#not just 'he put it in the wrong shoulder' THAT'S THE MAGIC OF THEATRE BABY

[writer-akihiko]

Chapter 8 - Pasts [STARISH]

This chapter is tagged [#spoilers for days] due to some content containing spoilers from the Utapri games.

Chapter 9 →

Otoya Ittoki

He had brought you to a special place as a symbol of your first date. The building looked like some sort of kindergarten, with the many children playing outside.

"Otoyan!" A little girl called. The children looked at your boyfriend, all having wide eyes of joy.

"Hey guys!" Otoya did a childish pose for them. He brought your hand in his, introducing you to the children.

"This is my darling YN! Everyone, please be nice with her!" He said, hugging you.

"Otoyan was supposed to marry me!" A girl with pigtails said.

Another little boy took her hand. "You can marry me instead!"

"Alright!"

You giggled at the cuteness.

Once the children dispersed, Otoya told you about the place, "This orphanage was where I grew up in. It's a special place to me..."

"Otoya..."

"And now, you're the special one in my life."

Masato Hijirikawa

You carried your duffel bag on your shoulder, walking to Masato's room. The crack in door shone the light in, but Masato's voice from the room was not comforting.

He was speaking in a low tone, sounding almost fierce. You've heard stern in games, but this was deathly fierce.

"YN?" Masato put his phone down, seeing you at the crack of his door. "Did... Did you overhear me?"

You walked in, setting your bag down. "I didn't pay attention... You were kinda fierce..."

He held his head down. "It's..."

You motioned him to sit on his bed next to you. You held him, letting his head lean on your shoulders. "Now you can tell me."

"It's my father," He said. "He pressures me. I wasn't supposed to be an idol. He laid out my life for me as a businessman. We made a deal... I would stay here for a year and then take over his business..."

You jolted up, forcing Masato's body to fall into your lap. "You... You're kidding right?"

"What?" He got up in confusion.

You hugged Masato, laughing. "Who knew we'd be in the same situation?!"

"Wait... so youー"

"Mama always wanted me to take charge of her bridal company," You explained. "My Papa didn't care; he taught me basketball. I made a deal that if I win the nationals, then I could stay in the Academy."

He brushed your hair with his fingers, bringing you in closer. "Looks like we're in this together..." He smiled, his eyes poignant in thought. "Has your mother ever gone to one of your games?"

"Nope. Your dad?"

"Never."

Natsuki Shinomiya

After an eventful baking 'class' ー which consisted of throwing flour at each other ー you cleaned up the bowls and spatulas. You set the timer on the oven, hanging your favourite apron up.

As you were wiping the counter, you noticed that Natsuki's glasses were on the counter. Did he leave them when he was washing his face? You did throw a handful of flour on his face...

You wanted to go check up on Natsuki just in case he needed his glasses.

Eh?

Why was the door locked?

"Natsuki?"

BAM!

"H-Hey... What's going on?"

The door swung open. There Natsuki stood, looking truly pissed.

"Natsuー"

"Stop calling me that! The name's Satsuki. And you..." He panted. "Have to break up with Natsuki."

"What?!"

"Oh honey... He didn't tell you?" He cooed, stepping closer to you. "I'm the beast living inside of him. You thought he was all innocent and sweet. Oh no darling... there's two sides of a coin."

"Why should that matter?!" You said in outrage.

"What?"

You repeated yourself. "Why does having another side of him make any difference? I still love him the way that he is!"

He scoffed, cornering you. In general Natsuki was soft with you but now 'Satsuki' was intimidating you.

"You're just after his talent. A gold digger, aren't you? Dating an idol sure makes youー Hmph!"

You killed him full on the face, wrapping your arms around his neck. You brought him in deeper, bringing your face closer. You sneakily slipped his glasses on at the sly movement of your wrist.

Natsuki now pulled away.

"YN... you taste sweet..."

You turned red. "Natsuki! Stop!"

"Didn't YN-chan kiss me first?" He smiled.

You shook off the embarrassment and asked Natsuki. "Natsuki... Can you explain what Satsuki meant by 'just after his talent'?"

His expression fell. He hugged you tightly to his chest. "I liked my former teacher so much that I made a song her. Then she became famous because of that song. Satsuki just thinks you're trying use me... but... I love you YN... Don't break up with me..."

"You know what he says?"

He nods. "Ever since I dated you, we could hear each other at times... YN, did I scare you?"

You kissed his cheek tenderly. "I could never and will never."

Ren Jinguji

He had invited you over to your next date at his house, since he claimed he 'wanted to show you his charismatic side'. When you entered the house, the main butler had told you that Ren was not back from his modelling appointment.

You decided to explore Ren's home by yourself. You walked around silently until you came across a family portrait of the Jinguji family. In the centre was a supposed younger Ren on his mother's lap as his two brothers stood by his mother, one on each side. His father stood proudly, holding the shoulder of his wife.

"It looks like my fairy decided to magically appear in my humble abode," Ren whispered into your ear.

"Ren!" You pushed his body away only for him to trap you in his arms.

He smiled and let you go. He then turned to the painting of the wall and his expression stiffened. "YN... Who took you here?"

"I wandered on my own," You replied curtly, uneasy about how forward he was. Sure, you are often frank but for Ren to do so is a little strange.

"Let's go to the gardens," Ren took you by the hand. "It was rude of me to leave you alone and to come late to our date as well."

You shrugged it off. "I did not mind... I was examining the regal decor of your home."

He tighten his hand slightly. "Were you intrigued by the family portrait?"

"Yes."

"I'll tell you of it in the garden."

~○~

You and Ren had tea together at the gazebo in the gardens. You gave time for Ren to muster up his courage, not pressing on the matter.

"You must be wondering where the lady of the house is," He said. You nodded, your eyes sparkling in curiosity.

"Well she's sitting across from me with such magical eyes..." He winked. You simply gave him a hard stare at his comment.

He chuckled, then took your hand in his. "The lady of the house ー my mother ー passed away. As well as my father," He explained. "When my mother passed away, my father got rid of anything related to her... My brother finally put up the one family portrait we had after his passing."

"Your mother is incredibly beautiful... I wish I had met mine..." You earnestly told him. "My birth mother passed away after I was born."

He took your hand and kissed it. "She would be proud to have a daughter like you."

Cecil Aijima

The two had nothing much behind your pasts that would shock the other in all honesty. It didn't surprise you that he was a prince, especially with the way he acts.

The main reason was Cecil being so honest with you. You had mentioned one thing to Cecil which you think he didn't understand. It was the fact your family was a yakuza group.

You were inspired to pursue theatre by your cousin, who currently is doing acting in Mankai Theatre.

Cecil unfortunately found out when bodyguards tailing you two nabbed him and interrogated him. Much less to say, there was nothing tragic in the past to harm your relationship. Well... with the exception of your cousin.

Syo Kurusu

He confessed his past in an... unexpected way. Your family called him to confess his past ー with several spears at his neck ー which he complied with.

"I have a twin brother, mother and father. My mother is an orchestra conductor and my father is a stylist. I was born with a heart condition andー" He panicked as the blade reached closer. "I will give YN no harm; please let me go." He pleaded.

"Grandpa, please let him go. He does no harm..." You said, on your knees. "Syo even swore to wait for me."

"Release him."

After comforting Syo, he swore to never break his promise. "I won't let them kill you," You told him.

Tokiya Ichinose

You had asked Tokiya to assist you in cleaning your room since you were moving dorms. As you cleaned through your closet, Tokiya took off the photos that hung on your wall. One particular photo was of you sitting in the middle of many men.

"Are these your relatives?" He asked.

"My brothers..." You said. "There's 10 of them."

He seemed surprised. "I hope I meet them someday... How did your mother manage that?"

You shook your head. "They're my foster brothers. Actually, we're all adopted. My dads adopted all of us from the streets separately."

"I'm sorry to say..." He said. "Please stop me if I'm getting too deep. Did you know your parents?"

You shook your head again. "I'm a dumpster baby. I was probably the product of some one-night stand gone wrong."

Seeing you solemn, he expressed his own thoughts. "I know how it feels to not be wanted to say the least. My parents divorced and they never supported my idol career."

You were shocked. "You're pretty good though at the whole idol thing." You remembered those times watching Tokiya practice.

"You're a pretty good mangaka yourself," He said. "I hope I meet the respectful men who raised you."

You smiled. "Alright! These boxes won't move themselves!"

Chapter 9 →

[mccnyoongi]

buttercup ⇢ pt one

⇢ pairing: yoongi x fem!reader

⇢ genre: smut + slight angst

⇢ au: college!au, fwb!au, stoner!yoongi, assholeish!yoongi, fuckboyish!yoongi fwb to lovers trope

⇢ word count: 6k+

⇢ warnings: smut, honestly mostly porn, unprotected sex, recreational use of drugs & alcohol, dirty talk, praise, degradation, ridiculously excessive use of pet names, fingering, dom!Yoongi, unprotected sex, slight dumbification (whoops), hair pulling, creampie??, oral (f receiving), pussy slaping, reader has a thing for Yoongi’s hands because who doesn’t, reader and yoongi are both sarcastic and oblivious, this part is basically pwp.

⇢ synopsis: Min Yoongi wears leather jackets, fucks you like he hates you, spends most of his days on the wrong side of a blunt, and calls you the sweetest names when no one else is around. And you definitely aren’t falling in love with him.

⇢ author’s note: so yes, buttercup is being cut up into two parts thanks to a lot of my life getting uprooted this week!!! ill spare you the details but everything is really chaotic rn so im sorry this isnt exactly what i promised :( thank u for all the insane amont of love ive gotten so far. this is a pretty um... filthy piece of writing skfjsd and it’s definitely not perfect and id love to get better with everything i put out on here but i hope u guys enoy ily xx

If there was a magic lantern hidden somewhere on the campus of this university, you’d find it and your first wish would be to make it so that no one found out about this whole illicit affair you’ve been having with Min Yoongi. The secrecy was fun, sexy like you guys had a whole Mr. and Mrs. Smith thing going on. Or something. Your second wish would be to make his dick vibrate. 

But then he just had to go and go down on you in a bathroom during a party at the Beta Tau Rho house, not even a month into the fall semester, knowing you wouldn’t be able to be quiet or subtle at all. And he was so smug about it too, the fucker.

You can still feel the embarrassment buzzing under the surface of your cheeks from when you walked out that bathroom door and a dozen frat boys and mutual friends of yours and Yoongi’s were out there, waiting for the two of you to emerge and giving you a round of applause when you did. Yoongi had just laughed and rolled his eyes before leading you to the kitchen to get the pair of you some drinks. He’s always been particularly good at brushing that shit off of his shoulder. You aren’t, but you’re pretty good at pretending.

Maybe you should have ended it all that night. Of course, you didn’t. You figured, hey,  you’re young and in school so fuck making good decisions. Of course, the fact that no other guy has ever been able to dick you down nearly as well as Min Yoongi can is probably a huge contributing factor. 

Sure he might be grumpy, and sarcastic, and he tries way too hard to look cool and nonchalant, but he’s also the first guy to ever make you squirt. And you’re pretty sure that the way he waxes poetic about your pussy would make even Shakespeare swoon. So maybe the pros outweigh the cons, but only just.

“I can’t believe you’ve been getting Yoongi dick for almost three full months and haven’t divulged every single detail and vein to me, you cold, uncaring bitch-” Jimin’s voice is far too loud for the student-run coffee shop the two of you regulared every Sunday; a tradition that Jimin always insisted upon. He loves his traditions almost as much as he loves destroying any personal boundaries between the two of you.

“Keep going Park, see if I ever buy your coffee again.”

“Don’t change the subject,” You can’t say you’re surprised that Jimin is reacting like this. Self-proclaimed ‘disaster bisexual,’ Jimin was one of the very first friends you made back when you were a shy, barely functioning freshman. 

He actually introduced you to all his frat brothers, and a large number of the people you now call your friends. Including Yoongi, whose dick seems to be a reoccurring topic between you and… most people you know. Even if they weren’t at that dumb party, Jungkook made sure that every living being that stepped onto campus was aware of the newly found out fuckbuddies.

“We don’t keep anything from each other, Y/N,” He’s whining over his coffee now, full lips perched in that pretty pout that he regularly uses to his advantage. “I even told you about that time I puked on Namjoon’s dick in our second year!”

“Mmm, and I wish you hadn’t told me, Minnie-” The visual still haunts you, but Jimin has never had any predilections when it came to oversharing, especially not with people who have the misfortune of being his best friends. “‘Sides, I didn’t figure it was important, the whole Yoongi thing-”

“His dick, you mean.”

“Because it’s not like we’re getting married,” You carefully ignore him, a useful habit you’ve picked up three years into being his friend. “Just sex, remember?”

“So fucking what? You told me how you sucked Jeon’s cock in a movie theatre less than twelve hours after it happened-” You take a large gulp of your own iced coffee to busy yourself when the shameful memory is brought up. Not shameful because of the promiscuity of the act, no you’re an adult, thank you very much, but rather because of the boy you performed them on. Jeon Jungkook is now more of an annoying younger brother to you than anything. Not to mention he’s got a giant mouth that couldn’t keep a secret even if it killed him.

“Jesus you could’ve picked any other example-” You groan out as Jimin smirked, receiving the exact reaction from you he wanted. You think you’d have learned by now. “I’m sorry, okay? You big baby.”

“Hey, you’re on thin ice,” He points an accusatory finger at you and you have to fight the urge to smack it out of your face. “Now you have to make it up to me.”

You sigh- Jimin can really be exhausting when you’re only half a medium coffee in. “And how do you expect me to do that, Park.”

“Dick details, fucking obviously,” He says it like you’re a moron for even asking. And maybe you are. “Well details in general, I guess. You know, the basics; length, girth, does he make you call him daddy, is he good- I mean he must be un-fucking-real if you’ve been bouncing on it for three goddamn months, you whore.”

“I’m not giving you measurements, Jimin, I’ve yet to take a tape measure to it- and stop assuming everyone has a daddy kink just ‘cause you do.”

“Okay, vanilla bitch. You’re lucky I already know he’s got a monster cock from that time he streaked at that post-mid-term party next year.”

“Then why’d you even ask?”

“To see if you’d tell me the truth. It was a test and you failed.”

“I may be a college student but you’re gonna have to threaten me with a little more than a failing grade to spook me,” You roll your eyes playfully- there’s no real threat in his words, there never is.

“You’re right, I’m sure you’d much rather be punished by Yoongi, huh?”

                    ..............................................................................

Watching Yoongi roll a joint, his long, slender and experienced fingers moving quickly and deftly, has always had this near hypnotizing-like effect on you. His apartment smells like weed, the scent never surprising and would almost be overwhelming if you weren’t so used to it by now. The sight alone is almost enough to make you wet. But you’re stronger than that- except for when you’re not. 

Sexy hands aside, but unfortunately not on you, you’re thankful for his cannabis-related expertise because a) you can’t roll one yourself to save your life and b) despite normally reserving your consumption habits for parties, you feel like you deserve a fat one after the week you’ve had. What with, you know, the stress of having every student on campus knowing about yours and Yoongi’s torrid affair, thanks to fucking Jeon Jungkook. Brat. Plus incessant goading from both Jimin and your roommate, Irene- equally angry as Jimin about your worst kept secret- has only made you sink further into your insecure and paranoid thoughts.

The weed would help, you’d told yourself when your phone pinged with that much anticipated what’re u up 2? late night text from the raven-haired devil himself. Yep, it was the weed, the comforting blanket of getting high. And had nothing to do with the boy that was offering them. Not even his fat cock or magnetic pull he seemed to have on you. 

“Alright, dove,” He says from his spot on his worn-out single-dorm couch- the names don’t tend to surprise you the way they used to. You kinda figured that the affection-starved Yoongi had just you know… gotten comfortable with the girl he had been fucking for the last couple of months. No big deal. Sure they made your heart swell and your panties dampen, but then it could be looked at as a positive. 

He looks up at you from his spot on the couch, where he’s uncomfortably hunched over the table as he works and notices how you’re looking rather spaced out- not entirely rare for you. He’s used to the hundred-mile stare you tend to adopt when deep in thought, though it’s considerably less common for a sober you.

“Dove?” Nothing. “Y/N?” It’s the use of your actual name from his lips that finally grabs your attention.  You finally turn your head to look at him, the glaze of deep thought finally leaving your eyes. An eyebrow quirks to let him know you’ve heard him, but his gaze remains piercing and unwavering on yours. “You need to stop worrying so much, dove.”

“That’s what the weed is for, Yoongs.”

“The weed? You’re just here so I can smoke you out then, huh? No ulterior motives, hm?” His tone is as dry and sarcastic as ever, qualities he had quickly become known for around campus. He shurgs “Fine. Just here to sesh. C’mere then.”

You scoot closer to his side of the couch, not even thinking twice before listening to him. His tongue is tantalizing as he licks the rolling paper, even if he doesn’t mean it to be. He’s almost always tantalizing to you.

“Don’t be grumpy. You invited me over,” Your words are softer than you meant, but your proximity to him makes you feel stilted. He was right, you really needed a smoke, more on edge than ever.

“Well, technically,” He starts, unlit, perfectly rolled joint now perched between his lips. He grabs at your legs before continued so that you were resting sideways on the black couch, legs strewn over legs, thighs touching thighs. “I invited the best pussy on campus over.” You crinkle your nose at his bluntness.

“Yoongi-” You scold indignantly and pinch at a well-toned bicep. “Don’t be an asshole, you asshole.” He grins despite the insult like he’d expected it. Or he’s revelling in it.

“You know I’m just fucking around, angel,” His arm tucks around your waist comfortably, pulling you even closer. “Tryna chill you out. I can tell when you’re all strung out. I know how you,” He pokes you in the middle of the forehead, still grinning, as you pout from being called strung out. “Tick.” 

He really does, doesn't he? The thought is mildly terrifying, and you think that Yoongi might be too smart or his own good sometimes. When he’s not smoking himself into another dimension, that is.

He leans back into his seat, uncurling from around you to finally light up. A few sparks later and the room is fogging up with overly pungent smoke- the cheap smell makes you think that he probably bought it off of Hobi, too lazy to go any further off-campus than his own block of apartments to one of the nice but relatively affordable dispensaries. You crinkle your nose at the scent, grateful he’s too distracted to notice since he’d probably just tease you for liking the fancy shit more. At least you trust Hobi, and he lives only two buildings down from Yoongi. Truly an age of convenience.

A few passes, tokes, whatevers later, and you’re feeling substantially... floaty. You’ve completely relaxed, choosing to lie down rather than put the effort into sitting up, though your legs are still thrown across your equally high counterpart’s. What’s left of the roach is left to burn in one of many strategically placed ashtrays around the apartment, this one being on the living room table.

Yoongi has barely moved in the past while, head resting lazily on the back of the couch, black hair messy and his neck- which is somehow handsome to you- stretched out, and hands resting against your bare knees. You’ve barely paid him any mind, the silence nothing but comforting and easy. 

Which is why you can’t help but jolt just a little in surprise when those hands, the hypnotizing ones you’re so obsessed with suddenly start creeping up your legs, halfway up your thighs, carefully kneading the supple flesh he finds there. He chuckles at your reaction, finally picking his up his head to watch you through heavy-lidded eyes. “Bet you’re extra sensitive right now, huh petal?” He doesn’t have to bet because he knows it’s true, knows how needy you get when you’ve smoked. And he loves it- it’s why he never makes you pay for any of the times he smokes you out.

“Fuck off,” You whine at his light-hearted teasing, but Yoongi just giggles- he fucking giggles- in response, hands still travelling the expanse of your thighs. 

“Be nice,” His words are still jovial, but there’s a gruffness behind them that sends a shiver down your spine, despite the relative stuffiness of his living room.

“I am nice, you’re just a dick,” You pout- childish, but you can’t quite come up with anything more clever at the moment. The jab may be weaker than your usual quips, but Yoongi seems to have decided it’s enough to warrant a punishment of sorts, as he sends a quick slap onto your thigh. It’s certainly not the harshest hit you’ve received from him, it’s more playful than anything, but it’s enough to make you whine, not even noticing when your own hands jump down to grab at him and your now sore flesh.

His eyes take on a new sort of darkness, beyond the dilated pupils from the high he’s in the middle of as he grabs at your wrists, any assault you had planned halting in its tracks. His large hands that you’ve drooled over- figuratively and literally- many a time are big enough that he only needs one of them to hold both of yours steady. He uses his grip on you to yank you back up to a sitting position, where your noses almost touch and you can feel his breath fan across your lips.

“I told you, I know how you tick,” He lets his tongue swipe out to wet his lips, the act distracts you and makes you mimic it with your own tongue and lips. The smirk he gives you is all at once wicked and panty dampening. “Which means I know you like it when I’m mean. I know you like when I treat you like this, like my little slut,” The word makes you draw in a breath as your face reddens in humiliation and tension. “And- and I know you’re probably soaking through your panties right now, all over my couch. Making a fucking mess.”

It infuriates you to no end how right he is as your breaths come out shaky and uneven as you feel your pussy flutter around nothing beneath your shorts and panties. 

“Aren’t you?” His tone doesn’t leave room for playfulness anymore, and you’re nodding dumbly before you can give it a second thought. “Good girl.”

He doesn’t give you any time to bask in the praise before he’s leaning in to capture your lips in a searing and sloppy kiss. He’s domineering even in the way he kisses you, teeth biting and tongue sweeping into your own mouth as he revels in the small sounds that escape you. His hands leave your wrists, freeing them so you can grip onto raven locks with a newly freed hand as his own wrap around your waist. 

Every sense is filled with him, and it is all at once comforting and exhilarating.

He tugs and roughly manhandles you so that you’re properly astride his denim-covered thighs, your lips never untangling in the process. When your lips finally do come apart, it’s with a lewd sound and a gasp from your mouth. He’s still smirking.

“Gonna fuck you so good petal,” Yoongi has always been so blunt and unforgiving, whether in bed or out and it had been one of the things that first attracted you to him, besides his obvious good looks. 

Before the two of you had even gotten together, when you were friends who didn’t fuck on the regular, you had even mustered up the courage to touch yourself to the thought of him speaking to you like this- your own fingers circling your clit and delving into yourself without abandon. You had only been able to imagine up a fraction of his sexual prowess. 

Like the time only a few weeks ago you admitted to him in a foggy haze, high than you think you’d ever been. how you’d brought yourself to climax with images and soundbites of him flitting through your head. He’d immediately made you put on a show for him- recreating those nights, but this time with him sitting feet away from you and ignoring your pleas for him to touch you.

Right now, however, the only things keeping you grounded in reality is the feeling of the muscles in his thighs flexing beneath you, though nowhere near where you truly ache to be touched, and one of his hands brutishly tangled in your hair, pulling harshly so he can have easy access to your neck. Plush lips start soft, kissing and licking at the skin there, before his teeth join in, biting and sucking like he loves the taste of you (because he does).

“Y-yoongi-” You’re trying to keep the whimpers at bay, like maybe if you stop yourself from seeming so turned on so fast it’ll get him to fuck you faster. “C’mon, just fuck me already.”

“So demanding for such a needy bitch,” He has you squirming on his lap and you don’t know why you thought you had any power over him left. “Have you forgotten your place? Can’t think of anything else but getting fucked, huh?”

You nod in agreement, but find out he must want a verbal response when you’re met with a sharp spank to your ass that has you squealing and bucking into his lap. “Yeah, yeah Yoongi ‘m sorry, just need it.”

“I know, baby, I know, you can’t even help it when you get all messy like this, I know,” You can’t decide whether his words are sweet or patronizing when he coos at you like that, but either way he’s got you another pair of panties.

“Need you to fix it, Yoongs,” All pride is out the window when he’s got you like this, and you love pleading with him to give you what you want almost as much as likes making you beg.

“I will,” He gives you one more harsh bite to the junction of your neck and your shoulder that you know will blossom into a bruise just in time for your 10 AM class tomorrow and you hiss at the mingling of pain and pleasure. “Now fucking get up,” He pats lightly at your thigh twice at the order.

You’re in no position to disobey, and you know from experience that not listening to him will end up with a sore ass and no release in sight. You stand up on shaky, doe-like legs and he grins at the sight of you. He stands up with you, his lean form and strong stance making him look taller than he really is. Then his long fingers are pulling at what little clothing you have, stripping you of both your tank top and your shorts and your bra isn’t far behind. Soon you’re clad only in your panties while he’s still fully clothed in black form-fitting jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Thankfully he leaves his cliche, but devastatingly sexy leather jacket at the door.

He doesn’t make any move to undress at all and you hope to god he will eventually- you love seeing his honey-coloured skin covered in a thin layer of sweat as he fucks you into oblivion. But for now, he stays fully clothed and he roughly pulls you by your upper arm until he can bend you over the arm of the couch, panty-covered ass high and perfectly on display for him.

“God, you’re fucking dripping,” He taunts, fingers running over your pussy through the thin cotton, making you whine into the rough cushion your face is resting on. “All this from almost nothing, huh? You’re such a fucking slut for me, shit.” He sounds genuinely amazed by you and when you uncomfortably crane your neck back to get a good look at him you let out a proper moan. He must have stripped his shirt off when you weren’t facing him, because his chest is bare for you to gaze at, or you would gaze at it if you weren’t distracted by the hand that isn’t on you, which is lazily working over his cock, rock hard and aching through his jeans.

He smirks when he notices what’s grabbed your attention, knowing you’re only moments away from quite literally drooling on his pillows. “Is this what you want? Hm?”

“Ye-yeah your cock, Yoongi, need your cock,” Your face burns red and blood burns hot as the crude words leave your mouth.

“And you’ll fucking get it, dove,” The cute name contrasts the second harsh spank he lands on your ass and you moan at the delicious sting. 

You think that he must be about to tear your panties off and sink into you, but that would be too predictable and Yoongi loves to keep you on your toes. Instead, he disappears from your line of sight, a dull thump coming from the hardwood as he drops to his knees, feline gaze now level with your cunt. 

“Yoongi-” You’re whining again, and you even have to hold yourself back from stomping your foot childishly because, god, you just need him to do something.

And then he finally does- he licks a thick stripe, right from your clit to your entrance, still over your panties, and you gasp in surprise. He does it again, twice, three, four times until your hips are bucking and you’re whining because you need more, you need him to actually touch you and not be a giant fucking tease for once in his life.

“Be fucking patient,” He hisses out, but at least he’s finally rolling your underwear down your legs to toss them somewhere across the room. “Or I swear to god, I’ll hold you down just like this so you can’t even squirm while I get myself off all over your messy cunt,” His hand is running up and down your bare pussy as he speaks, spreading the wetness around, to your clit and your thighs and your ass and then back again. “And then I’ll send you home without touching you or cleaning you up, so you’ll have to take the subway home covered in my come and fucking trembling. So be fucking good.” At the last word, he lands a mean slap against your gushing cunt and you let out an embarrassing squeak.

“Shit-fuck- Yoongi, please, just-” You stutter through your words, needing to get them out, though you don’t know why. “I’ll be good, okay? ‘M your good girl, I am, promise, I’ll be good.”

He doesn’t respond, at least not verbally. But you have to assume he’s happy with your desperate response when he finally delves into your pussy like a man starved, tongue licking into you, the muscle sending spasms up and down your legs. You have to muffle your moans by biting into a pillow, not needing another altercation with his neighbours, but you want nothing more than to yell his name as loud as you can until your voice goes hoarse when he shakes his head from side to side, tongue still buried inside of you and one of his hands now roughly circling your clit. 

It’s too much, but it’s not nearly enough. It’s when he switches positions between his hand and mouth that you think you might explode; his mouth latches onto your clit, tongue circling and playing with it and two fingers fucking into you, preparing you for the impressive girth of his own cock.

Your teeth let go of the strong grip it has so you can warn him of your impending orgasm. “Yoongi- gonna come-” You manage to choke out between barely quieted moans.

You know that he wouldn’t be able to respond if he was still suckling on your clit, but you still whine and wiggle your hips as he pulls away, earning you yet another spank to your rear, where you can only assume a nice handprint is forming. “Yeah? Want you to come all over my face, like a good messy whore- gotta come for me before I can fuck you like you need.” 

When his mouth finds your swollen clit again, you can’t help it as your orgasm barrels through you almost violently, every muscle tensing and fingers grasping at whatever they can find, neighbour’s delicate sensibilities forgotten as you moan out Yoongi’s name. He licks you through it, fingers no longer pistoning into you. When the last of the tremors have faded he finally pulls away, using his clean hand to wipe your mess off of his chin, though it hardly cleans him. 

“Good fucking girl,” The roughness with which he was grinding his still covered bulge into your now sopping wet center would be impossible to ignore even if your head weren’t a million miles away. But for now, everything is Yoongi, every single scent is filled with him and you think that that might be making your head even fuzzier than the drugs coursing through your system, but you’re too far gone to be sure. Or to even care.

Because all you can think about is his mouth-watering hands kneading at the slightly pinkened skin of your ass, his mouth-watering cock rutting against you and his mouth-watering, well, mouth pressing wet kisses and occasional bites up and down your spine. “Yoongi,” You meant to speak with at least a little more conviction, but his name comes out as little more than a mumble.

“Hm,” He hums against your skin and even those slight vibrations reverberate straight to your heart, which starts beating faster at the thought of what’s to come. “What, is my babygirl still needy?” 

The use of the word my in front of the affectionate name makes your heart jump, but you don’t even have time to scold yourself for thinking with your post-orgasmic pussy before he continues talking with that sinful mouth of him. “Such a greedy, desperate girl, won’t be happy ‘til you’re stuffed full of my fat cock,” His words have you whining and grinding back against him, where you don’t have to look to know you’re leaving a stain on his favourite jeans.  If you’re unlucky- or lucky depending on your mood- he’ll make you clean it up with your tongue as further delicious torture. 

But smoking makes Yoongi needy too, no matter how much he teases you for the effect it has on you, and he can’t wait much longer, not with his cock so hard he was a razor blades’ edge from losing his mind. He needs to be inside you as much as you need him.

Which is why you don’t doubt him for a second when he’s murmuring things about how he’s ‘gonna fuck you so good, gonna fuck you stupid,’ and you can only respond with even quieter whispers of ‘I knows’ and ‘pleases’ as he strips himself oh the rest of his clothes, hissing from oversensitivity as his cock makes contact with the air. It’s wonderfully overwhelming and he’s not even fucking you yet.

You can’t even explain how grateful you are when Yoongi turns you around because you love just seeing his cock. You’ve never been one to describe guys’ dicks as pretty before- except that TA you managed to fuck before Jimin sunk his claws into him, Kim Seokjin, because, well, you’re not blind. But Yoongi’s dick is gorgeous. It’s not the biggest thing you’ve ever seen, and it doesn’t have to be, not when it’s girthy enough to make you salivate with a curve that points to the heavens. Gorgeous.

He’s pulling you on top of him so he can sit back down and you’re back to straddling him, and you don’t complain because you know he’s tired both from the pot and crouching on his haunches for access to your center not two minutes ago. Plus he loves when you ride him, breasts bouncing in his face, wetness making a mess out of his lap and full access of your entire body for both his hands and lips.

“Need you to bounce on my fat cock before I fucking explode, baby,” And you’d have to be some sort of a madwoman to deny him.

“Need it too, Yoongs,” You don’t know why you feel the need to remind how desperate you are for him, surely he can feel it, your swollen pussy resting only centimetres above his throbbing length. “Can’t think of anything else.”

“I know,” He’s rubbing the angry red tip against your sopping folds, tinges of overstimulation making you jolt. Or you would jolt if his hands weren’t heavy on your waist, keeping you steady so you couldn’t a) get away from his cock or b) properly sink down onto it. “So pathetic and perfect for me like this, all cock drunk and fucked out and I haven’t even fucked you yet, huh?”

You nod frantically, and you can’t even find the energy to be embarrassed when a hand comes up to pet your hair with a condescending ‘awe’ as he pouts at you. You bat his hand away with a whine and furrowed eyebrows, but all that gets you is his hand tangled in your hair, yanking sharply in retaliation. “Careful, slut, or you won’t be coming for the next week-”

“Please, Yoongi-” You don’t let him finish, knowing from experience to always take his threats seriously. “I’m sorry, I’m fucking sorry, okay just please-”

You cut yourself off with a high pitched, tea kettle-like squeak as he uses his hands on you as leverage to have you sink down onto his cock in one fell swoop. “Shit, god, you’re always so fucking tight around me, fuck me.”

I am, is what you wish you were coherent enough to snark back with, but you’re sure no one would blame you if they could feel what you feel right now. And what you’re feeling right now is how well Yoongi feels inside of you, like no cock you’ve ever had. Every ridge and vein on his cock fills you up to the fucking brim, no room left for a pinky or a thought that has to do with anything other than Yoongi, Yoongi, Yoongi.

And then he starts with those devilish moments of his hip, fucking into you shallowly and slowly to start and it’s all Yoongi’s dick. 

“Fucking bounce on it, dove. Fuck yourself on my cock, show me how much you need it,” He speaks through gritted teeth, each word a struggle as he tries not to fuck into you without thought. And it’s with the satisfaction you get knowing he’s just as desperate for you as you are for him that you find the strength to do as he says.

With quivering thighs, you push up and off of his cock, the two of you sharing a harmonious groan at the feeling, foreheads pressed against each other, skin sweaty. And this all just in the calm before the storm. 

It’s not long before the both of you are moving frantically, mere seconds, really. It’s intense and all-encompassing, as you grind and roll your hips, cock deeper than you knew to be possible, and his bucking his own hips into you roughly, no doubt as deeply in some sort of euphoria as you are. His hands are everywhere and so are his lips. He sucks marks into your tits and gropes your ass, controlling your movements to the best of his abilities.

All of that, plus your clit grinding against his pelvic bone every other second and your head just might be in another universe. 

Yoongi’s words are swirling around in your head, though you’re not properly taking any of it in- his velvety voice goes on about how wet you are, how tight you are, how you’re a good girl and it’s all another instrument in your downfall. You’ve never been much for heights but being with Yoongi feels like something akin to what you assume bungee jumping is like, and you’re just about at that point where your cord runs out of length and your heart drops to the bottom of your stomach.

“Tell me you’re fucking close, baby, c’mon,” This is as close to pleading as you can ever get Yoongi but you’re still swimming in pride. He brings a hand off of your ass to cup your cheek, brushing away your now mussed hair and a single stray tear and you drink in the look in his eyes, dark red-rimmed and needing. “Gonna fill you up with my come, just like I know you like, my perfect little cumslut, fuck, just need you to come first, yeah? All over my fucking cock.”

And with a particularly hard grasp at your ass, bringing you to grind your clit against him again, you’re gone. It’s considerably less intense than the previous one, as many second orgasms are, but your head is still spinning and you think you might have drooled a little, but you don’t mind and you know Yoongi doesn’t. Your attempts to stifle your moans are unsuccessful as the name of the man attached to your favourite cock falls from your lips like a mantra.

And where your orgasm is, Yoongi is rarely far behind- he loves seeing you fall apart around him, because of him and you always clench so fucking hard around him in the peak of your pleasure how could he fucking not. He’s grunting, moaning, damn near growling as he spurts his own release as deep into you as he possibly can, coating every inch of your delectable pussy, vague mumbles of how he’s filling you up, just like you’re meant to be that you can just barely hear.

Shakey breaths hit each of your faces as you come down, now still and worn out. Your chests move up and down and you don’t know when you’ve buried your face into the crook of his neck, but the warmth and smell are more comforting than any hit you’ve ever taken off of one of his blunts.

“Shit, buttercup,” He chuckles, the vibrations rumbling through his chest and where you’ve tucked yourself He runs a hand through his sweaty black locks, the other hand locked around your waist. “I don’t know how we’re gonna move without making this couch fucking disgusting.” Mood killer.

“Don’t give a shit.”

“Yeah, but I do. Especially if Joon or Hobi someone finds it and makes a big fucking deal out of it, like no other guy in his twenties has some come stained furniture.”

You pull back from the spot you wish he’d just let you fall asleep in so he can see your pout. He can’t find the sight of you… adorable? Your hair matted, bruises, courtesy of yours truly littering your tits and chest, a thin sheen of sweat making your skin glow and bottom lip jutted out exactly enough to be overexaggerated and so fucking adorable. 

At that moment he’s glad that about three weeks ago the two of you had started to break the unspoken no sleeping over after sex rule because he just wants to clean you up and feel you curl yourself around him like you like to.

You don’t know what time it is, just that it’s late and that it doesn't matter, because this was certainly time well spent. You wonder how much sleep you’ve given up in lieu of Yoongi’s pretty dick. Of course, it does matter... because you have a 9 am class tomorrow morning that you can’t miss, but that’s for future you to worry about. For now, it’s time to try to get up without defiling this Ikea couch (you failed miserably and giggled about it while Yoongi groaned in mock pain), burn out just one more joint, steal some clothes for bed and some snacks from his fridge, and pass the fuck out on his bed, which you think is way better than yours, but that has nothing to do with the boy in it or his comforting warmth and smell.

                     ..............................................................................

Past you is a dumb bitch. Also maybe current you. Point being, you hate you, because you’re sore and stiff and ten minutes late to your dumb 9 am class and it’s all Yoongi’s fucking fault. You texted him this much, calling him a ‘little bitch boy’ for not even waking you up to make you a cup of coffee with his fancy instant coffee machine before you left. He hasn’t responded yet because holy fuck does that guy sleep like a rock. A really cute, cuddly, sex-god rock.

But, as usual, Jimin came in clutch, handing you off a coffee as your paths crossed on campus, each of you heading to your respective classes. He gave you a one-armed-too-tight hug and a comment on how you have that very glamourous ‘I got fucked by Min Fucking Yoongi last night and you didn’t so I’m better than you look.’ You tried to take it as a compliment as you thanked him for the coffee. He gave you a cute kiss to your forehead that reminded you you could never even be annoyed at him for too long.

And now you’re in class. Headache from not getting enough sleep getting worse by the second while you tried not to think about what judgements people must be passing on you, with your sunglasses inside and hickeys you didn’t have time to cover up.

When your phone pings you assume it’s Jimin, with something slutty or sarcastic or both. But it’s not. It’s Yoongi- well, it’s what you have Yoongi’s number saved under, aka the drooling emoji three times over… You’re surprised he’s awake, you’re pretty sure he doesn’t have shit to do until the afternoon. 

You have a fleeting thought that it could be a dick pic- yeah it’s a little early for that kind of dumb fuckboy behaviour, and you’d previously thought that too, but Kim Taehyung proved you wrong last year. 

Yoongi isn’t a dick pic kind of guy anyway. No, he’s the guy that sends pictures of his hand around your throat that one night you let him take artsy photos of you two fucking on his film camera. The kind of guy that sends you audios of him jerking off and moaning your name that you listen to through your earphones in between classes because he knew you wouldn’t be able to help yourself. He’s the guy that drives you crazy because you can never quite predict what he’s gonna do next.

[9:23 am] From 🤤🤤🤤: you could have woken me you know dummy

[9:24 am] From 🤤🤤🤤: subways are gross in the morning

[9:25 am] From 🤤🤤🤤: i could have u know, driven u…

[9:26 am] From 🤤🤤🤤: cant really say no to u buttercup.

You don’t know why you’re heart’s beating so fast so you reprimand yourself for thinking with your pussy. Min motherfucking Yoongi is gonna be the death of you.

[alittlecursed]

What do the henchmen do on their free time? Like their hobbies? And what they like to do with their villains (when their not being ordered around and just being friendly)

I did the mainstream Villain’s henchmen cuz I didn’t know who you wanted specifically. While doing this, I wanted to adopt all of them cuz they’re all so cute!

Iago 

He loves it when Jafar gives him pets and scratches. Iago will twist his neck backward like birds do when someone scratches them good on their back

He likes watching Jafar do his magic when it doesn’t include exerting his own energy to power up Jafar’s magic. 

He likes to taunt anyone and everyone. He finds pleasure in playing the dumb parrot to mock and taunt people - the sultan, the guards, visiting royals, Jasmine and Rajah sometimes- and he’ll hide behind Jafar and play the dumb innocent parrot. Jafar knows Iago plays his games and protects him but will scold him when Iago gets careless

Jafar lets him sleep in his bed cuz the parrot doesn't take a lot of space. Iago only takes the pillow and

Pain and Panic

In their free time, which is very rare, they like to go out and enjoy/experience human life - mingling with humans, consuming their food, watching their theatre and exploring their cities 

They like to play pranks on the humans because they can get away with it unlike when they’re pranking the gods, nymphs, spirits, other surfer natural beings - poor little demons are sent straight to hell when they’re caught in their pranks

They like receiving praise from Hades like a simple “good job” or “excellent” remark because he’s their boss and they want to know they did good. And they have fun when Hades sends them on a job to cause mischief

Also, when they come back from playing humans they’ll sometimes bring Hades souvenirs they know he’ll like and/or gossip about the others gods

Jasper and Horace

Jasper likes going to bars and poker games. He’ll drag Horace along but will leave the poor fella alone when he gets into the game

Horace doesn’t mind as long as Jasper doesn’t get himself or both of them in trouble. He’ll bide his time with the patrons.

Jasper and Cruella are always at each other’s throats and that’s the friendliest they can be. They’ll play poker games once in a while. Horace will be there supervising his brother and getting what Cruella wants, ashtray, something to drink, food, dessert, anything to please her

When Cruella wins the poker games, she gives the winning to Horace because nothing Jasper betted will ever come

Kronk

We basically know what Kronk does based on his movie Kronk’s Groove - cooking, the squirrel scout he’s got going on, helping and spending time with the elderly - this guy is super active, he’s always doing something

He likes to spend time with Yzma doesn’t matter what they're doing. He’ll cook for her, her favorite dishes, tidy up her house/alley/laboratory, anything to help and please her

Kronk also loves going on amusement rides with Yzma, with anyone really but he knows Yzma needs some fresh air and excitement from time to time.

He’ll invite Yzma to his family gatherings and Yzma feels flattered he decided to bring her along because can be so rude and disrespectful to him. She’ll eat the food and mingle enough with his family to please Kronk

Flotsam and Jetsam

Water Snake babies

When Ursula is creating some new magic, they like to watch in the front row and sometimes get a little too close for Ursula's comfort. So they’ll wrap themselves around the sea witch’s neck and shoulders

They help  Ursula get “customers” cuz like Ursula they are master manipulations and use the “customers” desires against them. As a hobby, and part of getting “customers”, Jetsam and Flotsam like to people-watch or in this case mer-watch/fish-watch. They are good at picking out mermen and mermaids.

And because they have more freedom to swim in the ocean they bring Ursula a lot of ingredients for her spells and potions. So they have a vast knowledge of the land and of sea plants, minerals, etc.

When Ursula and Morgana get together for family visits, Jetsam and Flotsam tease Undertow because Morgana uses him as a guinea pig and she messes up the spells bad

LeFou 

This guy is secretly smarter than he looks, he just can’t stand up for himself especially when it comes to Gaston cuz he admires the guy and wants to be like him. He’s knowledgeable but he can hardly get Gaston to listen to him. And others don’t listen to Lefou cuz he’s overshadowed by Gaston but he doesn’t let that bother him. He’s a tough lil’ guy

Secretly, Lefou knows how to read and he likes books. And he’s social too so he’ll talk with the others in the tavern and give them weird facts saying he heard it from this guy and that guy so people don’t realize he can read. It’s like a guilty pleasure because he’s deceiving people in a way

He likes to go hunting with Gaston, likes to watch the strategies the large man uses for big and small kills. And because he is so helpful in carrying back the kills, Gaston gives him some of the meat to take home.

For hobbies, it’s kinda hard cuz we don’t know much about the guy...I see him as a craftsman kinda guy because he handles Gaston’s weapons and tools so he learns to be good with his fingers in handling tools.

He’s gotten a kiss from one of the Bimbettes and he’ll never tell Gaston! 

Diablo

He’s a cheeky little raven that likes to pick on Maleficent’s goons. Maleficent knows this and lets him cuz why not. And the goons can’t put a finger on Diablo or they’ll die

Sometimes there’ll be a rotting corpse in Maleficent's castle and Diablo will pick at it because it's in his instinct - Maleficent stops him and tells him to eat something better

He loves shiny objects! And he has a room full of them! And the shiniest and prettiest objects he finds, he gives them to Maleficent who gives him a soft chuckle and pets.

He also does the twisting of the body thing like Iago. And when he specifically wants something from Mal or he knows he did something wrong he rubs against Mal’s face and neck. She doesn’t punish him too hard

Jafar and Maleficent set up playdates for those two and the chaos they cause!! Bird dumps everywhere, steal objects and food, taunting, flying amok in the Bazaar and basically creating traffic, it's insane!

[1-1snailxd-art]

Sanders Sides Oneshot - Babysitting

This is how you beat writers block - you draw and then find your will to write afterwards.   

Characters/relationships: Logan / Virgil (analogical), Patton / Roman (Royality), Kid Thomas

Warnings: none

Words: 1511

Summary: This came about from a post by @fanartfunart and seeing as I’m trying to learn how to draw people better, I decided to challenge myself with a drawing....that drawing then turned into a little fic. FYI, I know there is a lot wrong with Logan’s proportions in the picture (I can see it), but Thomas is cute so whatever.  

_____________________________________

"Don't be such a baby, Logan." Virgil huffed, following his partner into the kitchen. "It's a kid, not a freakin' nuclear bomb."

"I know that, but..." Logan kept his back to Virgil as he absentmindedly took ingredients for dinner out of the fridge and cupboards. "I don't know anything about babysitting a child."

Watching the cook’s shoulders slump at the admission, Virgil softened his tone and moved to lean on the counter next to Logan.

"What's to know, Lo? You give him some food, easy for you, and turn on the TV. Job done." Virgil sighed when Logan didn't look away from the bowl in front of him; hands floured as he prepared a pasta dough. "Look, I only need to be in the studio for an hour at most; then I'll come straight home. You can entertain 'til I get back, right?"

"Are you sure you can't stay?"

 The tone of Virgil's phone gave him his answer as the other man quickly excused himself to take the call. It wasn't that Logan didn't like children; he just didn't think he was good for children. Honestly, he questioned daily what Virgil saw in him; a pensive, workaholic wasn't that romantic and didn't scream partner material. Patton on the other hand was destined to be a parent; they'd wanted to be one since they were kids.

The pasta dough came into shape as Logan recalled the day Patton video called them to announce they had been approved for adoption now Roman had consistent work. He'd shared in their excitement but never fully understood it. Admittedly, Logan was still hurt that Patton had moved so far away to support Roman's career and their relationship took a hit from the distance.  

Setting the finished dough aside to rest, Logan washed his hands and turned to find the dejected Virgil walking back in.

 "Virgil? What's wrong?"

"I've gotta go, Lo. Shit's hit the fan with the computers at the studio and Nate's pissed."

"How bad is it?" Logan moved closer, knowing there would be no way out of this now and accepting that he would have to face Patton alone.

"Backups failing bad. I should have gone in earlier when it was just a glitch. It was stupid of me to ignore it and-fuck I'm gonna pay for it n-"

Logan tilted Virgil's chin back and placed a soft kiss on his lips to silence the worrier.

"I apologise for my earlier attitude and clouded judgements. I will be fine this evening. You should go." Taking Virgil's hand, Logan walked him towards the door. "I will be fine until you or Patton return."

"Yeah, you will." he replied with a half-smile, before giving Logan a final kiss goodbye and heading out the door.

  The silence of the apartment was crushing as Logan threw himself onto the couch; sliding his glasses up off his face as he massaged his brow. It was all too much at once. First, he was just worried about seeing Patton and Roman again after years of dwindling contact; then they asked the couple to babysit while they went to the award ceremony that brought them to town; and now Logan would have to face it all alone. A knock at the door pulled Logan from his thoughts and he was quick to sit up and correct himself before answering it.

 "Hey Specs" Roman smiled from the entry; the pink backpack on his shoulder a harsh contrast to the black suit he wore. "It's great to see you again!"

"It's good to see you too, Roman. You are looking well considering the travel."

"Oh please," With a hand gesture Roman stepped into the apartment and put the apparently heavy bag down. "It would take more than a few hours on a plane to ruin this face."

"Indeed," Logan chuckled, turning just in time to see a pink blur heading towards him.

 "Uncle Logan!" Came a cheery voice as a body slammed into Logan and constricted his middle.

"Um...Thomas, I presume."

Logan looked up to see Patton beaming as they walked up the path in a simple blue gown. They looked so happy and lively that Logan forgot all his past grievances; it seemed Patton was happy and that was all that mattered.

"That's my Thomas," Patton giggled.

"It's good to see you again, Patton." Logan pulled a face as he looked down at the figure still holding his arms by his sides. "Your son is very... Huggie."

Roman and Patton both laughed, and Roman snapped a quick picture of the awkward man pinned by his son.

"Oh, I know. I trained him well, don't you think?"

"Indeed, Patton, but...um," Thomas giggled as Logan tried to lift his arms out of the vice grip around him. "How do I un-train him? I do need to work at some point this evening."

"That will do, Thomas; give Uncle Lo some breathing room."

At Roman's word, Thomas let go and moved to his father's side. Logan's moment of reprieve was short lived as Patton replaced their son, pulling their old friend close and whispering in his ear.

"I really missed you, Logan."

"I..." For a moment, he was lost for words before mimicking the tight grip around his friend. "I missed you too."

  The group remained in the entry as Patton began rattling off things Thomas could and couldn't do. Though he listened intently, Logan's eyes kept shifting to the young boy in the pink jacket that lent against Roman; holding onto his father’s arms around his neck and smiling up at Logan.

".... And if you need anything, just call me and I'll come right back and-"

"Calm down, Pat." Roman interjected, "We're just going for a few hours. I'm sure Lo and Thomas will be fine."

"Right. You're right."

"I always am." "That's not true, Dad." Thomas turned to look up at his father in confusion. "We were late to the airport because you got the times wrong, and you brought the wrong chocolate milk last week, and you-"

"Alright, that's enough." Roman was quick to scoop the boy up and headed inside. "Let's get you set up, hey."

A smile crept across Logan's face as he watched them go.

"Is that a genuine smile I see, Logan?" It comforted Patton to see him looking so content, despite his obvious fear of being responsible for Thomas.

"I'm proud of you, Patton." Their eyes widened as Logan turned; his own shining in the sun light. "You made the family you always wanted." "Almost," they laughed. "It's just missing one thing." "Hm?" Brows furrowing in confusion, Logan wracked his brain for what Patton was talking about. "What could you possibly be missing?"

"Just an uncle to teach Thomas about computers and another to show him how to cook. Any idea on where I could find them?"

"I think I do, but they live pretty far away." "That's okay, we're moving anyway." "What?" Logan was genuinely shocked by the news, mouth left ajar as Roman came up from behind and place a hand on his shoulder.

"You ready to be a full-time uncle, Logan?"

 The question left Logan reeling. Three years ago, Patton left their teaching position to follow Roman's quest for recognition in music and theatre; leaving Logan and Virgil behind in the process. One year ago, they adopted Thomas and their contact became almost non-existent; so to be told they were returning to include him and Virgil in their family...was amazing.

 "I suppose I'll have to be."

This time, Logan initiated a group hug; wrapping an arm around each of his friends and briefly forgetting that they had somewhere to be and he had a job to do.

"Jeez Specs, Thomas rubbed off on you quickly." Roman joked; causing Logan to quickly step back and adjust his tie.  

"Ah, yes, sorry." Logan stumbled over his words, causing his friends to laugh at his sudden display of affection. "I got a little carried away." "It's okay, Lo." Patton assured, waving at the little figure that was poking his head over the couch inside. "But we should get going or we'll never leave."

"Right. Yes. Of Course."

 Logan watched as Patton blew a kiss to Thomas before heading down the front path with Roman. Once the car had pulled away, he shut the door and turned to the smiling figure kneeling on the couch, waiting patiently. Brown eyes looked expectantly at him and he thought about Patton's wish for uncles for their son.

 "So… Thomas. Have you ever made pasta before?" The boy shook his head and slipped off the couch as Logan held his hand out. "Perhaps it's time uncle Logan taught you then."

 *************************

 When Virgil came home, he was shocked to find the apartment lit only by Steven Universe playing on the TV. Tiptoeing around the couch he was greeted to the scene of Logan fast asleep with Thomas laying on his chest. It didn't look comfortable at all, but Virgil had to admit it was an adorable thing to come home to.

________________________________________

Tags: @thequeensphinx

What else have I done:

The Shield to your Sword (WIP - A fantasy/magic au - Prinxiety (Royal Roman and orphan Virgil - they’ll admit to their love eventually), Virgil angst, non binary healer Logan, *spoiler* Patton, cursed Deceit and ridiculous Remus)

Libraries are for Meetings (ongoing WIP - Human/University au with Royality and developing Analogical. Slow burn and heavily focused on a grieving group of friends that Virgil slowly becomes a part of to better himself.)

And more....

Writing Master Post

Check out my other blog for random fandom reblogs and stuff @snail-giggles

[theimpossiblescheme]

I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start fleshing out some of my Cats OCs!  Without even meaning to, I’ve amassed a small army of extra cats, but I want to talk about my two garbage boys first.  The questionnaire I’m using belongs to @magical-marvelous-mistoffelees​, and anyone else is welcome to join in the fun!

1. What is their name? Gender? General age?

Dionysus and Fleuryfling, male, young adult (around Plato’s age)

2. What are three adjectives to describe them?

Fleuryfling—exuberant, reckless, cruel Dionysus—calculating, amoral, mischievous

3. Do they have a human home or are they a stray?

Neither of them have human homes—they come and go as they please, but most of the time they live on Elmsmere Way with Macavity and his henchqueens.

4. If they have a human home, what is their home life like? If they are on the streets, what is life like for them?

Life for them is fairly difficult—the heavy traffic in London is the bane of their existence, so much that they dread venturing out to Piccadilly Circus more than anything—but they make the most of it.  Their primary pastimes are staking out the fishing boats along the shore so they can get the first pickings of the day (bringing whatever they can back to Macavity, of course) and absolutely destroying whatever interesting, wealthy-looking houses they can find.  And we’re not just talking a Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer-style smash and grab—they will turn the entire place upside down and probably trick the guard dog into putting his muzzle on a mousetrap.

5. What is their ‘role’ within the tribe, or what are they known for? (Ex: Tugger is the curious cat/rockstar, Gus is the theatre cat, Mistoffelees is the magician, Munkustrap is the Jellicle Protector, Jelly is seen as a caretaker, etc)

When they were still a part of the Jellicle Tribe, they were the resident pranksters.  However, their pranks were a great deal crueler than the kinds of stunts Pouncival or their brother Tumblebrutus would pull, and they very often ended in other cats getting hurt.  They never saw the big deal about it and thought the other cats were simply overreacting, but when Exotica got her front legs broken because of them, Munkustrap put his foot down and told them to leave.  Now, they serve as Macavity’s newest henchcats (the ones we see in the stage version).

6. Who are their best friends? You can include characters from the show or tag other people’s OC’s. How popular are they?

They used to be rather close with Tumblebrutus, but the more unrestrained their pranks became, the less Tumblebrutus wanted to be associated with them and the more the brothers drifted apart.  Fleuryfling, for his own part, has an enormous crush on Sparetta—one of the henchqueens—but Dionysus just tells him to keep dreaming.  As for Macavity and the henchqueens, they mostly tolerate the two.  Macavity thinks they’re useful idiots who will swallow anything he tells them and need an outlet for their shenanigans.  Sparetta and Jokaste think they’re kind of cute, in the same way that a puppy who keeps peeing all over your carpet is cute.  And Zampalesta and Fantazia think they’re annoying little insects who would be better served keeping out of everyone’s way.

7. What is their favorite food? Do they prefer human food or something they’ve hunted?

They both have a weakness for salmon.  When they bring fish back to Macavity’s den, they hoard the salmon for themselves.

8. Do they have any accessories? Scars?Why or why not? Both of them wear arm and shoulder guards made of Ace bandages and shreds of old plastic, the better to protect them against attacks.  Dionysus’s guard is bigger thanks to having his shoulder dislocated several times by Alonzo out on patrols.  They also both have long scars across their chests—these were inflicted by Macavity after they botched one of his orders.

9. What style of dance do they work best in?

They’re both extremely agile ballet dancers and almost seem to float when they move when they put their minds to it.  Cats who have been unfortunate enough to cross them would swear that their paws never make a sound when they walk.

10. Do they have any sort of magic? Do they fear magic?

They have what might be called a healthy fear of magic—they respect Macavity’s abilities, but they would hate to end up on the wrong side of them.  Fleuryfling especially gets the willies every time he sees Macavity exercise his powers, but he’s careful not to say anything since he doesn’t want a matching scar across his back.

11. Any fears?

Other than getting on Macavity’s bad side, they’re pretty much fearless.  That’s a huge part of what makes them so dangerous—they have no concept of consequences except where their new boss is concerned.

12. Do they believe in love? If so, what is their “type” and how do they act when they are in love? If not, then why?

Dionysus doesn’t—he’s always been the more cynical of the two and thinks of love as a kittenish waste of time.  Fleuryfling does, but his views on love are very immature.  He believes that love at first sight is the be-all end-all of attraction and that making a “relationship” work means persisting endlessly and never taking no for an answer.  Whenever he’s trying to flirt with Sparetta, he lays it on very thick and pulls out an endless barrage of what he thinks are smooth and clever pick-up lines.  Think of Angel Dust trying to hit on anyone in Hazbin Hotel, and you’re pretty close.

13. Do they personally know anyone who has gone up to the Heaviside layer? Do they believe in the Heaviside layer?

They can remember when their mother died (Tumblebrutus can’t because he was just a baby), but they don’t necessarily believe in the Heaviside Layer.  If anything, they think the Heaviside is way too selective and only picks the cats the Everlasting Cat personally prefers to be reborn… in which case, they don’t want anything to do with the whole business.  They hate most authority anyway, and in their minds there’s no worse authority than the Everlasting Cat herself.

14. Any passions or hobbies? (Ex: Dance, hunting, etc)

Besides their pranks—and they are absolutely indiscriminate in who they target and have even dumped oil paint on Zampalesta before—they’re both avid hunters.  Dionysus has the better sense of smell, but Fleuryfling has keener eyesight.

15. If a song was sung about them at the Jellicle Ball, what would it be about?

Any song about Dionysus and Fleuryfling would definitely be about their reckless and mean-spirited antics and how much damage they can do.  A harder prog rock song like “Run Like Hell” by Pink Floyd or “God Save the Queen” by the Sex Pistols would be the best match in style.

16. What are their thoughts on some of the main characters in the show? (Ex: Tugger, Munk, Jenny, you get to choose!)

The only cat they have any respect for anymore is Macavity because they believe he’s on “the right side of history”.  Old Deuteronomy disowned him, Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger pretend he doesn’t exist at the best of times, and Demeter and Bombalurina are “ungrateful” for the “protection” the Mystery Cat gave them when they were still on the streets.  Dionysus and Fleuryfling already hated the Tribe, Munkustrap in particular, for kicking them out, but now that they know Macavity’s side of the story, they hate the Tribe even more.  And they want to help Macavity take back what’s his, no matter what it takes.

17. Do they have any secrets they are hiding?

While Dionysus has burned all of his bridges, Fleuryfling still has moments of missing Tumblebrutus.  They used to have good times together, and he misses that.  He feels sorry for him for still swallowing the Tribe’s “lies” and wishes he would get on “the right side of history” with the rest of his family, but if you twisted his arm, he’d admit that he still loves Tumble and wants him back.

[mollymauk-teafleak]

“No, like…. It’s just, I can’t believe you’re actually wearing my clothes.” or “Would you mind if I kissed you?” for widomauk maybe?

Thanks so much for the request, I love getting new people suggesting story ideas!

This one ended up a lot longer and a lot smuttier than I expected…

“Mollymauk? Molly? Dear, I think there’s enough sugar in there now…”

Molly’s ears picked up suddenly, his eyes pulled away from fervently watching the busy street outside the café window by Caduceus’ voice. He realised that he was still holding the sugar dispenser over his coffee, that a steady stream of white was still merrily pouring into the cup and had been for some time now, turning the drink cloudy and probably undrinkable.

“Oh…” he mumbled, rather feebly, setting the glass back down and wondering if his dignity would be salvageable if he just stubbornly drank it anyway and gave himself diabetes in the process.

“Distracted, are we?” Clay asked delicately from behind the counter where he was already putting together another latte for his friend. It was no trouble, customers were few and far between this late on a Monday night and Mollymauk looked as if he could use some warm, caffeinated distraction. Though maybe he’d make this one stealthily decaffeinated, the poor tiefling looked wired enough.

Molly grunted in response, resting his head listlessly in his hands against the aged wooden flat top. As much as he tried to force his eyes downwards and at least act vaguely normal, they kept stubbornly drifting to the window again, searching the faces sweeping past in the gathering dusk. His heart rose with each new one and sank almost immediately when it wasn’t the right one, quickly making him feel ill, as if he were on some kind of rollercoaster all while just perched on the stool at the counter of the Nestled Nook.

“He should be back by now…” he muttered distractedly, under his voice though Caduceus’ large ears flickered and picked it up.

“The train must be delayed,” the firbolg soothed as he slid drink number two across to Molly, “I’m sure that’s all it is. You know he’s as eager to get back as you are to see him.”

He bit his lip, not really in any mood to hear any comforting words, even from a friend, just restlessly drumming elaborately painted nails against the side of his mug. He always poured his attention into tiny things when he was feeling forlorn and two nights ago it had been his nails; currently they were a deep purple with intricate, glittering gold pattern work done with a toothpick. It had taken his mind of missing Caleb for a full evening.

“He said six. He said his train got in at quarter to and he’d be here by six…”

Caduceus nodded slowly. He hadn’t needed to ask what was wrong when Molly had slumped into the counter seat nearly an hour ago. All of the friends had been kept well up to date with this tumultuous week, where Caleb was away for a whole three months, off in a city on the other side of the country to do research in a sister academy’s even vaster library. With Molly trapped on the verge of a new production opening at the theatre, the two had been very reluctantly separated for the longest time ever since they’d met.

The tiefling had been, understandably though not exactly forgivably, insufferable the entire time and if Caleb’s texts were anything to go by, he’d been exactly the same. Caduceus quietly pitied whoever owned the coffee shop closest to that other library as they’d probably had a scruffy, mournful Caleb haunting their establishment for the last three months like a plaid ghost. Just like he’d had an increasingly agitated and restless Mollymauk glued to his counter, checking his phone every two seconds for texts from his boyfriend and grumbling loudly when there wouldn’t be one nine times out of every ten.

But the torture was nearly over. Or rather, it should have been fifteen minutes ago. Though the evening was rough; the world beyond the window, beyond the brightly and cheerfully painted letters that spelled out the name of the café, was slick and shimmering as rain came down in sheets. No wonder Caleb was running a little late, Caduceus thought, though poor Molly was past such common sense, only desperately wanting to see his boyfriend again.

Caduceus was considering playing Molly’s favourite albums over the speakers to try and cheer him up, temporarily lifting last year’s blanket ban on folk music, instated after he’d wheedled him into playing the same song to death even after several customers had complained.

But then Molly suddenly jerked bolt upright and the door chimed as someone walked in. Someone in a dripping wet trench coat, with auburn hair plastered to their head, a scarf around their neck that looked like a drowned snake and the most relieved and joyful expression on their face.

Molly nearly sent the stool crashing to the floor as he leapt up and launched himself at Caleb, unashamedly. Caleb’s arms were wide and ready for him, gathering him up and clasping him tightly, the two of them uncertain whether to laugh with relief or sob with joy.

Molly chose the former, Caleb the latter.

“I’m sorry, I’m soaking…” Caleb murmured into Molly’s hair, in between pressing frantic kisses to his head.

“It’s fine,” Molly giggled and he truly didn’t care, even as rainwater started turning the front of his shirt dark and damp, “Fuck, I missed you so much. Never leave me again, okay?”

“Never,” Caleb promised, voice thick,” Never ever.”

The rest could only be said with kisses, Molly catching Caleb’s face in his hands, wincing a little at how cold and wind burnt it was though it didn’t deter him as he pressed their lips together. He could almost say that all those nights in his big, lonely bed, falling asleep with the phone digging grooves in his palms and his cheek after a painful goodbye, were worth it just for how sweet and lovely that first kiss was. Almost.

“You’re so cold…” Molly murmured, letting his hands flit from his cheeks to his neck to his shoulders, trying to warm him up with the natural heat of his skin.

He knew of a much better way to warm him up quickly and could see in Caleb’s eyes that he was having similar ideas but there was that damnable sign on the bathroom door and Caduceus was definitely going to notice something if he seized his boyfriend by the front of his coat and led him in that direction. Once bitten, twice shy.

Which meant home. Home back to the way it was supposed to be, with Caleb’s coat on the hook by the door, his long red hairs clinging to the shower door, his books on the coffee table next to a cooling, forgotten mug, his hand never far from Molly’s.

Home.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a long trip and Mollymauk had an umbrella though it was made slightly longer by the two of them nearly constantly snagging each other for kisses.

Caleb gave a cry of delight as the door was pushed open and warm light flooded the apartment, “Frumpkin!”

The cat seemed just as pleased to see him, darting from the cushion he was sat on to rub himself against Caleb’s ankles, purring like an engine in bad need of repair.

“How was he?” he asked, scooping him up and cradling him against his chest like a baby, Frumpkin kneading his arm gladly, “Were you two nice to each other?”  

“Who, Freeloader?” Molly grinned as he tossed his bag and coat down, “Sweet as pie. You know how well me and him get on.”

A blatant lie. Molly and Frumpkin were long time mortal enemies turned reluctant roommates, constantly competing for Caleb’s attentions. Neither of them had been pleased by the fact that Caleb’s accommodation during his research didn’t allow pets or magical familiars of any kind. It had been a long three months of deliberately shedding on clothes, being chased off said clothes, knocking vases and photo frames off high surfaces, cursing and hissing and glaring at each other from opposite ends of the sofa.

And of course now he was a little furry angel, gazing up at Caleb with full moon, amber eyes dripping with adoration. Typical.

Once extracted from his cat’s welcome home, Molly pressed Caleb up against the wall in the way that he knew drove him absolutely wild, kissing him with much more intent, gasping softly as his lips parted for him. Caleb responded eagerly, as hungry for this as Molly. Phone sex and naked pictures were fun in their own way but after a whole three months, they’d proved a very poor substitute for this.

“Gods, Molly…” Caleb whimpered lightly as his boyfriend pushed the shirt away from his shoulders after practically tearing through the buttons. He was in no mood for patience or care, he wanted him so badly it was a metallic taste in the back of his mouth and a flaring ache between his legs.

They blindly made their way towards the bedroom, a hopeless tangle of limbs scrabbling with the doorknob, nearly tripping over the edge of the rug. Along the way, Caleb’s jeans were abandoned, as well as all four of their shoes, socks, Caleb’s boxers and packer, Molly’s tights (which Frumpkin immediately seated himself on as a final act of defiance).

Mollymauk found himself tipping suddenly, fortunately down onto the bed which rushed up to catch him, knocking the air out of him with a breathless laugh. Caleb soon came tumbling on top of him and Molly immediately began pressing kiss after kiss to his jaw, neck, chest, re-familiarising himself with all the hollows and lines and ridges he loved so much, with the rapid hammering of Caleb’s heart behind his ribs, so alive and real.

He’d missed it more than words could possibly say. So, he intended to express it by fucking Caleb so hard he wouldn’t be able to walk straight for at least a day.

Though he found his plans suddenly interrupted as Caleb froze in his grip and pulled away.

“Hey…” Mollymauk whined pathetically, “What gives?”

Caleb looked surprised as he fingered the fabric of Molly’s shirt, “You…you’re wearing my shirt?”

Shit. Molly had forgotten that.

The shirt was in fact Caleb’s. One of his favourite ones in fact that Molly had snatched from his suitcase the day he left and stuffed under his pillow. Mustard yellow plaid with brown lines and fraying hems, it was as quintessentially Caleb as it was possible to be and carried all of his musky, bookish and coffee scent. Molly had been sleeping with it pressed to his nose most nights, inhaling deeply as he could in an effort to not cry himself to sleep, and wearing it during the day though only around the flat. Gods only knew the comments that Beau would make if they saw him dressed like this. In his rush to get to the Nook and count down the minutes until he saw his boyfriend again, he’d forgotten to change.

Caleb began to laugh bemusedly, face frozen in exaggerated shock, “Dear gods! What happened, did you go temporarily blind this morning? Is hobo couture on the catwalks right now?”

“Shut up man…” Molly felt his face flushing and he pressed himself to Caleb’s collarbone to try and hide it, “Come on, back to fucking…”

“No, no, no,” Caleb caught him and pulled him back, eyes shining, “Seriously, what gives? I thought everything I wore was, and I quote, ‘only fit to reupholster the awful furniture in some old geezer’s depressing man cave.’”

Molly snorted, bashful and coy, two expressions that had almost never appeared on his face but only made him more tempting to Caleb for all that.  

“Look, I…I really, really missed you, okay?” he mumbled, biting his lip, “And wearing your clothes, having your smell on me…it helped.”

Caleb’s expression turned gentle, soft as the well-worn cotton of the shirt Molly wore, his fingers delicately tracing the lines of his jaw, “Well…I didn’t think my smell was something people actually wanted? But you’re very sweet.”

“Hey, I keep you right these days, your stink’s decreased considerably,” Molly smirked, flicking his arm lightly.

Caleb snorted, “I just can’t believe you’re wearing my clothes…”

He punctuated that with a kiss to his forehead, rolling them gently so Molly was the one on top. His voice suddenly turned huskier, his pupils widened a little, none of which the tiefling’s hunter eyes missed.

“Hey…could you keep that on? My shirt, I mean, the rest can come off but…”

In almost the blink of an eye, without another word being said, Molly’s skirt, binder and underwear were on the floor and all that lay underneath the dark fabric that still held Caleb’s scent, Caleb’s ink marks, was a skin that wasn’t his own. The material curved in a way it never had on him, hugging the fullness of Molly’s chest, stretching and revealing in the most teasing way. Purple as a winter sunset, soft as silk, burning hot under his still cold hands as he slipped them past the lip of the fabric.

How he’d lived without it, Caleb had no idea.

“Do you want to…or I could…” he whispered hoarsely.

Ever the decisive one, Molly rested his hand on Caleb’s chest, “Just give me a moment to get the harness on, darling. You stay right there looking pretty.”

It was a simple process and one Molly was well versed in. It was made even lovelier by Caleb lying on his side and watching the whole thing with a devoted, ravenous gaze, moaning softly under his breath at every snap of the leather and ring of the buckles.

Purple skin brushed lightly over amber as Molly pushed his knees to his chest, purring delightedly at what he found, “Baby, you’re so wet for me…missed me, huh?”

Caleb whimpered and nodded in response, running the fabric of his shirt through his fingers as Molly positioned himself, the toy shining in the low light as the whole length of it buried into Caleb with a soft sound and a throaty cry from Caleb.

“Fuck, that’s it,” Molly shuddered, feeling the pressure right on the spot he needed it most, almost as good as Caleb’s long legs anchoring around his waist, “You’re home.”

The headboard began to thump rhythmically against the back wall, reliably hitting the twin spots where the paint was already chipping and the plaster already denting. Caleb twisted and whimpered beneath him as the toy that Molly operated as skilfully as if it really was his skin and bone pressed him on and on towards the edge.

Molly was in a generous mood, holding nothing back as his hips rolled back and forth, giving Caleb everything he needed and feeling warmth flood through him in turn, that deep sense of pleasure from being connected to the man he loved. His own fingers dug into Caleb’s hips while those long, arched ones worn from writing and reading so much twisted and grasped at the pillows.

For a shy man, Caleb was so vocal in bed, narrating his clamber towards the edge, gasping and moaning, cursing breathlessly in any of his many languages and, over and over, Molly’s name. Molly himself was focused and determined, growling low in his chest with desire.

Though when his own orgasm dragged him under, completely by surprise after he’d been so absorbed in Caleb, he screamed his boyfriend’s name and was vaguely aware of his own name being moaned in a shuddering voice heavy with relief.

Mollymauk didn’t expect to be as out of breath as he was when it was finished, as he pressed his forehead to Caleb’s and kissed him long and slow and lazy.

“I love you…I love you…” he murmured vaguely hands stroking back the hair from his damp forehead.

“I love you too,” Caleb rasped, “I’m never leaving again, I swear. Fuck it, I’m never leaving this bed again.”

Molly laughed raggedly, rolling out of him and off him, too exhausted to consider taking the harness off yet which amused Caleb no end, flicking the cock lightly and watching it wobble back and forth and giggling helplessly.

“Grow up,” Molly snorted, lying close to him, arm pillowing his head so he could stroke his hair.

“Shut up,” Caleb grunted in response, grinning, “I’m going to need that shirt back, y’know.”

“Too late, it’s mine now,” Molly purred, letting his heavy eyes close, all the sleepless nights when he’d been alone suddenly rushing to catch up with him, “You’re never getting this back.”

Caleb groaned and rolled his eyes but, in all honestly, he didn’t care.

Mollymauk looked much better in the old thing than he ever had.

[lovebunnie]

Do all the asks coward

1. what does your wallet look like?

-i got it as a present from my uncle for christmas and its really expensive but also so ugly im sorry uncle tom. its like that ‘southern fashion’ bullshit that white MAGA moms wear. but it was better than my old wallet, which looks like this and i got when i was 12:

2. favorite color?

- baby pinnk

3. do you own a pride flag, or more than one?

-heres the thing: my parents basically know im not straight but i havent told them. my brother has thought i was a lesbian since freshman year, i have a small pride pin on my backpack, ive never been on a date, its complicated. but no, i dont have one. maybe one day, hopefully.

4. describe your favorite outfit

-black pants, platform doc martens, hoodie under a jean jacket, one clip on earring, and holding my crushes hand :]

5. when was the last time a girl made your heart flutter, and what’d she do?

-okay so theres this girl in my theatre class who is really cute, and she put her head on my shoulder and shes pagan so she drew a little sigil on my arm that means “safe and homely” so like :)))))))))))))

6. do you use nail polish?

-i do, i mostly do black tho

7. do you keep organized?

-absolutely. i have things online filed accordingly, i pick out my outfits the day before, my binders are neat, i learned how to army fold my shirts, i keep my shit CLEAN

8. ever take naps?

-only accidentally. ill be laying in bed watching youtube and next thing you know my autoplay has me watching a markiplier video even tho i dont like him and its 4 hours later

9. who was your first crush?

-idk if this is a real person or not so ill do both. my first fake person crush was either troy from high school musical or frankie stein from monster high. and my first real crush was on a boy named dominic in elementary school. i told him i liked him at the end of 5th grade because i thought i was switching schools but then i didnt and we never spoke again.

10. what are your crush tendencies? fall hard or often?

-both both both. i am the worst with crushes. i have crushes all the time because im romantic and a fucking fool. i have 3 crushes off the top of my head rn and i like them all for different reasons. thats not to say that i want to date them, but its that i like them a lot and i kinda wanna kiss their cheek or hold their hand idk

11. describe your ideal day

-play overwatch with my best friend (u gonble >:) ) then hang out with my cat, go get a smoothie, buy some cool shoes or something, take a shower and be asleep by 9 :,)

12. describe your ideal date

-i have stated that build a bear is an amazing first date and im NOT BACKING DOWN. ITS CUTE AS FUCK AND ILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS!!

13. whats your favorite food?

-either sushi or strawberries :3c

14. who do you feel most comfortable around?

-my theatre class, people from camp, and gobble

15. what is your favorite compliment to receive?

-i dont have a favorite, any and all are going to make my face go red so i have to cover it and maybe make me cry

16. did you/do you like highschool?

-the first 3 years fucking sucked but senior year has been amazing so far. mostly because i just kinda stopped giving a fuck but its amazing

17. favorite animal?

-i think its cats now. i really like cats

18. do you like your name?

-eh, its okay. its pretty but also it seems like there are 60 million fucking people named grace and its so annoying. i wish it was something more unique idk

19. what kind of weather is your favorite?

-a light rain. no swinging trees or thunder, just lots of rain. its nice to stay inside and feel secure

20. do you believe in horoscopes?

-absolutely not. but theyre fun if you like them

21. tell us about your music taste

-its horrific. to sum it up, my two favorite musicians are the gorillaz and frank sinatra. take from that what you will

22. have you had your first kiss? if so, what was it like?

-i havent had my first kiss yet. gonna be honest, i felt like i was going to, a few times at camp and recently when classes ended. but yeah, nothing yet

23. did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a kid?

-i went thro cycles of favorites. but one ive had for years is a plush shadow the hedgehog from universal studios i got when i was 6. i used to carry him around, even to a pool once

24. what time do you usually wake up and go to bed?

-if you know me, you know i go to bed ridiculously early. i usually get tried at around 6pm and fall asleep between 7:45 and 8:30. and i always wake up before 6 am. i havent slept past 6 am continuously since the end of junior year. please help me

25. what dream trip would you take with your wife?

-maybe to go explore new york, just the two of us that sounds like fun :]

26. do you have any pets?

-i have 2 dogs and a cat. the family owns the dogs but that cat is mine

27. what pair of underwear is your favorite?

-uhhhhhhhhhhh i have some with rainbows that are cool? i dont have favorites, none of them are cute anyway

28. what makes you smile?

-funny jokes make me smile real hard, and if you compliment me at the right time, i kind of pull my legs up and hide my face? its cute and charming i promise

29. what makes you feel heavy?

-in both the physical and metaphorical sense, eating bread

30. what makes you feel better?

-watching bo burnham always makes me feel better, hes my go to whenever im really depressed

31. how do you show your love?

-i show my love in everything i do. everything i do is for love, i love love so much its sickening

32. when is it time to get a haircut?

-whenever u want to lol?

33. where would you live if you could live anywhere?

-maybe san francisco, its beautiful and i love the city

34. do your friends and family take good care of you?

-as much as i allow them to. sometimes i go days without communicating and i know thats annoying but my friends put up with it (they shouldnt have to, i know) and my family is okay. its cliche to say, but they honestly dont understand what im going thro alot of the times, esp with my anxiety and shit

35. have you always used the labels you use now?

-back in the beginning of highschool, i used they/them pronouns and identified as asexual/aromantic. eventually, it didnt feel right, so i know identify as cis and bisexual and that feels right to me

36. what makes you laugh?

-my friends, when people shit talk gobble and i in overwatch even tho???? we didnt know him?????? and the mcelroys always get me

37. who is your favorite fictional character?

-too many options, see list here

38. who do yo admire?

-my father when hes not threatening to throw my phone into a fucking lake and my friends for putting up with me

39. describe yourself in three words

-i am baby

40. how long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 

-usually about 45 min, more or less as each day goes

41. what do you wish you could tell your younger self?

-listen: STOP GIVING A FUCK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. YOU WILL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN, BE YOURSELF. STOP HIDING AND BEING SCARED OF YOURSELF, BE GENUINE!!!!

42. what would you do if you win the lottery?

-get my parents settled, see about other family members, and then distribute the money to charities accordingly, starting with flint and getting them water

43. would you call yourself a romantic?

-yes

44. what is your gayest childhood memory?

-my mom had cosmos magazines

45. do you have tattoos or want any?

-i dont have any tattoos but ive been obsessed with them since the 6th grade. id love to get tattoos, i just dont know what or where and also im afraid of pain

46. whats your worst habit?

-either biting my thumbs, starving myself, or ghosting my friends. prob ghosting my friends

47. what are you proud of?

-i guess coming out of my shell finally? idk, i actually have friends now and it feels amazing tbh. im in 5 group chats now. i havent been in a group chat since 6th grade. :))))))

48. did you know that youre actually a gift to the world, for real?

-hi i love you?

49. whats your favorite memory?

-there are so so many. but what comes to mind first is our dance night at camp where we all stood outside and i finally gave ian my tumblr and we all ran inside to dance to mr. brightside then ran outside again and we requested nightcore and rivers was fucking dancing their hearts out and we all sang along and im going to crying just typing this out

50. do you have a sweet tooth?

-i guess so. too much makes me feel like shit but i do really enjoy smarties

51. what do you like most about yourself?

-this is dumb, but my sense of style. since i got a job ive been wearing shit i actually like and its amazing. ill admit i have cool clothes

52. what makes you fall for a girl?

-besides acknowledging me, probably getting to know me and not like, putting me on a pedestal. idk its weird, ive met a lot of people this year who like to place me so high it feels like i cant make a mistake around them without disappointing them. idk, i want someone to call me out on my bullshit instead of assuring me im okay. i want to know what i do wrong so i can fix it

53. make a recommendation

-for what? uhh okay for music, listen to ‘clay pigeons’ by michael cera (yes i know michael cera) and for television, watch bojack horseman and for movies, watch the docuseries called ‘7 days out’ on netflix

54. have you ever had your heart broken?

-yeah, when i broke up with maddy because we werent ready to date. i cared and continue to care about her and i didnt want to hurt her but i knew its what we both needed. its what i needed, atleast. and i cant be a good girlfriend if i feel like im doing badly. but also ive had friends break my heart and family break my heart. but im okay now, this heart is ready to be broken again

55. when do you feel most yourself?

-def when i was at camp, that place is magical in the way it allows you to be yourself. but also when i talk to gobble because hes my best friend and when im at college, we can talk more and its gonna be dope as shit

56. name a gorgeous celeb

-jake gyllenhaal jake gyllenhaal jake gyllenhaal 

57. what are some of your favorite songs this week?

-fake happy by paramore, im not okay (i promise) by my chemical romance, tomorrow comes today by gorillaz

58. tell us 2 or your biggest hopes and fears

-biggest hopes: i publish a book someday & i get a job doing something i love

-biggest fears: i end up homeless and broke & something horrific happens in college

59. what flavor chapstick/lipbalm is the best?

-raspberry i guess

60. are you okay?

-i answered a lot more honestly then i shouldve for some of these and i start new classes tomorrow so im feeling really anxious so im doing alright i guess.

gobble you test me but i do love you

[hillywooddestiel]

The Real Royal Highness

Characters: Tom Hiddleston x reader, Matteo (ofc), reader’s parents, Neil (ofc)

Warnings: fluff, teensy bit of angst

Word count: 2.6k (Woah!)

@bemyqueenofdarkness asked:

Hey! I saw that your requests were open so.. Here is one! How about a Tom Hiddleston x Reader, where the reader is part of the royal british family, which was always treated different, like a royal, but she only wants to be famous for his classic singing and treated like everyone else. So what if Tom meets her in one of her concerts in some high society event, and fells in love with her voice, and without knowing who she really is, goes to talk to her.. (I will send another ask with the rest )

Hi again! (?) So when Tom goes to talk to her, she thinks he is going to be like every other man that just interested in her title, but Tom proves her wrong, and the reader realize that he doesn’t know who she really is, so at the end she accepts the invitation to a date from Tom and doesn’t tell him the truth until their date its finally over, and idk, its ends all fluffy and stuff? So.. That its, I hope you really like it, feel free to change whatever you want, and I love your writing! Bye<3

A/N: Another request! I had a lot of fun with this one hence the massive fic. I’ve wanted to write Tom Hiddleston for the longest time so I think this is a good place to start. Also, I have a challenge on right now but only one entry so far so if you would like to enter please message me. Another thing, this fic could be set at any time but for the purposes of a smaller age gap it is set in 2012 xx Masterlist

Story:

I stare blankly into my own eyes in the mirror, lost in my own mind, whilst my stylist braids my hair into the perfectly regal updo to match with my simple yet elegant (and most importantly, rule abiding) makeup. And it all has to flow with the gown that I’ve had fitted: sky blue with a floral detailed bodice and a silk organza train falling from the off-shoulder sleeves. Mother had to approve it all first, of course. Check that no royal faux pas was being made.

“Perfetto mia cara!” Matteo spritzes my hair one last time with hairspray with a wide grin. I can only smile meekly in return, my nerves getting the better of me. He notices, having stared at and studied my face in the mirror for most of my life, and squeezes my shoulder encouragingly. “You have the voice of an angel my darling, they will love you.”

“It’s not my voice that I’m worried about.”

“I know, it is daunting, yes. But, you have been raised for this and I know for a fact that you are ready. And don’t tell the others but you are the most gorgeous princess around.” Matteo assures me, giggling a little. He’s right, about being raised for this. I’ve had lessons from the age of two on public etiquette and persuading the people to like me, it’s just that my time in the spotlight has come much later than most others in the family.

My family are not in direct line for the throne. Far from it. In fact, I think that my father is 15th in line and I come in behind at 16th. For this reason, my family are rarely in the public eye which in turn means that I am pretty much a mystery to most people. They heard the news when I was born and bought the gossip magazines with the first few photos of my childhood but then I dropped off the radar- until now. Mother (and a couple of my uncles and aunties) decided that 26 years was long enough for me to stay quiet and so tonight is a debutante ball of sorts. I will be presented to both my wider family and the world press this evening as Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and eligible for marriage. That last part, I’m not happy about at all. I’ve barely travelled, I haven’t done most things that other 26 year olds have like clubbing or going to music festivals and I never got the chance to pursue my real dream of being a world class singer.

As a young child, I fell in love with classical music and the opera as well as musicals and playing the piano. I loved music. Mother would sit in her armchair with my baby sister in her knee as I played the family’s grand piano and Father and I would sing the duet. It was like something out of a cheesy Christmas movie. I always wanted to perform though, following in the footsteps of Catherine Jenkins and Maria Callas. However, being royalty meant that I could never do it. I wasn’t allowed to drop everything ‘just to sing’ as Mother put it. It took weeks of begging and convincing before she said yes to me singing tonight. Still, the dream lives on within me.

“Sweet pea, it’s me.” Mother taps on the door. I open it myself, watching the tears well up in her eyes as she looks at me. “Darling, you look wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you Mother. Is it time to start?”

“Almost. Many of the guests are arriving just now so we’ll wait a few minutes before finally introducing you. Are you ready?”

“I think so. Father’s not making a speech is he?” I ask with a moan, having suffered through many of them in the past.

“I would imagine so, yes.” She laughs, opening her arms to give me a hug.

“I love you.” I whisper, holding onto her tightly like in a little child again.

“I love you too sweet pea.”

“Are you ready?” The conductor approaches me and I can only nod. There are a lot of people in the ballroom at the moment and they are all waiting on me to start my performance. The pianist gets seated whilst the string orchestra run their bows along the strings to warm up, the choir take their places and the conductor takes his place behind his music stand. Fiddling nervously with my own hands, I step up to the microphone, all eyes seemingly turning to me. It’s now or never. The first bars of Habanera begin to play and I count them in my head, listening and waiting for my cue to begin. And when I do… it’s like all of my nerves dissipate. I close my eyes eyes and pour all of my emotions into the song without hesitation, getting lost in the music and just having fun with the uplifting beat. I even manage to smile. I finish the final note on a high, raising my arms in the air with a grin from ear to ear. Everybody in the ballroom immediately erupts into applause, thankfully. A little girl walks up to me and hands me a large bouquet of red roses. I thank her before promptly joining my parents and sister.

In need of some fresh air, I make my way outside to the gardens. They’re always beautiful at nighttime with candles flickering in hanging glass lanterns and reflecting off of the many ponds and fountains, wildflowers lining the paths in perfect disorder, fruit trees releasing their blossom into the air like pink snow getting ready to grow their crops and a peaceful silence after all the wildlife has gone to bed.

“Pardon me, might I join you?” An unfamiliar voice asks from behind. It’s a young man, possibly my age or maybe a little older, with short blond curls and stunning blue eyes. He’s tall and friendly looking, a sharp black tuxedo fitted to his slender body. My memory isn’t the best but his face is far from generic.

“Of course you may.” I flash him a charming smile, not too much teeth as Mother would have scolded me for.

“You were beautiful earlier, your singing. Your voice is very impressive for someone so young.” he compliments me, nothing I haven’t heard before, not to sound narcissistic. They tell me I should tour the world and share my talent with the world like that’s not what I’ve been trying to do for the past ten years.

“Thank you, you’re very kind.” My response sounds a little flat.

“Sorry for the terrible ice breaker. I’m Tom.” He reaches out a hand for me to shake. Now that can only mean one thing. Normally, anyone of a lower status must address me as ‘your Highness’ and bow. Everyone else at this event has done so for they now know who I am. Tom must not know who I am.

This is fantastic! Somebody genuine to talk to. I can ignore all of that formal nonsense and just talk like a human being, that’s all I’ve ever wanted!

“It’s nice to meet you Tom. I’m Y/N.” Still no realisation. How clueless is he?

“What a beautiful name!” He smiles sweetly, stepping closer to stand next to me, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, ask away.”

“What is this evening celebrating? I have no idea.” What?! How can he not know? This is good though. I can keep him in the dark for a little longer. Lying is never a good thing but in this case, I think I’ll allow an exception.

“It is a musical showcase of sorts, I suppose. May I ask how you could possibly be here without the faintest clue of what is happening?” I turn to look into those magical eyes of his. I imagine in better lighting I would be able to see him blushing to match with his adorably shy smile.

“Truthfully, I was invited last minute by a friend. I’ve been out of the country for a long time and he called to ask me to join him. Never told me what the event was, my only instruction was to dress extremely formally.” Tom gestures to the tuxedo, fiddling with the bow tie for emphasis. Knowing who he is, I can only assume that the trip abroad involved film cameras and all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

“How thrilling. Is this your first time in the presence of royalty?” I can’t help but smirk at the irony of my question.

“No. Though it is my first at a royal residence. Previously my meetings with them have been at theatres and benefits. What about yourself?” he now asks me a question, a genuine look of curiosity in his eyes.

“I have been known to entertain members of the royal family quite regularly actually.”

“I can understand why. You really are a remarkable performer.” Now it is my turn to blush, knowing that he truly means it and there is no ulterior motive at play.

“Thank you, you are very kind. Would you like to continue this conversation on a walk around the gardens? They really are quite lovely.”

“I would be honoured.”

I have never been so excited in all my life! Tom actually asked me to dinner at the end of the evening and here I am in the car, driving to the restaurant like a normal person. Well, half normal: I’m not actually driving myself, the driver is, we’re in an incognito black car and there’s a personal guard in the front passenger seat who will be watching the whole evening from across the venue but other than that, this is the most normal my life will probably ever get. Mother was hesitant to let me go at first meanwhile Father couldn’t have been more thrilled (he’s always been excited at the prospect of grandchildren). The restaurant comes into view through the blacked out windows and the butterflies go wild within my stomach. Neil, the guard, leaps out and opens my door with a small bow before following me inside, close enough to protect me but not too close to arouse any suspicion. As promised, Tom is there waiting for me in the foyer.

“Y/N, you look wonderful!” He greets me with a kiss to the cheek, referring to my dress of choice for the evening.

“So do you. Shall we get to our table?”

“Yes let’s.”

Dinner is as close to perfect as I think it can be. Tom is charming, the food is delicious and if it weren’t for Neil watching from the corner table I think we’d be doing more than just occasionally holding hands. It’s nothing flashy like a horse ride through the gardens and I don’t have my parents watching from the balcony- it’s just so normal. I’ve been on very few dates so I have very little experience with the kind of small talk that’s expected but Tom more than makes up for it. We just click instantly and the topic of conversation flows with ease from work to upbringings to where we want to travel. I never really have to lie about myself, I just leave out some of the truth that would lead to him figuring out who I really am. I never want tonight to end.

Tom walks with me to the foyer, draping my coat over my shoulders and holding onto my hand. Neil gets up shortly after we do, following four feet behind us.

“I had a wonderful time tonight, thank you.”

“I did too. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if we could do this again.” Tom mentions coyly.

“Are you asking me on a second date Mr Hiddleston?” I reciprocate his playful attitude.

“I believe I am.”

“Your Highness, I don’t mean to disturb you but we have a problem.” Neil interrupts, a worrying feeling washing over me in an instant.

“What is it?” I ask him, ignoring Tom for a moment.

“Your Highness?” He parrots in bewilderment; so much for keeping him in the dark.

“Paparazzi spotted outside. Lots of them. The car is parked out the back, we’ll have to go that way.”

“Alright, let’s go.” I sigh. Why do the press have to come and ruin my evening?

We hurry to the car via the kitchens, myself dragging Tom by the hand so that he doesn’t get lost. He’s gone rather quiet which is a little concerning- I hope that he isn’t upset with me. As promised, the car is ready and waiting with the door already opened. Neil ushers myself and Tom into the back before taking his seat in the front.

“Why did he refer to you as your Highness?”

“Because it is a rule that all staff hired by my parents must follow. I don’t really care for it myself.” I explain, trying to remain calm despite the nerves fluttering in my chest.

“Rule? You’re royalty?!” he raises his voice a little, getting rather hysterical for a minute.

“Yes. It’s fine that you didn’t know, hardly anyone did until the ball. It was too re-introduce me to society and to the public eye.”

“You’re Lady Y/N of York…”

“Correct.”

“Wow…” Tom takes a second to think, sinking back into his seat. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because when I tell people, it’s all they want to talk about, it’s all they see me as. You’re the first person to ever treat me as just an ordinary person.” I confess, staring down at our still intertwined hands. It’s true, whenever I’ve told somebody that I’m of royal descent they change how they are around me immediately and the conversation turns fake. Or they’ll come knowing what I am and they won’t care about me, just the title they could potentially procure from marrying me.

“… Well… I’ve gotten to know the real you tonight and she’s wonderful.”

My driver takes us back to my home, a normal sight for me but I imagine it’s quite daunting for Tom. I squeeze his hand in encouragement as I spot Father stood by the front doors. Neil opens my door again and I step out, bringing Tom with me.

“Darling, are you alright?” Father comes closer, sweeping me into a hug and I have to let go of Tom’s hand for a moment.

“I’m fine daddy, honestly.” I reassure him as he places a kiss on my head.

“And who is this young man?” he spots Tom shuffling from foot to foot behind me.

“This is Tom. My date from this evening.”

“A pleasure to meet you, your Highness.” He nods his head and shakes Father’s hand warmly.

“It’s good to meet you too. I’ve arranged a car for you to take you back to your own home. Between you and me, the beds in this house are a little uncomfortable.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” Tom laughs, glancing to me. Father bids us both goodnight before turning inside.

“I think he likes you.” I giggle, standing in front of Tom.

“So is there still a chance of a second date?” he asks. I gaze up at him before leaning up on my tiptoes and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Most definitely, yes.”

[ayma-nidiot]

“Don’t Speak Their Names” - Shrimpshipping fic Chapter 28

This chapter can be found here on AO3.

Chapter 28 - A Worthy Leader

Rex couldn’t bear to see his own daughter kill the love of his life. All the memories he and Weevil had forged with their daughter over the past few months would end with Weevil’s imminent death.“Amber… Weevil…” he continued to cry in his hands, still unprepared for the inevitable. “Why did… Eh?”

The dino duelist peered through his fingers to see Amber’s arrow not only sticking from the ground, but Weevil still breathing. The magical bonds the Magician Girls placed upon Weevil lay next to Weevil in a raggedy heap.

“She… She shot at his ankle bonds!” Amber’s archery skills impressed Téa.

“It’s not possible!” Chocolate Magician Girl couldn’t believe it. “That binding was blessed by the High Priest Mahad himself!”

As Weevil stood up, still silent, Amber commanded, “Go, now, before someone in this room tries to kill you.”

Weevil left without even a nod, but Amber swore she saw a hint of gratitude in those forlorn eyes.

“What the fuck, Amber? Do you realize what you’ve just done?! ” Phuckdis clearly didn’t like this turn of events; nor did several disgruntled soldiers. Displeased with Amber’s lack of confidence and leadership, they left to join Domino’s Finest.

“Yeah! Now he’s probably off to join the other Earthbound Gods!” William added, kicking a small desk and sending it flying. “You had one job, Amber. ONE FUCKING JOB!”

It was then that Rex finally had the strength to stand on his feet. He walked up to his daughter and placed two hands on her shoulders. “Amber…”

“Papa!” Amber cried into Rex’s shoulders. “Gods damn me, I couldn’t do it! I love Daddy too much!”

“And thanks to your ineptitude, we’re all going to die.” Phuckdis rolled his eyes. “You had the one evil god that caused our destruction before you, and you could have ended it with a single damned arrow. But nooooo, your love for your daddy dear haaaaad to get in the way!”

“You’re not helping, you bastard!” Rex half-shifted, swiping at Phuckdis’ face with a rabbit paw to silence him.

Several minor scuffles amongst the Club’s soldiers broke out, adding further to Phuckdis’ worries. His army was falling apart before his very eyes as was his hope for saving his future from ruin. He started to think that he should have remained in the future, where he could receive a quick death, instead of painfully waiting for it to come. The rabbit claw slash Rex inflicted upon him was nothing compared to his helplessness. “We’re doomed… Dear gods, we are doomed.”

“Th-That’s not true…” Rex began to lose hope too, but loved Amber too much to dishearten her with more discouraging words.

“No, he’s right. Thanks to my choice, not only is my future going to come true after all, but now we’ve lost a good deal of soldiers. Either way… I lose. I’m destined to suffer, and I deserve it.” Amber clenched her fists, putting a halt to the infighting going on between the Club members. “I’m a sorry excuse of a leader. If my baby brother Francis were still alive, he would do a much better job.”

“Come on, I’m sure your daddy and I didn’t raise you this way.” Rex caressed Amber’s face as he tried to cheer her up. “What happened to my cheerful insect duelist? The one who’s so full of spunk and energy?”

“B-But… But what can we do against evil gods and their armies?”

“...” Phuckdis felt sorry for what he said, and had to think of a proper way to “apologize.” “I have an idea. It will be a lot harder than simply killing Weevil, but… Perhaps if we kill the other Earthbound Gods, their influence over Weevil will cease to be.”

“Ooh!” Tristan liked this idea. “I think that guy who nearly killed Joey is the really scary one. If we can get rid of him… ”

“Not bad, Tristan.” Duke chuckled. “I never thought I’d hear you say something smart.”

“Come to think of it, Daddy was always sweet in my future. But then he was abducted by a giant crimson snake monster, and just wasn’t the same ever again.”

“You see, sweetie?” Rex smiled at Amber, stilling her trembling with a hug. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“It’s not going to be easy, though…” William remarked. “We still don’t even know where their hideout is. And we’re talking about killing seven omnipotent gods, never mind their lackeys that we’ll inevitably fight along the way.”

“It’s in the theatre building,” Rex replied. “I know, I was taken there.”

“Be that as it may, we cannot start a full-scale war on the grounds of this university,” Phuckdis proclaimed. “It’s best if we take down each Earthbound God one by one, not only to minimize our own losses, but also to avoid as much damage to Domino City as possible.”

“Then we need to keep an eye out for where each of Domino’s Finest officers goes during their spare time, and corner them with the army one by one.” Amber spoke seriously, unlike her uncertain tone from before. “We have one advantage over them, and that’s sheer numbers. I propose that seven of us get assigned one officer to spy on.”

“That’s an awesome idea!” Apple Magician Girl raised her staff in approval. 

“All in favour say ‘aye!’” Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North’s idea spurred a round of “ayes.”

“Guys… Even after my failings, you still see me as a worthy leader?”

A Chocolate Magician Girl flew up to Amber. “You’re pretty, strong, and smart, and will do anything for your family. What more could we ask for?”

“I… I don’t deserve you guys. “Amber cried tears of gratitude.

Phuckdis patted Amber’s back in apology. “It was wrong of me to ask you to kill your own father, Lady Amber… If you never forgive me, I understand. And we really didn’t lose as many as you think. With an army of our size, there’s bound to be a few who disagree with you.”

“I’m sorry, too,” William admitted. “No matter the circumstances, it was wrong for me to lash out at you like that.”

“My daughter…” Rex hugged Amber with one arm. “We really will save your father this time. This army couldn’t ask for a more capable, talented, and smarter leader.”

“Papa… Thank you for giving me my confidence back.”

“No problem. You’re the one who- Ah…” A strong, painful contraction suddenly hit Rex, ending the light mood in the room as quickly as it began.

“What’s wrong?” Amber started to panic when Rex curled up into a ball.

“Cramping… It… hurts…” Rex cried as his gut felt like it was being run through a vice-grip. He felt like he had an enormous amount of gas that wouldn’t come out, no matter how hard he tried.

Mai looked worried. “I think he’s going into labour!”

“But… He’s still two months early!” Phuckdis exclaimed as the army ran amuck. “Damn that Watda! He did this!”

“If something happens to Lady Amber, I’ll kill him myself!” William proclaimed.

“Panicking about it isn’t going to solve anything! We need to do something!” Joey hoisted Rex onto his back. “I’m taking him to the on-campus doctor!”

“Then… I guess the meeting is over?” Phuckdis laughed halfheartedly.

“Haha…” Joey ran up to the stairs, as the elevators were either under maintenance, or full.

“It’s really mean to be laughing at someone who’s in pain, ya bozo. Ggh…” Rex groaned.

“I’m just thinking of how Tristan and I took turns carrying you after you lost your soul to the Orichalcos.”

“I don’t think this is the time to be reminiscing about dark shit, Joey!” 

“Sorry, sorry… I just thought I’d lighten the mood. I wanted to apologize for that time and help you out, you know?” Joey switched Rex to a princess-style carry and looked him tenderly in the eyes. “That’s what bros are for, Rexy.”

“‘Bros…?’” With just that one word, any remaining hate Rex might have had for this once-bitter rival had dissipated. Looking at how far he had come in his relationships with Espa and Mokuba, it did his heart good to see an even bigger change with Joey. Such heartwarming thoughts were almost enough to numb the pain of early labour. “Aye, I could go for that.”

He continued to smile as Joey presented him before Dr. Balls. “Oh my gods, what happened to him?” Dr. Balls sounded exasperated.

“He got-”

“Never mind, you can explain later!” Two of Dr. Balls’ nurses swiftly brought a stretcher over. “We’ll take a look at him.”

“Rex…” Joey paced around.

Amber called her grandparents. “Grandma, come quick! Something bad happened to Papa!” When she completed that phone call, Amber paced around as well until she noticed Joey’s presence. “...You.”

“Look, Amber, I know what you’re going to say.” Joey ran a nervous hand through his puffy blond hair. “‘You shouldn’t have touched Papa.’ But I couldn’t just leave Rex there, writhing in pain.”

“...Humph. Even I know to give gratitude when and where it is due. Dr. Balls came out of the E.R. thirty minutes later. “Doc, how is he?”

“Come this way.” Dr. Balls led Joey and Amber to Rex’s room. “He experienced Braxton Hicks contractions, not true labour. Although from how he acted, they were unusually intense… It’s strange to me.”

“It’s because he was captured and tortured last week,” Joey remarked, trying not to mention anything about the Earthbound Gods. “And, uh… Yeah, we filed a police report. We still don’t know who did this to him.”

“It’s a miracle, then, that the both of them are going to be okay. However, he will need to remain wheelchair-bound for a few weeks to recuperate from the damage he suffered. I’ll leave you guys be, then, and come back once his parents get here.”

“...” Amber’s eyes darted around the room, and she hoped her grandparents would arrive soon. She fumbled with the light switch, the medical supplies, the random pamphlets on diabetes and other diseases. Anything to distract her from the man that caused both of her parents immense suffering. She even thought about faking sudden illness just to get out of there. Just her luck she was as healthy and happy as a clam.

Joey knew Amber wouldn’t say a word to him, but he didn’t like the silence in the room. “So… uh… Before all the crazy stuff happened, what was your future like?”

“What?” Amber raised an eyebrow. “Where did that come from?”

“I’m just curious… Well… Don’t feel like you have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Joey looked back at Rex. “I can tell in your 16 years that you’ve seen and felt more pain than I have in my 20 years.”

“Trying to make small talk, eh?” To Joey’s surprise, Amber relaxed her tone of voice. “Fine, I could humour you. My life isn’t all blood and guts, you know.”

“Ah, that’s good to hear.”

“Well, to begin… Papa and Daddy were the best duelists in Domino City, and even though they were a lot nicer than they are now, they still liked to cause shenanigans. One time, when they were both done with teaching classes for the day, they went to the bathroom and wrote ‘this shit could sand wood’ on every single roll of toilet paper. At 35 years old!” Amber got more enthralled in her own tale, recalling the pranks her parents pulled off, even as fully-grown adults. “A-And another time, Papa taped a remote-controlled fart machine to the bottom of a seat of a misbehaving kid. And Daddy hid his phone in a closet, then his phone went off in class. His ringtone was the Diarrhea Song! And they never got caught! Of course, I kind of took after that myself, hehe.”

“Some duelists never change. Hahaha! And I just love how happy you are, talking about your parents that way.” Joey couldn’t bring himself to ask who he’d ultimately end up with. “But what about me? Do I… uh…”

“You were a professional duelist who would regularly donate to and volunteer at charities… when you were not spending time with your wife and kids.”

“I had a wife? Is she…”

Amber winked. “You betcha. Your oldest son was exactly like you, too - and one hell of a guitarist to boot. He was somehow even more of a flirt than those other two friends of yours! He would ‘fall madly in love’ with just about any guy who gave him a compliment… that was until one day, he fell in love for real, with a young male dancer. It turns out that that dancer happened to be my little brother.”

“My son ends up with Rex’s son? That’s… weird. But I like it.”

“Well, I for one didn’t like it when I found out they were together, and you can guess why. But…” Amber’s story quickly began to take a dark turn. “But when Daddy went berserk and started killing innocent people, you were the first one to fight back… You were the first one to die. And your son ended up dying trying to protect my brother. I had to admit that I still had disdain for you before all of that… But after seeing what you’ve been doing for Papa lately… I…”

“So you guys are friends now.”

Rex’s abrupt voice made Amber jump. “Papa! You didn’t hear any of that, did you?”

“Oh, I did. Every single word. So I become a professor, even though I’m dumb as a bag of rocks. And… It’s good to know that I’ll carry another precious life one day.”

“W-Well…”

“I know.” Joey got up and patted Amber’s shoulder. “Even after you saved my life, you still hate me. Thank you for that, by the way.”

“...You’re all right, I guess,” Amber managed. 

“I think I’ll settle for ‘all right.” Hehehehe!” Joey ruffled Amber’s hair. 

“Humph. And I’d confess to Mai soon, if I were you. Or who knows, Valon just might end up being the father of her kids instead.”

“Okay, you’ve definitely convinced me!” Joey made his signature face, creeping out Rex a bit. “When I see her next, I’m going to let her know how I feel!”

“Let who know?” Ptera spoke as she opened the door, with Tricera, Spinos, Adelaide, and Camellia behind her.

“Grandma, you shouldn’t be eavesdropping.” 

“I don’t think that seeing my son after he nearly died is considered eavesdropping!” Ptera cried as she hugged Rex. “It’s as I feared. Those monsters are trying to kill my poor baby boy!”

“Mom, I’m gonna be fine. Sheesh.”

“You better be. I would love to give you my famous ginger tea again!”

“Is that the only reason you want to have a grandson?”

“N-No!” 

As Ptera teased her son, Dr. Balls came in. “Mrs. Raptor… I regret to inform you that because the damage to Rex’s body is so extensive, he’ll need to stay in a wheelchair for three weeks. But both he and baby will be fine after that.”

“Thank you so much, Doc.” Ptera took Rex’s laptop out of his bag and shook it lightly. “And I’ll see to it that my son still gets his homework done.”

“I’m already caught up on my assignments so far.” Rex took the laptop out and placed it on the small table in front of him. He scanned his class pages and combed through every assignment, making sure that each was thoroughly filled out.

“What about your PowerPoint presentation for biology class?” Ptera raised an eyebrow. “Did you remember your Works Cited slide for that?”

“Yeah, Mom. I’m 100% positive-” Rex stopped scanning his computer when he noticed that one of his assignments for ancient history class wasn’t turned in yet - or even started. “Uuuuh, not. I haven’t even started researching for my essay for Dad’s class.”

“And when is it due?”

“Next week…?” Rex laughed sheepishly.

“ Ay, dios mío, mi hijo. ” Ptera facepalmed. “What do you need to research?”

“It’s about ancient Egypt, actually. We need to go to a museum with an ancient Egyptian exhibit, pick an artifact there, and write a 1000-word report about it.”

This assignment’s description reminded Joey of his own visit to the museum, the one in which he learned the true identity of the Millennium Puzzle’s spirit. He thought, too, of Pharaoh Atem and the War of the Dark One - a war to restore the peace of ancient Egypt. Joey spared a prayer for that peace to last, and for the well-being of his rival, Kaiba.

“Joey, you’re spacing out.” Rex looked up from his laptop. 

“Wah…?” Joey snapped back to reality. “Sorry, I was just thinking about stuff.”

“Wait, you’ve hung out with Yugi and Atem, haven’t you? You know a lot about the museum?”

“Yeah. Maybe I can help with your assignment.”

“Really?” Rex pressed the call button on his hospital bed. “Can we go now, then?”

“Right now? Are you crazy? But you’re-”

Dr. Balls came in with a wheelchair. “Actually, you’re okay to leave every so often. Just as long as you remain in this wheelchair when you’re out. And don’t spend more than two hours out there, got it?”

“Let’s gooooo!” Rex had a burst of energy, that was until his giant baby bump caused him to slump forward and nearly fall to the ground. “Fucking OW!”

“Easy man, easy… Here, I got you. Up you get.” Joey helped Rex into the wheelchair.

“Joey…” Ptera couldn’t believe that the man who beat her son - twice - with no relent could be so kind to him. “Are you sure you want to do this? I’m sure you’ve got duels to win… Other poor mother’s sons to pummel…”

“Mrs. Raptor.” Joey looked at Ptera sincerely before he turned to leave the room. “I know I have hurt you and your son. I might not be able to earn your forgiveness, but that’s not going to stop me from wanting to do right by him.”

“Oh…” For the briefest second, Ptera’s expression went blank.

“Mrs. Raptor?

“Ah, you’re too serious sometimes.” Ptera patted Joey on the shoulder. “It’s okay to be a chucklehead like Rex, you know.”

“Hey, I don’t want him to be like me! ...Wait, who you callin’ a chucklehead?”

“Come on, Rex, go do your homework.” Ptera waved off Joey, cuing him to take Rex out of the building.

Rex turned to Amber while the trio made their not-so-far trip. “Say, Amber, you’ve done the essay, haven’t you? Can’t I just copy yours and change the words a little bit?

“How ass-backwards is that? You should be the one helping me!” Amber stuck her tongue out. “What a role model of a mother you are!”

“Pfft…” Joey stopped right after they entered the museum.

“Oh, put a sock in it.” Amber smacked Joey in the middle of the back.

“Oww, sorry, sorry! It’s just…” Joey stopped laughing all of a sudden. “The last time I saw my mother was right before my sister’s eye operation, about three years ago. And I don’t even remember the last time I saw my father. I just… wish I could have been as close-knit with them as you guys are.”

“Joey?” Rex turned his head around. “You cryin’, man?”

“N-No!” Joey tried to deny it, as he had not cried since his loss to Siegfried at KC Grand Prix. 

“Um…” Not knowing what else to do, Amber reluctantly patted Joey on the back. “Well, uh… For what it’s worth, you’ve got your sister, and us. And your dueling skills!”

“ Especially the dueling skills,” Rex noted with a groan as they moved to a much longer corridor. “I swear, you must have dueled every schmuck in Domino City.”

“Yeah… I just wish I could have dueled Atem one more time.” Joey never thought he would have uttered the name of the pharaoh again. He never would have thought the memories of his quest to truly earn Red-Eyes Black Dragon back would re-enter his mind, and his desire to defeat Atem in order to attain that goal. Entering the ancient Egyptian exhibit in which he learned of the pharaoh’s true identity brought even more nostalgia. “That reminds me. Rex, did you know that Duel Monsters originated from ancient Egypt?”

“I kind of figured it out during my duel with Bandit King Bakura.” Rex didn’t want to think of that fateful, harrowing duel - but the stone tablet that stood before him had other plans. “It’s… It’s that giant rock!”

Joey remembered the stone tablet too. Three monsters that vaguely resembled Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, Creepy Coney, and Earthbound God Uru adorned it. “Brings back memories.”

“What kind of memories?” Amber wanted to know.

“Oh, I must have never told you in the future, then,” Rex began. “When your father and I time travelled, we had to duel this really creepy guy named Bakura. That was when we first learned that we had ancient Egyptian selves, and of Weeves’ ability to transform into an all-powerful god. We lost our souls four the fourth time… that was until Kaiba brought us back with his amazing dueling skills.”

“I would certainly have liked to meet him.” Amber looked upon the stone tablet. “He’s my cousin once-removed, you know.”

“Kaiba…” Rex reached out a hand for the glass protecting the stone tablet. “I really wish I could have dueled you again.”

No sooner had Rex’s fingertips touched the glass when he heard a voice speak in his head. Hu…

Rabbit stew…

You guys have to save Weevil from himself...

“Bakura… Kaiba… Atem… Is that you?” 

“Papa, what is it?”

“You mean… You guys didn’t hear those voices just now?”

“I didn’t hear nothin’,” spoke Joey. “Could be that you’re hallucinating because of the pregnancy.”

“Maybe… At any rate, I know what I’m going to do my essay on. In fact, I already know a lot about this artifact! The essay is going to be a piece of cake!”

“Oh!” Amber noticed another tablet right next to it - one with a rough figure with dragon wings and a tail. “Papa, this is the one I did my report on.”

“Yeah? How come?”

“Because it reminds me a lot of a legend from my future. Our chief god is called the God-Shattering Star. He is said to be of ancient Egyptian origin and has purged the world of evil once.”

“That sounds familiar…” Rex recalled the final fight against Zorc, and it quickly registered who this god was. “It must be Kaiba!”

“Are you certain? I didn’t know he was a shifter!”

“Have I ever steered you wrong?” Rex made finger guns at Amber.

“Why, yes,” Joey quipped. 

“Ah, shaddup. I think I’ve seen enough giant rocks for today. Take me out of here so I can get on that essay, before Mom and Dr. Balls get mad at me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

With that, the trio left the museum - and for Rex, he had more questions than answers.

[meenasmoon]

Singing in the Moonlight Ch 12: Let You Know

Woah boy. You guys have no idea how long it took me to deliver this baby but I hope that it’s well received. The turning point has been reached and we are now officially half way through. Stay tuned for more... and all the feels.

Johnny ran down the stairs like rocket, trying desperately not to trip over his own two feet as he tackled the building’s stairs in his relentless haste to get down to his truck. He fumbled with his keys in the waning daylight for what felt like forever before he finally got the door unlocked and launched himself into the truck. He had gotten a few miles down Main Street when he realized that he was going the wrong direction. Johnny resisted the urge to slap himself as he turned the truck around and hurried to the bakery where Meena worked.

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

He nervously patted the worn leather of his steering wheel and stared at the cheery storefront that was suddenly the most intimidating thing in the universe. The display windows taunted him and all of his insecurities came bubbling back up in his stomach, making it flip and flop restlessly. He flipped down the little vanity mirror in his sun visor and stared at himself, frantically checking his already messy hair. After a thorough examination in the mirror he decided that his hair was at the perfect amount of messy and he couldn’t stall for any longer.

Johnny forced open the door of his truck and as soon as his worn chucks hit the pavement he felt like he was weighed down by a million pounds. He found himself shuffling along the sidewalk until he was standing in front of the entrance to the bakery. It felt like the his heart was trying to leap out of his chest it was pounding so hard. He put a calming hand on his chest, took a deep breath that came out rather shaky and strutted into the tiny bakery…

Only to trip over the elderly capybara that owned the bakery. He stumbled to the side to avoid landing on the surprised older woman. He wobbled slightly but quickly recovered, heading over to the counter to wait for Meena, his confident strut now practically vibrating with nerves. He was so nervous, in fact, that he didn’t notice the garish yellow wet floor sign and was promptly sent flying across the slippery floor.

Johnny was filled with a devastating cocktail of fear and embarrassment as he gracelessly slipped and stumbled his way over to the counter. Once he was close enough he lunged forward and landed splayed out over the counter top with a deep sigh of relief. He slumped into the surface, letting his forehead slam against the counter painfully. His only solace was that Meena hadn’t been there to see his glorious entrance, in his strained state of mind he wasn’t sure that he would survive it.

“Well that was an interesting entrance.” A familiar sweet voice, accompanied by a musical giggle, shattered what little dignity he had left. His head shot up so quickly that he felt his neck twinge in protest, but all he could focus on was the beautiful elephant standing in front of him.

I need to let you know You're so beautiful and you don't know it

She was holding a tray of fresh-baked goods, obviously her masterpieces, in one hand and the other was covering her mouth slightly as she tried to hold back her giggles. Despite his humiliation, Johnny yearned for her to set them free so that he could fall under her addicting spell. He settled for the dazzling way that he baby blues sparkled with mirth and her cheeks colored slightly. Even in the dorky uniform she looked like a vision. Suddenly his gaze zeroed in on a smear of green frosting that painted her cheeks in an exact spot where she would never notice.

His thoughts came to a halt and every synapses centered around that glob of frosting, conjuring countless images of how he could politely tell her about it, lean forward and wipe it off himself, or even how he could kiss her cheek and transfer the stain to his lips. Before he could get too carried away with his thoughts, he shook himself and transformed his gaping look to a sheepish smile.

“Yeah… well ya kna me.” He muttered lamely but he was pleasantly surprised when Meena just giggled and set the tray down on the counter so that all of her attention was on him.

“So what are you doing here? Is something wrong?” Her face suddenly dropped into a look of concern and Johnny felt his throat dry up and clench painfully as he scrambled desperately for a casual reason to be there. He couldn’t say that he was hungry because he had just finished eating the pancakes that she had left them, but he didn’t wanna seem creepy. Was this a good time to ask her out? To tell her about his feelings?

You're so perfect I don't want to blow it But girl there's something that I gotta say

“Well I was wonderin’ if ya wanted ter go ter the park or summit.” He blurted out and almost immediately began berating himself for being cowardly. His punishment was interrupted by Meena’s giggle and he pulled his gaze away from the counter towards her face.

“You didn’t have to come all the way down here to ask me that. I’d love to.” She gave him a sunny smile that lifted his spirits enough for him to deliver some semblance of a charming reply.

“Well ya kna me. I can’t resist that smile of yers.” His pride swelled in his chest when her cheeks colored pink and she bashfully clasped her hands together.

“I-I’ll um... I’ll be done with my shift in a few minutes if you want to wait.” She stuttered slightly but Johnny was too consumed with his own nervous excitement to notice her nerves.

“Yeah!! I mean yeah sure. I’ll just wait ‘ere.” He settled back on the cushy stool and leaned forward in a manner that he desperately hoped looked casual rather than eager. Meena seemed to buy it as she spared him one last glance before resuming her duties.

See lately I’ve been feeling paralyzed I swear you’ve got me mesmerized Stuck counting every freckle on your beautiful face

After efficiently wasting fifteen minutes of struggling with Candy Crush, his plight was interrupted when the most delicious looking cupcake that he had ever seen appeared on the counter in front of him. Johnny looked up just in time to catch a conspiratorial wink from Meena before she hurried away to retrieve another tray of baked goods.

Johnny marveled at the perfect little morsel for a few seconds before he attacked it, taking a huge bite that effectively covered his lips in green frosting and sprinkles. He groaned happily as he savored the unique taste that could only come from something that Meena had baked. She had a way of taking the simplest thing and making it taste like heaven. He was convinced that it was some kind of magic because as of yet he couldn’t come up with any other reason.

He quickly finished the cupcake, devouring every last crumb until all that was left was the green tinge on his fingers and lips that would probably stain him for the rest of the day. His phone lay forgotten on the counter as his attention was brought back to Meena.

He could only sit there and take in her every feature, as if cataloging them for later.

Her blue eyes twinkled happily as she carefully balanced the tray and restocked the display cases. As they had grown closer he had learned to read her expression in those baby blues because it was the one part of her that could never hide what she was truly feeling. Despite knowing how they twinkled with joy or dulled with sadness, there were still so many expressions that he had yet to decipher. His favorite mystery was the way that they would light up sometimes when she thought he wasn’t looking. It always left him wondering what it was that she saw when she looked at him.

Another customer walked in and despite her shyness Johnny watched proudly as she took deep breath and went to help them. He listened as she spoke to the customer, lending her strength so that her normally soft, timid voice would carry some of the strength and confidence that was in her singing. As she became increasingly comfortable around the theatre family, he had noticed that her voice had changed slightly. It was still soft and sweet but she was stronger in her opinions, more comfortable with joking and arguing. It had been nice to see her come out of her shell.

The customer left and Meena resumed restocking the display cases, a comfortable smile on her lips. She was in her element here in the bakery, doing what she loved. It was fascinating to watch her doing something else that she loved. Of course they all had talents and lives outside of the theatre and it was always interesting to see the other side of the coin.

She turned in such a way that he caught sight of the faint freckles that littered her cheeks. They were adorable in that it gave her an element of innocence, and at the same time he felt special for catching a glance. They were rather faded so you could only see them if you were looking, and in Johnny’s quest to count them all, he was always looking.

Some part of him tried to remind him that he should be thinking up a plan for his confession so that it wouldn’t turn into a disaster, but he noticed the sweet smile on Meena’s face and his brain was turned into a pile of mush.

And for the first time in my life This world feels so right I can’t hold back I'll lose my mind

Ironically he was so absorbed in his thoughts of her that he didn’t notice her disappear into the back and then reappear with her bag. Meena giggles when she saw the spaces out gorilla staring at the wall like it was the love of his life. She put a hand on his shoulder and he immediately kept to his feet, startled out of his reverie.

“Oh! Meena.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair and slipped his phone into his pocket, “Ya scared me.”

Meena giggled and smiled playfully at him, “What were you thinking about space cadet?” She teased and a little warmth flared up in her chest when a slight blush colored Johnny’s cheeks.

“Nothin important. Ya ready ter go?” He gestured to the door and Meena gave the bakery another once over before she decided that she was indeed ready.

“Yup.” On a whim Johnny held out his arm and gave her a crooked grin, his playfulness yet to be dampened by his recurring nervousness.

“Allow me ter escort the lady ter the park.” He winked and Meena let out a full blown laugh this time, but to his surprise she threaded her arm with him and let him lead the way out the door and down the street to the city park.

The whole way there Johnny could feel his cheeks heating up with emotion as his brain frantically scrambled for something to say. The warmth of her soft body pressed against his and the sweet smell of her perfume invaded his every sense and rendered him a total mess.

Next to him, Meena was in a similar state of silence created by her pleasant surprise. She had been happy to see Johnny’s smiling face, especially after their rough night. He seemed a little jumpy and distracted but he was happy and that was all that really mattered. She had surprised herself by teasing him and then taking his arm but these ‘daring’ acts seemed to be paying off as she leaned in close and made her way to the park with him at her side.

Whatever Johnny’s plan had been, it fell apart the moment they set foot into the park. If he was honest with himself the farthest into planning that he had gotten was: go to the park, ask her out. So when they walked through the entrance and began ambling down a random path he was seriously struggling with what to do next.

He snuck a glance at Meena who was contentedly looking around, taking in every aspect of the peaceful little park. She looked so calm practically the opposite of him in that moment. Just the thought of asking her out now made his stomach flip and palms sweat. Never mind the fact that there was a big siren in his head practically screaming, 'not yet! It has to be perfect!’. It was enough to make him thoroughly confused and discouraged.

Plan B it was then.

I need to let you know And every time I open my mouth, I can’t get the words out I just have never given up before My heart is yours Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh My heart is yours

He frantically searched for Plan B, something to distract Meena and allow him to regain his bearings and he found it in an ice cream vendor that was just ahead. He pulled on her arm gently to get her attention but when she turned around the suave comment he had prepared got lost in a tongue tied question.

“‘Ey um… are ya ‘ungry?” Meena looked at him in confusion before she caught sight of the ice cream cart ahead and realization dawned on her face. Her confused look melted into a shy smile and she nodded. They made their way over to the ice cream cart and Meena reluctantly released his arm from her grip to order her ice cream. She got a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and Johnny got a strawberry cone. He insisted on paying despite her protests and before she could slip the vendor some cash he beat her to the punch and firmly led her away.

Meena giggled as he guided her away, pretending to resist so that he would keep that strong arm around her waist. Walking through the park together like that, with ice cream, it almost felt like a date, and that arm around her waist only brought her hopes up. Johnny let her over to an open patch of grass on a little hill and promptly plopped himself down on the ground.

Meena plopped down next to him and licked at her ice cream cone, savoring the comfortable silence between them. She spent half of the time that it took to eat her ice cream cone watching people as they walked through the park, played in the fields, or hung out by the fountain. She had always loved the park because it was a nice place where she could people watch or find a nice solitary hill to watch the clouds.

Well hold up now wait a minute Maybe I could write a song with your name in it Hey I’m no Shakespeare but I can fake it

When all she had left was the cone, Meena let herself lay back in the grass and examine the sky for clouds worthy of pointing out to Johnny. Johnny noticed her laying back and watched her fondly out of the corner of his eye. She really was the most beautiful animal in the world, laying in the grass and eagerly searching the sky for something. He felt like he could live in this moment forever and be happy, if it wasn’t for the fact that he had sworn to tell her how he felt, to do something about those feelings that made every moment with her that much better.

“Pie.” Meena yanked him from his musings and directed his attention to a lumpy cloud that vaguely resembled the pastry. Johnny chuckled and settled himself down next to her so that they were laying side by side.

He pointed at a random cloud that was vaguely square shaped and teasingly declared, “Book.”

Meena propped herself up on her elbows so that she could stare disapprovingly down at him, “That doesn’t count mister. I know that you can do better than that.”

Johnny just laughed and childishly stuck his tongue out at her. She gasped indignantly and launched herself at him so that he was at the mercy of her fingers as they danced over his tickle spots.

Johnny let out a little surprised squeak before he broke out into uncontrollable laughter. Meena grinned triumphantly and battled with his wriggling form as he tried to escape her merciless fingers. Tears clouded Johnny’s vision as he struggled away from Meena, grasping uselessly at the grass as if the flimsy blades would help him.

After a few more minutes of torture Meena released him as she gazed down at him triumphantly. Johnny gasped for breath but that didn’t stop him from looking up at her adoringly, the taste of laughter still on the tip of his tongue.

“Tha’s...tha’s not fair.” He gasped and Meena just shrugged, her grin never once faltering. Johnny was helpless but to memorize that expression from his prone position, still trapped beneath her.

“Play the game right and we won’t have any issues.” She giggled and Johnny rolled his eyes. When he didn’t agree immediately she held her fingers over his tickle spot threateningly.

“Okay! Okay! I’ll play the bloody game right.” He laughed but there was an edge of panic in his voice that let Meena know that her threat worked. She released him and laid back in her spot to resume her search for the perfect cloud.

Johnny simultaneously felt relieved and remiss when he was freed but he decided that if he was going to keep it together, it was best that he not be trapped underneath the object of his affections. He turned his gaze away from Meena and back to the clouds, unwilling to incite her wrath again.

After a few minutes of silence, he pointed at a cloud that he had been studying for what felt like forever, trying to discern some shape. “I think tha’ one looks loike a feather.” He pointed and Meena followed his finger until she found the feather cloud.

“Now you’re getting it!” She laughed and resumed her search of the skies. They felt like kids again, laying in the grass, soaking up the sun and competing to see who could get the last cloud. They catalogued every cloud in the sky until finally, Johnny found the last one: a big heart innocently floating in the sky as if it was waiting for him to find it.

“Ha! I win.” He exclaimed happily and rolled over so that he was laying on his stomach, pressed up against Meena’s side. The heart cloud taunted him from the sky, as if the universe was trying to remind him exactly what he had set out to do when he brought Meena to the park.

And maybe I could try to learn to fly So I could write your name up in the sky Gotta shout out loud, I just can’t take it And for the first time in my life This world feels so right I can’t hold back I'll lose my mind

Meena surprised him by rolling onto her side so that their faces were mere inches apart, “What exactly did you win?”

Johnny could tell that it was spoken out of pure curiosity but he couldn’t help but be tempted to steal a kiss from her lips and claim it as his prize. Something told him that it wasn’t the right moment to do that. The gentleman that his mother had raised him to be was insisting that he woo her before he kiss her, not steal one. So he leaned forward and smirked challengingly at her.

“Tell me wot yer bakin’ secrets are.” He whispered and despite her blush Meena let out a laugh and lightly shoved his shoulder. Instead of pulling back like he expected her to she leaned forward and whispered as if she was telling him a secret. He leaned in, anticipation building as if she was really about to spill her secrets to him, and he felt her breath close to his face.

“Nope.” She whispered and her giggles tempered his frown into a playful glare. She rolled her eyes at his pouting and rolled onto her back so that she was looking up at the sky once more.

“Awww come on. Tha’s not fair. I won and I wanna know.” He whined and sprawled himself next to her, their heads nearly touching.

“You didn’t really think that I was gonna tell you all my secrets did you? The fact that they are secrets is half of what makes them taste good.” She insisted but Johnny’s stubborn pouting continued so she was forced to placate him by running her idles hands through his hair. He relaxed within a few seconds and Meena decided that since he had treated her to ice cream, the least she could do was promise him a few choice morsels.

“If it helps. I’ll let you try my new creations when they debut at the bakery. You can have an all access pass.” She paused when she saw the devious grin spreading across his face, “Within reason Johnny Bannerton.” she scolded him but he didn’t mind. How could he possibly mind anything with the way that her fingers were stroking his scalp and weaving their way through his thick locks?

For what felt like the millionth time that day he considered telling her in that moment, blurting out his feelings as they relaxed in the sunshine, but once again his brain acted without his permission and this time his voice was husky when he delivered his lamest reply yet.

I need to let you know And every time I open my mouth I can’t get the words out I’ve just never given up before

“I’m sure they’ll be really good. Thanks.” He kicked himself the moment that the words left his mouth but Meena didn’t seem to mind his verbal diarrhea. She gave him a grateful smile but there was a hint of doubt in it. Johnny watched as she turned her attention to the clouds once more, but her mind was most definitely somewhere else. He gave her a couple minutes of silence before he tentatively reached out and clasped her hand in his own. Despite how the intimate contact made his heart beat frantically in his chest, Meena gripped his hand tight and it calmed him to think that she was drawing some comfort from him.

“Wot’s wrong Meena?” he finally whispered and Meena hesitated for what felt like forever before she turned to face him, her blue eyes uncertain.

“I’m just… I’m a little nervous about work.” She stumbled out and while Johnny was surprised and bursting with questions he just gave her an encouraging smile and waited for her to continue. Meena took a shaky breath, gave his hand a squeeze and then rolled over so that she was leaning in close.

“When I was at work today my boss told me that she wanted me to give her two new recipe ideas for the display case. Sh-she wants to display my work on the display!” She was gushing but Johnny could tell that she was still worried. He mirrored her smile and squeezed her hand a little bit to convey his support. Meena immediately burst into an attractive blush and sent Johnny’s heart back into a tizzy.

“And I’m so honored, I’m so excited but… but what if I mess it up? What if they don’t taste good? What if they don’t look good?” Johnny could see her descending into a panic so he quickly captured her other hand and held them both tight against his chest. Her teary blue eyes stayed glued to his calm brown eyes and he gave her his best serious face, trying desperately to convey his sincerity.

My heart is yours Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh My heart is yours Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

"Meena... ya gotta 'ave faith in yourself. Ya 're an amazin' singer and your bakin' is aht of this world. There is nah way that ya could mess this up. I know that you’ll blow those customers away.” Meena felt her heart stop when he spoke to her in that soft sincere voice and she felt like the world around them had disappeared. And then he successfully made her world stop.

“Cause I ‘ave faith in ya.”

All she could do was nod and smile, her confidence slowly returning as if his words and look alone could bring it back from the dead. As if he didn’t already have her heart he decided to lighten the mood with a conspiratorial wink and a crooked grin. Despite herself, Meena broke out into giggles and his smile grew in response.

“Thank you Johnny.” She pulled him into a tight hug, savoring the feeling of his strong arms as they wrapped around her. She took a deep breath and finally released him from the embrace, only for him to pull back, briefly cup her cheek, and then scoot back slightly. Meena gave him a grateful smile and laid back into her original position.

“I’ve been thinking about taking some cooking classes at the community college.” She said offhand, the thought that he should know suddenly popping into her brain. Johnny sat up eagerly and loomed over her, a big grin dominating his face.

"That's amazin' Meena! I mean you’re already so talented but I fin’ that ya could learn a lot from those classes.” He gushed and Meena blushed at his praise but smiled nonetheless, feeling some kind of pride that he was so excited for her.

You’re the sound track in my mind You’re the word that I can't rhyme It’s like I'm singin' Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah All the time

Suddenly something occurred to Meena about the familiar park and as she looked back up at Johnny. The happiness and sheer affection in his eyes only served to convince her that he deserved to see her special place.

“Hey Johnny?” She asked tentatively and he hummed slightly to acknowledge her question. She felt her cheeks heating up reflexively and for the millionth time she cursed her default shyness. Despite the way her heart sped up and her tongue felt like lead she pushed through and blurted out her offer.

“I want to take you somewhere...somewhere special.” She watched a blur of emotions flit across his face and his brown eyes darted over her face as if he was trying to see what exactly she was thinking.

She pushed her feelings back from the forefront of her mind, trying desperately to keep the out of his piercing gaze. Johnny was her best friend and even the chance of losing him to her confession was scary enough to quell that warm love that flowed through her every second that she spent with him.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Johnny sat pack, making room for her to sit up. Meena quickly sat up so that their faces were inches apart. He looked startled but his smile quickly resurfaced.

“Sounds loike a plan.” She heard him accept and like a shot she was on her feet, practically overflowing with an energetic excitement that was wholly contrary to her shy nature but extremely adorable none the less. Johnny sat on their little grassy hill, watching happily as she practically danced away from him.

He didn’t realize that he was supposed to be following until she turned around and saw him still sitting on the hill. He was about to get up when she bounded over, grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. With a secretive smile she clasped his hand in hers and led the way deeper into the vast park.

I need to let you know And every time I open my mouth I can’t get the words out I’ve just never given up before

As they weaved through trees and waded through a particularly dense field of flowers, a particularly persistent memory called for his attention. It broke through his haze of happiness and suddenly his appreciation of the feel of her hand in his was interrupted by a persistent voice that sounded suspiciously like Ash.

‘Isn’t there something you were supposed to be telling her?’

Johnny felt that deliciously happy feeling that always absorbed him when he was with her, a feeling that he had decided was his love for her. Accompanying the feeling like a bucket of ice water was the anxiety that had plagued him since he locked eyes with her. It was easy to have conviction when the object of your affections wasn’t looking at you with that disarmingly sweet smile. His mission from the start was to tell her how he felt and ask her on a date but as usual she had effectively distracted him from his thoughts.

‘That’s right Lover Boy. Time to gorilla up and do it already.’ His smug conscience gloated and while he still appreciated the feeling of her hand in his, he was now more focused than ever on expressing himself. And where better to do it than in a place so special to Meena?

My heart is yours Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh My heart is yours Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

They broke through the tree line onto an old winding path, sheltered from the rest of the world by a tunnel of trees on either side. Meena’s wager pace slowed down to a content stroll but her grip on his hand never faltered. Johnny looked around at the overgrown path and how nature seemed to be reclaiming it. Somehow it seemed to make the little haven all that more charming.

He heard the faint sounds of running water and when they cleared the canopy of trees the path transformed into a charming bridge that stood proudly over a creek.

Meena finally released his hand and he stepped back to watch her walk up onto the bridge. She reverently ran her hand over the smooth surface of the old wood. He gave her a few moments alone before he joined her on the bridge, leaning his back against the railing so that he could see her face. The only other time he had seen her so relaxed was when she gave in to the music on stage. Her face was accented by her twinkling eyes and an unconscious smile and her ears weee flared to reveal her full face.

She was the first to break the tranquil silence between them, her soft tone blanking so perfectly with the scenery that Johnny could easily believe that she had been born for this place, “My dad used to bring me here.” She traced a carving in the wood, drawing Johnny’s attention to it.

It was a crude carving of a daisy and below it the initials M and D has been carved slightly deeper into the wood. Johnny smiled and a wave of nostalgia washed over him, reminding him of the special things that he had done with his mother.

“He used to tell me that this was a magic bridge. Good things always happen here.” Meena drew him back to the present and he placed his hand on top of hers.

“Thank you for bringing me here, sharing this with me.” He said quietly and Meena gave him a smile that made him weak before turning her attention back to their surroundings.

My heart is yours I need to let you I need to let you know

He couldn’t bring himself to follow her gaze as she looked down at the water because he was too busy sappily watching her expressions. She was happy but it was an innocent kind of happiness, like she was reliving her childhood happiness.

Her skin was dappled with patches of sunlight that broke through the leaves of the trees and her body was completely relaxed. It was like seeing a whole different side of her, where she didn’t feel the pressure to impress anyone or do everything perfectly. And the most amazing part was that not only was he there to see it, but he was allowed to be a part of it.

She was beautiful like this and that fact would have hit him like a truck if he wasn’t already aware of how beautiful she always was. Instead it settled on his mind like another layer of who she was.

And just like the stream below them his courage came trickling back.

My heart is yours I need to let you I need to let you know My heart is yours

The fire that had all been put out by nerves and bad timing flared up inside of him and he began to recognize the opportunity that was before him, ripe for the taking. There was no room for excuses because he knew that there would be no better time and no better better place to talk her how he felt.

This bridge was important to her, it was isolated, and the charm of nature made it perfectly romantic. The universe had delivered his standards on a silver platter and finally, he refused to give up. He didn’t give up on anything and he wasn’t about to start now.

Johnny took a deep breath and took Meena’s hand in his own, his heart in his throat and his courage washing through him like an exhilarating waterfall.

You’re the sound track in my mind You’re the word that I can't rhyme I’ve never given up before

“Meena I... I been thinkin’ and I’ve really enjoyed gettin’ ter know ya.” He started and cleared his throat while Meena looked at him with open curiosity and confusion. When he mentioned getting to know her she smiled and her cheeks flushed to mirror his steadily reddening face.

“And I dunno bout ya but I keep feeling’ butterflies in my chest when I’m wif ya.” He laughed nervously, not quite sure why he was doing it but he pressed on anyways.

“Cause I loike ya. A lot. And I don’t wanna ruin what we ‘ave but I just gotta take a chance and ask ya if ya wanna... I dunno, eat food or see a movie wif me.... together... loike a date?” He winced at his delivery, wondering what happened to the cool but still heartfelt confession that he had planned on delivering. It was too late now. He could only hope that she would understand his babble and accept.

My heart is yours And this heart is yours I’ve never given up I’ve never given up

The silence after his confession hung between them like a thick fog and Johnny held his breath like the smallest sigh would break the spell and send everything into a downward spiral.

His mind was alight with the worst possible scenario as it braced for a rejection that he dreaded. He hoped beyond hope that he hadn’t just permanently damaged their friendship. They had become so close in so short a time and losing that would be like losing a limb or more importantly his heart. He tried to picture life without her but his imagination refused to cooperate. Now that he had had a taste of what things could be like with her he outright refused to think about what his life could be if he lost her in this moment.

It had only been a few seconds of silence but he felt like he had been waiting in agony for years. He looked up at her face in an effort to find out why she was remaining silent, almost hoping that her rejection would be written out, clear as day, just so he could have an answer, something other than this silence that he was growing to abhor.

However, he was not rewarded. Sure the shock of finding out that he had feelings for her was apparent but the only other expression that Johnny could find was the unreadable mystery expression that usually fascinated him. In this moment, however, it was nothing but frustrating and only served to drive him further in the pit of despair.

Finally his impatience won out and he decided that he would just take it back, pass it off as a joke, anything that he could do to salvage the situation, but she beat him to it. He stood there mouth open and his words stopped in their tracks by her trunk as she held up to his mouth in a hushing motion.

My heart is yours

And then like a dream his agony was quelled by one little word that fell from her lips like his salvation.

“Yes.”

Next

Prev

First

[tango-uniformed]

Viv annoys the hell out of Levi

Here’s 6 pages of shit I typed out this morning because I was thinking about how random connections are. Also trying and failing to write Levi as simultaneously cool and empty but with an underlying idk badness/darkness. Also two sentences of Felicia being rightfully mean to Viv for being disruptive in her shop.

####

At 10:00 one morning Viv and Levi found themselves on the prowl for brunch.

They walked down the street a few blocks from the apartment Madeline Calligaris had so...graciously provided the two of them. The Kennellys apartment was in the same complex, but Rain had lived in East Boston her entire life and stayed in her own place 20 minutes away despite the offer. The area was ok but it was so...Massachusetts-y and reminded Viv of when he lived there during college. Not a bad time but not the best time either. The neighborhood they were in was West Fenway, full of students and professionals.

It had been about a decade since Viv lived there and he felt very aware of how he much he had aged. Walking next to Levi didn’t help his self-esteem.

“This is ridiculous,” Levi complained. He was always talking or complaining but for some reason it came off as engaging rather than annoying. “It’s September. Why is it in the 50’s?” He was probably cold because he was wearing flip flops.

Viv felt like he did not know how to explain weather differences to a Californian and kept walking. “There’s a Starbucks coming up here in a block, want to go there?”

“No,” said Levi. A pretty older woman walked by him and she turned her head to look at him as he passed her. It was like the guy had pheromones. Levi didn’t seem to notice her.

“Dunkin?”

“I’d prefer a place that isn’t run by corporations or crowded, you feel me? If I’m staying here a while, I need a usual coffee place that’s cool.”

Nodding enthusiastically, Viv said, “It’s so cool that you care about that. Would you believe that when we drove out to find you, Bobby stopped at Chick-fil-a? It’s like, people like him even think about the consequences.”

Levi ignored him.

They passed the Starbucks, and then the Dunkins. One of the new dispensaries came up on their left side and Viv looked at it, trying to come up with conversation. Levi wasn’t into him at all, but Viv couldn’t ignore his crush on the guy, even though it was just leveling down to a friend-crush. He felt desperate to be liked by Levi.

He pointed at the dispensary. “Glad Maddy put us here instead of Baltimore.”

Levi looked up from his phone. “Yeah? I forgot it just got legalized here. Felt kindaaa worried that I’d have to buy from sketchy guys on the street like I when I was 20.” He laughed bitterly. “Good memories. Want to hear about the time I almost got kidnapped trying to buy weed in Echo Park?”

“Uhhh.”

The story Levi told lasted 5 minutes and didn’t have a point or a punch-line. It was just that he was so good-looking that whenever he went off on another one of his long nonsense stories, Viv wasn’t even annoyed. He was so involved in listening that he almost walked into a group of bleary-eyed MIT students.

“Anyways,” Levi concluded. “That’s how I learned never to tell my mom about anything dangerous I did, because I swear I almost gave her an aneurysm that night.” He laughed his peculiar bark-like and humorless laugh.

“What does she think about you moving across the country?”

“Oh, she doesn’t think much of anything. Since she passed after having an aneurysm in 2011.”

Viv could have committed seppuku in that moment. He cast his eyes around the block, desperately looking for something to keep the conversation topic away from the macabre. Even though Levi had been the one who made the joke, it still made him feel uncomfortable. And even worse, it made him briefly consider his own unstoppable mother’s mortality.

His gaze landed on a building on the corner across from them. It was a cafe, with Victorian-era looking chairs and tables outside. The sign above the door read “The King In Yellow” in ornate black lettering, and had a dragon on it. Viv grabbed Levi’s shoulder and pointed.

“Is that a True Detective reference?” Levi’s body felt warmer than most people’s, he could feel it through his floral shirt.

“Don’t touch me like that, man.” Levi brushed Viv away from him. “Want to eat there? Kind of hipster, but independent.”

“Sure,” said Viv, more embarrassed. He was a touchy person. His whole family was. His dad showed his emotions physically instead of speaking, always hugging when he was overjoyed or stomping around and slamming doors when he was angry. His mother was never shy and pulled people into dancing with her when she felt like it, and her hands were always guiding the hands of others when she taught music or art. Viv and his brothers all modeled the way they interacted with the world after them, even Will, though he wouldn’t admit it. Levi came across as an open individual, not closed off like Bobby Kennelly (who Viv knew straight away never to touch). He hoped that Levi hadn’t gotten the wrong idea. “Yeah. Sure. We want a cool, weird place, right?”

They crossed the street and went inside. The chimes that were on the door jangled discordantly.

It wasn’t a hipster cafe. It looked like Edgar Allan Poe’s ghost lived there with Salvador Dali’s ghost. One wall had a huge velvet Elvis painting mounted on it. There was a Ouija board encased in a glass frame up behind the cash register, next to an inexplicable signed picture of Chris Jericho. The furniture inside was also Victorian, and in one corner there was a Yamaha upright piano with books and candles shaped like skulls all over the top. Despite the discordant and slightly macabre decor, the whole place smelled like freshly baked bread and strong coffee.

The glass displays contained a beautiful assortment of French breads, croissants, and a few types of pastries that Viv didn’t recognize. From what he could tell, it all looked pretty serious and professional.

There were some people socializing and drinking coffee, but not many. The single greasy teenage barista looked up at Levi and Viv dully. “Oh shit,” he said, whistling slightly due to the braces that were straightening his sharp teeth.

It took a second for them to recognize him from their ill-fated McDonald’s trip with Rain from one week ago. He was the one who had covered for them all as they tried to get her magic under control.

“You,” said Levi. “McFlurry boy. What are you doing here?”

“I got fired because of you dickheads,” said the greasy little barista. He was wearing a nametag that said ‘Cyrus’. “Apparentlyyy spraying frozen yogurt all over a store accidentally on purpose to distract everyone from a lady who’s about to explode is frowned upon by management. It sucks here, I can’t steal chicken nuggets anymore.”

Viv wondered if this was a loose end that they would need to kill for Rain. He didn’t want to kill a teenager. Maybe Rain could kill her own loose end. Her cool gay lawyer seemed like he could easily get her out of any problem. He had already sprung her from prison even though she had...done whatever it was she did.

“You’re welcome, by the way,” said the barista, Cyrus. It didn’t seem like this establishment required a uniform, because he wore a NASA t-shirt under a black apron. “Did that lady explode? I have an uncle who works for the OVA so I’ve heard all kinds of stories about people dying because they didn’t get their magic or whatever checked out.”

“She didn’t explode,” said Viv, looking over his shoulder at the other customers. He conspicuously pulled out his wallet. “Thank you and could I get a caramel macchiato and a croissant?”

“Decaf green tea latte,” said Levi.

Cyrus rolled his eyes and got to work.

They sat down near the piano, because when Viv had the chance, he always sat near pianos. He missed his own baby grand, which was sitting in a storage unit back in Baltimore with the rest of his stuff. Maddy had told them all that she would take care of it. “Logistics,” she had said. “It’s what I do.” And she had laughed. Viv hoped that she would get on the ball soon.

“This is nice,” said Levi.

“Yeah,” said Viv. He drank his coffee, which was surprisingly good. The croissant was excellent. “What is it, a 15 minute walk away? We could all meet here when Maddy sends us a job.”

Levi was lounging in his chair. There was no better word for it. He was the most relaxed person Viv had ever met in his life. Every second he had to keep himself from staring at him. Another customer nearby stared without trying to hide it. Viv was starting to think that Levi’s variance was not limited to his sharp teeth, big ears, and strange green eyes. The man had a noticeable effect on other people. People couldn’t resist him. But Levi had never mentioned dealing with the OVA-- not that that surprised Viv, since Arlene hadn’t disclosed her abilities to them, nor had Rain.

“It’s fucked up,” said Levi. “That woman is using us somehow.”

“Yeah. It’s called a job. She put us all on payroll.”

Levi shook his head. “She wants expendable goons to clean up messes she can’t get to otherwise. I’m a good judge of people. She’s done it before. I’m only going along with this shit because I’m pissed off about someone framing me over that thing with your brother. Once that gets cleared up and I feel safe, I’m going back to L.A. I’m not abandoning my business for more than a couple months.”

It was something Viv suspected but didn’t want to believe. A month ago he had been making money off of podcasting and begging his old theatre to take him back. Now some lady came out of nowhere offering answers, a salary, and health insurance in exchange for...consultant work. He couldn’t just say ‘no’ to something like that. The Kennellys couldn’t say ‘no’ to that. Rain definitely couldn’t say ‘no’. And Levi? For all his talk, Viv knew that he couldn’t either. Even if Maddy’s intentions were sinister, she was paying up for the time being.

He decided to change the subject. “What do you want me to play?” he asked, gesturing at the piano.

“Anything?”

“For the most part.”

Levi drank the rest of his green tea latte. “Uptown Girl.”

Viv snorted and sat down at the piano, recalling Billy Joel’s 1983 classic, which didn’t seem like something Levi would choose-- but then, he couldn’t really pin down Levi’s musical taste. After a moment’s contemplation, he began to play.

He had always had a talent for music. The combination of having excellent tonal memory and being taught by his mother from early childhood lead to Viv being able to play almost anything by ear. He wasn’t that great at anything else-- bad at sports, terrible with math-- but give him a piano and he could make something beautiful. It was only when he was playing that he felt most himself. Even playing in a weird cafe beside a guy he had only known for a short time made Viv feel like he was on top of the world.

By the time he got to the 3rd stanza, the barista had made his way over to where they were sitting. “You can’t do that,” he said.

Viv stopped playing. “Why not?”

“Don’t tell me this thing’s here just for decoration,” said Levi with the air of a man who was bored and just wanted to cause trouble. He leaned over and clumsily played ‘Chopsticks’. “How am I doing?”

“You’re the next Ray Charles.” Both Viv and Levi snickered.

Cyrus looked annoyed. “Seriously, cut it out. It’s just there for open mic nights, which are Sundays at 7.”

Viv started to accompany Levi with the other part of ‘Chopsticks’. He was having a lot of fun all of a sudden, more fun than he’d had since Christian disappeared and this whole thing started. Was this what had been missing?

“I’m getting my manager,” muttered Cyrus. He slouched off.

“Play ‘What Does The Fox Say,’” said Levi.

“I can’t do that on the piano.”

“Play the Game of Thrones song then.”

What was with Levi’s musical tastes? Dad rock, an electronic meme song, and a HBO theme song? Who thought like that? Viv started to play. By this time, everybody else in the cafe was staring at them.

Before he even reached the middle of the song, a young Indian woman in a flour covered black apron marched over to them, and without saying a word slammed down the fallboard. It almost mashed Viv’s fingers. He held his arms up to his chest protectively and looked at her in shock.

“Thanks for your little performance,” said the woman, evidently Cyrus’s manager since he was trailing behind her like a hyena. She was short and overweight, with heavy dark make-up and an angry look about her. “The piano is off limits to customers except during open mic.”

Viv couldn’t even say anything. He kept thinking about how he just narrowly missed getting his fingers lopped off for no reason. Usually when he was rude in public spaces, service workers remained subservient and didn’t try to maim him. Levi looked like he found the whole thing hysterical; he hid his sharp smile behind one hand.  

“Can I get anything else for you?” asked the woman. Her name tag said ‘Felicia’. She smiled tightly, her black lipstick garish on her round pretty face.

“Can I speak to your boss?” whined Viv, taking a page out of his mother’s book. She would always complain in order to get her way at restaurants and shops.

Felicia kept smiling. “I’m the boss here,” she said. “I’m the owner of this establishment.”

“Oh shittttt,” said Cyrus from behind her.

“Will you get back to work?” Felicia snapped at him. The barista scuttled off. She turned back to Viv. “So what can I do for you, sir?”

For a second, both Viv and Levi were speechless. The entire cafe was staring at them as they, two adult men, got owned by a couple of service workers.

“We were just leaving,” Levi said tactfully. He stood up and held out his hand. “Thanks so much for the coffee, Ma’am, it was perfect.”

Viv walked out without making eye contact. “What just happened?” he muttered. “Did we just lose?”

“I didn’t lose. You looked like a real idiot though.”

“Great,” said Viv. “We can never go back there again.”

They of course, would go back again. And again. And again. Once you find a place like that, you don’t just forget about it.