#i wanna put this in the discord but its terribly overwhelming for me for some reason

[journal-number-3]

In honor of eom returning heres a meme I made like 3 months ago

[winchester-with-wings]

It’s All Just a Cover - END

How It Should’ve Ended (the outline)

It’s All Just a Cover has come to an end. This was my first ever series and the story was so dang ambitious that I don’t think I ever could’ve finished it, at least in a short enough time frame where I’d still have readers interested in the story. And it’s such a shame too because I had a lot of plans for the series. A bunch of drama! But a little while back, someone reported the story on AO3 as violating copyright because of the songs in the fics, because I used so much of the lyrics. I get that. It was never my intention though. So I took it down from AO3 and figured this was the sign that the series should end.

But I didn’t want to leave anyone, at least myself...hanging. Rather than it being one of those series that just gets abandoned, I wanted to at least bring it to a close. Tell you how the story would’ve gone on.

cover art by @scarlet-soldier-in-an-impala​ Hope you’re doing well!

SERIES MASTERLIST  /  YOUTUBE MASTERLIST

Pairings: Rockstar!Reader x Dean, Rockstar!Gabriel x Sam

Series Summary: You’re the lead singer in a popular cover band. Your brother Gabriel is the drummer with signature candy cane drumsticks. Balthazar is the sexed up guitarist and Gadreel is the band’s stone faced bassist and songwriter. And Castiel is the band’s manager. You’re content living the facade of a rockstar lifestyle, trying to get signed to major label. But then one night, Gabe invites Sam Winchester backstage and his brother Dean comes with. Over time, the older Winchester ultimately makes you reconsider who you are and what you want.

Beta: @autoblocked​

Mobile Masterlist  / Ko-Fi

Wanna get previews, early access and make exclusive requests? Become a Patron! You can follow my Patreon for free too as some stuff becomes public after a while. I’ll be adding a discord server benefit soon too!

Here we go!

Picking up right after Part 16.

You and Dean have confessed your love for one another. 

The very same day you have rehearsal. Gabe is smitten with Sam and dedicates the song “Heat of the Moment” to him.

You’re not feeling good. You’ve got a sore throat and can’t sing that night. So you all convince Dean to sing some covers. 

CUE all of those marvelous songs we’ve heard Jensen sing! 

http://winchester-with-wings.tumblr.com/post/161250464921

http://winchester-with-wings.tumblr.com/tagged/rockstar+AU

http://winchester-with-wings.tumblr.com/tagged/rockstar-jensen

Once you’re feeling better, you continue singing at The Bunker.

The band gets signed by Abbadon’s record label! Even though they wanted to be signed by Crowley. Gadreel says they should take the deal instead of waiting around for Crowley’s record label.

Your ex-boyfriend, Michael comes to the show. 

Michael is prissy and in line to be a CEO. He loved you but wanted you to stop singing and get a “real job.” He didn’t believe or support the band.

Before the show starts he finds you. He’s come back because he heard about the record deal. He sounds kind of like a gold digger. 

When the show begins you’re seething with rage and play it out through the set list with songs like “Criticize” by Adelita’s Way and others. 

You leave the stage abruptly because you’re getting overwhelmed like you’re about to have a panic attack. Dean gets through the crowd and gets backstage to comfort you. 

You get back on stage and play it off like you’re fine and just performing. “You ever just have those people in your life, who think they’re all that and that you should be with them? This goes out to those assholes.”

You sing “It’s not you” by Halestorm. 

Michael comes up to you at the end of the show and Dean’s at your side. 

“Is this him?” Michael asks, smug. “What does he do for a living? Bartend?”

“Unlike you, Michael I don’t judge people by their occupation or passion,” you say.

“So, not even a bartender,” says Michael.

“I’m a mechanic,” Dean answers and you hate that Michael goaded him into standing up for himself. 

“Dean, he’s not worth it. Let’s go home.”

“Oh, so I highballed you,” says Michael. “I see you’ve really come up in the world, now you’re the breadwinner.”

Dean punches him and they fight. Cas and Sam pull Dean off of Michael. Dean is pissed off that the man spoke to you like that and hurt you in the past. You’re over it quickly and have to calm him down. “It’s fine. I love you, Dean. I’m happier with you than I’ve ever been. Just forget about him.” 

And that’s the last you hear about Michael.

SABRIEL: While the band records and tours, Sam and Gabe find time to be together, falling in love.

One night when you’re at Dean’s, Sam and Gabe come out of his room at the same time. Dean and you are surprised. Sam is shy and embarrassed and insists it was only sleeping. Gabe says he’s a gentleman. “It was all over the clothes stuff.” Dean groans and is grossed out. They really did keep their clothes on. 

Dean suggests “We’re going to have set up a schedule or something because this is weird.”

Gabe and You say: “we have roommates”

Dean: “2 sets of siblings…”

You: “Gabe’s my step brother” 

Dean: “...banging each other”

Gabe: “Hey! I don’t bang. I make love.” You and Gabe share a laugh and smile.

Dean: “I know it sounded weird but you know what I mean.” Sam gives him a bitch face. 

Sam: “We didn’t do anything,” he insists

Dean gives him a “Really?” look because there’s a hickey on Sam’s neck. “At least maybe put a sock on the door.”

Gabe: “I keep my socks on.” 

Dean gives him a really surprised and weirded out look and everyone laughs

On tour, tensions rise as Ruby tries to hook Sam on drugs. She’s already convinced you to give up the facade and actually live and partly like a rockstar with alcohol and drugs.

Cas warns you to be careful with this rockstar lifestyle because you’re using drugs and not maintaining your relationship with Dean, while getting too close to others.

At the end of the tour, Dean hasn’t heard from you in a while. He goes to your hotel and finds you with Pam and Jo--the way it looks is that you’ve been high and having sex with Jo and Pam and that’s true.

Dean confronts you. You say you’re a rockstar and he knew what he was getting into. But before you signed with Abaddon “It was all just a cover.” you only pretended to be a high and drunk rockstar. But now you’ve gone full tilt and he can’t be around that.

Dean breaks up with you and leaves.

Post break-up: You use Jo for emotional reasons and Pam for sexual. 

You’re into a routine of using Pam as a booty call but we’d never see the sex, just the aftermath of you leaving Pam in bed and examining your body in the bathroom where you have hickeys and scratch marks. 

You always thought that being with a woman was supposed to be more gentle but not when you’re with Pam apparently. The sex is good but it just feels like a bandaid or something that’s numbing the ache in your chest.

Hanging out with Jo means she lends you a shoulder as you admit that you miss Dean and that you fucked up and you feel terrible because you feel like you’re taking advantage of Jo. But Jo says it’s okay. That’s what friends are for, lending support after break ups. Jo offers to stay the night so you text Pam: “Nevermind. Don’t come over.”

You share a bed with Jo and start crying. Jo pulls you in close and holds you. When you’re no longer crying, and you’ve dozed off for a minute, you both wake up and Jo dares to kiss you and you respond but then pull back. “I’m sorry. I can’t use you like this. It’s not fair to you. I love Dean. I know I hurt him and he’ll probably never forgive me but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” Being with Jo also reminds you of Dean so it’s tough to imagine being with her.

You continue on with your self-destructive relationship with Pam and drugs.

You’re in a motorcycle accident and hospitalized. Dean visits you in the hospital.

Cas helps you get clean. 

Gabe and Sam are doing well and Gabe gets Sam a puppy--because obviously Sam deserves a puppy.

Sam tells you about how Dean is a wreck without you. Just works, eats, drinks, and sleeps.

Now that you’re clean the band tries to break the contract with Abbadon.

Sam finds a loophole in the contract.

But Gadreel leaves the band. He signs a solo deal with Abbadon. Metatron is his agent now, stealing him away from Castiel.

Castiel becomes the new bass player and they start playing back at Chuck’s club, The Bunker.

You beg for Dean’s forgiveness. You’re the one who screwed up and he didn’t deserve that.

You get back together.

Crowley comes around and signs them with a fair contract. You promise to stay clean.

END: Dean asks you to move in. Sam graduates and lives with Gabe who has asked Dean’s permission to propose. We have the promise of a happy future as Dean has his mother’s ring tucked away for the right moment.

------------

Tagging: @thinkwritexpress-official​ @autoblocked​ @talesoftheimpala​ @mrsbarry-allen-1031​  @gryffindorable713​ @therealcap​ @team-barry @lilyoflothlorien @littlemiss-annoying @whoopxd​ @shadowpriestess6​ @overlyobsethed​ @so-get-this-i-need-pie @castihelloboys​ @jensen-ross-snackles @cheering-you-on @beautiful-and-strange​ @hcg87 @gracehappyfeet​ @havingfunenjoyinglife​ @dontsassmecastiel​ @your-worry-home @aprofoundbondwithdean​ @feelmyroarrrr​ @its-my-perky-nipples​ @oriona75​ @mrswhozeewhatsis​ @faroutwinchester @xo-raven-xo-blog​ @book-loving--anime-chick​

I know it’s been a crazy long time since this was updated and I don’t even know if some of these blogs are still active but hey, if you wanted a quick closure, here ya go. otherwise, feel free to ignore :) <3 Sarah

[coolxnxblue]

de rules:

1. Themes might very with this blog. It’ll typically be SFW, but there will likely be dark themes, violence and swearing.

Things will be tagged! I’ll try my best, anyways. If you want something in particular tagged, please let me know through ask / anon / im. The format I use for tagging is, for example, tw: swearing.

I don’t have any triggers but I do ask you tag all of your NSFW content.

That said, I won’t do anything NSFW - gore is okay, though.

I’m of age.

2. I’m private, meaning I only really roleplay with people I follow. This is so things don’t get too overwhelming and for me and to cement who I want to interact with. I generally follow most people if our writing clicks, though.

If I don’t follow you and you’d like me to check out your blog, lurk in my notifs. I’ll definitely see you and make note to check you out. Same with promos, or you can just rb them to a sideblog / send an ask with its url. I can’t gurantee I’ll follow, but I’ll certainly check it out!

If it’s a crossover, I have to know the fandom and be at least a little bit confident with it. This is so I’m able to work with you, our thread and have muse for it. You’re free to ask if I know of a fandom or not! I’ll have a list at some point.

I follow the tag #coolxnxblue. If there’s anything you want me to see, like dash commentary, just tag that and x-kit will alert me of your post! I may respond to ic stuff ic stuff if I’m feeling it. 

In that sense, I’m chill with dash shenanigans with most folk, not just mutuals!

Absolutely no godmodding. It ain’t fun, fam. If you’re not sure what this term means, do look it up. This includes powerplaying, metagaming, and other things of that nature. This applies especially in fights if they happen (I’m chance-based and hope that you are too).

I can be picky with OCs. But rest assured, if you’ve followed me/interacted with my promo, I’ll always give your pages a read.

Please don’t be offended if I don’t want to interact with you (and please don’t try to guilt me into doing so!).

As for following back, I usually take a week tops to do so - but if you’ve hit up my promo, I go through that eventually.

I DON’T CARE ABOUT AESTHETICS. I just think they’re pretty. If you don’t use formatting or anything like that, or heck - even wanna’ just do iconless rp - I have no problem with it whatsoever! It’s you, your writing and your muse I care about!

3. Please don’t rush me for starters or responses.

PLEASE understand that I have blogs galore and my muse tends to fluctuate; this can mean I’m everywhere at once and can end up neglecting a blog or two. It’s nothing personal; you know how muses are! Additionally, life happens to be a thing.

Please note the mun deals with anxiety and depression, and has part time jobs which are honestly tiring - this might affect how frequently she roleplays.

Chances are, I’ve probably has seen that bit of interactivity and just haven’t gotten around to responding yet.

My roleplaying style being para/multi-para, I may take a while to respond. I hoard drafts like a dragon - it’s really just the motivation to write and ship those out.

I hoard asks, but sometimes can’t find muse or interest for all of them. If it’s been a month or two, generally assume I’m not interested / can’t find muse for it. You’re free to send another though!

I answer asks from anyone - personals, rp blogs and anons. I’ll answer non-mutual asks occaisonally but I won’t be making threads out of them

4. Shippings? Heck yeah, I ship lots with my blue son! Just make sure they’re of similar age pls.

If I don’t happen to be interested, don’t force anything on my character.

I do not ship incestuous ships. Do NOT follow/interact if you do.

The ship has to have chemistry; I’m generally shipping trash, but if they don’t click, they don’t click, sorry.

This is a multi-ship blog, meaning there will be more than one ship without them conflicting with eachother.

If you want to ship and I already have a ship of your choosing going with a duplicate, please don’t hesitate to hmu! My ships aren’t exclusive and each character/relationship portrayal is unique to me!

Relationships are eternal until you deem otherwise. If you’re not interested in a ship anymore, just let me know!

Sonic X Tails won’t be happening on this blog, sorry.

5. Whilst I am of age, I’m not aiming for sexual content on this blog (and will not be dealing with fetishes). That stuff makes me uncomfortable, and I typically don’t recommend pulling it with my character if you’re interacting with me. Nonetheless, should it arise, I will tag it appropriately as nsfw //.

6. About reblogs…

I am not a meme source, and reblogs clog up my activity. Please reblog any ask / starter memes you find on this blog from their SOURCE. The exception to this rule is if there is no source; go ahead.

I don’t feel comfortable with Personals reblogging my IC or OOC posts, so please don’t do that. If I put something in the fandom tags for whatever reason (bar promos), you’re free to, though.

This goes for my art too unless it has the tag ok to rb, but otherwise only the person I drew it for can reblog it. If you wanna’ reblog something, I DO put it on my art blog eventually!

A few times is fine, as it happens, but repeatedly breaking these rules will result in me soft blocking you.

I try to participate in reblog karma as much as I can, but always reblog from the source/a meme source.

If a post or ask is for you, you’re free to reblog it to save it though - but only if you’re an rp blog!

7. I’m a para / multi-para blog, novella if I’m adventurous and have time. Whilst I may roleplay crack threads with shorter responses, this does not apply to all threads I write. This means:

I write my replies as detailed as I can muster, and length can range from 1 paragraph to 6.

Short responses (such as one-liners) in more serious threads where I’ve written a decent deal can instantly kill my muse for that thread.

Whilst I’d prefer for partners to at least somewhat match my length, it’s entirely up to you - just try your best and make sure you give me enough to work with. ♡

If my muse happen to go nuts out of nowhere - like, overboard - don’t stress too much about matching him.

8. Threads! You can yeet asks, memes, and even starters at me if I’ve liked a call! I’ll obviously have my own you can like.

You’re free to like starter calls even if we’re not mutuals; I can check out your blog that way. I still only write starters for mutuals though.

I know pretty much most if not all Sonic media, bar Fleetway which I haven’t gotten around to reading yet. Since that’s unfamiliar territory, I’m unlikely to tread in it yet.

Starter memes are the BEST way to interact me because they just yeet a prompt at my face and really help me write starters. If you see me reblog one, send one!

If you want a certain verse, lemme’ know! Otherwise, I’ll either resort to game verse or whatever continuity your muse applies to (i.e, Sally (archie), Starline (idw), and so forth).

If you want to turn an ask into a thread, go ahead!

In that sense, I don’t recommend writing starters for me unless we’ve discussed something. I don’t like to leave anyone hanging.

Please don’t assume things about my muse. If you’re uncertain about things, ASK.

IMs are open to mutuals, if you want to do any in-depth plotting. I also have Discord if that’s more convenient for you!

9. Guidelines on mains and relationships:

If we’re mutuals and we interact a lot, you’re welcome to ask me if I’d like to be your main!

Please don’t be offended if I deny, though; I typically want to pick those I trust to be my mains as well as people I can comfortably write with.

Not limited to them! I roleplay with duplicates galore so don’t be afraid to hit me up if you want to interact!

Pre-established relationships are a-okay in my book; if you have an idea for a relationship between our muses we can work towards, hit me up! I reblog those pre-established relationship memes every so often too. Romantic relationships link back to the shipping guidelines.

Also, friendship/family/rivalry relationships are EXTREMELY valid to me - so don’t feel scared about asking for them!

10. If you have any issues, please let me know and hopefully we can resolve it!

Mun is actually super nice, so don’t be afraid to hit her up!

I am absolutely terrible with IMs and Discord. I either respond quickly or days later, depends on my mood. Social anxiety tends to interfere with this (and more recently exhaustion from work) - but honestly, if you’ve sent something, I’ve likely read it and just haven’t gotten around to it yet! It’s nothing personal; trust me!

Please leave me out of drama; I’m here to have a good time, as is everyone else, and it pains me to see people arguing.

This is a little different with callouts - if I see anything on dash pertaining to any problematic users, I will take it into consideration and rb it if I believe them to be harmful.

11. To retierate, I tend to follow those that:

Write para and whom I feel my muse would click with.

Seem chill? Tone can really intimidate me honestly.

Have rules and about pages! Knowing the boudaries of my rp partners is super important as well as their lovely muses! Sometimes rules are enough, though, if you’re going to write the about eventually.

Tag their nsfw.

Don’t have massive icons - ie, have rp icons that take up an entire text post like 500x500 or something. I don’t want to clog the dash and it’s tiring to resize them.

...also, if I follow your hub blog (provided it doesn’t double as a personal), it generally means I’m cool with any blogs that are attached to it.

12. On threads…

If you’re not interested in a thread anymore, and would like to drop it, please let me know! I’d feel terrible if we’re both not having fun with it or if partners feel overwhelmed with the amount of threads we have.

Honestly, unless I let you know, our threads have no expiry date - so no need to worry about me dropping them without telling you. I can just be quite slow sometimes.

13. Mun does not equal muse! Anything my muse might say does not reflect on how I think unless I explicitly say so.

14. Know that if I follow you, I WANT to interact with you.

I literally couldn’t care less about follower counts. I care about YOU guys and our interactions.

15. Rules may be subject to change.

Please like this post if you’ve read the rules! You don’t have to, but it’s of personal reassurance to me if you have.

[cloudyyangel]

I did not stay up too late last night! Kinda. But I DID however sleep like complete and total ass.....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I still managed to have a nightmare tho 😭 and then work was fine but then I found a blue jay wing feather I was gonna give my bestie and then I lost it >.< so I unfortunately cannot channel hyper puppy energy anymore. Only needy sad tired pup. (I have some days off soon) Still up for soft kisses and touches to make the stress go away. Little soft murmured thank yous and compliments that might not fully make sense to me but feel good to say.

(Putting a little warning here cause i progressively get more sad after this)

Also feel like being a bit of a little shit for some reason. Had some sassy response all typed up but can't bring myself to send it. Cant be impulsive when you can take what you say back i suppose. But you, really do spoil me you know that? I get so hyper sometimes it's hard to think. Or so anxious I can't stop thinking. So thats why being submissive sounds so good. Like maybe I can be calm. Maybe I can be safe.

I'm kind of, starved for affection and validation I'll be honest (and also touch starved of course). I dont understand why though. I have friends. Which is part of why I maybe, send an ask a day because I'm scared of getting too attached because when I like/trust someone I've become too much too quick and that wouldnt be right. I'd be treating you as a service rather than a person. And I want, and I want and i want. You remind me a lot of a friend of mine I used to have (just minus all the sarcasm, and the randomly ghosting me) and I think they knew I was too dependent on them. And they me. And they were terrible at saying when something was too much and I wanted and I wanted and I wanted. And I got so good at telling when they were overwhelmed and stopping but it wasnt right. I wasn't right.

Its not right for me to care about you when we hardly know each other. But I want to. I wanna be friends but I dont know how. And I dont understand why wanting affection or just, wanting to give it makes me so scared of hurting people. Because I thought that before I met them too. I just wanna be happy and make people happy. But I'm a person not a service too I'm just, bad at letting people close.

I have good days sometimes now. I can get excited and happy again. I think that's why this sorta, episode I just talked myself through here hurts in a specific way. But I think you said I could vent once. And as long as I'm remembering right I'm gonna try to believe you. That maybe this was okay to do. And if it wasnt then I'll do better. And I'm not gonna apologize cause apologizing for having feelings is bad. But I really really want to. Please take care of yourself okay? I'm gonna go eat some food cause I think I need it. And maybe hug my cat. But he hasnt really been in a hugging mood today so I might just lay next to him and stare at him til he bites me which is good too -puppy anon

Okay so this is really really long and I’m just going to respond to each paragraph.

I’m sorry you had a nightmare! I get really bad ones and sleep paralysis sometimes so I understand how that can be. Ah! But sometimes that’s a good thing! There’s this saying that if you lose a feather then it flies back to its original bird and grants you a wish!! It’s okay if your not happy today or hyper; being a sad and tired puppy is fine. I’ll always be up for soft kisses, telling you how good you are, and holding you close.

You can be a little shit. If you feel like being bratty and sassy then go for it. I do like to spoil people- have them open themselves up and be who they truly want to be. But I also understand that sometimes that can be detrimental to a person if they aren’t ready for it which I why I don’t try to push people- I let them take control completely despite however much control I seem to have. Being submissive is a big deal, you give up control but only if you feel safe and comfortable with that person.

I’m so sorry you feel like this- I know it can be hard to feel starved even when you have friends by you. I’m just going to say- you can message me however much you want, you can talk to me however you want whether on here or discord or wherever. Send me 50 messages a day and I’ll respond to them no problem. Send me one super long message and I’ll answer every little thing in it. Send me a novel on discord and I’ll read and review it. I don’t feel like you’re treating me as a service. I feel like you’re treating me as someone you can be open with and that’s a wonderful thing. You’re not going to be “too much too quick” no matter how you act okay? I’m really laidback and chill and flexible. I can handle a lot of different personalities and emotions. I know just saying this won’t turn off that anxiety, but you don’t have to worry about it. I know just saying “don’t worry” rarely helps so hopefully I can show you instead. A big part of me is communication so I will 100% say if I need to take a day to myself or if we need to change a subject. I’ll always let you know.

If you want to be friends then I’m over the moon excited about that. I do care about you; I care about how your day went and if you drank enough and how you’re feeling. We can be friends by just talking, asking questions and learning about each other or just say right now “hey we’re friends”. I can’t speak for others, but me personally- you are not hurting me. I give everything I have because I am able too. This person is who is I am and I will not be scared off, or overwhelmed, or ghost you. You are a person, a good person from what I can tell, and I will never want more from you than you’re able to give and the second I overstep I know you will tell me so.

You can always vent, or rant or cry or ramble. I’m not just here for the happy hyper side of you. I know you’re a person with ups and downs and I’m okay with all of that. I’m here for every side and every way. I give myself fully to people, but I don’t see it as a problem because I have so much to give, no one takes advantage of me or uses me and I never feel like that.

Cats are finicky.

[freedom-shamrock]

Homesick 4 You

Also on AO3. This Hugdrien story is a sequel to “ All the Cats Out of Bags,” though it can stand on its own.  It’s probably not quite as direct a follow up as I’d implied in my reblog (timing and set up needed alteration). It is also @miraculousfluffmonth‘s Aug 21 prompt, distance.

Marinette's computer blipped at her, notifying her of an incoming Discord message.  "Oh, hey Alya, Adrien's online," she spoke quickly into her phone.  They had started out doing homework, but had moved on to the ethical considerations of keeping sensitive information confidential.  Alya was writing a paper on it, and the all her research and reading made her rethink a few things about her goals with the Ladyblog.  "I know he's super lonely in Milan, so is it okay if chat with him a bit?"

Alya laughed.  "Yeah.  You've heard all this before, anyway."

Marinette met Tikki's eyes and smiled.  "True, but for what it's worth, I agree with you.  And I think your change in policy or whatever it could be called, is a mature and socially responsible perspective."

"Thanks, cupcake, I'll see you tomorrow," Alya said.

Marinette jiggled her mouse and signed in to her computer.  Her chat with Adrien popped up.

Hugdrien : Do you have any idea how hug deprived I am right now?

Princess : I do, actually.  I've been logging your hug activity for the last several months.  You are going to require intensive cuddling when you return.

Hugdrien : Should I schedule an appointment now?

Princess : No need.  I've set aside my entire schedule for your treatment.

Hugdrien : Oh good.

Princess : How was today's shoot?

Hugdrien : Terrible.  Pretty much everything that could go wrong, did.

Princess : Oh, no!  I am so sorry. That's awful.

Hugdrien : Camile asked my father why you weren't with me.  She claims you're some sort of good luck charm.

Hugdrien : She'd be far more right than she realizes.

Princess : Really?!

Hugdrien . Obvsly.  Have you not noticed how well my shoots go when you're there?

Princess : I just figured I hadn't hit a bad one yet.

Hugdrien : Yeah.  Well you are the personification of good luck, too, and it counters my shit luck, so…

Princess : It's so unfair that you have bad luck.  You don't deserve that.

Hugdrien : If it means I get to be your Kitty, it's worth it.

Princess : Awwwwwwwww

Hugdrien : I'm supposed to be getting ready for dinner, but I wanted to check and see if you could Skype tomorrow?  Not as nice as actually hugging you, but seeing you and talking to you would be really nice.

Princess : Yeah.  What time?

Hugdrien : Is 21:30 too late?

Princess : Pffft.  I have patrols that start later.

Hugdrien : True.  But since I've been gone for two weeks. Two god-awful long weeks, that is, I'm not sure where you are in your sleep status.

Princess : Pretty well rested.

Princess : 21:30 it is.  I put it in my calendar.

Hugdrien : Ooh.  It's… like a date and everything.

Princess : Skype date?

Hugdrien : It's a real thing.

Hugdrien : Anyway, see you tomorrow.  Sleep well my bug.

"I just e-mailed you today's homework," Marinette said, smiling at the real-time image of Adrien on her monitor.  "I eagerly await your… impression on the physics reading."

Adrien laughed, leaning back in his chair, the pale pink walls of his hotel room behind him.  "Do you, then.  Should we do another Skype date tomorrow to go over it?"

"Oooh.  Study date," she said, giggling.  She wasn't sure if he was intentionally using the word 'date' to make a point or if it was a hint, or if it was just a coincidence.  Though their relationship hadn't really changed since her parents caught him sleeping in her bed, she'd felt tension that hadn't been there before.  It was like she had a need to define what they were.

"Nino swears by it," he said, shrugging.

Marinette snorted.  "I don't think they get much studying done.   And I'm pretty sure they don't do it over Skype."

He sighed.  "Yeah.  Hard to cuddle from another country."

"Digital cuddle date?" she asked.

"That is definitely not a thing," he said, pouting.

"It would be missing a crucial component, yeah."  She nodded in agreement.  It was nice to be able to see him, but it almost made her miss him more.  When she watched his hand slide through his freshly washed hair, pushing it back, she felt a pang of jealousy.  She wanted to be the one to tangle her fingers in that soft mess.

"I really miss you," he said, his voice softer all of a sudden.  "It's… always hard to be away from Paris, but it's extra hard this time."

"Why do you suppose that is?" she asked, trying not to let any of her hopes form into full ideas.

"You," he said simply.

She straightened up, one hand coming up to tap the center of her chest.  "Me?  How?"

He tilted his head and gazed at his fingers, tracing patterns on the table in front of him.  "Both sides of you have been important to me since we met, but now, you're just this constant wonderful presence in my life.  And I don't think I can go an hour without finding something I want to share with you, or a pun I want to tell you."  A small uncertain smile settled on his face.  "I used to miss Ladybug when I had to go away, of course.  But that was… shallower in a way.  Now it's like being homesick, only for a person rather than a place."

"Oh," she whispered, finding it strangely difficult to breathe.  She reached out and touched his cheek on the screen.  It was hard and warm, nothing like his face in real life.  "I miss you a lot, too.  I don't think I really have the words to explain it."

"Can I tell you something?" he asked, more uncertain than she'd ever heard him. 

"You can tell me anything, Kitty," she insisted.

"It's… um… intense.  Very personal and potentially embarrassing.  I don't want you to feel pressured in any way."  His hand ran from his forehead, through his hair, to finally rest on the back of his neck.  "You don't have to have a response to it.  I just… I feel like I'm lying by not telling you."

"It's okay," she promised.  "I am very familiar with personal and embarrassing.  You've met my parents, remember?"  She snickered.  "You know, those people who give you bread baking lessons and sex advice at the same time."  She felt her cheeks heat up.

He nodded and took a breath.  "Okay.  Uhm… this is harder than I expected."  His eyes flicked down to his hands than seemed to consciously come back up to meet hers.  "I really like you Mari."

Oh.  That was definitely okay.  "I like you, too."

"It's… quite a bit stronger than friend kind of like," he explained.  Oh god, he was blushing and it was adorable.  "Uhm.  A lot stronger.  And different.  I'd noticed it before.  I mean, I was definitely crushing on you when you took the zip line.  And then you hugged me, which was just soperfect.  It was a little moment of heaven.  I thought hanging out with you and getting hugs once in a while would be enough, you know?"

She nodded, but he continued before she could speak.

"And it was .  But then I found out you're my partner, and it was like a door opened up and I could see you so much better."  He was talking quickly, rushing to get his thoughts out.  "There were no more secrets or barriers.  I knew you, and you knew me."  

This part of his rambling monologue resonated with her.  Learning he was Chat Noir, her secret best friend, had dramatically changed her understanding of him.  She nodded, but didn't try to interrupt.

"But about a month ago… a month before I left, I mean, when we were watching movies, I looked at you and I realized it."  He was waving his hands around at this point.

"Realized what?" she prompted.

"I just looked at you and I thought, oh.  I love her."  He froze for a moment, his mouth hanging open as he stared at her through the monitor.  "And thinking it, it just felt right.  There was this calm that sort of washed over me.  It was natural and comfortable, like finding where you belong."

"Oh.  Wow."  Her fingers had wrapped themselves in the front of her shirt, clinging desperately.

"And you absolutely don't have to do anything with this information," he held out both hands and shook his head.  "You don't have to feel the same way for me.  I just… I know that when Chat flirted with Ladybug, it was easy to brush it off.  It was fun, but lacked depth, and… I was actually in love with you then, as Ladybug, but I never really made that clear.  And I wanted to be clear this time around."  He let out a heavy breath.  "So… yeah.  Uhm."  He glanced around his room.  "I should probably let you get to sleep, so…"

"Would you go out with me?" she blurted.  She hadn't meant to ask like that, rushed and crazy.  She wanted to give him some beautiful words, but her brain was not cooperating at the moment.

"Uhm… what?"  He looked so hopeful.

"When you get back to Paris," she said.  "Would you go out to dinner with me?"

"Like a date?" he asked.

Smiling, she nodded eagerly.  "Not like a date, but an actual date."

"Yes," he said, beaming and nodding.  "Yes, I would love to do that."

She nodded, wondering if he was almost overwhelmed by happiness like she was.  "Okay.  I'll plan something."

Marinette's phone chimed.  Figuring it was Alya, she ignored it and focused on her history homework.  The phone chimed again.

"Ooh.  Marinette," Tikki said, swiping her paws over the screen.  "It's Adrien."

"Oh!"  She straightened up so abruptly, she nearly tipped over her chair.  "Oops."

Kitty : I miss U!

Kitty : Want to see U!

Smiling, she texted back.  "I miss U 2!"  She followed up with, "Wanna Skype 2night?"

Kitty : Can't. <sad kitty emoji>  There are reservations.  And plans.

He'd be home in a few more days, and she'd planned out a nice date for them that allowed for cuddling while hitting a couple of their favorite places in both forms.  "Don't be sad," she sent back.  "It's Friday.  You can text me even if it's late when you get done."

She heard footsteps on the stairs, heavier than Mama, but swifter than Papa.  She turned just in time to see Adrien burst into the room.  His cheeks were pink, maybe from the wind, and he was holding a bouquet of red roses.  "Hi."  His steps faltered.  "I got off early for good behavior."

She got out of her chair so fast it fell over, and she didn't care.  She rushed toward him, throwing her arms around him.  "You need so many hugs."  To be fair, she wanted a whole lot of hugs, too.

The bunch of flowers settled in the center of her back as he returned her eager embrace.  "My father is still in Milan, will be for the whole next week."

"Excellent.  You can stay the whole time."  She burrowed her face in the front of his shirt, breathing in his scent.  Next time he had to travel, she was making him leave a shirt.  "Did you bring clothes?"

"Did he bring clothes?" Plagg's slightly nasal voice piped up.  "He's ready to move in, Princess."

"Good."  She felt giddy.  Without letting go, she leaned back to look up at him.  There were shadows under his eyes, things they'd had to hide with makeup that told her he needed rest, but he looked happy.  "Welcome home Kitty."

He leaned in a little, brushing her nose lightly with his.  "May I kiss you?  I really want to kiss you."

Giggling, she tilted her chin up to him.  "I'd like that."  Her initial impression was warm and soft.  It was slightly reminiscent of the kiss she'd given him during an unfortunate valentine related akuma.  There was no rush of desire or fireworks, it was more of a sense of peace settling over her, as if she'd been tightly tense since their last Skype chat, and his kiss melted it all away.

At the end of the kiss, he didn't pull away immediately.  His eyes were still closed as his slow breath brushed over her face.  "Hmm."  His eyes fluttered open.  "I think I'm kiss deficient."

"Oh no."  She moved one hand to his cheek as she attempted to role play dismay.  She was too happy.  "We'll have to fix that, too."

He kissed her cheek and stepped back.  "I'm taking you to dinner.  If you're willing to accompany me, that is."

"But I have a date all planned for Wednesday," she protested.  "I made reservations, and everything."

He grinned.  "Is there a rule that says you can't take me out Wednesday if I take you out now?"

She'd wanted to be responsible for the first date, but it wasn't worth getting bent out of shape over.  She shook her head.

He let out an exaggerated sigh.  "Good.  Because I think we're date deficient, too, and we'll have to work hard to address that."

Next in series > Furrever Home

There will be one more story in the Hugdrien series for Fluffgust.