#still horrified by the upcoming outfit

[velvetcloak]

ulyana sergeenko | spring 2013

[valentoru]

|| Limitless ||

[CHAPTER 16]

SYNOPSIS: Gojo Satoru, a big time artist, who’s known for leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake wherever he goes. And you, the lead guitarist of an upcoming band, who’s absolutely certain that no one will ever love you. Through an accident in which you happened to kiss Gojo in a frantic state, you both decide, via convenience alone—and zero regard for both of your managers—to pull a fake dating stunt what could go wrong? Any press is good press…right?

⤷ DISCORD SERVER: poopynation

PREVIOUS : MASTERLIST : NEXT

You had arrived to fake-dating Thursday on time, for once. Not something that happened very often for any event, let alone fake-dating Thursday. In fact, you weren’t just on time but you were early. You were now sat in the cafe at ten minutes to ten waiting for Satoru to make his appearance.

A small part of you actually wished he wouldn’t come today, after the embarrassment that was yesterday. The scene of you massaging sunscreen into Satoru’s chest replaying itself in your head. You would never live it down, by far, out of everything that was the worst thing you’ve ever had to do in this fake-relationship. Hell, it was the worst thing you’ve ever had to do in your life. It was humiliating.

But, you couldn’t keep dwelling on it, plus, considering Satoru’s track record he probably wouldn’t address it. So instead you decided to focus your attention on planning an outfit for the concert, you would be leaving next week and you swore you would dress your absolute best. This definitely wasn’t the first concert you’d ever done but this was definitely the first one with meaning so deep to it.

You continued to busy yourself by reading the most recent updates from some of your favourite critics—they had all written some amazing comments about the band—they always kept your mind occupied when you needed it. You quickly checked the time, Satoru was late, which considering his “character” tardiness was the last thing your expected.

Shit. You were thinking about him again.

You made a quick effort to think of something, anything else. Clicking on random tabs and websites to distract you, even going as far as to accidentally click on a pop-up-ad of some random “milf” supposedly 20 miles from you, in a desperate attempt to essentially jumpscare the thoughts out of your head. After clicking on the pop-up-ad, it had absolutely worked. You quickly x-ed out of the tab and went onto twitter, it had been a while since you last properly checked it.

You opened up twitter and went onto the trending page only to find yourself gobsmacked.

You stared at the tag, Satoru was trending? Why the fuck was Satorutrending? You clicked on it, a force in your finger that almost snapped it in half, you could of sworn you felt it throb for a moment.

You read through a few of the messages then re-read them, well it was nice that none of them were necessarily negative, however, you were absolutely not prepared for, for half a moment your thought you’d fallen off your chair. Then you focused on the first one, it was a quote tweet, the original poster was Toge. What the fuck? Your mouth practically unhinged.

By now Satoru had arrived however you couldn’t bring yourself to look up, in fact, you couldn’t take your eyes off the computer screen, no way this had gotten out of work. You felt physically sick. You looked up at Satoru your mouth still agape, he cocked his head ever so slightly. You slowly raised your hand and motioned him to come over, he quickly rushed around and bent down next to you staring at the screen. You heard the faintest of gasps.

You turned to Satoru with a look which must have been horrifying as when you made eye contact he flinched, only slightly. He sighed and stoop up, straightening his back then he walked over to the chair opposite you and folded himself in it. The chair looked like a kids toy chair compared to him. It felt like ever since yesterday, after seeing his body, he seemed even bigger than usual, like an illusion of sorts.

You opened you mouth, you were going to say something profound had you not been in a total state of shock and disbelief, completely void of things to say. Satoru, surprisingly, seemed to pick up on your state and decided to speak for you, “I’m going to be honest, Y/N one of the first things we agreed was that this deal was strictly for in the work place, even my public relations manager had advised we do as such, I’m sorry you friend did something so shitty, but I don’t know how going to deal with this, however we will so you need to try to calm down. It’s not the end of the world.”

You redirected your wandering gaze towards him. What was he saying? Whatever it was it didn’t make sense to you, you were sure you were going to hurt. Right now, all you needed to do was pretend this wasn’t real and deal with it when you aren’t as worked up about it—which would probably be never.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll deal with it later, Satoru. Let’s go get coffee.” You quickly clicked off the tab and closed your laptop. You had, for a very long time, known how to condition yourself and how to fake it, which, as of right now was your biggest ally. If you faked it, you faked it to yourself and if you fake it to yourself you didn’t have to think about it.

Luckily for you, Clyde had caught onto what you were doing and simply got up and followed you to the counter, not saying a single word. All he did was stand next to you, so close you could feel his body heat, like it was radiating. For some reason, it made you feel safe—protected.

The barista gave the customer before you their order and walked up to the cash register, giving you all her attention. “Hi! What can I get for you today?” Her voice was sickeningly friendly you almost told her to get real but instead your bit your tongue and answered, making a point of staying polite.

“Hi! Can I get a chamomile tea and an iced coffee? Two pumps of caramel.” Satoru gave you a look before paying for the order. The barista wandered off to prepare your drinks. You sighed, realising a breath you hadn’t even realised you’d been holding. You felt so incredibly tense.

“I heard you don’t have a room for next week? Getting one lest minute is going to be really hard you know?”

“Yeah I do know, Satoru. What is the aim of telling me something I already know.”

“Well I was thinking,” he paused, seemingly deep in thought. Looking for the words. “Without this sounding obnoxious maybe you could share with me?”

You felt yourself suck in some air. What was up with him today? You whipped your head around to him, your mind felt frantic. What could he possibly want sharing a room with you? You stared at him, hoping he would explain or tell you something, anything that made the whole idea sound even a little bit less creepy.

He stared at you for a moment before trying to explain only to get too worked up. He stopped and took a deep breath. “Okay, that’s not what I mean, I mean I have a room booked for the week from Geto as a thank your gift for letting him stay at my place. However, I’m only going to be there for three days, two before you’re supposed to arrive and the day of. I have a few meeting down there then I’m preforming then you perform then the day after I have to leave, I have another performance so we’d only be sharing for one day.”

You swallowed thickly and nodded, slowly. “Okay but that one night we do cross over, we’re going to have to share a bed.”

“No, we won’t. The room I booked is two bedroom.”

“Oh.”

Really, there was no reason decline, no matter how hard you searched and racked your brain. You began to weigh up the options, but really you hadn’t considered any negatives aside from the one of you maybe walking in on the other changing and concluded that declining would be foolish. You were already struggling enough trying to work out what you were going to do a free room would be really perfect.

You sighed. “Oh what the hell. Yeah, if you don’t mind, I’ll share with you. Thank you so much Satoru.”

He did his mouth-twitch-thing. “You’re welcome.”

You tried not to focus too much on his face, or that fact that his mouth-twitch-thing—which was now the technical term—only seemed to be reserved for you. It, honestly, made you happy that Satoru could trust you enough to be a “vulnerable”—but not really just a little laid back—version of himself. It was like this deal you had was also a secret alliance, it was nice.

The more you thought about how the deal had brought you closer the more the anxiety of it ending in just under a week began to peck at your head. Would you just go back to normal like nothing had ever happened? Like you hadn’t kissed him—twice—or like you hadn’t sat on his lap? Would all that just be forgotten and you return to a normal life like you had just 3 months ago?

The thoughts began to form into anxiety in the pit of your stomach, if anything, you really liked Satoru’s company, you’d even gained solace in it once or twice, you didn’t want that go away, you honestly wanted him to stay a part of your life. But for now, you had to dismiss the thoughts, you couldn’t entertain them till next week, right now, you just need to focus on being happy. Being in a bad mood wouldn’t help anyone while your practice and prepare for the show next week.

Almost as if on cue, the barista called your drinks out, knocking you off your train of thoughts completely. You took a step forward and grabbed your drink, taking a sip of it. Any sadness you’d had vanished completely in that moment, this drink was exactly what you needed, you felt yourself physically brighten up.

You made your way back to the table, sitting where you had sat before when your found out about—

It didn’t matter.

Satoru folded himself into the chair across from you again. The silence was awkward but telling. You both know something had to be said or you would be stuck here staring at each other longer than needed. Alas no matter how much your racked your brain you couldn’t find a single conversation, considering how close you and Satoru had gotten you still weren’t unfamiliar to awkward silences with him.

Satoru picked up his phone and check up them sat up straight. “Fuck.” The “u” lasted for longer than what was probably necessary. “I’m so sorry but I need to go.” He got up and grabbed his bag and left quickly, not waiting for your goodbye.

A little rude.

You let out a breath, you didn’t know you had been holding, and slumped back in your chair. Today was absolutely going to be a long one.

You opened up your laptop again and logged back in. Happy to not see twitter when you opened it. You would have to ask Yuta to make a statement about it and make one yourself and get Satoru to make one.

This shit was too much for a Thursday morning.

You went onto a random gaming site. Usually when you were upset or stressed about something, playing crappy online games helped. Your favourite one had to be and of the Papa’s games, today though, you had a craving for Papa’s Freezeria.

You had been playing for roughly 15 minutes when your brain decided to abruptly remind you of the deal you had made with Satoru.

Shit.

You had originally agreed because a free room is a free room, a lunatic would turn that down. But then you remembered, this was your shitty life. Nothing ever went the way you wanted them to go, no you essentially were a rom-com now. There was no way you would get out of this amazing offer unscathed. You knew for a fact, without a shadow of a doubt there would not be two beds.

There would be one.

Of course there would.

You would have to share a bed with Satoru Gojo

TAGLIST(33/50): @bbmsxlene @lunavelha @satoryaa @tranzumaki @k-kkiana @luvkvni @lysaray @kalulakunundrum @arysbruv @r4veeen @stillnotherapy @catobsessedlady @colortheoryrocks @minzxec @dazqa @packsvlog @luvvmae @simplysm1le @mintfyi @disenchantedzs @littlecritteryay @fackeraccount @astro-stars @lavender-hvze @miizuzu @rayrayline @kanaojacksonofc @letsmyy @serenadesvt @art-n-rot @aastrobliss @herdemisee @tikideedee @tittiesarenice @fire-child-kira

AN:

Sooo this might have taken me a while to write…

© valentoru all rights reserved- do not publish my work on other platforms, plagiarise or translate.

[nickmaghighlights]

Nick Mag Highlights - #114 September 2005

Welcome to another edition of Nick Mag Highlights! Today, we’ll be taking a look at Issue #114 from September, 2005!

Now, I understand you might be slightly surprised we went from Issue #1 to Issue #114, but I say take the whiplash in stride! Variety is the spice of life after all, and this cover exudes variety. We went from a roster of just one measly Nicktoon to a whole overload of shows spilling out from the top of the page!

But of course, front and center we have Drake & Josh, which was entering its third season at the time after facing massive success. Unsurprising too, since it really had everything going for it. Boys wanted to be Drake, girls wanted to be near Drake, and Josh was there to carry the show. How times change… now Drake Bell doesn’t even want to be Drake Bell.

But I digress, let’s dive into Issue #114! You can read it on the Internet Archive here.

Is a franchise really a “thing” if it doesn’t have a fast food toy line? Think about it. 

I remember that online game they’re advertising on the left, I’m pretty sure you never get to see your created ghost stand back-to-back with Danny Phantom himself, pretty disappointing if that was the prize you were after. 

Okay, after looking at some footage, it seems like you never get to see your created ghost even move! Explains why my memories of this game are pretty vapid.

There’s nothing else to incite fear into the heart of a child quite like the phrase “Back to School”. Except for maybe dentist’s appointments, needles, large bugs, and the Easter Bunny.

To tie into this most horrifying occasion, the overarching theme of this issue is stupidity. Let’s keep reading and find out if that was a dumb idea.

At this point Nick Magazine had dropped Ooze News, instead opting to advertise the biggest Nickelodeon headlines (Oooh, Tak 3!) near the beginning, with a special section later on for showcasing any upcoming episodes of their regulars. Stay tuned for that!

I’m not a Barbie expert. Are these based on outfits the doll wore at some point? ‘Cause otherwise these are just regular clothes that say “Barbie” on them.

First speech bubble from Zelda in the blog’s history!

Anyway, did you know Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in The Middle) is a NASCAR driver now? Crazy.

Lovely illustration work from Roger Langridge, who still posts comics on Twitter! Check him out after you’ve finished reading this post, liked it, reblogged, left a comment, followed, and bookmarked my blog.

I know what some of you may be wondering, just what exactly was the hot-ticket item kids were asking for Christmas in a pre-iPhone world? Well, I guess a Firefly might be a possible answer? I don’t recall ever seeing one of these back in the day, and apparently they don’t even make them anymore. 

What this ad conveniently doesn’t tell you is the amount of parental controls stuffed into one of these things, which makes them a fantastic safety tool, but maybe not that cool of a toy. 

Take note, this was back when having “animations” was a selling point.

Here we can the see the aftermath of Nickelodeon teaming up with Baby Bottle Pop for a bit of cross-promotion, which culminated with the crowning of the first (and probably only) “Baby Bottle Popstar”.

Indeed, kids across America were urged to send in their own rendition of the iconic “Baby Bottle Pop jingle” (which no doubt most of you are humming right now). Those performances were left to the mercy of the online populace, voted upon with the utmost scrutiny. Few died, but many were injured, and a young Alyssa of California was crowned Baby Bottle champion.

So it says in the history books, anyway. If you’d like to see the Baby Bottle ballad that shook the world, I recorded a video of the Nick.com link included in this ad, courtesy of the Internet Archive.

Sorry, got a little intense back there. Anyway this is a fun section! And anything reminding me about Jack Black and School of Rock is a positive in my book. Little odd lumping in The Dukes of Hazzard next to Finding Nemo and Spongebob, but I guess they might have wanted to throw a bone to the preteens in the audience.

Pretty cool full page spread advertisement for a Nicktoon, and for Catscratch no less!

Ah Catscratch, one of Nick’s oft-neglected 2000’s ‘toons, right next to The X’s and Making Fiends. Obviously I’m biased a bit, being a 2000’s kid, but it really sucks these shows fail to even get a passing reference nowadays. Oh well, if My Life as a Teenage Robot can escape Nick’s 2000’s dungeon, maybe there’s hope for the others.

A pretty funny comedy section here, depicting the daily newspaper of the fictional town of Moronia. I’d recommend checking out the full section if you’re not already reading along, it’s pretty funny!

Y’know I really wouldn’t have thought such generic phrases like “Feel Brand New” and “Make it Your Style” would be trademarkable. I would think at most you could get away with holding the rights to “The Lisa Frank Brand is for Every Happy, Cute Girl”. Although since they left that last one open, I bet the trademark is still available if anyone wants to snag it.

Additionally I’d like to give props to this company for being so bold as to have one of their mascot characters thank the Lord himself for their brand’s existence. You hardly see such tenacity nowadays.

Weird short fascination I had as a kid: I really liked the style of these ads that Pop-Tart was running at the time. I’m sure a lot of you remember the commercials in particular. I guess the black-and-white scribbly style just tickled my brain! Weirdest thing was they never actually inspired me to buy Pop-Tarts myself, it was only last year or so I had my first ‘Tart. Suppose that makes me a fake fan.

We’ve made it to The Comic Book, rejoice! 

Initially, I was particularly excited about this being the opportunity to introduce some of the regular comic series featured in this section, since I thought they’d have already started appearing by now, seeing as how we’ve jumped ahead much later into the magazine’s run.

But, uh, no, actually! This issue is completely lacking in strips from any of the notable ongoing comic series from the mag’s lifespan. Not even a Scene But Not Heard, which I guess disproves my memory of each issue having one!

Oh well, we’ll get to them when we get to them, the one-offs were usually just as entertaining. And we do at least have one recurring strip to talk about, Impy & Wormer!

Impy & Wormer was a regularly published strip for this section, created by James Kochalka. The strips were so small, you could find one of them at the bottom of each page of The Comic Book. It’s a pretty cute idea! I often found myself doodling Impy in the margins of my notebooks when the magazine was around. 

Say what you will regarding how Web 2.0 and the modern internet has affected society’s mental health and the overall cultural zeitgeist, but it did lead to this funny one-panel comic :)

Holy moly. Does anyone else remember Postopia? I swear for the last couple years I tried my damned hardest to find out what website it was that I played some weird Flintstones flash games on as a kid. I recently found out that it was indeed Postopia. Man, between this and Pop-Tarts it really seems like I would just buy into whatever weird viral marketing these fast food brands were pumping out as a kid.

I remember these being a fairly common activity in the mag: gag product labels. Cut ‘em out and tape them on to their intended packaging and you’ve got an instant barrel of laughs! Problem is they never seemed to be the right size for the products I tried them on. 

Come to think of it, my parents were really the only ones who got to see them finished, and they didn't really find them that amusing either. Was I really supposed to show my friends some dental floss I had taped a fake label onto?

“Nostalgia” is a term I honestly hate throwing around, what with how common it is, but this page in particular is really inciting some wistful childhood memories. Doesn’t seem like the worst deal in the world either, at least if you’re into membership cards, special edition issues, and stickers.

Sidenote, Step 4 isn’t really a surprise if you tell everyone it’s a Spongebob hat, guys!

Man, these guys hate teachers! I did not know a single kid in school who hated their teachers as much as the Nick Mag writers seemed to. A lot of my teachers were pretty nice, actually.

Yeah, in terms of replacing the Cartoon Calendar section (which we saw an example of in the previous NMH post), this leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I like when the magazine tried to give out fun factoids, it made me feel like my intelligence was being respected. Those puns are Zelda Van Gutters-tier writing though.

Now now, I’m not going to keep going on about Drake Bell. There’s only so many times you can shoot the elephant in the room before you start looking like the weird one. Drake & Josh was such a favorite of mine around the time this magazine came out, and it was really fun getting at least a little insight into what the behind-the-scenes view was like.

Small extra detail I find interesting is that almost every blurb below summarizing the new episodes for each show mentions romance and crushes (baring All That, but that’s a sketch show anyway*). Even the interview brings up that Josh had gotten a new girlfriend in Season 3. Guess Nick was really going all in on the love aspect to keep their preteen audience’s attention in the midst of puberty, which feels kind of manipulative in hindsight? Oh well.

*They were still making All That in 2005?

TurboNick, huh? I… think I remember this? Barely. Looking it up on Google gives me a faint sense of remembrance. Although I don’t remember Pick Boy. Sorry, Pick Boy. 

I guess the idea was you could check out clips from all your favorite Nick shows and eventually be graced with a full-on episode thanks to Pick Boy, and given his name I’m sure voting was involved to decide the full episode that was released. Not the worst idea! I certainly don’t remember Cartoon Network posting full episodes online. They probably didn’t even have their own Pick Boy.

I’m willing to give credit where credit is due. In the last NMH post I accused a lot of kids’ for being very fart-centric. I’m still sure in the Gnarly 90’s that was true, given all the stuff Ren & Stimpy were getting up to on prime-time television. But here in the Techno 2000’s we reference Spock and take Grandma to prom. A much more sophisticated fare.

Man, this must have been so cool for any Sly Cooper fans picking up this book. It’s a triple threat: questions, concept art, and a quick-look at Sly 3! I may not be a fan myself, but I can always appreciate some concept art and creative insight for a largely beloved character and series.

And rounding us off it's... Hey, it’s Bill Trinen! He was a sort of meme for a while, wasn't he? Back when they let him be in Nintendo Directs, anyway. Well, I say meme, but I guess he was more like an oyster stuck on the underside of a much larger meme named Reggie Fils-Aimé.

Yeah, definitely more like an oyster… What were we talking about? Oh yeah, NintenDogs! Never played it. Apparently they poop! Cool, I guess!

Well, well! That wraps up another addition of Nick Mag Highlights! I think getting the 2000's side of the timeline after the first issue was good for giving a bit more context on how the magazine looked and grew throughout its time on the market. I’m excited to see what’s next, and I hope you enjoyed it too. There’s tons more content and memories to read through. 

Also, one last thing. While looking up that one Danny Phantom flash game from the start of the issue I found that there’s apparently a new Danny Phantom graphic novel coming out this Summer? I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything about this! The art looks really pretty. If this seems like your thing, keep an eye on it!

That’s all for now! Until next time, keep reading!

[mewmewtric]

If it's about idols, there must be a dark side to the type of trauma or injury in some part of their body, or there was an early period when they were self-conscious about their talent or appearance?

Very interesting ask! I think I’ll be dealing with Leona in this ask.

Leona Kingscholar. Stage name: Emperor

An effortlessly charming idol with a surprisingly warm voice.

Actually, being an idol was not something he was really expecting to work. He just thought it’d be something that could land him as much importance as being a future king like his insufferable brother.

well... he got in.

NR saw something in him. He didn't know what. Was it his charming deep voice? Or the windswept, uncaring air that he gave? No matter. All he needed to do was sing and dance to some herbivores and he would get money and clout. He was a natural at it anyway.

But one thing kept him from becoming big.

His scar.

A long slash on his left eye, a proud mark of him saving his friend a long time ago, when he was a boy. Where he came from, such scars were marks of honour. Trophies. Especially since he got it from an honourable act of saving a friend from danger. Where he came from, it was an additional charm, something that made him even more appealing.

Not here.

Here, it was a taint. A flaw.

How many times had he been told about it?

“It’s a shame, Emperor. You are so handsome otherwise.”

“Emperor? The guy with the big scar? What is he doing as an idol?”

“I think you’ll look amazing if you get some plastic surgery for your scar.”

In the past, he’d normally just shake it off. They don’t understand his culture. They’ll accept it. They’re just shallow.

But the backlash kept coming.

“Sorry, we can’t accept your request to join our unit.”

“Get that scarred idol off the stage.”

“Why bother living with something so horrible?”

Online comments, real life backlash, it all just started piling up. The straws just got heavier and heavier, the lion reduced to a trembling camel. The mirror in his room got unbearable to look at. Every day, he was greeted by the flaw in his face. Every day, mirrors torture him with the reason why he never got much positive reception. Oh, how he just wanted to end it-

“Leona?”

Leona realised the sharp pain in his fist. 

His hand had punched the mirror in his room, now cracking and biting into his fingers. His reflection in it was an even more monstrous version of himself now.

His manager stood horrified by the door.

"I can hide it... Right? Stop all those disgusting words?"

"Maybe makeup?"

"Alright."

Maybe it'll stop all those comments. Maybe he'll not be the brunt of jokes and threats anymore. These thoughts, running and gnawing in his head, kept him still as the makeup artist carefully covered up his scar, making it appear as the same dusky smooth skin as the rest of his face.

"There you go, Emperor."

Leona... Didn't want to look up.

It's like removing a part of himself.

But... Sacrifices have to be made.

So he slowly set his eyes on the mirror. But whoever stared back wasn't him. Just a pretty, fashionably windswept young man in an outfit for an upcoming performance.

Where was the effortless biting remark always on his lips? It's all just emptiness.

"You look unmistakably handsome. Now let's go, we don't have time. You're lucky you're wearing gloves this time."

A wistful smile at the unrecognisable man in the mirror, before Leona started making his way to the stage.

...

With the makeup, he did not face as much backlash anymore. Just overwhelming support. More people started watching his performances, more opportunities searching for him.

Grrr.... Does hiding this scar appeal so much to herbivores? Fine.

He thought that perhaps by hiding it during performances, then everything would be alright.

But he garnered fans, and these fans garnered attention.

Unwanted attention.

Of course, he would never wear that makeup going around his normal days. But then he found some photos of him as such on social media. 

“Still as ugly a scar as ever.”

A comment buried underneath replies of support and defending Leona. But it was the only one he remembered.

Rustle...

Someone was nearby.

Rustle rustle...

Leona stayed still, as his muscles tensed, ready to pounce. A lion knows how to sneak on his prey. Walking away to convince the hiding person, he quickly turns back and runs towards the origin of the noise. 

A yelp, and a man ran away, cursing all the way. But Leona hesitated catching him. He could, but there was one advice he was given.

“Never hurt someone. Never be unfriendly. You are walking a tightrope in this industry.”

By then, the stalker was gone.

This was only the first example of many other such situations. He could never go around daily life without a picture going on social media. And hate comments would always follow. Even death threats.

Is it really just my looks?

Leona carressed the thickened skin around his eye.

Am I just that ugly?

When did I start caring about how herbivores thought of me...

Because it’s true. Why else does everyone keep telling you about it?

"hmph." Leona got up, seemingly unaffected. "When did the Emperor ever care about what people thought of him?"

But his heart sank just a little bit.

You're ugly.

You don't deserve to be an idol.

Go and quit.

Whispers in his head at first got louder... Louder... Louder.

He hit and shattered the mirror in his room again. This time, he asked to not get a replacement.

The effortless charm of Emperor was no longer effortless. It took him so much strength to muster it, to remain nonchalant, as hate comments spewed his livestreams. Honestly, it was a relief his persona did not require him to smile.

“Look on the bright side, Leona. Theres so much support for you, as an idol with a scar...”

Everything was about his scar, his scar, his scar.

That’s all he was, huh?

Is that what everyone only cared about?

Not him?

All that he’d done, overshadowed by that one slash when he was a kid. He hated it. So much....

He noticed warm tears on his cheeks. 

Kings don’t cry.

Leona growled and stifled his cries. Kings don’t show weakness. Of course he would never feel such things. Never.

Keep telling yourself that.

But that annoying little voice stayed in his head in the weeks after. It got louder, so much louder. And he could not stop it. Always there, whispering in his ears. Just like the comments that never stopped, the rejection he always faced.

Keep on denying, Leona~

“Stop it...” Leona covered his ears. 

Senselessly fighting, blaming himself, inching closer and closer to the abyss...

A loss of appetite, a fear of mirrors...

All just blending into noise. All he could notice was the scar. That slash on his face. And the stage that helps him forget for just that moment. Mindlessly moving from performance to performance. Always wanting to just give up, to let go. But it would be a great dishonour. “So suck it up, Leona,” he told himself. 

Until Savannaclaw.

The reshuffle landed him in a new group. A new future. 

Maybe... Just maybe...

It can be an opportunity for him to escape from the abyss that almost dragged him down.

[the-plothole-court]

the foxes have an absolute field day trying to scare each other shitless.

neil would place fake spiders literally everywhere in the dorms and think it’s the funniest shit ever. in the beds, by the window sill, near matt’s toothbrush. one time, andrew catches neil leaving one in kevin’s locker when they’re at court and is about to say something until he sees the glorious smile on neils face and hears the incredible sound of neils quiet laughter. he blushes and internally curses neil when he realizes he can no longer form any words (245% josten).

i believe that the twinyards wouldn’t actually care enough to go out of their way to plan something out, but they still end up scaring all of the foxes (as well as wymack). this is because after every corner you turn, and every door you open, there will be one (if you’re lucky) five foot nothing gremlin just waiting for you on the other side. when it was both aaron and andrew, kevin may or may not have quite literally peed his pants.

also, when the twins start to get closer (as close as they can get), and only one other fox is in the dorm, they will (only once):

-put on the exact same outfit

-play the most horrifying music they can find

-dim all of the lights

-walk incredibly slow towards the victim

- slightly tilt their heads

-look dead into one of the foxes’ eyes, and simultaneously say “come play with us.” (my guess is that the fox is nicky because he will not say ANYTHING after andrew says to him “no one will ever believe you” in the flattest voice with the flattest look on his face after nicky fainted).

kevin spends his time hiding in closets (ha.) and waiting for people to open them. simple, yet effective. it never works on andrew, though.

nicky would just walk up to people with a blank look on his face, wait a few seconds, stare into the person’s eyes, and then proceed to let out the loudest scream you will ever hear in your entire life.

allison would just target kevin and either A. tell kevin that their upcoming exy game got cancelled or B. convince kevin that he got a major concussion and it will be a miracle if he can ever play exy again (this may or may not have trick kevin more than once)

renee likes to make her involvement in this a little less obvious. when talking to people, she will be her usual, smiling self. halfway through the conversation, she will just look behind the person she’s talking to with a look of horror on her face. she will stare at the same spot for a few seconds before turning back to them and smiling and continuing the conversation like nothing happened.

matt would airdrop the foxes the creepiest pictures he can find (i refuse to share what his search history looks like afterward). occasionally, he will add an even creepier message saying something along the lines of “i can see you” or “look out your window.” he also loves seeing their reactions because somehow, nobody knows that it’s him. one day, he decides to switch it up. he creates a fake article and anonymously sends it to neil. he watches as neil opens the article titled “Why People 5’3 And Under Are No Longer Eligible To Play Collegiate Exy.” matt laughs to himself, knowing how stupid and obviously fake the title sounds, but neil’s eyes widen more than what should be humanly possible as he stares at his phone. matt sees the look on his face, and immediately runs over to neil. he apologizes profusely and declares over and over again how neil is the love of his life and how he will never do this again.

dan would simply just individually text the foxes their name with a period at the end (ex: “matt.”) that’s all. nothing else. no matter how many texts or calls she gets after she sends it, she will ignore them and say nothing else. it is absolutely terrifying and it somehow works every time.

and if seth were alive, you bet your ass he would sneak up behind everyone and blow an air horn in their ears 24/7.

[chrisbitchtree]

Two Scoops of Fudge Ripple and One Scoop of Love

Happy early Valentine's Day! My gift to all of you, over 5000 words of fluff and angst and pining!

I think it was @memes-saved-me that said the fandom is sorely lacking in fics where Billy works at Scoops. It got me thinking about Steve cracking Billy's icy exterior slowly, as they worked side by side!

Read on AO3

***

August

Steve’s father had let him laze around all summer, but now, a week before school started, he was on Steve about getting a job.

“It’ll be good for you son.” He said, opening Steve’s curtains to let in the morning light. “You can earn some of your own money, and feel what it’s like to be a man, taking care of yourself.”

Steve was way too hungover for this, having spent the night before getting drunk at the quarry with Tommy and Carol. He agreed to go to the mall and look for a job just so his dad would leave. As soon as his door was shut, he closed his eyes. Next thing he knew, it was noon.

He headed to Starcourt, the new mall in town, resumes in hand, and wandered store to store, asking if anyone was hiring. Unfortunately, most jobs were filled, either by summer staff who would be staying on through the school year, or other Hawkins teens who hadn’t waited until the very last minute to try to find an after-school job.

The only place that was still hiring was Scoops Ahoy!, the ice cream shop in the food court. Steve was horrified when he saw the ridiculous sailor outfits that the employees wore, but he was desperate, so when he was offered the job, he took it. He was instructed to be back at the shop the next morning at 9am for training with an employee, Robin, and another new hire, Billy.

---

The next morning, summoning up all the energy and optimism that he could, he returned to the mall to start training. When he arrived, he was greeted by the sight of two teens, a girl with a bored look on her face, wearing the signature Scoops uniform, and a boy standing beside her, arms crossed, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else right now. He presumed that they were Robin and Billy. He was pretty sure that he recognized Robin from school, but he’d never seen Billy before.

Steve waved at them. “Hey, I’m Steve. I’m here for training?”

Robin greeted him with a small smile and a “Hey”, but he got nothing from Billy. He thought he’d try for a joke. “Oooh, strong and silent type, eh?” Billy continued to look at Steve like he was dirt on the bottom of his shoe. This was sure turning out to be a great first day.

“Don’t take it personally,” said Robin, rolling her eyes. “He won’t talk to me either. Follow me to the back.” Steve followed behind her, and Billy brought up the rear. Robin spent the day showing them around the shop, and how to properly scoop and serve the ice creams. Steve’s favourite part of the day was when they got to sample the different flavours, so they could make recommendations to customers.

All in all, it wasn’t a terrible day. Billy may have been a dick, but Robin was really nice, if a little snarky and sarcastic. He left with his upcoming schedule and uniform, praying to any god that would hear him that he wouldn’t have to work with Billy often if at all. He hadn’t spoken a word all day, so Steve had no clue what his deal was. Maybe he’d graduated and would be working during the day. He could only hope.

September

Steve started his senior year hoping it would be a quiet one. He’d had a dramatic junior year, leaving his friends behind to date Nancy Wheeler, only to have it blow up in his face when she declared that their relationship was bullshit and left him for Jonathan Byers, another boy in their grade. He’d been heartbroken, and it had taken him months to work his way out of the funk it had put him in and try to win back the favour of his friends. Tommy and Carol weren’t the best people, but they were always down to get him drunk enough to forget his troubles, and for that Steve was thankful.

---

He entered homeroom on the first day of school, and of course that asshole, Billy, was sitting right in front of his assigned seat. Steve couldn’t believe his bad luck. Billy barely glanced at him before going back to scribbling in his notebook. Steve sat down, willing the time to go by quickly, so he could get out of this awkward situation. When the teacher called his name for attendance, he finally heard Billy speak. “Here,” he drawled, syrupy sweet. Steve wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t that. Interesting.

Steve’s bad luck continued. None of his friends were in any of his classes, and Billy, who’s last name he’d discovered was Hargrove, was in three. English, Math, and they were lab partners in biology. Great. Billy finally spoke to him, but it was like pulling teeth to get anything out of him, and he would only talk when it was necessary for the assignment.

---

The icing on the cake was when he showed up for his first shift at Scoops and Billy was there, along with Robin. At least the ridiculous sailor suit brought even Billy down a peg. No matter how attractive you were, it was hard to look good in knee high socks, shorts, and a handkerchief, with the whole look pulled together with a sailor hat.

Steve took the first shift on cash while Billy scooped, and Robin supervised them. His first customers were two girls from his art class, Jessica, and Caitlin. He gave them his flirtiest smile and the line he’d been practicing in his head all day, hoping that it would help distract from the uniform. “Ahoy ladies! Would you like to set sail on this ocean of flavour with me? I’ll be your captain. Billy snorted softly, trying to hide it as he got out his ice cream scoop.

The girls giggled, placing their orders, and thankfully doing him the favour of ignoring his, in retrospect, very cheesy line. Billy managed to make them decent sundaes, only botching Jessica’s once. Every few customers, they switched back and forth, so they could make sure they were getting the hang of both roles. Robin had it easy, standing behind them, telling them when they were messing up.

The weeks went by, and Steve started to get more comfortable with his job, but he still couldn’t shake the nerves he got around the great silent Billy Hargrove. He still wouldn’t speak unless it was to customers. He’d been able to glean from classmates that Billy had moved from California with his father and stepmother and stepsister, but outside of that, Billy was still largely a mystery.

---

Robin was great though. They’d become really close while working closing shifts together, just the two of them, once he and Billy finally got out of their training period. They liked to tease each other, Robin going especially hard on Steve’s lack of game when it came to girls. He told himself it was the uniform that was keeping them at bay. Yeah, that had to be it. They’d be all over him if he worked The Gap.

October

Before Steve knew it, the first month of school had flown by and October was here. As Robin started having to attend more practice sessions for the school marching band, Steve started getting paired with Billy at work a lot more. About a week before, he’d finally deigned Steve worthy of talking to, but only if it was absolutely necessary. Steve was sick of this guy looking down at everyone around him like they weren’t worth even a minute of his time. He finally blew up one night while he and Billy were wiping down the counters right before closing time. The food court was dead, so the silence was especially noticeable.

“What’s your problem, Hargrove?” Steve shouted, without even thinking. “You come in here, acting like you’re better than everyone else, but guess what, you’re not! We’re both in a mall in Hawkins, fucking Indiana at 9pm on a Tuesday, wearing sailor uniforms!”

Billy at least had the decency to look embarrassed, a slight blush creeping up onto his cheeks. “Woah, it’s not you, pretty boy. It’s this place. I didn’t exactly choose to move to this shithole. My dad dragged me here, then forced me to get a job, right at the end of summer, and there was nothing else left.” He then walked away, grabbing a broom as he went, leaving Steve unsure of what to say.

Being in the same situation himself, minus the being dragged to Indiana from California thing, Steve could empathize with Billy. He made it his new goal to crack Billy’s angry façade. He slipped around the counter, following the other boy. “You know, I’m here for the same reason. My dad forced me to get a job too.”

Billy sneered at him. “He didn’t drag you away from everything you’ve ever known, Harrington. Tell me how it’s the same.” Steve couldn’t really argue with that, barely having left Hawkins in his life. He went back to wiping the counters, but he wasn’t going to give up that easy. He would get Billy to talk.

November

Once Steve got Billy talking, he started to wish he hadn’t. All Billy did was poke fun at him. At his inability to successfully flirt, which he still blamed on the uniform (even though Billy wore the exact same thing and had girls hanging off his every word any time he worked the cash register), at how flat his work hat made his hair, at his poor scooping technique. “Nice try, princess,” Billy said, laughing, after another girl shot Steve down. “Let a real man show you how it’s really done. Next five girls that walk in here, I’ll get their number.” He stayed true to his word, even scoring the numbers for each of three friends that had come in together. Steve wanted to say he didn’t know how Billy did it, but he could charm anyone. He even had Nancy’s mother eating out of the palm of his hand one time when she brought Nancy’s siblings in for a cone.

As they were closing for the night, Steve admitted defeat. “I have to hand it to you, man. You’ve got game. I don’t know how you’re going to have time to take all those girls out.” Billy laughed, waggling his eyebrows. “Maybe I’ll have to double up, take out two at a time and let them fight for who gets me.” Steve couldn’t fight the little twinge of jealousy he felt at that. And he surprised himself when he realized that he wasn’t jealous of Billy. He was jealous of the girls.

---

As the month went on, he could feel himself falling hard for Billy. He would never admit it to anyone, but he almost looked forward to the other boy’s shenanigans. They never discussed anything deep like they had the night they’d talked about their fathers, but he was fun to be around, and Steve felt warmth in his heart every time Billy directed his grin at him. They goofed off, making increasingly ridiculous sundaes, and talked about their favourite movies and sports teams to pass the long hours at work, the time going by even slower now that there were less customers as it got colder and darker outside in the evenings. He could honestly say he looked forward to Scoops now.

He also grew even closer with Robin. She was easy to talk to, and while she liked to make fun of him, it was never truly mean spirited. They had a lot of deep conversations behind the counter, sharing their deepest fears and most closely guarded secrets and dreams. One night while discussing relationships, she confided in him that she was a lesbian. Steve was shocked but pleased that he had someone that he could confess his feelings about Billy to, without being judged.

Once he got it off his chest, he couldn’t stop. “He’s so perfect, Rob. He’s so tan, and he’s got all these freckles, and you should see his abs. It’s hard to play basketball in gym when he’s skins. And his beautiful curls, and his blue eyes. And he’s so smart and funny, and he’s secretly nice, even though he won’t admit it. He puts on a big show about being a jackass, but two weeks ago, a kid came in and didn’t have enough money for a sundae, and he paid for it himself. I saw him.”

Robin’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh man, you have it bad for this guy, Steve. Do you think he feels the same way?” Steve sighed. “I’m honestly not sure. Sometimes he’ll look at me, like he really sees me for who I am, like he’s looking into my soul. But then the moment will end, and he goes back to ribbing me, and I don’t know what to do.” Robin patted his shoulder. “I’m sure it’ll work out the way it’s supposed to.”

December

Steve knew he wasn’t dumb, but he didn’t always have the easiest time with reading. His school had wanted to test him for dyslexia when he was younger, but his dad said he just needed to apply himself, so they’d never done the tests, and Steve was left to try to wade through all the reading material for school, which was often a headache. He got by as best as he could, but he already wasn’t doing great in English this year, and he needed to get his marks up if he hoped to get into university, so he pushed down his pride and went to Billy for help.

Sitting behind Billy in class, he could see all the A+ papers handed back to him by the teacher, so he knew he understood the material better than Steve could ever hope to. He knew Billy would tease him for it, but it was worth it if he could get a passing mark on the big test they had coming up on Moby Dick, the book they were supposed to be currently reading. Steve had tried, but he just wasn’t getting it.

He brought it up to Billy one night when it was completely dead in the shop. Even with Christmas shoppers, there still wasn’t a big market for ice cream right now, so he didn’t have to risk anyone else hearing him admit that he didn’t understand the book. “Hey Hargrove,” he said, nervously. “Since we’re in the same English class, I was wondering if you could help me with Moby Dick? I’m trying so hard, but it’s just going over my head. I can pay you.”

He braced himself for Billy’s usual teasing, but his voice was surprisingly soft as he responded. “You free tomorrow night, amigo? I’ll come over to your place and help you for a six pack of beer.” Steve, who had been expecting Billy to charge him months pay or something ridiculous like that in return for help, was left almost speechless. “Ar-are you sure?” Billy nodded, one of his heart melting grins on his face. “Yes, now get out of here before I change my mind.” There was the Billy Hargrove that h knew. Steve went to the back to organize some of the messier supply shelves, a small smile on his face.

---

The next night, Billy showed up at his house at 8pm. Steve opened the door and Billy stepped in, his own copy of Moby Dick in hand. “Damn, Harrington,” he said, with a low whistle, as he looked around. “I knew your parents were loaded, but this is insane.” He looked out onto the back deck. “I have to get out into that hot tub some time.” Steve chuckled, a little embarrassed by his parents’ excess, but excited by the idea of having Billy alone, in just his bathing suit. “Help me pass this test, and we can have celebratory beers out there.” Billy grinned. “You’ve got yourself a deal, pretty boy.”

They settled in at the dining room table, side by side, both with their copy of the book open in front of them. “Ok,” said Billy “What parts are you having trouble with?” Steve sighed beside him. “All of it. Like I know there’s a whale, and a guy, and he’s trying to get the whale. But that’s it.” Billy nodded. “That’s the actual plot but let’s talk about the symbolism.” Billy moved his leg a bit, until it was pressed up next to Steve’s. That couldn’t be an accident, could it? But if it was on purpose, Billy sure wasn’t giving it away. He was keenly aware of the solid warmth of Billy’s leg for the rest of the night.

They spent the next couple hours discussing the symbolism in the book, until Steve was yawning. Billy glanced at him, smiling. “Ok, princess. I think it’s time to call it a night.” Steve couldn’t argue. He was practically falling asleep at the table. “Ok, yeah, I’d better let you get home. Thanks again, Hargrove.” He stood in the front doorway, watching as the other boy got in his car and drove away. Who knew Billy would end up being such a good guy?

---

Thanks to Billy’s help, Steve passed the test. Not with flying colours or anything, but a pass was a pass, and that’s all he’d needed. He clapped Billy on the shoulder. “I passed! Thanks to you! I was serious. You and me and celebratory beers in the hot tub. Tonight, after you’re done work.” He knew Billy worked the afternoon shift at Scoops that day. Billy grinned. “I’ll be there, Harrington.”

Billy got out of work at 7:30, so shortly after that he changed into his swim trunks and sat down in the living room to wait for the other boy. When 8pm, and then 8:30pm went by with no sign of Billy, he started to get worried. It was 9:15pm when there was finally a knock on Steve’s front door. He opened the door, ready to chew Billy for being so late without calling, but what he was greeted with left him speechless. Billy had his swim trunks in his hand, but he was also sporting a black eye and a bloody nose.

Steve gasped. “What the hell happened, Hargrove? Who did this to you?” Billy wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I got in a fight. Don’t worry about it. Are we getting in the hot tub or what?” Steve wanted to probe him for more information but decided to leave it for the time being. “Yeah, yeah, let’s get that bloody nose cleaned up first.” He led Billy to the guest bathroom where he got him some wet tissue to wipe the blood away.

Once Billy was all cleaned up and in his bathing suit, Steve grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and led the other boy out to the hot tub. Billy immediately hopped in and melted down into the hot water. Steve cracked open the cans and handed one to Billy. They sat in silence, sipping their beers.

Once Billy had finished his, Steve decided to try asking what happened again. “So, do you want to tell me who you got in a fight with? What the hell could have happened between 3pm and now? All you did was work!” Billy hung his head, speaking softly. “It was my dad. He got upset because your stepsister had to walk home from her friends house because I couldn’t pick her up.” Steve was shocked. “But you were working. Were you really supposed to leave in the middle of your shift to pick her up at a friend’s?”

Billy sighed. “He just gets worked up sometimes. He forgot I worked and took my stepmom out for dinner, so when no showed up to get her or picked up the phone when she called home, she walked. I went home to get my swim trunks and he got pissed. He has a bit of a temper, and he can’t control it sometimes. I’ll be fine. This is nothing…” He stopped talking, seeming to realize that he was implying that his father had done much worse.

Steve raised his hand, cupping the other boy’s jaw. “Oh, Billy. I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, princess, s’not your fault that he’s an asshole.” He gave Steve a watery smile. It broke Steve’s heart. He didn’t know what made him so bold, but he reached his thumb up, running it over Billy’s bottom lip. Then he surged forward and kissed the other boy. It was brief and chaste but sent sparks running up Steve’s spine.

For a second, it seemed like Billy was going to deepen the kiss, but then he abruptly broke away. He climbed out of the hot tub, Steve watching him, nervous. “I’d better get home. My dads already pissed enough as it is, without me missing curfew.” He didn’t even wait for Steve to see him out. He just tugged on his clothes and rushed out the door, leaving Steve unsure of what to do. Had he read Billy wrong? He was so sure the other boy wanted it too. Fuck.

---

Unfortunately, his and Billy’s work schedules didn’t overlap at all over the holidays, so he was left worry about how Billy would act when Steve saw him again, right through to the beginning of January. He was going a little crazy at home alone, with only the occasional shift with Robin to keep him from going fully off the deep end.

Every day that they worked together, he spent the whole time examining what had happened that night from every angle with Robin. “Fuck, Robin. I don’t know what to do. I thought he was into it, but I read it completely wrong. He stormed away before I could even say anything, and now we haven’t talked since, and it’s going to be so awkward. Could I have read it wrong? I was so sure. So fucking sure, Robin. Why the fuck am I so dumb?” Robin had to physically restrain him when he tried to bang his head against a shelf in the back room at Scoops.

January

Finely, the very last day before they went back to school, he was booked in to work with Billy. The other boy greeted him like nothing was out of the ordinary, and then it was so busy with shoppers trying to make the best of the last little bit of time off that they had that he and the other boy barely had a moment alone all day.

Finally, it was closing time, and Steve worked up the courage to broach the subject of their kiss. Billy wasn’t having any of it. “You need to forget that ever happened, Harrington. We both do. Things don’t end well for guys who’re into stuff like that. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll find a nice girl, get married, have a couple of kids, and life will be nice and uncomplicated.”

Steve placed his hand on Billy’s arm. “I don’t want nice and uncomplicated, Billy. I want you, and I’ll take whatever that means.” Billy grabbed his coat and bag and started heading to the front so they could lock up and head out. “I mean it, Steve. Drop it. I’m not getting into this with you.” Steve felt helpless, and like he was about to burst into tears, his face hot. He tossed Billy the keys and stormed away, before the other boy could see him cry.

---

Things continued this way through the rest of January. Billy was still kind, but they’d lost whatever had been building up between them through December. The other boy joked and teased Steve, but the most personal detail of his life that he shared with Steve was what he planned on grabbing in the food court on his dinner break.

Even with the way Billy was acting, Steve couldn’t shake his desire to kiss the beautiful boy. Every time they were alone, he had to resist the urge to crowd Billy up against a wall and have his fill of him. He spent the month pining, watching Billy flirt with every girl that walked in the place, putting on a show every time. He would have to try his best to move on from the blond.

February

When Steve was in a relationship, he loved Valentine’s Day. He loved to make grand romantic gestures and buy over the top presents. This year, he was downright anguished, what with all the hearts and roses and mushy greeting cards popping up for the upcoming holiday. He wanted nothing more than to buy a heart shaped card and oversized stuffed animal for Billy, but he stuffed all his feelings down, and accepted Robin’s invitation when she invited him over to watch horror movies in leu of actual Valentine’s Day plans.

Valentine’s Day rolled around, and Steve headed over to Robin’s for 8pm, as instructed. When he got there, she was outside, and ran up to the car before he could park. He rolled down the window as she approached. “Do you think you could drive me to the mall for a minute?” She asked, as she opened the car door, making the decision for him. “I forgot that I put a couple pints away for us at Scoops. It’ll be quick.” Steve agreed, heading off towards the mall.

When they arrived, he parked, heading in with Robin. When they were halfway across the parking lot, he suddenly remembered who was closing that night. Billy. “I think I’m just going to wait in the car, Rob. Just be quick.” He turned to start walking back to his car. She tugged on his arm, pulling him with her. “No, just come with me. I’ll only be a minute.” He sighed, following behind her.

Just as they were approaching Scoops, Robin stopped. “Oops, I forgot my wallet in your car. You head in there. I’ll be back in a second.” She plucked his car keys out of his pocket and jogged away before he could answer. He headed in the store and greeted Billy, as it was the polite thing to do. There was nothing like being left alone with your unrequited crush on Valentine’s Day, and he didn’t want to make things more awkward than they already were. He leaned against the counter. “Hey Hargrove, how’s it going, busy night? Lots of pretty single girls looking for love with a part time ice cream shop employee?” He tried to play it off as teasing, but even to his own ears he sounded miserable.

Billy shrugged. “A few, but I told them that I was saving myself for someone special.” Oh great, thought Steve. Now he’s going to rub in my face that he’s found someone else. I bet she’s beautiful. But when he looked up at Billy, there was something that looked a lot like hope in his eyes. Steve didn’t know what to make of it.

He kept his eyes locked on Steve, even as he shifted nervously. Steve knew something was up, but he didn’t know what. Billy pulled out his ice cream scoop. “Can I interest you in a scoop of ice cream while you’re here, pretty boy?” Steve decided to play along. “Sure, Hargrove. What do you have to offer me?”

Billy listed off the flavours. “We have the usual. Chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, the U.S.S. Butterscotch, strawberry, and fudge ripple, or, we have a new flavour. It’s called the King Steve. It’s chocolate, with soft and gooey caramel core, and it’s topped with warm, melty fudge and cinnamon hearts, for a bit of spice.” Steve’s heart was melting faster than ice cream on hot summer day. “I’ll have two scoop of fudge ripple, and I think I’ll try the King Steve. Have you ever tried it before?” Billy lowered his voice, leaning over the counter to whisper in Steve’s ear. “I’ve only tried a taste, but it was delicious. Electrifying, in fact. I’d like to try a whole lot more. Seconds and thirds. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of it.” Steve cupped Billy’s jaw in his hands, drawing him in for a kiss, slow and deep, trying to imbue everything he felt for the other boy.

He pulled back so he could get some air. Billy smirked. “I was right, pretty boy. I think it’s my new favourite flavour.” Steve flew around the corner, pushing Billy into the back room. Billy pinned him against the wall, capturing his lips in another kiss. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’ve been awful to you. I was scared, but you didn’t deserve that.” He kissed along Steve’s jaw, sending shivers up Steve’s spine. “I promise to never hurt you again. Will you be my valentine?” Steve tangled his hands in Billy’s curls. “Yes, Billy. I’ll be your valentine. Will you be mine?” Billy chuckled. ‘Yes, pretty boy. I’ll be your valentine. Now and forever. If you’ll have me.”

They continued to make out, until they heard Robin calling their names. “Hey, Steve! Billy! They’re going to lock us in the mall if we don’t leave soon.” The boys laughed when they realized how long they’d been in the back room. Billy grabbed his bag and the special ice cream flavour he’d concocted, which he placed in a cooler he’d clearly brought to work with him. He gave Steve one more kiss before they headed out.

Steve drove Robin back to her house, but she stopped him when he turned off the car. “Oh no, dingus. You have a date to get to. You don’t know how hard it’s been hearing you pine over him while being in on his little secret. Go get your man. Go.” Steve had never driven faster in his life than he did to get back to his beautiful boy.

---

When Steve got back to his house, Billy was waiting on his front step, cooler in hand, still in his ridiculous Scoops uniform. Although Steve didn't think it was so ridiculous anymore. It's crazy what a crush, and not to mention many shifts with a prime view of Billy's ass in the shorts could do to change your mind. Steve hurried out of his car and up the front steps. “Hey, beautiful,” he called to the other boy, thrilled that he got to speak to Billy that way. “Waiting for someone?” Billy laughed. “Yeah, a real pretty boy. Long legs, fluffy brown hair, gorgeous chocolate eyes, and the most kissable lips. Seen anyone fitting that description?” He pretended to look off into the distance. He swatted Billy’s chest. “Nope, can’t say I have. Guess you’ll have to settle for me for now.” He tilted Billy’s face up, there lips meeting for a deep, drawn-out kiss.

Billy finally broke away after several minutes, taking Steve’s hand in his own. “As much as I love that, it’s freezing out. How about we take this inside?” Steve led him into the house by the hand. He shrugged off his coat and grabbed two spoons, then led Billy up to his bedroom. They spent the rest of the evening feeding each other spoonfuls of ice cream, letting the cool bites melt on their entwined tongues. It was a night that Steve would never forget.

[dongofthewolf]

Hello! May I request a number 8 or number 11? She/her pronouns are preferred :) thx!!

I Despise That I Adore You

Abby Anderson X Reader

Prompt: 8. Hands brushing unexpectedly 11. Secret relationship

Warnings: swearing, fluff

Link to the prompt list here

A/N: I kind of decided last minute to write like 1.5k more words for this fic because uhhhh idk but I hope you enjoy (especially if you requested it) !!

A/N: I also didn’t realize you only requested one of the two prompts so I accidentally wrote both LOL but thanks for the request(s) !!

You have always had a very dichotomous view on life; you believed that you either liked a person, or you didn’t. It was a simple notion and a digestible one at that, but never did you think that a touch—a single accidental touch from someone you most definitely didn’t like, could wreck your world this way. 

You were at a briefing for an upcoming mission. It was a long, drawn out process that you dreaded, but what made it even worse was Abby. Okay, maybe not Abby specifically, but the fact that she could sit there at six in the morning and look so effortlessly beautiful, annoyed you more than you could say. Her outfit was the same as it almost always was; a simple grey tank top with green cargo pants and boots. Nothing extraordinary or outstanding, but you still couldn’t help but find it annoyingly attractive when she crossed her fucking enormous arms over her chest like that. God, she wasn’t even trying and you were losing it.

You didn’t like Abby—you couldn’t like her. How could you possibly like her when every single sign told you not to? She was stubborn and closed off, always shielding herself from the world with some serious facade you knew was bullshit. Maybe Abby did flirt with you occasionally and perhaps you did participate in it sometimes, but that all meant nothing. And anyways, even if you did like Abby (which you obviously didn’t) it would hurt you too much when she inevitably left you for someone prettier or cooler or smarter, and you didn’t need that right now.

Abby was all types of wrong and you knew that, which is why you were so utterly puzzled by this small, electric touch. It wasn’t even longer than a second, but as soon as it happened your heart felt like it had just been squeezed like a fucking lemon.

The briefing was finally over and you were quick to leave so you could actually get some sustenance for your body, and then it happened. You hadn’t even noticed that Abby was there when you dashed out the small exit of the military tent until you felt the smallest brush of her hand against yours. You paused to look back at Abby and she was looking at you too, and you swear it would’ve taken a damn machete to cut through the tension between those few, fleeting seconds of stillness. 

Your hand burned from where it had grazed Abby’s and you clenched your fingers into a fist to try and relieve yourself from the sensation. Promptly shoving your hand behind your back to hide it from Abby’s inquisitive gaze, you slowly backed away with your eyes still fixed to hers. And though there was a great amount of distance between the two of you, you noticed something in her stare. You weren’t sure if it was just your brain being stupid or manipulative, but you could’ve sworn you saw the slightest hint of endearment in Abby’s eyes. 

You tried to back away quicker but nearly fell over because of a stray root in the ground that you definitely weren’t looking at, and you could see Abby snort as she tried to hold back her laughter. Smiling nervously, you turned around and bolted towards the cafeteria. It was way too early for this.

Hoping to find some solace in a burrito, you practically ran to the cafeteria, but before you could even smell that lovely tortilla blanket, someone caught you. Abby was breathing slightly heavier than usual when she pulled you aside, practically trapping you against the wall behind you.

“Why are you running from me?” 

Abby’s arm was leaning on the wall next to your head and it took every ounce of willpower not to stare at her massive biceps. “I’m not running from you.”

“Um, I think the fact that I literally just sprinted after you, says something slightly different.” Abby used her other hand to brush a strand of hair away from her face. “So are we going to talk about it, or are you just going to run again?” 

You crossed your arms in front of your chest. “Talk about what?”

Abby gestured her hands awkwardly between the two of you. “Us—this. Whatever this is.”

“Abby, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about, but even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. So if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab some food now.” You ducked under Abby’s arm and began walking away but her next words stopped you in your tracks.

“I don’t understand you, I really don’t.” Abby was pacing now, her hands moving wildly as she spoke. “It’s like… sometimes you’re cold and distant and running away from me, and I just kind of accept it. I mean, even though it’s not like I’ve ever done anything to make you hate me this much, it obviously won’t help my situation if I continue to flirt with you. But then the next day I’ll catch you looking at me in that way and-”

“In what way?” You interrupted.

“Seriously?” Abby cocked her eyebrow, her mouth curled into an annoyed smirk as she rolled her eyes. “You look at me like you’re not sure whether you want to pounce me or punch me in the face.” 

She said it so plainly that you were speechless for a second, was it seriously that obvious? There was so much going through your head right now, but the one thing that stuck with you was the fact that you agreed with her. Though it’s not like you could ever admit it, so instead you opted for some good ol’ denial. “I do not.”

Abby was quick to respond, like she had anticipated your answer. “You do, and you know what? I honestly have no problem with it. In fact, I encourage it! I mean if you weren’t so confusing, I’d have asked you out by now. You’re gorgeous and smart and a major badass on the field, but I just have no idea what you want from me.”

The last sentence threw you for a loop and before you knew it, your heart was doing the squeezing thing again. Did she truly think you were all those things? 

Thinking about it, perhaps your problem wasn’t that you hated Abby. After all, it’s not like the reasons you disliked her were of any merit anyways. In fact, you kind of admired Abby when she wasn’t being a cocky bastard, but that still didn’t mean you could date her. Sure, she was kind of hot, and maybe you found her just the slightest bit charming, but you couldn’t possibly put yourself on the spot like that. Not only was she all types of wrong, Abby was also your superior, and Lord knows the scandal that dating her would transpire. 

Finally finding some semblance of composure, you spoke hesitantly. “Abby you’re my superior and if people found out I- we just can’t, okay? I’m sorry.” You internally cringed at your words. It was such a stupid excuse but you still couldn’t help but fear the backlash you would receive for this. 

Abby took a second to think before speaking. “Can I ask you a question?” 

You didn’t say anything, just nodded your head slightly.

“Do you like me?” Abby’s eyes were sort of wide and almost hopeful, and you felt a slight tinge of remorse because you weren’t sure you could give her an answer. It was a simple question, but something inside you just couldn’t manage to form a proper response. 

“Whether I like you or not doesn’t matter Abby, we can’t be together. I’ve worked so hard to get here and I’m not going to be belittled or ridiculed because I can’t keep my emotions in check.” 

“So what you’re saying is… there are emotions to keep in check?” There was a hint of mischief in her tone and a smile on her face. You don’t think you’ve ever groaned so loudly.

“I did not say that.”

“It was implied.”

Abby chuckled to herself, taking a step towards you with every punctuated word. “Okay, let’s say that hypothetically you do have feelings for me, and that hypothetically I could make sure no one knew we were dating. Would you go out with me then?

You scoffed as you took a step towards her, your bodies now just inches from each other. “Oh yeah? And hypothetically, how would you do that?” 

“It's simple, we date in secret.” Abby said it so nonchalantly that you thought she was joking. It took a few moments of awkward silence before you realized that she was serious.

“You’re kidding? That would never work.”

“Um first of all, I’m always serious, and second of all, did you forget that we are literally trained to be stealthy? I think if we can handle clickers, we can handle a secret relationship. Honestly Y/N, it seems like the only problem here is that you’re scared of going out with me because…” Abby took another step towards you, backing you against the wall with her arms crossed in front of her chest. “you’re afraid you’ll fall for me.”

You were utterly speechless. You wanted so badly to respond with a snarky comeback or a cheap insult, but as much as you hated to admit it, you were totally afraid of going out with her. Commitment is horrifying and complicated and you’ve gone your whole life trying to avoid it. But now? Abby was offering you a simple solution and before your mind could begin to consider the downsides to this, you answered.

“Fine. But if we get caught, it’s on you.”

And just like that, your secret relationship with Abby began. 

--

It only took the first two dates for you to warm up to Abby—though you were incredibly apprehensive about all of it at first—it wasn't long before she had successfully charmed her way to your heart. And though you’d never admit it out loud, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t having at least a little bit of fun. It was thrilling running around with Abby like this; late-night dates, stolen looks during briefings, clandestine touches while passing each other in the halls, the way she seemed to be just a little bit more protective of you during patrols. You revelled in the way she held you when no one was around, when it was just the two of you. 

It had almost been two months, and hiding a secret relationship with Abby was getting surprisingly more difficult. You figured it was likely a product of the fact that after your first kiss, Abby couldn’t seem to keep her hands off of you. It seemed as though someone was somehow lurking around every corner of this damn stadium, and the amount of times Abby had to sneak out of your room in the morning before your roommate woke up was honestly getting kind of absurd. 

However, one major upside that’s come out of this deal is that you no longer despised briefings. In fact—now that you and Abby had this strange arrangement—you almost looked forward to mission briefings. The fondness for them was partly because you got to stare at Abby with adoration rather than anger, but mostly it was because you got to tease her like there was no tomorrow during them.

It was another early briefing and Isaac was droning on about… patrols? Or maybe it was borders, you weren’t really sure. Instead of focusing on his dull rambles, your mind was wandering elsewhere. 

Abby was sitting in the seat next to you, her legs spread out while she leaned her toned forearms on the table in front of her. Keeping your eyes focused on Isaac, you brushed your knee against Abby’s just slightly before letting your hand slowly creep closer to her leg. Abby immediately knew what you were doing, quickly turning her attention towards you with a small tilt of her head. And though your eyes were fixed on the man in front of you, you knew she had a cautious look on her face. 

A small smirk crept onto your lips as you let your hands make their way higher and higher till it was resting on her thigh. Letting it linger there, you traced little circles with your fingers, noting the way Abby covered her face with her hand to hide her expression before you gave her leg the smallest squeeze. Abby jumped in her seat and the whole room immediately turned their attention to her. Trying to hide her obvious freak-out Abby cleared her throat before asking some stupid question about intercepting the target while you did your best not to laugh next to her. When she finally finished rambling and the focus was off of her, Abby snuck you the smallest look, the kind of look that said “I’m totally going to get you for that later”. 

At the end of the briefing, you noticed Abby making conversation with Manny near the exit of the military tent and an idea popped into your head. You made sure to look straight ahead as you nonchalantly walked out the exit before letting your hand brush up against Abby’s while you passed by. It still shocked you sometimes; somehow after nearly two months of hiding your relationship, her touch still managed to send you soaring. The familiar burn against your fingertips from your not-so-accidental accidental touch still lingering on your hand like an imprint—her imprint. 

You looked back at her with a mischievous smirk on her face and she rolled her eyes before whispering something to Manny. Walking away knowingly, you were unsurprised when she cornered you behind a cement pillar with her hands on your hips and her mouth hungrily on yours. Abby spoke with her mouth still against yours, refusing to break the kiss.

“You know, for someone who was so adamant about having a secret relationship, you sure seem to enjoy attracting attention to us.”

You smiled into the kiss, your fingers moving to play with the end of her braid before giving it the smallest tug. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

Abby groaned and you chuckled at her expression when you pulled away from her lips, causing Abby to nearly face-plant into the pillar behind you. You giggled, smiling at Abby teasingly before feigning an annoyed tone as you turned away from her with your arms crossed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab some food now.” 

[findingjoynweirdstuff]

Dream SMP Recap (July 8/2021) - Flying Pigs

Fundy and Foolish have a literal custody battle over Fundy’s son, Yogurt. 

Drista visits after her dog died and causes chaos with Tommy, forming a bomb squad of people riding flying pigs.

---

VOD LINKS:

Ponk

Foolish

Tommyinnit

Captain Puffy

---

- Ponk continues taking down the rest of his casino

- Ponk meets Foolish at the casino site and tells Foolish that he wants to commission a Lemon Tree opposite of where the original one stood. Foolish is reluctant, saying the Lemon Trees have never worked out

- Foolish asks about what “Little Red” was, but Ponk says it’s best not to talk about it

- Ponk notices the Bruno Mars beacon and mistakes Prince Philip for Emperor Palpatine

- Ponk pays Foolish for the tree

- Ponk is overjoyed when they get a pet Endermite, but unfortunately it despawns while Foolish is running to get a nametag

- Ponk wants a new Lemon Tree so that if anyone messes with it, he has an excuse to fight them

- Foolish discovers Karl’s secret Tommyinnit Hate Club

- Foolish and Ponk talk about exploding each other

- They mine up the floor and Ponk tells Foolish about Salamone, the pillager who killed a lot of people who used to live down underneath the casino after Ponk took his legs. Salamone was the enforcer for his essential oils shop

- Ponk shoos Foolish away. Foolish returns to the summer home and gets rid of the top hats on the statues

- Later, Foolish heads over to Las Nevadas where he finds Fundy calling from a distance. They compare outfits

- Foolish shows Fundy the outhouse that doubles as a helicopter

- Fundy is rusty at Minecraft and suggests a PvP battle, but Foolish tells him about how he’s never killed anyone. He checks his statistics and somehow, Foolish has gained three player kills but he’s not sure when 

- Fundy goes over to check on how Yogurt’s been doing. Foolish says he’s been taking care of him. Fundy tells Yogurt to look at him, but Yogurt turns to look at Foolish instead. Fundy is horrified, worried that Yogurt might not recognize him anymore

- Foolish says he is Yogurt’s father and that it is better this way

- Fundy desperately throws Yogurt some berries to try and get him to look, but again, Yogurt turns to Foolish instead

Fundy: “Do you not remember me?!”

- Foolish says that Yogurt must have started seeing him as a father figure instead. Fundy wants the PvP battle immediately. They prepare items

- They can discuss who gets Yogurt on weekdays and weekends after the battle. They decide to fight under the Eiffel Tower. Fundy declares that he will prove himself as a father today

- They negotiate the terms and Foolish counts down from ten to begin the duel. He charges at Fundy, and Fundy screams and runs away, logging out

- Fundy comes back and they start again. Fundy runs away again, but after getting a couple hits on Foolish he gains confidence and wins the first round

- They begin the second battle and Foolish charges forward while Fundy hides. But Foolish has an idea to up the stakes: climb the tower.

The two climb up opposite corners of the tower and run along the sides. Foolish gets some hits, but Fundy wins the second battle as well and the duel as a whole

- Fundy goes to feed his son some berries, and Yogurt looks at him again! Fundy is overjoyed, making happy noises

- He tells Foolish to go, so Foolish leaves Fundy with his son

- Foolish continues working on the hotel

- Drista found out about her dog, Bruno, dying, and is displeased. Tommy has the idea to go to Las Nevadas where he’s set up a new place with Wilbur, since Drista isn’t old enough to gamble

- Tommy runs over while doing his best Philza Minecraft impression with C418′s Sweden playing in the background

Tommy: “I will repent my sins through the coin of the game.”

- Tommy makes it to Fort Big, thinking he’s safe. He goes to chop some wood and that’s when Drista appears, immediately stabbing him to death

- Drista teleports him back. She is dual-wielding Netherite knives. Tommy starts up a conversation and tries to explain what happened. Drista gives him Regen so that she can stab him more

- Tommy walks over to Las Nevadas and claims that Drista isn’t allowed on this territory. He tells her she’s not the legal age to gamble. Drista points out he isn’t either

- Tommy shows her how to use the gambling machine. Drista still isn’t pleased over her dog dying

- Tommy tells Dream that his sister is mugging him for her dog dying

- Tommy starts sneaking away and Dream tells Drista, who chases him down

- He asks what he can do to make it up to her. Drista wants to vandalize  someone’s house and gives Tommy a Wither rose

- They start walking back, and Tommy tells Drista that he wants to grief Captain Puffy

- Drista spawns in a dog, gets Tommy to tame it and then promptly slaughters it

- They make it back to Tommy’s house and Tommy sees Puffy’s redecoration. Drista wants to vandalize Sapnap’s house

Drista: (looking at the picture of Prince Philip) “Oh my god it’s Philza.”

- Tommy takes down Puffy’s decorations while chatting to Drista

- They walk down the path and Drista spawns another dog. Tommy tames it and Drista kills it again

- Tommy takes her over to Kinoko Kingdom and teaches Drista how to speak imaginary French

- Sapnap comes over briefly in real life, then logs in in-game while Tommy gives Drista advice on how to say no to drugs

- Sapnap tells them to leave, threatening Tommy with what he said yesterday

- Drista takes Tommy into the sky on a flying pig and he and Sapnap have an echoing shouting match

- Drista flies Tommy over to a building and Tommy lights TNT on the roof

- Tommy sets the massive OwO sign on fire and the pig catches fire too

- At Drista’s request, Tommy DMs Techno asking what pigs eat. Techno says potatoes

- Drista tells Tommy to TNT Church Prime but Tommy refuses. They land in the Holy Land and Tommy tells Sapnap to come to Church Prime. Sapnap joins the flying pig team

- Drista asks where Technoblade’s house is. They call Dream and ask him

- Tommy realizes Techno is in prison and Sapnap suggests they bomb the prison. Drista flies them over there and Techno logs on and joins the call

- Drista teleports Techno out and he rides a pig, happy to be “canonically” out of prison. Techno joins the flying pig bomb team

- Drista flies the three of them around until she stops at the Big Innit Hotel. Tommy doesn’t want to TNT the hotel, but Drista gets him to anyway

- Tommy tells Drista he wants to destroy the YOU </3 LITTLE PENIS sign. Puffy starts shooting at them. They land on the sign and start destroying it

Only ENIS remains.

- Tommy and Puffy die and Techno takes their things. Tommy says they should imprison him again. Sapnap and Techno negotiate with Puffy while Drista and Tommy fool around in the graveyard

- Drista sends Tommy a picture of Georgina

- Tommy starts rebuilding his house out of oak wood. Puffy comes over and joins VC and they banter

- Drista bans Tommy from the server

- He comes back and does not like when they start adding a granite wall. He goes over to Karl’s studio thinking it’s Puffy’s house and bumps into a glass pane repeatedly trying to get to the water, not realizing there is glass

- Tommy plays sad Minecraft music because Drista is girlbossing him, then Mask

- He calls Dream again, then gets some sea pickles to give to Drista so that he can be forgiven. Drista forgives him. She plants the pickles in the Holy Land and says he could’ve just done that from the beginning

- Tommy speaks with Dream, who tells him that in the future Tommy will still have to make it up to Drista. Drista comes back to say that there is one thing that she asks of Tommy: that he builds a Drista Hotel with a brand new dog named Brunoto (Bruno 2)

- Tommy gets one of the Drista Daggers and logs out

- Later, Puffy builds a house out of granite and blackstone opposite of Tommy’s house and removes the section of Holy Land wall blocking her therapy office

---

Upcoming events remain the same.

[artzychic27]

An akuma with reality powers, The Artist Family and the canon Art kids (maybe the other classmates too) meet each other

Their reaction? Chaos?

Another day, another Akuma for the Malevolent Miraculous team

This one is named Alterna, and they’re a scientist who got Akumatized because their alternate universe theory was rejected

They have the power to open portals to other dimensions

While fighting, Alterna grabbed Black Widower’s whip and used it to ensnare the team before flinging them into a portal

Once they land, they find themselves... In Paris? Only, something feels off, very off...

Since there doesn’t seem to be any danger, they detransform

They look around while getting weird looks from people. (Imagine the ‘Going into town’ scene form the Addams Family 2019 movie)

Nathaniel Artist: Everyone’s dressed so... Conformist. *Sees a magazine with Adrien on the cover* And what happened to Adrien’s new look?

Rose Artist: Is this one of the universes where his dad is a jerk?

Alix Artist scares off a few people by throwing a brick through a few car windows.

Marc Artist: Alix, don’t be rude. Let the others have their turns.

Manon approaches Marinette Artist and asks why she’s wearing dark colors

Marinette Artist: Manon, you know I despise all colors.

A few more minutes of walking, and they see Marinette Dupain-Cheng running to school

Marinette Artist: *Checks her watch* School has begun three minutes ago. She’s not very punctual, is she?

The Artist Family follow her to the alternate DuPont to see what’s going on, then they bump into Mme. Bustier, who was making her way to the teachers lounge.

Mme. Bustier: Marinette? But I just... I saw you, all of you in the classroom. And Marc, shouldn’t you also be in class?

The Artists rush to their respective classrooms and find their alternate sleeves, much to their shock

Nathaniel Kurtzberg: ... What the fuck?!

Nathaniel Artist: I could ask the same about your outfit. Must you insult my eyes with such a color combination?

Chloé: Ha! You just got burned by yourself, tomato head!

Marinette Artist: At least he doesn’t go out looking like a clown gave him a makeover.

Chloé: I’m telling daddy!

Marinette Artist: Yes, let your father get involved with petty teenage drama. That will get him more votes in the upcoming election. Now silence.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng: ... Thank you, me?

They explain what happened, (Leaving out the part about them being superheroes because this universe’s Lila will no doubt run her big mouth to Hawkmoth who they’re sure she’s working for), and the art club is not sure how to react

Alix Kudbel: So we’re basically the Addams Family?

Lila: Oh! You know, my great great grandfather actually inspired Chauncey Addams to create the Addams Family!

While the class eats it up, the art club and Artists just glare at her

Marinette Addams: It’s Charles Addams, idiot.

Lila: Oh, you guys hate me too? *Cue bitch crying*

Juleka Artist: *Waves a skull in front of Lila* Luxor, nexor, burst and burn!

Lila: What’s she doing?

Juleka Artist: Just a curse that will make your pants burst into flames every time you lie.

Lili: *Whining* Why are you all trying to hurt me?! I never lie! *Her pants bursts into flames and she runs out of the school before she’s left in only her underwear*

Alya: *To her Marinette* My sincerest apologies.

Suddenly, screams are heard, followed by Mme. Mendelive and her students running past the classroom. Marc Anciel and Artist walk into the classroom while being trailed by a clutter of spiders

Marc Artist: Well that was quite rude, wouldn’t you say?

Marc Anciel: In their defense, spiders are a little... Horripilante.

Nathaniel Artist just stands there, trying very hard not to kiss the alternate version of his boyfriend and wondering why his alternate self isn’t going kissing his Marc madly with passion

The Artists explain to the Art Club during lunch about their situation and tell them that they’re Miraculous holders in their world, much to Marinette’s shock since she’s never heard of the Malevolent Miraculous

The art club let their alternate selves stay with them until they can figure out a way to get back, but Nathaniel and Marc Artist insist that they stay together

Alix Kudbel and Artist volunteer to let them stay with them. (Cuz they ship ‘em!)

Marinette A is stunned to see her alternate parents, and when they welcome her with open arms since her own parents were always so distant.

Even when she shows her dark nature, they still treat her like family. She tries very hard not to show any emotion

When they’re alone, Tikki and Screech reveal themselves. Tikki explains that there are alternate realities with different Kwamis with similar powers to the Kwamis they’ve alternate versions of. Screech is her alternate self

Marinette A questions why Marinette DC’s Ladybug suit is so skintight and insists that she change her suit which Marinette DC doesn’t mind doing

Marinette A tells Marinette DC about her boyfriend, Damian, confusing DC a bit. What about Adrien?

Marinette A: Adrien wasn’t able to satisfy my needs. Yes, he’s quite attractive, but I needed someone who could keep up with me, worship me, be my love servant and follow me into the underworld.

Marinette DC: ... So who’s this Damian?

Nathaniel K insists that Nathaniel A spend some time away from his Marc so they can talk without them making out every five minutes

Nathaniel A: How is it that you have not gouged out your own eyes?! Your Marc is miles away from you, and you believe you have the right to live?!

Nathaniel K: ... We call each other.

Nathaniel K is starting to regret letting his alternate self live with him since he keeps starting fires! He had to hide all of the matches and anything flammable. And if that’s not bad, Chompp keep chewing on his sketchbooks

Once all of the fire causes were hidden, they bonded over their love for painting and sketching

Nathaniel K: So, your paintings are actually cursed?

Nathaniel A: Very much. One caused the mayor to stumble down the stairs and stay in intensive care.

Nathaniel K: *Thinking of all the ways he could torture Chloé and Lila with his art* ... Teach me.

Marc Anciel is trying not to scream every time one of Marc Artist’s spiders crawl on him, not wanting to seem rude

Marc Anciel: *Shudders* Oh, and that’s a black widow in my hair.

Marc Artist: They’re my favorite. It’s why I chose the name Black Widower.

To release some of the tension, Marc Anciel suggests they read each other’s writing... He will not be sleeping for a while after reading Marc’s Artist’s stories. He asks why his alternate self wrote eulogies for his Nathaniel

Marc Artist: I want others to know of the love we shared together before he’s put to rest. And who better to write my love’s eulogy than the one who knows him best? The one who has loved him, tangoed with him, stabbed his heart.

Marc Andiel ignores the last part and actually considers writing Nathaniel’s eulogy.

Alix K and Alix A are having an awesome time together

Alix A and Duuo throw grenades which Alix K dodges while skating until Alim tells them to do this away from the museum

They outrun the police, prank Kim by putting itching powder in the pool, and watch their Marcs and Nathaniels make out

It’s all fun and well until Alix A meets this universe’ Jalil. Her Jalil sold her out since there was a reward to turn her in, forcing her to run from the authorities and she’s never forgiven him

Jalil K assures her that he’d never do that and reminds her that family always comes first. Alix A is resisting the urge to cry and instead lights a firecracker in his jacket

Juleka A CANNOT stop staring at her alternate self’s Luka. She can actually see his face and body. And he can talk!

Luka: Hey, are Marinette and I a... Thing where you’re from?

Juleka A: She has two hands. Soon to be three when she takes Damian’s in marriage when they’re of age.

Juleka C and A bond over their love for the macabre and witch culture. She even teaches her a few spells to use against Chloé and Lila if she ever shows her face again

They work! Chloé broke out into a terrible rash, and all of Lila’s pants are on fire

Rabbid also may or may not have chewed up the rest of Lila’s clothes, forcing her to spend all of her money on new clothes

Rose A tries to get used to her alternate self’s love of bright colors and Disney movies, but it’s a struggle. So, she exposes her to the darker side of Disney.

Rose L is horrified but also a little excited.

They do a dark Disney marathon and watch all of the movies Disney tried to hide from audiences.

Rose A even changes up Rose L’s look so she looks like a badass punk Princess, which gives Juleka C a slight nosebleed

Rose L is still her bubbly self, but now also has a love for the darker things in life

The Artists stay in this universe for three more days, starting another goth trend in the alternate Paris by giving Adrien a makeover, introducing Marinette to Damian via pen pal program, teaching Nathaniel and Juleka how to curse their enemies, setting Lila’s clothes on fire a couple more times, introducing Marc to a more gothic style of or writing & Rose to a punk style of clothing, and teaching Alix all of the stunts she’s never even thought of doing that involve explosives

They also have a little fun with Nino and help him pursue his dream of traumatizing Gabriel Agreste

This involves chloroform, a coffin, and a walkee talkee. Gabriel is forced to listen to Nino’s voice for 12 whole hours, telling him to be a better dad to Adrien, fire Lila, and to give him $1000 dollars

Gabriel gives Adrien more freedom, fires Lila and burns all of the magazines with her face and name in them, and gives Nino $1000 dollars. Then he passes out

Nino: *Hugging the Artists* I... I love you guys so much. I don’t ever want you to leave. You have made me the happiest man alive!

Then Alterna shows up

Nino: NO! DON’T TAKE THEM! TAKE GABRIEL!

Adrien: Hey!

Nino: I’m just kidding... Not.

The Artists and Marinette transform. The Malevolent Miraculous team are shocked to see Chat Noir but are even more shocked when they immediately recognize him as Adrien

They’re able to defeat the Akuma even though Lila (Who’s being a brat because she got fired) keeps interfering by whining about her broken leg, this time in a skirt. (Loophole) And she keeps trying to snatch their Miraculous whenever she gets close to them

Jaws: *Uses power to make his teeth sharper* Keep crying and I’ll give you a real broken leg. *Lila shuts up and lets them work*

They defeat Alterna, and Ladybug and Nocturna use the Miracle/Malevolent cure to remove all of the portals opened by the Akuma and put people back in their respective dimensions

They start to disappear and head back to their dimension as the Bats and Ladybugs swarm around them

Nino: NO! TAKE ME WITH YOU! *They disappear* DAMNIT!

Alya: You have them. *Points to the Art Club*

Nino: Can they murder Gabriel or frame him for a crime?

Juleka: We can try. There’s six of us, one of him. Nathaniel and I now know how to curse people.

Nino: I’m in!

Alya: And while you go ruin Gabriel’s life, I’m gonna go kill Lila.

Back in the Artist’s Dimension!

Juleka Artist: Are we back? Is this our dimension?

Nino: Oh, thank God you’re back! Gabriel was starting to gain consciousness again and Adrien is becoming suspicious. I think he knows I’m keeping him in my basement.

Marinette Artist: *Sighs* Yep. This is our place.

[glitter-oracle]

i. metro de caracas

summary: bucky regrets having layers of clothes and his first ride on caracas' subway. kind of.

word count: 1000.

notes: needless to say, this crack fic is totally mine. any copy, translation or variant is not allowed.

Bucky damns the very same moment he decided a jacket on top of his red henley would make a comfortable outfit.

Normally, it would. He's not really one to make eccentric style choices, and to go outside wearing tank tops is out of the question with his very noticeable vibranium arm. The people here might have bigger problems to worry about but Bucky is not about to test their limits.

Except, he kinda wished he was mad enough to go outside Caracas' 27° C with a light shirt and capable of desensitizing himself from the horrified looks he could get. Yep, he wished. But that's just wishful thinking.

Instead of that, he chose to go outside with those clothes and give a chance to the public transportation apparently the capital had to offer. The dreaded Metro of Caracas. A subway in all means that had nothing to envy on NYC's subway.

In a good way. And a bad way too.

A trickle of sweat forms at the beginnings of Bucky's forehead, he gulps as his gloved hand grips firmly on the metal bar in the middle of the wagon. He looks around at the people in there, quite crowded, some of them chatting but all of them sharing the same dreadful expression in their faces. Some people are even making air with their hands or work folders.

In the distance Bucky hears a man wailing something in spanish he can't quite get, but soon he sees him carrying a bag full of candies and he guesses he might be a peddler.

Nobody else gives the man a glance. It's like everyone is trying really hard to separate themselves from this experience. Bucky bites his lip and takes a sudden interest in looking at the Metro's dirty poster where he could see the upcoming stations. He can even trace some doodles below the information.

"Por favor, no te lo lleves", Bucky hears a woman cry out in the middle of the unassuming crowd. Please, don't take it. That surely makes him look around for the voice. He swiftly takes a glance to see if anyone else is attentive, but no. Bucky bites his tongue.

It's then when he fixes his gaze on a man moving rather quickly (or at least as quick as the narrow space lets him be) towards the wagon's open gate.

"¡Quédate con el dinero, pero necesito mis documentos!", the woman cries out again as she looks out for that very same man, trashing in her reduced space with everyone around her as still as a statue, some pitiful looks on their faces. Bucky can speak spanish, but right now he doesn't even need to understand the language to connect the dots on what is happening as that man tries to run among the people with his hand on a purple purse.

So, he does what any good samaritan with a metal arm and hatred for injustice can do. Plus, it's pretty easy to catch the robber when the sea of strangers are blocking his way out.

But Bucky doesn't measure his heroic act.

His gloved hand grips tightly on the man shirt and then he pulls him inside the wagon again, some people looking startled at the abrupt movement, but Bucky doesn't give a flying fuck at the moment. His hand then grips the man's neck and the man audibly gasps. The whole train is quiet for a moment, and then the woman yells. "That's him, that's him!", she yells in spanish and point him out, and it's then when Bucky's eyes focus on his own hand, casually being the metal one. He genuinely feels like he could cry from the knot that is forming on his throat.

No, please, I tried to do something good. Bucky wants to speak, to make them understand, anything he could muster to defend himself from being recognized. His stomach twists. He just wanted a new place away from the knowing stares, the same ones that have been watching him in fear since Black Widow released HYDRA's files.

If only this train could open up from below and eat him whole Bucky would be happier. He can't hear anything else for a moment except his erratic heartbeat and the stares of everyone who saw the altercate. He's been in this city for only a week and seems like only a week was enough. No matter where he went, his own ways would betray him.

"That's the man that stole my purse, oh my god", the woman is finally close from the two of them. Bucky stills, incapable of looking at her face in fear of what could happen. " Oh my god, I can't believe it", she goes on, and it's then when Bucky's gaze shifts to her assailant's face. He's blabbering some apologies and putting his hands up to show Bucky the infamous wallet. He doubts for a moment after the whole train scare, but he takes the wallet and then lets go of his shirt.

The man scrambles on his feet and bumps all the people on his way out of the train. Bucky hasn't uttered a single word.

"Oh my god young man, thank you so much!", he locks his shocked gaze on the woman, a middle-age brown lady with one big woven bag that has already some tears in her eyes. Bucky lets out an amused chuckle as he hands her wallet. "I was so afraid when I felt that man digging in my pockets, I just had my ID printed this past week", she goes on happily and in her excitement she holds both Bucky's cheeks in her palms as she kisses his cheeks.

The whole wagon leaves their quiet state as they congratulate them. "Poor guy, must've shat his pants", he hears one passenger say, "He deserved it. That should teach him to not get advantage of people!", he hears another. The brunette's heartbeat hasn't calmed down, ironically all he can hear in the train are praises of his act as people throw him big smiles and curious gazes. Everyone seems rather in awe and that seems very clear when a small group of people get close to him in order to congratulate him and strike up a friendly conversation.

Bucky still doesn't speak a single word, but it seems like it doesn't matter.

[writtingfiction]

Sylvan x blythe pleaseeeeeeeeee anything u want

Oh lord, if you leave it broad like this I will try too hard to think of what I could do, and when I do find out something to with it, it ends up being long...

pairing: Sylvain x Byleth

words: 2.6 k

Sylvain knows what he said to Byleth years ago doesn’t paint him in a very good picture, even though he said he was kidding, he knew that she didn’t think he was. Maybe that’s why he didn’t see her as often as he did after that. He wasn’t surprised with the lack of her presence despite her being his professor. Sylvain envied Byleth for her lack of crest until she got to the monastery, almost wishing he had the same life. However, the grip on his heart when he learned that she went missing during the battle against Edelgard’s forces, made him want to weep.

The shock and relief Sylvain felt when seeing Byleth again, his chest heated, finger gripping his lance harder and his mask ever steady on his face. He couldn’t show just how much her presence means to him, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy to see her. It’s when he gets the chance to see her up close that he realizes just how much he has changed since then.

The teal hair practically shines as the sun rises. She is as graceful as she was 5 years ago. She’s able to dodge the thieves attack smoothly. It’s almost as if she never vanished so long ago. When Byleth makes eye contact with him, he can only smile. However, when she approaches him during the heat of battle to check on him, he struggles to pull out words.

“Professor!” He grins as wide as he can. “Still looking as pretty as ever.” He gives her a quick wink. Sylvain doesn’t acknowledge the slight disappointment in her eyes when she turns back to fighting the thieves.

—— —

Sylvain hummed as he sharpened his blade. It’s been at least a month or two now since they’ve taken back the monastery without Edelgard knowing. Nonetheless, the further they went on their mission to take her down it wouldn’t be long before they found out. The various shouts he heard throughout the monastery told him that they were going out again. Letting out a tired sigh before he got up and joined his friends.

“Sylvain, there you are. I was just about to look for you.” Ashe said.

“Ashe, my knight in shining armour.” Sylvain said light hearted. Ashe can only grin wider.

“Y’know, have you kept up with your dancing skills?” Ashe said out of curiosity. “Professor did have you win the White Heron cup.” Sylvain could feel a groan in the back of his throat. Did he want to admit he did keep up with his dancing skills in private? When he knew no one would bother him.

“Wouldn’t you like to know, my friend.” Sylvain said. Ashe let out a laugh.

“I’m just saying, I have a feeling the professor might put you on dancing duty.” Ashe spoke and Sylvain felt the embarrassment climb up his chest.

“By the Gods, I hope she doesn’t.” Sylvain said.

“Hope who doesn’t what?” Byleth spoke. Both of the young men jumped.

“Professor!!” Ashe said. Smiling ear to ear. “Just discussing the battle plans for the upcoming battle.” Byleth nodded.

“I’m glad you were. In fact, Sylvain, I wanted to ask you if you still remember the dances from the White Heron cup? It has been 5 five years after all.” Byleth said. Sylvain wanted to eat his own armour.

“Of course I do, professor. How could I forget dancing with someone as beautiful as you?” Sylvain said, pulling out his charming lines.

“Do you want me to make you wear the outfit again? I’m sure there’s an extra outfit around here somewhere…”

“NO! I mean, no. That won’t be necessary.” Sylvain said. The former blue lion students could see the mischievous smirk on Byleth’s face fade ever so slightly.

“A pity, but I hope the armour is easy to move in.” Byleth said, waving the two boys along to follow her. “You’ll be doing a lot of supporting.” Sylvain let out a nervous laugh. He wasn’t this nervous for an upcoming battle for years and he didn’t like what it meant.

— — —

The sounds of panic shouting and rushed footsteps of a scout climbing the stairs to the counsel room should have been their first sign of how bad the news was going to be. The door burst open and Dimitri almost has half a mind to throw his lance at the scout who’s already winded.

“Your highness…! Byleth…! The empire… the empire is here with forces!!” The scout breathes out barely. The entire room is quiet, it takes a moment for the news to settle in before everyone looks to Byleth. Their trusted professor and now tactician to lead them through this. Sylvain sees the gears turning in her head, she wasn’t expecting this, at least not so soon.

“Ready the forces, take what civilians you can and escort them to the back of the monastery. Edelgard is not among them?” Byleth speaks. The scout nods.

“The emperor is nowhere to be seen. It’s only a small force however, General Randolph is leading the forces. We have about four hours.” Sylvain sees Caspar tense, he doesn’t know why but there must be a connection.

“Then we win this one. Ready who you can to fight, the rest can protect the civilians. Make sure anyone who can’t fight stays away from the scene of the battle. Ready what you can of the ballistae and the magic, we will need them.” Byleth casts out orders for the scout who’s only able to nod and run out the door. Byleth then turns to her former students. “I want the rest of you to prepare, I will call a meeting at the edge of the gates in two hours to propose a strategy. You’re dismissed.” Sylvain is almost too happy to leap out of his seat as Ingrid calls out Caspar for his tenseness from earlier. Sylvain wasn’t the only person to notice then.

“Wait—Caspar, do you know this General?” Ingrid said, raising from her seat. There was anger ready to be released behind her voice. Caspar on the other hand only gave a sheepish smile.

“General Randolph is my uncle through marriage, that’s all. It will be odd to fight against him is all.” Caspar said. There’s a heavy tension through the room. Annette speaks up.

“He is your uncle?!” It’s more out of surprise than anything.

“Can we trust a former black eagle?” Felix snarls. Dimitri stands and speaks.

“I will not have a traitor amongst my inner—“

BANG

Byleth’s hand hits the table. Everyone is quick to look over her and fall silent. Byleth stares at them all, nothing to give away what she felt. It was almost as if everyone has first met her again.

“I will not have animosity and infighting among you. If you have a problem, I will address the issue but I will not allow you to fight one another, is that clear.” Byleth said coldly and clearly. There were silent nods from everyone. “So, does anyone here think that Caspar has told the empire about us being here?”

No one spoke.

“Does anyone think that Bernadetta said anything to the empire?”

Nothing reached Byleth’s ears.

“Then you are dismissed. I shall see everyone in two hours by the front gates to reconvene.”

Sylvain walked out of the room, heart in his hand. He doesn’t think he had been so scared before by someone. He spares glances towards his friends and he can see the lingering fear among them. Dimitri almost seemed less scary even for a moment. Caspar and Bernadetta must have been horrified when Ingrid had called out Caspar like that, never mind the quick judgemental comments coming from Felix and Dimitri. He thinks he can hear Bernadetta cry as he heads down the staircase.

— — — —

Sylvain inhaled sharply as he muttered the words to a spell under his breath. Fire licked at his palm and he could feel the heat wash over him. It reminds him of the first he had cast the spell, dark and cold in the well he was thrown down into by his brother. The fire in his palm grows brighter and bigger. His eyes lift from the flame to the dummy in front of him. He is ready to cast the flame upon the poor dummy but loses his focus when Byleth interrupts him.

“Sylvain,” Byleth calls to him. The flame disappears as he looks at his former professor. “Time is up. Are you prepared enough to fight?”

“Yes, always,” Sylvain says with conviction. He could almost see the smile on her lips.

“Walk with me, we can flag anyone down as we make our way towards the gates,” Byleth said. Sylvain nods and walks with her.

The two of them converse with ease talking about his skills in magic and how he has improved within the last five years. Something seems to make his heart race the more they talk. He thinks it’s the battle that’s coming soon, but there’s a feeling that maybe, just maybe it isn’t that.

“Everyone here?” Byleth asks towards the group, and with a quick look around, everyone was in fact there. A small frown is on Sylvain’s face as he takes the mental note that Dedue is not there. “Good. Now, let me start with our defences and how things will unfold…”

— — — — —

Even with knowing the plan was to cast fire down upon the shrubbery, he couldn’t help but run towards her. Byleth was struggling against a heavily armoured enemy. He saw how she had cast magic against the enemy but had missed. Perhaps it was due to the exhaustion and trying to keep the plan together. Or, maybe because she wasn’t able to keep up with her former students turned friends as they rushed forward.

Byleth sidestepped the shining silver axe that came down towards her. Sylvain grimaced the way it had barely missed her. His arm raised and curled his fist into his chest as he chanted the words for the spell of fire. His palm warmed up before the heat crawled up his fingers, wrist, and arm. A red sigil appearing in front of his body glowing a bright red, a small but bright flame licks at his hand just as the sigil disappears. Just when the heat becomes unbearable he extends his hand towards the enemy, the small flame grows bigger and bigger heat reaching his face with how large the fire became. With one word the fire is sent towards the enemy, singing the grass as it flies through the air before hitting the heavy armour melting it against the enemy’s skin.

Sylvain could see the relieved sigh escape her chest. She turns to face him and he hears her say ‘thank you' but it’s short-lived as he sees a sniper release an arrow from the distance. He’s moving before he can say anything. His voice is stuck in his throat as he reaches her, pushing her away from where she stood as an arrow hits his shoulder. There’s just enough force from the arrow to knock him off his feet and send him to the ground. Sylvain’s hand goes to his shoulder grasping the arrow tightly.

“Sylvain!!” Byleth cries out.

His head swivels towards her, eyes just barely catching the second arrow coming towards him. A groan comes the back of his throat as he rolls onto his side not hindered by an arrow. The second arrow just misses him, hitting the dirt where his head was. His chest is beating against his rib cage. His eyes are wide as he realizes how he barely dodged death. Firm hands grab at him, lifting him up to his feet. Sylvain is moving swiftly in what he assumes Byleth’s arms and his head is spinning.

Sylvain locks eyes with Byleth and her lips are moving but he can’t hear anything. He could probably guess at what she’s saying as she’s tugging on him. Follow her? He’s taking steps forward and it seems to calm her a bit as she drags them towards the middle of the battle. He can feel the faint pulse of aching in his shoulder but it doesn’t hurt. The adrenaline must be coursing through his veins to hide the real pain.

Sylvain stays close to her throughout the rest of the fight, and before he knows it, the fight is over and he’s rushed off somewhere to be taken care of.

— —— —

He’s stuck with doing nothing for a solid two days straight before he’s cleared for the battlefield after his third day of rest. Sylvain lets out a pained sigh as rolls his shoulder, eyes barely lifting to the doorway when hearing footsteps approaching his room.

“Oh, Professor! Thanks for stopping by.” Sylvain says with a large smile.

“You–How’s the injury?” Byleth said.

“It’s healing well, I’m being cleared for service tomorrow. Besides,” Sylvain pauses, a smirk on his lips and a wink is sent her way. “I’ve got this scar to show off as a medal for keeping you safe.” Sylvain can see her brows furrow as she frowns.

“Didn’t you want to kill me?” Byleth says in such a way it makes his stomach twist. He looks down to the ground.

“I certainly meant it when I said it…” Sylvain plays with his fingers, an old habit he did when he was nervous or felt vulnerable. “But, when the thought came to mind that you could have died, I reacted without thinking. That doesn’t mean that I never stopped being jealous of you, though. You got to live your entire life without the knowledge of your crest, meanwhile, I went through so much trouble all because I knew and everyone around me knew. My brother giving me the most trouble.”

“I remember five years ago with the incident about the lance of ruin,” Byleth said. Sylvain lets out a dry laugh, hands curling into fists.

“Yeah, he was not happy to learn that I had a crest. He got cast aside, almost treated like an outsider. One winter, we were out and you know what he did? He pushed down into a well.” Sylvain explained and he could see the way Byleth grimaced. “Even as a kid, I understood why he felt to act as he did. Even all the girls that throw themselves at me as the years went by. They don’t care about me, all they want is the crest and nobility status that comes with it.”

“You’re wrong…” Byleth said. Sylvain shook his head.

“Yeah, yeah, I get you. Even though it might be a bit late to admit but, their empty praise is best served somewhere else. Besides, it was unreasonable to resent you. I’m really sorry professor and thank you for everything. Seriously, thank you.” Sylvain looks to Byleth and he sees something. A sparkle in her eyes betrays something but with all the time he spent around people and knowing their true intentions he still couldn’t tell anything about her.

“You’re welcome, take care of yourself properly now. We’ve got some dancing lessons to catch up on.” Byleth says it to lighten the mood and he can only laugh. Heart beating a little faster in his chest as she giggles with him.

“You got it, professor.” Sylvain gives her a smile, a real genuine smile. Byleth smiles in return, before waving goodbye but not before saying;

“You should smile like that more often, you look relaxed.” To say his heart was beating against his chest because of her this time wouldn’t be a lie.

[cicinicole-14]

maybe then

hey hi hello, have a new jolex fic! 

dedicated to @thejolexgroupchat! it was nice knowing y’all!

tw: brief mentions suicide

Meredith remembers the days very clearly. 

The dreary day someone was knocking so frantically on her door close to midnight already, and she hurried down the stairs in hopes to answer the door, yell at her visitor, and pray her children wouldn’t wake up. 

She just wasn’t expecting to see Jo on the other side of the door, brown paper bag clutched in her hand so tightly and rain making her hair stick to her face. 

“Let me in, it’s freezing!” She remembers the demand and the slight panic in her voice. 

“Jo! It’s midnight, what are you doing?” 

Jo doesn’t give her an answer, just shoves the soggy paper bag towards the blonde and she takes it, peaking inside and examining the contents before looking back up at her. 

“Okay, so, here.” She says, shoving the bag back towards Jo. 

The brunette takes it but stands there, frozen, unmoving, entranced, staring down at the bag in her hands. 

“Go take the tests.” Meredith pushes, giving her a nudge towards the bathroom. 

She remembers the agonizing moments she spent waiting with Jo before the ever so small smile creeps across the younger woman’s face as all five tests show the same identical answers. 

Meredith remembers she doesn’t need to ask if Jo was happy about this or not, or if she needed told hold her hand for an appointment and drive her home later that day because this…this made Jo so unbelievably happy she could see it from a mile away. 

She remembers the warm hug Jo gives her because the woman had just been shivering cold from the rain just moments ago and she thought it was contradictory. She remembers the joyous and happy tears falling from big brown eyes amidst a bit of sorrow and pain, grieving the loss of their best friend for not getting to experience this, yet the wave of mutual understanding in them both when she’d asked her to not tell Alex. 

She remembers how Jo thanked her for giving her the benefit of the doubt, even with such loyalty to Alex, but by now, she thinks Jo had earned it. After all, she remembers her own pain and betrayal she felt from the man. Jo deserved someone on her side, in her corner for once. 

She remembers the days and weeks and months of prepping the loft with Jo. Helping her go through old bins and boxes of leftover baby things Amelia and Link hadn’t wanted, helping bring them over to the loft. 

She remembers the happiness on Jo’s face, the complete awe in her eyes as they picked out countless outfits for the new little boy who’d soon be making his presence in the upcoming months. 

The long days she spent in the OR with Jo, chatting and discussing names for the little boy, sharing Zola, Bailey and Ellis’s suggestions for their newest cousin to be. The few moments she got to spend next to Jo’s side as they watched Carina perform ultrasounds as the little boy grew. 

Meredith remembers all the good and happiness happening for Jo, surprisingly. 

She just doesn’t remember where it all went so wrong. 

                          —————————

Everything had been a blur since he’d gotten the phone call. Everything felt numb. He barely registered the voice on the other end of the line, the entire three and a half hour flight, the cab ride from the airport to the once familiar hospital. 

The only thing constant was the shaking of his hands, the racing in his heart, the sheer panic written all over his face at the prospect of something being wrong, so utterly and completely wrong. 

The call came, interrupting his surgery. 

Meredith. 

He ignored it at first. But then she called again,

and again, 

and again. 

And his blood ran cold. 

She hadn’t called in so long. It had been months since he’d sent the letters. Months of utter silence, cut off from everything, everyone. So initially, he was already on edge before he’d even instructed one of the scrubs nurses to hold the phone to his ear. 

In the many years he’d been a surgeon, never had he passed over the rest of the procedure onto a resident and left his OR. Not once, until that phone call. 

Not once until he heard Meredith’s voice on the other line. In a tone that made his body run rigid cold and sent shivers down his spine. 

In a tone he prays he never has to hear again. 

“It’s Jo.” Is all she says, all she has to say to flip his whole world upside-down. Nothing else mattered in that moment. No one else. 

He leaves the hospital after that, in the middle of his shift, not really caring about the people yelling for him as he’s ripping his scrub gown off and throwing it aside. He yanks his scrub cap off and pockets it before he's running. 

He’s running down the halls of his hospital as his chest pounds. He makes sure to grab his keys from his office before he’s out the front doors of the hospital and heading for his car. 

It takes him a little under an agonizing hour before he’s pulling up to the airport, slamming his car in park and tearing out of his car, frantically running towards the front of the airport. 

He’s yelling. He knows he’s yelling but he can’t even hear himself, because everything feels so numb. 

Something was wrong. 

Something was wrong, and he wasn't there.

He just needed to be there.  

He needed to get there soon. 

The flight to Seattle had him completely dazed. 

They’d called his boarding number and it was all he could do to sit in silence for three and a half hours. Three and a half hours of hell. 

The stewardess came and went and he ignored her. The lady in the row across from him had attempted to hit on him and the dude next to him was trying to chat with him, but Alex ignored them all. He didn’t want to talk. He couldn’t. He needed to focus. 

He needed to focus, to get to Seattle, and to find out what happened that Meredith wouldn’t tell him. 

                          —————————

The hospital feels horrifying. 

He’d walked these halls for years. 

He’d been shot in these halls. 

He’d been married in these halls. 

He’d fallen in love with the love of his life in these halls. 

It had never felt this terrifying, ever. 

Not until now. 

It makes his skin crawl, the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, chills shiver down his spine, his blood run cold. 

Something had happened. 

Something had happened and he didn't know, but he needed to. 

Meredith finally pulls him out of his reverie 

He’s just not sure if he’s relieved to see her.

                          —————————

She doesn’t know how she’s supposed to start. 

They teach you a lot of things in med school. She learned a lot there. She learned a lot as an intern, and then a resident and hell even as an attending, chief of her department, she was still learning. She’d taught interns something similar to this, even.  

She just never learned how to do this. 

No one teaches how to tell a loved one about their loved one.

She never learned this, nor would she want to. 

Taking a deep breath, she leads Alex into a private room, encouraging him to sit down. 

That was the first step; location. 

“Mer, what’s going on? Will you just tell me? I need to know what happened. No beating around the bush or half-truths, I wanna know–need to know.” 

“She had a baby, your baby.” She clarifies, because language–step two–was important. It makes her smile a bit. She’d been there right beside Jo. She got to hold him right after he was born, too. He was beautiful. “A little boy–“ she doesn’t get to finish before Alex is on his feet and interrupting her. 

“Oh God, Meredith. God, you scared the crap out of me! I thought someone had died. This is a good thing. I mean it’s awful because I haven’t been here. I guess Jo told you you couldn’t tell me or whatever because why wouldn’t she tell me I have another kid?” He rambles on, pacing around and completely ignoring Meredith’s expression. "We have a son? Where is he? I need to see him. Where’s Jo? Is she okay?”  His voice becomes frantic the longer she stays silent, the longer she remains still, sitting in the chair that was beside his. 

“She had him two weeks ago.” She swallows the lump in her throat as her voice grows shaky. “Alex, I’m sorry, he didn’t make it–“ 

“Why didn’t you call? Why wasn’t I called? Who was her OB? Did Robbins get notified? Could she have helped? Tell me what happened!” 

He’s yelling now. And she should be used to it, patients’ families yelling, screaming, shouting, crying as they begin to process and grieve.

But it only scares her, watching the man she called her best friend, her person, begin to grieve over a child he never knew he had, a child he never got to love, a child he should’ve been there for, to see, to hold. 

“There was nothing anyone could do. Jo had developed placental abruption and it wasn’t caught. It was missed and went untreated. You of all people know how it can just start. She had some spotting in her second trimester and then it had stopped. Carina said that there was nothing to worry about, and Jo even called Robbins to confirm. She was okay.” Meredith tells. “And then she wasn’t. She was thirty-one weeks when an intern accidentally shoved a gurney a little harder than necessary, and it bumped into her. It wasn’t much, she didn’t even stumble, but apparently the force of it caused her placenta to detach. She started uncontrollably bleeding. There–there was so much blood.” 

She watches the tears fall from Alex’s face as he buries his head in his hands, his whole body shaking. 

“Carina took her up and was on the phone with Arizona the entire time. Robbins was still six hours out so she was talking Carina through the surgery, except it was already too late. The baby wasn't breathing when he was born. He’d been deprived of oxygen for too long at that point and everything was too late. So they were able to close Jo up and she got to see him, I got to see him too. He was beautiful Alex. All Karev, that one. His head’s big like yours. He had her nose, though.” She smiles through her own tears at that point. Sharing every detail she remembered of the little boy. “She held him. He was cold, and pale, and blue, but he was still so beautiful.” 

“No. No this isn’t happening. You’re lying, Mer, why would you do this to me? Why would you say crap like this?” 

She doesn’t reply. She doesn’t know what else to say. Sorry doesn’t help. Sorry doesn’t fix this, fix the fact that their baby, a baby he never knew existed, would never get to grow up, and to have to explain that it just happened sometimes. That there really wasn’t a full explanation as to how it even happened, it just did. She knows that doesn’t give him much closure and it never will. 

“So Jo’s okay? Where is she, the loft? Your house? I need to see her. You–you know how fragile she must be right now. Someone needs to be with her.” He’s up on his feet again, pacing around and she’s afraid his walking in circles is going to make her sick. 

“Jo went home after her c-section. Link and I did our best to empty the loft of all the baby things. His nursery in the corner of the loft,  where your heavy bag used to be, had been almost completely finished. She’d put his clothes in the dresser and set up a baby bath in the bathroom. There was a crib and a changing table and a bouncer, the stroller, the carseat, the toys, even a rocking chair. Your mom had even sent some hand-knitted blankets, hats, booties, Alex, they were adorable. I’d never seen Jo so happy and excited. She was ready. She was sad you weren’t there with her, but she was so happy and ready for that little boy.” 

Hesitating for a moment, Meredith shoves her hands in her scrub pockets and then pulls them out as her hand falls on something. She glances at the piece of paper in her hands and then hands it to Alex.

He stares, with tears in his eyes, at the grainy ultrasound photo, one of the last ones taken before Jo’s emergency c-section. 

“I’ve never seen someone so ready for a baby, but Jo was. She had this ultrasound picture hanging on the fridge. I forgot I’d shoved it into my pocket.” She says the last part quieter, but Alex still catches it, making eye contact and urging her to continue, knowing she hadn’t told the full story quite yet. 

“She was happy, until her world came crashing down on her. And then everything was dark. She refused tp willingly check herself into inpatient care this time, and I’m not married to her so I couldn't do it. Link isn’t legally her brother, so we were out of options–”

“You called me here to send her to psych?” Alex asks in disbelief. 

“No.” Meredith says softly as the tears well up in her eyes again. “Jo doesn’t need to be admitted to psych because she’s dead.” 

And with that, Alex’s whole world seems to completely shatter. 

“She’d tucked away a few ultrasound photos and some letters she’d written to you and never sent. Link and I must’ve missed them because when I came back to the loft this morning, there she was, curled up in one of your worn out t-shirts, clutching his baby blanket, and the letters were next to her. She wasn’t breathing when I came in. Her pain medication from her surgery was completely gone, but the bottle was on the nightstand and there was an empty bottle of tequila next to it too.”

Alex gets up, throwing the chair he was sitting in, across the room in anger. “Why wasn’t someone with her?! You knew she shouldn’t have been alone! I should’ve been there! You should’ve called me!” He screamed. 

“There was a mass casualty last night, a huge nineteen car pile up on the main highway, and all traumas were headed our way. It was all hands on deck and no one could be there with her. She said she would be okay. It was the middle of the night. I even waited until she’d fallen asleep before I left.” She explained but she knew nothing she said would help. Nothing she said would fix it. Nothing she said would make Alex feel better.

So, he continued to scream, and yell, and throw things. He punched the wall until his hand was bloody and bruised and there was an Alex Karev’s fist size hole in the wall, but he didn’t care. Nothing he could possibly do would bring Jo back to him. Nothing he did would bring the love of his life back to him. 

And he’d never forgive himself for leaving her in the first place. Because maybe then he could’ve been there. Maybe then he could’ve saved her. Maybe then they’d both be alive. Maybe then he’d have never lost the love of his life completely. 

Maybe then he wouldn’t hate himself as much as he did now, and forever. 

                          —————————

listen, if you want to come yell at me, by all means, please do. I deserve it. I am ready. I have accepted that this will be the fic that causes me to lose friends. 

[amphtaminedreams]

Farewell to Spooky Season, AHS Style: Lookbook no.12

Hi to anyone reading,

Happy belated Halloween!

I capitalise it because if I'm gonna recognise any day as sacred, it’s the spookiest one of the year! Halloween 2020 obviously hasn’t been as exciting as usual, parties and club nights being banned has meant there’s been far less opportunities to dress up, but I still managed to get out for the night before they announced the upcoming second lockdown and do a couple of spooky movie nights (and carve a pumpkin!)!

I originally intended for this lookbook to be last minute halloween costume inspo but I was lazy and didn’t manage to get it out on time-a lot of these looks minus the makeup and maybe an accessory or two could work on any day or night out so I thought I’d go ahead and post it now anyway. Celebrating the fashion moments of American Horror Story is something I’ve wanted to do for a while; it’s probably not the first show you’d think of for sartorial inspiration but Mr. Ryan Murphy has fucking fantastic taste in stylists and the first five seasons of AHS in particular, which I’ll be focussing on in this post, have given us SO many amazing looks. The man may be guilty of many things-subjecting us to the character of Will Schuester, trying to turn Richard Ramirez into a thirst trap, embarrassing everyone who raved about how good Scream Queens was when he wrote season 2-but costume related laziness is not one of them. We see more consistency in a Ryan Murphy character’s wardrobe than we do in their story arcs and I respect that because honestly, as much as I love joining in when it comes to ripping into his ability to cohesively bring an AHS season to a close when it airs, I’d probably be the same; if you put Lady Gaga in front of me and told me to write her lines I’d probably end up getting overly invested in what her character was going to be wearing in the scene too. 

So! Enough Ryan Murphy bashing from me! I’ll get on with it! Starting with 3 season 1 inspired looks:

Murder House: Elizabeth Short, Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon

-striped jumper from caitlinlark on Depop, kick flare jeans from ellagray-

When it comes to reflecting on season 1 of American Horror Story, all I can say do is thank the internet overlords that Tumblr has moved on from the romanticising school shooters and wearing normal people scare me tops phase to instead collectively taking the piss out of the “GO AWAY, TATE!”, “YOU’RE ALL THAT I WANTTT! YOU’RE ALL THAT I HAVEEE!” exchange. 

In terms of fashion *moments*, whilst season 1 doesn’t stand out as much as the seasons that come after, Violet and Tate’s wardrobes did give birth to a bit of a 90s grunge renaissance with their oversized knits and faded jeans and layering of textures. It did also give us good costumes in the form of Alexandra Breckenridge’s Moira O’Hara and Mena Suvari’s portrayal of the Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short; unfortunately, I didn’t have a slutty maid costume lying around so I did the best I could at giving the outfit Elizabeth wears when she makes that fateful visit to the Murder House a modern, more party appropriate update.

In terms of season rankings, Murder House isn’t my favourite. It starts off really great but lulls a bit towards the end and I could never get behind Violet and Tate as a couple because you know, one of them is a school shooter who sexually assaults the other’s mum, and that’s a hurdle that I think most couples might struggle to get over irl. That being said, it was the season that started it all and showcased some of the most innovative writing and directing on TV, and it opened up a spot for horror on primetime television which as far as I know was kind of unheard of before then. Back when I first watched it, I had no idea what to expect not only because I’d never seen horror in a serial format but also because it seemed to be able to get away with the kind of storylines you’d expect network executives to fire people over. It introduced us to Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters and Denis O’Hare who would go on to make the show what it is today and more importantly, through Jessica’s glorious portrayal of Constance Langdon, provide us with an endlessly versatile meme format for this trying time.

Asylum: ‘60s Lana Winters, ‘70s Lana Winters, and Sister Mary Eunice McKee

-afghan coat from louisemarcella on Depop, red AA skater dress from julietramage, pink gingham co-ord from zshamim-

I think we can all agree: Asylum would’ve been a perfect series of television if it wasn’t for the completely unnecessary alien storyline. Like, I get that they fit in with the whole good vs. evil theme as a kind of non-biblical alternative to the idea of a higher, all-powerful being but there was already so much going on that it just wasn’t needed. Aside from that, I think the general consensus amongst watchers of the show is that Asylum has the best writing of any season and I think I’d tend to agree. It’s not my favourite because it’s too depressing to rewatch but if we’re talking the first time round, this is the series that had me hooked. Lana Winters?

Iconic. 

Sister Mary Eunice? Iconic. The Name Game? Iconic. Remember when you couldn’t go a day on Facebook without seeing that one photo of Naomi Grossman as Pepper used as the go to “what I really look like” photo in one of those “expectation vs. reality” style posts on your newsfeed? Those were simpler times.

Because this season was mostly situated within the hospital, we didn’t get that many proper outfits but when we did, they were stunning; if I had to state my absolute favourite AHS character of the entire show I’d probably go with Lana Winters and the part her wardrobe played in her characterisation would 100% play a part in that. The late 60s/early 70s was such a wonderful period for fashion and through her character we get to see both of those explored a little. Of course there’s also *that* Sister Mary Eunice scene with the red slip dress and suspenders too which yes, could be a perfect halloween costume, but I also strongly believe should be a perfectly acceptable outfit for any day of the year. 

Coven: Misty Day, Madison Montgomery, and Zoe Benson

-chiffon dress from rags_to_riches on Depop, pinstripe corset from hanpiercey, and tennis skirt from mollie_morton-

I hate to be a basic bitch but I have to say it: Coven is my favourite season of American Horror Story. Once you get over the complete waste of Evan Peters’ acting capabilities that resulted from the *choice* to have him play Kyle, the unnecessary rehash of the Evan/Taissa pairing from season 1 in what I can only assume was an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of the questionable Tate/Violet relationship, and the subsequent sacrifice of any interesting character arc we could’ve foreseen for Zoe Benson beyond her obsessing over a resurrected, non-verbal frat boy, it’s a perfect season. A supreme (heh) balance of horror, humour, and character drama, as well as the stunning aesthetics and forever quotable dialogue, make it my go-to season if I’m ever considering a rewatch. And if you disagree, let me jog your memory with the most mainstream (not to get all “normal people scare me” and suggest AHS is not a mainstream show, I literally just mean in the sense that even those who have never watched the show will have seen this)  reaction GIF set any FX show has even spawned:

Buzzfeed employees had a field day, Emma Roberts enthusiasts (I mean me) finally saw her cemented as the pop culture icon Scream Queens has since showed us she deserves to be (because not enough people have seen Unfabulous, Nancy Drew or Scream 4) and the gays everywhere rejoiced at the year’s worth of meme fodder they’d been provided with. It was Madison Montgomery’s world and we were truly just living in it.

And the fashion! I mean, Stevie Nicks meets 21st century teenage witches! Come on! 

Freakshow: Dandy Mott, Maggie Esmerelda and Elsa Mars

-olive green satin skirt from morganogle on Depop, headscarf from tonijordan, platform sandals from elliefewt, PVC skirt from bethpin_, corset top from sadieflinter, beret from house_of_erotique, flame detail platform boots from mad_rags_vintage-

When people talk about the declining quality of AHS, they usually point to Freakshow as the beginning of the end, but I have to completely disagree. I wasn’t a fan the first time round but on rewatch it’s probably the most emotional season of them all; no, there aren’t as many “horrifying” moments as in other seasons and Elsa is probably Jessica’s worst performance (which is still an incredible one by anybody else’s standards), however it makes up for it with the most sympathetic bunch of characters yet, and on the flip side, also one of the most amusingly depraved with Finn Wittrock’s Dandy Mott. Fans usually argue that the season went downhill once *SPOILER* Twisty the Clown was killed off but for me, he really primarily served as the catalyst for the far more interesting devolution of Dandy, who, imo, is the show’s strongest villain to date, rivalled only by Bloody Face. Then there was the episode Orphans too which made me cry buckets, the sole AHS episode to do so. 

We got a lot of great fashion content in this season too: the theatrical opulence of Elsa Mars’ wardrobe, “Maggie”’s nomadic fortune teller costumes, and all those twee suits we saw Finn Wittrock in. Highly underrated if you ask me. It seems an odd choice for me to use Elsa’s Dominatrix look as an inspiration for one of my looks here when we have that Life on Mars performance outfit and all the extravagant robes Jessica got to waltz around in for reference buuuut I didn’t really have anything to do the vibrancy of either of those justice so I went with the black leather option which is much more me. Am I saying I moonlight as a dominatrix? Maybe. Lol, no. I wish. It’s not for lack of trying. WHERE ARE ALL THE GENUINE TWITTER PAYPIGS AT!? Your girl wants to insult creepy men and get some new clothes out of it xoxo

Hotel: Hypodermic Sally, Liz Taylor, and The Countess

-silk white bralet from xlibby_maix on Depop-

Hotel is another season that I liked a lottttt more upon rewatch, once I knew I was okay to tune out the (completely predictable and utterly nonsensical) Ten Commandments Killer storyline that so much of the season initially seems to hinge on. I love Chloë Sevigny but the fact that her and Wes Bentley’s wooden John and Alex Lowe are positioned as the protagonists at the expense of the far more interesting Liz Taylor, James March and Hypodermic Sally really does a disservice to what is an otherwise great season upon initial viewing.

The visuals this season are magnificent and I think if I had to pick one character’s wardrobe to steal from the entire cast of AHS characters, it would be The Countess (a toss up between her and Misty Day tbh, so I kinda just settle for low-key channelling both). No fucking idea where I'd wear any of her clothes to but I’d make it work. Liz Taylor and Hypodermic Sally have some amazing looks too-there’s just honestly so much to choose from; that being said, this post wouldn’t be complete without a specific ode to the vampire goddess Elizabeth Bathory, who is everything I want to be in life minus the murderous qualities:

Everything. EVER-Y-THING. LOOK AT HER!

Lady Gaga is really a fucking goddess isn’t she. And people were claiming before they’d even seen it that she couldn’t act? A patriarchal society doesn’t like women that can do it all. Just saying. 

Anyways!

That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed the post if you did read til the end! Sorry I couldn’t get this out before Halloween, I was typing and Picmonkey-ing madly from 2 in the afternoon on the 31st but I taking fucking forever to get ready and had to abandon all hope of getting it out on the day by 4PM. I’ve got so much content planned and it sucks because a couple of them are lookbooks which now feel completely redundant given we’re heading into a second lockdown, but maybe I should just do it anyway? The grunge inspired moodboard I just did seemed to get a good reception too so I’ve got some more of them planned. 

As always, hope everyone is keeping well, and feel free to inbox me with any suggestions, queries or even just to say hi if you need someone to talk to! I check here quite a lot so I should see it. Lots of love to everyone in this time!

Lauren x

[makaylajadewrites]

What it Means to be a Fish

Summary: Spencer Reid wasn’t known for being the most social creature alive. He struggled with most social situations and was quite awkward in his every day life, and if he told his night time companions that he worked for the FBI, they would most likely laugh at him or simply dismiss him outright. But it was true. An FBI agent by day, a drag queen by night — who would have ever thought?

Potential tws: N/A

--

Spencer Reid wasn’t known for being the most social creature alive. He struggled with most social situations and was quite awkward in his every day life, and if he told his night time companions that he worked for the FBI, they would most likely laugh at him or simply dismiss him outright. But it was true. An FBI agent by day, a drag queen by night — who would have ever thought? Certainly not him. He had experimented once with makeup when he was still a boy, but from there, it had simply evolved into an outright fascination, that he was incredibly good at too. Even Garcia would be jealous if she knew how well he could rock a cat eye.  

Any drag queen would know that Spencer was experienced with the way he owned the stage and held himself with a pride that was absent in his daily life. He wasn’t nearly as confident at the bureau as he was in gay nightclubs, strutting around like a peacock with his feathers on display for all to see. He was good at it though, and it had been a hobby of his ever since he was able to get into nightclubs legally. Who would have thought that the awkward genius kid completing his third PhD at the age of eighteen would be a drag queen? Absolutely nobody, and that was why Spencer didn’t put extra effort into hiding the fact; because he was almost certain nobody would ever find out.

In the drag community, there were different types of queens. Eleven, to be exact; faux, androgyny, fish, club, goth, pageant, camp, transdrag, fluid, tranimal, and activessle. Spencer fit into one of those categories perfectly, and he always had: fish.

A fish drag queen was the type of queen who summoned every bit of femininity in their body and accentuated those features. They were determined to be the authentic woman, to the point where people wouldn’t think twice about her gender because to them, she was a real woman. Fish were polished, clean, and certainly weren’t shy with their makeup.

Now to be clear, Spencer was not gender dysphoric. He was comfortable with his masculinity as a gay man, but breaking the gender lines was always something that excited him. Dressing up in skirts and dresses and slipping a pair of heels on was empowering, and in Spencer’s opinion, any open minded person could feel like they ruled the world if they just slipped some stilettos on.

With the ever expanding appearance of drag queens in popular culture and media, Spencer wasn’t hesitant to join them. His colleagues wouldn’t ever suspect this from him, so there was no reason for them to go snooping. Garcia would never possibly consider this as a possibility, so why should he even bother to hide it? It would only prove to stress him out if he focused on the ‘what ifs.’

So he created a social media account. Just an Instagram at first, nothing too flashy, although as the follower count rose and rose, he began to feel like maybe he was just asking to be discovered. But apparently that wasn’t enough of a warning for him, because he went on to create a YouTube account on which he did makeup tutorials, for beginners and for the most experienced queens. It was a nice way to get rid of some stress, and after all, he liked to feel pretty: Who didn’t?

If his team had ever suspected anything, they would have found out by now.

But Spencer wasn’t really helping his case.

The first time he slipped, it had been a long night, and despite his initial plans to head home immediately after his show, he ended up staying with the girls a little longer than he expected, and hadn’t made it home until nearly three that morning. He was usually thorough when getting rid of the evidence, specifically with removing his makeup, making sure his hair wasn’t sticky from the wig-cap glue or tape, and taking off fake nails or nail polish. But he had failed that morning, and had completely forgotten about the bright pink polish on his fingers because of his sleep deprivation. What a shame. This wasn’t missed either. Because as soon as he was in Morgan’s line of sight in the break room, the older man looked somewhat shocked and began his torment.

“Well, well, well, Pretty Boy. You let your girlfriend do your nails last night?” He teased, innocent enough. Reid was confused at first, doing a quick, mental self-assessment before his eyes widened, his face glowed red, and an expression of absolute mortification took over. Instead of responding and embarrassing himself any further, he simply stuffed his hands in his pockets and treaded to his desk with faster steps, ignoring the sounds of laughter behind him and completely neglecting himself of coffee. Damn. So much for secrecy.

“What is it, Reid?” Prentiss questioned upon seeing him, a sharply tuned brow raised slightly. Spencer’s could look better though.

“Nothing. It’s nothing,” he stammered, internally cursing himself for his unbearable nerves. Emily looked humored but didn’t push it, thank god, and dropped it, not bringing it up again. Spencer kept his hands out of sight for the rest of the day.

The second time was completely Spencer’s fault. It had been a normal day, he had a show coming up that Friday, unless of course they were called on a case, and nothing was out of the ordinary. In short, it was a paperwork day and Reid was completely fine with that, simply because he usually finished early and the last hours of work were reserved for preparing for his upcoming performance. So, when his teammates thought he was simply staring off into space with some complicated equation taking over his existence, he was in truth thinking of outfits for the drag show.

He didn’t get to attend that show unfortunately, because a case came in right as he was packing up. He wallowed all the way to the roundtable room.

But when Penelope came into the room, it was over. A tight, somewhat outdated polka dotted dress fitted her curvy form and four inch pink heels that didn’t at all match the pink fabric of the dress nearly threw Spencer into a conniption fit. He was used to her bright and eccentric outfits, but this… How could she forsake the name of fashion so rudely? He nearly gasped at the sight, but he didn’t let it happen until his eyes had finished scanning over her body and rose to her face. What… What in gay hell?

Her eyeshadow was turquoise in color, the wings were sharp, and the contour… Oh god. Spencer was feeling nauseous already. It wasn’t blended. It wasn’t blended. It wasn’t blended. It was just straight blocks of color on her cheeks. He tried to hide the horrified expression on his face, but she saw right through him immediately since when Reid showed emotions, it was usually a big deal.

“Alright my furry friends, we have a—Why are you looking at me like that?” She said, stopping herself mid sentence and looking at Reid accusingly, the rest of the team instantly looking to him, clearly having missed the situation because nobody seemed as outraged as he was about the makeup disaster. He tried to look innocent, shaking his head quickly.

“O-Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare,” he said dismissively, but Garcia didn’t buy it. Profiling wasn’t in her job description, but she knew when someone was lying to her, especially Reid. But JJ beat her to it, tilting her head slightly and smiling in his direction.

“What’s wrong, Spence?” She asked. She was too sweet for her own good, her pretty blonde waves tumbling over her shoulders so naturally. Funny how his wigs looked just as pretty.

“Oh it’s… Something on your cheek, that’s all,” he said, Garcia looking horrified immediately and whipping out a pocket mirror, seemingly from thin air, and overlooking her plump face in confusion when she didn’t seem to notice the problem.

“What is it, what is it? Get it off,” she said frantically, approaching the young doctor with a tatter of heels and leaning down towards him. Reid did a quick glance in JJ’s direction who regarded him with a shrug, and Morgan seemed interested now. Spencer hesitantly rose his hand, a slender finger working the edges of her contour on either cheek until it was smooth and not just a straight line. JJ giggled beside him, quietly, and Prentiss looked incredulous at his actions, but when he deemed her fit, Spencer couldn’t resist the little pat he gave to her cheek. Penelope looked both pleased and surprised, thanking him before standing and returning to the front of the room where she reported the case as if nothing had happened. But the little sparkle in her eye made it clear he wasn’t going to be let off for this incident.

That had been four months ago now, and Spencer hadn’t let up at all in his pastime activities and instead began to embrace it even more. He had come out as gay a couple of weeks ago to JJ who was both excited for him and eager to help him get into the dating scene, but little did she know, he was somewhat infamous in the D.C. gay community. He had a following on nearly every social media platform, and whenever he looked at himself, he felt so happy to realize that that beautiful person was actually him. He had so many issues with his self esteem when he was younger, ranging from his physical appearance to his awkward sociality, but when he stepped into the shoes of his drag persona, he was no longer Supervisory Special Agent Doctor Spencer Reid of the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He didn’t have to try, because something about wearing a leotard and high heels was freeing.

He had a show that Saturday night; nothing unusual about it, pretty routine and just what he expected. But the moment he saw his female colleagues walk into the club with a hesitant Morgan following suit, he was doomed. He had been on stage when it happened, strutting down the mini catwalk effortlessly yet suddenly feeling very exposed. He never hesitated, but the slight stumble in his step wasn’t missed, and as soon as his and Morgan’s eyes met, he knew the man had to have seen right through him. The eye connection was long and somewhat awkward, and soon, Spencer realized he was looking at a very confused man.

Spencer turned without incident though, leaving the stage the same way he entered it: confident. He couldn’t let them know, and if he had to go all night convincing them he wasn’t Spencer Reid, he would. He didn’t interact with them when he wasn’t on stage, and it was almost like he was daring them to identify him. His second time on, in a completely different outfit which consisted of a tight, mini dress and heels as high as the sky, he winked at Derek, and the handsome grin he received in response was enough for him to smile back, innocently enough.

At the end of the night, the other queens huddled around him and chattered about the handsome man who kept looking at him. He made a comment about getting the man in his pants, and they giggled away as if nothing strange had even happened. Hopefully nothing had, and tomorrow would be a completely normal work day.

But that was not the case. Not at all.

As soon as he stepped off of the elevator, something felt off, but before he could even make it into the bullpen, two hands landed on either of his arms, and he was whisked away into Penelope Garcia’s office by JJ and Prentiss. The resident of the office was there, but so was Derek, and he instantly felt uncomfortable.

“You have some explaining to do, Pretty Boy,” Morgan said first, arms crossing over his broad chest and suddenly Spencer felt naked. He mimicked the other man, a frown taking residence over his full lips as he looked back, overcoming his initial fear of intimidation.

“About?…” he asked, seemingly confused, but internally, he was panicking. Oh god, they knew, they knew, they knew, they knew.

“Well,” Garcia butted in, typing rapid-fire on her keyboard before an image of him popped up on her monitor, “Maybe we can start with this.”

It wasn’t a normal image. Sweet Jesus, he wished it was. He would prefer any high school picture over this. Instead, it was his most recent Instagram post: a selfie of him in drag. It was from last night, in fact. A bubblegum pink wig looking as natural as real hair falling straight over his shoulders, framing his done up face prettily. His makeup was perfect, a pink rosy blush dusted over his high cheekbones, glitter in all the right places. His eyes were winged, falsies set in place, faux brows arched high. But his lips were the attention grabber. A full burgundy pout, a touch of highlight bringing out a glossy accent. Dark eyes looked ahead with no hesitation; bedroom eyes. Fucking Christ.

“Who’s that?” He questioned immediately, having prepared himself for a moment like this in his moments of paranoid. He doubted himself in his panicky moments, assuring himself that nothing was going to happen, but here he was, living out his worst nightmare. He would quite literally prefer to be stabbed by an unsub than be stabbed with those accusatory looks.

“Reid…” Prentiss started, her hand coming to his shoulder. He looked down at her, trying to keep up the confused act, but the knowing look in her eyes he received was what made him realize he couldn’t hide it anymore. He had been completely and utterly busted.

“That’s you, man,” Derek said, a smile curling his lips upwards, although it was awkward and somewhat confused. Spencer had a tendency of making people question their sexuality when he was in drag.

“You’re so pretty, Spence,” JJ was quick to add in, a smile brightening her face. Spencer practically melted, his brows curving inwards and a hesitant smile curling his own lips upwards.

“You think so?” He said in response, nearly a whisper, as if he didn’t already know the power he possessed with makeup and a wig on. JJ rubbed his bicep reassuringly.

“Bria Monique, huh?” Garcia said his drag name aloud, beaming up at him from where she sat, beginning to scroll through more of his pictures, gasping quietly at one that was somewhat… suggestive. Not for a drag queen, but especially for Dr. Spencer Reid.

“Whoa, kiddo! I didn’t know you had it in you!” She applauded. It was a picture of him, a pair of high black stilettos on his feet yet he was crouched down, the supple curve of his bottom quite apparent from the tight black jumpsuit. His head was tilted back, exposing his bare neck and upper chest while those eyes looked directly towards the camera; bedroom eyes again. It had been a recent photoshoot he did, just for the fun of it. But he wasn’t having fun as of right now.

“I-I…” he started, stumbling over his words and debating on whether he should run or own up to it. He was left with one option; stay. But his friends didn’t look any less impressed with him than they were before. In fact, they looked somewhat proud, but the way Morgan looked at him within those few minutes was definitely enough for him to notice. He didn’t say anything though.

“You have got to show me how to do my eyeshadow like that,” Garcia piped up again, now on his YouTube channel, watching one of his quick makeup tutorial for advanced artists, specifically on a sunset eye. He nodded hesitantly, and the smile he flashed towards her was enough for her to giggle excitedly.

“A-Alright…” he said softly, Emily and JJ also adding in their own questions of makeup techniques and styles.

They let him go eventually, not without requesting invitations to his next show of course. Morgan was quick to catch up to him when he left Garcia’s den though, a large hand splaying over the small of his back as they headed towards the bullpen. Reid came to a gradual stop in the middle of the hallway though, and a shiver ran pleasantly down his spine as Morgan leaned in and whispered flirtatiously.

“I can’t wait to see you perform again.”

Spencer’s eyes widened, and he looked towards Derek with both confusion and subtle excitement on his features. All he got in return though was a quick wink and a gentle pat against his ass. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

Part 2: Girls’ Night->

[kaitycole]

1 pumpkin, 2 pumpkin

Prompt: Picking pumpkins together (list here)

Pairing: Drake x Liam, Leo x Madeleine 

Word Count: 830

Warning: Domestic Fluff

@bobasheebaby​​ is spoiling me with the Driam requests!

“Wait a minute, Loren.” Liam quickly reaches for his daughter’s arm before she can bolt out of his reach. He still isn’t sure where his 8 years-old daughter has gotten all her energy; he blames it on Drake and his inability to sit still.

“Daddy! Can I go now?” She pouts as he securely wraps the scarf around her neck before pressing a kiss on the top of her head.

“Okay. Okay.” But she’s already run off and towards the large wooden pumpkin sign with weird cartoon eyes that reads: Pumpkin Patch. Squealing when she sees her Aunt Madeline and two of her cousins: Audrey and Eloise.

“You’ll get frown lines if you keep worrying so much.” Leo teases, walking over to Liam who is currently trying to get a kicking Jack out of his car seat. Jack’s terrible twos have nothing on his current feisty fours. Liam was honestly wondering if it would be legal to make it against Cordonian law to be such a terror.

Leo steps in and the fussy four-year-old instantly stops, frantically trying to get to his Uncle Leo.

“I’m a dad, we worry.” Liam rolls his eyes as the two walked up to meet the others.

“Maybe I just ended up with better kids.” Leo teases his younger brother again before passing Jack to him.

“I hope the twins meet boys who are like teenage you.” Liam teases back before laughing at the horrified expression Leo starts to wear.

“Not cool, bro.” He nervously runs his fingers through his hair, “You nearly took ten years off my life.”

Liam just laughs, walking up to meet Drake with a kiss. Madeleine had come up with the idea for everyone to get together and Leo thought a pumpkin patch was a genius; Liam did not. Taking Jack anywhere was becoming a battle that Liam recently preferred to avoid.

Liam would be lying if he said he wasn’t jealous of how perfect Leo and Madeleine’s family appears. They look like a walking catalog ad; blonde hair, coordinating outfits and calm demeanors. On Liam’s side he was just lucky that Jack wasn’t screaming and that James wasn’t wearing sweats. Maybe it was true that your kids end up acting like your siblings instead of you.

“I want to get the biggest one!” James shouts and not to be outdone, his cousin Henry shouts even louder, “Not if I get it first!”

The two preteens took off in search of the biggest pumpkin as the rest of the family walk through the fields at an even pace. Audrey and Eloise are a year older than Loren, but you wouldn’t know it because they act like triplets when they are together. The three all hold hands, Loren in the middle of course, as they start their hunt for three pumpkins that look identical.

Madeleine follows the girls while Leo hangs back with Drake, Liam, and Jack. Drake is pushing an empty stroller because Jack demanded to walk even though his fathers both know it will be short lived. The men exchange carefree banter, joking about the kids and talking about their plans for the upcoming holiday season. Leo wanted to take his family to Australia for a warm Christmas but Madeleine was set on spending it at the royal palace and Leo has learned years and years ago that his biggest weakness is his wife.

“I FOUND IT!” James screams causing Liam to turn several shades of dark red in embarrassment while Drake just shakes his head.

“NO, I FOUND IT!” Henry shouts causing Leo’s playfully demeanor to change to a serious one as he takes a deep breath getting ready to reprimand his son.

“Henry Francis.” The tone is calm and even which makes it all the scarier as Leo turns to see his wife, hand on her hip with her lips in a straight line and her expression coated in disapproval. Leo knows that look and he hates being on the other end of it. Henry instantly stiffens before dropping his head and walking back to his mother.

“Madi, I need you to teach me that.” Liam says, completely serious which causes her to laugh before saying she’d try.

*                      * After a few hours, Drake is putting a sleeping Jack into his car seat as Henry and James shove each other back and forth in the back seat. The twins and Loren are eagerly discussing their sleepover plans while the Rys brothers put almost everyone’s pumpkins in the trunk of the SUV.

“Uncle Liam, you didn’t get a pumpkin!” Eloise says sadly after she counted the pumpkins.

“I’ll get one next year Ellie.” He smiles at her.

“I got him one.” Drake smirks before handing him a tiny pumpkin, “Turn it over.” Liam looks at his husband confused before a smirk covers his face. On the other side in black marker it read: Baby #4 and Liam can’t help but suddenly have a new love for pumpkins.

[kitkatixx]

The Most Dangerous Game

Okay the jig’s up @xlostgalaxies​, @daisysmartheart​ @peppermint-tint​ so I’m cross posting it here. Something *not* art for once from me? It’s more likely than you think. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

It was uncommon--no, rare, for Kirumi Tojo to have the opportunity for a "break." Then again, such…luxuries such as these were not becoming of someone with the title of "Ultimate Maid." No, her dedication to serving the others would never allow her to voluntarily take a break, even if it was at the cost of her own wellbeing. Not that her classmates would ever see her underlying exhaustion, nor would she let them.

Which was why it was indeed, most puzzling for Kirumi to find herself watching her peers cavorting around the courtyard of the academy in formalwear, while her hand rested on the banister of the stairs, strangely void of some sort of cleaning material or her signature broom. Yes, upon three days after the conclusion of the first trial, their most unusual…ursine captor had gleefully declared this momentous occasion as a cause for celebration (a reward for everyone's hard work!) and demanded that all students not only attend but also participate, dressed to their nines--all the more fun, after all. So they had said, as if the others were just mere dolls, ready to be dressed up for someone's amusement.

She remembered the looks that swept across her classmates' faces upon the announcement. Indifference, confusion…try as some of her less expressive classmates may, it was abundantly clear that it was in fact, horrified disgust ringing through everyone's minds. Disgust, at the prospect of attending a party in celebration of the deaths of Akamatsu and Amami, two of their dearest classmates. Meekly, Shirogane had offered to create everyone's outfits--a very clear attempt to change the topic onto a brighter note. But without Akamatsu's loud, confident voice to show her support, or Amami's calming demeanor to soothe the others, her statement fell to mostly deaf ears. A very macabre party, indeed, she mused.

----

Kirumi nearly jumped as a hand lightly came to rest on her shoulder. Internally, she scolded herself for her actions--the Ultimate Maid should always remain composed, regardless of the scenario. Yes, even if two of their classmates had just died, it was her duty to remain steadfast for her classmates, especially for those who would indubitably require her services in the aftermath. There simply was no time to be wasted dwelling on the past.

"Miss Tojo." The smooth, yet unnerving voice from behind her was unmistakable.

"You," she breathed out, tensing up and clasping her hands together. There was no need to turn around.

"Me," came the velvety response, tinged with clear amusement.

"You are very well dressed tonight…I must admit, Shirogane outdid herself with our classmates' attire. Of course, not that I meant to say that you usually are not well dressed….kehehe."

If the distinctive voice was not enough of a dead giveaway, the mildly menacing, raspy snicker was a clear indicator of who exactly was behind her.

"…Shinguji. Pardon my forwardness, but is there a request you have for me?" Kirumi questioned, as she straightened her back, continuing to face away from him.

Her subtle posture adjustment did not go unnoticed. Shinguji laughed again, keeping his hand on her shoulder. "Kehehe…ever the formal one, Tojo. Such is to be expected of the Ultimate Maid, yes? As a matter of fact, there is a request I have. Will you not humor me with a dance this evening? Even for someone of your stature, it simply will not do for you to merely stand to the side as an onlooker…you do know how adamant our captor was on….everyone participating."

She would not have been surprised if the party was the newest motive for murder. Enclosed parameters, all the students in one area...yet…strangely enough, Monokuma and his children (to be affably polite) had remained relatively quiet after the trial, only appearing for morning and evening announcements, along with frequent reminders of the upcoming celebration, of which they announced with a most condescending air.

But, she thought, a request was a request. Even if it was from one of their seemingly less savory classmates. To deny him simply was not an option for the Ultimate Maid. Truth be told, despite his rather intimidating appearance and odd demeanor, the anthropologist had been rather pleasant to converse with, and they had struck up an unlikely friendship in the events leading up to now. ("Wooow, we finally have a mom and dad!" Ouma excitedly commented at the time, before she shooed him away.)

"Shall we?" Korekiyo tilted his head, holding out a bandaged hand.

In quiet acquiescence, Kirumi fluidly placed her own gloved hand into his.

Appearances must be maintained, she reminded herself.

"It would be my pleasure." Ignoring the tenseness of a few moments ago, they strolled down the staircase together, hand in hand.

------

With his normally loose dark hair tied up into a low ponytail, usual military-styled uniform traded for a dark gray three-piece suit with accents of green, adorned with a cravat, and cap missing, Kirumi was inclined to agree that Shirogane had indeed outdone herself, as the ensemble emphasized his features and complimented him nicely under the dim glow of the decorations. Not that her own outfit was anything to sniff at. While it had been a long time since she had last taken a job requiring such formal attire, she supposed the low-backed dark purple halter with a tasteful slit (thankfully, seeing as its creator had…interesting creative license) and muted lavender opera gloves she had been given flattered her form. A neat chignon and short veil, tucked in with her hair, completed the look.

Simple, understated, but elegant, just the way she liked things.

"Ah, humanity. Look at them, so eager, and so desperate to forget the actions of what just transpired. This stubborn optimism of our peers…it truly is just one of the many ways that the beauty of humanity shines through…even in the darkest of times. How heartwarming." Her companion spread his arms out, seemingly basking in the nonexistent warmth of an invisible sun.

It appeared he was in one of his moods again.

Feeling indulgent, she decided to humor him, and followed his glance across the courtyard, taking in the scene. Kirumi watched as the multicolored blur that was Yumeno, Chabashira, and Yonaga, wheeling across on the dance floor and holding hands as they danced in a circle with the whimsical joy of a child. Well, what could charitably be called dancing, as the bleary-eyed Yumeno appeared to be being dragged around by the other two. Off to the side and still full of rowdy cheer, Momota, who still had his bespangled jacket draped over his shoulders like a cape, remained stubbornly attached to the hip to Harukawa in his attempts to "break down her barrier," as he'd put it, to the latter's obvious irritation.

She panned her gaze to the other side. Ever the more…explicit one of the group, Iruma, clad in a magenta gown revealing a generous amount of cleavage had roped a flustered Kiibo into dancing with her. Surprisingly without any ulterior perverse motives, she had installed a new function that enabled him to participate in the festivities. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Hoshi and Gokuhara in the corner, the latter animatedly talking while the former listened quietly. An interesting development of friendship, she noted.

If it wasn’t for her inherent attentiveness and the slight glint of light on glass lenses that caught her eye, Kirumi would have missed Shirogane dressed in an unassuming navy dress with opaque sleeves standing in the corner under the decorations, posture slightly hunched as she admired her handiwork on the dance floor.

And of course, last but not least...not by any means. Astonishingly, the detective was not as attached to the wall as she had expected, seeing as the first trial had shaken him the most. Dressed in a navy and silver vest with a crisp white button-up underneath, hat clutched in his hands, Saihara had ventured out from his spot near the refreshments to converse with Ouma, who was in a white tuxedo, the signature checkerboard scarf still tied around his neck. Upon his arrival, the supreme leader let out an excited whoop (she couldn't tell if it was a real one) that echoed across the room upon hearing his "beloved Saihara-chan" had come to spend time with him.

She supposed, in each of their own unusual ways, her classmates were recovering from the aftermath of the trial, slowly but surely.

BZZZT! A jarring crackle emanated from the speakers as the TV monitor flickered to life. "Listen up you bastards! Father’s prepared one laaaast dance for you ungrateful little students! So you all better get on with it…even if you've been a total stick in the mud this whole time! Or else!"

Familiar and childishly mocking, the announcement of the five--no four--Monokubs echoed throughout the speaker, followed by the threatening rumbling of their Exisals stomping towards where they stood--oh, that was swift. They'd arrived much quicker than she expected.

The unnerving lilt in the beginning violin chords of Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre broke the momentary silence that followed the announcement. Of course. How appropriately ironic, Kirumi thought. While her classmates remained blissfully unaware of the song, the significance of their sadistic captor's choice in music was not lost on her partner, who raised a thin eyebrow in response before offering her a bow.

"I believe this is my cue to ask you for one last proper dance, yes? May I?"

A dance with the devil, indeed.

-----

Reluctantly, the class made their way to the dance floor--even Harukawa, who had grudgingly agreed to partner with the delighted Momota, and Hoshi, trademark hat on head, half-heartedly swayed, while at his side, Gokuhara made his best attempts to "be a gentleman" in response to the height difference. Kirumi allowed a small smile to curl across her lips. How…touching.

She was definitely starting to sound like Shinguji now.

As the song began to slowly pick up into a waltz, he guided her across the dance floor smoothly, yellow eyes locked on hers, unblinking every step of the way.

"Shinguji, is there something you wish to speak to me about?" she asked, gracefully twirling under his extended arm. The anthropologist stepped aside fluidly, straightening his arm with a flourish as she completed the rotation.

"Kehehe, you wound me. Even in our current surroundings, business as always. I always did admire that about you, Tojo. But, I must inquire, can one not merely have a simple dance with their companion tonight? That was my request, yes?"

Ba-thump. Her heartbeat quickened.

The violin grew louder as they slowly approached, gaze locked on the other while circling each other, almost as if sizing each other up, until he gestured with his hand, palm up in a silent invitation. Placing his hand on the small of her back, and hers on his shoulder, Korekiyo squared his shoulders, then turned elegantly, perfectly in tune with the music and led her into a series of complicated steps. Yet despite the complexity, it felt completely instinctive to the maid, almost if they had rehearsed the choreography countless times.

Abruptly, the violin's melody changed to a plucky staccato flute section, and effortlessly, they transitioned into a closer stance, teasingly taking turns pulling away, then reeling each other back into their arms, seemingly melting into each other's embraces like the flighty young lovers she had seen in those romance novels he was surprisingly fond of in the library.

And just as quickly as it had disappeared, the haunting violin solo made its presence known again, and he drew closer, closer, until they were nose to nose, threatening to brush his lips against her, only for him to continue forwards, reaching past her face and making his way towards her ear to murmur into her neck.

"Beautiful, is it not? Watching all of our fellow classmates dancing in...honor of death, and to partake in this scenic night…does this not remind you of something? You do know what I am speaking of, yes?"

Ba-thump, ba-thump. Her breath hitched slightly. Cryptic as usual. Nothing to lose her composure over.

As the song swelled, rising intensely as it neared its climax, she felt his grip on her shift.

"Tojo. Do you trust me?" He was looking very intensely at her now, as he twirled her around the floor, his yellow eyes almost glowing--they always did have that odd quality. Hesitantly, she paused, then lowered her gaze in response. Kirumi's eyes widened when the wind rushed past her neck as in one clean, seamless motion, Korekiyo abruptly dipped her dramatically out of one of the turns in their sequence, sending her falling backwards into his lowered arm right as the song reached its triumphant climax.

Amongst the crashing of the drums and cymbals, bellowing of the brass instruments, and thrumming of the strings, he leaned in again, the zipper on his mask hinting at a hidden simper.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump, Ba-thump. She already knew, but why was her heart pounding so quickly?

"Kehehe. I must say, your current expression is especially pleasing to look at, Tojo. My my, I do not believe there is any need for me to say more, yes? Indeed, it is most apparent that you figured it out--no, you, Miss Tojo, have known."

She exhaled. Of course she had. How, and why else would she have willingly accepted a dance with death himself?

The thundering orchestra was nearly deafening, blaring in her ears as she peered through her eyelashes at the figure towering over her, cheeks flushed at her current seemingly picturesque position. Yet her onlooking naive classmates remained blissfully oblivious of the sinister significance of what had actually occurred. As the closeness between them grew more intense, she reflected: never, ever in her career as the Ultimate Maid had Kirumi willingly allowed herself to be put in such a vulnerable state. Much less in public. But here she was.

Korekiyo--no, the mastermind's--grasp, gentle but firm on her waist, tightened ever-so-slightly as he gracefully helped her recover from the dip (nonchalantly, as if he had not essentially revealed himself just moments ago) right as the music died down into a gentle lull of the oboe. Out of the corner of her eye, she made eye contact with an upside-down, knowingly grinning Ouma who oddly enough, had gotten Saihara to dip him as well--wait, did he know?

"I must thank you for your time. I must say, this was a most enlightening experience for both of us, yes?" His words, smooth as always, interrupted her from her inner thoughts.

She could see the familiar hints of the smile creeping across the stretch of cloth where his mouth would be as the mastermind leaned in dangerously close to her again. Out of reflex, her muscles tensed, but relaxed as he opted instead to take her gloved hand in his own, placing a chaste kiss onto the back of her hand with a bow.

"Kehehe. Thank you once more for indulging me in my request tonight. For now, I must bid you goodnight, and good evening. Until next time, Kirumi. My dear…co-conspirator."

Her partner-in-crime always was one for the theatrics, she supposed.

-----

Notes:

In case it wasn’t super clear, this is an AU where there are two masterminds, and this round, it’s none other than our two favorite v3 goths working together. Tl;dr: mastermind!Korekiyo has a flair for the dramatic and just wants an excuse to have a super extra dance with his partner. Kirumi's just playing along, she knows full well that they're both masterminding the game.

Tidbits: -This was inspired by the mentioned Danse Macabre and Beethoven Virus songs!

- According to the French text/legend of Danse Macabre, Death appears annually on Halloween at midnight and plays a song on his fiddle (which is represented by the violin, according to Wikipedia) for the skeletons to rise from their graves, and dance for him. Hence why when the violin starts, Korekiyo mentions that is his "cue" (as Death) to ask her for a dance. And they stop dancing when the oboe comes back on, which signifies the rooster’s cry and thus is the cue for the dead to lay back in their graves. Perfect timing!

- So later on when he asks Kirumi if she knows "what he is speaking of," he is referring to how the current situation parallels the lore behind Danse Macabre since he is the both literal and metaphorical figure of Death/the devil as the mastermind, while the dead (their classmates) are dancing for him at the party, which is why he includes the "in honor of death" bit.

- I set up the story to be initially ambiguous about whether Kirumi just knew his actual nature (read: a serial killer) or if she also knew his actual role in the killing game but also tried to have vague hints in how she reacted to things or the way he spoke that may tip readers off about her status as a co-mastermind (like with the exisals arriving faster than she *expected*, his reference to her being his *companion* tonight) Hopefully it wasn't executed too badly.

- Kirumi getting a little flustered with her heart beating was supposed to appear to the reader as if it was out of fear, but it’s because of romance.png to clarify.