#sorry I'm late I was waxing my eyebrows

[soullessseraphim]

Valdemar - Touch headcanons

-Valdemar isn't very touchy, but it is only because they don't see the point. Not that they don't like it, it just doesn't come to their mind : you'll ask them for a hug and they will respond something like "what for ?". I think it's mainly because they've lived for so long. When you keep living for centuries and the people around you wither away, you kind of learn how to detach yourself from them and avoid getting attached as to not suffer unnecessarily in the end. So imagine the shock when you're starting to get attached to them and they realize they're also kind of attached to you.

-once persuaded you need it however, they will give small affectionate touches here and there (a hand on small of the back, a kiss on the forehead, resting their head on your shoulder while they watch you do something, holding your hand) ; they have to remember what physical affection is like, because they gave it so little importance since they've turned into a demon. A little awkward at first but they get the hang of it eventually.

-What about intimacy? You will have to prove to be the most trustworthy and respectful person in the world for them to even show their hands. But once you do gain their trust, something like (the bath scene) will happen. But if you try initiating anything too drastic they're more likely to back off. They need their own pace and will allow you very progressively (and I mean very progressively) to initiate anything serious. However it'll never go further than a make-out session. Never.

-Don't expect them to be affectionate in public, no no. Valerius commented on how they'd gotten softer once and the poor man found himself strapped to a chair and forced to watch them dissect someone. If you try : will nudge you or tap your hand away. Not to be mean, they just don't want to.

-Overall, where they're most affectionate is in bed. They'll hold you while you sleep, as you'll hold them. But that's really it.

-However there is one exceptional instance where their behavior will shift completely : It is if you make a deal to live as long as they will. They'll- they'll break down. You've never seen them cry before but this sure is going to bring tears to their eyes. They won't break out sobbing but will hug you for two hours straight, occasionally sniffling. Because it means that now they can get attached. Now they don't have to worry about you being mortal anymore. Now they can allow themselves to love you. It'll take them some time to fully come to terms with the fact that they are having feelings again, since it's a very human thing, but with your support and patience, they'll manage to let themselves feel fully. They're still a little reserved, especially in public, though now that you're immortal too, they've considered making your relationship public.

Then they will be much more affectionate with you. Expect more hugs, more hand holding, more kisses, a bit more frequent make-out sessions, some dancing even.

-Congrats you two are alive forever now. You'll make a legendary duo in scientific history.

________!_Bonus Headcanons_!________ @lunumochi :D

-So I've already explored cat-like behavior with them ('so why is it that when I-', am I right?) and I headcanon they stand in rays of sunlight with their eyes half closed like our beloved furballs do. Or like reptiles. I don't know. I'm pretty sure they have vertical translucid eyelids underneath the normal ones. It's warm. It's nice. You can almost hear them purring (they don't, you're just imagining it). But they don't actively think about it you know, they just be walking and suddenly there's a warm ray of sunlight hitting them and they freeze in their tracks like 'huh. That's nice.' and then will stay close to the window half asleep for... A while.

-Speaking of sleep, I think they actually sleep. Just... They do it for three days straight every seven months. 

[rainybubbles]

How do you meet COD men after your break-up with them ?

Price, Ghost, König, Soap, Alejandro, Gaz, Alex

(Sorry in advance for my mistakes, English is not my mother tongue. So sorry if it's badly written or if they're OOC. )

P R I C E :

-In a waiting room at the hospital with him baring his ass and you in your white coat, that's how you meet after your break-up.

-"I can't believe we're both at the hospital," John sighs in pain.

-"Yeah, I thought this was the trendy coffee shop. Turns out, my navigation skills are terrible," you joke.

-He lets out a small laugh.

-"So how did you end up with your ass burnt, John ? Did you try some sexy wax ?"you ask while you begin to examine him.

-"Do you really need to ask why something is burn ?"

-"Soap ?" you guess.

-Price nods.

-"Shit, I think you have some third degree burns on the right side."

-"Soap wanted to make a firework on the base, to light up the mood of everyone on the base. He tried to test the fireworks before, and I was there at the wrong moment."Price explains while you help him walk towards the surgery room.

-"It must have hurt like hell. Lay down here on your stomach, I'll call my colleague. His specialty is the burns, so you'll be in good hands. Normally your ass will only have scars on the right side."

-"Guess I have the other half to seduce people then." he jokes.

-You smile.

-"You know you have a great ass, John. Don't worry about that."

-"I know, love."

-You both stare at each other when he said the nickname. It has been eight months since you broke up. It was on mutual agreement, because you had a promotion on your job that didn't let you time for a relationship.

-You gulp and nod.

-You leave the room and ask the help of your colleague and continued your job.

-You tried to ignore the tension you had with John when you were talking. You tried to ignore the image of him smiling.

-Hours later when you have finished your duty, you were walking out of the hospital when you noticed John.

-"Someone of the team picks you up ?" you ask.

-"Yes, but they're late."

-You hesitate to wait with him, after all you had nothing to do. But your mind reminds you it would be a bad idea.

-"How's your job ?" Price asks.

-"I...Fine. In fact I was transferred to another service two months ago. So it's calmer and I don't have many 24h shifts now. And you ?"

-"Still busy."

-You nod.

-"I quit smoking." Price says suddenly.

-You raised your eyebrows. Cigars were like Price's identity. Like Spiderman has his mask, Price has his cigars and hats.

-"Why ?" you ask.

-"I know you hate the smell."

-"Oh."

-"I think we made a mistake back then, I wanted to text you but..." Jon starts.

-"But you get your ass burnt and me seeing your naked ass before you could do it."

-He laughed.

-"Yes."

-"So you think we should give us another chance ?"

-"I'm sure. I mean we always managed to find time for us with my busy schedule, so why would it be a bother if you have one too ? Plus you said you were transferred so I guess your schedule is back to normal ?"

-"Yes,"you say.

-"Do you want this, sweetheart ?" Price asks looking at you in the eyes

-"I..."

-"You ?"

-"I missed you," you admit.

-"Me too."

-"And shit, I didn't know what to do when I saw you again, but I'm sure I don't want to give up when eight months later you still make me flustered by just a look."

-John smiles.

-"Then we have another chance."

-You nodded.

-"Yes we have."

-I guess Soap burnt some ass, but also help to light the fire of love.

G H O S T :

-The rain was falling.

-Soldiers were wearing their uniforms, and the silence was omnipresent.

-Nobody dared to move, to speak. Only the sobbings of a widow were heard.

-It was Thomas' funeral.

-Thomas was one of Ghost's men, but also someone you knew as a friend.

-So when you arrived at the funeral, you saw Simon.

-It has been two years since you saw him. After your break-up it was as if you had imagined Ghost.

-There were no traces of him, not even in your shared flat, or in your phone.

-You didn't know what to do now he was here in front of you, so you stayed back.

-You ignored the pain of loss and bitter you were feeling about him and the situation.

-But then he was next to you. Like a shadow who didn't dare to approach you, too scared to burn himself with your lighting presence.

-"Simon," you decided to whisper.

-"Y/n," he answered.

-It was awkward. You didn't know what to do. You were with him during four years, but it was like you were strangers again.

-"I...Had Thomas said something before he died ?" you asked.

-You knew Ghost was the one who found Thomas' corpse on the mission.

-"He talked about his wife. And ask to protect the kid."

-"...I see,"you whispered.

-He didn't add anything else, so you sighed.

-"And you ?"

-"me ?" Ghost asked.

-"Simon, he was one of your men. You have known Thomas for three years, even though you didn't have a bond with him like Soap, I know you're feeling guilty now."

-"I'm guilty."

-You wanted to slap him.

-"Guilty of what, Simon ? You can't save everyone. You can't just sacrifice yourself to save the ones you love. It doesn't work like this."

-"It worked for you."

-"Are you really bringing this up ?"you whispered angrily.

-"You're happier now."

-"No I'm not. I just have tried to live again without you. Shit, you left without any warnings, without...without telling me. I had to guess you were breaking up with me."

-He stayed silent.

-"Simon, say something."

-"Why did you keep pursuing me ?"

-"Why did you let me to ?"you asked.

-"...I couldn't lose you."

-"But you did."

-"I know. But I had told you not to choose me."

-"But I did."

-He stayed silent.

-"And I will always choose you." you added.

-Simon raised his eyebrows.

-"...I screwed up." Simon whispered.

-"You did."

-"It's too late, now," Simon said.

-"It's never too late to make up for it, Simon."

-"It's been two years," Simon added.

-"But I'm here."

-"You deserve better," Simon said.

-"My tastes are shitty, what can I say ?"

-He smiled under his mask.

-"I don't ask a new romantic relationship with you, Simon. I just want to be in your life. I don't care if it's platonic, romantic or something else. Just, let me be here for you."

-"Even though we end up strangers again ?"

-"Yes."

-"You're stubborn."

-"I learned that from my ex," you joked.

-He smiled.

-"Okay," he whispered

-"Okay," you answered.

The next day he texted you.

K Ö N I G :

(/!/TW,chemo mentionned, Implied panic attack, it's not said clearly but it's clearly implied.)

-You were visiting your grandma when you saw König in the building.

-It was awkward, you both pretended to not have recognized each other but now you were both in the lift.

-Well stuck in the lift.

-Because a lift is not supposed to tremble and let out a ringing.

-"I...I think we can stop pretending we don't know each other since we're stuck for at least two hours now," you said while you sat on the floor.

-"I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry," König whispered quickly.

-"Me too, and when you didn't say anything, I thought it was better to stay silent too."

-He nodded.

-"So...you're here for your grandma ?" he asked.

-"yes."

-"Does she still have chemo or ?"

-"No she's in remission. You remembered that ?" you asked surprised

-"Yes, you talked a lot about it."

-You stayed quiet. One of the reasons for the break-up was your feeling of being alone in this relationship. König was always gone and at home it seems like he didn't listen to you, or avoided you a lot.

-You only talked once about your grandma and it was two years ago.

-"I see" you said

-The silence was awkward. But then you heard König's breath rushed.

-You noticed how his eyes were widen and how hard he gripped his own clothes.

-You know what was coming, so you held his hands like you were used to.

-"König, focus on me."

-"I'm sorry."

-"Don't apologize, focus on me and my voice. Everything is okay."

-"We're stuck in an lift. It's not okay. Scheisse."

-"yes it is, I mean it's kinda cozy ?" you tried to joke.

-He snorts.

-"Okay it smells like piss and it's small, but we're alive and breathing." you said.

-"I'm sorry," König said.

-"Don't apologize for being anxious, König. Just focus and breathe slowly."

-You inhale with him slowly.

-He calmed down a bit.

-"I'm sorry," he continued.

-"You don't have to apologize, I told you. It's not your fault the lift is-"

-"Not about this, about us." König said anxiously.

-"Us ?"

-"Yes, I...I was so worried you would leave me if I made a mistake that I ended up to avoid you and, and I couldn't stop and..."

-"And I broke up with you."

-"Yes if had communicated better with you, none of us would be hurt. I'm so sorry." König said, crying.

-"Shh, don't cry. Just focus on my voice and breathe," yousay "Can I ask you a question ?" you asked.

-He nodded.

-" Why are you saying this, now ? It's been three months since we broke up."

-"Because it felt like my last chance. I...I don't believe in fate but being stuck in an lift with you feels like a big coincidence."

-You nodded.

-"yes. I'm sorry too, König. I should have talked before making suppositions. I know you have anxiety, and I didn't consider it."

-"you couldn't have guessed."

-"yes, but I could have waited for you to explain."

-König nodded.

-"Do you feel better ?" you asked.

-"yes, but don't let go my hand, please."

-You nod. You know physical touch helped him a lot.

-"I still have one of your mask at home." you said.

-"I'm sorry I could take it back and-"

-"And my dog refused to let it go. I hide it, but it seems like my dog always finds your mask and sleeps with it like it's a plush."

-König's heart melted. Your dog was a puppy when you started dating him, he helped you with it for two years so of course your dog still feels attached to him.

-"it's cute."

-"I wanted to send you a picture of it, but it didn't feel right. Because I used to do that when we were together. So I didn't know if it was appropriate."

-"It is appropriate." König said, quickly, "I mean, send them please, I miss your dog."

-"okay, I will," you smiled.

-One hour later the lift was fixed, when you came back home you send him a photo of your dog

and...

-One year later, König was on the photo too. Guess your dog and a lift were just what you needed to have another chance.

S O A P :

-Half-naked in a chair.

-That's how you met Soap after your break-up.

-Both of you stared at each other, surprised.

-"I-" you tried to start.

-"I-" he also said.

-"Maybe you can...put your shirt back on ?" you tried.

-"Oh shit, aye. 'm sorry yer colleague says to get ready and..."

-"It's not a striptease club, Soap. She was only talking about your references," you chuckled.

-He smiled.

-You sat on the chair in front of him.

-"Do you still want to do it, even though you know it's me ? I can call a colleague if you prefer."

-"I always have trusted yer art skills. I want ye," He said without hesitation.

-It was true. Back then Soap always supported you when you confessed you wanted to become a tattoo artist.

-"I guess you didn't know who I was. Or perhaps you enjoy being shirtless at your ex's workplace ?" you joked.

-He smiled.

-"Naw, I didnae ken. Plus there's nae picture o' your face on yer Insta. I liked yer work, so I just booked an appointment, I didn't know yer artist name was that," Soap says.

-"yeah" you said. "so, you're here for a cover. I bet you and Gaz made a bet, you were drunk and a creepy tattoo artist accepted to tattoo you ?"

-"Youknow me, well." Soap smiled.

-"How ugly it is ?"

-"I have a portrait of Price on my chest, but it looks like Michael Jackson and under there is written"no pen, no gain.""

-You tried to not laugh.

-"Price ?"

-"It was to show my respect."

-"You can respect someone without having their face tattooed." You laugh.

-"I know, I was drunk and...I regret it. Dae ye think you can do something ?"

-"Well now, I need to look at it."

-"Ye said it was not a striptease club."

-"Guess I was wrong."

-He laughed and put off his shirt.

-You looked at the horrible piece on his right pectorals.

-"Shit, his teeth are stuck to his noses and one eye is like twice the size of the other,"you noticed.

-"I know."

-"But you're lucky."

-"Why ?"

-"Your terrible tattoo artist use light inks, it's easier to cover than a black and white piece. The more the piece is darker, the more it's difficult to cover it."

-"Okay, so ye can do it ?"

-"I can erase Price and no pen, no gain. Yes. Do you have any ideas about your cover ?"

-"You." Soap said.

-You blinked.

-"smooth, Mac Tavish, really smooth."

-"So it's a yes ?"

-"It's a no for me being the tattoo."

-"But ?" Soap smirked.

-"But yes for a coffee."

-He smiled.

-"but before let's erase Price from your body, I don't want to wake up at your side and see him staring at me."

-Soap laughs.

A L E J A N D R O :

(TW /!/, there's some reference about something put in some food)

-You met him in the street at 1 A.M.

-Alejandro had drinks with Los Vaqueros at a bar to celebrate a successful mission. He was going back to his car when he noticed someone who limped.

-He approached this person, maybe they were hurt and...

-"Y/N"

-You looked up.

-Shit.

-"I can explain," you said.

-"Explain why you're limping in a Patrick from Sponge bob in heels ?"

-"...yes ?"

-"Why does it sound like a question ?"

-"Because I don't know, I- It was a friend's birthday and they love Sponge Bob and I saw that on Tik tok. It was fun but..."

-"You sprained your ankle with your heels."

-"yes, but I came on foot."

-Alejandro looked at you.

-"I can drive you."

-"Alejandro, you don't need to. I mean it's already enough awkward and-"

-"I don't want you to hurt yourself, plus it's dangerous for everyone to walk on streets at 1 AM, hurt."

-You knew how Alejandro was serious and stubborn.

-"okay." you said, but Alejandro started to kneel down.

-"Wow, what are you doing ?"

-"Taking off your heels, your ankle is swollen it musts hurt like this."

-You let him do it.

-"I feel like Cinderella," you said.

-"Except you're in Patrick's costume and near to some piss in a street."

-You laughed.

-"I guess you were celebrating." you said pointing at the bar behind you.

-"yes, we finished the mission." he said and quickly looked away.

-This mission.

-The one which made you leave him.

-Alejandro was too absent.

-You tried to accept this, he warned you before you dated but after four years, you couldn't bear it anymore.

-"I see."

-He put your shoes in his backpack and looked at you.

-"I will carry you."

-"You don't need it, Alejandro I can walk." you said while you tried but you only hissed at pain.

-"No, you can't."

-"You can't give me a piggyback ride. You have a backpack and..."

-"Bridal style, it's only the time we reach my car."

-You looked at him hesitant and nodded. Then he carried you. This man didn't have muscles for nothing and you knew it but you were still self-conscious.

-Once you reached his car, he drove to your flat. But when you were supposed to enter to your building, you stayed in the car.

-"Alejandro."

-"Y/N."

-"Thanks for tonight, I know for you it's normal, but not a lot of people would have helped their ex like this."

-"Not a lot of people have amazing exes."

-"You're a smooth talker."

-"I am." He smirked.

-"How's Rudy ?" you asked out of nowhere.

-Alejandro was surprised.

-"Fine, but why do you ask ?"

-"I don't want to go back to my flat."

-"Y/N..."

-"I...I don't know if it's because I'm tired, but shit, I want to cry. Because you met me again like this. But also because I thought I could....I could forget you, but I can't because I know we broke up because of an impulsion. I was upset, yes. Yes you ignored me when I was telling you about your absence. But I never tried to think with you of solutions, I only shouted and I felt bad about it," you said tears in your eyes.

-And Alejandro noticed how your body language was unusual.

-"Did you drink, Y/N ?"

-"No, but I think there was something in the food at the birthday's party," you said.

-"okay, then I'm staying with you to be sure you're okay."

-"thanks. And sorry I shouldn't have vent like this."

-"you're not yourself, it's okay, mi cielo." He said while he carried you at your flat's door then opened it.

-"I missed this," you whispered.

-"Miss what ?"

-"you speaking Spanish. Did you know I subscribe to Duolingo after our first date ?" you said.

-"You never told me that."

-"I wanted to impress you."

-"But you have never spoken Spanish to me."

-"Because I never went more further than unit one on duolingo, I'm shitty at this."

-(sorry if you're fluent or good in Spanish ;)

-He laughed.

-"I could have taught you Spanish." Alejandro smiles while he helped you to remove the pink paint on your face.

-"I never think about it."

-"Because you always want to carry everything." Alejandro whispers.

-"I have to."

-"No."

-"But if I don't, who will ? Nobody will carry me." you answered.

-"I will, I wanted to."

-You stayed quiet.

-"I let the trainings of cadets to Rudy one month ago, I also started some cooperation with another squad so I would have more time."

-"But I broke up with you." you realized.

-"It's okay, you didn't know. I...I wanted to surprise you, but I forgot how much I let you carry for me, how much I relied on you without helping you back."

-Tears were rolling on your cheeks. Alejandro wiped them with his thumbs.

-"I'm sorry, corazon," Alejandro said.

-"Me too."

-"We both need to talk next morning, okay ?"

-"okay" you whispered.

-Then he helped you to go to bed. The next morning he was on your sofa.

-And you talked.

-Maybe some things were unfinished between you.

G A Z :

-You met because Soap is a fanboy.

-Let me explain.

-You and Gaz were high school sweethearts. But after his enlistment you both decided it was better to break up, because with you beginning university and him being in the military you wouldn't have had time for each other.

-And you didn't meet again.

-But years later, Soap invited Gaz and Ghost to a concert.

-Soap had been talking for months about this band he loved.

-He even played the music during missions or on the base.

-He played it to wake everyone up, at one point where Price had banned this music of the base.

-So as a result Gaz and Ghost knew the lyrics and could accompany him to the concert.

-Gaz said 'why not ?' he liked the music.

-But when the concert started, he realized you were the bassist for this band.

-His heart beat faster; the nostalgia was here.

-He knew you played bass, hell he couldn't count how many time he let his head on your lap while you played with a smile.

-"You look like you have seen a ghost." Soap said.

-Ghost snorted. (he only came because he liked the music and because the band's logo was a skull.)

-Gaz gave them a look.

-"You're not funny, but yeah I..I know the bassist."

-Oh boy !

-Gaz should never have told that to Soap.

-Johnny had sparkles in his eyes and was jumping for joy. He begged Gaz to talk to the bodyguards, so they could go to the dressing room and get autographs.

-Gaz tried to explain, but he could barely open his mouth before he found himself standing in front of the guard.

-So when they were in front of the dressing room after the concert, Gaz was sweating. How would you react? It had been years since he saw you. Even though it was on good terms, you both had broken up, he didn't know if you want to meet him again.

-The door opened and...

-"Kyle ?" you asked with a smile.

-Gaz fainted.

-Ghost caught him, and you immediately helped them seat Gaz in a chair in the dressing room.

-"Is he okay ?" you asked Soap.

-"I don't know, it's the first time I've seen him like that. I mean we have seen worst than someone smiling ?" Soap said lost.

-"I'm sorry, it's the stress." Gaz said, "I'm happy to meet you again, Y/N."

-"Yeah, the bodyguard told me you wanted to talk. I was so happy. I mean it's been a while," you smiled.

-"yeah." Gaz answered.

-A silence fell.

-Ghost sighed.

-"Are you both going to let the sexual tension in the room continue or can we know how you both know each other ?" Ghost asked

-You cleared up your throat at the comment.

-"You were high school sweethearts. Our relationship lasted like 2 or 3 years ? But we broke up when Kyle enlisted."

-Soap had a big smirk on his face.

-"Really, high school sweetheart ?" Soap asked

-He was going to tease Gaz on the base about this.

-"Yeah, but it's been awhile. Well, we won't bother you anymore. You played great, and we were just here to congratulate you." Gaz said flustered, he hated to be exposed like this.

-"and to ask if you were free, I mean we love your music and want to know more now we know about your past with Gaz" Soap asked.

-You raised your eyebrows and laughed.

-"Sure, I'm free. I guess you have a lot of embarrassing stories about Gaz."

-"I like you already." Soap smiled.

-Gaz never survived the meeting between you and Soap.

-It was one of his top ten embarrassing moments, after calling Price 'dad' in a meeting with Sheperd.

-But at least he had your number now, years later who knows what could happen.

A L E X :

-You met him at a wedding to arrest him.

-"When we were called for a fight at a wedding, I didn't expect you, Alex. What happened ?" you said while you helped him with his bleeding nose.

-"The bride thought her fiancé who's my friend, was cheating on her with me." Alex said while he furrowed his brows

-"And ?"

-"I wasn't. Leo had coffee on his suit, so I brought him a new one and when she walked on us, she saw him half-naked, and I red-faced because I had run from the shop to the wedding."

-You laughed.

-"She had quite a punch," you said while you looked at his broken nose.

-"Yes, she could compete with Price honestly." Alex sighed.

-You didn't say anything else while your colleagues calmed the bride.

-"I guess you're no longer invited to this wedding anymore," you joked.

-"I guess there won't be a wedding anymore either." he added while he laughed.

-"Do you want to see a doctor, or are you okay ?"

-"I'm okay, it's just nosebleed, nothing I haven't dealt with before."

-"Well I should go now that the situation is fixed."

-"Yeah."

-You began to leave, when he called out your name.

-"Yes ?" you answered.

-"It was...nice to see you again."

-"Yeah"

-"I'll text you once I'm home."

-"Okay."

-You left.

-Alex hurried home as quickly as he could to his home as fast as he can.

-Maybe some things were unfinished, like this wedding.

If you want more COD : COD masterlist

And if you want more of my works in other fandoms : my masterlist

[hippolotamus]

Sentence Sunday ✨

I can show you lies 'Cause I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it" and I did Lights, camera, bitch smile, even when you wanna die I was grinning like I'm winning, I was hitting my marks 'Cause I can do it with a broken heart

Beloved mutuals and pocket pals... I honestly don't know what to say for myself. This is a case of 'I listened to a song too much, I had an idea I knew I was never gonna write' turned 'I'll just throw it out as a prompt' --> 'I'll just make a moodboard' --> 'Oh god, I've written over 1k words in place of a summary'. SO. Have... whatever this is, T Swift influenced Buddie actor au. Under the cut to save your dash.

Honestly, if the world still exists in the morning, Eddie Diaz doesn't really give a fuck. His girlfriend left, claiming he's still not over his late wife, and his teenage son, the last thread connecting him to said wife, went to go live with his grandparents. After, of course, blaming Eddie for pushing 'yet another one' away. Christopher wouldn't even look at him before he went.

Then there's Anita Mills, his agent, who is probably a few blood pressure points away from a stroke at this point. Assuming she doesn't fire him first.

Let her, he thinks, grabbing a bottle of Maker's Mark from the cabinet. He has a string of blockbuster films to his name, not to mention a commendable collection of Oscar's and Emmy's. Not that they made his parents proud or kept his wife from leaving him before she died. But they exist as proof that he's had a successful career. Between investments and liquid assets he has more money than he would know what to do with in a hundred lifetimes. So, fuck it.

Eddie breaks the wax seal and twists off the red cap. He doesn't even bother with a glass, not really seeing a need. He's never been a big drinker, but lately his tolerance has grown considerably. Indulging until he passes out seems like an ideal use of his time right now anyway. If he wakes up after? Well, he'll consider that a success.

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

"Hey! What the hell?!" Eddie manages, coughing and trying not to choke on the ice cold water hitting his body. He opens his eyes to see Mills towering over him, glowering and holding an empty vase. He swipes a hand across his face. "Seriously, Anita, what the fuck was that?"

"I don't know, Eddie, you tell me." She disappears for less than a minute, returning with a hand towel she unceremoniously drops on his chest. "Help me out here. What's today?"

He wriggles himself to something resembling sitting and leans back against the coffee table. "What's today?" He parrots back dumbly.

Anita crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow. "I asked you first."

Today, today, today. Where was he supposed to be- "Shit! The interview with, uh, fuck." He snaps his fingers and racks his brain trying to remember a name or a face. All he knows is they're important.

"Claudette Collins. Very good, Eddie, you got it part way."

"Give me ten minutes, I'll put myself together and we can go," he says, fighting the violent wave of nausea that hits as he scrambles to stand up.

"Save your poor carpet from getting puked on and sit the hell down."

"What? No, I can-"

"Eddie," Anita interjects, "the interview was five hours ago. The interview with the Claudette Collins. The one that took me months of phone calls, groveling and cashing in favors to get for you."

Fuck. "Anita, I'm so sorry. How-"

"Save it." Anita holds her hand up, effectively silencing him. It takes him back to being seven years old and having to explain why his dad's truck had an enormous dent in it. She rests her hands on her hips, pacing back and forth as she purses her lips. Eventually she sits in the leather armchair situated in the corner. "Eddie, you and I have known each other a long time. A long time. I've been your agent since you walked into my shitty office back in Dallas. Given your impressive display of awards, I'd say we've done pretty well together."

She inhales sharply, rubbing at her temple. Anita doesn't mince words, it's part of why he's always liked her. He never has to question where he stands. She says 'jump' and he knows exactly how high. It's not difficult to guess what's coming next.

"Eddie, I know you're going through a rough patch. What you're dealing with is hard enough without seeing it splashed on every tabloid and trashy website. Not to mention none of those places knows the real story, so it's all a bunch of 'she said he might have said' bullshit. But you've made it through tougher things." Anita doesn't need to clarify that she's talking about Shannon's death and how his parents tried to take Christopher. "I don't know what's happening this time, but I need to take a step back. My wife has made it very clear that all of my attempts at stress management are not working and that if I can't get it under control I shouldn't be surprised when I come home to an empty house. So."

Eddie swallows, waiting for the inevitable and cursing himself for pretending he wouldn't care.

"I've talked to a few friends in the business and found someone willing to take you on."

What?

"What? You're not firing me?"

Anita's features soften. "Technically, yes. I am very much dropping you like a scorpion I found in my boots. However, like I said, I found someone willing to work with you. The name is Bobby Nash. He runs a smallish agency but don't let that throw you. He's cobbled together some pretty impressive talent. I assume you've heard of Evan Buckley?"

Eddie scoffs. "Of course I have. Who hasn't? Christ, he's everywhere you look. I can't pass a damn bus stop without seeing his face." A few details begin to click into place within Eddie's muddled brain. "Bobby Nash is his agent?"

"Sure is. And we all know the stories about Evan's past aren't the type you trot out at parties. My advice is that you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, go with Nash and do whatever he tells you to do. He even has a role in mind for you, costarring with Buckley. What do you say?"

What else was there to say? If Eddie didn't want to get blacklisted or wind up as some washed up tragic Hollywood story, being gossiped about where everyone - including his son - could see what a failure he was...

"I guess I say- when can I meet him?"

"Good answer." Anita clasps her hands together and gives him her signature smirk that tells him she approves. "Just leave everything to me."

Up to this point, Eddie has trusted Anita implicitly with all the messy business that comes with having him for a client. Why stop now?

tagged by @loveyouanyway @spotsandsocks @wikiangela @tizniz

np tagging @actuallyitsellie @epicbuddieficrecs @a-noble-dragon @mountedeverest @fortheloveofbuddie

@weewootruck @saybiwithme @bidisasterevankinard @shipperqueen6 @ramonaflow

@taketheplanspinitsideways @dangerpronebuddie @theotherbuckley @stereopticons @kitteneddiediaz

@daffi-990 @diazsdimples @your-catfish-friend

@thekristen999 @filet-o-feelings @underwaterninja13 @lizzie-bennetdarcy @rainbow-nerdss

@steadfastsaturnsrings @inell @jesuisici33 @rmd-writes

@shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @queerbuckleys @bi-buckrights @elvensorceress

@bucksbiawakening @giddyupbuck @hoodie-buck @indestructibleheart @ladydorian05

@lemonzestywrites @monsterrae1 @statueinthestone @slightlyobsessedwitheverything @the-likesofus

@thewolvesof1998 @watchyourbuck @welcometololaland @wildlife4life and anyone else who wants to 😘

[slothspaghettiwrites]

For my sugar baby!ransom peeps:

Big Bills Get My Attention

Warnings: ass/anal play (eating), teasing, dirty talk, power exchange dynamic, sugar relationship, slight degradation, ransom in a thong, semi risky/public setting, keeping the boss busy while on a conference call, no editing

A/N: credit to @howdoyousleep3 (edit bestie I can't recall why I've credited you but honestly, it's deserved.)

The message from an hour ago burns in his thoughts as he showers.

My office, 7:30. Wear the blue if you wanna earn that ski trip.

The blue one. Shit. What are you going to do to him? His cock chubs up even as he thoroughly cleans up after his intense work out of the club. Ransom ignores it. Focus is key if he is going to make it to your office in time.

If you were planning to work so late that he had to go to your office for this, it meant you were stressed. It meant being on his best fucking behaviour because you always knew, by some fucking bullshit, if he took the edge off before seeing you. He wanted the night to end with him cumming across your desk, or god with his cum ruining your trousers.

You've ruined his slacks enough time, maybe tonight he'll finally get to return the favour.

He finishes up quickly, goes through his standard skincare routine even though he will have to do it again after your session, and gets dressed. The blue thong is snug against his crotch and he swears to himself the entire drive into the city that he only fucking wears them because it makes you more generous. It has nothing to do with how the string splits his ass cheeks right in two, the tantalising feeling that has him shifting in the seat of his beemer.

He parks in the garage under the building and pulls his security card from the glove box. The security guard nods at him as he swipes through, and he swipes it again in the lift to get to your floor. The lights are dimmed and your assistant has already gone home as well. You prepared for this session as well then.

The door to your office is open. Ransom takes a steadying breath. Ski trip, long weekend with the boys, fucking some snow bunnies. He focuses on the important things as he steps into your room.

But the air is knocked out of his lungs anyway.

You sit behind your desk, jacket off and the buttons of shirt undone to the centre of your chest. It shouldn't be so fucking hot to see you like this. You look like a regular person, but the power you possess goes right to his cock anyway.

"Strip." You don't even look at him when you bark the command. "You're 10 minutes late, Hugh."

Fucking traffic. He busted his balls to get over here. Ransom removes all his clothes except the thong while you clear a space on your desk. When you finally look at him you give him an appraising look, one that doesn't give away if you're pleased with how he looks. His chest tightens when you raise an eyebrow at him.

"What do you say?"

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"Good boy," you hum. "Now get that pretty body over here. Want to look at your ass while I have listen to this fucking board meeting."

Thank fuck. Ransom walks over to your desk and grab hold of his hips. Your fingers dig into the meat of him, forcing him to bite his tongue to stay quiet. The inspection of him continues, your eyes assessing quickly, your hand moving to cup his bulge through the lacy material of his panties. The longer this goes on, the more his cock chubs up. You kiss it before turning in around and bending him over your desk.

With his ass directly in your face, he is goddamn happy he started taking waxing seriously. The feel of your hand running over his smooth skin sends pleasure up his spine and straight back to his cock. Your desk is cold on his skin as he settles in.

"Don't make a sound," you say before the familiar chatter of the video call comes on.

Ransom settles in, crossing his arms under his head. He's not concerned about being seen, your camera is off the moment you say your greetings. Voices drone on, discussing shit that maybe he should care about if he took his fake contractor role seriously, but he doesn't.

They don't pay his bills. They don't give him black cards to private clubs or make sure he gets tables at restaurants, you do. So he focuses on the tease of your hand. The way your fingers scrape across his low back, your thumb rubbing circles into his ass cheek. He sighs, if this is all it takes to get a ski trip paid, for he could die a happy man.

It's only when your mouth touches his skin that makes any complaint.

"Jesus," he hisses.

The hard pinch on his ass is the only warning he gets before you are speaking again to the directors. You say something about moving some shit to next quarter, then your mouth is back on him.

You place open mouth kisses on his ass while your fingers tug at the string of his thong. He clenches his fists at the tension, fighting the urge to squirm. It's not uncomfortable, but the tug against his half hard cock makes him want more.

And you have always been so good about giving what he needs, more than what he wants.

Your tongue slides from his half exposed sac to his hole and Ransom nearly comes off the desk. Both of your hands move to his ass cheeks and press him wide open.

"Stay quiet and be a good little slut for me, Hugh. Let daddy treat this hole right."

Oh fuck he hopes you muted your mic. He hopes you don't stop either. Your tongue laps at his hole over and over again, your spit dribbling down to his balls. His cock is fully hard and furious it isn't getting attention. Ransom rolls his hips experimentally, just to see what you'll do.

"No," you pull away and he thinks he's fucked it. "Send Johnson to me if he keeps saying stupid shit."

When your mouth returns to his asshole, you push his hips down into the desk, adding pressure to his cock. He doesn't fight the instinct. Ransom humps your desk like the slut you want him to be while you make a mess of his hole. His breath comes out faster and faster, higher too as he tries to keep his noises to a minimum.

God does he want to fucking cum though. He needs it. His balls draw up and his spine tingles. Your tongue pushes into the ring of his ass and stars fucking burst behind his eye lids. His hips stutter as he loses himself to his climax, to the mess he is leaving on your desk.

The euphoria washing over him keeps going, you keep going, until his hole is too sensitive. His cum cools against his skin, the lace sticking to his cock, but you don't stop.

"Daddy," he whines as softly as he can.

You fucking slurp at his ass in response. It's only when he is panting and his cock is valiantly trying to get hard again that you pull away. Your fingers clench around his ass cheeks and he whimpers.

"I know, pretty boy, you stay quiet. Let me have this peach until the meeting's done. Then Daddy'll give you a proper good bye before your trip."

[redhairedwolfwitch]

Birthday Surprise - Barcelona Femení + Atlético Madrid x Reader

A/n: a random idea i had, it's not very angsty but i like the platonic team fics, they're cute. Also if you think I'm being specific with R's past birthdays, it's because they're my birthday experiences😅 also, if you haven't seen the live action 2002 and 2004 Scooby Doo movies, you should... and Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated 2010-13 is absolute gold.

PSA: there were probably more players than mentioned attending R's surprise party, I just find it easier to write a select view interacting with R at a given time...

///

Your hands clasped the railing of the balcony, heartbeat racing in your ears as you breathed in the evening air. Your breathing exercises you were taught in counselling were working a little, but everything was still a lot.

You almost didn’t hear the balcony door open, but it shut a little too harshly, so you heard Carmen curse under her breath for the slam before she approached.

“Hiding from me, mi dulce?”

“Hide from you? Never.” You gave her a watery smile, wiping at your face quickly as Carmen stepped closer, the concern in her eyes evident despite your attempts to hide how overwhelmed you were feeling.

“Lo siento… I’m sorry, it’s just, this is my first birthday party since I was seven. It’s a lot. Last year I ate takeaway alone in my room.” You quietly admitted, drawing patterns with your fingers on the railing and keeping your gaze there, instead of looking at Carmen.

Your former teammate raised an eyebrow, before recalling where you were for your birthday last year. After two years with Atleti, Barcelona took an interest. But they sent you on loan first, which explained your lack of birthday festivities last year.

It had taken a lot for your teammates at Atleti to find out when your birthday was, in fact it took them until your second year in but you didn’t do anything big back then.

Now your Barcelona teammates had gone out of their way for a big surprise party, inviting your Atleti teammates into the mix too. How could you not be overwhelmed right now?

She was careful as she watched you go through your breathing exercises again, recognising them from when you’d do them before more intense matches with Atleti.

“We can stay out here? It is quieter.” Carmen suggested, hearing you let out a laugh that was almost damp with tears.

“I don’t know who picked the music, but it’s nothing I’ve listened to.” You admitted, trying to hold back tears but it was too late, leaving Carmen to pull you into her arms, despite how much you didn’t want to ruin her outfit with your tears.

“Hey, where is the birthday person?” Jenni enquired, looking around as Alexia and Lola had disappeared to sort out the candles.

“Uh, crying into Carmen’s shoulder on the balcony?” Patri glanced around, almost not hearing Jenni’s question over the music when she spotted you and Carmen through the balcony door.

“They listen to this stuff?” Patri tried not to judge, but Mapi shook her head, getting her phone out to open her music app and find your account from her following.

“Not even the same genre.” Mapi deadpanned, finding one of your playlists to link to the bluetooth speaker.

It took a while for Carmen to comfort you enough for you to feel comfortable enough to go back inside, sticking close to the Atleti defender as Jenni pulled you into a side hug, kissing the crown of your head.

“Hola, Jenni…” you accepted the hug from your teammate, having known Jenni since your first year at Atleti, plus you were cold from being on the balcony for so long. You had a feeling Carmen was too. Especially when you ended up getting wrapped in a blanket that Carmen passed to Jenni.

“Feliz cumpleaños.”

“Gracias… oh um, is this the part where I stand awkwardly as everyone sings happy birthday at me and a sweet dessert that has been stabbed by many small wax cylinders that are lit on fire?” Your sarcasm was evident as Carmen chuckled, while Jenni, Mapi and Patri looked confused until they spotted Lola and Alexia with a dessert that had candles in it.

“Not like last year though?” Carmen pointed out, confusing the others even more as you tilted your head side to side in thought.

“Last year, I blew out a lighter held away from the dessert by a housemate I don’t talk to anymore.” You held the blanket further around you, avoiding eye contact with your teammates, past and present, “So, this is better, it’s just overwhelming.” 

“Lighter?” Lola immediately looked concerned but you shook your head, cut off as Jenni pulled you into another hug and tried to kiss your head again, her lips getting the blanket instead as you squirmed slightly.

“You are loved.” The forward stated, holding you gently as you leaned into her, letting out a sigh.

“Okay, can everyone chill- oh look, the candles are melting wax everywhere!” causing a slight distraction, you escaped Jenni’s hold and headed into the kitchen to grab a drink.

Your face burned from all the attention you were getting, your skin prickling with heat. 

Standing over the sink, sipping your drink. You didn’t hear the front door open, but you could hear a few more of your teammates arrive, instilling more anxiety in you.

Your stomach flipped as footsteps approached. You were lucky your teammates had figured out how you functioned rather quickly during your first year at Atleti. You could be anxious and a little awkward when too much attention was on you.

“We’re going to put a movie on, your birthday, your pick.” Alexia explained, smiling as you turned to face her with a quiet hum, already having a movie in mind. Your captain chuckled as you kept the blanket around your shoulders, walking with her out of the kitchen with a chaotic smirk.

“You might regret giving me the choice.” You teased, watching as your teammates, former and present, took over the living room seating.

Leila nudged you in the shoulder with her foot as you sat down on the floor in front of the main couch and swiped the remote from Lola to set up the tv. 

“You know, if I had known about this get together, I would have brought the dvd. Leila, I am not your footstool.” You replied, smiling slightly as Carmen scooted off the couch to sit next to you and share your blanket, whilst Lola and Leila eventually let you two lean against their legs.

“What is this movie?” Jenni enquired, leaning forwards to hear your answer.

“A cult classic.” You smirked, turning your head as you and Carmen were joined on the floor by Mapi and Ingrid, everyone in the room watching as you set up the subtitles and hit play on the 2002 live action Scooby Doo movie.

“Happy birthday to me…” you murmured, humming along to the intro before Lola nudged you in the back, passing you a bowl of the dessert from earlier, sans birthday candle wax, and cutlery.

“Muchas gracias, for everything.” Thanking your friends for everything they had done, even if the original surprise idea had spooked you and led to you taking a breather on the balcony.

You were calmer than before as everyone’s attention was on the movie you had chosen, allowing you to breathe, resting the back of your head against Leila’s knee, eventually ending with everyone enjoying the chaos of the 2002 live-action Scooby Doo movie.

You were still awake by the time that the 2004 sequel had reached the credits. Staying still as you could as you realised a few of your teammates were asleep, carefully using the remote to turn the volume down and pressed play on the first episode of season one of Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated. Turning your head gently to glance around, you met Lola’s smile before you both went back to watching the show.

“Best birthday yet.” You whispered before getting shushed, Leila’s foot nudging you again as you realised she was awake, but your attention had shifted back to episode one, ‘Beware the Beast from Below’, completely entranced by the show.

It really was the best birthday yet for you.

[dianneking]

Loving You - Angsty Larissa/Reader Songfic

Summary: The night when Larissa faces off against Laurel is her wedding anniversary. Her wife is waiting for her, mulling over the hardships in their relationship. Angst. Hurt no comfort. 

Tags: Songfic, Angst, Hurt no comfort, regrets, relationship struggles, mentions of cheating and divorce, pov 2nd person, spoilers for end of season 1, implied character death/serious injury, one single swearword, it's just a big pile of sadness, really.

Wordcount: 1200w.

A/N Hi. Sorry about the heartbreak. You can blame this fic on @weemssapphic , who challenged me to write a angsty fic with no happy ending. I had this song in my head for a long time and I was biding my time for the right angsty moment for it - the song's in italian, but I've put the English translation of the lyrics in the fic, to allow you to better grasp the mood. As always, you can listen to it as you read, or ignore the song altogether. AO3 link in title, and here's the cover by Maneskin of the song, Amandoti.

Loving You (Reader/Larissa)

Loving you tires me out. 

You looked at the wax droplets, slowly making their way down the candles you had lit.

Drip, drip, drip, they incessantly marked the passing of time. You didn't stand up when the evening slowly turned to night, when the food grew cold and the candles slowly consumed themselves until they were nothing more than stubs. 

You didn't even care about the wax falling on the table cloth anymore, even if it had been the good one, the one for special occasions.

It drains me inside

You didn't care about a lot of things anymore. Things that used to fill your heart with joy and sunshine suddenly were just activities you did on a routine, without feeling anything anymore.

Something that’s almost like laughing while you cry.

Like cooking for her. It used to be so much fun, flittering through the kitchen, mindlessly humming to the tunes coming from the radio. Larissa sitting on her favorite stool at the island counter, sipping on a glass of red, telling you bits and pieces of her work day, the conversation light with banter and shared jokes.

Light with your love for each other. 

Loving you makes me tired

It hadn't been like that in a long time. She hadn't looked at you like that in a long time. 

Melancholic

Even when she didn't pull an all-nighter at Nevermore, she came home so late and so tired and wound up from the day, that she usually chose to sit on the couch and mindlessly stare at the fire dancing in the fireplace you always made sure to have lit for her.

What can you do about it, that’s life 

After getting one too many "Same as always, I don't want to talk about it", you had even stopped asking her how her day had gone. 

You didn't know what caused the crease between her eyebrows these days, and you didn't dare to try to kiss it away anymore. 

That’s my life. 

The last time you had tried, she had pulled away, an apologetic smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. 

"I'm sorry, love. It's just… everything is a lot right now. Crowding me doesn't really help." 

You had pulled away, of course. Boundaries had always been important in your relationship, and you'd be damned before you pushed her when she was having such a hard time at work.

Love me once again

You had swallowed your heartbreak, because you didn't want to add to the burden on her shoulders - you had to be strong for her, right? And she already had so much to worry about, without you being needy on top of that. 

But seeing her recoil from your touch, a touch she used to crave, a touch that used to bring her relief from stress, not to pile more on her… It had opened a wound that had never fully healed again. 

Do it tenderly

You just wished, for once, that she'd look at you like she used to. To see the spark in those blue eyes when they found you from across the room. To see those lovely lips curl up in a slight smile almost on instinct upon meeting your own gaze. One part complicity, one part attraction, one part inside joke… All wrapped together by warm love. 

For one year, one month, one hour

Desperately 

"Do you think she's cheating on you?" 

The question from your best friend had not surprised you when the both of you had talked about it over coffee. 

You had been asking yourself the same thing, after all. Maybe someone at school had caught your wife's attention, maybe all the late nights were not due to work alone…

Love me once again

But no, you didn't think that was it. Larissa had always been a woman of principle, and didn't seem the type to let lust dictate her actions. 

Although that new addition to the staff, that redhead…Marilyn. You had seen the way her eyes sized up Larissa the few times you had gone to Nevermore since she'd become a teacher there. There was always a dark intensity to her gaze when she looked at your wife. 

Had it been want? You weren't sure you remembered it well. 

Do it tenderly

(You barely remembered the times when you'd go up to the school every day to have lunch with Larissa - they feel like a dream now. A happy, distant, unreal dream. That had been years before Marilyn ever stepped foot in Nevermore, back when your marriage was young and you were both in love) 

Just for one hour

Desperately. 

The last time you went there, to bring her some papers she had forgotten home, Larissa had been in a shouting match on the phone with Sheriff Galpin, and had not even acknowledged your presence. 

You had left the papers and went back home, your heart heavy.

Loving you comforts me 

You finally stood up from the table when the candles burned out. The house was dark, but you moved with the ease of someone so used to the space that even in the dark no stool was in your path, no corner jutted out too far. The darkness mirrored what you felt inside, and wrapped around you comfortably like an old friend.

In the sleepless nights

Mechanically you picked up all of the untouched food, trying without success not to let the traitorous tears trickle down your face. 

It hurt. 

It fucking hurt. 

Something that fills old burning affairs

Even with all of the difficulties you both had had of late, you didn't expect her to simply not show up for your anniversary dinner. And without having the decency to call or text you or let you know anything at all.

Loving you comforts me 

Had she forgotten? Had she been so overwhelmed with work that she had fallen asleep at her desk, as it had happened time and time again as of late? With no thoughts spared for her wife, waiting for her at home? 

It makes me happy

Maybe she had fallen asleep in another woman's arms. 

What can you do about it, that’s life 

That’s my life.

Or maybe she wanted to send you an even clearer message. Maybe it was her way to tell you that your marriage was done. Maybe in the morning she'd send divorce papers over instead of coming back herself. 

Love me once again

Do it tenderly

And you would sign them. Of course you would. Because you still loved her fiercely, painfully. And you'd never want to shackle her with your relationship. You didn't want her to grow to resent what you had, to resent you. 

You'd set her free if she asked you to. 

Just for one hour

Desperately 

Because you loved her still. With all of your heart. Desperately.

Loving you 

Is my life 

It was in that moment that the phone rang, and you picked up without even checking the caller ID, forgiveness already on your lips, because surely, she was going to apologise and tell you it was all a misunderstanding, surely this time you'll be able to talk to her and tell her how much you loved her and maybe maybe that would be enough… 

Love me once again

Do it tenderly

For one year, one month, one hour

Desperately. 

Love me once again

Do it tenderly

Just for one hour

Desperately. 

Loving you is my life

"Mrs. Weems? This is Dr. Miller, from Jericho hospital. It's about your wife."

.

Liked it? Here's my fanfiction masterlist to read more of my stuff!

[yarnnerdally]

Okay. Just Astarion fluff. Tavi is one of my OCs and just... yeah. She's a mom. So. Do what you will with that information.

Total WC: 2.8k

“You write an awful lot of letters, you know.” Tavi gasped as Astarion had crept up behind her and let out the breath she had taken in so quickly, hand over her racing heart. “Perhaps a curse of being a bard? So many words to get out, so little time.”

“Gods, Astarion. Just because you're good at sneaking about doesn't mean you should,” she murmured, shifting another piece of paper on top of what she'd been writing. His brow rose and he smirked.

“Ooh, a secret letter? To a lover back home, no doubt,” he teased. To his surprise she merely rolled her eyes, not a speck of pink to be seen on her freckled cheeks. “No? I find that quite hard to believe, darling. As far as high elves go, and I should know, you're stunning.”

“Contrary to popular belief, bards do not have beaus in every major city,” Tavi said with a small huff as she folded the letter away. He watched as she carefully rolled it and sealed it with wax. “Family. If you must know.”

Astarion hummed with amusement, analyzing her every movement. Tavi was young by elven standards at only 120 years old. Just about half his age. And gods, was she beautiful. Of course he'd felt lust for others before of his own volition, but her wit and way with words was slowly wearing him down. He was curious of her; so open in many aspects of her life but her family, apparently. Then again, they'd only met a ten-day past.

The next few days seemed to fly as they prepared to rescue the druid Halsin and destroy the goblin camp. A perfectly good waste of their time, in his opinion, but his thoughts on the matter were easily outweighed. The party afterwards, however… he had to admit some good came of it. His words were practiced as he wooed her with the promise of a mind blowing night of love making and, though she saw through it, make love they did. There was a stirring in him now that he couldn't shake, especially on the nights where she offered herself to him freely to feed from. Objectively a bad idea, but of course he wouldn't turn it down.

The next time he saw her writing after destroying the goblin camp it was obvious she was upset. Her writing was faster, her brow furrowed as she focused. He smirked as he realized the opportunity he had and crept up behind her again. He had only gotten a glimpse of the name before her arm swung out and connected with his face. She turned and gasped as she saw it was Astarion and hurried her apologies, standing to look over his face with concern.

“I am so, so sorry. Are you alright? Gods, I've been so jumpy lately,” she apologized, her hand on his cheek. He chuckled and shook his head.

“I should have seen that coming. I'm sorry, darling,” he said smoothly, his hand coming up to smooth the crease from between her brows. He knew she trusted him, so why he felt the need to play the long game, he wasn't sure. And if he wasn't playing… well, that was something he didn't want to think about. “Working on a new song?” He played dumb, though not dumb enough, apparently.

“How much of it were you able to read before I clocked you?” She asked, her mouth a flat line and her single eyebrow questioning him. He had been caught out. Underneath the annoyance there was some other emotion. Worry, obviously. But anxiety?

“Just the name. Aurelia. Quite a pretty name. Sister? Mother? Aunt?” He went on guessing, his self-assuredness beginning to peter off as a softer look of melancholy replaced her previous annoyance. She shook her head and took a slightly unsteady breath. Taking his hands she sat on the log again, guiding him to sit down with her.

“My daughter.”

-

“Your… what?” Had he heard her right? Her daughter. She had a daughter in Baldur's Gate. A child. Astarion's throat felt tight in contrast to his wide expression. He was sleeping with a woman who had a child. He blinked a little as he tried to gather words for this. As far as he knew, no one else at camp knew. Not even Karlach, who, for all intents and purposes, was Tavi's best friend.

“My daughter. Aurelia. And… I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.” Her expression was sad, with a tinge of regret and he immediately decided he didn't like it. Not one bit. Yes, this was all to gain her trust but…

“No, it's… I understand. To a degree, anyways. I mean,” he gave a short laugh, confused. “We've all confided in you now about our struggles. But no one but me knows this now.” He took her hand that was shaking a little and held it.

“I didn't…” she shook her head. “Everyone else is dealing with so much already. And my daughter is safe with my parents. Somehow I became the de facto leader of this band of misfits and I need to be there for everyone.” It clicked for Astarion as he noted the slight bags under her eyes. Everyone went to Tavi with their worries and woes, but who did she go to?

“Darling, I may not be a genius on interpersonal relationships, but one cannot pour from an empty cup.” His words were soft as he noticed the way her eyes began to glisten slightly. She took a steadying breath and turned her head to wipe at her eye.

“I also didn't say anything because I… I don't want you to feel obligated, or… gods, I don't know what I'm saying now,” she laughed, thought it was watery as she sniffed and took her hand back to wipe at both of her eyes. He found himself bringing his own hand to her cheek and cupping it, his thumb brushing away an errant tear.

“It's… alright. I honestly don't blame you,” he murmured, feeling that stirring again as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Well, shit. She opened her eyes and gave him a sweet, lopsided smile. Shit, shit, shit. “The idea could… grow on me. But,” he shifted gears, gently grasping her chin. “This means you're not allowed to bottle things up anymore. If I'm not allowed to, you're certainly not either.” She giggled and nodded and he could feel its infectious nature. “I do have some questions.”

Tavi nodded, her hand naturally finding his as they sat by the fire. “Of course. I wouldn't ask you to accept this part of me blindly.” Gods, did she have to be so adorable?

“First. Well, her name is Aurelia. Which is beautiful. Second. How old is she?” Tavi rubbed the back of her neck, her cheeks flushing lightly.

“She's eight. And she looks almost just like me. She just doesn't have as many freckles,” she said, smiling now that she was able to talk about her daughter freely.

“Third. Her father?” Her shift from a smile to a slight scowl told him volumes.

“Is a twat and I haven't seen him in seven years. He left just after I had Aurelia. It was… rough. I mean, I was one hundred and seventeen. We'd only been together for a year,” she said. Her hand tightened around Astarion's subconsciously. “My parents… they were upset at first, obviously, when I told them. But, they love her so much it's hard to tell they were ever upset about it.” A loving, caring family. It was unfamiliar territory for Astarion. Though, he found an anger rising in his chest towards Tavi's previous partner. How could he just abandon her like that? With a newborn?

“He sounds like a real charmer. Perhaps it's better he's gone, though I would love to meet him,” he murmured, his distaste evident. Tavi grinned and leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“See? I told you the other day. You're sweet when you want to be.” Gods, she was going to be the second death of him. He caught her face before she moved away and smirked as she saw the shift of emotion in her eyes.

“Would my sweet little treat like to see just how sweet I can be?” He purred, grinning as he heard her breath catch. In a split second her lips were on his.

-

“Finally, away from everyone for a godsdamned minute,” Astarion mumbled to himself as he roamed around the shops and market stalls of the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. Despite the joy of his current freedom, his thoughts consistently drifted back to Tavi. He was, despite his original intentions, hopelessly in love with her. They had destroyed Cazador in his lair. They solved the murder of that stupid clown. He shuddered at the memory and pushed it away as quickly as possible.

He wandered down familiar streets in a new and figurative light, feeling calmer and happier than he ever remembered being. This… brightness. It was contagious now. When she smiled, he smiled. She felt like a balm to his heart. Warmth in the purest form. He eyed a jewelers case and the precious things within it. A silver chain with an emerald pendant caught his eye and he smiled softly. This would do. It was understated, but brilliant nonetheless. Just like Tavi.

“Grandpa! This one! Mama would love this,” a little elven girl piped up, coming up next to Astarion at the case. She pointed excitedly at the necklace he had just been eyeing and at first he was going to tell her paws off but then he really looked at her. It… no, surely…

The girl looked up at him and it was as if Tavi was staring at him. The same eyes. The same hair. Less freckles, just like Tavi described her. “Hi! You look nice,” she said with a toothy grin. An older elf hurried over, a look of concern on his face as he apologized for his granddaughters behavior.

“Aurelia.” The name slipped from his mouth before he realized. She smiled even brighter while her grandfather paled before his face became stern.

“Now sir, I don't know how you-”

“I-I'm sorry, sir, I know this seems like a one in a million chance meeting, but I've been traveling with Tavi for the past two months to get back here to Baldur's Gate,” Astarion rushed to explain, not bothering to mask the astonishment at their chance meeting. Aurelia gasped and tugged on her grandfather's coat.

“Grandpa, this is Mr. Astarion! He's got the white hair and fancy coat and everything!” She turned excitedly towards Astarion who, if he could, would have been blushing. “Were you looking at that necklace for mama? Did you two fall in love?” Well, there was her mother's quick wit. “Mama said pretty jewelry like that is nice for special occasions! So I wanted to get it for her when she comes home.” Gods, his heart was melting. He was not overly fond of children simply because he didn't know how to deal with them, per se, but… how could anyone have walked away from Tavi? From Aurelia? He noticed her grandfather looking at him with scrutinizing eyes and cleared his throat a little.

“I, um, yes. I was. I found it complimented her eyes quite nicely.” He saw her grandfather nod just a little, an almost knowing smile on his face though, of course, he knew his… physical characteristics were of concern. There was no doubt he knew precisely what he was and who he was. “I was unaware your mama told you about me in her letters,” he said offhandedly.

Her grandfather gave a small chuckle and clapped his hand on Astarion's shoulder. “Like mother like daughter. Hardly any filter. We… hadn't gotten word from her that she’s back.” Astarion smiled awkwardly.

“We just arrived from Rivington. I have no doubt there's probably a letter waiting for you at home or will be within a day. There are…” Astarion looked over to Aurelia who was talking amiably now with the shop keeper and picking out the emerald pendant necklace. “... a few things we need to get in order before we find residence for the night. I’m not sure how much detail Tavi put into her letters for you.” The older elf nodded and removed his hand. He paid the merchant what was owed for the necklace and Aurelia held it in its small box close to her chest.

“Okay! You have to tell mama that we’re waiting at home for her,” she said adamantly. She fumbled the box as she held out her hand and her pinky finger stuck out. “Pinky promise, Mr. Astarion!” Astarion chuckled under his breath and knelt to her level. He linked his pinky with hers.

“Of course, Miss Aurelia. You have my word. And,” he poked the box, making her giggle. “Your mama is going to be very happy you picked that necklace for her.”

-

Due to their notoriety within Baldur's Gate at the present moment, it had been decided that Aurelia, along with Tavi's parents, would go to their camp to visit. Tavi paced as she waited, her anxiety winning out over the reassurances from her traveling companions and even Astarion. Scratch followed her for a while before deciding to rest, the pacing even being too much for him.

“My darling, they'll be here soon,” Astarion attempted to soothe her again, intercepting her with a gentle embrace. Since he learned of her daughter, she had slowly told the rest of their traveling party about her. Of course they were excited to meet her but all agreed they needed their space for a family reunion first. She sighed and finally stopped pacing, resting her head on his shoulder.

“I know. I just miss my baby,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist. Astarion hummed and gently rubbed her back.

“I know, love. And she's missed you. And… I happen to know she has a thoughtful gift for you,” he teased softly. Tavi brought her head up, smiling and narrowing her eyes at him. She gave him a small kiss.

“You two are going to be a handful under the same roof,” she chuckled. Astarion's brow quirked up with a smile as she alluded to their future together. Her face shifted as she heard a small voice yelling. She let go of him and turned to the road and whimpered before breaking into a sprint.

“Mama!!!” Aurelia cried, running as fast as her legs would carry her. Tavi called for her and ran faster than Astarion had ever seen and he followed after her at a slower pace. The two met and Tavi went to her knees, both of them crying as she held her daughter tight. Not far behind her parents followed, all of them crying now. Astarion stood by for a moment awkwardly before seeing Tavi's arm reach for him as well. He gave in and went to them, letting her pull him in.

“Thank you,” she whispered to him, her smile bright despite her fresh tear tracks.

Aurelia looked up and smiled, too. She still tried to speak through her uneven speech. “Th-thank you for bringing my mama home, Mr. Astarion.”

-Bonus-

Tavi's parents were in an engaging conversation with Wyll and Shadowheart as she sat next to Astarion by the fire. She leaned against him, a pretty necklace now adorning her neck as they watched Karlach and Halsin taking turns to give Aurelia piggy back rides.

“So. You knew she picked this out?” She asked Astarion softly, looking up at him from his shoulder. He hummed and held her a little tighter.

“I said we met in a shop. It may have been a jewelers. And we both saw it and thought of you,” he said softly, his hand coming up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. She giggled and leaned up, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “After realizing who I was, of which I had absolutely no idea she knew who I was, she asked me if we fell in love. In front of your father, by the way. Who immediately realized I was a vampire.”

Tavi blushed lightly and laughed. “Well, the apples don't fall far from the trees,” she shrugged. He rolled his eyes and kissed her gently. They pulled away as they heard Aurelia shout from the top of Mama K's shoulders.

“Grandma! Grandpa! See! I knew it! I told you they fell in love!” Astarion groaned gently, hiding his face in her shoulder. Tavi pressed a kiss to the top of his head as plenty of the other adults laughed.

“Welcome to the family, love.”

[some-pers0n]

Restless Nights

Fandom: WoF

Characters: Qibli, Winter

CW: Mentions of night terrors, trauma, etc

Summary: Qibli's having troubles falling asleep, kept up by the Bad Thoughts again. Yet, through it all, he hears someone nearby shuffling through papers.

Word Count: 1.0k

A/N: Oh SHOOT it's almost the end of gay month- TAKE THIS!! I'm not typically a Qinter writer. I've ranted before about how I don't quite care for the main fandom interpretation and how I prefer Turtbli, but eh,,,sometimes you just gotta write it.

Qibli tossed and turned, unable to fall back asleep. It was one of those nights again. You know the type. The ones where you flip and flop from one side to the other without rest. The ones where you try counting sheep only to get distracted after the first hundred or so. The ones where unwanted thoughts and ideas pester you nonstop. You know they aren't true, but, hey, it's nighttime and everything's possible; including believing that everyone hates you and can't stand the persona you've built.

So, yeah. Great. Just terrific. Lovely night as always. Wouldn't be him if he didn't constantly worry that his closest friends despised him. He rolled over once more, dwelling away in his thoughts.

However, as he did so, the still darkness wavered for a moment. First, some rustling. Then, a tiny scraping sound. At last, light. Despite his eyelids blocking most of it out, he could see a tiny orange flare flickering away.

Obviously, he became curious. There was something happening right in front of him. He'd be an idiot to not at least look. That's what he's been taught to do since he crawled out of the egg: sleep with both eyes half-open just in case somebody's decided to put a hit on you.

He squinted. His eyes were adjusted to the pitch-black room that was his sleeping quarters. On the other side he saw something quite odd.

Winter was there. He was laying on his bed of embroidered cushions and silky blankets, several scrolls sprawled out. An inkwell rested nearby, which he dipped an icy blue claw into and began to write on one such scroll. A couple tall wax candles were dotted around him, their wicks just recently lit.

"What are you doing?..." Qibli asked, his voice hoarse and groggy.

Winter's head shot up. "Nothing!" he hissed, quickly grabbing the scrolls and shoving them under the pillows.

"Oh, nothing? I couldn't tell you were doing nothing. Sure looks like you were doing something, but I guess writing on scrollpaper at...moons above, what time is it right now?"

"Late," Winter said, "the moons are at their peak. Besides, what does it matter what I'm doing?"

"C'mon, don't be a pain in the tail here. I've...actually got a bit of a headache here," he half-lied.

The corners of Winter's mouth tightened as his eyebrows furrowed. "I see. I don't think sitting there and talking is really going to help with that though. It only makes you and I more stressed. Hows about you try- oh I don't know- going to bed?"

"No can do, frost-face," he lightly teased. "I can't really sleep right now."

"What? Why?"

"Just can't. It's one of those nights again."

A look of familiarity stretched across Winter's face. He let out an exhale. "Right. Of course. Sometimes I forget you get like that too."

"Even after our big talk like a month ago?"

"My mind wasn't concerned with you at all. I have other things to worry about."

"So you care more about 'doing nothing' than about me right now?"

"That's not what-" He took a small breath. "If you're looking for sympathy right now, you're not going to get it by teasing me."

"Sorry! You're just an easy target," Qibli snickered, but surely enough the guilt settled back in. "But... You know what, never mind. Sorry about that. Shouldn't've been a jerk like that."

Winter tilted his head. "Is it really that bad enough for you to admit that your wrong?"

"No, I just..." Qibli rubbed his face. "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing work."

"What kind of work?"

"Is it any of your business?"

"I just wanna know what it is. I kinda like hearing you talk. Gives me something else to listen to."

Winter stared blankly for a moment, eventually breaking the eye contact. "It's a personal project. It involves scavengers."

"Scavengers? You're still into them?"

"You thought I wasn't?" he scoffed. "I'll have you know that I'm planning something with the council in Sanctuary. A little plan that'll perhaps help in letting dragons come to realize that these aren't mindless pests." Winter's voice got more intense at the tail-end of that sentence.

"Didn't know you were that passionate about them. That's cool! Much better thing to like than...I dunno, nothing." He slipped out of his little alcove. "You mind if I sit next to you?"

"Uhh," he stammered. "I suppose. Just don't muddy up anything or I'll slit your throat."

"Heartwarming." Qibli plopped himself right next to him. "What sort of stuff are you planning? You've been gone from Jade Mountain for a while. I'd assume it's for something big."

"You could say as much. It's a program that'll go on for a couple months at a school we're building there. Animal studies and whatnot, but with a focus on scavengers and their society." Winter pulled out a scroll, his signature neat and dainty writing all over it to the point where there was more black ink than pale-brown paper. "I took a couple notes." He continued to pull out even more scrollpaper, all of which with similar amounts of writing.

"Three moons, that's a lot."

"Really? I don't think it even comes close to the amount I could jot down. Scavengers are brilliant when you get to them. You have to actually be around them and watch them as opposed to eating them like a savage beast."

"What do they like to do?" At this point, Qibli was pretty interested in what he had to say. Truth be told, he was never all that into scavengers. They were weird creatures, but he never gave them too much thought. However, listening to Winter talk so passionately about them was thrilling. It was entertaining to watch him ramble for once in his life about something he loved. Something he wholeheartedly loved. Not something he was told to love, like his tribe or whatnot. He was talking about a true passion.

It calmed him, listening to Winter speak. Everything felt much better around him. He'd never quite met a dragon before that was so easy to be around. Yes, he could be cold and distant at times, but there was nobody else who really got him. Who understood the words he said. Who knew what it was like when he finally admitted to wanting to put down this mask he puts up around others.

Winter was special to him. Winter made him happy.

[cuuno-moved]

leaving

a disco elysium fic

ao3 link

fanfic taglist: @gardenergulfie @autisticzedaph @asterthecalico @hoimycraft

------

"Do you think you're a good person?"

It takes a moment for the question to register, and a moment longer for you to react, looking up from your notebook to squint at the lady driver, who was standing by the open window of your lorry, her arms crossed, her eyes squinted.

It was late- late enough that the Hardie Boy party seemed to have ended, and you'd been in the sort of half-awake haze that comes with a half-finished cigarette at this time of night.

"What do you mean?" You ask, trying not to slur or drool. "Um… a good person?"

"Just answer the question," She said, thickly, in the exact tone of voice people use when they have something they want to hear. "Are you a good person?"

"I-" You hesitate, thinking, but she starts to turn to leave, so you, desperately, spit out, "Is anyone?"

"What do- what does that mean?" She laughs a bit, humorlessly. "What are you talking about now, Le Homme?"

"Is anyone a good person? Like, everyone has some lies or something to confess to, right?"

She laughed at that, of course, a bit more genuinely. "A lie or something? You sound insane. What's your lie-or-something?"

"I'm not telling you."

She snorted, a short, derisive sound that manages to both raise your spirits and lower your self esteem as she reached up on tiptoes to stick her arm through the window to grab your cigarette, taking a slow drag and exhaling the smoke in a rush.

"It might make you a better person."

You hum at that, tilting your head back and forth in thought. "Maybe, but it also might not."

She nodded, slowly. "You wanna know something?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you might be the best person in this traffic jam," She says, and the way she says it makes you think she's put a lot of thought into this. "Even though the bar is real real low."

"Thank you," You say, a little bit surprised. You open your mouth to say you think she's a good person too, but something makes you pause. "I… you don't seem like a liar."

She smiles, her mouth twisting grotesquely. "I don't?"

"No."

"You don't even know my name."

"I don't have to," You say, simply. "There's real lies and there's lies of omission, and lies of omission don't count."

She huffs at that, amused. "Alright, Le Homme."

"Lefitte," You find yourself saying. "Jerry Lefitte."

She blinks, then grins. "Jerry. You have a family, yeah?"

"I do," You say, and you find yourself smiling at the thought. "A wife and kids."

"That's sweet," You can see her relax a bit, making herself more at home in the moment, and you smile. "They live near here?"

"No," You exhale. "They live out in Laurentide."

"Out-" She exhaled, her eyebrows going up. "Oh. Yeah, that's a ways out."

"It really is," You chuckle. "I… miss them a lot."

You don't think you've ever said that, not out loud, not as simple as that. You've waxed poetic on them, you've described them in every way you could, but you've never simply admitted that you miss them.

"I bet." She says, simply.

There's a pause, before you sigh, reaching out for your cigarette. She hands it back. "Do you think you're a good person, ma'am?"

"Ma'am?" She laughs, incredulously. "No, I don't. I don't think I'm a good person at all."

"Mm," You say. "I'm sorry, I hope that changes."

There's a longer pause, one that presses on your chest, before she sighs, reaching into the pocket of her cargo pants. "You're a smart young man."

"Am I?"

"You are," She pulls something out, a set of keys. "I'm heading out of town for a bit, can you please keep an eye on my lorry for me?"

You stare at her.

"Please," She says. "I don't trust anyone else with it."

"You- you hardly know me- what about Titus, or- or-"

"Titus is… he's my best friend, but he can't do this. You can."

You hesitate, before opening your door. This feels like the kind of thing you need to be standing for.

Your boots hit the ground hard, but you don't stumble, staring down at her. She's a lot smaller and older than you thought, the lights from the Whirling-In-Rags cutting lines across her face.

After a moment, you hold out your hand. Wordlessly, she drops her keys in it.

"Thank you, Jerry," She says. "It means a lot."

"You'll come back, right?"

"Of course," She lies, and somehow you know you'll never see her again. "It won't be long."

You could have stopped her or delayed her or something.

You didn't.

[phoenixrising0308]

It's not the same without you

Books: The Royal Romance 1-3 to Royal Heir and cross-over characters from other choices universes.

Rating: M (18+) Sexual situation and adult themes.

Trigger Warnings in this chapter: Miscarriage and infertility.

Pairing: Liam Rys x Jessica Garcia (MC)

Agent Phoenix Forged in Fire Series premise: This is a canon divergent series set after TRR 3 Tariq is never found. Liam’s duty to his country forces him into marriage. Jessica and Liam enter into a Cordonian arrangement. Both of them wanted to have a life together. However, various obstacles prevent him from a divorce and having the life they both want together. With dreams of a future crushed, Jessica leaves Cordonia. Despite a five-year absence, they are still heartbroken and unable to forget each other and the life they once shared. When Jessica’s career path takes an expected turn, her duty to her country pushes her to Cordonia, back into the society that burned her, and back into Liam’s sights. Will she rise from the ashes or once again go down in flames? Catch up here

Disclaimer

A/N: This is so late but I figured I would take the chance and post it anyway without tagging anyone. I haven't posted in a while such is life but I'm here and Agent Garcia still is too! L/N: to my lovely friends thank you for the check in's

*This is a oneshot that is a part of the main story and events will occur in a later chapter*

Chapter Summary: Then and Now Halloween in Cordonia

Word count: 2,219 *please excuse typos and grammatical errors*

Reading time: 8 Minutes

Liam dug in his pocket for his key. He felt the statue of liberty in his hand as he unlocked the door only to come home to a white fabric-like webbing cascading onto him in their apartment.

He picked it off with a raised eyebrow as Jessica popped her head out from the kitchen.

"Sorry baby, I meant to tape that up there." She walked over and kissed him sweetly on the lips. Giggling to herself as she plucked the fake spider webs off him.

He chuckled with a bewildered expression and said, "Love, what is all this?"

He looked around their shared apartment. Pumpkins, bats, spider webs in a few corners, and some decorative led lights. The entire apartment was orange and black but still very tasteful. It was unlike anything he had experienced. He was fascinated as he plucked off the remaining web to examine a pumpkin centerpiece on their coffee table. He could smell a spicy yet cozy scent in the air from the wax warmer.

"I'm putting up Halloween decorations, silly.'' She said before she gave him an odd look with a slight smirk. "Don't tell me they don't celebrate Halloween in Cordonia."

Liam looked around their apartment as he spoke to her. "Yes and no. We celebrate the harvest. We are the Country of Apples, after all. Other than that, we really don't go all out for Halloween like you Americans do."

He chuckled as Jessica gave a dramatic gasp. "God, what the hell is wrong with you people?! Apples over Pumpkins?"

Liam played along, giving her a pout. "Now, don't insult my Country. Apples are a harvest staple."

"You can't carve an apple, Liam."

He grinned, "Maxwell would disagree. He would whittle funny faces on our Ruby Red's growing up. He would get yelled at for it too."

"Uh, not the same. Not even freaken close. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin donuts. You cannot replace those things with apples."

He smirked and counted on his fingers. "Let's see; Apple pie, apple cider, apple fritters-"

She interrupted him, "Nope! Maybe apple cider but in America; apple pie is more of a late Summer thing. And you haven’t lived till you tasted a warm cinnamon sugar pumpkin donut."

He chuckled, "Okay, I give in. Write all these pumpkin flavors on my bucket list."

Her eyes lit up as she grabbed a pen and notepad from the side table. He laughed as she wrote it down.

"Force Liam to eat every single pumpkin spice thing known to man. Got it. Anything else for the season?"

He shrugged, "I don't know, what else is there?"

"You really don't have any Halloween traditions you want to try? You don't have any Halloween traditions at all?" She mumbled as she put the notepad down.

He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not. Leo and I weren't even allowed to eat candy that hadn't been thoroughly inspected and given to us by a very specific person in case of poisoning. So, trick or treating was out of the question."

"Yeah, but you guys still couldn't, I don't know, go trick-or-treating around the palace? Like, have the chef make you something or get prepackaged candy?"

He shrugged, "It just wasn't that important to us. Besides, Father reprimanded us for too many sweets as kids."

Jessica gave him a determined smile and said, "Well I guess you get to have all the sweets you want as an adult AND celebrate Halloween."

He smiled and walked over to wrap his arms around her. "I guess so. Still, nothing is as sweet as you, love." He kissed her neck and she wiggled out of his grasp as realization dawned on her.

"Hold that thought...Wait a minute, so you're telling me you've never seen all the Halloween classics?"

He raised a brow as she ranted and listed them all on her fingertips. "Charlie Brown and the great pumpkin? Nightmare Before                 Christmas? Casper for crying out loud?"

He smirked, "That's a ghost, right?"

Jessica's mouth hung open as she shook her head and he just smirked at her expression. She snapped out of it and said, "Yeah OK, now that's just sad. Now, you're leaving me with no choice but to give you the Halloween you should have had as a kid."

He gave her a lopsided grin, "Is it really that important?"

She exclaimed, "Yea, it really is!"

He sat down next to the pumpkin throw pillow on their loveseat. She instantly went through their streaming service until she found the one.

"Okay, you have to start with the beginning of the classics, the best of them all."

He smiled good-naturedly, "And what would that be love?"

Without hesitation, she hit the loading screen as three witches stood over a cauldron with a moon behind them and a black cat in the background.

"Hocus pocus."

She ran to the kitchen. "I'll be right back."

He simply sat there and waited as she came back with snacks in her hand and including candy corn, peanut M&M’s, and pretzels. He eyed the candy corn. Picking it up.

"What's this called?"

Jessica stared at him a moment before answering. "Candy corn. I had to order it online. Hell, I had to order most of this stuff online. It's kind of a culture shock for this time of year. I hate candy corn. Maxwell loves it. Try it."

He nodded, "That's right, this is your first true fall here in Cordonia."

He popped it in his mouth, and he made an odd face. Jessica chuckled, "Yeah it's super sweet and waxy. It's a hit or miss for most people in America too."

He made a genuine face of the alarm and Jessica burst out laughing.

He said, "Now, that's just wrong." He laughed with her as she pressed play on their screen.

He helped her snuggle up to him on the love seat while she threw a new fleece flannel blanket over them both. She dimmed the lights and the orange LEDs set the ambiance in the room.

It started and Liam was already mildly interested in it. He questioned halfway through, ``How would they know whether a Virgin lit the candle or not?"

Jessica shushed him playfully with a smirk. "Because it's magic, Liam."

"That still doesn't answer my question." She shushed him again and he just smiled and laughed.

"You know, there's magic in Cordonia too. We have our legends and myths. I used to think they were just there to tell children."

"Used to?"

"Yes, till I met you. Then I realized that maybe there really is magic in Cordonia."

She smiled at him, cuddling up into him as they continued to watch the movie.

Then of course, the question was obvious.

"Why is Winifred so insistent on Dani? She has so many children! For once, Sarah was right."

"I know but I guess Dani insulting her was enough...Just watch."

He smiled at her as the movie reached its climax with them in the cemetery.

Once the movie ended Jessica said, " Max and Allison are cute together. I remember every girl I knew had a huge crush on Binx."

"The cat??"

"Once he was human." She corrected him with a smirk.

Liam nodded, "Yeah, for some reason Max reminds me of Leo at that age. Perhaps it's the hair? Or his stubbornness."

She raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "And you weren't a know it all as a teen?"

Liam smiled but shook his head, "No I was probably more like a male Allison at that age."

Jessica said "Mature, responsible, understanding, brave."

He smiled." I don't know about all that but maybe. And what about you? What was teen Jess like?"

Jessica shrugged. "I don't know. I wasn't super into proving myself as Leo probably was. I was a good kid but I did get into trouble once in a while. What kid doesn't?"

His smile wavered, "I was as obedient as I had to be. It was ingrained in me."

Jessica gave him a soft smile. "Well, you aren't now. Now, you don't take shit from anybody."

He hummed, nuzzling into her neck. "Especially if it comes to you, love."

She sighed, leaning her head back to let him. kiss her neck before a yawn escaped her. He backed away with an amused smile.

"Tired?"

"Nah. Not really." She yawned again before smirking. "Okay, maybe a little."

He grabbed her and tugged her against him, positioning himself to make them comfortable. "How about we watch another movie?" He said knowing full well she was going to fall asleep but figured she could sleep later.

"Hey, Jess."

"Yeah?"

"I love you." Liam kissed her neck softly

Jessica gave him a content smile and said, "I will love you forever Liam."

Liam gentle pulled her onto his lap

Jessica bit her lip “Ahhh there is some magic happening right now.”

They both laughed and Liam said, “let's make some magic right now.” His hands went to the seam of her shirt as he slowly began to lift it up.

Years later…

"Come on, Li. Put the damn mask on and the velvet coat and go!" Leo ordered with a blue bird-like masquerade mask on, a blue suede fitted period Jacket and a dazzling cane.

Liam sighed heavily and pushed himself off the chair. In a towel with damp hair from just getting a shower. "I don't see the point. We don't celebrate Halloween in Cordonia."

Leo said, "But Maxwell does. You know how much Jess rubbed off on him. Once he saw the parties New Yorker's had, he was determined to celebrate that way at least once. Now...It's a tradition." Leo walked up to his brother and lifted the mask off with a sad smile. "Come on, Liam. Do it for yourself. Try to enjoy time with friends away from Royal balls and gala's...She'd want you to."

Liam rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. "I despise when you bring her up like that to get your way."

"But you know I'm right. She would have grabbed you by the arm and shoved your ass out that door in any costume she wanted."

He shook his head and walked over to his dresser where his costume Leo got him was. "She wouldn't have to...I would do anything if it meant spending time with her."

Leo gave him space, stepping outside to wait as he changed. He looked at himself in the mirror. 'I look ridiculous.' He thought as he turned and put the mask on. 'At least I can avoid people a bit more.'

His outfit was a black velvet long coat jacket, black riding pants with black riding boots, and a bit of beadwork on the shoulders. The only pop of color was a blue dress shirt Jessica loved.

The outfit reminded him of something he couldn't put his finger on until a moment later. A movie Jessica insisted they watch just for her own childhood nostalgia.

'God, minus the hair...I look like the Goblin King in this.' It brought a slight smirk to his face until he thought of how much Jessica would have loved to dress in that ball gown Sarah wore in the Labyrinth Movie. He knew she would have looked beautiful in it and it made him frown.

Leo and he both made it to the party. Maxwell went all out. Black glitter, spiderwebs, bats, pumpkins. Most dressed in modest Halloween outfits but there were a few, including Maxwell that dressed extra. He slid down the banister in a purple velvet suit and a huge purple hat with a feather reminiscent of squires back in medieval times. Glitter all over his masks and a pair of iridescent gloves.

"Welcome to the Beaumont's Haunted Mansion! Be prepared to be scared!" He mocked in a creepy voice. Liam cracked a smirk as he heard Olivia from the corner of the room make a remark, "You are enough for that."

Maxwell grinned, "Then it's working. Mission accomplished."

Leo chuckled, "You really went all out, Max."

"Yeh, sadly Cordonian Court doesn't want to dress up in actual Halloween costumes so I guess a Masquerade with a spooky twist will have to do."

Liam smiled sadly. "Jess would have loved this."

Maxwell faltered and gave his own sad smile. "That's all that matters this time of year...Oh! Leo, I challenge you to an apple bobbing contest."

Leo smirked, "You're on. Are you going to be okay fending for yourself?"

Liam nodded with an annoyed expression under his mask, "Of course, Leo. Go on."

Liam partook of the party. Small talk, drinking apple cider, eating horderves, and watching the guest slowly get tipsy like any Beaumont bash. except him. He only talked to Olivia and Drake for a few moments before standing near the punch bowl.

The entire party reminded him of an all too familiar scene in Jessica's favorite Halloween movie and it made his chest ache. The decor, bobbing for apples, drinking apple cider. It was just a more suited-up version of Alison's parent's party in the movie.

He watched couples dancing, laughing together. A couple he recognized as a Lord and a Lady that was most definitely not the Lady of his house kissed in the corner before she led him to a hallway out of sight. He remembered all the time he and Jessica snuck off together. Forced to pretend like they weren't in love when she was the only thing that mattered to him.

'What am I doing here? It's not the same.' He thought as he went to find Leo after a little less than an hour of being there. He found him with a Lady of court, leaning over a bar and flirting with her.

"Leo, I think I'm heading home."

Leo instantly stopped flirting and stood up to talk to Liam only away from his company. "You sure? We barely got here."

"Sorry but I'm just not feeling up for it. Do you need a ride home?"

Leo looked over his shoulder and smirked at the woman in a devil Masquerade outfit and shook his head. "No, I'm good. Take care of yourself Li." He patted his brother's back before separating. Liam walked past all the happy partygoers. He went to say goodbye to Maxwell but saw he was already hanging from the chandelier, drunk. Drake shook his head and said, "Maxwell, I am not helping you if you get a broken fucken leg." Drake had no costume on. Liam knew Jessica would have forced one on him, even a modest one.

Olivia chuckled, "Let him! We need some entertainment."

Drake spotted Liam leaving and walked over to him. "Are you heading out?"

"Yeah, it's about time I head home."

Drake said, "I would but someone has to prevent Maxwell from hurting others...And himself."

They both looked to see a crowd cheering Maxwell on as he swung it before sticking a landing on a couch. They cheered and Drake rolled his eyes. Liam simply smiled but walked out, waving goodbye. Ready to go home and stop pretending.

Liam walked into his quarters. This time of year was a sobering feeling. There was no fall scent in the air, no decorations, no candy in a dish, no pumpkin spiced coffee brewing in the morning. All of the magic and fun Jessica brought into his life this time of year vanished with her.

He didn't have the heart to decorate. It felt pointless because it wasn't from her. He would rather not celebrate the season at all than to celebrate it without her.

However, there was one tradition he couldn't bring himself not to partake in.

He sighed deeply on his sofa, turning on their favorite Halloween movie. He sadly put it on. Wrapping himself up in that flannel blanket they had so long ago. He was at the age that he could imagine what teenage Jessica and Liam would have been like together.

It was hard not to watch love unfold in the heart of the movie. But he was closer to the age of the parents than the teen protagonist and he wondered what would have been like had their Coronation night come true. The way it was supposed to.

They would have fulfilled their dreams of being parents by now. He and Jessica would be snuggled up on the couch right now watching Hocus Pocus.

He enjoyed the movie but at the same time, in the same breath, it just wasn't the same. He sadly turned it off cuddling up into the flannel blanket and whispered her name while wishing she was there with him, that there was still magic in Cordonia that could somehow bring her back to him. His heart ached for her and in the privacy of his quarters just as he did multiple nights since she left he cried until he fell asleep.

Boston…

Jessica stood in front of the mirror looking for a last-minute makeshift Halloween costume. She closed the door to her closet and saw the white lab coat he left behind.

"Alessandra, I’m staying home. I don't have a costume."

"So? It's Halloween. Put on a sexy black dress and some tackle gear. Boom."

Jessica smiled slightly but it faded as soon as it came. " Alessandra. I just don't think I'm up for it."

She nodded and said, "Okay, if you insist. I'll be back at midnight or call." She winked at Jessica, dressed as a sexy witch.

She watched  Alessandra leave; the witch outfit looked like a shorter version of Sarah from Hocus Pocus. It saddened her. A movie she always loved reminded her so much of him and their evenings together. Throwing popcorn in his mouth, giggling as he pulled her into his lap. Her first time letting him experience Halloween.

She should move on; go to a party where the owner of the pristine lab coat would be. She could for a moment forget Liam while she shared her night with him, maybe the morning too. Yet she couldn't. Not this time. She put on hocus pocus and munched on peanut M&M’s while she watched it. It didn't feel the same without him. She watched the movie a million and one time before she met him. But the minute that she was able to watch it with him it just took on a whole new meaning. She wondered if he still kept up with the tradition or if he only did it because of her?

She knew the truth. He probably has a little one with Madeleine or multiple little ones at once and she probably refuses to let her children watch Halloween movies or eat candy.

'Maybe he thought it was ridiculous back then too? He probably doesn't let his kids celebrate it. He can probably get through this season without any issues now.'

She sighed before she knew she needed a bit more comfort than usual. She walked to her room and rummaged in the back of her closet for his purple sweater. It still faintly smelled like him. The fabric still brought back memories of him holding her close as they cuddled together on the couch.

She put it on and hugged herself a moment, closing her eyes and imagining her arms were his. She opened them, fresh tears streaming down her face, and walked back to the couch. She tried watching the movie but it didn't bring the joy it once did. She missed his questions, his comments, him kissing her as a distraction while they watched it. Their first time watching it together was always her favorite memory.

'I wonder if you miss me even half as much as I miss you?'  She sighed and turned the TV off, turned to her side on the couch, and said "I will love you forever." and just as she did multiple nights since she left him she cried herself asleep.

[fizzyxcustard]

comforting cuddles with our majestic king?

Fandom: The Hobbit

Pairings: Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Fluff, anxiety

Summary: You've had a very hard few days working in one of Erebor's grand libraries. Thorin, whom you are courting, is waiting for your arrival for dinner, but you do not come.

Comments/Notes: This is purely self indulgent and only a small piece. I've had a pretty crappy week, and I don't think anyone else will write something like this for me (some people seem to get fics written for them by friends pretty regularly when they're struggling...oh well. That's a rant for another time)....so here we go. :)

If you wish to be added to any of my tag lists (follow forever, a particular character, fandom etc) please let me know and stipulate which list you'd like to be on. I may sound harsh, but if you ask to be on my list and then don't interact whatsoever with me or the fics (just a 'like' is enough!), I'll remove you after a couple of months.

No matter how much you slept, it was never enough. The aching behind your eyes was a constant in your life now; as soon as you opened your eyes in a morning, it was there.

You loved your job in the library, but constantly binding all the volumes after years of age and general tear, was weighing on you. Hodel, the head librarian, was asking you to work to tight deadlines, which were causing you to be silently calculate how many books you could bind in one day. At meals, in bed at night, even when doing private tasks like bathing, your mind was ablaze.

After ten days and the nausea began to set in, paired with a general uneasiness in your stomach. You were sat at your desk, working away, watching the wax of your candles melt down further and further. There were not enough hours in a day to accomplish all that you wished to do and all that had to be done.

One evening, a Friday to be exact, when you were to have a special meal with Thorin to celebrate one year of courtship, you were late back to the main hall. That was not like you. In all the time that Thorin had known you, you were conscientious, and sometimes to the point of frustration.

The king rose from his seat and decided to find you. The food had not yet been served, so he approached the head cook, asking him to slow the process down to allow him to search for you.

Your bed chamber was on the same wing as Thorin's, not too far from the main dining hall of the royal line.

He tapped on your door - nothing.

Worry sat in Thorin's chest now, weighing him down. The brisk walk to the library seemed to take a lifetime, but eventually the king arrived. Hodel was sat in his usual seat, facing the entrance to the grand room.

Thorin approached the elderly Dwarf scholar and librarian, who had his silver glasses perched on the end of a long, bulbous nose. "My king. How may I be of service?" Hodel asked, giving a broad smile with showed off his slightly stained teeth.

Thorin asked for you.

Hodel furrowed his eyebrows for a few seconds. "I have not seen her leave as of yet, my lord. Would you like me to assist you in finding her?"

"No, I will check myself," Thorin replied, offering a quick smile before disappearing to check down the never-ending aisles of books.

And, finally, he found you: slumped over your desk, asleep, a completely burned candle next to your arm. There were piles of books all around you, some finished, some to be started. Shreds of leather and threads were scattered across the large wooden table.

"My love?" Thorin whispered, placing his hand on your shoulder.

You groaned in your sleep and then smiled, whispering his name. Slowly, your eyes fluttered open.

Thorin was sure he could see a single tear clinging to your cheek. He cupped your cheek and brushed the tear with his finger, feeling the moisture. "What is wrong?"

Seeing your lover's kind and concerned eyes focus on you brought you to more tears. "I'm sorry. It was our meal tonight, but I just...."

Thorin didn't say anything but just took you into his strong arms and held you. "Shhhh." He cooed to you and kissed your cheek.

No words needed to be spoken. Being in his arms was enough for you, held and suspended in time. Contentment seeped into your chest, chasing away all the anxiety and weight that had been there.

"I shall speak with Hodel, my love. You have been working too hard these last days. Come back to my bed chamber tonight and I'll look after you," Thorin proposed.

You looked up at the king. It was still like a dream, just the thought that he loved you and wanted to marry you one day.

***

Back in Thorin's chambers and you prepared for bed, slipping out of your work clothing. The food which had been prepared in the main hall had been plated up and brought to the king's chamber instead.

"Now," Thorin began, watching as you slipped into the warmth of his bed, "I have agreed with Hodel that you are to have three days break. All of your work will be taken over by an apprentice."

"You didn't have to do that," you said, snuggling down into the sheets and furs.

"I did, my love. You are exhausted. But it may have also been a little selfish on my part."

"Why?" you giggled, poking your fork into a piece of fruit tart.

"I have three whole days to spend with you and make you the centre of my attention."

***

Follow Forever tag list: @i-did-not-mean-to @middleearthpixie @lathalea @xxbyimm @linasofia @meganlpie @knitastically @sketch-and-write-lover @guardianofrivendell @msjava1972 @lilacpulse @spidergirla5 @asgardianhobbit98

The Hobbit tag list: @legolasbadass @myselfandfantasy @morriganwarrior @cryptichobbit @on-my-way-to-erebor

Thorin Oakenshield tag list: @crazytxgradstudent @exhausted-humxn-being

[weekend-conspiracy-theorist]

"Sorry, sorry--" she kicked the door shut behind herself. "I know I'm late--"

"Sundown was five minutes ago!" her sister yelled back from the kitchen. Anna emerged a moment later, whipping a baggie of gelt at her head like it was a baseball.

"Yeah, well, God gives New Yorkers a ten minute grace period because he gets what the subway can be like," Abi fired back, ducking the gelt as she stripped off her scarf and jacket. "Candles ready?"

"Some of us have our shit together." Anna jerked her chin, a flash of amusement crossing her face. She flicked off the light in the kitchen, leaving them with the light of the moon and the city coming through the open blinds of the window. "Lighter's hiding in the side table drawer."

Abi raised her eyebrows, crouching next to the couch to rifle through the drawer. "Why?"

"Three guesses. The first two can't have opposable thumbs."

"Aw, Colonel Furry," Abi cooed, turning to look at the massive tabby cat sprawled across the nearest pillow. He was watching her with one green eye cracked, tail lashing with curiosity. "Did you try to set the apartment on fire again?"

"Sundown was six minutes ago, now," Anna reminded her, tapping at her wrist as if she'd worn a watch any time in the last seven years, and Abi stuck her tongue out at her as she reached out to boop the Colonel's nose.

The swipe he took at her hand drew blood. That's what she got for being a loving cat mother.

"Alright, alright--" It took her two tries to start up the lighter, and Anna snorted, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, fuck off, alright?" Abi lit the shamash and cleared her throat.

Anna joined in as she sang, their voices hushed in the dim light of the apartment. It's not like they couldn't have had a light or two on--but it made it more special, shoulder to shoulder in the darkness, lighting the cheap wax candles she'd had to scramble to purchase the previous afternoon, when she'd cracked the extra box she'd purchased the year before and found the candles all melted together.

"Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav..."

Abi's gaze briefly lifted from the candle she was lighting, and her voice trailed off as she stared. Anna continued without her for a moment, and then she looked over, frowning. She elbowed her sister, and Abi jerked her chin, eyes wide.

"Oh!" Anna gasped, and then a moment later, they both yelped, "Oh, shit--" as they dove aside, just in time for Spider-Man to come crashing through their window.

"Oh my god," Abi said.

"Are you okay?" Anna asked.

"I hope you have good superhero insurance," Spidey wheezed as he sat up, carefully avoiding the broken glass. He prodded at a tear in his suit and shook his head.

"It's decent," Abi said, because what the hell else was she supposed to say, and Anna elbowed her.

He'd taken the table and the hanukkiah with him when he'd come crashing down, and he picked up the somehow still-lit shamash, peering at it. Its flickering flame reflected off of the big lenses of his mask, and he groaned.

"Hanukkah again already?" he complained, climbing through the window and then righting their hanukkiah onto the non-broken portion of the sill, sitting perched on his heels two inches from a ten-story drop. He ran the butt ends of the other two candles through the flame to soften the wax before he stuck them back into place. "No wonder my aunt sounded so passive aggressive on the phone this morning. Should've called her yesterday."

"Yeah," Anna said, dumbly. "We got the same call from our dad."

Spider-Man snorted. "All the same," he said dryly. He glanced behind himself as something crashed in the distance, and the mask twitched like he was wrinkling his nose. "Hey, mind if I borrow these?" he asked, flashing their lighter and a bottle of hairspray that had been dislodged from the side table when it broke under him.

"Go for it," Abi told him loudly, elbowing Anna before she could protest, and scrambled to her feet to accept the shamash back from Spider-Man as he held it out to her.

"Chag chanukah sameach," he told them, saluting sarcastically, and then he threw himself backwards off of the windowsill.

"Hey, Wilbur!" Abi heard him shout as she lurched forward, peering into the darkness for another glimpse of him as he swung away. "Guess what I got you for Hanukkah? It's called an 'improvised flamethrower--'"

[writing-good-vibes]

i am my own worst

really got into house of wax (2005) lately and bo is kind of my fave,, this is just like a weird fluffy bit i did because i'm a sucker for sibling dynamics and bo and vincent have some shit going on. lowkey this post sparked this idea [edit: also this post has the same concept and the art is *chefs kiss*]. anything in bold is in sign language rather than spoken. warning for a bit of angst.

"You better hurry this up 'cause I ain't got all day, y'know," Bo grumbled, leaning back in one of the rickety kitchen chairs, eyeing up the supplies on the table in front of him.

Vincent, his hair loose around his mask-less face, shrugged before signing, "I'm sorry, it's been a while and I need a new mold."

"I know, I know," Bo said and signed hastily, brushing off Vincent's apology. Sure, this process was annoying and time consuming and boring but it didn't mean he wasn't gonna do it anyway. It's the least he could do, he thought to himself sometimes, for stealing Vince's face.

Neither of them spoke much while Vincent mixed the batch of alginate in the old mixing bowl he kept at the very back of one of the kitchen cupboards. Bo wasn't in the mood to talk, he always got quiet beforehand, the looming threat of being kinda trapped gave him the heebie-jeebies, even if it was for a good cause.

When the alginate was finished, Vincent looked at his twin apologetically, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Bo said off-handedly, but his nervous look was still there. Then, "Don't forget to leave me room to breathe." He signed the word breathe, to drive the point home.

Vincent nodded firmly, then began pasting the alginate onto Bo's face.

It was going to be a bitch to get the mold off, what with Bo's eyebrows likely coming off with it, but the process of putting it on could be sort of relaxing, if Bo didn't think too hard about it.

Once he got into a rhythm, Vincent would hum softly under his breath while is fingers worked, spreading the alginate over Bo's features, poking at him sometimes with a grin on his face whilst Bo swatted at his hands. He started with Bo's cheeks, then his forehead, close enough to his hairline for Bo to start complaining while he still could -

("You better not get that shit in my hair, you rip even one hair out and I'm cutting yours off while you sleep, don't think I won't."

He won't.)

- before moving further in, covering Bo's mouth with the thick alginate. Then his eyes, cringing like he knows Bo will be when his eyelashes get thinned out by the removal. Then, finally his nose. It's hardly dignified, but Vincent knows Bo would rather do this than risk it any other way, he takes a plastic straw and snips it in half, making little breathing tubes for Bo, before turning back to the alginate and covering his nose. Bo tries to keep a neutral expression, flattening his creased brow and relaxing his jaw, he didn't want to screw up this mold and have to sit like this again. He didn't want to screw up this mold and give Vincent more work to do.

Once he was done, Vincent noticed Bo's leg twitching. He wanted to reassure him, wanted to say it wouldn't be too much longer but, of course, Bo couldn't see him with a pound of casting polymer on his face.

It didn't take long to finish up, laying dripping plaster strips over the alginate to make the mother mold for it to rest in.

Soon enough (though probably not for Bo), Vincent was finished and he sat down in the chair beside Bo's and set an egg timer for 15 minutes. He put the timer aside and tapped Bo's jittery knee gently before leaving it there to calm the tic.

Realising they were just waiting for the plaster to dry, Bo gave a thumbs up, indicating he knew what was going on. "All done?" he signed.

Vincent grunted, the inflection on it meaning, 'Yeah, it's done'.

Bo hums from beneath the plaster and sits back in his chair.

The waiting was the worst part for Bo because it gave him time to think, which was exactly the opposite of what he wanted to do.

When their mom had made Vincent's masks, she used Bo as a mold too. The first few times he had thrashed and cried and screamed and screamed and screamed until his mom hit him. She told him, "Bo Sinclair, you better sit right there and not make one more sound or so help me God." The fear of God never really did much for him.

The guilt did though. When he was a kid, he was less good at pretending and his mom knew it. She figured out pretty easy what would make him shut up, no matter how scared he was of the plaster and darkness. "Bo, you have to do this for your brother. It's the least you can do for him considering what's been taken from him." She'd say she meant what God had taken from Vince, but Bo knew what she really meant. She meant what he had taken from his twin.

The timer rings shrilly in the quiet kitchen and Bo is relieved to be brought back from his thoughts, "Hurry."

Vincent sees the sign and grunts back, with another positive inflection. 'I am hurrying'.

*

With only mild complaining about the state of his eyebrows, Bo looks down into the mold of Vincent's new face.

"Ain't we handsome," he says, signing handsome as he speaks. He sounds genuine, his voice dropping a level like he really means it.

"Stop it," Vincent replies, taking the mold over to the countertop next to the sink. Maybe Bo does mean it, but Vincent knows his affinity is towards cruelty.

"Stop what?" Bo asks, following his twin, standing beside him at the sink. He runs the tap and splashed his face, scrubbing at the patches of plaster still on his neck.

"Stop being mean," Vincent says when Bo looks back up, water dripping from his nose.

"I ain't being mean," Bo insisted, and Vincent hates how genuine he can sound, "You don't think we're handsome?" He gestures to the mold.

Vincent shrugs, "You, maybe, not me."

"Aw, c'mon," Bo throws an arm companionably around Vincent's shoulders, shaking him a bit. Vincent think's he's going to say something else but he doesn't, merely squeezes Vince's shoulder and then disappears off to the living room, taking the carton of OJ from the fridge on his way out.

Vincent sighs. He wants to get to work on his new mask as soon as possible. His current one is ill-fitting, made from a mold Bo had sat for a few years ago but now, now their jaws have filled out and their brows were deeper. Looking down at the new mold, which he knew would be the perfect fit for the left side of his face, he sighs again before putting it back down on the counter and following Bo to the living room, where he can hear the crackle of television static as the set warms up.

[anystalker707]

Spicy horror

Pairing: Frank x [fem] Reader Word count: ~ 4 000 Genre: Smut / Fluff Summary: It's Halloween, and (y/n) and Frank finally confess their crushes to each other when binge watching horror movies on Frank's place. Kind of content: Praising / Protected / Oral

Requested by @thisisjustforrequestingfanfics (can't tag you, sorry hhh my T*mblr is acting weird)

a/n - I'm sorry that I coudn't proofread, I might do it soon; I was supposed to be asleep rn

"You're just annoying, old man," I tease with a grin. "But don't whine or else you'll ruin the makeup!" I continue spreading the white concealer over his face, careful to get it on the corners around his nose and around his eye, though not to irritate his eyes.

"No, fuck you," Frank groans, his face twitching to suppress any expression. "Why can't we watch it again tonight? They're the best movies! And stop calling me old man, it's just my birthday! I'm not decomposing or anything!" Despite his words, he smiles, opening his eyes once I pull away, leaning back against the chair of the desk – I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, I agree." I grab the eyeshadow palette from the desk and move closer to him again. "TCM is a great series and all, but can we not watch it for a single week? It's your birthday and we can watch literally any horror movie! And it can be special, like, not something we've watched a thousand times already to the point we already know most of the lines." I glare before motioning for him to close his eyes.

Frank sighs grumpily, leaning his head back. "What are you planning on, then? Alien? Jaws?" He lets out a weird cry when I slap the side of his head lightly, though he is soon chuckling.

"And then you complain when I say how annoying you are!" I spread the dark eyeshadow over his eyes, humming. "It's been a while since we've watched The Howling, Evil Dead, House of Wax. I mean, 'm not gonna complain if we decide on Alien and Jaws either." He hums, pouting. "Don't worry, you're still my favorite old man." I press a kiss to his head.

"I hate you," he laughs.

After a little bit of fake blood and retouching on my makeup, the two of us are leaving Frank's house to go to school, waving his mother goodbye. We don't look like what most of the kids will go dressed up as – not putting enough effort nor choosing the same themes as the jocks and popular people and not invisible enough just to throw on whatever in a black theme. Frank looks like a chill vampire with Bela Lugosi's Dracula references, though still looking like a punk, while I decided on one of my favorite characters. Nothing too extra, but still in the vibe.

"You look ridiculous with that hair slicked back." I kick one of the pebbles on the sidewalk. "I prefer the hedgehog or whatever it is in the normal state."

"I honestly feel like I could kill someone just from biting their jugular off." He grins, throwing his nose in the air – I can't help but to chuckle; he's adorable. "But not gonna be anyone from school, they're not worth it neither their blood would taste good." He twists his mouth. "I feel like most I'd get would be booze, botox and steroids."

"Damn," I snort, "awfully accurate. You're gonna starve, sorry."

Frank pouts, looking down, but a smirk soon tugs on his lips as he takes a step closer. "But you're not that bad, baby, you know?"

"Oh, fuck off!" I roll my eyes, clicking my tongue. "You just want to get in my jugular!"

Both of us burst out in chuckles and our conversation eventually dies down when we walk past the gates to inside the school, replaced by jokes at other people's costumes, sometimes needing to hold onto each other from laughter.

We walk into the first class, already a bit late, but all it does is to attract everyone's attention the moment we step in.

"Ridiculous, as always," some girl mutters under her breath. Funny.

Frank wraps a hand around the length of the coat to stupidly bring it to cover the lower part of his face, looking around with narrowed eyes then wide ones. "I smell not just a lot of blood here," he says in a low and raspy voice, "but also stupidity!" He points at the girl judgingly, making her twist her mouth disgusted.

"I hope Freddy Krueger visits you tonight," I say when walking past her, patting her shoulder. A scream comes from her when noticing the fake blood stain I leave behind on her white outfit, having Frank and I chuckling on our way to the back.

No one really pays attention to the classes – it's Halloween, we're even in stupid clothes and anxious for whatever is going to happen later in the day, so the teacher doesn't even bother scolding Frank and I for talking nonstop in the back of the classroom. To be honest, I think only the goody two shoes are actually doing something, sometimes turning around to glare at the others.

"Okay, okay, shut up for a minute!" I tell Frank, taking a look at the messy words over my notebook to check if I forgot to write something down. "We've got The Howling, Alien, Evil Dead, House of Wax, Dawn of the Dead, Funhouse, Pumpkinhead..."

"Fright Night," Frank continues, "Opera, Cannibal Holocaust, Texas Chainsaw–"

"I said no TCM! Fuck you," I curse, rushing to write everything down, crossing out TCM when I accidentaly write it down.

"Friday the 13th, Poltergeist, Near Dark and Elm Street," he finishes, glaring at me. He hits my shoulder, not enough to hurt. "I'll make you watch TCM with me until you have memorized every single frame of it!"

"Your TCM phase will have died down by then!" I twist my mouth bitterly. "Sorry to kill the hype, baby!" I throw my nose in the air with a chuckle at his sulky manners. He furrows his eyebrows, sucking in a breath for words he never really gets to say. "And we still got to watch all these goth movies and shows lying around! Do you think it was easy finding the 60s Addams family show on DVD? Or that one Frankenstein version on cassette." Okay, the last one was easy to find in a yard sale, but still, it was just luck.

"Okay, mommy, please just don't punish me," Frank says with a groan and a fake moan. I stare at him as he's not able to contain his laughter before starting to hit him with the notebook.

"Too bad you're not a good boy, hun."

For once, school ends up actually being nice and just because Frank and I were getting in the character sometimes and pissing people off. By lunch, he had pulled on some sunglasses and looked like the stupidest fucker while eating his sandwich and smudging more of the lipstick and fake blood around his lips. At some point, we had pretended to have a fight and pierce the other's chest with a pair of scissors just to squeeze a bag of fake blood at whoever walked by – mostly some of the jocks or plastics. So much fun.

The house is quiet when we arrive back at it, a couple hours after school ended, and we find out, later, a note from Frank's mom apologizing she can't be here during the rest of his birthday, though she's sure he'll have fun with me.

"Imma take a shower," I sigh, pointing upstairs.

"Sure," he hums, looking up from the note for a moment to smile at me.

Thankfully, I always leave some clothes at Frank's place because I'm here far too often and not always have the chance or disposition to go back home and grab some clothes. It doesn't prevent me from stealing his hoodie, however, and walking out of the bathroom without all of that sticky makeup or fake blood is the best thing ever. Later, Frank is the one to go take a shower while I take care of the food he had already started to prepare.

"Much better!" I raise my eyebrows at the sight of Frank with his hair back to normal and only a bit of black makeup smudges the underside of his eyes now.

"Y'know, I never said a single thing about how you looked," he mutters with his brow low, coming to lean against the counter, next to me, "still, you've been attacking me every chance you got!"

"Does it offend you?" I smile.

"No, but it still hurts!" He sniffles, a hand flat against his chest. "I know I'm too badass for you to handle, but you don't need to let it be that clear!"

I look at him from head to foot. "I hate you, y'know that?"

"Love you too, hun!" He grins and moves closer, cupping my face exaggeratedly to peck my cheek before we head upstairs with everything we need.

We turn the lights on to organize everything, soon sitting down against a pile of pillows and with food surrounding us, though most of it is on the bedside tables since Frank, mainly, gets extremely uncomfortable with it falling on the bed. It doesn't matter, though, since the food and half empty cans end up going forgotten halfway through the movie at the same time the chatter dies down and we watch The Evil Dead as if it was the first time.

Some funny part comes on – well, not exactly funny, but enough to make us chuckle quietly – and brings us back to reality, sighing and glancing at each other, adjusting our postures as we'd slid down the pillows.

Frank yawns.

"Already tired?" I tease, poking his shoulder.

"No." He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest. "Getting tired is for losers." He does glance at the clock on his bedside table, however, and the red glowing numbers say it's six something.

"You're my favorite loser, then." I smirk lightly, exhaling.

Frank's eyebrows knit together as he looks at me, but then rolls his eyes. "Well, duh, of course I am! Who else? I'm the best." He scoots closer until his head is leaning on my shoulder and I can't help but to smile.

"No, I am," I groan, arms wrapped around him.

"I am!" He glares and, at some point, we end up in a wrestling match, pushing each other around the mattress among laughter and curses, which comes to a stop when we start getting too tired and I just let Frank lie down on top of me, head on my chest, still watching the movie. "Do you like anyone, (y/n)?" he asks suddenly. "Like, got a crush?"

Random. Why does he want to know? I mean, I do have a crush, but telling him about it is difficult.

"Um, yeah, I guess, why?" I blink, startled when he suddenly brings himself up on his elbows to stare at me.

"I swear to God I'll hunt them down if you forget about me because of them, do you understand?" Frank presses his forehead to mine. "You're the only one I got, sometimes I'm so worried you'll even leave me for whatever reason."

"What?" I breathe a chuckle, though there's not exactly anything funny here. "Never in my right mind would I do that! And you can't hunt my crush down if my crush is actually you," I laugh in a sudden rush of confidence, which wears out awfully quickly, leaving me lying there and rethinking every life choice.

"Me?" Frank widens his eyes. At the lack of answer, he takes a hold of my collar, straddling my hips. "Did I hear it right? Please, (y/n), (n/n), soulmate? I'm your goddamn crush? For how long?"

I shake my head lightly, shrugging. "Months? A long time."

"And you just told me now?" He cries, forehead pressed to my shoulder. "Slow motherfucker."

"I didn't want you to leave me either, c'mon!" I sigh in defeat, running a hand through his hair. "I remember that time a girl confessed to you and you'd simply vanish whenever she showed up. What if that was with me? I'd not be able to live like this, y'know that."

"Y'know, yeah, seeing it from that point..." Frank shrugs, bringing himself up to face me again. "Still, I wouldn't avoid you like that! Dunno, but it doesn't matter now because you just relieved me of months of suffering. Looking at these pretty lips without being able to kiss it." He furrows his eyebrows, eyes on my lips. "Can I kiss you, tho? Now that we feel stupid for all these months. Damn. At least I feel."

I breathe a chuckle. "Of course! Do you think I wasn't dying to do it either?"

Next thing I know are Frank's lips pressed against mine softly, soon growing firm with confidence. His fingers run along my neck lightly, in a caring manner, dropping to trace my collarbones.

"Also," Frank breathes, pulling away; his face never moves farther than a couple of inches whilst he adjusts his position, lying down beside me on the mattress. "Maybe it's wrong to say and I've always tried to say it in a subtle manner, but–" his eyes meet mine, "–you've got the body of a goddess! Like, dunno, sometimes you comment about not having an 'ideal', skinny body, but you're just so perfect," he groans, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"Frank!" I tap on his back lightly. It's not that I don't like what he said – no, damn, it sends my heart fluttering, this warmth taking over my chest –, but is it really the truth? I didn't think it was possible for anyone to tell me this.

"No, I'm telling the truth!" Frank grins. "Like, your thighs and all. I just want to squeeze and bite you! Not in a bad way, I mean." I must give him a funny look because of how flustered he grows, tongue playing with his lip ring as he looks away. "There's a lot to unpack, fuck, I thought it was obvious how I always sit there gazing at you and shit, but..."

"Likewise." I glare playfully, making him chuckle.

"Y'know–" Frank smiles lazily, "–this is the best birthday I've ever had, by far." He brushes his lips against mine softly, watching me through half lidded eyes. "Never knew you'd actually like me back. Never believed it was possible, to be honest."

"I never cogitated you like me," I breathe.

"Well, okay," he says, "we've already gotten through this. I think we should focus on now."

"I'm not the one who keeps bringing back past thoughts!" I chuckle at how he pouts, scowling funnily.

"Shut up, shut up, I get it!" Frank rolls his eyes and presses his lips to mine before I can say anything, having me smiling against the kiss until returning it, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him closer. Now that we've finally kissed, keeping our lips off each others' feels almost impossible – letting go of each other feels almost impossible. "God fucking damnit," he groans under his breathe, moving to press kisses down my jaw, soon reaching my neck.

A sigh escapes my lips at the kisses, though it turns into quiet pleased sounds at the feeling of his teeth pulling at my skin and sometimes closing around it, sucking on it whilst all I can bring myself to do is tugging onto his hair. Suddenly, however, feeling his hands traveling down to my hips and squeezing them makes me gasp, probably reacting a bit more than I intended.

"What?" Frank pulls away at the same moment, eyes wide. "Did I do something wrong? Please– Damn, I'm so sorry!"

"N-No, no," I finally bring myself into speaking up, feeling my cheeks burn bright red. "I, um, I actually... liked it. A lot. Sorry if I scared you, I just wasn't expecting it. I don't mind, really," I insist as he continues looking at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"You sure?"

"Yeah!" I smile, bringing him for a quick kiss before he's trailing down my neck again.

Frank's hands go down my body, experimentally at first and then squeezing my hips again, receiving another reaction this time, including just a soft gasp as I push my hips up – a shiver runs down my spine with it, a nice one. Fuck.

"Damn..." Frank breathes, hands running down to my thighs then up again to slide under my shirt. "It's a bit early, maybe–" he shrugs, looking at me, "–but... is it okay if..."

Holy hell. "Of course," I say without thinking much – he continues to stare, so I nod.

"Fuck yeah," he mutters, lips against mine for a few seconds before he's pulling my shirt over my head and the expression on his face carries such admiration that I can't help but to feel embarrassed for a moment. He never lets me cover myself, nonetheless, hands flying to my waist to hold firmly onto it as he's pressing kisses from my stomach to my hip. "No, seriously–" he sits up again, "–how can someone be so perfect?" He seems to be talking mostly to himself, getting rid of his shirt.

"Dunno." I grin. "How does it feel to be so perfect, baby?"

Frank exhales shakily. "You'll be the death of me and I ain't even joking." He presses a kiss to my collarbone, starting to nibble down at the skin again, trailing down to my chest, lips sometimes lingering over my breasts – sure as hell he leaves a few marks behind, considering how invested he gets.

Something tells me he doesn't know what to focus on. His hands never stay in the same place for too long, going down my thighs then trailing up to my waistband, up my torso, and then he repeats it.

"C'mon," I mutter, placing his hands on my waistband. He's a bit hesitant, but quickly undoes the buttons and starts pulling it down – I help him, kicking the pants away in the end.

A string of curses slip past Frank's lips as he quickly gets rid of his jeans too and, when coming back, he kneels down between my legs this time, spreading them apart. Our lips are yet again locked in a kiss, different from the others, more heated up and urgent this time as we hold onto each other. I play with the hair on the back of his neck and tug onto it instead at the feeling of his hands around my ass, groping.

"Frank, damn," I breathe quietly for a second we pull apart and, opposite to earlier, he gets the hint and does it again, humming against my lips. Once he stops groping, his hands just run along my skin, up and down my body, sometimes lingering. The most lovesick look decorates his face when he pulls away. My heart.

I place my hands on Frank's shoulders as I sit up, changing our positions. He observes me with wide eyes and I smile at him before pressing kisses to his neck, leaving behind a hickey before I can go lower and lower until my fingers are around the waistband of his boxers and I pause, looking up at him, and continue after he nods.

Frank's already half hard, a breath hitching in his throat as, after discarding his boxers, I assume my previous position.

Even if it's not the first time I've done that, this nervousness still lies under my skin as I wrap a hand around him, pumping him lightly before wrapping my lips around the head experimentally. He breathes sharply.

Only halfway through it that I allow myself to look up at Frank, pausing for a moment after finding out he's been watching, propped up on his elbows, eyes focused on me and jaw slack, but I don't look away, hollowing my cheeks instead and watching him break under my gaze, letting go of all the tension for a second.

I repeat the motions a few times and pull away, licking up along the underside, around the tip, and he's suddenly pulling me away – eyes wide and face flushed this time.

Frank mumbles something I can't quite understand, but it doesn't really matter. He moves closer, both of us soon assuming the position we were in minutes ago, pressed against each other. Now, he removes my underwear and his hand slips between us, however.

Pleasure is sent ringing up my spine at the feeling of Frank's fingers slipping past my lips, quickly finding my clit and wasting no time on working his thumb on it while a couple of fingers tease my entrance. Moans just escape my throat easily after he breaks the kiss, mouthing his way until the inside of one of my thighs – he bites and sucks on the skin there. His tongue is suddenly there, then, against my clit, working around it before being replaced by his lips and my vision goes fucking blank when I can feel him sucking on it.

"Fuck," Frank curses once pulling away, moving to frantically rummage through the nightstand's drawer; I groan at the loss of touch, pushing my hips up into nothing.

Hearing the sound of foil being torn makes me understand what's happening, and I watch him rush to slip the condom on, giving us a moment to catch our breath before he's positioning himself, a hand on my hip whilst another holds himself up.

"Tell me if there's something wrong, okay?" he asks slowly, "I'll stop right away. Don't be afraid."

"Same to you," I say softly, cupping his face to pull him for a soft, quick kiss.

Frank smiles with a nod and looks down before I can feel him against my entrance, pushing in slowly. I wrap my arms around his shoulders tightly, feeling his chest vibrate against mine with the low moan coming from him, replaced by a sigh once he sinks in completely. He starts moving right away, hips jerking experimentally before attaining a heavy and slow pace which doesn't last long due to how needy we are already.

I gasp at how he thrusts in harder, wrapping my arms around his shoulders to hold him close and having my legs around his hips, instinctively.

Curses and praises are breathed into my ear among moans, somehow making the pleasure pool down in my lower stomach even more intensely, summed up to feeling his hands groping on my ass again, fingers sinking into the skin.

"You're just so perfect, (y/n)," he babbles, "and even better that now you're all mine."

Suppressing a louder moan turns out to be impossible at the feeling of Frank's hips reaching a certain angle and, soon, the answer I had in my slips away from my grasp and all there's left is just how good he feels. I travel a hand up to his hair, remembering how he reacted to it earlier, and tug on it in a form of response, though also wanting to hear how pathetically he moans at it.

"'M gonna cum," I manage to say before being cut off by a moan, arching my back.

"Me too, babe," he groans, "almost there."

Frank pauses, adjusting himself so a hand is under my thigh and another on the mattress for major support and his thrusts are suddenly harsher. I throw my head back at the same time, holding onto him tightly, and it doesn't take long for all the pleasure that had been building up so far to unravel at once – it apparently triggers the same on him, considering how tight his grasp gets whilst a higher pitched moan comes from him.

Coming down from the high, I feel almost numb, in a good way. Frank pulls away and I'm only aware of him when he's lying down next to me, both of us breathing heavily and unable to do anything aside from staring at the ceiling for a long moment.

"Damn, I love you so much, so much," he mumbles again.

I breathe a chuckle, feeling him cuddling up to me, arms wrapped around me. "And I love you, dumbass." I press a kiss to his head.

"My girlfriend now, right?" he asks. "Nevermind, you don't get to choose." He chuckles, though it quickly dies down. "Just kidding, okay? Tell me to and I'll fuck off."

I laugh, still breathless. "Of course I am. I didn't confess for nothing."

[monsterfloofs]

The Ghost in the Parlor (Sfw and anonymous protagonist!)

It was one in the morning when you rose from bed, sliding on a pair of slippers and feeling your way through the dark to exit your room. The sound was faint, barely audible, but you knew. . .

He was playing tonight.

As you weave your way towards the stairs, you could hear the chords beneath you, the stirring voice of a piano pulling you through dark corridors. As you stop and peer over the banister. You can see from up above, candles alight with a ghastly blue fire. Their light casting eerie wisps of shadows to dance upon the floor. In the middle of this spectral scene was a luminous form sitting at the old grand piano. His spindly fingers like spiders upon the keys, procuring the tune that wafted up the stairs. The sound is sweet and melancholic, mourning things that have been lost, and the ever present march of time. Always moving, never relenting.

You knew all this because you had asked him, it was his favorite tune to play. He played it often and there were times where you could almost feel his deep rooted bittersweet sadness. Tears would spring to your eyes and you would have to mop your face with your sleeve. Tonight the song felt especially lonely and with careful footing you crept down the stairs, your shadow timidly trailing after.

"Have I disturbed you?" His melodic voice intones as you sit down beside him. "No, I came to hear you play, if you would have me as company mister Sterling." "Sleep is for the living" he sighs wistfully, "You should be asleep, dreaming sweet dreams of tomorrow." 

He talks to you but his hands, ah his quick and nimble hands keep playing. You watch them sweeping across the keys, mesmerized until he stops. You blink and look up at him. His face is turned towards yours, an eyebrow quirked inquisitively. "A little distracted, were we?" You smile sheepishly, "Ah, yes, I'm sorry, but your hands do work magic. What had you been saying?"

He gives an embarrassed huff, "It's late is it not?" They pale eyes staring at you unblinkingly from beneath round vintage glasses. "Well yes," you reluctantly agree, "But I have missed your nightly performances. And I was hoping you could give me another lesson tonight." You say softly as he flexes his long spindly fingers. "Ooh. . . perhaps. You have always been kind to me. Letting me keep you up at odd hours of night with my prattling."

"You know I would stay even if you didn't give me a lesson. Your music is beautiful." He turns his head away from you, but you can see a hazy pink color introduce itself onto his countenance. When he turns back the color has all but bled out, except for some swirling traces. "I have had nothing but time to perfect it. Though as despairing as it may be, to watch seasons pass without being able to participate in the world, I still have my music. I wonder, is it what holds me here? Is my comfort my cage? Alas-- Dear, aren't you going to put your hands to the piano? You did ask for a lesson you know."

You look up at him before doing as he asks. Aligning your fingers to the keys, "I thought you were still deciding. . ."  "Oh," they respond absentmindedly, "Don't mind me, I'm particularly lost in my thoughts tonight, death, life, it's all just one big mess. . ." Sterling rambles on talking about music as you sit together playing chords and sections of songs. As you are still learning the basics he keeps things simple, most of the time you are echoing his voice on the piano or remembering notes and chords. But he has seems to have become happier with having someone he can talk to, rather than to stew lost in his own thoughts.

"You are doing quite well," A pleased smile tugging on his lips, his crinkled eyes twinkling. "Have you been practicing?"  "A little. . . Not as much as I would like though." You slid your hands onto your lap and smile. "Thank you for the lesson, I appreciate you taking the time to sit with me and do that. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."

"Of course not," he sniffs, "I. . . am very fond of your company." There was something with the way he said it, that stirred your heart. You can feel your own face grow a little warm, "I'm glad. . . haha." He glances at you, his hands poised to begin playing again. You swallow hard and press on, "Though I h-have to admit, I am more than a little fond of you."

--BADOOM His hands slip hitting the keys too hard and causes a loud blunder of noise. Practically falling off his chair, Sterling’s hands shielding his face in embarrassment. "I-I. . .WHAT?" He stammers, your eyes widen that he reacted so dramatically. "I just meant that, I c-care about you a lot--" The candles snuff out around and you are suddenly plunged in darkness. The ghost has left the building. 

Your head flops into the piano, a few keys playing as your face presses into them. You give a groan of defeat Dammit! Way to go, you probably just killed him. . . AGAIN. Despite his usual stuffy demeanor he can get easily flustered. He tries to hide it under a punctual and proper air, but was a much shier person than he let on. You liked that about him though, there were little things that he did that just enchanted you. He was a deep thinker, and he always took the time to explain things and be patient with you. So of course, you had to go and fall in love with a ghost. You had been trying to gather the courage to tell him your feelings for about a week now. Slowly working your way towards the right words you say. But like music, timing was just as important as the notes. To be honest you had gotten so nervous you are sure you had fumbled in both regards. You sigh heavily, best head to bed, perhaps you can try and talk to him tomorrow.

You slink away in defeat, retiring to your chamber until sunlight streams through your window. Leaving a dappled trail of light and warmth inside your room. You grumpily turn over in bed, refusing to move until you have properly sulked for just a little while longer. Trying to wrack your brain how you were going to approach the ghostly pianist now. With Sterling being so shy, you weren’t sure if his reaction was bad or good. Only time will tell, but in the meantime you're up and making breakfast. Then busying yourself with doing chores around the house and trying not to let your mind settle too much into last night. You go about whiling away the hours until sunset. That's when Sterling becomes active inside the house. You don’t exactly know where he goes during the daytime. You have attempted in the past to nonchalantly snoop around in the basement but to no avail. 

Before you know it, the sun is setting in the sky. Golden light filtering across the floor, flooding the rooms with dying light. You peer into the parlor, and step inside. Running your hands over the black and white keys. You can feel a faint prick on the back of your neck, you turn around and You startle, coming face to face with the musically inclined ghoul. You put a hand on your heart. "Oh my goodness!-- Sterling!" you sigh weakly, feeling your heart pounding in your chest. “Hello,” He murmurs faintly, you look up at him, feeling suddenly shy. All this time you had been waiting to talk to him, and now only an awkward silence fills the room. Both of you starting to speak at the same time.

“I’m sorry, what were you going to say?”

“N-no that’s alright, please, continue”

“Aaah-- why don’t you go first, I was the person who upset you last night”

A hand flutters anxiously to the glasses upon his crooked nose. "You didn’t upset me. You, w-well surprised me. I  was flattered, but I don’t think you truely want anything to do with this old goat." "H-huh? What do yo--" He cuts you off with a flourish of his hand. "I'm an old man dear, not just old, decrepit. I died in 1839, my bones are buried outside, wouldn't that bother you?" His face flushes an eerie pink and he splutters in embarrassment. "I mean, it should bother you. . . " A light bulb blinks on in your head and you stare at him with new found insight. "Y-you, like me too, don't you. . ." "I beg your pa--" "It was you, wasn’t it?" With a rush of feeling, you practically jump a foot off the ground from excitement. "I was always wondering about those poems left on the door step-" your mouth goes agape. "And those flowers!" His eyes dart back and forth in a panic, his mouth wobbling. "W-what??? Me? I don't know anything about that!" You can tell he's wanting to bolt and you make a grab at one of his translucent hands. Surprisingly your fingers successfully curl around it and his shoulders jerk up. Trying to calm yourself down before trying to talk to him. You were spooking him, a novel thought, but not what you had been intending to do. So you take a different approach, "Why. . . didn't you ever tell me?" The specter is sweating bullets now, he mops his brow with a wispy handkerchief. "I-I” he groans in defeat, “A ghost cannot do romance! A ghost cannot do much of-- of anything! No matter how I felt, I couldn't keep you here, you deserve to be free, to experience life to the fullest. Not to be shackled to me and this house." You flush, truly surprised by his answer. "But, I don't want anyone else, I like you. . ." Tentatively you take his hands and hold them gently in your own. His expression quivers, looking down before he gently pulls away. His fingers wisping through your skin before reconstructing themselves back together. He puts a hand into his breast pocket before he pulls out an envelope with a flowery wax seal. He looks away from you but hands you the letter, his expression flushing as that same red color is introduced into his normal pale blue complexation. You look up at him searchingly before you gently take the letter. The smooth paper has a fragrance like all the rest of the notes you recieved, like roses and vanilla. You carefully peel back the floral seal, opening the envelope.

You watch Sterling lights the candles at the table in the parlor. It has been a week since the two of you had become a couple, and you cannot remember a happier time, then the hours you have spent together. “Didn't you say, a ghost cannot do romance?” You tease him with a smile, your eyes crinkling as you watch him with a loving gaze. He huffs softly, "That I did, and I wish more than anything I could take you to a fine dinner out of this house. . . " He pinches the wick of one last candle, and when he removes his hand, an enchanting blue fire flickers to life. “I think a candlelit dinner at home is just as lovely.” He looks at you for a moment, before he gives a little smile, “If you say so darling.” “I do.” He bends down to give you a chilly peck on the forehead before he sits down at his piano, flexing his fingers before he begins to play. The blue lights of the candles flickering to the sound of his haunting melody. But the tone has changed, no longer lachrymose. You can hear something happy stirring in the song that projects itself out of the house, and into the starlit sky.

[thegracelessfaceless]

(Reference drawing credits: @neoalix )

02.14.2022

Dearest Sally, 

Happy Valentine's Day! I've had the pleasure of telling you this for three years now! Well, three years in this reality. Overall, if memory serves, it's our fifth Valentine's Day. And honestly…

I'm just as in love with you as I was in the beginning. So please, sit back and relax as I make an utter fool of myself, waxing romantic over you, Salvador Anthony Fisher.

I remember the first time I saw you, in Dr. Wardwell's psych 101 class at Nockfell Community College. Even though it was August,  you wore a blue flannel shirt, unbuttoned over a Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt and black jeans. Your hair was in pigtails and your prosthetic covered your face. Even though I couldn't see it,  I knew you were beautiful under there. Dr. Wardwell started calling roll in that brisk, abrupt way she does when she's having an off day. You know, just calling last names, even though we had multiple students with the same last name in class.

You were staring a little too hard at your hands after you caught a glance of me looking at you. I'm sorry for my rudeness,  but at least it makes sense now. You started chipping your nail polish like you do when you're nervous and the tips of your ears were a little pink. Dr. Wardwell called your last name and you answered without looking up.

Dr. Wardwell worked through the class roster and I answered when she called me.  Only then did you look at me. Your blue eye(s) met mine and it was like time stopped with a bolt of lightning forking down from the sky to strike us, even though we were inside. We both kind of jumped, just slightly, barely noticeable.

Well except to everyone but Dr. Wardwell. Later. At the end of class, Dr. Wardwell paired up the students for a project. She put us together, probably because she had noticed the glances we both had been stealing of each other  all ninety minutes. 

I collected my things at the end of class and walked over to your desk just as you stood up. You still hadn't hit your last growth spurt, ever the late bloomer, so we were the same height.

I smiled at you and the tops of your ears were slowly turning bright pink. I told you hi.

"Hey... I'm Sal."

"Grace."

And the rest is history.

Fast forward to our first Valentine's date the following February. You'd grown a little taller, that growth spurt hitting around Christmas, maybe three inches. I'd gotten my nose pierced and you helped me dye my hair for the first time. It turned out pretty good, didn't it?

We'd both decided that we didn't want the whole flowers, chocolates and fancy dinner. Being a college kid sucks sometimes. Instead we opted for a movie night with dinner that we would make together. Since you'd not moved in with Toddy and Neil yet, Larry let us use the basement apartment, telling us he wouldn't be in till late anyway and that we could use Lisa's old room "just in case things get *eyebrow wiggle* romantic."

We tried watching some of those sappy romance flicks, and eventually found some romcoms that weren't nearly as bad. We made cookies and pizza and cuddled. That was right after I saw your face for the first time,  so yes,  while we did cook, bake, and watch movies,  there was also kisses. So many kisses. We did end up staying in

Lisa's old room, but it wasn't like that. Neither of us had been willing to end the date and ended up falling asleep on the couch. Larry woke us up around 3AM when he came in. So you moved us to the spare room and we cuddled up to let sleep wash over us again. 

The next year was pretty much the same, except it was at Toddy and Neil's. You wrote a song for me,  a really cheesy one asking me to move in with you. I loved it and was laugh-crying so hard that all I could do was nod.

Admittedly,  our third Vday sucked, absolutely. You were in prison, and our "date" was a legal meeting that Neil attended as well, so it probably doesn't count :/. Still, I was glad they let us hold hands, and even more glad that you thought up the whole "mask drop" plan that allowed you to sneak me a quick kiss when we both bent to pick it up. They never let us have another meeting like that. I'd rather not revisit this one.

My favorite Valentine's Day with you was actually after you found me in this reality. We actually dressed up and went out to a very expensive restaurant, the kind where the chef picks the meal, you only have two choices. I got the squab (read pigeon), and you got the alligator. But we ended up sharing everything anyway. Then after the last curl of chocolate and the last trail of whipped cream from the cheesecake was gone, we went on a refreshing walk on the river bridge. The city had it lit up, all red, pink and white. We got engaged that night, you proposed on one knee right in the middle of the bridge. Even took your prosthetic off so I could kiss you after I said yes. And the next day,  the courthouse proclaimed us man and wife because we didn't want to wait any longer. 

Last year, we were snowed in. I'd just gotten you on at the dispensary. My favorite part of each work day is watching you over on the gear side, bullshitting with patients, helping them pick out products. Showing that old lady how to operate a dab pen was priceless.

Anyway, our fourth Vday, we were supposed to be at work. Unfortunately, the snow was too high and we couldn't even get our car out. So we called in and spent the next three days (our Lost Weekend) cozy, warm, and full of soup that we threw together. This one is probably my second favorite.

Which brings us to this year. We're in Nockfell, trying to convince Larry that you're not some creepazoid that stole Sal-from-this-dimension's identity, as his Sal is dead. I really hope he comes around soon. This trip has been a whirlwind of fun, love, weird events and just- life!

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else,  doing anything else. Just to be with you. 

I love you. So. Much, Sally. You're 100% my other half and I feel so lucky that we found each other- again.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘ (red tulips mean eternal love in the language of flowers💖)

💖Grace