#until HE started to backdown a little like did he realize too that i’m an adult now and if he wants to scream and yell i can too???

[bo0zey]

every time my dad yells even if he’s just “raising” his voice to call one of my brothers over to him i flinch and my heart rate speeds up n my stomach drops n churns n i feel sick n if i think abt it too much like i am now my eyes sting just slightly like something inside me wants to cry from fear even tho i’m many many feet away safe inside my room alone w the door shut i still feel so so unsafe and it takes many many minutes and moments for me to calm down again i really hate this reaction i’m 22 years old why am i still responding like this trigger as if i’m a child i’m an adult he can’t yell at me anymore in fact he’s not even yelling AT me he’s yelling at someone else but still i jump n i feel my pulse pounding in my ears n temples i wish i would just stop being such a baby i wish i was stronger i don’t want to be afraid of people anymore

[honestlyzenoouh]

Aaron Goes Big Instead Of Home (And Poor Kevin Dies A Bit Inside)

This fic is also on AO3 if you prefer to read over there :) 

This was all Neils fault, 100% the little assholes fault. It was a simple bet, a very small one indeed. The fact that Neil even agreed to the bet, should have tipped Aaron off from the very start. But sadly, Aaron is nothing but a salty bitch when it comes to Neil, and the fact the bet involved his brother was even better. He could kill two, no actually tree birds with one tiny victory. Convince his brother that his relationship with Neil was nothing but loveless sex, prove Neil wrong whilst also getting to humiliate him. Win win win.

Teeny tiny flaw in his plan though. Neil won. Neil actually got Andrew to casually display relationship like PDA. With Andrew initiating. Holding hands, kisses goodbye, softly touching hips to get by each other, the whole shebang. Fuck. Damnit. Crap. He wasn’t suppose to readily showcase his emotions towards Neil, he was suppose to prove to both Aaron and himself that the relationship was a fad, and let it fizzle out like his and Katelyns. Okay, he might have been a little bit bitter, as well as the usual annoyance Neil brings out in him, when he made the bet. Whatever.

So here Aaron stood, almost exactly six months after the bet started, in Katelyn’s bathroom just looking at the offending clothes. Katelyn and him might have broken up, but they still consider each other their platonic soulmates. The sex kinda spelled that out for them, not really enjoyable for either of them. Katelyn found out she definitely was on the asexual spectrum, where sex was only enjoyable for her sometimes. When they first got together she had laid all the cards on the table, and told him her feelings about sex, and Aaron had been very understanding and patient with her. It took a long time for their relationship to turn physical, other than the casual kissing and hand holding, and in the two and a half years they had been together, actual sex had only happened a handful of times. And only one of those times had been somewhat satisfactory for both of them.

It was after the last time they had sex, one of the worse experiences for both of them, that Katelyn suggested they might be right for each other. Aaron had wanted to argue with her, wanted to be hurt she would say such a thing, but Aaron had been having the same thoughts for a while before. Because while Katelyn might be asexual, Aaron sure as fuck wasn’t. He got urges and fantasies, and whilst he understood Katelyn didn’t, he also knew it wasn’t her fault they weren’t clicking right sexually. So they mutually decided that they might be better of as best friends instead of partners, but weren’t ready to tell people. Katelyn wasn’t ready to come out, and Aaron would like to keep his pride and not be pitied.

(The sexual identity crisis that sprung forwards in Aaron when he actually realized that it was not only Katelyn that didn’t find pleasure in their sex life is not to be spoken about. Internalized homophobia and too much alcohol doesn’t mix, too many tears, understanding Nickys, and not nearly enough answers. Whatever, he has time to figure it out when the time is right.)

The uniforms material felt way too heavy in his hands, considering it was only a two piece, yet it was surprisingly soft. He guessed that’s what happens if you actually use fabric softener, but what was he suppose to know? He didn’t care enough about his clothes to spend the extra cash on that shit. Katelyn does though, or whoever she borrowed the clothes from did.

He shifted the fabric around his fingers and actively considered forfeiting his dare. However the mere thought of letting Neil win even more, made him visible recoil and slightly nauseas. Fuck that, a thousand times over. A simple knock on the door and a voice asking if he was okay in there, got him out of his staring contest with the outfit, and mumble something even he wasn’t sure what meant.

Taking a deep breath he finally shimmed out of his pants, and pulled the undergarment of the uniform on. A bit shorter than he was used to, but not too bad. Taking off his hoodie and replacing it with the top, made it all a bit much, and way too real. He’s gonna lose his dignity as well as his masculinity to this. The bright orange Vixens uniform sat tight against his chest, but flowed nicely the rest of the way down. Turning a bit this way and that, he got to study his whole body. His ass which normally was kinda flat, popped a bit with the skirt accentuating its shape flatteringly. His shoulder and biceps got the same treatment with the tanktop’s broad straps. So maybe not all masculinity is lost to this. Gathering a bit of his spite for Neil, and general courage, he finally unlocked the door. Finding his last fucks to give after a couple of more moments, he also opened the door. Luckily, it was only Katelyn waiting for him. She moved her head from her phone and smiled from her upside down position on the couch.

“You good?” She simply asked him. Kneading the fabric of the skirt, and pulling at it a bit he nodded.

“As good as I’m gonna get, wearing a skirt because of a stupid fucking bet. I’m so stupid.” Pulling  a bit more on the skirt, he looked around. “Where are the others? I just really wanna get this over and done with” Katelyn helpfully pointed downward, hopefully meaning Fox Towers third floor and not the parking lot. Sighing and looking at her with tense shoulders, a question all by it self, she only raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. Obviously not the parking lot, who did he think she was? A monster? Him lifting one of his now unclenched shoulders, no, but you do enjoy to slightly bullying me, so why not. Katelyn snorted and finally got up from the couch.

“I thought about it, not going to lie to you, but your face when I gave you the uniform made me reconsider. You looked like a kicked puppy, it was so sad.” Aaron grunted to make his displeasure know, but followed her to the front door. He only hesitated a bit going through, so little only people who really knew him would realize. Luckily, (or unluckily, depending on how you view it) Katelyn was one of those very few people, and she put an arm around his shoulders for comfort. Together they walked the short way to stairs and down the two flights from fifth to the third floor, thankfully without running into anyone. The hallway of the third floor also blessedly empty, gave Aaron a false sense of fortitude. Holding on to it, until it became as genuine as it’s gonna be, he looked up to Katelyn, “Which room?”

After a quick glance at her phone, she nodded towards the upperclassmen’s room. Great, so Neil roped the whole team together to witness this. Fucker. Shaking off the rest of his nerves, he shrugged off Katelyn’s arm and walked up to the door. Opening and stepping inside made his heart start pounding, but nothing happened. Literally nobody was even looking at him, or acknowledging his presence at all. All eyes seem to be on his twin, currently laying face down on the floor. “This is the worst day of my life” came muffled from the floor. Looking from face to face, Aaron finally made eye contact with someone. Sadly that someone was Neil.

Raising an eyebrow at him, Aaron silently dared him to comment. Unable to backdown, Neil did just that. “Okay Minyard, that’s a bit low, even for you” Nodding towards Aarons chest area whilst he said so, made Aaron look down at the v-neck. Sure it was a bit deep, considering his lack of boobs, but it wasn’t that bad. The v stopped at about the middle of his chest, pale blond hairs exposed to world for once. Bracing himself once again for all the attention that was bound to come his way, now that Neil had spoken to him, he took another step into the room, Katelyn right behind him. But still, all eyes except for Neils’ were on his twin as an unenthusiastic “fuck you” came from the floor. This time it was Neil that raised an eyebrow, want to make a game of this? Aaron nodded once, intrigued with this whole situation.

“Seriously A, isn’t this a bit over the top?” Neil gestured a bit with his hands, presumably meaning the Vixens uniform. Fair question, when the forfeit only specified a skirt. But Aaron kinda lived by go big or go home, and when he asked Katelyn if he could borrow a skirt, and the only thing she had he would be able to fit in was the uniform he said fuck it. To answer Neils question he nodded towards Katelyn, who gave a tiny wave. A look of understanding crossed his face when an answer came from the floor. “This is a perfectly reasonable reaction” This startled a laugh out of Nicky, and made Kevin look up from Andrew towards Neil. When he saw him looking nowhere near Andrew he followed Neils eyesight and caught sight of Aaron. His eyes widened and he stood stock still, but not a noise or word passed through him. Aaron didn’t get the time to analyze that particular reaction, as Neil once more spoke up.

“Right, sure. Kevin, what is your take on the situation? I mean, he only lost a bet, isn’t that a bit overly dramatic?” The mischievous grin he wore didn’t bore well for Aaron. He knew something Aaron didn’t, that fucker. When all Kevin seemed able of answering was a stuttery mess, the foxes finally shifted their attention away from Andrew, most likely to laugh at Kevins inability to talk. Yet, once they saw Kevins now slightly awed expression, and both his and Neils direction of sight, they subsequently came to look in Aarons direction.

What followed was probably the most awkward five seconds of Aarons life. It started as a stunned silence, which was broken by Kevin sadly saying “This is a very bad time to have an identity crisis.”, after that all hell seemed to break loose. Nicky and Allison were actively trying to get Kevin to elaborate on that, and close some bets for them. Matt and Dan were looking at each other, and then at Aaron seemingly trying to work out how best to approach the situation. The new foxes tried to gently blend into the background and disappear with no luck. Only Renee was brave enough to face him. “Hello Aaron, I like your outfit. Is this a new thing we might see more often?”

The innocent question floored Aaron for a bit, and shut the foxes up again. Sure he was still trying to figure out his sexuality, but his gender identity was never a question for him. But now that he was thinking about it, he didn’t actually mind wearing the skirt. Sure it wasn’t completely comfortable, but it was a sports uniform. His own was made of the same kinda fabric and had the same feel, so he was use to that. But if he found a more modest skirt in more comfortable fabric, he didn’t think he’d mind it all that much. I did make his ass pop. Really thinking about that fact made his brain momentarily shut down. Once rebooted he looked Renee in the eyes and answered

“I don’t, I don’t think so? I mean, I’m not sure? It might? Can I get back to you on that one?” Trying to be more open with foxes had been a thing he’s been working on as a new years resolution, but here two months later, it was still really hard. Admitting that hurt a little. Shifting his attention towards Neil again he suddenly realized something. “You didn’t tell them did you?”

“No, I didn’t actually think you would go through with it.” He shrugged his shoulders and smirked at Aaron

“Tell us what?” Came from floor. Andrew had finally decided to join the conversation, apparently. He had only turned his face from directly down, to towards Aaron at the door. He didn’t seem too judgmental, only a bit confused. Ever since Bee had finally convinced Andrew to try a new type of medication, to treat his bipolar disorder and depression, Andrew had become a whole new person. A much more readable person, but you still can’t be a 100% sure with him.

“I made a bet with Neil, and obviously lost. So my punishment was to go out of my comfort zone in the clothes department, considering and I quote; I bitch so much about his. I thought a skirt was the most out there for me. Why are you lying on floor?” Ah, the dreaded communication they needed to better. They were getting there, albeit slowly. Bee helped a lot.

“Andrew got cocky about his biceps, and Matt challenged it with an arm wrestle match. As you can probably guess, Andrew lost.” Dan cheerfully informed from beside Matt, who looked rightfully smug. This made Andrew turn downwards agin and groan sadly. “I benchpress more than any of you” was spoken into the floor. This made the foxes laugh once more. Aaron shuffled a bit from foot to foot, and made the tactful decision to leave with all the focus on his brother. He technically did do the forfeit after all. Get out of his comfort zone and show at least 4 different foxes. Whether it was individually or in a group was up to him.

When he got to his room and about to close the door, he got stopped by a hand on the frame. A very uncomfortable looking Kevin was the owner of said hand. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times, and took a big breath, but didn’t say anything. He then got into motion and just walked into the room. Well then. “What do you want Kevin?” Crossing his arm across his chest, Aaron “patiently” awaited an answer.

“Go on date. Me with. I mean, uuuhhh” Aaron’s brain shut down once more, and this time the reboot apparently took a little too long, because when he refocused in on Kevin once more the man was fidgeting. Which wasn’t something Aaron had ever seen him do. What the fuck was happening here? Was Kevin actually asking him out? And more importantly, why was he asking him out? As far as Kevin was concerned, him and Katelyn was still happily together. He tried to come up with an answer, but Kevin’s flickering eyes threw him off. They kept going from his face to the skirt and then landing on the v neckline. It was almost a pattern. His eyes went from the skirt to his face again when he suddenly spoke up again.

“You need to change. I just. I can’t think, and I really want to talk to you, because I overheard Nicky one time, but I don’t really know if it was just Nicky being Nicky or if it’s actually true. I did ask him but he shut down and wouldn’t even look at me for three days after, so I don’t know for sure. So can you make me think? I mean change. Pl- if you could be as kind.”

Aaron thought he nodded before he turned and walked in to the dorms bedroom, but he honestly wasn’t sure. So many thoughts swirled around in his head, made it hard to concentrate on getting changed. Had Nicky really been so careless he accidentally outed him? It was with Nicky he had had his sexuality revelation and cry with, that cursed night after a Trip to Eden.

It had been a few weeks after Katelyn and him had called it off relationship wise, and Aaron had been having these weird feelings and his mind kept supplying him with these random observation. Objectively speaking, your Chemistry 102 TA is attractive. His sharp cheekbones and plumb lips are attractive features to have. The boy sitting across from you smells nice, wonder what cologne he uses? The man behind the counter at the coffee shop had really nice eyes. They were a warm brown you could get a little lost in.

He had just crossed the doorway into the house when the thought hit him. What if the reason that sex with Katelyn wasn’t satisfying for him, wasn’t because of the fact that Katelyn was asexual and weren’t as in to it as he was, but because she was a girl? What if the reason he seemingly couldn’t have as good an orgasm with a partner then alone, was because he had the wrong gendered partner. He had had earlier girlfriends in high school, both before and after Andrew had arrived, but he always seemed to excuse the bad sex as inexperience. But what if it wasn’t?

That had floored Aaron completely, and he had taken a stuttered breath and stumbled to the couch so he could sit down. Nobody seemed to pay him any mind, hopefully just chalking it up to drunken behavior, not the life revelation it had been. Neil and Andrew hadn’t been drinking that night, and they wasted no time bringing their things up to Andrew’s bedroom to go to bed.  Kevin had stayed at Palmetto to spend the weekend with his father, but Nicky had bargained with Andrew for them to go to Columbia anyway, and gotten his way somehow. (Aaron hadn’t asked, didn’t really want to know.) When they arrived at Eden he had all but begged Aaron to drink with him. So Aaron had matched him drink for drink, and actually had a good time. He even danced a bit with a random person with a pixie cut and let a little loose.

He hadn’t realized the tears gathering, nor the way his breathing had picked up until Nicky appeared out of nowhere sitting down next to him. He had swirled his head to look Nicky in the eyes, and the easy going smile he had on his face died when he saw Aaron’s face. He must have looked terrified because Nicky sounded completely sober when he spoke,

“Aaron are you okay? What’s wrong? Did something happen at Eden? Should I go get Andrew?” The more he spoke, the faster the words spilled out and the more panicked he sounded. Aaron tried to draw in a breath to answer him, but it got stuck in his throat so he just shook his head desperately. He really didn’t want to include Andrew too, and rather die than include Neil. Nicky had nodded his head, but still looked at him worriedly. When he finally mastered the art of breathing again he blurted out what he should have said ages ago, even before his little revelation.

“I’m sorry Nicky, I’m so sorry” He crumbled while he said it, and his head had landed in Nicky’s lap. The tears had started to fall about halfway through his apology and he didn’t predict them to stop anytime soon. But neither did the muttered apologies, I’m so sorry spoken softly into Nicky’s thigh. Nicky was bordering on hysteric at that point, franticly petting his hair and seemingly answering Aaron’s apologies

“It’s okay, I forgive you! I don’t really know what you’re apologizing for, but it can’t be that bad! Sure, you’re kinda an asshole, but you’re apologizing so you’re not that big of one. Why do you keep apologizing? It’s okay, I’m right here. Whatever you did I’m always gonna be in your corner, so please stop crying I don’t know what to do! How can I help? If you don’t calm down I’ll have to go get Andrew because I really don’t know how to help you if you don’t speak to me, and I’m starting to get really worried now. Please talk to me.”

It was only when Nicky had started to shift around, as if trying to get up, that Aaron finally snapped out of it. He wrapped his arms tightly around Nicky’s legs and shook his head, turning around to look up at him with pleading eyes. Nicky had looked back at him, tears in his eyes as well and shifted once more. “I’m giving you two minutes to start explaining or I’m getting him. This will not go unspoken of, do you hear me Aaron? I’m pretty sure you’re having a mental break down or something, and you can’t keep that all inside. That is super unhealthy and can cau-“

“I think I might be gay” Nicky had gotten very quiet and still, just looking at Aaron and blinking rapidly. Aaron took a steadying breath and wiped his face free of tears, head still in Nicky’s lap. Figuring fuck it, I already said the hardest part he continued speaking, voice croaking making it deeper than normal.

“I don’t actually know, I just. I keep having these thoughts ever since Katelyn and I broke up, which we did like, a month ago, and I think my brain is just now connected the dots because apparently I’m fucking stupid, and can’t figure out that sex wasn’t as satisfying as regular masturbation, was not because the people I’m with are bad at it, but because they don’t have what I need. Or is it the bad thing and I’m only overanalyzing? The only thing I’m really sure of right now is the fact I’m a huge asshole for giving you and Andrew such a hard time for being gay, when I might be it too. That and apparently I find my chemistry TA hot, and like the way men smell and what is wrong with me?” Aaron sniffed and a few more tears fell from his eyes. They were starting to feel a bit sore now. Aaron had jumped when Nicky suddenly took a huge breath and whispered something that sounded like okay, you can do this. Making eye contact with his older cousin he got a small smile. He reached down wipe the last of the tears away, and began petting his hair again. Much more soothingly this time around.

“So this is a lot to unpack, so what do you say we take it in small bites hmm?” When all Aaron did was nod, he continued on, “So you and Katelyn broke up? Are you okay in regards to that?”

Aaron looked down at his hands, playing with his fingers but answered him, “Yeah, about a month ago. Maybe a little longer. It was an actual mutual decision, something we both felt needed to be done. We had a big fat discussion about our feelings and called it quits. We just aren’t ready to tell just yet. Might not for a while to be honest. She has some things to work through, and she’s my best friend so of course I’ll put it off for as long as she needs.” Shrugging his shoulders he looked up again.

“Okay then, I’m happy to hear you’re doing okay there. These… thoughts you mentioned, what exactly do you mean?” Wincing a little, Aaron had tried to clarify his brains jumbled observations. They sat on the couch talking about each and everything Aaron had been feeling and thinking about those past two months. Aaron found that Nicky could be surprisingly quiet and understanding, and that it was really cathartic to talk about it all. So apparently Aaron could see the attractiveness about guys, but he didn’t know if he wanted to date them. Kissing had crossed his mind once or twice, but quickly shut down because he wasn’t ready to think about it.

The last thing Aaron had asked of Nicky before they went to bed that night, a few hours later, was that he kept quiet. He wasn't ready to explore his sexuality, let alone come out. Nicky had given him an understanding smile and sighed out of course.

A knock on the door startled Aaron out of his memory and into the present again. Shrugging his hoodie over his head he decided to just get it over and done with. Fucking Kevin sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. When he was fully dressed once more, he walked over to the door and ripped it open.

"What do you want Kevin?" He said maybe a little too forcefully. Kevin had moved away from the door, and was sitting at the couch Matt had supplied the living room with. He gestured to the other end where he was sitting. Sighing to make his displeasure known, he got to the couch and plopped down. Looking over at the other boy he repeated his question, a bit more mellow this time. Kevin was sitting with his legs curled up under him, his right hand playing with the fabric of his pants.

"A date, ideally. With you, specifically." His face was set in a small smile, eyes sparkling hopefully. Aaron's heart sank a little, so Nicky had outed him. Accidental or not, that still shot a pang of panic and hurt through him. Before he could muster up the energy to answer him, Kevin continued,

"I don't actually know if you'd be interested, or even actually into boys. About three weeks ago, I overheard Nicky speaking to who I assume was Erik, considering he was speaking some german. He kept switching between english and german though, and going on a tangent about queerness being genetic, the twins, and breaking up with girlfriends. Never mentioning any names. So I don't- I'm not actually sure it was you he was talking about. I tried to ask him but he just shouted no, hung up the phone and all but ran away from me. He haven’t really spoken to me yet. I think he feels bad, because I overheard him.”

A feeling of relief spread through Aaron. Even though Nicky had spoken about their conversation from months ago, he had worded it so only people who knew Nicky intimately would have a clue. Or simply think he was talking about Andrew. Still feeling some of his earlier panic, Aaron opened his mouth to profusely deny deny deny, not at all ready to talk about his sexuality again, he remembered a tiny detail from Kevin’s explanation. If he had overheard Nicky three weeks ago, why in the world hadn’t he said anything? Either to him or the others? Closing his mouth again, Aaron tried to calculate what would happen if he “came out” to Kevin. He wasn’t even sure what the ever-loving fuck he was, other than not straight, but if Kevin had held tight for those three weeks maybe he would for however long it took for Aaron to figure it out. One small parentheses made the equation hard though. Kevin’s apparent desire to date Aaron. Aaron might not be the best at math, but a huge glaring pair of parentheses in an equation needed to be addressed first, in order to solve said equation. Right? Aaron’s pre-med not a simple math major, how was he supposed to know?

“Why?” It had slipped out of Aaron’s lips without permission, but he really needed to know before they got any further in this equation. Why now? Why him? Kevin furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head slightly, apparently not getting Aaron’s question. Aaron elaborated his inner thoughts, and the questions made Kevin pause. A slight flush rose across his cheeks, but it didn’t take long for him to gather his thoughts, only a shake of his head.

“So, I’ve been talking to Bee right? In the process of becoming sober” Aaron nodded, not really in the mood to actually talk right now. Luckily, Kevin continued on.

“Okay, so. She hasn’t just been helping me getting sober, also just. Better? In general. We have been talking trough my growing up, and Riko and Andrew. Just. Everything I guess. It made me realize some things, and she has been encouraging me to do something about it. I haven’t wanted to, until three weeks ago, where I heard I might have an actual chance.” He shrugged his shoulders, now looking down at his lap, really focusing on the piece of fabric between his fingers. Aaron’s mouth went a little dry at that implication, not that he really knew why.

He thought all bravery had left his body, after having to endure his forfeit, but apparently not because he felt himself reaching his right hand across and over Kevin’s left. It made him start and look up at Aaron. Sitting there with his hand over Kevins made him feel the same sense of fuck it, as he had with Nicky all those weeks ago. So throwing caution into the wind, he unstuck his tongue from the roof of his mouth, and asked what he thought was the most pressing matter.

“What did you realize?” Kevin’s face went from flush to straight up red, but he kept his eyes locked with Aaron.

“Apparently it is possible to admire people of the same sex aesthetically, and not just because of their exy skills. And that I find your personality and general body incredibly attractive.”

Kevin’s voice had gone down an octave, and the sound of it sent a shot of something, through his stomach. The very same something he has been feeling pertaining his chemistry TA lately. Great, now he also found fucking Kevin hot. Not that that might be a problem with Kevin considering the resent confession. Though now that he really thought about it, Kevin really is an attractive person. He has sharp cheek bones, but his green eyes softens his face up, so he doesn’t look so severe. His nose is slightly upturned, but with a tiny bump on the bridge, which is something Aaron hadn’t noticed before. Wonder where he got it from? Exy most likely. His thighs has the same kind of muscle definition that Katelyn has, which is something Aaron has always found arousing.

He should probably say something though, instead of just mindlessly looking at Kevin. The poor dude looked about one breath away from a minor break down. He shook his head to clear it from his Kevin related epiphany.

“Fuck it okay, all cards on the table?” He gestured with his left hand, just now noticing his right still laying over Kevins. When he got a hesitant nod from him, he continued on now determined.

“I don’t actually know what I am, other than maybe not straight. Katelyn and I are broken up yes, but we haven’t actually told anyone. Not ready yet” A slight flush rose across his own cheeks when he thought about his next admission, “And I kinda find you aesthetically pleasing as well.”

A small smile spread across Kevin’s face and he opened his mouth, but Aaron cut him of before any words could come through. “But! But, I really don’t know what that means. And I don’t think it’s fair for you, if I didn’t make that abundantly clear first. Your face is attractive, I think, and I know you enough to feel safe maybe starting a thing with you. Just, some minor things before you ask me again?”

Kevin nodded his head quickly and opened his mouth again, but once again Aaron cut him off before he could speak. “Okay so one;” He held a finger up on the hand not holding Kevin’s. 

“I’m nowhere near ready to tell people about anything related to my sexuality, so if we do this. It’d have to be in complete secret,” Another finger joined the first one and he went on. “Two, we’d have to take it slow. I don’t know what I’m comfortable with, or how far I’m willing to go, so you’d need to be patient with me. Possibly really patient with me.”

He raised a third finger to go with his last bit.

“And lastly but most important, you need to tell me if things isn’t working for you anymore. I know I come with a lot of rules and regulations, but I need to figure out if this is really for me. You feel safe enough for me to try with specifically, but if that ever ends up not being enough for you, you tell me. Immediately. That is very important to me. If there is one thing my relationship with both Katelyn and Andrew have taught me anything it is honesty is super important. Well, and consent but you know Andrew too so of course you know that. Okay, you can talk now.” He unfurled his hand, and waved it at Kevin’s to demonstrate his point. Kevin looked a little shell shocked after being loaded with all that information, and he took a moment but finally he spoke, his small smile lighting up his eyes.

“Yeah, I can work with that.”

It was spoken softly, and it took Aaron an extra two seconds to realize what Kevin meant. He still wanted to “date” Aaron, even with all these rules. And he had not seen that coming, expecting Kevin to give up and find someone new to pester about dating. He hadn’t really taking his stubbornness into consideration, which really was an oversight on Aaron’s part, and predicted this would happened.

“Ask me again.” He challenged him, a small part of him still excepting him to not go through with it. And by now, Aaron kinda really wanted to go on this gay adventure with Kevin.

Kevin’s smile grew in size, and made a dimple appear in his right cheek, another thing Aaron hadn’t noticed Kevin do(had, could?), and he shifted closer to Aaron. He shifted his left hand so they were holding hands, rather than Aaron holding Kevins, and took hold of his right hand as well, placing both in his lap. Aaron could feel his cheeks warming up, but didn’t hinder his movements.

“Would you like to go on a date with me? And maybe hold a little hands with me? That’s all I ask for now, and we can figure adjustments out as we see fit in the future. And secrecy is okay with me at the moment, and I promise to tell you if I change my mind.”

Aaron’s whole upper body felt warm now, most likely a blush, but he also felt surprisingly excited. This had suddenly turned into a thing Aaron really wanted to explore. Mirroring Kevin’s smile he answered, feeling confident in his mental math. This equation wasn’t so hard to solve as the first one.

“Yeah okay, I think I’d really like that”

Part 1 of “Aaron Tries His Best”

1 - 2(coming soon)

[prynacle]

Quietude

@lunoctweek 2020 || Day 5: Wedding.

Rating: Teen.

Genre: Romance, Fluff.

Luna sat reading her book out in the balcony of her room, the Queen suit in Fenestalla Manor that had been granted to her many years prior but she had refused to use in dear memory of her deceased mother. Back then, her Princess room had been sufficient enough, even after her official accention as Oracle, with ample spaces that sometimes felt a tad too big for just her. Now, with her return in company of Noctis, using the Queen suit had felt like the natural option for the two of them.

Just in time, Noctis comes out into the balcony with two mugs, the fresh night air making the steam from the mugs visible to plain sight. She puts her book aside and takes her beloved's offered drink, making space for him on the bench as he motions to sit. There's a naturality in how Noctis' arm drappes over the back of Luna's seat for her to lean on his side, ther warmth of his pressence as calming as the cup in her hands. She takes a breath from her tea before giving it a sip, the flavor bringing her a smile. It's the recent blend she taught Noctis, she realizes, the flavor fresh and leafy, with a touch of sweetness at the end.

Time passes between them in quiet, cozy companionship, the two sipping their drink and taking in the sights of Tenebrae's night scenary, only the distant sounds of waters and nocturn fauna filling in the silence.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Luna finally asks, breaking the silence, and her voice rings like a soft melody that thrums warmly in Noctis' chest. "Yeah," he answers simply, the liquid in his mug reflecting his moonlit smile. "I think I will hardly sleep. I was hoping this would calm me a little," he shrugs lightly, lifting his cup. At this, Luna noods in agreement.

"Chamomile and Lemon Balm leaves are a very sleep-effective blend," she confirms. That much he had learned under her tutorage.

"To think I would ever have trouble falling sleep..." Noctis shakes his head at how absurd it sounds to his own ears. "Not long ago it felt like second nature," he muses, and then frowns.

Noctis realizes his mistake after the words leave his mouth. What 'not long ago' means for him, is about ten years for everyone else in the world. Memory of his life before the Years of Darkness is not that distant in his mind, a fact he still struggles against and has yet to adapt into his subconcious, a year and a half after his battle to bring the light back.

Unaware of his , Luna simply hums in understanding, and just like that Noctis' troubled tougths dissolves as if it never existed. She more than anyone understood the meaning in Noctis' words, having been absent from the physical world for as long as he had, if not longer. As if to dissipate any remaining turmoil in his mind, Luna takes his free hand in hers, her thumb smoothing the natural wrinkles on his knuckles in small, circular motions. "You stopped feeling so tired after coming back. I hadn't realized how much my own magic weighted on me, too."

"Hmm. The magic had been with us this whole time. There was no way we could have known just how much it took out of us."

Tilting his head down, Noctis examined Luna's face. Her elegant features had filled out with a healty shine that had not been there the time he finally got to see her after their miraculous return. He was undeniably happy of the new chance at life they had been given, of the new opportunities to rebuild and create a new chapter in his life along those he sherished most. And now, just tomorrow, Luna and him would be leaving Tenebrae to officialize their marriage in the newly rebuilt Altissia, proof of their will to be togheter, forever, and for the whole world to see.

Taking a deep breath, Noctis looks back at Tenebrae's landscape. He would be leaving it behind for a while.

"Tomorrow, we will finally move forward."

"I know. Even now... if feels a bit unreal." At her dreamy words, Noctis squeezes her hand, and she squeezes right back. There was nothing unreal about that, about them, and he had to make sure to remind them both. "Will you sleep tonight?" He sighs, content. He would never tell her, but it felt good to know Luna felt as nervous as him.

"If your tea proves effective, then I'm sure I will." Luna's giggles echo in her mug, and Noctis cracks a slow smirk.

"Ahh, here I was thinking something else we could do until dawn to pass the time." He shrugs and gives a last, satisfactory sip to his drink, waiting for a reaction that never arrives. In his hand, Luna's fingers remain laced with his, but her thumb had stopped it's movements.

"... Luna?" He asks tentatively.

Had his words somehow upset her? She wasn't the kind of person to get upset over suggestive teases, but he wasn't the kind of person that made them often, either. For all he knew, she was not in the mood and he could have crossed a line—

"Not until dawn. We do need rest for tomorrow's journey, but..." Noctis jolts, taken out of his worried mussings. He is still catching up to her words when she continues. "I don't see why we couldn't indulge in ourselves for a bit." Her voice turns into a question at the end, and now that he can see her enthusiastic acceptance clearly as she leans back to look up at him, Noctis felt his cheeks and ears flare with heat. He had expected an admonishment at his suggestion, but now Luna was considering the option seriously.

So much for trying to tease his fiancé.

"I was just joking. We already bathed and as you said, we do need the sleep, heh," he stuttered. Had one of his hands been free, he would be scratching his nape.

"Ah." she says, dissapointed, and Noctis feels a needle piercing his heart. Before he could form an apology, her voice lifted up again "I'm sure Tenebrae waters won't suffer from a second bath of ours."

Noctis felt his face snicker. From excitement or embarrasement, he did not know, as both emotions swirled in his chest with no clear distiction between them. All he was sure was that Luna was looking brightly up at him, smiling face and soft hands taking his empty mug out of his hand. Despite their time togheter, starting these talks with Luna never seemed to get any less electrifiying.

"Besides," she continued, moving to sit on his lap, and he was prepared to hold her firmly like so many times before, her fingers moving over the the fabric of his pajamas until they reached his scalp, "It can help us with sleep even more effectively."

"I see. So this lines up with our best interests."

Luna's nose rubs his own, and he can feel her breath on his lips.

"Unless this is of no interest for you." Beyond the teasing phrasing, he recognized the backdown leeway for what it was, and Noctis felt his heart swell with the consideration of his beloved. A fire in his blood runs across his whole body, and his hands loose their grip on her hips to hold her face, Luna's beautiful eyes taking him with attention.

With the moonlight framing her figure, he can see her clearly. The light makes her skin and hair shine, creating a halo around her as if light itself knew of her role in a life past that granted her with power able to make her shine just as now. And yet, there's no otherwordly power behind the person now in his arms. Before him was simply a woman just as mortal as himself, the one he had been set to happily marry once, now twice, and should fate interfere again, would set on as many new quests to chose her again and always.

Her question lingers still in the air, Luna waiting for him to have the final say in this new adventure. His answer comes as easy as the truth he feels in his heart. "Luna, you are always of interest to me."

He coarced her forward, and she yielded, their lips finally meeting.

Not in a thousand years would he have said no.

[wonderlustlucas]

lost - pjy x jw

⇢ prompt “Just a little lost.” ⇢ pairing park jinyoung x jackson wang ⇢ word count 1.3k ⇢ genre fluff ⇢ warnings none ⇢ summary “How about a cute night conversation fluff between Jackson and Jinyoung? Just something fluffy and cute I guess? :))”—request

No matter how comfortable he may be, sprawled out on his stomach with his face nestled in the space between two pillows, Jinyoung cannot ignore the incessant vibration of his cell phone against the wood of his bedside table. Leaning up on his elbows, disoriented and blindly reaching for the nuisance of a device, he distantly curses himself for never purchasing an alarm clock on Amazon so he could power his phone off for bed. Not that he finds himself receiving calls every night just as he’s fallen asleep, but still.

Bringing the phone closer to his face, Jinyoung grimaces at the harsh light and squints hard to read the caller ID. Just as he’s done so, it feels as if his heart comes to a careening stop, limbs suddenly heavy with unease he doesn’t quite understand. Then, his heart rate picks up in a panicked frenzy and he taps the green icon without a second thought.

“Hello?”

“Oh, shit. You answered,” Jackson answers. While hearing his voice, rasped and groggy, somewhat calms Jinyoung’s nerves, such a reply has him frowning.

“Of course I answered,” Jinyoung snaps, tone laced with annoyance. He quickly mutters an apology. “That’s what friends are for, no?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Jackson hums. Then, a long pause that leaves Jinyoung forgetting to breath. “I’m sorry for calling so late. I just needed someone to talk to and you were the only person I thought of.” Jinyoung finds this hard to believe. Not only is GOT7 family, but Jackson has a handful of friends who care deeply about him. Nevertheless, he finds himself smiling at the revelation, rolling onto his back and switching the call to speaker mode. “It’s no problem,” Jinyoung assures, “I was only playing Valorant.” He lies.

I miss you, is what he almost says.

Jackson laughs, though it sounds a little tired. “You sure about that? Sounds like I woke you up.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Jinyoung grumbles with a roll of his eyes, “why did you call, anyway?”

Again, a long pause. Jinyoung’s starting to get worried he is going to be told something he isn’t prepared to hear. “I don’t know, honestly,” Jackson admits, quiet enough that Jinyoung has to strain to hear him. “I guess I knew you would actually understand what I’m feeling.”

“And what are you feeling?” He asks, voice shaky.

“Just a little lost, I suppose,” Jackson sighs, and Jinyoung finds his brows furrowing in confusion. Jackson? Lost? Always confident and taking up new opportunities with gratitude and elation, Jackson is the last person he expected to feel such a way. “Overwhelmed, too. This business is so competitive these days, y’know? Here and in Seoul, we continuously have to get better, do this, do that, follow the current trend while also trying to figure out what the next will be. I feel so greedy. We’ve been so successful and I don’t want to ever lose what we have. But then it gets so tiring, and I realize I’m not happy like I used to be, just going whichever direction I’m being pushed. And I start to forget what my purpose even is, anymore.”

Jinyoung has to pause and really mull over what Jackson has just told him. Sure, the seven of them have spent countless nights discussing such stresses and hidden fears, but never has he received a phone call from one of his bandmates at almost two in the morning. Especially not Jackson.

“Jackson,” he begins, struggling to find the right words somewhere in between actual good advice and bullshit he doesn’t need to hear, “it’s okay to feel greedy when this is our job. By nature, it’s a competitive occupation, and as long as it doesn’t get to your head, sometimes you need to have that greed, and even a little arrogance, if you want to keep that success.”

Jinyoung pauses incase his friend wants to speak. At the silence, he takes it as his cue to continue.

“But you can’t let it take your happiness away. Humans are kind of like computers, we work and work and work, and then we overwork, we refuse to backdown from competition, and then we break. We’re like computers in a lot of ways, but we can’t multitask like they do. No matter what, Jackson, you have to work with what makes you happy. You’re not going to find your purpose again until your happy.”

“What the fuck? Are you a philosopher or some shit?” Jackson laughs, but Jinyoung doesn’t miss his sniffle or the choked sound of his words.

He shrugs, trying to fight a smile. “No. I remember learning about how our brains are like computers in psychology, though.”

“Sounds like an excuse a philosopher would say,” Jackson snorts, followed by a loud huff. “Hey, thank you for that. Are… Are you happy? Have you lived by that same advice?”

Jinyoung purses his lips, closes his eyes and hopes he can find the words to how he truly feels. Is he happy? With his career? Himself? Friends? Family? Love life? Well, maybe not that last one, but that is not something he can necessarily explain to Jackson, of all people.

“Yes,” he decides, “of course there’s stuff that makes my life difficult, y’know. Like JYP. But I love making music, I love performing, I love acting, I love our fans, and I love you guys. I once felt like you right now, though. But then I realized there’s no point in caring about what other people think of you, good or bad. It all depends on how you feel, how you work, and what you want to do.”

Jackson makes a noise of understanding. “You’re a real wise one, you know that?”

Jinyoung chuckles, rolling onto his side and staring at the screen of his phone, trying to picture what Jackson is doing right now and almost wishing he had FaceTimed, instead. Is he in bed, too? Has he been crying a lot recently? Sleeping well, or are the bags beneath his eyes puffy and blue? These are all questions he can ask tomorrow, he decides, realizing with a sag of his shoulders just how much he misses his friend. Friend.

“I’ve been told that once or twice, actually.” “Oh? What enlightening advice have you given before?”

“Told them how they should keep in touch more often rather than calling mid-breakdown in the middle of the night.”

“Oh, shut up,” Jackson grumbles, chuckling nevertheless. “I’ll keep that in mind, though. You sure I wouldn’t be a bother?”

“No! Of course not,” Jinyoung fires back a little too quickly, “I’m home by seven every day and have nothing to do, I’d appreciate the company.” Cringing, he prays the underlying nervousness in his voice isn’t noticeable, oblivious to how this has Jackson feeling warm and fuzzy all over. “Well, alright,” Jackson says, then, much softer, “thank you, Jinyoung.”

“Don’t thank me, I wish you called me sooner,” Jinyoung replies, “you take care of yourself now, Mr. Wang. Text me tomorrow. Or call. I’ll always be here for you.”

For the umpteenth time in the five minutes of their call, silence, albeit comfortable, settles over the pair. Longing, he would call it. Content, Jackson would. “Well, then, I’m off to bed. Goodnight, Jinyoung. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodnight, Jackson.” Jinyoung hums, deep in thought. When Jackson hangs up, he finds himself staring sadly at the lock screen of his phone before finally moving to plug it back into its charger on the table. Puzzled, maybe a little at the call and maybe a little at the way he feels, Jinyoung settles back into bed and stares absently at the ceiling. As he said, he has always been on top of every aspect of his life—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and everything in between. This, however, has left him doubting everything he’s tried convincing himself of the past few years.

Thirteen hundred miles away, Jackson’s mind feels clearer than it had half an hour ago. The problem, however, is the tradeoff: his heart feels much heavier than it did before, and for reasons he isn’t ready to figure out.

He’ll deal with that tomorrow.

[prettieparker86]

All For You

Part 2 Here & Part 3 Here & Part 4 & Part 5 Here

Pairing: William “Cap” Hatfield x Reader

Warning: Mentions of death and murder

Gifs: Not mine. The beautiful Cap shooting gif is by @cirunia (Still can’t figure out to tag people proper apparently) if it’s yours let me know and I’ll gladly give credit.

A/N: Sorry this took so long, I really tried to make it good since it’s my first Cap Hatfield story. The vote settled it, but I will be posting the Lyla version on another site and I’ll post the link here for anyone interested. I’m planning four parts for this. They all center around a single conversation with flashbacks to add depth and context. Also in doing research, Johnse also sometimes went by Jonce too. So I used both. The timeline follows the show. Let me know if you like it or if it’s shit. Honesty is brutal, but truthful.

XXXXX

The room is deathly silent. The air so thick you could cut it with a knife. The crackling of the fire the only sound to be heard as your heart pounds so hard you can hear it pumping in your ears.

Your eyes are hinged upon your uncle Anse as his bore into you with such stern fever you feel your body heating up under the burn of his glare. You know your uncle is loyal to his kin, but being on the wrong side of his temper has got you spooked.

His pipe is clenched between his teeth before he tugs it out once more. The gravel of his voice filling the room with dread. “Now I’m only gonna ask you one more time, who gotcha in ‘ta this predicament?”

You never wanted to bring such trouble upon your family. You already felt burden enough on your uncle and aunt, taking you and your brother in after your Pap been murdered. But this… This was too much to ask of anyone.

Gone and shamed yourself and your family in the worst way a lady can. That’s why you’d hid it as long as you could. With McCoy’s out for vengeance, bounty hunters and the law after your family, timing never seemed right to add another pillar onto the fire. That’s why it took your aunt putting the pieces together and confronting you before the awful truth came to light.

You swallowed hard against the choking lump in your throat. Your breath quivering with fear as it slips past your lips.

Your eyes shot to your aunt Levicy, a pleading in your gaze you couldn’t suspend, but her gaze was as steady as Anse, with no sympathy to be found.

Your aunt Levicy was a kind woman. Always been really good to you, raising you like her own after your mama died, but she was a strong woman too and you’d just brought a world a hurt on her home.

Your lips felt parched as you ran your tongue across them. Praying you could make your tongue do something more when you tried to speak.

You open your mouth to deliver your death sentence and own up to what you done, but before you can speak someone beats you to the punch.

“I did,” An all to distinctive gritty drawl answers behind you. A voice you’d know anywhere.

Spinning around, your skirt twirling as you go, your eyes land on Will, Cap as everyone else likes to call him. You’re not sure when he came in the door or how long he’s been standing there, but he’d clearly heard enough.

You wanna ask him what the hell he’s doing, but he never meets your eyes, holding steady on his Pa’s.

“Ya did what?” Anse sternly questions, both shock and rage waging war for dominance on his face as his attention turns to Will.

“Now hows it I raised two sons that can be so god damn dumb! Didn’ have ‘nough trouble already with yer brother, had to go make yer own mess!” You hear your uncle Anse hollering, his voice bellowing through the homestead, feet stomping against the floorboards as you spin back around to see him storming over toward Will.

“Now I told ya to stay away offa her when she came into this house!” Anse hollers, bringing up a conversation between father and son you weren’t privy to, but only made matters worse for Will.

You barely have time to follow his stride before he’s on Will, fist swinging. Blinded by his rage, Will went down without a fight. Didn’t even try to defend himself, taking it like he had it coming, accepting his Pa’s punishment.

You can’t watch him take this punishment for you. You can’t bare it. So, you charge into the mess. Trying to reach Will.

“Please uncle Anse, Please!” You desperately beg.

Likely get yourself pummeled too if Johnse hadn’t stepped in, trying to pull his Pa back. You hadn’t even realized Jonce was there either until he intervened.

You reach for Will as you crouch against the floor, trying to get between the two men and cover yourself over him, but Will still manages to hold you back at arm’s length, trying to protect you too.

Johnse manages to keep some of the blows back, before Levicy steps in. Always a fierce mama, she gets Anse to backdown from his rage.

Everyone’s huffing, tensions high as the fight breaks apart. You and Johnse help Will back to his feet, before he shakes off the hold you and Johnse got on him. Your heart breaking with the sight of his bleeding lip and busted cheek.

“Y’all go outside now. Let me ‘in yer Pa have a word.” Levicy speaks, no question in her tone.

You all move to the porch out front, the door barely shuts before your feet all come to a slow and steady stop. Pulling your coat around you against the frigid air, you feel Johnse’s eyes on you first, sharp against the fading sunlight dipping down on the mountain peaks.

You don’t know what he’s thinkin and you’re afraid to find out. His gaze is penetrating as it sweeps between you and Will.

You meet his gaze, but only briefly before turning your eyes to Will and the look pulsing through Will as he stares down his brother is enough to chill the blood in the any man’s veins.

Without a word, Johnse turns and trots down the porch steps and away from the house. You know your heart should feel heavy that he’s running scared, but you’ve never been so relieved to see Johnse’s go.

As soon as Johnse was outta ear shot, you turn to Will.

“Why ‘re you doin this?” You asked plainly, keeping your voice purposefully low as you search his face for answers in the dimming light.

Will looks down at you suddenly, finally meeting your eyes, and all you see is stubborn and steel staring back at you.

“S’ones gotta.” He answers curtly, before moving swiftly across the porch, his boots heavy against the old boards.

Five Months Ealier

Election Day 1882

Blackberry Creek was bustling with life. It was election day and people from all around these parts had come out for the festivities. It was summer time in the south; the days were long and warm, and the air was thick and sticky.

Rhythmic stomping feet and the twangy tune of the fiddle filled the forest with life. Couples danced around the makeshift floor without a care in the world. Sporadic gun fire broke through the fiddle’s sweet melody as men drank and carried on over a lively shooting contest at the edge of the festivities. While bootleggers sold their whiskey from the barrel off rickety carts, Johnse manning his own brew from his still up in the hills.

The clearing bustled with life as merchants and peddlers sold their goods from booths and stands. People laughed and mingled without a care in the world, and for a short while you’d never know two feuding families were enjoying themselves side by side.

You love election day, for you it’s a chance to get away from doing chores and have a little fun for a change.

The sun feels hot on your shoulders and head, the air thick and dewy on your skin. Your hair soaks up the sun. With curves in all the right places, you’ve noticed the way men’s eyes like to linger, but in a family of roughneck men where girls are far more of a rarity, a man would have to damn near pass through an army just to get near you. And with the circumstances surrounding your birth, no suitable man has really tried.

You watch from the sidelines as your brother Cotton Top carries on with the younger Hatfield children.

He may be your older brother by fourteen months, but it’s your job to watch over him. He requires extra attention and since your Ma passed, that’s always fallen on you and your Pa. Not that you mind it, Cotton Top is the sweetest boy you know. You can’t imagine your life without him.

“Pretty ribbon you got in yer hair.” A voice spoke up suddenly from beside her.

You turn to find none other than Calvin McCoy standing there, Randal McCoy’s son, having crept up unannounced. You offer him a subtle nod and turn back to watch your brother and the younger Hatfield children scurry amongst the grass and dirt.

“Thanks, my Pa got it for me.” You answer plainly, being polite.

“I’m Calvin McCoy,” He says, introducing himself while trying to keep your attention.

“I know who you are.” You answer back, returning your gaze to him only briefly.

“Ah, I see.” He drawls out. “Take it ya hate McCoy’s like the resta yer kin.” He questions rhetorically, a crooked grin creepy up on the corner of his lips.

You catch the glint in his blue eyes as you turn back to him.

“I try not to hate ‘nyone.” You answer honestly, fighting back the grin that’s working its way on her face. For a Mccoy he wasn’t bad looking, with dark brown hair and pale blue eyes.

“You got a pretty smile too.” His says, grin spreading wide as his eyes light up under your attention.

Your face drops as you realize he’s flirting with you. Shaking you head, you dismiss the notion as your cheeks start to burn. Was it his compliment or the sun? New to this game for two, you don’t have much experience with boys outside your kin.

“What’s goin’ on over here?” A rough voice picks up suddenly behind you.

Turning toward your other shoulder, you find Will coming at you. His gaze reaching over your head, driving nails into the young man beside you.

You can tell your cousin isn’t pleased to see you conversing with a McCoy. As Devil Anse son and Jim Vance nephew, hating McCoys has been instilled in him since he was just a boy. While your Pap had always been more reasonable about these matters and tried to raise you and your brother up the same.

Placing your hand on his arm, you try to ease the rapidly mounting tension.

“We was just talkin’.” You explains as if it were that simple.

“Ya heard the lady, we was just talkin.” Calvin throws back, with a boldness on his breath and a challenge in his eyes you know damn well is a recipe for disaster.

“Shut up McCoy, think it’s best you go on back to yer own kin.” Will snaps out, still never looking your way as he holds his ground in a standoff against Calvin McCoy.

“An’ if I don’?” Calvin throws back as he squares his shoulders, refusing to back down to Will or any Hatfield.

You can see the fuse has been lit in Will’s eye. As your favorite cousin, you’ve been watching him your whole life. You know what makes Will tick and you know if this turns anymore sour it’s going to be more than just words that gets thrown around. You don’t want that, certainty because of you.

Removing the remaining distance between yourself and Will, your hands find his chest as you plead with Will to be sensible, be the bigger man. Hoping his soft spot for you will win him over. “He’s not worth it, Will. Please.”

Finally, Will looks down at you, your touch breaking through the stubborn steel of his anger. “Please, let’s just go.” You try to reason with him, your eyes calling for him.

Before he can make up this mind, another voice steps in overshadowing the rest. “Calvin! What ‘re doin’ with Hatfields? Git over here.”

You look over your shoulder to see Calvin’s cheeks turning red with a twinge of embarrassment, he’d been caught red handed. Despite his resistance to backing down, the young man could see he no longer had a choice in the matter as he tilted his hat to you.

“Real nice talkin’ to ya,” He said before hightailing it back over to his brother, a McCoy you recognized as Tolbert. The curly red hair and scowl on his face giving him away every time.

“N’ stay the hell away from her!” You tense against the grit in Will’s voice as he leaves Calvin with a parting message.

As Calvin disappears, you feel Will take ahold of your elbow and start leading you across the grass.

“I’m s’pose to be watchin the kids.” You say.

“Robert E. can.” Will spits curtly back.

You know he wants to have a word with you as you move away from Calvin, realizing you aren’t the only one getting a lecture as you hear Tolbert’s crass words in the distance. “What ‘re you doin’ with that Hatfield bastard?”

You cringe a little with a name you’ve heard all too many times, but never quite get used to.

Glancing up at Will, you’re only relieved he didn’t hear it or this fire would have sparked back to life ten times the blaze it was moments ago.

As protective as Will is of you, no amount of sweet talking would have deterred him before he knocked some sense into Tolbert.

Will’s grip on your elbow is firm as he leads you away from the McCoy’s, out toward to the edge of the tents and booths where less people linger and there’s more room to talk.

Digging your heels into the soft earth below, you force him to stop when you feel you’ve gone far enough and tug your arm free.

“Will, we was just talkin.” You tell him. Trying to make him understand, make him see he’s making something out of nothing.

Will turns back to you, same fire still burning in his blue eye as his gaze shot out over to where the McCoy’s were then back to you.

“Yeah well, I don’ like the way he was lookin at you.” He grinds out through a tight jaw, letting out a deep huff before leaving the grounds and moving out toward the brush and trees. His feet heavy with spite.

Clutching your long skirt, you take off after him, your feet moving quick to keep up with his pace and long stride.

You hate seeing Will mad. Hate feeling like you stirred up a hornet’s nest for reasons you’re not sure you fully understand. If you didn’t know better, you’d think Will was jealous, because ever since he started looking at you differently, you’re not always sure what’s going on in his head.

“And how was he lookin at me?” You question him.

You know Will’s protective, but you’d never seen him look like that before. Then again he’d never really seen you talking to another boy who wasn’t kin before.

You’re not a fool, you’ve noticed the way Will looks at you sometimes. With that intense gaze of his that can make you feel like you were sitting over a fire pit. Your kin noticed it too, you catch them teasing him about it from time to time, but Will’s never made a move beyond that, so you aren’t sure what to make of any of it.

“Like you were a damn meal.” He grumbles out before turning to spit as if the words left a vile taste in his mouth, stomping into a set of trees and moving deeper into the forest surrounding you.

His shoulders are tight as you work to keep pace with him. His tone sharp and his breathe heavy as he works through his anger.

“Well it’s not like I’m spoken for, now is it?” You point out and instantly regret your choice of words as Will abruptly stops and turns back quick onto you.

“You wanna end up with a McCoy now?” He practically spits out, giving you a look as if you’d grow two heads.

“Course not,” You’re quick to dismiss.

Letting out a heavy breath as you finally stop. You hate seeing him like this, all wound up. You never would have talked to that boy if you knew it would bother him this much.

Your eyes sweep around you as you realize you followed him farther into the woods than you planned and you know both your Pa’s wouldn’t approve of you two off alone by yourselves, but you couldn’t leave him like this.

Turning back to Will you aim to ease the tension coursing through him as you try to explain it without making the whole thing worse.

“Alls I’m sayin is I ain’t spoken for. Boys are s‘pose to wanna talk to me, Will. How else am I s’pose to snag a husband? It’s hard ‘nough as it is.” You explain it as rationally as you can.

Girls your age were supposed to land a husband. Hell, some were already engaged, but things were different for you.

You were more than pretty enough, people told you so, but you and your brother were born on the wrong side of the bed. Didn’t matter your Pa was gonna marry your mama after you came along, only to have her die bringing you into this world. Didn’t matter you were raised by your Pa and carried his name.

You came from outside the sacred confines of marriage, and no amount of pretty was gonna make you a suitable enough for most boys to court.

Hard as that truth is, it didn’t bother you nearly as much as you know it should, because truth be told, there was only one boy you wanted to court you. One boy you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. He just hadn’t made a move.

“He’s not good ‘nough for you…” Will says firmly with a quick shake of his head for emphasis.

Pulling his hat from his head with a quick hand, letting the sun hit his face through the trees as he lets out a long heavy breath before his piercing eyes fall back onto you.

“Hell, I don’t know if any man is.”

Coming from anyone else that line would have been rich. Johnse would have delivered it with a shit eating grin on his face and a voice so smooth girls county wide would be willing to let him get up under their skirts.

But when Will says it his voice is raw with honesty as he looks at you with such sincerity you suddenly find it hard to breathe.

You don’t fancy yourself impulsive, but like all Hatfield’s, you got passion in your veins and fire in your belly.

And standing before Will as his blonde hair falls all messy around his handsome face, the intensity in his sterling blue eye as it pierces you from just feet away, has you doing the most bold thing you’ve ever done.

Without a word, you step to him, leaning up, you capture his lips. There’s no denying you surprised him. You can feel him tense beneath your lips, but seconds later, he’s giving in.

Kissing you back, slowly, cautiously as if he’s afraid if he’s not careful he might overwhelm you. Your arms tangle around his neck as your feel Will’s arms wined around your waist.

A spark of electricity shoots through your body with his kiss and you know he feels it to as he pulls you closer to him, kissing you harder. All thoughts of decency or fear of being caught, never enter your mind. All you know in that moment, all you can sense is Will and how alive you feel. More alive than you’ve ever felt before. Like a part of you you didn’t know coming to life.

You feel a strange intoxicating heat wash over you as your skin flushes. A breathy sound you’ve never heard yourself make slips past your lips as Will’s tongue strokes your bottom lip. The sound of it makes Will clutches you tighter, pulling you flush against him. His other hand tangling into your hair to hold you close as a heavy breath burst from him.

You feel a change in him, a change in the hunger of his kiss and the need of his touch, but just as quickly as it’s there, it’s gone, as Will’s hands find the sides of your waist to hold you steady as pulls away to break the kiss.

Will’s breath sounds heavy and uneven as his forehead rests against yours. His hands release you, but he won’t meet your eyes as he slowly creates more distance, his face still hung low.

When he finally looks back up at you there’s a dark heated wanting in his gaze. It makes your belly flutter and your skin feel flush, but then he looks away as he gently pulls your hands free from around his neck.

“I think we betta head back.” Will says, his breath deep and husky in a way you’ve never heard before as he steps around you, snatching up his hat from the ground before heading back toward the event.

You turn to follow him and find him waiting, but he doesn’t look at you. Your heart would ache if you didn’t feel his fingers dance faintly across your wrist as you walk side by side.

It’s then that you realize why Will’s keeping his distance, because things were getting heated back there. If either of your Pa’s had seen you, surely they would have tanned your hides.

And unlike Johnse and the mess he got Roseanna into, you know Will would never do anything that could put you in a predicament, that would dishonor you. No matter how badly he may want to.

Moving back toward the festivities you hear commotion all around. Hollering voices, feet stomping and a deep sense of dread fills your belly.

You’ll realize all too soon what’s happened to your Pa while you were away and that leaving the woods set wheels into motion you’ll never be able to undo.

[how-are-the-theodosias-blog]

constellations pt 2

series master post

summary: last day before break!!

tw: none (let me know if you need anything tagged)

is it on AO3? sure is

Alexander groaned at the sound of his alarm bright and early at 5:30 AM. Alexander reached over and fumbled with his phone till it was quiet in the room again. 

Alexander sighed as he ran he laid putting his hands above his head, his hands resting on the pillowcase. Alexander sighed as he stared at the ceiling. Alexander turned his head to look out the window immediately wincing at the brightness of the light. “Alex alex,” John said bolting upright, “are—are you okay?” Alexander sat upright then slowly embracing his boyfriend. “Hey hey hey its okay,” Alexander said holding his boyfriend in the hug. Alexander smiled to himself knowing how protective John was of him. Alexander then took to rubbing small circles into John’s back. Alexander continued to hug John until pulled away slowly. He then sat with his head cocked slightly to the side his eyes squinting, with a sleepy smile plastered on his face. Alexander smiled back at him. Alexander then adjusted how he was sitting so he was now sitting criss-cross like a child would in grade school. John then looked down at Alexander’s hand before touching it gently. Alexander nodded, as he did so John gently picked up his hand. John gently moved Alexander’s hand so it was resting on his thigh. John then lifted it softly and squeezed it a little before resting his own hand on Alexander’s thigh. John then began to trace lazy circles on the back of his boyfriends hand. Alexander looked up to watch John. He admired John in the soft morning light. The sunlight danced across his freckles with the utmost beauty. Alexander took his free hand and gently tucked a stray hair behind John’s ear. John then looked up and shot Alexander another sleepy smile. “Hey,” Alexander said in a soft whisper. “Lex hey,” John said his tiredness lacing his voice. “Hey why don’t you go back to sleep, you don't gotta be up for another almost hour,” Alexander said with a smile. “But I woke up because I heard you sound not so good. Like when you wince in pain it scares me I just love you and I don't want you to hurt,” John rambled. “Hey I’m okay,” Alexander said reassuringly, “the sun was just bright, hurt my eyes.” “Your eyes? Alex are your eyes okay?” John asked sounding genuinely concerned. Alexander laughed a little at John asking if his eyes are okay, “yes love my eyes are fine.” “Good. Your eyes are just really pretty I don't want them to be hurt,” John said now slouching. “You wanna’ lay back down?” Alexander asked. John nodded slowly letting go of Alexander’s hand. Alexander then moved to the edge of the bed. John then slowly laid backdown. Alexander then turned to pull the blanket over John. John smiled as he did so mumbling affectionate gestures. Alexander then sat back upright and ran his hand through his hair gently. “Alex no,” John said sounding hurt. “What John?” Alexander asked quietly. “Come back to sleep,” John said whispering. “I gotta get ready for class love,” Alexander whispered back. “No,” John said holding out the ‘o’ sounding child like. “Hey love its okay,” Alexander said softly, “we will see each other at lunch.” “You promise?” John said softly. “Yes love,” Alexander replied. “Goodnight Lex,” John said before yawning. Alexander smiled at the use of his nickname, “I’ll see you soon love.” John nodded before rolling onto his stomach drifting off into sleep. Alexander slowly moved his feet so his toes brushed the ground. He sighed to himself hating being up this early. He leaned over to grab his phone. He then tip toed over the squeaky floorboards, over to the dresser to grab his glasses. After that he made his way to the door and opened it and closed it gently as he left. He then made his way over to his own room. After he opened the door to his own personal room he stood completely still leaning against the door, taking a minute to wake up. “Damn,” Alexander muttered to himself really feeling how late he was up last night. Alexander took this time to look out the window and just watch. His window was northern facing giving him a more rural view compared to John’s southern facing window that you could see the city from. On his windowsill he had a few framed pictures. Of the pictures most of them were dates him and John went on and pictures of his friends. On the wall directly behind the window he had his closet and a desk lining the wall, with his door being in the corner on the left hand side. On the wall to the left of the window wall he had a floor to celling bookcase. His roommates call it the “fire hazard”. Alexander is completely aware of how hazardous it is but he kept it anyway. On the wall to the right of the window wall is Alexander’s bed with his dresser at the foot of his bed. On the back of his door he has a bisexual pride flag hanging. His walls are an off white color with a blue bed sheet and duvet set. After finally feeling more awake Alexander went to the dresser and pulled out a random pair of jeans. He quickly changed into them before laughing at the fact he was wearing John’s shorts. He then took off his t-shirt and threw it on his bed. He walked over to the closet and swiped a black t-shirt off a hanger. He slipped it on struggling to get it over this glasses then smoothed it out. After he finished getting ready he slipped out of his room and into the tiny living room like area. He grabbed his backpack off the couch and slung over his left shoulder then over his right. He then went into the kitchen and started making coffee. The unwritten rule is the first one up has to make a pot of coffee for everyone. Alexander pulled out his phone and leaned against the edge of the counter. He opened twitter and mindlessly scrolled threw his feed. “Hey,” someone said softly. Alexander looked up, adjusting his glasses as needed. He smiled at Hercules and waved a little. “Hey man,” Alexander replies. “What class do you got this early?” Hercules asked. “Journalism,” Alexander says yawning, “you?” “Retail advertising,” Herc replies. “Man we don't have any assignments and shit till after break,” Alexander says opening the cabinet to grabbing two mugs, “so it’s kinda just a study hall but I do need the quiet.” “Fair enough,” Herc says grabbing the second mug from Alexander. Alexander picked up the coffee pot and slowly poured some into each of their mugs, “two more days.” Alexander said referring to the fact that they only had two days left till spring break. “Thank God,” Herc said laughing a little. Alexander checked the time on his phone and then stood up and shrugged, “gotta go man.” “Good luck,” Herc said wrapping his hands around the blue mug. “You too,” Alexander said walking out the front door. –— Alexander looked up from his notebook realizing everyone else in class has already packed up or is packing bags. Alexander then followed suit. Just as he finished packing his bag kids were leaving class. He sighed to himself and slung his bag over his left shoulder then his right. He exhaled dramatically as he left class. He then smiled huge as John was leaning against the wall right outside the class. “Hey what are you doin’ here?” Alexander asked taking John’s hand. “Well my professor canceled class because he’s leavin’ for break early,” John said as they started to walk hand in hand. “Lucky,” Alexander said. “Yep well I'm done with class till after break,” John said laughing a little. “I got one more class after this today but nothin’ Friday,” Alexander said. “Hey we can all pack tomorrow, as a group,” John said smiling. “That’s gay,” Alexander said playfully. “Im excited to be honest,” John said referring to the road trip the four of them are going to take. “Yea its so nice of Angelica to invite us,” Alexander said. “Are we gonna leave late Friday night or early Saturday morning?” Alexander asked again. “Friday night?” John said unsure. “Yea that would work actually, considering the both of us don't have any class we could sleep during the day and drive at night.” Alexander said confirming the plan. “It should take about a day and a half,” John said. “Yea you and I could switch off during the night and if worst comes to worse we could crash at one of those shitty motels,” Alexander said laughing. “Very true, go ghost hunting while were at it,” John said sounding semi-serious. “Hell yea,” Alexander agrees. “Where do you wanna eat?” John asked, “I said i’d help you with your bio stuff.” “Uh student union?” Alexander suggests. “Sure,” John agrees. The two from then on walk hand in hand in a comfortable silence. John shivered after the two left the building Alexander had class in. It was mid spring but New York weather could be so unpredictable he was far under dressed. “You cold?” Alex asked. “Yep,” John said laughing. Alex quick did a one over of John. He was wearing black skinny jeans and a black on red flannel. “No jacket?” Alexander asks sarcastically. “Very funny nerd,” John teases. “Lets hurry then,” Alexander says smirking. “Alexander Hamilton I swear if you start running,” John says. Just as John finishes talking Alexander takes off. John sighs knowing he won’t ever catch Alexander, but runs after him anyway. After apologizing to everyone John bumped into while running he slowed to a walk after seeing Alexander leaning against a tree outside the student union. “What the fuck man,” John said breathing heavily. “It felt right,” Alexander said also breathing heavily. “Fair enough,” John said shrugging, “you’re such a dork.” “What can I say,” Alexander said holding out his hand for John. John took is hand and they then walked into the student union. They walked into building it being crowded because it being lunch time. They then made their way to the line to get food. “What steaming shit are they serving today?” John asked joking. “No idea,” Alexander said through laughing. John turned his head watching as a few kids walked by. “Well it looks like pizza and something I cant guess,” John said. “Are you gonna’ take the risk?” Alexander asked. “Are you?” John shot back playfully. “Hell no,” Alexander said with a smile. Alexander and John stood in line and waited in a comfortable silence for their pizza. Alexander then went to the check out line while John went to go get something to drink. “Hey you want somethin’ to drink?”John asked. “It’s too expensive,” Alexander replied shrugging. John just nodded knowing better than to try to pass it off, then waited in line next to Alexander. After the two paid they went and sat at one of the only empty tables. “Okay so what exactly about bio do you need help with?” John asked. “All of it to be honest,” Alexander replied getting his text book out of his backpack. “Okay well what is giving you the most shit,” John said taking a bite of his pizza. “Well uh,” Alexander paused thinking. “You wanna know what I'm best at?” John asked smirking. “Dear god,” Alexander said sarcastically. “Anatomy,” John paused, “of Alexander Hamilton.” “We are in public,” Alexander said laughing. “I don’t know what you expected I make this joke every time,” John says smiling. “Oh yes I am aware,” Alexander replies, “but the whole concept of the Lytic and Lysogenic cycle.” “Awh shit man good stuff,” John says. Alexander listened contently as John was explaining the two, but at the same time admiring how beautiful John is. How is tanned skin complimented his freckles, and just how curly his hair is. “Alright so thats that,” John concluded with. “That was hot,” Alexander blurted out. “Alex what the fuck,” John said laughing. “It was,” Alexander said laughing, “but thanks.” “It’s truly not problem,” John replied. Alexander clicked on his phone to check the time. “I gotta go I got class,” Alexander said taking his book off the table and slipping it into his dark green canvas back pack. John laughed at him a little for having class and earned an eye roll from Alexander. Alexander pulled his backpack onto his lap untangling the black straps. John smiled at the two pins on Alexander’s backpack. One of them being a bi pride pin and the other a pin of a turtle John drew. “Hey you still have that?” John asked laughing. “Oh this?” Alexander asks pointing to the turtle pin. John nodded. “Yep,” Alexander said laughing. “Well I gotta go love,” Alexander said again. “Well good luck at whatever smart people class you got,” John teased. “Smart people class?” Alexander questioned standing up causing John to do the same. “Yep,” John shot back, following Alexander out. “See you later love,” Alexander said to John who was leaning against the building. “What time will you be back?” John asked smirking. “Hm why?” Alexander teased. “Because if it will be dark Ill come and walk you back, buddy system,” John said sounding serious. “Well its two now but it’s a lecture so it’ll take like two hours and it'll take me like about 15 minutes to walk there and then about 20 home considering it'll be crowded in the building because it has dorms on the top level,” Alexander pauses, “so like 4:45? 5:15 at the latest.” “Does it still get dark early now a days?” John asked. “Nah, I should be fine,” Alexander said, “If it is dark before I leave ill call you I promise.” “Okay lex,” John says smiling, “have fun.” “Will do,” Alexander says. Alexander then heads in the direction of his class and once he gets some distance away form John he stops and turns. He sees John looking at him and he waves to him, then continues his walk to class.

[backroadblues]

May 17 & 18, 2017 - Siena, Italy On the morning of May 17th we are sad because we must say "arriverderci" Positano. I am also sad because I am thinking about having to carry all of our luggage backdown 3 flights of stairs to the hotel lobby. Trent has injured his shoulder and he wont be able to carry any of the luggage down the stairs - mysteriously convenient - now that I write about it. Anyhow, I struggle with the first 2 bags down the stairs. On the way down, I encounter our friendly maid who brought our breakfasts each morning. She is headed up the stairs taking them 2 at a time. She takes one of the suitcases from me - the heavier of the 2 and she bounces down the stairs, apparently unaffected by the weight of the suitcase. She then says she will go get the rest of them. She is a tiny little thing but no doubt she must climb those steps no less than 100 times a day. I make my way back up the stairs to help with the luggage but she and a previously unseen helper are making their way down the stairs with the bulk of our other luggage. I'm thrilled that I did not have to carry it all myself, but at the same time I'm wondering where they were when we had to schlep it up the stairs. No matter, I now head back to the parking garage where our car is. It is a nice stroll of about 1/2 mile to the garage and it is another beautiful day in Positano. I retrieve our car and now make my way back up the hill where our hotel is and I'm hoping that the "sidewalk" a small 18" sliver walk way on the right side of the road will be uncrowned with tourist so that I can park our car without causing yet another international incident. As I make my way to the hotel, i am relieved to see that there is space on the sidewalk just near the front door of the hotel. I go in and begin retrieving the bags. I know that I have to put "Moby" in the back of the car first. I set the bag down so that I can organize things and when I look up, I notice that "Moby" has begun to roll down the street of Positano. I immediately think about the anchor we saw down at the port and realize that we needed it to prevent just such an incident. I realize that if "Moby" picks up any momentum at all it would begin to knock the tourists out of the way like bowling pins. Fortunately, Carolyn had come out of the hotel with some of the smaller bags and she was able to catch "Moby" before it could do any damage. Having fit the pieces of the puzzle back together into the back of our car, we are off and on our way to Siena. The drive should be about 4-1/2 hours with much of it taken up by the narrow winding roads exiting the Amalfi. We take our time heading to Siena, stopping several times along the way. We arrive in Siena and check into our hotel - Hotel Garden around 4:00 PM. Hotel Garden sits just outside of the old walled part of Siena. It is about 3/4 mile walk to the gate and then about 1 mile walk to the Campo. Once we got settled into our Hotel we decide we headed out to visit some of Elisa's relatives in nearby Colle Val d'Elsa. We visit with Mauro and Marissa who entertain us. Mauro is retired from his job where he ran a factory that made lead crystal glass. But he is still full of life and he is preparing his karaoke equipment and auditioning singers who will be participating in a show that he will be emceeing. Mauro entertains us with a number of songs - all in Italian and we have a great time. We say our farewells, hugs and kisses on both cheeks and head back to the hotel. Once we get back to the hotel we head into Siena for dinner. We walk about 2 miles toward the Campo and find Trattoria Fonte Dei Giusto. It has a 4 star rating and the menus looks very good. We are not disappointed. Siena is surprisingly uncrowded. It would seem that all the tourist have decided to head into Rome and Positano. We are not complaining, because we are able to quickly get a table. There are 2 other groups in the restaurant, a large table of tourists from Germany and another group of locals - the latter always being a good sign at a restaurant in Italy. We have another light lunch of antipasto - bruschetta, a Pasta - Trent had the Gnocchi con Fungi. The rich mushroom sauce was heartily populated with fresh porcini mushrooms and it was by far his favorite pasta thus far on the trip - we always seem to say that until we have the next dish. I had the Pasta con Cinghiale (wild boar). It too is fantastic. Carolyn and Elisa have a wonderful beef stew served with polenta, I have the roads pork and Trenton has a stew made with Cinghiale served with polenta. It was easy to see why Trattoria Fonte dei Giusto has earned it 4+ star rating. We head back to the hotel and have a good nights sleep. It is now May 18 and we will spend the morning touring Siena and we will also visit some more of Elisa's many relatives that reside in Tuscany. We park our car near the walled part of Siena that will afford us a relatively short, but steeply uphill walk to both the Campo and the Cathedral. Once again, we are amazed by the sparseness of the crowds. You can see how in the photos how we seemed to have the city to ourselves. The Cathedral was amazing. I never tire of looking at the beautiful mosaics that line the floor. We roam around the Campo and by noon we park ourselves at one of the many cafes and have an appertivo or 2 - just like Rick Steves. Now it is about 1:00 and we start to head back to our car so that we can a visit relatives in nearby Corrie Val d'Elsa. As we are making our way to the car we pass a Chinese restaurant and decide let's do something different. We enter and see the hostess who invites us in. We dine on spring rolls, fried rice, beef with oyster sauce, shrimp with vegetables and is is delicious. The hostess tells us that Siena has many Chinese visitors and their little restaurant that they started 24 years ago is doing a booming business. The food is very good and our lunch for 4 is less that 40 Euros. Quite a treat. After visiting with Enzo, Mirella, their son Frederico and his wife Susanna, whom we haven't seen in some time. We have a great time recollecting the past. Once again we say our farewells, hugs and kisses on both cheeks. After than we are headed toward the Tuscan coast - into the small town of Venturina. We check into Aprico Poggio - a small hotel built out of an ancient farm house. It is beautiful here. The farm house has been converted into four 2 room apartments, each with kitchen and bath. The bedroom is large and inviting and the sitting room is equally spacious. It is not yet the high season for the region and we have the entire place to ourselves. After we check in, we visit with some of Elisa's family, her cousin Gianni and Rosella and their son Riccardo. We can't forget their French Bulldog Jago - who is the boss of the house. Later that evening we also visit Elisa's Uncle Giuseppe and Aunt Vivianna. It's a quick visit because we must now head out to dinner - we always seem to be eating. Dinner at Hotel Otello was wonderful. The Tuscan fried artichokes are to die for. We had several different types of pasta - some with meat sauce, some with artichokes and some with cozze - clams. For our "secondas" Elisa and I both had the veal. As we left the hotel we notice all of the many photographs that line the walls of the hotel. It is a photo-history that show the people and events that the hotel has experienced. The photos date back to the 1920's. We are shown some photos of the 70's and 80's and are surprised to see some people we know back in the US. Here they are enjoying Hotel Otello just like we were on this evening. With dinner finished we retire back to Aprico Poggio for a good nights sleep. Ciao Rex