#whack patty's pats

[whack-patty]

sneep snorp

SNEEP SNORP JUMPSCARE

[cacaocheri]

a lil last minute christmas gift for @whack-patty :^) love you goober tee hee

[marsdeathdefiances]

Could you do 1, 2, 5, and 34 for the OTP asks? They’re all so cute omg!!

Thanks for the ask!

1: Who most initiates PDA? Achilles. He’s very overt and proud and unashamed to be public about his feelings for Patroclus. So that means he’s always hugging him, kissing him, and all that fun stuff no matter where they’re at. His arm is around Pat’s waist as they chat with some friends in a bar, holding hands as they walk down the street, pecking him on the lips every few minutes while they’re out on a date, etc. he’s just so lovesick for Pat.

2: Any sleep habits either had to get used to? Patroclus is a blanket hog while Achilles is a bed hog and is also a restless sleeper which means he’s always moving around while he sleeps. So Achilles has to get used to waking up without any blankets and having to fight Patroclus for some blanket. While Pat has to get used to having like…no room and also sometimes getting kicked in his sleep by an also sleeping Achilles or getting whacked in the face by his arm.

5: What is their love language? Patroclus is very big on quality time and acts of service. He loves spending time with Achilles, even if they’re just cuddling on the couch watching some silly show or movie. He also loves doing things for Achilles. Making dinner (for both of them technically but still), making Achilles’ lunch for him, etc. he’s always saying ‘here, let me’ to Achilles and while Achilles loves it he sometimes wishes Pat would step back and let himself be taken care of as well. Achilles absolutely loves physical touch and gift giving. Kind of like with the PDA one he’s just always touching Pat in some capacity. Hugging him, holding hands, linking fingers, cuddling him, patting him on the back, resting a hand on his shoulder, an arm around his waist, etc. Pat loves it but sometimes in the summer, when it’s way too warm to be cuddling like they usually do, he just kinda wants to shove Achilles away from him cause it’s simply too damn hot for that kind of stuff. He’s also always spoiling Pat with various gifts. Some small some big and expensive. Achilles may come home from his morning run and surprise Pat with a muffin and coffee from his favorite coffee shop. Might buy him a book because ‘I know you’ve been interested in reading this one so here you go!’ And when they first moved in together Pat’s car was a hunk of junk so he surprised Pat with a new car. Pat was a bit upset about this one cause Achilles never consulted him about it and he always feels bad when people spend a lot of money on him but he got over it and is forever grateful for it (cause yeah his old car sucked).

34: Do they give each other nicknames? Oh gods yeah they do. They hardly ever refer to each other by their actual names tbh. Patroclus calls Achilles ‘my lion’ (that kind of started as a joke about how Achilles’ hair is absolutely wild in the mornings and looks like a lion’s mane but it ended up becoming an affectionate pet name) ‘babe’ ‘dear’ ‘darling’ ‘love’ and when he’s sleepy (or drunk) it’s ‘chilles’ or ‘illes’ (and ofc ‘Pelides!’ When Achilles is in trouble/doing something he’s not supposed to do). Patroclus is (obviously) ‘Pat’ ‘Patty’ ‘Patty-cakes’ (Pat hates that one but Achilles thinks it’s hysterical) ‘my dove’ ‘dear’ ‘skops’ ‘love’ ‘babe/baby’ ‘sweetheart’

[chocolatecak3]

patty whack

[billdenbrough]

when reddie are talking about getting married, the biggest thing to decide is what they’re going to do about surnames. because the losers are who they are, it becomes a Thing. at first, patty asks “why don’t they just hyphenate” and stan is forced to explain the truth: “richie is super smart but will do anything for the bit and eddie’s too Invested to be chill”. it’s a whole thing. eventually mike gets tired of richie literally campaigning on twitter to become richie kaspbrak and tells them to sort it the fuck out. somehow, they take that as the losers volunteering to be a judging panel for this debate. (“what,” stan says flatly. “i don’t know what to tell you, man,” mike says wearily. “i’ll bring snacks,” says ben.)

“i can’t believe they’re arguing this much to take each other’s surname,” bev mutters. stan throws her a long-suffering look of agreement. “i think it’s sweet,” ben says. “of course you do,” stan mutters. bill whacks him on the shoulder for it.

“all right, fuckers!” richie says, calling them to attention. “important question: what kind of pasta am i?” patty gives stan a sidelong glance. he’s gazing at the heavens as if for strength. “what,” mike says flatly. “fedelini,” volunteers ben, before anyone can threaten to shake richie. everyone pauses. “what the fuck is fedelini?” richie asks after a moment. “like skinny spaghetti,” ben says, and bev bursts out laughing. “because you’re long and skinny but eddie’s already spaghetti, oh my god.” “maybe you should just make your surname spaghetti,” patty suggests. richie’s eyes light up, but eddie says “absolutely not.” (“apple-solutely not?” bill asks with a grin. eddie flips him off.)

“ok, what the fuck ever, i’m fedelini. as we all know, spaghetti is the prime pasta, so eddie can go first,” richie says, bowing deeply. (“was that all so he could say eddie goes first bc of spaghetti? like he couldn’t have just said eddie’s going first? i literally can’t stand him,” stan grumbles. ben pats his shoulder soothingly.) eddie blinks, takes a deep breath, then rattles off like a thirty minute monologue with numerous reasons about why he should change his name to eddie tozier, including but not limited to richie’s career needing a recognisable brand name so he can’t just change it halfway through, what the fuck, rich, and also the toziers are a family he’s always loved and wanted to be a part of and maggie and went are way more something he’d want to emulate, and also maybe he wants to do something for richie, can you let him, you dickwad?

everyone blinks, and then turn to richie, who looks both incredibly touched and vaguely bashful. “i mean, my reasons were mostly about living out my childhood dreams of being mr kaspbrak when i grew up,” he says. (“aw,” ben says. stan, however, is groaning. bill is watching through his fingers. “i promise you, this isn’t going to be romantic,” bill says.) “it seemed like the natural progression from fucking your mom, you know?” (“there it is,” stan mumbles. bev is too busy laughing to respond. mike goes to stand by eddie in case he decides to murder his boyfriend and needs to be reminded that he loves him, actually.)

“i hate you,” eddie says flatly, but richie just grins. “eddie spaghetti tozier,” he says thoughtfully. “has a ring to it...” and then he’s like. down on one knee. and there’s a ring, and mike wants to be anywhere but right next to them, and eddie’s eyes are wide, and he just says: “are you proposing to me right after talking about fucking my mom?” richie shrugs. “yeah,” he says simply. “i gotta say, eds, she just really could never fucking compare.” eddie’s eyes are shining, and mike’s slowly backing away, and eddie says, “you gonna do a terrible Voice at the wedding?” a smile stretches across richie’s face. “baby, i’ll do a Voice for you every day for the rest of our lives.” and then eddie’s pulling him up, kissing him, and the losers are cheering. (“it’s not remotely romantic,” stan says, but he’s sobbing into patty’s shoulder. “sap,” ben says, which has everyone else laughing. and god, they’re so happy. maybe they’re all ridiculous and dramatic and turn things into a Thing when they don’t need to be, but it means days like this, when they’re all together and happy and full of love and light, and like. yeah. worth it)

[always-anxious612]

Magic in the Air: Chapter 6

Description: Everything is chaos with Roman, Dee, and Virgil all trying to master their magic. And If Patton can’t help with magic, then he could at least help Remus get a good grade. At least, that’s what he thought until everything started to backfire.

Pairings: roceit, analogical, intruality, platonic DRLAMP

Warnings: crying, pain mention (let me know if I missed something or you want something tagged)

Word Count: 1,529

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 8,  Chapter 9

It had been a few days since Remus started practicing his makeup look on Patton. It was going pretty well in Patton’s opinion. Remus assured him that he thought it was coming along nicely as well, but Patton felt like he was frustrated for some reason. In fact, they had been beginning yet another practice session when Patton felt the odd feeling that something was ff with Remus once again.  He studied Remus’s face as he leaned back to study his work so far.

“Looking fabulously gory already, Patton.” Remus grinned, making Patton raise an eyebrow. Why did it seem like frustration was practically radiating off of Remus when he seemed normal? Patton’s heart hurt a little as he tried to figure out what was wrong. He just wanted to help.

“Are you sure everything is going ok, Re?” he asked tentatively.

“Wha—of course everything’s going ok. I’ll have you looking like a broken bleeding human mess in no time.”

Patton bit his lip. He couldn’t help but feel that Remus was lying, but he didn’t really have anything to base it on other than he could just…feel it. Remus was focused on blending something on Patton’s forehead, looking unusually concentrated.

“Are—Are you sure that you’re ok?” Patton chanced asking again. Except for a subtle twitch in his expression, Remus remained focused.

“Of course, I am Patty. What’s with the questions? Not used to seeing me quiet and focused?” Remus cackled leaning back to examine what he was just working on. Patton let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back to study Remus’s face.

“Remus, please stop pretending. It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong right now but I know there’s something. You don’t have to pretend.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, tadpole.” Remus insisted, still smiling. Patton rolled his eyes fondly at the nickname but quickly leaned away when Remus tried to continue working. He could feel the frustration. He could feel something else too. Insecurity. Remus was radiating both emotions and Patton didn’t understand how he hadn’t noticed sooner. His heart twisted in pain. If he could just get Remus to open up, he could help.

“You do know what I’m talking about Remus. You do. Just—Just talk to me.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his heart started aching even more than before, radiating a sharp pain that wouldn’t leave. And suddenly Remus was crying through his smile. He—Patton couldn’t have—he didn’t cause—

“Calm down, Patty whack. I told you I’m fi—” he cut himself off with a sob and finally his smile slipped away.

“Wha—What? Why am I crying? When did this start? I feel fine?” Remus sniffled, trying desperately to push away his tears.

“Wait I’m sorry, Re I was too harsh. Please stop. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Don’t cry.” Patton panicked, not knowing how to respond. Surprisingly, Remus stopped at his request and wiped at his eyes. Patton’s heart clenched, his chest burning.

“Patton. What the—”

“I don’t—I didn’t. I just wanted to help you. I just want you to be able to tell me what’s wrong. Tell me what’s bothering you. Let it all out, Re Re.” Patton explained, trying to keep the edge of panic from his voice. Remus broke down again, cursing as he sobbed. He looked like he was struggling with something before finally opening his mouth.

“I’m scared I’m really not good enough to do this. What if my professor is right and I fail at the one thing I’m good at. What if I really am just a creep and a failure who no one likes. What if everyone hates my project. It’s too weird. I just want to make my professor proud. I want to make you proud. I can’t handle failing at my one passion. I can’t.” he blurted out.

“Remus.”

“What the heck. Patton, make it stop. I didn’t mean to. I feel like I can’t stop it. You—You’re doing this. Tell me to stop or—or something. Just make it stop, Patton.”

“Wha—o-ok, um, Remus, please calm down. Take deep breaths, ok? Breath for me, honey. Calm down.” Patton encouraged, drawing Remus into a hug. Remus sucked in a shaky breath and wiped at the tears streaming down his face. Patton sucked in a breath of his own. What had Remus meant he was doing this? Taking another deep breath, Patton pushed the thought aside, trying to clear his mind. After a few minutes, the sharp pain in his heart had mostly disappeared and he was much calmer.

“R-Remus, I’m so sorry for pushing you, but I’m sure you’ll do amazing for your makeup. You’re incredibly talented. But also, if your professor says it’s not good—which I can’t imagine will happen—that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You can always improve, and you’re trying your best. It’s important that you have fun. You love makeup. If you can’t enjoy doing it anymore, then you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself a break. What you create may not appeal to everyone but that’s fine. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, you’re incredible at the type of makeup you do. And I’m already proud of you, Re. You’re so creative and talented. Just because I don’t—I don’t exactly feel comfortable with some of the, um, darker things you make doesn’t mean I’m not proud of them or of you.”

Remus was silent and Patton was too nervous to try saying anything else. He didn’t mean to be so pushy. He really didn’t. Instead, he decided to simply hold Remus against his chest, rubbing his back in what he hoped was a comforting way.

“Patton, how did you do that?” Remus finally spoke up, his voice much softer and more vulnerable than usual.

“D-Do what?” Remus sighed and shifted in Patton’s arms, curling more into his chest.

“You—I wasn’t feeling that bad before. I was frustrated, yeah. And I guess all those thoughts were there, but when you told me to talk to you…I couldn’t stop crying. I physically couldn’t stop. When you said stop, I stopped. When you said to let it all out, I—I let it all out. I tried to stop the words. I tried to stop crying. I just—I couldn’t.”

“You think I forced you to—Remus. But that would mean that I have—But I would never. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I didn’t mean to make you tell me that stuff against your will. I would—I would never. I’m sorry. I’m sorry Remus.” Patton apologized over an over again, clinging to Remus who was squished against his chest. It wasn’t until he heard soft sniffles that Remus pulled away.

“Hey, Patty-whack, it’s ok. At this point, I’m pretty sure you have magic. And if it’s magic that we’re talking about. None of the others could really control it when they first discovered theirs either. It makes about as much sense as I do most of the time. In my opinion, you’re one of thos feelings people. What are they called? Empathy? Empass? Empath? Whatever, we’ll talk to Logan about it later, ok?” he soothed, gently wiping Patton’s tears away.

“Ok.” Patton whispered.

“Come on now. You’re going to ruin your makeup.”

“Sorry, Re.” Patton said, pausing in the process of going to wipe at his eyes.

“It’s fine. Actually, the dripping mascara kinda adds more creepy to it. I’ll have to see what I can do with that.” Remus replied, examining the makeup.

“Anyway, you can just wipe it off, we can practice more tomorrow.”

“Oh, but, um—I don’t mind starting over. I-If you like.” Patton stammered. He didn’t want to ruin Remus’s makeup practice on top of everything else.

“Pat, don’t worry about it, k? I still have plenty of time to practice. We can just relax for now, yeah?” Remus assured, tone becoming unusually caring. Sighing, Patton nodded and went to take off the makeup. He was still a bit worried for Remus, but he was sure he’d be ok. Remus wasn’t one to lose hope or be rattled easily. In fact, Remus was so tough and chaotic that it was sometimes hard to remember that he needed reassurance just like everyone else. Patton made a mental note to start complimenting him more. He deserved it anyway. And Patton, well Patton was terrified of messing up, of saying something wrong, of not being able to help those he cared about but…he’d be ok too, eventually.

            When Patton returned to the living room, Remus had packed up all of his makeup supplies and had started a Disney movie.

“Hey, Patty! Check this out! Bet you didn’t know I could do this with my tongue!” Remus called from the couch. Patton couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out of his mouth. Yeah, Remus would be alright, and Patton would do better at helping him and learning to not be so, um, pushy when it came to good and gross. As for his apparent magic, he’d talk to Logan about it eventually. Today though, he’d rest. And with Remus cuddled to his side, that’s exactly what he did.

  Taglist: @catolicabuena @look-ma-im-on-tv @its-always-the-witching-hour @sure-i-exist @wellhellothere09 @star-crossed-shipper @cemmy @lila-lupus

[loserslibrary]

pairing: Eddie Kaspbrak/Richie Tozier [Reddie], Stanley Uris/Patricia Blum Uris [Stanpat], Mike Hanlon/Bill Denbrough [Hanbrough] & Ben Hanscom/Beverly Marsh [Benverly]  written by: Ashley rating: Teen word count:  2,905 prompt: from @ticomat​ “Ok, so, for a prompt, how about the Losers having a Dinner night in which all pairings have big news they planned to tell the others, and end up collectively stealing each others thunder?”

Eddie knew that he and Richie were the boring friends. They had been for years, and Eddie supposed that was normal. When you’ve been in a serious, committed relationship since… well, forever, it seemed only natural that they wouldn’t have as many crazy stories as their friends. Especially since Richie had been banned from telling sex stories. Eddie didn’t mind, he was never bored with Richie, and he much preferred the most adventurous part of his month being he and Richie trying a new brand of pasta sauce that gave Richie stomach cramps over failed Tinder dates or coworkers setting him up on blind dates with horrible, poorly smelling people. 

Eddie and Richie have been together officially since he turned sixteen, but they’d practically been together for years before that. They’d had their rough spots like any other couple; choosing colleges had been one of the lowest points that Eddie could remember and he still sometimes felt sick when thinking about how close he and Richie had come to ending things when it came down to New York City vs Los Angeles. Richie had crawled through his bedroom window, crying and swearing to go to with him to New York City- or “wherever the fuck in the world he wants to go”- and Eddie couldn’t imagine them ever living anywhere else.

So, no. Eddie didn’t feel any lack luster in his life and he didn’t envy his friends’ wild stories whenever they got together the past couple of years. As they rapidly approached their thirties, Eddie was more than content with being settled down and married. Job he liked, financial stability, a loving husband in a surprisingly spacious New York apartment. It was more than Eddie had ever thought he’d be able to have growing up, and he wouldn’t trade it up for all the dating scene moments in the world. He wasn’t sure why anybody would. 

There was, admittedly, one thing in his life that he and Richie had been discussing. Something that could only make things even more perfect. And tonight, Eddie was sure that he and Richie would finally have the most exciting news at the reunion table. 

“You sure you want to tell them?” Richie asked, rubbing his hands between Eddie’s shoulder blades as Eddie used the mirror to do up his tie. Dressing up to Richie was a button up shirt with jeans that didn’t have rips in the knees or thighs, but Eddie always tried to go that extra mile when they were going out for a meal. Especially one that felt as important as this one.

“Yeah, of course.” Eddie said, finishing up the tie and pressing a quick kiss to his husband’s cheek. “I know that maybe we should wait until we have more news but- the Losers are as much family as your mom and dad, Rich. I want them to know.”

Richie smiled and pulled Eddie in for a quick kiss, and rubbed their noses together as he pulled back. “Alright, then I guess we better get going then. Bev is going to talk our ears off the second she sees us. Since the dweeb skipped Christmas.”

“I’m sure that her finishing the designs for her first leading collection  was more important than our Boxing Day dinner.” 

“You sound just like her.” Richie swung his car keys around his fingers as Eddie slipped into his jacket. “You’re such a sham, Edward Spaghetti Kaspbrak. You don’t need a jacket from here to the freakin’ car. You just wanna show off your nice threads to our friends when we get there.”

Eddie buttoned up the jacket up and beamed at Richie. “So what if I do? My husband has a big fancy Saturday Night Live job now, so I can spend my salary on whatever I want. Jackets included.”

Richie rolled his eyes and guided Eddie out of their apartment door. “Yeah.” He said in a soft voice. “For now.” Eddie never thought he’d be so happy to have financial restrictions.

Bill and Mike were already sitting around the table when Eddie and RIchie were shown to the Losers’ usual table. “Hey guys!” Richie half-jogged over to them as Eddie thanked their hostess. He tossed an arm around Bill’s shoulders and tugged him into his side. “Mikey, I swear you get hotter every time I see you. How do you do it?” 

Bill yanked away from Richie and punched him in the side. Richie made a loud, wounded noise and Eddie came over to give him a patronizing pat on the cheek. “Hush.” He said softly, before smiling at their friends. “How was Florida?”

Bill and Mike exchanged small looks that made alarm bells start ringing in the back of Eddie’s mind, but they both quickly replaced the looks with smiles. “It was amazing!” Mike said happily, waving towards the entry of their private room as Stan came in with Patty on his arm. 

Stan had started dating Patricia Blum about three years earlier, and she had been an instant click with their tight knit group. It was rare for anybody to connect with the other Losers so quickly, more often than not the Losers’ partners found their little group hard to fit into. Patty hadn’t been like that, thankfully. She and Richie had been practically best friends by the end of their first meeting. 

This was made apparent again, as Richie launched himself from Bill’s side and rushed through the little room to scoop Patty up in his arms and spin her around. 

“I swear, Richard.” Stan rolled his eyes but there was smile spreading across his face. “We saw you not even two months ago.”

“Awwe.” Richie cooed, putting Patty back on the ground and moved to kiss Stan hard on the head. “You know me, Manly Stanny. I’m like a dog, waiting for you to get back from work. Very over excited when you come back inside because you forgot your keys.” 

Stan chuckled at Richie’s awkward analogy and flicked him in the face. “Yeah, you’re a big oversized lap dog. I don’t know how Eddie puts up with you.”

Eddie walked over and wrapped his arms around Richie’s mid section and stuck his tongue out at Stan. 

“I told you we’d be the last ones here.” Ben said, quickly undoing his scarf and giving everybody a forced smile. “Sorry, sorry! Somebody claimed the traffic wouldn’t be that bad.”

“Don’t blame me!” Beverly said, swooping into the room in all her usual beauty. She pressed a kiss to Mike and Bill’s cheeks before turning to look at Ben with her arms on her hips. “I live in New York! I don’t drive. I take the subway like any self respecting New Yorker.”

“I’ll drink to that!” Richie cheered, despite none of them having ordered any drinks yet. The group all started moving towards the big round table, chattering amongst themselves. Richie bumped his hip against Patty’s and grinned at her.

“Take your hand out of your pocket, baby doll.” Richie whispered in her ear. Patty turned him, cheeks turning a little pink even under the red tinge of the dining room. She just shook her head and Richie leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Well, congratulations. Even though I’m not supposed to know.” 

Patty smiled to herself, and reached out to grasp Stan’s hand under the table with her own. Richie couldn’t hide his own grin as Eddie took the empty seat next to him. Never one to disguise his affections, Richie leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to Eddie’s cheek. 

Beverly made overly loud gagging noises and Richie rolled his eyes lovingly at her. “Cram it, Marsh. Let me love on my husband!” 

“Oh I’m sure that you smother Eddie enough in the privacy of your own home.” Bill said with a chuckle. 

“It’s not smothering!” Eddie shot to him, before pressing an almost rough kiss to Richie’s stubbly cheek. He immediately pulled away and wiped his hand across his mouth. “Oh god, Richard, you need to shave. I’m not going to keep kissing you if it feels like rubbing my face against sandpaper.”

Richie tossed his head back and cackled, wrapping an arm around Eddie’s shoulders and pulling him against him. Eddie whacked at his chest lightly, and Richie kissed him on top of the head.

“Truly disgusting.” Bill said with a roll of his eyes. “But enough of Dad and Dad’s domestic crap. How have you guys been. Some of us haven’t seen each other since the summer.”

“How targeted.” Beverly laughed, pouring a glass of water from the pitcher in the middle of the table. “But I’ll admit, I actually do have some news since the last time I saw you guys. And before you ask, no, it’s not about my new line so you don’t have to pretend to understand what I’m talking about.”

There was a moment of relief around the table, as they all smiled at their childhood female friend. Even after they’d started having more women in their group, Patty, or Bev’s roommate from college Kay, or Bill’s ex-girlfriend Audra whom he was still friendly with, they’d never really joined forces with anybody who was on Beverly’s level with clothes or trends. The closest was probably Richie- and only because with his career, he has to at least attempt to keep up.

Beverly reached out and tangled her hands with Ben’s on the top. Eddie looked at Richie from the corner of his eye, getting a raised eyebrow in return. Ben and Beverly had been having the ultimate will they or won’t they story in the history of the world, tracing back all the way to the eighth grade. They’d dated off and on all throughout high school, somehow always finding some sort of reason to break up, and then another to get back together. Two years earlier, they had rekindled the high school relationship and the Losers had been sure that they were going to be in it for the long haul this time. Then Ben’s job had promoted him six months into the relationship, sending him to live in Chicago, and they had broken it off once again. Not feeling as though the long distance could work for them. Though the two years had passed since then, the Losers could all tell that the feelings still lingered. Would possibly always linger between them. It was one of the few things that they all knew better than to interfere with. 

Ben smiled sheepishly, rubbing his thumb along the back of Beverly’s hand. “My company are starting a new project to create affordable living in New York City. They want me to head up the project.” His sheepish smile broke into a full blown grin. “I’m moving back. For good.”

The table erupted into cheers, which were quickly and embarrassingly quieted when the waitress came to take their drink orders. As she left, the gang all turned their attention back to Ben and Beverly, whose hands were still clasped together on the table. 

“So…” Richie sang, wagging his eyebrows. “Somebody’s gotta address the elephant in the room-”

“Jesus, Rich.” Bill groaned, though his voice hinted at laughter.

“Are you guys gonna be New York’s Next Hottest Couple or what?” Richie barrelled over top of Bill as though he hadn’t spoken. 

Ben and Beverly glanced at each other, stars in their eyes, before Beverly looked back at Richie and nodded. “That was my news. Ben and I are back together- and we’re moving in together.”

Softer, but no less enthusiast, cheers broke out then. Mike reached over and clasped Ben on the shoulder. The other man’s face had turned a bright red under the attention, always a shy boy deep in his heart, and started waving the others off. “Thank you guys! Really! But Mike and Bill! How was Florida?”

“Yeah!” Beverly jumped onto Ben’s attempts to deflect. “We want to hear all about it!” 

Bill cleared his throat. “It was great. You know, it’s always nice to go somewhere warm and know that your friends are all somewhere else freezing their asses off.”  

The group all grumbled and complained, while Eddie narrowed his eyes at his oldest friend. His hand was clenched around his glass and he used it to gesture towards Bill. “You’re holding back. Something happened. What is it?”

Bill and Mike glanced at each other. “Welll…” Mike said slowly. “I sort of feel like we’re stepping on Ben and Bev’s toes here but… Yeah, something did happen.”

“Oh shit, did you guys fuck?” Richie blurted out. Stan let out an exasperated “Richie” while Eddie swatted at his arm. “What!?! We were all thinking it!” 

“That’s not exactly the tactful way the rest of us would have put it.” Eddie said before knocking back the rest of his drink. 

Richie just rolled his eyes and slumped back in his seat, pouting until Eddie reached over and rested his hand on Richie’s knee. Richie dropped his hand on top of Eddie’s and squeezed. 

“Okay, so that’s not exactly how we wanted to say it either.” Mike said with a small smile. Bill was watching him from the corner of his eye, leaving all eyes on Mike. “But yes. We’re dating now. We’ve taking it slowly because we weren’t sure what this was, so please don’t be upset that we didn’t tell you right away-”

Eddie burst out laughing. “Billy. Richie and I were together for like two years before you we told you guys. We’re the last people be mad about that.”

“We weren’t talking to you.” Bill said happily with a toothy grin. “We were talking to all our normal friends.”

“Well, that’s fucking rude.” Richie muttered under his breath. A small rumble of laughter moved through the group, even Eddie chuckling. “Whatever. I haven’t decided if I saw this coming or not, and my gaydar is definitely a little off, but I’m so happy for you guys!”

“There’s no such thing as a gaydar.” Ben said with confidence.  Eddie, Mike and Richie all exchanged looks and Beverly kissed Ben gently on the cheek. 

“Well…” Patty spoke up then, her face looking like her cheeks were about to burst with joy. Richie nudged Eddie and wiggled his eyebrows, while Eddie frowned at him. 

Patty lifted her hand up away from Stan’s and held it out towards the table. The light coming from above them reflected off the rather large diamond on her left hand.

“Oh my God…” Beverly whispered. A hush fell over the table following Beverly’s words, everybody silently awaiting the confirmation of what they’d already pieced together. 

“We’re engaged.” Patty said softly. Stan’s ears and the back of his neck were both a deep red under the attention. The group remained quiet for a moment, then broke into cheers so loud that Richie was surprised they weren’t kicked out of the restaurant altogether. 

Everybody jumped to their feet, quick to hug the happy couple. Richie scooped Patty up in his arms and spun her around slightly, nearly sending their table flying. Both laughing, Richie sent Patty off into a teary Ben’s awaiting arms and turned to find himself facing Stanley. Stan’s cupped the back of Richie’s head as he pulled him into a hug. 

“You’ll be my best man, right?” Stan whispered directly into Richie’s ear. Though his friends would often say he had none, it took every inch of Richie’s self control not to immediately burst into tears as he nodded into Stanley’s shoulder. 

It took a couple minutes to get everybody calmed down and back into their seats, and their poor waitress came in to take their food orders. Richie was sure that once they sat back down all the couples were holding hands under the table. They all gave small chit chat until their meals showed up, and Richie dug in excitedly. 

“Oh, wait!” Beverly lowered her spoonful of pasta and blinked dramatically. “We totally forgot! Eddie, Rich, what’s new with you guys? Anything big happening in your lives since the last time we all hung out?”

Without even needed to look at his husband, Richie knew exactly what to say.

“Nope. You guys know us.” Richie draped his arm around the back of Eddie’s seat. “28 going on 88. Watch the news, in bed by 7.” 

The table all laughed, and dinner carried on without anymore cheering. The meal was peaceful and comfortable, Richie feeling almost blissful with Eddie’s heat pressing into his side while surrounded by their closest and most beloved friends. 

After saying their goodbyes, Eddie and Richie walked hand in hand to their car. “So,” Eddie started, with a smile in his voice. “Not ready to tell them after all?”

Richie laughed. “Nah, we’re ready.” He said. “But I didn’t wanna steal anybody’s thunder. We got enough news tonight. Ours can wait.” Richie pushed Eddie up against the car and kissed his jaw lightly. “What do you say? Let’s keep it our own little surprise. Just show them all by posting it on Instagram. Show up at the next get together with a baby.”

Eddie grinned. “We wouldn’t be the boring friends anymore.”

“Hell the fuck no.”

[mitchsmarners]

wouldn’t you like to see something strange

pairing: eddie kaspbrak/richie tozier [reddie] w/ stanley uris/patty blum [stanpat] word count:  2,878 summary:  Patty grabbed Richie’s backpack from him and grinned up at him. “Welcome to Derry. It’s the hotel California of towns.” ⤹ written for @thundercatseddie as their prize for winning 3rd place in my follower celebration.

permatags: @thundercatseddie​, @eddiekabsprak​, @appojoos​, @s-s-georgie​, @eddiecare​, @jwilliambyers​, @tozierking​, @eddiefuckinkaspbrak​, @sloppybitchardtozier​, @chaotickaspbrak​, @vipertooth​, @edstozler​, @anellope​, @tozierpunks​, @thorn-harvester-ven​, @wheezyeds​, @emgays​, @thegoths​, @wilding-throught-thehallways​, @reddie-to-cryy​,

Richie leaned his head against the car window, with his eyes squeezed shut. Fall Out Boy blared in his ears as he hummed the beat to himself. He didn’t want to be here. This was as good as the last place he wanted to be.

Patty yanked his headphones out of his ear and smirked at him. “What’s the point of wearing headphones if you’re going to sing out loud anyway?”

Richie liked his new step sister, he really did. She was a sweetheart, only a year younger than he was. If Richie had it his way, he wouldn’t have a step sister at all, but he supposed that he’d lucky out with Patty Blum. It was, at the end of the day, not his new stepsister and stepfather that Richie was against- but the cross country move from California to Maine.

Richie could already feel the cold starting to seep into his bones, and he didn’t think it would be leaving any time soon. The car pulled up in front of the house he supposed he now had to call home, and the family shuffled out. The majority of Richie and his mom’s belongings had made their way over weeks earlier, and Patty and Mr Blum had gotten the house set up for their arrival. Richie knew it was a nice thing to do, but he didn’t want to be here.

Patty grabbed Richie’s backpack from him and grinned up at him. “Welcome to Derry. It’s the hotel California of towns.”

Richie frowned. “What?”

Patty blinked up innocently. “You know. You may come, but you may never-”

“Yeah, yeah. I know the fucking song.” Richie grabbed his backpack back from Patty and moved towards the front steps. Patty didn’t even struggle to keep up with him, even with the extra several inches Richie had on her height. He vaguely remembered his stepfather praising Patty’s track times during the usual “my kid is better than your kid” competition when they’d been dating, but Richie had never paid much attention. Maybe he should have.

“Are you going to be a dick forever?” Patty asked in exhaustion. Richie stopped dead in his tracks and whipped around. Patty rolled her eyes. “Because you almost seemed like you’d be cool, and I think we’d get along pretty well... if you’d stop being a dick.”

Richie let out a rough sigh. “I’m sorry. You seem cool, too. I just-”

“Didn’t wanna move across the country. I get it.” Patty smiled. “It sucks. Nobody wants to do that, but it’s really gonna suck if you already decide that you aren’t going to like it before you gave it a chance.” 

Richie groaned. Of course, she was right. He knew that well enough. He planned on getting over it, but he wanted to wallow in it a little bit longer. Patty didn’t seem keen on allowing that, and seeing as she was the only person Richie knew in the entire state- he supposed he’d have to allow it. 

“Hey!” Patty suddenly lost all interest in talking to Richie, pushing past him and rushing through the fallen leaves on the ground. Richie turned and watched as Patty tossed herself into the arms of a proper looking boy with slick dark hair. A small, light brown kitten circled their feet and seemed to be giving Richie the stink eye. 

Patty pulled away, grabbing the boys’ hand and pulled him over to Richie. The small kitten seemed to skip along behind him. There was something... mischievous about the boy. A glint in his eye, a sinister curl to his grin. Richie felt the hair on his arms behind to stand up, and the dirty glare the kitten was giving him certainly didn’t help things.

“This is my partner, Stan.” Patty said, smiling wide at Richie. The kitten between Stanley’s legs let out an angry meow. Patty laughed. “And this is Eddie. Never one to be forgotten.”

“I love cats,” Richie said, though he wasn’t really sure about this one. “Can I hold him?”

Stan let out a laugh. “You can try.”

Richie swallowed roughly, looking down at the small kitten between Stan’s legs. The thing looked up at him with wide brown eyes, human like eyes, fucking daring him to try it. 

Richie swallowed roughly, looking down at the small kitten between Stan’s legs. The thing looked up at him with wide brown eyes, human like eyes, fucking daring him to try it. Richie Tozier wasn’t about to be shown up by a five pound fur ball.

Richie reached for it, and the little fucker let out an almost human sounding hiss. It knocked Richie’s arms away, and then Richie wasn’t quite sure what happened after that. Next thing he knew he was sitting on the ground, and there was an incredible cute, incredibly angry boy in a sweater too sizes too big for him and mom jeans standing above him.

“DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH ME!” 

Richie’s mouth dropped open, eyes blown wide. He didn’t try to get up from the ground, just staring at the boy (cat? boy? cat?) standing above him. “What the fuck.....” He said, suddenly aware of how Stan was laughing behind him.

“I said you could try.” Stan said with a smirk.

Patty whacked him lightly in the arm. “You could have given him some warning.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Stan replied, and Richie swore he saw something glimmering around this boy.

Patty just laughed and Richie scrambled to his feet. Hands shaking, he turned to glare at his step sister. “Care to tell me what the fuck is going on?”

Patty shrugged. “I told you. Hotel California of towns.”

Richie let out a loud, long, annoyed breath. Almost a growl. “What.... you’re all a bunch of monsters? And what are you?”

“A Gemini.” Patty replied.

Richie gagged. “God, that’s disgusting. I’d rather have cat boy over here.”

 “WOW!” Patty cried and smacked Richie in the chest. Richie stumbled back, rubbing at his chest and wincing. 

Richie ran his fingers through his knotted curls and shook his head. “Okay, can I please get an explanation. Because I’m pretty fucking sure people can’t just turn into animals whenever they please!”

“Mortals.” The cat boy said with a high, pleasing voice. “They always freak out. They’re so predictable.”

“Eddie, you are also a mortal.” Stan said in a bored voice. “If I stabbed you, you would die.” 

Richie choked on the air and Eddie’s face turned bright red. “Oh yeah, tough guy? You think you’re so great. You’re not great, you’re a pussy. You won’t do shit.”

“And what would you do, Eddie?” Stan said calmly.  “Gonna go home and make a voodoo doll of me?”

“You know, maybe I fucking will-”

“Eddie! Stanley!” Mr Blum’s voice carried over to them. Richie jumped a mile in the air, nearly toppling himself over. The teens all turned to look at him, Stanley’s composure never slipping and Eddie blinking into the image of the boy next door. Richie’s heart was in his throat. “It’s good to see you boys! It’s been awhile!”

“It’s good to see you, too, Mr Blum.” Stan said smoothly, voice dripping with something so soothing and calm that it brought Richie’s nerves down instantly. The realization of that only brought them sky rocketing back up.

“Do you kids have any plans for tonight?“ He asked. “I know Patty’s missed you, and I’m sure it would be great for Richard to get to know the town. The rest of your friends.”

“No, I...” Richie said, pulse racing through him. “I should... unpack.”

“But Richie, Dad and I unpacked pretty much everything already.” Patty jumped in, cheek rested against Stanley’s shoulder. “Come out with us, it’ll be fun!”

“Yeah, Richie.” Eddie said with flashing eyes. “It’ll be fun.”

Richie nodded, lips pursed. He was going to die, wasn’t he? But before he could even try to think of another excuse, Patty’s fingers were wrapped around his wrist and he was being pulled away from safety.

It was eerily dark and quiet streets of this town that Richie never stepped foot in. He walked with two strange creatures he’d never met before, and the stepsister he’d only met a handful of times. He was sure even the moon was watching them.

“Where are you taking me?”

Patty smiled at him, and shook her head. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I am worried about it, though. Very worried, actually.”

Eddie the Cat Boy patted Richie on the shoulder, then squeezed almost painfully. Richie felt something shoot down his spine. Richie jerks away, heart racing in his chest and Eddie’s eyes were wide and sharp as he watched him move.

Richie cleared his throat as he rub absentmindedly at his shoulder where Eddie’s hand had just been. “I’m still really confused.” Richie said in a voice that he knew was too high pitched compared to his usual. “And I’m not completely sure you aren’t going to kill me, so there’s also that detail and-”

“Nobody is going to kill you.” Stanley said, his voice sending a wave of calm over Richie. Fake calm, Richie could feel, but it didn’t make him feel any less comforted. “We’re taking you to meet our friends.”

“And they’re going to kill me?” Richie continued.

Stanley rolled his eyes. “No.”

Richie side eyed Eddie, who was looking Richie up and down as though he was seizing him up for slaughter.  “Are they all secretly animals?”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “They fucking wish.” And with that, Eddie morphed back into the small cat from before and ran off. He didn’t move far, just a few more houses down the road before he bounced up the front steps. It looked like any other house Richie had ever seen, similar but slightly different to all the other houses on this same street, but Richie was all too quickly learning that nothing in Derry was “normal.”

“Let’s go.” Patty said “It’s party time.”

“There’s a party in there?” Richie questioned, staring up at the dark house. The windows were dark, and there was dust on the front porch. It looked like nobody had touched the house in years, maybe decades, beside the little kitten paw prints in the dust left behind by Eddie. “This is an abandoned house.”

“Nothing is ever truly abandoned.” Stan said wisely. He walked up the dusty steps and left no footsteps.

Richie looked at Patty, raising his brow. Patty just shook her head, linked her arm with his and lead him into the house. The inside was different from the outside. It looked larger, and it was lit up with soft orange tinge lights, and soft instrumental music almost like a backtrack. The whole place smelt like pumpkin pie and a smile tugged at the edges of Richie’s lips.

A boy with soft blond hair came around the corner and smiled at the sight of them. “Patty! You’re home!” He quickly embraced her and gave Stan a small nod. His eyes turned to Richie then. “And you must be her new step brother, Richard?”

“Everybody except her father calls me Richie.” Richie said, sticking his hand out and shaking with the blond boy.

“Cool.” He said simply. “I’m Buh-Bill. Welcome to my house.”

“You live here?” Richie asked, looking around. It seemed cozy enough, but there wasn’t much furniture besides an old holey looking couch and singular coffee table.

“Well, n-no.” Bill said. “Not technically, no. I have a house where I live with my family. But I live h-h-here sometimes, too.”

Richie nodded and let himself be guided further into the house. Bill and Patty took turns introducing him to people and Richie couldn’t remember a single name until they moved into the kitchen. There was buff looking boy standing above the stove, stirring, while Eddie the kitten walked along the counter.

“This is Mike.” Bill said, voice suddenly much softer than with anybody else he’d introduced Richie, too. “He’s a witch.”

Richie did a double take. So far, Bill had left the introductions with just names, though Richie had been able to guess that girl with the bright green skin or the boy with the glowing eyes weren’t exactly human.

“Bill’s always so nice about it.” Mike said in a voice as sweet and soothing as honey. “I might be a witch by blood, but I’m not very good at it.”

“You’ll g-g-get there.” Bill said with a smile as he walked over and looked into the pot on the stove. It made Richie a little nervous to watch the steam rise up out of it and curl into the air.

“So, what is this.” Richie asked with a toss of his hands. “Fucking Halloweentown?”

Patty let out a laugh, while Stan moved over and took Eddie off the counter. He placed him onto the ground and Eddie quickly morphed back into his human self. There seemed to at least be some sort of magical benefit that Eddie kept his clothes when he switched forms.

“If you want to be so obtuse about it, sure.” Eddie said sharply. “It’s the HellMouth. It’s a homing call for supernaturals. The closer to the HellMouth you are, the stronger your powers are. Derry settles right on top of one.”

“What like...” Richie wrinkled his nose. “Like Buffy?”

“Do you determine your life with only fucking television references?” Eddie asked.

“Okay, well.” Richie rolled his eyes. “Halloweentown is a movie franchise, first of all, and-”

“This isn’t some stupid Disney movie!” Eddie cried. “This is real shit, okay, and-”

“You turn into a cat when you’re bored!” Richie countered. “That’s the most Disney movie thing I’ve ever heard, are you kidding me?”

“That is so not funny, asshole.” Eddie cried., “I could destroy you. It wouldn’t even be hard! Little toothpick like you, I wouldn’t even need to use my powers, I could just choke you out with my bare hands!”

“Kinky.”

Eddie’s entire face turned bright red and his body seemed to vibrate with rage.

“Wow.” A deep voice suddenly sounded in Richie’s ear. “I’ve never seen anybody get under Eddie’s skin so quickly. You have no regard for your own life at all.”

Richie spun around, but there was nobody there. His skin broke out in goosebumps all up and down his arms. His spine tingled as he looked around with a deep frown. “What the fuck-”

“Hi.” The voice said. Directly in front of Richie’s face. Where nobody stood. Richie screamed and stumbled backwards. He collided directly with Bill’s chest, arms coming to wrap around his midsection to keep him standing up-right.

“Relax, relax.” Bill said with laughter in his voice. Eddie was hunched over at his middle, cackling, and everybody else looked close to laughing as well. “It’s just B-B-Ben. He’s invis-vis-visible.”

“He’s...” Richie cleared his throat and pushed away from Bill’s arms and dusted himself off as though it would save his dignity. “Right, of course. I obviously should have assumed that. Invisible boy. Why the fuck not?”

“You guys are freaking him out!” A girl with bright red hair that seemed to glimmer in the low light came into the kitchen with a large, black wine glass in her hands. She smiled at him. “It’s Richie, right? I’m sorry my friends are such insensitive assholes.”

Bill and Mike both had the decency to look ashamed of themselves, while Stan kept his expression annoyingly emotionless and Eddie just rolled his eyes.

“No, it’s okay. I think I’ve got it.” Richie said as he looked at the group of misfit creatures. “Mike is a witch, Eddie is probably a witch too but he’s also a bitch-” Eddie made a loud, offended noise and Mike snorted into his pot of steam. “Ben- wherever he’s standing is the Invisible Man and Stan is like... yeah, I don’t know about that one actually but he’s weird.”

Stan rolled his eyes. “I’m a fae.”

Richie blinked. “That’s not very Halloween-y.”

“This isn’t fucking Halloweentown!” Eddie shouted. He tossed his hands into the air with a deep scowl. “It’s not all mummys and werewolves and Edward Scissorhands!”

“Edward Scissorhands isn’t from-” Richie started but Eddie held up his hand and glared at him. “Okay, okay. And Bill you’re, like just a person, right? Like me and Patty.”

Bill cleared his throat awkwardly and Richie swore he saw Mike tense up. “I, once was. Yeah.” Bill seemed to slowly go transparent before Richie’s eyes, and Richie’s breath caught in his throat. “No so mu-mu-much anymore.”

“Oh, you’re...” Richie felt his cheeks heat up. “You’re a ghost. I’m sorry, man.”

“No, it’s okay.” Bill waved him off. “I’m uh-uh-only a guh-ghost suh-suh-sometimes.”

“Sometimes? How does that work?” Richie asked.

“I’m working on it.” Mike said in a stiff voice and Richie knew to back off quickly.

The girl came over and poured a slick looking black liquid into her wine glass and swished it around before sipping it slowly. “I’m Beverly. I’m a demon.” She turned to him, her eyes dancing with a thick ember. Her hair almost seemed to be fire itself more than human hair. “So, don’t fuck with me.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.“ Richie said simply. “I wasn’t planning on any of this.”

[rubyredsparks]

Blossoming Souls Ch. 11

Relationship(s): Romantic Logince, Moxiety; Platonic every other relationship

“Tags” for the whole story: morally grey!deceit, Deceit, Remus, Thomas as a character, Romance, Minor violence, someone’s potty mouth, Foul language, Minor homophobia (it’s not that bad), Miscommunication (this one is though), Friendship

Chapter Summary: Patton is excited about his date. Virgil is Thirsty. And the night ends on a totally horrible note.

Patton was excited. He was shaking in his boots. He had a date!

He had a date with a Royal Advisor.

Virgil, Lady, the name just rolled off his tongue. A name that fit an adorable man.

“Patton!” He startled, bringing his shield up to block a strike from his opponent. “For Lady’s sake, Patton, pay bloody attention!”

“I’m in love, Elyan!”

“With who!” The man asked, sword a blur as he blocked and parried. His back hit Patton’s as they started to fight back to back against new knights.

“A man!” Patton laughed gleefully, heart singing.

“Just finish the duel, for Mercy’s sake!” Elyan yelled, shield knocked out of hand.

Patton didn’t deign that with a response, mind focussed back onto the attacks at hand.

He analyzed his last three attackers. They were fairly new, according to the Eiehden senior knights. They had needed practice, children of nobles wanting to prove their worth to their seniors.

One of them looked to be about eighteen, the two others twenty. The eighteen year old was cocky, swinging his sword around with an arrogant smile playing on his lips.

Brash, that was what Patton decided. The boy was probably going to rush at him, sword swinging.

The other two were twins, swords levered up, but wary. They circled him, actions mirrored.

He was surrounded, Elyan had already finished, beating the other two rookies and leaving him with the stragglers.

He didn’t know if Elyan did this on purpose or not. The cocky boy had had enough apparently, immediately charging at him.

Patton swept low, ducking the blow aimed for his head. The boy ran past, losing his balance and Patton elbowed his back, sweeping out his knees.

The boy fell to the ground with a groan, sword clattering to the side until Patton kicked it away.

The twins immediately pounced on him when his back was turned. Patton grunted when the butt of a sword clipped at his ribs. He aimed, and disarmed one twin, hitting the back of their head where they crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

He stumbled back, leaving a fair bit of distance between the twins. Eyes cast to the side, he noticed the other boy limping out of the area, cradling his ribs. The boy cast a sheepish smile, accepting the senior knights’ playful jeers.

He brought up his sword automatically, barely missing the aim at his shoulder. Patton stumbled back, winded, but unhurt.

The last twin rushed forward, strategy thrown out the window, and Patton easily twisted their swordarm, disarming them with barely a glance. He kicked their chest gently, pushing them down to the ground.

“Yield,” he said gently, swordpoint to their neck.

“I yield,” the remaining attacker said with a laugh. “Wow, they were right when they said that you were one of the best.”

“I just think I’m well-trained,” Patton shrugged nonchalantly.

“Was- was that a pun?” they said squinting and eyes narrowed.

“If it was, it wasn’t very punny,” Patton quipped with a quirk of his lips.

They threw their head back in laughter, “You’re awesome! I’m Sala.”

“Patton,” he offered his hand to them, hauling them up. “You were very good, nearly threw me off my guard at the dual attack. What’s your twin’s name, kiddo?”

“That big lug is Mickey,” Sala took off their helmet, long red-wine hair coming out in ripples.

“Sala!” Mickey whined, sitting at a table and nursing a small bruise at the side of their head. “How many times have I told you, it’s Michael!” he whined. Mickey had a pout on his lips.

“I’m older than you, twat.” They whacked the back of his head. “I can call you whatever I like.”

“Sala!” He draped himself across them in a dramatic hug, clinging to their shoulders.

Patton laughed, enjoying the banter between the siblings.

This close, Patton could see the bruises on Mickey’s face and shoulders. The red-wine hair that he had in common with Sala. Even sitting down, Patton could tell that Mickey was tall. Tall and broad.

“Let go, you leech!” Sala pushed him off half-heartedly, stifling laughter.

“What’s this, teaching the runts?” Elyan’s warm hand clapped him on the shoulder, making him stumble.

Patton gave him a sunny smile that belied what he really wanted to do. Elyan only winked. “Elyan, these are the new knights that Eiehde had to offer. Sala and Mickey. Kiddos, this is Elyan.”

“Sir Elyan, at your service,” he purred, kissing the back of Mickey’s hand.

“M-mickey,” he stuttered, red flush very prominent on his face.

“El! Behave,” Patton scolded.

“You gonna make me?” Elyan turned the purr and leer back on him.

He couldn’t stop the flush from happening even if he wanted to. “Stop it!”

“Ah, right. You have your own boy that you’re in love with,” Elyan clicked his tongue with a wink. “When’s the wedding?”

Sala and Mickey watched the encountered like it was a tennis match, eyes flickering back and forth between the two knights.

“Good knight, Elyan,” Patton said with a wave and a hidden flush and left.

“Good luck on your date tonight!” Elyan called after him.

“What- what was that?” Sala asked, lost.

“Knights teasing each other,” Elyan said with a shrug. “Now what the hell was that. I knew that Eiedhe’s military was shitty, but I didn’t expect that shitty.”

Mickey and Sala exchanged wide-eyed glances. This was going to be a long lecture.

Patton couldn’t believe that Elyan. Teasing him like that. He hadn’t even gone on a date with Virgil yet.

Oh. Oh! His date was tonight! Mercy, he didn’t even have clothes yet. He was going to fix that. But first after checking up on Logan, he was sure that someone was making sure that he was outfitted correctly now.

After checking in on Logan, Patton rooted through his case, looking for something to wear.

“Looking for something?” Patton looked up, seeing, “Dan!”

“What’s up, Patty-cake?” Dan laughed as Patton launched himself in a hug, patting Patton’s back. “How’s my favourite pun-loving Father figure?”

“What are you doing here? I thought you were back in Aowhea,” Patton asked, letting go of the man. The height difference prominent with how close the two were; Patton practically had to lift his head all the way up to meet Dan’s eyes.

“Nope,” he popped the ‘p’, brown curls flying in front of his eyes. “I was a few of the other servants that went along with you. There’s supposed to be some sort of tourney this weekend added on to this ball. They needed all the servants they could get. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice me?”

“Sorry kiddo, but I can’t,” he took off his glasses, “see that well.”

“That didn’t work as well as you wanted it to.”

“Oh well,” Patton pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Not all of them have to be vision-ary.”

“Pat,” Dan groaned loudly. “That was horrible, truly terrible.”

“Well, I can’t seem to tear myself away from these puns,” Patton said behind his giggles.

“That’s it.” Dan said suddenly. “I’m putting a stop to this right now. Bad enough that I have to put up with it from my husband at home, I don’t need it at work too.”

Patton’s eyes lit up, “How is your husband anyhow? I didn’t see him with you, and the two of you are naturally attached at the hip.”

“He’s at home, watching the puppies,” Dan waved it off. “Now don’t distract me. We’re getting you ready for your date tonight. Get you all spiffed up.”

Patton pursed his lips, not wanting to draw so much attention to himself. “Oh, don’t worry, kiddo. You don’t need to do that. I can handle myself.”

“I’m sure you can,” Dan said evenly, keeping his face neutral. “But I’m doing this because I care about you, Pat. We’re friends, yes?”

He ducked his head, red curls falling in front of his glasses. “Yes,” the words came out in a whisper.

“Brilliant,” Dan smiled gently, clapping Patton on the shoulder. “Now then, colour schemes. I was thinking black, or if you want to be a little out there, I would say a muted black. Or if you’re really wanting to spice things up: grey.”

“Dan!” Patton laughed. “Those are your colours!”

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

Virgil did not know what he was doing.

Talking to an Aowhean? Accepting a date? Not only that, but accepting a date with said Aowhean as well? That was practically asking for trouble.

It didn’t help matters that his date was cute. Er, not cute. He meant the opposite of cute. Cut. Attractive. Appealing.

Wait, he meant the antonyms. Unattractive. Unappealing. Yes, that was it.

Oh, who was he kidding. He wasn’t fooling anyone. Let alone himself.

He had lingered after showing the Aowhean to the training grounds. Staying hidden behind trees and taking refuge in the shadows, eyes watching the other like a hawk.

He had watched as the man, Patton, went over to the weapons, picking up a longsword. Virgil had watched in disbelief as Patton had expertly wielded the weapon, swinging it around with a practiced ease.

He walked into the sword-ring, hand around the hilt loose.

The man who had the face of a cherub, slicing the sword through the air and easily disarming five knights. The knights that Virgil recognized came from his kingdom.

Patton hadn’t even stood in a defensive position. The knights immediately charged at him, and Patton just… laid into them as if they were nothing more than annoying flies.

Seems that Aowhea’s military lived up to its stories. Now if only Eiedhe’s soldiers could do the same.

When the newer knights-in-training came into the ring, Virgil got worried. Not for Patton. Absolutely not.

But he knew the noble son that was circling around Patton. Annoying, rash, and judging by the way he was holding the sword, not a very good knight.

He didn’t want Patton getting a cut from a wayward swing. The man wasn’t even wearing armor for Mercy’s sake!

Patton seemed to be shouting something, but Virgil was too far away to make it out. But seeing the pleased smile on his face set something fluttering in his chest.

His worries had seemed to be in vain, as Patton easily knocked the noble son down and out of the ring without a second glance.

The noble son at least had the grace to look sheepish as he limped out, and Virgil had seen how Patton gave the boy a concerned look before focusing back on the duel at hand.

He adamantly denied feeling his heart flutter at that again.

Within seconds, Patton had laid the twins flat on their feet. Sala, at least Virgil thought it was them, was on their back, and Patton had a gentle look on his face as he forced them to yield.

Patton had said something that made Sala burst into laughter, and the knight had a kind yet mischievous smile on his face before helping them up.

Virgil had watched as he walked them over to their twin, lips quirked up in a familiar smile that absolutely did not make a smile twitch at his own lips. He was nearly blinded by the sunny smile, and a glint of something that hit his eyes.

Then Patton had laughed, and Virgil was gone. That smile, along with that angelic appearance, and holy shit was his shirt riding up? Oh my Lady, were those abs? One, two, three, four, five, six. Holy shit.

Virgil had bolted.

Now he was laid on his bed, smothering his face with his pillow to quiet his screams.

“You alright there, sweetcheeks?” Remy asked from the corner of his room.

Virgil had stormed into his room after watching Patton lay his soldiers flat on their backs within seconds, cheeks red and face hiding a flush.

Virgil groaned, burying deeper into the pillows and bed. He had been in that position for a few hours.

“Ah,” Remy clicked his tongue in understanding, coming forward next to the side of the bed. “Boy troubles, I get it, hon. Now why is your gay little heart a flutter today?”

“Get out of my room, Remy,” Virgil’s response was muffled in the sheets, but he didn’t really care about that right now.

“But who else is going to help you with your boy problems?” Remy teased.

Virgil launched a pillow at his direction without looking. “Fuck off.”

“No can do, gurl. I’m gonna help you with your little boytoy. Patton’s a sweetheart, ain’t he?”

Virgil shot up, scowling at the sly smile on Remy’s face. “You’re an ass.” He situated himself on the bed, wrapping blankets around him securely.

“Now, now. We both know that although my ass is hella fine, the only ass you want is Patty-cake’s.” Remy neatly dodged the other pillow Virgil lobbed at him. “Word on the street is that he’s your date to the Welcoming ball.”

“Gods above, does everyone know? How did it get out? We weren’t even in that crowded of a hallway.”

Remy shrugged, patting Virgil on the shoulder. “Word travels fast. Now what are you going to wear?”

“I’m not going,” Virgil rolled over, hiding his face from view.

“Yes, you are,” Remy hauled him to his back, yanking him out of his burrito blanket. “So help me Lady above, you are going to this thing. Also your presence is like, sorta necessary, gurl, being the Royal Advisor and everything.”

“I’m cashing in my sick days.” Virgil pulled the blankets back from Remy’s hands. Didn’t Remy see what was happening? Why he couldn’t go on a date with Patton? Why he couldn’t let his heart break because of Aowhea again?

“Yes. You. Are.” Remy grunted, pulling him off the bed and making him tumble onto the ground.

“What the fuck, Remy?”

“You are going to get your ass up and changed into nice clothes and you are going to treat Patton to a nice time at the ball like a gentleman. Because like hell are you going to waste this opportunity,” Remy said, voice a near growl.

“Why are you so interested in the two of us?” Virgil asked, suspicious.

Remy froze minutely before raising his brow. “I was watching you. Your eyes were practically hearts around him. This is the first time I’ve seen you smile like that. And if tomato-head is the reason then I’m all for it.”

“Whatever,” Virgil rolled his eyes, stumbling over the blankets as he got up, Remy helping him. “I don’t need anyone. I handle myself just fine al-”

There was a knock on his door. “Hello?

Patton.

“Virgil? Are you there?”

Virgil and Remy shared panicked looks. Virgil tilted his head at the door urgently, nonverbally telling Remy to get it.

Remy gave him an offended look, shaking his head and crossing his arms. ‘Do it yourself’ his face seemed to be saying.

Virgil gave him a tight smile with his teeth bared, squeezing Remy’s hand where it laid forgotten on his arm firmly, brown eyes promising murder.

Remy huffed, wincing when Virgil let go, but obligingly going to open the door. Virgil ducked out of immediate sight.

“Hey, Patty-cake,” Remy drawled.

“Remy? I thought this was Virgil’s room?” Patton’s voice was adorably confused.

“It is,” Remy nodded, and from where Virgil was standing Patton’s brows were scrunched up, head tilted like a puppy.

“But,” he waved a hand up and down, “you’re here.”

“I was hanging out with Virge, getting him ready for your date.”

Virgil watched as Patton flushed, mouth opening and closing trying to formulate some sort of response. Virgil clenched his jaw, taking in a deep breath when an errant thought wondered just how far that red travelled.

“Where’s Virgil?”

“Taking a piss.” Remy said, and Virgil threw a pillow at the back of his head, but Remy didn’t react.

“Okay, I just wanted to know if he wanted to meet me at the ball or if we were going together.”

“Together definitely,” Remy nodded his head seriously. “He can’t wait for it. In fact, he was just getting ready.”

“Okay,” Patton said giving him a weird look. “Just so you know, the ball is in less than an hour. I had thought the Royal Advisor had to be there in half an hour.”

Remy cursed.

“Language,” Patton chided automatically.

“Pat, can you give me like ten minutes? Just wait outside the door, thanks doll.” Remy didn’t wait for an answer, shutting the door in Patton’s face.

“The ball’s in an hour!” Virgil screeched, hands in his hair, tugging. “I have to be there in ten minutes to make sure everything doesn’t blow up!”

“Chillax, Virge,” Remy said, going to his dresser. He started to rummage through his clothes, pulling out one outfit after the other. Constantly shaking his head at all of them.

If Virgil wasn’t currently freaking out, then he would be offended by that.

“Here,” clothes flew into his face, and Virgil barely caught them from falling to the ground. “Get dressed in those, and you’ll be the belle of the ball. Along with your actual belle of the ball.”

Virgil looked down at the clothes in his hands and back up to Remy’s expectant face. “Are you going to turn around or not?”

Remy raised a brow, raising his hands up in surrender. “Fine, I’ll turn. Need to preserve that bod for the tomato, huh? I get it gurl.”

Virgil’s cheeks heated up, and he shot Remy a glare he couldn’t see as he turned around, “Fuck you,” he muttered under his breath.

He quickly changed into the clothes that Remy picked out, feeling uncomfortable in the more formal attire. “I’m done,” he grumbled.

Remy turned around, eyes lighting up as he whistled appreciatively, “Damn gurl, you pull that off well.”

Virgil looked down at the clothes before looking at himself in the mirror. “It’s not… awful, I guess.”

“You look hot.” Remy corrected.

He wasn’t far off. Well, he was a little bit. But Virgil wasn’t one to put down someone else’s credit.

The clothes were beautiful. Black like his soul like the darkest twilight dyed with the faintest hint of navy blue covered his shoulders, the jacket engulfing his body in a snug fit. Silver linings on the edges of the fabric.

A deep and rich purple tunic nestled inside the jacket with tiny azaleas sewn in patterns. Black pants paired with black boots that made him stand a little taller.

His curly black hair was a mess as he ran a hand through it in an attempt to tame it somewhat, feeling the shorn sides as he ruffled. But he couldn’t do anything about it now.

He needed to leave like yesterday.

“Wow.” That voice made Virgil freeze, then spin on his heels. Patton’s blue eyes were wide, twinkling in awe.

Virgil couldn’t move. He did not mentally prepare himself for this. He hadn’t even gone through thinking of how Patton might hate it and how he should change.

He hadn’t even thought of an escape plan when Patton inevitably said that he had fun but he didn’t want to stringing him along anymore.

Also was that a good ‘wow’? Or was it a disgusted ‘wow’? What did Patton mean by that? Did he think that Virgil looked ugly? Was he regretting asking Virgil to the ball as his date? Oh Mercy was Patton looking to take back what he said?

“You look gorgeous.”

Okay, maybe he wasn’t disgusted with Virgil’s face.

“You’re a budding blossom in spring.”

Virgil stopped, squinting. He couldn’t quite see if that was supposed to be a pun or not.

Patton looked stunning in his own outfit. It was similar to his casual clothes, but stiffer, maybe a bit more formal. A light blue vest covered a long-sleeved shirt with sleeves that fanned out in long strips of fabric.

Black belt buckled around his waist holding high dark brown pants with laced black boots.

Frizzy red hair tamed to the side but still slightly covering one blue eye. Glasses that did nothing to hide the sparkle in Patton’s eyes as he was staring at Virgil.

“Good. Er- y-you look g-good too.” Virgil grunted that out, stomach twisting as he mentally punched himself for stammering.

“Blossom!” Was that another pun? “How about we get going, bud? May I?” Patton held out his hand, and Virgil glanced a look at Patton’s eyes.

Blue, blue eyes that swirled with a thousand emotions. Blue, blue eyes that seemed to suck him in. Blue, blue eyes that were gentle and kind and not at all expectant.

Virgil laid his hand into Patton’s, feeling warmth in those calloused palms. His heart stuttered in his chest, missing several beats as Patton’s fingers interlaced with his.

“Perfect.” Patton’s voice was low, enthralling and pulling him in that Virgil felt like he couldn’t get out. “Let’s go.”

“Have fun!” Remy’s mischievous voice rang out, and Virgil could hear the sly, smug smile that was on the bastard’s face. “Be safe, have him home by midnight!”

Patton’s giggles were high and clear, “See you, Remy!” He waved goodbye to the blond with his free hand before gently tugging Virgil out the door.

“I meant it, you know.” Virgil heard Patton say to him lowly. “You really do look gorgeous in that, Virgil.”

Virgil’s flush was high on his cheeks as he simply sped up his walking, oblivious to the fond smile shot toward him by Patton as he was dragged along.

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

Patton’s heart was soaring heights.

The ball had been wonderful, he danced one set with Virgil before the ball had officially started, and he had nearly been singing with glee.

Of course then, Virgil had to do his actual job of Royal Advisor, taking his place by the King’s side.

King Thomas had looked exceedingly regal in his formal wear, red and black entwined to look like a cloak and suit all at once. Red clothing cloaked by a black overcoat that fluttered all the way down to his ankles.

Red wine sleeves and golden curlicues designed as hems. Gold asters sewn into the shoulders and right above his heart.

His son, Prince Roman, (who Patton now realized was Thomas’ real name) was seated to the King’s right, looking the exact opposite of His Majesty’s regal attire, decked out in all white.

Logan looked much like His Majesty in similar dark clothing, and Patton could see the twitch of lips that showed just how annoyed Logan was to be sitting there next to His Highness.

The King made a big speech that Patton paid half a mind to when he caught sight of Virgil standing deliciously behind the King, looking nearly as regal as the royalty in front of him.

He whispered something to the King before catching sight of Patton staring. He quirked a brow, smirking, and Patton’s heart skipped a beat at those dark brown eyes gazing deep into his soul.

Patton shook it off, offering Virgil a beaming smile. Virgil gave him a hesitant one back before going back to the King.

The King had told them all to start the dance officially as Prince Roman and Logan made their way to the centre of the ballroom.

Patton watched as his charge delicately put his hand into Prince Roman’s, cupped to follow. The gingerly way he was walking to the dance floor. The stern set to his mouth.

Logan was not happy.

Then the music started, and Prince Roman set him to dance, whirling him round and round until the song was over. And then there was a certain glint in Logan’s eyes as Prince Roman said something and Logan was sitting back down again.

Patton lost sight of the Prince as he intermingled with other lords, ladies and nobility.

His eyes trailed back to Virgil, and he made up his mind before anything else could change it. He marched over to the Royal Advisor, sidling up to him with as much smoothness and nonchalance as possible.

“Care for a dance, or is the music a-balling?” Patton asked the man to his left.

“That pun was appalling.” Virgil deadpanned. “I’d rather be here. Dances are not my preferences.”

“Oh,” Patton said. Why did he dance with me? he thought. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I stayed here, would you? Or would you rather I waltz away.”

A muffled snort, and Patton bit back a grin. He was wearing him down! “I mean this song’s not really my jive, but I can shake to the best of it.”

A chuckle this time, and Patton didn’t hold back his grin this time. Virgil shook his head, smiling ruefully. “I don’t dance, but I suppose you can stay here.”

Patton beamed, eyes sliding over to King Thomas who was having trouble hiding his smile. “How about you, Majesty, may I tempt you to a dance? It takes two to tango.”

“Ah, no. I have two left feet,” King Thomas declined. “I’d rather eat. The kitchen’s scallops are one of my favourite dishes.”

“Really, I have to sea it to believe it. Shell I ask for a dish, or is it an open dock?”

King Thomas let out a happy laugh. “No need, there are platters everywhere. I- oh thank you.”

A servant dressed in light green set a plate in front of the King, steaming scallops and linguine noodles arranged neatly in a pile.

The servant bowed his head before quickly rushing off before Patton could get a good look at his face.

The King picked up his chalice, taking a sip of wine. “The scallops are to die for, but this plate is mine.”

“I guess I conch’t take from yours,” Patton sighed as if it was a gracious gesture. “I moll-ask around for some then.”

Patton mock-pouted at the King, and King Thomas only speared the meat and popped it into his mouth.

Then promptly, surreptitiously, spat it out into a napkin.

“Virgil?” The King ushered him close, and the man leaned down. “I think I may have been poisoned.” The words were whispered, but Patton heard him loud and clear.

He furtively looked around, spotting someone with brown eyes and green clothes watching them keenly. The eyes were wild, and Patton couldn’t see anything else before the figure vanished, a glint of silverish-grey in their wake.

“We’ll make your excuses, Majesty.” Virgil’s voice was hushed and slightly harried, panic blooming in his brown eyes that was trying to keep steady.

Patton stabbed one of the scallops, taking a sniff and trying to play it off as a bite. He set it down, troubled. “Bitter almonds and flowers.”

Virgil’s jaw clenched, and he started fussing over the King, trying to keep him awake and aware. The King already looking paler and paler by the minute.

Cyconite, one of the most deadliest poisons in the seven kingdoms. If ingested, it could immediately numb a person’s nerves, making them fall to a coma in less than an hour. Death following quickly afterwards.

The plant that it came from was poisonous to the touch, only thick and sturdy leather gloves could allow anyone to handle it. And even then if a petal so much as grazed skin, the person could break out into hives and rashes that no ointment yet discovered could heal.

If the King ingested a small amount, then he was safe. He could be healed. But that was only if he took in less than 0.0001%, and that was betting on the safe side. Cyconite when made into a tonic was less potent than its plant form. Not so very poisonous to the touch. Able to be healed through much medicine and a stomach pumping.

But they needed to get His Majesty out of here now for any of that to happen. If not, then there was a high chance that there would be no Majesty.

He also needed to get the plate to someone who could examine it. A healer or an alchemist. Swiftly, he rolled down his sleeves, holding onto the plate carefully as he brought it up. Never too safe to be sorry.

“Come on, Majesty, we’ll say you’ve been hit by the stomach flu or something. Let’s get going.” He heard Virgil murmur, a barely noticeable tremble in his voice. “Leo, take his Majesty to his rooms. His stomach feels unwell. After that, send for a healer.”

The King was whisked away by the taller man without a second glance. Patton could hear the murmurs as people caught sight of their King being rushed away.

Virgil stood up straight, flashing the crowd a plastic smile. The music ended on an abrupt tone as he raised his hand. “Apologies everyone. It seems His Majesty is feeling an upset stomach. It seems the scallops might be a bit sour, do watch out. Carry on dancing, there’s nothing the matter.”

Whispers and muttering echoed throughout the ballroom, but when the music picked up again, everyone started dancing and having fun.

Virgil motioned to one of the nobles, fluorescent orange pinned to their lapels as they hurried over to him. “Tell Roman that the King’s been poisoned, and get him to the King’s room as fast as possible.”

Virgil’s tone was hushed, not wanting to set any of the servants or people milling around off into a panic. His brown eyes were nearly black with anger and rage.

“Has he really-?”

Virgil only nodded grimly at them. Their face set into a steely mask, nodding and rushing off to find the Prince.

“Patton, to me.”

Virgil’s back was rimrod straight, voice level but furious at the same time. He set out of the ballroom without a moment’s hesitation, footsteps stomping into the ground towards the exit.

Patton could only follow Virgil, plate in hand and stomach heavy with lead.

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

Masterpost | Previous | Next

[twistytwine]

Twisty ain’t funny (challenge, Sue and Enoch)

Twisty Attempts To Write Comedy Sorta

“I’m keeping her away from you, okay?” Susan cooed to Enoch. “Blair isn’t coming anywhere near you.”

Enoch gave her a look of confusion. “What do you mean? She’s nice. There’s nothing wrong with her.”

“There are lots of things wrong with her,” Susan said. “Like, a ton. And I’ll list them all to you right now if you want. I just... I just really care about you, okay? And I don’t think Blair’s that good of a friend.”

“Well...” Enoch trailed off. His eyes averted to the ground. “Well, I... I do think that she’s okay, but...”

“She’s made you sad before, right?”

He was silent at that. But slowly, he nodded. Susan reached out a hand and patted him on the arm. A gentle smile crossed her face.

“I’ll just tell you what I think, okay?” she said softly.

“Okay,” Enoch replied, quieter and with an even gentler smile.

She sighed. Then she whipped out a big fucking list that trailed at least four feet out of her pocket.

“Listen up, this is one naaaasty bitch!” she exclaimed. “Like, wicked nasty!! Feeding-your-dog-chocolate nasty!!”

“Huh?! I--”

“She looked at Tammy with not one ounce of love in her eyes! She scrunched her nose when she came over yesterday, dude!! Who does that? It’s Tammy!!!”

“Tammy?!”

“Yes, Tammy!!” She spotted Tammy in the corner of the room. “You go, Tammy!”

Tammy whimpered and barked before running away.

“Blair also likes pickles on her burger. But listen to this: there’s an entire AVALANCHE of pickles on the patty. That’s disgraceful as shit. The patty’s so thin that it crumbles in your mouth.”

“Oh, b-but--”

“Third thing!! When you showed her that picture you drew? She said ‘it looked nice’ but later she walked away and I saw her giggling in the kitchen. And she was snorting and muttering of how it looked like horse shit.”

Enoch paused, stiffening for a moment. “Well, uh... it sort of was supposed to--”

“She called me Russian!” Susan sobbed. “Who does that, after I told her I was from Slovakia?!”

“I, I accidentally called you Russian that one time, t-too...”

Susan squeezed Enoch’s arm gently. “You’re Enoch, so it’s okay.”

“Okay.”

There was then a loud dingdingding! It was the doorbell. Susan peered past the couch and at the window. It was Blair. “Shit!” she exclaimed, fumbling with the long-ass list she had. “Quick, go! I can confront her.”

Enoch nervously fidgeted. “Please, please, don’t make her mad. Please just be nice. I know she’s nice deep down.”

“Don’t worry, it’s fine. I’ll greet her normally, okay? I’ll pretend like I think nothing bad of her, okay? It’ll be okay.” She stood up and walked over to the door.

Susan opened it, and Blair gave her a smile. “Oh, hello S--”

“AAHHHHHHHH!” Susan screamed before whacking her in the face and tackling her.

[whack-patty]

blank one for all your blank one needs

[cacaocheri]

@whack-patty against my better judgement, i drew syd

[chocolatecak3]

Patty Whacks is a hilarious nickname but also what if Ratburn also called Pat “Patty Cake” because of sweets and stuff? Just Ratburn giving Pat nicknames in general is ❤️❤️❤️

WE (me and my friends) THOUGHT OF THAT TOO !! :D it really is so ❤️❤️ ratburn gives pat the silliest of nicknames but he just eats it right up because he loves him so much >"<

[lady-byleth]

Title: New Beginnings

Fandom: Tales of Vesperia

Setting: Post-game, like right after

Ships: Fluri (main)/Ristelle (side)

Rating: Gen

Summary: So much had already changed. Maybe one more change wouldn’t be so bad.

Link

By the time they made it to Zaphias, the decision to avoid Halure and it's too small inn going unspoken but understood by all, the sun was already peeking over the edge of the world. The city, however, was far from asleep.

Apparently celebrating the giant monster in the sky disappearing held more appeal than worrying over the sudden lack of running water and electricity, so the citizens had taken to the streets and thrown an impromptu festival that spanned all quarters at once. Some restaurants had even gone through the effort to put up stands, handing out food for free to anyone who asked.

Yuri had to sidestep more than one drunken noble as he wove his way through the crowd at the head of his small group of world savers and hip checked more than one into the nearest source of water to sober them up.

The smell of food made him nauseas though he was sure Patty would have jumped at the opportunity to eat a skewer or ten had she not been fast asleep with her head resting against his shoulder blade. Her big hat was safely tucked under Flynn's arm and her ruffled braids tickled against Yuri's skin with every step.

The poor thing had fallen asleep on her feet, almost walking straight into a rose bush had Rita not flung out her sash and caught Patty around the waist before it was too late. How exactly Rita had managed to move so fast when Yuri could barely follow the movement of his own feet against the cobblestone was a mystery he didn't have the energy to solve right now.

He was too damn tired. They all were.

Saving the world took a lot out of a person, especially when you had to fight your way through an army of monsters that had taken over the city of an ancient civilization floating over the ruins of a much younger city, while fully aware a crazy strong war hero was waiting for you at the end. And then you had to fight that war hero, simultaneously try to make him see reason and that was before the Fell Arms decided to fuck with you.

Yuri sighed and then yawned, losing his train of thought. Where had he been going with this again? Damn, he was so tired. His brain felt like jelly.

No, his everything felt like jelly. Maybe he was jelly now? Did channelling insane amounts of Mana turn you to jelly? If so, he hoped he wasn't apple flavoured. Pineapple was sweeter. He liked sweets.

“Yuri.” Flynn's voice startled him out of his disjointed thoughts badly enough he almost dropped Patty. She didn't seem to notice, only grumbling something about “scallops” and “sea devils” before falling silent again.

“Huh?” he answered intelligently, looking over Patty's blonde head to where Flynn was standing, pointing at the...oh. He had walked straight past the castle entrance. “Ah.”

Heaving another sigh that turned into a yawn he spun around too fast, stopped for a second so the world could stop spinning too, grabbed Karol by the collar so he wouldn't walk straight past the group as well and led the way up to where Flynn was waiting for them in the open door.

Leblanc and the Tweedles held it open until all nine of them had made it inside and then slowly closed it, their curious eyes boring into Yuri's back so intensely he was surprised Patty hadn't caught fire yet.

Raven broke the exhausted silence with a sound that was half yawn and half groan and all exactly what Yuri was feeling. “I think I'm actually gonna sleep in a bed this time around,” he mumbled, abandoning his affectations of ditzy dumbass in favour of a more Schwann like manner of speaking.

Beside him Rita huffed. “I think the old man broke.”

Yuri wasn't sure where Estelle and Judith got the energy to chuckle from but wherever that was, Yuri didn't have it. He just smiled, adjusted his grip on Patty's legs a little and turned to face the group. If only the room would stop spinning...

“Everyone remember where their guest room was?” he asked, somehow sounding far more put together than he felt.

“Oh!” Estelle gasped as the others nodded, looking absolutely crestfallen. “I don't remember!”

Judith put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Estelle, you live here,” she said, squeezing gently.

Estelle flushed an interesting shade of red that contrasted horribly with her pink her. “Oh,” she said again. “Yes, of course.”

Karol yawned so loud he almost fell over.

Yuri shook his head to clear out the cobwebs. “I think that's our cue,” he said. “Everyone, off to bed. I don't want to see any of you up before lunch. Now shoo.”

No one complained about his tone, not even perpetually grumpy Rita who just grabbed the hem of Estelle's dress and let herself be pulled along. Judith waved rather gracelessly and trudged off with Karol who pulled a groaning Raven along. Raven for his part attempted to swat Repede away, not realizing the dog was the only thing that was keeping him from running into a wall.

Yuri watched them go, shaking his head fondly, before he took another hallway that would lead him straight to Patty's designated guest room. He wasn't surprised to feel Flynn fall into step beside him, hovering close in case Yuri needed help with their little pirate queen.

The help was appreciated when they finally arrived at Patty's room. Flynn opened the door for them, put Patty's hat down on the dresser and pulled back the covers, helping to carefully lower her onto the mattress. She didn't move once as Yuri tugged off her boots and removed her gear and only gave any indication of life when Flynn tucked her in. She murmured contently, snuggling into her pillow, and dreamed on, oblivious.

Yuri sighed and stretched his back. Small as she was, she was practically made of muscles and thus much heavier than she appeared. He was gonna have a crick in his neck tomorrow...later...whatever.

But at least that was one down. Only a few more to go.

“You can go ahead,” he said when he closed the door, keeping his voice low just in case. “I'm gonna check on the others too.”

Flynn chuckled. “I figured as much,” he said, some emotion dancing in his eyes that made Yuri's throat burn. “I'll come with you.”

He shrugged, looking away. “Suit yourself.”

Next up was Karol and Yuri thanked the high heavens his room was an empty knight room like Patty's and thus as single. He could already hear the kid sawing logs a few doors away and when he stepped inside Karol lay spread eagle on top of the covers, legs dangling over the edge and mouth open so wide a bit of saliva had already made its way down his cheek.

Yuri shook his head fondly. “Sheesh,” he mumbled, feeling more than hearing Flynn's laughter beside him.

Karol, despite being younger – in more ways than one – than Patty, was both bigger and heavier than her, so Yuri was silently grateful Flynn had decided to come along. Otherwise he would have probably dropped the poor kid on his head trying to shift him under the blanket, though that might have done quick work of the horrible snoring.

At least Karol had managed to store away his weapon and gear before falling into his light coma, which couldn't be said of Judith, who had landed face down on her own bed and stayed there.

She had apparently decided getting ready for bed was too much effort and simply dropped her spear by the door, effectively setting a trap Yuri would have broke his neck on had Flynn not caught his arm.

What a way to go that would have been, surviving an abomination of global size only to whack his head on a dresser because Judith couldn't be bothered to put her weapon into a damn corner.

Yuri thrust the weapon at Flynn, who was hovering uncomfortably in the doorway because...girl, and made quick work of Judith's shoes and the knife on her thigh. He also pulled the pins out of her hair, knowing full well how badly her scalp would hurt upon waking if he left them in. First hand experience. He still blamed Flynn for that one.

Raven had somehow managed to wrap himself so tightly into his blanket Yuri wasn't even sure the old man was breathing any more but at least he had removed his shoes before doing so so Yuri simply gathered up the scattered bow and knife and put them on the dresser before leaving again. He wanted to be far away by the time Raven started snoring too. Karol may be loud but Raven always sounded like he was chocking on something and it was beyond annoying on a good day.

Repede, who had at some point rejoined them, though Yuri had absolutely no idea when that was, snorted at the closed door, his eye critical. “I feel ya, buddy,” Yuri said, patting his head.

Flynn nodded slowly. “Agreed.”

Not quite up for banter Yuri simply threw Flynn a teasing look, relying on that something between them that made conversation without words so easy to translate his meaning.

Flynn stuck out his tongue. “I'm off duty, I can say whatever I want right now.”

“Very mature, Commandant,” Yuri said, rolling his eyes. They were walking. When had that happened?

Flynn winced. “Why does it sound like an insult when you say that?”

“Dunno, maybe because it is?”

“I could have you thrown in jail for that.”

“But you wouldn't do that.”

“Are you sure?”

He was but instead of saying so he just smirked, elbowing Flynn lightly. The clang of elbow against armour echoed through the empty halls before settling into silence.

It felt good, being stupid like this. Without the threat of the apocalypse hanging over their heads, without a friend that needed saving and hordes of monsters hounding their steps. Even when he was this bone-tired, he felt strangely light having Flynn by his side, steps unhurried, voice light and joking.

When was the last time they had just...been? He couldn't even really remember. The soft looks Flynn shot him when he thought Yuri wasn't looking were proof enough that he felt it too. That peace settling in.

Before he realized how far they had walked they arrived at Estelle's room, the white door as out of place as the first time he was here. He opened it as quietly as he could, not surprised to find Estelle and Rita curled up into a ball, so close one half of the bed was empty.

“Huh,” Flynn murmured. “That's new...”

“Nah, Ristelle being Ristelle,” Yuri said with a shrug, sending Flynn over to Rita's side so he could relieve her of the heavy tome wedged between her hip and the mattress. Estelle had somehow managed to fall asleep on top of her boots, while Rita's goggles had slipped half over her face. Untangling the girls to get their gear off was almost as complicated as wrestling an eggbear, simply because they both refused to let go even in their sleep. In the end they had to leave the now useless bodhi blastia where they were or risk waking them. And Yuri was not in the mood to be fire balled again.

A big pile of small objects Yuri was too tired to identify had formed on the desk, all pulled from the too many pockets of Rita's clothes.

Flynn disappeared down the hall for a second, signalling Yuri to wait, and returned with a spare blanket from what was probably a supply closet. Together they spread it over princess and mage, tucking them in until only tufts of pink and auburn hair were left visible.

Repede curled up at the foot of the bed, yawning widely, and pointedly closed his eye. How, Yuri didn't know, but he had a feeling Repede was telling them to get lost and so they did.

Or rather, they tried to. As soon as Yuri pulled the door closed behind them, something changed. Not the hall, it was as quiet as before, nothing quite so obvious. It was more as if the air itself had suddenly shifted and it left Yuri reeling.

It was hard to look at Flynn, but even harder to move away. The last time this had happened Yuri had been twelve, soaking wet from a fall into the fountain, and had just been punched in the gut by the realization that he had fallen in love with his best friend somewhere along the way.

Except now he was nine years older, several brushes with death and one staved off apocalypse wiser and on better terms with Flynn than ever before. So why was it so hard to just be normal right now?

Yuri would have liked to ram his head against the wall until he passed out but Flynn was right there and probably not tired enough to let that one go. He would have to be dead to let it go and even then Yuri wasn't sure he would.

He sighed at the same time Flynn did and the tension popped like a soap bubble, falling away with snorts of laughter and shaking heads. They both knew, had known for years what they could never say, so why were they getting all worked up over this?

“This is dumb,” Yuri said, still grinning. Flynn was smiling as well, eyes glowing. Yuri had heard the girls in the lower quarter compare them to the sky before but that was ridiculous. The sky paled in comparison.

“We are dumb, you mean,” Flynn said, running a hand through his hair.

Yuri snorted. “That too, yeah.”

They had known. For years. It had always been an unspoken but open secret.

And still Yuri hesitated when Flynn held out his hand, a hopeful and encouraging glint in his eyes.

So much had changed in so short a time. Not just the empire and the world as a whole, but they had as well. Since Mantaic, Nordopolica, Aurnion...especially Aurnion.

Their duel had been the first time in ages they had both been completely honest, with each other and themselves. As Flynn had put it, something was different now than it had been before. Something inexplicable, but also so very obvious.

They were different, as much as Yuri refused to admit he had changed. There was no way someone could make the journey he had and not come out the other side a different person.

Yuri and Flynn both had...matured in a way, but also found that spark again they had lost when their friendship had taken a bad turn. They were more now, individually and as a unit.

It was strange, but also familiar. Yuri took a deep breath, eyes glued to the hand Flynn still offered. Patient. Hopeful.

So much had already changed. Maybe one more change wouldn't be so bad.

He had barely finished the thought before his hand moved, fitting palm against palm, fingers weaving together. A shiver ran through Flynn, so soft it was invisible to the naked eye but Yuri could feel it reverberating through him and into his own skin.

He let Flynn tug him closer until their sides brushed, and was hit by the realization that they hadn't really touched in years and how much he'd starved for it.

Just as he'd starved for this first kiss.

Flynn moved without thought, letting instinct guide him the way it always did when Yuri was involved, as he finally brushed their lips together after wanting it for so long.

It was not like the flowery novels Lady Estellise so loved, there were no metaphorical fireworks, no sudden wave of emotion. It was nothing so grand that poets would continue to speak of it for centuries to come.

Instead it was like the final piece of an intricate puzzle finally slipping seamlessly into place, the last stroke of a brush that gave the whole painting meaning...it was a conclusion and a beginning all at once, taking something that had always been good, what they had been for so long, and made it better.

Flynn knew that this wouldn't change them any more than their struggles already had. These unspoken feelings between them had always been there, boiling underneath the surface, but they had not been all they shared.

Theirs was a friendship built on trust, respect, understanding, of almost an entire life of shared hardships and happiness. This would not change that.

When he finally pulled away the world was unchanged and yet completely new, because Yuri's smile was finally free and soft the way it was whenever he thought no one was watching. But now Flynn was watching and still Yuri didn't hide, his storm cloud eyes bright with emotions that made Flynn's heart trip.

Yuri's fingers squeezed Flynn's, the other hand rose to brush blond hair away from blue eyes.

No, this wouldn't change them. They had just cast off the hesitation that had bound them for so long and were finally free to be what they should have been for years.

Together.

A wide yawn from Yuri lightened the mood, but did not break it, and Flynn chuckled fondly, rubbing his thumb lightly over Yuri's knuckles.

“Let's get some rest,” he said gently. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

Yuri nodded, letting himself be guided along the marble floors to Flynn's room. “Sounds good.”

[hairplugsmatthews]

In the Summer Sun - Sean Kuraly/Danton Heinen

Sean and Dan had finally put signed the deed for their new house. It was a modest mid-century modern home with 3 bedrooms, a large back yard and the kitchen of Sean's dreams.

They decided to celebrate the way every young couple who buys their first home does: a house warming party. Everyone on the team was there, as well as their significant others.

It was a warm late August day, the season fast approaching, and it was the perfect time for everyone to get together before the hard work started.

Danton was at the grill, sprinkling salt and pepper onto the patties, David Backes and David Krejci on either side of him, beers in hand.

"Are you seriously not going to put any other seasoning on those things?" Backes questioned.

"No," Danton huffed, aggressively flipping one of the burgers.

"Not even some onion powder?" Krejci asked, laughing at how flustered Danton was getting.

"My burgers are fine!"

"Calm down, dear," Sean says, stepping out onto the patio.  He gives Danton a kiss before carrying the pitcher of sangria over to the table.

"Hey Sean! You mind bringing me another beer?" Torey calls from his seat next to the pool, his pale chest shining in the sun almost blinding Sean. Sean grabs a beer from the cooler by his feet and starts heading towards Torey. He almost trips when he sees Chara laying on a pool floaty wearing his signature yellow speedo, his long legs hanging well into the water.

"Easy there," Torey laughs, grabbing the bottle from Sean's hand. Sean could feel himself blush, but luckily a commotion on the other side of the yard caught his attention.

 Brandon and Jake were in the process of setting up a cheap volleyball net, but it was proving to be a more difficult task than imagined.

"Can you please just hold this pole still while I try to hammer it in?" Brandon asked, trying to take control of the situation.

"Dude, that's not where that goes!" Jake replied.

"Yes it is! If you would have read the directions, you would know that!" Brandon shook the pages in front of Jake's face

"Directions are for losers!" Jake exclaimed, ripping the papers from Brandon's hands and tossing them behind him.

"Ouch!" Pasta yelled from behind Jake. He was sitting in the grass in his neon green short shorts, playing with the labradoodle puppy Sean and Dan had recently adopted, when he was suddenly whacked in the head with the pamphlet.

"Look what you did!" Brandon and Jake started bickering back and forth which in turned made the dog start to bark. Sean was about to lose his mind when Dan stepped in to save him.

"Food's ready!" Danny called, and Jake and Brandon immediately shut up, dropping the net  pieces in their hands, and making their way to the table on the patio.

The evening went by smoothly from there, everyone taking the time to relax, enjoying the food and easy conversation. At one point, Torey, despite being as burnt as a lobster, was chirping Chris about wearing a shirt in the pool, though he quickly shut up when Brad came up behind him and pat him on the back, causing Torey to yelp.

Finally, as the sun began to set, their guests began to trickle out. Sean was standing in front of the sink, washing the stack of plates that piled up after dinner. Elbows deep in the dishwater, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn dish, he felt arms wrap around his waist and Danton's head pressing into his shoulder.

"Anyone left?" Sean asked, rinsing the last dish and setting it on the dish rack to dry.

"Nope, just saw Bergy and his family out," Dan mumbled, letting out a yawn. Sean pulled the plug from the sink and removed his rubber gloves before turning in Danton's arms. He looked into Dan's tires eyes, brushing a piece of blonde hair out of his eyes. "Let's go to bed then." 

And as they laid in bed curled in each other's arms, Sean almost missed the quiet "Welcome home" that slipped from Danton's lips as he drifted to sleep.

"Welcome home too, Danny," Sean smiled, pulling Dan's body closer to him before he too fell asleep.