#like i feel like w midnights it was like. a COUPLE people on my dash talking about it

[wewontbesleeping]

idk like i'm not crazy, right? the leaks are soo much more widespread and accepted this time around, yeah?

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello Steph! First, thank you for everything you do for this fandom!! I don’t know what we would do without you!! ♥️ I am looking to start my first novel length Johnlock fic. I found your list, and was wondering if you had a specific one to recommend to start off with? I’m looking for something that won’t make me too sad (the world does that on its own), and of course, lots of Johnlock!! Any recommendations would be appreciated, thank you!! Sending love!! *hugs*

HI NONNY!

Hmm, this is tough, because Novel Length is anything over 50K words, but some people don’t want to read “novels that short”. So I get a lot of requests for Epic novels over 100K, so like WOOO HOO LOL.

Hmm. How about I give you a few recs varying lengths, based on your requirements, and you can decide how long you want to go, since I list all my word counts on my recs?

First off, for when you become obsessed with the lengthy fics like I am now LOL:

Novel Length Fics: 50 to 100K (Nov. 2018)

Novel Length Fics: 50 to 100K Pt 2 (May 2020)

Novel Length Fics: 100K+ w. (May 2019)

Novel Length Fics: 100K+ w. Pt 2 (Aug 2020)

Novel Length Fics: 100K+ w. Pt 3 [MFL’s] (Dec 2020)

Next, here’s something for each range between 50 and 100K+ <3

BUT BEFORE I BEGIN: honourable mention because it IS my fave fic ever, and it fits your criteria minus the length so SORRY but please check it out:

A Promise Made to Be Broken by PlantsAreNeat (E, 37,018 w., 7 Ch. || Fake Relationship, Pining, Slow Burn, RST, Eventual Relationship, POV Sherlock) – A young John makes an ‘if we’re still single at 40, we’ll get together’ pledge to a woman who ends up all wrong for him. She keeps reminding him of the promise, and won’t let go of it. John asks Sherlock to pose as his boyfriend at a family wedding, so as to dash her hopes permanently. Sherlock, who has at last acknowledged his feelings for John, reluctantly agrees despite knowing how painful it will be to ‘have’ John, but not keep him.

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Okay, now the main event, of more-fluff-than-angst:

NOVEL LENGTH NOT-SO-ANGSTY FICS FOR NEWBIES

Spare Change by Ermerness (E, 51,966 w., 14 Ch. || Rich Holmeses AU || First Kiss / Time, Holmes Family, Virgin Sherlock, Anal, First Meetings, Bossy Bottomlock) – The Holmes family is one of the richest and most powerful in England. Sherlock spends his time flying around the world on the family's private jet drinking a lot and shopping at expensive boutiques as a way of trying to alleviate his endless boredom. His mother decides it's time he settles down with someone powerful, wealthy and well connected. John Watson happens to be none of those things.

Guilty Secrets by Ellipsical (E, 55,086 w., 16 Ch. || Post-TRF, Drumsticks, First Kiss/Time, Love Confession, Self-Sexual-Discovery, Anal, Rimming, Orgasm Denial, Butt Plugs, Cooking, Furniture Sex, Bath Sex, Rimming, Double Penetration, Prostate Massage, Anal Beads, Dancing, Romance, Tantric Edging, Internalized Homophobia, Case as Foreplay, Anal Beads, Tickling, Dancing, Dry Coming, Romance) – John has a prostate exam and discovers something surprising about himself. Experimentation follows. Sherlock wants to help. They're in love. You know the drill.

Bridging the Ravine by SilentAuror (E, 58,887 w., 3 Ch. || Post S4, Couple For a Case, Bed-Sharing, First Times, Confessions, Awkwardness, Sex Trafficking, Massages, Wet T-Shirt Contest, Group Therapy, Past Loss of Child) – Sherlock and John go undercover at Ravine Valley, a therapy centre for same-sex male couples in an investigation into a possible human trafficking ring. As they pose as a couple and fake their way through the therapy sessions for the sake of the case, it quickly becomes difficult to avoid discussing their very real issues. Set roughly six nine months after series 4.

Perdition's Flames by i_ship_an_armada (E, 63,435 w., 21 Ch. || Treklock AU, Est. Rel, Genetic Engineering, Angst & Fluff, BAMF!John) – Sherlock would do anything to save him. Risk anything. Give anything. His money, his life. His soul. What he does, though, is change both of their destinies forever. Genetic re-engineering is the only option left. It turns out researchers underestimated the life expectancy and potential abilities of genetically re-engineered subjects. The British government and what would eventually become the United Federation of Planets, however, had not. Part 1 of PF Universe

A Cure For Boredom by emmagrant01 (E, 81,665 w., 8 Ch. || Dirty Talk, Threesomes, Light Dom/Sub, Sex Club, Experiments, Anal, Mildly Dubious Consent, Rimming, Cheeking, Double Penetration, Mild Kink, Porn Watching, Voyeurism, Masturbation) – They’d never talked about sex in the year they’d known each other. Well, that wasn’t quite correct: Sherlock had never said a word about sex; John had bemoaned his personal dearth of it on many occasions.

Uphill by scullyseviltwin (E, 84,945 w., 18 Ch. || Olympics AU || Sherlock POV, Skier!Sherlock / Medic!John, Rivalry, 2014 Olympics, Happy Ending) – Sherlock Holmes is striving for gold in this, his fourth and final Olympics as a downhill Alpine racer.

A Study in Winning by Jupiter_Ash (E, 106,658 w., 11 Ch. || Tennis AU || John POV, Dirty Talk, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Happy Ending, Sherlock Speaks French, Switchlock, Wimbledon) – John and Sherlock are professional tennis players and it’s Wimbledon. One is a broken almost was at the end of his career, the other an arrogant rising star tipped for greatness. It should have been a straightforward tournament. It really should have been. How were they to know that a chance encounter would change everything? Part 1 of Tennis

A Further Sea by i_ship_an_armada & ShinySherlock (E, 125,492 w., 23 Ch. || Historical Pirates AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Doctor John / Pirate Captain Sherlock, Sailing, UST / RST, Masturbation, Action / Adventure, Mild Angst & Peril, Romance, Shaving, Molly/Janine, Bottomlock, Hand / Blow Jobs, Past Drug Use, Slow Burn, Mild Violence, Facial Shaving, Happy Ending) – Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship's surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there's more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin' the eye, he has to choose... is it a pirate's life for him?

The Horse and his Doctor by khorazir (T, 129,003 w., 13 Ch. || Horse / Vet AU || Magical Realism, Horses, Vet John, Horse Sherlock, Implied Alcoholism) – Invalided after a run in with a poacher in Siberia, veterinary surgeon John Watson finds it difficult to acclimatise to the mundanity of London life. Things change when a friend invites him along to a local animal shelter and he meets their latest acquisition, a trouble-making Frisian with the strangest eyes and even stranger quirks John has ever encountered in a horse.

The Bang and the Clatter by earlgreytea68 (M, 137,049 w., 37 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Baseball AU || Slow Burn / Dev. Rel., Possessive/Obsessive Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Body Appreciation, Depression, Closeted Sexuality, Family, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Ogling Each Other, Anxious Sherlock, Panic Attack, Drunkenness, Talk of Forever, Big Feelings™) – Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it's a baseball AU. Part 1 of Baseball

Midnight Blue Serenity by BeautifulFiction (E, 151,907 w., 19 Ch. || Friends to Lovers, Gay Bar / For a Case, Drugs, Pining, Case Fic, UST) – When Sherlock infiltrates a club in order to track down a serial killer, his altered appearance is enough to make John question his assumption that Sherlock is beyond his reach. However, is he the only one who appreciates his flatmate's charms, or is Sherlock at risk of becoming the next victim?

Gimme Shelter by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (E, 159,368 w., 21 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || 70′s Surfer AU || Period Typical Homophobia, Hawaii, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Professional Surfers, Gay John / Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John was a Sailor, Misunderstandings, Mutual Pining) – All John Watson wants is the feeling of a freshly waxed surfboard under his feet and the hot California sun baking down onto his back. To finally go pro in the newly formed world of professional surfing and leave the dark memories of his past behind him as he rips across the face of a towering blue barrel. To lounge beside the beach bonfire every evening with an ice cold beer tucked into the cool sand beside him and listen to Pink Floyd and the Doors while the saltwater dries in his sun bleached hair. That's all he wants, that is, until the hot young phenom taking Oahu and the Hawaiian shores by storm steps up next to him in the sand in the second round of the 1976 International Surf Competition. (PUBLISHED AS ‘The Sea Ain’t Mine Alone’)

Mise en Place by azriona (M, 161,004 w., 28 Ch. || Restaurant (Kitchen Nightmares) AU || Sherlock is Gordon Ramsay / Celebrity Sherlock, Restauranteur John, Harry Plays Prominent Role, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, Cranky Sherlock, Bed Sharing, Slow Burn) – John Watson had no intentions of taking over the family business, but when he returns from Afghanistan, battered and bruised, and discovers that his sister Harry has run their restaurant into the ground, he doesn't have much choice. There's only one thing that can save the Empire from closing for good – the celebrity star of the BBC series Restaurant Reconstructed, Chef Sherlock Holmes. Part 1 of Mise en Place

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Hope you enjoy those!!! <3 PLEASE read them all, though, and THEN READ ALL THE ONES ON THOSE LISTS. Because once you start long fics, you get REALLY INTO THEM. Hah hah <3

[burnedbyshoto]

Angel

Kinktober Day 22 ~ kink: sixty-nine

pairing: fuck buddy!iida tenya x fem!reader

warnings: smut, cursing

word count: 4,813

a/n: HEEEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE I LOVE THISSSSS PLEASE READ IT

✩✶✩❇✩✶✩

Iida Tenya was always someone who considered himself to be a virtuous man.

First and foremost he was a gentleman. He was always ready and willing to lend a hand to someone in need. The women he courted were always impressed by his actions. His integrity and his devotions.

Second of all, he was a Pro-Hero. A model to others, a figure of support for those who believed themselves to be hopeless. He was strong, and he was mighty. Swift and keen.

You considered yourself to be diligent and persevering.

First and foremost you were a lady. You were always helping those in need. Assisting those who needed attention and devotion. The men that courted you were always left wanting more, needing more.

Second of all, you were a sex worker. A shame to most people in society. A woman of the night who emerged to help out those disgruntled men, cheating men, unwanted men. Nevertheless, you were tenacious, full of fortitude, and vigor.

You never expected to run into Pro-Hero: Ingenium, especially not in your club.

You worked in the notorious strip club: Limbo. The most well-known club in the red light district in Tokyo.

You had been working there since you had turned eighteen. Most other things in your life had been terrible at the time. The people working at this club had wholeheartedly accepted you. At first, you had stuck primarily to waiting. Taking drinks to clients. Making sure they were all happy as they watched your co-workers--your family--up on stage.

You helped in purchasing of private rooms. At least for the few men and women who had managed to prove themselves worthy to the workers. When you had turned twenty, you took to the stage, creating a new persona to present to clients. You were a massive hit and everyone wanted you.

With your signature light pink wig and white lingerie and costumes, you had become Angel.

Limbo presented you like no other. You were the star of the show.

Your presence was so powerful, so compelling that other clubs were shutting down.

So when death threats came around, it was to no surprise the night that someone took action.

While on stage, someone fired a gun, it landed centimeters from your head as you were then rushed out.

You couldn’t remember much of that night. Only that your white lingerie was now stained with your sweat and tears. Your makeup running down your face as the pink wig fell from your head. Someone had tried to kill you and nearly succeeded.

What you never expected, the next day following, was that when you graced the stage. Proving to everyone that you weren’t afraid was for Pro-Heroes to be at the back of the club. The audience cheered as the light focused in on you. Yens already thrown onto the stage as you covered your body with the white faux fur jacket.

The music played, and your body moved with the music. The music was soft, light and sweet in your ears. Your body rolling with the melody, clothes dropping during the harmony.

Your eyes continued watching the back where the Pro-Heroes stood. You could feel them staring at you as you leaned down, your supple ass exposed for them all to see. The slight lean up before you rolled down on your knees, crawling to a man in front of you. Eyes dark with faux lust as you grabbed his tie. Your mouth ghosting his lips as he dropped the contents of his wallet on you. Your giggle rings with the song, your deep red painted lips leaving a mark against his clammy mouth.

Still, their eyes are very locked on you.

Groans of jealousy filling the room as you stand back up. Your fingers slowly unbutton the shirt you wear. Your eyes locked on an awe-struck look on her face as you let the fabric of your button-up fall off your shoulders. Pooling at your elbows.

Screams filled the room as you mounted the girl. Her trembling fingers shaking against your legs as your hips rolled. Your hands grasped onto the collar of her shirt as you pulled her in. Your lips pressing against her neck as you stood off her. Your lips pressing against hers as hoots and shouts fill the room.

You twirl back on stage. You find that the Pro-Heroes seem enticed by you as your fingers touch the cold pole behind you. A confident smile fills your face as you grip the pole. There were definitely pluses to being able to use your body like this.

✩✶✩❇✩✶✩

You sat backstage, the pink wig taken off your head as you fixed your natural hair. While you weren’t ashamed of your line of work, you did not like having to interact with clients outside of Limbo.

“Y/l/n,” Your manager calls for you, and while fixing the last bits to your hair, you turned. Your manager was smiling, her finger thrusting towards the man beside her. Your eyes widened at the sight of Ingenium beside her. “We’ve hired this dashing young hero to be your bodyguard while here!”

“Kina-san, that’s not necessary!” You exclaim, your cheeks flushing in embarrassment. You didn’t think that you needed any bodyguard.

“Yes, it is,” Kina scolds, her lips tugged into a frown. “We could have lost you yesterday! Until Ingenium and the Pro-Heroes find whoever enacted on their threat; we’re not letting you go anywhere. At least not alone!”

You lick your lips, your mouth twisting. “I think that’s a bit too much, I’m sure Ingenium has much bigger cases to worry about than acting as my babysitter!”

“Actually,” Ingenium states, his deep voice very clear through the mask. Your eyes snap over to the armored hero who has a hand raised. “I don’t do much after midnight, so this works out perfectly.”

Kina smirks, folding her arms, “So, I better not see you without him.”

Your cheeks puff out in irritation as you know that there is nothing that you can do to change her mind. “Fine!” You agree, standing up. You’re still adorning the white lingerie that you had worn for your performance. You march over to Ingenium who seems to panic and looks everywhere but at your scantily clothed body. “I’m y/l/n y/n, but you can also call me--”

“A-Angel.” The Pro-Hero stammers, “I do remember hearing that.”

Your lips curl into a wide and pleasant smile, “Oh, good.”

✩✶✩❇✩✶✩

“This is me.” You say pointing at the run-down apartment where you lived. You could definitely afford a better place now, but you enjoyed the comfort of this building. The future you built here, the person you’d become stained the walls of your apartment.

“You’re taking this situation very robustly,” Ingenium compliments as you open the gate to the building. He shakes his head, his hands flying as he corrects himself, “The being shot at situation. Most people would not be this calm about something like that.”

You shrug your shoulders as you begin climbing up the staircase. Your hands clasped together as you speak, “I just don’t think there’s a reason to worry about it now. They have you guys patrolling our club now. Bouncers are checking for any concealed weapons! Also, prior-quirk information is being implemented soon.”

He nods his head, agreeing with you. “But still, this is about your safety, and there is no joking about it. That is why I’m here.”

You giggle softly as you get to your apartment, your fingers on your keys as you unlock the door. “Well, I’m glad I have a strong and valiant hero to protect me. Thank you, Ingenium-san.”

“Please, call me Iida.”

“Iida.” You smile at him, your eyes falling down as your heart hammers in your chest. He had been a very nice companionship on the typical quiet walk home.

“Well, I wish you a good night, and call me if you need anything,” Iida tells you, and you nod.

You watch as he turns on his heel, prepping to run away at high speeds when your voice interrupts him. “Would you like to come in for a bit?” You ask, your head cocked to the side as an innocuous smile brightens your face.

“W-What?”

“Well, I figure if you’re going to be visiting me and taking care of me, I should do the same.” You state, eyes murky with humor and wantonness.

“I-I… um, well…” Iida stammers, and you can practically see his inflamed cheeks under his helmet.

“I won’t bite,” You promise as your hands reach for his. He doesn’t pull away as you drag him towards you.

Your front door clicks behind the two of you.

The night was coming to an end, but there was still much, much, to do.

So began the ongoing seven months sex relationship with the one and only, Pro-Hero: Ingenium. Better known as Iida Tenya to you now.

✩✶✩❇✩✶✩

Iida moans against your mouth as you have him pinned to your front door. Your fingers rake up and down his armored chest as he drops his helmet without thought. “I’ve missed you,” you whisper against his opened mouth.

The deep chuckle resonating in your mouth confirms his appreciation of you. Your nimble fingers work off the armored pieces of his uniform. They fall to the floor of your apartment with loud clatters, bangs that would normally scare you, but go unnoticed.

His lips are your addiction, and you soak him up. Your fingers gripping the tight black t-shirt that clings to his well-sculpted body. Your innate desire for him breaking through as his own hands press greedily against your bare skin.

Today had been your day off.

After a single month, they had caught the since shut down club responsible for your failed murder. It didn’t matter that he had been captured and arrested, Iida was always there to escort you home. It was always in the dead of night when you two interacted. You were mostly asleep during the day, then would be off to practice a new routine, or find a new costume. Iida was active during the day, dealing with his hero work, and maintaining the peace of Japan. But without fail he would walk you home.

You weren’t a couple, conflicts in your schedules were the main reason why things didn’t work out, or so you figured. But you guys were pretty damn close to one. He spent the night at your place four times a week, some nights didn’t even result in sex. Rough days at work concluded with soft touches and cuddles. Your arms wrapped around him as you curled into his chest. Your relationship was pure, soft, and gentle.

Of course, there were nights like these. Where the other was desperate for the other, craving the feeling of their skin and sex as they fucked the night away. Nights that began with a simple ‘i need you’ text. All in all, your relationship with Iida Tenya was that of friends with benefits. To put it even more simply, you were fuck buddies.

Iida’s scarred fingers gripped your hair, your body pressed against his own as you craved more of him. It had been two weeks since you had seen him. Iida had been away on a press conference. While away there had been many exchanged sexts, pictures, and even video calls. It was not the same as having him under your fingertips.

“And you said you could last an entire month without me.” Iida taunts you, a smirk on his lips as you pinch his skin.

“You were being an utter asshole to me that day!” You grumble as his hot mouth trails open mouth, tongue pressed, kisses to your neck. An appreciative exhale leaving your lips as you tilt your head to the side giving him more access to your soft skin.

“I just remember you being a brat,” Iida counters, his canines dragging against your teased skin. Your back arches against him, your arms trembling as he lifts you up. Your knees locking onto his sides as Iida pulls away, staring at your heated face. “How should I fuck you?” He wonders, and a chill travels through your body at those words. Your core coming to life as his fingers rub circles into your plump ass.

“Whichever way I want you to fuck me.” You interject, his red eyes falling on yours.

“Why should I do that, angel?” He asks, his hips snapping to press against your low aching core. A longing noise leaves your mouth at the pet’s name.

There was a difference between Angel and angel. You loved your stage name because it empowered you, but the way Iida called you an angel? It was weakening, your body trembling because of the hold he had over you.

“I-I want to suck your dick,” You whisper into his ear, your hips grazing against his growing arousal. “I want you in my mouth, your body squirming because of my touch, your voice praising me.” Your mouth sucks softly against a special spot on his neck. A sensitive spot that never failed to make Iida lose his gentleman composure.

The fervor groan that echoes in your ear shoots fire through you as you find yourself back on your feet. Confusion inks your eyes as you watch Iida strip off the rest of his clothes. Gone is the tight black t-shirt, the navy blue joggers shoved down to his feet. He kicks them off as you continue staring. His fingers hooking around the waistband of his very tented boxers. His red eyes are nearly burgundy when he looks up at you.

“Strip.” He says. Your eyes wander down to your white tank top and black running shorts. Your face confused on why you had to be naked to suck his dick. “Strip.” He commands. Iida’s hands grasp your tank top, pulling the fabric over your head.

Your breasts fall down. An embarrassed squeal leaving your mouth as you are instinctively covering up. You look at Iida who is pulling off his underwear, his hard cock bouncing up from its initial restraint. Your breathing quickens as you pull your shorts down. Your body shivering as the cold air hits your burning core. “Why am I--TENYA!”

Your world is now upside down, and your fingers seize onto his thighs. Your own thighs lay against his toned shoulders, and you feel dizzy from the sudden flip. The blood rushing to your head as you try twisting your head to look at Iida. “Suck my dick.” Iida all but orders you, and your eyes widen as he licks your pussy.

Your eyes clench at the sensation. Your body trembling at the feeling of his heated appendage licking your throbbing cunt. You shudder as your hand grips his thick cock. His tongue swirls within you. His appreciation evident in the way his fingers tighten their hold against your waist.

It must be the rush of blood in your head. Your body drunk off of your need of Iida, but the second Iida’s cock enters your mouth you feel as if you are in heaven. Your cheeks hollow out as you move among his length. His tongue coaxing your own clenching pussy as you continue bobbing your head.

Your teeth are teasing against the bulging vein on the underside of his cock. Your tongue wrapping around the twitching cock. You switched from side to side as Iida moans in commendation. Your head thumps with every heartbeat. Your hand wrapped around the area of his dick you could not place into your mouth.

Back and forward, back and forward.

Saliva slobbering out of your mouth as you continue your routine on his cock.

Iida’s noises will you forward. The tremble in his legs exciting you and his teeth nibble against your puffy nerve. Your jaw drops, a moan slamming out of your throat. Vibrating around his cock as the head his the back of your cock, making you gag.

Iida presses two fingers into your core. The feeling of his thick and rough fingers making you squeeze his head between your thighs.

“Come on, suck my fucking cock, angel.” Iida murmurs against your cunt, and you nod your head. You deepen the angle, his cock sliding down further in your throat. His head presses uncomfortably against the back of your throat, the new angle not easy for you to deal with.

Iida moans loudly, his head dipping back as your fingers moving to go around the back of his thighs. Your head worked in synch with his thrusting hips, your head bouncing against his hard length. The soft gags that escape your throat only prompting on the Pro-Hero to try getting you closer to the edge. Desperate for your own orgasm, too.

Your eyes fluttered as you stare at his balls, you stick out a hand, fondling the skin between your fingers. Iida’s lewd words pummeling from his lips as he encouraged you on. His own fingers curling within your inner walls.

You groaned as your mouth took him in further. The vibrations that shot against his heated skin made Iida curse. Oh, the things you did to him.

“Fuck, angel,” He jeers as his hips snap into your mouth.

You choke as he hits the back of your throat at full force on top of the weird entrance angle. Tears springing into your eyes as you are failing at adjusting to having his length in your mouth. You grasp the back of his legs as you relax your jaw and throat further, his hips snapping into your mouth with no mercy.

His fingers scissoring within your inner walls, your body jerking under his mercy. “Listen to me, I want you to have me completely in your mouth.” He growls as you. “Don’t you dare leave anything out.”

The simple command sends pressure through your body. The liquid heat of your arousal making audible noises against his tongue and fingers.

You whine around his dick, his hips relentless in their conquest. Your eyes barely keep themselves open as he fucks your face. The skin of his hips hitting your nose as you have him completely down your throat. “You’re so pretty when you’re choking on my cock, angel.” Iida groans as dick spam within your mouth, and you choke around him again. Fire erupting in your lungs from the lack of oxygen, but it feels so fucking good.

His fingers are powerful as they enter and exit your pussy. His tongue lapping in with a smooth rhythm that makes your body tremble. The building sensation of his thrusting fingers and tongue in your core making your vision fuzzy.

You relish in the feeling of the head of his manhood hitting the back of your throat. Your lungs scream for air, but you can’t pull away. You once more gag on his length, your airway burning as he does not stop. You repeated your action, feeling Iida hit the back of your throat as you continue sucking his dick. Your fingers rushing forth to once again groping his balls, and he curses your name.

It’s your first name this time that escapes his lips, and it sends a spine chilling sensation down your body. You hum as your mouth sinks entirely against his length until your lips brush against the base of his cock. His wiggling tongue adds more to the shooting pleasure in your bloodstream. Your hips moving around in circles desperate for more friction. Needy for more pressure. He’s so fucking good at lavishing your sopping cunt.

“Shit, fuck, shit.” Iida grunts, his head tilting back as he unloads in your awaiting mouth. His hot seed shooting down your throat as you choke slightly. Pulling away, you heave as he digs his tongue and fingers down your clenching hole, and you shriek as you come.

You feel dizzy. The white-hot heat making you swoon as he places you back onto your feet. Your head collapses against his chest as Iida holds you gently by your waist. “Are you okay?” He asks you, and you nod.

That was insane.

“I still want your dick…” You mumble, your fingers pushing through his thick black hair.

Iida laughs nodding, “Anything for you, angel.” You’re picked up easily as Iida takes you to your bedroom. The slamming door behind him rattles as your giggles are drowned out as he presses a kiss to your lips.

Iida smiles as he crawls on top of you, his mouth latching onto your jaw. A shuddering noise leaves your mouth as you place your trembling fingers against his shoulders. “I missed you.” You repeat, your eyes clenched as Iida nods his head. The sounds of his lips peppering your skin making your body heat up.

His lips leave your person, and you open up. Your eyes heavy with lust as you peer at Iida who is grabbing a condom from your dresser. Iida rolls the rubber against his now hard against dick, and you shift onto your elbows. Your chest heaving with your thoughts of what he’s going to do to you.

The air is knocked out of you as Iida grabs onto your hips. Your shoulders pressed onto the mattress, your arms flat, and your head pressed into a pillow. Iida supports your lower back and legs as he teases your entrance.

He’s still on his knees as he glances at you, his red eyes looking black.

Your cunt throbs at how assertive he looks, how demanding and strong. Iida smiles, he noticed your reaction as he chuckles. “Already so wet for me, angel.” He whispers but his words are loud in your ears.

“Fuck me already, Tenya.” You whimper, your hips shifting in his hands as you desperately try to level yourself to the tip of his cock. Your inner walls needing his length within in you, needing his girth to stretch you out in the best of ways. “Your cock is already hard, too! Don’t pretend that-- oh my gOD!”

Iida slams into you, his thick cock stretching you out in the most incredible way. Your jaw drops as you sputter out gasps. Iida grunting but does not hesitate to continue thrusting his cock into your sore cunt.

The bulging vein on his cock glides against your walls. Your pleased noises making Iida snarl.

His hips snap faster into you, harder into you. Your body shifting with his movements. The pillow bunching under your neck from the repetitive harsh movements.

“TENYA!” You shriek as he ruthlessly slams into you. His hips coming down so fast your body moves with every thrust. Your moans tumble out of your throat as the bed is quick to move with your movements. It squeaks are loud in your ear alongside his insistent pounding.

“What’s that, angel?” He growls, his cock hammering into you at mind bogging speed. “What’s wrong?”

“Tenya!” You scream as your pussy throbs around his pounding cock. You’re unable to even roll your hips in rhythm with him. You were stuck to the mattress, only able to feel his cock entering you at toe-curling speeds. The bulging vein only adding more to your cries. “Oh my god, FUCK you feel so good!”

“You take my cock so well!” Iida grunts as he releases one hand from your thigh and runs it down your inner thigh to press against your clit. Your head thrashes back, your back arching further off the bed as you scream again. Your pussy clenching with no remorse around his dick.

“Your pussy is so fucking tight.” Iida laughs, his hips swiveling. “Do you want to come now, angel?”

You can only nod your head, gasping breathes choking you, as the pressure continues to build and build.

“I need to hear your words.”

“Fuck me harder, Tenya, please I need to come so badly!” You sob out as your body throbs under his thrusting, you’re so close you’re seeing white.

“I knew you would be able to tell me what you needed.” He growls as he leans forward. The furthering of his penetration making you scream as his hand slams near you. Your legs are locked around his waist, and his hands moving to pinch both your clit and nipple.

That’s all it takes and you come hard around his dick, his name ripping through your tender body as he moans. His elbows falling to the mattress as he continues pummeling into you. Chasing after his own orgasm now.

You pant harshly as you move your hips against his own. Your pussy still clenching around his throbbing dick. You hear him expel a wavering sigh, and you can feel him come within you. The heated fluid filling you up as he collapses onto the bed. You moan as you push yourself off the mattress, staring at Iida who leaned up to pull you into his body.

“Welcome back.” You laugh as you fall onto his sweaty chest.

“Glad to be back…”

✩✶✩❇✩✶✩

Your eyes opened softly the following morning as you stared at Iida’s sleeping form.

Despite the nature of your fuck buddy relationship, you were ready to put it out there. You wanted the relationship, the anniversaries, the gifts and showering affection that wasn’t confined to just being a booty call. It was also seven in the morning, so you knew the punctual man would be waking up any moment now.

You sigh, curling up closer into his arms, his right hand holding your waist still.

“Good morning.” His groggy voice pierces your ears. It’s heavy and husky, just as you liked it to be.

“Good morning.” You respond back as you feel him get up. He had to work today, as did you, so that meant that he was going to be doing his morning routine.

You watched him with bright eyes as he slipped on his glasses, and walked into your bathroom, uncaring that he was naked. Your heart hammered in your anxiety, wanting to let him into your desire for a relationship. This was seven months strong, and he seemed to like hanging out with you! There was no way he could say no! Everyone at Limbo agreed as well!

“Tenya?” You called out to him. You sat up, the blanket that was sitting on top of your skin tumbling down. The water faucet turns on and off, and Iida appears in the doorway, toothbrush about to be placed in his mouth as he cleaned his teeth first.

You looked at his quirked eyebrow and you exhaled, your fists tightening. You were y/l/n y/n, an Angel by night, and an angel at home. You got this.

“W-Would you be my boyfriend?” You ask him, your cheeks burning in your awkwardness and shyness. What you saw instead of joy, agreement, or contemplation was horror, sadness, rejection. “T-Tenya?”

“I… I’m sorry.” Iida whispers, his red eyes wide. Discomfort on his face as your eyes blinked rapidly.

“W-What?” You say, trying to make sure you heard him properly. “Is that a no?”

“It is,” Iida whispers, and for the first time since you met him, his hands are glued to his side. “I can’t date you… I’m sorry…”

A bitter acid burns in your throat as you stare at him, your body trembling as ice seeps into your bloodstream. “Why?” You spit at him, your eyes burning holes into his face.

“I do like you, a lot, angel,” Iida says, taking a hesitant step towards you.

“No,” You snap, your eyes watering with tears as your lips curls into a sneer. “If you did you would have said yes.”

“I can’t be associated... I can’t date, someone within your line of work. It would not be seen as honorable of me.” Iida admits, and the rest of his words fall deaf on your ears as you feel your world tumbling around you.

“Because being in love with a sex worker is a shame,” You say, your head shaking as you stand up. “How dare you, the ever so noble Ingenium, date someone like me? Someone who uses their body for the sake of others, huh?”

“Well--”

“No!” You yell, your eyebrows scrunching as your trembling fingers clench into a solid fist. “You’re the one sleeping around with a sex worker! You’re the one who was insistent on our relationship! How the fuck was that ever honorable of you? Fuck you, Iida. Get the hell out of my house!”

Iida stares at you, eyes wide, toothbrush limps in his fingers.

“Get. Out!” You yell, shoving the Pro-Hero towards the door. Your rage bitter on your tongue as Iida is barely able to shove on clothes before you shove him out of your house. Your broken screams are hopeless as you sink to the floor.

Fuck buddies never end in anything but sadness and you knew that from the start.

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

The Plan.

[A day after the sparring match, after Kyoko reunited with Yui]

...

So...is there any particular reason why I’ve been called to this meeting about the case?

Not exactly. But you want to be kept in the know, so I decided this would be better than telling you everything that happened afterwards.

Not only that, but I’m going to be looking over some clues today. Your input would be very valuable.

*The door to Kyoko’s office opens and several people step inside.

Ms Kirigiri. I brought Ms Yamaguchi.

H-Hello detective...I brought the clues...

A-Although...

...

Something wrong?

N-No it’s nothing...I’m just curious as to why you’re here is all...

Trust me lady, I’m the same.

I have a few questions about this case that I need to ask you Mondo.

And me?

You’re here as a witness. If you could add your input on certain clues, then that’d be great.

I’ll do my best...

*Kyoko pulls up a sofa and three chairs. Makoto and Midori sit on the sofa, while Taka, Mondo and Shuichi take the seats. Kyoko herself remains standing.

So, all of you are aware of the case I’m currently investigating. As of this morning, Ms Yamaguchi contacted me saying that she had new information. Is that true?

Y-Yes. I have a collection of murder specifics and forensics results...

Good. Then, let’s get started.

Could someone maybe give Mondo and I a rundown of the case?

About 5 nights ago today, at around 6am, someone called in a body behind the alley of a nightclub called the Mighty Anchor. The officer who rushed to the scene confirmed the death upon arrival. Here’s a picture of the body...

*Midori puts her phone down in the middle of the table, showing the body of Isao.

Guh...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little...

The victims name is Kawaguchi Isao. From what we uncovered, he was a member of the Crazy Diamonds, the biggest biker gang in Japan. If I remember correctly, you used to be the leader of that gang, didn’t you Mr Owada?

Mondo’s fine dude...and yeah I was.

But...I can’t say I know this Kawaguchi guy...he musta’ joined after I got abducted in the killing game...

The body had a few noticeable bruises, but the cause of death is obvious. His head is barely hanging on in this photo...

What could the killer have used to cause a fatal wound like that?

If you ask me, I think something like an axe or a sword would create a gash like that...

I agree...but where does one randomly get an axe?

...

The Fire Axe...

Huh?

When we first visited the Mighty Anchor, and I had a brief look around the club, I noticed something on the wall. It was an emergency Fire Axe, encased in a glass box.

The glass looked pretty clean from what I remember...so maybe it was replaced recently...

So you think someone broke the glass, grabbed the axe, and used it to kill Isao?

But...surely if the glass had been broken, someone, be it Dash the Barista, or the police who investigated the scene, would have noticed by now, wouldn’t they...?

...Actually...I don’t think they would...

Why not?

On the night of Isao’s murder, he and Kizakura got into a fight. I imagine by the time the fight ended, the bar was a wreck.

If the killer broke the glass, grabbed the axe, killed Isao, washed the axe free of blood, and then put it back, they wouldn’t need to replace the glass at all. Anyone who walked in on the scene would immediately assume that the glass had been broken in the fight...

Then they wouldn’t need to replace the glass, because Dash would do it for them when he cleaned up the bar the next day!

Wow...That’s clever!

Good eye Shuichi.

But is there a way we can be sure of that?

If we take the fire axe to some forensics experts and then have them test it for blood, we can confirm it.

That’s not the only thing I noticed either...

What else is there?

Zoom in on the ground around Isao’s body for a second please?

*Midori does so.

I...I don’t see anything...

Exactly.

What are you getting at?

If Isao was murdered in that alley, then wouldn’t there be a considerable amount of blood around his body from where the axe carved open his neck?

But there’s no blood in the picture...I see...So you think he was killed somewhere else and then moved into the alley?

Kizakura told us that when he knocked Isao out, he left him where he was. This backs up his claim, but it doesn’t prove him innocent...

I should also probably tell you that the police GPS searched Isao’s phone, but they couldn’t find anything...

Hm...I see. That might be useful...

How?

Koichi claims that he had been drinking on the night of the murder. The killer wasn’t subtle, but they very clearly tried to cover their tracks. I doubt he could pull something like that off while he’s intoxicated...

Is there anything else?

Yes, there’s one more thing...I recently heard from the police what the prosecutions theory on all this is...

Prosecutor Pierce’s explanation you mean?

You know the prosecutor?

I had the unfortunate circumstance of running into him yesterday. Needless to say, I don’t like him.

I read up on Pierce before...They say he has a 100% win rate in court...

100%? That’s...impressive...

But...isn’t Ms Yamaguchi just a part timer? I think putting a part-time lawyer up against a 100% successful prosecutor may be us having the short straw...

No. There is a chance...

What’s up bro?

Alongside all the information on Pierce, there are many theories on him, particularly around those who don’t like him.

Theories such as what?

They say that Pierce hasn’t been in a single trial where he hasn’t hid the truth or lied in court in order to get his guilty verdict. Unfortunately, such theories can not be proven...

If those theories were to come to light though, it would damage Pierce’s credibility greatly.

True, but the chances of that happening seem slim.

So...what’s Pierce’s angle on the whole thing?

This whole case is being framed by the feud between Eje Karma and Koichi Kizakura...You see...

Wait...what did you just say...!?

Um...! Uh...The feud between Eje Karma and Koichi Kizakura is framing this whole case.

Do you know Eje Karma Mondo?

Yeah, I sure do...but...

But what?

Eje was one of the toughest assholes in the entire gang. He was one of the only people in that gang that I ever lost a brawl to...

And not just me...My older brother Daiya too!

Seriously!?

But...it doesn’t make any damn sense...!

What doesn’t?

A couple months after Daiya’s death and when I took lead of the group, Eje up and bolted, and I never saw his mug again...

He bolted...You mean he left the gang!?

That can’t be...! Eje Karma’s the leader of the Crazy Diamonds now! You mean he left the group before!?

Shit...maybe he came back and took over from me...? Wouldn’t put it past him...

What’s that mean...?

...

To be honest, Eje was the only one of all those gang members who didn’t respect me...

He may not look it, but he’s fucking perceptive. The night Daiya died, he had this aching feeling that I had something to do with it...But when he tried to voice his thoughts, no one believed him...

Mondo...

So...he left...And I ain’t seen him since...

Hm...So you two aren’t exactly friends...

Nah...

I see. Well, no matter. Ms Yamaguchi?

Oh! Yes! L-Like I said, the basis for all assumptions comes from the conflict between Kizakura and Karma. This is how the prosecution thinks it played out.

That night, around 10pm, the former Ultimate Scout, Koichi Kizakura, and the leader of the infamous Crazy Diamonds, Eje Karma, have a heated discussion. After Kizakura took a swing at him, Karma set his boys on the man, and had them drag him into the Mighty Anchor. At that point, Eje abandons the scene and lets his goons do the rest of the dirty work. For the next hour or so, the Biker Gang members in the bar beat the living daylights out of Kizakura. However, at around 11pm, Kawaguchi Isao, a prominent member of the gang with prestige and power, kicks all the other bikers out, saying he wants, leaving himself alone in the bar with Kizakura.

The footage from the security camera match up at this point...

It’s quite possible that Isao underestimated Kizakura. The two of them spent another hour or so in the middle of a fight, but just before midnight, Kizakura was able to get the edge on Isao, and knocked him down. However, according to the prosecution, in a drunk and spiteful rage, Kizakura got violent, and began to give Isao a rightfully deserved beatdown for another whole hour or so. Then, between 1 and 3 in the morning, he got bladed weapon and attacked him with it, carving open his neck and killing him instantly. After doing this, Kizakura grabbed the body and dumped it behind the bar. 

In his testimony, Mr Kizakura made a statement. He told me that he defeated Isao around midnight, and then he left and headed for where he believes was the batting cages. But due to the lack of evidence, the claim cannot be backed up, this his alibi is shaky.

...

How about it Kyoko? Where do we stand?

The prosecution has so much at their disposal right now. Our chances of winning this are slim...

But as long as there’s hope, I’m sure we can do this.

Yeah. I believe in your detective skills Ms Kirigiri.

You say that, but you’ve been the one to find out most of the clues so far Shuichi.

Ah...well...

Anyway...That’s the prosecutions look on this whole situation...but what about the defense?

Ms Yamaguchi...? Do you think Mr Kizakura is guilty...?

No, I don’t. I’ll be honest, something about Kizakura rubs me the wrong way, but I don’t think he’s the type of person to kill someone. It’s just a gut feeling I’ve got though...

Sometimes, you’ve got to trust gut feelings. That’s something I’ve learnt from my past experiences.

Thank you Mr Saihara...But now that I think about it, there is a way that we could stand more of a chance...

What’s that?

I know enough about the suspect, but I barely know anything about the victim...My lack of information puts me at a disadvantage in this trial, but if I were to fix that...

Agreed...The primary reason I asked Mondo in today was to get any information I could but...

Mondo already said he didn’t know anyone called Kawaguchi Isao...

But then...how will we get information on the victim?

...

Mondo? What else do you know about Eje that might help me?

W-Well...I can’t say much, but there is one thing that’s weird as fuck about all this?

What’s that?

If there’s one thing I know about Eje, it’s that he’s always looking to be part of the action. If there’s a group fight, he’ll jump in. If there’s a race, he’ll join, and whatever else...

I don’t buy the fact that he just gets punched and lets his boys beat the guy up for him. 

So you think there might be more to the story?

I’m saying in any other situation, Eje’d prolly join in...It’s way too weird he just leaves like that...

If what you’re saying is true...then there’s only one way to prove it...

Huh?

W-Wait...Kyoko? You’re not seriously saying that you want to...!?

I want to question Captain Eje Karma. I have to hear what he has to say on the matter...

D-D-Don’t be stupid, that’s a suicidal decision!

No shit! Eje ain’t like me Kyoko. He won’t go easy on you just because you’re a girl!

But without his testimony, we’re as good as done. His relationship with Kizakura, like Ms Yamaguchi said, is framing this whole thing. And yet he hasn’t been questioned yet. I’m going to fix that now...

With all due respect Ms Kirigiri, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to confront Karma. No doubt he’s in a bad mood after one of his best allies got killed.

Yeah...They’re probably out for blood...

Indeed. We’ll be poking the bees nest that’s for sure...

But...I have a plan...

You do?

*Kyoko goes over to the phone on her desk.

Hello? This is Kyoko Kirigiri, Branch 1.

Is Chihiro Fujisaki there?

[dimpledpran]

my dearest cc buddy! sorry i've abandoned you for a bit! i was off of work the weekend and monday, BUT, my mother is out of town, so naturally i have a whole useless father and three younger siblings to look after, and i had to go back to work the last two days. im finally off again so i am here to say hello! and sorry i have not forgotten you!! how was your week been so far?? let me find the last msg we shared so i can continue the conversation! <33

oh lord the way u had to put it under the cut bc it was so much lmao did you manage to get some good rest? i hate when it's a busy time & u also lack sleep )): i hope uve gotten in some proper rest! HOW WAS YOUR OFFICE SECRET SANTAAA?? that's so fun, i haven't participated in a ss in ages lmao at work we r not many & we r all friendl w each other so we all got each other small little gifts lol. (1/?)

oh god yes! that is the most annoying thing of having foreign friends, not being able to visit/hang w them it makes me so depressed especially when u look at flights & they basically cost an arm a leg and ur future first born lmao (2/?)

oh yayyy i am so glad you managed to find a link to the audio drama!! do let me know how you like it whenever u do start listening to it!! (3/?)

i do celebrate christmas!! except. i am hispanic lmao so our celebration is technically on the 24th god that reminds me of a whole ass argument i had in high school with this group of girls i seriously disliked they were also hispanic and we were in spanish class (lmao i know but my school only had two language classes and i thot taking spanish would be better than french where i could possibly fail lmao) but they were the kind of 'americanized' hispanic girls smh (4/?)

and they were arguing about how because we opened our gifts at midnight it essentially meant we were celebrating on the 25th i was like that makes no sense u isiot we r still doing the celebrating and family dinner on xmas eve? ur argument is invalid. they were trying to generalize that all hispanic families celebrate the 25th like anyone. lmao i almost got up to beat one up lmao i had a temper back in my teen days lmao anyway that was a long unnecessary story i gope it made u laugh lmao (5/?)

thanks for the lovely positive vibes i will need them i have to work through Wednesday for my next day off!! i will send a separate ask for the questions!! (6/6??) i think it was six lmao. as always, sending u lots of hugs and positive vibes back on this holiday season! -- classified cultivators buddy

Hello love! I shall add my reply under the cut! :)

No worries at all! I have had a busy couple of days as well, I totally understand. But it sounds like you definitely had your hands full. Hope you have a more relaxed weekend/couple of days. My week was occupied with a work conference. So it has been a couple of long days, but it was also interesting to listen to other people.  But atleast it was virtual, and I got to stay a home a bit. haha 

I dont mind the long messages at all! Just did not want to clog up other people’s dash. haha Well I only have myself to blame when I do have the time to sleep early, and feel tired but I stay up reading instead. But overall, it has been a good couple of nights on the sleep front. The office secret santa did not happen, because one of my colleague’s gift did not arrive. So we are doing it next week instead. Aww that is cute!! More gifts and joy to share!!

That is so true!! But it also makes meeting them so special, and you get to see new places with them! That is one fun thing. 

I am only 6 mins in, but I am looking forward to getting deeper into in this weekend when I have time. 

Hahaha It is sad when people lose a bit of their culture with all the westernisation. But oh well, everyone has their own traditions and practices, and you know you are staying true to your roots!

I hope you have a good and smooth sailing weekend ahead! I will answer the questions separately. Thank you for your beautiful message! Sending you lots of love and positivity! Take care and stay safe! xx

[is0gild]

Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 9

Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC

Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.

Word Count: 6,398

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!

“What’s with the sour face? I know your idea of fun on a Friday night is locking yourself up alone in your room all by yourself, but come on! Going out with a few peeps for a night on the town ain’t gonna kill ya!”

I heaved out a sigh as Anna turned us into the same parking lot we’d just seen Xion’s car go into. “It’s not that, I just… I thought it was only going to be the two of us tonight. We haven’t seen each other since… well, you know… and so much has happened and I just wanted a nice evening, just you and me, talking and catching up.”

“And we can still do that,” she nodded, pressing a couple buttons on her dashboard. As the convertible’s top started to rise and all the windows slid back up, she parked in an open spot right beside Xion’s little blue Prius and powered down the engine. “But now we get to party at the same time! Besides, this way I can meet all of your new friends too!”

Snatching my Ice Palace cap off my head and tossing it into the back seat, I gave a tiny huff. “These people aren’t my friends.”

A couple of loud thuds against the left side of the car made us both jump in our seats before glancing to the source. Roxas and Xion had smooshed their noses up against the door windows, mouths wide open, lips suctioned against the glass and cheeks puffing in and out as they made funny faces at us. Anna snorted then burst out laughing, asking me, “Do they know that?”

“I wasn’t talking about those two. Lea and them are my friends. Well…” I snagged a pale tendril of my hair to twist around my finger as I worried my bottom lip between my teeth. “...sort of…it’s all still very new...” Then I shook my head and tightened my ponytail. “In any case, I meant everyone else that’s going to be at this thing. They’re not my friends because I don’t know any of them.”

“So this is how you get to know them,” she grinned, nudging her shoulder into mine. “Come on, sis, this’ll be fun! I promise!”

“Don’t go making promises you can’t keep,” I grumbled.

Just then, we watched Lea go sliding across the hood of Anna’s Porsche in one smooth motion, bringing him to my side so he could open the car door for me. He bent into a half-bow, sweeping one arm out with a smile, “M’lady.”

Anna giggled. “Ooooo, such a gentleman! I don’t believe I’ve gotten your name yet.”

“Lea,” he leaned into the car, stretching across me to shake hands with her. Once again, I caught the faint whiff of cinnamon and had to resist the urge to squirm at his closeness. He smirked at her and winked, “Also answer to Mr Hottie-With-A-Body.”

...so he had heard that.

Great.

Just dandy.

My kingdom for a rock to crawl under right now.

“And you would be the sister, I take it?”

She grinned, “Anna. I’m thinking I like you already, Mr Hottie-W-”

I discreetly pinched her arm, shutting her up.

He didn’t seem to notice as he looked past her to where the other two were still making like a pair of pufferfish against the glass. “And those gremlins out there are Xion and Roxas. They’re harmless, just don’t ever feed ‘em after midnight. Hey!” he raised his voice so they could hear him. “Knock it off already, twerps!” They both pulled away, Xion hiding a snigger behind one hand while Roxas razzed his tongue. Shaking his head, the smile returned as Lea at last backed out of the car to straighten up again, “Well then, shall we?”

To my credit, I only hesitated for a second before exiting the vehicle, tugging at the hem of my skirt slightly as I stepped out onto the asphalt. Ugh, I hadn’t even had a chance to change out of my work clothes before getting sucked into all of this, so I didn’t even have the small consolation of being dressed comfortably. My eyes followed Xion and Roxas as they ran ahead to 7th Heaven, or so the gigantic, yellow neon sign hanging above the door proclaimed.  It was a rustic, wooden building with a small set of stairs leading up to the wraparound patio. There was a warm glow coming through the fogged windows and muffled music could be heard from within.

Anna pushed a button on her key fob and the Porsche beeped as all its doors locked. Then she latched onto my arm, practically skipping as we made our way to the entrance. Lea dashed out in front, taking the steps two at a time and holding the door open for us. As we climbed up onto the deck as well, I could now hear the murmur of voices and laughter coming from inside as well. I gulped, my stomach sinking.

If it weren’t for Anna clinging to me like a two ton anchor, I’d probably have made a break for the hills by now.

And she knew that, which was exactly why she was doing it.

Traitor.

And so it was that I, with little choice or say in the matter, was dragged by my sister into the dreaded bowels of El Diablo.

...I’m not sure what I’d expected to hear upon descending into the terrifying Underworld, but it certainly hadn’t been the perky pop beat of Barbie Girl.

A strange, but oddly fitting soundtrack for eternal damnation.

The music was coming from a small stage all the way in the back of the place where some young woman was badly singing karaoke under spotlights. Between us and her was a massive, dimly lit room packed with tables and people cheering her on as they drank their presumably alcoholic beverages. Off to one side was a long bar, crowded with customers and tended by a brunette who, ahem… could only be described as the very epitome of the term ‘one busty babe.’ The wall opposite the bar was lit up with flashing lights from a row of retro pinball and arcade machines.

“We usually stake out one of the back corners for ourselves and spread out from there,” I barely heard Lea say over all the noise. I glanced back at him to see him squinting as his eyes scanned the darkness before his face brightened and he pointed off to our right. “Over there! Follow me.”

Anna gave my arm a reassuring squeeze and I replied with a thin, shaky smile.

There were just... so… many… people.

We navigated through the throng behind Lea, his blazing hair like a guiding light in the shadows, showing us the way. With every step we took, the knots in my gut pulled tighter and my knees grew numb.  This was it. It was time…

...to mingle.

(Shudder.)

The three of us came to a stop at a large table. Half the people seated were all still in their work duds too, making me feel a little better about my attire, but not by much. Everyone looked up to warmly greet Lea before all eyes turned to me and I resisted the urge to shrink behind Anna. “Hey guys!” Lea shouted over the roar of the pub. “This is Elsa and her sister, Anna! El here is the newest scoop slinger at Ice Palace, so you’ve probably already seen her around.”

“So you’re the fresh meat,” one woman smirked at me. I recognized her from the greek food place that was Ice Palace’s neighbor. “Pleasure. Name’s Megara. My friends call me Meg.”

“Tiana,” the girl sitting next to her in a cute green dress smiled.

“She’s a server at that lil Cajun grill also in the food court,” Lea supplied before cocking his head at her. “Boyfriend couldn’t make it tonight?”

She immediately frowned and averted her gaze. Meg gently pat her on the back, shooting him a tiny scowl, “Smooth move, ya knucklehead. They broke up.”

“Oops,” he chuckled awkwardly. “Hey, don’t sweat it, Tiana. You know what they say - gotta kiss a few frogs and whatnot.” Crickets from the table. “Heh, get it? Cuz you work at… aw, too soon?” He cleared his throat, “Oookay, moving on! Next, I’m sure you’ve seen these three over at Lucky Cat.” He waved a hand towards a familiar blue-haired chick, her stocky coworker with slicked back, chocolate locks, and what I was guessing was Roxas’s doppelganger, not Roxas himself. Lea pointed to each in turn, “Aqua, Terra, and Ventus.”

“You’re the place with the super sweet tabby I got to cuddle earlier!” Anna said excitedly.

Aqua laughed, “That’s Chirithy, Ven’s pet. He likes to bring him into work sometimes. The cat’s so well behaved, management doesn’t mind.”

Ventus scratched the back of his head with a lopsided grin. “Yeah, I’m lucky. He’s sorta become the unofficial mascot of our café.”

“Then Grumpy-Pants over here is Squall and-”

“That’s Leon,” a guy with a scar slashed across the bridge of his nose corrected with a growl into his beer.

“Riiiiiight, forgot you were rebranding,” Lea snerked. “He works over at Buster’s Swords, the replica weapon shop in the mall. And last but most certainly not least, this little one here is Naminé,” he indicated a petite blonde sitting between Ven and Leon, who gave a shy wave. “When she’s on the clock, you can find Nams at The Crayon Box for all your art supply needs.”

“Lovely to meet you both,” she nodded at us. “We’re currently rooting on our friend Ariel,” she pointed to the stage. It was only now upon second glance that I recognized the girl up there currently murdering Barbie Girl as the redhead from the fish store. 

Lea winced as a particularly bad note was hit before he snorted. “Girl’s usually got a voice that’d put mythical sirens to shame, but she’s just getting over a cold. Couldn’t talk for three days. Now that she’s started getting it back, there’s no keeping her away from the mic. RIP eardrums.” Then he clapped his hands together once, “Alrighty, on to Table Numeros Dos!”

...numeros dos?

As in more than one? As in this wasn’t it? As in more people?

If I survived this night, it’d be a miracle.

At least the first table hadn’t been too bad. Everyone else had done all the talking, which was a-okay by me.

...unless… crud, did they think I was boring now? Or worse, that I was sticking my nose up at them? Well I wasn’t! Trust me, there was absolutely zero nose sticking up going on here! My nose was down! Way, way, way down! So far down, it was past the secret civilization of mole people and halfway to China by now!

Dammit, only five minutes in and pretty sure I was already screwing everything up. And I hadn’t even done anything yet!

Lea shifted a couple steps over to an adjacent booth against the wall and Anna followed, tugging me into a stumble after her. Grabbing the attention of this new group, he announced, “Yo, everyone! I’d like ya to meet-”

“Elsa?”

I locked eyes with a golden gaze I knew all too well at this point and blinked. “Rayne?”

She scrambled out of the booth to hurl herself at me and I staggered to stay upright under the sheer might of her hug. Then I heard her gasp, “Anna too?! Get in here, girl!” I grunted as Anna dogpiled into the embrace. “Haven’t seen you since you were an ankle biter at summer camp! What are you doing here?! In fact, what are you both doing here?”

“What are we doing here?” I repeated incredulously as we all pulled apart, my eyes flicking down to her belly then back up. “What are you doing here? Did you forget you’re, uh… drinking for two now?”

A squeal from Anna, “Oh my gawd, Ray-Ray, your friggin’ preggers?! Congratulations! Who’s the lucky stud who knocked dat fine ass of yours up?”

My sister, ladies and gentleman. Ever the classiest of dames.

Rayne turned, yanking her husband out of the booth and onto his feet beside her. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she smiled smugly. “This is Riku. Riku, meet Anna, Elsa’s little sister. And don’t worry,” she turned her attention back to me, rolling her eyes, “all my drinks are virgin.”

“Though Ray is what you might call an empathic drunk,” Riku snerked, slinging an arm around her shoulders.

I quirked an eyebrow, “A what?”

“The more people get liquored up around me, the drunker I get without sipping a single drop. It’s an odd phenomenon, I don’t do it on purpose, but not complaining either. All the perks of intoxication, none of the hangover!” Then she furrowed her brow at me, “But no, seriously, what are you doing here? This ain’t exactly your scene.”

“I kinda kidnapped her,” Anna hummed out a tiny, evil laugh. “She’s my hostage tonight. She’s gonna have fun whether she likes it or not!”

I was firmly in the “or not” camp.

Rayne grinned at her, folding her arms together, “Then that brings us back around to what you’re doing here… where did you even come from?”

As the two of them began to catch up while Riku listened in, Lea snagged my elbow, pulling me over closer to the booth once more. 

Oh. Right. Socializing. I’d almost forgotten.

Ahhh forgetting. T’was a better, simpler, blessed time. Now, as I was presented with another small horde of new faces, I felt my heart rate spike and my chest tighten as the butterflies battled for dominance in my stomach again.

So be it. Once more into the breach! Come on, Elsa, you can do this!

“Now then, before I was so rudely interrupted-”

“Shove it, Red!” my roommate snapped.

“Screw off, Raindrop!” He stuck his tongue out at her, then sniggered to me, “Remember, verbal abuse says you care! Anyway, I’m sure you’re already very familiar with this mall rat we all know and love, given he’s almost a big an ice cream junkie as I am.” Sora beamed up at me from his seat. “But have you met this half-pint’s amazing, intelligent, beautiful and might I add way out of his league girlfriend, Kairi?”

He was gesturing to a pretty redhead dolled up in pink who smirked around the straw in her drink as she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Sora beside her. “Any comment to that?”

He shrugged, leaning back as he laced his fingers behind his head and his already impossibly huge smile somehow managed to get even wider. “Can’t argue facts!”

“She, like her boy here, is also a local mall rat, but we take pity on these poor schmucks who have nothing else in their pathetic, empty lives and let them hang out with us cool kids whenever we all get together like this,” Lea teased.

“Hey now, ex-mall rat!” she harrumphed before proudly puffing up her chest. “You’re looking at Mickey’s newest hire as of today!”

Lea arched an eyebrow, “No shit, really? Congratz, princess! Welcome to the crush of the daily grind. It sucks! Enjoy!”

Kairi snorted. “Please, it won’t be all that terrible. I’m gonna work a counter in the jewelry department. I can already tell my favorite part’s gonna be helping customers with the charm bracelets. Look!” she jangled the band she was wearing around her wrist before lifting up one of the little trinkets dangling from it. “This one looks like a thalassa shell star from my home, Destiny Islands!” Then she narrowed her eyes at Sora, one corner of her lips quirking up. “Now if only this lazy bum would get a job too, we’d be set!”

“Gimme a break, Kairi, I’m working on it!” Sora half whined, half laughed.

“Uh oh, do I smell trouble in paradise? We’ll leave the two lovebirds to it then,” Lea then turned my attention to a slender chick with short black hair sitting next to Kairi, who waggled her fingers at me with a crooked grin. “This is Yuffie! She works with Squ- ‘scuse me, Leon over at Buster’s Swords.” He lowered his voice to a whisper behind his hand, “She likes to steal the merch for her own personal amusement.”

She scoffed, “You shut your whore mouth, I don’t steal! I just… borrow for quality testing! I’m doing a community service here, really!”

He shook his head, “Uh huh, sure, whatever you say. So what’s on the menu for today?”

Couldn’t tell from where exactly, but she suddenly pulled out a pair of ninja stars as her lips curved wickedly. “Shurikens!”

“Nope!” Leon pressed one hand to the edge of his table, leaning his chair back onto its hind legs so he could stretch an arm across the booth and snatch the weapons from her grasp.

“Hey!” she lunged after them but only ended up faceplanting into her own table. “Give those back, jerkface!” He ignored her, just taking another swig from the bottle in front of him. “Wow, rude much?!”

This place was an absolute madhouse.

 “Oof, that’s rough! Better luck next time,” Lea consoled her before pointing to the next person wedged into the booth, a girl with a blue bow tying back her brown hair. “And here we have Belle! Total bookworm, so no surprise her nine-to-five’s at Enchanted Castle Books.” She didn’t acknowledge us, just stared dreamily off into space while absently stirring the liquid in her glass with a straw. Lea sighed, “Yeah, she’s a real head-up-in-the-clouds sort.”

“I got this,” Yuffie chimed in before using a hand to shade her gaze as she raised her voice, “Hey, is that Gaston I see?”

Belle snapped out of it, eyes round in horror as she gasped, “Where?!” before ducking down to use the table for cover.

As Yuffie cracked up, Kairi swatted her in the shoulder, “Mean!”

“Gaston’s the local musclebound, meathead neanderthal who’s set his sights on Belle as his next conquest,” Lea explained.

“Don’t worry, sweetie,” Yuffie’s eyes gleamed as she produced a third metal star. “I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”

“For the love of- another one?!” In a quick blur of movement, Leon had once again confiscated her toy, much to her dismay.

“Finally,” Lea jumped in once again, clapping his hand down on the shoulder of a carrot-top sitting on the end with giant purple headphones covering his ears, “this regular chatterbox is Neku, who gets his paycheck from Towa Records, the lil music store around the corner from the food court.”

Yuffie huffed, “I dunno why Orangeylocks even bothers to show up to these things since,” she leaned across the table to lift up one of his hulking muffs and yell into his ear, “he never bothers to take the stupid ‘phones off!”

He slapped her hand away with a glare and said nothing, simply crossed his arms and slouched further down into his seat.

Still I hadn’t said a word to anyone besides Rayne. Partly because all the anxiety was squeezing my throat shut - trust me, the terror was real. But even if I had been brave enough to actually make small talk with this pack of total strangers, it was impossible to get a word in edgewise. It was all just happening so fast. But hey, maybe I could get away with the whole not talking thing. This Neku guy seemed to be and he was getting along just fine. Maybe the secret was in the headphones.

Note to self: look into the possibility of purchasing ear buds with first paycheck in the hopes of avoiding human interaction at all costs.

“Okay, almost done, just one more table to go,” Lea chirped.

Hearing that was both a relief and a minor heart attack all rolled together. The good news: one more table, woo! The bad news: one more table, ugh!

As Lea led the way once more, I snagged Anna by the elbow. It was her fault I was in this mess, so there was no way I was letting her abandon me. She was my security blanket, dammit! She managed to get out a hasty “we’ll talk more in a minute” to Rayne before staggering along behind me. We were brought to the neighboring booth which took up a corner so it was slightly bigger. Thankfully, that didn’t equal a larger group seated here. Even better, I already knew two of the faces.

“Rox! Xion!” Lea grinned down at them. “So this is where you guys got to. Was beginning to think I might have to send out search parties. I-”

“Kristoff,” the name escaped my lips before I’d even realized it as I locked eyes with my coworker.

Make that three faces I recognized.

His eyelids drooped before he looked away with a harrumph, taking a deep drag from his mug.

Well fudge. Guess he was still mad about the phone.

This night just kept getting better and better!

“Brr, did it just get a few degrees colder in here? Ah well, forget it, just leave Lord Sourpuss here to his brooding,” Lea snerked with a roll of his eyes. “For the rest at the table who haven’t already had the pleasure, this is Elsa, the Ice Palace newbie, and her sister Anna who tagged along for funsies.” 

He tossed a hand towards a guy with amber eyes, messy raven hair, and was the poster boy for goth fashion. “That ray of sunshine over there is Vanitas - living, breathing proof that all our moms were always right: your face really can get stuck like that. Wow, misery really does love company, huh? Just look at those identical scowls.” Both Vanitas and Kristoff looked highly unamused with Lea. He responded with a smirk, leaning down to bring his face closer to Vanitas, “What’s with the pout, widdle man? Did one of the other kids steal your binky?”

“Bite me, jackass,” he deadpanned.

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Lea waggled his eyebrows as he straightened back up. “Anyhoo, as you might’ve already guessed by just taking one look at the edgelord, Vaniboy here works at Halloween Town.”

“Halloween Town?” Anna echoed, tapping a thoughtful finger to her lips. “Isn’t that the line of shops that are kinda like Hot To-”

“Say that knock-off, poser, wannabe of a store’s name and die,” Vanitas sneered.

Lea said, “Don’t mind him, he’s just cranky cuz he missed out on afternoon naptime.” Vanitas flipped him the bird, which went totally ignored as Lea shifted his gaze to the other side of the table. “Woah, talk about a mismatched set. What are you two doing hanging out with Mr Negativity here?”

He was now addressing a sweet-faced brunette with bright green eyes and the boy beside her with sandy blonde spiked hair, a skull and crossbones printed on his shirt. The girl chuckled, “Oh come on, Van’s not that bad.”

“Yeah, once you get past his personality,” the guy sniggered. Vanitas just looked away with a soft tch.

“Meet Olette and Hayner. They- wait...” Lea glanced around the table a second time with a frown, “There’s usually one more of you. Where’s Pence?”

“Couldn’t make it,” Olette sighed, plopping her chin in her palm. “Had to finish his programming project for his Computer Sciences course. Said he’ll be at it all weekend.”

“Bummer,” Lea shrugged. “In any case, these two plus their missing amigo wait tables at Le Grand Bistrot, this hoity-toity restaurant on the opposite end of the mall from the rest of us. Though didn’t you guys get shut down recently for a rodent infestation?”

Hayner banged a fist against the table, “Ugh, will people stop talking about that already? We didn’t get shut down, it was one rat and it was just that klutzy garbage boy’s pet, got it?!”

A snort from Roxas. “Sounds fake, but okay.”

“Can it, pizza boy!” Hayner shot back.

“Touchy, touchy,” Lea tsked before his eyes made one more sweep of the surrounding tables. “Anyway, looks like that’s everyone! How ‘bout it? Got it all memorized? If not, don’t sweat it, it was a lot. And even more might show up later, who knows, these things are always sort of a random grab bag but that’s half the fun! In any case, feel free to take a seat.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, “I’m gonna go order a drink from the bar. Did either of you want me to grab you anything while I’m over there?”

“Is this a menu?” Anna picked up the glossy, colorful sheet of plastic from the table, looking over the list printed on it with a low hum. “I think a basket of the Cactuar Fries would be good for starters. As for drink, hm… Ooo, the Golden Chocobo sounds amazing! What about you?” she tilted it to give me a better look.

I shook my head, “Just water for me, thanks.”

Her tongue blew a raspberry, eyes returning to the menu. “That’s no fun. Lessee here… aha!” She smiled up at Lea, “She’ll have a Shiva, heavy on the rum.”

“I will most certainly not have a-”

“Got it!” Lea darted off across the room, cupping a hand to his mouth and calling out, “Oh, Tifa!”

Anna then proceeded to flump down into the booth next to Kristoff, giggling as she peeked up at him. “Hi! You’re cute!”

He blinked at her, all traces of the previous doom-and-gloom wiped clean off his face as it reddened slightly. “Uh…?”

She wiggled in closer to him, which seemed to fluster him more as he scrabbled over into Vanitas, who elbowed him back hard for making him almost spill his drink. Oblivious to the domino effect she’d created, Anna whipped her head back around to me and patted a hand on the space she’d freed up at the edge of the booth. “Whatcha waiting for, Sis? Sit!”

I stared blankly at her. She beamed back at me. I glanced over to everyone else. Everyone else watched me expectantly. I then flicked my gaze down to the open seat. It just lay there, being a cushion.

...psssst, dummy. Her telling you to sit? Was your cue to actually sit!

Still my feet didn’t budge an inch. Instead I looked over my shoulder back towards the door leading outside. So close, yet so far.

Clearing my throat, I took a small step backwards and held up a hand, “A-actually, you know what? I think I, uh... left something... back in the car! Yeah, that’s it! So I’ll just, er… I’ll go get-”

“I said sit!” Anna grabbed my wrist and jerked me down onto the plush bench beside her.

Well then. I guess I was sitting.

I suddenly felt a light brush of something against the back of my head and I twitched away, looking behind me. Rayne was leaning over the divider between our two booths, hands outstretched, apparently with the intention of petting both Anna and me.  “Pretty,” she cooed in delight. “Pretty, pretty hair. So soft!”

From somewhere beyond the separator, I heard Riku mutter, “It’s starts.” His voice was muffled. I suspected due to facepalm. Taking a small bundle of my hair and tucking it between her palm and two little fingers, Rayne then set the other three fingers and hand to work unraveling one of Anna’s pigtail braids.

Anna didn’t seem to mind, instead just turning her gaze to the rest of our booth and flashing a smile big enough to rival one of Sora’s. “It’s so great to meet everyone! This is super exciting! Isn’t is just so exciting?” she asked me. I opened my mouth, but Anna was already gushing once more, “And oh my gawd, so, so, so, sooooo much fun! I’m already having a blast! Are you having a blast?” Again, this question was aimed at me. Again, I didn’t even get so much as a peep out. “Aaaah, lookit her, she’s having a friggin’ blast! This is awesome! So how long have you guys all been getting together like this? Who started it? Was it just a small group at first? Were you guys always friends even before these Friday nights began? Do you ever change it up, get food and drinks somewhere else? Or is it always the 7th Heaven? Why is it called the 7th Heaven anyway? What’s the story there? What’s the food like? No, what are the drinks like? Did I pick good ones? I hope I picked good ones! And I just love that they have karaoke here! Anyone else going to be singing later? Ooo, here’s an idea! We could all go up and sing one together!”

Typhoon Anna had struck again, leaving round eyes and silence in her wake.

I was guessing most everyone else at the table hadn’t even caught half of that, the torrent of words had been coming out in such a rush.

The hush over the table stretched until Vanitas at last broke it with a flat, “Yeah, no, I’m out. I’ve had about all the pep I can stand from that pack of idiots,” he flicked a wrist towards the half the table taken up by Xion, Olette, Roxas and Hayner, “without having to deal with… this,” he cringed, gesturing to Anna. Then he downed the rest of his beverage. “Later, losers.” And with that, he vaulted himself over the table, shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket and slinked off.

“So…” Anna dragged out the syllable, “...he’s pleasant!”

Certainly one word for it.

“Vani bail early?” Lea rejoined us. “No shocker there, he usually does. He's always been more of a lone wolf. Make room, Fun-size!” he looked down at where Xion was seated at the opposite end of the booth from us. She scooched to clear a spot for him and he plopped on down, setting a full, opened bottle on the table in front of him bearing a red label that boasted the title Ifrit Amber Ale. “Ladies, your drinks n’ fries are gonna need another minute. Someone’ll be by to drop them off when they’re ready.”

A small smile braved my lips, “Thanks, how much do we owe you?”

Or rather, how much did Anna owe him? Since A, she was the one that’d ordered it all and B, I’d yet to earn a single cent to my name.

Soon though. Payday was coming.

He batted a hand, “Don’t worry about it, my treat. And, uh,” he snerked, “you might want to keep a closer eye on what Raindrop's up to over there.”

I blinked. I had been feeling a faint tingle in my scalp as Rayne had continued to play beauty salon back there this whole time, but I’d just been ignoring it. Now both Anna and I turned to discover she’d weaved locks of our hair together into one thick, auburn-and-platinum braid.  “I made a pretty!” Rayne giggled, punctuated by a hiccup.

Biting back a grin, Xion called, “Hey Riku! Control your woman!”

A hand shot up and grabbed Rayne by the scruff of the shirt. With a squeak, she disappeared behind the booth separator.

“So,” Olette shook her head, one corner of her lips tugging up, “how are you liking it over at Ice Palace?”

...shoot, she was talking to me, wasn’t she?

I was so not prepared for this.

Glancing up from where my fingers had already begun disentangling the braid Anna and I shared joint custody off, I pursed my lips to one side. “Hmm, well… it’s pretty good actually. This is my first job ever, so I was a bit anxious.” Understatement of the millenia. “But it’s been going well. And I like the people I work with and get along with them and uh…” I eyed Kristoff out of my peripheral, who still seemed rather dazed by Anna and the apparent lack of the phrase ‘personal boundaries’ in her vocabulary, “...and they like me and are very kind and welcoming and… certainly not mad or anything at me for, oh I don’t know, hypothetically lobbing and busting their phones, like I would ever do something so silly as that, why would I even mention such a thing, that’s so random,” the jumble of words finished in a weak chuckle.

It was beginning to become clear to me that the tendency to babble might run in my family.

Only mine was of the nervous variety, whereas I don’t think Anna had a nervous bone in her body.

At last sensing my gaze on him, Kristoff shook himself out of his stupor and looked back at me. Then he frowned, narrowed his eyes and stared down at the table, nursing his drink once more.

“Oh yeah,” Xion snorted, “I can definitely feel the love simply overflowing from that side of the table.”

“Sounds like a sweet gig,” Hayner chimed back into the conversation with a smirk as he crossed his arms. “But then, anything’s gotta be better than working at some lame dump of a pizza place.”

“Ouch, shots fired.” Lea cocked an eyebrow, “What’s with the drive-by, my dude?”

Roxas snickered, “Ignore him. He’s still just sore about the whole rat thing.”

“There wasn’t a rat thing! I told you already, it was just some dumb pet so it doesnt count!”

“Sure,” Roxas sighed, “Just keep telling yourself that, man.”

“That’s it!” Hayner snarled, slamming both hands down on the table as he rocketed up to his feet. “It’s time we settle this like men!”

Olette groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Tell me you did not really just say that, you total caveman.”

Hayner stabbed a finger towards Roxas and growled, “You.” Then jerked a thumb into his chest, “Me.” He pointed at one of the arcade machines, “Struggle 9000. Loser buys rounds for the table for the next five Fridays.”

“Come on, you two,” Olette interjected, “is this really-”

Lea clamped a hand over her mouth, one index finger held up to his lips, “Shush, I want free booze.”

“You’re on!” Roxas shot back, eyes flashing. Then the both of them were ducking down and crawling under the table to exit the booth before dashing over to where the video games awaited them, elbowing each other the whole way.

“Wanna go root the boys on?” Olette asked Xion.

“Pfft, root nothing. I’m taking on winner and curb stomping his ass. Play my cards right and I’ll have them both buying our drinks for weeks to come.”

As Lea slid out of the booth so the two of them could get up and leave, Olette laughed, “Oh, I bet Hayner would be simply thrilled by that prospect.”

“Please, you think that bonehead’s gonna come out the champ?” Xion scoffed as they walked off. “Rox has got him beat, no contest.”

“Wanna bet?”

That was the last thing I heard from Olette before a happy shriek barely an inch to my left drowned out anything else that might have been said.

Gee thanks, Anna. Really, who needs hearing in both ears anyway?

Our order had arrived, which apparently was what had gotten her so excited. A heaping bowl of shoestring fries now steamed in front of us, covered and smothered in some chunky green sauce. Anna’s drink started out orange at the bottom and faded into a yellow at the frothy top where in the absence of one of the standard teeny decorative umbrellas, it was instead garnished with a fluffy, yellow feather. My drink was a chilly, neon blue color and served in a tall, skinny glass with wafting mist and a frosted rim.

“Bottoms up!” Anna singsonged, clinking her beverage to mine before chugging down half of it in one go. I pulled a face at her, scrunching my nose with a grimace. She puffed out a content sigh as she put the glass back down at the table. “Ah, that’s good!” Then her eyes darted between me and my drink a couple times. “Well? What are you waiting for? Get your drink on, gurl!”

“No thanks,” I nudged the Shiva away with a fingertip. “Someone has to drive us home, so I guess that someone’s going to be me.”

“Pssh, details,” she waved a dismissive hand while she tested out one of the fries. Eyes lighting up, she shoveled a couple more in her mouth before pushing my drink back towards me. “C’mon, one sip won’t kill ya! Besides, you’re hurting Lea’s feelings over there, he spent his hard earned munny on it just for you!”

“Nah, it’s cool,” he shrugged and grinned. “You do you, El!”

“Dude, work with me here! You’re supposed to back me up on this, I-” Anna cut herself off in a gasp. Seemed there had been a lull in the karaoke, so someone had kicked on the big vintage jukebox off to one side, which was now pumping regular tunes out of the overhead speakers. “I love this song!” Her hand clamped down around Kristoff’s wrist, “Dance with me!”

“Wha-?!”

I was all but shoved out of the booth as Anna bolted off, dragging a wide eyed and stumbling Kristoff behind her. I watched her go, shaking my head with a tired smile. Anna would never change. But then, who’d want her to? She was kind of perfect the way she was, chaotic energy and all. Sighing, I took a seat again and looked up.

That’s when I froze.

Because that’s when it hit me.

Somehow, my booth had gone from being packed to being empty. Well, almost…

There was still me.

And there was still a certain redhead.

And to be fair, my plan had been to spend the evening with a redhead. Just said redhead was supposed to have been petite, female, and my sister. The redhead before me now? Checked off none of those boxes.

So instead of the night of sisterly bonding like I’d been looking forward to, I’d somehow wound up in a bar. 

At a table. 

With Lea. 

By ourselves. 

Just the two of us.

Alone...

Help! SOS! Frantic smoke signals! I was not mentally or emotionally equipped to deal with this situation!

Commence cardiac arrest in three… two… 

Author’s note: Hi, yes, welcome to Cameo Palooza, where we got references coming out the wazoo! This chapter and events in next chapter were originally all supposed to be one chapter, but the references just kept going and going… I honestly didn’t expect them to go on for as long as they did, but here we are xD Not gonna lie, I took an odd amount of pleasure in giving Lea and Elsa drinks to match to their respective elements/summons. Also lil fun fact: There are real alcoholic beverages out there called the Shiva and the Golden Chocobo, just google it if you’re curious and I think the recipes should pop up like the did for me! Also, there are in fact green Cactuar Fries out there in the real live world too - I’ve seen foodies post pictures!

Next chapter… how will Elsa deal with this latest challenge in human interaction she’s come face to face with? Will this be one step closer to strengthening the bond of her new friendship with Lea? Or will it all end in utter catastrophe thanks to her awkward penguin ways? Will we ever find out the secret of the Cactuar Fries’ green ooze? Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to any new followers out there (howdy! :D) and to those of you who’ve liked and reblogged previous chapters, seeing that always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

[marriedthedark]

Ladybug Week: Day 1 - First Date

Modern AU, 1.7k words

Ruby fidgeted nervously as she continued to stare at the front door to her apartment. Blake had told her she would pick her up at 6:30 sharp yet the green digital numbers on the nearby clock made he aware it was 6:40. She once again defaulted to smoothing out the skirt of her dress for the umpteenth time as she nervously wondered if Blake had somehow forgotten about their date. She soon shook off the notion as she realized there was no way Yang would have allowed her best friend to forget about her first date with her younger sister.

Ruby sunk into the old couch as she huffed with impatience. Why was it her idea to go to a fancy restaurant on their first date? She frowned slightly as she remembered Yang informing her that normally the fancy sort of restaurants she had in mind required some sort of a dress code. As a result, Ruby begrudgingly accepted the knee length red dress and black T-strap kitten heels her older sister had taken upon herself to purchase for her big night. Ruby hated dressing up, but this is what couples were supposed to do on their first date, right?

She glanced again towards the digital green numbers. 6:42 was displayed. Realizing only two agonizing minuets had passed, Ruby groaned as she threw her head against the back of the couch. The universe was really going to make her suffer in this stuffy outfit for hours before-

A knock as the door startled her to her feet; Blake was finally here! Ruby quickly scampered over to the entrance of the apartment before smoothing her dress for the final time. After a few deep breaths, she opened the door.

Sure enough, Blake stood on the other side. Ruby stared at her in awe as she took in the lovely cold shoulder purple gradient dress Blake had decided to wear that night.

“Wow, you look super pretty,” Ruby breathed out.

Blake couldn’t help but blush slightly at Ruby’s reaction. “Thanks, you look really cute as well.”

Ruby felt her heart swell at her date’s compliment. Perhaps her outfit wouldn’t prove to be such a downer to her night after all.

“Shall we?” Blake inquired as she moved over to allow Ruby to exit the doorway.

The duo began navigating their way out of the apartment building, making small talk as they went. By the time they had reached Blake’s car however, the conversation had been replaced by slightly uncomfortable silence.

“Um, Ruby, can I make a small confession?” Blake hesitated as they had finished buckling their seatbelts.

Suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious, all Ruby could manage was an awkward nod.

“I know going to this restaurant was your idea, but those sort of places aren’t exactly my…thing. I know I should’ve said something earlier, but I guess I was scared of disappointing you since you seemed so enthusiastic about it.”

Ruby could hardly believe the words she was hearing. Blake was just as uncomfortable with the thought of going to a stuffy high-end place as she was?

“Same! Honestly, I thought this is what you’re supposed to do on first dates. I didn’t really want to go either. I just didn’t want you to think the girl asking you out was this total lameo loser weirdo type of person…”

Blake couldn’t help but softly giggle at her date’s self- deprecating response.

“I don’t think you’re any of those things, Ruby. Believe me I’m flattered that you wanted to treat me to something so nice, but I’m quite relieved you feel similarly to the situation as I do.”

Ruby’s heart fluttered as she took in the genuine look of relief and appreciation on Blake’s face.

“Can I also confess something? I hate wearing these stupid things,” she muttered as she lightly kicked her feet against the car floor.

Blake found herself giggling again. Ruby seemed to have a habit of making her laugh more than she was used to.

“Well, I mean what I said back there. I think you look lovely tonight.”

Ruby diverted her gaze to her lap as she felt her cheeks warm.

“You can thank Yang for that. She went out and got me all this stuff.”

Blake hummed thoughtfully as she turned the key in the ignition. Soon after the old Camry purred to life.

“Since we’re in agreement then, how about a little change of plans? There’s this new coffee shop that opened on the other side of town that’s supposedly Edgar Allen Poe themed. I’ve been dying to go check it out, but only if you want to of course. I don’t mean to hijack your date idea or anyt-”

Let’s go!” Ruby interjected. She was practically bouncing in her seat with the giddiness of knowing Blake wanted to share this new experience with her.

~~

After 20 minutes of driving, Ruby and Blake arrived at the Nevermore Coffee and Tea House. Both girls grinned as the rich comforting scent of ground coffee beans met their nostrils. True to Blake’s word, the interior of the coffee shop oozed dark gothic aesthetic as the duo took in the dark colors and ravens scattered throughout the place. In the far corner a young women sat on a small stage with a guitar as she sang a gentle somber tune. Not far from her, a large book shelf covered the wall with rows of multicolored spines filling its shelves.

“I can see why you wanted to come here. This place is so cool!” Ruby bounced in place as she continued to soak up the atmosphere. “This so beats that dumb fancy restaurant.”

Blake smiled fondly at Ruby’s enthusiasm. It was so adorable how excitable she was over most anything. The anxiety and worry both girls felt earlier that evening had completely melted away and instead was replaced with the warm embrace of coffee and pastries.

After grabbing a table, both Ruby and Blake scoured the menu for potential treats. A truffle mac and cheese caught Ruby’s eye in addition to a cup of dirt (homemade chocolate pudding with a cookie crumble on top) and hazelnut hot chocolate. Blake meanwhile settled on French onion soup with an almond croissant and a cup chocolate rose tea.

Once both girls had placed their orders, Ruby noticed Blake’s gaze fixed on the large bookshelf. Apparently the shop had an “open book” policy in which you were free to take a book from the shop so long as you left one in its place.

“Ugh, I have so many good books I could’ve left here,” Blake huffed in disappointment. “I have to remember to bring one next time we come back.”

Ruby once again felt her heart flutter at the implication of Blake wanting to return to this place again. With her no less! The thought filled her mind with glee as they both navigated the bookshelf for something good to read. Ruby settled on an action manga she hadn’t heard of while Blake had selected an old poetry book.

“’Demon Slayer’ huh? I think I heard about that one from somewhere,” Blake though aloud as they both made their way back to their table. “I think it’s supposed to be good. You’ll probably like it.”

Ruby beamed at her selection knowing it was Blake approved.

“Well I don’t see what can be more fitting to read at an Edgar Allen Poe coffee shop than a poetry book. I’ve never been that good with words though,” Ruby admitted.

“I’m not that fond of writing poetry either, but reading it can be enjoyable. Some people are a lot better about articulating their thoughts and feelings than I am.”

“Tell me about it,” Ruby agreed wholeheartedly.

After several minutes of comfortable silence with each girl fully engrossed in their reading selections, their food had arrived to their table. Blake started with a small sip from her tea and was pleasantly surprised to how good it was. Ruby meanwhile sank her spoon into a glob of mac and cheese admiring the stretches of cheese still attached to her spoon as she bought it to her mouth.

“Oh my god I’ve never had mac and cheese this good before,” Ruby gushed with her mouth still full. She swallowed before continuing, “Yang’s isn’t even as good as this. Oh, don’t tell her I said that though.”

Blake smirked as she bought the piping hot cup of tea to her lips once more. “Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret,” she said with a playful wink.

The rest of the evening went extremely well with both girls talking about whatever came to their minds: the books they were reading, what sort of character tropes they enjoyed, how the live performer definitely forgot the last verse to her own song. Unlike earlier that evening, the minuets seemed to fly by like cars on the highway.

By the time Blake and Ruby returned to the apartment building it was nearly 11pm. Yang had given Ruby a “soft” return time of midnight, but Ruby didn’t want to leave Yang awake all night waiting for her to get home safely (which she would definitely have done).

“Tonight was so fun! Thanks for changing the plans Blake, I had an awesome time!”

Blake made no effort to hold back the grin that was spreading across her face.

“I did too. Thank you for asking me out. Next time you can chose where to go.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes affectionately as she stretched her hand out.

“Pinky promise?”

Blake followed suit by wrapping her own pinky around Ruby’s.

“Absolutely.”

“Good,” Ruby replied simply. Before Blake could say anything more, Ruby went ahead and quickly placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

“See you soon!” She blurted out before dashing out of the car and into the building out of sight.

Blake sat there stunned, her arm still outstretched. She didn’t need to look into the rearview mirror to know that her face was red as a tomato.

“Oh god, I hope my breath didn’t smell like onions...”

[allthings-sandy]

Happy New Year, Parker

Pairing: Peter Parker x reader

Words: 1.9k

Warnings: none

A/N: a day late but I still wanted to upload it! I hope it's not too boring... Enjoy!

MASTERLIST

‘ So are you going to do it?’ Tony asks Peter as both their backs lean against the counter, overlooking the crowd of people mingling around the decorated Avengers Tower living room. Tony invited all the staff for a new years countdown to start the new year off, not forgetting the Avengers of course. What’s a Tony Stark party without the Avengers?

‘ Um do what, sir?’ Peter turned to him and asked, having no idea what was about to come out of his boss’s mouth. ‘ Kiss (Y/N)?’ Tony asked, nonchalantly. Peter looked at him with a stunned expression. ‘ W-what?’ he stuttered, the word barely leaving his lips. ‘ How does Mr. Stark know?’ The boy thought. Tony rolled his eyes as he sighed. ‘ Are you or are you not going to kiss (Y/N) at midnight?’ Tony asked, rendering Peter speechless. ‘ Do you- how did you-' ‘ Anyone with eyes can see you ogling at her.’ Tony said, pointing at you before taking a sip of his drink, making Peter look at you for the nth time that night. You were wearing a blue off shoulder dress with ruffles. The dress wasn’t extravagant, but Peter thought you were the most beautiful person in the room. You were talking to Natasha , Wanda and Vision. It looked like you were talking about something serious based on the concerned expression you had on your face. ‘ Hey lover boy, I’m over here.’ Tony snapped his fingers in front of him to get his attention. ‘ You gotta stop staring at her like that, your jaw is going to collapse.’ Steve popped up at Stark’s side. ‘ You know too??’ Peter asked Steve. ‘ All the avengers do. Well, besides our girl over there.’ Steve pointed to you with a drink in his hand. ‘ Is it that obvious?’ Peter asked in a small voice. ‘ You mean you actually wanted to hide it? Shocking.’ Tony said in his most sarcastic voice. ‘ Well, what am I supposed to do now? She probably knows I like her already! Should I just snatch her and kiss her?’ Peter said in a panicky voice. He’s doomed if you know he likes you. The last thing he wants is for things to get awkward between the two of you. The worst case scenario flashes through his mind – you two won’t be able to work together on missions which leads to one of you dropping out of the team. Rather exaggerated, but to Peter it’s a reality that is not far from happening.

‘ Slow down, Underoos! Don't be hasty. First, you have to talk to her. Compliment her. Tell her... how nice her dress looks!’ Tony exclaimed. ‘ Yeah, flirt with her a little, get her into the mood. Gotta test the waters first before diving in.’ Steve told Peter. ‘ Alright, compliment her. Don’t be hasty and test the waters before diving in. I got it. I got this.’ Peter said, trying his best to boost his self confidence. ‘ That's right. I won’t forgive you if you hurt her.’ Steve said in a low voice with a menacing look in his eyes. Peter gulped and nodded. At the same time...

‘ I don't know guys, it seems a little... rushed.’ You told Natasha and Wanda. They looked at you in disbelief. ‘ What do you mean rushed? You’ve liked him for what , 2 years and you’re telling me you think it’s rushed??’ Nat asked you, sounding a little angry. You felt a little apologetic since you knew how much she’d been rooting for the two of you. Ever since you told Wanda and Natasha about your crush on Peter, they had been so supportive of you which is why you didn't give up when you heard about his massive crush on Liz Allen. ‘ If you ask me, I think it is the perfect time to confess. What’s more romantic than confessing on a balcony with fireworks in the background as you two share your first kiss?’ Wanda said. ‘ That does sound romantic... but what if he doesn’t like me back?? For all I know, he could still be in love with Liz!’ You exclaimed. You feared the worst – Peter still being head over heels in love with Liz, hence rejecting you and never being able to work together on missions like you used to because of the awkwardness so one of you ends up dropping out of the team! Like hell you were going to let that happen. ‘ Liz was a long time ago. You don’t have to worry about her.’ Nat said. ‘ Nat's right. Besides, anyone can tell that boy likes you. Just ask any of the others and they will without a doubt tell you that Peter is infatuated with you. I can call Vis right now.’ Wanda said before proceeding to call her boyfriend. ‘ Do you think Peter likes (Y/N)? Like in a more-than-a-friend kind of way?’ Nat asked Vision. Vision took no time to think of an answer. ‘ Indeed. He is always looking at you in a particular way. As if he had hearts in his eyes, yes. Don’t look but he’s staring at you right now.’ Vision said. You saw Natasha’s eyes look to the side. ‘ He’s looking at you, (Y/N)! Or should I say ogling. That boy is so in love with you.’ Nat said happily. ‘ You think?’ You asked with a little hope. Maybe there was a chance he liked you. You guys are together most of the time, being the closest in age. ‘ There is no way he doesn’t like you. That gaze proves it.’ Vision said. Natasha and Wanda nodded in agreement. You turned your head to look at Peter. He looked dashing in his blue suit, reminding you of one of the reasons you fell for him in the first place. ‘ Okay. I’m doing it. I'll confess to him tonight.’ You said with a determined tone. ‘That's my girl! You have to tell us what happens!’ Nat exclaims with a grin plastered on her face.

‘ I can do this. I can do this.’ You repeat in your head. You walked towards him as he turned to walk towards you and you two meet in the middle. ‘ Hi.’ Peter said with a toothy grin on his face. ‘ Hi.’ You couldn't help but say. You two looked into each other’s eyes for a little bit before you broke the ice. ‘ Not bad, Parker. Didn’t think you could clean up this good.’ You said, wanting to avoid any kind of awkwardness between you two. Peter smiled. ‘ Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself.’ He said, making your cheeks heat up a little. ‘ Thanks.’ You said, trying to look him in the eyes. ‘ Want a drink?’ he said and you nodded before following him to the counter. You wanted to confess but didn't exactly plan it all out. ‘ Should I lead him to the balcony? Or maybe we'll go there later?’ You thought. ‘ Compliment her. Don't be hasty.’ He thought.

‘ It’s almost time. Wanna head to the balcony? We'll be able to see the fireworks clearly there.’ Peter asked you. This was it. You had to do it or you probably won't for the next 3 years or so. But you had to make sure of something first. ‘ Hey. Do you... still like Liz? I mean, you haven’t really been talking about her so I was just wondering.’ You asked just as you arrived at the edge of the balcony. There was only the two of you there as everyone was packed in the living room due to Tony's orders. You had no idea why he forbid anyone from going to the balcony but the Avengers when in all actuality, Tony didn't want anyone to disturb or disrupt the tension that was going to happen between the two of you. ‘ Liz? No, I don't like her anymore. It was a long time ago and I’ve forgotten all about her! I swear there was nothing going on between us and there never will be.’ Peter said, almost in a rush. He wanted to drill the fact that he and Liz were never going to be more than friends into your head. ‘ Okay. I was just curious. That’s all.’ You said and looked down so he couldn’t see the small smile that crept on your face. Peter looked at his watch. There was only 5 minutes to New Years and he really wants to kiss you so it was now or never. ‘ Are you sure that’s all? There wasn't another reason behind it?’ He asked you as he stepped closer to you. ‘ A-another reason?’ You asked him. ‘ Maybe.’ You said. You couldn’t stop running away from your feelings any longer. ‘ Well if I asked you the same question, it would mean that I would want to know if I had a chance.’ Peter said. You turned your head to look at him. ‘ A chance?’ You asked curiously. ‘ A chance to what? Do what?’

‘ A chance at being... more than friends.’ Peter looked down said in a small voice. He then looked at you with confidence in his eyes. ‘ I like you. More than a friend.’ He said and took you hands in his. ‘ What about you?’ He asked you. You couldn’t believe it. ‘ You like me? Since when?’ You asked, curious when it all began. ‘ I actually don’t know. I probably liked you even when I told you I liked Liz. I just- I guess I couldn’t face it then. But I’m going face it now.’ Peter said right before they heard the loud chanting of countdowns from the living room. ‘ 10, 9, 8-’ A shiver went down your spine as Peter's hand slid up your arm. ‘ 7, 6, 5, 4-’ He had one hand on your neck whilst the other hand caressed your cheek. ‘ 3, 2, 1-’ Your lips finally meet. ‘ Happy New Year!’ Everyone in the living room shouted with some people having their first kiss of the year.

‘ Happy New Year, Parker.’ You said with the biggest smile. You were happy everything went so well. ‘ Happy New Year, (Y/N).’ Peter replied. ‘ HAPPY NEW YEAR!’ Thor shouted and hugged the two from behind, causing them to smile. They looked behind them and saw the avengers standing there with grins on their faces. ‘ So you guys are together now?’ Bucky came closer and ruffled you and Peter’s hair. ‘ You guys are going to make such a cute couple!’ Natasha said with a giddy voice. ‘ Good job, Underoos.’ Tony said. ‘ Did you guys see everything?’ You asked, eager to know if your special moment with Peter was exposed to the rest of Avengers. ‘ No. Only the part where you kiss since we couldn’t hear what you were saying.’ Vision answered. ‘ So you spied on us!’ You exclaimed. ‘ Hey now no need to get mad. You and Peter are together and that’s all that matters.’ Tony said as he slung his shoulders over both your necks. You and Peter looked at each other and smiled. ‘ Now if you’ll excuse us-' Peter got out of Tony's grip and pulled you to him. ‘ We will be in my room.’ He said and dragged you away from the balcony. ‘ They grow up so fast.’ Tony said with a smile.

[puffyswritings]

The Midnight Date (Kacchako Prompt)

Rating: T

Word Count: 1730

Other Notes: HELLO!! I am so glad to have finished this prompt. I would have made it longer, but I have to go to sleep soon and it’s long enough, to be honest. So for those of you who read my earlier post, I said that this month I’d be uploading more Kacchako content this month since I can’t do Fictober. This is the first part of maybe a dozen? I would have had it posted soonee but I wanted to post them all together? uwu Thank you all!! I hope you enjoy this one!

They had been planning this for two months. The final exam would be over and they would be out of school for a few weeks. The perfect time to go on a date; no stress, no need to return to dorms at some early time only to be surrounded by familiar idiots who would no doubt question every second of their evening.

Despite planning this date for two whole months, they still had to cancel. Which leads to Katsuki staring at his phone across his living room couch, watching as the bubbles bounce across his screen as she types her reply.

Uraraka: I’m not. You don’t think it’s too late?

Katsuki shrugs, even without her being able to see him. No, he begins. Why does it matter anyway?

Uraraka: Because we have parents??

A small laughs slips past his lips. Katsuki cuts it off, eyes searching around him for the annoying couple known as his parents. Fortunately, no one comes crashing into the living room, so he eases back against the arm rest. He laughs again, re-reading her text before typing his own.

Do you want to go or not, pink cheeks?

Uraraka: ….Is this a one-time offer?

You fuckin’ bet it is.

Uraraka: See you in 20 ;)

“Damn…” Mumbling after setting his phone in his lap, Katsuki covers his mouth, cheeks burning. It’s stupid. Really stupid. To have his heart flutter at her words, his face burn at a fucking emoticon.

He sits there for a few minutes, trying to calm himself down. Teenage hormones are a bitch, he thinks as he pushes himself from the couch. Jogging upstairs to his room for his wallet and jacket, Katsuki wonders about Ochako, as he always does. Their previous date was supposed to be at this fancy restaurant. They were going to eat and dance for a couple hours at the place, all dressed up for the night. To literally no one’s knowledge, Katsuki was seriously looking forward to that night; to see Ochako in that new dress she bought; hear her laugh, watch her eyes sparkle at the smallest things, and hold her strong body closer to his than it has been before as they danced.

Distracting thoughts, he grumbles in his mind, locking the front door behind himself. He looks to his left to the driveway. His parents had bought him a vehicle for his seventeenth birthday, and it’s been sitting in their driveway since he’s been too busy to take it out too often. That, and also the fact that he still lives on the U.A. campus. They won’t allow him to bring his vehicle on and off the campus until his third year--which is stupid. What is he going to do? Sneak out with that loud ass thing? Better think again.

Thin lips stretching into a smirk, the boy twirls his keys from one finger, walking towards his favorite toy.

---

Of course Ochako Uraraka makes him speechless. Who woulda thought.

She’s standing in front of him, hands folded in front of her. It isn’t that new dress she has been talking nonstop about. Katsuki knows that fancy dress or not, Ochako is one stunning girl. In a burgundy dress, Ochako wears a black leather jacket over it and laced boots to match, thin leggings--he thinks?--only shades lighter than the black in her outfit. He knows that he’s staring; not that he gives a damn. What makes him stop is the appearance of her darkened cheeks, glowing softly from her porch light.

Clearing his throat in an awkward manner, Katsuki pushes off his vehicle. “So what happened? Did you sneak out? Or step up to your folks?” he says teasingly as he makes his way up the sidewalk to her front porch.

For a moment, Ochako just watches him. Her brown eyes track his movements, wide and bright as she waits for him, her back to her front door. When he’s a few feet in front of her, Ochako responds, a small frown on her lips. “Really?” she says in a tone that is not at all a question.

Katsuki shrugs. “You tell me, pink cheeks.”

He peers up at her, his hands in his pockets as he does so. He’s on the bottom step. While it tends to piss him off when anyone looks down on him, there is a certain curiosity to her gaze that makes him wonder what’s going on in that mind of hers. Anything, he thinks. Anything could be going on up there.

“Wait…” Ochako’s eyes snap up. They lock on something behind him, which causes Katsuki to turn so that his back is to Ochako, immediately searching for a threat. “Is that your motorcycle, Katsuki?” She touches his arm as she steps down. He looks to her in surprise, only to find her gaze on his birthday gift.

“Yeah,” he mumbles. His muscles unclench from the apparent non-threat. I would’ve been hella pissed if we had to fight anyway. Sliding into a familiar hunch, Katsuki walks beside her until they reach the motorcycle under the street light.

“That’s so cool!! Is this what we’re riding? Oh--By the way, where are we even going?”

A laugh jumps from his throat. He ends up making a strangled-coughing sound from trying to cover it up. A hidden glance thrown at Ochako, and his sudden fear that she’s heard him laugh is real. He turns his face completely away from her, one hand up by his cheek as the other slides from his hair down the back of his neck.

So weird. So awkward. So fucking weird!!! I don’t know why, but now I wanna die--Actually, yeah I do. Someone come kill me n o w.

He feels the unfamiliar grip of teenage anxiety catch him. He finds a thousand foreign thoughts run through his mind but embarrassment keeps him from keeping up with them. It isn’t that he hates laughing--no. He just feels kind of shy about it. What if no one likes his laugh; his real laugh? He doesn’t genuinely laugh that often. Chuckling and short chortles are about as far as he goes; as far as he need to go. Yet as he stands in that weird position with his back to Ochako, he can’t tell if maybe he’s wrong.

“I didn’t even know you got your license…” Softly, Ochako speaks, a small laugh to her own voice. She trails off, and from the dying sound, Katsuki thinks that maybe he offended her; by not telling her something a huge as getting his liscence. Maybe just turning his back to her makes her think he’s afraid to let her hear him laugh--

Swallowing pass a non-emotional related lump in his throat, Katsuki runs a hand down the back of his neck once again. It wasn’t really that big of a deal. Other than his parents and few of his classmates, Katsuki never really planned on telling anyone about his license. But she’s my girlfriend… “A couple months ago, yeah. I never thought they’d but me car; much less a motorcycle.” He shrugs. He pushes away his previous blunder, choosing to never mention that again.

Ochako makes another awed sound. He finally ends up turning around to fully face her after a couple achingly long seconds. She’s running her hand over the leather seat, leaning over the side to catch a better look of the dash. “Yeah,” he says again, stepping closer to her. He eyes her profile under the orangish light; her brown hair like bronze, the curve of her hips and thighs visible under the dress. “It’s got a radio and even a fan somewhere in there,” he says quickly, shaking his head from the sudden turn of his thoughts. Fucking hormones.

They stand on the curb for a couple minutes. Ochako surprises Katsuki by being attentive to what he’s telling her, asking questions, and making comments often. She seems to admire his motorcycle almost as much as he he does. Which is nice; and also not something she would be so into. He knows that a lot of people believe girls don’t like cars and motorcycles--that they’re too masculine for a female. Well fuck them. He knows that liking the same things he does doesn’t make a girl any less of...a girl. Ochako is proof of that. So are Pros like Mt. Lady and Mirko.

Ochako turns her round face up to Katsuki so quick that when seeing the full force of her smiling face, he’s rendered speechless. Her cheeks are as pink as ever, her brown eyes as warm as chocolate. She smiles up at him, a sparkle clear in her eyes. She’s easily the best thing that’s ever happened to him. He can feel it in his chest when she’s around him; or someone says her name. Just a look--and he’s taken.

Katsuki closes the small gap between them, placing a quick kiss on her parted lips. His face is burning when he pulls away. His entire body is on fire and he swears his heart wasn’t slamming away like this before.

Still, he manages a small chuckle, even more so from her shocked expression. “We can go whenever your ready, Ochako. But maybe you should--” Before he can finish, Ochako is glaring up at him with a startling ferocity..He can’t make out her intention. Not until she is extremely close, and he swears there’s a smile on her lips as she kisses him.

After kissing Uraraka in front of his motorcycle in front of her parents house, he takes her on a ride through the backroads of the city on his motorcycle. They end up finding a clearing along the way and make a little camp on the dry patch of grass. Under the stars, they kiss a bit more, talk a lot, and look from the stars to one another. As he listens to one of her many stories, he knows that while he wouldn’t call it love, (now that’s hella weird) but this feeling is definitely something. It makes him want to protect this already capable girl; wrap her up in his arms, kiss her cheek, her hands, her lips. He’ll put her before himself if she’ll let him. He’ll do so much for her. Yet he can’t--not now. He’ll make things great for the both of them; one day.

[the-gedonelune-times]

I’ll Stay

Hello, hello everyone! Today I’m here to bring a fanfic in honour of a certain dragon boy whose route will be released very soon! My writing may be a little rusty, but I hope you all enjoy this fanfic nonetheless! 

Also a big thank you to @leonthecardboardunicorn for giving me some amazing ideas to use for this story, along with character suggestions!

After a long day of both classes and prefect work, I was overjoyed to be here in my dorm sitting down at the vanity, while combing my hair and talking to my beloved roommate. It seemed like forever since we last had some girl talk!

"So what's it like being a prefect? Is it just as hard as you imagined it to be?" "To be honest, I don't know how Klaus and Randy managed to do it all! They made it look so easy!" In the mirror, I saw Amelia taking place at the edge of her bed before speaking. "Oh no...so it's that bad?" Giving a few more brushes in my hair, I placed the brush down and spun around on the seat before getting off and walking over to my own bed. "It's not that it's bad, rather, it's a bit more stressful. I'm really glad Yukiya and Elias are helping me though. Not to mention Alfonse and Caesar, they've been a real big help with the whole prefect thing too." Gently pulling back the covers, I slipped into my bed and proceeded to make myself comfy while Amelia and I continued our girl talk. "Hm, so do you like any of them?" "What do you mean by that?" "Well, I mean do you fancy any of them?! Could one of them be stealing your heart?" Amelia gave a teasing smile causing me to blush and wave my hands wildly in front of me. "No, of course not! At least not like that! Besides, Alfonse and Caesar are a couple and Elias and Yukiya are just really good friends, almost like family. There's nothing romantic going on between any of us." "What about people outside of the group?" "Out of the group...." "Oh! I know that face! You're starting to go deep in thought, aren't you? Oh, your face is even starting to turn red! You really must like someone!" Truth be told, I actually had someone on my mind...he was a bit of a mysterious guy, one who had helped us and even betrayed us a few times. None of us knew what his intentions were, was he friend? Or was he foe? However, after freeing Lucious from the underground Labyrinth, we began to see him around more and more, not that I was complaining. In fact, I was quite happy! This could give me the chance to get to know him more. Just who are you, Hugo? I couldn't help but smile through my thoughts, but I was snapped back to reality when a tapping sound came from the door to our balcony. "Is that Hugo again?" Amelia gave me a curious look and all I could do was look at the door and give her a look of uncertainty. "Maybe? But we've had a few different visitors come to our dorm at this hour. Remember the time when Zeus, Hiro and Lucious came to our dorm near midnight?" "Oh right, wasn't that because of Hiro and Zeus?" "Yeah. Hiro and Zeus were having a fight and Lucious needed our help to shut them up." "It didn't go well if I recall." I shook my head softly. "Nope, in fact, all three of them soon got into a fight and the housemothers got involved." "I hope there's not another fight about to happen." "Me too Amelia, me too." Getting up from my bed, I quickly made my way over to the door, pushing the curtains away; a face coming into my view. It was Hugo! "Hugo?" The moment I opened up the door I could feel a chill blow in. "Forgive me Goddess, have I disturbed your slumber?" "Huh? Oh, no! Truth be told, I was just about to head to bed, but you didn't disturb anything!" "I see. So I take that everything is well? Nothing is wrong?" "Nope, everything is fine, nothing to worry about." "Good. I will see you tomorrow." With that, Hugo jumped down from the balcony and was gone just as fast as he appeared. I reached my hand out in front of me in an effort to stop him, even though I knew it was futile and that he was already gone. I withdrew my hand back slowly before letting it drop back at my side before staring out at the night sky. "Nadia?" "Huh?" "Don't you think you should close the door? It's getting a bit chilly in here." "O-oh, right!" Taking a step back, I quickly shut the door and made my way back over to my bed, once again crawling under the covers, only this time my head made contact with the pillows. "So who was it?" "Hugo." "Really? Again? He's been showing up here more and more." "Well, he told me once that it's part of his duty now." "Duty?" "Yeah, he keeps calling me a 'Goddess' and he says that is mission is to protect me. I guess that means mandatory nightly checkups?" "Sounds kind of romantic to me." "Huh?! Romantic?" "Well yeah! It's like he's a knight doing his duty in protecting a princess. Oh, I wonder if you two will fall in love!" "A-Amelia, let's not get ahead of ourselves now, okay? He's just a friend, nothing more, nothing less." "Aw, if you say so." Yawning softly, Amelia leaned over on her bed and gave a goodnight before turning out the lights. As darkness settled in, my thoughts couldn't seem to stop running. There were so many things I wish I knew about him. I wish...I wish I could find a way to be closer to him. Before I knew it, sleep had taken over and I felt myself drifting away from reality. -------------------------------- The next morning, as Amelia and I were making our way out of the dorms, we both noticed a familiar face and I felt Amelia shake me a little on my shoulder before pointing outwards. "Hey, isn't that Hugo?" "Yeah, how strange, usually he's not up and about this early. I wonder what's up." "Well, go talk to him!" Saying that with a smile, Amelia pushed me forward a little, my legs did the rest and moved on their own accord. As I inched closer and closer to where Hugo was standing, I noticed that something was wrong. His movements were off; he seemed to be wobbling a little bit like he was off balance. Fear gripped my mind and I ran up to him. "Hugo?! Are you okay? Can you hear me?" "G-Goddess?" His voice was shaky and just when he turned around to face me, he fell down, bringing me down with him. The impact my knees had with the ground hurt less than the impact that was on my heart while seeing Hugo like this. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes and I quickly shouted for help before placing Hugo's pale and flushed face in my hands. "I f...feel like I'm dying." "Hugo, you're not going to die! Don't talk like that!" Situating myself, I moved Hugo so that his head could rest on my lap while waiting for help, which didn't take too long to come. I brushed back his bangs and looked down at his face before looking up and seeing Zeus and Lucious sprinting my way. "What the hell happened?" "Is that..." "Yes, It's Hugo, now can you please help me get him to the infirmary?" "Why should we?" Zeus folded his arms over his chest and gave a huff. "Because he needs help!" "Yeah? When has he helped us?" Lucious spoke up this time, even though he had a sharp tongue, he still helped to support Hugo up onto his feet. Zeus, on the other hand, didn't seem to budge at all. "Zeus? Are you not going to help?" "Why should I help?" "Well, would you rather report the incident to Klaus instead?" I watched as Zeus let his hands fall to his sides and he heaved a sigh before taking position at his other side and helping prop him up. "This is such a pain." "I agree, especially since I have to be stuck carrying this guy with you." "What'd you say pipsqueak?" "Do you ever shut up?!" "That's it!" "Don't you dare summon anything, you moron!" As they walked out of sight I couldn't help but feel a little bit bad for Hugo, I just hope those two don't start anything too bad. Especially Zeus, I know how wild his summonings could get. Flashbacks of him teaching a class caused my body to shudder before dashing over to where Amelia was at. "Nadia? What in the world happened?" "I think Hugo might be sick or something. I'm not sure what it is, but he sounded really distressed and he didn't look that well." "Oh no! What are you going to do?" "I heard that Klaus is supposed to be teaching the first-period class. I'm going to fill him in on the situation and see if I can go and be at Hugo's side for a little while. Just to make sure everything will be alright. Which means I won't be able to walk you to class today Amelia!" I shouted out to her as I ran and in the distance I hear her voice, telling me that it was fine, she even wished me good luck. I continued to sprint onward and was getting closer and closer to my destination. However, on my way there, I ran right into someone and would have landed on my butt had it not been for someone's quick reflexes in keeping me upright. "Do people not know how to be aware of their surroundings in this day and age?" a very familiar voice filled my ears and I could feel a wave of relief wash over my body. "Klaus!" "Nadia? Why are you in such a rush? Class still doesn't start for another few minutes." "It's because I wanted to talk with you about something, well, rather inform you of something." "What is it?" "W-Well...um. There was a student that has fallen ill and well...I'd...like to watch over and make sure that they're going to be alright. So I was hoping that I could be excused from your class for the day." "You didn't even have to ask. Nadia, as a prefect, the students become a main concern. However, I expect you to study hard for the test I'll be preparing, I'm not going to make it easy." "Got it! Bye Klaus!" With that, I ran towards the infirmary, leaving Klaus behind as he shook his head. As I ran, my thoughts were all of Hugo. Watching him wobble and fall to the ground, hearing his raspy voice and seeing that pale and flushed face of his. I hoped it wasn't something serious.... The moment I reached the infirmary, Zeus and Lucious were in the waiting portion, along with Caesar. "What are you guys doing here?" "Great, she's here! I can finally leave and do something that isn't killing me with boredom!" Zeus got up but was soon pulled down to his seat again by Lucious. "Shut up, idiot. Look, we wanted to make sure you got here safely." "You both aren't very honest are you?" "You looking to fight?!" Zeus held up his hands and a green light began to form, but it was soon cut off when someone took hold of his hand. "Don't you dare summon something in here you moron! And you!" Lucious pointed a finger at Caesar. "Don't come accusing me of not being honest, pokchop!" Lucious hissed between his teeth before dragging Zeus as they made their exit, leaving Caesar and I alone in the waiting room. Sighing, I took a seat across from Caesar and looked down at the ground. "They were worried, you know?" "Huh?" "Zeus and Lucious. They came here making sure Hugo wasn't in bad condition. They did it for your sake mostly, saying they knew how you cared about him and that they'd force him to get better." I couldn't help but let out a giggle.

”But hey, Caesar?”

”Yeah?”

”I know why Lucious and Zeus were here, but what about you? Why are you here?”

”I’m just here for Alfonse. He was pulled out of his prefect duties to fill in the position of the school nurse. The one usually had family business to attend to and had to leave immediately. Leaving Alfonse to fill in the position.” "Wait, does that mean you're going to be here the whole day?" "Pretty much." "But why?" "Because I don't want Alfonse to be alone. I want to stay right here and wait for him." "Caesar…”

Caesar flashed me a smile and was about to speak when Alfonse suddenly stepped out of the room, a shocked expression was plastered on his face.

“What are you both doing here?”

“I came to see how Hugo was doing. Is...Is he alright?”

“Yes, he’s fine. He’s just got a cold, however, he seemed to have pushed himself too hard and that’s why the effects of the cold have become the way it has.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Is it okay to see him?”

“Of course. In fact, he might appreciate the company.”

“Off to see your next patient then?”

“Yes, it appears there’s another student who’s become sick and will need a shot with some antidote inside. But I’m going to need your assistance Caesar?”

“Me? Why? You know I’m not that good with doctor stuff.”

“You just need to be your cute piggy self.”

“What? Why?!”

“Because the student that’s sick happens to be afraid of needles and I think it would be nice if you could be there to calm the student down.”

Caesar gave out a sigh and slumped his shoulders. That’s when Alfonse walked over and took Caesar's hand in his own before kneeling down, making eye contact with him.

“Please honey?”

“W-whatever!”

Saying that, Caesar pressed his lips against Alfonse’s and was soon enveloped in a puff of white smoke. When it settled, a blushing pig was sat down with his tail between his legs, he was unable to look at us directly and was making small oinking noises. That’s when Alfonse scooped him up in his arms and hugged him.

“We’ll get you changed in some work attire when we reach our destination.” Saying that, Alfonse opened up his bag full of doctor supplies and lowered his arms down, allowing Caesar to jump down in the bag with a smile on his face. “We’ll see you later Nadia, take care!”

Alfonse gave a final wave to me before the both of them left me alone in the waiting room, I took a glance at the door which led to where Hugo was stationed at and took a deep breath before walking in. Stepping into the room, I saw Hugo lying down in one of the beds, he had a wet washcloth on his forehead and his breathing seemed better than it was when she first saw him in this state. Walking over to the bed I stood and looked at his sleeping face, I felt a blush creep onto my face, I couldn’t pry my eyes off of his beautiful features.

“Goddess is that you?”

His sudden voice made me jump back with widened eyes. “Hugo? How did you…”

“I felt a presence in the room, one I was very familiar with.”

His eyes slowly opened up peered at me, causing my blush to deepen.

“Goddess...may I ask you to join me?”

“J-Join you?! You mean in the bed?!”

“Yes...is that so bad? I wish to tell you something important.”

After hearing his words, I hesitantly began moving forward until I reached his bed and took a seat on the edge of it. That’s when he reached his fingers up and brushed away my bangs and gave me a goofy smile.

“Goddess...I think this may be the end for me, I just want you to know, that..I don’t want you to leave my side…”

Wait, has Hugo never experienced a cold before? Is that why he thinks he’s dying?

“Hugo, you’re not going to die, I won’t allow that and you need not worry about me leaving you, I’m going to stay right here until you get better, alright?”

“You really are too kind…”

I could feel the tiredness in his voice when he spoke and when his hand dropped back down to the bed, I knew he was completely pushed past the brink of exhaustion. I gently ran my fingers through and played with his hair, listening to the small snores that came from his mouth. I then leaned down and placed a small kiss on his forehead.

“Get better soon, Hugo. I’ll be right here by your side.”

Saying that, I could feel another blush rise to my cheeks. I took a seat right next to the bed and ended up falling asleep right next to my guardian, and I couldn’t have been happier.

[beeandhearttattoos]

Boy Next Door

A/N: It’s been on mind if I’m going to write a part 2 on this depending on how you guys like it. Let’s see it as a trial and error type of deal. Tell me what you think!

The one where Harry plays his music loudly, and Y/N is grumpy when she doesn’t get her much needed sleep.

Living in an apartment complex wasn’t too much of a big deal for Y/N. It was nice, very homey, quite spacious (if we’re being honest), and is in a good part of town. What she didn’t much enjoy was the noise from her neighbor next door. It was nice at first, soft tunes vibrating across the thin walls. Some days it was incredibly calming, and it helped her fall asleep. Some days it made her dance aimlessly around her place, even to a point that she’ll hum the tune at work and it drove her co-workers crazy! But this time it’s different. Music is nice, don’t get me wrong, she said to herself, but it’s around midnight and she has a double shift tomorrow at work, and boy, she hates it when she didn’t get enough sleep. The amount of times she’s had headaches or restless eyes have made her too moody just by thinking about it. No matter how much she’d push the pillow down her head to muffle the sound, it was of no use. 

“Please stop, please,” she continued saying, hoping that the person on the other side would hear. 

And to her surprise, it did stop. Could it be that the person next door heard what she just said? Or was it just pure coincidence? That wasn’t so much in Y/N’s mind right now, so she took that moment of silence to try and sleep before any music starts playing once more. 

Now, this has happened a couple of times more, and her patience is wearing thin. Her day at her work wasn’t really too bad, it’s just it took so much of her energy, and she hated it when she doesn’t sleep the right amount of time she needed. So when she came home that day, and even before she’s gone to her door, she started hearing music from the same place (mind you, it was quite romantic, the tune coming out of that place), she’s had it. She couldn’t stand it a few nights in a row now. With a deep breath, she mustered all her confidence and anger in: Maybe I can still reason out with this person to keep the fuck down. She thought. So with a sigh, she stomped towards this person’s door, knocked three times and waited. The music stopped and footsteps were echoing from the inside, stopping as the door swung open to reveal a rather tall, dashing man. It took a few seconds for Y/N to register what he looked like, with his tousled brown hair, his eyebrow arched, his green eyes piercing through his square glasses, and his pink lips pushed into a tight line. 

“Yes?“ he finally spoke, looking down at her with an amused look.

She blinked a few times to remember what she was planning on saying, “Right. Can you please keep it down a bit? It’s quite late to be playing music at this hour, don’t you think?”

A smirk formed at his lips, “’M Harry. Nice to meet you too, by the way.”

“W-what?“ she furrowed her brows.

“A bit of an introduction wouldn’t hurt, love,“ he leaned against the doorframe, clearly towering over her. 

She cleared her throat from the sudden nervousness that seeped through her and mumbled, “I’m Y/N.”

“Well, Y/N, now that we’re properly introduced, what can I help you with?“ he said expectantly as if he doesn’t know what she’s on about.

She’s swallowed down all of her anxiousness from seeing this handsome - did she just say handsome? - boy in front of him, “I was asking if you can keep the music down. People are trying to sleep.”

The smile on his face was unwavering, but with a bit of a cough and a deep sigh escaping his lips, he pulled on his straight face, “Of course. Sorry fo’ the bother, love.”

That’s it? She thought, no “Well, tough shit baby doll, you’re not the boss of me”? “Right. Okay. Thank you.”

“Have a good night,“ he smiled, slowly closing his door. 

Y/N walked back towards her apartment next door, feeling slightly relieved that all of that is over and slightly worried that she was just not taken seriously by this Harry guy. Although to be fair, the rest of the night went on smoothly, there were no loud music that she’s heard. Maybe soft hums, but they never disturbed her at any way. It actually helped her be lulled to a deep sleep that she has been thinking about the whole day.

It had been smooth sailing since then. She still did hear music from Harry, but around 11 or midnight it all just stops, or at least played a bit lower than usual. She appreciated that to the point that she was planning on giving him muffins as a thank you for being an understanding neighbor, and maybe a bit of saying sorry for being rude and not introducing herself first. As she was planning this on her way up her apartment door, she’s rummaged through her bag for her keys, cursing while she’s looking for it still. 

“Dammit,“ she gritted her teeth, now kneeling down in front of her apartment door and looking at every corner of her bag and failing to find her keys. She let her bag stay on the floor as she stood up and sighed heavily. With her heart pounding with anxiety, she started thinking of ways to fix this. She could call her landlord and ask for the spare key! Oh, but it’s already midnight. They’re probably asleep. She looked to her right, following the soft sound of the guitar playing in the room. Maybe Harry can help? Maybe I can cross to the balcony and go through my apartment from there! So she gathered her things, walked over next door to bombard her neighbor once more. 

This time she was greeted by a kinder smile of his, “Hello.”

“Hi, Harry,“ she hesitated, but the idea of her staying the night outside her door popped in her head and she didn’t want that at all, “I was wondering I could go in your apartment?“

He raised his brow, a smirk creeping up his face, “You know you should take me to dinner first before any of that stuff, right?“

“I didn’t-“ she blushed, “I left my key in my apartment, I need to use your balcony to get in my place.“

He slowly nodded, leaning to the side to create some space for her to get in. Now his place was the same size as hers is, but it looked a bit bigger from how his furniture has been arranged. It was quite minimalist to say the least. He did have a bunch of papers scattered all over the coffee table and the floor, with an acoustic guitar just sitting on his couch. She looked around her a bit more, seeing a few posters of musicians and a vinyl player on the end of the room. She’s also seen his music station on the other side, with his keyboard on display, a microphone attached to it, an electric guitar neatly placed beside it and and a few more things going about here and there. 

“Wow,” she muttered, “This is-”

“Yes?” she heard him as he closed the door, “What is it?”

“This is so cool,” Y/N walked in a bit more, stopping at the middle of the room.

A smile slowly slipped on Harry’s face as he walked towards his fridge, “D’you want anything?”

She’s still looking around, completely distracted by the scenery around her. Walking slowly towards the couch and contemplating on touching the guitar, “D’you play?”

“What?” she turned around, seeing him walk over to her with two mugs. He slowly handed her one to which she said a thank you as she blew on the steam. 

“You play the guitar?” he repeated.

She slowly shook her head, carefully sipping on the warm tea, “I was taught a few chords here and there before, but nothing professional or anything.”

“So you write songs?” Y/N turned to the coffee table to find the sheets of paper, “Is that what you do?”

He chuckled, standing next to her, “On my free time, yes,” Harry took some of the papers lying across the floor to clear them up on the table, also taking the guitar off the couch for her to sit beside him.

And it all started from there, talking about what they both do (Harry being a TA for a Music Theory professor while Y/N also discussed her job as a waitress at this cute cafe not far off - to which Harry promises on visiting next time), as well as Harry singing a few lines from the song he’s been working on. It made Y/N smile so much to see how amazing he sounds and how he plays the guitar. She also loved how the melody just mixed in with the lyrics that he’s written, her eyes slowly closing from how deep and calming his voice was. At the end of his song she lazily smiled, slowly clapping her hands, “That was great, Harry.”

He only smiled as he placed the guitar down. After a moment of silence, she’s taken a deep breath, “I guess this is my cue to leave. Thank you so much, Harry,” she stood up, picked her bag, and dragged herself towards the balcony, and Harry following suit. 

The cold air hit them once the doors were opened, and it was making her feel more sleepy than she already is! The moon is illuminating the whole city as well as the stars twinkling above their heads. The silence across the streets below them have made everything more appealing than its usual sound of horns collectively bombarding the houses. 

“Are you su-“ he began, looking towards the night sky, but when he landed his eyes on her, she already had her leg swung over the rails. With her height, she needed a bit more of a push to go over her place, and Harry just did that. He placed his hands on her waist, hoisting her up a bit. She felt him squeeze at her sides, jolting forwards and panicking, “Oh my God, Harry!“ she wiggled out of his hold, almost tripping and falling over the floor of her balcony as she landed. 

“What?“ he laughed, enjoying how she squirmed around his touch.

She huffed, sliding her bag up to her shoulder, “Nothing,” Y/N collected herself before sighing deeply, “Thank you again.”

“No worries, love,“ he smiled, dimples showing. Damn, he looks cute. 

They’ve said their good nights to each other and went into their places. After a good while of changing and her nightly routine, she’s finally gotten back to bed, making a reminder to get her keys this time before she leaves the house. And maybe that muffin idea she had to give to Harry soon. 

The next day was quite nice. She had a great sleep and woke up at the right time. Y/N was getting ready to go to her work when she heard something sliding down her door. A white envelope with a pink post it note on it was on her floor. She picked it up to open it, revealing a CD inside. 

Still waiting for you to take me out to dinner. - H

And below were three titles. She’s opened up her laptop to check on the CD, later finding out that the songs were his. She downloaded them and transferred on her phone. The excitement she’s felt made her think how weird this has been. She’s only met Harry not too long ago, and properly hung out with him once, but the thought of listening to his work just made her heart flutter. It’s confusing, but she’s went with it. As she left her apartment she’s placed her earbuds in, listening to his voice on the way to her work with a smile on her face. 

Okay, yeah, maybe she’s starting to like the boy next door.

[queercapwriting]

I know your prompts are closed but is there any possibility we could get Adrian coming to Sanvers and worrying that he's never gonna find romantic love / someone who doesn't get weird about his body? This is something I really really struggle w as a trans person and I think it would help me a lot to see. Thank u, you're lovely.

They’re making out and Maggie is wrecked because Alex is doing that thing to her neck with her lips, with her tongue, with her teeth, but then the chorus of J Cole’s Hold it Down is blasting out of Maggie’s phone and Alex is moaning with loss because she knows that ringtone, and it’s nothing Maggie would ever ignore, no matter how wet she is, no matter how turned on she is, and sure enough, Maggie is kissing her lips apologetically as she sits up, as she fumbles for her phone, as she slides her finger across the green circle, over the smiling picture of a boy with a silver earring and a beaming smile, and, breathless, tries to keep the sex out of her voice when she says his name.

“Adrian.”

“You… were getting laid.”

“What? No, I – “

“I’m sorry, Maggie!”

“It… I – how did you – you know what, just… what’s up, kid? It’s late, you alright?”

“Nah, Maggie, don’t sweat it, I just… I was just tripping, it’s cool, you be with your woman, it – “

“Adrian, I can fuck her any time, just tell her what’s wrong!” Alex yells, because she loves hearing Adrian laugh through the phone and she loves watching Maggie blush.

“So you were getting laid. Maggie, seriously, don’t worry, I – “

“Adrian. Either tell me what’s up or I’m gonna drive over to get you – “

“On your motorcycle?”

“Oh my god, kid.”

“Why do you automatically assume something’s wrong when I call? You think I don’t love you enough to call just to catch up?”

“No, I know you love me, but I also know your mama raised you right and you’re not gonna be calling at midnight unless you really need something, so are you gonna spill or are you gonna make me get dressed and – “

“Alright, but I… is it okay if I drive over? Pops said I can have the car – “

“Yeah, come on over. You eat dinner, I can order something – “

“Nah, it’s cool. Thank you Maggie.” He raises his voice. “And you, Alex! See yall in like twenty.”

Maggie hangs up and sighs. “He says he ate, but let’s get him some pizza anyway.”

Alex smiles because she loves the thought her girlfriend puts into her every relationship, and she’s still smiling when Adrian’s typical musical knock raps through the apartment.

But her smile fades when she sees his face over Maggie’s shoulder as he hugs her hello, because his eyes are red and his dark cheeks are still streaked with tears.

“What happened?” Maggie asks, because he’s starting to shake in her arms. She leads him to the couch, and Alex sits on the floor in front of them, staring up with big eyes.

“Do you wanna be alone, or is it – “

“No, Alex, you can stay. I… I’m sorry guys, yall were just trying to have a nice night together – “

“Kid, we’ve had this conversation already. Talk to me. Us. What happened? Who do I have to kill?”

Adrian smiles and Alex puts her hand on his knee. “I’m better trained in killing than she is, so I’m just saying…”

He laughs full out this time, but the laugh becomes a sob, and Maggie puts her arm around him, and he surrenders to her touch.

“I’m sorry,” he sniffs, and Maggie and Alex both shake their heads and wait.

“I… I met someone. On tinder. I… I don’t have it on my profile that I’m trans, I mean like, why would I, right, because I’m a guy, I’m a guy, I…”

His voice breaks and Maggie bites her lip to control herself because she already has a dangerous combination of heartbreak in her chest and murder in her eyes.

Alex squeezes his knee and kisses Maggie’s hand and gets up to pour Adrian a glass of water. He waits, and he thanks her, and Maggie wipes his tears, and he drinks, and he continues.

“So I met this girl, we were talking for a couple weeks online – “

“The math major?”

He nods. “And I met her tonight, and it was really great, she was really great, and we kissed, and I’m not packing so when she kind of grinded up on me… sorry…”

“You’ve walked in on us doing worse, honey, you’re fine,” Maggie teases, and Adrian smiles slightly.

“She wanted to know why I wasn’t… if I didn’t like it, and I… I don’t know, I just kinda told her I’m trans, because I panicked, I didn’t know what else to… and she just… she wasn’t mean, you know, she wasn’t even rude, she just… she didn’t… But one second she’s asking me why I’m not hard for her and the next second she’s thanking me for a nice night and saying it was nice to meet me and she’s hailing a cab and I just… I’m just never gonna… how the hell am I ever gonna find someone who’s not… who doesn’t think I’m a…. I’m a guy, dammit.”

His voice breaks again, and Maggie rocks him, and she kisses his forehead and she strokes his unpierced earlobe, and she lets a single tear slip out of her own eye as she whispers to him, tells him to let it out, tells him to let it go, tell him she’s got him, tells him she loves him.

His ragged breathing evens out after a while, and Alex looks up at them both with wide, sad eyes and a broken heart. She watches Maggie, because she has no idea what to say, no idea what to do, and her heart swells with gratitude, with pride, in her girlfriend, because Maggie is pulling back and stroking Adrian’s stubble lovingly, and drying his tears with her steady fingers.

“Adrian Rodriguez. You are too good for people who aren’t secure enough with themselves to know how to love you. You are too kind, too smart, too powerful, too incredible, for people who don’t look at you and see what I see: a dashing young man with big dreams and a big heart and a big brain, with a perfect smile and a damn sexy body. You’re going to find people who are going to see you for you, Ade. I promise you. It might not be this girl on tinder and it might not be the girl in chem lab that I know you’ve been crushing on because you talk about her like every time we check in.”

“I never said I – “

“I’m a detective, Adrian Rodriguez. I detect.”

“She’s used that line on me, too, kid, don’t feel bad.”

He laughs and Alex smiles as a tear streaks down her pale face and Maggie kisses Adrian’s broad nose.

“It might not be those girls, Ade, but I promise you, you’re going to find people – not just one, either – who are going to really see you, who are going to really love you. You’ve already got that, hell. Maybe not romantically, not yet, but you have time. You have lots of time. I promise. If romance is what you want, that’s exactly what you’re gonna find, because you’re amazing and you’re perfect and you deserve it. You hear me?”

“Yes ma’am,” he whispers, and Maggie grins and looks down at Alex with a cocky grin,

“Told you his mama raised him right.”

Alex laughs and Adrian grins. “I love you, Ade. Alright? I love you.”

“I love you, too, Maggie,” he tells her. “And I’m sorry again.”

“For what?”

“Well hey I mean if I’m not getting laid yet, that doesn’t mean I’m trying to stop you from getting some.”

Alex blushes furiously and Maggie smacks him lightly, gently, affectionately, on the shoulder.

“You know what, kid, I take it all back. You’re doomed to a life of isolation and misery.”

But Adrian just beams at her teasing and draws her into his muscled arms.

“Well, if this is what isolation and misery looks like, I’m all for it.”

[meanderings0ul]

Tagged for alphabet soup by @bomberqueen17, because we seem to share the inability to function properly in February. Sorry my dear. I feel ya.

a - age: Urg. Urg is my age.

b - biggest fear: Everyone I think likes me secretly doesn’t like me at all and thinks I’m mean and annoying and arrogant and stupid. 24/7. Gotta love it and just keep your nonsense to yourself, cause it’s not like I don’t know it isn’t really that true.

c - current time: Midniiiiggghhht, it’s midnight.

d - drink you last had: Mike’s hard lemonade, but only half of one with my pasta. I am not much of a drinker.

e - every day starts with: me failing to get up at the time I wanted to get up and feeling like a failure about it for a couple hours until I do the exact same fuckin thing again the next fuckin day…

f - favorite song: Well I’ve got Whisky in the Jar by Thin Lizzy stuck in my head today.

g - ghosts, are they real: Not in the like ‘evil spirits’ way, but in the ‘energy cannot be created or destroyed’ way, sure.

h - hometown: Born and raised in Texas.

i - in love with: Birbs, tiny reptiles or amphibians, cute kitchen gear are all things that make me go eeeee.

j - jealous of: anyone who can have social skills for more than two hours at a time.  

k - killed someone: Um, no. (Yikes?)

l - last time you cried: Sometime last week while making dinner. It was actually happy tears in a way.

m - middle name: I literally have the most boring middle name known to mankind. It is so boring I will not deign to share as we will all expire from its sheer boringness.

n - number of siblings: One younger sib. Last time we were in the same place we pulled an all nighter so we could finish the season of the show we were watching together, cause six episodes in a row is a great idea before you have to pretend you’ve slept and get in the car with family for several hours. Worth it.

o - one wish: I wish I didn’t care about all the shit I tell myself I don’t care about.

p - person you last called/texted: I text my parents goodnight every night, so that.

q - questions you’re always asked: I really can’t think of one. I always get the “Really?” thing when people find out I’m queer, but that not really a real question.

r - reasons to smile: Getting that comment/kudo notification email. Having a good chat with family/best friend. Pulling perfect baked things out of the oven. A grades. New science. Empty highways. Sunshine.

s - song last sang: I haven’t been singing or humming now that I think about it. That’s never a good sign for me. But I am still waiting on some important news.

t - time you woke up: 9 but I fell back asleep without setting snooze so 10:30 after having awful dreams but I’d only fallen asleep at 4 after trying to go to sleep at 2:30 and having to get up to change the white noise cause it was driving me crazy and apparently I can’t sleep without the HVAC fan noise here anymore

u - underwear color: blue and green striped, dirt cheap cotton teeny shorts with a very fancy and nice purple front close bra. I never match things.

v - vacation destination: I want to visit London and do all the nerd/urbex tours. I want to see New York City and every Sullivan building in Chicago. I want to see Big Bend park again and see redwoods and visit every one of those not-touristy swimming holes I can find. I want to go out at night in Denver and Portland and San Francisco and Austin. I want to see that island they used in Skyfall. I want to take a million beautiful pictures that I’ll never remember to bother to share.

w - worst habit: Scratching my damn face has become the new one. Active procrastinating. Being bad about following up with people. I mean to, I just stop and start. Forgetting how emotions work.

x - x-rays you’ve had: Just the one for a fractured thumb, which got fractured as a kid playing battleball (which is like dodgeball I suppose, but more fun imo) It barely looked like anything. I broke a toe bad enough it went numb for two weeks (so apparently I should have gone to the doctor that time too, whoops) so I’d love to see what it looks like in there now. And I wish I had a scan or a picture of when I dislocated my kneecap, cause it was like four inches out of place down the outside of my right leg but I put it back and never really got it looked at until months later. That swim meet was wild.

y - your favorite food: Fried egg croissants, tomato bisque with fritos, tex-mex, sushi rolls, pasta with fried veggies, dark chocolate.

z - zodiac sign: Virgo. But one of those prissy, off the wall Virgos. Not the organized kind.

If anybody sees this go by their dash and would like to make their own alphabet soup please do it and @ me so I will see!