I missed you,” she said.

She felt her heart flutter when he smiled at her, her hands coming to rest on his forearms as his hands danced dangerously close to the hem of her pleated skirt.

“I missed you too,” he replied, “we were having a nice conversation last night until you ghosted me.”

She laughed at him,

“I didn’t ghost you, I just clunked out.”

“Oh, yeah,” he said, teasingly.

“Hey!” her hands rose in surrender, “I was a tired girl, bud!”

“Oh, my God!” he laughed, “do not call me bud!”

“Why? Does it get you going?” she teased.

“Oh, yeah, bud, really does it for me.”

They fall into a comfortable silence, their eyes locked on each other. JJ’s thumbs caressed the top of her thighs before he pulled one hand back, rubbing his nose.

“Hey, there’s this new ice cream place that just opened up the other day,” he said, “I was thinking of checking it out this Saturday. You tryna come?”

“I’m down for ice cream,” she replied with a nod.

“Okay. I’ll meet you at your place -”

“Y/n! What’d you do? Fall in the dumpster?”

Y/n place her finger over JJ’s mouth, her eyes wide as she held back a laugh,

“Coming, Mama L!”

“I’ll text you later,” she said, giving him a fast kiss on the corner of his mouth and speed walking back inside.

“THIS IS TOTALLY A DATE.”

Y/n rolled her eyes at her dark-haired friend, adjusting her dress in the mirror.

“It’s not a date.”

Maddy rolled her eyes from Y/n’s bed, tossing her phone to the other side and leaning on her elbows to look at her properly.

“Bitch, he asked you to get ice cream after he fucked you in the back of your car,” she stated, “it’s a date.”

“It’s not a date, Mads!” She laughed.

Maddy sighed through her nose, waving her hand in a shooing motion. She muttered a ‘whatever’ before turning the speaker up.  While Y/n finished getting ready - another argument Maddy used in her favor. “If this isn’t a date, why are you getting so dolled up? Hm?” Maddy grabbed Y/n’s phone to change the song, while she was doing so, the text banner fell down.

J dog I’m outside :)

“Lover boy’s here,” Maddy said, offering Y/n her phone. Maddy pursed her lips as Y/n  jogged to retrieve her phone. Maddy had a comment about her being so excited but she held back. Y/n hurried to grab her speaker and shove it in her bag, pressing a fast kiss on Maddy’s cheek and bidding her goodbye.

“Don’t get pregnant!”

Y/n flipped her off and said a quick goodbye to her parents and grabbed her keys. JJ lingered by the big tree in her front yard, turning around quickly when he heard the door open. Y/n felt her cheeks heat up when his eyes widened slightly. He walked to meet her halfway.

“I feel like I’m under dressed,” he said.

Y/n took her last few steps,

“Nah,” she said, looking him over.  She leaned onto her toes, pretending she was going in for a kiss only to pull away just as JJ’s lips brushed hers, twirling around him and walking backwards towards her car while she laughed at his reaction.

“That was wrong on so many levels,” he said, still standing in the same place.

“Come on, Maybank! We got ice cream to eat!”

The ice cream parlor was quaint. It was a small shop that was run by an elderly woman who finally gained the courage to open this place up just recently. Y/n and the woman - who’s name was Petunia - had a long conversation about this place while JJ chimed in here and there but mostly just watched with a small smile on his face. Y/n ordered french vanilla - which JJ teased her for being so plain, which in return earned a sweet “there’s nothin’ wrong with a little vanilla!” from Ms. Petunia, making Y/n raise her eyebrows with a proud look on her face - while JJ ordered himself a rocky road. Y/n paid for both - much to JJ’s dismay. Ms. Petunia laughed while they wrestled in her lobby to give her the money.

“The two of you make a very cute couple,” she told them as she shoved the money in the register.

The pair didn’t say a word, both avoiding eye contact with each other and Ms. Petunia. But she didn’t miss JJ’s reddening cheeks and the little grins on both of their faces. She handed them their ice cream cones and waved goodbye. Y/n promised she would come back soon and bring more of her friends.

JJ and Y/n ate their ice cream as they walked down the street falling into conversation easily before JJ stuck a finger into Y/n’s vanilla cone and swiped it on her nose. She gasped, scrunching her nose - he was happy he had his phone out and managed to record her cute face.

“Why did you have to stick your finger in mine?” she laughed, wiping the ice cream off on her napkin, “now it’s contaminated!”

He laughed loudly,

“Contaminated?!”

“Yes!”

They ended up driving to the beach, staying in the parking lot. Their feet rocked back and forth as they sat in the trunk, music filling the air from the speaker that was sat in the cup holder.

“So, you just keep these in your car at, like, all times?” JJ questioned, fiddling with Y/n’s pair of roller skates.

Y/n nodded quickly,

“Yep,” she answered, “never know when you’re gonna wanna skate.”

JJ chuckled.

“Is it bad I wanna see you totally wipe out on these things?”

She let out a laugh, tossing her head back before she turned to look at him.

“I wouldn’t wipe out.”

JJ hummed before he hopped out of the trunk, crouching down and pulling her shoes off.

“What’re you doing?” she laughed.

“You’re gonna show me that you won’t wipe out.”

“Oh, I am?”

JJ hummed in response. He grabbed the skates out of the trunk, easing her foot inside and tying them up. The ties were wonky but Y/n didn’t mind. JJ leaned into the trunk, his hands on either side of her. She had the overwhelming urge to kiss him but she held back. She didn’t know why.  

“You ready, champ?”

“Born ready, bud.”

JJ shook his head before he plopped back down in the trunk. As she pushed herself out of the car she gasped as the song switched,

“I love this song!”

JJ tapped her phone to turn it on. Sunflower Vol. 6.  He looked back up at her quickly, watching her as she rolled around the empty parking lot. Her dress swayed as she danced, her eyes closed - confident enough in her skills to know she wouldn’t crash. The wind blew her hair and she didn’t bother to fix it. JJ’s eyes were fixed on her, he swallowed hard.  JJ always knew she was beautiful but there was something about her right now that took his breath away. She was in her element, uncaring of the world around her as she did something she loved listening to one of her favorite songs. He opened his phone and added the song to his own playlist.

After a while of skating they decide to go down to the beach and watch the ocean. Y/n listened intently while JJ rambled on about surfing, he talked with such animation and passion it brought a smile to her face. She couldn’t surf and wasn’t very fond of the idea of venturing that deep in the ocean but JJ enjoyed it, so she’d enjoy listening to him talking about it.

“I wanna see you surf.”

He smiled,

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!” she laughed, “I showed you my hobby, now you gotta show me yours.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “I’ll pick you up bright and early and you can sit on the beach because you’re a scaredy-cat.”

“Oh, no, Maybank, that’s not gonna work on me. You’re not gonna get me in the ocean.”

“I think you underestimate my abilities.”

“I think you underestimate my stubbornness.”

Y/n was laying down on the blanket she brought from the car, looking up at him with a sparkle in her eye. JJ leaned down, grabbing her smaller hand in his and placing her limp palm on his cheek.

“You’re telling me you’re gonna say no to this face?” he questioned, poking his bottom lip out in a pout.

JJ felt butterflies swarm in his stomach when her thumb caressed his cheekbone. She flips her hand, letting the back of her fingers run down his face before squishing his cheeks.

“I’m telling you I’m gonna say no to this face.”

He pulled his face from her hands, plopping down, resting his full weight on her. She groaned, she tried to push him off but it was no use.

“Oh, Jesus, JJ! Get off of me!” she exclaimed, “I can’t breathe!”

JJ laughed into her neck, resting on her for a few seconds longer before he pushed up on his arm. His eyes glanced down to her mouth that was pulled into a perfect smile. Y/n reached her hand up, snatching his hat off of his head and flipping it around so that the bill was backwards. He can’t fight off the urge to kiss her any longer. His hand slid to cradle her face before slipping into her hair. JJ’s heart skipped a beat from the sound she made against his lips. She still tasted faintly of her vanilla ice cream, her lips were soft - so much softer than his own. The hand in her hair moved down her body, giving her thigh a squeeze before slipping under her dress. She gasped and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. He smirked into the kiss when he felt goosebumps rise on her skin. He slipped his first three fingers under the hemline of her underwear as his lips drifted from her mouth down to her neck.

Suddenly, Y/n pushed him back- and if it wasn’t for the mischievous grin on her face he would’ve thought he’d done something wrong. His kiss swollen lips were agape as he watched her pick herself up off the sand and start walking up the beach. Just as he went to ask her where she was going she called out to him,

“You comin’ or am I gonna have to take care of myself, Maybank?”

His lips spread into a smile as he nearly tripped over his feet trying to get up. He gets about three feet from their spot before she called out again.

“Don’t forget the blanket!”

IT HAD BEEN ALMOST TWO MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST TIME THEY KISSED.

It had been nine weeks of sneaking around, sneaking out to meet, sneaking into houses. It had been sixty days of sneaking. The ‘keep it between us’ thing was fun at first - even though JJ had run into Maddy a few times in the hallway when he’d have to go to the bathroom, so keeping it between them and Maddy - there was something exciting about being the only people who knew.  But now, things were more tiring than fun. It didn’t take Y/n long to realize how she felt about him. She’d always had a little crush on him but had seen the way JJ had acted around other girls and took it with a grain of salt. Until that day in the back of her car, Y/n had settled for just being JJ’s friend and nothing more. But now she had him - sort of.

They laid in JJ’s bed at John B’s, the fan whirling in the corner of his room was the only sound besides their soft breathing. Y/n had her head resting on his chest, her fingers drawing shapes on his side, tickling him ever so often, as JJ hand played with her hair. She chewed on her lip, thinking quickly of what she wanted to say. She drew one last star on his side before she spoke,

“Hey, JJ?” she whispered.

“Hmm?”

“What’re we doing?”

A laughed vibrated through his chest, his fingers still scratching at her scalp.

“We’re laying in bed.”

“No, JJ,” she replied, “what are we doing? Are we dating?”

Y/n felt JJ stiffen underneath her, his heart rate started to pick up - the sound was deafening. His hand stilled in her hair and Y/n looked up at him, trying to read his expression the best she could in the dark.

“I - um, I,” he cleared his throat, “I don’t really date.”

JJ’s heart clenched when he felt her deflate against him. She pulled off of him, holding the sheet to her chest.

“Oh.”

“But that doesn’t change anything!” he said, his hand resting on her elbow, “nothing has to change.”

Y/n sighed, tossing the sheet to the side and blindly looking for her discarded clothes.

“Y/n...” he trailed.

“No, it’s whatever, J,” she said as she tugged on her t-shirt, “I know how it goes, okay? You want the girlfriend treatment but you don’t want the girlfriend.”

“Y/n, would you just wait? Just listen -”

“No, JJ, I’ve heard this story a million fucking times, okay? If that’s what you want to do then fine but it’s not gonna be me. I’m not the girl you sleep with and-and do all the coupley shit with and then say we’re not together. That’s not me.”

JJ was out of the bed, desperately trying to get her to stop, to listen to his proposition but Y/n always stood her ground. It was something he always liked about her. He liked a lot of things about her but fuck did she scare him. He’d never felt like this about anyone before - anytime he’d thought in the past that he liked a girl, he hadn’t. Being with Y/n was like being in the ocean after years of only having puddles. But he liked things the way they were. Where he could pretend that it was just good fun, that Y/n didn’t have the power to crush his heart if she wanted to.

“Dating just - “ he’s struggling to find the words but Y/n has one foot out of the window, quite literally, “it’s just not for me. But I like you, I really, really fucking do.”

The moon was shining in through his window, her eyes were almost glowing. And he could see it - his words weren’t enough. Both of them felt like there were thousands of miles between them, each wanting to grab the other in their arms and take back everything they said and tell them they could do whatever they wanted as long as it meant they’d stay. Neither of them move. Y/n held down a growl as she felt tears prick her eyes, she rolled her lips.

“I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

And she was gone.

JJ tugged at the roots of his hair, knotty blonde clumps clenched tightly in his fists. He huffed before he turned, kicking his bed with the bottom of his foot, throwing his blankets off of his bed and kicking them into the wall. It took him awhile but he finally settled back down on his bare bed, his face still red with anger as he rested his head on his pillow. He cursed as he felt a tear slip down his face, the tear settling on the pillow case in a small wet spot, a constant reminder that once again he messed things up.

“ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA GO TONIGHT?”

Maddy stood in her closet, searching through the racks of clothes to find an outfit while Y/n sat at her vanity.

“Why wouldn’t I go?” Y/n replied.

Maddy rolled her eyes. She wished Y/n would stop playing the tough girl act - like she didn’t hear her cry every night through her bedroom walls. She’d known Y/n since they were nine years old, she knew all of her tells and knew more than Y/n thought she did - She knew she was hurting. She just wished she didn’t feel like she had to pretend she wasn’t.

“Why? Because JJ is most definitely going to be there.”

“I don’t care.”

Maddy bit her tongue and took a deep breath.

“I know we always talk about how men are shit and we don’t need them, but it’s okay if you’re upset about what happened with JJ.” she said.

Y/n shook her head, looking at Maddy over her shoulder, her eyeliner in hand.

“I’m okay, Mads, promise.”

“You’re not,” Maddy replied, “you can lie to yourself all you want but I know the truth, babe. And it’s okay.”

Maddy walked over to her, her hands cupped her head as she kissed her hair.

“I got you.”

Maddy turned around to get changed, leaving Y/n to fight her tears off by herself.

JJ wasn’t doing any better. It didn’t take long for the pogues to realize something was wrong but one thing Y/n and JJ had in common was that they felt as if they needed to fight their battles by themselves. So JJ kept his hardships to himself, attempting to drown his thoughts with weed - though every time he took a hit of his joint he was reminded of the day in the back of Y/n’s car. When the pogues suggested a kegger at the Boneyard he jumped at the opportunity to get his mind off of things.

JJ had been doing an okay job if you asked him until he saw Maddy and Y/n by the keg.  John B chatted with them, unaware that the girl who held JJ’s heart in her hand was standing in front of him. He felt his heart pound in his chest. He hadn’t seen her since that night in his bedroom. He still had the pictures and the videos he took of her, that he spent much more time looking at than he’d care to admit, but there was nothing like seeing her in person. His gaze was so fixed on her that he hadn’t even noticed Pope was standing next to him.

“That’s her, isn’t it?”

JJ jumped, glaring at Pope once he slowed his heart rate.

“Jesus!” he groaned, “don’t sneak up on me like that, man.”

“I’ve been standing here for like two minutes,” Pope replied, “but that’s her, right? Y/n?”

JJ nodded, taking another sip of his beer,

“Yep,” he sighed, pointing her out for him,  “a real looker, huh, Pope?”

The two boys fell silent before JJ took a deep breath, Pope looked over at him.

“I messed things up, man,” he said, “I don’t know how to fix it.”

Pope pondered for a moment before he spoke,

“You should talk to her.”

“It’s not that easy,” JJ replied, scratching the back of his neck, “I wouldn’t even know what to say to her.”

“Just be honest,” Pope suggested, “tell her how you feel.”

“Easier said than done,” JJ stated.

Pope rolled his eyes at him.

“So, you’re just gonna not talk to her and mope around for the rest of your life instead of telling her how you feel? That’s bullshit,” Pope took him by the shoulder, “what’s the worst she’s gonna say? You guys aren’t talking already so either things are gonna stay the same or you can go back to the way things were.”

JJ stared at him. He had a point - and a good one too, the look on his face said that he knew it too. JJ handed him his drink before he kissed his cheek,

“Thanks, man.”

Pope tipped both cups at him as he watched JJ walk across the beach to get to her.

“In coming,” Maddy said, pointing at JJ over Y/n’s shoulder.

“Shit,” she cursed.

Y/n gulpped as JJ stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, head bowed.

“Can we talk?”

Y/n rolled her lips together, looking to Maddy, who shrugged shoulders - silently telling her it was her decision. Her shoulders twitched as anxiety washed over her.

“I don’t know, JJ..” the look on his face was almost enough to make her swallow her words, “I think we want different things. I think it’s best if we just stay clear of each other for a while.”

She grabbed Maddy by the arm quickly, dragging her away before she had a chance to change her mind. Maddy followed her wordlessly, taking her arm from her hand to wrap her arms around her.

JJ’s heart pounded in his ears. She was walking away from him - again. JJ’s body jittered as he licked his lips. He didn’t want things to end like this. His eyes glanced around the Boneyard before they settled on the table where two groups were playing beer pong. He looked back at Y/n, she was getting further away from him. He let her walk away once. He couldn’t do it again.

JJ jumped onto the cheap table, both groups yelling profanities at him trying to get him to move.

“Man, what the fuck? Move!”

Beer coated his boots but he didn’t care.

“Y/n!” his shout captured the attention of nearly the whole beach, nerves set in almost immediately.

Y/n turned around with wide eyes while Maddy raised her eyebrows, her head twitching to the side,

“Bold move.” she said.

“I’ve realized some things, Y/n,” he started, “you’re, like, the coolest fucking girl to ever walk the earth and I was an idiot because we don’t want different things, okay? I wanna be with you, I wanna be your boyfriend, and I wanna take you on dates and shit because you deserve it! You deserve the world, okay, and if you’re still willing to have me I wanna be the one to give it to you.”

They stared at each other for a few moments. JJ had a pit in his stomach as he tried to read her expression. He saw Maddy say something to her and then nudge her in his direction. He jumped off of the table, much to the teams relief, when she started walking over to him. He met her in the middle, nerves still flowing through him.

“You’re an idiot, you know that?”

JJ nodded,

“Yes - very aware.”

Y/n laughed at him. Her hand came up to his neck, pulling him to her lips. JJ melted into her immediately, his hands coming to cradle the back of her head, ignoring the few hoots and hollers he heard. There were countless people on the beach but to them it felt like it was only the two of them. Cliche, they knew. But it had always felt that way and it always felt right.

Y/N FIT IN THE GROUP PERFECTLY.

Just like JJ thought she would. All five of them laughed together like they’d been friends there whole life. Like Y/n had been a missing puzzle piece to all of them - not just JJ. She had her head in his lap, engaged in a conversation with Kie as JJ fiddled with her hair absentmindedly. Things went back to the way they were after the beach, it was like nothing had changed. The pogues had commented on how well they fit together and neither of them could disagree.

A smile pulled at JJ’s mouth as Y/n laughed at something Pope had said, causing Kie to slap his arm. She looked up at him to see if he was laughing too, her smile grew wider when she found him already looking at him.

“What?”

JJ shook his head, pursing him lips,

“Nothin’.”

Y/n grabbed his hand and kissed his fingers before she looked back at the group, continuing her conversation. JJ hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. Before his happiness came and went in waves and he always had an unsettling feeling that his happiness would never last forever. That is was just a fleeting moment before he hit the bottom again. He had no doubt that he would still have his lows but Y/n had become a ray of light in his life, a beacon that would call out to him so he could find his way back. Y/n had come into his life randomly - she used to just be the hot girl who worked with him but she had changed his was of thinking. JJ used to think that dating wasn’t for him. But it was - as long as it was with Y/n.

He leaned back into his seat, cradling her hand to his chest as he listened to everyone laugh and joke like it was his favorite melody. JJ felt peace wash over him and for the first time since he was a little boy he wasn’t worried about it fading away.

[confused-as-all-hell]

"i know we broke up, i know we don't talk anymore, but I still miss you"

@wesper-week i'm sincerely sorry for this chaos

Jesper Fahey's trade was humor.

His clothes were the colour of too much attention, his laugh limned in shimmering gold. He drew gazes and wistful stares like a lighthouse beacon called for drifting ships. The lines of his body were sharp, elegant, sprawling. When the corners of his mouth lifted in a grin, stars gleamed in his eyes.

He was so achingly beautiful, all tousled dark hair and broad shoulders and warm hands.

Girls and boys fell over themselves for one kiss, one little smile, one whispered word in their ear. How could they not?

Jesper was young and handsome and heady as a cup of evening wine, clever with his graceful fingers, wicked with his soft lips. His GPA was polished, his manners immaculate.

They hung on to his words, the cadence of them, the amused lilt that drenched every sentence.

Jesper had fallen in love with so many, men with rough laughs and kind smiles, women with curling hair and bright eyes. He had taken them over the world, to parks and monuments and cafes, kissed them in the shadow of history.

For every one of his lovers, he bought a ring.

Amethyst for the young lady who carried the scent of lavender.

Gold for the pretty girl whose lips tasted of joy.

Sapphire for the boy who kissed like a fucking god.

Ruby for the trickster woman who loved to laugh.

Copper for the handsome man who had a smile like late summer.

Jesper had cared for each of them in turn. He gifted flowers and jewelry and handwritten letters in his untidy scrawl. He had told them stupid jokes and held their hands and read to them in his unmade bed.

But one by one, they left him, and soon all that was left of their love were those glinting rings.

"Is there something wrong with me?" he whispered once, face shining with tears, head thrown back against the wall.

Nina rested her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around him awkwardly. "Of course not, darling."

He patted her cheek clumsily. "Then why does everyone keep leaving, Nina? Why does nobody stay?"

"Wylan—" she began, but shut her mouth instantly.

"Wylan is different."

And he was.

Beautiful, quiet, sweet Wylan Van Eck with his slender hands and paint-splattered face. He was everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, sketching the stars as they lay intertwined in bed, smiling over his cup of morning tea, dressed in his oversized shirts and plaid trousers.

His kisses were soft and tentative and tasted of tea leaves. His grins were slow and mischievous and bright as the damned sun. When he sprinted along the rim of a fountain, laughing and arms aloft, Jesper thought love might kill him.

He still dreamt about that day, Wylan leaping across the broad rim, his face upturned, sunlight brightening his hair to flame and gold. Wylan, paint smudged across his lower lip, hands stained with red acrylic. Wylan, pretty blue eyes bright with mirth, his panicked yelp as he nearly toppled sideways.

Wylan, Wylan, Wylan.

Sometimes, when Jesper was laying on the floor of someone else's bathroom, watching the ceiling spin and spin, he could still hear Wylan whispering, "And if I said I am yours, and there is no greater honor, what then Jesper?"

They had been so fucking happy, happier than Jesper deserved, all sticky orange juice kisses and skinny dipping in the ocean and opulent restaurants of ivory and gold.

And then Wylan had mentioned the gambling.

They had argued for days and weeks and then months, furious and bitter. Jesper used to live for the clink of coins and soft rush of the wheel and the elation that flooded into his eyes, ears, mouth, fingers. He loved the hum and chaos of the nightclubs, the frenzy of congratulations and drunken kisses and the retreat into those shadowed alcoves.

The scent of alcohol, the sounds of triumph, the press of hands on his body, the pleasure and ecstasy and joy.

But on their hundredth argument, tears were running down Wylan's face, distorting his freckles and widening those fucking blue eyes. He'd whispered he wouldn't stand for it, and Jesper had woken alone the next morning.

His bed was too empty, his kitchen was too quiet, the room where Wylan painted was too fucking much. All that remained was the hole in Jesper's heart and a sketch of the water fountain Wylan had drawn so lovingly, each detail of the scene preserved forever within charcoal. The ice cream parlor. The sunlight. Wylan, laughing and trying to keep his balance, eyes bright bright bright. Jesper, staring at Wylan as if he had never seen another quite so magical.

The memory of those eyes haunted him, every damn day.

He found himself writing essays on Wylan's long, copper lashes. His eyes, the blue of tranquil oceans, of the clear winter sky, of salvation. The glints of silver shining within, a quiet intelligence that so few had glimpsed. The way he would shyly glance away whenever Jesper grinned at him.

How many times had he stared into those eyes, while the two of them lay bare and exhausted among his own silk sheets?

How many times had he looked up after a kiss to find Wylan smiling back at him?

How many times had he nearly drowned within Wylan's gaze, steady and thoughtful and really fucking hot?

But slowly, agonizingly, bitterly, he grew used to the silence.

He stopped texting Wylan in the middle of the day, face damp with tears, hands shaking with misery.

He stopped accidently brewing a second cup of coffee at breakfast.

He stopped glancing to his left, searching for a glint of red hair in crowded spaces.

He stopped seeing Wylan when another was beneath him.

But sometimes Jesper wondered if anything could make him stop loving the boy with pretty blue eyes and a heart of gold.

And if sometimes he glimpsed Wylan in the halls, or at a nightclub, or sketching with those fucking charcoal pencils, he could wave. Smile. Pretend he wasn't going to take another home just to ease the day's pain.

'Why won't you go back to him?" Kaz asked once, barely glancing up from his phone.

"He doesn't want me," Jesper said quietly.

He raised his eyebrows as if in disbelief. "Jes, I have it on good authority that Wylan Van Eck hasn't dated a single soul after your breakup."

"Who told you that?"

"Nobody," Kaz said airily.

"Nina?"

"Nina."

Jesper attempted a loose smile, but it drifted aside easily as a gauzy veil twitching in the wind.

Wylan Van Eck, kind and brave and good.

Wylan, with his inquisitive eyes and thoughtful conversation.

Wylan, lonely and miserable because one stupid fucking boy had broken his heart.

He could barely stand it.

In some hidden chamber of his mind, he had locked away Wylan’s laughter, the tide of his amusement, inexplicably bright and wondrous. It felt like gazing at one of his softest paintings, a lush blend of ivory and blue and gold, like glimpsing something raw and beautiful and secret.

A burning star.

A miracle, spinning through the galaxy, leaving nothing but light in its wake.

A memory, and no more.

Wylan had once laughed so freely, snickering over an amusing quip, or stifling his smile when Jesper read to him late at night.

That sound of joy and delight. . . it was the brightest damn thing in the world.

And Jesper wanted to know that somewhere, in some other softly lit room with a man looking up at Wy like he was the sun, that laugh was sounding again.

He wanted to know that even if Wylan didn’t shine for him, he shone nevertheless.

The next morning dawned piercing and cold, a bright jewel in the crown of winter. Jesper chose his clothes with unusual care, knotting the laces of his boots twice, cleaning his dozens of rings before slipping them on.

Once he had hoped Wylan would give him the last of the collection—the wedding ring.

Now, as he finished with the last of them, he left his fourth finger bare, a final shrine to the ghosts of their past.

The cafe where he had asked, begged, pleaded for Wylan to meet him was nearly empty, but for a handful of people. His gaze lingered on a young woman with curling brown hair who might have been Nina in a hat, and a man with his leg propped up that was almost certainly Kaz.

Even though he made a mental note to strangle them later, the gesture eased the pressure within his chest ever so slightly.

And there was Wylan, a cup of tea clutched between his slender hands, huddled in a soft brown sweater. He was staring out of the window, those damned blue eyes vague and empty.

Jesper slid soundlessly into the booth, holding his breath as if he could force the longing from his lungs. “Hello, Wylan,” he said softly.

When he glanced up, something in his gaze shifted.

A blossoming flower.

An easing rainfall.

Something wonderful and exquisite and otherworldly.

Hope, hope, hope.

“Jes,” he returned with a little smile.

And Jesper leaned forwards. He couldn’t help it, not when Wylan was there before him and his lips were curved so slightly and his fingers were wrapped around his mug like—

“Wy,” he said, clearing his throat, “I wanted to talk.”

He straightened slightly, that quiet peace dissolving. “Had I not wanted to talk to you, I wouldn’t have answered your text.”

They stared at each other silently, waiting; it felt like sitting in the living room together, huddled over a game of chess, Jesper grinning as he slid the first pawn two squares up.

But he was not nearly so confident about his play now.

“I’ve been talking to Kaz,” he began awkwardly, the words clumsy in his mouth. “He told me you haven’t been seeing anyone.”

“And I’ve been speaking with Inej,” returned Wylan, utterly refined and elegant in his simplicity. “She tells me you’ve been seeing everyone.”

Jesper felt like a child again, clutching a rifle in his inexperienced hands, brows drawn together in concentration as he replayed his mother’s instruction in his mind. His father was playing target again, brown eyes gentle with encouragement. He didn’t know what to do, he was going to shoot his father, he was going to harm harm harm.

The words in his hands, his throat, were constricted and awful and stumbling. He didn’t know how to shoot without hurting anyone he loved.

Wylan was still gazing at him, blue eyes dark, for the first time in memory. “Jes,” he said, “was I so easy to forget?”

“Forget?” Jesper croaked. “Like a stupid song or piece of information on the study guide? Like you didn’t shine brighter than the damned sun? Like there were days when I didn’t wish to capture the stars and give them to you?”

There was a strange, crackling rush in Jesper’s ears, as if the ocean had swelled too high and now he was drowning, drowning, drowned.

If Wylan wanted him back, if Wylan loved him still—

He could wake up every morning with soft limbs tangled in his own. He could kiss Wylan again, taste tea and sugar cookies and mint. He could marry him, live out a life with him, die on the bed beside his own, fingers interlocked tight.

The future was there, tangled and messy and uncertain, but there all the same.

But Wylan was shifting in his seat, almost anxiously. “Jes,” he said softly. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

His eyes, his lovely blue eyes, were beginning to shine. “I know that look,” he said, almost bitterly. “I know that look damn well.”

Jesper’s giddy excitement was beginning to wither, and he clung to it desperately, a final shield against the darkness. “What look?”

Wylan reached out, fingertips stained blue with paint, hands still slim and delicate, a work of art. “If you think I want to… to get back together, I don’t. You and I, it was so much fun, and sometimes I wonder if everything was more than a college romance.”

He retracted his shaking hands, and ran them through his copper hair. “I wonder if another Jesper, who loved himself as much as his friends love him, and another Wylan, who was just a little bit of a better boyfriend, might have had their future together.”

Jesper could only stare

Wylan whispered, “Don’t you see it, Jes? We were stupid fucking collage kids who fell in love, but it was never supposed to carry on. I told you, that night in the club, I just wanted sex.”

He remembered.

Just sex, do you understand? No more, Jes.

But then, I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you just once.

And it kept going, spiraling, until one morning they were laying in bed and Wylan was wearing Jesper’s shirt, and Jesper was stroking Wylan’s hair, and it was much more than just sex.

One date, Wy. Give me a chance.

I love you, I love you, I love you, dumbass.

I want you to move in with me. I want you in my bed, my kitchen, my clothes. I want to see you tired and angry and miserable and I want to tell you you’re still the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

Jesper had imagined their wedding, every so often, a blazing pillar of hope lighting the path to the future. He had dreamt tailored suits and blue eyes and the final ring. He had planned every detail of his speech, his vows, his oath to live and die with Wylan Van Eck.

“Just sex,” he said at last. “We fucked it up, didn’t we, Wy?”

Wylan extended his hand once more. “I loved you, Jes, I won’t pretend. But I’m with someone else now, and I care for him, and I promised I would sort out the ghosts of my past.”

Jesper slid his palm over his, reveling in the soft skin, the gentle touch he would never feel again. “You’re happy?” he said softly. “He makes you laugh?”

He smiled, a secret, lovely smile. “Yeah. Yeah, he makes me laugh.”

And the sudden truth of it, the fact Wylan was someone else’s now, and he was laughing in another’s arms, hit Jesper. It sent ice through his veins, his mind, the final shattered shard of his heart, tearing through memories.

Wylan, brave and wonderful, laying on his bed. His hands were aloft, describing a particularly clear night sky, the shapes he traced in the stars. He had named one for Jesper, and he said it was shaped like love.

Jesper, doubled up in laughter as he flipped a pancake, listening to yet another one of Wylan’s rambling stories. He never tired of them. Those recollections, the happy lilt to his voice, the giddy, “There’s more, though!” were treasured beyond gold.

Wylan, working on some assignment or another, sprawled on the grass of a dewy meadow. His head was pillowed on Jesper’s hoodie as he wrote, filling the page with his elegant script. Every so often, he would glance over and point out a butterfly or shaped cloud with a smile.

Jesper, watching as Wylan leapt across the fountain. His copper head was upturned, sunlight streaming down onto the angles of his face, joy etched in his brilliant grin. He looked like a god for that one moment, frozen forever in a snapshot of peace.

“I will love you if the entire fucking world tells me not to,” Jesper had whispered once. “I will love you if the entire fucking world tells me to. I will love you, because I am yours, and there has never been such an honor.”

When the years whiled past, when the bone-deep sorrow lightened at last, did Jesper still love him?

That was the question he asked himself every morning over a cup of bitter coffee.

Twenty-four years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Thirty-one years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Forty-five years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Fifty-seven years old, and Jesper still loved him.

An old man, dying in his bed, and the laugh ringing through his head belonged to a boy with pretty blue eyes and a heart of gold.

A dead man, and Jesper loved him from the grave.

Love bowed to no one, and least of all death.

A collage romance was theirs, but their love was not that of two foolish young men, out for a kiss and in for a good fuck. It was carefree, happy, bright as the sun. It was etched in the stars, and it was doomed from the start.

Love bowed to no one, but perhaps it inclined its head towards Jesper Fahey and Wylan Van Eck.

[mckennamayfairgoode]

I See the Signs of a Lifetime, You ‘Til I Die

Cordelia Goode x Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Summary: Clueless idiot thinks she’s undeserving; it's up to the Supreme to prove her wrong.

Warnings: Angst, yearning, insecurity, maybe a smidge of self-deprecation. 

A/N: First time posting, first time writing for American Horror Story.

The title is from one of my favorite songs: “Don’t Delete the Kisses” by Wolf Alice.

She’s wearing black lace today. Black lace with a high collar that conceals the pale, tender flesh of her throat. You want to pull the fabric down with shaking hands, press your mouth against her skin, feel the thrum of her life beneath your lips. Your eyes linger like the spots in your vision when you’ve stared at the sun for too long.

She laughs suddenly, beautifully, sincerely, and you think your heart might combust right inside your chest. God, how you love her. Furiously and with every part of you. You want nothing more than to offer them to her. To get on your knees and hold them out like offerings to a goddess, but you know they are no good. They are worth nothing. It would be cruel to have her look upon the broken pieces and the ugly parts, to force sweet, kind, gentle Cordelia to throw them aside. In doing so, it would only serve to hurt her more than it would hurt you. 

An elbow nudges you in the side. 

Even though the action is gentle, you jerk as if you had been burned, turning to meet amused blue eyes. “Ya gonna keep starin’ at her, or finally do somethin’ about it?” Misty asks, leaning back against the counter behind you. Your arms brush and you absentmindedly lean into the contact. 

Your eyes roll at her words. “We’ve already had this discussion,” you say.

“No, we haven’t. Every time I try to talk to you, you run away.”

“I don’t run away,” you insist under your breath. You resist the urge to look at the door, your fingertips tapping anxiously on the edge of the counter.

Misty shoots you a knowing look. “You were sayin’?”

You huff, turning your eyes downward and shrugging one shoulder like it’s no skin off your nose. Like Cordelia doesn’t have a permanent residence in your mind. Like your heart doesn’t beat in tune with hers. “She-” the lump forming in your throat catches the words in your mouth.

The secret must lie in your eyes because Misty wraps a hand under your chin, lifting your face so that your gazes can meet. “There ain’t nothin’ wrong with you, Y/N/N,” she murmurs, just low enough for you to hear. Her eyes are earnest. She’s telling the truth so why don’t you believe her? 

You’re suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to scream. You want to throw a tantrum just like the one you threw as a child from a broken home when you were told that your daddy wasn’t coming back and your mama didn’t want you and everything would be alright, but you need to quiet down now because the adults are talking. You want to scream just as you did when you were a child whose entire life had begun and ended in a hospital ward. You want to curl your hands into fists, stomp your feet into the floor, raise your face to the Heavens, and scream out as loud as your vocal cords will allow. There is something wrong with you, Cordelia does deserve better, and wanting to scream is better than not wanting to do anything at all. But you don’t say these things. Instead, like a moth drawn to a flame, you turn your head from Misty’s grip to meet Cordelia’s eyes and feel the scream die in your chest.

How long has she been watching? A part of your mind wonders. The other part, the largest part, is too lost in her eyes to wonder anything at all. 

You can’t decipher the emotions there, but you want to. She glances at Misty then back to you before offering a smile. It is a sad smile, out of place on her lips. You can’t help but wonder how to make it real, how to make her face light up in the way you adore. When her nose crinkles and her eyes shine like the darkest embers of a sunrise. But before you can summon up the courage to do anything at all, you blink and she’s gone. You stare at the space where she had been and feel your heart deflate.

--

That night, you gaze at your reflection in the coffeemaker. You don’t know how long you have been standing there, hands braced against the counter as the thoughts of inadequacy and yearning turn around and around in your mind, a meaningless haze that only serves to remind you of what you already know. She could never love you. Not the way you love her: with everything and always and no one else ever again. Just her. Always, always, always.

“Are you going to drink any of that, or is it purely for decoration?” A voice asks teasingly from the doorway, startling you from your inner monologue. 

You whirl around, your heart thudding in your ribcage. “Jesus, Delia,” you gasp, hand to your chest as it pounds.

She gives you an apologetic smile, the little one that forms when she’s faintly amused. “I’m sorry, Y/N,” she murmurs, not really sounding sorry at all. It’s late, the girls are asleep, and the moon shines like a spotlight through the kitchen window, but Cordelia is awake. Cordelia is here, in the kitchen, in that black lace dress with the skirt swishing delicately around her ankles as she steps further into the room.

“It’s okay,” you hear yourself say distantly. You look at her and you ache. God, how you ache for her. A sense of deja vu rushes over you as your eyes brush over the high collar of her dress. There’s a tiny black button just above her clavicle. A flick of your fingers and it would come free. The fabric would fall away and all you would have to do is- A gentle clearing of her throats grabs your attention, yanking you back to reality. You dart away like a spooked animal, heat gathering in your cheeks as you turn back around to your abandoned coffee. You don’t look into her face, too fearful of the expression you might find there.

There’s a brief pause. You can feel her eyes on your back; her presence behind you is nothing but a beacon to your weary heart. “Is everything alright?” she asks gently, concern lacing her voice just as you knew it would. Because Cordelia cares and loves and gives, no matter if she has anything left to offer. She is an angel and you are a street urchin, unloved and unwanted, insignificant and so very small where she is larger than life. She is your lighthouse at sea and you are the ship determined to crash into her shore even as she wards you away with beams of light and warnings as if to say, “Go, go on, you don’t belong here.” 

You clutch at your coffee cup, empty still, and will your heart to stop beating so damn loud lest she hears it. “I can’t get you out of my head. Did you know that you live there? Do you know that I love you, love you, love you?” you think, but don’t say. “Just couldn’t sleep,” you mutter instead. 

“You know you can talk to me, right, sweetheart?” Cordelia’s voice is closer now, husky and warm like a late-night campfire. Your body erupts in goosebumps at the sound of it so close to your ear. Her presence is warm against you as her arm reaches over your shoulder to the cabinet door, the action causing her breasts to press into your shoulder blades. Long, slender fingers reach for a coffee cup and you watch them intensely, aching, always aching. “Sweetheart?” She probes gently. Her lips brush your ear. 

“I know,” you manage to whisper though the words come out shaky and you’re not sure the voice is your own. You will your body to move, but you are frozen in place. You are a statue at a museum for others to gawk and point at, for them to whisper around because you can’t tell anyone what they’re saying anyway. You are not a witch standing in the kitchen with your Supreme pressing you against the counter. You are not a girl hopelessly in love with the woman who saved her. You are not worthy. You are a statue.

A hand cups your cheek and turns your face so that you’re looking deeply into the most beautiful eyes of molten chocolate you have ever seen, and as they soften, as Cordelia looks at you like you are a seashell she found washed up along her shore, dirty and covered in sand but no less precious, you realize you might not be worthy in your eyes, but maybe you are worthy in hers. And for the first time since you met Cordelia and fell for her kind, sweet, beautiful nature, you feel hope bloom in your chest like the first flower in springtime. Just a sliver, but it is enough.

“I’m in love with you,” you whisper brokenly, uneven, trembling in her arms, the last leaf clinging to an autumn tree. Will I fall? You wonder. Will she catch me?

“I know,” she whispers back, her voice equally soft. Her thumb glides along the apple of your cheek and you can feel the cold metal of her rings pressing into your skin. Her eyes are warm, so warm you feel like you’re drowning in them. They dart between yours, shining brightly in the darkness of the kitchen. The moonlight turns the blonde hair curling around her shoulders into a beautiful silver sheen. She is ethereal. God, how you love her. 

Her words finally register through the thick fog that currently surrounds your head. “You knew?” You stutter out, eyebrows pinching together as you search her face for a sign of disgust.

Cordelia nods, the corners of her mouth curling into a fond, loving smile. For you. “You’re not exactly subtle, sweetheart,” she teases, and a part of you relaxes because she knows you love her and she’s teasing you and her hands are still on your face and you hope, hope, hope. She tilts her head, searching your eyes, your heart, your soul. Her voice is tender, low, and loving when she speaks. “Did you know that I love you, Y/N?”

The breath knocks from your lungs and you’re left reeling, your eyes wide like a child’s. “What?”

“You heard me,” she responds simply. Her fingers curl around the back of your neck.

“But I’m not-” you begin to protest, but stop when her eyes harden, her eyebrows drawn together and determined. Worthy. Important. Deserving. 

“You are,” Cordelia insists, watching as tears form in your eyes. She tightens her grip, leans down to bring you eye to eye. “You are everything to me.” She presses her forehead against yours. You can feel her breath on your lips. “Everything.” 

Your heart does not ache. 

It hopes.

Cordelia smells like the greenhouse, like flowers, like roses and daffodils and the sun, and you want to plant a seed in her heart so a tree can bloom from your love together. You reach up, hesitant, still trembling, and cup her face in your hands. Her cheeks are soft silk beneath your fingertips. She is porcelain but you know she will not break. “It’s okay,” she whispers against your mouth. “It’s okay.”

And then she kisses you.

Your heart is alive.

Your eyelashes flutter closed as you press against her, her hold on you tight and solid. Her hands are gentle, so gentle, always gentle as they grab you by your waist and lift you onto the counter. The action causes you to gasp into her mouth, her tongue sliding between your lips. You whimper into the kiss, fisting your hands into her hair, pulling her closer so that you can feel all of her and nothing else. She pulls away to breathe, but doesn’t stop kissing you. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” she murmurs against your mouth. Over and over again, once between each kiss she presses there, an offering for a goddess. For you.

“Show me,” you plead, your face wet with tears you don’t remember shedding. You clutch onto her like a lifeline as her lips find your cheek, your eyelids, your nose. You want to crawl into her heart and make a home there.  Your mantra is a soft echo around the room: “Delia, Delia, Delia.”

Her hands cup your face tenderly. She looks into your eyes, her lips curling into your favorite smile. The one she reserves just for you and you wonder how you didn’t notice before. “Do you believe me now?” she asks.

A smile comes unbidden to your face. You can’t help it. Not with her looking at you like you are the world. “Yes.” Your breath shudders as it leaves your lips. You reach up, brush your nose along hers, your eyelashes fluttering as your lips graze. Your hands are shaking as you reach for the collar of her dress. With a flick of your fingers, you manage to undo the topmost button, the one right above her clavicle. You ease the material down her neck, your fingers gliding along her throat as more skin is revealed. She hums under her breath, the vibrations purring against your fingertips.

“I love you,” you whisper before you lean forward, press your mouth against her skin, and feel her life thrum beneath your lips.